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imfinereallyy · 1 year

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hummingbirds

Steve’s crying on the porch of his parents' house, with a duffel bag and baseball bat, when Eddie pulls into the driveway.

“Jesus, Steve, what happened?” Eddie crouches down to get eye level with Steve. Despite being dark out, the sun set long ago, and the outdoor lights weren’t on. Steve turns to look at his parents' car in the driveway and thinks back to when the lock had distinctly turned shut on the front door. They were around to switch the lights on; they just didn’t care anymore to do so.

Steve is grateful for the moonlight, as he can see the pretty lines on Eddie’s face. Even if they currently curve into a frown.

“Hey Eds.” Steve’s voice cracks.

“Stevie…what happened?” Eddie asks again, this time it’s gently. It cradles Steve and holds him softly. He wishes Eddie’s hands would do the same.

“Did you know hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward?” Steve sniffles.

Eddie’s face scrunches in confusion, “What? Birds? You lost me.”

Steve pushes past Eddie’s confused face. “They are the only birds to fly backward. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Dustin to teach me that out of the munchkins. It was actually El. She’s apparently going through a bird phase. And I don’t think the others are very interested. So I try to pay attention when she talks about it. And she taught me about hummingbirds.”

Eddie settles on his knees, “That’s great, man and those little shits should listen to her more, but I’m not sure what that has to do with what’s wrong. You called me to come pick you up and hung up before I could even answer.”

Steve bites his lip, “Sorry, my dad clicked the phone off.” Eddie’s face shows surprise, but Steve keeps talking before he can interrupt. “And well, I guess hummingbirds have nothing to do with anything. It’s stupid, really.”

“No, no. It’s not stupid. Tell me about the birds, Stevie.” Eddie’s hand finally reaches out to Steve. He brushes the fallen hair out of his face, and something in Steve just sets him off.

“You see, they can fly backward. And well, no, I’m getting ahead of myself. You see, my cousin Tucker is here to visit. And let me tell you, he is the worst. Like Eddie, you would hate him. Conservative, capitalist enthusiast, real bootlicker kind of guy.”

“Sounds like the worst. Especially if he made you use the big words.” Eddie’s hand falls away, and Steve mourns the loss. Normally, when people make jokes about his intelligence, it stings. It makes him feel small. But when Eddie does it, it isn’t mean or a poke at how stupid Steve is. With Eddie, it’s almost like he’s reminding Steve that he is smart. That maybe Steve is the one making himself small.

He is.

“Anyway, he’s visiting, right? So my parents come home. And I haven’t seen them in months, since before spring break. It’s nearly October, and I haven’t seen them, and I can’t tell if I’m excited or dreading their arrival. It’s always a fight when they are around, how I’m not good enough, how I should be more. Their visits always end up being cut short, and me feeling like shit. But this stupid, stupid part of me was hoping it would be different this time. They haven’t seen me since the “earthquakes.” Surely they’ll be happy to see I’m okay, right?”

Eddie stays silent, his face revealing nothing.

“Of course, it’s not. They only came home because my cousin Tucker was in town. All the way from Indy cause it’s so far. And my mom ‘made’ dinner, as in she ordered it and pretended she made it. It wasn’t even that good, but we all pretended it was the best thing ever made. Cause that’s what they do, pretend. And the dinner is fine, boring. Most of it is just me staying silent while my dad and Tucker talk about the business. Tucker runs the Indy office while my dad is in New York. Ya see, Tucker has been gunning to take over for my dad when he retires, which is another word for dies—“ Steve let’s put a bitter laugh; he wonders if his parents are listening. He doubts it.

“—and they are going on for the whole meal, and I’m almost through the home stretch when my dad brings up me, coming to work for him.”

Eddie reacts finally, “You’re going to New York?” His voice is strained, like he is trying very hard not to yell, not at Steve, but at anyone who will listen. Steve is quick to correct.

“No, no, I’m not. This was news to me to Eds. I have no interest in my dad's business, and as far as I was concerned, he didn’t want me a part of it either. Guess that has changed. Has? Had? I don’t know…” Steve trails off.

“Harrington.”

“Don’t call me that. It makes me think you’re mad at me. Besides, it doesn’t fit me anymore.” Steve bites.

“Sorry, Steve. I’m not mad. I promise. Just, what do you mean?” Eddie’s head tilts to the side, his curls cascading down his shoulder. It reminds Steve of a river, dark water rippling in the moonlight.

“I was so shocked, Eds. When he said that. That I was quiet, I should have corrected him, maybe. Maybe I could have fixed it. But Tucker was so quick to act. He was pissed. He knows my working for my dad means me being set up to take over. And Tucker, he’s worked too hard to make sure he does get the business. But instead of yelling, he just gets this concerned look on his face. And he…”

“He what?”

Steve wrenches his eyes shut as he recalls the rest. As he recalls the way Tucker’s face faked worry as he struck. Like he has been waiting for the right moment to ruin Steve. He manages to open his eyes eventually, only to see Eddie’s face once again. The honest look on his face is enough to push Steve on.

“In the summer, Robin was feeling sad. This was before you guys knew about each other, and I was the only one who knew about her. And she was sad cause nothing had happened with Vicky and she felt so alone. And I hated seeing her like that. And so, so I took her to Indy. And, and—“ Steve starts to hyperventilate.

Eddie takes him by the shoulders. “Breathe for me, Steve. Come on, baby, match my breaths. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

Steve matches Eddie’s breath. Ignores how the word baby calms him down instantly. “Tucker told my dad that he saw me in Indy. That he saw me come out of a gay club, Eddie. And he went on about how they should focus more on getting me help, than putting me in a power position, again Eds, which I don’t even want! And how I would be a bad look for the company. How would it look if a company whose whole image is family values, only successor, turned out to be gay.”

Eddie flinches a bit, but doesn’t let go of him. Steve feels instant regret. “That isn’t what I meant, Eddie.”

Eddie shushes him, “I know, sweetheart. You’re just upset. I know. Did you tell him that you weren’t there for you? Or maybe that Rick was mistaken; it was a regular club?”

Steve rubs a hand down his face, “And what? Tell him that my two best friends in the entire world are gay? So that I can be shipped off to New York and never see them again? Yeah right. I’d rather face the bats again than be removed from you two. And I’m not going to out you guys like that.”

Something warm crosses Eddie’s face, “So, you lied then?”

“Before I could say anything my dad reacted.”

Eddie freezes, a darkness swims in his eyes. “He put his hands on you?”

“No, no!” Steve panics, and he purposely leaves out the ‘not this time.’ Eddie isn’t necessarily a violent person. But he does have a protective streak. As admirable as it is, Steve doesn’t want him to get hurt.

Eddie relaxes but only slightly.

“He was actually pretty calm, which is even more terrifying. I expected him to yell, throw things. But instead he just turns and says, ‘Is this true, Steven?’. And what gets me is they didn’t even question why my cousin was anywhere near that club in the first place. Why did he see me there? Instead, he just asks me if it’s true. And it’s the first time in a long time, if ever, that my dad asks me this. He always just assumes I’ve fucked up. And this time, he really asked me about the truth. And I couldn’t, I couldn’t lie. I don’t know why, but it felt wrong to. So I didn’t. I just told him, ‘Yes. It’s true.’”

“Stevie…”

Steve throws out a bitter laugh, “And you know what? He still doesn’t freak out. He just tells me I have five minutes to get my shit and get out. That I needed to call a ride because the car was under the name Steve Harrington, and I was no longer a Harrington. And he was so calm. And my mom just sat there, and I just listened. I didn’t fight. I am so tired of fighting.”

“Steve, why not just tell them the truth? Tell them you were there for a friend?” Eddie’s tone isn’t scolding, only curious.

“See, that’s because I started thinking about hummingbirds, Eddie. I started thinking about how they fly forwards and backward and how they are the only ones that can do that. Isn’t that fascinating? These small birds are so strong and interesting, and can do something no one else can do. But no other birds understand; the rest of them just fly forwards Eds. And I—I feel like that sometimes. That I’m not flying in one direction, ya know?”

Steve feels like he isn’t making much sense, but then Eddie nods and looks at Steve. Like really looks at Steve, and sees him. And Steve feels raw, stripped of his skin, exposed, and it should hurt, but it feels so fucking good. And Eddie stares deep into Steve’s eyes and says, “Yea, I know.”

“I didn’t want to lie. Because even though Tucker was wrong, he was also right. I wasn’t there for me, but I think I needed to be there. To get it. And I think that I’m flying backward, Eds. And I’m worried it’s wrong of me, that it shouldn’t be allowed. And that there is no purpose to me flying backward if I can just go forwards. If I can just fly with the rest of them. But I don’t think, I don’t think I’ve ever really taken flight before. Not before I understood I could also go backward.”

It’s in this moment, where Steve is covered in tears and snot that Eddie finally takes his hands and cradles Steve’s face. Steve’s never felt safer.

“Listen to me, sweetheart; there is nothing wrong with you. Okay? Nothing wrong with you. Just because you can fly forwards doesn’t mean you have to, doesn’t mean you should. Sometimes you’re going to have to fly backward; you’re not going to have a choice. It’s just the direction you’re fast, huge, hummingbird heart takes you. And it might take you a bit to learn that. To understand that, but I will make sure that you do. Because you, Steve Harrington, are fucking fearless and fucking beautiful, and I am so goddamn proud of you.”

Steve finally reaches his breaking point and collapses in Eddie’s arms. Full body, ugly sobs wreck Steve. He is sure that he is soaking Eddie’s favorite Black Sabbath t-shirt to the bone, but he can’t find it himself to care. His fingers dig into Eddie’s back as he clutches tighter as his breathing picks up.

“Breathe, baby, breathe. Remember that. I got you. I got you.” Eddie whispers into Steve’s ear.

Steve picks his head up when he finally calms down, and looks at Eddie. “You.”

“What’s that?” Eddie says softly, rubbing circles through Steve’s polo.

“I called you. Because, I think—no, I know, that I’ve been flying backward, to you. For a while now. And I knew that, even if you weren’t too, you’d still show up. And I just—just need you to know that. I am so grateful you showed up.”

Steve knows he should feel nervous telling Eddie all this, but he isn’t. He strangely feels like his dad at this moment, calm and unmoving. Steve doesn’t understand many things in this world, but he understands that even if Eddie doesn’t love him like that, Eddie still loves Steve in plenty of other ways.

It’s still nice, though, when Eddie leans forward and kisses Steve’s forehead. Steve closes his eyes and releases a breath.

Eddie slides his head down slightly so their foreheads are pushed together affectionately. “Stevie, I’ll always fly backward to you.”

Although it’s awful how they got here, Steve can’t help but feel happy at this moment. He also can’t help the silly giggle that comes out of him, “I think we have just lost all meaning to this metaphor at this point.”

Eddie snorts, “Oh, have we? And here I thought we were having a nice moment, a poetic one at that, telling each other ‘I love you.’”

Steve blinks at him, “You love me?”

Eddie frown lines finally turn upwards, “Yea baby, I love you.”

“I—“

Eddie cuts Steve off. “Tell me in the morning. When your tears have dried, and I’ve woken up with you in my arms. I want to hear it in the daylight. Okay? Let’s go home.” Eddie stands, offering a hand to Steve.

“Home?”

“Yea home, got to fly back to our nest.”

Steve can’t help the snort he releases, “Dork.”

Eddie just smiles, “Thought I told you to save the ‘I love you’ til the morning.”

Steve smiles back as he takes Eddie’s hand, “I didn’t…”

Eddie squeezes Steve’s fingers, “Yea, ya did.”

****

I’m back, not dead, and in my feelings. Thinking about expanding on this one. I hope you guys like it. 🧡🧡

#steddie #stranger things #Steve eventually gets a hummingbird tattoo #everything I write is soft #they deserve to be soft #bisexual steve harrington #gay eddie munson #cw: implied homophobia #cw: internalized homophobia #my writing #steve harrington #eddie munson #ficlet #robin buckley #steve x eddie #soft boys #post s4 #bisexuality awareness

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unholyhelbig · 5 months

Note

part 4 mob boss mommy *i mean natty oops*

Title: The Oversight [Part 4/7]

Ship: Female!Reader x Natasha Romanoff

Wordcount: 4325

Warnings: Gun imagery, heights, unecessary tension, horrible grammar, and funnel cake

[A/n: Heads up, I wrote this while I had the flu & a pretty bad fever, so it's not my greatest work. Thank you all for the postive feedback!]

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“Hit me.” Natasha’s words were growled, a low rumble compared to the warm spring breeze that produced nothing but a balmy environment. Sweat glossed her collarbone, moved against expanses of skin that you had let yourself imagine, but had never seen. She was a distraction, despite being your instructor.

Her wrapped fist made contact with your jaw, a metallic taste coating your tongue. You let out a grunt of protest, fingers quickly working against the area to ease the throbbing pain. “That wasn’t fair,”

“You think they’re going to play fair? Focus up. Hit me.”

There was something about being this close to Natasha that formed a pit in your stomach. You were meant to have skin on skin contact, though most of your mornings for the past two weeks had been spent at the gun range, she had deemed you ready enough to learn how to fight. It was an art, you figured, not just something you could blindly go into.

For the first fifteen minutes of your day, you had watched Natasha and Kate spar. Yelena was standing next to you, a borderline predatory gaze on her face. You’d realized that it was one of the only emotions she harbored, and that Clint was rightful in his fear. Still, her attention was not focused on you, and that was good enough for the time being.

Instead, it was homed in on Kate. “I have been teaching her for nearly a year now.”

“She’s good.”

“You do not have to lie, y/n. She’s sloppy, reckless. Look how calculated Natalia is.”

Those emerald eyes were tracking every move the taller girl made. She’d initiated contact with Kate’s ribs, with her knees, and her shoulders. She’d fallen to the grass more times than you could count, but she still got up. That’s what seemed to count around here. Even as green a brown stained her workout gear, and as purple blotches of dead blood rose to the surface of her skin.

“It pays to learn fighting styles. That is something the Danver’s family does not understand. They hire whoever they can. Bodies over skill, it can work in some situations, but not all.”

“When did this… war start?”

“Mm, the power struggle has been raging for decades. Our parents, and their parents, and their parents before them. Both of us were trained to take over the family business. Men, they fight with their hearts and not their heads. When Carol and Natalia took up the mantel, things only got worse.”

You felt silly, growing up on these city blocks, and not realizing that a fight bigger than yourself was raging just within the shadows. You supposed that was a good thing. If you knew, you’d have taken Ronnie out of here in a second.

Kate hit the ground for a fourth time, the air knocked out of her lungs. She still had enough left to groan and prop herself up on her elbows. Natasha chuckled, the sound bubbling past her lips. This was much too fun for her.

“She is fragile.” Yelena nudged you with her arm. You frowned. Kate accepted the outstretched hand and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. She looked dazed. “Do not tell her I said so, but she was looking for a project. You have to give it your all. For both of your sakes.”

You drew in a breath to respond, but Yelena clapped a hand on your back before taking a step toward the dueling duo. “Alright Nat! I think you’ve tortured Kate Bishop enough. Do not break her.”

Kate was bouncing back and forth on the balls of her feet, her fists raised in a defensive position. Her lip was split, rusty crimson against the corner of her mouth. “I can do this all day.”

“You do not have to.” Yelena’s nose scrunched up “You stink. Go take a shower.”

The blonde shoved Kate playfully towards the house, trailing behind her and murmuring things in Russian. She’d left you alone with Natasha, something you had become quite accustomed to. In your workout gear, you felt more than a little exposed, her stare raking up and down your form before her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink than they already were.

The two of you had sat on the lawn chairs as she wrapped your knuckles, had you punch the palm of her hand to see how much blowback it would cause. You were holding back, and you both knew it. Her last command had been non-negotiable.

When you swung your right hand towards her jaw, Natasha wrapped her fingers around your wrist. She had flipped you onto the ground with enough force to knock the air from your lungs. You’d flailed in panic instead of going limp like Kate had.

You’d dragged Natasha down on top of you. Her body weight was warm from the beating sun, her elbows on either side of your head. Natasha’s knee was between yours, pressing into your core. You let out a small gasp at the sensation, pulling in her musky scent of sweat and clove.

Stray strands of russet hair framed Natasha’s face as she peered down at you, her chest heaving, each breath pushing her closer to you. Her nose was brushed against yours. The two of you were impossibly close, soul-crushingly so. You were certain that she could feel your heartbeat through your shirt.

She made a quite noise “Pet, if you wanted to get me on top of you, all you had to do was ask.”

Your gaze had given you away, and Natasha suddenly had a shit-eating grin against her lips. You hooked your legs against hers an arm wrapping around her waist. In a smooth move, you had her flipped against the grass, eyes reflecting the blue of the cloudless sky. She nearly seemed impressed, and you preened at the stare.

That was before her knee came up and knocked the wind out of you for the second time. You grunted, rolling off her. The two of you stared up at the sky for a few moments before she hoisted herself up and offered you a hand. You batted it away out of habit, rising on your own.

“When you fall, you fall with grace.” Natasha said, her voice stoney, right back to her serious self. “That way you don’t end up like we just were.”

“And if they ask?” you lifted an eyebrow at her, a hint of malice in her voice. She took a step closer to you, and that ever-intoxicating scent filled your lungs once more. Your ribs still ached from her kick, fingers massaging the sore spot. However, all of your movement halted.

Her voice was murmured and rusty. “I don’t want anyone else on top of you.”

“Okay,” You whispered, throat suddenly tight. “Then show me how.”

Veronica had the excited reflection of light in her eyes. They scanned the traveling fair that had been set up in the park bordering the harbor and a square city block. Each year, tents with local vendors would go up, rides and carnival games in their stead.

The scent of kettle corn filled your lungs, a mix of sweet and salty that reminded you of your own childhood spent here. It was the one constant that every foster family took part in. Sometimes you’d be given a stack of tickets, others, you’d get enough for a large cup of the best lemonade you had ever tasted.

Her hand tightened around yours, squeezing in excitement. Despite your current situation, you couldn’t help but smile. The soft sound of music and the light breeze was enough to make your forget about your aching muscles, and the light sweater that you had thrown on to hide the bruising against your shoulders, your arms, and collarbone. Natasha had really done a number on you.

“Jimmy is a nice guy, he really is, but the whole magic thing is driving me nuts.” Darcy used her forefingers to pinch off a bit of blue cotton candy, shoving it into her mouth. She talked around the melting sugar. “Seriously, he spilled my coffee all over my lap attempting a card trick and then attempted to mop it up with a never-ending handkerchief.”

You snickered at that, earning a look cut from glass. “What? I’m sorry about your drycleaning, but it is kind of funny.”

“Yeah, whatever. I just have to grow a backbone. He doesn’t try to pull that shit with Monica. No one tries to pull that shit with her.” She knelt in front of Ronnie, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “You’re not going to tolerate stupid magic tricks, are you?”

She was met with a silent, but amused stare, her eyebrow lifted. You’d been leveled with that look more than once yourself. It dissolved you into more laughter. “Alright, alright. No magic for the kid. Does the Ferris Wheel count as magic?”

“Well sure, but only at the worlds fair.”

You rolled your eyes but effectively tugged them both into the line. It had always been one of your favorites. It gave you a good look at the city you called home. Of course, your view of that city had been stunted lately. It never truly changed the beauty of the lights and the way they reflected off the water.

Your shoulder came in contact with chilled leather, your attention having been trained on fishing through your pockets for the small red tickets. Your eyes shot up, ready to rush out an apology until the words stopped in your throat.

Seeing Natasha outside of her manor was jarring. She looked nearly the same, a tight-fitting black T-shirt and a leather jacket draped over her shoulders. Her hair was loose, unlike it was at training earlier in the day, cascading down her shoulders. Her make-up was light, her unripe stare pouring into yours. That bewilderment melted into her cool exterior as if it were never there in the first place.

“Natasha,” the word poured from your lips before you could stop it, and the corner of her mouth quirked up in amusement. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“I can take a hit” She stated matter-of-factly. You were well aware of the fact, and you had to stifle a shiver as it worked its way down your spine. Hours before she had been nestled so perfectly on top of you.

Your cheeks heated up and you glanced sparingly at your friend, her own eyes going back and forth between the both of you. It was then that you noticed Clint, towering over Natasha with his arms crossed over his chest. He gave you a finger wave, and you lifted your chin in return.

“I’m Darcy, you are?” She was beyond forward, and it made you internally cringe. She reached her hand out to the very woman that ran the city. It was like sticking your hand in the lions enclosure covered in steak sauce.

“Natasha,” her words dripped with a subtle hint of her accent “This is Clint.”

“Howdy,” he knelt then, Veronica was clinging tightly to your leg, peeking around tentatively. She hugged you closer as he spoke. “You must be Veronica.”

The woman in front of you softened as you had never seen before. Her eyes grew brighter, though you could pin that on the circulating lights of the Ferris Wheel. There was a genuine smile on her lips as she looked at the girl who hugged you ever close.

“She doesn’t talk much, I’m afraid.” Your hand moved comfortingly to her shoulder. Ronnie seemed comfortable, if not excited about the rides that were teeming around them.

Nat smiled at you “Oh, I’m sure she’ll speak when she has something to say.”

Ronnie’s death-grip on your leg seemed to loosen a bit as Clint straightened up. Darcy continued to scrutinize you and Natasha, something mischievous in her stare that you didn’t exactly care for. She rocked back and forth on her feet and directed her attention to Clint.

“How good are you at skeeball?”

“An absolute beast.” Clint replied.

“What do you say to a challenge? I bet I can kick your ass with the power of science. Winner springs for funnel cake.”

You picked up on the subtle look Clint gave Natasha and the even more subtle wave that she responded with. She blew an amused breath. Darcy stretched her hand towards Ronnie and wiggled her finger. “Kid, you staying or going?”

This time, Ronnie looked up at you for confirmation and you gave her a small, encouraging nod. She dislodged herself and wrapped her hand around Darcy’s. The promise of flaky and sweet funnel cake topped with powdered sugar was too tantalizing.

Admittedly, you were used to being left alone with Natasha at this point. Though it had mostly been in a business capacity. She seemed almost shy now, the line for the Ferris Wheel inching ever so closer.

“We can still go on, if you want.” She suggested.

“Yeah, yes. Of course.” You replied, “that would be lovely.”

“Your friend is very persistent.”

“She’s harmless, really.”

“And your daughter. She’s beautiful.” Natasha shoved her hands into her pockets, the two of you inching closer in line. “Just like her mother.”

Once again, you could feel the breath lodge in your throat, your cheeks flushing with fire. She was so bold at moments, and you remained silent in your conquest. There was no telling what was overstepping, though she blinked at you expectantly.

You fumbled dumbly with the tickets in your pockets, presenting them to the attendant. You both ended up in a cherry red car lined with nice leather cushions. Natasha’s thigh was warm against yours, her thick scent coating your lungs. Her arm was around the back of the cart, and a familiar sense of safety settled within you.

“You worry about her,” Natasha said to fill the silence as they loaded each cart. It lurched forward and back, making your stomach turn. “I didn’t start speaking until I was nine years old. My mother, she was so concerned that she rushed to be every specialist that money could buy. Whole days spent driving to different counties, just for them to say that same thing. Nothing is wrong, and I’ll talk when I’m ready.”

“What was that moment? The one where you were ready?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “The thing about being quiet, is that people tend not to notice when you’re in the room. My father protected Yelena and I from his world for as long as he could, but eavesdroppers hear no good of themselves, and others. I watched him give a man his last drink before shooting him between the eyes.”

“Fuck, Natasha.” You murmured.

“He doesn’t know I saw that. I ran as quietly as I could back to my room and hid under the duvet like a child. Something snapped in me that day and I no longer wanted to be silent. I suppose the fear of displeasing either of them ebbed the words from me.”

She was being vulnerable in front of you, a side that you had never seen. There were always her subtle touches, and her purred words that would hit the pit of your stomach. You’d watch as she gave unwavering commands to Clint, to Yelena and Kate. But this was different. This was her.

The city sparkled around you. Tricolored lights reflected off the blackness of the causeways that lapped listlessly at the harbor. If you squinted, you could almost make out the mansion where you spent most of your time.

The carnival buzzed below. Her scent was overwhelming, so warm and welcoming despite her danger. And dangerous she was. It was alluring, exciting. You looked at her, eyes pouring with emotion. Not so much pity, as she would snap your wrist at the fact. But a simple understanding.

Tentatively, you reached up and cupped her cheek. You both were too far above the ground to be realized and the simple gesture was one of good faith. Surprisingly, she leaned into your touch, making a quiet, relieved noise.

Your voice was whispered, “You didn’t deserve that. You were just a kid.”

She had closed her eyes, reveling in the warmth of your contact. Her features were so soft, so broken in this moment that you resisted the urge to kiss her frown away. Before you could contemplate it, the Ferris Wheel lurched and she gently took her fingers and wrapped them around your wrist, lowering both of your hands into her lap.

“She’ll talk,” Natasha gave your hand a squeeze “give her time.”

Natasha cleared her throat as the cart neared the end of its journey. She pulled away entirely, her arm still along the back of the seat. When she leaned closer, you could feel the weight of the gun in the inside pocket of her jacket. Seriousness had lidded over her eyes once more.

“We have a job tonight, and I want you to come along.” She said, breath hot on your collarbone.

You were suddenly snapped back to reality. Natasha was in fact the head of a crime ring that you had unwittingly stumbled into. Up until now, aside from the brutal beating, it had almost felt like child’s play. She’d relearned you how to shoot, and you knew the very basics of fighting. But, you were far from her Winter Soldier stand in. You weren’t even a toy soldier.

She sensed your hesitancy. “I have a meeting at a restaurant downtown. It’s not going to go south, but if it does, I need you there. You won’t be alone.”

“Clint?” You asked.

She shook her head “guys got a family of his own, he must spend some time with them outside of work hours. Kate.”

You fought back the noise that threatened to escape your throat. You didn’t doubt Kate, but you certainly doubted yourself. You didn’t have your own weapon, and the threat of leaving a restaurant with a bullet lodged between your ribs became very real, very quickly.

She chuckled at that, “I trust her. I trust you. Just stand there and follow her lead. Look hot and intimidating.”

“Is hot really a requirement?”

“Not really, but you pull it off.” There was a switch in her again, one that had been flipped effortlessly as she grabbed the collar of your sweater and pulled you impossibly close. You were nearly sitting in her lap. “Don’t fail me on this, y/n. It’s imperative that you do as you’re told.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

You swallowed thickly as her hands wandered your side expertly. It took you a moment to realize that she had pulled the gun from her own coat and silently transferred it to yours before she released her hold on you. You had admit that you missed the touch instantly.

She stood from the cart when the attendant unlocked the door, reaching her hand out to you. You took it was ease, letting her help you onto the metal dismount. There were no words exchanged as you readjusted the weapon as slyly as you could muster, hands shoved into your pockets a moment later.

“I don’t know what to tell you, dude.” You could hear Darcy’s voice from within the crowds. It was easy to spot them, and you swore you saw the ghost of a smile on Natasha’s face. “The kid kicked both of our asses. Split the difference and pay up.”

“Yeah, fine.” Clint fished out his wallet and placed a couple of bills in Darcy’s waiting palm. “The price of carnival food these days is outrageous.”

Kate had presented you with a leather holster that fit snuggly around your chest and abdomen. She’d tightened the straps, your arms halfway raised. It felt a bit like a dressing room at the mall, her breath hot on your cheek as she tugged the center strap to make sure it was secure.

“Natasha likes us to be presentable.” She handed you a dark jacket to throw over the contraption. “Inconspicuous and deadly. But still presentable.”

You followed Kate’s lead. Natasha was to drive to the restaurant, and the two of you were to follow in a separate car. It was important to stay quiet unless you were spoken to directly by Natasha. Kate seemed at ease on the ride over, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel to an incoherent pop song.

The holster pinched you uncomfortably, but you were so deep into your own fear, your own reluctance, to pay much attention. Kate shot you a look, hard in her nature, and then softer when she glanced at you a second time.

“You’re much too tense” she flicked off the radio, delving you into a comfortable silence. “Lower your shoulders and relax. It’ll be an uneventful night.”

“Right,” you let out a shaky breath “uneventful.”

“Look, I can’t imagine how jarring this is for you. I would have shut down by now, changed my name and gone into witness protection if I was thrown into this life the way you are. Without a choice. But, we can make the best of it and do what we can to protect Natasha.”

“It seems like she can handle herself,”

Kate chuckled “Oh, she can. But she doesn’t keep us around just for protection. It’s a big city, she wants people she trusts. She wants a family. And I know it might not seem like it, but her welcoming you into her inner circle… it’s a blessing. Just like we’d go to bat for her, she’d do the same for us.”

You swallowed the dryness in your throat as Natasha pulled her car to the curb in front of a russet brick building. Kate did the same expertly, shutting off the engine. She clapped you on the shoulder, giving you one more encouraging smile. “One night at a time, y/n. Follow my lead.”

Kate opened the door for Natasha, and you had to keep your jaw from dropping on the ground at the sight of her. Her long leg stretched onto the sidewalk, her hand squeezing Kate’s in return as she helped her from the vehicle.

She wore a maroon dress, one that had a slit down the leg that left little to the imagination. The color matched the shirt Kate had given you earlier, everything orchestrated to a tee. The woman looked at you approvingly before she took striding steps towards the front of the building. Out of habit, you held the door open for you, another look sparkling in her dark eyes.

It was a restaurant that you had never set foot in. There was a sour, yet pleasant, scent of vinegar and cabbage masked with that of freshly baked bread and beef. The walls were painted deep green, black and white photos of rolling hills placed above empty tables.

It was clear what table you were to be led to. There was one in the center of the restaurant that was set up with a bottle of wine, and water. A candle burned in the middle, shading the woman who occupied it with shadows that stretched her delicate features. She wasn’t alone.

The woman had cropped blonde hair at the shoulders. Her hazel eyes were calculating, clocking Kate and yourself immediately. Kate pulled Natasha’s chair back, allowing her to sit before she took a step back. You flanked her sides, arms behind your back and stare trained straight ahead like a sentinel.

“Two,” the woman smiled devilishly, hiding it behind a glass of deep red wine. “Are you compensating for something, or someone?”

The woman who stood much like you did behind her boss was not masking her contempt towards you. She was familiar in an irking way that you paid no mind to. It was in passing, you were sure, but it was one of those itches that would worsen until you could scratch it with your whole hand.

“Not at all,” Natasha replied cooly, “I believe there was something you wanted to discuss?”

“Mm, there was. You know the Maroni property on the west side.” She leaned forward, placing her glass down. Her lips were stained in a dark red that matched Natasha’s dress. “I want it.”

“That’s a horrible way to say please.”

“Natasha, we both know it doesn’t serve you in it’s current position.” She put emphasis on the name.

“I fail to see how that matters. Just giving you the property is out of the question. That’s not how this works, but I do admire your gumption.”

“Then how exactly does, this work?” She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. Both you and Kate tensed. The vaguely-familiar woman behind Carol shifted on her feet in the slightest movement. “You kill one of my men and offer nothing in return?”

Natasha lifted her eyebrows “Exactly. This isn’t a bartering system, and it never has been. If I give you this building, it will change everything and I’m not much in the mood for a power struggle. What do you need it for?”

She seemed to falter “I don’t have to answer that. I’m offering to buy the property from you.”

“It’s not for sale.”

There was finality in her voice that rocked the room into silence. She hadn’t touched her wine, nor her water, and you figured she wouldn’t. Carol glowered at her, clearly not used to having her endeavors squashed with such ferocity.

Natasha took a steadying breath. “Is that all? It’s late and I’m tired of your graveling.”

She let out a sigh and crossed her legs, drumming her ringed fingers on the cloth-laid table. The flames in the candle seemed to react to her impatience. Kate’s jaw clenched and unclenched as she leveled the woman behind Carol with a fierce stare.

“I suppose. I want you to remember this moment, Natasha. I offered you a deal.” She stood and dramatically sighed once more. “This could have been easy.”

Kate always kept her eyes on Carol, on the woman who followed behind her with her hands shoved into her pockets. The darkness of a previous scar littered her collarbone. She had the same stare that Bucky had, that same determined anger that came with years of meetings with higher stakes than this.

“Oh, and Nat.” She stopped just short of the door, turning to face the three of you.

Kate reached for her weapon, and out of a blind trust, so had you. It was warm from its housed place against your side. In that moment, you knew that anyone else in the room would be a quicker shot than you. Still, your heart was beating quickly in your throat.

“I don’t know where your Winter Soldier is, but this is a sorry excuse for a replacement.” She laughed, a mean sound. “A kid and a burn-out… you should’ve taken the deal.”

She left without another word, leaving you in a chilling silence. For a few long moments, Natasha stared at the table, at her reflection in the syrupy red wine. Her fingers brushed against the glass, frowning.

“I’m twenty-three.” Kate let out in a single breath, eyes drifting from you.

“Don’t look at me,” You whispered back, “I am a burn-out.”

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roosterforme · 9 months

Text

Batting Practice Part 31 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Nothing melts Bradley's heart quite like Everett's excitement for his upcoming adoption. While the three of you count down to the big day, there are unexpected houseguests to deal with and neverending happiness to absorb.

Warnings: Fluff, angst, swearing, smut

Length: 5200 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female single!mom Reader

Check my masterlist for more Top Gun fun! Batting Practice masterlist.

"Mom! Dad!" Everett shouted, running up the sidewalk when Molly arrived to drop him off at home on Monday evening. "Aunt Molly said I'm getting a baby cousin in March!"

Bradley watched as Molly hustled along the sidewalk behind Everett, and he went to meet her to get his soon to be son's overnight bag. "Thanks for watching him for the weekend," Bradley said, looping the bag over his shoulder while he thought about how sexy you'd looked in Palm Springs wearing your collar and leash. Then he glanced at where you were giving Everett a big hug on the front porch, and he thought about how hot you were even in full mom mode.

"We had fun," Molly said, stifling a yawn. "Bob took him on a hike, and then we did math problems with gummy bears. He's all ready to start second grade." Then she grinned at Bradley and said, "You owe me one for packing your wife's weekend bag with you in mind."

Bradley grunted, cracking his knuckles to try to keep his composure. Only about two more hours until Everett was in bed for the night and he could have his Kitten all to himself. "Yeah, I definitely owe you one."

Molly clasped her hands in front of her baby bump, clearly very pleased that he had enjoyed his wedding gift. Then she bent to kiss Everett and tell him goodbye. "I'll call you after your first day of school tomorrow, Ev. Love you."

"Bye, Aunt Molly!" Everett waved as Bradley's sister-in-law drove away.

Bradley scooped Everett up in his arms and followed you inside. While he had enjoyed the two nights away with you immensely, he missed Ev's laugh and his smile so much. "Pancakes for dinner? And then I'll show you the baseball jersey we got for you in Palm Springs?"

"Yes!" Everett cheered. And then as he helped Bradley mix some chocolate chips into the pancake batter with a spoon, he asked, "Did you adopt me yet?"

"Oh," Bradley grunted, pausing to really look at Ev. Wide, sincere eyes looked back up at him. He thought back to the very first day of tee ball, remembering just how much he really liked talking to Everett right from the start. How he only grew to appreciate him more and more. And he let himself feel all of the overwhelming love right now that he had for this kid. "I wish, Ev. Your mom has to call some people first, and make a few appointments. It might take a few weeks." Bradley didn't want to tell him that it might be next year before anything was finalized.

"Okay," he replied, and his shoulders slumped with dejection. "But I thought it would be cool to tell everyone at school tomorrow that I got a dad over the summer."

Bradley wrapped him in a hug and just held him for a few seconds. "You can still tell them that. I'm your dad, for sure, kiddo. It doesn't matter if it's not official yet."

"Okay," Everett whispered against Bradley's chest. "But when can I write my name is Everett Bradshaw?"

Anything. Anything in the world. Bradley would do anything for this kid. As he held him and thought about how much his life had changed, he figured the fact that he would do whatever it took to make Everett feel happy and loved was enough to make him a good dad. He'd learn all the other details over time. He would probably make more mistakes and inadvertently teach Ev more bad words. But he would do anything for him.

Bradley kissed the top of his head. "Not quite yet. But you know what? You and your mom can probably both start using Bradshaw for your last name around the same time, so that's good, right?" he asked, his voice not much more than a harsh whisper. Everett hugged him tighter, and Bradley didn't ever want to let go, because he found as much comfort in these hugs as Ev seemed to.

And then that was when you walked into the kitchen to find Bradley with tears in his eyes as Everett clung to him.

"I thought we were trying on our new jerseys?" you asked, and Bradley pulled you into the hug as well.

He smothered your face in kisses before he said, "That's for after dinner. And then we're gonna pack Ev's bag for school and watch Toy Story. But first just let me hold you both."

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

The next day was pure chaos. Everett begged Bradley to drop him off at school on his way to North Island, and on your way to work, you answered your phone when you saw that Molly was calling. She was crying.

"What's wrong?" you asked her, trying to navigate your way through traffic, thinking you may have to turn around and head to her condo.

"Bob's being deployed," she sobbed, and your heart clenched.

"When?"

"In a few weeks," she said, sniffling into the phone. "I can't do this without him."

You assumed she meant she couldn't handle her pregnancy on her own, but when you tried to ask, she just cried louder. You could barely understand what she was saying, and you already knew you were going to have to have a conversation with Bradley about having her stay at your house.

"Molly, it's going to be okay. You'll be great, and I'll be around to help you. And so will Bradley."

She laughed through her tears. "My turd-in-law likes me now, because I didn't pack any real clothing for your honeymoon."

You rolled your eyes. "He has always liked you. I think that just made him like you more. Let me call you back later tonight?"

"Okay." Molly's voice was soft and small as you ended the call, and you hated hearing her like that. But you had other important things to take care of.

As you parked your car and made your way into your office, you rolled your eyes at Frank. You had bigger things to deal with than him. Once you were settled at your desk, you debated with yourself about which phone call to make first: Danny or your lawyer. You decided on Danny, and when he answered after seven rings with a groggy hello, you got right to the point.

"Any chance you were planning on responding to the petition I sent you for child support?"

You could practically hear him rolling his eyes, and now you were thankful you caught him first thing in the morning. "I have one hundred and twenty days to comply. And that's according to my expensive lawyer that you're forcing me to pay for. I hope you realize that this would mean there's less money for Everett."

Now you were the one rolling your eyes. "It's already been months, Danny."

"I have one hundred and twenty days," he reiterated, practically snarling at you through the phone. "You'll hear more about it when I'm good and ready. I still can't believe you're trying to destroy my life like this. You weren't money hungry prior to a few months ago. And I could still have that tee ball boyfriend of yours charged for entering my home without permission."

"He's my husband now," you said, keeping your voice as steady as possible.

"Good for you," he replied with a sarcastic chuckle.

"You're right. It's very good for me," you said, raising your voice over his horrible laughter. "I was just calling to let you know that you're about to be served with some papers that will negate the child support petition. And if you don't comply with what I want, I'll drag you through the legal system until you're out of money."

The line went silent, and you had to bite your tongue, forcing him to be the first one to speak again. "What the fuck do you want?"

You took a deep breath and thought about your husband and your son and your sister and how much love was in your life now. "I would like to give you exactly what you hoped for: nothing. I can remove Everett and myself from your life completely if you agree to do something for me."

After another long pause, Danny said, "Name your terms."

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

Bradley was anxious to learn how your conversation with your lawyer had gone. But when he got home, it was just you there in your little black skirt and high heels, standing in the kitchen sipping a bottle of tequila.

"Whoa," he said, rushing toward you and taking the bottle out of your hand. But you were smiling.

"I was going to make us some margaritas, but I got carried away," you whispered, wrapping your arms around his neck and kissing him. Bradley tasted the tang of the liquor on your lips and tongue.

"Does this mean you have good news, Kitten?" He was holding you tight to him, forehead pressed to yours as he waited, hoping to hear what would make him happier than anything else right now.

"What are you doing eight weeks from today?" you asked, raking your fingers gently along his scalp.

"Baby, if you don't tell me right now that I get to adopt Ev in eight weeks, I'm going to cry."

You smiled and pressed your lips to his. "You get to adopt Ev eight weeks from today. We have the date set at the courthouse."

"How?" he asked as his eyes filled with tears. "How did I get this lucky? In less than a week, I got myself a wife and a court date!"

He wasn't sure how he could be this happy and also be crying so much. But when you told him that you got Danny to agree to your terms, he had to wipe away his tears even though he was smiling.

"Where's Ev now?" he asked, kissing along your neck, overcome with so much relief.

"Molly picked him up from school. She's going to bring him home after dinner."

"So, we're alone?" he asked, smiling against the curve of your jaw and hiking up your skirt. "We're alone. Until I invite Molly to come stay with us while Bob is deployed."

Bradley's hand's froze on the bare backs of your thighs. "I'm sorry, what?"

You kissed and nipped at his lips, but he pulled a few inches away from you. "Bob is being deployed."

"Yeah," he replied. "I got that part."

You rolled your eyes and started to unzip his flight suit. "And Molly is going to be lonely and overwhelmed, and I think she might want to come here for a few weeks."

Bradley groaned. "You can't follow up the good news about Everett with this devastating announcement, Kitten."

"Bradley!" you scolded, playfully smacking his chest as he yanked your skirt up until he was palming your ass.

"All I'm saying is that Molly is like this annoying little sister that I never wanted, and even though I do love her, she's going to cramp our style, Baby."

"How so?" you asked, easing your hand down the front of his flight suit and stroking his cock.

"She'll have to sleep in the Phillies room," he whispered. "You know that's where we've been having our quickies."

"Hmm, you're right about that, Coach. Think I could change your mind with a blowjob?"

Bradley grunted and thrust against your hand. He tilted your chin up and kissed you. "Your lips on my cock could get me to agree to anything, and you know it."

You nodded at him with all the confidence in the world before you sank to your knees.

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

Spending several weeks waiting was not ideal. Everett was asking nearly every day if it was almost November yet. Now it was barely October, but the three of you had gotten into a routine. Bradley made breakfast every morning while you packed lunches. Then he dropped Everett off at school, and you went to work a little early. When you picked Everett up from school, most days it was just so he could rush through his homework and dinner and spend an hour or two at the park playing and practicing baseball with Bradley.

Your husband was true to his promises. And he seemed to like practicing baseball as much as Everett did. When you joined them one day, the October air was cool enough to trick you into believing you could be somewhere besides southern California. And Everett was hitting Bradley's pitches so hard, it was unbelievable.

"I thought you were the famous Bradshaw?" you called out, teasing Bradley before he threw a pitch. "Don't you pitch for the Navy league? That second grader is kicking your butt."

He glared at you out of the corner of his eye and then dropped his ball and glove and chased you until he caught you in his arms. Your laughter was so loud as he kissed you and tickled you, and you tried to get away, but he was too strong.

"I take it back! I take it back!" you gasped, out of breath from laughing. "You're amazing! The best pitcher I've ever seen."

He conceded by hugging you from behind instead of tickling you. Then he whispered, "I'm not even kidding, Kitten, he's so fucking good at baseball." Then he kissed you one last time and returned to pitch a slider to Everett who looked permanently happy these days. And when he hit the pitch easily, you realized you were permanently happy, too.

But that night, you had to deal with the thing you knew was coming at some point. It was late, and you were in bed with Bradley's mouth on your pussy. You were close, so so so close. But your phone kept ringing softly on your nightstand, and you could tell it was Molly by the ringtone.

"Don't answer it," Bradley grunted, licking a long stripe from your opening to your clit. "You can call her back when I'm done with you."

So you laced your fingers through his pretty curls and rode his face, whining his name as your phone started ringing again. Bradley slowed down his tempo, just like he knew you needed, and when he wrapped his lips around your clit, that prickle of his mustache on your sensitive skin sent you. He squeezed your thighs as you planted your feet, and you came so hard, you were seeing stars. Your knee was shaking. He was unrelenting. Your vision blurred every time you blinked, but a beat later, Bradley's body was wrenched away from yours, and he was out the bedroom door and at the top of the steps with a baseball bat in his hand.

Then you heard Molly's soft voice calling up from the bottom of the stairs. "I'm sorry. It's just me."

You tried to scramble for your clothing, but you realized Bradley had undressed you over by the bathroom. And then you realized that he was standing there in his snug underwear with a massive erection, holding the bat like he was about to take someone's head off with it. He must have heard Molly let herself in the house.

As you located your clothing on the floor, Bradley lowered the bat, nodded and said, "Your sister's here."

"Thanks," you told him, yanking your panties on and slipping into his undershirt. You kissed him quickly as you rushed down the stairs and into the living room where she was standing with a tote bag and a bouquet of those hideous flowers she liked so much. She was crying softly.

"I can't," she whispered, and you wrapped your arms around her. "I can't stay there alone another night. I hate being away from Bob. You know what he did? He got the guy from the gas station to deliver the flowers to me today, because it's the six month anniversary of the first time he said he loved me."

"Oh, Molly," you whispered, kissing her forehead.

"He set this shit up before he left!" she wailed. "I don't even know what he's doing today, because I haven't talked to him in a week. A week! And now I interrupted you having sex, and I can tell Bradley's mad at me."

You held her close. "He's not mad at you, Molly. He just thought you were a burglar or something."

"I'm sorry," she moaned, holding the flowers out to the side so they didn't get crushed. Her belly felt like it had gotten bigger since the last time you saw her, and you patted her there which made her smile.

"Stop apologizing. You can stay with us until Bob gets back." You really should have run that past Bradley before you made such a bold declaration, but you knew he wouldn't fuss too much. Probably. So you coaxed Molly into letting you put the flowers in a vase in the kitchen, and then you led her upstairs to where Bradley was wearing a full set of pajamas and brushing his teeth in your bathroom.

"Coach?" you called out to him softly, and he made eye contact with you in the mirror. "She's going to stay with us." You weren't really asking, and he didn't look upset. He just nodded and then spit out the toothpaste.

"I figured," he said, rinsing his mouth and drying his hands. He kissed you and pulled you in for a hug before adding, "I'll go sleep in the Phillies room for the night. Just tonight. That way you can talk to her so she can fall asleep. But after tomorrow morning, it's all red and white and the letter P everywhere for your sister. I don't fucking care how much she misses Bob. Got it?"

"Got it," you told him with a smile. "You're the best husband in the world."

"I know," he said with a grumble, but he was smiling too. And when he passed Molly in the hallway, she was still holding one of the flowers. He kissed her on the forehead without saying anything else, and then he walked into the Phillies room as Molly climbed in bed with you.

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

Everett was up so early on Halloween, Bradley needed to drink two cups of coffee just to keep up with him. "If you're this excited now, I don't know if it's a good idea for you to be collecting copious amounts of candy later." He raised the mug to his lips again as you and Molly walked into the kitchen.

The three of you watched Everett bounce over to the white board on the refrigerator and update it to say that there were just ten days left until his adoption. That meant that Bob would be home in nine days. That also meant that Molly would be out of here in nine days or less, and that did indeed bring a smile to Bradley's face.

It wasn't that he didn't like Molly. He actually loved her. Everett was obsessed with his Aunt Molly, and she loved spending time with him. She was fun and witty, and it brought Bradley joy to pick on her. But she was also messy, and she was eating all of their food, and he couldn't walk around in his underwear as much as he had gotten used to.

But last night, she'd happily taken Everett out for dinner and to the movies for a few hours with Bradley's credit card. And you'd worn your collar and leash for him along with your cat ears and tail, and holy shit, he needed to stop thinking about it right now.

"Morning, Kitten," he grunted as he poured you some coffee.

"Ten more days!" Everett shouted.

"Nine more days!" Molly shouted.

But you bit your lip and pulled a piece of mail out of the tray on the counter. "I thought it would be more fun to open this when we were all together," you said, tearing into the envelope and holding up your new social security card. "But I'm officially a Bradshaw."

"Yes!" Bradley whooped, hoisting you up into his arms as you squealed. Molly and Ev did an obnoxious dance across the kitchen as Bradley kissed your neck and ear while you chanted Bradshaw, Bradshaw.

"Everett will be next! I'm buying us one of those stupid flags people hang from their porch with their last name on it, I don't even care," you said as Bradley set you down, and his lips found yours.

"I love you, Kitten."

That evening, as the four of you got ready to go trick-or-treating, Bradley pulled on his Navy Waves uniform and then buttoned you into one of his Phillies jerseys.

"You'll have to borrow this until we can get you some Phillies gear of your own, Mrs. Bradshaw. Don't spill anything on this one," he muttered. "It's vintage."

You rolled your eyes so hard and then said, "No eating chocolate in it then?"

"No, no, no, absolutely no chocolate. This belonged to my dad."

"Oh," you gasped as he did up the last button. "Then I can't wear it tonight! It's too special."

You reached for the buttons, but Bradley stopped you with his larger hands. "Nah, it's okay, Kitten. Ol' Goose would have wanted you to wear it. I think he'd be happy to see me with you and Ev right now." Actually, Bradley knew both of his parents would have loved you and adored Everett. It was hard for him to think about the way Carole would have doted on her grandson.

The look of awe on your face as you said, "Thank you. No chocolate," made Bradley chuckle.

Then Molly's booming voice in the hallway had you pulling the door open to reveal her standing there dressed as a pregnant umpire. "Are you ready to rumble?!" she shouted into a bullhorn that had you and Bradley covering your ears while Everett chanted and cheered.

"Baseball umpires don't use bullhorns! And they don't say that!" Bradley shouted over the ruckus, but when he reached for it, Molly yanked it away from him.

"This one does," she said into the speaker, and Bradley thought one of them might not make it back tonight.

But it was so hard to be annoyed when the four of you looked like you were ready to play baseball. And then Bradley had you take a photo of him kneeling down on the porch next to Everett dressed as a Phillies player. The photo was so sweet, he immediately set it as his lock screen.

"Are we ready to go?" Molly asked using the bullhorn, and Bradley gritted his teeth. "Ev, that's a foul for looking so cute in your Halloween costume. You owe me a Snickers bar for that."

"That's not what umpires do," Bradley ground out, digging around in the massive bowl of candy that you had set on the porch steps, searching for the only thing that might make Molly stop.

"And my sister gets a red card for leaving the candy on the porch," she added through the speaker. "That'll get stolen by the first kid that comes by. Rookie mistake. I used to do that with my friends."

You just shook your head as Bradley said, "There aren't even red cards-"

But Molly turned the horn toward him. "And Bradley gets a foul for being a turd."

But then his fingers wrapped around the king sized Hershey's bar and he waved it in her face. "I'll trade you this for the bullhorn, Molly. Make good decisions."

She eyed him with trepidation, but he knew that candy was her weakness now more than ever. She'd finished a whole bag of fun sized Kit Kats two nights ago, and Bradley had to go to Target to replenish the Halloween supply. When Molly lunged for the Hershey's bar, Bradley quickly grabbed the bullhorn and shoved it discreetly into the shrubs as she immediately opened the wrapper.

And after that, he had a pretty great night. Everett collected three pillowcases full of candy, and Molly ate it along the way while she repeatedly yelled, "Strike three, you're out!" every time Bradley tried to give you a kiss. But he was happy that Molly was having a night where she wasn't constantly thinking about Bob.

"Can we get a family photo next to that huge inflatable pumpkin?" you asked, pointing at the lawn decoration in front of the last house on the street. Everett went running for the pumpkin, all hopped up on sugar.

"Yep," Bradley said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Molly held her hand out to take it from him, but he shook his head. "You need to be in the family photo, too." So he flagged down another dad who agreed to take the picture for them, and you slipped your arm around his waist and gave him a kiss just after the photo was taken.

"Thanks, Coach," you whispered, your soft voice right next to his ear.

"Thanks, turd," Molly told him, trying to hide the tears she was swiping at as she turned to chase Everett down the sidewalk yelling about interference and personal fouls.

But it was after everyone got home and Everett and Molly were sound asleep that Bradley's night got even better. He was tired, he really was, but as soon as you very carefully unbuttoned and removed his vintage Phillies jersey, you looked at him and licked your lips.

"Kitten?" he asked softly, his cock already very interested in what might be happening next.

You closed your eyes and said, "I bought something I wanted to try on for you."

Bradley groaned, ready to beg. "Yes," he grunted, and you were pushing him toward the bed as he got undressed down to his underwear.

"Close your eyes. No peeking," you whispered, turning on the soft bedside lamp and turning off the overhead light. So he closed his eyes and listened to you flitting around the room, opening drawers and the closet door. His hand was down the front of his boxer shorts, and he was stroking himself when he felt your warm lips meet his. He moaned softly, "Can I look yet, Kitten?"

Once you were straddling his waist, your ass rubbing his cock through his underwear, you whispered, "My name is Lieutenant Kitten," and his eyes opened immediately. You were wearing his khaki uniform shirt, complete with his Bradshaw name tag. His favorite pair of aviators were perched low on your nose, and his dog tags were tucked between your breasts, hidden by the shirt.

"You're the sexiest naval officer I have ever seen," Bradley promised, skimming his rough fingertips down your soft thigh, bent knee and calf. He smirked as you raised his hand to your lips and kissed his wedding band. "Lieutenant Kitten."

As you leaned forward to kiss his lips, Bradley noticed some dark green lace peeking out from the collar of the khaki shirt, and he started working on the buttons as you licked the seam of his lips.

He felt the fabric before he saw it. You were covered in green lace from your tits down to your pussy, and he was already nudging it to the side, dying to know how wet you were.

"You're in charge, Lieutenant," he whispered, his voice harsh. "What would you like me to do?"

"You better make me cum."

He moaned as you lifted your hips, and he slipped that finger right inside you. So warm and silky. The bodysuit fit you like a dream, and you were leaning back, hands on his thighs, letting him watch your pussy sink down around two of his fingers now. You were rolling your hips slowly, making Bradley throb, but he was determined to give you exactly what you wanted first.

God, had you ever been this wet before? You were practically dripping. "Does that feel good, Lieutenant?" he asked.

"Keep going. Keep going."

With three fingers now inside you and his thumb on your clit, Bradley worked you over at a leisurely pace that had him almost in a trance. The way you were moving looked obscene, like he was viewing something so sexy, so filthy, it was taboo. He was barely moving his hand now, just listening to your little grunts and moans as they got louder while you fucked yourself on his hand.

"God damn," he whispered, tapping your clit softly each time you withdrew to his fingertips, earning him a little gasp.

"Bradley," you whined, getting a little louder now as you tilted your head forward to look him in the eye. Your grip tightened on his thighs, and his cock was demanding a fair share of your body, but he could tell you were close to orgasm.

"Baby," he whined, your slick coating him and glistening as you rocked your body forward one, two, three more times, and then your pussy clenched, grabbing at his fingers. "Fuck."

"Oh my god!" you whined, lips parted, gasping as you jerked yourself along his fingers.

"I need to fuck you," he said, nodding his head. "Please?"

"Yes," you gasped, easing yourself onto your back, legs spread wide. He pushed that little bit of green lace to the side and coated his cock with the wetness on his hand, and then he fucked you. And he fucked you so hard, your back arched. And then he fucked you even harder, your tits bouncing free of the bodysuit while he shoved his still slick fingers into your mouth to keep you quiet.

He didn't last; he knew he wouldn't. Not with you in brand new lingerie and his shirt. Not with the chain of his dog tags tangled up with your paw print necklace. He filled you up with his cum as he leaned down, easing his fingers out of your mouth and replacing them with his tongue. Everything was back to that languid pace you'd set earlier as you dragged your fingers through his hair and tasted his mouth.

Bradley pulled away to look at your pretty face, and you smiled as you ran your fingers along the scars on his cheek. "Did you enjoy your Halloween, Coach?"

With a kiss to the tip of your nose, Bradley pulled himself free from your body and collected you against his chest. He carefully leaned back against his pillow, holding you close with you still in his khaki shirt. "I did," he said thoughtfully, rubbing your arm. "I...well, I know it's kind of silly, but the last time I spent a Halloween with my dad was when I was three, and now I'm a dad."

"That's not silly," you told him. "And you're not just any dad. You're the best."

He held you tight. "You think Ev is going to make us dress as baseball players again next year?"

"Oh, one hundred percent."

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

Just two more parts left now! Thanks so much for reading! If there's something for Coach, Kitten and Ev that you're hoping to see, hit me up. Thanks to @beyondthesefourwalls and thank you for the banner @mak-32

PART 32

Don't forget to check out Bob and Molly in The Curveball!

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gingiesworld · 10 months

Text

Remember Your Place

Professor Wanda Maximoff x Bad Boy College GN! Reader

Warnings: Smut. Shameless Smut. Reader has a penis

18+ MINORS DNI

Taglist: @ginnsbaker

Professor Maximoff was the most popular faculty member among the collegiate student body. Although she seemed innocent and smart, she had a dark streak. Of course only Y/N Y/L/N knew about that. Especially when she caught them smoking on college grounds, proceeding to take the lit cigarette from between their lips and placing it between her own.

But as she was teaching them the topic behind the Japanese invasions during WW2, Y/N walked in half way through her lecture. The final lecture of the day

"You're late." Professor Maximoff stated as Y/N smirked. Taking their seat.

"I know how to tell time Professor." They teased as Wanda took a deep breath.

"See me after class." She told them sternly before she continued on with the lesson. As soon as the lesson came to an end and the last student left, she made her way towards the door. Locking it and closing the blinds before she made her way over to Y/N. Sitting on their desk and pushing their chair back with her foot on the seat between their legs. "You should learn your place Y/N." She told them as she eyed them like her prey. "You aren't in high school anymore. This whole bad boy act used to be cute, now it is just down right annoying."

She shuffled as she lifted her skirt up slightly. Y/N licked their lips at the sight of her long slender legs as she removed her thong.

"But you can make it up to me." She propositioned. "Promise me to be on time and pay 110% in my classes and you shall be rewarded." She stated as she opened her legs. Giving them full view of her dripping cunt. She could see their bulge growing the more their eyes remained on her. "Now, I want you to put that mouth to good use." She told them as she pulled them closer.

Y/N wasted no time in diving in, licking up and down through her folds. Sucking harshly on her clit as she became a moaning mess. Her hands in their hair, holding them close as her thighs clenched around their head.

"Just like that." She moaned as they continued their movements. "Use your fingers. Keeping sucking and fuck me with your fingers."

They did as they were instructed. Inserting two fingers in her gaping hole. Causing her to bite her hand to muffle the moans that came. She let out a lewd moan when they curled their fingers, brushing against her g spot. Sending her over the edge. Once she had calmed down, she watched as they licked their fingers clean before she pushed them away. Undoing their jeans and pulling them down with their boxers. Allowing their cock to spring free.

She straddled their lap as she undone her blouse as she sunk down on them. The two moaned at the sensation, loving the feeling. Finding it insatiable. Y/N pulled down her bra and started to suck on her nipples as she thrusted her hips sloppily as she could feel herself getting closer to her second orgasm. Y/N's hands gripped her hips in a bruising hold as they aided her movements as she almost fell against them. Their head inbetween her breasts as she panted into their hair.

"I'm close." Y/N grunted as they thrusted harshly causing Wanda to whimper. Too lost in each other the two soon came, painting her walls with their seed as the two caught their breath. Wanda pulled away and gripped their jaw, kissing them roughly before taking their bottom lip between her teeth.

"You come to every class on time, you will be rewarded beautifully." Wanda stated as she removed herself from their lap. Watchng as Y/N pulled their boxers and jeans up before they sniffed Wanda's thong as she held her hand for them.

"Souviner." They smirked as they put them in their jean pocket before they left Wanda alone in the classroom chuckling after them as she fixed herself as their cum leaked from her hole.

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff #marvel #wanda x you #wanda x y/n #elizabeth olsen #wanda x reader #elizabeth olsen x reader #wanda maximoff x you

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earthtoharlow · 11 days

Text

Teach Me: First Comes Love…

Series Masterlist

Urban took photos as he watched Jack work and nodded his head to whatever beat he was playing in his head but he couldn’t help but notice the bulge in his pocket.

With a knowing grin, he nudged Jack and raised an eyebrow. “So, buddy, when are you gonna pop the question?”

Jack sighed, his shoulders slumping as he leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been trying, Urb. But every time I muster up the courage, something goes wrong, and the moment is ruined.”

Urban chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “You? Mr. Cool and Collected? I find that hard to believe!”

Jack rolled his eyes playfully, and thought about all the times he tried to propose to Ariel.

Jack had a meeting in New York and since it was spring break they decided to turn it into a weekend trip. Jayla was a couple feet in front of them as they strolled through Central Park. His heart was pounding in his chest as he reached in his pocket to make sure the velvet box that seemed to be glued to his pocket was still there.

“Ariel, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you…”

But just as he was about to pop the question, a small brown puppy ran towards Jayla, startling Ariel. “Did you see that?!” she exclaimed, completely oblivious to Jack’s intentions. She skipped over to Jayla who was now playing with the dog in the grass.

Not being a big fan of dogs, Jack signed and he tucked the ring back into his pocket, saving it for another time.

Ariel gasped in delight, bending down to pet the adorable pup. “Oh my goodness, look at this little baby!”

“She’s so cute! I wonder where she came from.” Jayla laughed as the puppy licked her face. “Can we keep her, Mom? Please?”

Ariel knew how Jack felt about dogs or pets in general but the way the puppy cuddled closer to them, eyes wide and hopeful she couldn’t leave them there sad and alone at the park.

When she looked up at Jack, all he could do was sigh and give a slight nod. He would never hear the end of it if he said no.

“I think we just found our newest family member,” Ariel said with a smile.

“Oh so that’s how you guys found Princess Lou Lou!” Urban remarked as Jack finished the story and right on que, Lou Lou scratched at Jack’s legs wanting to be picked up.

Jack reached down and grabbed her, giving her a kiss in the head. “Yes, she’s been a cock blocker since day one!”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring once more. “Just last week I tried to ask her during date night and the waitress interrupted us.”

Urban laughed a little. “Only you, man. But hey, third time’s the charm, right?”!

Despite his frustration, Jack couldn’t help but chuckle at the craziness of it all. “Let’s hope so, Urb. Let’s hope so.”

***

Later that night as Jack laid beside Ariel in bed, the bedside lamp casted a warm light over her face. Jack couldn’t help but marvel over her beauty. She looked so beautiful, just as she did the day they met. Ariel laid there with no makeup on, her dorky reading glasses perched on her nose as she skimmed through the pages of the book.

Jack reached out to gently brush a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek. “You look beautiful, Ariel,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Ariel looked up from her book, a smile spreading across her face at her words. “Really?” She asked, Jack’s words never failed to make her face warm.

He nodded, his heart swelling with love. “Absolutely. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, especially with those dorky reading glasses.”

Ariel laughed and grabbed the extra pillow of the bed and swatted him with it, Jack dodged out the way just in time.

“Well, thank you, I think,” she teased, playfully nudging him with her elbow, and picked up her book again to finish reading.

Jack continued to stare as she read and he realized just how lucky he was that she came into his and Jayla’s life. Despite the ring being hidden in the sock drawer, he could still feel its presence in his thoughts.

Ariel was his soulmate, his partner in life, his one true love and he couldn’t wait any longer to ask her to be his wife.

Without a formal plan or the ring in hand, Jack blurted out the words that had been weighing on his heart for months. “Ariel, I love you. Will you marry me?”

Ariel froze in place, eyes widened as she looked up from her book and towards Jack. “Jack, are you being serious?”

He nodded nervously, unable to tear his gaze away from her. “Completely serious. I’ve been carrying this ring around for months, waiting for the perfect moment. But tonight, right now, with you looking at me like that… This is the perfect moment.”

Tears welled up in Ariel’s eyes before she tossed her book aside and threw her arms around Jack nodding vigorously. “Yes yes yes! I’ll marry you!!”

Jack couldn’t contain his happiness, and held her as if he never wanted to let go. He pulled back slightly cupping Ariel’s face in his hands, and gazed into her eyes, his heart bursting with love.

“I love you,” he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity and passion. “I love you more than words can express, Ariel. You mean everything to me. You’ve changed my life.”

He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, savoring the moment.

***

Ariel stirred awake, and felt a weight on her hand. When she opened her eyes she gasped at the beautiful ring, Jack must’ve slipped it on in the middle of the night.

Unable to contain her excitement, she gently shook Jack awake. “Jack.” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, “I still can’t believe it. This ring is gorgeous!”

Jack blinked sleepily, a smile spreading across his face as he realized what she was talking about. “Believe it, Ariel. You’re going to be my wife.”

A surge of happiness washed over Ariel as she leaned in to kiss him. “I don’t want a huge wedding, Jack. I just want to be married to you already.”

His eyes sparkled with excitement as he sat up, his mind racing with possibilities. “Well, why wait? Should we get dressed and wake Jayla up and head to the courthouse today?”

Ariel’s heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, eyes lighting up immediately. “Yes, let’s do it!”

They both leaped out of bed, the room buzzing with excitement. Just as Ariel was about to step into the bathroom, Jack stopped her from the bedroom door.

He turned to her, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Should we call Urban?” he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Ariel’s heart swelled with love for him, knowing how much his best friend meant to him. Despite their decision to just go to the courthouse, she understood that Jack would regret not having Urban by his side on such an important day.

With a gentle smile, she nodded. “Of course, we should. It wouldn’t be the same without him.”

Jack’s face lit up with gratitude as he reached for his phone, dialing his number with eager anticipation. After a few rings, Urban answered, his voice filled with excitement.

“Urban, I need you to meet me at the courthouse in 2 hours!” Jack exclaimed.

“What huh?”

“Ariel and I just got engaged, and we’re planning to tie the knot soon. We’d love for you to be there with us.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Urban's voice broke through, filled with emotion. “Are you serious? I wouldn’t miss it for the world, man. I’ll be there.”

As Jack hung up the phone, a sense of relief washed over him knowing that his best friend would be there. He hurries to Jayla’s room to wake her up.

“Daddy, why are you waking me up before 10am on the weekend!” Jayla whined.

All he could do was laugh at his daughter. “If you don’t want to get up, I’ll guess you’ll have to miss mommy and I getting married.” Jack teased playfully.

Jayla stirred from her sleep, blinking her eyes groggily before realizing what her dad had just said. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she shot up in bed, excitement and disbelief washing over her.

“What? Really?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment.

Jack nodded with a grin, his heart swelling with love for his daughter. “Yep, really. We’re getting married, Jay. And of course we need you there.”

Her face lit up with pure joy as she threw her arms around her dad, a smile stretching from ear to ear. “That’s amazing, Daddy! Of course, I want to be there!”

As Jack left Jayla’s room to start getting ready himself in the guest bedroom he tried his hardest to not get super emotional but he couldn’t help it.

When Alyssa died it had left him feeling broken and empty inside. Jack had never imagined that he would find love again. He had resigned himself to a life of loneliness, believing that his heart could never fully heal from the pain of losing someone he had loved so deeply.

Then Ariel had come into his life, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. She had shown him kindness, understanding, and unwavering support during his darkest days, slowly but surely helping to mend the broken pieces of his heart.

She had brought light back into his life, filling his days with laughter, love, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow and now in a couple hours she was going to be his wife. This was going to be the best day of his life.

***

With hearts racing and hands tightly clasped together, Jack, Ariel, Jayla with Urban right behind them rushed into the courthouse, their excitement filled the air. Their steps echoed in the grand hallway as they made their way to the front desk, determined to make their impromptu wedding a reality.

Breathless with anticipation, Jack approached the desk clerk, a wide grin on his face. “We’re here to get married,” he announced proudly, his voice filled with excitement.

The desk clerk looked up from her paperwork, surprised by the sudden burst of enthusiasm. But as she took in the sight of the happy family standing before her, her eyes softened with warmth and understanding.

“Of course,” she said with a smile, her fingers flying across the keyboard to pull up the necessary paperwork. “Do you have your IDs with you?”

Jack nodded eagerly, pulling out his wallet to retrieve his ID, while Ariel did the same. With their IDs in hand, they watched as the clerk processed their information, the anticipation building with each passing second.

Finally, with a flourish of her pen, the clerk handed them the marriage license, “Congratulations,” she said warmly, her eyes shining with genuine happiness for the couple before her.

With their marriage license in hand, Jack and Ariel exchanged excited glances, their hearts overflowing with joy. Hand in hand, they made their way to the courthouse chapel, where they would exchange vows and become husband and wife.

Ariel stood there with her hands shaking nervously as the officiant spoke. She was about to become a Harlow. Her heart overflowing with love and emotion, Ariel took a deep breath, her eyes shining with tears of joy. With trembling hands, she reached out to take Jack’s, her fingers intertwining with his as she began to speak.

“Jack,” she began, her voice soft and filled with sincerity, “from the moment you came into my life, you’ve brought nothing but love, laughter, and endless joy. You’ve shown me what it means to love and be loved unconditionally, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”

Tears welled up in Ariel’s eyes as she continued, her voice filled with emotion. “You’ve been my rock, my partner, and my best friend. You’ve stood by my side through the good times and the bad, supporting me, encouraging me, and believing in me when I needed it most.”

A smile touched Ariel's lips as she looked into Jack’s eyes, her heart overflowing with love. “Today, as I stand before you, I vow to love you with all that I am, to cherish you, to support you, and to be by your side through every twist and turn that life may bring. I promise to laugh with you, to cry with you, and to build a future filled with love, laughter, and endless adventures. You are my everything, Jack, and I am so grateful to be able to call you my husband.”

Ariel turned towards Jayla who was standing next to Urban, her heart swelling with love for the girl who had stolen her heart from the very beginning.

“Jayla” she began, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity, “from the moment I met you, you captured my heart in a way I never thought possible.”

Tears welled up in Ariel’s eyes as she continued. “You’ve been my daughter since day one, Jayla. You’ve brought so much light and happiness into my life, and I am grateful for every moment we’ve shared together.”

“I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. I promise to always be there for you, to support you, to encourage you, and to love you unconditionally, just as you have loved me.”

With tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, Ariel pulled Jayla into a tight embrace, holding her close as she whispered, “You are my daughter, Jayla, and I am so grateful to have you in my life. I love you more than words can express, and I promise to be the best mother I can be to you, now and always.”

Jack couldn’t help but join in on the hug, forever grateful for his tiny family. He gave them both kisses on the forehead before pulling away so he could say his vows.

Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he cleared his throat before beginning his vows.

“Ariel,” he started, his voice warm and filled with affection, “from the moment I met you, I knew my life would never be the same. You’ve brought so much love, light, and laughter into my life, and I am eternally grateful for every moment we’ve shared together.”

A grin spread across Jack’s face as he continued, unable to contain his playful spirit. “Now, I have to admit, I don’t know how I’m going to top your vows, Ariel. They were so heartfelt, I’m not sure I can compete!”

Ariel, along with Jayla and Urban’s laughter filled the room as Jack paused for a moment, enjoying the light-hearted moment with his bride-to-be.

“But seriously, Ariel, today I stand before you with all the love in my heart. I promise to cherish you, to support you, and to stand by your side through every moment, big or small. I vow to be your partner, your confidant, and your biggest cheerleader, cheering you on in all your dreams.”

Jack reached up to wipe the tears that had fallen from Ariel’s eyes and gave her a smile. “I am honored to become your husband, I want to spend the rest of my days making you as happy as you have made me. I love you more than words can express, and I am grateful every day for the love and joy you bring into my life.”

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss—“

Jack, not being able to wait, grabbed Ariel pulling her closer and leaned in, pressing his lips eagerly against her own.

Jayla and Urban cheered as Jack and Ariel had their first kiss as husband and wife.

***

After the whirlwind of emotions and celebrations, Jack, Ariel, Jayla and Urban found themselves at home, gathered around the kitchen table. They placed a store-bought cake in the center of the table, without any formalities or fuss, they grabbed forks and began to dig in, savoring each bite of the cake.

Jack leaned in close to Ariel, his voice soft as he whispered, “I can’t believe today happened. I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you as my wife.”

Ariel’s eyes sparkled with happiness as she whispered back, “And I’m the luckiest woman to have you as my husband. Today was perfect, Jack. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Jack glanced at Ariel, a playful twinkle in his eye as he whispered, “When should we tell our families?”

Ariel chuckled softly, her heart warmed by the thought of sharing their joy with their loved ones. “I think we should tell them soon,” she replied, her voice filled with excitement. “Maggie has been pretty much begging you to marry me since we’ve met.”

He nodded in agreement, a smile spreading across his face. “I can’t wait to see the looks on her face when we tell her,” he said, his anticipation growing with each passing moment.

As Ariel rested her head on Jack’s shoulder, a contented sigh escaped her lips. “I’m just so happy,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Jack wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close as he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “I am too,” he murmured, his voice soft with love. “Today has been everything I ever dreamed of and more.”

***

THEN COMES MARRIAGE!!!!! 🤭🤭 hope you all enjoyed this let me know yours thoughts

Tag List

(message me if you'd like to be added or removed)

@heavyhitterheaux @hoodharlow @neon-lights-and-glitter @babiefries @toocriticalharlow @jackmans-poison @dstark-0706 @harlowsbby @itsyagirljaz @leftapricotprofessorlover @minkookie95 @harlowcomehome @jackharloww @jaydaaasworld @kkrenae @hufflewhore128 @w1ldthoughts @realwifeofjackharlow @halfmoondaze @katiaw2

#jack harlow #jack harlow x reader #jack harlow x y/n #jack harlow reader #jack harlow blurb #jack harlow x oc #jack harlow fluff #jack harlow fanfic #jack harlow x black reader #teach me

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readychilledwine · 7 months

Text

Hiraeth

Summary - After your husband dies, Lucien fills a void you and your son never thought possible.

Warnings - death of a partner, single momming

"Jump, Arlo," Lucien's arms and hands were reached up, waiting for the young male to throw himself into them. "I have you, bud. I will catch you."

Your son watched him, one little hand steadying himself on the thick rough bark of the solid oak tree, the other in his mouth as he chewed on his fingers from nerves and stared down at the redheaded male.

He had managed to climb several feet into a tree while Tamlin had been checking in with you. He was constantly asking how you two were holding up since Andras' death, asking if he could provide anything, asking about Ro.

Lucien had been watching him, but Lucien, raised in the rough Autumn Court, had always allowed your son to explore beyond what you and Andras had been comfortable with.

He had been around more since your husband's death, playing with your son, talking to him, teaching him about the forest and different skills. He had taught him to fish, to cook on a camp fire, they even sword fought together with little wooden swords the Autumn male had made.

At first you had thought it was Lucien acting on something he felt obligated to do, but you had realized slowly it was out of love for Arlo. His little buddy, as Lucien affectionately called him. They had begun to dress in matching outfits, style their hair similarly. Arlo loved Lucien almost as much as he had loved his father.

"I'm too scared," his little voice pulled you back into the moment. The soft tremble of his lip as he looked at you wide-eyed. He was only 5 feet up. For a grown fae, it was an easy jump, or fall, for a child it had to be terrifying, though.

"Arlo, I promise you I will catch you," Lucien spoke softly to him. "I will not let you fall and get hurt. I am right here." Your hand shot to Tamlin's wrist, squeezing tightly as Arlo adjusted his stance with a nod. You refused to look as his little knees bent and he leaped, throwing yourself into Tamlin's chest and hiding in the High Lord's arms.

Soft giggles and laughter, from the tree had you glancing from between your fingers. Arlo was in Lucien's arms, held tight against his side as the old male praised him for his bravery. Tamlin looked down at you, brows raised, and you back away with a soft apology.

You two watched as Lucien held your son high above his head, letting the little boy hold his arms out as if he could fly. "I heard Feyre is home from the Night Court. How is she?" Tamlin typically avoided the topic of his love with you, but news spread fast in Spring of her long awaited return. You had known he was hurting, and were happy, if he was.

"She seems happy, like she's been freed from something." Tamlin answered plainly. "I should return to her. It looks like Lucien and Arlo are going to play for a while. He missed him constantly while we were gone. Kept asking how much longer we'd be staying, mentioning how he promised to take Arlo on a camping trip soon." Tamlin kissed the top of your head. Holding a hand up to Lucien in farewell before moving to go back to the manor.

You watched as he chased your young son through the clearing before finally catching him.

Their laughter became one, as they laid down in the soft plush grass. "Are you going to join us or just stare?' Lucien asked over his shoulder. "Your mom is weird, bud." Arlo laughed and nodded eagerly. Enjoying watching the male tease you.

The three of you laid there, watching the clouds drifting and pointing out different shapes in them. "Are you going to have dinner with us tonight?" You say next to Lucien, his head immediately coming to rest in your lap.

"Are you inviting me to dinner tonight, my lady?" His tone held insecurity in it. "I know you two are-"

"I can feed you, Lucien." You interrupted quietly. "Tamlin has been giving me more gold lately than I know what to do with, especially because he keeps paying for things on top of that out of guilt. It's been so long since you've joined us. Please." Arlo had fallen into a sleep against Lucien's side. His soft breaths comimg out in little snores. "He misses you so much."

Lucien looked up at you then, and it happened. A deep burning sensation setting into your soul as that string appeared. Lucien felt shock hitting him as his breath hitched. "You're my mate." Shock fell into his tone as your own eyes widened.

He sat up slowly, eyes studying you cautiously and laying Arlo gently on the ground. His hands were on your face almost instantly. "Still want to serve me that dinner, petal?" Your breath jumped into your throat. "Because even the Gods know how deeply I burn for you."

"Arlo," you whispered. "He's missed you so much. We-"

"We will talk to him about it tomorrow and just enjoy the night together. The three of us." Lucien kissed your nose, sealing the offer. "I've missed him, too. Going into the woods isn't as fun without my little buddy."

You smiled at him, eyes sparkling. "Guess I can't be mad when you take off with him for days at a time now, huh?"

Lucien leaned his forehead against yours, "I need to teach my son how the world works, petal." His tone was light and joking. You stared into his eyes, lips flicking slowly to his plush lips then back up. "Well, if you insist, darling."

Lucien pulled you to him, kissing you softly before pulling back. "Let's go feed our little guy." You nodded, hands laced into his shirt. "I promise you a thousand more kisses when he's in bed tonight."

He lifted Arlo carefully, carrying him into the stone house you and Andras had built together. "Give me sign this is okay," you whispered into the wind. "Please, Andras."

A butterfly landed on your arm, fluttering it's wings gently, before chasing after Lucien and landing on his shoulder. Then on Arlo's nose.

Chaos ensured hours later as Lucien and Arlo ran and screamed through the House. They were on a warpath to save the kingdom from invaders. A deep voice replayed in your mind, the last words spoken to you by your husband. If I die, go to Lucien, lean on him. He will love you as I have. Both of you.

A soft breeze rustled your hair pushing you towards Lucien, towards the house. Go, it seemed to whisper. Lucien stood in the door way, looking back at you and waiting, his face falling in concern. You went to him, kissing him again and closing the door behind the three of you.

And Gods he did. He smiled at you as he spun Arlo, the bond almost radiating between you two as if it was the sun itself. I love you, y/n. Andras' voice said again in your mind. Be happy, my love. If I don't come home to you. That is my only request.

Lucien and Arlo moved to the table, setting it before running upstairs to wash up for dinner. Hands found your hips and a kiss was snuck before your son came back down. "You seem happy," Lucien whispered.

You nodded, eyes welling slightly with tears as he started to grab food to take it to the table. "I am."

As the three of you settled at the table, a feeling of home came back to you. A feeling you didn't know you had been longing for since your husband's death. Lucien moved to hold your hand as if he sensed it, "Me too, y/n."

#acotar #acotar x reader #lucien x reader #lucien vanserra x reader #lucien vanserra #lucien acotar

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sunflowersteves · 2 years

Note

I was the spring break anon, and I'd love a lil kiss on the lips pls<3 I got kinda hot and bothered reading your blurb and I could use a friendly peck rn

Maybe I could send you another dirty thought of mine? Like Eddie teaching his best friend how to get herself off but Steve is there to watch and offer his advice too?

hi spring break anon <3 of course!! u get a lil kissy kiss, muah

warnings || naive!reader, smut, voyeurism, threesome but not rlly, praise kink, [18+ only]

“What are best friends for, hm?” Eddie hums, his thick fingers run down the side of your ribs.

“Eddie, Steve—” You hiccup as Eddie’s hand lifts up your right leg to get a better view.

As if their brains are one, Steve sitting on the other side of you, he also grabs your thigh. Your head thumps against the bed’s headboard from the fuzzy feeling of their hands on you.

Steve coos, “Why don’t you put them a little deeper, baby? yeah, that’s it. That’s our girl.”

Our girl.

It rung through your ears and it made you whine

Steve and Eddie had been your best friends for quite some time, now. You weren’t sure how the topic arose but you expressed that you couldn’t ever make yourself cum no matter how hard you tried.

And well, they just couldn’t have that.

You curled the two fingers to reach further inside of you. Your hips bucked into the air and the sweet sound of your moans perforated their ears.

“Yeah, that’s it, sweetheart. Being such a good girl, gettin’ off on your fingers like that.” Eddie’s words slurred together as one—watching your slick glisten beneath your fingers.

You pant as Steve presses gentle kisses against the round bone of your shoulder. You could feel your walls clench from the sultry sound of Eddie’s moan and it vibrates on top of your skin.

“Gonna cum, baby? Gush on your fingers for us, pretty. F-Fuck—push in your fingers harder, yeah, there you go.” Steve’s encouragement and praise sends you further into the depths of your own pleasure.

Eddie’s whispering sweet nothings through your neck and Steve continues to press soft kisses. Everything became too much—their touch resonating with you was just ethereal.

“Eddie! Steve! I’m—I’m—” You cry out their names as your walls unbearingly clench. You were close, so fucking close.

But you needed more. You needed so much more.

“Aw, baby, touch your clit—yeah, take your thumb.”

Eddie leans forward, “yeah, there you go, sweetheart. Isn’t she a good girl, Steve?”

Steve could feel his cock twitch as Eddie’s voice seems deeper. “Yeah, Eds, she’s our best girl.”

Their voices and praise alone makes the edge of the coil snap—slick gushing onto your fingers and you scream their names into the hot air.

Steve hums as he grabs your hand to trace small circles on your palm. Eddie sighs—happy, though—as he reaches for your soaked lips.

He grabs some of your cum and your sensitive core makes you stutter. “E-Eddie.”

“Wanna taste, Stevie? Jus’ know she’s gonna taste so good.”

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x steve harrington x reader #eddie munson smut #smut #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington x you #steve harrington smut #steddie x reader #steddie x y/n #steddie x you #steddie smut #stranger things #stranger things smut #stranger things headcanons

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letsquestjess · 8 months

Text

A Thousand Dances for the Stars to Watch (Echo x GN!Reader)

Summary: Having spent all day teaching the Batch how to dance, you finally get to dance with Echo and make him a promise you never plan on breaking.

Word count: 1.1K

Warnings: Established relationship. A whole load of fluff!

-- -- -- -- --

“Now step left. And right. And spin.”

Two sets of laughter decorated the stuffy evening air. Echo clutched the plastic basin firmly to keep it from tipping over as the water inside sloshed. Despite his best efforts, some managed to drip onto the portable table before he could stop it. Far too distracted by the dance lesson, he hastily cleaned up the spill and resumed his task. But he couldn’t help the odd glance.

The fluidity and the grace of your movements had him reeling, every loving emotion in his soul stirring with each extension of your arms. Your tender smile made his heart flutter, and he was desperate to sink into your embrace and dance with you. Feel your body on his as you both swayed to a romantic rhythm.

“Like this?” Omega asked, wobbling as she mimicked your steps.

“That’s it,” you commended. “Now, with a partner, it’s much different. Not only must you remember the order of the moves, but you have to be mindful not to step on their toes.”

Certain that she understood the sequence, Omega waved Hunter over and you helped them take their starting positions, elbows raised and shoulders back. You selected a track from Tech’s datapad and the two began stumbling about in an endearingly clumsy attempt at the traditional routine.

It hadn’t taken long for Omega to beg you teach her how to dance after learning about the parties you had been to and the customary dances performed there. As the afternoon progressed, your teachings drew in the entire squad, and you patiently guided them through the complex pattern of moves. Even Crosshair had begrudgingly agreed to show some interest after Wrecker had picked him up and swung him about, refusing to put him down until he joined in.

“Don’t forget the double spin coming up,” you reminded them as they twirled about the landing site.

Hunter’s feet slipped on the grainy ground and he nearly tripped. At Wrecker’s laugh, he stopped. “You come and try this if you think it’s so easy,” he challenged.

“Fine,” Wrecker said, dropping the empty crates with a hollow thud and bowing to Omega as he took her hands.

The music resumed, and you found your focus wandering to your lover. Echo’s pale brown eyes met yours before he averted his gaze to the basin and the grimy ship parts begging to be cleaned. Despite the efforts you had both made to nurture the blossoming relationship, he still seemed hesitant to show affection in front of the others.

Coughing aside the building need to be close to you, Echo propped up each ship part with his scomp link and meticulously scrubbed the dirt from the nooks, suds and soap forming trails of bubbles up to his elbows. He’d had the intuition to roll his sleeves up before starting, but the water still left speckles on his dark vest.

As the sun dipped and the first sprinkle of stars peppered the navy blue sea overhead, Hunter called for everybody to return to the ship. With a few grumbles about it being light enough to stay outside, the last of the supplies were loaded onboard and the rugged land fell quiet.

You strolled over to Echo with a spring in your step as he wiped the water and soapy bubbles from his arms and his link. “I feel bad you spending all afternoon cleaning while we were having fun,” you said. “You should have been with us. Could have taught you a few moves.”

“I offered to do this,” he shrugged. “Besides, I had plenty of fun watching you.” As soon as the words left his mouth, his grin vanished, replaced by wide eyes and a shake of his hand. “I didn’t mean it like that… I just… I only meant that I enjoyed-”

“Echo?”

“Yeah.”

“I know what you meant.”

The tension in his muscles eased, and he scratched the back of his neck. “It’s not easy, what we do, but you’ve really helped by being there for us. For me.”

Heat rose to the tips of your ears and you couldn’t have fought the overwhelming rush of love if you’d have wanted to. Grinning in a way only Echo could make you grin, you wiggled your fingers at him. “There’s no music, but would you like to dance with me?”

“The music isn’t important,” he answered, scrubbing the remaining suds off his vest and double-checking you were both alone. “All I need is you.”

You walked him to the clearing next to the Marauder and slid your hands onto his shoulders. His scomp link on your waist and the gentle sways drew you closer until the fresh scent of soap and the earthy fragrance of the forest on his clothing slipped into your senses. “You’ve been so busy,” you murmured against his lips, capturing them in a delicate kiss. “I said I’d help.”

“You were helping,” he assured you. “You kept Omega preoccupied and there hasn’t been an argument all day. Besides, this seems like a fair exchange.”

“A whole afternoon spent cleaning ship parts on your own needs a far more substantial reward.” You pretended to mull over the options, and a playful smirk lit up your features.

Echo found himself falling in love all over again with every tiny crinkle that appeared when you beamed. He would freely spend a lifetime in those moments with you if he got to watch your eyes sparkle with joy and hear the enrapturing sound that sung from your entire being when you laughed.

“Perhaps a thousand dances will make up for it?” you suggested.

“A thousand dances?”

“Uh huh.”

Gently, he pressed his lips to yours once more, his hand sliding up to your cheek as he savoured the way you responded to him. The world fell away until it was just the starry sky, twinkling for you both as though to preserve the love you shared in that single moment forever.

“I want to dance beneath the stars with you every night,” he whispered. “I want to feel you here with me, safe and happy.”

Your fingers inched their way to his head, mindful of the ports. You didn’t know when you’d stopped swaying, but the trees rustled and the grains and stones scattered around your stationary feet. “I’d like that.”

Never did Echo expect he’d get a love like this, a love so delightfully calming that those terrifying thoughts of war and the horrors he had endured quietened. Yet here he was holding you in his arms, the stars watching, and the dim glow from the cockpit glancing across your face and illuminating your eyes in a way that had him wanting things he never thought possible.

“That was one dance,” you said, nuzzling the tip of your nose to his. “I still owe you nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine more.”

TAGLIST (Message if you’d like to be added, 18+ only)

@skellymom @freesia-writes @the-hexfiles @theeyesofasoldier @multi-fan-dom-madness @savebytheodoresnonjosestuff @tech-aficionado @techsriduur @dangraccoon

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ironstrange1991 · 1 year

Text

As Strange As It Seems (Part II)

Pairing: Doctor!Strange, Defender!Strange and Supreme!Strange x Fem!Reader

Synopsis: Y/n, Stephen and Defender are still learning about the relationship that exists between the three when a new variant crosses the border of their universe. Can the relationship survive a third Stephen?

Word Count: 7,8k

Warnings: Sexual content including p in v sex, creampie

A/N: Months later I finally managed to write part two. It's basically a chain of events leading up to the established polyamorous relationship that I love to write about.

Supreme is an idiot, but every time I write him I fall more in love with him. Really hope you guys like this one as much as I do because I am obsessed. There will be a part three and four of this. I'm just letting you know ;)

SERIES MASTERLIST

It was a lazy day for you. Although spring had arrived a few weeks ago the winter chill still persisted and you couldn't complain. You were a winter person. Blankets, tea, fluffy socks, the bodies of your two loves sandwiching you on the kink size sofa. What could you complain about?

On that particular morning you had woken up just before dawn and completely lost sleep, so you grabbed a blanket, your favorite book and went downstairs to the living room and sprawled on the couch. A few minutes later, you were completely involved with reading and even noticed the sun rising, only realizing it when you started to hear the routine noises of the morning in Greenwich Village.

It was Saturday morning and you weren't going to work for which you were very grateful. The last few weeks had been very busy at the office and you felt that if you didn't have a few days of rest you would soon have a burnout. So you decided that that weekend you would do absolutely nothing, it would be two lazy days, reading on the couch and eating takeout. Preferably Italian with red wine. Oh yes, you deserved some time off, some rest and definitely some peace and quiet.

You were distracted with your nose still buried in your book when you felt warm hands on your shoulders and a husky voice "Lost any sleep, baby?"

You sighed pressing your cheek against his hand "I took the opportunity to read a little. This book is really good."

He pressed his hands on your shoulders affectionately "I bet it is, how many times have you read it?"

"I've lost count. It's my comfort book. It hits the right spot every time."

He bent down to kiss the top of your head "I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. Anyway, I'll make breakfast. Any special requests?"

You turned around, staring at him in surprise. He was still dressed in his sweatpants and T-shirt, his hair pulled back in a lazy bun. "Aren't you going to teach today?"

He shook his head "Wong said I could stay. Honestly, I needed some rest."

"That makes two of us" You said putting an arm around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. A soft, unpretentious kiss.

"So... breakfast"

You nodded "Waffles?"

He smile giving another kiss on your lips "It’s right away”

...

You were scattered across the sofas and armchairs in the living room. Stephen was distracted reading one of his magic books and Defender had just returned to the room and lit the fireplace at your request.

He approached the sofa where you were lying and you lift your legs for him to sit down, then stretched them back on his lap. He grabbed your feet and began massaging them absently. You let out a satisfied hum and continued with your eyes fixed on your iPad giggling to what you were reading. You didn't even notice that Defender was looking at you with one eyebrow raised.

"What are you reading?" He asked pulling you out of your almost trance. You felt your face getting hot. "Nothing."

"She is reading porn. About us." Stephen responded by looking up from the book he was reading. Defender shifted on the couch.

"It’s not porn" You ran to explain yourself.

"What do you mean about us?" He asked staring at Stephen who now had his face resting on one of his hands."

"It’s nothing, baby" You said turning off the device's screen and placing it on the side table. You sat up and then crawled closer to him. He opened his arms and you snuggled into them sighing at the feel of his body warmth and scent.

"Nothing stands for a ten thousand word smut fanfic."

You bit the inside of your cheek realizing you had been caught. "Stephen, don't be an ass."

Stephen chuckled still without looking up from his book "Why? You don't want him to know you're dirty? He thinks you are such a genuinely innocent girl."

"I am." You said defending yourself, but there was a sly smile on your lips.

Stephen gave a small laugh. "I know you for more than three years now, sweetheart, save that for him."

Defender smirked and stroked your face "What else do I need to know?" He asked and grabbed your chin and lifted it so he could kiss you. This time the kiss was more intense, almost as if he was jealous.

He lightly bit your lower lip before pulling away and then looked at you curiously "What is a smut fanfic?"

You threw your head back laughing amused at the turn the conversation had taken.

"It’s porn. For woman." Stephen replied now looking at you "Am I right, sweetheart?"

"You'd be surprised to know how many men read and comment on these fics, Stephen."

Stephen opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out, he frowned and his cheeks turned slightly pink.

You smiled in victory and then decided to explain yourself "You have very creative fans, it's not just porn, it has a very interesting plot too. I wonder how they know so much about your powers. I myself didn't know many things that appear in these stories."

"You're assuming they're true." Stephen replied and you shrugged.

"Anyway, it is...interesting."

Defender shook his head as if to dispel the idea that unknown people were writing inappropriate stories about him. "I think it's better not to know the details."

You chuckled "Trust me, it's for the best." You kissed him softly, intertwining your fingers in his hair and then deepening the kiss, he let out a soft moan in your lips that made your heart melt. "You don't think I'm dirty, right, Stephen?" Your hand dropped to his chest and continued down, implying something more, but before he could respond both of their cell phones started ringing at the same time and you pulled away.

Your perfect day wouldn't be so perfect. You just didn't imagine that a day that started out so banal could become so... strange.

...

The two Stephens didn't say exactly what was going on as they hurried off to meet Wong. They said only that the Sorcerer Supreme had detected an extremely strong source of magic threatening to rip apart the fabric of reality. What that meant exactly you didn't know, but you could see the concern in the eyes of the two who didn't stop giving orders like "Don't leave the Sanctum for nothing, do you understand?" "Keep your cell phone in your hand at all times, we'll call you." "No matter what happens, stay here and stay safe."

There was more than concern in those words, there was fear and their fear, however controlled it was, was enough to make you terrified.

They left through a portal to the Kamar Taj. Whatever they thought that was going to happen they thought it was going to be there, after all as Stephen said many times, the Kamar Taj was the greatest source of magic gathered on Earth, but what was entering your reality was not seeking confrontation nor power, he was looking for shelter and so he came to the only place where he could feel safe. Home.

You perfectly remembered the day Defender arrived in your universe. It was loud and scary, but you didn't remember being afraid of him for even a second. First because he spent the first few hours unconscious and second because he exuded calm, his face expressions were serene, his voice was low and smooth.

This time it was different. It was silent, just a flash of blue light and then you saw the very tissue of reality rip apart right in front of you and Stephen walked past it. Another Stephen. Completely aware of his actions and there seemed to be no confusion in his impassive blue eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it.

You didn't know if you were in shock, but you couldn't feel your body, you couldn't move even though you could hear your cell phone ringing shrilly in your hand. You watched the man in front of you dressed in blue robes and cloak make a herculean effort to close the tear he caused in reality and then he turned to face you. He took two steps towards you and you felt an unknown fear wash over you. You wanted to scream, you wanted to pick up the damn phone and tell Stephen that the danger wasn't at the Kamar Taj but at home with you, but you couldn't move. He kept walking until he was only inches away and then he reached out and grabbed the cell phone from your hand and declined the call.

"What is your name?" He asked. The baritone voice finally snapping you out of the catatonic state you were in.

"Y/n" Your voice was barely a whisper.

"I know you, Y/n. I saw you a long time a go...in my dreams. Well, maybe it's another version of you."

You opened your mouth to ask what he was doing in your universe, but the words seemed to have slipped your mind.

"I know what you're thinking. Why am I here. It's a long story really, but I needed somewhere to get away. My universe... it's destroyed and I'd be dead if I hadn't made it to here in time. I had no choice. You understand that, don't you?"

You shook your head but didn't say anything. His story was basically the same as Defender's and that terrified you. Another universe destroyed? Another Stephen Strange? How could you deal with that?

"I know it's a lot to take in. Are you familiar with the multiverse?" He asked in a condescending tone of voice.

You nodded.

"Good. Now, I need you to pick up your phone and call your Doctor Strange. Can you do that for me?" He returned your cell phone.

You stared at the device in your hand and then back at him "Which one?"

He looked at you confused.

...

"She doesn't answer her phone. Damn it!" Stephen's hands were shaking but it wasn't from the damage to his nerves. A minute earlier everyone at Kamar Taj could feel that something had happened. It was like an extremely strong source of energy that had entered the universe, but whatever it was wasn't in the Kamar Taj, it was somewhere else.

"We shouldn't have left the Sanctum unguarded." Defender said. His voice was calm, but Stephen knew himself well enough to know that it was a facade. "You are the Master of the Sanctum. You should go. I'll stay here with Wong..." They were interrupted by Defender's phone ringing. He glared at Stephen "It's her." He put it on the speakerphone.

"Stephen..."

Defender sighed in relief upon hearing your voice "Baby, are you okay?"

You took a while to respond.

"Y/n, tell me you're okay" Stephen asked trying to control his nervousness.

"Can you guys go back to the Sanctum? Now. He's here."

Stephen felt a shiver go down his spine. A thousand of possibilities raced through his mind in the silent seconds between what you said and Defender's question.

"Who's there, Y/n?"

He thought of Nightmare, he thought of Mordo, he even thought of Loki, any of his enemies he'd already fought who might now want revenge by taking away the person he loved most in the world from him.

"It's you, Stephen. It’s another you."

Stephen didn't wait for Defender to answer, he took his sling ring and opened a portal straight to the Sanctum and went through it. Defender came right behind him.

You watched the amazement in the other Stranger's eyes when he saw Stephen and Defender walking through the portal. Stephen came towards you and Defender placed himself between you and the intruder. "Stay away from her."

He took a step back raising both hands in surrender and it was only then that you noticed that his fingertips were blackened by what you assumed was some kind of magic.

Stephen cupped your face in his shaking hands "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" You shook your head and Stephen pulled you into his arms with a sigh of relief and then he finally turned around facing his variant "How did you get here?"

"I brought myself here. My universe is dead. Completely erased from existence and I would be dead too if I hadn't escaped in time."

Defender tilted his head slightly to the side "What happened to your universe?"

The other Stephen sighed "Long story. I'm lucky to have escaped with my life. Now tell me, who should I talk to to ask for shelter in this universe?"

"That would be me" Wong said and you only realized that the portal was still open when he walked through it stepping into the Sanctum and closing it. "I am Wong and I am the Sorcerer Supreme of this Universe."

The two Stephens took a step back to make room for Wong to pass. Defender took the moment to pull you into his arms and placed a lingering kiss on your forehead. You were shaking and he held you in his arms as if he wanted to protect you. Stephen also approached you, leaving Wong to handle the situation for the time being. He touched your face and held your hand firmly in his and you could tell they were shaking more than usual. You also noticed the other Strange's interested gaze on the three of you and then you turned away. You couldn't bear to look at him, to his clean-shaven face and his ocean blue eyes. He was a threat. You knew better than anyone that he was a threat.

...

Stephen thrusted against you moaning loud totally lost in his pleasure. He had you lying on your back on the mattress, his hands clasped in yours against the pillow and his face in the crook of your neck. He came inside you nice and warm and you loved the feeling but that night you weren't having any of that, your mind was elsewhere.

He kissed your lips and you struggled to smile at him but were relieved when it was over and he rolled onto his side. It wasn't that you didn't want him, you always wanted to make love to Stephen, but since the other Strange arrived things had been weird and you were anxious, always nervous and it was getting to you.

Stephen was silent, staring at the ceiling and then sighed, passing his hands over his face "What's wrong, sweetheart? You're somewhere else. Did I do something that upset you?"

You pulled the sheet up to cover your body "No. I'm sorry, I should have said I didn't feel like it, but I didn't want to upset you." You searched for his hand holding it tight in yours giving it a little squeeze "You didn't do anything wrong, it's just... him. He's been here for a week already."

Stephen pulled you close and you laid your head on his shoulder wrapping your arm around him. A satisfied sigh left your lips.

"Wong said he can stay." Stephen said sighing heavily. "Nobody asked my opinion on the matter, but what could I say? It's not like he has anywhere to go back."

You cupped his face "I'm sorry, I imagine how difficult this whole situation must be for you. First Defender and now..." You were silent for a minute and he didn't press you to speak.

"It’s just that… I don't like having him here" You finally said "He's not like Defender, there's something he's not telling us and his hands..."

Stephen squeezed you in his arms "I know. I can send him to Kamar Taj, at least he'll be away from you and I won’t be so worried every time I need to leave."

You didn't say anything.

"Defender thinks we should talk to him, try to understand what happened. And he also thinks that his place is here in the Sanctum, but I'm the one who decides that. I'm the Master of this Sanctum..."

"I don't talk to him" You said interrupting him. "I don't talk to him, but I'm still afraid of what this could mean for us. Tell me we're fine."

You could see the moment Stephen understood what you were talking about, the realization in his eyes.

"It would be easier for me if he wasn't here. I feel like I'm on 50 first dates, every day having to fall in love with the same man and Stephen I know I would, I will fall in love if I talk to him, if I have more time with him because he is you. Even if I am afraid of him."

Stephen stared at the ceiling rolling his lips as if he was thinking hard about what to say, but you couldn't keep your mouth shut, now that you started to speak the words kept coming out in a rush.

"I'm so sorry. I don't want this to ruin what we have. It's not like I'm talking about another man. It’s you, Stephen, it's always you. I love you too much, that's my problem..." You shut your mouth as you realized the words sounded shaky and your eyes was filled with tears. "It's just... so confusing."

You felt his arms tighten around you to keep you impossibly close "I know." Was all he said and then he kissed your lips softly. "We shouldn't have sex if you don't feel like it. You need to tell me. I won't be upset. Are we clear?"

You shook your head "I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. You didn't say anything wrong. We're fine. It's going to be fine." He kissed you again and somehow that was exactly what you needed to hear.

...

The days passed slowly and unlike Defender, Supreme Strange, as you came to call him, had no intention of being helpful. He didn't spend afternoons tidying up the library or even volunteering to work on anything at Kamar Taj. He seemed busy enough being a complete narcissistic jerk who somehow was everywhere. You kept bumping into him in the hallways. If you were going to prepare tea at dawn he was already in the kitchen doing the same thing and trying hard to get you to talk to him, even if you didn't show any interest. When you got home from work, took a shower and went down to relax on the couch, he was there, exactly on the couch you liked to stay. He would sprawl out there reading his stupid magic books, making you sit in one of the armchairs facing him and when you did that you couldn't concentrate. There was something about him that was as inviting as it was intimidating, and it irritated you to feel that way.

"Can I help you, honey?" His baritone voice broke the silence, startling you. And the fucking pet name sounded so inappropriate.

He didn't even look up from the book. He was sitting on one leg, the other stretched out on the couch, his arm stretched out over the back it, a thick book in his hand. He was dressed in pajama bottoms and a white T-shirt, his hair was wet and he smelled like cologne.

"You're staring." He said again and you looked away from the book you were trying to read without success "No, I'm not."

He smirked "Yes you are. I can feel your eyes burning into my skin."

Why did he have to be so insufferable? Stephen was cocky, Defender was proud and stubborn, but Supreme was just plain annoying. "You're sitting on my couch." You said with no effort to hide your irritation. "Every day I come home from work and I come downstairs to read my book like I always do and you're sitting on my couch."

"Sorry, honey, but I didn't see your name on it" He replied now looking up from the book and looking at you. A wry smile on his lips. "But if that's the case, just ask me to leave." You did not answer.

"You know what I think? I think you like to come home from work and sit right where you are and have something nice to look at."

You felt your cheeks getting hot and from the smirk on his lips you figured he could see them turning pink. You sighed closing the book and throwing it on the coffee table "You are insufferable." You said pulling away and going up the stairs.

"Is that why you date two of me?" He replied loud enough for you to hear.

Your conversations with him didn't evolve much in the days that followed and he didn't give you the couch like you expected him to, but little by little you noticed that he spent more time outside the house, interested in getting to know the world he was inserted in and the distance made you understand that all that irritation couldn't just be because of your couch, or because he dropped cups on your coffee table or didn't put the box of cereal back in the cupboard. No, it was something else and you suspected that his provocations also carried other meanings. Somehow you always knew that on your part it was inevitable.

It was Friday night and you loved Friday nights when you could spend time with your Stephens without worrying that you would have to work the next morning. You came home from work, took a shower and came downstairs smelling food coming from the kitchen. When you got there you found Defender distracted cooking. It was a sight to see. You hugged him from behind and rose on tiptoe to kiss his shoulder. "What a handsome cook" You said and he hummed "Not as handsome as his girlfriend."

You smiled tightening the hug and leaning your face against his back sighing heavily "I'm so tired." He wiped his hands on his napkin and turned around hugging you properly then placed a lingering kiss on your forehead "That's why I'm cooking for you. Because you deserve it."

He kissed your lips softly "Tell me how your day was"

You shrugged "Same as usual, but more tiring. We had tight deadlines so we needed to rush through all the paperwork to get the orders out on time."

He cupped your face "And here at home, is everything okay?" He asked looking apprehensive and you sighed pulling away when he had to stir the pan so the vegetables wouldn't stick. He used brandy to flambe them and you watched him work. He made it so easy, it came naturally to him.

"He's getting on my nerves, as usual, but he didn't try to kill me or anything like that. At this point I doubt he's dangerous, he's just... everything else."

Defender turned off the heat and then opened the oven to take a look at the roast he was preparing. He closed it again and then turned to face you. "I think he likes you." He said suddenly and you stared at him feeling a weird deja vu feeling.

"What do you mean? All he does is tease me." You said forcing an unconvincing laugh. Stephen sighed "And I think you like him."

Damn it. Damn Defender and his watchful eyes. Was it possible that he was able to see something that even you hadn't yet realized for sure?

"I don't." You said, but it looked like you were trying to defend yourself and he rolled his lips like he was trying hard not to say too much. "Stephen, I don’t. It's just that he's everywhere and he's not like you, he's nosy and arrogant and he keeps hanging around the house teasing me and calling me honey and I swear I try to get rid of him but ...he's everywhere."

Defender sighed "He's leaving on a mission with the Avengers in a few days."

You frowned "Really? I thought he wasn't interested in helping. He's sprawled out on the couch all day reading like he doesn't want anything out of life."

"We asked him to find a specific spell to help with the mission. The doctor and I were busy and he was available. It took him some time, but he managed to find it and he offered to go in my place and I accepted. I know more than anyone else the feeling of wanting to be useful, of wanting to have a purpose and I think Supreme is looking for that purpose."

You were silent. Everything you thought about Supreme seems to be wrong now. Well, you still found him annoying, conceited and he still stole your couch every day, but now he was going on a mission and those missions were always so dangerous.

...

Stephen was in the library, it was late at night and he couldn't sleep. His insomnia had gotten a lot worse after Supreme arrived and he was still trying to digest everything that was happening. It was too much. It was more than any sane person could handle and yet he had to keep acting like everything was fine. It was what everyone expected of him. Wong, the masters of Kamar Taj, the press, Stark, the other Avengers.

He was trying, or at least he managed to fake it well. Even for you. Every night he would look into your eyes and claim that everything was fine, but he couldn't sleep and ended up there in the library sitting at that desk with books that dealt too shallowly about the multiverse and the dangers of interacting with visitors from other realities .

Every night Stephen tried to convince himself that the fear he felt for his own universe was what kept him awake at night and every night he knew that was a lie. He was worried about you. He was worried because he could see the way you couldn't take your eyes off Supreme every time he was around and he couldn't tell if Supreme had feelings for you but he wasn't sure he didn't and Stephen was dying afraid he'd have to give in again like he did with Defender because what would that say about him as a man? And if he didn't give in would he be risking the life he had with you?

Stephen was brought out of his reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Couldn't sleep too, doctor?" Defender asked coming closer and Stephen could see by his face that he too was having a discussion with his own mind.

"It's been a tough month." Stephen summarized and Defender nodded pointing to the chair in front of the desk where Stephen was sitting "May I?"

He nodded and Defender sat up.

"She told me a few weeks ago that she didn't want him here. Maybe we should have sent him away."

Defender thought for a moment "Do you think that would change anything?"

"What the fuck do I know?" Stephen let out a nervous sigh "She told me that if he stayed she would fall in love with him and I didn't do anything to stop that from happening. What does that say about me?"

"What does that say about me?" Defender repeated. "She's mine too, Stephen. You offered to share her with me almost a year ago and that means sharing the responsibilities too. Tonight she told me the problem is he's everywhere so maybe it's really our fault for letting him stay here at home while we were out there working and if I remember correctly you tried to convince me to send him to Kamar Taj and I said his place was here."

Stephen shook his head "You see things differently, Defender. You looked at him and saw yourself. You were allowed to stay and you wanted to return the favor. I should have said no, but I didn't."

Defender let out a heavy sigh.

"Perhaps you should have asked me what I thought about it" Supreme's voice was irritating as he walked out of the darkness in the hall and approached where Stephen and Defender sat by the light of a single lamp. "I'm sorry I couldn't sleep so I decided to look for something to read and I overheard part of your conversation. You know, I was never good at talking to myself, it always seemed like a stupid thing to do but now the whole thing gained a new light."

"Would you have gone? To the Kamar Taj?" Defender asked.

Supreme crossed his arms leaning against one of the bookshelves and crossing his feet "I was running away from the destruction of my own universe. I would have gone anywhere."

"Would you go now? If we asked." Stephen asked and Supreme shook his head "Is she that bothered by me?"

"This has nothing to do with her" Stephen said through gritted teeth.

"This has everything to do with her" Supreme snapped and then nodded in agreement "I would. If you guys told me to go. I'm not here to fight anyone. Is that what you want? For me to leave? That will make you happy?"

Defender glared at Stephen shaking his head "It's not about what we want anymore." He said.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Supreme asked and Stephen ran his hands over his face nervously.

Supreme came over and pulled up a chair and sat down "Do any of you have a cigarette?"

Defender stared at him in surprise "What? No. We don't smoke."

He chuckled dryly "Yeah, neither have I. For almost 8 years now. But my universe was destroyed and all the people I knew are dead. I'm in another universe talking to two other variants of mine and besides I am almost sure I might be falling in love with your girl, so... yeah, I need a fucking cigarette."

Stephen stared at him for a long minute "If you try anything with her, I'm going to fucking kill you, do you understand?"

Supreme raised both hands in surrender "I didn’t do it and I won’t. Unless she shows she wants me too.”

Defender slammed his hand on the table getting up "She's right about you, you're insufferable." He said and then left.

...

You came home from work on Monday afternoon with an excruciating headache. You knew it was your fault for having gone all day without eating so after taking a shower and getting dressed comfortably you went downstairs determined to prepare something to eat. When you reached the bottom of the stairs, you glanced quickly at the couch where you expected to find Supreme absorbed in his reading, but he was not there. You went to the kitchen wondering if he had already left on his mission and then you found him sitting at the table with his chin resting on his hand while reading something on a laptop.

You rolled your lips considering turning back, but decided to act like an adult. After all, you couldn't keep running from him inside your own home. "Hey..."

He looked away from the screen, seeming to notice only at that moment that you were there. "I'm not on your precious couch as you can see."

You shrugged "Whatever. What are you doing?" You went to the cupboard and got a bag of bread and put it on the counter.

"Trying to catch up to a few things from your universe before heading out on a mission tomorrow. Not everything is the same, you know."

You nodded "Have you met Tony Stark?"

Supreme shook his head "Nice guy"

You stopped in front of the fridge picking up ingredients to prepare a sandwich and then you dedicated yourself to washing some lettuce leaves and cutting some slices of tomato.

"I'm going to make a sandwich, want one?" You asked turning to look at him. He looked surprised "No, thanks."

You shrugged going back to your work "It's not like you've eaten all day. The kitchen is just the way I left it yesterday."

"Careful, it might seem like you care about me."

You sighed finishing preparing your food. You cut the sandwich and put the halves on a plate and then went to the table and sat down across from him. "I don't want you to starve now that you're starting to be useful."

He smirked "Ouch, you treat the two Stephens that way too? Does it really work for them?"

You took a bite of the sandwich and chewed slowly "They're not like you."

He closed the laptop and clasped his hands together "And how am I?"

"Annoying." You answered without being intimidated. You were past the point of being intimidated by him, now you felt something else, a bit of irritation, a bit of curiosity.

"Yeah, you already said that. I'm sure you can think of other things, honey. Tell me, what do you find so different about me."

The pet name. You hated that pet name and at the same time your body seemed to respond to it every time he called you that.

"You have no beard. No goatee. That's different."

"A good different?" He asked with a smirk and you shrugged.

"Do you want me to grow a beard?"

You shook your head "I don't want you to do anything. It's none of my business."

"No, but now I'm curious. If it were any of your business. Would you want to?"

You took another bite of your sandwich and he waited for your answer.

"No. I like it the way it is. Different and handsome."

The compliment seemed to catch him off guard. "You think I'm handsome?"

You shrugged like it was no big deal "Do you think I would be in a relationship with two of you if I didn't think you were handsome?"

He chuckled "Fair enough. Are you going to tell me how you got into this mess?" He asked casually and then took the other half of your sandwich that was on the plate. He gave a bite. You didn't even bother to complain.

"Well, Stephen Strange is an attractive man, intelligent, sometimes funny, affectionate and he fucks really good. It's kind of hard not to fall in love with him."

He stared at you intently, his eyes seemed to darken "Is that why you want me to leave? Because you are afraid of falling in love with me?"

That caught you off guard. He took another bite of the sandwich and waited for you to answer.

"I do not know what you're talking about."

"No? I had a word with your Stephens and they seemed inclined to send me away to Kamar Taj. Is that what you want?" He looked at you intently, the blue eyes seemed to see inside you.

"It was what I wanted when you arrived. I'm not so sure anymore."

He nodded taking one last bite and then got up and took the plate off the table and placed it in the sink. He wiped his hands on the napkin and then turned to face you, both hands resting on the counter behind him, "You must decide what you want. I don't want to be where people don't want me. Contrary to what you think, at least at Kamar Taj I can be of service."

You did not answer. The idea of him leaving suddenly seemed absurd to you. He was supposed to stay in the Sanctum. That was his home. He would be alone at the Kamar Taj.

"Now if you want me to stay, you'll have to start treating me a lot better, honey."

That made you roll your eyes "And how exactly do you want to be treated?"

"Let's start by stopping the eye rolling. I don't like that. And then we can discuss the agreement that exists between the three of you. I'd like to be a part of it."

You were surprised by his boldness.

"What makes you think I'm interested?"

He shook his head "Like I said, you need to make up your mind."

...

Supreme's mission lasted more than just a few days. It had been almost two weeks and you found yourself thinking about how you would feel if he didn't come back. The idea was too scary. You imagined your fellow Avengers coming back and saying something had happened, that he was dead. It was almost a physical pain.

You wonder if you'd be expected to cry or would it be weird if you did? What the fuck people expected you to do?

When they got back, Supreme stayed at the Kamar Taj and Defender claimed that Wong had asked him to help with some errands. Stephen didn't even bother trying to explain. It was clear to you that the two Stephens were defending their territory and pushing Supreme away from the Sanctum for good. The idea that previously seemed like the best decision to make now seemed authoritarian, meaningless and even cruel. Still, you didn't say anything. What could you say? Supreme was right, you needed to decide what you wanted.

You were so lost in your own thoughts that you didn't even notice when it was time to leave work. Your boss knocked on the door and warned you. You grabbed your purse and car keys and left. Your head was aching and the traffic didn't helped to easy the pain.

When you finally got home you were too tired to even think about going upstairs to your room so you put your purse and keys on the counter, kicked off your shoes and sat down in the armchair by the fireplace, but staring at the empty couch in front of you didn't help you feel better, quite the opposite. You missed him. As unbelievable as it might seem, it was true. You missed his ill-timed comments, the teasing, the smirks, basically everything. You wanted him back, you needed him back.

You moved your fingers on your temples feeling that the headache was getting worse so you got up, took a pill from your bag and went to the kitchen to prepare some tea.

You were standing there in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to go off tapping the floor with your toe and you were barely aware of Stephen's presence until he wrapped his arms around your waist and kissed your neck, his goatee making your skin crawl. "May I have some tea?"

You wrapped your arms around his "Of course." You turned to kiss him softly, but he cupped the back of your neck, deepening the kiss with a need that surprised you.

He released you when he realized you weren't in the same mood as him, but he covered it up as well as ever.

"How was in the work?"

You smiled "Fine." You took your hand to your temple.

"What's wrong?" He asked worriedly replacing your hand with his. He held your head in both hands.

"Nothing, just a headache. A very painful headache."

He nodded, his thumbs moving in circles on your temples.

"Does it help?"

You shook your head no and squinted your eyes "It's different this time, stronger."

He pressed his thumb to the middle of your forehead "Does it hurt here?"

You nodded.

"Are your eyes sensitive to light?"

You hadn't noticed until he mentioned it, but you were bothered by kitchen lights "Yes."

"It's not a headache, sweetheart. It's a migraine. Never had one before, hm?"

The kettle whistled and you busied yourself making two cups of tea for yourselves.

"They are usually caused by stress, insomnia and prolonged fasting. In addition to genetic factors"

You handed him the cup and swallowed your pill taking a sip of tea right after. "I really didn't need to have one right now."

He took a sip of tea "You're stressed, you've barely been sleeping, you haven't been eating properly... Y/n, you need to talk to me.

You shook your head "Just tell me this pain will pass soon."

He sighed "In a few hours probably."

"Great."

The two took a sip in silence. There was something between you. You could feel it, he could feel it, and it was killing you.

"Stephen..."

He waited for what you had to say, but something in his eyes said he already knew what it was.

"Supreme needs to come back home. He belongs here and not at Kamar Taj."

"You said you wanted him gone."

You sighed "That was before..." You stopped before saying more than you should. "His place is here." You repeated.

He took a long drink of his tea and then shook his head "Do you miss him?"

"Stephen, this has nothing to do with me."

He chuckled dryly "Of course it has. It's all about you, Y/n"

You swallow thickly. "Ask what you really want to know then, Stephen. No more mincing words."

He looked away for a second and then sighed looking deep into your eyes "Do you love him?"

You reached out to touch his hand and held it tight in yours "I don't know. But I have feelings for him and I miss him here."

Stephen nodded "What do you want me to do? I'm lost here, Y/n. Do you want me to make a deal with him like I did with Defender? Do you want us to share you with him?"

You rolled your lips. That was what you wanted, but you feared the price was too high. "I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to lose you, Stephen."

He placed the cup on the counter and took a step towards you pinning you against the counter and then cupped your face in his hands "You will never lose me, sweetheart. I love you so much... my love for you is the only thing that helps me deal with all this madness. Not just for me, but because I know that any version of me will love you just as much. How can I fight this?"

You smiled shyly "I don't want to fight anymore. If there's one thing I know it's that I'll always want you, I want each one of you because I love you Stephen. I love you too much."

"I know. I love you too, sweetheart, but do you have any idea how hard this is for me?"

You nodded "I'm sorry."

He placed a kiss on your forehead and took the cup from the counter and walked away pulling a chair and sat down.

"You understand that it's not just me now, don't you? It's not enough that I agree to bring Supreme back, you need to ask Defender."

You nodded pulling up a chair and sitting down too "I know, but I couldn't ask him before talking to you first."

...

Defender sat in his small office at the Kamar Taj and gestured for Supreme to sit down as well. There were issues to be dealt with and he was apparently the best person to handle the situation. He was certainly more patient than the other Stephen, but to be fair, all the patience in the world didn't seem to be enough to deal with Supreme Strange.

Supreme stared at him for a long moment, but then he pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Stephen asked me to talk to you first..."

"She made up her mind then, she wants me too. It must have been hard for him to accept."

Defender managed not to roll his eyes "I can't imagine why he thought it wouldn't be a good idea for you both to talk now."

Supreme clasped his hands in his lap "I'm all ears."

"We have rules. Very strict rules. Most of them were created by Y/n and Stephen and I agree. We follow them and they work. That's the key to making this relationship work."

Supreme nodded. "Okay. And what are those rules?"

Defender sighed "She'll explain everything to you when you get back home, but that's not the point. What he needs..." Defender ran a hand over his face "What I need is for you to give us your word that you will abide by the rules even if you don't like them."

"Even if I don't like them? How can I promise that I'll follow rules I don't know about?"

Defender wanted to punch him in the face. Even though he wasn't a violent man, he wanted to punch Supreme in the face. However, he just took a deep breath and decided to be honest.

"Do you love her?" He asked dryly and Supreme stared at him in surprise.

"I loved her before I even met her. You told me you saw her in your dreams once or twice? I saw her every night. With him. I spent two years of my life wanting to be him, wanting to have what he had. So when he offered the chance to have her I didn't think for a second. I accepted the rules before they were even made and followed them strictly and we created a good life here, together, the three of us."

Supreme shifted in his chair "I don't know if I understand where you're going with this..."

"I need to know that we're not risking the life we have on a caprice, because of some kind of stupid competition you might think exists between the three of us or because you think you have some right to it just because you're one of us."

Defender stared at him, waiting for an answer.

Supreme nodded "It's not like that at all. I can't say it's love because I've never felt something like that before. You know, we're not like that. I had Christine, you..."

Defender shook his head "I had Christine too"

"But it's not the same. I always hoped it would become something else, but it never did."

"Because it wasn't meant to be. Christine never loved us, we never loved her, not really."

Defender remembered very well his relationship with Christine Palmer and how he blamed himself for screwing up after the accident. It took a long time to understand.

"I feel like I can do this right..." Supreme said "...at least this time... Yes, I think I love her."

Defender sighed getting up, "Fine. So give me your word and we can get this over with.”

Supreme stood up "Okay. You have my word."

The two shook hands and Defender opened a portal to the Sanctum.

"I'll be teaching tomorrow until 2pm. Stephen will attend a conference at Avengers Tower and then head straight to Kamar Taj. She'll be alone in the Sanctum."

Supreme nodded "Thank you, Defender."

Reblog please! Leave a comment if you liked it. Interact! I will love to read all of your comments and opinions. It inspires me to keep writing!

MULTIPLE STEPHENS MASTERLIST

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evajackslover · 4 months

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MY THOUGHTS ON ACOMAF AS A FIRST TIME READER 🌌✨🏔️🌙

**this review will contain spoilers for acotar and acomaf**

my rating: 4.7/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

spice level: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

summary: Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she's now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people. As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre's hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the key to stopping it, but only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future-and the future of a world in turmoil.

i finished reading book 2 in the acotar series (a court of mist and fury) a few days ago, and it’s safe to say acomaf is an amazing sequel to the first book!! i absolutely adored how sjm developed the characters and love where book 2 has brought the plot!

here are my thoughts:

- feyre’s character development in book 2 was just *chef’s kiss*! her deal with rhys in acotar was the perfect set up for acomaf because with each visit feyre made to the night court, she slowly begin to heal from her trauma under the mountain. this was a huge contrast from whenever she returned to the spring court; you could tell she immediately began to relapse into a bad mental and physical state, and was clearly feeling trapped.

- this brings me to tamlin… who finally showed us his true colors! i could not STAND how overprotective he was of feyre upon returning from under the mountain. like, i get the guy had some traumatic experiences, but those were no excuse for TRAPPING FEYRE IN THE HOUSE upon so much other physical and emotional abuse! the moment mor came to whisk her away to the night court had to have been one of the best moments of relief in acomaf.

- morrigan!!! i absolutely LOVE her as a character and her relationship with the other members of rhysand’s inner court! i can’t wait for her and feyre to become even closer bffs :)

- cassian and azriel 🥰🥰 my babies protect them at all costs (also am i right in guessing a cassian nesta relationship coming soon?! because i can totally see it!)

- and finally rhysand!! i cannot express how much i love how his story has expanded throughout acomaf; from teaching feyre to read to confessing his undying love to her, he is the most perfect MMC 🥹

i wish i had room to discuss each and every character, but this post has already gotten so long!

my final thoughts: amazing and can’t wait to keep reading! my only complaint is the spice (i prefer slightly less in my books) but i understand that it is not a YA series and the level of spice was to be expected before starting the series! i’m in the middle of acowar right now and can’t wait to continue feyre’s story!

beautifulll feysand art by the lovely jrtart_ on instagram 💓

#rhys acotar #acowar #a court of thorns and roses #acosf #acotar #acomaf #sjm universe #sjm books #sjm #sjmaas #sjm fandom #rhysand x feyre #feyre x rhysand #feyre cursebreaker #feyre archeron #rhysand

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burgundybmw · 2 years

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Ahoy Sailor!

Masterlist

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2,427

Warnings: Reader is described to have curly hair, could be natural or a perm, it's the 80s hahaha.

Summary: Steve hated the Scoops Ahoy uniform. It was tacky, lame, and totally ruined his best feature. It was a walking red flag to any girl that walked into the ice cream shop, leaving Steve alone in a sea of people without any hope of a date. Until a girl walks in he's never met before, and for whatever reason, the uniform doesn't seem to be a problem. In fact, it's the opposite.

Author’s Note: This is essentially a love letter to the Scoops Ahoy uniform. Babygirl Steve is my bread and butter.

There were a few things Steve Harrington hated in his life. One, the fucked up monsters that ruled the Upside Down. Two, when he forgets to restock on his Farrah Fawcett spray. Three, Billy Hargrove's entire existence, and finally, the stupid sailor uniform he's forced to wear at Scoops Ahoy. The last two were related. If it weren't for that mullet wearing asshole he'd be sitting pretty at the public pool. He was captain of the Hawkins High varsity swim team, been a certified lifeguard since he was 15. This summer was supposed to be a breeze. It all came crashing down when he walked into the Hawkins Pool house on his first day and saw Hargrove's smug face in the locker room. Steve took one foot inside of the threshold and immediately walked out. His dad was forcing him to get a summer job, teach him responsibility or some other bullshit. It's not like he was ever home to make sure he actually did what he asked, but Steve knew his parents had spies all over Hawkins. A bunch of bored soccer moms who had nothing else better to do than snitch on him. So now he was stuck inside of Starcourt Mall, slinging ice cream in the world's ugliest uniform known to mankind. It was ruining his life, something his new coworker Robin took great joy in reminding him daily.

"I believe that's strike three Harrington, you're out!" Robin teased from the back window. She had that stupid white board out, of all of Steve's failures clearly on display. It was the uniform's fault. Steve knew he had game, he had no issues getting girls back in high school. He may no longer hold the title of King Steve, but it wasn't like he was a total loser. How was anybody supposed to take him seriously in a sailor uniform? The dumb hat ruined his best feature. Stupid Scoops Ahoy protocol, stupid Billy Hargrove, stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Laugh it up Buckley, one of these days I'm gonna score and you're gonna eat your words!"

"Gonna capture your white whale, Captain?"

"That's messed up Robin, you shouldn't talk about women like that"

"It's a Moby Dick reference, dingus" Robin rolled her eyes, placing the whiteboard with a fresh tally mark behind the counter.

"Well if you want to talk about di-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there before I vomit"

Steve couldn't help but laugh at her a bit. He liked working with Robin. She was a cool girl, even when she liked to annoy him with her scoreboard. It could have been worse, he could have been stuck with Hargrove all summer. She filled a void he had in his heart since Dustin went to summer camp. The other kids only used him to get into free movies, didn't stay to chat very long. He missed the little butthead. The kids were all planning a surprise party for him when he got back, but that was still a couple weeks away. Till then, he had to make do with what he had. Virtually alone in a sea of people.

Steve thrived in crowds. He liked talking to people, getting to know them, and the Starcourt mall was full of potential. If only this sailor uniform didn't scare them away before he could even open his mouth. It was getting ridiculous. Nancy had dumped him a little over seven months ago and he had zero luck with women since. He didn't start seriously trying until spring break, it took awhile to heal his broken heart. Steve was beyond ready to get back out there, find the other fish in the sea, capture whatever dick whale Robin was talking about, some other shitty nautical metaphors.

He really needed to get laid.

"Heads up Ahab, new customer on board" Robin whispered as she refilled napkins in the dispensers.

Steve turned around to see a girl standing at the counter. She hadn't noticed him yet, too busy peeking at the ice cream flavors in the freezer. He hadn't seen this girl around before, definitely didn't go to Hawkins High with him. She looked about his age, maybe a year above or below him. She had her hair pulled up in a bright yellow scrunchie, delicate curls framing her pretty face. Steve always had a thing for curly hair, loved the idea of tracing the ringlets with his finger. Liked the idea of tracing hers.

"See anything you like?" Steve asked in a cool voice, or at least what he thought sounded cool. He's afraid he's lost his touch recently.

The girl popped her head up to see who spoke to her, noticing Steve's presence for the first time. Her glossy lips formed a small o shape, and he couldn't help but wonder what they would taste like. Steve was getting ahead of himself, one step at a time.

He watched her eyes slowly look up and down his uniform, it took everything in him not to shrink with embarrassment. Yet, when they made eye contact once more it wasn't the look he expected. Usually girls would be stifling their giggles at him, not in the endearing way either. It was always the you look ridiculous but I'm not going to be rude and laugh in your face about it act. This girl didn't have that. She looked embarrassed yes, but not for him. If Steve didn't know any better, he might have thought that she liked the uniform on him. That was impossible though, nobody liked the stupid uniform.

"I definitely do" the girl replied, a modest smile on her face.

"Well we have an ocean of flavors here at Scoops Ahoy, what are you feelin' today?" More nautical puns. Maybe he was a loser. A full fled member of the loser's club. If Mike were here he'd be laughing in his face at the moment, little jerk. What did Mike know about anything? Thought he was so high and mighty getting his first girlfriend, as if that's the mightiest achievement in the universe.

Now Steve was comparing himself to a 13 year old. Oh how the mighty have fallen...

"What flavor's your favorite? I can't decide. Everything here looks delicious"

"I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to judge..." Robin had asked him the same question their first shift together and she went on a 20 minute rant on why Steve was totally 100% irrevocably wrong. How someone can be wrong about their favorite flavor of ice cream was beyond him.

"Pinky promise I won't" the girl held her manicured finger out for him, her nails painted the same color as the scrunchie in her hair. Steve looped his finger around hers and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"It's mint chocolate chip" he had the full defense on his choice at the tip of his tongue. Mint chocolate chip was an excellent flavor of ice cream, most people just didn't give it a chance. It didn't taste like toothpaste, that always mind boggled him. Chocolate and mint go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. Like peppermint patties or shamrock shakes and some other third thing.

"Really? I don't think I've ever met someone who's favorite was mint chocolate chip" she pulled her finger back as she said it, Steve missed the contact.

"Trust me, it's great. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot"

"I don't know, seems like a big risk," she looked down at his name tag, before slowly dragging her eyes back to his face, "gonna sell it to me Steve?"

Now, Steve knew when a girl was into him. Maintaining eye contact, physical touch, teasing. It's flirting 101. He just had no idea how he managed to do it right this time. Steve didn't try anything special, didn't lay it on thick. It was like he didn't have to try. For whatever reason, this girl didn't seem bothered by the uniform. He wasn't going to waste the one opportunity he's had in months.

"Well, I am certified in the frozen confectionary arts, Miss?"

"L/N, Y/N L/N" she definitely didn't go to Hawkins then. He would have recognized the name if she had.

"Alright Miss. Y/N L/N, mint chocolate chip is perhaps the best flavor of ice cream we sell"

"Really? Do tell" Y/N asked with teasing grin.

"Oh we constantly sell out of the stuff. This tub right here we got in this morning, fresh is the best. I hear the CEO of Scoops Ahoy himself keeps mint chocolate chip in his office everyday because he loves it so much" Steve is talking out of his ass. He doesn't even know if Scoops Ahoy even has a CEO. It's a corporation, so he's sure there must be someone at the top of the frozen food chain.

"That's some high prasie"

"Who doesn't like to be praised?" Steve does. Too much if he's being honest with himself.

"Fair enough" Y/N began, twirling one of her curls around her finger, "one scoop of mint chocolate chip in a dish please "

"Any sprinkles or fudge?"

"Do they cost extra?"

"It's on the house, for taking the risk and all that" Steve was glad his manager was a total flake and never showed up to work. He could get fired for giving away free ice cream, it wouldn't have been a total loss though.

"Then I guess I'll do both"

Steve grabbed the scooper from his belt and gave it a little twirl, earning a giggle from the girl on the other side of the counter. He was on cloud 9. For the first time since he started this lame job he might finally have a shot at adding a tally to the You Rule side of Robin's stupid board. Y/N was clearly into him, as long as he didn't fuck up in the next few minutes he was as good as gold.

"Here you go, one scoop of mint chocolate chip for the lady" Steve said as walked back to the counter. If he was paying better attention, he would have noticed the forgotten white board edge behind him. But Steve wasn't paying attention, and he clocked the board with his hip. It fell to the tile floor with a loud thunk and slid across the floor to the other side of the counter. Right in Y/N's line of sight. He could only watch in horror as she picked up the board and read the incriminating marks on the white plastic.

"I-I can explain that" Steve stuttered, placing the cup of ice cream on the counter.

"Oh yea?" Y/N asked, her grip on the whiteboard remaining steady.

"Yea, well, you see" Steve was floundering. He knew he couldn't come up with anything that didn't seem like total bullshit, because that's all it would be. Bullshit. A shiver ran down his spine at the memory of Nancy and Halloween. Steve didn't want to be bullshit, so he was left with only one option. Honesty.

"It's a scoreboard for me. Every time I hit on a girl and fail Robin puts a tally on the you suck side. If I manage to get a number or a date it would go on the other side. As you can see, I don't have the best luck. I swear it's this stupid uniform, it's cursed" Steve refused to look at the girl as he spoke, his face flushed red with mortified embarrassment. It was all over now, Steve was sure of it. He hadn't felt that pathetic in weeks. Not since his dad laid into him, calling him a fuck up for not getting into Tech. A certified loser he was.

"Well, apparently the girls of Hawkins have shit taste"

"What?" Steve and Robin asked at the same time. Robin had been pretending not to listen during the entire interaction, but she finally blew her cover then. Steve was also in a state of shock. Moments before he was convinced Robin would another black line to his never ending shit score.

"If I'm being honest," Y/N began as she reached over to grab one the dry eraser markers beside the cash register, "I actually dig the uniform. Don't know why, but there's just something about those little shorts and that tie that I like"

Steve was struck dumb. Static in his brain as he watched the girl write something on the board. He didn't know what he did to finally get some positive karma in his life, but he wasn't about to question divine intervention now.

"I guess it's true what they say" Y/N said with a wink as she capped the marker, "ladies do love a man in uniform. Well, at least this one does"

She handed the board to Steve and grabbed her scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream. He looked down to see one single tally mark on the You Rule side of the board, alongside ten digits and small heart beside her name.

"I don't know your schedule, but I'm free this Saturday night. I hear St. Elmo's Fire is really good" Holy mother of God. Steve had a date. A date with a pretty girl for the first time in eight friggin months.

"Saturday's good for me, maybe I can get you dinner instead of ice cream this time" Steve had to work until 5 on Saturday, but maybe with a bit of groveling Robin would be willing to cover the last two hours solo.

"Dinner and a movie, sounds perfect" Steve watched as Y/N took a single bite of her ice cream, her tongue swirling around the small red plastic. He couldn't keep his eyes off of it.

"Yea, perfect"

"See ya then Sailor" Y/N turned to walk outside of the shop, her hips swaying with every step. As soon as she was out of earshot, Robin raced to get behind the counter. Her eyes scanned the board Steve still held in his hand, her eyes nearly bugging out of her skull.

"Holy shit, you got a date!" Robin gasped with barely contained surprise. Holy shit was right. For the first time since Steve started at Scoops, he praised the company uniform. It managed to charm the one girl in Hawkins that was into silly sailor get ups. It seemed like things were looking up. Steve grabbed an old receipt and a pen, quickly jotting down Y/N's number before it got destroyed. A proud, and slightly smug, smile on his face.

"Still got it"

Tag list:

@cevans-winchester , @lalalalemonade11 , @esoltis280 , @celestialsxturn , @thatredlipped-classic , @musicmoviestv , @panagiasikelia ,

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington x fem!reader #steve harrington x female reader #steve harrington #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fluff #stranger things #stranger things fanficton #stranger things fanfic #stranger things fic #stranger things fluff #stranger things x reader #stranger things s3

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asbealthgn · 1 year

Text

decided to lengthen this post!

eddie’s heard all about the girl with the super powers.

at least, he thought he had. steve, dustin, max, and robin talked about her at length when they were explaining the upside down to him in rick’s boathouse. the image he had in his head was of a girl larger than life, of a wonder woman type who could command a room. which is why he’s very surprised when he meets the quiet girl who saved the world.

it’s about a week after he’s released from the hospital, once nancy (who has somehow become the taskmaster when it comes to his care) deems him recovered enough to socialize with the rest of the party. although apparently he’s not yet to the point where she’ll let him leave the trailer. it’s no use fighting against her. wayne’s been her number one fan since the day they met, so he keeps telling eddie what that girl says goes.

but eddie’s excited that everyone else can finally come visit. max shows up first, having just been released from the hospital the day before. then it’s steve and robin with dustin in tow (eddie feels a slight fluttering seeing steve. he hasn’t quite taken the time to parse out whatever feelings may have developed over spring break). next comes nancy with mike and the sinclairs. finally, jonathan byers arrives with the two eddie hasn’t met before—will and el.

eddie’s first thought is of how small el seems. for a girl just a few weeks out from restoring peace to the planet, she nearly disappears in the already overcrowded trailer. eddie watches her hug max, wave to nancy, and then step back as the boys launch into some loud argument. always the same with them.

jonathan gestures for eddie to come over and meet his siblings. will only spares a second from his conversation with the boys to say hi to eddie before he’s returning. el, though, gives him a cautious smile and hello. it’s a halting few moments of small talk where eddie does way too much of the talking. he knows he should reign it in.

he keeps seeing el smooth her hand over her buzzed hair.

“that’s a cool cut you’ve got there,” eddie says.

her eyes flick sideways to jonathan and then back to eddie. “thank you,” she says, sounding uncertain. her gaze wanders then, and eddie follows it to where nancy is talking to steve and robin. specifically, wanders to nancy’s hair.

“you miss your old hair?” eddie guesses.

el nods. “it was pretty.”

considering, eddie holds a finger up. “wait there,” he says before darting back to his room. wayne gets on his case for it being a wreck in here, but eddie knows where everything is. it’s how he finds the photo album he’s looking for in seconds, flipping to the right page and sliding one of the photos out from its sleeve.

he rejoins el and jonathan, who have now also been joined by will. “there ya go,” eddie says, handing el the picture. it’s of him when he was in eighth grade, hair buzzed like el’s with a guitar in his hand and a big grin on his face.

el looks between the photo and eddie. a ghost of a smile plays on her lips. “your hair was like mine,” she says.

“yep,” eddie says, “i’m tellin’ ya, buzzed hair can be pretty metal.”

“metal?”

“it’s like bitchin’,” will chimes in.

“yeah, absolutely,” eddie says, “buzzed hair is bitchin’.”

el’s smile gets stronger. “metal,” she whispers, almost to herself. then she hands eddie the photo back. “maybe i should learn to play the guitar. so i can be extra metal.”

eddie grins. “hell yeah,” he says, “anytime, you come by and i’ll teach you.”

she nods. “it is a deal.”

#i very strongly believe that eddie and el would be besties but i do not incorporate it into fics enough #it's true though #stranger things #eddie munson #el hopper #ficlet

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munsons-hellfire · 2 months

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Chaos: Prologue

SUMMARY: Evangeline did the only thing she knew she could. She ran. Upon leaving her home court, she crash lands into the Spring Court, hoping to find a better home.

PAIRINGS: Evangeline Nightbane x Lucien Vanserra (Currently), & Evangeline Nightbane x Cassian (Eventually)

CONTENT WARNING: MFW, mentions of trauma.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello everyone this is the second original character work that I will be writing. When I came up with this idea I only saw it as an original character storyline. Evangeline is somewhat based of a character I made at one point for a Steve Rogers fic that I used to have up on my wattpad account. On top of that this story will follow the first three books, Silver Flames will be a definite AU and will most likely only include Feyre's pregnancy line. Nesta will be mated to Mor in this version. Also I wanted to try writing in first person pov so that story will be in first person and eventually it'll switch back and forth between Evie and Cassian but as of right now it'll be Evie's pov.

WORD COUNT: 3.7K

Chapter 1

The earliest memory I have is of Helion teaching me how to use my wings. I could conjure them through my magic, I didn’t understand how any of it worked, and Helion probably wasn’t the greatest teacher to be teaching me but he was better than my parents. Helion was more of a real father to me than my actual father had been. My mother and father had always told me that I was the first and only child they’d ever conceived, but I never believed them.

I don’t think Helion believed them either. But what could he do, what could I do? There were key reasons that I didn’t believe I was their child. I could conjure wings firstly, I had black hair and purple eyes, they’d often glow brighter when I used my powers. The Mother had gifted me with three separate powers. Two of them I adored more than anything, the other I wish was never gifted to me.

I have the ability to open portals, a fun one really except when I’d open portals to places I probably shouldn’t be even looking at. Next I learned that I can create any type of weapon𑁋shields included𑁋they are created through telekinetic energy that runs through me. And lastly I can read the minds of those around me. I’m not a Daemati, I’m sure it’d be a lot cooler than everyone’s constant thoughts pressing down on my own mind.

Being able to read every single thought as I pass by any Fae is insufferable. As a child it wasn’t so bad. I was focused on other stuff that would block out the incessant thoughts. I also didn’t understand my powers. I still don’t understand how any of them work, really, but I’ve managed to attempt to control two of the three at least for the time being. Being able to read everyone’s thoughts was truly a destructive power.

That’s how I found myself right now. I had heard my father and mother’s conversation, but I also heard their thoughts. They were going to hand me over to Amarantha, the High Queen of Prythian. I never liked the female, my parents spoke so highly of her. I didn’t understand how they were still in Helion’s Court. The only thing I knew that I could do was run, so that’s what I did.

Except I didn’t think it through so clearly. I was falling through the sky, trying to summon my wings. The portal I had opened, well it had decided to drop me from the sky. I was plummeting towards my death. This was how I would die. I, Evangeline Nightbane, would make contact with the ground and die. For a moment it seemed like an ok death, a great way to escape my parents before they’d even have a chance to hand me over to that hag Under the Mountain.

My eyes were closed, I couldn’t force them open if I tried to. I knew I was getting closer to the grassy lands. I knew my time was coming to an end soon enough. A gasp left my mouth, I didn’t feel the impact of the ground. Instead I felt arms tighten around my body. Then his thoughts hit me.

“Such a beautiful female.” He had thought to himself. I didn’t want to be hearing his thoughts, I didn’t want to hear how beautiful he thought I was. How he was thrilled he had caught me in time.

Taking in a breath of air I finally opened my eyes. I turned my head slightly, lifted my eyes and saw the male that had caught me in his arms. He had long red hair, his golden-brown skin really complemented his red hair. And his eyes, oh his eyes were so beautiful. They were covered under a fox mask, one eye is russet, and the other eye is gold. Those beautiful eyes stared back at me.

I had heard what Amarantha had done to the Spring Court, that’s how I knew where I was. His thoughts were weakened just like everyone else's had been, and it had been nice, a little bit peaceful if I’m being honest. But I could still hear all the thoughts. His and the High Lord’s were no different. I pulled myself from his grasp and hopped down on the grass, turning to look at the two males before I gave a bow.

My parents always told me that it was my duty to bow to those who were higher on the social chain than us. They were somewhat high on said chain but I was still taught to act a certain way, especially when we’d visit Beron Vanserra and his family. I didn’t understand why my parents weren’t trapped Under the Mountain like the others had been. Though they were probably conspiring with the High Queen and that’s why they had so much freedom.

I really wouldn’t put it past them, not with the things they’d managed to do to me as a child. I hate them, still do, so I’m happy to be here so long as the High Lord accepts my plea for his protection. I stood from my bow and glanced between the two males. They weren’t that far from their horses that I assumed they’d rode out here.

“Who are you?” The blond male questioned, coming to stand directly in front of me.

“Evangeline Nightbane, my Lord. I apologize, I didn’t mean to open a portal here. I was just trying to escape my parents. They were going to take me to the High Queen, I-I didn’t know what to do so I ran.”

Both males exchanged a glance with each other, their eyes fell back on me as I stood awkwardly in front of them waiting for them to either take me in or turn me away. I’m sure they were staring at my appearance. My black hair was a mess, dirt surly covered my face, and probably my neck, chest, and arms. I was wearing a gold dress that had been ripped at the bottom.

The dress I’d been wearing still hugged my body perfectly even if it was torn. I’m sure they could tell that I had come from the Day Court. Though it was lonely in that Court with everyone being trapped Under the Mountain. I was curious if they knew about who I was. I know that rumors had spread around Prythian about someone with my abilities existing. My parents had confirmed it to Amarantha, and she wanted to take my powers from me, she wanted to kill me for them. I knew it deep in my bones.

“Please, can I seek refuge here just until I figure out how to disappear for good.” I asked, hope, I’m sure was evident in my eyes.

“Such pretty eyes.” His thoughts had run into me again. Unknowingly I glared at the red head male.

“Of course you can stay, Evangeline.” The High Lord had finally spoken, his words were soft but stern. He held his hand out to me. I looked down at his hand hesitant to shake it, then I glanced up at his green eyes beneath the gold mask that covered his face. It was odd to see masks over their faces.

“Thank you…” I paused, realizing that I didn’t even know what to call him. I didn’t really know much about the other High Lord's my parents had neglected to inform me about. So really Helion and Beron Vanserra were the only ones I truly knew about. I didn’t even want to know the High Lord of Autumn.

He would make my life a living hell. I had heard that he had already been discussing marriage to one of his sons, Eris, I think. But then I guess Amarantha offered my parents something better. Or maybe she’d steal my powers and hand me over to the Autumn Court. Either way I knew I had to leave.

“Tamlin,” He said, green eyes still staring at me. “This is my emissary Lucien Vanserra.” I had shook Tamlin’s hand but hesitated with the red head male now known as Lucien, and a Vanserra at that.

“Vanserra?” I choked out, terrified of what he might do.

I think they could see the look evident on my face because Tamlin was the first to take action. “He won’t hurt you.” His voice was soft as he spoke to me.

I watched the two males turn and walk back towards their horses. They were speaking with each other but I wasn’t bothered enough to listen to their discussion. I watched them climb onto their horses, releasing a sigh, I followed behind them. I think once I was settled into the Spring Court I’d need to come out and explore. It was such a beautiful place and I didn’t want to be held up somewhere I didn’t know much about.

I walked up to the males, Lucien was holding his hand out for me to take. I was hesitating, trying to decide if it would be better to ride with Lucien or just walk. Tamlin was wondering why I wasn’t taking his friend’s hand and getting on the horse. Meanwhile Lucien was wondering what had happened to me for me to be this hesitant to accept his hand. In truth his father was Beron, and he was an asshole and despite what Tamlin had said I didn’t know if he could be trusted.

I tried to ignore their thoughts the best I could. Then I walked away from Lucien, ignoring him as I walked over to Tamlin. The High Lord held his hand out to me, I grasped a hold of his hand and climbed up onto the horse. I caught Tamlin glancing at Lucien, I took a chance and glanced at the other male to see a flustered look on his face as he stared at me. His thoughts were slightly louder than they had been. It was starting to give me a headache.

“I can hear your thoughts by the way.” I said, as the two steads took off through the grassy fields. “Not as loud as they used to be, but still.” I mumbled that last part hoping neither male had heard me but I wasn’t so sure. I had my hands wrapped around Tamlin’s waist and my head rested on his back. I was exhausted to say the least. I’d been running for at least a day and a half and this was the first time I could actually catch a breather.

Somewhere on the journey back I knew I had fallen asleep. I was uninterested in opening my eyes to see why we’d stopped moving. But then I felt someone wrap their arms around me and carry me. The arms were familiar, I knew I was in Lucien’s arms. His chest was so firm, and for some reason I wanted to see more of him. I felt a soft bed underneath my back, so I finally opened my eyes.

I turned slightly to look at Lucien who had been staring down at me. He had a soft look in his eyes as he gazed over me. His thoughts were all over the place, I didn’t know if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Though some part of me felt that it was in fact because of me. I swear at some point I’d seen lust in his russet eye. But I chose to ignore it.

“You’ll be safe here. We’ll make sure that Amarantha doesn’t find you.” He whispered. I couldn’t help the smile that tugged on my lips.

“Thank you.” I sighed contentedly while Lucien started to back away from the bed he’d placed me on. His eyes were still on me though.

“Dinner will be in a few hours. Tamlin expects you to join us.”

“Will you be the one to get me?” I asked, a devious smirk replacing the smile on my lips as I stared at the male before me. It’s funny that Lucien was thinking of my beauty when he held me in his arms while Tamlin had been concerned about where I’d come from. I knew then and there that I’d be able to have some fun with the male, and I’m sure he’d enjoy it just as much.

“If it’s what you desire, then yes, I’ll be back here in a few hours to bring you to dinner.”

“Wonderful.” I sent a nod his way, then turned on my side and closed my eyes waiting for him to leave my newly appointed room. I figured it would be good to get some more sleep. As I drifted off to sleep I started to hope that maybe this could be my home for good.

───── ❝ ◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸ ❞ ─────

I’m awake now, I think I only got an hour of sleep. Something rustled outside the window which prompted me to wake. I think I’ve been standing by the window looking out of it for some time now. When I heard the noise my first thought was that my parents had found me and that they were coming to take me home. I couldn’t shake the feeling that was settling in the pit of my stomach. So I backed away from the window and closed it hoping no one could see into it.

I needed to move the bed away from the window, it was too close for my liking. If my parents were truly here they could break into the window and take me away. I pulled a piece of rope from my pocket that was on my dress. I still had yet to change out of it. With the string I pulled my hair back and proceeded to tie it so it was out of my way while I moved the bed to the other side of the room.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, suddenly the door was open and Lucien was standing in the open door way. “What are you doing, Evangeline?” The way he had said my name had sparked something inside me.

“I’m just moving my bed.” I put my focus back on the bed and continued to move it to the other side of the room. I could tell that Lucien was curious. He didn’t need to think it for me to see it evident on his face when I briefly looked at him.

“Why exactly are you moving the bed?” He was so serious as he had asked the question.

I sighed, pulled away from the bed and glared at the male. I understand that he wanted to know but I wasn’t so sure I could trust him yet. He was a Vanserra after all. Maybe I could tell him about this feeling I had.

“I heard a noise outside my window. I was afraid that it was my parents.” The fear was evident in my voice. This had caught Lucien’s attention. I now wished I had just kept my mouth shut. I was good at that, keeping quiet and listening to everything.

“I’m sure it was just an animal.” Of course he would think that. And maybe he was right, maybe my mind was playing tricks on me but I wasn’t taking a chance.

“Why are you here anyway?” I asked, shifting the conversation to something else. I needed to move on from the topic. Thinking about the possibility of my parents finding me was starting to bring the headache back.

“Dinner is ready. I would advise you to change into something clean as well as clean up your appearance.”

I held my hand down by my side, attempting to control the telekinetic energy buzzing around inside me.

“Fantastic.” I paused, taking in a deep breath before exhaling it. “If you’ll be so kind as to wait outside so I can get changed that would be much appreciated, Lucien.”

The male released a small growl, I only smirked and walked over to the armoire. It was closest to the door. I could move it in front of the door but then my chances of escape would be slim. So I’d keep it where it stood. Opening the door I saw different shades of dresses. I settled on one that was a light green, pink flowers rested at the top of the dress.

So far I had only ever worn Day Court colors, I was looking forward to being able to wear Spring Court colors. Walking over to the sink I turned the water on and started to wash my skin off so I looked more presentable. Lucien had a point, and I needed to look my best if I truly wanted to stay here. I pulled my black locks back and separated my hair in half to braid it. Finally I changed into the dress I had picked out.

I took a final look in the mirror and for the first time in a really long time I believed that I could be happy here. Walking back out to the bedroom I see the door is now closed. I could hear his thoughts, and again he was so curious about who I was. My hand found the door handle and I pulled it open. Lucien turned, smirked, and led me down the hallway towards the dining area.

The High Lord was already seated at the head of the table. Lucien walked over to a chair and pulled it out for me. I thanked him as I sat in the chair. Lucien walked around and sat down across from me. I glanced down at the food, I knew I should eat the meat, and veggies but for the life of me I didn’t know if I had an appetite to hold anything down.

“Evangeline.” Tamlin was the first to speak since the dinner had started. His green eyes were plastered on me. I reached for the wine that was sitting next to my food. After taking a gulp of the wine I pulled it away from my lips and stared back at the High Lord.

“Please, call me Evie.” Tamlin gave a nod of his head, his blond locks following his movement. I looked to Lucien who also sent me a nod.

“Evie.” Tamlin corrected himself before continuing. “You fell from a portal. How is that possible?”

“Portals… Yeah. That’s one of my abilities.” I started to swirl the wine around afraid of where this conversation would go. Lucien definitely was uncomfortable with the direction the question was heading.

“One of them?” He proceeded to ask.

“Yes, one of them.” I could tell that he wanted to know more about what I could do. Maybe he thought that I’d be useful to him in the future. Maybe he’d turn around and use me against Amarantha. I held my breath hoping he’d move on to ask me something else.

“You said you were running from your parents, why?” This question was a lot harsher than I had thought it would be.

I closed my hand and pushed my nails into the skin of my palm. This male whom I’d met only a few hours ago was already trying to learn everything about me. This is not what I had in mind when I had asked for refuge. I could feel the tears threatening to fall down my face.

“They hurt me in ways parents should never do. If I’d stayed any longer with them they would’ve given me over to Amarantha who would’ve killed me for my powers. Or they likely would’ve accepted Beron’s proposal to have me marry his eldest son Eris. Neither of those options worked for me. So I did the only thing I knew I could do, I ran. That is why I am here, High Lord.”

I slammed my hands on the table and stood up pushing the chair back. Before either male could object I stormed out of the room heading back to my room. The door slammed behind me and I walked into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about any of this, eventually the longer I’m here Tamlin and Lucien will start to ask more questions.

I’m not ready to talk about what my parents did to me. I don’t want to talk about what they would’ve done had I still been there. I just want to move on from it. Wiping the tears that had managed to fly down my face I pull back from the mirror and walk out of my room. Then I moved down the hallway. However I came to a quick stop when I heard another voice. Without thinking I took a step into the room.

There was a male in the room with his back to me. He had short black hair. It was the same color as mine. All my life I hadn’t seen anyone else with black hair like his. He stood tall as he talked to Tamlin who seemed to have an annoyed look on his face. His thoughts confirmed that he was annoyed with the male. Lucien seemed as though he didn’t want to be here. But he was the first to notice my appearance.

He stands up quickly, his eyes on me as he walks over to me. His hand reaches for my elbow and he stands in front of me. The other male turns around, he has violet eyes. Almost the same shade as mine, only darker.

“Who are you hiding, Lucien?” He questioned. I wanted to know who he was just as much as he wanted to know who I was. His thoughts were quieter than Lucien and Tamlin’s. But I knew he could sense something. His thoughts were giving him away. I moved past Lucien to get a better look at the male, it happened so quickly.

We all watched as he gasped suddenly. His face had gone pale, like he’d seen a ghost from his past. Then he was gone. He just disappeared. Now I was even more confused than before.

“Who was that?” I asked, stepping towards Tamlin.

“That was Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court.”

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