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starrylothcat · 1 year

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Sparks

Hunter x Fem!Jedi Reader One-Shot

Summary: You and Hunter realize your long-hidden feelings for one another. Warnings: Wee bit of angst, kissing/making out, slight suggestiveness. This is my first fic! Excuse any formatting or grammatical errors...I haven't stretched my writing fingers in a long time. I also have no idea how Tumblr formatting works, haha. I needed some fluff after that finale. This one got away from me...3,000 words. Please leave your thoughts and enjoy!

@wanderer-six tagged as requested! :)

The bonfire was now huge, burning fast and bright, much to Wrecker and Omega’s delight. Sparks flew in to the clear night air, illuminating the figures sitting around it.

Clone Force 99 and you had just finished a tiring mission and were taking the night to decompress on a desolate, forested planet. The bonfire was actually your idea, a memory you had stored deep in your subconscious from when you were a very young Jedi Padawan. After a tough training or difficult mission, your Master would often start a fire while you meditated and reflected. The heat and cackling from the flames helped calm you, oddly enough. It was something that you continued to do, even as a Jedi General during the war. It was something that burned bright in the darkness. Something that you were all now desperate for in this new Imperial galaxy.

You didn’t speak much of your past as a Jedi at first. It was too painful, too fresh. But as you spent more time with Clone Force 99, you became more comfortable sharing small snippets on occasion, much to the excitement of Omega who hung on to every word. Echo would also sometimes add his own stories from his old squad, which would then inspire Wrecker to tell stories (sometimes embellished ones) of their missions, reminiscing on battles won. It was nice to connect again, to have those who understood you, as you were now all outcasts. Chewed up by the war and tossed to the side, now struggling to find your place in the galaxy.

Somewhat recently after Order 66, they rescued you from bounty hunters who had suspicions you were a Jedi. You tried to keep it a secret, but Hunter found you out with his heightened senses. You warily came clean to them, telling them the truth.

You were only supposed to stay with them for a short time, only until you found a new place to hide. Hunter was wary with having a Jedi on board, especially since they already had a target on their back. But a short time turned longer. You were helpful on missions and were careful to never expose yourself as a Jedi. Omega became particularly attached to you, and Hunter saw how much Omega was benefiting from a woman on board. You also became close with them, especially Hunter. You both connected over the baggage of being a leader, and what it meant to fail as one as well. Other feelings began to blossom, that neither you or Hunter knew how to act on, or even if you should. You found yourself talking to him late in to the night, discussing next mission plans or plans from the past. But you both always left those conversations wishing you had said more.

Tech had just carefully landed the ship on the empty, forested planet in the only clearing he could find. It was Hunter's idea to do inventory, seeing when you would need to do a supply run next. You casually mentioned the bonfire memory as you were all rummaging through gear and supplies, as this planet reminded you of that distant memory.

Omega’s eyes widened and asked, “Can we do that tonight? That sounds fun!” while looking excitedly between you and Hunter, who was sitting down and cleaning his knife. He chuckled, a low chuckle that made butterflies swirl in your stomach. Something you’ve realized has been happening more often. But you pushed that thought aside, for now.

“Sure, kid. This planet is empty enough. I don’t think it will attract too much attention.” Tech adjusted his goggles and looked up from his datapad. “I do not see any settlements on this planet. There is no current need for worry.” He said before becoming absorbed once more in his research.

Wrecker, with much glee, shot up from begrudgingly organizing his gear, and announced, “Fire, I like this idea! This is boring anyway. Let’s take a break and go gather some wood!” He turned to look at Hunter for approval, who shrugged and nodded. “Omega, let’s go!” Wrecker hurriedly threw the rest of his unorganized gear on his bunk. Omega grinned, also happy to get away from inventory, and began after Wrecker down the ramp of the Marauder. She stopped at the top of the ramp and looked back. “Thank you!” She beamed at both you and Hunter, and skittered after Wrecker.

Hunter had put his knife away and was now leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, gazing at you. You felt your heart beat quicken when you matched his stare. “You’ve done it now.” He teased as he watched Wrecker and Omega run toward the tree line. You shrugged with a small smile as you stood up from putting the last piece of equipment back in your gear pack. “Well, I have to admit, I need a break too. Let’s just hope they don’t burn the whole planet down.”

Hunter released a low chuckle again and you felt heat rise up your neck. “With Wrecker involved, I’m not too sure.” Echo quipped from the pilot seat, where he was researching where they could get supplies before the next mission. “Given the current wind speeds and our distance from the trees, it would be difficult to start a blaze that big.” Tech called from under a piece of machinery he was now working on. “But I have to agree with Echo. With Wrecker involved, statistically the odds are higher.”

You gave a small laugh, which made Hunter’s heart involuntarily quicken. It was your laugh that he often thought of deep in the night, when he was having trouble sleeping. The way your shoulders moved when you chuckled, the way your eyes glinted when you smiled. How sometimes he’d find himself almost getting out of his bunk to wake you up and take you in his arms, telling you how he feels as his lips meet yours….

A sudden crash snapped him out of his thoughts, setting his senses haywire. You heard the sound too, and you looked at each other and ran down the ramp to see what the commotion was, hands on your blasters. Hunter breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Wrecker standing with Omega at the tree line, who were both excitedly picking up branches from a dead tree Wrecker had just knocked over. Hunter ran a hand through his hair. He couldn’t help but always be on high alert, especially with Omega. He could see relief in your eyes as well, once you realized it was nothing to be concerned about. You lightly touched his arm, asking “You okay?” “Yeah…” he breathed. “I’m not used to…calm.” You nodded, understanding.

“I guess we better enjoy it while it lasts.”

Your lips ghosted a smile, realizing you were still touching Hunter’s arm. You moved your hand, suddenly embarrassed. Hunter opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Echo coming down the ramp to see what the commotion was. He also needed a break, and was interested in this fire idea. “Yeah, you’ve really done it now, _____.” Echo teased as you all looked at the growing pile of logs and branches that Omega and Wrecker had collected. “Hey, don’t just stand there, come and help us!” Wrecker called as he balanced more giant branches in his arms. You gave Hunter a look and continued down the ramp to help.

The sun was getting low, and Wrecker was adding the last log to a massive pile he and Omega collected. You were collecting small sticks and brush for kindling. Wrecker put down the last one, wiping sweat from his face. “Phew! Do you think this is enough?” He huffed. “If you are trying to light a fire big enough for the entire Galaxy to see, then yes.” Tech said casually as he came down the ship’s ramp, also now having his interest piqued. “Oh, it’ll be a massive fire, I can’t wait!” Wrecker exclaimed as he winked at Omega.

“So now what? I’ve never made a fire before. Hunter, can you teach me?” Omega asked, looking up at Hunter with large, pleading eyes. Hunter looked at her softly. “Yeah, sure kid.” He glanced at you and then put his hand on Omega’s shoulder, leading her toward the log pile.

As Hunter and Omega began to make a space for the fire, you and Echo were maneuvering some of the bigger logs for everyone to have a seat once the fire was going. Since this planet was desolate, you used the Force to move some of the larger logs. Hunter noticed out of the corner of his eye, always secretly impressed with your graceful power. It was rare when you used it, and it captivated him.

“What’s next Hunter? Hunter?” Hunter snapped out of his thoughts and Omega was looking at him, curiously. “You were staring again.” She said quietly. “I don’t know what you mean, Omega.” He lightly scolded, trying to change the subject.

She gave a small smirk. “You sometimes stare at _____.” Hunter cleared his throat. “And I see her stare at you sometimes, too.” She said matter-of-factly, looking back at the pile of kindling they had placed for the eventual fire. “I think she likes you.” Before he could respond, you had suddenly appeared behind them. “How’s it going?” You asked. Hunter bristled, hoping you hadn’t just heard their conversation, not even realizing you were approaching. “It’s uh…going well. I’m just about to teach Omega how to actually light the fire.”

“I have something embarrassing to admit.” You said sheepishly. “I actually don’t know how to start a fire, either. My Master just always used his lightsaber.” You laughed and Omega smiled.

“Mind if I watch?” You sat down next to Hunter, eager to learn as much as Omega was. Or maybe you were just eager to be close to Hunter. His senses were suddenly overwhelmed with your scent, another thing he was noticing lately. His stomach felt like it was on fire. Get a grip, Hunter. he thought. He snapped himself out of thinking about you once again, and continued with his lesson. “Im going to start with the hard way first. Say you’re stranded without gear. This is important to learn.” He took a small stick to use as a spindle and a small flat piece of wood. “This takes awhile and is a pain, but this is the most basic way to start a spark.” He began to spin the spindle between his hands quickly in to a divot he had made on the flat piece of wood on the ground, held steady by his foot. Omega watched intensely, soaking up every word and action. You saw a small gleam of sweat form at his brow, and watched the concentration in his eyes. Your heart fluttered again, suddenly imagining his sweaty brow and intense look above you in a moment of passion. The smell of smoke brought you back to reality, before your imagination went further. Hunter had made a small ember that was smoking. He carefully moved it to the kindling and gently blew on it to start a small flame.

“Woaaah, let me try!” Omega gasped excitedly and went to work the same way Hunter did on a new piece of flat wood. You watched as he patiently moved her hands to the correct position, gently correcting her when appropriate. For a dark and broody Sergeant, you recognized his moments of softness. Moments that he also sometimes shared with you, which you knew were special, especially coming from someone as guarded as him.

After trial and error, and some frustration, Omega finally got her own spark. “I did it!” She yelled. Hunter smiled.

“Good work, kid. You might just be a natural. Now, carefully put it in the kindling.”

She gently moved it to the already growing flame and looked at Hunter for approval. “There you go, you did it. That was all you.” Omega beamed and said “Now it’s _____’s turn.” She jumped up and brushed dust and dirt off her knees, and began to walk away. “Wait, where are you going?” Hunter asked. Omega turned and called, “I want to tell the others the fire is almost ready!” She gave Hunter a look and ran back to the Marauder where the rest of the boys had gone to rest, before Hunter and you could respond.

It was suddenly quiet, only the gentle crackling of the small fire was to be heard.

“I guess it’s my turn to try, huh?” You said softly, realizing it was just you and Hunter for a moment. The sun was almost set, and the small fire was casting a soft glow on the both of you. “You don’t have to-“ he began but you stopped him.

“No, I want to! What good am I to the team if I can’t even start a fire? I need to impress my Sergeant." You smirked playfully. "Also, I can’t let a kid get the best of me.” You teased as you began to spin the stick between your hands.

“You bring other skills to the team, you don’t have to worry about fire making.” He stated. “Leave that to Omega and I.” He smiled, looking at you. “Also, you don’t need to impress me. You already do that.” Suddenly, you felt shy. Hunter glanced away from you, embarrassed about what he just said, wrestling with his feelings, wondering if he had said too much.

“Thank you, Hunter. I don’t think I’ve ever expressed how grateful I am to you, and to your brothers, for taking me in.” Hunter looked at you. “You don’t need to thank me. But I’m glad you’re here. Part of this team.” He murmured, turning away from you and looking at the fire. “Me too.” You acted before you could think, gently placing your hand on his shoulder, closing the distance between you, forgetting all about the fire lesson. Hunter stiffened a little while facing you, feeling your hand on his unarmored shoulder. The touch he often thought about late in to the night. The touch he wondered if he’d ever feel. If he even deserved it.

Once again, you felt heat climb up your neck to your face and you began to remove your hand, but before you could, Hunter brought his other hand and placed it on top of yours. Your feelings for Hunter exploded in your chest, realizing how handsome he looked in the soft light, his brown eyes shining in the dark, wondering what you should do next as you felt the heat from his hand encapsulate yours. You were taught no attachments, but that had no meaning anymore. Was this just desperation for something that used to be taboo? You tried to read his face, as he gazed intensely at you. Hunter moved closer to you, “____...I want to tell you something…”

Your intimate moment was suddenly cut short by voices as Wrecker, Tech, Omega, and Echo emerged from the falling darkness toward you. Your hand left Hunter’s shoulder and you practically leapt away from him, startled by the intrusion. You caught a small look of disappointment on his face. “Aww yeah, it’s fire time!” Wrecker bellowed as he held a huge armful of sticks and logs. “Let’s get this going!” You were still sitting near Hunter, and Echo gave you and Hunter a sly look as he sat down on a log near the still small fire, carrying ration bars. You were suddenly distracted by the giant roar as the fire grew due to Wrecker and Omega gleefully adding more and more wood to the fire, blissfully unaware they interrupted…something. Tech tried to explain the optimal way to place logs to get the most efficient fire, but his remarks were ignored and Omega and Wrecked piled more in to the blaze, and he soon gave up.

The heat blazed and sparks flew in to the air, the wood cracking and popping. The fire was massive, and Omega had never seen anything like it and was in awe. You saw Hunter out of the corner of your eye as he stared in to the flames, his face unreadable. You all enjoyed the light and intense warmth the large blaze gave, sitting in silence for a bit. You desperately wanted to be alone with Hunter again, as you listened to Wrecker tell another taller than life tale, with an annoyed Tech trying to interject the facts. Your memory was brought back to you and your Master, quietly enjoying the fire and reflecting on your day’s mission. After Wrecker finished his story, Omega turned to you, waiting for another glimpse in to your past. She understood it was hard for you to talk about, but was hopeful to hear something from before the Galaxy she currently knew. “Omega,” Hunter warned. “____ might not want to discuss it.” He gave you a soft look. The look almost melted your heart. You wanted to desperately take his face in your hands and continue what had started before.

“It’s okay, Hunter. I have a story.”

You told Omega of your first solo mission as a Jedi Knight. You had infiltrated a pirate base. It wasn’t too exciting, but to Omega it was the most amazing story she’d ever heard. Echo passed out the ration bars as you told your story. After you were done, you nibbled on your bar as you stared in to the flames. There was a comfortable silence as everyone ate, enjoying the small bit of calm before you were all off again on another mission.

After awhile, the fire began to dim and there was no more wood to add. Omega let out a yawn, satisfied with her first bonfire. “We should do this more often.” She proclaimed as another yawn overtook her. “Yeah kid, we can.” Hunter whispered. Wrecker had already fallen asleep, laying over a log in an uncomfortable position, snoring away. Tech nudged Wrecker, also ready to go back to the ship to sleep. One by one, they went back to the ship, leaving you, Hunter, and Echo. Echo then stood up, bidding you both a good night. “I’ll leave you two to it, then.” He raised an eyebrow and then he was gone before you either of you could respond.

Once again, you were alone with Hunter and the slowly burning fire. He looked at you, the fire reflecting in his eyes.

He never thought he’d be grappling with feelings like this. Especially for someone like you. But you cared about him. Worried about him and his brothers, something he’d never experienced before. It was new, and frankly, it scared him. He’d never admit it out loud, but that was the truth. But here he was, with you within arms reach again, staring at him and waiting for what might come next. You looked beautiful, ethereal in the glow of the now small fire. “Hunter…” you whispered as you maneuvered closer to him, like you were before earlier in the night. Your hand was close to his on the log you were both sitting on. You couldn’t wait any longer, the tension between you was about to snap. “You wanted to tell me something earlier?”

He stared intensely at you, trying to find the words to say.

“____, I…I wanted to tell you…I care about you.” His voice was deep, almost inaudible. You fully took his hand, looking right in to his eyes. He was suddenly overwhelmed, waiting for your response. “Hunter, I care about you too.” The second he heard you whisper those words, he boldly closed the distance, acting purely on instinct, pressing his lips against yours in a soft, quick kiss. He pulled back slightly, hoping he didn’t mess this all up.

“____, tell me to stop and I will.” Hunter’s voice was husky and deep. Almost a whisper. It sent shivers down your spine. “Never.” You murmured as you brought a hand to his face, gently cradling his head. Relief washed over you, happy you finally revealed how you felt. He closed his eyes and leaned in to your touch, sighing a deep sigh. You moved your hand from his cheek and gripped his collar, needing more. You pulled him back to your lips for a more passionate kiss. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders as the tension between you dissipated, flying in to the sky with the embers from the fire.

It was his turn to bring his hands to your face, cradling your head gently as he deepened the kiss, your heart feeling like it was about to explode out of your chest. The sensation of your lips moving on his was almost overwhelming. His hands were strong, yet gentle as they maneuvered down to your hips, leaving a trail of fire down your body. You both pulled away again, panting slightly, looking in each other’s eyes. All the unsaid words, all the silent looks, were now completely understood by both of you.

Your hand that was on his collar moved to the back of his head, threading your fingers through his long, soft locks while your other hand gripped his shoulder. You whispered his name as he pulled you in impossibly close for another kiss, getting drunk on your scent, your body.

His tongue slowly made his way in to your mouth, which pulled a groan from deep in your chest. Your reactions spurred him on, his hands on your waist ghosting underneath your tunic, his gloved hands moving over your bare skin making the butterflies in your stomach explode. You desperately wanted those gloves off, to feel his skin on yours. After what felt like an eternity, you parted for air once again. The fire had now died down quite a bit, leaving you both in almost total darkness. You were illuminated by the stars, the only sound being your shallow breaths. You both wanted so much more, but now wasn’t the time. Hunter nuzzled his face in to your neck, and moved one of his hands from your hips to grasp yours, which had fallen to your side. “I’m yours, if you’ll have me.” He whispered against your neck, his heart thudding against yours. “Yes, Hunter.” You whispered back, squeezing his hand. He moved his head from your neck and brought you against his chest in an embrace, his chin leaning on your head. You both gazed at the glowing embers of what used to be the giant fire, wondering what comes next. But at least for now, you were at peace.

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newtonsheffield · 2 months

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The first chapter of Head on the Pillow was the perfect way to start that story off! And now I just want more. Is there any way we could get a snippet of something like when Ant gets out of the hospital and Kate is suddenly pushing photogs away from her new companion? Cos I feel like she’d bust someone’s camera lens the second they get to her close to her man.

I think Kate definitely feels protective of Anthony at first. He nearly just died for one. And sure, her therapist is probably thrilled because it’s given them a fresh new stress dream to wade through but it also means that she nearly lost the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with. And that doesn’t feel great.

“We don’t have to do this.”

Anthony huffed as they waited out the front of the hospital for the car to be pulled round, “It was specifically requested. I was given this outfit.”

Kate rolled her eyes, “Well right now I don’t care what the palace wants.”

It had been such an understated announcement at first. The palace describing Anthony as her Protection Agent and Companion in their official statement about his recovery and it had spiraled from there. Just as they’d known it would. The palace’s more official statement about their relationship printed and reprinted with every photo of her that had ever been taken, Anthony in the front, trying to shield her. And now there were hundreds of people waiting for them outside. Waiting to catch their first glimpse of the first official royal couple since her parents had walked out with her between them, holding both their hands.

“You do care. We have to leave through the front door. It’s what Royals do when they leave hospital according to your team.” Anthony sighed, trying to smile and Kate squeezed his hand while she ran her fingers through his hair and under the dark shadows under his eyes.

“I care about you. If this is too much we’ll sneak out the back. I don’t care. My parents won’t either. I’ll tell them it was gusty and I wasn’t wearing underwear.”

Anthony’s eyes narrowed as though she’d caught his attention. “Are you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“Car out front, your highness.” Ronald said from his respectful distance away. “Exiting?”

Anthony nodded,taking a deep breath and gripping her hand tightly, his other arm in a sling. “Exiting.”

Th crows roared as Ronald pushed the doors open and Kate squared her shoulders waving with her free hand as the cameras flashed.

“Kate! Anthony!”

“Anthony! How’d you pull it off?”

“Kate! Any cold feet?!”

“Is it true you’re engaged?!”

“Is it true you married secretly in france last year?!”

Kept kept them moving forward towards the car and Anthony fingers gripped hers in panic as the photographers tried to bustle forward against the security.

She could see the panic in his eyes, not used to being on this side of the attention, people no longer letting their gaze pass through him and she cleared her throat.

“Boys, can you do me a favour?”

“What’s in it for us?!” A photographer called out and Kate laughed playing along.

“I’ll answer all of your questions in a press conference tomorrow. Every sordid detail. I’ll even do an interview for the television.” She could feel the anticipation in them, rising by the second, “But you need to leave Anthony alone while he recovers. I’ve put him through enough and I don’t need you boys scaring him off.”

They stopped pushing, staying in place, the flashes lessening.

“When’s this conference?”

“The palace will be in touch.”

The car door opened and Kate nudged Anthony inside before she followed him, his shoulders relaxing as he squeezed her hand again.

“That was very neatly done.”

Kate shrugged. “Well as attractive as I found you bodying Ken out of the way for me, I can’t do the same thing for you. I have to give a little to get a little.”

“You hate TV interviews.”

Kate shrugged, “I’ll pick someone good. Someone fun.”

“Thank you.” His voice was tiny, as the people flew by outside the window. “I’ll get better at this. I’ll get better and then I can support-”

“You’re perfect.” She leaned over to kiss his temple. “Just like this. I don’t want you to get better at that. That’s the last thing I want.”

“The palace might disagree.”

“I don’t care what the palace wants.”

#head on the pillow au #bodyguard au #kathony #anthony x kate #kate sharma #kate sheffield #anthony bridgerton #molly’s asks and answers

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piratefishmama · 1 year

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For One Night Only | Part 2

Eddie remembered a lot about Steve Harrington, so to get this fresh new perspective on him… it was wild. He remembered a jock, the king of Hawkins High, the king of Hawkins in general, women wanted him, men wanted to be him, or in some cases men also wanted him. Rich, popular, kind of a jackass at times but never mean enough to warrant dislike. Would have never associated with Eddie’s kind, but yet there he was, comfortable on Eddie’s hotel bed, one long leg crossed over the other as they moved on from pleasantries to business.

Steve wasn’t there as a social call, no matter how fun it might have been to catch up. He had a job to do, and Steve was good at his job.

“Alright, considering our history, or what little of it we have, it might be a good idea to use it if asked on the carpet how we met, I can spin a story about us being secret high school sweethearts who recently reconnected as friends if you want, really big you up to the paps.”

“As lovely as that idea is since high school me would have been thrilled to have been your secret sweetheart” Steve grinned “shut up, I was a nerd with a crush leave me alone” the snigger that followed only made Eddie smile, it wasn’t a hurtful laugh, and Steve’s smile was just to radiant to be mad at. “I said shut up!”

“Shutting up” the smile stayed though as he mimed zipping his lips. Adorable bastard.

“Anyway, as lovely as that idea is, too many people knew us in high school, if the press got word that it was a lie from one of our mutual past acquaintances, eh it’s a hornets nest I don’t wanna poke. Too many what ifs, but we could say that we went to school together, it’s true, we could say that we reconnected recently and… y’know, hit it off…”

“We are hitting it off.” Steve mused, tapping his finger to his chin in thought. “I like it, easy, close to the truth, very little room for mistakes. So I’m to be your date, not just a friend joining you for the evening?” That was what the invite had requested but… Steve was clearly amusing himself by making Eddie squirm a little.

“Mmmhm, yep. Steve Harrington, my date, Can time travel just exist already?”

“Haha, why?”

“Teenage me could do with a visit right this second to tell him Steve Harrington is gonna be our date someday.”

Steve covered his mouth as he laughed so sweetly, the picture of perfection as always. His nose scrunching just a little as he laughed. “Were you always this cute, Eddie?”

“Mmhm, once upon a time, I was even cuter, I swear.”

“I’ll believe you.”

“You shouldn’t.”

“I know, thousands wouldn’t, but I’ve always been a sucker for cute brunettes with big ol Bambi eyes, can't help but believe everything they say.” Eddie hadn’t felt his cheeks warm in years and yet there he was, hiding behind his hair, his complexion turning as red as a fire hydrant, stupid pale skin.

Speaking of brunettes, and incredibly convenient subject changes for the safety of his own composure. “Wait, YOU’RE who Nancy knows!”

“You know Nance?”

“She’s our manager now, man, gets us all the best shit! I met her in a bar after she totally blew off the journalism thing, something about sexist work environments and bosses who wouldn’t know a real story if it slapped them directly in the face. They kept giving her fluff pieces.” Nancy Wheeler, a fluff writer, the audacity of anyone who ever made that assumption. “Now she’s the most badass manager in metal history. I swear to god she’s made many a producer pale in fear at the very mention of her name.” She read all the fine print, with a goddamn magnifying glass. She’d made a grown men cry multiple times, it was badass. “She’s the coolest.”

Steve’s smile was so fond Eddie could have swooned just having it aimed at him, even if the fondness wasn’t for him, it was beautiful enough for it to be swooned over anyway. “She is, cool. I’m glad she found her people.” Even if they no doubt made a funny looking group, little not so primp and proper Nancy Wheeler among a bunch of metalheads. It fitted, in a strange kind of way, she’d always wrangled Mike easy enough.

“How did you uhm… y’know… it’s probably none of my business and I keep changing subjects so stop me if I keep jumping around I’m still a little flabbergast from seeing you at my door but uh… how’d you—y’know… what’s this uh… the whole thing like?” Steve tilted his head like a confused puppy and Eddie just kind of wanted to melt into the floor. “The escort thing.” He added on, for clarification.

“Oh, uhm. Chrissy? Chrissy Cunningham, cheer captain of ’86?”

“I know her, she and Gareth have this—”

“Thing! Yes, she talks about him regularly with Robin.” Robin? He doesn’t think to ask, Steve and Robin, Robin… who would be associated with Steve a Robin whom Steve would just mention as if expecting him to know. He only knew one Robin from those days, and he didn’t even really know her.

Just kind of… existed near her in band for a few months until his style of music pissed the teacher off enough to kick him out. Couldn’t be that Robin, right? Not important.

“Oh my god don’t tell me that and expect me to keep it a secret that’s brutal of you.”

“God, tell him, please, I didn't even know who he was but she keeps talking about him and waiting for him to ask her out. Eventually she’s just going to pin him against something and kiss him so—”

“Tell her to do that but god wait until I have a camera please!” Eddie Munson was not against begging, his grin wide and eyes shimmering with gleeful mischief. “It’s reciprocated, totally and completely one hundred percent reciprocated, he is so gone on that girl, it’s adorable.”

“I will let her know, at least now I know he's one of yours and a good guy." Gareth was the best guy in Eddie's opinion, like a brother to him, not that the others werent too, but... Gareth had known he was gay since Hawkins High. Just him and Uncle Wayne in the know, and he'd always been there to support him, Gareth was good. "Anyway… we ran into each other in this café that I’d gotten a part time gig at in Indy, she looked good, healthy…” he didn’t need to say that Chrissy had had a problem. But she had, and that problem began with ‘M’ and ended with ‘other,’ hers to be specific. “She was already doing it, loving it, I was dubious, asked if she was okay, if she needed help, but no she was loving it, thriving actually, and well… I like making people feel good, both emotionally and physically” oof that was a tone that went straight to a place it shouldn’t do “why do it for free, y’know? She got me set up and the rest is history.” He enjoyed himself.

He loved his job, his love language had always been acts of service, he liked making people feel good, liked making them feel wanted, feel loved, feel seen and heard. Eddie couldn’t help himself “ever do anything… y’know…?” He really wished he could help himself sometimes.

“Sex related?” The red in his cheeks only deepened, Steve didn’t seem offended, or upset, in fact his smile only warmed, eyes crinkling at the corners, gods above and below he was beautiful, how did anyone survive after a night with him, having to let him go? “Sure, like I said, if I’m good at something, why do it for free?”

“Even with…” Eddie motioned to himself

“You?”

“N-No! No, Men—wait sorry—that’s—that’s none of my business” he turned away to move, to pace, so much energy in his body suddenly there with nowhere to go “none of this is any of my business, I don’t usually ask these kinds of—I mean it’s really wrong of me to even ask this sort of—" Steve was just there so fast, hands on Eddie’s biceps, holding him in place, Eddie hoped he couldn’t feel him almost vibrating out of his skin.

“It’s okay, Bambi” Eddie’s eyes snapped up to meet Steve’s, his wide and unblinking, like a deer in headlights in the face of Steve’s so warm and understanding, Bambi really did suit him, Steve thought, his left hand lifting to rest on Eddie’s cheek as if to ground him, it worked. God it worked. “Ask all the questions you like, but maybe save some for later, we don’t have long before we have to go.”

“…Later you’ll be leaving though...” he didn’t want Steve to leave. He didn’t want his next time seeing Steve to be part of a lottery, would he come next time? Would someone else who Eddie didn’t recognise appear in his place?

“We’re hitting it off, remember? I’m sure there’s going to be an afterparty we can both be caught sneaking away from to hang out, right?” Eddie kind of felt like he was flying. He felt like a teenager again, a nerdy, virginial teenager. He refused to acknowledge that little goblin voice telling him that Steve was actually probably just doing his goddamn job, he was on the clock dammit. He just wanted to have this. “You can ask me questions then, I promise I’ll stay.” He didn’t have anywhere else he needed to be.

“…Yeah… if that’s okay with you.”

“More than. Now how about you introduce me to the rest of Corroded Coffin, we all need to be on the same page before we get there.” Work now, catch up later. “Sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can ditch the after party to hang out.” Eddie giggled, an honest to gods little giggle. He really did feel like a teenager again, only Steve was looking at him. Holding him. Grounding him. Steve Harrington was seeing him.

Teenager Eddie would have shit a brick.

“Alright, I’m warning you though, I think you let Tommy H. stuff Jeff into a locker once so don’t expect a warm welcome.” Steve grimaced a little but nodded. He was a different person now, but that wouldn’t erase the mistakes he’d made as a stupid teenager. Plenty of bridges to rebuild and apologies to give. Jeff wouldn’t be the first or the last.

“Bring it on, Bambi.” Eddie could only hide behind his hair again, bashful and flustered.

Part 4

#For One Night Only #PirateWrites #Steddie #ficlet #Stranger Things #no upside down au #Escort!Steve #Rockstar!Eddie

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dreamsy990 · 5 months

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so, re:chain of memories, huh?

warning! its been a little while since i played through recom, so the game isnt as fresh in my mind as some others. sorry for any innacuracies!

spoiler alert, this is my second favorite kingdom hearts game. at least of the ones i've played so far. i get that this isn't like. a POPULAR opinion but fuck you i have almost nothing but positives to say about it.

let's start with the easy stuff first. recom introduced a new card-based combat system. i cant compare it to the gba version, since i didn't play that, but i can say that for what its worth i DID enjoy the combat. recom is by far the hardest game so far (at least for me) and almost every boss took multiple days for me to beat, even with my hp maxed out. it took me a while to get the combat system, but id honestly love to replay the game now that i have a better understanding of how it works. the card system requires a lot of quick thinking and i get that it isnt everyones taste but its CERTAINLY mine. every fight is difficult and feels genuinely rewarding when you win. the movement, like kh1, can use a lot of work, but i wouldnt call it terrible. just kinda sluggish. i think my favorite boss fight was larxene. shes a pain in the ass but i love her.

i think riku's side dropping the deck building mechanic isnt terrible, but i wish i could reorder his deck at the very least. and the lack of healing cards is. not fun. basically any damage you take is permanent unless you HAPPEN to get mickey and its simply Not a fun time. im not very good at games okay.

i have a lot less to say about the worlds than the combat. they're definitely the worst aspect of the game, though. the idea of making worlds with cards is fine! it just leads to kind of repetitive world design. the stories are forgettable, so forgettable that i literally forgot them. and i could make a point about how thats the idea its a game all about forgetting things!! but honestly that just making excuses for it. the worlds couldve kept the idea of forgetting things without literally making them forgettable. i say this about every world, except for one. because DESTINY ISLANDS

destiny islands is just. so fucking good in recom. its the climax of both sora and rikus stories and i think theyre both amazing. id have to say i prefer rikus, soley because of the visual storytelling you get from his side of it, and thats not to say soras is bad at all. but something about zexion telling riku that its his fault his home was destroyed, as riku sees a version of himself turning into a literal monster? thats just good okay. its really good.

i ADORE the characters in this game too. everything we get from them is sooo good. it's the introduction to the organization and all of them (except lexaeus who did literally nothing) are a treat. axels my favorite ofc, but larxene is such a fun villain, you love to hate her. shes really the star of the org cast in this game. sure, axels may have said its his show now, but larxene stole the spotlight.

its namines introduction, too, and i love her. on one hand, shes just really kind. she wants a friend, she wants someone to talk to, she wants to meet sora. on the other, shes just a little bit fucked up actually. sure, shes honest with sora, but shes the tiniest little bit guilt trippy and i LOVE THAT. her response to sora saying he wants to get back his own memories and forget her is "oh okay. you want to remember your REAL friends, huh? theyre the ones who REALLY matter to you? yeah anyone would want that. no friends for namine i guess." like shes just a bit salty and we love that for her. i want slightly guilt tripping and salty namine back nomura.

but ofc one of my favorite new characters in this game HAS to be repliku. god i ADORE repliku. his hatred for riku is sooo fun and the way he fights with sora is great too. like in soras side i thought he was a neat villain but rikus side? hes amazing omfg. one of the only villains i liked in rikus story (sorry lexaeus, you werent good until days)

over all, this game certainly isnt everyones cup of tea, but its DEFINITELY mine. it's the game im most excited to replay at some point, mostly because of the amazing boss fights. 9/10. its got issues, but the story and characters are so good that i genuinely could not care less about like. most of them.

#doodles #i just really like the boss fights okay #kingdom hearts #chain of memories #riku #scene i drew is a redraw of rikus side of destiny islands #since its one of my favorite scenes from recom #kh review #<- making a new tag #gonna go back and tag all the other ones

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calisources · 6 months

Text

THE ONE WITH THE FACE OF AN ANGEL. all sentences and quotes were taken from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Series. all lines are by Angel and his soulless self, Angelus, so be warned a few of these are explicit or allude to sexual acts or have double meaning. change names, pronouns and locations (and ages) as you see fit.

That Slayer...she's a pistol.

I wanna torture you. I used to love it, and it's been such a long time. I mean, the last time I tortured someone, they didn't even have chainsaws.

Hey! Who's a guy gotta kill to get a drink around here?!

How sweet that virgin tasted, the fresh smell of a newborn's neck. My first nun - now that's a great story.

As for you, you luscious thing. I mean, you were going to let me out of that cage, so, let's see. I'll give you, what, a ten second start.

Don't be jealous, kitten. She's just the warm-up. I'll save the good stuff for you.

Angel,I love you,but I can't be with you...you ate babies...chicks.

The rumors are true. Angel has left the building, and I am back.

What won't I miss? The moralizing. Soul's already in the ether, boyo. I can smell it.

Tell you what. I'll torture ya for a few unbelievably long hours, and you can tell me if this is the lifestyle for you.

Passion rules us all. And we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments.

If we could live without passion, maybe we'd know some kind of peace. But we would be hollow. Empty rooms, shuttered and dank.

Kill you? Why would I kill you when I can live off you for a month?

I don't want to share my feelings.I don't want to open up. I want to find the guy who killed Tina and look him in the eye.

Are you mad at me for being around too much or not being around enough?

I don't need strength. I just need the sun to rise.

I hated the girls back then.especially the noble women...they were just incredibly dull.

They have no taste for the undead. Not that a sting would do me any damage, it's just... tonight's special.

There's a lot I don't understand. I do know it's important to keep fighting. I learned that from you.

My people, before I was changed, they exchanged this as a sign of devotion. It's a claddagh ring.

Wear it with the heart pointing towards you. It means you belong to somebody.

I'm sorry. I wanted to take you out somewhere fun. It's been a long time since I've been to the movies. They've changed.

How can we be together if the cost is your life, or the lives of others? I know. I couldn't tell you. I wasn't sure - if I could do it if I woke up with you one more morning.

Don't mistake me. I do love the ladies. It's just lately... I've been wondering... what it'd be like... to share the slaughter of innocents... with another man.

Don't... I don't think that makes me some kind of a deviant, hmm? Do you?

Sorry about the chains. It's not that I don't trust you, it's... Actually, it is that I don't trust you.

I can walk like a man but I'm not one.

I'm weak. I've never been anything else.

I wanted to lose myself in you. I know it will cost me my soul, and part of me didn't care. It's not the demon in me that needs killing, Buffy, it's the man.

For a hundred years I offered ugly death to everyone I met, and I did it with a song in my heart.

You're a wreck! She's stronger than any Slayer you've ever faced. Force won't get it done. You gotta work from the inside. To kill this girl... you have to love her.

Let me guess, you summoned back the true Angelus because you need a new boy toy.

Oh, my cure? No, thanks. Been there, done that, and deja vu just isn't what it used to be.

The elders conjured the most perfect punishment for me. They restored my soul.

When you become a vampire, the demon takes your body, but it doesn't get your soul; that's gone. No conscience, no remorse, it's an easy way to live.

You have no idea what it's like to have done the things I've done...and care. I haven't fed on a human being since that day.

See? Whenever we fight you always bring up the vampire thing.

Gave her the puppy dog "I'm all tortured" act. Keeps her off my back when I feed.

Listen, if we date, you and I both know one thing's going to lead to another.

This isn't some fairy tale. When I kiss you, you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.

I did a lot of unconscionable things when I became a vampire. Drusilla was the worst. She was ... an obsession of mine. She was pure, sweet, and chaste.

Killed everybody she loved. Visited every mental torture on her I could devise. She eventually fled to a convent, and on the day she took her holy orders, I turned her into a demon.

She made me feel like a human being. That's not the kind of thing you just forgive.

Spike, boy you never did learn your history.

If I was blind, I would see you.

A demon isn't a man. I was a man once.

Because I wanted to! Because I want you so badly! I want to take comfort in you.

Am I a thing worth saving, huh?! Am I a righteous man? The world wants me gone!

I watched you, I saw you called, it was a bright afternoon out in front of your school. You walked down the steps and ... I loved you.

Because I could see your heart. You held it before you for everyone to see, and I was worried that it would get bruised or torn. And more than anything in my life, I wanted to keep it safe.

I can stay in town as long as you want me.

I never was much for preachers.

God, I missed watching this.

I’ll start working on the second front. Try not to use it.

Hm. You smell so good. So warm. I miss that.

You're wrong. You don't know what it is you're asking me to do.

Oh, what's the matter? Look a little nervous.

They always mistake me for the character I play. They never see the real me!

When you kill them. Some just stand there frozen while others.. .

This was about saving somebody's soul. That's what I do here and you're not a part of it.

That's great, it's nice you moved on; I can't. You found someone new; I'm not allowed to, remember?

I see you again, it cuts me up inside, and the person I share that with is me.

You don't know me anymore, so don't come down here with your great new life and expect me to do things your way. Go home.

Buttering me up. Getting me all relaxed, hm? Not the most innovative interrogation technique, but... OK, I'll play.

Well, now that's a question. Not a great question. Not even an insightful question.

So much for stand by your man. Then again, you probably like her on her knees.

The more you piss me off, the longer I'll keep you alive.

Oh, something tells me she's a screamer.

Hey, you remember that time you tried to get Angel to kill you because you felt all weepy over being such a bad little girl. Huh? Do you still feel that way? Do you still wanna die?

Well, it's not really the kind of message you tell. It sort of involves finding the bodies of all your friends.

I don't need to see movies to get worked up. Just being around you does that just fine. It feels nice, just to feel.

You still my girl?

I know what you're thinking. Maybe there's some good deep down inside of me that remembers and loves you, if only you could reach me.

You know what I just can't believe, all of our time together and we never tried chains.

Dream on, schoolgirl. Your boyfriend is dead and you're all gonna join him.

#rp meme #sentences memes #meme call #roleplay memes #sentence meme #( cali meme. )#rp memes #rp prompt #rp musings #roleplay prompt #roleplay meme

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aetherdoesthings · 4 months

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Can I request some sanji x princess reader that he first met when her family was visiting Germa to negotiate trade or something when he was still a Prince and then they met again when he is with the straw hats please? Or if that is to much general hcs would be ok aswell

hello anon! one sanji x princess reader coming right up.

forethoughts: i just finished eneis lobby and moving onto thriller bark, so i know nothing about WCI and Germa and the Vinsmoke family at all, so this I'm just going off on Sanji x princess!reader of another kingdom.

notes: try and guess where i got Y/N's kingdom name 🤭. mostly fluff, just two friends reconnecting over not seeing each other for too long. tried to put romance in there but it kinda just turned out to be platonic love instead. apologies if you wanted romantic love.

It was a normal day on the Sunny. Nami had spotted a new island on the horizon and they were going to go there to check it out. Everyone was excited. Luffy was ready to raid the island’s food, Nami was going to mark it on her maps, Chopper would gather some new herbs to add to his medical collection, and Sanji would fight Luffy, taking the food the island had to offer and store it for another day. While they were all going to do what they wanted to do with the new island, another thing was in store for them.

The moment all the Straw Hats (except for Robin, who offered to stay behind to guard the ship) stepped foot on the island, a shrill scream for help echoed through the entire island like a soundwave. Everyone immediately was on their guards, ready for a fight. But not Sanji. When Sanji heard the scream echo through the island, he immediately abandoned the group, sprinting towards the sound, a feeling of worry and nostalgia hitting him.

Searching the forest, he found you surrounded by a group of pirates. Your hands were chained, face dirty and clothes ripped. Sanji took his lighter out from his jacket pocket and a fresh cigarette. He lit the cigarette, placing it in between his teeth as he took a step towards the pirates. He could feel Diable Jambe activating by the way his legs started to burn with anger, the fire in him intensifying.

Oh, those pirates were in for a fun time with Sanji. One, someone-a group of bad pirates-harmed a girl, presumably kidnapping her and chaining her. Two, they had hurt someone Sanji knew.

“Flambage Shot!” With only two kicks, all the pirates went down unconscious if not dead. Once he was sure all the pirates were down, he approached you, kneeling down to break your chains.

“What are you doing here?” You asked him.

“I could ask you the same thing, Y/N. Are you alright?” Sanji helped you up.

“I’m okay. Still, what are you doing here? You’re quite far from Germa.”

“I can still say the same for you.”

“Oi! Sanji!” The two of you turned your heads towards the sound. The rest of the Straw Hats had finally caught up.

“Who’s that?” Luffy asked.

“Luffy, don’t tell me you don’t know who that is?” Nami slapped the back of Luffy’s head.

“Eh? Is she famous or something?”

“Luffy, that’s Princess Y/N from the Lunge Kingdom!”

“Never heard of it.”

“LUFFY!”

“It’s alright.” You spoke up. “It’s quite a small kingdom, it’s not very well known. Nonetheless, it is still a kingdom that’s prospering.”

You turned your head towards Sanji, who had a hand around your shoulder, letting you lean against him. “Sanji-kun, do you know them?”

“Sanji-kun?” The girl called Nami turned towards you. “Do you know Sanji?”

“Yes. Sanji-kun, what are you doing with pirates? Are you a pirate too?”

“Well… it’s a very long story. I’m sure we can talk about it over lunch.” Sanji replied, a sheepish look on his face.

“And why are you smoking?! It’s bad for you!” You swatted the cigarette out of his mouth, throwing it onto the ground and stomping on it. All the Straw Hats let out an audible gasp at your action. No one ever dared get in the way of Sanji and his smoking habits. Sure, they had their opinions on it, but no one really acted out.

“Alright, alright. Fine. Do you want my delicious potato paille that you love?” He led you away from the rest of the Straw Hats, leading you towards the Sunny.

Your eyes gleamed with hunger, a wide smile on your face. “Yes! I would love to have your potato paille! C’mon, walk faster! I wanna eat your food!”

“Alright, alright.” Sanji chuckled, suddenly swooping your legs up as he sprinted towards the ship, carrying you bridal style.

“SANJI!!!!!”

“So you’re a pirate now?” You asked him, watching him move around the kitchen, every one of his move filled with elegance.

“Yes. I am the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates.” Sanji answered.

“Wow. I mean, I never expected you to be a pirate, but at least you’re still pursuing your cooking passion.” “Indeed.”

“How did you even meet the Straw Hat Pirates?”

“Well, I used to work in Baratie, being a chef there. Then Luffy, Zoro, Nami and Usopp stumbled their way into the restaurant. Luffy saw me and saw that I could cook, and asked if I wanted to join his crew. Initially, I said no, but he ‘refuse my refusal’. Eventually, Don Krieg attacked, Mihawk showed up, and I decided to leave Baratie. Zeff was in good hands, and I wanted to find the All Blue.”

“Wow. You’re still after that all these years later?”

“Of course. I will be the person to find the All Blue.”

“And I know you will, my dear prince.” Your smirk widened when a tint of red was visible on Sanji’s cheeks.

“Yeah?” He said, regaining his composure. “What about you, my dear princess? How did you find yourself being held hostage by a group of pirates?”

You dipped your head, staring at the wooden table. “Well, Lunge isn’t doing well these past years. Germa stopped working with us, so we had to find other means for trade imports and exports. I thought that if I could find a temple with treasure in it, or a buried treasure, then I could bring enough gold to support my kingdom. I did find some gold on that island, but the pirates got there too, and I’ve never fought a group of people before.”

“Oh. I see. I’m sorry about Lunge’s condition. If there’s anything I can do to help, you know I would do it in an instance.” Sanji walked towards you, placing a gourmet plate of potato paille in front of you.

“I appreciate it, Sanji-kun. Thank you for the food!” You picked up a fork, immediately going town on the food like you haven’t eaten in days.

“Of course, Y/N. Anything for you.” Sanji took a seat across from you, admiring you forking down the food he had cooked just for you, just the way you liked.

“Remember when we were young? Whenever your family came over to talk to…the people in Germa, we would always sneak out of the palace and sneak into the woods, so we could pretend we’re ‘camping and stalking our prey’?” Sanji brought up. You stopped chewing for a while, as the memory played back in your head. You let out a chuckle, shaking your head at that memory.

“Those were fun times, wasn’t it?” You smiled, reminiscing about the past. “I’m so glad to have run into you, Sanji-kun. For one, I probably would’ve died if you didn’t come to save me, and I love seeing my childhood best friend all grown up and doing what he loves.”

“I love seeing my childhood best friend all grown up and doing what she loves.” Sanji responded, tapping your nose with one finger. You giggled at his touch, eliciting a laugh from him.

“Why do you always do that to me?” You asked through giggles.

“Because you always laugh when I do. And your laughter is adorable.” Sanji responded.

“You really are a gentleman, you know that?” You looked at him in the eyes, smiling at him.

“I strive to be one.”

“And that’s what I love about you, my dear prince.”

The two of you smiled at each other, staring into each other’s eyes, slowly being lulled into each other’s gaze.

“You know, Y/N, you should stay here for a while.” Sanji proposed.

“I wish I could, but I can’t be seen with the Straw Hat Pirates. It wouldn’t be good for my kingdom.” “You won’t ever have to worry about that. All you have to do is just sit back and relax as we’ll go to Lunge to drop you off.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

“I’d do anything for you, my dear princess~” He leaned closer to you, whispering the last three words into your ear. Sanji stood up, taking your empty plate and putting it in the sink as he turned on the faucet.

You sat there, your cheeks flushed and jaw agape. When reality came back to you, you relaxed your shoulders, putting your arms on the table as you watched your childhood best friend wash the dishes, humming a nonexistent song to himself. Memories the two of you shared flooded your head, bringing a smile onto your face as you watched the boy who you once considered a stranger grow up to be the best friend you’ve ever had.

#one piece #op #vinsmoke sanji #sanji x reader #straw hat pirates #aetherasks

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gretavangroupie · 6 months

Text

Valor (Chapter 3)

Pairing: Jake x Reader, Daniel x Reader

Word Count: 13.4k

Warnings: Cursin', Smokin', Drinkin', Allusions to Drug Use. Angst: Struggle and Poverty, Emotional Manipulation, Abandonment, Jealousy, Mentions of Violence, Mentions of Weapons, Fighting, Blood, Mentions of Death, Mention of Suicide, Suicidal Actions, Crying, Heavy Angst, Allusions to Shady Activities, Coercion, Gambling, Betting. Smut: Kissing, Heavy Petting, Oral F!Receiving, Fingering, Unprotected Penetrative Sex.

Valor Playlist: Apple Music | Spotify

A new project in collaboration with my talented co-writer @gretavanmoon.

HER POV

“I want details.” You demanded, determined to understand at least why they were keeping you so involved.

They both gave you almost the exact same look, half-agitated and half-understanding they had to at least give you something. Jake cleared his throat first.

“My dad…passed away seven years ago, and when he did, he left behind more than this shop.” Jake drew on his cigarette, readjusting in his seat as he talked. “Ace had a bad gambling problem, so bad that it put him in more debt and more depression than I really ever knew about. He used to hold these poker games for fun, until he started losin’ money, and started making more enemies than he did friends. Shit started to go south really quick. Honestly, it was a lot worse then, than it is now. The law was involved, dirty cops were playin’ cards one night and harassing my dad the next, drifters started to come around and threaten him while he was working…it was an overall unsafe environment for me and Danny.” He went on.

“Wait.” You interrupted, trying to grasp everything. “Danny, you were always here?”

He nodded. “Yup, I uh, I started off in foster care, but…no one ever wanted to keep me. I was always getting into trouble and fightin’ in school… Jake was my best friend. I stayed here more than I stayed at home…most of the time my foster parents never even knew where I was. But Ace took care of me, when he could hardly even take care of Jake. So one day, it was Thanksgiving, I think. I just…never left. I was still just a kid. Started watching every move Ace made mechanicin’. Taught myself how to fix shit.” He ended the story with a harsh swallow. You knew that was something he didn’t share often.

You couldn’t help but smile, realizing a little bit more how close these two actually really were. Raised as brothers.

“So anyway, after my dad died, I was left with all this shit…all the money he owed to people fell into my lap. Not to mention all the other bullshit…the bills, the overdue payments, taxes…he was drowning then, and we’re drowning now.”

“And Teddy, he’s been playing cards here since I can remember.” Danny explained.

“Teddy…” you repeated.

“Yeah. He’s the one that called yesterday, he arranges the games. My dad owed him so much money, we’re still paying it back. We have to listen to him when he calls, we don’t have a choice. Every time we have a game and either of us wins, we give him the money. Right off the bat. It’s fuckin' horrible.”

“Well how long until he’s paid off?” You asked.

“We’ve barely even made a dent, unfortunately.” Jake said, tamping his cigarette out on the floor between his boots. “It’s rare that either of us win.”

“Okay, well things are making a little more sense, I guess…” you could tell they were holding back on all the details, probably sparing you from knowing too much at one time. “So where do I come in, why are you hiding me?”

Jake took a deep breath, and leaned his elbows down on his knees, looking you directly in the eyes. “You’re collateral. You’re fresh meat. They know that if…they can get to you, they can use you.”

You felt your stomach drop to the floor. “Use me for what?”

Jake cocked an eyebrow. “To get to me.”

You looked back at Jake, staring each other down as you let it sink in. To get to me… You shook your head. “But that…doesn’t make any sense. Why would they think I mattered to you, at all?”

You watched a tiny grin form on both of their faces. “They know we’re protective. They know you’ve been hanging around us…and honestly, I bet they know you have money.” Danny chimed in. “Y/N, how much are you payin’ for your motel room?”

“Uh, thirty-five a night, why?” You answered.

“Are you fuckin' kidding me?!” Jake sat back in his seat as he and Danny exchanged knowing looks of ‘thought so.’

“Wanda.” Danny said, his voice seething.

“I thought it was steep, but she didn’t give me a choice in the room, said it was all she had—”

“I bet she watched you pull your cold hard cash from your wallet, too, didn’t she?” Danny asked. “Watched you count it out?”

“Y-yeah…so?”

“So,” Jake tried to explain. “Wanda is friends with Teddy’s crew. Christ…She fuckin' told them you had money…they sent Tanya down here to get concrete evidence you were with us…that’s why he called the poker game. They want your money, Y/N. On top of our money. And they know that they can get paid a whole lot quicker if they get a hold of you…they know we would pay up if it was you on the line…”

Your eyes were stuck open at all of the information, trying to soak everything in as it was fed to you.

“Me on the line…so, so you’re saying they might try to…to kidnap me? Hold me for ransom or something?” You could hardly get the words out.

Danny nodded slowly while Jake massaged his palms. “Or worse.”

“Worse? What the fuck could be worse?!” You yelled, leaning off of the countertop. Danny stood from the chair, walking over to calm the storm he knew was brewing inside you. You felt him wrap his arms slowly around your neck, in a completely non-sexual way, knowing that if you needed to feel anything right now, it was comfort.

“We don’t intend on letting you find out. And we don’t intend on giving them the satisfaction of winning like that.” He said, his voice laced with promise. You opened your eyes and peered over Danny’s shoulder, locking eyes with Jake as he nodded his head in agreement.

“I’ve only been here for like two days, guys…you don’t owe me anything, I just want to get the hell out of here, I never wanted to bring all this trouble…” you felt like you were on the verge of tears, feeling guilty that you inadvertently made their situation worse.

“You didn’t bring any trouble, Y/N. They’re bad men with bad reputations and shit lives. Teddy’s going to die wanting to bring me strife. It’s like he gets off on the shit…” Jake said, his voice trailing off as he looked at the wall behind you. Danny let go of your shoulders.

“What, Jake? What is it?” His eyes were glued to the calendar that hung on the wall behind you.

“Nothing. Today Saturday?” His face had gone completely white, stark as the smoke that bellowed from his cigarette.

“Yeah, it is…” Danny took your hands in his. “I know it’s fucked, Y/N. It’s so fucked. And I’m so sorry you got dragged into this mess. I know you want to leave, but don’t you agree that the best place for you right now is with us? We can protect you…we know how their minds work…I’d feel so much better if you just, didn’t go back to the motel…”

He was pleading with you, and honestly at this point, you’d be terrified to be alone in that motel after learning everything you learned tonight, especially that Wanda had been snitching on your every fucking move. Bitch.

You nodded, agreeing with Danny. As pissed off, insulted, and sick as it made you, you felt like you had no choice but to agree. “Alright. If it’s for my safety…I’ll stay here. But I’m not going to like it.” You were going to love it, as fucked as it was. “But honestly, how long? You’ve already been paying him off for 7 years…”

“Just until we figure something out. Until we fix your car, then you can disappear and let the wind carry you away, straight to Atlanta.” Danny answered with a true and genuine frown. He didn’t want you to leave.

“Okay. But I have a couple conditions.”

They both looked at you with puzzled expressions. “You clean your disgusting, repulsive bathroom, and you both wash your sheets. Please. For the love of god.”

Sweet, sexy laughs escaped them both as they conceded, relaxing back in their chairs. “Yeah, okay. Point taken.” Danny said, holding his hand out to shake yours. “It’s a deal, Miss Thing.”

“Good. Thank you. I’ll even make dinner tonight, for your troubles.” You offered, knowing there wasn’t much in the cabinets, but you were confident you could whip something up.

Jake stood from his chair, still looking a little pekid from whatever he noticed about the calendar earlier. He held his hand out to shake yours, too. “One clean bathroom, coming up.”

You began searching through the cabinets and refrigerator, finding a few potatoes and some bologna. Hmm, when all else fails, fry it.

You pulled some oil from the cabinet, and laid out six pieces of the almost-expired bread hidden away on the counter. This will have to do.

You’d come into this shop two and a half days ago, feeling uneasy, anxious, and unsure…and now you sat here with two of your oldest classmates as they transformed their home and business into a fortress for you to stay in, using themselves as a protective shield from the bad guys who were vying for you.

But it didn’t feel wrong staying with Danny…you liked him. You liked him a lot. And with Jake…you felt…drawn to him. Both of them. But there was something about Danny’s touch that made you crave him; him leaving you hanging in the motel room earlier was enough to make you so sexually frustrated that you resented him for a second.

The image of him lying on top of you under the covers was all you could think about, and you were absolutely dying to get him back in bed. The way his long, dark locks laid across his shoulders and reached all the way down to past the middle of his back, his defined features and strong jawline…the way his nose scrunched up when he smiled… all of it was stuck in your brain, burning little images that replayed over and over.

He felt different than Peter, that much you could tell even after just the brief encounter you’d had. Like he would let you be in charge instead of only trying to appease his every little fantasy.

And his lips on yours? Like the buzzing end of an electric wire, you could physically feel them still when he parted from you. The way his tongue felt in your mouth, his hands gripping your hips… yeah. It was decided. You wouldn’t be joining Jake in his bed again tonight.

—

JAKE POV

The smell was familiar. One you recognized deep down in your bones. A smell that transported you back in time. You pulled your sheets from the washing machine, the lid black and dirty which was kind of ironic. You tossed them into the dryer, starting it up as the smell lured you into the kitchen. You can’t remember the last time someone that wasn’t you made a meal in this kitchen.

You wiped your bleach-scented hands across your pants, the smell of lemon bathroom cleaner and Comet stuck in your nose. You realized your hands were cleaner than they’d been in probably years, after scrubbing away at the black ring in the bathtub. You could actually see the whiteness of your fingernails.

As you rested your hands on a kitchen chair, you peered over to the stove watching Y/N finish frying up a pan of diced potatoes. Your stomach growled and your mouth watered as you watched her, completely unknowing you were standing behind her.

Danny steps out of the hallway and into the kitchen, his voice startling both of you. “Damn, it smells good in here. I’m starving.” He walks up behind Y/N, peeking over her shoulder as his hand squeezes her hip. He turns to grab a few paper plates, placing them on the counter for her before taking a seat in the old wooden chair.

You swung around and sat yourself in your own chair, once again letting your eyes drift over to the calendar on the wall. Seven years today. Seven years, Ace. You lean on your fist, twirling the worn metal zippo between your fingers. Rubbing your thumb over the engravings, hand carved by the man himself. It was all you really had left of him, taking it from his pocket that day, giving it a home in yours ever since. Your heart sank the more you thought about it, which is why you didn’t ever let yourself. You always did everything in your power to forget this day, never give it the chance to crush you like this, but this year, lucky number seven… It got you.

“Alright, it’s ready!” she said, spinning around with two paper plates filled with fried potatoes and fried bologna sandwiches. That was it. That was the smell. Fried bologna. Your dad’s fucking favorite. Of course, today of all days.

“Shit this looks good, haven't had fried bologna in forever!” Danny says, grabbing the sandwich and taking a bite. She grabs her own plate and sits between the two of you, stabbing her fork into a potato as you just stare down at the plate in front of you. You’re stuck. Frozen. Your stomach telling you to eat but your mind suddenly rushing with memories you’d pushed down for years. It hurt. They hurt.

Not wanting to draw attention to yourself you picked up the sandwich, and held it to your mouth, slowly taking a bite as Y/N and Danny chatted about nothing. You wished you could turn off the instant replay in your mind of the last time you sat at this table eating with your dad. It hit you like a ton of bricks that now felt as if they settled in the pit of your stomach.

The thing about Ace though, was that he never really told you how to live your life. He just let you live it watching him, and hoping you’d learn from his mistakes. What you didn’t expect, was that his mistakes would in turn become your own burden. You hated him for what he did. You hated that he left you to clean up his mess. You hated that you no longer had a family of your own. Just Daniel, and Daniel, you. That was okay though, the two of you had each other and that was better than nothing. You weren’t sure you’d ever forgive Ace, not for leaving you, but for letting your mother leave you before you ever even got a chance to know her. That was unforgivable.

You finished the last bite of your sandwich, completely spaced out as you stared off at the wall, just letting the memories ravage your consciousness, when suddenly it all just felt like too much. You started to feel suffocated by the thoughts, the room you were in suddenly feeling too hot, and too small. Your chest started to tighten and your throat felt small. You pushed your chair back and snatched your plate from the table, tossing it in the trash can as you offered a quick ‘thank you’ to Y/N. Your feet carried you out into the garage, as your hands found the light switch.

The buzzing of the fluorescent lights calmed you a bit. Your eyes caught sight of Valor, and huff of air left your chest. A pristine 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. Hardtop, Tuxedo Black with a standard 396 Horsepower engine, all hidden under a dusty beige colored canvas tarp.

Just keep your mind busy. Do what you know. You walked over to the covered car, letting your hand hover over the cover, grabbing a fist full of the fabric and yanking it off with a scream. Your eyes took her in, she was pretty, you’d give her that, but hell, maybe you would be too if someone spent all their time fixing you up. Ace sure did. Throw the football? ‘No son, we have to get Valor running. Don’t you want to hear her purr?’ You can still hear his voice perfectly, as he says it.

You slip your hand into the polished chrome handle, pulling the door open and sliding into the white vinyl bucket seat. It hugged you in just the right way, making the driver feel like they were part of the car. One with it. You grabbed the keys from the center console, sticking them into the ignition and twisting. The engine roared to life. He’d at least gotten that far, and he was right, she sure did sound pretty when she purred. But the problem is that she wouldn’t stay running. She’d run for a little while, and out of nowhere, she’d die. And that’s where he left her, sitting right here in the middle of this garage, covered and ashamed. You could barely look at it most days, leaving the cover on for months at a time until the feeling struck, and you needed to get your anger out. You’d completely tear apart the front end, combing through every single piece searching for something, anything that could be wrong, but every time you came up empty.

Like clockwork, she died. The smell of the carpet and old vinyl filling your senses the way it always had. A suffocating blend of raw gasoline and rich exhaust, with overtones of hot Castrol. You lived for it, in fact it was all you ever really knew. It brought you to life most days, the process of working on cars satisfying your need to fix. To tinker. To solve. You ripped the keys from the ignition and slammed the door shut behind you. The black paint was so perfectly shiny you could see your own reflection. You tossed the keys into your pocket and let your legs carry you up the metal steps to your desk, opening the till, and fingering through the stacks of cash.

You instinctively grab for a twenty, knowing it’s more than enough to cover your usual selection but shit, tonight was a celebration right? You’re getting the good shit tonight. Just for you Ace. Just like you’d do, right? You snatch a fifty from the register, slamming it shut with a ding as your feet stomp down the metal stairs and back through the house. As you cross through the kitchen you grab your keys from the counter, with the fifty still in hand, receiving puzzled looks from Y/N and Daniel.

You meet her eyes as you watch hers drift down to the cash in your hand, an instant look of confusion crossing her face. You crumpled it up in your hand as soon as you knew she saw it, stuffing the bill in your jeans pocket.

You know what Daniel wants to say, but you know he’s not stupid enough to say it. Her though, she has no idea, and you know she’s not afraid to speak her mind. Your eyes meet hers again for the briefest second and you wonder if she can see the pain in your eyes before you look away and head for the front door.

—

It’s not long until you’re pulling up at the QuikStop, pulling the barred door open as the bell chimes overhead. “Well then, what’ve we got here Jacob?” old man Johnson says, taking in your appearance. “Need you a top off tonight, son?” he snickers. You tip your chin in acknowledgement as you make your way to the back wall lined with a small assortment of different liquors. Your eyes scan over the offerings, stopping short when you catch sight of the good stuff. You grab the red waxed neck of the Maker’s Mark, and make your way to the counter to purchase your poison of the evening. You were typically a Seagram’s 7 man, but tonight you were pretty much feeling like a Maker’s man, considering your body was about to filled to the brim with it. fucking anything to stop the noise in your head.

“My my, this’s not ‘chur usual, son.” he grins, knowing you’re about to fork out a pretty penny.

“Should get the job done, you think?” you remark, pulling the fifty from your jeans pocket.

“Mighty fine this one is. Quell yer troubles, it sure will.” he says, taking it from your fingers. He gives you back a few small bills and loose coins that you shove into your pants pocket, snatching the bottle from the counter before he even has a chance to place it in a paper bag. “You have yeh’s a good night Jacob.” he calls out as your foot steps out the door into the thick humid air.

—

HER POV

“Thank you for dinner.” You felt Danny’s breath on the back of your neck as you scrubbed the frying pan. “Do you know how long it’s been since we’ve had a cooked meal in this place?”

His lips were trailing soft kisses down your neck onto your shoulder, making your neck crane sideways. “S’hardly a meal, Danny. Just thought you might’ve wanted somethin’ hot for a change.”

You turned to face him, scratching your nails up his pecs before wrapping your arms around his neck, hands still wet from the sink. “Mmm, I do want somethin’ hot.” His hands were under your thighs, fingertips burying in before lifting you up to sit on the countertop. He was just the right height to pull you forward a little, pressing himself directly against your core. Just that feeling alone made you weak, and hearing his harsh inhale from the contact spurred you on even more.

You kissed him, hard, feeling that want from earlier come crashing back into you again. His hands stayed on your thighs, his finger span covering almost the entirety of your skin. You both allowed yourselves time to explore again, letting things heat up like they had before. His hand moved up to grip your hair, pulling it backwards as he trailed his mouth down your throat, nipping and biting tiny marks as he did so.

Suddenly the temperature of the room increased tenfold and you felt your body begging you to do something, make another move. You maneuvered your hips to press yourself against him, his length feeling hard and stiff against you now. The guttural moan that escaped him sounded so carnal you could’ve taken him right then and there, but the risk of being caught was still heavy in your mind.

“Wait… Jake could be back any minute…” you choked out, glancing to the metal door.

“Guess we better fuckin' get to it, then.” He buried his face in your neck as he lifted you from the counter, carrying you through the kitchen and to his bedroom with ease. He kicked the door closed behind him as he drifted slowly to his bed, your mouths and hands still ripping at each other.

His knee hit the mattress and he lowered you down with a bounce, immediately reaching for the hem of your shirt before pulling it over your head. Without disconnecting your mouths, your hands anxiously fumbled around at his zipper, unbuttoning his jeans. It was like all shyness had left your body as you felt no shame in letting your hand grip his shaft, your hands burning to know what he felt like without the barrier of his boxers.

“Fuck Y/N…I want you so bad…” he almost laughed at himself, pushing your shoulder back into the pillows.

“Mmm, I can tell.” You grinned as your hand moved up and down his length, growing harder by the second. He rolled over and pulled his jeans off before towering over you again, reaching behind you to unclasp your bra in one swift motion. Your hand found him again, and this time you noticed just how much you were about to be dealing with. You weren’t sure your ever had someone his size before, and it made you fuckin' excited.

Your mouths were connected in such a way that you felt like you’d never separate; both of you completely taken with the way the other tasted. Your hands came up to grip his face, running your fingers over his cheeks. “Can you please take that fuckin' ring off your finger? If I’m gonna fuck you I don’t want to be thinkin’ about you and another man.”

Shit. You’d completely forgotten you even had it on. You hesitated a second, knowing that it didn’t mean shit to you anymore, but something told you not to throw it away. You slid it off and placed it on the nightstand, out of sight and definitely out of mind.

“Thank you. Now…let me see your body again, baby…” he mumbled, sitting back on his knees to pull your jeans and panties off. “You’re fuckin' stacked, you know that?”

Your mouth contorted into a devious grin, having never heard a man talk about you like this before. Peter never praised you, never complimented you or your looks, only took what he could get then fell asleep.

Danny made you feel beautiful, made you feel empowered…his eyes stayed bewitched as he scanned from your thighs to your tits, all the way to your face again before leaning his mouth down, licking directly over your mound and up your stomach.

His hands gripped around your hips, his fingertips gripping your asscheeks while his thumbs reached all the way to your groin…his hands were massive. He tilted his hands so that you were forced to arch, inadvertently spreading your legs apart a little as he did so. Just that movement alone made you feel used and in charge at the same time; just the sight of your body was sending him over the edge with want for you, and you liked it.

His eyes met yours again, rushed and frenzied as he silently asked permission. You nodded a little, halfway unsure of what he was asking.

“You taste as good as you look, baby?” He began to lay his body flat on his stomach between your legs, his hands pressing your muscles in that special way again, to make the display all the more visual for him. “You’re fuckin' soaked, god I bet you’re so sweet…” he muttered, running his tongue up and down the insides of your legs.

You held back a little. You were absolutely dying for him to bury his face in you, but again, this was something that Peter had only done once or twice for you, and that was only because you’d asked him to. Essentially, this was new territory. A brand new experience, really. Coming from someone who actually wanted to do it.

His tongue was traveling around still, teasing…exploring. “Can I taste you?” He asked, his deep brown eyes flickering up to yours as you anxiously let a hand down to grip in his hair. You nodded quickly, a barely audible ‘yes’ slipping from your lips. “Please.”

When his tongue finally buried in between your folds, it was unlike anything you had ever experienced in your life…obviously Peter had been doing it all wrong. His tongue buried, his lips enclosed around you…hitting all the right spots with such precision you felt like you were in the clouds. The burning, fiery, thunder-storming clouds. Your hand gripped his hair tighter as he pushed inside you, lapping his tongue side to side and up and down and pulling out again, then working tiny circles around your clit.

You realized you’d been holding your breath the second Danny popped up, laughing a little bit. “Breathe, baby.” You could feel the peach fuzz around his mouth scratching against you as he smiled through his words, but it felt good. An added bonus, the slightly painful irritation making it feel even better as he glided side to side.

You listened to his instruction as you let yourself inhale, his low growl giggle vibrating through your body. “God damnit, Danny…what the…” your knees came up around his ears, your thighs squeezing him together as you neared that sweet feeling beginning to take over your entire body. His hands were still gripped tightly around your hips and ass, holding you steadily exactly where he wanted you.

Fuck, you loved feeling out of control.

But then, suddenly, you wanted more. Needed more. He began to bring his hand around to add his fingers, lightly toying at your entrance with his fingertips.

“No, no.” You commanded, stopping him in his tracks.

“What’s wrong, you okay?” He perked up.

You pulled him up by his hair, urging him to kiss you again. “Yes I’m fine. Didn’t want you to do that, yet. I wanna feel you. It ruins the surprise.” You muttered through exhausted pants, kissing away the wetness that covered his face.

His eyebrows raised in surprise, an impressed look of intrigue flowing over him. “Oh, fuck…alright then.”

You pushed him off you to lie flat on his back, completely caught off guard by the switch. “Take them off.” You demanded, but also reaching for the hem of his boxers yourself, to speed up the process.

Once they were in a pile beside you, you hopped to all fours and placed one hand on either side of his head as his hands drifted from your back to your hips again. He was fighting himself, bucking his hips up into you as he tried to make contact.

“Let me do it. Wanna feel every inch.” You spoke again, letting him know you were on top, you were calling the shots. His facial expression was already fucked out, still shining with the wetness from your arousal…you could tell you had him right where you wanted him. You reached between you, gripping his considerable length in your hand again as he tossed his head back with a groan. Your eyes caught the way the ink danced across his neck as it pulled tight. The spider web that stretched across his throat was so intricate, you felt caught in the web yourself. He clenched his jaw together when he finally looked at you, reaching a hand up to grip your hair back away from falling in his face.

“Wanna see your face, baby. Do it, please, fuck…” he was writhing beneath you, and you could already tell he was going to be the lay of a lifetime. You teased your own entrance with his tip, tracing your wetness all around. When you finally lined up, you prepared yourself to take him in, knowing it had been a while, and this was going to be a stretch.

You went slowly, feeling every centimeter enter you, the pain so sweet and so engulfing. When you finally bottomed out, he choked out a huffed sound so beautiful you wished you had it on film, the feeling of him all the way inside you so snug, he felt like he belonged there.

“Jesus Christ Y/N…my god…” he purred, his tongue sticking out to wet his lips as you sat back up, slowly beginning a pace that you knew was going to absolutely kill you. He was unlike anything you had ever felt before, the perfect size, attached to the perfect body…his eyes finally looked up at you long enough to share a moment. His abdomen crunched in on itself when you bottomed out again, the top of his head resting on your shoulder as his hands guided you up and down.

You finally let yourself find a rhythm, leaning into him and flicking your hips back as you sped up. You let your cries fill the room; suddenly you couldn’t care less if Jake walked in on you right now. It was heavenly, perfect in every sense of the word, and your insides were swirling and begging you to never let yourself stop.

“God, please don’t stop, Y/N…right there…” he purred again, gripping your hair back as you rode him into oblivion. You leaned back a little, resting one hand on his thigh behind you while the other one balanced on his sternum. Your fingers danced dangerously close to another tattoo, one you hadn’t seen before. A scattering of words in German sat delicately over his heart. You wanted to ask him what it said, but you were scared to know, based on the location.

You felt him deep inside, simply rolling your hips forward and back as you let him take a look at the show. You felt him hitting you deeper this way, eliciting a whine from you that you were borderline embarrassed about. His hand shot to your core, his thumb rubbing over your clit as he bucked up again. “So fuckin’ beautiful, Y/N…I swear…”

His praises tightened the knot that was already building inside you, the sound of him coming apart beneath you was enough to get you off by itself. Just as you were about to let it all go, you leaned down over him again, your mouth burying in his neck, biting into him as your sounds became more and more strangled, the overwhelming feeling of pure pleasure ripping through your body.

The buildup was insane, it felt like it lasted for hours. You guessed he could tell that you were close as he began thrusting up into you, too. “Yeah baby…go for it…let me have it…”

The white light that encompassed your entire being came flashing before your eyes, your teeth clenching into the skin of his pec as you came undone, shaking with what had to have been the most intense orgasm you had ever had. You wanted to say his name, scream it into the air, let him know how good he felt inside you, but you couldn’t form a coherent word even if you wanted to. Everything went numb and dull for a split second as you came down, panting and crying out choked sounds as you relaxed. You continued riding him, though…wanting to bring him to his delicious climax too.

“I’m close baby please, please don’t stop…” he begged, and suddenly his stomach was clenching, his dick twitching deep inside you still as he pulled you up off of him, grabbing himself in his hand to let his release flow over his hand and onto your stomach. You watched as his hand worked over his length, his eyes fixed on you as he came down, and slowed his hand.

His eyebrows shot together as his facial expression showed you how good it felt, how pretty you looked with his cum on you… it wasn’t something you had ever let a man do before, but you swore in that second that if he made you feel that way for the rest of forever, you’d let him do just about whatever he damn well pleased.

When you finally caught your breath, you smiled at one another, laughing and completely out of breath.

“Christ, you were even better than I imagined, baby…” he huffed, letting his hands fly to either side of his body, careful not to drop the mess that was in his right hand. You laughed as you plopped down beside him, grinning from ear to ear as you left the afterglow set in.

“I’ve never had a man make me feel so good in my life, Danny. I swear.” You admitted.

“Really? Even when you did that to them?” He perked up in disbelief.

You nodded. “Yeah, really. There were a couple of firsts in there.”

His eyebrows raised up. “Fuck… Well, I’m telling you, I never would’ve guessed that, baby. You are spectacular. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop wanting you like that.” He brought his face close to yours to lay a sweet, passionate kiss to your lips.

You smiled sweetly back as he pulled away, looking back at you with the sweetest smirk as he made his way to the bathroom, and you suddenly found yourself completely unable to pull your lust filled eyes away from the perfect roundness of his ass.

——

“This one okay?” You asked Danny, pulling an oversized t-shirt from his drawer. It was a dingy white and filled with holes and rips, but the fabric felt soft and comfortable.

“Whatever you want, baby.” He smirked, laid out across his bed in nothing but his loose-fitting gray boxers, strumming away on a black acoustic guitar. His eyes had been transfixed on the wall across from you before you interrupted him…his fingers mindlessly crawling across the 6-string, plucking out a solemn little tune that wasn’t familiar.

You crawled back up next to him on the bed, reaching across him to his nightstand to grab his box of smokes. “What are these, anyway?” You asked, opening the top flap.

“…Not what the box says they are.” He let out a sweet laugh. “I roll my own. I blend together a few different types of tobacco to get the flavor I want.”

“Hm. That’s why yours always smell so much better than Jake’s, then?” You asked, pulling one out and running it underneath your nose. “They smell sweet…”

“Mmhm. Taste good too. Try it.” He let go of the neck of the guitar for a second, reaching to his table to grab his lighter. He flicked the ignitor and produced a flame for you, watching you intently as you brought the end of the cigarette to it, inhaling the sweet aroma into your lungs. Damn, he was right.

“That’s really tasty…” you licked your lips together. “Even the paper is kinda sweet.” You hit it again before passing it back to him.

“Yeah. Took me a while to get it just right. Came from stealin’ Ace’s half empty bags mostly.” He laughed at the memory.

You tucked a pillow up under your arm as he began to play again, the cigarette hanging from his lips as the ash grew longer. His inked hands looked sinful dancing across the strings, and he was so natural at it. You caught a glimpse of the red and black triple’s 7’s tattooed on the inside of his pointer finger, and for some reason, you were sure you’d not seen it before.

“Triple 7’s, huh?” You thought you had a pretty good idea of what it symbolized, but you wanted to see what his reasoning was.

“Yeah, symbolizes good fortune and luck.” He pulled the smoke from his lips, tamping it out on the ashtray on the table. “Doesn’t really seem to be doin’ the job too well, does it?” He ended his sentence with a wink. “Not til’ you waltzed through the door at least.”

You began fingering with a loose string on his boxers. “I thought it meant the Holy Trinity...”

“Means that too, I guess. But I stopped bein’ religious a long time ago.”

The two of you were quiet a while, just the occasional sound of Jake banging around in the shop mixed with Danny’s tune to fill the air.

“How long you been playin’?” You asked.

His voice was getting groggy, sleep threatening him as the minutes ticked by. “Since I was 5 or 6 I guess, one of my foster families had one and I remember realizing it made a really pretty noise… I’d pick it up and run to my room and strum away on it to drown out the sound of them fighting. Seemed to help me not hear it. Then I started to actually like the way it felt in my hands…”

You were quiet for a second. “That why you play your music so loud now?”

His fingers stopped altogether as his eyes met yours. His face slowly contorted into a million different emotions at once before he looked back to the wall again, gently picking up where he left off.

“Fuck, yeah…I guess it is…”

“Jake play guitar too?” You tried to change the subject once you realized you had maybe hit a little too close to home with your question.

He shook his head. “No, he plays harmonica like the damned devil, though. Only does it every once in a while, but shit…he’s good at it. Every now and then we’ll get on a good drunk and play together to a big audience of ourselves.” He smiled sideways as he turned to look at you.

“Maybe y'all can play for me sometime.” Your fingertips were sliding along the hem of his boxers.

He sucked his bottom lip in through his teeth. “We’d love to play for you…” his eyes had started bouncing around each feature on your face, taking you in again as he moved himself closer. He pressed his lips into yours again, sweet and soft and mellow. “You know I’m gonna be thinking of you on top of me all the time now…gonna want it all the time…” he groaned through broken kisses. “Fuck… I don’t think you even know how gorgeous you looked…”

You pressed your tongue between his lips again, the sudden new movements hitting the strings of the guitar causing them to make a crazy scratching noise. “I’ll ride you whenever the hell you want, Danny…” you breathed, huffing a breath into his mouth. And you meant it, too.

Just as things started to get heated again, you heard Danny’s radio in the bay shoot up to 11. It was followed by a loud metallic bang, and the sound of a loud engine starting up. It startled you, and you sat up to look at the door.

“Fuck.” Danny said shortly, rubbing his hands through his hair.

“What was that? Is he okay?”

“Yeah, no. No, he’s not. But, we’ve just gotta—” he sputtered. You slid yourself across the bed, moving toward the door as you heard another loud thud echo through the bay.

“What is he doing?!” you urge.

“He’s drunk. He’s trying to fix Valor.” He explained, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Valor? The fuck is Valor?” you ask.

“The fuckin' car his dad left em.” he answers. “Only touches it when he's wasted.”

“How do you know, does he do this often?” You stood at the foot of Danny’s bed, throwing your hip out as you crossed your arms. Suddenly you heard Jake’s loud voice yelling along to the first verse of ‘Turn the Page’ by Bob Seger. “My god, is he singing?!”

Danny sat up and crawled to sit on the edge of the bed. “Y/N, listen. Every so often, Jake will go on a bender, and when he does it, he does it right. It was Ace’s dying wish for Jake to fix that car, and the only way he can bring himself to touch it, is if he’s out of his mind intoxicated. So, we just gotta let him do it. He’ll be fine, just gotta get it out of his system.”

Wait. “So he has to be fucked up before he can even pop the hood?” This wasn’t making sense.

Danny nodded. “Yeah, he’ll be fine, this is just how he works through it.”

“Danny, that is an extremely unhealthy way for him to be dealin’ with this…” you said quietly. He shrugged his shoulders and huffed out a breath, his expressions saying nothing more than it is what it is.

Another bang and more loud sing-shouting bellowed off the walls again, and you decided you’d had it. You yanked the door open, and made your way out into the shop, seeing Jake looking a complete and total mess as he dipped his head low inside the belly of Valor. A cigarette rested between his lips as both of his hands disappeared deep down in the engine.

“Ain’t it unsafe to have an open flame that close to motor oil?!” You yelled, grabbing his attention. He perked up, his eyes a deep dark black that you hadn’t seen before. There was a scowl on his face and his nostrils flared when he looked at you, absolutely absorbed in the hatred and madness he must be currently full of. “Why are you out here makin’ all this racket?” You yelled over the music.

He pulled the cigarette from his mouth, throwing it to the floor and stomping it out as the smoke drifted from his lips. “None of your fuckin' business.” You watched as his eyes glanced toward Danny’s room. “Get back in there and let your boyfriend serenade you to sleep.” He slurred, pulling a socket wrench from his kit.

“Agh!” You had a knee-jerk reaction to his words. “He’s not my boyfriend…” you crossed your arms across your chest. Who the fuck does he think he is?

Jake raised his hands into the air. “Whatever! Don’t care!” He shoo’d you away with a flick of his wrist, and buried his face back into the engine, screaming the words loudly again. “Here I gooooo, on the road again!”

You decided that seeing him like this, for the reason he was like this, wasn’t going to fly if you had anything to do with it. You stomped over to the other side of the hood, standing until he felt you watching.

“God damnit!” He yelled, dropping the tool to the floor beneath the car. When he stood back up he met your eyes again. He reached down beside his foot, pulling up a large glass bottle of liquor, taking it straight to the head.

A handle of Maker’s. He had gone to the liquor store earlier…but where did he get the cash for something like that…?

Oh, fuck. The fifty you saw him shove in his pocket. With the red X over Grant.

“You used my goddamn money to buy that, didn’t you?” You spat as he swallowed, wiping the excess drips from his chin with the back of his dirty hand. “The fifty you had earlier, you took it and spent it on this?!” You were enraged. He was supposed to be using that to buy your parts.

“Again, it’s none of your fuckin' business, Y/N!” He was spitting and slurring his words, his face red with anger and drunkenness.

“No, it is my business! That’s my money you’re drinking away right now! That’s so fucked, Jake!” You were yelling at him now. “What do you think, I’m just gonna slide you an extra fifty for your trouble?!”

He snarled his nose up, taking another swig. “Screw you, Y/N. Get the fuck out of my face.”

You stepped toward him now, your entire body raging with madness that you just couldn’t qualm. “Why don’t you yell at me, Jake. Huh? Yell at me. Take it out on me, instead of the void. You want something to be mad at? Try me…” you hit yourself in the chest a couple times, trying to get him to have the reaction you were hoping for, probably looking mighty intimidating standing there barefoot in nothing but Danny’s t-shirt.

He stepped back away from you. “What? Why…”

“Jake, almost half of the bottle is gone. Did you go somewhere and drink before you came back? Why are you—“

“Y/N, nobody fuckin' asked for the twenty questions. Can you go the fuck back to Daniel and let me do this?! Please.” He ignored you again, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d say that he had tears welling in his eyes. There was a long pause in the conversation. He just needed to talk…

“What if I don’t want to?” You said, your voice as meek as possible over the volume of the radio.

That confused him. “What if I want to stay here and help you?”

“You can’t help me, Y/N.” His face fell as he slammed a wrench back into the top drawer of the kit. “Nobody can.”

“Can you let me try?” You pleaded.

He looked directly at you, and you watched as his face softened a bit. He shrugged his shoulders and let them fall again before taking another big swig of the liquor. You leaned in, yanking the bottle from his hand, tilting it back and taking a long shot, yourself. You winced as the hot liquor went down your throat before leaning your elbows down on the panel of the car, looking down inside it at what he was working on. Thankfully a slower, quieter song had come across the radio.

“Now, what are we dealing with, here?” You asked, hoping he’d catch the double entendre. “Tell me all about it…”

He replaced his dirty hands back down into the front end, twisting something loose as he cleared his scratchy throat.

“It’s been seven years. Seven years today.” He said quietly as his Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Seven years since…?”

“Since my dad…died.” He was biting his cheeks in over and over.

“What happened, Jake?” You leaned in a little closer, brushing some dust off the top of the engine.

Jake leaned back, reached into his pocket and pulled out a few sheets of folded up notebook paper, dirty and torn from being in the hands and pocket of a mechanic. You took it gently from his hand, and slowly opened it.

‘April 22, 1975’. You read to yourself before scanning the rest of the hand-written note. You felt your heart sink as the words clicked in your mind.

“Jake, is this?”

“My dad’s suicide note. Yeah. Wrote it seven years ago today.” He replied, turning a socket wrench over and over as he avoided eye contact with you. “Left it for me on my nightstand while I was asleep.”

Your heart began pounding in your chest. Fuck. You hadn’t realized that was how he passed. You swallowed hard before even trying to speak again. “So you…you found him?”

Jake brought the bottle to his lips again, swallowing it down before passing it to you. You tilted it up, and did the same. He nodded, barely any movement in his body now. “Yeah.” His eyes were blank as they stared at the block in front of him.

You took a chopped breath. Maybe…maybe he just needs to get it out…hell. You were no psychologist.

Finally you spoke barely above a whisper. “Where was he?”

Jake was biting the sides of his cheeks in hard, his gaunt face pulled into itself as the dark circles shadowed even more in the dim light. His eyes looked dead into yours, deep and blank, before flicking up to the ceiling behind you, then back to yours.

You turned around slowly following his line of vision, seeing the high exposed rafter in the lofted ceiling.

Fucking hell.

You turned back, your eyes closed as your hands found your face, tears fighting to spring out as the image of the rafter sat burned in your brain. Jesus.

“Jake, I-I’m so…I didn’t mean for you to have to think about that again, that must have been…” you could hardly find the words to apologize, to empathize with him, with what he must have gone through that day, finding his dad like that. Gone through every day since. There were no words. There never would be any words. “I’m so sorry, Jake. Truly.”

“S’okay. In the past, now. What’s done is done.” He shrugged, nipping the bottle again.

“But you were just a kid, Jake…”

“Yeah, I was. Not a damn clue in the world. Had to do the growin’ up a man does in twenty years that very day.” You watched as a tiny tear escaped the outside corner of his eye, and he quickly wiped it away. “Left me with absolutely fuckin' nothin except a couple thousand dollars, that note, this fuckin' shit hole building, and every bad debt he ever had. But I had Danny with me. And Bubba. Danny was only…only fourteen.”

You felt your heart physically breaking into a million pieces for him, for both of them, thinking back to them being young teenagers and having to deal with that basically on their own…

“I’m glad you had them with you.” You agreed.

He nodded, his eyes turning red. “Don’t know what I would’ve done if Danny wasn’t here. Hell, his voice had barely even changed and he was helping me plan our dad’s funeral after he got home from school. But you know, he never even faltered. Kid took care of me better than I took care of myself those few weeks after. Forced me to eat, kept my mind busy…” you watched as he replayed the memories, probably running through them all in his head like watching them on an old projector screen.

“He basically kept the shop running while I stayed away from the world in my bedroom. I don’t even…” he shook his head as he collected himself. “People brought us food, Bubba was here every single day making sure we were okay…but Danny did it all. I don’t even know how he did it, he was a baby. Fuckin' workhorse…always has been.”

He took a second to rub his dirty hands over his tired eyes. “I don’t…we don’t have anybody, Y/N. No family at all.”

You reached out and cupped your hand over his, squeezing it hard as you let him talk. “Danny’s your brother.”

“In everything but blood.” He licked his lips, turning his hand over to hold yours back. You smiled, letting him know you were still here to listen, if he wanted to continue…even if it was just the whiskey giving him confidence.

“So you basically raised Danny, after that…” you relented.

He shrugged his shoulders in agreement. “Yeah, I guess, kinda. I dropped out of school right before graduation, but. Made sure he made it through senior year and all that. Honestly he raised me more than I did him, if I think about it.” He smirked a little. “We learned it all together.”

His eyes completely closed and he leaned his entire body weight down on his elbows. “Teddy…Teddy was uh, in love with my mom…before I was born.” His eyebrows raised and he laid more information out on the table for you.

“What?!”

He swigged the bottle again. “Yup. S’why he hated my dad so much. They were both vying for her at the same time…guess Ace swept her off her feet somehow.”

“Is that why he hates you so badly?” You were starting to put the pieces together. “He sees your mom in you?”

He nodded again. “Exactly. He’s still punishing me for what my dad did to him. Or my mom, whatever. I never asked for details. That’s why he’s still after me for my dad’s money. Still heartbroken and fucked up over somethin’ that went down before I was even born. The son of a bitch.”

“That’s not fuckin' fair, Jake.”

“Preachin’ to the choir, babe.” He clicked his tongue and sent you a wink.

He squeezed your hand a few times before releasing it, and walked over to plop himself down in one of the dirty lawn chairs against the wall of the shop. You followed suit, sitting beside him in the other chair as you curled your legs up and pulled Danny’s shirt over your knees.

“Tell me about Ace. Was he a funny guy?” You asked, trying to get him through his anguish. He grinned a little, hastily wiping his eyes again.

“Yeah, when he wanted to be. He was always full of dumb jokes and one-liners. But he stayed quiet most of the time, buried himself in his work. Till things went south with my mom, they got into drugs for a little bit. Nothing too serious but enough to count. My dad stepped away from it but mom didn’t. Then she just…disappeared. Before I was even out of diapers. Haven’t heard from her since.”

“What’s her name?”

“Stella.”

He took a deep breath. “You don’t have to sit out here and talk to me, ya know. I’m a fuckin' drunk mess. And I ain’t real sorry about it.”

You smirked. “Hey, just keepin’ you company.” You tilted the bottle back again, almost choking on it when it hit you. “Oh my god, Jake…the other day you said Ace died the day before your eighteenth birthday, that means…tomorrow is your birthday…?”

He nodded. “Yep. The big 2-6, I guess.”

Fuck. Now you understand why. His rage makes sense…

“Well that means we gotta have you a party!” You squealed, standing from the chair.

“No no no, it’s just another day. I don’t need no party.” You grabbed his filthy hands, standing to your feet and bringing him with you.

“Birthdays are the most important day of the year, silly!” You started dancing around to ’Cinnamon Girl’ as it blared from Danny’s speaker high on the shelf, holding Jake’s hands as you spun yourself around. “I saw your Neil Young poster on the wall, I know you love him. Come on, dance with me, birthday boy!” You couldn’t help but to try and act and candidly as you could, anything to try and make him feel just a little bit better on the anniversary of the worst day of his life. Even if it was just making him smile for a second.

“You see us together, chasing the moonlight, my cinnamon girlllllll.” You sang out loud.

Which you did, kind of. He grinned a bit and rolled his eyes at you, his sticky hands gripping just the very ends of your fingertips. You didn’t know if Danny knew what you were doing out here, but you didn’t really care if he did. It was his best friend’s birthday, for Christ sake. And no one even cared.

Jake was stumbling around, his eyes heavily hooded and red. You realized maybe the alcohol had hit him when you stood him up so fast. He stepped his feet around a little bit, hardly much of a dance at all while you swung his arms around. It did manage to bring a little bit of a smile to his face, though.

“I do love Neil Young, you’re right. And I’m impressed you know this song.” He chuckled. “Hmm, I’m fuckin' drunk though, too. Sleepy.” He said as you dropped his hands back to his sides. “Think I’m gonna go crash out.” He looked at you through one eye, and you realized how drunk he really was.

“Shit, are you gonna be sick?” You asked.

“No no, just sleep. Wan’ ma bed.” He mumbled, walking over to the shop sink to wash his dirty hands.

“Okay, let me walk you.” You offered as he finished, walking backwards as you pulled him along toward his bedroom.

When you got inside you flicked the light on, watching as Jake kicked his coveralls, jeans, and boots off as he waddled through the room. My god, his thigh tattoo, you hadn’t seen it up close, fuck…it was a dragon. Big and black and blue with fire coming from its mouth leading directly to…

He threw himself onto the mattress, his pile of freshly-washed sheets still laying a mess on top.

“Mmm, they smell so good I just wanna…” he curled his arms and legs up in them, wrapping up like a cocoon as he buried himself in them.

You laughed. “Is this what having clean sheets does to a man?!”

“They’re still kinda warm from the dryer, Y/N! Come feel, come here…” he reached his hand out, pulling you down into the bed with him. You bounced a couple times from the force, but you landed directly in his arms, face to face as you ended up tangled in the sheets with him.

“See? Still warm, aren’t they?!” He was like a giddy school kid, but what he didn’t notice was how close your faces were. You could smell the heavy liquor emanating through his pores, on his breath, and swirling through the air, but his hand that pulled you down never let go. It gripped hard on yours as you laid beside him, both of you staring at each other, feeling each other’s chests rise and fall as your heart rate skyrocketed.

Suddenly you felt the light touch of his other hand barely grazing across your back. “Are you still scared of me?” He asked, his voice hollow and needy.

You thought a second, realizing that if you were truly scared of him, you wouldn’t have faced the monster he was, head-on earlier. By yourself in your panties, at that.

“No.” You said simply, and that was the truth.

The corners of his lips tilted up just slightly as he whispered. “Good.”

You got ahold of yourself, turning your face away as you fought the demons that began circling in your mind, being this close to him.

“I know what I want for my birthday.” He slurred, rolling his head into his pillow.

“What’s that?”

“You ta’ read me more Maya poems.” His eyes were already closing as his words barely slipped out. You knew it wouldn’t be long. You were getting tired, yourself. You reached to his nightstand where your book still sat, opening to a passage of one of your favorites.

You began reading out loud, just louder than a whisper, watching as his eyes drifted closed, his pink lips mouthing the words right along with you.

And without even knowing it you fell asleep there, curled up in his pile of sheets, one hand on your book, and the other wrapped up in Jake’s.

—

JAKE POV

Even through your drunken slumber you could hear the pounding on the door. Your eyes blinked open, trying to register if it was really happening or if you were dreaming. Surely you had to be as you looked over and saw Y/N asleep next to you. She was here, in your bed, with you. Your hand rested on the skin of her stomach and you could hardly tear your eyes away from her as you took in the way she felt beneath your hand. You wanted to pull her close, smell her hair, let your fingers glide over her skin, but instead you heard the knocking on the front door continue. She began to stir from the noise, rolling to face you as you realized you needed to get up.

You pulled the blankets off of your body, your eyes searching furiously for where your gun ended up, finally catching sight of it on the dresser. You grabbed it, and bolted through your bedroom door to find out who the fuck was knocking on your door at four in the morning. You cocked your gun, and held it behind your back as you unlocked the front door, pulling it open slightly to see who it was. Bubba? The fuck?

You pulled the door open more, “What’s wrong?” you asked in a panic. This was unlike him. He never showed up like this unless something was wrong. Your eyes glanced behind him, scanning for anything out of the ordinary.

“You got that girl here, son?” he asks, raising a brow.

You furrow your brows and shift your weight into your hip, “Yeah, she’s here.”

“Good. Keep ‘er here. Don’t let ‘er outta your sight. Ain’t safe for ‘er.” he warns, quietly.

“Joey was sniffin’ around up here earlier today, askin’ questions and shit. Asked where she was, so we went and got her from the motel. She’s not goin’ back. I knew he was up to some shit.” you answer, setting your gun down on the table by the door.

“I don’t know what exactly is goin’ down over at Teddy’s but, might be best for her to just lay low here for a while. You boys don’t let them snatch that girl, whatever you do, you hear?” he says, crossing his arms. “That’s not why I’m here though.”

“Alright, why are you here…” you ask, wondering what couldn’t wait until the morning.

“Got a meeting set up for you two, ‘round 3 o’clock tomorrow. Down at the old sawmill.” he answers with a gleam in his eye.

“A meeting? The fuck kind of meeting Bubba?” you ask defensively. “Three’s in the middle of the work day, I don–”

“Yer gonna wanna take this meeting, son, promise yeh.” he nods. “Just trust me. You and Daniel better go. Don’t make me look bad, boy.”

“What should we expect?” You asked.

Bubba stepped forward, placing his hand directly on your shoulder. “Just trust me.”

“Shit, alright.” you say, letting out an exasperated sigh. “Thanks.”

“Get you some rest.” he says, tipping his chin and heading back to his car.

The hell…

You shut the door and lock it behind you, grabbing your gun from the table, and heading towards Daniel’s room. You rap your knuckles against the door, before twisting the handle, but as you push the door, he pulls it open. “Who the fuck was that?” he asks, a slight panic in his voice.

“Bubba.”

“The fuck does he want at four in the morning?” he questions, resting his hands on the door frame.

“He set up a meeting for us tomorrow out behind the old Willits Sawmill. No fuckin' idea what for, but said we need to be there. 3 o’clock.” you answer.

“A meeting?”

“S’what he said. I don’t fuckin' know…” you quip.

“Whatever, we can deal with it in the morning. Where’s Y/N?” he asks, looking down the hallway.

You run your tongue over your teeth as you huff out an answer, “My bed.”

He raises his eyebrows, “In your bed…” he pauses, hardening his jaw, “Why’s that…”

You shake your head, and look past him for a second, before letting your eyes meet his, “Why don’t you let her tell you in the morning. Get some sleep, sounds like we’ve got a long day tomorrow.” you say, clapping your hand against his back with a smug grin.

He narrows his eyes at you, and shuts his door as you step across the hallway to your room. As you open the door you see her sitting on the edge of the bed, her knees pulled up to her chest as she picks the skin on her thumb. “What’s going on? What’s happening?” she asks nervously.

You step into the room, shutting the door behind you before placing your gun on your nightstand. She just stares at you waiting for you to answer as you let out a deep sigh. You motion for her to get back into the bed, watching as she scoots back over to the other side, letting you slide back in where you were. You pull the clean smelling blankets back up around your shoulders before grabbing her waist and pulling her close to you. You settle your head on your pillow, finally able to breathe in the scent of her hair as the words fall out of your lips in a quiet whisper, “Nothing you need to worry about tonight…”

Her body relaxes beneath your arm, and you let your eyes close, feeling the warmth of her skin against yours. Maybe birthdays weren’t so bad after all.

—

DANNY POV

You rolled the creeper from beneath the old GMC as you heard the garage door shut and two pairs of feet shuffling across the bay. “Well, here we are again…Like deja vu.” you quip, cutting your eyes to Y/N, as she approaches.

You pull yourself up to meet her as Jake opens his tool kit across the bay. You let your eyes linger on him for a minute before flicking them back to Y/N. “Thought you’d be back last night…”

She drops her shoulders and lets out a defeated sigh, “I know. I know, I was trying, I swear, but…” she pauses, looking over her shoulder at Jake, who was now in his own little world beneath the hood of the Chevy. “I went out to talk to him last night, right? Well he kinda…opened up to me a little bit, told me about his dad… about his mom…” she says, a slight lilt in her voice. “He was so drunk Danny, he even cried a little bit.” she said, almost a whisper.

“I know. I peeked out and saw the two of you talking. Talking more than he’s talked in years. Figured I'd let him get it out. Think he needed it.” you answer truthfully.

“You saw?” she asks, and you nod your head in response.

“Anyways, I just wanted to make sure he made it to his bed, that’s all. Asked me to just stay and talk a little more and I fell asleep. I had no idea it was the anniversary of his dad’s death. No wonder he was so messed up. Oh– and it’s his birthday today. Did you know that?” she asks.

Oh shit, you forgot. “Oh, um, yeah I guess you’re right it is. Usually we don’t do anything. Kinda just another day around here.”

“Just another day?” she asks, face painted with shock. “Danny that’s so…That’s so sad. I wish there was something I could do…” she says with sad eyes.

Your eyes flicked over to Jake and you caught him, seeing him flick his head up in acknowledgement, a small smile on his face. You look back at her, resting your hand on her small shoulder, “Baby, I think you did...” both of you turning to see him gently singing along with the music playing through the speakers.

—

“So this meeting…” you start, leaning on the frame of the Chevy. Jake turns to you, setting down his tools. “Yeah, at three.”

“I was thinking, we can’t leave her here, right? Like, what if this is just a set up to get her alone?” you ask, picking the dirt from under your nails.

“Yeah I considered that. Think we’ll have to bring her with just to be safe. She can wait in the truck.” he says, pushing off the frame of the car. You follow him through the bay as he rifles through his kit in search of another tool.

“I can take the bike, you two take the truck. Do we even know what this meeting is about?” you ask.

“Nah, Bubba didn’t say, but I trust ‘em. S’only got our best interest, ya know.” he replies, snatching the tool from the box and walking back over to the truck.

“I think we need to be prepared for any scenario…” you say with the raise of your eyebrows.

“Well fuckin' obviously. No clue what we’re gonna tell Y/N though.”

“Shit, hopefully this isn’t some stupid fuckin' setup. What we got like an hour?” you ask.

“Yeah. About. Think we should clean up, or…” he asks, turning to you.

“I mean, we could, but s’not really us, huh?” you laugh, placing your hand on his shoulder, “Hey, happy birthday brother.”

He tightens his lips and nods his head as he looks to the floor, “Ahh, thanks man. Twenty-six. Seems old.” he laughs.

“Nah, not really, we still got a lot of livin’ left to do.” you smile, watching as he nods his head and his eyes flick over to Y/N who is lounging in a folding chair out front.

“She was worried ‘bout you last night.” you press, hoping to hear his thoughts.

“Yeah, came out here guns a-blazin’ and didn’t falter for a second. Talked for a bit, drank too fuckin’ much. Woke up and she was in my bed.” he says, and you feel a little relieved.

You smirk and raise an eyebrow, “She’s a sweet lil thing.”

He scoffs a laugh at you. “Guess you got to find that out for sure when I left last night, huh? Had yourselves a good ol’ time in my absence…saw your shirt must’ve been the closest thing she could grab when I got home.”

You bit your lips in, nodding as you went. “She’s fuckin’ phenomenal, man. Like, I didn’t expect that…”

He laughed again, blushing a little. “No, she seems like a good girl. Feel like shit for all the hell we’re puttin’ her through.” he admits, wiping his hand on the rag in his back pocket.

“You order those parts?” you ask, genuinely curious.

“Yeah, should be here in a week or two.” he nods, leaning on the frame of the truck.

“Make any headway with Val?” you wonder, seeing it still sitting uncovered. He shakes his head, “Nah, the old bitch still givin’ me a run for my money.”

“One of these days we’ll crack ‘er.” you say, giving him one last pat on the shoulder before returning to your side of the garage.

—

You stand in the doorway of the truck, watching her buckle her seatbelt as Jake slides into the driver’s seat. “Listen, we aren’t really sure what’s about to go down, but just stay in the truck, lay low, and if shit goes south, get on the floorboard. Alright?” you ask, letting your thumb swipe over her cheek. She nods her head and you tip your chin, turning to head towards your bike.

The door shuts behind you and Jake pulls out of the driveway in a cloud of dust. You quickly jump on your bike, starting it with a roar, before following closely behind them. Your heart is pounding a little extra hard as you make your way to the old abandoned sawmill, completely unsure of what or who will be waiting there for you.

His truck slows as he pulls into the cracked and pot hot riddled lot, seeing a single car parked at the far end. It’s not a car you recognize from around here and that puts you on high alert. The hair on the back of your neck stands tall as Jake parks the truck, letting you pull up next to him.

Y/N slinks down in the seat, trying her best to stay out of sight, as Jake steps out of his truck, slamming his door shut. You lean your bike on the kickstand and walk towards him, both of you sending each other a concerned look. “Recognize it?” you murmur under your breath.

“Nah.” he says, reaching back into his belt to cock his gun. You do the same, hoping it won’t come to that, but around here it wouldn’t be unheard of.

The two of you walk through the crunching pavement over towards the dark green GMC Sprint, seeing a man resting against the driver’s door. He hears you approaching and pushes off the car turning to face you. The sun is in your eyes as you catch sight of his face, distorting his features until you get a little closer. You notice the car is still running, despite him not occupying it, and that too, makes you uneasy.

“Was at the poker game.” you whisper.

“Sure was.” Jake replies, stepping up to the man.

“Hello fellas.” the man says with a smirk. “Glad you could make it.”

“Yep, what uh– what can we do for ya?” Jake asks, with his hands on his hips.

“Well boys, to be frank with you, I’d like to make a proposition to you.”

“You were at the game the other night. Haven’t seen you ‘round here before.” You say, crossing your arms against your chest.

“You’re right, I was. Names Oscar, but you can call me Oz.” he says, extending his hand to shake. You stare at it for a minute in contemplation before reaching towards him and shaking his hand. Jake follows, introducing himself.

“Oh I know who you boys are. Heard all about yehs.” he smiles.

“Heard about what?” you ask, narrowing your eyes.

“Heard you two were some fighters.” he says, tipping his head.

“Fighters?” Jake asks, shaking his head.

“S’what word on the street is. Figured I’d stop in to see for myself. Talked to some folks ‘round town, told me ‘bout your little poker games, and wouldn’t you know I got what I asked for. Saw the two of yeh’s on the side of the house.” he says, tightening his lips.

“So what, doesn’t mean we’re fighters or whatever the fuck.” Jake quips, standing firm.

“No son, I think that’s exactly what you are.” he retorts. “That’s why I asked your friend Bubba to arrange this little meetin’. Thought this could be beneficial for both of us.”

“You gonna get to the point?” you ask, trying to hurry things along.

He laughs a little under his breath, “I want you two come fight for me. You win, you get a portion of the winnins’.” he says, placing his hand in his pocket. He pulls out a stack of cash, easily five-hundred bucks. “Pay off that debt of yers real quick like.”

“Fight for you? The fuck does that mean?” Jake asks, staring at the money in his hand.

“You ever heard of Vale Tudo?” he asks, both of you shaking your heads, a little unsure of this man's motives.

“Alright, how ‘bout… No Holds Barred fightin’?”

“Yeah.” you answer quickly, earning you a nod from him. Of course you’d heard of it, you were practically raised on it.

“Well, somethin’ like that. Real private, underground type of settin’. Think up in those there bigger cities the folks call it ‘MMA’. Got people buyin’ in, bettin’ on these fights. We ain’t talkin’ no small buy in’s neither. This is big cash. Life changin’ money.” he says, raising a brow.

“Been lookin’ for myself a few boys to travel ‘round.” he pauses. “I think you two got the grit, and the need.”

“The need…” Jake presses.

“I know that Teddy character, he ain’t never gonna let you get ahead. But son, this is yer chance.”

“So, you want me and Jake to come…fight, and if we win said fights we get paid?” you ask, genuinely trying to piece this together.

“Exactly. We can work out the details, but roughly, you travel ‘round to these hosted fights, you fight favorably, we both walk home with our pockets lined.” he says.

“And how do we know, you’re trustworthy?” Jake asks. “I’ve got a life and a livin’ to make here. Bills lined up till kingdom come and they don’t pay themselves.”

“It’d be a fight here and there, every week or two with a rest period to recover yer health and bodies. Yeh’d have time at yer shop, so it’d be unsuspectin’. That’s the point son. Don’t want the heat findin’ out ‘bout it.” he says, and you start to feel uneasy.

“Seems…I don’t know. Why us? There’s gotta be people better suited than us…” you barter.

“Well truthfully Daniel, I’ve had my eye on you since you was ‘bout 17. Heard ‘bout the fightin’ from some folks, kept an eye on yeh. And Jacob, I know you learned from ‘em. Watched yeh myself just the other night. Ye’ve got somethin’, and I’m willin’ to take a chance on you boys if you’re willin’ to take a chance on me. If it doesn’t work out, well, hell we tried, still let you two walk away with a few hundred each for yer troubles.”

You see Jake’s brow furrow, and you know he’s considering it. You know this debt is crippling the shop, the two of you barely scraping by every week. You know this could be your chance. The only other thing you’ve ever been good at. “We gotta decide right now?” you ask, sending him a questioning look.

“No’sir. I’ll be in town ‘nother few days, got some outstanding business. First fight ain't for another week ‘er so over in Kirksville.” he says, reaching into his pocket again, pulling out a paper business card. Jake takes it from his fingers, reading over it before handing it to you.

“Now, you fellas think this over, give me a call once you’ve come to a decision.” he says, tipping his head. “Oh, and, for what it’s worth…” he pauses, “These buy in’s… is in the thousands range. My last fighter took home 4 grand in one night, for 5 minutes effort. Just somethin’ to consider.” and with that he slides into his idling car.

As the car pulls off in a cloud of exhaust Jake turns to you, his jaw slack and his face riddled with shock and question. “What the fuck…What was that? Wh–What do we do?”

You turn to look at him, shoving your hands in your pockets, and sucking your teeth, “Sounds like we fight.”

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hyuuukais · 2 months

Text

.・゜-: ✧ :- FICTIONAL REALITY .・゜-: ✧ :-

pairing • bang chan x fem reader

synopsis • fiction or reality? y/n preferred the former, escaping into another world, escaping her problems. so what happens when reality takes that away from her; wiping her own story-in-progress off both her laptop and beloved usb? and what happens when she opens the door in the middle of a crisis to none other then the love interest of her novel... and he's holding her usb?

warnings • general, blood/injury, MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH(S)

MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS | NEXT

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN • HERE COMES THE BRIDE (2k)

It's a beautiful venue, really, all decked out in gorgeous flowers leading you down the aisle to the love of your life. You had decided to go with a beach wedding, the outdoors a relaxing atmosphere and the beach, a fun aspect. At least, that's what you pitched to Yeonjun. Another reason was it's out in the open, therefore no closed doors. The only time you'd be inside a building would be before you left, getting ready elsewhere with Yeji and being picked up by Hyunjin.

Little did Yeonjun know you were never planning on making it there, escaping at the last minute in your wedding dress to a car rental one town over. Hyunjin helped put your things into the rental from his trunk, wishing you good luck with your new life. He'd snuck his information into your bag in case you needed someone, but you shredded the paper as soon as you found it. This was a fresh start, no one and nothing from your old life to bring you back to it or come back to you. Only memories and old wounds would haunt you now.

However, this was not the case. Your old life found a way to seep back in ways you never expected, ways you still fail to understand. So now you get into Hyunjin's car and tell him new instructions; you're going to the venue, determined to get this right. You weren't doing this again, letting him win and be his forever. No, you were going to get married and be happy and live and love again.

He's already standing at the end with his best man, a childhood friend you never really got to know. Sometimes you would wonder if he was ever so bad to him as he was to you, wishing you could take him away from all the pain. But you don't know him, and he could be just as bad. The seats lined up on either side of the aisle are empty for the most part, only a few people right at the front.

You recognize his brown, curly hair before anything else, your heart aching in your chest. As far as you know, you're the only one other than Yeonjun who knows what's going on. Chan must be here for the laughs, for Yeonjun to see him and know what you're missing because of him. Beside him is Jeongin, and as you pass him you notice a trickle of dark red running down his neck from his ear, but he doesn't say anything and you act like you don't notice. He avoids your eyes, but the way his jaw is clenched is telling.

Music plays loudly as you make your way to the front, stopping in front of Yeonjun. Yeji stands close to your side as your maid of honour, wearing a lovely silk lilac dress. She's more nervous than you it seems, a strange sense of calm washing over your body as you look directly into Yeonjun's eyes. Looking you up and down, he smirks, a glint in his eye, and you know he thinks he's already got this in the bag.

"Shall we begin?" The officiator walks forward.

"Ye-"

"No," you cut Yeonjun off. "There's someone missing."

Yeonjun narrows his eyes at you, but you play innocent, looking down the aisle. Any minute now, he should be here. You know he'll be here. Another minute passes and you can tell Yeonjun is growing impatient, the mask of a loving partner slowly slipping as you make him wait. Your chest tightens when his hand raises, but he only rakes his fingers through his hair.

"Whoever it is clearly isn't showing up," he snaps suddenly, earning a strange look from Hyunjin. "I mean, we can wait a little longer, but we shouldn't hold off so long for one person. The sooner I can marry you, the better."

He clasps your hands together, smiling down at you.

"You're right," you smile back. "We should start."

The officiate begins, looking uncomfortably between you two. When Yeonjun says his vows, you pretend to be grateful, even forcing out a few tears. It's all bullshit, everything he says. You can't wait any longer.

"I won't marry you," you announce.

"What?" Yeonjun's nostrils flare and his eyes narrow further.

"You have caused me so much pain, and I'm done." You step back, creating some distance between you as you recite your vows. "I have lived the past year and a half in fear of you finding me, of you bringing me down. Now I'm back here, and I won't let that happen again. You might think I'm just a scared little girl, but what you don't realize is that everything you've done leading up to this has only pissed me off."

He tries to grab you when you back up more, but Chan is out of his seat in the blink of an eye. Trapped in his arms, Yeonjun thrashes, trying to get to you. Chan is stronger, grip tight around Yeonjun's upper torso and arms.

"Min, Jeongin, now!" You hope they remember what to do.

A familiar face runs down the aisle, taking Chan's place in holding Yeonjun back. Minho struggles to keep ahold of him at first, hands slipping as they switch positions. Before Yeonjun can advance on you, Chan's fist is flying, knocking Yeonjun backward into Minho's arms.

Jeongin's chin falls to his chest, eyes open just enough to see the whites. Dark red blood gushes from his nose at the same time you hear Yeonjun cry out, the same dark red spurting out of a hole in his neck. Another appears soon after, then again on the other side. The whole time he's crying out, Chan is at your side, looking you over.

"I'm okay," you say, holding his face. "I'm okay."

Placing a hand on his chest, you take a silver band from Yeji, and the world around you fades. It's just you and Chan, staring into each other's eyes as your hands find one another. You're about to slip the ring onto him, but he grabs your hand before you can.

"We need to do this right," he says, cupping your face.

"We don't have time-"

"Then we make time." He's brushing hair out of your face, eyes flickering down to your lips.

"This might not work," you whisper.

"It will, I know it will."

"How can you be so sure?" Your free hand holds his shoulder, scared to let go.

"Because Y/n." Chan smiles, wide and blinding. "Because I love you, so, so much. You created me, gave me life, and although I know you think I only love you because of that, it's not true. If there's one thing I can take away from Yeonjun, it's that I have the freedom to choose, and I choose you. And you should too."

Your vision blurs with tears as he takes both your hands in his.

"It's time, Y/n," he whispers. "Make your choice."

"I choose myself." And he smiles and nods, wiping your tears away right as they start to fall. "I choose to be free."

The silver band slips on perfectly, and all you can hear now is silence. No muffled yelling, no music, nothing. It's you and it's him and it's everything.

Until someone pulls you away, back into those dark rooms.

Darkness engulfs you, turning around in a slow circle until your eyes adjust and you recognize the light coming up at the edge of the room. Someone coughs behind you, a strangled, gurgling sound, and you're met with two bodies. One lies on the chair facing where you used to sit, head turned away in a messy puddle of red, and you know who it is. Lying on the ground face down is another man, the wire that used to connect you and Yeonjun stuck into his arm.

"Y/n," he croaks and you crouch down hesitantly. "Y/n."

He coughs again, and you realize there's no more water in the room when blood spatters out of his mouth and onto the floor. Carefully helping him onto his back, you gasp shakily at the sight of him. There's a large wound running down the length of his chest, white shirt turned a much darker shade, and the same colour covering the lower half of his face, dried around his nose and mouth. The wire is jammed into his arm, veins around it black.

"What did you do?" You place a hand on his cheek, tears threatening to spill over.

"He's gone," Jeongin chokes out. "He was using this to connect you, your souls, your very beings. If it was still in you when I ripped the wires out, it would have killed you too."

"But why did you connect yourself?"

"He needed something to keep him grounded, I think." Jeongin's eyes flutter for a moment, but he manages keeps them open. "If I didn't connect myself, he would have reached out and found something or someone else. This way-" His breath catches. "This way he's gone for good."

"But that's just this realm right?" You ask, desperation seeping into your words. "You were fine at the wedding. You'll be fine when I get out of here too, won't you?"

He shakes his head. "I was supposed to die a long time ago."

Tears finally fall, mixing with the blood by his head. His breathing is slow, eyes falling shut one last time, but a small smile graces his face.

"So, you and Chan?" He coughs. "Gonna make it through?"

"That's what you're concerned about?" You laugh and sob at the same time, crossing your legs and propping his head up gently into your lap. You brush your fingers through his hair with one hand, holding his face with the other. "I don't know what's going to happen now. I don't even know if he's gonna be there when I get out."

"He'll be there, I can still..." Jeongin takes a deep breath, voice rising in pitch. "Feel him. I can feel him."

Jeongin brings a shaky hand up to your own on his cheek and you hold back another sob. This kid who you couldn't save, this kid who deserved better than the life he was given, holding onto you in his final moments.

"Thank you for trying," he whispers. "Thank you."

"Jeongin?" A beat passes and he says nothing, the rise and fall of his chest coming to an end. "No, no Jeongin, no."

Your body hunches over him, cradling his head in your arms as you weep over his body, unmoving. All that fills the room are your sobs and the sound of you crying out to him, calling out his name and pleading the universe to bring him back. It takes a long time for you to finally detach from him, laying his head down with care. You can't leave him here, but you have no way to bring him with you either.

With a heavy heart, you start your way to the door, but stop when you catch a glimpse of Yeonjun's face as you pass the chairs. Approaching him, you take in the way his hair has fallen into his eyes and the wires dangling above him, marked with the blood of the boy on the ground. You note the way his eyes are half closed and the way one of his legs hangs off the chair. You don't know why you feel compelled to memorize every last detail of his face, but you do.

The same door you left through before is closed behind you, but when you open it this time there's no light. The path is dark, too dark, but you head down anyway. A strange dizziness washes over you hard, bringing you down to your knees. Someone catches you as you fall, but you're suddenly too drowsy to keep your eyes open, letting this feeling whisk you away.

Warm sun on your face, soft sheets entangle your legs. Your eyes are crusted shut, but you pry them open and stretch out in your bed. Slowly, you get up, head swimming. You wait for the feeling to go away, walking over to the window and opening the curtain. Below are bustling city streets, people with places to go filling the sidewalks. You rub your eyes, exiting your bedroom to start the kettle, sitting on the red chaise lounge as you wait for it to boil.

●

notes • i cried writing this lol. what do we think happened to chan?

taglist • @yongbbokkie @chaeryred @tenebrisirae @toplinelix @chansdoll @amaranth-writing @3rachachoo @linosjureumi @thebrownemo @tfshouldidohere @channie-143 @frogieeheart @kangaracharacha @skzswife @hopefulrascalstatesmantoad @palindrome969 @laylasbunbunny @bloomingstay

TAGLIST CLOSED ^^^blue means i can't tag you

#.・゜-: ✧ :- FICTIONAL REALITY .・゜-: ✧ :-#skz #stray kids #non idol au #bang chan #bang chan x reader #bang chan x fem reader #skz x reader #stray kids x reader #skz series #stray kids fanfic #bang chan series

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everlastlady · 5 months

Text

Request: This is... confusing so stay with me I'm so sorry 😭, but can I have headcanons or one-shot (or both👀) of a striker x female reader where the reader is beezlebub daughter? Like this is an au where the reader is an imp and she's royalty demon, ig backstory bee had and ex and had an imp kid with him and he died and like vortex is her new step dad, since striker Hates royals how would he react to this? (I'm so sorry feel free to ignore but I really love if you could write this 😭🩷)

The Daughter Of My Enemy

✧- Author's Note: This is a request.Remember to eat a meal or a snack, drink some water, get some fresh air, take your medicine, and remember that you are loved. If you loved this story remember to comment, click or tap that heart button, reblog with tags, and blaze if you can. Always remember to support your local writers. ♡♡♡

✧- Word Count: 1778

✧- Contains: Semi asshole Striker, Fem Reader, Verosika, Sweet Moments, Tears, & Comfort.

“ Let’s get this party fucking started! “ (Name) yelled. She looked down at all her party guests who were living it up. While (Name’s) mother Beelzebub was on a honeymoon. (Name) decided to throw a party. (Name) walked down the stairs as she watched as everyone was drinking, eating, and chatting it up. Everyone was living it up and that’s how (Name) liked it. Her phone started to buzz. She pulled it out and looked at the text that appeared on her screen; she grinned as her best friend Verosika said. That she was on her way. (Name) couldn’t wait to see her friend because she had missed her so much. Verosika was the first person to treat (Name) with kindness. Not many people were kind to her since she was part imp and most people that did like her. Only liked her because her mom was Beezlebub which meant parties, status, and money. (Name) can’t even remember her father and doesn’t really want to since he hasn’t bothered to wish her a happy birthday in so many years or even visit. Besides (Name) was happy with her step dad Vortex. He taught her to love herself and protect herself. He was also a fun dad who sometimes took her out shopping, to games, and even taught her how to dance at her first Hellhound party. So she hoped that he was enjoying himself with her mother on the honeymoon. (Name) walked over to the bar to get herself a drink. She would say hello to her guests and ask them how they were doing. “ Heyy bitch! “ Verosika called out. (Name) turned around and smiled. “ Verosika! “ (Name) squealed and ran over to her best friend. The two hugged each other and laughed. Giving each other a kiss on both cheeks before pulling away. “ You look hot~ “ Verosika said, looking up and down at your outfit. “ Oh, come on, you are literally from Lust, you look the hottest. I love your shoes. They really go with the jacket. “ (Name) said.

While this chatting was going on. (Name’s) eyes landed on the imp that stood near Verosika he was wearing a black turtleneck and gray pants. He had a drink in his hand while he seemed to be just observing the party. “ Is this the friend you were talking about? “ (Name) said. Verosika looked towards Striker and nudged him. “ Yeah, this is Striker, and Striker this is (Name) “ Verosika said. “ Please to meet ya, this quite some party you have going on. The alcohol is not really my taste but it’s better than what they have down in Wrath. “ Striker said while rolling his eyes. “ Well we have other options at the bar if it’s not to your liking partner~ “ (Name) smirked while mocking his accent. “ Verosika said you were pretty, but she didn’t tell me that you were also funny. Your accent could use a bit of work though. “ Striker chuckled while hissing. “ Well hopefully you’ll stick around long enough so I can work on it. “ (Name) said while tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. “ I’ll go see what I can get a Wrath person like you. “ (Name) winked and walked off. Striker watched as (Name) walked towards the bar.

“ Wow, Ver, she truly is a beautiful and funny one at best. “ Striker said while he continued to eye (Name). “ Don’t get your hopes up too high. “ Verosika said. As she bats away someone who tried to hit on her. “ Why does she have a boyfriend? “ Striker asked. Verosika shook her head. “ Does she like women? “ Striker asked and tilted his head. “ No, do you even know where we're at? “ Verosika asked and took off her sunglasses. “ Yes, we're in Gluttony. “ Striker proudly said. “ Yes, but this place belongs to Beelzebub the queen B and that’s her daughter over there. “ Verosika said pointing towards (Name) who looked frustrated trying to find a drink for Striker. “ No, that can’t be true, she looks like an imp. Kinda… “ Striker said. “ Her dad was an imp who got with Beelzebub but the father walked out on them. So please don’t insult my friend or do anything stupid. “ Verosika glared at Striker. The cowboy imp looked at (Name) and then at Verosika. “ Y-Yeah, I won’t. “ Striker said, he watched as (Name) came back over. “ Here you go a high tide cactus, hope you like it. “ (Name) handed Striker the drink. He took the glass while eyeing (Name) and took a sip, his golden eyes widened as he quickly drank the whole thing down. “ That was good! “ He really wanted another. “ Glad, you liked it. I made it myself, maybe I’ll rename it and call it the Striker. “ (Name) grinned.

Striker really didn’t like royals for personal reasons, he never had a chill conversation with them and thought they were snobbish but (Name) was sure changing his views. “ A drink named after me, I would like that, hey if you make money off it make sure you give me a cut. “ Striker said. “ A handsome cowboy mascot with a drink named after him, well he would make a cute mascot. “ (Name) teased and looked at Striker. “ Glad you like the drink, there is barely a drop left in the glass. Let's get something to eat! “ (Name) shouted. “ You guys go on ahead. I see that bitch Becky here and if she’s going to slander me on social media then I’m going to slander her at the party. “ Verosika said. And walked off. “ I forgot Becky was here, oh well shall we go eat? “ (Name) said smiling as she looked at Striker. “ Sure hon, let’s see what your beehive has to offer. “ Striker said. (Name) took Striker’s hand and quickly walked off with him. He did his best to keep up with her as (Name) zipped through the crowd and made it to the table that was filled with food and snacks. “ Pick what ya like, my mom always taught me that you could never have too much. “ (Name) said, while placing a couple of snacks on her plate. Striker looked at the food before deciding on what to grab. He hasn’t had a decent meal in a long time so everything looked delicious. So he began to pile his plate as well. Before following (Name) outside to the backyard he sat with her near the bonfire. “ Ah, it’s such a beautiful night, don’t you agree. “ (Name) said and took a bite out of the chicken wing. Striker looked up at the sky and smiled. “ Yeah, so hey do you always enjoy this party lifestyle, doesn’t it tire you out? “ Striker asked. (Name) wiped her mouth with a napkin. “ Sometimes, it’s why I don’t really throw parties. When I’m not partying, I like to read books, have small gatherings with close friends, or go shopping with my step dad, he’s the best. “ (Name) smiled. “ Sometimes my mom and I will go out to do something fun. “ (Name) picked up her drink. “ So you are demon royalty, how's that and being part imp since yeah know we get a bad rep. “ Striker said he wanted to see if she was like the rest.

“ Some people are nice and some aren’t especially when they discover not only are you part imp but your step dad is a Hellhound. My mom and dad always tell me that I shouldn’t be bothered by what others say, and that’s true but there is so much I take it’s actually why I threw this party. “ She said let out a sad chuckle. “ When I party and drink, all that sadness goes away; sometimes I wish the different demon races can get along and be respected. But I guess not everything is a fairytale. “ (Name) rolled her eyes. “ I just feel like I don’t belong anywhere because of the comments people make. “ (Name) pushed away her plate. “ I’m not hungry anymore… “ (Name) hugged her legs to her chest. “ Listen, I don’t really like demon royalty… “ Striker said. “ Great, another person who doesn’t like me! “ (Name) said, hot tears streaming down her face. “ Listen, just listen, I don’t like demon royalty but I know how it feels to feel like you don’t belong anywhere. To have people call you names and make you feel less, I also wish that we can all get along but you’re right not everything is a fairy tale, but hey there are some people in Hell who I guess see us all as equals. I mean your mom who is queen Beelzebub is dating a Hellhound. I know an imp who is dating demon royalty. Never know how many low class demons could be fucking with the rich. I think you are an amazing girl, hell I think your fucking beautiful. I really like your eyes, horns, and hair. “ Striker spoke as his face heated up.

(Name’s) face heated up as Striker spoke. “ You ain’t like those rich assholes, and maybe I shouldn’t assume every rich royal demon is an asshole, you are one of the good ones and your parents are right you shouldn’t give a shit what people say, because there ain’t nothing wrong with ya. “ Striker said as his tail whipped a bit. “ Now can we eat together? I would really like to get to know ya more beautiful. “ Striker smiled, showing his golden fang. (Name) wiped away her tears and smiled and nodded. The night continued on as Striker and (Name) talked the two of them laughing and telling each other about one another. The party had ended and people were leaving. “ I’ll be there in a sec Ver. “ Striker said, as Verosika walked towards her car. Striker turned back towards (Name) who said her goodbyes to the last party guest. “ Hey (Name)? “ Striker looked at her. “ Hm? “ (Name) looked at Striker. “ I was wondering if I could get your number, I wanna continue to get to know you more and if it’s not an issue maybe I can take you out next week say on Friday? “ Striker looked at (Name) and held out his phone. “ I would really like that Striker. “ (Name) fingers brushed up against Striker’s when she took his phone and entered her number. “ Hey, thank you for talking to me, I can’t wait to see you again. “ (Name) kissed Striker on the cheek before walking back inside. Striker got into the car and Verosika pulled off. “ So did you enjoy your first party in Gluttony? “Verosika asked. Striker stared down at his phone looking at (Name’s) number, soon he got a message from her he opened it seeing a hey with a heart, Striker smiled. “ Yeah, I did. “

#submission #questions #& thoughts #helluva boss #hazbin hotel #helluva striker #helluva striker x reader #helluva fanfiction #helluva fandom #striker x reader #striker #striker x you #striker x oc #striker x female reader #helluva x female reader #helluva x reader #helluva everlasting #everlasting writes🪻#everlasting request 🪻

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rorywritesjunk · 5 months

Text

I can’t tell where the journey will end But I know where to start

Prequel to my Kid Buggy fic, set about 11-ish years before that story.

Buggy meets you by chance when he needs his buttons sewn back onto his jacket. He’s young, up and coming, and he thinks everyone should cower before him wherever he goes, but all you do is smile at him.

Rating: PG-13ish just for some swearing. Warning: Buggy’s in his early 20s. He’s an asshole. He just is because I wanted to write him loud, demanding, everything. There’s 3 new characters thrown in because why not? Future Wife gets a name as well! Also, in this chapter, Buggy's an asshole and the Reader is just a bit as well. A/N: I have no idea when Buggy became a Captain, so he’s a fresh faced captain in this. No clue how long this fic will be. I just started on the 4th chapter but I’m excited to write it out! I had fun with the original fic and decided to write the prequel to how they met. Enjoy! I also wanted to get this posted because I work the next six days in a row, and I may get some things posted but I wanted to get this chapter up soon because I may have teared up a bit writing it.

Title comes from “Wake Me Up” by Avicii.

TAGLIST: @lostfirefly @ane5e @kingofthemfingpirates @the-angriest-angel @tiredemomama @valen-yamyam16 @i-reblog-fics-i-like @plethora-of-fickleness

Chapter 1 + Chapter 2 + Chapter 3 + Chapter 4 + Chapter 5 + Chapter 6 + Chapter 7 + Chapter 8 + Chapter 9 + Chapter 10 + Chapter 11 + Chapter 12 + Chapter 13 + Chapter 14 + Chapter 15 + Chapter 16 + Chapter 17 + Chapter 18 + Epilogue

Chapter 5

Buggy managed to find you sitting by yourself on a blanket at the lake. There were ducks coming up to you, quacking as you tossed seeds to them. It only took him an hour of asking around to find out where he might be able to find you. He didn’t even go to the shop to ask because he wasn’t keen on coming face to face with Miss Pins after she hit him with the broom the other night. He made sure his hat was perched right on his head and that his jacket was buttoned right before he marched over to you.

You heard someone approaching but only looked up when a shadow was cast over you. When you looked up and saw Buggy, you couldn’t help but smile. How he managed to find you, you weren’t sure, but there also weren’t that many places in town with ducks so it shouldn’t have been too hard. You scooted over on the blanket and patted a spot beside you for him to sit.

“I thought ducks were boring.” You said as he sat down. He tensed up when you said that, looking away as he said nothing in return. “There isn’t anything more exciting for you to be doing, Buggy?”

“I… yes, there is, always.” He grumbled. “I’m a pirate after all. There’s always something exciting to be done.”

“But you came to sit with me while I fed the ducks.” You pointed out. He looked back at you, glaring as you dipped an apple slice into peanut butter and held it out to him. “Snack?”

He grumbled and took it from you, shoving it into his mouth before he replied. “I wanted to… wish you a happy birthday, but I didn’t get you anything.”

“You didn’t have to.” You handed him a napkin but he didn’t take it. “I mean, I like that we seem to be becoming friends, but you didn’t have to come wish me happy birthday or get me a gift. I know you’re busy but don’t go out of your way for this.”

“I-I can do whatever I want!” He sputtered, staring at you in disbelief. How could you be telling him what not to do? He could do whatever he wanted, and if he wanted to wish you a happy birthday while you fed the damn ducks then he would. “I don’t have to answer to anyone, and, and I don’t-”

You cut him off by pushing an apple slice against his lips. His cheeks flushed and he glared at you, but he took it out of your hand before shoving it into his mouth like the other piece.

“Well, thank you, Buggy. I appreciate it.” You smiled at him as you looked back at the ducks. Several of the mamas were quacking at you, wanting food, while one of the ducklings pulled at your skirt. You tossed more seeds out to them and looked back at the pirate. “Miss Pins doesn’t want you coming around the shop anymore.”

“She can’t turn my business away!” Buggy exclaimed. “I’m a well paying customer!”

“She’s convinced you’re lovesick and will steal me away.” You chuckled. “This morning she warned me again about seeing you because she doesn’t want you to steal me from her.”

Buggy crossed his arms and looked away again. “Well, can’t you make your own decisions? You’re an adult. She can’t tell you what you can and can’t do.”

“Are you planning on stealing me away then?” You asked as you tossed more seeds for the ducks. Buggy refused to look at you. “Buggy-”

“How can I when I still don’t know your name?” He shot back. “You never told me.”

“Miss Pins said it in front of you.” You told him with a shrug. “At least once.”

“Once isn’t enough to remember!” He snapped. “Not to mention I rarely see you, so how can you expect me to remember something stupid like your name?!”

And as soon as he said that he realized he should have shut up. He didn’t like the way you were looking at him just then, no traces of a smile or that look you had in your eyes when you talked with him, of warmth and kindness. Instead there was disappointment, maybe even hurt, and before he knew it you were gathering your things into a basket.

“I need to get back to the shop.”

“It’s your birthday, you said you had a few days free.” Buggy replied as he stood up. “Let’s go do something, I’ll take you on my ship and, and we can go do whatever you want!”

“No, I need to get back to the shop.” You told him as you gathered your blanket into your arms. You weren’t looking at him and he hated that, he didn’t want you to look away from him.

“We should do something!” Buggy insisted as he reached for your arm, but you jerked away and glared at him. He stopped moving in that moment, horrified to see tears in your eyes. Did he cause that? Did his stupid behavior lead to this?

“No.” You said as you brushed past him. “And Miss Pins doesn’t want you coming by the shop anymore, Captain, so please don’t come around.”

He stood and watched you leave. He fucked up, didn’t he? One of the only people to be kind to him and he managed to ruin it by being an ass. He wasn’t lovesick, he just wanted a friend, but the way his heart was feeling right then as he watched you walk away was different from how his friendship with Shanks ended. His heart hurt and felt heavy, like it was sinking into his stomach and weighing him down. You didn’t even say his name, just called him Captain before walking off. He didn’t follow after you, his legs wouldn’t work, but he wanted to. He wanted to call you back to him, make a stupid joke to get you to laugh and smile. He didn’t like seeing tears in your eyes because of him, but maybe he should stay away if he was just going to upset you.

He was an idiot.

A duck quacked at him before it nipped at his ankle, startling him. No, he decided he wouldn’t stay away. Yea, he was an idiot, but he liked being around you. Buggy scowled and crossed his arms. He didn’t want to lose you.

You didn’t speak to Miss Pins or the girls as you went up the stairs and to your room. It was nice being the oldest as you were given your own room, you didn’t have to share like the younger two did. You shut the door and set your things down before falling face first onto your bed, hiding your face in the blankets as you sighed heavily.

Buggy was rude from time to time, but that was the first time he was mean to you. Why did he have to react like that? You were sure it wasn’t intentional but it still hurt. And it hurt enough that you weren’t sure you wanted to see him again, but it made you wonder why he was so insistent on seeing you in the first place. Did he want to be friends with you, or was Miss Pins right, he wanted to steal you away from here? You weren’t sure about that part. While you were nearing the end of your apprenticeship with her, you hoped to stick around a bit longer to help her out.

You rubbed your eyes and sighed. This wasn’t how you wanted your birthday to go. You only wanted to relax and watch the ducks but he had to come along and ruin it. Maybe you could do something tomorrow to make up for it, but you didn’t want to risk the chance of running into Buggy.

Maybe you’d just hide in your room for a while.

It was five weeks before you saw Buggy again.

Every time the door opened to the shop you’d look up, hoping it was him, only to be disappointed that it was someone else each time. He wasn’t coming back even though you still had two pairs of socks for him. Maybe he decided to listen to you when you told him Miss Pins didn’t want him coming around anymore.

The girls left the apprenticeship, deciding they didn’t want to deal with pirates anymore. Miss Pins had been out of the shop and you were in charge when a big and very threatening pirate came along, scaring the girls into quitting, so it had just been you and Miss Pins taking on all the customers and tasks for a few weeks until the new apprentice showed up and honestly, you were relieved.

Benji was only 13 but he was happy to fight any pirates that came along being rude to either you or Miss Pins. Honestly, it was kind of adorable but you made sure not to say that to him. He quickly became fiercely protective of the two of you and it became apparent when the shop door opened one afternoon and Benji was met with a scowl. He glared back at the pirate and crossed his arms.

“What?”

The pirate made a face when he saw him. “Who are you?”

“Who are you?” Benji shot back.

“I’m Captain Buggy!”

“Oh, you’re that pirate.” Benji moved around the counter and crossed his arms as he glared up at him. “Miss Pins doesn’t want your business so you can leave.”

“I don’t care what she says and I’m not here for her anyways!” Buggy snapped. “I’m… I’m here for…”

“Benji, what’s going on?” You sighed as you stepped out of the back. While you appreciated the protective nature, you hated how he talked to customers. You were working with him on that. When you saw Buggy you stopped in your tracks. Benji turned around to look at you.

“I’m just chasing this good for nothin’ pirate off, Sunny.” He said with a grin. “So no worries, okay? I got this.”

Buggy resisted pushing the kid away. He wanted to make amends with you, not make it worse. He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. “I’m here to see Sunny, not the old lady, kid.”

Benji looked back at him. “No, you’re not welcome here. Boss’s orders.”

“Miss Pins isn’t in right now.” You reminded him. “So it means I’m in charge.”

Benji narrowed his eyes at Buggy before looking back at you. “Do you want him in here then?”

That was a fair question and you weren’t sure how to answer it. Part of you wanted him to stay around and talk about what happened on your birthday, but the other part of you was still hurt. He said your name just now but you knew it was because Benji just said it; Buggy didn’t know your name until now. Was it fair to be upset at him for this? When Miss Pins said your name that day, he had just hit his head and been insulted all in the same five minutes, but he thought it was stupid and that had hurt when he said it.

“Boss?” Benji asked as Buggy pushed past him. “Do you want me to kick him out?”

Honestly, you did, but you didn’t want Benji involved in this nonsense. You crossed your arms and looked at Buggy.

“I don’t have any services to offer you today, Captain, so please leave the shop.” You said as politely as possible, ignoring the look on his face that went from anger to confusion to heartbreak all in seconds. “I’m busy with orders.”

You and Buggy locked eyes for a moment; you almost wanted to take your words back but he straightened up and knocked into Benji as he turned around to storm out of the shop. Fine. He wouldn’t come back if you didn’t want him around.

Benji followed after him and shut the door before looking back at you, giving you a thumbs up. “Good job, boss! I’ll let Miss Pins know you got rid of him quickly.”

“Thanks.” You smiled sadly as you headed to the backroom to finish your tasks. Your heart was hurting from that interaction and you wondered if you went too far.

#buggy the clown #buggy the clown x reader #buggy x reader #buggy x you #buggy the clown x you #opla buggy the clown #opla buggy the clown x reader #opla buggy x reader #opla buggy the clown x you #opla buggy x you #buggy the clown x oc #buggy x oc #opla buggy the clown x oc #opla buggy x oc #sunny x buggy #one piece #one piece oc #one piece fanfiction

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ryujnn · 7 months

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► akuma ﾟ｡ ⋆ is there any room for me?

► chapter summary ﾟ｡ ⋆ the past few days of your life we’re unexpected, yet so much fun. people seem to come a lot in your life… and also leave.

► chapter warnings ﾟ｡ ⋆ nsfw. growing sexual tension. cunnilingus (oral — fem receiving). violence. use of weapons. mentions of blood and wounds. mention of murder.

► note ﾟ｡ ⋆ woah… i realized how much potential this story had and just whipped this up and rereading the whole thing. i missed akuma dearly,,

Dear Mom,

Checking out on the party before it had even started — you’d be shocked with the most recent news. You’re missing out on the fun, you know? All the plans we set out are now in motion. And you’re missing it.

But I’m missing you much more.

So much more.

I have so many questions for you. So many I wished I had asked, but I spent that time crying next to your cooling body. Now I’m left questioning myself.

Mommy, am I strong?

Am I still the strongest?

Even if I don’t feel it?

“R…” You opened your mouth, all of the saliva completely dispersing and leaving you stuck with cotton. The smallest step forward and your husband was grabbing your arm, stopping you. You on the other hand was just too shocked to even care. “Rika? Wh… How’d you know where I lived?”

“I followed you.”

Weird. “Um…” You’re trying to mentally piece together how you were gonna crack this one. “How are you alive? I— They captured you, right? That’s what they said.”

“They didn’t catch me.” Her voice is silky and posh. She’s holding herself with such good demeanor, you wouldn’t be able to tell she struggled half her life. “The woman they captured and killed was not me, yet another one of your father’s previous affairs. She threatened to tell the rest of your family members about his adultery and she was hunted down around the time I fled. They just covered my story up with the poor woman who lost her life.”

That’s absolutely heartbreaking. Not necessarily surprising, though. Your family is sick and twisted.

The metaphorical armor wrapped around you dissolved into the air, brushing past the skin on people’s faces. You felt empathetic towards her now.

“I’m not here to hurt you.” She continues, wary of her surroundings. And your husband. “I’m still alive because of my appearance change. They can’t remember what I look like, at least I pray not. I — I returned this morning. Heard your father’s big fight is soon… he had his beloved batch of boys, huh?”

You shook your head slowly, “Nope. Ryou and I will be fighting.”

It was then when you had actually noticed Rika. She was absolutely alluring. The silence was definitely inviting for you to look at her — to examine her. She had her hair cut to her shoulders, a few strands covering her forehead and bringing attention to her doe eyes. The longer she stood there, it was like watching a child. As if she was caught staying up too late when her parents came home.

She wasn’t threatening at all.

“Oh… congratulations,” Rika responds with a small smile, picking nervously at her fingers. She’s clearly spewing thoughts but there’s no way she could get them out of her mouth. “I’m sure you’ve learned a lot from Himari. You will win and change the trajectory of the clan — I know you can. It’s pretty bad, I don’t want another woman to experience what I… we did.”

All that time she’d been standing in front of you, you had forgotten who Rika actually was. What she had been through — and once it all clicked, you couldn’t stop your feet from moving.

You weren’t staring at a threat, you were staring at a survivor.

Escaping the Shio clan, just the hospital alone at that, with a new born baby and taking care of her all on her own with no experience. Starting fresh with no money, nowhere to live and not knowing anyone — yet managing to be alive and well, with a daughter who is in perfect shape.

The power of women.

“I’m sorry.” Are the only words that left your mouth, kicking your heels off in the midst of your walk before stopping in front of Rika, raising your arms to her shoulders and resting on your chin on her bone. “My mother thought you were a trooper. She loved telling me stories about you. You’re like a folklore.”

She returns the hug, giving you a small squeeze. “Am I?” There’s a slight shake in her voice, but she quickly covered it up with a laugh. “I’d rather the attention be on my princess. She’s what kept me going.” She hasn’t hugged anyone other than her daughter, nor has anyone felt sympathetic enough to acknowledge what she had been through. All of this hits Rika like a truck and she’s fighting back the urge to scream up the past twenty something years.

“Thank you.” Rika whispers.

She knows her daughter is good hands — protected by many people now. She knows she’s protected, too. She’s happy now.

The door clicks as it closes, resting backwards against the wood. You sighed softly, bending down to place your heels next to the door, hearing the bathroom door in front of you open.

“How’d it go?” Gojo asks from inside the bathroom, tossing his towel out and onto the floor.

The towel lands slightly ahead of you, rolling your eyes and walking forward to grab it. “Went okay. We had some wine and talked for a bit, she got tired and I let her sleep in my room.”

“I would be too if I were her,” His voice grows closer, alerting you that he’d be in front of you once you stood up. “I mean, it’s weird, right? I wonder why she came back.”

After folding the towel, you held it to your chest and looked ahead of you. All the breath in your lungs halted, stopping you from answering his questions or even responding.

There Gojo Satoru stood — in almost all of his glory. You’d never seen him like this… this close up. The black muscle shirts he wore around the house definitely didn’t give him this much justice; you can see every ripple, scar and crease on his body and it’s absolutely fantasizing. Natural contour and highlight on his skin — you’re almost folding at the sight.

“Uh…” Your voice is a little shaky, you’re so caught up in trying to pretend you’re not warming up from seeing his bare chest. “Yeah. Me too. It’s… weird.”

Gojo looks up from his hands, catching the stutter and sudden shift in your demeanor. He’s got an eyebrow cocked in confusion until it drops and he’s smirking right down at you. This is cute. He’s never seen you like this and now he’s addicted to it.

Speechless, timid and borderline submissive.

“Got somethin’ on your chin there,” His abrupt words cause you to blink hard, forcing your eyes back up go his face. You’re hot — you’re sure that you’re visibly burning up as well. Gojo takes a step forward, causing you to shuffle in spot and he’s enjoying it. “It’s not polite to stare, you know that.”

You’re trying your damn hardest to think of something witty, but your brain isn’t working. If anything, it’s clouded, and you’re not sure what to say without stuttering.

“I just… I noticed some of those scars on your chest and I wanted t-to, uh… just look at them.”

Verrrry convincing.

“You can touch ‘em, sweetheart.”

And so you obliged, reluctantly. Hesitant movements until your bare palm was against your husband’s skin, raising and lowering the stroke to feel every inch of him. There’s a soft shudder under his breath, specifically whenever your fingers brush against newer marks.

All in all, it’s intimate. He’s biting back the urge to grab you by the shoulders and you’re not too far off from begging for it.

Plus, you’ve only got a week. Right?

“Mark your calendars, request time off, set a reminder, and grab your popcorn — watch the Shio Clan’s Generational fight next week, here in this very room.”

Did you want to die being a virgin? Getting married and completing staying celibate, never being able to tell stories to the Shio women up in… whatever heaven was real. They’d talk your head off and call you a disgrace for not trying something so… sexy.

You can just see it now…

(“We saw you down there, married to that hunk of man. Gojo Satoru, right? How was the sex? Oh.. you didn’t have sex? Kiss him at all? No?! What—”)

The thought of going out without at least knowing if he’s a good kisser is making the hair on your arms stand. Maybe it was the wine? You felt like some horny teenager from the movies you watched.

“Would you touch me like this?” You transitioned to dragging a finger down his chest, digging your nail gently over his belly button and following his happy trail.

Right above his boxers.

Gojo pulls his eyebrows together. Is he dreaming? Is his ears playing tricks on him because he’s been wishing to touch you — praying for a moment like this with you? It’s gotta be a dream.

“You want me to touch you?”

Without thinking twice, your hands reached to the zipper behind you. The noise of it unzipping completely catches Gojo’s attention.

Now it’s Gojo’s turn to goggle. He’s gazing at every inch of your body being exposed as the dress fell further and further, and all of a sudden — it’s harder for him to breathe in. Until the fabric pooled at your feet, he’s blinking a lot slower, not wanting to miss a single second.

Normally you’d be extremely self conscious, bare as a stripper for a man you just previously despised. But something about your husband drinking you in like a bottle on the rocks is making your stomach do flips.

And it’s cartwheeling down to your core.

“It’s…” You began, taking a small step forward. “Not polite to stare, Satoru.”

Your husband chuckles, though his voice sounds a bit lower. Even once his eyes raised from your figure to your very own irises, they were way more hooded than before. He’s drinking you up and not missing a damn drop.

One deep breath, Gojo takes the advantage to close the gap between you both. He leans down just slightly, hovering over your height. He’s looking at you like you’re vulnerable, like he’s got the upmost control of you. And at this moment… you swear he does.

The tension is cutting the air with a butcher knife, absolutely murdering it to the point you both don’t know how to breathe anymore. Basic human actions have become tantalizing and you’d both rather drink each other up.

“I can have this thing off in seconds,” Gojo hooks his finger under your bra, tugging you forward by just the slightest. Watching you trip forward, following his moves, even the bounce of your breasts almost had him rolling his eyes back. “Just need to hear you say it, pretty.”

You don’t realize how pathetic or how fast you nodded your head, practically pleading with your eyes, but once Gojo heard those four words leave your tainted lips, he couldn’t help but oblige.

“Please, take it off,” You whisper, batting your mascara coated eyelashes up to the man before you. “Take it all off.”

And what man would Gojo Satoru be if he didn’t keep his word, especially when you asked so politely. Within those last few seconds, your husband closes the gap between you both by pressing his lips against yours. It wasn’t rough, wasn’t forced or rushed — nothing like the kiss you both shared at your wedding.

It wasn’t a goodbye kiss, it was a welcoming kiss. He wasn’t kissing you as if this was your last week on earth, he kissed you as if this was the first day of the rest of your life.

It was intoxicating and addictive, something you never wanted to end.

Once you wrapped your arms around the nape of Gojo’s neck, he reaches down to grab the back of your thighs, lifting you up to his height. Your legs wrapped around his abdomen, securing you around him.

He’s got one hand propped under your ass, holding you up while his other closes the bathroom door behind him, locking it right after.

Whaaaats goin on?

Times moving faster now that you’re having fun, that’s always been something you noticed as a child. Even in this moment, when your husband has you sat on the marble of his bathroom’s countertop, popping your bra off with just one hand, exposing your perky nipples to the brisk air around you, time is moving fast.

His soft, pink lips wrapped around your nipple, sucking and gently tugging at it with the sloppiest and nastiest ‘pop!’ you’ve ever heard — time is moving fast.

Gojo settling onto his knees, two skilled and slender fingers pulling your panties down your thighs, your calves, and then unhooking them from your feet. He’s pushing your legs apart, visibly and audibly falling apart at the sight alone of your glistening, pretty pussy. He swears he saw the light shine off of just how wet you were.

“Fuck..” He whispers, hooking one of your legs over his shoulder. “This okay? I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

You nod,. You’d be damn to admit it, but something about this approval for consent was… sexy. As if he wants you as bad as you want him. Gojo’s asking you for permission.

“Please do something.” Being so bare and vulnerable, all for the man you hated just months ago, had your back arching in attempts to feel something. Anything.

Now you’re begging? Anything else and he might as well bust in his fresh pair of underwear. Gojo promises he’d be gentle… but all he wants to do is shove his face right between your legs and eat you out like it’s the last thing he’d ever do.

Like it’s the last thing he’d ever taste.

He starts slow, licking from your entrance to that little bud that has you twitching, giving it special attention with extra kisses and tugs from his lips. You’re moaning softly, weary of the guest that had been on the other side of the house — nonetheless — you wanted to prevent waking her up and facing your trenched reality.

Your head tilts back, pooring your posture with the slightest buck of your hips. The way your lips press together, fighting back all the noise that threatened to spill from them, it told your husband everything he needed to know.

He was making you feel good.

His tongue flicked at your sensitive bud faster, and his two skillful fingers plunged in and out of your soaking sex, causing wet noises to echo in the halls of Gojo’s bathroom. It sounded absolutely pornogrophic, something straight off the web. This is every man’s dream.

“Taste amazing, baby.” Gojo mumbles under you, tongue out and flat on your pussy. He’s curling his tongue ever so often, catching your eyes and simply grinning at that expression you have.

The look and the smile was just too much for you. He’s clear of the affect he has on you, he’s bathing in it.

Gojo’s forgotten to control himself and now he’s slurping and sucking, licking and lapping up everything you have to offer. Like he’s a dog. The warm feeling between your legs began to grow out to your thighs and your lower stomach, and the better it felt, the more you wanted to push your husband from between your legs.

Gojo doesn’t seem to let up soon. He’s blowing bubbles with his spit on your clit and using his tongue to spread it around. How slutty would it be to cum for the first time … ever … on your husbands face?

“Mmmf — Satoru…” It was a warning call. Your significantly smaller hand reached forward to grab at his soft, milky white and wet hair. The smallest tug got a noise out of him, snapping him out of his completely pussy drunken state of mind and back up to you. “Think ‘m…,” You chuckle breathlessly. “think I’m about to...”

He chuckles between your legs, pulling away for the slightest second and smiling his pearlies right up at you — with a wet smile. “Give it t’me,” Dipping his head between your legs again, aiming straight for your clit. “Make a fucking mess, sweetheart.”

And like the perfect wife that you are, or tend to be, you give his roots one more tug before using your other to grip beside you, mumbling out a string of praises to the God’s above you, before you, and even the one between your legs. Spasming with Gojo’s head between your legs, that warm feeling snapping out of your stomach and crashing over you like a category four hurricane.

Satoru assists you, rubbing your clit with the fat of his tongue all the while fucking his fingers in and out of you, bettering your high. Slowing his movements once your body began to come down; making it all more pleasurable for you.

There’s no way that just happened.

“Fuck…”

“Damn right.” Gojo chuckles, blowing soft air against your swollen and sensitive pussy. He used his thumb to clean his mouth, popping it in and licking the etcetera from the pad of his finger.

He’s up on his feet, still watching you recover from the only yet best orgasm you’ve ever had in your life. Another quick laugh before he steps forward and cups your soft jaw into his hands.

“That feel good?” He asks, more out of curiosity rather than a boost to his ego.

It was nice seeing him like that. Domestic. Vulnerable. He’s always on his toes and doesn’t ever let anyone in — so this… this was nice.

All you do in return was nod and smile, tossing your arms over his shoulders once more and burying your head into his chest. “Mhm.”

“Let’s go shower then.”

“Up and atom!”

A bold voice, one that wasn’t your husbands, woke you up from your sleep. You stirred lightly, peeking one of your eyes open to not only see one person — but several people standing in your husband’s bedroom.

You remember falling asleep with Gojo resting on your back and your head under the pillow, and now that you’ve reached your arm to locate him; he’s not next to you anymore.

“Where…”

“Mornin’ angel.” There’s that familiar voice. That voice that’s given you comfort and a sense of safety.

Oddly enough, you were okay with it.

You huffed, pushing up from the bed to turn and identify whoever had been in this bedroom so early. It was half the damn school, you could say.

“Time to get up, Y/N!” Panda smiles, two fists sturdy on his hips. “We heard you have a week to experience some fun, so we’re gonna spend the next seven days together!”

Seven days?!

You jump up, completely facing the people in the room. Nanami and Gojo are in the corner, small smiles on their face — this is obviously something they planned… while the students were standing around your bed.

Megumi, Panda, Inumaki and Maki — even the two new students that’s working with Gojo; Itadori and Nobara.

You rub your eyes, brushing your hair behind your ears. “Thanks, guys, but you don’t have to waste a week on me.”

Maki gasp, Inumaki also adding a head shake at your response.

“We’re not wasting a week, Shio—sensei,” Megumi sits on the foot of the bed, sending you a soft look. “Everyone cares about you. We want to make sure you have a nice week.”

Nobara and Itadori share a look. They’ve never seen Megumi act so caring, even if he expressed it with a straight face.

You only had small interactions with Megumi, but considering he didn’t have much family left, everything you did within the span of knowing him meant a lot.

Even if it was bringing him lunch, scolding Gojo for him, helping him inside or outside of school. The small things built up and he can’t imagine seeing anything happen to you.

“Yeah,” Maki is trying to contain her excitement. She’s got her hands behind her back, fighting a smile. “Plus, we’re gonna incorporate fighting into the stuff we’re doing! Building muscles while creating memories.”

This is odd to you, foreign even. You’ve never had someone care about you, cared if you lived or died — and now these people want to give you a week to remember, encouraging you to spend your possibly last week alive wisely, with them, while having as much fun as possible.

You look over to Gojo, who’s got this smile on his face, one that hasn’t budged since he’s seen you wake up in his shirt; and then back to the kids. This is what it feels like to be wanted. Not just by your mother, but by everyone.

Now you’ve got to fight back tears. You haven’t cried since the death of your mother, and the overwhelming feeling of actively being appreciated by people is starting to jab at you.

No crying. Not yet.

You answered all the kids questions, settled all their anxiety and calmed their nerves with a smile. That bright, beaming smile that your mother loved and the one your husband is falling in love with. The smile everyone recognizes; the smile that pops into people’s head when your name is mentioned.

“Thank you guys,” You sit straight up on the bed. “I appreciate it. Let’s have the best week ever, okay?”

All the students smiled and nodded in unison.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

Itadori smiles and throws a fist into the air, “Baseball!” He’s ecstatic, and you could make a wild guess that this was his idea. “That’s okay, right?”

You laugh, reinsuring Itadori once more. “I love baseball, and I’m kinda good at it,” You share a smile with the boy, hearing different reactions at the new information about the sport. “How about after, we come back and have a sleepover?”

That gets another rise. Everyone looks excited, partially for Megumi (he hates sleeping around Itadori) but aside from his little pout, the rest of the students agree to having a night over their teachers house.

Nanami pushes off the wall, clapping his hands together to gather the kids attention. “Okay, let’s give Shio some time to get ready. You all can help me load the bus back up.”

Following instructions, everyone except Gojo trotted out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Now it was silent and homey, resulting in your husband walking over to you with a small grin.

He crawls onto the end of the bed, sitting back on his legs in front of you. “Hi.” One word with his gentle smile and you’re grinning back.

“Hi.” You respond, reaching forward to grab his hands. You fiddled with them nervously, twirling his wedding ring around his finger. “Did you do all of this?”

“Not all. I told them your big fight was next week and they came up with all the ideas, I just found a way to make it all happen.”

You pushed your bottom lip out, climbing up from the duvet to his height, tossing your arms around his neck. This was a feeling Gojo could get used to, one he wanted to feel every moment and every second of his life. He wraps his arms around your waist and snuggles you back.

“Thank you, ‘Toru.”

He grins once more, giving your body a small squeeze. “Don’t thank me yet.”

A baseball game without your brother intervening? Sounds like a plan to you.

There were two separate teams; Your team and Gojo’s. A friendly fire between the couple who had an arranged marriage but is now starting to fall for one another — doesn’t sound scary at all.

You’d assume they’d take baseball seriously, like there was a grand prize at the end, but they weren’t. Everyone was having a good time, playing for experience and to grow, and thankfully there was no jujutsu power allowed.

The entirety of this game you’d been… laughing.

Smiling and laughing at the antics of the children you were working with. Giggling with the other teachers when Gojo grew red over the fact that his team was losing. Even moments like this where a fight needed to be broken up.

“Hold on!” Nobara shoves her hat onto the ground, pointing to the girl in front of her as she made her way over.

Nobara likes a fair game, what she didn’t like was Mai bringing a pitch machine to protect her fresh manicure. Itadori and Panda are the first to get up, walking over to catch Nobara before she gets to Mai. “Kugisaki’s snapped!” They warned. “It’s a free-for-all!”

Considering she was on your team, you followed behind the other students to calm the issue as the adult that you were.

“Alright,” You walk between both girls, facing Nobara to quickly calm her. “You’re a good batter. You can hit these even without machine, let’s just try it, okay?”

Nobara sends another threatening look to Mai before huffing and turning around to walk away. You chase after her, bending down to whisper one more thing into her ear.

“Bet she sucks anyway.” You cup your hands around your mouth so no one else hears what you said but Nobara.

And the game continued peacefully. The pitching machine was ditched after being beaten up by someone (Nobara ‘accidentally’ hit the ball into) and everything was now going fairly.

The energy overall felt like a highschool game, it was fun, quick and a bunch of dirty talk had been spit from one team to the other. Granted, it wasn’t anything harmful. Aside from another student getting swatted upside the head with a ball, the experience was great to you!

And once the sun began to set, everyone declared the game over.

All except one.

“Last bat,” Gojo walks up to you, flipping the bat so that the handle faced you. “I’ll pitch.”

You perused your lips, accepting the bat from him. You’ve never batted in front of anyone, only your mother, considering your brother would always swoop in and take the attention.

It was like you were a child again.

“Okay!” You smile, jumping up once before making your way over to the correct base.

“You got this, Shio-sensei!”

“Beat Gojo-sensei!”

You chuckled under your breath, spreading both legs and tapping the bat onto the home plate. Gojo sends you a look, asking if you’re ready, and you respond with a nod and the prettiest smile he’s ever seen.

The dim of the sky kissing your skin, the smile he’s seen all day is becoming a drug to him and as each second passed, he watched you grow more and more happy. More excited.

That’s until he raises his arm and leg, ready to pitch, and he see’s your face drop. A mix of fear, shock and confusion decorates your face and he no longer sees his happy wife, he doesn’t see a carefree woman bandaging her inner child anymore —

he sees twelve year old you.

He sees the child who’s spotlight got taken from her.

By her bastard of a brother.

Gojo drops the ball and quickly flips his infinity back on. He doesn’t turn around, he knows he’s safe, and he keeps his eyes on you and the students to assure your safety as well.

“Ryou.” Is all your husband says, crossing his arms over his chest. He won’t give him the satisfaction of a look, he’s got more important things on his mind right now.

Your brother laughs behind him, taking a small step beside him. He’s only got his eye on the prize; you. “Hey there, brother-in-law,” Ryou shoves his hands into his pockets. “Think I got her good, huh? Did’ya see her face? She went all…” He mimics your reaction, dramatically frowning and pretending to claw his eyes out.

“Who is that?” You hear one of the students whisper, and then you’re suddenly snapped back into reality.

You sniffle, wiping your sweaty palms on your jeans. You’d be stupid to turn your back, but your brother would be much more of an idiot to try to attack you when you’re not looking and your husband’s right beside him.

You turn to face the students, squatting down to catch their attention and block your brother from their view. “He’s not important, okay?” You ask, which they all nodded in return. “He’s a dangerous guy, so Gojo’s going to take you all back inside and then we can get home in time for the sleepover, right?”

You asked Rika to set up the sleepover and pick out some snacks for everyone. You even offered her to invite her daughter since she and the students were around the same age — that way if they decide to stay, she’d have a few friends.

Now, the only plan was to make it home.

Once you pushed up from your feet, you began to make way to your husband. What a fearful sight to see and an awful predicament to be in. You could be killed at any second if it was up to Ryou.

“Go.”

One word that held so much power. You stood just a few steps from your husband, you knew if you got too close that he’d be a superhero.

But this isn’t his battle to fight.

He doesn’t budge whatsoever, he looks at you like you’re playing a joke and even dazzles a smile at you, proving his point further.

He’s not going anywhere without you.

“I mean it, Satoru,” You couldn’t say too much, not without giving away too much information and endangering multiple lives. “Please… let me handle this.”

Now he’s reading you. Gojo frowns his eyebrows before beginning his path to the students. He stops besides you, making sure too keep his eyes on the kids in front of him while you kept track of your brother.

“You don’t die today.”

You couldn’t help but smile slowly, “Yes sir.”

The crucial next seconds of silence could’ve been your cause of death, but once the gate to the kids shut closed and you knew the people you loved and cared for were behind protection.

You didn’t hesitate.

You reached your arm back, looking over to the gate once more and starting a fire at it. It wasn’t too big that they couldn’t see, but it was big enough to risk a good third degree burn if they’d try to escape.

“Oo, where’d you learn that?”

Now your eyes are on your brothers, orbs battling for dominance. “Easy,” You’re stalling for the right moment, now starting to pace around your brother, keeping a large distance between you two. “But, I’m sure it comes naturally to you. You don’t even need to try, huh?”

Ryou chuckles. “You’ve gotten smarter too.” He’s starting to pick up on the pacing, and part of him is nervous. He’s never seen such a side from you, you’ve always been obedient, never one to pick a fight.

What was going on today?

Ryou meets you half way and bumps into you, ruining your pattern of a circle, grabbing your shirt to keep you still.

“What’s this?” He asks, practically snarling at you. That cocky, annoying smile never dropping from his lips. “Trying to show off for your husband and a few amateur sorcerers? You can do better.”

You’re way to nervous to physically harm this man, that could go left and you’d be injured before the big fight. Possibly killed. So you opt for your power, pushing a hand forward, manipulating the air around you to ball up and shove into his stomach, sending him tumbling.

You took a few steps back, enough space to look up and check the moon shining down at you. You’re not mentally ready to brawl with your brother. You’re not ready to die yet.

“Ryou…” You began. Instant regret.

He straightens himself back up before making his way over to you, a grin on his lips. “Shouldn’t have done that, cheeky.”

And before you know it, the same method is returned to you, except the pain is tripled and you’re being sent back flying, your back slamming against the gravel on the ground.

You could feel each piece of gravel, rock and grain of sand pierce your skin. The wind was knocked from your lungs to your head, blacking your vision for a second.

“Shio-Sensei!” You hear one of the students cry out.

Something about hearing someone call for you… strangely made you want to get back up. When your brothers around, no one roots for you. No one cares about you — or even notices you. Not when the Star of Africa is near.

But right now… at this moment… they’re rooting for you. Everyone behind that stray of fire, blocked by a gate, watching two siblings fight one another.

They’re calling for you. They’re supporting you.

“Shio-Sensei, please!”

The sound of cracking fire protecting those innocent kids — along with the calls for your name. You’re up. You’re on your feet. This adrenaline was perfect.

“That…” You began, brushing your hands on your clothes and cleaning yourself from the dust. “Was weak.”

Another boost: the face your brother makes when he’s bitched at for the first time. He realizes that no one’s on his side here… his daddy isn’t here to boost him either… he’s alone now.

He’s in your shoes.

“What did you say to me?” Ryou’s fuming, you can smell it. From the smoke coming out of his ears to the ground he’s shaking under him. Pure, firey, rage.

In return, all you can do is smile endearingly and stretch your arm out beside you, hands empty. “I said that was,” For a split second, you only had one chance to prove yourself. You ignored your consciousness and the energy around you. Within seconds, your mind flatlines and there’s a ringing in your ear for a millisecond.

For just a quick second, earth around you had disappeared.

Then reappeared.

After the quick moment of focus, you look over to your stretched out arm — and in your hand is a sword. Hah, take that Nanami. Manipulating space isn’t as hard as it sounds.

Not giving a moment for Ryou to blink, your swinging your armed hand towards your brother — tossing the sword over to catch in your other hand and switch positions before he could retaliate.

“Weak.” You finish, huffing a breath.

Your students are behind the cage jumping and clapping, watching their teacher in action — amazed at what they see. Your husband on the other hand is trembling in his shoes.

He could easily get past the fire, and his plan was to intervene when need be. He knows you can handle your own and defend yourself — but he also knows that you’re fighting off of rage right now, and your movements and thinking process is sloppy and clouded.

He doesn’t want to step in too late, but he also doesn’t want to jump to the rescue and portray you as weak.

Ryou on the other hand takes a small step back. His phone begins ringing in his basketball shorts, and he’s quick to grab the device and answer it.

And as he listens to the recipient speak, he looks down at his chest. He couldn’t ignore the oozing feeling in his chest. His skin grew hotter by the second, and the dust particles kissed his wounds as the wind blew them around.

One massive slash across his chest. The blade was so sharp that it cut past his clothes and skin, resulting in a pretty bad leak. He’s shocked with himself for missing such a lousy attack — more so, his sister was the one to do it.

No words were exchanged for the twelve second call. Ryou simply ends the call and returns his phone into his pocket. Raises his gaze from the gash to your eyes and lets out a chuckle. A bitter yet cocky laugh. As if he was still laughing at you.

“You know,” Your brother looks up to the sky, the waning gibbous shining above. “I think we’ll plan your funeral a little more organized than mom’s.”

Weak. It doesn’t really affect you, Ryou’s never been ‘momma’s boy’. More of a spoiled brat. The anger he wanted out of you wasn’t granted, it made you yawn. You just insulted your brother, twice, and gave him a remarkable wound on his chest… and he’s not fighting back.

He’s stalling.

“Not on your game today?” You’re focusing your energy into your arm, manipulating the air around you to forcefully stick your sword onto the ground. “It’s mediocre, everything you’re saying. How’s that gash, though?”

“I can barely feel it.” Ryou’s quick to respond, “Just thought you’d want to know. You’d have the best funeral out of the three, I’m sure of it.”

Three? You try your hardest not to visibly be confused, but your brother already see’s you doing the math in your head. One, your mother. Metaphorically, two would be you.

There wouldn’t be a third.

Maybe your brothers sick. He’s been talking out of the ass for the past few minuets and keeping up with him is slightly throwing you off your game. He’s absolutely stalling.

“Three? Can you even co—” Oh. “Count…” All of the green of envy and revenge on your face had melted, returning you back to your normal state. Afraid and scared.

“G—…” You’re stumbling backwards, still keeping an eye on your brother. “Gojo!!”

As soon as he saw your state change, he was itching to get across the gate. All he needed to hear was your voice. Your plea. In seconds he’s by your side, turning you to face him. You’re not afraid of Ryou sneaking up, you’re not afraid of anyone’s safety with your husband being here.

Except Rika.

“I need… we need to go home, now.” Your panicking, your hands have began trembling and the nerves in your body are shot.

Gojo’s looking at you, trying to read whatever you’re trying to get at, but he’s just as confused as you were earlier. Without even moving his head, your husband can just feel the devious smile on Ryou’s face. This is the reaction he wanted out of you, it’s what he wanted to see with his own eyes — live!

“What’s going on?” Gojo asks.

“…Rika.”

💭: @96jnie @creolequeen11210 @patchi-chi @chieeeeeee @shadowarchon @willowsversion @regalillegal @rahhhhhrs @luckimoon @chuurroo @xiaosie @gh0stwish @ayatoru @zohraaa123 @dazailover1900 @catoru-gojo @justwinterlights @lightblueexorcist t @nakachuchu @96jnie @emissaire @vernasce-blogs @oi-loverboy oy @holeyahsama @vynlover27 @mnoaeiu @ginger0322 2 @prettyroxy @softiebadbitch @planetmarz @sugurugetosbitch @reiners-milkbiddies @bebetiny @tojisprincess @coquettemaiden @lovemarvel16 @shuxjodie @sssatorus @chosos-mascara @purpleguk @jeneate101

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jacksprostate · 1 month

Text

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

The five days Tyler's stolen my voice from me, I spend watching. The commons, group therapy. I visit my cave with my eyes open. Mills should get used to the cold. I've heard if it drops below 50 while your respiration is this depressed, you go to sleep and never wake up.

Valley of the Dogs.

An orderly with fresh bruises peppering his temple lets me take my walk in the same time Mills is carted around. This is how I must've looked for months. Glazed. Drooling. At this point they probably have to use elephant tranquilizers on me, the tolerance I've built.

God, his petty ass, we meet up for one on one and he says he has to give me some bad news.

No, it's not about Mills.

Tyler, whatever.

He is giving me the bad news, of the passing of one Marla Singer. Everyone seems to think this is bad news. Found dead in her apartment because she didn't pick up any Meals on Wheels for her neighbors for three weeks, and they worried about those little old ladies, up there all starving alone since their angel in black stopped showing up.

Her corpse was found, instead. I imagine it all waxy, tits rotted off just like she said, at some point you're so sick even the bacteria in your gut won't bother decomposing you. I imagine Marla's skin pulling back, fleeing, away from her eyes, her teeth, like a mummy. Dried out as all her collagen rots.

Paper clutched in her hand. A will, sort of hasty and half-assed.

Marla's many worldly possessions all fit on a hotel notepad.

Many other worthless things go to a small number of worthless people Marla has mentioned leaving behind in her life, and god says, Marla Singer has left me something.

That's the entire reason I get to know all of this.

If not, I would've never known.

The world could blow up, and you'd never know in here unless it was in someone's will to tell you.

Marla Singer left me her dildo.

Oh, Marla.

Addressed me in the will half the time as Tyler.

I wonder, did the cancer spread from her tits to her brain, like the cancer I didn't have. It's everywhere now. God says they're working out treatment. I wonder if it matters.

Without Tyler between us, I don't really know what connected me and Marla.

What kept her calling.

I liked her. Another psycho boyfriend in her stories. There will never be another, unless she's gone to Heaven, the real one, and they've got some sort of exchange program going on for her to have fun with.

I think Marla might deserve that. She deserved better than this.

I wonder if it was pills. There was no Tyler to save her, this time. No one to listen to her death rattle. I don't have the voice to ask.

I won't be getting her dildo, because you don't get possessions in a psych ward. It'll get dumped in some other landfill to persist for time immemorial with all the other plastic iconography of our stupid, stupid lives.

Released back out to pasture, I watch Mills. His wife was murdered. Murdered, you see, it's an action, and it's solvable. Mills solved it.

You can't solve the slow death. Not really.

I think about how empty Mills is.

Am I empty?

An unidentifiable amount of time ago, Marla called me again, and she told me all about what happens at the new support groups she goes to, since I ruined the old ones for her. They were willing to rally behind her for the whole blowing my brains out show, and she only would've had to wait them out for six months or so, but she decided to just find new ones. A new church, with new temptations like Living With Angels, a group for those caring for severe dementia patients, and Recovery Road: a program for those trying to rebuild their lives after a loved one blew them up. She said, when I got out, we could both go to that one, and I could talk about Tyler, and she could talk about me, and we could have fun getting kicked out together.

Marla was always talking about that. When I got out.

I wasn't ever hearing any of it.

Mills, they've let up on him, finally, you can see his eyeballs aren't floating with all they've juiced him up on. He's watching me, back.

I wonder if he knows about Marla.

Would Tyler care?

Tyler had said, don't call this love.

Does it need to be?

When I get my voice back, I bury my thoughts on the subject and Marla and everything in a relentless campaign to needle Mills until he looks like a voodoo doll in a shitty tourist trap.

#fight club #my writing #se7en (1995)#se7en #something smth destabilizing parallel event #i always think abt how marlas time is limited. another thing i hate abt chucks sequels. they do what the movie does and just ignore her own #shit??#anyway the narrator doesn't know how to handle this because his little rat ass could barely handle how he felt about marla on a good day #if this seems like it came out of the blue. i alluded to it earlier haha #this is like 3k now and i have 2k notes... oopsie

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peonierose · 22 days

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Las hijas de Luna

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Bryce Lahela (M!MC) x Luna Auclair (F!OC)

Rating: General. It’s a birth story. But there won’t be any graphic scenes.

Words: 5,000+

Summary: It’s time for Luna and Bryce to welcome their twins into the world. Will there be any complications? Or will the birth go without a hitch?

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to the whole choices fandom. I couldn’t have come this far with my writing, my stories and my beloved characters, if I didn’t have such amazing and encouraging friends to cheer me on and support me. So thank you to anyone who’s given my writing, my stories and my characters a chance 💚

2 A/N: I’m by no means an expert with birth stories so please excuse any errors. I used my basic knowledge, friends knowledge and the internet to find out more about births but remember this is fiction, I was bit more freely with the details, but nothing too vivid or such pinky promise.

Side note: If you're curious how Luna and Bryce found out that they're expecting you can find out in my story "Cake by the Ocean"

I also included a playlist if you want to you can give it a listen here

2 Side note: I participated in the March Challenge @choicesmonthlychallenge and used the prompt plumeria flower. The plumeria flower symbolizes positivity & new beginnings 🥰 (I think it wasn't among the flowers that were mentioned, but since the story takes place in Hawaii I thought I'd use this beautiful flower).

Honolulu, Hawaii

March 30th

Luna

Bryce is about to head out on a camping trip with Keiki. They’re going to Waianae Mountain Range.

It usually took over an hour to get there. But the view was breathtaking and made up for the time it took you to get there.

I've been there with my family before. It’s marvelous. The fresh mountain air. The chirping birds, the rush of a nearby waterfall. And the light is perfect for painting. It’s truly a magnificent experience.

My cousin Skyler, Sky for short, didn’t like it so much, he got scared by spiders. Other than that it was pretty fun.

So when Keiki asked Bryce if he’d like to go? Bryce was excited to spend more time with his sister.

Because of his demanding job as a surgeon, he doesn’t get to spend as much time with his family as he would like to. Working odd hours, and being on call does that to your private life.

They’re going to spend the whole day together, going hiking, fishing and just sitting by the campfire. It was a beautiful idea, sans the camping. I’d rather go glamping, thank you very much. One time camping was enough. I grinned at the fond memory. I went camping with my family once and had to share a tent with Evie and Soraya.

It was great. It was like a sleepover. But I could’ve sworn I’ve seen a snake or two crawl outside and that kinda ruined the experience and sleeping on the cold hard floor wasn’t a picnic either.

I stood outside our house and watched as Bryce packed up the Jeep with their bags, tents, and some food my mom made for them earlier. I would’ve gone with them but I was told this could be straining for me since I’m due to give birth soon. With twins, you never know.

I’ve been having small contractions since this morning but I didn’t want to ruin Bryce’s trip with Keiki.

Gnawing on my lip I’m trying to decide if I should tell him, because if I do then he’ll cancel his trip and I don’t want to do that.

So I’ve been a bit worried all day.

Bryce looked up at me as if he felt my stare.

”Don‘t look so worried Lunes. We can go another weekend if you’re so worried. It’s close to your due date, Lu. I mean I know that twins usually arrive earlier than the expected due date.“

He looked slightly concerned and was torn if he should cancel the trip. His brown eyes were full of worry. The usual spark in his eyes was dimmed.

I walked towards him and tried to lighten the mood.

”I’m fine. See? Totally peachy!“ I smiled and did a little pirouette. Or tried to at least. It looked more awkward than what a pirouette should look like.

Bryce wasn’t convinced by my little performance.

We both heard some barking. That must be Knox, Adam‘s dog. Adam had a meeting with a potential client in Maui. He makes and builds his own furniture, and has his own company right here in Honolulu.

So when he asked us if we could look after Knox? We were more than happy to.

So both Maxi and Knox joined us in the house and are currently in our garden enjoying the sun and playing a round of catch.

I smiled and Bryce relaxed a little too. I hugged him, he pulled me closer, and I breathed in the fresh cotton scent and some cherry from his shower gel.

I looked up at him.

”If I should go into labour I’ve packed my bag just in case. Maxi and my mom are inside, my cousins and Meilani will be here shortly and I have your and Keiki's number on speed dial. It’s all good. Go have fun. We‘ll still be here when you come back.“

Bryce sighed and went to close the trunk of the Jeep. He walked over to me again.

”I hate leaving you here. Maybe I should just stay here. Yeah, that’s a good idea. Keiki will understand.“

I laughed as he tried to walk back into our house and I pushed him towards the car.

”Go and have fun B. I mean it. But don’t have too much fun without me.“

He took one last look at me and gave me a lingering kiss. One that made my toes curl. I smiled against his lips.

When he broke off the, he kissed me on the top of my head and got into the car.

I grinned at him and he smiled back, though the worry isn’t completely gone, it’s dimmed down a little. So I tried a reassuring smile.

”It’s going to be fine babe.“

”Alright Lunes. I’m sure things will work out.“

He nodded as if more to himself and grinned.

”Keiks let’s go. You can text your boyfriend in the car.“ He yell d towards the house and Keiki ran out the door with a blue metallic bag over her shoulder.

”Fyi he’s not my boyfriend. I was calling a guy who’s name I’m not telling you, so that you can win the betting pool.“

”Jesus.“ Bryce muttered, making me and Keiki laugh out loud.

She hugged me, smelling like peaches.

”Bye Looney.“

I grinned at them.

”Have fun guys. Love you.“

Bryce honked once and they were off, the headlights getting smaller.

My mom, Maxi, and Knox Adam’s dog were keeping me company. My mom said she’d spend the day with me until Bryce got back.

I walked inside our house once Bryce and Keiki were on their way.

As I closed the front door, a sudden pain made me clutch my stomach. I let out a slow breath. Okay, this was definitely a stronger contraction.

Maxi walked towards me, Knox in tow. She grinned but then took one look at me and rushed towards me.

”What’s wrong sugarplum?“

She guided me gently to the couch.

”I don’t know. It felt like a contraction. But that’s not possible. I'm not due yet.“

Once I sat down the pain was almost gone. I sighed in relief. Maybe it was because I overexerted myself today?

Meinlani said that could happen. I lifted my legs and laid down on the couch. Damn, this felt good. I sighed in relief.

Knox puts his head on my knee and I pet him behind his ears. Which makes him lick my hand. He’s a sweet dog.

My mom came over. She took one glance at me and a worried look entered her blue-green eyes.

”You okay baby?“

I nodded. Eyes closed. And I am. The pain was gone. At least for now. Maybe it was just a false alarm, and the small contractions I’ve been having since this morning were just preparation? I hoped that’s true.

”Why don’t I make you some chamomile tea? Hmm?“ She put a strand of my dark blonde hair behind my ear. I sighed in bliss.

”Two sugars?“

She kissed me on my forehead.

”You got it, baby.“

The next couple of hours were pretty uneventful. We chatted and watched Bridgerton. But I just couldn’t concentrate. I love that show. But I had a bad feeling.

Earlier I tried to reach Bryce to check in if they got there okay, but the call didn’t go through. Maybe they had bad cell signal? Of all days for the cell service not to work? Seriously screw you cell towers.

I was almost fast asleep, Knox by my side when the doorbell rang. I opened my sleepy eyes as Maxi got up and pinpointed me with a look.

”Don’t you dare get up. I’ve got it.“

I laughed and stayed on the couch.

”Who missed us?“

I turned my head and saw my cousins Evie and Soraya walk in. Followed by our friend and my OB/gyn Meilani, and Soraya‘s wife.

They all leaned down and hugged me.

”Good to see you’re following my orders to rest.“

”I’m a good student.“ I grinned.

Maxi snorted.

”That’s not true. You were up and about almost all day.“

”Luna!“

”Ohh. Someone’s getting a lecture.“ Evie said from across the room.

My mom let out a laugh.

Meilani was holding back a smile I can tell.

”Well you’re resting now, which I’m counting as a win.“ Meilani said and sat in the other armchair next to Meilani. Soon we were all laughing.

My mom's phone rang on the counter.

”Hey love.“

I could tell from the tone of her voice that it was my dad. She only talked like this when my dad was near.

”No, I haven’t heard anything about thunderstorm warnings. I’m with loon-moon, you know since Bryce went on that trip with Keiki.“

She listened some more and she was darting concerned looks at the phone.

”Yeah I agree. We’ll stay inside, don't worry. Love you too.“

My ears perked up at the words ”thunderstorm warnings“ and I sat up with Meilani's help.

My mom disconnected the call and we all looked at her.

I stared at my mom expectantly.

”Brian called and told me there were severe thunderstorm warnings issued. They’re urging everyone who doesn’t need to be outside to stay at home. I hope Bryce and Keiki will be okay. Looney, have you tried reaching him?“

I nodded.

”My calls and texts didn’t go through. What if he gets hurt? And they can’t reach anyone? Oh god.“

I tried not to cry but it was no use. I was full-on crying because I was worried about Bryce. Maxi reached me and hugged me.

”Hey come on don’t worry. Bryce is a tough guy, and he’s pretty resourceful. But don’t tell him I told you that. He'll tease me until eternity. So try to think positive. He’ll be okay.“

She kissed my temple and I tried to relax, but a shrivel of worry stayed where it was.

I nodded, got up and slowly walked to the bathroom. After drinking that chamomile tea I had to pee all the damn time.

It was good thinking that Bryce and I had installed another bathroom downstairs. To be honest I couldn’t walk upstairs right now just to use the bathroom.

As I opened the door I felt a wetness dribble down my feet. I stood frozen to the ground. Not moving an inch.

I was scared that if I moved I’d make it worse. I know that‘s technically not possible. But I’m scared. And a slight panic settled in the depths of my stomach.

Oh no. Not now. Please, not now. It’s too early.

I tried using the breathing techniques I used when I have an anxiety attack. Maybe that would calm me down a little.

Is the water supposed to break? I thought that was just a thing from movies and TV shows. But apparently, it’s a thing.

I must’ve made a tiny sound because I heard some tiny little footsteps clacking on the wooden floorboards.

Knox must’ve heard me. He stood there and watched me. When I didn’t say anything, he barked and I put my hand through his soft golden fur.

”It’s okay. No need to worry right? Women have given birth before, right?“ Even I could hear the panic in my voice.

”Lunes? Do you need help to sit down on the toilet?“ I heard the others snicker.

But I was not in the mood for jokes.

”My water just broke.“

They stopped laughing and I could hear them coming closer.

Meilani was the first one followed by my mom, Maxi, Soraya, and Evie.

Meilani shot me a reassuring smile.

”Okay no need to worry. Why don’t you go and wash up? We’ll grab your packed bag and drive you to the hospital?“

I nodded and Maxi was by my side and coached me through my breathing.

”Deep breaths sugarplum. Come on. In and out.“

She instructed me and I repeated it a couple of times before I was able to breathe normally again.

”I’ll go wash up.“ I said.

”I’ll bring you a change of clothes.“ Maxie said and went upstairs.

Evie and Soraya stood there unsure what to do, so I turned to them.

”Can you guys try Bryce’s phone again? I’d feel better knowing that he and Keiki are okay.“

Evie nodded and Soraya went outside to see if Meilani needed any help.

”I couldn’t reach him before. But I’ll keep calling him.“ Evie said.

I went inside the bathroom to wash up. Hoping we’ll make it to the hospital in time. Hopefully, the streets will be cleared despite all the storm warnings.

When I went outside I saw Soraya rushing in. A concerned look on her face.

”We’ll have a problem getting to the hospital. As I was turning on the engine, I noticed that the car was stuck. It hasn’t stopped raining, so the trails are too muddy from the rain.“

I sighed and when a contraction rolled around I tried breathing through it. But I couldn’t help the whimper that escaped.

”I was afraid of that. The calls to the hospital didn’t go through either. I tried calling my head nurse Valerie. But I can’t reach anyone.“

She looked around trying to reassess the situation.

”Okay we’ve got this no problem.“

”What do you need?“ My mom sprinted into action.

Meilani looked around.

”We need to make a make-shift birthing room. The contractions are pretty early on, so it could take hours before Luna is ready to push. She has to be fully dilated. Again that could take hours, and maybe the streets will be cleared up by then. We also don’t have any medical supplies or an epidural that I could give to Luna. I’m not going to risk an infection to either her or the twins.“

My mom nodded.

”Okay Meilani and Maxine you stay with Luna and make her feel comfortable. She doesn’t need any added stress to her right now. Soraya, Evie, and I will try to get the car rolling again. So that we can make it to the hospital.“

Everyone nodded while I was walking back and forth, not able to sit still. When I’m anxious I tend to walk a dent into the carpet.

When everyone was done making a makeshift birthing room, Meilani pointed for me to lie down.

”Alright. Let’s make you comfortable.“

Meilani sighed and looked up at me. A serious look on her face.

”How long?“ I asked, my eyes full of tears because Bryce wasn’t here and I couldn't reach him.

”We’ve got time. So try and relax. I know it sounds a lot, but you’ve got this okay?“

”Sure I’ll just lie down and feel all peachy. That’s a-okay.“

Meilani smiled at me, completely ignoring my sarcasm.

”But just so you know the contractions are only going to get more painful. So I’m going to time the distance to know for sure when it’s time to push okay? That way we’ll be able to at least have some time to prepare alright?“

I sucked in a breath and nodded.

”The contractions are going to be worse than what I’m feeling now? Yeah sure no problem.“

”You got this babe.“ Meilani smiled and her smile put me a bit at ease.

Bryce

Nothing but the blue sky above us as we drove towards Waianae Mountain Range. Listening to Elvis Presley songs. The top is rolled up, and we’re singing out loud.

Keiki laughed at my singing technique. Making me sing even louder.

It took us a little longer than an hour, but hey that’s fine. We made it and that’s the most important thing.

I turned off the engine of our Jeep when we arrived at the campsite. We got out of the car and put our bags, the tents, and the food we packed out of the car trunk.

I grinned at Keiki. Then I heard her curse as she tried to get the tent up and I grinned.

”Need any help there Keiks?“ I smiled.

”Nope. I’ve got it.“ She replied.

”Hopefully this time you can get your tent up, not like last time. When it all fell apart.“

Keiki turned around and pointed an accusing finger at me.

”That‘s so not true. You helped me build it. So technically it’s your fault it fell apart.“

I laughed.

While putting up the tent, I couldn’t shake off this bad feeling I’ve had ever since we started the trip. I tried reaching Lunes but there’s bad cell service out here. I barely have any bars on my cell phone. It seems as if there won’t be any cell service for some time.

When we heard thunder roaring in the distance we both stopped setting up our tents.

My gut feeling was confirmed when I saw dark grey clouds rolling in, where just a while ago the sky was brilliantly blue before.

”Damn it.“ I cursed again.

I went to my car and turned on the radio to see if there were any severe thunderstorm alerts issued for Honolulu. I found a radio station and only caught the last sentence.

”…urge people to stay inside. There are severe thunderstorm warnings for Honolulu, Kailua, Waipahu…“

I turned the radio off and walked towards Keiki who looked up from building her tent.

”You okay?“ She asked with apprehension written across her face.

”There were several thunderstorms issued and I have a bad feeling. I also can’t reach Luna.“

I pushed my hand through my hair.

”I’m sure she’s fine.“ Keiki tried to reassure me, but the worry stayed with me.

Keiki reached into her bag and gave me a signal booster for my phone.

”Luna's dad gave me a signal booster for my phone when he heard we were going camping. I’ve brought it with me just in case.“

”You’re a lifesaver Keiks.“

She smiled at me.

I tried reaching Luna and when I did it was not her voice I heard. It was Evie‘s. Luna’s cousin.

”Thank god Bryce. We’ve been trying to reach you for hours.“

I could hear a voice in the background.

”Evie? What’s wrong? Is Luna okay?“

Evie was back on the line.

”Her water broke. We’re on our way to the hospital.“

Her voice stopped me in my tracks, my heart started beating faster and I could feel the blood rush through my veins.

”What? When? Is she okay?“

Keiki looked towards me and when she saw my panicked expression she walked towards me and put her hand on my shoulder. I gripped her hand tightly.

”Wait, I'll give her the phone.“

I heard some rustling and then Luna was on the line.

”B?“

When I heard her voice I breathed out a breath of relief. I didn’t realize how tense I was. My shoulders dropped, since Luna’s voice instantly relaxed me.

”Are you okay?“ I asked because I wanted to hear if she was in any pain.

”I…yeah. I’m fine. But B? I can’t do this without you. Please tell me you’ll be here?“

I sighed. And activated my doctor mode. I tried to act as if this was one of my patients. But it only worked for a short amount of time.

”I’ll make it. Don’t worry, and don’t start without me. But seriously you’re in good hands. Meilani is an exceptional doctor…“

I didn’t get to finish when I heard her cry out.

”Lunes?“ I said and then I heard Meilanis' voice.

”She’s fine for now. We’re on our way to the hospital. So you better get your ass there Lahela.“

”How far along is she until she has to push?“

”We’ve got a little bit of time, but soon. We wanted to go there earlier but with the thunderstorms, it was raining and the car was stuck. The others are trying to get the car out so we can get to the hospital.“

I nodded as if she could see me.

”Alright I’ll be there.“

I heard more noises.

”I have to go Bryce. Luna needs me. Please be there. She can’t do this without you.“

”I promise I’ll make it.“

That’s when we ended the call. And I pinched my nose. And then I had to laugh because it reminded me so much of something Ethan would do.

”What’s wrong?“ Keiki asked me. And when I didn't answer her immediately she yelled my name.

”Bryce!“

Her voice shook me out of my daze.

”Luna’s water broke.“

”Wait, didn't you say she wasn’t due yet?”

She looked at the dark sky above us and her eyes turned worried.

I rubbed my neck nervously.

”Yeah. But sometimes you can go into labor earlier. Especially with twins.“

”Then we should go. I don’t think this camping trip will take place today. The weather is too bad. There could be landslides, especially in the mountains. And we don’t want to be here when that happens.“

I nodded and we both got our stuff packed up.

”You’re right Keiks. We should head back. Before the roads get too bad.“

I was loading everything into the car when I heard Keiki's voice.

”I think it might be too late for that big brother.“

I stuck my head out of the car to see where Keiki was pointing.

She pointed at the trail that was completely covered in mud. Even with our Jeep, we’ll have a hard time getting the car going.

Dammit. Of all days for a thunderstorm to arrive it had to be today of all days. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad omen. Though I truly hoped that it was a good omen and that the Hawaiian gods would be merciful with the weather today. Saying a silent prayer I looked up and hoped I would be there to witness the birth of my children.

I breathed out and turned to my little sister.

”Alright. Let’s not panic. Let’s try if we can get the car onto the road.“

Keiki nodded, but I could tell she was not convinced that we’d get the car on the road.

I turned on the engine and after a couple of seconds we got on the road and I swerved to avoid any muddy parts on the street.

We made it halfway home when we hit a pothole and got stuck.

It rattled the car for a second, and I tried to back out of the pothole, but no dice. No matter how hard I tried we were stuck.

”What now? Should we try to move the car?“ Keiki asked.

I shook my head and I hit my hands on the steering wheel. Frustrated.

”Fuck. I hate that we got stuck. Today of all days.“

Keiki slapped me on my arm.

”Well we won’t solve it by sitting inside the car. Let’s see how bad we’re stuck.“

I felt myself nodding and we got out to see how big the pothole was.

”Yeah okay we’re screwed.“ Keiki whistled.

I shot her an annoyed look.

”What? I’m just saying.“ She grinned and I laughed half-heartedly, as I was trying to calculate how long it would take us if we made a run for it.

”How long would it take us if we made a run for it?“ I voiced my thoughts aloud.

I looked at my sister who got her phone to see how far it would take us.

”It’s 10 miles from here.“

”We could make it in time.“

Keiki chewed on her fingernails. Painted in a deep pink shade.

”You’re faster than me. I could stay here in the car and you could go to the hospital. I’d only slow you down. I’m not exactly a sports person.“

I was torn if I should just go, leave my sister behind, and miss the birth of my twins or if we should make a run for it.

Keiki sighed.

”We’re wasting time debating this. Just go. Give me the booster for my phone and we can stay in touch. I’ll be fine I promise.“

I sighed and looked at her.

”Are you sure Kei-Kei?“

She nudged me forward.

”Go! I don’t want my big brother to miss the birth of my nieces. I’d never hear the end of it. Also if you faint please take pics, I want to remember this day.“ She said grinning.

”Very funny Keiks. I’ll stay in touch.“

”I’m going to be a dad.“ I shouted and she grinned at me, shaking her head.

I gave her the signal booster for her phone, kissed her on her forehead, and made a run for it.

As I was running I kept praying that I made it on time for the birth of our twins.

Which spurred me to run faster.

Kuakini Medical Center, Honolulu Hawaii

Luna

As another strong contraction hit me I cried out.

Meilani kept shooting me dirty looks.

”Luna. As your doctor, I’m telling you we can’t wait any longer.“

”Please, Mei. I can’t do this without him. Please. Just 5 more minutes, please?“

Meilani closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, she crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, seeing that I wouldn’t budge on this.

”Alright, fine. We’ll wait 5 more minutes. After that, it’s pushing time.“

I nodded.

Bryce

I was wheezing. Almost wept from joy. My calves are killing me, but I’m almost there. Just a couple more steps and I‘m at the hospital. I could see the building already coming closer.

I made it to the hospital, and rushed through the hospital doors all muddy and sweaty.

As I was on my way to the elevator a voice stopped me.

”Where do you think you’re going, young man? This is a hospital.“

When I turned around Brenda gave me the evil eye.

”Lahela you know the rules.“

”Yes I know. Please! Luna is upstairs, she's about to give birth. I can’t miss that. Please.“

”At least get a little cleaned up!“

I groaned. Seriously?

”Could you be a Karen somewhere else?“ I muttered under my breath.

”What was that?“ She cleared her throat.

”Nothing. I’ll get cleaned up, upstairs. Thanks, Brenda.“

”Yeah. Yeah.“

I sighed in relief as I punched the elevator button and the elevator rode up.

All I cared about was that I made it to the hospital to be there for Lunes when our twins were born.

The elevator dinged and I almost stumbled out of it, because I couldn’t wait to get out into the hall.

The first person I saw was Grace, Luna’s mom walking back and forth. Soraya and Evie were next to her sitting on the hard plastic chairs.

When Grace saw me coming in she started to cry and hugged me. I hugged her back. Though I’m anxious to see Luna.

”Thank god you made it Bryce.“ She put her hands around my face and I smiled at her.

I turned to look at Grace when I didn't see Luna anywhere.

She pointed to a room to the right and that’s when I heard painful screams coming from inside.

Luna must’ve already started pushing. I winced. Hating I couldn’t be there for her from the start. But I tried to not dwell on that. I’m here now and that’s what counts.

Grace smiled at me.

”Luna has already started pushing. She waited until the last minute. But she had to start.“

I nodded and got going.

”She’s inside with Meilani and her head nurse Valerie.“

I nodded and opened the door. Meilani didn’t look up as she guided Luna through the birth.

I quickly scrubbed in as fast as I could and joined Luna and Meilani.

”Okay that’s good Lu. That’s good. Just keep pushing.“ Meilani said in a soothing voice when I got to Luna’s side who shot me an angry look.

”Where the fuck were you B?“

I winced and then I smiled at her for using a curse word.

”Let’s leave story time for after you’ve given birth. What’s important is that I’m here.“

”I’m going to kick your ass for this later.“

I grinned and kissed her forehead.

”I wouldn’t have it any other way.“

Meilani grinned and her head nurse Valerie stood next to Meilani, keeping track of the heart monitor.

Meilani‘s voice got me out of my trance.

”Dad? Wanna do the honors?“

I squeezed Luna‘s hand and stood in the front to catch the first baby.

As I did, a loud cry filled the room and I suddenly held one of my girls in my arms.

”I forget how tiny they are when they’re born.“ Valerie smiled next to me and I nodded.

I looked at my little girl, and a whole new love entered my heart. I wasn’t prepared for this feeling.

It’s as if my heart was going to burst from all this love. Making space for new people entering my life. I still couldn’t believe Luna and I created these beautiful babies.

I took my daughter's little hand in mine and kissed it.

”Hi there, beautiful. Look at you being all pretty huh?“

”A new member in your Ohana.“ Valerie kept sniffing.

I nodded and kept rocking the baby and when she opened her eyes she looked at me and stopped crying.

”It’s your awesome dad. So cool right? Look at your mom. Super strong and going at it.“

Valerie laughed softly at my comment and I grinned.

I turned to Luna and waved with my daughter's little hand at Luna.

I kissed our baby's tiny forehead and Valerie took her from me. Taking care of the washing and weighing.

Then I was at Luna’s side again and together we got to see our second baby. Another loud cry just like her twin sisters filled the room, as she entered the world.

My heart couldn’t be fuller at this second, as I looked down at Luna and saw her tired but happy face look up at me. I kissed her and she sighed.

Meilani‘s voice got us out of our reverie. We must’ve looked as if we smoked too much weed. Goofy expressions on our faces as we looked at Meilani.

”Congratulations you two. I’m so happy that I could be a part of it.“

”I already know my vagina won’t be the same after this.“

Meilani laughed out loud and I grinned too. If Lunes can make jokes then she’s okay.

Valerie walked towards us and handed me Kehlani and Alaia. We heard the door open and when we looked up all we saw were the faces of Grace, Evie, and Soraya.

They all opened the door wider and entered the room.

”Look Keilani Mae and Alaia Rose are finally here with us, Lunes. They’re just as beautiful as their mom and dad.“

Luna rolled her eyes.

”I knew you’d bring yourself into the conversation.“

”What can I say? I’m good-looking. Says so on the onesie.“

Luna just shook her head and grinned, probably too tired for a comeback.

”You’ve done it. You gave birth to two beautiful girls.“ Meilani wiped away some tears. And we all just smiled, letting this little miracle, er…miracles, seep in.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Soraya and Evie walked towards us and held the little twins. Cuddling them and peppering them with kisses.

”Sky is going to be so jealous that he didn’t hold the twins first. Let’s call him.“ Evie said and Soraya nodded.

They handed them back and I held them close as I put them on Luna’s chest.

Luna started to sob when she saw the twins for the first time. She touched Kehlani's little cheek with her forefinger.

”They’re so tiny and smell so beautiful. Like a new book. For a new chapter of our lives.“

She looked up at me and I nodded, too full of emotions to form a proper sentence so I just nodded and we enjoyed the time with our twins.

Luna

Holding your babies? It was a whole new level of love.

It’s something I didn’t know I wanted so much, as I held them close and took in their newborn smell. My love, my life.

I‘d lay down my life for my twins. I’d do anything to keep them safe.

As I looked down at them. I couldn’t believe they were here. It seemed as if I’ve been waiting for years to see their tiny little faces. I swore I’ll be a good mom.

A new exciting and thrilling feeling filled my body.

Giving me a new superpower. I’ve never felt this strong. I felt invincible. That’s probably the meds talking. But I don’t fucking care. It’s exactly where we belonged. I never thought this was the road my life would take me.

With Bryce, Kehlani Mae, and Alaia Rose. Our beautiful little family. Our Ohana. Our lives, no our love has grown ten times fold.

I smiled up at Bryce who had the same look in his cinnamon brown eyes as I did.

He leaned down to give me a gentle kiss, making this moment perfect.

Bryce

Luna fell asleep and was resting in the hospital bed. As I kept holding the twins.

There was a rocking chair in the corner and I sat down with the twins.

I've been rocking the twins to sleep for over an hour, but it felt as if we were in our tiny pink bubble of love. Nothing could touch us.

I heard a soft knock and looked up as the door opened.

It’s Grace and Brian. Luna’s parents.

Grace just started crying when she saw me again. She tugged at her husband's jacket.

”Do you see what I see? Oh my god Brian, look at those two beautiful angels! I mean I know I’ve seen them earlier, but my heart is about to explode.“

Grace shook Brian’s arm. Almost ripped it out of its sockets and I chuckled to myself. I can see where Luna got her excitement from.

”I know I’m standing right next to you so I see exactly what you see darling.“ Brian replied softly.

Grace rolled her blue-green eyes, just like Luna‘s.

”I don’t even care about your sarcasm right now.“

I smiled at them.

”Do you want to hold them?“ I offered knowing that if I don’t, Grace will just take them from me and cuddle them close to her.

Grace just nodded.

”Say hi to Kehlani Mae and Alaia Rose.“

”Hi there Lani.“ Grace held Kehlani‘s little hand and she blinked her sleepy brown eyes open.

Brian smiled fondly.

”Rosie looks so sweet.“

I sat back down next to Luna who was sleeping peacefully after not only giving birth to one but two babies.

Our rockstar.

I loved that we were able to experience the moment of our twins' birth together. Our love and genetics made this happen.

This is our Ohana. And I’m grateful that we‘ve started a new chapter in our lives.

#Las hijas de Luna #Luna Auclair (F!OC)#Bryce Lahela (M!MC)#Kehlani Mae (F!OC)#Alaia Rose (F!OC)#Grace Auclair (F!OC)#Evangeline Auclair (F!OC)#Soraya Auclair (F!OC)#Maxine Moore (F!OC)#Keiki Lahela (F!MC)#Meilani Leahi (F!OC)#Knox #Brian Auclair (M!OC)#birth story #open heart #pregnancy #cfwc

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