#zo writes tingz

[zozo-01]

"my daddy gone for the weekend, so saturday baby we can get to freakin'."

It's here! After four-ish months, the smut is done! It took everything from me but I'm super proud of how this turned out! A huge shoutout to @dominimoonbeam for giving my the original idea, and my sincerest gratitude to everyone whom I lamented to, especially @gingerbreadmonsters, @lovelylonerliterature and @cashandprizes for making sure I wasn't making a fool of myself!

CW: University AU, David is a Business Major, Darlin' is a Poli Sci Major, No Angel and Sam AU, Unresolved Sexual Tension, leading to, Resolved Sexual Tension, they are stupid and in love, Top/Bottom Roles, First Time, Loss of Virginity, its david he's the virgin, Oral Sex, Riding, Grinding, david is a praise whore, they are horny young adults, Gender-Neutral Darlin', Jealousy, Angst and Fluff and Smut, David Shaw is Bad at Feelings, so is darlin', author is incapable of not being emotional, Minors Do Not Interact!!!!

click here for the ao3 link!!!

click here for the playlist made by @floofdeloop!!!

--

There wasn't a moment that went by where he didn't think of Darlin' promise. Even if he tried, the piercing on his tongue was a physical reminder that he couldn't get rid of.

Well, he technically could. Didn't mean he wanted to.

It was odd having a piercing at first, especially in such a weird place. He had to stop himself from playing with the piercing and pulling it out. While he would love to have Darlin' in his lap again to re-pierce his tongue, the pain was absolutely not worth it.

The reactions he got once he showed it off, on the other hand, were extremely worth it. No one could believe that goody-two-shoes David would get a piercing. A tongue piercing of all things. Milo and Asher had a ball when they found it, and they lost it when David revealed it was Darlin' who did it for him.

–

"I know Darlin' is into 'bad boys', but I never thought you would change for them," Asher cackled while lying upside down on his couch. 

David knew that this was a mistake. He should have kept that part a little secret, but no. He falsely assumed that his best friends would have been mature about it. He'd been a fool to put trust in those two. 

Milo, to his credit, didn't fall onto the floor laughing the way Asher did, but even he couldn't stop himself from teasing the larger wolf. "Next thing ya know, he's pullin' up with a damn sleeve like that one guy they brought-" He cut himself off to narrowly miss the pillow David threw. "Hey! Watch where you're throwin' big guy!"

Ignoring Milo, David sat beside Asher on the couch, putting his head in his hands out of frustration. Sure, Darlin' had a specific type of people that they liked, the unsavoury the better according to them. And sure, he couldn't help but compare himself to their past partners. But that didn't mean he didn't want to change himself for them! He had a well-adjusted head on his shoulders, and he knows it's foolish to change yourself for a person.

But if it did make Darlin' like him…

A soft flick to his forehead brought him out of his thoughts. Looking up at his friends, he saw his fellow pack members looking at him with what he could describe as an "are you stupid" look.

"Look we get it," Asher spoke up, moving into his role as voice of reason. "You like them, and I mean this in the best way, you don't look like their type. I know you're smarter than to change your whole self for one person, but seriously. If they don't like you now, they won't like you when you're closer to 'their type.'"

"Besides," Milo added while sitting next to David. "All this is assumin' that they don't like you. Who knows big man, maybe they do."

(Milo tried not to give too much away, for fear of his own life, but come on! Seeing David slumped over like a puppy made him feel bad for the man. It's even worse knowing that Darlin' does like him, but both of them are so emotionally inept that it will take the world ending for them to confess, and even then, one of them will be convinced that the other doesn't really love them. If he has to spend another minute hearing Darlin' lamenting about how David is too good for him, then he'll find a telepath to share their thoughts with each other.)

(And the worst part is that even that might not be enough to break this stalemate.)

–

David eyed the clock in his living room while vacuuming the floor. They would be here in about an hour, and knowing them, they'd probably arrive even earlier than that. All the more reason for him to finish cleaning the house as soon as humanly possible. Lucky for him, he wasn't exactly human.

He, in his naivety, decided to take some political science courses that semester. It made sense, nothing goes better together than politics and business, and with the way his professors stressed the connections between the two fields, it was only a matter of time before David wanted to learn more. He's already required to learn about corporate-related laws. Why not learn all the other types of laws? 

The answer to that question is that political science was a dreadful field of study, filled with jargon and old men with pessimistic views of the world. David had always been a numbers guy, and now you're telling him that he had to write essays? The absolute sheer horror.

There were some bright sides, though. Not as bright as their smile, let's not get ahead of ourselves. He sighed, mind eternally consumed with their being and he wouldn't have it any other way.

After seeing his struggle to write down a coherent thought without going on a tangent, Darlin' decided to help his poor soul to write his final paper for their public policy class. It was no issue, they insisted, having already finished their essay a week in advance. When they put their mind to it, Darlin' could do anything. It was what he admired most about them.

The doorbell rang, cutting off David's thoughts. He looked over the room one last time and with a satisfied hum, he walked over to the door.

Behind the door stood Darlin', a dazzling smile on their lips and food in their hands. "With Gabe out of town, I had a feeling that you haven't had good food in a hot minute." Walking right in and going straight to the kitchen, they put the styrofoam box on the dining table. 

He closed the door and followed them, mouth-watering and stomach rumbling at the smell of the shawarma platter on the table. They were right in assuming that he hadn't eaten much since his father left for his work trip. Gabe did make a large batch of food so that he didn't rely solely on fast food. Yet even after taking into account his large appetite, David was out of food within a few days. And fast food couldn't dare compete with his father's cooking.

"Yeah, well he should've made more for me." he joked, taking his school bag and sitting on the couch. "Seriously, thank you for helping me out with the essay, you're a god send."

"It's no biggie, Davey," they replied, sitting right beside him and taking out their notes. "Essays like these ain't that hard once you do a couple of them," Darlin' smirked and he already knew that they were preparing to tease him. "I know that's too much thinking for our little business major-"

David didn't give them a chance to continue, tackling them onto the couch. With a pillow in his hands, he smothered their face with enough pressure to keep their mouth closed without suffocating them.

"Alright, you little shit, if you're done making fun of me, how about we get back to this goddamn essay." An eye roll and nod were what he needed to back off, taking the pillow off of their face. But still straddling their hips, he refused to move unless Darlin' asked him to.

There was a moment where they locked eyes. His heart was beating faster as he hoped that maybe they wanted this as much as he did. Maybe he can delude himself into thinking that there was want and lust in Darlin's eyes. Though it was more likely that their eyes were only a reflection of what he desired.

He snapped back to reality when Darlin' cleared their throat. "Can't really help you with your essay from down here, David," they chuckled nervously. He nodded, taking that as his cue to reluctantly get off of them. He grabbed his laptop, opening up his readings for this essay.

Darlin' opened up their essay, and he saw the different coloured highlights on the document. Probably the different parts and ideas he needs to cover for his assignment. "When you do a public policy essay, you need to analyze it based on the goals of the policy, instruments used to enact it and the setting it's used in…"

It was a lot of information to take in, the jargon and language didn't make it any easier to understand what the fuck was being said. Seriously, why do you need ten different terms to describe the same phenomenon? At least the business jargon didn't do that, it only had five different names for the same thing.

Whenever David felt like he couldn't continue, too tired to come up with more ideas to write down, he would take a sneaky look at Darlin'. Eyes lighting up and mouth spilling out a plethora of ideas of how to make the world better, it was clear why they were the right fit for this program. A part of them was determined to help everyone, from the broken to the damn. If they could even save one person, alter their life to make a positive impact, then they would do anything to make it happen.

The problem arose when Darlin' would try to save those who didn't ask for it, or worse, those who would take advantage of it. Bless their bleeding heart, but they were incapable of turning away a lost cause. "I was a lost cause once, so who the fuck am I to turn someone away from my door," they would say to anyone who would raise their concerns. David could recall every single time that Gabe and their parents would have to stop them from being a self-sacrificial martyr, and yet when Darlin' found something or someone to save, there was no stopping them.

And even though he knows that Darlin' is a grown adult who can take care of themselves, that doesn't stop the need to keep them safe. Preferably with him. So if someone who was taking advantage of their kindness turned the corner and left with a broken nose, then he's not saying that he did it. Not always, at least.

After all this introspection about Darlin', his feelings for them and this free speech policy, David put his final thoughts onto his page. Five hours and one thousand, five hundred and fifty-five words later, he was done with this godforsaken essay. Yippee for him, someone should plan him a parade!

Darlin' took a quick look over the essay for any logical and grammatical errors. They gave him the all-clear and he was on his way to hand in the essay. He was so focused on giving in his assignment that he didn't notice Darlin' getting up to grab the shawarma platter.

"Here," they said, sitting next to him and offering the platter to him, "you need all the food you can get." Darlin' didn't wait for a response before placing the food in his lap before turning back to do some more work.

He quietly ate his food, not wanting to break Darlin's concentration on whatever extra assignments they had to do. Their furrowed brows and jutted lip was endearing to him, just wanted to kiss their pout away.

"That reminds me!" They exclaimed, looking back at him, eyes shifting between his mouth and eyes. "How did your piercing heal? I'm thinking nothing went wrong if you haven't called me about anything?" The elephant in the room, or at least for him, was finally being addressed.

"Yeah, it's been great! I really like how it turned out." It was true, never in his life did he think that he'd be the piercing type. He knows that corporate culture was very finicky about what is and isn't appropriate, and he'd never been interested in any kind of body modification. But this piercing was the gateway drug into him exploring the various different ways he can express himself. Maybe he'll get that tattoo sleeve he's been eyeing on the internet? Or a couple of snake bites? (Didn't the last guy have those?)

But as long as Darlin' was next to him, helping him along the journey of self-expression, then bring on any challenge and needles that may come his way!

Scooching a little closer to them and putting a hand over theirs, his eyes softened as his voice became more genuine. "You did an amazing job, Darlin'. Thank you for doing it for me." 

They cleared their throat and looked into their lap. "Ahh, you know, it's no big deal, I'm just glad I can help." It was cute seeing the normally cool and confident Darlin' crumbling at the sound of genuine praise. The small and shy smile was all he needed, the satisfaction that he had the same effect on them that they did on him.

He tensed up when they leaned closer, their hand holding his shoulder as they used it as support. "Can I take a look, David? Just to make sure nothing's at risk of anything." They only moved when he nodded, hand moving from his shoulder to cupping his jaw.

David opened his mouth, all of a sudden conscious of any food that might be stuck in between his teeth or metal piercing. He hoped there was nothing left behind, internally cringing at the gross sight. Luckily for him, they didn't seem to be taken aback by anything in his mouth.

They hummed in approval, letting go of his chin and walked to the kitchen. "It looks good. No infection and little scarring, and you seem to be getting used to it." They grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the fridge, handing one to David and uncapping their own.

He took a few sips of his water, swishing it around to get rid of any extra food scraps in his mouth. Even if they didn't say anything, it didn't hurt to make extra sure in case they wanted to kiss him.

As that thought went through his head, his blood went hot. The thought of kissing him reminded him of the promise they made him. That they would let him test out, for lack of confidence to call it what it was, with them. Palms sweaty and knees weak, he debated on whether or not he should remind them.

On one hand, if they dismiss him, this could be the most embarrassing moment of his life. He's always wanted to move to Alaska, they have beautiful weather during this time of year.

Or… he'll get to sleep with Darlin'… even something more.

(At this point, the opportunity cost of each scenario was going through his brain. Trying to find the tradeoff value as well as the line of best fit in order to benefit both himself and Darlin'. If this doesn't make sense, then congratulations on not having the displeasure to take any Introductory to Economics class.)

"Do you remember what I said when I gave you that piercing?" they asked with caution, using the tone they use when they're ready to pull away from a conversation if they don't like his answer. It was frustrating, knowing that they were creating an exit plan without letting him give his answer. But all he could do was reassure them that he wouldn't leave, and he hoped in return, they promise the same.

Calming his beating heart, he replied to Darlin's question. "Yeah, what about it?" He hoped that his even tone didn't give away how desperate he was, borderline ready to throw himself at their feet and beg for their attention.

"Well…" They folded their arms around their back as their voice went deeper. "Do you want to test it out?" He wondered if their lack of shyness or embarrassment was a testament to how much they did not care. His stomach dropped at the thought of them only seeing this as a means of getting off. 

But it's better to have fucked than to never be loved at all, or something like that.

He crossed his arms, hoping that they could guard his fragile heart. "I'm down for it if you are," he stated without the overbearing emotion that had his heart in a vice grip. His stomach dropped into the abyss and the pressure building in his head had him questioning how long he could keep this facade up. 

David had never met someone so willing to throw themselves into any situation the same way that Darlin' does. A certain confidence and apathy guided and protected them going through their life, and he wonders if this was another example of it. If only he could hold himself high above the clouds the way they do.

He stood his ground with stiff muscles while watching Darlin' saunter on over to him. The smell of cigarette smoke and coconut engulfed his senses (was he also smelling mangos?), leaving him no choice but to hyper-focus on them. He watched as they put a hand on his waist, light to the touch and with caution in their eyes. Always waiting for the nod to continue.

"Can I continue, David?" they asked with the care they seldom reserved for themself. It was frustrating to watch them wear their heart down till there was no love left for them.

He nodded his head, breathing heavily and mentally begging them to do more, but they stood still. A nod was simply not a good enough answer for Darlin'. 

They tilted his head with their hand, looking straight into his eyes. "Words, Davey. I ain't moving till you say the magic word," they purred. It was all the encouragement he needed to let out a breathless 'yes' for their hand to pull him closer by his neck into a kiss.

It was painfully soft, not due to lack of passion, but because Darlin' was still treating him like a porcelain doll. He hated it, absolutely despised the fact that he wasn't being treated like the other people he'd seen them kiss. He didn't want to be special, he wanted to be treated like everyone else. 

(Scared and anxious is how Darlin' went through life. If an action wasn't thought through entirely, then it wasn't worth taking. They still weren't sure if David wanted to kiss them because he liked them or for other reasons, like wanting the brag about fucking them. Whatever his reason may be, they still wanted to test the waters with him. It was better to be safe than sorry, and with him, they wanted to keep him as safe as possible.)

(He isn't like the other people they kissed. He's so much more and they hope it won't break either of them in the long term.)

He followed their lips as they pulled away from him, desperation filling his body for their kiss, worsened by the sweet scent around him. He was scared that maybe they were coming to their senses and that he'd lose his only chance to kiss them.

Lust and love took control of his body and he pulled Darlin' back into him. He sighed when their lips touched his, smirking at the surprised whine that they let out. Wrapping his arm around their waist and a hand on their back, he was going to make sure they'd never leave him again.

He pushed Darlin’ against the pool table, hands on either side of their body, leaning in until his lips were barely touching theirs. Darlin's eyes grew wide as he closed in on them, stopping only when they were a breath apart. Their bravado slowly fell apart, breath quickening with each passing moment. As fun as their teasing was, David couldn't help but enjoy how he'd managed to turn the tables, even if only for a brief moment. 

Darlin' snapped out of their daze, hands beginning to wander once they regained their bearings. They started at his hips, moving up his sides before pressing warm palms against even warmer skin. They paid close attention to what made his breath hitch, their eyes seeming to commit everything to memory. He hoped it wasn't in vain. 

Adjusting their hands, they used their thumbs to press against his nipples experimentally, enjoying the groan their touch pulled from deep in his throat. He pressed them harder into the table as a breathless laugh escaped them. 

"How about a nipple piercing the next time? Play your cards right and I might be nice and do them both," they said with a smile and a playful gleam in their eyes.

David chuckled, with his eyes darkening. He leaned in, hovering his lips over their ear. “Maybe, but right now I want to test out another piercing.” He licked the shell of their ear, blowing on it to make them shiver. He adored the way their body opened up against him, leaning their head back to expose more of them to his mercy.

He kissed their lips, soft and playful, wanting to get them back for earlier. They gave him a warning growl, giving him a chance to kiss them properly and end this game. David didn't hedge, instead teasing them with another peck that had another growl tearing from their throat. 

His amusement was short-lived when he felt a hand around his neck, squeezing firmly and pulling him in close. His head spun deliciously the longer they deprived him of the ability to breathe.

David leaned back, looking at them with pleading eyes. Being choked was never a kink he thought he would have, but he hopes Darlin’ keeps their hands on his neck for the rest of the night. They tilted his head to the side with the hand on his chin, like they were inspecting something. The air was thick under their suffocating gaze, and David felt the wind knocked out of him. The way their eyes were locked on had him wondering what they were looking for. Maybe they were looking for any sign that the piercing may have infected him.

 He swallowed, a stupid thought running through his head. Maybe they were looking for any sign that anyone else left a mark on him? He had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing. Do they really think David would fuck around with other people, especially when he finally had the chance to be marked by him? And even if he did, he would never let them mark his neck.

That honour was reserved for them, and them alone.

With a stern tone, Darlin’ asked David, “Are you going to keep fucking around, or are you going to kiss me properly?” He had no choice but to nod his head, completely enamoured with their voice.

They smirk, their grip on his throat loosening as their fingers slowly trace a path to the back of his neck to settle there instead. Then they pushed, forcing him closer until their lips were pressed against his ear. 

“Good boy, David.” 

The sound went through his ears and shot straight down to his cock.

Huh, for someone who’s as much of a control freak as he is, he’s surprised that he would relinquish control to Darlin’ that quickly. He’s even more surprised that it feels good to not be in control for once in his life.

“Mmmm, my oh my, what sharp teeth you have Mr. Shaw,” they purred, crashing their mouth onto his, running their tongue over his canines and sucking on his piercing. There wasn’t much David could do except groaning, too overwhelmed with the sensations he was feeling. “Whatever would you do with them?” Their alluring eyes and shit-eating grin rekindled the fire within him to get back at them.

This was it. This was David's chance to finally get back at Darlin' for every heated glance and flirty remark they had subjected him to over the years. Memories of every fleeting touch and teasing uptick of perfect lips spurred him on in his goal of returning the favour to them tenfold.

(Part of David also wanted to get back at Darlin’ for making him fall in love with them. For raising his hopes whenever they gave him their adoration and genuine smiles only to take someone else to their bed. It was stupid and selfish and childish but he didn’t care. He wanted them and this was the closest way to have them.) 

(If only he knew that they loved him as much as he did them. If only they would bare their hearts to each other, being honest to themselves and their desires for once in their lives.)

Trying to gain back some control and doing what he thought would make them feel good, he grabbed their ass and moved their hips against his. His pants were getting tighter with every moan that left their mouth. It was pure music to his ears and he was determined to draw out more sounds from them. He grabbed their thighs and picked them up, placing them on the pool table. 

He chuckled when Darlin’ let out a surprised yelp and continued to grind into their crotch. “You like my teeth, beautiful? Want to see what I can do with them?” 

He bared his teeth against their skin, making sure they could feel each one of his teeth and that the mark left behind would stay for the rest of their shared lives. Their enthusiastic nods were enough to give him the confidence needed to leave their lips and kiss other areas of their body.

He kissed down from their jaw to their neck, leaving soft kisses and sucking on their skin. Darlin’ shuddered and sighed, burying their fingers in his hair. Relishing the reaction that he was getting from them, he gently bit their neck. It wasn’t enough to bruise, but it was pleasurable if Darlin’s increased volume was anything to go by. Darlin' pulled him closer, moaning and whispering in his ear, “Oh, you can be rougher than that, sugar.” 

There was just one small issue.

He didn’t know how.

For all of his cockiness and initiative that he took tonight, it didn’t change the fact that he was a virgin and this was the most he'd ever fooled around with another person.

It wasn’t like David was actively avoiding sex, he just never found the time to form sexual relationships with someone. Between his classes, extracurriculars, work and looking for internships, losing his virginity had always been put on the back burner. Besides, he never found the right person to lose it with. Any time he’d muster up the courage, the little doubts in his brain would creep into his brain, and make him back down. 

Confidence can only get a man so far, and he realized with their hand in his hair and legs wrapped around his waist that maybe he bit off more than he could chew. 

He didn't realize that they paused when he did. They noticed that his hands had stopped moving and his lips stayed still. Moving both hands from his hair, they cupped his cheek and placed his forehead on theirs.

 “Hey, you still with me?” They asked with a soft tone and looked straight into his eyes. 

There was nothing but care and warmth in them. He wasn’t expecting anything else though. This was Darlin’, warm and caring to the bone and forever willing to share it with others. Even at their own detriment.

They caressed his cheek to try and ground him in reality. “We can stop, you know.” 

Gently, Darlin’ pushed David back, giving him the space he didn’t need to breathe. “I know you still haven't fucked with anyone like this, and I know it can be a lot.” They smiled, but David could sense some disappointment from them. “We can stop at any point you want.”

“But what about you?” he asked, always wanting to make sure that their needs would also be taken care of.

Their soft demeanour morphed back into the cocky, yet not over-confident attitude that he was accustomed to. How Darlin’ could shift between personas so quickly would always be a mystery to him. 

“Don’t worry about me, sugar.” Before David could rebuttal, they placed a finger on his mouth. “I’ll hop in the shower and fuck my fingers,” they said casually, shrugging their shoulders before continuing. “Or I’ll find someone else to fuck. Either or works.”

His blood lit up like a match. 

Through his own heart roaring in his ears, David took a moment to gauge whether they were serious. When they didn't balk under his gaze, he swallowed the growl threatening to rise from within his chest. Had Darlin' said to his face that they wouldn't hesitate to find someone else to finish with? That they would find someone else to bring to bed when he was already there? Did they not realize that those words alone had stoked the whispers of doubt and threatened to confirm all of his fears that he wasn't good enough for them?

He couldn’t stand the mere thought of another’s hands on them, especially when he finally got to touch them like this. David wanted to be the one who Darlin’ ran to whenever they had a hard day. He wants to grant them comfort and sanctuary in a way no one has ever done in their life. The darkest depths of his desire urge him to go beyond his protective Beta (and an almost ignition of his Alpha) instincts and keep them all to himself. 

With him, Darlin’ will be safe. With him, Darlin’ will feel rapture.

He’d been dreaming of this moment for so long, and he won’t give it up for anything, or anyone.

With that, his mouth turned into a snarl. "You're staying right fucking here," he snarled into their ear, the earlier growl escaping before he had a chance to reel it back. There was no way he was going to let them go that easily, insecurities be damned. His fingers dug into strong thighs and warm skin with the strength to bruise, trying to contain the storm of emotions at the idea that their future partner wasn't him.

"You're staying with me."

His words made their eyes go wide and guilty, almost like a fawn, and completely unlike their usual sharp, wolf-like features. Underneath his hands, he could feel Darlin’ tense up and he could hear their heart speed up. David wanted Darlin’ to forget about their concerns and his hesitance, and instead opting to fall completely under this trance he’s created for them.

But with a shake of their head, Darlin’ was able to look through the jealousy and anger to the part of David that was still new to all of this. They ran a hand through his hair, adoration dripping from their fingers, and watched some of the rage leave his body as his face relaxed. It wasn’t enough to let go of all of his complicated feelings, but it was a start.

“I’m serious,” they started again with that infuriatingly soft tone. “There’s no rush, and I don’t want you to force yourself to do something if you’re not a hundred percent ready for it.” 

(Watching David get possessive sent their heart soaring, but they needed to make absolutely sure that this was what he wanted. That they were who he wanted.)

David took a deep breath to clear his mind. He was completely out of his element, and the lack of knowledge and control of what happened next terrified him. But he was with Darlin’, and he trusted Darlin’ with his life and his heart, even if he wasn’t ready to give it to them. 

“I want this- I want you. It’s just…” His voice trailed off with embarrassment, but Darlin’ was able to catch on.

The sound of their laughter reassured him more than any words could. “We all start somewhere, David. Ain’t nothing to be ashamed about.” Their hands massaged his shoulders so that he could let go of some tension. “How about you tell me what you want to do, and I tell you how to do it. Sounds good?”

Part of him wanted to throw that idea into the void. He shouldn’t have to be told how to pleasure them, he should just be able to do it. How else can he prove himself as a worthy mate?

The weaker part of him wanted to give in and listen to every command that they gave him. That side ended up winning.

David took a deep breath, steadying his heart and calming his nerves. As much as it was a hit to his pride, it made logical sense for them to take control. He can’t pleasure them if he doesn’t know what to do. It would be a struggle to give up control to them, but he could do it. If they took the lead, then it would be ok. There was nothing they could do to hurt him. He trusted them. 

There was no one on this plane of existence that he would trust over them right now. Even if it seems like that trust isn’t reciprocated.

“I- I can do that. You can, I don't know, take control…” He cringed at his tone and choice of words. Milo, Ash and Darlin’ were able to string along the smoothest of pickup lines and dirty talk, but for whatever reason, he couldn’t emulate that same energy. Ugh, what an annoyance. 

David tried to save himself from utter embarrassment, trying to come up with something more appropriate. But all of his attempts left Darlin’ giggling, and as precious as their laugh was, this was not the situation he’d want to hear it in. 

They covered their mouth with a hand. “I’m sorry! You’re just being really fucking adorable right now.” They squished his cheeks with both of their hands. “I could eat you alive right now, you’re that cute, sugar.” 

With a scoff and an eye roll from David, Darlin’ knew it was their cue to put their hands back on his shoulders. There was a time for teasing, and there was a time for praise. “Hey, remember. Everyone starts somewhere.”

Everyone did indeed start from somewhere. But did everyone start with the love of their lives sitting on a pool table? Ready to let them guide him during this vulnerable point in his life?

What a lucky man he is.

“So tell me, sugar, what do you want to do?” Their concern melted away, now a hundred percent confident that this is what he wants. Darlin’ leaned back with one arm supporting their weight, taking a good look at him. David puffed his chest out, liking their attention on him. He was proud of the body he worked hard for and being used as eye candy for Darlin’. 

Their other hand played with the button of his jeans, making sure to avoid the bulge that had been there for a while. “Well…”

He rolled his shoulders back and placed an arm around their body, caging them on top of the pool table. He kissed them, adoring the way they melted into him and moaned softly against his lips. He slipped his tongue between their lips, making sure to caress every nook and cranny of their mouth. Once he was temporarily satisfied with his claim on their mouth, he ran his piercing over their teeth, relishing the clink that came from it.

Reluctantly, he parted away from their lips. He was entranced by their face, eyes trailing from their glowing cheeks and swollen lips. Beautiful. They were absolutely beautiful, even if they denied it. He was going to make sure that even if they didn’t care about him or his love, at the very least, he could provide some form of pleasure and love from his end.

“I want to put my piercing to the test.” He slid a hand underneath their shirt, grazing over their chest and adoring the way their body squirmed and stiffened. “Do you remember why I asked about it in the first place?” David placed his mouth on their neck, smirking at them flinching when the cold metal touched their warm skin.

Darlin’ held onto his shoulders to balance themselves. “Y-yeah, I remember.” 

He felt a violent groan vibrate in their chest and he knew that he teased them far too much for their liking. They grabbed onto the strands of his hair and yanked them back. Their doe-like eyes turned back into the wolf-like features that he was more familiar with. David had a feeling that he was about to become prey to be used to their liking. 

With a smirk, Darlin’ shoved his head back and growled in his ear.

“Get on your knees then, sugar. Show me what that mouth can do.”

Dazed by the tone of their voice, David got on his knees. Shaking with pleasure, he looked up at Darlin’s almost condescending aura. Being as tall as he is, he’d never had to look up at anybody. He quite liked this view, especially if it meant Darlin’ looks at him with those piercing eyes, gleaming with dominance and mischief.

Slowly, Darlin’ opened their legs with a lazy smile and beckoned him to come closer. “Come on, handsome. We don’t got all day and you’re the one who wants to put your mouth on me.” At this point, David’s heart was ready to combust all over the floor. How they casually made his heart soar and cock hard was something that needed to be studied.

He crawled over to Darlin’, finally in between their thighs and eyes level with their chest. Warmth and salvation coursed through his blood. He'd always thought that if heaven was a place on Earth, it would be between Darlin's legs. If he choked to death tonight, he would die a happy man.

Letting out a whistle, Darlin’ held his chin up, forcing him to look at them. “My, oh my, David. You look so pretty on your knees.” His cheeks went hot with embarrassment and every fibre of his body begged for him to refute their claims. But before he could look away and hide away in their thighs, their hold on his chin tightened and they let out a disappointed click of their tongue. “No, no, baby. You’re gonna keep those pretty eyes on me, is that clear?”

His head had officially gone blank and he nodded, willing to do anything that they would have asked him in that moment.

“Good boy, David. You’re doing amazing sugar.” They praised him in the sultry tone that made his knees weak. Luckily, he wasn’t standing or else he would have fallen over. 

His hands hover over their body, unsure of where to put them. He desperately wanted to hold their thighs again, or maybe their hips - honestly, he just wanted to touch his darling. But he knew that Darlin’ tends to balk at unexpected touches, even from dear friends. Then again, he’s also seen… videos where the more dominant partner just grabs their partner or partners with no hesitation. Should he do that? Or maybe wait for what they say? Or maybe…

Darlin’s eyebrow rose, queueing him that they noticed the glazed-over look in David’s eyes. They already knew that his mind was wandering in unnecessary places. “Oh David,” they drew out with their teasing voice, “I can’t be losing you already?” The hand in his hair and the other stroking his cheek brought him back to reality. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours, baby?”

He mustered up some of that fake confidence, hoping that it would translate into actual conviction once he put his mouth on them. There was no point in hiding what he desired, and right now, he craved to taste them and watch them fall apart under his tongue. Besides, he knew that no matter what, Darlin’ would never let him down. They have proven that fact time and time again, and he can trust them when he’s vulnerable and under their spell.

(Though not at his most vulnerable. He still has reservations about confessing to them, but those were more of his faults and none of his. Dare he say that they were perfect, from their perfect smile to their pristine white fur coat, and he was the unruly beast whose torture was to have everything he wanted just out of his reach. That won’t stop him. He’ll find the courage to hand them his bleeding heart, just not right now.)

(Hell was the other people who made Darlin’ smile, and he's going to rectify that fact sooner rather than later, but still later.)

“Where do you want my hands on you?” He softly ran his hands over their thighs. “You’re in control here.” Not that they needed reminding, given their eye roll.

They grabbed his hands, holding them in front of their face. Darlin’ ran a finger over every line on his palm, the gentle touch being enough to make him shiver. “Hmm, what to do with your hands?” Darlin’ pondered as they placed a kiss on each knuckle. If he wasn’t dying from how tempting they were, he’d be dying because of how adorable they were. 

Finally done with their pondering, though David has a feeling that they knew what they wanted him to do from the beginning, they put his hands on the buttons of their jeans. 

“Take them off, sugar.”

His mind raced in different directions, all of them leading to seeing the wolf in front of him in different directions. He knew this was going to happen, you can’t have sex with all your clothes on. But to actually see this - see them - is a whole other thing. And while the wolf in front of him would be more beautiful than whatever pitiful image his mind conjured up, he doesn’t think his heart will be able to survive to truly admire their beauty.

Deft hands unbuttoned their jeans, heeding the warning Darlin’ gave about ripping their clothes. If the image of their bare body wasn’t enough to drive him mad, his senses were overloaded with the scent of their arousal. He’d had whiffs of the intoxicating scent, after finding them in compromisable positions. This was different though. It was concentrated, it was overbearing in the best way, and it was all for him. Only him.

He wouldn't admit the possessive spark from deep in his heart that was born. 

After resisting the desire to rip their jeans off and carefully unbuttoning them, David held their hips, waiting for Darlin’ to give their next set of instructions. 

“Very good, David,” they moaned, giving his hair a good ruffle. They gestured to him to scooch back a little bit and jumped off the pool table. After stretching their back from sitting for so long, they put their hands on top of his. “It’s getting a little hot in here, don’t you think, sugar?” Without waiting for a response, Darlin’ guided David’s hands to take off their jeans.

To say that this was a dream come true would be an understatement. 

He could see the end of scars on their thighs that started from their hips, the birthmark and blemishes, and the bruises that he left behind. David makes a note to press harder for next time, just so he could leave darker marks on them. This being Darlin’, they make everything more difficult than it has to be, so of course they were pulling their pants and underwear down at a glacial pace. But he dare not defy the speed they set, both to not make them uncomfortable, or have them disappointed in him.

Finally, finally, Darlin’s jeans came off and they stepped out of them. There was no coherent thought in his head due to the sight and scent of them, except for them to allow him to put his mouth on them. He deserved it because he’s been waiting for so long. They deserved it because they deserve all the pleasure in this world.

And he was going to make sure he’d be the only person who could bring them that level of joy.

Hopping back onto the pool table, Darlin’ took off the rest of their clothes that they had on, leaving them naked in front of David.

Were they trying to kill him? It was already too much for him to see them without their pants on, but now they were taking off everything? Leaving nothing to his sorry imagination?

Vile, terrible, and wickedly cruel - the despicable, conniving wolf he fell in love with. He must be the luckiest man alive.

He eyed their body, taking in every detail for him to conjure up whenever he was alone. He couldn’t think of anything to say about them except for the fact that they were beautiful. That they were an angel sent from above as his salvation. Or maybe the devil who’d damn him to hell. In either case, he was ready to follow them wherever they may want to go. Including all the way to Vancouver for some fucking coffee.

(Darlin’s insecurities run rampant, that much isn’t a surprise. They never understood why anyone found them attractive, yet they always rolled with it. They were also known to throw caution to the wind and do some impulsive things. But even they were taken aback when they took off their own shirt. They were sure that David would have got up and left without saying another word.)

(They weren’t lying when they said David looks pretty on his knees. But the way he looked up at them almost reverently, like he was on his knees praying at a church, was doing too much to their fragile heart. Then again, it was David. And he wouldn’t do anything to hurt them.)

“Get back over here, sugar. There’ll be more time for you to touch this body later on,” they laughed and pulled his head closer. He was only a hair's breadth away from where they needed him the most. Scent makes up most of your taste, so he already knows that they will taste divine. Bodies entwined and his hands itching, he’s damn near dying to get his mouth on them. 

Darlin’ held his chin and leaned down to kiss his forehead. “Can you open your mouth for me real quick? I just need to do something real quick, ok?” He had no idea what they were about to do. Was there a secret step that needed to be done that they didn’t show in the sex scenes he endured over the years? He wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case, so he opened his mouth, knowing they had everything under control.

He was certainly not expecting them to spit on his tongue.

David whimpered when their spit hit his tongue, which was drier than usual. Probably because their mouth is unnaturally warm and addicting. This wasn’t an unwelcome feeling though, and he’d love to see them spit on his cock later on. If he’s lucky tonight won’t be a one-time thing.

Manically grinning while watching their spit run down his tongue, they used their tongue to spread their spit on his piercing. He moaned, and when he tried to pull his head back because it was getting too much, Darlin’ gripped his chin tighter and pulled him in closer, practically shoving their tongue to the back of his throat.

They pulled back and hummed in appreciation at the sight in front of them. Satisfied by the blissed-out look in David’s eyes and the spit surrounding the piercing, Darlin’ smiled and blew gently on the metal. He felt a shiver down his spine and blood rushing to his cock, the slight cold being something he wasn’t used to but definitely wasn’t not welcoming. “Alrighty then,” they sighed and leaned back, still adoring the dazed expression on his face. “It feels better when the piercing’s cold.”

At this point, David wasn’t even sure he was paying much attention anymore. All he could think about was how he was burning to taste them, to drink down every drop of pleasure he could squeeze out of them, to drag them over that edge as many times as they demanded until they were spent and sated. But despite aching to bury his face in their thighs, he waited for their command. He’s done so good so far, he’s not going to disappoint them yet.

“I didn’t think you had it in you to be this patient, David,” they cooed while placing their thumb on his bottom lip. “Thought you would have gone feral by now and done whatever you wanted.” Oh, he was so close to his breaking point, but his resolve was strong for now. 

“Does my good boy finally want to put that pretty mouth to good use?”

David’s head perked up at the question, his eyes widening and mouth-watering. Nodding his head with a renewed vigour, he exclaimed, “Yes please!” His desperation was obvious to both him and Darlin’, and while he would never want to show too much emotion around them, wanting to keep his aloof Beta persona, he couldn’t give a damn right now. 

He was finally going to taste them, and it was going to be worth it.

Darlin’ giggled at his reaction. They knew he was desperate, but they didn’t think he was over the edge of composure. He bets that it was amusing to see their cold Beta be so open about his feelings. “You asked for it, pretty boy.” They took his hands and placed them on his thighs. “Can you put them on your shoulders? Pretty please.” Their voice was dripping with faux innocence but he saw right past it.

He picked up their legs and threw them over his shoulders, grinning at the moan Darlin’ let out. He may have done it a little more aggressively than necessary to make up for all the teasing, but that wasn’t the point, now was it? He felt the strong muscles cushioning his ears and heels digging into his back. His heavy breaths against them made them shake in his hold. He could see how they were dripping for him. It was nice to know that he had the same effect on them as they did on him.

Looking up from between his legs, he silently asked permission to use his mouth. With Darlin’s nod giving him the green light, he prodded at them with his tongue, trying to figure out what felt good for them. They shivered, the cold piercing doing exactly what they said it would, giving them an additional sensation to derive pleasure from.

He was right. They tasted divine and he was rapidly becoming addicted. David was fully prepared to give up his worldly duties in favour of becoming Darlin’s permanent seat. The warmth that radiated from their body had lit a flame in him that wasn’t going away. Not until he could see them fall apart around his mouth.

“F-fuck David,” they said through a string of moans. He could feel their thighs squeezing his head and hand tugging his hair, pulling his head closer, which meant he must be doing something right. He became emboldened to bury himself deeper, with his hands spreading them apart and pulling them closer. 

He noticed that every time he growled and moaned against them, Darlin’ would moan louder and at a higher pitch. The facade they created earlier was falling apart, and David was honoured that they would drop it around them. 

Through their moans and tensing body, they grabbed David’s hands from their legs and placed them on their chest. He looked up at them with confusion, until Darlin’ spoke up with a breathy voice. 

“Touch me, David. Don’t let your mouth do all the work.” He nodded, continuing to devour them with his tongue while also squeezing his chest. “Oh- shit, that’s it, sugar!” They were grinding themselves against his mouth and he was obsessed. He continued to grope their chest, pinching their nipples between his fingers to draw out every moan he could.

David could feel that they were getting closer. He couldn’t move his tongue more freely in them, and he almost thought that they were in pain. But the wanton moans and pleas they were letting out had clued him in that they were having as much fun as he was. If he wasn’t careful, he’d climax on his own and untouched just at the sight of their release.

With a growl, Darlin’ ripped a hand from his chest and guided him to stroke them. “Keep moving- shit- just like that,” they groaned, pushing his hands and face closer to them. He choked and moaned into them, deeply consumed into their entire being.

It was when Darlin’ let out a high-pitched moan and convulsed forward that he knew that he finally tipped them over the edge. Holding their hips to stop them from falling, he swallowed every bit of them that he could. Darlin’ leaned back, heaving like they were done with a marathon. David reluctantly pulled away, but the sight of them breathless and eyes blown out with lust was much worth it. He could always get on his knees again.

He slowly stood up with Darlin’s legs wrapped around his waist and his clothed chest against their bare one. David could see their doe-like eyes, elated over the fact that it was all because of him. He brought them that joy. He made them feel like they were walking amongst the stars. And he wishes that he could get on his knees again.

Making sure they calmed down enough to look him in the eyes, David wiped their slick off his mouth, licking the back of his hand to not waste a single drop. Darlin’s eyes never left him, and he heard their heartbeat speed up.

“That… that was hot.” 

He raised an eyebrow. “That’s all you have to say?” He questioned, without betraying the fear in his heart that he wasn’t up to their expectations.

Darlin’ rolled their eyes and in between their breathing, they huffed out, “Excuse me, sir. Let- let me catch my breath.” They closed their eyes and took a deep breath, looking the most serene they have looked in all of their time together. David memorized everything about them right now, afraid that he’ll never see this view again. 

(Darlin’, in their incoherent thoughts, was still able to deduce that giving David that tongue piercing was the best idea they could have come up with.)

They ruffled with his hair, giggling at the deadpan look David gave them. “You were amazing, sugar. Are you sure this was your first time?”

“We both know the answer to that,” he joked and leaned in for another kiss. But before his lips could touch his, he paused. Was this ok? He kissed them earlier, but that was before he made them come. Maybe now that they’ve gotten what they needed, they don’t want anything to do with him.

In his pondering, Darlin’ closed their eyes and the gap between them. He melted against their lips, placing a hand on their back to keep his steady. 

This time, the kiss was sweet. It didn’t have the urgency of lust from earlier. It was calm, like it was alright for him to get lost in them because they would help him through the fog. David didn’t know if that was his love-sick mind thinking that, or maybe that it might be the actual truth. 

Pulling away with a smile and laughing when David trailed after them, Darlin’ hopped off the pool table. Instead of picking up their clothes to put them back on, they pushed him against the table. “So handsome, is it your turn?”

David felt the heat rush down to his cock. There wasn’t a doubt in his brain that he wanted Darlin’, especially with them naked and smirking in front of him. He craved to make his fantasies into reality, wanting to inflict them with all the want and lust that he’d caused them over the years.

Maybe he could bend them over the pool table?

Push them against the wall.

Or maybe he'd take them to his room and drench their scent into his bed.

There was just one problem…

“If you don’t want to, I get it.” Darlin’s voice broke him from his trance. “I get it if you want to do it with someone you care about, and y’know, have it mean something, and like it’s just me so-”

“This does mean something to me,” he cut their rambling off. David has known that underneath their bravado and confidence, Darlin’ was often insecure about their excess amount of care. It was the thing he hated most about them. Nothing more angering and heart was breaking than watching them cut themselves off or ramble on an unnecessary excuse. He won’t have it, especially if he knows that they have nothing to worry about.

Darlin’ gave a blank stare and as David was preparing to repeat himself, they spoke, albeit without their usual confidence.

But before he could respond, Darlin’ looked down, hesitance and shyness crept into their voice. “You actually mean that?” Their question was laced with quiet want, or at least he hoped it was a desire for him. He prayed that they had been suppressing their feelings for him.

Lucky for them, he had that same longing, for this to mean more than what they thought the other wanted.

He held their jaw, tilting their head up to look into their pretty eyes. The lust from earlier turned into a softer love. Instead of being blown out with pleasure, the sharp angles of their face softened, their usual yet rare doe aura returning. As much as David wanted to deny the fact that Darlin’ could actually be in love with him, it was getting harder to deny when he could see his own desire reflected in their face. 

Unfortunately for them and everyone around them, Darlin’ and David adored the idea of plausible deniability. It was easier to assume that something isn’t true unless it’s being thrown into their faces. Although, they use this concept for different reasons.

For David, it was an annoyance for people to speak to him in riddles and code. He’d rather everyone just be straightforward with what they’re trying to say.

For Darlin’ it was harder for the cops to tie you to a crime if you’re seen smiling at the security cameras, or looking away from your best friend at the right time.

David leaned in, pressing his lips onto their forehead. They deserve a proper confession, and he wanted to give it to them. For now, this would have to be enough for both of them. It was more than they could ever crave. He pulled back, looking at Darlin’s eyes fluttering closed and they edged closer to him. It was a softer kiss than either of them expected from the other, but it was needed all the same. 

Darlin’ was used to throwing themselves full force into everything, always bracing for impact. David needed to prove to them and to himself that he would be there to cushion them. Because if he doesn’t, then who else will?

(His wolf howled selfishly at the thought of him being the only one taking care of them.)

Darlin’ wrapped their arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Breaking the kiss, they chuckled when David let out a little whine, following their lips to keep kissing them. 

“Well, if you’re game for it, so am I.” Whispering in his ear, they asked him, “Where do you want to do it, sugar?”

His mind and blood raced downwards, thinking about the many different fantasies that Darlin’ would make come true at this moment. Looking around the room, his eyes landed on the pool table behind them, and a bold idea entered his mind.

“I want you to ride me on top of the pool table.”

Silence filled the air and David thought that maybe he had gone too far. Fuck- fuck! Did he push it for his first time? Was Darlin’ uncomfortable with the idea, but was convincing themselves to go through with it so his first time would be perfect? Did they not know any first time with them would be perfect?

“I didn’t think you had it in you to ask that, baby Alpha?” They crooned, pushing his back against the pool table. Darlin’ stared into his eyes and held his shirt, only taking it off when David gave them the ok. Shirt on the ground, they stared at his torso, running their hands over his torso, resting them on his chest. 

“Holy fucking hell, Shaw.” David could see Darlin’s breath quicken and their eyes went wide, and he could hear their heartbeat pick up a little bit. He puffed his chest in pride seeing the trance Darlin’ was under. Thankfully not the normal trances they were used to.

Pouting like a child, their lips traced his collarbone, causing David’s knees to go weak. His hands went down to Darlin’s waist, debating on whether or not he should pull them closer. He didn’t have to make that choice, with them taking the initiative to push their bare body into his. “You’ve been hiding one hell of a body, Davey,” they smiled, kissing his neck and torso. 

 “Well you’re one- shit, to talk,” he choked out, squirming in his place. He pulled their head back, noting how Darlin’s voice went higher. Instead of looking him in his eyes, their gaze was fixed on the button on his pants. There was something in Darlin’ that was holding them back from ripping his jeans, he could see it in the way their nails dug into his thighs, a spark of pleasure and pain going through his body.

Not wanting to waste another minute, he took a deep breath and unbuttoned his own pants. If Darlin’ was waiting for him to be ready, he’ll show that he’s been waiting for this moment for as long as he’s known them.

Their hands let go of his thighs, grabbing onto the waistband of his pants and underwear to pull them down. He hissed as the air hit his bare and cold body. He couldn't decide if he should look at Darlin' or not, fearing that he would see disappointment in their eyes. So he kept his gaze low, baring himself in his entirety before the love of his life.

Darlin' didn't say a word, just quietly tracing their hands over his body. It was gentler than anyone would have expected from them. But the average person didn't know how Darlin' would hold themselves back to stop themselves from pouring too much of themselves, causing the other person to be overwhelmed. But David would do anything for the honour of drowning in their love.

"Look…" they pleaded, placing a hand under his chin to tilt his head up. He looked up slowly, his wide eyes meeting their tender expression. With a smile, they caressed his face with their hand. "You're so pretty, you know that right?" He knew that objectively, it's hard to ignore your looks when you have people gawking as if you're a Greek god. But being told and actually believing it were two different things.

With Darlin' though, their hands and body slotted against him like a puzzle piece, he feels pretty. Actually pretty. 

"Speak for yourself," he chuckled, butterflies filling his stomach. "You're beautiful, Darlin'." Because if he is pretty, then they were downright gorgeous. The sun in wolf form, blessed by Angels and saints that have long eluded him. Why ask for a guardian angel when he had Darlin' with him?

They rolled their eyes, a cocky expression on their face. "Sugar, I already know that." Not that it stopped the bashful smile on their face. Confidence surged through his body, he had the same effect on Darlin' as they did on him, and he would use it for the future.

Pushing the hair stuck on their sweaty forehead, he snarked, "all the more reason to call you beautiful, beautiful." His eyes were drawn to their lips as they bit them, desperately to tug on them with his own. So he did exactly that. 

Leaning forward to press his forehead onto theirs, he kissed their lips, holding the back of their head to pull them closer. David tilted his head, slipping his tongue inside of their mouth. He could feel their sharpening teeth and their little gasps and moans. David bit their lip while pulling away, relishing in the sharp breath they took.

A second of silence goes by before David spoke up, snapping Darlin' out of their daze. "Are you going to ride me, or do I need to fuck you myself?" It was false bravado and confidence that was dripping from his voice, but he didn't care. His cock was aching to be inside of them, now. 

They raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Hold on, let me grab something real quick." 

"I have condoms in my pants," he yelled out from behind them. He was sure that they didn't have any infections, knowing that they go to get regular checkups. And he definitely didn't have any, since, well, this was his first time. But a man could never be too safe, and David was ready to take any and all precautions.

"Not a condom, but thank you David!" They came back with a blanket, laying it on top of the pool table. "I don't want you to get road- er, pool-burned?" they mumbled to themselves, wondering if that was the right choice of words. But they shook their head because they thought that this was the wrong time to think about word choices. For David's sake at least.

He moved to place himself in front of the blanket, pulling them alongside him by their waist. "Thank you, beautiful."

"No problem, sugar," they cooed, playing with his hair. They took a condom from his pocket, ripping it open with their teeth. Carefully, they unrolled it over David's cock, going slowly to not overstimulate David.

(Not yet, at least.)

With some of that earlier confidence, David leaned back against the table. "You know, I think you're full of shit, Darlin'." He wondered that if he egged them on enough, they'd finally do something to him, relieving some of the desperation pooling in his stomach.

He froze under their steely gaze and arched eyebrows. "Really, you think so?" Their voice went from warm and caring to cold and detached. It should have made him step back, but he kept going.

He stood taller and leaned over them. "All this time, and you haven't done shit but just talk." He squeezed their ass and pushed them against the pool table. "Maybe I should show you how it's done," he whispered into their ear, kissing and biting their neck.

For a moment, David could have deluded himself into thinking that he would actually be able to take control of this moment.

That was until Darlin' pushed him back with a hand on his throat. "Oh, aren't you precious, little Alpha?" A dark chuckle and a darker look were all it took for David's knees to get weak, ready to get onto the ground and be obedient to Darlin'. 

Before he could agitate them further, Darlin' picked David up by his thighs, turning around and laying him down on top of the blanket. "You were saying, Davey? Something about me just 'talkin' shit'?" They climbed onto the pool table, hovering over David. 

David needed control like he needed his magic to shift. It was weird being under someone, and he had half the mind to push them off him. But it's Darlin'. They won't let anything bad happen to him.

"Well?" Their voice shook them out of their thoughts. "You said you wanted to tell me what to do?" They leaned forward so they were chest to chest, forehead to forehead. "So tell me, sugar?" 

Darlin's glare was enough to make his throat dry, words in Spanish and English leaving his brain. To make it worse, their hand gently played with the head of his cock, finding wicked joy in his struggle. The light pressure made his head spin, but every time he'd raise his hips to grind against their hand, Darlin' would push him back down.

"That's not what I asked you to do, sugar," they mocked with fake pity. A firm squeeze to his head was all David needed to cry out, but it didn't deter the wolf. "I asked you," they paused to kiss his neck, trailing up to whisper in his ear, "what do you want me to do?"

His mind had a million options wishing to spill out between parted lips. He wanted their hand, but he also wanted their mouth with lips stretching around him as they took him down their sinful throat. He wanted them, under him, over him, with their nails digging into his shoulders...

But what he offered them was a growl that melted into a whimper when he realized he'd take anything at all if it meant they didn't stop.

Hips threatened to buck up into their grasp to get even a fraction more of their touch, but they kept true to their word and waited. Another growl left him, of frustration this time. It ended the same as the first did, though words followed as his body burned for more. 

"Please, need you to..." 

A hum left their lips, dancing in the air.

David knew they had to be getting some sick enjoyment from this. He also knew the thought alone had him growing harder against their palm, but their tongue swiping along their lower lip showed it was a welcome discovery. 

Rolling his head back, he groaned and felt like he was about to burst from the sight alone. 

"Just ride me already," he hissed, a choked breath leaving him when they shifted their hand ever so slightly. "Fuck, please ride me. Need it. Need you..." he rambled, relieved when he lifted his head and found himself staring into blown pupils. 

Taking mercy on him, Darlin' let go of their cock, smiling at his flustered state. They leaned back, admiring the mess that they made him. "Now was that so hard, hm?" They sat back onto his cock, grinding against it to make sure he was ready for them. He held onto their hips, both in a plea for them to go faster and to hold himself steady.

Deeming him ready for that sweet release, they moved up onto their knees, holding onto his cock to keep him still. "Are you ready?" they asked gleefully, stroking his cock to make sure he was slick and ready for them. 

He couldn't find the words to say yes though. Not because he was having second thoughts, but because he couldn't believe his situation right now. Darlin', the wolf he's been in love with since they joined the pack, was willing to have sex with him. There'd always been a part of him that was scared to ask them out, fearing they'd only say yes due to his position as Beta and the Alpha's son. But seeing that familiar determined look was all he needed to know that his dreams were coming true.

(Darlin' was also in shock at what was happening as well. As the Alpha's son, surely David had better options than them? They were proud of who they were and where they came from, but there was always a nagging voice in their brain that told them otherwise. Where David had been raised in white picket fences, Darlin' had been raised surrounded by metal cages. It was no secret that from the way they talked (and how they hid it) to the way they dressed, they were both from fundamentally different worlds.)

(But seeing David with needy eyes and a loving gaze made them feel like they belonged. Actually belonged. And that maybe, home wasn't limited to snowy streets and gray skyscrapers. It could also be in the arms of their best friend.)

Somehow, David was able to find his voice again, and all he whispered was yes, over and over again, while nodding his head vigorously.

Darlin' chuckled at his eagerness, slowly lowering themselves onto him. "What my future Alpha wants, is what he gets," they murmured with a breathless sigh, watching his cock disappear inside of them. They took their time to let themselves adjust to his size before they sank to the base with a sharp inhale, arching their back and digging their nails into his heated skin.

Holy fuck. Holy shit. This was actually happening. 

David held his breath as they tightened around him, watching as their eyes squeezed shut in pleasure. That had to be a good thing, right? He hoped it was. Hell, he currently felt like he was on cloud nine and they hadn't even moved yet. How long would he even last?  

Oh God, he couldn't come too quickly. That'd be too embarrassing.

He pinched himself, just to make sure that he wasn't stuck in another wet dream. He wasn't. This was very real. And when he felt Darlin' shift around him, he was finally convinced that this was very, very real.

"Ok, I'mma start moving, but—," they began, taking deep breaths to keep their voice steady, “—if you need this to stop…for me to stop, you need to tell me." 

David rolled his eyes at their warning, lips parting to retort only for his words to die on his tongue when they held his face in their hands. Darlin’ stared into his eyes, making sure he was staring back before continuing. 

"I'm serious, David. You wanna stop? You tell me. Alright?"

He nodded as he swallowed roughly, doing his best to keep his breaths somewhat even. It was hard to focus on anything apart from how well they were taking him and the fact this was only the beginning. His impatience was slowly eating away at him, even more so as he took in the sight of them on top of him like some sort of ethereal god. 

David would be more than happy to get on his knees for them again if they ever asked. 

“I need to hear you, David. You never had an issue mouthing off before…so use those words of yours. Tell me you understand.” 

The urge to bare his teeth was forced down as he cursed under his breath, nodding but adding what they’d been so keen on pulling out of him. 

“Yes, yes, I understand,” he groaned, thighs tensing when Darlin’ shifted ever so slightly. They would be the death of him, he was sure of it, but at least it’d be a hell of a way to go. “I’ll tell you what I need and right now I need you to move. So, please—” 

A shudder left Darlin’ as they offered a smile that had his pulse stuttering before returning to its concerningly quick pace. 

“Good boy.”

David didn't have time to process their praise, too focused on the feeling of them rising and sinking onto his cock without warning. Whether he whimpered or not he'd never admit, their movements lighting a fire in his gut. If this was how he felt when they were taking it slow, he wasn't sure he'd last long with what was no doubt still in store for him. 

Giggling at David's reaction, they couldn't help but offer a mocking coo. "Aw, is my little baby close already?" Their words were followed by a shift of their hips, lifting enough until only the tip of him was inside them. This time, there was no hiding the whine that tore from his throat, a smirk growing from their once gentle smile. "I don't know how long you're going to last, Davey. Let's find out, hm?"

It was the only warning he got before Darlin' started moving at a steady pace, moving in slow yet forceful motions. They put enough strength to make sure he felt everything he could have ever dreamed, but slow enough for it to be agonizing, making him beg for more. It was enough to have him writhing on the pool table, one hand gripping onto the edge and the other on their thighs, holding on for dear life. 

Pushing up with what strength he could garner, he pressed his lips to their own with a soft groan, arms wrapping around their waist and pulling them closer. He needed their body pressed to him: needed to feel their core so his own could melt into it until only one remained. He had spent so long thinking of what it would be like to have them this way. He'd be a fool not to savour it for as long as he could. "

They stopped, surprised by the kiss. After the initial shock faded, their arms moved around his neck, hands playing with his hair, pressed flush into his chest. Any time they tried to pull away, David would growl, either pulling them back or following their lips to capture them again. He wasn't ready to let go of them. He wasn't sure he'd ever be ready to let go of them again.

Without breaking the kiss, Darlin' started to bounce on his cock, swallowing up any moans from David's mouth. He could barely register the creaking table beneath them, too focused on watching their head roll back, showing off their very kissable neck. God, he wished he had the strength to sit up and bite them. But Darlin's weight on his lap paralyzed him, unable to find the core strength to hold them flush against him. All he could do was grip their hips to hold them steady and keep kissing them. He felt his teeth sharpen, aching to bite them and be bitten by them.

Going off of instincts, he began to thrust up into them, desperately trying to match the pace that they set. "You're so goddamn tight!" He whined while mindlessly fucking them, hands on hips helping them move faster.

"Oh, really Davey?" They asked with a breathless laugh. How Darlin' was able to keep their composure was a mystery to him, especially with the way they tightened even more around him, enough to have him choking out strings of profanities at the sensation. "You close, babyboy?" 

He could feel himself closer to the edge, but couldn't form words to say it, losing his sanity with every second that went by. The pool table started to shift in place, moving back with every movement and he couldn't help but fall further into their spell. He relished in the quiet moans that he was able to get out of them, but he wanted more. He wished that they were louder, and craved to have them screaming his name, but he was so focused on his own pleasure that he failed to realize how close he'd become.

"Darlin'- I'm so close-" He choked out between moans, fingers borderline drawing blood from their hips. He felt the unfamiliar washing over him, and he chased it with great desperation. Mindless and borderline feral at the feeling of Darlin' clenching around him, his hips stuttered, the feeling so overwhelming that he couldn't keep a steady pace. His muscles felt tight and he was choking on his rapture, barely able to breathe or speak or move.

It brought him joy to know that Darlin's composure was slowly slipping away, their growls slowly devolving into broken wails. They have always been the picture of composure, not even letting their anger be shown on their face aside from a quiet, cold, fury. He treasured the privilege of seeing them let go of themselves and just feel. Their strong thighs clamped around his hips to keep them both steady, and their nails scratched his chest. He was ready to wear their marks proudly the next day. 

"I know, David- shit," they moaned, tilting their head back with their eyes shut. Sweaty and incoherent, he's never seen them more beautiful than at this moment. One where either of them can break at a moment's notice. Even now, they matched David's thrusts, focused on making sure he didn't do all the work and focused on a good first time.

Pleasure and desperation mixing together, David snapped, his core reaching out to grab onto theirs. Blood filled with ecstasy and head ringing with the sound of his moans, he didn't feel the magic that surged through him. It was only when Darlin' screamed, head thrown back and back arching beautifully, that he realized something was wrong.

"FUCK!" they yelled out, their body going limp on top of him and falling backwards. He grabbed onto them and placed them onto his chest, giving each other a chance to breathe before moving. He pushed the hair stuck on their forehead, looking into their dazed eyes. He felt himself falling in love with them all over again.

Careful to not overstimulate either of them, Darlin' pushed themselves off David's chest. He whined, liking and wanting them to stay on his chest for as long as the waves would long for the moon. They rolled their eyes, laughed breathlessly and with a hoarse voice, they asked, "was that good?" 

There were no adjectives, verbs, adverbs or descriptors that could describe how that felt, so he supposed 'good' would have to suffice. 

David was never a religious man. Sure, he went to church like the good son he was to make his father happy, and he's not above a little prayer to get through a difficult slump. Despite all of that, he could never understand what it meant to have a religious experience, an event that was so miraculous that the only explanation was that a higher power rewrote the fabric of the universe in order to let it happen.

He was convinced that Darlin' was that higher power. The only one he'd worship from here on out.

Feeling his vocal cords functioning again, his strained voice responded. "Was more than good, beautiful," he said while playing with their hair. 

"Good, I'm glad," they sighed in relief. "I do have a question…" Their voice trailed off with a little bit of uncertainty.

"What is it?" 

"Did you-" they cut themselves with a chuckle. "Did you mean to half-shift in me?"

David's eyes went wide while his mouth spewed out apologies. He knew how painful it can be to have anything inserted into your body, always cringing at those who claim that 6 inches was not enough. But to have one suddenly grow bigger inside of them, even for a split moment, sounded awful. 

Given that he was quite a large wolf, even for his young age, it made sense that all parts of his body grew proportionally.

Placing a hand on his chest to calm him down, Darlin' laughed off his concern. "It's fine, I promise. Hurt for a little bit and don't think I'd be down for that again, but it felt really good." Their voice emphasizing the pleasure over the pain eased his nerves, glad that they did like it, unexpected as it was. "Just give me a heads up next time, ok?" They jest with a smile.

So there will be a next time. Yay for him!

"Of course," he said before leaning closer to whisper in their ear. "I'll make sure to shift before I fuck you instead."

They shivered at David's admission. "Don't threaten me with a good time, Shaw," they rolled their eyes before slowly coming off of his lap to sit beside him. David hissed at the loss of contact, out of overstimulation and the desire to keep them close for even longer.  

Sitting by his side, they both basked in the familiar silence that accompanied them for their shared lives. Darlin' laid his head on his shoulder and David wrapped an arm around their waist. In many ways, things were the same. Yet everything was different now.

"You should go to bed, David." They rest their chin on his shoulder to look at him. "You must be tired as shit right now." Completely ignoring that they looked like they were going to fall asleep at any moment. 

"You're right, I should go to bed." He felt more alive and awake than he ever has, but with the way Darlin' was slumped over, he figured that the best way to get them to bed was to sleep himself. 

He picked Darlin' up bridal style, careful to not strain any of their muscles and ignoring the yelp of surprise he gave them.

"What are you doing?" Curiosity and uncertainty filled their voice, yet they buried their face into his chest, slowly dozing off in the process.

"We're both going to bed." Before he could whine in protest, insisting that they weren't tired and could go home in their state, David kicked open the door to their childhood bedroom and laid them on his bed. Running to the bathroom he grabbed a washcloth to clean himself and Darlin' before they headed to bed.

Their eyes tracked his every move, he wondered if he was doing anything wrong. Maybe the cloth was too rough? Or maybe they didn't want to come to his bed?

"You know, I'm supposed to be taking care of you, since this is you're the virgin- excuse me, ex-virgin," they snarked from the bed.

He flicked their forehead at their comment. "Shut up and let yourself be cared for, you stubborn dick." He grabbed a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants for the both of them, throwing Darlin's set at their face and laughing at their exasperated expression. But it didn't stop them from putting his clothes on.

The sight of Darlin' in his clothes and dozing off in his bed, his scent mixing with his, was enough to make his wolf go feral. He's no stranger to the hardships Darlin' faced in their life, always concerned for when they went after the shady people they called family. Sure, it was clear they cared for them, but if they really loved Darlin', they wouldn't drag them into such dangerous situations.

It wasn't in them to say no to a friend's request though, so David supposed that he may have to be the one to keep them safe.

(Realistically, he knew Darlin' would hate that. The idea of another person making their decisions and dragging David into a danger he had no reason to be involved in would eat them alive. But forgive him, he's a boy - nay, a man - in love trying to keep his future mate alive long enough to call them his mate. You can't really do that with a dead person, despite other's insistence.)

Clothes on, he slipped beside Darlin'. Immediately, they moved back to give him space, much to his chagrin. He pulled them against his chest, a hand behind their neck to keep them close. "You just sent me to heaven and back, and now you won't cuddle with me?" Resting his chin on top of their head, he finished his thought with a laugh. "Rude."

He expected a snarky comment back from them, maybe a joke about how he was an asshole. He didn't expect brutal honesty from them.

"I didn't think you'd want to." Their voice was muffled from being pressed against David's chest, but he could still hear the apprehension in their words. He held them tighter, hopefully conveying to their stubborn brain that he did want them with him.

They fought back against his hold to look him in his eyes. "Most people don't really want to cuddle after fucking," they huffed and it filled David with anger. Who in their right mind would be blessed with the chance to sleep next to them, only to throw it away because they got what they wanted? How many times did Darlin' want to be comforted only to feel used like a toy?

He shook his head of those thoughts. It didn't matter anymore, he'd hold them for as long as they asked for it.

"Well I want you, Darlin'." His arms pushed them back into his heart. Before they could pointlessly argue, he gently scratched their scalp. Just as he thought, their breathing slowed down and head went limp against his pillow. "Now shut up and go to sleep," he chided with love and care.

They couldn't go to sleep without having a final word. 

"Are we," they yawned and rubbed their eyes, "are we… a thing?"

With conviction, he corrected them. "We're more than just a thing, Darlin'. But don't worry about that now." Yawning himself, he laid his head on his pillow and almost knocked out immediately. He was able to hear the last thing they said before succumbing to dreams.

"...love you, David."

'I love you too, Darlin'.'

–

He's a little concerned by the clothes left behind in his living room. Not because David shouldn't be having sex at his age, but because they couldn't have at least cleaned up after themselves? Really?

Carefully walking around the living room to not wake up the younger wolves, he headed to the kitchen to make some food for the two. Knowing those fools, they haven't eaten anything all day, being too busy with other things to remember to eat. Something small would be enough to get them some energy back.

He passed by the pool table, noticing the blanket on top of it. He feared the worst, not wanting to imagine what had happened there earlier. The scratches were too noticeable and the wobbly leg made it all too true. Great, he'll need to call the carpenter to fix the table. Or build him a new one.

It looked like someone else had the same idea, watching David roll out some dough. Love is stored in the pupusa indeed.

"You remember to replace the pork with beef, right?" His voice spooked his son, amused at him jumping 10 feet in the air. It was a little concerning to see him so unaware of his surroundings, it was because it was out of love. Sue him, he's happy that his son is happy. 

"Yeah- yeah, I did." David kept his head turned away from Gabe, most likely out of embarrassment of being caught. 

Satisfied by his answer, he leaned back to observe his son. David seldom cooked, citing a lack of time and energy to do so. That didn't mean that he didn't know the basic recipes, he just never made them. Not that Gabe ever minded, he was always happy to cook for his son. But of course, he'd pick up the knife for Darlin', especially since they could cook up a mean meal whenever they felt like it.

There was another thing that was off. David's hoodie wasn't his. Sure it fit him perfectly, but last time he checked, he went to high school in Dahlia, their mascot was not the Eagles.

"Who's hoodie is that?" He was curious to see where this went, and whether David knew what he was wearing.

David turned back to his father for the first time, looking at him with a confused stare. 

"It's mine, obviously…" His voice trailed off when he looked down, realizing his mistake. David went to Dahlia Collegiate and Technical Institute, and their mascot was the Dire Wolves. He should remember considering how many jokes were made at the pack's expense.

While Darlin' did graduate from DCTI, that wasn't their first high school. Their old school's mascot did happen to be an eagle… And they did like their clothes on the bigger side…

Gabe laughed, watching realization cross his son's face. When before he had some plausible deniability, now it was outright obvious what they had done. Finally.

He walked to David and patted him on the back. "There's nothing to be ashamed about, and I know how long you've been in love with them." He decided not to reveal Darlin's feelings just in case they hadn't confessed yet. Knowing these two, they've probably gone to bed before telling each other how they feel. 

David's shoulder slumped at his father's words. "I know, I know, but I just," he sighed, defeated by his own emotions. "I just don't want to fuck up with them."

"And you won't," Gabe reassured. "You're a good man who wants to do right by them. As long as you follow your heart, you won't mess anything up."

David groaned at the advice. "That's easier said than done," he pointed out. For David, making rational decisions with his head always trumped going with his heart, but unfortunately, love doesn't follow the rules and logic of rationality.

"You need to understand that when it comes to love, neither of you can control everything. A relationship is give and take, sometimes you're in control, sometimes you're not. It's scary, and I know for both of you this sounds like the worst thing ever. But you owe it to each other to at least try." 

The crockpot alarm goes off. "Are you willing to see Darlin' happy with someone else?"

He could see the alarms go off in David. "No-"

"Then try," he pleaded with David. "You both are good for each other. And you both deserve good things."

Walking past David to the crockpot to see if the beef had been cooked properly, he waited for David to come to his own conclusion. It can be tempting to spell out the answers, especially when it's as obvious as this is. But as a father and as Alpha, he needs to make sure that David can make his own decisions and live with those consequences. 

Gabe won't be around forever, and he needed to learn how to be his own man.

Silently joining him, David goes back to rolling out the dough. The determined look on his face was his answer, and he can't wait to see where it will lead.

He leaned over to whisper in David's ear.

"Can you please clean up after yourselves next time? I don't want to see your dirty clothes all over the living room."

Gabe's laughter at the expense of David's humiliation was loud enough to wake Darlin' from his bed.

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted fanfic #redacted david #redacted darlin #david/darlin #THE SMUT IS HERE!!! #which means minor pleasee leave!!! #everyone else #enjoyyyy #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

"i'm thinkin' how she rides it, if she sits on it. (make it hard for me to stand up.)"

Hello, hello!!! Our lovely @dominimoonbeam wanted a lil moment between university freshman David and Darlin' when Darlin' pierces him and I said, absolutely ma'am give me a couple of months! So here we are, definitely on the more spicy side but I do try my best!!! And I couldn't resist the J. Cole lyric. And thank you to the amazing @cashandprizes for reassuring me that this is as hot as I think it is!!!

CW: University AU, David is a Business Major, Darlin' is a Poli Sci Major, They are both stupid and in love, No Angel and Sam AU, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Things get heated because piercings, A little bit of accidental grinding of the laps, Praise, ass grabbing, Just a jolly old good time, see domini i can do nice things to darlin, Minors Please Don't Interact, Mayhaps a part two where there will be actual fucking may come soon

click here for the ao3 link!!!

--

There they were, sitting in the comfortable silence that they have both perfected. There’s no need to speak whenever they’re with him because a glance is all they both need. Eyes spill secrets that lips refuse to speak of, but at the risk of not getting sentimental, David called it their way of telling each other that they should ditch class together. If you had told a sophomore David that his favourite moments were when he was skipping classes that he paid thousands for to spend time with the pack’s resident bad wolf, he’d be convinced you got the wrong man, but here they were. 

Darlin’ had messaged him that they weren’t feeling well and wanted to stay home, and David being the good and whipped Beta he was, stayed back to help them. After their inevitable yet futile attempts to send him back to class, they’d relented and pulled out their textbooks. “If you’re going to skip class, then at least let’s be productive.” They sat down, motioning to David to join them on this impromptu study date- nope, nuh uh, he dares not be hopeful and call this a date.

So they sat in the silence that felt familiar and kept glancing at each other to make sure the other was doing ok. 

Right now, though, he was doing a whole lot more than glancing. More like gawking at the wolf in front of him. How could he not? They had a tank top on due to the heat, leaving scarred skin and muscle out on display for him. There was a reason everyone fell for Darlin’ at first sight and it wasn’t their dazzling smile or sweet glances. (They’d only show that part of them to the people they trust, and David likes to delude himself into thinking there are some looks that are reserved for him alone.)

David gave up on balancing his accounts and analyzing supply and demand graphs in favour of staring at their pretty face while they look over some policies for an essay. Their eyes rapidly firing between their computer and notebook, scrambling to write down the notes they needed for an essay. It was nice to see them relaxed like this Writing always brought a sense of peace to them. Watching them be able to translate the beautiful and complex ideas in their brain into words that only they could conceive.

Even after all these years, there still wasn’t a detail that went unnoticed by him.

“You got a new piercing?” His eyes stared at the silver piece on their nose. They’d talk about getting a nose piercing for a while now, and now that they’ve gotten it, it fits their face really well.

“Hm?” They ran a hand over their face in an attempt to wipe the tiredness away. “Oh yeah, got that one a couple of weeks ago.” Their eyes went back to their readings, but they continued speaking. “Hurt like a fuckin’ bitch. The lady had to give me shit ton of napkins to stop the blood and the tears.”

He scooted closer to them to take a closer look, fully giving up on his own assignments. “And do your parents know about this one?” He jested, but genuinely curious about their reaction.

They chuckled that infuriatingly soft laugh. “My mom took me to get it done, thank you very much. I’d have to be a real certified fool to think I can hide this from her.” Massaging their temples as a way to motivate them back into writing, they powered on with their essay. Always having more willpower than he could ever dream of.

He smirked, leaning in to whisper in their ear. Just blowing air on their ear was enough to make their breath hitch and body stiffen up. “Does she know about the belly button piercing? Or the tattoo on your thigh?” Both of which he’s had the pleasure of seeing on the nights he and the rest of the pack have gone out partying. Darlin’ would always be late, but the care they took in their outfit and appearance was always worth it. Not that they didn’t look beautiful all the damn time.

Finally putting their notebook down and turning off their laptop, Darlin’ turned towards him with a cocky grin. If they had moved any closer, their lips would have brushed against his. He wondered how soft their lips would be and how their scar would feel. Before he could delve deeper into his own desires, Darlin’ put a finger on his lip.

“You ain’t gonna tell my mama, are ya Davey?” A sultry voice with the rough accent he loved entered his ears, filling up his senses until it was all he could perceive. This was so unfair. It’s not his fault that he has a boring accent. And it was absolutely not his fault Darlin’s accent made his pants tight and heart pound. Very little in this world can make David Shaw blush, but hearing his fellow wolf laying on their accent thick was one of the few events that made his knees weak.

A silent nod was all the wolf needed to lean back and smile like nothing ever happened.

(Darlin’ will always deny two things for the rest of their life. One, their city accent is attractive in any way shape or form. Two, that David Shaw made their heart beat erratically when he smirks and leans in to whisper in their ear.)

Darlin’ got up to stretch their arms and legs, and David made sure to note the way their muscles moved under their skin and the little groans they let out. Oh, he’ll definitely remember those noises later. “I’m gonna grab some water, want some?”

David gave a nod and stood up, also wanting to stretch his limbs after sitting down for too long. And not because he wants to show off his muscles to them. No way.

The two wolves walked towards the kitchen, where David sat on the barstools and Darlin’ went over to the fridge to take out two bottles of water. Whether or not Darlin’ purposely bent over, showing off their ass in those sweatpants was a discussion for another day. Preferably when he is alone and with a hand down his pants. (He would love it for it to be theirs.)

Sipping on his water to try to cool himself down, a thought crosses his mind. He randomly thinks about something Milo and Asher had told him, and he wonders if Darlin’ shared the same sentiment.

“So um, weird question…” His voice trailed off when Darlin’ turned back around and focused their attention on him. Shit, shit. The question was embarrassing enough, but he didn’t truly understand how awkward it was to ask them directly. Or maybe thought he was weird. Or even worse creepy.

He didn’t notice that Darlin’ walked around the kitchen counter, standing in front of him with furrowed brows and head tilted. “Are you ok, David? You seem a lil’ flushed.” They placed their hand on his forehead to make sure his temperature was alright.

“Yeah, no, I’m fine. It’s just- I wanted to-” He stuttered and stumbled his way to find the right words to ask his deeply odd question, all the while Darlin’ didn’t interrupt him. They just nodded, urging him to take his time to find the proper way to ask. “Milo and Ash mentioned something… About tongue piercings and how good they felt… And uh…” Oh God, please end his suffering so he doesn’t have to live on.

Apparently God decided to further his suffering by making Darlin’ laugh at him. He can’t be too mad since their laugh is so heavenly, but seriously? Come on! He wants them to laugh with him, not at him. He crossed his arms huffed, looking to the side to hide his pouting face.

(Oh my God, Darlin’ would never say it to his face yet, but he looks so much like a puppy when he does that. He needs to stop right now before their heart explodes into a bunch of little wolf bits. And that’s a mess no one wants to clean up. Grim.)

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” They covered their mouth to muffle their laughter. Now hold on, they shouldn’t do that. If they’re doing it to save his dignity, then there’s no point! His dignity is gone so the least they can keep laughing so it’d been worth it.

Clearing their throat and wiping tears from their eyes, they stood up straight to ask the million dollar question on the tip of his tongue.

 “David Shaw, are you askin’ me if it feels good to get head from a person with a tongue piercin’?”

When they say it like that, he can see why it was silly that he couldn’t formulate a simple question. But have you considered that this is the wolf he’s been mildly attracted to (in other words, madly in love with) standing in front of him. Considering the attention and interest that they garner from the people around them, it makes it all the more important for him to be on his best behaviour. If he wants to be considered a potential mate, he cannot project any weakness in front of them. And that includes asking questions about sex and sexuality. How can he properly fuck them if he doesn’t know what they like?

He grunts and nods his head. “Yes, that is what I was asking about. Can you give me an answer?” Nice, holding his ground after an embarrassment like that is a good step towards recovery.

Darlin’ raised their eyebrow. “It feels real fuckin’ good.” They smirked, leaning slightly into David’s space. “The cold from the metal just makes me beggin’ for more.” The sultry voice from earlier returns and David fears for his pants durability. They placed a hand on his thigh to push themselves higher to look him in the eye. “Do you want one?”

(It was cool and this is ok. Their banter together, Darlin’s flirting and their touchy habits is just who they are. From the outset, Darlin’ seemed like a person who didn’t want to be touched and for the most part they would be right. They were only like this with the few people they found attractive and their close friends. He had seen them pull the same moves and use the same lines from before. There was nothing special about the things they were doing or saying to him. Maybe they found amusement in the flustered state they reduced him too, but that can be said about anyone else.)

(To Darlin’, this was all a game. But it’s a game he’s willing to play to keep them close to him.)

David scoffed, getting up from the chair and went to grab more water. Was it always this hot at this time in the year? “No, it was just a question,” he replied rapidly, chugging down the water to cool himself off again.

From the corner of his eyes, he could see Darlin’ leaning their upper body against the counter, hand holding their face and with a shit-eating grin.

“Aww, what a shame. You’d look hot as shit with one.”

He knows that they’re egging him on. All of this was only to get himself riled up and say something stupid. Or look stupid. It’s the same stuff that got him in so much trouble in high school and he refuses to let it continue now. He’s in university. He’s an adult. So there’s no way some childish instigation would make him say-

“Ok, where can I get one?”

…David Shaw, you dumb bitch.

Darlin’ rolled their eyes. “Ha, ha, I was only kiddin’. There’s no way you’re not lyin’.” When all they were met was silence, their eyes widened. “Holy shit, you’re actually serious. Are you ok? Did you hit your head on the way here?” 

“Yes, I am serious and no, I didn’t hit my head.” He crossed his arms defensively. “If you say it’ll be a good look for me, then let’s do it. Where do we have to go?” David was seldom known for his spontaneous attitude, but they always had a way of bringing that impulsive side of him out.

Looking around the room, Darlin’ put their hands behind their back and stretched their arms. “Well I can do it.” They cut David and his concerns and his complaints off with a wave of their hand. “And before you worry, yes I know what I’m doin’, I’ve done it before and you’re in good hands.” They walked to the fridge and pulled out a tequila bottle. David dare not ask where they got it from.

“Here,” they offered the bottle to the baby Alpha. “Take a sip, then go to the bathroom. I got spare toothbrushes under the sink, use one to clean your tongue then meet me out here.” Once David took the bottle, Darlin’ turned to their room to grab something.

Shaking himself out of a daze, he asked, “Wait, what’s the bottle for?” It doesn’t seem like alcohol and piercings should go hand in hand like this.

Darlin’ gave an easy smile and reassured him, “It’s to make sure you don’t feel too much pain. Trust me, it helps.” With a nod, they walked back into the room, leaving David alone in the kitchen.

There were a handful of people David trusted in his life, and there were even fewer that he would trust with something like this. He stared at the bottle, knowing if he drank it, he would be fully committing to this wacky plan. But if he could trust anyone who would hold his life in their hands, gently and with care, it would be Darlin’. So he popped the bottle open and took a sip of the tequila. 

He wiped his mouth and walked to the bathroom. It would take a bit before the alcohol takes its course, so he had some time to brush. He opened the bathroom door, looking at himself in the vanity mirror. This was so stupid and so was he when it comes to them. He bent over to the cabinet under the sink, a slight nausea overcoming him. He took the toothbrush out and went along with brushing his teeth and tongue.

Once he spent a good 5 minutes brushing (he cannot have Darlin’ think he has bad breath), he took the mouthwash from the vanity cabinet and swirled it in his mouth. Just a precaution and it never hurts to be safe than sorry. He remembers the pain Asher went through with his infected piercings and he refuses to go through the same.

He could feel the booze hitting his brain, needing to shake his head to keep himself awake. It really is such a miracle that he was such a lightweight at his size. He stumbled back to the living room, looking at the assignments he chose to abandon for a more worthwhile experience. Plopping himself on the couch, he waited for Darlin’ to come back, while letting his head get heavy. Hopefully, Darlin’ will come out before he passes out.

Luckily, Darlin’ entered the living room with latex gloves on their hands and a bunch of needles in their arms. In his drunken stupor, he had to hold back a moan when he saw them. They look so fucking good in those tight sweatpants and that tanktop, and the alcohol made him want to… express his appreciation. 

They set their tools on a towel beside David, setting it up for a smooth procedure. “Ok, everythin’ on my end is ready, you done brush your tongue?” He nodded his heavy head and smiled at Darlin’ appreciative ‘yay’. “Good shit. Now, can I sit on your lap?”

Absolutely. Yes. 100%, you will not hear any complaints from him. He may not know why they needed to, but he will gladly let it happen. He thought he hid the confusion in his eyes well, but leave it to Darlin’ to pick at every little expression. “I need a good look at your tongue and sittin’ on your lap makes it easier for me to not fuck up.” That’s a good enough reason for him, so he nodded. Darlin’ thanked him, and gently sat in his lap.

(Darlin’ had done this a billion times before, but sitting in the other person’s lap was something they never needed to do.)

The weight of their body on his lap was heavenly, providing pressure and touch at the right areas. If he was a weaker man, he would have grabbed their hips and started to move them against his crotch. He wonders about how they would act if he grinds up against them. Would they let out breathy moans or shallow groans? Would they be loud or quiet? Would they fight against his hold or let him do whatever he pleased? So many different trains of thought, all of them involving him inside of them, wherever that might be.

He’s begrudgingly heard from other people about how good they are in bed. He wonders if he can put some of those rumours to the test.

“Ok, couple of things before I start,” they said in a stern voice. David widened his fatigued eyes at their tone. “One, you gotta stay still for me. I know it’s gonna hurt, but I don’t wanna mess up the needle placement. And second,” they grabbed his hands and put them on their thighs. “Squeeze them if you’re in pain.” David wonders if he’s in heaven, being able to hold them this close and gripping their thighs. He could feel the tensing and relaxing of their muscles, and he wonders if they’re just as nervous as he is.

With a nod and a quiet whisper, they say, “Good, now open that mouth for me and stick your tongue out.” Not even a second into this and Darlin’s voice is already making him lose his mind. He does what they say, letting them see every little corner of his mouth and tongue. They grabbed his chin and pulled him closer, their eyes examining his tongue. 

The nausea from the alcohol mixed with the anxiety of the anticipation and the butterflies Darlin’ gave him made his stomach twist and convulse in the sickets way. He knew he couldn’t move, lest they mess up at his expense, so he does what comes natural to him. David absentmindedly traced the muscles and scars he could feel from over their sweatpants. Trailing his hands from their hips all the way down to their knees and back up. He started off with fleeting touches, ready to back off if they asked him to. But with no objection from the wolf in his lap, he let his touches become firmer. Soft grazes turned into borderline lustful strokes. He could feel the bruises form under his fingertips. He wonders if he can leave bite marks later.

There was a morbid curiosity in him that wonders what would happen if he thumbed their inner thigh. Would they like it? Would they let him trail his hand higher? Questions he desperately needed answers to, but not right now.

His pondering was cut off by Darlin’ shifting to grab some tool, causing them to grind into his lap. The pleasure shot up to his brain and woke David up immediately. This was it. He was a goner. Is he also supposed to keep any sounds in? That’s just cruel and vile. 

They help up a tweezer-like to David’s eyes. “This here is a forceps clamp. I’m gonna use it to minimize as much of the bleedin’, ok?” A nod from him prompted Darlin’ to clamp his tongue. It was a weird sensation, but the alcohol made it barely noticeable. 

Happy with the placement after checking for the major veins under his tongue, they held his shoulders. “Ok, this is your last chance to back out. Once the needle goes in, I can’t take it out. You still wanna do this?” This should be the time David really reconsiders his decision. Like, does he really want this piercing? Is it even worth it?

“Aww, what a shame. You’d look hot as shit with one.”

He couldn't reply properly on account of the clamp on his tongue, but he let out a string of sounds that sounded like, “Alright, let’s do it.” He clenched his eyes and grasped their thighs with a vice grip. He may have not seen a person get pierced before, but he can imagine how fucking painful a needle through the tongue could be. Sure the tequila would help, but like, needle through the tongue. Ouch.

Sensing the stress from David, Darlin’ placed a hand on his face, thumbing his jaw. “Hey, you’re gonna be alright. I won't lie, it’ll hurt like a bitch, but you’re in good hands, I promise.” They said with such a soft voice, so full of conviction, he thinks that the process would be painless. They moved their hands to his chest, “Just breathe in and out.” Maybe, if he focuses on the fluttery feeling they’re giving him everything will be ok.

When his breathing evened out, Darlin’ gently held his chin with one hand and held the needle with the other. “Dig your nails into me if it gets too much, but don’t move.” With that, they gently began the piercing process and David stopped himself from jerking backwards.

The pain was awful. He had tears in his eyes and body was stiff. The best way he could describe the feeling was as if he could feel every part of the believed pain that comes from morphing from his human form to a wolf. Luckily the tequila helped a little with the pain.

In a delirious state of pain and inebriation, his hands slid up their thighs and to their ass. He needed something with more resistance, fearing that if he kept gripping their thighs, he’d soon draw blood. And also, he’s not going to give up a chance to grab their ass. His fingers dug into his backside, feeling the soft muscles clenching underneath. Darlin’s body stopped for a good micro-second, and they let out a soft moan that David will absolutely be saving for later.

Darlin’ stopped for a moment, hearing the pained whimpers David let out. “Shhh, you’re doing so well,” they whispered. “There’s only a lil’ bit left, you’re almost there.” Their raspy voice mixed with their praise for him had his pants get even tighter. At this point he’s absolutely sure Darlin’ can feel his dick through his jeans, if the quiet moan was any indicator. He’s glad they’re being affected the same way he is.

A few seconds later, he felt the needle exit his tongue, with the piercing replacing it. The worst of the pain was over, hallelujah. They attached the ball at the other end of the piercing. They took their gloves off and kept holding his chin, admiring their handiwork. “You did amazing, David.” Once Darlin’ was satisfied, they got up, heading back to the kitchen.

Oh no, oh no no no no. He has a full on boner and nothing to hide with. He frantically looked around the living room, eyeing the small blanket. David placed the blanket on his lap, letting out a sigh of relief. Now if only Darlin’ could relieve him in other ways.

Darlin came back into the room with some mouthwash, a cup and ice. “Rinse your mouth with this and spit in the cup. It’ll hurt, but you gotta do it,” they said as they handed the cup and mouthwash to him. He did as they said, rinsing his mouth and spitting out blood and mouthwash into the cup. Gross.

“Open your mouth again for me?” There was no hesitation in his action, letting Darlin’ have complete control of him. “You’re such a good boy, Davey. Listenin’ to me so well.” They chuckled at David’s deadpan expression. They took the ice and placed it on the piercing. David groaned at the feeling, the cold ice soothing his swollen tongue. “Oh my David, what a sound.” Kill him now. 

They shook their head and their voice got serious. “Some aftercare shit. Wash your mouth with salt water and mouthwash twice a day. No solid food for a couple of days, don’t worry I have soup with me. No smokin’ or alcohol for 2 weeks.” They got closer, leaning over his body, whispering in his ear. “And no oral sex for 4 to 6 weeks, but I’ll be here so you can put that piercing to use.” They leaned back like nothing happened, going back to their ignored assignment.

David can’t wait to wring out every little sound Darlin’ let out. Maybe it will lead to something more.

(Darlin’ spent that night with a hand down their pants, thinking about how David’s new piercing would feel inside them. Maybe they can convince him to get a Jacob’s Ladder next.)

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted fanfic #redacted david #redacted darlin #mdni #teehee #we love a good borderline smut fic hehehehe #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

snippet sunday <3

Hello! I have been tagged by the lovely @ejunkiet, @autisticempathydaemon, @angelicaether and @floofdeloop!!

Now that finals are over, I can write!! Bless my soul!! But now the Leafs have started their playoff run. Sigh. So in order to keep the tradition going, I'm going to write one of my signature "fuck the leafs so fuck everyone" fics. I have two options running parallel right now and this is one of them!! It's based on this lil thing I wrote last night!!

--

Growing up, David's comfort spot had always been on the road. For him, it was a comfort driving to his destination, always finding joys in the beautiful views he comes across. It helped that Dahlia's roads were empty compared to the bigger cities. Less drivers meant that there were less people and their giant metal boxes to worry about.  

It all started with his father. Gabe somehow always made driving a fun experience for himself and David. Whether it be from looking at what other state licenses they could find on the road to stopping by wacky attractions in the middle of nowhere. His favourite had been the game where he had to find new ways to say 'are we there yet', making sure that he hadn't used the same phrase twice. Keeping a rowdy and restless child for those long hours had been a struggle, but Gabe always rose to the occasion. 

He was happy though about it, those memories were some of his favourites with his father. The freedom and joy Gabe emanated was his goal. (Being exactly like his father was his life's goal).

He couldn't wait to make more with him in the driver's seat. 

So when the time came to drive his own car, he was the first one within his age group who got his learner's permit, spending the first hours of being sixteen waiting at the DMV line. He practiced with his father, spending at least an hour on the road daily to make sure he passes his road test on his first try. And his hard work paid off, passing the road on his first try. His gift for such an achievement was a car and being his friends' chauffeur.

He didn't care, his own smile rivaling the sun, even brighter and happier than his future.

tagging: @taelonsamada, @frenchiefitzhere, @romirola, @halscafe (hehehe), @darling-solaire, @dominimoonbeam, @sincerelywhistler, @gingerbreadmonsters, @teafairywithabook and you!!! tag me in your wips!!

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted fanfic #redacted david #redacted gabe #i can here lexi clowning on me from here #s i g h #someone pray from the leafs I BEG #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

"you’ve learned a long time ago to stop thinking things would change. (it didn't stop you from hoping anyways.)"

So, it's that time of year again, and I don't have the Raptors to distract me. It's the NHL playoffs and I am a Leafs fan. If you know, you know. I wrote this a year ago for myself and @thatlesbeanjew because being a hockey fan is not the faint of heart, and I completely forgot to post it to Tumblr ;-;. The title is from Jason's Spezza's retirement article and I think it applies well here.

For my sports (specifically hockey) fans who're in an toxic relationship with your favourite team, here's some southern comfort for you.

CW: author is being sentimental about grown men playing a game, i wrote this with the last years Bruins' collapse in mind (sorry tay), but no team is mentioned!!, city wolf darlin makes a comeback, Fluff, Comfort, so much comfort, someone send me to therapy

--

There’s never an easy way to say goodbye.

No one wants to say goodbye, and even if it has to be said, let it be said with finality, with a sense of accomplishment. That even if this is the end, the journey was enjoyable. That the blood, sweat, tears (and really dumb questions) were worth it. That the years, your childhood, spent hoping were worth it.

No one wants to end on a whimper, especially if it’s broadcasted on national TV.

They still can’t believe that final goal went in.

Darlin’ stared at the TV, watching the series-winning goal over and over again. Their eyes tried to rewrite history, using what magic they have to will the puck to not cross the red line. Go wide right, hit the post, or even knock a player's teeth out for all they care! All their efforts were for naught. The goal still goes in, the building goes silent save for the cheers from the opposing team, and the season was over.

It was hard to believe that just a moment ago, their body was buzzing with anxiety, every sensation was cranked up to an eleven. Only for all that excitement collapsing inside their body, creating a black hole within their heart, numbing them to the result of the game in front of them.

All of that emotional investment just to get the same result. They felt silly for letting themselves dream, believe, with nothing to prove their faith. Everyone around them had been right, but they insisted on their foolish delusion, stubborn to the very end for this hockey team that has brought them nothing but pain.

Darlin’ had always preferred the painful route, embodying the sentiment that ‘love is pain’. It just so happened that it applied to more than the people in their life.

Their legs lost all their strength, causing them to fall backwards onto the couch. Their eyes stayed glued to the screen, ears ringing louder than any goal horn they’d heard in their life. Part of them wished they had never decided to care for this stupid team that only does stupid things and makes them cheer like a stupid idiot.

Ok, maybe this seems like an exaggerated reaction to a hockey team losing a game, but truly, this is how Darlin’ felt at this moment.

And Sam knew it.

They barely registered the soft blanket wrapping around their shoulders, but the warmth helped ground them a little bit. Sam always knew how to bring them out of their daze, with gentle pressure and plenty of space. Always giving them the choice of when to ask for help, a choice they’ve found themselves making more often.

They heard the faint clink of a plate on the coffee table in front of them. But what had knocked them out of their trance was Sam finally turning off the damn TV. It didn’t stop the goal horn from ringing in their ears, but at least they didn’t have to see that fucking rat’s shit-eating grin again. Who the fuck does he think he is? Fuck that guy, fuck that team, fuck everything-

They blinked repeatedly, feeling Sam’s hand playing with their hair. “I can feel your rage from here,” he chuckled. “Can’t imagine what you’re plannin’ to do to the other team in that pretty brain of yours.” Slowly, he shifted his arm to wrap around their shoulder to pull them closer to his chest. The tension that built up in their forehead had finally gone away when they heard his heartbeat. “Knowin’ you, you’re plannin’ something nefarious.”

“...I know where they’re stayin’,” they mumbled, nuzzling their face deeper into Sam’s chest. “That’s all I’ll say about that.”

He kissed their hair line and pulled them closer. “For the record, I will not be an accessory to your murderous rampage.” The small smile on their face prompted him to continue. “But I promise I won’t tell no one about your little scheme.” Leave it to Sam to make them smile when all they want to do is curl under a blanket and bleach the game from their mind.

They huffed in his chest. “I appreciate you not snitchin’ on me, but come on? You ain’t gonna help your mate with the body? Fake ass bitch.” Darlin’ let out a quiet giggle. Seeing the southern man deadpan at them is a surefire way to make them smile.

He pinched their nose and scoffed, “forgive me if I don’t want to see my mate in jail because a hockey team decided to beat your team.”

They pout at his statement, not appreciating the blunt tone he used. Come to think of it, when he puts it like that, their reaction to the ending of this game seems ridiculous. Wanting to kill grown men for doing their job? Because they just happen to beat their team? They’re a grown adult damn it! They’re better than being emotional over a team!

Sam flicked their forehead, knocking them out of their spiral. He pulled his wolf closer to him, letting their head rest on his shoulder. “No self-deprecatin’ spiral for you, Darlin’. You’re allowed to feel shitty over a game.” He continued to pet their hair, content with sitting in silence until they were ready to speak.

Darlin’ kissed his cheek and sighed. “I know, I know, I’m valid with my feelins’, it’s just…” They trailed off, biting their bottom lip while trying to articulate their thoughts into words. If only incoherent screaming was enough for Sam to understand their emotions. “When I say this team has sucked for my entire life… there hasn’t been a year where shit has gone right for us.”

Their vision blurred as they continued. “And I’m so fuckin’ tired of- of having hope that things will end different and then they never do!” The more words that poured out of them, the more anger bled into their voice. “It’s like, come on! They’ve had decades and so many different fuckin’ players and management to get their shit together and they never do! How much longer do they think people are gonna blindly follow them until…” A sob crept up their throat. “...Until we all decide to just… not care.”

They sighed in frustration. “I know it’s so stupid to fuckin’ care about a stupid team this much… I don’t know… They were the only good thing from my childhood.” Darlin’ chuckled at their last statement. “God, how has mt life been if this fuckin’ team was the best part?”

He rubbed their arm to comfort them. “Well on the bright side, it led you to my arms, so could it have been that bad?” Darlin’ pinched his chest, but that only caused their vampire to laugh harder. “Am I wrong, Darlin’? You seem to be enjoyin’ my arms a little too much,” he teased, acting as if it was a complaint against them. They both knew that Sam would rather die again than see his wolf in another person’s arms.

He held their face in his hands. Sam knew every little habit and quirk that Darlin’ had, and he knew that they wouldn’t look him in the eyes whenever they got emotional like this. “Darlin’, I need you to look at me please.”

They did as he asked them to, lifting their gaze and getting lost in his silver eyes. He kissed their forehead, whispering a soft ‘thank you’ against their skin. They don’t know if he’ll ever understand how fucking terrifying it was to have someone know them so well. But they wouldn’t trade that blissful feeling for anything else.

“It’s not stupid to care about this team, Darlin’. They were a huge part of your best memories as a kid. And maybe you will get tired of them one day and it will suck. But there’s no shame in lovin’ unconditionally.”

Darlin’s vision blurred again and cleared their throat to stop themselves from sobbing. “Even if they hurt me over and over again?”

Sam smirked, “well if they hurt you again, I’ll have to pay a visit down to their office and make sure they win.” Darlin’ scoffed at his cockiness but didn’t stop him from continuing. “‘Sides, like you always say.”

“Oh God, don’t say it-”

“There’s always next year.”

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you.”

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted fanfic #redacted darlin #redacted sam #be a leafs fan they said #itll be great they said #so rude that i dont have sam with me this year #this is year will be torture #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

"is this the end of all the endings? (my broken bones are mending.)"

Happy Birthday to me!! It was my birthday earlier this month so I had to write myself a lil something something!! And you already knew I had to feature my favourite wolf and their vampire!!

[story takes place after before ‘cuddles and confessions’ but after ‘confronted by your alpha’, and sam and darlin’ aren’t together]

CW: Mentions of Abuse, Slowburn, Sam is an idiot, Darlin’ is an idiot, David is bad at planning surprises, Darlin’ has a fall birthday, Finessing the timeline a little, Author is outing herself by inserting her embarrassing and sad stories in this fic, Darlin’ is me, I am Darlin’, but they use they/them pronouns, There is one mention of Darlin’ being BIPOC but it’s a throwaway line for me and me alone

click here for the ao3 link!!!

--

Sam woke up that morning with his phone in his hands, a habit he only recently developed. 

Under normal circumstances, he would have left his phone on his bedside table, letting it charge for the next day. But these aren’t normal circumstances and they weren’t a normal person. To him, at the very least.

He’s long accepted that against his will, the wolf he met on Solaire land means more to him than what he’s willing to admit. It’s gotten to the point where he’s caught himself twitching with a smile in front of the clan when they sent one of their goofy daily updates. Thankfully, it was brief enough that no one noticed. Except for the clan’s resident lover boy.

“Oooooh, Sam’s got a partner! Is it the Shaw wolf? I bet it’s them- they’re soooo your type and I can’t blame you, they’re very pretty, hehe.”

“Vincent, shut up ‘fore I knock you on your ass.”

“Jealous much, am I right Lovely.~”

“Stop teasing Sam- VINCENT LOOK OUT!”

Laying in bed, Sam thinks about what it is about this reckless wolf that has him acting like a love-struck teenager. Their striking appearance was what drew him in, and who could blame him. Darlin’ looked like the bad, city kid ripped from every romance novel. He adored their appearance but it was their heart, their righteous anger and that goddamn beautiful smile that kept him staying up at night talking to them, in the hopes that he’s making them happy on the other end. 

(It would some time before Darlin’ confesses this fact, but there is a video on Marie's phone where they’re screaming in a pillow because that’s how enamoured they are with him.)

Speaking of messages, he opened his phone to see if there were any unread texts from them. His heart raced when he saw that there was one unread notification, thinking it was from Darlin’. His heart sank when it wasn’t their contact name highlighted, but it picked up again when it was a message from David Shaw. Sam opened it, nerves making him sick as to what their Alpha has said.

Mr. Shaw: Buy a chocolate cake for the troublemaker.

Mr. Shaw: It’s their birthday and they’re ignoring our messages.

Overcoming the initial shock caused by David messaging him, his mind went blank.

 It’s their birthday. And he didn’t buy any presents for them. What terrible future partner he was.

Sam was still confused as to why David was messaging him of all people. Darlin’ had been integrating back into the pack, at a glacial pace for sure, but it was more progress than they expected. Given what sparse stories they tell him about the infamous Shaw Pack, Asher and Milo would have been the better option for throwing the party they deserve. David ended any further pondering Sam might have done with his next message.

Mr. Shaw: They know that we know it’s their birthday, so in a failed attempt to make today not a big deal, they will be ignoring any of our wishes.

Mr. Shaw: I’m willing to bet that they haven’t told you that their birthday was coming up, so the pack is relying on you to give them their first normal birthday, since… him. It doesn’t have to be anything flashy, they’d kill me if it was.

If that’s the case, then Sam will make this the best ‘not-a-big-deal-birthday’ birthday party to ever party. 

Sam Collins: of course sir

Sam Collins: leave ‘em to me

Mr. Shaw: Thank you, Sam. For being there and caring for them in a way that the pack hasn’t.

Mr. Shaw: Also, you don’t have to keep calling me sir.

He chuckled at the last message, amused by the Alpha’s blunt care for his fellow wolf. He was glad that despite all the emotional baggage between the two introverted wolves, that he was always there for them, and they will always be there for him. 

Ignore the fact that their birthday is during the fall. (“Autumn, Sam. It’s autumn.”) That’s just a mere coincidence that has nothing to do with anything. So what if his favourite person was born during his favourite season? So what if their rare smile is as warm as the fall sun, warm and bright and comforting in the most magical way possible. It doesn’t have to mean anything. 

(It meant everything to Sam. For a man, who didn’t believe in soulmates and happily ever afters, it’s pretty damn hard to deny the idea that they were made for him. Every facet of their personality perfectly complimented his own. Their stubbornness with his care. Their shit eating grins with his amused yet exasperated grunts. The city kid who learned to fight in the trenches and the cowboy who could shoot before he could walk. A shifter who’s very nature is change and a vampire who is at an eternal standstill. The unstoppable force and the immovable object.) 

(Stardust intertwines their bodies, magic binds their souls, their fates and destinies are tied together whether or not either of them accepts it. Sam waits patiently in the stark white room, waiting for the sun to shine on him like he was the moon. Gentle care is what awaits them both in the future, and between you and me, he much prefers their soft light over the harsh rays of heat from his childhood.)

Where was he again? Oh right, the not-a-big-deal-birthday’ birthday party. His mind seems to wander these days when it comes to them. 

He switches the contacts in his phone, taking a minute to admire their contact picture. How someone could look so done with life, yet adorable, he will never understand. Another one of life’s greatest mysteries and he’s happy to solve it with them.

Sam Collins: can i come over today? 

Before his heart could pound in anticipation for a response, Darlin’ had already figured out his plan.

pretty wolf 🐺: no

pretty wolf 🐺: no

pretty wolf 🐺: no

Sam Collins: can i at least explain?

pretty wolf 🐺: n o o o o 

pretty wolf 🐺: i refuse to let david’s plans work

pretty wolf 🐺: you will absolutely not come over

Sam Collins: how on earth did you guess all o’ that? and why would ya assume david’s in on it?

pretty wolf 🐺: because that man is terrible at planning surprises ‘cuz he’s too predictable

pretty wolf 🐺: i’m surprised his mate let him get away with this

pretty wolf 🐺: so no

Sam Collins: but it’s your birthday?

pretty wolf 🐺: and??? so??? you’re absolutely welcome to come over if the leafs win the cup, but that aint happenin till i die

Sam Collins: i’ll bring cake and food

pretty wolf 🐺: …im payin you back

pretty wolf 🐺: dont fight me on that

Sam Collins: wouldn’t dream of it

Sam Collins: see you in a few

pretty wolf 🐺liked your message

–

cowboy has read your message

Ok, they think every nook and cranny of their small apartment is spotless. Considering the lack of furniture in their apartment, it wasn’t a hard task to complete. 

They made a note on their phone to remind themselves to kill David at the next pack meeting. How many times did they have to tell him and the rest of those assholes that no, they didn’t need a birthday party. Just send a text and they were content. Darlin’ never liked being the centre of attention unless they did something notable enough to earn it. Celebrating them because their parents happened to bang nine months prior was definitely not on the ‘something notable’ list.

(They won’t mention that it was their fear of the future, the unknown, that prevented them from celebrating the mundane. Memories of shattered glass and tears and bullets were enough to remind them that the good times never last.)

(But maybe Sam will prove otherwise. Emphasis on the maybe.)

They go through their wallet, pulling out a couple hundred dollar bills, ready to shove them down Sam’s pockets so he’ll take it home. It would be easier to venmo or e-transfer it, but despite his young appearance, Sam firmly believes in not leaving a paper or cash trail behind. They’d joked that it was ok if he had a criminal past, they were used to hanging out with the unsavoury crowd. But when he went silent and drifted back in time, they quietly accepted his outlook, even if it made it damn near impossible to pay him back for his generosity.

They sat on the couch, answering calls and texts from their pack and family. Giving half-hearted responses and begging Asher to stop fucking singing was what they did. Their mom asked if they would come home soon. (ہمیں آخری بار ایک دوسرے کو دیکھے کافی عرصہ ہو گیا ہے۔) But between Quinn and the pack and their lawyer work, it was another birthday away from their parents. (مجھے بہت افسوس ہے ماں، شاید اگلے سال؟) It gets easier to treat their birthday as non-important to their parents every year that goes by, but it’s getting harder to ignore the pain in their mom’s voice.

Before their eyes teared up at their parent’s disappointment, there was a knock on the door. They jumped, doing a quick once over of their place. Darlin’ took a deep breath, trying in vain to calm their pounding heart, and opened the door with their signature deadpan.

There he was. Leaning against the door frame with a cake and takeout in his hands, with that stupid smile on his face. It had to be illegal to be this attractive and sweet and caring, wrapped up into the finest body they have ever seen. They should sue him for stealing their heart because they know if he breaks it, they may never recover. 

Fuck, it’s always terrifying to bare their emotions freely, but Darlin’ was used to it.

So why is he different, and how would he hurt them in the end?

“I know David probably threatened you to do this, but you really didn’t have to.” They waited to see if Sam would walk in on his own, but between being a vampire and being a southern gentleman, he needed a written invitation on gold paper to invite himself inside. Darlin’ moved out of the way to let the vampire inside. 

He shook his head and smiled, walking inside and taking his shoes off. “David didn’t force me to do nothin’, darlin’. In fact,” he placed the bag of takeout and cake on the table, “he seems more worried about his own ass then my own.” He chuckled and opened his arms, waiting for Darlin’ to hug him. (Always waiting. Always patient with them.)

They held himself back from jumping into his arms, wrapping their arms around his waist. Taking a deep breath (though not too deep to seem weird), Darlin’ responded. “Good. He knows what’s gonna happen at the next meetin’.” Their shoulders relaxed when they felt his arms around him, and for a vampire, his body was warmer than most. At least warmer than Quinn.

He laughed, squeezing them closer to his chest. (Bury them in his rib cage to keep them safe.) “I’m sure you’ll beat his ass.” He rested his chin on top of them, rubbing their back in the process. If they had less willpower than they do, they would have fallen asleep right then and there. “Happy Birthday, Darlin’.”

Pulling away, Darlin’ looked at Sam’s warm and beautiful eyes. And for the first time that day, they smiled and said, “Thank you, Sam,” with genuine sincerity. It wasn’t forced or given because they were obligated too. Darlin’ didn’t know why it was different with him. They like to think it’s because they didn’t expect all this from a man they had met only a few months ago, or it’s because Sam was the type of man who didn’t let many into his heart, so it was an honour to receive this care from him so often.

(It’s definitely not because Darlin’ is in love with him. It can’t be. Subtly looking to the side of the pots they had out, Darlin’ saw the face of a person who despite their best effort, could never make the right decision. They were messy and cruel and violent when needed, and Sam deserved softness. They might not know what he’s gone through in life, or why he’s the isolated curmudgeon of the clan, but it didn’t matter. He deserved the most sweetest and nicest and easiest and amazing partner to exist. Someone who didn’t make the worst case scenarios the norm or made him prepare for lecture beforehand.)

(People like Darlin’ don’t get soft endings, their jagged and sharp edges mangle the delicate future they could have if they weren’t so fucked up. They would rip the destinies from others, picking and choosing the sequence of events that are worthy to be Sam’s truth, but they won’t stick around to ruin it any further. Fate damns those who go against her wishes, and Darlin’ wasn’t going to let Sam be collateral damage.)

They cleared their throat to end the impromptu staring contest and turn to get plates from their cupboards. “How has your day been, cowboy?” They asked while placing the plates and cutlery on the table.

He took a seat at the barstool chair. “It’s been good,” he started. “William’s been getting ready for the Monarchal Summit, meanin’ we’re all workin’ overtime to get ready.” He stretched his back and Darlin’ bit their lip to stop themselves from making a comment from a popping noise. They slid him a plate of food, causing him to raise his eyebrow. “Ain’t you gonna eat too?”

They nodded their head. “I will, but I gotta do some things first real quickly.” They walked over to the sink, wanting to wash the dishes before they ate. But before they could turn the water on, Sam held their wrist to stop them.

“Darlin’, it’s your birthday. Let me do ‘em for ya.” He slowly reached for their waist to move them out of the way. Not like they were going to let that stop them.

“Sammy, you’re my guest. I can’t let ya do my housework.” They huffed, staring him dead in the eye to convince him otherwise.

He leaned over the wolf, pinning them to the counter. Now this is playing dirty. How on Earth were they supposed to focus when he’s staring them down like that? Their mind was wandering to some unholy territory, but they needed to win this argument.

“In my family, the birthday person don’t do shit ‘round the house.”

“Well in my family, the guests are served first. You got a problem with that, pretty boy?”

After a few moments of staring into each other’s eyes, Sam shook his head and picked Darlin’ up and carried them to a stool. Placing them down, he commanded, “Now you’re gonna sit pretty o’er here while I do the dishes, understood?”

Well shit. With a voice like that, how can they not listen to him? With a dazed look and complaints dying on their tongue, Darlin’ nodded. “I ain’t gon’ eat till you done, asshole.”

He smirked and promptly started on the dishes. “Of course, didn’t expect nothin’ less.” With that, his focus went back to the dishes, trying to finish up as fast as they can to end Darlin’s hunger strike.

They placed their arms on the table, resting their chin on it to stare at the man in front of them. For a selfish moment, they let their eyes indulge in the braids in his hair to his tan and unmarred skin to those built arms. They, of course, let their eyes linger on his arms, thinking about how big they are, how much work it went into achieving that size…

…How they would feel wrapped around their waist… How safe they would make them feel…

“Have I ever told you why I moved to Dahlia?”

He paused his dishwashing, looking up at the birthday wolf. Raising his eyebrows, he says, “How come?” It was rare that the wolf spoke about themselves, let alone their life before Dahlia. 

They took a deep breath. “I was 15 and walkin’ back from a basketball game. It was December, so it was dark as shit at 4 PM. Not that it was a problem, I always walked alone, so it was whatever.” They straightened their back. “I thought it was a good idea to walk alone ‘cuz I didn’t wanna wait in the cold for 15 minutes just for a packed bus to come. Besides, the walk wasn’t that bad.” 

Darlin’ chuckled at their stupidity. In hindsight, it was so easy to see their mistake. “Halfway through, a white van pulled up beside me and some assholes dragged me inside. Knocked me out too. Took me to some fightin’ ring bullshit since they could tell I was a shifter.”

Sam put the rest of his dishes away and walked around to stand besides Darlin’. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

They shook their head with a laugh. “Oh I wasn’t there for long. Someone saw me get taken and the license plate of the van so the cops could track ‘em. There were some that had been there from time, though. I got out ‘fore I got thrown in the ring. But, like, let’s be honest, I woulda kicked some ass.” 

(Sam didn’t need to know that Darlin’ was convinced they were never going to get out. That the fact the police even looked for them was a miracle. Disappearing kids weren’t a new phenomenon to them. Everyone growing up had a friend or a family member that was taken but never found. Darlin’ was convinced they were going to be another statistic in a long line of tragic lives that ended quickly.)

(No one cares for the Black and Brown kids from Scarborough.)

He flicked their forehead gently. “Just ‘cus it didn’t last for long don’t mean it wasn’t fuckin’ terrifyin’. You were just a kid, Darlin’.”

Yeah. Yeah, they were just a kid.

They sniffled and wiped their eyes. “Right, um, yeah. Anywho, my parents didn’t think the city was safe anymore, so we packed our bags and moved out here.” The pleading that the event was a one time thing didn’t stop the rushed search of a new home. Within a month, Darlin’ had to say goodbye to all their friends and the neighbourhood they grew up in. Resentment and denial brewed in them, thinking this was all a dream until they stepped onto the plane. 

The silence was deafening, filled with unsaid comforts and reassurances. 

Why on Earth did they drop that story on him? Sam had only come by to celebrate their birthday, something he didn’t even have to do. He didn’t ask for this story and Darlin’ never voluntarily gave out information. They’ve always been taught that people will use their secrets against them, using their own trauma as knives to further hurt them. Not that it would stop people from spilling their story.

Ripping their heart on a silver platter to feed the wolves around them, but it was never enough. So they would break and build themselves to entertain and if they could get a good laugh, then their job would be complete. Because even if it was better to have no friends than bad friends, they so desperately wanted connections that they would smile with bloody teeth and bruised lips to convince themselves that people were laughing with them and not at them.

But Sam wouldn’t do that to them. (It wasn't a question or an unsure statement, it was the truth.)

Breaking the silence, Darlin’ looked Sam in the eye. “You wanna hear about me bein’ a dumbass?”

Sam scoffed, “Is your version of bein’ dumbass include you dying in a ditch?” They knew he said it in jest, but there was an undertone of desperation and fear in his voice. Darlin’ wishes they could soothe that pain in his voice.

“No, no, not that kind of dumbass.” They grab a couple of plates and the takeout Sam brought so they can have some food with a less depressing story. “Have I mentioned that I have family in the south?” They let out a giggle at the indignant noise that Sam let out. They kept this fact hidden from him because they knew once he found out, they’d be in for another lecture on how ‘every southern person ain’s cowboy.’

“So you know bein’ southern don’t equal bein’ a cowboy? But you still call me cowboy every damn chance you can get?” He sat next to them, facing towards the wolf. One arm resting on the table while the other rubs his face in frustration. “They didn’t teach ya any southern manners? Maybe they should have their southern card revoked.”

They rolled their eyes and handed him a plate. “Oh ha ha. You got jokes now, wait til I tell you this story.” They sat next to him and started eating the food. Shocked by the quality of the food, Darlin’ moaned out a thank you to Sam for buying all this food.

(Sam get your mind out of the gutter and get your friend under control.)

Swallowing the food, they continued with the story. “So, I don’t know why, but my cousin was obsessed with me also havin’ a southern accent. So he-” They started to chuckle at the memory. Chuckles turned to full blown laughter to Darlin’ clutching their stomach in pain. It had been a while since they let out a laugh this loud, but it felt good to not contain themselves for once. 

“Sounds like a good story if you can’t tell it without laughin’.” Adoration in his eyes, he kept looking at Darlin’. They didn’t notice it, too busy keeping themselves from choking on the food they just ate.

Finally calming down and completely breathless, Darlin’ finished their story. “I don’t know why he did this, but he told me that all southern people end their sentences with ‘yeehaw’. So for the longest time, I always add a ‘yeehaw’ to the end of southern sentences.”

“So… Do you do that with me?”

Their silence was enough to confirm the vampire’s suspicions and send him on the table laughing.

Darlin’ gently assaulted Sam, making sure they weren’t doing serious damage, but enough to let him know that they don't appreciate his reaction. In all honesty they weren’t completely against this reaction. For as long as Darlin’ known Sam, he wouldn’t let a smile slip on his face, let alone laughter. A real shame too, Sam has such an ethereal smile and an infuriatingly melodic laugh. It wasn’t fair! Why was he so pretty when laughing at them?

(Darlin’ thinks back to their earlier thoughts. About how they’d keep people laughing at them to keep them around. Usually, it hurt to be the town’s object of ridicule and criticism, but maybe it’s a sin to keep from laughing. So perhaps they found themselves genuinely smiling along with him for the first time in ever.)

With a huff, Darlin’ says, “How dare you make fun of my naivety, Samuel? You mean and vile and vicious vampire.” They turn away from him, facing the delicious cake that he bought and hiding the stupid smile they have on their face. Come to think of it, how did Sam know to buy chocolate cake? It is one of those cakes that are universally loved, so it’s a good assumption. Yet to their knowledge, Sam only knew them as a ‘sweets disliker’. A delusional part of them wants to think that they’re so linked that he didn’t need to be told. (Or give David one less punch.)

Once Sam’s laughter finally dies down, Darlin’ turns back around and asks him, “Why the chocolate cake?” He tilted his head in confusion, yet silent to give them the room to continue. “I mean- not a lot of people know I like chocolate.”

He rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous chuckle. “If I tell ya, promise you won’t hurt nobody?”

“No promises can be made.”

“David told me to buy you one.”

Oh, so that is one less punch for David. The fact that he remembered that weird fact about themself was a testament of how much time and change their Alpha has gone through. (And how they’ve stagnated, using their pain as a blanket to keep them from getting older.)

With a shake of their head and a childish huff, they grab the cake and a knife. “Of course he did. Fuckin’ asshole.” They moved to slice the cake, before Sam stopped them with a shit eating smile on his face. “Don’t I gotta sing you a song?”

“No you don't-”

“Happy Birthday to you.”~

Darlin’ groaned and covered their ears. The only thing that has going for him is that it's Sam singing and he's a better singer than Asher. They threw their arms up in defeat, having given up in stopping him from singing, and definitely not because they wanted to listen to his heavenly voice. 

Once the performance was done, Darlin’ cut two slices of cakes, one for themselves and the vampire they love. It was simple and quiet, the perfect way to end their birthday. No performing for other people or coercion to have fun. Quinn wasn’t hovering over their shoulder taking random bites from their neck.

“You know, I’m sorry I couldn’t get a proper gift for you,” he apologized with sincerity, but that sincerity had him leaning back, avoiding a flick on his forehead from Darlin’. “What! It’s true!” 

Quietly, they grabbed a pillow from their couch and started to hit him. He can’t get away for doing all of this and saying it isn’t enough. What a fool. (Oh, they want him so fucking desperately.) Darlin’ scoffed, “You have already done enough for me! What more do you wanna do?”

With a smile, he gently grabbed their wrist and moved it down, ending the tirade of pillow attacks. They were paralyzed in one spot, completely enamoured by Sam. It wasn’t a trance, they were infinitely familiar with the oppressive hold of one. This was something stronger and more personal, they felt it in their core. Technically, vampires are incapable of bridging since they are dead creatures of the night, but this was the closest either of them were going to get to. Sam raised a hand to place on their cheek, thumb rubbing the scar under their eye. Almost like he could heal every scar and mark on their body, no matter how deep and violating they may be.

He leaned over, whispering in their ear, “All I want to give you…”

“Is a goddamn sense of preservation.”

“Oh, you ASSHOLE!”

The sounds of Sam’s laughter, Darlin’s cursing, a vampire zipping around and a wolf shifting were coming from their shitty apartment. For the first time, Dahlia has felt like home.

(David, Asher, Milo and their mates left when they heard the sounds of joy coming from the wolf’s little home. It was best not to disturb the two while they’re having fun. The pack can always throw a belated party for them.)

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted fanfic #redacted darlin #redacted sam #lets play a game #which stories are real and which ones are fabricated for the fic hehehehe #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

"it started off so innocent. (she had a vibe and a wolf started digging it.)"

Hi folks! This right here is part two to @dominimoonbeam lovely request for Darlin' piercing David! The lovely @pinksparkl had brought up Gabe's potential reaction to David getting a piercing I had to write it!! So here is Gabe being frustrated and meddlesome in his own fatherly way towards the two stubborn of asses in the pack!!!

Thank you to @thatlesbeanjew and @colloquialcolival for giving me idea of Gabe making pupusas for David to further the Hispanic David Headcanon!!!

CW: No Angel or Sam AU, This is still happening in the College AU, Underage Drinking, (author forgot the legal age in the states is 21), Gabe just wants to make sure David and Darlin' are happy, Mentions of Marriage, The smut will come soon I promise, Once again despite the title of the song Darlin' is GN, I just really like the song way too much

click here for the ao3 link!!!

It was a rough day for David, and despite the fact that he didn’t tell him, Gabriel could tell the fatigue on his son’s face before he left the house. So as a way to cheer him up and make sure his child is taking care of himself, he decided to make his favourite dish tonight. Maybe he can take a couple pupusas with him to class so he has something to eat in between meetings.

Gabriel watched the pot of boiling water, making sure the pork didn't burn while he kneaded the dough. Food had and will always be how Gabe shows love to those around him, something that was ingrained into his blood by his mother. In his childhood, he watched his mom cook big batches of food for their family and neighbours. Big celebrations filled with people and meals were a highlight from his childhood, and despite being far away from his home land now, he intends to bring David that same joy.

Once the water evaporated, he added the pork, onions and green peppers to a food processor, turning it into a paste for the pupusas. Through the noise, he could still hear the door open and close. Assuming it was David, he listened to the young man flop onto the couch. Gabe turned back to see David, with his shoes off thankfully, peacefully dozing off. Good, he should sleep after a stressful day. 

A while goes by, and Gabe spends it by continuing to fill the dough with the pork paste, when he felt a head rest on his shoulder. Without looking down, he chuckled. “Feeling hungry David?” The young wolf groaned, still half asleep but clearly woken up by the amazing smell. Placing the first batch of pupusas onto the comal, he turned to David. “Give me another 10 minutes, ok son?” David grumbled and sat at the dining room table, head in arms as he tried to fall back asleep.

Gabe found David’s behaviour a little off. Sure, his son was exhausted, but even at this state, David would make an effort to speak. As a father, he told his son that he has to express what he’s feeling, for his and others sake. As an Alpha, he always emphasized that a leader must communicate to his followers, lest they lose respect for him.

(Not that he listens to either piece of advice. David is still the closed off boy from his youth, scared to express his feelings for a certain white wolf lest he makes a fool of himself. And despite his best attempts, David still relied on his father when it came to pack business, not comfortable enough in his role as Beta to voice his concerns. He only wishes he’ll be alive to see his son blossom into the man he knows David can be. Or at least be Darlin’s father-in-law.)

A quick sniff of the air had Gabe recoil. There was a sharp, alcoholic smell in the air, and it was coming from David. So either he got a cut that needed to be cleaned. Or his son decided to do a little bit of day drinking. Judging by his tired voice and vampire-like aversion to light, he’ll bet on the latter. Not that he was mad at him for it.

Walking over to David, Gabe put the plate of pupusas and a cup of water on the table. “Here you go, kid,” he said while ruffling his hair. “Eat up and you’ll feel a whole better.” He walked back to the kitchen to clean up the dirty dishes. He eyed his son, thinking about what, or who, could convince hiss on 

David whined, moving his head in what looked like a nod. With what little strength he had left in his arms, he picked up the pupusa in his hand. But before he could open his mouth and take a bite, he grumbled and put it down. Turning his head to Gabe and squinting his eyes at the light, David slurred out, “Sorry Dad, can’t eat right now.”

Now David was not like other boys his age. He preferred to study over going out to parties and he took his duties as Beta so seriously that you would have thought his life depended on it. The fact that he came home even the slightest bit inebriated was already enough cause for suspicion. But the one thing he had in common with most boys, especially shifter boys, was their appetite. David could and will eat everything in sight, even more so when stressed. It was the reason Gabe made pupusas in the first place for him. 

The fact that David wasn’t eating, especially his favourite meal, meant that something was very, very wrong.

Through the bond as Alpha and Beta, or through their bond as father and son, David waved his hand casually, a way to  quell the worry building up in his father. “Don’t worry, dad. Darlin’ gave me some soup to drink.” With that, David got up with immense effort, and stumbled on to his room.

Gabe knew of Darlin’s habit of… making impulsive decisions that landed them in interesting situations. He still remembers that one time he had to grab them from Vancouver because they wanted ‘Tims.’ He also knows that they wouldn’t drag the pack into a situation that they deemed dangerous, opting to deal with it on their own. He hopes that one day, they’ll break that habit and rely on the pack.

He has enough trust in them to not make David do anything stupid. In fact, he’s thankful that they bring David out of his comfort bubble. With them, he feels comfortable enough to make the stupid decisions that he’ll cherish when he’s older. That being said, it didn’t hurt to shoot them a call to see what was going on. (He’s a little salty that the pupusas are going to go cold.)

Picking up his phone from the counter, he dialed Darlin’s number. After a couple of rings, the wolf in question picks up the phone.

“Hey, fluffball.”

“Whatever happened, I didn’t do shit.”

He chuckled, not surprised by the wolf’s suspicion. “Of course. You do know that I’ll take your side no matter what, right?” He shook his head at the silence, disappointed in Darlin’s continued belief that he has no faith in them. But this is for a different time. “Reason I called you was because David came home drunk. And he said that you told him that he couldn’t eat…”

He could feel Darlin’s apprehension across the line with the way their breath hitched and quickened. They were already expecting another lecture. “I’m not mad, fluffball. I just need to know why my son didn’t eat any of my pupusas.”

Darlin’s breath calmed down, but the nerves were still present in their voice, “Uhh… well… I may have given David a… piercing?” They laughed nervously, not knowing what Gabe’s reaction might be.

Luckily for them, and obviously for him, Gabe didn’t mind that his son got a piercing. For starters, it was his body, and David could do whatever he wanted with his body. He was his own person and Gabe has enough faith in him to make the right decisions. (Even if some of those decisions tend to be clouded by love and lust.) He was more shocked that Darlin’ was able to convince him to get a piercing of any kind. As a business major, David always made sure his appearance remained corporate friendly, and piercings are anything but that. 

A loud laugh erupted from Gabe, his mind concocting all the scenarios that would have let his son make that decision. “I got two questions for you, kid. What kind of piercing did you give him and how on earth did you manage that?”

“I gave him a tongue piercing- but I promise that I was super safe! Ain’t no way it’ll get infected unless he does something stupid.” Gabe didn’t have any worries about the process being safe and sanitized. “As for why… um… that might be a story for later.”

“Like on your wedding day?”

He found great amusement in seeing Darlin’ stutter out a response, trying to find a way to dismiss and deny that thought. It was hard to fluster them, their resolve was strong as iron, but bringing up David never failed to break them a little. Around the rest of the pack, they were reserved, reluctant to integrate themselves. With David, Darlin’ could be the carefree kid that Gabe had heard plenty of stories about. 

Now if only both of them can get their asses out of their heads and confess before he gets any grey hairs would be greatly beneficial.

“Relax, I’m only teasing,” he reassured, “But seriously. You need to tell him how you feel. For both of your sakes.” As adorable as it was watching David and Darlin’ pine for each other from a distance, he knew that it was causing them both unnecessary heartache. “The only way to resolve this, relationship or not, is by talking about your feelings. I promise it’ll leave both of you better off.”

“Yeah, I get that… But what if?”

Gabe didn’t need rocket science to know that their mind was being dragged off to a hundred different hypotheticals, combing through each scenario to figure out where everything would go wrong. He doesn’t blame them, he’s well aware of Darlin’s rough homelife to understand why they’re so cautious, even if he doesn’t know the specifics.

He just wishes that for once, they give the same level of consideration to the positives that they do to the negatives.

“I know it’s easier said than done, but just think about it. Okay kid?”

They sighed on the other end, and he deluded himself into thinking it isn’t a dismissive sigh. “I’ll try.”

He thanked Darlin’ and said his farewells, making sure to remind them to come to the next pack meeting. He could hear their eyes roll from across the line, but is thankful that they’ll abide in his request. Gabe noted that their confirmation of their appearance at the meeting was said in a more confident tone than their agreement to talk to David.

Putting the phone down, he rubbed his hand over his stubble. Dealing with emotionally reserved people was always a challenge, for one wrong step could lead to eternal broken trust. But Gabe knew in his heart that if David and Darlin’ would just sit down and talk, it would lead them both down a path of lifetime joy.

He just hopes he’s alive for the day that happens.

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted fanfic #redacted gabe #redacted david #redacted darlin #we were robbed of gabe making fun of david for his crush on angel #but i can use him to make fun of david and darlin teehee #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

"What you doing Lovely?" He rested his head on their shoulder, looking at the cluster of numbers and letters on the page.

They kissed his cheek and replied, "just some old calculus problems that I want to practice."

How Lovely found joy in such complicated equations he would never understand. It had been years since the vampire prince took calculus, deciding to never slave over a calculator once he declared to be a piano performance major. Simply put, his talents lied elsewhere and he was content with that.

Still, he admired Lovely for their mathematical genius, adoring the concentrated look when they're trying to solve another damn chain.

His eyes caught a symbol on the page, one that he found familiar. "Hey, I know that one! That's 'moo"!"

He felt Lovely's body stiffened and twitched under his hold. "Vincent. Darlin'. Love of my life. What did you say?"

Tilting his head to the side, he said, "isn't that 'moo'? That greek math symbol?"

"Baby, it's pronounced 'miu'. Please don't tell me you went 40 years thinking it was 'moo'."

"....Woman in STEM, I am not."

"Vincent, you're not even a woman!!!"

You ever see a conversation and go, "Lovely and Vincent-core"? Well that was me right now!! Shout out to @sri-rachaa for being our lovely Lovely and me for being da Vinny!!!

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted lovely #redacted vincent #lovely is a woman in stem (gn) #vincent is most definitely not #its ok #we love them both <3333 #sam 🤝 lovely -> falling for arts majors (law is an arts degree) #darlin 🤝 vincent -> dumbasses in awe of their women in stem (gn) #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

And The Sunlight That Divides Them

After a extensive conversation in the Discord [brought to you by @sri-rachaa and @gingerbreadmonsters] got me thinking about an old idea of a conversation between Alexis and Darlin'. And then @autisticempathydaemon and @cascadiiing decided to add more fuel to that fire, so here we are!!!

[Also tagging @beemybella, @epsi-l0n, @daveyistheloml and @teasandcardigans because they are both gems and I adore them and Mads is the biggest Alexis fan I know!!! Plus, tagging the ever talented and lovely @spookybeandoodle for setting me off on this Alexis/Darlin' journey monthsss ago!!!]

CW: This is me writing about Alexis in a somewhat positive light, so if you're expecting bitchy Alexis (let's be honest, I can't blame you), this is not the fic you wanna read, that outta way, Suicide Attempt, talking about the events of Sam's turning, Darlin' bringing up their own past with Quinn

click here for the ao3 link!!!

--

Perhaps this was the greatest benefit of being a vampire.

The ability to choose to end your life.

A vampire does not age. They do not fall victim to mortal sickness and there aren’t natural predators that can efficiently hunt them. Should a vampire decide they had enough, that they have lived a fulfilling life, they can end their second lease on life. They can choose to live for a thousand years, or for a day in their new lives, but should they decide to move on, they can walk gracefully to the shore between life and death.

After 40 years, Alexis Solaire had decided she had enough.

She stared at the shadow's edge, looking at the light-filled kingdom she was banned from. How long had it been since she felt the warmth of… anything, let alone the sun’s warm rays? She longed for it, for the glow of the sunset reflecting her eyes, or the warm summer breeze. But alas, her choice had relegated her to the darkness, the only light in her life was the moon reflecting the sunshine.

There… there had been a time when she felt warm. When she was sharing a bed with a certain freelancer. He made her blood sing with every kiss and bruise he left behind. Those gestures had meant nothing to him, but for her? They were everything. He was proof that she wasn’t a hellion, a wildfire ready to burn anything to the ground. That she could feel love, true, authentic and heart-wrenching love.

It was a shame that no person could change her nature and that he was caught in her flames.

She shook her head. That relationship, him, was long ago. He even was moving on. 

With a mate, no less. 

She thought of the wolf that had walked into the Solaire Clan meeting. A snide remark was on the tip of her tongue, a comment about how pups shouldn’t be around such dangerous creatures, but the words lodged themselves in her throat. She noticed the soft, love-filled smile he gave them.

The same smile she would give Sam behind his back.

Of course in her dying thoughts, she was thinking about him. How could she not? She was the greatest mistake of his life, and she has to live with that guilt.

Well… Assuming she had to live longer…

Like a bride walking down the aisle, she walked toward the sunlight. With every step, she thought of how the people in her life would react to the news of her death, if they even cared at all.

Out of everyone, William would be the most upset. He was her maker, the reason for her second life, and here she was throwing it away. Would William invoke her to stop her from dying? A selfish part of her wanted to say that yes, William would defy her will to die to keep her here as an act of love. That she too was justified in saving Sam, even if he didn't want to be. 

But no, William would never do that. He was too good for that. Instead, he’d hug her, tell her how much she means to him and let her walk to her doom.

Another step was taken and another name appeared in her mind.

Vincent? Would he miss her? She really couldn’t tell you. Some days they were bantering as if they were siblings. She was the older sister with a bad attitude and he was the little shit younger brother. On other days, they were at each other’s throats, fangs cutting the other’s skin and words cutting deeper wounds in their hearts. She let out a sigh. If Vincent misses her, it’s because of all the new responsibility he'd gain as the older progeny.

Yet again, Sam's name crossed her mind and made her stop midstep. Sam would never miss her. In fact, he’d throw the biggest celebration ever with his mate. She can picture his lovely, happy face aimed at them.

But he was happy and that's what she wants. She may not love him the same way, but she wants him happy.

God knows it’s the bare minimum he deserves from her for taking everything away. 

She continued walking to her doom. With every step, she can feel the sun’s burn on her skin. It felt amazing to feel the sun’s warmth again.

As she neared the edge, she approached with a singular thought in her head.

‘Goodbye world, may you be less cruel now that I’m not in it.’

Alexis Solaire was dead.

“Hey! Watch out, there’s sunlight here!”

Or that’s what would have happened had a giant wolf not tackled her to the ground.

Instead of burning in the sun, she quickly changed course and accepted that her death would be at the hands of a shifter. Of course, what was she thinking? That she deserved to feel the sun’s warmth after everything she’s done? After taking away Sam’s ability to bask in its glow? Being mauled by a shifter is the only way her story can end. Bloody and painful, and with no one being able to recognize her.

The wolf shifted back into their human form and familiar stubborn-glint eyes looked down upon her.

How fucking poetic was it that Sam’s mate, his Darlin’, would be the one to send her to her second grave. This had to be the universe playing a cruel joke on her. You couldn’t make this up.

But… where was the pain? Why weren’t they mauling her? Were they feeding off their misery? Using it to power them to rip her till she’s unrecognizable? 

Just end her pathetic life… please… if there was a mercy the universe can grant her, let it be to have this be her final memory.

“And they fucking call me reckless! Seriously, what self-respecting vampire walks into the sun? Didn't they teach you that shit in vampire school?” The shifter paused to ponder. “Are there even vampire schools?” There was no way her grim reaper in wolf fur was asking her about vampire schools. Where had they even gotten the idea they exist?

The only thing Alexis could do in her shock-filled state was answer truthfully.

“I- No, there aren’t vampire schools for newborns.” Is this a dream? Had she already died and this was… hell? She can reasonably accept that seeing the partner of the man she loved so much after she dies means that she’s in hell. Wait, is Sam’s mate a secret deathwalker? It’s the only explanation that she could fathom for why they of all people were here in her final moments.

 The shifter chuckled and scoffed at her answer. “Maybe they should start,” they said while getting up off her. They held out their arm, a strange gesture Alexis was not used to. A gesture of pure kindness. “Tell you what, one of us can bring it up at the next meeting, yea?”

A second passed. They would understand she didn’t deserve their help. Maybe the sun was in their eye? They couldn’t see whom they saved. Yes, that had to be what happened. There was no way Sam’s mate would save her if they knew who she was.

A minute passed. Ok, this was getting weird. The shifter hadn’t moved an inch, their hand still offering to help her up. You could say that it's a sad fact that Alexis isn’t used to receiving anything devoid of any mal intentions, but in her defence, she is Alexis Solaire. She is no stranger to roses. The offerings may seem beautiful, but there were always thorns to be considered.

Perhaps you can call it a tragedy that the extended arm was the first time Alexis was offered a thornless rose.

“We don’t got all day and I gotta get home before a certain someone starts calling.” Their sharp features became soft and their eyes lightened at the mention of this other person. A lifetime ago, it was she who became gentle at the thought of him.

Does the wolf know how lucky they are to be allowed to think of Sam lovingly? To not hide their affection for the man? To outwardly express their love for him?

Do they know that Alexis of the past would kill to be in their place? 

She already tried that, to kill for Sam’s love. You already know how that story ends.

She placed her hand in the wolf’s hand. Her tight grip is light enough to remove immediately, a show of her fear of their ulterior motives. Again, could you blame her? She is and forever will be the helion of the Solaire Clan. There were countless who want her dead, and she was sure that his Darlin’ wishes for her death for revenge.

She couldn’t exactly blame them. A life for a life and all that.

She shook the dirt and dust off her clothing. Clearing her throat, she asked the wolf in front of her a question she desperately needs the answer to.

“Do you know who I am?” 

They furrowed their eyebrows and blink repeatedly. They seem to contemplate the question. From their face, you’d assume that Alexis spoke in a language foreign to them. Such a simple question should not cause them such confusion. Did she say something wrong? Had she fuck up a potential relationship with the one person who didn’t hate her immediately?

Typical Alexis to burn bridges before they can be built.

The wolf scoffed. “I’d be an idiot if I didn’t know who you are. You’re Alexis Solaire.”

So the wolf did know who she was? This… made things more complicated. 

For who in their right mind would save a damned soul like hers?

“... You… you know who I am… and you still saved me?” Alexis tilted her head in confusion. There had to be a mistake. She needed to make absolutely sure that this wolf didn’t mistake her for someone else.

“Uh, of course? Did you expect to watch you walk into the sun?”

Maybe Alexis can be a little naive. Just for this moment. Maybe she can pretend that the wolf saved her, despite all logic saying otherwise. 

For so long, Alexis longed for love. To be someone’s world.

Now? Alexis just wants a friend. Maybe they can be that…

No, she couldn’t do that to Sam. It’s cruel of her to take advantage of their ignorance. She hurt their lover, and she shouldn’t even be talking to them. She just has to figure out if Sam had told them the events of his turning without giving everything away. That was his story to tell, and for as much as she has taken from him, she will never take away his chance to tell his story.

“Well… if everything is done here, I should probably be back and,” they held her arm before continuing, “if you ever think about doing something stupid like that again, I’m sure William would be willing to listen. I mean, personally, I like talking to him because he has that calming voice.” They mumbled under their breath, something about it being a miracle they found a french accent soothing. Alexis would have to ask about that later, assuming later would ever happen.

The wolf turned and began to walk away. Closer and closer to the forbidden kingdom that she was banned from.

In an impulsive act, Alexis yelled out, “wait! Can I talk to you?”

The wolf stopped in their tracks and walked back towards the vampire princess. “You? Want to talk with me?” Confusion laced their town and shock was on their face. She can hear the thoughts running through their head. ‘What the hell does a vamp princess like her want to do with me?’ 

Alexis opened her mouth, but no words came out. Perhaps she was a bit in over her head, and maybe she should have written a script or some bullshit like that, but you know what? She is Alexis Goddamn Solaire. And she will speak her mind.

“Um- What Sam might have told you about me… I don’t know if he’s told you, but I just want to let you know-” 

The wolf cut her off, and the warmth in their voice gave away to cold steel.

“Sam told me everything about that night.” 

Oh. So they know about that night. And she just reminded them of her greatest mistake.

Well, there goes that. The one singular person whom she thought she could befriend knows about her worst night ever. And if they were willing to overlook that when they saved her, they certainly won’t now that she brought it up with her own mouth.

Dear, Sweet Alexis. Always burning bridges before they could be built.

“You knew all that, and you still saved me?” If all the deities in human history could spare kindness, it would be an answer to this question. 

The wolf scoffed. “You know I hate saying the same thing over and over again, so I’ll say this one last time. I saved you because I saw you walking into the sun like you wanted a damn tan.” They crossed their arms, shifting their weight to their right leg. “Is there anything else you want from me?”

Alexis stuttered. It is always a bad situation when Alexis is stuttering. It meant she wasn’t prepared for an outcome, and Alexis always came prepared.

“I’m sorry- it’s just… it’s just that- I never thought you of all people would save me since I… I turned…” She fidgeted with the rings on her hands. “Besides it will be better for everyone, especially him, he probably wants me dead-” Once again the wolf granted her mercy by cutting her off.

“Look, whatever history you and Sam have with each other is between you two. I heard what you did to him, but it ain’t my business to inflict pain on you because of that.” Their steady voice went quiet and they looked at the ground. “And… don’t say it’ll be better if you’re dead. There are people who care for you and want you alive.” 

There was nothing Alexis could do but laugh. At the absurd reality that she resides in a reality where the mate of the man whom she forcibly turned was telling her to stay alive. Between her dry laughs, she said, “I’m sorry, it’s just, I find it hard to believe that anyone would want me alive, especially Sam. Why would he or you or anyone care for a bitch like me?”

Once again, the sharp features of the wolf softened and their voice became comforting. “I don’t think Sam would care, whether you were alive or dead. It doesn’t matter, as long as you are out of his life, he’s content.” 

“But just because he doesn’t care, doesn’t mean I don’t as well.”

With one single line, Alexis’s view of herself shattered.

She had thought- no, she knew that she was beyond help, beyond saving. She was content with burning herself alive if it meant she could remain the cold, callous bitch many think of her. Was it the most positive outlook of her? Absolutely not. But ignoring the fact that the perceptions of people are rooted in some fact (no matter how little), this helion version of Alexis keeps her safe. 

She was no longer the scared girl trying to escape the unwanted marriage she was destined for. The one who begged William to give her a new life. The one who lay awake while Sam was going through his bloodlust, feeling the vitriol and hatred rightfully directed at her.

No, instead she was Alexis Solaire. Cold-hearted. Uncaring. Untouchable. Safe.

But this wolf, who she was still in shock was still talking to her, was making it hard to maintain her well-earned, yet perhaps not deserved, reputation.

Or maybe, they were teaching her that she could be more than that. 

A sad smile bloomed on her face, tears building up in her eyes. Finally, she has met someone whom she can lower her guard around. She could just be her and not what people expected her to be. She couldn’t even do that around Sam. (She doubled back on that last thought. Was the wolf becoming more meaningful to her in the few minutes she has met them than Sam was during their relationship?)

“May I ask you one last question? And whatever your answer may be, please don’t sugar coat it, I need to know your truth.” The wolf furrowed their eyebrows and nodded hesitantly, prompting the princess to continue. “Since you know about that night… Was turning Sam a mistake?”

For a split second, the wolf’s eyes flared with anger. She could imagine that they were ready to unleash their fury over Sam onto her, and she was ready to take it all.

But the shifter had other plans.

Instead of burning Alexis alive like she has been doing to herself for years, they paused and composed themselves. What had made them rethink their answer, she doesn’t know, nor did she feel right asking them. And she was content with never knowing. 

(What Alexis hadn’t known was that Darlin’ could see the guilt on her face, fresh as the day of the accident. They know that look and feeling all too well, and resorting to anger would only prove to themselves that they are their worst fear. So they give her the grace they were never granted as a child.)

They bit their lip and answered honestly. “If you’re asking me if I think you were right for turning Sam against his will, I’m sorry, but I can’t justify that.” They clenched their eyes shut, and Alexis thinks that they are holding back their own memories. She wonders who was in those memories, for what monster would dare hurt a kind soul such as theirs.

In any case, there was no need to keep Sam’s mate with her any longer. She waves a hand to dismiss the wolf. “I understand, it was the answer I was expecting anyways.” She turned to walk off like she hadn’t planned for that day to be her last, but the shifter had other plans.

“But I don’t blame you!”

She stopped, the words of the wolf echoing in her head. “But I don’t blame you.” How could they not blame them? She took away his agency from that night. She damned him to be confined to his house when the beautiful sun was out. If there was anyone to blame for that night, it was her.

“You’re wrong, I was the one who fucked it up like I always do! I should be the one to take the fall for my own actions!” She hadn’t realized that her voice had gotten higher, but the shock at the wolf’s kindness was leaving her spiralling.

“What you did that night was terrible, and I hope no one has to ever go through that again. But you were put between a rock and a hard place, and you made the decision that you thought was best.” They sighed and looked up to the sky. “I’m not that dumb to not consider what was going through your head.”

For the first time in a long time, Alexis was stunned and silent. She was expecting claws and teeth and anger to be thrown at her, it’s what she deserves and what she has gotten in the past. But the shifter had done something no one else had ever done for her. They considered her side of the story. Maybe- no, her side of the story wasn't the most important on the night of the accident, but they had still thought about her and what she went through her worst moments.

She wasn’t used to that level of thoughtfulness being granted to her. (Maybe the wolf had earned the nickname darlin’?)

They cleared their throat and continued. “The decision itself was never the moral one,” they said with an air of finality in their voice. 

(It was a statement they truly believed with their whole heart. They had been on the wrong side of vampire fangs and thinking about Sam going through that made their heartache. But looking at the vampire princess’s guilty face made them feel uneasy. They could feel the familiar bubbles of sympathy in their soul. Damn their empathetic heart cursing them to quell her guilt, though it is an urge they’ll gladly fulfill.) 

With a softer tone, they added, “but if all decisions were made with the “right” morality in mind, the world would be a better place.” Alexis looked puzzled at that statement, so the wolf clarified. “What I mean is… a perfect world cannot exist. Some mistakes must be made and they prove that this reality is real. Besides, who am I to judge you based on your past when I have one as well.”

“The only person who can judge you is the one you hurt from that night, and he has made his feelings clear.”

Didn’t she know that. She’s been feeling his loathe for her for the last thirteen years. 

Oddly enough, Alexis had finally felt some closure over that night. Having someone acknowledging that yes she made a mistake, but there was no other option available alleviated some of the burdens. Who would have thought it would be Sam's lover releasing her from her emotional turmoil. 

“If you don’t mind me asking a question,” they hesitantly inquired. 

Alexis was sure that they were the politest person they have ever met, and she was convinced she doesn’t deserve half of it. She nodded. “Go on.”

“Do you still love Sam?”

“No.” It was an answer that sounded forced and rehearsed, like she was practicing it just for this exact moment, but it didn’t make it any less true. “You learn to let go after constant rejection.”

They tilted their head and furrowed their eyebrows in confusion. “You can tell me to fuck off if this is overstepping, but why hold on to the pain? Why not move on?”

She let out another forced laugh. “Because I’m the villain of this story? And when does the villain ever get the happy ending?” The intense stare of concern from the wolf had Alexis dropping her act again. “Sam was my first, true love. I may not love him anymore, but I don’t think I’m ever going to get over him.”

“Funny enough, I thought the same thing about Quinn.”

Alexis had almost doubled over that. Someone as caring as them? Being in love with Quinn? The thought was revolting, they deserved better than the sadistic vampire, but Alexis found it fitting that their bleeding heart would feel sorrow and care for a monster like him. She could use that same argument with her.

“Yea, I know I was dumb for thinking that, but I deadass thought I was gonna be with him forever.” They sighed. “But that wasn’t how shit went. I was distraught after we broke up and I was the one who ruined it-”

“You’re too good to be hung up over someone like him.” Alexis had cut them off with venom in her voice. “You gave him more love and attention than a monster like him deserves.”

They blinked a couple of times and laughed. “Oh you’re absolutely right he didn’t deserve shit from me. But the fact that I loved him and was able to move on doesn’t change.” They held her hands against their chest. “Alexis Solaire, if I can move on from Quinn, then you can move on from Sam.”

Before Alexis could voice her doubts, the shifter’s phone started ringing, and of course, it was their southern vampire. They picked up the phone and greeted him with a “hi baby.” How adorably cheesy and sweet, yet absolutely fitting for them.

She makes sure she doesn’t listen to their phone call, if only to respect Sam’s privacy. She made a hundred percent sure that Sam didn’t know she was there. What he didn’t know, didn’t kill them.

Hanging up, the wolf turned to Alexis with a rueful smile. “I’m sorry, but Sam wants me back and I know if I don’t show up soon, he’s gonna rip the forest apart trying to find me.” They fondly chuckle at Sam’s potential reaction. “Don’t let the past drag you down Alexis, and once you do that, you’ll be able to live again. Don’t pass through your own life like you’re a ghost.”

She nodded, eyes once again filling up with tears at the thought of someone believing in her. “Ok, I’ll try. Thank you, for saving me today.” They did it in more ways than one.

They waved their hand dismissively. “Ahhh, it was nothing! Just doing what any decent person would do!”

“There aren’t many people as kind as you are out there. Do not let this cruel world harden your heart.”

Their eyes widened and turned their head away, flustered at the kind words. “I’ll try. See you around Lexi!” And with that, they shifted into their animal form, a large white wolf, and ran back to the cabin where her progeny resides. 

How on earth did a wolf manage to change her outlook on everything in such a short amount of time? Alexis understood why he fell for them. Their energy was addicting, and it nourished her in a way not even the most exquisite blood could.

Alexis had spent the last forty years in cold static, everlasting and never changing, content with having life pass her by. But the wolf had made her feel something she never expected to revel in again. Even the lovestruck days with her unwilling progeny hadn’t brought this sensation back to her.

The wolf’s kindness, their care, their genuine need to help her…

…It felt like sunlight.

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted alexis #redacted darlin #remember! if you don't like alexis #you're under no obligations to read or like or reblog this post #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

tidbit thursday <3

tagged by the lovely @floofdeloop!! after trying and suffering with writing smut, i need to stab. i need to kill- and would you look at that! ms. alexis solaire walked into the room! so i took one of the most iconic scenes from cinderella and bibbity bobbity boo!! here we are!!

--

She saw the dying wolf slumped over the bench, their face in their arms like they were sobbing. From the faint heartbeat and shallow breaths, she heard a voice. "There's nothing left to believe in. Nothing."

She tilted her head. Nothing? Of course, there was always something to believe in. It's different for each person, but everyone had to put their devotion somewhere. For some, it was a God, for others, it was a person. For Alexis, hers lied in a mission. One she'll finally complete today.

"Nothing my dear? Oh, now, you don't really mean that."

The wolf raised her head, blood limiting their view. "Alexis, what are you doing here?"

She grinned, her salvation just out of her reach. "I'm here to save you."

tagging: you!! but also @gingerbreadmonsters, @autisticempathydaemon, @sincerelywhistler, @angelcactus, @angelicaether!!!

#the house is burn baby burning #the dress is being prepared #the ring is in had #all thats left is to make it permanent #hehehehe #also sidenote to lexi: this has nothing to do with this morning #that is a separate surprise for you hehehe #redacted asmr #redacted alexis #redacted darlin #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

"i want it to last forever. (all the magic and fun at sea.)"

This was supposed to be a prompt fill for our lovely @autisticempathydaemon, but alas! School and work caught up to me and I couldn't finish it, but I am making up for it know! As always, all the thanks to our lovely @gingerbreadmonsters to making sure that even if I can't get an Aussie accent right, I can at least get the British one accurate! There will definitely a sequel of sorts where I explain the lore and magic of this world, as well as expose everyone's dark past!

CW: Alternate Universe, My beloved Siren/Mermaid AU, Alexis and Christian are so stupid and in love, Sam and Darlin' being Mother Hens separately, The Pack is here but they are not important (as of right now) I.E. Darlin' is a Solaire, Christian feeling guilty over Darlin' (not romantic), Light Mentions to Darlin's past (Specifically Quinn but he is not mentioned by name), This is small fries compared to my actual Siren Fic, Eventual Sam and Darlin' but that's not why we are here!!!

click here for the ao3 link!!!

--

Press your shirt flat, comb your hair down and check your breath. Daily things that Christian should be doing to maintain his appearance, but never found any reason to. He’s a special breed, one can argue a dumb breed, of humans who don’t care about what others think of him. Given that fact, he doesn’t need to maintain his looks. Who gives a shit about what others say?

But she wasn’t just anyone and he needed to treat her as such. And he’ll try his best with his limited abilities.

He doubles, and triples and quadruple checks himself in the mirror. Ok, so far so good. He doesn’t look like he just rolled out of bed which is a general improvement from his status quo. It wasn’t like simple improvements were good enough for her. Although, if she asked him out while looking like a drowned rat, then maybe she didn’t care for his looks.

(Or at least he thinks that's what she said. To be quite frank, he hasn’t even heard this girl speak. She could definitely understand him, so it wasn’t a language barrier on her end, she just refuses to open her mouth. So far, they have only been able to communicate with nods and what he thinks was sign language. It looked more like flailing hands to him, but it got the job done. Now all he needs to do is not get stood up by the most ethereal woman he’s ever laid his eyes on.)

(Cool. Absolutely no pressure at all.)

He grabs his keys and walks out the door with the nonchalant attitude that has gotten him this far in life. Surely if he treats this tangible Venus like she was a normal girl, then she’ll fall in love with him in no time!

Or punch him in the face and spit on his grave. Either or work.

The rest of the drive was silent. He didn’t bother to come up with creative nicknames or smooth pick up lines because why should he? She decided to ask him out for him, not some casanova. This is what she asked for and this is what she’ll get.

He parked his car by the bridge, and waited for her signal that she’d be on the bridge. She said that when he sees a bright blue light, that will be his que to get on the bridge. A weird signal if you asked him, but hey who was he to judge-

A flash of blue erupted from below the bridge, followed by the sounds of rapid waves. Was Christian going to question the near mystical light? Not by the seven oceans he wasn’t. All he knew was that’s probably his signal so he exited the car and walked onto the bridge.

And low and behold, there she was in her glory.

(Christian did compare her to Venus earlier, and it is his nickname for her, so you can see how much horseshit his earlier thoughts were. But it bears remembering now. There was seafoam under the part of the bridge where she stands. Her midnight hair flows in the wind, moving the same way waves ebb and flow in the ocean. Even her dress had something otherworldly about it, from the way it hugged her body like wet fabric, despite it looking dry as a bone, and the shells and gems that adorned it. There was something off about her in the most tantalizing way possible.)

He cleared his throat, blessing her with his presence as much as she’s blessing him with hers and causing the young woman to snap out of her daze. “Hello, Venus. Excited to see me?” Confidence and borderline cockiness were dripping from his voice. It all came from a place of genuine care, whether she knew it or not was up to her.

Venus smiled at the arrogant boy, moving her hands to sign to him. It still looked like gibberish to him, although if he stared hard enough and paid enough attention, he’ll be able to understand her…

The girl shook her head, not in disgust or apathy, but in amusement. Like she found the miscommunication on his end cute. She pulled out a notebook and a pen from her pocket and began to write down what she was trying to say. Quite a large book from a small dress, but he’s seen weirder.

She flips the notebook over to reveal the message. Thank you for meeting me here.

Christian puffed his chest up, pride filling his tanned body. He ran a hand through his golden hair, replying, “I’m just doing a favour for you.” Please don’t focus on how fast his heart is beating or how he wiped his shirt to get rid of the excess sweat.

Or the strange feeling of being watched from a distance.

She rolled her eyes, and usually it would insult Christian. Lord knows he doesn’t like being made into a joke, but if making himself a fool is what keeps Venus smiling, then he’ll become the butt of every joke from here on till the day she dies. (A long time away that day is.)

Venus opened up her notebook and continued to write in it. How has your day been, Christian?

Ah ha! An excuse to talk about himself. It’s what he excels at the most! He opened his mouth, ready to go on about his day. “Well the waves and weather were nice today, so I went surfing. Taught some assholes what it really means to shred it on the water. Like, seriously, do you want to know what these little shits did!” He then went on a tirade about these teenagers and how they wouldn’t listen to any of his warnings as to why not to ride a monster wave. Lo and behold, Fred and Bright wiped out hard and he has no sympathy for them.

She covered her mouth, muffling the angelic laugh that Christian was convinced she had. It’s a little weird that he’s never heard a sound from her, at least he thinks it is. Even non-verbal people let out sounds, heavy breaths or quiet sighs, to prove that they’re alive. But Venus hadn’t done any of that. He wonders what’s preventing her from letting out any sounds. He's known about how trauma can cause people to go mute, he's seen it happen with Bright. But dare he be crass, Venus seems quite well adjusted to society.

(The two bodies in the water with scales down their bodies say otherwise. Neither of them wanted to be there, but what the Ocean demands, the Ocean receives.)

"Let me guess, you're into surfer boys?" Brash and overconfident was unbecoming of most men, at least that's what Darlin' used to say. But they're dead and therefore, their advice and words don't matter anymore. Somehow it works for him and it's working on her so he won't lead the dead dictate his actions.

Returning to her notebook, Venus scribbled down some words. She turned it over, revealing the words she wrote down. I've never spoken to a 'surfer boy' before. Are they all as haughty as you?

Ouch, that was personal. She didn't have to call him out on his attitude like this. She didn't need to mimic the ghosts he lives with all that accurately.

Ignoring the accidental jab to his heart, he rolls his eyes and lets her words leave quiet wounds on his body. "Well I'm sure that you'll be begging for me later, princess." Assuming that Venus would ever beg. Voice aside, she doesn't seem like the type to beg.

Christian dropped his bravado and leaned back against the bridge. "How about you? How's your day been?"

Venus looked back at her notebook, taking her time to write down every detail of her day. Once she was done writing, she flipped her notebook back to Christian.

It's been good. I went out with my brother, his partner and one of my friends to get some food. We had some beignets and they were really good! I haven't had good ones in quite some time. Plus, my brother got powder sugar all over himself and he looked like he failed to smoke some cocaine, so that was amusing.

"An eventful day," he chuckled. He tried to picture a younger, male version of Alexis covered in powdered sugar to make himself feel better for the fact that he'd be the fool doing the same thing. "Maybe you can take me there one day? I've never had a beignet before."

Venus smiled and nodded her head, and he's planning to message Milo about a styling intervention. It would be worth it to look good for her.

The same blue light from earlier flashed again, and Venus's eyes widened. She frantically looked between the ocean and Christian, her face puzzled and brain working to come up with an excuse. Realizing that she was looking for an excuse, he decided to free her of that burden.

"Look, I get if you need to go." He watched her face relax and kept going. "I have work the next day, anyways." He fiddled with his car keys, trying to find a way to stretch these seconds into eons. "It was nice seeing you again. I hope it won't be the last time?"

She shook her head while writing in her notebook. We can grab some beignets tomorrow if you're free? Meet me here again at noon and we can go together.

"Perfect!" His smile bloomed at the thought of spending more time with his girl. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

He turned back to go to his car, not paying attention to the large splash from behind him. Heart lighter than air, he danced his way back to his car. There was no person worth more sleepless nights and tired mornings than Venus and he can't wait for more time with her.

The drive back home seemed shorter while he was lost in his head. But the minute he parked in his garage, he knew he had to focus in order to stay silent. While Sam never cared about what Christian did with his time, the fact that he came back later than what he promised was all he needed to fear the coming of the Southern Mothern Hen.

Creeping his way inside, he was relieved that the lights were turned off and not a soul was in the living room.

Until a single lamp was turned on and Sam was sitting on the couch.

"Mate-"

"Do you know what time it is, young man?" He didn't give Christian any time to respond. "I'll tell you what time it is. It's damn near midnight, when you said you'd be back by 10 PM." The southern man got up and started pacing around. "I thought, 'you're a grown man, you don't need me to follow you like a mama duck, even after you're meetin' some mysterious woman.'"

Sam stopped in the middle of the room and gave Christian a death glare. "But nooo, you had to stay out longer and make all of us worry over your sorry ass!"

"Uh, who is us-"

"Not the point, Christian!" He rubbed his temples and let out a fatherly sigh. "I know you love this girl, but seein' her on a random night by a bridge? I'm just worried that you're going to get caught up in some stupid shit."

Despite only being three or so years older than him, Sam always spoke with the wisdom of a man who's lived a thousand lifetimes. He should really listen to his advice before he does end up like Darlin'.

(He can't help but think of the parallels between his situation and Darlin's. Guilt still fills his body when he thinks of them, and he's left to wonder what would happen if they had a Sam in their life to step in. Sometimes he feels unworthy for Sam's care because he doesn't deserve it. They did. But they'll never get that help because they're gone and it's no thanks to him.)

Christian sighed, letting go of his defensive guard. "Alright, I'll be more careful. But like, fuck…" He fell onto the couch in desperation. "I really like this girl, Sam. I don't want to mess it up."

"And you won't." Sam sat down to pat Christian's back. "I'm just askin' you to exercise a level of caution. I mean, last time you mentioned her, you didn't even get her name."

"..."

"You got her name this time, right Christian?"

"I'll get it tomorrow?"

"Oh my Lord, you love sick fool."

–

Thank God Christian turned his back to Alexis just in time for him to not see three figures appear from the water onto the bridge. Bless his oblivious heart for missing every sign.

"Chrissy? The mysterious human man was Christian? Alexis Solaire, you are better than this." Of course Darlin' was the first one to speak. It made sense, they knew him back from when they were human, so they had the most opinion. Which is exactly why she didn't want to tell them about her little date.

"Oh come on, he's not that bad. He's… interesting." Interesting was code for an asshole that has caught her attention. But it wasn't her fault that they were both assholes who gravitated towards each other.

"He's interesting alright! Interesting enough to shove a knife into!" They paced up and down the bridge, the waves beneath them moving wherever they did. "Oh my lord, now I know why William made us follow you. I thought it was because he was just being a worried bitch but no! He had actual reason to worry!"

Finally she found an opening to speak her piece. "Great point, why on Earth are all three of you here? And what gave William the right to send three of his sirens to follow me?" She couldn't help but feel patronized. She was a grown woman, older than the three in front of her in both human and siren years. If there were any of them who can take care of herself, it's her.

Vincent yawned and rubbed his eyes. "None of us want to be here, so William said that if we didn't, he's going to station us in the Drake Passage to sink some ships." He shivered at the thought, and Alexis couldn't blame him. The last time she was there, her human skin matched the blue shade of her scales.

"And like, I would send an army after my daughter if I knew her man was Christian," they shuddered. She wonders if Darlin's hatred was because of an unfinished past with him, anger and resentment brewing inside her friend over how they died.

"Oh, don't be so ridiculous, Darlin'," Porter chuckled. She was waiting for him to pipe up with some smart comment. "He's... quite the character, certainly, but if that's what it takes to get Alexis's head out of her arse, then..." He crossed his arms and laughed at the dark glare she gave him.

Darlin' smacked the backside of his head, ignoring the faux pout on his face. "Porter there are better men to teach that lesson." They all raised their eyes at Darlin', wondering who would be a 'better lesson' for their dear princess.

Not appreciating the confused yet amused stares from their friends, Darlin' just mumbled about how she could have learned from their mistakes rather than making her own. It was fair game, but that was assuming that Darlin's 'mistakes' were their fault. They were not.

"Can we go home? Me and Lovely have reservations at a restaurant and I need to go." He yawned, a telltale sign that Vincent was tired and needed to recharge with Lovely. It was sickeningly adorable, and she was happy that he found someone to spend his eternity with.

Darlin' wasn't having any of it. "Shut up, Vincent! Some of us have actual problems like making sure our friends don't end up with mediocre men." Harsh words aside, it was clear that they didn't mean to sound rude, they were just angry over the situation.

"Well, at least this 'Christian' won't be able to kill her," Porter mused. He made a dramatic turn towards Darlin', ready to push them to their absolute limit. "That was why you came, wasn't it?"

For fuck's sakes Porter, that was low blow. Even for her.

Rightfully so, Darlin's claws and fangs appeared, eyes sharpening like a shark. "You absolute fucking asshole!" They tackled Porter back into the water, and thankfully, Porter's head hadn't floated back to the surface. Yet at least.

"Do you really like him?" Vincent asked from beside her.

She thought about it. Christian was definitely the man who's made her feel more… she didn't what he made her feel. Alexis Solaire (formerly known as Alexis Getty) didn't feel love. For as long as she could remember, the most she would feel was a strong 'like'. But love? She wasn't sure she was capable of that feeling.

But that was until William and Vincent sparked the familial love she didn't have towards her own biological family. Or how Porter and Darlin' bonded over the platonic love they all share for each other.

Maybe Christian would be the person to teach her romantic love.

"I don't know Vince, but I think we should check on Darlin' and make sure they haven't mauled Porter by now."

Vincent's demeanour perked up with realization. "Shit- We can't have them rip his arm off again!" He jumped back into the water, trying to stop the coastal line from becoming shark-infested again.

Alexis looked up at the moon. She still doesn't believe she deserves this chance of a beautiful second life. All of her mistakes and regrets always prevented her from living in the present. But with how Christian carries himself, being able to let things bounce off him, it inspires her that maybe she can do the same thing.

She smiled. She can't wait to see Christian messy with powder sugar all over his mouth.

#redacted asmr #redacted fanfic #redacted christian #redacted alexis #i have so much for this au #my poor deity au is crying in the back ground #hehehehe #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

“you’re in MY WORLD, you can stay. (but you belong to me.)”

Starting off the 2023 with a fixation that won’t leave me, His Majesty himself, King Sam himself!!! I was robbed of my favourite couple from getting a royal au, so when @taelonsamada reminded me I can write, I said, “ Fuck it, I’ll give it to them!!!”

A wonderful shoutout to @gingerbreadmonsters for beta reading this fic for me!!!! She is the absolute best and I adore her so much!!!!

[Also tagging @haradasaya for being the biggest King Sam fan I know and @epsi-l0n, @cheolsk, @daveyistheloml and @dollscircus because they are all dolls!!!]

CW: Typical Imperium Violence™️, King Sam is an asshole in love, Darlin’ is (not for long) a wolf in love, Manipulation, Sam invoking Darlin’ for reasons he can justify, Darlin' is gender neutral but they are called a 'bitch', Explicit mentions of multiple characters being turned, The only turning that is explicitly written is consensual, Sooooo much fucking around with the canon

click here for the ao3 link!!!

—

Wolf senses are a blessing.

They allow the shifter to see predators and prey from far distances. Their sense of smell can take in the scent of blood and death, allowing them to avoid those areas. And every pup was told to run the other way if they heard a scream in the distance, lest they end up screaming by the end of the night. 

A wolf’s senses are wonderful to escape danger.

But what happens when their heart overrides the danger their brain perceives?

Darlin’ knows this is stupid. They should be with the rest of the pack, ready to bolt to Keaton territory and claim it as their own. But they can’t. Call it stupidity or recklessness for even thinking they can change him. Darlin’ knew why they wanted to try. And it was worse than any reason a person could come up with.

Darlin’ loves him.

And isn’t love enough of a reason to try?

The scent of blood washed over them, but they didn’t waiver. Long had they become numb to the smell of blood. They didn’t want to become desensitized to it, never had they wished that the sight of the dead and decaying to be a common one. 

The Imperium had said otherwise.

They weren’t walking to the Imperial King though. He had long been dealt with, they all saw it. Someone had made him kneel for them. The stubborn king, who rarely compromised on anything, was taking orders that were unbefitting of the lowest ranked humans.

It had made their stomach curl when they recognized the boot he had been licking.

The southern drawl on the PA urged them to run to the spire.

‘Never fall for a leech.’ It was advice they had forced down their throats, beaten into their skull. It was vampires that ruined their life and led them to the Shaw Pack. It was a vampire that had killed their Alpha and should have killed them. 

(The guilt of that night gnaws at them during their midnight escapades with the current king before he stole the crown. There they go, falling for the same creature that time and time again ruined their life. But he’s different. He loves them.)

The walk to the throne had been the same as they remember it. Same long hallway, tall pillars, stained glass and from the archway, you could see the royal family. 

Now the pillars were cracked, the once beautiful stained glass laid shattered at their feet…

…and the former king stood at the archway. Still. Deadly still.

They flinched at the sight of the king, fighting the urge to rip him to shreds. Make him pay for everything he has done to the people. To Sam. To them. But seeing him on the verge of tears yet unable to cry, body fighting itself to move, the look in his eyes begging for them to save him… Was this fate too cruel for a man like him? 

He just had his crown stripped from him, literally it seems judging by the lack of jewelry on his head. It threw them off a bit, so used to the former king wearing the iconic crown of his family. So where had it gone?

Before they could call out to the former king, the southern drawl they love reverberated throughout the room. “Welcome Darlin’, you like what I did to the place?”

Looking past the tranced tyrant (though a part of them felt whatever he was under was stronger than a trance) they saw Sam sitting on the throne, a crown resting on his leg. Damn it all he looked good sitting there, leaned back with his leg spread, but the chaos outside had kept them focused. In a quiet voice, fearing talking any louder would show how fucking scared they were, they asked, “what did you do to him?”

“Aww Darlin’, you haven’t noticed? Be a good wolf and feel his core for me, yea?” He let out an insufferable chuckle, and they knew it was because he heard the spike in their pulse when he called them that. Doing as he said, Darlin’ felt the core of the former king. Instead of feeling the blazing heat, the core felt cold. Like it was dead.

“You turned him.” They looked up, stepped away from the young blood and paced towards the new king. “Sam, you fucking turned him? After everything you said about feeling sick when you were becoming a mass maker? Was that all a lie? And what the fuck are you doing letting vampires run loose on the streets?”

From the distance, they could hear a young boy’s scream. They squeezed their eyes shut, trying to block out. They knew that feeling all too well.

“There are vulnerable people who are gonna be turned because of this shit.” 

Before Darlin’ could continue, Sam got up from the throne and walked toward the wolf. His pace unnerved them. He didn’t even have to trance them. His demeanor, his confidence, was enough to paralyze and keep them in place. Thoughts were racing through their head with every step he took.

‘Oh fuck, oh fuck, maybe it was a bad idea to piss off a massmaker king.’

‘Who cares? We can take his ass in a fight! Fuck his majesty!’

‘But this is Sam! He wouldn’t hurt us! He loves us!’

As the massmaker came closer, Darlin’ clenched their eyes shut and braced themselves for the pain to come. The different threads of their manic thoughts silenced, leaving a single idea echoing in their core.

 ‘Oh God, please don't bite me. I can’t go through that again.’ 

Except the bite never happened.

Darlin’ felt a cool object placed on their head, almost like a metal hat. 

‘So that's where his crown went... Why did he put it one me though?’

“Can I see those pretty eyes of yours, Darlin’?” He pressed a gentle kiss on their hairline. “Please? I promise I won’t trance you. You know I’d never do that to you.”

They opened their eyes slowly, and were met with the dangerous silver eyes they fell in love with. This was the Sam they knew. The gentle smile and caring eyes. The reassuring hand placed on their back. The man who they had unloaded years of pain and anger and resent onto, and he carried their baggage like it was a badge of honour. They knew he was down there somewhere. 

Sam leaned in and kissed them, deep and slow. A chuckle rumbled through his chest when Darlin’ became pliant in his arms, just how he likes it. “There’s my pretty Darlin’. Was scared you were gonna make me do something I’d regret.” He held their hand and guided them back to the throne, where he took a seat. He patted his lap. “Why don’t ya take a seat on this fine throne, Darlin’.”

The wolf shook their head and snapped out of the dazed haze they were in. “Sam, I- you-,” they tried to come up with something to say and the massmaker growled, cutting them off.

“Are you defying your king, my love? I told you to sit, and that means you’re gonna sit that fine ass down on this throne. Understood?” They nodded and straddled his lap, placing their hands behind his neck. Sam let out a pleased sigh and started to kiss their neck. He adored the shivers that he (and only he) was causing and squeezed their thigh to show his appreciation. “Now was that so hard baby? All I ask is for you to be good for me.” He leaned over to kiss their cheek and whispered into their ear, “and I know you love to be good for me.”

It was easy to get lost in his touch, his kisses, his love. They can try to forget the mayhem happening outside. Inside the palace walls, on the lap of their new king (the word mate crossed their mind), they can forget everything.

Their original pack.

David and Quinn.

The screams of the innocent being damned to a life they never asked for.

…Wait, no, that’s not what they want. Curse their fucking hearing.

“Sam- Sam, please let me talk- mmph!” Anytime they tried to open their mouth to speak, Sam would shush and silence them with a kiss. His hand on the back of their head was gripping their hair, forcing them to keep their lips locked with them. Darlin’ tried to push him off them, between his strength and the fact they want to kiss him made it harder to fight him.

But even vampires need to breathe.

He pulled away from them, panting as if he ran a marathon. There was a wicked gleam in his eyes and a predatory smile on his face. He was the hunter and they were his prey. 

(In other circumstances, they wouldn’t have minded being his prey, but this was not the time.)

“Wait- before you kiss me again, I need to ask you something.” The desperation in Darlin’s voice made his eyes soften and caress their cheek. 

“Anything, Darlin’.”

“Isn’t this taking things too far? Becoming king? Sending vampires to hunt for territory? We got our revenge against the Imperium, we don’t need to start another bloody massacre.”

Sam’s eyes darkened. “Do you not love me?” He adjusted in his seat to sit straighter, towering above the wolf in his lap. “Because it sounds like you don’t.” Their eyes widened and they spoke to defend themself. “Of course I love you! But innocent people are dying because you decided to let all hell loose!”

Sam sighed and adjusted the crown on Darlin’s head. 

“Do you know why you’re wearing the crown even though I’m king?”

Above all else, Darlin’ was a curious wolf, and when they were given an opportunity to get some answers, they’ll snatch it with their claws. “...Yea actually, the fuck is up with that?”

“It’s because you’re deserving of the crown.” He laughed at the adorably confused face they made. “I am a monster. I’ve done terrible things to earn my titles, so despite the fact that I am king, the crown is too good, too beautiful for a person like me.” He paused for a moment to admire how the rubies and gold adorned his wolf’s head. “You? God, Darlin’, you’re the only ray of sunshine in this bleak world. So beautiful, and so good.”

“I really am not that good.”

Sam scoffed. He was scandalized by any implication that his Darlin’ was less than holy.  “Oh really? I say you’re plenty good for trying to protect the people.”

“Sam, they’re innocent. They don’t deserve to-” He shook his head and thumbed their lip. 

“Innocent people don’t scream and call you a ‘bitch’ for simply existing.”

They squirmed in his hold, the insult unfortunately packing more of a punch than they hoped. 

Darlin’ opened and closed their mouth, trying to rebuttal his point. Their childhood memories bubbled back to the surface, the ones where they were berated and beaten, for simply being a wolf. They had thought that once they got to Dahlia, it would get better, but that was wishful thinking. 

And the Imperium was never kind to wishful thinkers. 

So people, empowered and otherwise, hadn’t treated them nicely, but still.

“They’re still people, isn’t that enough?”

Sam pushed Darlin’s hair away from their face and chuckled. “You’re allowed to hurt the people who hurt you, my love. I know you though. You’d never consider that. So let me hurt them for you. Let me protect you. I’ll get my hands dirty while you’re safe with that crown.” He held their face and pulled them closer. “I would do anything to protect you.”

Butterflies fluttered in their stomachs at Sam’s declaration. It had been… no, they had never been protected like that. Not as a child when their birth pack was being ripped to shreds by vampires. Not when Quinn was two seconds away from killing them. Asher may have saved them, but he hadn’t protected them. Not like Sam has.

“What about my pack?”

Sam stopped playing with their hair for a brief moment, pondering on what to do.

“Tell you what? I can send some progenies to help them out of Dahlia. I can’t help them much when they get out though.”

Darlin’s eyes sparkled at the suggestion. After all the trouble and pain they caused the pack, the least they could do was find them a safe way out. “Thank you Sam!” They leaned in and gave him a kiss to show his appreciation. He chuckled at their eagerness to help their pack, basking in the warmth of their good natured soul. A soul he refuses to let get tainted by anything. 

“Of course Darlin’, Lord knows I’d do anything for you.” He placed a hand on the juncture of Darlin’s neck and shoulder, thumbing their pulse point. “But there is something I need you to do.”

Through a dazed gaze and a happy smile, Darlin’ replied, “anything.”

“Stay by my side forever.”

“...Does forever mean you wanna…?”

He kissed Darlin’s pulse point and nipped at it. “It only makes sense, no? I want you by my side forever, and that won’t happen if you’re mortal.” He made a good point. 

But were they ready to do that? Give up their wolf form?

(A faint howl reverberated through the spire, but it wasn’t coming from them.)

The wolf within them had always brought a sense of comfort and protection to them. It was their wolf that had saved them from everything. There wasn’t anything that brought them more peace than shifting to their fur. They needed their shifter magic to feel safe. 

But Sam brought that same safety, that same peace. So it would be a fair trade, right? They’ll give up their internal sense of protection for an external one. 

Wolf claws for vampire fangs. 

He kissed their cheek and whispered in their ear, “have you made your decision, Darlin’?”

Their body relaxed, already making peace with their inevitable but welcomed demise. 

“Turn me. Please Sam?”

(The distant howl came back, even louder this time. Where was it coming from?)

His soft smile turned wicked. “Anything and everything for you, my love.” He played with their hair, and Darlin’ melted in his hand. Their eyes slowly closed, waiting for the pleasure to come. Sam had once told them that the intention behind the bite is what gives it feeling, and it was clear that he wanted to give them a sweet death. 

He placed his forehead on theirs, their wolf adoring the act. “This bite won’t hurt you in the slightest. I won’t let it, and I’ll be here to take care of you, for forever and a day.” 

Darlin’ giggled at his declaration and promise. “Forever and a day,” they repeated. 

He smiled at the promise. “Then let’s get this show on the road.” He kissed their pulse point as a final reassurance before gently latching his fangs to their neck.

When the smallest amount of blood touched he moaned, pulling them closer. He shivered and growled, “your fucking blood- It’s what Gods would drink as offerings.” He went back to drink more of the ambrosia he adores. 

His feeding session became more feral the more blood he drank. Sam couldn’t sit still with their blood flowing through veins, so he grinded up into them. If his excess energy can bring them pleasure, then that’s what he’ll do. 

Darlin’ felt more lightheaded with every ounce of their life force is drained from them, but they couldn’t care. Sam’s deathly grip was consuming their being, both literally and figuratively, in the best way possible.

 For once they trusted their life and death to someone else and fuck if that feeling ain’t worth dying for. They crave the security Sam brings and wants to be smothered in it. If it were up to them, they’d ask Sam to keep them buried in his heart, away and safe from the cruel world they don’t belong in. 

Sam would do exactly that if he could. He can’t, but this is the best. 

Before they died, Darlin’ heard one final order from their King. 

“Rest easy, my Darlin’. I’ll make sure that your death is better than your life.”

Then with an unrestrained smile and a final breath, it all went to black. 

(Was it just them, or did the howl sound familiar?)

—

Once the turning process was complete and he was sure they were breathing again, Sam carried his Darlin’s limp body back to their room. He loves calling it that. It doesn’t belong to either of them individually, nor does it belong to the old king. (He can make do with the bed in the dungeon, alongside the other wolf.) It was theirs, a distinction that warmed his undead heart. 

He gently lowered his mate and placed the former wolf onto their bed. Oh, how he so wished to lay beside them and hold them close, and play with their hair while they sleep peacefully. But there was work to be done. 

He kissed their forehead, doing a onceover their gorgeous body to make sure they were ok. Once everything was up to his standards, he covered their body with a blanket and left the room. 

He closed the door and called out to his most beloved progenies. Within seconds, two young vampires appeared before their maker and king. 

“There’s a wolf pack heading up north, the Shaws. I need you to deal with them for me.”

He could feel his more feral progeny aching at the thought of tasting wolf blood. “Want us to drain them dry? 

Sam shook his head. “No, no, I want you to turn them.” He looked over his shoulder to the door that held Darlin’. “They need all the protection, and what better than a guard of former wolves?”

Fred stood up and said, “we’ll take care of everything, your majesty.” And with a nod from their king, the two progenies left, ready to carry out his wishes. 

Any remorse or guilt that Sam may have felt was crushed by Darlin’s lingering feelings about the pack. Why should he care about anyone who makes his mate feel like that?

He walked back into the room where his most precious progeny laid. He sat down beside them and caressed their face, planning the eternity ahead of them. It was when he was in his deepest thoughts did Darlin’ woke up. 

They tried to get up, wanting to stretch out their corpse body, but Sam pushed them back down and shushed them. “Shhh,  it’s alright. How are you feelin’?”

Darlin’ leaned into his hand on their face. “Mmmm… sleepy… tired… lil hungry… but good, real fuckin’ good…” Their blissed out smile made Sam giddy like a school boy. He did that to them and he plans on continuing to do so. 

“That’s normal Darlin’, your body is adjustin’ to the new magic. It’ll settle itself out soon.” He tilted their chin up to look him in the eye. “There’s just one more thing I need to do.”

“What is it, baby?”

“I as your maker, Sam Collins, invoke you, my darlin’ progeny, to forget the Shaw Pack ever existed and forbid you from going to the dungeons of this castle.”

—

Later that day, when wolf howls consume all of Dahlia, Darlin’ will feel hollow, a sense of guilt will overcome them. The howls should mean something to them, but for the life of them, they can’t remember. 

Sam will enter the room and say something, maybe kiss them or maybe something more, that will make their heart flutter. They forget about the emptiness in their heart and memories.

He’ll later introduce them to their new royal guard, ignoring any complaints from the former that they never needed any protection. He’ll introduce each and everyone of them and Darlin’ won’t know who any of them are. He stops at the guard in the middle, Asher was his name. The name rings a bell, but they can’t place it. 

They meet Asher’s eyes. 

Was that recognition on his face?

They shake their head. No, they must seeing things. Yeah, that’s what it is. Darlin’ has never met any of these people, so why should they remember them?

They don’t see the glare His Majesty is sending the former wolf pack, reminding of the consequences of what will happen if any of them says a word.

Their other, poor Alpha has suffered enough down in the dungeons and Asher had just got him back.

Let’s not put him through additional pain, hmm?

#redacted asmr #redacted sam #redacted darlin #redacted imperium #YALL IS HEREEE #I LOVE I ADOREEE #KING SAM <33333333333 #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

Four Times David Thought of Asking + The One Time Angel Did

*faceplants* Y'all I did ittt! Hello! Welcome to this behemoth of a fic! This was just me tryna break up the angst I was writing, but then I started thinking about David and his relationship with control and how Angel had a huge part in him easing up on said control. Add a little projecting onto David and thus, this turned into five stories in one mega-fic.

Thank you sooo much to @angel-bubbles for giving me some ideas! I really couldn't do this without your input! And tagging @bittersweet--chaos because they're a doll!

Warnings: Post-Inversion feelings and Depressive episode ->(Moment #3), Suggestive themes and Mentions of sex -> (Moment #4)

click here for the ao3 link!!!

--

David Shaw was a man who valued control.

Every action must be premeditated and executed to perfection. Anything less would never be up to his standards. But he swears it's not a problem. If things don’t go his way, he won’t make a big deal out of it.

‘That is a fucking lie Shaw, you are the biggest control freak I’ve ever met.’

Ok, maybe he has some control issues. 

There have been times in his life when David didn’t have a say in the situation. He didn’t have a say when either of his parents died, nor did he have a say when he was named Alpha at that young age. Both life experiences had caught him off-guard and left him scared, confused and hurt. A hurt that he refuses to let himself go through again. He will not let anything else blindside him.

Well, that didn’t exactly go to plan. Something did blindside him and that was when his future mate stalked him. Before anyone says otherwise, yes he fully believes that Angel was stalking him that night. That’s not the point though.

It will always baffle him how impulsive Angel can be with certain decisions. From asking him out that fateful night to moving in with him after less than a year of dating, he will never understand how they’re able to throw caution out the damn window.

‘It’s because I trust you, Davey! I have faith that you won’t hurt me. That’s why I can be carefree around you, and I hope you feel at ease around me too.’

Whether they knew it or not, his Angel succeeded. They somehow made the Alpha of the Shaw pack, known for his stoic nature and tense shoulders, relax. It’s a big ask considering who they’re dealing with, but like always, Angel did it effortlessly. 

For once in his life, David was ok with not having control.

As he stared at the ring that adorned his finger, he realized that the moments where Angel made him let go are the reasons that they were the person he wanted to marry. He thinks back to those moments and the eventual proposal and wonders what the hell he did to deserve this. 

Perhaps it was only when he finally put down the burden that rested on his shoulders that he was able to enjoy life. 

It also helped that Angel made his life worth enjoying again.

Moment #1: They made him forget the unease of being in a car.

Over the years, David has developed some habits to cope with his unwariness in a car. His arms were stiff when holding the steering wheel, made sure his foot was hovering over the breaks, kept his eyes on the road at all times, and most importantly-

“Angel, for the millionth time, I do not want any music playing while I’m driving.”

One of the annoying things about David is that he refuses to let music play in the car while driving. He claims that he doesn’t want to be distracted on the road, but the pack notices the way his eyes glaze over and his voice slightly cracking. He would never say the full reason, but it would take a real dumbass to not figure that out.

“But Davey! It’s way too quiet and this is a damn road trip! If you won’t talk to me, then the least you can do is let me jam out,” Angel said while pouting. They crossed their arms and puffed out their chest to show that they’re annoyed, but honestly, David thought they looked cute sitting like that. Their adorableness didn’t negate the fact that he really didn’t want music to be playing right now.

David took in a shaky breath before continuing. “Angel, I know it’s boring without any sound, but I just-” Angel cut him off, “then I won’t play anything.”

What David didn’t know is that when he started speaking, his eyes had glazed over and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. ‘Maybe he was remembering something bad?’ Angel thought. They didn’t know. What they do know was that David needed this. And who were they to deny their boyfriend something he needs.

One thing about Angel that he loves was their ability to know when to push and when to stop. Of course, it has been a learning process for them both. But they were learning each other’s boundaries. And they were learning together.

“Thank you, Angel,” David sighed out, before focusing on the road again. 

A few moments went by before Angel started humming a tune, one that David was familiar with. He let out a groan and if he wasn’t driving, he would have banged his head against the steering wheel. 

“Oh, I’m sorry if the humming is bothering you. It’s just that it's a song that’s been in my brain and I have to hum it so it gets out, but I totally understand if you need me to stop and,” Angel kept on rambling and apologizing. The longer they were explaining themselves, the more out of breath they became.

David let one hand go on the steering wheel and held his Angel’s hand. “Look at me Angel, you’re ok just breathe with me.” Angel looked into David’s eyes and he swears that their eyes could only be compared to the moon. Once Angel's breathing calmed down, David explained why he became annoyed with humming.

“It’s not you, I promise. The song you’ve were humming is a stupid ‘Hall and Oates’ song that Tank used to blast when we were younger,” David said with disdain in his voice. “At one point, they did it specifically to piss me off, so now anytime I hear the song, I just want to die on the inside.”

Angel started laughing that beautiful laugh of theirs. “Why though? It’s such a sweet song. Never would have thought that Tank would be into it,” they mused. David looked at the smile that was on their face, and he immediately felt at ease.

He forgot that he was in a car, something he hasn’t been able to do since his father died. Angel had made him forget it. Their presence was enough to keep his mind from fixating on every detail that he needed to control. Maybe he could try…

“Hey Angel, can you open that compartment for me?” They did as they were told and were met with a CD. Angel looked up at David who was reminiscing about… something.

“I was a fussy kid and it took me forever to put me to sleep. My… My dad used to drive me around when I couldn't. Apparently, driving around the neighbourhood knocked me the fuck out.” David let out a little chuckle. “The CD you’re holding is the one that he’d play every night to help me sleep, and I want to listen to it with you.”

“David… you don’t have to play any kind of music because I asked,” Angel said nervously as they fumbled with their shirt.

“I want this. I promise.” Angel nodded and put the disc into the CD player. 

For the first time in forever, a road trip karaoke session was held in David’s car.

At that moment, David thought he was blessed with a real angel on his side. Their bright smile and siren-like voice that he wouldn’t mind spending forever listening to.

‘Huh. Never would have thought I’d want to spend forever with someone, but I wouldn’t mind if it was them. I should ask them about it. Not now, it’s way too soon. But one day, I will propose to them.’

Moment #2: They knew when to take over when he was overwhelmed.

Nothing was going right today.

David woke up late that morning, meaning he couldn’t get his morning coffee (or his morning kiss from Angel). His car decided to break down on the way to work. When he did manage to get there, he was hit with a bunch of paperwork to fill out and phone calls to make. The Department was taking fucking forever finalizing his plan for the E&E Games. Milo and Christian got into their third petty argument of the day. And he can’t find his fucking pen to sign these goddamn papers. So the last thing he needed to deal with was a bunch of pups following him and asking a billion questions.

Which is exactly what he was dealing with at this moment.

“Mr. Alpha, who’s the stronger wolf, you or Tank?”

“Asher says that you do a backflip and I want you to teach me!”

“Can I have some candy? I really want some candy!”

He swears that he likes the kids. They’re cute, ask the most stupidly amusing questions and it’s adorable seeing them flail around in their wolf forms. Not today. He cannot deal with this today. Usually Tanker would be the one taking care of the pups, but they’re having a similar morning to him and everyone else is too damn busy with the Games coming up. 

‘It’s ok, just take a deep breath. They’re just kids and they don’t deserve to be screamed at because you’re stressed.’

A few moments of blissful silence go by. The kids are talking quietly among themselves and David finally feels his headache leaving him.

…“So, who is the stronger wolf?” An innocent question, but one that sparked a very loud argument from the children.

David couldn’t bother listening to their argument. All he could make out was variations of “David would win because he’s the Alpha” or “Tank would win because they’re a tank,” but what they were saying didn’t matter. What mattered was that killer migraine was coming back and the pressure on his chest was increasing steadily. 

He laid his head on the desk, trying to drown out everything. Every past mistake, every decision he has to make, every terrible outcome that can happen. He just wants to let go of everything and… he doesn’t what the fuck he wants to do, but he doesn’t want to live the rest of his life like this. Under this intense scrutiny and pressure and stress. Having to be perfect for the people who rely on him and if he messes up, then they all go down with him.

He wishes Angel was here to do something. Anything. Just them being there would be enough to make that pain go away.

“Hey kids, maybe I can take you to the park so David can get his work done.”

The Heavens had heard his prayers and answered by sending an Angel to him.

Standing by the doorway was his Angel in all their glory. They were giving their iconic reassuring smile. The one that screamed ‘don’t worry, I got this.’

At the mention of the park, all the pups got up and ran over to Angel. They jumped up and down with glee at the prospect of them doing something that wasn’t sitting around. Angel had even come prepared with snacks and toys for the pup to play with too.

They walked past the hyper children into David’s office with a bag in hand. “I noticed that you didn’t get the chance to eat breakfast. Sooooo,” Angel trailed as they reached into the tote bag they brought with them and pulled out a lunch box. “I thought that I’d make you some lunch!”

David raised his eyebrows while taking the lunch box. “You made this? My Angel who lived off of ramen and fast food made me lunch?” The skepticism was dripping from his voice.

Angel let out a small laugh. ‘Cute.’ “Well maybe your cooking lessons are finally paying off. Besides, if you don’t like it, I’m sure Ash and the others can buy something for ya.”

David opened the box and was met with the most delicious looking sandwich he’s ever seen. He picked it up and took a bite of it. To call the sandwich delicious would be an insult to Angel’s good. If Heaven had a taste, it would be this sandwich. “This is perfect Angel, thank you so much.” Although there is one thing he is wondering. “What are you doing here?”

“Welllll, a certain Beta told me you were having a pretty shit morning. So me being the incredible mate I am, I took the day off at work and came over to help.” The more Angel spoke, the bigger the smile grew on his face. ‘How incredibly lucky am I to have a mate to share my weight with.’ “Now I’m going to take the kids to the park and you are going to eat and finish your work, okay?”

“Ok,” he responded. Angel walked back to the restless kids and left for the park, leaving David alone. Finally, he can work in peace and quiet. He can already feel the headache leaving again. Though the one thing he’d change would be to have Angel stay for longer. Make up that morning kiss too? He scoffed at the thought. ‘When did I get so soft?’

After a few hours, David got all the paperwork done and decided to see how Angel and the pups were doing. He put on his jacket and walked out the building to go to the park.

It was a walking distance from the office building. The path there is one that is engraved in his memory. When he was younger, David, Asher and Milo would sneak out of pack meetings to go to the park and play. Once David became Alpha, he had made a rule that the pups were to be accompanied by an older pack member if they wanted to go to the park. Asher and Milo claimed that the rule is ‘too much’ and ‘way overkill,’ but David just wants to make sure his pack is safe. That includes the annoying and endearing pups.

David arrived at the park and saw a sight that made his heart melt.

The pups were in their shifted forms and dogpiled Angel. His Angel was laughing and petting the pups that covered them. It seems as though Angel and the pups were fighting, and the pups had won. He can already imagine his mate boasting about how they let the pups win.

‘Angel is really good with the kids.’

“Yo Shaw.”

‘I wonder if they’d be this happy if we had our own kids.’

“Hellooooo, David?”

‘I’d need to marry them first, just to make sure that the process wouldn’t be messy. I wouldn’t mind marrying them. They took this responsibility off my chest and I thank them immensely for that.’

“Are you fucking- That’s it.”

A sharp pain exploded in David’s jaw. When he looked up to see who laid the punch, he was met with his disgruntled lone wolf.

“What the fuck, Tanker? What was the punch for?” David nearly yelled, in complete confusion of the wolf’s actions.

“Oh, you’ll be fine. I didn’t punch you that hard,” Darlin’ said while rolling their eyes. They continued “and to answer your question, I’ve been calling your name for the last five minutes and you weren’t responding.” Darlin’ looked at the view that David was watching and saw Angel playing with the pups. They looked back at him and saw the lovesick look in his eyes. Darlin let out a smirk and a low chuckle. “So, when’s the wedding?”

David turned to look at his cocky pack member. ‘This fucking shit, I swear.’ “There is no wedding Tank. I don’t even know what put that idea in your head.” 

Darlin’ raised their hands in mock surrender before saying, “hey, I’m just saying. I mean they are your mate. Forgive me if I assumed that a wedding was coming.” Darlin’ returned to look at the pups and Angel, who was carrying the pups around in their arms. “They’ve been good for you. Ever since they got here, you’ve been less stressed about everything, and I’ve only been back for a few months. You’re letting them carry part of your burden.” Darlin’ walked towards the unempowered human and the rowdy pups. They turned back to give a final message to David. “You got a good thing going Shaw, don’t fuck it up.”

“Don’t worry.” Angel noticed the two wolves standing aside and flashed them a dazzling smile.

“I don’t plan on doing so.”

Moment #3: For better or for worse, they would do anything for him.

David was tired. Drained. Exhausted.

For once in his life, he wishes that time would speed up.

It had been two weeks since the end of the Inversion, but David feels like it had been a few hours since he came home from the arena. 

The first week was easy. It was easy to get lost in all of the ceremonies and speeches. He may have been disgusted with himself standing on that stage, but it was something. There was work that he could do. Something to focus on and not think about the smell of blood and death that clung onto him, despite the numbers of showers he took.

The medals were awarded and the public appeared to be put at ease, and there was no more work to be done. The elders in the pack had agreed to temporarily relieve David of his duties as Alpha to give him time to heal from what had happened. He tried to argue that while he went through one the most traumatic moments that a person can go through, he’ll be ok. He just wants things to be normal again. 

The pack refused and the decision was made. David was to spend the next two weeks relaxing.

A quiet voice appeared in his head. A voice that he’s long been familiar with.

‘How dare you lay here safe and sound, while hundreds are dead?’ The voice had taunted him. ‘Why are you and your family alive when so many lost theirs that day? Who gave you, David Shaw, the right and audacity to have this happy ending?’

Usually, David has the strength to power through those thoughts. There was always a task more important than hostile thoughts festering in his head. 

Now, he didn’t have the energy to stop thinking.

Memories of the carnage left by the shades flood his brain. How can something with no form bring so much fear? How could it do so much damage? How come he couldn't prevent more people from dying?

‘You damned everyone in the arena that day, yet you’re the one who comes out on top.’

‘The Big Hero, Dahlia’s Saviour.’

‘What would your father think of you parading around, when Milo, the real hero, is forced to keep quiet? How could he stomach having a son who takes credit for his friends’ actions?’

A sane person would tell him that he wasn’t at fault for what happened that day, but he didn’t care. More accurately, he didn’t have it in him to care. It may have not been him who opened the portal, but he put up the wards. He trapped those people inside. He trapped his family inside.

In his mind, David was a murderer. One that had gotten away with his crime.

A soft knock came from the door and a voice was heard. “Hey Davey, can I come in?”

He let out a grunt that sounded enough like a yes and Angel walked inside. With them was some chicken noodle soup they had made for David. They put the tray with the bowl on the bedside table. Angel pointed their head towards an empty spot on the bed, silently asking if they can sit down. To that, he gave a light nod.

Angel sat down cross legged beside David, with their body facing his. They ran their hand through his hair, hoping they could take away everything that was hurting him. Realistically, they know that it won’t be enough to heal him, but it’s all they can do right now. 

Just be there for him. Make sure that he isn’t alone to face everything again. 

Do everything they can to make David feel better. God knows that being ‘ok’ is the least that David deserves.

Angel being there was enough to make him feel better. Granted, it wasn’t much, but when you feel as empty as David does in this moment, any kind of feeling is welcomed. With the little energy he can muster, he took Angel’s hand that was running through his hair and pressed a gentle kiss on it. He let his lips linger as a promise. That right now things are really fucking hard, but one day everything will be ok. That he will be ok.

That they will be ok.

Angel gave their vibrant smile and used the hand that David was holding to cup his cheek. They thumbed the eye bags that have become more prominent over the last two weeks. He covered Angel’s hand with his own and pressed their hand further into his face.

‘We’re safe. We’re alive. We’re here, together. And that’s all I need.’

…‘I wouldn't mind spending eternity like this with them. Maybe I should get Mom’s old ring ready to give to them. Not now, but when things get better, I’ll ask them.’

The Fourth time was when he realized he’s never been more relaxed than laying beside them.

The most heavenly sight he’s ever laid eyes on is Angel underneath him. They’re breathless and glowing and it brings David so much damn pride knowing he’s the one who made them like that.

“As always Davey, you’re amazing,” they said, panting in between each word. He was only partially attentive to what Angel had been saying. His gaze was more focused on the bruises blooming all over their body. The trail of bruises started from Angel’s neck, down their torso where it ended in between their thighs. “I know I’m sexy and all that, but I would rather you listen to me.” David looked up to Angel smirking. They looked so enticing, almost enough to make go for a round two.

Almost.

David rolled his eyes at Angel’s comment and moved to leave the bed. Angel whined and wrapped their arms around his neck as an attempt to keep him close. They gave a deep and slow kiss and if David was a weaker man, he'd never leave their bed. Angel broke the kiss and asked, “come on, David! Can’t we stay like this for like, five minutes?” Angel gave their best pouty face, but it wasn’t enough to deter him.

“As much as I love to lay here with you, I want to take care of you.” Angel nodded and let David go, allowing him to get up. He reached to the bedside table and grabbed the damp washcloth. Begrudgingly, he began to wipe Angel clean of any evidence of what just happened. 

Once he was done cleaning himself and Angel, he put on a pair of boxers and left the room to get them both a cup of water. Walking down the stairs, he started to think about how easy sex was with them. He’s had partners before, though not as many as some of the other wolves. In the past, David could never truly be himself during the act. He had been what his partners wanted, someone for lack of better words, would fuck them until they couldn’t walk and leave the next morning.

With Angel, it was easy. He could laugh when the bed breaks, tease them however he pleases and on days where David is tired from work, he can let his Angel take control. He can already imagine how baffled the rest of the pack would be if they find out. David Shaw? Letting someone else take control in their bed?

But just as easily as the water flowed in the cup, Angel had made David comfortable to be himself.

Not the Alpha of the Shaw Pack. Not David Shaw with a capital D and S.

Just David.

David walked back upstairs to their bedroom with the cup in hand. He opened the bedroom door and saw his Angel laying in bed. They were wearing his shirt and boxers and ‘damn, they look good in them’. He shook off those thoughts out of his head and walked further into the bedroom. He handed Angel the cup of water. They took a gulp of water before saying “thank you,” flashing a grateful grin.

Once Angel was done with the water, they handed the cup back to David, who put it on the vanity table. They moved over, allowing David to get in bed. He wrapped one arm around Angel’s waist and used the other to guide their head to lay on his chest. After a while, their breathing evened out, leaving David alone with his thoughts.

‘Tomorrow. I can get Mom’s ring and ask the pack to help me make a plan. Something grand, but private. Just me and my Angel, all I’ve ever needed.’

David went to sleep, thinking about the different ways his proposal could happen.

+ The one time Angel asked instead.

Of all the ways David thought this could happen, this was definitely not it.

“Hey, do you want to marry me?”

David choked on and spat out the water and toothpaste mixture in his mouth. After a little coughing fit, he looked at Angel with wide eyes. For someone who basically proposed, Angel seemed casual. They were sitting on the edge of the bed with their arms resting behind them. 

David collected his thoughts and asked, “are you asking me to discuss the possibility of getting married? Or are you proposing to me?” There’s no way. No, he wanted to do this grand proposal for them. They cannot be stealing his thunder like this.

Angel raised their eyebrows at David and responded with a questioning tone. “I’m asking to marry you? What else does ‘hey, do you want to marry me?’ mean?” Angel got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom. They leaned against the doorframe waiting for David’s response.

David’s mind blanked out and all he could say was “why?”

Angel rolled their eyes before making themselves home in David’s arms. They wrapped their arms around David’s neck and kissed a bruise on his neck in an attempt to knock David out of this trance.

Angel huffed and gave David their answer. “I mean, we’ve been together for a long ass time, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Marriage is the next step in our relationship.” Their face fell as doubts started to fill their head. “Unless you don’t want to get married, which I completely get. Shit David, I didn’t mean to push you into making a decision. I was just thinking about it this morning and-” Angel was cut off with a kiss to their forehead.

“But what about a ring?” It was a simple question, but one that he hoped would buy him some time to find a way to properly propose to them first.

Angel unwrapped their arms to pick up the floss string container. They pulled out some string and pulled one of David’s hands off their waist. They held his hand in theirs and used the floss string to tie around his ring finger, finishing it off with a pretty bow. “Et voila! There’s your ring!”

David stared dumbfounded at the ‘ring’ and let out a stomach cramping laugh. 

‘Of course my beautiful, incredibly intelligent and stubborn Angel would use fucking floss string as a placeholder for a goddamn engagement ring. God, I love them so fucking much.’

Once his laughter died down and he could breathe again, Angel flashed David a radiant smile. 

“You still haven’t answered my question David. Will you marry me, David Shaw?”

Their answer was their mate pulling them into his body and giving them a searing kiss. His arms wrapped around their waist and he wanted to pull his mate, his Angel, as close to him as possible. Angel’s arms tightened around his neck and their fingers found home in his hair.

David wanted to pour everything in that kiss. His love, his admiration, his lust. He wanted that kiss to be his answer, one he was ready to give since the beginning of their relationship.

That David Shaw will spend forever by his Angel’s side. It had been written in the stars since the dawn of time that these two will find each other. That they will fall in love. He knew it the fucking moment that he saw them that they were going to be special to him.

David pulled away from the kiss and rested his forehead against theirs. Their eyes sparkling with the brightness of the future and a soft smile adorning their face.

‘I really need to give them Mom’s ring now. I’m going to spend the rest of my fucking days with the most perfect person ever. Damn, what did I do to deserve this?’

“David~? Do I need to get Tank to knock you out of a daydream again?”

David blinked back to reality. He was still sitting at his office desk and now Angel was leaning over his desk. Angel got up and walked around the desk to get to him. As they were making room to sit in his lap, they said, “I was calling your name for like, five minutes now. What’s got your head in the clouds?” 

David chuckled before squeezing Angel’s thighs. “Nothing, I was just thinking about how happy I am that I’m going to marry you.”

Angel smiled at him and rested their head on his chest. “I don’t blame you Davey, I’d be happy to marry me too!” David rolled his eyes at his mate’s comment and kissed their head. His eyes caught the glittering ring on their finger, the one that belonged to his mother. 

For the first time in forever, David felt at peace with himself.

All it took was an Angel to be the guide to his happiness.

#ahhhh we did itttt #god i love how this came outttt #well i hope yall enjoy this as much as i enjoyed writing ittt #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking #redacted david #redacted angel #redacted asmr

[zozo-01]

wip wursday <3

Tagged by my beloved @gingerbreadmonsters!! Take this mostrosity of a fic that's consuming me whole, but also not letting me write!! The finale to the David/Darlin' College AU Trilogy where I listen to J. Cole, write these assholes, and think critically of smut. ;-; 7000 words long, and no where near stopping. ;-;

Going under the cut because again, smut hehehe.

Tagging: @taelonsamada, @dominimoonbeam, @glassbearclock, @horrorscoupes, @autisticempathydaemon and you!!! Tag me in your shit!!!

His blood lit up like a match.  Through his own heart roaring in his ears, David took a moment to gauge whether they were serious. When they didn't balk under his gaze, he swallowed the growl threatening to rise from within his chest. Had Darlin' said to his face that they wouldn't hesitate to find someone else to finish with? That they would find someone else to bring to bed when he was already there? Did they not realize that those words alone had stoked the whispers of doubt and threatened to confirm all of his fears that he wasn't good enough for them? He couldn’t stand the mere thought of another’s hands on them, especially when he finally got to touch them like this. David wanted to be the one who Darlin’ runs to whenever they have a hard day. He wants to grant them comfort and sanctuary in a way no one has ever done in their life. The darkest depths of his desire urge him to go beyond his protective Beta instincts and keep them all to himself.  With him, Darlin’ will be safe. With him, Darlin’ will feel rapture. He’d been dreaming of this moment for so long, and he won’t give it up for anything, or anyone.

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted fanfic #redacted darlin #redacted david #i need them to me ALONE #the discord girlies (GN) knows the pain i am in (im loving all of it hehehe) #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

"when the sun rises from the west."

[sound the alarms] CHAPTER ONE OF THE DEITY AU IS HERE!!! Thank you sososo much to @taelonsamada for helping draft the entireee story out, to @halscafe, @gingerbreadmonsters and @sri-rachaa for letting me torture them with snippets and to everyone who has enabled me to share snippets of the story!!! So without further ado, here we go!!!

--

Chapter One: It Starts with the Moon and his darlin' Sun.

The human mind’s favourite action is to think. It’s a given, since that was what it was created to do. But what does the mind spend its precious time pondering?

What should be made for breakfast for optimal output?

Why does the ocean appear to be blue, but the water runs clear?

When will everything meet its inevitable end?

See, it’s the last question that I want to focus on. I never understood why humans would waste their pitiful limited time focused on the end, but what do I know? I am merely an echo from the void, unbound by the restraints of time. An observer who is sharing his thoughts with you, dear reader. Perhaps I am not fit to make judgement on the fear of one’s demise, but I digress.

But it’s that fear that brings out the most fantastical concept from humanity. Many cope with this fact by creating the idea that everything is planned. That a higher power (or powers) exists to guide you through this treacherous road known as ‘life’. There was nothing to fear if everything's meant to be?

Is there truth in this line of thinking? I am the last person to ask that. Remember, your mortality does not apply to me, so I shall never meet your supposed maker. If I did, I’d have much to answer for. 

I will say that within every fairytale, there is some truth.

 In the seventh, eighth and ninth Ayats of Surah al-Qiyamah, there is a line that was rooted in fact. 

“So when the sight becomes dazed. And the moon becomes dark. And the sun and moon are brought together.”

There is validity there, a story to be told.

…Have I piqued your curiosity? I will admit that I am exceptionally prolific at creating a tale. Before we begin, I would like to ask a simple question. 

Have you ever wondered why the sun and moon were forced apart?

There is no shame to be had in not wondering, it’s quite a normal occurrence. There isn’t any reason to think of it. The sun goes up, the moon is down. The sun is down, the moon goes up. They are interconnected opposites, always tied together, but never to meet. It is a tale as old as time. 

But what if that wasn’t as natural of an occurrence that you think it to be? 

Would you believe me that they were chained apart from each other? Bound to always be out of reach of the other’s light? It must have been awful for those two, spending eternity cursed to be so close, yet so far. Never able to share their endless love and warmth they have for each other. 

Or I assume it to be. Formless, void beings don’t feel emotions as others do. 

I know. With the way I am speaking, it is clear that this will be a tragedy. But I assure you that despite it’s grim ending, this truly is a happy story. At least as happy as a tale of Gods can be. They’re not exactly known for having the cheeriest lives.

So dear reader, now that I have your attention, there is one last thing to ask. Do you wish to hear this tale? I both have the time and memory to recount this story, but what is a story if no one is there to listen. 

So, are you? Would you like to hear?

…You are a wonderful person.

Sit back and relax. Perhaps grab some popcorn? That’s something mortals do, right?

Comfortable? Good. 

Well, let us begin. 

This is the tale of two Gods, who existed in complementary harmony. Who should have had a happy eternity together. 

This all starts with two Gods, and ends with two Gods.

It starts and ends with the Moon, and his darlin’ sun.

—

He woke for the first time like a child wakes from a nightmare. Jerky, with a sharp intake of air, and scared. He was scared and didn’t have the words for his fear. It makes sense, he was just, for lack of a better term, just born. Gods are not birthed the same way humans are, but the sentiment remains.

The room was white and infinite. If he had the desire to walk to the edge of the room, he’d never find it. It was almost blinding with the lack of colour, but the light didn’t hurt him. 

He stood up slowly, keeping his shaking body steady as he could. He was exhausted, so desperate to lay down and sleep. But there was no time for that, he needed to know where he was, why he was here, and who or what he was.

As his mind brimmed with questions that were ready to overflow, two pieces of information entered his brain.

He is Sam. And he is the moon. 

Neither pieces of information mean anything to him. A name isn’t much nor did he know what a ‘moon’ was. But it was something he now knew. He may not know who or what gave him that name or title, but at the very least he has one. 

He noticed the silver fabric around his arm and realized he was wearing a silver suit. It was quite shiny, almost blinding. It was illuminating, exuding light from every part of the fabric. He made a note to himself that if he ever had the chance to, he’d never wear something as gaudy and bright as this. But if what decided him to be created made him wear that, then he supposes he can keep quiet about his displeasure. 

Sam noticed something quite interesting. When he held his right arm above his left, the light disappeared. The shadow had caused the fabric to turn into a simple silver fabric. To say his suit itself was a blinding light was incorrect. So what was causing the light?

His silver eyes caught a golden light from the distance. Out of curiosity, Sam held his hand against the golden light. Like earlier, a shadow was cast over the fabric, dulling the shining material. 

It was this little experiment that proved that he wasn’t emanating light. 

He was reflecting it. 

And that source of light, the soft golden glow, was his only proof that there was something (or someone) else in this grand expanse. Proof he wasn’t alone. 

So Sam ran.

He didn’t know why he was desperate for this golden glow to provide him comfort. He was just fine a moment ago. Loneliness and isolation wasn’t something Sam cared about. 

But the realization that he may not be alone had wrapped its hands around his throat and made it harder to breathe. He ran faster and faster. Either he revels in shared euphoria, ridding himself of his new feelings, or his heart will drop, accepting that there is nothing else. That he is truly alone.

The golden light turned into golden silk the closer Sam reached the source. There was a mound of fabric elegantly laying on the floor. Part of him was disappointed. Sure, something was better than nothing and golden silk was something, but he was hoping there would have been a someone. A sentient being such as himself who he could talk to. 

Try as he might, golden silk cannot talk. 

Neither could it move, but Sam was sure that was what he saw. 

The silk moved, revealing a person laying underneath it all. They got up, stretching their stiff muscles, as if they woken from an eternal nap. They looked around, eyebrows furrowed. They knew as much as Sam did about… anything. 

The glowing person’s golden eyes met his silver ones. A relieved smile bloomed on their face and they opened their mouth to speak. “Well hello there stranger, can I assume that you have no idea what this is?” They gestured to the vast nothing surrounding them.

With a hoarse voice from not using it till now, he replied, “you’d be right. I don’t have any idea what anythin’ is.” His voice hurt from speaking, but it was worth it if it meant he could hear their voice replying.  

They giggled and he thought it was the most heavenly sound to ever grace his ears. “Figured out that much. Things would be too easy if we knew everything.” They sighed in frustration, a brief and terrible moment where their smile disappeared from his face. They perked back up though, asking the soon-to-be Moon God, “so stranger, do I get a name? Or am I resigned to call you ‘stranger’ from here on out?” 

He delayed his response because Sam was taken aback by their beauty. Everything about them screamed warmth and light, from their soul-soothing golden eyes, to the flecks of pure, gleaming light in their hair. The silk adorned their body perfectly, made specifically for them and could never be worn by anyone else. 

And their voice, he was convinced that one day, their voice would cause his heart to beat out of his chest. It was so heartbreakingly kind, so soft and comforting. He was convinced that they could quicker calm an army than any bloodshed born from victory could. 

Sam may not have been around for long, but he’s sure that they would be his definition of perfection for eternity. Nothing could change his mind on that.

They leaned over and waved a hand in front of Sam’s face. “Hello there? Please don’t tell me I’ve lost the only person in this place already?” 

There was something else he noticed. When they held their arm out, there were no shadows, not like his little experiment he had done. Unlike him, they were the light, casting out all the shadows in the world.

He shook his head, knocking himself out of his daydream. “No, no, I’m still here.” Part of him was back at least. He assumes there will always be a part of him that will be occupied by them, not that he was complaining. 

They leaned back to stand straight and tall. “Wonderful, was scared I lost you there.” The person asked again, “Do I still get a name?”

“Sam,” he finally answered. “My name is Sam and I’m the Moon. Don’t really know what that means, but it’s all I got right now.” He hoped to learn more about himself, and he hoped he’d learn with them. “And you, Darlin’? What’s yours?” 

Darlin’? Where did darlin’ come from? He didn’t know where that had come from, but it felt right. And when you’re a man who doesn’t even know who you are as a living being, then you do everything that feels right. 

Their face morphed into one of recognition. A memory returning perhaps? They didn’t act on it though. Instead, they replied to his question. “I’m [REDACTED], but I do like Darlin’ better. I’m supposed to be the sun... Don’t know what that means as well, but I’m sure we’ll find out together!”

Darlin’ held their hand out, offering a friendship with that action. Maybe a friendship isn’t exactly what he wanted from them, but it’s a start. By the looks of it, they’ll have a long time to figure things out. 

He gently taken hold of their hand and shook it. “It’ll be an honour to figure things out with you, Darlin’ sun.” 

Unbeknownst to Sam, Darlin’s heart stopped for a moment. It’s clear that they’re both absolutely infatuated with each other. But there was time to later deal with these newfound feelings.

Sam heard the footsteps of a third entering their space. “Ah, we’ve been waiting for you, young Gods. My name is William and I look forward to seeing you grow.”

And thus, dear reader, the moon and sun had met. The young Gods will take their place in the cycle of the universe. Darlin’ will provide warmth and Sam will provide light during the darkest hour. They will each have their own roles, separate but always connected. 

And as the years go by, their hearts will swell more and more at the mention of the other. But it was alright. They had time. 

It was a shame that the universe was designed to keep them apart, but I suppose that will be for the next chapter. For now, think about the sweet good days for these two. 

They don’t last for long.

--

Taglist ♥️: @dollscircus, @a-viors, @starlitangels, @ode2youu, @lostinanothersmemories, @beemybella, @horrorscoupes, @esylwen, @teasandcardigans, @corinnebm, @anualway, @sspacealienn, @jspithole, @daveys-angel, @jadebugjunebug, @strawberrychrome, @twistedwonderlandbun, @hhoneyglasss, @morgansplace, @sealriously-sealrious

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted darlin #redacted sam #deity au #POP THEM BOTTLES CHAPTER ONE IS D O N E #and there's more to come >:3333 #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

Hiya darlin'

For the 200 followers, I dare you to do a short thing of Professor Sam

;-P

~Star 🌟

@starlitangels!!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONEEEE!!!!! Anyone who knows me knows that I adoreee my lil professor Sam AU!!! SO HOPEFULLY I DON'T GO OVERBOARD WITH THIS REQUEST!!!! Gonna sneak in my lil headcanon of Darlin' being a law student, hehe. >:333

CW: The story is a lil suggestive, but there is no smut!!!

"study hard (and you'll get something in return)."

Sam didn't even need to look up to see who it was in his office. They knew it was partly because he memorized their heartbeat, a skill he's proud of.

"Darlin', if you're looking to get fucked over my desk, tonight is not the night."

They scoffed and dropped their pile of books and papers onto his desk. "Oh, believe me, I would very much love that right now." Darlin' sat down in Sam's lap, groaning in frustration and burying their face in his neck. "Gotta get these notes down for an exam, and is frustratin'," they mumbled into his shirt.

The migraine that plagued Darlin' for days dissipated with every stroke of Sam's hand in their hair. It was exactly what they needed after staring at words for so long. They took a deep breath, letting Sam's scent wash over and soothe them.

For the last few days, Sam had been stuck marking his students' assignments. Avior would have been the one doing the marking, being the lovely TA he was, but Sam had dismissed him. He wanted to give the daemon the well-earned break that he and his partner deserved.

Darlin' on the other had been stuck home studying for their midterms. (Seriously, they were taking 5 courses this semester and had 12 exams? Who would plan something like that?) Despite their relaxed and unbothered nature, they were a studious person. They simply couldn't accept a grade less than perfect and would spend hours to achieve that. It often left them burnt out and drained, something they'd usually fight through.

But now they had Sam, and there was no better place to rest and recharge than in his arms. And every second they spent away from him was a crime against humanity.

They sighed, finally feeling at ease for the first time in weeks. "Thank you, Sammy. For always being here for me." They kissed his neck in hopes to convey the immense gratitude they feel for having him in their life.

He responded with his own kiss, one filled with love and placed by their temple, their favourite spot. "No need to thank me, Darlin'. You know I'd do anythin' for you."

They pull their head away from his chest. (They didn't miss the way Sam growled or how he tightened his arms around their waist to keep them close.) Darlin' stared deeply into his silver eyes, focusing on his blond- almost golden hair. He looked stunning under the artificial light of his office. He looked ethereal under the moonlight. He looked like Sam, and he was the most gorgeous man they will ever lay their eyes on.

They pressed their forehead onto his, and with a voice as soft as their fur, they asked him, "can I kiss you?"

Leaning in, Sam whispered against their lips, "of course." He pressed his lips against theirs, holding them so impossibly close to his body. Darlin' melted in his hold, fully giving themselves up to him. It felt as right as it did terrifying, knowingly relinquishing the control they so desperately desired. But it was ok with Sam. They're willing to give everything they had over to him.

Sam's hands trailed down their back, firmly grabbing their ass to pull them closer. He grinned at the moan Darlin' let out, and the dark look in his eyes told them that they were in for a whole world of pleasure.

Darlin' shamelessly grinds into his lap. Their hands held onto his shoulder to keep themselves steady. "What- shit- what happened to marking the…" Their voice trailed off with a moan with Sam's lips trailing down to their neck.

He chuckled at the effect he had on them saying, "I only gotta couple left. And you damn sure need to take a break." His hands trailed up under their shirt (it was his, actually), relishing in the warmth their skin provided.

Darlin' raised an eyebrow. "I though you weren't gonna fuck me over the table, hmmm?" They couldn't help but tease their mate a little more.

Sam thrust up into them. "Who needs a desk when we have a perfectly good chair here?"

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted sam #redacted darlin #yes this is for me #fun fact: was not planning it on being wholesome #but here we areeeeeee #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[zozo-01]

snippet sunday <3

tagged by the lovely @ejunkiet and @autisticempathydaemon!!!

taking a lil break from the smut to work on this deity au that i promise i am close to writing a second chapter for ;---;. also tagging @pinksparkl for reminding me that this fic exists and that is should probably finish it ;----;

tagging: you!!! and also @androleda, @taelonsamada, @cashandprizes, @mr-laveau, @angelicaether, @lovelylonerliterature, @glassbearclock and @gingerbreadmonsters!!!!

#head in hands #someone send me a control shot ;---; #redacted darlin #redacted sam #redacted audio #redacted asmr #redacted fanfic #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking