#he kind of just wanders around and makes bad decisions and i love him for that

[sweetcarrotsandroses97]

~ As Sweet As Sugar | JJK

Pairing: CEO!husband!Jungkook x writer!fem!wife!Reader

Warnings: fluff, angst, the in-laws (again), talks of marriage, mentions of divorce, business talks, mentions of large inheritance, love confessions, sweet Kook, enamoured Kook, this is a pretty soft chapter tbh, Jimin and Namjoon feature in a scene (we love these two), implied smut at the end, OC is wiped by JK, (let me know if I missed anything!)

Summary: Jungkook makes a decision that would change his life forever but he can't regret it when he know he'll have you in the end. Promises are made, love gets sealed, because a caramel isn't always as sour as it seems.

Word Count: 4k

A/N: Hello, darlings! Welcome to the final chapter of "Sweet Marriage"! I hope you are excited to see how (y/n) and Jungkook will solve their marital issues O.O

Drabbles for this AU! are open, sweet ones! My inbox is open to all of you who'd like to request a continuation or would like to see in-betweens of this story. Now, without further adieu, happy reading, darlings!

☕Caffeinate me so I can keep on writing! ☕

What kind of caramel has a sour exterior yet a sweet centre? Is it worth the experience?

You sat in the passenger's seat while Jungkook drove to his parent's house. You were tense, he could sense it as well. From the begining you had tried to get along with your in-laws, something he thought was going pretty smoothly to be honest until Jungkook's mother crossed the line.

A silent gasp left your lips when Jungkook's hand rested atop your own. You looked at him only to marvel in his side profile.

"You are tense."

Your gaze lowered at his acknowledgement, you didn't want to speak just how much it bothered you had to go to his parent's residence in fear of making him angry or worse, to see you in a bad light you certainly weren't in.

His hand squeezed yours and you looked up at him only to meet his dark eyes for a second before his gaze returned to the front.

"I promise this is the last time we are going to my parent's house. I just need to sign some documents."

You leaned back on your seat, your eyes focused on the road as you let your mind wander around what had happened five days ago. You felt stupid to some point for doing Mrs. Jeon's will without consulting your husband. Not that you needed some kind of permission from him to do anything you pleased but more so as to include him in a decision that was going to affect the both of you as a married couple.

"I know, Kook."

You replied back in a soft voice, mind already lost in memories from that day and the following day you had lived next to your husband. The next morning after you told him your secret, Jungkook wasn't by your side and you felt how the world fell over you.

Fear took hold of you that moment, you could still remember how scared your had been when he wasn't in the bed, his side was also cold to the touch. You remember standing up in a rush, nearly tripping down with the sheets tangled in your body before you bolted out of the bedroom.

Jungkook was in the living room, his eyes lost in the horizon as the sun was painting the sky in beautiful hues of orange, pink and blue. He turned to look at you, his heart trembling at the distress drowning your (e/c) pools before he stood up and was quick to approach you.

You were in his arms the next second. Your face buried in his chest as you blinked back tears you didn't know had gathered in your waterline. Jungkook didn't say anything, he simply held you tighter when he felt you relax in his hold.

"You weren't in bed."

You said, matter-of-factly and he sighed, resting his chin at the top of your head.

"I woke up early, I didn't get much sleep."

You took a deep breath, inhaling in his scent, taking in his presence.

"I thought you had left."

The sound of your voice so fragile pulled at his heartstrings that a lump began forming in his throat. He pulled back only for one of his hands to cradle your cheek in his large palm while his eyes gazed into your own with countless emotions.

"Never. I could never leave your side."

You blinked and the memory dissipated from your mind like fog when the sun came out. You sighed, silently playing with Jungkook's fingers that were still in your hold, completely unaware of his soft smile upon your gentle touch.

"We are here."

His deep voice snapped you out of your little paradise where only you and your husband existed. He turned to look at you with gentle eyes that nearly melted you in your place. He smiled as if to comfort you; which it did.

"This won't take long, I promise."

You nodded before his hand left your own as he exited the car, making a sudden coldness invaded your body. You couldn't fully describe it but it felt as if your heart was enveloped around ice when you weren't near Jungkook, however the slightest touch or simple glance from him were enough to set you aflame.

He opened the door for you and you stepped out of the vehicle. His hand found home in between your fingers as he led you silently toward the front door.

"Young master, welcome."

Spoke the maid at the entrance. She bowed at Jungkook and you with stiff movements that made you take a deep breath. This is it. You thought to yourself as Jungkook gave the maid a simple nod before asking in his professional voice. He was here to deal business, nothing more, nothing less.

"Is my father in his study?"

"Yes, young master. He's waiting for you. Mrs. Jeon, would you like me to take your coat?"

You turned to look at the elegant maid with kind eyes yet your voice came firm as you spoke your next words.

"It's alright. We won't be here long anyway, but thank you."

The maid bowed down to both of you as Jungkook led you through the house and up the large staircase toward his father's study. His steps were determined, strong and confident. You followed next to him, your hand still clasped in his.

Jungkook had you as his equal in this situation were his future was on the line while you had him as support to the thorns that wanted to hurt your marriage with your sweet husband whom you loved so very much you feared your heart would explode with the amount of love you held for the man walking next to you.

The double doors were opened by two maids and you and Jungkook entered your father-in-law's studio hand in hand. Tension immediately rose in the room. You practically could cut it with a knife. Mr. Jeon stood up from his chair, a shiver ran down your spine but if it was due to the chilly room or the coldness of his eyes, you couldn't exactly tell.

"Welcome. This will be short, I only need you, Jungkook, to sign some papers and then this scandalous situation will be over."

You felt Jungkook's hand tighten around yours, his father's words spurring emotions in his heart he rather kept hidden. You squeezed his hand back in silent reassurance which made him physically relax a bit yet not completely.

"Where do I sign?"

Asked your husband in a detached voice. He was here for an entirely business deal. No emotion was carried by his voice and the tension rose once more in the room, like icicles trying to break the peace that surrounded your marriage with Jungkook.

Mr. Jeon sighed before his eyes lowered, his hands opened a file only for then to turn it upside down so that Jungkook was able to read it properly, he put an expensive black pen next to it and the coldness once more invaded the place.

Your husband let go of your hand as he walked toward the mahogany desk. His steps were large and precise, without hesitation. You found yourself admiring the control he had over his emotions, of his actions. Of how people viewed him. Even when he was in the presence of his own parents.

How sad it must have been for him to wear that mask required by society in front of his parents as well. It must have been tiring. The thought crossed your head before you could stop however, you came to notice how relaxed he was in his home with you. How domestic he appeared in your eyes. Then again, who said you weren't also wearing such a disguise?

You made eye contact with your father-in-law as the shuffling of paper echoed around the walls. You could read in his dark eyes the challenge he carried within him, the arrogance. The slight disappointment he had in Jungkook when he didn't divorce you. The frustration cursing through his veins was obvious to your eyes that only held love and support toward the man who had married you.

"So, according to this, I will no longer be the heir of the company?"

His father nodded, his hands clasped in front of him before he spoke in a monotonous tone.

"Yes, Jeon Enterprises will pass to your Cousin Marlene, I believe she is now in the States. She's already been notified of this."

Silence stretched in the room once more as your eyes focused on your husband. Your heart thumped in your chest ever so quickly you were scared the two men in the study could hear its frantic beating.

"You'll keep your current position but you'll work for us. Are you sure you want to do this, Jungkook?"

But your husband paid him no mind. He wasn't going to be controlled like a puppet. Not anymore. Not when his future, you, were on the line. Never. Jungkook signed the documents, the scraping of the pen over the paper reached your ears and your heart fluttered at his actions.

Jungkook put the pen aside and straightened back to his full height. His eyes pierced those of his father with no emotion at all.

"If that is all then we'll be on our way. My wife and I already have plans."

The older man let out a deep sigh, looking at his son with melancholy or disappointment, you really couldn't tell. Butterflies flew in your stomach when Jungkook called you like that. "My wife." His. You were his just as he was yours. Tangled with the ribbon of fate and tied with a knot of love.

"I'll let you know if there's anything more but for now, that is all."

Jungkook nodded, turning around and when his back was towards his father, he offered you a soft smile. Kind in its nature. Happy in its existence. You smiled back as he walked to you and his hand found home around yours.

"Let's go."

And with that, he led you outside of the study and through the hallway. Mr. Jeon was left in his expensive and luxurious study, pondering if what he had done had been the right decision. It wasn't his fault Jungkook had fallen in love with you and it wasn't your fault that you were sterile. Was it really worth it to discard the company from his son's rightful heritage only for a drama his wife made?

But there was no turning back. There was nothing to be done if he were to feel guilty about his choice. Because as the owner of Jeon Enterprises, Jungkook's father had in him the power to leave the company to whoever he pleased. Was it really worth it?

"Jungkook."

Mrs. Jeon spoke as she stood next to the large staircase. Her piercing eyes went from Jungkook to you and back to him. You squeezed your husband's hand in reassurance. You were next to him, just like every future time he'll have to face anything, you'll stand next to him as his wife.

"Mother."

You felt how the tension rose once more between mother and son and you straightened your back before saying in a steady voice.

"If you'll excuse us, Mrs. Jeon, there's an appointment we need to attend to. I hope we'll meet again under better circumstances."

She eyes you up and down and you feel how she scrutinised you with her gaze alone. But you weren't going to back down. You had your husband next to you and he had you as well. You sent her a polite smile and she nodded in a stiff manner before you turned to the staircase and pulled on your joined hands with Jungkook before he followed you down the marble stairs with his mother's eyes piercing the top of your head as if she could burn you with her anger cursing through her veins.

"You will regret this, Jungkook! You'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

But her words fell on deaf ears. Jungkook didn't need their fame, he didn't need their support anymore and there was no point in keeping a relationship with the people who brought him to this world if it was going to be so toxic he felt like he couldn't breathe anymore.

He had you know. Your presence, your existence was like a new and fresh breeze on a spring day. You brought him hope, you gave him your heart and with it, your love. Your trust. Your life was in his hands. Just as he had given you his heart ever so willingly; without an ounce of hesitation in his actions, in his words, in his thoughts about you. His lover. His wife. His (y/n).

You stood in the lift as it went up to your shared apartment. Your hand was held in Jungkook's larger palm as his thumb ran delicate circles over your knuckles.

You still were surprised at how easily he had given up on his inheritance because of you. Because he loved you. Because he wanted you. He cherished you and gave you your place as his wife. You didn't doubt you would have done the same had you been in his shoes.

The feeling of your heart thumping against your chest for the man you had married made you smile softly. At him. At his love. At what had been built between you both where nothing existed, not a castle stood. A castle of love.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Jungkook's hand squeezed yours in an involuntary way but it made your cheeks heat as butterflies fluttered in your stomach. The both of you walked out of the lift hand in hand and down the large corridor that led to your shared apartment.

When you two rounded a corner, you had to suppress a gasp as you nearly collided with two other men who were walking at a fast pace from the other end of the corridor. You recognised them vaguely, as if you had seen them before but couldn't quite place where. Unbeknownst to you, Jungkook tensed ever so slightly at the sight of his friends and coworkers.

"Jimin, Namjoon. What are you both doing here?"

Now you knew where you had seen them. Both Jimin and Namjoon had attended the small wedding ceremony between you and Jungkook nearly a year ago.

"I... well, you see-"

"We visited a friend, Kook. I'm glad to see you, you haven't been at the company for some time now."

The shorter one spoke. Jimin, you remembered his name was Jimin. The man had a pleasing smile over his plump lips and you also noticed he had recently dyed his hair a sandy shade of blond that suited him perfectly.

Jungkook nodded, eyes going from Namjoon to Jimin and then back again.

"How are you, Mrs. Jeon? We haven't seen you since forever."

Spoke Namjoon and you smiled. Reminiscing how you both had shared talks about different books and art, you being a writer yourself he valued your opinion greatly.

"I've been fine, Namjoon. Thanks for asking, I hope everything's going well at the company?"

Your question made them nod and Jungkook bit his lip, this interaction was lasting more than it should have. To begin with, it shouldn't have occurred in the first place. This could totally ruin Jungkook's plans to spend the evening with you.

"Oh, yes. Please don't worry about that but do tell Jungkook here to stop pestering us about the monthly reports already! We have a big loan already!"

You couldn't help but laugh at Jimin's comment, the sound resonating across the walls. Jungkook sighed loudly, visibly irritated by his friends who teased him in front of you.

"Yeah well, keep going like this and there'll be no salary increase for you both."

Jungkook began walking once more, tugging on your joined hands as you laughed out loud at the scared face Namjoon made and the eye roll from Jimin.

"See you guys around!"

You were able to say that before Jungkook dragged you into the apartment and closed the door behind him leaving Jimin and Namjoon standing in the middle of the corridor.

"Do you think he'll do it?"

Asked the taller man as they both began walking down the hall and towards the lifts. His hands shoved into his trouser pockets and a relaxed expression over his face.

"He better do it."

Jimin pressed the button to go to the ground floor, a hand running over his hair as he frowned slightly.

"He better do it, hyung, or I swear I'll kill him."

Namjoon laughed and the elevator's doors closed. Leaving behind nothing but silence in the empty hallway.

Jungkook had taken your coat from you before he had disappeared into the kitchen saying he was thirsty. You sighed in content as you took off your shoes and placed your purse on the entrance table before you walked away from the door wearing your comfortable slippers.

"Kook?"

You asked, but he wasn't in the kitchen and you frowned at his absence. Silence engulfed the flat and you walked to the living room and the dining room but he wasn't there.

"He couldn't have just disappeared into thin air, now can he?!

You muttered to yourself as your feet carried you to your shared bedroom. The door was slightly ajar so you pushed it with your palm and gasped at what you saw inside.

"I thought it would take you longer to come here."

Jungkook said and you stepped forward, eyes roaming around the bedroom. The curtains were pulled to the sides, the mesmerising sunset painting the sky tinted the room in a soft orange hue it warmed your heart instantly.

There were red rose petals on the ground, and the bed was dressed in black sheets with white petals on it. Transparent balloons filled the ceiling as they floated up and you couldn't help the smile that graced your lips.

"Kook, what's this?"

He walked over to you, standing at arm's length as his eyes lost themselves in your own. His heart was beating wildly in his chest; he feared you could hear it. His hands were behind his back as he looked down at you.

"Jimin and Namjoon took longer than anticipated."

You laughed, so that was why Namjoon seemed so nervous at the beginning. The sound of your laughter made butterflies swirl in his stomach, the sight of you, bathed in the golden light of the sun, smiling up at him was enough to send him to heaven.

"(y/n),"

How delicious it was to hear your name coming out of his lips. You looked at him with a soft gaze he thought he'd melt right then and there.

"my beautiful wife."

You blushed at the compliment, breaking eye contact as you looked down in a futile attempt at hiding your flustered state. He chuckled, finding the situation so beautiful in its own existence. Wishing he could frame this precise moment and look at it forever.

His hands untangled themselves from behind his back, one was shoved into his trouser pocket while the other lifted your chin with the tips of his fingers. The moment your eyes met his once more, you felt like melting against him. It was perfect.

"I love you so much, sweet one. So, so much."

You swallowed, feeling his words through your heart as it skipped a beat.

"I love you as well, Jungkook. With all my heart."

He smiled. the bunny smile you loved so much. That smile that was the source of your happiness. That smile that was only his.

"We have faced so many things together."

His hand moved and cradled your cheek, the touch burning you while freezing you in your spot at the same time. You wanted him. In every sense of the word. He did things to you that you had never felt before. He made you feel loved like no-one else had done, he made you feel cherished, wanted, needed. And you could only hope he felt the same way. Because you loved him, you cherished him, you wanted him and needed him just as much.

"I wish we had met under different circumstances but that doesn't mean I am not grateful for what he has grown to be as a couple."

Your hand came up and covered the once that cradled your cheek, your hand over his sending tingles all over his arm and to his body he felt fuzzy, happy to just be with you. To just have you in this moment, exactly like this.

"I have grown to care for you like I have never cared for another woman in my life, (y/n). You are everything to me. Everything, sweetheart. I cannot imagine my life without you."

Your eyes began to water at the sweet words dripping from his lips. Coated in sugar, meant to wash away the sour taste left behind by life itself.

He sighed and took a step back, his hand left your cheek and you instantly felt cold at the loss of his touch. Jungkook looked at you with soft brown and big eyes before he knelt down on one knee. His right hand picked up a small box from his trouser's pocket and you nearly gasped when he opened it.

"We are already married and the promises I made to you on our wedding day are still fresh on my mind. I will fulfil them as my duty to you as a husband but this ring, love, this ring is a promise to you as your lover."

You bit your bottom lip, trying to stop it from trembling as a little tear rolled down your cheek at his words.

"I promise to love you until my last breath. I promise to cherish you as my wife. You will never need anything, your desires are my commands, (y/n). You rule my heart like a Queen rules her kingdom. Now, I ask you with all the sincerity in this world: will you love me as well?"

A sob escaped your lips before your hands went up to cover your mouth. You nodded fiercely as you tried to wipe your tears away. He smiled, standing up and taking the ring out of the small velvety box. His larger hand took your left one and he slid the ring on top of your wedding band. A seal to his love. The two rings even matched.

"Yes. A million times yes. I love you, Jungkook. I love you with all I have in me, with everything. Forever."

The next moment, his lips were on yours. Your hands rested on his shoulders as he cradled your face, his lips dancing with yours in the steps of love.

The kiss was sweet. As sweet as sugar. You poured all the love, all the longing, all the desire into that kiss while Jungkook let his emotions flow into that single act of love. He allowed you to feel how his heart beat for you, how his mind wouldn't stop thinking about you and how his hand itched to touch you.

Your hands ran to the back of his neck before they were running through his dark locks. A soft groan escaped his throat when you tugged on his hair slightly. You moaned as his hands slid down your cheek and towards your waist, pressing you against him.

Passion bloomed in that moment. Starting with a sweet kiss and ending with the promise of eternal love.

Jungkook guided you to the bed, the back of your knees hit the bed and he pushed you down on the mattress gently, hovering over you without breaking the kiss.

Perhaps sour caramels do have sweet centres after all.

As sweet as sugar. As sweet as love. As sweet as life.

Combined into a sweet marriage of eternal devotion and beautiful love. 

~Masterpost

March/03/2024

☕Caffeinate me so I can keep on writing! ☕

Drabbles are open for this AU!

#jungkook #bts #bts fic #jeon jungkook #jeon jungkook x reader #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jungkook x y/n #jeon jungkook x you #arranged marriage #jungkook arranged marriage #love #sweetcarrotsandroses97 #bts ot7 #ot7 #bts jungkook #jungkook series #jungkook x reader angst #jungkook x reader fluff #sweet marriage jjk #sweet marriage

[hearts4renaa]

DON’T BE A STRANGER.

summary: seeing him for the first time after the breakup. featuring kaeya and xiao. (separately)

contains: angst, post-breakup, one mention of the holiday season, gender neutral reader with the use of “you” as a pronoun

a/n: did you miss me? happy holidays from rena 🫶 listen to scott street by phoebe bridgers while reading

Nothing screamed holiday celebrations more than a couple drinks with friends at Angel’s Share, and that’s exactly what Kaeya did. Unfortunately, you had the same idea, sitting at the bar and sipping on a drink. The breakup was still fresh in your mind, and you just needed someone to talk to. Was your ex’s brother the best therapist? Probably not, but Diluc was the closest thing you had to a friend right now.

“It’s just…bad timing, you know?” You rant off to Diluc, who patiently listens as he polishes the plethora of cups in front of him. “I shouldn’t be this upset, I know, but-“ The bell above the door rings from behind you, and chatter of the new customers fills your ears. One of them chuckles, and you feel your shoulder tense at the familiar voice. It was Kaeya. Diluc shoots you a sympathetic look as Kaeya and his friends stride right by your seat to a table in the corner. You go silent as your eyes direct themselves to your cup, but in your peripheries, you can see the silhouette of the man you once called yours.

Even seeing someone who looks remote similar to him makes your heart ache, so actually seeing him brought upon a different kind of pain. You know it wasn’t anyone’s fault and that sometimes things just aren’t meant to be, but you’re confident that you’ll never love someone the way you loved him. You know you’ll look for him in everyone you meet, and that’s what really hurts. Most of all, you know that the two of you will probably never get back together; but a small part of you can’t help but hope. You shake your head to get out of your thoughts.

You down the rest of your drink, tapping the glass back down onto the bar. “I’m gonna head out.” You mutter to Diluc. He nods in understanding.

Diluc calls to you on the way out. “Y/N.” You turn back to listen to him. “Don’t be a stranger, okay?” Your throat tightens up, and you can’t conjure up a response. You nod, giving him a sad smile. Your eyes automatically drift to Kaeya’s table, and you find that he was already looking at you. He swirls around the drink in his left hand, not paying attention to the conversation of this colleagues.

He nods his head and gives you a small smile, and that’s how you know it’s really over.

—

The storms in Liyue haven’t been very kind to you lately. The thunder claps are booming, and the rain never seems to stop. You find yourself walking into Wangshu Inn, dripping from the rain. Verr Goldet waves cheerfully as you walk in. “Y/N!” She greets. “Here’s a towel. It’s pouring out there.” She tosses a plush white towel your way. You nod gratefully, placing the towel over your shoulders. “Head on upstairs,” She tells you. “Xiao might be up there.” You feel your stomach twist into knots. He didn’t tell her?

The two of you had been broken up for two weeks now, and almost every night, you tear up just thinking about it. He pushed you away, claimed he did it to protect you. That he was too dangerous, too troubled, too much of all the wrong things to be deserving of your affection. Xiao’s head told him it was for the better, but his heart was screaming for him to never let you go. You ultimately accepted his decision, and with a heavy heart, you said goodbye. You simply nod at the inn owner’s words, biting your tongue and heading upstairs. You weren’t really going all the way up to where Xiao normally was - instead, you figured you’d just find a table and sit until the storm passed. You found a little nook against a window and let your shoulders ease as you relished in the shelter from the storm. Your mind wanders as the rhythmic “pitter-patter” of the rain lulls you. I wonder if Xiao’s really here-

“What are you doing here?”

The voice makes you jump. You whip your head around, and you’re met with Xiao’s face. Your eyes widen, and your mind frantically searches for something to say, but you aren’t fast enough. Xiao keeps talking. “Didn’t I tell you that it was dangerous being around me?”

You swallow thickly and stand up from your seat. “It’s pouring out there.” You tell him matter-of-factly. “I’m waiting for the storm to pass.” Xiao’s face is emotionless as his eyes simply scan over your face. You notice the grip on his polearm get tighter. What you don’t know is the way Xiao bit the inside of his cheek. He was foolish for even hoping that you might have come back to him.

His heart takes control of him and he feels himself spewing words he doesn’t mean. “Good.” He spits out. “Mortals have no business being around an adepti. If it were a perfect world, we would have never met in the first place.” His words sting a little more than you’d like to admit. Xiao regrets the words as soon as they leave him mouth, and it felts painful for him to see the pain flash across your face. There is so much he wishes he could say to you. He turns away to leave, and you have to physically stop yourself from grabbing ahold of his cape.

“Xiao-“ His name falls from your lips before you can stop yourself. He doesn’t turn around, but he stops in his tracks. “Don’t be a stranger.” You whisper. He says nothing back. You blink, and he vanishes in an instant.

Only until after he leaves is when it really hits you: You will never say his name again.

#genshin #genshin impact x reader #don’t be a stranger #genshin x reader #genshin impact #xiao x reader #kaeya x reader #genshin angst #genshin imagines

[the-daydreaming-show]

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 — 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: A brief return to what happened on the day of Jason Todd's death.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫(𝐬): Bruce Wayne X ScarletWitch!Reader; Clark Kent x ScarletWitch!Reader (platonic); Jason Todd x Batmom!ScarletWitch!Reader.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: This is a lot of anguish and does not contribute at all to the plot of the main story, but I love how it ends up, and I didn't put it in All For Us for reasons.

So, I hope you enjoy the suffering.

Beta Reader by @igotmessymind (Our savior and goddess, whom we must appreciate so… APPRECIATE HER!!)

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐬 / Next Part.

Bruce always prided himself in the fact that you had always said that his mind was very well protected for somebody who was just a human man.

In the first years, when the both of you pretended to hate each other, that was the only thing that gave him some sense of security while being around you.

Of course, if you actually wanted to read his mind and explore his subcontinents that would have stopped you — but something was something, and he used to cling to that thought at that time.

Now it was just a curious fact. 

Dick has learned to protect his mind from magic under your teaching, and he liked to say that he was better at it than Bruce, just to joke around.

In fact, that becomes a part of the training that your husband gives your children. An immovable condition for going out with him to patrol.

Jason has received that training too, but you have confessed to Bruce that your boy had had the same natural protection to his mind before he got to you.

These points are important for two reasons.

One. 

Shortly after his fifteenth birthday, Bruce decided that Jason was beginning to be too neglected and angry for his own safety. That and the hormones make it inevitable that your husband took that decision, with Jason obviously in discord — and, in his rage for the decision, your boy ends up wandering all alone to the city one-day. He found himself in his old house and a box of memories that revealed that, in fact, Catherine Todd was not his biological mother.

It was the natural protection of his mind that allowed Jason to hide from you his guilt. 

He feels bad for lying to you and going after a stranger that just gave him life.

You have taken care of him, and you are his mom. But he needed to know. 

So, without you or Bruce's knowledge, he stole the Robin suit and went to find his mother once and for all.

Two.

When Bruce found the note that Jason had left explaining where he was going. His natural protection makes sure that his emotions will leak out of his head and to you.

He didn't tell you right away how Jason was looking when he left.

Bruce told you that he went behind the Joker on his own.

He should have told you the truth right away. But he knew how much you loved Jason and how heartbreaking it would be for you knew that he was looking for his mother, as if you were not enough.

When he told you the truth was when the Joker in fact was there. But, now you don't care about Jason looking for his mother, you care for his safety.

It was night when Bruce got home. 

Alfred. 

Oh, sweet and kind Alfred. 

He was the one who told you that he had arrived. And you ignore how he looked at you with tears in his eyes and pain when you immediately whispered the name of your son before leaving him alone in the room, almost running to get to the bat-cave. 

Where you thought that you would find your husband and son waiting for you.

But Bruce stopped you. He appeared without his cape or mask, but with the Batman suit still on. 

That was the first signal of something wrong. 

Bruce never went up to the mansion in this Batman gear. Never. Not before you marry and not after. At the start for security, and now to separate his lives.

“Bruce” you greet him smiling and hug him relieved because he was safe, ignoring the silent hassle in your heart “In so glad you two are safe” you wish as you hide your face in his chest. But he didn't return the gesture, he just watched the top of your head, his arms like dead weight at every side of him. You pulled out when you felt how tense he was, and smiled at him understanding, like you can not grasp the idea of him not being able to bring Jason home, and not thinking much of his acting was for the stress of your son running through the world without supervision for several days. “¿Where's Jason?” you asked quietly, calm as you can't be. Your baby was for sure in the cave, making a fit after Bruce scolded him all the way back to the continent. Yes, that was it.

“Love” Bruce started, the tone in his voice was not the one he used with you. Your Bruce was kind and loving while talking with you, but he sounded empty. “I-” he cuts himself when you move with the intention of passing him, and walks to the cave. “You can't go there” he says as he holds you in front of him with firm hands. You look at him, confused. He had never done something like that.

“¿Why?” you ask, “¿What happened?” your mind never went there. 

The thing is, a parent never actually thinks of the worst situation for their children when something actually happens. You spend your whole life worrying about them, but when something happens, it is like your brain is taken by surprise. Or at least that's what happened to you. 

When Bruce told you that you can't go to the cave your mind stopped for a second. A million reasons passed through your mind, but the truth was not one of them. You didn't visualize your baby Jay, dead in a metal table cover by a sheet. And you didn't sit, either.

“I will talk to him, I'm sure his anger is gonna pass soon enough” you said, trying again to pass him on.

“Is not that” Bruce says, his voice as dead as before. This time you tried to take him away from him, which caused him to trade to hold your wrists for you to look at him, but you didn't. You were looking to the hall behind him, the one that while taking you to the secret door to the bat-cave and to Jason. He was physically stronger than you, but you didn't stop, and you will find the mark of his fingerprints in your skin the next day. “He is not mad” he says, his voice breaking out as he saw you fight him.

“Bruce, let me go” you said while fighting still, outraged by his triad of getting away from you boy. “Bruce, stop” your voice crack at the despair.

“Love” he says, as you tried to kick him in desperation, and he took advantage of it. Bruce turns you around facing the other side of the hall, holding your hands over your chest and hugging you in your place. Didn't stop you from trying desperately to get away from him.

He needed to let you go, so you could see Jason. You have to see him. 

“He's gone” Bruce finally whispers to you to hear, with his eyes full of tears, but you didn’t see it, you just keep struggling.

“¿What?. Bruce, what – JASON!!” you couldn't process it. So you call for him. “Bruce, stop. ¡¡Jason!!” you call while mange to take one of your wrists out of his hold and turn around to watch the end of the hall. Empty. No son of yours was there. Jason wasn't listening to you. “Bruce, let me go” you beg, almost trying to climb over him, but Bruce held you again.

“He's gone, the Joker-” Bruce was thankful and heartbroken when you didn't let him finish the explanation. Thankful because he didn't know how to tell this to you. 

¿How will he explain that your son was dead because of him?

¿How does he say that Jason was not coming back because his choice of leaving him and Sheila alone, all open to danger, and that It cost them both their life?. 

And heartbroken, because your mind finally fell into the right conclusion of what was happening.

“STOP IT. LET ME GO, BRUCE” you scream, finally breaking. You start to cry and shake into awful sobs, “JASON” you called him.

Bruce had to hold you until you stopped fighting. You scratched him, begged him, screamed and kicked. But he didn't let you go, and Jason never came up from the cave that night. It Felt like hours, but Alfred told him it had been less than ten minutes before you fell into his arms just crying, all the fight out of your body. The crying didn't stop, though.

You cry for your son all night. Bruce cries with you in silence. All night you rolled in your shared bed, like a wounded animal, crying and calling for your son. Every so often, you sleep and wake up. You would ask for Jason and when he didn't show up he would cry again. You didn't do anything else.

Likewise, you don't know when Bruce left or when Clark showed up. But your friend couldn't help but watch with the same impotence as your husband. 

You understood, later, that it was Alfred who called him, to see if the word of Superman, the only other man who also knew you as Bruce did, could finally convince your husband. 

“Bruce, please” Alfred begged him. The three men stood behind the closed door of the room where you had fallen asleep again after being comforted by Clark, as best he could. Alfred didn't want to be too harsh to Bruce, how waste better that you. “You have to let her see him” the butler repeat himself  “Is the only thing to do” 

Clark looked at both of them in silence. 

He couldn't believe it either. Jason was dead. That boy so full of life and attitude, gone forever, leaving two parents totally inconsolable. He could see that nobody else with Bruce was doing what he was doing at that moment. Something that didn't happen often, but he was thankful for years of having been able to read Bruce so easily that day. When he most needs him. The man he had seen take down opponents stronger, more powerful than him, and even some otherworldly, all with no power of his own other than his stubbornness. Now he was lying against one of the walls of the mansion hall, with red eyes and leaning forward. As if it was difficult for him to breathe. Unable to stand upright under the weight of his child's life, the one he had and the one he would never live now.

He understood. 

So, Clark spoke before Alfred could say more.

“I'll take her.” he said, and it was like everything froze in time for a second “I'll take her, you don't have to do it Bruce. She will not resent you for not doing it, but she will never believe it if she doesn't see him” he made sure to not make any sudden movement to raise his voice too much. Bruce didn't look at him. He stood there in silence for just a minute. Then he nodded his head.

You wake up with the movement. It was Clark. He passed his arms under your knees and around your back, picking you up from the bed. He didn't trust that you would be able to walk all the way to the elevator on your feet. 

“¿Where are we going?” you ask, your voice scratchy from so much shouting and crying.

“To see Jason” he responded gently, as he stood at his full height with you in his arms, you felt like a broken doll. You were a dead weight that wasn't really a weight, but you felt like dead in his arms. Selfishly, Clark thought that he prayed to the universe never to find himself in that situation, and immediately felt bad, so he settled closer to him.

“Really?” you asked, out of breath. Your voice trembled, filled with a mixture of hope and fear. A part of you still didn't believe it, he saw it crystal clear, and he knew he never fully would. There was no going back, he would do this. For you, who was like his sister. And for Bruce, who was his best friend and partner.

“Yes, really” he confirmed. 

You let your head fall over his chest as you two leave the room. Your body felt too heavy and your conscience too light. You didn't notice when they went out into the hallway or got into the elevator. 

The sound it made when it reached the cave floor was what brought you back. Your first instinct was to grab onto Clark, wanting to start asking him back. You have changed your mind. You wanted to stay upstairs, where there was still a chance your son would come back. But you wanted to see your baby and if you came back you would never see him again. You would wait forever for Jason, and you would never leave that place. You knew it.

Not only that, but you couldn't do that to Bruce. Neither to Alfred. Or to your sweet Dick.

Clark takes you up the stairs to the platform at the edge of the cave, where there was a metal table where Bruce used to carry any artifact or mysterious substance, where he usually stayed until he finished identifying or disarming them. He put you down slowly. Resting your legs on the ground first and holding you until you felt strong enough to let go of his shirt. He looked at you, wondering if he wanted him to leave, but you didn't look at him. You could only see that table.

The sheet had no blood. Jason had stopped bleeding hours ago. Behind you, Clark felt the need to throw up or run, whichever came first. The thought of having to see that boy — his nephew, now dead on a table, horrified him, but he kept himself firm behind you. And when he saw that you didn't move, he delicately pushed your sword without lifting his hand until you took the first step on your own towards the body.

People said that the dead seem asleep. But he didn't. When you pulled out the sheet, your son seemed dead. 

Jason Todd was dead. Your son. Gone forever.

“My baby” you whispered, starting to cry, while you touched her cold face and broke by the blows “My baby” you repeated over and over again “My baby. My baby. My baby” you didn't scream, you just clung to his body until Bruce appeared again and pulled you out of him.

You whispered crying, while you touched her cold face. Clark would remember that cry for the rest of his life. Bruce would never recover if he hadn't been the one to take you to see Jason one last time.

And Alfred thus saw the start of a series of events that would end with you breaking yourself, leading everyone to a safe place where Jason had come back from the cave that night. In the end, that was what it took so that they could all end that dark chapter in everyone's life once and for all.

Or at least that's what they thought until Red Hood appeared on the scene, to which Bruce thanked again for that natural protection of the mind that both he and Jason possessed. It was keeping you safe.

𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭: @some-lovely-day @simonsbluee @yuki-chan23 @miyakana @myst3batz @otchae @d3m0n8ch1ld @marsenbie @mynameisnotlaura @andieperrie18 @totallynotme420 @igotmessymind @amarawayne @calsjack @kodzukenmaaa @mellowdiy @noah-uhhh-what @blarba-girl @dead-sane-stuff @huhuhhuhh

#all for us #jason todd x batmom #batfamily x reader #batmom #batmom!reader #batfam x reader #tim drake x batmom #dick grayson x batmom #scarletwitch!batmom!reader #scarletwitch!reader

[vickyvicarious]

A take on outside perspectives on the Crew of Light, arranged from most to least suspicious:

Jonathan Harker - I don't think Mina or Mr. Hawkins were spreading the news about his disappearance, so aside from his closest friends it seems like he left on a work trip and then came back months late newly married and acting very different. Much more world-weary but doesn't talk about it. Inherits money and the law firm but immediately just fucks off after being chief mourner at the funeral rather than taking care of what he's been given. Obviously he got sick and then his boss died and it's very sad, but someone said they saw him wandering around London buying drinks with various workmen and there's a lot of paperwork to be done here at the firm! Not to mention, was that him scribbling away into that notebook on the train? Couldn't have been, Jonathan was always a friendly and mild-mannered man, and that person had a dangerous aura and a very large knife, not to mention shockingly white hair. Still, he looked just like Jonathan...

Arthur Holmwood - The poor young Lord Godalming had had a very trying end of summer to be sure. That said, he has responsibilities as the new Lord. He only spent a few days at home mourning his father and fiance before leaving on the evening of what was meant to be his wedding night and coming back deeply shaken. Then he went off again the next morning and came back far worse, staring at his trembling hands, sobbing behind closed doors. The third time he left, he hasn't come home, but his messages are progressively odder. He's spending money all over the place, in very odd ways. He's hiring people for unusual jobs, he's sticking his nose in all sorts of people's business, what is going on with him? It's probably the bad influence of his American friend.

Jack Seward - Hennessey has been sort of wondering when his boss would have a mental break. He's been looking more and more exhausted/making questionable decisions over the past few months, and everyone knows he was first rejected by, and then failed to save the life of, the girl he loved. Also, sometimes he phonograph diaries with his door open; the man is sad. The loss of his most interesting patient appears to have been the final straw, and now he's gone off on some sort of hopefully healing vacation with all his odd friends and that professor he's always raved about. It's pretty inconvenient timing but hopefully he gets some rest.

Mina Harker - She obviously has friends other than Lucy but they don't seem as close. So the sudden marriage abroad is a little surprising but then again she and Harker have always been mad for one another, and apparently he's gotten promoted so it makes sense. Quitting her job is expected, and her withdrawal from much public life for the period right after her wedding/when her husband is either very busy or going mad, only makes sense. A little worrying that she hasn't been writing lately but not too alarming, especially given her best friend's abrupt death.

Van Helsing - With the many hats this man wears, frequent and unpredictable travel doesn't seem out of the ordinary for him. Nor does going down an esoteric research binge or being out of touch for a while. The garlic flower orders were a little odd, admittedly, but hey, easy profit. He probably had some kind of experimental treatment in mind. Maybe he has a unique private patient.

Quincey Morris - No one who knows Quincey has any idea what he's up to at any given moment, unless they are physically in the same room as him. Sometimes not even then. Equally, no one who knows Quincey will find "visited a friend in London, fell in love, got rejected, hung out for a while, started shooting bats, went vampire hunting with some new bosom friends" difficult to believe coming from him.

#dracula daily #crew of light

[creatrixanimi]

as a submas fan who recently got into hazbin I would absolutely love to hear your au thoughts!!!!

Ok ill have to try to write out everything i've got so far!

So the original premise was that ingo and emmet got mixed up and ingo got sent to hell instead of emmet as an oopsie (emmet didnt do anything overly bad in life but heaven/hell stuff is so arbitrary they probably just made a weird decision somewhere down the line lol) but i thinkkk i have switched it to Ingo gets sent to hell because Volo successfully sacrificed him in a ritual and emmet, while dying in the same place, wasnt actually part of it so normal rules still applied to him. Ingo's soul is all messed up and corrupted because of the ritual which caused his amnesia. Emmet finds out about Ingo being sent to hell after he cant find ingo anywhere in heaven and rightfully gets upset at heaven's lack of action because he see's ingo's situation as a huge injustice. So Emmet's whole thing is basically just causing problems until he finds his way to hell and reunites with ingo.

Ingo's situation is where the fun is lol. So he wakes up after spawning in hell and is just a total odd-ball. Half because he doesnt remember ANYTHING from before he died. Maybe not even his name? Which is weird. And also because he's a total sweetheart. No one can figure out why he's even there because it's not like he's a hellborn so he must have done something to end up in hell. After a brief period of wandering around aimlessly, Lady Sneasler, who is an overlord in this au, kinda adopts him and takes him places because she thinks hes so charming and adorable. Melli is just a guy that hangs around lady sneasler even though he acts like he doesnt like her? She's the poison overlord (kinda like an aqua tofana situation for sneasler) and melli is a poison guy. So they kinda just fall into the same group. So they both become friends of Ingo. After a while of character introductions and some brief fun stuff like Sneasler getting Ingo to do all kinds of fun stuff he probably wouldnt do on his own (like the clubbing thing lmao) Ingo has his first blackout, probably triggered by some sort of memory thing, and its kinda terrifying. When he has those blackouts he shifts into his full demon form and his power goes haywire causing a lot of destruction. Its a huge shock because normally regular sinner demons dont really have much in terms of inherent power and also because Ingo cant actually use his powers while conscious so there was no sign of him being capable of that level of chaos. Anyway, after he has his little blackout his body sustains damage from exerting that kind of power and is kinda down for the count for a while afterwards. His story from there on is figuring out what is going on with him and trying to stop those blackouts before it either destroys him or a good chunk of the city, whichever comes first lmao. Sneasler is kinda just there to reign in ingo and melli she just loves a good show lol Melli is kinda where i wanna connect it more to the existing hazbin characters/storyline. Because this is lowkey more of a crossover. He accidentally becomes charlie's new pet project which no one is a fan of 😂 melli did not volunteer for this at all but his character arc is learning to make friends and care about other people after pushing people away for so long because he's a huge ball of self-hatred. He's kinda perfect for the "i can fix him" thing the hotel is all about. SO he's stuck learning to become a better person and being the narrative connection back to the core of the actual show lmao. Not sure if they ever even stay at the hotel. Maybe ingo and melli could flip flop between sneasler's place and the hotel. They dont actually have places of their own so its one or the other. In terms of intra character interactions i think its like this (this is prolly set post-s1 so no sir pentious): Charlie: thinks ingo is nice, wants to fix melli and is working with ingo to do this. Her relationship w sneasler is similar to rosie in my head. Alastor: finds Ingo somewhat threatening because Ingo can read him like a book. would otherwise find him pleasant but because he has a hard time keeping up his mysterious scary image around him he avoids him if possible. Ingo really likes him because "he reminds him of someone but he cant put a finger on it", will teleport away if melli is in the vicinity, finds sneasler charming. would gossip with her 10/10. When emmet shows up they try to kill each other which is entirely unsurprising. Everyone else in the hotel is more or less "theres something not right about that ingo guy but he's nice enough i guess", "FUCK melli get him OUT OF HERE", and "lady sneasler is chill" and when emmet shows up theyre just like "oh this explains why he likes alastor so much. Now theres TWO OF THEM." I would like to develop the other character's opinions on the situation more but this is getting. so so long. misc other character stuff: 

Lady sneasler still has sneasels, usually 3 of them. they just have tiny wings and horns but otherwise look like regular sneasels. No clue what their deal is they just exist. 

Rosie and Sneasler get along great. they are kinda similar but fill different power-niches in hell. 

Rosie finds ingo SO charming. She loves his odd vintage flair despite literally dying like. in the 2020s lol. He's very popular in cannibal town because he's a train freak and edwardians love trains. He takes the cute edwardian cannibal kiddies on train rides.

im not really sure what goes on with emmet in this au i just know he's having a shit time of it and eventually finds ingo. I havent decided if he actually falls or just leaves heaven because it sucks and no one cares enough to stop him. Also only slightly related but i actually have a voice-canon for him which is will wood which works great for this au lmao. Also emmet plays killer jazz piano and alastor is so mad about it because its actually good.

emmet and alastor dont really have all that much in common besides the smile thing but its just enough for them to beef over it. really its a similar feud as alastor and lucifer, alastor sees emmet as a threat both because of his power and the smile thing and emmet doesnt like that ingo is following alastor around like a lost puppy. emmet is def way less mysterious, he's just pissed that his brother is suffering even if ingo doesnt seem to notice his own problems.

volo doesnt really come back up in this au because he's still alive. just imagine that akari is kicking his ass in the living world or something lmao. 

i cant decide if pokemon exist in this universe. It would be funny tho to have chandelure exist in a world where souls are like whole ass people who can die for a second time. worlds nicest guy's pet lamp eats people until theyre perma-dead for breakfast.

Elesa (and probably also drayden and iris depening on your headcanons) are very sad :( i like emmet/elesa so it makes it extra hard on elesa tho. there is no solution for this.

not sure what the arceus situation is here. hazbin as far as i know doesnt have a canon god design so for all we know god could be a dumbass llama i guess. its doesnt really matter besides stylizing volo's ritual

#i have so many thoughts but no plot to speak of #good thing im not a writer and jst doodle things so it doesnt matter #submas hazbin hotel au #ask #i hope this isnt too long sdfgh

[octuscle]

Hello support! I hope you can help me because I am not good with this kind of tech and I don't want to make a mess! You see, I have taking bad decisions all my life. I decided to ignore I was gay and lived a straight life for 40 years... I never took care of my appearance and now I am a 42 yo man with a bellly, and I don't seem to be making any progress at gym.

I think... I feel like it's too late. I feel that even if I change the way I live from now on, I have lost too much time, too many experiences... and I want to use Chronivac to turn my life 180º. I don't really have a specific type of life in mind, but I hope you have some great presets for me.

Can you help, please? Thanks!

Fuck, dude! You've been sweating out your sexual desires your whole life? And this pathetic body is all you've achieved in the gym? Okay, good that you came to me. It would be terrible if things got any worse. Lie down, get some sleep, I'll take care of it.

Since your wife threw you out on the street, you've been living in a small boarding house until you find something better. The bathroom is in the hallway and you share it with the other tenants. Most of them are plumbers and other tradesmen working on a construction site in the area. They wait in front of the toilet. It's occupied, of course. You hear the flush. The door opens. A mason of the highest caliber comes out. His dick is still sticking out of his pants, which he only closes casually. You make eye contact. A little too long. The synapses in your brain run amok. You go to the bathroom. You leave the door unlocked. You drop your pants. The door opens. Jackpot!

You did good for a virgin. You blow like the devil. And you know how to massage a cock in your tight asshole. The men waiting outside the toilet grin shamelessly as first the bricklayer and then you come out. One of them slips you a note with his phone number and tells you to call him. Shit, you forgot to piss because of all the sex. And you haven't showered either. What time is it anyway? Dude, you're a little out of it. It's only 6:30. Sure, the workers are already leaving. But you just got off work. Being a doorman is a hard job. Lie down first. Your landlady already knows. Breakfast is usually served at 16:00.

The first guests are already coming home when you wake up. Dressed only in your jockstrap, you shuffle across the hall to the bathroom. There are phone numbers on the walls. Usually with a crude drawing of a cock above it. You take your magnificent piece out of your underpants. 20 centimeters flaccid. With an impressive PA on top. Fits well in your calloused hand. As you pee, your eyes wander up your forearms. Were those tattoos there yesterday?

You're sitting in the breakfast room in your tracksuit. You're watching porn on your cell phone. One hand always on your dick. You're always horny. Hey, 42 is no age. You're at the peak of your manhood. You grab your gym bag, kiss the landlady goodbye, and head to the shabby basement boxing gym in the red-light district.

It's around 8 p.m. when you come out into the fresh air. Three hours of hard training, jumping rope, punching bag, sparring, technique training, lifting weights. And then a cold shower. No soap. No deodorant. Routine for more than ten years. And it shows. Fuckin' fit. A machine. You belong here, among hookers, pimps and drug dealers. This is your world. You go to your favorite falafel restaurant almost every night. Because the falafel is good. And because the chef's son is hot and horny. Dinner and a fuck - a good way to start the evening. And then you open your club. It was always your dream to create a gay club, bar and brothel concept. You had the right instinct. The concept has been successful for years. Partygoers love your place. Within an hour or two, the dance floor and dark rooms are full.

You're one of the toughest bouncers in town. But it's also one of the hottest clubs in the city. And you're only at the door until two or three o'clock. Then you check the situation in the club. And if there's something hot to fuck, you check the situation in the darkrooms particularly carefully.

#male tf #muscle tf #reality change #chronivac #inked man #ai image

[flowercrowngods]

Steve is staring at the letter in his hand, the words blurry and trembling, but he knows them by heart. They’ve burnt themselves into his eyelids and wandered into his brain, leaving behind traces like bark beetles, eating into him until he’s forever marked.

August 23rd 1987

To: Mr. Steven Harrington

Bearing in mind that there is a promise to never reach out to any of you again, I cannot bear the thought of keeping this from you. There is a way for you to forget. To start over. A new identity we could help you create, a new chance at a life without nightmares and memories of the “Upside Down”.

An offer, if you will. A final peace offering, a showing of gratitude and the least we can do. There have been tests run for over two years. No damages to the rest of the brain, no future memory impairments; a selective memory loss, as we call it.

If you want to forget, you know where to find me.

Dr. Samuel Owens

Steve takes a look around, his hands still trembling around the letter, and he finds only good things. Pictures of himself and Eddie, of Wayne, of Robin and the kids. Sticky notes they left for each other and decided to keep as decoration in the kitchen, Eddie’s van out on the driveway he can see through the window.

Only good things. His. His life.

So why is he crying? Why has he been obsessing over this for two weeks when everyone else just dismissed their letter? Nancy considered it, he knows. But she told him that she refuses to forget about Barb, that she can’t lose her like this, too, and Steve gets it. Eddie sat down hard and frowned at the letter before loudly declaring bullshit. He has this thing about identity that’s linked too closely to memories, and Steve saw that coming, too.

But he can’t. He can’t just drop it, he can’t…

He can’t keep living like this.

Which is why he’s been talking with Dr. Owens. Which is why is hands are shaking so bad. Which is why, when he hears the front door falling shut, the sob finally breaks free from his chest. He’s nauseous, he’s scared, he’s so fucking terrified.

“Hey, Stevie,” Eddie is by his side in a second, crouching beside the chair and taking a hold of his wrists in a comforting manner. Eddie’s hands are always warm. Steve wonders if they will stay that way when he’s…

Eddie freezes, and Steve squeezes his eyes shut. The silence is never ending, and Steve’s going to throw up any second now.

But then Eddie speaks again, and his voice is so small, so kind, so gentle, it makes Steve want to tear himself out of this universe and far away from everyone who dares to love him. He doesn’t deserve it, not when he’s made his decision.

“You’ve made your decision, haven’t you?” Underneath all that kind understanding, Eddie sounds as terrified as Steve feels, and they’re both shaking now, both trembling, both fighting their tears.

Both, when soon it’s gonna be each.

Because Steve won’t remember there’s ever been a both. A they.

He won’t remember and it’s making him nauseous — but not as nauseous as his nightmares, not as nauseous as the guilt, the memories, the constant fear and obsession.

“Yeah,” he whispers, falling from his chair as Eddie pulls him into his arms, rocking him back and forth. “I’m so sorry, Eds, I’m so sorry.”

“Shh, shh, it’s fine, Stevie. You’ve… You’ve been there from the start. You’ve been there longer than me, I won’t understand the shit you’ve been through. You deserve to— to start over. To live your life, Stevie, because you deserve the best one, okay?”

Steve’s shaking his head against Eddie’s neck, holding on, breathing him in, and he doesn’t want to do this anymore. He wants to stay here for the rest of his life and make it count, make it be worth something even though he isn’t.

“How long do we have left?” Eddie asks then, hoarse, and Steve hates himself for stealing Eddie’s voice like that.

“One month, I think.”

God, he feels so hollow. Hollow is all he ever feels anymore when there’s not guilt or fear eating away at him. Eddie knows. Maybe he’s known all along.

“Let’s make it count, then, hm?”

And they do. But all of time runs out eventually.

#steddie #sad steddie #stranger things #memory wipe fic #post season 4 #i’m sorry #dio words #stranger things fic #steve harrington whump

[epickiya722]

Something I realized is that gege akutami doesn't create many punishments for ''bad'' characters other than death. I think an interesting punishment for the geto character was to create a binding vow in which he was obliged to save humans and never harm them I would have liked to have seen him save those he hates and abhors most.

You know what, I actually would have liked to see that with Geto, just see how that goes.

I think when it comes to the villains of JJK, I don't think Akutami had the intention to write them as capable of redemption, want to use redemption as a way to end their character arcs and even so... death is their redemption.

I'll use Toji for an example. His second death felt like a redemption, but not in a way the audience would go "oh, he's been a good guy after all" or something along those lines. It was more like a closing to his story with Megumi, but also kind of an unfair one. He was redeemed as in a "he wasn't a good father, not in the slightest, but he still cared for his son".

I think with Toji, not to excuse his actions, was he knew that he wasn't capable of being that father Megumi needed, let alone the person Megumi needed without his wife around. Remember, she was like his moral compass. Without her, Toji was unstable. But it wasn't like he was just like that. The Zenin clan mistreated him since he had been a child.

However, Toji knew that Megumi would be well taken care of because of the possibility of him having the Ten Shadows Technique, which he does have. Yet, it would have sucked if he didn't.

Toji went on in his life just wandering and doing as he pleases because he didn't have Mamaguro. It wasn't until his first death that I think it really hit for him just how wrong he did Megumi with selling him to the Zenin. It's why he tells Satoru about Megumi. I doubt Toji wanted him to pity him, but to give Megumi to live a life he couldn't give him. Especially, if what Megumi didn't have that technique.

It was as if Toji was self-aware, but not so self-aware because he does forget who Megumi is.

With his second death, once he realized who Megumi was, it was like relief for him and at the same time, he didn't want to kill his son.

Megumi told him his last time and Toji went out like "That's my boy".

So again, Toji wasn't like completely redeemed for his actions, but his relationship with Megumi. Of course, it still wasn't the best, but compared to other fiction dads, Toji wasn't that bad.

Humanize! That's the word, I'm looking for. Not redeem but humanize!

Now, compare him with someone like Sukuna.

When it comes to Sukuna, Akutami makes it clear that he is not a good guy. Human, but not s good guy. Take the last few chapters.

Sukuna wasn't shown in a different light. He was just given a little more depth. He always been a "do what I want" kind of guy. Even when Sukuna takes note of him being an unwanted child, he doesn't go " my parents hated me, so now I'm terrible". No, he brushes it off like "Anyways so".

If he does something evil, he won't make excuses about it. He laughs about it. He's entertained by others. He's human like the others because the guy is still aware of feelings. He knows what love is, he just doesn't give a damn about it. He makes terrible decisions because he can.

For him, a death would make sense to end his story. I say this because if Sukuna doesn't die, he's just going to keep going. If anything, he wouldn't care about dying because he just has this endless routine of doing whatever to please himself. Remember, he tells Yuji that even if he dies, there's other fingers out there. And that would repeat the cycle of Sukuna's destruction.

Death for Sukuna wouldn't be, like, the easy way out. It's more of a reasonable decision. Think about it for someone like Sukuna. Trapping him wouldn't work because he will find a way out. He wouldn't want to stay trapped because he needs something to do. It's part of the reason why he hates Yuji so much when he was trapped. He couldn't do what he wanted. Once he is free, then he can. Sukuna doesn't like boredom.

#kiya answers #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #jjk manga spoilers #jjk spoilers #sukuna #ryomen sukuna #sukuna ryomen #fushiguro toji #toji fushiguro #geto suguru #suguru geto

[watatsumiis]

Ah, greetings, dear author.

I noticed that your work suggestions are open right now and since i love your writing, i thought about giving it a try. But if smth not to your liking, feel free to ignore. Ill respect your final decision regardless.

So, suggestion itself is, maybe you wouldnt mind writing for a tall reader that looks intimidating and acts like it, but inside they are really sweet? Im not sure about exact idea, but maybe how characters would defence/comfort reader when somebody says bad rumors about them? Or like, they say really mean things cause of their apperiance?

I wasnt been able to find any rules for such asks, so ill undertand if u would want to change smth here.

So, character wise, maybe for Albedo, Xiao, Aether(?) and Wanderer(?) ?

By the way, hope ull have a nice time of the day.

Hi there!!!

Thank you so much for your kind words about my work, it really does mean the world to me, every little comment does <3

This is such an interesting request, I’ve been sitting on it for a while and I just hope I can do it justice! Disclaimer though, I’m the shortest and least intimidating person ever, so let's hope I can channel my inner tallscary (/lh) and go off of that :3

I added Heizou and Venti too so this could just be a fun little Anemo boy (+ Albedo (and -Kazuha I forgot him I'm sorry)) miniseries (and since I know you also like Heizou!) :D I haven't really written for Aether or Heizou before (and very minimal amounts of Scara) so here's hoping I've done alright! 

Content: Gender neutral reader who is described as being tall and intimidating. Nameless characters spread mean rumours/say mean things (nothing explicit is mentioned), some hinted violence in Xiao and Wanderer/Scara’s sections (because of course there is)

Aether is like a sweet little golden retriever from day one. Despite your intimidating looks and stature, he follows behind you and dotes on you until your hard outer walls crumble and he can waltz on in like he owns the place. He always believes in the kindness of people, so no matter how many times you push him away or try to intimidate him, he’s always back for more because he just knows you’re a softie on the inside - and he’s right! He’s delighted to have been correct and will be all smug and happy with himself because of it. 

If others were to insult you and talk badly about you behind your back… Aether will take it personally. He can be a bit overly-empathetic at times, and if he ever catches anyone saying something mean about you, he'll tell them off, only to get himself so worked up that he ends up in tears as he continues to scold the person who did it. He doesn't care about his reputation or causing a scene, he only cares about defending his friend from some big mean bullies. Once all is said and done he'll reassure you so many times that you're one of the kindest and loveliest people he's ever met and anyone who says otherwise is obviously someone so miserable with their own lives that they take it out on others.

Albedo may approach you with some caution at first - not because of your appearance, more because the signals you give off make it seem as if you don't want to be talked to. Once he's realised that's just one of your normal mannerisms, he disregards it entirely and will happily work to befriend you. He may sometimes ask you to help out around the lab (usually getting things off high shelves for him) and will use that time to get to know you better, away from prying eyes and people that may try to interrupt your budding friendship. It fills him with accomplishment to realise that you're letting your guard down around him and exposing your softer side - it may not seem like it, but he does keep note of a lot of your actions and behaviours and documents any changes.

At first, Albedo is rather puzzled when he hears about the unkind rumours going around about you and your 'unfriendly' demeanour. It's just not something that's ever occurred to him and he simply doesn't understand why people would be wasting their time spreading such obvious lies. He doesn't hesitate to point this out, blatantly calling people out in such a deadpan and genuine way that there's not much anyone can say to him that will convince him otherwise. He'll go into this psychoanalysis of why humans tend to gossip and encourage them to take up more productive hobbies instead while they just stand by, gobsmacked at his audacity. Once all is said and done, his way of 'comforting' you is still rather detached. He'll just smartly inform you that these assumptions people make based on your appearance are 'illogical and shallow' and encourage you not to worry about it. If you're still upset 

Heizou often sees people as a puzzle to be solved, a mystery box to be poked and prodded at until they give up all their interesting little secrets, and you're no exception. He's not put off by your appearance in the slightest, approaching you almost every time he sees you to ask questions and try to find out more about you. No matter how you react or push him away, he bounces back nearly immediately and continues to test your patience as he tries to get you to let him in. He knows there's an aspect that you're hiding, and he wants to know what it is. Once you've revealed your softer side, he may lightheartedly tease you for it, but never in a mean way, and if you seem upset, he stops right away. He revels in being one of those stubborn enough to have befriended you.

Heizou hears a lot of rumours in his day to day life - most he tends to disregard unless they're useful to him. When it comes to you, however, he will matter-of-factly correct each and every person he overhears speaking about you, backing his arguments up by citing times he's noticed you being nice to others (and to him of course), refuting every argument that people may make until they're stuttering and stumbling over their words, absolutely turned around on themselves because of how thorough he is in his dressing-down of them. It's like watching a court case. If the person continues to be nasty, he might just dig up some unpleasant dirt on them and pass it on to a known gossiper and watch it pan out from there. One way or another, he'll make sure your pride is avenged, and will always comfort you if you happen to hear anything that upsets you.

Scaramouche is flighty around you, especially at first. He isn't quite sure how to act, and vacillates between trying to antagonise you and essentially clinging to you. He'll push your boundaries time and time again, waiting for you to snap, but you just… don't. It frustrates him to start off with, the fact that you seem so unshakeable, but eventually it becomes a source of comfort for him, especially once he picks up on your softer side shining through. Of course, he's as stubborn as anything and will completely deny the fact that he draws any comfort from your presence, but there's no mistaking the way his shoulders relax and his breathing slows when you're nearby. He quite likes having a tall, 'intimidating' friend to scare off all the goody-two-shoes that seem to be drawn to him. 

Upon hearing the rumours about you circulating, Scaramouche is furious. If there is no one there to stop him, he is throwing hands the moment someone says your name in a vaguely disparaging way. He'll puff his chest out and walk right up to them, growling at them to repeat what they said one more time. There's no doubt at all that he'd be ready to fight someone on your behalf and kick up a huge fuss. He’ll make a big scene and is probably more upset than you are by the whole debacle. He has his own signature way of comforting you if any of it gets you down that consists of him grumpily insisting that none of this should get to you and that you should ignore all the idiots.

Venti has no qualms about approaching and befriending you - he’s not one to judge based on appearances or outward attitudes. He’s very good at reading people and picking up on how they’re feeling, so from day one it feels like he understands you on a deeper level than most people do. He sort of hangs off of you in a way reminiscent of how birds linger around tall trees, and will use you as a springboard if he needs to get to something higher up, just grabbing you and pulling himself up easily. He’ll also ask you to carry things for him so often that it just becomes second nature for you to hold your hand out the moment it seems like he’s unsure of what to do with something he’s picked up. 

Venti isn’t really one to police people on what they can and can’t say, but he just can’t stop himself  when it comes to you. They’re so obviously wrong and just being mean for no reason that it makes him physically hurt if he doesn’t correct them. There’s just such a sense of wrongness that seems to claw at his chest and throat that even if he’s long since passed by he’ll do a 180 in the middle of the street to go talk to the people he heard. He’ll keep the tone of the confrontation pretty light and jokey, but to anyone who has known him for some time, it’s not hard to tell that he’s genuinely pretty upset on your behalf. He may get carried away and say some pretty coldhearted/downright cruel things to people (still in that same light and airy tone) if they continue to insist on spreading mean rumours. 

Xiao is wary of anyone and everyone, so of course this includes you too. Your height and general demeanour mean nothing to him, he’s more focused on whether or not you’re an impending danger to him or anyone he cares about. He methodically observes you on and off for a while (sometimes you can catch glimpses of him following you, or perching on high places near your usual haunts to keep an eye on you), peeling away your tough outer layers until he’s able to get a look at the softness beneath. Once he’s deemed you to be of no threat, he drops it for a while and disappears back to his usual duties, but soon begins to notice that his days feel almost… empty, in a way. It doesn’t take him long to gravitate back towards you, but now he’s keeping a lookout for you, not because of you. It’s a little flattering, really, and he’s much like a bird in the way he may pick up things you’ve dropped or lost and leave them at your doorstep for you to find. He’s much too shy to approach on his own, but if you catch him on a good day, you might be able to exchange a few words, and he won’t immediately dismiss you if you come to visit him while he’s keeping watch off of his favourite balcony in Wangshu Inn. 

Though Xiao doesn’t directly interact with humans unless the situation directly calls for it, sometimes he does listen in to their conversations, just so he has a good idea of the goings on in the areas he guards. If he happens to hear your name, he might just go out of his way to figure out why. With all of his observation of you, it doesn’t take him long before he figures out that they’re just spreading nonsense rumours. It’s not something he really takes into consideration as something that would be upsetting - he’s had plenty of rumours about him passed around. But the moment you express any discontent at people saying these things about you, any future offenders may just happen to find themselves in a rather… misfortunate situation the next time they’re wandering around the wilderness. Nothing lethal, of course, but enough to scare them out of their wits. Xiao isn’t very good at comforting people, and the most he can offer is his company and some reassurance that those people are wrong and that they likely have many more skeletons in their closet than you ever have or will.

Please don't repost, steal, copy or otherwise plagarise my writing! This includes posting translations to other sites (without credit + permission).

#genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin imagines #genshin self insert #my writing #genshin headcanons #genshin fluff #platonic genshin x reader #aether #aether x reader #albedo #albedo x reader #heizou #heizou x reader #scaramouche #scaramouche x reader #xiao #xiao x reader #asks #requests #tallscary reader series #<that is what this is called now. i dont make the rules sorry #i really do hope i did these guys justice ack !!!! i. am not familiar with writing any of them except xiao and venti OOPSIES #venti #venti x reader

[gumjester]

Where do you think Alice is in EAH? What's up with her? What do you think of her? Basically do you have any headcanons about her? ;)

oh alice!!!!!! yes, i have thoughts about her, which i think are quite unconventional, as i have a highly specific (and maybe convoluted) imagining of what exactly she has gotten up to in her life.. i think this is going to take some explaining.

ultimately i have had alice serve as a developed, largely tragic reason 4 alistair to be involved with wonderland the way he is. i remember watching spring unsprung all those Years ago and asking myself: why is alistair the same age as the other wonderlandians? shouldn't he b an entire generation younger than them to fit the story? why is he still there, anyway, now being very obviously not a little child?? and we've seen every other wonderlandian parent, so yes, where on earth IS alice???

so, i started there, and worked backwards!

most of this is clarified (or at least said slightly better) in my work 'alistair's fall', but i didn't think alice would end up remaining in wonderland and i never thought of her living in ever after, mostly because i couldnt think of another reason she would not be seen nor mentioned in the show at all! i always considered her an inhabitant of the 'mortal world' [working title], which is different 2 both ever after and wonderland in that it is.. our world i suppose? but fictionalised. normal human dimension, regardless..

this always made the most sense to me, as the separation of the fantastical and the regular is such a fundamental aspect of the original alice story, and if alice hailed from ever after, a place where dragons wandered around and wolves could speak, i dont think it would end up meaning quite the same thing... theme-wise.

so, she is from common old london, and it is there that she returned after her story! unfortunately things get more depressing from here.

alice is quite a sad character in my headcanons.. she loved wonderland very much as her accidental visit provided a refuge from her exceedingly troubled home life, and actually didn't want to leave at all. when it happened anyway (wonderland's stories work more like patterns in nature. a child comes, a child goes. its just what seems to happen) she refused to let her experience go, maintaining that wonderland was not a dream, like most alices decide, but instead a real place that she could return to one day. her life continued as a series of misfortunes, and she grew obsessive, detatched, and quite ill. most of her worldly thoughts and efforts were directed towards getting back to the rabbit-hole and returning to wonderland where she would be safe and happy again. she was never successful.

in her early twenties she ended up alone, still ill, with a child, who she named alistair. giving him a version of her name felt like ensuring his luck that he, too, would get to go to wonderland someday (and she was right).

to make ends meet, she took several odd jobs for several unsavoury people, and ended up on the bad side of someone who believed in extreme measures. she ran from them, with alistair, to the now-derelict house she grew up in, and when inevitably she was found she knew what she had to do.

alice sent alistair out quickly and secretly from the house, and down to the stream where she knew the rabbit-hole must be (if not for her, then surely for him. wonderland is kind like that; if a child is in need, it will open itself to them). alistair found the rabbit-hole. alice stayed behind and met her consequence.

of course, this is a pretty gratuitously miserable thing to put her through, but i was about 17 when i thought of all this and my taste has remained edgy enough to think it effective!!! to this day i have no idea if she ought to be alive in the mortal world, or dead.. maybe one day, if i write a sequel to alistair's fall, i will actually have to make this decision!.... but not yet

#I HAVE NO IDEA IF YOU WANTED SUCH EXTENDED THOUGHTS BUT IT ALL SORT OF CAME OUT AT ONCE #but yes poor alice :( havent treated her well im afraid #you could read alistairs fall for more context on this btw!! its from 2020 but honestly i think it holds up #eah #ask #ever after high #alistair wonderland #gum talk

[finniestoncrane]

Yooo you know what would be nice, lovely Finnie?

Something about either Arkham!Two-Face or Arkham!Penguin with their respective sugar babies.

(I'm a sucker for a big, bad guy being soft and smoochy with his s/o, makes me all warm and fuzzy 🥰) (yeah odds are that's ooc, but idgaf, we've never seen them with s/o's, they might melt for them a little, yeah?)

Please and thank you! You're awesome, ily

Unless you've done this idea already, in which case, please direct me, I will greatly appreciate and reblog off anon

Surprise Visit

Arkham!Two Face x Female!Reader, word count: 650 eep ok so i have something kind similar for arkham!penguin so i'm about to indulge myself here, so i did a female reader, sorry if that's not ok! please feel free to send in another for male or gn! 💙 also going to take this opportunity to tell you all that my writing isn't like... great, and i don't take myself too seriously! we're in this for the fun and the comfort, so don't ever feel too bad about sending me ooc requests because chances are i can work with it and we can make the bugs do whatever we want 💙 request info • prompt list • send me a request • kofi • masterlist minors DNI!! 🔞 cw: flirting, explicit language, kissing, some good titty grabbing!

Hearing the sound of the main door opening, you sat up straight on the edge of the desk, making sure your shirt was sufficiently unbuttoned, breasts pushed out your skirt hiked up enough that there was a glimpse of your suspenders on display. The muffled voices of the hired thugs on the other side let you know that Harvey was indeed on his way in to his office, where you were waiting for him.

“Someone’s waitin’ for ya in there, boss.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? We can’t get a minute to ourselves at all around here. God damn. You idiots shouldn’t have let them in.”

You could feel your seductive smile fading, your body slumping as you realised this might not have been a good idea. Sure, he liked leaving things to chance, the toss of a coin making all of his decisions, but he was still a business man. Maybe you should have asked before you just showed up.

But it was too late, the door was open, and the surprise on his face was evident, though less aggressive than you thought it would be.

“Oh! Hey, baby! What are you doing here?”

He moved quickly over to you, gliding across the floor in excitement, his arms wrapped around you, holding your arms as he leaned back to take you in.

“And looking so good too. What is this?”

“I just thought I’d come and surprise you with a visit. I’m glad you’re not too annoyed, I thought… the way you were talking out there, I was worried you might be mad.”

Harvey’s hand stroked at your cheek, thumb moving back and forth as he looked into your eyes, a warm smile on his face, the one he reserved just for you,

“Are you kidding me? I love this.”

He leaned in again, his mouth finding your neck, peppering kisses from your collarbone up to your jawline.

“Are you sure you’re not mad?”

There was a rumbling growl against your cheek as he bit into your skin, letting his teeth drag along it, drawing a squeal and a giggle from you as you grabbed at the hair on the back of his head, holding him to you.

“Listen, doll. Even I couldn’t be mad at you.”

Two Face sunk his teeth into your neck, his fingers, gripping at the buttons on your shirt, the quick alternating bites and sweet, soft kisses as Harvey pushed through, both of them desperate in equal measures to have you their way.

As his fingers slipped under the fabric, one hand softly cupping your breast, the other squeezing your nipple hard, there was a knock at the door that interrupted him, and the creaking of it opening which sent him into a violent fury, as he whipped around, standing in front of you to cover you from anyone’s wandering eyes.

“Get out you stupid asshole, who the fuck told you to come in?”

“Yes, boss. Sorry, boss.”

Harvey turned back to you, kissing you, his lips soft against yours as he stroked your hair.

“Sorry baby, I hope I didn’t scare you.”

“Not at all, Harvey.”

You let your fingernails drag down the front of his shirt, settling on his belt, tugging at it to bring him closer to you, the tent in his pants rubbing against your cunt as your legs were spread to accommodate him.

His fingers hooked into the sides of your panties, moving them out of the way as Two Face groaned against your neck, his voice rough and cruel, entirely tantalising.

“Want me to fire him while I’m inside of you? A little treat for being such a good girl for daddy?”

Before you could answer, his fingers were parting your lips, his other hand reaching for the intercom. As it dialled through, he silenced you, as your moans began to fill the room.

#batman #batman rogues #rogues gallery #harvey dent #two face #two face fanfic #finnie writes #arkham!two face #two face x reader #harvey dent x reader

[fics-by-em]

Amorous Facades - Chapter Five

A wild night out leaves the lives of Jamie Tartt and Ophelia Adams more intertwined than they ever would have imagined.

Will their decision to try and use the situation to their advantage work out in their favour or will they realize that they should have cut their losses when they had the chance?

———-

previous chapter

———-

I miss you. Are you going to be mad at me forever or can we go for a drink soon and talk about this?

Lia read the message from Katie so many times that it was burned into her brain. At first, she’d been relieved that Katie had reached out, but after reading over her words a few times, she found herself growing annoyed. There was no apology for her behaviour. There was no admission that she should have handled things differently or assurance that she believed what Lia had said about Daniel. She just seemed to expect Lia to magically get over it without putting in any effort to fix things and that wasn’t going to happen.

But Lia missed her too.

Katie was her best friend and had been for years. They told each other everything and spent almost all their free time together. Mike used to joke that he was more like a third wheel when the three of them hung out than she was because Katie and Lia were like two peas in a pod. She didn’t want their friendship to be over so suddenly and she was willing to give Katie a chance to make things right. So, she answered her politely and they made plans to meet up that evening for drinks, with their boyfriends in tow so Mike and Katie could get to know Jamie after they smoothed things over.

Luckily, Jamie had agreed to accompany her. 

After their big performance the other night, things had settled back to normal. Lia woke up the morning after with a clear head - almost as if she’d snapped out of whatever spell Jamie had cast over her the night before - and she felt silly for letting herself get swept up in the moment. It was clear to her that she’d been single for far too long and obviously she missed the comfort and romance of being in a relationship. That’s what she was falling for during the celebrations after the match, not Jamie in particular. At least, that’s what she was telling herself and repeating in her head like some kind of mantra.

She was a little nervous about how she would feel after spending another night pretending to be madly in love with him, but she was ready to learn from her mistakes and keep her guard a little higher. Her determination did little to ease her apprehension about the situation though and her nervous energy had her showing up at Nelson Road Stadium a little earlier than planned. The pitch was empty so she assumed that training was over and a quick text to Jamie confirmed her suspicions, but he informed her that he was just going to shower and change with an assurance that he wouldn’t take long.

Feeling a little out of place, she wandered down the hallway and looked at all the posters and display cases in an attempt to look busy. She was just about to settle on one of the couches by the door to mindlessly scroll through her phone until Jamie appeared when a voice behind her had her jumping with a startle and spinning around.

“Hiya,” Keeley smiled, giggling as Lia put a hand on her chest as if to calm her now racing heart. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just surprised to see you here, are you meeting Jamie?”

“Yeah, I am,” Lia nodded, relieved to have some company while she waited. “I’m a little bit early, but we’re going to meet my friend when he’s done training.”

“Your friend? Would that be the one who wasn’t so pleased about your relationship with Jamie?”

The way her eyes narrowed into a look that could only be described as suspicious told Lia that she already knew the answer to that question, but she confirmed it anyway.

“That’s the one,” she sighed. “Apparently she misses me and wants to talk things over. I’m dragging Jamie along to show them he’s not so bad so hopefully he’s on his best behaviour.”

“He can be very charming when he wants to be,” she assured her before a smirk slid onto her face. “And you two make a very convincing couple. Like, can we talk about that kiss the other night? It was one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen!”

Lia felt a blush rise up in her cheeks as she thought back to their rather intense public display of affection, but she fought through the embarrassment to roll her eyes.

“Oh, please, it was just a kiss.”

“That was not just a kiss,” she insisted. “It was sexy as fuck!”

“Maybe,” Lia shrugged. “But it was all just pretend, right? Anyone can make a kiss look real if they want to, actors do it all the time.”

“But you and Jamie aren’t actors,” Keeley pointed out. “Jamie’s definitely not, he can’t lie for shit.”

“He must be better than you think because I promise you that it was all just an act.”

“There must have been a spark between you both though, right?” Keeley pushed. “Because that night when you met and decided to get married a few hours later wasn’t just an act, was it?”

“I was far too drunk to remember anything about what that was,” Lia smiled, hoping to soften the interrogation. “But Jamie Tartt isn’t interested in me as anything more than a ticket to redeeming his reputation or maybe - if I’m lucky - as a friend.”

As soon as Lia saw the flicker of mischief in Keeley’s eye, she realized how her phrasing could be interpreted even before her next question was out of her mouth.

“Well, are you interested in him?”

Lia hesitated. After the night they’d spent pretending to be madly in love, it was a complicated question to answer and while she was hopeful that a friendship was blossoming with Keeley, she didn’t know her all that well and knew that realistically her loyalty still probably lay with Jamie.

“I don’t even really know him,” she answered as honestly as she could. “And he’s Jamie Tartt. I think he’s a little bit out of my league.”

“He chose to marry you, didn’t he?” Keeley reminded her. “Clearly he doesn’t think so. You might as well have a little fun while you’re keeping up appearances, doesn’t have to mean anything.”

The suggestion had another smile sliding onto Lia’s face and an amused giggle slipping from her lips because if Keeley really knew her at all, she would know how ridiculous that suggestion really was.

“Meaningless isn’t something I do very well,” she admitted. “I know it’s probably old-fashioned and lame, but I’m more into relationships than anything casual.”

“It’s not lame! It’s sweet and romantic and probably a very wise choice!”

The sincerity in Keeley’s voice and the lack of condescension was refreshing. She’d been called a prude far more often than she’d care to admit by women who had different approaches to dating than she did and it was always something that got under her skin. It wasn’t like she was waiting until marriage - she’d lost her virginity years ago - and she never judged anyone who chose to embrace a more casual dating life, but she just preferred to wait until she’d found a connection with someone before taking that step.

“Something tells me that Jamie would disagree,” Lia mused. “So I think it’s safer if we just keep things friendly. It would be too hard for me to get through this arrangement if I made a move and Jamie turned me down and it would be even worse if something happened between us and Jamie tossed me aside after.”

“I think you might need to give Jamie a little more credit,” Keeley advised her, her voice soft and reassuring. “He has a bigger heart than he wants people to think and he might surprise you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Lia nodded, mulling over her words before a smile slid onto her face and she changed the subject. “You’re really good at this whole advice thing. I think you might be in the wrong career.”

“Thanks, babe! I always thought I'd be a good therapist.” Keeley grinned proudly. “So, how are you feeling about seeing this friend of yours again?”

The question made Lia cringe as she thought about the night ahead of her and she sighed as she filled Keeley in a bit more about the situation and her apprehensions for her little reunion. Again, Keeley provided the perfect mix of a sympathetic ear and excellent advice and while Lia’s nerves weren’t entirely quelled by the time the players started trickling out of the locker room, she was comforted by the fact that with Keeley around she might not be left entirely friendless no matter how the evening panned out.

The conversation moved on to Keeley’s plans for the evening as they greeted the players who were heading out the door they were standing beside until Jamie strutted down the hallway with his trademark swagger.

“Hiya, you alright?” He greeted them, nodding at Keeley as he glanced around to see how many people were nearby before sliding his arm around Lia’s waist and pressing a kiss against the side of her head. “You look nice.”

“Thanks,” Lia smiled, leaning into his touch as if they were a real loved up couple. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah, whenever you are.”

They said a quick goodbye to Keeley with Lia promising to fill her in on how the evening went at a lunch date in the near future before heading out the door.

——

Jamie knew that something was wrong as soon as they left Nelson Road.

He was aware that he didn’t know Lia well enough to be an expert on her behaviour, but he was fairly certain that it would have been obvious to anyone that she was anxious. The tension in her body and the fact that she barely commented on anything he said as he told her about his day and grumbled about Roy Kent was more than enough to rouse his suspicions. 

At first, he thought that it might have been his behaviour the other night that was making her apprehensive and he felt a flash of annoyance. He’d just been doing what they’d agreed to do. He was willing to admit that he might have gone a bit above and beyond when he realized that it stroked his ego everytime a simple gesture like pulling out her chair or keeping her drink topped up earned him a flash of her admittedly beautiful smile and he did enjoy the jealous glances from his single teammates every time he stole a kiss. But he hadn’t done anything that didn’t fall under the umbrella of pretending to be in a relationship which was exactly what she’d agreed to and what she’d asked him to do again that night.

However, as he let his frustration about what he presumed to be the problem simmer and grow until he tried to pull his hand away from hers in a huff, he was surprised when he felt her tighten her grip to keep their fingers intertwined. He softened - his irritation almost immediately washing away - as he realized that perhaps he was letting his imagination get him unnecessarily worked up and in a stroke of rare maturity, he decided to stop making assumptions.

“You alright?” He asked when they were just a few short blocks away from their destination. “You haven’t said much.”

“I’m okay.” She glanced up at him as she spoke and the worried look on her face didn’t do much to reassure him. “I’m just a little nervous, I’m not sure how this is all going to go. But I really appreciate you coming with me.”

“It’s what any good husband would do,” he joked, relieved when it earned him a hint of a smile. “And you did it for me the other day.”

“But your teammates were all lovely and so welcoming, I’m not sure I’ll be able to say the same about Mike and Katie after how our last conversation went.”

She nervously chewed on her lip and Jamie felt a flash of annoyance on her behalf that these people who were supposedly her closest friends were making her feel such anxiety.

“I’m a big boy,” he assured her. “I can handle a little attitude from your friends.”

“But you shouldn’t have to,” Lia insisted before clarifying. “You won’t have to. If they’re being awful, we’re leaving right away.”

Her words were said with conviction despite the shake in her voice and Jamie had to admit that her protectiveness was quite cute, but there was an ache of something that felt like guilt in his chest as he thought about their fake relationship - that was mostly for his benefit - potentially ruining her friendship.

“What did she say anyway?” He asked. “When she messaged you earlier, did she apologize?”

“No, she just said that she missed me and she wanted to talk about it and get to know you,” Lia admitted. “I doubt I’ll ever get a real apology, she tends to infer things like that more than actually say it.”

“Oh,” Jamie scoffed. “So she doesn’t believe in accountability?”

He knew it was hypocritical coming from him, but he’d taken Keeley’s words to heart all those months ago and it was something he was growing to be very aware of. Now that he truly saw the importance of it, he didn’t like the idea of Lia letting her friend get away with anything less.

“I guess not,” Lia shrugged. “But we all have things to work on, you know that.”

As offensive as her words could have been, there was no malice in her tone. She was simply stating a fact and reminding Jamie that people making assumptions about him was precisely what he was trying to change and he nodded as they reached the door of the pub. He watched as she took a deep breath to steady herself before leading him inside. It was busy - packed with the after work crowd - but after a brief scan of the room, Lia led him towards a table at the back. He was grateful for their discretion - whether it was deliberate or not - because he had a feeling that getting attention from any Richmond fans wouldn’t do him many favours when it came to impressing Lia’s friends and he pasted on the most charming smile he could muster as they reached the booth they were sitting in.

In a move that seemed to surprise Lia as much as it surprised him, Katie leapt up from her seat as soon as she saw them and threw her arms around her.

“I missed you so much,” Katie said as she squeezed her tight. “This last week has been so rough.”

Jamie resisted the urge to scoff at that claim considering any suffering the last week had been due to her own actions, but luckily before he had the chance to say anything that might cause any trouble, Katie’s boyfriend stood up as well and held out his hand for Jamie to shake.

“Well, if it isn’t Jamie Tartt,” he grinned. “I saw the pictures, but it was so hard to imagine Lia with a footballer that I didn’t believe it.”

“Yeah, well, it’s true,” Jamie chuckled. “I’m lucky to have her.”

“I won’t argue with that,” Mike smirked and while it was clearly a dig at Jamie and he felt a flash of annoyance, Mike continued before Jamie could shoot off any comebacks. “I’m Mike, it’s great to finally meet you.”

“Yeah, you too.”

It was clear that neither of them really meant it, but Jamie was relieved that so far Lia’s friends had been civil.

“C’mon,” Mike nodded towards the bar. “Let’s get the first round, give those two a little time to catch up. I think they have a few things to discuss.”

Jamie agreed and after quickly asking Katie and Lia what they wanted to drink, they headed to the bar. He paid - even though he had a sneaking suspicion that it was expected and one of the reasons Mike had asked him to go with him to order - but even after their drinks came, they stayed leaning against the bar. Mike peppered Jamie with questions about football and Jamie happily answered, but he kept his eyes focused on the table that they walked away from.

Lia was tense - it was obvious even from across the room that her guard was up - but it took a surprisingly short amount of time for the frown on her face to shift into a smile and it wasn’t long after that for her to start laughing and giggling with her old friend. He felt a flicker of disappointment that she hadn’t put up more of a fuss - demanded a little more grovelling - but he knew that he didn’t know all of the details or much about their friendship other than the fact that Katie didn’t seem like a particularly good best friend. Things were never black and white and Lia seemed like a smart girl so he trusted that she would handle the situation appropriately.

Once it seemed like a peace treaty had been drawn, they headed back over to the table and Lia flashed him a reassuring smile as he sat down next to her.

“I was just telling Katie about the day we met, when you came into the bookstore to buy a present for your mom.” He remembered the story that they’d agreed on, but only vaguely since he hadn’t had to think about it since the first discussion about their situation and he forced out what he hoped would look like a fond smile as he tried to hide his panic. As if she could see right through him, Lia continued and bought him a little more time. “He was so stubborn and insisted he didn’t need any help every time I asked, but he looked so cute with his eyebrows all furrowed in confusion as he kept checking the title of the book on his phone so I kept pestering him until he let me help him find it.”

There were a lot of things that Lia’s friends probably knew about her that he didn’t. He was sure that it would have been very easy for them to ask him a question that caught him off guard and proved that they weren’t really a couple. But Jamie was well trained at succeeding in high pressure situations and just hoped that he’d been paying enough attention to the details she’d dropped during their conversations over the last week for him to be convincing.

“I would have found it eventually,” he insisted before flashing her a smirk before he added, “But it’s hard to resist when a pretty girl begs to help you.”

He noticed a faint blush rising in her cheeks as she playfully rolled her eyes.

“I think saying that I begged is a slight exaggeration.”

“You pretty much just said it yourself,” he teased with a shrug. “And then because I’m such a gentleman, I offered to stay and help stock the shelves with some big order that she was putting away as a thank you. We got talking and the rest is history.”

“That’s actually quite sweet,” Katie admitted. “I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t have told anyone if you didn’t want me to.”

Lia opened her mouth to explain, but Jamie cut in.

“That’s on me,” he insisted. “After all the drama of leaving Man City and that stupid television show I went on, I was worried about the press. I didn’t want Lia getting harassed or attacked, I didn’t want any chaos that might scare her away.”

“But now you think it’s fine to throw her to the wolves by forcing her to pretend to be married to you?”

There was something very passive aggressive about the sweetness of her tone in combination with the harshness of her words, but it was Lia’s turn to jump in before Jamie could defend himself.

“He’s not forcing me to do anything, Katie. I told you, I’m doing it because I want to.”

“And to be honest, I’ve realized that no one really cares about me as much as I thought,” Jamie admitted, forcing down his temper as he chose to believe that her friend’s words were coming from a place of protectiveness more than judgement. “People like that I’m married, but we’re not being chased down by paparazzi and I don’t think anyone’s bothered Lia at all since we made the announcement.”

Lia nodded in agreement and reached out to squeeze his hand where it rested on the table by his pint glass in a show of solidarity and after watching them carefully for a moment, Katie let out a sigh of defeat as she sipped her drink.

“Well, I still think the whole arrangement is a little suspect,” she warned them. “But you do seem quite happy together so I can try to be more supportive.”

The smile that slid onto Lia’s face was more genuine than any that Jamie had seen since the start of their little arrangement and the relief she felt was visible as the tension in her body seemed to disappear in an instant. Jamie still felt like he had to be on guard considering their clear scrutiny of him, but knowing Lia felt more at ease did help him relax and he was hopeful that the evening might be slightly less painful than he’d anticipated.

However, he was very wrong.

At first, everything was going well. Lia seemed happy and laid back as she laughed and joked with Katie and they regaled Jamie with tales of their adventures over the years. She was tactile and affectionate - leaning against his arm or intertwining her fingers with his and lifting his hand up to press a kiss against his skin - and Jamie found himself quite happy to indulge. Even if it was just an act, it was nice to feel wanted and he found himself once again struggling not to get carried away despite how much he enjoyed the way her cheeks grew pink every time he stole a cheeky little kiss.

But when they were about halfway through their second round, he felt Lia tense up beside him. Every ounce of anxiety that had been radiating from her on their walk to the pub was back in full force and the look of horror on her face when he glanced over to see if she was okay was enough to have a panic rising in him as well. He flicked his eyes towards Katie to see if her reaction provided any more information, but the sheepish way she was suddenly avoiding eye contact as she sipped her drink didn’t offer much explanation so he followed Lia’s gaze until he saw a man walking towards their table.

“Katie,” Lia practically growled. “Why is Daniel here?”

The name alone sent a flash of annoyance through Jamie as he instantly sat up a little straighter and wrapped his arm around Lia to pull her closer to his side. He felt a flicker of pride as she leaned into the embrace as she stared expectantly at her friend, waiting for an answer.

“Don’t be mad, okay?” Katie uselessly pleaded. “He felt bad about the other night. He said it was just a misunderstanding and he wanted to make things right.”

“It’s not just the other night,” Lia hissed. “It’s a consistent pattern of behaviour that’s been going on for too long for an apology to mean anything!”

The pride that Jamie felt at the way Lia defended herself surprised him. She’d shown him during their first meeting about their faux relationship that she had no problem standing up for herself when she felt like she was backed into a corner, but she also struck him as someone who had a hard time standing up to the people she cared about. Calling her a pushover seemed a tad harsh, but it didn’t seem to be hard to pull on her heartstrings and coerce her into cooperation. Katie’s reaction only solidified his assumptions.

“I know, but he insisted and it would help Mike if you two made peace.”

Mike seemed oblivious to the conversation as he stood up to greet his friend, but Lia was clearly still seething.

“What did you tell him?” She questioned. “What does he know about me and Jamie?”

“Nothing,” Katie shrugged. “Just whatever was reported in the news. You told me not to tell anyone the truth and Mike and I kept our promise.”

“Oh, thanks, your loyalty is astounding.”

Her sarcasm was clear and despite the hurt that flooded Katie’s face, Mike returned to his seat with Daniel squeezing into the booth beside him before she could challenge Lia’s remark.

“Jamie,” Mike started. “This is my best friend, Daniel. Daniel, this is Jamie Tartt.”

“We met the other night.” The words were casual, but there was a snark in Daniel’s voice that Jamie found unsettling, especially as he added. “But it’s nice to formally meet you.”

“Yeah, you too.”

He tried to sound nonchalant, but he could hear the scoff in his own voice and knew that he was definitely coming off more as a disgruntled partner. He didn’t particularly care though, especially when Daniel tried to explain away his actions.

“I’m sorry about what happened, I had no idea that you were together or I wouldn’t have tried anything.”

“It’s not me you should be apologizing to,” Jamie insisted, genuinely taken aback by the way the man across from him spoke to him instead of Lia. “I’m not the one you have an issue with.” 

“Well, I’m sorry to both of you,” Daniel clarified, earning a scoff from Lia. “I didn’t mean to step on any toes.”

Jamie slowly nodded, knowing it wasn’t his place to accept or deny any apology that was being made, but an awkwardness crept over the table as Lia simply sipped her drink and refused to comment. Mike quickly jumped in to steer the conversation to other things, but there was a lingering tension as Katie’s eyes were practically pleading for Lia to forgive her and Lia kept her head down and nuzzled closer into Jamie’s arm as if she was trying to make herself as small as possible. Jamie leaned down to press a kiss against the top of her head and while it was for show - an act of solidarity to prove their relationship to the group sitting across from them - he hoped that she could take some comfort from it as well. 

When another twenty minutes passed with complete silence from Lia, Jamie was just about to suggest they head home when Lia’s lack of engagement apparently caught Daniel’s attention as well.

“I’m sorry,” he chuckled as he shook his head. “But I don’t buy it.”

His words caught Lia’s attention as they were clearly directed at her, but when she seemed too surprised to comment, Jamie jumped in to help.

“Don’t buy what, mate?”

“You two,” Daniel clarified. “Your whole relationship. All the times that Lia turned me down, she never once mentioned that it was because she was seeing someone else.”

“Because I didn’t think it was relevant,” Lia informed him, finally finding her voice. “I didn’t reject you because I had a boyfriend or because I was married, I rejected you because I didn’t and never will want to go out with you and that should be enough for you to respect my answer without needing to know there’s another man involved.”

It was a valid argument and Jamie was proud of the confidence in Lia’s voice, but it only seemed to aggravate Daniel even more.

“I don’t buy that either,” he insisted before turning his attention towards Jamie. “I hate to tell you this, mate, but the only reason I was so persistent is because of the signals she was giving me.”

“Oh my god,” Lia said through a laugh of disbelief. “What are you on about? What signals?”

“There were loads.”

Daniel’s comeback was weak and lacking in evidence, but Jamie felt Lia freeze as Mike spoke up in his friend’s defense.

“He’s not wrong,” he admitted. “I’ve seen the way you look at him, Lia.”

“Like I’m repulsed by him and praying he won’t try to touch me again?” Again, there was no doubt in her voice, but her insistence earned nothing more than an eye roll from the men across from them. So, Lia tried a different tactic. “C’mon, Katie. You know that what they’re saying isn’t true. I’ve been complaining about Daniel since the day I met him. Have you ever thought that I wanted to be with him?”

“I dunno,” Katie shrugged, playing with the straw in her drink as she was suddenly unable to look Lia in the eye. “I always kinda thought your protests were, like, playful and flirty. Like maybe you just wanted him to chase you a little bit.”

The look on Lia’s face as she tried to process her friend’s words could only be described as one of shock and devastation, but her stunned silence just gave Daniel time to chime in again as he smirked at Jamie.

“See? I’m sorry, mate. I wouldn’t have been trying to get with your girl if I knew she was taken, but she didn’t do much to deter me,” he shrugged. “You might wanna keep an eye on her, especially around your teammates.”

Jamie felt a flash of anger at what he was insinuating and he was grateful that the weight of Lia clinging to his arm stopped him from doing something he’d regret - like punching the asshole across from him in the face.

“Shut the fuck up,” he growled. “If what I saw the other night is anything to go by then Lia’s done plenty to deter you. It’s not her fault you’re too fucking thick to understand when a woman tells you she’s not interested.”

Daniel rolled his eyes again as a murmured ‘whatever’ slipped from his lips, but Jamie was distracted as Lia grabbed his hand and gently squeezed it to get his attention.

“Can we please leave?”

“Of course, babe,” Jamie nodded, tossing back the rest of his pint before sliding out of the booth. “Let’s go.”

Lia quickly scurried out after him and they headed for the door without even bothering to say goodbye.

——

The taxi ride back to Jamie’s house was silent. 

He could feel the sadness washing off of Lia in waves, but she kept her head turned as she looked out the window and Jamie wasn’t sure what he could say to offer her any comfort. When it came to relationships, he was good at all the fun stuff - like attending parties or events and, of course, the sex - but the emotional side of things had always been harder for him to master. The fact that they weren’t really in a relationship and he actually knew very little about Lia made it even harder for him to know how to handle the situation.

He spent most of the drive agonizing over what to do, but in the end he figured the risk of saying something that would make her feel worse was too high and decided to just let her come to him if she wanted to.

But the silence continued when they got home.

Lia headed straight upstairs and he heard the sound of the shower as he went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. He waited to see if she would eventually appear as he scrolled through the social media on his phone, but when almost an hour had passed with no sign of her, he went up to their room as well. He saw her already curled up under the blankets and assumed she was asleep, but when he crawled into bed next to her, he was surprised when she rolled over to face him.

“Jamie?”

Her voice was quiet, but it echoed around the quiet room.

“Yeah?”

“I never gave Daniel any signals,” she insisted. “I promise, I didn’t.”

The desperate pleading tone to her voice caught him off guard, but he simply shrugged.

“You don’t need to promise me anything,” he reminded her. “We’re not really married, it’s none of my business.”

“I know,” Lia choked out, her voice breaking. “I just really need someone to believe me.”

Even through the darkness, Jamie knew she was crying. He could feel the bed shift as her shoulders shook with the quiet sobs that fell from her lips, but again, he found himself at a loss for what to do. After a moment of awkwardly laying there, racking his brain for a solution, Jamie let out a sigh as he reached out towards her.

“C’mere.”

It came out as more of a demand than a request, but Lia hesitated as she sniffled out a quiet, “What?”

“C’mere, let me give you a cuddle.”

“Oh,” Lia sniffled again. “You don’t have to do that.”

“Sounds like you need it,” he argued. “And let’s not pretend that I don’t feel you peeling yourself off of me every morning when you think I’m asleep.”

Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Lia was a very snuggly sleeper. Almost every night she ended up wrapped around Jamie, but he hadn’t mentioned it after her embarrassment that first morning and was relieved when the wink that accompanied his words in that moment earned a teary giggle as she did as he asked and scooched closer until he could wrap his arms around her.

“Thank you,” she murmured against his chest. “For this and for everything else you did for me tonight, standing up to Daniel and putting up with my friends.”

“They shouldn't be your friends after tonight,” Jamie huffed. “That Daniel is a knob and your friends are shit for not listening to you.”

“I know,” Lia sighed. “I don’t want anything to do with them, at least until I get some kind of apology. What they did tonight was humiliating.”

“Don’t worry about it, they’re just a bunch of pricks. And Lia?” He paused until she hummed questioningly in response before he continued. “I do believe you.”

He felt her drape her arm around his waist to squeeze him affectionately and he leaned down to press a kiss against the top of her head. It was a gesture he made almost more out of habit than anything romantic, but as a silence settled around them and he held her close until he felt her breathing shift and he knew she was asleep, he had to admit that the line between pretend and the reality of his slowly growing feelings was starting to seem a bit blurred.

----

chapter six

#jamie tartt fanfiction #jamie tartt fanfic #jamie tartt fic #jamie tartt #jamie tartt x ofc #ted lasso fanfiction #ted lasso fanfic #ted lasso #amorous facades

[annaraebananawriter]

"Someone who’s eaten that much ice cream is clearly not okay. come on, talk to me." With Dream, Ink and Blue for the quote thingy please I love them

I think this drabble is actually 100% fluff. Which...is a first for me, I think. I am unsure how to feel about it. (Lie: I am really happy with this drabble and I hope you are too. I had lots of fun.)

Now, will all my talk of Star Sans Poly lately, I have gotten myself in the mood for it, so some of that might've bled into this drabble. But I think it's more so in a 'before they realized they loved each other' sort of way than anything else.

Small warning for cursing and mentioned animal death and I think that's it. Let me know!

Happy reading! Prompt is italicized.

~oOo~

Ink checked his phone as Blue pulled into the driveway. "Still haven't heard from him."

"Well, he can't ghost us anymore."

See, last week, they had agreed--all three of them, that is; Ink, Blue, and Dream--to go out on a fun little night this weekend. Ink needed some more yarn, as he was on a knitting kick lately and had run out of the bulk of the yarn he bought at the beginning. They planned to go shopping first, first art stuff, then maybe clothes and a few other places, then it was dinner time, where they would be eating at a dinner they all liked and frequented, and then it was off to the movies, where they would watch the one that was finally here that they'd been looking forward to all year.

Blue had been looking forward to this night all week. It'd been a couple of months since the three of them had hung out together. No fault of any of theirs, things have just been busy. But he was missing his friends, a lingering ache in his chest the longer his messages on his phone remained bare and the more nights he had with uninterrupted peaceful sleep.

That's how he knew it was getting bad--he was even missing Ink's late-night phone calls that kept him up for an hour before he finally convinced the artist to either sleep or reminded him to do something else.

And, finally, the night came. He met up with Ink and they wandered around the shop they agreed to meet at, waiting for Dream...who never showed.

They tried reaching out, texting and calling multiple times, but nothing came of it. Dream seemed to ignore the attempts. Which was frustrating. Concerned, they weighed the decision of continuing on with the night with just the two of them. If Dream knew they gave up a night of fun just because of him, he'd be immensely guilty. He'd try making it up to them by buying them expensive gifts, which they would accept, though the gesture indirectly made them guilty as well. They didn't want Dream to get upset, but it seemed like, no matter what decision they made, it would end in that.

What other reason would Dream have for ghosting them if he wasn't upset in the first place? And if he was upset, then he needed his friends more than ever. That took priority over any kind of fun they had planned.

With a shared nod, Ink and Blue hopped in the car and drove to their friend's house. It was their first guess as to where he might be; Dream loved to isolate himself inside when he was sad. And sure enough, the lights were on, though Dream's car wasn't in the driveway. Nor was Nightmare's.

They didn't bother knocking. Blue already had a spare key, entrusted to him for emergencies. And he considered this an emergency.

As soon as the door was open, Ink strode in and followed the sound of the television, stopping briefly in the doorway before disappearing. "Scooch over," Blue heard Ink say, and the sound of someone sniffing and shuffling over.

Shutting the door behind him, setting down his things, and taking off his shoes, he entered the living room as well, being faced with a sorry sight he hadn't seen since high school.

Small ice cream bins littered the coffee table, along with tissues and a cracked phone. The source of the mess lay on the couch, cocooned in the quilt from his bed, now having moved over to make room for Ink, who leaned against Dream, focus already on the TV. Smiling, Blue locked eyes with Dream, who sniffed again. His friend handed Ink the halfway-eaten ice cream and held up his hands, silently asking for a hug.

Which Blue was happy to give. Squeezing himself into the corner on Dream's other side, he wrapped his arms around his friend and he started crying all over again. "Hey, it's okay," he said, rubbing his back. "What's wrong?"

Dream sniffed. "Nothing." His voice was muffled by Blue's shirt.

Ink snorted, eating a spoonful of the ice cream. "Bullshit. Someone who’s eaten that much ice cream is clearly not okay."

Shaking his head, Blue nudged Dream, asking him to look at him. "Come on, talk to me." Giving him a smile, he tried to do the puppy dog eyes his friends always did. He couldn't tell if they worked, but Dream did sigh, sitting up to rest his head on Blue's shoulder.

"It's nothing, really," Dream said, "Just a whole bunch of bad days. Which made this a shitty week." Pausing, he sighed again, more heavily this time. "Which sorta made me forget about our plans. I'm sorry."

"Not important right now." Ink said. "Plans can always be remade."

"Ink's right. Please, continue. Tell us about this shitty week."

Chuckling, Dream stifled a cough with his hand. "Okay. So, you know my boyfriend, right? Well, my ex-boyfriend now, I guess. Broke up with me. Through text, of course. This was back at the start of the week, which pretty much makes it the start of it all.

"Because that day, I got stuck in the middle of the rain without an umbrella. And this was after being trapped in traffic, which made me late for work. And speaking of work, all week long it seems like it's just been putting pets down or animals brought in from the road that we can't save. All week! And then, just a couple of days ago, my car wouldn't start, which meant Nightmare had to come and pick me up from work. My car's in the shop now, but it won't be fixed until Monday."

Taking a breath, he rubbed his face, continuing. "And then yesterday, my phone fell and broke. So, if you called me or texted me, I never got them. Sorry. Nightmare left this morning for a small work trip. He wanted to hold off on it, but I convinced him to go. He'll be back on Monday anyway. So, I've been stuck here in the house, which was fine at the start. I thought it could work as a reset, make next week better. But things have just been breaking, all over the place! First the sink, then the freezer, then a couple of plates and glasses."

Dream sniffed. Again. "And I decided to just take a break, lay down and watch a movie, eat some ice cream. Turned the TV on, and what seemed like a normal rom-com was playing. So I watched that. But then it turned sad, and no matter what I went to, all of it was sad movies! So, then I just started crying, and just couldn't stop." Sighing, he leaned further into Blue. "And now I think I'm getting sick."

"Aw, you poor thing." Ink cooed, grinning. He pulled Dream over to him, wrapping him in a big hug. "I did think you were being dramatic at first, but no, that is a shitty week." Tightening his grip, Ink's grin widened. "This calls for an exorcism."

Dream struggled to free himself from the hug. "Ink, I can't breathe!"

Ink hugged him even tighter. "I won't let you go until all the shittyness is expelled from you."

"Ink!"

Blue laughed before finally taking pity. "Okay, okay. Ink, stop." Huffing, Dream sat up, glaring at Ink. Blue grabbed him by cupping his cheeks and turned his head side to side, looking him over closely. "Hm...have you eaten yet today?"

Dream blinked, thrown by the change in subject. "Nightmare made breakfast." Pausing, he closed his eyes with a sigh. "But I forgot to have any. I even put the leftovers in the fridge when he left."

"So, you've just had ice cream?"

"Yeah."

"I see." Blue gave him another inspection. "Just as I figured, then. You need a proper meal. Maybe some medicine, then, if you're getting sick. And then, a cheerful movie, which Ink will pick, along with some cuddles." Before Dream could think of protesting, Blue held up a finger. "And that's doctor's orders."

"You're only in med school." Dream rolled his eyes. But he was smiling. "Not a doctor yet."

"Still."

"But, yes, that does sound wonderful." Dream smiled up at him. "Thank you, Blue." He then turned to Ink. "And thank you, too, Ink, even if you tried to suffocate me."

Finishing off the ice cream, Ink wagged a finger. "I exorcised you."

"It felt like suffocation."

"Good! Then it was working. We should get back to it then..."

"Ink!"

Dream tried to get away, but Ink was faster. He knew all of Dream's ticklish spots, too, which was an advantage. Dream shrieked with laughter, making Ink laugh, and the sound of both their laughs made Blue laugh, a hint of a blush on his cheeks as he beamed.

Yes, he thought to himself. That's more like it. These two deserved to be laughing, not mopping around. They delivered to be happy and passionate, a bright future ahead of them. And Blue loved them so much, more than anyone else he was friends with, he would make sure they got what they deserved.

That's what friends were for, after all.

#my writing #ask #ask prompt #fanfic #drabble #prompt #utmv #undertale #dream sans #ink sans #blue sans #swap sans #underswap sans #star sanses #star sans poly #mentioned nightmare sans #tw mentioned animal death #tw animal death #tw swearing #and i think that's all the tags I need #hope you enjoy!!

[eupheme]

I have fallen so in love with Penny For Your Thoughts, it’s been such a ride! Congrats on completing such a great series and getting me hooked on ✨Dilfred✨! I went back to find a little excerpt in one of the chapters that I’d love to maybe see a drabble of someday if you ever feel inspired and it’s this one:

“Moving until he’s cupping your ass again, tilting you against his mouth, his lips closing around and sucking as his fingers slip between the curve of your cheeks until they’re teasing you again.” “Because of course he noticed how you reacted-the touch not one that was completely new. But it had been with him.”

Something about Alfred and anal is so dirty but so hot to me and I just know you’d end me with your smut if you ever turned it into something for In For a Penny In For a Pound! Much love to you, J!!! 💖

Oh my god I was so excited to see this - thank you so much for your kind comments (so happy you loved the series!), and thank you for this request! 💖 I had actually been secretly hoping to write a little more about this at some point. It felt like you were reading my mind! Thank you again, and so much love to you, too!

I wanted to note - I was lucky enough to read (and be inspired by) this amazing HC by @stargirlfics and this kintober fic by @squidlywiddly87 for Alfred while I have been working on this. Please check these out, they are incredible!

Something New

masterlist

Alfred Pennyworth x F!Reader

Rated E - 3k

Tags: soft smut, oral (sixty-nine), rimming, sex toys (plug), PiV, anal fingering, mention of tears (nice ones)

(and thank you to @thaddeuscranes for letting me squeak about this in their dms)

Admittedly, this was perhaps not your best idea. It wasn’t a bad per se one, not at all - you just hadn’t anticipated the few… complications that had arisen.

Like how the dinner would drag on. How every shift in your seat would send the heavy, silver plug bumping inside you.

How good it would make you feel.

Your jaw clenches as you sip your coffee, distractedly listening to the conversation around you, managing a weak smile when your attention is expected.

Fingers running over the embroidered tablecloth to keep them from wandering - which they had done plenty of tonight.

It’s not your fault that his hand felt so nice, so heavy, resting on your knee under the table - in a perfectly polite location.

But maybe the warning look he had given you soon after was - when your own hand had started at the same place on his leg, slowly moving up and up. Until the tips were brushing against his inner thigh, until the muscles beneath were clenching and he was capturing it with his own.

Improper, he would have told you - if he could do so. Fingers curling around your own as his eyes dart sideways at you, with a lowered brow, a pointed, stern expression.

The look had made you clench, bite back another soft sound. But you had tried to behave.

And then, you mind had drifted. Another bad idea, because it had also made you squirm - your thighs pressing together to quell some of the ache that pulses between them.

Remembering the weekend before - what had lead you to your decisions tonight.

How you had hovered, just above his wanting, waiting mouth. Palms flat against the broad plane of his chest - facing his hips, the heavy curve of his cock where it rested against his thigh. The hair there sticky, from the bead of precum that had leaked from the head, dropping down.

Carefully lowering yourself - first your stomach, then your breasts pillowing against his abdomen. Putting yourself on display as you relaxed onto him.

Alfred’s mouth meeting your soaked folds, your head dropping as you groaned. Rocking the tiniest bit into the flick of his tongue, as your own hand reached out and wrapped around him.

His cock flexed in your loose grip, his own groan rumbling in his chest when you lowered your lips to the tip, slowly enveloping him. Taking him into the heat of your mouth, bobbing your head as you tasted the salt of his velvety skin.

You had shifted forward to take even more of him, a soft whine in your throat when you lost contact with his mouth, feeling the exhale of his breath against you.

“Christ, just look at how you’re clenching for me.” He had murmured, into the curve of your inner thigh.

Lips pressed against the soft skin, leaving a wet mark behind. The slightest brush of teeth, the scrape of his beard that made you twitch, moan. Then, a question that had been breathed out against your skin.

“Can I eat you, darling?”

You had swallowed down the saliva that had flooded your mouth, a wet ‘pop’ as your lips had lifted off his cock, “You are.”

There had been a low hum, the softest laugh.

“I don’t mean your pretty cunt, love.”

Your fingers had flexed around his base, brain lagging just a second as you had caught up. Thinking about what he’s asking, the edge to his voice when he had.

He rarely asked you for anything. Letting you lead, never disappointing.

It made you want to give him anything he wanted.

“Yes.”

He groaned with your answer, fingers sinking into soft flesh, angling you as his kissed up to your clit, then higher. Past puffy, slick folds, until he was at a place that only the tips of his fingers had explored.

The first brush of his tongue was light, the barest flick against your tight rim. You had been holding your breath, a tension in your thighs as you kneel above him - cheek resting against his abdomen as your eyes fluttered shut.

Another press then, dragging with more pressure - his thumb denting the soft flesh of your cheek, tugging to open you wider against his eager mouth.

A soft, ragged soft had burst from your lips, your face pressing against his skin - his own rough moan as he does it again.

You wonder now, if that had been why you liked it so much. The way he had asked, how it had affected him, the sounds he had made.

Eyes darting now to the man sitting next to you, so perfectly put-together. You doubted anyone would suspect the things he’s done to you with his fingers. With his mouth.

What you’ll hope he’ll do with his cock, if you’re lucky.

Thinking again back to then - when said cock had flexed in your hand, achingly hard as you finally started to pump your spit-slicked fist, pressing open-mouthed kisses to the base. Then his forearm had reached, curling around your thigh - pinning you in place against his mouth.

Angling so his fingers could slip between your thighs - gathering your arousal on the tips, bringing them to circle your clit.

The sounds you had made then, a whimper, then - eyes still shut - the cries going lower, louder, the smallest rock of your hips to meet his tongue. To where it had met you, from flat and wet, to pointed and pressing just inside.

He had you close so quickly, the burning arousal fueled by the newness, the taboo, his eagerness. Your fingers slowing, the jerk of your fist growing sloppy as the pressure built - until the tight ball of pleasure reached it’s peak, and it was spilling over.

Coming hard against his mouth - moaning against his thigh, the coarse silver-peppered curls as you clenched around nothing.

Remembering now how he followed so soon after, spilling messily across your knuckles as he groaned against you.

Eyes wide with sense of self-discovery when you carefully eased off him, dropping down to lie panting next to him on the bed. His own expression a pleased, curling smile, and interestingly enough - seemingly unsurprised.

You hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it.

And so, you had done a little shopping.

Finding a store you could visit in person, paying in cash so they wouldn’t send you mail, a catalog - you could only imagine the depths of your own embarrassment and humiliation if something had shown up at the Tower.

Eying the aisles, curiosity welling in you at all the toys, all the possibilities. Making mental lists of things that looked interesting, though your eyes kept getting drawn to one item in particular.

A small, silver plug - the base crafted in the shape of a heart, topped with a shining, pink gem.

It was pretty.

You wanted to look that way - pretty - for him. You wanted him to want it, want you.

So you bought it, taking some time after a hot, steaming shower to carefully fit it into place. To get yourself used to the weight, the fullness, before you were whisked off to dinner.

Leading you to now - wishing desperately for dinner to be over. A look of relief when the chairs are pushed back, his eyes worriedly flickering your way when you sigh as it’s indicated that after-dinner drinks would continue in the lounge.

His voice low, fingers curling around your elbow as he leans close to your ear.

“Is everything alright, darling?”

Your lips press together to hide your smile, your laugh. Not wanting to explain here - but as he guides you towards the room, it’s hard to school your expression as it nudges inside you with each step.

So, you wait - a hand on his arm as the other couples pass you. His eyes bouncing between your face as the people filing into the room, trying to guess, as he often did.

“I’m fine,” You tell him, when it’s a little more private. Not wanting him to worry, so you try to explain, “I wore something for you, tonight. It has me… distracted.”

Alfred’s clever eyes drop on their own, to the low neckline of your dress, and then down further - assessing - before flicking back up.

A tilt of his head, the peek of his tongue between his teeth as he considers - before asking, “Would you like to leave? I can meet you in the car in a few minutes.”

God, you loved him.

“Please.”

———

His fingers work at his tie, and if you didn’t know any better - how the curiosity had ensnared him, you’d think he was uninterested. That he was simply undressing at the end of the day, the movements familiar and ritualistic.

But you caught the glitter of his eyes, the subtle shift in his torso whenever you moved, always facing you.

And in the car, he had pried.

“Are you going to let me in on your secret?” He asked, as soon as the doors were locked. The windows tinted, his elbow pressing into the leather of the center console as he leaned.

His dark look making you think that he was considering finding out for himself, right now - with wandering hands and mouth - public location be damned.

“Not yet.” You had smiled, and he had given you another of his infamous looks, before the car roared to life.

Making record time home.

Your fingers work at the hidden zipper as you walk over to him, as he shifts again. Shoes kicked off by the door as you as you had stepped in. The straps falling from your shoulders as you invaded his space - eager, now that you were home.

His fingers fumbling against the buttons of his vest as your arm snakes around his waist, your breasts crushed against his chest. Lips that touch down on the sliver of skin that appears at his throat, then his neck.

Fingers curling into the belt loops of his trousers, right where the crisp white shirt tucks in, tugging. Still undressing with careful steps as you guide him over to the shared bed.

It’s there that your mouths finally meet - a soft hum of relief from your own. It’s when his hands start to roam, over the skin of your exposed shoulders. Lingering there as you let go of him to pluck at the clasp of your bra, until it falls free.

The tips of his fingers skating over the flesh that was now bared as he invades your space, a knee rising to sink into the soft bed, where you sit on the edge. His shirt falling to the floor as his back curves over you as your head tilts up, the kisses turning messy - tongue and teeth - when you reach out to palm him.

The following flex of his hips into your hand, your back hitting the mattress as his mouth follows the path of his hands, kissing at the curves of your breasts, his tongue flicking over a nipple.

Curious fingers slipping beneath the waistband of your panties as you coax him to full hardness with your touch. A rough groan then, when they meet you soft, soaked flesh. Sliding almost, not expecting now ready you were - had been - for him.

“Oh, darling,” his head tilts up, and you can see the sharp flash of blue, hips jolting as the swipe of his fingers skate over your folds. “What has gotten you so worked up?”

All of it - his body pressing into yours, the steady press of his fingers, the plug filling you - it makes your brain fuzzy with desire, your words sliding out smooth as you smile up at him.

“You.”

Coaxing him up to kiss you again as he circles your clit, mumbling against his mouth, “I need you.”

His own moan, as his other hand tugs at his belt, “You have me.”

Without thought you’re moving, as he lifts off you, standing at the edge of the bed. As you flip around onto your stomach, pushing up onto hands and knees - a position that you’ve done often.

Fingers that tug your underwear down your thighs, and then - freeze.

You know he sees it, the plug pressed deep. The blush gem glinting off the light, above where you’re swollen and soaked for him.

An sharp intake of breath, the ghost of fingertips tracing up your leg, the plush curve of your ass.

“Look at you.” He clicks his tongue, the pad of his thumb coming to rest on the base of the jeweled plug. Pressing down, nudging it just the tiniest bit deeper into you, making you groan.

“Have you been wearing this all night, dove?”

When you meet his eyes, nodding - telling him yes - his lips part with a rough moan. Ridding himself of his trousers, still somehow managing to step neatly out of them while his thumb still circles, pressing again.

Your head sags between your shoulders, against the mattress - hips high as you rock back into his hand. Clinging on as you feel the fat head of his cock nudge at your entrance, before the tip slips in.

A moan is pulled from you as he eases in - he feels big with the new addition, everything feeling tight and snug and he’s not even fully in you yet.

You can hear his own gasp behind you, a steadying hand on your hip when your ass sits flush with his front.

“Christ, you are gripping me so tightly,” He grits out with a shallow thrust of his hips, but it has your eyes fluttering closed, fingers curling.

Another sound as he does it again, until he’s setting a slow, steady pace. The drag of his cock against you, a rock of his hips as he presses deep again.

All the while a hand grips your hip - the other still running over the plug. Fingers carefully catching the edge, fitting the tip of his index underneath. Giving it the smallest tug, a replication of a thrust in time with the grind of his hips.

It has you breathless, fucking you with his cock and the plug - you’re not even aware that you’ve been chanting the word “please” over and over until his left hand smoothes down your back, his voice catching your attention.

“What do you want, darling?”

The ache is enough that you’re shameless now, ready and willing to beg.

“You. God - I want you so bad.” Your eyes crack open, head tilting again so you can look at him. The breadth of his shoulders curving above you, lips parted as he sucks in a breath.

“Want you to take it out and fuck me. Please.”

Because you do want him, want to know what it feels like to have him take you - trusting him to make it feel as good as his teasing had felt.

His expression changes, from careful concentration and devotion - to a low laugh, a bright flash of teeth as he smiles.

“Oh dove.” He sighs, voice turning rough and rueful, “You’re going to need a lot more practice before you take me.”

It makes you whimper, his tone and the denial, but he’s quick to make amends. His cock nudged deep as he carefully eases the plug from you, as he makes a promise.

“But I would never leave you wanting.”

There’s the rustle of the bedside drawer, a cap opening. Lube-slicked fingers circling where you’re soft and worked open, the tip of one pressing into you as you clench around him.

Easing it in, a knuckle at a time until he’s past the tight ring of muscle, as you get used to the feeling. Until you’re begging again, until the thrust of his cock matches the careful pump of his finger.

It’s a lot. For both of you, the sensation new and filthy and your fingers are snaking between your thighs, the first rub against your clit making you keen.

A second, slicked finger teases, pressing against the puckered skin - the deep thrust of his cock has you panting into the sheets, each breath coming out strangled and needy.

“That’s it,” He coos, knowing you’re close, can feel it in the strung-tight tremble of your limbs, “Want to know how this feels when you come.”

How it feels with him buried in both your holes, and you want to know, too - never feeling so full and stretched and your fingers are pressing against soaked skin as your breath turns into a long cry.

His name on your lips as the need becomes overwhelming, before it engulfs you. A coil that twists so tightly and then snaps, the waves of relief and pleasure hot in your belly, coursing down your limbs as you come.

You can feel him, achingly hard inside you, the hand on your hip gripping almost painfully as he feels the way you clench around him, the tight, hot pulse around his cock and fingers. The way you soak him, your whimper when the press of his fingers within you become too much, overstimulating.

They ease out as he slows, waiting until there’s a small grin that forms on your lips as you peek back at him, the heel of your hand scrubbing the hollow under your eye, wiping away tears from how much you had felt.

“Thank you.” You tell him with a soft sigh, and that alone almost does him in.

Hands rest on your hips now, his thrusts shorter, rougher now. His own release building until it’s all but bursting from him - as he gazes down to where you’re wrapped so snugly around him, the slightest gape where his fingers had been.

“My gorgeous, filthy girl.” His voice lower and rougher than you’ve ever heard, “I won’t tonight, dove. But I promise you, one day I’m going to come in this tight, perfect ass.”

Selfishly, the pad of his thumb rubs against your rim one more time, just barely pressing down. And with your soft moan, the thought of how tightly and sweetly you had just come around him - he’s there.

A rough “fuck”, a long moan ripped from him as his hips snap against yours, grinding himself deep as he comes. Stomach and chest pressing into your back as he curls around you, messy kisses peppered against your shoulder as the rock of his hips slow.

As the throbbing pulse of his cock wanes, his release pushed deep into you as you sigh - content and weary after the excitement of the evening.

The kisses against your shoulder moving to your neck, under you ear, then your cheek as his cock withdraws from you. Leaving you needy and empty, though he’s there to clean you up, drawing a bath for you both.

It’s deep in the bubbles, lounging against him when you ask, “Did you like your surprise?”

You’re teasing, and he laughs - the sound a low, incredulous huff.

“Yes, my darling. I most certainly did.”

A smile still in his voice, as he adds, “In fact, consider this encouragement to surprise me… at any time you wish.”

#ahh thank you! 💖 #alfred pennyworth x f!reader #alfred pennyworth x reader #alfred pennyworth smut #alfred pennyworth x you #requests

[partyanimal167]

A companion fic to "Self-Indulgent," but can be mostly read on its own. A reader on AO3 asked some important follow up questions, and I was like "damn, I could write more." Plus, there's something naughty about some pinning competition between Doffy and Croc.

Decisions, decisions. Damn, a girl wouldn't mind getting used to this kind of attention, really.

You fidgeted under the lustful stare you were under-- blushing and scratching your cheek awkwardly. You were really trying to stay under the radar, but when that deep rumble summoned you to the office, you knew there was no way you were going to stay hidden.

"Fufufufu, did my princess have a good weekend?" you blushed at the comment. You had an idea why he asked that, but there was still a chance for you to play dumb though.

"Ye-yes, sir. I jus-," you were going to start some ridiculous rant about shopping and what not.

"Seems I need to pay Croc a visit; tell him to be more gentle in bed."

Your eyes grew large and shot up to meet those tinted sunglasses. You couldn't ignore the deep blush on your face, how the room suddenly grew hotter. "Excus-," you quickly shut yourself up as your boss stood up and walked around to you. He lifted your chin before caressing your bottom lip. So softly, he trailed down before tapping a darkened spot on your neck.

"It's unprofessional to come to work with a hickey, doll. Someone might get jealous." he chuckled, but you knew that could be interpreted as a warning.

You continued to blush but twirled a lock of hair and batted your eyelashes. "Oh I'm sorry, Doffy." your fingers danced on his arm. "I'll be sure to make it up to you."

He grinned and kissed your cheek. "I'm sure you will."

~~~

Even knowing that for now Crocodile just wanted you to sit pretty during business meetings and lunches, you still were reluctant about attempting to leave the generous care and protection of that notorious Donquixote. If you could play your cards right, maybe you could bask in the riches and attention of both men. Crocodile wasn't pressuring you too much about becoming an actual worker. You still had your information network and allies as well as the pirate common sense to spot a rat when necessary. You proved your value for sure, but that didn't alleviate all your problems. For instance, there wasn't really a way to work yourself out of this specific situation.

You chuckled nervously as those dark eyes peered down at you unamusingly. You had been avoiding that look for the last couple hours, but here you were. Your attention shifted as you were pulled closer to your host. "Why the long face, Croc? I'm sure the meeting wasn't that bad." Doflamingo laughed. You blushed and eyes wandered aimlessly trying to pretend to be anywhere but here.

"I normally don't mind your usual eccentric behavior, but this is a little much even for you." He drawled out--not bothering to blow his smoke far from where you two sat. "You're trying to show off."

"Fufufufu, I'm just bringing along some nice company for this fine lunch. Surely, you would do the same."

"Of course, you don't come across company as lovely as Y/N."

You nearly melted and finally allowed yourself to look up. There was something dark yet intrigued in Crocodile's eyes. You fought a shiver as your hand was brought to his lips. "It'll be my pleasure to see you home."

"She's coming-,"

"Why relax, sir, you can't have a lady waiting. I'm sure those gentlemen have a lot to talk to you about still." Crocodile immediately shut down and gestured to the group of men chatting away nearby. He lifted you up then wrapped an arm around your waist, hook lightly running along your side. "I'll be gentle with her."

...

He was not gentle with you.

You moaned as you were flipped onto your stomach and felt two fingers shoved into your cunt. Squelching rung in your ears as you gushed onto Crocodile's fingers. "I don't think that spanking did anything if you're still being a brat. I asked you a question, doll. Who's dick are you begging for every night?"

You clenched the sheets, and your hips rocked along. "Uh fuck, yours- yours, sir." you sobbed. You sunk further into your plush bed as he loomed over you.

It was not your best idea to tease Crocodile on the way to your place. He only sat and listened to your rambles about how your outfit was sent to you, limo picked you up, that everyone was captivated by your entrance, that you didn't mind feeling how strong Doflamingo felt just by sitting next to you. Once you two were inside, you were getting pushed off the floor and kissed breathlessly. Your clothes now in shreds below. "Don't go wearing another man's clothes in front of me."

Crocodile bit your ear and kept fingering you. "That's right, dear. I know you're smart. You knew what would happen if I caught you clinging to that bird. Want me to send you off to him just like his? I'm sure you wouldn't mind. Want to handle the both of us? I know how to fulfill a whore's needs."

Oh those words were tempting, but you were too distracted to go off daydreaming about a bed-breaking threesome. Crocodile smirked feeling how you clenched onto him. Suddenly, he pulled his fingers out. You groaned and slammed a fist into the mattress. "No sir, please! I wanna cum!"

"Hehe, who said you could? You hurt my feelings," he faked a painful tone. He chuckled as he sucked his fingers. "It's not nice watching you flaunt yourself in front of him. I know he's still being used in your shows." He started rubbing himself at your entrance. "I think I'm being generous with you." He let out a deep breath in order to keep himself restrained. He wanted you sobbing and begging for his dick first.

You looked up at him and panted. "Yes, so nice sir, please. I'll be good I promise."

Crocodile chuckled darkly. "Oh, I'm not that easy, love." he only gave you an inch. "I don't like sharing." he pulled back. He quieted his pant that escaped. He wanted that hot soft feeling around him, but there was still a lesson to be taught. "You like playing around with me; you'll get hurt." he gave you a little more. "Ugh, not that you'd mind I'm sure." he grunted. He slapped your thigh to try to ground himself. "Maybe you don't deserve this after all-,"

You threw yourself back and groaned feeling most of him inside. You rocked forward then back again. "Stop being mean daddy," you moaned at the fullness and didn't mind the slight drool out of your mouth. "I want it now!" you whined.

Lesson be damned at this point. Crocodile grabbed your hips and started setting a heavy pace. "Fucking brat," he bit his lip. His hair was starting to become a disheveled mess. He remained barely aware of his hook as he continued to use you to get off. You didn't want to be a good girl, then that was fine. He wasn't going to play nice anymore.

Your eyes started to roll back as he bullied your cunt. So good, so good.

"I'll make sure you remember who's pussy this is." Crocodile grinned. "I'll get it to stick in that brain of yours."

~~~

Doflamingo frowned as he watched you continue to clean tables and sweep without so much as a glance in his direction the entire night. The staff fluttered around him with the usual praises and compliments. He knew he didn't want Crocodile leaving with you those nights ago, but he couldn't have gotten out of that discussion even if he really wanted to. The sacrifices necessary for business.

He finally got you alone in his office after closing. He wished he was amused by how you fidgeted and avoided his tinted gaze. After a minute of so of silence, he lifted his head from his wrist and sighed. "Oh princess, don't give me that attitude. I have something important to tell you."

You pouted and reluctantly looked up. "I got in trouble because of you." you huffed.

Doflamingo closed his mouth then chuckled. "Because of me?" there was some amusement now.

You nodded before folding your arms and turning away. "Yes, daddy was very mean to me. So I have to be on my best behavior." you explained.

There was a spark under Doflamingo's skin from that little peek into your bedroom business. He still liked how that word rolled off your tongue though. He grinned. "I see. Well, I'm sorry princess. I have some more bad news for you though." you looked up at him confused. "I'm afraid I have to let you go. Can't have so many on the wait staff especially one that attracts so much attention."

Your heart dropped for a moment. Of course, you had considered leaving Doflamingo's shadow, but you were still putting that plan together. It was a backup really. You didn't think that you would need to go running to Crocodile so soon especially after tiptoeing between the two men. It seemed as if Crocodile was right about you being tossed to the side by Doflamingo. It sped your anxiety up knowing that there were challenges coming your way.

"Wait, Mr. Donquixote! I can't go yet- I," you stopped after his hand was held up. You turned your head slightly as the man stood before you. Even leaning onto his desk, he was still quite tall and loomed over you.

He grinned as he ran his gaze up your body. "Fufufu, no need to fret little one. I just have a more important assignment for you is all."

You processed his words for a moment before slowly nodding. "What's the assignment?"

~~~

"A spy?" Robin chuckled.

You rolled your eyes and laughed. "Oh my gosh, you're so dramatic! I'm not a spy. I'm just going to be confirming some information for him." you held up a button-up in front of yourself. "How does this look?"

Robin smiled. "Great!" You beamed before tossing it to the sales rep who was following you two around. "I can't believe Croco-san is letting you go."

"I'm not."

You simply laughed as you stood on your tippy-toes and kissed him on the cheek. "You said you were happy I wasn't going to parading around 'that bird.'" you mimicked his voice.

"That doesn't mean you get to work for him still. You work for-,"

"I," you interrupted "am a freelance worker. You agreed to that." Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke, annoyed. "Besides, Robin-chan is going to be helping me out. It's nothing shady. It's work for the business you three own."

"It's Doflamingo; there's always something." Crocodile mumbled. He shook his head as he reached into his suit coat for his wallet. "As long as he knows who you come home to."

You did a twirl and beamed. "Yay, I have the best bosses." you joked.

Crocodile's jaw twitched. This woman...

~~~

I want to work for both of them. I want to be spoiled (crying emoji)

I don't know how much I like this add-on tbh, but thank you for reading! I hope the Crocodile fans enjoy at least. He's so yummy!

#one piece #one piece x reader #crocodile #crocodile x reader #donquixote doflamingo #one piece fanfiction #mine #stewie writes #partyanimal167

[toxiclizardwrites]

WIP - Love and Rage

The full second chapter of my OC x Delgado story is ready for release! This story has been fun to write, and I'm just as excited to see how it unfolds as you are.

Warnings: 18+, sexual content, attempted r*pe (it's not that bad, I promise), swearing Tagging: @bearlytolerant @avani-telvanni @atonalginger @eridanidreams @fangbangerghoul @lisa-and-shadow @aro-pancake ------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2: Tension on The Key

Toxic headed through Reckoner’s core on the way to the Rook bunks, but she was stopped by Naeva. “Hey Rook, where are you headed?” 

“To go to sleep,” Toxic replied flatly. 

 “You look like shit. Something happen on Suvorov?”

“No. Nothing. Well, we found something about the Legacy but Del has the details.”

Naeva nodded, and pulled out a knife and started playfully flipping it around. She spun it in her fingers so the tip was pointed towards Toxic’s body. 

On edge and tired, Toxic instinctively jumped back. “Wow, a bit jumpy, are we?” Naeva teased. “Yeah a bit,” Toxic responded flatly, just wanting to get to bed. Naeva looked at Toxic thoughtfully, like she was trying to make a decision. “You know what? Fuck it. You need a drink. Follow me.” She said, and gave Toxic a hard shove in the direction of the Last Nova. But Toxic hesitated. “Naeva, I'm—”

“Nope, we’re going” she said before Toxic could finish. Sensing that she didn't have a choice in the matter, Toxic sighed heavily and followed Naeva’s steps to the bar on the other end of Reckoner’s core. 

Entering The Last Nova was like wandering into the arms of an ex that's bad for you, but in the best way. The smell of cigarettes and stale booze accented the old earth-style American diner decor. The place was especially packed tonight. Toxic and Naeva passed pirates that were arm wrestling, fighting, or grinding on each other on the dance floor. Toxic paid close attention to their faces, but nobody so much as glanced in their direction unless they were looking at Naeva. She didn't command the same level of respect as Delgado, but her presence also didn't go unnoticed. 

The pair made their way to the bar, where Bog nodded, his eyes moving from Naeva to Toxic thoughtfully. “What’ll it be, ladies,” he asked while wiping down the counter. Naeva ordered two pints of bog’s grog and pushed one towards Toxic, who was sitting with her head resting in her hand. 

“Drink up, Rook,” she said with a grin, and Toxic begrudgingly picked up the pint to take a swig. The alcohol was strong, and had an earthy taste mixed with paint thinner. Toxic’s face contorted a bit at the mix, even though she tried to suppress it. 

Naeva laughed. “Your first time having an adult drink, whittle baby?” She chided.

Toxic forced a smile. “It's kind of fucking gross, you have to admit”

“Oh, you're not wrong, Rook—”

Their banter was interrupted by a loud, very drunk voice. 

“Well, well well, what do we have here?” Mathis said with a slight slur in his voice. 

Toxic rubbed her hands over her face in protest of Mathis’ presence, not bothering to turn to face him. This is where it happens, she thought. This is where he tells everyone what happened on Suvorov. She expected it, of course, but not so soon. She wasn't mentally prepared. But then again, could she ever be? Her mind was racing, but she tried to act like she didn't care by burying her face into her pint. 

A hand on her shoulder and the smell of alcohol-laden breath interrupted her. “Hey everyone,” Mathis shouted. 

Toxic grabbed his arm, digging her nails into his shirt. “Don’t” she said, her voice seething with anger. 

Naeva didn't say anything but instead leaned back to watch the show unfold. She wasn't going to be an ally in this situation. 

Mathis ignored Toxic’s plea, and shouted once again, trying to get the full attention of the pirates. More faces turned to look at him, but most rolled their eyes and continued doing whatever they were doing. 

Mathis grabbed Toxic’s arm and pulled her off her chair so that she was standing. 

“Get the fuck off me, Mathis!” She yelled, pushing him hard. In his drunken state, he stumbled and fell over, drawing laughs from the crowd, Naeva included. 

In anger, he quickly got himself back up and tried to grab Toxic again, but she punched him in the face before he could regain his footing. This move pissed Mathis off so much that he resorted to drawing a knife from his belt and swiping it in Toxic’s direction. The first swipe was easy enough to dodge, but the second one grazed Toxic’s cheek, causing a small line of Crimson drops to form that trickled down her skin.

“Ok, that’s enough!” Naeva shouted, grabbing Mathis’ arm and securing the knife. “This is my Rook, Mathis, back the fuck off,” she said through clenched teeth. 

“No, no,” Mathis laughed, pointing at Toxic, “This one is Delgado’s.” He made a hollow fist with one hand and started moving one finger in and out of the hole with the other hand. 

Toxic could feel her face flush, but she tried to ignore it. Catching the gesture, Naeva turned to look at Toxic, her eyebrows raised, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she picked up Mathis by the collar and dragged him out of the bar, pushing him so that he fell face-first on the floor of Reckoner’s core. 

Taking this opportunity to leave, Toxic downed the last of her drink and quickly made her way to the exit, hoping that Naeva wasn't there. But she was, leaned up against the wall next to the door, as if she was waiting. Choosing to ignore her, Toxic opened the door, but Naeva caught it with her hand. 

“What was Mathis talking about, Rook?” She asked quizzically. 

“Nothing. I have no idea,” Toxic said hurriedly. 

But Naeva wasn't letting go. 

“Can I just fucking go please?” Toxic asked, half angry, half pleading. 

Naeva gave her a look like she wanted to know more, but Mathis had risen from the floor and was now trying to get back to the bar, which distracted her. 

“You're done for tonight, Mathis, go to your bunk,” she yelled at him as she threw open the door. 

Toxic used this opportunity to slip past Naeva and head toward the bunks. About halfway down the hallway she stopped and leaned against the wall, breathing heavily and taking in what just happened. She was tired, sweaty, and was still wearing the jumpsuit that she got on Suvorov. “I should probably shower,” she said to nobody in particular, and headed for her locker. A towel and a change of clothes in hand, she headed for one of the bathrooms just down the hallway from the bunks. The tiled floor and standup shower was all too reminiscent of the showers on Suvorov, and it caused her breath to hitch in her throat as memories of her and Delgado flooded into her mind. It all seemed to happen so fast, the interrogation, the sex, it was almost like a movie. She shoved the thoughts down in her mind and turned on the shower. The hot water was a welcome change, and she almost moaned as it warmed her skin. 

After taking entirely too long showering, Toxic quickly towel-dried her hair and threw on the clothes she brought, a pair of leggings and a t-shirt, and started walking back to her bunk. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw movment, like a shadow cast on the wall by light. But when she looked she didn't see anything. After a few more steps, there was a sudden noise, and then hands grabbing her waist. 

“What the fuck?” Toxic yelled in surprise, and the person answered. 

“There you are, you little slut,” Mathis said, sounding a bit more sober now. 

“Mathis, get the fuck off of me,” Toxic demanded, grabbing his hands and throwing them off her body. 

“So just because I'm not The Leader of the Crimson Fleet you won't fuck me?” He said angrily. “I’m twice the man Delgado is!” 

Toxic raised her hands with palms out in an effort to pacify Mathis while she backed away from him. He might not be slurring his words anymore, but he was still very drunk. 

“Look Mathis, I—”

But his hands were on her again, his tight grip on her shoulders.

“No, Mathis, stop, you don't want to do this, you're drunk,” 

But he was bigger than her, stronger. She was surprised at how tightly he grasped her shoulders. 

“Come on baby, how will you know you won't like it unless you try?”

“GET THE FUCK OFF ME!” Toxic shouted, trying to break free from his grip. “I'm not going to ask you again!”

Mathis backed away, and seemed like he was going to finally give up. Toxic breathed a sigh of relief. “Just…just go to bed, Mathis”

But Mathis wasn't done. He suddenly lunged at Toxic, throwing her to the floor and pinning her under his weight. He used his forearm to pin her down by the neck, choking her. She tried to scream, but only a small noise escaped her lips. Thankfully, the struggle between them was loud enough, because some lights flickered on. Mathis didn't stop though, and started tearing at her shirt, trying to lift it over her head with his free hand. But in his drunken state, he was having trouble. This gave Toxic the leverage she needed to free one of her arms. But just as she tried to push him away, Mathis was aggressively pulled off of her. 

Toxic pulled her shirt back down over her chest and blinked, eyes adjusting to the sudden influx of light to see who was responsible for saving her. 

Familiar amber eyes met hers. It was Delgado, and he did not look happy. He immediately turned around and grabbed Mathis, who was still on the floor, and held a pistol to his head. 

“I told you what would happen if you touched her again” he said angrily, and pulled the trigger. 

Mathis’ lifeless body twitched and blood poured out of his head, forming a puddle of red on the floor. 

Toxic gasped and hurried to her feet, eyes shifting from Mathis to Delgado.

“He had it coming” Delgado said simply. 

The commotion drew a sizeable crowd, including Naeva, who immediately took action. 

“What are all of you standing around here for? You,” she pointed at a couple of random pirates, “Take him and throw him out of the airlock. And someone grab a mop and bucket!” She ordered.

Toxic was frozen in place. A part of her felt responsible for what happened. Almost guilt. But then a hand landed on her shoulder. She flinched, but then realized it was Delgado, and her posture softened.

“Why don't you come with me,” he said, placing his other hand on Toxic’s shoulder and slowly guiding her away from the scene. 

They walked away from the bunks and into the elevator that led to the operations center. Then up the stairs to Delgado’s private lounge. The area was open, with a navigation table on one side of the room and a set of leather couches sitting a few steps down in a den area. Delgado walked over to one of the couches and sat down, motioning for Toxic to sit next to him. She did, and he leaned back a bit to take off his leather jacket, revealing a tight-fitting black t-shirt. He roughly folded the jacket and placed it on the table in front of them.

“I did what I had to do” he said, as if he had to justify his actions in any way to Toxic.

“No, I…I get it, he…he crossed a line” 

“Are you Ok, though?” 

The question came as a surprise to Toxic. Did he really care if she was ok? She hesitated a moment before answering.

“Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.”

Delgado nodded slowly. “Good.” He said, getting up to grab some whisky off the counter. “Want some?”

“Yes” 

With two glasses in hand, Delgado returned to the couch and handed one to Toxic. She gulped it down almost immediately. 

“oh, ok then, how about another?” Delgado asked, his lips curling into a small grin. 

“Sure”

He got up and refilled her glass, and handed it to her again. This time Toxic took a regular sip and placed the drink on the table. 

Delgado sat back down with his legs spread so his knee touched hers. Then he put his hand over the back of the couch across her shoulders and took a big gulp of whisky. Toxic couldn't help but admire his body. Broad shoulders and muscular arms. She remembered what his chest looked like on Suvorov, wet and marked with a few hairs and scars. She thought about how she wanted to trace her fingers along them, how she wanted to feel his skin against her, his hands grabbing her hips and the feeling of him exploring her body. Even with what just happened, these thoughts sent ripples of pleasure through her, and she realized she was just where she wanted to be. 

Delgado moved his outstretched arm slightly so his fingers grazed her shoulders. The light touches caused Toxic’s heartbeat to quicken. She looked at him, and there was a hunger, a desire forming in his eyes. He was the Leader of the Crimson Fleet and could probably have any woman he wanted, but in this moment he wanted her.

But this time, Toxic wanted to make the first move. She downed the last of her glass of whisky in one shot, stood up, and faced Delgado. His eyes met hers and she could tell he was a bit confused as to what she was doing. She smiled and positioned herself on his lap with her legs spread on either side of him, so her chest was eye level with those amber eyes. 

Delgado looked surprised for a second, but then a grin formed on his face. Toxic leaned forward, took his face in her hands, and kissed him, slipping her tongue into his mouth, tasting the lingering whiskey. He responded by kissing her back, moving his upper body forward so her center was positioned perfectly on top of him, and putting his arms around her. His rough hands moved hungrily along her back and down to her ass as he pressed himself into her. Toxic could feel his erection through his pants, getting harder as she moved her hips more into him. He whispered something in Spanish and then moved his hands up her back, hooking the fabric of her shirt in his fingers. Quickened breaths escaped his mouth as he felt her bare skin and moved his hands toward the back of her bra. He unhooked it easily and removed it from her body, tossing it and her shirt to the floor. He took a moment to catch his breath and admire her bare breasts, then leaned forward and started aggressively kissing them, sucking the skin and giving her gentle but possessive bites. His hands continued to explore her body, moving up and down along her back and over her breasts as if he wanted to feel as much of her as possible, taking his time. His hands ended up on her hips and he guided her over himself while she leaned into every movement. Toxic moaned and could feel her body melt more and more into him, every touch building on the pleasure she felt. 

Delgado’s hips seemed to move instinctively into hers, grinding against her center. He moaned with pleasure, and then, with his hands still on her hips, he moved her back slightly. 

“Stand up” he said breathlessly. 

She did, and then he stood up as well. Toxic could see his throbbing erection through his pants. He stood in front of her, his neck at the perfect height for her to kiss and rake her teeth over. She reached up to trace the scar over his eye. He moved her back a bit and reached down, grabbing the top of her pants and underwear and pulling them below her ass. He swore under his breath at the slight of the inside of her underwear, which was soaked. 

“You're so wet for me,” he said appreciatively, sliding a hand in between her legs. Toxic let out a gasp when he slipped two fingers into her, pumping them rhythmically as she moved her hands away from his face and explored his chest. She lifted his shirt, and he pulled it up and over his head in one motion, throwing it behind him. She traced his scars, wrapped her fingers in his chest hair, and put her mouth on his nipples. The pressure in her body was building and building from the stimulation, until she reached a point of no return. Clutching his chest in ecstasy and pressing her body into his, she felt her muscles tighten and release as her slick spilled out of her.

“Fuck me” she demanded, perhaps a little too assertively. 

Delgado chuckled and said something in Spanish. Then in English he commanded, “get on the table” 

Toxic immediately obliged, leaning backward on the table, which accidentally activated some touch screen controls on the screen below her.

Delgado reached down and undid the button of his pants, letting them and his underwear fall to the floor. He stepped out of them and stroked his cock in anticipation, then grabbed it and teased his tip at her entrance, which caused Toxic’s hips to thrust forward involuntarily. Delgado’s entire length plunged inside of her, much to his surprise and pleasure. He removed himself from her and thrusted again, eliciting moans from the both of them. He continued to fuck her hard until he could feel the buildup of pleasure in his body release, emptying his entire load inside of her. 

Breathless and spent, Delgado gave her a few more kisses on the neck before slowly removing his wet cock from her body. Then he grabbed Toxic and lowered her off the table. Toxic stumbled a bit at first but he caught her before she fell.

He grabbed his pants and quickly threw them on, leaving the zipper and top button undone. “We should both get some sleep,” he said, handing Toxic her clothes. She quickly dressed and started towards the door, then hesitated. 

“Delgado?”

But he had already disappeared into his room, closing the door. 

Toxic slipped out of the lounge and made her way back to the bunks, not even noticing Naeva leaving against the wall outside with her arms crossed.

………

Delgado sat at the edge of his bed, fiddling with a lighter, watching the flame spark to life and then go out as he flipped the lid closed. He was lost in thought. 

How could he fall so hard for this Rook, this traitor? The word rang in his mind. 

Traitor.

She joined the Fleet because of Sysdef, but swore she wasn't their pawn. How could he be so sure? Why did he believe her when she said she would be loyal to him? Especially with little evidence to support it?

He lit and closed the lighter one more time before tossing it across the room in frustration. He’d never felt like this about anyone before. He used sex to interrogate her on Suvorov because he was excellent at reading people, and she wore her lust for him on her sleeve. But him? He was used to pushing his feelings down, locking them in a box in his mind to eventually rot away and disappear. But what happened on Suvorov was more than an interrogation, more than just sex. What happened tonight was more than just sex. 

He pushed the feelings that were building in his brain down into that box, trying to lock them away. But every time he opened that box to add more to it, something would spill out. There is only so much a man can hide until he’s forced to face facts.

He needed a distraction. The Legacy. It was a topic he thought of almost constantly.

But another thought popped into his head, this time an epiphany: If this Rook could bring those credits to him, it would not only prove her loyalty, but it would bring the Fleet to a level that he only dreamed about. Then he wouldn't have to hide anymore. But he'd have to be strategic about each step, carefully planning his moves like pieces on a chessboard. It also meant that he had to trust this Rook, at least to a certain degree. But her connection with Sysdef could also be an advantage, although it would be a huge risk as well…

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He stood up immediately and zipped up his pants and fastened the button, but didn't bother grabbing a shirt. 

“Who the fuck is bothering me at this hour?” He growled. 

“It's Naeva”

Thinking something serious must have happened, he opened the door. 

Standing there shirtless and with messy hair, he met Naeva’s eyes. 

“What’s happening?” He said, annoyed. 

Naeva hesitated for a moment, noticing the state of him, but then immediately got to the point. 

“Do you know how fucking dangerous it is, what you're doing?” She said angrily. 

Confused, Delgado threw up his hands and allowed them to fall to his side. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Oh you know what I'm talking about. You think I don't know what's going on? You’re fucking that Rook.”

Delgado shifted his weight slightly but didn't take his eyes of Naeva. 

“So what? I fuck lots of women” he said flatly.

“But never Rooks”

“It's no different”

“No, no, this is different, Delgado. This Rook. You killed Mathis for her.” 

Delgado suddenly flew into a rage. 

“Who the fuck cares, he was an annoying asshole. One of the most useless recruits we’ve had in the last while.” He paused for a second, as if he left out an important detail. “Plus, he tried to rape her! It's my job to protect members of the Fleet!”

Naeva laughed. “Protect? How many sorry fuckers have died during your little initiations on Suvorov? Died going out on missions? Hell, got shot to death by another pirate here on The Key?” she challenged. “How were you protecting them?”

“Those situations are different,” Delgado responded, turning away from her.

“Look Delgado. I told you I’d follow you and I stand by that” she said with a hint of concern in her voice. 

“But you better be sure about this Rook. Because this shit is going to spread around The Key sooner or later, and you’re going to have a hell of a time dealing with it.”

Delgado started pacing with anger. “I am sure” he said through clenched teeth. “And anyone who has a problem can speak with me personally.” 

“I'm holding you to that, Delgado” Naeva said seriously. “You better know what you're doing.”

She slammed his door shut, leaving him there to collapse, exhausted, on his bed. 

You better know what you're doing. 

The words repeated over and over again in his mind until sleep finally overtook him.

#starfield #crimson fleet #starfield fanfiction #starfield oc #Delgado x OC #toxiclizardwrites