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#its not the same! hope this helps! /j

rrickgrrimes8 · 1 year

Text

Your Bear

summary: Joel Miller doesn’t just lose Sarah that night but his other daughter too. but maybe you can still be found. (part II)

Joel Miller x daughter!reader -- she/her pronouns used & AFAB

warnings: guns, violence, angst, mentions of death, birth, hurt/comfort, happy ending ;) (kinda), no spoilers for part 2/canon divergent

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requests are open!

word count: 3.2k

Joel Miller was always a good father - no matter what he thought. He cared for his girls more than he cared about anything in his damn life. So when they were both taken from him... there was nothing left to care about.

It was Sarah first.

He held Sarah as she died. His shirt was still stained with her blood. The watch on his wrist shattered by his failure.

But his other daughter, you, looking back he can only imagine the worst.

It all happened so fast. He had Sarah in his arms she gasped for air that was growing distant by the second, while Tommy watched with a pained look.

You, however, no one was watching you. Only 5 years old - you didn’t understand a thing. And so when you heard a loud noise. When you saw your sister go down and hearing the cries of both your father and her you panicked.

You thought you were getting help. That’s what’s your dad always told you to do if something bad happened. “Find the nearest phone or adult. Call me or Tommy or this number, okay? 911. Remember that number babygirl.”

And you did.

You ran as quick as you could, which wasn’t all that impressive but it was fast enough for them not to notice you had gone.

By the time you had found your way back into town, Tommy had noticed. “J-Joel,” His voice wavered, fear taking hold. Tommy searched the clearing, calling your name.

Joel looked away from his limp daughter then. His heart was thumping in his chest. His ribs ached as did the wound on his side but nothing compared to the terror that tore through his whole body.

“W-where is she?” His eyes darted over the area but you were no where to be found.

“No, Tommy,” He sobbed already fearing the worst, “T-tommy not her, please.”

Tommy shuddered. This couldn’t be real. This wasn’t real. You were just here. Sarah was just here.

“Joel,” He began until he heard shrill, painfully familiar scream from off in the distance.

“No,” Joel cried looking down at Sarah, hesitating just for a moment before setting her down, “I’m sorry baby.”

Tommy was already running at that point, hoping not to be late, not like he was for Sarah. Joel screamed your name as he sprinted - he couldn’t lose anyone else. He couldn’t lose you, his babygirl.

When he got there he saw Tommy knelt beside a bloodied teddy bear.

Your bear.

He collapsed. Knees giving way. He pulled the bear of the ground, its white fur tormented by the red hue.

Tommy shouted your name a few times. Joel didn’t have the energy to bother. His answer was here.

You were only five. You’d never have survived on your own.

And he would never survive without you, without his girls. He hugged the bear as if it was your body and he never let go.

“Why’d you have a bear in your bag?” Ellie teased as she caught sight of an fluffy ear sticking out.

Joel clenched his jaw, stuffing the teddy back inside. “What?” She laughed innocently, “Is it for your bad dreams? Chase the monsters away?”

The man grunted, discarding the bag on one of the chairs - away from Ellie’s view, “None of your business.”

Ellie frowned as she caught his eye. The brown was darker than usual, which was really saying something. They were empty, hollow but at the same time watery. Like he was one step away from crying. She shook the thought off - this was Joel she was talking about. Joel never cried, not in front of her - not really... She didn’t even think he could cry. But his eyes told her something else. They told an unspoken story. One she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. But one, at the same time, she needed to hear.

“Sorry,” She mumbled, moving into the living room of the house Tommy and Maria had given them.

Joel sighed as she did, guilt running through his veins. “Sorry,” He called out, gruffly, stopping her in her escape. Ellie turned back waiting for him to continue. “it was...” He cleared his throat roughly, “The bear was my daughters.”

“Oh,” She whispered, looking up at the man with sympathy, “If i had known it was Sarah’s... i wouldn’t have said anything.”

Joel sucked in a breath, turning towards the cupboards behind him, grabbing a cup. “Wasn’t hers,” He corrected trying not to let his voice catch on the lump forming in his throat.

“What?” Ellie dared a step closer, “But Sarah was... is your daughter.” Joel bit his tongue, forcing himself to face her again. “Joel?”

He let out a watery sigh, eyes set on the ground, “I had... i had another daughter.” He spoke your name softly but with fear. He hadn’t said it in years - he couldn’t. He hadn’t spoken about you in nearly 20 years either. He hated to talk about you. It was hard enough letting Ellie in, letting her know about his past, about Sarah. But it was too hard to say your name. You were only a baby. His baby.

“I didn’t know. You never mentioned her,” Ellie almost felt guilty asking - like this was something she should’ve known. That she should’ve known wasn’t something you just bring up.

“Yeah,” He scrunched his face a little, the feeling of your loss rushing back.

He thought and he believed for a time that if he didn’t talk about you, about the way he failed you then all that hurt would go away. He was wrong. He saw you every night in his dreams. He saw the woman you grew up to become. He saw your smile and heard your laugh. But then he’d wake up alone. He was always alone.

The worst was when the dream felt real. You were a baby again, Sarah was young too. It was just the three of you. You’d be doing something mundane - watching TV, eating dinner, whatever. He’d have conversations with the pair of you, forgetting that none of it was real. He’d hold you to his chest, sing to you, make you laugh. He’d dance with Sarah to their beat up radio in the kitchen. He would watch you take your first steps, say your first words, form your first smile.

But he’d always wake up. He hated waking up.

“How old was she?” She dared to ask.

Shakily he replied, “Five.”

She fell silent after that. Five. Five years old. Joel lost a five year old - no wonder he didn’t want to talk about it, idiot.

Ellie thought for a moment, a question daring to fall from her lips. “But she’s wasn’t on the memorial at Tommy’s.”

Joel’s head snapped up, anger residing in his chest. Who he was mad at he didn’t know. Himself? Tommy? Ellie? You? “Tommy... he,” He huffed, “He doesn’t believe she’s gone. Holds out hope on that fucking plaque - fuckin’ delusional.”

Ellie leant against the countertop, eyes not leaving the man for just a second, “Why would he think that?”

“No body,” His voice was cold all of a sudden as if it meant nothing at all. As if he wasn’t talking about the body of his five year-old.

“But then she could be-“

“Don’t,” He snapped, “Don’t say another word.”

Ellie rolled her eyes but complied. Joel turned back to his cup, filling it with coffee he had just traded for. He didn’t speak until he was finished and even then he wished he hadn’t.

“We heard her scream... And we found-“ He grimaced, gesturing to his bag, “And we found that damn bear.”

“But,” She tried again.

“Ellie-“

“No, seriously, if all you found was a bear she could still be-“

Without another word, Joel stormed past her, ripping the bag open, slamming the bear onto her chest.

Ellie saw it now.

She understood the haunting look in his eyes. She understood the story it told. It was matted, showed its age. What once was white was red now.

All of it.

Not just a patch here and there.

Everywhere.

It reminded her of Joel.

“That look like she could be alive to you?” He shouted.

“Fuck,” She felt sick just looking at it let alone touching it.

“You kept it?” A voice called from behind her.

Joel met his brothers eyes. “‘Course i did,” He spoke defensively.

“Joel,” He simpered. They stared at each other for a while. Almost like they were having a silent conversation.

Until Joel spoke, “It’s all i have of her left.”

And there was nothing else to say.

Years had gone by since they had gotten to Jackson. And things were surprisingly good. Eerily good. It was the type of good that Joel knew deep down wouldn’t last. It was the type of good that only existed before this mess.

Every morning he would wake up here he had a weight on his chest. A feeling that something was going to happen. This was the calm before the storm, he’d remind himself.

He didn’t tell anyone about it. He couldn’t. He’d just sound paranoid.

Him and Ellie were on a run. It was simple - it always was. The people in charge at the commune never liked to overstep - go to far. Never liked to do what Joel craved.

All they had to do was scope out a few cabins that were spotted deep in the woods. Ellie had jumped at the proposition as soon as Tommy had suggested it. She hated being cooped up for so long - Jackson could only give you so much freedom.

And just because Ellie agreed he knew he had to as well. There was no way in hell he’d let her go out risking her life when there was no way he’d be able to save it.

Getting there was the easy part. The horses at Jackson were a godsend. When they got there the place was still. Ellie gave Shimmer a soft pat before joining Joel who was stalking up to the door. He knocked first - not out of curtesy, just to attract any infected that it may hold. Because that’s what they expected. But Joel should’ve known better.

Joel should’ve thought about their biggest threat - people.

They had only cleared two rooms when Joel felt the cold sting of mental on his temple.

Ellie gasped but kept her gun up, eyes trained on the figure that held Joel’s life in their hands. “Put it down,” The voice ordered.

“Like hell I will,” Ellie retorted, finger edging closer to the trigger.

“I said put it down or the old man gets it,” She forced the barrel against his head - so hard he was sure it would bruise.

“Jesus, fuck, okay,” Ellie mumbled, slowly setting her gun on the floor infront of her, “Just let him go?”

The woman laughed, “So you can kill me, yeah, no thanks.”

“We can work this out,” Joel tried, hands raising to show he was unarmed but it only aggravated her more. Her arm wrapped around his neck, making him stumble back into a chokehold.

“Hey!” She yelled at Ellie as she reached for a gun. The teen stopped, taking a few steps back.

“Just put it down. We can work this out,” Joel proposed, gasping as she applied pressure to his neck, “We don’t want to hurt you.”

“Bullshit,” She spat, breathing heavily, “What the fuck else are you here for then, huh?”

“Supplies,” Ellie told her, “We’re from a commune-“

“Ellie-“

“We can take you back there - help you. If you just put the gun down.”

“Bullshit,” The woman removed the gun from Joel’s head aiming it now at Ellie, “You’ll kill me the first chance you get.”

Ellie shook her head, going to respond before Joel gripped the woman’s arm flipping her over. She gasped as she forcefully hit the ground, splinters from the wooden floor embedded into her spine.

Her breathing picked up, hand scrambling to get to the gun he had knocked out of her hand but a foot stopped her.

Joel’s boot pressed harshly against her wrist, “Don’t.”

“Christ Joel,” Ellie huffed, “You scared the fuck out of me.” Joel watched her as she reached down to get her discarded gun. Ellie laughed as she caught her breath, “Where the hell did that come from? You’re like 80.”

“Ellie,” He scolded with a strict look.

“Right, sorry,” She chuckled.

“So this is when you kill me then,” The woman heaved, chest rising and falling rapidly.

Joel turned to her then, catching her eyes for the first time. He faltered, boot leaving her wrist as he took a step back.

She was a spitting image of... you.

No.

“Shouldn’t’ve tried to kill us, i guess,” Ellie retorted humourlessly.

“You came into my house,” She shot back.

“This is your house,” Ellie muttered, “Needs some work. Right, contractor?” She shot a look over her shoulder at Joel. The man was pale, breathless. His eyes were trained on his attacker with a foreign look she couldn’t decipher.

“Joel?”

“Name,” He ordered, gun pointed down at her but both of them could see it shake.

“What?” She coughed, struggling to understand the strangers.

“Your name, what is it?” He yelled.

“Jesus,” She almost let herself laugh - she would’ve if she wasn’t so shit scared.

Joel gave her a stern look so she said it. She spoke your name.

Ellie’s lips parted, confusion leaving her face, “Holy shit.”

Joel’s expression crumbled as did the grip on his gun, which now hung loosely at his side. “Last name?” He asked, voice a mere whisper.

“What the fuck is going on?”

“Answer.”

“It’s Miller, Christ,” She answered, “What the hell is the matter with you people?”

Joel’s knees felt weak, his breath caught in his throat. This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real. You died. You were gone.

“Joel is she-“

“Stand up,” He told you.

Hesitantly you did as he said, struggling slightly as your injuries caught up to you. Seeing this Joel stepped forward, hand outstretched. With an odd look in your eye you took it - ignoring how the mans eyes lingered on it for a second too long.

“Are you alone?” Fearfully you shook your head. “Where?” He ordered.

You shook your head again, “Please don’t- You can’t. I was just trying to protect her.”

“Who?” Ellie spoke up, despite it not feeling like her place to be in this conversation.

“M-my,” You started but a cry interrupted, echoing through the cabin.

You didn’t think for a second before you ran out of the room. Joel cursed as you did, going to rush out after you before Ellie spoke up, “What are we doing here, Joel?”

“I-“ He paused, shaking his head and leaving the room.

“Is it her?” She questioned, following closely behind him, “Is it really her?”

He gave her stern look as he entered the room you escaped into. His eyes blurred as he saw you with a baby to your chest.

“Please don’t,” You held up your free hand, stopping them, “You can’t- not her.”

“Holy fuck,” Ellie gaped, “You have a fucking kid!”

“Ellie!” The baby fussed in your arms, cries escaping despite your comfort.

“Please leave,” You beg, “Just let us go. I know i messed up. I didn’t want to hurt you guys but i- i couldn’t let you find her.”

“It’s okay,” Joel spoke softly, a type of softness you wouldn’t expect a man like him to be capable of. He holstered his gun, carefully and moved his hands where you could see them.

“We’re not going to hurt you,” He told you, “Ellie, put your gun away.” Ellie did as he said.

“So leave,” You pulled your child closer to your chest.

“We can’t do that,” Joel said.

“Why?”

“Because he’s-“

“Ellie, don’t,” He cut her off, turning back to you, “We weren’t lying before. We have a commune - it’s safe. You’ll be safe there. You both will be.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, repeating the same question, “Why?”

“B-because you’ve got a kid,” He lied, “We can’t leave you here to die.”

“I don’t trust you,” You frowned. Joel mirrored your action, looking around the room at the makeshift cot you had constructed. He felt his heart ache when he spotted a blood stain on the carpet in the corner - you had given birth here, alone. You went through that alone.

“Please,” Ellie spoke up, “You won’t survive out here. You need somewhere safe. And maybe you don’t trust us, that’s okay but we’re honest. We want to help you.”

Hesitantly, you nodded after a few minutes, anxiety building in your chest.

Joel’s eyes were still stuck to the bloodied patch and he was reminded again of how he failed you. How he failed Sarah. He thought about that damn bear. The bear that he thought was the last part of you he had. And despite the pain in his chest and the ringing in his ears he was so glad he was wrong.

“What’s her name?” Ellie asked as she took a tentative step forward.

You didn’t flinch, you wanted to but a part of you, a naive, childish part, wanted to believe them. “Sarah,” You returned, pinching your girls cheeks causing her to smile.

Joel’s eyes filled with tears, tears he had been trying to suppress for the past 20 minutes. For the past 20 years.

Sarah. His Sarah. Your Sarah.

Ellie’s eyes snapped to Joel. He almost felt embarrassed, showing this side of him. Showing his weakness.

“She’s beautiful,” He whispered.

You smiled as he spoke, kissing the side of Sarah’s head. “She is,” You kissed her again before whispering - more to her than them, “My babygirl.”

#joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #joel miller angst #joel miller imagine #joel miller x daughter!reader #joel miller x platonic!reader #tommy miller x platonic!reader #the last of us #the last of us imagine

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ki-yomii · 2 months

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personal taste | jjk

➥ pairing | jeon jungkook x f!reader ➥ word count | 1.3k ➥ warning(s) | 🔞 smut; established relationship, teasing, bent in half, premature ejaculation, implied cum play, implied oral (f receiving), inexperienced!jk ➥ summary | jungkook gets a little too excited and cums early, but he's more than happy to make it up to you. ➥ notes | ✌️idk man, its 2 am. i hope you enjoy lol

💚 masterlist | inbox | AO3 💚

It was safe to say Jungkook wasn’t the most experienced of lovers when you first get together. Idol life consumed his adolescence, and by the time he’s a young adult, too many eyes are on his every waking move.

A quick affair is rarely worth the effort, and the ones that are leave much to be desired. Relegated to liquor-soaked make-out sessions, and quick, dirty fucks that leave him filled with more sweat and regret than satisfaction.

You’d only been dating a few months when he divulged why he got so jumpy any time your hand grazed his thigh, why he broke off your kisses before they got too heated.

He was adorably shy when he expressed how anxious he was about his performance in the bedroom; how the reality might not live up to your expectations.

But he shouldn’t have worried, having more than made up for any shortcomings with his eager to please attitude and boundless enthusiasm.

The number of times you’ve had sex since getting together can be counted on one hand, but he’s leaps and bounds ahead of where he was when you first started being intimate.

It certainly helps that Jungkook is a dedicated student; throwing himself, as he does with everything in life, full throttle into any and all efforts to learn the secrets of your body.

A quick learner, it isn’t long before he can make you cum with a skillful twist of his fingers, a harsh rut of the hips that settles him so deep inside your pussy, your thighs tremble.

Not only is he able to wring orgasm after orgasm out of you, his stamina is insane. Almost to the point where you’re having trouble keeping up with him, having to take little breaks between rounds to gulp down water and catch your breath.

So… when it happens, it’s altogether unexpected.

But so fucking filthy hot you’re pretty sure you astral project to a higher plane of existence.

You’d been teasing him all day: the brush of your hand across his ass, the skim of your knuckles over the crotch of his pants, pressing close against the wide berth of his back and whispering soft, nasty little nothings into his ear.

Delighting in the blush that crept up the sides of his neck. The cherry red burn of his ears as he gulped, readjusting himself before shooting you a glare.

Jungkook lasts longer than you give him credit for, though that’s most likely due to his competitive streak. He breaks all the same; however, shoving you into his bedroom as soon as the door to his apartment closes behind you.

So needy and desperate he can’t wait any longer, even if the rest of the boys are due to arrive in an hour.

You only just got undressed, the bed creaking under the combination of your weights when he cages you beneath him. His chest flexes with every hurried breath, his ribs expanding with labored puffs of air. His cock bullies its way inside your pussy, hips slotting into place against yours.

“J-Jungkook,” you whine, your toes digging into his sides as your thighs fall open across his. “So deep, I - haaah -”

The fat head of his cock nudges against your cervix with every little rut, sparks of pain fissioning out and deepening the warmth fizzling behind your belly button.

Thick and long, he stuffs your pussy to the brim every time without fail, stretching you wide until tears cling to your lashes and your nails dig into his shoulders.

It hurts no matter how long he spends prepping you, but you like it better this way. The pain only enhances the pleasure; deepens, and darkens.

And knowing he has to force his cock those last few inches because your pussy can’t take it without assistance always riles you up.

Makes you needy and desperate to take everything he can give like a good girl.

“Mm, I know, baby,” Jungkook’s breath hitches as his teeth tug on his lip ring, his eyes - half lidded and greedy - shadowed by the sweaty curtain of his bangs, “Feels so ffuh - fucking good inside you.”

“Hhn!” Your fingers inch up the corded muscles of his forearms, caressing over the whorls of ink as they shackle themselves to his elbows as he bends you in half. “Right there, right there. Jus like - ohmygod! - like that.”

Jungkook grunts, rocking into the cradle of your hips harder, the shaft of his cock dragging almost completely out only to slide to the hilt in one thrust. His pelvis grinds against the swollen bud of your clit as he holds himself there, your slick smearing into his skin.

He curses under his breath when your walls flutter, trying to milk him for all he’s worth. “Shit! Don’t - don’t do that, baby. I can’t - hnggg - I can’t -”

And then his cock throbs hard once, twice.

A litany of soft, breathy exhalations of pure pleasure accompanies the slick echo of your bodies crashing together. Then his head bends low, the dark briar of his hair clinging to his temples. His jaw drops slack, and a devastated moan punches out of his throat.

Muscles ripple into a full body shiver, Jungkook’s sharp hips stuttering against the backs of your thighs. Sticky warmth floods your cunt, and his hazy, lust-blown eyes stare into yours as he pumps you full of cum.

You groan, blinking up at him, “Did you just-?”

Jungkook’s arms buckle.

Flopping down onto you, a sweaty, panting mess, he tucks his hot face into the crook of your neck. Moist breath puffs across your skin, a ticklish awareness skittering down your spine. Goosebumps rise along your arms.

His heartbeat hammers against your ribs.

“Yeah, I - I…” Jungkook huffs, his nose dragging over the length of your collarbone, tongue flicking over your skin when he licks his lips. “I did. ‘m sorry, baby.”

Breathing in through your nose, you card a hand through his sweaty hair. Swallow down the pleading whines sitting on the tip of your tongue. You don’t want to embarrass him any more than he probably is.

He hasn’t cum this quick since the early days, and you’d rather not ruin the evening by making him spiral.

So even when your pussy flutters, trapped on the edge of an orgasm as his cum leaks out of you, you bite down on your impulses. Resign yourself to being horny for the foreseeable future until you can sneak away and take care of yourself with a vibrator.

“It’s alright, Kook. It happens.”

Your eyes close, and you breathe through your nose, trying to calm the gallop of your heartbeat.

Relaxing seems almost impossible with Jungkook’s constant shifting, but you try your best to get your body on the same page as your mind.

Only for all efforts to go to waste when Jungkook shimmies down between your thighs. The tips of his hair tickle your skin, your lower belly jumping at the sensation.

Furrowing your brow, you peek down at your boyfriend. “Kook, what’re you--?”

Broad palms caress your hips, Jungkook using his thumbs to trace over the jut of bone. His chest glitters under the light, the muscles shifting under his skin almost mesmerizing as he settles on his belly. Forearms hook over the tops of your thighs, and his dark eyes flash with hunger.

His mouth pulls up into an impish smirk. “Can I?” he asks, dropping his gaze to the apex of your thighs. “Please?”

He giggles when he sees how flustered you get. Syrupy sweet, boyish; altogether too endearing for the current circumstances.

“...Are you serious?”

You can’t deny the fresh wave of desire the thought brings - Jungkook with his thick fingers, his tender mouth and soft tongue stroking over swollen, abused flesh - but flap a hand between your bodies in a vague gesture all the same.

“Isn’t that kind of - you just, y’know?”

You aren’t the only one affected by the idea, Jungkook’s cock jerking feebly where it rests against his thigh. A pink tongue flicks out to run along the length of his red-bitten bottom lip, toying with his lip ring as his teeth sink into the soft flesh.

He regards you with predatory anticipation.

“Yeah,” he says softly. “I’ve always wondered what we taste like. Please let me.”

Well… who are you to refuse?

#jeon jungkook x reader #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jeon jungkook x you #jungkook smut #jungkook fanfic #jungkook imagine #bts x reader #bts jungkook #jungkook fic

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lovelyyandereaddictionpoint · 10 months

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Hello, I hope your having a nice day, can I request Yandere 1st Years + Grim (Platonic) with a Komi Reader? (From Komi can’t Communicate)

Reader’s known for being incredibly beautiful, intelligent, athletic and elegant in everything she does, however she has crippling Social Anxiety and ends up scaring everyone away with her ‘mean/scary’ look so everyone tends to avoid her (When it’s actually herself that’s nervous since she doesn’t know what to say)

Except for Ace, Deuce and Grim after they spent time with Reader in the mine, they discovered her anxiety she wrote it out so now they’re mostly the ones who do the talking for her and try to help her reach her goal of making 100 Friends in NRC, even though they both think that’s a ‘weird/bad goal’ because this IS NRC

Reader loves cats, so she spoils Grim and Lucius (The latter likes laying in her lap and even follows her around) with pets, treats and affection and helping her friends with studying since she gets perfect marks

How would they react to hearing Reader’s voice for the first time? Not to mention have Reader tell write out that she made a friend all by herself who visits her dorm at night and does nightly walks (You know who it is)

Komi-San Reader | Yandere Twisted Wonderland

You’re quiet and intimidating but not because others find you scary. The exact opposite, they’re obsessed. You’re athletic, you’re smart, you’re beautiful, you’re kind, and the list goes on. Without so much as opening your mouth, the school is at its hands and knees all for you. Little do they know about your silent struggle, not like your dearest first-year friends. More than anyone they know how hard you work and if their hearts could overfill with love for you it already has. So imagine your stalkers' friends; reaction to you’re never heard before voice:

Ace Trappola

“Aw man, (Y/n) I can’t begin to explain how much of a pain he is! With his moodiness, we’re not going to win the game.”

“...”

“Don’t say that, I am great but not that great.”

“...Y-you c-can d-do it!”

He plays 10x better

All while running on his excitement and embarrassment

“Whoa, Ace! W-were you holding out on us!”

Everyone is floored that he’s suddenly just doing so well

He’s keeping your quiet cheers to himself

Replaying it in his head

He will teasingly ask you for a recording even when you cutely shake your head

“Oi oi don’t get all shy now, you were doing so well!”

He does circle back having already written down the names of those who turned their heads

If they’re so inclined to hear your voice in a roaring crowd

Then they should be alright with their ears no longer working

He’s being merciful when he does just this

And if you mention any mysterious friends, he’d no doubt try to follow up on that same treatment

Deuce Spade

“M-maybe being an honor student was too high of a goal.”

You shake your head

“Ahh I appreciate it, (Y/n) but if I’m going to flunk again I’ll be in trouble. Both with Riddle and my mom, I just can’t measure up. ”

“You…are a good student.”

He blushes

“G-g-g-g-good j-job (Y/n)!”

He knows how much this is taking for you to try

But he just can’t keep it together

He’s among the first to hear your precious voice

He has to be the only one

He doesn’t know what this feeling is but he doesn’t want to share

It especially rubs him the wrong way when you mention a mysterious friend

He decides to wait it out

See who this new friend he’s going to gut he has to meet

Epel Felmier

“Grrrr I can’t stand it! Why can’t I be taken seriously? I just hate my face!”

“...”

“Don’t hafta lie ta me, (Y/n)! I know I’m not handsome.”

“...I….th-th-”

“Huh?”

“I think you’re handsome.”

“Aw shucks, (Y/n)!”

He definitely wasn’t was expecting that

You’re just the sweetest as he predicted

He already keeps the notebook you’ve lost+ gone through with your written words

And the apple cores he lovingly retrieves from Ramshackle’s trash no doubt cultivating whatever ends up growing from them

He avoids the impulse to tear his book open at the mention of a new friend

Well I hope they like a poison-apple

Jack Howl

“I have a magift practice later on…are you still going to come?”

You nod your head

“T-thank you, I’d appreciate your support from the stands.”

When he says that he doesn’t expect you to actually whisper anything out

“G-go Jack!”

His keen ears pick it up and suddenly he’s breezing through obstacles like never before

And of course, he did his mate practically cheered him on

It makes it much earlier to replay that encouragement when he’s fighting for your honor his ownership of you

No doubt Savvannclaw is filled with your admirers

But some are a little too bold

So leave it to your mate to take action first

And while he’s at it he might as well guard your home more intensely

Sebek Zigvolt

“WHAT A MARVEL HUMAN! YOU’VE TAMED ALL THE FERAL FELINES ON CAMPUS!”

“...”

“WELL FOR A HUMAN IT IS DECENT WORK! PERHAPS YOU DO HAVE–”

“C-can you please be quiet?”

“...?....!..Y-you think y-you, a mere human, can tell me what to do?!”

Yes you can, having the loud half-fae go down two whole octaves was a feat

And he keeps replaying the moment in his head specifically the way your lips moved

Burning hot all over he’s not really listening to anyone for the next week month

But once he’s broken out of it he’s determined to repeat the miracle

And it seems it works best if your alone?

Then he’ll be sure to chase off the gaggle of scum+ admirers who you claim to be friends with

And he thinks nothing of a midnight friend…that is if you’re alone with them than that’s completely unacceptable

Grim

“Henchhuman! Everyone is soooo mean! Why doesn’t anyone like me? I know I’m so cool and maybe that’s why–”

“I like you.”

“Well of course you w–W-wait did you speak? T-t to me! Whoopee, I’m going to tell everyone the great Grim is who you spoke to first!”

He runs off to do just that

Bragging to anyone who would listen

He has to dodge a lot of assassination hits that day

But it gives him the content whenever that icky feeling comes up sometimes

And as for your ‘Hornton’ friend he’s seen him and next time he comes around he’ll boast all about his greatness and how you spoke to him

2K notes · View notes

bigfatbreak · 4 months

Note

Hey I was wondering if you would do a post about how you make your feralnette au? I really like how you color it and was curious about your process.

Yes this is absolutely for plagiarism purposes /j

(I want to incorporate something similar on a smaller scale within my artwork, I don’t plan on posting anything but I can run the art past you if your worried about me actually stealing your style)

sure! as a note I'm not a pro or anything, this is just how I render my comic for ease of access

as a general note I draw everything in black and white first

I use a LOT of texture heavy brushes for effects, and specifically because I render with gradient maps a lot. people ask me why I do AU's in different styles - usually anything outside of feralnette is done in color - but that's because the rendering process is different.

for instance in the dad villain au, I do basic linework and chunky colors. if I was to do Feralnette in the same style, the gradient maps wouldn't nearly have the same effect, as you can see up there ^

when a gradient map is applied I can fiddle with the color values to set a Tone for the update I'm going for, while also making it really pretty, bc textures can really bloom the subtle colors in a gradient map. I get a lot from the CSP page itself, but I also MAKE a lot too. this specific map I made by color picking off of a neuron map from a brain scan I thought was pretty~

I don't do the feralnette AU in full color because generally, anything IN full color will have significance - either to show that a scene is important character development,

is a flash back,

or to put emphasis on something supernatural happening.

with Feralnette, when something is colored purposefully, its to emphasize it, whether that be to highlight character moments, or to stress that something eldritched and unnatural could be occurring, as its colors that do not exist in the pre-existing gradient map. Color out of space, yknow?

((SOMETIMES I put gradient maps on my colored chunky stuff, but once again, for the purpose of creating a tonal shift, like when papa Tom shows up in the dad villain AU!))

anyway I hope that helped!

#replies #tutorial #sort of #im answering a lot of questions bc im bedridden w/ ms rona herself #my kitty retail sis caught it too (she's a champ so she's beating it like a fuckin pro)) and nudibranch sister remains unscathed!!!!!#we stay winning even if im dying!!

788 notes · View notes

xxacademy · 14 days

Text

Throne of His Own

This fic is inspired & adapted from chapter 42 of A Court Of Mist And Fury, by Sarah J. Maas. Plot is original, but I took heavy influence from the events of that scene. <3

Leon Kennedy x Agent!Reader (she/her)

18+ MDNI !!

Summary: Being sent to a rural French village to go undercover with a band of vampires was strangely typical for your line of work— But, pretending to be lovers with another agent was anything but typical. Adapting yourself from a trained agent to a submissive lover unfolds in an unexpected series of events.

Word count: 10.2k

Content warnings: smut, AFAB anatomy, exhibitionism, penetrative sex, pet names, slightly mean possessive Leon (only when he has to be), alcohol consumption, typical violence and themes associated with resident evil (like mentions/ use of weapons).

a/n: somewhere, deep in the void, this was intended to be about 2k words, just a little one shot... but now here we are, lol. anyways thank you guys for being so patient, and thank u to my besties on here for being so kind and understanding. life is crazy, and truly i cannot keep up as consistently as i’d like to. i will always be here, even if i take some long breaks here & there. i love all u resident evil obsessed freaks, my life wouldn’t be the same without u xx also i finally decided to not be lazy & do the cute colored letters i hope u enjoy hehe

— PART I —

You peered out the window as you were driven through the endless sprawl of the snow-covered French countryside. A blur of powdery white pines occasionally broken up by small villages nestled into the hills.

Behind all those tall trees were the ragged peaks of the hulking French Alps, so expansive they nearly cut the sky in half. The beauty and stillness of winter was in full effect. Every little village had plumes of warming smoke gathering above the chimneys.

The agent driving the car interrupted your silent musing over the scenery. "You'll have to hike in. It's about 5 miles to the village, but we can't risk getting too close."

With one hand still on the wheel, he reached for the center console, pulled out a large envelope, and tossed it in your lap.

"There you'll find the information you need. Your partner, Leon Kennedy, has been undercover, posing as one of them."

Your voice is monotone, almost disinterested. "And who's them?"

"Some parasite-infected blood suckers. Leon has described them as a vampiric blood cult or something."

"And I'm just expected to waltz into all this? A blood cult? Really?"

"He talked about having a lover, a woman he returned home to, and at the time, it was just banter to fit in with them. But the cultists want to meet her. Either they're getting suspicious, or they want to play ball. Regardless, this served as a rather interesting opportunity to give Leon backup. So here you are."

Your knuckle rests below your bottom lip; you watch as the sun begins its descent below the icy mountain peaks.

So here I am.

You and one of the few other survivors of Raccoon City. You've met him, sure, but you have yet to work alongside him. But, you'd always known the day would come.

── ･｡☆*☽*☆ﾟ.──

You were driven as far as the meandering forest service road would allow. Ahead of you, where the road was no more, towering evergreens had taken over. Their limbs were heavy with packed snow, creating a dense cover over the forest. Only a sliver of the remaining purple-tinted dusk made it through the trees.

"This is where you're on your own. Here are the coordinates for where you'll meet up. Just stay north until you find an abandoned barn. That's where he'll be."

You nod in understanding, equipping your array of weapons—a rifle on your back, a pistol on your hip, and a machete on the other.

"We'll have you out before the end of the week," the agent said, helping you put your pack on.

"I'll count my blessings," your face was solemn as you faced the trees, attempting to size up what lay ahead.

"Well then, you're set. The best of luck to you." a sympathetic smile formed on the agent's lips as he stepped back into the car.

Without hesitation, you departed into the cold, dark wilderness.

── ･｡☆*☽*☆ﾟ.──

Seven miles may not have been a lot for you, but Seven miles of trekking through uncharted backcountry in the dark of winter was. You were chilled to the bone, and the numbness of your limbs limited your mobility ten-fold.

The thick undergrowth of the forest only got denser as you progressed, and your machete-wielding arm throbbed with every strike.

You stumbled up an embankment. With every step, loose, powdery snow slipped underneath your winter boots. Each sharp breath you took appeared as mist, illuminated by your headlamp.

As you finally reached the crest of the hill, you spotted a dilapidated barn at the base. It was nestled underneath a skeletal weeping willow tree. As you moved closer, you noticed half of its roof had caved in. Just one billow of wind could send the thing toppling.

You made your way down the slope, encroaching on the barn. You pulled out your pistol and dimmed your headlamp just to be safe.

Focusing on sound, you surveyed the area for footsteps, rustling, or speaking.

There was not a peep to be heard. Aside from the occasional whisper of wind, the surrounding forest was eerily quiet.

The crunch of the snow under your boots was frustratingly loud as you circled the barn's perimeter, searching for traps.

To your surprise, you peeked through a frosty window and saw the dull glow of a lantern, and a man sat beside it.

He was bundled head to toe in fur-lined clothing similar to your own. His eyes flicked up, and they met with yours. Without speaking, he signaled you in.

You couldn't recall what he looked like, but you remember a distinctly boyish look despite him being around your age when the incident happened. But the person who stood before you was a lot different.

This man is rugged and muscular. His cheekbones are much more pronounced, and his pale blue eyes are set deep in their sockets. Gentle yet battle-hardened. All that boyishness has dissipated.

"Leon," he said, stretching a gloved hand toward yours.

You stuttered your name through shivering lips, your hand meeting Leon's in a firm shake.

His tactful eyes scanned you, assumedly noting how cold you were.

"We really should get going. I've been holed up in a cabin only a few miles from here."

"Gladly, I'm freezing my ass off."

Without any further small talk, Leon leads the way, setting out once again for the dark, unforgiving woods.

── ･｡☆*☽*☆ﾟ.──

"Make yourself comfortable; I'll get a fire going," Leon said, opening the door for you before heading back outside for firewood.

You threw your pack onto the ground beside the fireplace. The room was completely dark, except for the small path illuminated by your headlamp.

You fumbled a matchbook out of your pocket and started to light the myriad of taper candles around the cabin.

Warm candlelight flooded the room, illuminating the interior of the gothic-style cabin. It was constructed of dark, ashy wood—the walls, the floor, the ceiling, and everything else.

Eclectic, mismatched carpets overlapped each other. And dark red curtains pooled along the ornate windows.

He called it a cabin, but the interior was rather grand.

Your heavy .22 caliber rifle had been digging into your back for hours, so you peeled it off with a relieving sigh. As you set it down on the wooden dining table, it made a hollow metallic clunk. You stripped off your other heavy layers onto the table, like your machete and belt, but kept on your fur-lined outerwear. Inside wasn't that much warmer.

With a heavy boot, Leon kicked open the front door, cradling wood in his forearms. With him, a gust of snow flurries blew into the cabin. He again kicked the door closed behind him and dumped the wood beside the fireplace.

"The snow is picking up again. You got here at the right time," Leon said, striking a match and tossing it into a pile of kindling inside the stone hearth.

You sit on a deep red Victorian-style couch in front of the fireplace. You sighed and kicked your boots up onto the coffee table.

"You call this place a cabin?" You say as your hand brushes the fine velvet upholstery of the couch.

"Well, when you see the rest of this village, you'll see why this place is considered just a cabin."

"These cultists must be the extravagant type then, huh?"

Leon piled wood onto the roaring fire, the crackling glow illumining his features. He stepped back from the heat and faced you, pulling off his heavy jacket. "Yeah, to say the least. They're greedy fuckers with bloodlines full of wealth. These gaudy homes just scratch the surface."

"So, now my real question is—how did you weasel your way in? How are you seriously posing as a cult member?" You stretched your shaky hands towards the fire, desperate for warmth. "You can't be serious that you, an American, just waltzed into a French village and are pretending to play cultist," you said with heavy speculation, your stern eyes meeting his.

Leon's lip ticked, calm eyes unbreaking from yours.

"They have plenty of outlets funneling within the United States, which gave us the perfect opening. We intercepted communications from a faction of theirs based in the States and used them as a bleed for information. Eventually, it was requested that they, we, send over a high-ranking nobility to come to France to one, act as a messenger, and two, be part of their transformation ritual."

"And that's where you came in?"

Leon's face went grave.

"Yeah, I trained to be and act like one of them. I learned every piece of information we know about this narcissistic vampire cult and its deviant religion. I've had to change everything about my life and thinking to be here. It's been months kissing ass in the hope of more information."

The room was becoming increasingly warm, and you started to feel claustrophobic in your winter clothing. You began to shed your layers of outerwear.

"That sounds awful. I can't believe you've made it out here, alone, for so long..." you paused for a moment but resumed, "but please, tell me that it has been worth it."

The question loomed thick in the air as you struggled with your boots, eventually kicking them off and walking to the fire to warm your cold, damp feet.

You could really get a good look at Leon here. He wore a tight black shirt that emphasized his muscular build and black cargo pants. His complexation looked soft against the warm firelight, juxtaposing the intensity of his prominent features.

He, too, seemed to be taking in your appearance as you sauntered toward the light. What he was thinking about was absolutely unknown, as he remained stone-faced.

"It has," he said, breaking the silence. "It has been worth it."

Leon's eyes drifted to his hands as if in a trance.

"What we now know about the cultists can completely change the course of this fight. But as I push forward, it's not going to be easy. I don't think this is going to end smoothly. That's why I needed backup." Leon cleared his throat. But there is a catch, too."

His eyes darted up to meet yours. You tensed, straightening your back, an inquisitive eyebrow raised.

"The king, that fucking king, wants me to bring my lover."

Although you were briefed on this situation prior, nothing could have prepared you for hearing it from him directly.

You laughed-- partly to ease the tension, but mainly because the mission-altering crux for the honored agent is his girlfriend.

"It's crazy, I know, but it couldn't be a more perfect invitation to bring another agent in." His cheeks flushed with the slightest hue of red.

"Please, tell me how you got into this situation in the first place". You tried to contain your laughter but failed.

Leon breathed an exasperated sigh.

"Well, the Lords, false prophets more like, banter about their romantic conquests. And well, after they all had drowned on about all the unsavory details, they looked at me, awaiting what story I had to tell."

"And what did you tell 'em?"

"I did what I had to do. I made up stories about having a girlfriend at home... And whatever else would keep them from asking too many questions."

You nodded.

"They also bring their women to the castle and flaunt them like furs. Sometimes, it's literally for their blood. Most of the time, it's just to stroke their own ego by having pretty women hanging off them." Leon added.

Of course, the power-hungry vampire kings saw women as conquests. Ultimately, it shouldn't surprising that it would come to this.

── ･｡☆*☽*☆ﾟ.──

It's been a long, long day.

You have all the information you need at this point, and the exhaustion is quickly overtaking you.

You yawn with outstretched arms, relaxing them to rub your heavy eyelids. Your body is finally warm, and you realize how well the bone-chilling cold kept you awake.

"I'll show you to your room," Leon said, helping you collect the things you dumped around the room. He led you down a darkened hallway to your bedroom.

"There are some clothes and a few other things you may need. If you need anything else, my room is just across the hall," he stated, setting your things down.

"Is there anything I need to know about tomorrow?" You added before Leon could step out of the room.

"You'll have the day to adjust. We'll go over the mission then. Just focus on resting up for now."

His lips came to a subtle smile, "Goodnight."

You smiled back, "Goodnight to you too."

You surveyed the room, starting with the armoire. It was full of clothes that looked like they were from another time: grand dresses with sheer, lacy fabrics of black and red with low sweeping necklines. There was also a long black hooded cape, corsets, and tall-heeled boots. The drawers below housed underwear and pajamas.

You slipped off your dingy clothes for a long black strappy nightgown from the armoire.

You hid your weapons around the room, your rifle, machete, and extra ammo in the closet, your knives in the vanity, and your pistol tucked under the mattress.

Like the rest of the decor, the bed was ornate. It was intricately carved out of the same ashwood as the cabin. The white sheets were plush and soft to the touch.

After securing your room, you crawled into bed. Falling almost immediately into sleep.

── ･｡☆*☽*☆ﾟ.──

Blinding white winter's light singed your vision as you woke up in a panic, a persistent cracking noise echoed from outside. It was a splintering sound as if someone was trying to get in.

You stealthily crawled out of bed and cracked open the bedroom curtain to peer outside. Nothing of interest could be seen, only the quiet woods blanketed by fresh snow.

The woods were now illuminated by sunshine, making them appear significantly less intimidating than last night. That didn't make them any less haunting, though.

Pistol in hand, You tiptoed through the house in search of Leon. First, you knocked on his bedroom door, and when he didn't answer, you investigated the rest of the house.

There were no signs of Leon, only the smell of something cooking and the sound of that grating thudding noise echoing through the house.

You silently opened the front door and exited barefoot, the coldness of the snow against your skin sending shivers up your spine. The satin fabric of your nightgown offered no protection from the elements.

One step at a time, you sneaked around the side of the house. The thudding got louder with each pace, and your heartbeat raced with adrenaline.

Carefully, You rounded the corner to the source of the noise. Arms straight, gun drawn.

Leon's eyes, bewildered, raked your figure, and he huffed a laugh, "Good morning, super cop. You must be freezing."

He looked down the barrel of the gun before you put it down.

He was just chopping wood.

Clearly, your senses were on high alert. You felt embarrassed that something so trivial and ordinary ticked those mental alarms.

Defensively, you retorted, "Well, I'm not the one chopping wood in a creepy vampire town first thing in the morning! For God's sake, I thought someone was breaking in or attacking!" You huffed, crossing your arms, a once panicked stare turning to one of annoyance.

Leon dropped the axe in the snow, reaching for a large piece of wood.

"And coming outside, in the dead of winter, wearing only a nightgown would have made a difference?" Leon said with a smirk, but it dropped quickly as he again reached for the axe to chop another piece of wood.

"And a gun! You seemed to have missed that part, and what else was I supposed to do? Spend 10 minutes putting my gear on?" You argued with a pout. Muscles tensed as adrenaline melted away.

You were still waking up and not in the mood to argue. But yes, you definitely could have kicked ass in your pajamas.

"Okay, okay, I promise I'm done pestering you. Breakfast is on the stove. You should go eat."

Begrudgingly, you walked back inside, mumbling your frustrations to yourself. It's safe to say you're not a fan of rude awakenings.

While lounging on the couch, you ate the breakfast of eggs and bacon Leon had prepared. You flipped through your logbook, filling in everything that happened in the last 24 hours.

Leon opened the front door, shaking off his snow-covered clothing before entering. He'd been out there for hours, and it was evident in the sweat that lingered down the side of his forehead.

Standing in the foyer, Leon peeled off his brown fur-lined bomber jacket and casually pulled the sweat-drenched black t-shirt over his head.

You watched him from where you sat on the couch, a bit confused as he acted as if no one was around.

You got a glimpse of the toned plane that was his back. He stretched his arms out, unintentionally giving you a better view. He rolled out his sore shoulder blades for a moment, and you discreetly watched from the corner of your eye.

You stifled whatever the fuck that feeling was and resumed your logbook.

In an attempt to find some grievance, you cleared your throat. It was subtle enough not to seem suspicious but clear enough that Leon definitely heard you.

But you're sure he was aware of you the entire time.

Leon walked toward the hallway and said, "I have a business to take care of at the castle; when I get back, we'll go over what's expected for the mission tomorrow. You'll find the notebook I've kept about these people on the bookshelf. You should skim it to familiarize yourself."

He walked into the bathroom without waiting for your reply. The only sound was the door shutting behind him.

Leon had left to take care of his end of the mission, and you remained alone in the cabin for the rest of the day.

You bathed and changed into real clothes, skipping over the elaborate dresses in favor of the spare black jeans and long-sleeve t-shirt you packed.

You left your bedroom to head to the living room but stopped at Leon's door adjacent to yours.

You were curious about what his room looked like, and rightfully so. He was rather serious, not letting off much about his personal side. Even while working, other agents, like Jill Valentine, had more outward displays of self-identity.

You wondered what the man behind the agent's identity was like, But you respectfully kept walking.

Typically, you're not overly curious about your cohorts, But people like Leon and Jill lived through the same tragedy you did. You often felt alone in your pain, But you found a sliver of comfort in knowing that you, in fact, were not.

You flipped through the very detailed notes Leon had taken. He explained the parasite they intended to use for "world domination," the pecking order amongst the rulers, detailed maps of the castle, and whatever else he found out.

── ･｡☆*☽*☆ﾟ.──

"Hey, wake up," Leon said gently, nudging your shoulder.

You woke up sitting on the floor, arms crossed and body hunched over the coffee table.

Through blurry vision, you saw Leon beside you, wearing a fancy white dress shirt and a tie loose around his neck.

"What time is it?" You mumbled, sitting up to stretch out your very numb legs.

"Late—I got back about an hour ago, I made dinner if you're hungry."

Leon reached out a hand, and you took it. Grunting as he helped you up.

"Yeah, I am," You replied, your stomach grumbling.

You sat at the dining table with Leon. He prepared grilled veggies and chicken for dinner, which was surprisingly good.

"How'd it go," you asked between bites.

"Fine, everything is going according to plan. We're all set for tomorrow," Leon replied,

"What exactly are we doing tomorrow?" you raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sure you saw those dresses in your room. You'll have to wear one, but it's easy from there. You'll stay quiet and follow my lead. You'll have to act like my girlfriend. But it will also be a good time to familiarize yourself with the castle and, you know, memorize the layout."

Leon took a sip of wine and offered you a gentle look, "Are you okay with that?"

You replied, "Of course I am. It's a pretty small price to pay to take these fuckers down." You flashed a cheeky grin before taking a sip of your wine. "We got this."

You continued to talk over dinner, going back and forth and sharing each other's backgrounds. You told Leon about your experience in Raccoon City— what had happened and how you'd escaped it.

But for you, It was surreal hearing about Leon's involvement in the incident. Hearing about the people he saved, the enemies he took down, and the sacrifices he made were… Comforting.

Comforting to know someone else could actually relate to you.

Comforting to know there is hope.

You know there are scars deep below the surface—you know that from experience. But meeting someone who still cares so much about helping others proves that those wounds do, in fact, heal.

You and Leon cleaned up the kitchen before saying goodnight and heading to your rooms for the night.

You lay in your plush bed, unable to sleep. Your mind is whirring with a frenzy of emotions. Your conversation with Leon is still sinking in. The nerves concerning tomorrow's mission stake their claim.

It's okay. It's okay.

You try to soothe yourself. Suppress whatever unreconciled emotions were brought up.

Just finish the mission.

— PART II —

A beautifully lavish Victorian-style ball gown adorned your body. It has a flowing tiered skirt constructed from deep, blood-red satin. The bodice was corseted tightly to your abdomen, pushing your breasts up so that they are nearly spilling out of the gown's low square neckline. The quarter sleeves fit tightly but poof out at your elbows with frilly lace. The whole ensemble is accented with black bows and delicate lacework.

You watched yourself in the vanity mirror as you carefully pinned your hair up. Enchanted by the unfamiliar person the mirror reflected back.

This wasn't you. But a princess.

A princess who has never killed or witnessed the mass extinction of innocent people. A princess who didn't have to give up her normal life against her will.

Although seeing yourself dressed up like the beautiful person you'll never be was strange. But maybe, battle-scarred government agents could wear pretty dresses, sometimes.

With your hair set in place, you head to the living room, where you are met by Leon in an equally uncharacteristic outfit.

He took in your appearance, a smile decorating his face. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.

You filled the silence instead. "You look nice." You spoke softly.

He did look nice.

Leon wore a billowy white shirt with ruffles along the neckline. The plunging neckline had a small corset-style detail, and it was tucked into a pair of perfectly fitted black trousers.

Simple, but effectively good-looking. The fit of his clothes came off as rich and a little romantic. Well suited for a band of vampires.

"As do you," Leon said, voice deep and restricted.

You hid your face by looking down at your shoes, concealing the growing flush along your cheeks. "Thank you." You said in almost a whisper.

"Are you ready?" he asked, offering his arm to you.

You nod in affirmation and thread your arm through his.

Leon led you through a little stone path through the woods. At this time, it was only about an hour before dusk.

The combination of winter woods and the near-setting sun created an image of beautiful calm. If you were to let your mind wander, It would feel like you were on a date, taking a stroll through the forest.

"I told you these cultists were sick bastards, right?" Leon said too casually.

You nod, "Yes, you definitely mentioned that."

The dense woods begin to clear, and the path leads to a small village. At the horizon, the pointed spikes of a grand castle make a lethal appearance. You take it all in, honing yourself into a covert weapon. Descending into this "character" of unexpected harm.

"And you understand that how I'll behave tonight is all a part of the act?" Leon asks for your assurance one last time before entering the village.

Your heels land on the cobblestone that had been cleared of snow. The warm glow of the town's candlelight radiates as the sun begins to set.

Making brief eye contact with a villager, you squeeze Leon's arm a little tighter and murmur, "I could say the same to you, my lord." A wicked smile now painted your face.

Leon whispered lowly, "Glad to see you're committed to the bit."

As a pair, you two walked through the town's main pathway, a straight shot to the looming castle ahead. You noted that the townspeople were off.

Very, very off.

They behaved more like mindless zombies than people; their eyes glowed crimson red. Most of them just walked by idly, with no sense of purpose. Others stood hauntingly still, staring at you so intensely you felt it in your soul.

Even the farm animals that lingered on the streets were off. They walked erratically, and their eyes glowed, too.

This place gave you the creeps. Typical Umbrella.

Reaching the castle at last— It demanded your attention with its many oversized spires and massive arched windows. Light flowed red through the stained glass, adding to its intensity.

The snow-covered graveyard and cross-tipped spires informed you this wasn't just a castle but an unholy cathedral.

You had to walk through the graveyard to reach the entrance. You noted the tombstones engraved with outdated French names and dates as far back as the 1800s. It all added to the ancient terror surrounding the looming cathedral.

Upon arriving, the massive arched door began to creak open, and a man clad in a dark red suit greeted the two of you with a thick French accent. "Good evening, Sir Kennedy. We are so very pleased that you and your-" he paused, a sly smile forming, "madame, could make it."

Leon did not reply to the doorman.

He walked past with his head held high and eyes peering downwards. His look emanated superiority as if he had no interest in conversation with a man so far below him.

Leon grabbed your hand, interlacing his fingers with yours, guiding you up the curved stairs that dominated the foyer.

You passed servants who wore simple, white, floor-length dresses with aprons and bonnets. Each servant stopped in their tracks to bow their head as you, he, walked past.

The action sent chills down your spine.

What was the true extent of power he reached in this so-called monarchy?

You arrived at a grand arched doorway swirled with ornamental gold detailing. Two men opened the doors in unison, letting you through.

Elegant music flooded the huge open ballroom. Orchestral pianos and violins serenaded your ears.

People waltzed, people drank wine, people talked, and the vampires watched.

On the dais, the looming darkness of men sitting on ornate thrones watched the every move of the people below.

Every seat was occupied except for one.

Everything suddenly stopped. The music went silent, and the people parted, bowing their heads down.

Slowly, you two approached the dais, Standing hand in hand at the steps. The man who sat in the centermost seat smiled devilishly. "Glad you could make it, Lord Kennedy." His French accent was thick.

Leon bowed his head. "Of course, your majesty."

"Why would you want to miss a ball as extravagant, as special, as this one, anyways? Lord Kennedy, we wouldn't want to disappoint our guest, wouldn't we?"

The Lord ticked an eyebrow, reaching a pale, lanky hand to you.

Leon's breath seized but quickly relaxed as he let go of your hand, hinting for you to accept.

You gracefully walked the steps, rhythmically breathing in and out to offset the heavy heartbeat that accompanied each step. The air loomed cold and silent as the echoes of your footsteps filled the hall.

The King was pale as fresh snow, with icy blue veins protruding from his skin. His eyes were glowing red, and long black hair cascaded down his shoulders to his chest. He wore an ornate gold, black, and red suit and a crown topped his head. He looked as if he was once very handsome, but now, he is not so good-looking.

You rested your hand on him, avoiding eye contact. His freezing touch sent a shiver through you.

The King lowered his head and placed a prolonged kiss on the back of your hand. His left hand grabbed your upper arm, turning it so your wrist faced upward. He ran his fingers down your arm, resting on your wrist. A devilish grin formed on his thin lips, presumably from the pleasure in whatever he found in you.

His head raised, but his hand remained fixed on your wrist. You made eye contact this time. His gleaming eyes burrowing into yours.

You could feel your hot blood running against his cold touch. Your pulse filled the silence of the too-quiet ballroom. You wanted to run, but not without a fight, and get out of this Umbrella Corporation daymare.

"Ma chérie," he whispered into your skin.

There is no running. No fighting. Today, you must pretend.

Leon stood beside you, wrapping his arm around your waist, his eyes dark, looking down at the still-seated King.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Leon asked rhetorically, a bite in his tone.

The Lord laughed, releasing your hand.

"No need to be so overbearing, Leon. N'aie pas peur. Please sit and join your fellow nobility."

The last empty chair was his. You scanned the other taken thrones. Some of the men were already turned, marked distinctively by glowing, crimson eyes and a lifeless complexion.

Although some, like Leon, had not yet been turned.

From your reading the previous day, you learned that in the eyes of the cult immortality was a privilege, not a right. They believed one must earn that privilege by dedicated service to the organization before even being considered.

Leon took a seat, relaxing on his throne. You stood beside him awkwardly, not entirely knowing what to do. But, with a tap at your side, you figured it out.

You perched on Leon's lap, your billowy dress flowing over his legs and spilling like blood onto the marble floor. He wrapped a hand around your corseted abdomen, and the other rested in your lap.

Your heart raced a little harder.

"You must be in need of a drink." The King asked.

"Some music would be nice, too," Leon said with a scoff loud enough for musicians on the floor to hear.

The music resumed, and again, the bowing people began dancing. Still, it was finally replaced by the movement and energy of song and dance.

One of the white dress servants arrived with two glasses full of red wine upon a silver platter. Leon made no effort to grab them, so you took them both, passing one off to him.

Leon pressed his lips up to your ear, "drink up, baby," he whispered.

You almost forgot— even your whispers could be herd by the immortal's keen hearing. Every thing that was said, even in a murmur, had to be in line.

It was strange to hear him talk like that, but admittedly you weren't bothered. Although the closeness was unexpected, It's been a long time since you were this close to someone. It had been a year? Maybe two? Since you were at all intimate with another person.

It felt good. He radiated warmth, his touch was gentle, and his handsomeness unmatched.

You downed your glass while Leon sipped on his. His scanning eyes watched the crowd, occasionally flickering back to the King but always ending on you.

He admired as your painted lips caressed the edge of the fine crystal wine glass and how your throat bobbed with each drink.

He called for a refill and demanded more, which the servants promptly fulfilled, And they kept it coming. After every glass you two emptied, they refilled.

Amongst themselves, Leon and the vampire Lords talked about courtly business. and as they talked, Leon's large hands ran down your leg, pulling up your skirt, and exposing up to your knee.

They were talking about war, and all rather intense subject matters. But Leon's hand kept working higher up your legs. Petting and caressing every bit of exposed skin. The King couldn't look away, neither could the other lords, or even the people below.

He used you as a spectacle, to assert his dominance, and power over the rest of the court, and it worked. The commoners were afraid of him, and the lords respected him. He mastered the facade of villainous superiority that belittled all in its path. One that possessed his lover entirely and wanted the world to know it.

His lavish touch across your legs, mixed with the headiness of the wine, brought you to a euphoric state. Coaxed by his affection, you can't help but submit.

Your back arched into his abdomen, yearning for more touch. You could not recall any of the words spoken around you, only the ecstasy of his lips meeting your neck. A soft whisper of a kiss was all he gave you, but your breathing hitched, and your body heated.

You were damned. Damned for liking it as much as you did.

He paused for a moment. Only a minute's break in time, and he still left you internally begging like a dog.

"My, my, what a statement you're making, Lord Kennedy. You plan on sharing?" The King taunted, practically drooling at your bare, pawing legs.

You spoke for the first time the entire night, causing every member of the court's head (that wasn't already) to turn.

"No."

You shot an arrow through the King's fragile pride.

The King's lip twitched. "What a defiant whore you managed to fish up."

Leon laughed, grinning wildly, "Oh, well, you should see how well she obeys me." He patted your thigh in approval, placing an absolutely panty-drenching kiss along your neck.

The King rolled his eyes, but lords couldn't hide their amusement as they stifled back laughter.

Leon rested his knuckle under your chin, "Go on, my love, apologize."

The King retorted snappily, "There's no need for that."

Thank God.

You took an extra large drink of wine to ease the tension, falling back into Leon's warm chest.

They continued on as if nothing ever happened, talking about things you knew nothing about.

Leon listened, cool and aloof, but his hands satiated your need. He resumed the game of inching higher up your leg. His warm fingers trace dizzying circles along your inner thigh.

His calloused fingers felt rough and masculine against your velvet soft skin. He squeezed your thigh, accidentally eliciting a lusty whimper from you.

"You like that, don't you, pretty girl?" Leon's breath grazed along your neck, his lips taunting you mere centimeters away from your bare skin.

You pressed your back into the hardness of his body, a needy and desperate attempt for more—more of his lavish touch. You didn't even care who saw.

You turned a cheek, sharing Leon's darkened, sultry gaze. The usual warmth in his pale blue eyes was totally vacant. He observed you like prey, nothing more than a deer in the crosshairs.

The hand that rested on your waist dragged up to your face and cupped your jaw, his thumb petting your lip, transferring your red lipstick to his skin.

His grip on your thigh intensified, digging hard into your skin. Your lips parted with a soft gasp, and your legs opened wider in response to his touch.

Hunter and hunted.

Leon bit his lip as he slid his finger into your mouth. Your lips puckered pretty around his finger, and Leon watched in feral attraction as you teased him with the tip of your tongue. You oozed confidence and sultry submission, letting your doe eyes do the talking.

The lines between the act and reality truly blurred.

The way he touched you felt too real, too right. You craved more than just the teasing.

As if in an answer, Leon's hands migrated lower and lower down your abdomen. Finally, working to where you craved most. But, he couldn't find the proof of how good he made you feel. Your soaking wet underwear would be damning to your case.

In a desperate attempt, you arched your back, attempting to pull yourself away from his wandering touch. In turn, you could feel the unmistakable hardness in his pants pressing against your back.

Oh, he wanted you too. At this stage, you both should just be condemned.

The on-lookers watched from below as you pressed into Leon's length. You ground yourself against him. Your skin glowed with sweat, and strands of hair were falling from your updo and swept around your face.

There were no secrets in the way you felt; you practically radiated sex, intimacy, and everything in between.

One of Leon's hands dragged up your body and grasped your ribcage directly under your breast. The other rested on your collarbones. He pulled your ear to his lips and whispered, "Don't let it go to your head."

You swallowed, heart racing. "What?"

Leon's arrogant grin now pressed against your ear. "That every man in this room is imagining themselves in my place. Don't forget that you belong to me, darling."

"I would never-" You were cut short by Leon's grip tightening around your abdomen.

"Don't patronize me," he demanded, but his white-knuckle grip loosened and transformed into apologetic strokes down your side.

"Yes, my lord." Sweet and submissive.

The King seemed to approve, as marked by an appraising nod he shared with Leon.

A servant walked by, head hung low, and Leon's voice cracked like thunder. "Wine, now." Pure demand in his voice.

You drank the seemingly bottomless glasses of wine Leon ordered. You should have stopped, but you drank on to avoid any unfavorable conversations.

Tonight, you learned that French vampires love to drink.

The night grew late-- You, Leon, and the other Lords were drunker than sailors. Conversations of importance were divulged into off-topic chit-chat and banter. The people below slow-danced to the soft ballads that hummed through the castle.

It was a struggle to stay awake. All the wine, the music, the expectations, the teasing. It tired you out. Your head lay in Leon's chest, soaking up his sent-- Open sky and rugged woods. Your dainty hands gracefully stroked his exposed chest, painting little circles, occasionally your hands reached up to play with his pretty blonde hair. Leon languidly stroked your arm, head resting lazily to the side.

Leon sat up, shifting you with him, and cleared his throat, "My king, It's been a pleasure, but we should head back now."

"Why don't you just say the night? I would hate to see your poor madame walk all the way back to your... Maison, this late."

You and Leon exchanged a look; you weren't exactly sure if he had accounted for this in his plan. Your eyebrows threaded together, a look of annoyance and confusion, but Leon quickly turned away.

"What a hospitable offer, your highness." He responded eloquently. He knew that someone who was actually in his place would never reject an offer like that.

"It's the least I can do for you, Lord Kennedy; after all, you've been so dedicated to our cause." A sly villain-like smirk formed on the King's lips.

Leon politely bowed his head in acknowledgment.

The King snapped his fingers, and without an exchange of words, a servant was at the throne you and Leon shared.

You both stood up and followed her, hand in hand.

You passed by the other Lords still seated along the dais. Their prowling eyes raked your body as you walked by. Leon was right; you were in everyone's minds. Stripped bare and doing unspeakable things to them.

It repulsed you to be thirsted over by depraved vampire lords, but in some sacrilegious facet of your mind, you were flattered by it. You even walked in a way that accentuated your hips, teasing them just a little more.

You were just passing the King's throne when suddenly someone grabbed your arm. It was the King who had implored his icy hand around your arm, pulling you into him. You gasped as he bent you over the armrest of his throne and placed a kiss on your cheek. "Bonne nuit, ma chérie" He whispered in your ear.

He activated your desire to fight back; you wanted to place your hands around the scrawny King's neck and kill him right there. You could without any resistance, too.

But, you suppressed your urge. Sweet and submissive, you told yourself. You already got yourself in enough trouble with your previous stunt, best not to ruin it now.

"Goodnight, your Highness," you muttered back as dainty and feminine as you could manage.

The King released you, and as you took a step back, you were in Leon's chest; his arms were quick to wrap around you, like a knight in shining armor waiting for his princess.

As you left the dais, the people of the ballroom once again stopped dancing, and bowed as you and Leon walked through, escorted by the servant.

She showed you to your room, opened the door, bowed, and left promptly.

The room was entirely white and gold, similar in design to the rest of the castle, but featuring a giant bed in the middle of the room with a canopy of pooling gauzy fabric.

"What are we supposed to do now?" you whispered once the door was closed behind you.

Leon rubbed the temples of his forehead as if he had a headache, "I'm not sure. I didn't expect him to want us to stay the night."

You looked around the room, unsure of what to do now. "Should we escape?"

Leon peaked his head out the window, surveying the area, "That's an option, but risky," he muttered. "It would blow our cover when they inevitably found us gone. The plan was to kill the nobility a few days from now, on the full moon. That's when they're planning on turning one of the human lords immortal."

"Why does it have to be then? Can't it just be now? They're all drunk and lounging around, for God's sake!" You accidentally raised your voice, and Leon shushed you by pressing his finger to your lips.

"When they turn someone immortal, they have to use the parasite... The plan is to steal the parasite during the ceremony and then kill them. We need to bring it back to America so it can be studied.

But, I haven't been able to find where they store them; as far as I'm aware, only the King knows. That's why I've been waiting for the ceremony."

"So... We stay?" you said defeatedly.

"Unfortunately."

You looked around the room, rummaging through the wardrobe and the various drawers throughout. Everything was empty except for the Holy Bible in a desk drawer.

"You can have the bed, I'll take the couch." Leon offered kicking off his boots before sitting on the small white and gold couch.

"That couch is so small, you can have the bed." You tried to negotiate.

"No, no, it's all yours. I've slept on much worse than this." He said, stretching his legs out along the couch. It was too short for him, so his feet dangled off the armrest.

You sighed; there's no point in arguing.

"Well, I can't sleep in this dress. It weighs about 20lbs, and it's too damn hot."

"There was no spare clothes?" Leon asked.

"Nope."

Leon looked around the room, eyebrows stitched together in thought, before he resolved, "You can have my shirt."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, It's no trouble at all, really."

Leon remained where he was on the couch, eyes closed.

You stood on the other side of the room, fumbling with the corseting on your dress, unable to unlace it. "How the hell did I even get this on earlier?" you mumbled to yourself.

Leon's eyes perked open, watching you struggle. He cleared his throat, "Do you need help with that?"

You didn't answer but still struggled.

Leon took it upon himself to help you. He walked over and began unlacing the many rows of tight lacing along the back of your dress.

"Thank you," you said so very quietly.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier, I—"

You cut him off, "Don't—You don't have to apologize. I understand, truly."

Silence loomed over the room, and only the sound of fabric rustling filled the void. You tried to find the right words to say, but you came up empty-handed.

Leon reached the last eyelet, and you held the gown at the bust so it wouldn't fall off. Although you admittedly wouldn't mind if it did.

Your back was entirely exposed to him, only inches away from pressing against his chest. Your mind slipped— what if you took a step back? Let him do what you want him to do. Let him explore your body even more than he did earlier.

His strong hands could surely do a lot, and his pretty blonde hair would look great between your legs—

God damn.

Leon broke your silent daydream by taking off his white-ruffled shirt. He handed it off to you at your side, gentlemen-like.

He meandered back to the couch, resuming his position of outstretched legs along the cushions, closing his eyes.

You checked over your shoulder to ensure his eyes were closed, and then you let your dress fall to the ground.

You dawned Leon's shirt. The cottony fabric felt soft against your skin and smelled overwhelming like him, rugged and masculine.

In the mirror, you watched yourself let down your updo, letting your hair fall and combing it out with your fingers. Here is where you noticed that Leon's shirt is just a little too sheer.

The outline of your silhouette was vaguely noticeable through his airy shirt, but your nipples were definitely visible.

Oh well.

You folded up the gown and placed it at the foot of the bed atop the quilted velvet ottoman. You were about to get into bed before peaking one more glance at Leon.

He was statuesque in the way his body stretched along the couch. He had a hand atop his very defined abs, and his other arm dangled off the couch.

The faint blueish hue of the moon illuminated him in gentle light, it was the only light in the room, save for the single lit candle next to the bed.

Leon was so pretty in the way he slept. He looked so at peace, so beautiful, and so kissable.

It pained you to not invite him to your bed; maybe in another lifetime, you would have.

But you certainly could not let him sleep without a blanket or a pillow.

You peeled off the first blanket layer of your bed, grabbed one of the many over-filled pillows, and tiptoed to where Leon rested.

Gently, you set a folded blanket on the foot of Leon's bed, causing him to open his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Leon's mumble trailed off into a yawn.

You whispered, "I don't want you to get cold, so I'm giving you some of my blankets."

Leon smiled faintly. "Oh, I see…" he trailed off and then added, "Thanks for that."

You looked pretty; your hair and makeup were a mess but in all the right ways.

Leon noticed how pretty you were. How pretty you were in his shirt, with nothing else underneath.

"I hope this is enough for you."

"Yes, it's more than enough," he reassured.

"I'm going to head to my bed then, goodnight Leon."

He didn't show it, and you would never know it, but he loved how you said his name.

"Goodnight to you, too."

In that moment, time stood still. You couldn't walk away. You wanted to bask in the shared space of each other's gazes, bound by lust. Leon, too, made no attempt to break away.

You'll probably regret it later, but there is no harm in trying, right?

Instead of leaving, you bent down as if to pick something up, but you stopped when you reached his ear.

"Leon..." You whispered quietly.

"Yes?"

Your heartbeat raced so fast it felt like it was gonna jump out of your chest. "Do you really want me to go?"

Leon paused, raking his mind for the correct answer. "No."

He turned his head, pressing his forehead to yours, and resting his hand on the back of your neck, running his fingers through your hair.

"I didn't want to either," you said breathily.

He smiled and kissed you. The first real kiss you shared. It felt like a wave of warmth crashing down your body, every one of your instincts telling you yes. His lips were soft and gentle against your own.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you," Leon whispered into the kiss.

You replied, "Me neither."

Leon pulled you by your waist, sitting you on top of him, and deepened the kiss by grazing his tongue against yours. He tasted purely of wine.

Your hands ran desperately through Leon's hair as his hands caressed your ribcage down to your hips. His grasp settled onto your waist, stroking his thumbs along your ribs. You playfully bit his lip, praising the way he touched you.

Leon's lips broke away from yours, and they began to press small kisses down your cheek, and then your neck, and then your chest. Every single one felt like pure ecstasy against your skin.

Your arms wrapped around Leon's neck as you arched your back, pressing your chest deeper into his kiss. His grasp along your waist tightened with your movement.

He was aching and so hard in the confined trousers he still wore; Leon rocked you against himself while he made out with your chest.

You moaned with gasping breaths at the feeling of him rutting into you, your head falling back carelessly.

Leon's hand met the spots he kissed, dancing along the wet skin of your chest. His wandering fingers teased the outer edge of the shirt you wore, wanting to pull it down. His lips followed down the V of the shirt, But before he could do anything more, you raised your arms, slipping the shirt over your head.

You were entirely exposed to him, save for your underwear. Leon thanked you by pressing kisses along your pretty breasts, thumbs twirling around your hardened nipples. His lips met where his thumbs danced, puckering his lips around your nipples, stroking and sucking them with his tongue.

You gasped, nearly at the edge of becoming undone. Leon worshipped your breasts like his own personal deity, letting out low, strained moans.

You lost all sense of control, grinding yourself into Leon's bulging lap, getting off at the sensation of his cock twitching for you.

"More," You moaned as Leon released the suck on your nipple with a wet-sounding smack.

You pressed down on Leon's chest, pushing him into the couch.

God, you looked so lovely and desperate from Leon's perspective.

Your hands slipped between your legs, resting on the bulge that strained between them. You caressed him through the fabric, teasing him with a pouty smirk.

Leon's mouth gaped slightly, sucking in a breath as he watched you adore him. You nimbly unbuttoned his pants, pulling down the zipper.

Leon sat up and pushed you back so your legs wrapped around his waist. He stood up, picking you up with ease, and walked you to the bed, gently resting you onto the fortress of overstuffed pillows.

He took off his trousers before joining you, his protruding cock making a tent in his underwear.

"You're beautiful," Leon fawned at your figure before bending down to kiss your thighs. "I loved touching your legs earlier, darling," he added.

You're fully melting at his sugar-covered affections.

You sat up, taking Leon's head in your delicate hands with a devouring kiss. You pulled him back, so he laid on top of you. One of his arms embraced you, and the other brushed between your legs.

His fingers toyed with you, sweetly caressing you through your soaked underwear. You moaned into the kiss as Leon began tracing small circles over the fabric. His hands then nuzzled beneath your underwear, meeting your aching sex fully.

His calloused fingers lapped your cunt, but ended on your clit, circling it gently. You broke from his kiss, head arching back from the intensity of pleasure you felt. Leon licked his lips as he watched you fold under him. Leon tugged off your underwear, deepening your pleasure as he rubbed his fingers around your opening.

Your hands, in desperate need of touch, caressed the expanse of Leon's amazingly defined torso. It alone killed you, the sheer strength he possessed. He was trained into a lethal weapon, but man, did he feel so good.

From Leon's torso, you ventured lower, tugging at the waistband of his underwear. Leon's gaze met your begging doe eyes, pleading him for more.

With your help, he pulled off his underwear, releasing his pretty, throbbing cock. Your hand softly wrapped around his length, petting him slowly. Leon's breath hitched as you did so.

You wrapped a leg around Leon's waist, pulling yourself up to straddle him. Perched on his lap, you rested your soaking cunt onto the length of his cock. Leon's hands dug into your hips, grinding his himself against your folds.

"Leon," you gasped, soaking in the feeling of him beneath you.

He moaned, hungrily watching the way your bodies met.

He sat up, pressing his chest against your stomach, and pressed kisses along your breasts. As he did so, he lifted you up by the waist, giving himself just enough space to push his length into you.

Loudly, you whimpered as his length filled your entire cunt. You bounced yourself on Leon as he sucked your nipples.

Leon released you from his mouth, lying back down, fingers digging into your upper thighs as he fucked himself into you hard. Letting his entire length fill you up before pulling back.

You couldn't help your hopeless cries and moans as his pace picked up, fucking you like the world depended on it. Maybe it did.

You were a few forceful pumps away from reaching your peak, and as you forced yourself into him even deeper, Leon lifted you up by the waist, off of him.

Dazed, you whined, "Why."

He only responded by nudging you over onto your hands and knees, spreading your legs wide for himself.

Leon's cock pressed at your entrance while his hand toyed with your clit, teasing you. He so very slowly pushed himself in, making you feel every inch of his length as he entered you.

"Just like that," he hushed under a moan and then rammed his cock into you, building up speed, fucking you faster and faster.

Your nails dug into the bed sheets, reaching for something that does not exist. Leon smacked your ass with a deep moan as his tip reached even deeper inside of you.

The only noise filling the room was the sound of your skin clapping against his and your shared feverish moans.

"You feel so good," you cooed, pawing at the sheets. "I don't think I can last much longer."

He slowed down his pace, pulling his cock almost entirely out of you before inching himself back in. "You can last just a little longer for me, pretty girl."

"Okay, yes, please just fuck me harder," you pleaded. Grinding yourself on his length, desperate for more than he was giving.

"Well, since you asked so nicely," Leon groaned and fucked you so hard that the bed was shaking back and forth. His arm reached up from behind, grasping your neck in his hand. He was hunched over you, fingers squeezing your jaw as he plunged deeper and faster.

His teeth were clenched, and his breath was fast as he burrowed his throbbing cock so far into your cunt that you came completely undone, crying his name as you rode your climax out.

"Leon, Leon, Leon," you cried as your wetness dripped down his leg.

Leon's breath seized as he pulled himself out of you, resting his cock on the small of your back, spilling hot all over your skin.

His grasp loosened, trailing down your neck. His head rested on your back, reeling himself back from his climax.

You rested your body, splaying yourself along the bed. Leon got off of you and frantically looked around the room for something to wipe your back with. He settled on the blanket you had left for him on the couch, thinking to himself, their problem, not mine.

"Thanks," you giggled as he cleaned you off.

He crawled into bed, tucking into the massive billowy covers, and you did the same. You blew out the single candle next to the bedside, leaving only moonlight to douse the room.

Leon opened up his arm, beckoning you into his embrace.

You cuddled him, soaking up his scent and his warmth. All while relishing in the tingling euphoria your body felt.

"Goodnight, for real?" Leon said quietly, sleep heavy in his voice.

"Goodnight, for real, Leon." Your heavy lids shut, falling into sleep.

── ･｡��*☽*☆ﾟ.──

You wake up on Leon's chest to a knock at the door. The morning sun singed the pounding headache induced by last night's wine-filled activities.

Leon woke up, too, wincing and rubbing his temples. He got out of bed, pulling on his underwear and pants.

Leon's hair was a disheveled mess, and the remnants of your lipstick still stained his neck and his cheek. He answered the door to one of the servants standing there.

She bowed, her thick French accent trembling. "Lord Kennedy, I apologize if I interrupted, but the king wants a word with you."

"Can you show me to the bath first? You can't seriously expect me to talk to him looking like this?" he sounded harsh, and you almost forgot about the character he had to play.

Her voice trembled. "Yes, of course, sir. Not that you look bad, but yes, I'll show you to the bath."

"And her too," the servant peaked her head through the doorway, under the arm that Leon propped himself up with, and saw you, sitting up in bed, covering your naked body with the duvet.

She immediately ducked back in line, "Yes, of course." she bowed her head once more.

Leon tossed you his shirt, which was lying on the ground beside the couch. Quickly put it on, and with a motion of his hand, Leon summoned you to him.

You acted shy, meekly hiding behind Leon.

"Follow me, My lord," The servant hushed, trailing you two down the hallway.

As you tiptoed down the hall, you were barefoot and more exposed than you cared to be. It felt slightly embarrassing, but there was no point in caring now, was there? At least you found amusement in a shirtless Leon.

The servant guided Leon to a bathroom for himself. She signaled him in with her hand while her head was low.

Before he entered, he added, looking down at the servant. "And get her a new dress, she can't go out looking like that... And she wouldn't be caught dead wearing her evening dress during the day, would she?" Leon sounded like an absolute asshole, but that was somehow amusing.

"Yes, my lord," She bowed for the 100th time.

He entered the bathing room, closing the door behind him, and the servant showed you to another bathroom.

── ･｡☆*☽*☆ﾟ.──

You bathed in a massive clawfoot tub, sweet floral soap washing off all the makeup and memories of last night.

You were not sure how to even feel about last night. You'd never slept with a coworker before; you barely sleep with anyone anymore. Is this going to make things awkward when you leave? Or are you to pretend nothing happened at all?

A servant knocked on the door, interrupting your silent pondering before letting herself in. She quietly hung a pretty cream-colored Victorian gown hanging behind the door.

"Madame, Lord Kennedy is speaking with the King. He has asked you to wait while they finish up. We prepared breakfast for you in the dining room in case they go long. When you're ready, the dining room is down the stairs and to the left."

Who are you kidding, there are more pressing issues ahead; you're bathing and being fed in a vampire cult's castle for God's sake.

"Thank you," you said sweetly.

The servant promptly left the bathroom with a bow.

Soon, you will eliminate these vile creatures and leave. You just have to tough it out a little longer. One more day of acting like a mild-tempered little plaything, and this will all be over.

part two coming soon xx

#thank you for reading <3 #i've been so nervous to post this eek #i hope you like it #academy fics✨#throne of his own #leon kennedy #resident evil #leon kennedy smut #resident evil smut #leon kennedy x reader #leon x reader #leon kennedy x you #leon resident evil #leon kennedy fanfic

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dark-night-hero · 1 year

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i love the imagine u wrote where zhongli would give us up for the world 🥹🥹 and it got me thinking:

what if the reader gets incarnated to the current timeline we have and meets zhongli again? they don’t have the past memories but somehow zhongli feels familiar for them. Z thinks this era is the right time for him to take back the past and do things right so he spends time w them but he somehow finds out that reader has a lover (maybe another playable character). Z begins to asks questions abt their lover and idk how their convo would play out but I just imagine where reader gets a question where they answer with “i would give up the world for them (their lover)” and zhong is just hit with past memories and regrets wishing how he could have done things differently idk i j imagine it rly angsty 😭😭

Sorry to disturb but this has been on my mind i cant stop thinking abt it and i wanted to share 😭😭 Anyways, i look forward to more of ur works!! keep up the good work ur doing great 🥺🫶

: following zhongli (world > you)

Imagine how had Mor- Zhongli tried to get close to you, you who obviously was rather uncomfortable with his presence. And the only key to it was the traveller, the same old traveller that had help Liyue and Monstand and is now away on their venture in Inazuma. That being said, nowadays he had been keeping you company.

"You've been off since the departure of the Traveller." Zhongli spoke as he stand right beside you in the harbor.

"Really? I didn't notice." You have him a small smile.

"But I guess you're right, I've been missing the traveller so bad nowadays." You chuckle.

Imagine, at that very moment, Zhongli hoped he didn't not see you. Not when you're looking like that. Not when you're looking so soft, so lovely, obviously longing for someone, someone who definitely wasn't him.

Imagine the way his heart dropped to his stomach. The way his hand clenched around nothing before realising it. And after a few moments of silence.

"Do you.. Perhaps have feelings for the traveller?"

Imagine the way his voice shaken, obviously did go unnoticed by you. The way his amber iris were shaking, hoping and trying to deny reality as best as he can. He had hope for a chance. He knew this time, nothing can go wrong with the two of you. So he approached you, he tried to get close to you, he really did. But perhaps it was already too late, or was it? Did he even had a chance in this new persona he now possess?

"Honestly, I'm not sure myself." You chuckle.

"Or so I thought before the traveller left. Did you know? The traveller confessed to me, but Traveller also told me that they had so many things going on at the moment so.." As you look beyond the sea, you smile genuinely.

"I was wondering that in the world was the Traveller even thinking confessing and leaving me just like that, but now that I think about it. Its wasn't so bad."

Imagine the way you smile, the way your brush back your hair, trying to fix it upon the harsh breeze that have been messing with your hair earlier.

"If the world wants me dead, if the world see me as a threat, what would you do?"

"Huh?"

"What was the question that suddenly came into mind as soon as te Traveller confessed."

"What was the Traveller reply?"

Imagine the way you laugh, the way you smile genuinely as you recall the answer of that silly, adventurous, kind Traveller reply.

Imagine the way Zhongli kept staring at you, you who looked all refesh and happy, bright as you were before. Oh how much it hurts him he was no longer the reason why.

"How about a new world?"

"What?"

"I'll just have to take you to a new world. As you are already aware I wasn't from this world. All we have to do is to escape and find a new world where no one can take you away from me. Although my twin always somes first, I cannot afford to loose you, you know?"

"..." "(First name)? Are you o-?" "Pfff.."

"Did I say something funny?" "No.. hehe, I'm just.. I don't know." Was it relief that you felt?

Imagine the way you let out a sigh. Thinking about the Traveller only makes you miss them more. Perhaps you should have given the Traveller a reply back then but both of you agreed to put more thought into it and give them a reply upon coming back.

"Escape." It was just one word.

"I see." Zhongli replied, this time he looked away from you.

"If you don't mind me asking." "What is it?"

"If it's for the sake of the world, would you be willing to kill them?"

Imagine the way you once again let out a sigh, as you went quite only for a few moments, you face him and tug his sleeve.

"If that person meant the world for you, isn't that enough reason to be selfish?" You chuckle.

"Isn't a world without your beloved would only felt like a living hell?" You added as you never once look away from him.

"It goes on without saying that it's them over the world. That's how much they matter to me, that's how much I love them."

Imagine the way Zhongli chuckle and the way his lips form a bitter smile afterwards nevertheless, he agreed to you and eventually excuse himself. Leaving you all alone in the harbor, all waiting for the Traveller and not him. But it's alright, one way or another, he deserves this.

Imagine as Zhongli walks away from you, you stare at him and as you do so. He looks so lonely. But then you blink as a harsh breeze passes by, turning your look into the horizon, the sun was peacefully setting. How beautiful yet it left a bitter taste in your mouth in which you soon ignore.

"Escape huh."

Imagine, it's not like he did not think about it. But back then, the best choice was to kill you. But after hearing what you said, he starts to doubt if he did perhaps made a mistake, leaving regrets behind. After all, you were right. A world were he couldn't embrace you when you were right in front of him was like a living hell.

Imagine the way it was making him wonder if he was only a little bit selfish, if only he did not listen to the pleads of his people, his friends. If only he tried to find another way. If only he choses the other way. Would the two of you be happy and still together like you were back then?

He doesn't know, after all, those were the choices he didn't take. And this was the consequence he had to face.

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2023°

: I think I strayed away from what was asked. Crap, did I do this right?

#genshin impact #dark night hero #genshin imagines #genshin #zhongli angst #zhongli x reader #genshin impact zhongli #genshin impact morax #morax #zhongli x yn #zhongli x you #zhongli #aether x reader #lumine x reader #genshin x y/n #genshin angst #genshin impact angst #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact x you

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poisonlove · 5 months

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lorraine smut? but lorraine is the one giving and is dominant

I try it :(

Shut up | Lorraine day

+18

Under the relentless Texas sun, each day on Uncle Howard's farm became a challenge. The high temperature turned every drop of sweat into a tribute to hard work, while the arid ground beneath my feet made every step a struggle against the toughness of the earth.

On that farm, under Uncle Howard's stern yet understanding gaze, I worked to earn a few bucks. It was my ticket to a different future, far from the arid plains of Texas. New York represented my ambition, the place where I hoped to forge my fortune. So, with sweat on my forehead as a constant companion, I toiled in the hope of one day crossing the horizon to new opportunities.

"How are you doing, y/n?" someone suddenly asks.

I stopped feeding the chickens, turning to see Uncle Howard looking at me seriously. "I'm done..." I reply with a small smile, tossing a handful of corn into the chicken coop.

"Good, because you need to plow the soil for the harvest," he quickly says before leaving the farm.

"I know, J." I glance at my horse, watching me with curiosity from its enclosure. "It's more acidic than usual," I sigh wearily.

I walk over to J, placing my hand on his mane, making him neigh with happiness. "See you later," I mumble distractedly before patting his back and moving away from the farm. The sun beats against my face, and I try to shield myself by raising a hand over my eyes. The heat of the day begins to make itself felt.

The abrupt noise of a vehicle stopping on the ground catches my attention. I turn slowly to see who has arrived, curious to discover what could disrupt the tranquility of the day on Uncle Howard's farm.

A red van appears in my field of vision, and with confusion, I see who's inside. A guy in a white shirt and a cowboy hat jumps out, smiling widely. I furrow my brows as I watch him help a girl down, offering her his hand. Four more guys emerge from the back of the van, their figures still unclear under the blinding sun. My curiosity grows, trying to discern who they are and what has brought them so suddenly to our farm.

"Hey! You!" I shout, determined to capture their attention.

The cowboy guy looks at me with confusion, but his open smile doesn't seem worried at all. "This is a private residence," I assert seriously, scrutinizing the others out of the corner of my eye.

"Calm down, beauty." The cowboy guy takes off his sunglasses, smiling even more. "I'm Wayne," he says, grinning. I raise an eyebrow, confused.

"I don't care who you are, just go away," I say venomously, noticing how one of his friends sizes me up and down.

"Calm down, sweetheart." A blonde approaches slowly, smiling seductively. "We rented this place," she adds, biting her lower lip with a seductive manner. "If you're interested, you can shoot some scenes with us," she timidly suggests.

"Scenes?" I look closely at the group, noticing a camera in the hands of a guy with glasses. The way they flirt... the realization makes me blush violently.

"Bobby, that doesn't seem appropriate," another female voice intervenes. My eyes scan with curiosity over the figure of a girl behind the guy with glasses. I am surprised to see a beautiful girl with brown eyes, a dazzling smile, and an innocent aura. She seemed almost embarrassed.

"Always the same party pooper," the blonde murmurs weakly.

"I'm R.J.," says the guy with glasses, embarrassed. "She's Lorraine, my girlfriend," he adds with a smile. I blink slightly, incredulous that such a charming girl is with RJ.

"I know, I had the same reaction," the other guy in the group, Jackson, intervenes, smiling genuinely.

"Maxine," says the girl next to the cowboy, smiling shyly.

My eyes linger on Lorraine, admiring her beauty with brown eyes and the innocent smile that seemed to contrast with the situation. Her presence, somehow, added a touch of mystery to the whole situation. The tension in the air thickens as I try to understand the reason for this unexpected intrusion into Uncle Howard's quiet farm.

My heart was pounding as I watched the scene. Howard arrives with a rifle in hand, a stern look aimed at RJ.

"What's going on here?" the old man asks venomously, keeping the rifle pointed at RJ.

"Hey, calm down." Wayne raises his hands and moves slowly toward my uncle. "I'm Wayne; we talked on the phone about renting this place," the guy says determinedly.

My uncle analyzes his words before lowering the rifle. "All right... then follow me," he says calmly. "Y/n, you keep doing your work and then go feed the cows," he adds, turning and walking away.

As the six friends follow my uncle, Lorraine turns and looks at me with curiosity, giving me a shy smile. The tension in the air dissipates, but her mysterious presence and attentive gaze leave an indelible mark on my ordinary day on the farm.

(…)

"Can you explain why you don't want to eat?" I ask with exasperation to the cow.

I was so exhausted that I desperately wanted to sleep, but Mrs. Cow here didn't want to eat. It might be something minor, I know, but if the cow doesn't eat tomorrow, we won't have milk, and my uncle will be angry.

"Please... can't you see how good it is?" I smile nervously as I shake a handful of hay in my hands. I sigh as Mary looks at me with boredom.

"You know... I think she's not hungry," someone intervenes playfully.

I turn towards the farm entrance and smile, seeing Lorraine walking towards my direction. There's something about her that irresistibly attracts me, and I don't know what it is – maybe it's the fact that she's extremely sexy and innocent at the same time.

"Oh... hi," my cheeks flush, and I lean against the fence of the pen. "Hi," Lorraine says with a small smile on her lips.

With the corner of my eye, I see the girl leaning next to me.

"And the others?" I ask curiously, and Lorraine lights a cigarette, pulling and inhaling the smoke with her eyes closed. "We've finished shooting; now they're either drinking or doing their thing... well, except for R.J.," she says indifferently, taking another drag of the cigarette.

"You know..." I start as I watch the other cows walking slowly, "I would have never thought that someone like you would do an adult film," I say embarrassedly, blushing faintly.

Lorraine looks at me with blushing cheeks and drops the cigarette to the ground, extinguishing it with the tip of her foot.

"I actually knew nothing... about these films," she begins with a low tone, smiling shyly. "And what do you mean by someone like you?" she asks with a raised eyebrow.

I open my mouth trying to say something that isn't stupid, and Lorraine takes the hay from my hands.

"I mean... you have such an innocent aura..." I start embarrassingly. Lorraine smiles sweetly at the cow, which slowly approaches the fence, sniffing what she has in her hands. "Let's say you look like the perfect cover of a church girl," I say curiously as I watch Mary start chewing on the hay Lorraine gave her.

"Mary!" I say with a falsely mournful tone, and Lorraine chuckles softly.

"Anyway, I came to help my boyfriend R.J.," she says smiling at Mary. I raise my eyebrows at her comment. "I see," I say timidly.

"And anyway, I could handle shooting a scene," she says with confidence. "I didn't say that," I respond amused and move away from the fence. I put my hands in my jeans' pockets and walk near some hay, sitting on it.

"Because I've already done something with R.J.," she says, raising her chin with superiority. Lorraine follows suit and sits beside me, settling into the hay.

"You don't seem very satisfied," I notice, and I start playing with some hay, wanting to keep my fingers busy. "Let's say it's something that gives more pleasure to him than to me," Lorraine shrugs nonchalantly, and I look at her out of the corner of my eye.

"He's a nice person; he helped me settle into university..." Lorraine confesses, lying down in the hay, looking at the ceiling.

I follow her example and turn towards her direction, seeing how some strands of hair are mixed with the hay. Her eyes sparkle, and she looks at me with curiosity. "But you don't love him, right?" I finish her sentence, and she nods slowly.

"I don't want to hurt him..." she continues, and I remain silent at her response. "Anyway, I think you could find someone who can make you enjoy," I say absentmindedly, and Lorraine smiles sweetly, giving me a light push on the side. "And are you talking about yourself?" she says playfully, and I look at her without blinking.

Lorraine stops smiling, seeing my seriousness, and leans towards my face, making my heartbeat faster. "I need someone who can endure my desire," she says in a low voice, expressing her lust.

Her eyes lock with mine, and the sparks between us intensify.

Our lips meet with desire, a palpable tension in the air. I delicately entwine my fingers around her neck, gently pulling her towards me. Initially, Lorraine stiffens, but as seconds pass, I feel her hesitation melt away. Her lips, initially shy, respond to the mutual need, creating a fusion of intensely charged emotions. The kiss becomes a silent dialogue, a blend of desires and feelings expressed through the intimate touch of our mouths.

The brunette straddles my legs and leans towards my neck, kissing it with lust. "Raine..." I say with ragged breath, and the girl moves away to look at me attentively.

Her eyes are hooded, and her lips are semi-open due to heavy breathing, her hair tousled and infused with hay.

Without saying anything, I kiss Lorraine and take her hand, making her glide along my body, slipping it directly between my underwear. Lorraine sighs loudly against my mouth, feeling the moisture between my folds, and intensifies the kiss.

"Don't hold back..." I say breathlessly. "Quench this fire," I say, smiling widely. My mouth opens wide as I feel two fingers inside me, and I spread my legs instinctively. Lorraine settles between my legs and looks at me serenely. "You're really... wet," she murmurs with a husky voice, going deeper with her fingers.

I moan in response.

Lorraine bites into my neck and begins to penetrate me at her leisure, increasing and decreasing the speed according to her desires. "No... not like this," she says breathlessly, quickly pulling away from my body.

My eyes look at the girl with confusion before smiling, seeing how she takes off her panties with the dress. I sigh loudly seeing her curves, her small breasts compensated by the magnificence of her body, soft and smooth skin.

"Calm down" I say chuckling weakly, feeling Lorraine forcefully removing my pants, exposing my warm center.

"Shut up," she says agitatedly, "I'm so frustrated..." she mutters through her teeth. My eyes watch Lorraine's movements carefully, seeing her opening my legs and searching for a better position for both of us.

Both of us release a moan as our sensitive centers rub against each other, our fluids mixing as if they were one.

"To hell with everything..." she says weakly, sighing loudly as she starts moving her hips back and forth. My hands end up on the sides of her body; the nails scratch her back with every movement.

"Mmmh..." Lorraine moans loudly, increasing the speed of her hips. The moans become louder, and the sound of our bodies in symbiosis increases at the same pace. "Raine, I..." I mumble absentmindedly, closing my eyes for a moment.

The pleasure, placing a hand around my neck, "Look at me, damn it," she says through her teeth, moaning and moving faster and faster. "Raine, I..." I mumble almost crying for pleasure, and the brunette releases the grip on my neck, opening her mouth in ecstasy and letting herself be carried away by the orgasm she just reached.

The sight made me come forcefully.

Lorraine slumps against my body, trying to catch her breath. "Is that all?" I ask with a smile on my lips. "Is this the level of endurance?" I inquire with curiosity, and Lorraine licks her lips with mischief.

"Oh no, we've just begun," she says with a husky voice, and I smile nervously, concerned about her words.

#jenna ortega x reader #jenna ortega #jenna ortega x you #jenna ortega x fem!reader #jenna ortega x y/n #jenna ortega smut #lorraine day x reader #lorraine day x you #Lorraine day smut

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anthurak · 1 month

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Takeaways from the Volume 9 Epilogue:

One thing I really like about Oscar’s ‘If there was anything I wish I could borrow from you…’ monologue is that it laid out/confirmed something I’ve always felt was a major aspect of Oscar’s dynamic with Ruby that I nonetheless feel a lot of the fandom has missed: That Oscar very much sees Ruby as a mentor and an example to follow, and how their dynamic is specifically a foil to what we saw between Ruby and Ozpin. That Ruby acts as a mentor and example to Oscar in the same way Ozpin was to Ruby, and that Ruby is a far BETTER mentor and example to Oscar than Ozpin ever was to her. Which, as an aside, is a dynamic I can’t help but feel a lot of people have been misinterpreting as ‘ship-teasing’ and is one of the main reasons I’ve simply never been able to see Oscar as any kind of viable love-interest to Ruby. Frankly the dynamic of ‘Ruby is the mentor and example to Oscar that Ozpin couldn’t be for her’ is simply so much more INTERESTING than any kind of romance could ever hope to be.

Even in animatic form, Winter basically going overdrive on the maiden powers was a sight to behold. And her own monologue had all the self-deprecation we were expecting. Our girl is clearly holding on by a thread and it’s going to be REAL interesting seeing how she reacts and adjusts to her sister not actually being dead. As in, I can imagine a situation where Winter tries to throw herself into a heroic sacrifice with the belief that Weiss would make a better Maiden than her.

Also, Winter’s monologue giving major focus to how Penny is super-super-dead-dead-and-definitely-not-coming-back-for-really-realsies, as she is talking to the sister who she ALSO believes is DEFINITELY also dead? Specifically with the words that Penny is gone, when Penny’s last words to her were that she’d be ‘part of you’?

Yeah, there is no way in hell we’ve seen the last of Penny XD

The CROWN. Like it was only a few shots, but as someone who read the CFVY Books (which you totally should if you haven’t, they’re great), holy shit I was NOT expecting them to pop up here.

I mean, in hindsight it makes perfect sense that they’d be involved in Volume 10. They’re basically Vacuo’s equivalent to Vale’s criminal element and the White Fang splinter faction as Salem’s co-opted insurgency group, with Jax and Gillian joining Roman, Adam and Jacques as the latest of Salem’s unwitting patsies. It’s definitely going to be real interesting seeing the crew deal with them. Like it’s really fun to imagine Team RWBY in particular being kind of exasperated at seeing Jax’s probably doing a whole ‘With Salem’s help I shall be King!’ shtick after everything they’ve seen with Roman, Adam and Jacques.

Oh and if you don’t know, Jax has a mind-control semblance, so him trying to use that on Yang could actually lead to a sneaky callback to the Justice League crossover, ie; Yang doing a ‘Yeah, I’m not doing THAT shit again.’ XD

Qrow’s whole vibe through this is fascinating. Like his section may have been the one we already saw, but after seeing the abject depression and growing despair of all the other characters, Qrow actually being OPTIMISTIC hit so much harder.

Raven showing up at the end is… interesting.

I’ll admit that ever since we saw that specific clip a few months back, I’ve been rather conflicts about Raven showing up to deliver RWBY+J to Vacuo, particularly after Ruby’s tree vision. Like for one it felt a bit random and unnecessary. The tree already deposited the Ever After team outside of Vacuo so they didn’t exactly need help getting there. Not to mention that it kind of clotheslines the story-thread set up by Ruby’s vision; that she now has a reason to track Raven down to get the ANSWERS to what happened to Summer. Finally, it’s just kind of… random? Like where did Raven even come from to get the team?

But now having seen the clip with its intended context, I’m definitely more on board with it. Particularly hearing from Kerry and Eddy that the original ending for the penultimate episode had RWBY+J going through the portal to arrive at their memorial stone, and met by a ‘Mysterious Figure’, ie; Raven. Here it feels like were getting more set up to get answers later as to what Raven was doing at the memorial.

And really, now that I’ve thought about it more, this method kind of puts the thread of Ruby going to Raven for answers even MORE into focus. Like the story reintroduces Raven in the present right after Ruby got a vision basically saying ‘hey, Raven is important’. And now going into Volume 10, we’re pretty much perfectly positioned for Ruby to pull Raven aside for those all-important ‘Why were you fucking my mom? What happened to my mom?’ questions.

Finally… yeah that ending hit me a LOT harder than I was expecting. Like that ending was HOPE in its purest form and it was honestly beautiful to see. Particularly right now with the future of the show seeming so uncertain. I’ve personally been optimistic about RWBY’s future (in a manner not unlike Qrow’s vibes I suppose lol), but damn the hopefulness of that ending hit especially hard, and was something I’ll admit I needed. And I imagine the rest of us could use as well.

We'll be getting Volume 10. And 11, and 12, and however many more it takes to finish this story. At this point, I have no doubt of that.

#rwby #rwby spoilers #rwby volume 9 #rwby volume 9 epilogue #rwby ramblings #Team RWBY #Ruby Rose #Yang Xiao Long #Winter Schnee #ozpin #oscar pine #Raven Branwen #Qrow Branwen #rwby after the fall #rwby before the dawn #jax asturias #gillian asturias

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 2 months

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📚inch resting bits from the march twst manga updates📚 (octa, savana, & 4koma!)

***Manga spoilers below the cut (with an emphasis on the Episode of Octavinelle, since that's my favorite dorm!)***

The 4koma manga has dropped! Again, it centers around the daily lives of the NRC boys and is shown in a 4 panel gag comic format.

In the illustration above, we see the main cast with Grim's beloved tuna cans~

This month has comics about Ace going to a supplementary lesson (to learn how to manipulate brooms to do his chores) and Leona attending his art class. The comic depicts Leona, Idia, and Rook in the same art class though we're not sure if this is true in-game yet. However, the comics do carry over the continuity of Ace and Deuce being in Trein's class so maybe the art class thing is also true of Leona?

From the Episode of Savanaclaw manga: I KNOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE IN AWE OF DIASOMANI'S PRESENCE BUT ALL I'M THINKING IS THAT DIASOMNIA HAS A MOB STUDENT WITH A BOWL CUT 😭

I'm also really fixated on how this mangaka draws her lashes and hair, they're always bangers every time 💗

Ruggie "bleh" face... Also???? That full page of him using his UM... and the visualization of the wildebeests racing with him like the people in the crowd, very Lion King.

I like that the manga really shows us more emotional and intense moments the game cannot depict due to its limited assets. Here, we see the aftermath of Ruggie using his UM on the crowd. Even with Azul's magic-enhancement potion, Ruggie has taken a great physical toll from spellcasting. Falling to his knees, panting... This will make it hurt more when Leona almost poofs him to sand later 😭

These panels remind me of like. Scar looking on from up high while the hyenas do his bidding. Ruggie's expression... it's so full of a desperate kind of hope has he gazes up at his "king".

From the Episode of Octavinelle, we get to see Leona post-OB and recovering in the infirmary. Side note, I really love how the mangaka adds these cute little faces to let us know who is speaking in certain text bubbles. The little faces make some of the cutest expressions; just look at that cheeky chibi Leona head!

Here, Ruggie is telling everyone about rumors that Azul and the twins purposefully prevent their clients from fulfilling their end of the contract so they can reap the benefits. I like how the scene shown is a boat tipping over (with the twins implied to have flipped it). Nice callback to the boat scene in The Little Mermaid!

We have another The Little Mermaid reference here, where Floyd shares his UM with the gang?? The hypothetical man here reminds me of Prince Eric, especially in that white shirt and appearing as though he is drowning.

Guys... Azul's been taking modeling lessons from Vil-- I really like these more quiet and contemplative moments of Azul; plenty of those are featured this month.

asdbhlfdbaifyoaiygoeia I WILL NOW ALWAYS ASSOCIATE AZUL THINKING HARD WITH SITTING IN THAT CHAIR... There's so many shots of him seated here...

Yuuta continues to be my favorite manga!Yuu so far by diligently tidying up Leona's messy ass room for him... asfvkyadvfialf Grim looks so goofy helping out, that tower of clothes is half his size...

FLOYD'S FACE IS SO siLLy HERE TOO (this is the scene when Ruggie recalls seeing his eel form during a P.E. class where they swam). The mangaka really decided to summon his gremlin energy here...

Aaaaah, I love this shot; it sort of parallels Azul and Leona... It also makes me realize the difference between how Leona's hair is in Octavinelle vs Savanaclaw (due to the different mangaka). In Octavinelle, his hair is usually a solid black with white highlights but in Savanaclaw there tends to be a subtle gradient/screen tone on Leona's hair.

Anyway, twins Twins TWINS

GOOD WAY TO CLOSE OUT THE OCTA CHAPTER, EXCELLENT WAY TO CLOSE OFF THE OCTA CHAPTER IN FACT 🫶 Can you tell I love the Tweel parts/j

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creepling · 8 months

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that boy is a monster - j. slaughter / 2.6k

in contribution with THE HAUNTED HOEDOWN

prompts: sex in the woods or somewhere public (added bonus if it includes knife, blood, hunter x prey kink)

summary: everyone comes and goes from the slaughter residence, either as survivors or stacks of meat. but as you escape and run further into the woods, johnny won't let you go that easy.

tags: DEAD DOVE - read at your own risk. smut. MINORS DNI. fem!reader. non-con. hunter/prey. knife/blood-play. descriptive injury. narcissistic johnny. fem penetration. blood hunger. choking. roughplay. slapping. kidnapped ending.

It would help to know the surroundings. Sprint the track to get to the finish line. But you’re bleeding. Your legs ache, and the tree branches are tearing at your skin. The calls of the Slaughter family echo in the distance.

Running for your life is supposed to be the escape. You’re out of the house, but your heroic end is not at a close. You have to keep running. You have to survive. And one person, in particular, will not give you up so easily.

“You’re the reason this is happening. You brought them damn kids here. You go get ‘er!” Drayton told off Johnny, waving his bloody stick towards the exit you stumbled out of.

Johnny was cool in his stance. He is cleaning his knife, sharpening its blade. He admires the glint of it in the moonlight, a sly smirk winking back at him in its reflection.

“Keep yer panties on, old man. I’ll get her,” He brushes off the Cook, swaggering towards the gate.

With his family seeing him off, Nubbie chuckles and cheers him on. Sissy claps and howls. “Bring her back fresh now, ye hear!”

Johnny was not going to share. He wants to play with his food and keep you all to himself. Once he finds you, you’re going to scream. He will have your insides, grip your flesh and suck your blood. His family will not have a nip of you. You’re all his.

The beginning of the hunt sent Johnny’s instincts into overdrive. Your shadow mystifies into the forest, and he picks up the pace to dive into the belly of the beast. He grunts as he sprints, inhaling the air. He was only human, but everything in his attitude was animalistic. A coyote in a man’s body, wanting to catch your scent, embarks on the trail you left behind and chases you until your soft flesh is between his teeth.

Deep within the sun-dried trees, Johnny halts his speed and listens to the silence. He peered his hearing for the snap of a twig, the ruffle of a leaf, anything to assume you were close by. He crouches to the earth and calculates the ground. His eye caught an indent, your shoe print heavy in the dry dirt, the heel dragged out, exposing your struggle. Johnny was mesmerised for a moment, then he advanced, tailing the track of your footprints to the direction of your hiding spot. He arrives at a dead end, cursing under his breath. He catches a look above, checking the trees, but both the trees and you are too fragile to hold weight. His eyes scan the horizon, wondering how far you have gone.

“I’m gonna find ya soon enough, sweetheart. Why don’t you come out, and we can get this over with?” Johnny called into the night, his skin tingling at the thought of you nearby.

He was closer than you thought. Tugged low in the dip of the earth, you bite the inside of your cheeks and muffle any sound of panic that threatens to burst. You may be bleeding, tired, and traumatised, but you will not give up. If he wants you to meet the same faint as your friends, he will have to come and get you.

At the deafening silence, Johnny sighs. It was long and drawn, but it soon shifted into a chuckle, and he gripped the handle of his knife tighter. “Fine, I like the challenge.”

Johnny advances, his footsteps descending to whisper when you decide to leave your hiding spot. You drag your limping body in the opposite direction, clenching your side as a cramp takes over. You look around with alert eyes, hoping to find an opening or another hiding spot if he is close. Your hope dwindles at the same scenery repeating: trees, branches, dirt. Over and over. No sounds alert you, making your eyelids droop and blur your vision. You look down at your body, your clothes drenched in blood, giving sense to your lightheadedness. The blood loss and dehydration were slowly creeping up and taking over you. Legs wobbling, making you fall.

“Come on,” You whispered, “You can do this.”

Johnny had his eyes on you. He watches you struggle, crouching within the dry branches. Your pain and fatigue amuse him, reassuring him that mortality can be handy for this line of passion. He loved a prey’s fear, how it ignites them with the endurance to keep living. Yet, the thing that is chasing them will always catch them. It can only get them so far. It lets them die with a fight still in them. People call that honour, but to Johnny, it is the thrill of the game.

It has been long enough. Johnny watches you collapse, grunting at the pain taking over, your knees buckling as you try to crawl your way further. Johnny cracks his neck and readies his blade, his heavy steps approaching you.

“I gotta hand it to ya. You got some fight in ya,” Johnny mused, towering over your struggling state.

The widening of your eyes made Johnny chuckle, tuts leaving his mouth as you began to sob.

“Come on now, I ain’t gonna kill ya. Not yet, anyway,” Johnny grips the back of your hair, yanking your head from the ground and crouching down on top of you. His legs saddle your sides, squeezing in to hold you in place. You catch the glint of his knife hovering over your throat, threatening to slice if you struggle.

“Ma mama always got at me for playing with my food as a kid. I never grew out of it. Y’know why?” Johnny presses his lips to your ear. You could now hear the husk in his voice.

“Because I fuckin’ love it,”

Your hands grip the earth, and a scream bellows from your strained throat, sirening through the trees, making birds take flight. Johnny shoves your head to the ground to silence you, pressing his blade tighter to the skin of your throat.

“You shout one more time, and I’ll cut you,” He spat, causing you to dwindle your struggle into small whimpers.

“Just kill me, please,” You plead, Johnny on top of you, detecting that you would rather be dead than be at his mercy.

Johnny enjoys having the upper hand far too much, grazing his gloved hand down your spine, lingering on the skin exposed from your summer blouse. He glances at the cuts littering your exposed arms, blood dripping from a knick on your shoulder. Johnny licks his lips in anticipation, locking his lips on your wound. You gasp, cringing at the suction from his mouth, his tongue swirling around the cut and soaking his mouth with your blood.

As if energy surged through him, Johnny groans at your taste, licking his lips dry. Your taste is sweetly metallic. He has never tasted something so pure—the blood of a lamb or a calf, laced with innocence and avoidant of bitterness. Johnny’s eyes wander down at you like the discovery of the Holy Grail. “You taste amazing.”

Johnny grips your arm and manhandles you to lie on your back, your arms feeble in your struggle. Johnny scans your body for more wounds, grunting in annoyance as most were muddy grazes. His legs add pressure to your sides, his hand nipping at the hem of your blouse.

“Keep still,” Johnny orders sternly, moving his knife to your shirt and cutting the thin fabric with the blade. You whine in defiance, but your top is torn off completely and tossed to one side. Johnny stares at the curvature of your bra, tucking his knife under the band and slicing it swiftly. Your breasts graze with goosebumps at your exposure. You squeeze your eyes shut from the humility. Johnny runs his knife down your left breast, the blunt end teasing your hardening nipple.

“You are a sight for sore eyes,” He breathes out, removing his glove with the pinch of his teeth. His bare, rough hand grips your breast, making you squirm. You glance up at Johnny, the maddening of his eyes, the flex of his muscles as he holds you in place. Sweat glistens on his face. You feel warmth between your legs as Johnny’s bulge presses against your stomach.

Without warning, Johnny slices a small incision on your soft breast, making you gasp from the shot of pain. Johnny immediately locks his lips on the fresh slice, his tongue collecting your new blood, letting a groan vibrate against you. He sucks your breast as he would with your nipple, except his infatuation is solely on your blood. Your fingers lace through his hair, and you attempt to yank him away, but he points his blade quickly to your throat.

“Move your hand, or I’ll cut you open,” Johnny threatens, pressing the blade hard, alerting panic within you.

“I can’t- I can’t do this, please,” You beg, “I want to go home,”

“Is this not want you want, darlin’?” Johnny teased, “Your cunt says otherwise.”

His head motions down and between your legs, sliding his fingers along the denim fabric of your shorts. Your throat hitches, and your legs tense, locking eyes with the darkening stare from Johnny.

“You want this, I know you want this,” Johnny mutters against his lips, “Let me make you feel good. I need this, darlin’, you gotta give yourself to me.”

His lips lock roughly with yours, his kiss hard - possibly laced with a lingering passion. You taste your blood on his tongue. You moan unexpectedly.

“See? You taste so good. Let me taste you more,” Johnny said as if he were asking, but you know you have no choice.

The sound of panic bubbles in your throat as you feel Johnny’s hands unbutton your shorts, yelping as he tugs the tight fabric down your legs. He crawls his fingers under your pants, catching your slick cunt with the tip of his fingers, collecting your wetness. Johnny groans, reaching his fingers to his lips and licking your juices. Just as sweet as your blood, warm and intoxicating.

Johnny grinds his hips down onto you before unbuckling his jeans, tossing his belt to your eye level. Your eyes trail to the sky, your mind dissociating at the sound of his jeans undone. Johnny preys your legs wider apart with his thighs, the tip of his cock at your entrance.

“You’re so wet for me, darlin’. Still sure you don’t want this?” Johnny’s pride swells at your defeat, pupils dilated at the sight of yours glazed and lost.

“I would rather be dead,” You said airily, almost inaudible. Johnny narrows his eyes, power swelling in his muscles. He wants you to beg for his cock or mercy; it does not matter.

Without warning, Johnny thrusts his cock inside, and pain shoots up your spine. He was big, more significant than you have ever taken, and he was stretching you out. You squeeze your eyes shut, and the tears trapped in your waterline pour down your cheeks. You silence the yelps filled with pain to adjust to the horrible feeling. But your cunt was wet, wet enough for Johnny to thrust deeper inside you and hold his length firmly inside you.

“Fuuuck,” Johnny groaned. Your walls clenched around his cock, and his hands grip the sides of your waist. “Sucha tight little pussy,” Johnny chuckled.

You shift your body back and forth to adjust to the pain, but it paralysed you, and Johnny drilled you deeper into the ground with the weight of his body. The cool earth stings your wounds and gathers in the grooves of your skin. It is disgusting. It is revolting. You wanted the ground to swallow you whole. “Fuck you,” You spit at Johnny, manifesting your cunt to grow teeth and bite his cock clean.

Johnny furrowed his brows at your revolt, burning a glare to your core. “The fuck you say to me?” Johnny smacked your face, stunning you, but you force eye contact.

“I said fuck you, you fucking-“ Your rage stopped short at the shuddering pain shooting through you. Johnny digs his knife into your side, toying with an open wound. You squirm, scream, try to pry him off you, but his other hand pins your wrists above your head, and his cock is stuffed deeper inside you.

“You really think talking to me like that is a good idea?” Johnny scoffs, watching the pain in your expression with perverted fascination. “Such a stupid ‘lil brat. I need to teach you a lesson.”

The pain melted into numbness. Your eyes drift further away from reality, and Johnny amps his stamina. It seemed neverending, his cock pumping into your cunt, the depth of his thrusts consistent. Johnny’s body towers over you, his knife tossed to the side. It proved useless as your body grew limp, the strength of Johnny’s arms pinning you in place enough to restrict your escape. No more were you retaliating to Johnny’s dominance.

“That’s it, good girl. Take it,” Johnny grunted, but he was not satisfied with your reaction. Lying there as you get fucked dumb, staring into space. He needs you to be compliant, to be grateful. Johnny tugs your hair and forces your gaze onto him, bathing in your bewildered stare.

“C’mon girl, I know you want this. Say how much you want it,” Johnny demands, continuing to rut into your pulsing cunt.

“I-” It was hard to string words together, but you had nowhere to look except deep in Johnny’s hunter eyes as he pressed his forehead against yours.

“Say it, fucking say it,” Johnny grew impatient, smacking his fingers over your cheeks, hoping that knocked sense into you.

“I want you, Johnny,” You sobbed, mesmerised by his insanity.

“Yeah, you fucking do. Start thanking me for fucking you so good,” Johnny enfolds his cock deep inside, holding it in place until you speak what he wants to hear.

“Thank you,” You swallow the lump in your throat, “You’re so good at fucking me. I want you to keep fucking me.”

Swelling with pride, Johnny exhales a deep groan and continues to drill into you, picking up the pace. He felt his climax ascending from his core, gazing at the bounce of your tits, your plump skin covered in the blood he poured from you. He bites the inside of his cheek.

“I’m so close, darlin’. Fuuuck,” Johnny wraps his callous hand around your throat, suppressing your air flow until you see stars.

Johnny rutted his cock to ride his high. You feel the strips of warmth melt from your slit as he pulls out, his pants hot and misty against your neck. Your eyes trail over to Johnny, buckling his jeans and quickly putting on your underwear and shorts.

“Sorry about your blouse,” He mutters, removing his tank top and putting it on you. There is no point in convincing yourself he did it out of the kindness of his heart, as it is to carry you back to the place you tried to escape from and not make the rest of the family suspicious.

Johnny lifts you and tosses your body over his shoulder, your mind and body too exhausted and petrified to wiggle from his grasp. “Let’s take you back home,” He says.

Home. That place was not your home. But to Johnny, he is making it your home. There goes the days of elaborate escapes, deception and retribution. He will have you wrapped around his figure. He shall convince you that no one else cares for you. Only he will protect you, care for you, and love you.

Welcome to the family.

#johnny slaughter x reader #johnny sawyer x reader #texas chainsaw massacre #tcm game #johnny sawyer #johnny slaughter #creepling.brainrot #tw non-con #tcm fanfic #hauntedhoedown

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lueurjun · 3 months

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ENHA REACTION ⋆̩ s/o that wears a hip chain and anklets

. ˚◞☁️ ✧˖🤍࿐ྂ

🖇·˚ ༘┊ 𝐑𝐄𝐐 . @666booklover , , Heyy 😁 Its me again lol.. can I pls request an enha reaction to a s/o that always wears a hip chain and anklets, if it's not too much trouble 😅. (like do u think they'd think it's 🥴 or something Imao). My Indian bestie heard I had an account and I am speaking on her behalf (aaand I just got pinched) tysm!!

˚ ༘💭 ·˚ message from lueurjun . . . hope this was okay for you my love !! sorry it took so long, i had a major brain fog and couldn’t seem to find the right words, but i hope i did your request justice.

★ ! H E E S E U N G

no but he hasn’t breathed the same since he met you

bro wheezes in your mere presence

legit the embodiment of the pick up line: ‘are you an inhaler because you took my breath away’

yeah he’s cute but i’d write you poetry just sayin

he’s so in love with you in general, but with the added combination of you wearing hip chains and anklets, he’s enamoured by you

enamoured 🤓 look at me thinkin i’m smart

literally would go out of his way to get you more

drives the rest of the members up the wall with how much he talks about you

“they were wearing such a beautiful hip chain piece, the other day with a gorgeous anklet to match it- it brought out their eyes and-‘

‘heeseung im glad you’re a simp, but please shut up’

that was 100% jay or ni-ki ( i bet jay )

i can see him pouting when you decide not to wear one

like he just stares at you for a little while and you’re like ??

not that he doesn’t find you stunning without them, he does, but he’s grown accustomed to you wearing them

not him being obsessed… i could be more obsessed if you want. say the word, i’ll roundhouse kick him

he also likes the noises they make whenever you move

it literally soothes him??

bro stop before i literally cry

he’s so in love pls let me be you for a day

or be with you 😏

�� ! J A Y

slightly more reserved than heeseung

as in, not as obsessive about it, but he still loves them type of thing

he doesn’t make a big deal out of it, but not so much that you feel unappreciated because he still makes sure to compliment them — and you in general

that’s right. yeah he does. if not, he’ll have a meeting with my fists: pretty and punch.

though just because he’s not as obsessed does not mean he’s not observant

he pays enough attention to know which ones you prefer, and which colour you wear more often

so when he decides to surprise you with a new anklet or hip chain, it’s always the colour that you prefer

OBSERVANT KING 👏

jay is also a fashion icon, so a lot of the time, he helps you pair them with a super nice outfit

super proud to strut around with you on his arm wearing your pretty hip chain which matches with your outfit, paired with a gorgeous anklet

mesmerising the locals with your outfits during a little coffee date

this could be us but you playinnn 😔🤟

no but seriously, jay loves your hip chains and anklets ( almost as much ) as he loves you

i could love you more tho

★ ! J A K E

this man legitimately GIGGLES whenever he catches sight of the chain

someone poison me he’s so cute

just when he thinks he’s found his favourite one

you rock up in different one and suddenly, that’s his favourite

and don’t even get him started on the anklets

bro loses all composure

me when you exist fr 🤭😌

to be honest, i can see jake wanting to match anklets with you

and he for sure would gift you one with a ‘j’ initial on it just because he loves you

‘not because he owns me, ‘cause he really knows me’ BOP

jake is 100% the type to play with it

like you could be laying together and all of a sudden you’d feel his fingers gently brush against your skin

and when you glance down, he’s absentmindedly playing with your hip chain

or if your feet are in his lap

he’s fiddling with the chain of anklet

someone be my jake, i can’t handle this anymore

it’s a habit of his at this point so now you don’t really bat an eyelash when he does it

but it does cause a stir inside of you when he does it in front of his friends

because it’s so intimate?? and loving?? and in front of his friends proves that he doesn’t mind showing that bit of affection

a man that is secure and proud 👏 you deserve nothing less baby !!

but it’s also not over the top enough to be considered as PDA

sighhh i’m obsessed with you guys

★ ! S U N G H O O N

a lot like jay, like he doesn’t really make a huge deal out of it

he thinks they’re nice, and he likes them but he doesn’t feel the urge to make a massive deal

like jay, he will compliment you and make sure you know that he thinks you’re stunning and that they really go with your outfit

he may even become slightly more touchy but won’t say anything about it

nonchalant mf tryna act all cool 🙄😎

despite acting all cool, i can see sunghoon secretly making you a hip chain or an anklet ( maybe both )

like on valentine’s day, amongst all of the other gifts he’s spoiled you with

he just whips out a box and sheepishly hands it to you

imagine he just launches it at your head and walks off-

and when you open it, your eyes instantly brim with tears because you imagine him just sitting there for hours

awh imagine him sitting with his legs crossed- STOP I CAN’T BE PUBLICLY CRYING OVER A GROWN MAN SITTING DOWN

it’s obvious he’s put a lot of effort into it

he may have even followed a tutorial step by step

and it definitely becomes your favourite piece

posting it on your story and him complaining that all his friends are going to see

but then refusing to let you take it down when you offer because he feels superior knowing their partners will whine about him being so sentimental and creative

HES SO REAL FOR THAT PLS

once he sees how much you love it, he will make it a tradition for him to make you your very own piece every year

soon you have your own little boutique of hand crafted anklets and hip chains

that’s so romantic someone run me over

the boys tease him for being a simp, obviously but he can’t find it in him to feel embarrassed

not when he sees how happy you are

he’s well and truly smitten, but so are you so it’s all good

literally i would die for you both

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jjsmaybank20 · 5 months

Text

Celebrity News 2

Jenna Ortega x GN!Reader

Summary: Once again, everyone thinks that you and Jenna broke up. In reality, you just wanted to cause some drama.

Warnings: literally all fluff, and my shitty writing

Word Count: 706

A/N: woooo part 2 cause I couldn't help myself. also, im back from the dead! for a bit. i have midterms right now which are whooping my ass so... wish me luck!

Part 1

navigation celebrities (romantic) masterlist

---

2,628,553 Likes

Y/N_Y/L/N: Sadly, after 1 ½ wonderful years, Jenna is not my girlfriend anymore. We are still on good terms, I promise, but I just thought I would let you guys know.

User57: WHAT?! THIS CANT BE REAL

User32: This is not happening. What the actual fuck.

y/n&jenna4life: No i refuse to believe this

arianagrande: I’m so sorry, Y/N/N!

jenniferlawrence_: dude that sucks! Hope you’re doing okay

>Y/N_Y/L/N: i’m okay, thank you for thinking of me

---

THIS IS NOT ANOTHER FALSE ALARM: ACTORS JENNA ORTEGA AND Y/N Y/L/N HAVE REPORTEDLY SPLIT

According to an instagram post Y/L/N posted last night, said actor and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega have split. A couple months ago, there was a false alarm in the end of the two’s relationship, caused by a hilarious dispute over a game of Monopoly. Well, this time, it seems that no one will be laughing. Ortega and Y/L/N are scheduled to be on The Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight, so maybe they will provide some insight as to why the seemingly perfect couple has split.

---

“You guys are on in 5!” A stage attendant calls into the dressing room, prompting you to stand up at the same time as Jenna. You grab her hand and bring it to your lips, pressing a chaste kiss to it. She smiles at you, blushing, before squeezing your hand and making her way out of the room. You follow closely after Jenna, excited to talk about your new movie with her.

The introduction music begins to play, and you hear Jimmy Fallon calling out both your name and Jenna’s. Jenna walks out first, waving to the crowd, and you follow behind, buttoning your suit jacket and winking at some of the people in the audience.

As the two of you take a seat, Jimmy jumps right into the interview. He asks you questions about your roles, and just about the film in general. He also asks Jenna some questions about the second season of Wednesday. Finally, he gets to what he had been wanting to ask the most.

“You guys were absolutely amazing in this film, but I have to say. It must have been difficult working together, at least for a little while.” Jenna gives him a confused look, and you fight the smile that is trying to make its way onto your face as best you can. “Why do you say that?” Jenna questions.

Jimmy gives her an odd look, explaining, “Well, because the two of you broke up, right? At least, according to Y/N’s Instagram post.” You still manage to keep a straight face, even when Jenna whips her head around towards you. “What the hell did you do, Y/N Y/L/N?!”

You look around as if you can’t see her before turning back to Jimmy. “You know, sometimes I can still hear her, nagging me as if she were my girlfriend or something.” She finally breaks, letting out all of the laughter that she had been trying to hold in. Jimmy and the rest of the audience laugh with her, but they are clearly confused.

Jenna rolls her eyes at you, ignoring your laughter. She turns to Jimmy to explain. “Ignore this little shit, they think they’re hilarious. So what happened is, Y/N is not my partner anymore.” Jimmy becomes even more confused, exclaiming, “So what is it?!” Jenna holds up her hand, revealing the glittering ring that you had purposed with only a short while ago. “They’re my fiance.”

Jimmy gasps, not expecting this at all. “Oh my god! Congratulations!” You have finally recovered from your amusement, and you thank the man for his kind words. As soon as you fully sit up, Jenna smacks the back of your head. You wrap up the interview, and you and Jenna head home.

As you get ready for bed that night, Jenna turns to you. “You’re a fucking dick, you know that?” You just grin at her, replying, “But you love it. You love me.” Jenna can’t help but smile at you. “Fine. I do love you. So much.” She presses a kiss to your lips before heading into the bathroom. You just stand there in your room smiling. Life couldn’t get much better than this.

---

@lovelyy-moonlight @pnsteblnme @MrsLillithy @alotofpockets @theenglishswiftie @tundra1029 @ampitrit3 @didyoubringauntienat @jensortega813 @ortegalvr

Join my taglist!

#jenna ortega x reader #jenna ortega x you #jenna ortega x y/n #x reader #x you #x y/n #jenna ortega x gn!reader #gn!reader #jenna ortega imagine #jenna ortega fluff

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alexander-arcturus-black-lupin · 9 months

Text

Sneaking around

Summary : Draco is being tailed by Harry, but he doesn't know that. He goes to meet his secret Ravenclaw girlfriend y/n.

Harry slid out of Slughorn's party and followed Malfoy. He knew his cloak would be of use as he threw it over him. Draco Malfoy during this whole semester looked sickly and pale but today he looked…Draco.

He followed him through the secret passageway on the third floor that was rarely used; he wondered when Draco had found it. He was so deep in thought he hadn't almost noticed that Draco had stopped.

Suddenly black hair flicked from a corner. Draco lounged and pulled out a laughing Ravenclaw girl.

"Salazar Y/n,"

"Hi~" Draco's scowl dropped and a shy smile made its way there instead.

"Hello," Draco rolled out.

"Your hair is a mess Malfoy, are you actually using your shampoo?"

"Of course I am, i was bloody thrown from Slughorn's stupid party"

"Sounds a bit hmmm jealous, was a certain Harry Potter there?" Harry froze once he heard his name.

"Don't start, you saying his name once is enough,"

"Shall I start calling him the chosen one or the other he who must not be named." Harry was mesmerized by her, it was like she radiated happiness.

Draco shook his head so hard that his hair became more messed up.

"Jeez, Draco relax,"

"Potter's been trailing me lately," Y/n raised her eyebrows.

"If I didn't know any better I'd ship you two," Harry wanted to retch in his hiding place. "Lorminuim"

"That's new," Draco remarked, flopping on a nearby couch. "Made it?"

"Nah 7th years, it's a silencing charm which also acts as an alarm if anyone steps within 10 feet of our invisible bubble we'll know" Harry froze again, if he moved. He'll be in deep trouble.

However everything except for one fact flew over Draco's head as he sat up. "7th Year boys?"

Y/N blinked at him before she threw back her head and laughed. "What if it was a boy?" Y/n teases coming closer. "Mmm, what if it was?"

Draco rolled his eyes. Y/n sat on his lap and cupped his face in her hands. Smooshing his face makes him look like a fish. Harry was still in severe shock.

“I’m yours, mon amor est pour toi et toi sulement,” Draco burst out laughing. “Stop laughing I tried.”

Draco pressed soft kisses into her palm. “I know, bloody accent needs help but, I love you too” he then said something in perfect french. Harry had enough and he, under his cloak, moved backwards inch by inch turning with each step, he did so till he was out.

“Harry?” He spun to find Hermione and Ron behind him. "Harry? You look like you've seen a ghost,"

"Malfoy,"

"Don't tell me you followed him, can you belive this Ron, wait, you knew didn't you," Hermione pointed at Ron's red ears.

"I- Harry what about Malfoy what did you catch him doing,"

"He and y/n are a thing,"

"What? They barely are in the same space at the same time," Hermione said crossing her arms. "I mean yeah, y/n is close to the slytherin boys."

"What-"

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

Somehow news had spread quickly. Mostly thanks to Ron and his, "MALFOY AND Y/N ARE YOU BLOODY SERIOUS MATE" Soon it even reached the love birds themselves.

"Pansy told me that she heard it from Luna who heard it from Ginny who heard it from Ron."Y/n was sitting at the head of Draco's four-poster bed with his head in her lap

"Do you think he caught us snogging somewhere,"

"I would hope not else you won't be getting any." Draco pouted.

You’re cute when you pout

“Thank you,” Draco flushed slightly. She herself blushed, she said that outloud.

"Nevermind, it was probably Potter maybe he tailed me on one of our dates,"

"Maybe," Draco started to play with her hair.

"We can't keep hiding in your dorm, unlike you, a dinner person, I am a breakfast person."

Draco sighed at that. They only had two classes today both after lunch. "Please let's just stay here, just for now,"

"Fine, you owe me,"

Draco just smiled and cuddled into y/n, "I really love you y/n, like a lot that i actually let on" Y/n froze.

"Y/n? Y/n you don't have to say it back, I just-"

"I love you too," Draco sat up and looked at her.

“You don’t need to tell me you love me, I don-” she shut him up with a kiss. Suddenly the door barged open,

“HA PANSY YOU WERE RIGHT COME CHECK THIS OUT,” Blaise in all his glory stood heaving with laughter. Soon they were joined by Pansy Theodore Matheo and Lorenzo. Draco with a wave of his wand had shoved them out and locked them out.

“Why are we friends with them,”

“Say the word and they’re gone,” she laughed an kissed Draco back.

“I’ll think about it, since we’ve been caught and I’m starving, let’s go,” Draco sighed and help her off the bed. “But you’ll still owe me a bunch of snacks later,”

Draco looked at her a small smile on his lips. “Deal,” she smiled and his heart stuttered. He was truly enamored with her.

#draco malfoy #draco lucius malfoy #draco fanfiction #draco malfoy x y/n #draco fic #draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy fanfiction #draco malfoy x you

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karpingaround · 3 months

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you know where to find me, and I know where to look ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ !

- inspired by that TV girl song, ‘taking what’s not yours’ , its been on repeat latelyjdidh

A/N : fluff, not checked through sorry!, 1.1k words, no use of y/n!, mikey and y/n are childhood friends btw

Mikey x Reader

header taken from @ suhanihateslife on pinterest!

As the new member of the gang entered the shrine, you felt a sickening bile start to bubble in your stomach. At first everyone had been skeptic of him before eventually becoming infatuated. However, you couldn’t help but narrow your gaze at his cunning smirk.

Why did Mikey let this guy in?

His crooked smile and his right hand man were immediate alarm bells for you. Yet, no one seemed to find a problem with letting the enemy team rise up so high in the hierarchy of Toman.

Silently, you left the shrine, going unnoticed by most. Even when you felt a pair of eyes burning into the back of your head, you didn’t look back, getting on your bike and driving to the small place you called your own.

Kisaki Tetta was someone you had grown up with. You remember walking to and from school together, you remember eating bentos together, watching television after school in your apartment, you remember when he’d get picked on for being nerdy and you would intervene, you remember when the same would happen to you and he’d just stand and watch.

You remember when he had suddenly joined in out of the blue, calling you names to others, talking behind your back. And eventually, you remember the bullying driving you out of your middle school and to another across town.

You clenched your fists just thinking about it.

Your train of thoughts stopped as you parked your motorcycle outside of the quaint bakery, hidden away from the main shopping areas. As you opened its door, you were greeted with a small chime from the bells above, it was scarcely filled, just how you liked it.

With the few people that were in there, idle conversation was shared in the bakery as people ate late night treats. You came here quite often, to get a pack of dorayaki, and leave half for when a certain someone would show up, finding you after you disappear.

After ordering, you immediately slid into the booth you had claimed as yours over the years, slumping in the familiar cushion as a million emotions flooded your mind at once. The sound of the tray chattering broke you out of your short trance, sitting up straight as you greeted the lady who smiled at you generously.

You picked up the mug of hot chocolate she had made, blissfully smiling as you forgot your problems as the liquid luxury warmed your throat. Shortly after you placed the drink down, you tore the dorayaki in half. And when the chimes of the door sounded again, you already knew who it was, further confirming your thoughts when the padded shoes hit against the tiled floor.

You looked up silently as the blonde had stopped in his tracks.

He contagiously grinned at you, making you reciprocate a small smile, sipping on your drink.

“You left the meeting pretty early.” He commented, sitting himself across from you, taking his hands from his pockets and reaching for the leftover dessert.

“mhm,” You hummed, however the curious look Mikey gave you told you it wasn’t enough of an answer for him. Placing down the half finished drink, you took your half of dorayaki, feeling his eyes follow your every movement.

“I couldn’t stay there, I was in shock, and annoyed.” You ranted, taking a bite into the dorayaki, observing the small bakery that you already knew every nook and cranny of.

The blonde hummed, already finished with his half as you lost your appetite from thinking of Kisaki.

“He pisses me off Mikey, I hope you got him in for a good reason, he’s only trouble.” You placed the dorayaki back onto the plate, a single bite taken out of it. Without words, you slid the plate over, watching as Mikey’s black eyes lit up, gratefully taking the offer.

“I know he’s trouble, if you want me to get rid of him just tell me.” He looked at you seriously for a minute, and your eyes swirled in admiration and confusion.

“Then, why did you..?”

“It was a spontaneous decision, he brings more people to the gang and he’s also strong.”

You hummed contentedly, picking up your drink again, pondering about the situation.

“If it makes you feel any better, Takemitchy punched him hard in the face right after you left.” He commented, immediately brightening your mood.

“seriously?! I should’ve stayed!” You laughed, imagining the scrawny boy punching someone like Kisaki. You laughed even more as you imagined Kisaki getting humbled. As your laughter cooled down into a supple smile, you sighed, unable to stop the warmth reaching your cheeks.

“Takemichi-kun has good judgement.”

Mikey nodded at your words, finishing the food with ease. He wiped the crumbs onto the plate, immediately slotting his hands back in the solace of his pockets. You picked up your drink, finishing it off.

“He also asked me to get rid of Kisaki, he says he has bad intentions, so, that’s two.”

“he said that?” You questioned, putting down the empty mug. Mikey in turn, picked his up, happily gulping it down, making you laugh as he put the mug on the table as if it was a drinking game.

“Seems he knows more than we know.”

“Don’t you think sometimes he knows too much? Like that time with Draken.”

He nodded, “He seems to only have good intentions and ideals though, so I’ll trust him even if he’s acting suspiciously.”

“You’re too loyal Mikey.”

You stated, smiling amusing as he tilted his head like a puppy. “Says you, you’ve never stopped following me around.” He laughed, watching as you scoffed, before eventually laughing along with him.

“That’s ‘cause you’re a good person Mikey.” You kicked him lightly under the table, resting your head on your arms. He raised an eyebrow, making you giggle. Retaliating, he kicked back gently, grinning at you playfully.

“No, I think you didn’t listen when we first met.”

You furrowed your brows, stopping your kicking under the table as you urged him to elaborate.

“I told you to try not to fall in love with me when we were younger.”

Immediately, you sat up straight,

“And I never did!” you lied, putting both fists onto the table to exaggerate your words.

He laughed, eyes turning into crescents, cheeks going rosy from laughing.

Your cheeks got even brighter than before, face overwhelming with embarrassment as he called you out.

After you bitterly muttered under you breath, you joined in. Softly laughing, you basked in the moment.

You wanted things to stay like this for as long as possible.

A/N: theyre so fricking cute i love them sm 3):)/&:)@

this might become part of a series, so look out :o also why does y/n know abt takemichi?!?? they broke the fourth wall

#manjiro x reader #mikey x reader #tokyo revengers #manjiro sano #sano manjiro x reader #tokyo revengers sano manjiro #manjirou x reader #manjiro sano x reader #tokyo revengers x reader #mikey sano #mikey manjiro sano

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jennaissantes · 1 year

Text

1 4 3 POINTER — n.rk

pairing: fem!reader x sports captain!riki

synopsis: after forcing yourself to stop playing basketball due to peer pressure, you meet nishimura riki – who reminds you of past you ; and you hate it. you hate him. So why do you find yourself wanting to help him when he's going through tough times?

genre: comfort fluff, sports au, angst, enemies to lovers

warnings: profanity, injuries, mentions of food, theyre also very young and emotionally very unstable. peer pressure is bad. some trauma dumping, mentions of reader getting bullied. please dont stay quiet if you know someone whos going through something bad!

featuring: enhypen + hanni pham and danielle from newjeans!

WC: 19k ( yeah so when I said 10k i meant 19k pffft obviously)

playlist: if youd like to listen to it!!

FIC TAGLIST: @prdxinvade @hafsa-hoofsa-heefs @catseong @winteringdream @ahnneyong @dimplewonie @flower0930 @officiallyjaehyuns @kualdie @pagesofmiracles @j-wyoung @grey-gteam @dudufodd @operawritesthings @roseyrays @iirene304 @mimisamisasa @channoticedmeuwu @nicholasluvbot @kimsohn @dazed-hee @amakumos @chiyuv @dearhee @yyunari @beomsbeanie @soobnny @soov @luvhyun3 @tnyhees @xiaoderrrr @kimipxl @1-800shutthefuckup @taegyuul @yjck121 @w3bqrl @gyuwrites @enhacolor @sjyuniverse @jaeyunverse @wonyofanclub @atrirose @goldenhypen @flrthwang @nokacchan @shionmarryme @ddeonudepressions @luvistqrzz

authors note: ITS HERE!!! FINALLY. I’ve given every piece of me to this fic. i love it so much. i hope you guys do too. im so so excited to post it and i would absolutely LOVE, LOVE to get feedback on it. thank you @soobnny @jaeyunverse @chiyuv and @amakumos for proofreading this oml you guys are the best ily i hope this meets everyones expectations haha.

Its easy to ignore the world. It always has been.

You weren't a stranger to pretending that people's comments didn't affect you as much as they did. Masking your feelings was something you were good at. While that was a skill, it also proved to be a factor leading to your downfall.

You, Y/N L/N, were the star player of Hybe Academy’s women's basketball team.

Were.

Your parents first realised that you had a special talent for basketball when you were just 4 years old.

It wasn't very often you saw a 4-year-old score a clean goal, the swish of the net echoing through the silence in the room as your parents stood there stunned. While most parents would've cheered, caught the moment on camera and laughed it off as luck, yours took it as a message from the universe to sign you up for basketball lessons.

You loved basketball.

You loved the adrenaline. You loved being a part of a team.

Turns out, your teammates didn't like being one with you. It could've been jealousy, it could've been something else, but none of your teammates in your old school fancied playing with you. Neither did your coach.

You tried your best, you put in one too many hours trying to perfect your skills. Yet, nothing seemed to make your coach content. Your parents, however, were beyond proud of you.

You never told them about your teammates because you didn't want to worry them. They weren’t putting in so much value into your sport for you to just complain about your bad teammates and a pushing coach. No, you'd rather stay silent about it.

But your mother found out. She was enraged—not at you, but at your school. Your parents immediately sent in a withdrawal letter to the school effective as soon as possible. They wanted the best environment for you to grow your talent in.

Except you didn't.

All the bullying, the pushing, the constant not-good-enough looks from your coach demotivated you. You began to hate the sport. The same sport you would have given your life for became a tiresome chore.

It felt monotonous. The same practice routines, the same drills, the same swish of the net. It no longer excited you.

You were a child-prodigy. But maybe that was all you'd ever be.

To say that you were looking forward to joining a new school was a lie. You weren't really excited.

Talking to new people and making new friends wasn’t your thing. You preferred being in your own little space—just you and your orange striped ball.

“Honey, I’m sure you're going to love it at Decelis! I've heard they have a really good team too. If you want you can try out,” your mother spoke to you at dinner before your first day.

At the mention of a basketball team, you began fiddling with your food, chewing on the skin inside your mouth. It was a sensitive topic, but your mother was always careful not to talk about it too much.

She sounded so hopeful that you didn't want to disappoint her.

“Sure, mom. I'll check it out, maybe.” You sent her a small smile, feeling a bit guilty when her eyes lit up and she made eye contact with your father, smiling.

Who knew? Maybe you would go and check out the school court sometime.

The next day, you woke up way ahead of time. The anxiety of going to a new school was finally getting to you.

You were ready by 6:45 am. Too early. You didn’t have to be in school until 8 am.

Why were you this nervous? Joining new crowds was never a problem for you earlier. So what was the matter now?

Maybe it was the thought of people judging you that scared you, or maybe it was the fact that the team here might be exactly like the one back in your old school.

Brushing off your negative thoughts, you put a smile on your face for the sake of your parents and headed down to get breakfast. Your mom chirped a ‘good morning, honey!’ and set down your breakfast on your table.

You knew how much these moments mattered to her. When you were on the team, you barely had any time to spend with your family. Going early to practice and coming home late, tired but not hungry. worried her. You were stuck in an unhealthy cycle of exercising but not nourishing yourself enough to make up for it.

You were glad to have such loving parents who took care of you.

Your dad dropped you off at school, hugging you tight by the carpark so you didn’t need to worry about getting embarrassed in front of the other students.

“Good luck, kiddo. Have a great day.”

You found the administration office easily. You were glad the school campus wasn’t very confusing.

“Hi! I'm Y/N. It's my first day and I think I'm supposed to come here, right?” You smiled warmly at the admin, who clapped in glee at your arrival.

“Ah! Y/N! I've heard so much about you. We’re so glad to have you here. I'm Mrs. Taeyeon. I hope you find this school welcoming.”

You thought Mrs Taeyeon was a kind lady and returned her smile.

She handed you a paper, which you assumed was your class schedule. “Not surprisingly, you'll have a guide for a few days.”

She chuckled upon seeing the slight discomfort on your face.. “Don't worry. Danielle is a very nice girl. You have most of your classes with her too!”

You nodded, finding some comfort in her words.

Before you left the office, Taeyeon called your name.

“Don’t worry too much, yeah? You'll fit right in.”

ii.

You took a liking to Danielle.

She was more than happy to show you around. Her cheerful personality almost immediately brought you happiness. As the admin had said, the two of you shared most of your classes, leading to you hanging out with her the most.

Your first day of school started off much better than you had thought it would. Your locker was pretty spacious and you were able to paste your small Seth Curry poster easily.

You never saw who had the locker next to yours though.

Maybe they're not present today, you thought to yourself.

You liked the idea of having a friend whose locker was next to yours. You made a mental note to try and keep a close circle of friends.

In your second period, which was AP calc, you found yourself wondering that maybe shifting schools wasn't so bad. Maybe it would all be okay.

Your seatmate, Hanni, seemed to click with you really well. She knew Danielle and asked you to sit with her during lunch and you couldn't say no to her.

“So.. what’s your hobby?”

Ah. Now, how to answer.

You smiled at her sheepishly, “I don't really know…”

Should you tell her?

“I mean… I used to play basketball.”

She gasped.

“Oh, what position?”

“Shooting Guard.”

“That is so cool. Sorry if I'm bothering you with too many questions. We don't really have any good players in our school. Unless you count Nishimura Riki, but he's just tiresome.”

You laughed at her enthusiasm, “It's alright.”

Hanni nodded. “Don't worry, most of us are nice. Present company included,” she added, playfully nudging your shoulder with hers.

It felt almost strange, not having to think about basketball all the time. Now that you thought about it, you had no idea how you managed to spend so much time on sports and manage your studies along with it.

Not having to worry about so many things felt nice, but there was always a void in your heart—one that could only be filled by basketball. You kept telling yourself that thinking about the game wouldn't help you in any way.

After all, it was in the past right?

The rest of the day went by in a whir. You enjoyed Hanni’s company. She didn't leave your side, and you were thankful for her. It was nice to have a couple of good friends.

For the first time in years, you walked back home with a smile.

Your mother was overjoyed to hear about your day. She was happy that you seemed to finally be able to enjoy life as a teenage girl. Your parents often wondered if they had done the wrong thing by making you sign up for basketball all those years ago. They didn’t mean for it to take a toll on you like it did.

Over the next few days, you walked into school and walked to class with Hanni. She would wait for you, excited to spend the day with her new friend. Danielle came along with you guys, gushing about some guy she found cute in the previous days.

“— and Oh, my god, I swear he is to die for.”

You and Hanni giggled at her words. “Yeah, yeah. I bet he's a dreamboat alright.”

Walking to class, Hanni pivoted towards you and smirked. “Say… did any of the guys catch your attention yet, Y/N?”

Danielle turned as well, waiting expectantly for your answer. Truth be told, you hadn't really considered checking out any of the boys. You'd been far too busy being nervous about having a good first day.

When you didn’t answer immediately, Hanni started naming some people you might have seen the previous day. “What about Jungwon? He's our class president, remember? He's really cute.”

You remembered the face of the cat-like boy. He had welcomed you into class with a kind smile and some small talk. He was cute but he wasn’t your type.

“I mean, I guess he's nice.”

Hanni stopped. “You guess? Oh, come on, the guy’s got everything! Good grades, pretty face and a great personality—what's not to like?”

You smirked at the way your friend talked about him. “Do you like Jungwon, Hanni? You seem to be very interested in him.”

Hanni’s eyes widened and she shook her head in denial, but her red cheeks said otherwise. “No, I don't! What makes you say that?”

You and Danielle shared a knowing look before walking into your class, leaving Hanni confused about her own feelings.

During lunch break, you remembered your mothers words. Should you go and check out the court? If your mother said it's really nice, then it must be, right? But what if it brought back unwanted memories? And what if the team was just like the one back in your old school?

The constant worry was always going to be there.

Danielle noticed you playing around with your food and realised you'd zoned out. She waved her hand in front of you to bring you out of your reverie.

“You okay? You're not eating anything,” she asked, concern evident in her tone. Hanni also looked worried.

You quickly smiled at them and let out an awkward chuckle. “Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about something.”

Hanni and Danielle seemed sceptical, but they didn’t say or ask you anything more.

After school ended, you decided to go and check out the court. Just walking around won't hurt anybody, right?

Sending a quick text to your mother, you told her you'd be back home a little late.

You half expected the court to be empty since you’d assumed most people would have gone home by now.

You didn't expect to see a tall individual being scolded by a comparatively shorter one. The former's head was hanging low.

You didn’t mean to pry, but you couldn’t help but eavesdrop.

“What's really going on, Riki? This isn't your usual performance. Your layups were messy, and that assist? Really? Is that the best you can do?”

You assumed the taller man to be the coach, and the slightly shorter boy to be Riki. Said boy mumbled something along the lines of ‘I'm sorry. I promise I'll do better.’

The scene seemed all too familiar to you.

You didn’t notice a water bottle in your way, causing you to trip over it. The sound made by your stumble echoed through the room, catching the attention of the two men. Riki looked up to see you struggling to steady yourself from tripping again. He scowled, walking toward your figure.

“Who are you and why are you here?”

Oh boy.

iii.

You stood there awkwardly in the middle of the bleachers, trying to form a response in which you didn’t end up embarrassing yourself.

Why was it so hard to form words? You weren't even doing anything wrong.

Maybe it was the tall guy’s sharp gaze that was making you have a hard time replying.

“Oh. I uh—”

“Save it. You're probably some loser fangirl who's here to watch Heeseung hyung or something. Piss off, seriously. He's not here today.”

You prayed to whatever god was out there to not lose your cool.

“Excuse you. I'm not here to fangirl over anyone. I simply wanted to walk around and check out the court.” you scoffed.

“Yeah right. Now buzz off, kid.”

It took every ounce of patience in you to not snap at the boy. You weren't even short, for him to call you a kid. Seriously, what was with this boy?

Now, if only you could remember his name. You had just heard his coach call his name, so why were you not able to recall the boy's name?

Huffing and walking out of the gym, you realised that you had forgotten your phone on one of the bleachers. You walked back in to grab it and get out of there quickly, not wanting to have another row with the unnamed tall boy.

You walked in, trying to be quiet so you didn't bother him. Your eyes don't bother looking at the boy from earlier, who was now shooting the ball into the hoop effortlessly.

You found your phone pretty quickly, sitting neatly on one of the bleachers. Just as you were about to leave, your eyes flitted towards the court again, wanting to see what the player was doing all by himself.

You watched as he dribbled the ball towards the hoop from just beyond the three point line, increasing in speed just a bit before slowing down to do his layup. The ball only just almost made it in.

“You should angle your hand a bit more to the left. That way when you jump up, it'll stay more balanced so you can hoop it easily. Your hand is a bit stiff.”

Your voice echoed through the almost empty room. Only after a few seconds of no response from the basketball player did you realise that it was probably a bad idea to interrupt him.

Great. Now he probably hated you even more. So much for a first impression.

Although you were standing pretty far from where he was, you could see the expression on his face. He looked startled when you spoke, which quickly turned into a displeased emotion.

Who were you to tell him what to do and how to do it?

“Yeah, as if I'm listening to you. You probably don't even know what you're saying. Now, get out before I call someone.”

You rolled your eyes at him. If only he knew.

“Take my advice if you want to. If not, then it's your loss. Doesn't affect me in any way after all. Have fun by yourself.” Saying so, you walked out of the gym, not wanting to deal with the boys' very annoying, know-it-all attitude.

You didn't think much about the boy on the way back home.

At dinner, your mom asked you if you had maybe gone to see what the court looked like. You nodded, telling her that it was a really nice court. You don't mention the mysterious but arrogant boy you had met, choosing not to bring in unwanted reactions of your parents making fun of you and asking if it meant you'd be getting a boyfriend soon.

While you lay down on your bed, your mind kept reeling back to the events of the day.

You remembered how you walked in on the boy and his coach talking. His coach wasn't harsh. He had sounded genuinely worried for the boy. It made you think of your old coach and how harsh she used to be with you.

You don't think she had ever asked you why you were feeling down on your bad days. You could've been tired, or maybe something bad might have happened which affected your practice, but your coach never made time to sit and actually talk to you ; ask you if you were okay.

How come he had it better than you? Jealousy began to seep through your veins.

You decided to keep these thoughts of yours locked up far away in your brain, telling yourself that you shouldn't be jealous of someone just because you didn't have it as well as they did.

The following day, you decided to leave for school a bit earlier than usual, wanting to go sit by the court again.

Although you told yourself you'd never play basketball again, being near the court gave you some comfort.

You were glad to see that there wasn't anyone in the hallways. You weren't really expecting anyone to be in school at 6:30 in the morning anyway.

As you walked nearer to the gym, you were sure you could hear the squeaking of shoes and the bouncing of a ball. You were way too accustomed to knowing the sound.

Who was in school this early?, you thought to yourself. You were sure that you were the only person crazy enough to be in school at the crack of dawn.

When you opened the door to the gym, you were surprised to see the same face from yesterday. What was he doing here at this hour?

At the sound of your coming, the boy looked up from the floor of the court, his expression morphing into something of annoyance once he recognised your face from the previous day. You were sure your face held the same emotion as his.

“What are you doing here… again?” The boy didn't stop dribbling the ball around as he questioned your presence.

You walked into the court and placed your bag on one of the bleachers, ignoring his question. Sitting down, you crossed your legs and raised an eyebrow at him. “Where I choose to be is none of your concern. Now, continue whatever it is that you were doing.”

Scoffing at your words, the unnamed boy continued his practice. You found yourself watching his movements, analysing out of habit.

“You really should try using my advice from yesterday. You're still too stiff.” your voice bounced off the walls of the court. You were only trying to be helpful. It wasn't like you were praying for his downfall. You barely knew the guy.

However, your advice seemed to be the last thing he wanted. Smacking the ball on the ground, he walked up to you, almost seething in anger.

“Look, I don't know who you are–”

“I'm Y/N. What's your name?” you interrupt him, smirking. You were sure that people like him probably hated being interrupted.

And based on his reaction, you were right.

iv.

Ever since that incident, you swore to yourself that you would try and avoid the cocky basketball player. You really didn't want to deal with him anymore.

Looked like luck wasn't on your side.

A few days later, as you were walking towards your locker, you noticed a familiar figure standing near your locker.

Oh god, no.

Why was he standing next to your locker? And why was he opening the locker next to yours?

You slowly walked towards him, but decided to ignore him to avoid any weird conversation. Oh but of course he just had to start one.

“Don't tell me the locker next to mine is yours?”

You glare at the boy. “Boo-hoo, oh what will you do now?”, mock pity heavy in your tone.

Just as he opened his mouth to say something, you heard Hanni calling your name.

Thank god.

“Y/N! Here you are, oh god. Dani saved us a table. Lets g— wait, why are you talking to Nishimura Riki?” she stops midway her sentence when she notices the boy next to you.

Nishimura Riki? This was him?

Walking away from your locker after grabbing your books, you begged Hanni to stop bombarding you with her questions of why you were acquainted with the boy.

“You talk to Riki? Why didn't you tell us?” Hanni asked you on the way to the cafeteria where Danielle was waiting.

Before you could answer her, she turned to Danielle, who had no clue what the two of you were talking about.

“You hear this Dani? Y/N knows Riki. And she never told us.” she slumped down on the chair as the girl beside her gasps.

“Oh My God? Why didn't you tell us?”

They were not accusing you, they were just curious and slightly bemused. You opened your lunchbox, telling them the whole story of how you had stumbled across him in the court a few days ago.

You didn't forget to tell them how much you hated his attitude.

“I swear to god. He and his high and mighty attitude can go fuck themselves. He's so infuriating, oh god. I was just trying to give him some tips to help him. And he had the nerve to be so rude about it—”

You thought your friends would agree with you, even hum in agreement. But all they did was look at each other, a smug guise masking their face along with a few knowing gazes shared in between, a look that threw you in shallow pits of confusion, but you continued to complain about the said boy.

“—and now I just found out that his locker is right next to mine. Just great. Wait, why are you guys smiling when I'm telling you how much I hate his guts?”

Hanni smiled, “Okay first of all, that's the most I've heard you speak and it's about a boy you're weirdly attracted to at school. Second of all, Nishimura Riki doesn't just talk to people at our school, you know that?”

You're confused. “What do you mean? Also, I am not weirdly attracted to him. I mean… I guess he looks nice but that doesn’t make him any less bearable.”

Danielle only smiled, and it wasn't the usual bubbly one that she carried. It was one of those ‘I-know-something-you-don't’ smiles. And you didn't like it one bit.

“Look, I don't know what you're thinking. But whatever it is, it's not true, okay?” you say with finality.

“What do you think we’re thinking Y/nnie?” Hanni teases you.

“Please, shut up.”

Riki couldn’t stop thinking about you.

It was as if you had plagued his mind—the way you had so confidently stood up to him. Most other girls would have probably shied away, or tried to hit on him. But you didn't.

Riki was used to having girls crushing on him and trying to get his attention. He would tune them out constantly, not speaking to any of them or paying heed to any of them.

How come he had never seen you around before too? Were you a new student?

“Yo Riki. You're early for lunch, what happened?” Jungwon’s voice echoed through his thoughts, breaking him out of his reverie.

Riki looked up to see his two best friends, Jungwon and Sunoo.

“Hey guys. Dunno, I felt like eating with you guys today.” he said, opening his lunch and smiling at them. Sunoo raised an eyebrow at his statement.

“You literally never eat with us anymore.” the older boy scowls as the younger sends him an embarrassed smile.

“I want to, but I need to put in more practice. Our match against Riverwoods is just weeks away, and I haven't been improving at all.”

Jungwon sighs, “You're being too hard on yourself again, ‘Ki. I'm sure you're gonna do great. You need to start attending classes too. Mrs Lee asked about you today.”

Sunoo nods in agreement. “Look, we know you can catch up on studies easily, that's not the main issue here. You really need to start taking more care of yourself.”

Riki knew he had been neglecting everything and everyone around him for basketball, but he couldn't help it. He needed to be the best.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar figure walking into the canteen.

“Hey Jungwon. Who's that girl? Is she new?” he asks his friend.

Jungwon looked toward where Riki had pointed and saw you giggling with your friends as you sat down to eat.

He turned back to Riki. “That's Y/N. She's a new student in our grade. I think she's been here for a week? Ten days maybe.”

Riki nodded, trying not to act bothered by the girl. He didn't know why, but just looking at you was enough to make his blood boil.

“Why’d you ask though?” Jungwon questions the younger boy. “Oh, nothing.”

Sunoo smirks, “Yeah, right.”

“Okay, I need you to sign here, here and here.”

The lady at the counter, Mina, as you read her name tag, handed you a pen to sign your form. You were signing up to volunteer at a basketball training centre for kids over the weekend.

If you couldn't play professionally, you might as well do this, you thought.

After signing the form and waving goodbye to the lady, you decided to stroll around for a bit by the court.

You came across a seemingly empty court. You saw a bag by the bleachers but you couldn't see anyone around.

Picking up the stray basketball, you decided to try and shoot some hoops. For old times sake, you said to yourself.

Checking your form, you started on one of your old drills—the figure 8 over to a dribble layup. You were glad no one was around to see you. You didn't want any unnecessary questions.

You started with your feet spread apart and the ball in your right hand. Then you dribbled the ball through your legs to your left hand, and immediately dribbled it back to your right hand.

You moved forward, increasing your speed a bit and performing a beautiful layup.

You were glad you hadn’t lost your touch. All those hours of practice had done you some good.

“Not you again.”

There was no way.

You turned back to be faced with Nishimura Riki, who was now walking towards you. You wore an unimpressed look on your face.

“Oh look, it's a dickhead.”

“I hope you trip over yourself.”

You stuck your tongue out at him. Immature, you knew, but you needed some satisfaction.

He holds his hand out, asking for the ball in your hand. You reluctantly pass the ball to him. The tall boy begins to walk around, the sound of the ball bouncing echoing through the four walled court.

“So, you play huh? Not bad.”

His voice cut through the silence between the two of you.

You choose between wanting to humour him or just ignoring him. Deciding on the former, you say,

“No, I begged the school admin to magically make me a basketball player”

“You know for someone with average skills, you've got a big mouth on you.” You felt yourself getting ticked at his antics.

“Do you ever shut the fuck up? And just so you know, my skills are so much better than yours. You couldn't even do a proper layup the other day.” you fired back. Riki stopped in his tracks, faltering at your words.

Glaring at you, he walked away, grabbing his bag from the bleachers and walking out of the court.

Had you gone too far?

No, you convinced yourself, he deserved it.

Riki walked out of the court, thinking about what you had said.

You were right, he couldn't even do a proper layup. How pathetic.

How would he even play during the upcoming match? He was totally out of shape.

“I need to practise more,” he thought. Your words had hurt him. He had seen how you had rendered the drill so effortlessly. How come you did it so well?

As much as he hated to admit it, your advice proved to be true. A few days after your first meeting with him, he had been thinking about what you had said to him.

He tried it out, angling his hand a bit more so he could shoot it directly into the hoop, and it worked, which made him even more frustrated.

You, an almost complete stranger to him, knew how to play it out in the court better than he did, and that enraged him.

Walking back home, you realised that Riki was a lot similar to you. He kept pushing himself. Every time you had come across the boy, he was practising.

It didn't take you much long to realise that the boy was losing hope in his passion, just like you had.

He was doing well, but was frustrated that he wasn't able to do any better. The same frustration was the reason he was so distracted, why he couldn't push himself to do any better.

You didn't like that he reminded you of yourself. He was hard on himself, you saw it on the first day. The way he muttered under his breath, ‘not good enough’, the way he was at the court so early in the morning, just like you used to.

You didn't want to witness someone losing something they loved either. Looking at him reminded you of the way you had slowly stopped loving the sport. Although his reason differed from yours, the result was the same.

Telling yourself that it didn't change that he was an asshole, you went to sleep.

Hanni had invited you over to her house.

You had never had the time to make proper friends at your old school, after your ex best friend had left, and because of basketball.

So when Hanni asked you if you wanted to go over to her house one day, you found yourself saying yes. Your mother was over the moon. You had told her about Hanni and Danielle and she was ecstatic that the two girls were by your side always.

“Hey mom! We’re home!” Hanni’s voice echoed through the walls of her house. Not long after, a kind face popped out of the kitchen.

“Oh my! You must be Hanni’s friends! Nice to meet you. She talks about you a lot.”

You smiled at Lilian’s warm-heartedness. “Thank you Mrs Pham!”

“Mom, this is Y/N, my best friend.”

Best friend. You liked the sound of that.

You and Hanni headed upstairs to her room to get comfortable. Once the two of you had seated yourself on her bed and grabbed some snacks, she turned to you.

“So what's going on between you and this Riki? Tell me everything.” she said with an impish grin. You let out a sigh in annoyance.

“Oh don't even get me started. He is the absolute worst. Did I tell you I met him again? Like yesterday?”

The girl beside you gasped comically, eyes widening. “No, tell me everything.”

You shifted around on the bed, ready to rant about the mentioned boy.

“Okay so I was at the community centre. I wanted to sign up to volunteer to help some kids out with basketball. After I finished that I was just walking around and I ran into him. Again! Can you believe my luck?”

“I can't actually. Must be destiny or fate or whatever you call it.” Hanni said, popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth. You look at her in disgust.

“No way you actually think that me and … him, would ever become anything close to friends.”

She rolled over to you,, “I actually think you guys might become more than friends.”

“Like… best friends you mean?”

Hanni rolled her eyes, “No dumbass. I meant boyfriend and girlfriend. A walking enemies to lovers cliche.”

You laughed it off, changing the topic.

“So, what do you wanna watch?”

The next day in school, you watched as Danielle ran up to you, grabbing your hand and taking you with her.

She brought you to the noticeboard, pointing to one of the notices.

“Look! There's tryouts for the girls basketball team! You have to try out. Hanni and I will cheer you on!”

Oh.

Smile fading, you shuffle in your place awkwardly, not making eye contact with your friend.

“Ah … I'm not so sure I wanna try out, Dani.” she looks at you, puzzled. “What? Why not?”

How do you tell her without telling her?

“Nothing, I just…don't know if I have the time to manage both sports and studies anymore. Yeah…”

She doesn't buy it, but doesnt ask you any further.

Over the next few days, you didn't see Riki at school much, and you assumed that he was practising for his game. You were almost glad you don't see him as often anymore. Although you would've never admitted it, you secretly wondered if he was doing okay.

He had definitely rubbed you in the wrong way, but that didn't mean you were a monster. You had half a heart to strike up a conversation with him and ask him how it was going, but decided against it once you remembered how much you hated each other.

Why was it so hard to just ignore and forget him?

Riki was blinking back tears.

Today's drill had gone particularly bad, but the coach had not even scolded him, which made him feel worse. Why wasn't he scolding him?

“Riki? Is everything alright? You seem out of it today. Do you need a break?” was what he had asked.

Shaking his head, he faced his mentor. “No. I'm fine. I don't know why I'm so distracted these days. I'm sorry, coach.”

Mingyu smiled at Riki, taking pity on the boy. “Don't apologise. I want you to do something. Get off early today, I think you need a break.” He thinks I'm not doing well.

“Go and rest a bit.” You're distracted.

Riki tried not to show how disappointed he was. Grabbing his bag in a huff, he packed his things up, thanking his coach once again before walking towards the door of the court. Mingyu sighed as he watched the younger boy walk away.

“He's taking it too hard on himself again.” he shakes his head, hoping that his star player would get better soon.

Mingyu had seen Riki at both his worst and his best.

He knew that Riki was talented, with a burning passion to keep improving. The only thing he didn't like was how negative he was.

Riki would constantly take positive criticism in a negative manner. He closed off to everyone, not wanting any advice. Anybody who questioned his actions, or tried to help him improve, Riki would scowl at them and tell them to go away.

He tried to act like he wasn't affected by it, but Mingyu knew that deep down, the boy was hurting.

It had taken him years to get Riki to where he was today. He had been patient enough with him to have brought him to this level. Riki had always been pretty reserved, even as a child. He was cautious, not wanting to associate with anyone he found intimidating, although he looked intimidating himself.

Mingyu watched as Riki walked towards the door. Just as he was about to open the door, it was opened from the other side, by you.

You expected him to scowl or glare at you, maybe throw in a few spiteful words too. But he just walked right past you, not even making any eye contact. Watching the boy walk away, you entered the court to see his coach, Mingyu, walking around.

“Um, hello.” you said, not wanting to be rude to him. The school coach returns your greeting with a smile.

“Are you the same girl from the other day? I think I recognize you.” Mingyu's voice startles you as you chuckle awkwardly, not knowing how to respond to his question.

“Yeah. Sorry for interrupting.”

The older man waves it off with a smile.

It takes every cell in your body to stay still. You want to just grab the stray ball lying on the floor of the court and play. But you bit back the feeling.

“You're the new kid right? Do you play?” Mingyu didn't really need an answer to his question. He knew a good shooting guard when he saw one.

You fiddled with the sleeve of your shirt. “I um… I used to play but I stopped.”

“Ah, I see. Why did you stop?”

His question made you hesitate. “You don't have to answer me. It's okay.”

“No, no. It's okay. Uh it was because I wasn't really comfortable playing in my old school. I just… kinda stopped after that, I guess.”

Mingyu nodded to your answer, thinking of how to respond without causing you any more discomfort.

“Well then, I hope you find your spark again. And if you ever feel like you want to play again, even just a little bit, you know where to find me.” saying so, Mingyu got up, heading towards the exit.

Just before he left, he turned to you. “Oh, by the way, we’ve got tryouts in a month. Think about it, maybe.”

vi.

Riki didn't expect to see you again at the community centre again.

He had walked into the court, to see you helping out with some of the kids. You were fixing their form, making them do a few drills, and so on.

“Hana, you need to be a bit faster, yeah? Just a bit. But you're doing great!” he watched as you smiled at one of the girls, giving her a high five. He found his lips turning at the corners.

What?

He caught himself quickly, walking away and wondering why the sight he had just seen had made him smile. He rarely smiled. It only appeared during games, after he won. Or after he beat his friends at Mario Kart.

Shaking away his thoughts, Riki began his practice.

His stances were getting better. He had been able to do his usual drills flawlessly. All that was left was to nail the layup.

The one he always managed to mess up.

It was so easy, an intermediate basketball player could most probably do it much better than him.

He took a deep breath, dribbling the ball on the hard surface of the floor, advancing closer to his goal.

Increasing his speed, he took one, two and three steps forward, jumping on the third one and letting go of the ball into the hoop. Holding his breath, he watched as the ball went straight into the hoop, not even touching it at the rim.

He had done it.

Finally.

“I see you've got it. Must feel good huh?”

He couldn't say he was surprised to hear your voice. It was only inevitable he’d meet you in the same community centre.

He turned back, a stoic expression on his face. “What do you want?”

You made a small noise of disapproval at his tone. “Keep your tone in check, boy.” he gave you a pointed look.

After a few moments of silence, you turn to him. “Oh, right. I came here to tell you that Mina wanted an extra volunteer to help with the kids. Just for today.”

“I don't have the time for that. I need to practice.”

You roll your eyes. “You're always practising. I'm sure you can spare some time.”

The black haired boy glares at you, walking closer. “Oh, yeah. Like I don't have anything better to do. Unlike you, I actually play basketball. And I don't spend time on anything unnecessary. Now leave me alone.”

His words were straight venom to your heart. You bite back an insult, turning on your heel and walking away from him.

If only he knew of the countless hours you had sacrificed, never paying any heed to any distraction that came your way. If only he knew how much hard work you had put in, for it to all have gone to waste.

You walked back to the kids, smiling as some of the kids came up to you, asking for your help.

Unbeknownst to you, Riki felt bad.

He knew he had not been very amiable with you, from the beginning. He was having a bad week, and he was sure that everyone and their mother knew that.

He saw how you gulped at his comment. And when you turned back to go, he had half a mind to call you and apologise, but the other half scoffed at him, telling him that you were just another annoying girl who was trying to get his attention. Plus, it wasn't like you had been very nice with him either.

After about an hour of trying to perfect a few of his moves, Riki decided he was done for the day, which surprised him. He would practise for hours on end with no breaks.

Maybe his coach was right, he needed to slow down a bit.

While passing the second court on his way out, Riki tried to catch a glimpse of you, but much to his disappointment, you weren’t there helping the kids out. He frowned.

“What? Looking for me?” He turned his head, to see you coming his way, with a few bottles of water in hand. You looked like you were struggling to hold all of them by yourself.

“Yeah, right. I was um.. I was just—“

“Save it, asshole. I'll be on my way now.” saying so, you walked past him and into the court, smiling when you saw the tired little kids run up to you, pleading for some water.

Riki stood there, debating with himself on whether or not he should wait until you’re free and say sorry. Deciding against it, he walked back home.

The following day, much to your dismay, Riki joined your class for Lab. You were almost positive he wouldn't be there since he would usually be at the court training during this time. Danielle often asked you how and why you could remember his schedule, teasing you for it.

The only free seat was right next to yours, so Riki had no choice but to sit next to you.

God why was he sitting so close to you? It was as if he was invading your personal space. And there wasn't much space between the chairs anyway.

Shifting slightly, you pushed his feet away from you, trying to make some area around you. Riki looked up at the sudden contact and scowled at you, pushing his feet right back at you under the table.

You glared right back, rolling your eyes. Pushing him away from you one final time, you stepped on his feet for good measure, watching him wince in pain silently. He remained mum after that, but would send you dirty looks from time to time, which you reciprocated.

Hanni and Jungwon could only look between each other and laugh at the two of you in whispers.

vii.

You and your friends walked into the cafeteria, spotting an empty table for the three of you to sit in. But just as you guys reached it, someone else had sat down there.

You guys looked around in dismay, wondering how you'd find a table in the crowd.

“Hey Hanni! Over here!” a familiar voice called out to your friend.

It was Jungwon. He motioned with his hand towards the table he was sitting at. The three of you smiled, walking towards him.

You sat opposite Jungwon, Hanni and Danielle. “You sit alone for lunch?” you asked the class president.

“No, I usually sit with—“

“What's she doing here?”, a deep voice echoes through your conversation.

“—Riki.”

Great. Of course he did. You should’ve known they were close friends.

“Riki, meet my friends; Hanni, Danielle and Y/N.” Your friends waved at him, making eye contact with you and smirking.

“Yeah, I know Y/N.” he set his food down on the table, clearly not wanting to sit with you again.

“Bravo! Do you want me to give you an award for it?” You smirked at him, knowing just how to push his buttons.

“You’re insufferable.”

“Likewise, asshole.”

Over the next two weeks, your small friend circle expanded. You became well acquainted with Jungwon and Sunoo. (And Riki but it's mostly just snide remarks and teasing from your side.)

Danielle often tried to subtly remind you about the tryouts, but you pretended to not understand what she was hinting.

As much as you wanted to try out, the fear of not being liked by the team, or failing to do well since you were so out of practice, scared you. Your past trauma just wouldn't let you go for it.

A few days later, you were at Danielle's house for a sleepover. Hanni had come too. The two of you were picking your snacks while Hanni picked out a movie on the couch.

After grabbing a bunch of snacks that was commonly liked, the two of you made your way back to the couch, to see that Hanni had picked out a movie.

Hustle.

You froze.

“We’re watching… Hustle?” You asked as you sat down between your two friends

Hanni smiled, “Yeah, it's a good movie isn't it?”

Hustle used to be your favourite movie. Obviously it involved basketball in it. You used to watch it whenever you were feeling a bit down. Had they picked this movie on purpose?

Yes, they had.

Your friends were a bit concerned about you. They noticed how you alway backed away from talking about the sport. It was always a sensitive topic to bring up, as they noticed.

Danielle had talked to Hanni, telling her how you had said you didn't want to try out for the team, but she noticed how you'd often glance at the people training by the court, as if you wished to be part of it too.

They decided they'd somehow try to get you to tell them why you didn't want to try out, but not by forcing you to tell them. They didn't want to make you uncomfortable either.

“Y-yeah it is a good movie. It used to be my favourite movie, actually.” you said.

The two girls looked at each other. “Oh really?”

You nodded. “Yeah… but not anymore.”

“Why not?” Hanni moves closer to you and holds your arm as a way of showing you that you could trust them and open up to them.

You still hesitate.

“I just.. I don't know.”

Your friends looked at each other and smiled in understanding. You weren't ready to tell them yet, and they were okay with that.

You couldn't have been more glad to have found such amazing friends who were patient with you.

You didn't feel the need to have to keep it from them anymore.

“I stopped basketball because I got bullied in my old team.” You spoke suddenly, startling both of your friends. But when they caught hold of what you had said, they turned to you.

“Bullied? What?” Hanni couldn’t believe it.

“In my old school, I used to be the team captain. But no one treated me that way. They'd take me for granted and do whatever they liked. They used to make rude comments when I tried so hard to play well on the court.”

You felt the tears brimming your eyes.

“Even my coach was hard on me. I tried so hard to be what she wanted me to be. She was never happy. I don't remember even one time where she smiled at me and told me I did well.”

Cue the waterworks.

You couldn't stop your tears now. Your friends took pity on you, hugging you from both sides.

“I used to practise from early in the morning until late in the night, but she was never satisfied. My teammates would often not pass the ball to me during our games, even when I was nearby. We’d often lose because of that. I tried to talk to them about it too, but they'd just laugh at me and walk away, calling me a pathetic team captain. I stopped playing ever since.”

You wiped your tears away, sniffing.

Hanni and Danielle couldn't believe it. You had been so silent about it for so long. They wanted you to play again, especially after hearing what you had said.

“Oh honey, you weren’t a pathetic captain okay? The pathetic ones were your teammates. They were probably way too intimidated by how good you are.”

Hanni nodded, agreeing with Danielle. “Yeah. You love basketball. I know it's hard, it's been hard. But you've got us now. And we love you. And we’ll always cheer you on.”

You had probably saved a nation in your past life to get so much love and such amazing friends like them now.

It truly does get better.

You had decided you would go for the tryouts.

After you had opened up to your friends, the three of you had talked for hours about how you should go back to playing basketball, since you still loved it so much. Your friends convinced you to go for the tryouts.

Now you just need to practise a few times. You still had the game in you, all you had to do was give it a kickstart.

Your mum was overjoyed when you told her you wanted to start playing again. she made a mental note to herself to pay a visit to your friends, to let them know how grateful she was.

Your dad had hugged you tight, telling you how proud he was of you to have overcome your past and start again.

You slept like a baby that night, finally feeling some sense of wholeness.

Basketball was your only love, something that kept you going. When you had stopped, it was like a part of you had been ripped away. You felt empty, the void in you pure black.

You didnt know what to do, when your past teammates would pick on you so much. You thought it was your fault, that you had done something wrong. But you learnt that you werent at fault, later on. And by then, it was too late.

But it was going to be okay now. You were going to be okay.

Smiling to yourself, you went to sleep.

viii.

The next day, you woke up happier than you had ever been for a while.

You ate breakfast and gave each of your parents a kiss on the cheek before running out the door, excited to meet your friends at school.

What you weren't excited for was to see Nishimura Riki’s face staring at you at the bus stop.

At first, you pretended not to notice him, but it was hard to, with him towering over you in the crowded bus.

The smell of his perfume was dizzying. The scent of vanilla with a hint of coffee cream. It wasnt too much, it was just right.

“Quit sniffing me, weirdo.”

Oh shit.

You looked up at the boys’ face, underestimating how close your faces were. Your breath hitched in your throat.

“I wasn't sniffing you. The bus moved forward so I accidentally moved closer to you and you know I had to breathe so I ended up accidentally-“

“Okay okay, jeez. I didn't ask for a whole explanation.”

“But you— nevermind.” You frowned, feeling a bit embarrassed that he had caught you.

Just as the bus was taking a turn, it suddenly increased its speed, jerking you forward, and you stumbled onto the chest of the boy in front of you, holding onto his shoulders for support.

Fuck, you were practically hugging him at this point. Why did it have to be this crowded?

You felt his hand grab you by the waist, holding you steady so you didn't fall.

Looking up, you saw that Riki was already looking down at you, his eyes displaying a worried expression. That quickly disappeared once you cleared your throat. He let go of you as quickly as he had held you.

The mole on his chin was so pretty.

“Ahem, sorry.”

You hated how awkward it was. There was so much tension in the air, and you were so close to screaming because of it.

Just as you thought you couldn't handle one more second in the crowded bus, you arrived at your school.

Getting down, you almost sprinted away as quickly as you could, wanting to get away from him.

Riki, on the other hand, was finally able to breathe after stepping out of the bus.

It was almost suffocating, having you so close to him. But not in a bad way. Riki found himself not hating being in such close proximity with you.

And that thought confused him.

You were undeniably beautiful. Having your face so close to him could only make his heart beat at many miles per hour.

He hoped you didn't notice how his eyes flickered to your lips for a second.

Shaking his thoughts away, he ran to his locker.

You were there too. Of course you were.

Walking up to your side, he took his things from his locker, noticing how you suddenly fiddled with your things when you noticed his presence.

Riki almost wanted to chuckle at you.

Cute, he thought to himself.

‘Wait what? No you're not supposed to think shes cute, Riki’ he made a face to himself.

“What, is it that bad having to stand near me, Nishimura?” your voice echoed through his thoughts.

You were leaning against the locker in an incredibly attractive manner.

He gulped, “ N-no I-“

Chuckling at his flustered state, you walked away, which made him realise you weren't waiting for an answer. You just wanted to make fun of him.

Riki frowned. God you were so annoying.

Yet he couldn't find a way to stop thinking about you.

“Oh my god? He held you by the waist?!”

Hanni and Danielle were squealing over the piece of information you had just told them. You rolled your eyes, “Come on, it was just to hold me steady so I wouldn't fall.”

“Puh-lease, Y/N. If he hates you as much as you tell us he does, he wouldn't have caught you.”

Hanni had a point. It gave you something to think about the whole day. Thoughts of the tall boy filled your mind, distracting you.

You were sure that if it wasn't for his negative attitude towards things, you would've had a crush on him by now. But then again, bad attitude or not, he was just your type. Goddamn him and his nice hair and nice eyes.

You knew he was being harsh on himself. It was like seeing yourself through a different pair of eyes, a different perspective.

You wanted to help him, now that you had recovered from your past. But would he let you help him?

ix.

Riki was having a bad day.

No scratch that. He was having a mother of bad days.

It was one of those days where he woke up grumpy, so his entire day went bad. Or at least that's what his mindset was.

He was running late. He missed the bus by a minute, tripped over his shoelaces, almost forgot to get out at the right stop, and had to wait for the staff to finish cleaning the court.

And he wasn't playing well either.

Running a hand through his hair, he took in a deep breath, and tried to score a 3 pointer.

He couldn't.

Riki felt the tears brimming at his eyes threatening to fall. He tried to blink them back, but failed to do so.

He let out one, two, three tears, before he finally gave up, letting the tears flow freely onto his cheeks.

He hadn't cried like this in a while. While it felt good to let go for once, he was terrified.

The match against the other school was only days away. What would he do? If he was going to play like this, how would he make Mingyu happy? How would his teammates look at him?

Overwhelmed with negative thoughts, he felt his tears continuously falling.

“Riki? Is that you?” your voice echoed through the court.

Oh god no. He couldn't let anyone see him in this state.

“N-no. You've got the wrong person.” Of course his voice had to come out weakly.

You couldn't help but worry seeing the boy crouched down, covering his face. You could hear his broken sobs through the room.

You approached him slowly, not wanting to scare him. He was in a vulnerable situation and you didn't want to do anything to make it worse.

You sat down beside him quietly, not sure if you could comfort him.

After hesitating, you raised your hand and rubbed it down his back, trying to calm him down. Once you saw that he isn't telling you to back off, you faced him properly.

“Do you want me to get you some water?” You whispered. Riki nodded, still not looking up.

You came back with a bottle of chilled water. Giving it to him, you watched as he gulped down some of the water, his breaths becoming more steady.

After a few moments of silence, he caught his breath and wiped his tears away.

“Do you… want to tell me what happened?” You asked him slowly. You didnt want to force him to tell you why he was crying.

“It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I know we aren't on the best terms right now. I can just leave—“

“I'm having a bad day.” Riki interrupts you. You go silent, wanting to listen to what he had to say.

He took in a shallow breath before continuing. “Our game against Riverwoods is in a few days and I dont think I'm doing well enough.”

“Why do you think like that? You've been practising a lot haven't you?” you made eye contact with him, to let him know he could trust you.

Riki nodded slowly.

“Then you'll be fine. Don't stress yourself too much. You’re doing good.” You reassured him. He didn't look completely convinced.

Just like you used to be.

“Hey, look at me. You’re good. You’re doing good. Can you repeat after me? Tell yourself you’re doing well.” You told him. He glanced at you and took a deep breath.

“I'm doing good.”

You smiled on hearing him. “See? That's good. Do you feel better now?”

Riki nodded silently.

You didn't want to make him feel any more uncomfortable than he might have been feeling, so you got up.

“Okay then. Youre fine right? Do you want me to call someone?” He shook his head. “No thank you. I'm good.” He smiled a little and you felt your heart leap.

“I'll leave you to it then. Uh.. I hope you feel better soon.” You walked away from him, waving. He didn't wave back.

Just before you left the court, you heard a deep voice call out your name, making you stop in your tracks and turn to look back.

“I uh.. Thank you. You know… for this.” Riki rubbed the back of his neck.

You couldn't help but smile. “Anytime. I know we didn't have the best first impressions, but I'm not completely evil you know.” saying so, you walked out, grinning.

Riki couldn't wrap his head around you. Why were you helping him? He had been nothing but mean and arrogant to you.

Your voice was gentle. It was… comforting. He found himself leaning into your touch when you tried to calm him down.

Why was he feeling like this?

It was silent in the court.

Other than the sound of your shoes squeaking against the hardboard and the bouncing of the basketball from your hands, of course.

You were training for the tryouts.

Your friends had been there to watch you for a while before they had to leave.

(“So this is the talent you had been hiding from everyone? You're so good!”)

(“You should go pro, Y/N.”)

They had bought you a few bottles of water and juices even though you refused. They wanted you to stay hydrated and take care of yourself even if they weren't there to tend to your needs.

You were pretty confident that you would do well. You were just a bit out of shape, but you were able to fix that easily.

Not one shot out of place.

Satisfied, you decided that you were done for the day. You had done a good few hours of practice and you were content with yourself. Packing up your things, you left the court, walking to the bus stop.

A tiny sound caught your attention. Turning your head to the direction of the source, you saw that the adorable noise was from a small kitten walking by the side of the road.

Cooing, you gently approached it. It took a liking to you, letting you rub its fur lovingly as it purred. You smiled, unable to hold your excitement.

Unknown to you, Riki happened to be passing by the same place. He froze on seeing your figure. He didn't know how to face you after you had seen him breakdown.

He watched as you played with the kitten for a while, unconsciously smiling to himself. You looked so happy. Something so small made you so happy.

Why couldn't he be happy?

Turning away, he quickly boarded the bus that had arrived at the bus stop.

You turned back to see that the bus was already moving. You sighed, deciding to wait for the next one.

Riki watched through the moving window as you sat down on the bench of the bus stop before you disappeared from his view completely.

xi.

“I see you've changed your mind?”

Mingyu smiles as he watches you walk in on the day of the tryouts.

You smiled back, “A few friends helped me see what I was missing out on.” The coach nodded, happy to see you there.

He told you to go sit by the benches and wait until it was time to start. You saw as your friends arrived, keeping their promise to cheer you on. You giggled to yourself on seeing Sunoo and Danielle hold up a banner that said ‘Y/N FTW GO GET EM TIGER!’

Soon, it was time for the tryouts to begin.

You were part of the first group. Taking a deep breath, you got up, walking towards the floor of the court.

There were about 5 of you in each team. You were free to play whatever position you wanted to.

Just before the game began, you saw Nishimura Riki walk up to Mingyu with a clipboard in his hands.

Great, he was going to be assisting Coach.

You took your place, watching as Riki stood in the middle of the court, ball in his hand.

On the whistle, he threw the ball up, and you jumped up to catch it as fast as you could. Once you had the ball in your possession, you observed the position of your teammates and the other team.

Deciding not to hold the ball for long, you passed it to the teammate who was on your right, Minji.

Minji was a good player.

She dribbled the ball skillfully, running towards the hoop. Once she noticed your teammate standing near the hoop, she threw the ball to them, but they failed to catch it. The ball was now in the opposite team’s possession.

Wanting to get the ball back to your team as soon as you could, you ran to the other team's hoop, knowing their first priority would be to score a quick point.

Noticing a weak moment between the opposing teams members, you used the time to grab the ball back to yourself, and passed it to Yunjin who was on your team.

Yunjin passed it back to you when you had reached an optimal spot.

This was your chance.

Spinning around on your feet, you shot the ball from around the 2 point line, watching as the ball went into the hoop effortlessly.

The room erupted in scattered cheers. You heard Hanni whooping in the air, and smiled.

Glancing at Mingyu, you watched as he nodded. Riki was writing something down onto the clipboard, but looked back up and gave you a thumbs up.

The game continued for another five minutes, with Hana from the opposite team scoring a point.

You ran towards your friends as they surrounded you, telling you how well you had done.

You couldn't stop smiling.

It felt so good to be back in the game. The adrenaline, the excitement of the game, it was all coming back to you.

From the corner of your eye, you saw Riki looking at you.

You walked up to him, a triumphant look on your face as if you had proved him wrong.

“Remember when we first met, you said I didn't know what I was talking about when I gave you advice? Yeah, I think I definitely know what I was talking about.”

Riki was stunned. How could someone look so attractive while making fun of him?

Coming back to his senses, he rolled his eyes. “Sure, whatever.”

You giggled at his words. Nothing could make you unhappy today.

“Oh and by the way, Coach wanted to speak with you before he announced the results.” Riki told you, watching as you nodded, walking towards Mingyu.

What could Mingyu have wanted to speak to you about?

You walked up to the taller man, greeting him politely.

“Ah, Y/N! I wanted to ask you something.”

“Yes Coach? Is something wrong?”, You asked.

Mingyu rubbed his chin, “No, no. Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to ask you how you’d feel about being the captain of the girls’ team this year.”

Did you hear him right?

“W-what?”

He smiled. “You’re selected, quite obviously, and I think you'd make a great Captain. What do you say?”

What do you say?

You say yes.

xii.

To you, being the captain of a team meant being responsible enough to be in charge of the members of the team.

When you were in Decelis, you didn't think you were responsible enough. Why else did your ex teammates hate you?

You knew now that they hated you for a different reason, but being asked to be the team captain again, brought back many memories.

What if you were a lousy captain this time? What if nobody took you seriously?

You voiced out these concerns to your parents, and they helped you forget your worries with words of affirmation and good food.

You had been chosen to be a part of the team as the captain. You were on shooting guard. You were introduced to your new teammates on the same day.

Minji and Yunjin were the point guard and small forward. Your other teammates were Tzuyu (center) and Haseul (power forward). Yeojin and Yeji were the subs.

You quickly became closely acquainted with Minji and Yunjin since they were with you during most of the tryouts.

Your teammates were lovely. You found yourself enjoying your time with them. None of them seemed to be having any problems with you being the Captain. In fact, they were happy you were the one to lead them.

Your parents were right, you just needed a change of environment.

Over the next few days, you and Riki saw each other more often.

The boys team had been spending a lot of time preparing for their match. It was an important match, which you understood after seeing Riki the other day.

You would often walk in on them playing in the court. Although the two of you weren’t on bad terms, Riki couldn’t find the courage to talk to you; not after you had seen him cry.

Only Jungwon and Sunoo had ever seen him cry before, you being the only other person. He felt comfortable around you.

He didnt know why he did. Maybe it was your voice, the way you spoke so softly to him, the way you didnt make fun of him for crying, the way you were there to help him, even after the two of you bickered often.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jungwon’s voice broke him out of his train of thoughts. He smiled at his friend.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about the girls team.” Jungwon raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you thinking about the girls team or the girl’s team captain?” He smirked, watching his best friend's ears turn red.

“Stop it, Won.”

The older boy crossed his arms. “Why do you think about her so often?”

Riki didn’t know how to answer. “I- I don't know. Just probably because I see her sometimes.”

“You see her almost all the time, Riki.”

“Right.”

xiii.

“What's this for?”

Riki had just placed a juice box beside you, and sat next to you on the bench. Looking anywhere else but at you, he said, “Just a.. thank you gift. Y’know, for helping me out the other day.”

You smiled, feeling warm all over. “Wow, this might just be the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Nishimura.” He cleared his throat, nodding awkwardly.

“How’s practice going on? The match is in a few days right?” you were trying to make conversation.

Riki looked at you, surprised that you were continuing the conversation. He ran a hand through his hair.

“Yeah.. yeah it's going pretty good.”

“And you? How are… you doing?” you didn't want to make him uncomfortable with your question. Riki noticed your hesitant tone, immediately wanting to make you not feel awkward about asking him. He shifted closer to you.

Your shoulders were almost touching now.

“I'm good! Good…I’ve been taking more care of myself recently, and not stressing too much. Sorry you had to see me in that state the other day. It was embarrassing.”

You shook your head. “That wasn’t embarrassing, Riki. You were being too hard on yourself, and you were having a bad day. It's normal for men to cry too, y'know.” You said, smiling, nudging your shoulder with his. Riki chuckled, and your heart leapt on seeing his smile.

“I'm just glad you didn't push me away. I was fully convinced you hated me.”, you continued.

“Hate is a strong word, you know. I think I was just intimidated by you.” You raised your eyebrows at him.

“Intimidated? By me? What for?”

‘Because you were so pretty’, he wanted to say.

“I dont know you just seemed so… intimidate-y.” You threw your head back in laughter and Riki felt like his whole body was about to combust.

After a few moments of silence, you spoke up again.

“You used to remind me of myself.” Riki looked at you.

“Oh? How come?” You twisted in your seat to sit facing him.

“Funny thing, really. When I saw you, it was like I was looking at my past self through a different pair of eyes.” Riki couldn't comprehend what you meant, so he stayed silent hoping you'd tell him without him having to ask.

“I used to be the captain of my team at my previous school too.”

Riki gasped.

“No wonder you’re so good.”

“Gee thanks. I'm flattered, Riki.” you say playfully.

“Anyways, I stopped playing after a while though.” Riki furrowed his eyebrows. “What? Why?”

“Because I was never good enough; for my coach or my teammates .”

What? Riki didn’t know how you thought that you weren’t good enough. Before he could open his mouth to tell you that he thought you were amazing, you continued.

“I uh… used to get bullied by my team and my coach.”

Riki didn't know what to say.

Now he understood why you got so sensitive at his comments.

“My previous coach was never happy with me. So I used to train extra hard. Too much even.”

“I'm sorry, I didn't know.” was all Riki could say.

You flashed him a genuine smile. “That's alright. There's no need to be sorry. Happens to the best of us.”

“I used to overwork myself too much, because I thought I wasn't up to everyone’s expectations. But I think… I think I ended up losing myself in trying to find validation from others. I lost all my passion towards my favourite game.”

Riki felt anger bubbling up inside him at the thought of your ex-coach overworking you and making you think you weren't good enough.

“I was just like you— I’d wake up at the crack of dawn to go and practice, stay late after school to practise again. It was unhealthy. I wasn't taking care of myself at all.”

You sighed, thinking about your past self. “I was always unhappy. My parents were constantly worried about me.”

“So I stopped for a while. I don't know if you could tell, but every time I saw you play, I was itching to grab the ball from you and challenge you to a one on one.” You said, earning a chuckle from the boy beside you.

He smirked, “I mean, you could still do that y’know.”

“Maybe after your game, when you're free.” You smiled at him.

“Sure, but I think we both know I'm going to win.” He challenged.

“Oh you're on, Nishimura.”

After laughing, Riki clears his throat and faces you.

“I'm sorry for all the comments I made to you. I didn't know about all this.”

You smiled at him. “That's okay. It's not like I was all nice to you either. Seeing you reminded me of myself and it wasn't that great, so I resorted to being mean to you as well. We’re both in the wrong.”

“But when I saw you break down the other day… I couldn't just leave you alone. I had no one to help me at that time, but I didn't want the same for you.”

Riki winced. “I know. But honestly, I have a great team, I have a great coach, and nothings wrong. It's just… me.”

It was your turn to listen now.

“As a child, my parents always told me to beware of the world. They told me how harsh it was. Probably too much for a kid to understand. So I closed off to anyone who tried to get close to me.”

You nodded, showing that you were listening.

“They scared me, my parents. I know they meant well, but it was too much when I was just a child. I used to think that people always wanted to take advantage of me.”

Riki chuckled dryly. “I remember giving Coach Mingyu such a hard time. Took me quite a while to open up to him. But he never said anything bad to me, which again, I thought of it as pity. So I started overworking myself, to prove to … I don't know… that I don't need anyone's pity.”

You gave him a bittersweet smile. The two of you were so similar in completely different ways and situations.

You placed your hand above his, and Riki took in a sharp breath.

“You don't need anyone's pity, Riki. You're amazing on the court. The youngest of the team being the Captain is so cool. You really need to believe in yourself more. And if you don't, I'll be here to remind you.”

Riki intertwined his fingers with yours in a silent thanks.

“You too. You seem so happy on the court. As if you're in your element, y’know?”

You smiled widely. “I'm glad.”

“Why don't we just… let this let whatever this pointless rivalry is go?”

“That…that sounds nice, I guess. I could live with not going at each other's throats everyday.” You smiled at him.

“So, friends?”

You suck in a deep breath.

“Friends.”

You didn't know how much time had passed with just you and Riki looking at each other, conveying through your eyes what words couldn't.

Just as you were going to open your mouth to ask him something, the doors of the court opened suddenly, revealing your entire friend group.

You quickly let go of Riki’s hand, jumping apart to create some more space between the two of you.

Your friends raised an eyebrow.

“Riki..? Y/N..?” Sunoo looked between the two of you as Jungwon and Hanni giggled.

“Were we interrupting something? Should we leave?” Danielle teased.

Eyes widening, you got up hurriedly, packing all your things and running towards your friends, not glancing back at Riki even once.

“No, not at all! Um.. I was just packing up guys. Let's go.”

You grabbed your two friends, dragging them away with you, rolling your eyes at their teasing.

“Ooh~ Were you guys getting all smoochy in there?”

“Shut up, oh god. I'll tell Jungwon you like him if you don't stop.”

“Oh Christ no.”

xiv.

“You like him don't you? You're thinking about him right now, don't even lie.”

You groaned. Your friends knew you too well.

“What gave it away this time?”

Hanni sighed. “You were staring off into space, and you had this lovesick grin on your face. Yuck!”

You glowered at your best friend. “As if! Not like you're any better when I call you out for daydreaming about Jungwon.”

Hanni’s cheeks turned a crimson hue as she told you to stop.

“So are you guys… dating now?” Dani asked you and you almost choked on your rice.

“Please, we’re just friends..”

She could only smirk and shrug.

“Sure. Don't blame me when I'll be saying ‘I told you so!’ at your wedding.”

“Whose wedding are we talking about?”

Sunoos' voice interrupted your conversation and the three of you widened your eyes.

Turning behind, you saw Riki, Sunoo and Jungwon standing together, mildly amused at your reactions.

“NO ONE’S!” You panicked, spluttering out any response you could think of, watching your friends giggle at you.

“Well, mind if we sit here then?” Jungwon asked sweetly.

“Yeah my hands are in pain from holding the tray for too long so move over.” Riki shooed you over to the side, making some space next to you.

You stared at him with your mouth open. “You have plenty of space on the other side. Why are you sitting here?”

“Are you like, blind? Can you not see that Jungwon wants to sit with Hanni?” He deadpanned and you smirked at your two friends who were now blushing.

“So, are you guys like dating now? You like each other right?” Sunoo asked, only making your best friend and her crush turn even more of a crimson hue.

You and your friends made fun of them, before Sunoo turned to you and Riki.

“Oh no, you guys don't get to laugh either. Last time I checked, you guys were eating each other's heads. How come you’re sending her heart eyes everytime you see her now, Riki?” your friend raised an eyebrow at his best friend.

It was your turn to flush red.

“Stop it, Sunoo. I swear if you don't, I'll tell your mum how you snuck out to go to Sunghoon’s party last week.”

He gasped.

“Oh you wouldn't.”

“Try me.”

You and Riki had gotten closer over the next few weeks.

His game against Riverwoods High had gone amazingly well. They had won the match by a stunning 17 points and Riki was declared the best player of the match.

You were proud of him, and you had let him know that you were. You knew how stressed he was since it was an important match.

You and your friends had gone to watch him play. (“A good girlfriend always supports her boyfriend during his matches, Y/N!”)

As if teasing you for going to his game wasn't enough, your friends went crazy when they saw the two of you hugging after the game, when you had gone to congratulate him.

You smiled to yourself as you remembered the way he hugged you tightly. His arms felt safe.

Sweaty, but safe.

“You look so stupid right now.”

Riki’s voice broke you out of your line of thoughts. You watched as he sat next to you on the bus, despite there being plenty of other seats for him to be seated on.

When you didn't respond immediately, he smirked. “Were you daydreaming? What the hell, Y/N that's so dumb.”

Scoffing, you hit his shoulder and watch him wince in slight pain. “Shut your mouth, pretty boy.”

“You think I’m pretty?” Although you weren't looking at his face, you knew he was smirking ever so slightly at your words.

“Don't get ahead of yourself, yeah? We wouldn't want that big head of yours to explode now.” You lightly patted his cheeks as you got up to get down, Riki following behind you.

“Well for the record, I think you're very pretty too.”

God, he wasn't going to make this whole friendship thing a lot easy, was he?

Unbeknownst to you, it was only going to get a whole lot worse from there.

While the two of you maintained a good friendship, you equally had your playful moments too. You would often play harmless pranks on him (and his team members), resulting in a prank war that would sometimes put you in detention, giggling as you both tried to keep a straight face when the teacher lectured you against your ‘unruly behaviours’.

“Sometimes I wish the two of them would just go back to being enemies.” Danielle complained one day, after seeing how sickeningly cute you and Riki looked, reading a book together in the library.

“Not me. I'm just glad I don't have to listen to Riki admire her from afar and keep denying it.” Jungwon sighed as he thought about the two of you.

xv.

Basketball was going well for you.

Word had soon spread in the school about how good you were, and soon enough, you had guys chasing after you and their girlfriends hating on you.

Although you couldn't be bothered, sometimes you wished they would leave you alone.

“Okay team! I’ve got exciting news for you today.” Mingyu’s voice echoed through the court as you and your teammates stood in a line in front of the older man.

“We’ve gotten our first match of the season.”

As soon as the words had left his lips, multiple reactions were given.

Yeji and Tzuyu gasped, along with some excited whispers from Yeojin. Minji and Yunjin stayed silent along with you, but smiled, happy to finally be able to play a match.

Your first match of the season.

Naturally, you were nervous. Being the Team Captain, your responsibilities would increase only more from then on. You wanted to do well.

You wanted your team to do well.

“First game of the season? That's amazing! I'm so excited for you, oh my gosh!” Your friends squealed in excitement.

“We’ll be there to cheer you on the whole time, okay?” Hanni hugged you.

Although it wasn't a very important game, it was your first game.

Your first game after you had stopped.

Your first game with a new team, a new coach and new friends.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Riki walked over to where you were seated. You grinned at the boy. Somehow his presence always made you feel a lot more at ease.

“I was just…thinking about our upcoming match.”

Riki’s eyes lit up at the mention of your match. “Oh yeah! I was gonna ask you about it. How do you feel?”

You took a deep breath. “Honestly, I don’t know. It's pretty weird. I'm excited, but at the same time, I'm also extremely worried.”

The boy beside you nodded, urging you to continue.

“It's my second first game. You know what I mean right- And I'm the captain. I…sometimes I doubt myself. I wonder if Coach made the right decision in making captain. I keep wondering how long it'll take for my teammates, and my friends, and…you, to be disappointed in me.”

Riki frowned at your words. “You're not disappointing anyone here, Y/N. You're doing such a great job.”

You let out a long sigh at his words, not sure whether you could trust yourself to believe him.

You felt a hand on top of yours and your eyes widened, looking at the boy who was smiling at you.

Badump. Badump.

Why was your breath hitching in your throat? Why did he make you feel like you were burning all over but safe, just by taking your hand in his?

“I’m proud of you, I really am. I know you’re still recovering from what those assholes have done, but trust me when I say that you're doing so well.”

You felt your eyes brimming up with tears, and tried to blink them back.

“And I promise to come watch your game, okay? I’ll be there to cheer you on, along with our friends.”

Our friends.

You smiled at him, intertwining your fingers with his.

Riki felt his heartbeat increase at your action. He noticed the tears threatening to fall down your face and brought up his other hand to wipe it away, moving closer to you to do so. Placing a stray hair behind your eyes, Nishimura Riki looked into your eyes.

Your eyes which were filled with fear, worry, hope…and another emotion which he quite couldn't name.

Riki watched as you took your hand out of his, and wrapped your arms around his neck. The smell of your perfume took over his senses, almost putting him in a daze. Coming back to his senses, he hugged you back, wrapping his arms around your waist.

You let out a deep breath when you felt him hugging you back, smiling when you felt him nudge his nose into your shoulder.

‘I've got you…I’ve got you.’

He hoped you had fallen for him just as bad as he had.

xvi.

“We need to do something about Y/N and Riki ASAP.”

Hanni, Jungwon, Sunoo and Danielle were sick of seeing the two of you being oblivious to each other.

Jungwon had known all along that you would become someone important to Riki.

The moment Riki had asked him about you, he was curious as to why his best friend had suddenly taken an interest in a new girl.

“You’re right. I can’t stand watching them like this.” Dani nodded along with the rest of them.

Sunoo suddenly gasped. “What if we set them up together? Me and Jungwon can tell Riki that Y/N has something to tell him at the rooftop and you guys tell Y/N that he has something to tell her. Make it seem like they're going to confess to each other, you get what I'm saying right?”

Hanni grinned, “That sounds like a good plan. I'll text Y/N right now. She's probably gotten out of class just now.”

Taking her phone out of her pocket, Hanni sent you a message.

hanney: Y/N!!

hanney: Y/NNNNNNNNNNNN

hanney: GIRL

hanney: CAN YOU ONLINE

yn: YES OMG WHAT IS IT

hanney: omg u will not believe what i heard

yn: ????

hanney: i overheard riki telling jungwon he wants to confess to you today

Your heart began to pace.

yn: what

yn: dont play w me rn

hanney: i swear i'm not!!! Jungwon even told me later on to tell u to meet him at the rooftop in 15 mins.

yn: fine i'll go. but istg if this is some sort of joke I WILL KILL U.

hanney: u got this baby (pls trust me i'm not joking)

yn: im omw to the rooftop rn

hanney: yayayayayayaya i'm excited 4 u

yn: ok im here

yn: why is he with another girl um

hanney: WHAT

Hanni looked up from her phone, panicking. “Jungwon you told Riki to meet Y/N at the rooftop right?”

Jungwon furrowed his brows, checking his texts. “Yeah. He’s already there.”

“Why is he with another girl who isnt Y/N then?” Jungwon’s eyes widened.

“Oh shit.”

You watched as Riki kindly smiled at the girl who was trying to conversate with him. You noticed he was trying to look around like he was trying to look for someone, but since you were hiding behind one of the panels, he couldn't see you.

You were used to seeing Riki being approached by girls before, but why did it bother you only now?

Maybe it was because you saw him smile at her, the same way he smiled at you.

Maybe it was because you thought he was only like that with you and no one else.

You took a deep breath. What were you even thinking? He probably didn't like you back anyway. Hanni must've misheard. Why would he choose you over so many girls who wanted him?

You quietly went back down, trying not to be disappointed. You were glad school was over, you weren't in the mood to talk to anyone

The bus ride home was sour. As if the sky knew what had happened, drops of rain started falling down, as if matching your mood. The pitter patter of the raindrops was oddly comforting.

Your mum had noticed how you were feeling. It didn't take her much to understand that something was bothering you.

“Boy problems?”

Her voice startled you. You were sitting against the windowsill, watching the water create puddles on the street.

You sat up straight.

“Um… yeah, I guess. How’d you know?”

She chuckled at you, taking a seat on your bed. “I've been your age too, honey. Doesnt take a genius for someone to know their daughters having boy problems. So… who's the lad who has the honour of being liked by you?”

You giggled at your moms words, and began fiddling with your fingers at the thought of Riki. “He’s uh… His name is Riki. He’s a basketball player, just like me.” You watched your mum’s eyes light up as you told her every small detail you could remember about the boy.

You told her how you thought he liked you back and had promised to come watch your game.

And about what had happened earlier today.

“I think he likes you a lot, Y/N.”

You looked at your mom, not sure what to say. A part of you wanted to believe her, but what if he was just playing with your feelings?

“Honey, you helped him when he was having a rough time, and he made sure to be there for you when you weren't feeling alright. If he really didn't like you, he wouldn't have bothered to even look back when he saw you doubting yourself.”

“And what you saw today was probably just a misunderstanding. You do realise that him just talking to other girls doesn't necessarily mean he's interested in them right?” You nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“It's nothing to be embarrassed about, okay? I'm always here if you want to talk about your boyfriend” She teased you and you whined telling her to stop.

The following few days went by in a haze.

You had so much going on. Your match was in a week, you were confused about Riki (did he actually like you back or was everyone just feeding into your delusions?).

Placing your thoughts about Riki locked away in your brain, you decided to focus on what was important.

Your match.

You had been going back to your old ways, waking up early to practice for unhealthy hours. You knew it was bad, but you needed to be perfect.

Your friends were worried about you. You had not been responding to their messages or calls, and you weren't being yourself.

Overwhelmed by your thoughts and worries about it, you fell asleep, not realising Riki had sent you a bunch of texts asking what had happened to you and whether you were alright.

xvii.

The next morning, you left for the community centre. You were going to practice for a while before you volunteered with the kids.

You were in good shape, but you needed to be the best.

You shot a 3 pointer, it barely made it into the hoop. Fuck.

What if this happened during the game? What if it didn't go in and your team lost, all because of you?

What if you embarrassed yourself in front of everyone and your teammates hated you?

You crumbled to the ground, succumbing to your anxiety.

“So… is this why you've been ignoring my texts?” Riki’s voice filled your ears.

Though it would've been a comfort to you on other days, today was not any other day. Hearing his voice didn't make you feel warm all over like it usually did. Instead, you didn't want to hear it at all.

You chose to ignore what he said, head still in your hands. You stiffened, feeling a figure crouching in front of you. You were afraid to open your eyes and look at him

“Leave me alone, Riki.” You hated how weak your voice sounded.

Riki looked at you, worried. He knew you were anxious about the upcoming match, but he didnt know it was this bad.

He reached out for your arm, gently, only to have it smacked away by you.

“Hey..is everything okay? I'm here for you.”

You wanted to believe him, you really did.

But he was probably just lying to you, just lying to make you feel better. You felt your worry being replaced by anger.

“You’re lying.”

Riki looked shocked. Your tone had changed.

“Wh-what?”

You slowly got up. “You're lying to me. You couldn't care less about me. You're just saying it to make me feel better.”

Riki didn't know what to say. He tried reaching out for your hand for you to once again move away from him.

“Y/N, I do care about you, so much that-”

“Save it, Nishimura.”

Riki felt hurt. He was worried about you. When Jungwon had told him to go up to the rooftop because you wanted to tell him something, he couldn't help but feel giddy.

He had thought maybe you were going to say that you felt the same way about him as he felt about you.

But you never showed up.

“Y/N, I know you're worried about the match but don't push yourself away from me– us, please. We’re all here for you. Danielle told me you weren't responding to anyones texts.”

You felt guilty. But you didn't want him to know that.

“It's none of your business, really. Now just leave me alone.”

Riki wanted to be patient with you, he really did. But he couldn't help but start to get annoyed with you. He wasn't very good with staying calm but he wanted to try for you.

“Look, I came here because you didnt show up the other day at the rooftop, essentially ditching me and I was worried about you and your mom told me you would be here.”

Oh great. Of course she did.

“I'm trying to help you, but you're not making it very easy–”

“Oh so it's my problem now?” You found yourself raising your voice at him.

Riki’s eyes widened. “NO! No, I– That came out wrong.”

“Seriously, just leave.” You glared at him.

You couldn't bring yourself to make eye contact with him. He was clearly hurt. Giving you one last look, he walked out of the court, deciding to leave you alone.

After you had calmed down, you realised what you had done.

‘He was only trying to help.’

Burying your head in your hands again, you felt overwhelmed with guilt. You didn't know why you had gotten so defensive and closed off.

You wanted to run up to him and say sorry. Would he even forgive you?

You felt terrible the whole day. A part of you wanted to check on him and ask him if he was still mad at you for lashing out on him.

You didn't mean to lash out on him. Remembering the way Riki looked hurt when you raised your voice at him, you groaned.

Just as you were about to get out of your bed to go and grab a glass of water, you heard the bell ring.

Opening it, you saw your two best friends standing outside, a bright smile on their faces and a bag of what looked like snacks.

“Hey. We wanted to check up on you since you weren’t responding to any of us.”

You waited one, two, three seconds before letting the exhaustion, frustration and guilt take over you and fall into both of their arms, crying.

Hanni and Danielle were understanding.

They understood what you were going through and let you let everything out.

“Oh honey, we’re so sorry if you felt like you couldnt tell us.” Danielle hugged you tight and you reciprocated the hug, mumbling thank yous into the air.

“Riki had texted us, telling us to check on you. We were planning on doing it anyway but he seemed really worried about you.” You straightened up the moment Hanni mentioned Riki.

“He…asked about me?”

Your friends looked bewildered. “Yeah he did. Why are you surprised?”

You hung your head, guilt creeping back in. “I sort of…lashed out on him a few days ago. He came to check on me but I was not feeling it and I took out all my anger and stress on him. I really thought he’d be mad at me forever now.”

Hanni looked at Danielle, as if putting together two pieces of a puzzle. “Oh no wonder he’s been rather…disturbed lately. We thought it was because he just missed you or something.”

Danielle sat next to you on the bed. “And… we’ve missed you too y’know. We know the game is important to you but you're important to us. And we’ve been worried about you.”

You looked at your friends and mumbled a ‘sorry’. Hanni and Dani both hugged you. “You've got us, okay? It's okay, just breathe.”

You were grateful for your friends a lot of the time, and now was another one of those times. Hugging them back tight, you took in a deep breath.

“Thank you.”

xviii.

You hadn’t seen Riki for the next two days.

You thought you had probably missed him during classes since you were so busy with preparing for your game, but Jungwon told you that he had not come to school. He hadn't even texted.

It worried you. Was he alright? Could something have happened to him?

Was he even going to come to your game? You weren't even sure he would come after you had lashed out at him.

The thought of Riki not being at your game made you feel uneasy.

The next day, you walked into the court to see all your teammates ready and waiting. You looked at them, a bit confused.

“Oh, am I late? I thought we were going to meet here at 11? Or did I miss any messages?” You kept your bag down and took out your shoes, tying the laces.

“Nope. We just wanted to be early to surprise our captain and show her we’re more than ready for today's game.” Yunjin smiled.

Haseul came up behind her and offered you a bottle of water.

“We already warmed up, Cap. Thought we’d save you the trouble.” She chirped and you smiled at them, taking a few sips of the water.

“Okay then, let’s wait for everyone to start coming in.”

After you did a slight warm up, Mingyu walked in and gave everyone a pep talk and instructed everyone about the game. You listened with attention, not wanting to miss out any points.

Around 1pm, everyone had started to fill in the seats. You saw your friends crowd around the front of the seats. They wanted the best seats to see you.

Hanni had yet another banner in her hand and you giggled when you saw it, sending a heart to your friends as Jungwon and Sunoo cheered for you.

You scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tall, black haired boy you had been hoping so dearly to see, only in vain. You told yourself that he would probably show up once the game was about to start.

xix.

He did not show up even after the game started.

The seats were mostly filled up, but the one person you wanted so badly to be there wasnt to be seen anywhere.

A shrill whistle broke you out of your thoughts.

The game was about to start.

Glancing at your teammates, you all took your positions, nodding at each other in a silent ‘good luck’.

You looked at your opposing team. They looked pretty confident, but you were more confident that you could beat them. You believe in yourself and in your team.

Another whistle and the ball was now up in the air.

You had forty minutes to prove your worth to everyone watching.

You leaped forward and jumped to grab the ball, watching the other team captain copy your movements in an attempt to grab the ball from you.

But you were quicker in catching it mid-air.

Now your team had the upper hand.

Your teammates quickly rushed to try to surround you to make it easier for you to get to your position.

Finding an opportunity to pass it to Tzuyu, you dribbled closer to her and passed the ball to her. She made her way towards the hoop, passing it to Haseul on the way.

You took your place near the two point box and signalled that you were open and ready. Haseul tried passing the ball to Minji but the ball was taken mid throw by the other team. You frowned. They were really quick to dribble the ball around the court to their hoop.

You signalled for your teammates to surround the opposing team and try to get the ball back in your possession. Right as they tried to score a point, Minji leaped forward to grab the ball and succeeded.

Your team scored first with a clean shot by Yunjin, who scored a two pointer. The room erupted in cheers as you gave her a thumbs up and Haseul patted her on the back.

The game continued with your team leading. You had scored 18 points so far with the scoreboard reading 26-20. The opposing team was closing in on you guys. It wouldn't be far before they caught up. You needed to step up your game.

Your team walked to where Mingyu was standing. He looked pleased with the outcome so far, but he was still very strict with his rules. He needed you guys to win that trophy. Although it was just the first game of the season, he wanted both his teams to start out well.

As Mingyu instructed your teammates on what to improve and how to identify more weak spots of the other team, you looked towards where your friends were sitting, smiling at them when they sent you signs of cheer and love.

Your eyes flickered towards the entrance door as you saw it open. Your breath hitched when you saw the person you had been longing to see for so long.

He had come after all.

Not wanting to get distracted by him, you quickly look away to avoid eye contact, deciding to talk to him after you had won the game.

Soon, the game had begun again.

The second half of the game went smoother than the first half.

Until the opposing team suddenly started getting so much better. It was almost like you guys didnt have the ball in possession anymore. They were scoring points after points after points and it was stressing you out, making you miss shots.

You were down to the last 5 minutes of the game with the score being 63-65 with your team leading. The ball was in the opposing team's possession.

You had been observing their strategy. They would try to play rough and make quick movements to steal the ball from your hands. And the sequence was always the same. Most of the shots were made by their shooting guard, Seeun, who was assisted by their power forward, Asa.

Realising that they had only one strategy, you quickly motioned Minji and Yunjin to block those two players, smirking when you saw them look at each other, confidence clearly crumbling now that their strategy was uncovered.

Yunjin noticed one of their teammates trying to pass it to Asa and jumped in and caught the ball in her hands. You let out a small cheer and ran towards your position near your hoop, watching as Haseul and Yunjin took turns passing the ball to each other and finally passed it to you.

You glanced at the clock, which showed that you only had a few seconds left before the game ended.

It was now or never.

From where you stood behind the arc, you jumped up, praying to whatever god was out there and letting the ball go from your hands.

It was as if time slowed down as you watched the ball fly to the hoop. The whole court watched in silence as the ball hit the box on the board and fell into the hoop, scoring a perfect 3-pointer.

The room erupted in cheers. Your teammates screamed in joy as you stood there, not fully processing that you had just won the game.

The girls ran to you and lifted you up in the air on their shoulders and you came back to reality, laughing out loud.

You had won. You had actually done it.

As your teammates dropped you back onto the ground, you hugged them tightly. They had all played so well and you wouldn't have won if it wasn't for them.

After celebrating with your team, you ran towards your coach and smiled when he gave you the biggest smile along with a hug, congratulating you on your first win of many more to come.

You ran to where your friends were and gave all of them the biggest hug you could. If it wasn't for their support, you wouldn't have even been able to reach this. You saw Hanni and Danielle tearing up a bit and you felt yourself tearing up too.

“I love you guys so much.”

“We love you too honey, but I think you've got someone else to say that to.” Your friends pointed towards someone behind you and you didn't need them to tell you who it was as you saw Riki walking towards where you were standing with your friends.

“Okay, we’ll leave you two alone then.”

Riki smiled at you, clearly thrilled at the outcome of your first match. You could only smile back even wider, running towards him and wrapping your arms around his shoulder as he wrapped his around your waist, giving you a bear hug.

“I'm so proud of you, Y/N.”

You tore away from the hug and looked at him with teary eyes. You couldn't believe he had shown up to your game.

“I- I thought you werent gonna come watch.” You sniffed, his arms still holding you close.

“Why? What made you think that way? Did you really think I was going to miss my most favourite girl’s match?” He said, and your heart leapt.

“You were absent for days and I thought you would be mad at me for lashing out on you the other day and you didnt show up for the first half of the game so I kind of…thought you werent going to show up.” You frowned.

Riki brought up a hand to remove some of the hair that was sticking to your forehead. “Sorry about that by the way,” He sighed. “My grandma fell sick so I had to stay home to take care of her. She’s much better now, which is why I am currently standing in front of you.”

You grinned at him, before remembering you had to apologise for shouting at him.

“Riki, I'm so sorry about the other day. I was stressed but I know that was no reason to lash out at you. And Im sorry I ditched you that day on the rooftop. I did come there but you were with another girl so I got...jealous and ran away. I understand if you're mad at m-”

You couldn't finish what you were saying because Riki had had enough of your rambling. His lips were pressed against yours in the most gentle way possible and you felt your heart beating out of its cage.

He pulled back after a few seconds and placed his forehead on yours. “I know. It's okay, you weren't feeling your best, and I'm not mad at you at all, okay?”

You were incapable of saying anything to him because you were so dazed from feeling his lips on yours.

“You didnt let me kiss you back.” You murmured, too quietly for the boy in front of you to hear properly.

“What?”

You looked into his eyes, occasionally flickering back to his lips and feeling your breath hitching in your throat as you saw him reciprocate your actions.

“I said, let me kiss you back, doofus.” And your lips were on his again, which he gladly welcomed, smiling into the kiss.

It was as if everything fell into place when your lips met. His lips moulded with yours so softly which contrasted the way he held you close to him. He held you to him as if he was scared that if he let go, you would disappear.

You couldn't have asked for a better first kiss. Although it was a bit awkward at first, it melted into something so pure and full of the love that you held for each other. Riki rubbed small circles on your hip, making you feel dizzy from all the attention he was giving you.

Pulling away to breathe, you kept your faces close as the two of you broke out into wide grins.

“Oh and by the way, that girl you saw at the rooftop was asking for Sunoo hyung’s number, not mine. So youve got nothing to worry about, Im all yours.” He clarified.

All yours. You liked the sound of that.

“So…I read all the signals correctly right? You like me back?” He asked you and you could only nod, still feeling high from the kiss and your win.

“Yes I do, dumbass.” You giggled and gave him another peck for good measure.

He pulled away a bit so he could see your face properly. “So then you'll be my amazing, talented, basketball girlfriend?”

“If you say so.”

Riki couldn't help but let out another wide smile at your response, hugging you again before leaving a kiss on your forehead.

Unbeknownst to the two of you, your friends had been watching the two of you from afar, squealing as they saw the two of you kiss.

“Ugh, finally. Took them months to do this.” Sunoo laughed, the rest of them nodding in agreement. Danielle smirked, looking at Jungwon and Hanni.

xx.

“Now it's your turn.”

AND THATS THE END!!! If youve made it till here, thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I rlly hope you liked it :)

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