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riverdale-retread · 9 months

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Riverdale S7 E13 (Chapter 130) The Crucible

[Weird little translation note from an international viewer: There are apparently some titles that the Netflix Korea translator refuses to translate into Korean for the international release, and some they will translate. The Crucible is one where the title is sounded out phonetically, which is very funny because the Arthur Miller play actually has a well known Korean title. The other deemed-untranslatable episode titles were Peep Show, Dirty Dancing, Hoop Dreams, Halloween 2, and After the Fall)]

The music is all jazzy film noir-ish at the opening of this episode as we slowly zoom in on Jughead in his very luxurious train car. The sheer beauty of the innards of this thing take me by surprise every time. Jughead is in suspenders, with what for him is sort of his Little Black Dress - a white t shirt under a button up shirt with suspenders over it. He looks upset and wan.

How does a fire start? he asks, or rather, types.

The fire might start with the English teacher, who has thus far paid Jughead’s actual career as a writer zero attention whatsoever (but does Jughead even go to school anymore other than to yell at people about milk or to get yelled at by the principal in the office?) but is cultivating Archie’s gifts as a poet (by letting him come and sit in the classroom to scribble in semi privacy?). It might begin with Veronica Lodge, looking kewpie doll adorable in her perfect hair (that my very valuable mutual taught me was a wig! I somehow never thought about it being a wig!), startled to find a tall clean shaven man smiling down at her in her elevator at home. It took me a long time to realize this was GLEN.

HI GLEN.

Glen without facial hair and in 1950s get up looks disconcertingly like a young Harrison Ford and goddamn you Roberto I refuse to find Glen hot on principle so fuck off.

The fire may begin with Betty coming home to find that her phone has been confiscated (by her mother, most likely). Betty has an ugly little ornamental bear on her bedside table. Is that meaningful?

Or maybe the fire starts in a classroom, where Betty and Kevin are acting out some scene from Tennessee Williams, the themes of which are “Crisis in the South/ Mendacity/ Nihilism.”

The only play they could be doing is of course Cat On a Hot Tin Roof which … this is the one time a Riverdale reference to a classical literature work is actually spot on and it’s making me feel very sour. The teacher sings their praises, calling their performance better than what she saw on Broadway.

(Also scratch what I said earlier about Jughead going to school - he’s there in class in the back, two rows behind Betty). Evelyn looks very pissy about this whole situation. Why am I being made to identify with Evelyn?

Principal Weatherbee bursts in. As a repressed closeted homosexual in denial about his feelings for his best friend and coworker he is likely to be very triggered by Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He just opens the door with “That’s enough.” He has Sheriff Keller and Clifford Blossom in tow (but not Werthers). In front of all her students, the teacher is led out like she’s done something terrible. Wearing an extremely campy red velvet jacket trimmed in black satin, Clifford Blossom steps into the class to stand right in front of a poster of Oscar Wild. I just now noticed that his hair isn’t red in this. It’s blonde. Why is it blonde?

The mayor takes it upon himself to tell the kids that the English teacher has been fired. Their new teacher is going to be - of all people - Penelope Blossom. Atonal demon music plays as Penelope saunters in right on cue - which means she just stood out there in the all while Featherhead did his bursting in and escorting out - wearing a necklace that looks like it’s made of black scarab beetles. Her outfit is the color inverse of her husband's - black with red color accents. The Blossom children have no idea what is happening but they know it’s really bad, giving each other “Are you seeing this?” type of looks. Archie was the only student to actually speak up in defense of the teacher, and he continues to do so now that the bad news has been announced.

Penelope Blossom just has so much presence! Can’t we have more of her and less of the very boring Clifford Blossom?

Archie continues to be the one to use his privilege for the good (unlike say, Julian Blossom or Kevin Keller, whose fathers are directly involved in this debacle), wanting to know what exactly is going on.

Mrs. Thornton is accused of being a communist! Dun Dun Dunnn~ Penelope intones that “The Red Menace has come to Riverdale.” Right on cue, Evelyn turns around to take a look at the known Lavender Menace in the classroom - Cheryl- as Cheryl realizes that this is not going to go away easily and already feels exhausted by life.

After the class, the core seven (this is um, NO JUGHEAD, but Toni, Cheryl, Clay, Archie, Kevin, Betty and Veronica) convene in the student lounge to try to figure out what is going on. Betty wants to know if Archie can shed more light, since he’s been getting special tutoring from Mrs. Thornton. Archie is in the closet about his poetry, so he sounds sus as he says that Mrs Thornton just isn’t like that. Veronica’s chest ribbon is HUGE and makes her look very very tiny. Cheryl says that there must’ve been some sort of cause, but Veronica says that the Red Scare in Hollywood was terrible. She starts explaining the McCarthy Era to the people who are still in 1955 which is so weird, because the televised hearings started in 1954, so this is another instance when the “1955” of this show has nothing to do with the real “1955” except for the part where Fred Andrews died in Korea.

Anyway, Kevin (because of course he does) staunchly defends his father (indirectly) by assuming that nobody would do anything bad to anyone in America unless they deserved it. (Unlike say, when your father hires a prostitute to force you into having het sex and things like that). Veronica disagrees.

Jughead does not give a hoot what happened to the English teacher. Ethel doesn’t either. They are off looking to celebrate the publication of the comic that Featherstone decided to publish last episode. The friendzoning continues - Jughead calls it “your” first comic to which Ethel corrects, “our” first comic. But her brown checked skirt matches his brown checked jacket! The vendor, who is a crusty old man, says he no longer carries “Pit of the Perverse” at all because it’s “unamerican smut.” All around him are faces of pretty girls smiling invitingly out from covers with titles like “Flash Bulb” and “Women of Today.” The man even yells at the pair to go away.

At Thornton House, Cheryl is being interrogated by her parents about her unamerican public kiss with Toni at the Halloween Party. Red Menace, Lavender Menace (which is a Betty Friedan phrase, the homophobia of which was one the major failings of the initial Second Wave liberal white feminist movement in America) - it’s all the same to Clifford Blossom. He wants it stamped out.

The thing is, the Blossoms are scary, abusive people but I weirdly admire them (no please, hear me out) for not being hypocrites. When they say they want to ‘stamp out’ unamerican (™) activities, they start by torturing their own kid.

Cheryl also has a spine of steel. Though visibly frightened (and fully aware of her father’s homicidal impulses and callousness about his children) Cheryl says she will not be naming names. She calls him a jackal. Bravo.

Sadly, they already have a list of names compiled for the targeting. What they want is for Cheryl to just corroborate. This will allow her to ‘redeem’ herself.

The names on this list are: Cheryl Blossom (as NUMBER 1), Toni, Kevin, Clay, and then a bunch of people we don’t know - Chris Henderson, John Maclean, Jessical Leetola, Connor Rielley, Colin Ellis, and Kathleen Ross.) Cheryl absolutely refuses, except Clifford has her number - he threatens the only thing she cares about, the Vixens. “Anything but that Daddy!” Cheryl pleads, but she is not granted clemency.

At the same time, Veronica comes home to find Hiram Lodge is in the apartment. The number of ways and things that Hiram lies about in his conversations with Veronica are truly very toxic. He says he missed her, to which Veronica is unmoved, so then he bribes her with a Faberge egg, to which she wants to know who he fucked around with on her mom. Infidelity is something he’s very willing to own up to. This toxic dad also knows his daughter’s main weakness - she is very lonely So he says that he wants to meet her friends as he offers her a hug. This, she can’t resist.

The next day, Veronica brings Hiram to school like it’s show and tell. She’s dressed in the most demure, matronly outfit I’ve seen her in to date, complete with a matching pearl necklace-and-bracelet set. So these are her group of friends yes, but like, it’s funny how she’s dated, kissed or wooed or was wooed by the majority of her friend circle. (Betty, Clay, Archie, Julian) leaving out only Kevin, Cheryl and Toni.

Kevin is so horny and shameless. Ugh.

Cheryl pointedly says that the first season of Oh Mija was the best one (hahaha) because it went downhill after that. Featherhead has asked Hiram to be a guest lecturer (because I guess even he knows Penelope Blossom may not actually want to teach the kids anything), especially because this is monologue day at English class.

Julian Blossom is up first!

He does the Hamlet To Be or Not to Be soliloquy. Apparently neither Kevin nor Archie knew that this was a speech about contemplating suicide. Hiram is weirdly macho about it, asking of Julian is a man, because Hamlet was a man. I mean, Hamlet was a man but his whole problem was being emasculated, I thought? He doesn’t really achieve any of his goals, has his place in succession stolen from him by his uncle and does literally nothing about it for months and months other than dither, kill the wrong person, and drive poor Ophelia to suicide.

For some reason, Hiram giving Julian what sound like pretty sound corrections to the way he’s delivering a speech that’s very challenging to sound convincing makes everyone chuckle throughout. Is this supposed to be in reaction to like, Hiram’s star power? They’re just delighted and nervous that a real life sitcom actor is giving their Julian Blossom an acting lesson?

After the class, Betty goes to see the principal, who tells her that the Blue and Gold is going to be defunded with the loss of Mrs Thornton, who was the faculty advisor. Featherhead has already made up his mind, so Betty charges into the newspaper room and liberates the typewriter there.

This is very interesting, that first Archie and now Betty are acquiring the instruments and drive for writing now that they never ever talk to Jughead Jones.

Cheryl has gathered the three other known homosexuals that were on the list into the music room, to update them and to freak out about potentially losing the Vixens. She doesn’t feel the need to inform anyone she isn’t personally friends with. She needs to know who sold her out. Who stands to gain the most from getting her off the Vixens?

Evelyn!

So she confronts Evelyn immediately. I love Evelyn and how Evil she is. She’s so calm and reserved and coiled and hateful. Cheryl is protesting entirely way too much, which gives Evelyn the upper hand.

In the principal’s office, Featherhead wants to know if Mrs. Thornton was trying to “indoctrinate” Archie, who doesn’t know what that word means. Werther says that civil disobedience and revolution is happening in Cuba and can’t happen here. I mean, it wasn’t necessarily due to Mrs. Thornton that Archie started that unionized coup against Clifford Blossom, but I don’t think either man knows about that.

Veronica is doing a full show and tell of her life, bringing Hiram to the movie theater. The one he wanted to raze and make into a parking lot. He tells her it’s tremendous, which is so insincere,but Veronica bless her is just too lonely to see it. As soon as Hiram is off to see the afternoon movie, in comes Glen, who wants to know what Veronica’s relationship is with Hiram. I see that even though he looks like Harrison Ford when clean cut, he’s still dumb as a bag of bricks because he did not realize that Veronica Lodge was Hiram Lodge’s daughter.

At Pep Comics, Ethelhead tell of their recent misadventures to Fieldstone. He already knows that his comics are being rejected, and that it’s an emergency. He’s very upset. They’re getting graphic hatemail. They’re going to “hunker down and weather this storm.” I like Fieldstone for how adorable he finds Ethel. Everything she says makes him laugh or call her Freckles or Girl Genius. Ethel wants a copy of her newly published work. Then Ethelhead, without having to even say anything, just read each other’s minds and take bundles to sell on their own cognizance.

At home, Betty is soliciting anonymous submissions to her magazine, “The Teenage Mystique.” …. I mean. Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique in 1963 and I am not ok with a seminal work of feminism being consumed in this way by this piece of pop media. Betty Cooper uses “The Girl Next Door” as her moniker, shoving her invitation sheet into every single locker.

Now that he doesn’t have a quiet classroom to write poetry in, Archie has to try to eke out some space, much like Jane Austen or Emily Dickinson, to work on his writing. He flips out when Uncle Fucking Frank barges in, demanding to know what he is up to.

Uncle Frank and his obsession with Archie is very disturbing. Also does he still live in this house? Does Mary just lock herself into the master bathroom and sleep in the bathtub at night? Anyway, when Archie who acted like he’d been jerking it to hardcore gay porn eventually says that he was working on his writing, Uncle Frank says he came in to police Archie’s sexuality again. But the scary interrogation of the afternoon has definitely taught Archie what “indoctrination” means. It’s not sufficiently heterosexual of him, as a man, to write poetry for any purpose than to make some girl swoon and “get with” him. Except given the events of the past season, they don’t really want any girl to “get with” him either. No peep shows through windows between houses like 5 feet apart with Betty. And if he had impregnated Cheryl they were both going to have to get married. So the repression that is being laid on Archie is just as contradictory and repressive as what is being laid on Betty (except she’s much more abnormal about how horny it seems to make her) . He can’t be insufficiently straight and manly, but being ultra straight and manly (i.e. succeeding in impregnating a girl) would also be a disaster.

Plus.

PLUS.

The very single, very childless, only works with minor teen boys Uncle Fucking Frank trying to control Archie’s outward behavior to keep him on the “straight and narrow” is fully ridiculous. I hate Frank so much. Why oh Why is Mary considered too inept to mother Archie, when she goes out of her way to cockblock Beronica’s kiss by essentially haranguing a doorman to let her break into someone else’s apartment??

At the Pembroke, Veronica wants to know why the FBI is following Hiram. Hiram says he’s being investigated as a possible communist, because he went to Cuba the year before to buy cigars. Another lie comes out before he actually says the truth - the lie was that he came to Riverdale to hide out. The truth is that he needs Veronica to lie for him to the government. She balks because lying to the government scares her. He pretends there’s an out for her - he’s “meeting with a lawyer” but in the end he trusts she’ll throw herself into the fire for him.

The next day, Glen is waiting for her at school. Glen says that he’s been assigned to her, and that someone else has followed Hiram to NYC. Veronica wants to see proof, to which Glen says to get into the car. She does!

Archie sees Veronica get into the car, and she sees him as they drive by. Of course, the place they go to is the diner. Glen shows Veronica photos of Hiram at the same table in Cuba as “Fidel Mastro.” The person that Veronica is upset to be seeing in the photo is the blonde lover at Hiram’s side.

Archie has tracked down his English teacher by looking her up in the phone book. She is packing up to leave, moving to Greendale, to be a library there as a volunteer. Apparently that River makes all the difference - it refused admittance to Julian Blossom, dunking him and making him come out the other end of it as someone who is an ally to Cheryl for one. Mrs Thornton says really contradictory things - that there’s a “job waiting for me” but also that it’s “volunteer.” OK but ma’am what will you live on?

No matter.

When Archie expresses his confusion about the state of the world, his teacher hands him a copy of The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Archie says he was going to do Biff’s monologue from Death of a Salesman, but now he’s going to pick something out of The Crucible.

OMG is this why Jughead picked the name Biff for Archie when they run away together in Season 3? The key bit of that monologue is this: “And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! That’s whose fault it is!” Biff is saying this to Willy, the salesman.

The teacher gives him a benediction, that strangely sounds exactly like what Hiram said earlier in the day to Julian: “Words have power.” She keeps telling him he’s “more than” a Biff type (when Jughead in the OG timeline reduced him exactly to it??). They give each other a hug of farewell.

Meanwhile, Ethelhead are running a brisk, literally under the table business, selling Pep Comic books, sitting back to back. I love their partnership. Jughead totally acts like he’s selling contraband weapons or something. He’s so dorky, I love him. he feels like he’s being such a badass, while Ethel just likes this entire exercise.

At the Dark Room, Cheryl is having another panic attack about potentially getting kicked out of the Vixens. The other gays have come up with a plan, to ape lavender marriages. Conveniently for them there’s one white and black person in each homosexual pairing, which obviates the need for a race discussion should it ever come up. Cheryl gravely says that going in the closet like that seems to betray Toni’s principles. Toni, who as we’ve seen all season doesn’t really have principles, lies again. Instead of saying, I want to hunker down and survive to see another day (like the much more honest Fieldstone), Toni says she’s allowing this charade for “all our sakes.”

Archie finds The Crucible extremely riveting.

Veronica is sadly mulling things over in her apartment, with liquor. Hiram comes in late from New York to say that his attempt to buy his way out of his problem did not work out. He needs her to commit perjury on his behalf. Veronica confronts him with the fact that his trip to Cuba was in service of an affair with a Kelly (the name of the actors’ IRL wife, which was a very cute reference). When Veronica sounds unwilling to acquiesce to his demands, Hiram reverts to villainy which is his true form and threatens her, saying that it wouldn’t be a favor for HIM if she commits perjury - it would be self protective for her, because he would lose everything if the story came out that he was in violation of his morality clause. Veronica shoots back that she already went through the experience of banishment and life in exile. She’s so lonely, as I’ve said, and she’s genuinely hurt that her initial intuition (Hiram would not show up unannounced and play all nicey nice unless there was a direct personal benefit she could do at her cost for him) was correct. “What you should be asking me for is mercy!” she cries, before storming off.

The next day, the Lavender Marriages storm the halls in patented Cheryl SloMo (™) which I don’t remember seeing much this season. Evelyn, wearing an appropriately lavender cardigan, is very annoyed by this workaround that the four homosexuals have found. Apparently, their queerness was an open secret, which is very very weird to me. Midge for one seems disappointed with Cheryl, who refuses to look at her. But everyone else is equally perturbed by these two pairings.

Archie is very nervous about trying to give his monologue from The Crucible. Penelope Blossom is teaching the class, sort of, I mean - she’s dressed up for it and in the classroom, standing like a Dior New Deal costume model in a very red dress. The thing is, she doesn’t seem to know what The Crucible is, which is surprising, and even more surprising, she didn’t insist on cross checking what the students were going to be performing before letting them.

Suddenly Archie is giving the John Proctor speech and uh -

I -

oh help-

I don’t want to be here.

This is the most grating thing I’ve ever seen on Riverdale and this includes a lot of the hideous singing and dancing and poorly transposed musical numbers and so on. I get very annoyed when shows do this, having actors “play” people who “play” at “acting.” It’s so self referential and masturbatory, sort of like how when movie people make movies about making movies they act like all the normal “This is what happens on a job” stuff is the most momentous thing ever and simultaneously they refuse to deal with the actual documented problems of their industry that are unique to just themselves

Ok so as far as that speech goes, John Proctor at the end of his rope, giving the thesis statement of the play etc, Archie (and KJ Apa’s) delivery is fine. He is doing all the correct actor-y things with his voice, going from screaming (but not to harsh) to suddenly dropping in volume (but not to the point of being inaudible), trembling with emotion but not enough to obscure diction, and his eyes also fill with tears but not enough to make his sinuses get sloppy. It’s all… fine. But this level of sincerity completely and high emotionality goes completely against the bouncy surreality of everything that S7 (and all the seasons before) have relied on to be watchable.

This is how Riverdale loses even by winning. KJ Apa works everything he knows how to do as an actor (activating tear ducts at will, flexible eyebrows, vocal chord range deployment, breathing techniques, working outside his native accent) so that Archie the character gives a professional-grade burst of emotion for his monologue class at school, and yet, because it just does not fit with anything Riverdale has ever done, it completely shatters the immersion in the narrative for me and all I am left with is

CRINGE.

But anyway. the power of Arthur Miller’s words supposedly gives Cheryl some sort of realization, because she marches down to the principal’s office to face off against her father, the principal and Werthers. She tells the three men that she will never cooperate with them, and has a wonderful moment:

“I, Cheryl Blossom, hereby and willingly, end my stewardship of the River Vixens.”

I really, really needed this palate cleanser after what they made Archie do. Thank god for Cheryl.

She also tells them of the Lavender Marriage workaround, before joining the gay kids of Riverdale club. “Clearly, we don’t live in a just world,” she says, bumping shoulders with Kevin.

The thing is, this feels like a course correction to the plotline that lead me to hate Kevin - that is, he was in the closet for real, lying to himself and to Betty and everyone else about what the hell he was up to. With this lavender marriage situation though, the show seems to be positing that there is such a thing as a ‘good and useful’ closet. If you construct it and climb into it yourself - and everyone sort of kind of knows you’re lying - then it’s fine. (Is it?) And I must still ask - WHY IS IT CHERYL THAT HAS TO GIVE ANYTHING UP? Because think about it - Kevin nor Clay nor Toni have had to give up a single one of their hobbies or group affiliations. It’s just Cheryl that had to give up something she held to a religious level of importance.

Why is Kevin not expected to confront his father about being a lackey to the mayor? Oh right, because even Betty finds his relationship with Clay ‘dreamy.’ [Vomit]

Cheryl says she’s happy to have even a small amount of space on earth to live her truth. Toni hopes Evelyn breaks her neck cheerleading.

Veronica approaches Archie to say that it was quite the speech. She gives him a kiss on the cheek, and then they kiss each other. Archie is very surprised, but not displeased. Veronica looks very serious.

Ok.

Ok SHOW?

FUCKING SHOW ME ANOTHER BERONICA KISS PLEASE.

Back at the diner, an Asian boyscout (or whatever they’re called) is asking for Pit of the Perverse #32 . Jughead has been marking up 10 cent issues all the way up to a quarter for his sales. The boyscout turns out to be a plant, and this is a raid. Keller is doing this with his time. The jig is up, so they have to turn over their stash to the cops. It’s very funny to me that Jughead completely expected to be SHOT for selling the comic books - he was this close to demanding that they not shoot.

Jughead has Ethel at his home again, and the two of them celebrate with milkshakes and a “god bless America toast” about the money they’ve made.

At the Pembroke, Hiram and Veronica are having dinner together (Cooked by who I wonder?). Hiram is trying to ingratiate himself to his clearly not very happy daughter, but all he can offer is his own show (“A new episode of Oh Mija!”). This is absolutely the wrong thing to say, and Veronica takes off in a huff.

The next day at school, Archie is taking things out of his locker. He seems to only have images of male baseball players on the inside - a cover of Batter, and a picture of someone pitching a ball but somehow also called the Bulldogs. Just then, a woman asks him if he’s Archie Andrews.

And it’s Geraldine Grundy, this time as an English teacher. She’s wearing a white cardigan with gold embroidery that I think is supposed to have some sort of angelic effect but I am too consumed with the question WHY THE FUCK IS SHE HERE to really be persuaded. She’s taking over for Mrs. Thornton. Archie looks very smitten immediately. Grundy claims to have attended Mt. Holyoke together with Mrs. Thornton and in the name of Emily Dickinson, I banish thee! Shoo! Away with you! So she seems to appreciate Archie’s poetry from what she’s heard from Mrs. Thornton. Archie wants to keep things discreet because his uncle hates the idea of his writing poetry. But then Grundy ruins it by whispering “IT CAN BE OUR LITTLE SECRET” like a total creeper, then she dangles her husband, an alleged poet.

In the Principal’s office, the hideous white men are going over their loot of confiscated comic books. There’s so many of these. Werther’s is very pissed off. There’s something about his presence that renders his lover (sorry, I just keep interjecting my headcanon about this but otherwise their relationship makes no sense to me) Featherhead completely mute. I don’t care about them enough to go all the way back and check, but I feel like at some point Werther’s dominance became such that Featherhead just nods and mimes with his face when Werthers is speaking. Werthers wants to do something he calls “Full measures.” Kevin’s dad makes like Kevin and is spineless.

Meanwhile, in English class, Veronica is doing King Lear. She’s giving Cordelia’s refusal speech. The person who understands exactly what Veronica is going through, with an overbearing, criminal father, is Cheryl. Betty is sad because Veronica is clearly sad, but it’s Cheryl that understands her. While this excellence is going on, Grundy is fucking making eyes at Archie, who reciprocates because he doesn’t ever not.

Later that day, Veronica brings an affidavit with the correct set of lies to her father. She says she did it for her mother, then starts laying out conditions. She wants her father to tell her mother that he’s cheating on her. She also wants the title to the Pembroke. The way this father daughter pair constantly fight over real estate, and the supreme importance of paperwork to their relationship is an odd constant. I have issues with Cordelia - The great tragedy of King Lear, to me, isn’t that King Lear has evil daughters. It’s that King Lear is a deeply stupid man who favored the child who most directly inherited his deep stupidity, the extremely stupid Cordelia. I am immensely satisfied that Veronica finds a very Goneril/Regan type of solution to her Cordelia problem. Good for her. There’s a reason I love her so much.

At the post office, Betty collects a literal BAG of mail. Did post office rules in the US change sometime after the fifties? Because you can’t actually send things that are addressed to something like “The Girl Next Door.” The US Postal Service literally will not deliver if you give your addressee a title like that. Oh but I guess this is Riverdale, not the US of A? Or did Betty somehow manage to like, actually establish an LLC or something with the name “Girl Next Door”?!

Hermione has come home to the Pembroke literally the afternoon of the morning Hiram left, I guess. Veronica says as much. Hermione says that Oh Mija is going to shutter after “seven long seasons” because she is “ready for something new.” She has extremely nervous hands while she’s announcing this plan to Veronica, fidgeting with her gloves and twitching her fingers. I think she has to let out her feelings in this digital dance because the expressive muscles of her face do not move much at all. She also adds almost like an afterthought that she will be divorcing Hiram. Veronica seems not particularly perturbed by this news. She reacts like she’s Hermione’s older sister, rather than her daughter. “What will you do?” as in - how will you cope? But also What will you live on? and so forth. Hermione manipulates a promise to not have to spend Christmas by herself from Veronica, as though none of the rest of the season have actually happened.

What absolute assholes both Hiram and Hermione are. They both abandoned Veronica, banished her, locked her out of the house rendering her homeless on purpose in order to punish her for getting in the way of their parking lot real estate deal, but when the going gets tough, they both come to see her to demand her company, her fidelity and her services. And she gives it to them, because Veronica is second only to Jughead Jones as the most love-starved character on Riverdale. Poor baby.

Jughead gets to school the next day to fine that the whole student body is lined up with armfuls of comic books, trying to sell them to Werther. Dilton doesn’t see what the harm would be, but later we are shown. There is a cartoon Nazi style book burning which I would bet is taken shot for shot from Indiana Jones. Cheryl is standing in for the Nazi Elsa (which is so not fair to her but ok) crying tears over the destruction of free speech and art. The Riverdale Adventure Scouts stand in for the Indiana Jones Hitler Jugend.

#riverdale season 7 #riverdale episode 130 #riverdale 7x13 #riverdale s7 recap #riverdale s7 #riverdale episode recap

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collectingsparechangemadeeasy1 · 11 months

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A Reunion Long Overdue

I am very excited about this one! I’ve wanted to write this part for awhile! Hope you like it uwu!

1 year and 2 months he’s been living with Glynda. 1 year and 2 months… Oscar was nearly two. So much had changed in what sounded like a long time, but felt like a moment. But today… Today felt like years. Because he was waiting for someone. Or rather, someone’s. Today he was going to see his family again after a decade. A whole decade… How much has changed? How much was different now? Would he even recognize his brothers or his fathers anymore?

He shook his head and rubbed a damp cloth on Oscar’s cheek, cleaning away breakfast. He smiled faintly, this little one had brought so much light into his life. Light he didn’t even realize was missing.

“Well aren’t you a messy little mister?” he chuckled, picking up the bouncing baby boy and kissing his cheek.

“Are you seriously still in your pajamas?” a familiar teasing voice asked, and Ozpin chuckled.

“Maybe. Don’t want my day cloths to be all messed up by mr.GottaThrowAllMyBabyFood over here. Is that ok with you Glyny?” he asked, a fake pout on his lips.

Glynda snorted and rolled her eyes, bumping his shoulder as she passed. “Never call me Glyny, and get changed. Your family is gonna be here any minute.”

Right… family. Could he even call them that? 10 years and 3 months apart, he’d missed so much, he knew so little about their lives after all. Glynda had been only his friend growing up, she knew his brothers of course, but was never as close to them. So when he’d left, she’d told him that contact had dwindled. She would help them search, but she stopped after 3 years. They… they never did.

He’d been shocked to hear that. They NEVER stopped looking for him. For 10 years. He really didn’t deserve them… Did he?

He shook his head of the thoughts and headed to the guest room Glynda had been letting him stay in. “What do you wanna wear today little manticore?” he asked his son. Oscar babbled a bit, but Oz was able to make out “ion” and “usie”. Which meant lion onesie! Heh, he was so smart.

“One lion onesie coming up! Maybe your adorableness will help me not get absolutely destroyed by your uncles!” he chirped, all smiles and coos with Oscar. The little one giggled and clapped his hands happily. “Keep that up and we’re home free honey!”

Oscar was far less fussy about getting dressed today, which was both thankful, and not thankful for. Thankful because it was always good when Oscar was relaxed and happy, not thankful because if Oscar was fussy… he might be able to get out of this whole mess. But no dice there, just a few buttoned up buttons, a cute lion hood, and a slow trudge to his own little wardrobe to get dressed. He hummed as he looked at the clothes. “What do you think, little manticore? Should I go for casual “Oh it’s been so long, great to see you!” or formal “It’s been years and I want to make a good impression”? Maybe a dress?” Oscar just babbled unhelpfully, chewing on his teething ring Oz had carved for him. Ozpin sighed with a fond smile, looks like he was on his own. ”Maybe a new style entirely. I wear black and red and gray too much. Maybe something lighter… a real “Hey I’m a nice guy now” vibe. …A sweater vest would be a one way street to teasing, rather not give them more ammo…” About an hour later Glynda came up to find the poor guy face down on the floor, Oscar giggling on his back, the entire wardrobe scattered on the floor. “Wow.”

“I don’t know what to weeeeear!” he moaned, “Everything is either too fancy, not fancy enough, too dark or too light, or makes me look weird!”

“Do you think you might be, oh I don’t know, over thinking this?” she asked, kneeling next to him and poking his cheek. “Just wear something comfortable.” He looked up at her with previously unseen tears in his eyes, “No! I have to wear something good! Something that shows I’m changed! Something that-that-” Glynda petted his hair with uncommon tenderness, “Ozzy, it’s ok. They’ve loved you for all these years. They’ve been looking for you for all this time. I don’t think wearing the wrong outfit is going to change that.”

He let out a small sob and leaned into her hand, “I’m… I’m scared Glyn… It’s been so long.”

She smiled softly, “I know Ozzy, I know. But you have to face that fear and tell it fuck off!”

That got a little warbly laugh from the man, “R-right, just gotta tell it to fuck off!”

“That’s the spirit!” she laughed, picking up Oscar and letting Oz sit up. “Now… get dressed and come down stairs. You’re family’s here.”

A few minutes later, Ozpin came down, he wore a green, brown, and beige patchwork sweater, a white t-shirt, and brown pants with white shoes. He was holding Oscar close, like he was a teddy bear that was going to protect Oz from the monster in the closet.

The scene was an achingly familiar one, even if so much had changed. Ozma, Diggs, his dad and his papa, all gathered around the table with Glynda, chatting and teasing each other. Ozma was noticeably older, laughter lines around his eyes, his hair was longer and he could see some gray streaks here and there. Diggs had his marshmallow white hair tied back in a ponytail, he had the same laugh lines, and a large burn scar on his cheek that hadn’t been there before.

But then there were his parents… They looked so much older than Oz remembered them. His dad, Ozymandias, had a beard now, it was groomed well, but it, along with his long chestnut hair, was streaked with gray. His face was more wrinkled, worry lines in his forehead, crows feet, age lines around his mouth… And the way he sat, more hunched, when Oz always remembered him sitting tall and proud, perfect posture he’d instilled in his sins. His papa, Ambrosius, was as handsome as ever, but his face held the same signs of age as his dad. His short dark blue hair was now speckled with silver, his bright golden eyes seemed dimmer. He also seemed more demeur than he used to be, no longer the life of the party so to speak.

Ozpin took all of this in as he stepped into the proverbial lion's den, sitting next to Glynda, keeping her between him and his family. The conversation had died, and Ozpin didn’t know what to say. What could he say? It had been a decade since he ran from them, without so much as a note… He looked away from his family's eyes that bore into him, scrutinizing him, judging him. He held Oscar a little closer, trying to keep the shaking in his hands from being noticed.

He only looked up again when he heard someone stand, his dad, he was still so regal, so kingly, even after all these years. Even with his aging body, he held an air about him, powerful and worthy of respect without demanding it. His expression was unreadable, and he moved slowly towards Oz, almost like the silvernette was a scared wild animal who may bolt at any moment.

Ozpin stayed still, feeling very much like said scared animal, especially when Glynda gently took Oscar from his hold. He stared up at his father, still taller than him by quite a bit. He looked into those aged green eyes, and his knees nearly buckled from under him when he saw that same familiar warmth, that same familiar love, not dimmed or lessened in the slightest.

“Dad…” he breathed, eyes welling up as his throat caught with a painful lump.

It seemed that was all the older man needed though, as he quickly embraced Ozpin, holding him tight to his chest like so many years ago. Ozpin let out a sob as he quickly returned the embrace, gods how he’d missed this. He hadn’t realized how much he missed his dads hugs, so strong and warm, making him feel like nothing could hurt him so long as his dad was there.

“Dad!” he whined, holding him tighter, wetting his shirt with tears. “Dad!” “Shh, thaur noo sweetheart. yoo’re awe rite.” his fathers low rumbling voice, his accent thick as ever. The sound just made him sob harder, he missed that sound so much, he missed hearing him tell stories, missed teasing him about his accent, missed hearing him sing old songs from his youth. He’d missed his dad.

Another body joined the hug, warmer and softer, but no less powerful. His papa, the kind, silly, exuberant, always the first with a joke or to tell a highly animated story. He’d hold them when they cried, be silly to make them laugh, he was always first to go into papa bear mode when Oz or his brothers were threatened. He was the best at scaring away bad dreams, always telling them that “Monsters are too scared of me to come anywhere near this place!” And it always made him feel better.

He held both as best he could, sobbing into them as he felt his brothers join the hug. He cried out in grief, all the years he’d missed, all the pain he’d caused, and yet they still loved him. They still came to him when called, they still held him so tight, they still cried with him, murmuring about how they loved him, how they were so happy they finally found him.

It took nearly an hour of crying, hugging, and gentle words before everyone finally calmed down enough to separate and sit down to actually talk. Oz took Oscar back and kissed his little cheek, he smiled softly at the little bundle of joy in his arms. “Everyone…” he said softly, voice raspy from all the crying, “This is Oscar, my son.”

(translation of Ozmynadias line just in case: “Shh, there now sweetheart. You’re alright.”)

#Small Moments au #Dadpin #Ozymandias #Ambrosius #Diggs #Ozma #Oscar pine #Ozpin Valiant #Ozymandias is scottish dont @ me #And he's married to Ambrosius #Cause I said so

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goddesspharo · 11 months

Note

Top Five Tom Cruise Movies

ask me my top fives!

Top 5 Tom Cruise movies:

A Few Good Men: One of my top five favorite movies of all time. I have watched it so much that I've probably got the whole thing memorized.

Jerry Maguire: I don't care that it's sappy! It's really good! How wild is it that out of the four principal cast members in that movie, TOM CRUISE is the only one without an Oscar?

Days of Thunder: I realize that Days of Thunder is a poor man's Top Gun and objectively Top Gun is the better movie but realistically I've watched Days of Thunder a lot more because there's something charming about how dumb it is. Also, Kelly McGillis had nothing on Nicole Kidman's hair in this.

Minority Report: You'd think this movie would get less riveting after the first time, but it never does. I love everything about it and the world it builds and even the grainy pre-cog footage. I'm never going to get over Tom Cruise and Samantha Morton's weird chemistry in this and I love that after decades of running, Tom Cruise finally made a movie with a plot point that involved someone shouting at him to RUNNNNNNNNNNNNN while everyone in the theater lost their minds.

Collateral: Tom Cruise was exceptionally good in this (where's his Oscar?) and the scene with Audioslave's "Shadow on the Sun" lives rent free in my mind.

Honorable mentions: Magnolia, which he should've also won an Oscar for and the only reason it's not in the top five is because I consider that more of an ensemble piece; Mission Impossible franchise because I can't choose the *one* MI movie that I love most and think the whole thing should count as one extremely long multiple decades spanning project.

#ask me things #tom cruise

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tiptapricot · 2 years

Text

MK liveblog thoughts, Asylum

Why does this have another boring title music section uGh

The main themes being right at the beginning w the cave n Wendy,,,,, Oughhh

THE EDITING IS SO GOOD

God god god

Marc looks so beat up n confused babe I’m so sorry I’m so sorry

I still don’t think this is Jake y’all sorry I rlly just never will ok

His accent doesn’t change it just gets stronger bc he gets more upset

Dr Harrow you suck so bad

“I took the bus” “hmgggggg |:-/“

Also why does his face look totally diff Oscar why do u shift ur face

DONT BRING UP THE LITTLE BOY SHUT UR YAP

Also again… Marc’s trigger is roro n he gets mad when harrow brings it up

Taweret my love

Taweret’s painted nails n how she licks her lips o baby oh yeah

Also the fact that she’s gotta read off cards n is awkward bc this isn’t her job

Autism overrides fear of being dead, category 6 event two dead and are mad ab it

Untethered consciousness is such a fun way to describe souls

Just watching Marc fall back into old habits of thinking n self hate n being trapped in his medical trauma agghhhhh

“Mahc… mahc….”

“BingoOOOOH MY GOD”

The Duat music is amazing n the colors r LOVELYYY

Poppa-ed ya hearts out hehhehe

Steven grabbin him boobies no heart there anymore

Also how what happens when ur souls don’t balance is diff bc Ammit is entombed n cant eat them

“Kill the hippo, steal the boat”

THEYRE INCOMPLETE BC JAKE ISNY THERE U FUCK LET HIM OUTTT

“You two guys” so real they rlly are guys

“Yeawrrite”

I love Steven n Marcs bickering ab killing Taweret or not they’re so

They’re so

I love the memory rooms hey don’t go into they’re so cool looking

N the music that’s like a muffled n floaty version of the main theme ouYghH

“Woah… that’s wild”

Marc seeing the shiva n brushing it off is so…

I didn’t think anything of it the first time but knowing now is just uUggGHh

Steven’s collar is lower cut than Marc’s n that vibes

The way Steven looks when he asks “All of them?” Is so heartbreaking

Marc baby Marc baby Marc bABY I need to holD YOU OH SHIT RORO HIIII

“Why is there a child in a room full of people you’ve killed” GOD BUT HES ALIVE HES THE ONLY ALIVE ONE ITS NOT THE SAME

THE WAY MARC BANGS ON THE MEMORY BC HE KNIWS WHAT UT IS IUGGHHHHHH

“Draw wing”

Layers gators in awhile crocodile

THE SHOT OF MARC THROUGH THE HALL MIRROR THE GREENS OF THE TREES N THEN IT GETYING DIMMER AS IT RAINS

The music swelling n shifting still light n then getting heavy n deep when Steven realizes what’s happening

Marc searching so hard n Steven’s panic rising n Marc looking rigid n scared n tense as his own fear rises

Steven yelling even tho they can’t hear him the water rushing in w Marc’s memory n his breathing over the top of it Steven diving n n Marc’s breath shivering over all of it GOD GOD GOD GOD

Steven at the shiva…. He looks so shaken and empty

The room is warmly lit but the contents are not

The water dripping in the silence

Wendy’s hair going from wavy to straight in grief

Baby Marc… baby….. go back to your room

God

Steven’s face I’m

God Jesus fuck the emotions this instills just holy shit holy shit

DONT GO UP THE STAIRS

The way each level almost gets more desaturated….

Steven continuing to climb n Marc only being able to watch

The score dude… I’m just…:.::::::::

Their vices when they’re fighting

Teen Marc…. Steven just watching and the tears on teen Marc’s face and Marc pulling him away into a worse memory

Spitting up sand..

OH HEY STEVEN INSEE UR SHOULDER

Marc……. Man

Hey I… care ab these guys a lot

“What happened to you?” And Marc is already moving towards it

ALSO THE SHOT OF THE TEMPLE IUGGHHHB JTS SO COMICS IT MAKES ME YEL

I can’t even

I can’t even describe the feelings of this scene we all know

But like the score doesn’t stop immediately when Khonshu starts talking his voice cuts through it and silences things and makes Marc pause

Khonshu I hate u

Also so many shots r uneven n weird this scene in a good way

“Marc he was… taking advantage of you”

The way we see through Marc’s eyes the edge of Khonshu’s staff before he says yes and then Khonshu is finally visible OUGGHHHH

HAHA THEY SAID THE TITLE YEAHHHH YEAHHH OH HEY HIS CAPE IS GLOWINH DUDE

TAWERET ILYYYY

Marc’s…. Rlly strong n panicked reaction to maybe having to relive the bedroom but Steven just can’t get it bc he doesn’t know he is unable to know and then Steven says it’ll b all his fault n it triggers Marc and he has a mini meltdown just… fuck man

The way the diff Dr Harrows act diff n have diff rules

Proves the psych ward isn’t reality immediately between the sedating vs the not sedating

Again Dr harrow asmr is begrudgingly v nice

Marc just responding by looking at him like 😕

The tomb buster figures… the stuffie, the astronaut on the shelf. The car bunk bed…. I think

Baby Steven…….

And the way Steven copies along bc he rmrs…

Steven being a fictive is still one of my fav things but also it makes sense he does not have a good reaction bc he doesn’t know what it means n his sense of self is so strong n just

God….

PUNCH HIS ASS

Steven… oh baby

I’m like

Listen guys I’m rlly fucking emotional it’s hitting harder than usual rewatched uh um um

Marc’s voice breaks even when he’s so angry and I’m just I

Oh I’m im rlly close to crying lol

Steven’s initial reaction to her being dead is just heart shattering n he’s mumbling n his world is coming down n Marc is trying to calm him bc he realized what he did but Steven can’t hear him through the panic

Steven still being brave in the face of gaslighting n illusions n not believing that Dr harrow is real like Marc did

“Oo nosy…”

Dr harrow I hate u

Steven’s breakdown as the realization of his mother is brought to the surface n he tries to deny it but he can’t the way his dont do that becomes a pleas j his face breaks oh the tear oh god

“My mum is dead” And the line is dead too

“I was just a little boy”

Oscar Isaac the actor you are Jesus shit

The way Steven just watches the memory n breaks n the tears come n he gets it

And the taxi drives away someone mentioned the Jake parallel god

“Marc… all those horrible things that’s he said to you, she was wrong, it wasn’t your fault.”

“Hey… hey… you were just a child. It wasn’t your fault.”

My chest is like twisting n it’s in my throat guys just… Jesus

THEYRE UNBALANCED BC JAKE ISNT THERE N ITS TWO HEARTS N IT WORKS DIFF THAN SINGLETS BABY CMON

This fight hurts so bad just

The faceless sand creature….

Steven working so hard to save Marc

The way Steven covers his mouth when Marc gets hit n he looks so purely scared

AND THEN HE ATEPS UP YES BABY YOU GOT THIS

“SIIIIX!! I prefer cricket :-)”

BEAT THAT THING UPPPPP

Marc’s proud happy in awe face n then he gets grabbed and it is that moment and—Steven falls

And Marc’s voice is hoarse and it’s so distant for Steven and then he realizes and tries to run but it’s too late “stop the boat!” “Wait!” But it doesn’t they can’t n Marc is yelling and Steven reaches out and says his name and is gone

The way that Taweret gasps a lil when the scales balance and then the music just.. lightens… and Marc looks so destroyed in the soft light of the field of reeds, alone and warm and broken….

Yeah I…. No wonder this put me in a shit emotional state for a week Jesus Christ

I never want to relive the wait between moon knight episodes 5 and 6 ever again but truly what the fuck dude that…… episode just

Christ

#the fruit is talking again #MK liveblog

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the-letter-horror-lover · 2 years

Text

Natalia

Chapter 34: The Butler & The Maid, Employing

Chapter Text

-Two weeks after the events at the Noah's arch circus-

"Master it seems as though we have a problem."

"Oh? what's the problem now?"

"Well it's rather a reptilian problem."

"Reptilian?"

"It seems the butler and I have caught a snake in the green house."

"A rather large one."

Pulling the box out from underneath their masters table Ciel looked at it curiously before glancing up at her awaiting form.

"Well, show me what's inside."

"Are you sure about that?" Josephine asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't act so high and mighty, open it!" He urged. Looking to the butler she gestured to the box which was nailed shut.

"Well then." Nodding he broke the nails and pulled back the wood of the crate, the rattling inside of it causing Josephine to put herself on high alert as she watched in slow motion as a pair of venoms snakes leaped out of the crate. Their long and sharp teeth dripped with poison as they aimed themselves to attack the boy, but the maid was swift and caught them, just inches away from the boys terrified face.

"Oh dear, they seem to be resentful towards you." Sebastian chuckled as he watched the snakes slither and squirm in the woman's grip. Shaking her head she sighed and clicked her tongue at the boy.

"That's why I asked are you sure about that?"The woman frowned as she looked down at the wiggling creatures, before watching the butler rip apart the rest of the wooden box to reveal none other than-

"Y-You're Snake!" Ciel gasped once he remembered the familiar slited eyes and silver hair of the Noah's arch circus half human- half snake man.

"The day after Smile snuck into Joker and everyones tent they all disappeared! it's definitely your fault! says Wilde." One of the snakes bit, causing the boy to suddenly come to the realization of his actions just a little bit more clearly than he had before.

"That's why I followed Smile from the scent on his clothes, says Oscar." The man managed to sneak into the manor only because a certain Prince allowed him too.Afterwards he managed to locate the manor they currently resided in, and hiding himself amongst the flower garden and woods that surrounded the estate. The snakes helped smuggle food to him which was how he managed to last so long.

"Those idiots." Ciel grumbled as he shut his eye with irritation. Releasing the snakes she held in her grasp back into the crate with Snake the maid shook her head and sighed.

"Not even we could have predicted this..." Josephine muttered to the butler who in turn nodded in agreement. Not even Josephine's supernatural hearing could have detected the mans presence! They saw nothing was off in the manor except for the occasional missing dish or snack which they presumed was one of the servants who had gotten hungry in the middle of the night. But nevertheless the two never saw this one coming.

"I see so? You mentioned that their disappearance was our fault?" The boy had asked as he began to regain his train of thought to the situation at hand.

"That's right! After you guys showed up they started acting weird! Says Wordsworth. I some how got that Joker and them were hiding something from me. However, despite my appearance those guys called me their friend..." Smiles and laughter swirled in the mans head as visions of the other troop members played in his mind. All of them extending a hand out to him with a warm greeting he wasn't use to. They were the only ones who treated him with kindness and love, the only ones to treat him like a human.

"THEY CALLED ME THEIR FAMILY! YOU TOOK THAT FROM ME! I DEFINITELY WON'T FORGIVE YOU!! says Wilde

"THEY CALLED ME THEIR FAMILY! YOU TOOK THAT FROM ME! I DEFINITELY WON'T FORGIVE YOU!! says Wilde." Standing up at this the earl sighed and walked towards the wooden crate.

"The circus group you were in kidnapped children one by one in the places you visited on tour. We became your companions in order to find evidence of this." No intentions of sugar coating it the earl believed that this was something he had to let out as straight as possible. He couldn't paint them in such a perfect light when they were in fact criminals.

"They were kidnappers...!?" He gasped with wide eyes before narrowing them sharply at the boy.

"T-THAT'S A LIE! DON'T TALK RUBISH! says Oscar

"T-THAT'S A LIE! DON'T TALK RUBISH! says Oscar."

"Rubbish? that might be. Because my real identity was found out before we could obtain the evidence. They made their whereabouts unknown after that. In that sense, I may have taken your peace from you. However, I wanted to save the children that were suffering because of them," Knowing that Snake was oblivious to these kidnappings the boy knew that it wasn't right to hand him over to the police, after all he was no threat to society, but to him however? he could possibly in the very near future.

"Of course I want to save you too." Confused by this the maid and butler watched as even the tied up man became perplexed as to what the boy was going on about.

"Eh?" He questioned as he watched Ciel undo his restraints, his restricted limbs now able to move more freely as he felt the ropes fall. Still so confused and quite frustrated by his actions, Snake gritted his teeth and lashed out,

"WHAT IS THIS!? says Wilde."

"Young master?" The butler asked, before watching him extend a hand out to the man.

"Snake

"Snake. Come to my mansion." Shocked and surprised the three looked at him with a blank expression, it was unlike him to be so generous however, this new employee did have his perks. Those snakes would definitely be a big help in keeping security tight around the manor grounds.

"Wha!? What are you saying!? Says Keats."

"You heard me right. I said I want to save you. We are looking for Joker and the others right now. Of course to clear up the incident. So don't you think that staying here would be the fastest way to seeing them again?"

Oh such lies he told.

"I know they're not bad people from living at the circus. They're kind and cheerful to anyone and everyone. That's why they should atone for their crimes. I'd like for them to achieve true happiness,"

They were so convincible almost too convincing, how could he not believe them?

"All of them including you."

"Including me..." He whispered as he looked down at his freed hands and then to the tiny one of the earl. Pursing his lips together the man reached out and shook Ciel's hand.

Welcome, the newest employee to the Phantomhive household,

-Snake!-

------

-The manors garden-

"I didn't think you would keep him in the house. You sure are kind master." The woman smiled as she and the boy walked through his garden. The tulips bloomed perfectly in healthy colors of yellow, pink and red, their rich scent sending the woman into a lulled state as she looked around the beautiful sight. She would surely have to compliment Finny on a job well done.

"It's better than letting him loose and being targeted again

"It's better than letting him loose and being targeted again. Plus that snake controlling ability of his might actually be useful," He said as he too observed the beautiful sight that surrounded him.

"Besides...I did want to get a pet." He smirked as he looked up at the woman. Giggling at that she nodded and let out a soft hum.

"Yes, However you told him such a lie. Knowing that the future could hold consequences. " She pouted slightly as she looked down at him with furrowed brows. Surely the boy knew what was to come in the future, when all was said and done. What would he do then? Admit the truth and risk being a target all his life? or keep the lie until eventually he forgot about it? which she doubted he would forget anytime soon.

"If you stick to a "lie" it'll eventually become the "truth". I just need you both to hold your tongue's and everything will go well," Nodding in understanding she turned her attention to the rest of the garden that laid a head of them. The warm sunny rays that peeked from the light grey clouds warmed them from a sudden gush of wind as they walked on in a comfortable silence.

"Moreover, what do you and Sebastian plan on telling the servants about Snake?" Smirking at such a thought, as well as their reactions the woman giggled and said,

"I'm sure we'll find a suitable way of telling them."

------

-That afternoon-

After the events at the masters indoor garden Sebastian made it clear that these damages to the manor weren't to be ignored. Gathering everyone together in the main hall as he always did when distributing chores he seemed a tad bit more irritated at the state of the manor, thinking that maybe they would actually listen this time around and keep the damage to a minimum he thought wrong when he noticed the completely wrecked kitchen, broken upstairs window, multiple holes in the walls and floor...over all the home was a mess, and because it was a mess they weren't able to have their promised rewards of sweet treats baked by the loving Josephine.

"Before I forget there will be an increase in servants at the mansion." The butler stated after he had finished listing off the chores that must be fulfilled by the end of the day.

"What?" The servants gasped, but Josephine who knew about the newest employee far earlier than they had just gave a small smile.

"Josephine escort him out here please." Nodding she walked over to the servants bedroom next to Finnie's. Opening the door a crack she peeked in and saw the slightly scared man cower into the corner of his dimly lit room, giving him a calm smile she gestured for him to approach, her hand outstretched to him in a tender manor.

"Right this way." Hesitating for a moment he slowly crept out of the corner and towards the sweet woman, taking her hand she delicately held it in her's before opening the door a bit wider to see three snakes slither out before the man causing the servants to each let out a scream of terror.

"WAAAAAA!! SNAKES!"

"WWAAAH!"

"EEEEEE!!!!"

"Everyone please calm down, they won't bite unless he orders them to." Sebastian sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, the servants rambunctious personalities already running him ragged as he realized that it was almost time to prepare the masters dinner. Making this quick was going to be a challenge, just as he expected.

"He?" The servants questioned as they watched the maid gently guide the man out of his room, bringing himself out of the darkness and into the light of the manor, he quickly released himself from Josephine's grasp before ducking behind the corner once he saw there wide and curious eyes.

"It's okay, they're friendly. I can assure you." She said as she gently rested a hand on his arm, blushing slightly he looked down doubtfully before having the butler rushing over and smacking a harsh hand on his back. The sudden impact making the poor man stand up straighter while the woman's jaw fell open in shock.

"Straighten up!" He spoke sternly causing the woman to frown and scowl at the butler for being so harsh to the newest employee. Or maybe...

Her kind and gentle nature to the newcomer was making him a tad bit jealous? Either way the woman didn't think this strong mentality was needed for the situation at the moment.

"Sebastian!-" She exclaimed as she placed her hands on her hips, eyebrows furrowed in anger.

"Introduce yourself loud and clear. Since you're here you'll have to obey our rules." The demon spoke sternly.

"Give him a break Sebastian he's just shy is all!" She scowled, as she gently rubbed the spot on Snake's back that Sebastian had mercilessly hit. Looking over at her with wide eyes he couldn't believe her kind nature, even with such a man as Sebastian by her side she was still as kind as she was when alone.

'No wonder why Joker loves her so much.'

"Go on introduce yourself." Blushing slightly he cleared his throat and looked to the three scared and creeped out servants.

"I...I'm Snake. N-Nice to meet you. Says Oscar."

"So it's Oscar?" Finny asked as he raised a confused eyebrow.

"NO! This one is named Oscar! Says Oscar." Snake said as he pointed to the one on his left shoulder.

"That one's Emily. Next to her is Bronte and over there is Wordsworth. Then there on the side-"

"Yes. Yes." The butler interrupted before the introduction got too long after all they still had chores to take care of as well as fixing up a rather large portion of the house.

"We'll talk about those 'servants' at another time. He'll be a footman in this household from now on. Please work together." He finished before turning to Josephine.

"Josephine show him around, but don't take too long you must help Mey-rin wash the linens."

"Understood." Clapping his hands together to end the quick meeting, the servants took that as their queue to leave and quickly ran off to their assigned tasks for the evening. Looking towards Snake she smiled and made a gesture with her hand as if to say, 'follow me, as I guide you to your new life.' Which he would happily accept.

"Right then! come along Snake I have so much to show you!"

Chapter 35: The Butler & The Maid, Celebrate St.Valentine

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Valentine's day morning-

"HAPPY VALENTINES DAY DEAREST!"

"Happy Valentines day young Master!"

"ACK!"

"W-What is the meaning of this!?"

"February 14th dearest! valentines day!"

"Tch, is that why you've woken me up so suddenly?"

Pouting at their masters less than enthusiastic attitude the two just brushed it off. They knew he hated to be woken up so abruptly but how else were they to express their excitement over the holiday?

"Aw don't be like that master, this is supposed to be a day of celebration!" The butler smiled.

"Sebastian is right!"Josephine stated proudly as she rested her hands on her hips.

"Today we celebrate love and express it to those we hold close," Walking closer to her she leaned down to his drowsy state and whispered in his ear,

"Like the Lady Elizabeth~" Throwing her a look, along with pink cheeks the woman just giggled and proceeded to fix the boy's morning tea.

"Who speaking of which is stopping by tonight for a special valentine's dinner with her fiancé." Sighing he leaned back against his fluffy pillows and eyes closed as he tried to wake himself up and start the day. However no such thing could be done if he didn't have his morning tea first, prepared by none other than yours truly.

"Fine-"

"Paula reports she has bought you mountains of gifts to shower you with-" The maid smiled as she took a dollop of honey and placed it into the steaming hot cup, before lightly stirring it around.

"Speaking of gifts...you did get the lady Elizabeth a gift?" Glancing over at their master, the two servants found that he was still and wide eyed. Stopping her actions the maid listened to his heart and heard it thump harshly against his rib cage, his forehead breaking out into a light sweat as he realized he had no idea as to what to get his fiancé.

"Master?" The butler questioned with a raised eyebrow. Sighing Josephine set her spoon down on the cart and shook her head.

"Oh, dear."

"Well no matter," The butler frowned slightly as he clapped his gloved hands together.

"Josephine shall go into town with the young master while I stay here and help prepare dinner." Smiling at the idea Josephine nodded and rushed to grab the masters clothing for the day.

"Sounds grand, come'ed then master no time to eat! we must dress you and head into town before the shops run out-" Setting the clothes down on a nearby dresser she grabbed the boys hands and pulled him up from his reclined position. Now no longer feeling the soft and comforting warmth of his bed, the boy let out a whine causing the butler to smirk and make his way to the kitchen.

The last thing he heard before shutting the door, being his masters distress about the one thing that mattered to him at the moment.

"But my tea!"

-----------

Once he was fully dressed the two began to make there way to the front doors of the manor. The young master was tucked away in his nice warm winter jacket while the woman behind him was adorned in her blue velvet scarf and signature black cloak. Standing at attention the four servants happily called out to their master,

"Have a good day Master!" Smiling at their positive attitudes, Josephine nodded.

"We'll be back shortly!" She hummed happily as the butler opened the door for the both of them.

"Yes, ma'am!" They cheered back, once the door was shut, the butler sighed and turned to face his co-workers, their smiles dropping instantly as they all stood straight and awaited further instructions for the day.

"Alright you four listen up!" The demon stated as he clapped his hands together, causing the group to nearly jump with fright.

"We must prep the manor for a spectacular valentine event that would make St. Valentine himself blush! do you hear me?!" He shouted in a demanding voice.

"YES SIR!"

"Right then! Mey-rin! bring out the fine china that screams romance!"

"UNDERSTOOD!" She shouted before running off down the hall.

"Finny! nothing but the best pink and white carnations and red roses!"

"ON IT!" He happily smiled before darting towards the garden.

"Bardroy! Begin prepping the roast right away! and must I remind you of the flame thrower-"

"Aw! I guess I can put it away for today." The chef mumbled as he scratched the back of his neck, before making his way to the kitchen.

And now only one remained left, and this task was nothing but perfect for him.

"Snake!" Jumping a bit at how harsh his name sounded the man stood even straighter than he thought humanly possible and looked at the demon with a nervous expression.

"I will need your help with a certain matter." He spoke a bit quietly that left him a bit confused but nonetheless was more than determined to help in any way he could.

"What ever you need Mr. Sebastian! Says Bronte."

----------

-In town-

"Do you know what the lady is interested in? books? art?" Josephine asked as the two walked along the towns busy streets. On the way there the woman allowed the boy to wallow in his thoughts in hope of coming up with an idea for a gift, after all he knew the lady better than anyone! But upon their arrival when she had asked if he had anything to start with, his expression told more than she needed.

Shrugging the boy looked around at some of the shop windows and noticed the frilly decorations they had up, the right and cheerful color making him gag a bit as he couldn't seem to stand the sight of it.

"She likes pink and frilly things

"She likes pink and frilly things." Tapping her chin in thought Josephine looked towards the opposite street and noticed a toy store with a rather large stuffed brown bear with pink ears, coal black nose and button eyes to match, wrapped around its neck was a bright red ribbon with lace trimming, something that Elizabeth would adore.

"Hmm, what about a teddy bear! I'm sure she would like that-"

"She has a million of them at home, i'm sure if I bought her anymore Aunt Francis would kill me." He sighed as he wavered his hand to dismiss the woman's ideas.

Frowning slightly she let her wandering eye gaze to her left which happened to land on a dress shop.

"What about a new dress! Every lady likes a new dress-"

"I don't know her size." The bluntness of his answers was making her become a bit heated, as it seemed like she was doing all the work when really it should be him, but even if his expression said one thing she hoped his words would say another.

"...Well master do you have any ideas?"

Well master do you have any ideas?"

"No."

"You didn't even hesitate!" She exclaimed.

"Are you really so clueless as to what the lady would like?" Turning to look at her he scrunched his face up and gritted his teeth, cheeks burning a light red with embarrassment.

"I'm not clueless!" He snapped.

"I'm just not sure if she would like whatever it is I would be giving her." Looking down at her masters now down trodden expression Josephine stopped and placed her hand on the boys shoulder causing him to stop as well and turn to look at her with a questioning eyebrow.

"Dearest. I'm sure that whatever you give her she will absolutely adore, anything that you put your heart into and are positive that she will like will make her happy because it came from you,"

Her words struck a cord with the child, he never knew the woman to be so affectionate during this time of year and he never knew her to be such a force when it came to expressing such emotions. It made the boy feel good, positive that he was able to figure something out...but still he had a long ways to go.

And Josephine was happy to help him every step of the way.

"And I know exactly what it is that would make her the happiest lady on the planet!"

-----------

Looking at what the servants had brought forth to him, the butler inspected the cooks ingredients and nodded accordingly nothing seemed to be spoiled or rotten. Then to the gardener who's bouquet of flowers were just ripe enough for the picking, not too old or too young they were just right. And lastly to the maid who had washed and cleaned the linens and tea cups she had promptly organized to match tonights theme, all of it pristine and not a spot of dirt.

Everything was acceptable and pleasing to the demons standards which surprised him just a bit.

Josephine sure knew how to make an impact.

"Good work you three! now go about your task of setting up the dinning hall for dinner, and please try not to make a mess." Giving the demon a salute they nodded and gave an enthusiastic,

"Yes sir!"

Watching them run off Sebastian sighed and furrowed his brows in thought. He had hoped Snake would have arrived at the same time with the book he was looking for, but then again it was best he hadn't he didn't need the other three raising questions.

"Mister Sebastian! I found the book you wanted! says Wordsworth." Turning around he spotted said man and smiled triumphantly when he noticed the familiar hardback cover of the book he was in dire need of reading.

"Ah yes! good job Snake, now run along and help the others set up in the dinning hall." Taking the book from his out stretched hand Snake nodded and gave his superior a clear,

"Yes sir!" Before running off down the hall.

Clutching the book close to his chest, Sebastian quickly made his way to the quietest room in the manor in hopes of concentrating a bit harder on this rather important project. He only had a limited amount of time before their return and once it was up he wouldn't be able to find the time to continue.

It was either now or never.

'Now just to find the right words...' Once finding the library he did a quick look up and down the halls to make sure he wasn't followed before quietly opening the large wooden doors and entering the calm and quiet space. Closing the doors of the library, the butler sighed and looked down at the book with a confident smile, hoping to use it as some sort of guide since he had never written something like this before.

'Shouldn't be too hard, I am a man of many talents and writing a love letter should be one of them.' Walking towards the desk that sat in the back of the room, where the young master would study, the butler sat himself down with paper and ink ready to go.

And yet.

Why was his sharp mind drawing a sudden blank?

'Oh dear this is a bit harder than I anticipated...'

----------

-At a local cafe somewhere in the city-

"What are some of the things you love about Lady Elizabeth?" Josephine bluntly asked as she sipped her tea. The boys pink face now turned a bright red like the strawberry atop his pastry when he heard the woman's blunt question.

"Eh!?" He gasped.

"Well let me put it like this...what do you like about Lady Elizabeth?" Sighing he covered his face with his hand and hesitantly looked around the crowded area, full of lovers gushing about how much they adored one another, while the two just sat and tried to ignore it.

"Uh....must we really do this here of all places!?"

"It's to give you inspiration!" She exclaimed, causing him to blush an even brighter red and sink a bit lower in his seat. Sighing Josephine pouted and shook her head in dismay. Softly she grabbed his hand and held it with a confidence that made his heart jump.

"Dearest, I know you don't want to leave the lady empty handed, I can not be the one to write this since it is coming from my heart, it needs to be yours and yours only. Only then will the lady truly understand how you feel about her..." Her one hand slipped away from his and rested over her heart, gulping he pulled his hand away from hers and crossed his arms over his chest, eye adverting her alluring gaze as he could feel that emerald iris bore into his skin like acid.

He hated how persistent she could be, and yet it was one of the reasons why he hired her in the first place. Gentle nudges were appreciated, it's what worked best for him deep down...and Josephine surely knew how to motivate the stubborn boy and get the little things he found awfully complex done.

"This I believe will be the best gift that you could possibly ever give her, now please," She said as she slid the paper and pen in his direction.

"Tell her everything you desire her to know,"

---------

"Has anyone seen Mr. Sebastian?" The gardener asked when he finished setting up the last vase of flowers in the dining hall. Shaking their heads, the maid, cook and footman looked around in search of him, only to find him standing at the rooms entry way.

Face stern as always and arms crossed over his chest.

"Yes, i am right here, is something the matter?" Jumping at the sudden voice they all let out a surprised yelp before gesturing to their finished work.

"W-We've finished setting up sir-yes we have."Mey-rin stuttered as she watched the man inspect the room high and low, every nook and cranny didn't go unnoticed by those scarlet eyes. As the silence in the room became so intense the servants believed they were going mad!

"His silence is deafening..." Bard muttered. Gulping Finny gripped his hands nervously and looked up at his employer with wide aqua colored irises.

"D-Do you like it sir?" Giving the room one last look around the demon nodded his head and turned to look at the four startled men and woman. Before putting his hands on his hips.

"...It'll do. Well done you four." Hearing the clomping of a hooves the gardener ran to the dinning room window and watched his masters carriage come a stop at the manors door.

"The young master is back!"Quickly rushing out of the dinning room and into the main entry way, the servants stood to attention and watched as the butler opened the door for them.

"Welcome back master!" The servants happily called as the boy allowed for the woman to take off his hat and coat, before handing them to the butler beside her, who took the items and placed them on a near by coat hanger.

"I'll be in my office." He spoke flatly before rushing up the main stairway, smiling at the way he ran up the stairs like that, and the look of determination in his eye he had something in the works.

"I shall bring you your tea then." She stated before he disappeared into the manor.

"Yes sir!" The servants all shouted as they quickly went back to their tasks leaving the maid and butler alone. Noticing the lack of shopping bags and wrapped boxes, the butler raised a curious eyebrow.

"Did he not get anything for the lady Elizabeth?" Smiling over at him she shook her head and glanced back over at the stairs, it was like she could hear the cogs in his head turning.

"On the contrary he's giving his heart and soul to her," Frowning at this the butler didn't like the idea of his meal being given to someone else, especially if he had been waiting for as long as he had.

Noticing his sudden irritated state the woman giggled and playfully patted his arm.

"Don't worry I don't mean the last bit literally, it's already put on reserve for someone else."

"Ah, what a relief." He sighed as he closed his eyes and put a hand over his heart. Taking her gloves off she proceeded to the kitchen with the butler trailing behind, along the way she asked the questions she was curious to know the answer to but in all honest knew them already.

"Is dinner underway?"

"Right on schedule." He quickly answered as she put the gloves in the inner pocket of her cloak. Rounding the corner to the kitchen she looked around and noticed the decorations had indeed been set up, however it was from what she could see so far, she had hoped that the decorations hadn't been hung yet so that she might be able to help however...

"Is the manor set up?"

"The servants have just finished." Frowning slightly the, the woman undid her cloak and walked into the kitchen with the butler following like a shadow. Hanging her belongs up on the nail that was tacked to the wall along with her apron, she grabbed the freshly washed material and hung it around her neck before tying it around her waist.

"Oh, so there really is nothing left of me to do besides make dearests tea." She spoke a bit sadly as she glanced over at the butler who just smiled and nodded, with his eyes closed.

"I guess so." He mused before turning his back on her and swiftly walking away his pace was fast, faster than usual and this made the woman suspect that something was going on with out her knowledge and she didn't know wether to be let in on the surprise or to just wait and see what was to happen.

"Oh? and where are you off to?" She asked as she crossed her arms over her chest and called out to the man from the kitchen. Stopping he steadied himself and remembered to keep his composure and tone calm, she and an eye that could see and sense such things that even he couldn't.

"Just tying a few loose ends up. Nothing more." He spoke before walking off at his normal pace. Nodding to herself she smirked slightly and began to gather the ingredients for her masters afternoon tea.

----------

-Evening-

"I'm here!" A cheerful lady Elizabeth shouted as she and her maid Paula came bursting through the front doors of the manor.

It was now evening and as promised the couple would be exchanging one another's gifts, each from the heart and soul of one another's love for each other. It would be an evening filled with romance, love, passion and most of all happiness, all according to the butler and the maid, who saw to everything, even to the smallest of details.

"Ah, lady Elizabeth welcome!" Josephine smiled as she gave the young lady a curtsy.

"Hello Josephine! where's Ciel? I have somethings I would like to give him for the celebration." She happily chirped as she gestured to the arm full of gifts her maid Paula was having trouble carrying. Gesturing for the butler to assist the woman he took the beautifully wrapped boxes from her arms and held them with no trouble, before walking to the sitting room where they would open them at a later time.

"The young master is awaiting for you in the dining hall, the gift exchange will happen after dinner." Clapping her hands together excitedly Elizabeth nodded.

"Okay!" Giving her a nod of approval the woman gestured for her to follow her.

"Excellent, please, right this way."

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

-Night-

With the lady Elizabeth sent home with her maid, it was now time for the young master to retire as well. Now becoming droopy eyed and swaying from side to side to his room the poor boy nearly collapsed onto the floor had not the woman caught him.

It was indeed an exhausting day for all, especially for him since he had done so much in one day, it surely wore Josephine down as well, as she let a small yawn slip here and there as she readied him for bed.

"Well, did she love it?" She curiously asked as she pulled the covers up to his chest.

"She started crying, and then hugged me claiming it was the greatest thing she had ever read... I've read better though."The boy muttered the last part, but Josephine didn't seem to care as her face lit up with joy at the fact the young lady was overjoyed by her masters kind words, with Josephine's tweaks here and there, everything the master thought of his lovely fiance was put down on to paper and read to her hearts content.

"Oh! that's wonderful dearest!" The woman gushed as she clasped her hands together excitedly.

"I'm so glad you got to share such a moment with the lady Elizabeth! see! there was no need to worry about her enjoying the gift, she loves it!"

"Remind me to never write something so heartfelt ever again...it didn't even sound like me." He groaned as he sunk deeper into the mountain of pillows the woman had previously fluffed for him.

"Love brings out all kinds of people, and I guess you just so happen to be different from your usual self." She teased as she blew out the candles on his night stand.

"I'd rather stay the same thank you very much." He yawned as he turned on his side and proceeded to watch her draw the curtains closed, so not even a crack of moonlight could be let into the room.

Shaking her head at this she giggled and grabbed the small lit candle she used as a guiding light in the dark room and proceeded to bid her goodnights.

"Of course you would now, good night dearest." With her hand resting on the door knob she heard the boy shuffle around before calling out her name just as she had opened the door.

"Josephine?"

"Yes?"

"...You said that celebrating Valentines day was a day to show others how much we love them right?" Through the very little light she had she could see that the boy wasn't looking at her but rather down at his mattress, fingers fiddling with the comforter as she could sense there was something rather heartfelt he wanted to say to her.

"Yes."

It was well needed since he had found this woman to be his first ever love. Not just for her beauty but her talents, her strengths, her kindness everything about Josephine made the boy love her more and more.

And now that he had her as apart of his team he would only express that love from a distance just as he always had.

"Well

"Well...happy valentines day Josephine." Smiling she put a hand over her heart.

Even when she was so rude to him at the start, he had grown on her like the vines of an ivy plant. Never stopping until she was completely covered.

"Thank you dearest now get some sleep, you have a rather busy day tomorrow." Opening the door wider she gave him one last look before softly shutting the door behind her.

'From then to now the boy has certainly grown on me...and I don't believe he intends to stop.' She giggled softly as she shook her head and carried out her journey to her room, until she heard the very faint heartbeat of the ever lurking butler. Stopping in her tracks she closed her eyes and envisioned him creeping closer and closer, the sound of his well crafted shoes and the soft creaking of the floor boards rang in her ears as she softly called to him in a tone that made his heart flutter ever so slightly.

"Sebastian? to what do I owe the pleasure?" Opening her eyes she found him suddenly in front of her, soundless.

"This," He said with a small smile as he produced from his breast pocket a white envelope with a red stamp, though a bit small she could make out the Phantomhive crest on the waxy surface.

Taking it from his outstretched hand she smiled and turned it over in her hands to see her name written in pristine black ink, each letter carefully swirling into the next.

"And what is this?" She asked as she looked from him then back down at envelope.

"A letter composed for you." His heart felt as though it was in his throat as he awaited the next question she more than likely had for him. Luckily his heart didn't race like a humans did, and so he had no worries of her knowing how anxious he was.

"Oh?" Her lips curved into a delighted smile when she heard that. She remembered receiving letters for her hand in marriage some time ago, her manager would only tisk in response before burning them in the fireplace of his office.

Josephine wasn't in need of marriage at the age of nineteen.

"May I ask from who?" Evergreen bored into crimson, as he placed a hand over his heart and smile cross his lips.

"May I ask from who?" Evergreen bored into crimson, as he placed a hand over his heart and smile cross his lips

"Yours truly, who else?"

"Why Sebastian I never knew you to be so-"

"It's nothing special if i'm being entirely honest, i'm no Lord Byron or Elizabeth Browning but it'll do I guess." Tracing her finger over the intricate way her name was written, she looked down at it then back up at him.

A tad bit confused as to why he would give this to her of all people, she furrowed her brows slightly.

"Why?"

"Valentine's day is about expressing love onto those we hold close don't we? Isn't that what you said?"Feeling her cheeks burn a light pink that he certainly noticed she nodded her head and let out a hum in agreement

She could not lie on her own words.

"Indeed I did, thank you Sebastian."

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

-Midnight-

In the still of the night, while the manors servants slept and the butler did his nightly rounds in the garden, amongst the shadows lurked an ever looming threat. Floating down the dark moonlit halls of the manor the figure swiftly made access to the female's room like they had done a while back.

Upon entering their heart fluttered with joy as the moonlight carved out her delicate features, soft black locks swirled around her like ink.

"How dare he..." The person muttered as they bit their thumb nail in response to the love letter that laid on her vanity. The words written in a beautiful scripture and amazingly structured essay about all the things the man admired the woman for, before signing it off with his name, and a small 'x' beside it.

"How dare he..." They seethed when they saw words such as,

'Admire.'

'Adore.'

'Lovingly.'

One line in particular made the persons blood boil exceptionally.

'...Every time I see those white roses, I smile unknowingly... because they remind me of you , delicate, soft and pleasant...'

"How dare he!" They growled as they nearly grabbed the letter in attempts to rip it too shreads.

"Mmm, you a-again?" Slowly opening her eye the female saw the blurred figure of her nightly visitor, the same one that visited her on her birthday. A pale hand reached out and touched her warm cheek, its coolness making her eyes flutter slightly as she became hazy in this half awake state of hers.

It was perfect because they could slip in and out as swiftly as they would like due to the fact that she wouldn't remember a thing, as proven by the last visit.

"Oh dear, have I woken you?" Nodding she rested her cheek against the palm of their hand. The action making the persons heart flutter with joy and cheeks flush to a light pink.

"Y-Yes...what are you doing here?" Eye now shut as she felt it become droopy and heavy.

"I came to see you again of course, after that last mission you were sent on I was afraid something had happened to you...but luckily you still remain the same." After hearing of the missing children the figure became worried that her mental state had shifted due to seeing such a large amount of death at one time, cruel and inhumane actions put onto children the audience she made smile and feel protected.

Surely it must have damaged her in more ways than one. But they were relieved to find that Josephine had remind the same.

"Children...su-such precious things..." She yawned, her voice heartbreakingly sad. Nodding the figure pouted and ran their thumb under her cursed eye once again. They would make sure these unsightly scars would never be seen by anyone again.

"Indeed they are, now fall back to sleep my dear, everything is going smoothly and soon it'll be time." Giggling she looked up at the person with hooded eyes, their face never coming into focus as she witnessed the slightly surprised expression.

"You speak in such funny...funny ways..." Smiling the figure put a finger to their lips and shushed her before she could continue.

"Shush, my darling, the hour is late."

-End of The Butler & The Maid, Circus arc-

-End of The butler & The maid, circus arc-

Notes:

OH BOY! THAT'S IT! FOR THIS ARC! NOW THE REAL SHOW BEGINS! I'M SO FUCKING EXCITED! THANK YOU ALL FOR READING THIS BOOK IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY KNOWING YOU ENJOY IT JUST AS MUCH AS I DO! THE NEXT ARC SHOULD BE UP BY WEDNESDAY! SO STAY TUNED! -Natalia

Chapter 36: ~ The Butler & The Maid, Luxury liner arc~

Chapter Text

In which the young master goes on a surprise cruise with his three servants but gets more than what he bargained for. Or in the case of the servants going through even greater limits to protect those they love.

"This is just getting weirder and weirder. Don't you think so?"

"Indeed so."

-Arc contents-

• Book of Campania spoilers!

•Graphic descriptions of:

-Blood

-Death

-Gore

Gore

Chapter 37: The Butler & The Maid, Believing in miracles

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

-Spring-

"Get over!? Karnstein hospital makes miracles happen!"

"Josephine, do you believe in miracles?"

"Not at all, why? has something happened by chance?"

"No, it's nothing."

"Hey Earl! how are you doing?"

"Lau!?"

"I was aiming for your breakfast but you're done already."

"What on earth are you doing here at this hour?" Ciel nearly spat as he noticed the man's sadden expression over the empty plate.

Surely you didn't come all the way here just to mooch a breakfast off of me?" Relaxing in his seat he looked up at the man with hooded eyes before glancing over at Josephine. The privacy well needed, for just a little while, as well as it being her job to serve hungry guests, regardless if they were invited or not.

"I shall prepare more tea and scones for you then, Mr. Lau and Ms. Ran-mao." Josephine curtseyed as she excused herself and walked out out of the room leaving the two to discuss.

------

-Tea room-

"A hospital that revives the dead?" The earl repeated, as he watched the man happily munch away at the scones the female had assisted the chef with, the heavenly scent making the boy reach out and grab one as well as take a sip from his tea cup.

"You mean that thing I read in the paper today?"

"Yeah that." The man nodded. Sighing Ciel rested his chin in the palm of his hand, the occult had never been is specialty and he never liked to dabble let alone intervene with it, so he kept a fair distance from it.

"Unfortunately I have little interest in the occult so..."

"It may not be the occult though

"It may not be the occult though." Lau stated, causing Ciel to raise a curious eyebrow.

"What?"

"Karnstein hospital. They seem to be doing lots of shopping down at the back docs the Earl has me in charge of."

"Drugs?" He questioned.

"No...People," Upon hearing that the boy felt his heart nearly stop, the sudden change in his heart rate made the woman narrow her eye as she glanced over at him, both the maid and the butler stood by their masters side and listened in with interest, much as they always do.

"They come shopping for foreign slaves illegally quite often but lately the amounts are quite unusual. I highly doubt a hospital could fit so many."

"Don't they just dispose of them once they're not needed? Not that I really care about that..." The boy said as he nodded his head from side to side in thought.

"Isn't it bad for a hospital like that to feature in the regular society's news?"

"He's right master it's best that you take a look into this matter." Josephine said as she refilled Ran-Mao's tea cup, which she happily sipped on. The butler also agreeing with the fact looked too Lau.

"In other words, you're saying there's a possibility that the revival of the dead is occurring as a result of illegal human experimentation."

"That's right." He said with a hazy smile.

"If that's true then it's an interference in the regular society by an underground power," Sighing the boy leaned back in his seat and looked over at the butler.

"However, remove the thorns from the rose in advance and you won't hurt your hand, Sebastian investigate immediately." Placing a hand over his heart he nodded.

"Leave it to me."Before leaving Josephine to escort the two unannounced guests to the door once they had finished off the tea and biscuits. Coming back to the tea room where her master still remained in deep thought, the woman smiled and took his empty tea cup and placed it on the silver cart along with the others.

"It's odd isn't it?" He spoke as he watched her take her leave. Looking over her shoulder she nodded and hummed in agreement.

"I always say; what is meant to be dead should be kept dead."

________

-That afternoon-

"CIEL!" The sudden voice of Lady Elizabeth shouted as she barreled through the manors front door, and raced to her fiancés office, where Josephine had just given him his afternoon tea. Even before she had stepped foot in the manor the woman could hear the familiar footsteps of the girl rush up the manor's stairs, causing Josephine's lips to curl into a slight smirk that made the boy raise a confused eyebrow.

But suddenly the office doors flew open and the young lady came rushing in, quickly she grabbed onto the young boy and furiously hugged all the while she pleaded for him to hear her out.

But suddenly the office doors flew open and the young lady came rushing in, quickly she grabbed onto the young boy and furiously hugged all the while she pleaded for him to hear her out

"LISTEN! LISTEN!" She gushed as the frazzled and confused boy still tried to process what was going on.

"We're having a family trip in April! We will travel to New York on a luxury passenger ship for three weeks from the 17th!" She gushed as she held him out at arms length.

"And so, father was wondering if you'd like to-"

"That's impossible." He quickly interrupted, and yet the lady continued to persist.

"It's a ticket for the Campania's maiden voyage! they say it's the most luxurious ship in the world! Mother said it would be good if you took a rest every once in a while-"

"I appreciate the thought but I can't take that much time off." The boy sighed as he wavered a hand to dismiss the idea.

"Aww..." Lizzy pouted as her eyes suddenly began to bubble with tears. Feeling terrible for the young girl and knowing that her master was in need of a well deserved holiday away from the hustle and bustle of England and especially that of the wild servants.

'Oh no you don't-' Josephine thought as she quickly butted into their conversation.

"Actually m'lady! the master's schedule is clear for a couple of days, if the ship manages to go somewhere close my master would be able to go for a few days a most."

"What!?-" He exclaimed as he looked at the woman wide eyed. Clasping her hands together excitedly the blonde smiled widely and gave her fiancé a look of happiness and love that made him blush and look away.

"As long as we're together anywhere is fine! i'm so happy!" She gushed

"As long as we're together anywhere is fine! i'm so happy!" She gushed.

"Anywhere is the most difficult you know." He grumbled as he suddenly glanced over at the smiling maid who just patted herself on the back. Happy and content that her young master would finally be doing something for himself as well as spending some time with the lady.

'You'll pay for this.'

-----

"I'll bring you back lots of souvenirs!" The lady happily gushed from the window of her carriage as she waved to the servant and boy, until she had disappeared, into the hills. Sighing the boy put his hands on his hips and glared up at the woman who was gazing out into the country side, content with her decision to make the master go on vacation with his fiancé. However the boy was anything but pleased.

"What are you grinning at!?" He snapped angrily. Shaking her head she giggled and looked down at his reddened face. She knew he was going to groan and moan about going but the woman knew that deep down he would enjoy himself.

"I'm just happy is all." She gushed as she clasped her hands together excitedly. Letting out a low growl he clenched his fists angrily before lashing out,

"You can wipe that stupid look off your face!"

"As you wish..." She said as she ran a hand over her face which made the grin quickly disappear before slowly creeping back into her lips, sadly she couldn't help it the thought of her master and mistress spending time together made her smile with joy, and the boy was indeed long over due for a vacation.

"It's still there!" He shouted as he brushed by her to go inside the manor only to find an awaiting Sebastian in a doctors uniform. His appearance unbeknown to the young master but heard clearly for the maid, as she followed behind her master.

"UWAH!" He gasped as he jumped back and put a hand over his racing heart, nearly bumping into the maid he jumped again at the soft grin that spread itself on her face.

"Don't surprise me like that! and what's with the outfit!?" Smiling at his masters frazzled state the butler smiled and gestured to his attire.

"Well as they say, when in Rome, do as the romans do," Smiling at his response Josephine playfully rolled her eyes and watched as the butler began to read his analysis of the hospital from the clip board he carried.

"Moreover, I obtained some rather interesting information. It's about the a for mentioned Karnstein hospital, it seems that the upper-rank doctors, including the director Ryan Stoker, have opened an association called the, "Aurora Society," Nodding and following along the boy began to walk towards his tea room where he was already craving for another cup of steaming hot tea prepared by the maid.

"According to a nurse who squealed, the Aurora society holds presentations for the results of their experiments regularly and collects donations from nobles, " Pulling out his chair for him, he sat down and allowed the woman to push him in, before going around to the tea cart and pouring him another cup, but not before, lightly pouring some honey on a spoon and dipping it into his cup and began to stir it around until it was completely off the spoon. Once completed she handed it to him, which he took with a grateful sip.

"The Aurora society's true face is that of a secret society that consists solely of doctors, who have, "the complete salvation of mankind through medicine" as their motto...it has been confirmed that the members conduct illegal human experiments within the hospital daily. there was no sign of slaves inside the hospital and there was nothing pertaining to human experiments or the revival of the dead."

"It couldn't get any fisher than this huh?" The boy sighed as he sipped his tea cup, before placing it back down on the saucer

"It couldn't get any fisher than this huh?" The boy sighed as he sipped his tea cup, before placing it back down on the saucer.

"Yes. I'm certain there is some definite clue to be found in this "Aurora Society." The female nodded in agreement.

"When is their next meeting?" Flipping one of the pages on his clipboard over the demon analyzed the paper until he came across the information he was looking for.

"It is scheduled to be on a passenger ship departing from the Southhampton port on the 17th of April." Hearing the date the boy nearly flung himself out of his seat, almost knocking his tea over in the process but luckily the maid was able to push the cup back a bit before anything could be spilled.

"What is the name of that boat!?" He gasped as he looked up at the butler, eyes wide with shock as her had remembered hearing similar talk of a boat that would be leaving the harbor around that same time.

"The blue star line's luxury ship, the Campania." Knowing this was going to be the perfect opportunity to investigate the boy couldn't help but hear Josephine's echoing voice in the back of his head. Sometimes he had a love and hate relationship for the woman especially when she involved herself with his personal life, but at the moment he couldn't be anything but thankful for her intervention.

Smirking down at him she giggled softly and watched as he began to come to the sudden realization.

"Aren't you glad I made you go now?"

-----------

-April 17th-

"So this is the Campania!" Finny gasped as he looked at the large ship with wide blue eyes.

"Sure is huge." Ciel said to himself as him and his group continued to make their way through the thick crowds of people. From the corner of her eye Josephine was observing the ports passerbyers and seeing how loud and noisy they were. She couldn't tell what was worse the squawking of the seagulls or the people! all of the commotion was starting to make her ears ring as she shook her head slightly to berried of the ringing.

Times like this she cursed her supernatural hearing.

'So much noise...' She muttered to herself as she gripped one of her masters suitcases in her hand.

"It's so cool that Mr. Snake gets to go."

"It's because it's part of a footman's job to accompany the master on outings." The butler said from over his shoulder. Turning to face the servants who were to remain at the manor and watch over the land while they were away, Josephine gave them a proud smile which made them all smile with joy. Finally being able to prove to the woman and butler that they could indeed be trusted with the task once again and not leave the manor in shambles.

"Please do your jobs properly while we are gone." Giving her a nod they saluted her and the demon who stood behind her, the group destined and determined to make the two proud.

" Giving her a nod they saluted her and the demon who stood behind her, the group destined and determined to make the two proud

"Yes Ma'am!" They cheered with happy smiles.

"Well then, we're off!"Sebastian called as he carried on to the ship with the master's suit cases in tow.

"WE WILL SET SAIL SOON! ALL BOARDING PASSENGERS PLEASE MAKE HASTE!" Boarding onto the ship the group walked towards the railing and looked out amongst the port, family and friends waved goodbye to one another and shouted words of misses and sending their love and luck to them.

"YOUNG MASTEEEEEEEERRR!! TAKE CAAAARE!" Finny shouted as the others waved to them as well. Looking away mindlessly the boy huffed slightly and crossed his arms over his chest, Josephine smiled and watched as his cheeks flushed a light pink, giggling she leaned over the railing and called back,

"I PROMISE THE MASTER A SAFE RETURN! FAIR WELL YOU THREE!"

Notes:

Everyone, I welcome you to first half of the story! In time I will tell you why the build up for this moment took so long but I will leave that for another time! please enjoy the luxury liner arc! i'm sure the ending will leave you...well...I'll let you find that out when we get to it. - Natalia

#black butler fanfiction

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thatbritishactor · 3 years

Text

Adventures in Success (part 1)

Pairing : Ben Barnes x Reader

Warnings: Swearing

Words: 2000+

My masterlist

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

It’s a Slow Burn (there are at least 8 parts planned).

Summary: Ben’s agent is retiring and the firm wants you to represent him. It’s going to be hard for you not to mix work with feelings.

You sigh as you look at yourself in the mirror. “Holy shit, you’re gonna meet Ben Barnes”, you say to yourself, staring at your own reflection. You check the wings of your eyeliner and try to give a shape to your hair. You’ve been working as an agent in this company for a year now. You specialize in representing British actors who make the move to Hollywood. You’re known for your tailor made, incredibly clever plans for the actor’s careers. It’s partly due to the fact that you’re a real cinephile, and a people’s person. You use your knowledge of cinema and your empathy as work tools. And your actors have thriving, exciting careers. You’ve made a name for yourself in the industry now, and that gave you access to A-list casting directors.

Ben’s agent, Robert, is retiring in a few weeks. The firm has decided to put him into your expertise to represent him, if he accepts of course. So you have to make a good impression on him to make him hire you. You smile at yourself in the mirror, rehearsing the expression you want on your face. You want to be your authentic self, and that’s a warm person who wants, most of all, to help artists.

You exit the bathroom and go to Robert’s office, trying to tame your nervous feelings.

“Ah, Y/N, there you are”, he says as you enter the room, getting on his feet behind his desk.

You catch from the corner of your eye Ben’s figure, as he gets up to greet you.

“Nice to meet you,” you smile, and move towards him to shake his hand.

“Pleasure’s all mine”, he replies. God, the accent. Working with British actors hasn’t made insensitive to that accent and the incredible sensuality that stems from it. Or maybe it’s just a weird kink of yours, you think to yourself, half amused-half curious, sitting down.

He’s wearing a burgundy plaid shirt, black jeans and boots. God, he’s tall, you think to yourself. He looks painfully handsome. He has mid long hair and a beard, which is his best look, in your opinion. You’ve watched nearly everything’s he’s been in, to prepare for your work. It’s reasearch, you thought in an attempt to bring yourself some reassurance, as you took way too much pleasure in having him on your screen.

You immediately notice his pitch black eyes. It’s his strongest feature, you’ve thought to yourself before. He acted beautifully with his eyes. They were fascinating as they were rare, in the industry. Ben was incredibly handsome of course, but he had a presence. He was “charming”, “lovely” you had heard say the people who had worked with him, rolling your eyes. Of course he was.

“Ben, this is Miss Y/L/N, the agent we’ve been considering to represent you after I leave”, Robert says, looking at Ben.“She’s incredibly talented and has lead many to actors to oscar nominations, and film festivals.”

Ben widens his eyes. “I’m currently representing Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult”, you say to him, handing him your resume.

“I see.”

“I usually work for artists to achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves.” you search his expression, trying to figure how he’s currently feeling.

He seems taken aback. “I’ve never thought of myself as an Oscar nominee”, he looks lost.

“You’re very talented. You have an intellectual approach to your roles. Your acting is researched, and getting deeper with every new project. I can see you working with Indie directors, or any another approach that tempts you”.

He looks at you, then at Robert, and says “Thank you for saying this, I feel weirdly overwhelmed”, he smiles and lowers his eyes. It’s weird, you think to yourself. He’s shy ? you realize, surprised.

“Today was about making presentations. I think it’d be better if you two met again, with a plan from Y/N”. “Take some time to think about it”, he adds.

“What about next week?” Ben asks, looking at you, seeming hopeful and determined. “I’d… have to check my schedule”, you chuckle happily. You reach out from your pocket and give him your card “So you know where to reach me” you say, looking into his charcoal eyes.

You feel a weird nip in your stomach. Fuck. You’re attracted to him. Well, you’re well versed in that. Some of the actors you work with are the most handsome men and women you’ve ever seen. Working in Hollywood was hard for your little heart. You’ve learned to tame your feelings though, covering them with the sheet of professionalism. You’re not sleeping with your clients. Because you’re not stupid.

You’ve already thought about it, of course. But the answer always comes loud and clear: it’d be a disaster. It’s bad to mix feelings with work. So you had a personal life that stayed away from the industry. Even though you were broken up a year ago and still were getting over it.

Ben gets up and says goodbye to you and Robert. You look at the old agent and smile “He’ll call soon, “ he says. “I know him.”

After you thank him, you go back to your office and sigh. You hope he’ll call soon indeed.

II.

You’re sitting on the terrace of a restaurant, waiting for him. You’re early. You’re always early, terrified of being late and seeming unprofessional.

You’re sipping on sparkling water, with lime in it. The sun’s shining bright today and it’s hot out, a sweet promise of summer. You’re wearing sunglasses and put on one of your favorite dresses. You’ve gone the extra mile and put on lipstick, wanting to look nice. That bothers you, the way you want to look for him. As if you could seduce him, you think, amused, taking another sip through your straw.

You spot him by recognizing his lean figure from a distance. He’s wearing a linen white shirt, with the sleeves rolled on his elbows, and jeans. He has sunglasses and looks at you with a dazzling smile. Fuck you say to yourself, feeling butterflies in your tummy.

He says your name as he greets you “Thank you for seeing me so quickly”

“You seemed eager”, you say with a laugh.

He joins you laughing “That obvious, huh ?”

“It’s okay, I’m used to it” you say with a smirk, joking.

“I don’t doubt it a second”, he replies with a smile.

The waiter comes in to take our orders. He stares at Ben with wide eyes for a second before smiling and giving you the menus. “What would you like to drink?” he asks.

“I’ll take the same as the lady” Ben answers, gesturing at your sparkling water.

“Sure, sir”. He steps away before giving Ben another glance. I feel you bro, you think, lightly grimacing.

“So… what do you want to do next ?” you ask.

“What do you mean?”

“Is there a particular genre you want to explore ? Are there people you’d be interested in working with ? And what are the things you’ve watched recently that made you think gosh, I wish I’d been cast in this?” you say quickly, as you start feeling nervous.

“Whoa”, he laughs, “Those are really good questions! Robert never asked me those things”, he adds.

“That’s a pity.” you say, confused. “It’s standard questions to start the process”.

“I’ve never heard an agent speak with that much passion”, he admits. “It makes me want to work with you”, he adds.

You smile warmly at him before asking : “So ?”

You talk for hours. He starts with the last shows that moved him, then interests you with the book he’s currently reading. The conversation is smooth and easy, it’s like you’re already friends. You make jokes he laughs at, which helps you relax. You like to be able to bond with your actors. Truly understand them and have a trusting relationship.

You ask him about the films he loves in his own filmography. He reflects on certain choices he made, and talks about periods of time where he didn’t get cast, or even asked, about roles that truly interested him. You talk to him about a few projects being discussed lately.

“David Fincher’s team is currently auditioning for his next film” you venture. “I’ve also heard you talk about wanting to star in a romantic comedy ? You ask.

He arches his eyebrows. “Gosh! You keep surprising me”.

“I’m thorough.” you half whisper, feeling suddenly embarrassed.

“I feel weird”, he admits. “I feel like you know everything about me, and I know nothing about you.”

“I’m not interesting”, you reply quickly.

“I disagree”, he says, looking in your eyes. As you stare into his obsidian irises, you feel the twist in your insides again. Your eyes wonder on his beautiful face, you spot the freckle under his right eye.

“What do you want to know?” you say in a quick breath.

“How long have you been an agent?” he asks, seeming genuinely interested.

“10 years”, you reply. “Before, I wanted to become a director”, you add. “I wasn’t creative or talented enough. I decided to help artists… and actors are really fantastic to work with.” you say, smiling fondly. “Shaping a career, making content that will truly impact our culture, that’s my goal” you add.

He widens his eyes and smiles. “It seems to me like I’d be really stupid not to hire you”, he says.

“I’d love you to take you as far as you can go. You deserve a thriving career, and to be proud of the movies you make”, you reply.

He says nothing and takes another sip of his drink, still looking at you.

“What about your album?”, you ask, lowering your eyes, feeling suddenly incapable of holding his gaze.

His expression changes as he stares into your eyes, surprise reaching his fair features. “How do you know ?” he asks, with a soft smile.

“ I’ve seen your work on instagram”, you reply shyly, feeling oddly self conscious. You thought to yourself that it was hard for you not to get lost in certain feelings, looking at his face, hypnotized. You realized that his beauty hurt you. It was like staring at a beautiful piece of art, like a sculpture. So whimsically beautiful that it’s almost inhuman.

“Didn’t Robert ever bring it up with you ?” you ask, surprised. “It’d be interesting for you career”, you add.

He seems to think for a while, and says “I guess I’m not feeling too confident about it”, he admits, looking at his hands”. Gosh he’s cute when he’s shy, you think to yourself, with a smile.

“You’re very talented”, you state, in a soft yet serious tone.

“Thank you”, he replies. Is he blushing now? Fuck no, you’re crazy.

“I’d be interested to do something about it, if you think it’d be worth it”, he says hesitantly.

“Do you have recordings ?” you ask with enthousiasm.

He laughs “They’re pretty rubbish”, he says.

“It’s okay. Send them my way and I’ll see what I can do. I have a few contacts with music producers.”

“What can’t you do ?” he asks with a sinful smirk.

It’s your turn to blush now as you gesture to the waiter to ask for the check.

“I can drop the scripts you’ll be auditioning for at your place, during the week” you offer, looking back at him after you’re regained your professional composure.

“Sure, I can’t wait to work on them”, he replies happily.

You both smile at each other while the waiter comes with the check. You hand him your credit card and Ben opens his mouth to protest “Please”, you cut him off before he says anything “First lunch’s on me”, you say, with a wink.

He sits back, looking amused yet disappointed.

After you’ve paid, you take your bag and get up.

“I can’t wait to work with you” you say as you reach to shake his hand.

He gets up and holds your hand “Likewise”, he says, with a soft smile that makes your inside melt.

Part 2

#ben barnes x reader #ben barnes imagine #ben barnes fanfiction #fanfic #ben barnes fanfic #ben barnes #ben barnes x you #billy russo x reader #logan delos x reader #my fics #adventures in success

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sundaysundaes · 3 years

Text

Craving

Lee Donghyuck/Haechan X Reader | Vampire AU, Roommates AU | Smut, Fluff, Humor, Romance

Summary: Dating a brat is exhausting. Dating a bratty vampire is even more exhausting so you wonder, why did I even agree to this?

It’s a continuation of Love Bites but can be read separately because it’s really just 12k long of vampire porn with no real plot.

Warnings: Vampire sex, bondage, oral sex (69), overstimulation, unprotected sex, fingering, implied public sex, a little bit of dom!hyuck and a little bit of exhibitionist!hyuck, blood sucking (plenty of that)

Not once in your life did you ever imagine yourself dating a vampire. And certainly, never thought about living together with that so-called vampire boyfriend of yours. You never know what to expect from a situation like this but maybe it’s better not to think too much about it anyway since Lee Donghyuck always manages to exceed your expectation.

Before you became his personal midnight snack, Donghyuck had to search for his own food which either meant he had to buy blood bags from the cheapest hospital around or pick up girls with low self-esteems downtown to have kinky and messy—like really messy, blood everywhere, you don’t want to imagine—one night stands with them to fulfill both his needs for blood and sex. He often complained about it, grumbling with his lips turning into this adorable pout as he told you how he wasn’t fond of his way of life or the effort he had to make just to survive.

So now that he has you as his personal walking blood bag, Donghyuck is having the time of his life and he’s enjoying every minute of it. He’s one hundred percent happy all the time that it annoys the heck out of you. It’s not that you don’t want him to be happy—of course, you want your boyfriend to be happy—but happy Donghyuck means he’s gonna get all clingy and playful, and him being clingy and playful means hell.

“Hyuck.”

“Yes, baby?”

“I’m trying to do my laundry.”

“I’m aware.”

“So, can you get off of me for a second, please?”

“For a second? Sure.” He untangles himself away from you but only for a second, literally. “Second’s up!” The way he giggles is almost like a child, circling his arms along your waist and buries his face in the crook of your neck again, nuzzling up to you while chanting, “Cute, cute, cute, you’re so cute. The cutest girl in the whole universe!”

Donghyuck is clingy as fuck. He can’t go through the whole ten minutes without, at least, ruffling your hair, poking your cheek, or pinching the bridge of your nose. You’ve known for a while that he’s fond of skinship more than anyone you’ve ever met and it was bearable before since he only did it when he was flirting with you. But ever since you’ve become official, he just literally couldn’t get his hands off you.

So, how on earth would you get any of your work done?

The second the sun sinks below the horizon, Donghyuck will come out of his room with the biggest smile on his face and his arms spread wide, “Baby, I’m awake! Come here and get your daily dose of Hyuck’s loving!” And if you don’t respond to him in the way he wants to—which is by embracing him and kissing him for a good half an hour or so—he will make sure you won’t be able to pay attention to anything else but him for the rest of the evening.

He follows you around like a puppy, humming the same Michael Jackson��s song over and over again as he waits for you to finish washing the dishes, his feet tapping against the floor to match the beats in his head.

“Don’t you have something else to do besides waiting for me?” You ask, scrubbing the rest of the barbecue sauce off your plate.

“I do have something to do.” And he suddenly pops up behind you, blowing air to your ear. “You.”

And you raise your silver spoon in the air, forcing him to run to the other side of the room, whining, “Baby, that’s not fair!”

Whenever you’re busy reading a book, Donghyuck will snuggle close and insist for you to sit on his lap. You’re not complaining in the slightest because it does feel nice and he rarely does anything weird since he also enjoys spending his time watching tv with his chin placed on the top of your head and his arms circled idly around your waist. It’s you who tends to get distracted with the way his chest is pressing against your spine, his laugh reverberating straight to your skin whenever something funny is playing on the screen. And when you get distracted, your heart races, and when he hears your heartbeat increasing, he chuckles lowly, leaning in to nibble at your earlobe while whispering, “If you’re horny, you can just tell me, baby.”

And you smack him in the head with your book.

Today is a bit different. Today, you have dedicated yourself to switch your role and be the one who teases the hell out of him instead. But since he’s too sly, always a step ahead of you whenever you make a plan to humiliate him, there’s only one way you can win this game: ignoring him.

So that’s what you intend to do. When the night takes over and Donghyuck comes out from his room with a bird’s nest on his head and a cheeky grin on his face, saying, “Baby, I’m awake and I’m ready to hear how much you’ve missed me during the day,” you just sit there on the couch, flipping another page of your novel. “Hey, Hyuck,” you simply greet him.

“Hey, Hyuck?” He repeats, appalled and disgusted with the way you said it. “What kind of treatment is that? Is it that time of the month already?” He takes a whiff of the air. “No, it’s not. I can smell it.”

“For the sake of our relationship, please refrain yourself from smelling my scent to know my menstruation cycle in the future, thank you.”

“How? You want me to stop breathing?” He laughs to himself. “Just kidding. You know I don’t breathe.”

You want to roll your eyes and bury your face in your hands—ashamed of the things he said—but you realize that you have to play it cool and give him the cold shoulder.

Placing hands on his hips, he questions with a huff, “So I’m not getting any hug around here?”

“I’ll be with you in a moment.”

You move away from the living room, doing literally anything else but giving him what he asks for. Donghyuck sighs and follows you too, as expected, leaning his back against the kitchen counter as he waits for you to finish making yourself a cup of coffee.

“Did I do something that upset you?” He asks, scratching his cheek.

“No, of course not.” You smile, giving him a squeeze on his arm. But then you walk away, leaving him confused and bitter.

Ignoring him is both fun and hilarious because you can see him stealing glances at you even when he tries to act cool about it. He tries to distract himself by playing video games but he keeps on losing so he presses his fingers a little too hard to the controller, nearly breaking it in half.

“Careful,” you warn. “I borrowed that thing.”

“Whatever.” He throws the controller away, scoffing. “It’s stupid anyway.”

To know that his happy self can be reduced to this grumbling mess just because you’re ignoring him makes you feel elated and you wonder, am I a sadist for enjoying this so much?

Hours have passed and you still won’t give in to him, which is really something because he’s doing things that almost make you crawl back to his lap. Donghyuck knows how hot he is, knows how his eyebrow raise and half-lidded eyes do wonders to your heart and mind. So it’s not a surprise when he walks out of the bathroom with his wet hair pushed back, showcasing his temple and his perfect eyebrows. Droplets of water are sliding down from his bare chest to his v-lines, with his white towel hanging dangerously low on his hips. He doesn’t head back to his room right away, and instead, takes a seat on the coffee table, right in front of you.

“Babe.”

You promise yourself inwardly that you will not take a fucking glance at him when he’s like this. “Hmm?”

“I know you’re trying your best to ignore me but your heart is beating like crazy.” He’s raising his eyebrow. You know it. You’re not seeing it but you know it. “Isn’t it time for you to give up your stupid little prank and make-out with me already?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” This time, you open your MacBook, busying yourself with typing words on your keyboards.

Donghyuck walks over—still in his fucking towel and nothing more, for God’s sake—and leans closer from behind the couch. He looks over your shoulder as you browse the internet to find something to distract your thoughts. He snorts loudly when he sees the article you’re reading.

“Chalamet?” He jeers. “Who’s Timothee Chalamet? What kind of name is Timothee Chalamet?”

“He’s an Oscar nominee and he’s barely twenty-five. He’s cute.”

“So? I’m cuter than Timothee Chalamet. Way more beautiful too. Just FYI, they invented the term ‘beautiful’ to describe me actually. Happened a long time ago. It’s a fact.”

“That’s great,” you blankly respond, typing another name of a celebrity on the search bar. “I know there’s another term they invented for you.”

“What, ethereal?”

“Cocky-Ass Bitch.”

He gasps and he’s not even breathing.

And when you keep denying his protest, he pushes your MacBook away from your lap and tackles you down to the couch.

“I can’t believe you’re looking at some other dude when you have me paying you full attention,” he says, wetting his lower lip as he peers into your eyes, his body hovering dangerously close above yours. His eyes are gleaming with both desire and affection which still makes the knot in your stomach tighten to this day but you’re a tad better at controlling your expression this time. A droplet of water drops from the tip of his hair to your cheek.

Wiping it off with a slide of your thumb, you comment, “You’re wet.”

“So are you, ever since you’ve met me.” He winces at his words when a few seconds pass by in silence. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”

You tap his cheek. “As long as you’ve learned your lesson.”

He pouts as he heads back to the main topic. “Your prank is going too far, Sweetheart.”

“What prank? I don’t do pranks, Hyuck. I’m not you.”

“So, why have you been ignoring me then?”

“Is it really that weird for me to just have some time for myself?”

“Well—I—” It’s the first time he ever seems lost for words. “I just—”

“What, are you thirsty?” You flatly ask, telling yourself to not let your eyes wander to the muscles in his arms and stomach. “Don’t tell me you want to drink again. It’s only been a day, Hyuck.”

“It’s not that!” He whines, pouting with his eyebrows knitting in a frown. “Can’t I snuggle with my girlfriend?”

“That’s literally what you’ve been doing all this time.”

“Yes, but you haven’t been focusing on me properly!” He sighs loudly, letting you go, and throws himself down on the other end of the couch with a loud huff. “You know what, I think we really should talk about this.”

“Talk about what?”

“About how you’re not really cute these days!” He blurts out, hands moving animatedly as he speaks. “You used to be all fidgety and shy, blushing all the time whenever you see me—”

“In your head, maybe. I don’t recall ever doing that.”

“See, this!” He throws his hands in the air, exasperated. “This is what I’m talking about. You’re mean to me now! Not cute at all!”

“Is this our first fight?” You ask, yawning a little which makes your boyfriend gapes in disbelief. “Are we really fighting over the fact I’m not cute anymore? Seriously?” But when he becomes more upset, you break out in a grin. “I’m just messing with you.” Still laying down on the couch, you tug at his hand. “Come here.”

He crosses his arms on his chest. “No.”

“You don’t want your daily dose of my sweet, sweet loving?”

He shakes his head, his lower lip protruding. “Why should I be the one who needs to crawl over to you? This is your fault. You come here.”

You exhale loudly but on the inside, you can’t help but squeal he’s so fucking cute.

You’re not usually aggressive during make-out sessions—well, at least not with Donghyuck anyway. With Mark, you had to take a lead or else you’d just end up watching TV until you both pass out on the couch. But you decide to step up your game today because just as much as he likes to tease you, you also like to tease him.

“Fine,” you say, crawling over to the other side of the couch and settle yourself on his lap. You lay your hand on his shoulders, massaging the tense muscles. “Better?”

Donghyuck is still glowering at you in response so you decide to take a step further. “You look so hot without your clothes on,” you praise him, thanking God that your voice doesn’t stutter. Your fingertips draw a line from his Adam’s apple down to his chest. “But I guess you already know that seeing how many times you’re doing this on purpose.”

He scoffs, swatting your hand away before he crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Don’t touch me. I’m still pissed at you.”

You chuckle. “Ah, so no Hyuck’s loving for me tonight?”

“No Hyuck’s loving for the whole week.”

“You sure about that?” Toying with the buttons of your shirt, you wiggle your eyebrows seductively at him.

He hears the sound of your button being popped open but gives his best effort to keep his eyes away. “What are you doing?”

“Undressing myself.”

“Why?”

“Because my cute vampire boyfriend is upset,” you pause to stand on your knees, tugging the rest of your shirt out from your skirt before you discard it to the floor. “And I know this would please him.”

He instinctively turns to you, his nose almost grazing your bare stomach before he quickly looks away again, albeit tempted to suck bruises on the supple skin. Donghyuck’s eyes move to stare at the ceiling, gulping at the sound of you pulling down the zipper on your skirt to loosen the fabric before you push it up to your hips, giving him the chance to stare at your thighs when he wants.

“Hyuck,” you move your hips slightly, giving him enough friction to entice his mind. “Baby.”

Donghyuck tries his very best to avert his gaze to anything else besides the part that connects you to him. “No,” he repeats, clenching his jaw.

“But Hyuck…” You realize you’re practically moaning his name now and it’s both embarrassing and exciting that you can play the role of a seductress and having that kind of effect on him. Hooking a finger around your bra strap, you pull it down, exposing the joints between your neck and your shoulder. “Don’t you want me?”

He suddenly whines loudly, throwing his head back with his teeth gritting against one another as he murmurs “You’re unbelievable,” bitterly into the air but you can hear his confidence wavering. It only takes another grind of your hips against him before he snaps.

You’re suddenly thrown back to his bed before you know it. He was moving too fast for your eyes to process that you could only felt being carried for a split second before you have your back pressed against the sheets.

He’s hovering on top of you, your hips trapped between his knees. “You do realize,” he begins, “That I never just look at you as an object of sexual desire, right? You’re more than that to me.” He bends down, one hand curling against the front of your neck, his thumb tracing your beating vein. “Way, way more than that.”

His sincerity and serious demeanor catch you off guard. “Yeah, also as someone to fill your midnight cravings.”

��Of course not—”

“I’m kidding, I know.” Your playful gaze is replaced with a tender one. “But you always react like this whenever I tempt you that way so I couldn’t help but tease.”

He scrunches up his nose. “You’re not cute.” But the way he slots his mouth against yours speak nothing but praise and adoration. “You’re not cute at all.”

Surprisingly, Donghyuck is gentler after your first sexual encounter with him. Maybe it’s because he feels sorry for sucking too much blood and went a little rough when it was your first time on everything. You always try to convince him that it’s fine and it doesn’t hurt at all during the time you have sex with him—because the chemicals in his saliva triggered an endorphin rush, pumping pleasure all over your body—but seeing how you could barely walk on the next morning, Donghyuck decides to restrain himself.

You still remember the second time he decided to take a step further, about two weeks after your first intimate session with him. Donghyuck was at his very best behavior that night—making you dinner, listening to you complaining about your work, and swaying his body with you to the soft music he played in the background. Being in such close proximity, you couldn’t help but wonder why he never laid a hand on you again. He did drink from you, once every two days, but he always acted so rigid, so jittery when he held you to his chest, drinking from the side of your neck. You were awkward too, not sure how to place your hands or say something to break the tension. You could hear him swallowing, once, twice, taking a big gulp each time and you could feel yourself drowning in refined pleasure, losing track of the world from his bite.

Speaking of that, you notice one thing. This endorphin rush you feel every time he sinks his teeth into your skin also affects your sexual desire. You didn’t realize that before because you were having sex the first time he bit you. You finally understand why those slutty girls he brought home loved having their blood sucked by vampires. Sex with a vampire itself is transcendent, so having your blood sucked during sex? A dangerous, erotic, and lovely bliss.

But Donghyuck never touched you that way, that was the problem. Every time he finished drinking, he’d retract his fangs back, making you whimper at the loss of his effects on you and leaving you dizzy with blood loss. He’d wipe his mouth clean, tilt your face to check on your condition—which you always responded with a goofy smile as you reeled on the lingering sensation of his bite—and say, “I’m sorry that you had to do this for me. I’ll carry you back to your room. Hold on to me.” And you’d allow him to do just that, secretly hoping that he would join you in bed but he never did.

Was the sex not good? Were you too loud? Too whiny? Too docile? Were you too shy? Does he prefer his partner to take control in bed? Be more aggressive? These questions ran back-and-forth in your mind to the point that you began to have trouble sleeping.

So when two weeks had passed after that bathroom incident and nothing happened, you decided to bring the matter down to the table. You were craving for his touch, even more so when he looked so fucking good with his hair slightly pushed back, his shirt doing nothing at hiding the muscles in his arms, his face hovering just a few inches away from yours as he led you close in a slow dance. You just needed to ask before you went crazy.

“Why won’t you touch me?”

Donghyuck blinked. “What?”

“Why won’t you touch me?” You repeated, heat rising to your cheeks. “After that night in the bathroom, you never… made a move on me.”

That question should’ve triggered something sinful coming from his mouth, probably like, “Oh, so you want me to touch you? Enlighten me, Sweetheart, just how much do you want me? Where do you exactly want me to touch you?”

But Donghyuck actually just stood in silence with conflicted eyes. You had to call his name to force him to speak. “I don’t want to hurt you again.”

“You won’t hurt me—”

“No, you don’t understand.” He cupped the side of your face, thumb rubbing soothingly against your cheekbone. “Drinking your blood already makes me want to do crazy things to you. You’re so alluring, so…” He wetted his lip, his eyes going down to take in the shape of your mouth. “Intoxicating.” He moved his thumb to trace the smoothness of your lips. “I’m just afraid that I won’t be able to control myself when we take a step further than this. I don’t want to hurt you again like I did the first time.”

It’s funny how he mentioned the word intoxicating because that was how exactly you perceived him. His whole being was intoxicating, turning every sound in the room into a whisper, every bit of your surroundings into a blur. The world did not matter when you were with him, as it solely revolved around him.

So you yanked him down by the collar of his shirt, slotted your mouth against his, lips parting to taste a hint of the coppery flavor of your blood on his tongue. Donghyuck instinctively reacted by enclosing his arms along your waist, pulling you close until you breathed heavily against his mouth. He was a man of passion, burning like the sun, lips scorching as he met yours in a searing kiss.

He tried to break away, holding your wrist in the air. “Wait, stop—”

“I have an idea,” you immediately said, kissing him once again just because you couldn’t hold yourself away from the temptation. “I have an idea we can try, so—” Another kiss, but he was the one who initiated it this time. He pushed you against the wall, gentle but dominating, his knee slipping between your legs, pushing up the fabric of your dress. You moaned against his mouth, fingers fisting against his shirt, desperate for support. He slid both hands down your thighs, silky smooth against your skin, and lifted your legs in the air, forcing you to tangle them around his waist to maintain stability.

“Fuck,” you cursed under your breath, reeling in the way he peppered kisses from your jawline down to your neck, tongue lapping at a speck of dry blood on your marked skin. “Let’s go—ah—let’s go to your room—Hyuck—”

He was busy having his hand under your shirt, splaying his fingers on your stomach before they found their way up to your breast, but he heard your order. He carried you back to his room, lips never leaving yours and you found yourself pressed against the sheet the next time you blinked your eyes.

“Those handcuffs,” you gasped out between his smothering kisses. “Those handcuffs of yours that you keep in your closet. Use them.”

Donghyuck abruptly stopped, tugged himself away. “What?”

You were breathless and lightheaded, chest heaving up and down. “It upsets me to say this,” you confessed, “But I remember that time when we haven’t started dating, I found a pair of handcuffs in your closet and—”

“You went into my closet?”

“To clean your stuff. You had your clothes scattered all over the place so I had to fold them up and when I was about to put them back in, I saw them. I thought it was probably one of your kinks so I just shrugged it off. You honestly didn’t realize how clean and organized your closet was that day?”

“Well, I was never messy to begin with.”

“That’s bullshit and we both know it.”

He pouted, sighing. “Right, so you knew about my bondage kink. You’re telling me you want us to use it?” He gave you a look. “You had sex one time and you’ve already found yourself a kink? Seems like I underestimated your sexual curiosity, woman.”

“It’s not that.” You rolled your eyes. All of this rambling did not fuel your arousal, at all. “I want you to wear it.”

Donghyuck actually looked disgusted. “I like to tie my women, not being tied up, thank you very much.”

“You said you were scared of losing control, right? If you’re tied up, you won’t be able to hurt me.”

He snorted. “A cheap handcuff like that won’t be able to hold me down, Sweetheart.”

“But at least it serves as a reminder.” You laid your hand on his chest, drawing lines on the cold skin. “I mean, I’m fine whether you wear it or not. I just want to be with you.” You pulled him down into an innocent hug, but the way you were grinding your hips against him was anything but that. “But if you feel this,” you palmed his length through his jeans, forcing him to emit a groan from the back of his throat, “can make you lose control then maybe we should try my idea. I don’t want us to stop, Hyuck, and I don’t care if you break me.” You leaned in to bury your face in the juncture of his neck, whispering, “I just want to feel you inside me again.”

“Fuck.” He groaned loudly against your shoulder, fingers twisting against the sheet. “Okay, where’s that fucking handcuff—” The way he tumbled down the bed—a century-old vampire tumbling down the bed—makes you giggle, even more so when he frantically rummages his closet, throwing clothes here and there, muttering, “where is it, where is it, come on, come on, come on, where’s that fucking thing,” to himself, until he finally hooked his fingers around a pair of handcuffs, shouting, “YES, I FOUND THEM,” to the air.

He hurriedly went back to the bed, looking breathless when he wasn’t even breathing, and crawled on top of you again. He chased after your lips and your laughter soon reduced back into gasps and moans before he finally broke away, asking, “Okay, tie me up. Hurry.” You’d think that being alive for more than a century would’ve taught him some self-control, but Donghyuck was eager and desperate, way more than you were.

He flipped your body before you could prepare yourself so you yelped in surprise, landing on his chest as he laid himself down on the bed, his head nearly knocking against the headboard. He offered you his wrists, saying, “I’m all yours, Sweetheart.” And you gulped hard, heartbeat blasting through the roof, heat rising to your cheeks.

The handcuffs were made of steel, cold to the touch and you secretly thanked the Lord that they weren’t one of those furry ones you saw in porn movies. You were secretly drooling at the sight of your usually dominating boyfriend lying helplessly on the bed, waiting for you to take the lead; his broad chest displayed under your hands, with you straddling him by the hips. His shirt was slightly pushed up, showcasing his v-lines and his navel that usually stayed hidden underneath. You followed his happy trail, disappointed when it disappeared behind the hem of his jeans.

“Stop being so blatant about it.” His voice was velvety, thick with seduction. “You’re gonna make me blush.”

“I—I wasn’t staring.”

“Never said you were.”

It was annoying how easily he could make you feel all hot and flustered. “S-shouldn’t you take off your shirt first?”

He held back a smile. “I can fuck you just fine with my shirt on but sure, I’ll take it off.” There was something in the way he grabbed the back of his shirt before he pulled it over his head that made you blush, averting your gaze but managed to sneak a peek at the way the muscles on his abs were contracting under the movement.

“Baby?” He snatched you back to reality when a few seconds had passed in silence. “If you don’t tie me up now, I’m gonna tie you up and have my way with you.”

You blushed. That… actually doesn’t sound so bad. You shook your head. That can wait. With shaky fingers, you place one of the handcuffs around his wrist and tied the other one to his headboard. He tried to yank his hand free, testing the strength of it. “I can break this in a split second,” he commented, “But I guess it does work as a reminder.”

“Do you have another pair that I can use to tie your other hand?”

“Leave my other hand free,” he demanded, eyes gleaming as he gazed at you. “I want to touch you.”

You breathed heavily. “O-okay.”

“So,” he smiled, awkward and amused. “We’re doing this?”

You bit your lip, slowly nodding. “W-we’re doing this.”

“Aaw, nervous?” His laughter sounded light in your ears. “How cute.”

“Shut up.”

“Then, come here,” he invited, gesturing you to come close with one hand. “Kiss me.”

You didn’t waste a second longer.

His kiss was slower this time, almost shy as if it was the first kiss you shared with him and it somehow made your heart beat even faster. You could hear him chuckling against your mouth, probably noticing your heart rate and you slapped his chest playfully to stop him from hearing things he wasn’t supposed to.

“Ah, you’re cute, so cute,” he kept saying, tracing his tongue along your lower lip, begging for entrance. His kisses gradually became deeper, harder, and his muffled laughter was replaced with soft groans. His praise was reduced to your name and you sighed in pleasure when you felt his lips moving down your neck, grazing your beating vein.

The position felt a bit awkward but possibly because you had never done it with him before. You were lying on top of him, your body pressed hotly against his chest and although he was already half-naked, you were still fully clothed. You weren’t sure whether you should undress yourself or let him do the work, but could he do it with one hand?

You remembered the time when he ripped your camisole and bra at the same time with only his fingers.

Yes. Yes, he could.

But Donghyuck seemed to be aware of what you were thinking because he ordered you to, “Take your clothes off.”

“I’m—” Flabbergasted, you pulled away, sitting straight on his stomach. “C-can’t you just take them off for me?”

You could tell he was trying to hold back another smirk from breaking upon his face. “But baby,” he cooed, raising his free hand in the air. “I only have one hand.”

“You practically ripped my undergarments with one finger before.”

“Did I?” His smirk grew prominent. “I forgot.”

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“What, being straddled by my girlfriend as she tries to undress herself while I’m being tied up to the bed?” He shrugged nonchalantly. “Meh, it’s not bad.”

“Why you little—”

Donghyuck’s laughter was contagious when you tickled him on the sides of his stomach that you ended up smiling at him too but it soon faltered when he curled his fingers around your locks, bringing your head down to smash his lips against yours until they were red and bruised. You became nervous once again when he tugged on your shirt, silently ordering you to take it off.

“Okay,” you said, sitting on his stomach, fingers trembling slightly as they were fiddling around the top of your dress. “Can you… look away, please?”

“Why?”

“Because you’re making me nervous.”

“Baby,” he tittered, “Just in case you weren’t aware of this. Being your boyfriend means that I’m allowed to enjoy the sight of my girlfriend taking her clothes off.”

“M-maybe later in the future. Can you just look away now?” When he was still adamant about it, you added, “Please?”

He sighed. “Fine, but in the future don’t blame me if I ask you to strip-tease to make up for this.” He closed his eyes, lips pouting. “Also, this is the only time I’ll allow this to happen.”

“Two weeks in our relationship and you’re already ordering me around.”

“It’s not—” He groaned loudly, opening his eyes again to make sure you knew that he was glaring. “It’s not that. I just really want to look. There’s something sexy about girls taking their clothes off.”

“Girls?”

“I mean, you, baby. Only you.”

You gave him a flat look. “Whatever. Close your eyes.”

He jutted out his bottom lip but followed your command, while quietly repeating your line, “Two weeks in our relationship and you’re already ordering me around.”

“I heard that.”

“I heard that,” he mocked and you flicked him on his Adam’s apple until he whined.

Dating a brat was exhausting. Dating a bratty vampire was even more exhausting, but Donghyuck could also be charming and mature when he needed to be so you forgave him for that.

Seeing how he kept his eyes closed, you reached the end of your dress and pulled it off your head in one try. Strands of your hair were caught in the zipper, tugging at your scalp when you tried to unravel them in a hurry. Clicking your tongue in annoyance, you gave better effort to disentangled them with more patience.

“Need a hand, Sweetheart?”

You jolted, a squeak fell off your mouth. When you turned around to see him, your boyfriend was staring at you with a bratty grin on his face.

“Hey!” Flushed, you slapped him on the chest. “I didn’t tell you to look.”

“You told me not to look when you took your clothes off. You didn’t say anything about me staring at my cute girlfriend having the biggest crisis of her life.” His little laughter was just as annoying as it was charming. “Come here, I’ll help you.”

Your pride wouldn’t let you but you had spent minutes trying to break free from your stupid dress with no satisfying result so, with a heavy heart and a prominent scowl on your face, you bent down, leaning close to him until he could let his hand roam along your locks.

“This is so stupid,” you grumbled.

“I think it’s cute,” he chuckled, carefully unwinding the strands from your zipper. “This is the cutest you’ve ever been to me.”

You blushed slightly. Trying to avert your attention away, you began to focus on the sight in front of you. Pressed against his chest, your face was almost buried in the crook of his neck. You took the chance to press soft kisses on the cold skin, running your fingertips down from his collarbone to his navel.

“There, done,” he said, tossing the dress away without a care. He sounded a bit breathily when your teeth grazed against his neck. “Let’s not waste any more time. Come here, I need you.” The way he tugged you toward him by your elbow was firm but not forceful. And no matter how much you had kissed him already, he still loved the way you moved your lips against his and never wanted it to stop.

Being on top of him didn’t necessarily mean you were in control. Even with one hand tied, Donghyuck knew how to lead, whispering guidance here and there, sometimes in the way that made you blush from how specific his orders were. Before you knew it, you were both fully naked, with you sitting on his thighs, stroking at his length as directed.

Donghyuck shivered under your touch, his eyes half-lidded in pleasure. “You—” He had to nip on his bottom lip to contain his groan when you swiped your thumb along his slit. “You don’t happen to have any lube with you, do you?”

You were so captivated by the way he looked, all needy under your fingers, that he had to call you by your name to gather your focus back to his question. “Oh, n-no. Why?” You stroked him faster, curling your fingers a little bit tighter around his length.

Donghyuck threw his head back, eyebrows adjoined in the middle. “Fuck,” he hissed, eyes glazed and when they peered back into yours, they were glowing brightly in topaz—almost golden, and brighter from the dim lighting of his room. “Well then,” he heaved, wetting his lip. “I guess, we’ll do it the old school way. Turn your body around for me.”

“What?”

“I want to be romantic and use pretty words, but desperate times need desperate measures so get your ass over here,” he gestured with his hand for you to come over to his face, “and your face over there.”

Steam practically came out of your ears from how ashamed you were. “What?!”

“I need to make you wet and you need to coat my dick with saliva so it won’t hurt when I get inside you.”

He wasn’t joking when he said he wasn’t going to be romantic about it. How the fuck can he say something like that so easily?! “I—I can’t,” you were practically wheezing, “It’s too embarrassing—I—”

“If you don’t want to suck my dick, you can just spit on your hand and—”

“I’m more worried about sitting on your face—”

“Oh, no need to worry about that.” He gave you a reassuring smile which somehow upsets you even more. “It’s actually something I’ve been imagining to happen—”

“Oh my God—”

“Would you stop freaking-out and listen to me, please?” He was laughing and you were having a seizure. “Babe, relax. Trust me, it will feel good.”

You had no doubts about that but still, it didn’t suddenly make it easy for you to just naturally sit on his face. But to be honest, the thought of it was as exciting as it was embarrassing and with Donghyuck being relaxed about it—not making this into such a big deal, unlike how Mark reacted when anything sexual occurred—you couldn’t help but succumb to your own curiosity.

“Okay,” you pressed a hand against your chest. “Just let me calm myself down a little.”

He suppressed a smile. “You’re having a crisis again?”

“Shut up.”

No matter how much you tried to compose yourself, you couldn’t. You became even more nervous, and you thought that wasn’t possible. The naughty twinkle in Donghyuck’s eyes gradually turned tender and he reached out a hand. “Here, let me help you relax.”

You let him take hold of your wrist, bringing it to his face. He kissed your inner palm before he dragged his lips down to your wrist, his eyes peering into yours as he did it. You could feel his lips turning into a faint smile as they grazed your skin but on the next second, he bared his teeth, extended his fangs, and punctured your skin with them.

“Hyuck—” You yelped from the pain but soon began to lose yourself to the ecstasy of his bite. You could feel all the knots in your body started to loosen one-by-one, your mind becoming hazy with bliss.

Donghyuck didn’t sink his teeth too deep and didn’t drink too much, only a gulp and nothing more even when his eyes were glowing bright, gravely needing another taste of your blood. He lapped at the wound, kissing the bite mark he made on your skin. “How do you feel?”

“I’m…” Your eyes began to droop, blinking slowly. “Great…. I feel great…”

He chuckled at your words. “That’s good to hear,” he said, “Now turn around and lower yourself on my face.”

You could barely hear him but you got the picture. As if hypnotized, you felt your body moved even before you could finish your thought. Donghyuck’s free hand was placed on the inner part of your thigh as you hovered above his head, spreading your legs apart. “Come down here, Sweetheart, I don’t bite.” You couldn’t see his face but you could tell he was smirking, and if you weren’t this intoxicated, you would’ve smacked him with the nearest pillow over his poor choice of words. But the effects of his bite and the rush of endorphin that were still coursing through your veins made you follow his commands without further question.

You were balancing yourself with your hands on his stomach as he ran his tongue along your folds, tasting you just a little bit but you already shivered at the sensation. “Hyuck…”

He hummed in response, sounding like he was having the time of his life, pushing your thigh further apart so you could lower yourself more, his tongue dipping into your heat this time.

You were going insane, you could feel it. Breathing heavily, you decided to focus on a task at hand. You curled your fingers around his length, thumb brushing against the slit again because you knew how much he liked it before, and you could feel him moan before you could hear him.

You gave a tentative lick on the head, kissing his tip before running your tongue along the vein. Your fingers were stroking the area your tongue didn’t cover and you could hear him purring in content. After a brief second of self-preparation, you parted your lips and tried to go down on him in one try. Donghyuck threw his head back against the sheet, groaning loudly between a train of expletives, so sexy and obscene.

Hearing his moans encouraged you to do better so you tried to swallow him whole again. You could feel his tip hitting the back of your throat, making you tear up a little bit from the discomfort but you hollowed your cheeks and swallowed around him.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Donghyuck swore, his grip around your thigh grew tighter that it made you flinch but you continued with your ministration, bringing your hand into the game this time. It was so exciting, the sensation of having him dissolve into a groaning mess under your touch so you stroked him faster, sucked him harder, and continued even when he was practically whimpering in ecstasy.

As an act of revenge, Donghyuck licked his way deep into you with his free hand pumping a finger inside you and adding another one soon after. When you moaned around him, it urged him to go faster, his digits were now scissoring inside of you.

You were practically crying by the time he told you to stop, urging you to turn around to face him because “I want to see your face when you come.” You positioned yourself on top of his length, cheeks bright red from all the passion and lust you have swirling inside your chest, and slowly sank yourself down.

Donghyuck’s handcuff was rattling against the headboard as he reeled in the sensation. His fangs were extended once again, his eyes glowing almost dangerously as he gazed at you from behind his bangs. “Fuck, you’re so—“ he hissed, his eyes going down to the part where you were connected to him. “How can you be so sexy without trying—”

The way he twitched inside of you made you quiver, and you tumbled down to his chest, your face closing in on him. He met you halfway when you sent him a signal to kiss you, smothering you with his lips, wet with tongues and painted with both desperation and urgency.

“Move,” he ordered, his voice suddenly turning low and perilous. “Baby, move for me, please.”

You granted his wish, wincing at the feeling of him growing larger inside you. The friction still burned so you tried to muffle your cry with his kisses, but after a few shallow thrusts, you could finally feel yourself relaxing, adjusting to his length.

“Faster,” he urged, unconsciously tried to hold your hips with both hands and groaned loudly when his handcuff pulled his hand back to the headboard. “Dammit. Baby, please, move faster.”

“Be patient,” you said between small gasps. Your nails were almost sinking to his chest. “It’s only my second time, Hyuck. Let me do it at my own pace.”

He initially groaned in protest, eyes tightly shut with his eyebrows furrowed but when he managed to collect himself, he apologized, "You're right, I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm so hasty, you just make me feel so—" His jaw hung low when he felt you move, and by the time you began to clench your walls around him, he took his bottom lip between his teeth, leaning his head back against the headboard, relishing the moment.

As you steadied yourself with your hands on his chest, grinding your hips against him, you admired the details of his profile—his sultry half-lidded eyes, his plump lips, his cute front teeth that peeked out when he parted his lips in a silent moan, the tiny moles on his jaw and neck. He was both handsome and cute, and you were lucky—so damn lucky—to be able to witness these details with your own eyes.

“Fuck, I can’t—“ His voice startled you, snapping you out from your reverie. “I can’t do it like this. I’m gonna go crazy. Can you get off for a second?”

You were frowning but his urgency made you follow with a nod. You let him slid off of you, wincing slightly at both the pain and the loss of him. Donghyuck shifted his body until he was sitting on the bed, his spine pressed against the headboard. “Okay, come here,” he said, patting his thigh twice. You crawled over to his lap as requested, sitting on your knees as he held his length in one hand, positioning it over your entrance. You lowered yourself down, adjusting to his size once again and wrapping your arms around his neck for support.

“I can never get used to the feeling of you taking me in like that,” he murmured against your ear. “You’re so fucking tight.”

The new position allowed you to embrace him properly and you took advantage of it, meshing your lips with him as you bounced up and down, your breasts pressing against his chest. His free hand was urging you to move faster, nails sinking into the skin and you complied, trying to move as fast you can. “Yes,” he moaned, mouthing against your shoulder. “Just like that. You’re so good.”

The sounds he was making were so erotic that they made you weak. When he felt your movements gradually became slower, he began to buck his hips forward, thrusting into you hard while holding you firmly with one hand.

He nearly broke his handcuff from how desperate he was in wanting to hold you tightly with both hands, fucking you senselessly like how did with you before in the bathroom. But the way the steel was nearly sinking into his skin reminded him of the sole purpose of having it around his wrist. Feeling restrained only made his thrusts grow even more frantic, pushing your hips down to meet his at such a quick pace.

“Wait—” Taken by surprise, you clutched your arms tightly around him. “Hyuck—”

He suddenly sank his teeth on the skin under your jaw, between the earlobe and the collarbone and you nearly jumped out of your skin. For half an instant, it was agonizing. Painful and horrible. And then, just like that, the pain disappeared. He swallowed twice, moaning against your skin, his thrusts going out of rhythm.

The rush of endorphin helped to push you to the brink, clouding your thoughts and you couldn't tell where your body ended and his began but it didn't matter. That was how you always wanted it to be anyway. Donghyuck's lascivious grunts tugged on your heartstrings and with a couple of his hard thrusts, you began to shake. "H-Hyuck, I think I'm gonna—"

His mouth was still on your neck, now sucking bruises with his cuspids threatening to puncture. "Come, baby."

You came undone, body trembling with the biggest orgasm you’d ever felt. Donghyuck moaned your name against your ear when he felt you clenching and shaking around him. “God, that felt so good,” he said, still moving his hips, not caring if you were still sensitive after your orgasm. “You feel so good around me. Fuck, I want to do this again and again—I want to feel you more—I want to break you—”

And when his hips began to stutter, you knew he was close. He pulled you into a messy kiss where you could taste copper on his tongue but you didn’t mind and bounced faster on his lap, driving him to the edge.

You were startled by the sound of him breaking free from his handcuff with a hard yank of his wrist, but before you could react, he was pushing you off his lap, forcing you to stand with your knees on the bed, facing the headboard. Still reveling in the aftershock of your orgasm, your legs almost gave out on you so you placed both hands on the wall for support. "Hyuck—"

He was almost growling when he placed both hands on your hips and pushed himself back in a way that was so forceful, you ended up having your upper body pressed against the wall. He brought your hips closer to his, his tongue trailed against the dip of your spine, and you begged him to, "S-slow down, I just came—" but all that he did was the opposite. He snapped his hips forward, knocking the breath out of your lungs with each pound while murmuring, "Just a little bit more, baby," with so much lust and avidity. You gritted your teeth, curling your fingers against the railing of your headboard as if you were hanging on for dear life. Everything felt so good, so fucking good that you began to part your mouth in a silent scream.

With his head dangling forward, glowing eyes covered with his fringe, and your name tumbling down his lips in a soft, throaty moan, he came.

***

“How are you feeling?”

Dazed and completely fucked-out, you thought, but only answered with, “Tired.”

“Are you hurt somewhere?”

You shook your head.

“Thank God,” Donghyuck pulled you closer by the waist, both of your naked bodies were buried under the blanket. “I kind of lost control at the end.” He sheepishly chuckled at himself. “You were so hot when you came.”

“Shut up.” But that only made him laugh a bit louder. He pried your hands away before you could bury your face in them and cupped your cheek so you could do nothing but stare back at him.

“Is it too fast to say I love you?” He asked and his eyes were sincere but you were too embarrassed to respond properly so you pushed your palm to his face, pushing him away.

“Of course, it’s too fast. We’ve only started dating for like what, two weeks?” But the way your heart almost leaped in joy betrayed you. You turned away from him, focusing your gaze on the bed lamp on his nightstand instead of his face. “If you tell me in like a year or something, maybe I’ll believe you.”

His laughter was warm, a stark contrast to how his skin felt under your touch. He leaned close, lips brushing against your hair as he embraced you close to his chest. “Then I’ll say it every day until you say it back to me next year,” he said, voice gentle and sincere. “I love you, baby.”

“Ugh, you’re gross.”

“There you go, playing hard to get again.” He whispered the next words with his lips brushing your earlobe. “Your ears are going red, though.”

“I’m going to kick you.”

“Well, I’m going to love you.”

But you kicked him anyway. The playful punches and kicks under the blanket managed to ease the tension, and before long, you were back to exchanging nonsensical banters with him again. The sunrise was still three hours away and even though your eyes were a bit heavy with sleep, your body exhausted beyond belief, you tried to keep yourself awake to spend a moment longer with him. You didn’t have any schedule the next morning anyway, so you could sleep to make up for the time you spent.

“Hyuck?”

“Yeah?”

“There’s… something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while but I couldn’t since I felt so embarrassed about it.”

“Oh? It’s not often you’re honest like this.” He smirked, pushing the bangs out of your eyes. “What is it?”

“Did you…” You cleared your throat, trying not to be awkward. “Did you get to come when we had sex the first time?”

He blinked twice, startled. “Oh… I didn’t, actually.” He timidly smiled. “You kind of passed out during that time and I didn’t have the heart to continue so I just carried you back to your room.”

With cheeks turning scarlet, you squeezing his hand. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He pecked you on the nose. “It was my fault anyway. I shouldn’t have taken so much of your blood.” He gradually grew more serious. “I guess I’ve never thanked you for that, huh?” He tucked some strands of your hair behind your ear. “Thank you for giving me your blood. You’re literally the reason why I’m still alive to this day.”

“You’re welcome.” You mirrored his smile. “I have two other questions if you don’t mind.”

“Shoot.”

“Can vampires actually come?” You had to look away, noticing how stupid your questions was and added, “I mean, like, properly? Like humans do?”

“What, you didn’t feel it when I came inside you just now?”

You blushed madly. “I was too dizzy from the bite to notice.”

“Right, you passed out too. Again.” And before you could shout out your protest, he muffled your lips with his. “Of course, we can, Sweetheart. What, are you interested in making me come again?”

You gulped. “M-maybe later.” When you noticed him raising an eyebrow, you mentally slap yourself in the face.” I-I mean, not that I’m suggesting we should have sex again after this—”

“Oh? I was willing, though.” His godforsaken smirk should be banned from this world. Earning another punch to his stomach, he asked with a wince, “What’s the other question?”

You were still pouting from before but you asked, “Can vampires impregnate humans?”

“So eager to have my baby already? Two weeks in our relationship? Really?”

“Do you want to be punched again?”

“By your lips? Yes, plea—Aaw, hey, that hurts!” As he tried to soothe the pain away from the punch you landed on his chest, he added, “To answer your question, no. We don’t breed that way. Vampires are turned, not born.”

“How can you be so sure?”

He laughed. “Trust me, if vampires could get humans pregnant, then I would father hundreds of Hyuck babies by now.”

The thought of him having sexual relationships with other women in a way that was probably much hotter than yours made your heart drop to your stomach. There was an unfamiliar pain in your chest, pumping jealousy and resentment to your veins, clouding your thoughts with images of him lying in bed with naked women.

You turned away to face the ceiling, not saying a word. Donghyuck seemed to notice the way you got all tense and rigid so he laced your fingers with his, bringing your knuckles to his lips. “There’s only you now, you know that, right? For me, there’s only you.”

You nodded but only so slightly, still felt uneasy. You knew that it wouldn’t be fair to be mad at him about this—it’s not like he was cheating behind your back. And he’d lived for more than a century, of course, he had plenty of both romantic and sexual relationships. You were just upset because he was your first and that meant the whole world to you, but you weren’t even included in the top 10—or 100, even.

Donghyuck eyed you in concern and carefully wrapped an arm around your stomach, fingertips trailing around your navel. “Did you realize that,” he began, voice soft and tender, “a few months before we started dating, I stopped bringing girls to our apartment? I switched entirely to blood bags to the point I had to spend all my money. Do you know why I did that?”

You turned to him, snuggling close but still wasn’t brave enough to make eye contact. “Why?”

He had his lips brushed against your temple as he spoke. “Because it felt wrong. Every time I got together with someone, I thought about you. When I drank their blood, I thought about how your blood would taste like in my mouth. When I held them, I thought about what kind of face would you make as you writhed underneath me. When they moaned out my name, I thought about how hot would it be if it tumbled out from your lips instead. You, with that cute voice of yours.”

You blushed from ear-to-ear. “I-Is that so…”

He smiled a little, probably noticing how loudly your heart was thumping inside your chest. “I had to stop entirely when I accidentally moaned your name during sex. Man, she was so pissed.”

You nearly fainted from the sheer embarrassment. “How can you say these things so nonchalantly?”

“I’m actually pretty shy about it.” And this time he did sound sheepish. He lowered his head down, lips lingering close, nearly grazing the vein that beats faintly under your neck. “So don’t think about my past too much, because I’ve been thinking about you—only you—for a while now.”

You shivered, his lips ghosting over your skin. “Cool.”

Donghyuck pulled away, scrunched up his nose. “Cool?”

“Yeah.”

“I literally just poured all my feelings out to you, embarrassingly so, and your response is cool?”

You gave him your signature ignorant shrug. “Well, I’ve known for a while that you had a crush on me. I’m flattered. Thanks.”

“You’re so—” He attacked you with playful pokes and tickles, hands fumbling all over the place until you both ended up falling from the bed, laughing against each other’s mouth.

***

“Babe, you ready?”

You push your door open at the sound of his call, still struggling with tidying your bangs so they can frame your face perfectly. You’re about to go on a date with your boyfriend and this is the first time he actually asks you out properly. You’ve gone out many times with him before but it was always either to shop for groceries or have dinner in the cheap Chinese restaurant nearby.

So you kind of dressed up all the way, curling your hair and tying it up in a perfect ponytail—because you know just how much he likes seeing your neck exposed—wearing minimal make-up but with bright red lipstick, and a matching red off-shoulder dress that highlights your collarbones.

“Do you think this is too much?” You ask from the bathroom, still busy trying to put on your earring. When you’re done, you walk back to the living room, approaching his spot. “You haven’t told me where we’re going so I’m not sure what to wear—” You catch the way he’s looking at you, wide-eyed with lips parted in awe. “W-what is it? Are you thirsty again?”

He blinks himself awake. “For blood? Nope. For you?” He’s not subtle at all with his staring, eyes going up and down your body, committing every feature to his memory. “Parched.”

“If you’re gonna be this embarrassing the whole date, I’d choose to stay home, thank you very much.”

“What, can’t a man appreciate his girlfriend’s beauty?”

“Sometimes just a simple, you look nice, is enough.”

He chuckles softly, closing the space between you and running his thumb along your cheekbone as he cups your face. “I want to kiss you and ruin your lipstick so badly,” he murmurs, eyes almost glowing. The way he brings his lower lip between his teeth as he stares at you in a daze makes your stomach flip in delight. “But you look very beautiful right now and it would be a waste. I’ll wait until the end of our date. Then, I’ll savor every bit of you.” He leans in to whisper close in your ear, his smirk grazing against your earlobe. “In any way possible.”

You yank him by the hand, pulling him towards the door. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.”

You can’t wait until your date is over.

***

Donghyuck reeks with charms and allures. You notice that, certainly, but unfortunately for you, so do other people because he is gathering attention from every woman he passes by on the street—even some men. He’s just walking along the pavements in his black ripped jeans and denim jacket, but he makes it look like a fashion show. He’s deep in concentration, thumb sliding on his phone’s screen as he searches for the location of the place he’s planning to take you. His brooding look makes you swoon but you try to be subtle about it, unlike those females who pass by, practically undressing him with their eyes.

You’re uncomfortable and jealous but you try to keep yourself composed. “Is it far from here?”

“Just a couple of blocks,” he answers, smiling as he tucks his phone back. “Are you hungry? Do you want to stop by and grab some dinner before we go?”

You’ve lost your appetite. “I’ll eat on our way back.”

“You sure?”

You respond with a nod but he seems worried. You notice some people whispering behind your back, questioning with a mocking tone about your status with this God-like male in front of you and you couldn’t help but to sigh. “Can we go now?” Your tone sounds a bit cold even to your own ears, and you feel sorry because this is not how you planned your date night to go.

Donghyuck must have noticed the silent chatters, or at least, the hurting look on your face. Taking a hold of your wrist, he pulls you forward until you stumble to his chest and kisses your lips. You swear you could hear people gasping at that, but you don’t care. You don’t care that he’s kissing you in public, on the side of the street, with his hand secured tightly around your waist. You don’t care if your lipstick is ruined, though he kisses you softly to make sure it stays intact. And you don’t care if people are questioning his sanity for dating a girl like you because Donghyuck belongs to you and he’s proud of showing that to the world.

When he lets you go, your lips are curving up into a grin, cheeks reddening both from the cold and his touch. “You have lipstick on you,” you say, tiptoeing on your feet to brush the stain off his lips with your thumb, and Donghyuck, with that sexy, mischievous twinkle in his eyes, parts his lips, playfully placing your thumb between his teeth just a second before he lets it slide away. Your head is about to explode from how sexy he just looked and he chuckles at the sight, pecking you on the forehead once. “Let’s go, baby.” He strokes your hair before he lets his hand slide down to your waist again, walking next to you with your body pressed close to his side.

It turns out your boyfriend is taking you to a photo studio which is quite huge for a normal photo shoot. As you see so many staff, models, and photographers around you, walking back-and-forth in the studio to make sure everything is in order, you begin to realize. “Are you—”

“Yep,” he beams at you, proudly. “I’ve got a modeling gig.”

Your eyes grow wide because by the brand logo that you see plastered all over the place—on the back of the chairs, the doors, embossed in articles of clothing—it’s one of the top designer brands in the country. “What—how—” You’re flabbergasted. “How did you get this job?”

“I got cast on the street.” He simply shrugs. “It’s a one-time gig though, so nothing serious. But it is my first time so I’m pretty nervous about it, which is why I brought you along.” He swats the bangs out of your eyes, looking apologetic. “I’m sorry. This is probably not how you imagined our date night was going to be.”

“No, but this is better.” Your eyes are scanning the place. “Look at all these models! They’re so beautiful—Oh my God, I know him!” You almost jump on your feet at the sight of a famous model getting his hair fixed by his stylist. “Isn’t he the one who was on the cover of W Magazine last month? Oh my God.”

“Hey, hey, hey, hey,” Donghyuck pulls you back by the fabric of your dress. “I didn’t invite you to ogle at another man’s body.”

“It’s not his body, Hyuck. It’s his face, look at him!” You gesture toward the man with a sigh. “Look at those cheekbones, sweet Lord. His jawline has me feeling like sliced bread.”

Donghyuck snorts loudly. “Are you an idiot?”

“Might as well be. Can you get me his autograph?”

“I’m leaving.” And he really walks away, just like that, with his hands tucked inside the pocket of his jeans, and a scowl on his face.

“Wait, I’m sorry,” you hurriedly say, taking a hold of his arm. “Good luck with the photo shoot. I know you’d be amazing.”

He’s still not happy when he looks at you but he sighs, patting your head. “Thanks. You can wait for me in the hall. I think they have snacks and stuff.”

“Can’t I just linger around here?”

“To see me or to see him?”

“To see you, of course.” There’s no hesitation in your voice. “Seeing him is just a bonus. You’re my number one, Hyuck.”

He leers at you with suspicious eyes, still not one hundred percent pleased or convinced. “Well, I have to go. I need to change and get my make-up done.”

“Wait.” you hold him back again. “Do these people here know you’re, you know, not human?”

“No, and I intend to keep it that way. So, if you could just not mention it again, that’d help.”

You nod but when he’s about to part ways again, you reach out to him once more.

“What?” He whines, groaning. “I really have to—”

You stand on your toes and interrupt him with a kiss, hands winding around his neck. It’s just your lips meeting his for a few seconds and nothing more, but it’s still painted thickly with passion and desire.

“Good luck,” you whisper with a shy smile. He’s left a bit dazed but eventually nods his head. When he walks away, he rubs his nape, a gesture he tends to make whenever he’s flustered. You grin proudly to yourself. He’s wrapped around your fingers just as much as you are around his.

After half an hour has passed, you see Donghyuck walking back into the studio in a new outfit that makes him look so goddamn attractive that it literally steals your breath away. He’s wearing all black, from his turtle neck shirt, his khaki pants, his suit, even his hair looks somehow darker. He’s absolutely gorgeous, even the male photographer has to stop and stare for a good few seconds before he remembers to adjust his lenses.

Donghyuck poses naturally in front of the camera and it startles you how a simple pose could look so beautiful when it’s done by him. He unbuttons his suit, lets it falls off his shoulder, his eyes half-lidded as he stares into the camera—everything that he does reeks masculinity and femininity at the same time and you don’t know if that’s even possible. You’ve known that his body proportions are insane but this outfit just highlights every inch of his body that needs to be appreciated.

A staff hands him a rose and he brings it close to his face, his lips grazing against the petal—making him look like a painting. His usual cheeky grin has vanished without a trace and the way he stares back at the camera—both enchanting and challenging—sends shivers down your spine.

Fuck, how is he so hot?

Two hours long photoshoot feels like a minute to you and you’re feeling a bit dazed when it’s over. Donghyuck walks over to your spot, pushing up his long sleeves to his elbows. “Hey,” he says, smiling a little. “Sorry, did I make you wait long?”

“Oh… Umm…” You’re blushing and you don’t know why. You’re just suddenly overwhelmed with his presence. “Y-you were…” Fantastic. Breathtaking. Absolutely gorgeous. Please take me home and have me as dessert. “You were good.”

“Good?” He raises an eyebrow, making you gulp. “That’s it?”

“I…” Your fingers are curling against the fabric of your dress. “You were great.”

Donghyuck seems a bit amused until he realizes something. He leans close, making you flinch when he takes a sniff near your neck. “Why do you smell like you’re…” A smirk creeps up his face. “Aroused?”

Yes, okay, just kill me. Kill me now. “I’m not—”

“Seems like someone is enjoying this photoshoot too much.”

You’re about to combust into flames. “Are you done? Can we go home now?”

“You want to go home? And do what?” He bites the corner of his lip as he tries to contain his grin. “Enlighten me, Baby.”

He’s seducing you, torturing you, and he’s enjoying every second of it. “Fine, then. I’ll walk home by myself.”

But as you turn around on your heels, Donghyuck grabs you by the wrist and pulls you forward to match his step, going in the opposite direction of where you were planning to go. “Wha—where are you taking me?!”

He shushes you quickly and makes a turn, barging into one of the changing rooms that models often use to get prepared for the photoshoot. The room is bright with fluorescent lights, though not as spacious as you’d thought it would be, but the only thing that matters now is that it’s unoccupied.

Donghyuck kicks the door closed with his feet before he pushes you against it, lips meeting you in a searing kiss as he locks the door behind you. “Your scent,” he breathlessly says against your mouth, running his tongue along your lower lip. “It’s so thick with lust.” If it’s as thick as the teasing tone in his voice, you’re so doomed. “Are you okay, baby?”

“Shut up.” You kiss him, fisting the fabric of his shirt before you pull it off his head. Your hands immediately go down to his chest, caressing his stomach before they circle his neck again. “If we’re gonna do this then hurry up and fuck me.”

A small laugh reverberates from his chest. “So aggressive. And to think you were so shy yesterday.”

“Shut up. Does sex usually involve this much talking?”

“With me, it does.” He purrs against your ear, tugging your earlobe between his teeth. “Because then I get to see more of your expressions.” His tongue feels hot and dangerous on your sensitive skin. “You’re so fucking cute when you blush, but you being aggressive like this isn’t too bad.”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up.” You’re already dying from shame and his unnecessary comments only fuel it even more. “Are we really—” you gasp when he pushes you up the wall, and you quickly tangle your legs around his waist for balance, the back of your red heels pressing against his spine. “Are we really doing this? Here?”

“Of course, we’re doing this.” His hands are sliding dangerously along your thighs, pushing the fabric of your dress up your body until it pools around your waist. “I’ve been wanting to do this ever since you laid your eyes on him.”

“What—” You throw your head back, making a soft thud when it meets the door. Hopefully, no one catches that. “You mean that model? I was just kidding—”

“Kidding?” He slips two of his fingers inside his mouth, coating them with saliva and it’s so sensual, the sight of him, that only seeing him do that already makes you feel sinful. He slides his hand down between your legs, wet fingers immediately finding their way to your heat from the side of your lingerie. “I don’t think it was funny.” He inserts his first digit, making you sink your nails into his shoulders. “Do you, baby?”

You’re breathing hard, temple pressing against his. When he feels you stretched enough, he adds another one. “Baby, I asked you a question,” he chuckles, scissoring his fingers inside you. “Do you think it was funny?”

“No.” You shake your head, a sob nearly escapes your lips. The mixed feelings of being dominated, teased and pleasured at the same time make you feel lightheaded, and he hasn’t even drunk from you yet. “I-I’m sorry.”

“Aaw, but I’m not mad,” he coos, kissing you softly on the corner of your lips. “I’m a bit pissed-off but certainly not angry.”

His words are doing very little in reassuring you but you’re too busy focusing on the way he’s pumping his fingers in and out, his thumb rubbing fervently against your clit. “Hyuck—”

“Sssh.” He perks up, his movements stop abruptly. “Someone’s here.”

You mouth What?! in horror, about to shove him away so you can land back on your feet and fix your clothes and hair but he keeps you still. He presses his body harder, one hand holding the back of your thigh while his other one still lingers near your lingerie. There’s absolutely no way you can fight his superhuman strength.

Within the next few seconds, you can hear the clicking of heels meeting the marbled floor and you hold your breath, fingers shaking but the rest of your body is still. Donghyuck keeps his gaze on you, his eyes unwavering as he tries to read the situation.

“Hey, it’s locked. Why is it locked?”

“I don’t know. It wasn’t locked before.”

Two female voices can be heard from exactly behind you and you’re about to break out in a cold sweat. If you breathe just a little bit harder, they probably can hear you. Donghyuck notices the way your breathing tatters and with a gleam in his eyes, he smirks.

And moves his fingers again.

Your hand immediately shifts from his shoulder to his wrist, trying desperately to keep it from moving. Your eyes are throwing ice daggers as you mouth don’t you fucking dare to him but his sly grin only gets wider. He leans in to pepper sultry kisses on your jawline, up to your ear, whispering, “Keep your voice down.” And though he speaks reassurance, his fingers are not.

He slides one between your folds, tentatively pressing into your heat before he drags it back, heel continues to add pressure to your clit. It’s when he inserts the digit back into you that you begin to flinch. He helps muffle your voice down with his kisses first but when you truly need to be silenced, he pulls away, enjoying the view of your cheeks turning scarlet, bangs sticking to your temple with sweat, and adding another finger into your warmth.

“So cute,” he whispers, his eyes are starting to glow. You notice that their color changes depending on what he’s feeling. They glow when he’s thirsty, that much is obvious, but there’s also one other condition. The more he’s aroused, the brighter they get, almost turning topaz entirely, and soon his cuspids will follow, extending to take a bite. He still has his fangs retracted, but his eyes are gradually gleaming brighter as he takes in your expressions. “So pretty…” The way he praises you is almost like he’s in a haze. “I love seeing you like this.”

“What to do? My purse is inside.”

“Shall we ask around for the key?”

You’re so scared, terrified beyond belief and Donghyuck is savoring every moment of you trying to contain your moans. “Aaw, they’re going to open the door,” he murmurs against your ear. “What do you think we should do, baby?”

Fuck if I know. Your eyes are closed shut, your fingers curling against his nape. He licks a stripe up your neck, moaning softly from the desire to fill his mouth with your blood. “I know one thing for sure,” he swallows, wetting his lip. “I need to make you come first.”

Donghyuck always lives up to his promise. He knows what he’s doing and it feels extremely pleasant having his fingers deep inside you but you can’t give yourself into the pleasure entirely from the fear of being caught. But as he goes faster, now focusing more on playing with your clit, you feel fire coursing through your veins, loosening the knot in your stomach, and out of panic, you bite him hard on the part where his neck meets his shoulder, muffling your moan as you come onto his hand.

You can feel him flinching, a low grunt erupting from the back of his throat but you’re too dazed to notice. When the aftertaste of your orgasm starts to decrease, Donghyuck lets you down to the floor. You have to keep your hold on him as your legs wobble under your weight and when you look up, you see him with his fangs fully extended, his eyes glowing as bright as the sun.

“Hyuck—“ He bites into your skin without permission, and he does it fiercely, sloppily, that your blood begins to taint your dress. You’re grateful that it’s at least in the same color as your blood so a few drops won’t be noticed. The rush of endorphin calms your nerves, almost leaving your senses dull and you slide down to the floor, your spine still pressed against the door.

When he pulls away, he lets his tongue runs along his lower lip, wiping it clean from your blood. His eyes are strictly golden.

“My turn now.”

***

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221bshrlocked · 3 years

Text

II. Teach Me

Shiny & New Masterlist

Pairing: Pedro Pascal x Fem!Reader

Words: 2410 (can you believe I wrote something under 4K?)

Warnings: Inapropro touches in public. Confessions. Oral sex (male receiving).

A/N: Here is part two you hoes. Let me know how I’m doing in the comments please. I think this may be the shortest thing I’ve written in two years?

It wasn't that things were weird between the two of you after that night. It was that things weren't, far from it actually. Pedro was more touchy, and if you weren't overthinking things, he was more flirty as well. And the odd thing was, he didn't even care if anyone was around. He constantly found a way to touch you, whether it was a quick nudge to your waist or a soft caress of your lower back as he passed behind you. And then there were the dangerous smiles and low-key remarks full of innuendoes. You thought you were imagining all of this but there was no denying the bulge you felt against your back when he pulled you into his lap as soon as you stepped into the jacuzzi.

You said nothing of it, trying your hardest to continue whatever conversation you were having with Sarah without giving yourself or him away. He laughed at something Sarah said and leaned over, briefly kissing your shoulder blade before slithering one arm across your navel and pushing you down harder on him. You bite back a moan when you feel him twitch against you, unintentionally digging your nails into his thighs when his other hand slowly dips beneath your swimsuit piece.

It's a battle of who's a better actor, with Pedro pretending he was just having a chat and you trying to not make it obvious that you were practically getting fingered in front of your best friends. The lighter his touches became, the more difficult it was to keep it together. What was only a few minutes felt like hours and you sighed in relief when Oscar said that lunch was ready. You waited until everyone left the pool area before you turned around and looked at Pedro.

"Are you out of your mind?" There was no malice in your voice and Pedro smiled before leaning over and kissing down your neck.

"Yes...fuck, yes I am baby. I'm so goddamn crazy for you hermosa. You drive me mad...dreaming of you every night only to wake up with nothing but the memory of you in my arms." You melt into his embrace, trying not to make any noise as he bites down on your skin and leaves marks where his hands could reach,

"Pe-Pedro...please, I- I need..."

"I know what you need baby, I know exactly what you need. And I'll give it to you real good sweetheart...just stay over. D-don't leave, please. Stay here with me...stay here with me." There's a shift in his tone and you can't help but feel like there's perhaps more to this than you thought. And the hope that flutters through your heart doesn't scare you as much as you thought it would.

"Please oh god..." The hand around your waist is trailing up your stomach and you finally give in to him as he cups and kneads at your tits.

"Fucking tell me you'll stay querida." Pedro shakes you in his arms once, pulling at the hair on the nape of your neck until your throat was exposed to him. He licks the skin of your chest up to your jaw and hums at the taste of you, pulling away just in time to see goosebumps erupt on your skin.

"I'll- fuck...I'll stay. I'll stay...n-not going anywhere. I-"

"Sweet fucking girl...never letting you go now." Pedro whispers as he molds his lips with yours, swallowing your moans and deepening the kiss when you gasp at his needy touches.

You inhale deeply when he finally lets you go and stands up. By the time you're opening your eyes, Pedro is looking down and smiling devilishly at you. He stills has his arms wrapped around your back and chuckles at you when your knees buckle at feeling him so near to you.

"That good huh?" You're looking away when he winks, quickly moving out of the spa area and grabbing a towel while Pedro drys his chest and puts on a shirt. Your eyes scan the backyard and when you don't find anyone, you dare to turn around, eyes widening in embarrassment when you see Pedro fixing himself through his swimsuit.

He walks towards you and helps you put on your dress, never once breaking eye contact as his hands move across your wet skin.

"Hurry the fuck up baby chicken!" You snap out of your haze when you hear Oscar yelling from inside, smiling at Pedro as he grabs your hand and moves towards the house.

The rest of the day goes by quickly, with Pedro glancing at you every once in a while and waiting until you smile at him before he goes back to whatever he was doing. You hope you're not reading too much into this, especially now that there were more emotions involved than before. It felt like he was perhaps as nervous as you but there was no way that was true. A man who touched you so shamelessly in front of your friends wouldn't suddenly grow nervous over you staying over. Right?

"Alright heart eyes, I'll see you later." You pretend you don't hear Oscar teasing Pedro as he's leaving, waving your goodbyes as you begin to clean up after everyone. You hear the front door close and immediately head to the kitchen, trying to not seem too nervous now that you're left alone with Pedro.

A solid warm body creeps up from behind you and you drop the plate in the sink when you feel Pedro's hands crawling up your stomach.

"I satisfied myself all of these weeks with the mere thought of you hermosa..."

You shiver at his hoarse voice, shutting your eyes and allowing your head to fall back on his shoulder as he begins to leave a trail of wet kisses down your throat.

"How does that make you feel baby? Knowing that I can't stop thinking about you...fuck sweetheart you're the prettiest goddamn sight in the world." Pedro is turning you around in his arms in an instant, shoving his tongue down your throat and keeping you flush against him as he makes his way back to the couch, the same couch he almost fucked you on not a whole month ago.

"Pedro...oh god, please. I- want to...to-"

"What do you want baby? I'll give you anything, everything...just please let me keep kissing you." His desperate pleas twist the inside of your stomach and you reluctantly lay a hand on his chest and push him away. Pedro's eyes panic and he lets go of you immediately, not wanting to force you into anything you didn't want.

"Wait...I- I want to know what this is," you motion between the two of you, ignoring the way he's licking his lips and looking back at you, "because- fuck, this is harder than I thought it would be. I can't lose you Pedro but I can't lie and pretend that I don't...want more with you. Ever since what we did, I can't- it's like everything made sense all of a sudden. I don't know why I never thought of this but you were so sweet and caring and kind and everything perfect. I can't do this if you aren't...if you just want to-" Pedro suddenly steps forward and takes hold of your neck, making sure you're meeting his gaze before he opens his mouth.

"I wasn't lying when I said I'm crazy about you querida. And- if I'm being honest, I've had these feelings long before you asked me to sleep with you. Ever since I met you baby, I always pictured you in my arms, having lunch with me, staying over every night...coming to events with me. I wanted you then and I want you now." His words are soothing and you shut your eyes and lean into the palm of his hand before you decide to ask him what you've been dying to know ever since the morning.

"Why didn't you say anything Pedro?" I could have been with you for so long.

"Because...I didn't think you'd ever consider me." Pedro looks away when he confesses his fear, not wanting to see the look on your face should you agree with him.

"Are you serious?" You frown at him and almost pull away when he smiles sadly at you.

"I'm older than you sweetheart, a lot older than you. The thought of you rejecting me was...unbearable."

He's shocked when he feels your arms wrap dramatically around his neck just as your lips seek his own. But he's pulling you in soon after, smiling when you moan and beg for him to bring you closer to him.

"I'll take it you don't mind then?" He asks between kisses, laughing when you push him down on the couch and straddle him. His hands are roaming your back before he squeezes and grasps at your ass. He can already himself harden beneath you the more you buck your hips against him.

"Fuck baby you're a dream...my fucking dream." There is a hint of reluctance in his voice and you let go of him and look into his eyes as you whisper your assurances.

"I'm here Pedro...not going anywhere. I promise." He's about to lean up again to taste your lips when you move down his body and kneel between his thighs.

"Wha- what're you doing honey?" He gulps at the sight of you kneeling at his feet, pupils dilating as soon as he feels your hands cupping his cock through his shorts.

"I want to taste you Pedro, please. You- you promised. Please, will you teach me? Will you teach me how to take your cock in my mouth? I want you to come down my throat...want to know how to touch you, pleasure you...make you lose control." Your words are enough to make him hard. Pedro can't believe what he's hearing and your request shoots straight to his dick when he realizes that this is probably your first blowjob.

"Fuck...yeah alright go on baby. Touch me, take what you want...let me feel those pretty lips wrapped around me cock." Pedro raises his hips just as you pull down his shorts, moaning when he sees the way you eye his cock like you were about to feast on him.

"God...I touched myself every night Pedro...picturing your cock sliding into my pussy, stretching me out...filling me up. But you're so much thicker than I remember. So thick and hard for me. Is- is this all for me?" He's sure you're not aware of the effect you're having on him or else you would stop so he wouldn't come so soon.

"Yeah honey, it's for you. All for you. Why don't you be a good little girl and open your mouth. Open it sweetheart and take my cock. Go on, I'll be gentle." He thumbs your jaw and clenches his jaw when you slowly take the head of his dick between your lips. He forces himself to not buck his hips against you, knowing that you needed to get used to the size of him before he tried anything. The curiosity etched on your face as you explore him makes him wish he could push you down on all fours and fuck you until you couldn't remember anything but his name. But he bites into his lower lip to try and have a semblance of control over his body.

"Oh ff-fuck...so wet and warm. Pretty girl...sweet fucking girl." His words make you moan around him and you shut your eyes to try and take him a little deeper. Pedro is torn between keeping his eyes open to commit every single moment to memory and shutting it to enjoy the softness of your throat. But he keeps them open, watching as you switched between licking the precum rolling down his length and sucking on the side of his cock while you rubbed the tip.

"Shit fuck baby...it's okay. You- you don't have to sweetheart...we'll get you there. I'll train this cute mouth of yours to gag on my cock...just enjoy this for now, fuck. So good. So fucking good." Pedro is looking at you with desperation and neediness in his eyes and you pull back to lick at the underside of his cock before leaving wet kisses on his balls. His grip tightens around your hair, unable to decide whether that was the most innocent or the filthiest fucking thing he's ever seen. You're not shy anymore, and Pedro enjoys the sight of you as spit drools down your chin and onto his dick. You're messy and wet and shameless in your touches. Absolutely fucking beautiful.

"You taste so good," it's a faint whisper but his cock twitches in your hand at the exclamation and he gulps nervously when he feels your grip harden around his dick. Fucking hell, how's he already so close?

"Please baby, let me come. Want to come down your throat, fill you up before I fuck this tight cunt again. Take my cock hermosa...take it like the filthy little girl you are. Shit, baby I'm so close...so- so fucking close." He finally throws his head back when your lips enclose around him again, breathing growing erratic when warm hand jerks off the rest of him while the other cups his balls. He's moaning your name and swearing all sorts of curses in Spanish, never once noticing how much it turns you on when he loses control.

"Shit shit fuck oh god- oh baby baby I'm- cuh..coming ff-fuck!" You take him just a tad bit deeper right before you feel hot, long spurts of cum shooting down your throat. It almost feels like he's coming for minutes on end and you squeeze and suck on his dick until he gets too sensitive and pushes you off of him. Pedro looks down just in time to see you collect the cum trailing down your chin and lick it off of your thumb.

"Fucking beautiful." He whispers and mirrors your smile before he pulls you up into his lap again. You're shocked when he kisses you, moaning in surprise when you feel his tongue exploring your mouth. When Pedro finally pulls away to allow you to breathe, he's laughing again at the hazy look on your face.

"W-was I any good?" The reluctance and shyness in your voice makes him almost grow hard again.

"Well, practice does make perfect sweetheart. And I plan on practicing with you all night long."

Taglist: @pastel-0-princess @feelmyroarrrr @libbymouse @its--fandom--darling @spideysimpossiblegirl @princess76179 @cheekygeek05 @miraclesoflove @purple-mango @freeshavocadoooo @metalarmsandmanbuns @acthenerd

#pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal fanfiction #rpf #pedro pascal smut #pedro pascal

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millllenniawrites · 2 years

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mack's 2022 birthday rec list list!

so i missed doing this last year because ✨mental illness✨ but we're back! i feel weird about birthdays so i wanted to thank you guys for such a great year by putting together a list of fics that I've loved so y'all have some good stuff to read! i've mostly been reading oscar fic this year so the vast majority of fic on here is oscar fandom, though there are a few others. im sure this list is missing fantastic fics i read in the last 12 months but i've tried to compile the ones that have stuck with me and that i've gone back to! this is my gift to y’all for getting me to another birthday 💗

if you like the stuff on this (unfortunately brief) list and think our taste lines up, feel free to check out my recommended tag (now featured!). i don’t have a lot of time to read these days but I reblog every fic that I finish so you might find something you like in there!

disclaimer: please note that some of the following accounts have dni statements. i adore them and would never want anyone to disrespect their boundaries so please be aware of who you are interacting with as you go through this list! thanks!

Old Dog by the wonderful Dany. @youvebeenlivingfictional is a god and her writing never fails to floor me. if you aren't a bond fan, you will still love Old Dog, and all her other fics are incredible too (I am obsessed with Be Changed; Be Undone right now as well)

this untitled fic by @userpoe is a great example of the mastery tegan has of the star wars canon. they capture character SO WELL and talking to them about poe is always a joy because of the sheer DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE they have. also their gifs are GORGEOUS and they're unreasonably talented at everything but that's besides the point

i have to include All Bets Are Off by @writefightandflightclub because i've read it like seventeen times and it gets better every time?? luna's ability to create tension is unparalleled and the dialogue in this is SO GOOD. oh my god they were roommates and captain of the team are others fics of theirs that i love for these same reasons

and i cannot get you out by @moonknightly is her brand of beautiful angst at it's finest. i love the way hadley can perfectly place you right in the moment, even if that moment isn't reader-driven. it's a skill i wish i had and reading her work is like a masterclass on writing.

i fell in love with clarke's writing because of the insane amount of creativity she possesses, and her Kinktober Day 16 - Hair fic is such a great example of that. every time I read @budcooper 's work, especially work that comes off a prompt list like this, im always in awe of how she can spin well-loved tropes into something new and fresh. Trying is another great example of exactly this.

A Very Lovely Woman by @acedameron is gorgeous and makes me YEARN SO HARD. it's beautifully written and angsty and smutty and i ADORE it. they've also written some stuff for William Tell (The Card Counter) so if you read for him, go check out their account!

Tinder Saves the Day by @maybege is a FANTASTIC fic that really surprised me?? I realized I was doom scrolling so I clicked on the first fic that popped up on my dash and it just so happened to be this masterpiece. I didn't know who this man was. I had no idea what fandom he was even for at the time. but was I entertained?? is the writing gorgeous?? did I immediately go read everything else on May’s masterlist for Paz?? absolutely yes.

so there you go! the 2022 mack birthday rec list. thanks for keeping me afloat this last little while. as always, if you are a writer and you wanna tag me in your fic, feel free! i love finding new writers (and new friends) on here and it’s honestly one of the main ways I find new people to interact with! i love y’all 💗💗

#mack speaks #mack birthday rec list

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devilscreekballad · 3 years

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Commission for BirbWaifu

With @birbwaifu ‘s permission, here’s the writing commission done for them <3

Thanks again for commissioning me.

If you wanna commission a story as well, check out the pinned post.

Enjoy

"Ya think they know?"

It wasn't an easy-to-answer question Nobu was posing there, but he felt a heavy weight lifting off his shoulders as the words finally left his mouth.

Charlie put his book down and pulled himself up into a marginally more upright position as they laid cuddled together in their train compartment's bed, reading.

"How d'ya mean?" he wondered, blinking down at the man resting against his chest.

Nobu drew a breath to answer, but paused. He knew the way he worded that question could mean a couple of things, and all of them had been weighing him down.

"About... all of it, I guess," he thus answered, looking briefly up at Charlie before listening to the other man's heartbeat again. "About me, 'bout you, us... this whole misadventure."

"I wouldn't call it misadventure, Nobu," Charlie said softly, playing lazily with the other's short hair. "I mean, look at what we achieved. But as for that... I don't think me family knows 'bout it. Nothing ya really put in the papers, right? An' what might make it into the papers... There's not really much o' a connection to us, is there?"

Nobu nodded.

"An' they already know 'bout ya," Charlie continued, gently caressing the other's cheek. "No one uttered a bad word 'bout ya since the wedding, so no need to worry there." Charlie shuffled and pressed a kiss onto the crown of Nobu's head. "And trust me, if anyone would have a problem with ya, Ada would rip'em a new one."

Nobu chuckled softly, and sighed.

"But what about us being together?" he wondered.

"Same deal," Charlie shrugged, giving Nobu's arm a squeeze. "But we'll find out for certain soon enough."

Something about Charlie's tone wasn't right. Nobu shifted a little to look at his lover once again.

"Yer alright?"

Charlie blinked once more, nodding.

"Am. Just still tryin' to wrap my head around everythin'. This was a bit bigger than anything we did before."

"It sure was."

And Charlie sighed.

"Wanna hear the punchline? The bit I find hardest to grasp is that ya actually love me back, and confessed first. All these years, we rode together and..."

Now Nobu sat up and smiled, bemused.

"We're both two oblivious fools, ain't we?" he said, now resting his head against Charlie's shoulder.

"Oblivious and both in bloody denial, Nobu," Charlie answered, taking the smaller man's hand. "But I'm glad you said something. I'm not certain I woulda had the courage to do so."

Now Nobu blinked.

"Ya really think so?"

Charlie nodded, smiling bitterly.

"With all that happened, I guess if you would not have said anything there and then... I woulda started tellin' meself that ya don't have the same feelings for me. 'Cause when all that crap didn't encourage ya to say anything..."

"It wouldn't have encouraged ya either by the sound of it," Nobu deadpanned, looking a little grumpy. "And yer the more courageous of the two of us."

Charlie awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Well... I..." he began, but Nobu gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"But I get ya. I... I think I woulda jumped to the same conclusion 'bout ya had I not said anything."

Charlie smiled and put the book away, turning to Nobu to gently kiss his forehead.

"We're a match made in... God knows where..." he chuckled, cuddling into the pillow.

Nobu did the same.

"Ya think we'll ever see the others again?" he wondered as Charlie turned off the small lamp. "I mean, they said they'll stay in contact, but..."

"I'm quite certain 'bout Mrs. Meadows. Can't imagine Blayne won't keep his eye on us, and she'll be the best way to do so. With O'Brian, Burke an' their brethren, I'd say it depends on what the world has in store for'em. Miss Florence will certainly write." Charlie hummed in thought. "I think the only real tricky one will be Lynwood, what with him moving to England. He'll either write eagerly or will get wrapped up in work again."

Nobu nodded gently. This sounded about right.

"Those were some weird weeks," he said.

Charlie sighed in agreement.

"That they were. But one can't argue we didn't end our career as outlaws on a high note."

"As if you'd actually give up on gamblin' and hustlin'."

Charlie laid his arm around Nobu, pulling him closer.

"I'll cut it down for ya, an' ya know that," he said, giving Nobu a loving squeeze. "But now we should sleep. I'd like to be awake properly when we meet me family."

"Yeah, not riskin' givin' them any advantage."

Both men chuckled, and Nobu leaned up to kiss Charlie's cheek.

"I love you."

"I love you too." Charlie returned the kiss. "Good night."

"Good night."

~~o~~

The next morning came, and Nobu woke to the conductor knocking on the compartment door, announcing that they'll reach their destination in less than an hour.

Nobu sat up, yawned, and looked down at Charlie, watching the other man's chest rise and fall gently. And after a moment, Nobu playfully ran a hand over Charlie's stomach. Charlie stirred awake, blinking blearily at his lover.

"G'morning," he slurred, squirming a bit. "Ya really took a liking to tickling me awake, didn't ya?"

Nobu sighed and searched Charlie's eye.

"I..." he began. "I guess I'm tryin' to tell meself this ain't a dream."

Charlie smiled and reached up to caress Nobu's cheek.

"I get that. I think I told ya that I'm still wrappin' me head around all of it." Charlie cocked his head. "But I get the impression yer really worried 'bout things."

"Am," Nobu admitted. "We got a new life ahead o' us, and..."

"Yer scared, no matter how much ya wanted it?"

Nobu nodded, and Charlie pulled him into a gentle hug.

"Look, Nobu, I can't promise ya that life will be outrageously easier now. But it should be a less rocky road. An' we've weathered so many storms together already, I think we can weather the next few as well."

Nobu nuzzled his face into the crook of Charlie's neck, humming gently. It took a moment before he sat back up, looking down at Charlie.

"Yer counting tellin' yer family we're together as one of'em storms?" he asked, all perfect innocence. And Charlie snorted a laugh.

"Oh, that depends on how obnoxious they'll be about it," Charlie answered, stretched and clambered out of bed. "But I ain't tellin' ya nothin' new when I say ou'll fit right in with the bunch o' altruistic hens that me family is."

Now Nobu laughed as well, watching Charlie get dressed.

"Ya warned me before," he joked then, getting up himself.

It wasn't until everything was packed and the train slowed as it neared the station that Charlie fell thoughtful again.

"Penny for yer thoughts?" Nobu asked.

Charlie looked at him, and then at the window, watching the scenery go by.

"Told ya, still lettin' things sink in. Right now it's mostly the fact that I haven't seen me family in person since Grace's wedding."

Nobu nodded.

"We sure got a lot to tell'em..."

Charlie smirked.

"I reckon those tales will be a good warm up till we get to the big reveal."

"Ya mean that we saved the world or that we got together?"

Charlie pretended to earnestly ponder this.

"Yes," he then said with a cackle, and earned a gentle elbow to the side for it. But Nobu chuckled as well.

"We should go then," Nobu said as the train stopped, shouldering his bag. "I'm certain I saw Ada and Oscar waitin' for us."

~~o~~

Now, Charlie was never the kind of person to get overwhelmed too easily. But arriving at one's family's home and being greeted by around a dozen-something friendly faces will very easily do the trick.

Charlie had barely gotten off the carriage when he was swarmed by various nephews and nieces, and while Oscar carried their luggage inside, Ada took the opportunity to have a small heart-to-heart with Nobu a bit away from the group.

"Whatever ya did after Potter's Springs musta been a big one to get Charlie to come home for good after all this time," she said, watching Charlie for a bit.

Nobu smiled askew.

"Don't be like that. Ya know how much he'd have loved to be here more often. An' yer one to talk. Yer always out an' about yerself." Then Nobu realized something and his eyes grew wide. "Wait, how do ya know about..."

"Potter's Springs? Josie wrote to me when that Pinkerton agent of yers got ya stuck in town for a bit." Ada smiled slyly. "Can't believe ya an' Charles worked with a bloody Pinkerton."

Nobu sighed.

"Neither could we."

"Did ya leave him to rot in the end?"

Nobu furrowed his brow.

"No. Truth be told, he... he's not that bad a person. And he quit his job."

Ada chuckled.

"Good call." She patted Nobu's back. "Come, ya gotta meet the other new members o' the family."

Nobu nodded and followed her, only to stop dead in his tracks when he realized something else.

"W-why did ya word it like that?"

With a smirk, Ada waved him to follow.

"I'll tell ya when Charlie's in hearin' range. Would spoil all the fun otherwise."

By all means, Nobu couldn't say that that sounded promising, but there was nothing else he could do but follow.

About ten or fifteen minutes later Nobu and Charlie had been introduced to all the new members of the family, and another ten till they were seated on a large and nicely decorated breakfast table.

Something that made Charlie squirm with a bit of embarrassment.

"Ya did this all for us?" he asked, to which his mother ruffled his hair after putting a basket of boiled eggs down.

"Ya been away from home for so long, Charlie, and ya pulled quite a stunt in New Hamelin." As you and Charlie blinked a little confused, Charlie's mother smiled and retrieved a newspaper from the shelf, handing it over. "We do get the papers out here, Charles. An' yer not goin' to tell me this kinda thing isn't right up yer alley."

Charlie cleared his throat quite abashed, putting the paper back down.

"Well, yes..." he began.

"Glad to see ya ended on a high note," Ada noted. "One last big thing before you an' Nobu settled down. So, what are yer plans now?"

Charlie quirked a brow.

"Get a job, I guess."

"As what?" Ada teased. "With yer skillset ya'd be best suited for politics, but ya got too good a heart for that."

Charlie snorted a curt laugh and leaned back.

"Yer kind as always, Ada. I was thinking 'journalism'. Maybe writing. Good respectable work, that."

Something about this made a smile tug on Nobu's lips.

There was some agreeing murmuring, some nodding and some eyerolling around the table, before Ada looked at Nobu.

"An' you?"

Nobu winced, taking a deep breath.

"I dunno yet. I-I mean I'm no good with words an' all, but... maybe I can find something at a bookstore in the city. A library. Ya know I like to read."

"Well, good to know Charlie will have someone to read what he put out," Ada quipped, grabbing the breadbasket and helping herself to a small tower of rolls. "But that aside, why don't ya tell us the whole story."

"Yes," Grace chimed in. "What happened that made ya finally decide to settle down with Nobu."

"Well, it's quite a long..." Charlie began, but then narrowed his eye at his sister. "Why did ya word it like that?"

Grace giggled in response, while Ada did her best to not start laughing out loud. Charlie cast Nobu a suspicious glance, and Nobu, albeit just for a moment, wished the ground would open and swallow him whole.

"I think they know," Nobu mumbled, and Charlie frowned.

"We suspected," Ada corrected. "Since Grace's wedding, the way the two o' yer been with each other..."

"Why didn't ya say anything?" Charlie protested, to which Grace spoke up.

"Charlie, that kinda thing is something the two of ya had to come to terms with for yerself," she said. "But to tell the truth, if ya wouldn't have gotten together by now Ada woulda set out to screw yer heads back on right."

Charlie and Nobu turned their gazes to Ada, who smiled back self-satisfied.

"Look at ya two," she said. "Ya've been workin' together so well since ya met, and one would have to be really oblivious to not notice that." He smile softened. "But I know yer both... yer both the kind of people who deny themselves that anything good can ever happen to them for a longer time. But..."

Charlie waved her off, taking a deep breath.

"We... already figured we're oblivious fools, no need to rub it in," he said, clearing his throat.

"That you are," Ada agreed, and smiled. "But we're all happy ya finally figured it out."

Charlie smiled at Nobu, and Nobu smiled back, nudging Charlie's leg below the table.

"But now let's eat," Ada called, "before it all gets cold."

"Can't argue with that," Charlie muttered, getting Nobu to chuckle.

~~o~~

"Charlie?" Nobu asked as they sat on a bank in the house's small garden, catching their breath after breakfast.

"Mhnn?"

"I've been thinking."

"About?"

"What do ya think?" Nobu smiled, resting his head against Charlie's shoulder. "About what yer family said. About us. We been so busy with wrappin' our heads 'round what happened in Devil's Creek, an' us being two godforsaken fools that we didn't even think about just what we're goin' to do now."

Charlie smiled, leaned his head against Nobu's and laid an arm around the other man.

"We still had a good answer to it, don't ya think?"

Nobu pondered this.

"Yes, but... I mean I can imagine ya writin' books, but I-I can't see myself sellin' any... or anything."

Charlie pressed a gentle, careful kiss to Nobu's temple.

"I'm sure ya can," he said, squeezing Nobu's shoulder. "An' we got time now. We're not on the run anymore."

"There's still people who have a bone or two to pick with us."

Charlie nodded with a sigh.

"I know. But we can handle them. Settling down doesn't mean lettin' one's guard down, now does it."

Nobu nodded.

"Are ya scared," Charlie asked softly.

"A bit. Not just about that... about everythin'."

"Me too, that much I can tell ya." Charlie looked forlornly at the sky for a moment, caressing Nobu's shoulder absentmindedly. "It's weird, innit?"

"Mhnn?"

"All the things we've been through an' this is what we're scared 'bout the most."

"Well," Nobu began, pondering. "I guess it's 'cause we've never been in such a situation before. It was always 'us and where we go from here for the next hustle'. Now it's... Us and where we'll go from here for us."

Charlie chuckles gently.

"Yeah, it is." Then he shuffled around, looking at Nobu. "Well, where do we go from here?"

Nobu blinked.

"Didn't we just talk 'bout that?" he wondered.

"I mean literally," Charlie said, leaning back again and looking up at the sky wistfully. "The world is big, Nobu. There's a lot of places to go an' see, an' about as much to stay there for a bit longer than we usually do. So, where do we go from here? See the world? Build a small house somewhere on the frontier? Go back to civilization?"

Charlie's gaze was gentle and free of any sarcasm as he looked back at Nobu. And Nobu just smiled, just as gentle and honest, before he cuddled against Charlie again, laying the other man's arm around his shoulder once more.

"I don't know yet. I guess I'll see," he said, entwining his fingers with Charlie's.

Charlie chuckled softly, giving Nobu's hand a soft squeeze.

"Yes... But... it's funny. I know one thing for certain." He smiled and cupped Nobu's chin, pressing a tender, loving kiss onto the other's lips. "I won't go anywhere without you by my side."

#the ballad of devil's creek #BaoDC ROs #baodc charlie #baodc commissions #choice of games #hosted games #interactive fiction

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