#being a party coordinator would be stressful for us

[wardenparker]

Hummingbird Has Landed, ch 13

Marcus Pike x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

After the debacle of his failed engagement and relocating to Washington to take charge of his task force, newly minted Special Agent Marcus Pike is ready to get back out into the dating pool once more. A slew of bad dates has him feeling a little down, and he takes an old friend up on an invitation to get away and get his head on straight. Imagine his surprise when he finds not only fresh air, but his soulmate as well - hiding in plain sight but in the unlikeliest of places.

Rating: M for Mature but this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 14.5k Warnings: *Blanket warnings for this series: occasional mention of American politics, pregnant character, food/alcohol consumption, mentions of clothing/regulated dressing for occasions, mentions of therapy because we believe in self care here, reader is in a previous relationship, love triangle, reader is mentioned as turning 30 during the course of the story, dom/sub dynamics* Shitty exes being shitty, anxiety, stress of confusion, attempted sabotage. A bit of dirty flirting in there for good measure. Summary: When you and Marcus stumble upon the perfect place for your engagement party, things get complicated by Sam's plans to rent the very same venue. Notes: I'm sure I missed some errors in the proofreading, but such is life. Please enjoy, my dears! Chapter photo from Monticello's website.

Ch1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~ Ch 12

The idea happened a bit by accident, but a few days after your goddaughter was born, once Sydney and Juan and Constance were comfortably and safely at home, Marcus had convinced you to take the last of your days off and go out to Monticello with him for some fresh air and historical tourism. The numerous tours and lunch at the café on the vast grounds are exactly the break that you need, and you're bent over the map together on the sunny grounds when you tilt your head and look up at him beside you.

"Ya know..." The idea is just a hum in the back of your throat. "I bet they're booked ages in advance to do events here...but it might be worth asking if they have an opening or a cancellation sometime soon."

"What are you thinking of having here?" He's not even arguing against the idea, just trying to get a feel for what you are starting to plan. "I don't think we can build our house here." He teases, having nearly gone cross eyed from going through house plans with you over the last two days.

"No, we're definitely not doing that." You roll your eyes playfully and nudge him. The work on the house is finally underway and now you've moved on to talking about decorating so it feels like square one of an entirely new project instead of just a new phase on a continuing one. "I was thinking it would be a hell of a place for an engagement party if they have an opening before Thanksgiving. But I doubt it."

Marcus contemplates it, looking around with his hands on his hips and hums. "I think it would be good." He agrees before glancing back at you with a smirk. "There's only one way to find out if they have any dates available." He teases. "We've got to ask."

"Gee, what a shocking idea." When you poke him in the side it comes with a giggle and you motion back at the visitor's center behind you. "Let's go see if anyone is in to chat with us about it."

Marcus snickers, wrapping his hand around your waist and tugging you closer while he snatches up the map with his free hand. "Let's go. Touring can wait."

Inside the Visitor's Center, the middle–aged woman sitting at the desk is pleasantly chatting with the last guests of a long line before turning her smile on you and Marcus. "Well hello there dears," she greets, just as pleasantly as a sunshiney summer day. "How can I help you?"

“My fiancée and I were hoping to talk to an events coordinator?” He glances back at you for confirmation at the title and when you nod, he turns and beams at her. “Is there one available, or do we need to make an appointment, Miss….” He glances at her name badge. “Amber?”

“Well certainly there is, but she is just finishing up a meeting at the moment.” Amber glances at her computer screen and back again without the smile ever leaving her face. “They should be done in just a few minutes if you’d like to wait and speak to her afterward?”

Marcus turns back to you, “do you want to wait, sweetheart?” He asks, rubbing your waist gently. Still proud as a peacock at being your fiancé.

“Why not?” There’s still a chance that there are no openings anytime soon, but waiting around for a few minutes to ask won’t hurt anything.

“Wonderful.” Amber picks up the telephone on her desk and pushes a few buttons with that everlasting smile on her face. “I’ll let her know she has someone waiting. May I have your name, sir?”

Marcus smiles as he gives your name and tries not to smirk when it’s obvious she recognizes the surname. “And Marcus Pike.”

“One moment, please.” The conversation that Amber heads into the receiver is hurried and she tries not to be terribly animated but you catch her glancing up at you once during the frazzled conversation and you smile kindly in response.

Marcus leans over and nuzzles your neck. “Hopefully she’s a political support of your mom and not firmly against her.” He teases quietly.

“Fingers crossed,” you laugh back quietly.

Marcus chuckles in your ear, holding you close as you both politely wait for the phone call to be finished.

When Amber sets down the receiver, she offers you and Marcus a warm smile and motions to a set of chairs to your side in the lobby of the Visitor's Center. "Melanie will be right with you. She will only be a few minutes more."

“Thank you.” Marcus thanks her sincerely and guides you to the chairs.

It's about ten minutes later than a tall, pretty blonde in a floral dress appears from around a corner, leading two people back toward the lobby of the building. If you hadn't watched them come into view you would have said it was too ridiculous. Too much of a coincidence. But there they are – Sam and Vanessa side–by–side with a notebook and pen in Vanessa's hands and Sam gesturing authoritatively all the way.

Marcus stiffens slightly, his hand squeezing yours gently and he wonders if he should stand and greet them or pretend that they aren’t known to you or him.

It only takes a split second, but the decision is taken from you almost instantly. Sam spots you from across the lobby and pauses only momentarily before aiming the group of them directly for you instead of toward the exit. “Looks like we’re doing this,” you murmur to Marcus, and stand with his hand still in yours as your exes approach.

“Congressman Chase, Vanessa.” Marcus greets both of them politely, if a little stiffly. Formal. Something that couldn’t be misinterpreted by anyone as rude. “What a surprise to see you both.”

“Well this is a surprise.” Sam doesn’t offer to shake Marcus Pike’s hand or yours, barely looking at you while the well–dresses blonde that had been walking with them senses the tension right away.

“Congressman. Miss D’Amario.” She looks nervous too, by association. Unlike Miss Amber at the desk, she knows exactly who is in front of her. “Let me just get you that last brochure, shall I?”

Marcus doesn’t say anything else, just rubbing the back of your hand gently and watching as the blonde guides them back towards the desk. “Well, I’m not sure why they are here.” He murmurs quietly.

“Who knows?” You huff quietly, holding onto him for stability. “Maybe the same reason we are.”

“No, no.” Sam’s voice is distinct in the echoing building. “We want to have the event at the house.” He is insisting loudly. “Not on an overlooking lawn.”

“I’m very sorry, sir, but as I explained to you, we have four locations across the grounds for private events.” With the patience of a saint, Melanie explains yet again. “Each location has multiple rooms available for hosting. However, the historical house is not one of them.”

“That’s is not good enough.” Sam tried charming her, but now it’s time to be serious. “Don’t you know what this is for?”

“Yes Congressman, you’ve been very clear about that.” Her painted on smile is placid and professional, even if her nerves are fraying slightly. “But with respect, even if the president wanted to have a campaign event here, the house would still not be an option.”

“There has to be a way to make this happen.” He glances over at you and Marcus, frowning slightly at why you are here. Another symbol of why he is having to fight so hard to make things happen. You’ve screwed him over.

“It is not an option we have available.” The woman’s eyes track his, glancing over at you in the lobby. She knows the ticking time bomb she has in her hands. She had been following the new first family in the news since the election. “And I assure you that our answer for anyone else will be the same.”

The shift of her eyes irritates him. Signifying that he’s not the most important person in the room. Clenching his jaw, he shakes his head. “I would hate for this to descend into a legal battle.” He speaks as if it’s not a threat but then he shifts topics. “What days are available?”

“If you are looking to hold an event next month, our lawn here is entirely booked aside from the night of Saturday the fourteenth. We had a cancellation that night. Otherwise we have smaller spaces available on several days but your maximum capacity for the event would be sixty people.”

"That will not be enough for our needs." Sam insists. "We would need the entire venue."

"We will be happy to accommodate the number of guests you quoted on the lawn on Saturday the fourteenth." The otherwise very pleasant looking blonde smothers a sigh of frustration and hands a brochure over to Vanessa, who accepts it with a snap of her hand and clips to the folder she is carrying. "Beyond that, our next available date to accommodate that many guests would be in January."

"Fine." He's not happy and he will be having a word with the proper people to get the answers he wants. "We will let you know, but pencil us in."

"The date will be held for twenty–four hours. At which time I will be happy to accept your deposit or establish an alternative plan with you for another space on the property, otherwise the availability will be released to other clients." When she smiles this time there is a measure of relief in it. "If there is anything else I can do for you, or anything other questions I can answer for you, please feel free to contact me. My office hours and direct line are listed on the card that I gave to your assistant."

Vanessa straightens slightly, tall and proud beside Sam. Her eyes flicker over to the pair of you to see if you are watching. Curious to know why you are here and desperate to not appear that way.

“Fine.” Sam bristles, disliking being told ‘no’ and placing the blame squarely on one single set of shoulders. No one had told him no while he was publicly dating the First Daughter. His effort to organize re–election events shouldn’t be nearly this hard, but here he is. Having to take meetings himself instead of making a simple phone call or just sending Vanessa on his behalf. But without knowing for certain why you and that FBI lackey of yours are here, he wants to see if he can at least eavesdrop on the beginning of your meeting before he leaves.

When Melanie shakes hands with Sam and Vanessa again, turning to walk towards you and Marcus, the two of you stand. “Thank you for taking the time to see us.” He starts, offering the slightly frazzled woman a sincere smile. “Hopefully our questions won’t be too arduous.”

“I’m sure they won’t be.” She wants to say that nothing would be as arduous as the meeting she just took, but that would be less than professional. She shakes your hand in turn and motions toward the direction she had come from with the congressman. “Why don’t we go to my office?”

Marcus does the polite thing and nods to Sam and Vanessa, a little surprised when the woman who had ended things with him amicably turns her head to snub him. He doesn’t say anything, just guides you to office, following behind Melanie at a few paces.

“Here we are.” Down a hall and up a few stairs, she stops and opens the door of an office to let you and Marcus inside. “My name is Melanie O’Neil and I’m the special event coordinator here at Monticello. I understand you’re interesting in planning an event with us?”

“Sweetheart?” Marcus looks towards you to take the lead, smiling softly.

"We were hoping you might have availability in the beginning of October, though I know that is short notice," you explain, but you did hear her rattle off some dates to Sam in the lobby. "We're interested in having our engagement party here."

“Engagement?” Her eyes widen happily as she takes in the sight of a happy couple in love. “Delightful.” She shuffles through the book and nods. “We have Saturday the fourteenth, I’m afraid that it is the only date available.” She tilts her head. “Someone else has expressed interest, but they have not paid to reserve it.” She would not feel bad about direct Sam Chase somewhere else.

"That would be fine with us, but I insist on waiting the appropriate twenty–four hours to give the other interested party their fair chance." You won't have Sam whining to some blogger about how you stole his venue space. That just won't fly. "Can you tell us a little about how you organize the space or if you have caterers on site?"

“It is the lawn area.” Motioning to the large detailed map of the event areas, she indicates a gorgeous area close to the water. “We can set up the space to accommodate practically any needs. A dance floor, a bar, string lighting.” She explains. “Tents are approved but they have to be provided by Monticello, to make sure that we don’t have someone coming in and destroying the grounds. Catering can be provided or you can invite someone in to cater for you.”

“That all sounds very reasonable.” The pricing is also reasonable for the location and what is being offered, and Melanie shows you and Marcus a brochure of price packages. “So we could select to have you provide the bar, tents, tables, chairs, lighting, and a dance floor…and we can bring in our own catering?”

“Absolutely.” She agrees with a nod and smile. “We pride ourselves on making sure that our clients have the best possible time.”

“And…” Glancing over at Marcus and then at the door where Agent Bailey is currently standing as nonchalantly as possible while keeping her eyes open. “You won’t have a problem with having the Secret Service on property?”

“Oh no.” If she’s shocked by the question, she doesn’t show it. “We will follow the lead of your security at all times. I do have to warn you that there are other events that day, but we keep the spaces separate.”

“That’s wonderful.” It’s hard to believe that anyone would have a problem doing business with this woman, but then…some people are quite picky. And you know Sam is one of them. “Honey, did you have any questions or ideas?” You ask, wanting to make sure Marcus is in on this planning.

Marcus considers the space and looks towards you. “Live band?” He asks. “Can there be speakers placed?”

“Certainly.” Melanie smiles at that and scribbles an additional note in the pad in front of her. “We have a bandstand ready to be put up when needed. As long as we’re not talking about a full scale orchestra, that can be accommodated.”

“No, nothing like that.” Marcus laughs. “I don’t think we would want to be that pretentious for an engagement party. We just want to have fun, right Birdie?”

“I don’t even want a big orchestra for the wedding, let alone the engagement party.” You agree, laughing a little at the very idea of it. It’s utterly ridiculous. You’re not orchestra people even if you do both like classical music sometimes. “No, I think we’re talking about something very reasonable. Nothing too big or too nit–picky.”

“I think that’s the best option, a live band and then we have a playlist for when they are taking breaks.” Marcus agrees looking towards Melanie. “Do you have a lot of bands that you work with? I’m not too familiar with the scene here.”

“We have a few.” She nods, turning to her computer, presumably to print out a list. “Mostly the kind you would hire for a wedding. Cover bands like that get a lot of work out here.”

“I would imagine they would.” Marcus agrees, looking towards you. “What do you think, sweetheart? Unless you have someone specific?”

“No, I think that sounds perfect.” Live music is definitely something you both feel strongly about, and it continues to incorporate local artists into the fold of every one of your events. It’s an excellent plan. “Can I leave you my number, and ask you to give me a call tomorrow to tell me whether or not Congressman Chase decides to take the date?” You ask Melanie as politely as possible. “If he doesn’t, I think we’ll be very glad to have it.”

“I will most assuredly call you.” She promises with a smile, hoping that she deals with you instead of the congressman.

“Then how about a tour?” You suggest, offering the woman a smile.

“That would be wonderful.” Marcus agrees. “If you have time, of course.”

“Of course.” Melanie stands from her desk again. “Come along with me.”

******

“What if we just stayed here?” You groan for the second time this morning, burrowing deeper into Marcus’s side in bed as the sun rises higher in the morning sky. It’s early but you have a lot to do. His parents and a few other friends and family are arriving this morning for the engagement party tonight. The planning had gone well for being such short notice, but that still doesn’t mean you want to leave the warmth of your fiancé’s side just yet. There are a thousand things to do today before the party tonight, but you’ll manage. You just want a few more minutes of quiet with Marcus before facing it all.

“Then we will have a party that will be will be talked about for ages.” Marcus hums in amusement. “An engagement party where the couple doesn’t arrive.” He rubs your back gently. “We could start a new fad.”

“It would be very mysterious of us,” you snicker, knowing you and Marcus are some of the least mysterious people on the planet.

“Yes it would. I think everyone would start a manhunt for us.” He laughs.

“Probably not the best idea,” you admit, even if it makes you laugh. “Since the Secret Service would be involved in the manhunt.”

“Millions of taxpayer dollars, wasted.” He snorts, smirking at you slightly. “All the helicopters they would bring out.”

You snort, looking up at him in the morning light and sigh dramatically to get one more laugh from him. "I guess we should get up then, huh?"

“If we have to.” This time, he’s the one pouting. “Our honeymoon needs to be someplace quiet. A cabin in the mountains. Where we just stay in bed all day.”

"You know you can go stay at the hotel where they filmed Dirty Dancing, right?" As you drag yourself out of bed on the morning of your engagement party, talking about your honeymoon sounds like the perfect conversation.

“Really?” Marcus hums, intrigued by the idea. “It’s really up in the Catskills, isn’t it?”

"It is." Unconcerned with wearing anything night for the first part of the day, you go straight to your closet for jeans and a t–shirt. You'll change into the silver cocktail dress you have picked out later tonight. "And they supposedly really lean into the Dirty Dancing thing, which is fun."

“I’m sure Agent Bailey would love an isolated cabin to have us locked away.” He teases. “If you want to look into that, I’m completely game.”

“It’s a far cry from our original idea.” Which is neither good nor bad, just worth pointing out. “Paris is very different from a cabin in the Catskills.”

“That’s true.” Marcus stops and turns to you. “I love the idea of both, each for very different reasons.” He admits with a grin. “Whatever you want, as long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy.”

“We could always make up a little list?” You offer, ultimately pulling an old college t–shirt out of your closet with a clean bra. “And then narrow it down after we settle on a wedding date?”

“That works for me.” Marcus agrees, watching you as you start to get dressed. It’s probably his favorite part of the day, unless you count undressing.

"Where else might you want to go?" He's watching carefully and you wiggle your hips a little in his direction.

Marcus grunts, feeling his body respond to the little tease and he’s honestly wondering if he can take you back to bed for another hour. “Um…you pick.” He tells you. “A beach?”

"The beach is good." If you reach for a pair of nearly non–existent panties just to keep teasing him? Well, who can blame you for that? "Sand and swimming and sunny skies. Are you thinking Mexico or Mediterranean?"

Marcus blows out a breath when you pull out the see through lace that is literally just scraps of cloth posing as panties. “Mexico would be nice. Somewhere off the beaten path?”

"Someplace with a little bungalow and a private beach?" Since Marcus likes to tease you just as much as you like to tease him, you don't feel bad for even a second about bending over dramatically in front of him so he can have the best view of your ass when you put your panties on. "Hawaii could be fun, too."

“Too many people.” He immediately grunts. “Too many cameras.”

That makes you smirk, and you throw it over your shoulder at him. “So you’re looking to have me all to yourself?”

“Absolutely.” He nods immediately, finding your eyes for a moment before he goes back to ogling you. “All mine.”

“Well that’s true even if we go someplace not isolated.” Deciding to continue messing with him just a tiny bit, you grab your tightest jeans to slip into while you’re still talking. “I’ve been yours since the day we met.”

“But I’m thinking more of being able to strip you down whenever I want.” He admits with a grin. Completely unrepentant at the idea. “Maybe not even pack clothes.”

“If that’s what we’re going to do, we can lock ourselves in the house and Door Dash every meal.” You remind him, finally going to put on your bra and shirt. “Our honeymoon is a chance to have an adventure together. A sexy adventure, but still an adventure.”

“Get your head out of the gutter, got it.” He winks and shoots finger guns at you playfully. “Like it said, just ideas.”

“Listen,” you grin in response to his silliness. “If we decide on a winter wedding, we’re absolutely going someplace tropical to get away. I’m not looking to put snowshoeing on our itinerary.”

“So an Alaskan dog sledding race is off the table?” He jokes, snickering to himself.

“You don’t like snow either, Texas.” But both of you laugh, and as you shimmy into your t–shirt you’re already feeling better about the day. “Also…I don’t think a winter wedding sounds ideal. Even DC gets snow, and we lose any chance of having part of the night outside.”

“Yeah, I’ve never understood the ‘Winter Wonderland’ theme some people go for.” He admits with a huff. “Freezing my nut— uh, toes off doesn’t sound fun.”

“No,” you snort and tug him up out of bed to get dressed with you. “Freezing your nuts off does not sound fun.”

“Caught that, huh?” He huffs, even if he’s well aware that you don’t mind that kind of humor. “I don’t think you would like it either. You seem to like that part of my body.”

“I like that part of your body very much.” Your smirk is puckish. “Just as much as you like my tits.”

“Don’t forget your ass.” He reminds you, smirking as he pulls off his sleep shirt to get dressed. “I like that too. Oh and your thighs.”

“I like all parts of you and you like all parts of me.” You bite your lip unconsciously when he starts to change, always admiring of your fiancé in as many ways as he’ll let you at any given time. Marcus isn’t vain. He doesn’t dedicate himself to cut abs and weight lifting. But he does go to the gym to be in shape for his job and that combined with his love of food has made him broad and strong with a layer of cushioning softness that you adore.

“Then it sounds like we are a perfect match.” He winks at you as you eye him. Turning around and wiggling his own hips playfully, even though he has a flat ass.

It gets a snort and a giggle from you, and you swat at him playfully. “Do you want to go downstairs for breakfast or have something up here?”

“Completely up to you, love.” He promises. “I’ve heard rumors that Syd has been haunting the kitchens with a snuggly little Constance strapped to her chest.

“I keep telling her that maternity leave exists for a reason, but she can’t stay away.” Not that you blame her. You know for damn certain that you won’t be able to stay away from the inn after you’ve had your kids, either. “Let’s go down and say hello.”

He snorts to himself, well aware that he will be fighting the same battle Juan is when you are recovering from giving birth. “I think we need to just build her a house on the property too.” He tells you. “Make sure she’s close enough to rest.”

“The house is almost done.” Just one more month, according to the contractors. “Maybe we should keep the apartment up here as a resting space for the staff for a while? Before we turn it into a guest suite.”

“Orrrrrr…” Marcus tilts his head as he looks around the apartment. It’s not large, but it’s large enough. “What if we turned it into a small area for a nanny?” He asks. “Someone to come and watch Constance and the future Pike brood for us?” He had been thinking about it and it seemed like a good idea and it would allow everyone peace of mind in knowing the kids are close.

“That…” Your eyes flick up to his, wistful smile tugging at your lips and warmth blooming in your heart. “Sounds like a wonderful idea.” Marcus has an uncanny ability to see the future so clearly that it might make you envious if you weren’t so grateful to have him as your partner. “I genuinely love that, baby.”

“You do?” He asks, wondering if you are just agreeing to it because you are so in love with him right now. “I figured it would be a good way for you to see the babies, ours and Syd’s, anytime you get a chance.”

“It’s a lot more practical than driving them to daycare in town only to come back here for work.” Instinct and affection make you want to snuggle into his side again, but you know you have things to do around the possibility that your baby goddaughter is downstairs make you reach for a cardigan instead of your fiancé. “I think it’s smart. And will probably save us some anxiety in the long run.”

“I think so.” Marcus agrees quickly. “There’s someone dedicated to watching them, so work can be uninterrupted, but you can see and snuggle them when needed.”

“Don’t pretend you won’t be working through your lunches sometimes just to get home to them sooner.” It’s an image you can see so vividly that it almost makes you glow, knowing how much Marcus is looking forward to being a father to as many kids as you can manage together.

“Have to make it home before the sun goes down.” He scoffs. “How else will we play ball? It can’t be in the house.”

“The only balls anybody’s playing with in the house are yours when I give you head,” you tell him unequivocally, nudging him toward the bedroom door once you’re both dressed to go brush your teeth together so you can go downstairs and eat.

He snorts in amusement, although he can’t deny that you do play with his balls while you are blowing him. Smacking his lips to your cheek before he loads up your toothbrush and then his, he winks in the mirror – thoroughly enjoying the everyday chores with you.

You’re on your way downstairs within about fifteen minutes. Agent Bailey is downstairs by your office when the elevator opens, having opened up to giving you more space now that you have an armed federal officer in the apartment with you every night. Around the corner and into the kitchen, you have to smother a squeal of delight when you see Syd hovering by the line with little Constance in her baby carrier strapped safely to mama’s chest.

“Told you.” Marcus bumps your arms and immediately grins when he sees the little girl. Shes not too old to stay awake for long and she’s snoozing peacefully while the chaos of the kitchen goes on around her. “This has to be her lullaby.” He jokes. “She grew in the womb to it.”

“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness.” You scurry to Sydney’s side without hesitation to hug her gently and peer into little Constance’s face. “Hello angel! Oh my goodness she’s so sweet when she sleeps!”

“She’s actually one of those babies that sleeps better amidst the noise!” Sydney laughs and rubs her daughter’s back through the sling, leaning against you instantly. “You caught me, huh?”

“I’m not even cross that you’re poking around work while you’re supposed to be resting because you brought the baby,” you admit, although you restrain yourself from doing anything besides admiring Constance. Waking her up by accident would be awful. “Are you guys feeling okay about coming out tonight?” Juan’s mother had assured her son and daughter–in–law that the baby would be in expert hands if they wanted to make the engagement party their first outing since her birth. And you had also assured them that you wouldn’t be offended if they only came to the party for dinner and headed home before the dancing to be with their little girl.

“I’m looking forward to it.” She admits with a lopsided smile. “Just forgive me if I text my mother–in–law six hundred times to check on her?” She asks, knowing you would never be upset about that. “I don’t know how we are ever going to drop her into a daycare. That’s if we find one that will open up in the next six months.” They have been on a wait list for the daycare of their choice since she found out she was pregnant. There are still twelve other couples on the wait list ahead of them.

“Marcus actually had an idea about that.” A proud grin to your fiancé on the other side of the kitchen where he is getting your breakfast from Syd’s sous chef lights up your whole face. “Why don’t we bring dinner over to your place after the weekend is over and the chaos subsides, and we’ll tell you about it?”

“Of course.” She grins at the way the two of you had made deep and lasting plans. Knowing you deserve all that and so much more. “Indian?” She suggests. “I’m craving curry.”

“We’ll get take out from Rasika. Whatever you want.” While it might be one of your and Marcus’s favourite take out spots, it’s also a favorite of your friend group so that is an easy answer. “And you text home as much as you need to tonight, love.” Casting your eye from mother to daughter, your smile softens and your heart aches from wanting one of your own. “This little angel is worth it.”

“Isn’t she?” Like any new mother, her daughter is the most perfect thing to ever exist. “She’s feeding for longer. She ate four whole ounces yesterday when Juan fed her a bottle.” She’s pumping and they are bottle feeding to make sure Juan gets his own bonding time with Constance when Sydney isn’t breastfeeding. Plus there are times the still recovering mother is too tired to do it. So it helps them tag team their newborn.

You and Syd can and have cooed together over her growing girl for hours at a time, so you don’t even realize you’ve been standing there for ten solid minutes being an absolutely doting pair of sentimental idiots until Marcus comes up behind you and gently slides one hand around your waist.

“You need to eat, sweetheart.” He reminds you, whispering in your ear as he watches the baby sleep against her mother’s chest. He’s gotten to hold her for a bit, but he lets you hold her more when the opportunity presents itself. “We have a lot to do before the party.”

There are two plates with pesto–prosciutto breakfast panini on them sitting on the counter nearby along with two oversized ice coffees and you relent, leaning back against Marcus after giving Syd one more gentle squeeze. “You’re right,” you sigh. “I just want to stare at this little nugget of a baby forever.”

“I know.” Marcus chuckles. “How many times have you thought about having our first since she’s been born?” He teases, knowing he’s also been hit by baby fever as well.

“Like fifteen times a day every single day.” You can’t help but laugh, knowing he feels the same, and you let him peel you away from the baby reluctantly when Syd’s sous chef has a question for her. “Fifteen is a minimum estimate, by the way.”

“I was honestly thinking it was more like thirty.” He laughs. “I’m about that too.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t wait a whole year to get married?” The idea hums through you with excitement. Being able to have a wedding date by tonight would be a fun little plus.

“When’s the last time the roses bloom in the Rose Garden?” Marcus asks, knowing you want to have your wedding there.

“September, really.” The first week of September would be a full year from when Marcus proposed, which seems tidy to you in a way you weren’t expecting but makes you smile. “What if we did early September? Would that step on Constance’s first birthday?”

“I think we should talk about it with the parents, but I don’t see that being a problem honestly.” Marcus hums happily.

"I heard parents!" Syd calls across the kitchen, fearless in the face of a miracle baby who truly can sleep through the chaos of a kitchen. She bounces subtly as she walks across the room, making sure her daughter is comfortable against her chest, and leans against the counter where you and Marcus are having your breakfast. "What's up?"

“We were talking about wedding dates.” Marcus admits, glancing at you with a small smirk. “We don’t want to schedule something to step on the birthday girl’s toes.” He reaches out and caresses the sleeping baby with the back of index finger.

"Were you guys thinking of doing it in September?" She asks, eyes sliding over to you and when you nod through a bite of food she smiles. "What if we pick a different weekend?" Sydney suggests. "I don't want to suggest doing the baby's birthday in place of a day–after brunch or anything. So we can just do two weekends in a row?"

“Or we could.” Marcus offers with a grin. “I know my family is up for celebrating a baby’s first birthday. Especially since they are going to fall in love with her tonight.” He warns. “Constance will be gaining a lot of aunts and uncles.”

"We weren't really planning on having a day–after event anyway," you assure her. There are already so many wedding events on your plate that adding one more sounds overwhelming to you. "What if we added more of Juan's family to the wedding guest list so they'll already be in town, and the next day we can all relax with something much more casual? It sounds...kind of perfect, actually."

“I think that Juan would like that. I thinks it’s perfect.” Their friendship had grown even closer and Juan had confided he wanted more time with his family. It’s the perfect opportunity. “We can book out the inn, right?” He asks you. “And get more hotel rooms, of course.” He chuckles. “My mom has already said she wants to stay here but the Watergate Hotel is calling her name.”

"We could have Connie's birthday here?" You raise an eyebrow to Syd in question. "We'll be surrounded by family and friends and you'll barely have to roll out of bed to get here." The Badillo house is close by and you and Marcus will be more or less in the inn's backyard.

"Comfort food, family event, and very casual." Sydney laughs, but she is nodding her head. "Sean has been a great sous chef. I know he can handle that even with my nitpicky ass hovering over everything."

“It sounds like we have a plan.” Marcus agrees. “So I think our wedding day needs to be the day before little Connie’s birthday.”

"September ninth." Of course you and Sydney say it at the same time, grinning at each other. Constance was born in the wee hours of the tenth.

"That means it will be a long weekend for people. It will be good to give them the date well in advance." It will be beautiful, is what it will be. Beautiful, and fun, and an occasion well worth celebrating.

**

His suit and your dress in the trunk of the car, Marcus steers towards the venue happily. “So we start getting set up, the band should be there first, right?” He asks. “Get the sound check done before the other vendors?”

"Yeah, that's what we planned on." A White House photographer will also be on hand, documenting the event for any press that Annette deems appropriate. You've left it entirely to her. "Melanie will be there to direct traffic, and she has a room for us to change and keep personal affects in."

“My parents are landing in about an hour.” He reminds you. “They will be out here to help and generally support us as soon as they drop bags in the hotel.”

"Selena, Leo, and Clark are all meeting us out here around the same time. They're riding together." The contingent from Dallas that has moved to DC in the last few months have banded together well and are all excited to join the next board game night. Bringing your friends and his together has been exceptionally easy.

“Perfect.” Marcus chuckles. “It’s a good thing the bartender will be showing up next.” He jokes. “Seriously, if we need to get any last minute items, mom said she’ll send dad.”

"I'm just glad we decided not to do flowers." It had been Junie's idea. During the Friday night dinner after you had booked Monticello, the discussion at the table had turned to decor and when your mother's ideas for florals got overcomplicated it had been your sister who suggested having a few large, live plants amongst the tents and lights and candles on the tables instead. "Melanie pulled those potted plants and light plans out of nowhere and I love her for it."

“I think it will make the wedding even more special.” Marcus admits. “Flowers don’t need to be at every event.”

"The rose garden is going to be spectacular." Your genuine excitement for that is infectious enough that it makes Marcus beam brightly at you as he pulls his car into the large lot around the Monticello visitor center.

“Wow.” Marcus frowns slightly as he sees all the vendor vans. “Are they early?”

"They must be." You check the time on your phone and frown to see that it is a full forty–five minutes before the caterer is set to arrive, and two of the vans nearby are marked with a florist's logo. "Maybe it's for one of the other locations on the property? Melanie did say they had multiple events tonight."

“That has to be it.” He agrees, although he knows the other venues have their own designated parking on the other side. He sends you a smile as he parks. “Let’s go get started.”

Melanie is waiting for you inside, smiling and ready in the lobby. “It’s so good to see you!” The nice thing about her is that she seems to actually mean it. “Your caterers just got here, and the florists are starting to unload. We’re doing great for time.”

“Uh...” Marcus shakes his head and looks towards you. “We don’t have a florist.” He reminds her. “The potted plants were what we decide, right?” He asks, wanting to make sure that the plan hadn’t changed.

"And I confirmed the arrival time with the caterers this morning. They aren't supposed to be here for another hour." Your worried eyes meet Marcus's and then Melanie's. "I think there has been some kind of mix–up."

Her brow furrows for a moment and she nods. “I will go make sure they aren’t supposed to be on the other side of the mansion.” She decides, sure that it’s a simple mistake.

"I'm sure it's nothing." The words come out of your mouth but you aren't convinced. Instead, you squeeze Marcus's hand in yours and head to the small room beside Melanie's office to store your party clothes and purse until you're ready to change.

“I’m sure it will all be worked out.” Marcus promises, reassuring you even if he has his own worry. “Come on, let’s go see the space.”

Once your things are stowed away, the pair of you step outside to the lawn to check out the tents, lights, and plants as they should be finished being put up. But instead of seeing potted plants and fairy lights there are sunflower arrangements and autumn harvest centerpieces stacked out on the banquet tables. Even the tables have the wrong color tablecloths – deep navy instead of the seasonal shade of red that you had picked out.

“Well, shit.” Marcus huffs, clearly seeing the problem and he quickly steps over to the young lady that is directing the flowers. “Excuse me.” He interrupts politely. “I’m afraid there is a problem.”

"There is?" She looks spooked, almost like a deer in the headlights with the large arrangement of flowers in her hands. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure–who are you, exactly?"

“Sorry.” He’s always going to fall back to manners, so he offers her an apologetic smile. “I’m Marcus Pike and this is my fiancée.” He introduces you. “We are setting up for our engagement party tonight and we don’t have floral arrangements.” He explains kindly. “Are you sure you have the right spot here? I know there’s several events happening tonight.”

“Oh!” She laughs in obvious relief and digs in her pocket to pull out some folded paperwork to show you both. “I think you’re in the wrong place, Mr. Pike. We’re setting up for Mr. Chase.”

Fuck. Marcus feels you tense beside him, but he shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry, but I’m not in the wrong place.” He tells her kindly aware that she is a vendor caught in the middle of something. It’s not her fault. “My fiancée and I rented out this space for tonight. Mr. Chase must have gotten his dates mixed up.” Marcus is well aware that isn’t the case, but he won’t air dirty laundry in front of her. “Here.” He pulls out his own contract for the venue that he had slipped into his pocket, always one to cover his bases and he’s glad that paid off.

“That’s weird…” Looking at both contracts, the florist frowns heavily and offers you both an apologetic expression. “Let me get my boss. Hang on one second,” she says before scurrying away.

“Shit.” Marcus hisses, turning towards you. “What are the odds it’s a mix up on Melanie’s part?” He knows the answer, and so do you.

“Zero. That woman is so meticulous it makes Juan look scatterbrained.” Closing your eyes against the frustrated outburst that is pushing on your chest right now, you lean into Marcus and exhale slowly. “I honestly can’t believe he’d go this far.”

“Just plaster on that amazing customer service charm and I will dazzle them with kindness.” He murmurs, leaning in and kissing your temple. “We have the contract for the venue.”

“I love you.” Murmured words aren’t enough to keep your heart from pounding with anxiety, but his arms around you are. Marcus hugs you tight and you just find yourself wondering what the hell happened to turn Sam into this vindictive monster…or if he was always this way and you never knew him at all.

“I love you too, sweetheart.” He promises. “It’s just a small bump in the road.”

“I hope you’re right.” It’s terrifying to think that things might go so entirely wrong so early. It isn’t something that sits well with you, especially not when you have almost a hundred people coming tonight.

“It will.” He promises again, kissing your forehead again. “We have a legal contract.”

A serious looking woman with short gray hair and a clipboard comes back with the girl who had scurried away, and she introduces herself only to Marcus with forceful authority. "I understand we have some confusion on our hands?"

“Yes madam.” Marcus shows her the contract that Melanie had given him, clearly stating the space and date were his and gives her an apologetic smile. “I’m afraid your client is mistaken.”

"I'm sure that's not right." The prim woman doesn't even look at the paperwork that is being presented to her. "The Congressman was very specific in his planning and we are right on time in setting up for tonight."

“The Congressman was mistaken.” Marcus insists, a little more firmly. “The First Daughter signed this contract to rent this space tonight for her engagement party. Which the President will be in attendance for.” Titles seem to impress this woman, so he throws out a few that are sure to get her attention.

"Let's see if we can't get all of this sorted out." Melanie has appeared, looking frazzled but quickly recomposing herself with a young man in tow behind her. "It seems that our event staff did not verify paperwork for the caterer or florist when you arrived." She offers the gray–haired woman a professional smile, but you get the impression that the kid behind her with his tail tucked between his legs is going to get his ass kicked for this mistake. "May I see both sets of reservations, please? I'm sure we can get this cleared up quickly."

Marcus steps back and lets Melanie take over, sure that she will be able to clear things up quickly. He turns to you and gives you a reassuring smile.

"Well, I'm not sure what went wrong." After looking over both contracts, Melanie holds tight to both and looks between her actual clients and the florist who apparently should not be here. "But unfortunately, Congressman Chase never reserved this date or location with my office, did not make any payment on the space, and certainly is not hosting an event here tonight. So I'm going to have to ask you to leave, I'm afraid. We do have a contracted event here tonight and our security will be very tight."

“I’m sorry?” Blinking owlishly, the prim woman shakes her head, obviously not used to being told no. “Congressman Chase has a campaign event here tonight. Many important people will be here.”

"More important than the President of the United States?" Melanie challenges, not backing down. What she does, though, is turn to you and Marcus and apologize. "I will take care of this. If you would like to have a seat inside, I will absolutely come and let you know when everything is resolved."

“Thank you.” Marcus takes your arm and leads you towards the building so Melanie can deal with things. “You might want to call that White House press person.” He murmurs quietly. “I have a feeling Chase did this on purpose.”

"I don't know what the hell we did to deserve this," you huff, pulling out your phone to call Annette. She's probably on her way to the venue already but you know she was coming with her husband so hopefully he's driving and she can talk.

“I think he’s got a fucking screw loose.” Marcus mutters, shaking his head at the increasing antics the congressman is pulling.

When the call connects you have to swallow a sound of relief mixed with frustration. Getting to talk to Annette is a relief but you're so frustrated you could scream. "Annette? It's Birdie. We, uh...we have a situation. It appears that Sam Chase has attempted to double book the same venue as us for tonight."

“Oh dear.” The soft sigh is one of practiced patience, having put out many a fire in her day. “It’s not a mistake on the venue?” She clarifies.

"No." You shake your head as though she can see you, but it's just an emotional reaction. "Miss O'Neil is certain there was no mix up in the booking, but there are vendors here to set up for a campaign event that is definitely not supposed to be happening." Glancing up at Marcus beside you, you sigh softly. "Marcus and I suspect that Sam is trying some kind of indecipherable stunt. To make us look heartless or something equally outlandish. Like we stole his venue, I guess."

“Gotcha.” Her voice is slightly terse but it’s not towards you. “I will start making calls to his office right now. You just hang tight and I’ll be there in a few minutes. Don’t worry.”

"Thank you, Annette." Your eyes close against the sinking feeling in your stomach that the night is starting to unravel at an alarming rate. "We'll see you soon."

You end the call and Marcus reaches for you, pulling you into his arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart.” He soothes you, quietly.

“She’s almost here.” The urge to cry out of sheer frustration is strong, and you bury yourself in Marcus’s chest for strength. “What in the hell did we do to deserve this?”

“I don’t know.” He answers honestly, unable to fathom the malice behind the way Sam Chase is operating. “But we will show him that we are not to be messed with.”

“How?” The question is incredulous, but it’s honestly because you’re feeling so at sea with confusion in this whole situation. “By running to my mommy about it? The President can’t kick a Congressman out of power for being a dick to her daughter.”

“By showing him that he holds no power over us.” It’s a bit unsatisfying, being the bigger person and not using his own status to make like difficult for Congressman Chase, but he wants to be above reproach when shit hits the fan. And he has no doubt it will.

“Ugh, that’s so unsatisfying,” you groan, unknowingly echoing his thought exactly. It’s a small mercy to have the same thought, though, and you both laugh. “I want to nail him to the wall but there’s no crime against being an asshole.”

“I know, but he wants to get under your skin.” He reminds you softly. “That’s the entire point of this, I think.”

“Well he’s succeeded.” As much as you hate to admit it, he really has. He’s made you feel guilty and selfish for wanting to celebrate your love with your soulmate, which isn’t fair in the least.

“I know.” Marcus kisses your forehead again. “I’ve never wanted to hit someone more in my entire life.” He huffs. “Not even Patrick Jane when he convinced Teresa to choose him.”

"And that guy was an asshole," you huff, having heard the entire story from Marcus early on in your relationship.

“Yeah…he really is.” He chuckles and pulls away slightly to look into your eyes. “He did me a favor.”

"I don't know what I did to deserve you." His kindness and his support mean the world to you, and the ugly realization that if Marcus had not appeared in your life like a whirlwind that you might still be with Sam? It stings your heart in a way that isn't quite aching or envy but that smacks of bitter regret.

“Just being the most wonderful woman in the world.” He teases, nudging his nose against yours.

"Hardly." Or, at least, it doesn't feel like it right now. But you sigh, letting yourself settle against him and accepting the kiss he offers you before you stand straight again. "We should change a little early," you decide after a moment. "Present a united front of joy instead of looking like we're not quite prepared."

“Whatever you want to do, sweetheart.” He will follow your lead of course, wanting you to feel in charge. Especially with the turn of events.

"I think it might be better." Or, at least, it well help you feel less at sea. Because right now you just feel like you're floundering in uncertainty. "Especially if we have to deal with Sam directly."

“Do you think that he will actually show up?” His brows lift and he doesn’t like that prospect at all. Sam has been exhibiting dangerous behavior, even if he can’t prove it has been him behind the vicious rumors.

"At this point I'm not really sure what to expect at all." But confidence comes from all places, and if right now it comes from putting on the beautiful dress that Alex and David helped you pick out and going out there holding Marcus's hand? Then so be in. Sam does not get to ruin to night, and he does not get to ruin your joy. "But I guess I would rather be mentally prepared for the worst."

“Whatever happens…” Marcus smiles at you proudly. “I’m going to be right there beside you.”

**

It takes nearly a half an hour to calm down, change clothes, and do your make up, but once you’re ready you head back outside with Marcus to find Agent Bailey waiting for you in the lobby and a commotion outside. “What’s going on?” You ask, though you’re afraid for the answer and not even sure if she will know.

“Miss D’Amario is trying to get the Congressman on the phone,” Agent Bailey explains. “Your vendors are starting to arrive and Melanie had them prepping so they can set up the second the others are cleared away.”

“Vanessa is here?” Marcus looks around warily and spots her standing off to the side looking slightly frazzled as she furiously types on her phone.

“Awesome.” The obvious sarcasm in your voice comes out in a huff. Your exes always being together is more like a Nightmare Team than a Dream Team.

“I’m going to talk to her.” Marcus decides, done with them upsetting you.

“I’m going to stay nearby so that I can intercept anyone who arrives,” you decide. Going up on your toes to give him a kiss, you brush the sharp lapel off his blue suit and offer him your most encouraging smile. “Go get ‘em, Slugger.”

Marcus smiles at your reassurance, but it drops into a frown when he turns and walks towards Vanessa. He’s tired of the games and now, he’s going to face the problem head on. “What is going on, Vanessa?” He demands when he reaches her side. “This is getting ridiculous.”

“What’s going on is crossed wires.” She doesn’t look up from her phone. She doesn’t need to. She still knows Marcus Pike’s voice. “I don’t know how this woman could possibly have booked us both tonight and now she’s playing dumb and getting defensive about it.”

“She’s not playing dumb, but I’m disappointed you are.” Marcus states flatly, sighing softly. “This little game you and Chase are playing needs to stop.”

“I’m not playing dumb.” Vanessa defends, brow furrowed in frustration as she looks up at Marcus after hitting the send button on her text. “The Congressman booked the location himself. All the other vendors were booked by me personally. We’re supposed to be here.”

“Did he forward you the contract and emails?” Her reaction is more honest than he expected and the fact that Sam booked the venue makes him wonder if she was kept in the dark. He pulls out the contract he had tried to show the vendor earlier. “Where is this if Chase actually was double booked?”

“He has the contract. I’m trying to get ahold of him to get a copy right now.” She huffs, frustration and uncertainty lining the worries creases in her brow. “Why couldn’t you two have just had your little party at her hotel anyway? Isn’t that what the place is for? You don’t need the clout of a place like Monticello.”

“Why should she always have parties where she’s doing most of the work? This is our engagement party.” Marcus fires back, unable to believe the condescension in her tone. “What do you have against her, Vanessa? You ended things with me not the other way around. And I thought we ended on good terms.”

“She’s a snob. And dishonest, too boot.” Vanessa doesn’t hold back, obviously pushed to the edge of whatever manners she usually has by the situation at hand. “Almost an entire year in the campaign trail as her mother’s Golden Child preaching freedom of affection and holding Sam up to be the next Jack Kennedy and then she flips her entire platform on a dime when she claims to find her soulmate. It’s pandering, Marcus. And I honestly thought you were better than that.”

“I am her soulmate, Vanessa.” He murmurs quietly. “We didn’t know when we met. I figured it out, that night you broke up with me. Hell, she knew before I did and didn’t say anything because she was with Chase.” He sighs. “So freedom of affection means you can’t choose your soulmate?” He asks. “What about you? You chose your soulmate when you broke up with me. Should I have been spiteful?”

“I always wanted my soulmate.” Vanessa defends, standing up a little straighter and squaring her shoulders. As it that stance somehow gives her a moral high ground. “I support him, and take care of him, and do whatever he needs. That is what love is.”

It clicks, like a bolt of lightning. “It’s Sam, isn’t it?” He asks. “Your soulmate is Sam Chase. That’s why you are doing this.”

The frown on her face flattens into a thin line, unwilling to say a single thing against the man she’s been loyal to for years now. “If I can’t give him the position he wants, I can at least help him make up for what he’s lost,” she reasons, not thinking for a moment that Marcus would understand. He isn’t ambitious the way Sam is. He doesn’t want to lead. To mold an entire nation. Dating the First Daughter was supposed to get him there in leaps and bounds.

He shakes his head sadly, hating to see that Vanessa is blind to what is happening. Willingly looking the other way. “Are you happy?” He asks. “Not being enough?” He folds the contract up and puts it back in his pocket. “If losing access to the White House on a personal level is a detriment, then he’s not a very good politician.” Marcus turns around and starts to walk back towards you.

“No one gets into the White House without knowing someone.” She tells his back, tone laced with bitterness because, No of course she isn’t happy, but why does her ex boyfriend have to be the one to point that out to her? “Just like you don’t get to Hollywood or a record deal or a place in an Ivy League without it.”

He doesn’t answer her, knowing that nothing he says will get through to her. She’s blinded by her loyalty to Sam and her utter devotion to the idea that she should support her soulmate no matter what. It’s a twisted logic and he feels bad for her. When they were together, she was a sweet and earnest woman, looking forward to having a family and building a life with her soulmate.

When Marcus comes back to your side he looks sad rather than angry, and you frown all the more deeply for it. “What’s going on?” You ask gently, letting him lean into your side for comfort. “What did she say?”

“Well….I figured out why Vanessa is so blindly helping Chase with his revenge.” He sighs and glances back at the other woman. “She’s his soulmate.”

“Ah shit.” It was somehow in the back of your mind the whole time, you realize, and now that he’s said it there are puzzle pieces that click into place all too easily. “So this…all of this really is just about the fact that I dumped him?” It makes your skin crawl to think about, a grotesque and unsettling feeling that you know is going to haunt you far longer than you want to admit.

“He wants the White House one day.” He reminds you. “I’m almost positive that he either made promises to people because of having access to the President, or was using that relationship to bolster his career.”

“Well that doesn’t make me feel used and disgusting at all.” You cringe, eyes set down on the sturdy flooring beneath your feet. It’s worse than disgusting, actually. It’s downright humiliating. You’d fallen in love with his act. Bought it hook, line, and sinker. Meeting Marcus may have snapped you out of it, but you had still be entirely fooled for a year.

“Hey.” Marcus reaches for you, rubbing your arms and pulling you closer. “Don’t blame yourself, sweetheart.” He hums. “Chase is a man who put on an act to get what he wants. He has fooled plenty of people.”

“Please know that none of this is because I missed him or still had feelings for him.” Careful not to get makeup on his shirt, you tuck into Marcus’s embrace and breathe in the strength of him. “I’m embarrassed at being taken in so completely. And love you impossibly more for being such a good, honest man.”

“I don’t think you feel anything but heartbroken that he could feign affection for his own personal career gain.” He promises. He would have thought it was because of his feelings for you that he was reacting so badly to this, except for what Vanessa had told him. “Even if you still had feelings for him, I would never expect you to turn off a year of emotions like a switch.” He’s secure enough in your love that there is not any reason to doubt you or be jealous.

“Whatever I felt for him started dimming the second I met you,” you assure him. Even though you and Marcus are strong in the love you have for each other, a bit of reassurance never goes amiss. “More than anything I’m upset with myself for being so blind to his true intentions.”

“Honey, you can’t always see the darkness in someone’s heart.” He reminds you, not wanting you to feel guilty. You have nothing to be upset about. Your intentions have always been good.

“So what do we do now?” He seems to have the answers tonight and there is comfort in that — on top of which, he is the one who talked to Vanessa. “Is she backing down? I don’t want to have to have an altercation.”

“I don’t think she knows what is going on, to be honest.” He admits, looking back at the very flustered woman. “I told her that if it was a venue mix up, the congressman would have a contract.”

“Vanessa does all his bookings.” You look up at him in confusion. “Shouldn’t she have the contract?”

“She said he booked the venue and she booked everything else.” He explains, shaking his head. “It’s pure fucking malice.”

“He never booked it.” The realization kicks you in the gut with the force of a wild stallion. “He’s going to go to the press with a story about us stealing his event venue to make us look bad.”

“What better way to do that, with all the press already here for his ‘event’?” His smile is brittle and humorless.

“I heard the press.” Annette comes swinging around the corner and into view like she’s late for a cue on stage. “Tell me what’s going on, kids. I’ll handle it from here.”

Marcus looks at you for the go–ahead and when you nod slightly, he turns to the White House press agent. “We think Sam Chase did this deliberately.” He explains quietly, not wanting the conversation to go beyond the three of you. “Vanessa D’Amario is his personal assistant and apparently his soulmate.” The older woman’s eyes widen in surprise. “She says that Chase personally booked this venue and she booked the vendors. I think he set this up, knowing we were considering this place to force some kind of public ‘they are pushing their weight around’ accusation.” When it’s voice out loud, it sounds like some kind of conspiracy theory, but he knows it’s true.

“Interesting…” Annette looks between the two of you and offers you both what she hopes is a reassuring smile. “If all of that is true, which sounds alarmingly plausible, by the way…well, it means doing a little politicking of our own. Are you two going to be okay if a little press leak happens ahead of your party?”

“Whatever we need to do.” Marcus agrees easily and then looks at you. “What do you think, sweetheart? I think we’ve been on the defensive long enough. Time to play a little offense.”

“There was going to be press coverage for this party anyway, so why not?” You shrug slightly “Do whatever you think will help, Annette.”

“I’m on it,” she promises, disappearing again in a flash with a wink and a thumbs up.

“Well, if anything, we can prove when we sent out the party invites.” He reminds you with a shrug.

“Annette seems to have it in hand.” The best you can do right now is shrug and check your watch. “Your parents, my siblings, and the first carload of our friends should be here soon.”

“We are a little bit behind, but nothing we can’t deal with.” He promises.

“At least I can hear the band doing sound check.” That in and of itself is a huge relief. It means things won’t be too behind schedule. “Let’s go see who’s here.”

“Of course.” Marcus grins at you. “Maybe we stop by the bar and grab a drink to calm our nerves.”

“Slow sipping,” you agree with a nod of your head. “It makes me extra relieved that we have those charcuterie tables as part of our appetizers. Even if the caterers get held up with the other things, people can graze.”

“You loved that idea and I have to admit that it’s a good one.” He steers you towards the lovely little alcove that the beer, wine and cocktails will be handed out from. The bartender is already set, since the venue provides ice and he is handing you drinks in no time.

The first to arrive are Marcus’s parents. Matthew and Donna practically smother the two of you in hugs immediately, so glad to be here to celebrate that they’re buzzing. How handsome Marcus looks in his suit, how lovely your dress is, the perfect warm autumn night for the party, they’re just delighted to be there and a balm of positivity over your soul.

Marcus points his father to the bar while his mother coos over you with a proud smile. Donna Pike absolutely adored you, it was evident from the way she always asked about you and reached out to you without him as an intermediate, wanting to forge a relationship with you separate from her son.

“We’re so glad you were able to come up on short notice.” It’s a relief (one of many tonight) to have such a good relationship with your fiancé’s mother, and you walk with Donna toward the bar with Marcus walks ahead with his father. “We both would rather have waited on the party than do it without you here.”

“The good thing about what I do is that I can teleconference when needed.” It’s not something she employs all the time, but her only child’s engagement party warranted the change of pace.

“We’re grateful.” Especially now that their presence is a calming balm over both you and Marcus. “And I thought…while you’re here…I was hoping to ask a small favor of you?”

“Anything.” The answer is immediate and doesn’t need any consideration. “What do you need, sweetheart?”

“I was hoping you would be willing to come to lunch with me tomorrow,” you glance up at her with a small smile. “At the White House. For a little wedding planning.” It’s both to include your future mother–in–law in planning that she will not be close by enough to really take part in, but also to have your family around you for an afternoon. “My grandmother’s wedding dress has been passed down and I’d like for you to be able to see it. You know, before any decisions or shopping or anything happens.”

“Oh…” she exhales softly, tears immediately making her eyes water and she nods. “Absolutely. It would be— of course.” She insists. “I would be delighted to come to such an important event.”

“I know it will be hard to have you included in most aspects of the planning,” you explain, wanting to make sure she understands how much you’ve thought about this. “So I wanted to have to you included in the most important ones.”

“And I would have understood if you hadn’t included me at all.” She folds you into another warm hug. “Thank you. And I have something for you.”

“Oh?” In all the commotion you can’t think what it would be — after all, you and Marcus had specified that gifts were not necessary in your invitations for tonight.

She pulls back and reaches into her purse for a card. "I know that we aren't supposed to bring gifts, but..." She looks fondly to where her husband and son are at the bar talking and smiling. "It's the groom's family's responsibility to take care of the rehearsal day and I want you to plan exactly what you want."

“Donna.” She knows very well that you and Marcus are doing well in your careers. Well enough to be able to build a house and plan for a family and all sorts of other things. “You really didn’t have to.”

"Yes we did." She tells you with a small smirk. "You have made Marcus completely happy and that is worth more to me than the national debt your mother inherited."

There is the barest moment of pause before you snort, and you and Donna both bust out giggling. “Well, thank you.” You’ll open the envelope later with Marcus, but for now you give her a very tight hug. “I’m sure everything will go smoothly. It’s just the nerves of everything.”

“Anything else we can help you with?” There’s the briefest flash of unhappiness on your face before you hug her and she knows it’s nothing between you and Marcus that caused it.

"Not at all." Their being here is wonderful, and they're helping financially when they're not obligated to. That is more than enough. "Why don't we grab you a drink and we can take a look around. The view from here is beautiful."

“You have chosen a gorgeous venue.” She marvels, even as the people working continue to bustle around to put the event together.

After procuring a glass of the same spiked hot apple cider that you're drinking for Donna, you turn to look around the lawn with her and actually let yourself smile. "We were here for a day out after our goddaughter was born and we fell in love with it," you tell her. "It was perfect, so we dove in and talked to their event coordinator that day."

“It’s a mixture of homey and sophisticated.” She admires. “I think it’s very fitting for the two of you.”

"I think that's sort of the vibe we're going for with everything," you admit, sipping your drink beside her. "Comforting and fun Americana, but a little sophisticated."

“I think that you’ve nailed it, love.” She agrees, taking a sip of her drink and humming in approval.

"I'm really glad you're here." And while you know that isn't something a lot of people say to their in–laws, you count yourself as lucky. "And I'm just as excited for tomorrow as I have been for tonight."

“I am too.” She admits with a grin. “I am just happy to be included.”

**

On the edge of the lawn, nearest the parking lot, Annette has intercepted the first batch of friends and family to arrive with a plan and a spark in her eyes. "Alex! June!" She knows the First Children well, and Sydney Badillo as well, flagging down the new mother and her husband when they get out of their car. "I'm very glad to see you all."

“I wonder what this is about.” Juan murmurs to his wife, taking her hand after he rounds the front of the car. “I don’t know.” Sydney frowns slightly, knowing that you hadn’t said much about Annette doing the publicity for the party, but it’s unusual to have her meet them out in the parking lot. “But we will find out.” She murmurs before sending the older woman a warm smile. “Annette! Lovely to see you.”

Alex’s soulmate David, his brother Noah, and Junie’s soulmate all pile out of the cars as well, followed closely by the arrival of Marcus’s cousin Selena and his friends that had moved to DC. This is Annette’s army assembled, and she smiles at the large group. “I wonder if I could ask a favor of all of you?” She poses, knowing there will be a few skeptics in any group. “We’ve had a little mix up here tonight but everything will go smoothly will your help.”

“What happened?” Alex demands, aware more than Junie about all the negative press surrounding you and Marcus lately. He and David both agree it’s a smear campaign.

“It’s not necessary to go into deep detail,” Annette insists. She doesn’t want anyone being pointed or cruel tonight. “But there is someone trying to claim that Birdie and Marcus stole this venue from them for an event tonight. They don’t have any proof that they booked it, of course, but I suspect they’ll try to go to the media with a story for the morning. So I was hoping I could get all of you onto your social media accounts tonight with positive posts from the party and a few mentions about how excited you’ve been for this?”

“Done.” Junie immediately agrees. “I’ve got photos of the invitations to the party when I opened them. I’ll post those with the ‘it’s finally the day!’ theme.”

“We’re on it. A hundred percent.” Alex agrees, glancing up at David and getting a nod from his partner. They don’t have to be told to know who is behind this, and they’re going to do their part to stop the stupidity.

“Do we have an official Insta for Birdie’s wedding?” Junnie asks. “Or should we tag mom’s White House account?”

“Definitely tag the White House.” Annette nods, but she chewed over the question. “But we should do a tag for the event, and maybe a tag for the First Kids? What do you think?”

“It is our sister.” Alex muses. “We should also do a tag for the engagement. Something like fairytale2017 or something as equally disgustingly cute.”

“Maybe we could think of something unique and a little catchy?” Sydney suggests, pulling out her phone. “Something we can use through all the events?”

“Birdie&Marcus’TilEternity?” Junie offers, a slightly dreamy smile as she thinks about soulmates. Since discovering her own, she’s become more of a romantic.

“It’s a little long…” Alex chews on the thought. “FirstWife2018? Like a reference to being the First Daughter?”

Sydney laughs softly, shaking her head. “It would work,” she admits with another laugh. “Except he’s been married before. So technically she’s the second wife.”

“We will come up with something.” Annette agrees. “May I text you all when it’s decided.”

“Of course.” Selena nods her head along with several of the others. “We already have a group chat for planning their combined bachelor/bachelorette party. We can do a version of that group that has you in it, too? In case you need us again.”

“That would be perfect.” Annette agrees. “I will not text without a good reason, I promise.”

There is a little bit of back and forth conversation, but Alex adds Annette’s number to a new group chat with everyone involved and renames the new group Mythbusters with a giggle.

“Oh that’s good.” Sydney snorts when the welcome text pings through and quickly responds with who she is so Annette can associate numbers with names.

“It’s the Congressman, isn’t it?” Selena asks, saving Annette’s number to her phone like the others.

Her brow wings up, nothing getting by the friends and family you have, but she doesn’t answer in the affirmative. “We would just like to get ahead of any potential issues a quickly as possible.”

“That’s yes, in White House Staffer,” June translates for anyone who isn’t familiar. “And I can finally say with glee that something about that guy always felt off to me.”

“I tolerated him.” Sydney admits. “I know Birdie would huff, but he just always was so smug. I wanted to slap him.”

Alex offers here a high five for that and Juan nods in agreement while Annette bites her lip from saying anything unprofessional. “How about something cheeky?” She suggests after a moment, when the murmurs about disliking Congressman Chase have subsided. “The press called her the First Princess after she and Agent Pike were photographed dancing together. Maybe we can do something with that?”

“#PrincessPike2018.” Sydney supplies immediately and Juan chuckles. “They will love it and she will be a tiny bit embarrassed when it trends.”

“Which is perfect.” Selena agrees. She’s taken to this new group of friends like a duck to water, sense of humor included. “We can also do a plain and simple #PikeWedding2018 for all the event photos we’ll end up posting.”

Juan nods. “Well, the official day should have the hashtag #WhiteHouseWedding2018.” He offers.

“Perfect.” Annette agrees with that right away. It’s good social media coverage in every way. Let’s use #PrincessPike for anything relating to Birdie as a bride, #PikeWedding for planning and events, and then #WhiteHouseWedding for the day.”

“That sounds like a plan.” Everyone nods as Sydney answers. “We will start posting things now. Tagging them and Monticello for the engagement party.”

“I appreciate all your help.” Annette steps away, as if she is releasing the group into the wild. “We’ll nip this in the bud and have fun doing it.”

“Is there anything else we can do?” Junie asks seriously, her hand in her soulmates and looking determined.

“Help your sister have a great time.” Annette tells her seriously. “Right now she’s a bit stressed, and nervous. Just go celebrate with your family and she’ll feel better being surrounded by it all.”

“That’s easy to do.” Alex grins. “Come on, Junie.” He chuckles. “Let’s go lovingly bully our older sister.”

**

"Baby, come here. You have to try one of these." The catering company had agreed to tweak their stuffed mushroom recipe to meet the one created by the Kennedy family's personal chef as written down in his cookbook, and the result is absolutely stellar. "Tell me this isn't the best stuffed mushroom you've ever had in your life."

He hasn't strayed from your side for more than a few steps, so it's easy to come closer. Grinning as he opens up for you to feed him one of the stuffed mushrooms, closing his eyes in utter delight as the flavors burst on his tongue. "Oh god, we are keeping the leftovers, right?" He moans.

"Absolutely." You grin and giggle a little that his face matches yours perfectly. They're little bites of heaven. "I have half a mind to have these at the wedding, too."

"We should." He agrees quickly, picking up another bite off the table and offering it to you since you sacraficed one of your mushrooms for him.

Without looking, he has grabbed one of the little cornbread cups filled with pulled pork with has been your other favorite bite at the beginning of the party. You hum around the delicious choice and sigh happily. "Everyone seems to be having fun. And the band is great, thankfully."

"They are good." Marcus has been impressed with the range of songs they can play, but it's to be expected for a good wedding band. "I'm so glad that tonight has gone off with little more than a slight hitch." He leans in and kisses your cheek. "Everything worked out."

"Fingers crossed that the rest of the night runs as smoothly." It's almost time to start dinner, which will surely come with a couple of speeches but should be a beautiful meal. This catering company is fantastic and the two sisters that run it deserves as much recognition as you can possibly heap on them. They, along with the band, will hopefully get lots of coverage from the White House.

"It will." Marcus doesn't mention that there is the best security that could possibly be provided by the Secret Service at this event. He pecks your lips. "Tonight is amazing and it will continue to be so."

"Are you sure about that?" Having not seen her in a while, it is a surprise when you glance past his shoulder and see Vanessa approaching from the corner of the lawn.

Marcus hisses a quiet sigh and squeezes your hand. "I'll ask her to leave and then I'll have someone escort her out." He tells you quietly, waiting for you to agree with a quick nod before he moves to intercept her.

"I come in peace." Vanessa insists, holding up a hand briefly as though it were a white flag.

"I'm not sure that I believe that." He admits, not calling security over simply to avoid a scene. If he can get her to leaving willingly, it would look better.

"I just came to tell you that my vendors are packed up and we're leaving the premises." She's feeling deflated and frankly embarrassed by being stuck in the middle without any kind of life preserver. The shouting match she had with Sam over the phone inside the Visitor Center did not help. At this point she just wants to go home and open a bottle of wine.

His brow lifts in surprise, sure that she would once again insist that this was their venue. "I have to say....I'm surprised that no guests of the Congressman have shown up." He comments quietly. "It's…almost as if they weren't invited."

"Please don't prod at me." Vanessa huffs, shaking her head slightly. At this point being kicked while she's down would be deserved but humiliating. "I just spent forty minutes making phone calls and having arguments. I have no idea what happened, but it's–it is what it is."

"I'm sorry." Marcus apologizes and bites his lip for a moment. "Why don't you join us for a drink?" He offers, motioning towards the bar. "I'm sure you could use one?" He wants to know what has transpired but he also wants to prove that, despite everything, you and Marcus are not her enemy.

"That...doesn't feel appropriate." It's kind of him, but Marcus is kind. That is part of him. "You guys enjoy your party. It...it looks nice. And the hashtags are a cute touch. Very media friendly." Vanessa sighs again and her deflation happens all over again. "I should...I should go. There are campaign events to plan. Even if this one sort of...imploded."

"Listen...." Marcus frowns slightly and looks over at where you are watching him with avid interest. "I know that we are kind of on opposite sides of the sand, but Birdie and I— we aren't— we don't wish you and the congressman anything more than happiness." He offers softly.

"It's all a little complicated," she admits, though she doesn't relish it. "Sam feels so strongly about this whole situation having two sides but I have to admit that I feel like that attitude is starting to do more harm than good."

"I think it is too." He agrees, nodding and offering her a small smile. "If you need anything..." The offer dies, unspoken, but it's there in case she needs it. Vanessa bites her lip and looks conflicted so Marcus takes that as his cue. "Have a good night, Vanessa." He offers before he turns back to return to your side.

"Is everything okay?" There wasn't any shouting or any real fighting that you could see, but Marcus looks upset when he comes back to you.

“Yeah, it’s good.” Marcus reassures you, rubbing your shoulder and bringing you closer for a kiss. “I think – I hope – that she’s starting to see the light in this entire situation.”

“Some cracks in the shiny veneer of it all?” You feel bad honestly. Vanessa might be blindly loyal but she never seemed outright cruel to you.

“I think so.” He hums. “She desperately wanted her soulmate, so I think she justified a lot in her mind.”

“I feel so bad.” There are a lot of people in the world who suffer in different ways for want of their soulmate, and Vanessa might not be your favorite person but she still doesn’t deserve to have that kind of pain.

“I do too.” Marcus admits, but he shrugs. “No one ever said every soulmate match was good.”

“I’m just glad I have you.” Your arm around his waist and your head momentarily on his chest are so grounding and so incredible calming. Just because you could weather the storm of the old without him by your side doesn’t mean you ever, ever want to. Not anymore. Not now that you know how much better it can be. “I love you, Marcus. More than words.”

“You are part of me.” He promises. “My soul, my heart, my thoughts.” He smiles softly, unaware that the moment is being photographed and posted online with the captions declaring true love was real.

“I’m stealing that for my wedding vows,” you chuckle softly, admittedly because you’re so choked up in the moment.

“Steal away, sweetheart.” He kisses your forehead and sighs, letting the problems of the day fade and just reminding himself that everything is perfect now. He has you.

______

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 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @haylzcyon   @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide @elegantduckturtle @becsworld @julesonrecord @its-nebuleuse @itsrubberbisquit @mikeyswifie @guelyury @lizzie-cakes @for-a-longlongtime @vabeachazn @purplerain04 @weho2kcmo @madnessofadaydreamer

HHL: @haileymorelikestupid @anoverwhelmingdin @storiesofthefandomlovers @missladym1981 @babeincolor @angelofsmalldeath-codeine

My Masterlist!

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal character fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Marcus Pike #Marcus Pike x you #Marcus Pike x reader #Marcus Pike x female reader #Marcus Pike x f!reader #The Mentalist #soulmate au #First Daughter reader #Juan Badillo #Graceland #Juan Badillo x f!OC #Juan Badillo x OC #PrincessPike2018 #PikeWedding2018 #WhiteHouseWedding2018

[natasha-in-space]

hi:) um can i ask a slightly angst fic where the reader don't have a job because of her social anxiety and so she's v embarrassed when talking with people and when she joins RFA even more so cuz they're all successful and busy. Can you make it slight Seven/MC? I hope that's okay 🙃

"You feeling okay?"

You jolted, feeling like your heart was just about to jump straight out of your chest with how hard it was pounding against your ribcage. Really, it was silly of you to react like that. The party venue was full of attractive people dressed in fancy evening attire: dancing, laughing, drinking, and networking. As a party coordinator, it was a given for someone to eventually start up a conversation with you. And yet... No matter how hard your brain tried to rationalize every little thing around you, it never truly helped.

You didn't belong here. All of these people... Hell, even the rest of the RFA! They held themselves up with such confidence, they talked with such grace and they didn't have to worry about their standing at all. And, who were you? Just an anxious mess who couldn't even function properly in a completely normal social interaction. What were you even doing here-?

You swiftly turned around, meeting a pair of golden eyes staring right at you behind his signature glasses. Seven... Speaking of, you didn't even see him since the party started. Did he notice how pale your face has gotten? How tightly your fingers gripped the champagne glass you didn't drink from even once ever since you first took it from the tray to busy your trembling hands with something? How your breathing was too shallow and quick to satisfy your desperate need for fresh air in your lungs? You hoped not.

Say something-!

"I- Uh-" You barely managed to choke out, your throat closing in before you could utter a single word, your mind feeling like it was too overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time. There were too many eyes, too many people, too many voices. It was too bright, too loud, too crowded. Your clothes were too tight, the fabric was too itchy, and your skin was too clammy. It was all... too much.

"I- I'm fine."

You were obviously not fine.

Seven's brows furrowed, though you barely registered it through the panicked fog that took over all of your senses. And, even if you did notice it, you'd probably think that he assumed you were weird and off-putting or something. That's what you would have thought of yourself in his shoes, anyway. You knew you were failing this, and failing this miserably... You knew you needed to get out of here, you knew you needed some peace and quiet to ground yourself, and yet-

And yet, you were too damn frozen to do anything. Your body and mind were begging you for an escape, but they didn't let you do anything to achieve that escape. What kind of sick joke is that?

"...C'mon." You didn't even detect Seven's voice in your ears. You just gasped as you felt someone gently nudge your arm and start leading you away. So, you stumbled along, your breathing shallow and your legs tripping over themselves as you were being led down the dimly lit corridor somewhere you couldn't see. He was quiet as you two walked alongside each other, his grip on your arm tightening from time to time to keep you steady, making occasional small pauses for you to regain your footing.

You wouldn't notice any of these small details until much, much later, once your mind had cleared up again.

Finally, you briefly heard the sound of a door opening, before a rush of fresh air hit you right in the face, almost making you choke on it from the pure abruptness of it. You didn't even notice how stuffy it was on the inside until you got a taste of what it was like on the outside. Two warm hands lightly pushed you down, and you let them, feeling yourself being seated onto a small wooden bench. It felt so good to no longer have to stand and keep your weight up. You let your head lean back as you closed your eyes and let yourself finally breathe.

God, each breath of fresh night air felt like true paradise right now.

A few minutes passed by until you felt yourself slowly coming back to earth, more or less. You still felt anxious and incredibly tired, your heart racing on the inside of your chest. But, at least you could move again, albeit shakily. You could speak. You could see. You could breathe.

Speaking of... You quickly turned your attention to a fellow redheaded RFA member that was sitting beside you, his gaze turned upwards towards the night sky.

"...Seven?" You decided to say something, your voice weak and raspy.

He turned his attention back towards you, a warm smile gracing his features. It was strange. You knew Seven wasn't all jokes and laughter, but you also weren't expecting him to be so... caring once you finally met him face-to-face. It made your heart race for a different reason from before.

"Are you feeling better now? I can bring you some water if you want." He replied, holding your nervous gaze.

Why are you so nice to me...? You wanted to ask, as you hang your head low, starting to anxiously fiddle with the ends of your outfit. Instead, you just shook your head. "A-A bit later. I'm... Uh..."

"You're not ready to go back out there. I get it." He finished your train of thought for you, returning his gaze toward the sky. It made you breathe a small sigh of relief, grateful to be free of any kind of attention right now.

Wait... Did he do it on purpose-?

"I... I'm sorry." You mumbled, biting onto your lower lip. "I should be there right now, talking with our guests and making sure the party is a success... And yet, here I am. Some kind of party coordinator I am."

Your words were laced with bitterness and frustration, centered around nobody but yourself. All you wanted was to be... normal. To stop feeling like every single person in the room hated your guts for simply existing. To be able to function properly. Why was it so goddamn hard!?

Seven sighed, glancing at you briefly before looking away once again. He seemed to be thinking about what to say to you. You never thought you'd see him not knowing how to reply to something. He was always so energetic and all over the place in the chatrooms or on the calls with you... But, this side of him was... new.

You appreciated seeing it.

"It's... terrifying to try and act tough when you feel like there is danger waiting on every turn. You have to pretend that everything's going great when all you really want to do is to run and hide yourself away somewhere nobody could ever find you." He started slowly, carefully. Almost like he was thinking over every single word he spoke, cautious not to say too much. You wondered what it was that he was avoiding so meticulously. "I saw that look in your eyes, and I knew what you were feeling on the inside. It's a look I... Well, let's just say, it's not something unfamiliar to me."

You were surprised to hear that. Seven? Being familiar with such anxiety? The same Seven who would laugh the loudest out of everyone in the group, or make a fool of himself with a confident grin on his face? You found it hard to believe.

He continued his line of thought before you could question it, though.

"Listen... I know you feel like you don't belong. And, I mean... I can understand that." He chuckled, shaking his head a little. "Practically everyone in our group is impressive in one way or another. Some, in ways a normal person couldn't even imagine. It would be pretty overwhelming to anybody to get thrown into your position."

You furrowed your brows, your fingers stopping their fiddling as you got too focused on your own thoughts. "A normal person wouldn't freeze up at a party that they themselves are supposed to be responsible for. Or fail at keeping a job for any longer than a month without completely breaking down."

"None of this could be possible without you joining the RFA, Y/N." Seven replied, now looking straight at you, his expression oddly serious. He just continued to surprise you the more time you spent together. "I know more about you than I should. I'm not... proud of it, but the least I can do is use this knowledge to help you. I know you struggle with some things. And yes, you did get too overwhelmed there. But, everything's okay now. The party is a success. Thanks to you. Thanks for your efforts. Nothing is ruined. The guests are happy, and we raised a lot of money that will be used for a good cause to those who are in need. Rika's legacy continues. None of this could be possible without you. Don't belittle yourself for this."

You just stared at him, not knowing what to say. Not knowing what you could say. You could feel tears welling up in the corners of your eyes as you swallowed the lump forming in the middle of your throat. "But... But I-"

"You're a member of the RFA, Y/N. Whatever struggles you're going through... We're all going to be there for you when you need it. In fact, I'm sure everyone is very worried about you right now." He gave you a small reassuring smile, patting you on the shoulder. "Don't be afraid to rely on us. Just like everyone relied on you. We're here for you. And... I'm here for you, too."

You would hold onto those words. Just like you found yourself holding onto his arm for the rest of the night, finding his warm presence warming and reassuring.

You weren't alone in this. And, even though you had no idea what you were doing, you knew you had people who would always be there to catch you when you fell.

#mystic messenger #mysmes #mysme #mm #saeyoung choi #choi saeyoung #707 #luciel choi #saeyoung x reader #707 x reader #tw social anxiety #i hope you like it anon <3 #i struggled a lot with social anxiety so it's always very special to write works concerning it #being a party coordinator would be stressful for us #especially in a group of such talented individuals #but they love you #just like you love them #i know for a fact they would be there for us when it all gets too overwhelming to handle alone #i do hope saeyoung is not too ooc here! it's always a bit difficult to write his softer side which making him feel true to his canon self #i feel like he'd be very understanding and caring when it comes to these things (if not a bit awkward) #after all he helped saeran many times during their childhood #and i'm sure his time in the agency affected his handling of such situations too

[thewulf]

Cowboy || Jake "Hangman" Seresin

Summary: Request - I was managing a gala and the theme was diamond and denim- so old rich people pretending to be cowboys with gaudy bling. And they hired a line dance teacher, and when I tell you this man had such Jake Seresin vibes!!!

A/N: Stop I had such a good time writing this one!! Sorry it took almost a month to get out but I hope you enjoy!!

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Y/N

Word Count: 2.5k +

“You’ve gotta stop stressing Y/N. It looks beautiful in here. It’s going to go well.” Your longtime friend and new coworker Michelle grabbed your arm as you frantically looked around the venue for God knows what now.

You let out a breath, “I know. It just has to go well. My promotion is kind of riding on the success of tonight. We need to bag this client going forward.” You let your anxiety out in front of her. You needed to impress the bosses tonight. You knew if you did they’d finally make you a manager. A position you’d been vying for.

“Relax, you’ll be just fine. You know what you’re doing. They picked you to run the show for good reason.” She squeezed your arm before dropping it, “Call me if you need anything. Try and enjoy the party.”

You laughed, “Impossible. But thank you Michelle. Couldn’t do this without you.” You walked off outside helping the florists set up the garden tables where dinner would be served.

“Excuse me.” A thicker than normal southern accent brought your attention away from the table you were placing the final touches on.

When you turned you weren’t expecting that to be there right in front of you. Handsome was an understatement. The man before you was drop dead fucking gorgeous. Not a single thing wrong with him. Who knew you had such an affinity towards literal cowboys.

“Yeah?” You asked trying your hardest to play it as cool as possible.

“Could you tell me where the,” He paused looking down at his phone, “main hall is? I’m here to teach the line dancing.”

You smiled wanting to tease him just a bit. Something told you he could handle it, “You don’t say?”

He pulled his cowboy hat off bowing a bit towards you, “Miss. My name’s Jake. Jake Seresin.”

Oh, this was just too good. Handsome as hell and a gentleman to boot? Your heart was beginning to beat faster and faster. You needed to answer him soon or things could get awkward, “Y/N. Nice to meet you Jake.” You left your last name out on purpose, “I’m the event coordinator. You stopped the right person.” Giving him a warm smile, you beckoned him to follow you with a wave from your hands.

“Isn’t it my lucky day.” He shot you a wink testing the water a little bit. He too found you painstakingly beautiful. And that smile sent his heart into a frenzy, just like yours. You were too caught up in your own head to notice any tells from him though.

“Mine too.” You opened the door for him to follow you through. Thankful for the small distraction not leaving your brain floundering. You weren’t usually one to flirt back but something was telling you to.

“You been doing this for a while?” Jake asked you interrupting you from your frenzied thoughts.

You nodded letting him catch up to your quick pace, “A few years now. I really like it. How about you?”

He laughed, “I do this in my spare time, when I’m off between deployments. I’m usually a pilot for the Navy.”

You grinned. Handsome as hell. Gentleman and he had an incredible job? He didn’t seem quite real. Taught line dancing for fun? It’s like you manifested him right then and there, “Aren’t pilots supposed to be in the Air Force?” You just had to tease him. You had a brother in the military and knew how sensitive they were to the mixing of the milarites.

A brief flash of shock crossed his face before he spotted you trying to hide the laughter behind your hand. A jokester you seemed to be. Somebody who liked to press the boundaries. Jake was used to being the one doing that. Not having that done to him. Not that he didn’t mind, it was almost too fun, “You got all the jokes there don’t you darlin’?” He smirked deciding to press your own boundaries right on back. He knew how his words affected women. How one look could get them second guessing their own actions. Jake was a pro, he knew exactly what he was doing.

Thank goodness you were wearing foundation, or the blush would’ve given you away all too easily. You were enjoying the simple flirty back and forth between the near stranger who pulled you towards him with such ease, “You haven’t even seen the half of it Jake.” Flashing him a sly smirk you opened the door towards the event halls ballroom where the activity was set up for the group. Surprisingly this event always seemed to be the hit of the corporate party year in and year out. You had a sneaking suspicion jake would be an incredible teacher and make the activity all that much better. He was so charismatic.

“Thank you.” He tipped his hat once more as you held the door open for him, “I like the sound of that.” He took in the room before him, “So, this is it?”

You nodded a small smile gracing your lips, not being able to hide it if you tried, “All yours cowboy.”

He laughed flashing you that gorgeous smile at the same time, “Careful now, I might fall in love with you if you keep talking to me like that sweetheart.” He took a small step towards you closing the small distance between the two of you. The tension in the air was so thick you thought you could swim through it. Your damn brain left you at quite literally a loss for words.

“Not that I’m not enjoying my time.” You knew you were rambling, were you even making any sense, “But I need to check on a few things. Are you all good for the 5 o’clock start?” You asked not daring to take a step away feeling the heat radiating off his body. He was so damn close you were sure he could hear your rapid-fire heartbeat.

“That’s a shame.” He removed his hat fully this time to get a good look at your face up close. He’d never seen someone quite like you. Beautiful. Clearly intelligent and driven. A mouth of a literal angel. Somebody he knew could challenge him but pull it back when needed. He just knew you were good. You were special. The universe put you in his path for his reason. He had to be sure to stop you before the end of the night. Ask you out or give you his number. Whatever you wanted, “Will I have the pleasure of teaching you Miss Y/N?” He asked once his eyes had fully scanned your face.

Shaking your head quickly you missed the quick flash of sadness in his eyes, “Oh, no. Not even you can perform miracles Jake. But I’ll make sure to stop in after you get started.”

He laughed shaking his head right back at you, “Maybe one day you’ll let me try.” He wanted to plant the seed in your head. Let you simmer on that thought for the remainder of the day before he got to talk to you again, “But until then. I look forward to seeing you again, Y/N.” He flashed you another gorgeous grin before turning away. Taking that tension right away with him as he walked to the front of the room to get ready for the group.

You let out the breath you were holding once you walked out the doors of the hall. You let you mind wander back to him and let yourself go on autopilot as you continued to get ready. Only Michelle breaking you from your mind got you out of that disassociated state.

“Are you alright?”

You nodded quickly, “Absolutely. More than alright.”

“Hmm?” She looked you over curiously as you finished perfecting the napkin at the dining tables.

“The line dancing instructor is a total flirt.” You didn’t tell much more before her normally bored expression turned into something much more devious. She’d always tried to get involved in your love life. This might be the opening she’d been waiting to pounce on.

“Is he cute?” She questioned, clearly very interested.

You nodded bashfully, “Terribly handsome.” You admitted not being that afraid to hide it. She’d surely go and check for herself at some point. No purpose in lying, she had eyes that could see herself.

“I’ll be back.” She smirked making a beeline towards the inside.

“No! Michelle.” You laughed pulling her arm to stop her, “Go in while the class is in session or something.”

She shook you off with ease, “I’m a worker. It’ll be easy. Give me five minutes.” She grinned. You let her go knowing once she had it set in her mind she’d be doing it no matter what.

She was gone for longer. No doubt getting caught in conversation with the friendly man. When she got back she had a sneaky little grin on her face, “Oh, he’s down bad for you Y/N.” She giggled.

You shook your head not really believing her because how could he? You were you and he was that. It just seemed incompatible, “Shush, he is not.”

“Then explain to me why he just played 20 questions with me about you?” She crossed her arms over her chest waiting for an explanation. You had none. Because why would he? You’d be lying if you said it didn’t bring a smile to your face.

Her smirk only grew wider in your silence, “Please just go see him later. I’ve got a good feeling about it. Please?”

You nodded quickly, “I was already planning on it.”

“Good.” She squealed with glee going back to the kitchen to finish the prep she left behind to talk to you.

You leaned against the door watching the group of people learn how to line dance from Jake. He was a natural. Flirty with the older women. Confident with young kids. Kind to the embarrassed teens. Bro’s with the boys. He could do it all. Who knew this was how you day was going to go?

Walking around the back you caught Jakes eye. Giving him a quick wave, you stopped to watch. Smiling as the joy from the group reverberated off the walls, no doubt thanks to Jake.

Not five seconds later you heard him speak, “Alright, try it for yourselves. I’ll be around helping.” And then he was making his way right towards you.

“You made it.” He spoke the second he stopped in front of you.

A quick nod brought your eyes right to his, “I did. I made a promise, didn’t I?”

You’d do anything to see him smile like he did right there, “You sure did. I’m glad you kept it.”

“Wouldn’t miss a chance at this.” You grinned referring to the class and to him. A double entendre per say.

He held out a hand, “Take another one then. Chance that is.” He winked sending a shiver right down your spine. You hoped he miss the goosebumps that rolled right down your arm. Should you? It’d only be a moment. It’s not like the client would mind.

Deciding to go for it you gently placed your hand in his, “Alright cowboy. But you have to lead. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, and I don’t think there’s a bone in me that has an ounce of rhythm.” You let your insecurities flow out after seeing him dance so effortlessly before you moments ago.

He nodded pulling you, softly, right behind him, “Sure thing darlin’. Nothing to be nervous over. They’re all in their own little world anyway. It’s just you and me.” He tried reassuring you once he found a spot off to the side, careful of your reluctance to go towards the front.

“That doesn’t make me feel any better.” You admitted, sure the makeup you’d applied twelve hours earlier was long gone by all the sweating you’d done throughout the day setting the event up. The blush he made you feel was surely evident at this point.

He laughed grabbing at both your hands setting you up for whatever dance he was planning on leading you in, “I won’t let you fail. Trust me on that.” All you could do was nod up at him as you listened to him. It felt deeper, like it meant something more.

Smiling the entire time, you listened to both him and the music as you fumbled your way through the partnered line dance. You apologized and giggled every time you stepped on his foot or bumped into his side. He took it in stride smiling back at you. Bumping you back. Lifting you up so you wouldn’t trample your feet.

You were having pure, unadulterated fun with the nearly complete stranger who made you feel oddly comfortable. You clicked with him the moment you laid eyes on him and now the rest felt like destiny. For being as reluctant as you were you were surprised how disappointed you were when the music ended, and Jake dropped your hand. You shouldn’t have wanted him to hold it like he just was but here you were, pathetic.

“You’re a natural.” He smiled admiring you from the small distance he’d placed between the two of you.

You snorted out a laugh, “And you cowboy, are a liar.”

He shook his head taking the cowboy hat off now, “Embellisher of the truth. My momma would be awfully disappointed if she heard you call me a liar.” The smirk that crossed his face should’ve been illegal, it had your knees shaking for dear life.

You laughed it off though, nodding in agreement, “Sure, we’ll go with that. Embellisher of the truth.” A genuine smile came to your face as you conversed easily with him. It felt so natural. Incredibly different than anything you were used to.

He looked around a tad disappointed himself, “I hate to cut this short gorgeous, but I am being paid and people need some help.” Placing the cowboy hat on you he took a step back with a lopsided grin on his face, “Keep that. Maybe a little too big for you but it’s yours.”

“How do I look?” You stuck your leg out holding onto the hat with the other, posing a bit for him.

He shook his head knowing he needed to see you again, “More stunning than words can describe. You were meant for a cowboy hat.” He reached out giving your hand a squeeze, “Tell me when I can take you out on a real date Y/N?”

“You want to? Take me on a date?” You weren’t sure if you’d heard him right. All signs pointed towards they did but you needed to confirm. What a whirlwind of a day you were having.

“I’d be honored.” He grinned waiting for your response.

“How’s Friday night sound?” You asked sounding far too eager. But that same smile from earlier didn’t let you get too embarrassed.

“Friday sounds amazing. I’ll pick you up?” He asked sounding a tad more timid than he had moments prior.

“It’s a date cowboy.”

He smirked giving your hand one last squeeze before walking away, “it’s a date darlin’.”

Permanent Taglist (Message me or comment below if you want to be added!): @loving-and-dreaming @kmc1989 @memeorydotcom @matisse556 @buckylov3r @taygrls @ah-blossom @mayhemmanaged @hardballoonlove

#top gun maverick #top gun #top gun imagine #jake seresin #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin fanfic #jake seresin x y/n #jake seresin x you #hangman x reader #hangman x y/n #jake seresin x oc #jake seresin fic #jake hangman seresin #hangman #top gun hangman #hangman seresin #jake seresin fluff #hangman x oc #hangman x you #hangman fic #hangman fluff #hangman fanfiction #hangman imagine #tgm #hangman angst #jake seresin angst #jake seresin au #jake seresin fanfiction #jake seresin imagine #top gun x reader

[missacidburn928]

It's a year old but here's some holiday spice for you all while I wait in the urgent care with my autistic son.

I Really Do Believe In You....

Steve Rogers × Bucky Barnes x Thor Odinson × POC Singer!Reader "Honey"

Let’s see if you believe in me.

The Avengers Holiday party. You are both a guest and part of the musical entertainment. Will you end up on the naughty or nice list?

You spot them as they enter the main ballroom. Your three strapping men, color coordinated and cutting intimidating frames in their suit choices. Thank the goddess you had a good hold on the mic as you waited for your cue to join Sy in singing White Christmas, or you might have literally swooned in front of this mass of party goers.

You start your verse as you watch them make their way over to the bar where the team, plus one Sharon Carter, have gathered. Thankfully tonight’s event is Jane Foster free, so it should be a good night with you, Sy and the Chanti’s house band entertaining Tony’s rich friends and employees before enjoying some much needed time with your men.

You can't help but feel festive in your short red dress, studded red fishnets and nude pumps. You’ve kept your makeup simple with a nude lip and a smokey eye. Your hair down and in its natural state. Sy made a comment when picking you up that you looked like Santa’s little Siren. Seems appropriate if you do say so yourself.

Per usual you notice Sharon being a bit too chummy with your Captain. The woman just can’t help herself. You know all about the “kiss” when they were trying to save your beloved Bucky. But according to Steve the reason it never went further was because there was no spark when their lips touched. And he tried giving her a chance, chalking the lack of spark up to the stress of the situation, but she was way too into his status and power. So he ended things before it made it any further than a couple dates and a subpar makeout session.

What is it with these prude ass women that hang around these strong ass people? Sharon, like Jane, thinks your quad is ridiculous and you don't need that many men. Especially when you added Steve in. 

“He should be upholding traditional values as he’s America's golden boy. Not flaunting such an alternative lifestyle. Hell if he was gay it would be easier than this bullshit. Why on Earth would you want to willingly share a woman with two other men. Not to mention one of those men is a God and the other a murderer.”

Let's not forget what she also stated in that little rant of hers, when she was unaware you could hear her perfectly clear from your spot in the common room. “I just don’t understand what he sees in her. Who stays in a band with someone they used to be fuck buddies with? It’s just tacky and sad. A man that powerful should be with someone who is only devoted to him and can boost his image, not damage it. ” 

I’ll show her tacky. Lord knows I'm certainly not above being petty. I’ve been behaving for far too long. Time to put these Siren skills to use. What good are they to have if you can’t fuck with uppity bitches using them.

Continue

#poc reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes smut #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers smut #steve rogers x you #bucky x reader x steve #thor smut #thor x reader #thor fanfiction #polyvengers #avengers x reader #avengers smut #avengers au

[witchofthesouls]

Are divorces a thing in cybertronian culture? Like, spark bonding is basically marriage but more extreme in the sense that their literal souls are being bound together, but can it be broken? If it is but very rare I’d imagine that their version of divorce is seen as very shocking (possibly even seen as blasphemy to some religious bots) to others.

Because of the variety of relationships on Cybertron, which can be different between city-states and caste, there are several kinds of marriages that are accepted throughout the planet.

Conjunx Endura is the legal process of it. It's mainly based on the Acts of Affirmation and other additional regional concessions.

Because Iacon is the birthplace of Functionism, the city-state requires the pair to register as "Primary" and "Secondary" Conjunxes. By their mandates, it's the party with the higher caste that becomes the Primary Conjunx. If both are from the same caste, then the one with more wealth and/or political acumen.

Polyhex, unlike her sister-cities, mainly relies on legal paperwork to declare their statuses. This is due to their highly unstable terrain and loosely connected towns and villages. While still a passionate and artistic culture, it created a cold, very pragmatic mindset when it comes to relationships. Their courts that involve family matters can be viciously ugly for different reasons.

Legal spouses have the option to split and go separate ways.

Mecha can have multiple Conjunxes.

Bonded by spark marriages are a whole other shebang. While highly romantic with many spiritual and religious connotations, it's a permanent thing until death... with the surviving party following their bondmate soon after.

Despite what the media depicts, a deep connection isn't formed with a single passionate, yet shallow press. That could yield a sparklet but not a solid bond.

It's mainly due to the highly coveted Resonants status. It's where two (or more) sparks are ridiculously compatible with each other to the point the separate sparks immediately latch into a deep connection, overwhelming the respective mecha's wishes.

Bondmates have the unique ability to ping each other's general location. It isn't a specific set of coordinates, but they can get a pull to a direction, no matter the distance and suppression tools.

Highly-tuned and well-established bondmates would have the capability to 'feel' each other's emotional states.

Throughout Cybertron's history, many parties have taken advantage of spark marriages, both for personal and political gain, such as two warring parties reconciling with two high party members spark-bonding.

The most (in)famous pair are Megatronus and Solus. While the most widespread tale is their tragic romance that ended with Megatronus killing Solus, there are tales and myths of them taking more lovers, separate and together.

Because of the highly risky nature and uncomfortable level of raw intimacy, this extreme kind of political marriage usually has witnesses to the initial martial bed. Both to verify the authenticity and to mitigate any potential assassination or murder-suicide during the orns-long bonding sessions. (The closest equivalent would be a secluded month-long honeymoon and consummation ceremony. Traditionally witnessed by a senior priest and medic team to vet it and to use their considerable combined strength if necessary...)

There had been tales of survivors, but that usually included the necessity of another intimate sparkbond to stabilize them.

Vos and Praxian do have records of survivors within triads and trines. Researchers of the city-states have proposed that the trine bonds allowed the backlash to be shared with two others. The immense stress would be painful yet not fatal, provided the two members were alive.

Seekerkin cities have a specific relationship status for successful heat-induced couplings.

Much to Vos, Praxus, and Polyhex's annoyance and bemusement, other city-states reclassify this kind of status as a "marriage" as they gave up trying to figure this out in addition to Seekerkin's convoluted social structures and kinship-ties.

Heat-couplings have protected statuses in regards to sharing medical information, finances, and can define custody between the carrier's and sire(s)' flocks.

An 'annulment' can happen should the sparklet(s) fizzle out before dropping down.

#ask #transformers #cybertronian culture #cybertronian biology #bitlets #sparklings #pregnancy #maccadam #my thoughts #tf headcanons #im honestly surprised by the lack of “sparkbonding assassination” takes #i like to imagine there's a short window of opportunity to kill your nemesis without destroying yourself #hence why witnesses especially a medic became absolutely necessary #y'all know shotgun weddings? #Cybertron has “clamp weddings” #where the witnesses “clamp” the newlyweds to ensure the stirrings of a bond should the parties are unable are “unwilling to perform”

[snippychicke]

For the Sake of a Smile (V.2) Chapter Twenty-One

Title: For the Sake of a Smile (Revised)

Overall Rating: Mature (18+)

Chapter Rating: M for Mature. We've begun the 18+ content

Trigger warnings: Nothing beyond the child abuse hinted in the series, though we do explore the consequences a bit more.

Main Pairing: Balam Shichiro/Reader

Summary: Hell on earth was your motto for your job. Granted, you were pretty sure earth really was hell, considering the shit you had seen in your life. And the fact your coworker was a child. 

A child named Suzuki Iruma, in fact. A kid who’s life was decidedly worse than yours, but yet he smiled despite everything. It wasn’t long after meeting him that you decided you’d do a lot for his smile. Including summoning a literal demon and signing your soul away.

But as it turns out, hell (The Netherworld, actually) was a lot better than living on earth. Demons were more humane than a lot of humans you knew.

And Iruma’s smile wasn’t the only one that would change your life.

Masterlist | Ao3| Mairimashitai! Simps Discord

"I am the worst mother ever!" You bawled as you buried your face in Sullivan's shoulder as he held you close, doing his best to comfort you. "I can't believe I forgot Iruma's birthday!"

"You've been under a lot of stress, sweetie," Your adoptive father reassured, rubbing circles along your back. "I'm sure Iruma understands, you know how he is."

"That makes it worse," You cried. You knew Iruma would forgive you and shrug it off, if he hadn’t already. After all, Shichiro had said he hadn’t seemed too concerned about it, nor was he lying. 

But to you, his disregard was worse than him being upset. It was a stark reminder that until just a few years ago, Iruma never had his birthday celebrated. No one -- not even his own parents -- cared for him enough to take the time and celebrate his life..

It tore at your heart because you knew even if he didn't act like it, you were positive your lapse of memory had reminded him of those dark days. Did he think you were as careless as his biological parents? That now that your lives had improved, you didn't want to celebrate such things?

"Then let's make it up to our boy, hmm?" Sullivan offered, breaking through your thoughts as he tilted your chin to look at him and wipe your tears. "We’ll throw him a party for this year and all the birthdays I missed as well."

You nodded your head eagerly at the idea, the thought sounding perfect to you. 

Yes. You would make up for lost time; not just the last few weeks, but the ones you had missed as well, from birth until that fateful day you met him. To make sure Iruma knew exactly how loved and cherished he was.

--+--

You were quick to learn that Demonic Rites were the devilish version of a grand birthday party. While Opera and Sullivan took the lead coordinating the event since they were experts in the field, you helped as best you could such as choosing some of the dishes to be served and picking out the presents. Yet the greatest task you had was making sure Iruma was kept preoccupied as not to notice anything was amiss, which the entirety of the Misfit class was all too happy to assist with once you confided in them.

While traditionally Demonic Rites were saved for milestone birthdays - with much smaller events for the other years - Sullivan was all too happy to use the excuse that it was the first birthday he was able to celebrate with his grandson to excuse the celebration. He was apparently going all out from what you could gather, renting a whole other castle. 

Though as it turned out, that was tradition as well. Even demons believed in bad luck and holding a Rite in your own dwelling was a surefire way to invoke misfortune. It was also the reason for the costumes; in case Bad Luck spirits did find the revelers.  

Apparently, spirits couldn't curse you if they couldn't recognize you. To you, it didn’t make much sense, but you weren’t going to balk at tradition. At least, not this one. 

"Life is precious in the Netherworld," Shichiro explained over the phone the evening before the Rite. He had been a wealth of information about the traditions over the whirlwind of the week. "Our world is harsh, and once upon a time it was not uncommon for a demon to be killed before reaching adulthood. So we take every precaution to protect it, especially when we celebrate it.

"It's also a time where demons show their gratitude for their peers. After all, demons do not frequently bond the way humans do, and showing appreciation and kinship is usually very rare. The Misfit class are truly misfits in that regard…"

They certainly were. Not just for demons, but you had a feeling that even on earth they'd be an odd bunch. Yet you couldn't help but love all of them, hearing the debacle that occurred earlier that day as they fought over who was Iruma's friend and who was the boy's 'soulmate'.

You had to agree, Clara and Az seemed to be Iruma’s platonic (or so you assumed, at least) soulmates. Those three had a bond like no other that it was heartwarming, inspiring, and slightly terrifying when you thought of what those three could do if they wanted. 

But the entire class itself was bonded tighter than any friend group you had seen - let alone experienced. You were sure that those thirteen students could achieve anything if they set their mind to it. And somehow, Iruma was more-or-less the ringleader of their troupe.

"You're coming tomorrow, right?" You asked Shichiro, glancing at the costume that hung from your closet door. Both Sullivan and Opera had assisted with choosing it…

Well - they had done more than assist, to be honest. It was more like they had chosen it and you meekly agreed when you saw the looks on their faces. Not that it was something you hated or even disliked; it was beautiful, and something that had caught your eye right away.

Your only reservation was the fact it was so… decadent, even for a costume ball. It had such beautiful wispy fabric that flowed with the slightest breeze, the waist framed with a corset-vest that - thankfully - hadn't felt too uncomfortable when you tried it on, and a high neckline that would hide your lack of wings. 

And a crown of flowers and faux horns that completed the piece.

You worried it was too fancy, but assumed the two demons would know best. You also couldn’t help but wonder what Shichiro's reaction to it would be. After all, no matter what you wore -- a casual outfit or something more special -- his gaze always lingered enough to cause you to feel beautiful.

You wondered if you could actually make his jaw drop. 

"Nothing could make me miss it," Shichiro assured, his voice deep and smooth it made tingles race down your spine. "I'll be there, promise."

--+--

Sullivan and Opera had left early to finalize the preparations, leaving you to escort Iruma to the surprise party. Thankfully, Opera had hitched the Nightmares to one of the smaller carriages before leaving so you didn't ruin your dress. Especially knowing Deinos, who loved to be as impish as she could be.

The Nightmares knickered softly as you and Iruma exited the mansion, both dressed in your costumes. "To Lord Sullivan," You instructed the demonic-horses simply as you opened the carriage door. They snorted in understanding, making you smile as you patted Lampon's flank before boarding.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Iruma asked as the carriage began to move.

"It's a secret~" You answered in a singsong voice, smiling at his pout. "You'll love it though, I promise."

His pout didn't change, though he watched as you smoothed down your skirt, still unused to such rich material. "Well, you look beautiful, mom."

You blushed, "And you look very handsome, Iruma. Who would have thought we both could clean up so well, hmm?"

He laughed at that, and soon both of you were sharing memories of when you were less than presentable. Such as being covered in fish guts after being tripped - or when he came back from a forging trip, completely covered in mud and leaves. It had taken weeks to get every bit of mud and grime from the tiny shower afterwards, but you refused to spray him with the hose used to clean the floor of the workshop as many had recommended. Mainly because the water was ice cold and it was late autumn and winter had been attempting to set in.

The ride wasn't very long, and soon the carriage slowed to a stop. Opera opened the door before you could even think about it, holding a hand out to Iruma and then you once the boy was on the ground.

But before you could take a look around, a blindfold settled over your eyes. You jerked in surprise, fear and panic setting in as a pair of large hands settled on your shoulders. "Calm down, my dear," Sullivan reassured softly, thumbs rubbing calming circles into the bone of your shoulder. "We don't want to ruin the surprise."

"This is Iruma's Demonic Rite!" You protested as your adopted father led you (presumably) to where the Rite was to take place.

"Do you think I would celebrate my grandson's life, and not my daughter's?" Sullivan chuckled as a groan of old, heavy doors opening filled the air. A sound you were familiar with, given the Library's own doors perchance to complain every time they were opened.

But surely you weren't there. You heard hushed yet excited whispers, making your heart pound as Sullivan continued to guide you. He gently coaxed you up a couple of steps before turning you around and encouraging you to sit.

A moment later you heard Opera guide Iruma into a seat next to yours. There was a hushed countdown before the blindfold fell from your eyes, revealing the elaborately decorated ballroom with a large bonfire burning brightly in a pit at the center. The Misfits along with a few other Babyls students cheered your name along with Iruma's, making your heart catch in your throat.

"Mom?" Iruma asked softly as Sullivan and Opera joined in with the others as they began to dance-- an ancient dance, full of guttural words that truly made it seem like a demonic ritual.

"A Demonic Ritual is how they celebrate birthdays," You explained in a hush whisper, entranced by the performance. "We -- grandpa, Opera, and I -- planned on it being a secret, and to also make up for missing your actual birthday this year. I didn't think they'd plan on putting me in the spotlight too…"

Iruma's hand found yours, a smile on his face and that cheery light in his large blue eyes. "We've always celebrated our birthdays together. I was actually just telling Professor Balam that the other day…"

Oh. Oh. You caught sight of the tall broad demon standing apart, watching the revelers dance while also apparently taking a head count.

Those sneaky demons. Your heart grew warm at the realization that while you thought you were in on the surprise for Iruma, the three demons had been building a surprise for you as well.

As if he was aware of your gaze, Shichiro looked towards you, his expression shifting into a smile as he offered a small wave.

"It seems we are missing a guest," Opera said as he suddenly appeared on Iruma's other side. You tore your gaze away from Shichiro for a moment, and in a flash of light and smoke, a familiar white puffball appeared, looking disgruntled as always.

"EGGY SENSEI!" The Misfits cheered excitedly, and Kalego's reluctant presence seemed to be the last thing needed for the celebration to kick into full swing.

Over the last several months, you had slowly gotten used to the positive attention from the students as well as the teachers of Babyls. But that did little to prepare you for sitting in the spotlight as the guests symbolically gave part of their life to you as they poured out the burning water into the central bonfire. Or as each knelt one by one, offering their gifts with the heartfelt words: "Thank you for being born and living amongst us."

"I appreciate the love and kindness you give us, Mrs. Suzuki."

"I'm so happy I get to have two moms! My siblings are so jealous!"

"I know you're not my mother, but it really feels like you are sometimes."

"Your beauty is outstanding, my lady! May you continue to age so gracefully!"

"Thank you for caring so much."

"Thank you for bringing Iruma to us!"

"I appreciate your dedication to Babyls and its students," Kalego grumbled begrudgingly, offering a small delicate flower as a gift. (Where he got one considering his Summoned state, you weren't sure.) "You are one among few others whom I can tolerate."

"That's high praise coming from the professor," Iruma whispered as if you weren't already aware. Yet any reply died on your lips as Shichiro approached, quickly bowing low as his green feathered wings spread out wide to their full extent.

Yes, the others did the same as a sign of respect - but something seemed different….

Or maybe you were just head over heels for Shichiro that seeing him like that, knowing just how strong and powerful he was yet showing his weakest spot to you…

Your thoughts were interrupted as he looked up, his gaze focused on both you and Iruma as he spoke your names. "Thank you both for living in our world, and for being amongst us."

The sentiment had been expressed before, but by those oblivious to the reality of you and Iruma's true circumstances. But he knew. He knew it all. Your throat grew tight as he presented his gifts, hands briefly grazing yours as you accepted the box as your gazes locked.

The warmth, the sincerity, the love in his eyes meant the world to you. He meant the world to you.

You struggled with the urge to simply slide from your chair to your knees and pull him close for a kiss to reciprocate those tender emotions. Except you were still aware of everyone else watching, so you just caressed his hand deliberately with a smile hopefully conveying your feelings.

His eyes crinkled as he returned your smile, fingers lacing briefly before he pulled away and stood. Your eyes followed him as he stepped away.

Until Sullivan stepped up, his own eyes glittering knowingly. He didn't say a word, but knelt down as he took Iruma's hand as well as yours into his. His black wings opened, but instead of splaying them in a submissive gesture, he curled around the three of you.

"You both mean so much to me, you are truly my treasures," He spoke softly, squeezing your hand tightly. "I am sincerely thankful you both came into my life."

"Grandpa…"

"Dad…"

This time, you did leave your seat, having the same idea as Iruma as you wrapped your arms around both your father and son, and feeling their arms around you.

You were loved. Just as strongly as you loved them, they loved you.

--+--

The rest of the party was truly a party. You swore you had been to more festivals and parties in the last few months than before in your prior life.

But instead of standing on the outskirts of the party with Kalego and Balam as you typically ended up doing, you were drawn into the menagerie this time. You danced with several students as well as Opera, Sullivan, and then oddly Fluffego, when he was all but shoved in your arms by an impish Opera. He acted begrudgingly as you twirled him around, his small hands holding onto your fingers. You had your toes stepped on as well as stepped on a few yourself, but it was all brushed off with a laugh and even more dancing.

You hadn't had unbridled fun like this for such a long time. Your face hurt from smiling so widely, ribs aching from laughing.

But your favorite part was when large warm hands wrapped around your waist when you had slipped towards the table laden with food and drinks. "You look beautiful," Shichiro whispered as he held you tight around your midsection, making you smile. You had briefly danced with him, no more than thirty seconds, during one where you were constantly changing partners. Otherwise it seemed like the universe had conspired to keep you separated.

"I'm sure I would've been more lovely if my personal hairdresser had helped," You teased lightly as you glanced over the treats, taking your time to enjoy being held against him. "But I have a nagging suspicion he was in on the surprise."

"Iruma explained how you had always celebrated your birthday with him, and never told him when your actual birthday was," He admitted, chin resting atop your head despite the decorative horns. "We -- Lord Sullivan, Senpai, and myself-- figured it would be best to continue the tradition. Especially considering you would likely refuse to tell us once you knew what it may entail."

You bit your lip out of reflex to hide your smile. "You three really do know me well, don't you?" Because he was right; once learning of Demonic Rites, and knowing Sullivan's own tendencies to spoil you, you would've kept your lips sealed.

Which was related in a way to why you never told Iruma which day you were born. You hadn't wanted the boy to give up more of his hard earned money on your behalf. Sharing his birthday had been a bit of a compromise in a way, so you both were able to celebrate each other while you could make sure he didn't use a lot of his meager funds on you.

"Both you and Iruma are completely selfless," he answered, squeezing you tighter. "To the point I really wish you two would have a bit more of a sense of self-preservation."

"So when exactly is your birthday?" You asked after a moment, making him chuckle at your poor attempt at changing the topic.

He squeezed you tighter, adjusting to nuzzle your neck gently; considering his mask was still in place. "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

You laughed at that, leaning your head back and finally looking up at him. "I love you, Shichiro, but I know better than that."

A flash of surprise crossed his face and his grip tightened to the point of nearly taking your breath away. "...do you, really?"

You realized your slip. You had admitted to yourself - to others - your feelings, but never to him. And, well - for good reason from what you understood about demon culture.

But… screw it.

"Yes," You answered, twining your hands with his. "I really do love you."

His adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, the look in his eye changing slightly. He guided you to turn in his arms so you were face to face, still holding you tight against him. "Demons, especially those who are courting," He continued, his voice threatening to become even huskier, "don't say those words freely, or lightly."

You had gleaned as much from the books you had read. Some said it freely to those they were crushing on, and during little flings. But once a demon entered courtship, the word became much more meaningful to their Intended. Not unlike the term 'Aishitemasu' in Japanese. 

And yes, you two had just started courting - and from what you read, the courting period could last several months to years - but there was no denying how you felt. He had come to mean so much to you, and you could easily imagine him being in every part of your life. Not just the romantic moments, but the mundane parts of life; like doing dishes, or chores (if Opera ever allowed that to happen again).

That was one of your ambitions. To have him by your side for the rest of your life if possible. To build a life with him. 

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, pulling him down so you could face him eye to eye as you stood on your tiptoes. "I love you, Balam Shichiro. With all my heart. And I can't imagine being with anyone else but you."

Before you could blink, his hands cupped your backside and he lifted you up, your body pressed against his as you fought the urge to wrap your legs around his hips, knowing in your current dress that would be very inappropriate.

Shichiro's eyes were desperate in more than one way as he searched yours, undoubtedly using his bloodline ability to find a hint of a lie. "One more time?"

You couldn't help but smile before you cupped his face in your hands, meeting his dark eyes and holding his intense gaze. "I love you, Shichiro. And I'll say it as many times as you want me to."

If you weren't in a room full of students - as well as your father and Opera, (and you supposed Kalego as well) - you would have happily removed his mask to kiss him properly, but you knew he was self conscious of his scar and refrained. That, and you had a very good idea his self control was on the verge of slipping; as was yours, to be honest. One kiss would lead to more as it always seemed to tend to, and you knew you wouldn't want to stop.

"I love you too," He finally admitted as your words sunk in. "So, so much." There was a hint of desperation to his voice, which paired with the way his grip on you was more than just supporting you against his frame, but feeling the plush curve of your butt.

There was no denying the thoughts running through your head, or the yearning that filled your body. You bit your lip as your fingers as well as your gaze traveled down his neck, feeling the strong cords of muscle beneath. He wasn't wearing the collar of feathers, but instead a dark, high collared top that felt like velvet beneath your fingers.

It would be so easy to push it away and press your lips to the sensitive skin there and listen to him hold back a whimper and groan as you tortured him. The thought of reducing him to a whimpering mess always tempted you, making you bite your lip as your mind drifted into the gutter.

Shichiro said your name quietly, making it sound like a plea as you continued to rub the velvet cloth trying to feel his muscular shoulders beneath as you thought.

You met his gaze, which felt as hot and heavy as the feeling settling in your lower gut. You knew what you wanted to do - what you thought he wanted to do too - but were uncertain how to proceed. Or rather, hesitant to take that next step. Was it being too bold?

Screw it. Fortune favored the bold, right? Be ambitious. Be selfish. 

"Why…don't we slip away somewhere more private?" You asked hesitantly, your attempt to be quiet making you sound a bit more sultry than intended.

His grip tightened even more, and you felt a hint of something hard press against your stomach. Yet instead of eagerly agreeing or even just carrying you away, (as you may have thought about more than once in previous daydreams) he protested - but with obvious reluctance. "It's your Rite, and…"

"Is there an unwritten rule that I have to stay here when I'd rather be alone with you?" You asked. Because devi, your mind was fully in the gutter and the thought of trying to pretend you were totally not thinking such things while you tried to mingle with everyone else sounded like torture.

And not the pleasant kind you hoped waited for you in the near future.

"Well, no," He admitted after a moment, his brow furrowed in confusion. "But would you really rather sneak away with me than stay and celebrate?"

Devi, how could a demon be so pure? "One hundred percent yes," You replied firmly before boldly adding on: "To the point I don't care where we go, as long as it's somewhere private and we won't be disturbed." Because hell or heaven help you if you couldn't at least get him half-undressed so you could explore his body with both your hands and lips. It was taking every bit of your self control as it was, with those thoughts running in your mind while being braced against him, the growing firmness pressing against you left little doubt he was having similar thoughts.

There was a moment of silence as his gaze became distant and unfocused, his cheeks turning bright red."Shichiro…?" You called softly after the moment stretched on. He snapped out of his thoughts, though his cheeks stained red even more.

"I, uh, well, I-I have been wondering if you would like to, um, come to my home? I've been working on my nest…."

Oh. Oh. That was much more than finding a closet or unoccupied room. It was your turn to blush, your heart racing in anticipation as well as more than a little bit of anxiety.

You wanted to - you really wanted to - but you couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. It had been such a long time - what felt like a lifetime to be honest - long before Iruma came into your life, since you had been with someone. And while kissing and petting had been second nature when it came to Shichiro….

Well, your daydreams hadn't quite prepared you for the real possibility.

Yet, again, you wanted to. And he was bound to be a more thoughtful lover than you had experienced before, demon or not. (Hell, he already was.)

After what felt like forever, you finally took the metaphorical step and nodded while biting your lip. "I-I would like that."

--+-- Su-Ki-Ma--+--

"They seriously don't think they're being subtle, right?" Soi sighed as he watched the two adults head towards the exit. Well, Balam walking somewhat stiffly with you cradled in his arms, your face red as a tomato but laughing.

Granted, his ability made disappearing easy, and also made it more noticeable when others tried to sneak off… but, still. That was about as obvious as anyone could be without making a loud announcement.

"Soi!" Leid jumped, startled by the demon's sudden presence. "You have got to stop doing that!"

"Are you talking about our two love bird teachers?" Elizabetta asked with a giggle, not as easily startled as their classmate. She also had noticed the pair, but was delighted by the turn of events. After all, their romance was something straight out of her own daydreams, making her hope even more that she would have a fairytale romance as well. "Aren't they adorable?"

"That's one word for it," Soi acknowledged, not as enamored with the situation as she was. "I might want to adjust my bet…"

"You and everyone else," Jazz agreed, summoned by the word 'bet'. He was already pulling out the notebook he was using to keep track of the massive pool going. "Lets see, are you wanting to change when you think their wedding day will be, or when Professor Balam will have mom knocked up?"

"Are you still taking bets?" Opera asked after overhearing the four students discuss their options. All four froze, glancing at the security demon and expecting a reaction much like Kalego's when he had found the betting during one of his lectures. (Granted, shortly after he had placed his own as well. He just didn't appreciate it being discussed during class.)

Instead, there was no anger behind Opera's placid expression, just simple curiosity.

"Er, yeah…." Jazz answered as Soi disappeared and both Elizabetta and Leid stepped away from the feline demon.

"Good. Both Lord Sullivan and myself would like to participate…"

#mairimashita! iruma kun #welcome to demon school iruma kun #balam shichiro #balam/reader #suzuki iruma #balam shichiro/reader #balam shichirou

[ff7ogzine]

Making a zine?

Consider going ✨ digital first and free/not for profit! ✨

There are so many benefits to this approach:

Eliminates your risk of fraud, embezzlement, tax issues and legal liability (which might be on your mind after the latest scandal)

Reduces scope and logistical complexity while your zine is being produced 

Makes your zine more accessible to readers, contributors, and first-time mods 

Allows you to include whatever content you want without worrying about unfriendly storefront policies (often a concern for NSFW content)

Reduces your zine’s overall timeline to delivery

Allows you to have a nice big simul-launch party

Keeps your zine a community passion project rather than a professional commitment, preserving the spirit of fannish culture

You can still coordinate a print run later, if you want to!

Free + digital first is the strategy we took with Return to the Planet, and everyone on the team feels that it was an excellent decision. Our zine was a success! To give you an idea of our impact:

Our Twitter follower count is about 512, and our zine release has received 444 likes and 289 retweets (a 144% engagement rate), plus 697 impressions to our website, indicating that it has been pretty widely read among the audience we have

Although our zine was completely free, we raised $1300 USD and counting in at-will donations using Tiltify as a charity fundraiser platform – without a mod ever having to handle money or personal information

Even with the digital zine freely available, we still had enough interest to proceed with a print run, and sold 133 copies internationally (which we are now working to fulfill)

I cannot overstate how well this model worked for us! After the cut I’ll go into detail about the logistics and the benefits at each step. If you’re curious about this option, or just want to read about our process, read on!

We chose free + digital first for RTTP because of two constraints on the project:

As an anniversary zine, we had a fixed deadline we were targeting for delivery, which would have given us 7 months total from “hey let’s make a zine” to delivery. A print run was out of the question.

We had a team of first-time mods and wanted to minimize scope, stress and risk by taking money out of the equation

Here's how it turned out.

Timeline

Our mods are spreadsheet-loving workaholics, so YMMV, but the 7 month timeline from inception to delivery turned out to be just right. This broke down to:

1 month interest check and initial planning

1 month contributor applications opened and prep finalized

3 months for contributors to work on their pieces

2 months for zine production and promotion

We saved a significant amount of time that would have gone towards printing and shipping, which could have easily doubled the length of the project. We also had to make fewer decisions and do less research and setup up-front because we didn’t need to make decisions related to costing early on. 

Although we were working towards a fixed deadline we didn’t want to move, choosing a digital release generally affords you better control over your timeline by reducing your dependencies on external factors such as shipping delays and changing import laws.

Contributors and Content

Under normal circumstances, printing or selling your zine comes with contributor and content restrictions. 

The number of contributors a zine has will impact the size and weight of the physical book, which will affect its cost to print and ship. Digital zines simply don’t have this problem, and so our contributor limits were instead dictated by the amount of work our mod team felt willing to handle.

The same physical size constraints tend to cause zines to feature more art than writing because it takes less space per piece. Alternative, fewer writers being accepted with a much more restrictive word count. Because we weren’t worried about the size, we were able to accept many writers with a reasonable word-count, and invite essayists as well as fic authors for content variety.

Our zine was SFW, so we don’t have strong experience here, but going free/not-for-profit will also eliminate issues NSFW zines might encounter with trying to comply with storefront policies.

Charity Campaign

We decided later in the project that although the zine would be free, we should try to raise some money for charity while we were at it. We created digital merch that would be gated behind a minimum charity payment as an incentive. It was very painless to set this up without mods having to handle money directly. We used the charity fundraising platform Tiltify to accept payments on our behalf.

Anyone who contributed to the Tiltify campaign above a certain dollar amount received an email with a link to a Google Drive folder containing all the digital goodies. One could easily use this service to deliver a digital charity zine in the same way without having to manage a storefront. It's an excellent option for not-for-profit mods who want to avoid bookkeeping.

Release

Working toward a specific release date for the zine helped with the sense of community and morale on this project. We were very in control of our own delivery timelines and not beholden to external delays, so building the hype train was fun! Everyone involved got to see their work go out into the world at the same time and share in that sense of achievement.

Contributors also had a pretty minimal publishing embargo on their work, and were able to share their pieces approximately 2 months after the completion deadline, as opposed to having to wait for all shipping and fulfillment to complete.

Print Run

We had always entertained the idea of a limited print run, so we kept the project print-safe from the start, enabling us to do a print-run afte the fact. 

After the zine’s release and a much needed several-month break for our mods, we felt we had the confidence, experience and trust we needed, and we set out to pursue that print run. We were unsure at the outset whether or not anyone would be interested in buying a copy of an already freely accessible zine. Turns out, the interest was definitely there!

We had no trouble at all meeting minimum order thresholds and have been able to move into the production phase. We are still in the process of delivering on our print run, so more reflections to come later, but I think having already delivered on our zine made the process less stressful and created less guesswork for us when it came to working out costs. We knew what our product would be like and we had a pretty good idea about the interest of our audience. This allowed us to stay pretty close to at-cost pricing for the zine.

Minimal Stress and Headaches

Our mod team had two mantras. One of them we repeated to each other whenever things felt overwhelming: “Free digital zine.” Just by removing any money from the equation we lowered the stakes – and therefore the stress – substantially. We were blessedly free of internal problems and drama, but if they had arisen, the “free digital zine” principle also would have helped to protect us, and protect the success of the project.

It also limited the stress on mods to break creating the zine and coordinating the production run into two separate projects. We were able to focus on one thing at a time and make sure that the details were all ironed out to the point that nobody lost any sleep over the project.

In the end, reduced stress + greater accessibility are probably the #1 reasons to pursue free and digital first. If you've made it this far - thanks for reading, and feel free to reach out with any questions. We'd love to see more free digital zines make it out into the world!

#free zines #zines on tumblr #zines #fandom zines #zine spotlight #ffvii zines #fanzines #zine #interest check

[scratchandplaster]

Aftermath of Drugging

CW: discussions of non-con drugging, spiking food, medical whump, overdosing, drug abuse, addiction, death, brief BBU-mention

Using drugs as a whump method is pretty common, and rightly so! As one of my favorite tropes, it was interesting to think about how they could affect the Whumpee after the act itself, be it physical or mental.

That's why I made a little compilation (for me and you), if you feel like agonizing your Whumpee even further. There are also some examples in between, for your entertainment!

The research is mostly relating to any downers, meaning any drug that makes you calm or fall asleep, so anesthetics, hypnotics or sedatives. Examples include ketamine, Rohypnol, GBL, propofol and heroin.

Uppers on the other hand have the opposite effect in stimulating the human nervous system. Some of the effects that are noted below are applicable to both kinds of drugs, but keep in mind that stimulants are more of an afterthought in this list. I'm going to recap the effects of both at the end.

I'm not a pharmacist by any means, but as far as reliable research for creative writing goes, this should suffice. No one is going to fact-check your whump fic, bestie 🤍

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

By method:

Ingestion (forcing them to take pills, spiking their food)

→ General indigestion, nausea, dry mouth

Injections via syringe or continuous administration through an IV drip (e.g. in medical settings)

-> Swelling/tenderness/infection/bruising of the injection side

-> High fever (even days after the injection)

→ Anaphylaxis: skin rash, chest tightness, dizziness, nausea, facial swelling

Anaphylaxis is an all-body allergic reaction that can cause mild to severe and even deadly symptoms (shock or coma). It can escalate and should be immediately treated with a shot of adrenaline. This kind of reaction could be detrimental to Whumper's plans, especially if they intend to keep Whumpee alive for the foreseeable future. So it would be helpful for them to always carry an EpiPen, just in case...

Inhalation (gas or liquid)

→ High risk of choking and (sleep) apnea

-> Irritation of throat, nose and eyes

-> Throat spasms (Laryngospasm)

Includes coughing, difficulty breathing/speaking and the feeling of suffocation. Even though this kind of spasm fades away pretty quickly, they cause severe stress and panic to the aggrieved party, even leading up to lose consciousness again.

Physical side effects:

-> Drowsiness/tiredness, headaches/migraines, tinnitus

-> Dry mouth/throat or excessive drooling

-> Dilated pupils (causing Whumpee to be light-sensitive)

-> Slurred speech

-> Skin rash, itching, hives

-> decreased/increased appetite (give them a little snack...or not)

Motor skills:

-> Muscle relaxation, ataxia (lack of movement control), general weakness

-> Poor coordination

-> Tremors, cramps, spasms

-> Numbness, paralysis of the body or extremities (a local anesthetic would also do that trick)

Vegetative effects:

-> PONV: nausea, vomiting, retching

-> Cold shivers or hot flashes, acute sweating

-> Arrhythmia, low blood pressure and heart rate

-> Labored breathing

-> Vertigo

The physical consequences alone can make the wake-up process a living nightmare for Whumpee. Any after-effects that inhibit them from just getting up and escape are probably the worst in such a situation, making them weak and useless even if no restraints are involved. Imagine Whumpee just breathing heavily and quivering with cold shivers on a basement floor, unable to shake this uncomfortable feeling off. Their whole system is just trying to get the drugs out, but doing more damage than intended. Numb to the world around them, not even feeling if they are hurt or wounded. Or imagine the complete opposite: Them being able to get up and stumble to the exit, only to be overwhelmed by intense dizziness and collapsing back onto their knees. All the while Whumper watches, of course 👀

Did Whumpee eat beforehand?

Prior to any anesthesia, the person has to fast for at least six hours beforehand. Because Whumpees rarely plan their own kidnapping or non-con high, Whumper should wait for the right moment to get it done. Otherwise, they're risking aspiration or choking and therefore dangerous lung damage up to death; surely the most undesired outcome. Who would have thought that drug abuse can be dangerous...

Impure compounds? In my illegal drugs!?!

If your Whumper's stash really was cut with popular diluents e.g. other medication or lactose, the risks are surprisingly low. The threat of overdosing still comes from the main drug agent. However, mixing downers and uppers to cancel each other out can lead to a dangerous cycle, which amplifies the side effects and increases the risk to OD.

Mental side effects:

-> Nightmares, paranoia around food/drinks

-> Depression, anxiety, self-loathing (e.g. for not being careful enough)

-> Psychosis, hallucinations (optic, acoustic, in terms of taste etc.)

-> Dissociation, confusion, disorientation

-> Insomnia

-> Reduced anxiety or inhibitions

Now instead of being afraid, Whumpee could go batshit crazy and make fun of Whumper; spitting, biting and insulting their aggressor. An outburst they will probably regret later, when they're calm again and sober enough to understand the damage they have caused themself.

-> Memory loss/amnesia

Cue intimate Whumper, who just plays the part of a worried friend while keeping their love safe and controlled. Vague recollections of past abuse? No, just take another sip from your tea, it's alright... One could use drugs as a mean of removing memories altogether, I think in the BBU the "drip" is used to erase the whole personality of the Whumpee, making them a blank slate to train however one would like.

Withdrawal:

-> minutes or even days after the initial drugging

-> extreme anxiety up to paranoia

-> nausea, vomiting, indigestion

-> muscle aches

-> flu symptoms like a runny nose, sweating and fever

Depending on the kind of drug and how often it is used, withdrawal can start after just one dosage. "Not even once"-drugs include meth, heroin and crack cocaine. Also, barbiturates have a high risk of dependence. Speaking of it...⬇

Addiction as a long term effect:

-> Organ damage especially of the brain, liver, kidneys and the diseases that follow (including cancer, short weight, heart failure)

-> Loss of interests, behavior/personality change

-> Selling all valuables and ending up in poverty

-> Aggression/violent behavior

-> Shame and guilt

Isolated, financially and mentally unstable, Whumpee's life had been ruined with just a single act. Even Caretaker turned their back on their former friend. But Whumper would love to help Whumpee become sober again, under just a few conditions. On the other side of the spectrum: a Whumpee who finally managed to escape and take revenge on their abuser, they slowly but surely make Whumper ruin themself through their newly developed little habit...

To sum up:

Downers (decrease bodily functions and calm you down)

→ Unconsciousness, weakness, distortion of perception, failure of motor functions, coma

-> Common examples: Xanax, ketamine, propofol

Vs.

Uppers (stimulate bodily functions and mood)

-> reduced inhibitions, more prone to hallucinations, psychosis, seizures, serotonin syndrome (high heart rate, sweating, twitching, mania)

-> Common examples: meth, ecstasy, cocaine

Bonus: How to store your Whumpee!

The immediate consequence of drugging someone is to figure out how to keep them. Get them secluded and ready for whumping:

-> In the backseat, foot space or trunk of a car (use an ambulance, it's inconspicuous)

-> You know these roof boxes people strap on top of their car? Stuff ´em in there!

-> Put them in a box and ship them overseas

-> Basements are classics, but try the attic for a change

-> Just use a coffin, combined with an old hearse nobody is going to notice

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Thanks for reading 🤍 [Masterpost]

#tldr: you will feel pretty shitty afterwards :( #this is organized weirdly sorry for that #please add anything you're missing! #whump #whumpblr #creative writing #whump community #whump drabble #Morris would like this crash course #writing advice #non con drugging #drug abuse #overview #side effects #aftermath #tw addiction #tw death #medical whump #tw overdose #spiking food #anaesthetics #anaesthesiology #sedation #syringe #needles #tw drugs #masterlist #kidnapping #allergic reaction #shock

[missacidburn928s-heathenhideaway]

I really do, believe in you...

Wordcount: 2,860

Thor x POC Singer!Reader “Honey” x Bucky. Thor x POC Singer!Reader “Honey” x Bucky x Steve.

Summary:

Let’s see if you believe in me. The Avengers Holiday party. You are both a guest and part of the musical entertainment. Will you end up on the naughty or nice list?

Warnings:

Smut, Teasing, Dom Steve Rogers, Christmas Party, Office Sex, Polyamory, Steve Rogers is a Tease, Possessive Behavior, Not Sharon Carter Friendly, Domestic Avengers, Petty Reader, Dancing and Singing, Protective Bucky Barnes, Thor is just enjoying his mead

Notes:

Just a fun little snapshot for the holiday season! This one is very Steve heavy, but that's just where these characters took me. Have no fear though, the next full installment is VERY Thor-centric and Bucky will have his own installment to shine as well. Happy Reading Heathens! *I will have a set list of the songs used at the end. As well as links to the songs throughout the story. Please give these artists a listen!

Banner by @cafekitsune Divider by @firefly-graphics

You spot them as they enter the main ballroom. Your three strapping men, color coordinated and cutting intimidating frames in their suit choices. Thank the goddess you had a good hold on the mic as you waited for your cue to join Sy in singing White Christmas, or you might have literally swooned in front of this mass of party goers.

You start your verse as you watch them make their way over to the bar where the team, plus one Sharon Carter, have gathered. Thankfully tonight’s event is Jane Foster free, so it should be a good night with you, Sy and the Chanti’s house band entertaining Tony’s rich friends and employees before enjoying some much needed time with your men.

You can't help but feel festive in your short red dress, studded red fishnets and nude pumps. You’ve kept your makeup simple with a nude lip and a smokey eye. Your hair down and in its natural state. Sy made a comment when picking you up that you looked like Santa’s little Siren. Seems appropriate if you do say so yourself.

Per usual you notice Sharon being a bit too chummy with your Captain. The woman just can’t help herself. You know all about the “kiss” when they were trying to save your beloved Bucky. But according to Steve the reason it never went further was because there was no spark when their lips touched. And he tried giving her a chance, chalking the lack of spark up to the stress of the situation, but she was way too into his status and power. So he ended things before it made it any further than a couple dates and a subpar makeout session.

What is it with these prude ass women that hang around these strong ass people? Sharon, like Jane, thinks your quad is ridiculous and you don't need that many men. Especially when you added Steve in.

“He should be upholding traditional values as he’s America's golden boy. Not flaunting such an alternative lifestyle. Hell if he was gay it would be easier than this bullshit. Why on Earth would you want to willingly share a woman with two other men. Not to mention one of those men is a God and the other a murderer.”

Let's not forget what she also stated in that little rant of hers, when she was unaware you could hear her perfectly clear from your spot in the common room. “I just don’t understand what he sees in her. Who stays in a band with someone they used to be fuck buddies with? It’s just tacky and sad. A man that powerful should be with someone who is only devoted to him and can boost his image, not damage it. ” 

I’ll show her tacky. Lord knows I'm certainly not above being petty. I’ve been behaving for far too long. Time to put these Siren skills to use. What good are they to have if you can’t fuck with uppity bitches using them.

You wrap the song with Sy and address the room. “Once again I’m Honey, he’s Sy and they are the Chanticleers house band. I hope you’ve enjoyed your evening so far. We plan on keeping things fun, flirty and just a tad bit naughty. Might even make ya feel some things tonight. Requests are accepted but are subject to refusal. For this next one I’m going to need a certain Widow and White Wolf to report to the dance floor to really get this crowd moving and grooving.”

They exchange a look with each other, shrug and make their way over to the now cleared dance floor. A tango melody begins, which sounds remarkably like Billie Eilish's Bad Guy . As your sultry voice fills the space, your eyes feast upon the natural elegance of Bucky leading Nat across the floor. It’s turning you on, if you’re being honest with yourself. Two people you know very intimately, pressed close together, seducing the crowd with their bodies, is panty dampening. If you were wearing any that is.

As Bucky dips Nat for the last time, he tosses you a wink as he swings her out and they both take a bow.

“Now that the temperature has certainly risen, let's get those hips moving. We are a big band after all, let’s give ya a taste of what we do three nights a week at Chanti’s.” Sy starts tickling the ivory, leading the band in a 1920s cover of Levitating. You shimmy and sway your hips to the beat as people fill the dance floor once again. 

The whole team is cutting a rug, trying to get tips from Bucky and Steve on how to dance best with a partner to this upbeat rhythm. It truly is such a sweet sight to see. Even Sharon, trying to use this to her advantage isn’t phasing you. He entertains her for a few measures as she tries desperately to keep up with his footwork. He eventually pawns her off on an agent nearby and makes his way to the side of the stage.

Just before the music break he sneaks up and grabs your hand, spinning you into him as you finish the chorus. A ‘woo’ escaping you as you collide with his chest. He leads you in a simple swing as the band plays on, placing you back in front of the mic with a kiss to the jaw and a squeeze of the hips just in time for you to get back to serenading the crowd. 

Smooth asshole. I’ll be getting you back for that one, Sir.

“Should we keep this high energy up?” The crowd responds with ‘yes’ accompanied by hoots and hollers. “Requests are open if anyone has a suggestion.”

From the middle of the dance floor you hear Sam shout “I2I. I’m trying to get my goof troop on.”

You can't help but crack up at his antics, trying to pull one over on you. “Fortunately for you Samuel, we are well versed in the magic that is Tevin Campbell. But since you think you're so funny why don’t you come show these people your best Max moves and maybe you just might find yourself a Roxanne.”

Sy’s fingers produce the familiar synth beat from the electric guitar in his large hands, before the band joins in and brings this funky jam of your childhood to life. You have fun with it, goofing around with your back up singers and really livening the place up. You truly do shine when you are on a stage.

“Steve, why are you over here? Come back out on the dance floor with us.” Sharon whines.

“I’m content here with my drink currently. I’m admiring the view too much.” His eyes haven't moved from your body the whole song. Not even to address Sharon.

“Don’t you want to continue to have fun?”

“I’m having plenty of fun, trust me.” He taps his head, a devious smile crossing his face, as filthy thoughts of you fill his mind.

Just as she is about to open her mouth in response, the song ends and the dance floor bursts out in applause.

“Hot damn was that fun!” You shout out, catching your breath. “I think we all deserve a cool down after that.”

The crowd agrees with head nods and murmurs of yes. “Sy would you be so kind as to set up a chair for Steven to come join us on stage?”

You wink at him as you curl your fingers in a come hither motion to get him moving. He places his drink down and like a sailor following a Sirens song into the sea, travels across the parting dance floor, keeping eye contact with you, until he sits in the chair provided for him in the middle of the stage.

You reach over and pluck the Santa hat covering the extra mic stand. You turn toward the soldier sitting proudly in the chair behind and to the right of you. You take two steps and bend over, placing the festive red hat on his head with a kiss to his bearded cheek.

“Now that we have our Santa, I have a few things I’d like to ask for.” The band starts to play Santa Baby to the crowds whoops and applause. 

You give the room your full attention at first. Pouty lips, swaying hips, coquettish smiles as your fingers play with the mic stand. Steve’s eyes are glued to your backside the entire time, pants growing uncomfortable.

You grab the mic and begin to move about the stage as you sing about all the fellas you haven't kissed, with a wink to Thor and Bucky for good measure. Hips moving to the beat as you parade around the stage, dutifully ignoring your Captain. That is until you place yourself on his thighs asking him to come and trim your Christmas tree. 

You words and attention are only for him. The sexual tension you two have been playing with all night is beginning to leak out. The want in your voice as you ask one final time for him to ‘Hurry, tonight.”, is his breaking point. Especially as you slip off his lap and immediately address the crowd.

“Let’s give a round of applause to our wonderful Santa everybody.” The inebriated crowd hoops and hollers, as Steve, having discreetly adjusted himself, stands and takes a bow. As he passes you by, he places a hand low on your hip, giving it a squeeze. All while laying a kiss behind your ear with a low growl and a whispered command of “My office in 5.”

A shiver runs down your spin as he makes his way off stage. Eyes tracking him as he stops to talk to Thor and Bucky. Both men turn to you up on stage, Thor raises his glass with a wink and smug smile, while Bucky mouths ‘Naughty girl.”

“Looks like it’s time for this Songstress to call it a night.” Someone boos in the crowd. “Have no fear, the night is far from over. The house band is more than capable of keeping the party going. You’ll forget about little ole me in no time. For now I bid you adieu. May your night continue on with laughter and joy.”

You give a bow as Sy walks up to the mic. You give his bicep a squeeze and whisper “Knock em dead.” before exiting the stage.

You’re spread out on Steve’s desk, dress hiked up around your waist and the crotch of your fishnets ripped open, back arched as the golden Adonis between your thighs wrenches another orgasm from you with his tongue.

“Just had to tease me, doll.” He plunges two fingers, knuckles deep into your dripping folds. “Don’t think I didn’t notice the little game you were playing with Sharon.”

He crooks his fingers just so, playing with your sweet spongy spot, making you whimper out. “I couldn’t help myself.”

“I know you couldn’t. My naughty naughty girl.” He removes his fingers, leaving you feeling empty. You start to whine until you notice him unbuckling his slacks and pulling out his thick cock.

Your mouth begins to water as you lean forward, licking your lips, wanting a taste. He grabs your throat, pulling your head up. “Uh, uh dollface. As much as I want those pouty lips wrapped around my cock I need to be inside you more. Gotta remind you I’m not going anywhere as my cum slowly leaks out of you the rest of the night.”

As you open your mouth to respond with some kind of sassy retort, he grips your thighs and pulls forward, impaling you to the hilt on his length. You both moan out simultaneously as you adjust to his girth for a moment. A moment is all he grants you.

With an intensity comparable to a feral Bucky, Steve sets a back breaking pace. His strokes are hard and deep, hitting all your sweet spots, turning your muscles to mush in his capable strong hands. He’s so lost in imprinting himself to your body that he doesn't hear the door to his office opening. 

With half lidded eyes you watch as Sharon’s face emerges from the opening, jaw going slack with shock at the act of passion happening in front of her. As Steve grinds his pelvis into your clit after a particularly deep thrust, you lock eyes with the unsolicited blonde voyeur, letting every ounce of pleasure your feeling spring forth from your throat.

He growls out, nipping your neck, still unaware of your visitor. “Fuck babygirl. Squeezing my dick so tight. I can feel you’re close. C’mon. Cum for me. Give your Captain everything so I can fill you up.”

You smirk at Sharon before gripping Steve’s hair and guiding his lips to yours. You ignore the pest still at the door and proceed to grind back against your Captain as you bite his lower lip. It does as you intended and he slams into you harder, desperate to have you coming all over his dick.

You stay lost in each other, as Sharon retreats, quietly shutting the door back. Paying no attention to her surroundings, she runs straight into Bucky.

“Find what you were looking for Sharon?” He asks. “I was trying to find you and let you know that I would get Steve as he would most likely be indisposed. But I guess I was too late. See something you weren't supposed to?”

She swallows and just nods her head.

“Serves you right.” He grits out. “I hope for your sake you’ve finally learned your lesson that Honey isn't going anywhere.” A cruel smile crosses his face. “Knowing you though, I doubt that it has. I’m going to enjoy watching her take you down as you continue to step out of line. Let’s see how long you last this time.”

“He’ll get sick of her soon enough and I’ll be here to give him what he truly needs. A powerful man needs a woman fully devoted to him and only him.” She spits out.

“Keep deluding yourself, agent. You just witnessed how devoted they are to each other.” He shakes his head. “Get the fuck out of here. You’re not worth the hell Honey would give me for ruining her time with her Captain to deal with you.”

She glares at him before walking off down the hall at a brisk pace.

Uncaring of being stealthy, Bucky opens the office door and enters. He is there but a minute, listening to you come undone, before Steve is losing himself inside of you as you cling to him like a koala. His dick instantly hardens wanting to come out and play.

“Is there something I can help you with Buck?” Steve pants out, unwilling to pull himself for your warmth.

“I was just popping in to let you know Tony is asking for you. It’s time for speeches or whatever.” He replies.

You run your fingers through Steve’s hair as his head lays on your chest. “You run into Sharon in the hall or was she long gone by the time you made it here?”

Steve pushes himself up. “Why would he run into Sharon?”

“Ah, so she didn’t go unnoticed afterall." Bucky chuckles. "I caught her trying to sneak back to the party. Literally ran right into me after she shut the door.”

“What’s going on?” Steve queries. 

“Sharon came looking for you and found you ravaging me instead. I’m surprised you didn't hear the door open with your Super Soldier hearing.” You answer.

He starts to laugh. “Good. I hope she enjoyed the show.”

You slap him on the back. “Scoundrel. What am I going to do with you? How would the world respond, knowing that their golden boy can be such a pervy asshole?”

“As long as I’m your pervy asshole, I don’t care.” He kisses your collarbone.

“Alright Stevie.” Bucky speaks up. “Get yourself cleaned up before Tony comes looking for you himself. Sooner we get this done with, the sooner I can get my dick wet.” He winks at you.

“Selfish Beast.” You tease him as Steve pulls out, He scoops any of his spend that’s leaked out onto his fingers and pushes them back inside you making you moan out.

“I’m gonna enjoy knowing I'm slowly leaking out of you the rest of the night.” He makes you lick his fingers clean. “Let’s see how long it takes before more is added shall we.”

“You go on ahead.” Buck calmly states. “I’m contributing my claim now. Hope you don't mind me using your office.”

“Just don't do anything stupid while I’m gone.” Steve responds as he opens the door and heads out into the hall.

“How can I, when you’re taking all the stupid with you?” Bucky shouts back, before locking the door behind him and making his way over to your still spread thighs.

“You are not nearly ruined enough for me to allow you out of here.” He circles your throat with his flesh hand. “Let me rectify that.”

#poc reader #avengers x reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes smut #thor x reader #thor smut #steve rogers smut #steve rogers x reader #avengers au #avengers smut

[calliettes-posts]

Bobbie will probably break Anais' heart. Will she be distant with Bobbie after all this? Or what are your theories? What will happen in the next episodes?

I actually think they'll both accuse eachother of sending mixed signals lol, because while Anais is all and also seems to rush the relationship, she's still secretive about them being together, while Bobbie is taking things slower but ready to tell everyone of their relationship, but all in all I don't think the relationship per se will cause problems, I think they'll fight quite a bit but that's expected being the fact that they officially known eachother for 4 weeks maximum and still need to get to know eachother, and that they're 15/16. But I think their communication is strong enough to talk everything out

I actually think the problem will be Anais' environment, we already know that Anais likes to be coordinated and is also very opinionated, which can cause people to see her as stuck up and such, and she also tends to get stressed easily. I believe that her friends will be again dismissive of her, and also that there might be some stress with her mum, maybe she wants Anais to live with her or something, and of course the new relationship, and school, and all of that might cause Anais to be perpetually stressed, and seen as unfun or something by people around her, and no one really trying to understand what is going on with her or even knowing that something is going on since Anais doesn't tend to talk about her personal life, and since the episodes have strongly hinted on weed use so far, I think she'll try to start smoking to finally be relaxed and also not seen as like the party pooper, but she won't tell anyone and no one would suspect it from her anyways until its too late, then something bad happens, everyone finds out and the friends blame Bobbie for Anais' drug use since she's been smoking regularly, and if the theory is true, was also in rehab, and so is a bad influence generally, Bobbie is angry that Anais wouldn't talk about what's been going on and also doesn't appreciate the fact that she's blamed, also I feel like she'll call Anais a hypocrite or something, and all I've theorised so far lol, but I do believe Anais and Bobbie will end up together

#this got way too long lol #wtfock #ask #anaïs davis #bobbie de bruyn #anobbie

[bea-ce]

Genshin men and women underwear hc(s)!

characters: Albedo, Al Haitham, Ayato, Ayaka, Baizhu, Beidou, Candace, Childe, Cyno, Dehya, Diluc, Eula, Ganyu, Gorou, Heizou, Hu Tao, Itto, Jean, Kaeya, Kazuha, Keqing, Kokomi, Shinobu, Layla, Lisa, Mona, Ningguang, Raiden, Rosaria, Kujou Sara, Shenhe, Sucrose, Thoma, Tighnari, Venti, Wanderer, Xiao, Yae Miko, Yanfei, Yelan, Yoimiya and Zhongli

genre: crack, headcanons

summary: me and my friend (Ilie) came up with this in 3 seconds without critical thinking and using our frontal lobes then decided to fully commit to this instead of properly doing our homework (math finals are next week)

notes: There's no moral or intellectual motivation for this we just decided to do it and went fuckin AT IT like it was our god-given mission to save the world.

all characters mentioned are above 18 no nsfw mentions, just hc of what genshin characters would wear for underwear

Albedo

Very particular about the fabric and the cut of the underwear. Have to be the right color, shape, HAVE TO BE THE RIGHT EVERYTHING! He would stick with regular 100% cotton, BUT, he has some silk once for when he really wants to treat himself or for fancy occasions.

Al Haitham He coordinates his underwear with the weather or some other arbitrary bullshit that doesnt make sense to us normal plebeians. He has to have something really stretchy because "Oh! having good joint mobility and being stretchy is good for combat, therefor I NEED the stretchy underwear. THEREFOR it is VITAL for my E V O L U T I O N to have them stretchy.” - Al Haitham, probably

Ayato “He wears normal basic black and white boxers Just cotton material because he's so normal, he's so normal, 100% normal, there's nothing special or weird about him that's so normal and it's a testimony to his normalcy, there's nothing wrong here and nothing weird here to see!” Ilie

Ayaka She's just like her brother. Her underwear is morally correct AND politically correct. Her underwear is a pinnacle to human righteousness.

Baizhu His favorite color is purple, therefore it's vital for him to have purple ones!! Has some magic kind of underwear that doesn't get lint on them whenever he washes them. His underwear just kinda rejects lint!

Beidou There is lace trim and there is silk, she wants nothing but the best for her divine feline of treasures. She has specific underwear for specific occasions. She has one for when she knows she's going to fight, for when she’s going to partying, drinking, SHE HAS SPECIFIC UNDERWEAR FOR SPECIFIC OCCASIONS!!!!!

Candace Kinda like Al Haitham with the flexible, stretchy part. She wants her joints open and stuff, doesn’t wear underwear past her hips. Probably a thong type of person.

Childe He has a pair with tiny little narwhals embroidered on it. The thread is shiny so whenever he’s stressed he just stares in the mirror and wiggles to see the light reflect on the shiny thread. Bonus: he wore them while fighting the traveler to boost his own confidence. He’s a cotton type of guy, not a silk type of guy because it feels weird against his skin. Feels wrong!!

Cyno “I can’t see him as a person that wears underwear” Bea

Dehya Fashion type of gal, correlates her outfits with her underwear for her own confidence. “Ooh all of my outfits matching today oh yeah baby” Def a silk type of person, despite it being sticky and feeling icky she still wears it because IT'S PRETTY! RAHHH! Wears lace.

Diluc *Argues whether or not he wears batman underwear or not*

Eula Wears lace! Is a thong type of person, she has them high up. Underwear that aren’t thongs fucking SUCK!!!

Ganyu “There’s grass in her ass.” Ilie (I WAS JOKING!) Too tired to bother wearing something pretty, only cares that her underwear feels soft and nice to wear. Kinda like: “waaah, I have to go to work” *Throws whatever on (puts on a sock)*

Gorou Doesn’t wear underwear, he needs to let it breathe.

Heizou Doesn’t give a shit, throws on whatever. So long as it’s vaguely underwear-esque

Hu Tao She definitely has to have cute little ghosts embroidered on them. Wears only red and black ones, she would have really cute underwear in the color that she likes!

Itto “He ALSO doesn’t wear any underwear” “He wears YOU as underwear” Bea and Ilie He probably doesn’t own any, and the pairs he does own have fucking holes in them. Spends his money on other stuff that makes it impossible for him to buy a new pair. Economically irresponsible.

Jean Wears flower patterns. Cute patterns! But not super basic patterns, just flowers and stuff. IN MUTED COLORS, SPECIFICALLY!!!

Kaeya He wears LACE!!! Definitely DEFINETLY wears leather underwear for fun times ;) Outside of that he also likes to spoil himself, man just look at him. Ain't no way you lookin like Kaeya and not giving a shit about the way you look! Buys quality underwear that both feels nice and looks nice.

(Bitch wrote this all on her own im not included in this fucketry - Ilie)

Kazuha Doesn’t really care so long as its underwear. Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures, he’s def shoved a leaf down there at one sad, sad point of his life.

Keqing Shits expensive and shit is purple! Has bows on her stuff in the front.

Kokomi She wears cut out underwear, just look at her outfit. She also likes matching her underwear with her outfit, only if she isn’t busy with life or work where she’ll settle with whatever.

Shinobu Does she even fit underwear in those shorts?

Layla Def wear blue, white and black ones. She's the type of person to not put super much thought into it, so long as it's the things she likes. Color, feel and material, stuff she deems acceptable!

Lisa Lacey, purple and expensive. Wears high waist underwear that's expensive and purple, and expensive and purple.

Mona She has a few good ones, but that she only wears when she wants to really REALLY want to treat herself.

Ningguang Expensive, lace trimmed and solid laced ones. She’s got weird cut-out and strappy underwear that’s more complex than a mathematical problem. Shits made from silk spun from the rarest flower on the globe that blooms once every 15 years and a pair of undies cost the entirety of Liyue’s BNP.

She also coordinates them with her outfits because she’s organized and sleek like that.

Raiden Dark purple, and LACE! ITS LACE, SOFTER THAN CLOUDS AND COMFY AS HELL! THEY WILL LAST FOR ETERNITY! RAHHHHH!!!!

Rosaria Has a really specific requirement for her underwear to be dark red and black ONLY.

Kujou Sara Black, all solid, no lace no details no nothing. Vaguely devoid of any soul. Her underwear having any type of pazzazz would be a fucking crime against humanity and her devotion to the shogun, somehow.

Shenhe ‘People wear underwear? Glad im not people, underwear sucks’---Shenhe

Sucrose Just basic. Like basic basic, except shes very particular about the material feeling ‘right’ (there’s literally no boundary for right and wrong material, if she doesnt like it its due to some arbitrary fact that not she can figure out. The underwear is simply doomed to be disliked)

Thoma ‘I feel like he doesn’t really care, wears whatever colour, just slaps em on. Only comfy fancy pair he has are a pair that Ayato gifted him’ - Bea

Tighnari Ilie: “He has a pocket in the gooch are yk?”

Bea: “Like a fucking kangaroo??”

Ilie: “yeah, he puts herbs and stuff in there to marinate his balls in the positive calming effects of weirdass plants”

Venti “He wears thongs” - Bea

(Ilie was mortified and tearing up a little bit when I described it as a bag for genitalia)

Wanderer Has only a few pairs he religiously recycles like his life depends on it because hes so UTTERLY, INSANELY, ILLOGICALLY specific about how his underwear should be. Bro gets new underwear like once every 50 years because he’s so damn unwilling to try and find new ones. Once he blew up a store because he was so offended about the underwear not being right (during his evil scaramouche era)

Xiao “Hes been wearing the same pair of underwear since birth” - Bea

Yae Miko She wears expensive silky stuff because come on, look at her. Is any other answer even close to correct?

“shes definitely stolen one of raiden’s pairs lol” - Bea

Yanfei Her underwear are like lucky-go charms, she has a pair she wears as emotional and moral support to really big, risky cases.

Yelan God whats up with rich fancy women and my human instincts screaming silk. Shes rich! Of course all of her underwear are the softest and finest silk known to man.

Yoimiya Just wears the weird damn bandage short undie things??? That stuff honestly cannot be comfortable, image your skin getting pinched between the bandages. Ow.

Zhongli

Ilie: “His underwear are all 300+ years old-”

Bea: “NO! When he was Morax he went down to Liyue, saw someones underwear hanging out to dry or something, stole them because they looked weird and tried to figure out how to wear them and couldnt figure it out. Some random guy came around and was like ‘wtf no you wear it like this’”

Ilie: “What, like in public?”

Bea: “YES. And ever since hes worn only that pair, and he didnt get any other ones until he decided to become human”

#genshin #genshin impact #genshin crack #genshin zhongli #genshin yoimiya #genshin yelan #genshin yanfei #genshin yae miko #genshin xiao #genshin wanderer #genshin scaramouche #genshin venti #genshin tighnari #genshin thoma #genshin sucrose #genshin shenhe #genshin kujou sara #genshin rosaria #genshin raiden shogun #genshin raiden #genshin ei #genshin ningguang #genshin mona #genshin lisa #genshin layla #genshin shinobu #genshin kokomi #genshin keqing #genshin kazuha #genshin kaeya

[sheerfreesia007]

Fluffmas #14

Title: Fluffmas #14

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Matt Murdock x OFC!

Author: @sheerfreesia007​

Prompt: Getting tipsy on eggnog/mulled wine

Words: 1,427

Warnings: 

Permanent Tag List: @paintballkid711, @fioccodineveautunnale, @phoenixhalliwell, @linkpk88, @weirdowithnobeardo, @athalien

Gif Credit: @jes12321

The large conference room on the twentieth floor of Landman and Zack was beautifully decorated with Christmas trees at every corner of the room in different themes. There was a white one with all silver and blue ornaments, a green one with multicolored lights and multicolored ornaments, a green one with artificial snow on it with nature themed ornaments and tiny little birds dotted around the tree, and finally there was one that was a metallic gold color with silver, beige and taupe ornaments with sparkling lights. You beamed as you saw the strings lights decorating the walls in large u shaped arcs as well. It was all done so beautifully and tastefully, you were very proud of the work you had put into researching and interviewing each of the companies you contacted.

As the administrative assistant to Mr. Landman Jr., you had been in charge of coordinating the annual Christmas party at the infamously successful law firm. You had spent two months researching, creating a budget, interviewing and then setting up a schedule for all the companies that would be assisting with the party. Mr. Landman Jr. had expressed to you how his father was looking forward to this party and how well it was coordinated so you had been quite a bit stressed during the whole process but now as you looked around the room you were very proud of your work.

You walked around the room greeting all the managers from each company making small talk to find out if they needed anything from you before the party started. Thankfully everything was running smoothly and there wasn’t much for you to worry about.

Just then the doors opened and you turned to spot Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson slipping into the room. You walked over towards them with quick steps as a smile blossomed on your face, the two interns were some of the best people who worked at the law firm and you always loved their company. Especially Matt, he was a handsome blind man who was always so kind to you and always tried to ease your worries whenever you talked about your stressful job. As you stepped closer to them Foggy grinned at you and leant close to Matt and said something in his ear, Matt then stood straighter as you approached and smiled softly in your general direction.

“Gentlemen, the party doesn’t start for another ten minutes.” you said fondly as you grinned at the two of them. Mat stepped closer to you and you easily reached out allowing him to slip his arm around yours, this was your normal way of greeting Matt. No matter how often he would meet up with you he would always slip his arm around yours and have you be his guide instead of using his mobility cane. When you had met both him and Foggy at the firm a year ago Matt had, according to Foggy, easily charmed you with his charisma and hooked you around his pinky finger. You liked to argue that you were wrapped around Matt’s finger but you normally found yourself being more conscientious when you were around him.

“We wanted to come see the set up early. Get good spots at a table so that we wouldn’t be outcasts.” Foggy said in awe as he eyed the decorated room. “This all looks great! I’m digging the different Christmas trees. You did a great job organizing all of this.” Foggy praised you and smiled bashfully. Matt shifted closer to you and you shivered as you felt his hot breath on your ear.

“Would you walk me around and describe the room? I’d like to see it as much as I can.” he said in your ear and you smiled softly at him as a blush crept up onto your face making Foggy chuckle softly.

“There he goes again wrapping you around his finger.” Foggy teases you and you scowl softly at him making him laugh more.

“Ignore him, show me the room.” Matt says into your ear and you shiver once more before you turn him towards the bar and smile softly at the bartender.

“Can I have two eggnogs please?” you ask the bartender who nods hurriedly before pouring the drinks and handing the festive cups over to you. You easily take Matt’s mobility cane and fold it up and place it in his suit jacket pocket before handing him one of the cups.

“Thank you.” he says softly with a warm smile and you begin to walk him around the room. You guide him over to the first tree in the room, the white one with blue and silver ornaments, and stand before it looking up at it.

“Alright so the first we have is a ten foot white christmas tree, it’s got three different shades of blue ornaments ranging from dark navy blue, a bright light blue and a dusty bluish gray color. There are also large silver bows pinned to some of the branches but there’s definitely more ornaments than bows. And golden yellow Christmas lights on every branch of the tree.” you describe to him and Matt nods his head as he takes a sip from his cup. He takes a step forward and you help guide his hand to one of the branches of the tree and watch patiently as he feels the branch. He takes another sip from his cup and takes a step back to your side before sliding his arm around yours securely as he crowds your side. You blush softly as you take a sip of the eggnog and grimace at how strong it is.

“It sounds so pretty. Do you like different colored trees or the more traditional green tree?” He asks curiously as he leans close to you so that his soft words can reach your ears. You swear he’s staring right at you behind those red tinted glasses but you know that can’t be, but the almost direct attention is addicting as you lean closer to him.

“I like the traditional green trees. I’ve got a small seven foot one at home that I’ve had since graduating college and living in my own apartment.” you tell him and he nods his head as your words before taking another sip of his drink. You wait for him to finish before guiding him over to the next Christmas tree, people are starting to enter the conference room now and the DJ begins to softly play some upbeat Christmas music. “I like to decorate with different figurine ornaments of things that I love. Like I’ve got an ornament of Rapunzel’s tower with her long hair hanging out the window, it’s one of my favorite ornaments.” you tell him and he grins at your words.

“No wonder it’s your favorite, Rapunzel is your favorite fairytale story.” he says with a nod and you look at him surprised. You had only told him that one night at Josie’s when Foggy had left the two of you to try his hand at getting a date from a group of girls, you and Matt had fallen into a game of twenty questions and that had been one of the questions asked.

“I’m surprised you remember that.” you tell him honestly and he tilts his head at you with a furrowed brow.

“I remember everything you tell me about yourself.” he says softly and you gasp silently at him before he grins wolfishly at you. “I love learning all the little things about you.” He takes another sip of eggnog and you gape at him silently feeling the blush hot on your cheeks as your heart slammed into your ribcage heavily. He loved learning things about you? You shake your head quickly and take a big gulp of your own drink, nearly groaning as the strong liquor courses down your throat causing a warmth to blossom within the pit of your stomach. The thought that Matt remembers things about you and actually likes learning about them makes you feel dizzy with happiness but you’re thinking it also might be the eggnog.

“I-I love learning things about you too Matt.” you say softly and rest your head against his shoulder for a moment before clearing your throat softly. “Let’s move on to the next tree.” you say softly and he nods his head before you begin guiding him around the room again. The two of you are happy to stay in your quiet little happy bubble as you enjoy the festive air of the party.

#my writing #fluffmas 2023 #marvel #matt murdock x ofc #matt murdock

[nightttdreamers]

The Plan (and how it failed miserably) / Stan x Kyle

hello! reuploading this fic because i edited it a bit. last night, i found a playlist called “songs to have a crush to” and it possessed me and three hours later i’d written a 4.5k fic! crazy how that happens

please enjoy pining kyle x oblivious stan and be ready for confessions, fluff, a pinch of teenage angst for spice, fun side character action, disaster gays, and a happy ending :)

TW for underage drinking and some (canon-aligned) sex jokes, but otherwise this fic is pretty tame and wholesome

AO3 link | 4.5k words | One-shot

Kyle's going to ask Stan out tonight. He has a plan. The only issue is literally every part of the plan is falling apart.

You’ve got this. You are super cool and fun and hot. 

Kyle stares at himself in the mirror, delicately placing a curl of red hair just over his forehead in an attempt to conceal a blemish.

Even though this is your second stress pimple this week. You’ve still got this.

He looks down at his outfit, carefully coordinated during a thirty-minute facetime call with Heidi. Kyle figured that she would know what clothes made guys look better, and she was happy to help once he told her why he needed the perfect look for tonight.

Your outfit is “giving effortlessly flawless.” Heidi said so and she used to be attracted to you, for some reason.

His phone buzzes to life and Kyle doesn’t even need to check it to know it’s the “im outside” text he’s been expecting. He gives himself one more glance in the mirror.

Tonight is the night you are going to ask Stan out.

“Your boyfriend’s outside,” says Ike from the doorway. Kyle grabs his phone from his desk, tucking it in his back pocket.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Well, yet , Kyle thinks. Hopefully. He’s been planning this night for two weeks now, ever since Tolkien announced that he’s throwing a party at his family’s lakehouse to kick off Spring Break. It’s the perfect set-up; Stan will drive them there (as usual), they’ll have the whole long car ride to talk and listen to music. They’ll hang out at the house, dance a little bit, get some liquid courage. Then, once the party starts to mellow out, they’ll head out onto the dock and Kyle can ask him under the stars. Then, either Stan accepts, the two head inside, find one of Tolkien’s numerous bedrooms and enjoy their evening, or Stan rejects him and Kyle drowns himself in the lake.

“Earth to Kyle,” interrupts Ike. “God, you sure drool over him a lot for a guy who’s not your boyfriend.”

“Shut up,” is the best retort Kyle can think of, he’s too busy heading out of his room, desperate to get out of the house before he’s berated by another Broflovski. However, when he reaches the stairs, he sees that Stan is already in his doorway, talking to Sheila.

“The team’s doing great, Mrs. Broflovski,” Stan says. Kyle knows his mother is asking about football, though the season ended months ago. Stan never corrects her, just giving her that sweet little smile he does when he’s being bashful or modest and suddenly Kyle can feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Maybe you don’t got this.

“Kyle! You ready, dude?” Stan asks when Kyle makes his way to the bottom of the stairs.

Kyle nods, taking a second to find his voice. “Yeah, let’s go.”

“Bubbeh, you look so handsome!” Sheila says, giving her son a pinch on the cheek. Kyle looks at the ground, feeling his cheeks heat up with embarrassment. “Stanley, you take good care of my Kyle tonight, okay? Make good choices!” And now Kyle wants to hide under a rock.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Broflovski,” Stan says, still smiling that stupidly perfect smile. 

“Okay, bye mom,” Kyle says quickly, grabbing Stan by the sleeve and pulling him out of the house. “Dude, you didn’t have to come get me at the door.”

Stan shrugs as he heads to his car. “It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”

Kyle hops into the passenger seat. “Since when have you been a gentleman?”

“I dunno,” Stan replies quickly, turning the car on. He opens his mouth again, then shuts it, simply sliding in one of his CDs.

That was weird , Kyle thinks. But, he doesn’t have time to overthink it as Stan is about to do what Kenny calls “the sluttiest non-sexual act a man can do.” He glances back through his rearview window, keeping one hand on the wheel and one on the console. With Stan’s gaze occupied, Kyle can shamelessly watch him, that perfect side profile, those forearms, even his hand gripping the wheel does something for him. 

He’s so used to this routine that he’s able to look away before Stan turns to face forward again. Kyle thinks about how happy he’d be if he could just watch Stan drive around their shitty town forever.

“You excited for tonight?” Stan asks, snapping Kyle out of his daze.

“Uh, yeah I guess,” Kyle responds, because he wasn’t sure whether to play it cool or not.

Stan scoffs, glancing over at him with a funny look. “You guess?”

“Yeah, I don’t know, it might be fun. Might not be.” Kyle internally curses at himself for sounding like such a douchebag.

“Well, I’m excited,” Stan says, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. “I think it’ll be a good time. Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Something’s off. Sure, Stan is usually optimistic about parties, but that’s because he’s a fucking social butterfly and the reigning beer pong champion. But he’s not usually this excited. Kyle looks over at him and notices that over his typical graphic t-shirt and jeans combo, he’s wearing his leather bomber jacket. The one he got for Christmas that was immediately declared the coolest clothing item anyone could ever possibly own (by Stan, but Kyle did love how he wore it).

“You look nice,” Kyle says, knowing Stan will hear the hint of suspicion in his voice.

The question flusters Stan, Kyle can see that in the way he glances down. They can never hide stuff from each other.. “Yeah? Thanks. I guess I’m dressed to impress.”

Stan’s reply leaves Kyle with a funny feeling in his stomach, but before he can question it further, Stan’s phone starts ringing.

“Hey Kenny… Yeah, just driving over with Kyle now... No, we’re not far from his place… Yeah, sure. Be there in a few.” Stan puts his phone back on the console. “Bebe bailed on giving Kenny a ride,” he explains to Kyle before he turns the car around. 

Kyle wants to open the door and fling himself onto the road. Step one of the plan is failing, because there’s no way they can have tense, subtextually romantic conversation in the car ride with Kenny in the backseat. As they drive to Kenny’s, Kyle thinks about the sins and good deeds he’s committed recently and if the balance is okay enough for him to ask God for some favors tonight.

“‘Sup, shitlords,” is Kenny’s greeting as he steps into the car.

“Nice job getting ditched, Kenny,” Stan replies.

“She’s playing hard to get. You’ve gotta see the shit she was texting me last night, I think my phone screen is still sticky.”

“Nasty, man!” Kyle exclaims, and it’s one of the only things he says for the entire ride.

  They approach Tolkien’s lake house about forty-five minutes later, which means that Kyle has had plenty of time to talk himself out of asking Stan out, then convince himself to do it again, and repeat the process a few times.

The party has already started, because Stan insists on being at least an hour late to everything, something Kyle’s actually grateful for right now. The boys head inside, Kenny quickly leaving them to “pursue the hunt.”

“He’s definitely just gonna hook up with Butters again,” Stan says to Kyle, leaning in a bit to be heard over the noise.

Kyle stifles a laugh, which makes Stan grin. “Well, yeah. But aren’t you at least rooting for him?”

“If Bebe bailed on him already tonight, I think he’s lost his shot. Do you see her anywhere? She usually drives Wendy too.”

He grips the hem of his t-shirt at the mention of her name. Stan and Wendy had their last break-up over seven months ago. This was by far the longest they’d ever spent apart, and it really seemed like the end for them. Kyle could almost forget about the girl, except for the fact that she’s his academic rival. And your romantic rival now.

“No,” Kyle says flatly, even though he hasn’t looked around the party at all.

“Well, let’s get some drinks,” Stan says, giving Kyle’s shoulder a squeeze before making his way through the crowd. Kyle follows behind him, looking up at Stan’s dark hair and trying to avoid eye contact with anyone so he doesn’t have to go through the greeting process. 

Unfortunately, they run into Tolkien, and though he’s desperate for a drink, he’s not going to be an asshole and ignore the host of the party.

“Stan and Kyle!” Tolkien shouts with a grin, giving Stan a fist-bump and Kyle a wave. Kyle likes how he calls them ‘Stan and Kyle’ in the same way people refer to ‘Tweek and Craig,’ a couple that’s absolutely attached at the hip. Maybe we still can really be Stan and Kyle.

Luckily, Stan keeps the chat with Tolkien short, and the host knows that people are really there for his open bar. He points them in the direction of the kitchen and the boys make their way over.

Kyle just needs a drink. He absolutely hates the taste of anything alcoholic, except for Kiddush, which was disgustingly sweet enough to hide the bitter taste. Tonight, though, he would even do shots if it means he can muster the courage to look Stan in the eyes. Granted, Stan seems to be constantly scanning each room they walk through, not even looking at Kyle anyway.

The kitchen is a bit quieter and every surface is covered in boxes and bottles and glasses and loose lime wedges. Thank god .

“What do you want, dude?” Stan asks, looking through the selection. 

“There’s a lot to choose from.” Kyle typically just accepts whatever’s in Cartman’s flask, he has no idea where to start. “What are you thinking?”

Stan picks out two cans of beer, holding one out. “Natty light?”

Kyle eyes the can. “I was thinking something stronger,” he says. And something that’s not absolutely gross.

Stan doesn’t seem too happy with his answer, and his expression makes Kyle feel like a dick. Before he can try to apologize, though, they’re interrupted (fucking again ).

“Stan Marsh!” Shouts Clyde from the doorway, already incredibly drunk. Kyle doesn’t dislike Clyde, more the fact that Clyde and Stan have gotten close since they started playing football together more seriously, and that football-captain Stan is very different from Kyle’s Stan.

“Clyde fucking Donovan!” Stan shouts back, putting his beer down to give his linebacker a hug with lots of back-patting. It’s grossly macho and Kyle actually has to look away.

“I need you to play pong with me right now. I’m getting my ass kicked out here,” Clyde says, keeping a hand on Stan’s shoulder for stability.

“We can tell,” Kyle remarks, in a needlessly bitchy tone.

Stan shoots him a sympathetic look. “I just got here, Clyde. Can you go one more game without me?”

Clyde makes an expression much like a kicked puppy. “Come on, Stan. Help a guy out.”

Stan looks between the two on opposite sides of the kitchen, his face all scrunched up with conflict.

Finally, Kyle concedes. “Go, I’ll find Kenny or something.”

The smile Stan gives him almost makes the sacrifice worth it. “I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”

He’s already being dragged outside by Clyde before Kyle can respond. The redhead sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. Another step of the plan, get drunk with Stan, is looking like another failure. He leans back against the wall, needing a minute to recuperate, revisit the plan, maybe tonight is just not the night for him and Stan. Maybe these are all signs that it’ll never happen for them.

“Shit, Kyle. You need a shot,” says a voice straight from heaven. Kyle turns, and sees Heidi standing in the doorway, hands on her hips.

“I need a gun, Heidi,” he says, and it feels very good to let himself be dramatic.

“Can we try this obnoxiously fruity vodka first?” She asks, which earns a smile from Kyle. Heidi searches the cabinets for clean shot glasses while Kyle leans against the counter, watching her.

“I’ll chug it from the bottle. You look really nice, by the way,” he says. He’s always liked Heidi’s fashion sense, which is why he trusted her to help him out.

“You too, and not just because I’m the one who dressed you.” She settles for solo cups, and Kyle doesn’t even care if that means she can’t actually measure out a shot. “Where’s loverboy?”

Kyle groans. “It’s never gonna happen. He’s barely spoken to me all night. Maybe a party was a bad idea, there’s too much going on here.”

“No! It’s a great idea! It’s gonna be so romantic, Kyle. You just need a little bit of assistance, that’s all.” She slides him the cup, holding hers up.

“Fuck, l’chaim,” Kyle says, downing the shot. At least if it’s just him and Heidi, he can cringe without fearing judgment.

“You’re such a baby,” Heidi teases (Well, her judgment he can handle). She pours them each another shot. 

Kyle chugs it again, not even waiting for Heidi this time. “What do I do? Kenny did a dramatic reading of his sexts the entire drive over and now he’s playing pong with the football team.”

“Give him space for a minute! Let him play a few games, get the party started his own way, get a bit tipsy. The night is young, Kyle.” She takes Kyle’s hand, pulling it away from his cup and holding it in her own. “Come dance with me?”

Kyle takes a breath, looking at Heidi’s reassuring smile. Thank god they went through the whole I-thought-I-had-a-crush-on-you-but-I’m-actually-gay-and-want-to-be-your-friend thing a long time ago. When they’re not in a strange elementary school relationship, the two actually make a great pair.

“It would be my honor to dance with such a beautiful lady,” Kyle replies, giving Heidi a small bow. The brunette laughs, pulling him out into the living room.

  The party isn’t so bad. A little space from Stan helps, actually. Of course, Kyle still glances up every time he sees someone with that dark brown hair (fucking Craig), but he’s able to loosen up, socialize, and get a very comfortable level of drunk. After about thirty minutes, he runs into Stan again, the two crossing paths on their way inside and outside the backyard.

“Kyle! I was just about to go look for you,” Stan says, and Kyle hopes he can blame the red tint of his cheeks on the drinking.

“Me too,” Kyle says. “How was pong? Did you get to defend your title?” The words come out a lot easier now and Kyle thanks the nasty fruit vodka for its help.

“Well, Clyde didn’t pull me out there to lose. I did take all of his penalty drinks for him, but that’s because he doesn’t need anymore beer for a bit,” he replies, shrugging.

He’s so cute. I should just kiss him .

Wait , too fast. Kyle reminds himself that there’s still a plan in motion, even though he really wants to ditch it and just wrap his arms around the dark-haired boy.

“You having fun?” Stan asks, a teasing grin on his face.

Kyle nods, taking another sip of the spiked seltzer he’s been holding onto.

“Good, I’m glad,” Stan says. The two simply look at each other for a moment, exchanging content looks. Stan’s tongue dashes across his lower lip, a nervous habit Kyle notices sometimes. “Do you wanna, um-”

“Hey! Party people listen up!” Yells Kenny, loud enough to silence the entire room.

Kyle’s ready to commit murder.

“All of you motherfuckers need to loosen up, and I know just the thing.” Kyle turns to look at the other, who is standing on a chair to distinguish himself. He holds up an empty bottle of wine, which explains the tint of purple on his lips. “Seven minutes in heaven.”

Actually, Kyle’s ready to commit a murder-suicide. 

A few people roll their eyes and leave the room, but some stay. Kyle notices Heidi, Bebe, and Wendy standing in the corner, and understands now why Kenny proposed this game. Kyle misses the days of simple spin-the-bottle desperately. 

“We’re in,” Heidi says, glancing across the room at Kyle. He hopes his expression adequately conveys just how little he wants to do this.

“Hell, why not?” Pipes up Craig, who the rest of his gang agrees with.

“Us too,” says Stan, putting a hand on Kyle’s shoulder. Fuck.  

“Dude,” Kyle says in a low voice, looking up at the other. Stan simply shrugs. Why did he have to fall for such an idiot?

Kenny herds everyone to sit in a circle, placing the bottle center. He’s eyeing Bebe the entire time and Kyle laments that he has to suffer because Kenny doesn’t have the balls to just ask the girl out. Hypocritical.

“You look like you’re being tortured,” Stan says as the two sit beside each other cross-legged on the floor. 

“This is one of the layers of hell,” Kyle replies, finishing off the rest of his drink.

Stan frowns a little, sipping his own drink. “Hey, Kenny, shouldn’t you start us off?”

“Bad luck to go first,” Kenny explains, shaking his head.

Heidi chimes in before anyone else. “I’ll go! It’s just a game, right? Never know what could happen,” she says, giving Kyle another look as she leans forward to spin the bottle. It lands on Jimmy, which Heidi seems pleased about. The two head off into the closest closet, and Kenny makes a show of setting the timer, earning a lot of “Oohs” from the group.

Another part of the plan is fucked. Kyle’s already done the math in his head of his chances of getting Stan, and it’s slim to none. Given his luck tonight, he’ll probably end up in the closet with Kenny. While the time passes, the rest of the group chatters and Kyle leaves to refill his drink. 

In the kitchen, Stan catches up with him once more, and Kyle pretends not to notice until the other boy speaks up.

“You okay, man?”

Kyle looks down into a box of seltzers, completely faced away from Stan. “They only have the shitty flavors left.”

“I mean, like, with the party. You’ve been acting kinda weird all night.”

Kyle cracks open a can regardless. “I’m having a blast,” he says, turning back to Stan. His pissed-off expression fades when he locks eyes with the other. Stan doesn’t look like he’s in the mood for sarcasm.

“I just-” he begins. “I’m gonna head back to the game. I didn’t mean to drag you into something you’d hate.”

Stan walks back into the other room and Kyle follows at a distance. Heidi and Jimmy are emerging from the closet, smiles on their faces, and a hint of pink lipstick smeared across both their lips. Kyle feels like an asshole.

Heidi sits back down beside Wendy, who leans forward to spin the bottle. And just when Kyle was beginning to think that he should just spend time with Stan rather than sulk about some stupid plan for the rest of the party, the worst thing that’s ever happened in his life, and maybe the history of mankind happens.

The bottle lands on Stan.

And even worse, Stan looks happy.

He watches the boy he is hopelessly in love with head into a dark closet with the girl he’s been competing against for his entire life.

Ignoring Heidi calling his name, he leaves the room. He needs fresh air, he needs to not be around people, he needs to fucking scream. Of course there’s people on the dock, so Kyle sits beside the water instead, despite the fact that he’s dirtying the pants that took thirty minutes to choose.

It doesn’t matter anyway .

Kyle hugs his knees to his chest, holding back tears. Maybe he shouldn’t have gotten drunk like this. The confidence he felt earlier was definitely not worth the loss of control he has now. If they weren’t at this stupid lake house, he’d probably be walking home.

He feels like an idiot. Stan has always been a pipe dream. Kyle doesn’t even know if he’s into guys. He’s just been clinging to every sideways glance, every lingering touch, every whispered joke. 

He wishes he could have fallen for anyone else. Why did it have to be the popular football player who's definitely living his dreams right now, getting back together with his perfect ex-girlfriend?

The people on the dock begin to shuffle inside, catching Kyle’s attention for a second. He feels a few droplets from the sky fall on him, and he understands the exit. He doesn’t want to get up yet, a little rain won’t be the worst thing to happen to him tonight anyway. 

He stays put, watching the rain bounce off the water, until he hears a voice call out to him.

“Kyle!” Stan shouts, hurrying over to him. Kyle doesn’t even bother to look up. “What are you doing out here, dude? Got a little too drunk? It’s about to pour.”

“Whatever,” Kyle replies, letting Stan pull him up by his arm.

“Come inside,” Stan says and the concern in his eyes reminds Kyle that his feelings aren’t just going to disappear instantly. He just nods and follows Stan as the two head inside. They walk straight through the living room, where the game is still going on, and head upstairs to the bedrooms. 

Confess to Stan on the water, under the starlight: also ruined.

Stan heads into one of the bathrooms, waiting for Kyle to enter before closing the door. “Sit down, I’ll get you a towel.”

Kyle’s doing his best not to look directly at Stan right now, so he pulls himself up and sits on the countertop. 

“Take your sweater off,” Stan says. Kyle hopes he’s not blushing.

“Why?”

Stan cocks his head to the side slightly. “So you don’t catch a cold? I’ll give you my flannel, hang on.” He pulls his jacket off, then the flannel, leaving him in just a t-shirt. 

Kyle pulls off his wet sweater, letting it drop to the floor below them. Stan presses the towel to his chest and Kyle is quick to take it from him, patting himself dry. He doesn’t say anything, even though he can feel Stan just standing there, watching him.

Once he’s in a better state, Stan helps him slide the flannel on. However, it’s when Stan begins to button it up for him that Kyle really comes to.

“Stop,” he says, grabbing Stan’s hands and pushing them away.

“What’s wrong?” Stan asks, backing away from Kyle cautiously. 

“Just-” Kyle lets out a breath. “Stop, Stan. I don’t need your help. Why don’t you just go back to the party and your friends and Wendy and let me take care of myself, okay?”

Kyle’s staring at the tile below them, hands gripping the countertop. From the corner of his eye, he can see Stan fidgeting, the hesitant shuffle of his feet.

“I’m sorry, Kyle.”

The admission makes Kyle look up, confusion clear on his face. “For what?”

“Everything, fuck. This whole night has been such a shit show,” he sighs, running a hand through his hair. “And I just keep messing things up. I just wanted it to be fun for you but I kept getting so nervous and saying the wrong shit. I’m just- I’m sorry.”

Kyle feels like he sobers up in an instant. “What are you talking about?” He asks slowly.

Stan looks at him, lips pressed together, it’s his guilty face. “I was gonna tell you how I feel about you tonight.”

And then Kyle’s body goes into autopilot. The next thing he knows, he’s getting off the counter, grabbing Stan by the collar of his shirt, and pulling him down into a kiss. It’s a bit too forceful and his aim is off, but it’s still a kiss.

Stan puts his hands on Kyle’s chest, pulling away for a second. “Wait- what about you and Heidi?”

“Me and Heidi?” Kyle repeats, practically shouting it. “She helped me pick out an outfit that would impress you, Stan. She’s playing wingwoman.” He pauses. “What about Wendy?”

Stan lets out a laugh. “She was trying to help me out too. Six out of the seven minutes were her lecturing me about how terrible of a job I’m doing romancing you.”

“ You’re doing a terrible job? I’ve almost had like three nervous breakdowns tonight because my plan to ask you out kept getting ruined!”

“What was your plan?” Stan asks, reaching up to brush aside a curl of hair. 

Kyle knows he’s blushing now. “Um, y’know. Lakeside. Stars out. Bottle of wine or something. It wasn’t supposed to be in the bathroom. And-” he steps away from Stan. “ I was supposed to confess to you! ”

Stan laughs again, quickly diffusing Kyle’s frustration. He takes Kyle’s wrist, pulling him close to his chest again. “Go on then, confess to me.”

Kyle can feel his heart throbbing in his entire body. “Was the kiss not enough?”

“No way,” Stan says. Maybe the romantic confession under the stars wasn’t for them, anyway. Before everything, Stan is still his best friend, and Kyle should’ve known that meant this moment was going to be filled with fumbled words and awkward, nervous laughter no matter how hard he tried to prevent that. 

He exhales. “I like you, Stan.” 

They kiss again. It’s still pretty sloppy because the two can’t seem to get close enough. But, after a moment, they slide into a comfortable position. Kyle pulls him back, breaking the kiss for just a second to sit on the counter again, bringing them face-to-face now.

“I like you too,” Stan says breathlessly, pulling away.

“Really?” Kyle asks, because this entire thing is still too good to be true.

“Are you kidding me? I’m fucking crazy about you, dude.” Stan’s grinning widely, and so is Kyle. 

And because getting interrupted is their thing now, someone knocks on the door. “Hello? Some of us have to pee!”

Kyle leans forward to get off the counter, but Stan holds him there, keeping his hands on his waist.

“Ignore them,” Stan pleads.

“Dude, come on,” Kyle replies.

“There’s like a million bathrooms in this house.”

“And a billion bedrooms.”

Stan’s brows raise and he begins to stammer out a response.

“Relax. We’re not moving that quickly. But we are getting out of here.” Kyle hops off the counter, buttoning up the rest of Stan’s flannel before opening the bathroom door. To his surprise, it’s just Heidi standing there, with Wendy behind her.

“Sorry, Kyle,” she says, not seeming apologetic at all. “Looks like the plan worked, though.”

“Thank god,” Wendy says, arms crossed over her chest. “You’re both idiots. You know that, right?”

Before Kyle can reply, Stan speaks. “Yep.” And then he reaches forward and takes Kyle’s hand and Kyle feels like he’s going to combust.

“Told you it would work out,” Heidi says, smiling at Kyle before heading into the bathroom.

“I’m happy you got your shit together,” Wendy says, giving Stan a kiss on the cheek before following her friend.

The boys are quiet for a second before Kyle looks up at Stan. “Did… Does that mean they set us up?”

Stan looks down at him, nodding. “I think we might’ve just been a part of their plan.”

The two share a laugh, then Kyle remembers that they’re holding hands and he’s wearing Stan’s flannel and they literally just kissed and gets flustered all over again. 

“So, what did you expect to happen after you told me?” Kyle asks.

“We get a bedroom. Make out. I tell you everything that I’ve been dying to tell you for months. Make out some more.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

#oh god i have to tag again i hate tagging #style #style sp #stan marsh #kyle broflovski #kenny mccormick #heidi turner #wendy testaburger #token black #but also tolkien black #south park #south park fanfiction #style fic #one-shot #fluff #angst #gay #love confessions #happy endings #party #gay people #idk #does tagging even work can u guys see me #stan x kyl

[rebelrayne]

in honor of fourth of july coming up in the united states...

litg season two boys in the us on july 4th

this is way funnier if you're in the usa but if you're not... just know that for each of these characters, there is a real person acting like this at every fourth of july party.

🎇 arjun he's worried about the dogs inside the house. he is too busy lecturing people on the safety of fireworks with pets to have any fun. everyone knows he has a point but no one wants to talk to him and avoids him at all costs. it's every man for themselves when it comes to talking to him, your partner will leave you alone with him if it means they can get away.

🎆 bobby buys a ton of fireworks and piles them together in one spot. lights them from a distance while they all go up into the air in absolute chaos. laughs manically as a joke and screams 'happy birthday, america!'

🎇 carl the guy that started planning the firework show on july 5th the year before. sets off the best damn firework display you've ever seen complete with coordinated music. three years ago, the grand finale part didn't fire off and he's still salty about it.

🎆 elijah uses the party to advertise himself as a hairstylist and barber. compliments everyone's hair and tells them what he would do for them and shows them example pictures from google. uses the opportunity to talk about himself and how he's an instagram model. asks them to follow him before giving them his card for the salon/shop.

🎇 felix everyone was careful not to bring up the party or invite him. somehow, he finds out and shows up anyways. brings the cheapest beer you can buy from the gas station. sets off fireworks before it gets dark. gets close to a firework that didn't go off, despite being told he'll hurt himself, says he won't hurt himself as he waves his hand. hurts himself badly.

🎆 gary the guy at the party wearing jorts and an american flag tank top. shot guns a beer faster than everyone, wipes his mouth with his forearm then burps and says: 'merica.

🎇 graham brings various seafood to have a boil, despite the host saying they didn't need him to bring anything. ends up not knowing how to use the cooker he brought and whines that the crawfish would have been better. ends up eating a cheeseburger anyway.

🎆 henrik the life of the party. the ruler of the beer pong table and king of flip cup and cornhole. after winning so much, wears an american flag as a cape. gets close to a firework that didn't go off, despite being told not to because he'll hurt himself but he says he won't. he does not hurt himself. absolute beast.

🎇 jakub the single guy flirting with anyone and anything that will talk to him. uses any opportunity to bring up how he does crossfit now. and he's doing macros. and how much he can bench. he will also give you all his 'pr' numbers for clean and jerk, clean, deadlift, etc. did he mention he does crossfit?

🎆 lucas the stressed out host. is too busy cleaning up after everyone to have any fun. is also too busy checking on mc to see if she's having fun to have any fun himself. keeps saying he won't host the party next year but every year without fail, texts everyone the details on june 4th, exactly one month in advanced.

🎇 noah knows all the history about fourth of july. quizzes people on it to see if anyone knows all the details why it's celebrated but he isn't a dick about it. constantly asks the host if they need help with anything. stays after and helps clean up when the party is over because he's just a stand up guy.

🎆 rahim tries to get everyone to play games like volleyball and fun relay races to stay active. everyone ignores it and keeps drinking. brought his own (american) football with him in case anyone wanted to play a pick-up game.

🎇 rocco the guy who is passed out before 9pm. started drinking at 9am despite promising to pace himself this year. before he passed out, he designated himself as the bartender and the drinks were terrible.

#litg #litg season 2 #litg s2 #litg headcanons #litg characters on fourth of july

[snippychicke]

For Sake of a Smile --Ch. 19

Fandom: Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun

Pairing: Balam Shichiro/Reader

Summary: Hell on earth was your motto for your job. Granted, you were pretty sure earth really was hell, considering the shit you had seen. And the fact your coworker was a child. Suzuki Iruma, in fact. A kid who’s life was decidedly worse than yours, but smiled despite everything.

And you’d do a lot for his smile. Including summoning a demon and signing your life away.

But as it turns out, hell (The Netherworld, actually) was a lot better than living on earth. Demons were more humane than a lot of humans you knew.

And Iruma’s smile wasn’t the only one that would change your life.

Masterlist | Ao3| mairimashitai! Simps Discord

"I AM THE WORST MOTHER EVER!" You bawled as you buried your face in Sullivan's shoulder as he held you close. "I can't believe I forgot Iruma's birthday!"

"You've been under a lot of stress, sweetie," Your adoptive father reassured, rubbing circles along your back. "I'm sure Iruma understands, you know how he is." 

"That makes it worse," You cried. You knew Iruma would forgive you and shrug it off, but to you that was worse than him being upset. Because it was a stark reminder that until just a few years ago, he never had his birthday celebrated. No one cared for him enough to take the time and celebrate his life - his existence. 

It tore at you, because you knew even if he didn't act like it, you were sure your lapse of memory had reminded him of those dark days. Did he think you were as careless as his biological parents? That now that your lives had improved, you didn't want to celebrate such things? 

"Then let's make it up to our boy, hmm?" Sullivan offered, breaking through your thoughts as he tilted your chin to look at him and wipe your tears. "For this year, and all the birthdays I missed as well." 

You nodded your head eagerly at the idea. Yes. You would make up for lost time; not just the last few weeks, but the ones you hadn't been there before too. 

To make sure Iruma knew how cherished he was. 

----

As you were quick to learn, Demonic Rites were - well - the devilish version of a grand birthday party. While Opera and Sullivan took the lead coordinating the event, you helped as best you could; choosing some of the dishes to be served and presents from the three of you - since they were busy with organizing the event - but also making sure Iruma was kept preoccupied as not to notice anything was amiss. 

While traditionally Demonic Rites were saved for milestone birthdays - with much smaller events for the other years - Sullivan was all too happy to use the excuse that it was the first birthday he was able to celebrate with his grandson. So he was apparently going all out from what you could gather, renting a whole other castle.

Though as it turned out, that was tradition as well; apparently even demons believed in bad luck, and holding a Rite in your own dwelling was a surefire way to invoke misfortune. It was also the reason for the costumes; in case Bad Luck did find the revelers, they couldn't curse you if they couldn't recognize you.

"Life is precious in the Netherworld," Shichiro explained over the phone the evening before the Rite. "Our world is harsh, and once upon a time it was not uncommon for a demon to be killed before reaching adulthood. So we take every precaution to protect it, especially when we celebrate it.

"It's also a time where demons show their gratitude for their peers. After all, demons do not frequently bond the way humans do, and showing appreciation and kinship is usually very rare. The Misfit class are truly misfits in that regard…" 

They were; not just for demons, but even on earth they'd be an odd bunch. Yet you couldn't help but love all of them, hearing the debacle that occurred earlier that day as they fought over who was Iruma's friend and who was the boy's 'soulmate'. 

You had to agree, Clara and Az seemed to be platonic (assumedly, at least) soulmates. Those three had a bond like no other. If there was such a thing as soulmates, it was those three.

But the entire class was still bonded tighter than any friend group you had seen - let alone experienced. Those thirteen students could achieve anything if they set their mind to it. And somehow, Iruma was more-or-less the ringleader of their troupe. 

"You're coming tomorrow, right?" You asked, glancing at the costume that hung from your closet door. Both Sullivan and Opera had assisted with choosing it…

Well - they had done more than assist, to be honest. It was more like they had chosen it and you meekly agreed when you saw the looks on their faces. Not that it was something you hated or even disliked; it was beautiful, and something that had caught your eye right away. 

The thing was, it was so… decadent, even for a costume. Beautiful but wispy fabric that flowed with the slightest breeze, the waist framed with a corset-vest that - thankfully - hadn't felt too uncomfortable when you tried it on, and a high neckline that would hide your lack of wings. Then the crown of flowers and faux horns that completed the piece.

You worried it was too fancy for such a thing, but assumed the two demons would know best. Then there was the anxiety of Shichiro's reaction to it, despite the fact he never seemed to judge whatever you wore. Or rather, be it a casual outfit or something more special, his gaze always lingered enough to cause you to feel beautiful. 

"Nothing could make me miss it," Shichiro assured. "I'll be there, promise." 

---

Sullivan and Opera had left early to finalize the preparations, leaving you to escort Iruma to the surprise party. Thankfully, Opera had hitched the Nightmares to one of the smaller carriages before leaving so you didn't ruin your dress. Especially knowing Deinos, who loved to be as impish as she could be. 

The Nightmares knickered softly as you and Iruma exited the mansion, both dressed in your costumes. "To Lord Sullivan," You instructed the demonic-horses simply as you opened the carriage door. They snorted in understanding, making you smile as you patted Lampon's flank before boarding. 

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Iruma asked as the carriage began to move. 

"It's a secret~" You answered in a singsong voice, smiling at his pout. "You'll love it though, I promise." 

His pout didn't change, though he watched as you smoothed down your skirt, still unused to such rich material. "Well, you look beautiful, mom." 

You blushed, "And you look very handsome, Iruma. Who would have thought we both could clean up so well, hmm?" 

He laughed at that, and soon both of you were sharing memories of when you were less than presentable. Such as being covered in fish guts after being tripped - or when he came back from a forging trip, completely covered in mud and leaves. It had taken weeks to get every bit of mud and grime from the tiny shower afterwards, but you refused to spray him with the hose used to clean the floor of the workshop, mainly because the water was ice cold and it was late autumn and winter had been attempting to set in. 

Before you knew it, the carriage slowed to a stop. Opera opened the door before you could even think about it, holding a hand out to Iruma and then you once the boy was on the ground. 

But before you could take a look around, a blindfold settled over your eyes. "Calm down, my dear," Sullivan reassured, his hands settling on your shoulders, thumbs rubbing calming circles. "We don't want to ruin the surprise."

"This is Iruma's Demonic Rite!" You protested as your adopted father led you presumably to where the Rite was to take place. 

"Do you think I would celebrate my grandson's life, and not my daughters?" Sullivan chuckled as a groan of old, heavy doors opening filled the air. A sound you were familiar with, given the Library's own doors perchance to complain every time they were opened. 

But surely you weren't there. You heard hushed yet excited whispers, making your heart pound as Sullivan continued to guide you. He gently coaxed you up a couple of steps before turning you around and encouraging you to sit. 

A moment later you heard Opera guide Iruma into a seat next to yours. There was a hushed countdown before the blindfold fell from your eyes, revealing the elaborately decorated ballroom with a large bonfire burning brightly in a pit at the center. The Misfits along with a few other Babyls students cheered your name along with Iruma's, making your heart catch in your throat.

"Mom?" Iruma asked softly as Sullivan and Opera joined in with the others as they began to dance-- an ancient dance, full of guttural words that truly made it seem like a demonic ritual. 

"A Demonic Ritual is how they celebrate birthdays," You explained. "We -- grandpa, Opera, and I -- planned on it being a secret, and to also make up for missing your actual birthday this year. I didn't think they'd plan on putting me in the spotlight too…" 

Iruma's hand found yours. "But we've always celebrated our birthdays together. I was actually just telling Professor Balam that the other day…" 

Oh. Oh. You caught sight of the tall broad demon standing apart, watching the revelers dance while also apparently taking a head count. 

Those sneaky demons. Your heart grew warm at the realization that while you thought you were in on the surprise for Iruma, the three demons had been building a surprise for you as well. 

As if he was aware of your gaze, Shichiro looked towards you, his expression shifting into a smile as he offered a small wave. 

"It seems we are missing a guest," Opera said as he appeared on Iruma's other side. You tore your gaze away from Shichiro for a moment, and in a flash of light and smoke, a familiar white puffball appeared, looking disgruntled as always. 

"EGGY SENSEI!" The Misfits cheered. Kalego's reluctant presence seemed to be the last thing needed for the celebration to kick into full swing. 

Over the last several months, you had slowly gotten used to the positive attention from the students as well as the teachers of Babyls. But that did little to prepare you for sitting in the spotlight as the guests symbolically gave part of their life to you as they poured out the burning water into the central bonfire. Or as each knelt one by one, offering their gifts with the heartfelt words: "Thank you for being born and living amongst us."

"I appreciate the love and kindness you give us, Mrs. Suzuki."

"I'm so happy I get to have two moms! My siblings are so jealous!"

"I know you're not my mother, but it really feels like you are sometimes." 

"Your beauty is outstanding, my lady! May you continue to age so gracefully!" 

"Thank you for caring so much."

"Thank you for bringing Iruma to us!" 

"I appreciate your dedication to Babyls and its students," Kalego grumbled begrudgingly, offering a small delicate flower as a gift. (Where he got one considering his Summoned state, you weren't sure.) "You are one among few others whom I can tolerate." 

"That's high praise coming from the professor," Iruma whispered in your ear, as if you weren't already aware. Yet any words died on your lips as Shichiro approached, quickly bowing low as his green feathered wings spread out wide to their full extent. 

Yes, the others did the same as a sign of respect - but something seemed different….

Or maybe you were just head over heels for Shichiro that seeing him like that, knowing just how strong and powerful he was yet showing his weakest spot to you…

Your thoughts were interrupted as he looked up, his gaze focused on both you and Iruma as he spoke your names. "Thank you both for living in our world, and for being amongst us."

The sentiment had been expressed before, but by those oblivious to the reality of you and Iruma's true circumstances. But he knew. He knew it all. Your throat grew tight as he presented his gifts, hands briefly grazing yours as you accepted the box as your gazes locked. 

The warmth, the sincerity, the love in his eyes meant the world to you. He meant the world to you. 

You struggled with the urge to simply slide from your chair to your knees and pull him close for a kiss to reciprocate those tender emotions. Except you were still aware of everyone else watching, so you just caressed his hand deliberately with a smile hopefully conveying your feelings. 

His eyes crinkled as he returned your smile, fingers lacing briefly before he pulled away and stood. Your eyes followed him as he stepped away.

Until Sullivan stepped up, his own eyes glittering knowingly. He didn't say a word, but knelt down as he took Iruma's hand as well as yours into his, his black wings opened, but curled around the three of you. 

"You both mean so much to me, you are truly my treasure," He spoke softly, squeezing your hand tightly. "I am sincerely thankful you both came into my life."

"Grandpa…"

"Dad…"

This time, you did leave your seat, having the same idea as Iruma as you wrapped your arms around both your father and son, and feeling their arms around you. 

You were loved. Just as strongly as you loved them, they loved you. 

----

The rest of the party was truly a party. You swore you had been to more festivals and parties in the last few months than before in your prior life. 

But instead of standing on the outskirts of the party with Kalego and Balam as you typically ended up doing, you were drawn into the menagerie this time. You danced with several students as well as Opera, Sullivan, and then oddly Fluffego, when he was all but shoved in your arms by an impish Opera. He acted begrudgingly as you twirled him around, his small hands holding onto your fingers. You had your toes stepped on as well as stepped on a few yourself, but it was all brushed off with a laugh and even more dancing. 

You hadn't had unbridled fun like this for such a long time. Your face hurt from smiling so widely, ribs aching from laughing. 

But your favorite part was when large warm hands wrapped around your waist when you had slipped towards the table laden with food and drinks. "You look beautiful," Shichiro whispered as he held you tight around your midsection, making you smile. You had briefly danced with him, no more than thirty seconds, during one where you were constantly changing partners. Otherwise it seemed like the universe had conspired to keep you separated. 

"I'm sure I would've been more lovely if my personal hairdresser had helped," You teased lightly as you glanced over the treats, taking your time to enjoy being held against him. "But I have a nagging suspicion he was in on the surprise." 

"Iruma explained how you had always celebrated your birthday with him, and never told him when your actual birthday was," He admitted, chin resting atop your head despite the decorative horns. "We -- Lord Sullivan, Senpai, and myself-- figured it would be best to continue the tradition. Especially considering you would likely refuse to tell us once you knew what it may entail."

You bit your lip out of reflex to hide your smile. "You three really do know me well, don't you?" Because he was right; once learning of Demonic Rites, and knowing Sullivan's own tendencies to spoil you, you would've kept your lips sealed. 

Which was related in a way to why you never told Iruma which day you were born. You hadn't wanted the boy to give up more of his hard earned money on your behalf. Sharing his birthday had been a bit of a compromise in a way, so you both were able to celebrate each other while you could make sure he didn't use a lot of his meager funds on you. 

"Both you and Iruma are completely selfless,"  He answered, squeezing you tighter. "To the point I really wish you two would have a bit more of a sense of self-preservation." 

 "So when exactly is your birthday?" You asked after a moment, making him chuckle at your poor attempt at changing the topic.

He squeezed you tighter, adjusting to nuzzle your neck gently; considering his mask was still in place. "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours." 

You laughed at that, leaning your head back and finally looking up at him. "I love you, Shichiro, but I know better than that." 

A flash of surprise crossed his face and his grip tightened to the point of nearly taking your breath away. "...do you, really?" 

You realized your slip. You had admitted to yourself - to others - your feelings, but never to him. And, well - for good reason from what you understood about demon culture. 

But… screw it. 

"Yes," You answered, twining your hands with his. "I really do love you." 

His adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, the look in his eye changing slightly. He guided you to turn in his arms so you were face to face, still holding you tight against him. "Demons, especially those who are courting," He continued, his voice threatening to become even huskier, "don't say those words freely, or lightly."

You had gleaned as much from the books you had read. Some said it freely to those they were crushing on, and during little flings. But once a demon entered courtship, the word became much more meaningful to their Intended. 

And yes, you two had just started courting - and sometimes the courting period lasted several months to years - but there was no denying how you felt. He had come to mean so much to you, and you could easily imagine him being in every part of your life. Not just the romantic moments, but the mundane parts of life; like doing dishes, or chores (if Opera ever allowed that to happen again).

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, pulling him down so you could face him eye to eye as you stood on your tiptoes. "I love you, Balam Shichiro. With all my heart. And I can't imagine being with anyone else but you." 

Before you could blink, his hands cupped your backside and he lifted you up, your body pressed against his as you fought the urge to wrap your legs around his hips, knowing in your current dress that would be very inappropriate.

 Shichiro's eyes were desperate in more than one way as he searched yours, undoubtedly using his bloodline ability to find a hint of a lie. "One more time?" 

You couldn't help but smile before you cupped his face in your hands, meeting his dark eyes and holding his intense gaze. "I love you, Shichiro. And I'll say it as many times as you want me to." 

If you weren't in a room full of students - as well as your father and Opera, (and you supposed Kalego as well) - you would have happily removed his mask to kiss him properly, but you knew he was self conscious of his scar and refrained. That, and you had a very good idea his self control was on the verge of slipping; as was yours, to be honest. One kiss would lead to more, and you knew you'd wouldn't want to stop. 

"I love you too," He finally admitted as your words sunk in. "So, so much." There was a hint of desperation to his voice, which paired with the way his grip on you was more than just supporting you against his frame, but feeling the plush curve of your butt.

There was no denying the thoughts running through your head, or the yearning that filled your body. You bit your lip as your fingers as well as your gaze traveled down his neck, feeling the strong cords of muscle beneath. He wasn't wearing the collar of feathers, but instead a dark, high collared top that felt like velvet beneath your fingers. 

It would be so easy to push it away and press your lips to the sensitive skin there and listen to him hold back a whimper and groan as you tortured him. The thought of reducing him to a whimpering mess always tempted you, making you bite your lip as your mind drifted into the gutter. 

Shichiro said your name quietly, making it sound like a plea as you continued to rub the velvet cloth trying to feel his muscular shoulders beneath as you thought. 

You met his gaze, which felt as hot and heavy as the feeling settling in your lower gut. You knew what you wanted to do - what you thought he wanted to do too - but were uncertain how to proceed. Or rather, hesitant to take that next step. Was it being too bold? 

Screw it. Fortune favored the bold, right?

"Why…don't we slip away somewhere more private?" You asked hesitantly, your attempt to be quiet making you sound a bit more sultry than intended.

His grip tightened even more, and you felt a hint of something hard press against your stomach. Yet instead of eagerly agreeing or even just carrying you away, (as you may have thought about more than once in previous daydreams) he protested - but with obvious reluctance. "It's your Rite, and…" 

"Is there an unwritten rule that I have to stay here when I'd rather be alone with you?" You asked. Because devi, your mind was fully in the gutter and the thought of trying to pretend you were totally not thinking such things while you tried to mingle with everyone else sounded like torture. 

And not the pleasant kind. The kind you hoped waited for you in the near future. 

"Well, no," He admitted after a moment, his brow furrowed in confusion. "But would you really rather sneak away with me than stay and celebrate?" 

Devi, how could a demon be so pure? "One hundred percent yes," You replied firmly before boldly adding on: "To the point I don't care where we go, as long as it's somewhere private and we won't be disturbed." Because hell or heaven help you if you couldn't at least get him half-undressed so you could explore his body with both your hands and lips. It was taking every bit of your self control as it was, with those thoughts running in your mind while being braced against him, the growing firmness pressing against you left little doubt he was having similar thoughts.

There was a moment of silence as his gaze became distant and unfocused, his cheeks turning bright red."Shichiro…?" You called softly after the moment stretched on. He snapped out of his thoughts, though his cheeks stained red even more.

"I, uh, well, I-I have been wondering if you would like to, um, come to my home? I've been working on my nest…." 

Oh. Oh. That was much more than finding a closet or unoccupied room.  It was your turn to blush, your heart racing in anticipation as well as more than a little bit of anxiety. 

You wanted to - you really wanted to - but you couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. It had been such a long time - what felt like a lifetime to be honest - long before Iruma came into your life, since you had been with someone. And while kissing and petting had been second nature when it came to Shichiro….

Well, your daydreams hadn't quite prepared you for the real possibility. 

Yet, again, you wanted to. And he was bound to be a more thoughtful lover than you had experienced before, demon or not. 

After what felt like forever, you finally took the metaphorical step and nodded while biting your lip. "I-I would like that." 

--- Short---

"They seriously don't think they're being subtle, right?" Soi sighed as he watched the two adults head towards the exit. Well, Balam walking somewhat stiffly with you cradled in his arms, your face red as a tomato but laughing. 

Granted, his ability made disappearing easy, and also made it more noticeable when others tried to sneak off… but, still. That was about as obvious as anyone could be without making a loud announcement. 

"Soi!" Leid jumped, startled by the demon's sudden presence. "You have got to stop doing that!" 

"Are you talking about our two love bird teachers?" Elizabetta asked with a giggle, not as easily startled as their classmate. She also had noticed the pair, but was delighted by the turn of events. After all, their romance was something straight out of her own daydreams, making her hope even more that she would have a fairytale romance as well. "Aren't they adorable?"

"That's one word for it," Soi acknowledged, not as enamored with the situation as she was. "I might want to adjust my bet…" 

"You and everyone else," Jazz agreed, summoned by the word 'bet'. He was already pulling out the notebook he was using to keep track of the massive pool going. "Lets see, are you wanting to change when you think their wedding day will be, or when Professor Balam will have mom knocked up?" 

"Are you still taking bets?" Opera asked after overhearing the four students discuss their options. All four froze, glancing at the security demon and expecting a reaction much like Kalego's when he had found the betting during one of his lectures. (Granted, shortly after he had placed his own as well. He just didn't appreciate it being discussed during class.) 

Instead, there was no anger behind Opera's placid expression, just simple curiosity. 

"Er, yeah…." Jazz answered as Soi disappeared and both Elizabetta and Leid stepped away from the feline demon. 

"Good. Both Lord Sullivan and myself would like to participate…" 

#mairimashita! iruma kun #welcome to demon school iruma kun #suzuki iruma #misfits #balam shichiro x reader #balam/reader #balam shichiro #balam #lord sullivan #opera

[pbandjesse]

Thankfully the airport pickups today went much smoother than yesterday. No one's flight was horrendously late. It was a little hard to coordinate getting three people and fitting their luggage in the car but besides that it went great. I had a pretty nice day overall. There were moments. But still a good day.

After I posted last night I went and got the boys and I had to coordinate them finding each other first. Which was fine. Aiden is younger and it's his first time in America. Dylan was here last year and kind of understood what was up. But the airport lost his luggage. So that was very stressful. And they were both tired and hungry. So I would take them to McDonald's and we would make it back to camp around 11:00. And then I was back on the road to go home and I was in a great mood and I got back around midnight and I took a shower and wash my hair and that made me feel a lot better and I was able to sleep pretty easily. James was mostly asleep already but woke up enough to help me fix up the bed and then they were back out.

Waking up was a little hard. I just didn't want to be awake. I stayed in bed longer than I planned but once I did get up James was making a scrapes and the other room and that was really exciting because I love their crepes. And they used the cheesecake pudding that I made for the party as the filling which was perfect.

I got dressed while they were finishing that. And my outfit wasn't super exciting today but I did get compliment on it by someone who was very fashionable looking so that feels pretty nice. And we had breakfast and then we just kind of hung out for a while. I didn't need to leave until noon to go to work so we were just kind of lazing about. I did work on some knitting and kind of just enjoyed not having much to do. But then all of a sudden I had to start coordinating with our internationals because they obviously don't have service and there were going to be three of them. I was able to get one of them and then I found the Instagrams of the other two and eventually I was able to get everyone on board and it was fine. But the poor two girls had three planes that they had to go on and thank God nobody lost their luggage this time.

I left the house at noon like I said. And I drove over to art with a heart to get my materials. I was not happy to find out that it was four bags. And they were not light bags. Three of them had canvases in them and the fourth one had all the paints and blues and brushes and everything that we could need. I asked the interns if I can have an extra bag and I used that one to string the bags of canvases together so that I can hold them with one arm. But it was a very heavy and I ended up bruising both my inner arms and broke some blood vessels in the one. I was not happy and by the time I got back to my car which was parked up the hill because of too many people being in the parking lot, I was literally seeing spots. I pushed myself way over my limit and I'm going to make a note of that in the report for the week that if it's going to be that many bags in the future to please tell me ahead of time so I can bring a cart.

And then I had a really hard time figuring out where I was supposed to go at the hospital. It wasn't in the place that we normally were and I didn't really understand the directions that they gave us because the address that they put put me on the back of the hospital which I knew was wrong because they said to park in the visitor lot which is on the other side. I did eventually figure it out and got to the children's hospital where I was supposed to be and headed downstairs. But my arms hurt really bad from carrying all the bags. It was just a lot. Though it was interesting the elevator was a Sabbath friendly elevator which I have never seen in my life. I thought that was very cool.

The class went fine. Not as many people as we needed canvases for. But the project was fun and we did acrylic washes and then clogged on top of them and while I enjoy the people in this class. I think the projects that they choose for them are kind of hokey. They're all about growth and stuff and like I get it but also these are adults and it feels cheesy. And it'd be different if it was my project that I came up with but it's really hard for me to talk about something when I think it's dumb. So I tried to jazz it up a little bit and make it more open-ended which is something I think they deserve to have. But they all enjoy doing the project and it was a good time.there was even a kid in the class and she was very sweet.

I was a little frustrated with the assistant I had. She was the one that I had the one other time I subbed and she's perfectly nice but she was late which is not a huge deal she and Mr Boss. But she was not super helpful. She just really wants to do the project which like I said in the past I don't mind if you do the project. But I had to like very much direct her to be helpful. Not everybody's good and understanding how to just jump in and help which is fine. My more annoyance was that at the end she offered to help carry the bags with me so that I didn't hurt myself again and then when I said yes she acted surprised that I said yes and was like well I have to carry my stuff. Just like whatever it's fine I'll carry them myself. That ann uity. I'm not going to make you feel better because that was rude what you just did. I hate when people offer things when they don't mean it.

I was starving after this class though. I got everything cleaned up and brought it back to art with a heart. There wasn't an accessible sink at the hospital so I brought all of the brushes and cups back to clean at the sinks at Art of the heart. And then once I was done that I headed back.

I texted James and asked if they would make me dumplings and mac and cheese. And they were working on that when I got back. They were very good. And James hung out with me until I got a message from Leon, one of the people I was picking up, that his flight was coming in almost an expected. Strange. But I don't care. One of the girls was landing in a few minutes anyway and had already known she was going to have to wait until the last person came at 7:00 so it didn't really matter. I told him I would still get there early and he kept saying no no it's okay. And I was just like I'll get there when I get there.

So I left the house and headed to the airport. There wasn't any traffic and I got there only a little bit later. And when I say there wasn't any traffic there wasn't any like grid traffic. There was still some back ups. And when I got there Katerina was just landing so I texted her and she said she was going to get something to eat and look around for a while. I said that's totally fine and I would hang out in the parking lot until she was ready. And then I just chilled and played on my phone and continue to coordinate because getting three people from three different countries on three different planes was definitely going to be a challenge.

Katerina eventually told me that she was bored and she asked if she could come and sit in my car. So we figured out where she was and I gave her the same instructions I gave the boys last night because that worked so well. And then I went and got her and it was so nice to see her. She gave me a big hug and we got her bag in the car and we drove back to the cell phone lot. We chatted for a while and then only a few minutes later Leon was coming out so we went to a find him.

He was a little bit more confused. He is newly 18. Literally his birthday was yesterday. And he's very sweet but he was a little confused. We got him in the car though and then we tried to figure out where Eva was. Her flight was coming in last and had just landed and so thankfully in the time that Leon was in customs she was coming through and was out and only a few minutes. We did have to send Katarina to go find her because she was confused about the number directions. But it was totally fine and then we got everybody in the car. We had to put one person's suitcase perpendicular in the middle seat in the back but it all worked out in the end.

driving back was a little bit more quiet than last night. I tried to engage them in conversation but I could tell they were all pretty tired. And so after a few minutes I let them go and they all just kind of rested their eyes. Katerina said the same thing that Aiden had said last night. Americans are so funny that will drive 40 minutes and not think it's very long. Aiden said that he's only driven 40 minutes one time and then he had to take the day off the next day. Which I thought was hilarious.

Katerina said that the longest she's ever been in the car was 5 hours and it was one of the hardest times on her body that she can remember. Wild.

But they were all so excited to be at camp. Eva and Katarina were your last year. And they were so excited to see everything and I drove everyone up to stockade and Annabelle was coming out to greet everyone. And then I helped them bring their bags upstairs and said goodbye. Until tomorrow.

I stopped at the office to talk to Alexi. Who was obviously stressed. I had offered to pick up a couple people tomorrow in the city to bring down that didn't have transportation. Totally fine. And then chatted with her for a few minutes before I headed out. And then I went to go get myself some dinner.

I went to Chipotle. And it was very quick. I feel like they under-filled my bowl a little bit but it's whatever. I am almost home now where I'm going to kiss on James and eat Chipotle and probably take a shower and oil my hair because it is very dry before we go to bed. Tomorrow is the first day of camp! I'm so excited. I'm not going to be slowly starting next week I will. Probably Monday. I'm really looking forward to it and all the weird terrible disgusting excellent things that happen at camp. I definitely have rose colored glasses for it but I'm going to keep him as long as I can.

I hope you all had an excellent day. I hope you sleep well tonight and that you're taking care of yourselves. Until next time.