#some of y'all thought den was dark

[romana-after-dark]

The Wrong Way: Chapter 10 (Finale and true ending)

Dark!Joel Miller x Fem!Reader

Tommy Miller x reader

Masterlist

Spotify playlist

Summery: You are sold to Joel to clear up some of your fathers' debts, and he takes you back to his house where him, Tommy, and high ranking members of his raiding trope stay. Joel is mean, cruel, and hash, but had small moments of softness that confuse you in your venerable state. Over time, you get to know him and Tommy, and see different sides of each, and both are hiding secrets. Was it possible to fall in love under these circumstances? Or was that just another way Joel was fucking with you?

Aka: my mom sold me to One Direction

WARNINGS FOR FULL FIC, NOT CHAPTER BY CHAPTER UNLESS SOMETHING NEW IS ADDED AFTER MASTER WARNING LIST: DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT!!!! Fic contains graphic depictions of sexual assault, rape, molestation, dubcon/non con. Blow Jobs, PIV sex, lose of virginity, sex trafficking, past incest, death/people dying everywhere, Stockholm syndrome, falling for your rapist, victim blaming, torcher, branding, physical abuse, rape (not Joel), somno, dub con on tommy? idk he's not really into it but feels like he has to, self-harm/depression/suicidal thoughts (not a lot) but fair warning, major age gaps, love triangle, pregnancy/birth, threats of abortion, major character death, mentions of potential csa/child abuse but does not even come close to happening, forced pregnancy, forced housewife shit, breeding, breeding kink?!?!

UUUUHHH ya'll i put the warnings there so uh you can't blame me for what I've done.

Before anything i gotta say the "id do anything for you, you amost killed me, that was for you" bit is curtesy of me and @the-fox-den messing around so credits to them XD

I cannot appreciate y'all readership more. I cried writing this on and off not only bc the content but that it's over. full emotions at the end!

Enjoy! (this is not enjoyable.)

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

“Hey honey.” Tommy’s voice was groggy and sweet in the late morning. “You up already?”

You shuffled your body back, closer to where Tommy lay, warm and inviting… you missed him. You missed him so much. “Yeah just thinking…”

Nestling his face into your face, Tommy holds you tighter, a protective hand over your belly. “What about?” When you didn’t answer, he knew what you were thinking of. “Ah… you miss him, don’t you?” There wasn’t judgment in his voice, just the soft understanding that Tommy always gave, a grace that showed he knew what Joel had done to your mind.

Nevertheless, you tear up, embarrassed at your own weakness for the man who had nearly killed you and your baby. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me… he had me so messed up and twisted… I didn’t know which way was up half the time… I felt like I was living in a haze…” You begin to cry, letting the frustrations out.

“Hey, hey now it’s alright. He’s good at that… he’s good at jumbl’n you up enough you can’t see straight… and he’s got that look… something in his eyes when his attention is focused on you… just makes you want to make him happy… I know what you mean… Did he hurt you a lot since I left?”

“No” You shake your head. “That was the strange part… It was… it was good… especially after he found out I was pregnant… It was… it was good, actually. I thought he changed… He didn’t… but I had a lot of freedom, I could do pretty much anything with Lorenzo watching me.” You chuckle a little bit, thinking of your friend. “At first I don’t think he was thrilled to be on babysitting duty, but when he realized he could drink and smoke all day I think he liked it a lot more.”

The smile in his voice was evident. “I’m glad you had a friend after I left, honey.” He brushed hair out of your face. “I saw… I saw Joel a few months back… he said you and Lorenzo had gotten close.”

“Yeah” But the tears came again.

“Hey, hey what’s wrong?”

“I never said good bye” You cry. “Lorenzo… everything happened so fast and I didn’t get to say goodbye and now I don’t know if he’s even gonna live.”

Tommy coaxed you to turn over and face him, his face beautiful in the rising orange sun kissing his skin and complimenting his dark hair. “Honey, listen, Maria is gonna make sure he’s taken care of. He’s gonna be okay and once he’s rested up, I’m sure he’ll come to Boston, or at least get word out if he’s got other plans.” Tommy didn’t actually know any such thing but he wanted to comfort you.

“He’s coming to Boston” You assure. “He promised me… and him and Zach are a couple, actually.”

His face was one of confusion, then realization. He chuckled. “Love really just… finds a way, huh?”

When you look into his eyes… you can’t help but agree. “Yeah, it does…” He face was so close to you, it’d been so long since he’d held you… even before he left, you two had grown distant, Joel successfully putting a edge between you two, and you hadn’t spend the time with him you used to, angry and upset with him for reasons that didn't make sense… but that was how badly Joel had messed up your sense of direction. And yet, none of that mattered when Tommy was in trouble. You’d put yourself between Joel’s gun and Tommy, and if you weren’t pregnant you’d do it again. Tommy was always there for you, as much as he could be… he was manipulated by Joel, just like you were, but still he tried… and here he was, sleeping on a cold hard floor with you because he uprooted his entire life with Maria… for you.

The kiss was sudden, you pressing your lips to his and for a sweet, lingering moment he kissed back, chest rising as he breathed through nose, savoring you before pulling back whispering your name. 

“I love you…” You confess, eyes closed and foreheads pressed together.

“Honey, you don’t… you don’t have to feel or do anything just because I’m here-”

“I love you.” More assertive this time. He thinks you feel like you have to, like there's pressure… but you never felt that with Tommy. Tommy wasn’t Joel. Tommy was kind and patient, Tommy was loving and gentle and good… Tommy was the one you loved.

Tommy reached out, caressing your hair. “I love you too, honey, I’m sorry I had to leave you” the words just began spilling out from him, tumbling out Tommy’s mouth like a desperate plea for absolution for sins he never willingly committed. “I’m sorry I never stopped him, I’m sorry I didn’t do more, I’m sorry I left you alone in all that-”

You cut him off with another kiss, needier and lonely, clamoring for a connection. “It’s okay, Tommy. It’s okay. I’m okay now, everything will be okay.” And it would be. You were with Tommy now, and Tommy would keep you safe. You hands wander, trailing down his back as you continued to kiss him, feeling him, getting to know the curves and dips and muscles of him for the first time. Your hands move to undo his pants, but he stops you.

“We don’t- honey you’ve had a traumatic week”

“Tommy, I want you…” You whine, and you did. You did, so fucking bad. You missed Joel, you missed Tommy, your head was swirling with guilt and fear and a deep, deep down ache of loneliness that you didn’t know how to fill other than skin on skin. It was all you really knew. Nearly everyone you had cared about, save for Zach, and Lorenzo showed their love with touch. Even June did, although it wasn’t sexual. Tommy always held you when you cried, sat up in his lap with arms wrapped around you as he did now. “I want you Tommy, please?” You whine. You couldn’t deny that the pregnancy hormones worsened things, making you incredibly needy. “I need you, Tommy”

Tommy sighed. He knows he shouldn’t. The week you’ve had, the year you've had, hell, the entire life you had groomed you into submitting your body to men for money, shelter, affection. This is what you knew. Then there was Maria, his girlfriend who he lived with, with whom he swore fidelity too, who had seen this poor, young traumatized her and willingly let him go because she trusted him… That was the other thing, you were still so young… Tommy had made the comment to Joel that if Sarah had lived, he she would be older than this girl in his arms was now… That should’ve made Joel disgusted… shouldn’t it disgust Tommy too? But Tommy was weak, he knew he was weak… and he loved her, didn’t he? This wasn’t a lust filled rape, this wasn’t him taking advantage of her youth and naivety, they were in love, and she needed him. 

“Yeah baby, I’ll take care of you.” Tommy allowed you to undo his pants while he quickly undid your flannel. In the daylight and as he pulled it and the dress over your shoulders, he could see the full extent of your injuries. Where your collar hid, there was a mixture of purple and green bruising around your neck and throat, accentuated by red from the rope burn, and yet the hardest to stomach was your chest. A large black bruise formed on your chest from the repeated punching. “Oh honey… you’re lucky he didn’t break a rib.”

“I don’t wanna talk about him.” You grumble, beginning to shimmy him out of his pants. “Just want you, Tommy. I want you the right way, like we never got the chance to, the way Joel took from us.”

“The right way” He kissed you, lips full of love, offering protection and solace in the distortion. He wastes no time  pulling your underwear down and slipping a hand to cup your sex, immediately giving you the pleasure he swore he could your first time together, but you had refused. He felt so good, firm and assured in his movements between your legs, but soft and caring, making you feel special in his touch.

You spit in your hand and begin to jerk his cock as you both laid there, your giant belly getting in the way. “Usually wetter, the last month things have been… different” A bit embarrassed, you mutter into his shoulder. You were turned on, very much so, but your lower body didn’t seem to get the message. Joel never seemed to care much. You got wet eventually, especially after cumming, but the in between usually hurt.

“That’s normal.” Tommy assured. “Pregnancy hormones. But I’ll make sure you’re real wet, baby, get on your back.” Doing as you were told, you roll over, Tommy slithering his way down you and pressing affectionate kisses over your swollen stomach. “So beautiful…”

He ate you like a man starved, like a past meal on death row, desperate and savoring every last taste. Joel always felt good, so, so, good, but there was an electricity here, all the built up tension between you two, like a rubber band finally snapping and he couldn’t get enough. Tommy worshiped at the shrine of you, adoration in the prayer on his lips, his arms wrapped around your legs as you grew closer so you couldn’t wiggle away, he needed every second, every inch, every taste, every sound reclaimed for him. It was a conquest, a crusade, a burning need as he licked into your folds, pleasure and fire and love building in your core, fingers opening up to prepare you to take him, fucking into you and god, you were moaning for him.

“Tommy! Tommy please make me cum, please, I’ll make you feel so good, I’ll do anything you want, just-”

“Lay there and take it, princess, that’s all you gotta do.” His head dived back between your legs and eagerly devoured, lips latching on your swollen mound, sucking noisily, soaking your as promised. Two fingers turned into three, and while his lips sucked his tongue flicked at your clit, causing your legs to shake. You entangle your fingers in his long, dark locks, having grown longer since you’ve seen him last and yank him towards you. You didn’t need to guide him, you didn’t need his tongue deeper inside you; he knew what he was doing. What you needed was something to grip onto as your world shattered around you. Tommy was always who you reached for. Everything you needed, Tommy did his best to provide, and when you were terrified, as Joel dragged you away to kill you, all you wanted was your Tommy. You screamed his name as you did now. Gushing cum on his face, you yank at his hair and fuck his face while you ride out your orgasm on his still moving mouth.

Vaguely, you register him kissing his way up your body, laying around you as he couldn’t lay on top, Tommy kissed you back to life, finding his soft eyes staring at you as you open your own… 

“You still want me?” He asks, a rough but caring hand stroking your face.

“More than anything.”

He was careful, he always was with you, treating you like a fragile porcelain doll, but you promised him you could take it and he sped up, fucking you, really fucking you the way you had wanted for months after you grew comfortable in that house. He knelt before you knees on the hard floor but showed no signs of pain as his hips snapped into you, your moans growing louder.

“Tommy!” You call out for him, ecstasy building inside you like the sweat on his forehead.

“Right here honey, I’m right here.” He rubbed your knee that he had braced himself on. “Neve gonna leave you again, I promise.”

“You- you promise?” Looking up at him from this angle… he looked god-like. Tan and strong, but handsome and kind… you wanted him forever, you wanted only him and for him to have only you. He filled you up over and over and over, your hips canting up to meet him.

“Promise, princess. I’ll never leave you, ever. You’re mine.”

His.

“I’m yours” You whine for him, on the precipice of your climax, you just needed…

“And I’m yours. Now, I need you to come, and when you do, I want you to scream my name, okay? Can you do that for me, beautiful girl?” His hand was on your hip, large and rough and covering Joel’s initially branded on you.

You’re panting heavily, so, so close when he sets a brutal pace, spilling you over. 

Tommy thinks this is the most beautiful sound he’s ever heard. All the times you called for him when you needed him, when Joel was done, when you were hungry or needed to use the bathroom or just were lonely, none of it compared to this…

You scream for him, crying out loudly as he continues to thrust into you, talking you through it like he had the panic attack that had overtaken you when you gave him your virginity.

“Just like that, honey, good girl.” He coo’s, ever letting up on your sensitive cunt. “So pretty coming on my cock, love when you scream my name… there you go, pretty little thing…”

Tommy was right. He made you scream his name louder than Joel’s.

When he came inside you, claiming you as his in a primal, animalistic sense, the cold began to settle on the sheen of sweat between you, and Tommy pulled a blanket over you. A little rest before heading out.

“Did you mean what you said?” You ask.

He didn't need clarification. Tommy knew you well enough. “Yeah, I did. I’m gonna stay with you, honey.”

“What about Maria?”

A fair question, but Tommy sighed nonetheless. “I’ll send word I won't’ be come’n back… I think… I think she knew, she knew before I ever did.”

When the two of you set out on the road again, you wanted to walk for a while. All the riding the last day made you sore and you just walked to stretch your legs, aching joints and pregnant body needing movement. You and Tommy talked, really talked about the future, what it would look like in Boston, wherever it is exactly Lorenzo and Zach had for you… Someone Tess knew? A couple who had been a ‘doomsday prepper’ before… You wouldn’t live on their farm, but in a house nearby. Somewhere fairly safe for you and your baby, and Lorenzo, Zach and Tommy to protect it… Tommy confirmed what you had secretly hoped but could never ask. He’d be your baby's father, he’d raise them with you, loving it as his own.

“Well ain’t that sweet.” You freeze in place when you hear Joel’s voice, the older brother stepping into sight from a tree, gun pointed at you and Tommy. “Fucked my wife, stealing my daughter,” he looks at Tommy. “I can’t believe you’d sink this low, Tommy.”

The irony of who was sinking low was lost on Joel, Tommy was aware. There was no point fighting it. One hand held the reigns of the horse, his right was in the air as yours were. “Joel, c’mon, I know damn well you aren’t going to hurt either one of us so just let-” He was cut off by his own scream, falling against the horse and gripping his upper arm.

“TOMMY!” You scream for him, rushing to his side before Joel shouts to get away. You want to help Tommy… but you had a duty to your child, a duty you knew Tommy would understand. You cried, looking him over. He was still standing, clearly in pain, but blood shooting out of his arm. Nothing vital.

Joel only looked at you. “That’s right, scream his name, little one. Always his name, isn’t it?” Joel stepped forward, ignoring Tommy’s anguished plea’s for him to stay away from you; Joel’s sights were on you and you alone. Nothing else existed, not even his bleeding baby brother. “Sceam’n for him when you think I’m hurting you, when you think I’ve been cruel, when you want his company because I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH”

You barely registered your own tears, the trembling in your stance, knowing there was nothing you could do.

“That’s how I found you, heard you screaming my own fucking brothers name like a whore in that cabin while pregnant with my daughter!”

Shaking your head, you take a weak step back. “Joel, please, I was scared. I was so scared, you tried to kill me-”

“Is that what you think that was?” A cruel, mocking laugh escaped him in his mania before turning to Tommy. “Is that what she told you, Thomas? ‘Oh Tommy!’” His voice was light and girlish as he mimicked you. “‘Oh Tommy, Joel’s so mean to me!’ Well that ain’t the truth. She’s a cheating whore, and she needs to do better for Sarah, so I’m trying to teach her.” 

Out of the corner of your eyes, you can see the visible confusion on Tommy’s face turn into shock and horror. “Sarah? Jesus Joel! Is that what all this is? You’re trying to recreate Sarah? Or is it the picket fence two parent household you never got with her?” 

“Don’t talk about her!” Joel screamed at the younger man, his attention turning to Tommy, and you watched for your chance.

“SARAH IS DEAD! SHE’S DEAD AND SHE’S NOT COMING BACK!” His next words… Tommy didn’t mean, not one single bit, he witnessed himself how much Joel tried to save his child, the little girl who was the entire world to him… But he needed Joel’s attention on him, he needed to be the focus of Joel’s anger. “SARAH IS DEAD AND IT’S YOUR FAULT!”

You take a step back.

“SHUT UP!” Another scream from Joel.

“MY NIECE IS DEAD BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T LOVE HER ENOUGH TO TRY HARDER-”

“SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH!”

But Tommy already moved, Joel’s teary eyes and blinding anger slowing his perception and Tommy moved the barrel of the gun away from him and you before Joel took the shot.

“RUN!”

And you did. You didn’t know where to, but you ran for your life, for your babies. Hearing a gun go off again, you stop briefly wondering if you just heard either the man you loved or the father of your child die… but there was no time to mourn or think, you needed to go. 8 months pregnant, you do everything you can to keep running, but you are stopped by a blinding pain in your stomach, causing you to scream before you can even stop yourself.

When it fades, you open your eyes to see an infected.

There was no time for pain.

Contractions going again, you prayed for another round of braxton-hicks and not actual labor, you prayed Tommy was alive, you prayed the infected behind you couldn’t move fast due to one thing or another… but you couldn’t stop to look. The adrenalynn did most of the work, as did sheer willpower. You didn’t think you could power through running so fast and so long if it was just you, but the mother instinct to protect this baby went above everything. Like a blessing, you see the cabin you had stayed at and took off towards it, infected at your heels, horrific noises that you shall surely hear the rest of your life should you survive this letting you know there was no time to even wince at a particularly sharp contraction. They were not spaced… and if Lorenzo was right, and if this wasn’t braxton-hicks…. You were going to give birth in this cabin.

The slam of the door behind you did not save you, as soon you found yourself sitting in an empty room with a chair propped against the door as the infected tried to get in, your switchblade gripped in your hands, as the baby tried to come out.

You can’t help but scream in pain; the infected already knew where you were, it was only a matter of time until it came in and you had to be face to face with it for the first time. You’d seen them from afar of course, but you had never been close; someone always protected you, Zach, Lorenzo, Tommy, Joel… you’re whole life you had depended on men to save you from other men and a litany of evils in this world and none of them had been able to stop this. No one stepped in between you and your dad, no one stepped in between you and Joel, and no one would step between you and this abomination… 

But you’d try your damndest to step between your baby and whatever might harm them, and if that meant facing this infected, you’d do it.

When it burst in, you don’t bother hiding our scream; they looked horrific and the sounds were just as bad, but god, the smell was nauseating to your pregnant senses. None of that compared to the genuine fear as you fought for your life and for this baby. The creature was right in your face as you stabbed him, the jackknife now successfully ending two threats to you; the infected and Nick.

The moment you have to breath is gone when you hear the cry of your baby on the floor. You had given birth to a baby girl, just as Joel wanted, alone, with a bite on your leg.

You were infected, and this baby would grow up without a mom and with a psychopath rapist and murder for a dad. Tommy was surely dead, and even if Joel found you in the cabin she’d grow up with Joel. You didn’t believe he’d sexually abuse her, but physically? She’d be lucky if she made it to 10, not the mention the other men around her…

There was no time to cry or to smile, you couldn’t rejoice in the birth of this little girl or cry at the circumstances, you thought back to what Maura instructed you, Joel, and Lorenzo to do in the event you gave birth without her. Using that knife, you cut the cord and tie it.

Had you given birth before the bite? Was she infect? Had all your efforts to protect this innocent been useless? You once again kick yourself for not leaving with Zach any of the times he offered…She’d suffer because of you, if she lived at all. 

As your daughter screams, you scream too, loud and anguished and nameless. You didn’t cry for Tommy, for Zach, for Joel, for Lorenzo or June or anyone that had ever shown they wanted to help… no, you just screamed, because there was no other option.

Tommy had seen you run and tried to follow you, tried to call to you, but you either couldn’t hear him or could defier his voice from Joel who was currently crippled with a shot leg… Tommy couldn’t bring himself to kill Joel… he couldn’t. No matter how much of a big game he talked, Joel was still his big brother, and despite the telling signs of aging and the obvious way Joel was no longer Joel behind those eyes… They were still he eyes, and as Joel looked up at Tommy pointing the gun down on him, Tommy couldn’t fire. He couldn’t fire at the man who had saved his life countless times, the father of his niece, the father of the baby he had swore to raise as his own, and despite the way Joel had clearly lost his mind, lost all sense of reality… Tommy couldn’t kill his brother because yes, that was still his brother.

When he found you, it didn’t take long to figure out what happened, with the baby in your arms and the infected on the ground… your bite was clear and prominent.

“Oh honey… no…” Tommy dropped the gun on the floor and likewise dropped to his knees as he walked to you and the child. A little girl… 

“Tommy, please, please take her. If you don’t want her, take her to Zach and Lorenzo, just please take her-”

“I’ll take her, I’ll raise her, I swear.” Maria and him had talked about kids before… would she want this? Tommy couldn’t stop looking you over, he couldn’t process that you had been bit… this wasn’t a rattlesnake bite, there wasn’t a way to get the venom out… it was over. “I’m sorry.” He cried, tears flowing over before he registered they were coming. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you, I’m sorry-”

“Tommy” You stop him, tears matching his. “Tommy, it's okay. Just protect her, okay? That’s what matters now, her.” Everything hurt, and you could swear there was something already changing in you, but maybe it was in your head.

Heavy boots clomping on the floor. “Get away from her.” Joel spoke, his voice low and dark, despite being unarmed. You notice his limp and the blood… Tommy hadn’t shot Joel to kill… and had greatly underestimated what Joel would do to get to you, including walking on a shot leg.

Tommy didn’t even turn around, still holding you and his, yes his baby, because there was no way in hell Joel was walking out with her. “She’s infected, Joel.”

Joel didn’t reply, and you looked up at him over Tommy’s shoulder, confirming it. You nudge Tommy to move, revealing his daughter. You speak before Tommy does. “I cut the cord before I was bit.” Your eyes dart to Tommy. “Before.” You lied, and you knew it was dangerous… but you needed your daughter to have a fighting chance.

Joel shook his head. “No, no we’ll get you help, theres gotta be-”

Grabbing his gun, Tommy turned around. “THERE’S NO HELP, JOEL!” He shouts. “This is your fault! This is all your fault and you can’t fix it!” His steps were long and quick, pinning an unarmed Joel to the wall gun to his head. Tommy was shaking, but you didn’t need to aim to shoot point blank. “I’ll fucking kill you for what you did to them.”

For once, you believed it. 

And it seems Joel did too. “That’s my daughter, Tommy. Yuh ain’t take’n her.” But Joel’s voice was weak, small… 

“Yes he is, Joel.” You speak from the floor. “He’s taking her, and one of you needs to kill me.”

Both of Miller brother turn to you at that, anguish and pain in Tommy’s eyes. “I… I can’t do that… I can’t… Honey, no…” You knew how badly he was hurting right now… but you didn’t want Joel dead, and someone needed to do it. You didn’t know how long you had.

“I know, Tommy. I know.” You smile sympathetically at your lover, and beckon him towards you. Tommy gives Joel a warning look, but takes the pistol off his brother and comes to you. “I know. I know you can’t and that’s okay. You take he, that’s what you need to do for me, okay?” Looking down at the crying baby in your arms you give her a kiss and whisper that you love her before pushing her into Tommy’s welcoming arms. “I know you feel guilty…” Reaching up to touch his face one last time, you smile as he leans into your touch. “Sweet, sweet boy… you have nothing to be ashamed of, you’ve always done right by me. But if you feel you need absolution, this is your chance.”

Tommy looked at the little girl in his arms… she was so small, so fragile… but he would protect her, he would do right by her the way he couldn’t do to you. She was his baptism, his new life, a fresh start. He was a father now. “I will” He looked at you again.

“Her name is Ellie” Fimly, you spoke it into truth. “It’s not Dorthy, it’s not Dolly, its Ellie.” Looking up at Joel, the hurt clear on his face at the erasure of what he wanted to give her, you offer a small mercy, the middle name he agreed on, named after the singer he liked so much, and your friend back home. “Ellie June.”

Tommy nodded. “Ellie June, it’s beautiful.” He touched his forehead to you softly and you slipped your hand to touch Ellie’s little toes. This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had none, and this little piggy cried wee, wee, wee… “I’ll never forget you, and I’ll make sure she knows about you, okay? She’s gonna know who you are.”

“Zach… please, get word to Zach somehow, tell him he’s an uncle.”

“I will, I swear.”

“And Lorenzo, Lorenzo said he’d be the godfather. Please thank him for everything he’s done for me.” You sob thinking about your best friend.

“I will, I’ll tell him.”

“And Zach, please tell him I love him so much, and thank him for being my big brother.”

“They both love you, hermosa, I know they do.” He stroked your hair with his free hand.

“Tommy, one more thing?”

“Anything”

“June, please, can you find her? Tell her I loved her, she’s Ellie godmother in spirit.”

“Abslutly, is there anyone else? I’ll do it.”

You shake your head, tears flying as you do. “No, those three… they are all I know- wait, Maura and Jack, Jack risked everything to help me escape, and Maura with my pregnancy” You chuckle a bit. “Who knew dying had so many many loose ends to tie up” You hadn’t realized… you had grown a small community. It had taken a village to keep you and your baby alive.

He smiled. “I’ll tell them all, honey, I promise, especially Zach.” Tommy had an older brother too, and a;thought his had turn into a monster, he understood the love of a protective brother, and would not be who he is without Joel in their childhood and youth.

You whisper a thank you, before sealing his promises with a tearful kiss. When Tommy pulled away, you knew it was time…

“Goodbye Ellie, mommy loves you.”

Then, it was just you and Joel. 

“I never wanted this, little one.” He spoke, voice filled with sincerity and pain. “I know you think I hate you, that I want you to hurt-”

“I don’t think that Joel.” You deny his accusation, but you are honest. For once, you can be honest. “I think you’re a broken man who doesn’t know how to love, but I don’t think you hate me, and I don’t know you never wanted any of this.”

“I loved you! Everything I did was for you!”

“You almost killed me-”

“THAT WAS FOR YOU!” He screamed at you, but it wasn’t rage or fury, it was wretched and broken and him. A heart broken father who had lost his daughter, and is now about to lose his wife, and if Tommy can help it, his brother and baby.

Closing your eyes, you move on. “You can’t have her, Joel.”

He steps closer, boots loud against the creaking floor. “Tommy ain’t taking my daughter, I ain’t losing her.”

A dry laugh. “I’m not sure you ever loved Ellie-”

“Her names not Ellie, it’s Dolly-”

“You loved Sarah, and Ellie was a replacement. What if we had a boy, Joel? C’mon. Let her be, let them go.” Couldn’t he give you this? A deathbed wish to save your baby… 

“No.” But you could tell he was wavering. “That’s my daughter.”

“What’s your plan then? You don’t have day care. The only raiders you could have trusted with her are Tommy and Lorenzo and they are gone. You can’t do it alone… You’ve seen those men gang rape women, you think they won’t rape Ellie?”

“Stop calling her that.”

“You think they won’t beat her, touch her? Even if they don’t, is she suppossed to grow up around violence and rape? You gotta think this through, Joel! There’s no day care, no PTO, you’re two top men just left you, you can’t keep her safe! You can’t protect her, she’s gonna die like-”

“Fine!”

There's a long, shocked silence between the two of you, the gravity of what he’s agreed to give up… You weren’t sure if you believed in god, and if you did, whose god it was… you weren’t sure you believed in an afterlife, or anything of the sort. But if you did… you could be convinced that Sarah’s spirit touched Joel, breaking through his obsession, his mental illness, the delusions he had… to keep her little sister safe. 

“I’ll… she can go with Tommy.” Heartbroken, Joel acquiesced, then knelt in front of your exhausted body. “I know you don’ think I loved you, but… just know I cared, okay? I just-”

“I believe you.” You took in his scent once more. “For what it’s worth, I think maybe we loved each other in our own sick way… It was always gonna end like this… ” You push the jackknife into his hands.

“Where did you get this?” Joel referenced the knife with wooden encasing. 

“Nick’s skeleton.”

Joel couldn’t help but smile “Brave girl” He kissed you, and you allowed it, wanting to taste him just one more time. 

Knife in grip, you taking rough hand and bring it to your throat, tucked under your chin just beneath where your wet faces pressed together, foreheads and noses and lips melding into one as he could consume your soul, bring you into him forever.

“I love you, little one. Always have.”

“And I loved you, Joel.”

“What’s that song you like?”

“Red River Valley”

“Yeah, that’s the one. How did that last line start?”

You smile, eyes closed, and start singing it. “Come and sit by my side if you love me…”

Joel joined in the pair of you singing together. “Do not hasten to bid me adieu, but remember the the red river valley” You’re voice choked up so bad on the last word, you couldn’t finish it.

You think back to the night Ellie was conceived, the night Tommy left, they way Joel fucked you, words uttering into life the possession he had over you. It was foolish to think you could be free of him in this life. That pain? The pain is mine. Your cries are mine, your cunt is mine. And if you bleed?

Joel sang the last line for you, voice as soft as a whisper.. “And the cowboy who loved you so true.”

His lips pressed a final kiss and you felt the sharp pain and oozing liquid leaving you, your gasps and cries of pain stifled by his mouth. Eventually, the warmth of the blood enveloped you into darkness, and the agony of this life you were subjected to since childhood ended.

If you bleed? Your blood is mine.

Joel inhaled your last breath into his, sucking in the evidence of your life with his lips attached to yours until his head grew dizzy from lack of oxygen. Your blood was cooling on his body.

Joel limped out of the room, covered in her blood, only to find Tommy rocking a baby in one arm and a gun aimed at Joel with the other, tears streaming down his face.

“You killed her.” Tommy stated the obvious.

Not even bothering to raise his hands, Joel replied. “The infected killed her, Tom-”

“No.” The low tone of voice warned of something serious, and Joel pondered if Tommy was capable of actually killing him. “You did this. All of this. This last year you beat and tortured and raped her and made her think this was love. Calling her your wife, Joel?” Tommy shook his head in disgust. “I didn’t think you were capable of this, even after everything.”

Joel glowered his eyes at Tommy, not happy to have this talk again. “I didn’t see you ever stop’n me, Tommy.”

“No.” Tommy’s answer was candid. “That’s my cross to bare. And she-” he needed down to the sleeping baby in his arms. “She’s my vindication, and I’m gonna do right by her.”

Joel held out his hands, causing Tommy to step back. “Give me my daughter, Tommy.”

Worry crossed his face. “You promised-”

“I just wanna say goodbye” It was rare Joel spoke like this… so quiet, so soft… But Tommy didn’t trust him. “No, you-you’ll hurt her.”

The way Joel looked in Tommy’s eyes was earnest… so much hurt and sadness Tommy felt like he was actually looking at his brother again… “I’d never hurt my daughter.”

Tommy believed him. “Gun to your head the whole time. You try to take her away, I shoot you.”

“Okay.”

He was right, the gun was pressed to his head as Joel said his goodbye. “I love you. No matter what anyone tells you, I love you, and I loved your mom. She’s up in heaven watching out for you, she’s there with your big sister, your grandparents, everyone. They love you, just like I do, just like Tommy does. I’m gonna protect you still, okay? Jackson is under my protection, nothing bad’s gonna happen to you or your family.” Joel will protect his daughter with his life, and that means protecting those who care for her. Tommy, Maria, all of Jackson. As long as she's taken care of they are safe. “I love you, baby girl.”

Hesitantly, Joel handed Ellie back to Tommy, her new daddy, and he felt like he was letting go of a peace of himself. Nother brother bothered hiding the tears.

“I never want to see your face again, Joel. Do not come near me or my child ever again.”

Joel wanted to argue, to say it was his daughter, and he could take her whenever he wanted… But she was right. Ellie was better off with Tommy. Tommy could provide a stable home, with a mom and a dad, a community to make friends, school, church, and most importantly, safety. Tommy was younger, he could keep up with a child, fight off what he needed to… Tommy was a good uncle to Sarah… he’d be a good dad to her.

“Tommy, wait” But Tommy kept walking. “Wait!”

“SHHH!” Tommy whipped around, whispering harshly. “You’ll wake her!” 

As if Joel didn’t raise a whole child himself. “Just… here.” Joel cleaned of the knife and handed it to a nervous Tommy. “For her.”

Tommy glared at the gift. “You want me to give her the knife you killed her mother with?”

“She killed the infected with it, and that’s what I killed Nick with… I used it to ortect her, and she used to to protect… Ellie.” Joel said her name outloud now. “You don’t have to tell her about me just… I want her to have something, please?”

Tommy stared at Joel for several moments. He hated Joel… but he’d always live him. Joel raised him most of his life, and they raised Sarah together. Joel was his brother, always, and the reason his now-daughter existed. “I’ll tell her about Sarah. I’ll… She’ll know she has a sister.” A fresh tear escaped, Tommy wiped it with the sleeve of the arm holding the knife as he sniffled at the mention of his precious niece he loved so much. “I dunno how I’m gonna explain the rest, but she’ll know she had a sister.” A deep breath. “And she’ll have her knife, so no matter what… you both with be protecting her, okay?”

Joel nodded.

“But you can’t go after the others. Zach, Lorenzo, Jack, Maura, got it? They are gonna suffer enough. With this news, just… leave them be.”

Joel agreed, then explained his horse is out front, a quick ride back to Jackson. Joel would walk back on his wounded leg. “Thank you, Tommy. I love you. I’m always gonna love you, even if you hate me.”

Turning on a heel, Tommy walked away, carrying little Ellie, taking off his scarf to wrap around her in the cool weather. It wasn’t anything too cold, the sun was out and shining at least, and no wind. Tommy was dead set and determined to walk away, to never speak to his brother again… but he stopped. He didn’t look back, but he spoke, quiet but just loud enough for Joel to hear. “I love you too, hermano.”

With that, Joel watched the only two things left in this life that he loved, walk away.

***********

Joel at the end, what Tommy see’s as Joel exits the room after murdering little one

Art my @melodymakesart

Continue the story 16 years latter with Ghost of You, Ellie’s journey in finding out the truth

Wow. WOW. I cannot thank you guys all enough for how much support i've gotten on this series. Biggest thank you's to the-fox-den, dinsbaby, foggymoonbanana, primos world, Fen, my dear maura, miraclesabound, not a unique snowflake blog and koshkaj for always leaving such nice comments! (everyones comments are appriacted and loved i just see these guys do it every single chapter without fail.)

also thanks to everyone who reached out about the bomb threat. we are all doing much better now.

I love you al so much and cannot ever express how much the reaction to this series has touched me.

That's right, the baby is Ellie.

I do want to say, that in this series, since reader isn't Anna, this means Ellie can look like anything, no matter the race. It just matters she's ellie and she's immune. Little one isn't a great reader, she's largely oc but i wanted to keep things as inclusive as i could instead of an OC

and i did say major character death ;-; good bye little one. You deserved better.

THOUGHTS?!?!?! shout out to spadesjade on ao3 who correctly guess that little one dies and tommy and maria raise the baby!

Remember, there's still the alt ending! This one will be a bittersweet, happier ish ending.

As always, if you hate both endings, my fics are open for you to write your own version of the end or use this universe in anyway. And if you'd like, i'll add it to the masterlist for additional reading!!!

In the mean time, come read Dirty Little Secret, my dark!joel one shot

LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

Remember, reblogs spread the work, comments motivate!!!!

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#dark!joel #the wrong way series #the last of us hbo #dark joel miller #joel miller #joel miller smut #non con #dub con #the wrong way fic #joel miller fic #Tommy miller #dddne #joel miller reader #joel miller fem reader #fem reader #fem!reader #tommy miller reader #tommy miller fem!reader #tommy miller fem reader #tommy miller smut #Spotify

[sammy-jo1977]

Loki and his magic debut

Tagging this as smut only because of the suggestiveness of parts. It's a lot of fluff. And comedy. Bits of seriousness. Don't ask where I got the idea. Brief mention of panic attacks and abuse. Consider this a reader insert without the y\n bits.

Tony gets a crazy idea. And poor Loki has to go along with the idea. along with a certain tech.

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

"Wait a minute! Why do I have to go?!" She exclaimed. shocked and honestly nervous they were serious.

"It's an idea for sure. Why not kid you're going." Tony mused as if he didn't hear her.

Nat sighed and turned to her to explain. "Look, it's not that we want to send you. But the syndicate doesn't know you. Us they would all recognize in an instant."

"Yeah, that's because y'all are the good guys. I'm just an IT girl. I'm good with computers and filing and..and.." she trailed off as her hands shook. The files in her arms falling from her grasp.

Wanda bent to help her pick the papers up. " You'll be fine dear. Honest. And besides. You won't be alone surely." She shot Tony a glare at her last words.

"no! Of course she won't be alone...um.. n.. eh.." He seemed to be thinking as his eyes traveled around the conference room table.

"Reindeer games. Sure. He'd love to go."

All at once it seemed the room exploded all at once. Mostly in disagreement and disbelief.

She stood there clutching the files in her hands. Eyes losing focus. Breathe in short shallow gasps.

"Stark. You've lost your mind."

"I really don't think that's wise to allow my brother loose with ms .."

"No way! The kid can't take Loki as backup!"

"Absolutely not."

"You're crazier than I thought.'

"Over my dead.."

"Quiet!"

Everyone stopped. Bruce Banner pushed off the wall and took the few short steps he needed to get to her.

"Stop a minute kid. Breath. It's gonna be alright."

He said low to her over again until the young woman calmed down. Her mild panic attack on hold for the moment.

No one spoke until he looked back over the group and nodded to Stark.

"Do I have any say in the matter?" Loki asked irritation laced in the smooth timber of his voice. He stood across the room from her. His eyes had yet to even fall her way.

'see. He doesn't even know I exist. Please don't make me do this guys.' she pleaded silently.

"Mmm. No. You're going. But not as her backup. She's going as your babysitter."

Confusion was evident around the room.

"Guys come on. The club is called The Lion's Den. It's a male strip club. "

Loki seemed to choke on his own breath while a few of the Avengers snickered and some down right laughed aloud.

Even she chuckled a little.

His eyes shifted to her. They took in her form.

She fidgeted under his gaze.

Standing at 5'5 in her work boots. A solid two inches shorter without them. Her calves were wider than she liked. But they filled her knee high boots nicely. Dark jeans covered her thighs. There was no gap. They were thicker than she wanted. And yes she has a friction problem in the summer. The swell of her hips was wide set. Great birthing hips is what her great grandmother called them. She sucked in her stomach a little more. Tucked tightly in her high waisted jeans she still felt the need to. The blouse she wore was tucked in and showed off her collar bone and cleavage.

While he starred she tried to hide her face behind the files in her hand.

She stammered and backed away until she backed into the glass door.

A look crossed his features. One she interpreted as possible disgust. Maybe at being stuck with her?

"Guys please. I can't do this. Why can't Nat go super undercover or something? "

"Stark doesn't force the woman to go against her will. I need no handler."

"Oh yes you do Reindeer games. One you aren't going alone. Two. I'm not forcing anyone. Nat help me out here. "

The Russian just rolled her eyes and stood from the table. With Wanda and Pepper meeting her at the door where the young woman shook they escorted her from the room.

"Listen sweetie. Loki really is contained now. He's not able to wield any dangerous magics. He can't hurt you or anyone else. "

Wanda chimed in first.

"Plus if he tries he knows he's dead." Nat smirked.

"Honestly. You two." Pepper swatted at both of the women with a smile.

Then she turned to the young woman. "What's really scaring you hun? Is it Loki or is it leaving the tower?"

She blinked at her a couple of times before clearing her throat. "Mrs. Potts. To tell you the truth. Both. Yep. Definitely both."

All three sighed.

"Why me?"

Her question made them look up at her.

"Why me personally? He could pick anyone from the IT pit. But why me?"

Pepper shrugged. " You were the first one to walk in the room dear. And you're not exactly invisible."

Wanda linked arms with her and smiled when she looked her way. "You are beautiful dear."

She smiled but it seemed bitter.

"I know that. Sure I know that. But.. ugh. Okay fine. I'll do it. But I know I'll regret it. "

She had thrown up both her hands from her lap as she spoke.

Both Natalie and Wanda each took a hand and pulled her to her feet as Pepper stood.

"Great!"

"Now one problem." She pulled them both to a stop. "I have jack to wear."

Three looked between themselves then back to her. "We have you covered." Wanda smiled.

They both stood before Tony as he paced without looking at them. Nat stood off to the side.

"You will be undercover." Tony pointed to Loki.

"You are the backup." He pointed to her.

"I will not repeat myself." He turned back to Loki.

Nat stepped forward and picked up two boxes from the table. One was long and was wide while the other was smaller.

"You each get a box. " Nat said with a smirk. The larger box was delivered to the woman while Loki much to his dismay was given the smaller one.

"What is this?" He asked in disgust when Loki opened the box. The contents was a silken pair of shorts. VERY short shorts in a golden color.

"Consider it a uniform." Tony smiled.

The woman started to open hers. Nat stopped her with a shake.

"What I can't see?" She asked nervously.

"You're coming with me. " Was the response she got.

"Wait just a moment!" Loki started to exclaim.

The look he got from both Natalie and Tony was almost enough to quiet him.

"This" he hissed. " It's supposed to be my uniform?"

"Male strip club remember Reindeer Games."

The green silk dress clung to her every curve. She tugged up at the small strap. Hoping to conceal some more of her breast. Her cleavage was on full display. Very little was left to the imagination. The gold necklace she wore to 'compliment' the dress was in fact a listening device. The emerald wrapped stone that rested in the dip of her throat.

The small ear mic rested in her ear concealed expertly.

She was picking at her newly manicured nails when Loki entered the car.

He chuckled lowly to himself.

"Make you nervous do I?"

"What?!"

"The poor kitten left alone with the big bad wolf?" He mused.

She looked at him finally. The black leather pants clung to his legs. The black button up was open to a point his chest was bare. But the dark jacket hung from his frame in a way that made her mouth water.

He noted all of her reactions to him of course.

"Oh? Not so nervous now are we kitten?"

"St..stop call…calling me that." She struggled with her words. Trying for a menacing glare before looking away.

Suddenly she felt his warm breath against the shell of her ear.

"Oh but you want me to keep going and more don't you my dear." His voice was low and practically a growl.

She shivers and pulls herself away using the door. "n..stop it."

In her nervous state she brought her hand up to start biting her nails.

"Now now pet. There are much better things I could imagine you could be doing with that mouth of yours than that."

She shot him a glare successfully.

He only smirked at her.

The heat flaming her cheeks only intensified.

The car ride was torturous, but nothing was compared to what happened when they stopped at their destination.

"Remember. You don't know one another. He'll come to you. Let him. Act interested."

The reminder was reiterated through the ear mic to both of them. Tony's voice held a firm tone. "Don't screw this up. You need to blend in, kid."

She sighed to herself.

"Remind me again what info I need to be gathering here if I'm supposed to be paying attention to him." She hissed.

Loki smirked. Her discomfort was all the more amusing to him. Though he had to admit. She was bewitching in the silk gown they had her wearing. It was thin and clung to her in all the right places. Given the opportunity, he'd easily bed her.

"You're just gathering Intel on who's all there. Associates and such. Who's closest to the target. Surveillance only." Nat buzzed in her ear. Tone firm and left no room to argue. Not that she would. Anything more and she'd probably puke.

"Is the mission All strictly 'look but don't touch' I have to wonder." Loki mused.

"What?"she hissed.

"Kid you blend in with the other sex crazies. When he comes to you. You know what to do." Clint chuckled in through the mic.

A wicked smile played at Loki's lips while she only groaned in embarrassment and defeat.

"I can do this. I can do this." Her muttered mantra kept her from turning away as one of Tony's men walked with her to the door of the club. The front was tasteful. Nothing like a seedy nightclub. ,'The Lion's Den' was scrawled in golden letters under the darkened window. Lights could be seen inside but muted. The man excused himself just outside the door as there was an elegantly printed sign stating 'No Men Allowed Past This Point'.

When she moved to push the door open, it swung in on its own it seemed.

There was a larger built young man just inside who had pulled the door open from inside she found out as she stepped inside.

Her eyes adjusted to the almost candle light brightness of the entrance to find a young woman standing at a podium.

"Hello." She smiled brightly. " Have you been with us before my dear?" She asked just as bright.

" No." She was told to admit.

" Oh wonderful. The boys do enjoy new blood." The hostess giggled.

She chuckled with the woman dryly.

"This way. I'll show you where you can go."

She followed the hostess through the large curtains that hang heavy behind the podium.

The first thing she noticed was the mahogany stage. It filled half the room. Round and staggered with steps. And beautifully built.

Tables and chairs surrounded it. The small tables were glass and lit from beneath. Giving the room a glow that was quite beautiful. The chairs were leather and looked quite nice as well.

The bar is where she was led to as the hostess excused herself.

"Sea breeze please. Strong." She said when the bartender looked her way.

She was then led to a table to the right of the stage. She noticed them, the tables were on a staggered floor. The floor was concave. With the stage at the lowest point.

The lights suddenly dimmed. A spotlight shone onto the stage. And a statuesque woman in all white stepped up onto the stage.

"Ladies. If I may have your attention please."

She had to admit. The show of each man was quite hot. She was grateful for the air conditioned room. The sea breeze in her hand helped relax her nervous mind.

"Stay on your toes kid." Tony quipped.

"I'm fine. Hard as it may be to believe. I can hold my liquor." She piped back.

Her eyes scanned the room.

The target was across from her and closer to the stage then she was. Many of the men from the show had paid special attention to her and the women she surrounded herself with.

All of this was relayed to the team of course.

The lights dimmed again just a little before the spotlight shone. The MC stepped out again. This time standing next to her table.

"Ladies. Seems we have some 'fresh blood' tonight in more ways than one."

Screams and hollers echoed around her.

"What are you doing?!" She hissed.

The older woman bent down and whispered.

"A favor for a friend." "Now! All of you wonder beautiful lovelies out here please! Let's show our love for the new blood Tonight! The only and only! God of Mischief!"

The room was plunged into darkness.

She was cautious. Knowing if she let her guard down he'd spring up and catch her. Embarrass her or worse.

The opening chords of a song started to play.

(The Spencer Lee Band The Wolf)

She remained cautious .

When the light came back on she saw him.

Transfixed she didn't notice the two young men that flanked her as he moved across the stage. A brief note of jealousness hit her when he moved to the target's table. Much like the other men of the club. He must've been told she was to be treated special.

But it was when the men at her flanks each grabbed the arms of her chair and spun her that she squeaked.

The chair stopped facing the now approaching Loki. One of the men bent down and chuckled.

"We were told you were new meat Love. No worries. We love new meat."

She whimpered just as the music stopped.

Loki paused in his approach.

Another song starting up.

(Careful Lucky Daye)

The light now shone on the four of them.

There was a choreographed altercation between the three men. But Loki being the victor.

"What the hell is this Loki?!" She hissed quietly once he got close enough.

His smile was that of a predator. "Just play along."

Moves like that of a serpent, circled her. She shivered as his fingers fell across her nape.

He dropped to his knees in front of her and her knees fell apart as he moved between them.

He flowed up her body. His own inches form hers as he moved to the music.

"What are you doin?" She whispered.

His eyes bore into hers as he answered. "Playing with a new pet. A sweet little kitten."

Like water he moved and flowed against her. Scalding her. " Who is so innocent and scared?"

He threw her feet over his shoulder at one point and his hips gyrated in front of her. Her face flamed brilliantly and she covered her face with both hands making Loki smirk.

His touch left her flaming with desire of embarrassment she couldn't tell.

"I'm not scared." She muttered through her hands.

His next move brought him above her. He very gently took both hands from her face and kissed each one just barely. "Really now?" He asked.

She watched his face as he straddled her and dropped almost into her lap. Bringing his lips so very close to her own. "Are you sure?"

His hands reached back with each of hers in grasp and placed both of hers on each cheek of his ass as he moved above her. His hips grinding to the rhythm.

She could at one point hear him briefing the others through her.

She tried to put in any input and failed miserably.

When he was done he was on his feet at the end of it all. Sweat covered his brow and his breathing was ragged.

She couldn't help but imagine it as if he and she had actually done something they shouldn't have.

She flamed at the thought.

"Alright. First chance y'all get outta there. Good work " she heard Tony clip.

First chance she got she was on her feet. Wobbly on her heels she sat back down.

Maybe the sea breezes caught up to her. No way. It was his fault.

When she finally made it outside to the car Loki was there waiting for her.

His lithe body perched casually back against the door of the car.

" Took you long enough."

" I was being watched." She lied.

Once in the car it fell silent only for a moment.

The phone rang and the driver put it on speaker.

"Gotta say. Good work you two. I'm pleasantly surprised. Go home kid. Get some rest. Loki. You know where you're supposed to be. Well brief in the morning."

"Tony? Can I just stay at the tower tonight? My roommate has probably locked me out by now and I don't wanna argue with her this late."

Tony pretending to muse this over made her nervous for a moment.

" Of course kid. I'll have a place for ya when you get here. Just ask up front for the keys. " She expressed her thank you and both said their agreements and goodbyes to Tony before he disconnected.

"Can't stand to be away from me can you then?"

Loki asked.

"What! No!"

She felt his arm slide behind her headrest and him lean into her side. "I must say kitten. I wouldn't be surprised if you did."

She leaned away from his whisper but didn't move to push him away. His body cool against her arm.

"Sound very sure of yourself." She muttered.

He smiled. " I'm just very good with a few extra senses. You want me. In ways you don't understand."

She huffed and crossed her arms.

Loki's eyes drifted down her front to eye the line in the center that disappeared beneath the soft fabric of her dress.

" I never did tell you how enchanting you look, did I?" Loki mused. It was more of a statement.

"It's fine Loki.." she sighed. Staring out the window. Trying to ignite his arm around her shoulder. Or his chest pressed against arm.

The car finally arrived back at the tower. Once exiting the car, she was escorted to a room and Loki taken to his own.

"You know where to find me. Should you get lonely." He chuckled as he watched her face flamed in embarrassment.

She lay in bed. Tossing and turning. The blanket too hot to keep on. The sheet too confining. Staring at the ceiling she thought about what he said. And his movements back at the club.

He had stared at her like she was the only woman in the room.

A new pet he has called her. Had said she wanted him in ways even she didn't understand. What did he mean?

Honestly she wasn't born dumb. She knew what he meant. But she wanted to know what it meant to him. She was by no means a homely girl. But no drop dead looker either. So why her.

Her body felt too warm. Skin felt too tight. Her breathing came out in small huffs.

'Ugh damnit' she mentally cursed before throwing herself to her feet.

Heading to the general kitchen area she padded barefoot from her room.

Standing in front of the fridge is where he found her. He couldn't sleep. Opting for a late night drink, Loki left his room.

He watched her for some time. Her rear was barely contained by the boyshorts and sleep shorts she wore. The tank top she wore was threadbare and slipping from her shoulder as she leaned into the coolness of the fridge.

She removed a container of banana pudding and closed the fridge before turning away from him.

"I'd steer clear of that." He chuckled as she jumped nearly a third a foot in the air.

"Why?" She hissed when she spotted it was him.

"Well the owner might not be too keen on you pilfering it in the midnight hours." He answered. Moving towards her, he stopped across the island away from her and leaned down on the counter .

She had pulled a spoon from the drawer and tucked it between her lips and turned to face him before answering.

"Not worried. I made it for him anyway. I'll just make more. Bucky won't mind."

His eyes flashed a moment in fear and he balked.

But Loki, quick to recover, cleared his throat and sighed."You seem certain of that fact."

Giggling she answered him. "I am. Besides, I won't eat it all. "

Loki rolled his eyes. Though his eyes drifted down her body as she turned and reached for a bowl from the cabinet.

"Want some?"

"Hmm?"

She held up a bowl.

"Oh no." He shook his head and waved a hand.

With a shrug she dishes out a portion of pudding and puts the rest away.

They sat in a comfortable but quiet silence for a moment. Loki with his drink. And her with her pudding.

Days passed.( Tony sent them back out to the club for more surveillance.)

Night had come again. This time she rode alone. Loki already having been at the club for his own mission. Tony had sent a man with him to keep an eye on him till she arrived. And for some back up since she could not go behind the stage.

The vest she wore fit well across her chest. The classic pants and vest combo look played well with her curved form. The jacket lay on the seat beside her. Her hair and makeup done.

She was nervous still. But not as bad as when Loki had been in the car with her.

Arriving at the club she took a deep breath and strode towards the door alone this time.

Smiling at the young girl behind the podium.

"Hello again." The young blonde greeted her warmly.

" Just couldn't stay away." She smiled back in greeting.

Once seated she ordered a drink and waited.

Her nervousness showed outwardly, possibly as eagerness like the other women who filled the club.

" I don't see her this time. She's not here."

"Don't worry. She'll show. And if not it's fine. There are others to remember. Watch for them too."

She remembered the briefing with the team. The whole syndicate they were looking to bring down. 90% of them were women. And most of them frequently attended this club.

The MC took the stage without her usual spotlight. "Ladies, if I may have your attention please."

The show was starting.

She ordered another drink. Wondering what song Loki had picked tonight. And if she'd be harassed and embarrassed again tonight.

Each man seemed to pick out a woman among the crowd. Grinding and thrusting. Mimicking acts.

She fanned herself with a napkin during one act that was exceptional.

And then, it was His turn. She knew just by the lighting behind him.

(Jailbreak Awolnation)

His body seemed to flow with the rhythm like water. His hands drifted over areas of his body. She found herself transfixed. Almost hypnotized.

To the point that when he stood before her she allowed him to manipulate her. Only for a second.

"Loki, wait." She whispered.

"Shh. Kitten. I've got you now. No escape." He smirked.

Her leg was thrown over his shoulder and lifted as he stood. Almost like he was using it as leverage he pumped against her. But then he dropped before her and throwing her other leg over him he lifted both her and the chair.

Gasps and cheers uproared through the room.

As he dropped the chair and someone righted it as he carried her to the stage.

"Loki put me down." She hissed.

When he did she was surprised to find him over her. " Careful what you wish for darling."

Suddenly she was spun and lifted against him. He held her like a lover.

He left her hot and chilled at the same time.

Breathless by the end of the song, he escorted her to her seat. Not without another show.

She wasn't sure what his game was. To embarrass her? To blend in? But his hand went into her hair and his nose traced her throat as he pulled her hair back. At the same time his hand barely traced up her body as he stood over her.

Then he stepped off her and left with a wink.

She ordered water and ice.

When she left the club he was waiting in the car for her.

"What in Chuck's name was that?!" She squealed when she had the door closed. Wanting as much distance between them she pressed herself against the door.

He watched her with a smirk.

"Had to put on a show didn't I?"

"For who? The target wasn't there!" She exclaimed.

"No." Loki mused. " But her associates were. And besides. It's not like I singled you out."

"But you did!" She yelled.

Her voice thankfully didn't carry past the confines for the car.

But Loki was losing his patience with her outburst.

"Raise your voice to me again, kitten and.." he paused. Head tilted. He stilled.

She had flinched. Hard. Even now she ducked her head as if he were going to strike her.

Was he? He took evaluation of himself. His voice had taken a deadly tone for sure. Eyes had surely grown cold and sharp. But his hand wasn't raided as if to strike.

The car stopped in front of the bunker and Loki got out of the car without a word.

Leaving her there ducked in the corner. Her hands held up over her head in surrender and protection.

He thought about that more than he would have liked.

She was…. Growing in him. He was growing to like this woman and he didn't want this. Didn't care to see where things could lead. He didn't want this.

The next night at the club he found another woman to dance for. Some random stranger the other men had picked for him. A pretty blonde thing that had a sash on claiming it was her birthday. The girl had gone wild as predicted.

But her? She'd spent the night nursing her drinks. Playing her part but not really.

Back at the tower.

Loki found her again in the fridge. The light illuminated through her thin top showing her dark silhouette.

He said nothing to her as he fixed his drink from the wet bar.

She huffed a sigh but said nothing either as she fixed a bowl of cereal.

He felt her eyes on him briefly at least twice.

"What kitten?" He finally asked. Tired of the beating around the bush acting she was pulling.

She sighed heavily, putting her spoon down. "It's nothing." She muttered.

"I beg to differ." He groaned. Almost seething.

For some reason this woman had gotten under his skin. And it bothered him.

"Look.. Really it's nothing." She muttered again. "Just drop it."

Loki starred her down. He moved to the table and sat across from her. Crossed arms and a calculating stare.

"What?" She groused.

"Who was it?" He asked calmly.

She refused to answer. Just finished eating. Again he asked. She kept quiet and stood to go out of her bowl.

The third time he demanded to know.

"No one!" She finally yelled.

His eyes narrowed.

She stood by the sink. Her eyes were hooded and wet. "It was an ex, okay. He got mean when he drank." She finally admitted.

Loki sat there quiet and thinking.

"I'm.." he started.

"Don't" she stopped him.

They remained quiet between them for a moment.

"Goodnight Loki." She muttered and left him to think at the table.

Days passed again at the club.

Loki sighed. He stood in the corner of the back room with the other men of The Lions Den.

"Hey what's up man?"

One of the younger men asked him.

He simply took a sip of his drink and sighed. "Nothing."

The kid shrugged. "Alright if you wanna talk though."

"You're familiar with having a woman as a friend?" Loki asked suddenly.

The kids chuckled. "Loaded question."

"Whatever. What do you do when she's pissed at you?" Loki asked, irritated at the implications.

"Flowers."

"Sex and chocolate."

"Leave her alone."

"No, that is stupid TRI and communicate with her."

Several answers from the others chimed in all at once.

Kassandra came to the door and knocked on the frame.

"Alright boys. All our favorite regulars are here. Including the big spenders. So play it nice and dirty. Oh and Mischief."

Loki looked up.

"Your favorite is here too. The young one. Like the sea breezes. She's looking a little down tonight. Maybe find a way to cheer her up."

He nodded to the older woman before she disappeared.

He saw her at the table. Her silk top was sheer and draped across her front. The black pants shimmered under the lights. Her drink in hand. He strode slowly to the beat over to her.

(Permission ro James)

He timed it just right to where he bent and held out his hand to her. Asking.

Through his lashes, he watched her.

As he stood in front of her, she felt put on the spot, but she put her drink down and slipped her hand into his.

Lifting and spinning her till her back was to him Loki held her.

" I want to say something but I want only you to hear." He husked into her ear that was free of the ear mic.

She swallowed and whispered, "go ahead."

Swaying suggestively to the beat with his hand on her stomach he knocked her feet apart slightly.

"Not here. Hold on, kitten." He growled in a low breath.

Before she could respond she was knocked forward.

Bent at the waist he rocked behind her.

The crowd whooped and hollered.

Bringing her back against him. Loki smirked when she chuckled.

He sat her back down and moved to the rhythm causing the women to whoop again.

As the song ended he spun her chair to face away from the stage and dipped her low to the floor making her grab hold of him and laugh. "There. My mission is complete for the night."

She giggled when he sat her back up.

He stood and bright her hand up to his lips and gently kissed her knuckles.

" Until later "

Before he could fully walk away, the MC Kassandra came over to him in the darker room and whispered something to him. He eyed her for a moment then chuckled deeply.

She smiled and gave the young woman a wink before turning from them both and twirling her mic as she took the stage again to introduce a new act.

Loki bent low at the waist and held his hand out.

"Seems we have a benefactor intent on sailing this particular ship in her words. A private room has been set aside for our use. If you would care to, that is."

Her heart pounding heavy in her chest she chewed on her bottom lip. " Maybe?"

Loki slinked around the chair and table like a cat before sitting down across from her.

"Make no assumptions, my dear. I don't play games and there are no maybe when it comes to me. It's yes or no. You say yes and I'll show you things you've never even dreamed of. No and I'll respect that and we'll go our separate ways. What'll it be?"

His eyes never left hers. Hard and light with a flame that burnt her to her very core.

She knew she should say no. He was nothing but trouble.

But something was drawing her to him. Something she couldn't explain.

"Lead the way." Her own voice surprised her. Low and slightly husked. Nothing like the squeaky mouse she usually portrayed.

The room was darkened and small. But not overly so. The couch at the far end was soft and cushioned. The table held a bucket of ice and a bottle of wine. Two glasses sat empty next to it. The door was blocked by a heavy curtain much like the front of the club. Once inside, kitten moved quickly to pour herself a glass of wine. Dowing in in one gulp she sighed. Loki chuckled darkly.

"You seem nervous pet.,"

"Ha.. yeah a little."

He stalked slowly around the table towards her.

When he got close she looked up at him through her lashes.

The glass was still in her hand. He easily skipped it from her grasp and set it down. His fingers trailed lightly back up her arm.

"There really is no need."

"No?"

He shook his head slowly as he backed her towards the couch step by step.

When the back of her knees touched the couch she muttered something but he didn't catch it as she fell the short distance. Now sitting, Loki towered over her.

He crept closer like a tiger on his prey.

Her fingers dug into the soft cushion of the couch as he carded his fingers through her hair and gently brushed his lips against hers.

Not a full kiss. But the breath of one. Just the faintest touch.

She groaned. Wanting more.

In the next instant he had her. Hair pulled just enough to feel good, head tilted back and his lips on hers. The kiss was unlike any other she had experienced. Then again he was a god. The god of mischief had his tongue dancing with hers this very moment. She flamed at the thought.

His hands moved through her hair and to her shoulders. Down to her body. "Last chance." He muttered against her.

She pulled him in to kiss him again. Her tongue swirls around his in an attempt to show him she was okay with this.

He should feel her trying to sit further up on the couch. To reach him better. Getting the idea Loki pulled back and actually stepped aways.

Letting her catch her breath Loki poured himself a drink and watched her over the glass as he drank.

"Had enough?" She huffed.

He chuckled. Amused that she was getting bold now.

Walking back towards her Loki smirked.

To his surprise she stood from the couch and took hold of his collar. She pulled him down for a kiss as she turned him and backed them up until he was sitting in her place.

He felt her straddle him and then she pulled back. Now almost taken aback by her own boldness.

His hands moved to her back and she leaned in to capture her lips again.

They stayed like that for a moment more. Exploring. Tasting.

Her body pressed against his. Soft curves giving way to hard plains. And then she felt him. Pressed against her core. When she brushed down against him she could feel his grip on her tighten.

When she did this intentionally a couple of times he nipped at her lip.

"Do that again and you will pay the price pet."

She sat back in his lap and licked at her lip where he got her. Her eyes hooded.

It took everything in his power not to spread her before him on the table and take her for himself. And he could. She would let him, he knew. But he waited.

She seemed to be thinking. Deep in her own thoughts until Loki shifted under her weight.

"Shit! I'm sorry." She immediately apologized and started to move off.

Loki pulled her back up against his chest and held her there.

"Why are you sorry?"

She fussed with the collar of his shirt and chewed on her lip. Shrugging.

"I dunno… my weight it um.. doesn't bother you?"

His look of disbelief and annoyance made her stop.

"Who.. never mind. No and don't ever think of that pet.

The look sure gave Loki was confused.

"Do you trust me?"

She gave him an odd look.

He returned her look with one of his own. "Well if not." As he spoke he started to move her off of his lap.

"Wait wait. I do. I do trust you." She grabbed a hold of his biceps to keep her center and laughed a little as she answered.

He let his body relax back into the couch with her in his lap. His hands rested gently on her thighs.

"Well.. I trust you. Should I not?" She asked.

He chuckled. Forgoing his usual answer. " It's nothing. I ask that for this reason."

He leaned up and kissed her gently.

Just a slow and easy kiss that left her saying simply "oh."

"Actually." He husked. His need for her grew the more he restrained himself.

"You want more than that?" She whispered.

He nodded slowly.

"Show me. All of it. Show me what you really want from me Loki. " She grew bold as she spoke. Her voice shook. Her hands shook as well .

He growled. She was shaking. He actually growled as he pulled her body closer to him. Molding her to him.

His hands moved from her legs to her hips. Pulling her closer.

Suddenly he stood. Holding her to his body.

Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively. Ankles hooked to keep her there.

Suddenly she felt the presence of the car behind her. Breaking from the hungry kiss, she gasped.

"What the.." she questioned.

"Taking you, in that place. Didn't seem right. I had a better idea. In fact I still have a better one. "

He smirked.

A short sizzle of magic trailed through the air as they disappeared.

This time they appeared in a darkened room.

Only then did she notice the difference in herself.

He set her on her feet and turned a light on.

The silk and sheer nightie she now had on surprised her. "Um excuse me?"

She toyed with the long edge of the gold ribbon tied at the front.

Emerald in color with gold accents. She smiled.

"Thought you'd want something more comfortable." He responded with a wink.

"I thought you couldn't use magic?" She questioned.

All Loki did was shrug with a knowing smile.

She hummed in agreement.

He approached her now. His eyes were dark.

A smile still played upon his lips. "Tell me kitten. Is this still what you want?"

When he got close enough she reached out for him. Her fingers fisting in his shirt collar. Lips and tongues collided.

His hands found purchase at her bare hips.

All at once she was overwhelmed. Loki. The silk sheets under her. The nightie still tied and bunched up at her waist.

Skin on skin. Fire and ice. She found it strange only for a moment. He was at first cool to the touch. But warmed with contact. Her skin was hot and too tight.

He sent her mind reeling at the places he could reach with his touch. His long fingers coaxed her insides in ways she never dreamed.

His mouth never left her skin.

She moaned aloud. No fear of being heard.

Her second release on his fingers alone was enough to shatter his tentative self control.

Sheathing himself in one swift motion. Causing them both to gasp and moan.

"Still so tight kitten." He moaned in her ear.

Making her chuckle. The act itself caused her to moan again. Her eyes crickled shut at the corners.

He hovered on top of her. She felt him lick his bottom lip and huff in her ear.

"Are you alright if I.." the question he started was left unfinished as she moved her leg to open herself up more for him.

Loki felt his cock sink further into her heat.

The motion followed by her kissing lightly at his throat before nipping just a little. "If you don't start movin."

His quick thrust stopped her words.

Hands grasped at sheets and each other.

The night was spent full of heavy breaths and panting. Magic sizzling in the air and chuckles from both.

Late that night.

The two stood in the kitchen.

A large mixing bowl was on the table and various ingredients for banana pudding were spread across the surface.

"Loki stop.."she giggled. His hands caressed the expanse of her exposed thigh.

"I can't seem to help myself." He mumbled in her ear. As he wrapped his arms around her.

The light suddenly flicked on.

"Oh gross you two. We eat in here, come on."

Tony's voice followed the blinding light.

"Tony stop. We aren't doing anything." She groused at him.

Tony didn't seem to look up from his phone. He simply shook his head disapprovingly.

"Just keep the games outta the common areas kids. I mean it."

The lights went back out and the two were left alone again.

"That was.."

"Awkward."

Both chuckled in exasperation. Loki went back to his exploration. While she went back to her mixing.

"Oh my.. Loki. Stahp." Her voice trailed off with a chuckle.

"Hey.. incoming.. stop whatever weird stuff is going on." Another voice interrupted the dark.

"Ohmygawd. Shit.. okay. Um hi."

The couple in the kitchen quickly stepped apart like they had when Tony had interrupted.

This time the light came on and revealed Bucky.

He stopped mid step when he saw the two.

He seemed to be stuck in thought.

Eyes shifting between the two and the bowl on the counter.

Bucky pointed to the bowl. "That mine?"

She nodded with a small smile.

"Yes. Soon as it's done. Fresh batch."

Then he pointed between the two of them. "This. New?"

She nodded again.

"Right.. huh."

He thought for a moment.

Bucky moved to the fridge and pulled out the current batch and went to leave.

"Oh. Hey."

They both looked up.

"She hurts, so do you."

"Right." Loki answered just as the soldier left them alone.

Days passed.

"So. Here's what we got from the mission. You two did good."

Tony paced the room as he spoke.

"Also. To avoid any more surprises.. Those two are together. And go."

"What?!"

"Knew it"

"Aw!"

The woman in the room seemed to speak at once, same as Clint.

"Together?! And you're allowing this?" Clint burst.

"Excuse me. Allowing?" She piped up.

" They are grown Barton. I'm not anyone's parent." Tony snarked in answer to his outburst.

Bruce remained quiet as the room exploded.

As the two men continued, Wanda bent over the table and "psst" to Loki.

" Don't break her heart please. I'd hate to have to get my hands dirty."

" I don't mind it." Nat bent over as well.

"Right." He sighed in answer.

With a small flourish he held his hand out to the young woman beside him.

The departure of the two went unnoticed by the two men arguing.

Later that day she found herself alone briefly.

"Are you sure about this?"

She was startled at the question.

"Him? Why him?"

"Sorry?" She seemed surprised.

He seemed angered all the more asking each question.

"I didn't think I needed to explain my personal choices. Or defend them against anyone." She put her book down and looked the older man in the eye.

"I'm not saying that kid. Just be careful. Loki is.."

" I know Who Loki is. And was. But that is not who he is now." Her eyes narrowed and she kept her voice calm but firm.

"Kid. I just.." He spoke again.

"Mr Banner. I thank you for looking out for me. But please. I'm not a kid. I've not been a kid anymore for a while now. Y'all just see me like I am because I'm young. But I know what I'm doing with Loki. So please. Just stop." She stood from her chair and moved to walk past the scientist.

Loki himself stood in the hall. She met him with a kiss and they walked away arm in arm.

#sammy jo's stories #loki x reader #loki x reader smut #loki laufeyson #loki fluff #mcu loki

[fruit-salad-ship]

Oh oh does dragon Peach have the standard hoard of gold and gems or does she keep other things?

Peach goes to great lengths to prove dragons are not the way the books describe. She doesnt just randomly eat people, she's not fussed by fighting knights,not driven by rage or the need to destroy, she takes what she needs food wise and hunts in areas where theres a lot of one thing like deer or boar. A creature of balance, not nearly as menacing as people assume. When plum asks about kidnapping princesses, Peach responds that not all dragons do that either, and often its because they adorn these humans with such shiny trinkets dragons are drawn to them. So plum prods a bit. 'so...you do like to hoard gems and gold then?' Peach eyes her for a moment, looks away. 'No. Not all of us do that.' Later, irked that this supposed monster is so well behaved and functional, not at all like the stories, she noticed Peach slip away from the house, and decides maybe it'd shed some light on a more dragon-y habit. She sneaks behind and sees Peach now in her more comfortable full dragon form cautiously exit the swamp, finding a close by fallen tree, old and large, tucking up wings tight, almost crawling and slipping underneath it, entering a hollow beneath. Plum has to follow, has to know what she's doing. For her the entrance is easy enough to manouver, dropping into a cave, clearly dug out over time. The tunnel is small but leads along a dark path, she has a hand on the wall, stumbling her way down to follow a warm light ahead, where theres suddenly quite the change in scenery.

The cave opens out into a glimmering, glistening gold laden den, all surfaces dripping with anything that shines. Sconces and a large ornate light fitting have been lit, dragon fire, it smells different to normal flames, and in the mountain, rolling around in the clinking shiny trinkets, her supposed 'not at all dragon-y' dragon companion. There is great joy in this behaviour, she's genuinly happy to be here, a little secret she thought she could keep. Peach stops moving, the sound of falling metals subsiding, sliding her huge body to the bottom of a pile with ease, suddenly hearing breathing, smelling human. She opens her eyes still upside down and comes face to face with plum, smug look on her face.

'Not all of you huh?' A quiet second ticks by, peach figuring out what to do, as a dragon, she cannot speak, choosing to simply huff.

She'd been caught out.

Y'all know she'd find the finest things for Plum to try on tho. Maybe it's one "princess" she'd be tempted to steal away in all that glittery finery.

#i considered giving her a different hoard but i like the idea that its the one traditional dragon trait she has #the rest are long gone #fruit salad #dragon au #brainrot

[doiefy]

fight or flight // kim doyoung // masterlist

[3 PARTS, COMPLETED MAY 20, 2022. FULL SERIES COMING SOON...]

In which compromised anonymity of the city's most notorious kingpin sucks you and your best contract killers into dangerous territory: crime syndicates in the dark underbelly of the city, black markets fueled by tyranny, illicit substances meant for those who are more animal than they are human. In which the only way to escape with your lives is to tear it all down from within.

genre: sci-fi, cyberpunk, biopunk, crime, contract killers, enemies to lovers, I've got a jar of crack, angst

pairing: kim doyoung x gn. reader, johnny seo x reader

total word count: 60.5k (I know, I know, don't scream, please bear with me, I'll go touch grass in a second)

warnings: heavy language, blood and slight gore, violence, minor character death, implied sex and sexual innuendos (like. a lot of them, i couldn't stop myself), alcohol, drugs and substance abuse

other notes: I know I've always framed this fic to be a joke, and for the most part it is a lot of crack and humorous content. but do be warned that there are still a lot of darker undertones and mature themes that get progressively heavier as the story progresses. I've marked disturbing scenes with asterisks (***) but from what I remember, there are only one or two. this type of narrative is a first for me, and I definitely have a lot of things I would do differently if I rewrote it; honestly might make a post just about that for myself and for future reference. please bear with me if there appear to be plot holes or things that don't make sense, and feel free to ask! I promise I have all this stuff thought out, some of it just couldn't make the cut because, well. hellish word count :) finally, thank you yoona for beta reading again, I'm sorry for dragging you through fic hell literally every single time I come up with an idea 💀 (ooh last thing, this took a lot of inspiration from league of legend's arcane and the region of zaun so. good show, y'all should give it a watch I don't care if you don't play the game)

taglist: @suhncity @ncityrave @nakamotohrs @revehosh @babyksworld @kjmsupremacist @neonun-au

I. DYNASTIES

In this gothic underground city, we all sin If I bring a couple rounds with me, then we all win I came back and brought the crown with me, the king's den Break your nexus and your neck, 'cause everybody's on your head dynasties and dystopia - Bren Joy, Denzel Curry, and Glenda Proby

playlist word count: 16k

READ HERE

II. DOWNFALLS

Throw your head back, make you feel alive The kind of bad that make you feel good God, the kinda wrong that make you feel right The little death that make you feel alive dirty little animals - Bones UK

playlist word count: 19k

READ HERE

III. DYSTOPIAS

You got my blood running Turn the heat to six hundred Wish I could knock your skull in But I'm rising above it snakes - PVRIS, MIYAVI

playlist word count: 25k

READ HERE

#neowritingsnet #nct-writers #nctcreations #nct #nct 127 #nct fanfic #nct angst #nct fluff #nct smut #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct drabbles #nct blurbs #nct timestamps #doyoung #kim doyoung #nct doyoung #doyoung fanfic #doyoung angst #doyoung fluff #doyoung smut #doyoung imagines #doyoung scenarios #doyoung drabbles #doyoung blurbs #doyoung timestamps

[heyhoeudoin]

CHILDHOOD SWEETHEARTS

"You finally found me."

pairing: monkey d. luffy x reader

words: 2k

genre/s: fluff, comfort?

warning/s: she/her (sorry), swearing?, manga spoilers; wano arc, takes place before timeskip; after sunny-go, then takes place during wano

synopsis: ever since luffy have been gifted a den den mushi, he's been in contact with someone he once lost

masterlist

a/n: sorry it's been a while. things have been hard, and writing under these circumstances are stressful. also school is starting soon, so things will be even busier. hopefully y'all will enjoy this one though!

one day when the crew was out gathering their needed things, luffy is left along on the ship to guard, and surprisingly, he agreed to do so. nami was reluctant in leaving him alone, but he reassured her by saying: "it's fine! i won't leave, i don't feel like it today."

others have noticed his unusual quiet demeanor today, and decided maybe it's best if he's got some alone time.

luffy sat on the head of sunny, just thinking about the past.

today was the day you disappeared from his life all those years ago. someone he grew up with, and learned to love with. then suddenly, you left, or rather disappeared. no trails or signs of you were left, as if you didn't exist in the first place.

getting reminded that you're gone makes him sad, because he longs for the day to meet you again.

because he loves you.

as he watched the moon rise, a crow landed in front of him.

strange.

a sudden feeling of familiarity washed over him as he stared at the crow in front of him.

opening up his palms, luffy slowly moved his hands towards the crow in which the crow hops onto his open hands. a soft smile appearing onto his face as he watched the crow snuggle upon his hands. "you're an interesting one, aren't ya?" he let out fits of giggles, but that's when it happened.

the crow opened it's beak then dark clouds started spewing out, swirling on the palm of luffy's hands.

he recognized these clouds.

"...y/n?"

he whispered out with a strained voice. after all, you're the user of the cloud-cloud fruit. however, instead of the person he longs to see, there lies a customized den den mushi. luffy hurriedly caught the the den den mushi as the crow flew onto his straw hat, and nestled there.

then it started ringing.

luffy picked it up with hopes to hear your voice.

"...luffy?"

you called out to him with a shaky voice. after all, it took you forever to even contact the outside world.

"y/n!" luffy exclaimed with tears running down his face, "i miss you! where—where are you? i'll come get you right now!" he shouted into the snail.

you also had tears streaming down your face as you held the den den mushi tighter. "luffy! i—" you hesitated, "i'm safe, you have nothing to worry about. you'll find me some day." then you changed the subject, "i heard about enies lobby! you're a full-fledge pirate now, huh?"

it worked because luffy started talking to you all about his new friends, and how much he appreciate and love them.

you can't let luffy get worried over you during his rise as a pirate. besides, he'll find you eventually.

hopefully.

"you should totally meet them, y/n!" luffy said all excitedly. you, however, thought differently.

"i can't." you said in a series tone, "you can't let anyone else talk to me, or know about me. i'll be your little secret, luffy, so promise me this."

luffy didn't get what you mean, but he wants to respect your wishes so he obliged. "okay, y/n!" that's when he heard his crew. in a panic, he almost dropped the den den mushi. "y/n," he whispered, "my nakama is here, so i have to go. i can call you again, right?"

"of course! call me whenever, and i'll pick up always."

and that's how it's always been.

on random ocasions, luffy runs into a room, and locks himself in there, not allowing anyone to come in. every time he does, he always leaves the room more cheery than usual.

the battle of wano has finished with luffy winning, and freeing wano from it's shackles. luffy, and zoro have finally woken up after two weeks.

yamato asked for the straw hat pirates to follow her, well whoever is present from the crew (luffy, zoro, nami, sanji, chopper, and brook). they lead the group to where the sacred cave is.

"yamabro," luffy whined, "where are we? are we there yet?" then asked.

they ignored him.

"i've been here the longest, and so far only i know about this place." yamato says as she opened a secret entrance within the cave. "remember those banners of a 'moon god'?" to which most nodded (luffy and zoro could care less).

during their time in wano, banners of a deity called 'moon princess', which is wano's god, are plastered around the country. of course robin took her time in learning about the said deity.

luffy looked confused.

"wano has two deities: 'okuchi no makami' and 'moon princess' or rather, 'moon god'. people from wano have the tendencies to pray to the moon to have a clear night, and a peaceful sleep." brook explained.

yamato nods, "yes, something like that. while i was held captive here, i accidentally ate the inu-inu fruit model: okuchi no makami." she points to the entrance, "then that's when i noticed this." the group then started making their way to the bottom of the new entrance. "apparently, she's been trapped here, and only—"

"then let's go save her!" then luffy sprinted down.

"wait— luffy!"

as the group reach the bottom, luffy is stood in front of a reinforced door with a hand on his straw hat. his crew noticed the serious look he's giving the door.

yamato placed a hand on top of luffy's shoulder, "there's only one way to open that door," they say looking at the hole in the middle of the door. "and i don't know what or where it is. i've searched this island a lot."

the shape of the keyhole...

that's when luffy felt movement on top of his head, so he took his hat off.

then a crow popped up.

"what are you a magician?!"

the crow then pecked luffy's hand that held his straw hat multiple times then flew over to where the keyhole is, and started squawking at it.

"hey luffy, he's telling you to put your hat in there." chopper pointed out.

...looks like a certain hat from the bottom side.

the captain said nothing, but walked over to the door and gently placed his hat into the shaped keyhole. the door started opening, and inside showed a small-sized room.

"this place looks like a bedroom." zoro commented to which sanji scoffs at. "more like a jail cell." then the two started fighting.

brook then noticed the thing in the middle, "yohohoho!~ that's a coffin." he pointed out, "i may be all bones, but i am very much alive!"

the crow flew over to the top of the coffin, and started pecking at it. luffy followed the crow, and looked over the coffin to see that the top is made out of glass...

"woah, those are black clouds, but they don't seem to look like thunder clouds." nami commented, looking over.

luffy's eyes widen as he recognized these clouds again.

yamato then ran over to luffy holding a customized den den mushi. "look luffy, it looks like you!" they said with a grin.

the coffin/capsule opened up as the dark clouds spew from it, and unto the floor.

his breath hitched.

a figure raised from the now open coffin. she stretched her body as she just woken up from a slumber. then she felt arms wrapping around her.

"y/n!"

a voice she could not believe that she's hearing right next to her, called out to her. quickly turning to the voice with tears brimming her eyes.

"luffy!"

the two are finally reunited.

luffy have not once left your side at all since finding you inside of that cave. an arm always swirled around you, so that he can always know where you are.

it's cute.

although before any celebrating or questioning happens, you asked to take a dip in the hot springs because you care about your hygiene, and want to relax a bit before anything.

but then luffy...

"luffy you have to let her take a bath!" nami scolded, "hygiene is very important to women." she added, but luffy shook his head. "no!" he whined, "i'm not leaving y/n! i'll take a bath with her!" he boldly announced which caught the attention of brook, and sanji.

"luffy!/-san!"

they both exclaimed with sanji running over, and trying to pull him off of you. "you can't just ask a lady to bathe with her! especially y/n-sama!" they turned to you expecting that you'd react bashfully to the point of hitting luffy, and calling him a pervert.

instead you shook your head as a chuckle slip pass your lips. "alright, let's go luffy." you smiled which shocked his crew. "it's alright everyone, luffy and i used to take baths together. besides, you really think luffy is capable of doing something to me?" you asked with a hand on your lip, and a knowing look.

they nodded along, realizing that their captain is indeed a dumbass.

luffy screamed in joy and ran towards the hot springs, "yahoo! a bath with y/n!" he says dragging you with him. "luffy! careful now!" you called as you let out a giggle.

sanji, and brook stared in envy. nami bonked the two on their heads upon seeing the look.

after taking a proper bath with luffy, the two of you walked out the same; an arm swirled around your waist with luffy clinging unto you like a koala, but the only thing different is that you walked out with multiple hickeys across your neck an entirely new outfit provided by yamato.

now comes the questioning.

you all sat together to have a banquet! and of course luffy is still next to you, but this time without an arm swirled around you since there's meat in front of him.

"so y/n," nami started, "how exactly did you get yourself in there?" she asked which you expected her to. "well, long story." you nervously chuckled, "apparently, the fruit i ate; cloud-cloud no mi, isn't actually the cloud-cloud no mi. i was kidnapped by kaido's men because i apparently ate the hito-hito no mi model: moon god, mene. the last user died protecting wano from kaido as such he knew the existence of the power. that was when he found out that the government had actually changed it's name to the cloud-cloud no mi, and also found out that i ate it. thus why he kidnapped me, and tried everything to make me join his crew, but i resisted. that's when i made that cave, and only luffy's straw hat could get me out."

luffy turned to you with that side eye that his crewmates saw, 'he's not buying that at all.'

"but y/n," nami called you, "couldn't you have escaped? since you have that devil fruit?" she asked, but you shook your head. "i tried to, and that was when i got in touch with luffy for the first time in years." confused by the sudden claim, the crew turned to luffy who's now hugging you from behind.

"ah," he noticed the stares then pulls out a den den mushi from his hat, "crow gave me y/n's den den mushi, but she told me not to tell you guys so yeah."

they turned back to you, "when i heard luffy again, i thought that maybe i shouldn't escape. maybe i should just wait for him because i knew that he'll get to wano some how then a smile will be on my face once again." you say with a fond smile as you clutch your hand in front of your chest.

zoro then pointed to you two, "okay wait, what exactly is your relationship with him?" he asked the question.

you, and luffy glanced at each other then let out a knowing giggle/chuckle. you turned to zoro with an amused smile, "we're lovers."

they all fell on the floor one piece style, "WHAT?!" meanwhile sanji started spitting hieroglyphics (image in mind that one time during post-enies lobby). luffy started laughing at them which made sanji point at him, "prove it!"

luffy tilted his head a bit, confused on the sudden request. he then turned to you, and raised a hand to your cheek. he slowly leaned in taking your lips into his.

masterlist a/n: this is so bad; first half was good then the last part went to a direction i did not know what to do with.

#reader #s/o #s/o headcanons #x reader #s/o tag #one piece scenario #one piece strawhats #one piece luffy #one piece #op #one piece x reader #one piece x you #one piece fanfiction #one piece anime #luffy #monkey d. luffy #monkey d luffy #ace sabo luffy #straw hat luffy #straw hat pirates #luffy x you #luffy x reader #luffy imagine #luffy fluff #luffy headcanons #monkey d luffy x you #monkey d luffy imagine #monkey d luffy x reader #monkey d luffy x y/n #mugiwara no luffy

[troutfur]

Okay, this might be a bit dark, but I had a dream about the 3 being golden/tiger kits, and instead of Fireheart pushing Jay into the medicine den because he didn't know what else to do with him, BLUESTAR Like...threatened to get rid of Jay, because of what happened to Snowkit and for some reason also equating the Shadow and Wind assault on Thunderclan because of Broken's blindness, not what he did. Fireheart actually panicked and ended up begging Cinderpelt to take Jay, because Bluestar wouldn't let anyone mentor him. Eventually the 3 found out that it wasn't Fire himself that put Jay in the medicine den, but Bluestar outright trying to exile him that did it, and Fire was just trying to protect him. It was wild.

Shit, that is dark. The idea that Bluestar's spiral would bring her to equate Jay and Broken and also blaming him for the hawk thing. Specially given some of what I want to do with him involves having survivor's guilt over that incident. Also it's kind of a reversal of what I was going for: Jay being put in the medicine den because Firestar underestimated his capabilities and thought he was the harmless sibling, hence the only one fit for the medicine den. Really Fire was quite lucky Tigerstar also wanted to shove him into the medicine den, he could've made a pretty motivated enemy. But regardless, thanks for sharing your dream! Love hearing from y'all's dreams dark as they may be.

#warrior cats #wc #warrior cats au #goldentiger 3 au

[bastard-man]

s13:

hi okay i kept talking in the tags on my last post so here is more about s13 predictions ig

like i said we all know den literally can't function without mac it's been proven several times in the show

CLEARLY in mac & dennis break up

& my thought is how this will affect s13

so like,,,they're lying if they're gonna try & pretend like dennis can actually cope w/o mac if anything i think he needs him more than ever rn. even if dennis miraculously developed quickly & amazingly enough 2 be a dad that doesn't change how much he depends on mac. boy couldn't live without him in s5, and he was still like, okay then? obviously none of these characters r okay but i've seen only a few ppl mention dennis in the latest seasons. consequently mac seems happier this past season especially now that he's out which is great (i mean then u have DDL & then that kinda shattered but let's not mention that rn) but like we know dennis has been like,,,ragin' a lot more & he was diagnosed in s10 & we haven't really seen him happy in awhile like compared 2 earlier seasons when he seemed more calm & happy. what he thinks he needs is to leave his old life behind but what he actually needs, probably, is the gang rn more than ever but ofc he's not gonna admit that! so he run!

there's a number of reasons why i can't see them letting den be gone for any length of time but the main one being that it just doesn't make sense? like frank said u can't just go be a dad & he was right, & even if i think dennis could be capable of that it's obvious he's getting Worse & to be away from his friends, his family rn is not gonna help that, especially when we know he would be miserable in ND which is literally essentially what he says in 10.01 when he gets off the plane. i'm not a dumbass who thinks he's a sociopath & i know he has big feelings but i still don't see this being a situation where a child is magically the thing 2 crack dennis & fix all his problems

so like, there's my argument based on just the POV of the setting. now let's go back 2 den himself. like i said it definitely seems like he's getting worse, & him admitting that he has feelings was a huge, pivotal thing for him especially to admit that to the entire gang. from there they could use that to finally get den's character to open up a lil more & not try to suppress everything which i think is essentially why he seems worse? he wants to be one way & not feel & it's affecting him as it has over the years. we also know from mac, that he's been distant w him. whether u ship them or not they have a connection that's different from all the rest. so mac senses that den is acting different& like pushing him away, & we know it's not bc he's gay cuz den always knew that. this is where theories come into play, cuz it could have to do w den's feelings & trying to push the gang away so that he can pretend everything is okay which i think is a reasonable guess, or if u wanna add another layer to that there's also been the mention of him being uncomfortable with mac being out because now he's scared of mac's feelings & his own feelings.

it could be bc of the thing b/w them, or just the different connection that they have, but mac is the only one who says anything about dennis being distant. so is he only being distant w mac, or do the others just not notice bc they're not mac? either way mac is the one who notices & he's gonna be the first one to notice things going on w dennis. den has been like on a downward spiral almost & i think the RPG & brian jr just brought that to a head, & he runs, supposedly 2 deal w the latter. (i'm sorry i'm referring 2 a fuckin baby like it's a war crime but i don't evenl like them anyway so it's fine)

like depending on how u wanna interpret it, RPG=dennis realizing how he feels about mac, or how mac feels about him, or just the fact that he was all upset about vday only 2 find out mac got him what he wanted more than anythin & it didn't even matter 2 him that there wasn't a rocket bc it was the gesture so i mean interpret that how u will but FEELINGS

& then brian jr=who he apparently knew about but only becomes a problem bc mandy all of a sudden decides 2 show up & also thinks he's someone else so i really still don't understand some of the logic behind this event but anyhow. he's like noticeably v on edge this ep bc he literally had no idea how 2 get out of it & then all of a sudden he's like wait no i don't want to, but that's not the only thing? pretending to be in a relationship w mac & mac telling him he wanted 2 fake it & raise the kid w him was obviously also adding onto that & still his response was "im not gonna PRETEND to be in a relationship w u for the entirety of my child's life" so again interpret that how u will but...obviously we know he decides 2 go raise brian jr

but he's not gonna be able to do that. not bc he's not capable. i'd like 2 point out he left everyone & everything behind including his RPG & his beloved range rover, so i mean he prob left everything at his apartment too. (i have some theories bout this but it is not the time for those) like his car. is still in philly. his decision is made essentially on a whim after a moment w his kid & like an existential crisis while his friends danced around him bc up until that point he just didn't wanna deal w it

so it could've been like a few hours b/w those scenes but it's still a pretty impulsive decision considering it's a child, a new state you don't even like, a lovely woman ur not interested in, and leaving your friends, family, job, and entire life back in philly. maybe he also thinks it'll help him w his feelings. but he's been repressing shit for at least 12 years that we've seen (we know it's been longer like prob his whole life) & noticeably been getting worse, gives a sudden revelation to his friends about his feelings, & then leaves. that's not...okay. like we know they all have trauma & ridiculously unhealthy coping mechanisms but even if u take everything else away he's not gonna be happy having suppressed all his emotions and problems & then leaving having barely dealt with them w the others at all.

especially mac, who's a huge part of this which u can't deny even if u don't ship them. now i do so like my comments are gonna sway a bit more but i think it'll still work even if u don't agree w me on that aspect. personally i think there could be some sort of parallel there about how mac has gotten happier, while dennis has been more unhappy? like mac comes out & u could even argue dennis being jealous & acting that way bc he wants 2 come out & he's been suppressing that for so long but he's still not at a place rn to do it. or even the fact that mac feels more open & free to be himself while dennis feels the complete opposite & if anything has felt like repressing things even more, while mac mentions being sensitive (12.08 hints he feels more free 2 be sensitive now that he's out & doesn't have 2 worry about being so masculine so that he won't be called gay) & dennis mentions his big feelings but he's still not rlly talking about anything bc i mean u don't really just reveal everything suddenly. so especially in that regard he definitely needs mac.

like not only bc of their connection but bc he depends so much on mac & now mac feels more open & honest & i really think den needs to be around him more, not pushing him away (which could also be why) bc he needs to see how much happier mac is & how he's changed & maybe it'll help him open up more, & if anything mac would probably be the best one for him to do that w anyway.

i'm also gonna mention my sort of views on some ways den could come back: now considering his car was still there i think it could even be possible that mac goes home to their apartment to find that dennis is still there, maybe just waiting or maybe packing, who knows. them blowing up the range rover & using the RPG without him only to find that he hadn't left yet, or at all is definitely something i could see happening (& i know this is a more serious post about den but come on i think we'd all laugh @ that) or the thing i definitely see happening is the gang talking in the bar, who knows how long it's been (maybe a day, maybe a few months) & all of a sudden dennis strolls in and says nothing, walks behind the bar & grabs a beer while the others just stop talking and stare. cue title card "dennis is back" (tbh this is one of the most realistic ones i think & i know glenn mentioned it might be funny if he just didn't come back at all but i think this is vastly more funny & in keeping w the show i mean come ON) or there's like the sad part. this again could depend on how u wanna view things. but if u look at it as dennis going on a downward spiral, only for him to kinda hit rock bottom w the RPG & brian jr. (which isn't even a theory that's literally what happened) then we know this isn't good. it's not a typical situation where they leave on good terms, or they leave happy because we know he wasn't happy. we know he initially didn't want this & isn't ready & we know he hates north dakota, & we also know it's not like he's in love w mandy or anything no matter how nice she seemed, as the person he was closest to was: mac. so it's not like he's really leaving for a better lifestyle either necessarily, because he may have mentioned envisioning himself getting married & having a kid but we saw how it went when he married someone he didn't love, and how he again was unable to function without mac, and it's obviously not how anyone plans on those things happening, & if they did have him settle down w mandy which i do not see ever happening we know he'd literally be settling.

so for him to have been going through a rough patch, to hit an extremely low point & then walk away from his friends, is not going to end well. he hit that low point & is now leaving without dealing with any of his problems because his focus is on fixing one of them: the kid, but also how he was affected by frank because he doesn't want the kid to grow up in that same way. so he thinks that's the most important issue, because he also likes to pretend he doesn't have any other ones, & thinks this is the thing he needs to deal with and everything will be fine. but he didn't deal with anything else, he's only bringing those problems with him, to north dakota, to mandy, to the kid, to his "new life." so if anything he's only gonna be more miserable and he won't even have mac there w him, who he literally depends on to function & considering he's only getting worse being w/o mac is the last thing he needs even if he thinks, or wants to believe that that's exactly what will help. idk how they're gonna deal w him being gone, if he's gone for any length of time or anything, but my point is if he's stated to be gone for months or something like that i'm pretty sure he's gonna come back at the worst we've ever seen him because he was only without mac for hours before he realized he had no idea what to do & they were only, what, a few miles away? part of all this is that he's codependent but that is most heavily dealing with mac. s5 dennis was still doing pretty okay, considering. so him not functioning without mac was just pathetic. s12 dennis has been a mess & him being without mac at arguably his lowest point is kind of scary to think about.

#im sorry this is SO LONG #but...yeah basically #some of y'all thought den was dark #but if hes gone for any length of time... #like hes gonna be sad as shit #& this isnt me being like omg he cant function w/o mac! #cuz like. #he literally cant. #theyve said this. #it isnt a joke #its not me saying it bc theyre so in love #its like..a direct result of dennis' bpd #mac happens to be the one he really relies on #that would be where id say the love comes in but #yeah #i really hope they dont do that #because ive thought before 'oh he should be gone awhile' #like maybe he'll develop more w the kid & everything #or that it'd be interesting to see the gang respond to life without him #but then i think about this #i hope they bring him back like right away like i said #cuz otherwise the only logical response from den being gone for awhile is for him to be like...Bad #ive seen fics mentioning like self harm & suicide (TW) & i've thought well i dont see that happening or thats too dark... #but honestly when i've written this all out i'm thinking it's more likely than not #& im not a psychologist im not claiming to be but i do get his character a lot bc we're very similar in that aspect like how we deal w thing #basically den needs to come back & ASAP bc its not gonna be good for him if he doesnt #dennis reynolds #macdennis #dennis needs him like now more than ever

[kemakoshume]

Tell Me You Love Me — Yor Forger x Loid Forger

summary: "So, when are you two trying for a second?" shouldn't have caused the freight train of insecurity and imposter syndrome that dawned on Yor Forger, but it did.

Loid fixes that.

warnings; bullying, insecurities, family dynamics, loid... being so soft i love him, Yor's POV, oral (f!receiving), vaginal sex, breeding.

a/n: lmao me? character x character? on tumblr? wild. i wrote this in one big speed run today because i've been obsessed with this show and now the manga since i started it last week. i hope y'all enjoy this! it's my first c x c for a f/m relationship i think... ever lol. huge shout out to @craftycheetah for helping me out throughout writing this. thank you for the sex position website, i don't know what i would've done without it. now... enjoy all 8.8k words of this.

“So, Yor… when are you two trying for a second?”

The dark-haired beauty turned her head, spinning on the axis of her heels so fast that she almost lost her balance. Despite her practiced poised nature, Yor couldn’t help but gape helplessly as she scrambled to find her words. Under the weight of Camilla’s gaze, and her line of questioning, Yor was at a loss.

“So, Yor… when are you two trying for a second?”

The dark-haired beauty turned her head, spinning on the axis of her heels so fast that she almost lost her balance. Despite her practiced poised nature, Yor couldn’t help but gape helplessly as she scrambled to find her words. Under the weight of Camilla’s gaze, and her line of questioning, Yor was at a loss.

She stood in the middle of her co-worker's home with a glass of wine, surrounded by people lost in their own little worlds of conversation beneath the warm hue of decor lights and soft jazz-inspired music. She’d had the mind not to come. She knew she shouldn’t have come, but she’d had no choice. 

It was Camilla’s engagement party, and she’d never have heard the end of it if she and Loid hadn’t made an appearance. Their whole life together was built on maintaining the perfect image, so not coming would have spelled doom socially for their family in an instant. So, here Yor was again—playing in a den of lions donning ascots and top-dollar balayages.

“A second?” Yor asked, sipping nervously at her drink as her eyes subtly scanned the room.

Loid was speaking with some men a few feet away, looking as cordial as ever as he discussed the details of his casual chocolate-brown suit with an inquisitive friend of Dominic’s. His hair was imperfectly styled, just how he liked. Yor had molded with her own hands at his behest. 

He’d made an offhand comment about how nice her hair always looked, not a single lock out of place even with the free-flowing bangs she left out in the front. So, she did his hair for him. After a harrowing mission that left her unable to lift her arms for a week, he began doing her hair in return. Granted, he thought she’d injured herself lifting a box that was too heavy at work, but still. He accepted his role as an interim hairdresser with muted enthusiasm, and eventually, Anya joined the train. 

Every morning that they had enough time, they’d sit in the living room and help get one another groomed for the day. This morning was one of those mornings, and he looked every bit the polished handsome husband who knew how to treat his wife and child as a result.

He must have felt the weight of Yor’s eyes on him, even from across the room. He glanced over to meet his wife’s subtle stare, smirking with a slight nod in her direction before he turned his attention back to the man in front of him, listening intently as he droned on about the Eden Academy director’s love of fine suits.

Camilla’s eyes followed Yor’s line of sight over to Loid, and the woman stepped closer into Yor’s space until she was close enough that Yor could easily snap her n—touch her.

“Yes, a second. Well, a first for you, I suppose but a second for Loid. A baby is necessary at this point, don’t you think?” Camilla said, a coy curl at the corner of her lips as she moved her lithe hands animatedly to match her less-than-quiet words. “I assumed, with Loid’s previous entanglement, you’d want to lock things down as soon as possible. Sure, you got a ring and some useless paperwork, but any man who’s had a child with another woman will never truly be yours until you give him something of equal value.”

Yor furrowed her eyebrows, turning her attention to the blonde looking up at her with fire in her eyes as she sipped her wine.

“Equal value?” she said, glancing down into her glass and contemplating the odds of drowning someone in the liquid left in the cup.

“Yes, yes. Equal value. You see, dear Yor, his precious little girl will always take priority over you, and so will the memory of his wife. His real wife, not the placeholder that you’ve allowed yourself to be,” Camilla said, venom laced in the tip of her tongue. “You’re understandably replaceable until you give him something that makes you seem… well, a little less useless. Granted, he could always take the new baby and the old one and leave you by the wayside in the end. But, I’d like to think he would finally care about you if you gave him a child of your own. It's been over a year since you got married, love. Even the dead one would've managed to give him a kid by now. I’d hope you could do better than someone who’s not alive anymore.”

Hot blood rushed into the high points of Yor’s face, bathing her pale skin in a flush that she knew looked embarrassing from Camilla’s pleased expression. She got off on this—seeing Yor uncomfortable—and Yor hated that she’d allowed the woman to pull her in.

“That’s—that isn’t true,” Yor said, though her words lacked conviction, and Camilla jumped on the display of insecurity like a starved rat coming across a fromagerie in the heart of France.

“I’m glad you get to call him your husband, even if it’s just a title. It’s evident that he does not take you seriously if you’re not talking about having more kids. I wonder if he would still want you if his old wife were to walk amongst the living again.”

Yor felt her hand shaking around the stem of her wine glass, threatening to shatter the “shatterproof” glass into pieces. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade rosy red, and her eyes pricked with heat that felt unnatural on her face.

She opened her mouth to speak and no words came, only the beginning of what felt like a wretched sob that felt so jarringly alien in her throat. Yor didn’t cry. Not really, if ever. But still, there the tears were, threatening her with the weight of a loaded gun as they edged closer to spilling out from her eyelids.

“We’ll be going now.”

Yor sighed, releasing a breath she didn’t realize she held as Loid sauntered up to her side, placing one hand on her lower back while he motioned toward the door with the other.

“You were listening?” Yor said, blinking the wetness out of her eyes as she turned her head inward toward Loid’s shoulder. She used his body as a refuge to wipe the remnants of the tear trailing down her cheek in peace away from Camilla’s gaze.

The blonde fixed her stare on Loid instead, a blatant scowl on her face even as her boyfrie—no, fiancé now—walked up defensively behind her.

“Leaving so soon?” she asked, shaking her fiancé’s hand off of her shoulder when he attempted to touch her.

Loid scoffed, helping Yor into a lined faux fur jacket that hugged her nicely where the fabric was sleeker in the middle and accented her beautifully as the fur framed her face. He kept a pleasant smile as he grabbed their things—his wallet and Yor’s purse—from the closet behind them and he took Yor’s hand in his easily as he pulled her toward the door.

“Camilla, it’s truly remarkable to behold what deeply rooted inferiority looks like in human form. You exemplify the word in every way.”

The blonde huffed and Loid slinked past her with Yor tucked close to his side, keeping his eyes trained on the exit as they walked away from the growing scene.

“I only meant,” Camilla said toward their backs, hesitating for only a beat before steeling her resolve and speaking loudly enough that everyone could hear her. “I only meant that any man worth his salt would have already proven his love to his new wife. From what I've seen, you two act like roommates who co-parent. Maybe they’re secretly celibate, and that’s why they aren’t interested in more babies, huh, everyone? Why marry a woman you’re so obviously disgusted by, Loid? I have plenty of friends I’m sure would be willing to give a widower a chance. Anything would be better tha—”

“Camilla,” a voice said so darkly that both Loid and Yor stopped in their tracks. The sound of shaking breath became louder in the still air of the room as they turned around to see Camilla’s fiancé standing behind her with an expression so dark with shame that Yor found it hard to look at.

“I love you, and I’ve always loved you. I don’t think a universe exists where I wouldn’t fall in love with you, over and over, but that was foul, and I’m embarrassed by the way you just spoke to her. Loid, Yor,” he said, his eyes rimmed red as he looked at the couple stopped in shock, “have a good night. I’m sorry that our home hasn’t been a welcome place for you both. I hope you can forgive us.”

Loid nodded his head without a word, keeping Yor close to his body as he opened the door with her in front of him, and off into the night they went.

------------------

The sun shined too brightly in the morning, practically mocking Yor with the promise of a good day that her brain was not inclined to let her have. There was something buzzing within her bones, gnawing against the core of her being with dull teeth that made her feel uneasy. She floated around her home feeling like a stranger despite her year living there—making the space full of more than just a lonely man and his only child.

Making them a family, even if it was only for appearances.

Yor stood over the stove, stirring stew in a large pot, tossing in spices and aromatics she’d learned how to handle well enough over the past few months. The room was warm from the heat of the stovetop coils and bubbling food, while the dish's aroma enticed her stomach as she waited for the broth to thicken.

Anya sat in the living room watching her mid-afternoon morning TV, making little *pew pew* sounds as she watched the spy on screen after the dastardly assassin giving him chase. She sang along with the theme song as the title sequence queued on screen and she couldn’t contain her excitement as the spy showed up again.

Loid sat across from Anya on the home’s reclining chair, relaxing into the furniture with one leg crossed over his other leg’s knee as he scanned his eyes over the morning paper. His eyes drifted from it however to watch Anya watching her shows. His eyes grew soft as he watched the little girl imagine herself in that world of danger, and his voice was even softer as he replied to all of Anya’s comments and constant, “Chi-chi, did you see? Did you see it?” to which he replied yes, even if he hadn’t actually been watching.

His eyes found Yor’s then from her spot in the kitchen’s window panel, sending her a smile and an eye roll that she knew meant “god, this kid.”

Yor placed her hand over her heart, begging the organ to stop beating so violently against the cavity in her chest. It was just a smile. He’d smiled at her a million times, yet the feeling of fluttering in her belly never ceased. When his catlike blue eyes met her’s and he looked at her as if she were made up of everything good in the world, she couldn’t help but feel weak in the knees. That feeling always proceeded the heartache, and the feeling of her heart being crushed came in record time as Loid’s eyes left her own and focused on his daughter again.

The spot in Yor’s stomach that’d built up a lepidopterarium filled with the most beautiful winged beauties caved in then, sinking into a pit that reached her spine. Yor loved Anya, genuinely, as if she were her own. She harbored nothing but care for the child, and her father, but what if Camilla was right? What if Loid did want another child? What if that was something he needed to feel whole, but he hadn’t asked Yor out of… pity? Spite? Disinterest? Would he want to get rid of her when the urge finally bubbled up to the surface?

What did he want?

Then, it dawned on her. What did Yor want? After spending a year legally bound to the man, she and Loid had never consummated their union. There was a strange air of professionalism around their relationship that kept Yor firmly in check. This was for the progression of Anya’s school career, to make her life better. This was also to keep Yor’s brother off of her back and out of her business.

That was all. Right?

So, why did her heart hurt so much at the thought of their future? What was in it? What did they need to do to keep it afloat? To keep up their image? What lies would she need to concoct next? She could say they were trying for a baby, should anyone else be insensitive enough to ask. They’d been married long enough that most couples would at least be having the conversation, Yor supposed. But then Camilla’s words came to the forefront of her mind again.

“Maybe they’re celibate… Why marry a woman you’re so obviously disgusted by Loid? Anything would be better than…”

Me, Yor thought.

The stew bubbled over then, sploshing out in fat drops of boiling soup all over the stovetop and onto Yor’s hand. The yell had just barely breached her lips before Loid was there behind her, holding her waist with one arm will the other supported her wrist and held out her hand. He guided her over to the sink, having turned off the stove in a flash before he was back against her. The tap was flowing with cool water, but it wasn’t cold. Not like Yor needed against the incoming burn that pooled closer and closer to the surface of her skin.

Loid ran to the freezer, taking out ice cubes with his bare hands that he brought over to Yor. He cupped her hands in his own, moving the ice around constantly against her small hands to keep the burn at bay.

“Are you okay my love?” he asked, pressing his nose to the crown of her head as she let her neck relax and her head rest against the firm plane of his chest.

Yor nodded her head, saying yes without words even as tears began to pool in her eyes. She’d never pegged herself as a crier. It never felt necessary to cry in the face of pain. The pain was just an emotion like any other that would eventually pass, so there was no use in falling into it and letting it drag you down and away from yourself. But as she stood there will the prickling heat of a shallow burn on her hand, she realized she’d felt this feeling before in her heart. Every time she questioned if Loid wanted her, if Anya liked her, and if they were really meant to be a family. 

She’d felt this deep in her chest a million times.

So, she cried. So restrained that her shoulders shook and her lip felt as though it would tear under the pressure from her teeth, but she cried. Soft little hiccuping sounds came out of her mouth as she brought up her unburned hand to hold on to Loid’s arm that was wrapped around her belly, keeping her close and safe as she let months of feelings come out at once.

“Mama, Anya helps,” the little girl said, stomping her way into the room with an emergency kit she’d seen both of her parents grab and put away in secret many times throughout the months of their employment excursions.

Loid grabbed it from the girl, rubbing her head with his hand before asking her to go to the downstairs neighbor’s house for the afternoon to give Papa some time with Mama, alone. Anya nodded her head eagerly, excited to play with the neighbor woman’s dog that always thought about the sky outside and the birds in the trees.

The front door slammed as Anya left them alone, the house notably quieter since the girl changed the television channel to something less rowdy before she left.

“What’s wrong Yor?” Loid asked, turning the tap down to a trickle. He looked intently at his wife’s hands once the extent of the burn had developed.

Yor shook her head, wiping the tears away roughly before moving to remove herself from Loid’s hold.

“Wait,” he said, pulling her back against him to hold her close.

They didn’t speak for a while. Loid moved Yor’s weight with his own as he guided her to the dining room table without a word, taking out the creams and chilled menthol bandages meant for burns as Yor’s tears subsided. The only sounds shared between them were Loid’s small huffs of concentration and Yor’s sniffles before she found a napkin to blow her nose.

“Sorry,” she said, mumbling the words as Loid finished the bandage around the side of her hand where the stew had gotten her the worst and put one last layer of burn ointment on the top of her hand to keep it from scarring.

He laughed, putting away the first aid utensils where they belonged before standing up to wash off his hands in the now icy cold stream of water in the sink. He walked back to his seat in front of Yor lackadaisically, looking so soft in his cotton t-shirt and loose-fitting dark green sweatpants—the same color as his favorite working suit.

He looked so handsome like that, Yor thought, sinking into her thoughts more when Loid scooted closer to her, slotting their legs together so he could rest his forearms on her thighs.

“Is this about what Camilla said yesterday?”

Yor’s eyes snapped up to meet stormy blue irises, darker than usual at the mere mention of her coworker’s name. Loid looked… upset. Did that mean Camilla was right? Had he been mad at Yor this whole time for not being “his” enough to have a child? Had he thought their engagement was so meaningless that he couldn’t tell her his dreams for another child? Was he afraid she didn’t love him too— oh.

“It… no,” she said, the lie coming out unconvincingly in a hushed tone between Yor’s clenched teeth. “The stew just hurt a lot. I wasn’t prepared for that type of pain. I don’t like being in pain.”

Loid’s face fell, the little scowl on his brow turning into burning empathy as he looked at his wife. His stare was so heavy she felt herself cower beneath it, not ready to confront her feelings yet as the man searched her face for answers. She wasn’t ready to hear that he still only thought of their marriage as a sham. That only she had developed these feelings and that Loid was using her as a placeholder until he found someone else. Someone who he found worthy of carrying his second child, and sharing his bed, and the rest of his life.

Anything better than… Yor.

“Hey,” Loid said, brushing a stray hair out of Yor’s face and sliding his hand across her cheek to place the hair behind her ear. “Your hair’s falling out of your headband. May I?”

Yor nodded her head, sniffling away the tears she felt bubbling beneath the surface again as the man moved to take care of her further. His hands worked easily as he undid the messy remnants of her hairstyle, removing all the accessories in her hair until the black strands were free-flowing and light as they cascaded down her back and fell into her face.

“You look beautiful with your hair down,” Loid said, running his fingers through her hair to expose her face again. “I think that’s why Camilla is so ugly towards you. She’s jealous, understandably so.”

Yor scoffed, reaching up her hand to wipe away a stray tear before Loid caught her hand in his, wiping the tear away from her cheek with his index finger. The digit lingered against her skin even after the moisture had been wicked away. Yor couldn’t help but lean into the touch as his hand cupped her jaw, and his finger traced the line of bone there beneath her skin.

“No one’s jealous of me. They’re jealous I have you, but they don’t know the truth,” Yor said, the words coming out of her mouth so soft that she hoped Loid wasn’t able to hear her despite the stillness of the apartment.

Loid furrowed his brows, hooking his finger beneath Yor’s chin to make her look into his eyes. The deep blue felt fierce as a storm brewing on the horizon as he tried to read Yor’s expression, so broken in a way she’d never let herself show outwardly. Even now as she tried to reign it in, she couldn’t.

‘What truth Yor? That you’re my wife? That we take care of a child? Are both of those things not the truth?” he asked, his eyes pleading for something that Yor couldn’t understand.

She sighed, running her hand over her face which knocked Loid’s hand away. She sat back in her chair, putting more distance between them even though their legs were still touching, and Yor could see it in Loid’s face that that hurt him.

Why was she hurting him?

“The truth is that I’m your wife. But, we both know what our agreement was. I have set myself up for failure because I—”

“You what?” Loid said, holding his hands on the closest part of Yor’s body that he could touch. His hands rested on the exposed skin of her knees as her dress rode up her leg, making those same little soothing motions with his thumb.

She could see it in the depths of his eyes then. That desire to make her happy. Not only to keep her around for his child, but for more. Despite the distance she could tell they’d both placed into their relationship intentionally, she couldn’t help but allow one of the many walls built up in her mind to crumble as she looked into those pretty blue eyes. They’d grown closer over their year together, there was no way to deny that fact to herself.

Every dinner spent at the table together with Anya talking and laughing and forming their own inside jokes. Every night spent helping Anya with homework and talking over wine after stressful days when the little girl went off to bed. Every time they’d spent soothing Anya down from a crying fit together on the rare occasion that the girl got upset, every outing spent holding hands and swinging the child between them to make her squeal, every polite kiss they’d exchanged in public to hush rumors and whispers. It all led to this.

To Yor accepting that their relationship with Anya wasn’t the only thing that had grown, but each other too. From sharing a bathroom to co-parenting to all the times they’d had alone to learn more about each other. It all felt… right. So achingly right, and he was all she really wanted. She couldn’t stand how badly she wanted…

“You. I’ve set myself up for failure by falling for you, Loid Forger. Despite everything within me screaming not to cross that line, to respect our agreement, and maintain my place in our little arrangement. I screwed up. I did the one thing you aren’t supposed to do and fell in love with you, and it’s killing me because I’ve ruined it all. You can just… go find the woman you’re meant to be with now. The one you’ll want for real. To have more babies with and marry for love, not whatever we’ve agreed to here. And I, I’ll go on my way, and leave you and your daughter be. She deserves a real mother, and you deserve a real wife and a loving, passionate marriage. I’m just… sorry I can’t give you that. I know I’m not what you want.”

Her eyes burned as she looked down at her lap, fiddling incessantly with the skin around her nails as she fought more wretched tears. It shouldn’t have felt so good when Loid’s chilled hand touched the warm skin of her face, shushing the avalanche of words trying to become coherent sentences as they poured out from Yor’s mouth.

He grabbed the legs of her chair beneath her, pulling her in closer to him until she was practically sitting in his lap, balanced on the crack between the chairs as they touched.

“I’m the failure,” he whispered, resting his forehead against Yor’s as she let one last tear fall. “I’m the failure for not making you see how much I care for you ages ago. I was so caught up in my own feelings and desires that I wasn’t even seeing you for the woman you are—who you could be to me if I allowed it. Who I could be to you if you let me. I’m a failure for not showing you how much I want you. Need you, really. You’re all I could ever ask for.”

She squinted her eyes in confusion as she leaned back to look at Loid’s face, searching his features for the slightest hint of insincerity. She found none, and the shattered shards of her heart began to stitch themselves back together. She felt warm all over. So warm as she took in the placement of Loid’s hands on her body, trailing up her thighs and pulling up the fabric of her dress with it.

“You want me?” she asked, looking every bit as insecure as Camilla made her out to be.

Loid’s eyes darkened to navy, filled with a fire she’d never seen directed at her before. He wet his lips with his tongue as he moved his hands to Yor’s knees, hooking them underneath to pull her up and into his lap, holding her flush against his body as he held her tight with his arm secure around her back.

“I want every inch of you, Yor Briar Forger. Inside and out, body and soul, to death do us part. Those were the vows we took, weren’t they?”

Yor nodded her head, too breathless to speak as Loid grabbed hold of her hand and lifted it up to his lips. He kissed every digit, trailing his lips down the line of her arm until he reached her elbow. He pulled her in then, wrapping her arm around his neck so they were impossibly close. Yor breathed in his scent, dizzy from the heady mix of her hair products and his cologne.

He smelled like home, her home. The home they were working on building stronger, together.

“Those vows we said when you were bleeding from the head?” she said, the tease coming easily from her lips as she settled more comfortably in his lap.

He hummed, the sound rich like honey in his throat as his lips touched her skin again, this time against the column of her throat.

“I was of sound mind even though I wasn’t of sound body,” he chuckled, the vibrations tickling Yor as he kissed the sensitive skin across her neck. “I haven’t taken the vows back.”

Yor nodded, arching her back as he found a sweet spot beneath her ear, kissing up to suck the lobe into his mouth with the slightest bite of pressure from his teeth.

“Neither have I,” she said, leaning into his hands as they worked their way around her body.

He grabbed the bottom hem of her dress where it pooled in his lap on one end and draped over his legs on the other. He pushed the fabric up so that all of it was loose and not caught beneath Yor’s body, then his hand snuck behind her back, trailing up the length of her spine until he found the zipper there, then he pulled back down.

“It’s a husband’s duty to make his wife happy. ‘Happy wife happy life’ is what all of the academy husbands say when discussing their wives. Do you want me to make you happy, Yor?”

Yor sighed as the red fabric of her dress fell off of her shoulders, the biting chill from the apartment shocking her system as she caught it before it exposed her chest. She searched his eyes as he looked up at her from below, touching her chin with his nose before he moved up, capturing her lips in a breathtaking kiss that made her hold on to him for balance.

His lips felt soft against her’s as they moved, the moment feeling too slow despite the rush of want coursing through Yor’s system. Everything in the world was pinpointed to him. His hands on her back, his tongue licking into her mouth, his warmth against her as he caged her in. Everything Yor didn’t know she needed was all encased into this moment, with Loid—her husband, in more than just name.

“Make me yours,” she said, her voice sounding more like a whine as she rolled her hips against the hardening length in his lap.

She removed her hands where they’d caught her dress from falling and she let the garment pool down to her waist, exposing her breasts still trapped in the confines of her bra. His eyes trailed down the valley of her cleavage, and that fire in his eyes turned into an inferno.

“Gladly.”

He got up out of his chair with Yor in tow, letting her dress pool onto the floor as Yor wrapped her legs around Loid’s waist to let him carry her. He wrapped one arm underneath her ass, holding her steady in his arms as his fingers played with the thin fabric of her panties that hugged her waist. The other hand held her jaw, pulling her down to meet his lips in kisses interlaced with his tongue.

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as he carried her through their house, stopping in the living room only because something—no, someone—instantly came to mind as they passed by the floor full of Crayola drawings and Spy Detective merchandise.

“Anya.”

Loid stopped in the living room and sat them both down on the couch, having Yor stand for a moment so he could ogle her ass before having her sit down in his lap again, only this time her back was against his front.

“I’ll call Mrs. Bustelo. You lay there and look beautiful as always, darling,” Loid said, digging his phone out of his pocket to call their neighbor, the sweetest old woman who had grown to look after Anya often, given the sporadic nature of both Loid and Yor’s schedules.

Yor relaxed in Loid’s lap, tilting up her head to nose along his jaw, placing a trail of kisses as she impatiently waited for the phone line to connect. Her hips shifted side to side, causing Loid to bite down on his bottom lip to stifle a groan as a cheerful voice came down the line of the phone he had in a death grip in his hand.

“Hello, Mrs. Bustelo,” he said, his voice pinched as Yor whined her hips in tight circles as she kissed the sensitive point she’d found on Loid’s neck.

He looked down at her, nuzzling their noses against one another as their neighbor rambled on over the phone line. Yor’s eyes were filled with a mischief Loid would have never thought her capable of, but Yor felt as if her insides were on fire. Slick moisture pooled within the folds of her cunt as she inhaled Loid’s scent, kissing every part of his face and neck that her mouth could reach. A year’s worth of yearning brewed in her belly and she no longer felt as if it could be contained.

Loid wanted her too, and she needed to see all that desire brought to life with their bodies.

His cock throbbed against her where she sat in his lap, angling her hips to rut against his length through the thin layers of clothing keeping them apart. His light hold on her jaw tightened, just enough to convey the warning that was reflected in his eyes.

“Quit it,” he mouthed, making asinine conversation with the woman as Yor grew more and more restless in his lap.

She pouted, feigning innocence as she reached her unharmed hand back between their bodies. It’d already been a year, and all at once, it felt like a year too long.

“Or what?” she mouthed back, curling her lips into a smile that made her husband bite back a groan.

His eyes snapped shut as Yor ran her hand along the outline of his cock, applying pressure that made him clench his jaw in an effort not to make any noise. Yor should have felt some shame, toying with him like this with someone able to hear. Maybe the desire within her for someone to know he was indeed her’s—truly and only her’s—spurred on the act of dominance, but she wanted him now. She wanted to touch him and feel him inside of her. She needed him to make her whole in a way her soul hadn’t yet known.

“Please?” she whispered, her voice so light she wasn’t sure if she’d actually made a sound, but Loid understood, He heard her and sought out her lips as he leaned in to kiss her, putting his phone on speaker—and muted—before sitting it down on the back of the couch near his head.

“Anya’s being such a darling this afternoon. She and Bond are having the best time outside catching crickets, I’d hate to break them up. I’m assuming you need me to keep her, yes? Do you both have extra work hours again tonight or—oh! That reminds me. Have I told you two about—”

Both of them blocked out the voice as Loid dipped his head down to kiss Yor’s neck, trailing his kisses up before sucking a deep bruise into that spot beneath her ear. Her mouth fell open, desperate to make noise before Loid’s hand came up to place his thumb against her lips.

“Don’t make a sound,” he said, his voice fighting a tremble as Yor pressed down against him with the heel of her hand.

She kissed the digit keeping her lips closed, then in a spark of mischief she knew her husband noticed, she sucked his finger into her mouth, lapping her tongue across his fingerprint as a deep, maddeningly desperate sound got caught in his chest.

Yor giggled around his finger, pulling it out from the wet cavern of her mouth to intertwine their hands.

“Looks like I should be the one saying be quiet to yo—oh.”

His hand trailed down the tight plane of lean muscle that made up her abdomen, all smooth pale skin that begged to be bitten and marked by his teeth. He kissed her cheek as his hand breeched the lining of her panties, his fingers sliding into her slick folds with ease. He toyed with her clit, rubbing the swollen bud in tight circles as he bucked up against her hand.

“Fuck, baby, you’re so wet,” he said, burying his face in her hair as she nuzzled against his neck.

Yor giggled, having never heard the man curse that strongly before since most of their life was spent around a child. The word “baby” coming from his lips was the only thing that could top that little slip-up.

“Baby. You called me baby,” she said, a smile on her face as she ran her hand down the length of his cock trapped within his sweats to squeeze the tip. “Loid, I want you in me. I need to feel you, it’s been too long already.”

They moaned softly into each other’s mouths, soft pants and heated kisses making them breathless as they ground against each other’s hands. The months of not engaging with anyone in that way—their needs only being taken care of on their own—had taken its toll. Every nerve in Yor’s body felt raw and exposed beneath Loid’s touch, yearning for him to do something—anything—more to tip her over the edge.

“More. I need more,” Yor said, sucking her own bruise against Loid’s neck. “I need all of you.”

He groaned as he picked her up, the last bit of his sanity snapping as he lifted her out of the seat. He began to walk them back towards his—their—bedroom, but before they could make it even two feet forward they were brought back to Earth in a second.

“Loid? Loid, are you there?”

“Shit,” they said in tandem, falling all over each other as they stood in the middle of their living room and Loid rushed to clear up the situation over the phone, making up some excuse or another about why they needed a babysitter in the middle of the day on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Yor wrapped her arms around his neck and let him hold her as he spoke, the deep baritone of his voice loud and muffled inside of his chest where Yor rested her head. His chest was so broad, firm yet soft in a way that felt comforting as Yor relaxed in the safety of his arms.

“Yes, thank you for taking her. We appreciate it. I—yes. Hi Anya,” he said, kissing Yor’s hair as he listened to the child speak. “Yes, Mama’s right here. She can hear you now.”

Loid flicked the speaker button on again, letting Yor hear Anya’s excited yelling about all the crickets she and Bond caught and her ‘harmless’ plans for them against one annoying, pig-faced, silver spoon-eating Damian Desmond when she returned to school the following week. All Yor could do was laugh, telling her that the best course of action for revenge is to not get caught.

“If you aren’t confident in your abilities Anya then don’t do it. You need plausible deniability, an escape plan, and you’ve already messed up by telling us the plan before it’s happened. Polish your skills and wait, my love. He’ll get what’s coming to him. Don’t worry.”

Anya sighed, groaning about the crickets before deciding to let them free into the yard again.

That definitely wouldn’t be a problem for their pest control later. Nope, not at all.

“Be good for Mrs. Bustelo, Anya. Mama and Papa will be here when you’re ready to come home in the morning.”

“Okay, Chi-chi. Have fun Mama!” Anya said, hanging up the phone before any of the adults were able to say goodbye.

Loid sighed into Yor’s hair, tossing his phone onto the couch before his cock twitched with interest again as he looked down at his wife’s face.

“You’re so good with her,” he said, scooping her back up into his arms. “I couldn’t have dreamt up a better mother for her to come into our lives.”

She fell into his kisses, letting every gasp and moan she wanted spill from her lips now that they were truly alone. She felt dizzy with lust as her back hit their mattress, seated near the edge as Loid lowered himself down on one knee to kiss down her body.

“I never tell you how grateful I am for you, for all that you do for us,” he said, sliding his hands beneath her back to rid her of her bra. “For me.”

Her breasts dropped out from the material easily, and Loid didn’t hesitate to show his appreciation for her body. His tongue was warm against her nipple, while the other was pinched with just the right pressure between his thumb and forefinger. He sucked, slotting his leg between Yor’s thighs as he flicked her nipple with his tongue.

“So good,” Yor whined, sliding down just enough to press her cunt against the firm muscle of his thigh, grinding down on it in an unabashed chase for her pleasure.

“We never christened our marriage bed. We’re overdue for that, don’t you think… Mrs. Forger?” Loid said, grinding himself against her hip as she chased her first release.

“Yes, please, Mr. Forger. Make me yours.”

Her orgasm bubbled up to the surface soon enough, guided by Loid’s whispers of sweet nothings and his mouth against the sensitive tissue of her breasts. As the high muddled her brain, Yor absentmindedly thought about how Loid might feel about her body if she were pregnant, swollen and full with his child—their child—with breasts developed to provide sustenance for new life.

Camilla’s words came flooding back then, chasing away the pleasure that had managed to momentarily flood out her constantly working mind. The frustration at that must have shown on her face, since not a moment later Loid was back in her space, kissing her cheeks to soothe what felt like incoming tears again.

“Where did you just go?” Loid asked, sliding his hands along the soft fabric of their sheets to grab Yor’s elbows, pushing her arms up above her head so he could get as close to her as he wanted.

She shook her head, her mouth fixed to say “nowhere” before the seriousness of Loid’s gaze crashed down on her. Yor was glad he didn’t give her that look in their day-to-day life, when she was lying to him about other things—more trivial things. But now, she couldn’t lie to him if her life depended on it. She felt naked as she saw herself in the light blue of his eyes.

“I—I let what Camilla said get to me,” Yor said, trying in vain to avert her eyes despite Loid being mere inches from her face. “She—I—god. I don’t know what we are, and when she poked at that, and brought Anya into it and our baby into it I didn’t know what to say I just—”

“Our baby?” he said, a million questions popping up in his eyes as he racked his brain for details of the night before, and then it clicked. “Ah, because she assumed we must be sexless losers who only co-parent? She had no basis at all for assuming that. She just said it to hurt you. So why should what she says matter?”

Yor chuckled, smiling as she pressed a kiss against Loid’s lips that he happily reciprocated. “I just mean that… she made me wonder what it is that I want, and I let her make me assume what you want. That you must want a second baby and that I’m not the woman you want to do it with, because of how this all started. It wasn’t fair to let her put words in your mouth.”

“But?” he said, seeing easily that there was more on his wife’s mind.

“But, I do wonder now if she was wrong. I just… don’t know what you want. You say now that you do want me but what does that look like? Do you only want my body? Do you want more kids? Do you intend for this to last?” she asked, searching his eyes for the answers. “We don’t have to decide anything right now, but what she said made me wonder if I’m what you want, for yourself or Anya or this… hypothetical new child. I’m just confused, at you and myself.”

Loid nodded, taking a moment to process everything Yor said before taking in a deep breath and exhaling it out with renewed energy. He slid his hands down Yor’s legs as he kissed her, dragging her ass as close to the edge of the bed as he could get without her falling off.

“I want you, for as big of a role as you’ll allow me to have in your life,” he said, kissing down her body again but not stopping until he reached his intended destination. “I want you in sickness,” he said, kissing her inner thigh. “I want you in health.” Another kiss. “I want you pregnant and happy with my babies, if that’s what you want. I just want you happy, light of my life. I wouldn’t have the life that I love without you in it, so whatever you want me to be to you is what I am. Your husband, in every sense of the word.”

Yor may have yelled when his mouth made contact with her clit, flicking the sensitive bud with his tongue while his fingers prodded her entrance.

“Please. In! In, in in,” she said, trying to fuck herself down on the digits despite Loid holding her waist down on the bed with his arm.

He listened well, inserting one finger into her tight heat before sliding in another easily with how much natural lubricant was soaking her inner thighs. He groaned when her cunt tightened around his fingers, no doubt feeling that sensation in the depth of his stomach as he longed for her to be around his cock instead. Still, he waited—ignoring the pulsing length smacking impatiently against his thigh. His arousal stained his boxer briefs as he got his wife off again against his tongue, sucking her clit with gentle tugs into his mouth as she rutted against his face.

“Loid, please,” Yor said, near tears for a different reason as her cunt spasmed around his fingers. “Please, I need you in me. Please. I want to cum with you in me.”

Yor tugged his head back with her hand fisted in his hair, crunching up to meet his lips in a sloppy kiss as she dragged him up to lay against her body.

“If you don’t fuck me like you mean it in the next ten seconds I will lose my fucking mind.”

He chuckled at that, standing up to free his cock from the tight material of his boxers. Yor couldn’t help but giggle when she looked at Loid’s hair, noting how messy it looked from Yor’s fingers running through the strands, gripping them for dear life to keep his mouth on her for as long as she needed it, but now she needed something else. More of him—all of him, every inch he had to give.

“Condoms,” Loid said, his eyes growing a size wider than Yor had ever seen them when the word was said out loud.

Yor’s mouth gaped open as she wracked her brain for an answer. They hadn’t done anything so there was no use for them in the home, at least that’s what Yor thought before every time she’d pass by them as she went down the aisle to purchase her own personal items. She mentally thumped herself on the forehead for not having the foresight for this. Now Loid would have to leave, go to the corner store, stand in line, get out their reward number, talk to the cashier, help th—

“We don’t have to use one, really, if you’re okay with that.”

Yor will never understand where the words came from, but once they were out of her mouth and into the air, she couldn’t hope to take them back. Loid looked contemplative, wrestling internally with himself about something before he looked down at Yor’s body. The peachy-pink flushed all over her warm skin, the weight of her breasts, the soft features of her face still relaxed with post-orgasmic bliss, awaiting another one.

Whatever struggle he had inside ended as he fisted his cock, jerking the length only enough to bring him back to full hardness before he leaned over Yor still perched on the edge of their tall bed.

“If it’s too much, you need to tell me. If you change your mind, tell me. I meant every word that I’ve said today. Every word, so whatever comes of this will be okay. I just want to feel you.”

He swept her up in a kiss and she nodded as she licked into his mouth, letting him push her legs up by the knees to rest her ankles on his shoulders as he stood over her on the bed, using the edge as leverage for his hands.

“Make me yours.”

“You already are, and I’m yours.”

There was a sheen of cold sweat on the surface of Yor’s body as Loid pushed into her, bottoming out and filling her to the brim with a groan so deep it sounded wrong coming from him. Her sweet, stoic, hardworking husband was a goner from the moment he entered her cunt, and she knew she looked no better as she fucked herself on his cock.

“I’m fine,” she said, knowing he was waiting for her to say something. “God, you’re perfect. So perfect. Please, Loid, move. Use me, I can take it.”

He nodded, pulling out until just the tip was inside, then he crashed back down. Once they found a rhythm, the deep strokes he was making into her cunt felt like music, the way something melodic and beautiful felt inside of her ears is how his cock felt inside of her body. So perfectly sized, moving with such fluid motion that Yor would have never pegged that the man—her husband—was capable of. The lower muscles of his abs pressed against her clit, sending sparks of pleasure so visceral up her spine that she feared the sensation may never stop.

Part of her hoped that it wouldn’t.

"Tell me,” Yor said, gasping desperately as his cock stroked all the right spots inside and out. She felt so full, delirious with pleasure as his hand went between their bodies to rub at her clit. “Tell me how you feel.”

Loid groaned, one long airy desperate sound as Yor clenched around him so tight, so perfect, as her high neared the tipping point again. Everything in the world felt right for them both at that moment, connected on the most intimate level with someone they’d not only chosen to be with out of circumstance but now by choice. It was everything and so much more than a man like Loid Forger imagined himself to be capable of. To feel, to want, to yearn for.

And it all came to a head just as they did.

“I love you, Yor Forger. I am blessed to have you as my wife and the mother of my child. I’d be honored to father your babies if you’ll have me. I—fuck. I love you. Yor, I love you. I—”

“Me too. I love you too. I want more, with you and for—our kids. Please, I want you to make me all yours.”

They came in quick succession after each other. Who came first? Yor couldn’t tell. All that mattered was the overwhelming joy she felt as Loid came inside her, joining them together as he reached his arms around her body to hug her with no intention of letting her go.

For as long as they both shall live.

-------------

so what'd you think? lmk. tyty for reading! see you in the next one || crossposted on ao3 — here || taglist — here ||

#spy x family smut #spy x family fanfic #loid x yor #loid x yor smut #kk.writes #kk.naughty #mdni #kk.others

[orieriee]

Writing Random Scenarios Based On a Prompt Generator! (pt. 1)

Author's note: might this as a mini series because I feel like writing! Hope you enjoy! I'll be doing Ace, Sabo, and Luffy first :D

Word count: 1.5k

Warnings: curse word on Ace's, fluff, grammar errors because english isn't my first language and I haven't write in a long time

Gender neutral reader! The prompt generator can be found here

[Part 2 here ft. Law & Eustass Kid]

my masterlist

For SABO:

It has been three months. No, maybe four, since Y/N and Sabo started dating. There's no rule in the revolutionary army that members can't date other members but for the sake of professionalism, you and Sabo had decided to hide the relationship you both have and keep it lowkey. Being recognized as the number 2 of the revolutionary army, it might be dangerous if people knew you two are together.

It's not like you can't defend yourself from things that could harm you. Sabo's just worried he might be the reason to cause you harm so it was just the right thing to do to hide your relationship. And you thought y'all are being sneaky about it. Truth is, the whole crew knew.

There's no secret that the number 2 likes you back because you both flirt back and forth all the time whenever you see each other. Whenever you two go out on a mission, that's just an excuse to go on dates while you're there.

"Sabo, the den-den mushi is ringing." Koala took out the telephatic snail and handed it to Sabo to answer it. It was from you who was reporting back the mission you are currently working so far for Sabo's next mission.

"Gatcha." the sound of the snail being picked up by Sabo as he greets the person behind the line.

"So did you get the information?"

"Yeah. I found out they're shipping off big loads of cargoes to the South. They're using a big blue ferry ship to ship out." You replied, thinking Sabo was alone on the other side of the den-den mushi.

"Alright. Got it." Sabo nodded even though you can't see him physically.

"Oh, if you're going to the south, I'm telling you that they got plenty of people guarding the ship so you have to be careful, love you boo, bye. Muah." you immediately end the call as some people were approaching.

The whole room was silent as they listened to your report so they definitely heard the last words before getting back to their plan.

"So- er… Did you guys hear the last message from Y/N? Hahah... " Sabo awkwardly asked as all of them didn't react the way he thought they would so he was a bit surprised. (His face is literally like: ヾ(〃ﾟーﾟ〃)ノ)

"Oh, we already knew you guys are dating and stuff."

Ace and Luffy below the cut!

For ACE:

The night in the sea can be very, very cold for most of the time. But despite the dark sea and the cold breeze, pirates have to guard their ship through the night for the safety of their crew and they usually take turns for the night duty. 

Y/N of the whitebeard pirates was definitely not the best watchman of the night but they can keep up for most nights. The usual spot where they usually do their late shift was the ship's crow's nest. 

It usually is cold up there but Y/N got their blanket and a fire lantern to keep them warm for the night. The time spent up there can be quite lonely sometimes as they only stare into the dark vast sea. Sometimes other members might join for a chat or for a late night snack, some other times it's just Y/N and the cold wind of the sea. 

As Y/N tucked in the blanket closer to their skin, they noticed someone coming up the crow's nest. It's not until a familiar orange hat popped up from the ladder and into the crow's nest, holding a basket in his hand. 

"Hot cocoa?" 

Ace, the second division commander, has brought a basket with cocoa powder, a carton of milk, a small pot and two glass mugs into the crow's nest Y/N was in. Carefully adding in the cocoa powder and milk into the small pot while heating it up with his own devil fruit power. 

"Can't sleep?" Y/N moved to the side a bit to let Ace sit beside. 

"Well, I woke up and then I can't sleep again. It's only a few hours until morning anyway so I thought I'll come up here to check on you." Ace smiled and scooted closer to Y/N, "Move, I want the blanket too." 

"Are you sure it's not because you're craving hot cocoa that Marco told you not to heat them with this pot?" You realized it was a pot that Marco used to boil his herbs. 

"Wait is it Marco's? Oh wait shit yeah." Ace realized he took the wrong pot to use, "Oh well, if we returned it before he woke up, he wouldn't know." 

After some bubbling, he poured the hot liquid into a mug and handed it to you. 

"It would be better if you add, what are those puffy white thing called again?" 

"Marshmallows?" you reminded him of the treat that you guys bought from the previous island. 

"Yeah, marshmallows! That!" Ace's face lit up making you laugh at his adorableness. You took a sip of the hot cocoa but was too excited you burned your tongue, making you choked by the burning sensation on your tongue

"Woah there, careful!" Ace took your cup out of your hands before you spilled it on yourself. You gave out a few choked out cough and try to surpress it but it gets worse instead. 

"Hey, hey… Let me see. Did you burn yourself?" Ace put down the mugs and held your face, examining your face making sure nothing bad happens to your precious face. 

"It's ok, just a little burn on my mouth and tounge." you replied, eyes staring into his worried ones that were slowly landing on your mouth. Without hesitation, he gave you a quick kiss and then licked his lips to taste the remaining cocoa on your mouth. 

At this point your eyes went wide and you were burning with embarrassment. It's not because you don't like it but it was so sudden for you. 

"There. I kissed it better." Ace nonchalantly looked into your eyes while smiling, as if it was a normal thing to do "Should I go with the tounge too?" 

"Ugh. Get a room you two." turns out Marco had been listening the whole time when he's climbing the ladder to look for the pot Ace possibly had taken, "And give me back my pot!"

For LUFFY:

Luffy is definitely one to wake up in the middle of the night if he's hungry and smelled something good from the kitchen even when he's in bed. And there you were, being one of the mugiwara crews that has trouble sleeping for the night. 

You mostly stay up all night watching for the ship because you can't really sleep at night anyway. You usually spend your time on the deck, sometimes you train or mayne just play by the swing. Sometimea eating crossed your mind and you would have midnight snacks to get through the night. Sometimes Robin would be there or Sanji because he prepares for the food every very early in the morning. 

Your captain sleeps soundly most of the time but there are random times where he sleepwalks to the kitchen. Tonight however, was one of that random times so you have to guide your captain back to sleep. 

"Luffy?" the sound of the door opening and revealing a sleepwalking luffy got you down from the front deck, making your way to your captain. 

You knew was sleepwalking again this time so you tried to wake him up from his sleepwalk. 

"Luffy." you shook him a couple of times and tried to drag him back to bed. 

"Ngggmm nooooo I want to eat meat." instead, he wrapped his arms around the top balcony and launched himself up with you holding onto him, resulting you crashing into wherever he's landing to. 

"Ugh… Luffy. We're going to wake up everyone like this." you stood up, dusting off the dust and dirt of your clothes. Luffy was now laying in front of the kitchen door, completely asleep. 

Now waking up Luffy from his deep sleep is certainly a challenge because that man won't wake up unless you do a certain trick. 

"Luffy, come on. We need to get you back to bed. Not here. You'll catch a cold if you could." You tried to lift him up to no avail. 

"Nooo I want meat…." Luffy answered in his sleep. I'm surprised how this man can even reply when he has literally sleep bubble. 

Yeah, he won't wake up and go back to bed until he has his meat. And so what you usually do in the middle of the night when time like this comes is sneak into the kitchen and make some meat for Luffy. Just don't let Sanji know you fed your captain in the middle of the night. 

"Luffy. I got meat for you." Luffy was still laying on the floor near the kitchen door until you mentioned meat and that popped his sleeping bubble. He gained consciousness almost immediately and looked up at you. 

"Here. Your meat." you squatted down to look at half asleep sleeping Luffy. And when he finally processed, he gave a huge grin and took the slab of meat you took from the kitchen. 

"WOAHHH MEAT!!! THANKS Y/N!" His mouth is always watering when he took the meat from you. 

"Next time, eat before you go to sleep. Sanji is going to kill me if he knows that I'm feeding you the meat he saved for breakfast in the middle of the night."

#one piece imagines #ace one piece #luffy #luffy x reader #ace x you #ace x reader #portgas ace x reader #portgas d. ace #op sabo #sabo x you #sabo x reader #luffy x y/n #one piece x you #one piece x reader #one piece #one piece x y/n #op ace #op luffy #monkey d. luffy #luffy x you #luffy imagine #sabo imagine #ace imagine #mugiwara no luffy #ace sabo luffy #op imagine #marco one piece #law one piece #trafalgar one piece #mugiwara

[cinnamonest]

About that last post though I tried to try to find a post to quote from it that I made a while back bc I was certain I posted it and it has come to my attention that apparently... Tumblr just swallowed the post?? I'm certain I hit "post" and it never actually appeared... Which was, in hindsight, likely an act of divine intervention for the sake of my followers and a sign from God that I should not subject y'all to my cursed thoughts but I am going to anyway bc I can.

The jist was that yes modern Scara would be neck deep into incel culture, and bc of last post I'm adding Xiao too. Definitely 4chan users. Xiao in particular thinks his problem is that he's short and not that he cannot speak to a female without nearly having a nervous breakdown, because that way he can blame the women for being shallow. Gets unironically angry over hearing girls say they only date 6+ feet tall guys.

Scara does too bc he refuses to acknowledge that maybe just maybe his reprehensible personality is the issue. That kind of echo chamber would poison anyone's mind so yeah he doesn't hold very nice views on the... other half the population... he watches hardcore porn bc he gets off watching the girls get brutalized. He likes to try to forget that the girls on screen consented to it. With the way they squeal it's easy to pretend otherwise.

Believes that the people in history had the right idea with the whole housewife thing. Unironically believes in government-assigned property women.

He would be extra aggressive though. Especially when he finally does find some lil qt. A little ray of sunshine type of girl, one that sits next to him in a class in uni that he ends up partnered with, or maybe a cashier at the place he's forced to go to everytime he has to crawl out of his messy, dark, solitary living space, like an animal forced from it's den by hunger to search for food, but in his case groceries.

She actually smiles directly to his face?? It makes him red in the face and uncomfortable and he tries to push all the intrusive positive thoughts about how cute she is away by reminding himself she's definitely a whore, being that cute, probably has some tall buff boyfriend and still cheats on him with a hundred others. You can never trust girls, they always look sweet but they never really are. She's just trying to look sweet to cover up the... Whorishness.

She's too happy. No one should be that sweet. It gets under his skin how she smiles and is sweet to him. Always waves goodbye. Giggles too much. Ugh.

Anyway, ultimately he would end up latching onto it and snatching her up. See how much she can smile and be sweet when she's scared and whimpering. Thankfully all that violent porn gives him some ideas. Bc she has to be punished for... Existing... And being female... And other similarly very serious offenses.

#govt assigned woman darling when?? #.sc

[headoverheelsforramsey]

Ramsey Withdrawal Syndrome

Book : Open Heart (set after book 3)

Pairing : Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Meera Bose)

Summary : When Ethan leaves town three months after his wedding for a consult, Meera seems to be facing a bad day and a special ailment.

Category : Fluff

Warnings : A few cuss words I think

Rating : General

Word Count : 1558

Trope(s) : And one of them Left Town ; And one of them has an Illness/Injury

A/N : It's been quite sometime since I posted something, I hope everyone is doing well. I am participating for the first time in this week's @wackydrabbles prompt which will appear in bold. This is also my late entry for @choicesficwriterscreations flufftober Day 9 : Reunion after a long time apart. Hope y'all will like it! Happy Reading Guys! ♥️

Sienna walked into the darkened diagnostic office to find her best friend asleep on her chair. "You could pull all nighters at home too, you know?" she said, opening the blinds to let the sunlight in.

Meera squinted at the sudden intrusion of light in her otherwise dark den, "coffee? Did you bring my coffee?"

"There is a coffee machine right here, no I didn't bring you overpriced Starbucks," Sienna put the machine to work.

"You sound just like Ethan," Meera yawned.

"Your life has been a mess since he left."

"This sounds like something you had said when he ran off to the Amazons," Meera chuckled. "But this time I am not letting him go," she lifts up her left hand and wiggles her fingers to show off her wedding ring.

Sienna smiled, shaking her head. "Listen, we all know you work yourself to the bone when he is not around…"

"Oh that's simply just not true!"

"Really? Tell me when was the last time you had a proper eight hour sleep?"

Meera thought hard but the only answer she could come up with was a week ago, the night before Ethan left to consult on a case at UCSF. "You know so many sick, ailing people need me, I have just been busy."

"Nuh uh, you have made yourself busy," Meera rolled her eyes at Sienna's words. "Listen babe, it's just been three months of your wedding it's quite natural to miss him. But he is coming back today. You are going to meet him, everything’s gonna be okay."

Meera nodded, wrapping Sienna up in a hug.

"But on the other hand I solved Mr. Jones' case," Meera said triumphantly.

"You mean the transfer case from Massachusetts General?"

"Yep!"

As if on cue the automatic doors of the office open to reveal the other three members of the team. They stop midway looking around the office and at a very red eyed Meera sitting on her desk.

"Are you high or hungover?" Kevin asked moving forward to examine Meera's eyes.

"Just heavily sleep deprived," Sienna explained.

"Oh the Ramsey withdrawal syndrome."

"What the fuck? Did y'all seriously name it also?"

"Honestly it needed a name," Meera smacked Tobias' arm as everyone shared a laugh.

"Well enough of dillydallying, I have solved the Jones case, well it's a hunch, I do need a CT and an EKG to confirm it."

"Let me stop you there Meera," Harper interrupted. "Mr. Jones is not being transferred to us, Mass General figured out his case."

"What? When? Really?"

"Yes we received mails this morning."

"Did they atleast say what diagnosis they made?"

The three other doctors remained silent.

"Ugh! Now I have no idea whether I was correct!" Meera slammed her hand on the desk.

"Meera, listen, I have some friends at Mass General I'll get you the answer, okay?" Tobias calmed her down.

"Thank you," Meera sighed. "Now let's get to work, doctors please take your seats."

"I think you should take the day off," Harper put a hand on her shoulder.

"Why? I am fine."

"Yeah but you don't look fine. You should go home and get some sleep man," Kevin said.

"That's what I was trying to convince her," Sienna stepped in.

"No, wait, this is my office, my team and I hate to play this card but I am your boss and I say we work now," Meera protested.

"Fine, so what if we three collectively decide to take the day off?" Tobias crossed his hands over his shoulders.

"You wouldn't," Meera scoffed.

"Try us," Kevin said.

"Harper, you with them too?"

"Absolutely," she replied.

"Okay," Meera sighed.

"We all want the best for you, take today easy please?" Sienna said, putting her coffee mug on the table.

"I agreed to no DT work, but I will do paperwork and all my attending duties."

"Okay, but nothing too stressful," Kevin said.

"Trinh you'll keep an eye on her for the rest of us?" Harper asked.

"Absolutely, Dr. Emery."

The team members said their goodbyes and left the office.

"You don't have to babysit me, Si," Meera said standing up. "I'll go freshen up."

But as Meera tries to walk past her desk she trips and falls on the office floor with her shoulder bent at an unusual angle.

"What's up?" Jackie asks as she, Elijah and Raf come to stand beside Sienna who watches the orthopaedic resident pop Meera's shoulder back into its socket.

"Shoulder dislocation," Sienna informs.

"Tch, Ramsey withdrawal syndrome takes a victim," Elijah murmurs.

Bryce opens the patient room for the ortho resident to leave and all of them step in.

"Well, ideally I should tell these to your husband but for now, you will have to wear the sling for two weeks, take your medicines timely, you are not allowed to lift anything heavy for the next three months and yes you have to come for a follow up a month later."

"I work here, Bryce, you will see me everyday I don't think I can escape the follow up," Meera chuckled trying to lighten the mood.

"I am your doctor here Meera, and as your doctor I want you to go home and get some rest."

"Absolutely."

"Agreed."

"Definitely."

Elijah, Raf, Jackie replied respectively.

"Come on guys! I already dismissed the team for the day! I will delegate my patients too. I just want to stay and catch up on paperwork."

After a lot of bargain and argument Meera emerged victorious and made her way back to her office. "Today has been a shitty day but it will get better once you come back," she thought to herself looking at the phone gallery full of her husband's pictures.

But little did Meera know that this was just the beginning of a shitty day. She spilled coffee over her paperwork and had to do it again. There were problems with dosages of medicines and the pharmacy was not being very helpful and a lot more. There was a certain time when Meera was about to give up and go home when a page turned the day into a whole lot worse.

She answered her page and met Tobias on her way to the atrium.

"What happened to your arm?" he said, surprised.

"Dislocated shoulder, not a big deal. Tell me about Jones?"

"I know just as much as you do, wrong diagnosis, wrong medications, no response from the patient, he is still intubated, oxygen level at the lowest."

"I need names, names of medication, dosages, composition, everything."

"I'll see to it," Tobias parted ways with her.

"What is the ETA of the patient?" Meera asked Kevin when they met in the atrium.

"Five minutes," he looked at his watch. "Damn! What's with the sling, boss?"

"Dislocated shoulder, not important."

"Meera, I have prepped an OR just like you asked in case we need to operate on Jones," Harper stopped mid sentence, "wait, shoulder dislocation? Why didn't you page me?"

"It's nothing, Bryce and Miller from Ortho took care of it."

"And you still haven't gone home, have you?"

"Harper, I am really sorry, I should have gone home, should have paged you, but…,"

"You know I like how stubborn you are. I knew since the interrogation you and I are going to have a lot of fun," Harper grinned and Meera beamed as well.

"Guys Jones is here," Kevin informed.

Meera walked out of the observation deck and towards the nurses' station taking Mr. Jones' chart and filling it out.

"Here," Kevin passed her a Starbucks cup.

"Ughh, thank you, you don't know how much I needed this."

"So what now?"

"The surgery was a success, the clot is out, the seizures have stopped, his vitals should start to stabilize," Tobias counted the things off his fingers, approaching the nurses' station.

"So CT and EKG then?" Kevin suggested.

"Ofcourse, but also get full blood work. I don't want to miss out on any other effects of the wrong diagnosis."

"Copy that, captain" Kevin flashed his signature smile and disappeared.

"Tobias, I think the patient's family is in the waiting area, I need you to talk to them and explain the current situation, but please be gentle, I am sure they are absolutely furious right now."

"Sure, you take care okay?" he patted Meera's back and got to work.

Meera decided to take the chart back to her office, but as she turned around and took a couple of steps, eyes strained on the chart, she bumped straight into a man but was caught with familiar strong arms before she could make contact with the floor again. She inhaled the familiar cologne and looked into the sparkling blue eyes of her husband.

"Easy there Dr. Bose," he smiled.

"Ohh Ethan," the words came out of her mouth as signs of relief as she wrapped her uninjured arm around his waist and burried her face in his chest.

"Dislocated shoulder?! What on earth have you been upto these days, rookie?"

"That's nothing, just a tiny effect of the Ramsey Withdrawal Syndrome," Meera murmured.

"Ramsey… Withdrawal… what?" Ethan repeated, confused.

"I'll explain later, for now just hold me, I have had the shittiest day."

"As you want," Ethan wrapped his arms around his wife's body, careful to not hurt her injury and kisseed her forehead.

Thank you so much if you have read till here, it means the world to me. Hope to see you go on other different adventures with me, Ethan and Meera, till then sending love and hugs your way! ❤️

Please let me know if you want to be added or removed. 💜

Taglist : @starrystarrytrouble @mm2305 @charisworld @choicesfanaf @potionsprefect @genevievemd  @shanzay44 @little-flowers-on-heaven @schnitzelbutterfingers  @coffeeheartaddict  @gryffindordaughterofathena @chemist-ana @adiehardfan @custaroonie @ireneadlerisseggsy @takemyopenheart @natureblooms24 @mainstreetreader @lawyerlies @a-crepusculo @quixoticdreamer16 @starryeyedrookie @barbean @thebluestonedpendant @kit-rookie-princess @wanderingamongthewildflowers

+ @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @wackydrabbles

#playchoices #pixelberry choices #pixelberry #choices : stories you play #choices the stories you play #choices stories we play #choices stories you play #choices open heart #open heart fanfic #open heart fanfiction #open heart #open heart fanfics #open heart fandom #open heart fic #fics of the week #choices fanfiction #choices fanfic #choices fandom #choices fic writers creations #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan jonah ramsey x mc #dr. ethan jonah ramsey #ethan jonah ramsey #dr. meera bose #ethan x meera #meera bose #cfwc flufftober

[bowandcurtsey]

Black Clover Yami Sukehiro x Mafia AU!

Happy birthday to mi husbando, Yami! This entire week, I'll be releasing a 7 part (omg Aine you rly did outdo yourself) Yami x F! reader Mafia AU fic. I hope y'all enjoy it, as much as I had lots of fun writing it!

- Aine 🤍

PART 1

PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7

Yami x f! Reader

TW: Swearing, mentions of characters death, mentions of gambling, human trafficking and prostitution, sexual jokes, mentions of gore (blood / body parts)

You sat across your boss as he pushed you a file with a huge ‘confidential’ chopped on it. He started briefing you on a new case he was about to assign you on.

“So…” you concluded after flipping through the file, “you want me to capture a gang leader of.. the Purple Orcas.. to which you have no idea who he or she is, their name, how they look like or anything?”

“Well, we know that the Purple Orcas gang are the masterminds behind the biggest drug ring in the entire kingdom, also they are involved in many human trafficking for prostitution and child slavery.” He took a sip from his coffee, “There is one particular leader that is wanted for a murder case, so it’s your job, as Captain of the Clover kingdom special unit team, to find out who the real mastermind is, by hook or by crook.”

——————————————

After months of digging, sending in moles and spies, lots of dead ends, you finally got a lead. You found out that one of Purple Orcas’ rival gang, the Black Bulls were looking for another one of their gang leaders as well.

You had a tip off that the Black Bulls were holding one of their grand gambling event at Hage streets and you decided to go there as a spy.

After a few days of preparation, you found yourself ready for a rowdy poker night.

It was almost 3am and you were getting so sick and tired of calling, folding, all in and buying in again and again. Your luck was atrocious, you constantly got bad hands and you were already down thousands.

All under the special force budget.. you told yourself, as you waited patiently for just a tiny lead that would lead you to the higher ups of the Black Bulls.

Finally. You saw a few men counting the cash and putting them in briefcases and duffle bags, probably getting ready to send them back to headquarters.

You took the cue and threw an all-in with whatever chips you had, and left the table. You carefully followed the men who were moving pretty vigilantly. They took 3 separate cars and moved in 3 routes but luckily, you were prepared. You got your men to follow 2 cars while you followed one.

You fund yourself led to a famous karaoke bar. According to all the homework that you’ve done, you knew it was one of the Black Bulls’ legally operating bar.

It was pretty crowded but one table caught your eye. A table right smack in the middle of the bar; a muscular man in raven hair leaned comfortably on the posh sofa, a cigarette in his mouth, with sexy ladies surrounding and tending to him. His aura was cool and confident, and even though he was just in a normal button down shirt and black pants, he just stood out from everyone else. The man from the gambling den went over inconspicuously and whispered some things in his ear.

After downing his last shot, the dark haired man stood up. He was much bigger than you thought he was. He left the table, much to the ladies’ dismay, and went into a room that read: VVIP. You had a strong hunch about this man and you decided to that you needed to meet him.

“Y/n. Don’t go in there by yourself!” Your subordinate, Sergeant Dorothy barked at you.

“I’ll be just there to negotiate!” You whispered in the toilet after making sure it was empty, “I’m wearing all my protective gear, don’t worry!”

—————————————

You knocked on the door firmly.

The man from the gambling den opened the door slightly, he had black lipstick on and he drew thick eyeliners around his eyes, “who are you?”

“Er.. I’m looking for the boss.” You tried to sound confident.

The man eyed you from head to toe, “for?”

“Who the fuck is it Gordon?!” A low growl came from the room.

“Said she’s looking for the boss, boss.” Gordon replied to the voice, before mumbling something you couldn’t hear clearly.

Bingo. You felt like you hit jackpot even though you had lost thousands of dollars tonight.

The door opened for you to enter.There were 6 person in the room, including the man named Gordon. The herculean man you saw earlier, was sitting in the middle of the couch, with huge stacks of notes in front of him. You quickly took a mental note of how all of them looked like.

A pink haired lady was on the far end of the sofa, a beer bottle in her hand. A skinny man was standing behind the couch with green streaks in his hair. A red head in a mask was playing at the pool table along with another man who had long black locks, tied up in a pony tail.

All eyes were on you as they waited to hear what business you had with their boss.

“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood, doll face. I don’t allow visitors in here but Gordon said he never saw you around before, so make it quick, what are you here for?” The raven haired man, who you now established to be ‘the boss’ took a drag from his cigarette.

He was hella hot and his features were handsome, you guessed he was probably only in his late twenties or early thirties. His bicep muscles were prominent, although he was in a long sleeved button down. With the first two buttons unbuttoned, he revealed his well built chest.

“I’m er.. Here for some information on your rival gang.. The purple Orcas.. One of them er.. owes me lots of money and refuses to pay..”

The boss looked at you and blinked. Is this woman for real?

“First of all,” he scoffed and took a drag from his cigarette, “the last I checked, this is a bar, not a debt collector office or some information counter, pretty face. Shall I refer you to our debt collecting department?” He gave a little smirk as the rest of his members sniggered.

“Secondly, even though they’re our ‘rivals’..” He pulled up his hands into inverted commas and stood up, slowly walking towards you, “why should we give out an information to a… police?”

He stood right in front of you, his enormous body towering over you with raised eyebrows, hands in his pockets. All of a sudden, all of them stood in attention and looked at you, one arm ready to draw their guns.

“You sure bout that, Yami danjou?” The skinny man with green highlights spoke, “How did you know?”

“Heh, Finral, could you be smarter? It’s obvious,” Yami smirked at you, “well now, we won’t work with a police, so maybe you might wanna pack your pretty face up and head for the door.”

“How about a deal?” You blurted out, tired and desperate for even a small lead; you’ve come so close and you didn't want to leave with yet another dead end, “You give me at least the whereabouts of any of their base, and in return, I won’t report about your illegal gambling den tonight, plus you can ask for anything in return.”

“Oh?” A twinkle shone in his eye as he looked half amused, “are you threatening me about my gambling den now officer?”

“No, but what do you have to lose anyway?” You stood firm to your ground, confidence building from your adrenaline rush, never breaking eye contact with this man, “you’re technically putting your rival in trouble AND getting anything you want, so that’s a plus and plus for you, if you ask me. Aren’t you looking for one of his men too?”

Yami’s eyes twitched a little, surprised that you knew about this information but he quickly regained his composure and broke into a rumbling laugh, “do you think this is kindergarten? Where little kids sabotage each other?”

“So do we have a deal?” You just wanted to get this over and done with at this point.

“Alright alright, how about in return….” He gave you another shit eating smirk, “you sleep with me?”

You gave hit a hard slap to his cheeks. Gordon, Finral and the pink haired girl lunged at you, but as a captain of the special unit team, you were highly trained and skilled and took them out in minutes.

The red head and the pony tail man drew their guns and pointed at your head. Shit. You gulped and raised your hands in the air. You’re gonna die because you slapped a mafia boss in his face for refusing to sleep with him.

Yami was stunned for a moment when you slapped him, but watching you take down 3 of his members single handedly, he was somewhat impressed. He chuckled as he nodded his head at you, waving for the other 2 to put their guns down.

“See the pretty face out, Zora” he spoke, eyes never leaving yours

The red haired man came and opened the doors, “you better leave pretty lady,” he gave a Chesire grin and gestured for you to leave.

-end-

#black clover scenarios #black clover headcanons #black clover fanfiction #black clover x reader #black clover imagine #black clover imagines #black clover x you #black clover x y/n #yami black clover #yami sukehiro x reader #yami x reader #black clover yami #yami sukehiro #captain yami #black clover au #happy birthday yami sukehiro mi husbando

[miraculous-trinity-leo]

Tᕼᗴ ᑕᕼᗩOTIᑕ ᗩᑎᘜᗴᒪ

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6)

Chapter 3: Au Revoir Gotham My True Home

•—–—–·†·–—–—•

Marinette explained what happened and that she didn't mean to cause trouble, she didn't know why the bats were looking for her (author to audience... it's because she looks like one of his bat kids gone rouge.) When she asked how they knew the Bat was looking for her, she found out that Selina was actually dating the Bat... So Marinette was very surprised at that, her family talked about it and a few days after her birthday she'll be going to Paris, France with Selina to be with a family friend of hers. Marinette was now really thinking she was cursed, but she made sure to take it in stride and spend as much time with her friends and family as possible.

"Doan wawhry suguh, we'll make sure tuh visit as much as possible, yuh can even visit us durin' summuh and wintuh break." - Harley held back the tears as she hugged Marinette, Bud, Lou, Ivy, Selina, Ed and even Frank joined in on it.

……… ………

Marinette was out with her friends still not sure how to tell them, she started with the obvious.

"Sooo... tomorrow I turn 10... the double digits." - Marinette

"Soon you'll be one of us!" - Garfield gave Marinette a side hug with a big smile, god he made it harder to tell them

"So what do you want to do? We can celebrate, tomorrow and the day after that, and the day after that, heck we can celebrate for the whole week while we're at it!" - Garfield

Rachel noticed the sad smile Marinette had as Garfield continued talking.

"Is there something you need to tell us?" - Rachel's words stoped Garfield in his tracks, he then looked at a slightly teary Marinette, and he felt a slight tinge of pain in his chest.

"I- um, I'm moving this Saturday... I'm sorry I really don't want to, but- *hic* I-" - Marinette was cut off by Garfield giving her a hug, he rubbed small circles on her back as she let out a few sobs. Rachel patting her shoulder to try and comfort her.

After they were like that for a few minutes, they decided to get ice cream

……… ……… ………

"I'm sorry." - Marinette eating her chocolate chip ice cream

"It's not your fault Mari, besides, we can officially say we have a pen pal in Paris." - Garfield with his chocolate mint ice cream trying to lighten the mood, managed to get a chuckle out of Marinette.

"We can still video call, or text you. And your parents said you can visit on summer and winter break." - Rachel just starting her strawberry ice cream

"But what if I need a friend to talk to when I can't sleep? Or if I need a movie buddy? Or gaming buddy?" - Marinette

"There are online multiplayer games we can play you know." - Rachel

"Yeah, and I'm sure you'll make friends over there really quickly, I mean you already know a few other languages, including French, so there isn't any communication problems." - Garfield

"I wish you guys could come with me..." - Marinette almost done with her ice cream

"... Didn't you say you always wanted a hamster, maybe one that's unique, like a the rare Green Gotham Hamster?" - Garfield with a mischievous grin

"Selina's family friends own a bakery, so no pets allowed. Sorry Rare Green Gotham Hamster, I'm afraid you're staying native to Gotham." - Marinette said patting his shoulder.

"Wait they own a bakery?! As in you can be on a sugar high 24/7?! Take me with you!!" - Garfield

……… ……… ………

Soon it was time for them to go home, when Marinette got home, she continued packing what she would need, making sure that her Siren plushies where safely secure, and then went to eat dinner.

The next day she made sure to get up early, Garfield and Rachel knew where she lived, and wanted to make sure everything was ready for them, setting up the games they would play into the night, and the movies they would watch after that.

She then went to the Gardens to greet her Mom and the plants, doing the usual routine of checking all the plants, complimenting and watering them. During which a sleepy Harley walked over giving Ivy and Marinette a morning kiss before going to make her coffee.

At breakfast she didn't see her Aunt yet, she assumed she was robbing someone rich again.

……… Over to Catwoman ………

"Come ta mama." - Catwoman mumbled as she used her claws to cut the glass surrounding an old elegant purple sapphire that belonged to one of Gotham's founding fathers' wives.

……… Back to Marinette ………

About an hour after breakfast Garfield and Rachel came over, holding Marinettes' rapped presents, they started the day off with trivia games, which they called the MIQ (which can mean either Marinette Isley-Quinzel or in this case Memory Intelligence Quiz) which Marinette and Rachel came to a tie followed by Ivy, then Harley, and Garfield. They then moved on to board games, Marinette decided to play The Game of Life rather than Monopoly (because lets be honest, who has ever finished that game in the time of a signle day? An extreme speedrunner... maybe.) while the adults got the cake ready. Surprisingly Garfield won, he got the acting career, a sports car, a nice old fashioned mid modern house, a wife, and 3 kids... Marinette got the fashion designer career, got a motorcycle, and a small, but nice victorian house, a husband, and one kid... and Rachel got the scientist career (because science is just simplified mortal magic), a delorean car (and even said "Since science is magic I can make it fly, so technically, I don't need roads where I'm going."), a modern cabin in the woods, single (she didn't want a significant other to interrupt her magic science) and got a pet bird.

Once Selina and Ed came over, they began the party, playing games like DDR, Ultimate Mecha Strike 2, and Racing games.

When it came time for Marinette to blow out her candles, she wished that everything would be okay, and that she will be able to come back to Gotham permanently, and blew them out.

She then got to open her presents, she started with Harley's, and got a custom baseball bat that was a dark steel blue, with a light grey handle grip, and it had the words "Quinn For Da Win" on it, putting a smile on her face, when she opened Ivy's gift she got seeds of her favorite flowers to plant over in Paris. She then opened her Uncle Ed's gift, which was a small watch that had special A.I., it had a cover over the inside screen that would flip open to reveal another screen. The cover was silver with a blue question mark, and when it opened, it showed the time, and the location you where in, it could also act as a GPS, and a phone (it could even play music AND had an incredible battery life span). She then moved on to her Aunt Selina's gift, finding a small purple sapphire in the shape of a cat paw, surrounded in silver. She then opened Rachel's gift, it was a travel mug that said "Coffee lives in my veins." (Marinette started drinking coffee recently) which made Marinette laugh, and then she got to Garfield's gift. When she opened it, she found a handmade charm bracelet, it had animals that she really liked around it, and there was one that was a small tiger, with it's eyes and nose having a light green peridot stone, to represent the first day they met. She put the bracelet on her right rist and thanked Garfield for it, and gave everyone a big hug.

She spent the rest of the day playing with her friends, having a wonderful time, and getting a massive sugar rush from all the cake they had. When it came time for dinner they were running low on energy, but were back to normal after Harley snuck some coffee into their food... The only thoughts that went through Garfield and Rachel's minds where "That's why Mari drinks this stuff..."

After dinner they played all kinds of video games, and ended it by watching Back To The Future. They fell asleep some time after 2am.

……… ……… …….

The next morning they all had breakfast and then spent the day playing parkour tag over roofs and playing I spy games. And at the end of the day Marinette gave her friends a big hug, before heading back home. She spent her time with her moms, Uncle, and Frank, playing more boardgames and discussing what she should do to make friends...

"Just be yawhself, we love yuh fawh who yuh are, and I'm sure everyone in Paris will love yuh too... if dey doan, den dey most likely have a massive defective reject of a brain." - Was Harley's opinion

"Riddle the f-ck out of their brain, if they can solve all of them, and like you for you, then they are worthy." - Which was Ed's opinion

"Use a chemical based compound from the magnolia flower, combined with three tulip petals, one rose petal, and pollen from a lilac to create a befriending potion." - Ivy's words made everyone silent before Ed spoke up

"... Harley if you're being mind controlled blink." - Ed deadpaned, which had Marinette cackling

"I'm not bein' mind controlled, also yuh nawhmally say ‘blink once or twice’ not just ‘blink’ I could blink at any random interval and yuh woun't know what tuh tink, and here I thoughtcha were a genius." - Harley with her head on Ivy's lap as Marinette starts wheezing.

"I think y'all broke her." - Frank just pointed to Marinette as she was still cackling and wheezing while in the fetal position.

That's when Selina walked in...

"What the hell did you guys do to Kitten?!" - Selina dropping the bags she got from some high end shop, and after they made sure Marinette was still alive they continued their game... and Marinette may have actually written the list of ingredients for that position, but only as a last resort. When it was time for them to sleep Marinette spent the night with her moms, like she use to when she was 4.

She got up early to make sure everything was ready, she had her sketch book in her backpack, as well as some pencils, ear buds, snacks and a picture of her with her family and friends. She decided to wear her new watch and charm bracelet as she finished checking her bag, she then went into the garden to say goodbye to all the plants, and to give Bud, Lou and Frank one last goodbye. She had about 3 hours before her and her Aunt were to head to the airport, and she spent that time with her moms, almost never leaving their side.

……… ……… …….

As the plane took off she looked out the airplane window, saying goodbye to Gotham, until her next visit home....

•—–·★·–—•

Chapter 3 complete, also just in case I didn't describe her B-day gifts good enough, here's what they look like (꒪꒳꒪)

Hope you're all having an amazing day, staying safe and rockin' all positive vibes,!BUG-OUT! 💮🐞💮

〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜Tag List〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

1st Place★: @jumpingjoy82

2nd Place★: @myazael

3rd Place★: @solangelo252

@fandom-trapped-03, @zorua-adorable, @blueblossombliss, @thefangirlwholiterallydies, @woe-is-me0, @lady-bee-fechin, @jayjayspixiepop, @kashlyn, @toodaloo-kangaroo, @buginetye, @our-preciousss , @vroomtaka, @alessialeone6997

#harley and ivy #harley quinn bio mom #maribat fic #maribat #garmari #damimari #jonmari #Marinette Isley-Quinzel #garfield logan #rachel roth #gotham sirens #aunt selina #uncle ed #badass marinette #harlivy #miraculous ladybug #digital art #fluff fic #mlb crossover #mlb x dc #funnyshit #shenanigans #cursing warning #sort of siblings #Poison Ivy bio mom #the chaotic angel

[ruinous-robes]

Suneater Chapter 4: A Confrontation

Whew, been busy recently!!! But I finally got this chapter edited, so here y'all are!

No content warnings this time but as always, let me know if you need something tagged!

When Achilles was barely a pup, his mother used to scold him for scowling. 

“A bright smile gets you far further than a frown, Achilles,” she had said. “It’s much easier to get your way when people think you’re happy no matter what.”

But here, in the dark, candlelit infirmary, he was absolutely all scowls. Why did these things always happen to him?

———

When he and Thetis had arrived to his father’s summons, Phoenix had only pinned him with a grave look and ushered the two of them into a study. There, his mother Nereid and their closest advisors were already sat, picking at a plate of refreshments. No one met Achilles’ eyes, just kept their ears and heads low. The fireplace roared in the corner, warming the room uncomfortably, and just outside the stained glass window — depicting some old alpha or another — rain continued to patter lightly against the panes. 

“We have a visitor,” he said. “A Volmyr, who is currently in the infirmary. He’s in a bad way.” Phoenix sounded desperately tired. 

“Where is he from? What business does he have?” Achilles asked, trying to keep his tone neutral. 

First comes the bat. 

Phoenix shook his head. “We do not know. He collapsed pretty much as soon as he was inside. He’s sick with fever, and it seems something must’ve cracked him across the head. Wherever he’s from, he’s come a long way, and fast.”

“— but we know he is a Weaver,” Nereid said, and her voice was sharp, almost fearful. An intangible shiver moved across the room, and Achilles felt his hackles rise on end. 

“Well, where is he now?” Thetis asked, cutting Achilles off, who was most definitely going to say something stupid. 

“As I said, the infirmary, but that’s why I called the two of you back.” For the first time, Phoenix turned to face his son. “ Achilles, I’m tasking you with watching over him until he awakes. I — he was calling after you, when he landed. He wears a Weaver’s medallion, though not of any sect we could recognize. Find out why he’s come. I suspect he wouldn’t speak to us, but he will to you.”

“And what if I will not?” Achilles retorted haughtily, drawing himself up to his full height. Who did they think he was?! Did they really think to send him to appease some… some storm-blown, raging lunatic? Spirits above, they were sending him into the lion’s den!

Well, the bat’s den. But still, the principle was the same. 

Phoenix fixed him with a glare. “You will. I have allowed you and your sisters every freedom you ask, but you will do what I say in this. You may think yourself invincible, but the Weavers have dominion over and protection from something far more frightening than a mortal enemy, Achilles. You do not wish to anger their Creator. At best, all you do is delay why they’ve come. At worst… well. I would rather you not learn that lesson.”

———

So yeah, maybe he did scowl at his reflection in the window. It was better than looking at… him. 

When they had said he was a Volmyr, Achilles thought he knew what to expect. He knew they were winged. He knew they were large. He knew they were reclusive and preferred the night to day. He knew that even amongst wolves, they were strange to behold. 

No one had ever told him that they were beautiful. 

The Volmyr had been nestled in their largest recovery nest, but even then, it was nearly too small for him. His massive, dark wings were wrapped around his body, almost as if in comfort, and occasionally in his rest he would rock inside of them and bury his face in their leathery folds. He had large, delicate ears that trembled and twitched at every little sound, and they were finely furred and came to gentle, rounded points. He had a long, rectangular snout that hung open while he slept, and every once in a while, he would murmur in his sleep. His fur was almost solidly black upon first glance, but when Achilles truly looked, it tapered to a gentle, forest green upon his back, tail, and snout, making it look like he wore a mask and cape of verdant moss. His eyes were large and round, and Achilles found himself — foolishly — wondering what color they were. 

Achilles shook his head, hard. What was he doing?

And why couldn’t he just stop staring at that stupid Volmyr? 

When he had arrived, apparently he had carried only one bag, and been accompanied by a Crane, of all creatures. They had moved the bird, which was soaked and shivering from the deluge, to their companion stables, where it was being cared for by their keepers. Everything in the bag spoke of someone who had either left in a hurry, had little to their name, or both. It was mostly spare clothing, loose currency, and interestingly enough, a collapsible bow staff. Achilles wondered if he knew how to use it. 

Beyond this, there were only two things of note. 

The first was a little wooden, mechanical wind-up spider (Achilles shivered as he thought of Canary’s words), but no one could find the little key to make it move. It just sat, all its legs curled inward like it was dead, and looked at them with glittery eyes. 

The second was a tapestry. It was small and messy, clearly made by an inexperienced hand, but when Achilles had pulled it from the bag — bored of all of his babysitting — his heart had stuttered. 

It depicted a copper-green lion with a fiery ball — the sun, maybe? — snagged in its claws. It had sunk its teeth into the surface, and the flames were licking back into the lion’s pained face, burning away its mane. Below it, the planet turned, seemingly unaware of the battle in the sky above. 

He felt awful, but Achilles had quietly folded the thick fabric and tucked it in his own bag. For whatever reason, he didn’t want to let it go.  

The Volmyr mumbled something again, and gasped. 

Achilles turned back to him, but his eyes were still squeezed shut. 

He padded back over to the stranger and quirked his head. 

“What’s going on in there?” he asked quietly. “Bad dream?”

The Weaver didn’t respond. Obviously. His ears twitched at Achilles’ voice. 

Achilles huffed a laugh, and turned back to the window. What was he even doing? Honestly, he should just go to bed. He’d speak to the Volmyr when he woke up, if his father wanted him to so badly. 

He turned to him one last time. 

And when he looked at the Volmyr, he was looking back. 

Achilles no longer had to wonder about his eyes. They were green. Not brilliantly, lime green like Achilles’ were, bright as spring. No, the Volmyrs were a deep, rich green, solemn and dark as night. 

When he met Achilles’ eyes, he only smiled weakly. Something in his expression was soft, dreamy. 

“You’re just as beautiful as the day I lose you.”

Achilles blinked. For a blissful moment, he didn’t process whatever was just said. And then, understanding crashed into him like a freight train. Or rather, not understanding. 

“What?” Achilles hissed, absolutely befuddled and frankly, appalled and vaguely offended. What in Elius’ name did he just say to him?! 

At his anger, the Volmyr seemed to realize what he’d just said, and Achilles watched as he blanched, scurrying back and away from him and slamming his massive head into the wall with a painful sounding thud.

“I— I don’t—“ he stammered, reaching up with a claw to his neck. This seemed to instill a new type of panic in him as he scrambled through the blankets, feeling around for something that wasn’t there. 

“Achilles—“ He hated that the Volmyr knew his name and had the audacity to use it. “I — Have you seen a spider? A little wooden one with black eyes. Recluse? Recluse, here!”

Achilles ignored his question. He had already had enough of this wolf, and he’d been awake for thirty seconds. All of that anger and fear he’d felt before came seeping back into his body, and he bristled, baring his teeth and flattening his ears. “Why are you here, Weaver? Why do you know my name?”

And what did you mean, “the day I lose you?”

The Volmyr opened his mouth, like he might have been inclined to answer, but before he could, something tan and solid shot across the room, smacking the Volmyr straight in the chest, knocking the breath out of him with a comical wheeze. The shape scuttled up his neck, hopping up on his head, pulling at his big ears and checking the bandages at his nape like a worried mother hen. Achilles noticed with a shock that it was the little wind-up toy from earlier, the one with no key. Yet here it was, moving and twitching about on its wooden, twiggy legs. 

Achilles, for a moment, was distracted from his more pressing questions, delighted. “How did you do that?”

The Volmyr looked up, sheepish. When he met Achilles’ eyes, he immediately glanced away. “It’s, um, enchanted. An old faerie trick. It’ll only activate for someone it trusts.”

At the mention of magic, Achilles sneered. Of course. He hadn’t forgotten who this Volmyr was. He was a Weaver, come to bring something terrible. At once, Achilles decided he disliked this newcomer, handsome and awkward as he was. It was probably all a lie, anyways. Everything about his kind was. 

He didn’t voice any of this, of course. He just scoffed. “Of course,” he said snidely. 

The Volmyr’s ears drooped, and he looked away. Achilles almost felt bad, like he had done something truly unforgivable to make him look like that, because of something Achilles had done.

Almost. 

The Volmyr recovered quickly. He reached out with a wing before seemingly thinking better, and pulling it back close to his body. “Achilles, listen, I—“

“Don’t call me that. You shouldn’t know my name. You’re just some… some freaky magic valet—“

“— do you mean ‘voyeur?’”

“— and I don’t know yours. So just… just stop.” He was breathing harshly, angrily, and he hated that he couldn’t keep his composure around this… this absolute freak of magic. 

“… it’s Honor.”

Achilles narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“My— my name. It’s Honor. And I’m sorry for scaring you, or freaking you out. I have known you — well, seen visions of you — since I was a pup so I…” he trailed off, and laughed softly. It was a nice sound, that laugh, dejected as it was. “Sometimes I get ahead of myself. But that’s my name. It’s Honor.”

What a strong name for such a quiet personality, Achilles thought. It doesn’t fit him at all. He had expected something quiet, maybe just a little too large for him, but full of graceful dignity. No, Achilles decided, that name didn’t suit him in the slightest. 

He didn’t fully let his guard down, but something about the tone of Honor’s voice felt like cool water down his back: at once soothing and shocking. He felt his muscles settle, just a bit. 

Achilles didn’t respond, just harrumphed and looked away, back at the window at the dark sky. 

“I know you don’t want to speak to me, but I beg you.” Achilles could practically hear him fighting to not say his name. “Please, please hear me. You’re in immediate danger. It’s why I flew through the storm.”

Achilles tensed. He didn’t look at the stranger again. Instead, he said, “It’s late. Everyone else is in bed, but in the morning, I will retrieve you and Father and the rest of the council — including myself — will hear your story. Then I’ll decide if what you say is worth my time.”

He rose swiftly then, swaggering out of the room. Against his better judgement, he looked back at Honor one last time. 

He had his head bowed to his wings, and his ears were low. The spider — Recluse — was patting his cheek, like it was trying to comfort Honor, who only shrunk further in on himself, looking very small in the large, empty room. Everything about him looked dejected, and suddenly, Achilles felt very, very cruel.

#the arc of the suneater #lorwolf #lore wolf #ave: honor #ave: achilles #they both have guy who cant communicate disease #creators bless them

[fishylife]

Fishy’s top movies watched in 2021

It's that time of year again! My movie recommendations post!

This post is not to rank movies based on how good they are. I am ranking the movies based on how much of an impact they had on me. Personal preferences and biases will be reflected in this post. They will also be ranked in tiers rather than a definitive numbered post.

My post for this year is not as long as my post for last year, simply because I haven't watched as many movies. Hopefully y'all can still find something that interests you!

As a bit of self-promo, here is the link to my 2020 post, and here is the link to my Dreamwidth blog where I do write ups on every movie/show I've watched, and every book I've read. I call them "reviews," but they're really more like first impressions posts.

Let’s begin!

My favourite movies of the year

These were the movies that had the biggest impact on me. I think about them a lot, and I have so many thoughts about them. I would not hesitate to recommend these (to the right audience, of course lol).

The Realm (El Reino) (2018)

I'm surprised that I liked this movie as much as I did. This was a purely political movie, following a politician as he gets pulled down by a scandal. Towards the end, I was VERY into this movie as we saw how the main character was affected by the scandal, including his almost frenzied mindset. I thought it was fascinating the way this movie made sure to ground us despite the madness of the scandal.

Happiness (1998)

This movie was SO MESSED UP but SO GOOD. This movie probably contains every single trigger warning you might attach to a movie except maybe gore (so includes violence, murder, abuse, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, and maybe some that I’ve forgotten). The movie was loosely about three sisters as they deal with their romantic relationships, but the sisters aren't necessarily the main characters of their story lines. Tons of people in this movie have messed up vices, and what's crazy was that it was portrayed in an almost sitcom kind of way. I struggle to recommend this widely because of all the trigger warnings, but I applaud this movie for how it used a different way to approach these dark topics.

Wild Tales (Relatos salvajes) (2014)

This was an anthology movie, covering themes of what happens when people let their emotions take over. Perhaps it was because it was an anthology, that this movie had my attention. Each of the shorter stories were well written and well acted and they varied in tone and subject matter.

The Guilty (Den skyldige) (2018)

The Guilty is a testament to how good voice acting can really elevate a movie. This movie was about an emergency dispatch officer as he assisted with a developing case. It was indeed very thrilling, and this could not have been done without the great voice acting and great writing. It also provided commentary on people who work these jobs, as well as people in positions of authority who are relied on to support the community.

Yi Yi: A One and a Two (一一) (2000)

I have never watched any movies from Edward Chang, but Yi Yi definitely got me interested in watching his other movies. This movie was about the members of a family as they deal with different challenges, due to each of them being in different stages of their lives. The tone that was communicated in this movie was very "everyday," and that was probably what helped me sympathize with the characters. This movie was quite long, but I didn't feel like this movie dragged. I think it was because the movie emphasized a slice-of-life pace, and the length helped us feel like we were spending time with these characters as they lived their lives.

You Were Never Really Here (2017)

Beautiful movie. It was about a hitman being assigned to rescue a politican’s daughter. The story was straightforward, but the way it was shot was unsettling but beautiful. I liked how the director Lynne Ramsay portrayed our main character’s state of mind. I would put a warning on this movie for violence and child sexual abuse, but I felt that this movie tried to cushion these topics as much as possible (implying these actions rather than showing them), which preserved a certain tone that I really appreciated in this movie.

Honourable mentions

These movies also had an impact on me, and they forced me to think, but just weren't at the very top of my list.

12 Angry Men (1957) - This movie was about twelve jurors discussing the verdict for a murder. The majority of the film took place in one room, so you can imagine that the quality of writing was utmost importance, and this movie delivered. I just really appreciated this movie for how much it could do with a limited set. The acting was great, and the dialogue was all very well written, not wasting any words.

A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël) (2008) - This movie was about a family meeting up together for Christmas, but this family has a lot of drama. Admittedly, I don't think that many people would find this movie interesting, but it struck a nerve with me. There was a character who was supposed to be kind of irritable and nasty and part way through the movie, as we learned more about her I was like "...shit...am I her?" So this movie spoke to me because I have never felt Seen in this way haha. The acting was also very good.

Amreeka (2009) - This was a movie about a mother and son immigrating from Palestine to the US. The story followed the mom as she and her son struggled to settle in in the States. The struggles that we saw were realistic, but it was also very nice to see how friends and family can help make a challenge seem less daunting.

Her (2013) - This movie was about a man who was falling in love with his AI operating system. In my writeup, I characterized this movie as "bloated," but in the good way. This movie communicated a lot about both humanity's relationship with technology as well as with each other. The world that this movie was based around was very interesting and beautiful as well.

Biutiful (2010) - Biutiful was an introspective movie about a character in his last days of life. This was a character-driven movie. This wasn't my favourite Iñárritu movie ever, but in hindsight, I think this movie hit me harder than I expected. The overall atmosphere of this movie was just very jarring and stark and heartwrenching. I would especially recommend it for people who are fans of Javier Bardem as he does a great job in his role.

The Truth Beneath (비밀은 없다) (2016) - This was a really good thriller movie, about a couple, consisting of a politician and his wife, whose teenage daughter goes missing. It was a typical Korean film in that it covered themes of revenge, and had an intense visual style, but the movie didn’t suffer at all because of it. Park Chan-wook wrote the movie (but did not direct it), and his style persists in the movie, that intense, unsettling atmosphere when you realize that something isn’t right. A nice watch!

Moonlight (2016) - This movie was a coming-of-age movie about a man as he comes to terms with his identity and sexuality, and reunites with his childhood love. I can see why this movie was so loved. It was love story in an unlikely situation featuring unlikely characters. What I mean by "unlikely" is that in romance films, we do not often see such characters (gay and bisexual black men) getting a chance to find romance and happiness for themselves. And because I don’t know what it’s like to be a gay black man, I appreciate that this movie gave us a mature look into their struggles, while giving us a hopeful tone.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018) - This movie was about a teenager who was sent to a conversation therapy center. Of course, it was not a fun time. Though the movie covered many heavy topics, I think the way they were portrayed, through our teenage protagonist's eyes, was interesting and well-done.

Bad Education (La mala educación) (2004) - I've been making my way through Almodóvar's movies, and they can be VERY hit-or-miss for me, because of his story telling style, which is almost a bit soap opera like. This was one of the movies that did work out for me. I would call Bad Education a thriller/drama movie, about uncovering a past of sexual abuse, and themes of revenge. I think it worked because the story itself was logical and fleshed out. The acting was terrific, and the soap-opera perspective heightened the tension for this thriller story.

Julieta (2016) - This movie took me by surprise, as it is quite different from what I have come to expect from Almodóvar's movies. The movie was about a woman's strained relationship with her daughter. The movie itself discussed themes of family and parent-child relationships.

Roma (2018) - Roma followed the life of a domestic worker in a Mexican household. I read that this movie was a semi-autobiographical on Alfonso Cuarón‘s part, and I can see that, because the way he approached domestic workers in this movie felt quite realistic and down to earth, not hopelessly desolate, but also not unrealistically ideal as well. Nice storytelling!

Citizen Kane (1941) - Really intriguing movie. A rich man dies, and his last words are puzzling, so a reporter embarks on a journey to interview the people close to him to try to understand what he meant by his last words. I enjoyed this movie as a piece of great storytelling and film production. The story was simple but complete, and I noticed that the the cinematography was especially creative.

Movies that were still good

These movies were good, I just didn’t personally identify with them. But I can see other people really loving or identifying with these movies, which is why I would still like to mention them.

Win Win (2011) - A comedy-drama about a lawyer and the grandson of a client that he's supposed to be taking care of. While there was light humour in the movie, I also liked that it tackled the tougher issues, including the fact that the lawyer, despite being a temporary guardian for the boy, is kind of shady himself.

Museo (2018) - This was a movie about two people who robbed a museum and wanted to sell their wares. Part of this story was a commentary on the ethicality of museums, and the other part was more of a personal one, reflecting the main character's relationships and outlook on life.

Burning (버닝) (2018) - This movie is a strange one, in that it hardly felt like a story. The story centered on our main character as he meets some old and new friends. I feel like it's hard to explain the plot of the movie without injecting my personal biases, so that's why I will keep it at that. I wouldn't say it was a favourite film, but I appreciated its different narrative style.

Eighth Grade (2018) - As the name implies, this movie was about a girl as she navigates eighth grade. It was just nice that for once I did not see a glamourized version of what an eighth grader would be like. The problems that these kids had were easy to relate to and sympathize with because at one point, we were all this young and lost in the world. But as someone who is older than the characters in the movie, it was also interesting to see in what ways teenagers of today deal with their issues. The way that the main character's journey was portrayed was funny but also hopeful.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (복수는 나의 것) (2002) - It's funny that I watched this movie 6 years after I watched the second and third movies of Park Chan-wook's "Vengeance Trilogy." If I were to give a synopsis of the movie, I would say it was about a kidnapping gone wrong. The story had a lot more going on than just this kidnapping story though. I think this movie was more muted in tone, so it didn't shock me as much as the later instalments did, though it still explored its themes thoroughly and had an intricate plot (and of course, had some intense scenes with violence).

Shoplifters (万引き家族) (2018) - This movie was about a group of unrelated misfits who were living under one roof, which may or may not have been legal. I was expecting this to be one of those heartwarming movies and was actually quite pleased when it ended up not being one. I liked that it explored the conflicts that come with a found family, instead of a happy story where everything works out, because in real life, people are not always completely altruistic.

Elena (Елена) (2011) - I've been making my way through Zvyagintsev movies. I thought this one was interesting. Elena was a woman who was from the working class, who was married to a rich man. It was very unambiguously about class differences, and gave me Parasite vibes, but I kind of wish the movie was a bit longer so that we could see more of our characters.

Talk to Her (Hable con ella) (2002) - This was another Almodóvar movie that I watched this year. It was about two men who met in a hospital, both because they were taking care of women who were comatose. As I mentioned, Almodóvar has a sort of soap opera style of telling stories, and it surprisingly worked well in this movie. It allowed us to sympathize with the people in this movie who might have perspectives that would normally be dismissed as crazy.

Searching (2018) - This movie took me by surprise. It was about a single dad searching for his missing daughter. The gimmick was that the entire movie took place on screens, either computer screens or phone screens. I was surprised by how not distracting the technology was. And overall, it was just a fun thriller movie.

Closing remarks

This was another year of movies both good and bad. Of course, I've only listed the good ones here. For those of you who are reading, hopefully you have found some movies to add to your to-watch list :3 And if you have seen any of the movies on this list, feel free to share your thoughts!

#thinking out loud #thoughts #movies

[sourwolphs]

Like an Animal - Bucky x Reader EPILOGUE

Read on Ao3 (for better interface + formatting)

Summary: Reader is an enhanced Omega kidnapped by Hydra and trapped in a cell with Alpha Bucky Barnes. Tags: A/B/O, Protective Bucky Barnes, Protective Steve Rogers, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending Warnings: Rated M, Kidnapping, Mentions of Non-Con

A/N: Well, y'all— This is it. The happy, happy ending I promised. I'm actually emotional posting this, because I've grown so attached to this little pack I created. Please let me know if there's any other drabbles you'd like to see in this universe :') And for now, enjoy the sappy, tooth-rotting epilogue that Reader and Bucky deserve. Leave a comment on Ao3 if you enjoyed!!  Minor Content Warning: Mentions of pregnancy (NOT reader)

6 Months Later

“All clear down there?” Nat said smoothly over comms.

“All clear,” I said back, holstering my pistol on my right hip. Bucky and I had just finished zip-tying the remaining five or six enemy agents’ wrists and ankles, lining them up in a row in the corridor of the Hydra base we’d infiltrated.

Bucky and I had singlehandedly cleared the entire lower level of the base, moving with the deadly efficiency of a bonded pair— able to sense and anticipate each other’s moves before they even happened, moving fluidly as one, deadly machine.

Hydra hadn’t even heard us sneak in, hadn’t even had the opportunity to prepare for the assault. To draw out all the assailants into the hallway, Bucky had fired one warning shot into the ceiling, my body protectively shielded behind him. Once all the men were in front of us, guns drawn, I’d iced the entire hallway underneath them, freezing their feet to the ground using the water reserves Tony had built directly into my new suit.

The agents had shot at us immediately, hollering for reinforcements from upstairs that would never come. But we were impossibly fast. (I’d knock out an enemy’s legs just as Bucky landed a lights-out blow to his face. I’d run out of bullets, and Bucky would toss me his gun just as I tossed him my knife. I’d have a fleeting thought that I’d like to attack a group from above, and Bucky would already be kneeling on the ground with two hands on his thigh, ready to launch me up for an aerial assault.)

Bonded pairs like us? We were deadly.

Now, mission over, I walked the row of incapacitated Hydra agents, checking for weapons we missed and snagging a finger on each of the zip ties to make sure they were nice and tight. Fury’s S.W.O.R.D. team outside would come down after the threat was cleared and take all these men in for questioning.

One of the agents I’d tied up was still out cold, head lolled back against the cement wall. The others sneered up at me with barely concealed rage as I passed by. I smirked. The agent who was knocked out had spit out some kind of designation-related insult at me earlier, embarrassed at being overpowered by an Omega. Long story short, Bucky had happened. The others kept their mouths shut after that little display.

I felt a sudden flutter of my Alpha’s pride in my chest, and when I looked up, I could see him staring at me from across the hallway with a fond smile on his face. I couldn’t help the flush from spreading across my cheeks at his look, which quickly took on a more predatory gleam as I cocked a hip at him. With our adrenaline this high after a successful mission, especially when we moved together as fluidly as we had, things sometimes got… heated quickly once we were back in the safety of our den.

“Snap a picture, it’ll last longer,” I said, twirling to give him a better view. I knew my new suit made me look good. It was dark blue, skin-tight and detailed with strategic zippers, buckles and holsters FRIDAY had mapped out based on my abilities and attack patterns after over a year of studying my training and in-mission action. I’d only had the chance to try the suit out a few times since Tony had finished up the designs a couple months ago, but I felt good in it, and I knew it helped Bucky relax a bit more, knowing my gear was bullet- and knife-proof, all the way up my neck.

I’d requested one another enhancement to my suit as well: rigid vibranium reinforcement up around the back of my neck, where I was the most vulnerable. No Alpha would have the chance to catch me in a Grip again, even if they tried. Nobody except my Alpha— though he had only used it a few times, gently and reassuringly, to help my body relax during my heat and during a panic attack. The reinforcement around the back of my neck also had the added effect of covering up my mating bite completely, soothing Bucky’s protective instincts by shielding an area of my skin that he was particularly possessive over.

Bucky’s eyes tracked down my body from head to toe, before he stalked towards me with a heated look to his face, like he wanted to bite. His expression sent a thrill through me, and I let him pull me tight against his body as we made our way back towards the upper levels of the warehouse.

“No need for a picture, doll. I think the image of you in that suit is burned permanently into my brain. Though I wouldn’t mind something secret for the back of my wallet,” he said with a wink.

I laughed and pinched his bicep, where he’d thrown it around my shoulder. “You don’t even carry a wallet,” I protested. Bucky just laughed and planted a hard kiss to the side of my head as we climbed the stairs.

“Coming up now,” I murmured to the team over comms. “S.W.O.R.D. clear for cleanup.”

“Can we please get burgers? I’m starving,” Sam chirped back in my ear. “Feels like I haven’t eaten for a week.”

“We had breakfast like four hours ago, babe,” Nat said exasperatedly back. I tossed Bucky a look, biting my lip to hide a snicker, knowing he was hearing exactly what I was hearing.

Sam and Nat had been unsuccessfully hiding their burgeoning relationship from the rest of the pack for weeks. But before either of us could poke fun at the Beta’s little slip, Steve’s shocked, spluttering voice came over the comms, ever the oblivious one. “Babe?!”

Bucky and I, now at the top of the stairwell, doubled over laughing.

Nat and Sam went suspiciously quiet, which only made Bucky and I laugh harder. “Don’t tell me you’re just figuring this out now, Steve,” I said through my laughter, only to be met with more spluttering from the blond Alpha.

With our guard down, I shouldered open the door at the top of the stairs before Bucky, who usually preferred to take the lead regardless of whether we had eliminated all threats in enemy territory or not.

But just as I opened the door, I caught the cigarette smoke scent of an unfamiliar Alpha, and felt the barrel of a gun press itself to the side of my head. My whole body froze instantly, my hand darting down to grab for the knife I had slotted against my left thigh.

I knew the moment Bucky caught the scent of another Alpha, because he let out a ferocious snarl that even raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

“Don’t move, or I shoot her,” growled the attacker. Bucky stilled behind me, still propping the door open with his foot.

The flash of panic I felt at the first sign of an attacker had already faded, replaced by a steely resolve that was strengthened by the fact that Bucky was just steps away. Even if I failed at what I had planned, I knew he would protect me— no matter what. My Alpha remained motionless, body coiled in preparation for an attack, and I knew it was because he could feel my lack of fear, my determination, and that he could tell exactly what I was prepared to do next.

This right here? This is what made bonded pairs like us terrifying, I thought.

Faster than my attacker could register, I froze both of his feet to the floor while simultaneously disarming him with one smooth jab to the inner elbow that forced him to release his grip on the weapon. The Alpha made a punched-out noise, diving forward to attack me, and I whipped myself up and over the back of him effortlessly, pulling him onto his back on the floor and exposing his belly to my partner. It was the same move I’d practiced with Bucky months ago, the one that had made me explode in frustration. But I’d finally mastered it.

Bucky was right there with me, looming over the Alpha with a knife pressed to his gut and a devilish smirk on his face.

“That didn’t work out like you thought it would, did it, buddy?” Bucky said, and I snorted out a laugh.

The attacker conceded his defeat, going limp underneath my grip with a whine, and soon we had him zip-tied wrists to ankles against the wall to be swept up with the rest of the Hydra scum.

“You never cease to amaze me, doll,” Bucky said, tossing his arm back over my shoulder as we made it out into the fresh air— threats now completely neutralized. Even with the breeze tousling our hair, I could smell the warm, campfire scent of Alpha pride coming off my mate in waves.

“Well, we make a pretty unstoppable team,” I said, low enough just for him to hear as I pressed a kiss to his stubbled cheek— scenting instinctively at the glands on his neck. Bucky shamelessly scented me back, even as we came up on the rest of the pack standing in a circle on the grass by the quinjet.

Seemingly overnight after we had finally bonded, Bucky became completely comfortable with expressing his affection for me in front of the pack. I still fondly remembered the day after my heat. After a full morning of lazy cuddles and kisses, soaking up the feeling of our brand new bond, we’d finally showered and stumbled our way out of his den to find the entire pack crowded in the common area. They were all drinking and recuperating after a mission that had pulled half of them away in the middle of the night.

They’d all stilled when they saw me… and Bucky with his arms wrapped around my back like an octopus, before greeting us with cheers and happy smiles. The scent of my pleased Alpha practically choked everyone in the room as he showed off the fresh bond mark on my neck, still swollen and puffy.

Naturally, Wanda had immediately burst into happy tears at the sight of it, barely holding herself back from pulling me into a hug. (Her self-preservation won out in the end— all Alphas were supernaturally territorial immediately post-heat, but especially after a bonding, and Bucky was wary of anyone getting too close.)

Steve and Sam had legitimately clapped, making me turn red as a tomato with embarrassment as Bucky only grinned and licked shamelessly at my bond mark.

Everyone else had offered their congratulations— Nat with a sly little wink for my eyes only— before Bucky had deemed my brief, post-heat exposure to the outside world sufficient and bundled me back into the den to rub his scent all over me again. I indulged him— if only for a few days. He’d waited a long time— 107 years, to be exact— to experience a bonding. Who was I to deny him the pleasure of acting like an Alpha caveman?

(Plus, he could literally feel that I loved every second of his protective doting, no matter how exasperated I pretended to be.)

Now, months after our bonding, the pack was used to Bucky being completely unable to keep his paws off of me. Nobody even batted an eye at our annoying, public scent-marking as we rejoined the group outside. (Besides, after Nat’s little “Babe” slip-up with Sam, there were more important things to focus on.)

“I can’t believe you guys are…are… courting!” Steve was spluttering at the two Betas as we walked up to the pack. Nat’s face was carefully blank, while Sam was doing his best to keep a smirk off his lips. I laughed at the earthy scent of embarrassment roiling off of Nat in waves, coupled with Sam’s giddy, preening citrus scent. I doubted it was his idea to keep their relationship a secret.

Since we were the last two to exit the Hydra base, the team started moving wordlessly towards the gangplank of the quinjet, ready to board.

“Yeah, they’re courting Steve,” I said teasingly, always amused at his outdated relationship notions. “That’s exactly how I’d describe reeking of each other every morning underneath scent-blocking cologne.”

Both Nat and Steve gave me the stink-eye, and Bucky and I dissolved into laughter.

The relationship cat was finally out of the metaphorical bag— not that everyone besides Steve hadn’t mostly figured it out by now. I’d even caught Sam sneaking out of Nat’s room the other morning, but had deigned to keep my mouth shut.

“So I’m the fifth wheel on our missions now, huh?” Steve said under his breath as he buckled in, watching Nat punch in the coordinates on the quinjet dashboard. The Alpha didn't stop making comments the entire quinjet ride home, but his scent— while sharp with surprise and indignation— was as calm and warm as usual underneath, and I knew he wasn’t really upset with any of us, least of all the two happy Betas.

We made good time back to the compound, bone-deep exhaustion setting in towards the end of the flight as Steve ran us through a quick debrief and we communicated with Fury and his agents about base cleanup via hologram. I was half slumped in Bucky’s lap by the time we landed, my eyes starting to droop under the comforting spell of his scent and his warmth against me. I knew Bucky could feel my exhaustion through the bond, because he had pulled me tighter against him, untangling my hair from its braid so he could run his fingers through it in the way he knew I liked.

As we started to unload from the quinjet, packing up our gear and tidying up after ourselves to avoid Tony’s wrath, Steve caught Sam sneaking a kiss to Nat’s forehead.

“C’mon! It’s bad enough I gotta deal with them!” Steve said in mock-affront, pointing in Bucky and I’s direction. Everyone snickered at that, as Bucky was literally in the middle of hefting me up to carry my sleepy form piggy-back style inside.

“You’ll find your mate soon enough, Stevie,” I said, patting his soft, golden head from where I was at eye-level with him from Bucky’s back.

“What about that brunette from accounting?” Nat piped up, a smirk curling her plush lips.

“Oh, don’t get her started on this again,” Steve sighed, swiping a hand down his face. I caught myself subconsciously scenting the air, worriedly checking for any real indication of upset in Steve’s scent.

I’d talked about it with Bucky before, the unconscious urge I felt to check in on the blond Alpha. It was similar (though much less strong) than the instinctual urge I felt to check in on and care for Bucky. My mate had admitted to doing the same thing. Even though we never scent-marked or led pack rituals in any official capacity, Steve was— for all intents and purposes— our pack Alpha. All of us felt an instinctual deference and care for him as a result, the same way he felt a fierce protectiveness and responsibility for all of us.

We ambled off the quinjet, Steve and Nat fake-bickering over the Alpha’s love life (or lack thereof) all the way into the compound, before we went our separate ways to clean up— Bucky and I making our way back to our shared den.

The week after we’d bonded, we’d decided to move my things down into Bucky’s apartment since it was nearly twice the size of mine in the first place. Now, the space— our den— smelled strongly of the both of us, a particularly pleasing balm to my tired Omega instincts after a long mission. The minute we walked through the door, I felt my body go limp against Bucky’s back. He manhandled me gently off him and around into his arms, chuckling softly as I dramatically lolled my head back to bare my throat.

“Take care of me, Alpha,” I whined, only half-joking. I could feel Bucky’s strong urge to protect, to provide projecting to me through the bond, and I smiled dopily.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m at your service, doll. You want a shower?” Bucky said, already moving in the direction of the bathroom as he pressed soft, reverent kisses to the exposed line of my throat. I nodded and hummed, letting him set me down on the counter as he warmed up the water and shucked off his suit, before unzipping me from neck to waist. I shimmed out of my layers, letting my empty holsters clatter to the floor and tossing my comms by the sink.

There were a lot of things I loved about our bond. The deadly ease we moved together as a pair on missions. The comfort of knowing exactly what my mate was thinking and feeling at any given time. The unbelievable, mind-blowing sex. But this? This casual domesticity, the seamless way we moved together doing the most mundane things, anticipating every move and knowing exactly how to care for one another? This was the best part.

Bucky loved when I washed his hair for him, so I did, watching with a smile as his eyes fluttered closed and the bathroom filled with the warm, cedar scent of pleased Alpha. Bucky knew I held all my tension from using my abilities in the back of my neck and shoulders, so he massaged out the knots for me under the hot spray, pausing to kiss and scent at the silvery bond scar on my mating gland, delighting in my shivers.

Once we were toweled dry and back in comfy clothes, I dragged Bucky out of the apartment to go find the rest of the pack. Steve would probably want to debrief more, and Wanda’s nesting instincts were on overdrive— she definitely needed visual confirmation that we were all unharmed.

Almost everyone was already curled up in the common area lounge around Wanda and her huge belly, pregnant with twins. Her cinnamon scent had gotten impossibly sweeter over the past 6 months, and her already maternal Omega instincts had made her turn practically feral with the need to comfort and coddle everyone. (We all felt the same way, an instinctual need to soothe and protect— Vision being the worst, of course, even though their babies were not biologically his.)

Steve was in the middle of updating Tony and Bruce on new findings from the mission. Wanda smiled when she saw Bucky and I, patting the couch next to her. I tucked in close to my friend, blissfully sandwiched between her and my mate.

“Everyone make it back here, okay?” Wanda said with a tired sigh, leaning her head on my shoulder as she ran a hand down her belly. Next to her, Vision instinctually twitched, like he was restless to do something to soothe her natural aches, and I felt a smile curl at my lips. Bucky would be the same way, always itching to protect, to care. One day, maybe.

“Not a hair out of place on any of us,” I reassured her, then lowered my voice to add, “But Steve finally figured out the whole Sam and Nat situation.”

Despite my attempt at being secretive, I knew Steve had heard me because he stopped mid-sentence and spun to face us, shooting us a stern look with no real heat in it. Wanda giggled quietly, scrunching up her nose.

Right on time, the two Betas in question straggled in, the last of the pack to make it to debrief. Sam had his arm thrown around Nat’s shoulders, tucking her tight against his side. Tony just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms across his chest at the sight of them publicly together— no doubt Pepper had already filled him in. Steve, despite all his protestations and mock affront on the quinjet, beamed at the sight of his best friends’ affection for each other. And Wanda? Well, she was practically suffocating us all with her pleased Omega scent. Even Vision and Bruce were grinning.

“Well, well, well— looks like the two sets of lovebirds over on the couch might finally have a competitor to contend with for the title of “Most Nauseating to Watch a Movie With,”” Tony snarked, eyebrows raised, cocking his head at the four of us seated together. Bucky picked up a pillow and chucked it at Tony's head, which he primly dodged.

“That’s really rich coming from the guy who cried watching The Wolf of Wall Street,” I said.

At the same time Wanda cut in with a “Hey! Didn’t your mother teach you it was impolite to bully Omegas?”

Ignoring us both, Tony continued, turning to Steve. “What was it Peter called old Buckaroo the other day? A ‘simp’? Remind me what that means?”

Now it was Sam’s turn to bark out a laugh, and my turn to throw a pillow at Tony’s head.

“I would advise we end this conversation now, before anyone loses their fingernails,” Nat cut in suddenly, quiet and deadly. Her lips were completely devoid of a smile, arms crossed across her chest and one perfectly manicured eyebrow cocked.

Tony made an audible gulping sound, and the laughter in the room quieted for a moment as we all looked at one another— trying to gauge whether Nat was serious or not. I was too far away from her in the room to scent for the thunderstorm, ozone smell that crackled around her when she was legitimately angry. And when I made eye contact with Steve, he actually looked concerned for a second, like maybe we’d all gone too far with the teasing.

“C’mon, sugar— You’re gonna make someone wet their pants with that look,” Sam said in his low, teasing voice, jostling Nat gently with his arm around her waist. All at once, Nat’s serious expression melted away, immediately warping into the goopiest, sappiest, most in-love expression I’d ever seen on her face as she turned to look up at her handsome Beta.

“Jesus Christ, is that what we look like to you guys?” I said, then abruptly clapped a hand over my mouth as I realized I’d said the words out loud. Along with everyone else, Nat spun to face me, lips open in a little shocked “o.”

You could hear a pin drop in the silence that settled over the room as my words sunk in. I fell instinctively back against Bucky’s chest, feeling my cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

Then, all at once, like a wave crashing to shore, the entire pack erupted into laughter. Steve threw his head back, hand to chest. Wanda giggled infectiously, shoulders shaking. Sam doubled over. Nat clutched her stomach. Even Bruce was shaking his hand in exasperated laughter at our antics.

I joined them too, first a nervous chuckle, then a full out laugh as I slowly breathed in the beautiful, safe scents of joy, of happiness and of home around me. The scents of my pack, of my family.

I had Steve— my pack Alpha, our protector. Sam, my best friend and confidant, and his soon-to-be-mate, Nat— another protector, mentor and close friend. I had the unconditional love and support of Wanda, and by extension, her Alpha, Vision. (And soon enough, we’d have two new, little pack members— Billy and Tommy— toddling around after us.) I had Bruce and Tony, Pepper and Rhodey, Clint and Peter…

But most importantly, I had my mate.

I had Bucky.

I craned my neck to turn around and look up into his face, only to find that he was already looking at me with a soft, secret smile. My eyes met twin gray-blue, and for a moment I lost my breath. His staggering love and affection for me swelled like a balloon in my chest through the bond— as I’m sure mine was in his. The bite on my neck throbbed distractingly.

I reached a hand up to card gently through his soft, still-drying hair, cupping the stubble at his jaw, breathing in his smooth, cedar smoke scent— feeling so immensely, unbelievably lucky that I was here. That I could have this.

All of this. Forever.

Or, at least until Steve threw the pillow at Tony’s feet right back at us to the pack-wide chorus of, “Ugh! Get a room!”

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