#Seriously again I deeply apologize for taking so long

[kyouka-supremacy]

Who in sskk would you say has the higher IQ?

IQ as in, conventionally smart? Then definitely Atsushi does. I'm sorry. I've said it many times before, but I don't think Akutagawa is a particularly perceptive person. Or witty. Or intelligent in general. It's due to external factors, he never got the chance to have anything that could resemble a proper education; but it's also a matter of his nature, he's just so impulsive, and narrow-minded, and stubborn, he really has the thickest skull ever. But seriously, especially in a world full of geniuses, Akutagawa simply doesn't shine for sharpness of mind, and is way too impulsive and instincts-driven to be a person that relies on reflection or rationality. Everything that Akutagawa does is the epitome of irrational, it's one of the greatest appeals of the character.

Atsushi is smart,,,, I've talked about this also, and I think it's less sustained by canon than for Akutagawa, but I like to think he's a very observant and perceptive person whose intelligence doesn't show because he's constantly surrounded by geniuses, but still he is smart. When it comes to observations skills, I find it easy for him to have them due to his childhood of ill-treatment and abuse: as a defense mechanism, he learnt to be especially observative of people's behaviour in order to tell what sets people off and be able to prevent any escalation, I think that's a widely shared abuse survivor experience. Something among these lines is shown in chapter 51:

I also think Atsushi is a very fast learner. He's observant, and that results in him constantly absorbing other people's knowledge. He's often asking for explanations for Dazai and Ranpo's reasonings, and although I know more often than not it solves an expositive role in the storytelling picture, there's still the fact that it makes Atsushi a person who's constantly trying to understand the reality surrounding him. Atsushi is also shown to be very cool-minded and calculating in fight: from him sliding under Akutagawa and attacking him from behind successfully eluding having to face him front-off in chapter 4, to him retracting his tiger limbs to escape Rashomon's bonds in chapter 12, to the strategy he elaborated with Tanizaki (and his ability to catch up on that) to defeat Lucy in chapter 16, to his attempt to outsmart Fitzgerald in chapter 34 (that, although failed, was still driven by rational thinking nonetheless), and the list could go on. The way in fight Atsushi is shown to ponder over and implement the advices people like Dazai or Mori offered him further makes me believe he's really good at absorbing information. And Atsushi is probably book smart, too! He's compelled by reading to the point he would even risk the orphanage director's punishment just to sneak into the library and read (not explicitly supported by canon, but I can take a guess). According to the second guidebook, he spends his leisure time borrowing books from the library and studying. Overall, he really seems to be rational in all the places Akutagawa is on the contrary driven by impulses¹.

It's like… A physics law when it comes to sskk, that Akutagawa will have the most despicable trait while Atsushi has the trait that is conventionally considered the best; or at least that's as far as my characterization of them goes. Atsushi is beautiful, Akutagawa is ugly². Atsushi is polite, Akutagawa is rude. Atsushi is pure, Akutagawa is stained. Atsushi is smart, Akutagawa isn't. Atsushi is lovable, Akutagawa is destined to cause repulsion in everyone he meets³. In the end, none of this matters: they're no different where it counts, that is, Atsushi isn't any more morally just than Akutagawa is. Atsushi in not any more good than Akutagawa is (I actually suspect the contrary is true). But as far as appearances go, it's still important to portray them as opposites, because Akutagawa being unlovable and Atsushi receiving all the love Akutagawa didn't get for being his contrary - even though deep down they're the same - is almost everything their relationship is about. It's also a big part of why they act like they do towards each other: it's source of Akutagawa's bottomless envy for Atsushi; it's source of how devoted and loyal he will grow to be for him - reaching the point of giving his life for him -, because he can't see Atsushi as anything but perfection. It's source of confidence and of that certain justified hatred towards Akutagawa Atsushi feels because to his eyes Akutagawa is about the worst person to have ever walked on earth. It's source to their wish to annihilate the other as the opposite they can't exist at the same time of. It's the reason Akutagawa had to die, because he's not the good one. Overall it's also expression of Akutagawa's thematic struggle to be good and unavoidable failure at that because of the constraints of a narrative that never wanted him to be good.

But I also think they can make it work. More precisely, I think sskk can make it work when both of them can overcome and defeat the narrative dichotomy they found themselves stuck into: by recognizing that deep common ground of “we're the same” and that where it matters, in morals, neither of them is better or worse than the other. The Beast universe exemplifies that for us readers, but they don't know Beast, so they'll have to realize it by their own. About that, I think Akutagawa already caught on, because he was faster to call out the hypocrisy of Atsushi's good guy façade, and from that it's a short distance to realizing that, as much as he hates to admit it, at his core Atsushi is not that different from himself. It's taking a little more for Atsushi to realize, because it's harder to get down from that higher moral pedestal he believes himself to be on, but with his whole reevaluating Akutagawa after he stopped killing and sacrificed himself for him (and then saved him again. And then showed him how formidable of a team they are when they find a common ground.), I think he's getting there.

Tl;dr: Atsushi is smart and Akutagawa is stupid and yes it fits their personalities, but way more importantly it's consistent with the themes they carry that translate in what their relationship is like.

¹ For further reading on how Atsushi can be witty, please refer to @/gloomierdays's tags on this post. ² For further reading on how Atsushi and Akutagawa's looks can be used to reflect their characters themes, please refer to this post. ³ For further reading on how Akutagawa being not smart (as far as conventional definitions of smart go) ties to his character themes, please refer to this post.

#Answering this exactly one month late I'm so so so so so sorry #To be fair if I didn't set my mind on writing dissertations for every ask I get I'd probably be able to answer them faster #Seriously again I deeply apologize for taking so long /////// #atsushi nakajima #ryūnosuke akutagawa #sskk #shin soukoku #bsd #bungou stray dogs #mine #people asks me stuff #I don't even think Akutagawa likes reading lol. #I think he's so restless and impatient‚ his attention span is really far too low to sit down and read something leisurely. #This might as well be my most fandom unpopular sskk opinion of them all ajkfafliugefligwfkqwjyg

[bombsonboard]

metal arm brrr

Summary: Every problem needs a solution. Bucky just isn't the biggest fan of yours.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 1k

Tags: Fluff in the highest degree, old married couple, Swearing (It's Bucky, duh)

A/N: I just needed to give you guys something, it's been too long since i've written on here and you guys are the best :) I've barely checked this over so I apologize for any typos.

*****

“Can you stop moving, please?” 

Bucky Barnes half asleep is not someone you want to mess with. The first time you shuffled he had hardly made a sound, the second you were met with a low grumble (a warning you knew well) and the third strike, he was thirty seconds from kicking you out of the bed. 

When Bucky had finally learnt to sleep in a bed again, mostly thanks to you, he steadily became a big fan of his beauty sleep and god help anyone who ended up disturbing him. He had a lot to catch up on. Once, you had violently shaken him awake because his phone was ringing and when he heard Sam on the other line, you were deemed a ‘sleep thief’ for a week and a half after. Bucky Barnes was a bitch when it came to his sleep. 

You usually wouldn't have any complaints about being in his vice grip but it was January and the nights were still cold and having a boyfriend with a metal arm meant that you were held to him with an ice cold grip around your waist. When the Summer came, it was a life saver, your own personal refrigerator but you still had a good few months to go before you were hanging off his arm everyday. 

“Sorry.” You mumbled and tried to convince yourself you were comfortable without another word.

Nope, can’t do it. You shift again. 

“You’re kidding- what is it?” He pulls away from you and sits up on his elbow, glaring, he dares you. “Go on.”

With the most innocent doe eyes you could muster you slip your bottom lip between your teeth and debate the argument you could spark when your gaze slips to his vibranium arm in the semi darkness.

He doesn’t miss a thing, you’ve come to realize.

“I swear if you say-”

“-It’s cold! I’m cold! It’s just too much cold!” You burst, arms flailing in desperation. 

“It’s my arm! You said you wanted to sleep on my left, this is my left arm, nothing I can do. Okay?”

“There has to be something.” You search the room for solutions, briefly lingering on the sock drawer. 

“Oh yeah, sorry, let me just take it off.” Bucky grunts, dripping with sarcasm. 

“...If you could?”

“Seriously, fuck you.” 

Bucky falls back into his beloved pillow, eyes shut and wishing he has chosen a partner that let him sleep peacefully, then again, why would he want that when you exist?

“Look, either come to the other side or deal with it.” 

Silence finally reaches your bedroom and Bucky is deeply in dreamland while you lie awake, scheming away. 

In the early hours, you slip out of bed without a sound and make a beeline for the sock drawer, knowing you had some old pairs of slipper socks stuffed at the back. Scissors in hand, you snipped off the toes and smiled at the D.I.Y leg warmers. Oh, he was gonna be mad. 

With nearly medical precision, you held out the slumbering Bucky’s arm in front of you and one by one, slid the fluffy socks up the freezing metal until it was sufficiently covered. Thanking the universe, he was a pretty heavy sleeper, you shuffled back under the covers and happily wrapped the soft arm back around your waist. 

You slept like a lamb after that.

*****

When the morning came, you woke up before him like usual and briefly left him to his own devices as you made coffee, two mugs sitting on the counter beside each other. 

Through the wall, you faintly hear the rising of the soldier before heavy footsteps quickly storm in your direction.

“The fuck is this?”

You look up to see him in the doorway, and find yourself the subject of a stare that would send millions running. Not you. The multicolored socks lined up his arm kind of softened his hoped effect and you had to stifle your laughter. 

“A solution?” You shrug.

“No.” He points at you with his flesh arm accusingly “Nu-uh. This? This is not how we solve things.”

“Is it not? I’m really digging the rainbow on you.” The giggle you had tried to push down had spilled over.

“You’re a fucking menace.” 

The giggle now a full bodied laugh that had you clutching at your chest as you were overcome with the image of your big, scary, ‘world’s most deadly assassin’ boyfriend glaring daggers at you while donning the most fluffy and most colorful socks up his arm.

Bucky was fighting a grin with all his might, your laughter was like an ugly disease, incredibly contagious, hard to avoid, and annoying.

Something soft hits you in the face and you halt your hysterics as you peer at the slipper sock now at your feet. Lifting your gaze, Bucky is smiling smugly, and working a second sock off his arm. 

“Bucky!” You yelp and duck under the counter as the rainbow sock flies in slow motion over your head. 

You probably shouldn’t poke the bear but-

“Y’know, for the best shot the United States army had ever seen you sure do miss a lot.” You taunt from your hiding spot.

When there's no response, you make a break for the couch and get shot squarely in the forehead.

“Say that again.” He dares with narrowed eyes.

“Okay, truce. Truce!” You raise your hands in surrender. 

“Say sorry for last night.” The pink ball of fluff in his hands, a deadly fate, and you’re consigned to concede

“I apologize for last night.” You sigh, approaching him with caution “Now, it’s been ten whole minutes and you still haven’t subjected me to your obscene morning breath.”

He beckons you with his head and you happily plod over, throwing your arms around his neck. The kiss is sweet, and full of promised mornings to come.

It’s welcomed by you. Until you feel the coldest thing known to man, his left arm, writhing under your shirt and sending immediate shivers down your back. 

“Bucky!” You screech and his strong laughter descends on your morning with malice.

Desperately wiggling out of his hold, you escape to the bedroom and yell from your stronghold:

“That was an act of war James Buchanan Barnes!”

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky x you #marvel imagine #bucky barnes imagine #tfatws #bucky x y/n #bucky x female reader #clara writes

[dragonsholygrail]

Beyond Desperation

Halsin Silverbough x Reader

a/n: Halsin and Astarion, my two main mans. I couldn’t not write something for Halsin. Some of the description may have gotten a little size kinky but dude is huge so it makes sense to me.

summary: After a particularly adrenaline endorsing fight ensues, Halsin needs desperately to feel close to you. His first course of action is to connect his body and soul with yours, replacing the aches of the fight with the aches of strenuous activities. Leading him to go a little bit overboard and apologize through vigorous after-care.

warning: MDNI 18+, p in v sex, biting, marking, body worship, light subspace, phenomenal after-care.

word count: 2.7k

It was due to a planned attack that started all of this. You had been there of course, fighting by his side. He had been particularly looking forward to it all day, his energy levels high despite his calm demeanor. You could tell having learned to read his body language and all the other things he never needed to speak aloud. Halsin was itching to help and frankly, so were you. Both of you aiming to look out for the natural order of things.

But then something happened that you probably both should’ve expected. In his excitement, Halsin had gone a bit too wild for a first turn of attack. After that, it wasn’t much longer until the entire fight was over and you all had clearly won. The other guys, while having gotten a few good hits in, couldn’t last long compared to Halsin’s stamina.

Afterwards, he went right to you, still overwhelmingly pent up from the very underwhelming experience of a fight. Checking to make sure you weren’t seriously injured. His heading straight for you was growing to be somewhat of a common occurrence. You tried not to look into it or think too deeply about it. You knew the way in which he cared for others. But that didn’t stop your heart from warming that he came right for you when becoming aware of his need. That he trusted you to be able to take care of him.

Though right now you were starting to feel a strange kindred bond that your opponents had with him. That's to say you were beginning to fear you too didn’t have the stamina to match up with Halsin. Your nails dig into Halsin’s stomach, bringing out a low growl from him as he helps you ride him into another orgasm for you both.

Like clockwork a hoarse scream is ripped from your throat as Halsin brings you to another one of your countless rippling climaxes. Your orgasm coats his cock just as your walls spasm around him and he groans, his eyes clouded over in a lust-filled daze. The only thing on his mind is bringing you to your peak once again, desperate to feel the way you clench around him as he empties himself inside of you. Desperate to see and feel your body as he gives you pleasure. Even as a puddle of your combined release soaks into the bedroom sheets of the local inn.

Your body convulses as sharp prickles erupt over your body from his deep thrusts and the beginnings of overstimulation. A whimper moves past your lips as you sag against Halsin’s broad warm chest, exhaustion falling over you after hours of euphoric bliss.

“You’ve done so well for me, dove. I knew you would,” Halsin’s low gravelly voice whispers along the shell of your ear as he leans down to your height. Your body twitches as he continues rocking into you though you can tell he’s restraining himself. Holding back from taking you again so soon after such an intense orgasm. You whine, burying your face in his neck as your hands trail up his overheated skin till they wrap into his hair. Both of you feeling needy for touch right now. For closeness and connection. “Sh, sh, sh. I’ve got you.”

“More Halsin, please,” you croak out, lips brushing along his raging pulse. Your hips start to move with his and your jaw drops, feeling the burn as his thick girth continues to stretch and split you open. But Halsin’s hands are right there on your ass, pushing himself inside you. Your body warps into him, a long mewl leaving you. But just as you think it’s about to get so good again, Halsin’s hands tighten, keeping himself firmly planted in your walls.

“Relax, it’s alright. Take your time. I know you got one more in you and I’m not going anywhere,” Halsin’s voice is a low rumble that vibrates against your skin as he peppers kisses along your shoulder. Your body still shakes but you’re itching to move, to keep him stuffing you full of his cum till he forces it out with another healthy dose of it. You truly don’t know where your minds gone when you reach this place with him. The crown of his cock rests sweetly against your cervix and it only serves to drive you deeper into insanity.

“Don’t- don’t make me wait. I can’t and I know you can’t either. I know you need it and I can do this for you. I want to do this for you,” you beg earnestly as a light fog grows heavier in your mind and your arousal for him heightens. You know this’ll give Halsin peace of mind, you know it’ll calm him after the fight you all went through. You want nothing more than to give that to him. So you whisper the one thing you hope will push him over the edge. “Just let go.”

Halsin is frozen, keeping you frozen along with him. His forehead now resting heavily on your shoulder, his nose brushing along your collarbone as he inhales heavy amounts of your scent. Then with a final squeeze to your ass, he lifts you up his cock, only leaving in the tip before his hips snap harshly back up into you. You cry out, cunt fluttering around his cock to which it responds with a twitch. Your bodies having been molded and in sync to each others.

Your hands caress his ears in order to intensify his pleasure. You feel the rumble in his chest and you press closer to him. Using his hold on your bottom, Halsin moves you up and down on his dick with ease, starting you both at a hurried pace. Your jaw drops, teeth nicking the skin of his neck.

“You’re ok,” Halsin breathes out, his voice low. You can hear the way he inhales and exhales roughly, tiny grunts leaving him with every wet smack of your hips meeting. You can only respond with broken whines, eyes fluttering as you lean all your weight on his imposing yet comforting figure. Halsin is more than prepared to carry you through this as he fucks into you.

His hands grip your body tightly as he fights for control, not wanting to be more rough than you can handle. His nails lightly dig into your skin, breaking skin in a way that has you moaning as pricks of pain join in with the vast amounts of pleasure. You know it’s sure to leave a mark or two but you can’t help but want more. Something that won’t fade away in a day or two.

You writhe against Halsin’s body, wanting his cock to touch every depth inside you as he maintains his frenzied pace. Lifting his head from your shoulder, he maneuvers around in order to more easily trail his soft lips over your heated body. He follows a pathway down your neck, tongue teasing your shoulder. His back arches so he can continue on along your chest. You gasp as his teeth bite at you softly, making your body buzz and quiver. His lips seem unable to leave your skin. You note the way his body shakes, his breath mixing with his groans and coming out in short pants.

You moan as his nails sink in a little further. Head thrown back you bask in every sensation you’re greeted with. It’s only when Halsin’s lips pause just above your collarbone do some of your senses come back to you. Though it remains difficult as you feel as though your body is floating in an air of bliss.

“W-what?” You try to ask through your haze, but talking proves to be difficult as every single thrust is punching the air out of your lungs. You barely even register it as Halsin’s teeth sink deep into your flesh. You’re so consumed by pleasure the puncture feels like faint tingles that only increase your ecstasy. You cry out more from surprise than anything. Your hands hold onto his hair tightly as you keep him right there inside you. Now in every way.

Halsin, so caught up in the way your tight cunt sucks him in with every thrust, the warm wetness encompassing him, and your beautiful body welcoming everything he is, he couldn’t stop the overflowing emotions whirling around in his mind. Before he knew it his teeth were out and burying themselves in deep. He was going to take them out immediately— he was going to apologize. But then he felt you tug him closer.

So instead he finds his mind completely spinning. Every time he starts to lift you up his cock, his hips snap back up into you as if desperate to stay. You whimper, back arching unnaturally as you’re unable to escape a second of pleasure, not getting a moment of reprieve. His brutal pace is relentless as he jackhammers his way inside you. You squirm but it only has him pressing harder into your G-spot, causing a sharp choking noise to leave you from the shock.

Your body tenses as you can’t escape the intense sensations inflicted upon you. You try to open your mouth and express it but all that leaves is a long moan that only has Halsin start sucking at the skin around his mark, his teeth still embedded in you. Your stomach clenches painfully as your orgasm reaches higher and higher. Goosebumps spread across your skin like wildfire as you feel yourself burning from the inside out. That burning heat coming from the way his girth fills you, consumes you.

Halsin, having become attuned with your body, senses that you’re on the precipice of something magnificent. He doesn’t hesitate to slam your body back down on his dick and grind your clit roughly on the hair of his happy trail. You choke, your body jerking with violent force as the cord at the bottom of your belly snaps. A ringing echos in your ears and you can faintly hear your screaming beyond that as your climax crashes into you in waves, one right after the other as he doesn’t stop the stimulation on your clit.

A few moments later his teeth slip out of you as he goans from your clenching down on him. A few quick jerks of his hips and he’s emptying another load into your walls. You feel his cum flood through you, adding to the mix of busy sensations you’re experiencing. Yet this one has to be your favorite. Your body convulses uncontrollably and you feel a faint spark of worry as black spots suddenly surround your vision. You quickly call out Halsin’s name before you fall into darkness, your body going limp in his hold.

When you wake, you’re laying on the bed flat on your back. You wonder what woke you up and why you were asleep in the first place when a shocking texture brushes between your folds. You hiss, body jerking back. You look down just as Halsin’s head snaps up to look at you. Seeing a wet cloth in his hand and the tortured look in his eye has your memories flooding back to the front of your mind in an instant.

His gaze only lasts a moment before moving back down between your thighs. You see as that tortured look increases as his face twists. With a featherlight touch he cleans you up, being careful with the wet cloth as he wipes everything away. Your body aches but his soothing touch is enough to make you instantly relax back into the bed.

“Oh, Halsin,” you sigh, voice hoarse from your screams, watching as he avoids your gaze. Your limbs feel as though they weigh a million pounds, so all you can do is lay and watch as Halsin internally tortures himself over what just happened. Your heart flutters as he bends down, pressing soft apologetic kisses across your hips.

“Sweetheart, I am so sorry,” Halsin mumbles after a few long moments of silence. He grimaces, shaking his head as his eyes once again catch onto the forming bruises around your hips he’d just kissed. Looking away for a moment he puts some green paste he most likely made on his hands. He then leans forward, hands sliding over your bum and to the small puncture wounds from his nails. He makes sure to rub it in carefully to each mark. You wait until he’s finished and sitting back next to your legs.

“Halsin c’mere,” you call gently, loving the evident care shown from him while also needing you both need more. The air surrounding you is cold and empty as the fog is all but disappeared from your mind and you once again feel everything fully. You see Halsin hesitate, doing a double take to meet your gaze. Emotion rises in your chest and your voice cracks as you ask again. “Please, come here.”

His face twists in pain at the small break in your call. He doesn’t waste another moment before crawling up the length of his bed. Laying by your side he remains close while keeping a few inches of space between you. His eyes frantically move up and down your naked body, checking you over for what was probably the millionth time.

“How’re you feeling? Do you hurt? Did I hurt you?” He asks quietly, one question firing off as soon as he finishes asking the first. Finding your strength, you sluggishly lift an arm and cup his cheeks in order to bring his focus to your face. His cheek falls into your palm, soaking up your touch. “I’m so sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” you say in an attempt to calm his guilty heart. But Halsin immediately scoffs, not buying that for a second. In the moment, it had briefly scared you. But you were ok. Now, more than anything, you wanted to laugh about how he’d made you feel so good your body gave out. Though you could see he wasn’t in the joking mood right now.

“You cannot say such things, sweetheart, look at you,” Halsin says, motioning a hand along your stiff body, eyes following it. That same hand carefully lands around your waist. He rubs his thumb in calming circles, bringing a warmth to spread through you. Guilt continues to radiate off of him and it hurts your heart to see. He closes his eyes, angling his head to kiss along your wrist and down your arm. “I lost control— that is far from ok,”

“I wanted to go again. I don’t regret it, even now,” you admit, thumb caressing his cheek. Both of you subconsciously working to soothe the other. Halsin’s eyes open and meet yours. You can see his emotions going haywire through the depth of his eyes. He feels so much and carries so much on his back. He’s incredibly strong but you want him to know he doesn’t have to carry it alone.

“I was reckless. It was my responsibility to take care of you, make sure I wasn’t too rough. Now look at you,” he murmurs against your skin as he continues his soft kisses. With your hand now free of his face, you wrap it back into his hair. Such a simple touch from him has your heart beating out of your chest.

“Look at me. You’re taking care of me perfectly,” you express, letting your emotion shine through to him. His soft eyes flicker up to look at you as his lips reach your shoulder. They now look the tiniest bit more forgiving than they did a moment ago. Without moving even an inch away, his arms slip around your body. He curls you into himself, fully encapsulating you within his form. You hum contently, curling your arms between your bodies and brushing along his smooth skin.

“And I won’t stop. Is there anything you need?” His face now right in front of yours and his body surrounding you completely, you feel a million times better. Comfort and safety solidify themselves within you. Your eyes look between his as you can see his full attention on you and anything you may need of him. Right now the idea of needing more seems impossible as you have everything you could ask for right here.

“Just this.”

#halsin baldur's gate 3 #halsin bg3 #halsin smut #halsin silverbough #halsin #halsin x tav #halsin x reader #halsin x you #bg3 halsin #bg3 halsin x reader #Halsin x afab!reader #halsin x fem!reader #halsin x female tav #halsin x gn reader #halsin x gn!tav #halsin x gender neutral reader #halsin x oc #Halsin silverbough x reader #Halsin silverbough x tav #Halsin silverbough x you #halsin fanfic #halsin fluff #halsin imagine #halsin fic #halsin romance #halsin the druid #halsin headcanons #bg3 x reader #bg3 x tav #bg3 x you

[chelseasdagger]

Teacher - Chapter III

Frank Castle x Inexperienced F!Reader

Summary: Frank invites you to hang out with him at a bar on the outskirts of town. After some good food, and lots of teasing, you get invited back to his place to take care of the problem you caused him.

Warnings: age gap (reader is in her early 20s), mentions of drinking and smoking, cursing, grinding, detailed handjob sorry, slight praise kink

Author's Note: I am so incredibly sorry for how long it took for this chapter to come out!! I had a lot of life issues that delayed this, but I'm pretty happy with how this turned out so please accept this super long chapter as my apology/holiday gift!! And if you want to be added to the tag list just let me know. As always, reblogs and feedback are greatly appreciated :) Leave a comment or shoot me an ask!! I'd love to hear what you think!

Word Count: 9k

Previous Chapters: I, II

“So I was thinkin’… Said you didn’t get many experiences even after high school, right?” Frank asks. His voice slightly muffled through the phone, which is wedged between your ear and your shoulder as you drag the spatula over the food you’re cooking on the stove. He had randomly rang you out of the blue and, after attempting to control your breathing, you answered the call. This was what he chose to greet you with and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t confused by the topic of conversation.

“Good morning to you too,” you tease, the food sizzling as you flip it in the pan. “But no, I haven’t. Why? What’s up?” you question.

“There’s this bar on the edge of town,” he begins his offer. “Little bit of a drive but they got good food,” he explains. 

“Tempting…” you trail off, trying not to immediately agree just because it’s Frank. “Who all is coming?”

“Just me,” he replies. “That alright?”

“Yeah!” Your answer is too loud and far too fast to be playing it cool. After cursing yourself mentally, you try again. “Yeah, I was just wondering if it was a whole… get-together thing.” Your voice grows quiet at the end, not wanting to plant the idea in his head that you’d prefer it if there were more people.

Honestly, you were surprised he was reaching out this soon after the bonfire. It was one of the best nights of your life. Whenever you think about it, there’s this warmth that rushes through you; you’re not sure if the heat was from the big flames or his strong chest you laid against all night.

“Nah, just me. Just thought it would be somethin’ you might like,” you push the spatula around in the teflon pan as he speaks. “Plus it’s another thing off the list, right?”

“Yeah, it is! Thanks, Frank,” you say cheerily as you turn the burner off and open the cupboards to grab two plates.

“No problem, kid. Just thought about you, y’know?” You sink your teeth in your lower lip to calm yourself down before another thought comes to mind.

“Oh! When are we going?”

“Tonight,” he answers nonchalantly and your eyes grow wide. “If you’re free.”

You seriously weren’t expecting him to want to see you only two days since you two were last together. In your head, Frank is so calm and collected and you’re practically certain that this… thing you two have going on isn’t as big of a deal to him as it is to you. Still, you try not to question too much why he actually seems to enjoy having you around. Instead, you decide to just take the good as it comes.

“I am, I can do tonight. But I’m not sure I have something to wear. Is it like a club? Should I dress up or is it more jeans and—?” You don’t even realize when your voice picks up in speed and the questions fly out faster than you intend for them to, but Frank is quick to center you out of the beginning of your spiral.

“Just wear somethin’ cute, alright? I’ve seen some of your outfits, sweetheart, you’ll be fine.” You bite the inside of your cheek at his comment and inhale deeply before sighing. “I’ll pick you up at six, okay?” You hum an agreement as he confirms the time and say a goodbye before hanging up.

As you pull the phone away from your ear, you see an incoming text from your best friend drop down from the top of the screen.

“I’m two minutes away! I can’t wait to hear everything.”

That night when you got home from the bonfire, she had sent many texts in hopes of finding out the reasoning behind the newfound closeness between you and Frank. In your exhausted and slightly inebriated state, you told her that you would have her over Saturday morning to explain it all to her. You were much too tired to string the words together and you also know how she can tend to put her own emotions onto words; the last thing you needed was for her to hear the little arrangement you and Frank have and blow it out of proportion.

You set the table as you wait for her, making sure to leave a mug beside her plate for her tea that tends to be the staple of her breakfast. By the time the food is divvied up for each of you, there’s an impatient knock at the door. You shake your head with a smile as you open the door and she’s pushing past you as the questions immediately begin to roll off her tongue.

After guiding her to the small dining table in the kitchen, you watch her sit down and her eyes never stray from you. Her voice continues to fill the air as she talks over herself; there’s no distinct end to one sentence and the beginning of the next. By the time you’re sitting beside her and about to dig into your meal she finally covers her mouth, stopping all the enthusiastic queries she desperately wants to know.

“I’m gonna let you talk,” she mumbles behind her palms. You laugh at her attempts to force herself to be quiet and pick up a forkful of your food.

“I promise you it’s not as exciting as you think it is,” you warn her before popping the food in your mouth.

You start at the beginning—trying to skim over the details of your not-so-controlled crush on Frank as well as the more heated parts of the things you two have done together. Excited gasps fill the space surrounding the dining table and you watch as her eyes go wide when you mention it was his idea. Her mouth gets the better of her though and she begins to ask more questions while you speak. You make sure to answer all of them in time, save for a few chuckles here and there, before finishing your last bite.

“I actually have a question for you now,” you start again, watching as confusion washes over her features. “Frank called me this morning and he wants to take me out to this bar he likes. I just don’t know what to wear and I was hoping… you could help me?” You hesitantly look up to face her and you’re met with a beaming grin.

“Is this a date?! Is this the first one? Are you going back to his place after?” You shake your head once again as the sudden influx of questions fill the air.

“No, it’s not a date. I mean… I don’t think it is?” you let your thought process be shown aloud and watch as her giddy expression comes back to the surface. “It’s not! We’re just friends and he’s doing me a favor. I’m sure of it.” You decide then and there that you can’t afford to hold out hope and expect more than what he’s given you—which is already so much.

She raises her eyebrows up from behind the rim of her mug and you scoff at her knowing look. You brush your hand through your hair and try your hardest to not let your anxiety creep in about the idea of being on a proper date with Frank Castle.

And so together the two of you spend the afternoon diving through your closet together for something that could fit. It felt similar to a movie montage where the teenage girls toss different colorful fabrics through the air. With a growing pile on the floor of your bedroom, she gasps once you stand in the completed outfit.

“That’s the one!” she says excitedly before tugging you towards the bathroom. “Time for makeup!” She eagerly pats for you to sit on the counter while searching through your, admittedly limited, makeup bag. Doing the best with what she’s got, she gets to work on the eyeshadows and blush, finishing up with a curl of your eyelashes and combing mascara through them. You always loved how focused she got when it was time for something special; her tongue pokes past her lips as she concentrates, her eyes squinting to get the very last detail to sit right.

Once she’s satisfied, she spins you around to see yourself in the mirror and you’re actually surprised at how nice it all came together. You’re wearing an oversized, comfy jumper, tights that line your legs, and a black skirt that accentuates your frame. It’s not too fancy, but the black tights make your outfit more sleek and you silently hope that Frank will like it. As you fluff your hair up to give it some more volume, you thank her behind a wide smile.

A buzz of excitement rushes through you as you wait by the front door and hear the heavy revving from the engine of Frank’s van. You physically shake your arms in an attempt to let go of some of the nerves that built up and your friend gives you a quick hug.

“You got it, baby!” she encourages sweetly. “Have fun!” she calls out as you slip past the door. Making your way down your porch steps, you hear her shout something else from behind you. “Don’t do anything stupid!”

You chuckle at her warnings and make your way to the big, black van. You open the door and find Frank sitting with his elbow on his armrest and his head in his palm as he turns to face you. You stand there for a moment and await his initial reaction to your outfit. His eyes widen slightly before they rake over your boy, his lips parting as he takes it all in.

He brushes his thumb along the defined line of his jaw before sinking his teeth into his lower lip. His eyes settle on the small slit of the skirt that rests high on your thigh. There’s a pause for a moment before he finally speaks up.

“Told you you’d find somethin’ cute.” He fixes his posture and gives you a smile as you roll your eyes and sit in the passenger seat. Being with him felt easy now—of course there’s still the butterflies, which you’re expecting to make a permanent home in your stomach any day now, but it’s mostly when you’re about to see him. When you’re actually in his presence, it all fades away and you love how comfortable he makes you feel.

If you had told yourself a few weeks ago that you’d be on a half hour car ride with Frank Castle to the outskirts of town, she probably would’ve brushed it off as some sick joke. But here you are, sitting beside him and watching as he flips through radio stations until he settles on a classic rock song. You enjoyed getting to discover little pieces of him the more time you spent with him.

As he drives under the lamp posts longing the winding roads, you watch as the passing lights illuminate his face before it’s cloaked in shadows of the night once again. Each time you move underneath them, light showcases his features in a warm glow for mere moments at a time. You think your new favorite thing might be when the gleam seeps into the small dip in the bridge of his nose. That small highlight makes you smile and he catches it as he turns to look at you once you’re stopped at a red light.

“What is it?” he questions, his eyes squinting slightly as he looks at you. With a shake of your head, you face back to the light strung up in the air. His gaze doesn’t leave the side of your face though, and you know he’ll want an answer.

“This is just nice,” you shrug your shoulders. “Thank you for thinking of me,” you add. You want to make sure he knew how happy you were to be doing this, despite your quiet nature due to your fear of somehow screwing this up with your words.

“Haven’t even done anything,” he laughs softly.

“Well, I’m still enjoying myself,” you reply in a gentle tone. Frank doesn’t say anything more as he continues to look at you. The light changes and a green glow washes over your face, queuing him to face the open road once again. You glance down as his hand moves to the gear shift, trying not to focus too long on how the veins in his hand are accentuated as he curls his fingers around the knob.

Frank speaks up again after a moment and you quickly recenter your attention. He engages you in some light conversation and pretty soon you’re laughing along to his comedic storytelling. You don’t even realize you’ve arrived until he’s put the car in park and turns the key off in the ignition. Looking out from behind the glass in front of you, you see the neon lights surrounding the big, bold letters of the name of the bar. It shines brightly in the night sky and acts as a small beacon in the dark parking lot.

You look up at the sound of the driver side door closing and realize Frank has left the car. You reach for your bag that’s resting on the floor between your feet and by the time you move for the handle, he’s opening your door for you. It’s the first time you’re able to truly take him in. He’s wearing a pair of nicely fitting blue jeans and a grey jacket, complete with the black boots you’ve never seen him without. You can’t tell what he’s wearing under the thick material that conceals his chest though, and you find yourself hoping it’s something tighter and hugs his torso.

“You ready?” he asks, and you nod in response. “Alright, watch your step,” he warns and you feel his hand bracing your upper arm as you hop out from the slightly lifted van. Once you’re secure on the ground, the two of you begin making your way towards the entrance. As you pass by the cars parked in organized rows under dim lamplights, you begin to make out the few scattered people smoking and even spot a couple sharing a cigarette just outside the main doors.

Once inside the building, he shrugs off the jacket and you can finally piece together his outfit. Frank’s broad shoulders stretch the fabric of the dark blue button up shirt. It’s tucked into his denim pants and secured with a black belt. He fits the attire of everyone else here in the bar, but still stands over a head taller than the rest—not to mention infinitely more attractive. You try desperately to rip your eyes away from him, and in doing so, take in the scenery of the pub.

The bar is crowded but not so occupied that you can’t move. The loud, overlapping voices meld to create a soft droning that accompanies the background. It doesn’t stand a chance to the band though, whose loud amplifiers cause a shake in your chest with each note they strum. Polished wood lines the walls and there’s photographs of smiling people decorating them, forever cherished behind glass frames. It feels oddly homey, admittedly impressive for a place you’ve never stepped foot into before tonight.

You accidentally bump into Frank and he steadies you with his large hands on your waist. He’s staring down at you with a subtle smile on his face. He begins to talk but you don’t have the slightest clue what he’s saying; the song that’s playing is far too loud to hear the lower tone of his voice. Shaking your head with a frown, you let him know you can’t understand him and his smile grows wider. He then leans down, his fingers brushing your hair away from your ear before he speaks.

“Asked if you wanted to eat,” he starts, his breath immediately warming the side of your neck. With just those few words, it feels like all the other noise falls away. All you can focus on is the rumble in his voice and how the words feel as if they dance down your spine. “I’m starving,” he adds, and you’re certain your new headspace gave his words a different context than he intended.

He pulls away for your response and all you can muster up is a slow blink and a delayed nod. There’s no cocky smirk at your expression and you wonder if maybe he decided to spare you the embarrassment this time. He promptly turns and you fall in line beside him, letting him guide you around the crowd. His palm finds its way to your lower back as he leads you and just like that, your heart picks up in pace once more.

You’ve only seen the same small movement depicted in movies and you can now safely say that experiencing it is so much more exhilarating. Part of you is frustrated that such an insignificant touch can make you this excited, but Frank’s charm has a tremendous effect on you. Still, you tell yourself it’s the anticipation of his hand being elsewhere on your body that riles you up.

His hand stays put until the two of you reach a booth lining the back wall. There’s a small lamp that bathes the whole table in a warm glow and you and Frank place your things down before sliding into the long seats. As you stare at him from across the table, you watch as his eyes scan the crowd and then the main stage as he focuses on the band. They’re currently playing a cover of a classic rock song and Frank smiles as he nods his head to the music.

“This place is nice,” you raise your voice slightly to be heard over the music. He turns to face you and his smile grows wider.

“Yeah? You like it?” His question is accompanied by your own nod and he continues. “I’m sure there’s fancier ones close to town, but I’ve been coming here for years and they’ve always been good.”

He raises his hand in the air, tilting his head up and leaning to the side as if to catch someone’s attention. You follow his line of sight and look over your shoulder to see a woman with a black apron tied around her waist. She looks slightly past you as a grin covers her face and walks over to your table quicker than you expected.

“Frank?! What are you doing here?” Her voice is already grating and she’s only said a handful of words. Her tone is drawn out, almost flirtatiously, and she stands closer to him than you would’ve liked.

“Just showing her around,” he answers simply. He looks at you and when the waitress does the same, her face falls. You muster up an awkward smile and try to shake off the weird look she gives you. “She’s never been here before, you think we could get some menus?”

“Sure thing,” she mumbles, stepping away only to return a moment later with two long, laminated sheets of paper. She drops them to the table and you spare yourself the trouble of looking at her again.

“She sure seems to like you,” you speak up once she’s left. Frank scoffs before grabbing a menu and shaking his head. “Did you see the way she looked at me? What did I do?” You ask with a frown, wondering if you did something unintentionally.

“She’s probably just pissed cause you’re sitting with me and she’s not,” he answers with a sigh. He flips the paper around and you notice the way his eyes dart around the page. His answer wasn’t very reassuring though, and you still feel the tension in your body. As you scan the small print of the menu in your hands, you can feel his gaze on you. You try to shake the disappointment and to make it less obvious that what she said affected you, but you’re not certain how good of an actress you are.

“Y’know what?” he speaks up after a few seconds. You raise your face to him as he continues, “I know this place a couple of blocks down? Best god damn beer I’ve had.” His hand disappears under the table and a moment later you see his fingers curled around his jacket. “It’s German! You haven’t tried that one before.” He leans across the table before whispering, “You’re gonna hate it.”

His attempts at distracting you work well and you can’t help the laughter escaping you at the final thing he said. Frank’s own crooked smile returns at your reaction and a softness settles into his brown eyes.

“There she is,” he mumbles once he sees your regular self bubble back up to the surface. You bring in a deep breath and choose to shake off any residual awkwardness you felt from before.

“No, no it’s okay. We can stay here.” You finish your sentence and look back towards the music before facing him. His hands are empty now as he continues to stare at you and you feel confident in your choice to stay.

After looking over the endless list of drinks, burgers, and other appetizers, you read a description of a sandwich that makes your stomach rumble to life. You immediately decide on it without a second thought and smile up at Frank, watching him run his finger across the page between two options and looking quite indecisive.

Before long, the ill behaved waitress is back to take down your order. You pick your sandwich, remembering to take off the toppings you aren’t too fond of, add in an order of fries, and your usual favorite drink to top it off. With a hesitant glance up, you see her scribbling down your order on the small notepad in her hand. Her expression is twisted up as if she smelled something foul and you feel that uneasy feeling settling in once more.

“I’ll have the same as my date here,” Frank answers before she can ask about his meal. He gently taps the two menus on the tabletop before handing them over to her. His lips part as his eyes drag over your features and you notice the way they stop for a little longer than they should when they reach your mouth.

To say you were shocked was an understatement. You weren’t sure if he said it just to get under her skin or not but part of you didn’t really care. He said it regardless and that made a smile carve its way onto your face. An annoyed scoff is heard from above and you see a hand come into view to snatch the menus away from Frank. He never looked away from you once.

The moment the food arrives, you’re excitedly grabbing your sandwich and lifting it to your mouth. As your teeth sink into the toasted bread, the flavor hits your tongue and a satisfied moan escapes you. Frank is quick to lift his eyes at the sound, his eyebrows raising as he takes in the scene in front of him. You raise your hand to your mouth and begin to grow bashful at the look on his face.

“Sorry!” You apologize, your voice muffled behind your palm. “It was just really good,” you explain once you swallow your food down.

“Don’t gotta apologize for that, kid,” he replies through his own raspy chuckle. You bite your lip and tuck a strand of hair behind your ear before reaching for the fries in your basket next.

The two of you dig into your identical meals and make some easy conversation in between bites here and there. You’re honestly impressed with how good the sandwich is and you’re glad you picked it out of the infinite number of items on the menu. Frank wasn’t lying when he said he loved this place. You watch him look up from his meal every now and then with a big smile on his face as he moves his head to the beat of the music. His energy was infectious and you found yourself tapping your toes along too. 

“Y’know,” he speaks up after finishing the last bite of his sandwich. At the sound of his voice, you begin to look up to his face, but your eyes latch on to something else. Frank sucks his fingers clean of the salt from his fries, his lips pursing as his cheeks hollow, and you immediately lose any grip you had on controlling your thoughts around him.

“When we ordered I saw your beer on the menu.” You hear his words but they have absolutely no meaning, no way of stringing them together to make a continuous thought as you watch him suck the seasonings from his thumb. You begin to feel a sense of injustice at the fact that those fingers weren’t where you desperately wanted them to be. With a pout, you look back to his gaze and see the confusion clear in his eyes.

“What?” you blurt out, finally remembering he had spoken and that you hadn’t processed anything he had said. He scoffs before shaking his head, his smirk spreading wide across his face before he speaks again.

“Said they have the beer you like here,” he repeats himself, his cocky grin a clear indicator that he saw how you froze up at sight just moments ago.

“I’m actually good tonight,” you say confidently. Reaching for your glass, you take a sip of your drink and hold his gaze as you stare at him from under your eyelashes. He sits back against the cushion of the booth and his eyebrows pull together as he thinks about what you said.

“Yeah?” he asks, squinting his eyes at you.

“Mhm, not letting a few beers stop me from what I wanna do after this,” you explain. You’ve never felt more frustrated than when he stopped you from kissing on his neck. You understood why he did it, and are actually very thankful he didn’t want it to go further, but the disappointment coursed through you all the same.

“Hmm? And what exactly is that?” he questions as the band finishes up the song they had been playing. Your eyes follow the noise as the crowd erupts into whistles and claps, applauding the musicians. When you finally look back over, Frank’s in the same position. It’s like he never looked away from you—hell, you’re not sure if he even blinked.

You don’t answer him though and make up your mind to keep him on the edge of his seat. Instead, you smile sweetly before picking up a fry from your basket and popping it past your lips. 

He gives you a knowing look, but doesn’t pry. Perhaps he was looking forward to the surprise of it all. You only hope you can remain as confident as you feel now so you can properly act out your plan. Before long, he swallows down his last french fry and Frank speaks up with a question.

“You wanna go dance?” Your whole body freezes at the mere thought of attempting to dance, not to mention the added nerves of doing it in a crowded room with Frank Castle standing witness. But as you look out onto the dance floor full of moving bodies, you realize most of them are probably far too intoxicated to really pay attention to you. Deciding to push past the initial fear, and wanting to be fully present with him and have fun, you nod and scoot out of the booth.

Frank stands in front of you and his hand soon comes into view of your eyeline. You place your hand in his and feel his fingers curl around your palm as you brace your weight on him and rise to your feet. You stand on your toes and motion for him to come closer so you can speak into his ear.

“Just so you know, I’m a terrible dancer,” you say after he’s tilted his head towards you.

“What part of me screams that I’m a good one?” he asks, and you chuckle at his joke. He smiles down at your laughter and nods his head behind him, letting you know he’s going to the dancefloor.

Frank keeps a hold of your hand as he leads you through the crowd. His broad body splits the sea of bodies as he walks and you follow close enough behind him to squeeze past them as well. There’s blue hues from the dim lights that shine over the people, but other than that you can’t see much beside their moving feet. He must’ve gotten to a clearing where there’s not as many people bumping into one another, because he stops walking and turns to you.

You’re sort of frozen still for a moment as the reality of it is beginning to creep in. But then Frank starts to shimmy his shoulders and you can’t help but break into a wide grin. Just like that, you’re thawed. The awkwardness you felt is starting to leave you as you begin to loosen up in front of him.

The band plays a fun, upbeat song that you don’t recognize, but he seems to be making the moves up as he goes along. You follow his direction, copying him but still keep some distance, trying to slowly shake off those nerves that are still lingering around. Suddenly, Frank does a move that you can’t even begin to describe with words alone and you burst into laughter as you watch him. Holding your stomach, you shake your head at him and he begins to laugh too. 

The band then retires from the stage, saying their farewells as the crowd applauds and whistles. Frank claps along with the rest of them and you cup your hands around your mouth to give a small cheer. You really enjoyed their set and wouldn’t mind coming back here again to watch them play once more.

Once the stage is clear, music begins to play over the speakers and Frank’s face lights up. His excitement is clear after just the first few notes.

“God, this takes me back,” his wide grin causes his eyes to squint up. You smile up at him, happy at his enjoyment, but you can’t help your head from tilting to the side confusedly.

“You haven’t heard this before?” he asks incredulously and you shake your head. “It’s literally my favorite song, how do you not know this?”

“When did it come out?” you ask, and watch him look up as he starts to think.

“Must’ve been… right after graduation, I think?” He does the math for a moment longer before answering with the year it was released. The answer has you fighting back a giggle as you stare at him awkwardly.

“Frank, I wasn’t born until two years later,” you answer honestly, and the look on his face is priceless.

“Jesus Christ…” he replies, dragging his hand down his face. You begin to worry now, wondering if you shouldn’t have brought up that point. He must’ve caught a glance at your anxious frown because he’s quick to explain himself.

“You’re fine just… my back hurt when you said that.” His hand comes to the back of his neck to emphasize his point and your smile finds its way back to your lips.

Despite the initial embarrassment you ran into after being reminded again of the gap in age between you and Frank, you found yourself really enjoying the song. He was honest when he said it was one of his favorites. You’ve never seen him this lively before and you love being able to soak up every minute of it. He’s so animated as he dances, holding you close to him with his hand secured at your back. The lines to the song fall past his lips like muscle memory as his forehead presses to yours.

You can’t stand being this close to him. Your whole body feels like it’s been shot with a current of electricity and you’re desperately wanting him to stop singing and put his mouth to yours. He might have a sixth sense—or simply just picked up on the timing—because his lips are on yours a second later. He kisses you deeply, his tongue brushing your lower lip for a moment before you eagerly let him in. Your head tilts to the side as you kiss him back and your arm wraps around his wide shoulders to ensure you’ll have your fill.

All too soon he’s breaking the kiss and you immediately suck your bottom lip behind your teeth to savor the feeling of him. He suddenly lifts his arm into the air and cues you to spin. You twirl under his hand with a huge grin and then he yanks you in for the finish, timing it so that your back is to his chest when you land against him. His same palm immediately finds your hip and tightens to keep you flush to him. His opposite hand travels down the length of your torso, his index finger tracing your side as he moves.

He begins to whisper the lyrics against your ear and you can’t bring yourself to focus on their meaning. He’s all over you and it’s making you feel dizzy, as if you’re drunk on his scent alone. Each pass of his finger along your ribs alights a fire at your side and you try to keep up as he begins rocking you from side to side to the rhythm of the song. His breath warms the entire side of your face and neck with each word he whispers. You fall under his spell and roll your head to the side at the feeling of his warmth all over.

When the song starts to fade and a new one begins overlapping it, you’re left with a bittersweet feeling; part of you never wanted to leave that moment and would gladly listen to that song on loop for the rest of your life, but the other half of you was almost frightened at how easily you turned to putty in his hands. You felt the need to have a better grasp on yourself, especially if you wanted to stay courageous for what you had planned for tonight.

The mix of two songs smoothen down into one and you instantly recognize the slow, sexy bassline that’s pumping through the speakers overhead. You’re not sure what came over you. Perhaps you wanted to prove to someone that you’re not that same timid, little girl. Whatever it was that coursed through your veins, you’re thankful that it gave you the strength to grab his large palm and put it back into place at your hip. You use the extra support to push your ass back into him, making sure to press hard enough until you feel the bulge in his jeans.

Frank doesn’t show any reaction except for his fingers tightening into your skin as if you were a lifeline. You smile as you continue to grind into him, your hips following the similar movements he taught you just a few days prior. Facing away from him gives you the extra boost of confidence needed to perform this act, but you’d be lying if you said you wouldn’t kill to see the look on his face right now.

With each push of your ass against the denim fabric, you feel the heat of his bulge so close to where your own warmth had started to pool. This felt good and you felt pride surging through your chest once you realized exactly what you were doing.

And then his arm crosses your chest and pulls you flat against him once more. His forearm is pressed against your collarbones and you feel your breath hitch at the hold he has you in. With a shaky inhale, you swallow down the lump in your throat and wait for him to speak.

“Look at you, sweetheart,” the tip of his nose brushes the curve of your ear and you try your damndest to not let your body double over. “Someone’s getting confident, huh?” His arm begins to slowly drop from across your chest, and instead reaches your lower stomach. From there, he applies pressure until you’re as close as you could be to him.

“You feel that? Hmm?” There’s an undeniable hardness under the thick layers of fabric. It doesn't feel as big as the last time he got turned on from you, but it’s still noticeable. “That’s all you,” he finishes with a lower tone of voice before taking half a step back and leaving you to sit with his words.

It takes you a moment to wrap your head around this entire situation. It’s abundantly clear that the mood has changed from light laughter and awful dance moves to something more sultry. You can feel the warmth slowly spreading between your legs and it leaves you with a buzz that makes you feel like your movements are slowed. When you turn around to finally face him, he’s already staring down at you expectedly.

“Why don’t we get outta here?” he asks, deep voice blending in with the booming bass. You nod at him and it feels like you’re moving in molasses. The dull, blue light from above catches his face for a moment. There’s something deeper to his unreadable expression; his jaw is clenched as if he’s trying to hold something back.

Once the two of you make it back to the table, Frank reaches into his back pocket for his wallet. He thumbs through the notes before tossing a few bills onto the table. He reaches into the booth seat for his jacket and shakes it out before draping it over your shoulders.

“Thank you,” you mumble in a quiet voice.

“Don’t gotta thank me for that, sweetheart,” he shakes his head, insisting that your gratitude isn’t needed. He begins to walk towards the door with his hand in its designated spot at your lower back to help guide you once again. The chill of the night air hits you the second you step out of the building and you find yourself curling his jacket snugger around your body. His scent is stuck to the collar and it helps lessen your shivering from the cold breeze.

He walks you to your side of the van and opens the door for you to climb in. Even after he gets in and begins driving down the same winding roads, there’s not much conversation between the two of you. The tension in the car is thick and incredibly palpable. You’re indecisive about whether to break the silence or leave it untouched so as to not make it worse.

Eventually Frank pulls into his parking spot that faces the front door of his apartment. After putting the van in park and walking around to open your door once more, you take his hand and carefully step down. He unlocks the door and gets you inside quickly, trying to shield you from the chilly air. Once he flicks the lights on, you’re greeted by the familiar sight of his living room and feel that desire to touch him creep back in. Your name falls from his lips and you turn your head at the sound.

“I’m sorry if I went too far back there. I shouldn’t have—,” he begins to apologize, but you’re quick to interrupt by pressing your lips to his. A surprised grunt comes from him and you smirk into the kiss, pleased to have caught him off guard. He wastes no time in wrapping his arms around you and begins leading you towards the couch. When you feel the back of your knees hit the curve of the cushion, you angle yourself in front of Frank and push him into the sofa below.

He looks up at you with his lips parted and his chest is noticeably bringing in deeper breaths each time he inhales. His usually soft, brown eyes have a darkened glint to them and you’re certain you’ve never seen this emotion on him before. Your pulse is racing through your own body and you swiftly straddle him with your knees on either side of his hips.

His impatient fingers grab hold of you in a way no one ever has before. The action causes a surprised gasp to fall past your lips, but it’s swallowed down by Frank who can’t seem to keep his mouth off of yours. The light stubble decorating his jaw scratches at your skin and the rough feeling does nothing but spur you on further. You begin to roll your hips into his as you fall into a familiar pattern and he uses his hold to help guide you into moving faster.

His movements are rushed and needy and it makes you feel reassured that he wants this—he wants you. That little boost to your ego has your hands tracing down his body, your palms rubbing down his strong chest, before finally reaching his belt. Your fingers search blindly for the leather and the sound of the buckle clinking sounds out in between the wet noises of your kisses.

“Woah, easy,” Frank breaks the kiss the second the sound reaches his ears. “Let’s just, uh…” he trails off and you feel his fingers gently prying yours away. “Let’s take it slow, alright?” His tone is so soft and the concern is written clearly across his features.

“Frank, please,” you try to reason with him. “I didn’t even drink tonight! And I just… last time I was all worked up and I really want to do this.” You finish with a pout as you glance up at him with pleading eyes. He swallows hard as he stares at you for a moment, probably battling something internally.

“What do you wanna do?” he asks slowly, trying to make his words clear. The question is so simple but admitting it to him makes you feel small again.

“I… I want to touch you,” you mumble, silently hoping he doesn’t ask you to be more explicit than that.

“You sure you want this?” His eyes never leave yours as he confirms your consent.

“I really do,” you reply, bringing your hand up and cupping his cheek. You brush your thumb over his skin and watch as he begins to shut his eyes and breathe deeply. “Please?”

You’re not sure if it’s the quiet plea, his own craving that’s swaying his decision, or some combination of the two, but he slowly uncurls his fingers from your wrist. You beam brightly at him and whisper a thanks as you peck him on the cheek.

“You’re still gonna have to walk me through it, Frank,” you say through a small chuckle.

He nods with an equally quiet, “I know.”

From there, he doesn’t try to deter your movements any longer. He lets you continue as you slide his belt past the metal buckle. You look up at him for reassurance and he nods his head with a smile. He takes your hand in his and pulls it to his bulge, letting you feel it properly for the first time. Excitement races through you and settles in your lower stomach as you watch your hand touch him over the denim.

“Can I take your jeans off?” Your question is met with another nod as he lets go of you. Slipping the button past the slit, you then lower the zipper past the teeth and the sound feels so loud in the otherwise silent room. You move to sit beside him and Frank helps you tug his pants down, raising his hips to lower them some more until they fall past his knees. He’s wearing a pair of dark grey boxer briefs and your eyes linger far too long on how they hug his thighs.

The thick outline stretching the fabric is enough to recenter your attention though. You start to feel the nerves coming back once you register just how big he is as he lies against his hip. You always had a feeling, given the sheer size of the man, but seeing it is a whole other experience. Thankfully, Frank doesn’t rush you as he lets you take this all in. You hesitantly move your hand over the length of him, brushing your fingers over the defined line underneath the head of his cock.

The next thing you reach for is the waistband of his boxers. You curl your fingers over the edge and tug them down, watching as more and more of his happy trail becomes exposed. He once again helps you pull them past his legs and now that he’s bare in front of you, you can’t help your eyes from widening. You had thought the bulge was big, but it was misleading; Frank is actually much larger than you had anticipated.

“What? You’ve never seen—?” He starts but you’re quick to cut him off.

“I have. I’ve seen, like, porn before but…” you find your voice leaving you as you stare between his legs. “It’s just bigger in person.” His chuckle sounds out and you raise your head to the noise only to be met by an amused smirk at your confession.

“S’not just cause it’s in person, kid,” he laughs through his words and you roll your eyes at his cockiness. You like that you can still crack jokes during a time like this and you find yourself thankful that you get to have Frank as your first introduction to sex. Feeling more relaxed, you reach forward and gently curl your fingers around his thick base.

“You can hold it tighter than that,” he speaks up after a second.

“I know,” you respond, tightening your hold on him a little more. He snorts lightly at the, apparently, subtle increase in pressure and you feel his larger hand curling around your own. His long fingers squeeze over yours, adjusting your grip on his length as he begins to move your hand up and down. He’s warm and heavy in your hand, two things you hadn’t given much thought of before now. Frank lifts your hand once more and a satisfied sigh leaves him.

The sound stirs something in your stomach and you try to swallow down your own growing arousal at the noise he’s making. He loosens his hold on you and you watch as his hands find the hem of his shirt before bunching it up and exposing the lower half of his stomach. There’s so much to look at and it’s pulling your attention in too many ways. You try to focus on him in your hand though and begin speeding up your movements.

“You can spit on it,” he speaks up after a few seconds. You turn to face him and feel your eyebrows pull together at his words.

“Like just… spit on it?” The confusion is more than likely obvious in your tone but you want to ensure that you don’t embarrass yourself with him. Not now when you’ve made it this far.

“Yeah, go for it,” he encourages gently. With one last glance at him, you lean forward and lower your head over his length. You purse your lips and part them as you let the split slowly drip until it’s sliding over his head. You watch as it runs down past the tip and Frank clears his throat.

“Shit, yeah that…” he trails off as he raises his hips slightly. “That works too.” You smile at his words and wonder if his movement was an instinctual reaction to the warmth running along the smooth skin of his cock.

With the help of the extra slick added to his length, you begin to work your hand faster on him. You know from what you’ve heard that the tip is more sensitive, so you raise your hand right underneath his head and tighten your grip. A grunt immediately falls from him and you impulsively let go of him. You face him with a worried expression and watch as he brings in a deep breath before swallowing thickly.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Just felt real damn good.” The praise in his words immediately rushes to your heart and you feel yourself swell with pride. You can’t believe you made him feel that good, but now you’re determined to see what other sounds you can pull from his pretty lips. As you focus your attention back to his cock, you see a few beads of precum beginning to bubble up at his swollen tip. You rub your thumb in circles over the slit, spreading around the proof of his pleasure, and you feel him twitch in your hold.

“Shiiiiiit,” the drawn out curse sounds raspy and you don’t stop your movements as you check once again to see his reaction. Frank’s head is tilted back slightly against the couch cushion, his mouth is parted, and his eyes are scrunched up slightly. You try your hardest to memorize this version of him. You wish you could ingrain this memory so you’ll never forget how good he looks when he’s succumbing to his pleasure.

Twisting your hand as you move it over his length, you notice the way his adam's apple bobs as he swallows down presumably another groan. You can’t resist the urge to feel even more of him, and press your lips against his neck. Lazy kisses are littered across his skin while you work your hand faster, intermittently tightening your hold on his thickness. His throat tightens as he feels the wet marks of your affection, and the next thing you feel is his fingers tangling in your hair. He pulls gently as he tugs your head up to his and he kisses down your surprised gasp, his tongue slipping into your mouth.

You’re having trouble keeping up with his movements and you realize this must be what it’s like to be kissed breathlessly. Any moment you get, you’re greedily gulping down air before he continues his ravenous attack on your lips. You never slow the speed of your hand and press yourself against his side, trying to feel more of him to satiate your need. Frank tries to break the kiss but you push against him harder, not wanting to let go for a second. But he tries again, grabbing your wrist gently and you immediately pull away with a frown.

“What did I do?” you ask in a worried tone. He’s quick to lock his eyes with yours and speaks clearly.

“You’re okay. You’re doing so good, sweetheart,” he starts, and then nods down towards his lap. “I’m almost there, kid. Just wanted to warn you before it happens.” And just like that, a wide grin splits across your face. I’m making him feel that good?!

“I really wanna make you come, Frank,” you tell him honestly and you notice his cock twitch slightly as he registers your words.

“You keep talking like that and you will,” he grumbles in a low voice. His tone almost seems as if it was meant as a warning, but all it does is add to the fire in the pit of your stomach. You’re quick to reach for him again and fall back into the rhythm you established just seconds ago. With each pass of your hand you feel the veins protruding slightly through his skin and make sure to add slightly more pressure to the ring underneath his tip—he seemed to like that in particular.

“Just like that—fuck, attagirl,” he breathes through gritted teeth while he stares down at your smaller fingers wrapped snugly around him. The praise courses through you and you hide your face in his neck. You place sloppy kisses under his jaw and listen as more grunts start to fall from his parted lips. They slowly twist into a new sound and it takes you a second to realize it’s your name that’s coming out in a twisted groan. You glance down and watch as he raises his hips for a moment to chase after the feeling of you, his orgasm following soon after.

One long moan falls from him as warmth spills over your hands. You make sure not to miss a single second and don’t dare slow down or pull away. You want Frank to feel as good as possible and so you’ll drag this out for as long as you can. White begins to coat his head and the rest of his length as you continue moving over him. It isn’t until he reaches for your wrist that you take notice of the way his thigh is tense and you let go to give him some relief.

“T…That’s enough,” he pants as he speaks through uneven breathing. You mumble an apology as you snuggle into his side again, leaving the remainder of your kisses on his collarbone. His hand rubs at your back while he regains his breath and you feel him press his lips to your forehead. 

“Jesus Christ,” he whispers, and you follow his gaze to the mess in his lap. His cock lies on his hip, all spent and giving a weak twitch once or twice. You don’t even try to hide the smile that grows on your face at the sight.

“Oh, you proud of yourself, huh?” he asks through a fit of chuckles. “You should be,” he holds you to his side again. “Did so fuckin’ good.” You feel another long kiss to the side of your head. Pride isn’t even a strong enough word to describe how you feel at this moment.

“Thank you, Frank,” you smile up at him.

“Thank me? Nah, you did all that,” he brushes it off just like last time. “Thank you for making me feel good, kid. You were absolutely perfect.” The warmth spreading to your cheeks makes you hide your face in his chest again. You weren’t really sure how a scene like this was supposed to normally end, but Frank doesn’t say anything more. He keeps you close in his arms and you can still hear his pulse attempting to slow in his chest. For now, you don’t want to question what comes next; for once, you’re comfortable exactly where you are.

Taglist: @chellestrash @avengerstower-houseplant @musicals-and-mermaids @castle-of-ruin @justalittlepickle @boo8008 @doublevirgogirl @xxdrixx @yaminax @nabiiturner @imwaytoolazyforthis @vechkinfan @himesuedi @0-goblin-0 @soleilcastle @innebulae @punishersmainchick @eddiemunsonsbelover @tea-drinking-nerd

#new writing record WOOO! i just couldn't shut the hell up :) #frank castle x reader #frank castle smut #frank castle fanfiction #frank castle fic #jon bernthal fanfiction #jon bernthal fic #the punisher fanfiction #the punisher fanfic #chelsea writes

[comicaurora]

What are your thoughts on guardians vol.3? (If you have watched it) I went into it, expecting it went to the garbage like the rest of the mcu, but I was pleasantly surprised by its creativity, trope subversion, and how it wrapped up the previously unresolved arks of its characters.

That's what I've heard!

The thing is, Guardians 3 could be the most transcendent work of cinema ever made, and I'd probably still feel little to no motivation to watch it at this point. It's not Guardians's fault - it's just suffering from the same problem that superhero comics have been struggling with for decades: no matter how good an individual arc or run is, absolutely nothing good lasts or matters in the long term, and the stories are shaped in such a way that "the long term" is the only thing anyone gets to build towards.

Whenever I complain about the MCU I get a handful of people loudly complaining about my complaining, with the general thesis that if I don't like it I shouldn't watch it or talk about it - if I'm not having fun, just stop engaging with it. And the thing is, I have. I am intellectually interested in why this massive franchise is fumbling the bag so hard, which is why I still check in on it sometimes, but I've long since stopped turning to the MCU for uncritical entertainment. And even the good movies or shows with a lot of interesting ideas - good character arcs, fun concepts, interesting planting for future payoff - don't draw me in anymore, because they're hooked into a massive moneymaking machine that will scrap and squander anything if they think it'll make them more in the quarter. It doesn't matter how good the writing is, because the writers are not allowed to tell a complete, finished story, and they have no control over what happens to their characters outside of their own script.

Captain America's arc was set up from literally minute one to answer one burning question at the core of his character: does a world without a war still need Captain America? After that incredibly basic tee-up at the end of First Avenger, half a dozen movies failed to come up with a reason to say "yes," and now Steve is retired for good after getting fumbled through four different storylines that couldn't even pretend that they needed him (the unused Chekhov's Phone from the end of Civil War still haunts me). The foundational arc of his entire character never happened because nobody bothered to keep track of it past a single movie.

Taika did something interesting with Thor in Ragnarok - take away Mjolnir, force him to recognize what it means to be the god of thunder, give him a very Odin-y missing eye - and the very next movie undid all of it. Just kidding, never mind, here's an eye and a new weapon and also his old weapon again, and in one more movie we're even gonna give him his hair back, probably as an apology for all the completely unironic fatphobia we're gonna slather him in for two and a half hours. I'm not even surprised Love And Thunder was such an overblown mess that barely took itself seriously - why would Taika bother trying to give Thor another arc when the powers that be will just roll it back in six months anyway?

I hear Rocket Raccoon has a fantastic arc in this movie. That's great, and demonstrates that he's being written by a writer that deeply cares about him. But he's part of the MCU, and the MCU doesn't let anything end, so if current patterns hold, Rocket is going to continue to serve as quippy plushie-bait for the next dozen movies and none of that depth is going to come through in the long term. Hell, since they're making Kang noises for the Next Big Threat and Kang's entire gimmick is rewriting timelines, literally none of this is guaranteed to matter. By next year, it might not have even happened anymore.

The MCU has successfully shaped itself into a paradigm where the bright spots of good writing are overridden and lost as soon as the writers room turns over, and that makes it really hard for me to muster up the enthusiasm to watch even a really good movie that's locked into the exact same grist mill as everything else. I'm glad people liked it, I hope it gets to stay good this time - I just have no desire to watch it.

#asks #not aurora

[spideyhexx]

saccharine

fem!reader; part one, part two

After Billy gifted you the hat, you decided to mess with him. You hid the hat under your blanket and pillow, not wearing it the next day despite the itching need you had to dawn it.

His note, his gift, while both special in their own right, you longed to hear him say his apology. You knew he'd probably roll his eyes or pinch the bridge of his nose before saying it and that is what you wanted.

Billy sees you in the morning without the hat and he has to hold back his frown. Did she not like it? Did someone else grab it before she returned to her cot? Or did she ignore it? A billion questions ran through his mind, he couldn't even focus on pouring water into his cup, spilling it onto his hand and the grass below. He groans and wipes his hand on his pant leg.

When his eyes dart back up to look for you, you're already staring, a gleeful smile on your face. His brow knits and you almost skip your way over to him, "Bonney."

"Mornin'," he says, setting the water jug down and Billy finds that he can barely look you in the eye. You go to speak, but Billy's mouth is working before he can even think, "did you get my uh...the thing I-"

"Well, 'f course I did," you tell him, taking one big step closer to him, your voice dropping closer to a whisper, "while I appreciate the gesture and I will keep the hat, I think I need an actual apology first."

Billy tries to focus on the real part of your words about the apology but he finds himself fixating on the fact that you said you'd keep the hat. Meaning you did like it. To him, that's a win. Or a loss maybe. Since when did he know you so well? Well enough to know what hat you'd like?

"Bonney?" Your voice jolts him out of his thoughts and he clears his throat, "are you seriously gonna make me do this?"

You nod, giving him your tender smile that always makes the boys melt and he breathes in deeply, letting out the breath, "the note wasn't enough?"

This time, you roll your eyes. "It was nice, but I deserve your words. From your vocal cords. Now, do it," you jab his shoulder with your hand, but he barely moves from it.

"'M sorry...I shouldn't 'f said what I said. It was wrong and I...I wasn't thinkin'," Billy says, his voice lower so the conversation stays between the two of you.

"And?" You raise your brow at him, jabbing his other arm. He still doesn't move.

"And you're not...a pest. You're just...a little annoying. You can't deny that," he swallows, his eyes searching over your face for any crack in your smile.

"I guess I can't. Thank you. Who knew you could be such a gentleman?" And with one last punch to his arm, you turn on your heel.

Billy, again without thinking, grabs onto your wrist before you can get much farther, making you turn right back to him. "Do you actually like the hat?"

You narrow your eyes at him, wondering if he's playing at any sort of game, but you can't read him right now. You glance to his lips, seeing no quirk of a smile, but when you look back to his eyes, he seems to have noticed where your gaze went and he drops your wrist. Why was she looking there? She was messing with him, he concludes. Like she always does, probably trying to distract him.

"I do like it. It needs to be worn in though," you tell him, your voice softer than you anticipated as you start to walk backwards away from him.

He lets out a small breath of a chuckle and nods, "I'm sure you'll manage."

let's chat about saccharine or billy in general, here :)

#billy the kid #saccharine #billy the kid x reader #william h bonney #william h bonney x reader #william h bonney x you #billy the kid imagine #billy the kid smut #billy the kid x you #william h bonney imagine #william h bonney smut #william bonney x you #william bonney smut #william bonney #billy the kid fanfiction #william bonney x reader #billy bonney x reader #billy bonney

[emsgwenstan]

Unending, undone.

Larissa Weems x fem reader. (Angst)

Words: 2k?

Warnings: angst, delusions, unrequited love.

Note: I hate this. one of my wips I need to get rid of, I didn’t want to delete the entire thing, I really couldn’t be bothered to edit and make it better. Anyway- hopefully it’s kinda enjoyable, apologies in advance I wrote this like 7 months ago.

———

It was the weekend and as of that, yourself, Larissa, vlad and the elderly library lady from nevermore were chaperoning the students that wanted to go into Jericho. Before the kids got off the bus it was made clear once again that they will all be departing at 3:30pm and if not accounted for find your own way back to the school and expect consequences.

all departed off the bus to do their own things, old mrs Byrnes to the local library, vlad to the sports and recreation shop, Larissa entered the wethervain and you opted to stroll the streets.

After about two hours of walking in the bone chilling autumn air, you decide to cross the street to take refuge in the weathervane, hoping Larissa is willing to have you as company if she’s still in there, you hadn't seen her since she walked into the café. Reaching the door her silver hair caught your attention, Larissa was sat at her usual booth close to the back almost tucked away, your gaze was strictly on her, eyebrows slightly furrowed eyes glued to a spot out side, but the small twitch of her lips made her seem to be deep in thought. after working with Larissa for a long period of time you found yourself observing her closely, admiring her from afar, knowing, understanding what makes her happy or mad, keeping a mask was enough to fool others but to you, she was like an open book.

Entering, you walked up to the counter, ordered and paid. Turning to face her, she still hadn’t moved, her shoulders rigged and back straight, statue looking. You waltz over, placing your phone and purse on the table in hopes it breaks her trans like state with a simple. “Hey.” It doesn’t. You took to squatting down and wrapping you hand gently around her gloved wrist that was nursing a cup of black coffee, Larissa let out a small gasp turning to face who ever it was that startled her, only to look down a bit to find you.

“Oh how rude of me I didn’t realise you were there, apologies.” She said softly with a forced smile. You didn’t respond, merely giving her a look of concern, the longer she peered into your eyes the more she knew what you were trying to say. “How could I be so daft to think she couldn’t see right through me?” She thought.

“Do you want me to sit across you or beside you?” You asked standing, sounding maybe a little to stern, however when it comes to the people you deeply care about only seriousness and attentiveness are needed plus a ton of comfort. Larissa shifted over in the seat to make room for you and took to peering back out into the town.

"two large hot chocolates?" the waiter asked slipping the cups gently onto the table. You whipped your head around to him. "yes! thank you so much." you said feeling a little reprieved having to take your eyes away from Larissa, although her interest was piqued at the words 'hot' and 'chocolate'. "oh um would you mind taking this one please?" you asked him, whilst dragging the coffee from Larissa grasp. "yeah no worries, enjoy ladies." he said before returning behind the counter.

Larissa was giving you the biggest look, at this point. “I wasn’t fini-“. She began. “No.” You simply said cutting her off. “The amount of sips you took from the time of me being here, to the lack of steam, means you have had the same cup for quite some time, so you have most definitely finished dearest. Not to mention it was straight black coffee, very unlike you.” You stated proudly, whilst pushing her a cup and pulling one towards yourself.

Watching her hesitantly take a drink, not wanting you to see her defeat, you smirked in victory. Sitting in silence for a while you noticed her demeanour shift, reverting back to her former melancholy state. You took to laying your hand on her thigh and tilting your head in a concerned way. Larissa was unfazed by the action, however still hyper aware of you touch.

Stroking your thumb over her exposed knee, “come, we only have ten minutes.” She blinked a few times to settle back into the air of reality before downing the remanence of her drink. You scooted out of the booth and offered a hand to Larissa, you could feel the warmth radiating from her soft leather gloves. Once standing, she habitably smooths down her dress, you take ahold of her upper arm and waltz out of the cafe and towards the bus.

Doing a head count of all the students that re-entered the vehicle you usher vlad and help mrs Byrnes, before resting your hand on the small of Larissa’s back to help her get in, not that she couldn’t do it herself of course, but you felt the need to gently coax her out of her mind and try getting her to focus until she was back at the school.

With all the children off and back on campus, you were the last ones off I the bus. “I’ll take you to your room.” You said, reaching for her hand. Instantly though, she dodged your grasp only to looked at you as if you tried to burn her, confused you took a step back thing you overstepped. After a moment of awkward silence you spoke. “I’ll uh.. I’ll just go and leave you to it.” You said turning to walk away, your face bright red from embarrassment.

Although you must have taken only about three steps until you felt a warm ungloved hand and fingers threaded through your own and another wrapped around your elbow. Stopping, you peered into her eyes trying to figure out what she’s trying to say, but instead of asking you resumed walking with her attached to you.

Reaching her quarters, she let herself inside only to turn around and see you didn’t follow her. Popping her head back out the door to see you walking back to your own room. “Y/n?” She questioned. You turned back to gaze at her. “What are you doing? Did… you want to come in?” She said softly. “I just thought that- well… you? I?” You stuttered not really knowing what you thought. Larissa left the doorway making a b-line for you. “Would you like to come in? I assumed you would come with me.” She started, sounding confident but gradually became more timid.

Nodding as a yes you both walked separately into her home. Your eyes widen in awe at her living decor, all pieces, trinkets and art were the embodiment of Larissa. She was amused at your staring, pointing out a couple of artists to the paintings you seamed fixated on. Your amazement wasn’t just about the objects themselves more the fact that Larissa and yourself have very similar tastes, however she can afford to buy the finer things in life.

Everything was gawked at, Larissa took note of how you shared the same interests. “Y/n? Do you happen to like shoes?….designer shoes?” She asked your face dropped. “Yes! I do.” She smiled and told you to follow her. You entered what seemed to be her very own room and walk in closet. It was beautiful and organised, she bent down and pulled out a few shoe boxes. “I have these brought over from London every couple of months and I haven’t gotten to sending them back, there the wrong sizes, I think they may fit you.” She said. “Really!… I mean no.” You said trying hard not to be overzealous.

She pulled out a pair of black heals. Ones you’ve had your eye on for years and there they were in her grasp. “Here try them on.” She pleaded. “I mustn’t.” You said “sit.” She commanded taking a hold of your shoe and pulling it off putting it on herself. “There perfect. You may have all of them.” She said. “No, Larissa I can’t.” You said. “Either you take them or I’ll find a way to put them in your room.” She said. Giving in you thanked her and you understand how much they cost and will take care of each one.

After a while of sitting on the floor she lay down with her eyes fluttering. “How about I put you to bed hmmm?” You asked. Larissa looked at her watch. “It’s only five.” You placed the shoes back in there boxes and stacked them on top of each other. “Yes but your exhausted, if you like I’ll come back later and bring some food?” You wondered taking a hold of her elbows as she held onto the insides of yours. Larissa didn’t answer, she merely smiled and walked out into her room and paced to a beautiful tall chested draws and pulled out a navy satin sleep set.

You stood awkwardly in the closet doorway as you watched her ‘should I go back and rearrange the shoes or?…’ you thought, not knowing if you should just leave to give her privacy or what. Larissa tossed the set on her ridiculously large and lavish bed and turned to you. “Y/n would you mind unzipping my dress, I just have trouble reaching behind.” She asked. Butterflies erupted in your stomach at her request, your strong, stern and hopeful front melting away.

You reached up and grabbed her zip dragging it down the expanse of her back, her bra clasp came into view as well as the freckles that littered her skin that you hadn’t seen before. Your hands lingered a little to long and Larissa slowly turned to face you. “I know, someone like me not being able to reach is quite sporadic isn’t it.” She blushed ducking her head. “Not at all, not everyone is as flexible as others, I know I’m certainly not.” You said with a chuckle.

Larissa smiled and moved her hand to her shoulder to peal the material away, slow enough for it to be your queue to leave if need be. That you did, you turned on your heals and made your way back into the walk-in robe to peer at her other belongings.

“You can come back.” She spoke softly, if it were you, you’d probably yell it for some reason even if it’s unnecessary. “Larissa?” You asked, walking to her bed pulling back the covers for her, she plopped on the bed taking out her earrings and removing the rest of her jewellery. “Mmm?” She hummed in acknowledgment. You busied yourself with pulling out the pins in her hair and for once you weren’t the first one to relies how intimate the whole afternoon has been.

“Do you think you could tell me what’s going on in your mind.” You asked concentrating on her hair, trying hard not to pull or hurt. Larissa let out a sigh as if she was dreading the question. “I’m just… not myself today. I’ve been thinking of the past a little to much lately and things I should have done and what things I could have done differently, unhealthy I know but that’s all.” She said in a low velvety voice. “I see. You know I’m here to listen to anything you have to say, I support you and care very much about your wellbeing, no matter how laughable that sounds.” You said.

Larissa raised her chin and looked up through her lashes at your face. A doting, sweet expression graced your face. “Thank you, darling.” She whispered. “Lay down, I’ll draw the curtains and I’ll go ok.” You pulled the covers up over her body to get warm.

With the curtains drawn and all things done, you made your way back to Larissa’s side of the bed. Her eyes fluttered shut as you dipped beside her, larissa looked peaceful and relaxed, it’s a little foreign being so close to larissa in her own home and in her most vulnerable state. You couldn’t manage to tear your eyes away from her soft lips and gorgeous free hair, until you relised her pyjamas had slightly fallen down her shoulder. More freckles adorned her pale skin, had you been aware of her lingering gaze you wouldn’t had stared for so long with out a word.

“What’s the matter?” She asked. “Oh! Nothing, I… sorry I was just, admiring.” You confessed. Your skin turned red once again, you could have just lied but what the use in not telling her how utterly beautiful she is. “Admiring?” She asked with a little smile. “Yes. Your just so…” you began. “A curiosity.” She whispered with her eyes turning sad and seemingly hurt. “No not at all, your beautiful, stunning, exquisite even.” You grinned down at her seeing the way her eyes sparkle at your words.

“Oh.” She said clearly not ready for you to say such wonderful things to her. ‘I love you’. You thought. For the longest time you had been alone and so had Larissa, it feels like your saving each other from drowning in loneliness, a life raft for one another. Her expression changed to complete confusion with wide eyes. “What?” You asked. “You-just…. Did you just say I love you.” She asked almost out of breath. ‘No. No fucking way I just did that.’ Without thinking you shot up and ran to the door and left without so much as a peep.

“Wait-no! Please, I, y/n!” Larissa shouted clambering off and out of the bed, she ripped out her dressing gown and slipped on a pair of flats within 30 seconds and sprinted to your quarters through passage ways to avoid potential eyes. Arriving, she knocked on the door relentlessly to no avail, only to find that the door was unlocked. Stepping in the room cautiously she found you curled in bed with multiple layers of bedding covering your shaking body. Larissa took it upon herself to remove her shoes and gown before fighting you to let go of your vice grip on the blankets, you were laying on your stomach with your face pressed into the pillows. Larissa sunk down into the bed slipping beside you re-covering you both with the covers before she turned on her side and wrapped her arms around your waist and pulled you flush to her, front to front.

You hid your head in your hands against her breasts wishing your were invisible. “Y/n. I need you to look at me for what I’m about to say.” She asked, earning a whimper of refusal from you. So she did what was necessary, Larissa grasped your hands prying them away from your face to be met with a wet mess of a face, your eyes open and involuntarily you mouth twitches into a small smile just by looking at her, but faded when you remember what just happened revoking your sight and shutting your eyes again. “Look at me love.” She asked, cupping your cheek using the backs of her fingers to wipe away the tears.

You took a deep breath and looked at her again. “Y/n..” she started. “I love you to.” She said running her fingers through your hair. You stared at her and waited for her to continue. “You asked me what I was thinking about today and I told you I wasn’t feeling like myself… but the truth is, I was watching you for a while this morning, admiring. But I relised that you could never want me. You could never possibly feel the same. Then when you walked in I started to think about previous relationships I’ve had and how terrible they turned out.”

You couldn’t believe it, Larissa Weems, your boss and friend, the most elegant and graceful woman you had ever met loves you. “I-I…” you stuttered , but being unable to conjure words the only option was to show her how you feel. You moved your hands to her face and slowly moved up, each others breath’s mingling, noses and lips lightly brushing, you pull back just to look into her eyes silently asking if it were ok. Larissa crashed her lips onto yours, passionate and strong but oh so loving.

Or at least that's what you wished would of happened if she hadn't let you go back to you quarters when you arrived back at the school. if only Larissa had caught up to you when you turned to leave her, if only she threaded her fingers through your own and stopped you. The small imaginary scenarios are what keeps your mind active but heart heavy, you wouldn't be laying in bed sobbing dreaming of such delusional things, but i suppose we cant all get the ones we love in the end right?

______

its been a week since your little awkward incident and both yourself and Larissa have been avoiding each other like the plague, although every night Larissa walks past your quarters to get back to her own, trying to have enough courage to just ask if your ok, but never does, not until she heard struggled breaths and choked sobs emanating from within your room. it was quiet late, very late in fact, almost ten past three in the morning.

she stood outside your door with her back resting on the architrave. "i don't know what I'm supposed to do, i mean i look so stupid crying over a woman i know doesn't want me, why would she? i give her no reason for her to be interested in me, I'm nothing, no one, but is it so wrong to be in love with Larissa?" you asked talking to no one in particular out your window. Larissa's pursed lips pried open in disbelief at your words.

she turned and and without hesitation knocked, wanting- needing to see you, needing your eyes to look at her, needing to be close, not caring who or what you were talking to. after a brief moment you swung open the door with furrowed brows until you saw her, your face dropped at her appearance.

standing there in silence her eyes seemed to tell you something you couldn't understand. Larissa brushed past you and welcomed herself into your room, confused, you closed the door to face her. "I'm afraid I've been quite the asshole." she said. "pardon?" you asked. “I’m sorry y/n, it’s been hard avoiding you and if you would let me… I’d like to apologise and hopefully we can work on this.” She said gesturing between the two of you.

You stood planted to the ground until you took small steps towards her and embraced her in a hug as an acceptance. “I don’t know what you’re going through right now but I only wish to help, please don’t push me away. Even though you don’t feel the same way about me, assuming you just heard, then that’s ok.” You said pulling away from her looking into Larissa’s sad eyes. “I think I can love you, I will learn to, I have to learn how to love again first y/n, but I won’t push you away I’ll try to keep you close I promise.”

At that you lead her out to your balcony and sat down watching the stars soaking in this new kind of relationship, whether it will eventuate into something more then a friendship doesn’t matter because at the end of the day Larissa knows you will always be there, the cards are now resting in her hands, not all expectations are met, not every story ends happily, but for now it’s just the two of you, no one else and you will forever be bonded, now we will never know.

@sabraaabra

#gwendoline christie #larissa weems #principle weems #wednesday #larissa weems x y/n #gwenchrist(ie) #larissa x reader #wlw fanfic #larissa weems x reader

[maximotts]

rereading ph and i was wondering…what would happen if like one of them went too far? like they actually scared/hurt the reader like very seriously?

Interesting that you ask such a thing! I have draft currently where someone asked something similar and it's got a scenario where Nat goes too far with Wanda, but I have yet to approach the subject with reader involved.

I apologize, this is going to be a bit long, but I guess it's more of a set of headcanons than a fic so uh.. bon apetit, hurt/comfort situation lovers

private hire au masterlist.

Honestly, it would depend on a lot of things: how close Wanda and Natasha are to reader when it happens, where they are (i.e. is it a public scolding that's more emotional or is it something in private/the bedroom), and who it is that actually hurts them.

Assuming they're in the current place ( game night ) when reader gets hurt, Wanda and Natasha would care a lot and want to right it as best they know how. Which.. is still not always the healthiest.

If it were Wanda...

Say she was tearing into you so harshly in front of other people that maybe you break down and cry or even just run away depending on the setting because really, who wants to cry in front of strangers, she would feel terrible.

Devastated honestly, Wanda's much more afraid of you pulling away than Natasha is; she needs you to see her as a constant safe space for anything and always wants to be the one you run towards, never from.

If it was during a meeting she couldn't immediately leave, Wanda would handle everything as quickly as possible, but in the meantime she's getting someone to check on you. Preferably Nat, but if she's too far, most likely it'd be Bucky or Sam. Anyone who she knows would keep you out of harm's way, but continue to keep an eye on you for her.

Because you never really have a chance to slip away.

As soon as possible, Wanda'd get to wherever you fled, putting on her gentlest demeanor, hoping you're not upset enough with her that she has to apologize.

But when she sees you're shying away from her, Wanda's heart breaks.

Again, we've seen it before a bit in forgive and (don't) forget, but Wanda hates thinking she's upset you enough to push you away.

She'd get you the world if you asked, anything to coax you into talking to her and helping her understand where she went wrong because she needs to fix it. It'll eat away at her if you don't at least start to forgive her by the end of the day.

But then if you get hurt during sex with her...

She's apologetic instantly, but much more in tune to your physical and mental state than if it was just verbal like above.

Wanda's such a touchy person she'd want to hold you so bad, but understands if you need time to come back to reality.

There's tons of reassurance though, especially while she's cleaning you up and getting you into a cozy space, "You did so well, dove. I should've checked in earlier."

And there's not a second where she lets you try to take the blame; she won't hear of it.

Speaking of blame, even if it were a pure accident Wanda would take on so much guilt. She struggles a lot with knowing whether or not she's making the right decisions (as best you can as a mob boss) and tries very hard not to hurt anyone.

Seeing you hurt by her own hands makes her lose so much trust in herself. So much so that she might not trust being around you without someone else around.

Wanda would only get close with Natasha around and even if both of you try assuring her you'll be okay in time, she's terrified that she hurt someone she cares so deeply about.

For Natasha, it's a bit of a different story...

Nat says hurtful shit all the time, it's just a part of dealing with her.

If she's the one who notices you upset, she'll ignore your reactions easily, knowing you're not brave enough to outright leave. Even if you did, she's tracked down much worse targets than a young girl with nowhere to go.

She'll wait it out as long as she can, hoping you'll give up and leave your room once you calm down so you can both move past it.

But god forbid, Wanda talks to you while you're still upset because then Nat knows she's in for it and now not only does she have to apologize, she has to deal with her angry wife.

Part of her apology entails her awkwardly telling you to brush it off because you know she didn't mean it and even though what she said still hurts, you've got to nod and say okay. Nat's not going to give you a better apology than what she's already offered.

Natasha sees you shying away from her just as quickly as Wanda does, but it doesn't bother her and she'd rather wait until you judge her as harmless yourself instead of coaxing you back to her like Wanda does.

If it's a physical incident...

Natasha tends to be notoriously terrible with words, but when it comes to actions, she'll make sure to right her wrongs.

Not much horrifies her besides hurting someone helpless and removed as she can be with you at times, Nat cares for you a lot and she's well aware of how much power she wields over you.

Consequently, when you get hurt on her watch, by her own misjudgment, she's the most protective you've ever seen her.

She'll bandage any wounds, even ice bruises you shyly insist you don't mind, shushing you each time you even try to diminish the pain you're in.

Because you fully expect her to tell you to brush it off like she does when she says something mean, even speaking up to tell her you're hurt is a struggle, having been scared she'd advise you to suck it up.

And Natasha hates that. So much.

After that, she tries her hardest to be gentler to you. Helping you along as you recover, fetching you whatever you happen to mention you need even faster than Wanda can... the whole nine yards.

Anything to show you she never relishes in causing you real harm.

This doesn't really mention how much it'd affect Wanda to see you hurt, but she'd be livid with Natasha, her own possessive nature wanting to huddle you away from her wife while she nursed to back to health.

But after some persistence, you convince Wanda to let Natasha help which does honestly surprise Natasha given how attached she knows you are to the brunette.

Even just that little bit of reassurance renews Natasha's confidence that she hasn't completely fucked up her relationship with you which yes, is something she worries about whenever accidents happen.

#is this edited? no but it's just headcanons soooo #private hire au. #wandanat x reader

[i4bellingham]

lovebomb : jude bellingham x reader

note: i accidentally deleted the ask but it goes Can you write a fic where Jude proposes to the reader? i know it's taken me quite some time to push this out so i apologize deeply for that anon 😭

warnings: not proofread

Jude thinks his hands are shaking.

He takes a wary glance to where his hands are rested, on top of the table, they were definitely shaking.

He didn't even realize he's got both hands, palms down on the glass table top until that very moment, in which he immediately hides inside his dress pant pockets as he tries to calm his nerves.

Just then, you're sauntering towards the table with your beautiful summer dress and your beautiful face and Jude feels the warmth pooling at his stomach for the nth time that night.

God he was already nervous of what he's about to do. And you're making him nervous too! But in all good reasons.

As smoothly as he possibly can, he leaves the seat before he's offering you a hand.

You ask him if you're going somewhere else after the dinner and Jude simply shrugs, a boyish, charming smile playing at his lips before you're taking his hand with a cynical glare.

“I don’t have any pranks on me tonight love, I swear.” He tells you with a chuckle. Still, you eye him warily as he walks the both of you near the shoreline.

“So what is the occasion?” You ask him as you both settle down on the sand, a few meters away from where your dinner by the sea took place. “There’s no anniversary, no birthdays, no important things to celebrate, I am confused and quite frankly a little cautious of you just in case you pull some dumb pranks on me... yet again.”

Jude gasps dramatically, clutching his chest for the extra effect before you're rolling your eyes at his antics.

“Can I not take my lovely girlfriend out for dinner with no hidden motives?”

“After what happened the last time I think it's alright to say I should be a little bit cautious, don’t you think?”

Jude scoffs with a shake of his head. “A pair of shaky legs should not be a reason at all for that.”

“You arse I was bed ridden for four days!” You smack him on the arms, jokingly glaring at your boyfriend as he doubled over to laugh at your demise. “Seriously! Making me do your leg routine with you knowing I don’t even work out was so rude of you.”

Jude wipes his under eyes, still chuckling as you huff and cross your arms over your chest beside him.

“It was a cute date, wasn’t it?”

You click your tongue, nearly smacking your boyfriend again but refrained yourself from doing so when he snakes an arm around you. He pulls you by the waist, letting your head naturally fall against his chest as you partially lay half your body over him.

“There was some perks to that date but just so you're aware, I’m not ever doing that again. Ever.” You emphasize.

Jude hums with a nod of his head. He doesn't really believe your words entirely nor do you believe his feigned conviction but he'll settle with that for now. He knows you'll follow through whatever surprises there is for you in the future. There is another one coming up too but this one's the main cause of his clammy and shaky hands on the dinner table. Your response to this one will either make or break the entire foundation of your four year long relationship, all depends on your answer.

“Okay... but what if I asked you to go in Antarctica with me for the next date?”

You stare at him, incredulous. “Are you joking?”

Jude looks you straight in the eyes and with a nonchalant nod, he answers. “Yes.”

“I’m this much to breaking up with you I swear-”

“You told me that countless of times too and yet here we are.”

You purse your lips. “Should I make it real then-”

Jude clamps a palm over your mouth, glaring at you pointedly and you're tempted to bite his hand if only he didn't remove it immediately, almost as if sensing the thoughts running through your head.

“Okay but seriously... for our next something special, would you...” He leaves your side, kneeling in front of you as you're sat down.

You think he's merely doing the changes to pair his next ridiculous idea with hand gesture which is a norm for him when he's being absurd. But when he pulls out a small black velvet box from his pocket and unveils the beautiful diamond ring inside, you're left speechless as you listened to his next less preposterous preposition.

“Would you do the honor of making me your official husband, and be my forever lovely wife and join me in more stupid dates as we live off our lives together?”

You wanted to scream on top of your lungs, shout, cry, cuss your boyfriend out for planning this less idiotic way of proposing but you don't, and instead, you simply erratically nodded your head to his question as tears filled your eyes.

You don’t wait for him to slip the ring in your finger before you're tackling him on the sand, stifling the sobs that freely left your lips as Jude cradles you close to his body, not bothered by the sand clinging onto his clothes or how he's nearly got sand in his eyes.

He doesn't ruin the atmosphere yet, muttering a plentiful of I love you’s in your ear before you settle down and let him put the ring on your finger.

“This is so stupid.” But of course, you just have to have the courtesy of ruining the lovely atmosphere that his romanticist brought out and mutter those three words while wiping off your tears.

Jude’s mouth hang open as he's helping you dry your tears off.

“How is this stupid?” He asks you, flabbergasted.

“Because you just had to propose while I’m not wearing any waterproof mascara on you idiot!” You point an accusing finger at him, to which he immediately raise both hands. “You planned this!”

“Well of course I did, I wanted to marry you!” Jude responds before he helps you with the black staining your eyes and cheeks. Oops.

He uses the sleeves of his white dress shirt, wiping away the tears that was stained black from your mascara. He stifles the laugh that threatens to rip out of his chest because even though he finds the scene adorably funny, he's more happier than ever because you actually accepted the proposal. You accepted him to be your husband and it couldn't get any better than this, Jude is certainㅡ except for when you of course, finally settle down and have some kids of your own, this is the pinnacle of his lifetime he's sure.

“Do I look stupid?” You ask after a while, sniffing as Jude clears your face free of the mascara.

He shakes his head, mumbling a soft No as he cups both of your cheeks. He leans down to kiss your lips and instantly feeling you smile.

“You always look perfect to me love. Even when you look like you’ve gotten run over by an herd of chicken during the early mornings, or when you look like the undead for staying up late for your job or for taking care of me, you will always be perfect to me... The embodiment of love, kindness and everything good in this world is what I see in you even when you're feeling or seeing the opposite.” He tells you, voice falling an octave lower as he lays both of your foreheads together. “I love you in every waking moments, and I love you even in my dreams. I love you my love, and thank you so much for accepting me to be your husband.”

The tears the both of you tried to dry out once again filled your eyes and now his, letting you both be filled with sincere love as you bask in this most intimate moment together as you step in another chapter of your lives, now with a promise to be together for the remaining years that's to come.

The proposal wasn't your typical grandiose gesture with fireworks and hundreds of bouquets but for you and Jude, this was perfect. There was no need for such things when it was only you, him and your love that matters.

It wasn't anything spectacular, but it is fucking special.

#☆ i4bellingham writes. #☆ jude bellingham #jude bellingham x reader #jude bellingham x you #jude bellingham imagines #jude bellingham fanfic #jude bellingham fanfiction #jude bellingham imagine #jude bellingham one shot #jude bellingham

[hiken-no-stark]

Unexpected (König x Reader)

*Gif is not mine*

A/N: Hi :) I just came back with this idea. I couldn't help it, I'm in whore mode for König. I hope y'all like it. I apologize if there are any mistakes.

Summary: Flirt with his teammates can lead you to unexpected situations.

Warnings: Exhibitionism, Oral (Male receiving), P in V. Not use of (Y/N).

︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶

König was staring at her in the corner of the room, she had teased him all the night, talking and flirting with everyone at the party. He wasn't used to this kind of reunions, but he agreed to come just for her.

His eyes met hers, a smirk forming on the corners of his lips. She was making it very difficult to focus on anything but her. The cute dress she had picked for that night fit perfectly on her body. She had teased him, flirting with other men just to make him jealous.

“Why don't you come sit with me for a bit?” He said with a wink, hoping she would come over and stop making him jealous.

“I'd love to… But I have a pending conversation.” She said smirking at him and turned around to walk away swaying her hips.

He watched her walk away from him, his stomach twisting and turning. He couldn't stand seeing her flirting with these guys.

Before she can move far from him, he take her arm tightly and she turned her head with an innocent gaze, smiling “What's wrong, my love? Is it everything okay?”

König felt his eyes tear up a bit at the way she said those words. It had been so long since he had been in a relationship and it had been even longer since a persn had shown this form of empathy toward him. He cleared his throat slightly, trying to speak without crying. “It's just… I don't like seeing you flirt and play with those other guys… I don't trust them.”

She blinks several times, pretending not know what he was talking about. But then an idea run through her mind. “Are you jealous?” She asks with a teasing tone.

“… Yes” He whispered, his cheeks turning red at his own admission. He couldn't believe he said it out loud. It wasn't like him to admit his own insecurities.

“Are you like really really jealous?” She keep teasing him with a smirk on her face.

“Well… Yes.” He said, feeling both relieved and ashamed at the same time. He knew he was being irrational but he couldn't help the way he felt. He just wanted her by his side.

“And what are you gonna do about it?” All her attention was now on him “Are you going to punish me for flirt with other men in front of you?”

He was surprised by her words. But in the back of his mind, he also found himself enjoying this little power dynamic. He was a little ashamed of it, but it was true that he wanted to make her pay for teasing hi mall night.

“Yes.” He said firmly.

“Really?” He reyes shine in excitement. “And what will be my punishment? Are you going to fuck me in front of your team? Just to show them who I belong to.”

König found himself at a loss for words at her forward words. “Yes.” He said again, with new resolve in his tone. He wasn't going to back down now.

She smirked “Then do it.”

Without saying another word, he scooped her up in his arms and held her firmly to his chest. She giggled and start blushing. Is he talking seriously? She hope yes. The thought of being fucked in front of his team turn her on.

His face turned a little red as well. He could hardly believe that she was willing to do this with him. He kissed her deeply for a momento, closing his eyes. “I can't believe you'd want this.” He whispered in her ear.

“Well I deserve a really hard punishment.” She kiss him again as her hands start to move all over his body. By the corner of he eye she could see the member of his team looking ar them making out in the middle of the room.

His heart was racing in his chest, feeling her lips against his sent a surge of adrenaline throught his body. He pulled away from her, his face flushed. “Yes… You do…” He chuckled softly.

She moved her hands to her back and undo her dress, letting it fall to the floor. Standing just in underwear in front of König and the other men. Multiple gasps echoing in the room because of her sudden action.

He found himself staring at her in awe. It was such a bold and risky move, but he couldn't deny that he enjoyed the fact that she was bold enough to do it. “You are something else you know that?” He said softly to her, his eyes stil glued to her form.

“Do you think so? Well I can be bolder.” She undo her bra and let it fall next to her dress.

The room was already quiet with everyone shocked by her bold move. No one make any move to leave, they were silent. Even König was speechless and just stared at her as her bra fell to the floor.

She smiled at him and then look around. All the men's gazes are in her almost naked body. But the only one who can touch her was in front of her. “Do you want me to take off these too?” She point to her panties.

He felt his heart beating so hard and fast that he thought he could feel the blood rushing through his veins. His eyes were glued to her, watchin her every move. Her hand hovering over her panties had him breathless, he had to say something.

“So…?” She hold the elastic of her panties “Should I take them off or not?”

He swallowed hard “Yes.” He said simply. His voice was low and quiet yeti t seemed to echo in the room all the same.

“Ok, then…” Her panties slide down her legs.

'Fuck!' 'Is she for real?' Were some of the multilple comments in the room.

She stared up at König and blinked with innocence. “What now, sir?”

König's heart was beating hard in the momento. He looked around at the other men, trying to gauge their reactions but finding it to be difficult from so many. He returned his eyes to her and spoke slowly. “How far are you willing to go?”

“You will to find out.” She said before moving closer to him, her hands reach his belt unclasping it. She kneel in front of him unzipping his trousers.

König felt the heat of his face turn red as she started to undo his trousers. His eyes were glued to her, watching her every movement with a mixture of awe and trepidation. She hold his trousers and boxers and slide them down his legs. His already hardening dick almost hit her chin. She take a quick look around, all those men were in disbelief, but no one dare to look away.

She look at König again and smirk at him, then her hand hold his dick and start stroking him. Her hand moving at a slow pace. But suddenly she take him in her mouth.

König felt as if he was watching a movie rather tan this being his real life. The way she had moved so quickly was like this momento was all pre-meditated. She start sucking him at a slow pace, her eyes looking at him.

In the room some of the men started to touch themselves over their trousers. König felt himself getting more and more anxious with all the eyes on him. He found it difficult to believe that none of the other guys were coming to stop them or at least said something about this absourd situation.

She increases her pace and take him deeper still looking at him. He took a deep breath but could not brin himself to look away. He felt like he was in a dream. She start to whimper while suck him and then she take hi mall the way down her throat, or at least she tried. He groaned and hold her hair tightly. He was starting to feel lightheaded and his hands began to shake. His heart was beating so hard that he thought anyone around him would be able to hear it.

Around them, all the men were already jacking off.

Suddenly she stops and get up, her lips were red and swollen. She turna round and walk by the nearest table. She lean down, face down, ass up. Her pussy was already drench and ready for him. She wiggle her ass at him and smile looking at him over her shoulder. “What are you waiting for, big boy?”

He couldn't believe that she was being so brazen. None of them said anything as she walked by, just continue to stare and jacking off. He felt like he was in a dream, being led by an attractive stranger.

He walks at a slow pace near to her. This bold woman was all his and he was about to make it clear for his team.

He caressed her ass and spread her legs with his knee. And with a swift movement he push all his dick inside her. She cry out and clench her fists.

A chill ran through his body as he pressed himself against her. It was unreal that he was actually in this position with her.

He start to move slow at first but increasing his pace every momento. The room was echoing with grunts and groans of the multiple men enjoying the show, and obviously her high pitched moans “Harder… Harder please…” She moaned.

He wasn't paying attention at the men around them, just focussing in going faster and make her moan louder.

She was almost screaming by his brutal pace, but she was enjoying this more tan anything. The sloopy sounds of his sking against hers echoing in the room. “Please… Please… Fuck… Don't stop. Make me cum.”

Her words were making his head get even foggier. No one was stopping them either. None of this felt real.

A couple of hard thrusts and she came, screaming. All her body trembled and her pussy clenched his dick harder. Multiple groans echoing in the room.

He was beginning to feel lightheaded and it was becoming difficult to think ore ven focus. He had no idea what would happen after he finished. She looked at him over her shoulder “Cum inside, sir.”

His heart started beating rapidly in his chest. He took a Deep breath to try and calm himself but it was not working. He increases his pace holding her hips tight. She was still looking at him over her shoulder. His eyes were wide as he focused on her.

He kept his pace and close his eyes ready to cum…

But then a soft touch on his shoulder. He opens his eyes and he was in the same room, but she was looking at him with concern “König, are you okay? You fall asleep but the started to breath heavily and sweat. Were you having a nightmare?”

A dream? It had been a fucking dream?

His heart raced in his chest and his hands started shaking. He remembered the dream like it had just happened. “I… Yes, I-I had a nightmare.” He muttered to himself. “I'm sorry, I… I don't know what happened.”

She caressed his cheek “I'm sorry, babe. Would you like to talk about it? What were you dreaming at?”

“I… Just…” He tried to catch his breath as he looked down, his words felt like they were stuck in his throat. “How could I even describe it? It felt so real and so real and… I don't know… So absurd at the same time. I don't understand it but at the same time, I want to understand it because it almost felt like it was more tan a dream.”

She raise her brows “I think you are tired. Would you like to go home?” She lean and kiss his cheek.

“Yeah, let's go home. Maybe some sleep will help.” He smiled down at her for a moment as his body continued to return to normal, the heat and anxiety slowly fading.

She stand up and stretch her hand for he to take it “Come on.” He smiled brightly at her, his heart beginning to race a little less. He took her hand and slowly got to his feet. She raise on her tip toes to kiss his cheek again “Maybe later you can count me what were you dreaming at. You looked very… Anxious.”

He smiled and laughed quietly “Yes, I will tell you. Just not in front of everyone. I'm sure they're all having a good laugh right now though.” He chuckled to himself softly and squeezed her hand before starting to lead her out.

︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶

A/N: Cliche, but I had to XD. Comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated.

#könig modern warfare #könig smut #könig x reader #könig cod #könig imagine #könig

[novacqnes]

heyy!! i'm in love with your writing 😍 it is so impeccable seriously the definition of a *chefs kiss* piece of art (please keep it up) especially tattoos & secrets, it made my day 🥹 could you please write a ellie x fem!reader where ellie paints the reader but then the reader strips to seduce ellie and then the smut happens 😏 i need top!ellie please 🛐

an artists’s muse // ellie williams

warning: smut; fingering, top!ellie, some dirty talk, strap on usage (fem receiving)

a/n: thank you :) i absolutely love this idea, i apologize for taking so long with it but i hope you enjoy!

her eyes traced over your figure splayed on the couch just a few feet away. she looked back at the canvas in front of her, making the first stroke. at first they were light, she examined your body, her deep green eyes focused on your form, savoring each moment. once she was sure she had the image down she made the abstract lines meant to represent your body more prominent.

ellie tucked her bottom lip in between her teeth, intently analyzing every inch of you and it felt like you were on display. with each passing moment you grew deeply infatuated. 

she sat with her legs slightly parted on the opposite side of the oak brown easel. her jeans were a deeper rugged blue that fit snugly around her legs, outlining each muscle. she wore a brown button down that sat loosely on her upper body, underneath it a white tank top that exposed her collarbones.

it was nothing special per say but nevertheless it caused a fervent heat to cloud your thoughts. rather than focusing on the proper posing you allowed your mind to linger, with ellie becoming the center of the fantasy.

she swept her short auburn hair behind her ears, drawing your attention to hundreds of dots speckled across her face. her cheeks were slightly flushed, mainly from the heat that seemed to intensify the longer you remained there. her brows furrowed, lowering her eyes into narrow slits and you were sure she could feel the budding heat too. 

“you’re doing great y/n, just hold that pose for a little bit longer.”

ellie looked over again, this time landing on your chest. she held her gaze there, a bit longer than normal. a deep warmth began to buzz behind your cheeks, resulting in you nearly breathless. within a mere second her eyes were back on the canvas, leaving you with an aching desire for her. 

you cleared your throat, drawing her attention away from the portrait. 

“ellie?”

“yeah, what’s up?” she asked. 

the warmth plaguing the room sharpened to a sweltering heat that made your clothes cling to your skin, like they were trapping you. without a second thought you reached for your shirt, slowly unbuttoning it but maintaining ellie’s gaze. 

“it’s so hot, you wouldn’t mind right?” 

you slid the shirt over your arms, her eyes following along. there was so much more that she hadn’t covered in the painting, parts of your body that were hidden by the clothing, yet she wanted to capture every piece. 

she stammered, “no— i wouldn’t, it’s just the portrait-”

“what about it?” 

a cunning smirk spread across your face as ellie’s face reddened— and you didn’t stop there. immediately you reached for your bra, tossing it to the side to reveal your bare chest. ellie was caught in complete awe. sweat loosened her grip to the brush causing it to fall onto floor. 

“i started it with your clothes on…i can’t finish if they aren’t.”

it sounded more like a question than an outright statement. despite her words the last thing ellie wanted was for you to stop. quickly, she noticed your hand creeping towards your jeans, sliding them down your legs and any remnants of hesitation began to diminish.

“i guess we’ll just have to make it work then,” you grinned, allowing the fabric to fall beneath your knees. 

abashed, ellie’s eyes darted back over to canvas as a battle with her own pleasure stirred between her legs. she tried to remember the image of you fully clothed but all she thought about was the one of you nearly naked. she couldn’t help but look back over as you played with your underwear, the only piece of clothing still present on your body. 

“how’s it going?” you purred.

“good—“

you began sauntering over to her, toying with the hem of your panties until you were right in front of her. breathing became a foreign concept to ellie. she couldn’t think, let alone finish the painting with the sight of you so exposed in front of her. 

you sat dangerously close to her, admiring the unfinished portrait. a small smile spread across your lips as you placed a hand on ellie’s thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. she could feel your breath fan the lobe of her ear, causing the hairs on her neck to rise. 

“you really do work miracles, williams,” you whispered, breathily.

she couldn’t tell if you were talking about the painting or the insatiable desire brewing at the forefront of both of your minds. regardless she couldn’t resist much longer.

“it’s easy with the right muse.”

she dropped the brush from her fingers trailing them down the small of your back until she reached your underwear. the distance between the two of you was practically non-existent. your lips tentatively traced her neck not fully allowing them to touch just yet. 

“y/n.”

her voice was stern, and almost threatening. it sent a wave of pleasure to your core but hesitantly, you stopped. 

“is this what you want?”

self restraint was a virtue that ellie was merely clinging to. she wanted nothing more than to touch you, but she couldn’t, not yet. 

“more than anything.”

ellie didn’t move. she knew what you wanted but she had to hear you say it. by the second you grew even more needy, desperately pressing your body against her for some sort of release. 

“ellie please….” you whined, the pleasure becoming almost tortuous, causing her ego to triple at the sight. 

“what do you want, tell me.”

her tone lowered as did her gaze as she focused on you. she could feel you writhing at her side, it awakened something in her, and at the moment you knew as well. 

“i need you to touch me.”

this was ellie’s green light. she cupped your face in her calloused hands, ardently kissing you. she pushed her weight against you, causing the both of you to fall back onto the bed. her hands traveled down to your legs quickly sliding off the piece of fabric that separated you.

the feeling of your bare skin against her was heaven. she couldn’t help but continue to roam it, touching every crevice as if it were the last time. 

“mmh.. you feel so good,” she moaned, moving towards your neck. 

she teasingly slid her tongue over the vein, feverishly sucking it on it. you could hardly produce a sentence as ellie attacked the most vulnerable and sensitive parts of your neck. her weight kept you pressed against the mattress and it only forced the heat to grow stronger. 

her mouth reached your exposed tits, taking one nipple into her mouth. she looked up at you, swirling her tongue around the sensitive flesh before moving onto the next. your hands shot up, sinking them into her disheveled hair. 

“more….more, please.”

she kept her mouth on your chest, drawing her hands down even further towards your wet pussy, dripping with need. releasing her mouth from your overstimulated nipple with a pop, ellie spat onto her finger tips. the pad of her index finger made contact first, gently rubbing on your clit. 

“shit—“ you gasped, clutching onto her arms.

“so fucking needy…”

she applied more pressure to your clit, moving back to your neck. the pleasure simmered from all angles of your body, leaving you a moaning mess in ellie’s hold. the only thing occupying space in your mind was her and the sinful things she could do to you.

“look at you…so desperate for me. you could’ve asked sooner.”

filthy words fell from her pink lips, some were praises and others unrepeatable. the blood rushed straight to groin as ellie slipped a digit in, catapulting you into a splintering high. your vision became clouded by black spots as she curved her finger, searching for the sensitive spongy flesh. 

“you’re gonna cum for me? all over my fingers?”

“yes, yes— i’m so close,” you whimpered, tears brimming in the corners of your eyes.

the sight of you unraveling brought ellie her own pleasure, fueling her to slip yet another finger into your wet core. she adored the way you clamped around her fingers, offering her no escape, the warmth was unlike anything she’d ever felt before.

within a matter of seconds you reached your first high, writhing underneath ellie. waves of pleasure traveled through your body leaving you paralyzed as she lifted her body from yours, placing a soft kiss on your temple. she stepped away, leaving you cold and still reeling from the orgasm. 

when she returned she was nearly naked aside from the harness wrapped securely around her pelvis. once again a familiar ache found its way back to your pussy, but this time it was hungrier.

“if i could paint you like this, i would,” she smirked, admiring your weakened state before joining you back on the bed. 

it was only the beginning. 

“one more? think you could take that?” ellie teased, her tone nearly mocking you, and it only fueled you to prove her wrong.

you leaned forward grabbing hold of silicone, pressing the tip against your overstimulated clit. the contact was cold and sent an addictive chill through your body. you held it there, allowing yourself a bit of fun before she took control again. 

“fuck….”

the tip became coated in your wetness, sparking an almost primal urge in ellie. 

“lean back,” she ordered. 

without hesitation you released the strap, giving ellie room to push it into your dripping pussy. she took it, allowing you to feel every inch of it entering cunt. you threw your head back, a string of obscenities escaping from your mouth as she sunk herself in deeper. 

“oh…..” you cried, pressing your eyes closed. desperately you tried to contain yourself but that stupid smirk on ellie’s face had already taken shape.

“too much?”

her movements were slow, taunting at that. she thrusted in until the strap buried inside of you, holding it there until you were a moaning mess. 

you stuttered, “no—no i—“ prying your eyes open, you forced yourself to look at her through a veil of tears. 

it felt heavenly.

her thrusts became more fluid, drawing sharp whines from your lips. with each stroke she brushed against your g-spot just enough to tease you and it was purposeful. 

she brought her hand down, circling your clit with her thumb as the pleasure soared to an intoxicating level. 

“harder ellie— fuck— don’t stop.” you muttered through gritted teeth.

she sped up noticing just how deeply it affected you. each movement sent you over the edge, bringing you just a step closer to another high. however, ellie wanted to take her time, she wanted to remember it, the moans, your cries and just how hot you looked.

“how does it feel?”

“so so good….” you mewled.

she spat down on your already wet pussy adding to the infatuating sensation already consuming you. she fell in love with the way it sunk into you, fitting snugly into your walls. she quickly began fucking you more fervently, slamming her hips into your aching cunt.

leaning down, she kissed you sloppily and with more passion than ever before. you moaned into the kiss, ushering ellie closer with your legs. 

she moved towards your ear, gently nipping at it as she whispered, “i’m gonna make you come so hard.”

your legs shook with each earth shattering stroke. the pleasure was almost unbearable, causing a huge knot within your stomach to form, leaving you begging for a simple release. 

ellie took pride in her efforts, it was evident. the sweat clinging to your skin, the pleas falling from your lips, you were mere moments away from cumming all over her bed and she wanted to savor the moment. 

“just like that baby, come for me, all over me.”

with a few last but deep strokes the white hot pleasure consumed you, leaving you entirely speechless. ellie couldn’t help but stare, this was beauty if she’d ever seen it. she leaned down to kiss you once more, removing the strap from your cunt. you looked over at her, reeling from the remnants of your explosive orgasm. 

she cupped your face in your hands, running them over your sweaty face. this was it. this is what she wanted to capture, she looked back at the blank canvas and then at you when an idea sprang into her mind. 

“leaving me soon?” 

“not for a second, stay like that.” 

she hopped off the bed, picking her brush up from the ground. then she turned her canvas onto the opposite side, presenting a blank white page.

“i wanna paint you like this,” she purred, briefly  running her eyes over you once more. ellie looked as if she was in love, and truly she was. she couldn’t remember the last time she’d wanted to create something more. 

millions of potential ideas sparked in her mind the longer that gazed at you and it only fueled her urge to paint. 

“but i look gross…” you muttered.

despite ellie’s enthusiasm you couldn’t fathom why she was so eager to document, especially like that. sweat clung to your skin, leaving you with an almost sticky feel. you could hardly move, courtesy of ellie, so you were trapped in an awkward position. 

“i think you look beautiful…and you are my muse after all,” she grinned, with her eyes beaming directly at you. 

her words sent a gentle buzz of warmth to your cheeks, allowing you to slowly relax as she began a new, more authentic portrait. 

she hummed, “so what do you think?”

“i’m all yours williams.”

#the last of us #the last of us 2 #ellie williams #tlou #tlou2 #ellie williams x reader #ellie williams x fem reader #ellie williams x female reader #ellie williams x y/n #ellie williams x you #ellie williams smut #ellie williams fanfic #the last of us x reader #ellie request #requests

[isimpfortoomanypeople]

High school sweethearts x Billy Hargrove x female reader

7 years after everyone left Hawkins high, Jonathan and Nancy hosted a reunion for the old gang. The last time they saw you was during your rocky relationship with Billy during high school, now 7 years have passed and the question on everyone’s lips is ‘are you two still together?”

Warnings: alcohol, the reader and Billy having a slightly toxic relationship in high school, the starcourt mall incident is mentioned in detail

A/N: I’ve received my first request, I hope that you enjoy it. They requested a fic where Billy and the reader use to fight a lot in high school, there’s a reunion and the reader shows up pregnant and married to Billy, Dustin teases Steve as he used to have a crush on you. I had so much fun writing this. I’m from the U.K. sorry if it sounds overly British in some parts. Apologies for all spelling and grammatical mistakes as I’m super dyslexic, enjoy

Johnathan passed a glass of Chardonnay towards Nancy who was sat on their worn out brown leather couch, deeply engaged in her conversation with Robin.

Robin grew her hair down to her shoulders since she graduated Hawkins high, choosing to run as far away from Hawkins as she possibly could, but on her salary it wasn’t very far. She lived with her girlfriend Vicki in a suburban neighbourhood, with one of those white picket fence and all that other bullshit you see in Hollywood movies, only instead of kids they were the proud parents of a grey tabby cat called Freddy. Their neighbours adored them both, but then again Vicki knew that the way to peoples hearts was through their stomachs and her homemade brownies was a sure hit. Their neighbours claimed that they envied their friendship for they were as close as close can be, which caused Robin to splutter out brownie crumbs over Mrs Robinson’s pearly white table cloth. Robin was glad that she could live out the rest of her days surrounded by the woman she loved, far enough so that her parents don’t catch them two in a compromising position for robin’s parents seriously lacked boundaries, but near enough so she could visit (annoy) Steve.

“Thanks babe” Nancy smiled taking the glass from Jonathan’s hands, placing a tender kiss on his cheek.

The light caught the shiny stone that was placed upon her left hand, it shone brightly on the silver band it was situated upon.

“Jonathan it was about time, you had no idea how many nights I heard Nance complain about the lack of ring on her finger-“ Robin’s words that clearly didn’t pass through the filter that laid between her brain and her mouth, was cut short by Nancy shushing her cringing as her cheeks flushed scarlet red.

“Oh was she now?” He questioned, sitting beside his fiancé placing his arm around her shoulder, smirking as he brought his beer bottle to his lips.

“Erm” Robin stuttered bringing her own beer to her mouth to stop her from landing herself into more hot water.

“This dude” Argyle laughed patting Jonathan too hard on the back that it made his beer slosh around in its bottle, which caused Nancy to momentarily glare at Argyle for the last thing she wanted right now was to scrub out a beer stain from her cream carpet.

“This dude had that pretty little diamond ring kept away in his closet for months, like honestly I’m not even engaged to the beautiful Nance but I was freaking the fuck out, if he wasn’t going to ask her I felt like I should”

“Dude!”

Argyle held his hands up in defence, while Jonathan buried his head within his slightly regretting ask Argyle to be his best man.

Argyle still worked at surfer boy’s pizza but this time he was promoted to manager. Argyle liked a stress free simple life, as long as he had enough money to pay his bills and to buy weed he couldn’t be happier, plus he had access to all the pizza he could eat.

The Byers/ Wheelers high school reunion wasn’t supposed to be about their engagement but when Jonathan took his damn time to pop the question, the events almost intertwined.

“I mean it could be worse, you could be a certain you know who” Robin added swigging her bottle back, she choked on the liquid as she realised what she had just said. Her and her stupid mouth

“Robin!” Nancy hissed at her friend

——————————————————————————

Yours and Billy’s relationship throughout high school was rocky to say the least, in fact it was turbulent. You two were both at each other’s throats, it was if you both made a game who would piss each other off the most. The amount of times you both called it quits only to wind up in each other’s beds and arms a few days later, it was nauseating to witness the dizzy game of back and forth between you both.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now!” You screamed, your eyes narrowing capturing Billy in a deathly glare, your nostrils flaring as you tried not to act upon your instinct to punch him right in his fucking perfect face

The cheerleader who was momentarily against his side scurried off not wanting to be caught in the crossfire of your fiery argument.

“It’s not what you think princess”

“Oh really? Then enlighten me Billy, why the fuck was Sophie just hanging off your arm!” You spat glaring daggers into his skin.

“You’re being over dramatic princess-“

“Oh I’m being over dramatic! Fuck you Billy we’re over!” You shrieked throwing the necklace that he brought you on your one year anniversary at his feet. You turned your back to him with tears burning at your eyes threatening to spill.

Robin placed her arm around you dragging you away before you did something you’d regret, but she wouldn’t of blamed you if you planted a punch against his jaw.

“Y/N” billy called after you

“You dare step a foot near her again you’re fucking dead!” Nancy threatened turning on her heels, walking towards Robin who was comforting a very distressed Y/N.

That weekend was spent crying your eyes out on Nancy’s bed, while the girls did their best to comfort you, trying their hardest to conceal the fact that they were secretly overjoyed that you two had called it quits. Just hoping that it was for real this time.

‘Y/N you left your - oh you’ve got to be kidding me!” Nancy groaned upon seeing the all too familiar boy kissing you passionately in the parking lot

Robin gritted her teeth in such a force it was surprising that her jaw didn’t shatter upon impact, trying her hardest to conceal her frustration.

They both loved you dearly but seeing you back in the arms of that jerk really pushed their patience . Like the past weekend that they had just spent picking up the pieces he left meant nothing.

“I’m done with him and I mean it”

“Honey I love you but you say this every single time” Nancy groaned placing a soggy cafeteria fry into her mouth.

“I agree with Nance, Y/N he treats you like shit! You’re a beautiful girl who deserves the world and someone who can adore the ground you walk upon. But honey he isn’t it, I know you love him but you have to call it quits” Robin pitifully smiled towards your direction as she awkwardly rubbed her hand against your back. Really she wanted to scream at you to ditch the loser but she was trying her damn hardest to bite her tongue

—————————————————————————

“Y/N is coming tonight, dude you have to say something to her” Dustin suggested taking a long sip of his beer

“Okay A, it’s still weird that you can drink now! And B, okay just because she’s coming doesn’t mean that’s she’s available. I mean have you seen how attached at the hip she was with billy?”

“You’re kidding right? Hello her and Billy were arguing so much to the point that we all had to take a trip to the nurses office with our killer headaches. She’s now 27 I doubt she has the time for his immature bullshit. So what do you say king Stevie, you ready to save your princess from her tower?” Eddie smirked, elbowing Steve in his ribs while Dustin laughed at the sudden change in colour in Steve’s cheeks

“Shut up” Steve mumbled taking a swig from his bottle, suddenly finding the floor very fascinating to look at. Wishing that the floor would open up a wormhole that would swallow him whole, away from his friends who are finding enjoyment in his embarrassment.

“Aww is Stevie blushing?”

“You have it so hard for her” Dustin snorted which was soon cut short by Steve’s death stare

“I hate you both” he groaned rolling his eyes at the two men in front of him.

“One Rocky road please” ordered a radiant Y/N, she look awe inspiringly beautiful with her cherry coloured lips.

Steve was freaking the fuck out, I mean it’s Y/N for Christ sake. The same girl from his English class who looked effortlessly beautiful without her trying, it’s like she never had a bad day even if she tried. Now she was inches away from him, damn scoops ahoy for making him where this damn sailor suit.

“The lady has great taste” smirked Steve trying his best at being flirtatious, despite Robin telling him that his attempt of a smoulder made him look constipated.

You took the cone from his hands, about to reach into your pocket for the cash to pay-

“It’s on the house”

“Oh thanks” you smiled in disbelief over this kind gesture “you’re Steve right? I’m Y/N we have English together”

“That we do” you turned to leave, smiling at him again to thank him for the free ice cream. He watched you go cursing himself for not plucking up the courage to ask for your number, Robin is definitely going to add a line on the ‘you suck’ tally, Steve swears that he can already hear her laughing at his misfortune.

Steve felt his heart drop as he watched you from the parlour window. As who should place their arm around your shoulder? No other than Billy Hargrove, Steve’s worst enemy in the whole of Hawkins high. The one who took his keg king title away from him but now his crush too!

Steve could feel the anger burning his skin as he watched the blonde haired boy placing a kiss on your lips.

Damn you Billy Hargrove!

So Steve admired you from afar, every time he saw you walk into class wearing Billy’s jacket with a turtleneck that rolled down slightly when you leant forward revealing a hickey, feeling like a bullet to his heart as he wish it was him taking you out on dates marking your skin to show everyone that you’re his. From the fiery arguments he overheard in the halls and the time you showed up to scoops ahoy with mascara staining your cheeks while Robin comforted you in the stock room. He knew one thing, that you were too good for an asshole like Billy.

But nothing could prepare Steve for seeing you both at prom. You and Billy looked vomit inducingly cute, you wore a scarlet floor length silk dress that complimented your every curve, while Billy wore a shirt in the same colour with most of the buttons undone showing off his rippling abs. Your wrist adorned a corsage of red roses and the ring on your finger caught the light like a disco ball. Showing off to the whole school your promise ring, that you are his and wanted to spend the rest of your life with him and only him, no matter how much of the school didn’t believed in your relationship, but you did and that’s all that matters.

His arms wrapped around your waist while you had yours tightly wrapped around his shoulders, your bodies pressed close together, holding each other close while you swayed to a slow song. Soft smiles spreading across your faces.

This killed Steve as he watched from the ends of the room, watching you be happy with him was torture. But if you were happy that was all that matters, and maybe he could be happy to accept that too?

When Steve graduated his parents brought him a house on the outskirts of town, he still continued to work at family video. Steve didn’t need to work with the whole rich parent thing, but he enjoyed the routine of his job and it was a chance to flirt (failing to do so) with the customers as his quest to find someone still continues. Yes he had a few flings here and there but with his disaster of his dating life he was starting to question if love was for him.

He busied himself in his work and keeping his the friendships he made . He had Robin who practically was still attached at his hip, they had regular movie nights ending up in too much beer, getting unbelievably drunk

and him having to apologise to Vicki for having to pick up her very drunken girlfriend. Steve regularly visited Eddie at the hideout not missing a single concert, corroded coffin was really taking off, attracting a large audience and last time Steve heard they were in talks with an agent. And Dustin practically lived at his when he visited from college in the holidays .

Steve must admit it felt weird standing in the kitchen of his ex girlfriend’s house who’s now engaged to someone who once had beaten him up, but when you have spent the last few years hunting down monsters most only believed exist in fiction, weird felt almost like the norm to him.

Mike and Will stood engaged in conversation leaning against a wall, Mike throwing the occasional glance to his girlfriend El who sat in the corner playing with Jonathan’s and Nancy’s puppy Lilly. For the party was getting a little too overwhelming for her and she decided that dogs were better than people, smiling at the small bundle of fluff that was curled up in her lap. Since she left Hawkins she finally felt at peace with her powers after gaining them back and not having a monster wanting to kill her for them nearly every year, and Mike became better at communicating his love for her and never fails to remember to add ‘love Mike’ at the end of all of his letters.

Max arrived to the party with Lucas following behind her, Lucas gave his girlfriend a quick kiss on the cheek before greeting Mike and Will.

“I missed you” El beamed at Max as she slid down next to her handing her a can of soda. Popping the tab and taking a long sip. Max and El were the only sober ones of the party for El didn’t like the taste and disliked the way it made her feel, and Max refused to touch the stuff after the way her mom used to drink herself to sleep. Max recently got her license so she was more than happy to be her boyfriend’s designated driver.

“You too el” max smiled scratching the pup behind the ears that slept peacefully on El’s lap.

—————————————————————————

The clock read out 7pm you were officially an hour late. Everyone was starting to become increasingly concerned that you weren’t going to show.

Nancy and Robin felt a small pang of guilt eating away at them slowly for losing contact with you over the years. Not that it was intentional, when you left for college and then moved house as soon as you graduated they forgotten your number. It wasn’t till Nancy saw Max at the grocery store not long returning from college , she asked about you and Max said that she still had your number.

Maybe you hated her for loosing contact with you, believing it to be personal and didn’t want to show?

The knock at the door brought the pair out of their guilt induced downwards spiral.

Racing towards the door the women practically threw themselves towards the wooden frame, squealing in delight as if they were still in high school. Their old best friend was behind the door and they couldn’t wait to catch up with you over the years they had missed. Wondering if anything has changed, maybe you dyed your hair or got that tattoo you were always talking about?

Flinging open the door the two gasped when they saw you

“Oh my god congratulations!” Nancy screamed out in excitement seeing your stomach that was carrying your second child. Pregnancy suited you for you were practically glowing, you looked happy and they couldn’t be happier for you as you deserved that over your shitty high school experience.

“Thank you” you chuckled as Robin enclosed you in such a tight embrace you momentarily struggled to breathe.

“Robin careful of the baby!” Nancy scoffed slightly slapping Robin’s arm as she finally let you breathe

“I missed you guys”

“And we missed you, we promise that we’re never going to lose touch again. I’m going to be the best auntie Robin to your child” Robin joked, you couldn’t help but beam with joy at your old friends.

It has been 7 years since you last saw them both, but at this moment in time it was like you were all transported to the good old high school days. It felt like nothing had changed when so much had.

“So who’s the lucky guy?”

“My husband-“

“You’re married!” Nancy gasped, a small part of her was disappointed that she wasn’t able to attend it, but you were here now and could hopefully be able to attend hers.

“Auntie Max” called out a childlike voice, as a small girl ran into the house towards where Max was sitting

“Hey tiger” Max smiled picking up the girl and twirling her around in the air, smiling adoringly at the girl who was letting out high pitch squeals of laughter.

Wait auntie Max? That means? Wait what?

Robin and Nancy exchanged perplexed looks, their brows furrowed heavily as they tried to process what they just heard.

The commotion attracted the attention of the three men in the kitchen, who all looked just as bewildered as Robin and Nancy. That means that you’re still together with Billy, you were actually married to him and not only had one child with him but two!

It really should be obvious as little Kelly had the same sandy messy curls as her farther, completed with his piercing ocean eyes. But everything else resembled about her a mini you, for she shared your nose and face shape, she was the perfect combination of you both.

“No fucking way” Eddie whispered with wide eyes as Billy appeared from behind you gently kissing you on the cheek.

Billy hadn’t aged a day since he graduated high school, you both packed and moved to California where he worked part time as a mechanic at the local garage, and weekends he taught people how to surf. Determined to provide enough for his family and to be the farther he never had to Kelly and to baby Dean who was on the way.

While you taught English at a high school, quickly becoming your students favourite, as they said in their own words that you made the boring dusty books that the curriculum required you to teach actually fun. Well at least you did before you took maternity leave, now you were back in Hawkins to stay with Max and Lucas for a few days which subsequently led you to be invited to the Byers and Wheelers high school reunion.

You felt the anxiety bringing up the bile up your throat on the car ride there, every little thing was making you nauseous nowadays. Last week it was Billy’s cologne which ended up with him buying a new one which didn’t make you want to projectile vomit all over the place, pregnancy was the most rewarding and yet the worst thing you ever had to experience. All you wanted was the chance to be able to not have these raging headaches and to relax with a glass of wine sitting in your favourite jeans before they stopped fitting you.

“It’s going to be okay” Billy soothed placing his hand on your thigh rubbing small circles to calm your racing mind, which felt like it was racing at a dizzying fast speed.

“I love you”

“Love you too princess”

——————————————————————————

Robin, Nancy, Eddie, Steve and Dustin all gathered in the doorway between the lounge and the kitchen all looking at Billy in complete bewilderment. From what they last remembered of Billy was that he was quite possibly biggest asshole that they ever had the displeasure to have met, a rude, arrogant dick who had a habit of hurting their friend at any given opportunity. Now he was sitting on the couch with the three year old on his knee, she was giggling at her farther as he was dancing her bear in front of her face talking in silly made up voices. Safe to say that they were all utterly speechless, who would of thought that Billy Hargrove would be such a doting farther?

Kelly was very shy over so many new faces, so she wanted to be close to her dad. She definitely was a daddy’s girl.

“Hey” Argyle softly spoke capturing the three year olds attention, she looked at the new face with a timid smile. Argyle has a warming loveable presence which enticed the small child. “I’m Argyle what’s your name sweetie?”

“Kelly” she spoke shyly

“What a rad name”

In a few minutes Argyle pretty much adopted her like he was her fun uncle, leaving Billy and Y/N to actually catch up with the people attending the party.

—————————————————————————-

Having your body controlled and your life nearly snatched away in a matter of seconds made Billy realise a lot of things. One of them was that he couldn’t lose you, for you are the best thing to have ever happen to him. He acted like a dick to you but in reality he was scared of how much he loved you, it was easier for Billy to turn to his default setting of anger rather than to show this foreign emotion that felt almost uncomfortable to show.

But seeing you clutch his body so close to your heart that felt like it was breaking as each second passed by. You thought that you were going to lose the love of your life.

“Don’t you dare leave me, hang on baby please” you begged, your voice breaking into a strangled cry. Not caring that his blood was staining your clothes, for you needed to hold him close to you. Praying to whoever was listening to save him for you couldn’t live if he was gone.

They say that before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, Billy saw all the times he hurt you, all the tears he made you cry over the way he treated you. He couldn’t let you have these memories of him to live on when he was long gone, deciding in that moment when his lungs tightened slowing down his breathing, if he was going to make it he was going to do whatever it takes to make things right as he couldn’t lose you.

Billy started to break down his many walls that protected his damaged heart around you, he started to communicate his feelings and not hold them in till they burst out and he says something that he later regretted. Once he was out of the hospital he started to see the school counselor, he begrudgingly dragged his ass their every week, he hated attending every damn session where he was forced to talk about his shitty upbringing but Billy is doing whatever it took to make your relationship work. He was determined to do whatever it takes not to fuck up again as much as it scared him to say he loves you, he truly loves you and couldn’t afford to let you go.

Billy knew that you were going to be the one he was going to marry since the first day he laid eyes on you , yes you still fought but at least it was about small menial things that could be easily talked through, but now your relationship was stronger than ever.

Now there was no good and bad, it was just good and you both couldn’t be happier. Billy adored the ground you walked upon, he cared for you in every way he possibly could. He brought you flowers every Friday and you felt truly loved and adored by him, not this bittersweet lustful romance you experienced in high school. This now was true love, Billy was a great farther and a great husband doing all the old romantic cliches but you loved him for it.

Everyone in the party once didn’t believe in your relationship, thinking and wishing that it’d all be over soon to save the heartache for all of you. But seeing the way he looked at you with doting eyes, like you were the most beautiful woman ever created, they all admitted that they were wrong for it was clear to see that he loved you and you loved him.

A/N: I had so much fun writing this and I hope that you liked it , my requests are always open is you want me to write a fic based on any idea you have. Also Argyle gives me fun uncle vibes and El definitely would befriend the host’s pet.

@kayleigh--23

#stranger things fanfic #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things imagine #stranger things billy #billy hargrove #billy hargrove x you #billy hargrove imagine #billy hargrove x female reader #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x y/n

[danganronpadespairtime]

Chapter 2 Progress Report

This is a report and introspective about the development of Chapter 2 of Danganronpa: Despair Time.

TL;DR: Chapter 2 of DRDT will be released in 2 parts, rather than all at once. It seems likely that Part 1 can be released in early/mid 2023, *but there is still a chance it won’t come out that early.*

Batch release

I’ve recently decided to release Chapter 2 in 2 parts, rather than all at once. That is to say, I will start airing the episodes that I’ve made so far without waiting to finish Chapter 2. When each part is being released, it will be in consistent weekly episodes. In other words, Chapter 2 is being released as weekly episodes as expected, but in the middle of the episodes, there will be a hiatus. Hopefully this hiatus is much shorter, as I simply have to finish the remainder of Chapter 2.

Part 1 and Part 2 are not equal in length. Part 1 comprises of the majority of Chapter 2, about 70% of it. Although I won’t tell you exactly how many episodes are in Part 1 or where Part 1 ends; you’ll just have to see for yourself.

This was a recent decision, meaning that the writing of Chapter 2 may not have been specifically designed to accommodate this release structure.

I did say, once, that the entirety of chapter 2 *might* be done in early/mid-2023. I regret saying that now, as it seems like a lot of people had seriously taken that to heart.

The way things are now, for me to finish Chapter 2 in it’s entirety by early/mid-2023 would involve putting myself through hell.

That being said, I do believe that just Part 1 can be released by early/mid-2023 (unless I once again underestimated it. PLEASE take this release date estimate with a grain of salt!) This is because I am nearly finished with Part 1. All I have left is to finish the following tasks:

Make 2 mini-games

Animate a CG

One or two more rounds of editing passes + finishing touches on all episodes

Make a Chapter 1 recap video

Then I will start airing episodes of Chapter 2. So you can expect episodes to start releasing sooner than if I had waited to finish Chapter 2 first!

However, I do not wish to accidentally mislead everyone a third time. Although I’ll try my best, it is possible that I cannot finish in that time, so please don’t be surprised if it is not ready by mid-2023. If that happens, I will offer my apologies again.

Past progress

I always worry that I’m taking too long of a time to make DRDT. But I had only started making the episodes in March of this year, so the speed is actually really good. In that time, I produced a new episode slightly faster than once a month.

Then, the real reason that Chapter 2 is taking so long is that, for some reason, it took me an entire year to write the script. It was half a year to write the rough draft, and half a year to refine it with my proofreader, hydrator.

I don’t know why it took that long. It might just be that I was busy last year.

Voice acting

In general, there is more voice acting in this chapter. More scenes have voice acting, and per popular request, trial mini-games are fully voiced. However, there will NEVER be fully voiced trials, so please be understanding...

I’m really grateful to the voice actors, who as always are incredible with their talent and patience with me. It’s because of their amazing work that Chapter 2 can shine.

Quality improvements

Many people made it clear that they were generally unsatisfied with the quality of Chapter 1 in many ways. For that, I deeply apologize to those who were disappointed or unhappy.

I have tried my best to work hard and improve DRDT, so that everyone can enjoy it. I think that Chapter 2 is a lot better than Chapter 1 in all aspects, but especially with regards to the writing. If there is previous issues with the pacing, or with certain characters lacking scenes, I hope you can find these issues resolved in Chapter 2. Because of that, I am very excited about it, and I hope you can look forward to it.

Future updates

It seems that I’m running out of update posts to make. Because the content that I’m working on is spoilers, I cannot post previews. And with Chapter 2 taking this long already, I am hesitant to divert my time away from Chapter 2 work to make any bonus content like comics or illustrations. In any case, please understand that even if you hear less from me, I’m still working on DT.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this far. I hope that you will enjoy Chapter 2 of DRDT, whenever it comes out. I will be happy if you continue to support me and my work.

#update

[buckysgrace]

26. Strangers

Part 26 of Every Little Thing!

CW: Unprotected sex

Gator was late again. By the time he returned from work the moon was high in the night sky and she’d retreated to bed to read by her lamp light. It was a nice way to take advantage of the fact that she no longer got to read as much as she liked. The only issue was that she couldn’t keep Gator off of her mind. She was worried for him.

She sat up on the edge of the bed, listening to the sound of the front door opening and then closing. It wasn’t much longer that she heard his steps coming up the stairs, making her shut her book completely as she rushed over to meet him at the door.

She wasn’t sure what overcame her, but as soon as he took a step through the doorway she had her arms around him. She breathed in his musk, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as she nestled herself against his cool body.

“Hey,” He chuckled as he touched her shoulders gently, squeezing her tightly in response. She sighed deeply as she rested her chin against the crook of his neck, just glad to have him back, “Sorry I’m so late.” He mumbled as he swayed them back and forth. She brushed her nose against the crook of his neck, knowing that he didn’t have to apologize for working. 

“It’s okay. How was your day?” She asked him, then noticed the solemn look on his face, “What happened?” She questioned him worriedly, stepping back so she could better let him explain. He chewed on his cheek, thinking to himself before he opened his mouth. 

“Alvie ran off into a ditch,” He spoke slowly, “He uh, didn’t make it.” She looked at him surprised, her eyebrows raising on her forehead as her eyes widened in shock. She processed his words for a moment, trying to understand what he was saying. 

“Nugent is dead?” She asked him, seeking clarity as she watched the way he looked away from her. He rubbed at his bottom lip, nodding his head softly before he stripped out of his vest.

“Yeah,” Gator said slowly, “It happens.” He dismissed her, trying to act like it was no big deal as he slowly removed his hat next. She watched the way he ran his hands through his hair, clearly looking frustrated before he turned to face her again. 

“Are you alright?” She asked him softly as she held onto his bicep, “I know you worked with him for a long time.” She told him gently, remembering that it had only been a month ago that they’d brought the twins up and introduced them to everyone.

“Things happen,” He responded gruffly, “I’m fine.” He moved away, beginning to strip himself out of his clothes as he roughly tossed them into the dirty laundry basket. She held her hands over her stomach, trying to think of the best way to comfort him. 

“Well what’s going on?” She asked slowly, “I mean that guy shot up the gas station and killed an officer then. Now Nugent is dead. Is someone on the loose?” She asked him seriously, beginning to feel a little scared. She always left the doors locked, but she suddenly wasn’t sure about having the twins sleeping in their nursery. Perhaps they needed their cribs moved into their room for a while. 

“We’ll find that guy,” He said stiffly, more to himself than anything. She felt her heart flip inside of her chest, fearing for the worse as he flicked the bathroom light on,“No. Nothing bad is happening. Don’t worry about it.” He tried to tell her again. She shook her head, walking forward to hold onto him. 

“I worry about you,” She mumbled into his chest, “I don’t want you to get hurt.” She breathed out against his skin, worried that something bad would happen to him. It was scary to think about. She didn’t like thinking about it. 

“I’m fine,” He told her as he tilted her chin up towards him, “See? Nothing’s wrong.” He moved his head about, grinning like she had nothing to be worried about. She watched him, still feeling like there was something wrong. She knew he wouldn’t like it if she continued to pester, but she couldn’t help it either. 

“Can you take some time off?” She asked him gently, genuinely worried that something may happen to him. Her safe town suddenly felt very dangerous. She didn’t like that. 

“Maybe after this,” He grinned as he cupped her chin and tilted her face up towards him, “Don’t tell me you miss me that much.” He teased her, making her feel a little bit better as she rested against him. She pulled her lips into a soft grin as he continued to caress his fingers across her skin. 

“I always miss you,” She giggled in response leaning up a little further so her lips could brush against his, “I get awfully lonely.” She replied as she linked her fingers through his pant loops, then tugged him closer.

He brought his mouth against hers, agonizingly slow as he gripped her chin between his fingers. He gave her a soft squeeze, dragging his lips against hers gently. She breathed in the taste of him, savoring the feeling of his lips as she moved to play with the hair at the nape of his neck. 

She stalled against his mouth, freezing softly at the soft sound of cries that came from the room next door. Gator’s lips continued to brush against hers gently before he came to a halt, exhaling roughly. 

“Shit,” He groaned as he rested his forehead against hers, “It’s like they know.” He shook his head, making her smile as she squeezed at his muscles again. She leaned forward to kiss the tip of his nose.

“Take a shower,” She told him gently, “There’s leftovers in the fridge. Relax for a bit.” She told him softly, almost fearing to let him go as she made her way out of the room. She kept feeling like he was hiding something, like there really was something more sinister lurking about. She tried to push those thoughts away, knowing that it wouldn’t help anything. 

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

He was gone again early in the morning. She hadn’t even heard his alarm go off. She exhaled, resting against the mattress for a long moment before she dragged herself out of bed. It was later than usual, meaning that the twins would also be off of their schedule. 

She still had a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach that remained long after she got the twins changed and fed. She tried to shake it off, reminding herself that today was officially Halloween. It would be a fun day, even if the babies were too little to do much with it. 

“Aren’t you handsome?” She grinned as she petted Birdie, noticing the way he was lingering to her side today. She’d dressed him in a little caterpillar outfit, which he had thus far left alone, “Oh boy. That’s not nice to tease.” She told him, watching the way he moved out of reach from Knox. Knox huffed in protest before falling back onto his bottom, looking irritated as he reached for a fresh block to chew on. 

She tried to text Gator throughout the day, little updates and check-ins just to see if he would answer her. He never did. She knew he was just busy, but it did nothing to help the little voice in the back of her head. 

By late afternoon he returned, his loud boots signaling his return as she worked on prepping for dinner. She perked up, quickly scrubbing her hands clean and then drying them right as he entered the door.

She was at his side again, attaching her arms around his waist tightly once again as she breathed in his strong cologne. She rested her chin into the crook of his neck, giving him a tight squeeze as she did her best to lift him up. She failed, not even getting the heels of his feet up before she dropped him. 

“Hey,” He laughed, looking down at her in wonder before he pressed his finger against her chin, “What’s going on with you?” He looked at her, his eyes full of humor as he analyzed her features. She leaned against him with a deep sigh. She allowed herself a moment to stare at his handsome face.

“I miss my big, strong man,” She teased him as she rocked back and forth on her feet, “The babies are sleeping.” She explained, watching the way his eyes drifted around the room. He turned towards her again, giving her a soft smile before he linked their fingers together. She paused, noticing that he wasn’t taking his uniform off. 

“Ah,” He nodded his head, glancing around at the final decorations she’d thrown up, “Did you put this up for us?” He smiled again, though he had a guilty look on his features as he peered around. She nodded her head, liking the little lights and decorations she’d found. She had a fake cat, but Birdie kept attacking him. 

“I thought we could watch The Nightmare Before Christmas tonight. Then Hocus Pocus if we can stay awake,” She laughed, knowing that it was harder and harder for them to stay up past eleven, “I got those matching pajamas too. Aren’t they cute?” She told him all at once, excited at the prospect of spending time together. She had no idea how she’d managed to miss him so much when he’d only been busy for a few days. 

“Yeah,” Gator asked as he looked over the four sets of clothing, “Really cute.” His eyes drifted over them for the longest time as he went silent. She watched the way he set his jaw, how he roughly gulped as he shifted his hands to his hips. 

“What’s wrong?” She asked him gently, feeling nervous as she brought her hands against the outfits again. She tilted her head, doing her best to meet his guilty eyes. 

“Uh,” He paused softly as he brushed his fingers over his belt, “I won’t be back until late tonight. Something came up with the case and I need to be in Minnesota.” He looked up at her finally, his eyes remorseful as his words hit her. She parted her lips, nodding her head gently. 

“Right now?” Daphne asked, trying to hide her disappointment as Birdie brushed his face against her ankle, “That sucks that they didn’t give you more of a warning.” She said gently, nodding her head as she tried to diminish the big plans that she had set up for them. There would always be more Halloweens.

“It does, I’m sorry,” He said quickly, “You can always stay with dad and Karen. Or maybe Noelle would want to stay over?” He explained his suggestions to her, but she dismissed him this time. She didn’t want to go anywhere else but the house. 

“I can handle the fort on my own,” She laughed as she listened to him, “It’s only Halloween night. You know, when all the ghosts and witches and demons come out.” She teased him, tilting her head sweetly as she did her best to earn another grin from him. He looked at her seriously this time. 

“Not funny.” He responded, sounding a little more stern to her surprise. She parted her lips, unsure of how to approach the subject from this point. She bent down to lift Birdie, earning a purr of approval from him. 

“Seriously, we’re fine,” She told him gently, “You have a hard job. Will you be okay?” She asked him this time, feeling like there was still something else going on with him. He pulled his lips into a frown before he nodded quickly, like he didn’t want to think about it too deeply. 

“I’m always okay.” He reassured her, stepping forward again so he could kiss the side of her head. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes as she wished that he’d stay with her. She wished she could be just a little more selfish. 

“You know, I think you should be benefitted some sort of time off after getting your arm hurt on the job.” She told him seriously, blinking quickly as Gator continued to squeeze her gently. Birdie wiggled in her arms, apparently not too pleased with Gator holding onto him. 

“I don’t think that’s how it works.” He said with a soft laugh before he kissed the top of her head again. She grinned, liking the sounds that left his lips.

“I don’t think that’s how your father works,” Daphne clarified, “Just please be safe. I don’t need you losing another arm.” She said seriously, unsure of how that would go about. He snorted as he pulled away. 

“I’m fine,” He tried to reassure her, but she wasn’t quite comforted by his words, “Make sure and lock the door behind me, yeah?” She looked at him curiously, then turned to look at the time on the clock. It wasn’t even dark yet. 

“Right now?” She asked him seriously, watching the way his expression hardened again. She frowned, not quite understanding what the big deal was. 

“Please.” He replied with a softer tone, his expression turning gentle once again. She nodded her head, setting Birdie down on the couch as she followed him to the door. He still looked regretful as he watched her, which made her feel just a bit better. At least she knew that he didn’t want to go either.

“Be safe,” She told him seriously as she leaned over, ignoring the cold wind as she pecked his lips, “I love you.” She said softly, watching the way his lips grew into a bigger grin before he repeated the words back. 

She walked around the other side of the house, peering out the window and watching the way his truck slowly disappeared in the distance. Birdie jumped up next to her, sitting on the counter as he peered out the window in the same manner. 

She went along with her plan, although it felt different spending so much time without him. The twins were fussier than usual too, both of them falling into a tear of puddles anytime she had to set them down to do something else. Even if it was quick.

She didn’t like asking for help when it was this late at night. She was sure that her mom would come over, but it didn’t feel right. She should be able to do this on her own. She knew that it was inevitable, that Gator would eventually have to do a night shift or two. She just wished it wasn’t so back to back.

She kept checking her phone, hoping for some sort of update from him but receiving silence in return. She sighed, knowing it wasn’t his fault but desperately missing him all the same. Birdie stayed to her side again, like a second skin as he followed her in and out of rooms. She figured he could sense her growing anxiety too.

“I know,” She mumbled as she had both twins sat into the breastfeeding pillow, trying to ignore how much they’d outgrown it. She hadn’t used it in some time as she hadn’t been very successful in breast feeding. They were both whining again, their eyes fresh with tears, “I miss him too.” She told the both of them, hoping that Gator would get home soon. 

Carrying them upstairs together was impossible so she started with Knox, who was sleeping heavier than Piper. Once she confirmed he wouldn’t stir from his crib, she returned back downstairs for Piper.

Only by then, Piper had grown fussy once again and now had fat tears rolling down her cheeks. Daphne quickly apologized, dried her eyes and bounced her back and forth to soothe her. She carried her upstairs slowly, getting her calmed down just a bit before she entered the nursery.

“You’re so sad tonight,” She mumbled as she sat in the rocker with Piper, slowly beginning to rub circles against her back as she nestled her head into Daphne’s shoulder, “See, if you said mama first maybe this wouldn’t happen.” She teased Piper, smiling to herself as Piper continued to sniffle and wiggle herself closer to Daphne’s chest. She reminded herself that it hopefully wouldn’t be much longer. He’d be back. 

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

The next morning went a little smoother, though she kept tripping over how closely Birdie was sitting underneath her feet. Piper was still fussy, but Daphne was now wondering if she was coming down with something as she kept sniffling and sneezing. She was warm, but not running a temperature yet. 

She’d set out a few pots and spoons onto the floor, letting both of the twins play around with them as Daphne worked on breakfast. She was a little behind on their schedule, but figured they were already out of the loop anyways. It couldn’t get much worse. 

“Hey!” Gator’s tone surprised her, nearly making her drop the carton of eggs from her hands. Both of the twins jumped as well and the slow but sure sound of them beginning to cry rang into the air. She sighed as she set the eggs down, then went to comfort them on the floor, “I tried to call, you didn’t answer.” His tone sounded off, like he was scared. 

“I must’ve left my phone upstairs,” Daphne blinked in confusion as she began to bounce Piper in her right arm. She held the pacifier up to Knox’s mouth with her free hand, waiting for him to calm down too, “Sorry, they were both fussy last night and she keeps-, where are you going?” She asked him in confusion, unsure of where he was disappearing to now. 

He stomped up the stairs, taking two at a time as he gripped the railing and moved like he was on a mission. She waited, watching the way Knox sniffled and gripped the pacifier before he went back to smacking his little palms against the pots on the floor. She walked towards the stairs quickly, holding onto Piper as Gator vanished upstairs. 

“Gator,” She yelled up after him in disbelief, holding onto Piper as she continued to whine, “What are you doing?” She glanced towards Knox, but didn’t trust him to not attempt to stand if she left. She couldn’t carry both of them up the stairs either, it was too hard for her.

“Did anyone come by?” His voice was loud as it carried down the stairs. She furrowed her eyebrows together, turning to see that Piper wore the same look of confusion. She shook her head, growing more concerned. 

“What?” She asked him seriously, not understanding why he’d be asking that unless something was wrong. He appeared again, poking his head out of their room just enough so she could see him. 

“Daphne,” His tone was tense, “Was anyone here?” He asked again, more sternly this time. She shifted Piper in her arms as she began to whine, clearly wanting to be held by him instead. 

“Who would be here?” She asked him seriously, shaking her head as he dipped back into the bedrooms again. She sighed as she turned to look down at Piper, looking at the sadness that was swirling in her eyes

“Nothing is out of order then?” He asked, finally returning down the steps. He looked around the living room next, then the kitchen as he rubbed his palms across his pants. Piper grew fussier, holding her arms out towards him as a shrill sound left her lips.

“No one has been here,” She replied, although she felt an uneasy feeling growing in her stomach as Gator took Piper from her arms. He paused, rocking her back and forth before he kissed the side of her head, “What’s going on?” It was her turn to be stern. She held her hands out in disbelief, needing answers from him this time. 

“I just panicked,” He mumbled as he bent over to pick up Knox, who had dug his tiny fingers into Gator’s pants in an attempt to stand, “It’s nothing.” He shook his head, holding them both close to his chest. She rolled her tongue around the top of her mouth, knowing that he was lying to her. 

“You thought someone was inside the house,” Daphne told him seriously, “That’s not nothing. What’s going on? Why were you gone so long last night?” She demanded of him, frustrated that he kept sneaking around her questions. He sighed deeply before he pressed a kiss to Piper’s little fist.

“It’s just the case we’re working on,” He responded as he brushed his cheek against Knox’s, “I just let it get to me.” He mumbled underneath his breath, avoiding eye contact with her as the twins continued to snuggle to him. 

“You’re lying.” She told him seriously, trying to keep her anger at bay. She knew it wouldn’t do any good to get mad at him for not telling her. It would only make him keep even more secretive. She just wanted to make sure he was safe. That’s all that she wanted. 

“Someone left a note in dads house,” He mumbled softly as continued to hold both of the twins in his arms. She winced a little bit, hoping it wasn’t hurting his sore arm, “In the girls room. I just got scared that they came here too.”

“Why would someone do that?” She asked him, suddenly feeling scared herself. She couldn’t imagine someone breaking into Roy’s house. He always had it well guarded for his own paranoid reasons. If someone got in there, they could get their house with no issue. 

“I don’t know,” Gator sighed, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He said seriously, still looking tense as he looked over the twins as if he was ensuring that they were alright. Piper squealed in response, her eyes bright as she stared up at him. 

“I’m sort of freaked out right now,” She laughed underneath her breath, “What’s going on?” She could feel her heart fluttering roughly inside of her chest as her own worries grew. No matter how many times Gator would try and dismiss her, she knew that something had to be wrong. She chewed on her bottom lip, wishing he’d be honest with her. 

“I need to go check on dad,” Gator mumbled as he slowly set a squirming Knox back down, “I know, I know. I’ll be right back though.” He looked guilty again as he handed Piper to her. It took a minute to get her situated, as she continued to lean forward to try and attach herself to him. He brushed his fingers through her hair, looking like this was killing him. 

“You haven’t slept at all,” She reminded him, feeling bad as Piper started to cry again, “Do you have to go?” She asked him seriously as she began to bounce Piper, trying to calm her down as her cries began to grow louder. 

“I’ll be back,” He replied with a nod of his head, “This shouldn’t take long.” He lingered for a second, bending over to pepper a few kisses against Piper’s forehead. She reached her tiny fists out, looking frustrated as her cheeks began to grow red. 

“Alright,” She agreed with him, because she really didn’t know what else she could say. He’d go regardless, “Just please hurry back.” She replied, shrugging her shoulders in defeat. He exhaled roughly before he nodded, then turned on his heels as he left them once again. 

She sighed deeply, unable to fully process that he was out of the door again as the sounds of both of the babies crying grew louder. She shifted them onto her lap on the couch, bouncing both of them in an attempt to get them to calm down. 

She felt like her nerves were frazzled by the time he returned again, which wasn’t much longer, just as he had said. Still, Piper had been inconsolable since he left. She finally got her to sleep, but didn’t have the heart to let her go. She felt bad for her. 

“Are you done being a busybody?” She asked him, watching the guilt spread over his expression as he kicked off his boots. He worked on removing his jacket next, then his gun. He kept his hoodie on as he walked towards them. 

“For now,” He replied as he sank down onto the couch. He smiled as he reached forward, picking up Knox who had begun to scoot towards him, “I’m sorry.” He said seriously, his eyes regretful as he pulled Knox onto his lap. He kissed his head softly, smiling as Knox offered him his pacifier. 

“You can’t apologize for your job,” She mumbled as Piper continued to snooze against her chest. She knew she should keep them on the same schedule, but she didn’t want to wake her when she clearly didn’t feel good, “Did you get hit?”

“Uh,” He paused, “Just a little bit.” He rubbed at his cheek, narrowly avoiding the bruise that was underneath his eye. She watched the way he quickly turned away, smiling as Knox started to kick his feet. 

“I’m going to have to wrap you in bubble wrap,” Daphne mumbled as she continued to look at his black eye, “The same guy get you?” She questioned him, feeling worried. She hoped that it wasn’t someone too dangerous. 

“Something like that,” He mumbled as he leaned forward, holding Knox up into the air so he could brush his forehead against hers, “You smell good.” He took her by surprise, making her smile as she looked up at him. 

“You smell like smoke,” She said seriously as she rubbed her hands across his jawline, “Like really bad.” She cracked a smile, trying to make the conversation a little lighter as Knox giggled in his hand. He nodded as he sat back down, pulling Knox up against his chest. 

“Sorry,” He chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head, looking deep in thought for a moment, “I’ll go clean up in a minute.” He replied, looking like he wanted to do anything but that as he stared down at the way Knox had lazily rested himself on his lap. 

“That sounds good. You should rest,” She told him softly, watching the way he continued to look at Knox, “Did something else happen?” She questioned him gently once again, hoping that he would trust her enough to open up. 

“They caught the guy that shot the officer, you know at the gas station,” Gator replied slowly, “He drew on dad so he had to shoot him.” His tone was flat as he spoke, like he didn’t know how to fully think about it. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, leaning forward this time so she could comfort him. 

“Oh,” She frowned as she squeezed at his fingertips, “I’m sorry you had to see that.” She told him truthfully, sure that it had to be pretty scary. He chewed on his bottom lip as he nodded along with her. 

“Nothing unusual,” He said dismissively, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He mumbled as he bounced Knox up into his arms as he stood. He grinned, dipping his face down so he could pepper kisses across Knox’s face before he sat him back down on the floor. 

“I’ll make you some lunch,” She offered, “Is a grilled cheese alright?” She asked, doing her best to gently shift Piper around in her arms. She was sure that she could cook while continuing to hold onto her. 

“Sounds fucking amazing,” He laughed, “Thank you.” He kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering against her skin for a few seconds. She closed her eyes, thinking about how deeply she missed him too. 

He inhaled his sandwich once he was done in the shower, returning in only a pair of gray joggers as she worked on getting a bottle ready for Knox. She tried to find something to say, but was unable to do so as she awkwardly tried to twist the lid of the bottle off with one hand. 

“I can take her,” Gator said softly as he reached for Piper, “Is she sick?” He sounded worried as he picked her up, his eyebrows knitting together at the way she started to fuss before she calmed back down into his arms. He held her tightly, gripping her the same way he had with Knox earlier. 

“She might be coming down with something,” Daphne confirmed as she moved her shoulder around, her arm sighing in relief as the muscles were no longer straining, “She didn’t sleep well last night.” She told him gently, speaking the truth but also not wanting him to feel guilty for something he couldn’t help. 

“Poor girl,” He mumbled as he gave her cheek a few kisses and swayed her back and forth in his arms, “I’m sorry for leaving you alone.” His tone was full of regret as he brushed his long fingers through Piper’s thick hair. 

“You can’t help it,” She told him gently, confirming that the milk was at the right temperature before she bent over to give it to Knox, “It wasn’t too bad. I didn’t have to hear you snoring.” She teased him, watching the way Knox began to inhale the bottle in a similar way to how Gator had chowed down his sandwich. 

“Funny,” He laughed as he shook his head, looking content as he continued to swaddle Piper to his chest, “I missed the three of you. A lot.” He mumbled as he rested his cheek against the top of Piper’s head. He inhaled deeply, looking like he was worried that she might be upset with him. 

“We missed you too.”

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

Gator was attentive that night. She wasn’t sure how he managed to stay awake, even though she was certain that he didn’t sleep the night before. He laid on the floor with both of the twins, playing with them and then later helping them feed. He handled the diaper changes and also the bottle feedings. She had a feeling he felt more guilty than what he was letting on.

“Are you coming to bed?” She whispered softly, brushing her fingers through his hair as he rocked Knox in the rocking chair. The little night light was shining in the nursery as Piper laid peacefully in her crib. Knox was deep asleep as well, but Gator still held him tightly. 

“Yeah,” He mumbled softly, his eyes glazed over in a sleepy haze as he looked down at how Knox had his lips pursed together, “I was just waiting a moment.” He replied as he brought his finger against Knox’s cheek.

She smiled gently before she bent over to kiss the top of his head. She stayed there for a moment, inhaling the scent of his shampoo from his shower earlier. He moved his body closer to her, sighing softly as he rested against her. 

“You’re doing a great job,” She told him then, feeling like he needed to hear it, “The twins will be so happy to hear that their daddy is such a good guy, that he takes down all the bad guys.” She giggled as she pulled away, a little surprised at how his features remained stoic.

“I hope so,” He smiled stiffly as he shifted Knox in his arms before he stood from the chair. He cradled their baby to his chest, holding him closely before he bent over to brush his lips against hers, “I’ll be there in just a second.”

“Okay,” She mumbled, blinking softly as she watched him. She nodded her head, enjoying the way his eyes sparkled from the night light, “I’ll see you in a minute.” She told him gently, moving slowly as she turned back down the hallway.

She wanted to press more about what was going on, but knew that it would do no good. He was stubborn. If he didn’t want to talk about it, he wasn’t going to without a fight. She didn’t want him mad at her. Not when he was clearly stressed about work. 

“Sorry,” He mumbled as he walked into the room, smiling softly as carried a bag inside. She looked at it curiously as she finished rubbing lotion onto her legs, “I just hate putting them down sometimes. I missed them.”

“It’s alright,” She told him honestly, watching the way he flicked the main light off and turned his lamp on, “They missed you a lot too.” She replied seriously, knowing that was part of the reason Piper had been so fussy. 

He nodded his head, looking happy with her answer as he slowly sat down on the bed. He covered his face with his hands, sighing deeply as she scooted towards the bag that was left open. She looked at it curiously, glad that it wasn’t filled with guns but also worried about the amount of rope and duct tape inside. 

“What’s this?” She asked as she held up the mask that had fallen from his bag, “You went trick or treating?” She asked him, raising her eyebrows as she inspected the Jack Skellington mask in her hands. 

“Undercover,” He said quickly, “I did not get any candy. I swear.” He replied with a hint of a smile, looking tired as she scooted closer to him. She crossed her lips, pursing her lips into a grin as she held it up to his face. 

“Mhm,” She hummed as she moved the mask over the back of his head, “Huh. Not bad.” She replied, tapping her fingers across the side of his mask. She tried to blame it on him being shirtless, but she knew that wasn’t really the case. 

“You like it?” He asked, tilting his head in a manner that had her insides clenching together in awe. She chewed on her bottom lip as she slowly nodded her head in agreement as a warmth spread down between her legs. 

“You look pretty sexy,” She giggled, then gasped as he pushed her back onto the bed, “What are you doing?” She chewed on her bottom lip, hoping that it was going somewhere.

He looked slightly menacing as he crawled over her, his muscles bulging as the light from the lamp danced off of the side of his mask. She breathed in heavily, chewing on her bottom lip as she felt his warmth spreading to her body. 

“Shh,” He teased her as he looked down at her from the mask, “Just relax.” He mumbled, moving his casted hand to grip her chin. She fell silent, unable to speak as her tongue felt heavy in her mouth. She stared up at him, trying to keep her hips from moving up against him.

He brushed his fingers over her hardened nipples underneath her pajama shirt. He tilted his head, watching the way she squirmed underneath him before he moved his hand further down. He sat on his knees, kicking her legs far apart before he began to tug her shirt up over her shoulders.

She gasped as the cool air settled around her skin as a fire settled through her veins. He leaned down, tilting his mask up just enough to free his lips as he brought his tongue down against her sensitive buds. She moaned, arching her chest up towards him as he brought his wet tongue down against her nipple.

Jolts of electricity spread through her body from the sensation and a rough moan left her lips as he flicked his tongue down across the bud again. She whined, rolling her hips up towards him this time as she felt her clit throbbing in anticipation.

“Hm,” He hummed against her nipple, sending vibrations down her body. He dragged his fingers down her sides. She watched the way his mask fell back over his face, covering him as he gripped her pants. He quickly pulled her pajamas down, followed by her panties as he left her exposed, “So pretty.” He mumbled as he dragged his right fingers through her wet folds.

He lightly dragged them across her clit, making her gape as he collected her slick along his fingertips. He inhaled deeply, his chest falling and rising as he slid two fingers inside of her easily. She moaned as he pushed his fingers to the brim, only stopping once his cast pressed up against her.

“God,” She moaned as she rubbed her hips up against his long digits. He curled them inside of her easily, tsking his tongue against the roof of his mouth as she continued to grind up against him, “S’nice, baby.” She whined as he dragged his fingers deeper inside of her wet walls.

He leaned down again, pushing the mask up so he could lick at her nipples once again. He wrapped his lips around her sensitive bud as he continued to grind his fingers into her fluttering cunt. She cried out as she rested her hands near her head, moaning as curled his fingers deep inside of her.

She moved her hips with his movements, enjoying the way he easily slid inside of her hole. He brought his teeth down against her nipple, biting softly as she arched up against him again. She licked her bottom lip, whining as the pleasure grew deep inside of her.

“Gator,” She whined as she fought the urge to latch her thighs around his wrist, “I want you.” She told him seriously, breathing out roughly at the way he lifted his face up towards her, HIs mask was still in disarray, revealing his wet lips to her. 

“You want my cock?” He mumbled, sending her stomach twisting into knots again as he slowly withdrew his fingers from her cunt. He brought them up to his mouth, making a show of it as he licked his fingers clean. She whined as he gripped her wrist with his free hand, then brought her palm against his bulge.

“Yes,” She replied, whining as she rubbed her palm against his hard cock, “I want your cock so badly, daddy.” She whispered softly before she quickly sat up. She didn’t have to remove the mask to know that he was smirking, probably cock as she quickly pulled his pants down. 

She slowly brushed her palm around his hard cock, admiring the way her fingers struggled to wrap around his girth. She pumped him slowly, earning a low groan from him. She grinned, chewing on her bottom lip before she took the opportunity to shove him back this time.

“Fuck,” He hissed as he shifted onto the pillows, pushing the mask up over his head as he eagerly watched the way she straddled his lap. His eyes stayed glued to her body, searching over her curves and tits as she reached down between their bodies to grip his cock again, “You’re so beautiful.” He mumbled, making her face flush as she quickly turned away from him.

She couldn’t fully process his compliment, taking to sliding his pink tip inside of her wet walls. She felt her eyes flutter shut at the sensation of being stretched out. He moved his hands to her hips, gripping her tightly as she adjusted along the length of his cock.

She breathed in sharply, feeling like she was inhaling more of his cock as he slowly thrust his hips upwards. She shifted on his lap, resting her palms down against his abdomen as she slowly moved herself along the length of his cock.

“Oh,” She whined, her eyes shutting in awe as he pressed her back down onto his cock. She moaned at the way his cock curved inside of her, hitting her bundle of nerves. He grunted in response, his eyes filled with hunger as his eyes glazed over her body, “Jesus Christ.” She moaned out, unable to think of any other words as she focused on the way his cock pressed deeply against her spongy walls.

His groans grew louder as he dug his fingertips into her skin, holding onto her tightly as he began to move her body up and down his cock. She whimpered as she closed her eyes, her boobs bouncing from the rough way he was moving her.

Her legs trembled around him, her cunt clamping down along his thick girth as the sound of their flesh meeting filled the room. She looked down at him, admiring the way his features knitted up into pleasure. She moaned, leaning down to press her lips against his.

He kissed her roughly, his mouth sliding against hers blissfully as they captured each others sounds of pleasure. He dug his heels into the mattress, holding her tightly as he began to roughly rock his cock into her. 

She pulled away from his mouth, her forehead falling against his as she cried out from the overwhelming pleasure. She felt her toes curling in awe as her muscles began to clench together as she felt her orgasm growing near.

“Fuck, fuck,” He hissed roughly, his breath warm against her cheek as she continued to shake above him. He held her tightly, keeping her in place as his thrusts became faster and more brutal. She felt his cock throbbing inside of her, sending her over the edge, “That’s it baby, taking my cock so good.” He grunted as her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

She trembled above him, her orgasm crashing over her as she clamped down around his cock. He continued to mumble and groan, whispering dirty words to her that she couldn’t quite understand from how foggy her brain suddenly felt. 

Her arms felt weak as she fell against him, her sweaty chest brushing against his as he pressed into her deeply. His cock slid inside of her, pressing into her to the brim as he came with a loud groan. His spunk painted her walls, filling her with his cum.

She panted against him, shaking a little bit as he rubbed his palms across her backside gently. She whimpered as she rested her cheek against his, trying to get her heart to stop racing. He tilted his head towards her, slowly brushing his lips against her own. 

“S’alright?” He questioned between rough spurts of breath. He paused before he kissed the corner of her mouth again, making her giggle softly as she wrinkled her nose up.

“Yeah,” She smiled as her heart continued to flip around inside of her chest, “I’m tired now.” She replied dramatically, squealing at the way he smacked her backside. She wiggled her face into the crook of his neck, enjoying how close they were for once.

“Poor, baby,” He mocked playfully as he continued to rub her sides, “You scared me earlier, you know.” He mumbled as he rubbed his fingers across her spine. She inhaled softly. 

“I’m sorry,” She told him truthfully, “I didn’t even think about having my phone on me.” She replied, moving her head further towards his chest so she could hear his heartbeat. He hummed in response.

“I know,” He told her as she continued to listen to the way his heart was moving underneath her ear, “I just want you to be safe.” He mumbled a little softer. She began to wonder what could be so dangerous that he felt like he had to hide it from her. She continued to rest against him, hoping that he wouldn’t be so worried once the case was over. 

#Gator TIllman #Gator Tillman x oc #Gator TIllman smut #Gator Tillman x female!OC #Gator Tillman x original character #Gator Tillman x fem!oc #Gator x Daphne

[wardenparker]

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Dating Your Ex - ch 4

Marcus Pike x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

When Marcus unexpectedly runs into his ex-wife he is plunged into a world of complications where rekindled attraction and deep-seated insecurities reign. Unfortunately for him, it is also a world where his ex-wife is not the only ‘ex’ around, as a new case crosses his desk that will require all hands on deck. ✨💖Inspired by and based upon absurdthirst’s Tequila💖✨

Rating: T, I guess? But this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 6.9k Warnings: **Blanket warnings for this series include: divorce, break ups, collegiate Greek life, underage drinking, food/alcohol consumption.** Ex-significant other stress. Teresa and Jane come with their own warning.  Summary: There is no blissful morning after for these two - in fact, things are about to get a lot more complicated. Notes: Apologizing in advance to anyone who is actually an expert in antique photography, but I’m having fun researching this, so I’m just gonna keep going!

Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3

Marcus hates his ringtone. It’s loud and obtrusive, which is the entire point when he had it turned on, but he immediately frowns when it breaks through his sleep. “Wha—” he’s disoriented for a moment, cracking his eyes open and looking around for his phone since his nightstand isn’t in the right place. “Shit.”

“Mmm?” Without even cracking your eyes open, you snuggle more deeply into Marcus’s side and mumble something indistinct when he reaches over you to get his phone from where he left it on your nightstand last night.

“Pike!” As soon as the call connects, the voice on the other end chuckles heartily. “Sorry to interrupt your beauty rest, princess.” His supervisor’s voice is cheerful despite his usual seriousness. It must not be early anymore. “But we need you to come in. We’ve got agents from the field landing in a half hour, and they requested you specifically.”

Marcus groans as he sits up, hating the way his body immediately gets cooler away from your warmth. He swipes his hand down his face and pulls the phone away to check the time. “Yeah.” He rasps out. “Give me twenty minutes.” He tells the infuriatingly cheerful man.

“Good man.” The commendation comes through loud and clear, but he hangs up without further preamble.

“Something wrong?” You managed to peel your eyes open when Marcus sounded unhappy, and now he looks unhappy on top of it.

“I’ve got to go.” Marcus twists around and gives you an apologetic look. “They called me in, apparently there’s a new case.”

"Ah. Duty calls." You can't say you're thrilled about it by any means, but you do understand. He has an incredibly demanding job. Still, you can't help but pout. "Do you think you'll be able to leave the office for dinner tonight?"

“Yeah.” Marcus is still half asleep as he leans in to kiss you before climbing out of the bed so he can start pulling on his slightly rumpled clothes. “I shouldn’t be too long.” He shoves his legs into the suit pants and pulls them up.

"Do what you need to do. I'll probably take a shower after you leave and go to the Farmer's Market since I'm up." It's a damn shame he has to get dressed, but you're going to enjoy the view while he does. "You could just come back here after you're done?" You suggest, hopeful that he might want to spend the night together again.

“Shit.” Marcus pulls out his phone to order an Uber since he hadn’t driven over here. Luckily there is one around the corner. “Yeah, I’ll swing by my house and grab some clothes.”

"Okay. Go to work and be a superhero and I'll be waiting for you when you're done." He seems rattled and you don't want him to be stressed because of you while he's working, so you just smile and offer him one more kiss before he has to head out the door. It's unfortunate, but you won't let it ruin the day. You still got to wake up beside him and you'll see him tonight, and that is what matters.

******

Marcus hates wearing the same clothes again, but there is no helping it. He has a small toiletry bag in his desk for those late nights so he can at least brush his teeth. The Uber ride is quick, and he is at his desk and scrolling through his messages before he remembers he didn’t get your number. “Shit.”

"Uh oh." The cocky, amused voice from his open doorway drips with sarcasm. "Director Pike seems disturbed this morning. Perhaps we should go back to Austin and try again later?"

Fucking Patrick Jane. Marcus looks up from his phone to find the man who his ex-fiancée, if you could call her that, had thrown him over for a year ago. “Jane.” He murmurs evenly, not getting up from his seat. “They didn’t tell me it was you coming in.” He would have taken a hell of a lot longer if they had.

"We thought it would be a fun little surprise." Jane strolls inside with unearned confidence and his typical arrogance, followed barely a moment later by Teresa, who is wheeling an evidence suitcase at her side and sporting a small but very noticeable baby bump.

Marcus feels like if he hadn’t spent the night in your bed that the sight of Teresa’s baby belly would have been a fiercer blow. Instead it’s a dull pang that he hadn’t been deemed good enough, an old wound that just makes his brow arch. “Congratulations are in order it seems.” He says after a moment. “Hello, Teresa.”

"Marcus." She smiles but it's tight, and she positions the suitcase inside his office door before letting go of its handle. "Thank you. It's—we're excited," she admits, albeit a little sheepishly. She knows she should have ended things better between them, but that doesn't diminish the happiness she has now. Not to her. "You look good. Happy, I mean." Despite looking tired and like he's possibly wearing old clothes; Marcus Pike does have an undeniable warmth to him that she hadn't necessarily expected.

“Thanks.” Now Marcus stands, but it’s to take the evidence case from Teresa. He doesn’t mention that perhaps her husband should have been wheeling the heavy case instead of leaving it to her. Their dynamic wasn’t his issue any longer. “You have that pregnancy glow they talk about.”

“I’m halfway there,” she tells him, rubbing the underside of her belly with one hand as she sits down in one of the chairs across from Marcus’s desk. “So…we’re sorry to call you in like this, but we needed some help on a case and the guys in Austin Art Crimes are lost without you.”

His lips curl slightly and he nods. “Tell me what you’ve got, and I’ll see how I can help with the case.” He looks from Teresa to Jane, not missing the smug expression in the other man’s face. Like he was right about something, but that was usually his outlook.

“We’ve got three dead and a collection of old daguerreotypes that seem to be the primary cause of the arguing.” She tells him, glad to see Patrick start to unzip the suitcase for her. “We were hoping you could help us figure out what’s so damn special about these things.”

Marcus hums as Patrick hands him a file, flipping it open as he skims over the details of the case. Later on he will be studying the particulars. “Daguerreotypes?” He looks up at the two of them and mentally sighs, wondering how the hell this has come about so quickly. “I know someone who can examine them.” It’s the last thing that he wants, but this is for work.

“Excellent.” Jane leans on the corner of Marcus’s desk like a throne, surveying the office around him. “We knew you could help. Reliable Marcus, we said. Sitting up here in DC in your fancy director’s office.”

Marcus’s jaw tightens and he almost opens his mouth to say something. “That’s me. Director.” Which means he doesn’t have to help if he doesn’t want to.

“Is the person you know available on short notice?” Teresa asks, sensing the tension in the room like a house on fire.

“They should be.” He’s thinking about Silvia and wonders if you would be the one that wanted to work on this as her boss. “Let me make a call, since it is a Saturday.”

“Of course.” Jane shrugs carelessly, but goes to sit in the chair beside Teresa. “It’s your office.”

Marcus shoves down the annoyance that they aren’t going to leave and give him some privacy to make the call. He ignores them and picks up his phone so he can select Silvia’s number and hit talk.

“H-hello?” Silvia’s voice is uncertain on the other end, obviously confused to see Marcus’s name pop up on her caller ID a few days after breaking up with him.

“Ms. Harper.” He keeps his tone neutral, not wanting to make her think that he’s calling her for personal reasons. “This is Director Pike at the FBI, have I caught you at a bad time?”

“Not at all.” Her voice evens out when she hears his work voice and even though she’s still confused, she no longer is worried about something dramatic. “What can I do for you, Director?”

Marcus picks up a pen off his desk and clicks it as he thinks of how to phrase this. “I have some agents from our Austin field office who require an expert on Daguerreotypes. You were the first person that I thought of.”

“Oh.” Silvia cringes so hard it’s nearly audible. “Well, this is awkward. Actually…the person you really want is—is Dr. Pike. Daguerreotype conservation is her expertise…”

Shit. Marcus doesn’t react but his heart leaps before his stomach twists at the idea of his ex-wife meeting his ex-fiancée. “Okay, would you mind giving me her number?” He asks, reaching for a notepad. “Or would you rather call her and have her reach out to me?”

“I can call her, if you want.” Not knowing what sort of awkwardness might sit between them, Silvia swallows a sigh. “If she needs an assistant, she’ll be calling me anyway. So it might be both of us. When do you need the help?” Sorting through the idea in her head, Silvia is already up and moving around her apartment to put on something work appropriate to wear. Dr. Pike will definitely want an assistant.

“As soon as possible.” Marcus sighs slightly. “I appreciate it, and I’m sorry for interrupting your weekend.” He tells her seriously.

Teresa smiles when Marcus hangs up the phone. “You don’t seem very excited to see whoever that was,” she observes, trying to make light. “I hope they’ll be helpful. Thanks for making the call.”

“You’re welcome.” Marcus answers neutrally as he stands. “The conference room down the hall is available if you would like to set up there.” His office is not going to be the headquarters for this little reunion.

“Sure.” Teresa nods, lifting herself out of the chair and smiles awkwardly. “Thanks, Marcus. We really appreciate the help.”

“No problem.” His answer is just as awkward, and he looks over at Jane to see him smirking. “There is tea in our break room if you’re off caffeine.” He offers.

“I’ll let Teresa know.” Jane practically winks as he sashays out the door, leaving it wide open as he goes.

Marcus sighs and looks down at his phone, wanting to talk to you now more than ever. It’s going to be a long day. “Well shit.” He grunts, shaking his head at his shitty luck.

******

It’s about thirty minutes later that you’re meeting Silvia at the elevator in the Hoover FBI Building, dressed in nice clothes but something a little more fashionable than a suit, just because you’re heading to see Marcus again. No one can blame you for wanting to look nice today. “Let’s head up.” You tell your young team member, affixing the Guest badge to your Smithsonian employee lanyard that denotes you as a federal employee.

Marcus keeps extra dress shirts in his office, along with a casual outfit in case he needs to be in plain clothes. He decides to change into the latter, wondering if you will be disappointed that he’s in jeans and a t-shirt. It was that or his suit from yesterday and a new shirt. He walks into the conference room after changing and freshening up to start sorting through the evidence Teresa brought. “The experts should be here soon.” He tells Teresa and Patrick before he moves over to the coffee pot in the room to set it up for a fresh pot.

“Where are they from?” Jane is leaning back in a chair at one end of the conference table. “Private sector? University?”

“Smithsonian Institute.” From the doorway, You adjust your work bag on your shoulder and smooth a wrinkle in your shirtsleeve. Marcus is standing on the other side of the room making coffee and you have to bite back a smile. Even in a plain black t-shirt and jeans he’s a dream. “From the department of photographic conservation.”

Marcus wants to smile but he also doesn’t want to make things uncomfortable for Silvia. Instead he nods and motions for the two of you to come in. “Thank you for coming.” He offers. “I just put a fresh pot of coffee on and later on I’ll order some food as a small measure of thanks.”

“Thank you, Director Pike.” Keeping things professional is key, you know that, but in the moment you’re also surprised to realize that the title is actually kind of a turn on. You’ll have to remember to tell him that later. “Now. How can we help?”

Patrick Jane looks between the three of you and smirks knowingly, leaning back in his swiveling chair. “Before we begin work, I think we should be introduced? Right Marcus?”

“Dr. Pike,” you make no mistake about your title and glossing past your shared last name as though it doesn’t matter at all, because for the purposes of work it doesn’t. This man, however, you already don’t like. “I am Director of Photographic Conservation for the Smithsonian Institute. My colleague is Silvia Harper. Her expertise is development methods.” Looking between the two agents seated at the table, you remind yourselves that first impressions aren’t everything. Perhaps the blonde man is simply having an unusual day. “And you are from the Austin field office, I understand?”

“Doctor Pike?” Patrick’s eyes light up like a kid in a candy store and it’s all Marcus can do not to audibly groan. Those smug eyes shift to him with an amused glint in them. “When did you discover your ex-wife was in D.C., Marcus?” He asks with a smirk.

Marcus straightens slightly and clears his throat. He decides to ignore the question and introduce Teresa and Patrick. “Dr. Pike, Ms. Harper, this is Agent Teresa Lisbon – er, Jane now, I guess, and professional consultant Patrick Jane.” He says.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Agent Teresa Jane stands to shake your hand and you cannot possibly ignore the small baby bump she is sporting.

“You as well,” you tell her politely, though something is tickling at the back of your mind that tells you everything is going to go sideways very quickly.

Patrick’s eyes are flickering between you, Marcus, and Silvia and after a moment he chuckles. “You are in a hot seat, aren’t you Pike?” He muses cryptically. “Director Pike, I mean.” He clarifies, grinning at you.

“Perhaps we should focus on the case.” Trying to deflect the attention off of Marcus is the best you can do right now until you can get home alone to ask what the hell is going on, and you don’t like feeling like you’re on the defensive when meeting new people. Especially new people at work.

“Patrick.” Teresa turns and shoots her husband an annoyed look. “Stop.” Patrick sends her an innocent look and shrugs his shoulders like it’s not his fault.

“I just find it interesting that he’s slept with every woman in this room.” He answers as he stands up to move over to the coffee pot. “It’s fascinating to imagine what is going through his mind right now.”

“Alright, if you’re really not going to talk about anything else until we get this out of the way, then yes. Marcus and I divorced twelve years ago.” You practically sigh and barely keep from having to shake your head. “Would it be possible to focus on the case now?” It just completely breaks your heart for him, to see the embarrassment on Marcus’s face. Whoever this man is, you officially do not like Patrick Jane.

“I’m going to apologize for my husband.” The look Teresa Jane shoots her husband would kill a lesser man, and she shakes her head. “He likes to push, and doesn’t seem to realize when he’s crossing a line into ‘asshole’ territory.” She huffs before she looks at you with an apologetic smile. “Marcus said nothing but wonderful things about you.” She promises. “He and I were—”

“Teresa was my fiancée for all of two minutes.” Marcus interrupts, done with the dramatics. “And Silvia and I were dating before I found out that her boss was my ex-wife. Now can we please focus on the case?” His tone is short, clipped, and his jaw is clenched. Furious at the tension Jane has added to the room unnecessarily.

Oh. You find yourself standing silent for a long moment while you process the information that you were just offered. That this woman in front of you is the one who last broke Marcus's heart and she did it for this intensely disagreeable, self-absorbed man with this smug smirk and shitty attitude and now they're already married and expecting a baby? The worst part of that might be that you're actually jealous of Teresa Jane for the last part of that thought. Happily married and starting a family. You really need to talk to Marcus later.

"If you would please show us the daguerreotypes? And let us know what you're looking for?" At this point you're just eager to start working and do less of this awkward talking.

There is a moment of complete silence before Teresa starts talking. “Yes, right.” She clears her throat and pushes herself awkwardly out of her own chair and leans over the conference table to pick up an evidence bag. “These are the items that we are needing – I don’t really know – examined for importance? Why are these being killed over?”

"We can do a preliminary examination here, but if there is nothing obvious, we may need to do further analysis in our lab." Glad to not have any more bullshit spewed around the room, you nod and lean over the table beside your ex-husband's – current boyfriend's? – ex-fiancée. Fuck this is complicated.

“If need be, we can sign over custody of the evidence to you.” Marcus nods before he taps a file. “I am going to go order some food. Sandwiches okay with everyone?” He needs a moment, just a few minutes to compose himself.

"Thank you." You desperately wish you could follow him out into the hall, or even send him a text, but you can't leave Silvia to deal with these vultures from the Austin office just yet. Patrick Jane would eat her alive.

Marcus strides down the hall, closing the door to his office with a sigh. Of all the fucking agents to come to D.C., it had to be Teresa Jane and the walking windbag she married. He closes his eyes and gives a low chuckle. He doesn’t even want to know what you think of him right now.

It's only about five minutes later that a rhythmic knock sounds from the other side of Marcus's office door and you stick your head inside. "Hey..." The expression you offer him is pure sympathy. "One Jane had to take a phone call from Austin and the other one had to use the ladies' room. Can I come in or are you hiding from me, too?"

“Hey.” Marcus stands and wipes his hands on his jeans. “No – I’m not, it’s okay – you can come in.” He shuffles awkwardly and shakes his head. “This is not how I imagined my Saturday going.”

"Me either." Slipping inside, you shut the door carefully and take an awkward step toward his desk. If it were anyone but his ex-fiancée out there, you probably wouldn't have any problem going straight to his arms for a kiss, but it is. So things are awkward. "So...that's her, huh?"

Marcus blows out a raspberry and reaches up to rub the back of his neck in embarrassment. “That’s her.” He murmurs quietly. “Of all the rooms I never wanted to be in, that was in my top three.” He jokes weakly and flashes you a grin. “So now you know who left me and who she left me for.”

"He's awful." Screwing up your face into a fairly disgusted expression to hopefully make him laugh, you end up just shaking your head and stepping closer, making it easy for him to slip into your arms if he wants to be there. "I can't be mad that she left you, though. If she hadn't, that would be your baby she's carrying and not the narcissistic blonde's. And we wouldn't be...whatever we are now."

You have a very valid point. Marcus hums, leaning in and pressing his forehead against yours while he wraps his arms around you for a much-needed hug. “Can this be a bad dream and we are actually still wrapped up in your bed?” He pouts playfully. “Please?”

"I'll get their evidence analyzed and send them away again as soon as I can." Having him back in your arms again, even after only a few hours, makes you hum happily, and you give his waist a gentle squeeze. "Tonight we'll do whatever you want for dinner and then exhaust ourselves with more sex." You grin up at him. "Sound good?"

“Sounds perfect, but I have a feeling the Janes are here for more than a day.” Marcus huffs. “I’m sorry.” He leans in and kisses your lips. “He is…something. And I know he embarrassed you.”

"He's smug, but honestly I feel worse for Silvia than anyone else. She got wrapped up in all this by accident." A kiss from him, especially right now, makes you nearly melt into the floor. It's soothing and reassuring all at once. "You don't have to apologize, love. Just don't mind me if I'm a little extra lovey when we're not working? This is...it's so new. And it's more than a little awkward in that conference room."

“I don’t mind.” Marcus promises. “I think you need to buy Silvia’s drinks during brunch with my credit card.” He huffs. “As an apology from me.”

"That's extremely sweet of you, and I'm sure she knows you didn't pick all this." Placing a kiss on his cheek, you give him another squeeze and really do your best to keep smiling. "Have you ordered lunch yet or have you been stewing in here?"

“No, I ordered lunch.” Marcus promises. “I might kill Patrick Jane if I am around him too long on an empty stomach.”

"I'll throw a shovel in the back of the Mini Cooper and we'll drive the body up to New Jersey. Nobody thinks twice about finding a body in New Jersey." He manages to smile at the joke, and right now you can't ask for more than that from him. "I'm sorry today isn't the relaxing afternoon we had in mind, baby. But at least we're together, right?"

Marcus sighs, nodding at your logic and holds you close for another second before he reluctantly lets you go. “Did you find anything interesting about them?” He asks. “Anything that stands out right away?”

“Nothing jumped out at me.” You shake your head, feeling frustrated that the answer was not easy so you couldn’t just send them away again. “I’ll have to take a look at them at the lab.”

Marcus nods with a small sigh. Disappointed that he can’t send the Janes back to Texas quickly, but he’s not surprised. “Thank you for giving up your Saturday.” He can’t help but caress your back as you both turn towards the door.

“It’s okay.” Before you reach his door, you flash him a grin and shrug one shoulder. “This super hot FBI agent that I kinda have a thing for needed my help, so I’m glad to do it.” You tease, always working to put that smile back on his face. “I’d do anything for him.”

“Yeah?” His grin is slow to arrive, but it blossoms beautifully on his face and there is almost a shy quality to it. “That’s good to know.”

“Yeah.” The nod you give him has no hesitation. There is a lot to say, but it’s a good start for now.

“I need to go back in there.” He admits with a small groan. “I’m sure Patrick Jane would find it more amusing if I hid in my office the entire time.”

“We’ll go together.” It may not be office appropriate to stroll down the hall holding hands, but you’re not going to leave his side when he’s having a hard time. You’re stronger than the girl you used to be.

“He’s not going to bother me.” Marcus decides, opening the door for you to walk out first.

“Well, well.” The second you want back into the conference room, Patrick Jane is smirking again. “Ruffled feathers all smooth again, Doc?”

“Mr. Jane,” you shake your head and move back to the evidence on the table. “Not everything needs to be made into a circus act. Let’s just focus on the case, shall we?”

Patrick’s brow arches up and a slow transformation takes his smirk to a grin. “I like you.” He tells you before he looks at Marcus from where he is sitting with his feet up on the conference room table. “How did you let this one get away, Pike?”

“That isn’t relevant to the case, I’m afraid.” You’re not going to let this infuriating man get under Marcus’s skin. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to have you sign over custody of the evidence to the Smithsonian, Agent Jane.” Looking up at the other woman – the one who had turned Marcus over for a man made of arrogance and hair gel – you almost shrug. She clearly isn’t pleased with Patrick Jane’s behavior either. “If you would be good enough to leave me your card, I can contact you when I’ve found something.”

Teresa fishes into the pocket of her suit coat, pulling out a card holder with brand new cards inside. Proudly proclaiming her ‘Special Agent Teresa Jane’ on the stiff card stock along with her numbers and her email address. “Maybe—” She hands you the card and glances over to Marcus before meeting your gaze again. “Let Patrick pay for dinner for you and Marcus tonight. To apologize for his behavior and to thank you for your assistance.” Silvia is across the table from you, eyes studiously on the photos as if she could block out the scene around her.

“Sil?” There is clearly some conversation that needs to happen, and you hate that you couldn’t have had more than a few minutes with Marcus in his office. Your young colleague’s head pops up and you offer her a half-smile knowing she must be overwhelmed. “If you could go back to our office to open and prep the lab for when I bring the evidence back, I would appreciate it.”

“Yes ma’am.” The look of pure relief on her face is palpable. “I will do that right away.” She doesn’t hesitate to peel her gloves off and gather her things as if the hounds of hell were on her heels and nipping. “Nice to— uh, bye.” She manages before she dashes out the door.

It does the trick in a way you never expected, and you actually find yourself holding back a laugh at how fast Silvia just bolted from the room. “I don’t blame her,” you admit finally, shaking your head and producing one of your own business cards from your work bag to hand over to the agent from Texas. “And I appreciate the apology, Agent Jane, thank you. The situation seems to have taken us all by surprise.”

“My husband seems to think that his brilliance makes up for his appalling lack of manners.” She throws a glare over at Patrick who is completely unrepentant with a slight shrug as he slouches in his chair and plays with the pen that Marcus had brought in.

“More sandwiches for us.” He points out. “You said you were hungry.”

“Of course I’m hungry,” Teresa laughs unexpectedly. “I’m always hungry now.”

“And our reliable Marcus remembered your favorites and made sure to order it along with whatever was Silvia’s and the former Mrs. Pike’s.” Patrick hums. “He’s a Boy Scout like that.”

“It’s called having manners and a good memory.” If you don’t just straight-out smack Patrick Jane before the end of this case it will be a miracle. And maybe a shame.

“He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.” Marcus rolls his eyes and huffs. “Annoyance lets details slip and he’s dying to know the story. Beyond what I told Teresa.” He had no doubt that his former fiancée must have talked about their relationship with Jane. Even going so far as to impart seemingly obscure facts, but Jane had the memory of an elephant.

“We ran into each other again by accident a few days ago.” While you won’t go into detail about the past until you and Marcus have been able to check in with each other about it, the present is a fairly easy tale. “I’m sorry it’s not a more interesting story.”

“Patrick, stop.” Teresa’s tone turns stern. “Or you’ll sleep on the couch at the hotel.”

Marcus has to look down at the file in front of him so he doesn’t laugh, enjoying the way Jane suddenly looks a little more repentant than before.

Considering he miraculously had not opened his mouth this time, you have to assume that he was bothering his wife under the table and you barely bite back a smirk of your own. “So where did these come from?” You ask, motioning to the daguerreotype cases. “Or is that not information you can share?“

“It was found in the house of one Marquis De Sade - not the French nobleman, obviously.” Teresa smiles at the unique name that had made her scratch her head until she placed it. “De Sade was 87 when he passed, and the case involves his will. The people who are set to inherit his estate have been dying. And these daguerreotypes seem to be at the center of the conflict.”

“Interesting name.” You raise an eyebrow but studiously avoid looking at Marcus. That will only feed the flames of teasing. “So far the only unique thing about them is that many are of locations instead of people. The vast majority of daguerreotypes were portraits. Perhaps these locations mean something to the family?”

“It doesn’t seem like it from the case file.” Marcus tells you, looking over at Teresa. “Is there anything you can tell us?”

“There were some papers in the case containing the images that I can have scanned and sent over to us.” Teresa nods, remembering the stack of decaying pages that they had considered too fragile to transport. “I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Looked like poetry and journal-style writing. But maybe it might make sense to you in conjunction with the images?”

“We can try.” You nod your head and look back down at the plate in front of you. It shows a break in a river with a small grove of seedlings surrounding it and the sun low in the sky. It’s beautiful, but not typical for a daguerreotype image.

Marcus hums. “Are there coordinates on the plate or maybe a location written?” He asks, wondering if they can plot where the images are from to come up with a map.

Carefully flipping some of the wooden cases over in your gloved hands, you find to your dismay that not all are marked with information. Some bear names that you can only assume are the surnames of the subjects, others have initials, and some have nothing at all. But one box bears the inscription ’Johnson’s Ranch’ in scrawling, decaying pencil. “Johnson’s Ranch,” you read out loud, looking at the three others in the room with you. “Does that ring a bell to anyone?”

“There have been thousands of ranches over the years.” Teresa shrugs slightly. “If we had a region, maybe we could dig through property deeds.”

Begrudgingly you have to admit that that makes sense, but you appreciate the fact that three more heads bend over the small wooden boxes containing the antique forms of photography. “J.R.C.” You read the initials from another box out loud, and then from another: “Truck L.k. This one looks like letters have rubbed off over the last century and a half.”

Marcus writes it down on a notepad and nods. “Okay, that’s a start.” His phone buzzes and he looks down at it. “That’s the food.” His eyes slide to Patrick Jane. “Play nice.” He warns before he stands up to walk out of the conference room.

“J.R.C. May be Johnson’s Ranch and a state or city designation?” You look up from the boxes before pulling out your cell phone to collect images. “Is it alright to take pictures of the cases?“

“Whatever you need, just remember that this isn’t public.” Teresa cautions. Marcus might trust you because you are his ex-wife, but she hasn’t worked with you professionally.

“Of course.” You would never post any of this to social media, that would be ridiculous. But this way you can take snaps of the writing on the case to look over while the four of you eat. The daguerreotypes won’t be safe on the same table as food.

“All of this will need to go back to your lab.” Patrick muses. “Which must mean keeping in touch with the former flame.” He smirks slightly. “Interesting he was in yesterday’s clothes when we arrived and yet he does not have your number.”

“Is that interesting?” You arch one eyebrow at the insufferable blonde who clearly has no intention of behaving like Marcus requested. “You like to infer things. Don’t you, Mr. Jane? To see how much you can trick people into giving away.”

Patrick gives you a smile. “I see what he likes about you.” He muses, leaning forward and reaching for a notepad to write something down on.

And I see what he does not like about you, you think as loudly as you can without saying it. Instead, you reach into your work bag when you have discarded your gloves and extract one of your own business cards to give to Agent Jane. “Since it looks like you’ll be here for a few days, this is how you can reach me.”

“Thank you.” She huffs and rolls her eyes towards her husband. “He’s not as bad as he first seems when you get to know him.” She says quietly as she rubs her baby bump. “He’s a little insecure since it’s Marcus that we need help from.”

“I see.” It’s juvenile to say the least, but again, you can’t really be upset. Teresa Jane’s poor decision to marry Patrick meant that Marcus was single in D.C., and that had opened the door to the two of you ending up in bed together last night. “Well, I can’t say I understand the urge to be mean spirited, but seeing your spouse’s ex can be stressful.”

“I’m not trying to be mean.” Patrick almost pouts, frowning slightly. “I like Marcus Pike. I was jealous as hell of him while he was with Teresa.” He tells you. “It took getting on a plane to beg her to stay to get her to choose me.”

“I’m sure the pilot must have loved you for that.” Despite yourself, you shake your head to hide a cracked grin. It might be a romantic story to anyone who wasn’t currently in love with the guy who got dumped because of that stunt. “Marcus is a good man, and he will always do anything he can to help. It would be kind of you to be professional, that’s all.”

“Okay. I will stop making remarks.” Patrick sighs and it’s Teresa’s turn to grin evilly. “I know how you can make it up to them.” She teases, almost in a singsong voice.

“Really, Agent Jane, it’s fine.” You don’t know if you want this can of worms to be opened, and you especially don’t want to know why they just assume you and Marc are back together so easily. While true, it’s irritating on a base level that there are strangers in your business.

Teresa heard nothing but annoyance in your tone, so she decides to back off. “Alright.” She nods and holds up her hands.

“I—I apologize.” Realizing what you must have sounded like, you sit yourself down at the table and take a deep breath. “I’m afraid I might be a little…on edge.” It’s not your favorite thing to admit, but if anyone should be able to swallow their pride about Marcus, it’s you. “I find it unsettling to have my circumstances read as quickly and easily as you and your husband have apparently been able to do. I’m very sorry if I seem standoffish because of it. There is no reason we can’t be friendly.” If nothing else, it would probably help the case go more smoothly.

“No, we were in the wrong.” Teresa insists. “I know personally, I was just happy to see the spark back in his eyes. You can just tell, you know? When he’s in love?” She gives you a small smile. “He can’t hide it and he lit up for a second when you walked in.”

"He's never exactly been subtle." It makes you laugh a little, how true that is, and you end up nodding in acceptance. "I suppose you're right. That would be a dead giveaway."’

“At first I thought it might have been the other woman, but then – I just knew it was you. Especially since—” She gives a small shrug. “I won’t intrude on your personal life anymore, but I’m glad to know he’s happy.”

"That's all I want for him." You admit, hearing footsteps approach in the hallway. "Just to make him happy."

Marcus is happy to see that you haven’t started brawling with Patrick and he holds up the bags. “Food’s here!” He tries for a jovial tone, knowing a full stomach can go a long way to soothe tensions.

"Thank you." There's no hesitation or mannered politeness when you smile at him this time. The cat is out of the proverbial bag, so you can just let yourself be happy to see him.

He wonders what’s been said while he’s gone, but again, he’s just thankful he’s not having to pull you off Patrick. He sets the bags down. “Patrick, you got the pastrami on rye, extra mustard.” He says as he searches for the sandwich. “Teresa, the Turkey club with extra bacon and no tomato.” He grins and looks over at you before he pulls your sandwich out and hands it to you, “Did I get it right?”

Unwrapping your lunch from the waxy deli paper, you grin when the dietary staple of your college years - a chicken Caesar salad wrap - is unveiled before your eyes. "Extra parmesan and pepper?" You grin, unable to stop yourself even the tiniest bit. Not that you care anymore. It's been years now since you've had one of these and the nostalgia is so warming. "It's perfect, Marc. Thank you."

“Ma— oofffff—” Patrick flinches and grabs his side from where Teresa throws a judiciously placed elbow to stop him from commenting. “Owww.” He complains, but his wife just rolls her eyes and ignores his dramatics.

“If there’s salt and vinegar chips in that bag, I will name the baby after you.” She jokes, her grin making sure Marcus knows it’s supposed to be a lighthearted jest. The added fun is that it makes her husband immediately frown.

"I hope it's a boy, then." Amused at the dismay on Patrick Jane's face, you hand the bag of kettle cooked salt and vinegar chips over to Agent Jane before dumping the other bags out onto the conference table. One of those bags of Baked Lays is definitely for you and it only makes you smile harder.

“There’s also a tuna on wheat here with extra onions.” Marcus offers, knowing Silvia won’t be back.

“0h gimme.” Teresa makes a grabby motion as Patrick groans at the idea of onions. “What? I’m eating for two.” She huffs at her husband.

"I'll have to put some extra snacks in my office for the week, so there's something there if you need a snack while you're at the lab." Marcus's ex or otherwise, a pregnant lady needs access to snacks. That's just how things work.

“Oh, bless you.” Teresa nearly salivates at the idea. “You are really kind. I’m constantly hungry or tired.”

"I have a couch in my office, a mini-fridge, and a basket on my bookshelf filled with snacks. You're welcome to rest or grab something to eat anytime you need. Just let me know if you have any aversions, okay?" When Marcus looks at you like you've sprouted an extra head, you can really only shrug. "My sister had really bad food aversions when she was pregnant with my niece. I had to get creative with my cooking when she came to visit."

Teresa grins at you. “I like you.” She hums before she unwraps her sandwich and starts tearing into it like only a hungry pregnant woman can. Moaning at the first bite and immediately reaching for the chips to add more flavor.

------ Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @hardc0rehaylz @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger

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My Masterlist!  

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal character fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Marcus Pike #Marcus Pike x reader #Marcus Pike x you #Marcus Pike x female reader #Agent Marcus Pike #ex wife reader #The Mentalist #Mentalist fanfic #Teresa Lisbon #Patrick Jane

[shrenvents]

The Element of Surprise

Chapter four of the Miracle Aligner series

Alex's POV

It didn't take me long to arrive at the pub. Practically sprinting in, I spot Mickey raising a chair off a table. "Mickey?" I call with uncertainty. His head shoots in my direction. Upon seeing me, a blinding smile envelops his face and I nearly spin back out the door. "Alex Turner!" He shouts and I immediately recoil. Realizing his mistake of announcing my name, he slaps a hand over his mouth. "Sorry," he apologizes in a muffle, stalking towards me. "It's alright mate." We both then stand there awkwardly, unspeaking. "The guitar Mick," I voice plainly, snapping him out of whatever trance he's in. "Shit sorry!" He gestures widely, pivoting away from me.

When he returns, handing me the guitar, I don't move. Mickey gives me a once-over quickly. "Uh- can I have your number?" "No." "Thought so." He pouts. "So why're you still here?" I frown at his words and he lifts his hands in protest, waving them. "Not trying to be rude, just like, why?"

"Is Jennie here?" I pronounce while looking over both of Mickey's shoulders. He stares at me, looking puzzled, before clearly grasping my motives. He smirks. "No. Should I leave a message for you?" I ignore his mocking tone. "When's she in?" His face twists, "Not sure I can give out that kind of information buddy." His previous smirk creeps onto his face, "Unless there was a specific reason I should?" Mickey states suggestively. I roll my eyes and click my tongue. "No reason," I spit out.

Obviously regretting his decision to provoke me, Mickey sighs deeply. "I'm joking." Patting my forearm he admits, "But seriously, I legally can't give out staff member’s information to customers, even if they're Alex Turner." My temper eases when I survey his honest and sullen expression. Thinking, I rotate my head, taking in the pub's interior. Did I really come to this shithole last night?

"Does this place sell anything edible?" I doubtfully ask. Mickey visibly loosens.  "Yes, we do." He pulls out a chair for me, "Take a seat and I'll fetch you today's special." I barely nod in affirmation before he speeds off to the kitchen.

...

Two days later

Growing tired of checking my phone's clock for the seventh time tonight, I shove it back into my jacket pocket. Rising from my chair, I adjust my cap, dejected for the third time this week. Red was a no-show again.

"Leaving so soon?" Mickey exclaims from behind the bar. I swivel my neck and reply with a shrug, "I'm not really interested in finding out Friday's special, sorry Mick." He snickers. "It's not like you to give up so soon. I almost have the urge to give her a call." At this, I nearly flung my body over to Mickey. "You would do that?" I ask in disbelief.

"You've been here for the past three days." He laughs, "Some may find it creepy, maybe she'll find it charming." "Why haven't you offered to do this before?" I snap back.

"You never asked." He states plainly. I almost lay one on him then and there, but the promise of a call stops me from punching him. "Well?" I implore him, clasping my hands together in a plea. He nods meekly. "My phone's in the locker room, wait here if you can," he teases, making his way to the back room.

Five minutes later he returns, phone in hand, ringing her up. I glance at the screen which reads Rogen. "Rogen?" "Last name." He replies fleetly before the ringing ceases. "Heyyy J." The compulsion to snatch the phone from his hands rises expeditiously when he has the nerve to look at me and grin. "Yeah. He's here, again." He taunts. I nearly snarl.

Thousands of thoughts fizzled in my head. "Yeah sure," he babbles before delivering his phone to me. I hesitantly clutch his phone, mumbling, "Hello?" "Alexander?" "Alex." I correct, sighing with relief at the sound of her melodic voice. "Have you been coming to my place of employment for the past three days?" She questions me like I'm a toddler who got caught drawing on a plaster wall. "Yes I have, thank you for noticing," I retort humorlessly. Her laughter echoes through the phone.

Now smiling, I glance at Mickey, who carries the same look, and I spin away from his gaze with a sneer. "Sorry I've just been busy, and I like to stay as far away from that nasty place as I can." She states matter-of-factly.

I chuckle till my smile withers. "You left, without leaving your number Jennie." I resist reprimanding her, and she sighs quietly. "I know, sorry." She pauses. "I can be such a guy sometimes." I snort at her words. "May I have your number now Red?" I look to the ceiling for help while awaiting her answer. After a beat, she replies, "Hand me over to Mickey sweetie." My face flushes and I distractedly hand the phone to Mickey who looks equally confused. His expression then resolves and he states, "You might wanna get out a pen and paper sweetie."

...

"Get your head outta your arse Al! Focus." Zach demands with a shout. My eyes lift from my phone screen reluctantly.

Texting back and forth with Jennie had become a weekly habit. Two weeks to be exact. With my album's writing, recording, and everything in between, we haven't had the chance to connect properly. The desire to see that red hair once more was becoming overwhelming, so, my latest text entailed a "will you" and a "go out with me?" Said text also had yet to receive a reply for the last three hours.

The anticipation was killing me and I could hardly focus on my bandmates. "You disappear for days and come back with incredible songs, but somehow have lost the ability to count." Zach bellows in anger. "You missed your bit again Turner!" I stare blankly at Zach after his outburst, causing both Jamie and Miles to erupt with laughter. "Mate, what is wrong with you?" Miles questions while laughing. "Nothing," I grumble. They all give me a look of skepticism.

"Well snap outta it, we just gotta finish this last verse." Jaime dumbfoundedly shakes his head. Embarrassed, I plunge my phone into my jeans pocket and place my fingertips on the strings of my guitar.

...

Six hours later, our second song is finally done and I head out towards my hired car. At that moment, an incoming text staggers my step.

11:43 p.m. Jennie "Red" Rogen: Did you just ask me on a date Alexander? May need to think this one through XXX

Entering the car, I religiously read over her text. Feeling both rejection and bliss was a hell of a lot for one man alone. What's she playing at? All week we've been flirting, and now she's refusing me, sending kisses via text.

I'm at a loss for words and clearly hard of hearing as the driver repeats "Where to." His voice carries more of an edge the second time 'round. "Sorry mate," I pause, rethinking my destination while the driver's eyes leer at me through the rearview mirror. "Take me to Les Cactus." He nods a huff and instantaneously hits the gas.

...

As soon as we reach the curve, I hop out the vehicle and march towards the pub's entrance. I was done messing around. Now, a rather witless decision to confront Red head-on has become my top priority.

Beelining towards the ever-present bartender, I freeze. Red's back faces me and her scarlet lips brush Mickey's ear lightly, whispering. Her side presses against his while her hand clasps his shoulder. Stunned, I simply watch their interaction, scrutinizing the smile that consumes half of Mickey's face. My fists and jaw clench as various speculations of their conversation adorn my thoughts. I didn't like a single one of them.

Suddenly, Mickey detects me, eyes widening. "Alex?" As soon as my name leaves his mouth, Jennie's hand drops from his shoulder and her body whirls around. Like Mickey, her eyes enlarge and fill with confusion. Composing myself, I continue forward. Confidently striding to her, I get close enough that I have to peer down quite a bit. Maintaining eye contact I assert, "I did, so what's there to think about Red?"

I clock how she tenses, face unreadable. I audibly gulp. It's strange seeing such a woman speechless. But that silence didn't last long. "How bold of you to assume it would be so simple Mr. Turner." A sly smile grows on her face. I blow out the wind stuck in my lungs. "Nothing seems to be simple with you Jennie." I'll never get enough of saying her name, though, I like how calling her Red seems to rattle her.

A grunt is the only reply she gives before speaking again. "I don't even know you," she giggles. "Don't you think it's a little late to worry about that Red?" I clap back with humour, to which she grins knowingly. "How do you I don't regret that?" Her question nearly makes my assured demeanour falter. "I know you don't regret that night Red," I state with indifference. "And why's that?" "Because I was there." She stills, again, left speechless.

"Tomorrow night, I'll text you when and where," I mention nonchalantly before turning towards the exit. "Goodnight Red," I chuckle over my shoulder, glancing back one more time to drink in the priceless look on her face.

Chapter Five

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