#it’s nearly 3 am i’m sorry for my behavior | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ghost-proofbaby · 8 months

Note

Spooky Requests: Watching Charlie Brown Halloween with either Eddie or Steve...I'm not picky. <3

.... porque no los dos? jk jk but seriously i had fun with this even if we lost the plot a little bit. thank you jo ily very dearly, and apologize for how out of hand this little request got. also, fun fact. i've never seen charlie brown halloween. who's gonna change that this halloween season hmmmm

warnings: none! just lowkey idiots in love, some pining, the usual

pairing: steddie x fem!reader

wc: 9.2k+

“I can’t believe neither of you idiots have ever seen this classic! You both love Halloween.”

Steve Harrington on a mission was a sight to behold. You were impressed, honestly. He had only found out about the crime, as he was calling it, of you and Eddie having never seen It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! that morning. And here he was, not even a full twenty-four hours later, having pulled together an impromptu movie night for the three of you to rectify the atrocities admitted.

“I told you, Stevie,” Eddie lounges on the couch, already comfortable in his sweatpants and Halloween socks you had bought for him last year. One of the seasonal blankets Steve magically had hiding away in his apartment was already draped across his lap as he picked at the small pumpkins decorating the fabric, “I’m more of a horror movie Halloween buff. Gore, ghosts, slashers – the good stuff.”

“Gross,” Steve absent-mindedly calls in response from the kitchen. You’re perched on the arm of the opposite end of the couch from Eddie, scowling as his feet peek out from under the blanket and he wiggles his sock-clad toes at you.

Gross, you mouth in repetition at Eddie, not mocking Steve but instead insulting Eddie’s feet that he happily stretches across what should be yours and Steve’s seats.

He raises his eyebrows as you both hear a cabinet in the kitchen opening loudly. Eddie’s eyes don’t leave your face as he yells over his shoulder, “Everything okay in there, Charlie Brown?”

“Har, har,” Steve sarcastically replies, but only after a slightly concerning, long pause.

“I’m gonna go help him,” you whisper, finally standing and swatting at Eddie’s legs, “And when I get back, I expect my seat to be free of your smelly, sweaty feet.”

“Oh, come on,” Eddie leans his head back in laughter as you walk past him, rolling your eyes, “You know you love the stink, bab-”

He doesn’t get to finish the pet name as you reach out for his sorry excuse of a bun, giving a sharp tug that has him gasping. His hands are quick to wrap around the back of your knees, nearly tripping you. A small dispute begins, all slapping hands with no intention of inflicting real pain as Eddie lifts up properly, grinning brilliantly at the antics.

Steve enters the kitchen doorway at the sound of the rustling to find you with both of Eddie’s wrists clutched between your hands, you leaning down to glare at him as he continues to look up with his boyish smirk. He can smirk all he wants, but it doesn’t distract from the glowing flush of his cheeks, all the awe in his eyes. It’s almost as fruitless to hide as your own secret enjoyment of his pest-like behavior.

“Am I… interrupting something?” Steve awkwardly asks, shifting on his feet.

You open your mouth to say no, absolutely not, but Eddie beats you to the punchline, “Actually, yes. Someone here thinks it’s funny to pull my hair before buying me dinner.”

Sudden shyness, smothering embarrassment, floods your system as you quickly drop Eddie’s wrists. He revels in your reaction, dimples flashing as he reaches out once more to grab onto your thighs.

You’re too quick for him this time. Stepping outside of his reach effortlessly as you try to catch your breath. Damn him.

Eddie Munson is a flirtatious tease. It’s in his blood; he is a pest, he is a flirt, and he is one of two absolute banes of your existence.

The other just happens to still stand shocked in the kitchen doorway.

“Do you need any help with snacks?” you grumble as you quickly shove past Steve and into the kitchen. Your gaze stays down, unable to look at either of the boys in the eyes for a moment as you head straight to where Steve has placed a bowl of popcorn.

Some sort of silent exchange surely must be occurring behind you between them, but you don’t bother with glancing over your shoulder to confirm it.

“Hey,” Steve finally follows behind you, grabbing the bowl of candy to your right, “Is everything alright?”

Yeah, totally alright. Just feel like my heart could burst out of my chest every time the two of you tease me like that. Just hate the way I wish the insinuations held more weight. Just really, really wish I wasn’t so hopelessly infatuated with my two best friends. It’s fine. Just peachy. Totally alright.

You forgo the internal dialogue spilling out into the air between the two of you, only shrugging and saying, “Fine. Why?”

“Just making sure,” Steve plays it off as nonchalant.

Maybe you should have spied on their private interaction. You’d assumed it was just joking glances or further teasing words exchanged, but maybe it had been something more. Something serious – concern for you, possibly.

You really hope you hadn’t hurt Eddie’s feelings with the way you’d escaped the mortifying scene so quickly. It’d put a slight damper on what was clearly just meant to be a nice, comforting night filled to the brim with Halloween nostalgia.

Steve clears his throat as you pick up the popcorn bowl and face him, face contemplative over words not quite forming on his open lips.

“Are you alright?” you question now, brows furrowing and hills of wrinkles forming between them.

He stares directly at them for a second, more careful consideration, before whatever war raging in his mind comes to a standstill, “Can I ask you a question?”

Oh, no. That’s never a good question to hear from one of your guy friends. Even with pining, assumingly unrequited crushes aside.

“Sure,” you try to keep your voice steady, even adding a casual shrug to mask any signs of anxiety creeping in, “Ask away.”

Is he about to ask if I have a crush on Eddie? Would I even admit I have a crush on Eddie? If I admitted to my crush on Eddie, would it be awkward to follow it up with an ‘Oh, but, hey! I also have a crush on you! No biggie!’?

There was a good reason you’d never approached either boy about your feelings. Confusion. All the feelings were a confusing, tangled, head-ache inducing pain to navigate. Easier to swallow them down and lock them tightly in your chest than to rain down devastation on a perfectly good friendship trio.

“Is there…” Steve pauses, licking his lips nervously, moving the bowl of candy from one hand to the other as if trying to procrastinate finishing his question, “Is there something going on between you and Eddie?”

Oh.

Well, it’s certainly not the type of embarrassment you expected.

“What?” you laugh skittishly, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, like… are you two dating? Or, I don’t know – is there anything going on there?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Why are you avoiding?”

You both hit a stand-still, staring at each other with wide eyes. Your pupils are blown with fear of the exposure of your best kept secret, or at least half of it, but Steve’s seem to shine with something more. Like he knows something you don’t.

“I’m not avoiding,” you choke out, “Nothing’s happening between us. He’s always a flirt, you know this. Just last week, he was making jokes with you about how you could spit in his m-”

“Don’t remind me,” Steve cuts you off, cringing slightly, “That was gross. He was way too committed to that bit when he started trying to spit in my mouth.”

“You egged him on.”

“He ruined my appetite for a perfectly good strawberry milkshake.”

“You literally egged him on,” you laugh a little, glad for the subject change and that the spotlight was now on Steve, “Kept telling him he wouldn’t. You should know better than that by now.”

Steve only shrugs and begins to walk out of the kitchen, you following right behind.

He can avoid the topic all he wants, just as you tried to pathetically avoid the topic of there being anything between you and Eddie, but it doesn’t erase the fact that you’d never seen Steve Harrington blush before that night.

Maybe he was asking if you two were a thing out of jealousy. And oh, how ironic it would be if you had to sit back and watch Steve grow the balls to do something about his feelings for Eddie before you could. The two men that drove you insane, ending up dating.

The Universe is cruel, but you hope it isn’t that cruel.

“Took you two long enough,” Eddie dramatically sighs when you two re-enter the living room. He’s still splayed out across the couch, feet digging into the cushions as if for emphasis of him ignoring your request, “Thought I was going to starve to death out here.”

“You weren’t going to starve to death,” Steve scoffs. When he slaps Eddie’s shins, the older boy finally moves his legs, sitting up as the blanket falls partially off his lap.

“We can’t know that for sure.”

“I’m very sure you would have survived another five minutes.”

“Five whole minutes?” Eddie gasps, not letting the theatrics drop for one moment, “Jesus Christ, what the Hell were you two doing in there? Sucking each other’s faces off?”

Son of a fucking bitch.

You silently send up a plea to whatever greater power may be controlling the Universe, quietly insisting that both sides of Eddie Munson’s pillow are deathly hot tonight.

Normally, you could handle all the teases, all the innuendos. Hell, you’d even been able to handle a sudden influx of the behavior these last few weeks from both of them. So you can’t quite pinpoint why they all seem to get to you tonight. Maybe it’s the way they seem specifically targeted at only you, none of Eddie’s suggestive comments being spared for Steve tonight. Or maybe, it’s the way both boys seem to lock their gazes on you after each one, waiting patiently as they anticipate your reaction. Gauging the way your eyes widen, drinking in the way your breath quickens. Like predators with prey, it just feels like they’re toying with you.

You’re kind of grateful that you’re not watching one of Eddie’s normal slasher films tonight. At least Charlie Brown isn’t going to jumpscare you into one of them embarrassingly.

You haven’t responded yet, and Steve is clearly not about to entertain Eddie’s comment nor deny it shyly as he usually would. So you take a big breath, put on your brave face, and smile.

“Oh, yeah,” you curse the shake in your syllables, “I can officially confirm that Stevie is the best kisser in all of Hawkins. Congratulations.”

You end in flourish, matching Eddie’s performance with your own as you set the popcorn down on the coffee table and bow. When you look up, Steve is flush as Eddie smirks.

Again, not what you had expected. An eye roll from Steve, maybe some shock from Eddie at you keeping him on his toes.

The only person being kept on their toes tonight, it seems, is you.

Steve settles into the opposite end of the couch from Eddie before you can even fathom choosing a seat.

Damn it. Middle seat it is, then. Definitely not having an internal panic attack about this. Not at all freaking out.

The movie is already in the TV as you plop down between the boys, careful to not make direct contact with either. At this point, so much as a brush from their knee against yours would be equivalent to a terrible electric shock. You’re not in the mood for further teasing about being so skittish, or Eddie berating you for being scared of a movie like Charlie Brown.

You should have known better.

Eddie notices immediately, and instead of leaving it alone, he comments on it. Bastard.

“Why so far away?” he starts off teasing, throwing half of the pumpkin blanket he was using over one of your thighs. Immediately, his body heat becomes your own, and you scorn the way you want to lean into it. Press into his side, succumb to whatever shitty drugstore cologne he was wearing and the way his last cigarette is probably lingering to that stupid band t-shirt, “You’re not scared that my smelly, sweaty feet are gonna bite, are you?”

“They could,” you blandly reply.

Eddie and Steve share a look behind your head.

Your arms cross protectively over your chest, and you know it looks as if you’re pouting, but you swear you aren’t. You swim in the denial, telling yourself that the sourness in your mood is only a result of being on edge. It was just a bad week for your childish crushes – the quicker you get the stick out of your ass, the quicker you can return to normal, and the quicker you can ignore all your desperate temptations. All those silly butterflies and disgusting chills you get when Steve brushes up against you to grab something that’s just out of your reach, when Eddie throws an arm around your shoulders and his curls tickle your cheeks.

You’ll get over it. It’s fine. A perfectly cozy autumn night is no time to throw a pity party.

When you glance at Eddie as Steve is clicking his way through the movie’s menu, you catch him already looking at you. There’s no trace of his usual joking or relaxed boyish features. He looks genuinely scared, genuinely concerned that he’s upset you.

“Are you mad at me?” he whispers, straight to the point once he notices you looking back at him.

Immediately, you’re shaking your head.

You’re not mad at him. You’re mad about him. You’re mad that his hair looks so soft, and you always wish for more sudden vulnerable moments where he lets his guard down and your fingers detangle the curls. You’re mad that his lips look very kissable, even in the dead of winter when they crack terribly and he arrogantly turns down all your offers of lip balm. You’re mad that every time he laughs hard enough that he lets his head fall to your shoulder, a warmth impossible to shake settles in your bones.

And you’re mad for all the same reasons when it comes to Steve.

It is ridiculous. Stupid, reckless, foolish. Best friends don’t envision taking each other on cute fall dates. Best friends don’t look for every possible excuse to touch one another, to flirt with one another, to just be near one another.

You’ve fucked yourself over, really. Should’ve had half the mind to not fall for not only one, but both of your guy best friends. Idiot.

“I’m not mad,” you hoarsely whisper back as Steve frowns when his remote doesn’t work on the TV, standing to go manually hit play, “I’m sorry, Eds. I’ve just- it’s been a shitty week with work and stuff. I’ve been kind of a dick tonight. I’m sorry.”

Eddie visibly relaxes, moving to lay his arm on the couch behind your head. You do have half the mind to not freeze up at the proximity just as the side of his thigh presses against yours.

Don’t fuck this up. Don’t fuck this up. Do not fuck this up.

That giddy child within you that wants to write their initials with yours in a wobbly, pathetic goddamn heart is jumping with joy. Idiot.

“Don’t apologize for that, sweetheart,” oh, fuck him for that endearment, dripping with adoration. You hate it solely for not being the type of adornment you wish you could afford, “Tonight’s a perfect distraction. Just us, a fuck ton of candy, and Charlie Brown with his big ass pumpkin.”

“It’s called the great pumpkin,” Steve corrects as he returns to the couch.

“To-may-toe, to-maw-toe,” Eddie brushes off, waving the hand not resting behind your head currently.

As Steve sits down, you can’t tell if it’s accidental or deliberate that he chooses to sit several inches closer to you. Suddenly, both thighs are now pressed up against each boy at either side of you.

“Whatever,” he huffs, motioning across you for the blanket from Eddie, “Just share the blanket and shut up.”

And despite being in your own personal Hell, the first hour or so of the cartoon goes fairly smoothly. Normal joking, plenty of Eddie’s manners going out the window as he makes comments through mouthfuls of popcorn, subtle passings of Steve unwrapping your favorite candies before handing them over to you without a word. It’s nice. For a moment, it’s the perfect fall night.

“That’s you,” Steve reaches a hand across you to jab Eddie in the shoulder before pointing out Pig-Pen in his ghost costume on the screen, scribbled dirt around him bouncing about.

“Excuse me?” Eddie scoffs, leaning forward to properly glare at Steve. But there’s no hate there, only gentle joking and enjoyment flaming away behind dark brown irises, “I’ll have you know I showered for this, Harrington. Can you say the same?”

You laugh quietly, stuck in the middle of the arguing boys as your eyes stay glued to the screen.

“You showered? What a miracle.”

“Bite me, Charlie Brown.”

You finally pull your eyes from the screen of the kids excitedly sharing what treats they received, trying to not smile at the iconic delivery of a deflated I got a rock as you peer up at Steve’s pouting lips.

He’s pretty, even this close. Faded freckles that will rest for the dreary months until the sun beckons them back to the surface come summer, full brows that still manage to frame his honeyed eyes even as he furrows them deeply.

“I can’t hear the movie over you idiots,” you whisper as he locks gazes with you, “Shut up and pass me another Reese’s cup, will you?”

You don’t have to ask twice. Steve leans down without protest and does as you ask, going so far as to once more tear away the orange wrapper before he places the peanut butter cup delicately in your waiting palm.

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you, honey.”

The words are more sincere than you’re prepared for. You know he means it as he looks at you with hazel eyes full of a desire, a longing, you’re not used to. Lashes fluttering, corners of his mouth pressing downward but not quite in discontent. He looks impossibly handsome without even trying. Effortlessly, he’s taking your breath away. You have to remind your chest to rise and fall, to remind yourself that this is nothing more than a movie night with friends.

Be normal. Act normal. This is normal.

Except you feel anything but normal when Eddie’s arm falls from the back of the couch and around your shoulders. A clearly intentional move attempted to be brushed off as an accidental action. His skin strikes against yours like a match against grain, and the slow embers they’d been stoking for weeks now erupt from you in a field of goosebumps following the chill running down your spine.

You don’t react.

Not when his thumb trails over the top of your shoulder in soft, sweeping motions. Not when Steve’s head eventually replaces Eddie’s hand on your shoulders as he succumbs to the week finally catching up to him, and you become entranced in the scent of his minty body wash clashing with the soft coconut of his shampoo. Not when your own heavy head smushes uncomfortably against Eddie’s biceps and your own snores join Steve’s in a symphony barely breaking over the volume of the sweet cartoon on the screen.

Eddie doesn’t wake either of you that night. Even when he really should. The three of you don’t finish the final thirty minutes of the movie, but it’s still the perfect fall night for all of you.

Maybe you’ll untangle your feelings for the two boys come winter.

—

“There’s no way you can lift that.”

“Fuck off, Harrington. Your pumpkin from last year was double this one in size.”

“And I was still able to pick it up. If you can’t carry it, we’re not getting it. Simple as that.”

Normally, you’d butt into Eddie and Steve’s arguments. Probably inject a comment about how it didn’t matter because there’s not a single pumpkin here that would ever be bigger than either of their heads — something sure to set them both off until you commanded their silence. Normally, you wouldn’t be so quiet.

But ever since the night of the Great Pumpkin, your mind has been restless enough to kill off any words before they can fall off your tongue.

A cycle of overthinking and overanalyzing has been haunting you for a week now. The memory of Eddie’s fingertips pressing into the ditches of your knees, and that particularly heartstopping look from Steve as he’d so sweetly referred to you as honey. You told yourself you’d get over it, and the morning after had even been close to normal. You’d all woken up with aches in your neck from that uncomfortable sleeping situation on Steve’s couch, and Steve had even offered to pay for you all to just get bagels from your favorite restaurant a block away rather than destroy his kitchen in a mission to make breakfast. Eddie had ordered everyone’s coffee just the way they liked it, you’d repeatedly pointed out cream cheese on both boys’ upper lips repeatedly, and it had all been easy.

And then you went home. And once the first nervous replay of the night began, it turned into an endless cycle.

“The pumpkin has to be big for the design I’m doing, Steve,” Eddie continues to argue as he stands over a larger pumpkin on display. The boys had thought it’d be a good idea to visit the pumpkin patch today.

They’d been right, of course. The weather was beautiful, crisp and dipping low enough to warrant cheesy fall attire. It’s the type of weather where you'd been able to break out a flannel and beanie, all without overheating. Families were walking through the small farm’s selection of pumpkins, children’s calls of glee could be heard from across the bales of hay, a distinct smell of cider off in the distance. The scene was set for a perfect autumn day.

Except for your raging mind. That, unfortunately, had been killing the mood.

Steve looks at you desperately, a few steps away from the two of them. Just enough space that if their petty argument became too embarrassing, you could easily convince someone you didn’t know them, “Please talk some sense into him.”

You hesitate before you finally give in and walk closer to Eddie. Your eyes focus on the oversized pumpkin rather than him. It’s too dangerous to fully drink him in; between his red flannel peaking out beneath his leather jacket and your beanie he had stolen to tuck over his own curls after complaining at the cooler weather, he looked too inviting. Too soft. Rosy cheeks and rosy lips called to you like a siren prepared to drown you in all the want that had begun to brew within your body since the movie night.

“It’s a… big pumpkin,” you state in obvious observation. Eddie tries to work you with his doe eyes instantly, and you hate the way you can feel it working, “Steve’s right. If you can’t carry it to the car, how are we getting it into the house?”

“Steve’s strong.”

At the mention of his name, Steve crosses his arms. And damn him, because the way his own brown corduroy jacket is straining over his biceps also has you dizzy with yearning, “I am not carrying that fucking thing into the house.”

“Why not? You’re a big, strong man-“ Eddie starts, almost tauntingly with a wicked grin, making you finally step in between them.

“The bigger the pumpkin, the bigger the mess,” you point out. Steve nods in solidarity, but Eddie is obviously unconvinced, “Eds, I’m not cleaning up all those pumpkin guts this year.”

A look of betrayal crosses his face, mingling with long lashes and faded dimples, “I swear I’ll clean up after myself. I wouldn’t do you like that, baby.”

There it is. You’d gone this entire day so far without any of Eddie’s usual flirtatious approaches. It had almost seemed like the two men had finally reigned themselves in.

Clearly, they hadn’t. They were just waiting for the right time.

“Pack up the puppy dog eyes, Munson. You’re a terrible liar,” you mumble out, pulling your own jacket tighter around your body as you move closer to Steve. He hadn’t started any onslaughts of flirting. Yet.

The moment you get near him, he wordlessly drops his faux irritation at Eddie and opens his arms, beckoning you to step into his space. You almost hesitate, but it was normal. The three of you were always touchy, and it was never a problem before.

Maybe if it had been, you wouldn’t be in your current predicament.

It’s clear he had taken a shower before the outing as your nose smashes against his t-shirt, the clear scent of his minty body wash and coconut shampoo replacing the air of fall around you. His arms are quick to wrap around your shoulders, only encouraging your body to press further into him. And you let him, because he’s warm, and despite all your teasing of Eddie’s complaints about the weather, you agreed that the chill was particularly unforgiving today. Especially in the shady patches void of sunlight.

The only real sunlight seemed to emit from the boy wrapped around you. He’s all tousled shades of golden and leftover fatigue from the early waking to make it out to the pumpkin patch at opening. As he hums into your embrace, you choose to just appreciate it, revel in it.

Eddie is pouting behind you, but out of sight – out of mind.

“I’m getting this pumpkin,” he says decidedly, “Fuck both of you.”

“Would you say it’s your great pumpkin?” you murmur against Steve, letting your eyes close, wondering if it’s possible to fall asleep standing up in this position.

Only Steve laughs at your joke, and you can’t tell if it’s because only he found it funny or if it’s because only he heard your reference to the unfinished movie from the night before.

It doesn’t matter, because the entire moment is interrupted when an older woman who had been bearing witness to the entire interaction suddenly speaks up.

“Well, aren’t you two just the cutest couple?”

All the warmth leaves your body, each muscle slowly stiffening as Steve tenses. You almost convince yourself that she wasn’t speaking to you, that there was another couple standing somewhere nearby that were currently gathered in embrace for her to coo at.

And then Steve answers her, “Us? Oh, we, uh-”

“Aren’t they?” Eddie interrupts, mischief dripping off each word as you slowly lift your head and open your eyes back to the grey day, “So in love it makes me sick to my stomach.”

Steve coughs up a few more syllables of protest, but Eddie has already done the damage. When you turn to face the lady, she’s wearing a brilliant smile, eyes crinkling at the corners as she looks at you and Steve in glee.

“Oh, I still remember that feeling,” she continues, a cloud of pure nostalgia glazing over her eyes for a moment before she looks to Eddie, “Don’t worry, dear. You’ll find it one day too, just like your friends.”

Eddie snorts. Easily mistaken as possible annoyance, inherent jealousy. Only you and Steve know better.

“We…” you begin, trailing off when you look up at Steve and see him brimming with hope. You expected discomfort, you expected irritation at whatever game Eddie was playing – you didn’t expect optimism at the prospect of you two being perceived as a couple. The ending to your sentence dies on your tongue, and you choose a polite response instead, “Thank you.”

Was there any real harm in letting some little old lady believe you two were in love? Probably not, especially considering the way she lights up and your faux admission satisfies her. An exchange of have a good day sends her on her way, and she never catches the way Eddie hunches over in laughter once she’s out of earshot. She doesn’t catch Steve Harrington blushing red or the way his arm swings out to smack Eddie in his chest, and she never notices the way you stand in the same place Steve left you, cold and confused and… disappointed?

No harm, no foul.

It was all a joke, anyways.

And that’s all it will ever be, even as you linger back and watch your boys continue their banter, all the while a hollow ache questioning just why the prospect of all that puppy love and youthful oblivion is so funny between the boys. Why the idea of one of them being yours, is so damn funny.

You kind of felt ridiculous. Even more ridiculous than Linus had been, waiting in that pumpkin patch for some great pumpkin to appear. You wish it were just silly children tales and blind hope at play. Your great pumpkin was a little more twisted, a little more complicated; an impossible choice, a gnawing conundrum you will never unravel.

If you could make a choice, it might be easier.

But why would ever need to make a choice when all it will ever be to the two boys who have come to plague your every waking thought as nothing more than a joke?

Eddie gets his great pumpkin, and Steve ends up carrying it into the house that day. You’re the only one to return home with more than just empty arms.

—

Halloween parties are the perfect recipe for disaster.

Spiked cider, struggling fog machines, loud replays of Monster Mash, and a small crowd of half-assed costumes. Every other year, your friends had thrown this type of ‘spooky’ themed get-together, and you would enjoy every single moment of it. Quite literally, every single moment – from the terrible and impromptu karaoke sessions to the ridiculous apple-bobbing contests that Argyle always excelled at. It was always a night full of light, a night full of laughter. Something to leave your chest feeling fizzy as it would always end surrounded by all your favorite people, particularly Eddie and Steve.

This year, it feels like more of a burden.

You’re feeling like something hollow, something monstrous – no costume required – as you stew in quiet misery for the first few hours. The movie night and the pumpkin patch visit have left you feeling something new. Something that had grown claws and growled to be recognized in all its painful yearning and pitiful pining.

Steve questioning you about having something more with Eddie had driven a knife into your chest, and the prospect of being seen as a couple with Steve had torn it free of your ribs. Not quite bleeding, but not quite healing, you’d been haunted by a series of what-ifs that stole away hours of sleep and any time of relaxation you’d normally seek as all the leaves changed colors.

What if you wanted something more with Eddie?

What if you wished that you and Steve were a couple?

What if you could never make a choice?

The allusion of a choice to be made still dangled on the forefront of your buzzing cortex. It still felt just as ridiculous as the first time you’d realized you’d been experiencing more than platonic feelings for your best friends; like a child outside a candy store, without money and without hope to go home with any of the sweets that made your mouth water. Everyone could see you staring in through the windows, you swore they could, and they were probably silently mocking the way you drooled. It was stupid.

It was putting a real damper on your entire mood.

“What’s up with you?” Robin questions finally as she walks up to where you sit on the balcony of her shared apartment with Nancy. At some point, you’d decided the frigid chill of the night would be a better place to soak in all your misery.

“What do you mean?” you blandly ask, not even looking up from the railing your eyes had focused on.

Robin joins you on the garden couch, shifting the flimsy seating a bit from the force of her throwing herself down dramatically, “I mean, why are you out here all alone? And why have you been so quiet tonight? Did something happen?”

Straight to the point. One of the reasons you liked Robin – her lack of a filter was something you’d always seen as more of a gift rather than a curse.

“Nothing happened,” you shrug, head feeling light despite the storm that had been brewing for nearly the entire month now. Your fingertip trails around the rim of the now-warm bottle of cider you’d been nursing after chugging two previously. You wanted to be drunk. You wanted to down enough alcohol that you wouldn’t even remember Steve and Eddie’s names by the end of the night.

“You’re doing that thing they do in the movies,” Robin notes, finally making you look at her with raised eyebrows, “You know, where they say nothing’s wrong but it’s all… sad,” she waves her hands erratically through her ramble of an explanation, one hand clutching her own bottle of beer. You can see the condensation through the lowlights and simply know her adult equivalent of apple juice is far cooler than yours. Probably tastes better, too, “Like, something is obviously wrong, but you’re gonna make me work for the answer.”

You laugh under your breath. The silence is filled with static noises of night; you can still hear the chatter of your friend group and whatever Halloween-themed song they were playing over the speakers through the shut sliding door, an orchestra of insects hum their complaints through the dark apartment complex, a soft whistle of the fall breeze rustles all the trees lurking in the shadows.

She’s right. It’s dramatic, it’s stupid, it’s ridiculous – and she’s right.

You sigh out and feed into your theatrics as you fall back against the cushion of the couch, finally matching her slouch, “Have you ever watched the Charlie Brown Halloween special?”

“What?” she scoffs, no trace of rudeness in her remark but rather confusion, “You mean the one where all the kids are trick-or-treating, and that one weirdo is waiting for some magical pumpkin king with that other girl? What does that have to do with-”

“I feel like that weirdo,” you interrupt, staring straight ahead, “Like Linus. Just standing in a pumpkin patch and waiting for some great pumpkin that isn’t going to show. And I know I look silly, but a part of me really believes, y’know? I just can’t stop waiting for something to happen that might never-” you cut yourself off with a sharp breath. That wound in your chest, the one only you can see, throbs. Not bleeding, not healing. Just yearning as you correct yourself, “For something that won’t ever happen. Ever. There’s no great pumpkin, and I just end up looking like a fool.”

Robin’s silence is unnerving. No amount of sounds of the night can blanket over the discomfort begging to bubble over.

“I think I’m just drunk,” you try to save yourself, “I’m sorry, it’s dumb-”

“What’s your great pumpkin?” she asks carefully, “What are you waiting for?”

The alcohol must really be having an affect, because your loose lips are finally moving to their own accord.

“Eddie and Steve.”

She scrunches her face, “What about those dinguses?”

“They’re my great pumpkin.”

You’re clearly nonsensical as Robin shifts to lean forward, entering your blank line of sight, “Are you…. Like, you want them to get together? Sorry, I’m not really following here, Linus.”

The nickname almost makes you smile. Almost.

“I mean, not really,” you try to forage your brain for the right words to explain, but there’s no poetic way to put what’s been on your mind, “I like them. Both of them. Have for a while now, but it’s… it doesn’t really matter, anyways.”

You’re drunk enough to not hear the tapping on the sliding door. And if Robin does, she makes no move to react to it, still focused on you.

“You like both of those idiots? Oh, thank god,” she almost sounds relieved, and your head snaps to her direction.

You still don’t see the figure standing inside the doorway, moving to open the door.

“Thank God?” you laugh humorlessly, “I am not thanking God. It’s miserable, Robs. I like them both so fucking much, and I just- what am I supposed to do with that? They’re my best friends, and I should know better. Besides, liking two guys at once can never work out. What am I supposed to do? Shove them into a room with me and go, ‘oh, hey, I like both of you. And I can’t choose, so I’m just going to make you live with that. Also, Eddie, lay off the flirting, because it sort of makes my heart stop and my chest all tight. And Steve, please don’t call me honey, because it also makes me feel all terribly weird. But also neither of you ever stop either of those things, because I might keel over and die if I’m not receiving all your affections, platonic or otherwise.’”

Your admittance all comes out in one breath, saying exactly what you wish you could say to the two boys. You don’t care how foolish you sound to Robin right now – the cider has taken care of all your shame.

It’s just nice to say it outloud.

Very nice, in fact, until movement behind Robin catches your eye, and you realize you had not been alone during your ramble.

Eddie.

“Oh, fuck me,” the normally internal dialogue comes out as a sigh, eyes wide in stricken fear as Robin turns to face your own waking Hell.

“Welp,” Robin’s very helpful reaction tries to break the tension to no avail, “I… I think I’ll leave you two alone. I’ll- Yeah. I’m gonna go.”

She jumps up before you have the chance to reach out and stop her. Your hand aches to just wrap around her forearm, to beg her to not leave you alone to burn with all your shame and embarrassment, but she’s gone before you’ve even moved a muscle.

Her seat vacated, and in her absence, Eddie takes her place.

Kill me. Kill me now, please. Have mercy on me-

“So…” Eddie begins, fiddling with his hands as he looks down at his lap. In the shadows, you don’t see the ghost of a grin on his lips, “You like us?”

“If you’re about to make fun of me,” you state flatly, bristling in your seat, all liquid confidence beginning to evaporate, “I’d rather you save me the embarrassment, and just kill me. Make it quick and painless, please.”

All your pity partying was easier to swallow than this. You liked your brooding solitude far more than the acceptance that Eddie had just heard your very mortifying speech, liked the assumption that you might have been upset with the boys more than them knowing the truth.

Eddie throws his hands up in surrender, “Not making fun of you. I swear.”

“Well, if you’re about to reject me, can you also make that quick and painless?”

“Who said I was rejecting you?”

“I know it’s fucking weird and I just ruined everythin- wait, did you just say you’re not rejecting me?”

You were so convinced that the outcome would always be bloody, always painful and bitter, that you hadn’t prepared for this. You had a hundred and one speeches prepared about how you agreed with the boys, how you were all better off friends and how you would reassure them that in a few months’ time, you’d be able to get over the silly crushes.

There were no practiced words on the tip of your tongue for the instance in which they found out and reacted well.

Eddie continues to grin under the lowlight of the porch light, looking at you sideways, not a single glimpse of him running from this evident.

“I’m not rejecting you,” he repeats himself, shuffling a bit closer on the couch, “And I’m definitely not making fun of you.”

You’re a bit speechless still. He’s close enough that his shoulder brushes yours, his knee briefly bumping the side of yours in an attempt to get you to look at him. Like a moth to the flame, you dare to turn your head, to fully take in the proximity.

“You did hear everything I said, right?” you can imagine the way the scent of cider mingles with your breath as you whisper softly to him. You almost consider grabbing what’s left of your third, or fourth possibly, bottle and just chugging as you had done with your previous drinks.

But being drunk would be a penniless attempt. When Eddie is looking at you like this, there is no amount of alcohol that could combat the sobering effect he has on you. The chill in the air hadn’t done it, the lingering smell of a bonfire somewhere in the distance was futile – but those big, brown eyes shocked you right out of your inebriated state.

Endless. They were endless in entertainment, in bewitching, in calling out to the wound in your chest. The gash might even be bleeding finally at this point as your heart hammers and your bones threaten to break.

“Every. Single. Word,” his lips spread thinner as he punctuates each word, corners of his mouth upturning to impossible heights, “Are you sure you don’t want me to stop all my flirting? Because, by all means, I can. It would be a shame, though, considering I was right.”

You hardly notice the way you’re leaning in closer to him, “Right about what?”

When he meets you halfway, own body succumbing to the gravitational pull you possessed and had no idea of, you finally note the further lack of distance.

“Right about you liking us,” his breath hits your chin as he sighs, “Right about the fact that you don’t squirm every time I joke about kissing you because it makes you uncomfortable. At least, not in the way Steve always assumed,” he pauses, body slowly angling towards yours. The only symptom of his nerves you’re able to catch is the hard swallow, as if he’s keeping all his fears at bay before he continues, “I need to ask you something, and this time, it is not a joke.”

Maybe the creators of Charlie Brown should have let Linus drink. Then, he would have seen his great pumpkin, just as you were now.

“Ask away,” you expect it to come out as a stutter, to falter and trip over your request.

But you don’t. Even in your fuzzy state of mind, you’ve never been more sure of what Eddie is about to ask of you.

“Can I kiss you?”

Your reply is half an eager nod, half a pathetic mumble of please. The moment Eddie has your permission, his lips find yours, sour from cider and sweet from candy.

It’s better than your overactive imagination had been able to conjure the last few weeks – last few months. Once you two find some sort of broken stride, an exchange of lips and teeth and tongue that feels right, you almost scold yourself for having sat in fear for so long. You should be mulling over the way this wouldn’t end well, the way this was too good to be true, but you can’t. When your fingertips tangle up the sweaty curls at the nape of his neck, and his own hand rests gently around your throat as he pulls you closer, you don’t second guess anything.

You’re kissing Eddie. He knows you like him, knows you like Steve as well, and he’s kissing you.

Right around the time you’ve nearly found yourself in Eddie’s lap, and all the air in your lungs has been stolen, the sliding door to the balcony opens again. You don’t want to break apart from Eddie – you think you’d rather take another metaphorical knife to the chest than do so – but he’s quick to separate without giving you a choice.

If you weren’t so terrified of coming across as something too needy, a greedy animal full of whines of protest, your lips would have chased after him.

Instead, your eyes flutter back open to find Steve Harrington standing behind Eddie, eyes wide as they can go as he takes in the scene he’s walked into.

In an instant, you jump backwards, putting distance between yourself and Eddie as a symphony of curses ring through your mind like alarms, “Steve.”

Eddie has the nerve to merely smile.

“Nice of you to join us, big boy,” he calls casually over his shoulder as Steve walks further out onto the balcony. Your heart is still beating out of your chest, realizing what Steve had just witnessed.

You fucked up.

“Steve, I didn’t-” you start to try to defend yourself, but it feels a bit useless as he looks right at Eddie, almost as if awestruck.

“Robin came and got me, what the fuck happened?”

You wish you could wipe the floor with Eddie’s smugness, momentarily forgetting all the emotions he had just pulled from you with a simple kiss as he smirks up at Steve, “I was right.”

You try to anticipate Steve’s reply. A play by play of a fight that might break out, a rejection still waiting to happen, a punchline that had yet to land.

His lack of reply is almost worse.

He glances down at you, eyebrows quirked in curiosity as all the hurried energy leaves him in slow spurts. His shoulders drop in relaxation, near relief, and a soft smile plays at his lips. Once curled fists now unfurl, subtly swiping away sweaty palms on the sides of his denim-covered jeans. Every action, every smoothing over in his anxiety, sends you sinking deeper into the cushions.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” you mutter, shrinking under his gaze.

“Because he was right,” Steve takes a slow step forward, still underplaying his smile, “Because that shithead was right, and you like us.”

It hadn’t occurred to you that they had discussed this. It was never a possibility in your mind that they’d also been running over scenarios, considering their own what-ifs all the while you’d been losing your mind.

But it makes sense.

Why else would they have continued to flirt with you this way? Why else would there have been such a steady progression in how far they were willing to take all the jokes, all the bits? Months of memories flash before you, and the final click into place occurs when Steve drops into what little space was left on the other side of you. It forces you to scooch over, press even closer to Eddie, leaving you to be completely sandwiched between the two men tightly.

There’s still a little bit of bravery left somewhere in you. Just a spark, but enough to have you looking at Steve with determination.

“Hey, Steve?”

“What’s up, honey?”

Eddie’s squeak of laughter doesn’t go unnoticed. But you refuse to react and lose this momentum.

“Can you kiss me?”

If you were reading this entire scenario correctly, drunk or not, the answer would be yes.

No choices necessary. You could have your cake, and eat it too.

Steve looks past you, over your shoulder and at Eddie, “You’re drunk, honey-”

“It doesn’t matter,” you insist, “I promise, I want this. Sober or not. Just…” you falter finally, taking a deep breath. Steve’s cologne, Eddie’s last cigarette lingering on his jacket, and the crisp autumn air fill your lungs. “One kiss. Nothing more. I swear.”

“You really gonna make her beg, Harrington?”

“Fuck off,” Steve’s softness when it comes you isn’t extended to Eddie, sending a warning glance the other boy’s way, “The only reason you’re not on my shit list is because you’re also plastered.”

“I’m not plastered,” you and Eddie say in sync.

Just like that, the high-rise tension has broken. Eddie rests his chin on your shoulder, clearly no longer afraid of the closeness that had become a normal before the ‘unfortunate’ overhearing of your admission. His arms wrap around your waist, pout on his lips as his temple leans against your hair.

“You’re lucky you’re both cute, you know that?” Steve muses, shaking his head softly.

You’re both cute. The sweet amusement nearly stitches up the once gaping hole in your chest immediately.

“You gonna kiss her or not?” Eddie’s voice is loud in your ear despite his low volume, chin moving against the apex of your shoulder, “Because if not, my lips are growing awfully cold-”

Steve’s hand lifts and thumps Eddie’s forehead immediately, loud enough for you to hear the impact as he leans off of you dramatically, letting out a groan of complaint.

You almost turn, a bit too eager to witness theatrics you’d normally roll your eyes at, when Steve’s palms cradle your cheeks with unexpected softness.

“Hey, look at me, yeah?” he barters. And his wish is your command, your attention wholly his as you look at him worriedly. Although the sentiment of him hesitating to kiss you while drunk was sincerely endearing, you don’t know if you could handle any form of rejection right now.

You bite your lip, and Steve’s thumb is quick to come and tug gently below your mouth, forcing your bottom lip to be freed from between your teeth.

“One kiss,” he says sternly, brows furrowing, “I’ll kiss you, mostly because I’m a selfish bastard who’s terrified you won’t ask again when sober, but we are talking about this in the morning,” he leans back a little, and looks at Eddie pointedly, “All of us.”

“Stop stalling and kiss h-”

Eddie never gets to finish his sentence.

Steve kisses differently than Eddie, and you’re not sure if it’s because he’s more sober or if that’s just how it is. But it’s something you’d like to learn; you’d like to memorize the patterns of both their lips, the differences in the touch of their hands as they pull you in deeper, the comparison of Steve’s stable and sure hands versus Eddie’s shaking and coloused ones.

Steve is a generous kisser, a follower at your beck and call. He lets you set the pace and lead the way. You control when the two of you pull back for air, when his teeth graze at your bottom lip, when he lets out soft and pretty sighs into the kiss. He’s all sweetness, none of the sour you’d tasted on Eddie’s tongue to be found.

Just like honey.

How fitting.

When Steve finally takes an inch of control and releases you, formally ending the kiss and leaving you just as breathless as Eddie had, you swear you’re seeing stars. You’re dizzy with want. You wish you hadn’t chugged those beers, you nearly consider getting down on your knees and begging both men for more. They’ve given you what you’d craved, and more, but you’re a selfish animal. Prepared to dig in your claws and call for more than you bargained for.

“One kiss,” he reminds you when you lean in for a second. He’s smiling like he might let you get away with it if you really pushed for it, though.

You play innocent instead, leaning back until your back nearly bumps into Eddie’s chest.

“One kiss,” you nod, fighting back a smile as you look at the man before you.

A great pumpkin indeed.

“You know, I don’t have a one kiss policy,” Eddie sighs from behind you, and you can feel the way he throws himself back on the couch.

When Steve rolls his eyes, you truly believe he’s about to only offer a snarky reply rather than what he does instead.

He places a warm palm on the center of your back, encouraging you to lean forward with care before he’s reaching out for the collar of Eddie’s shirt and dragging behind you for a quick kiss.

You nearly break your neck just to witness the tail end of it all.

“There, happy?”

Eddie is just as shocked at you, flushing scarlet all the way down his neck, sinking beneath the collar of his t-shirt.

“I- Uh-” he stutters out, at a loss for words, “Y-Yeah. I- Yeah, very happy.”

“Good,” Steve seems satisfied as he guides you back into place, practically manhandling you to lay back in your seat so that your shoulders are comfortably pressed to both his and Eddie’s side, “Now, here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to go back in there, enjoy the party with our friends, and you two drunk idiots are going to stay out of trouble. And then come tomorrow morning, we’re going to get breakfast, deal with your absolute monsters of hangovers, and… talk about this,” he pauses and vaguely gestures at the three of you with a small smile, “Capiche?”

“Aye, aye, capt’n,” Eddie murmurs as you whisper back an echo of “capiche”.

“Yeah?” Steve questions again, catching your eye with a smug smile.

“Yeah,” you nod, speaking up a bit louder as you decide to take one last daring risk, “I do have one last request, though.”

“Hit me, honey.”

“You know, she allegedly hates when you call her hon-”

“Shut up,” Steve cuts Eddie off, focus on you and only you, “Ignore him. What’s your request?”

You look between the two boys, realization settling heavily as you recognize that this is real. You had yearned, you had pined, you had wanted until every nerve-ending in your body had ached, and now? Now you have them. Technicalities aside, you had gotten all that you had craved.

And to think you’d assumed you’d be waiting until winter to unravel all that now sat in the palm of your hands.

“Can we have a movie night?” you ask, a bit meeker than intended, “Maybe… I dunno… finish that Charlie Brown movie?”

Eddie’s laughter from behind you is music to your ears, and the smile that spreads across Steve’s cheeks should be hung up in a museum for your perusing whenever you please.

“Yeah, of course we can,” Steve assures you, a hand coming down on your knee, “Right, Eds?”

“I suppose,” Eddie sighs. His arm is on your shoulders, just like that first night, and this time you let the match ignite.

Honestly, the flames had engulfed you long ago. You just wish it hadn’t taken you so long to succumb to their warmth reflected in the brown eyes of the boys on either side of you.

The three of you do rejoin the party. Finding a bit of enjoyment now that you aren’t drowning in your pity party. Steve is right in his prediction of the hangovers – it might be one of the worst you’ve ever had the privilege of experiencing – but after a very sincere talk with your boys (including an only slightly grumpy Eddie, it’s worth it.

And when the three of you do finish your movie night, this time shamelessly cuddling up and sneaking kisses between sweet scenes, you can’t help but giggle at Linus finally seeing his Great Pumpkin.

At least you know yours is the real deal, especially when Eddie is the one to fall asleep this time in the final ten minutes, his head in your lap and Steve’s hand tangled in his curls.

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rorichuu · 6 months

Text

𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 ; 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐱 𝐭𝐚𝐯 — 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐨𝐟: 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭 .

pairing: gale x fem!reader

ratings: 18+ … general smut, aftercare, lots of comfort at the end, and softdom gale. <3

authors note: hello again! writing a part 2 per request… and i know that part 1 was gender neutral, but i only really know how to write for female readers when it comes to smut. (i’m sorry!) you can also read this without reading the first one.

You felt your eyes begin to rest under the fires softened glow, the heat soothing every muscle and sore as if an apothecary… sleep caressed and cooed your tired body, but as much as you reach for it, a thought remained lingering in your mind. The thought of Her gaze upon him; her cosmic love unmatched in comparison of you… whether you were conscious of it or not, a frown hung sadly on your lips. You wished not to think about it.

Footsteps tread quietly behind you, and with your eyes still locked with the dancing flame, a man rest beside you… you jump in response to the figure. “Gale!” You exclaim, your hand reaching your mouth in reflex as if to silence your pronounced volume. Gale let’s out a laugh, hearty and genuine… the crow’s feet that compliment his eyes are flattering to his features… yet you begin to smile at your own foolish behavior. “You nearly gave me a heart attack, you old trick.” You speak with your eyes tethered to the ground, your hands fiddling as he observes you. Though you could not see it, he felt a small smile tugging at his lips. You were beautiful, even if you weren’t aware of it. His silence alerts you, and without expectation, your eyes find his… suddenly, you’re locked in… the sort of calm that hushes over you, your heart beginning to thrum as he adores your every feature. It was if he knew of your sorrows; as if he could see through you, like glass. Some part of you was somewhat annoyed of his empathy… of his immediate intuition that something was off. But with the way he looked at you with subtle admiration, he swept you right back into his comforting hold. His eyes never turn away.

“Gods, you’re beautiful,” his whispers left without thought, your mouth opens, if only to hang agape. The wizard’s eyes started to travel, his eyes lidded as he wore a love-stricken look, something he could not hide. Gale notices the scars that adorn your skin, the imperfections he deems ever so perfect; from where you frown, he loves… and will love deeply, if you’ll have him. You begin to shrink in his sight, the heat on your cheeks not being of source to the fire this time. He reads you like an open book, and his eyes twinkle in his knowledge. “You know, there is one thing that I am most certain about, Tav.” Your ears prickle at your name, turning to face him; you tilt your head in response. “That, however, this whole debacle ends… I will always go back to you.”

“Me?” You respond, seemingly surprised… despite the argument that prevailed before sundown.

“Oh, yes, my love. You,” A small huff of amusement concludes him, words spoken truly; for he’d never feign his love. Gale spoke matter-of-factly, wearing his signature smirk and lidded eyes… the familiarity in his gaze eased your rhythmic heart. “You touch a part of my soul Mystra could never tread. Not even close.” His tone began to wave into a whisper, noticing your dejected expression from… well, assuming, by his own sentence. Gale dipped his head down to catch your fallen eyes. “What’s the matter?”

“Am I truly what you want?” Shocked by your words, Gale furrows his eyebrows, as if he was trying to convince his own intruded mind that he heard you wrong.

“Where is this coming from, my love?” He began to shift where he was seated, the arm which he rested on was now pushing him away. He was currently facing you from where you lay, arms wrapped around your torso and hugging yourself close… he was on his knees, a hand rested upon your thigh, he leaned in with concern. Gale had hoped to comfort your anxious mind.

“You mention Mystra,” you speak, her name spoiling your tongue with distaste. The wizard’s expression began to harden, understanding slowly. “It’s as if I could never hold candlelight to her. Who am I if you had bedded a goddess?” The tone that cursed you caused your words to break, a familiar burn in your throat. The man’s heart began to crack, each time you spoke of your worthiness to him he wanted to refuse till his vocals gave out. Somehow, he would do just that.

“You were right before, Tav,” he spoke quickly now, shifting himself to capture your face into his hands, legs on either side of you. “She… blinded me. Blinded me before I knew my own independence… where you believe you don’t find worth; I find the purest of beauty. Of strength within your softest hand.” Relief speckled your adored gaze. The brunette brought his hand up from your cheek, thumb caressing your heartaches away… you lean into his touch. And though Gale wished to kiss your every feature, he pursued an alternative. “Come. let me show you something.”

Gale stood from his position; hand reached out for you to take. Upon accepting his resolve, the two of you strayed from the crowded camp, others left oblivious to your own departure. With your lover leading the way, your head leaned back; gazing up at the stars that freckled the night. A smile lifts the corners of your mouth, a purple and faded black mix with the moonlit sky’s stunning excellence… you could get lost in reverie.

“My love,” your head falls back down, catching sight of Gale once more. His hand is reaching out to you, inviting you. Your smile never leaves, and neither is your wandering hand as you entangle your hand with his. Those puppy brown eyes melt with yours; he holds you close… as if you would leave. But he needn’t worry, for your shared love is infinite within your lover’s watch. Gale takes your hand and presses it against his exposed chest, robe threatening to fall open. “Let me show you what I feel for you. How my heart forever beats for yours alone,” Slowly, Gale trailed your hand more so down his robe, motioning for you to undress all the same. Hesitation was caught in your throat, the sudden fear of the others hearing your shared intimacy. The wizard noticed this, his hand releasing yours. “We don’t have to go through with this… if this isn’t what you want.” Gale’s eyebrows lift in a quiet worry, wrinkles caught between his brows.

“No,” you refuted quickly. “I want this, I want you… but what if the others see? Or hear us?” With your whispered breath, he chuckled lowly. Heat bit at your cheeks.

“With you?” His eyebrows raise slightly. “Couldn’t keep quiet if I tried, love.” With his last words, your hand reached up and through his robes with haste… a whimpered moan leaving his throat as you kissed him. Wherever you had placed your hands seemed to satisfy Gale in all the right places, the man practically shivered with every touch. Your lips continued to explore his, the taste; the touch; the love. Since you and Gale had made love within the weave, he had never truly felt you... the stimulation of your warmth had him completely dizzy. An addiction with no means of quitting.

With your inviting touch, your kiss was broken with his lips, soon to meet your neck with sloppy kisses… the sensation driving you for more. Your hands had found his naked waist, robes and clothing discarded with impatience, your nails then trailing the curvature of his back as he held you. Gale shivered, breath shaking as he pulled back. His eyes were lidded, darkened with the need of you, he was drunk over every touch. You knew what you were doing.

Your hands continued to trail up his spine, his jaw clenching as your nails began to graze his neck. He growled a low and primal rumble, your touch intoxicating from his deprived body. A soft smile presents itself to you; humored by Gale’s sudden touchiness from you alone… but with the way his grip dug into your hips, you began to suspect he wanted more than just scratches. His eyes fluttered open, hazy eyed and starving.

Gale swiftly caught his hands beneath your thighs, lifting you to wrap your legs around his waist, in which you followed. With a quick flaunt of his wrist, a bedroll was laid beneath them, shimmered with a purple flourish of his summon. Gently, he laid you down, kissing you as if you’d disappear; devouring your every taste as his hips rolled into yours. Soft moans escaped your throat, thighs wrapping around him to get any closer than you already were… Gale let out a deep grunt, biting his lip to suppress any source of noise of his pleasure… but as you continuously rocked with him, your hand lifting his jaw. “Just like that,” you whispered, his half-lidded eyes lazily locked with yours, your voice enough to drive him insane.

Gale had then bucked into you, head dropped down to catch sight of your hips, the twitch of his length deprived of your warmth; coated in your pleasure. He lifted his hips to meet your core, your throat caught. “Gale…”

“I have you,” he whispered, one hand massaging the side of your hip. “Look at me.” With his command you followed, your arms wrapped around his neck as he slowly gave into you. You bit your lip as you threatened to break eye-contact, Gale’s never leaving as your cunt pulsed against the base of his cock. A whimper erupted from your throat as you arched against him, Gale beginning to nip at your neck with every thrust… your hand flew to your mouth, suffocated in your own suppression. “Gods, Tav… Move your hand, now.” His pace became brutal, hips breaking you in as you cried... but your hand never left your mouth, thighs twitching around him as you grew weaker. Gale lifted himself upward, both hands locked beneath your ass as he pulled you into his lap. The man now had full control of you. “I said…” Before his sentence could finish, his hand collected your wrists and held them from you, leaving you at your most vulnerable.

“Move. Your hands,” Within his command, you were revealed completely, desperate moans left with no defense. Gale quickened his pace, hips rutting against yours. “Think they can hear you? Hear how good I make you feel? Fuck… I bet they can.” His jaw clenched as he felt himself begin to unravel, his words meeting the pulse of your core, a cry leaving your throat. “Come on…” He beckoned; hands wrapped around your wrists as he let his hips pound into you. Your back arched, thighs clenching around his waist as a grunt left his throat.

“G… Gale, gonna… gonna come,” as you babbled on, Gale ignored you. “Gale, please!” As you begged, his hips began to slow, a twitch of a smile cursing his lips as you cried. Within those few seconds, he sped up and slowed to your misery. You pouted, hips moving in the desperate need to come… but he refused with his loosened grip on your wrists, your hands falling beside you. “Fuck-fuck-fuck, please… please, keep going.”

“I need you to be good and wait for me, hm?” He spoke sweetly, rolling his hips inside you painstakingly slowly, your eyes prickling with tears from the feeling. “Think you can go one more time for me? I know you can.” Gale was torturing you now, with every twitch of your hip, he’d press your stomach down. You whined. “I know, baby.”

“Please.” Your voice was no louder than a whisper, lipped in a pout as he leaned down to kiss your frown away. And slowly, he began to move his hips back into a pleasurable pace.

“Mhm,” he lowly hummed, resting his forehead against yours, one hand placed on your hip and the other beside your head. The air was filled with heavy breath and the ruffle of the bedroll beneath you, your hands digging into Gale’s back. With every thrust of his hip, you moaned his name in the prettiest of cries. Gale took in your every breath with his kiss, swallowing your moans. His pace began to quicken, the feel of you tightening around him was about to send him over the edge… Gale had then hit that perfect spot. Pleasure ran through you, the arch of your back meeting with Gale’s chest. His hand began to travel up to the arch of you, marveling in your incomparable beauty.

The wizard felt the coil of his stomach tighten, whimpering at the feeling of sensation. Your breath’s quickened, your voice only in touch with Gale’s name… your hands reached up to the nape of his neck, forehead’s pressed against each other as Gale held you tightly. A cry erupted from your throat, your body begging for release… and one you would receive. The wizard was quick to kiss you as he felt himself release inside you, a low groan escaping with your moans by the lock of your lips. You parted, breathing heavily as his eyes fluttered open, catching you lay limp underneath him. His heart fluttered, a smile overcoming him. “My love.” Leaning down, he kissed your collarbone, peppering you with the sweetest of love as he slowly pulled out… not wanting to overstimulate you more than you already were.

But as Gale had kissed you, he then noticed a shiver coming from your body. Curious, he looked up to find tears prickling your eyes. His heart began to quicken as his hand caressed your cheek. “Tav, what’s wrong? Are you alright?” He asked quickly, keeping his voice to a whisper as you nodded quickly.

“Yes. Yes, I’m alright,” you whimpered back. You noticed Gale deflate with relief. “Just… feeling a lot.” Gale had then understood, as much as the man could understand with what you had given him. He nodded and smiled empathetically.

“Well,” his hand cupped your cheek. “Whenever you feel best, I’ll wash you at the river. How does that sound?” As gentle as his voice sang, you could easily find yourself resting beneath the sky as you were… but the coo of the creek lulled you in with its calm waters. You smiled and nodded, sniffling as your arms wrapped around him once more.

The hug you shared was warm and tender… your chest quivered and hiccuped with feeling, and Gale held you with just as much in return. You two had laid there in passing moments, the frequent ‘I love you’s passing between you two. It was simple, but it was perfect.

Your arms began to loosen, and in return, Gale began to lean upward. “Ready?” He asked, and you nodded.

The man looped his arms beneath you, lifting your body against his as he carried you to the river ahead. You laid limp against him, body weak from the love you shared. You found comfort in the rise and fall of his chest. A smile graced your lips as you two laid back-to-chest within the chill of the waters; you shivered. Gale laughed, holding you close to him as he kissed your shoulder.

“I love you.” Gale hummed, his chin resting on you as you fell back into him.

“I love you too.” The rest of the night was quiet… a comfortable silence that lingered with the two of you, even in the retreat to bed. It was in the way he washed you, his hands brushing your skin with ease and patience. The way he had carried you to and fro after your shared love that night. Even when he had not spoken of poetry, declaring his eternal love to you in words beyond the limits of his vocabulary… it was in the way he’d hold you.

Love is limitless. Shown in more ways than one, through the speaking tongues of the lovesick; in the patience of time with one another… to even the parting. If you look, you will find love within every spectacle of your life. And you have found yours within the heart of a particular wizard.

A wizard who will love you far beyond the reach of time. .

rorichuu!

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galebrainrot2024 · 4 months

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Gale Seeking Godhood Part VII PATH 2

Wow. This took longer than I expected because it needed to be done justice so I couldn't rush it. This is choose your own adventure, Path 2 and conclusion. Path 3 will be coming soon!

Enjoy!

CW: Death

GALE'S POV

The letters blurred before his eyes, Gale brushing his fingers against his eyes and brought away wetness. Was he crying? What time was it? Gale blinked deliriously, realizing he must have fallen asleep at his desk, now waking from a horrific dream.

Gale could not shake the feeling that the nightmare left in his gut. It was a dream that was so evocative it gnawed at him - it felt real. One that ruins the rest of a day.

The dream started with you stood on the docks of Boulder’s Gate, the Chionthar just on the horizon. In the dream you stood between him and Raphael midbattle for the crown, and you - you stepped between them, desperate to help as Gale launched an attack. Gale’s heart lurched and he felt the bile rise in his stomach. The image was worse than he could endure.

Gale uttered, “Dolor” - the disintegrate spell intended for Raphael - but it missed. Before he woke from this nightmare, the image of you dissipating to nothing but dust was engraved into the darkest crevices of his brain. Gale heaved, the violent sob shaking him. What was he doing?

For six months Godhood was his focus. He was so close to achieving his goal - he should be elated, shouldn’t he?

The last three months spent in isolation took a massive toll on him. With not even Tara for company, Gale had never felt so alone. He hadn’t heard from her and ignored the constant communication from his mother. Although Godhood was within his grasp, the power of the celestial tempting, there was a deeper yearning.

The dream shook him to the core, the blind quest for power and its consequences rushing over him all at once. How he had nearly killed you, how poorly he treated you, how poorly he treated Tara. It made him feel sick, disgusted with himself - he was no better than the Gods. He had no excuse and he felt a new determination plant its seed.

***

YOUR POV

You are sitting on the docks when Tara finds you, something strapped to her collar. It is a warm night, a night that makes the sky blaze a brilliant pink and orange. The clouds look like puffy treats, as if you could pluck them from the air. A cool breeze off the water whispers through your hair.

“It took me long enough to find you,” Tara huffs mind-landing and brushes her ears with her paws as she settles. You start by the sound of her voice and yelp. “Oh, my apologies, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’ve been give quite the task - Gale -“

“Don’t,” you said, holding up your hand as your expression darkened. “I’m not interested in having my heart ripped out over and over, thank you. I cannot help you. I will not help him.”

“If you’d stop talking and listen a moment, perhaps you’d be inclined to hear what I have to say. If you insist on a closed mind, however, so be it. No wonder you an he got along so famously.”

You grit your teeth and close your eyes, inhaling. You know if she asks for assistance you will not help. The better part of you is silenced by your curiosity and you indulge, “Fine.” Tara let out a forceful puff, indicating her displeasure. Her tail swishes and you take the warning. “What is it Tara? You came all this way, the least I can offer is to listen.”

Tara seems assuaged and continues, “Gale wanted me to give this to you.” Tara looks at her neck and you raise a brow. “Yes, that.” You gingerly take the tightly rolled parchment, written on an impossibly small piece of paper.

“I owe you more than simple apologies… I have been a sorry excuse for both a man and lover, and my behavior has been beyond inexcusable. I know I am not worthy of your time, company, or forgiveness. And yet - I write to ask for it. However long it takes, I will be here, waiting for you. -Gale”

You feel the blood rush to your face, tears pricking at your eyes that begin to fall in large drops onto the parchment. You see your fingers trembling and Tara notes gently, preparing to take flight: “He forgot to note he surrendered the crown to Mystra.”

***

You wait, absorbing and processing what you learned. You’re not sure how much time has passed since you received his letter. Not only did Gale want to see you, speak to you, he had surrendered the crown to Mystra after all. You fight yourself, unsure of how to feel - as if two parts of your soul tugged at the opposite ends of a rope.

Your curiosity wanted to indulge this meeting, as did the part that desperately still loved Gale despite everything. Your logical mind, the one that wanted to protect you from further harm scolded, warned against the idea, warned against seeing him and indulging him when he hadn’t chosen you at the start.

Gale wrote he would wait as long as it took - did he mean that? You are about to test that theory.

When you arrive in Waterdeep, Tara informs you that Gale is out - teaching - and wouldn’t be back for a few hours. Although you insisted you should leave, Tara refused and warned if you did not that she you would force her hand. You have no intention of finding out what that means.

You sit for a while in the main hall, sunning yourself like Tara, not wanting to pry. As boredom and the nerves of seeing Gale ate at you, you decide to wander. You allow yourself to explore. You climb the iron stair to his study and the door opens with a click. It looks as it did the last time you were here and you inhale, a sharp pang coursing through you at the memory.

You walk around the large oak desk, your fingers trailing across the smooth finish and you furrow your brow. Across his desk are all images - drawings. Some are crude sketches, some self portraits and a few of Tara lazing in the sun or playfully chasing a conjuration. A majority, though, shared the same subject.

You.

The first you notice was of the moment you pulled him from the portal. You are startled by how life-like it appears, gazing back at what feels like a reflection. There are dozens more, all memories Gale had of you - and some of a future yet to happen. You trace your thumb over the images and feel weak, collapsing into his chair your resolve evaporating. On some of the sketches are brief poems, words of both lament and love. Of a yearning that was visceral and you feel it deep in the marrow of your bones.

“Oh,” your head shoots up and you and Gale lock eyes for the first time in months. “I didn’t - how are you?” He says breathlessly, although he hasn’t moved from the threshold in the door. He holds a pack, reading glasses a top his head and his gaze bears into you. You stumble as you stand and Gale lurches forward instinctively, “Are you alright?” Your breath catches as you realize the Gale you knew, the one you loved - the one you thought was a casualty of his ambition - he’s here before you now. His eyes are glazed with tenderness and something unconditional.

“Yes, thank you,” You murmur and he clears his throat and steps into the room awkwardly, as if this is yours and he interrupted you in your own space. He stays on the opposite side of the study from you, seemingly hesitant to approach. You step to the front of the desk, closing the gap between you marginally. “You wrote.”

“I did,” Gale breaths and begins to rub his chin, “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again. To be clear,” he said abruptly, “I am very glad to see you. I’m a bit shocked actually so please excuse my ineloqunece at present.” You see his face bloom crimson as he maintains eye contact with you and you feel your cheeks respond with a similar heat and you give a wry smile. You forgot how endearing this clumsiness was. It was so raw, so genuine - a part you hadn’t seen in some time. “I am so grateful you came.” Gale took a tentative step forward to test the waters. You allow it and he sighs, his eyes brightening and he takes another.

You hold up a hand, crossing one arm across your chest. “Why did you ask me here?”

Gale swallows and rubs the back of his neck. “How much did Tara tell you?”

“Hm...” You toy with how much to tell him, if any thing at all and decide on the truth. “Only that you surrendered the crown to Mystra.” You see Gale’s expression drop for a moment, his eyes swimming with shame. It makes your chest tighten and stomach clench, your hand reaching out subconsciously though Gale is too far to touch.

“Ah. Yes, okay. Shall we sit?” Gale gestures to his balcony and you follow, eager for the warmth of the sun and the sound of the waves lapping against the docks. You sit side by side, your knees brushing against each other and Gale combs a hand through his hair, looking out onto the horizon. “I…” he looks down and chuckles, “I wondered whether to share this bit with you - considering how much you sacrificed and did for me, it feels somehow… silly and unfair that this is was the final slap in the face I so clearly needed.” Your body quakes with adrenaline, your fight or flight in full gear and you bite the inside of your cheeks to ground yourself. “Do you want the long, sordid story or just the important bits?”

You purse your lips, and say, “How about you tell me the important bits first, and then we can decide if I indulge you in the rest.”

Gale gives a somber lopsided grin. “Very well. Raphael paid me a visit - a personal visit from a devil is not something to be encouraged, as we know. He told me that my having of the crown was for the best - that ambition was a delicious sin for an immortal to wield. At first I thought it was hyperbole, his usual dramatics -“ Gale pauses, looking at you, “I had a feeling that I could not shake, though. What if he was right? What if, despite my best intentions, I corrupted everything? More than just the Weave, more than the heavens - but all in this space and time. That what if ate at me.” You feel yourself smile. Gale is still incapable of telling a short story. Gale seems to realize this, noticing your look. It makes him blush and laugh, “Ah, you did say just the important bits. But this is all important, really if you think about it.” You smirk and gesture for him to continue, not wanting to influence his story telling. “It happened the night before I uncovered the final incantation. The dream, I mean. It felt so real…” Gale’s voice drops and he leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he holds his mouth with his hands for a moment.

You watch him and he sighs before sitting up again and turns to face you and takes your hands in his. Your breath hitches and you feel the rush of heat flood you. His hands are warm, familiar and it makes your soul ache for him. You allow him to take your hands, chasing the adrenaline of him.

Gale continues: “Raphael had paid me a visit at this point and I… well, as you might imagine wasn’t exactly in the best of health. I was exhausted. You… I…” Gale’s body shudders and he breaks eye contact with you for a moment before returning to yours. His brown irises are swallowed by black pupils and you feel your lips part. The world seems to slow. His gaze is overwhelming and his tone is one you’ve never heard from him.

“I killed you. I watched you evaporate before my eyes.” You tense and Gale quickly continues, sensing your discomfort, “The spell was meant for Raphael and you… you stepped between us because you were trying to help. You were trying to help me.” You feel a weight crash down upon you and all at once Gale’s hands are on your cheeks and you feel your hands raise to cover his. Gale’s eyes are misty and his touch ignites you. “It wasn’t real, but I felt it forcefully. I have put you in such danger, harmed you more than I can forgive myself for, and the idea of that nightmare ever becoming a reality was too much to bear. A world without you… at my own hand… that’s no world worth being part of. I am ashamed at what I was willing to give up in pursuit of vain hubris. I am so, so sorry. More than words can express. And I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness and still I ask for it. I will do everything in my power for the rest of this mortal life and beyond to be the man you saw in me from the beginning. I love you.”

You drink in his words and feel his hot breath against your lips, your vision blurred by how close your faces are. Your mind stills and you say, “I think we have work to do,” you see Gale’s shame for a moment, before you say, “but I’m willing to let you try.”

You take a breath and Gale grins, tilting your head as if wanting a kiss, “May I?” Your lips part and you nod. When Gale kisses you it’s as if it would be the last. As if he had never had the opportunity before. As if you had died and this was just a dream. Gale kisses you in such a way you cannot doubt the sincerity of his intentions and you allow yourself to melt into him.

#gale of waterdeep #gale dekarios #baldurs gate 3 #bg3 brainrot #gale #god gale #bg3 gale #gale x tav #baldur's gate 3

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toast-tales · 2 months

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Cursed Cravings, Chapter 3: Master of the House

In which Danny meets the ever-so-charming owner of the strange mansion, and gets offered a deal to save her friend. Contains: ~2.1k words | Chapter 1 | Read this story on A03!

At least screaming was out of the question, not while she seemed to barely be able to breathe in the first place. This was surreal. This wasn’t normal. But your eyes could only play so many tricks on you before you had to accept that what was standing before you was not an illusion, but a reality you had to face.

And face it she would.

“Hey,” she said simply, wondering if the giant man could even hear her from all the way across the entryway. Surely her voice would be nothing louder than the squeak of a mouse to him. “I’m looking for my friend Nathan. Someone…said they could help?”

If I just talk to him like a normal guy, it’s less scary, right? He’s just a normal guy. Danny was at least quite adept at taking her own fear and crushing it up into a ball, shoving it under the rug of feigned confidence. She forced her own stiff posture to loosen, her arms crossing over each other in as casual a manner as she could manage. A small part of her wondered if she should address him more formally, because based on his dress and the state of the manor alone he at least seemed important, but she didn’t know how rich people talked to each other anyways. She’d never gotten so much as a glimpse of high society, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have the patience for it. Certainly not now, when she’d been traveling all day in the cold and had nearly reached the end of her rope as it was.

The giant chuckled, taking a few more steps toward her before he stopped in the middle of the room, and though he was still a ways away, Danny still had to crane her neck upwards just to meet his eyes—dark, and dancing with humor along with an upturned smirk on his face. “Slow down there, doll. We haven’t even introduced ourselves yet.” It wasn’t the same voice she’d been hearing before—he spoke with a low, quiet pitch, each word articulated clearly and deliberately.

She repressed a grimace as best she could at the way he addressed her—despite her current stature and every survival instinct in her body, she felt the urge to punch him right in the gut.

He gestured lightly to himself with a graceful arch of his fingers against his chest. “My name is Christopher Penn, and I am the lord of this estate.”

He did not, however, ask Danny for her own name. Instead, he took a few more steps toward her and, so quickly that she did not have enough time to form an initial protest, he bent down and picked her up, placing her in his palm as he rose to his full height again.

For just a moment, she didn’t think about the fact that she was a hundred feet off the ground. All she could focus on was the absolutely unparalleled, brazen gall that this man had to just pluck her off the ground like she was some child’s toy. Her lips curled in an unfriendly snarl. “I don’t care who the fuck you are, but you’d better ask next time you try and pick me up like that.”

Being a little closer to his face now, she made note of the fact that this guy’s stupid big nose did look incredibly punchable. If only there wasn’t a hundred-foot drop between her and it.

She forced herself to keep her glare fixed entirely on Christopher, to prevent herself from looking down or showing signs of panic. She did not think about how strange it felt to have the warm surface beneath and behind her consist of a man’s entire hand, or how she could feel every groove and crease in the skin that her own hands pressed against.

“It’s not very becoming to begin a conversation with such vulgar language.” A sharp grin told her he was only amused by her antics, though, not offended—even so, he tilted his head, almost as if her behavior confused him as well.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she hissed. She was liking this strange giant less and less every time he opened his mouth. “I must have forgotten my manners midway through the air. Is that from the same rich person etiquette book that says it's okay to pick up people without asking?”

Irritation and anger were a great distraction from fear, and so she leaned into both now, regardless of the consequence. She had some small amount of pride to maintain, and quaking before this man in terror would only serve to shatter what remained of it.

He chuckled—a deep sound that she could almost feel travel through her body, now that she sat in his palms. “Sarcasm, hm? I’m impressed by your bravery. Most people tend to prefer screaming and running.”

“Oh, you’re telling me screaming is the usual response people have to you? Gee, I wonder why,” she said dryly. “Must be your natural charm.”

His sharp eyes flicked over her, a hint of their humor dulled slightly. “You said you were looking for your friend, correct?”

“Yes,” she groaned, exasperated. How many times had she said as much since finding this place? It was beginning to feel like the question was being deliberately dodged. “My friend, Nathan Hayes. He was traveling this way earlier this morning, and his horse returned without him. Have you seen him? Whoever spoke to me outside seemed to know where he was. Maybe you can just let me talk to them instead,” she grumbled quietly, trying to dampen her distaste for this stuck-up rich bastard as much as possible in the interest of acquiring any sort of help in finding Nathan. She couldn’t very well bite the hand that fed her—or, more accurately, picked her up and carried her at a height that would make even a high-flying bird a little nauseous.

Her instinct was to lash out at people who talked down to her, but even she knew when she needed to swallow her pride.

Something inscrutable passed across Christopher’s face for a moment as he seemed to absorb her words thoughtfully, as if she’d given him some clue in a particularly interesting mystery he was trying to solve. And then he gave her that sharp smile again, a grin that tipped just a little further than cordiality normally permitted. Yet it still didn’t reach his eyes—which regarded her in a strangely calculating, detached manner.

“There’s no need for that,” he remarked impassively. “Your friend is here.”

For just a moment, her irritation faded away to the overwhelming euphoria of relief, like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her and washed it away in an instant. Nathan was here. She’d found him. He was—

Why was he here?

As suddenly as the relief had come, she covered it with a heavy cloak of suspicion, something beginning to claw at the back of her mind distrustfully. “...and you’ll take me to him, right? He’s safe? …we can leave?”

She didn’t like the idea of traveling at night, no, but she was in no rush to accept hospitality from this man, either. She would feel much better once all this magic, giant weirdness was far behind her, a forgotten tale she could think back on as some kind of fever dream brought on by the cold, or the fact that she couldn’t remember when she’d eaten last.

Christopher, to her dismay, lifted Danny a little higher so that she no longer had to tilt her head back to look at him straight on.

“I’m afraid not.”

Anger wasn’t even the first emotion to flare up this time—she was completely baffled by such a stark response that she was rendered speechless for a moment, staring at him with her mouth slightly agape. “...why?”

“Your friend came here uninvited this morning, trespassing into my home. His punishment is to remain here in my service, as long as I require him.” Christopher’s smirk turned to a more matter-of-fact expression, like the humorless countenance of a lawyer. “So no, I’m afraid I can’t let you leave with him at this time.”

A heavy weight sank to the very pit of Danny’s stomach as she listened in disbelief. Nathan was here as this guy’s…what, prisoner? Slave? She didn’t believe for one second that what the giant said was true—Nathan wasn’t the type to impose on others. He’d apologize for someone else bumping into him on the street, there was no way he’d wander into someone’s home uninvited unless he was desperate. And even then, Danny wasn’t sure he wouldn’t choose freezing to death over being an inconvenience to anyone. Why would he have stopped at this house anyways? Had he gotten hurt? Had he been looking for help? He certainly wouldn’t have broken in.

“...bullshit,” she hissed, a righteous anger rising up in her. If she had been at all confident in her footing, she would have attempted to stand up and take on a more intimidating posture, but she would take the slightly undignified position of sitting in Christopher’s palm over the much more undignified falling onto her face in his palm, or the loss of all dignity entirely by plummeting to the floor in a humiliating splatter of shame and stupidity. “You expect me to believe that? Nathan’s a good guy, he wouldn’t break into your stupid house.”

She set her jaw defiantly. “And even if I did believe you, he was probably desperate, or lost, or needed help. Are you really that fucking selfish, punishing someone instead of helping them? As if he’s in any way actually a threat or a burden to your sorry giant ass?”

Nothing she said seemed to even make a dent in Christopher’s uncaring expression, her insults and slights at his character seeming to fall on deaf ears. His smile twitched and his eyebrows raised in mild contempt. “You’re quite bold, you know. Speaking like that to someone of my standing. And to a giant, no less.”

His free hand came up to pluck her off of his palm, effectively pinning her arms to her sides in his grip so that she couldn’t even scratch and claw at him like she suddenly quite desperately wanted to. She could only thrash about uselessly, though her violent movement was quelled slightly as her feet made contact with nothing but air. As she dangled in front of Christopher’s face, she realized that his grip was the only thing keeping her from a horrifyingly long freefall.

“A less patient man might not tolerate that kind of talk,” he muttered dangerously, his thumb pressing lightly against her collarbone and forcing her to meet his eyes, which remained lightly amused despite the darkened tone he’d taken on. “But, luckily for you, I’m rather generous, and I’m nothing if not fair.”

She only glared at him in response, an absolutely twisted and poisonous scowl distorting her face. Words seemed almost too good for this bastard, and so she took on a disdainful and stubborn silence instead.

His grip around her loosened slightly, still restricting her movement and keeping her firmly from falling but no longer forcing her neck into an uncomfortable position. This must have been his supposed “generosity” at work.

His eyes narrowed slightly, assessing her with an even, shrewd gaze. “I’ll make you a deal. You stay in his place, and I’ll let him go free. How’s that, doll?”

She would have spat in his face if she were closer. Instead, she seethed silently, though a frightened worry began to cloud her thinking. She hadn’t even seen Nathan yet, but the description the other voice had given her had been uncannily accurate. That couldn’t be a coincidence. And while this giant could be lying about a lot of things, Danny was very aware that she had little choice but to believe him. She couldn’t very well overpower him, or even escape on her own now.

She refused to let her mind linger long on the choice—when her own life and wellbeing were weighed against that of her close friend, the rocksteady, kind, and loyal companion she’d known for years, who’d taken care of her through thick and thin like she were his very own sister, the decision was as easy as breathing.

“My name is Danny, you smarmy bastard. And if what you say is true, I’ll…”

She swallowed the last bit of her pride, closing her eyes for a second in one last act of defiance so she didn’t have to look at the rich prick’s face when she spoke.

“...I’ll take his place here. Just let. Him. Go.”

The giant smiled—a wide, cocky smirk that showed too many of his teeth for Danny’s liking. “Deal.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Next chapter ->

We still haven't seen Nathan. Hopefully he's okay?

Thanks for reading, and see you next week with chapter 4, Small Mercies!

#cursed cravings #itwom #itwom au #beauty and the beast au #g/t writing #vore writing #vore stories #g/t stories #nonsexual vore #sfw vore #soft vore

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cyclesprefectpress · 10 months

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[image description: 7 photos of a letterpress print, the formes of wood type, and the relief linoleum block used to print it. The print illustrates in orange a pair of human hands holding open a snarling dog's mouth; underneath in yellow are parts of the dog's skull and spine. beside it in burgundy, printed from rough, large wood type, is the text: "Something about the way I hold my teeth makes me prone to biting myself." The forme of handset wood type is assembled in the Vandercook press bed letter by letter, with more pieces of wood, lead, and steel as spacing between each letter, word, and line of type. end description.]

Some of me is freed from tension having finished this one. I have been turning images like this over and over and trying to suss out what they mean and then, at the dinner table, my sister said nearly these exact words for completely unrelated & normal reasons and I did a jerkwad Artiste behavior of scrambling for a piece of paper and writing it down in the middle of the conversation. I’m genuinely sorry, sometimes I am a stereotype of my profession and my mind is not present with you when we talk. It is somewhere else thinking about mammalian bite strength. 16x16 inches, cream BFK Rives. This was one of those Audience Of One (Who Is Me) projects when I was designing it, BUT I did make an edition of 25 (plus a couple slight misprints). Etsy or message me if u also wish to have this mood for your home :)

wip 1 : wip 2 : wip 3 : wip 4

#letterpress #letterpress printing #handset type #wood type #linocut #linoleum block #relief printing #printmaking #finished works #ask to tag #i had. great difficulty photographing this color paper. sorry!!#i promise it is a beautiful shade of cream even if it looks dry on your screen :(

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teaveetamer · 2 months

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I really don't want to be rude and I'm sorry if it appears that way, but why are you still engaging in all FE discourse? It's clearly not making you happy.

There's many cool project to focus on for FE ( there's a Blue Lions fanzine coming up!! ), and even outside of FE, I'm sure there's many games that could be to your taste? Idk if you already played it, but Baldur's Gate 3 has nearly everything cool FE have while being a really good game!

Discourse make us all miserable and we often end up doing things we regret, if not just for the time wasted talking to asshole. I know how it is, I was there before.

Blocking people and tag then moving on sometimes is for the best ( even asshole like Raxis, he might have stalker-ish behavior but the best that can be done is ignoring him ). I was sad to see your profile bc of random discourse, I would love to find you the same way but this time for speaking of something you love.

Anon I’m going to take this in the best possible faith here, and no I’m not assuming you’re being rude

1) I do have a blog which is ENTIRELY dedicated to just talking about things I love. It’s called my main blog, which used to be linked to this one, but I had to remove that link after one of the more deranged members of the fandom chose to follow it and comment pro-genocide stuff on my fun polls about which PNG is the sexiest. I also still write fanfic, livestream, participate in niche-r discord severs, and run several side blogs and accounts for events and tournaments, none of which I advertise heavily here because, again, a subsection of extremely deranged fans of a particular character seem to take it as an invitation to be extremely deranged.

2) I made this side blog explicitly to quarantine fandom negativity from my more positive endeavors, and frankly I have been trying (key word trying) to wind down its usage for years now because, frankly, I have better things to do and I don’t have that much more to say about 3H itself anyway but…

3) I have blocked the losers who are engaging in this kind of behavior. The problem is that they do not respect that block and continue to stalk, harass, and repost the things I say anyway to various social platforms, which has led to death threats made against me (among other things) because they are unwell beyond anything a block button can fix.

And 4) since I am not the only one these people do this kind of thing to, I figure the least I can do is warn people of their deranged behavior by using what little platform I have here.

So anon if you want to see me do something I enjoy, chances are you’ve already seen me doing it even if you didn’t realize it was me. And if you would like to see this blog stop posting, I highly encourage you to call out dangerous fandom behavior such as stalking, death threats, false accusations of pedophilia, harassment, etc. when you see it.

And sorry this took me a few days. I spent most of the week with a nasty sinus infection and I spent all my energy Thursday on going to work and class

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0nlythrowharrybeaux · 2 years

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Keep Driving - Part 2**

FINALLY! This part is really long but theres a wee bit of angst, tons of fluff and the long awaited smut!

WC: 10k

PART 1

It was Sunday and Y/N had called Harry in the evening saying she wasn’t feeling up to an early day the next morning and despite her saying that she was fine, he knew something was wrong. She didn’t sound sick, but she sounded off. She hadn’t said anything about their breakfast being cancelled, she just mentioned cancelling the hike, so in the morning he bought stuff for pancakes, including tons of blueberries and other ingredients and then he headed over. He arrived around 11am and saw her car wasn’t out front like it usually was, so he called her and she answered after a few rings.

“Hey!” He said cheerfully.

“Hi Harry, what’s up?” She asked sweetly.

“Ummm, maybe I should’ve called first… I’m out front at your place, but ummm your car’s not here. I definitely should’ve called you before coming out.” He thought aloud again, feeling a bit foolish and defeated at his failed kind gesture, “Bought stuff to make pancakes.” He explained and she smiled.

“Ummm, I am home it’s just that my car’s at the shop actually.” She explained, she sounded like she was in the middle of something.

“Oh. Well, you sound preoccupied, I can go if I’m intruding?” He said and she sighed.

“No, I’ll be out in a second.” She assured and hung up.

Y/N felt and looked a mess. It was day 3 of her period (day 2 & 3 were evil twins from hell in her experience) and on top of that she had gotten a call on Sunday afternoon that Matti had a really bad fall. She was worried and she tended to internalize and keep to herself when bad things happened. She reached the gate and opened up to see Harry in some shorts and a hoodie, in his true fashion, with a tote-ful of groceries on his shoulder and a warm smile on his face. She on the other had had her hair up in some messy updo, she had been cleaning all morning, and was in an old boyfriend’s t-shirt and shorts.

“Don’t even hug me, I’m all gross from cleaning all morning.” She warned with a chuckle as he came closer and he rolled his eyes.

“Don’t care about that. But fine, but you owe me.” He said as he followed her back to her little house. She nodded, but was quiet and it made him feel like he had intruded. As he stepped inside she guided him straight to the kitchen, still in silence so he decided to just say something.

“Made some strawberry lemonade if you want some.” She said first, opening up the fridge and he grabbed her hand resting on the handle, making her stand straight and turn back to him.

“I can leave if you’d rather be alone. You just sounded off yesterday and I wanted to surprise you, but sometimes you just need space.” He reminded and she sighed.

“No, seeing you is really nice, Harry. I probably need it, so thank you for coming over.” She reassured him and he sighed, trying to decipher if she was being honest or not. Did he do something wrong? Was she not into him anymore? Was he being really overbearing? He felt confused and he was trying to figure out the reason for her behavior right now, “I’m being honest, Harry. It’s just…really hard for me to let people in when I’m… having a hard time.” She nearly gritted out, it was even hard for her to explain this to him, he could tell it was hard for her admit that she was having a rough day.

“Well you don’t have to share what’s going on, you know? I’m not gonna pester you about it if you don’t want to talk about it. Can just distract you with my delicious pancakes.” He offered and she smiled at him, “Have you eaten?” She shook her head ‘no’ and looked down at the ground before speaking up.

“Matti had a fall, a serious one.” She disclosed and he frowned upon hearing that, “Her daughter called me yesterday afternoon and told me that she fractured her hip, forearm, and elbow. And she got a concussion.” She said.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry…”

“I just get really worried, you know? She needs surgery for the hip fracture.” She explained, “And with COVID no one’s allowed to go visit her, not even her own kids. I was able to get through on the phone yesterday evening, but she was sleeping.” She explained and Harry nodded, she started rambling a bit, “Either way, I’ve just been feeling really anxious about the surgery and I tend to clean when I get like this. But I don’t typically eat because I just feel sick when I’m anxious and then I’m like hangry! It also doesn’t help that I’m on day 3-”

“Day 3?” He butted in and she brought her hands up to her face and groaned.

“Forget that. I’m just-”

“Oh!” He said when realization struck him.

“Ughhh, none of this is your problem.” She mumbled to herself and he grabbed her hands, pulling them from her face to be able to see her properly.

“No, technically not.” He said as her eyes bore into his, “But I care about you and I can be here for you if you want me to.” He offered and she looked away, “I can also go if you need space.” He reminded her again.

God, he was so sweet? It was absolutely disgusting. She thought to herself.

“Don’t go. I-I want pancakes.” She said looking back into his eyes, “Your pancakes.” She clarified and he smiled. He wanted to hug her so bad, but he knew she wouldn’t let him right now.

“I can do that. I can get started, I know where everything is,” he said and she nodded, “You can go have a nice hot shower so that you can feel a bit more relaxed.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that.” She agreed as he squeezed her hands in his, “Need to clear out the dishwasher though-”

“I’ll get that, don’t worry. You go and just take your time.” He assured her and she smiled up at him, her eyes were filled with emotions and all the words she wanted to say were somehow stuck in her throat.

“OK. I’m gonna go before I cry. Thank you for coming over, I needed this. Needed you.” She admitted and brought his left hand up to her lips and kissed the top of it and he smiled timidly at her before she hurried off.

Harry cleared out the dishwasher and prepped everything for the pancakes. Even made her a blueberry compote to put on her pancakes, even made extra for her to have leftover. It had been close to thirty minutes when he heard a shriek. His heart raced and he burst into her bedroom and knocked on the ensuite door.

“Are you alright?” He asked through the wood and the door swung open and the steam from her hot shower billowed out around him and when it cleared he saw her wrapped in a bathrobe with a smile on her face.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I just got excited because it worked!”

“What worked?” He asked.

“I saw this cleaning life hack on TikTok about how to avoid your mirror from getting foggy and it worked!” She said, pointing to the perfectly, fog free mirror behind her.

“Oh wow, that’s kinda sick actually.”

“I know! I’ll give you a note with what to do.” She said and he nodded.

“Well, I’m about to put on the pancakes, how many do you want?”

“Three. Maybe four…”

“I’ll make four just in case.” He chuckled and she nodded in agreement. He looked her over once more and she felt her face growing hot, “I’ll ummm, let you get dressed.” He mumbled before hurrying out and she bit her lip. Harry shook his head and closed his eyes tight as he tried to think of anything that would help ward off getting a stiffy right about now.

By the time she had emerged Harry had plated up everything quite nicely for them and had set everything up on the little dining table she had inside. She was more than thrilled to eat and she felt her eyes tearing as he relayed that there was extra blueberry compote for her to use later on. Y/N was raving about his pancakes which booted his ego. After they ate she started to was the dishes since he had cooked, but he insisted on helping her dry. She then reached for the spoon that was sitting in the container of compote and dipped it into her mouth to clean it off. He chuckled as some dripped down her chin and she giggled as she cleared her mouth.

“It’s really good, OK.” She complimented and he giggled again as he saw her chin and bottom lip still smeared with it.

“I can tell. It’s all over your face.” He teased and she ran her tongue along her bottom lip to clear it, “Still got some on there.” He sniggered.

“Help me then instead of laughing at me.” She commanded and he nodded and turned her towards him. He glanced down at her mouth and chin as he brought his hand up to lift her face towards him. She was fully expecting him to wipe at it with the hand he had put on her face. But then he was leaning down towards her and kissing her chin before lightly running his tongue against it to clean up the compote. Her heart was hammering in her chest at this and then his eyes trailed back up to hers before slotting her bottom lip between his lips, sucking on it a few times before she just reached over and turned the tap off. His lips moved onto hers, capturing them in a slow but sultry kiss. She let his tongue dip into her mouth where they made out for a bit until they pulled apart to breathe and he breathed out a chuckle.

“Sorry, I didn’t even ask-” her lips cut him off and then she pulled back.

“It’s alright. I like kissing you.” She whispered with a coy smile.

Once they finished with the dishes they were sitting on her couch, her head resting on his shoulder as a movie droned on in the background and she just started talking to him about Matti, well her full names was Matilda, and she shared some of the stories she had told her. Including the one about how she had ended up in Los Angeles all on her own.

She hadn’t come from a very good and loving family. Her mother never failed to remind her that she was a mistake and when she remarried and had other kids Matti watched how her mother tended to them and cared for them, something she never had. Y/N explained to him the cruel and demeaning things they did to her and she just let it happen because maybe if she stuck around and did what they wanted then her family would love her. When she was old enough she had, had enough and moved to L.A. She wanted to act, she ended up getting a few supporting roles and met her husband on a set, she traveled the world with him, they had their kids, and lived full lives. She was involved in her community in many ways, she had even been awarded for it several times, Y/N had said.

“Did she ever see her family again?” Harry asked as his hand caressed Y/N’s thigh.

“She said her step-siblings reached out when their mother fell ill. They wanted her to care for her, but she said no. She did pay the funeral expenses though, is what her daughter told me. I asked Matti if she regretted not seeing her again and she said no. She always told me that the family we choose for ourselves is just as important as the one we’re born into. She’s like a grandmother to me I guess and the thought of losing her and her love and her wisdom… it hurts me to think of that. It’s just so incredible to me that someone who never got that kind of love growing up still has so much of it in their heart for others. I aspire to be like her.” She said quietly and Harry hummed.

“She sounds like a lovely person.”

“Yeah and her kids are just the same… all of the love in her heart went to them and she finally got it back. It’s people like that who make the world a better place, I think.”

“I think so too.” He whispered as his thumb stroked her knee tenderly.

**********

“Hold on guys, gimme a minute.” Harry said stepping out of the room upon seeing Y/N calling. It was Tuesday afternoon and his day had been extremely productive so far, so he wasn’t deterred from taking her phone call int he slightest.

“Hey you!” He exclaimed excitedly as he picked up.

“Hey, I have a little problem.” She said through a giggle, “My car’s having issues again…” she giggled in some shame and he chuckled.

“Y/N…” he shook his head, “It was in the shop yesterday!”

“I told you my car is an old man! He’s got a lot of miles on him.” She reminded, “I need to replace the valve train but that’s really expensive, OK! I need to save up some more.” She explained, “Do you think you could tail me to the shop and then drop me off at home? If you’ve got some times I’ll make dinner as a thank you?” She offered.

“Yeah, we were just wrapped up. Send me your location.”

“OK. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She exclaimed.

“Of course, love.” He chuckled, “See you soon.” He smiled.

Y/N could not stop thanking him once he had arrived. She explained to Harry that her car had been in the shop the day prior for an oil change and tune up, which had nothing to do with the actual serious issues the car had. But she did mentioned that the valve issues really guzzled up her motor oil and she knew it would be temporary fixes until she could replace the part that needed replacing, her mechanic had warned her of this as well.

“Are you sure you aren’t being scammed?” Harry asked her and she giggled.

“I’m sure.”

“Let’s hear it then.” He said, wanting to hear the noise she had been mentioning to him.

“I feel like you’ll be afraid. Sure you wanna hear what it sounds like?” She asked and he nodded.

“Yeah, go on, give it a go.” He agreed and she settled into the drivers seat. He knew nothing about cars, just the basics. He could do an oil change and change a tire if needed, but he didn’t really have those kinds of issues. She tried a few times to get the car to start and finally the engine turned over and immediately a loud tapping/rattling sound took over from under the hood and she glanced over to Harry with a scrunched up face from the harshness of the sound from inside the car.

“That sound is… concerning.” He said loudly, trying to hold back a nervous laugh and she nodded.

“Yeah, it’s not usually this loud. But, again, until I can replace the damaged valves it’ll kind of sound like this.” She said and he sighed, trying not to say anything more about it, but now he genuinely feared for her safety.

“Jesus, alright. Well, I’ll drive your car to the shop and you take mine, OK?”

“No, Harry. Just trail behind me.”

“What if you blow up?” He questioned. He was being completely serious about his concern, it was sweet and funny.

“I won’t.” She insisted through a chuckle, “Now, if you blow up the world will hate me. I think I’d rather not take that chance.” She grinned.

“Please don’t argue with me. You’re not winning this one.” He said and after a few moments of unwavering eye contact she rolled her eyes and got out of her car to let him settle in the driver’s seat.

“You need to go slow. I’ll send you the address.” He nodded and soon enough she was trailing behind him. Harry was a bit fearful as he drove her car, that sound was absolutely terrifying. He got worried and called her.

“Yeah?”

“I know I was laughing at first but Y/N, this sound is really concerning! It sounds louder than before.” He explained with worry laced in his voice.”Maybe he needs a break?”

“It’s fine, Harry. It just sounds louder from inside.” She explained through a giggle.

“Seriously, should we stop for a minute or should we just keep driving?” He asked.

“Keep driving. I promise we’re almost there.” She reassured him.

“Y/N, love, your car is a death trap.” She cackled loudly at his words.

“You wanted to drive my car, Harry.” She reminded.

“Fuck’s sake… yeah, alright. Just wanted to make sure it wasn’t getting worse or something.”

“Of course. Deep breaths alright, we’re close.” She said and he groaned before they hung up. He wanted to help her get the damn thing fixed, but something told him that she’d never allow it. After about 15 minutes they were pulling up to her shop. Her mechanic was a sweet older man named Manny. It seemed that he was half expecting her, he was closing in about half an hour, but he told her that he could have the car ready by Wednesday closing time and soon they were on their way to her home.

“I will make you dinner, please just chill out.” She insisted as they got inside.

“Alright. What’re you making?” He asked.

“It’s a surprise.” She said with a smile, “Are you allergic to anything?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” He chuckled as she grabbed a bowl from the kitchen.

“Perfect! I’m gonna run out to the garden for a moment.”

“Wow, farm to table huh?” He teased as she slipped on her sandals and she glanced back at him.

“Only the best for the best.” She announced as she headed out. That put a lovely feeling in his heart and tummy. Soon enough she was back with what she had grabbed and started getting to work. He heard the blender go off for a bit and then things got relatively quiet aside from some subtle chopping sounds

“Want some wine?” She called out.

“Depends…” he called back.

“On what?” She answered through a laugh.

“On what kind it is… I’m picky.” He informed.

“Well, I only have good wine, Harry! I took a few oenology courses for fun in college.” She called out and he chuckled.

“Alright. I will trust your judgement.” He announced. It was quiet for a bit and then he spoke up again, “I’m partial to reds!” He said and not even ten seconds later she was coming over towards him with two glasses of red wine in each hand and he smiled.

“So am I.” She grinned, “I’m so over whites and pinks.” She mumbled. “My friends only drink those and they’re just…” she cringed and he chuckled as she handed him a glass.

“What is it?”

“It’s a Cab,1982. This wine was awarded a 90/100 by critics.” She informed, “This particular bottle was gifted to me by Matti for my 25th, it was from her personal collection. We bonded over wine.” She said and he smiled, “She made me promise to not crack it open until the right time.” Y/N smiled down at the wine in her glass, “She always said I would know when it was the right time.” She hummed before looking back up at Harry.

“Well thanks for choosing me to share it with.” He responded quietly, “To Matti and her wisdom.” He raised his glass towards her.

“To Matti.” Y/N repeated softly.

“And to you fixing your car.” He said and she laughed loudly before they gently clinked their glasses and each took a sip. His eyes went wide as he swallowed it down.

“Holy shit.” He hummed as he savored it.

“I know.” She grinned before heading back to the kitchen, “Food’s almost ready.” She announced, “Can you set up outside?”

“Yeah.” He responded, hurrying over to the kitchen to grab the utensils, seeing there was pasta boiling and some pesto. “You made the pesto?”

“Mmhm. S’one of my specialties.” She grinned.

“S’one of my favorites.” He grinned as he hurried out of the kitchen.

She was really treating him today. First that wine and then having that pesto she had made, he moaned when he took the first bite. He could taste every ingredient separately but together, it was insane. She had also roasted some cherry tomatoes with chili flakes and salt to top the pasta, and of course some pine nuts for texture. He certainly went back for seconds, which he could tell made her proud. Harry fully intended on heading back after dinner, but soon they were halfway through the wine bottle and leaning against her sofa as they talked.

“So what’s your zodiac sign?” He asked and she giggled.

“Libra.”

“So that’s why we get on so well!” He mused a bit drunkenly, “I’m an Aquarius, I knew I liked you from the start. We’re just on the same wavelength.”

“So you’re into horoscopes, huh?” She giggled and he briefly rolled himself onto her and kissed her lips briefly.

“Yeah, a bit. But don’t tell anyone.” He warned with a giggle.

“I wouldn't. You know… no one in my life even knows about you.” She informed him and he frowned.

“You’ve got a habit of humbling me…” he groaned as he rolled himself onto his back again and she laughed loudly before scooting over to him and she puckered her lips and pressed a chaste kiss to the tip of his nose.

“I didn’t mean it like that. Just that I like this being only between us. My friends can be a bit nosy and pushy sometimes. Don’t want to ruin this.” She explained and he hummed in understanding.

“OK, was about to get all pouty in a minute.”

“You were all pouty.” She giggled drunkenly, “S’cute though.”

“You’re cute.” He rebutted and she smiled.

Then they started talking about their favorite flowers and the places where they had traveled. It was exciting for him to know that she had visited London before. He liked hearing that she would love to go back and not just to London, but explore the whole country. In between their conversations there were heavy make out sessions that made them concerned about getting too far in their condition. Things were getting hazy as they laughed and finished off the bottle. He knew he would be paying for it in the morning, but he didn’t care right now. He sent a text to Tom to let him know he was OK, but just not OK to drive. And Y/N even got a spare toothbrush for him and they made a little makeshift bed in the living room where they settled down. Harry got hot and stripped off his shirt, nestling back into the mattress made from the couch cushions.

“Harry?”

“Yeah, love.”

“I know I already said it, but thank you for helping me today. You’re such an incredible person.” She mumbled sleepily.

“I’m happy to help.” He responded quietly and soon enough she had drifted off and nuzzled her way into his side and his face hurt from smiling until he too fell asleep.

When Y/N woke up the next morning she was a little bit sad to see Harry had gone, but she was aware that he had things to do up at the recording studio. She stretched for a moment on the little makeshift bed before getting up and heading to the kitchen. It appeared she had just missed him because there was a steaming cup of coffee and a bow of fruits on the kitchen counter with a little note and sloppy smiley face drawn beside it. Y/N laughed as she read over the note he had scribbled on the back of a random flyer she assumed he pulled from the pile of mail still resting on the counter: Get your car fixed! - Hxx

************

“And he lives!” Tyler announced to Tom when Harry walked in the next morning with a small frown on his face. Sunglasses over his eyes and the lengthy layer of his hair in a haphazard updo at the crown of his head.

“Don’t shout, mate.” Harry grumbled and Tyler chuckled along with Tom as Harry just let himself plop into the giant beanbag in the lounge area, that seemed to be his favorite seat.

“Alright, H?” Tom asked through a grin.

“No. Had a whole fucking thing of wine. Fucking tannins.” He mumbled and groaned from the pounding he felt in his head, “It was really good wine, but I drank like I was 20 years old. Forget that I pay for it way more now.” He winced at a particularly sharp bite of pain zapping through his head.

“Ah, the grape juice blues…” Tyler hummed knowingly and Harry’s eyes shot open and he pushed his sunglasses up and looked to Tyler.

“The what?”

“Grape juice blues…? S’what my mom calls her hangovers.” He explained with a smile and Harry bit his lip.

“I’ve got an idea.” Harry said shooting up from his seat and started heading to the live room, “Oh and maybe call those drip hydration people, I’m dying!” he called out to Tom who chuckled and nodded. Tyler followed Harry into the live room area where he saw him nestle into a little nook by the window and open up his journal to start writing.

***********

“Oh my god!” Y/N squealed in excitement as Harry stepped on the gas pedal as they drove through the Malibu canyon to get to the studio. He didn’t want her driving herself after he experienced her car for himself. Harry grinned at her before shifting the wheel a bit to the right, catching the turn just right as the wind blew at them fiercely. His music was blaring loudly, and she just let her right arm hang out to feel the wind whipping through her fingers as she threw her head back against the seat, her eyes closing at this feeling; it felt like freedom. Harry smiled as he looked at her for a moment before focusing back on the road. Big Love started playing and she grinned wide at him as they started to sing along.

“This is such an underrated song!” She said loudly over the wind and he nodded before they started singing loudly again until the song ended. “Let me choose a song.” She said and he handed her his phone and after a few seconds the familiar notes of Adore You started playing and Harry laughed upon realizing it but he didn’t hesitate to sing along with her.

“It’s the only thing I’ll ever do. I-iii-iii’d walk through fire for you just let me adore you, oh honey!” Harry sang loudly and she grinned over at him.

“OK…” she exclaimed rolling her eyes playfully making him laugh again as they finished off the song.

“That was cute. M’gonna use that on tour.” He chuckled.

“Yeah, people will love it!” She assured through some laughter.

Soon enough they were cruising past Zuma beach and winding their way up the hill to the studio. He was explaining to her why they were staying there and that for the first bit of time they’d be finishing up a song with his friends.

“Yeah, that’s cool.” She assured, “It’s OK that I’m coming right?” She asked and he nodded.

“Of course. S’my studio time.” He reminded her and she nodded.

“Right…” he’s Harry fucking Styles she thought to herself. She was still nervous. “What do I say if they ask how we met.” She looked over at him.

“Oh, they know how we met.” He chuckled, “And they know all about you.” He said with a smile, “They’re the ones that pushed me to get on the bloody app.” He giggled and she shook her head as she chuckled, “I don’t regret listening to them…” he glanced over at her as they pulled up to the gate.

“Neither do I.” She hummed as she pushed her sunglasses up on her head. Soon enough they were pulling into a parking spot and stepping out of his yellow Ferrari. She had been in a fucking Ferrari…

“OK, so they’re really nice and they’ll behave, I swear. So no need to be nervous.” He said to her and she nodded a bit tensely and he chuckled, taking in her posture and that pretty sundress she was wearing. She would be the death of him.

“I’m nervous because I’m like…where legends have been…” She said to Harry, “Where they come to make their art like… it’s a mind fuck.” She said softly with some reverence and awe and he smiled.

“I feel the same way.” He disclosed, “I wanted to throw up the first time I recorded here.” He shared with her, “Had to do some heavy drugs to make it through the writing sessions.” He confessed and she giggled.

“And now look at you, practically set up camp here for a few months… that’s some legend shit.” She said through a grin and he chuckled and shook his head incredulously. “S’true and you know it!” She giggled at his humility, “I’m sure Rick Rubin doesn’t let just anyone come stay here for months at a time.” She pointed out with a grin.

“Are you trying to butter me up?” He asked with a teasing smile.

“No! I’m stating literal facts, Harry.” She asserted and he bit on his bottom lip to suppress the big grin that was fighting to be on it.

“Do you care if I kiss you out here?” He asked and she shook her head with a timid smile, “You sure?” He grinned and she rolled her eyes.

“Just do it.”

“Don’t need to tell me twice.” He hummed stepping up to her, grabbing her face gently and pressing his lips into hers. Suddenly they heard some whoops and they turned quickly to see Tom and Tyler chuckling like idiots, “Jesus…” he muttered through a laugh before pulling away.

Y/N felt her face was on fire from the embarrassment of being caught with Harry. She wasn’t naive, people have needs and they don’t like being lonely, it’s only human. She just didn’t want his friends to think that she just wanted to sleep with him because he was Harry Styles. She liked him and wanted to sleep with him because he was weird and fun and sweet and thoughtful… he offered her the most basic things she could ever want. Like feeling comfortable, understood, safe, and worthy. She didn’t need anything lucrative to be dangled before her to take the bait; she was already hooked and being reeled in by him in a way she didn’t expect.

“Hey, you good?” His voice brought her out of her thoughts, “I’m really sorry about them, I didn’t know they were out there.” He said with a small frown on his lips.

“Oh, it’s OK. I was just thinking.”

“About?”

“I’m just a little anxious to be here.”

“Don’t be. I promise my friends aren’t asshole, they’re probably just stoned or coked out or something.” He said and she exhaled a laugh, “C’mon.” He said taking her hand and cocking his head to the side, signaling that they go on and she smiled as she allowed him to lead her to the grassy area where his friends were now sitting at a little table. “Hey guys!” He greeted them simultaneously, the men turned with big smiles, “This is Y/N, she-”

“Oh fucking finally!” Tyler announced making Tom giggle.

“Don’t mind him.” Tom said standing to extend his hand to her, “We’ve just been hearing about you nonstop for months.” He said softly as they shook hands and Harry cleared his throat making Y/N giggled, “I’m Tom. Or Kid, or whichever you prefer.” He said through a dopey smile, he was trying to look composed.

“Y/N.” She introduced herself before Tyler was coming up to her.

“And I’m Tyler, s’wonderful to finally meet you, Y/N.”

“Likewise.” She giggled again. They had just started to chat a bit when a car horn sounded aloud making them all glance back.

“That’d be my wife. Change of plans, H.” Tom said, “She’s taking us to dinner and then to run some errands.” He explained as Harry waved to the SUV and the woman waved back with a bright smile.

“Alrighty, kids. Have fun, don’t do anything too stupid.” Tyler announced as he hugged each of them and Tom did the same before they headed off.

“Should we take an edible before we start dinner? It’ll make it more delicious…” Harry mused as they walked through the grass and towards the main house.

“Honestly, sounds like a fucking blast.” She hummed as they kicked off their shoes before heading inside. Soon enough they had each eaten up a laced peach ring candy before they got into the kitchen and he started working on their dinner. Harry had asked her to help chop up some things for the sauce he’d be making for their pasta - she could never have enough pasta- and when he glanced over at her diligently chopping he smiled.

“You know, I like spending time with you in kitchens.” He pointed out and she giggled.

“I think you’re starting to get high.”

“Mmmm, no. You’re just really nice to be around.” He said coming up beside her, “Don’t get tired of you, like ever.” He confessed and she bit her lip, “Do you get tired of me? I tend to get comfortable really quickly and just make myself at home and-”

“No, I don’t. I really like having you around.” She assured and he smiled before dipping down to kiss her. A soft and sweet kiss soon escalated to a heavier and hotter exchange with her being hoisted onto the unoccupied piece of the counter as his large hands rubbed up and down her thighs until they heard the pot with the pasta start to bubble over and Harry tore away from her and rushed over to the stove to turn down the heat and she chuckled.

“You gotta hand on this?” She asked and he nodded, “Lovely, can I… explore?”

“Sure.” He smiled and she bit her lip and walked out of the kitchen.

Y/N soon wove her way into the lounge area. There was a humidifier in there, a few laptops on the couch. She then made her way down a corridor and found two full bedrooms, she didn’t wander in though. Instead she turned back and went down another corridor leading to what she assumed would be the control and live room. And as soon as she made it through the doorway and into the control room she was overwhelmed again with a sense of respect and awe. She felt so small and unimportant, not in a bad or insecure way, but in the way that reminds you that you’re just a cog, a speck in the universe, a footnote in the symphony that is human existence.

Her skin was crawling with goosebumps as she saw the little couch/nook by the window, many famous pictures have featured this little spot. And right on the cushion she saw a yellow journal, it looked a little careworn. As she peeked down at it she saw an HS engraved into the bottom right corner of the cover and smiled. Harry was one of those great minds who came here, created, and changed the world. Something about that made her heart pound anxiously. Who even was she to be so fortunate to know someone like him?

She moved along before she got too overwhelmed with the feeling and continued on to the live room. She walked down the few steps it took to get down in there and she smiled as she glanced around. There were instruments all around but she gravitated towards Harry’s galaxy painted guitar first. She smiled as she reached down and let her finger run along the metal strings just once. Then she saw a piano and headed towards it. She had a phase in high school where she was super into learning piano and she wanted to be a musician, she really like Regina Spector and Birdy. As she settled into the bench she bought her right hand up and played a few scales and arpeggios that her teacher used to have her do to warm up. It was the only thing that she currently recalled how to play after so many years of neglect to her long forgotten passion project.

“I didn’t know you played.” She suddenly heard and she gasped as she looked up to see Harry standing at the top of the steps that looked down into the live room. He was wearing a gentle smile and it warmed her from the inside out.

“Scared me…” she reprimanded and he hummed a sorry as he came down towards her, “And I don’t play. I started to take lessons in high school. I really wanted to be the next Regina Spektor or something.” She giggled, “I don’t know what made me think I could…and after I graduated I just stopped.” She shared.

“I think anyone can do anything, especially you.” He stated with assurance as he stopped at the piano. “Wanna lay down a track? I can record it?” He smiled teasingly and she sniggered.

“Yeah, no. Don’t want to taint the greatness and magic this place holds.” She said looking up at the ceiling with some reverence and he chuckled.

“You wouldn’t, but OK. Go on.” He said as he encouraged her to continue the warm up exercises. “You know, I record here all the time and I’m still learning to play piano.” He mused and she grinned.

“Not remotely the same thing.” She said as she sped up the exercise as she had been instructed to so many years ago.

“Damn, look at you go! I think I should hire you on as assistant to my keyboard player.” He said and she rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah…” she hummed and he chuckled, extending his hand to her, presumably to help her up from the bench. But as soon as she was up he had pressed her into the side of the piano and her hands wrapped around his neck as their lips met eagerly in a kiss. His hands traveled from her waist down to her hips, his fingers timidly reaching just far enough to feel the curve of her ass and she smiled against his lips. “Harry Styles.” She playfully scolded, “Still desperate, I see.” She hummed and he bit down on his lip as his eyes fluttered open to look into hers. He genuinely loved the hold she had on him.

“Like you’re not?” He asked back and she grinned.

“Mmmm….could be fun.” She mused and he chuckled, feeling a bit worried now. Maybe she didn’t like him the way he liked her.

“Fun, huh?” She noticed the slight worry in his voice and she brought her hands down his chest and bit her lip.

“Sorry, if I make light of things I just… get scared of my own feelings.” She opened up.

“I do too.” He assured and she bit her lip.

“But at least you feel confident about it and try… I just…flee.” She explained.

“Why?”

“I’m just scared that I’ll get hurt. It’s happened too many times before when I’ve put myself out there, so I just deflect.” She explained with a shrug.

“You’re still scared I’ll hurt you? Even if I’m clearly into you?” He asked and she shrugged.

“Reciprocated feelings are more reason to be scared.” She said with a smile and he nodded with a smile, that much was true. “I think this is the only aspect of my life in which I’m not an optimist. I’m a little insecure.” She admitted in a small voice.

“Don’t know what for…” he said and grinned, making her roll her eyes as she giggled, “Can I… show you something?” He asked and she bit her lip nervously and nodded. “C’mon.” He said, grabbing her hand and guiding her up to the control room and pulling out a chair for her, “Bear in mind that production’s not completely done on it, so be kind.” He said and she smiled.

“I’m sure it’ll be great.” She said with a confident smile and he chuckled as he pulled up a track titled ‘Late Night Talking. Version 1’ and when it started an upbeat synth played before the drums kicked in. The song was upbeat and fun and the lyrics were sweet and there was a bright smile on her face as she listened on. As the song came to an end Harry spoke up.

“I’m planning to add horns where the synths are.” He explained.

“I really like it, can’t wait for the finished product.” She grinned excitedly.

“Thanks and well, that was written about when we first started talking a while ago.” She felt the blood rushing up to her cheeks upon his confession, “I really like you and I get that having feelings for someone can be scary. Especially someone like me.” He said more softly, “But I want to do right by you. As much as I can and I just feel really good and really free around you. You bring this feeling of home with you that is so prominent and I just find myself wanting that for me too. I feel like I learn from you and I hope that I’ve brought a similar feeling to you as well.” He said and she rolled her lips together, trying to suppress the smile that was threatening to break out onto her lips.

“Yeah, you have.” She confessed and he smiled timidly, “And I do like you too. A lot.” She admitted and he smiled and grabbed her hand.

“It’s good to hear that.” He chuckled nervously and she smiled, “Do you want to eat now or keep touring the grounds?”

“Let’s keep touring, the edible is kicking in and I would like to at least remember this place clearly.” She said and he sniggered.

“OK, let me take you to the bus then.” He assured before guiding her out of the live room, back down the corridor and out into the yard. They got into the bus and she was beyond words. Internally she was freaking out as Harry showed her the smaller recording space and even showed her how to use the control board, which was quite scary for her, she was afraid she’d mess something up.

They emerged from the bus giggling, the sky was turning this gorgeous pink and red mix as the sun started to set, she could see the glimmer of the ray’s reflection in the ocean below them. It drew her attention and she headed over to a little open spot of fencing, loving the feeling of the cool blades of grass beneath her bare feet. When she got to the fence she leaned into it exhaling long and slow before smiling. Moments later she felt Harry’s warmth behind her and a soft request of consent before he wrapped his arms around her waist. She glanced back with a smile, granting him the permission to hold her. His hold was comforting. She knew that eventually he’d have to go and she would miss having him this accessible. Her sad thoughts were interrupted by his lips on her cheek, this brought her back to the limited time with him and suddenly she was willing to admit how desperate she was.

“Harry?”

“Yeah, love?” He asked, making space for her to turn around.

“Kiss me.” She said timidly with a smile and he smiled.

Harry brought his hands up to her face and held it gently as he dipped down to connect their lips together slowly and passionately. Her brain suddenly shut down, all of the fears and anxieties were replacing with the sounds of their lips moving together, their labored breaths, and the distant sounds of the waves colliding with the shore. Their kiss grew heavier as the minutes passed and they just sunk down to the ground and he dragged her onto his lap He was wearing these old thinned out corduroy shorts and her could feel the heat emanating from her core.

“Should we go inside?” He asked her when their lips parted for a moment.

“Yeah, let’s go.” She hummed as she climbed off of him and they rushed inside.

“Wanna show you something.” He said guiding her to a part of the main house she hadn’t explored yet. There was a hidden little staircase that led to an upper room. He climbed up with her behind him and she smiled as she saw up there. “It’s a quiet room, far enough from the live room to let you think without distractions.” He explained and she smiled at the very minimally decorated space. There was one large window up there with a clear view of the ocean and a bed right beneath it resting over a large area rug. There were some more bean bags against one of the walls with a funky lamp resting between them, but no art anywhere. She did notice that several luggages were up there, probably everyone’s stuff and a half bath. There was also a stack of books on one side of the bed and a yoga mat rolled up neatly beside them.

“Is there where you’ve been sleeping?” She asked and he nodded, “It’s cute.” She smiled.

“I think so too, quite like it up here. I open up the window in the evening, keeps it nice and cool with that ocean breeze. The waves lull me.” He said and she smiled. What a dream.

“Thanks for having me here. I really like it.”

“Of course.” He hummed as he extended his hand to her and she grabbed it and guided him to one side of the bed before pressing him down to sit.

Harry glanced up to her coyly as her fingers ran through his perfectly soft hair. With the way the setting sunlight was pouring through that gorgeous window above them she could see the clear green of his eyes perfectly. He was so beautiful it made her heart pound erratically. There was no point in stalling so she just leaned over him to kiss him deeply. His hands ran up her thighs and to her hips, wrapping around them to pull her down into him. He scooted up on the bed and pulled her along with him. He smiled as their legs tangled together and the kiss heated up even more. He positioned himself over her and ground his hips against hers, he let out a soft groan as he felt her hands land on his backside, pushing him closer to where she was surely nice and wet for him.

“I’m getting desperate.” She mumbled against his mouth with a grin and he laughed softly before sucking her bottom lip into his mouth for a moment.

“Fucking finally.” He responded and she giggled.

Her little squeaks of laughter continued as he nibbled on her neck, his curls tickled her skin making her wriggle about as he continued on more deliberately. Suddenly the playful kissed became more intense as he moaned against her clavicle, she had spritzed some perfume on her chest and he was getting the sweet scent as he kissed at her skin. He started to suck at her collarbone, the skin was so sensitive there and she whimpered as he left his mark on her skin. She liked it when her partners would leave reminders of their time together on her body. It was erotic and exhilarating. He reached down to one of her thighs, parting her legs further apart, causing her dress to ride up, allowing him to grind his aching bulge right against her center over her panties. With one particular motion he humped right against her clit making her whimper his name and he grinned.

“Feels good, baby?” She nodded as her breathing started to grow heavy as he continued grinding into that spot.

“Oh god, yes!” She whined and he groaned, grinding a bit faster. If he didn’t stop soon he would surely bust in his pants and he didn’t want to do that maybe all over her ass or tits. If she’d let him he’d rather shoot his load all over her swollen and sticky pussy. He stopped abruptly and he could see in her eyes that she wanted to complain, but she didn’t, not a peep. She just swallowed it down and he remembered what she had told him several weeks ago… in essence it came down to the fact that she didn’t need him for sex. She liked being with him, they were clearly attracted to each other, but she didn’t need it from him. Whether that was something she took care of herself or had someone else for, he didn’t like it. He didn’t want her to just comply with him stopping mid dry hump and letting it be. Harry wanted her to be so needy for him, the way he was for her. He wanted to fuck her and then have her be desperate to have him again.

“I really want to fuck you.” He mumbled against her jaw, nibbling and kissing at her skin. She felt like a furnace was rushing through her entire body as he said that to her, “But I’m not going to if you’re gonna be all whatever about it.” He said to her and pulled back, “I only want to fuck people who are just as interested in getting fucked by me.” He said and she swallowed the lump in her throat. She already missed the way he was grinding into her a few moments before, she just knew with those motions that he would fuck well, “So what’ll it be?” He asked and she bit on her lip as his eyes searched hers.

“I want to.” She said lowly and he grinned.

“Mmmm, close to what I want to hear, but we’re not there yet.” He teased and she groaned softly. God his ego was huge about this, probably with good reason. So, she swallowed her own pride.

“I want you to fuck me, Harry.” She said looking right in his eyes, practically pleading with him. He was back to kissing her in no time, only pulling away when they were tearing his shirt off and he was helping pull her dress from her body and tossing it somewhere in the room.

Her eyes traveled over his heavily tattooed body, he was so buff, it was a beautiful sight. He was wearing some black boxer briefs and she could feel her mouth watering at the outline of his cock and balls straining against the thin material. She could see the very tip of it peeking out from the band of the undergarment. Already a dark pink color and beading with pre-cum. She couldn’t help but reach out and skim her fingers along his erection. How she longed to have him release himself and shove his cock into her mouth. She wanted to feel the weight of him on her tongue and to feel full with it.

“Go on, do whatever you’re thinking about, baby.” He encouraged her gently and she sat up and pressed him back until he was sitting and she sat between his legs, tugging down the boxer briefs, really trying not to be too awed by his dick, but it was really pretty. Instead she just flattened herself out and immediately wrapped her hand around it and stroked once, slowly. He hummed as she focused on his tip, ensuring to fully encase his length with his foreskin before tugging back down, he rolled his eyes back at the sensation, “Holy shit.” He breathed out as he watched her do this a few more times before she sucked it into her mouth, tongue lapping at the slit, her spit was leaking down his shaft as her fist continued to stroke, spreading it out and lubricating up the rest of his cock. “Fuck, you’re so good at this.” He complimented and she hummed, making his toes curl and his fingers dig hard into the covers. Her pace was steady and it was starting to build him up, more so when she lowered herself and licked at his balls, “Oh shit!” He gasped, “Shit!” He exclaimed as her fist encircled his tip and started jerking him off quickly. It was maybe a minute of this before he was feeling ready to burst and he had to stop it. “Wait, wait, wait. Please stop, Y/N. Don’t want to come yet. Not yet!” He panted and she started to slow down, letting the feeling fizzle out. When she looked up at him there was something in her eyes. Completely glazed over and pupils blown out, he didn’t say anything about it except he pulled her up and kissed her before pushing her back into the mattress again. “Think you enjoyed that a little too much, baby.” He said and she hummed, “You like sucking dick, don’t you?”

“Yes.” She whispered as his fingers crawled down her stomach. He wasn’t sure how this one would land, but he was willing to take the risk.

“Yeah, you’re a little cock slut aren’t you? My little cock slut.” He said and he saw with his own eyes as her skin became littered with goosebumps and he grinned, “Answer me…” he pressed, hovering over her panties, she was getting antsy.

“Yeah, m’your little cock slut.”

“And you haven’t even had it properly.” He pointed out, “Do you need me to stretch you out a little, baby? Or can you take it?” He asked her more seriously and she shook her head.

“I can take it.” She said and he watched her for a few moments, trying to see if she’d change her mind and when she didn’t he dipped down to kiss her lips and then down her body, paying special mind to her nipples and leaving marks on sides and undersides of her breasts all while his fingers teased along her panty line. He could feel her hips bucking up, desperate for more, so he just decided to slip his fingers in and he groaned at just how hot and wet she was between her legs. Her breathing hitched as his finger tapped right at her entrance where her arousal was pooling.

“You’re so fucking wet for me, baby. Think you’re right, with how wet you are you can take my cock just fine.” She moaned as he pressed his fingers against her clit and started to draw little circles.

“Oh fuck!” She whimpered and he grinned, going faster. He watched as she moaned and her chest rose and fell with her ragged breathing. “Feel’s so good, m’gonna come!” She warned after a few minutes of this and he tutted.

“Already?” He teased and she nodded, eyes desperately pleading for him to keep going, “OK, I’ll give you one like this, baby.” He said.

“Thank you. Thank you, fuck!” She mewled as he sped up for the last time. He felt her thighs tense and tremble beneath him and he encouraged her with his words and kept his speed consistent until she was completely frozen for a few seconds before she withered with a soft moan. Her hands flew down to stop his own that was still rubbing at her slowly, working her down gently. “Fuck, that was good…” she gulped in a big intake of air and he smiled and kissed her lips.

“Do you need a moment?” He asked and she shook her head.

“No, wanna feel you.” She said and he nodded and hurried to the bathroom, she could hear him rummaging around as she slipped off her underwear and dropped them on the ground as he returned with a condom. He got on the bed and took it out quickly with shaky hands before she grabbed it from him and rolled it down his length. He dipped down and kissed her as she opened up her legs wider for him. He ground against her center, working them up as they made out ardently until it was just too much.

“How do you want me to fuck you?” He asked and she bit her lip.

“I mean… you’ve been doing everything right so far.” She smiled and he chuckled, “Fuck me however you think I’ll like it.” She said and he nodded before kissing her once more as he aligned himself so that his tip was prodding at her entrance. He’d press against her and then relieve the pressure, making her whimper, teasing her. “Please, stop teasing me.” She implored.

“I think you can handle a little more.” He said and she moaned as he moved around until he was kneeling and her legs were spread apart for him. He fucked himself between her folds, tip running into her clit with every stroke. “Fuck, I can see you dripping for me.” He marveled and she let her head roll to the side and her fingers dig into the covers as this delicious torture continued.

“Baby, please.” Y/N whined and he bit his lip and nodded, sliding down to her entrance and looking at her as he pushed the tip inside. Her eyes met his and one of her hands reached for his and he intertwined their fingers, squeezing as he continued pushing in.

Harry moaned at the feeling of her warmth and tightness while she moaned to the feeling of becoming full. When he had fully settled inside he ground himself into her, the tip of him rubbing and pressing into that spot inside of her that made her tremble. After a little bit of that he drew back and started fucking into her at a hard and deep pace. Y/N’s mouth fell open in a gasp as he pounded into her, his free hand resting on her lower stomach, adding to the sensation of depth she felt. It was nearly overwhelming as she tightened her hold on Harry’s hand as her moans grew louder. He maintained this rhythm to build her up to her peak and he loved watching the way her breasts bounced with the force of his thrusts and how his cock would disappear into her tight little cunt as he pounded into her steadily. He delivered one hard thrust and stilled deep inside to grind into her.

“Oh fuck, Harry!” She sobbed as her skin rose with goosebumps at this particular thrust.

“What is it, baby?” He asked with a grin and her back arched as he leaned into her further.

“You’re so fucking deep.” She moaned, “Feel’s so good.” She strained out.

“I can feel your little cunt squeezing my cock. Such a pretty, tight little cunt.” He grunted as he gave her another hard thrust and slapped her clit quickly making her hiss. He could feel her walls fluttering and pulsing around him already and he grinned, “Already getting close, baby?” He asked and she nodded. He hovered over her and kissed her deeply, fucking into her without drawing out of her body. He was swallowing down her moans happily.

“Fuck, look at you? Such a good girl, taking my cock so well.” He said and her eyes fluttered closed, “Like that? Like to hear you’re my good girl?” He grunted and she nodded.

“Yes, fuck yes!” She panted. His words alone were building her up to the point of no return, “Oh fuck, Harry!” She whimpered.

“Rub your clit, baby. Go on.” He said and she let go of his hand and fit her hand between their bodies. Her eyes immediately rolled back as she started rubbing fast little circles against her sensitive little bud. Harry was getting close too, especially with the way her walks were tightening up and pulsating around his length.

“I’m so close!” She gasped and he slid a hand up her torso and up to her throat. He bit his lip as he squeezed a bit and everything seemed to be in slow motion when he saw her small smile as he constricted the air flow. In seconds Y/N’s ability to take a proper breath was gone and she could feel the pressure start to build in her head. She smiled as the only thing she could hear was her heart beat pounding in her head. She felt the pleasure swelling and swelling inside of her, barely able to hang on. She looked into his eyes in the last moments of sunlight, he was so fucking beautiful. Harry smiled at her and then glanced out to see the paradise outside of his window.

“Oh fuck.” She saw him mouth and his eyes fluttered shut.

In seconds the pleasure building deep inside of her was bursting like a current ripping through a dam. It washed over her entire body make her toes curl and the blood roar between her ears as she gasped for the air she didn’t have access too. It heightened the feeling, making it suspend even longer until she stopped rubbing her clit and her hand came over his wrist and squeezed and he grunted as he released with a deep thrust into her and then he let her go. His body came to rest over hers as the pleasure coursed through him. His hot breaths were almost suffocating, but in the best way as she rubbed his back gently until he had ridden it out.

They kissed slowly for a bit until he finally moved off of her and went to toss the condom. He was sweet and gently used a wet towel to clean her up a bit. He was hoping that she would stay, so he wordlessly brought her a t-shirt and some of his shorts and was more than pleased when she slipped into his clothes, all from the bed.

“We never ate.” Y/N pointed out with a giggle from her spot on the bed and he chuckled. Now that they weren’t fucking she could feel the edible in system and her body was begging for some food.

“Oh my god, that’s true. Let’s go down, yeah?”

“Can you bring it up?” She asked with these puppy eyes.

“Don’t be lazy, c’mon.” He insisted.

“I don’t think I can walk down stairs right now, H.” She explained a bit timidly and he grinned.

“Oh…” he mused and she nodded, “I can carry you…piggy back.”

“Deal.” She said and climbed onto his back. Soon enough they were sat in the kitchen enjoying their late dinner before he carried her back up to his room where they got ready for bed and then cozied up, he had her completely wrapped up in his arms and she just knew that when he left there’d be a gaping hole in her heart but this wasn’t practical. She was trying not to focus on the hurt now radiating from deep inside of her and then he spoke up.

“Y/N?”

“Yeah?” She asked back softly.

“Ummm…I’m leaving for Italy next month.” He stated.

“Oh.” She responded softly.

“Yeah…” he fell silent for a few moments, “Do you want to come with me?” He asked quietly, despite his nerves and she froze. “Doesn’t have to mean anything serious, but I’m not ready to let this go.” He reasoned and she smiled. Her silence was making him anxious, “Y/N?” He asked meekly and she turned around to face him and leaned in close, her nose nudging his as she nodded.

“Yes.” She whispered.

“Yeah?” He smiled brightly.

“Yeah. I uh, have no idea where my passport is, though.” She realized.

“Well you have a month to figure that out.” He said, “If not, then I guess it’s a one way trip for you.” He joked and she smiled as he kissed her again. As he pulled back and combed her hair behind her ear she saw the way he looked at her and she realized that she also wanted to see this through.

Additional Blurb

#writing #harry styles #harry styles fan fic #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #smut #harry styles fanfiction #0nlythrowharrybeaux

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butchjess · 1 year

Note

I love every meta you write about Jess & GG and in general 🫶🏻 I’m so proud of this Jess/Literati side of the GG fandom, there are so many enriching analysis here, I’m also glad of how layered Jess is, so we can do that properly. I just think it’s funny how some general ‘outside’ takes miss the point of our trying to understand Jess’ actions when he was a teen. I’ve literally never seen anyone here trying to brush off his mistakes as if they hadn’t happened. And if we didn’t try to understand the reasons why he used to act the way he did, if we didn’t love him before and after his self development, it would be such a shame. I’ve just recently seen people criticizing ~teen Jess apologists~ and I literally don’t get it. He’s a flawed character and that’s why I love him, with all his mistakes. I don’t need to pretend he never did anything wrong but I can also declare he never did anything wrong because DAMN, I’d like to be forgiven for my stupid mistakes when I was going through hell during my teen years. I’d like for someone to tell me that didn’t define me as a person and even if I hadn’t had the strength Jess did, even if I hadn’t made a better future for myself, I’d like for someone to think I’m still worthy of love. And it’s not wrong for us to find reasons that justify his behavior. They really do exist and aren’t biased or anything. I just feel like people were trying to invalidate my opinions on one of my all time favorite characters… Sorry for venting but I needed to talk about this to someone who truly understands him. 🥺

thank youu this is very sweet :3 and i agree yeah like by all accounts jess was just. a normal teenager. every teenager in the world is literally just Like that sometimes he wasnt even doing anything heinous he was a bit of a dick but arent we all at that age.i know i was. and YEAH. i am not a jess apologist bc there is nothing to apologize for he was an idiot boy and then he spent the rest of the show overcoming his circumstances and becoming a good man nearly entirely of his own volition. even then how bad he was gets massively over-inflated sometimes for how like. NORMAL he was. have any of you ever talked to a teenager they’re mean sometimes.Everyone leave him alone forever.

#jess mariano #gilmore girls #asks #sorry i took a while to answer btw im simply so bad at answering asks 😭#i get more than 1 and then i am immediately overwhelmed #and don’t apologize rant all want. peace and love forever

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lucigoose · 2 years

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road trip [laura kearny x gn! reader]

a/n: @tywrites THIS ONE IS FOR YOU !! also holy BALLS i wrote this in like 3 hours ??!!??? god behavior!! im very....... not proud of this piece though i guess that's the karma? like its okay but normally im much more descriptive. maybe it's because it's my first time really posting my writing ANYWHERE but i swear im better at description and plot developing than this. i am just nervous cause i never post on tumblr as a writer am i welcomed with open arms to this community??? hopefully i am cause id die if i wasn't allowed to write...... i hope i do better next time cus this was not my best. also can someone tell me how in the balls to do the read more thing?? ANYWAY REQUESTS WILL OPEN SOON

the ride to hackett’s quarry summer camp was long. incredibly long. the trio had been in the car for what felt like an eternity, mindlessly chatting about topics that were generally exclusive to the kind of boredom someone would feel on the road trip to a summer camp. nothing too special, only small things that would help them feel a bit less bored by the service-less ride. perhaps the lack of service or entertainment would train them for the summer camp experience that was globally known as some ‘relaxing’ two-month break from social media and technology. a cure for addicts, some might say.

laura was in the front seat, staring out at the empty, dark stretch of road that looked like it hadn’t changed in miles. max was the one behind the wheel, driving only according to the phone’s map that shouted an occasional ‘turn left’ or ‘turn right’. [name], meanwhile, was laying sprawled out in the backseat. a pillow was behind their head and their legs were curled up, nearly falling off the side of the carseat. they were almost asleep, eyes heavy and slowly closing to pull them out of consciousness and into la-la land.

when their eyes finally shut, just as they were about to let their fingers slip away from consciousness, their eyes shot open from laura’s sudden voice and the nice, calming music cutting off. “max, how much longer until we get there?” she asked, fully awake unlike the other two in the car. max briefly glanced at her, then put his eyes back on the road. “laura, we’ve gone the whole trip without any, ‘are we there yet?’s and i’d prefer we don't break the record.” he joked. laura rolled her eyes. “max, we were supposed to be there by now. are you positive we’re not l-” she was cut short, instantly scoffing when max’s voice cut through her own. “don’t! say it. laura, we’re fine. we can’t be that far from it, besides, we’re in northkill, right?” he said, giving laura a comforting smile. laura only gave him a suspicious look before sighing and staring out of her window.

the road was really the only thing she had to look at besides thin, creepy looking trees. the road didn’t even really have the yellow lines in the center, and it barely had enough room for two cars to even be going the opposite ways. it gave off the vibes of some dumb horror movie. hell, their scenario at the moment was certainly similar to one of those cheesy slasher movies where the main character doesn’t have enough sense to call 911.

laura was snapped out of her thoughts when [name] made a small grunt from the backseat from stretching. she turned her head more towards them. “you doing okay back there?” she asked innocently, with much less of an attitude than she was giving max. [name] hummed a bit as they finished stretching, then responded to laura’s question. “i’m okay. you guys woke me up, i think.” they said with their words slurring and stringing together with exhaustion. laura narrowed her eyebrows apologetically. “oh, were you trying to sleep? my bad.” she said, roughly nudging max in the side. max whined quietly, then said a dazed little apology. “huh? oh, yeah, sorry.”

[name] smiled and shook their head in response. “don’t be. if max needs to admit we’re l-word right now, then he should.” they said smugly, drawing a laugh out of laura. “right? at least someone here agrees with me.” she responded before shifting her annoyed gaze over to max. max rolled his eyes solemnly before speaking with a glance over to [name] and laura. “you know, if columbus hadn’t gotten himself lost and landed on these golden shores, there’d be no united states of america. bye-bye hotdogs, see you later apple pie.” max explained in some pathetic attempt to redeem his stubbornness. laura raised an eyebrow. “yeah, well, columbus also had no idea he wasn’t in asia. he was just another guy who didn’t wanna admit he was lost.” she teased. [name] piped up from the backseat. “fuck columbus, with all due respect.” they said, clearly not really meaning the ‘respect’ they’d included with their statement. laura nodded. “someone said it.”

the car was back in silence for a few minutes, leaving the trio to their own thoughts again. [name] wasn’t exactly awake, but definitely wasn’t as dizzy and dazed as they were a few minutes ago. they’d adjusted their position so their legs were a bit more comfortable, and so that their pillow wasn’t practically falling off of the seat. without laura or max arguing back and forth, they let their thoughts wander free. their first thought was to imagine what it was really going to be like at hackett’s quarry. curling up in front of fires singing kumbaya, telling ghost stories and eating smores. something like that, right? but with more kids involved. that was the only real part [name] wasn’t exactly stoked about. the kids. but hey, laura and max were doing it, so why wouldn’t they do it, right?.. right. maybe they were just in it for the money.

laura yawned and stretched out her arms, before turning her head to look at [name]’s much more comfortable position. “you’re lucky you have a pillow. and the whole backseat to yourself. i’d give my left leg to curl up in the backseat with a pillow.” she said, and [name] gave her a tired smile. “give me your left leg, then.” they said jokingly, and laura let out a scoff and a chuckle at the same time. “are you saying i should join you back there?” she asked rhetorically, but [name] answered. “yeah, you should.” they jested, and laura smiled at them. “i should.” she almost sounded.. serious. it was hard to tell though, because laura’s jokes were typically sort of unreadable. she reached down to the side of the seat and pulled up on the small lever, causing the seat to recline backwards a little. [name] looked up towards laura, only to see her hand reaching out towards them in some sort of an offering. [name] raised an eyebrow. “..you’re not getting m’ pillow.” they said assumingly, and laura shook her head. “no, hold my hand, dumbass.” she teased but so.. demandingly. [name] laughed airily before stretching their arm out to interlace their fingers with laura’s.

her hand was warm. and very soft. even if the position was awkward, with laura's arm stretched back in an odd sort of way to go behind the seat, and [name] having their arm stretched out a bit too far to reach laura's hand, the warmth of her touch made up for the discomfort. she exhaled slowly and lovingly ran her thumb back and fourth against the back of [name]'s hand, making a comforting pattern of little shapes and circles. she laid her head back against the seat, shutting her eyes temporarily. [name] spoke in a tired sounding voice. "your hand is really warm." they noted, and laura smiled. "yours is really cold." she said matter-of-factly.

the position was bliss. laura wanted to fall asleep like this, to sleep with her fingers interlocked with [name]'s, but the cramp gradually growing in both of their arms stated otherwise. laura was stubborn, though. she held [name]'s hand a bit tighter, taking a deep breath in and out. [name] could've stayed like this forever, just like laura wanted to, but they weren't entirely keen on their arm cramping up. as much as they wanted to bask in laura's comforting touch, with the way she rubbed her thumb lovingly over [name]'s hand, their arm wasn't up to date with the plan. slowly, as to not startle or upset laura, they pulled their hand away and rested their cramped arm by their side, staring up at laura's blonde hair that was highlighted by the moon.

laura hummed. "why'd you pull away?" she asked, rolling her head over a bit and straining her eyes to try and look at [name] as best she could. "my arm was cramping. wasn't yours?" they questioned, and laura nodded. "well, yeah, but i didn't mind." she flashed a smile towards them, before closing her eyes once more to try and get a bit of sleep. her hand felt so empty without [name] holding it, though. sure, she could hold one of max's while he drove with the other, but that was dangerous. and [name] was so much warmer, and sleepier. they could sleep together. but not with one in the front seat and one in the backseat.

laura sat up a bit, using her elbow to prop herself up. "max," she spoke suddenly. "can you pull over for a second?" laura requested, making max glance at her with a confused expression. "..why? is something wrong?" he asked, hesitating. laura shook her head. "no. i just wanna do something. it'll only take, like, a couple seconds. then we can get back on the road." she explained, and max thought about it for a second. [name] sat up. "laura, are you doing what i think you're doing?" they questioned suspiciously, and laura shrugged. "i might be." she said vaguely. [name] laughed. "laura it's not gonna-"

but in no time, max had already pulled the car over.

"just hurry up, laura." he pushed. "it could be dangerous." laura was already undoing her seat belt, and unlocking her car door. "i know." she said dismissively before getting up and out of the car. laura shut the door to the car and stretched out her legs, groaning a bit as she did so. she took a few steps towards the backseat, but she could've... sworn she saw something. she turned to look at the darkness within the trees, her eyes scanning over each space with curiosity and suspicion. her eyes flashed over a flutter of movement that seemed to disappear in an instant. what was that? it was too fast to have been a bear, which was common in these parts. but it seemed too tall to really be something like a fox. her thoughts were interrupted by loud, sharp sounding knocking against the window behind her. she jumped a little and turned around to see [name] getting her attention and motioning for her to open the door. when she opened it, she was greeted by [name]'s pleasant voice. "what were you looking at? everything alright?" they asked, and laura glanced behind her before nodding. "just.. thought i saw something move. anyway, scoot over." she demanded, and [name] obliged although retorted a bit. "laura, this is never gonna work." they insisted, but laura got in the backseat regardless.

laura sat down and slammed the car door, not really bothering for a seat belt. [name] clutched their pillow and blanket, letting laura move around a bit. "so can i just.. not lay down anymore? is that privilege taken from me?" they asked, and laura laughed a little. "just wait a second." she reassured, moving her body around to be a bit more comfortable. she was sort of diagonal, sitting in a comfortable position but still sitting up. without any explanation, she pat her lap. [name] stared at her blankly for a moment. laura explained. "ill be your pillow. lay in my lap." [name] smiled warmly at her explanation. "really?" they said, almost annoyed but not necessarily denying the idea. they sort of threw their pillow at laura, before laying their head down so that laura's thigh pressed against the back of their neck and the little dip between her thighs served as a comfortable pillow for [name]. laura smiled down at them and stuffed the pillow behind her while [name] got more comfortable. max turned back to look at them with a sweet smile. "we ready to roll, campers?" he asked dorkily, and laura nodded with a laugh. "yeah." she said simply, and max grinned before getting the car back onto the road.

laura cupped [name's] face with her hand, gentle and loving and so very careful. she absent-mindedly played with [name]'s gorgeous hair, twirling it around in little spirals as they shut their eyes. the light in the back of the car finally shut back off again, making the two relatively unable to see eachother. but they didn't need to see eachother. for laura, feeling [name]'s heartbeat calm and slow beneath her and having her hand near them was enough. [name] reached one of their hands up in an offering position, the same one laura had used on them minutes before. laura intertwined her free hand with theirs, the position being so much more comfortable than it was before. no more arm cramps for them.

[name] shut their eyes comepletely. "night, laura." they mumbled softly, and laura's eyelids drooped a bit deeper before she mumbled back. "goodnight, [name]. sleep well."

maybe this road trip wasn't all that bad. maybe being lost wouldn't be so horrible. maybe the kids wouldn't be godawful. maybe, just maybe, hackett's quarry would be pretty enjoyable for these two months.

maybe. just maybe.

#laura kearney #max brinly #x reader #the quarry x reader #the quarry x you #the quarry #help

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