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#pulled his name out of a hat and decided to think about him this week!
anikaluv · 8 months
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I'LL BE THERE —
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❤︎︎ pairing:  Miles (e!42) × fem!reader
❤︎︎ genre: fluff
❤︎︎ cw:  stalking , Miles being a barbie kinnie, reader realizing there’s no escape lmao
❤︎︎ summary: Miles was your ex from a year ago, and you had completely moved on, blooming in your new life. So, why was he just now popping up everywhere?
❤︎︎ w/c: 800
❤︎︎ a/n: Was thinking about how Barbie has a million different jobs and went like, “What if that was Miles?”
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E!42 MILES getting so frustrated in an argument you two were having; looked you dead in the eyes and spat, "If you don't like that shit, you can get up and leave."
E!42 MILES being genuinely shocked when that is precisely what you did, thinking this was just gonna be another one of the little squabbles you two were used to having
E!42 MILES realizing in the next following months that you could live perfectly without him and move on, while he, on the other hand, was going through the worst turmoil of his life
E!42 MILES deciding that whether or not you wanted him in your life, he needed you in his. So he was going to get you back no matter what
E!42 MILES turning around to greet you with a cheeky grin on his face at the cafe you’ve been a regular for the past 6 years as the barista going, “Hello precious, ¿Qué será para ti hoy? (What will it be for you today?)”
E!42 MILES ignoring your look of surprise as he jots down your usual order that he already has memorized and then has the audacity to look back into your eyes and ask, “Can I get a name for the order, please?”
E!42 MILES a few days later watching as you pull in your cart full of groceries to checkout and couldn't help but laugh mischievously when your jaw dropped when seeing that he was the cashier. (He made sure to scan your items very slowly)
E!42 MILES becoming the bus driver of the bus you took every day to work. Pulling up to your bus stop, opening the doors, tipping his hat, and greeting you with a playful smile. "Mornin', mi vida (my life), pretty day, ain't it?", ignoring your eye roll as you stepped onto the bus.
E!42 MILES who “coincidently” ditches the home gym he’s been using since he started being the prowler and starts going to the exact same gym as you, sucking in his breath when he sees you squat in those tight seamless shorts
E!42 MILES who’s happy to treat you and your niece to some ice-cream at the park inside of the ice cream truck he now works at, playfully chuckling at you as you arrogantly shoved the money into his chest.
E!42 MILES sitting comfortably in a salon chair at your normal nail salon as a nail tech, ready to paint whatever design you desire on your delicate fingers
E!42 MILES who types into his computer at your local bank as your bank teller, prepared to enter in your weekly / monthly checks when you walk in. Taking your check out of your hand to observe it, acting shocked like it’s not its about the same amount every time. “Woah, cariño (darlin’) , did’nt know my girl worked this hard.” (He was proud of you, he knew his girl could achieve anything she wanted on her own )
E!42 MILES who welcomes you openly to his salon chair at your favorite hair salon when your usual stylist “happens” to be out of town going, “Hey mami, you want the usual?”
E!42 MILES at your library organizing books loudly while you’re studying for a important exam, holding his finger at your lips when you’re about to explode and scream and whispers, “Baby, this is a quiet environment, quiet your lips f’me aight?”
E!42 MILES clocking in as your yoga instructor at your yoga studio only on the one day of the week you go, wearing a purple headband with a tight tank top and yoga pants that showed the ass you didn’t know he had. You groaning as he does doggy style shouts, “Thats it ladies! You want to really arch your back like this!” while smirking. (Kelly Clarkson’s “What doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger” is playing in the back)
E!42 MILES who works at your local mall at Nike on one knee in front of you happily assisting you put on one of the pairs of shoes, locking eyes with you the whole time wearing that smug grin he always got. (When he was finished you kicked him in the face before he got up, but lets be honest, he probably fell in love more)
E!42 MILES being on the plane you were taking to move and get away from him. Wearing his flight attendant uniform and slowly making his way down the aisles. Finally getting to you and turning to you as that cute scowl appears on your face while nonchalantly saying, “Would you like some pretzels, ma? They gluten-free.”
E!42 MILES chuckling loudly when you downright ask him why was he following you everywhere like a stalking creep, amused that you haven’t gotten the message yet
E!42 MILES picking up your chin to make you give him all of your attention, leaning down to where your lips brushed against each other, and spoke in a quiet tone no one else heard,
“Doesn’t matter where you go or what you do conejita (bunny), I’ll be there."
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ENDING A/N:  Is this really extra and extremely unrealistic, damn right. But its funny.
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TAGLIST: @janaeby @bellstwd @nmgstuff @axeoverblade @zaddyskye69 @agstuffsworld @spidrstar @laylasbunbunny @missusmorales @popeheywardssecretgf @lumineliax @fukingsad @wisteriaflowersss @crxss01 @joliety @fiannee @sylisan
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sarahsmi13s · 1 year
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Rodeo
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(not my gif)
pairing: robert ‘bob’ floyd x pilot!reader (call sign: rodeo)
characters: bob floyd, reader, dagger squad, penny benjamin, pete mitchell, some dick named john and his friends (who aren’t necessarily dicks)
warnings: fluffy bob, bob in a cowboy hat, fighting, drinking (of age), suggestive, i believe that’s it
word count: ~2.2k
a/n: this came in second place, but i love it just the same. and i’m very close to writing a part 2 for this ;)
quick summary: when your relationship with bob is reveal to the squad, hangman can’t help but wait for bob to stake his claim on you.
*************
You sat in the Hard Deck, nursing your beer and playing pool with Phoenix when the bell chimed.
You glanced up and saw the Texan himself walk in, hat on and everything.
“Hangman, what the hell are you wearing?” Phoenix asked, leaning on her cue. You looked him up and down, chuckling when you heard his response, “I wear this all the time.” His accent had gotten thicker after visiting his family.
You had all just visited your families for Christmas. It was only two weeks but it had given you all plenty of time to slip back into your old accents.
“Nice buckle, Bagman,” Rooster commented, obviously teasing the fact that the buckle looked like it weighed down the front of his pants.
Jake puffed out his chest, a smile gracing his features, “Thank ya, Chicken. Thought I’d bring it back with me, I ain’t worn one in a while.” Rooster sipped his beer, “You get it at Bass Pro or something?” Jake’s face fell and you couldn’t help but laugh. “You did not jus’ ask me that.”
You glanced at it, looking at the details. 
“You rode?” Hangman turned to you, his smile returning, “Yeah, best there was.” You hummed, sipping your beer before sitting it down to line up your shot, “What made you quit?” “I wanted somethin’ different for myself. My older brother rode, my dad rode. I did it for the adrenaline, so I thought maybe I could get my high while doin’ somethin’ that had more meaning.”
Before you could retort, Jake had looked at Bob. 
“Since when do you wear hats?” You smiled glancing back at the WSO, who was wearing a reddish-brown felt cowboy hat, before looking back and catching the way his pilot looked at you. “Well, Bagman, you ain’t the only one that grabbed something from home.” Jake nodded in mutual respect before looking back at you.
He took a quick glance down at your belt line, seeing the lights reflect off your own buckle.
“You rode too?” You nodded, taking the final shot of the game, “8-ball far left corner pocket.” You gesture with the cue before taking the winning shot. “That’s game Phee.” Nat rolled her eyes and slipped you a 20.
“So, what was your event?” “Barrel racin’.” “Were you good?” “Best there was,” you winked and sat next to Bob. “How’d you think I gained the name Rodeo?”
Hangman donned his signature smirk, “I could think of a lot of things.” You shoved him, “You’re gross.” “Come on, Ro. That was funny.” Bob shook his head and draped his arm behind you on the booth.
“What made you quit?” Hangman asked as he slipped into the seat across from you. You sighed, “I raced for nearly my whole life. My brother Bryan did too. I could say I got out for the same reason you did, cause it wouldn’t be a lie. But I was always just Bryan's kid sister, or Darrel L/N’s daughter. I made somewhat of a name for myself, but by the time people saw me as me-”
You shrugged, sighing, “I didn’t enjoy it anymore. It became more about the trophies than the experience. So I decided to be the best at somethin’ I was proud of. That could give me a family, like the rodeo used to.”
Jake nodded in understanding, he patted your shoulder before moving on to bother Rooster and Coyote.
Bob sighed and let his arm fall around you and pulled you close to his side. “You didn’t tell me that.” You looked up at him, “Sure I did. Did I not?” He shook his head, “No, and you know I listen to every word you have to say.” You scrunch your nose, “I swear I told you.” He shook his head, “Nope.” You pouted, “Oh, well now you know.” He nodded, “That I do.”
You both smiled and he pressed a kiss to your lips. “Bob-” “I know Y/N, I just-” You cut him off by grabbing his shirt and kissing him again. “I’m tired of hiding it too.”
********
Meanwhile, everyone was watching the two of you.
“I can’t hear a word they’re sayin’,” Hangman said, straining a little to hear you both better. “Dude, when is that gonna go away?” Phoenix asked, in reference to his accent.
“Oh, it’s always there, trust me. It’s normally strong when he's drunk or really pissed,” Coyote confirmed, laughing a little.
“Plus, you never complain about Rodeo’s accent,” Jake commented. “Yeah, but it’s cute on her and gets Bob all flustered.” The group hummed in agreement before turning back to the (no-longer) secret couple in the booth.
They watched Bob kiss you, say a few words before being pulled in again.
“Damn, when will it be my turn?” Omaha asked, shaking his head. 
“Bob is so in love with her it isn’t even funny,” Phoenix revealed. “He always talks about her, and they went to see each other's families over our break.” “Really?” Yale asked, crossing his arms.
Phoenix nodded, “He’s been in love with her since the mission in May last year. And I’m sure it’s the same case with her.” Halo nodded, “Yeah, I had to listen to her talk about him all the time. And then Bob would talk to me if you were anywhere within earshot of Y/N. He’s fallen hard, they both have.”
Jake shook his head, his eyes trained on the couple as they talked, “We don’t know how in love he is with her though.”
Everyone just scoffed, “Do you not see how they are looking at each other right now?” Fanboy asked, looking at his fellow WSO and his second best friend. “It’s painfully obvious.”
Jake scoffed, “Cowboys have a special way of tellin’ each other a girl is off limits, other than a ring and a few hickies.” “Which is?” Harvard asked, stepping closer, intrigued.
Hangman glanced around and saw a few guys looking at you, “Okay, when Bob gets up and leaves her alone, one of these guys will try to flirt and Bob is probably gonna see. And being the silent and passive aggressive type-”
“Guys, Bob’s moving,” Payback caught their attention. Everyone shut their mouth and watched how you sat there, a grin on your face as you picked at the label.
Jake narrowed his eyes trying to pick out which guy was gonna make his move.
Coyote hit his arm, “4 o’clock.” Hangman turned his head, seeing a guy high fiving his friends before adjusting his posture and making his way to you.
You didn’t look up when someone sat across from you. 
“You weren’t gone very long.” “Well I just got here,” the guy chuckled, and that’s when you looked up.
You glanced around for Bob, but didn’t see him. 
“I’m John.” “Rodeo,” you said, leaning back in your seat. “Rodeo?” You laughed, “It’s my call sign. I fly for the Navy.” John tilted his head, “You’re not from around here are you? You sound funny.”
The pilots, who had discreetly moved closer, dropped their jaws. “He did not just say that,” Rooster hushed out. “Oh he totally just did,” Phoenix smirked, waiting for you to lay into the guy.
You just laughed, “You have no idea how to actually talk to a woman do you?” If that hurt John’s feelings, he didn’t let it show, “Oh, I can show just how I talk to women.” He winked, “If you wanna take a ride?” You scoffed, sipping your drink with an arched brow, “Sorry, pal. I’m not interested.” He scoffed, fidgeting in his seat.
The group knew he was getting frustrated and there was no sign of Bob coming back, so they had to prepare to jump in themselves. Especially Hangman.
“Look, John, while I appreciate the offer, I’m already scheduled for a ride.”
Omaha and Yale choked on their drinks. Rooster and Phoenix smirked proudly, both for you and Bob. “I wasn’t expecting that,” Payback said, leaning on the pool table.
“With who? That cowboy that just left you here alone,” John glanced around. “And doesn’t seem to be coming back.” He looked back at you, “Come on. I could show you a better time.” He placed his hand over yours, gripping it.
You sighed, really just wanting him to leave you alone, “John, you are aware of the rules in the bar right?” He scoffed, and tightened his grip when you tried to pull away, “Yeah, don’t leave your phone on the bar. What the hell does that have to do anything?” You glanced up, smirking.
“You missed a few. There’s also a rule against disrespecting the Navy and women,” Bob looked at the tight grip on your open hand, and the tenseness of your shoulders. “And from what I can tell you’re breaking both. I can get Penny’s attention right now, then you have to buy everyone a drink, or you can leave.” 
John stood up, being the same height as Bob he could look him in the eye. “And if I don’t.” Bob glanced at you and you shook your head, not wanting him to get into a fight when it wasn’t necessary. “Well-” John punched Bob. “Bob!”
Hangman, Rooster and Coyote immediately jumped into action as you reared back.
“Rodeo,” Maverick had appeared, moving from his seat at the bar while Penny moved to the guy's friends telling them they needed to leave. Maverick had caught your elbow, “He’s not worth it. Help Bob, we’ll take care of him.”
You nodded and moved quickly to help your boyfriend, helping him up and grabbing his hat. “Are you okay?” He nodded, wincing slightly when you brushed your thumb over his busted lip. “That doesn’t look okay.”
He shook his head, adjusting his glasses, “I’m fine, Sweetheart. I’ve dealt with worse.” 
As John’s friends dragged him out, calling him a ‘fucking dumbass’ and throwing out ‘I told you so’s, Penny came over with a small ziplock bag of ice.
“Thank you, Pen,” you took it and the damp napkin, pushing Bob to sit on the table. You gently wiped the blood from his lip, “Bobby, I’m sorry. I coulda-” “Stop, don’t do that.” You nodded, “Alright.” He smiled, but it was small so it didn’t irritate the cut.
The group watched. They saw how your tongue poked out in concentration, and Bob’s eyes looking up at you.
“So, Hangman, what’s the thing? How’s he gonna ‘claim his territory’?” Fanboy asked, crossing his arms. “It seems he already has, his eyes are basically hearts,” Payback commented. “That’s exactly why he’s gonna do it.” “Do what?” Rooster asked, propping himself on the table next to Hangman.
“Thanks for coming to my rescue, cowboy,” you said as you pressed the ice to his lip. He hummed, “Of course, Princess.” 
He grabbed your wrist gently and moved the ice away from his lip. 
“It’s gonna swell.” “I know a way to make it better,” he sat up straight to look at you and kissed you. You giggled and ran your free hand into the hair at the base of his neck.
When he pulled away, he tongued the cut on his lip, “I need a way to show everyone that you're mine. And I’m not allowed to give you visible hickies.” Both of you knew it was too early for marriage, not that it bothered either of you but you knew this wasn’t how Bob would propose.
You smiled against his lips, “I think they know now, Rob.” He adjusted his hat and chuckled. “Now, as much as I love kissing you, this will be sore without ice.” He nodded and let you place the ice back onto his lip.
“You know, I’ve got an idea.” You hummed, “What’s that?”
Jake watched with bated breath as Bob reached up to take his hat off.
Bob placed the felt hat on your head, “There, now everyone knows.” Your eyes brimmed with tears as you looked at him. “Bobby…” “I know we’ve only been together for 8 months but-” You pulled him in for a kiss.
When you pulled away, his glasses were askew and his cheeks were flushed. “I love you too.” 
Bob smiled and looked over, seeing Jake smiling and dancing a little. “I think Hangman’s more excited about me giving you my hat than you are.”
You looked over and laughed, “Oh wow…”
“Do that!” The blonde pointed over at you two. “He gave her his hat, so?” Harvard said, sipping his drink. “In the south, that’s like a proposal. It’s like a promise ring,” Jake was still pointing excitedly at the couple. “Wait really?” Phoenix asked.
“Yeah, really,” you confirmed when you and Bob walked over. 
Jake rubbed his neck, “Did you-” “See you dance like a teenager that just scored a touchdown? Sure did,” Bob said, ice pack muffling some of the words.
Phoenix smiled sadly at her backseater, “You okay?” He nodded, “I’ve been bucked off a horse and pull g’s everyday, a punch to the face is nothing.”
Hangman couldn’t stop smiling at the two of you.
“Hang? You okay?” He nodded, “Just happy for ya is all.” You smiled and hugged him, “Thanks man.” 
When you pulled away, you reached back for Bob’s hand. He grabbed it and intertwined your fingers.
“Now, if y’all will excuse us. I think my scheduled ride has been bumped up. See y’all tomorrow.” You tipped your Bob’s hat and he waved as you pulled him out the door and to his Jeep. 
********
thank you for reading! i hope you enjoyed!
thank you to those that voted for this story and i will be posting the last one tomorrow. i really appreciate all of you that voted! 
if you want more polls for the ‘x reader’s that are just chilling in my docs let me know or if you have any requests for more fics please do so!!
love you guys <33
top gun tags <3: @milesdickpic​ @luckyladycreator2​ @hotch-meeeeeuppppp​ @sebsxphia​ ​
thank you guys for being here! i love you *mwah*
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kedsandtubesocks · 1 month
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dance away your cowboy blues
Country Singer!Joel Miller x F!Reader
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summary: who knew the man with the voice of an angel could break your heart this bad?
warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY MDNI, modern/no outbreak AU & Joel has both his daughters, exes to lovers with eventual husband!Joel, angst followed up by good sweet fluff, concert venue, light drinking mention, Joel being stubborn & bad at feelings, hints of spice, fools in love, reader is addressed as ‘honey, darlin,’ use of song lyrics in fic, Pearl Jam & Taylor Swift song mentions, soft & heartbroken!Joel, lovesick!Joel
word count: 6k
a/n: here we are - the last installment in our ‘Let’s Rodeo’ series & I’m so incredibly grateful to finally make it here, also this is my mini tribute to our boy and his SAG award! The main song Joel sings is this one and I highly recommend! Thank you to my forever babe @the-wild-wolves-around-you for letting me scream about plot holes & aiding my Joel brainrot, @tightjeansjavi for always being down to chat about Joel, and to @lowlights & @ahauntedcowboy for being my ever guiding forces for this series, thank you all… And finally to you reading this, thank you so much ♡
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A year ago, Joel broke up with you on a warm early spring morning.
He arrived at your apartment, sat you down and shattered your world. You felt every range of emotion as he simply stood there like a man of steel.
So upset and angry, you wanted to rip your heart out and throw it at him.
Then later that week you found out his record was officially getting picked up and you crumbled.
Ending your relationship simply because he was about to step into true proper fame - you never took Joel to be a man so somberly callous. However, you began wondering if that’s what fame sometimes did to people.
When curiosity gnawed too hard, you’d Google him or even check Spotify. Simply catching glimpses of how big he’s gotten sent you spiraling. Last Thanksgiving, your favorite aunt threatened to lock your phone away when she found you upset in the bathroom after discovering Joel was performing at the Dallas Cowboys holiday game.
From that point on you refused to even check any amount of social media or update on him.
A few clunky first dates and a couple of ghosting experiences later, you’ve now decided to simply work on yourself and embrace the selfcare of being single.
It’s why when your best friend called you earlier today eagerly explaining how her parents had extra tickets to the Rodeo tonight, she playfully teased how she knew you didn’t have anything planned for this Saturday night.
You almost hung up on her, but you excitedly scrambled to get ready.
Now the smell of fried foods, popcorn, and beer cloud the air. The fairgrounds hold a chaotic but controlled lively energy. You never knew so many cowboy hats could exist in one space.
Once you meet up with your best friends' parents, you’re transported to a whole new area you never believed could exist during a rodeo. Lux and cozy, the VIP lounge gleams with its elevated experience. You knew your best friend’s mom worked for the construction company managing the arena. You just didn’t realize how big of a hookup it was. The VIP tickets allowed for full premium dining along with a couple of free drinks.
More importantly - it came with the best concert seats.
“In the dirt” is how they’re described because the tickets are literally stationed on the floor, in the dirt of the rodeo stadium, right by the stage.
Ecstatic and bubby energy now fills you. The food being served is divine and you gladly enjoy the free various drinks.
“So wait, did we figure out who’s performing?” You ask curiously while you lounge taking advantage of the nice seating area.
“Uh, I think my dad said it’s that band named Midland is performing today.” Your friend answers but then is quickly pulled away to meet more of her mom’s coworkers.
You’ve never heard of the band, but for a free concert you’re open to enjoy some live music.
It’s a trait you gained from Joel.
Because of him you grew to love music performances, the energy that comes with hearing the band, being among the hum of the crowd. The trips around Austin seeing not just him perform, but enjoying other concerts with him, let you appreciate and admire live shows.
Waiting for the concert allows you to enjoy some of the actual rodeo event. But the main performance of the evening soon arrives.
“You kids go enjoy! We’re getting a little too old and are just gonna stay back and enjoy the free food.” Your best friend’s mom grins with a wink.
The ticket advertisement wasn’t joking when it said close to the stage. The ground level truly sits on the dirt floor. The arena swallows you whole surrounding you like a strange fishbowl. A small crowd already lines the front railing closest to the stage. However sneakily you find a nice open spot by the side that gives a clear sight to the stage.
Even if you don’t know the band, giddiness bubbles in you electric.
You take in the massive general admission floor section already packed full. The band must be popular. So you take plenty of pictures and happily enjoy the time with your dear friend.
The lights dim and excitement crackles in the air. The stage lights up. The large backdrop screens on the stage flutter to life beginning to showcase different picturesque black and white shots of Texas.
Midland, you remember, is a city in Texas so the images make sense. A low strum of a guitar begins playing. The melody dances soft but in a quick beat, a hypnotic tune trying to rev up the crowd.
The tune brews up its intended magic that you even get swept up in the anticipation. The sound gets faster and the strumming is rather simple but so striking.
Then the music stops. Suddenly the lights of the entire stadium shut off. Wild galvanized screams erupt.
The lights brilliantly dance forth back to light. They all focus now on the performer who, like magic, now appears on the stage with the rest of the band.
And the lead singer is Joel.
Your knees almost give out.
Dressed in the most dangerous plaid green button up, it so simple yet beautifully compliments him. More grays pepper his beard and highlight his tousled curls. The brilliant stage lights bask him in a heavenly glow.
Your soul momentarily leaves your body the minute his voice sings his first note.
Instantly your best friend whips towards you panicked. She rapidly screams asking if you’re okay as she apologizes over and over.
“My dad must have gotten the dates wrong! God I should’ve fucking doubled checked or some shit!” She cries deeply apologetic and hurt.
You earnestly tell her it’s not her fault and it’s alright. It was just an unfortunate mixup.
“Do you wanna leave?” Your friend leans closer to you. Her eyes shine understanding and considerate. “We didn’t pay for these tickets and I promise you my parents will completely understand. We can say fuck it and bounce.”
You haven’t even completely processed it’s Joel. It’s like your brain went cloudy and now blinking out of the fog, your eyes return to the stage.
Joel isn’t an extroverted man. He’s reserved, quietly charming, even holds a gruff but poised grace. But right now, he’s an absolute sun on the stage. He’s radiant, naturally swaying to the music while singing his soul soul.
Maybe it’s the piece of you still horribly in love with him, or just the curiosity to see how this goes, whatever it is - you shake your head no.
“We can stay.”
Your best friend’s eyes go wide as saucers hearing your answer.
“Are you sure?” She presses and you nod your head.
“Yeah, let’s stay. Afterwards we can laugh about how old he’s gotten.” You laugh bitterly about him looking more aged even after a year.
When truthfully the stronger wrinkles around his face, the vibrant grays, all of his aging only intensifies his striking looks.
A canyon wide sized hole rips through your heart.
The song flutters to an end and the crowd claps with a thunderous roar. With a reassuring squeeze to your shoulder your dear friend nods then turns back to the concert.
You pray this isn’t the worst decision you’ve ever made.
Then Joel speaks.
“Howdy everyone,” his voice is still so devilishly thick and smooth as a shot of moonshine. His accent does his home state proud. The crowd absolutely adores him, screaming loud just hearing him speak.
“Thank y'all for comin’ out tonight. I’m Joel Miller and m’here to sing y’all a few songs.” So simple, casually eased, and it’s so Joel.
His gruff southern charm made you fall in love with him so fast and now it’s a unique brand of magic charming everyone under his spell.
Joel strums a few notes, rapidly shifting the tune and transitions into the next song.
You now fully soak in Joel.
He seems otherworldly, a god of music reincarnated as a Texan cowboy. You think back to the days sitting in his living room and listening to him play. You were honored to see that side of him, to hear him strum to life so much magic.
During the holiday’s Joel’s daughters, Ellie and Sarah, would often pester him to sing silly songs. He’d grumpily obliged but you knew he basked in their attention and love.
He loved to sing. You always knew he was destined for the stage like it was woven into his veins.
You still remember the day one of Joel’s acoustic performances blew up online gaining so much attention. The excitement and absolute joy you felt then still lingers in the corners of your heart. Although, those feelings have been gathering cobwebs.
There’s of course a bitterness seeing him, but also, an unbearably small twinkling pride knowing he’s here living his dream. The song finishes and again the stadium rumbles in applause.
“How y’all doin’ tonight?” Joel asks and your heart jumps hearing his voice again.
The crowd cheers back at him.
“Good good, let’s keep it goin’.” He yells back and then strums the guitar sharp.
That’s when the stage slowly starts moving.
It’s slow but with the surprise purpose to look out to the entire crowd. For some reason you almost laugh thinking of that man, who couldn’t even remember how to FaceTime on his ipad, on a full rotating platform.
However, the lyrics start and you realize he’s singing a heartbreak ballad.
If you’re going out with someone new, I’m going out with someone too…I won’t feel sorry for me, I’m getting drunk but I’d much rather be somewhere with you…
It’s hard hearing him now with how exhilarated the crowd screams at the stage moving. But you try to hear how the rest of the song unfolds.
At the chorus, your throat tightens.
I can go out every night of the week, can go home with anybody I meet, but it’s just a temporary high… ‘cause when I close my eyes, I’m somewhere with you
The words sting every inch of you, but you believe it has to be just a simple heartbreak story and isn’t about you, isn’t directed at you. Yet the words feel like sharpened edges of a broken mirror that seem to reflect every moment of your time with him.
Then the stage rotates to your side of the floor.
There’s no way he can see you or will even spot you. There’s a whole crowd stretching before him. You’re just a fish in a sea of fans.
Joel continues strumming, allowing his voice to so beautifully carry the emotion.
The stage, in its slow movement, is now front and center to your line of sight. Some girls at the very direct front of the railing scream and wave frantically at him.
A small smile tugs at Joel’s lips as he waves back. Joel’s eyes scan the rest of the crowd -
And that’s when he spots you.
Quickly, you rationalize he could be staring out behind you at someone else alongside the side railing.
But Joel’s eyes even narrow trying to focus more. Your gaze stays on him, like something inside of you refuses to waiver.
His eyes flicker with realization then turn into full moons.
He knows it’s you.
Joel continues singing the chorus but emotions cloud his face. His brows are furrowed hard, almost confused like he’s trying to really comprehend what’s going on.
You understand. You’d be so confused too if you were in his position. You’re still even baffled as to why you stayed in the first place.
The stage starts shifting back to the main center direction
But Joel cranes his face to the side, refusing to have his eyes leave.
His focus stays on you.
It’s obvious enough that your best friend now shakes your body.
“Is he staring at you?!” She tries to whisper but she ends up partly screaming.
You think maybe it’s a hallucination.
Yet Joel’s deep inky eyes stubbornly stay locked on you as he sings now.
If you see out on the town and it looks like I’m burning it down, you won’t ask and I won’t say… but in my heart I’m always somewhere with you…
Your world twists warped, melting into a sea of so many emotions you can’t stay afloat.
Joel finishes his song and the crowd enthusiastically cheers. Yet, it sounds muffled as a numbness crawls over you like a thick soupy fog.
You should leave. You need to. But you’re here now. And decide to see the end of this. If he’s singing about someone lingering within him, then you might as well make true to those lyrics.
Joel lowers his face for a moment and shakes his head. The mic faintly picks up his cough of a disbelieving laugh and your heart sinks.
“Alright folks, let’s jam.” He announces composed and brings his guitar to life.
He’s beautiful walking around with it. Strums effortlessly until he shifts from one guitar, his classic, to a more sleek all black styled one.
Joel lets the music and band take over while he makes the switch. He also leans in to whisper something to the stage hand.
Then as if nothing, Joel steps back into the limelight and illuminates the stage.
He walks around freely now that the stage stopped rotating. The current song is lively with a great beat and you hate how badly you want to bounce around to its infectious sound and the way Joel’s voice elevates the tune.
Caught up in the melody, you don’t notice until it’s too late. Joel walks over to the side of the stage directly facing you.
The guitar carries a large piece of this song’s bridge allowing his eyes to flicker across the crowd.
Until they return to your gaze. Stuck in his stare, Joel suddenly cocks his chin towards you.
Most of the crowd around you screams at his simple action. Even your best friend yells out a loud ‘holy shit’ but you stay quiet.
Not knowing how to react, all you do is stupidly shrug.
It’s awful, not even the best reaction you can give.
But Joel barks a laugh, a true laugh that thankfully happens at the tail end of the song, but your knees go weak.
You made him laugh.
On stage.
Heartache finds its way back into your system fiercer than ever and it poisonously tastes of adoration as well.
Joel transitions into another song. This time moving around the stage more towards the other side.
Yet, either his eyes flicker back to you, or he ends up walking to your section.
A part of you wonders if he’s doing this now to mock you, almost showing off how good he is knowing you’re here. You don’t believe Joel would be that heartless, but you hate how that option still lingers.
“He’s been walking over here a lot.” Someone even behind you even notices.
“Well he is old.” Someone yells back. “Maybe he’s just trying to keep his joints in shape.”
You almost want to snap back that he’s looking damn good for his age and in good enough shape that he kept you bent like a pretzel for practically a whole weekend, but you swallow back the protective bite.
You simply go back to enjoying the show, and it’s fantastic. You can’t deny that. Joel is a performer, keeps the crowd focused and engaged. He isn’t showy or dramatic but takes control of his presence on stage.
You think of the days seeing him at small bars around town, sitting on a stool playing till his heart's content.
Then he booked Stubb’s in Austin and when you watched him own that stage - you knew this was meant for him.
You’re reminded of that so vividly tonight.
“Alright, gettin’ to the end here.” He announces and the crowd sounds heartbroken.
“I know, i know,” he coos back soft and low. “But just wanted to say y’all have been lovely.”
So many shrill shrieks crack in the room and you almost roll your eyes.
Your best friend snickers beside you. “Gotta give it to him, man can work a room.”
She’s right of course. Though it’s still so surprising for a man grumpily reserved and introverted at times.
“This next one I hope maybe some of y’all will know.”
He strums the cords to Pearl Jam’s ‘Alive.’
What gained Joel traction online was his renditions and covers of various songs. He added his own country twang and twist to all the songs he covered.
Pearl Jam happened to be one of Ellie’s favorite bands. A hollow nostalgia rip through you, thinking of the two girls you miss.
The crowd ignites recognizing the familiar rock ballad now turned into the tune of a country song by Joel’s touch. He owns the solo and his husky voice melts into the lyrics beautifully.
Under your breath you sing along. You used to sing along when you cooked breakfast at his place or during drives with him and the girls.
It’s a beautiful fondness, yet one still barbed and so aching.
The song ends with the intense but small burst of fireworks that has the stadium cheering. You even clap.
“Appreciate y’all.” He addresses the crowd. “That’s a one of my daughter’s favorites so always means a lot when I get to play it.”
A smile you can’t fight tugs at your lips at the mention of Ellie.
“Now my daughters, they’re like night ‘n day.” Joel continues and your heart fills up so overwhelming fast for those girls.
“One of them, like I said, loves some Pearl Jam. Now my other daughter…” Joel pauses.
“She’s a big fan of someone by the name of Taylor Swift.”
The crowd absolutely explodes and you think you even feel the arena shake. Sarah honestly was a big fan and Ellie loved to tease her about it so much.
“Normally for this next and final song, I’d play ‘‘shake it off.’” Joel had a few songs of hers that he covered. That one was a fan favorite.
“But tonight, I'm itchin’ to play somethin’ else.” He continues.
You even perk up curious.
“So let’s end this on a high note, yeah? Sing along if you know this one.” Joel concludes.
Then the drums begin and the song bursts to life.
The stadium swims in a dizzying frantic energy.
The way Joel sings, he’s pouring his heart out. He’s memorizing. Utterly heart wrenching.
This is the finale, the end of this strange unreal dream you’ve wandered into. You wonder if he feels it too.
The song’s chilling bridge comes and Joel walks to stare directly at you.
I thought I had you figured out, can’t breathe whenever you’re gone. Can't turn back now, I'm haunted…
His eyes never leave yours.
The lyrics sear through your heart. You think about screaming the song to back him. He’s the one who left, the one who’s ghost lives among your ribs.
Then Joel hits the final high note, lets his voice carry the powerful finale, and the crowd roars in earth shaking excitement.
It’s magical, magnetic and utterly devastating in both the best and worst ways. Another few sets of indoor fireworks go off and the show ends.
Joel wishes the crowd a beautiful night and you’re left in a tangled web of emotions.
Your best friend immediately turns to see if you’re okay. While the crowd starts leaving, you and her take a moment. Out of the edge of your focus, you notice a crew member of the arena approaching the side of the rail. You don’t think anything of it.
“Excuse me,” until that crew member stands in front of you on the other side of the barrier.
Blinking absolutely confused you turn towards the man.
“I’ve been asked to escort you backstage.” He explains and your best friend gasps.
You wonder if the ground opened below and dropped you into a free fall.
Quickly you stammer out that you couldn’t. There's no way. Maybe the man must’ve mistaken you for someone else.
“Mr. Miller said you’d say something like that.” The crew member says reaching into his pocket to hand you something.
It’s a keychain.
Not just any keychain, but the one you gave Joel.
It’s a cartoon armadillo, dressed up as a cowboy, holding a guitar. When you first saw it you immediately thought of Joel. His daughters got a kick over it, giggled at how cute it was, and your heart had bursted when you saw it constantly among his keys.
Now the worn little cowboy creature sits waiting for you. It’s sweet marble like eyes stare up at you like a day hasn’t gone by since you gave Joel this.
Your best friend gasps, maybe not fully recognizing the keychain but understanding the significance.
You ask the crew member if your friend can maybe accompany you backstage, but he shakes his head a sad no.
“Then I…I can’t.” You shakily breathe out.
“Yes you can!” She interjects. “You gotta at least hear him out!”
You turn to her and find determination fiercely burning in her eyes as she nods.
“But what about you? I don’t want you or your parents waiting around for me.” You urge.
“Don’t worry about me or especially about them!” She reassures, even offering to wait for as long as you need.
You’re grateful, unbearably so and embrace her tight.
“You call me if he gets stupid. I don’t care backstage or not, I’ll go get you.”
You laugh watery at her well meaning threat and thank her. With a quick sweet goodbye, you follow the crew member along the rails until exiting.
The walk out to the backstage area fills you with a hurricane of emotions. What else could Joel say to you? A part of you wonders if he’s going to be cruel about this, having you simply show up to his dressing room just to laugh so arrogant and smug about how wonderfully famous he is now.
No, Joel isn’t that type of man.
Or you hope fame hasn't warped him into that type of man. Arriving at the green room door, your heart races loud in your ears.
The crew member knocks and before you can compose yourself, Joel opens the door.
He’s bathed in the golden amber light of the backstage room. It highlights all those grays again but also illuminates more of the time passed on his face. More winkles line against his eyes and when he fully stares at you, you wonder how different you might look in his eyes.
A jackrabbit like urge rushes over you to maybe flee, call your best friend to come get you.
“Thanks for comin’,” he mutters out. “Was worried ya wouldn’t show.”
You want to bitterly joke that you didn’t want to, but the armadillo keychain you hang onto holds the truth.
The door closes leaving you and Joel alone. Awkward stale air chokes the space.
You simply keep your attention on examining the room. His classic weathered jacket rests thrown over the couch. The rider is stacked with so many classic Joel snacks like his favorite jerky, popcorn, and even a few familiar favorite treats his daughters love.
Then your eyes catch the mug on the counter and you grin softly.
It must be filled with Joel’s classic drink - chamomile and ginger tea with honey for his throat.
“It’s…yeah. That’s it.”
You didn’t even realize you said anything out loud until Joel replies casuing your heart to jump. Finally your eyes find his.
It's a curse that your greatest heartbreak is this handsome. Exhaustion weighs in you and feels ancient, like if you carry the sum of so many lifetimes before.
“So…You wanted to talk to me?” You speak first, trying to keep yourself strong.
“I…uh yeah.” Answering so cryptically, his shoulders deflate. “How ya been?”
“Good.” You answer simple, curt almost.
There’s too many things that could’ve slipped out if you said anything more. Like how you selfishly kept one of his shirts and hate that the smell of him on it has faded like a wistful memory. Or how you can barely listen to Dolly Parton or Johnny Cash anymore because you’re reminded of Joel singing along to their songs.
So you turn the conversation back to him.
You ask how the girls are and Joel perks up, eyes shimmering with fatherly pride.
“Good, yeah they’re good. Uh, Ellie’s playing softball for the school again ‘n Sarah’s busy with student council. They’re still just bossin’ me all around.”
“As usual.”
You both say the same line at the same time and it chokes you up.
Joel inhales and his lips press tight, a hard line. The air tightens. No one says anything and now annoyance, frustration and maybe even a bit of panic claw at you.
“Joel, why am I here?” You ask him again.
Sighing, so weary and tired, he looks down.
Feels like ages pass between you and him. The faint noise of the stadium leaks into the room muffled.
You think of your best friend waiting and of your own heart waiting to end this.
“Look, it was good to see you,” you half lie. “You did great, hope you and the girls take care”
You turn to walk out.
That’s when he blurts out your name and you stop.
“I miss you.” He exhales.
“Miss ya so g’damn much. Every fuckin’ day.” He mutters.
When you turn back around, he stares at you unwavering. You don’t know what to say.
“Seein’ ya out in the crowd…thought m’heart was gonna give out.” He barks a weak laugh.
“Almost stoppin’ the fuckin’ show just to make sure it was you… y’look beautiful as ever.” His eyes haze over slightly, almost nostalgic.
Suddenly a heated spark rips into your chest, jagged edged and angered.
“You broke up with me.” You snap, voice already raw.
“I know,” Joel nods. “Worst damn decision of m’life.”
Your lips tremble. Everything hurts like a live wire is burning up your veins.
“Then why? Why did you do it?” You croak. You want to scream, maybe even storm out and not even give him the chance to speak.
“What? Did Mr. Big Country Star hate having a partner that wasn’t famous too?” Venom leaks bitter and poisonous in your mouth, choking your throat.
“Y’know god damn well that ain’t it.” He snarls back hard.
“No actually I fucking don’t know Joel.” You reply with a fierce bite. “You so conveniently left out any real damn reason why you were breaking up with me.”
“I said our paths were going in separate directions.” He glares hard at you now.
“And that’s about it!” Your voice raises and you hate it.
The tears come quicker than you hoped for and you hate that more.
“No real explanation,” you exhale, wanting to stay as calm as you can. “You couldn’t even give me that…what else am I supposed to think?”
Even dabbing away your tears, your composure is slowly slipping.
“I couldn’t do this to you,” he breathes out and it’s broken. His eyes are shimmering obsidian pools.
“This life, all the fuckin’ mess that comes with dating someone in the limelight, I couldn’t just throw that on ya.” He explains and the truth rings out a quiet hum.
“And you didn’t think to talk to me about this?” You whisper out now hurt. “Joel, I thought we were a team.”
“We are- were.” He slips and corrects himself fast. “I just knew if we fuckin’ talked about it you wouldn’t have understood.”
“Understood what?” You’re frustrated and it leaks into your voice.
“That I didn’t want ya fuckin’ hatin’ me!” He finally screams the weighted truth.
Stunned quiet but still slightly confused, you ask Joel what he means.
Pain travels across Joel’s handsome face as his jaw clenches hard.
“This shit…it takes away a lot.” He croaks out. “Hell I’ve even missed things with the girls. Didn’t want ya sacrificin’ your life or wakin’ up one day and realizin’ how much you’ve lost ‘cause of me…couldn’t let myself do that to you.”
Your chest aches like a rocket got shot into you. You’re angry he took that chance for you to decide, but you understand.
Joel never wants to be the cause of pain to others, especially those he loves.
He agonizes so much over his decisions and how corrupting he believes he is. When in reality every action he takes you know simply stems from his endless deep devotion to keep those he loves safe.
His decision to end your relationship was him, in his own frustrating Joel way, trying to keep you safe. Even if it was from himself.
Your lips tremble and you cuss bitterly hard under your breath.
“You damn stupid man.” You hiccup. “I didn’t…I don’t care what life fame would’ve given me with you. I would never resent you. For better or worse I just wanted a life with you, that’s all I ever wanted.”
Through a few sobs, you wipe the tears fogging up your sight.
Before you can see it happening, strong sturdy arms suddenly wrap around you and shock you breathless. Curled in Joel’s arms, it’s like a sad coming home party and you cry even more.
“M’so sorry, my darlin’.” Joel whispers against your forehead.
“I hate you.” You don’t. Even on your hardest days, you never could.
“I know, hate my fuckin’ ass too.” Joel replies.
His arms squeeze you tighter.
“Never stopped lovin’ you. Never will.” His voice wavers and now your arms wrap around him.
“You left.” You whisper back so small while tears continue to prickle in your eyes.
“I know honeydew, ‘n I’ll never forgive myself for it.” He replies fiercely like a strike of lightning with its bright force. “Been a fuckin’ mess without ya. Tommy would be the first to agree and the girls too.”
You absorb his words, basking in the safe haven that is Joel. Hours, maybe days pass just in his arms.
“Please forgive me, baby.” He whispers hoarse against your head.
You nod a soft yes.
Because even the part of you that wants to yell and stubbornly say no knows the ultimate answer is, and always will be, him.
“Of course…I love you.” You mutter half dazed against his strong chest. “Love of my life.”
Pressed so close to him, you feel how hard he swallows and his arms squeeze you impossibly tighter against you.
He says your name and you hum out a soft noise.
“Marry me.”
Your eyes, which have sort of glazed over, snap open wide.
“What?” You mutter out, maybe think you misheard him.
“Marry me.” Joel repeats himself.
You practically squawk like a confused bird and scramble in his arms.
“Joel Miller, you can’t be serious?!” You shriek through the tears still lingering in your voice.
Your face snaps up to him. His face is composed, almost serene in a way as he look at you with molten eyes.
“Serious as that g’damn ring I bought ya.”
His words are a mumble but so soft and unwavering. Your soul leaves your body like you were thrown into a cold lake.
“You what?” You stammer out.
“Y’heard me.” He nudges his chin to you. “A ring. Bought it after you dropped everything to go take care of the girls when they got sick.”
Too many emotions overwhelm you and the tears return with a vengeance.
Joel, like a steady man in the storm, places his warm hand on your face to gather you back into his embrace. He places the softest kiss to the side of your head.
“We gotta have a chat about discussing your feelings with me more, Miller.” You manage to chide him through your tears.
“I know.” He mutters against your skin while he continues softly kissing you with utter tenderness. “‘N I’m not lettin’ ya go again.”
You squeeze him hard, trying to burn his memory into your arms worried you’re going to wake up and find this is just a heartbroken hallucination.
“Baby,” he begins.
“Hm?”
“Stay with me for the night.” He urges. “The bus got plenty of room-”
“Ooo, is this what you say to all your groupies, Mr. Miller?” You tease with a snort.
“Behave.” His hand playfully squeezes your hip but his underlying somber tone even with his chuckle ignites a familiar heat brewing in you of the times he’s reprimanded you like that before.
“No groupies.” Joel reassures you. “Only you sweetheart, only ever gonna be you.”
His words flutter into your heart and make a nest there.
Gently you draw back to stare at Joel. Your hand moves to his face, aching to just touch him. Even in his arms you’re waiting for him to vanish from your touch as if he’s a figment of your wrecked heart, a ghost of lovers past haunting you now.
But his stubble tickles against your palm. Running warm as usual, his face feels like a soft morning sun. Your thumb strokes his cheek and his eyes close, melting into your hold.
Gently you place a soft kiss against the corner of his lips.
Joel now tilts his head so he can deepen the kiss before you can even draw away.
It’s not a consuming passion that you expected. No frantic fierce clash of lips or an overflow from a year passed between you two.
Instead it’s a soft welcome home. It’s a kiss you’ve given him when he’s come home late or when you leave for work.
Because his blood, his soul, you believe are simply stitched into the very fabric of you. It’s like a piece of you is returning back to you, or maybe back to your other home with him.
“So you gonna stay with me?” He mumbles against your lips.
“I don’t know Miller, you haven’t even offered to sign anything for me. What kind of famous country singer are you?” You smirk against his lips.
He laughs, hearty, a true wild deep one sweeping you into its joy.
“Hell yeah I’ll fuckin’ sign something for ya, our marriage certificate.” He snaps in classic grumpy Joel fashion and you almost think about dragging him to a courthouse.
You text your friend a million apologies and even take pictures of all the signed merch you’re bringing back to her.
Now in the cocoon of Joel’s cozy bed on his tour bus, among the warmth sheets, you hold the ring up in the dim light inspecting it. Because of course your secretly romantic man kept the ring with him.
“You sure you weren’t keeping this around for someone else?” You ask.
“Fuck no.” He growls low. “S’yours…only yours.”
From behind his arms slide around you and you’re encompassed by his swallowing presence. His beard scrapes against your shoulder.
“If ya don’t like it, can get ya another one.” He mutters casually but hesitant softness peeks out from under his gruff tone.
“It’s perfect.” You reassure him.
It’s the ring Joel got you then and it’s the ring you want now and always will. You even tell him that.
The kisses places on your bare shoulder whispers of his devotion.
“Honey.” However, his voice now is hesitant and makes you pause on your ring inspecting.
“I gotta ask…but do ya have my armadillo keychain?” Joel asks with an utter somberness.
You burst out laughing and it shakes your body.
“Honeydew, I’m being serious!” He growls out. “Want that lil’ fella back!”
Wheezing with giggles you lean back against Joel, floating so blissfully floating in renewed adoration.
Twisting in his arms your lips find his.
“Tryin’ to distract me ‘cause you lost him, huh?” He mutters.
You snort, shaking your head.
“No I just love you so much, you dumb cowboy.” You tell him.
“Your dumb cowboy. For better or worse.” He vows, kissing you back firmer now.
“For better or worse,” you nod breathing into him.
In this carved out slightly cramped space it feels holy, sacred, chapel like. You’re even afraid it might be gone tomorrow morning. However, the ring on your finger is the steeled reassurance it isn’t going anywhere.
But, just in case, you gather this glory and Joel into your arms with the promise of never letting go.
246 notes · View notes
m1d-45 · 7 months
Note
hey! not sure if ur taking requests but would love it if u cld.....my mind has been stuck on this for a while
I almost didn't get wanderer on his banner and it broke my heart. From the second I first saw to the little emo boy in the archon quest I've wanted him on my team and was so excited when they announced his banner.... I even prefarmed for him ;-;
But I lost the 50/50 (got tighnari ;-;) and calculated that I'd have only 50 pulls before his banners gone.....I've never gotten a character before 70 pulls so I got really sad and decided on a whim to build heizou since I had the teams and artifacts ready and I even started having fun with him when randomly at 23 pity guess who I get!!!
So I've kinda been living in my own little daydream(delusion xD) that wanderer got jealous of me having fun with heizou and came home.... could I request a sagau drabble or hc or something similar to my insanity totally fine if you can't 🥰🥰🥰
near miss
word count: ~500
-> warnings: spoilers for wanderer lore, minor spoilers for heizou lore, author once again dances around wanderer’s name
-> gn reader (you/yours)
taglist: @samarill || @thenyxsky || @valeriele3 || @shizunxie || @boba-is-a-soup || @yuus3n || @esthelily || @turningfrogsgay || @cupandtea24 || @genshin-impacts-me || @chaoticfivesworld || @raaawwwr
< masterlist >
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for being the creator, all knowing and all present, you were missed quite often.
your wanderer sat in his banner, looking down at your party as you travelled teyvat. he’d missed your first star shower on account of giving a lecture, and by the time he’d seen the star streaking toward the forest through the window, it had been too late. news of the forest ranger stealing what was his spread quickly, something akin to resentment burning in his chest.
but not this time. he was determined not to miss you again. your attention had been on him for so long; surely you didn’t think he’d just roll over now that you’d invested in someone else? no, he’d wait.. even if it hurt watching you.
shikanoin heizou. the sharpest detective in inazuma—or even teyvat, if you were particularly inclined to praise him. you’d given heizou what you had planned to give him, and he hated it. he was right here, he was listening, he didn’t have any more lectures for the week, so why did you have to insist on keeping your stars to yourself?
(it was his fault. if only he’d paid more attention, as you had so graciously given him…)
“maybe… i’ll get lucky?”
he snapped out of his mind, aware of your presence all at once. he could feel his heart in his fingers where he pressed at the boundaries, and he searched the sky around him despite knowing he’d never see you.
(luck. ‘lucky.’ he’d make his way to you if he had to crawl. what part of that was chance?)
his hat was already discarded in his inventory, so nothing would hinder him from following your star. all he had to do was wait for you… and hope you’d send them out at all.
you wouldn’t settle for heizou, would you? he knows you were enjoying yourself, but that didn’t mean you’d forget about him… right?
a beam of light split the silence, and he pushed at the edges of his banner to reach for them. but even reaching as far as he could, he barely brushed the edge of the star.
it was warm. even that glimpse of heaven set his heart beating a little quicker, purple mist lingering around his fingers.
again. he won’t miss it this time, he swears. don’t settle for a detective when you could have…
…him. would he be enough for you?
the skies split in two, another bright purple star beginning to fall. he reached, grabbing onto the handle of a polearm. with a sharp pull, he was set free from his banner, the silver spear flung elsewhere. hopefully you wouldn’t miss that.
if he’d thought the star from before was warm, then the fall back to the earth was burning hot. your light enveloped his entire being, stealing the air in his lungs. his surroundings were whipped away, replaced with a bright feeling only describable as divine.
still, he landed on his feet. with shaky hands he placed his hat back on his head, allowing himself a proud smile.
“welcome home, wanderer.”
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kookslastbutton · 8 months
Text
Love's Remedy ༓ jjk (m) l ch. II
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✑ Summary: Jungkook is a romantic. He comes from a highly intelligent family who wants him to carry out the lineage. Being this way, he goes to college to be a pharmacist but his friends say college isn't just about studying! With a little persuasion, he goes to his first frat party thinking his hat will help him pick up a girl-or woman he means.
Pairing: STEM major!virgin!jungkook x STEM major!hot girl!reader
AU/genre: angst, smut, fluff, s2l, college au, mini-series
Rating: M, 18+
Word Count: 2,783
Warnings: angry koo, jealous koo, gym rat koo, thicc thighs koo, protective koo, kook checks his abs out, koo gets in a physical fight with an aggressive jerk that involves punching, name-calling (half pint, hermit crab, b*tch, Bambi, honeysuckle, kookie), mention of blood (minor), jk is very cute and determined towards oc, oc has philophobia (fear of relationships), oc has poor self-esteem, cussing, bit of crying...sorry lot of warnings this chapter
Now Playing: seven, summertime sadness, she’s kerosene, angels like you+
A/N: Yes, I'm aware this chapter is short, still Jungkook is shirtless in half of this and I am not sorry. This chapter also gets heavy but I hope you enjoy! 💞
<< ch. I ༓ ch. II >> | series masterlist
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A week passes since the frat party and Jungkook hears nothing from you. He's reluctant to accept that you've likely already deleted his number but why else would you be radio silent? Why would someone like you ever be interested in a shy little nerd like him?
He's disappointed but when he gave you his number, it's not like he was expecting anything in return.
Well, he can’t stay hung up on you forever—he'll give you one more week. In the meantime, it’s 5 p.m and he’s off to do his daily lifting at the gym. He read somewhere online that evening is better for building strength, and that is exactly what he intends to do.
With a basic black tank top and gym shorts on, Jungkook scans the expanse of the facility. The place isn’t too crowded being that it’s nearly dinner time but it’s still moderate. He’s hoping Jackson will join him soon, considering they’re buddies now because isn’t that what guy friends do? Workout together?
When he makes his way to the weight room he quickly finds it's packed with guys double his size. Half of them look like they're upperclassmen while the other half is split between first-years like him and a small handful of women. He sheepishly strolls over to an empty pull-up bar, deciding to start with chin lifts.
Jungkook sets his water bottle on the ground, reaches for the handle, and lifts his body up until his chin is level with the bar, legs swing in the air slightly. He then extends his arms back out. The burn in his biceps feels good. He repeats the motion a few more times but has to stop when he hits six.
He takes a big swig of his water, already sweating evident from the tank top sticking to his back. The coolness of the water helps but between his own sweat and the sweat of others around him, Jungkook is tempted to throw his shirt off. Most of the men in the room aren’t wearing any more than shorts anyway so why can’t he?
Jungkook grasps the edges of his tank, pulling it up a little. How did his abs look? Were they good enough to show off? He’s working out diligently since 14 but he was still on the smaller side compared to the rest of his peers.
The mirror to his left helps him get a better look so he shifts his body over. When he does he catches a slight glimpse of a familiar face in the top right corner. Jungkook instantly drops his shirt, whipping his head around.
What were you doing in the weight room? And with some buff guy twice his size closely behind you? All he’s doing is staring at your ass in those tight purple shorts which so happens to have a matching crop top.
Jungkook scowls at the sight.
When you take a seat at one of the bench presses a couple of feet away, his eyes widen. The guy you came with stands behind your head as you lean back. He helps you set the barbell. It’s too far for Jungkook to hear what he’s telling you but he’s convinced it’s nothing good. Whoever this guy is he won’t stop grinning, and you’re grinning back!
You said you don’t do relationships. You said you'd think about going out with him. You said a lot of things but here you are with some guy that looks an awful lot like a boyfriend, how disgusting…
Fuck it.
Jungkook turns his eyes away from you, yanks his tank off, and grabs the pull-up bar again. He’s gonna knock ten of these out in one set.
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Shoulder-width apart, he keeps a steady pace though he makes sure to take deep breaths to prolong his stamina. His eyes fixate on the back wall of the weight room to avoid you and your supposedly new boo from getting in his head.
Apparently, you just didn’t want him. It’s fine. Jungkook exhales. It’s all fine.
After three sets of chin-ups, Jungkook releases himself from the bar to check his phone. He takes another glug of his water too.
Jackson: hey Kook, I was planning to join you at the gym today but I got my family in town tonight. Man, it’s only been a week….can you believe they’re here to visit already?
Jungkook: Wow, all I’ve gotten from my family is a short text saying good luck. They must miss you a lot but yeah, it’s no problem. We can work out another time?
Jackson: You got it bro. Thank you for understanding 🙏🏼 Also, there’s a second thing 😬
Jungkook: ??
Jackson: I might have told my parents about you so are you free to get lunch with us tomorrow? My parents want to meet you. Our treat.
Jungkook: Really? Okay yeah. I’d love to meet them. Time?
Jackson: We don’t know yet but likely 1pm if that’s okay?
Jungkook: Sure, I’ll just be studying so. Text me when you know.
Jackson: I will. How’s the gym?
Jungkook hovers his thumbs over the keyboard. When he glances up to think, he’s reminded of your lingering presence. You’re no longer bench pressing anymore but instead doing a set of bent-over dumbbell rolls. With the way you’re torso’s angled, anyone who’s anyone has a direct view of your rear end. Any decent person would pay it no mind but that same douchebag next to you keeps gawking.
“It’s not meant to be a fucking sex position,” Jungkook mutters and types out a response. “Fucker.”
He makes his way to the black punching bag on the other side of the room, passing a strong glare at that young man as he nears the two of you. He doesn’t know his name but he’d really like to go over there and knee him in the balls. His eyes flicker at you for a moment, so pretty.
“The hell are you staring at my girl for half-pint?” The man calls Jungkook out in an aggressive stance. “Keep your eyes in front before I fuck you up.”
Frazzled, Jungkook scurries to move past the both of you with his head down. “Sorry, I didn’t mean anything.” He doesn’t get three steps before a solid form blocks his path.
“Who are you apologizing to? Your feet? Look me in the damn eye when you talk to me.”
“Jun-ho stop,” you come up beside the man, tugging at his arm. He yanks himself out of the grasp, however, jolting your body back. You nearly lose your balance.
“I’m just trying to teach this little hermit crab what happens when you stare at another man’s woman, baby.”
Jungkook clenches his fists as you struggle to re-stabilize yourself. You should not be with this asshole. He doesn’t deserve you, he doesn’t deserve to be calling you his baby. Who the fuck does he think he is shoving a woman like that.
“Don’t fucking call me that,” you spit. “I’m not your woman. Now leave Jungkook alone. He doesn’t need this.”
Jun-ho gives you a cocky smirk. “Oh? So he’s Jungkook huh? You know him too. You fucking him behind my back or something?” He takes a step towards you. Jungkook lunges forward seeing your obvious discomfort.
“Don’t touch her!” Jungkook stands between you and Jun-ho. He’s shaking so badly but he doesn’t budge. “Take another step and I’ll–I’ll–“
“You’ll pound me in the ground? You and what army? You can’t even talk.” He snorts and moves to toss Jungkook to the side. “Get out of my way.”
Jungkook feels the back of his neck heat with rage, his ears red and burning. There’s no way in hell he’s letting Jun-ho get to you.
“She told you to stop, so why don’t you just–fuck off!” Jungkook shoves Jun-ho back with as much force as he can. His body’s not built and his arm muscles aren’t as ripped but he’s got some big fucking thighs that manage to anchor him to the ground.
“You shit.” Jun-ho grits his teeth and punches Jungkook straight in the gut. Jungkook doubles over in agony. His hand clutches over his abdomen as he groans. You hurry in front of him but you’re thrown to the side by a pair of large hands. “Move bitch,” Jun-ho snaps, eyes bolstered on the smaller man.
“Hey, what the hell is going on over here?” The manager of the gym rushes over to the three of you. He grabs Jungkook and offers him support. “You can’t be doing this young man. You need to leave now.”
Jun-ho shakes his head. “Count yourself lucky this time Jungkook. Could have been a lot worse if it weren’t for this old man getting in the way.” He stares at the manager and then at you. “Come on __.”
“You’re fucking nuts if you think I’m coming with you. I’m staying with Jungkook.”
“No, you’re fucking not.” Jun-ho reaches for your arm until his head is knocked backward by a clean, punch to his jaw. “Fuck! You Fuck!” He holds his jaw, stumbling into a rack of dumbbells behind him.
Jungkook’s knuckles bleed as he holds his own wrist. He winces at the sharp throbbing and stinging from the punch. “Okay no more, no more,” the manager anxiously darts his eyes back and forth between him and Jun-ho. “I want you all out of my facility this instance.”
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After being thrown out of the gym, Jungkook returns to his dorm room. He insists he takes care of his injury himself but it doesn’t sit well with you so you follow him.
“I’m so sorry about this Jungkook. Jun-ho’s a bastard.” You finish wrapping his knuckles in the elastic bandage then lean forward to place your hands on his shoulders. “Promise me you won’t ever do that again.”
Jungkook holds your pleading stare from his seated position. Your soft hands are simultaneously soothing and unsettling. He’s not mad at you for what happened at all. But seeing you with a jerk like Jun-ho when you rejected him, someone who’d never treat his girl like a piece of trash causes all kinds of knots inside him.
“You’re not going to see him again right? Because I can’t make that promise if you do.” His voice is low, nervous that you'll say yes.
Jungkook might not have personal relationship experience but he's witnessed his share of unhealthy relationship dynamics more times he'd like to count.
“Jungkook…” You muster up the best reassuring smile you can and tuck a few loose strands of his hair behind his ear. “Nothing's going to happen between me and Jun-ho anymore. We weren't anything serious. But you care too much about me, I’m not worth the trouble.”
Hearing this, he reaches a hand up to close over yours. “Please don’t say that. Everyone deserves to be cared for and as long as I can help it, I’ll be the first to do it.” His big, doting eyes search into yours. "And good, don't go back to him __. He's not the type of man you need."
"And what type of man do I need Bambi?" You stroke his puffy cheeks and quirk your head to the side inquisitively. Jungkook flinches at the touch.
"Bambi?"
"You didn't like it when I called you baby so, had to come up with something else."
"But." There's that pout again. Jungkook doesn't like being called a baby but when someone reaching this level of adorable, its so hard to shake. "But I just knocked a bitch out for you. How can you keep calling me baby names?"
The chuckle that leaves your lips is heaven to Jungkook's ears. "Aww Jungkook," you coo. "It's 'cause you're a little honeysuckle. So sweet to the taste." His ears perk up at that, gnawing on his bottom lip. "But if you want me to call you something else that might take some more time for me to figure out. Until then do tell me, what do I need?"
"Someone that'll protect you."
"Mhm, okay but—"
"Emotionally, physically, and mentally." Jungkook lists out loud. "That means someone to stand up for you, support you in the ways you need. Someone to help keep losers like Jun-ho out who only look out for themselves." He pauses, contemplating thoughtfully. "You need someone you can trust too. When you're sick you'll be taken care of and he'll never ever cheat on you. Even if you fight, he'll always stick by your side. You'll watch movies together, cuddle under the covers, and stargaze on summer nights. He'll also peel perilla leaves for you and love you until sunrise. Finally, when the time's right he'll ask to marry you, only if you want, of course."
Jungkook waits for you to give him a reply, a little breathless. He notices the distance between you and him somehow got larger. You're now about two feet away from him when you were only mere inches before.
"I'm sorry." He lowers his head. "It's silly I know. Everyone tells me I'm some kind of dreamer boy, just a hopeless romantic."
"It's not silly Jungkook." You soften your expression. "It's a beautiful idea and somewhere out there will gladly share those things with you. You'll live a full life together having all those wonderful experiences."
"Wanna have them with you though." His eyes flicker up at you. "I really like you __."
Oh no, no no no. You push down the pressure building from inside you. "No, I can't. I'm sorry Bambi, I want to but you don't know me." A small tear spills out of the corner of your eye. "I'm not able to....I can't love you like that."
Jungkook gets up from his chair and reaches for your trembling hand. You're tempted to pull back if it weren't for the fact that your hand feels warm in his.
"I can," he says. "I can love you if you let me."
You shake your head, and another hot tear rolls down your face. "Sorry, I don't know why I'm even crying." You quickly wipe your wet cheeks.
"You don't always need a reason. Sometimes it just happens and that's okay. I cry all the time when I'm by myself." Jungkook grabs your other hand slowly. "Just wanna be here for you."
You blink back the remaining tears welling in your eyes. You're embarrassed this is happening at all. Jungkook is the sweetest, most kind-hearted, and most selfless person you know. He shouldn't have to be dealing with any of this.
"If we can't go out, is it okay that we are friends?"
"I don't want to do that to you Kookie."
"Hey, I like that one," he says with a lifted voice.
"You do? I didn't even think about it like the others."
"You were thinking about me?" He bounces in the air a little, at least that's what it looks like to you by the sudden rush of energy Jungkook responds with. He likes knowing you've been paying attention to him, even if only a smidge.
You dart your eyes past him, fingers curling in his hand. "Well I mean..." Jungkook waits intently. "I guess...yes, some."
"Oh please __, please let me take you out. We don't even have to call it a date."
"You're too persistent, you know that?"
"But is it working?"
"I'm not ready yet Jungkook." His shoulders slouch and he opens his mouth to say something though you continue before he can get anything out. "To give you an answer. I'm not ready to give you an answer yet is what I'm trying to say."
"Well, that's okay. You wanna think about it longer? We can four years until graduation."
"You're such a goof, you'd wait that long for an answer?"
Jungkook shakes his head. "No, I'd wait that long for you." He pauses. "Okay maybe I have been watching one too many Korean dramas. Even I threw up in my mouth a little."
Too both share a laugh, this is the weirdest, emotionally exhausting day ever. "Thank you for what you did today with Jung-ho. And for trying to comfort me. Will you possibly be able to wait another week? If it's too long you can tell me. I've made you wait long enough."
"A week from now, let's meet up okay? Or call at least. Even if it's a no, I don't want this to be the last time I get to see or hear you."
"Okay." You nod. "I promise."
And that was the end of that night, as Jungkook walks you to your dorm soon after. It was getting dark out after all.
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A/N: tysm for reading! Lmk what you think and if you wan to be tagged comment/ask 💞
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@hoseokteardrop
no reposting, copying, or translating my work– © kookslastbutton
565 notes · View notes
earthlyruins · 3 months
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"beauty and the beast au where zoro's the beast and sanji's—" okay sure yeah but what about when sanji's the beast and zoro's the beaut.
zoro's good with kids and good with math. we've seen this. we've experienced it. he play fights with the kids regularly and helps out with stocks and sales of local shops
think of link twilight princess... big brother swordsman
also better than All of the knights in the village. this includes a very certain red, blue, and green haired trio. they're all very bitter about it. among other things
zoro's also the only person to ever use three swords so like. there's that. everyone thinks he has a few screws loose. he doesn't. or so he proclaims
insert kuina backstory... he makes a promise to himself to become the greatest swordsman in the world. it's just that he's, in a word, broke. and also a little sentimental but don't let nami hear him say that
judge is the head of this mini military and is very adamant on trying to recruit zoro to siege the palace on the hill. for Some Reason.
nami conspires with zoro that it's because he has some long lost enemy up there. Little Does She Know
meanwhile sanji lives alone in the castle, cursed. but not in the way you'd think. rather than a hulking beast, he's pretty much the same if not for the fact that he has a helmet on his head. thanks, dad.
thinking about the rest of the straw hats being little dancing singing objects. that was more or less an accidental side effect of the curse (sanji took off his helmet once, and it knocked luffy into a candle and ussop into a clock and well.)
he's slowly starving (hence why he tried to take the helmet off). the cook who cannot taste his food. throw in a wilting rose metaphor and when the last petal falls is when he dies
fortunately he has an old man by the name of zeff who literally won't let that happen. also all his friends that will fight death to keep sanji kicking
quite literally in some cases
so that's why when nami goes missing trying to explore the mysterious castle and zoro immediately goes to follow her, zeff practically knocks down his door to set the fear of god in him
too bad zoro doesn't believe in any god
but hey fine he won't hurt the creature in the castle. creature. period. zeff hits him over the head with a baguette
zoro finds nami and also sanji. decides in a split moment to announce he'll trade places with her. she is sitting on a couch. unharmed. she wouldn't have Been harmed. nami proceeds to call him a fucking idiot
sanji laughs at him, and zoro refuses to leave out of spite. he learns that sanji is a priss and a prince or sometimes a princess depending on the day, that he has a brilliant passion for cooking (whose skills are similar to a certain chef back in the village), and that when he laughs, zoro finds himself laughing too.
discovers sanji's dream of the all blue, and zoro finds himself telling sanji about his dream of becoming the greatest swordsman, of wado, of kuina
and eventually, Eventually, he finds out the details of sanji's curse. why he sometimes can't dredge out the energy to get out of bed (and why it's getting more and more frequent these days), and why he can't take off that helmet when the key is right there. and what the flower is all about.
proceeds to Book It when sanji tells him about judge and his brothers. except he doesn't tell sanji this, so sanji is sitting around in the castle, heartbroken and wondering Why he's heartbroken, while zoro is marching back to his village, Pissed
zeff pulls him aside though and they go and find reiju after zoro tells him that sanji's condition is worsening
zoro comes Back but this time with sanji's real dad and sister in tow and after a lot of tears and yelling (at zoro) ((and zeff)) (((then at zoro again))) they devise a plan on how to take judge down.
zoro plans on beating up ichiji niji and yonji simultaneously which sanji disagrees with. specifically because he wants to be the one to kick niji into next week
yadayadayada insert fight scene bc this is already ungodly long and judge gets exiled and imprisoned. niji gets drop kicked. the helmet comes off just as the timer runs out (thinking that the only way it could come off was to not only have someone fall For "the beast" but to have said beast love himself too. which zoro did. #love)
happily ever after. sanji eats and cooks and zoro fights and they take care of each other and find all blue. okay goodnight
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lilacmingi · 4 months
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SECRET SANTA
All my works are 14+ ONLY. If you’re under 14 DO NOT interact with me or any of my works
Pairing: Fashion designer!Hongjoong x fashion designer!fem reader
Word count: 3,170
Note: Since December is starting soon I thought it would be the perfect time to start posting Christmas imagines from 2021. Since this imagine originated on Wattpad, there will not be any continuations
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You sat at your station, your half-finished sketch left abandoned and forgotten, your eyes following Hongjoong as he made his way through the massive room, collecting different fabrics for his next masterpiece. The outfit he wore was flawless, as usual—he was flawless. His choppy mullet was tousled perfectly, he wore a black bleach-stained shirt; the collar had been cut, making it hang lower, showing off his beautifully sculpted collarbones and that adorable mole at the base of his neck. On top of the shirt was a leather jacket paired with ripped black jeans and chunky boots.
A pair of hands slammed onto your desk as a body blocked your view. Glancing up, you saw your coworker, Minghao, with a Santa hat in hand.
"Move." You waved your hand in a shooing gesture. "You're blocking the view."
"You can stop staring at Hongjoong long enough to put your name in the hat."
"What?"
"Put your name in the hat. It's for secret Santa."
"I'm not into the whole secret Santa thing."
"Come on. You get three gifts, one on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, plus we're having a big party to end the week."
You gave an indifferent hum in response.
"Hongjoong signed up for it." Minghao mentioned in a sing-song voice.
"If I put my name in the stupid hat, will you let me continue staring at him?"
"Of course."
You quickly scribble your name down on a small piece of paper, dropping it into the hat.
"Thank you." Minghao grinned, sauntering away.
Once he left, Hongjoong had already returned to his station, which wasn't a problem because you had a perfect view of him.
You'd always admired Hongjoong for his killer style and out-of-the-box ideas. You admit, you've only spoken to him a handful of times, so you don't know him that well, but every conversation you've shared with him has been a good one.
Later that day, the names in the hat were shuffled around and every employee drew a slip of paper from the hat. You unfolded your paper seeing the name Taehyung scrawled on it. You were familiar with Taehyung and knew he would be pretty easy to buy for. In fact, you already had a few things in mind.
"Alright." Your boss clasped his hands together. "Now that everyone has drawn a name, I'll go over the rules. Gifts will be given Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We have a ₩60,000 (about $50) limit on each gift. You don't have to spend that amount, but try not to go over if you can. The presents will be collected under the Christmas tree over here and distributed to everyone at the end of the work day. Sound good?"
Everyone nodded in understanding.
"Okay, good. Secret Santa starts in two weeks, so you've got time to shop. Have fun."
A couple weeks passed and you had purchased three gifts for Taehyung and had them all wrapped neatly. You carried gift number one into work with you, placing it underneath the tree before heading over to your station. You stopped when you saw a gift sitting on your desk. You picked up the small box, examining it.
You wondered why the gift was on your desk and not underneath the tree and why your secret Santa would put it there. Glancing around, you decided to go ahead and open it.
You pulled the paper back, revealing a small black box with a sticky note on the top that read: To Y/n. Upon removing the lid, you saw a beautiful pair of earrings and a matching necklace. Your eyes widened as you ran your fingers over the flashy jewelry. There was no way what you held in your hand was worth just ₩60,000. You glanced around the room again to see if anyone was watching, but everyone seemed to be busy doing their own thing.
You couldn't think of anyone that would buy you such an extravagant gift, let alone leave it on your desk.
With no answers to your many questions, you decided to just get to work. You had a few sketches you worked on in the past weeks and had started making a blouse. You headed over to the fabric wall and began picking out the ones you needed. Once you had all the materials at your station, you got to work.
The day seemed to pass by fairly quickly and before you knew it, your boss was handing out secret Santa presents. Since you already opened yours, you watched for Taehyung to get his. Once the present was placed on his desk, he started unwrapping it. His mouth dropped open when he pulled out canvases and a paint set equipped with brushes, an easel, and even a palette for the paint.
You tried to hold back your smile as you watched him pull out the small note you typed up.
You then turned your attention to Hongjoong who had just finished unwrapping his gift. It was some sort of sweater, which didn't seem to be his style. Your face twisted in slight distaste as you saw it. If it were you, you would have gotten him a more edgier-looking sweater, or even a beret. You've seen him wear them before and would assume he'd enjoy receiving one as a gift.
Everyone got ready to leave for the day, you decided to walk up and talk to Hongjoong.
"Hey." You greeted.
"Hi, Y/n."
Your heart melted when he said your name. It sounded so beautiful and melodic when it came from him.
"Nice sweater." You told him.
"Thanks. It's..." He trailed off, giving you a wary glance.
"Don't worry. I'm not your secret Santa." You assured him.
"Ah." He seemed relieved. "Well, it's honestly not my style, but I'm sure I'll find a way to dress it up." He smiled.
"I'm sure you will. You're extremely talented."
He let out a tiny chuckle, glancing at the floor for a moment. "Thank you. So, what did your secret Santa get you?"
"Jewelry. Expensive-looking jewelry too. They also left it on my desk."
"Really?" He raised a brow. "What does the jewelry look like?"
"Here." You dug around in your bag, pulling out the tiny box and opening it.
"Wow." He marveled. "That's beautiful."
"It is. It's my style as well. Makes me curious about what else my secret Santa has in store."
"Well, let's hope they get you stuff you like."
"I'll be thankful no matter what I get." You smiled. "Anyway, I'm gonna head home. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah." Hongjoong smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."
When secret Santa day two rolled around, you placed your present for Taehyung underneath the tree and headed to your work station as per usual.
Sitting on your desk was a sizable box wrapped in metallic deep blue wrapping, a white bow on top. You placed your hand over your mouth, glancing around the workplace. You lifted the small tag on the box, reading the writing on it.
I don't like following rules.
- Your Secret Santa
You debated about wether you wanted to open it right away or just wait. After debating for a moment, you decided to hold off and be patient. However, you found it hard to concentrate as you worked on the blouse. Your eyes kept drifting over to the shiny gift sitting on your desk.
Whoever has been leaving presents at your workspace seems to be a risk-taker, as they're coming in and leaving the gift, chancing getting caught by someone. You could only assume they were arriving before everyone else and making sure no one saw them.
"Ooh." You heard someone say.
You placed your needle onto your desk, turning to see no other than Minghao.
"What?" You asked.
"That shiny gift on your desk." He pointed with a grin.
"It's from my secret Santa."
"Why didn't they put it under the tree?"
"Beats me." You shrugged.
"You're not opening it now?"
"No. I opened the first one as soon as I came into work Monday, but I'm holding back for this one."
"You sure?" Minghao asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. I'm gonna be patient."
"Okay, then. Good luck with your blouse." He waved, returning to his own work station.
The end of the work day approached and it was time for secret Santa once again.
You watched as everyone's gifts were handed out, deciding to watch Taehyung open his again.
You knew how much Taehyung loved his dog, Yeontan, so today's gift was a matching top you made for him and his beloved pet. You used beautiful brown and beige printed fabric and made a button down shirt and a mini version for Yeontan. A bright and brilliant boxy smile spread across Taehyung's features as he saw his gift. You couldn't hold back your own bright smile as you saw his reaction. It made you feel like you'd done a pretty good job of choosing his gifts thus far.
After seeing Taehyung open his gift you went to open yours. Unlike Monday's gift, this one didn't have to be unwrapped. The box and lid itself were wrapped separately so all you had to do was remove the top. Upon removing the lid, you saw a pair of heels. They were black suede platforms with a block heel. There were two straps on them; one strap to go across the toes and one to buckle around the ankle. They were simple, but beautiful and seemed like they'd be easy to walk in, which was perfect for you.
You lifted one of the shoes from the box, examining it and checking the size.
"These are my size." You muttered to yourself.
Placing the shoe back into the box, you put the lid on it and began to gather your things.
You were going to say goodbye to Hongjoong, but he was already gone.
Secret Santa day three rolled around and you weren't sure what else to expect. Your secret Santa had gotten you a stunning set of jewelry and an adorable pair of heels. You weren't sure what would be next.
When you arrived at work, you weren't surprised to see yet another gift sitting on your desk. Today's gift was in a long, flat box and it was wrapped in beautiful glittery red paper with white snowflakes printed all over it. Since it was the last day of secret Santa you decided to wait again to open your gift.
Today proved to be more difficult than the others. You kept glancing over at the present waiting for the work day to end.
Hours passed and your patience paid off. Your boss emerged from his office with a warm smile on his face.
"Alright. As everyone knows today is the last day of secret Santa. I'll start handing gifts out shortly, but first I want to remind everyone of the Christmas party that we're having tonight. It starts at 7:00 and it'll take place at a wonderful venue down the street. They have a huge room that we've rented out for this party. I hope to see you all there."
Like all the other days, you watched Taehyung open his present before you opened yours. For his last gift, you got him a diamond painting kit of Van Gogh's Starry Night. It was a fun little thing he could do during his free time, plus you knew Taehyung loved Van Gogh. After watching his reaction, you turned your attention to your own secret Santa gift.
You pulled back the decorative wrapping revealing a clothing box. You discarded the wrapping paper and opened up the box. Inside was a stunning dress in your favorite color. On top of the formal clothing was a note that read:
Meet me outside under the gazebo at 8:00. Wear all your gifts, please.
- Your Secret Santa
You pressed your lips together, trying to suppress the smile that threatened to break out onto your features. You pulled the dress from the box, getting a better look at it. The garment was medium length, not too short but not long enough to drag the floor. It was a simple dress, but stunning nonetheless. You placed it back into its box and went to chat with Taehyung before he left. You wanted to tell him that you were his secret Santa.
"Taehyung." You called.
He looked up at you with a warm smile.
"Hi, Y/n."
"I just wanted to let you know that I was your secret Santa."
A look of surprise flashed across his face.
"Really? It was you?"
"Mhm." You nodded.
He pulled you into a tight hug. "Thank you. Everything was perfect, especially the matching shirts for me and Tannie."
"I'm really glad you liked it."
He pulled away and ruffled your hair slightly. "I'm gonna head home now. I'll see you at the party tonight."
"See ya." You waved, heading back to your station to pack up.
To your surprise, Hongjoong was standing by your work area waiting for you when you turned around.
"Hey, Y/n." He greeted you.
"Hi, Hongjoong."
"I was wondering if you wanted to walk out together."
"Oh, sure." You placed your bag onto your shoulder and walked out with him.
"Are you coming to the Christmas party tonight?" He asked.
"I am. Are you?"
"Yeah." He nodded. "I'm excited."
"Me too." You smiled, trying to hide your elation.
Hongjoong walked you to your car and bid you goodbye, saying that he would see you at the party.
You arrived at the venue just before 7:00. The building was decked out in bright Christmas lights, wreaths were hung on the windows giving the place a warm and festive feel. Upon entering the building you heard Christmas music being played, accompanied by the low murmur of partygoers chatting.
Your hair was styled perfectly and your makeup was done with a festive theme in mind. You also donned all of the gifts from your secret Santa. The dress, surprisingly, fit you perfectly, as did the shoes. Whoever got them for you knew exactly what they were doing.
You hadn't really considered who your secret Santa could be. You were just so giddy about your anonymous gift giver wanting to meet, you didn't really think about it.
You first stopped at the food and refreshments table to get yourself a glass of punch. You then made your way around the room greeting your coworkers and even danced with Taehyung for a bit. Before you knew it, it was 8:00. Your heart jumped when you glanced at the clock.
It was time to meet your secret Santa.
You made your way to one of the side doors and stepped outside. A concrete landing sat just outside the door, beyond that was a stone path that led to a gazebo. You could see someone standing there, but you were too far away to know who it was. Stepping across the stone path you moved closer to the gazebo, the quiet gasp leaving you when you saw who it was.
"Hongjoong?"
He turned around with a grin on his face.
You had to stop for a moment because he looks so handsome. His hair looked beautiful as always. His bangs were styled in a side part and pushed away from his face, showing off his perfect brows and sharp eyes. His outfit was pristine and high-end. He sported a very nice suit with a large, extravagant fur coat. It was typical Hongjoong attire.
"I'm glad I got your measurements right." He spoke, eyeing your dress.
"You made this?"
"I did."
"You're my secret Santa?"
"I am." He nodded with a shy smile.
You couldn't believe it. Out of all the people that could've been your secret Santa it was your crush.
"Everything you got me was so beautiful." You told him. "It was all perfect."
"I'm glad you liked it. I went a little over the price limit, but like I said, I don't like following rules." He smirked.
His hand extended to you, his rings glimmering under the fairly lights strung up. You took hold, allowing him to lead you all the way under the gazebo.
"This is... really romantic." You commented.
"Good."
His answer surprised you a bit.
He meant for it to be romantic?
"I'm sure you're wondering why I wanted you to wear the things I gifted you." He spoke up.
"Sort of."
"I began planning this the day our boss made the announcement for secret Santa. The jewelry, the shoes, the dress, and meeting up with you right here tonight."
"Why would you plan something so wonderful like this for me?"
"Because I like you, Y/n."
"I'm sorry? Did I hear you correctly?" You asked in disbelief.
"You did." He chuckled. "I've liked you for so long, but I wasn't sure you felt the same. That is until I caught you staring at me from across the room... more than once."
You face dropped, your cheeks becoming hot.
"You have?"
"Yes, and I find it adorable. I find you adorable." He emphasized.
"You do?"
He nodded.
All you could do was stare in disbelief, unable to comprehend what in the world was happening.
Hongjoong's sparkly eyes darted down to your lips before he started leaning in, causing your breathing to quicken. His lips came to a stop just centimeters from yours.
"Look up." He whispered, his minty breath fanning against your cheeks.
You did as he said and glanced above you to see a mistletoe hanging from the wooden beams of the gazebo.
"Oh." Was all you could say as you turned your gaze back to Hongjoong.
He wasted no time closing the gap between your mouths, pressing his lips against yours firmly. His hands found their way to your waist running up and down your sides before his arms slid their way around you, tugging you closer to him. Your hands trailed up to his hair, your fingers playing with the long strands of his mullet, carding your fingers through it.
A hum of satisfaction from Hongjoong vibrated against your lips as his head tilted to the side, deepening the kiss.
It was a little cold outside, but with the steamy kiss you were sharing with Hongjoong, you weren't able to feel the frigid chill in the air. In fact, your whole body was getting warmer by the second.
After parting ways Hongjoong let out a chuckle. "That was so worth it."
"What?" You giggled.
"Hanging up that mistletoe." He answered. "It took me forever to get it up there, but all that hard work paid off."
"Yes it did." You agreed.
He looked at you with a fond expression, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from your face.
"Merry Christmas, Y/n."
"Merry Christmas, Hongjoong."
"Should we go back inside and join the party? Sounds like they're playing some good music."
"Let's do it."
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Masterlist ᝰ — enjoyed this imagine? reblogs & comments are very much appreciated!
DO NOT steal, plagiarize, copy, repost, alter, or translate my works in any way
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freminet-writings · 4 months
Note
Hiii~I'm the anon who requested grand priestess reader- could I request the same story but this time they get sent on a date- like this time freminet wants to keep her so he uhm fucks her wanting to keep her by his side no matter what cause..in freminet lore we know he is interested in penguins so he might think penguins mate for life that kinda situation. .
Breeding is the correct explanation..
Sorry if it's too much
FINALLY SOME INTERNET 🙏 my laptop is the only thing that will get any lol so i can at least keep playing genshin and star rail, and write some on there!!
tags: @astroellez @sukirosiac @lyneys-hat @scaranaris-lil-niko @sukiidreams @circles19 @xyvelin @kirbystrange @saralovesyouu this is a fem reader if i got anyone wrong please lmk 😭
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now it had been weeks since what happened with you and freminet, the two of you interacted occasionally because of mutual friends, you always tried to avoid his eyes, even with how badly it he wanted you to look
back then, freminet used to be bothered with how outgoing and teasing his brother was, but now he couldn't be more grateful as lyney noticed his stares and arranged the two of you for a date, all alone in their house
it was perfect, you were all alone with no way of avoiding him, he knew you wanted it too, if the last time was anything to go off of
it barely felt like a second you were alone when he practically jumped on you, taking your lips in a rough fashion, weeks of passion and frustration pouring out of him
"you're so beautiful... I've thought about nothing but you...under me, begging me for more, you want it too, don't you?" he whispered as he pulled away, his mouth moving down to bite and lick around your neck, his hand squeezing your thigh as it slowly went higher
your breathing came quicker, you didn't even realize he had already taken his cock out as he kissed and marked all over you
"hm~ you're mine, I already decided that when i last did this...but why don't i make sure we're together forever...?" he pushed into you, making you gasp out
"m-mnhng...what do you mean...? a-ah~" his hips thrusted into you, as his hand moved down to flick and rub at your clit
"haah...if i got you pregnant, i would take care of you... I'd make sure you were well, and never had to work again... don't you want that?" he thrusted harder, his groans and moans in your ear
you couldn't even respond as he held you down, thrusting repeatedly and seeming to know every little thing that makes you see stars
"that's right... you'll be mine forever, we'll have as many as you want, I'll breed you day and night if you want it, oh, god..." his thrusts became faster, his grip on your thigh was tight as his cock worked perfectly into you, as if you were made for it
his fingers skillfully flicked your clit until you came around him, squirming under him as he continued, he moaned out your name as you slowly milked him, but he didn't stop as he came
"what? i said i was gonna get you pregnant..." he grunted as he gave a hard thrust "I'm not stopping until you're about to pass out..."
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din-miller · 11 months
Text
Keldable Kisses
Pairing: Din Djarin x f!reader
Word count: 1.7k
Summary: Din forgets to give you a kiss in the morning and you take it personally and decide to get payback by wearing a hat with a visor preventing his much needed marketplace keldable kisses.
Warnings: the plot is literally just about keldable kisses, It's all fluff, His first name is Din, married couple, female reader, reader is a tease, mentioned protective Din, reader has hair but length is never mentioned, stupidly soft din, swear words, does star wars have hats? Baseball caps? They do now and they're the bane of Din's existence
A/N: Din's cloak gets a bigger supporting role then Grogu because like all great writers I forgot about him three paragraphs in.
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It's petty, you know so, but that doesn't stop you from pulling out an old dusty hat you found years ago on some backwater planet during a hunt with Din.
It's nothing special, no eye-catching design. It's black with a white visor to protect your eyes against the sun. Definitely not fashionable but it's practical, which leaves you with no good excuse as to why you're wearing it on a planet with no sunlight.
And you're definitely going to need an excuse when your husband sees you wearing it. You could opt for the truth; tell him that he forgot to give you a kiss this morning before putting on his armour and you're petty enough to deprive him of keldable kisses for the rest of the day.
Yeah, no, that wouldn't go well. He wouldn't let you leave the ship until every part of you has been kissed – twice over.
Okay, that doesn't sound like the worst punishment and if you didn't need supplies from the local marketplace, you'd let your husband manhandle you into next week.
The sound of the ramp hitting the ground echoed through the ship shortly followed by Din's voice, "Cyare, you ready? We're on a time limit, remember?"
"Of course, we wouldn't want to waste precious daylight." You tossed one of Din's old cloaks over your shoulders, clasping it together at the front and left the room.
"I know you're joking but in case you're not, I want to remind you that there's no sunlight here. Make sure you dress accordingly-," His helmet tilted up and you know he's staring at the hat, "What are you wearing?"
"Oh, this old thing?" You canted the visor down, fingers sliding along the rim, "It's just something I found. Why, you don't like it?"
He shook his head, bundling together everything needed for the short trip, "I never said that. If I recall correctly, I was the one who picked it out."
"You blindly grabbed whatever hat was closest to you because you found the seller creepy and wanted to leave."
"I knew I'd regret telling you that," Din sighed and placed Grogu in his pram, "And he was creepy. He kept flirting with you, his eyes barely left you."
"My knight in shining beskar armour." You teased him.
Din hummed in agreement. You know he secretly loves it when you refer to him as yours. He tilted his head down, bringing his helmet to meet your forehead in a keldable kiss, the first in what he assumed would be many throughout the day.
You bit your lip when your visor prevented him from doing so. He growled, displeased at not being able to rest his forehead against yours in a kiss. He stepped back and reached up and you're quick to grab Din's arm stopping him from taking off your hat.
Din shook his arm, trying to wiggle out of your grip, "What are you doing?"
Your hand tightened, eyes blinking up at him innocently, "What are you doing?"
"Trying to take off this stupid hat."
"Oh, it's stupid now? Maybe I'll go get a second opinion from the creepy guy."
"Just take it off, mesh'la." Din puffed out his chest. He's totally peacocking and it's unfairly attractive. He knows you wouldn't actually track down that creep, but the thought probably has his possessive side reeling.
"No, no I don't think I will," You ducked out from under his grasp, your fingers slipped into his and you pulled him towards the ramp, "Now come on, we're on a time limit, remember? Wouldn't want to waste precious daylight!"
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You had seen the lights from the Razor Crest, but being planetside, underneath the glow of orange lights you find yourself speechless.
You were originally a little worried about how well you'd be able to see in the darkness of sky. Having one of your senses dulled in this line of work made you feel on edge, anyone could be lurking in the shadows. Din had reassured you that he'll keep his helmet's night vision on until the three of you are back in the safety of the ship.
But that no longer felt necessary underneath the marketplaces string lights. When you told him such, he just shrugged and replied that it's better to be safe than sorry. He's never been one to risk the safety of you and the child, so you don't argue.
"You know, you'd be able to see the lights better if you took off your hat." Din said, his hand resting against the dip of your lower back as he guides you through the near empty market.
You rolled your eyes. You've been waiting for him to bring up the hat again. It's not hard to tell he's still upset over not being able to kiss you.
"I can see them just fine, thank you." You're lying. Din is one hundred percent right. Your neck is going to be sore tomorrow from tilting your head back to see the lights properly.
Din shook his head with a sigh but didn't say anything else. You took his hand and brought it up to your lips making what you assume is eye contact as you pressed slow kisses to his gloved fingers.
"Cyare." His fingers twitched and his other hand reached up to your head. You make a gross wet noise as you loudly gave his ring finger one last kiss before dodging his attempt at taking off your hat.
"C'mon, we need supplies."
The two of you walk through the marketplace grabbing the much needed supplies. You're hoping to get everything here and not have to make another stop.
Out of the corner of your eye you see two twi'lek engaged in what you could only describe as a passionate lip-lock. They're young, not that you could see their faces with each other's tongues shoved down their throats. You turn away, a blush on your face.
"Hey, you two osi’kovids," Din barked, startling them and you, "There are kids here-,"
"Okay," You quickly interjected, grabbing Din's arm and dragging him away. You call out over your shoulder to the couple as you go, "Sorry, he's not himself when he's hungry."
Din grunted at your words and you turned to face him, "Was that necessary? Grogu's the only child here and he's unfortunately seen worse. And calling them shitheads, seriously?"
He huffed, "Mandalorians' view public display of-,"
"-what are you talking about-," The corner of your lips turned up, "Oh my gosh, you're jealous! No, no don't argue, you totally are."
"I am not jealous, mesh'la. Mandalorians'-,"
"Is that right?" You grinned cutting him off again, hand daring to trail down his arm, fingers lingering a little too long where his armour doesn't cover his flight suit, "All these years of marketplace keldable kisses, you've been disrespecting the Way. I guess it's a good thing I'm wearing my hat."
You know keldable kissing in public is not breaking any Mandalorian laws. In fact it's encouraged to shower your riduur with the love and affection they deserve. Din is just being a big baby and taking his frustration out on innocent people.
You chuckled at his defeated silence and sauntered away adding an extra swing to your hips as you went. Behind you Din mumbled something to Grogu and the tone of the child's coo made it clear that he's taking your side.
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"Oh thank you! This is my riduur's favourite fruit."
Truth be told, you're enjoying the way his self restraint chipped away with every seller you spoke too.
The gentle squeeze of your hip following your words has you hiding a grin in the fabric of your cloak.
"Do you have this in a smaller size? My ad'ika would look so handsome in it!"
Behind you there's a sharp intake of air and you know if you were both in the confinement of the ship he'd be pressing his lips against the skin of your neck, telling you how amazing of a mother you are.
Surprisingly it only took those two comments for him to finally break.
"You-," Din forced out through clenched teeth. It's most definitely supposed to sound like a warning, but it comes out more desperate than anything else, "-need to stop."
He led you into a small alleyway and you stepped as close to him as possible without knocking your hat off, "Stop what?"
"Saying things that make me want to kiss you."
You licked your lips slowly, not missing the way your husband's hand flexed against the top of his thigh, and nonchalantly shrugged your shoulders, "Well, if you had kissed me this morning before getting ready-,"
"That's what this is about? Because I forgot, for the first time ever mind you, to kiss you?"
You nodded, "Yeah, pretty much."
Din reached his arms up and back, fingers closing around the fabric of his cloak and brought it up and over to cover the both of you.
"What are you doing?"
"Setting things right," He replied, nudging your foot with his own. Normally he'd wrap a hand around your back but since he's unable to, he'll settle for any form of contact he can get, "Take off that stupid hat, then take off my helmet."
"But babe we're in public, there are kids here and you know how Mandalorians view-"
Din growled, one hand shifting to hold the cloak up and the other carelessly knocked your hat off before gently cupping the back of your neck, gloved fingers curled underneath your ear to settle in the softness of your hair. His helmet met the warmth of your skin. You jumped a little bit at the sudden coldness against your forehead.
He chuckled and pulled you flush against his body. It made it harder to take his helmet off like this, but you managed. You reached up, fingers curling beneath the top of your husband's chest plate and pulled him down to you.
Din surged forward, not patient enough to wait for you to kiss him, his lips brushing against yours in the softest apologies, swallowing your groan of approval.
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reidbae · 5 months
Text
DAY 30: Scream — costumes w/dom!spencer reid & dom!aaron hotchner
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KINKTOBER 2023: masterlist
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PART 2
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summary: After vaguely mentioning your attraction to the Scream character, Ghostface, your two boyfriends decide to dress as him for Halloween. And, needless to say, they aren't afraid to make you scream.
pairing: dom!spencer reid and dom!aaron hotchner x sub!fem!reader
warnings/mentions: use of pet names for reader (princess, honey, angel, baby, love, doll [sry i went crazy]), reader is fairly shy, spencer is more soft!dom and hotch is more rough/hard!dom, obv use of masks and veryyy heavily implied mask kink, loads of degradation and a lot of praise, hair pulling, blowjob, vaginal sex, unprotected piv sex (pls do not do this <3), choking, teasing, small implication of hotch being a little older than reader, lmk if i missed anything!
wc: 3.5k
a/n: this took me so long PLSSS and i'm not even that crazy about it, but i think i will be posting the second part of this for halloween tmr so i hope that will be better <3 i hope y'all enjoy and have a good halloween tmr/had a good halloweekend!
tags: @nalycandy @prettyboydrspencerreid @mega-kittyglitter-1 @mrs-ssa-hotch @boimlers-gonna-boim
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You were walking through the doors of the the bullpen of the BAU, large bags of candy in your hand as you waved hello to various coworkers of yours.
The BAU, thanks to Derek Morgan, was having a Halloween party to celebrate the spooky holiday. Work had ended a few hours ago at this point, so everyone had finished most of their case files and papers of the like.
To your surprise, a lot of your coworkers were here, and a lot of them were dressed up. It was surprising to see, considering that it was a Tuesday, but it wasn’t an issue, really. As for yourself, you were dressed up as a princess this year.
Well, kind of.
You didn’t feel like going out to get a Halloween costume, so you decided to wear a dress and heels, some jewelry, and call it a day.
“Hey, Y/N. Cute fit,” Derek teased you the second you reached your desk, wrapping his arms around you in a friendly hug. You smiled, rolling your eyes at him.
You pulled back to look him up and down, observing his simple attire, that looked very similar to the henley and jeans combo that he wore on a daily basis. “Thanks, Derek. And what are you supposed to be?” you smiled..
“I’m me, obviously. Can’t get much better than that,” Derek chuckled, taking a sip from the glass that he was holding. You shook your head, giggling.
“Of course,” you said. “Um, where’s Hotch? A- And Spencer?” you then asked Derek, curious as to why you had yet to see the two of them.
It had been common knowledge among your team that you, Aaron, and Spencer all had something going on, but none of you had ever specified what that was.
It would be a simple answer, but you never felt the need to explain your business nonetheless. Aaron and Spencer were both your boyfriends, and while not romantically involved with each other, they were incredibly enamored with you.
So when you noticed neither of them were there, you felt not only concerned, but also suspicious.
“They just went up to Hotch’s office, I think,” Derek said, shrugging his shoulders.
You nodded, setting the bags of candy that you had down on your desk before saying, “Thanks, Derek.”
The blinds in Aaron’s office were shut as you approached it, causing you to raise even more of an eyebrow.
What the hell were the two of them up to?
Throughout the week hat Derek had been raving about this party, Aaron and Spencer had refused to tell you who they were dressing up as, or if they were even dressed up at all. You figured the two men would want to confide in you about their costume choices, but apparently, your help wasn't required.
Which only made you more sure that the two of them had something up their sleeve.
You knocked on the office door and put your ear to it, wondering if you could hear the two of them talking. You found that you could, but all of their dialogue was inaudible. Sighing, you decided to just open the door, let yourself in, and see what they were up to.
You turned the knob and pushed open the door. The view you were met with was one of Aaron and Spencer stood next to Aaron’s desk. Aaron had his arms crossed, and there looked to be a mask of some sort in his hand.
And from what you could see, Spencer was holding the very same mask.
The two men’s eyes met yours when you walked inside of the room, and their appearances sent a quick rush of butterflies to your abdomen.
Spencer was in a white button-up, black vest and tie, along with black slacks and belt. Aaron was wearing the same attire, except he was only wearing a collared shirt, slacks, and belt. While you were unable to tell who the two of them were supposed to be just yet, you grew nervous nonetheless.
They had to be doing this on purpose.
“Hey, princess,” Spencer smiled at you, taking a second to look you up and down and turn his body to face you. “You look amazing in that dress.”
You smiled shyly over at Spencer, a cheesy smile across your face. “Thank you. Um, so—What are you guys supposed to be? You—You never told me,” you didn't fail to remind them, crossing your arms.
“Oh, well…” Spencer 's voice trailed off, gazing over at Aaron and beckoning for him to say something.
Aaron cleared his throat and held up the mask he was holding so you could get a better view of what it was, smiling. “We’re not really resembling the original, but this is what we came up with.”
Aaron was showing you a mask that made your heart flutter; It was a Ghostface mask, the mask of a killer from a franchise of horror movies that you thoroughly enjoyed.
A killed that, despite your role as an FBI profiler, found very attractive.
You remembered vaguely saying a word or two about the masked man when the three of you sat down to watch Halloween movies a week or so ago. You made a brief, dismissible joke about the killer being attractive, and how you wouldn’t be afraid of getting injured if either Aaron or Spencer was wearing the mask.
Needless to say, though that wasn’t really true. Your pulse was going like crazy, and it was no doubt because of the nervousness that you were feeling.
You seemed to short circuit as you stood there, your eyes widening in response to the two men's choice of attire. Finally, when you didn’t speak up, Spencer smirked at you and asked, “Something wrong, love?”
You shook your head a little too quickly, looking down at the floor. “No, n- no!” you defended, giving a heavy sigh. “Nothing’s wrong. Um—You guys look—Really good," you barely managed to get out.
“Do you want to see them on?” Aaron asked as he smirked at you, holding his mask up as he spoke in reference to it.
If your pulse was high before, it was through the roof now.
“Um, su- sure?” you said a little anxiously, finding yourself annoyed at the fact that all words were failing you all because of a mask.
But, God, you couldn’t help it.
The two men gave each other a knowing smirk, one that you couldn't miss, before putting the masks on their faces and securing them in place. They both turned to look at you, waiting for some sort of answer from you.
But, unlike they were probably expecting, your response was physical, not verbal.
You were damn near weak in the knees at the view before you, your face, neck, and ears all growing warmer by the second. They could probably assume your look was one of unease, if it weren’t for the fact that they knew you, and they knew what you were feeling.
“Wow, you look—Good. Um, great, even,” you stuttered out, rubbing the back of your neck in a nervous manner. Before you could even think it through, your next words were gushing from your lips. “I’m going back to the party now,” you said in a muddled rush.
You were squealing as you walked out of the room, blushing as you replayed the scene of your two masked boyfriends in your head. You could hear Aaron and Spencer laughing as you left the room in a hurry.
You knew they liked to tease you, but, damn, really? You didn't think they would do this, of all the things.
They just didn’t have a care in the world about making you feel this way.
And if there was one thing you were sure of, it was that you’d be a mess by the end of this party.
You were sitting in an abandoned office in the BAU, doing your best to relax and calm yourself down with the way the last hour had just enfolded.
Your boyfriends were dicks. Assholes. Whatever you wanted to call them, that's just what they were,
They’d been walking around the place for the last hour like they owned it, knowing just what they were doing to you as they did.
You both hated and loved how grand of an effect such a simple action, such a simple costume could have on you, all because it was them who were doing it, and them who were wearing it.
You ran your hands through your hair as you stood in the room, trying to slow down the pace of your breath.
And trying to ignore the needy feeling between your legs.
Just then, as if on cue, a knock sounded at the door, causing you to jump out of your own head to pay attention to it.
And, of course, who could it be but the two men on your mind?
“Y/N, honey? Are you in here?” a calm male voice called out for you, opening the door to the office you were in.
Spencer, whose mask was perched above his head, walking in, Aaron behind him. Your eyes flickered between the two of them for a second, before you spoke.
“Hi,” you said shyly, crossing your arms the same exact way that you had earlier on in the evening. “What’s up?” you asked, attempting to make your voice sound as casual as possible
“You kind of ran off there, princess. We got worried,” said Spencer, a sly smile over his face as the two of them approached you. “Everything okay?” he asked, putting a reassuring hand on your shoulder.
You looked down as he did so, feeling your cheeks flare up with heat. “No, yeah, I’m—Okay. You guys can go back to the party,” you muttered to them, avoiding their eyes.
From the corner of your eye, you could see your boyfriends throw that same knowing smirk at each other, the same look they'd given each other earlier, before Aaron spoke up. “Alright, stop with the shyness and spit it out, honey. What’s on your mind?”
You looked up at him, and then quickly looked away as you again saw his mask, which was in the same place as Spencer’s was. “Nothing. I told you guys, it’s nothing,” you said to them again, sighing.
Spencer walked up to you, his tall appearance causing a lump to form in your larynx. “Well, obviously, something's the matter, princess,” Spencer cooed, bringing his thumb to rest under your chin. Deciding to get to the root of the issue, Spencer asked, “Is it the masks, honey?”
That was when your nervous gaze finally met Spencer’s eyes, and you nodded, feeling like a little girl being forced to admit to misbehaving.
That’s sure as hell what it felt like.
Spencer smiled down at you, and looked back once at Aaron before asking, “You like them, huh?” his tone somehow caring yet coy all at once.
Again, you nodded.
“We figured you would,” smirked Aaron from behind Spencer, moving closer to you himself. “That was why we got them, really," Aaron shrugged.
“Yeah,” Spencer laughed in response, grinning at the two of you. Spencer’s eyes then softened as he looked down at you as he noiced the shyness of your demeanor. “We’re glad that worked.”
You gave a small, nervous giggle, too, and you couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen now.
No doubt, whatever it was, it wouldn’t be able to leave this room.
“Well, uh, we’ll be happy to put them back on for you, princess,” Spencer smiled at you, smoothing his thumb over your cheek. “Is that something you’d like?”
Your words fell quickly from your lips as soon as the query was spoken. “Y- Yes, please,” you eagerly said to the two of them, suddenly finding a voice as soon as Spencer promised you that they’d put their masks back on.
You couldn’t dream of anything better.
“Mmhm. Just do us a favor, okay?” said Aaron lazily as he moved closer, running his fingers over your hips as Spencer backed up a little. Aaron then put his mask back on, looking down at you. "Don't scream."
Spencer followed through and put his mask back on as well, and your eyes widened at the view of your boyfriends, dressed as one of your all-time favorite horror roles. They were so, so close to you as they looked down at you.
It was a wonder you didn’t pass out on the spot.
Aaron backed you into the wall of the office as Spencer walked away to close and lock the door, leaning his arm on the wall next to you. Spencer joined the two of you seconds later, positioned next to Aaron.
You felt yourself grow weak in the knees as the two men hovered above you, closing your eyes as a fiery blush filled your cheeks. Aaron cupped your cheek, and if you could see his face, you’d be sure that he was smirking, gazing down at you as you shyly slid down the wall.
“Aw, what’s the matter, princess? What’re you so nervous for?” Aaron chuckled in a jeering tone, holding your face in a soothing manner as he smoothed his thumb under your cheek.
“Give her a break. She’s just shy,” said Spencer in response. Spencer reached his hands out to grip your hips, chuckling. “Aren’t you, honey?”
“You guys are such teases,” you murmured more to yourself than them, earning chuckles from both of them.
“We just love to play with you, honey. You’re so easy to mess with,” said Aaron, like that fact was common knowledge. “How do we look?”
You looked up at him, like that fact was common knowledge. But, “G- Good,” was the only word stuttered you could get out of your mouth without your tongue slurring the words.
“Glad you think so,” smiled Spencer, running his hands over your body.
"But we'd look better with you between us," said Aaron in a sly tone, pulling you closer, so that you were flush against his front.
You couldn’t get a word out as Aaron picked you up from the ground, walking you to the couch that was in the room. He put you down on it, and, just like he’d said, put you onto all fours, so that you were bent over for the two of them to see.
Spencer had his arms crossed as Aaron ran his hand over your back, looking down at you. “Oh, look at you, honey. Fucking adorable,” Aaron groaned. He turned back to look at Spencer. “What do you think, Reid? What should we do with her?”
Spencer chuckled behind his mask and sat down in front of you on the couch, cupping your cheek with his hand. “I think our princess here needs some attention of her own. Wouldn’t you agree, angel?” Spencer cooed.
You were eager to nod, feeling your pulse quicken at Spencer’s teasing. “Y- Yes, please,” you whimpered.
Aaron obliged, moving himself behind you and grabbing your hips to keep himself steady. You could hear his belt unbuckling from behind, followed by the sound of it clattering to the ground.
Aaron lifted your dress up, and didn’t misuse even a second as he yanked down your underwear. The older man thumbed your thighs, and then your clit, causing you to let out a low mewl.
“Fuck, doll, you’re dripping. Eager, aren’t we?” Aaron laughed at you, rubbing your clit more, just to get you going.
You let out small whines and whimpers as Aaron touched you, and from what you could see, Spencer was hardening in his slacks from the sound of your moans alone.
That only made you want the two of them more.
“There you go, honey. Let me hear those pretty moans of yours,” Aaron encouraged you, moving his thumb at a quicker pace over your clit.
Spencer, eager to be engaged in some way, began to tease your nipples through the fabric of your dress. Your bra wasn’t doing all that much to stop him from doing so, and, it was then and there that you knew you were done for.
You looked back to see Aaron pulling his boxers down, revealing his aching cock, that was just as hard as Spencer’s was. He let out a low grunt as he moved his hand up and down on himself for a few seconds, readying himself for you.
Meanwhile, Spencer’s attention was fully on you, and he chuckled as he cupped your cheek again. His other hand fumbled with his belt, and he tilted his head at you, his mask being what was gazing back at you.
“You don’t mind me using that pretty mouth of yours, do you, princess?” Spencer cooed to you. You quickly shook your head.
“That’s a good girl,” Spencer whispered back to you, smoothing his thumb under your cheek.
You moaned as Aaron then suddenly, very suddenly, pushed himself inside of you from behind, slowly inching his cock inside of your cunt. Your hand almost immediately went to cover your mouth while Spencer yanked down his pants.
“Ready, angel?” Spencer cooed like nothing else was happening, like you weren’t getting fucked goddamn senseless by Aaron, even if it'd only been a couple seconds of sex thus far. Nevertheless, you nodded, and did just what Spencer asked of you.
Spencer’s size concerned you only a bit as you went down on the brunette genius, bobbing your head up and down on his dick as Aaron pounded into you from behind, and maybe you’d gag, or choke, or cough.
But it didn’t matter, just as long as you got to have them.
“Fuck, doll—You feel so fucking good,” Aaron muttered to you from behind, fucking you at a pace that should be considered illegal for how quick it was.
And how good it felt.
“Such a good girl,” Spencer whispered to you, petting and pulling your hair as a means of pulling you down more onto his dick. “You’re taking us so well, angel,” he cooed.
“Mmhm,” Aaron hummed in response. He moves both of his hands from your hips to your ass and grabbed you by it, pulling you closer to him, and thus pushing himself further into you. You let out a loud mewl in response.
Aaron covered your mouth, letting out a chuckle from behind you. “Didn’t we tell you not to scream, honey?”
“I’m sorry,” you whispered with flushed cheeks, pulling back from Spencer for a moment to not only speak, but to also catch your breath. “I’m—Trying.”
“Try harder,” Aaron said roughly as you reattached your lips to Spencer’s cock. “We’re the only ones who get to hear how much of a whore you are," your boyfriend shamelessly degraded you.
Tears pricked the corner of your eyes as you whined for more pleasure, feeling overwhelmed by the two men in front of you.
Or, well, behind you.
“Fuck, just like that, love,” Spencer groaned, not paying too much attention to what Aaron was saying. “You’re doing so good for me. So, so good," Spencer praised.
You moved your head up to get a better view of Spencer as you sucked him off. He looked so hot like this, as he did each time that you blew him.
That mask only magnified that fact.
“You should see how much of a slut you look like, honey,” Aaron chuckled. He ran his fingers through your hair and grabbed a handful of it, pulling your head down and guiding you as you sucked Spencer’s dick. “Fucking whore.”
Your cheeks were warm with arousal as your brain did the best it could to keep up with Aaron’s degradation, mixed in with Spencer’s praise.
Your eyes were rolling back into your head as the scene unfolded before you: Aaron pounding into you from behind, you gagging around Spencer’s cock, and you knew it was going to send you to the edge so fucking quick.
And just when you believed it couldn’t get any better, you were quickly proven wrong.
Aaron, like he’d done so many times before when the two of you were having sex, used a hand to grab a hold of your neck, and squeezed down with force. You found yourself coughing at the sudden, but arousing action, causing both Aaron and Spencer to chuckle.
“Oh, you like that, huh?” Aaron chuckled, administering a small slap to your ass with his free hand. “You want it harder, doll?”
You did what you could to nod, and even pulled away from Spencer’s dick again just to get the words out. “Please, I—I want more, A- Aaron.”
“You’re going to have to beg me better than that,” Aaron said cruelly, beginning to slow his pace down as well. You whimpered in response, ready to give some bratty remark back to him.
But your body needed him too much.
“No, please—Please don’t stop. I’m—I’m begging you. Please,” you whined, feeling utterly helpless to him.
“Please, what, honey?” Aaron teased you anyways, as if this couldn’t get any worse for you, as if you weren't already in the most vulnerable place you could be, begging you for his mercy.
Like you’d said earlier: You were done for.
You let out a small groan at your boyfriend’s continued teasing, but were quick to concede, sighing. “Keep going, please. A- And, harder, rougher, fuck, please," you whined aimlessly, hardly sure of the words coming out of your mouth at this point.
Aaron, knowing that when you began to become incoherent, that you were close to the edge, smirked as he obliged your needs. He began to pound back into you again, and, out of habit, you began to suck Spencer’s dick once more.
Spencer was letting out groans of his own as you sucked him off, pushing your head down as much as be could without making you gag. “Fuck, baby, fuck, I’m so close. You’re doing so good,” Spencer whispered to you, running his fingers through your hair for the millionth time as he praised you again and again. “Good girl, just like that."
Spencer moved his hand over to your back, caressing you slowly for a few seconds before moving his hand down to your clit, just as Aaron had done before. Reflexively, you whined out in pleasure.
The mix of Aaron’s cock, Spencer’s fingers, and both of their moans, was building a pleasure inside of you that you didn’t think humanly possible until now. Spencer thumbed over your clit as quickly as he could, rubbing you in fast circles as the scene before you enfolded.
“You gonna cum for us, honey? Show us how much of a whore you are?” Aaron said in a malicious tone of voice, still squeezing down on your neck. Again, you did what you could to nod.
“That’s it, baby. Go ahead,” Aaron finally encouraged.
You didn’t need much more than that.
You were climaxing in seconds upon Aaron’s command, the room smelling of sex as the three of you filled it with your moans. You could taste Spencer’s seed as ropes of it made their way into your mouth, while relishing in the pleasure of Aaron filling you with his own release at the same time.
Aaron chuckled as he pulled out of you, getting up from where he was on the couch. You whined at the sudden exit, your thighs shaking as you moved your head off of Spencer’s tip and sat up on the couch. You then pouted when you saw Spencer getting up, too.
“Where are you guys going?” you asked with a sad face, already feeling incredibly bare without the two of them next to you. They had never been ones to have sex without aftercare, so the fact that they were getting up was worth raising an eyebrow over.
Spencer put his thumb under your chin and finally removed his mask, just to kiss the top of your head. “Giving you some time to come back down to earth, princess. You probably need it.”
“And we’re sure you’ll need us again before the party’s over. And after the party’s over,” Aaron chuckled, removing his mask as well.
You rolled your eyes at his teasing tone of voice, your cheeks warm from the unneeded jeering. All you could do was cross your arms in response.
Spencer smiled down at you. “Don’t worry, princess. There’ll be more fun later on, okay? Just as long as you’re good for us. Can you be good for us, angel?” Spencer asked you genuinely.
You looked up at Spencer in a pout, but, at some point, you sighed and nodded. “Yes.”
“There’s our girl,” Spencer cooed. Then,  Spencer turned to face Aaron, smirking at him. “Shall we?”
Aaron, mirroring Spencer’s expression, nodded, and the two of them walked out of the office, leaving you there to think about all that had just happened.
Your dress was ruffled, and your thighs were a messy, shaking mess in the aftermath of what had just occurred with your two boyfriends.
You wanted to hate them so bad for this. How were you supposed to go back to the party now?
It didn’t even matter. You heard what they said.
"After the party’s over…"
You couldn’t even conjure up the image of what was going to happen then.
All you knew was that it was going to be a hell of a Halloween.
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burntheedges · 1 month
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Maintenance Request: Chapter 10
Joel Miller x f!reader | new chapter every Friday 18+ | ao3 | main post & chapter list chapter word count: 5k
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chapter summary: so you texted Joel back, but you haven't really talked since you saw him across the quad on Friday. what's going to happen at work on Monday? a/n: thank you as always to @katareyoudrilling for being the best beta 💕  chapter tags/warnings: angst, misunderstandings, fluff, flirting, kissing, full tags and notes about reader on main post, pet names (new ones: honey, baby)
Chapter 10
Monday, October 21 Ninth week of the semester
On Monday morning you were flustered and nervous before you even left your house. You’d barely slept, tossing and turning all night because you couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation that awaited you. You knew Joel would seek you out, and you knew you’d been short with him over text. 
You knew you might be assuming the worst, but every time you tried to talk yourself out of it you heard his voice again — placating you, convincing you that you were seeing things. Telling you not to worry. He spent two years training you to second guess yourself and even now, five years out of that relationship with a lot of therapy behind you, it was hard to push the voice away.
You ended up having to rush out of the door after uselessly dithering over your worries and your outfit. You were almost late, again. You tried to put it all aside as you walked from your garage to your building that morning, taking deep breaths in time with your steps. Joel isn’t like Matt. They have nothing in common. The idea was reassuring on its face, but didn’t really help. You tried to focus on getting to your office and the work you needed to do that you’d accidentally left behind on Friday in your haste to get away from campus.
As you entered the quad and your building came into view, you realized something was wrong. There was a large group of men in hard hats milling around outside, and they had roped off your building at a distance of about 15 feet. You felt your heart rate pick up. What now?
As you approached the building, you noticed a familiar set of shoulders. Joel was standing on the outside of the crowd, arms crossed, brows furrowed. He wasn’t in a vest or hardhat this time. And the same woman from Friday, the one you were so worried about — she was standing right next to him. Your breath caught in your throat as you froze.
You needed to get closer to see what was going on, and at the same time, you needed to get as far away from here as possible. The warring impulses pinned you in place on the path. You tried to breathe and decide what to do but your brain felt like it was static — white noise and nothing else.
Just as you managed to shift your weight, Joel noticed you. He looked, well… Joel was always happy to see you, you realized in that moment. Always smiling, chin up, shoulders relaxed. But right then he looked apprehensive, too. You knew that was probably your fault, but that voice in your head that sounded like Matt told you maybe it was because he was caught, and he knew it. You shook it away and took a deep breath before closing the distance between you and him. Joel met you in the middle.
“Mornin’, darlin’, I’m sorry about all this—” A loud BANG from your building interrupted him and your eyes widened as a plume of smoke seemed to erupt from the roof. 
“Joel, what—” you gulped. “What’s going on?” He reached out to put his hand on your elbow, but you stepped away. The look on his face as you pulled away from him hurt — it was disappointment and worry and rejection, all at once. It hit you like a punch to the stomach but you steeled yourself against it. “I have to get in there, Joel! I need—” BANG. The sound interrupted you again. You winced.
Joel was shaking his head when you looked back to meet his gaze. “You can’t go in right now, I’m sorry. There’s an issue with the ventilation and the gas line, they’re tryin’ to get it cleaned up. Mostly done now but it hasn’t been cleared yet.”
You felt dizzy. Joel was looking at you like you’d broken his heart just by stepping away from him a moment before, and the woman whose mere presence had set off all of your insecurities was standing just five feet away, watching the entire painful interaction. You took in a shaky breath and realized you felt tears gathering at the back of your eyes. No, you refuse to cry. Not here. 
“Joel, I— I have to get in there! I have class in less than half an hour, everything I need is in my office. What—” you realized you were panicking and tried to take a deep breath. You knew, somewhere in the back of your mind, that you could handle class without getting to your office. But this was just one more thing on top of all of the stress you’d felt all weekend, and it was one too many. Your pitch rose as you babbled and you knew your hands were shaking. 
Joel watched you, and you saw him start to reach out before cutting off the movement. He curled his hand into a fist at his side and his jaw set as he seemed to come to a decision. 
“What is it that you need?” Something about the intensity of his gaze compelled you to answer his question.
“Just— just the papers I left by my keyboard. But Joel—” you opened your mouth to say it wasn’t that important, you were just stressed, it would be fine, but he had already turned. “Joel, wait!”
He waved his arm back at you, yelling that he’d be back, and disappeared into the crowd. “Shit.” You cursed and closed your eyes, tilting your head back. 
You heard the woman, who was still standing next to you, clear her throat.
“So, I’m Tess.” You opened your eyes to see her holding her right hand out to you with an amused look on her face. “You must be the gorgeous professor who doesn’t hate Joel’s guts. At least, he thought you didn’t.” She quirked an eyebrow at you and you blinked in surprise.
“I, um—” you realized you were leaving her hanging and reached your hand out to shake hers. “He did say that was me… yes.” You felt unmoored by this sudden friendly conversation. You realized she’d probably just watched that entire interaction you’d had with Joel.
Tess seemed to consider you, tilting her head to the side, taking you in. Suddenly her eyebrows rose and she smiled. “Joel’s my best friend. Has been for about 10, 15 years now.” 
You blinked at her, perplexed. “What?”
She put her hands on her hips and sighed. “Look, I’m just going to be direct. I’m getting the feeling you got a different impression of my relationship with Joel, when we saw you on Friday. So you know, just letting you know. He’s like my annoying older brother.” She raised her eyebrows at you, waiting for you to get it. 
Shit. 
You suddenly sucked in a deep breath and then laughed, a little hysterically. “Shit.” You said it  out loud this time. “I—“ you shook your head, glad Tess was still smiling at you. “I’m such an idiot. I just—” you wiped your hands down your face and sighed. “I don’t want you to think I thought he was that kind of guy. This… it just reminded me of an, um, issue from my past. And I guess I overreacted. But I knew it wasn’t like him, even without, um. Knowing him that well, I guess. I was going to try to talk to him today.” You were rambling, and you knew it. You weren’t sure why you were explaining it to her, other than just not wanting her to think badly of you. His best friend. Shit.
She nodded. “I figured. From the way he’s been talking about you, I knew you were… well. Sounded like the two of you were on the same page.” You nodded. “He’s in pretty deep already, you know.”
“Yeah, I just… just got all in my head about it, I guess. I’ll, um. I’ll talk to him about it, like I said. Explain myself.” You cleared your throat nervously. “I’m, um. I’m in pretty deep, too.” Tess smiled in response, clearly amused. 
Any further conversation was interrupted by Joel shouting your name from closer to the building. You looked up to see him jogging towards you, holding a familiar stack of papers up in his left hand. He was smiling at you, expression hesitant but full of hope. Your breath caught. 
He came to a stop right in front of you, and held the papers out to you. You felt stunned. You looked down at them, but made no move to take them before looking back up to meet his eyes. His smile started to fade the longer you stood there and he looked even more unsure. You could see his face starting to close off to you. You couldn’t stand it.
“I thought you were dating Tess.” The words tumbled out of you before you could stop them, needing to do or say anything you could to stop him looking at you like that. He blinked, and his mouth dropped open. You heard Tess snort from somewhere to your left, but you couldn’t look away from Joel.
“You—” he started, and seemed to work his jaw, looking for the words. “Ah, no, darlin’. I’m not.” 
You nodded, faintly. “I know. She told me.”
“I, um—” Joel thrust the papers towards you again. “I grabbed your papers for you.” You took them this time, almost on autopilot, looking down at them in your hands. You paused, for a moment too long, before looking back up at him. His expression had fallen even further and your heart clenched in your chest. “Darlin’, I’m not sure what happened, but I’m real so—”
This was too much. You sprang into motion, and he cut himself off to watch as you stuffed the papers in your bag, unthinking, and dropped it right there on the ground. Threw it down, really. He watched you with a perplexed look on his face.
“You’re not dating Tess.” He shook his head, still confused. Eyed your bag where it landed on the ground, looking like maybe he wanted to pick it up for you. You stepped closer to him.
“And you just ran inside the building to grab these papers for me. Which weren’t even that important.” In pretty deep. You heard Tess’ words echo again in your head.
Joel blushed. “Darlin’, I—”
You didn’t let him finish. You reached out, hands still a bit shaky, and grasped the front of his plaid shirt. Before he could react, you hauled him forward and leaned in to meet his lips with your own. Hard. 
You heard and felt Joel breathe in through his nose in surprise, and for a moment neither of you moved — you were frozen, eyes closed, your lips pressed together, no other point of contact except your hands clutching his shirt. You started to wonder if you had it all wrong, after all, if maybe he didn’t—
And then Joel seemed to burst into motion. His hands slid around your shoulders and back, bringing you closer and holding you against him. He tilted his head and deepened the kiss, and suddenly you weren’t aware of anything else, not anymore. Nothing but the way he held you in his arms and the way he stole your breath, moving his lips softly against yours.
You weren’t sure how long the kiss had lasted — it could have been 10 seconds or 10 minutes — when Tess cleared her throat and you stumbled back from each other in surprise. Joel’s right hand stayed huge and warm on your hip as you stared at each other. His hair was tousled — did you do that? — and his lips were swollen and red. Your eyes locked on to them, unable to look anywhere else. You watched as he smiled, all hesitance and uncertainty gone from his expression.
“I believe one of you needs to go teach, and the other needs to go oversee what’s going on with the building.” Tess sounded a bit smug. You blinked. 
“Shit!” You exclaimed, again. “What time is it?” You finally turned your eyes from Joel, but didn’t step away. 
Tess rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. “You have five minutes, teach. Better get going.” You nodded.
When you turned back to Joel, you found he was still looking at you. “I have to go, I have class but Joel, later? We’ll talk?” You smiled, you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling, and raised your hand to touch his shoulder again. He nodded. His gaze held you in place like you were magnetized.
“Ahem.” Tess was really laughing at the two of you now. 
“Right! Ok, I’m going.” You bent down to gather your bag, wincing as you got a look at the mess it had become inside. Joel’s hand finally fell from your hip and you felt the loss of its warmth. “Later?”
He nodded and spoke for the first time since you’d kissed him. His voice was even deeper than usual and it rumbled over you, sending a shiver down your spine. “You can count on it, darlin’.” 
You took a few steps backwards, eyes locked on Joel’s, before turning. “It was nice to meet you, Tess!” She called back the same, and then as you started to walk faster to get to your class, you heard her start to tease him.
“Hates your guts, huh?”
“Can it.” His sarcastic tone and her laughter was the last thing you heard as you turned the corner and started to jog towards your building. You grinned, feeling lighter than you had in days. 
You floated through your class like you had no worries in the world — aside from the stack of assignments stuffed in your bag that you hadn’t actually been able to grade. Your students didn’t seem concerned, but they did notice your ridiculously good mood. You shrugged it off. “The coffee’s just good today, I guess.” A couple of them smiled, a couple of them groaned. That was about right.
By the time you made it back to your building, whatever the issue was had been cleared up and the crowd of hard hats was gone. You felt a twinge of disappointment, knowing Joel probably had other things to do across campus, but shook your head. He’d come find you later. He’d promised.
You finally made it to your office and started to unpack your bag at your desk, glancing around to see if anything was amiss, but no. Everything was in place aside from the stack of papers you returned to the desk from your bag, a bit crumpled after all the manhandling they had endured. You sat to get started on grading — you had a while before your office hours and afternoon class — when there was a knock at your door.
Your eyes snapped up to the edge of the door where it was slightly open. “Come in!” You called, and your breath caught as a familiar hand came into view, wrapping around the edge of the door to push it open. You stood up almost before you even realized you were moving.
Joel came into view, and for a moment the two of you just stared at each other — you, standing at your desk, one hand still on your mouse, the other gripping the edge in front of you. Joel, standing just inside of your door, hand holding the frame so tight his knuckles turned white. He looked more handsome than ever.
“Darlin’, I—”
“Joel! You—”
You started to talk at the same time, and then both of you laughed. Your smiles broke the tension and you moved forward around your desk. He closed the door and met you in between the visitor chairs, hands coming up to lightly hold your own. “Hey there, gorgeous.” He greeted you with the half smile that always made you feel lighter. “Fancy meeting you here.” You laughed, and squeezed his hands in yours to pull him even closer as you leaned back to prop yourself against your desk. 
You bit your lip as you took him in. “Long time no see.” 
He leaned in and hummed in response. He placed his lips so close to your ear you could feel his breath, and murmured, “I don’t want to let another moment pass with any misunderstandings, darlin’, so let’s get a couple things straight.” He ghosted his lips against your hairline in a soft kiss. “The only person I want to date is you. I’m sorry you doubted that, even for a second.” 
You shook your head. “No, Joel, it’s not your fault. I saw something and let my mind run away with me, I didn’t even talk to you about it. I, um, well—” He kissed you again, just in front of your ear, and you sighed and tilted your head to give him better access. It bolstered you when he took the invitation as it was intended and kissed you again, softly, on the cheek. “I had a… bad experience. With an ex. I reacted based on that, not because of anything you did. I don’t want you thinking this was your fault at all, I—”
“Shh,” he hushed you softly and met your eyes. “I understand. You don’t have to tell me about it right now, it’s ok.” He leaned in to press a gentle kiss to your forehead and the tenderness in the gesture made your breath catch. You squeezed his hands even tighter, suddenly feeling like you might cry with relief. “I was so worried you’d changed your mind. I was determined to fix it, whatever it was I’d done. But I didn’t want to push, ’n I wanted to wait until I saw you in person, ‘stead of trying to hash it out in text messages.”
You shook your head, and smiled at your past self and how much you’d let yourself spiral over the weekend. “Ellie and Beth both told me I was being silly, spiraling for no reason without talking to you. But it really was a reaction from my past, Joel. I mean…” you trailed off, and he caught your eye, encouraging you to continue. “The only reason I was so upset is because of how much I like you.” You bit your lip, and it drew his eyes like a magnet.
“Darlin’, I was stewin’ all weekend, worried you might not let me take you out anymore. You got no idea how much I like you.” You smiled and buried your face in the collar of his flannel shirt. Joel took the opportunity to release your hands and slide his own across your back, pulling you close. You felt their path across your body like a brand. “Pretty glad you kissed me this morning, too. Been wanting to hold you like this.”
“Oh?”
He hummed, and slid one hand up to cup the back of your neck, where you marveled at its size. The other found a new home on your lower back. “Been trying to take it slow, gorgeous.” You smiled into his neck and wrapped your own arms around his waist before lifting your chin and pressing a soft kiss there, just inside his collar.
Joel groaned and let his forehead fall to your shoulder. “We’re still on for Friday, right?” He mumbled into your neck, pressing his own gentle kisses up higher and higher until you could feel his breath on your ear again. 
“Yes, Joel,” you breathed, sinking into the feeling of being in his arms and feeling his lips on your skin. “You gonna kiss me again?” You teased him, pressing a kiss just below his jawline. He smirked against your neck. 
“I am kissin’ you, darlin’,” he punctuated his statement with a soft kiss just behind your ear. You pulled back.
“You know what I mean, Joel Miller.” You realized at some point in the last few minutes you’d perched up on the very edge of your desk and he’d pressed forward into the open space between your knees. You weren’t quite pressed together, but you were close. 
“You want me to kiss you, honey?” The new endearment slipped right down your spine and settled there at the base like a warm ember. You pulled him closer and brought your lips a hair’s breadth away from his. 
“Thought I made that pretty clear on the sidewalk earlier.” He laughed, and you felt it against your own lips like a caress. 
“That you did. You know how much ribbing I got for that later?”
It was your turn to laugh, picturing the other guys giving him a hard time. “Oh? What’d they say?” 
He shook his head and hummed. “I’ve been encouraged to get a room, but also congratulated on punching so far above my weight class.” You scoffed while he smiled at you.
“Do I need to remind you of your nickname? Hot Construction Guy?” You raised your eyebrows at him.
“Baby, whatever I am, I don’t hold a candle to you.”
Before you could protest — Joel was the most attractive man you’d ever seen, after all, and it wasn’t even close — he leaned forward and kissed you again.
It was even better this time.
You were more present — less frazzled, less confused, less stressed — and you sank smoothly into his kiss. He pressed his lips against yours with intent, with gentle passion that immediately sank its hooks in you and latched on tight. His lips were soft and pliant against yours and the sensation awakened something in you that felt heady and deep.
You wanted more.
Joel stepped closer, bringing himself flush against you. You sighed into his mouth. He teased you with his tongue against your lower lip before deepening the kiss, tongue sliding against your own.
You took your own opportune moment to place both of your hands in his back pockets and squeeze. Joel moaned, softly, and it was the best sound you’d ever heard.
You could feel your own interest and arousal growing. But then he softened the kiss, pressing his lips against your own once, twice, three more times, before putting a little bit of space between your mouths.
“Better stop before we get too carried away, honey.” You whined softly in response without realizing you were going to do it, and you felt your cheeks heat. He kissed you softly on the left one. “M’not opposed to office sex in theory, darlin’, but I want our first time to be in a bed. And I definitely want to take you out first.” You sighed and nodded, agreeing. Even as the mental image of office sex threatened to send you spiraling into a daydream, no matter what you’d said to Beth before. Joel wouldn’t have a hard time convincing you, you could tell. 
“Me too, Joel.” You kissed the edge of his jaw again and felt him smile. For a moment the two of you just sank into a tighter embrace. His hug was already something you didn’t want to do without — it was warm and soft and comforting. He was so broad, and his hands were huge. It was the best feeling, being held by Joel.
“I don’t want to wait until Friday to see you again.” You squeezed him around the waist as you said it, and he pressed his lips to the spot where your neck met your shoulder. 
“Couldn’t stay away if I tried, darlin’. Only barely made myself go back to my office, instead of waiting for you here during your class.” You laughed into his shirt. 
He smiled against your neck again. “Let’s have lunch today. And tomorrow. Everyday this week, even, except Wednesday when I got a damn meeting.” He grumbled that last part. You shook your head a little. 
“And I have one on Thursday. But I want to see you anyway. Wish our date was today.”
Joel leaned back to catch your eye. “If it wasn’t a school night, it would be.”
“Oh!” You couldn’t believe you didn’t ask before. “Is Sarah… I mean, I guess she probably noticed we weren’t… I hope she isn’t mad. At me. For leaving you hanging all weekend.”
Joel shook his head. “Mostly no. She’s just protective of me, no reason to be worried. She noticed I was a bit down, tried to reassure me that I hadn’t done anything, just had to talk to you. But I think she didn’t really know what to think, since I didn’t either.” You closed your eyes, worried now, too. “I’ll tell her what happened tonight.”
“Tell her I said it wasn’t about you, Joel, because it wasn’t. I know enough to know you’re a good man. I even said so to Ellie and Beth on Saturday.” 
He smiled at you, soft. “And I know enough about you to know you’re too kind to not explain it.” He brought one hand up to cup your face. “I’m just glad we worked it out so fast and I got to kiss you today. Got no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
“Oh?” You pulled your arms in so you could run your hands up his chest and then tangle them in his hair. “How long is that?”
Joel ducked his head, looking sheepish. “Well, just in terms of thinking you were beautiful, from that first day I saw you on the bench in the Secret Garden. But the real answer is that day when you spilled coffee on yourself. I wanted so badly for you to like me, and there you were, gorgeous and magnificent and angry.”
You groaned and dropped your face onto his chest again. “M’sorry I was such a hateful asshole.” Your voice was muffled in his shirt. You felt Joel rest his cheek against the top of your head. 
“It’s ok, honey. You don’t need to keep apologizin’ for it. I really was poppin’ up at the worst moments, over and over again. Was startin’ to worry about it, myself. Thought maybe I was cursed.” You nodded and laughed against his shirt. “Was worried I’d never get the chance to see if this would have gone anywhere. Even if you are gorgeous when you’re mad.”
You shook your head, and tilted it back to meet his eyes. “Even when I was pissed in the moment I was smart enough to see what a catch you are.” 
He snorted and shook his head. “A catch, huh?”
“I’ll say it until you believe it, Joel Miller. You are the hottest man I have ever seen.” He started to scoff, but stopped himself, looking shy. “I mean it. Have you seen your shoulders? Your eyes? And your hands? And you’re kind, and funny. And smart. And a good dad.”
Joel hid his face in your shoulder again before you could really take in his blush. He pressed his lips lightly up the side of your neck. You sighed. “I thought we were stopping.”
“We are,” he murmured in response. He reached up with his right hand to cup your jaw. “Just one more kiss, baby. Gotta kiss you, after you said all those nice things.”
You sank into him again, already wondering how you were going to make it to Friday.
bestie (11:45 AM): WHAT (11:46 AM): are you telling me you kissed HCG in front of god and everybody on campus and I MISSED IT
you (11:47 AM): you snooze you lose
bestie (11:48 AM): I can’t believe you (11:48 AM): was it any good
you (11:48 AM): 🥰 (11:49 AM): I think I’m floating. it’s like some sort of Hallmark romcom in here
bestie (11:50 AM): shit, what am I saying (11:50 AM): of course it was (11:51 AM): I’m surprised he didn’t just jump into your pants right there in your office
you (11:52 AM): we might have honestly but he stopped. wants to wait for our date
bestie (11:53 AM): UGH (11:53 AM): anyway, I’m glad we were right and he’s not an asshole after all (11:54 AM): did you explain
you (11:56 AM): yes (11:56 AM): not about Matt, exactly (11:57 AM): just that I had a… bad relationship
bestie (12:01 PM): understatement of the year (12:01 PM): that makes sense. it’s a lot to unload
you (12:02 PM): yeah. we have time
bestie (12:03 PM): oooh you have tiiiiime
you (12:03 PM): can it
bestie (12:04 PM): you love me
Ellie (4:37 PM): i can’t believe you kissed him!! in public!! (4:37 PM): like what (4:38 PM): who even are you 
you (4:39 PM): thanks 
(4:39 PM): 🙄
Ellie (4:41 PM): I don’t want any details ever but 
you (4:49 PM): … but what 
Ellie (4:53 PM): I’m trying to figure out how to ask about it without having to hear any details about my aunt making out with a guy 😒
you (4:55 PM): 😂 I’ll just say it was good and we’re still going out Friday
Ellie (4:57 PM): gross (4:57 PM): but also that’s good I guess (4:58 PM): i’m glad we were right and he’s not an asshole (4:58 PM): so I don’t have to fight him 🔪
you (4:59 PM): same, honestly
Ellie (5:01 PM): hey, people like us!! even though we’re us! wild
you (5:02 PM): guess we’re not totally off putting 
Ellie (5:02 PM): speak for yourself 
you (5:03 PM): wow rude 
Joel (4:38 PM): Can’t wait to see you tomorrow, darlin. (4:39 PM): I might still be thinking about those kisses.
you (4:41 PM): oh yeah? well you might not be the only one
Joel (4:45 PM): That right?
you (4:46 PM): guess you’ll have to find out tomorrow
Joel (4:48 PM): oh?
you (4:51 PM): what do you think about having lunch in my office? you know. for privacy
Joel (4:53 PM): Honey, that is the best idea I’ve heard all week. 
you (4:54 PM): see you then, handsome 💕
Joel (4:58 PM): Count on it, gorgeous.
...
a/n: they did it!! prev | next
taglist: @jupiter-soups @ilovepedro @auteurdelabre @katareyoudrilling @anoverwhelmingdin @myloveistoolittle @iknowisoundcrazy @beezusvreeland @screechingphantommaker @bigboiseason123 @joelalorian @untamedheart81 @jeewrites
145 notes · View notes
wordstome · 6 months
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Shrike pt. 3 - who we are
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König x high school sweetheart reader
2nd person, she/her pronouns, reader is Austrian/has lived in Austria and speaks German for most of the story, romance, pining, friends to lovers, reader's nickname is Thorn, König's first name is Alexander, absolute tooth rotting fluff, corny as hell towards the end
2.8k words
tw: physical and emotional abuse, violence (chokehold, stabbing, throat slitting)
Hello to everyone reading this from my main blog! In case you haven't seen the pinned post on bucca2, this is my new writing blog. Everything I publish will be here on wordstome now. Please feel free to unfollow bucca2 and follow me here!
also PARIS PALOMA TEASED HER NEW SONG "DRYWALL" JUST FOR SHRIKE CHAPTER 3 SPREAD THE WORD
[PART 1] [PART 2 (PREV)] [MASTERLIST]
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What I had left here I just held it tight So someone with your eyes Might come in time To hold me like water Or Christ, hold me like a knife
When you’re in total darkness, your eyes adjust. You can see everything around you, but it’s all devoid of color. Then when the light turns on, it blinds you, but it’s better to be blinded momentarily than to live in the dark forever.
That’s how it feels as you prepare to travel home. To escape. You’re antsy, excited and petrified at the same time. Before, it felt like the days flew past in a murky haze. Now, even the seconds crawl.
It feels like moving in a dream, like you’ll wake up any day now and it will all be taken away from you. Your hope, your new dreams for the future, your König.
A shiver runs through you. Where did “your König” come from?
When you’re not occupied with the anxiety of keeping such a huge secret from your husband, all you think about is König. You’ve spent the past few weeks in a haze, like he’s put some sort of spell on you. You do get a kick out of imagining him as a witch with a hat and cauldron.
But you know it’s something simpler than that. All the feelings you used to have for him have returned.  It’s different than the heady rush you used to get with your husband. It feels sweeter, like you really are a teenage girl with a crush all over again.
It feels naïve, but you also don’t care. You feel safe despite the situation you’re still in, for the first time in a long time. You never would have expected to see König again—even less so for him to become your saving grace.
It seems silly in hindsight that you had been so frightened of him. Sure, the mask was a lot. But it had been something about his energy. It was different than you had ever felt from him, before or after your reunion. If he was that way on the battlefield, then no wonder he had earned the nickname König. You’re not sure if it scares or awes you.
You’re about to find out.
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An anxiety attack is the worst feeling in the world.
You dry heave. Your chest feels like a roiling ball of angry carrion birds hollowing you out. You shake like a leaf in the wind. You fall down a long, dark pit of despair as your stomach seizes with nausea.
The train’s delayed. There’s been an issue with the tracks leading out of the city. No trains will be leaving for 12 hours.
You should have just sat in the terminal and waited, or tried to contact König, but you’re not thinking straight. All of your thoughts are focused on your husband, and what he’ll do if he comes home and finds you gone. You decide, somehow, that it would be wiser to throw yourself back into the lion’s den and pretend everything’s alright instead of waiting for him to come raging into the train station and pull you out by the hair. The thought of that is the only thing that gets you up off the wall you were hyperventilating against and back towards home.
The plan is to get home before he does and hide your suitcases. He’s usually not home by this time, anyway. You chalk the rising sense of dread in the pit of your stomach up to your anxiety and turn the handle to go in.
Fuck.
He’s standing in the kitchen.
The years have not been kind to him. He’s far from the charming young man you married. He’s wretched, unkempt, angry. It’s clear he’s been drinking, maybe even before he left work. The shadows etch themselves into the lines of his face as his expression twists into something awful, inhuman. You stand, frozen, as he approaches you.
“Planning a trip without me?” he asks with an awful grin.
You can still salvage this. “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything, but I just received word. My mother’s not doing well. I have to go see her.”
“You lie like a whore,” he snarls. “Don’t think I haven’t been paying attention. You’re different nowadays. Not the nice obedient woman I married.”
Your fear turns to anger in an instant. Years and years of this horseshit, waiting on him hand and foot, placing his smallest whims before your own needs and wants—it rushes up through you like hot steam. His nice obedient woman. And the worst thing is, you hate that he’s not wrong. That is what you’ve become.
“Yesterday I came home and you hadn’t even started dinner. Where were you, huh? Running around on me behind my back?” It’s difficult to describe, but his smile is oily: sleazy, untrustworthy, dangerous. “With that big fuck in a hood that came here with the mercenaries, perhaps?”
Your blood runs cold at that. Has he seen you with König? When? Why hasn’t he said anything? It feels like you’re stepping into a trap, but you must move forward if you want to get out.
“He’s going to get what’s coming to him, alright. My manager has a direct line to his boss. One word from him will get that fucker deployed to the middle of nowhere on a suicide mission.”
It’s an absurd threat, and you know it. This drunken idiot has no idea what he’s talking about—as if some middle-management bureaucrat could persuade a PMC to dispose of a soldier like König. But it’s the audacity that irks you. You’ve lived your life serving this man for too long, and now he thinks the world will bend to his whims. There’s absolutely no way he can touch König, but an old and familiar anger rises in you.
A long overdue revelation dawns on you now. He’s a bully. The same as Andreas: little boys with petty insults and empty threats. Pushing people around because their own lives are empty and unsatisfying.
An eerie calm breaks through you like the sky cutting through a storm. The man before you is just a feral animal, snarling and snapping in desperation. You’re not afraid of him anymore.
You reach behind you and slowly roll open the knife drawer, grabbing the first one your fingers land on.
“I’m leaving. I’m leaving this house, this country, and this marriage,” you say, gripping the knife in a defensive position. Your father taught you how to hold a knife like this: backwards, with the blade along your arm, sharp edge facing outwards.
“This way, it’s much more difficult for someone to turn the blade against you,” he had told you, demonstrating the motion by moving your arm towards your chest. The memory makes you smile. At the time, you’d been indulging your old man—he had always said that violence was a last resort, but that the world was unkind and one day you may have to defend yourself. He was right, just as he was when he told you he had reservations about your marriage.
You’re going home. You’re going to see your father again. And you’ll never have to tolerate the loathsome toad before you again.
The beast laughs. “What do you think you’re going to do with that? Stab me?” He’s up against you before you can react, the breath leaving your lungs in a gasp as he pins you against a wall by the throat.
“You. Are. Mine. You will never raise a hand against me because I own you,” he hisses, his alcohol-laced breath foul against your face. “And it’s high time you remembered that.” His grip tightens like an iron vice around your throat, but you’re not afraid. Even as your vision begins to blur and blacken, you stare directly into his eyes. They’re like red-hot coals of fury, but you see what’s behind them now. The fear. The cowardice of a desperate man who has no recourse but to lay his hands on someone who can’t fight back.
“You’re pathetic,” you rasp, lips tugging into a smile. The coals burn brighter. The hand squeezes tighter. The adrenaline surges through you like a tide—and your body acts to protect itself, in a way that you haven’t allowed it to in a long time. A feeling as sweet and familiar as an old friend.
The knife makes its home right between his ribs.
He staggers away from you, as if you had slightly winded him instead of stabbed him in the heart. Your hands instantly go to your throat as you cough and sputter, lightheaded and dizzy but alive, so alive. You’ve never felt so alive as you do right now, watching the demon of your own personal hell look down at the blade sticking out of him.
“You stupid little bitch—” He makes as if to lunge at you, but time slows. Your eyes widen as the shadows behind him melt and solidify into a figure. Tall and hooded. No knight in shining armor, but an assassin of deepest night.
König slashes through your husband’s throat in one deadly, beautiful motion.
Your husband falls to the ground like dead weight, gasping and choking on his own blood. Your eyes are fixed on him, a strange sensation bubbling through you. You’re making some kind of noise, loud and cacophonous, as König steps over the dying animal who has controlled you your whole adult life.
His arms find their way around you as you slowly sink to the ground, howling and wailing. He’s so patient, you think numbly with some corner of your mind that remains untouched by the mania seizing the rest of you. The two of you sit there, his body warm and solid against yours, as your body slowly exits fight or flight mode.
“Alex?” you say hoarsely once you’re in your right mind again.
“I’m here,” he rumbles.
You turn to look at him as he pulls the hood off his head. There he is, your Alexander, all grown up. He’s rugged, with nasty-looking white scars streaked across his face, but so, so handsome. His eyes are still the same as he looks at you with something akin to rapturous adoration. Your green-eyed boy.
“You’re back, rosethorn,” he says with a wide grin. There’s a touch of madness to it, but you can’t bring yourself to care.
“Was I…” Exhaustion sets in, seeping through your whole body. “Was I crying or laughing just now?”
He shifts you onto his lap, cradling you like a baby as you look up at him.
“I think you were laughing.”
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The police release you after just over half an hour of questioning.
You aren’t going anywhere, of course. They’re leaving you, exiting your hospital room with murmurs of well-wishes for your health. They’ve hardly left the room when König comes striding in, instantly moving to your bedside and holding your hand in his.
He looks tired too, his eyes soft as he takes in your small smile. You’re sure he was being interrogated for much longer than you, but it looks like he passed muster as well. Not as if you had anything to worry about—what could the local police have done to the commander of the mercenaries taking down their local terrorist cell anyway?
“Are you alright? Did they clear you?” His expression hardens as he glances at your neck. You nod weakly. Your throat is going to be bruised for a while, but your attacker hadn’t done any lasting damage.
Attacker. Husband. Corpse. All of these words describe the same thing now.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner,” he says mournfully. “He shouldn’t have had the chance to attack you like that.”
You shake your head at him. He didn’t know that you weren’t on the train heading home, after all. The room is quiet for a few moments, save for the distant beeping of a heart monitor.
“Why…” you manage to ask. He knows what you’re trying to say.
“Why was I there?” He glances around to make sure nobody’s listening, and leans in to whisper in your ear.
“I was there to kill him, of course.”
You shudder a little. He admits it so casually, that he was in your house because he was there to commit a murder. You should be afraid of him, but you feel around in your brain and come up empty-handed.
Instead, you find yourself worried. For him. “What if you had gotten in trouble?”
He snorts. “You underestimate me, rosethorn. I would have just framed it as a robbery.”
You nod. Oh God…does that mean he had planned this? Why doesn’t that horrify or disgust you? You’re just going to have to dissect that later. Right now, you only feel a warm affection towards the man stroking his thumb along your hand in a soothing motion.
“So…what comes next?”
“You’re asking me? We can do whatever you like. I can take you home.”
Home. Where is that, now? It’s certainly not in the house you’ve left behind, where the ghost of the man you were married to settles in every nook and cranny. It doesn’t feel like your childhood home where your parents are, either.
It’s such a corny saying, “home is where the heart is”. But home feels like it’s already here, sitting next to your hospital bed with the fondest look in his eyes.
“I’d like to travel,” you whisper. The with you goes unspoken.
“I have plenty of leave time saved up.”
You flip your hand so you can hold his. It’s huge next to yours. This is the hand that slit your husband’s throat, a hand that has killed countless people.
You’re not sentimental enough to pretend that’s not an issue. You’re not entirely sure this is happily ever after: that all of your problems are solved because you’ve replaced one violent man with another. But another part of you yearns to be the one who gets protected. You’ll take care of König, and you know he’ll take care of you. In his own way.
You can ask the questions later. Right now, you have lost time to make up for.
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“Are you sure you should be wearing that scarf?”
The air is cold, but the wind is soft instead of feeling like tiny blades against your face. You tug said scarf down from your face and take in a lungful of crisp, icy air.
“I’ll be fine,” you reassure König as he hauls himself up the last ridge to where you’re standing. “It’s loose enough. And it’s chilly.”
“If you say so.” He tugs his neck gaiter further up his nose. “What a view, hm?”
You’re standing on Mont Blanc, blanketed by serene white snow just as the name promised. Further below you, the skiing slopes are crawling with tourists, but here in this little outcropping, the only sound is the occasional rush of wind and your voices.
“I think I can see Salzburg from here,” you say, pointing off into gorgeous landscape spread out before you.
“That is most certainly still Switzerland,” König says, amused. You turn to look at him instead and are rewarded with his shining green eyes looking right back at you.
“Whatever!” You let out a dissatisfied hmph, which draws a hearty laugh from him.
“You came all the way to Chamonix just so you could look at Austria again?”
“It’s a very tall mountain,” you argue.
“It’s one of many very tall mountains. We could have just gone to Großglockner.”
“That’s boring. I’ve always wanted to visit France.”
“You wanted to visit a very expensive ski chalet.”
“Bite me.”
“I just might!” You giggle and squeal as he grabs you, chasing your face with his as you squirm around.
“It is beautiful,” he concedes as he holds a hand above his eyes to keep off the sun. “Almost as beautiful as you.”
“I should push you off this peak right now.”
“You couldn’t move me an inch.” He grabs you by the waist and holds you tight to emphasize his point. You can’t even shift his arms off you, no matter how hard you push.
“Ok, fine, you win.” You pout at him, but he doesn’t let you go.
The dynamic the two of you share is so easygoing and relaxed, it’s like you had a rhythm all along that both of you just fell back into. But of course, there are some things you’ve never done together. Like travel together.
Or kiss.
“Are you going to do it this time?” you ask him, smiling.
His nose wrinkles up, uncharacteristically cute for someone like him. “Well, I was going to, but then you had to open your mouth.”
You cackle. “Go on then.”
“Can I?”
“I just said yes!”
“I forgot how much you like to talk,” he complains. Before you can say another word, he captures your lips in his.
The sky is vivid and blue as the whole world stretches out before you.
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#RIPBOZO
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Here we are! We're at the end of this little story I started writing on a whim. Honestly, this means a lot to me personally: I wrote a lot when I was younger, but high school and university were very difficult times for me, and I stopped writing fanfiction. I tried to get back into it during the pandemic, but I was never able to finish anything beyond a long-ish drabble. I'm quite proud of this.
Even still, I feel like there are a lot of stories that I still want to tell about this couple. There's quite a lot that I decided to cut from these main 3 chapters for the sake of pacing and time. There's a little bit of dissatisfaction at not having crammed in every little detail that I wanted, but if there's one thing that writing university papers has taught me, it's that perfectionism will keep you from getting anything done. So you will be getting more from Alex and Thorn in the future!
I know a lot of you were anticipating what delicious revenge König was going to exact on Thorn's husband, so I hope you weren't too disappointed ;; While I personally would have loved to have König strap him to a chair in the basement and do some morbid things with a knife, I think it was important for Thorn's character that she's involved in it. While of course the main focus of this story is König, Shrike is also about his beloved Thorn. I hope to explore König and the darker (and pervier) aspects of his character more in subsequent stories. But for now, they're getting a well-deserved happy ending.
One last thing before I go: Chamonix is a resort town in central/southeast France, not far from Lyon. (Sorry, I don't know whether Lyon is south enough to be considered southern France lol). Mont Blanc is Chamonix's main peak of the Alps, and is known for how pretty it is and being at the border of France, Switzerland, and Italy. As König said, if you wanted to visit a mountain as an Austrian, there are several of them at home you could visit, but since I visited it a few years ago, Chamonix has a special place in my heart. I just had to cram it in!
As usual, I'm excited to see your comments and feedback. I've read every single thing everybody has commented about this fic, even if I couldn't respond to you all, and I appreciate it so deeply. Whenever I get feedback I literally feel like kicking my feet and giggling. And if you want to ask questions or request specific scenarios with Thorn and Alex, please do send me an ask!
@crowbird @poohkie90 @cumikering @iytatsworld @papaver-decervicatus @anxietyrain @riotakire @ax0lotly @kneelingshadowsalome @cookiepie111 @kacchasu @no1runawaymilkdad @chthonian-spectre @backwards-readings @yxllowtxpe @garbau @hexqueensupreme @queenthorin1 @violetstyless @her-majesty-theking @vegan-peppermint @peonytarian @ghostslittlegf @euuuuuuun @e1x03 @kokonoiwife @deaddainish @dragonfang @teehee-47 @catluvwr @fireballoveraltanta
psst. to my tag list people while I have you here: naturally I will continue tagging you in other Shrike stories, but I'll also be using this same tag list for every other König fic I write. If you'd like to opt out of that, let me know. (No hard feelings, of course :3)
208 notes · View notes
somekindofpoet · 1 year
Text
La Petite Mort - C'est Comme Ça
Summary: The repercussions of RJ's return hit hard
Word Count: 4.8K
Warnings: Language 
A/N: This chapter is brought to you by boygenius, specifically Phoebe Bridgers because she has ruined me. You asked for angst. Remember YOU ASKED FOR THIS. There's a little TLOU2 easter egg in there for you fellow Ellie lovers. I have to say, I can't believe this story is the result of an ask about a girl getting head for the first time...writing is weird.
LPM - Part I LPM - Part II LPM Part IV LPM Part V LPM Part VI
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The tension in the air is palpable. You can feel the moment strung taught, a high wire of social choreography forcing you to tiptoe carefully. Truth be told, it was your own fault. You were the one fucking RJs girlfriend. And you were the one flirting with Maxine. You’d made your bed, but you were determined not to sleep in it. 
You motion to the hay bales behind Maxine, “Ma’am if you don’t mind?”
She turns, her eyebrows raising as she realizes she’s in your way, and slides over to the edge of the tailgate. Into the exact spot Lorraine had just vacated. The significance of the moment is not lost on you, but you brush it off and reach for the hay. You pull it down and lug it into the barn, breaking a sweat that has little to do with exertion. A wolf whistle rips out from behind you, and you drop the hay and turn to find the source. A man in aviators and a white cowboy hat is leaning against the truck next to Maxine, a toothpick rolling around his lips. 
As you approach, he slides his sunglasses down his nose to look at you, “Howdy darlin,” he says, his voice thick with amusement.
You raise an eyebrow at him, reaching for the next bale, and nod in greeting. Something about him screams con artist, and you immediately decide you don’t like him. Maxine giggles and pulls at his shirt sleeve, swinging her legs. You’re acutely aware of Lorraine in your peripheral, glancing over at the interaction as RJ talks at her, his hands waving around excitedly. 
The con man pulls the toothpick from his mouth and clears his throat, “Names Wayne,” he says, his unnaturally white teeth gleaming in the sun, “You ever thought about bein in movies?”
You squint at him, your hands wrapped in the rope keeping the hay bound and shake your head, “No, actin ain’t exactly my strong suit.”
Maxine snickers, and a devilish grin spreads across Wayne’s face, “That’s okay. Actin is not high on the priority list for my movies.”
Your eyebrows fly up your face as you realize the implication. In all the fuss, you had forgotten the type of movie RJ had been filming with them. The realization comes with the knowledge of who Maxine must be, and suddenly her flirting makes sense. You’re flattered, really, at the proposition, but you’re also mortified. 
An involuntary laugh slips out of you, bubbling up from your belly through your chest. You heave the hay off the truck and shake your head, “I respect what y’all do, but I’ll stick to what I got goin on, thank you.”
Wayne puts his hands up in surrender, “Alright, alright. I’d be a fool not to try though, especially since Maxine here has been eyein you. Jackson and Bobby-Lynne over there would probably agree that you’d be a welcome addition, but suit yourself,” he points to the two making out against the van.
You look in their direction and laugh again, seeing them dry humping each other, “I think they have their hands full as it is,” you say and turn toward the barn.
As you make your way back out, squinting in the sun, RJ’s raised voice catches your attention.
“I’ve been gone for a week Lorraine. You can’t spend one night with me?” 
You note the change in his tone, dropping her nickname to say her full name in irritation. She mumbles something too quiet to hear, and seeing her cower in front of him makes your blood boil. She always made herself small for him, careful to stay out of the way and quiet. She was a quiet person by nature, but even more so in his presence. Watching her with him is like seeing your favorite flower wither, her beauty shriveling in his wake. You ball your fists and clench your jaw. 
“Aaaah, you got a thing for brunettes, huh?” Wayne’s voice snaps you out of your thoughts.
You frown and shake your head, “What?”
He gestures toward Lorraine with his head, “I don’t blame ya, RJ caught a fish way too big for his reel there.”
You scowl at him, fighting the urge to knock his lights out. How dare he even look her way, much less speak about her. Your composure is rattled, and the conversation between RJ and Lorraine is growing more agitated by the minute. You turn back to them, ready to start a brawl, but you’re halted by a look from Lorraine. She looks at you out of the corner of her eye and shakes her head, asking you to stay out of it. You grit your teeth, feeling wild and out of control. 
“Baby let’s go, I’m so tired of farms,” Maxine whines, blinking up at Wayne. 
You feel like you’re an extra in a movie that’s in the wrong shot. Stranded between keeping up appearances and doing what you really want to do. Which is to sweep Lorraine off her feet and kick RJ in the teeth. Deep down, there’s resentment building toward her too, but you’re not ready to deal with it. The bed you were trying not to sleep in was pulling back its blankets, welcoming you to the mess you’d made.
When Maxine brushes past you to return to the van, she runs her fingers from your shoulder down your arm and winks at you, blowing you a kiss as she walks backward. You make eye contact with Lorraine, and it’s like the whole scene blurs around you. The pornstars chattering in the background, RJ having his meltdown to the side, and the two of you, front and center. An unspoken moment passes between you, and you can feel the delicate balance shatter around you. It hurts you more than you have words to describe. If that moment hurts, it has nothing on what you feel when she turns around and climbs into the van with RJ. 
——
One of your favorite things about Mr. Day is his ability to work in comfortable silence. He doesn’t press you for small talk or waste time preaching to you. He’s a quiet, peaceful man, and you can see Lorraine’s got it honest. When he does speak, he says what he means, and that’s that. 
The two of you had saddled up and ridden over an hour to his back pasture to repair the fencing that had been neglected over the season. There were several feet of fence that needed replacing, and it was laborious work. The two of you drudged along with the chore in silence, occasionally grunting or grumbling when the wires pierced through your gloves and cut your skin. It came as a shock to you when he left his post and came over to yours, leaning against the wood, clearly wanting to talk. 
You wipe your cheek with the back of your glove, pushing your hat back off your brow, and squint at him, “How you doin sir, comin along alright down there?”
He sighs, his black and silver mustache rustling with his breath, “I’m gettin too old for this mess y/n.”
You chuckle, “That’s what you have me for. I can finish this up if you want to head in.”
“What do you think of that boy, RJ?” 
You jerk your head back, the wire in your hand sinking into the skin of your palm, making you wince. You gulp, unsure of how to answer. 
“How do you mean?” You ask, willing your voice not to waver.
He tilts his head at you, his expression so shockingly similar to one Lorraine would make it nearly knocks the wind out of you. 
“I mean, what do you think of him?”
He doesn’t give you any further context, his tone is neutral and steady. 
“I think,” you pause a moment, “I think he’s fine.”
Mr. Day watches you for a moment, clearly evaluating you. “Try that again, and be honest.”
You set your pliers down on the fence post and pull your gloves off, your palm stinging from the fresh cut there. This man has known you since you were a child, and you should have known better than to try to sugarcoat your opinion in front of him. 
“I think he’s a pretentious asshole. If you’ll pardon my French.”
When he smiles at you, Lorraine is there again, in the crinkle of his dark eyes and the curve of his mustache hidden mouth. 
“That’s more like it.” 
He pushes off the fence and hobbles over to his horse, pulling two warm PBRs from his saddle bag. He hands you one as he leans back up against the fence and cracks his open, gulping it and eyeing you. You open yours and swig, relaxing your posture and turning to lean back with him. His presence is calming, and you feel grounded for the first time since you’d seen the van pull into the ranch driveway. 
“I just don’t know what she sees in him,” you tell him, your honesty shocking you.
He takes another drink, “I was hoping you’d tell me. Seems like you know Raine better than most, I’d say.”
The knowledge that he’d almost caught you having sex with his daughter several times now makes you hesitant to reply. You can’t know if he knows, but from his tone and the way he’s eyeing you, you’re beginning to think he does. It’s surprising to you that he doesn’t seem to be upset about it if he does know. You proceed under the assumption that he is ignorant of your situation, thinking it the safer option.
“I couldn’t tell you. Guess you could ask her.”
He grunts, “I could, but Mrs. Day would have my head. She says I ought to leave Raine be. She’s an adult and all.” 
You hum, drink your beer. He grunts and drinks his. You both stare off into the distance, watching the high grass rustle in the gentle afternoon breeze. You find your mind wandering, thinking about where Lorraine might be now and what she’s doing. You wonder if RJ ever takes her out for ice cream and if he notices the way she closes her eyes when she eats it, or how she taps her fingers against the cone in quiet excitement. The thought makes you feel sick, leading from the ice cream to what they’d do in private. His hands where yours had been, unaware of the now faded marks you’d left there. 
You chug the can and crush it, forgetting you were with company. You’re not lucky enough to have escaped his notice, and he watches you with careful eyes. You’re flooded with shame at your own anger and the sadness that weighs in your bones. You had no right to be upset, but that didn’t make the sting any less painful. 
Mr. Day sighs, the lines on his face almost sorrowful as he watches you, “Love is a pretty strange thing. Wilder than a feral mustang, and even harder to control.”
You don’t answer, his words settling over you. You think he must be referring to his daughter, but you get the tiniest notion that he’s not talking about her and RJ anymore. Unwilling to open Pandora’s box, you nod silently and pull your gloves back on, dropping the crushed can at your feet and returning to your work. He thumps you on the back affectionately and finishes his beer. 
“Well, would you look at that,” Mr. Day grumbles, “Speak of the devil, and she shall appear.”
You frown in confusion, still twisting the wire around the post. You clip the end and turn, following his gaze to a dirt cloud in the distance. The Day’s truck is rambling down the dirt cut toward you, kicking up dust behind it. It must be Lorraine because in all the years you’d worked for them, Mrs. Day had never graced you with her presence further than her backyard. Your stomach flips in excitement, and it makes you roll your eyes at yourself. Even in the depths of heartbreak, your body still reacted to the mere idea of her being near. Another beer is pushed into your hands, and you take it eagerly, knowing you’d need it to keep your cool as the truck nears and you see RJ in the passenger seat. 
You exchange a look with Mr. Day and pop the can open. Lorraine parks the truck and slides out, shooting you a shy smile. 
She beams at Mr. Day, “Hey Daddy! Momma told me to come out here and pick you up.”
He grunts, but you can see the smile behind his mustache, “She gonna come out here and patch this fence then?”
“I can help!” RJ chirps, rounding the truck, a small camera in his hand. 
It’s quiet for a moment as the three of you stare at him in disbelief. You look at his soft hands and smirk, knowing full well, he was incapable of doing manual labor. You don’t miss the chastising look Lorraine shoots you. 
“You gonna do that with a camera in your hand?” Mr. Day asks him, not unkindly, but his tone isn’t warm either.
RJs steps stutter as he looks down at the camera. He appears to be afraid to part with it and hangs it around his neck with the lanyard. He puts his hands up to show they’re free and smiles. Your lip curls involuntarily, his mere presence putting you in a bad mood. You decide it’s best to keep your mouth shut because if you speak, you’re going to say something that will upset Lorraine. Instead, you take a few healthy gulps of your beer, the warm liquid fizzling in your stomach and calming you. 
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea RJ,” Lorraine says, “Mending fence ain’t easy.”
He scoffs, his spine straightening. He may as well beat on his chest with machismo. He looks so self-assured. “I can do it Lorraine.”
Lorraine shrinks, nodding. She avoids your pointed gaze, keeping her eyes trained on her shoes. You tilt your head, feeling surly knowing you can’t do anything to help her without making the situation worse. Then an idea springs forth in your mind, making you smirk. You pull your gloves off, leveling RJ with a challenging stare.
“Here you go RJ, take my spot. I need a break anyway.” You hold the gloves and pliers out to him, daring him to refuse. 
You can see the indecision warring in his eyes, not expecting you to call his apparent bluff. You shake the gloves at him with impatience. If he wants a masculine display, you’re going to allow him to try. Lorraine raises an eyebrow at you, warning you to tread lightly. You find that you no longer care if you upset her at the moment. You flash her a brilliant smile as RJ takes the tools from your hands. 
Mr. Day nods and finishes off his beer, “Come here then boy, let me show you how to tie the lines.” 
You lean your back against the grill of the truck and cross your feet, sipping your warm beer and waiting for the inevitable. Lorraine slides over next to you, her arm brushing yours. You try to ignore the way it makes your stomach cartwheel. As upset as you were with her, something in you enjoys the sensation of your forbidden, secret intimacy. 
She leans her head toward you, whispering, “You know this is not gonna end well y/n.”
You snort, tip the beer can to your lips, “Whatever makes you say that, Lorraine?”
She turns her head up to stare daggers at you, but you keep your eyes trained on RJ and Mr. Day. She doesn’t push the conversation and looks toward the fence again.
It takes all of five minutes for RJ to hurt himself. You sneer, hearing him cry out over the wire in his palm. Mr. Day shakes his head at him and looks to his daughter for support. Lorraine pushes herself off the truck, quickly making her way to fuss over RJs bleeding palm. 
He brushes her off, “Don’t touch it! I don’t need your help. Just get me a bandage.”
She jerks back, startled by his harsh tone. You step forward, ready to stand between them if he says anything else. Luckily her father takes the lead in handling the outburst. 
“Young man, you’d do well not to speak to my daughter like that. Get in the truck, I’ll drive you back to the house for a band-aid.”
RJ glances back and forth between him and Lorraine, fear apparent on his face, “Oh no sir, Raine can drive me, can’t you baby?”
She opens her mouth to answer, but she’s interrupted by her dad, “I said get in the truck boy. Rainey, ride Shimmer back to the barn. Give her a good gallop before she sees it, though, don’t want her goin barn sour like old CB over here.”
“Hey!” You yelp, “My son is not barn sour!”
Mr. Day chuckles, “Kick him in gear then and see who gets back faster. You can finish the fence tomorrow.”
You narrow your eyes at him playfully, thinking he’s made this decision on purpose. He’s setting you up for an hour alone with Lorraine, and it’s transparent to you. The love you have for him grows even further in that moment. 
The truck rolls out of sight while you finish packing up your tools, Lorraine adjusting her father's stirrups to fit her legs. You fill up your saddlebags and buckle them closed, patting CB on his rump affectionately. You turn your head to watch Lorraine, her hands on her hips, trying to work out how to climb on top of Shimmer without a step stool. You lean your shoulder against CB, crossing your arms, content to watch her struggle until she asks for help. Shimmer is at least three hands taller than Lorraine’s quarter horse, so she’s slightly out of her depth. You stifle your laughter as you watch her try to hike her leg high enough to get her toes in the stirrup and fail. She turns and glares at you, her pride too large to ask you for help yet. 
After a few more minutes, you can’t take watching her struggle any longer. You saunter over to her and kneel down, silently offering your bent leg as a step stool. She huffs, hesitates a moment, and steps on you to swing her leg over Shimmer’s back. 
“Thank you,” she grumbles, gathering the reins in her hand. 
You tip your hat at her and stand, “My pleasure ma’am.”
She pulls the reins, so Shimmer turns and smacks you with her head, stomping in irritation at the command. You stumble backward, laughing, and jog back to CB, hopping up into your saddle with ease.
The ride back is anything but relaxing. Lorraine is quiet, introspective. You peek over at her every few minutes, trying to find a way to start the conversation you desperately need to have. A conversation a part of you does not want to have because it requires a terrifying amount of vulnerability. 
“So,” you start, leaving the word hanging in hopes she picks up where you left off. She doesn’t.
“So, how…how was your night?” You don’t really want to know the answer to this question, the possibility of her giving you an answer that will gut you being very high.
She gives you an impassive glance, “Just ask me what you want to ask me.”
You screw your face up, the accusation hurting your feelings, “I asked you what I wanted to ask you.”
“No, you didn’t.” She turns her head to watch you, her body gently rocking with Shimmer’s slow steps.
You clench your jaw and purse your lips, “Did you…did you-“
“No,” she interrupts, relieving you of asking the question that was making you feel like you were sinking. 
You visibly relax, and you see her smile from the corner of your eye. “Did he-“
“Now that is none of your business,” she stops you. 
You frown, then let it slide from your face when you realize you’re being petulant. Just take the win that she did not have sex with him yet. Yet. The word weighs heavy on you. 
“What does this mean,” you ask quietly, looking down at your hands, “for us?”
She sighs, “I don’t know yet.”
There it is again. Yet. 
You nod in acceptance and keep your eyes trained on the horizon.
——
You decide to camp by the pond for the night. You didn’t want to feel trapped in your apartment. The walls and ceilings would make you feel caged. You ride CB out to the clearing and pull his saddle and blankets off his back when you get there, letting him roam freely. He never goes too far and knows to come to you if you call. A small campfire burns in a dirt patch, your sleeping bag rolled out next to it. 
You settle in and lay on your back, your hands under your head, and get lost in the stars. As much as you’d like to not think of Lorraine, your brain just can’t seem to help itself. It was a small comfort to know she hadn’t slept with RJ the night prior, but every passing day meant you were inevitably closer to the moment when it would happen. You’re unsure of how you should feel about it, but you know that it makes you sick to your stomach. How you’re going to manage this is beyond you. Would she leave him? For you? You snort a cold laugh through your nose, knowing that situation was impossible. You had nothing to offer her that RJ didn’t have. In fact, his being a man made Lorraine’s life easier; being with you would mean a lifelong struggle against adversity. You want to want a simple life for her. You want to want for her to be happy with him. But you don’t. What you really want is simple. You want her. 
Trees rustling off to your side draw your attention away from your thoughts, and you sit up on your elbows. Your shotgun is at your side, and you eye it warily. Branches snapping and bushes being pushed aside gain CB’s attention as well. He picks his head up and stares into the brush with you. Your body grows tenser the closer the sound comes, and your fingers inch toward the gun. 
Lorraine bursts through the trees on her little quarter horse Pearl, her white coat shining in the moonlight. You breathe a sigh of relief, and CB drops his head back down to chomp at the grass when he realizes it’s his barn companion. She doesn’t remove Pearl’s saddle when she climbs down, telling you she doesn’t intend to stay. She walks around the fire, and you move off your sleeping bag into the grass. You gesture at it, telling her to sit on the fabric. 
“Hey,” she says as she drops down next to you.
“Hey.”
“I thought I’d find you out here. CB’s stall was empty.”
“Yeah, I figured we could use some fresh air for the night.”
She nods thoughtfully and reaches her hand out to rest on your leg. You look down at her fingers and fight the urge to lean into her. Your spine goes stiff with the effort of it, and she notices. Her teeth worry at her bottom lip, and her eyes wander everywhere but on you. She’s here for a reason, so you decide to wait for her to tell you what it is. Even if it’s not something you’re prepared to hear. 
“So. You like Maxine?” She says, moving her hand from your leg to pull up blades of grass from the dirt.
You laugh, your expression appalled, “What?”
“I saw how you looked at her. Kissed her hand.” 
You shrug, feeling guilty, “I don’t like Maxine.”
“Why not?”
Irritation flares up in you, simmering in your veins. How could she ask that? As if she doesn’t know that you don’t like Maxine because you only have eyes for her now. You hold your tongue, not wanting to lash out at her.
“Come on Raine. You know why.”
She turns her head away from you as if that was the last thing she’d wanted to hear. You’re sure it complicates things, having her know you wouldn’t move on so easily. 
“RJ is a good man.” Is all she says back, and it stings. 
Your anger is building now, becoming unmanageable. “He’s not good to you. He’s a self-righteous prick Lorraine.”
She tips her head back, blinking quickly, “That’s not fair. You don’t know him.”
“I know him well enough.”
“Maybe he’s what I deserve.”
The words hang in the air, and to you, they look a lot like a noose. A hangman’s collar for the relationship built between the two of you. 
“You deserve more than him.”
You can see her jaw clench; she’s becoming irritated with you now. “Tell me what I deserve that he doesn’t give me?” Her voice shakes, tears brimming in her eyes when she looks at you. 
“Love,” you say gently, “The ability to know you better than he knows himself. Taking the time to learn that you like the smell of jasmine more than roses, that you’re adventurous and kind, that once you gave that homeless woman in Austin your shoes because she didn’t have any.”
She lays down on her back, her hands at her side. She’s silent for a long time, longer than you’d like, but you let it settle over you. 
“You never asked me what my dream was about. From the other night.”
You turn your head to look at her, and her expression is so soft, her smile weak, and her eyes watery. It’s like a javelin to the gut. 
“I just assumed it was something to do with what we’d done the day prior.”
She sighs, turns her head back toward the stars, “No. No, it wasn’t that, I have real life for that.”
You roll toward her and prop your head up on your hand, “Well, what then? You said you dreamt about me.”
“I did. You were little again, five, maybe six. Like the day we first met. Overalls and pigtails and everything.”
You chuckle in spite of the growing despair crushing your chest, “You remember that?”
She scoffs, “Course I do. You shoved that boy Rance into the sandbox and kicked dirt in his eyes.”
“He called your freckles ugly. He deserved it, I’d do it again.”
She laughs, the sound tinkling from her lips and wrapping itself around you like a snake made of nostalgic joy. 
“I remember that too.” She turns her head and looks up at your face, “That was the day I told my Momma I loved you.”
A genuine chuckle escapes you, and you fight the urge to reach for her, “What did she say to that?”
“The same thing she told me today.”
Your eyebrows lift in surprise, “You told your momma you loved me today?”
She nods, blinks a tear from between her lashes. Your hand slides over the grass toward her, but stops just inches from her elbow. 
“What did she say?”
“She said Atlantas was beautiful, and now it’s gone because they built on unstable foundation.”
You blink, taken aback, “What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know,” she sighs. 
You’re struck with the idea that she does know, but she’s afraid to say. The look in her eyes is so mournful, you feel like you know too. You swallow hard, your throat constricting painfully. 
“What happened in your dream?” Your voice cracks, betraying your calm exterior.
She closes her eyes and smiles, “You offered me a candy from your pocket. It was covered in sand, but you were very proud of it.”
You lie back, turning toward the sky again, staying silent. 
She continues, “When I took it from you, you grew up, and we were on the ranch. You climbed up on CB’s back, looked at me, and said, ‘I was looking for you,’ and then you turned and rode off into the sunset. I stood there and watched you until I woke up.”
You nod, the grass rustling under your head, “Well, your dreams got that part right. I’m always looking for you.” 
She squeezes her eyes shut, and her hands press into her stomach. When she opens them, tears brim at the lids but don’t fall. 
She sighs and sits up, looks down at you.
“I better get back.” She pushes herself to her feet, and you don’t watch her go as she leaves you there.
788 notes · View notes
justlemmeadoreyou · 7 months
Note
I saw requests were open and I have one☺️. How about one when you are like Brad Pitts daughter or anyone famous daughter and you just started dating and his team or Friends like make fun of you and hurt your feelings or just say he is using you.
hi hun!! thank you for sending the request!! i hope you like this!!!
Word Count: 2.4k
Pairing: boyfriend!harry x reader
Warnings: cursing, kissing
masterlist!! | send requests!!
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“He’s just using you because your dad is an A-lister”
Those were the words Y/n wished to never hear. But, she always did, in her every relationship.It was when her friends began to say that, that she knew the relationship was reaching its end.
Y/n. Y/n Pitt. The daughter of Brad.
She was almost as famous as her father, if not less. A successful model and actress, a philanthropist and currently, the girlfriend of Harry Styles.
Her fame and success didn’t come handy, despite her father being a prominent name in the industry. Her career got a big break when she won a prestigious beauty pageant, and she has never looked back ever since. She made her way by herself, from the bottom to where she is now.
Still, whenever she hears the phrase “he used you”, it hits like a dagger deep into her heart, and that makes her question if she would ever be loved by anyone for who she is.
Which takes her back to today, sitting in a cafe with her friends, which was supposed to be a hang out. But, soon it turned into a relationship discussion, full of petty gossips and hate. About her and Harry.
“Dude, you know that he is with you because of your dad, right? I mean, come on, Y/n! You can’t be this naive!”
“That’s totally true! I mean, like, think about it, next month is the opening of your family production house, which was announced 6 months ago. And, Harry started dating you just around that. That just can’be a fucking coincidence.”
She sighed, as she listened to the both of them trash talk Harry. She knew they weren’t true. They hadn’t met 6 months ago. They had met a year ago, and occasionally saw each other at awards and openings. They did some harmless flirting for so many months, but then, one day, they were drunk and hooked up. After that, they started to date. It was Harry’s idea, because he didn’t want her to feel like he did all that flirting to get in her pants one day. He genuinely liked her, and was hoping to ask her out. And that had felt like the perfect opportunity.
They had been happy ever since. Harry didn’t inquire too deeply about their family’s business. He wasn’t interested in her money and fame. He was interested in her. He liked her. Right?
“Y/n! Are you even listening?” she was broken from her trance of thoughts by her friend, and she immersed herself back into the conversation.
“You have got to do some background check on him. See what he does on meetings with his team. He just finished a tour, he wouldn’t be planning another one so soon. You know, snoop around, find out stuff.”
“I am not going to do that! That would mean I don’t trust him! And I do! I trust him. And what he does on meetings with his pr team is his Harry!!!business. I don’t want to put my nose in between.”
“Fine. Whatever.”
“Yeah. Say him hi from us if you see him soon. Or if you see him at all”
That hurt her.
True, they both hadn’t seen each other since a few days. Weeks, if you will. But, he told her that he was busy and had to visit his mum for a while. And how could she argue with that?
She decided to not answer them back, terminating any further arguments. They changed the topic soon after, talking about some other gossip.
. . .
Throwing her stuff on the floor, she slumped down on the bed. The workout was good, but sometimes, it drained the whole life out of her.
After catching her breath, she got up and pulled out her phone, pulling up Harry’s contact.
They had texted three days ago, and the messages made her smile,
Harry: Okay, so, do you like tea or not?
Y/n: I like tea. But not that much hat you will bring me a while shop of your “Special England tea”!!
Harry: It’s not even that much. Plus, I will drink it with you.
Y/n: But still???
Harry: Come on!!
Y/n: Alright, fine! But you will make tea for me. Every morning and evening.
Harry: Done! Always at your service, ma’am! 🫡 Plus, you know, tea has antioxidants. And it boosts immunity! I can make a cuppa for you everytime after we fuck.
Y/n: Harry!!!
Harry: What?? It really boosts energy. After one round, you feel so tired and—
Y/n: Alright, stop! You’re such a menace.
Harry: I’m your menace!! You took responsibility of this menace those months ago.
Y/n: Don’t make me regret that!
Harry: Aww :(( I’m sad now.
Y/n: Wanna facetime?
Harry: Yess! But I’m still sad :(( 🙁
Y/n: Yes, Harry. I will make it up to you! Now call before I change my mind.
Harry: Yes, ma’am 🫡
They used to text regularly, but called rarely. The last call had been about a week ago, when he was drunk and had butt-dialled her. They had talked, and she managed to safely halp him get to his room, drink water and go to sleep. And he slept without hanging up, and so did she. Harry woke up at midnight, and started sneezing, which woke her up. She wanted to check him for fever, but he promised he was okay, and was going back home soon after, so she didn’t have to worry afout him. She was a bit assured by that, but still, she couldn’t stopped worrying.
He hadn’t called ever since. Even the last one was a accident.
She wasn’t the clingy type, or someone who needed calling and texting every minute and every hour of the day. They both had professional careers that mattred to them profusely. But, she missed him. So, she decided to call.
He picked up, and was clearly in the middle of something.
“Y/n! How are you?” she didn’t hear them clearly, over all the talking in the background.
“Harry! Where are you?!”
“I’m in a meeting!”
“But-you were supposed to be at your mum’s!”
“Yeah! I came back early. I had a meeting her in LA. It’s about an upcoming film.”
“A film!?”
“Yeah. It’s in the talks. I haven’t signed it yet, though.”
“What is this about?!”
“I’ll tell you, I’m coming back sson. Then we can go on a dinner or something. And hey! I almost forgot! The production is done by your dad’s firm!! Isn’t that great!”
Shit.
“Oh! You-you didn’t tell me that.”
“Yeah, your dad asked me not to. But, it’s gonna be on the media soon, so I thought you hear it from me rather than the press.”
“Listen, I gotta go. I’ll talk later.”
“Sure, love! Bye!”
And she cut the call.
Were her friends right? Did he use her for all these months just for this?
Maybe they were. Maybe they weren’t.
She felt sad. Sure, the offer might’ve been by her dad, but, no one talked to her? No one even bothered to even tell her about it, till the last moment. Till the paparazzi were gonna know so that she won’t feel bad for herself by hearing it from them.
Maybe they were right. Maybe he did date her to get the advantage, and will soon breakup with her, as soon as his job from her is over.
As soon as he has finished using her.
. . .
He was coming back today. But, she wasn’t bothered. He could come, and go back to his own house. Not bother talking to her, or even seeing her face. She didn’t want that.
Despite that, she picked up his call.
“Y/n? You didn’t pick up my call yesterday. Was calling you before I got on the plane.”
“Yeah-I was kinda busy yesterday.”
“Oh. So? I’m back. I’m gonna get my baggage and then…maybe I can come over?” he smiled, she could tell.
“Uh-I don’t know, Harry. I’m tired. I had a shoot yesterday and I haven’t eaten much.”
“So? Let me take you to dinner.”
“I’d rather stay ion tonight”
“So I–”
“Alone.”
“Oh. Alright. Okay. Call me if you need me.”
I won’t. She thought to herself.
“Bye, Harry” not “Bye, lovie” or “Bye, H”
Maybe she was tired. Harry decided not to think about it too much, and instead, went to his house.
. . .
“Harry!! How’s my man?”
“Hey! I’m good! You know, same old-same old.”
“Yeah! Where’s Y/n? She isn’t here?”
“No, man. She actually wanted to rest today. She had a shoot yesterday”
“No, she didn’t. She was with us yesterday. We went shopping, and then drinks, even.”
“Oh…”
“Maybe she was tired? Or hungover?”
“Or maybe she didn’t want to be with me.”
“Hey! Don’t say that. She actually likes you. Talk to her.”
“Yeah. I will”
He didn’t talk to her.
. . .
Y/n was scrolling through her phone, when she heard the door knock.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Harry.”
She wanted to pretend she wasn’t here. But, it was too late for that.
“Coming!”
She opened the door, and was welcomed with white peonies. A lot of them.
“Good morning, love”
She couldn’t stop the smile that took over her face on seeing him in the morning. The glowy face, the handsome smile.
“Good morning! Come in”
He walked in, removing his shoes, and to the kitchen to put the flowers in water.
He came back, and she was sitting on the sofa.
“I put them in water. Hope you don’t mind”
“No! I don’t. Come on, sit.”
He sat, to hug her, and sling a hand over her shoulder.
But, she slid away.
So, he sat away too, both ending up on the opposite ends of the large sofa.
“So? How you’ve been?”
“I’m fine, thank you! How was your shoot that day?”
“It was alright.”
Lie. He didn’t bother asking her more, not wanting to hear more lies.
“You free today?”
“Yeah…I think so?”
“So, can we go out? A coffee or something?”
“Or, we can hang out here.”
She smiled. He caught it, and scooted closer, wanting to kiss her.
She didn’t protest, allowed his lips on hers. It was when he deepened it, and his hands went to her shirt buttons.
“Harry–Harry!”
He pulled back, confused.
“Yeah?”
I-I don’t really feel like– you know”
“Oh. Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s alright. I just don’t feel too up for it”
“Sure.” they both looked down, an awkward silence engulfing the atmosphere.
“I should leave” he said after a few seconds, taking the hint that she clearly didn’t want him there.
“Oh. You don’t wanna stay?”
“Not really.”
Saying that, he saw his way out.
“She dosen’t like me anymore. Maybe found someone else.” he thought
“He got what he wanted. Why is he staying? He should leave already.” she thought.
Harry was sad. As he walked towards his car, he felt anger. She didn’t like him anymore. Could’ve just said to him at his face.
He couldn’t live like this. So, he decided to got back to confront her.
Before Y/n could close the door shut, Harry was back.
“Harry?”
“Yeah. Me.” he growled, so angry, his eyes were red, and fists clenched.
“What happened?” she asked, a bit scared.
“You tell me what happened. You don’t like me anymore?”
“That’s not–how can you say that?”
“You don’t talk to anymore, you don’t call me, or even text me. You don’t want to hang out with me, hell, you can’t even stand kissing me anymore.” he was hovering over her, and she was scared now. He realized that, and backed down, throwing himself on the couch.
“That’s not true! And you can’t talk like that to me!”
“I’m sorry. But you could just tell me. Instead of making me suffer like that. Or do you like that?”
She too was angry now.
“Maybe I do. Right now, I fucking do. And that is much better than what you did to me!”
“And what did I do?!”
“You used me. You fucking used me to get contacts with my family. You just wanted to get close to my dad so that you could use his money on your stupid new movie!!”
“What? Fuck! You think that low of me?!”
They both were yelling now.
“It’s not “thinking low” of you. It’s what’s true.. You didn’t even tell me anything. Hell, I didn’t even know you were doing another movie.”
“I was planning on telling you over dinner. After I came back.”
“But, you couldn’t. You feared that I would learn everything from the media, so you told me haphazardly over a fucking call!”
“Oh, so would you rather have heard it from them?”
“Could’ve been better. Better than hearing from a fucking liar. A fucking loser who just used me to get my father’s money.”
“Watch your tone, Y/n. I haven't gone that low. And you know that.”
“Maybe I don’t. Maybe you did, and once you got it, came back here to break up with me.”
“You’re so fucking childish!”
“Oh. Break up with me, then. Do it”
“Maybe I will” he mocked her. And walked out the door, slamming it shut.
He went back to his car, and made his way inside this time. Once the anger had subsided, he cried. And so did she.
. . .
“Harry styles rejected a movie produced by Y/n Pitt’s father. A coincidence or a desperate attempt?”
She slumped, when she read the article. and then about ten more, about how he had backed down in order to save his relationship. Some said that it was a publicity stunt.
She pulled up Harry’s contact, calling him.
"Why?"
"To get it off your mind that I did not use you."
"Fuck, Harry. What do you want from me?"
"I don't want anything from you. I want you."
"Really?"
"Yes, y/n. really. I did not give up a million dollar project for just "really""
"You didn't have to, you know. And that wasn't a good bargain either. What did you get? Me? Should've taken the movie instead."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah"
"You want me to break up with you. And take the movie instead.?"
"Yes. if that's what you want."
"What I want is you. How do I say it so you believe me?"
"Take me on a date."
. . .
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obxsummer · 1 year
Text
Break in the Line // The Pogues
Tumblr media
pairing: platonic!pogues x maybank!reader
summary: having the maybank name attached to you was a curse. you've never had to pay for it until a drug dealer decides to take his revenge against your brother and dad out on you.
warnings: physical violence, cursing
navigation 
--
When people heard the name Maybank, it generally didn’t mean anything good. Luke Maybank was a local piece of shit and JJ Maybank did enough to get himself into trouble more often than not. The one time the name meant something good, was when it applied to you. You weren’t your brother and you definitely strayed from your dad at every moment possible. People questioned often how you managed with an out-of-control sibling and a drug addict father, but it never seemed like that for you. Sure, your dad sucked, but JJ never seemed too out of grasp for you. In fact, your brother was one of your best friends, but that didn’t mean you had to act like him or vice versa.
The Pogues looked to you more often than not to keep them from doing something stupid, which happened more than it should. In turn, they tried to keep you from their shenanigans as much as possible. You didn’t mind when they did things that were slightly illegal but at some point, you had enough with the crazy adrenaline and left them to their own devices. 
You weren’t oblivious though, as much as you wish you didn’t know what they got themselves involved in. You knew your dad painted a large target on yours and JJ’s back with the way he acted. Hence, the situation you found yourself in right now.
The day had started off fine. You were hanging out with the Pogues on the boat, happily content with the sun on your skin and the laughter of your friends surrounding you. These were the moments you savoured, when you could just act like kids and not have to stress about life at home or where you would get your next meal. 
“Y/N, heads up!” You barely had time to open your eyes before a beer can was being tossed your way. Cold ice dropped on your skin from the drink as you sat up to shake the cold water away.
“I know you did not just throw my sister a beer, John B.”
You rolled your eyes. “Chill out, JJ.” You glared at him from behind your sunglasses, annoyed with the off and on babying he often treated you with. You guys weren’t too far apart in age but JJ took every opportunity to annoy the shit out of you when he could. 
You’d grown comfortable being around your brother and friends for majority of your life. You had known John B since you were practically born with Pope and Kie close behind. Sarah was the newest addition but the two of you formed a relationship relatively quick. She understood what it was like to be on the shy side and a little more introverted. The others definitely were not in that boat in the slightest.
“Sooo,” Kie pulled the attention back as she sat down from getting her drink. “There’s a kegger tonight and I think it’s pretty much obvious that we should go.”
“I’m down,” John B instantly agreed, lifting his drink in agreement.
Pope shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t have to help Pops at all so count me in.”
“It’s not like I have shit to do so.” JJ turned his hat backwards as he looked over to where you were opening your drink. “Y/N?”
You hummed for a moment in thought. “I don’t know, guys. I might just crash at the Chateau for movie night.” In your defense, you’d spent the entire week with the group nonstop. Minus the few classes you didn’t have with one of them, you’d seen them every day and quite frankly, your social battery was past empty.
“I’m with Y/N,” Sarah raised her hand slightly only to be hit with a groan from her boyfriend. “Seriously, John B. You guys can go and Y/N and I will chill until you get back. It’ll be fine.”
It took a little bit of persuading but eventually, the rest of the gang piled in the Twinkie to head to the kegger while you and Sarah bundled up for a classic movie night. JJ said something about not burning the house down on his way out, to which you flipped him off in return. Sarah managed to find some not-expired popcorn in the cabinet and made it for the two of you before you settled in to watch your film.
“I’m really grateful you’ve been spending time with everyone,” Sarah spoke up about halfway through the movie. I gave her a deadpanned look. She shoved your shoulder lightly in return. “Seriously. I know it’s not really much of your scene but it’s nice to have another person around to buffer the chaos.”
You shook your head. “I definitely had my fair share. I’m just glad you backed me up about staying in tonight. They can go-go-go nonstop and I need a six day recovery inbetween school days.”
Sarah opened her mouth to respond to you but was cut off by a crashing noise coming from outside. The two of you froze, staring at each other in horror for a moment. You waited for a second before moving slowly and opening the patio door, wishing for once JJ was here with his gun. Sarah moved quietly behind you as you stepped down onto the grass.
“Who’s there?” You tried to make your voice seem menacing, to show no fear. You were terrified.
“There she is, there she is.” Your heart dropped at the sight of Barry jumping from around the corner with a clear taste for vengeance in his eyes. “Just the Maybank I was looking for.”
“What do you want, Barry?” You backed up slightly as he neared you. “I don’t have anything to do wit-”
He laughed and rubbed his hands together as he took you in. You felt small in your oversized sweats and a t-shirt that definitely belonged to one of the boys. “See, that’s the thing, princess. You seem to have everything to do with this.”
A harsh slap to your cheek had you cowering back, Sarah gasping out your name as she moved to your side to hold your arm. The two of you weren’t prepared for something like this in the slightest. 
“Your shitty ass father didn’t give me my money, your brother still owes me, and since they seemingly aren’t bothered by it, I’m gonna send them a message instead.”
Barry ripped you out of Sarah’s arms and threw you to the ground before you had a chance to defend yourself. The pain came soon after, moving faster than you could keep up with. Punch after punch becoming numbing. You could vaguely hear Sarah’s shouts to stop but Barry was determined.
A sharp hand around your throat chopped your airflow off before Barry lifted you off the ground and slammed your back against the house. Eyes blurry with tears, you did your best to look him in the eye and act like you weren’t afraid, weren’t fearful that he could easily kill you.
“Sorry to mess up your face, princess. It’s nothing personal,” Barry let out a sick laugh before releasing you to the ground. You could hear the crunch of his footsteps as he ran away. 
“Y/N, Y/N.” Sarah’s hands were shaky as she kneeled next to you. “I-I called John B and JJ, a-and Kie and Pope but nobody’s answering!”
You coughed aggressively once you got air back into your lungs. “Inside,” You choked out as you let Sarah pull you to your feet. A small yelp left your mouth as your left ankle gave out but your friend was quick to step in and help you inside.
Sarah was absolutely panicking as she helped you settle on the pull-out that the two of you had previously occupied for movie night. You hissed as you settled into the mess of pillows and blankets but thanked her regardless.
“You okay? What can I do?” Sarah ran over with a mix of frozen vegetables and ice packs that she could find before she was applying them to your already bruising skin.
“I’m okay,” You mumbled as you accepted a bag of frozen peas for your throbbing black eye. “Did JJ answer yet?”
Sarah took a quick glance at her phone before shaking her head. As much as she wanted to believe you, she could tell you clearly weren’t holding up well. Moving into the bathroom, she found some painkillers and some relatively new first-aid supplies that she figured would help. 
You tried not to panic about what had just happened but in the silence of the room, your mind started wandering. What if Barry found JJ next? Did your dad set the two of you up? Would he come back if this pattern continued? You would do anything for JJ, that much was guaranteed, but you weren’t up for taking shots meant for your father. 
“Whew! That was a good one if I can say so.” JJ’s voice rang through your ears just as Sarah was returning with some meds for you to take. You knew shit would hit the fan the second JJ, John B, and Pope caught sight of you. Sarah offered you a cup of water to take the pills with when the screen door swung open.
“What the fuck?!” Your brother’s yell rattled around the house as soon as he caught sight, causing you to wince at the sharp noise. “What happened?”
“Why are you yell-” John B’s question was cut off as he entered his home to see his girlfriend with various bandages and meds before his eyes drifted to your bruised and battered body. “Okay. What the hell happened?”
You groaned, “Please stop yelling, holy shit.” Kie rushed around the boys to climb on the other side of you. Her hand was gentle as possible as she took the frozen veggies from your hand so they could assess the damage.
“Who did this?” Pope’s question was demanding as he stood behind the other two boys, the three of them radiating enough anger to wipe out the island. 
“Barry,” Sarah answered softly. She and Kie made moves to help you sit up as easily as possible to pull your shirt from your frame, leaving you in a sports bra with more bruises filling into view.
Pope shuffled over next, pushing pillows behind your back so you could lean against them a bit more comfortably. He took some of the supplies from Sarah’s hands and gently applied some Neosporin to the small cut on your cheek from Barry’s rings. 
JJ’s vision was red as he took in the sight of you. He was supposed to stop this from happening, supposed to protect you as your older brother from the shitty people in your life. This was never supposed to happen. “I’m going to fucking kill him. Let’s go, John B.” The threat was real, all of you knew that. Once JJ got in a mindset like this, it was hard to pull him out of it. 
“Jayje.” 
The nickname was quiet coming from you. It was enough to snap him out of his rage for a moment, taking a second to consider his actions before he was replacing Kie’s spot and holding an ice pack against your injuries. He could see the heaviness in your eyes and knew it was taking a toll.
“I know you’re tired, but you have to stay awake.” JJ watched as you took a shaky breath but nodded slightly to him nonetheless. “Tell me what happened.”
Sarah had wrapped herself in John B’s arms, still shaken at the turn of events. “We were just watching the movie and heard this crashing noise from outside, so we went to investigate. Barry showed up right after.”
“Said it was a message to you and Dad,” You finished her story and blinked up at your brother with teary eyes. “I’m scared, J. What if he comes back?”
JJ was fighting every urge to bust through the door and teach the drug dealer exactly who he was messing with. He knew it wasn’t the time or place. “Not gonna happen. Not with me here, okay? I’m sorry, Y/N. I should’ve been here.”
“It’s not your fault. He’s a raging psychopath, can’t exactly predict when he’s coming. Just promise me you won’t do something stupid? Any of you.” Your comment was directed to the three boys, more so John B and JJ knowing they would take off as soon as you fell asleep. 
It took some convincing for everyone to settle down and eventually, the six of you agreed to finish the movie you and Sarah had started hours before but never finished. You had fallen asleep soon after, wrapped in various blankets and tucked in between JJ and Kie as the sound of the TV lulled you into a deep slumber.
JJ was still raging, even if he wouldn’t admit it. He couldn’t stand the thought of someone putting their hands on you in regard to the shitty things he and your dad did. It made him sick to think that you would pay for their mistakes. You, who had absolutely nothing to do with the chaos he put you through.
John B glanced back at your brother, having a sense that he hadn’t let it drop. One look from JJ confirmed the Routledge boy’s suspicion: nobody messed with their baby Pogue and they’d make sure of it.
--
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fantasydaydreamers · 1 year
Text
💜7 mins in heaven with Dabi: Pt. 3💙
Continuation of Part 2
Weeks have passed since you left Touya on read with no further attempts on his end to reach out. Life continued on, attending classes as usual and spending time with friends. It was actually...kind of boring.
You hate to admit it, but those two days were probably the most exciting events to have happened since you started college.
Why can't I stop thinking about him?!
Sighing, you grab your bag and stand up from your seat as the professor dismisses everyone. Walking out of the door, you glance at the clock and debate whether or not you wanted to go to the library.
It was getting pretty late in the evening and your bed was calling your name. However, you had a big project due soon and you really wanted to get it done and over with. Sighing again, you clutch your bag closer to your chest as you open the door to the building, the windy cold air smacking you in the face.
What to do what to do...
Your eyes moved back and forth between the dorm buildings and the library building, fighting an inner battle in your head as you walked, the deciding split path coming closer.
"Let's go Touya! I'm fucking freezing!"
Immediately your eyes zeroed in on the source, seeing Keigo pull Touya along the path from the dorms, heading your way.
Library it is.
You speed up, keeping your head down in hopes of them not recognizing you. You could only pray that what happened with Touya was a one-time thing and not something he held onto. There are plenty of other girls on campus he has yet to get with...right?
The thought made you shiver as you reached the split path just as Keigo and Touya reached it. Please please please please-
"Hey, (Y/n)!"
Fuck.
You look towards Keigo's bright smile, his cheeks flushed pink from the cold, a beanie hat pulled over his head as blonde hair stuck out wildly from underneath.
You dare to glance at Touya, who stood silently next to Keigo, in nothing but his black sweatshirt and a pair of black sweatpants. His hoodie was pulled up though, and his hair looking unfairly sexy with how wind ruffled the front was. His expression was cool, completely unbothered by the wind chill.
"Hey..." you respond hesitantly feeling heat crawl up your cheeks despite how cold it was. You pray your cheeks were already flushed so Touya didn't notice.
"Where are you off to?" Keigo asks as he walks in place, probably trying to keep his blood moving.
"Library," you nod towards the building lamely. You couldn't understand why Keigo was talking to you. Sure, he was a nice, friends or at least acquaintances with everyone on campus, so you knew of him, but never really chatted with him until now. Besides, he was best friends with Touya so you weren't sure just how 'nice' he really was.
"Boooo! Come with us, we're heading to get some hot chocolate and then going to watch a movie in Hitoshi's dorm." Keigo shoots you another smile as your eyes widen in shock.
Getting invited to hang out with Touya's little gang of friends was probably something girls on campus would kill for. Not only is everyone in the group insanely attractive, but all of them have a bad reputation for something.
Your mind reels as you try to name every single person in Touya's group, failing, as your eyes frantically flicker over to the said man who was staring you down with a hooded look. "I- uh- have a project due," you answer, still confused as to why this was happening.
Keigo rolls his eyes dramatically. "When is it due?"
You purse your lips hesitantly. "Two...weeks..." Now sounding like a goody-two-shoes, you cringe at yourself as Keigo looks at you in disbelief.
"(Y/n)! That's plenty of time! C'mon pleaseee?! I haven't seen you since the party and wanted to catch up!"
Keigo walks up to you, putting his arm around your shoulders as you're all but pulled back down the path you came towards the campus cafe.
"Catch...up?" You repeat, knowing damn well Keigo knew nothing about you in general.
"Yeah!" Keigo starts walking faster and you stumble trying to keep up. "God, I hate this weather. Touya how are you so calm right now?"
You tsk softly and murmur, "maybe because he's cold-blooded." Keigo pauses in his steps and then throws his head back laughing.
"Just for that, (Y/n), your hot chocolate is on me!"
With curiosity getting the better of you, you let yourself be dragged along wanting to see just what was in store for you tonight.
Touya silently walked behind you and Keigo, the feeling of eyes on your back warming you up with the holes they were burning.
~*~*~*~*
Hitoshi's dorm was nicer than you expected.
Touya weirdly had a key to the room and let you three inside without knocking.
"'Toshi!" Keigo called out. "We brought a friend to movie night!"
You clutch the hot drink in your hands as you look around, a single small kitchen off to the left and the living room straight ahead. It must be the largest dorm you can get because this almost felt like an apartment.
You didn't know Hitoshi really. Last semester he was in the same history class as you and was quiet as a mouse. Never spoke up or caused any problems; just came to class and left.
A head of purple hair peeked around the right entranceway to the living room. "Hey come in. Tomura and Yo are already here...I'm just getting some extra blankets."
Before you could lift your hand in a half-hearted greeting, the head disappears again and you're left wondering why this supposed group of badass guys are having a movie night together.
I mean...I'm all for it, but still...not what I expected.
Keigo takes off to the living room yelling Yo's name. There was a silent beat before a large 'oof' was heard and loud shouts and thumps started. Boys, you think shaking your head as you take another sip of your hot chocolate.
"Well...it's not a coffee date but it's something."
You jump, the smooth deep voice hitting your ears closer than expected. You forgot Touya was even with you with how silent he had been.
"Coffee date?" You repeat, annoyed.
"Yeah. I offered to take you out."
You lift your cup and look back and forth between him and the hot chocolate.
"You didn't even pay for this?"
"So you'll let me take you out for real?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"Does it look like I am?"
Touya steps closer making you step back. His eyes were serious but still hooded and mysterious like he was hiding something. His true intentions maybe.
Rolling your eyes, you huff and shift your stance before turning to walk into the living room, leaving Touya alone.
Keigo, and you're guessing 'Yo,' were in the middle of the room rolling around on the ground with what once was fun wrestling turned serious. The other boy who you assumed was Tomura sat crisscrossed on the couch with a Nintendo Switch in his hands, completely ignoring the testosterone match going on below him.
God, this was so awkward. You didn't know anyone here and the other boys seemed to engrossed in their own activities to notice you. Just as you were about to turn back around, a blanket draped over your shoulders.
"(Y/n), right?" Hitoshi greets you with a tired smile, his lip ring glinting in the light. "We had a class last semester together?" Your mouth parts slightly, not remembering Hitoshi being this attractive. The lip ring caught your attention, but also the barbell through his eyebrow.
Closing your mouth, gulping, your eyes briefly widen in shock before blinking once, surprised that he remembered you. "Yeah, hey. Sorry for intruding...I didn't really have a choice since Keigo dragged me here."
Not true. You could've easily and firmly denied the invite, but you didn't.
Hitoshi buys the excuse though, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, he's like that. You know Keigo."
"Yeah..." you agreed solemnly.
No, actually, you didn't know. You don't know anyone here really.
You both look at the two boys now sweating slightly as they grunted across the floor. Hitoshi sighs and raises his voice slightly. "If you two don't stop I'll get Katsuki over here."
That seems to make Keigo freeze, but Yo uses that opportunity to pin him down. "Kat isn't gonna do shit," Yo tsks, breathing heavily.
You look back at Hitoshi, seeing in your peripheral that Touya has now entered the room, staring at the blanket that had been placed over your shoulders with a weird look on his face.
Hitoshi doesn't notice, rolling his eyes at Keigo as he taps the ground three times, gasping as Yo lets him go. "You're just mad he beats you every time." Hitoshi snorts, throwing two blankets over the boys before walking over to Tomura and handing him one.
"It's always a tie!' Yo yanks the blanket off his head and scowls before noticing you. "Oh. Hey."
As if nothing happened, a confident smirk appears on his face and you couldn't help but laugh. It was ridiculous seeing how disheveled he looked along with the still clutched blanket in his lap, trying to smooth talk you.
Keigo suddenly sits up, throwing the blanket off. "Oh! Guys, this is (Y/n)!"
You wave shyly and look around, Tomura only lifts a hand, still not paying attention. Hitoshi motions you over to the other couch so you could sit down.
"Sorry for intruding," you repeat again, placing your drink down on the center coffee table and bag on the floor before situating yourself under the blanket to warm up more. Hitoshi casually sits down next to you on your right, closer than you expected.
You eye him warily and go to move over when Touya sits down. Now trapped between two God-like men, you sink into the couch trying to breathe evenly.
"So what movie are we watching?" Keigo hops up next to Tomura, causing him to make an annoyed sound as his game was disrupted. Yo takes his blanket and collapses in a large beanbag in the corner of the room, stretching out.
"Why is a girl here?" Yo asks instead, shooting you another once-over.
A very good question that you would like to know the answer to as well.
"She's a friend," Touya finally speaks up and that made Tomura pause his game, making all the guys stare at you.
Heat rushes to your face as you turn to Touya. "Not a friend."
The corner of his lip curls up slightly. "Girlfriend?"
Your mouth drops open in shock as Touya fights a smirk. Heat radiated off your cheeks as the rest of the room watches silently.
"Not even if you were the last guy on earth." Seething, you're about to stand up and walk out of the dorm in embarrassment and straight to the registration office to transfer schools when something lands on your lap.
"Mreow~"
Your face is suddenly blank as the cat rubs its forehead against your arm looking for pats.
"A cat?" Dumbly, you lift your hands and scratch behind the cat's ears lightly as it starts to purr. "We can have pets on campus?"
Hitoshi coughs slightly. "Uh...no. But she just followed me one day so as her chosen owner, I took her in." His statement was said with pride so you couldn't help but smile slightly down at the large cat now curled in on your lap purring contently.
"Anyway, meet Mimi. She usually doesn't like people and rarely comes out of my room so...this is new." Hitoshi says in slight awe, watching you pet Mimi.
Touya shifts uncomfortably next to you making you look at him. He's looking at Mimi warily and leans away, finally giving you some space. Before you could ask, Keigo speaks up for you. "Touya and cats don't get along. Mimi doesn't like him."
You condescendingly pout at Touya and in a mocking voice you couldn't help yourself but say, "Aweee~ it's the only pussy you can't get."
You freeze, shocked that you just said that out loud. It takes all but three long seconds before the room erupts with laughter, Keigo falling off the couch as Yo wheezes on the beanbag. Hitoshi's shoulders are shaking next to you and Tomura grins at you from across the room.
"I like her," he finally speaks up for the first time since you've been here.
You're still embarrassed by your boldness and dare to look back at Touya who looks somewhat embarrassed himself that he can't get along with cats. Noticing you looking at him, he recovers his expression and murmurs low enough that only you can hear over the laughter and teasing in the room.
"It's not the only one."
You glare but bite back a grin of victory seeing Touya look annoyed at being the center of the joke, especially with his reputation.
"Oh, (Y/n), I knew I liked you!" Keigo wipes a tear from his eyes and you look at all the other boys in the room who are looking at you as if they're seeing you for the first time. "I'm texting Kat this."
"Put it in the group chat for everyone," Tomura speaks up again, looking down at Keigo's phone with him.
"Just...put the fucking movie on," Touya speaks up again, irritation clear in his voice, glancing down at your lap once more in disappointment.
Hitoshi snorts and reaches for the remote, still smirking in amusement.
Maybe this night will pay off after all.
~*~*~*~*
Halfway through the movie, you couldn't even pay attention because you were too busy trying not to fall asleep. Touya and Hitoshi were providing heat on both sides of you since Mimi hopped off your lap sometime earlier to sit on Tomura.
It was some action, horror movie that apparently Keigo had suggested so the only one who talked through it was Keigo, making comments or explaining everything that was going on. It was when Touya threw a pillow at him with Yo yelling at him to shut up was when Keigo grumbled and quieted down.
You yawn for the nth time in a row, eyelids drooping lower with your vision becoming blurry. Shifting your position, you cross your legs up on the couch bundling up under the blankets. Your knee happened to rest on Touya's thigh as you shifted so you expected him to move over.
He didn't.
Instead, a hand slowly crawled its way under your blanket and rested on your knee, fingers circling it softly.
The movement made you shiver, discretely looking at Touya whose eyes were fixated on the TV. You couldn't tear your eyes away from him, his fingers now dancing up and down your thigh, reaching a little higher with every stroke. You wanted to push his hand away but couldn't.
It felt...nice.
A sigh was building up in your throat as you resisted the urge to lean back and arch into his hand. It felt so good and by his expression, you couldn't tell if he was intentionally doing this or not. His chin rested in his other hand, propped up on the armrest, his turquoise eyes flashing with whatever was happening in the movie.
You gulped, glancing around at the other boys, now wide awake as you tried to see if any of them were paying attention. Hitoshi had thankfully shifted when you did, giving you more space but you swear you could feel his hand close to your other knee.
You had worn long pants today, but the heat from Touya's palm was searing into your skin. A slow stroke of his hand up the inside of your thigh just brushing against your core had you abruptly closing your legs with a shocked squeak.
"You okay?" Hitoshi murmurs in your ear. You nod, not even being able to look at him with how inflamed your face was.
"Yeah...this movie is crazy." A pathetic excuse because you're not even sure if anything interesting happened. The other boys in the room glanced at you briefly before diverting their attention back to the screen.
You turn your head a little, pretending to scratch your head to look at Touya who was smirking darkly, his eyes burning low.
'Can I have my hand back?' He mouths, shifting his hand slightly so it rubs up and down your slit.
Your eyes widen, realizing you trapped his hand between your thighs. Jerking, you stand up suddenly causing Hitoshi to jump.
"Uh- I uh- sorry I have to go. I forgot I had something due tonight," you stumble over your words feeling your core throb. "Thanks for inviting me Keigo, and letting me stay Hitoshi." You grab your bag and your drink, hurrying to clean up after yourself. "Nice to meet you Yo and Tomura."
Avoiding the confused stares, you speed walk to the door, Touya, Keigo, and Hitoshi following you.
"Hey...it's no problem. You can come back anytime," Hitoshi says, "and see Mimi again," he quickly adds, clearing his throat.
You nod hastily, not really paying attention as Hitoshi opens the door for you. All you could think about was wanting to get out of there and hopefully never see these boys again.
And maybe relieve yourself in your bed when you get back to your room.
"I'm walking you back," Touya didn't leave any room for discussion just as Keigo was about to say something, closing the door to Hitoshi's dorm behind you two. You narrow your eyes at him, that infuriating smirk directed at you once again.
You storm off, Touya close behind.
It was dark out now, the campus paths being lit up by lamp posts and the few buildings with lights still on the inside. You cross your arms closer in your jacket when you suddenly have something handed to you.
"Put it on."
You grab the black hoodie without looking at him and shove it back. "I don't want it."
"I tried warming you up another way but-"
"Fucker!" Vehemently, you whip towards him and point a finger in his face. "What part of 'never' do you not understand?"
The low chuckle that left Touya's lips had a shiver running through you. It's just cold, (Y/n). It's the cold.
"Really? To me, it seemed like you wanted my hand there."
You storm off to your dorm building, wanting to get away from him as soon as possible. He was right and you hated it.
He knew he was right with the way his laugh trailed after you, shrugging his hoodie back on before catching up.
"It's ok to be honest, (Y/n)." Touya all but purred your name, avoiding the door you tried to slam in his face as you entered your building. You pray no one was up to see Touya with you.
Just as you were fumbling with your keys, shaking from anger, embarrassment, and arousal, tattooed hands trap you on either side of your dorm door.
"Turn around." Touya's sudden husky voice had you pausing, the low rumble of his voice making your eyes flutter. His voice was close to your ear, warm breath tickling over it.
Finally unlocking the door, you muster a glare, turning around and crossing your arms over your chest, only to come face to face with Touya's knowing gaze. "Good girl."
The glare quickly fell off your face, heat blossoming at the unexpected praise. Your breathing comes out shallow, finding it hard to look him in the eyes.
"Why deny it, (Y/n)? You want me," Touya says knowingly, leaning down closer to your neck, invading your space. Memories of being in the closet with him come flooding back. His scent, his voice, the lightheadedness you're starting to feel...
"N-no I-" You try to start, but lips brush over the sensitive part of your neck making you moan softly.
"Mm? I'm sure that pretty pussy is saying otherwise right now, hm?" Touya opens his mouth wider and sucks the sensitive skin into his mouth, making a whimper fall from your lips, your head rolling to the side as Touya marked your skin, his teeth scraping over it gently.
Your hand's fist Touya's hoodie, one of his legs moving to slot between yours. His thigh purposely pressing into where it ached the most. "Fuck...it's throbbing for me, (Y/n). Lemme take care of it..." He murmured against your neck, pulling back from your abused pulsing skin.
You were breathing harshly now, locking eyes with him as he flickered his gaze down to your lips and back to your eyes. Touya was also panting a bit, your breaths mingling as he leaned in more, eyes catching yours again just as your lips were about to touch.
Almost like he was asking if it was okay.
You hum, eyes lidded in anticipation as his hand gently moved off the door to cup your face and-
"That party was soooo funnnnn!"
"Noooo Touyaaaa wasn't thereee...he promiseedddd!"
The stumbling footsteps coming closer had you snapping out of it, their conversation registering in your head as you hurtfully detangle your hands from Touya's hoodie to reach blindly behind you and open the door.
"Leave me alone, Touya." Walking backwards into your room, you slam the door in his shocked face for good measure. Tears well up in your eyes as you lean your head against the door, no longer turned on, but hurt that you had to be reminded of the kind of person he is.
A long deep breath could be heard from the other side and a loud thump sounded against the wall making you flinch. Footsteps could be heard as he walked away, past the two people who didn't even recognize him but still babbled on about how hot he is.
You sniffle and get ready for bed, planning to take a hot shower and hopefully sleep forever when your phone buzzed with a DM notification.
bvrnt.eros messaged you
bvrnt.eros: i only want you, (Y/n)
You leave him on read and sigh.
What am I going to do...
→ Part 4
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