#just thinking out loud. i really would love to not work on a print today. maybe i could carve but i don't want to print too
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i'm torn bc ideally i should bang out a print for this month today so i can have all of next week to post about it for patreon but i hate doing it all in one day and i don't like being rushed. i could just do something easy or do a reprint of one of my pre-patreon prints (there ARE a few but the downside is a lot of my print people have purchased those!!) but the print i wanted to do is a companion to the one i did last month. and also it would be nice not to spend all day working since i had to go to my JOB yesterday! i'll probably just do it next weekend but that's not ideal for promo purposes. but nobody pays attention to those anyway so whatev i guess
#just thinking out loud. i really would love to not work on a print today. maybe i could carve but i don't want to print too#i'm packing my shop orders and doing chores today. isn't that ENOUGH work?????#ugh yeah i guess i'll just do it next weekend. i would rather do these back to back#chatpost#for a few months i was doing the print so early on!! what happened why am i scrambling at the end of the month again#jk it's because i kept having other things to do. like TAXES
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spring(sundress with no panties season) is here! abby better get her ass over her and do the nasty work!
Yeah! No panties season!
I’m so sorry I just now got to this love T.T also I feel like this gets off track? So I’m sorry if it does…I really hope you like it never the less though!
Warning(s): Lesbian sex, Abby eats you out from the back, oral sex(reader receiving), ass slapping(a lot of it), reader has hair(hair not specified), public sex(it takes place outside but no one is around), a lot of nicknames(I.e babygirl, pumpkin, good girl), dry humping, brief touch of aftercare, and I think that’s it?
NO MINORS PAST THIS POINT!!!
Pushing you up against the tree— Abby kneeled down on the ground with her thighs spread and lifted the skirt of the dress up before she started to eat you out from the back, and since you weren’t wearing panties it made her job all the more easier as she licked at you slick as it leaks down your inner thighs. Your back arched so your chest was pressed against the rough bark of the tree, your cheek rubbing against it and caused a sore little rash but you were to far to care. Abby wait— you moan out, barely trying to stop her assault on your cunt.
Abby had took you out on a little date outside the stadium walls, nothing far away just into the surrounding trees. She told you to dress up— but she didn’t think you would wear an actual dress. The little sandy colored dress that contrasted gorgeously with your skin tone ended just above your kneecaps, showing off the length of your beautiful legs. The shoulders of the dress were a little puffy and leads down to a sweetheart neck line.
The ruched dress was an amazing find on your half, you had gone on a patrol last week and with it getting hotter you wanted something cooler to wear. You happened to stumble over the very dress you are currently wearing— and decided to wear it today on your date. You just didn’t know it would have such an affect in Abby.
“Abby please—wait, w-what if someone sees?”
“Let me worry about that Sweet girl.” She said pulling away from your wet pussy, your sweet nectar and her saliva were dripping down her chin, but she could care less. The messier the better.
You whine as she got back to work, kissing at your little twitching button. Abby moans at the slight salty taste that was uniquely you— as she sticks her tongue into your clenched cunt. She loved how - no matter how many times she fucks you, your little cunt always stays so tight. Abby groaned and dropped her left hand down to her own crotch, grasping at it and rubbing over her large clit through the rough material of her cargo pants. you always made her ache so bad, she couldn’t help but touch herself to reviled that sweet pain.
She breathed in your scent as she lifted her right hand up and slammed it back down on your ass cheek, making a loud CLAP sound. You squeal out and cry as Abby left her hand there, not lifting it once it made contact with your ass. It made the pain much more sore but so fucking good. It made your cunt throb as your whole body trembles. Abby chuckles darkly and lifts her hand up once more and slammed it back down on the same— already tender spot. You cry out again and your foot lifts off the ground a little and stomps down on the damp soil with a quite thud.
Abby pulls away,”There you go baby,” She grips at the sore spot,”Let it out.”
You groan as her fingers dig into the fat of your ass, grasping at the hand print she left behind. Abby ‘s not fair, you whine. Making her stand up to loom over your trembling form, her shadow casted over you and blocked the bright sun. You whimper as you look up to meet her blue eyes that were now black from lust but still so beautiful. You let out a little sound as you feel her right hand snake up the back of your head and grab the roots of you hair before pulling your head back, making your already arched back arch even more. Your ass pushing into her hips, she lifts her left hand to place it on the tree to help balance herself as she leaned over you. Her eyes narrowed at you as she looked down at you from the bridge of her nose, your big doe like eyes cut upwards to look at her upside down. You were bitting you lower lip as you wait for her to speak.
“You’re lucky I don’t have my strap,” she leaned in closer,”Because I would be fucking you so hard right now.” Her warm breath washed over you and you felt your cunt throb again at her words. You leaned up to try and kiss her but she quickly leaned back, keeping your hair in her grasp to keep your back arched into her pelvis. She dropped her left hand heavily onto your ass cheek, doing the same thing she did to the right side, making you wince. “but I don’t think you deserve it to be honest,” she sighed as she slapped you ass again. “Because you’re a naughty girl, not even wearing panties.”
You whine as you grind your ass against her hips and she rolls them against your ass, she does this a few times. Just rolling them before she let’s go of your hair and places her hands on your waist and pulled you back a little away from the tree. You made a questioning sound and turned your head to look at her— but then your felt that first fake thrust against your ass. You gasp as she does this, your hands clench the bark tightly, was she— she did it again.
She was humping you.
Abby was humping your ass like she did when she was fucking you, reenacting those thrusts. Her thrust were so hard your exposed ass jiggled and your tits bounced. She leaned over your back and slip her hands up from your waist and grabbed the rim of your neckline before pulling it down to free your breasts, and to find out you weren’t wearing a bra either. She chuckled lowly in your right ear as her hands grabbed your tits, gripping that pillowy fat and pinched at your nipples. You gasp and arch you back little more, pushing your breasts into her warm hands.
“Not wearing a bra either,” She nipped at your ear lobe. “My babygirl really wanted to get fucked today, huh.”
She nuzzles her face against your neck in a sweet soft moment, finally enjoying being alone after not having hardly any alone time this last mouth. Of course you two shared a room but you were both so tired after the long days, you could hardly stay awake long enough to say ‘I love you’. She finally decided to stop teasing you as you let out a quite whine.
“Okay my sweet little Pumpkin, I’ll take care of you. Been so good for me this last mouth, waiting so patiently.”
Abby leaned back and kneeled back down on the ground, placing kisses on the tender spots on your ass cheeks from were she slapped you. She looked at your sopping wet cunt that was just dripping sweet honey. She placed a kiss on your clit, before she finally licked a long stripe from your clit to your clenched hole— moaning out as she gathered up your salty slick onto her tongue, her taste buds buzzing.
You ground your hips back against her face making her growl out, “be a little more patient for me pumpkin,” she licked at your weeping hole, lemme get a taste. She growled.
Your eyes fell shut and your arms wobbled as you suddenly felt dizzy, you lean your cheek against the tree again and softly mewl out. She hums against your clit in acknowledgment, she knew she made you dizzy— as you told her before. And she did, she made you so fucking dizzy.
You jump when you suddenly feel that hot white burn in your lower abdomen, that sweet heat that signaled your blissful end was near. You tremble as Abby continued to suck on your clit, bouncing it on her tongue and humming around it as she moaned. She wrapped her arms tightly around your thighs, pulling you closer to her mouth as she made out with your pussy.
“Abs ‘m gonna cum,” you breath out. “gonna cum.”
You roll your hips up and down, grinding your dripping pussy across her mouth, she growls deeply and sticks her tongue out for your to ride. Her hands moved to your ass to help bounce you up and down.
“Fuck—mm, feels s’ good baby,” your praise her.
You felt your cunt throbs as she groaned out, sending the vibrations up your spine. Please—please you beg, please let me cum. You feel Abby nod her head and she hums again.
Your eyes roll back and as you mouth falls open into an ‘o’ shape, your legs trembling as you gasp for air, not a sound coming from your lips. Abby uses her hands to grip your ass and pull you back down when your pull away, as punishment she shakes your ass a little again to make your clit grind against her chin as she licks at your hole to overstimulate you.
You cry out as she did this and you pull away once more, clawing at the tree bark and breaking some off, making Abby pull away from your weeping pussy breathless as she hears the bark break. She quickly stands up and leans around you to grab your hands and unclench them from the tree, she was worried you might hurt yourself on accident and she did see a few little scraps on the tip of your fingers, but it was nothing to cry home about. She placed kisses on your fingers as you leaned back against her, your head laying on her shoulder and your eyes closed as you catch your breath. Your dress falling back down to cover your decency, and Abby pulled the top back over your tits.
Abby smiles and while still holding your hands she wraps her arms around you and makes your hug yourself with her. She lays her head on your head and places gentle kisses there, closing her eyes as she took in the quite moment in nature with you, letting you soak up that glorious afterglow with her.
Your legs trembled and you staggered a little which made Abby sit down in the ground with you, pulling you to sit on her lap so your pretty dress doesn’t get ruined. She leans back against the tree under the shade and cuddles you close to her chest, leaning down she places another kiss on your head and whisper sweet praises to you.
“Did so well for me babygirl, I love you so much.” And “My good girl, always does so good for me.”
You hum as you relax into her chest and lean your head on her shoulder again— suddenly you felt your tummy rumble, making you sigh. Abby giggles,”You hungry baby?” She reached for her backpack and you look up as she pulls out peanut butter cracks and two apples. Your favorite snacks. You sit up quickly and smile brightly at her and she holds a cracker to your lips. You take a bite with a cute small sound that made Abby’s heart melt. As she was feeding you she used her free hand to rub at your back, gently scratching her nails across the skin giving you goosebumps. Under the bright Seattle sun you both sat there feeding each other, finally enjoying your alone time together.
#lovely people#anon ask#abby anderson#abby anderson/reader#abby tlou#wlw#abby anderson x reader#abby anderson x you#abby anderson x female reader#abby anderson smut#abby anderson tlou2#abby the last of us#abby x reader#abby anderson/you#abby anderson fluff#abby anderson fan fiction#Abby Anderson Blurbs
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"You're good with kids"
C/n = code name
*Ghost's POV*
I hear crying to my left, pictures flash through my head, what if it's a trap, what if its a child dying, what if I can't save them? This job isn't worth it if I don't try. I turn the corner to see a child just standing there screaming... what do I- oh
"C/N!" the child turns to me and runs up to me, flinching, the child hugs my leg
"Yeah Ghos- oh...pfft"
"Don't laugh! Get this thing off me!" I whisper yell at them
"Alright- alright, hey sweet heart, whats your name" they ask the kid
"S-stevi" he says through broken sobs
"Well, hello Stevi, I'm c/n, and this is Ghost. How old are you Stevi?"
"f-f-four" he stutters out slowly reducing the crying
"Wow! You're a big boy! Do you want to come with us, we can keep you safe and take care of you, until we can get you to other people?" the kid nodded and slowly let go of my leg, holding on to Y/n as tight as possible as she ducked and I covered her back to the Truck, finally when we got there we seen the rest of the 141 done with the mission already, waiting on us.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Price yells and sends the kid behind me again holding on to my leg, a loud
SMACK
and Price's head was turned to the left
"First of all, never yell at me, second of all, if you ever yell in front of this child again I'll have Ghost bury your body" Y/n says plainly
--
*Back at the base*Y/n's POV*
We had converted an interrogation room into a play room, and bedroom. As I looked in the window I could see the printed off coloring pages and colorful pens being used by both Stevi and Ghost, they sat together coloring on the table, Ghost had a picture of skeletons dancing and Stevi had a picture of a puppy. Ghost snapped his head up from the table looking straight at me and told Stevi he'll be back. He opened and closed the door slowly and quietly
"You're good with kids" I told him
"meh, you are, what you did in the field was impressive" he said shrugging off my words
"heh- thanks"
"I kinda want to keep him"
"me too, you think they'll let us adopt him and keep him here?"
"that's be dangerous"
"yeah, but we could always teach him, also I've been planning on asking about using some money I have saved to build a safe room, I could add a bedroom in there?"
"You really think that would work?"
"I don't know"
-----*3 years later(Y/n's POV)*-----
Stevi ran through the turned living room in the base
"Stevi slow down I don't want you falling!" I yelled from the kitchen
"Sorry Mom! AH! DAD PUT ME DOWN" I turned around to see Simon holding Stevi on his shoulder upside down
"Si, be careful!" I raised my voice
"We are, we are. mm today is Saturday, we're going to the graves today right?"
"Yes, we are." I let him know, a few minutes later we were walking down the hill inside the base fences, slowly we could see the two graves, on one: "To all the fallen innocent souls, Shall you rest in peace" on the other: "To my Mother, Father and Sister, Lealla, My memories are small and old, but never forgotten, With love, Your son, Steven"
"You okay baby?" I ask Stevi
"Yeah, thank you for always coming here with me" he says, just like every Saturday
@nyen65432
#cod smut#cod x reader#ghost smut#ghost x reader#simon ghost riley smut#simon ghost riley x reader#simon riley smut#simon riley x reader#cod 141#task force 141#141 x reader#tf 141#mw2 141#mw2#cod mw2#cod
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Drake Horde! AU: What Happened in DC.
Tim: Hello.
Wonder Woman/Diana Prince:
Diana: ... Hello.
Tim: My name is Timothy Drake. You really punched those bad guys- thank you for saving us.
Diana: ... You're welcome.
Diana: Do...is everything okay...?
Tim: I have an older brother
Diana: Okay.
Tim: He's an Omega.
Diana: Okay.
Tim: And he's adopted, but that's why he's the eldest. And because he's also the Pack's Heart, but that's because he's courageous and kind and really the best brother and person ever I love him a lot he's really awesome.
Diana: *truly lost the plot but curious about where this is going* ...Okay.
Tim: And he didn't want a big presentation ball or presents or even a big trip, and I get that, but he really looks up to you and has your articles printed and he has your merch and he wants to be an archivist, like you used to do.
Diana: Well that's just sweet, I-
Diana: how did you know I was an archivist
Tim: Oh, so you do use Diana Prince as a civilian identity
Diana:
Tim:
Diana: ... where is your pack?
Tim: So we got separated during the battle and I know my brother is looking for them and probably me, but like, today is a super important day and he's like, the best person ever, could you maybe say hi to him and let us take a picture and maybe your tiara cause like his replica tiara accidentally broke and the gift store was sold out of all of them and I know he's really upset about it. Just for the photo.
Diana:
Diana: ...he's your...brother...?
Tim: Yup. He's originally from Crime Alley- we're from Gotham- and we adopted him and he's always looked up to you, he likes you better than Batman, and thinks you're amazing and you do all this amazing work and he does amazing stuff too I can tell you about it if you want. I got a list.
Diana:
Tim: 🙂
Diana:
Diana: You know what- yes. Yes I would like to meet your brother and say hi.
Tim:😃
Diana: What's your brother's name?
*Meanwhile*
Jack: JASON! Thank God! *Hugs*
Janet: Are you okay?
Jason: Yeah I'm fine, I'm fine, we got to another safe location and stayed until they said it was safe -
Jack: -Jesus, I thought we would be okay in DC, it's not Gotham, jesus-
Janet: Where's Tim?
Jason: He's just right behind
Jason:
Jason: *paling* oh my god. He was right behind me. Oh my god- what if he's dead-
Jack: Let's not panic-
Janet: He has to be close by-
Diana: *loud, booming* WOULD THE PACK OF JASON DRAKE PLEASE SPEAK UP.
Jack:
Janet:
Jason: no he did not.
Diana: WONDER WOMAN WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE SPECIAL BOY ON HIS DAY OF CELEBRATION -what?- AH, AND A CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR TIME OF YOUR OMEGAN BLOOM.
Tim: *from a distance* Jason! She said yes to the picture!
Janet:
Jack:
Jason: I'm going to kill him.
#drake pack au#tim drake#janet drake#jack drake#jason todd#jason drake#wonder woman#aob#omega jason todd#drake horde au
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Nightshade
Chapter 23 | Chapter 25
TW: As always: language, mentions of drugs and alcohol, smoking, sex, general mature themes. We've got some Tony in this chapter, some clear violations of the law and personal property/privacy, Simone's back (...yaaaaayyy), I'm gonna blue ball y'all just one more time with the big conversation our two idiots gotta have, another painting, some mentions of grooming, Lena's not in the mood for any of the shit this chapter, Jake's being the good "friend" he is. Some lies get told, and finally our dummies have THE conversation but also not really xD Enjoy!
Chapter 24: Burn the Ice
The morning chill stung his face as he exited the car - a reminder that the snow could start any day now. With calm, leisurely steps his fine leather shoes echoed amongst the chaos of the city. It was loud and crowded and smelt like cheap street vendor food. Disgusting, he thought to himself, glaring at the slouched-back people running the dirty stalls for a minute before starting up the steps.
Her building was old and smelt of mold, something he couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction about. It was obvious she wasn't living as well as she had been with him. The landlord gave him a wide-eyed look, one he was well accustomed to - the style of the rich was always something poor people gawked at - but all he did was smile that charming smile and offer the old man a wave as he made his way past.
At the door he let the others do their work, patiently drumming his fingers along the hard cover of the sketchbook while they did. The door made a loud creaking noise as it opened. “Wait here. I won't be long.”
The faint smells of cleaning materials and dust filled his nose. She'd been staying here less and less the closer the cold months got. A lingering trauma that made her unconsciously cling to that pathetic family of hers. A trauma he felt a burning frustration and an undoubtable swell of pride whenever he recalled it. Running his fingers along her countertop, looking at the living room filled with paintings she'd done after slipping away, Tony allowed himself a rare moment of quiet.
In that quiet Tony breathed in the faint smell of her cherry perfume with a grimace. He'd always hated that smell, hated the tiny fruit in general. But, he admired the malice behind it… The choice to douse herself in it was one clearly made to slight him. She could do nothing without thinking of him, even if it was in anger, for now, Tony enjoyed the simple fact that Lena still thought of him every day. It was a testament to a larger, even more satisfying truth.
This sad, pathetic little life she'd scrounged together was nothing without him.
Jules’ heavy footsteps intruded on his quiet, but he did so with respect so Tony would allow it. “He's coming this way.”
“How long?”
“Four minutes.”
“Good.” Right on schedule.
Tony set the sketchbook back on the counter and pulled the lovely orange flower from his breast pocket giving it a sniff before setting it on top of the book. Jules handed him the envelope with her name neatly printed in his decadent handwriting. “We'll see each other soon, my Lena.”
Jules had timed it perfectly, as he always did, right as Tony stepped out the door onto the steps of Lena's apartment the old biker turned onto the street. His eyes grew wide in terror and rage as he spotted him. Perfect. With a wide grin, Tony lifted his hand and offered them a wave before he slid into his limousine. “Take us home, driver. We're done here for today.”
*
A sweet smell filled Jake’s nose as he rolled onto his stomach, arm draping over the warm body lying beside him. The sweet, fruity, decadent aroma was one he recognized in mere seconds. Cherries. He happily buried his nose in that smell. Lena.
He cracked an eye open, catching that heavenly glimpse of the sun hitting her hair just right making it glow like fire. Pretty as that was, it paled in comparison to the sight of her bare back peeking out from beneath his covers. Her skin was soft as silk beneath the tips of his fingers as he lazily traced the snake tattoo.
The warm fuzziness that filled his chest made every touch, every smell, and sound feel almost dreamlike. He would have thought this was just another dream like he had the first time he woke up to her in his bed, but the sensations were too defined to just be his imagination. That and he felt so damn tired from the long night he'd spent in the throes of such physical activities.
With a pleased sigh, Jake recalled all the ways they'd made up for wasted time. He could still taste the sweetness of Lena's lips, still feel her soft skin rubbing so deliciously against his own. If he closed his eyes again he was sure he'd see the heavenly image of her moving on top of him. It was seared into his mind now just like his name felt forever changed now that he'd heard it on her lips as she came apart beneath him. The hickeys on his neck and the faint marks left by her fingernails clawing at his back would be more obvious things to remind him that last night had been real. Those marks would fade in a week or two unless he let her give him more, which he gladly would.
Lena had taken her time with him, kissing him, teasing him, working him so expertly he'd actually struggled not to come prematurely. She was just as talented as she'd built herself up to be and he felt like a damn fool for ever even doubting her. As if she needed more added to the list of all her perfections now she could add being the best he'd ever had.
She was vocal, not just in expressing her pleasure but in encouraging his own. No matter how hard he thought Jake couldn't remember ever feeling as satisfied during or after sex in his life. In between the three rounds of their newfound intense passions, Jake found himself… Present. Usually after an orgasm or two, he'd just fall asleep not caring if his partner did the same or not, but with her, he felt awake… Alive.
They spent just as much time talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company as they had tangled in his sheets. They ate, drank, and played with their cat whenever the little creature slinked from his hiding place. It all felt natural and oddly intimate and, for better or worse, Jake enjoyed it.
Physical intimacy was something he'd always excelled at. Flirting, foreplay, all of it came naturally to him. Jake had spent his fair share of time between the legs of beautiful women but Lena was something else entirely. Something new. Being with her made him feel like his pleasure - he - mattered just as much as hers. It was a concept he'd never truly understood, let alone experienced until now.
Ever since he could remember Simone - women in general - had told him exactly what they wanted from him. Touch me. Kiss me. Fuck me. Faster. Slower. Harder. They told him how to please them and he listened. It was a good time for all parties, but deep down Jake always felt that sting of emptiness. It’d been more about following their orders than it had been about just getting to enjoy the moment. He felt used… Like he'd only been good for a quick fuck and nothing else.
Normally Jake would have swallowed that feeling and forced himself to move… To physically shake off the very thought of it. He'd busy his mind with reading or mundane tasks like showering or cleaning. He'd build up the wall between him and whoever he'd fucked the night before - distance himself from feeling anything at all. Right about now, Jake should have been justifying his dickish, asshole behavior by repeating the words Simone had said to him since he could remember. This is who you are, love. You're just not built for ordinary people.
Ordinary people turned out to be everyone. Everyone but Simone. And now… Maybe… Lena.
He never truly understood how powerful feelings like this could be. He never knew that one person - even one as perfect as her - was capable of making him feel like an entirely different person. Jake felt more like himself, a self he barely even knew any more than he had in practically his entire life. He let the peaceful silence and that warm feeling in his chest stay as he curled further into the back of his sleeping redhead.
It wasn't until Hemingway climbed over both their legs, shimmying beneath the curtains and pushing them open to further blind him with sunlight that Jake truly woke up. Pleased with his work the cat proudly pranced across the pillows to stare down at him with an impatient and demanding meow. He couldn't help but chuckle as Hemingway slapped his forehead with a fleshy paw. Lena mumbled something in her sleep, burrowing her face in his blanket with a happy sigh that practically drowned out the cat's noise. God, he wanted to wake her up and kiss her, feel her, fuck her until they were both too exhausted to continue.
After laying in bed for a minute longer - until Hemingway was on the verge of exploding - he slowly slid out of the sheets and stretched his tense back out with a quiet groan. Briefly glancing over his shoulder to make sure that he hadn't woken her, Jake slid on a pair of pants picked his shirt up off the floor, and dished up Hemingway’s food with a quiet scold, “There, was that so hard to wait for?”
He cleaned up the remnants of the night, tossing the now nubs of melted wax in the trash and putting the leftover oyster shells in his sink. When he moved to put the champagne in his fridge he was bitterly reminded of how little food he had. Shit. He set the champagne back on the counter, closing the fridge to look back at the bed. Did he really want to have the conversation in some overcrowded, too-loud diner?
The thought sat in his mind for a second as a list of possible interruptions made him shake his head. Nope. He wasn't going to risk not talking about this any longer because of anything. Maybe that Chinese is still good? Nope. Jake may have been lazy but even he was above serving month-old Chinese food for breakfast.
Jake knew Lena wouldn't care about where they ate breakfast, but he didn't want to risk anything going wrong. Besides, Lena deserved a proper breakfast. He wanted her to know that he'd thought about this. That he was ready - willing - to put his best foot forward. Jake wanted to show Lena that this wasn't just a one-night stand and that he wasn't going to vanish now that he'd finally fucked her. More than anything he wanted her to see how much last night, she, meant to him.
He quietly put on his shoes and grabbed his keys and wallet. Writing her a quick note, he set it on his pillow and pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. I'll be back before she even wakes up, he reassured himself as he turned and headed out the front door. The diner by his house would be open. It may not have been the best food, but it'd have to do.
I'm definitely going grocery shopping tomorrow. When Lena spent the night again, he'd be ready.
*
I woke to an abrupt slap to the center of my forehead followed by a loud, demanding meow directly in my ear. The silhouette of Hemingway's pointed ears was all I could see as he stood in front of the sunlit window. “Good morning to you too.”
Another demanding meow was the creature's only reply as I stretched my arms over my head and yawned. Hemingway jumped off the bed the second I'd sleepily rolled over to throw my arms around the body that should have been beside mine but wasn't. A nervous, gut-wrenching pit filled my stomach as I patted the empty mattress. “Jake?”
No answer.
“Jake?” I called out just a bit louder as I held the blanket to my naked chest and sat up in his bed, looking around his now-empty apartment.
The bathroom door was open and the shower was off. His kitchen was empty, although cleaner than it had been when we'd finally fallen asleep. There weren't many places one could hide in an apartment as small and open as his. I shifted slightly, fingers brushing against a thin piece of paper on his pillow.
Relax Princess, I just ran to grab us some breakfast. Should only be ten or fifteen minutes. Make yourself comfortable and DO NOT feed the cat again no matter how much he meows at you!
Air filled my lungs and my body relaxed back into Jake's soft sheets. He was safe. I was safe. Everything was alright.
For how long though? When he returned we'd have to finally have that discussion. The discussion. I'd need to have answers - need to admit just how much I'd fallen for him. The very thought of looking into his stupid, beautiful eyes and pouring my heart out to him made me feel dizzy.
Would he feel the same now that he'd achieved his original goal? Would Jake still want me as much as I still wanted him? And how much did I want him? How far had I really fallen since the start?
Too far. Was the only answer I could admit to. I was naked in his apartment. I had slept with him in his bed. I was waking up with the cat we'd both unofficially adopted. There was no denying it. I was hopelessly, pathetically, irreparably in this - whatever this was. There was no going back to how things were before, not when all I could think about was just how perfect Jake's lips felt on mine and how amazing last night had been.
Sex was nothing new. It was something I'd had a lot of experience in, good and bad. I knew all the steps, all the moves, and still last night had taken me by surprise. Sex with Jake had been… different. It was unlike every other sexual experience I’d had.
I often had to find ways to keep myself in the moment, something that got easier the more I was with someone or the more time had passed. But, with Jake, I was just there. I didn't need to remind myself to breathe. I didn't need to force my body to relax and repeat his name to remind myself whose hands were touching me.
It was fun, exciting and intimate. Instead of feeling that shameful disgust, the one I needed to tell myself wasn't real, I felt at peace. There hadn't been a single moment when we were tangled together that I’d felt anything but completely and utterly cherished. I felt safe, unburdened by all the shit that'd been complicating even the simplest things in my life. Last night nothing else mattered, nothing but us.
Us. It was a word that made my lips quirk up in a smile. Us was simple. Us was what I wanted. And us was ultimately what I was most afraid of.
There were just so many ways it could all go wrong. I could fuck it up. He could fuck it up. We could both collectively fuck it all up. And then what? We'd just have to go about our lives working together, seeing each other every day, watching each other meet new people, and moving on? Even just the possibility of seeing Jake with anyone else made me feel sick.
No, I thought sadly. We're in too deep for that. I couldn't live without Jake. His asshole attitude and his smart mouth, his smile, his laugh, he was entwined in my life now in a way I couldn't undo even if I tried. So, the choice was already made. I'd - we’d -make it work. No matter what I had to do to keep this from falling apart - to keep him in my life - I'd do it.
After surviving another round of Hemingway's desperate attempts to convince me to feed him, I was out of Jake's bed staring at the sulking cat as I searched for Jake's dresser. “Hitting me doesn't change the fact that you already ate!”
He hissed.
“You better watch that attitude,” I replied. “Or I won't sneak you any of my breakfast when Jake gets back.”
Hemingway’s eyes narrowed and with a moment of consideration before he rubbed himself against my feet. “Yeah, that's what I thought.”
As respectfully as I could, I searched Jake's drawers until I found his clothes. While they were kind of baggy on me, it was better than walking around in his blanket all morning. Besides, I enjoyed the way they smelt like him and felt softer against my skin than my own clothes had.
My eyes trailed along his shelves, taking a more in-depth look at his books and pictures and odds and ends that he'd saved over the years. There was so much history in his space. So many things that had been saved for a reason I couldn't know just by looking at him. Curiosity swelled in me, my mind running wild with all the possible reasons he'd held onto things. For the first time in a long time I wanted to ask questions and get closer to someone. I wanted to listen to him tell me every story and every detail about his life before I entered. I wanted to know every piece of him.
My fingers traced one of the seashells as his front door opened and he stepped inside with a bag from some diner. His eyes instantly found me, that shimmer in them making me blush and my heart soar. “Hey.”
“Hi,” he replied, clearing his throat. “Sorry, I was gone so long.”
“It's no problem,” I answered, watching his eyes take in the clothes I now wore. “I… Uh… borrowed some of your clothes. I hope that's okay.”
As he set the bag down his eyes continued to roam down my body, that sinful smirk answering me long before his words did. “That's fine, though I was looking forward to coming back to a beautiful naked woman.”
“If you'd been quicker you woulda gotten that,” I teased. “I just barely got dressed.”
He clicked his tongue. “Damn. Maybe next time.”
Definitely next time, I thought as my mind played through all the new possibilities available to us now that we’d crossed the threshold. Clearing my throat, I moved to stand next to him as he unpacked the food, distractedly watching his hands for a second before asking, “What's for breakfast?”
“The works. Bacon, eggs, sausage, waffles,” he watched my nose scrunch up and chuckled before pulling a box out of the bag and setting it in front of me. “Don't worry, I got you pancakes.”
“You remembered,” I replied, eagerly opening it to the smell of the sweet stacks. “I'm impressed.”
With a shrug, Jake shooed the cat away and leaned back against the counter. “Don't be. It's not like it was a big secret.”
We both took a few tentative bites before neither of us could contain our nerves anymore. “So-”
“We-”
Chucking at one another's interruptions I nodded to him. “You go first.”
Jake watched me, the ocean in his eyes rolling with tense waves and anticipation. “Well, I guess now's as good a time as any for us to talk about last night… and the ones before.”
Don't freak out, I told myself. Just be honest. “Yeah, things have been… Interesting… between us lately.”
“Good interesting?” He asked with a cocky grin, taking a step closer to me.
I nodded, “Great interesting. Right?”
“Right.”
“So…” The words caught in my throat as Jake took one last step closer, putting us chest to chest.
His breath, slightly sweet smelling, rolled across my face. “So…”
“I… I want t-” The front door swung open and the head of blonde hair made my teeth snap shut in anger.
Simone stood in the open doorway, that red-lipped mouth hanging open in shock for a moment before it closed. Jake turned, brows furrowed and the tension between us quickly shifted into just tension. “...Simone?”
She smiled at him, quickly with no sincerity before she looked me up and down and nodded to herself. “Lena. What a surprise.”
I bit my tongue and simply nodded at her while my eyes scanned the floor for my shoes. Jake watched Hemingway dart to his hiding place before returning his attention to the new interruption. “How was your trip?”
The mood soured further as Simone just shook her head, her eyes wide with rage and the smile on her lips quickly shifting into a sneer. “Oh, it was just fantastic. I always love dealing with my mother alone.”
Time to go. I knew if I stayed for even another sentence Jake would be pulling me off Simone and everything between us would be stained with chunks of blonde hair and blood. I may have been able to see her for what she was, but Jake wasn’t and an attack on her - physical or otherwise - would effectively jeopardize everything I had or may have had with Jake. I pushed my hair behind my ears and hastily grabbed my things, quickly pulling on my shoes. “I should go.”
“You…” Jake started to protest, but quickly thought better of trying to keep Simone and I in a room together for longer than necessary. “We can finish this later.”
With a nod I pressed a soft kiss to his lips and forced myself to smile through the disappointment in an attempt to show him I was still ready to have the talk whenever we could find the time. “See you at work.”
“Yeah,” he answered softly, breathing out a slightly relieved sigh. “See you at work.”
As I turned I held Simone's glare, telling her without any words that she wasn't getting rid of me so easily. I grabbed the champagne bottle off the counter and slid out of Jake's apartment, closing the door behind me. The entire walk to Quinn’s I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat and kept repeating positive thoughts to keep myself from crying out of sheer frustration.
I let myself in, setting the champagne on the table next to Quinn and Ari who just looked at me in confusion. “Good morning?”
“Yeah… Morning or whatever,” I replied flopping onto Quinn's couch and melting into the cushions.
“Long night?”
“Was it bad?” Ari asked, practically jumping up from the table. “I didn't think Jake could fumble the bag when sex was involved.”
“Simoneshowedup,” I grumbled into the cushions.
Quinn settled on the arm of the couch. “Say again?”
Lifting my head I turned and glared at her. “We fucked. A lot. It was great and then right when we were about to have the talk Simone just invited herself in.”
Both Ari and Quinn's mouths formed an O. “Yikes.”
“Anything we can do?” Quinn asked, gently rubbing my back.
Flopping back onto the couch I sighed. “Kill me.”
*
The second the door closed all hell broke loose. Simone threw her bags to the ground and angrily stomped around his kitchen to open the wine she'd brought. “Can we not do this?”
With a joyless laugh, she glared at him. “Not do what? Not keep our promises to each other? Cause you sure as hell have already started that.”
"Jesus," Jake breathed with a frustrated shake of his head. "It just barely happened. What did you want me to call you during and let you know?"
Simone glared at him, her lips thinning into that tight line. "Do not mock me, Jake.”
“I'm not mocking you. I just… I don't fucking understand what you want from me.” His whole body felt so tight he was sure he'd explode any second. “One minute you're telling me to do what I want and the next you're pissed at me for doing what I wanted to!”
“I want you to show me some goddamn respect!” She shouted, slamming her hand down on his counter. “I have been carrying you since you were eight years old and it has been the only thing I've asked of you! Yet you still find ways of failing at that too!”
Jake felt that ugly swell of tears burning behind his eyes. He felt his whole chest ache and his mind sluggishly repeat the word. Fail. Fail. Fail. That's all you ever fucking do. You fail Simone. You failed your mom. You'll fail Lena too. That's all you're good for. Gritting his teeth Jake forced himself to breathe. He forced himself to stay standing, to blink the tears away and speak, “I do respect you. I respect you more than anyone else! I just… It just barely happened, Simone. I was going to tell you the second I got the chance-”
“And when would that have been?” She asked the anger in her voice never wavering. “In a month? Two? Until I had to walk in on you?”
“It would have been when I saw you!” Jake shook his head. “I tell you everything, Simone. I always have, I always will. That's what we do. We tell each other things, we trust each other.” Slowly he could see Simone's shoulders relax and that glimmer of love return to her eyes. “Do you trust me?”
She finally abandoned the wine and gently took hold of his face. “Of course I do.”
The ache dulled as she stroked his cheeks and he finally felt like his lungs were filling with air instead of acid. “I was going to tell you.”
“I know,” she sighed. “I do. I just… It surprised me. And you know how much I hate surprises.”
“I'm sorry,” he whispered.
Simone smiled and pressed her lips to his, a kiss that once would have sent his heart soaring but now made his gut twist in his chest as he inevitably thought of Lena. She pulled back and nodded. “I know.”
“Are we good?”
“Yes. We are. Honestly, now I guess I’m…” Simone shook her head as she poured her wine and with a heavy sigh, Jake prepared himself for the word he knew far too well. Disappointed. “Relieved.”
“What?”
She picked at Lena's discarded dress, shrugging a shoulder as if she hadn't just been screaming at him over this. “It's done now. You've gotten it out of your system and things can finally get back to normal.”
In some sense she was right. It was done now. He tamed the tiger just like he'd wanted. Normally that did mean that Jake would move on and things would go back to normal. If Lena were anyone else he would probably fuck her a few more times before ultimately tossing her aside in favor of a new fling. But she wasn't anyone else, she was Lena…his Lena.
Jake didn't want things to go back to normal. He didn't want to feel that emptiness - the weight of being so alone and detached - again. So, Jake stared at Simone as she tidied up his apartment drank wine, and lectured him about how rude and selfish it'd been of him to abandon her over the holiday. For an hour - one that should have been filled with Lena's soft touches and breathy moans - Jake listened to his every flaw being brought to the surface.
Usually, he'd bite back and argue - defend himself against Simone’s angry accusations and slanders. But, that morning he didn't bother. Jake was tired, frustrated, and now anxious. Simone's interruption had put him and Lena right back where they started. Their pile of rain checks had barely been touched and now they'd have to restart the awkward, nervous, avoidant dance around each other. Only this time it'd be worse because they'd actually fucked.
This time the longer they went without talking about it the more likely they both were to write it off as some one-night stand and just go back to how things had been before that first kiss. The longer he sat with that thought, the more obvious it became that he couldn't survive not talking about this. Jake needed to know how Lena felt. He needed her to know how he felt.
“Are you even listening to me?” Simone snapped with a disappointed sigh. Before he could answer she'd rolled her eyes and turned away from him. “Of course you aren't.”
God it was going to be a long day.
*
The locker room was filled with gossip as I entered and shoved Sasha off as he jumped around me practically squealing, “Let me see, let me see!”
“See what?”
“Baby Jakey's work!” He replied. “From your sex!”
I glared at Ari, who sheepishly smiled. “Oh… Were you not telling people?”
“Fuck off. All of you,” I warned, opening my locker and getting changed as quickly as I could to try and avoid Sasha's peeking. The Russian only let up when a familiar broad-shouldered bartender set his bike down and entered the locker room.
“JAKEY!” Sasha purred. “Take your shirt off!”
Jake brushed past him, shaking his head. “Not in the mood Sasha.”
“Oohhhh,” he glanced between the two of us. “Was the sex that bad?”
I whirled around and slapped his forearm, cursing him in Russian until he retreated from the room giggling with Ari. “Fucking dickhead.”
Jake and I locked eyes. Desire and frustration vibrated between us, but neither of those made my heart drop… the uncertainty in Jake’s eyes, the new sliver of doubt shining back at me did. Had Simone talked him out of whatever this was? Had she dug those talons into his back hard enough for him to abandon the feelings I knew we both felt? Or had all of this… everything between us really just been part of some long game for him?
My racing thoughts must have been obvious, because Jake took a step toward me, mouth open to try and say something before Simone stepped into the locker room, happily humming as if she hadn't interrupted us at all. The apologetic look in his eyes was the only thing that kept me from punching that smug blonde bitch in the back of the head. I ground my teeth together and turned around to finish getting ready.
I left the two of them and their small talk in the locker room and headed to the table for family meal. Howard, who looked slightly tanner, offered me an apologetic look of his own that I didn't understand until I sat down and my eyes found the new painting hanging on the wall. Right. That's a fucking thing.
The vivid orange petals were splattered with red. I found my mind having to remind itself that it'd been wine instead of blood this time. The jagged cuts in the canvas and its slightly bent shape made it all too clear what'd happened to this particular empty showcase.
The glass shattered over the top of the painting at my feet, wine sloshing over the half-painted petals and the shards of glass slicing the canvas where it struck. If this had been any other circumstance I would have admired how artistic it made the piece look. But this was just another bender.
Tony lay on the ground next to the broken glass, laughing. It didn't matter how much or how loud he laughed, I could see the tired bags under his eyes and the hazed far off look that made me wonder if there was some human part of him deep inside. I almost pitied him, if just for one fragmented moment.
Jules checked his pulse and shoved my painting aside to keep him away from the broken glass. Turning to me he nodded to the mostly incoherent man at his side. “Stay with him while I get the doctor.”
“Of course,” I obediently answered, moving to kneel beside Tony. Jules gave my shoulder a soft squeeze as he stood and hurried toward the elevator.
My eyes fixated on the broken shards of glass just a few inches away. I could easily take one and shove it into his neck or cut his wrists. I could make it look like an accident… Like he'd done it to himself. Before the fear or the guilt could stop me I was reaching for the largest shard.
“Lena…” Tony mumbled, voice quivering as his glazed-over eyes searched for me. “Lena?”
“I'm here,” I answered quietly, my finger lingering on the glass as I looked down at him.
He relaxed instantly at the sound of my voice, lifting his hand to search for me in the dimly lit living room. “I… I can't see. Lena?”
Pity, understanding, and sympathy slowly replaced the darker thoughts in my head. With a gentle sigh, I slid closer to him, taking his hand in mine and pulling Tony into my lap. “I'm here.”
“W… Will you stay?” He mumbled kissing my hand. “Will you stay with me?”
The reply was practically instant… trained. “Of course.”
Tony set my hand against his chest, forcing me to feel the beating of his heart that cruelly reminded me he was a living, breathing human being. “Promise?”
Staring down at the floor of broken glass and then at the tender, beautiful face of the man I hated and feared and… Loved… I nodded. The words sounded sincere but filled my chest with a numbness that made it hard to breathe. “I promise.”
It was a low blow, reminding me of my supposed love for him. Reminding me that I'd made promises… Attempting to guilt me back into obedience. What was worse though, was that it worked.
In an entirely, uniquely twisted… Fucked up way my whole body went into some old, automatic tense posture. My chest burned with shame and my head filled with guilt-riddled thoughts. You broke his heart. You abandoned him. You said you'd never leave… Grinding my teeth together and balling my hands into fists I forced myself to remember the truth.
Being with Tony hadn't just been lavish gifts and eloquent love letters and expensive trips abroad. Those moments were far and few between. Being with him was filled with venom and rage. Being with him meant being held down, fighting… Aching. It was full of bloodied knuckles, bruises, and broken glass. Obey or be punished. Obey or starve. Obey or drown.
It wasn't love, I told myself, forcing that thought to be louder than all the others. What we had was never love.
*
Jake sat across the table from her, silently cursing himself for not offering her the reassurance she clearly needed in the locker room. The glassy, scared look in her eyes as she picked up on that tiny part of him that doubted if he deserved her, was stuck in his mind like a sliver. Beside him, Simone quietly ate her food while all he could do was watch Lena. Her eyes hadn’t met his again, unsteady they were fixed past him on the flower painting that now hung on the wall. He could see so much emotion raging in her distant eyes. Fear, fondness, guilt, shame. It wasn't like the other paintings. Those had just made her afraid, angry but this… This was one of those things he didn't understand and it made his chest tighten.
The only thing that drew his gaze away from her was the neatly pressed suit and the fucking pervert that wore it. Howard was back. To his credit, the manager barely looked at him, but Jake could still see the faint bruises that he'd done his vest to conceal. With steady steps Howard approached Lena, one hand holding a bottle while the other lifted, moving toward her shoulder.
Howard's eyes locked with his and Jake did his best to convey the ass-kicking he'd be dishing out if he so much as tried to touch her. Do it. I fucking dare you. At the last second his hand shifted to the back of the chair and a smug sense of pride made Jake's mouth twitch into a smile.
“A gift…” Howard told her carefully, setting the wine down in front of her. “An apology for my involvement.”
Lena’s gaze slowly drifted away from the painting to glare at the bottle. For a moment, her face remained expressionless before a thin, bitter smile spread on her lips. “Expensive.”
“And one of your favorites.”
She said nothing as she stood and began pouring the wine into her glass. Lena's eyes were fixed on Howard even as the glass began to overflow, wine staining the white tablecloth in seconds. The manager pursed his lips, disappointment and a mild look of frustration playing out on his still slightly discolored face. No one said a single word as the bottle finally ran empty and Lena set it back down.
Howard sighed. “Was that truly necessary?”
Still, without a single word, Lena knocked the glass over, sending wine down the table. She strode past him and toward the kitchen just as everyone at the table burst with laughter and gossip. Jake leaned back in his seat and grinned at Howard, enjoying every second of the manager's hateful gaze.
Simone looked at the mess with a disapproving shake of her head. “Such a waste.”
Howard's glare shifted to Sasha and Ari as they continued their laughter. With a snap of his fingers and a swift gesture to the mess he barked out the order, “You two, please get this tablecloth in a soak and clean this up?”
“No fair,” Ari pouted quietly as they started cleaning. “Tiger Bitch makes a mess and we have to clean it.”
“Nepotism,” Sasha answered almost flippantly. “Tiger Bitch is special baby.”
Jake took his plate and Simone's back to the kitchen, eyes finding Lena among the dish crew with ease. She had her head down, focused completely on washing the dishes in the sink. As he set his dirty plates down he watched the water, trying to gauge how hot it was in an attempt to tell how fucked up the painting and Howard had her. It was bad, but not as bad as the first time.
He didn't want to leave her, not when she was like this. A hand waved in his peripheral vision, drawing his gaze to the line where Isaac nodded him toward the door. A silent but reassuring message that he'd keep an eye on her through this shift. Jake spared one last look to the back of her head before he sighed and left the kitchen.
Service felt longer than it should have. Wave after wave of rich assholes poured through the door and gawked at that painting hanging on the wall with Lena's name on it. It made him feel angry and sick to his stomach even just imagining what horrible memory she'd tried to bury in that paint. And there these fuckers were, complimenting it… Calling it a masterpiece. Worse than that Jake knew that even if they knew the full story they'd still find it just as fascinating - maybe even more.
As he made the drinks and served the guests in front of him, Jake made it a point to glare at Howard. The disgusting man was practically trying to sell the damn thing. He stood beside the crowd, pointing out the details of the piece and praising the painter, who he'd already revealed worked in the restaurant. When he'd walked past the bar toward the kitchen it took all of Jake's willpower not to hit him again.
Only a minute had passed before his heart dropped into his stomach at the sound of shattering dishes. In an instant Jake was moving towards the kitchen doors, his heartbeat practically echoing her name. Just as he reached the end of the bar, Sasha fled the scene with a deviant smile, effectively blocking Jake's path. “The hell happened?”
“Tiger Bitch is not in a playful mood tonight,” The Russian answered. “Dear Howard was telling her that some of the guests wanted to speak with her about her painting and she just held up a plate,” he illustrated the throwing movement as well as the crash with his hands, “She threw a plate and told him she'd throw one every time he spoke to her.”
A part of him couldn't help but feel satisfied at how hostile she was acting towards Howard. She may not have known what he did, but Jake was glad she was giving him hell even if it wasn't for the worst of his crimes against her. But, beneath that satisfaction was the simmering worry that it would all be too much for Lena to handle and he'd have to watch her spiral into another night of panic and drowning her fears in alcohol.
Sasha watched his face, reading it carefully as he set his head in his hands and leaned on the bar in front of Jake. “Something about those paintings puts Tiger in a bad mood.”
“Yeah, no shit,” he replied curtly.
“Tell me what you know, pretty Jake,” he urged.
Jake leaned forward, looking around them for a moment as if he cared about who could hear them. “I know you should get the fuck off my bar and back to work.”
The Russian cursed and waved him off. “Ha ha, you so funny.” With a thoughtful look, he shifted his question, “So, what's next?”
“Next?” Jake asked with a pointed look.
Sasha smirked and gave him an innocent shrug. “Well, now that you've tamed the tiger you'll be taking on a new project, yes? A new hostess maybe?”
Turning his head to the hostess stand Jake caught the new girl bashfully averting her eyes from the bar. In the past, he would have felt a thrill at the idea of stringing along another sweet, innocent hostess… But now when he looked at her and saw those blushing cheeks that told him she was interested all he could think of was how boring it'd be. No one would ever be able to offer him even a fraction of what he had with Lena.
No one else would challenge him the way she did. It didn't matter how pretty the hostess was, she wouldn't tease him encourage him, or support him the way the redhead did. No one could be more beautiful than her, funnier than her, smarter than her, more badass, or fearless. No one would be Lena and if it wasn't her… Well, he just didn't want it.
“Nah,” Jake finally replied, returning to his work. “No new projects.”
Sasha made a shocked face and with a quiet, almost supportive hum he asked, “Who really tamed who?”
*
The second service ended, I grabbed my shit and left out the alley door. I'd wanted to wait for Jake to talk to him, but after seeing that painting and having Howard tell me about the requests some rich asshole made to meet me… It was too much. As I wandered the brisk city, desperately trying to force the pit in my stomach to dissolve with the movement, I had to continuously pull myself from wave after wave of old thoughts trying to plague me with guilt and make me doubt what I knew to be true.
It wasn't love. It was never love.
Everything I'd been through, all the years I'd spent moving on, and all it took was one painting to make me feel like that sad, lonely, dead little girl. One painting and in whatever fucking twisted way I was looking back on the times when Tony made me laugh or smile or feel anything good. Those memories were ones I had to combat with the truth and the truth meant remembering and remembering meant I couldn't just pretend like everything was fine.
Tony had not only been in the restaurant but had weaseled his way into Howard's ear, and quite possibly my aunt's. He'd hung the paintings to elicit a very specific response and I'd played right into it. The larger message was simple. It was a reminder that in this game we were playing, he was the king. He snapped his fingers and everyone would play whatever tune he wanted, me included.
Fear, anger, guilt. What was his next move? I wondered as I had many times before. And just like every time before, I hadn't the faintest idea. Even with all the time I'd spent with him to give me a clear picture of who he was and how he thought, I'd never been able to predict his moves. The one thing I knew to be a certainty was there wasn't a damn thing he wouldn't do and that meant everything I loved was at stake… that meant the people closest to me were in danger.
Ozzy, Peter, Patrick, Quinn, Prue, Nana, Abdul, Isaac, Dom, Scott, Ari, Sasah… Jake. They were all possible targets for Tony to choose from. It was terrifying to think about and so I forced myself to not think about it. The lights over Ozzy's bar eventually flashed ahead of me as I did my best to shed myself of the powerless feeling that was now firmly rooted in my stomach. I had to keep moving forward, even blindly. I had to focus on the good around me, even if it was just a tiny speck of it.
He wouldn't take this from me. He would never take anything from me again.
As I made my way to the door I heard the rumble of Dom's bike engine and felt a sense of relief wash over me. As he pulled into the bike spaces I reminded myself of my one advantage in this fucked up game. I had Dom. He wouldn't let anything bad happen. Not ever again.
He had a tired look in his eyes as he flung his leg over the side and stood, thanking the bikers around him as they followed suit.
“Busy day?” I called out, drawing his attention to me.
A thought made his brows pinch together as he sighed and walked toward me. “Yeah.”
As he walked with me through the bar door a faint, floral smell lingered on his jacket. I leaned in, smelling him a bit deeper. “You open a flower shop or something?”
“Huh?”
“You smell all flowery,” I replied tugging on his jacket.
Dom's face drained of any emotion as he shrugged. “Right. Yeah, I… Had some business with a florist.”
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Are you back in the game of wooing Mav?”
“No.”
“Oh come on, you can tell me!” I playfully urged. “You know I'm in full support of your “marriage”.”
With a sigh he stopped, gently placing a hand on my arm. “Lena… There's something we should talk about.”
A sudden tightness seized my throat at his serious tone and blank expression. “What's going on?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Sasha and the group waving their hands in the air, urging me to hurry and join them. “Tiger! Come on!”
Dom glanced at them and quickly shook his head. “I… just wanted to give you a heads up that Nana's got a big celebration planned for your birthday.”
“Oh.” A relieved breath left my lungs in the form of an anxious chuckle. “Oh, good. Fuck, you scared the shit out of me!”
“Sorry,” he quietly replied.
“It's okay. I promised Nana she could go all out this year and… I dunno…” Glancing back at my group, at my brothers and Quinn and Prue, the restaurant crew… Jake… I smiled. I had these people in my life. They may have been in danger by being here - being close to me - but they were here nonetheless. None of them cared about possible dangers, they still chose to be here with me. The weight that had made everything feel so heavy slowly eased as I looked at my friends… my family and smiled wider. “Maybe it won't be so bad this year.”
“Yeah, maybe,” he mumbled, giving me a pat on the head. “That's real good, kid. Now go on. Enjoy your night or whatever.”
I caught his arm before he could go too far, squeezing it and offering him a sad smile. “You been to visit her yet?”
Dom's whole body tensed. He likely thought I forgot, or maybe he just didn’t want to talk about it, but with a quick shake of his head, he answered “No… I don't know if I'm gonna this year.”
“Well if you do, tell her I said hi.” I knew that Dom didn't really believe in ghosts or angels. I knew to him Sarah wouldn't hear him or even know if he'd visited at all, but every year I still encouraged him to go to her grave as some kind of birthday gift to her. He had yet to do it, but I could tell that speaking of her fondly from time to time - acknowledging that his sister existed and had been important - helped ease the hurt in him a little.
But, tonight that didn't seem to be the case.
Dom averted his gaze, cleared his throat, and nodded to the group with a firm, “Go on.”
The chaos of the night continued as expected. My friends and their antics helped me push all the bad the day had to offer back into their boxes and as I met Jake's eyes over the bartop. I was scared that he’d still have that speck of doubt lingering in those beautiful eyes, but as he stared back at me all I could see was the desire. It reminded me of the good… of the possibility that I could have something normal.
Remembering how right it felt to kiss him, to feel him in every way physically possible made me flush with a shameless want to do it all again. Jake's never-faltering gaze didn't help either. It was like he knew exactly what I was thinking and that he wholeheartedly agreed. As the night progressed and the bar slowly started to slow I found myself avoiding leaving it. The pit in my stomach, though lessened still filled me with a lingering and old voice urging me to take the quickest, easiest path away from potential heartache. End it.
That conversation we didn't get to have was now right in front of me and I felt scared. Terrified that something had changed. If Jake told me he wanted to move on from last night it would gut me. But if he said he wanted us to be something official… That thought made me feel almost as sick, just in a different way. Get him as far away from you as possible.
How many men had come before him? All of whom I'd deeply felt for and all of whom Tony had destroyed in some way or another. So what would he do to Jake? What would Tony do to the man that I cared for most… The man who was different from every other in a way I didn't even fully understand. Protect him.
Ozzy set a hand on my shoulder and nudged me to the door. “Go on and get some rest, dear. You've helped enough.”
“Thanks,” I whispered, accepting the kiss on the head and making my way out the back door where I attempted to steel myself.
The gym was quiet, with only a few lights left on to illuminate the old pictures on the walls. As I looked at my dad's smiling face in every photo that scared voice in me quieted, instead replaced by his. “Why you gotta fight me every step of the way?”
“I don’t know what you want from me,” I’d replied coldly, angry and terrified. Dad had done nothing but offer me love and acceptance since I’d gotten back for the summer, two things I knew weren’t given away for free. He wanted something but instead of telling me what it was chose to play some cruel game instead.
My dad’s shoulders slumped slightly, a sigh falling from his lips as he stared down at me with a pitiful look. I prepared myself for his disappointment, but it never came. “I don’t want anything from you, Lena.”
Shaking my head I swallowed hard. “Everyone wants something from me.”
“Alright,” he finally relented. “I do want one thing. I want you to live.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” I asked, timid but still angry.
“You’re alive, sure,” he replied, carefully reaching out to touch my shoulder. “But this ain’t living. This hostile… bitterness you’re carrying, it’s not what life’s supposed to be like. Especially not for a kid.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, guilt filling my lungs as another failure was added to the list.
Dad bent down, forcing our eyes to meet, and smiled. “Don’t be sorry. It ain’t your fault. Just… let us help you. Let me help you, sweet girl.”
With tears building in my eyes, I answered, “Okay. I… Sorry I’ve been making it so hard for you.”
He pulled me into his arms and kissed my head. “You make my life, all our lives, better just by bein here. All we want is for you to see that…” He pulled away, taking my face in his hands and smushing my cheeks the way he thought was funny. “Come on. Let’s go start livin, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
The sound of the alley door opening spurred me back into motion. As I headed up the stairs to the apartment I could hear Jake's steady footsteps following me. His movements didn’t sound rushed or hesitant, just steady. My heart hammered in my chest and my head filled with a hundred thoughts, a hundred voices all shouting different things at me. Jake appeared in the stairwell, hands in his pockets as he put one foot on the bottom step before stopping himself. “Now a good time to talk?”
The longer I looked down at him the quieter my mind got. Nodding I opened the door and shrugged. “As good a time as we’re probably gonna get.”
He trudged up the stairs with a faint smile on his face and all the noise, all the extra baggage weighing me down fell away. The smell of alcohol, faint cigarette smoke and Jake’s colognue reminded me that I was here. I was in this moment, not the ones in Tony’s paintings or in picture frames. I was here. I was alive and now I wanted to live.
Jake stepped inside and quietly watched me as I closed the door behind him. “You okay?”
“Yeah!” I replied, clearing my throat and taking a tensely casual position by the table. “Why wouldn't I be?”
He shrugged. “You seemed to be kind of somewhere else today… after seeing that painting.”
My jaw clenched as the ugly emotions in me wanted to return. “Yeah… That wasn't great but, I'm okay now.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“No.” I laughed a little to myself, forcing my body to focus on that feeling of steadiness and safety that Jake’s presence brought me. “Besides, we have other stuff we need to talk about, don't we?”
Now he looked just as nervous as I felt. “Yeah.”
“We're kind of horrible at this, aren't we?”
Jake nodded in agreement, chuckling before he spoke, “Yeah… okay… Fuck it, I'm just gonna start. Neither of us do well with labels,” Jake offered before quickly stammering over his own words. “Not that I'm against labeling this as… Whatever. I just mean…”
“Why put a label on things when we're still figuring out exactly what things are?” I finished, ignoring the slight sting of disappointment that festered in my chest by focusing on the wave of relief.
“Exactly.” He scratched his head and cleared his throat. “So… We… keep it casual.”
“Casual,” I agreed. Casual was fun, predictable but most importantly safe. Casual was familiar to both of us and given everything that had happened - changed in our lives and in our friendship - maybe that was a safety net we both needed.
Casual.
Jake nodded, taking a careful step forward. “If someone were to ask what we were… What would we say to that?”
I watched his lips, resisting the urge to end all the tedious talking by kissing him. “We'd say we're casually seeing each other? Friends with benefits? Fuck buddies? Whatever feels right to you I'm fine with.”
“So, you're a girl I'm seeing… casually?”
Nodding I forced myself to meet his eyes, not that it helped either of us stay on track. “And you're a boy I'm seeing casually.”
Jake's hands slid around me, urging me to lean into him. With that simple touch, everything else faded into the back of my mind. I felt myself relax into him, my body finally able to focus on those tingling sensations of desire and excitement. “And since we're seeing each other, casually, it'd be perfectly normal for us to kiss, right?”
“I think it'd be expected, really.”
“Good,” he mumbled, running his thumb over my lower lip. “I liked being your friend and all, but I don't think I can go any longer without fucking you again.”
As if it had a mind of its own my tongue slipped out to lick his thumb and tug it between my teeth for a second. I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing, teasing… Testing the waters… Inviting him to fuck me as much as he wanted? “Well, what are you waiting for?”
Smirking, he brushed my hair behind my ears. “That.”
His lips further erased every ounce of tension, guilt, disappointment, and fear from my lungs. The way his hands cradled my face replaced everything with a warm fuzzy sense of safety. The painting, Howard, Simone… Nothing else mattered. As long as I had this, him, somehow I knew everything would be alright.
When he pulled back for air he smiled with a quiet sigh. “This is how our morning should have gone. Sorry about Simone.”
“It's alright. We’re here now.”
“Mmm,” he hummed, leaning back down towards me. “I haven't been able to think about anything else all day.”
Before our lips could connect again I threw one last taunt at him, “I knew you liked being my friend.”
Jake rolled his eyes, warm hands sliding down my cheek to take hold of my hips. “God you're insufferable.”
I ran my hands down his chest and whispered against his lips, “You like it.”
“Shut up.” Our lips finally touched, soft hands quickly turning into heated grabs at one another's clothes.
With a half step forward Jake pressed me into the back of a kitchen chair. His tongue invaded my mouth as his hands pulled my sleeves away from my shoulders, clearing a path for his lips and teeth to follow. The way his lips felt against my skin was something that made me shiver. Jake was… How had he put it? Adept in the art of pleasure? Smug bastard… And completely right.
“God,” Patrick groaned the second he opened the door. His hand slapped over his face, covering his eyes and sighing in defeat. “Guess I should get used to that now that you two are officially a thing.”
“Casually,” Jake and I both corrected.
My brother blindly made his way around the kitchen table. “Yeah yeah, “casually” whatever ya say. Just keep alla that “casual” touchy-feely shit in your room or something.”
“Sorry,” we both mumbled watching Patrick run into his bedroom door before quickly opening it and fleeing inside.
I nodded to my bedroom door and smiled as I tugged Jake toward it. He followed, pushing the door closed behind him. I practically pounced on him, pressing my chest into his as I pulled his head down to reconnect our lips. Jake stumbled slightly causing the door to rattle. Before we could say anything else Irish folk music blared through Pat’s speakers. A crystal clear message.
“Shhh,” I whispered against his collarbone with a giggle. “We have to be quiet!”
“I'm not the one that needs to worry about that.” To prove his point he took a handful of my ass and ground himself against my core, pulling a sharp - loud - moan from me.
“Nope! I'm leaving!” Patrick shouted as the music turned off. “You two have an hour before Pete gets back! For the love of god, be done before then!”
I smirked at Jake. “Now I finally have you all to myself.”
“Looks that way,” he replied. “You gonna entertain me?”
“Of course! What kind of host would I be if I didn't?”
His eyes sparkled with lust as he watched my mouth move. “Well, what's your plan?”
Leaning in I pressed my lips to his neck, occupying my hands with his belt and starting the slow drag of my body down his. When my knees hit the floor and I'd gotten Jake's pants down I looked up at him, fluttering my lashes and smiling at him. “I'm sure I'll think of something you'll enjoy.”
*
My dearest Lena,
In the unlikely event you're reading this letter I simply wished to send you a simple reminder of my devotion to you. A token of my love will be finding its way to your door soon and soon we will be reunited once more.
Yours, Anthony
Dom stared at the letter, examining each line as meticulously as he would an engine. He needed to know what the sick bastard had planned. Needed to know how to protect her from whatever was coming. Tony wouldn't make it easy or fair. He never did and this time was different. He was braver than before, bolder in his actions than Dom had ever seen him.
After the beating he'd given him upon hearing all he'd done to Lena, Tony should have been cowering in some far corner of the world. He should have been terrified to even set foot in the city again and yet there he was, in her apartment, waving at her landlord, waving at him.
The longer he held the evidence of Tony's visit the more guilty he felt for keeping it secret. Lena deserved to know. Her brothers had the right to know about the danger. They all deserved better than he could give them.
With a sigh, he lifted the lighter to the corner of the paper and watched the fire spread to the cursive words in ink. He dropped it into the empty bin and picked the orange flower up off the table before tossing it into the fire too.
He should have killed Tony a hundred times by now. A mistake he wasn't going to make again. Then and there Dom silently vowed that the next time he saw that fuckers face he'd put a bullet between his eyes.
#fic: nightshade#sweetbitter jake#jake smut#jake sweetbitter#jake x oc#jake x lena#tom sturridge sweetbitter#sweet bitter#sweetbitter#sweetbitterstarz#sweetbitter simone#sweetbitter ari#sweetbitter howard#sweetbitter scott#sweetbitter sasha#sweetbitter santos#sweetbitter heather#sweetbitter smut#sweetbitter fic#sweetbitter tv series#sweetbitter fanfiction#sweetbitter ocs
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Reader keeps stealing Knoxvilles shirts/cardigans and she wears them whenever she visits him on set and the crew and Knoxville thinks its the most adorable thing ever.
What's Mine is Yours
Johnny knew by now that if he couldn’t find one of his t-shirts or cardigans, it was more than likely that you had stolen it. You couldn’t help it, you just loved being wrapped up in his clothes; it was your way of being close to him when he had to go to work. He would never admit it but Johnny actually quite liked it when you took his shirts, especially when you would visit him on set wearing them; it was just another way of saying that you belonged to him.
That morning, Johnny had left you laying in his bed while he had to get to work for an early shoot so you decided that you would go and surprise him by visiting him on set. Getting ready, you threw on your jeans and a plain, white strappy vest before heading over to Johnny’s wardrobe. You let your hand run over the various pieces of clothing before you pulled your top off over your head as you grabbed the white t-shirt that said Johnny in black capital letters and throwing it on before leaving.
When you got to set, you were immediately greeted by Johnny who walked over to you, eyebrow raised slightly and a smirk gracing his face. He threw his arm around your shoulder and pulled you in closer, dropping a quick kiss to your lips. ‘Well this is a nice surprise, darlin’, how come you decided to come?’ He asked as you watched his eyes travel up and down the length of your body, his eyes lingering at his name printed in bold capitals across your chest.
‘You weren’t there when I woke up this morning,’ you replied simply, causing Johnny’s eyes to soften.
‘Sorry, sweetheart,’ he said gently, pressing another kiss to your lips. ‘I’ll make it up to you when we get home,’ he murmured against your neck.
‘I’ll hold you to that,’ you hummed happily before he tugged lightly on the t-shirt you were wearing.
‘I gotta say, I really like this, doll.’
‘Yeah I thought you would,’ you laughed, ‘come on, you probably need to get back to work.’
You spent most of the day watching Johnny injuring himself in different stunts, always making sure to look over and check that you were watching when it worked and always walking over to you with a pout if he hurt himself. You also received a lot of comments from the other guys with regards to your choice of clothing; something that Johnny absolutely loved.
‘Hey, (Y/N), if he’s making you wear that, blink twice,’ Chris called over to you when you were all sitting down at the end of the day.
‘Relax, I decided to wear it before coming here today,’ you laughed, throwing your straw at Chris from across the table.
‘So, what I’m hearing is that Johnny’s confiscated all of your clothes and only lets you wear his stuff,’ Ryan added, trying to hide his laugh and failing.
This comment made Johnny throw his head back as he let out a loud laugh, his grip on your waist tightening as he pulled you back with him slightly. ‘You think I know when she’s going to take my stuff?! I was looking for my black hoodie the other day, I go downstairs and she’s asleep on the sofa in it!’
‘Well tell me to stop! Otherwise, soon you won’t have anything left in your wardrobe and you’ll have to start wearing my clothes!’ you teased, nudging his leg slightly.
‘Absolutely not, I love it when you come to set wearing my clothes, what’s mine is yours. Besides, it makes sure these guys know who you belong to. Though I may take you up on that offer of wearing your clothes, I’d look hot in that black dress of yours.’
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Cap-IM Rec Week 2023 (Wed)
Wonderous Wednesday, July 19 for @cap-ironman Rec Week!
Today I'm reccing some of my favorite AUs :D
Remember to show some love for your hard-working creators!
this is how you fall in love by complicationstoo @ifmywishescametrue
Steve wants to have sex at least once before he graduates from college. He’s twenty one, never really dated anyone, and doesn’t see the point in waiting any longer.
He plans for just a simple one night stand with no strings attached, but his plan doesn't account for falling in love with Tony Stark.
make my wish come true by JehBeeEh @jehbeeeh
Steve Rogers and Tony Stark haven't seen each other since they left for college. When they're reunited in the same small town where they grew up, old feelings resurface that neither expected.
Can they work together without letting their feelings get in the way. Or will they be left heartbroken when they both have to leave after the holidays?
A story about going home, going for what you want, and delicious cookies.
santa, won't you bring me the one i really need by quidhitch @maangoes
Although Tony typically makes it a point to avoid anything that could be reasonably classified as Pepper-approved self-betterment, he will be making an exception this year in the form of a list of New Year’s Resolutions. —Well, not so much a list, exactly, it’s more like one very loud, very obvious, very critical proposition. He’s gonna write it down, put it on his calendar, say it to Jesus, and do whatever the fuck normal people do to make these things happen. In fact, even though they’re only halfway through December, it’s already emblazoned in his mind in big, flashing neon letters: STOP SLEEPING WITH EX-HUSBAND.
This is possibly an inappropriate thought to have while said ex-husband is pushing him up against his apartment door and trying to get his hand down Tony’s pants, but Tony has admittedly never excelled at being appropriate.
Dedicated to You by mariana_oconnor @mariana-oconnor
Steve Rogers is happy with his life. He runs a small bookshop, has good friends, and he fervently believes that the printed page is not obsolete. He's not expecting Tony Stark, billionaire inventor of the best e-reader on the market and perennial prey of the gossip magazines, to walk through the door.
His friends think he's crazy not to at least get the man's number, considering he's had a crush on Tony for years, but as luck would have it Steve might just get another chance.
A Notting Hill AU.
stellar collision by Pandemic @eachxnn
He turns sixteen in front of his bathroom mirror with a chill across his skin, goosebumps on his arms, and a burn across his sternum. A wet laugh bubbles up from his mouth, too close to tears, as he watches avidly as ink pours across his skin. He thumbs the mark, presses into it, and gasps when he feels his stomach twist and a feeling he can’t shake that his soulmark is somewhere out there doing the same.
Place Your Bets by RurouniHime @thegertie
Steve Rogers may or may not have just picked up a prostitute. This may or may not be Tony Stark’s fault.
the road to hell by colourexplosion
in which no one has super powers and Steve is Tony's PA after Pepper gets promoted.
it's a small world after all by earliebirb @earliebirb
“Great speech.”
Smiling at the compliment, Tony turns around. “Thank y—”
And nearly drops his champagne flute.
His world comes to a stop.
They had only spent a night together, but Tony would recognize those baby blues anywhere.
It’s Steve.
Steve from Tony’s London business trip. Or, as Rhodey has become accustomed to calling him—The Soulmate That Got Away.
you'll remember me by Areiton @areiton
Tony closes his eyes and wonders, a brief sharp sting of pain, if Steve's watching tonight.
If he still likes to drink his whiskey and coke and pick out winners before they are announced, if his eyes still light up when he watches a movie.
Tony licks his lips and pushes the thought down away, where it can't hurt him, where it won't show on his face. Because he won't show it, not here, not where the entire world is watching.
It's his.
Just his.
Selvage by elwenyere @elwenyere
When a mysterious knight is wounded in battle while protecting King Anthony Stark, it's hard to tell who's more frustrated: the king, who has so far failed to discover any clues to the missing man's identity, or the king's personal attendant, Steven Rogers, who can't believe King Anthony took the field in the first place.
Ain't It A Shame, Too Bad? by Carsonian @carsonian
On his twenty-fourth birthday, Tony was saved from drowning by a man he has yet to find. In other news, Tony's fallen hard for the mute, scrawny blond that washed up on his kingdom's shoreline two-and-a-half days ago. These two things can't possibly be related, can they?
(Spoiler(s): They're related.)
The Stark Who Loved Me by gonetoarcadia (fic), Girl_Back_There (art)
It’s 1814 and Captain Steven Rogers joined the army to provide for his adoptive sister Miss Jamie Rebecca “Becky” Barnes following the death of their parents. Although she’d prefer to run away to join the army too, instead she decides to do what will guarantee to bring him home and provide for both of them: marry.
The Viscount Anthony Stark is a known Rake and prefers it that way, but he can feel the clock counting down until he needs to produce an heir to inherit everything. With the Stark estate in jeopardy, he’s running out of both time and options. If he has to, then who better than the diamond of the season, Miss Barnes?
The only hitch: her overbearing, troublesome brother. Her extremely handsome, overbearing, troublesome brother.
Nothing is simple in the game of courtship, especially when the most dangerous thing of all becomes involved: falling in love.
Hope you guys enjoy the recs, and stay tuned for more! Please mind the tags before reading. Check out my tag for previous years’ rec lists :)
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𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑-𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘
*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:
summary: while expecting, peter can’t help but brag to every single person he sees that you’re carrying his own little ‘spider-baby’.
masterlist.
andrew!peter parker x fem!reader
peter parker x fem!reader
warnings: fluff, talk of pregnancy, pregnancy, hints of sex, just really cute
i thought of this and immediately knew this would be something andrew’s peter would do, so here we are <3
word count: 1K
don’t steal any of my work, thanks!
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𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑’𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 smoothing across the prominent bump of your belly, circling around waiting for his daughter to kick. You were sat on his lap, chest against your back and his head between your neck and shoulder; his soft, growing out hair tickled your jaw and your head relaxed back on his shoulder. Your hands were gripped loosely around his wrists, following his movement as they roamed aimlessly around the home your child currently lived.
“I can just tell she’s gunna be a daddy’s girl, you know?” He whispered into your ear, lips brushing against the shell and tingling your entire body. His lips kissed your jaw, feeling a smirk on his lips as his daughter reacted to his words and movement: kicking your belly and signalling that she was already trouble before she was even here.
You held back a smile, failing miserably. “Really? You don’t think she’ll prefer the person whose had her in my stomach for the past 6 months?” You raised your brows, curious on who will be the favoured parent (hint: it was you).
“No way,” He groaned into the skin between your neck and shoulder. “As soon as she finds out her dad is the friendly neighbourhood spiderman, I’ll be the favourite.”
You looked up at his curiously, eyebrow quirked upwards and a smirk painted on your face. “Yeah, totally.” You teased, watching his shake his head and giggling to himself; content with the family he was about to begin his life with, the perfect woman and the most beautiful baby on its way. He couldn’t think of anything better.
He listened to the noise of your heartbeat, the thumps loud with his spider sense. “You can’t tell everyone about this, you know?” He heard your voice. “What?” He questioned.
“The baby, I know it’s been 6 months but I’d rather not walk to work and see ‘Spider-Baby On The Way!’ printed on every magazine.” He smiled at you. “Poor kid isn’t even here yet, I’d rather her first appearance not to be in the tabloids.”
Peter stroked the stray hairs off your forehead, his heart bursting at your dedication to keep this a little family, already feeling pressure for carrying the Spider-Man’s baby girl.
“I promise, love. I won’t say a word.”
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“She’s 7 months along today!” Peter smiled down to the citizens of New York, their smiles up to the man dressed in the spider suit.
The girls squealed, in awe and cheeks a splash red. The men grinned, eyes glistening with happiness and a subtle wink of pride. “That’s adorable, man. See ya Spidey!” Two of the guys waved.
Peter jumped down from the street sign, waving his hands infront of the people and webbing a couple citizens passing by into the little group he had created to engage in the conversation. “Woah, woah, woah! Did you know that my wife thinks that our kid will have my spider powers?” He beamed from behind the mask.
The crowd gasped and awed, heads tilting and eyes doe. Peter nodded his head amongst the reactions, “Yep, yep. I’ll teach her the ropes, but my wife will definitely kick my ass because of it.”
Many people clapped as Peter playfully did a bow towards the crowd and bit his lip to contain his smile. He shrugged off the compliments and congratulations from his fans, loving the thought of everyone being so supporting of his new and upcoming family of three.
“Hope it’s all well, Spidey!” Peter felt like he was going to cry. “Tell your wife congrats!” He’s on the verge of tears. “Take the time of Spider-Man, look after your family!” Sobbing profusely behind the mask.
What a family you would be. The three of you, you. You’re at home, carrying his child with the spaghetti boiling in the pan, knowing damn well you are running your hands over the bump of your belly, pretending it’s his hands. You’re the perfect mother, soon-to-be mother actually. And him, the superhero with a child, the most beautiful child to ever exist and to have the most fulfilled life you can guarantee. You. Shit! You!
He was meant to be home an hour ago! Thanks a lot Spider-Man fans! I blame you completely for making me talk about my favourite thing to only forget about my favourite thing! Damn.
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𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐒 cold the moment he fell through the window, sprinting to the shared bedroom so rip off his suit and walk in the front door to where you would assume he simply got caught up and didn’t hear what he was saying.
He kicked the door to the bedroom and pulled his mask off his face, yanking down his suit to his torso and trying to pull off his shoes, extremely ungraciously.
The light switching on in the room made his jump and land on the ceiling, head falling down to search for danger until it faced a phone screen.
Spider-Man brags about soon-to-be Spider-Baby with his longtime girlfriend, turned wife.
“You won’t tell anyone, huh?” He heard your voice from behind the glowing screen, holding it up for a while so he could read it upside down. Peter groaned and dropped onto the floor.
“Y/N, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think before I spoke. Someone asked me about my future and I immediately thought of you and our child and before I knew it I was— wait a minute, are you laughing?”
He furrowed his brows when he heard your giggles and lip tugged between your teeth with a grin etched across you face. “Peter, I don’t care.” He relaxed his shoulders and fell into a hug with you, one of his hands resting against your belly.
You tilted your head up to bump foreheads with his, noses rubbing against each other as his was cold at the tip, your warm aura heating him up. He leaned to kiss your lips continually, whispering sweet nothings as he apologised still.
“There’s still no way I’m letting you teach our child the Spider-Man duties. Especially not the ropes.”
Peter laughed at you, knowing very much well that he would do it anyway. This was he chance to have a Spider-Baby, who would give up that chance?
this is awful but like anyways
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@bionic-donut @lizzieann143 @fangirling-throughlife @druigss @snowfrostedfox @thatweirdbigirl @secretjeon @sage-bun @andrewgarfieldsbae @bunnietoof @tired-ass-show-girl @codyfernmorelikedaddyfern @tinktohispan @urthereasonimleaving @simp4fictionmen @1-800-drugged @captainquake42 @marianthephantoms @mobiusismyfav @arabellelancastersstuff @chenellearose @uglyasswoman @lia-andari @lover1307 @cyanide-mustard @evasmlp @caswinchester2000 @tsukishimawhore @weasleytwinscumslut @flymeaway-karasuno @morgane-stark @krishavania @lavendersfairy @jessica2008 @ancailinaerach @softmullet @jemimah-b99 @elarasstardust @fxnfandxmmp4 @moo-b1tch @wolfstcr @lendeluxe @yurys-pyon @marrigold-2002 @whataprettyshadeofred @slytherheign
#andrew garfield#andrew garfield x reader#peter parker angst#peter parker oneshot#peter parker fluff#peter parker imagine#peter parker x reader#peter parker fanfiction#peter parker fic#peter parker#peter parker masterlist#andrew garfield fluff#andrew!peter x reader
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Not-friends
This has been a request where I was asked to combine the prompts “Okay, maybe I have a crush on you! So what?” and "What could you possibly be this stressed about?” in a oneshot for Sebastian and my OC Faye.
I still need to learn how to write both Ominis and Sebastian, so I hope I didn’t butcher them too much. But I had lots of fun, loved to put my OC in there and am eager to practice the boys some more.
I hope you enjoy!
Read on Ao3
Ominis’ fingers glide across the embossed printing of his Advanced Potions book, trying to understand and internalise what he’s reading about Veritaserum and how it’s properly brewed, when Sebastian’s voice gives him pause.
“I think I’m ready.”
Ominis nods despite not knowing if his friend will even see his reaction, closes the book, and reaches for his wand.
“No, wait. Just one more minute… then I’m ready.”
Ominis sighs and rolls his eyes—a gesture learned despite never having seen someone else do it—whilst falling back down onto his bed. He decides not to pick up his book again; even he has to admit that today calls for celebration, not excessive study time. He doubts that he could learn anything even if he tried, thanks to Sebastian positively pacing from one end of the room to the other, muttering under his breath just loud enough to disrupt his thoughts. He doesn’t need the gift of sight to know that his friend is scurrying about like a frightened mooncalf, oozing tension with every step.
Ominis puts his hands behind his head, careful not to rub off the pomade keeping every single hair in place and listens in on Sebastian’s mumbling.
“This should do it… oh, no, this won’t work. Damn. Where is my…? Ah, there. Green? Black? Or maybe silver!”
“Dear boy, you look marvellous! Dashing. Nothing less than dapper!”
Ominis lifts an eyebrow. Despite never using them, he knows that each dormitory is furnished with a full-length mirror with an enchanted Gargoyle’s head on top. Slytherin’s mirrors tend to be quite blasé if not downright condescending whenever someone steps in front of them, so hearing the light voice excessively compliment his friend comes as a surprise. Sebastian must’ve really gone all out tonight.
“Oh, what do you know, you’re an antique piece of rubbish at best!”
He also seems entirely unimpressed.
The mirror gasps, retorting with a flippant ‘I say!’ before falling quiet once more.
Sebastian continues to fill the silence with his quick steps across the various rugs, but Ominis has had enough. He sits up with a swift movement, his hands checking if his hair needs a bit more Sleakeazy’s before finally lifting up his wand. He walks over to his friend with practiced steps and leans against his wardrobe, effectively stopping Sebastian from rearranging his outfit for the umpteenth time today.
“Sebastian, what could you possibly be this stressed about? At this pace the Yule Ball will be over before we even get there. Stop worrying.”
Sebastian lets out a huff but seems to stop pacing.
“Easy for you to say with your perfectly coiffed hair and flawless complexion!”
Ominis sputters. Since when did Sebastian notice these things? And since when does he sound so… petulant. He knows his friend to be stubborn to a fault, but this is something else. He furrows his brow, resigning himself to make the decision for the both of them.
“You are ready. Let’s go.”
Without waiting for Sebastian to either agree or disagree—confident his friend would vehemently deny his assessment—Ominis points his wand away from him, reaches for Sebastian’s overpriced dress robes and guides them out of their dormitory towards the Great Hall.
Sometimes Sebastian wonders if Ominis’ trust in him is misplaced. It’s not long after they started going up the moving stairs that his friend’s hand loosens its death grip on his robes, convinced that Sebastian will dutifully follow him. While he’d be flattered in any other circumstance, it now takes everything in him not to double back to their room and lock the door. Who wants to visit the poxy Yule Ball anyway? If he wanted to attend, Sebastian would’ve chosen his absolute best dress robes, his current ensemble is second-rate at best. He would’ve spent not one, but three hours in front of the mirror, trying to tame the abomination that most call hair—or whatever sentient being decided to grow on top of his head. No, he did not look forward to the Yule Ball, and he certainly did not make an effort to convince people otherwise!
The first few times Sebastian trips over his own feet Ominis doesn’t react, but after the fifth time he suddenly stops and turns on his heel, nearly throwing him off balance and back down the staircase. Not that he’d mind too much at this point…
“Sebastian.”
“What?” Wait, was that his own voice? Why did he sound so out of breath? Must be these endless steps!
“What’s wrong?”
Sebastian stares at his friend, not sure how to respond. He balls his fists and…Merlin, why are his palms clammy? What is it with this castle and the sudden humidity? His skin is itching as well, must be these low-budget robes he spent a year saving up for.
Realising that the silence between them is stretching into awkward territory, Sebastian clears his throat, shrugs, and starts to move past his friend, further climbing towards his demise. Ominis follows him closely.
“There is nothing wrong. Stop worrying! The robes are just a bit too long, I’m not used to—”
“They are not, Sebastian. You told me how you had them custom-made. They fit you perfectly.”
Sometimes he hates Ominis for being such a good listener.
Finally reaching the corridor towards the Great Hall, Sebastian lets out a heavy sigh and leans against one of the stone walls. He presses his palms against the cool slate, hoping to give his overheating body some relief.
He knows Ominis can’t see him. He’s aware there’s barely anyone around anymore—most students have already gathered in the hall—but he still needs to close his eyes to say what’s on his mind.
“It’s—it’s Faye,” he finally says.
“Did something happen?”
Ominis sounds surprised, even worried, something that would warm a certain spot inside Sebastian’s chest if his mind wasn’t occupied with this damn Yule Ball and its… implications.
“No! I mean, yes?” Sebastian presses his now cool hands against his eyes, groaning into his palms, “I—I saw her earlier! Ominis, she was wearing a dress!”
“…And?”
How can his friend sound so unimpressed? Doesn’t he realise how serious this is?!
“And she’s a girl!”
He can hear Ominis’ hand slap his forehead with remarkable velocity.
“Your perceptiveness would bring Salazar to his knees, Sebastian. Why is that a problem?”
Sebastian’s hands instinctively find his hair—it couldn’t look much worse anyway—and start to rake through them.
“Because I can’t ignore it anymore! She, she is my—our—friend. She was always our buddy. One of us. We fought Ashwinders together! And now she’s wearing a dress and looks pretty in it, she’s probably already waiting and what if this,” his hands wave erratically up and down his body, not that Ominis could see, “is not enough?”
He stares at his blond friend, waiting for a reaction but all he gets is a hearty chuckle.
“How can you laugh at my—at my despair?!”
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” Ominis scoffs and steps towards him, slowly putting a hand on his shoulder and gives it an affirming squeeze.
“She did ask you to go with her to the Yule Ball, did she not?”
He gives a half-hearted shrug but hums in agreement.
“She didn’t ask you while you looked all ‘dashing and dapper’. She asked you while you looked how you always do. It will be fine. She likes you.”
Sebastian looks at his friend, searching for any insincerity but finding none. He takes a deep breath, willing his body to lose some of its tension.
“But what if she doesn’t like me enough and only asked me to go as friends?”
“I didn’t.”
Ominis yelps and Sebastian is sure his heart just stopped beating. Faye—smart, beautiful, conveniently quiet Faye—is standing behind them, an odd look on her face he’s never seen before. He can feel his cheeks heating up in embarrassment and his hands leave his hair only to scratch at the back of his neck.
It takes him a distressing amount of time to clear his dry throat and address her.
“How…how much did you hear?”
She cocks her head to the side, a shy smile spreading her lips. Wait, are they glistening? Salazar, help him.
“Well, I’m finally aware that I’m a girl. So, thanks for that.”
Ominis snorts—snorts! —as he lets go of Sebastian and lifts his wand to guide him the rest of the way to the Great Hall. Sebastian’s shoulders slump in defeat.
“I really put my foot in it, huh?”
Faye steps closer, smiling up at him. One of her hands reaches out, smoothing down his hair and adjusting his bowtie. His eyes follow her movements with interest until she speaks.
“Both, I’d say.”
He bites his lip, looking anywhere but her face.
“It’s just, I—”
Something is bubbling up inside of him. This itching, cloying feeling he’s had ever since fifth year. Ever since they fought their first Troll together. Something heavy coils in his stomach, his heart pounds like it wants to break out of his chest and before he can stop himself, he steps closer and practically barks at her, “I—maybe I DO have a crush on you! So what?! That’s no reason to make fun of—”
“I’m glad.”
It takes but two words to leave him speechless. Helpless.
His eyebrows lift as he looks down at her, and notices how her cheeks start to redden. Faye’s fingers, now jittery and—dare he say it? —shaky, slide up towards his elbow to eventually link her arm with his and slowly pull him along. Her hair falls into her face as they walk and if he didn’t know any better, he’d say she was trying to hide from him. Her normally clear voice sounds meek. The penny has dropped.
“I didn’t ask you to the Yule Ball as a friend.”
Sebastian is convinced that her dress, albeit pretty and flattering, can’t possibly be that interesting to warrant her staring at it continuously.
“More as a…not-friend.”
Multiple pennies.
“Huh.”
“I-is that okay?”
Sebastian takes in a deep breath to steady himself, before nodding.
“…It is.”
As soon as the words left his mouth Faye presses her face into his upper arm and he can feel the heat of her blush permeate his robes. A smile, soft and honest, something Sebastian rarely shows anyone, tugs at his lips and his arm pulls her just a little bit closer. Her dress rustles softly and the little sparkling stones woven into the fabric glitter with each step as they make their way towards the Great Hall, ready for the Yule Ball, ready to dance the night away as not-friends.
#my writing#my screenshots#my OCs#Sebastian Sallow#Ominis Gaunt#Faye Laurel#hogwarts legacy#yule ball#triwizard tournament#AU
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Eddie the Banished part 2 [E. M]
Eddie Munson x Byers!reader
Word count: 5k
Summary: You wonder if you're ready to take the next step with Eddie and when you try it all goes wrong.
Part 1 here and a kind of Part 3
A/N: I hope you like it and I'm sorry I took so long. I didn't want to just focus on the date so I put in some family time and also with the other guys, and Will has a tiny little crush on Eddie but it's not a big deal. Oh, and google “whip spider” before reading this, just so you can see how fucking creepy those things are.
When you least expected it, Tuesday arrived and you found yourself getting ready to go to The Hideout. You had to confess that you were slightly nervous about what might happen since you hadn't seen Eddie since last week and had had a lot of time to think about him. Not specifically on him, but on who you two were. It was obvious that he liked you and of course you liked him too, but a part of you didn't want to settle for just doing business together and kissing on the sly.
The night he had spent at your house had given you an idea of the way he would behave if you were something more. Besides, your family had liked him and they had already seen you kiss him so there wasn't much to hide.
"You're leaving now?" someone asked, from the door frame. It was your mother.
"Yes, it's a 15-minute walk away," you explained, putting a couple of things in your carry-on bag. She didn't say anything, she just nodded, and you thought that if you wanted to ask someone for advice, she was probably the right one "Mom, can I ask you something?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"Do you think it's wrong if… a girl asks a boy to be her boyfriend?"
"Is this about Eddie?" she asked, trying to hide her emotion, while you laughed.
“Ma! That's not the important thing” she murmured, beginning to blush “It's just that… I don't know, it's normal for them to ask and I don't want to scare him away”
"Being normal doesn't mean it's the only option" she told you, approaching you with a smile "If you really like him, you can tell him"
“But I don't know how to do it” you complained “I mean, I just… Shall I say it like that? Should I buy him something? Do I give him a speech first and then drop the question?” you started to ramble. You were very nervous and even a little embarrassed to think about what you would do. Joyce took a moment to reflect, and silence filled the room, giving you time to think, too, "Do you think a note would work?" you insisted Joyce widened her eyes at her suggestion and nodded.
“Yes, that can help, my love. You avoid saying it out loud and give him time to think about it."
"I think so"
“Are you going to tell him today?”
"I would like to. He said we could get something to eat at work and I guess it's a good time, don't you think?” you exclaimed shyly. You hadn't had many boyfriends, just one guy in middle school, and had a date or two with Steve Harrington until you two decided it was better to be friends for the good of the group. But with Eddie it felt different, even though he and you had already… well, shared physical moments, you wanted something serious and prayed to God that he also felt something like that for you.
"Probably yes. You won't know until you try it” she smiled at you. You knew she wouldn't judge you and you were happy you found her to ask her “But if you do, he has to come here and introduce himself as your boyfriend and everything. You're not going to get away from it."
"Oh, of course not," you laughed, finishing getting ready. You approached your mom, you hugged her, and then you stamped a kiss on her cheek "See you later"
"Good luck and don't be late or I'll punish you"
"Understood captain" you mocked, leaving your room and then the house, completely nervous about going to work.
When Eddie walked up to you, he had the biggest smile of all and you felt like you were going to die. Long-sleeved black shirt that clung to his body, camouflage print pants, and oversized black boots that made him look a little taller. His hair was now tied up in a messy bun that revealed a piercing he had done in the upper part of his ear, when was it that he had done it and you hadn't noticed?
“Hi, honeybunch!” he greeted you, approaching the bar and leaning on this "How is the prettiest girl around here today?"
"I'm fine" you answered, trying to hide a smile, while you poured a drink "You played very well"
"You like me?" he murmured, to which you nodded. You were probably acting dumber than usual, but he kind of deserved it for looking so handsome that day. “And what do you want to eat? Is there something special you fancy?" he asked, holding out a menu in your direction of the few edibles you offered. The truth was that the place was not sophisticated and that meant almost no clientele, so there would be no problem if you paid a little attention to him during business hours.
“French fries sound good, maybe onion rings”
“Ugh, no. My mouth will smell ugly”
"And do you have someone to kiss?" you asked without thinking, making him smile widely.
“I don't know, that's up to you” he replied playfully. He didn't miss a single thing, did he?
“So fries and mozzarella sticks?” you suggested and Eddie nodded excitedly. It was obvious that you would have to prepare them so you were away for a while and when you came back, he was absently drumming his fingers on the wood of the counter. You left the food and a beer in front of him, while you took a soda from the refrigerator for yourself.
The two of you began to talk calmly and entertainingly, while he told you about how his day had been and you told him about your work and what you had done with your siblings over the weekend. At some point in the conversation, Eddie reached across the table to take your hand and play with your fingers, while he listened to you attentively.
You didn't want to accept it but every time you were together, he was completely enthralled by you, as if he was under a spell, being all sweet and flirtatious. Maybe that contrast between his appearance and the way he carried himself was what you liked, a sweet metalhead you had in the palm of your hand.
Unintentionally, like almost every time, Eddie turned the talk to one of those metal bands he loved and the new song they had released, but no matter how hard you tried you couldn't concentrate. The subject of the note was still going around in your head and you wanted to imagine a way to give it to her without it being awkward, but a slight throat clearing brought you out of your reverie.
"Are you okay?" he asked. He didn't sound upset, just slightly amused.
"Yes! By God, yes. I'm listening to you, Ed. I was just… thinking about something.”
“Huh yeah? And what do you have in that head of yours?” he said. It was a date, you had to enjoy being with him after all.
"It's nothing important. Tell me about that new song, Master of Puppets? you murmured, smiling in his direction. He picked up the conversation naturally, telling you about the notes on the guitar and how difficult some parts were, while you watched him carefully and lovingly.
Eddie was perhaps the most talkative person you knew, so there were never any awkward silences around him. That's why you spent the next two hours talking about a thousand and one things with him, enjoying your food and drinks.
You had to walk away at times and he waited patiently when you cleaned the place up so you could finish your shift later, and once you closed the place up, he walked you to his van to take you home.
"All ready?" he asked, looking at you from the pilot's seat. He reached over to put your seat belt on (even though he never used it) and started the engine, while you clutched with trembling fingers a piece of paper on which you had written the words you wanted to ask him, but you didn't dare.
The road was quiet for words, but the music of Iron Maiden filled the air. You'd gotten used to that by now, though Eddie also kept a couple of tapes in the glove compartment with songs he knew you liked that you played on occasion.
When you arrived he parked in front of your house, turning off the headlights of the car and looking at you kindly.
“Thanks for giving me a ride,” you said to break the silence.
"Always a pleasure," he smiled. You unbuckled your seatbelt and leaned into him a little to give him a hug, but Eddie took advantage of the closeness to catch you with a kiss. You were surprised, but you didn't refuse and what started as a sweet caress quickly turned into something a little more desperate.
Eddie's hands rested firmly on your cheeks, feeling your lips brush over his tenderly, while yours held his wrists just to feel his skin somehow. You managed to close the distance as much as possible, with the space of the board being the only thing separating you, and you gasped softly when he lightly bit your lips. You separated to take a breath only when it was vital because the need to kiss him was greater than anything else. He was so passionate all the time that you felt dizzy.
“Ed” you exclaimed, but he just hummed a response “Ed, wait. I have to tell you something” you murmured, separating yourself from him with a lot of effort, while he pulled you back, refusing to let you go “I'm serious, it's important”
"What's wrong?" he asked, pulling away at last and frowning with concern that he had done something wrong.
"Nothing, I just… I promised my mom I'd be here early and if she finds us here it's going to be very embarrassing" you laughed, causing him the same grimace.
"I get it. I don't want to lose the points I earned last time,” he joked. You watched him tilt your head a little and hid a stray strand of hair behind his ear.
“You look very handsome today,” you said, taking him by surprise and making him blush. You reached for the note in your bag and surreptitiously slipped it into his hand, changing that flushed face to a look of confusion "Don't read it here," you murmured as you noticed that he intended to do so, "Better do it later, okay?" you asked him, to which he nodded.
"Well, mysterious lady" he smiled at you, while he put the paper in his pocket. He reached for you and stole one last kiss from you, before climbing out the door and walking over to yours to open it. He offered you his hand to help you down and he accompanied you to the door, stopping at the portico "Here we say goodbye"
"Have a good night, drive carefully, okay?" you murmured softly, seeing him nod.
"I will do it. Rest” he replied in turn. You hugged him goodbye and then he walked to the van, where he waved goodbye again.
You entered the house trying to make as little noise as possible and with your heart beating a thousand miles an hour. The only thing left for you was to wait patiently for a response from him.
Again the days went by and you didn't get a single call from Eddie. On Wednesday you thought maybe he was thinking about it, but you didn't get anything at the end of the day. On Thursday you couldn't think of anything else during work, but you didn't dare to call him to find out what was going on either. Friday and Saturday you spent in agony and when Sunday came the nerves were eating your stomach.
The group had suggested hanging out at the lake to take advantage of the fact that your family was there and the summer heat seemed to be increasing, so you asked Dustin to invite Eddie as well, which he gladly did.
So you ended up with baskets of food, blankets, towels, floats, and sunglasses in a section of Lover's lake.
“Be careful children! Max don't get up there or you'll fall!" you heard Steve yell, pointing at the boys you were sure were up to mischief just to piss him off. You were lying on one blanket, Nancy and Jonathan on another, and Robin on the third, reading a book and waiting for Steve to finish scolding his foster children. You didn't want to look too desperate for Eddie's arrival so you walked to the lake to see what they were doing and it had your friend so grumpy.
Max was climbing a tree while your amused sister watched from below, Mike and Lucas were splashing a couple of steps from the shore and Dustin was sitting with Will on a log. You thought that the best thing was to go with these last ones, that when they saw you, they showed a smile.
"Make a space for me" you demanded, knowing that you had enough trust with both of them. Ever since you were little Dustin had been your favorite among Will's friends and now he wasn't that different.
"Will told me you brought Eddie over to your house to play D&D, why didn't you invite me?" he rebuked you. Wow, not even five seconds had passed and Eddie's name was already in the conversation.
“I wanted it to be something of siblings”
"Hmm" he complained "But next time you have to invite me!" he threatened you and you raised your hands in surrender.
"I'm hungry. Did you bring apples?" Will asked absently, making you laugh and nod your head.
You were silent for a moment until Will started talking to Dustin about a great movie he had seen and also about an art project he was working on, while Dustin was prattling on about something scientific and telling him about his girlfriend who was grounded. You didn't know how long you were attentive to their talk, occasionally looking at the other young people, until you let out a little scream because a pair of hands came out from behind and covered your eyes. Your hands went to those that were in your eyes and the first thing you noticed was the coldness of some rings, which told you in a second who it was.
"Guess who?" said a kind and playful voice close to your ear that made you smile widely.
"Oh, what a difficult question," you muttered sarcastically, hearing him now laugh at it. Eddie removed his hands from your eyes, but not before pushing you back with them so that you fell lightly on his chest. You had to turn your head to the side to see him and you were much closer than any decent distance from his face.
"Hey," he said casually. He was so handsome and you could see the almost imperceptible freckles on his cheekbones, wishing you could kiss all of them.
“Hi” you whispered shyly. His arms were around you and his hands rested firmly on the section of your stomach. Apparently he had brushed his teeth before he came, as his breath smelled like mint, which made you wonder if he tasted like mint too.
“You two are disgusting!” Dustin yelled, snapping you out of your reverie and making Will laugh.
"Hello to you too, Henderson" he murmured, separating from you to ruffle the hair of the aforementioned "And hello, little wizard" he smiled at Will, extending his hand while the boy shook it with a blush on his cheeks that nobody realized “Would you let me steal your sister for a moment?” he asked politely, to which the boy nodded. That's when Eddie turned to you "My lady?" he murmured, standing in front of you and offering a hand to help you up.
You two walked over to where the blankets were while you held the boy's arm, so you took a moment to look him up and down. His outfit was very summery, but all in dark tones and you stifled a laugh at the sight of his feet in a pair of sandals, because you never had.
“How had you been?” you asked cautiously. You didn't want to pester him with questions about the note from the start, so you'd wait for him to tell you something.
“Okay, sweetie. My vacation days are based on eating, sleeping, and playing the guitar. A lifetime of dreams” he smiled “And you? How's work?
"Went well. Stressful and busy, but all good,” you joked. You lay down on the blanket next to him and continued talking about an article you were writing and he was listening intently.
Each pair of people had their own talks, so all you could hear around you was chatter and laughter. Well, that is until some screams were present.
“STEVE! EDDIE!”
“Y/N!” you heard them yelling and almost fell on your face when you ran towards Will's voice. Eddie and Steve were right behind you when you arrived at a scene that you thought was terrifying at first.
"Take it off me!" Mike yelled. You realized that Dustin and Will had asked for help for his friend who had a huge animal on his shoulder. Eleven and Lucas were sheltered behind Max and you laughed out loud at the scene.
"Don't be a crybaby, Mike" you mocked, approaching without the slightest fear and taking the creature away. The paws of that were about eight inches long so you had to hold it with both hands and when you turned to your friends Eddie and Robin almost climbed on top of Steve.
"You are crazy! Take that away!”
"It's harmless" you laughed. But no one could believe that from an animal that looked like a combination of a spider, a scorpion, and a crab.
"Kill it!" the dark-haired man yelled, but you turned around angrily.
"I'm not going to do that!" you exclaimed, but at the same time the animal climbed up your arm to your shoulder and everyone let out a cry of horror "Okay little friend, there are too many noises around here, where do you live?" you asked, oblivious to everyone else.
You managed to find the hole it came from and carefully took it from your shoulder to put it in there. If it hadn't been for the fact that he was an animal, you would have sworn that he raised one of his paws to thank you.
"Are you okay?" Eddie said, jumping towards you, you just got rid of the threat.
“Kids, that's called Whip Spider. It's a harmless species that probably got lost around here. Hawkins weather is not its favorite. And I'm fine, Ed” you laughed, noticing that he was still holding your face with concern, as if he was looking for a wound “You are fine, nothing bad is going to happen to you”
They were quiet for a while, recovering from the fright, and then you heard a burst of laughter from another pair and then a fit of laughter from everyone.
"From the way you screamed I thought there was a viper or a Demogorgon or some shit like that"
"Demo what?" Eddie asked with a frown.
“Nothing, darling. An inside joke” you said putting a hand on his arm and letting yourself fall against him a little so that he would hug you and stop asking questions about what Steve had just said.
"Mike was almost crying," Max sneered, earning a dirty look from the boy.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks or whatever” he said without much encouragement. You rolled your eyes and began to walk the same way you came, but like a bucket of cold water you remembered that matter that had you so worried from the beginning.
"Those kids are such a mess…" you heard Eddie mutter, as he followed behind you and looked at the floor as if he was being careful not to step on some other animal that came out of nowhere. When he looked up you were right in front of him and that made him smile "Hi!"
"Can we go for a walk?" you just asked. You figured if you didn't do it soon, you'd probably put it off all day and you needed to know what his answer was.
"Of course," he answered calmly. You didn't tell anyone that you were going to walk the other way, but Nancy could see you and laughed to herself as she imagined what you two could do in a more private place.
The path was silent for a couple of yards until you got far enough away from everyone, and you could feel all the nerves building in the pit of your stomach, but Eddie was completely lost in nature, looking around as if he were a child.
"So..." you started to say, managing to catch his attention "What did you think?"
"About what?" he murmured, with all the naturalness in the world. You had spent days tormenting yourself and he was so calm that he almost hurt you.
"The note" you ventured to say. Hearing the mention of this he widened his eyes, probably remembering that matter.
“Oh, that note. Very funny of you” he said with a mocking tone.
Well… that was not the reaction you expected.
"Funny? That is what you think?"
"Of course. You made me think it was something important when it was just trash”
Oh. By. God. You definitely weren't ready for that.
You didn't know what to say or why Eddie was being so cruel when he had always been such a gentleman, but that simple sentence was enough to make tears pool at the corner of your eyes.
"Sure, trash" you stuttered, after a long silence, while trying with all your might not to cry. This did not go unnoticed by Eddie, who leaned toward you immediately.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm great," you said, your tone as calm as possible, although it was obvious you wanted to cry "I guess you don't like commitments much, huh?" you asked, trying to laugh even a little but failing miserably.
"What?"
“I mean… it's fine anyway. I understand it"
“I am the one who is not understanding. What is the matter with you? Did I say something wrong?" he mumbled, as if he was genuinely interested, you got a little angry at that change in mood.
"No, you just called my feelings trash," you said sarcastically. As much as you wanted to avoid it, a couple of tears managed to escape from your eyes.
"Feelings? You mean by the receipt you gave me last time?”
"Receipt? He was NOT a receipt, idiot! I was asking you if you wanted to be my boyfriend” you said without thinking. Eddie immediately froze and you were too shaken to notice. There was silence for a long time where he just looked at you with his eyes wide open and you avoided his gaze.
"What did you just say?" he murmured, as he came back to reality. But you were idly still refusing to look at it "Y/N"
"Just forget it, Eddie," you replied. You had sworn that you would take the rejection in the best way but you weren't being very mature.
“Y/N I need you to explain to me what the hell you're talking about. The other night you gave me our food receipt and I thought you just wanted to get rid of the trash, was there supposed to be something written on the back or something?" he murmured, slightly desperate for an answer. Hearing him say that, you turned around with teary eyes to finally see him.
You squeezed your brain to be able to remember Tuesday night and what you had done and as if you flipped a switch in your mind came to the image of what had happened. You had put the receipt that the machine issued when you paid for everything you had consumed in the same pocket in which your note had been and when you took it out you probably… oh, that had to be a fucking bad joke.
"Tell me you're kidding"
“I take it very seriously. I still have it in the glove compartment of the car if you want to see it, but I swear he didn't have anything written on it” he said, raising both hands “Is that why you gave it to me and asked me not to see it until later? Was that what I was supposed to see?
"Jesus Christ! Take me at once” you yelled into the air, feeling your cheeks blush violently as you covered your face with both hands. You were so embarrassed, just what you had tried to avoid through the note, and of course it hadn't worked. You let yourself fall against the trunk of a tree without moving your hands from their place, because you knew that thanks to that misunderstanding you wouldn’t be able to see Eddie's face without crying.
“No, no, wait. Were you going to ask me to be your boyfriend?” he exclaimed in disbelief, approaching you in a hurry. You felt his body leaning slightly against yours as he tried to take his hands off your face, but you were more stubborn and didn't let him. It wasn't until he managed to separate them a bit and caught your lips in a kiss that your breath hitched completely and your cheeks finished coloring.
Eddie didn't give up, so after a couple of seconds you removed your hands to let yourself be guided by his lips. He smiled between the kiss and took your hands to guide them to the back of his neck, while he planted them on your sides.
It was uncanny the ability he had to make you forget absolutely everything when he was kissing you and right now it was no different. Plus, Eddie was a great kisser (something you hoped was born and not experience) so you just needed to let him guide you.
But the churning in your stomach returned when he broke away to speak:
“Now that you are calmer, would you like to explain all this mess to me, honey?” he murmured on your lips. You couldn't explain how his words were so kind, but his tone sounded like an order despite that. It was sweet, but imposing at the same time. You let out a shaky breath, but he didn't move away even a bit, just kept watching you closely.
“On Tuesday I gave you a piece of paper with a question that I thought you might consider during these days. Or at least that was what I had thought,” you murmured. Eddie smiled to himself, more than angry he seemed amused by the situation.
"So cute little Y/N Byers is proposing to me, or am I wrong?" he exclaimed, almost mocking, though you knew he didn't mean it in a bad way. You nodded and he leaned in a little more, seeking your lips "I need you to use your words, love"
"You really are a cocky little piece of shit, aren't you, Munson?" you said, now a little annoyed because he was taking advantage of the matter. But all claim was drowned in a new kiss. You were honestly getting used to Eddie running away from any confrontation like this.
“I'm sorry it took me so long,” he said suddenly, “You know, for asking. Maybe I should have realized”
"It doesn't bother me to be the one to do it, what bothers me is that you've been beating around the bush since I told you and I still don't have an answer" you exclaimed watching him. This time he didn't kiss you, but smiled right from where he was.
"I thought all these kisses had made it clear"
“Words, love” you murmured, mocking him a little at his previous sentence.
“Of course I want to be your boyfriend Y/N. It would be the greatest honor of my life” he replied and although you knew it was going to be something affirmative you did not expect that. So you were almost jumping for joy "Do you want to be mine?"
"I asked first, idiot"
"I just wanted to check" he laughed and you did too. You were more blushing because he had accepted your proposal than because of the way he had kissed you “Probably now we should go back. Those perverts must be wondering what we're doing."
“We came to kiss, Eddie. It's just what they're imagining."
“We came for a walk, actually. The kisses came with the march” he argued, making you laugh. As you said, the others were already looking, because suddenly you heard Steve's voice saying your names.
Eddie pulled away and you missed the warmth of his body on you (even if the day was fucking sunny) but it wasn't more than a couple of seconds before he took your hand and started walking back to your friends.
“Hey, and… how are we going to tell the others?”
“I don't think they will be very surprised. They always say we give each other flirtatious glances, and my siblings saw you kiss me the night we played with Will”
“So now I can introduce you as my… girlfriend?” he said cautiously as if he didn't understand the basic terms of courtship.
"Or as the woman of my life and mistress of my heart, if you wish" you exclaimed, while you heard him burst out laughing.
“My girlfriend” he repeated, as if he still had a hard time believing it “I love how that sounds”
And well, why lie? You were fascinated too.
TAG LIST: @sweetdayme4427 @smol-book-nerd @Ilikewomendealwithit @harringt8ns @katsukis1wife @ilovereadingfanfics
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Salvation - Six Months Later (Reader)
Pairing: Matt Murdock x F!Reader
Summary: Six months after the end of Salvation, Reader thinks life with Matt couldn't get any more perfect -- except then it does.
Warnings/Tags: None. This is pure fluff.
Word Count: ~2500
A/N: Thank you for reading!
Y/F/N Y/L/N sang softly to herself as she headed upstairs towards her boyfriend's apartment. "So this is love, mmm mmm mmm mmm, so this is love, mmm mmm mmm mmm, so this is what makes life divine… I'm all aglow, mmm mmm mmm mmm, and now I know, the key to all heaven is mine…"
If someone had told her two years ago that she would be in a stable, loving relationship (and most importantly, safe and happy) she probably would've laughed in their face, but here she was, on her way to meet up with Matt after work.
He had been teaching her Braille after work and on the weekends for the past several months, and Y/N was finally starting to recognize the Braille letters without a guide.
As she made it to Matt's door it opened to reveal the man himself, still clad in his business suit from work but sans jacket and tie, with the top button of his shirt undone.
Y/N grinned. Although she had long since come to terms with the fact that her boyfriend was Daredevil, she was still somewhat getting used to his heightened senses, including his ability to hear when she was nearby. "Hi, love."
"Mmm. Hi." Matt gave her a kiss. "You're in a good mood."
Y/N nodded. "Yep, I finally finished that book edit I had been working on, and I also got the discovery we received yesterday from Banks, Conway, and Reed sorted and organized while you were in court this afternoon."
"Hey, that's great, sweetheart." Matt moved out of the doorway so she could enter. "Ready to practice reading some Braille?"
Y/N nodded as she stepped inside. "Yep. I've been studying hard."
She pulled the elementary Braille workbook she had been learning from out of her bag.
Matt shook his head. "I thought we could try something a little different today."
"Oh, okay. What do you have in mind?"
"I figured we can move on to just having you read some Braille copy and telling me what it says."
Y/N put the workbook back in her bag and set it on the kitchen island. "Yeah, okay, we can try that."
"I've been really impressed with your progress, sweetheart. You're learning pretty quickly."
Y/N's heart fluttered at the praise. "Well you know, it's because I have a really good teacher."
Matt grinned. "Oh yeah?"
"Mmhmm. The best." Y/N wrapped her arms around Matt's waist and gave him a kiss. "Love you."
"Love you too." Matt gave her another kiss. "Be right back."
Y/N moved to the sofa as Matt went to his bedroom and came back with a small stack of printed Braille paper.
Matt set the stack down on the coffee table and sat next to her.
He read the top sheet, then slid it over to Y/N. "Ok, try reading this one."
Y/N concentrated as she tried to decipher the text. "Never gonna give you up… Never gonna let you down… Never gonna turn around and desert you."
She narrowed her eyes. "Matthew Murdock, did you just Rick Roll me in Braille?"
Matt grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did."
Y/N huffed out a laugh. "You goof."
Matt swapped the top page for another one. "Okay, now this one."
"The writ of… Habeas Corpus is… a recourse… in law through which… a person can -- can report an unlawful detention… or imprisonment to a court… and request… that the court determine… whether the detention is lawful."
Matt nodded. "Very good."
He had her read through a few more legal documents before taking a deep breath and sliding one final piece of Braille paper in front of her. "Okay, try this one."
Y/N closed her eyes this time as she ran her fingers over the raised bumps. "Y/N," she slowly read out loud, "will… you… marry… me?" Wait, what?
Her eyes flew open and she turned towards Matt. "What? Are you serious?"
Matt huffed out a nervous laugh. "Very serious."
He stood then moved in front of Y/N, pulling a red velvet square box out of his pants pocket as he knelt down on the floor. He opened the box to reveal a beautiful, custom-made ring. "What do you say, sweetheart? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Y/N's mind was still reeling. "Yes," she breathed.
A huge smile spread across Matt's face. "Yes?"
Y/N let out a watery laugh and joined him on the floor. "Yes, Matt. Yes, of course I'll marry you."
Matt took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger. "We both know all too well that life is short, so I don't want to wait to get married. However long our forever is, I want to spend it with you as my wife."
Y/N cupped Matt's face in her hands and pressed her lips to his. "Yes, absolutely, I'm in. How soon are you thinking?"
Matt grinned. "Honestly I'd have already booked us a flight to Vegas so I could marry you tonight if I'd have thought you'd have agreed to it, but I know Foggy would kill me if we got married without him and Karen there."
Y/N laughed. "True."
"The waiting period for a marriage license here is only 24 hours, so we could actually go to the clerk's office tomorrow and get married on Tuesday at the courthouse."
Y/N shook her head. "As tempting as that sounds, it honestly would feel kind of weird being married by one of the judges you argue cases in front of, especially if it wound up being Judge Haynes since he just sentenced my ex-boyfriend to 40 years in Rikers less than a month ago. Besides, I know you probably always had your heart set on getting married in the church, so no matter how simple our wedding ceremony is, do you want to see if Father Lantom can marry us instead?"
She couldn't help but smile at the almost imperceptible flicker of relief that flitted across Matt's face as he pulled out his phone. "I'll call him now."
Matt found Father Lantom's number and hit the dial button, then put the phone on speaker.
"Matthew? Is everything alright?" Father Lantom said in greeting.
"Hi Father Lantom, yes, everything is fine," Matt replied. "I'm actually calling with good news -- Y/N and I are engaged and we'd like you to perform our wedding ceremony."
"Oh, well, congratulations to the both of you. When were you two looking at getting married?"
"As soon as possible -- this week, preferably."
"Ah. I see." Matt could hear Father Lantom shuffle some papers around. "Well normally there's counseling and workshops and other things you need to do, but since it's all really up to the individual parish I can make an exception to a majority of it. Let's see… I can fit you in before afternoon Mass on Saturday, but can you both meet with me at some point this week to fill out paperwork and do the required portion of pre-Cana?"
Y/N gave Matt's hand a gentle squeeze. "Would tomorrow afternoon work?" she whispered. "We can get our marriage license before going over there."
Matt nodded. "Is tomorrow afternoon good for you?" he asked Father Lantom.
Y/N could hear Father Lantom flipping pages in his planner. "4 o'clock?"
"Yes, I'm sure that will be fine."
"Okay, good. Congratulations again, Matthew. See you tomorrow."
"Thanks, Father. Goodbye."
He hung up. "Want to FaceTime Foggy and Karen to tell them the news or wait to tell them in person tomorrow?"
"Let's tell them now."
Y/N waited while Matt grabbed his glasses, then they moved to the sofa.
"Oh hey, you want to try to get our wedding bands tomorrow afternoon too?" Matt said. "I think the jewelry store right down the street from the church is open until seven during the week."
"Yeah, that's a good idea."
"I'm also thinking we could all have dinner at Mimi's after the ceremony since we're not going to have a traditional reception either. We could stop by and pick up something for dinner and make reservations while we're there."
Y/N grinned. "Honestly, my love, that sounds perfect. What better way to celebrate our marriage than at the place we had our first date?"
"Good, then that's settled." Matt pulled up Foggy's contact and tapped the Facetime button. "Okay, here we go."
Foggy answered after a couple of rings. "Hey, you guys, what's up?" he said in greeting.
"Hey, Foggy," Matt replied. "Is Karen around? Y/N and I want to talk to the two of you about something."
"Oh, yeah, just a sec. Hey, Kare! Matt and Y/N are on Facetime!"
"Okay, be right there!" Y/N heard Karen call out from another room.
She appeared in the frame a few seconds later. "Hey guys," she said as she sat next to Foggy on the sofa. "What's going on?"
Matt took a deep breath. "Well, we have some news…"
He took Y/N's hand in his and raised it to his mouth for a kiss, showing off her ring.
"Oh my God, congrats you two!" Karen said happily.
"YES!" Foggy cheered. "It's about time. Y/N, did you know Matt's been carrying that ring around for the past six months?"
"No, I didn't!" Y/N turned to Matt. "Really?"
Matt ducked his head. "Yeah, actually. I bought it the day I realized I was in love with you and picked it up the day we actually said it for the first time. I've just been waiting for the right time to propose since I didn't want to do it while your ex's case was still open."
Y/N's heart fluttered. "Aww, Matt, baby… "
Matt gave her hand a loving squeeze before turning his head back to his phone. "Anyway, we're getting married this Saturday afternoon at Clinton Church."
Foggy chuckled. "Wow, you two aren't wasting any time."
Y/N shook her head. "As we all know entirely too well, a long life is not guaranteed, so Matt and I want to spend whatever time we have left on this earth together as husband and wife."
Foggy nodded. "That makes sense."
"We want you two to be our witnesses," Matt added. "No matter when or where we get married, we want the two other most important people in our lives to be there."
"Absolutely," Foggy said. "We wouldn't miss it for anything."
"Yeah, we'd both be honored," Karen chimed in. "And we can help with whatever planning you need us to do to make sure everything is set by Saturday."
"Actually, Kare, would you go dress shopping with me?" Y/N said. "I'm not planning on wearing a traditional wedding dress, but I figure I'll still be able to find something suitable at the department store."
Karen nodded. "Yeah, sure. When did you want to go?"
"Probably Tuesday after work? We're meeting with Father Lantom and getting our marriage license and wedding bands tomorrow, so I can't go dress shopping then."
Karen grinned. "Yeah, sounds great."
"Thanks."
Foggy checked his watch. "We gotta run because we're having Sunday dinner with my family, but we'll see you guys tomorrow. And congrats again!"
Matt grinned. "Thanks."
"Yeah, thanks," Y/N added.
Karen waved. "Bye!"
"Bye!"
"Okay, so it's settled," Y/N said as Matt hung up and repocketed his phone. "On Saturday afternoon we say 'I do'. That gives us, what, 5 days to figure out where we're going to live after we're married?"
Matt chuckled. "Actually when I think about our life together I always imagine us at your place. It's bigger and has more space than my apartment, and it's closer to the office."
He grinned and pointed at the window. "Plus there's the perk of not having a giant neon billboard outside your window."
Y/N laughed lightly. "Well that's true. I'm fine with that if you are. We're at my place most of the time anyway."
Matt nodded. "I think that's probably the best option, at least for now. We can decide later if we want to get another place together, and we can rent out my apartment until we eventually sell it since it might not go too quickly."
"Okay. Want me to see if I can find some blackout curtains that'll fit the window? It might help it sell faster, if that's what you're worried about."
"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks, sweetheart."
"So how are we going to consolidate our furniture? We might be able to turn one of the spare bedrooms into an office for you, maybe put your couch in there? I don't know how we're going to get it up the stairs though unless we hire movers."
Matt shook his head. "I'm gonna leave my apartment furnished, so all we'll have to move are my personal items. It's not like I have a lot of stuff."
Y/N's eyebrows raised. "Wow, you really have thought about this, haven't you?"
Matt smiled softly. "Spending the rest of my life with you? Yeah. Quite a bit, actually."
Y/N bit her lip. "What do you think about adding you to the deed on the townhouse? Think Foggy can do that for us sometime next week?"
"Yeah, he's got some experience with quitclaim deeds from back when we were interns. I was planning on adding you to the deed here so we can have joint ownership of my apartment anyway, but you just finished getting everything transferred from your aunt's name to yours, you sure you don't want to wait on that?"
Y/N shook her head and linked her fingers through Matt's. "I want our home to be our home. Besides, I'm going to wind up getting my name changed on the deed anyway, so while I'm doing that I might as well add my husband as co-owner, right?"
"Oh right." Matt gave her hand a light squeeze. "That's a very good point… Mrs. Murdock."
Y/N's heart fluttered. "Mmm, Mrs. Murdock. I kinda like how that sounds."
Matt grinned. "I like how it sounds too, Mrs. Murdock."
Y/N huffed out a laugh. "Keep it up and I'm going to wind up dragging you into your bedroom to show you exactly just how much I like it."
Matt raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Is that a threat or a promise, Mrs. Murdock?"
"Okay, that's it, mister." Y/N stood and pulled Matt up, letting out a shriek of laughter as her fiancé scooped her up into his arms and carried her off to his bedroom.
#lotmf writes#matt murdock x fem!reader#matt murdock x female reader#matt murdock x reader#matt murdock fanfiction#matt murdock x yn#Salvation Masterlist
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I was very worried about today. Between James leaving for Las Vegas and a field trip with over 100 4th graders. I was nervous. But it ended up being just a really lovely day. Like I'm exhausted. But it was a really good day.
I slept okay. I slept through my alarm. Which is fine. James laid with me and I just held their sweet face. And they stroked my cheek and I was mostly asleep but it was so sweet. When I finally was awake enough I realized it was 715. Oops. No rush really except traffic.
I would get dressed. Nothing special. I knew I was going to be outside most of the day doing the field trip and I didn't want to be cold so it was lots of layers.
James and me hugged a lot before I left. It was hard to say goodbye when we won't see each other until Monday. I was so distracted I forgot my work keys and had to go back but I got an extra kiss so that was worth it.
I did go to the correct car today. And the drive was not great. Literally sitting on 83 at a dead stop. But it was fine. It was whatever. I still beat everyone else by almost an hour.
When I got to camp I dropped off my things and grabbed the gator keys, and the Erie and Alaskan keys, and was off. Driving fast and whipping around.
I went to the Erie first. Collected my program box and drove to the feild to set up. I was sure that my eagle puppet was in the Yukon basement and I would use that as a prop. So I was very annoyed when I went all the way up there and went through multiple boxes and couldn't find it! Very annoying.
While I was up there I got to say hello to the spring break service workers who were staying up there. They were leaving today and they did such a nice job cleaning everything up there. And they were all very smiley and I thought that was so sweet. I'm sorry I didn't get to know them more! The week was just to busy! For everyone.
I would go to the art building next to see if I had any bird plushies. I had brought a duck and a bat from home. But for some reason I just don't really have bird plushies! I would find the Chicken purse that James's cousin gave me for Christmas. Perfect.
I tied name tags to each stuffed animal so we could use them as representation. And once everything was set up I went to warm up on the office.
I had my breakfast and played on my phone. People slowly started to come in. And when Elizabeth got there she printed the schedule and my location was different! Oops.
She said I could stay in the field but instead, since I had time, I would just go and move my set up.
I dragged it over to the trading post and that ended up being so much better because I could utilize the picnic tables for each group. I would pop over to the lodge and got the white board and a small table and I used them to set up the materials and have a score board for the game.
And then it was just time to wait.
The group was supposed to be there at 1010. They got there at 1030. This was not good. We had already had to chop an hour off of the end of the day because of their buses. So we had to then get everyone inside and we wouldnt even get our first program started until 1045. This was rough. But we would make it work.
I was really worried about how large the groups were but for real they were so good. And it was because the teachers were on it. They had such a good handle on their group and even when we were being loud and silly we were able to get control back and it made the day go really well. It helped that I'm pretty good at this program.
I would go over what a bird of pray is. What a predator is. What makes a bird of pray. And then introduced the 4 local birds. They all got really giggly about my stand in stuffies. Those stuffies for so many hugs today which was very sweet.
We had a huge game board with different categories and I would read out the features and they would place the stuffie for their group. And I think they really enjoyed this game. Lots of laughs and participating and I got to go over basically everything, even with the shortened program rotations.
This was the first time I did it this way. With a score board and the stuffed animal stand ins. And that just worked so well. Like if I do this program again this is the way I want to do it because it made it so much more fun for me because I wasn't getting confused. It was great.
Lunch would come and I went back to the office, after getting some information to Elizabeth and an updated timeline to the lead teacher, and had my taco and some snacks. It was a short lunch. But that was okay.
The afternoon was good too. The groups were a little more energetic and it was a little harder to refocus. And some of the parents were googling the answers to share with their kids?? Strange. But it was still fun. It also just went really quick. Because soon it was time for them to go.
I got to chat with some teachers as they were packing up and they said my program was one of their favorites because I had so many facts. And that made me feel really nice.
I volunteered to clean the bathrooms. So I jumped right into that. Collecting trash and wiping everything down. And once I was finished all of those I would help fold up all the chairs.
My wrist is really hurting again and I wasn't willing to push myself with carrying the chairs and tables and everyone was understanding. So I swept and wiped down tables and got the small signs folded for the tables.
It was a lot of work. We were getting set up for the wedding open house tomorrow. I'm not going to that one but I really hope it's a good time! I would drive the gator over to the Alaskans to check that they were all clean and collected the trash there. Then to the pool house to do the same. Before I went back to the office to drop off some stuff and get the trash from there too. I talked to Heather for a few minutes before I went back to the lodge.
I continued to help there for a bit. But once they ran out of stuff I could actually help with I drove me and Nick back to the pool house so he could collect some tables and I could clean the floor.
Once I was done that I was kind of to tired and hungry to do much else. But that was fine. It was almost the end of the day. I would get to meet one of the main people organizing the music festival and Heather talked me up about how I'm managing the venders this year and how I do markets and help with the farmers market and I am excited to really jump into that planning. I am excited for the music festival. I didn't get to be there last year for the first one because we were in our honeymoon! Which I wouldn't have traded for anything but I am excited that this year we will be in town.
I would check in with everyone before I left for the day. But there was nothing else for me to do. I decided that I wanted to go to the goodwill and see if the human size Polly pocket shoes were still there. I had been thinking about them since I was there last week.
So I headed right over there and found them right away. The tag was a bit messed up so I went to check with a worker if they could still sell them because goodwill is so weird about their tags. And when I went to ask her she accidentally hit herself in the face wit a hanger and we laughed together but I still checked to make sure she wasn't actually hurt. She also said that they would just scan something that was the same price. Thank you guys you're the best.
I actually had a really good haul. I got another fleece. This one is JCrew! And I really like the blue. And I got a coat rack for James that says James which I think is hilarious. I found some other things. Like a star rack. And a tag for Sweetp. And a Winnie the Pooh trash can. And it was just fun.
The silliest thing I got was a fish on a plate sculpture?? When I went to buy everything and older lady helped me when I dropped the one rack and then she was like. The fish!! And I was like I know right??? And would show her my fish knife painting and she loved it and told me about all her food themed art in her kitchen and it was just such a sweet moment. I love moments like that.
I went home after that. And was home by 5. I brought everything inside and got things put away. It was weird not having James there. I cuddled with Sweetp and checked on my aquatics. And after having a snack I would do the dishes and put things away. Fed everyone. Vacuumed. Just got myself settled.
I would have a nice evening. Just hanging out in the couch and watching videos. Chilling with sweetp. It was a little lonely but it was also just nice being home and taking care of myself.
I attempted to take a bath by filling a small bucket with hot sink water approximately 30 times. And it was very shallow but it was warm at least and I had a pretty nice bath in the end.
And now I am just hanging out. I had some ice cream. I'm texting with James. Who did some sports betting! And it staying in a flamingo themed hotel. They are a few hours behind but seem to be having fun. Even if Las Vegas is overstimulating. I'm glad they are having fun with friends and I cant wait to hear more about it.
Now though I think I'm going to go brush my teeth and start going to sleep. Tomorrow I have my second printmaking class of the week. This time with the national guard. And that's not even the end of my teaching this week because I'm going to sub at art with a heart on Sunday which I'm thrilled about. I miss my class and I'm still really bummed to not be their teacher every week. I hope they are excited to see me too.
I really hope tomorrow is fun. I hope you all have a great night and take care of yourselves. I love you all. Goodnight!
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Hi :)
How are you today?
Not perfect? That's ok! Me neither. :)
I read a quote a while ago on Pinterest and wrote it in my notebook to share with you today.
Might still print the actual image to put it in my room.
2 random but important topics to talk about:
1. A friend of mine never liked coffee, and drank some cold coffee to give me company in cafes, but that would be with a lot of sugar and chocolate chips and whatnot. He couldn't bear 2 sips of black coffee or cold brew.
He recently shifted somewhere for work and today he messaged me saying that he just drank one liter of black coffee and then had an energy drink to stay awake and energetic in the office because his head was hurting, because he couldn't sleep, and this was like before 10ish am in the morning. And for breakfast, he had a banana. He is feeling better. But. I don't feel good about it... I mean. When he told me he started drinking coffee, about 10 days back and drank a few cups and cans of black coffee now and then I was like ok yay we can kind of talk about coffee now. But then. Hmm. I am sharing my worry right now. I remember when another friend started taking 4 times the coffee she usually put in little water, to stay awake in the night and work, and it just got really bad because anxiety swept in soon enough. And I see my heartbeat getting faster and breathing getting tougher if I put more coffee powder or shots than usual in my drink... I don't want this to be his solution. It's easy. But it's addictive. Caffeine. And it can go down. Some people I know just chain coffee and smoke and it doesn't seem very healthy. It's really attractive, to be honest, I feel myself slipping into it sometimes too, but, must hold back.
Hm.
Interesting to look at coffee as a concern. Sucks actually.
2. On another topic. I met a new person. :) And she was so so sweet and beautiful and she's a freelance illustrator, artist, chuck the tags. But she has such good energy and I loved her doodles. She was kind and observant and patient and caring and acknowledging and a good listener and not loud. It was good. And she smiled. And other people there smiled and laughed too. It was beautiful. :) I went out after a long time. I am using the word 'was' because I met them yesterday. Anyway! My topic was: she was telling me how she has so many stickers but she doesn't use them because - then they'll finish and I think also where to use them.
I hear so many stationery lovers hoarding beautiful stickers and washi tapes and diaries and not being able to get themselves to use any. I don't face that problem a lot. I do plan and open things when they suit my needs but I don't have a problem opening and using them.
So I just thought I'd share a few tricks. Maybe they'll work for you.
With diaries, if I just can't get myself to write or draw (because what if it's not a 'perfect' work and the diary gets 'spoiled'), I just make a small scribble or a big scribble :P on the first page. It breaks the fear because the first page is already 'ruined' and the second one can't be 'worse'. You can also try leaving one or a few pages in the beginning or just using a random page. I do that too.
With stickers, the question is often where to use them and where will they look perfect and appropriate. So I just pick a few and paste them anywhere in any (mostly private) space. Like on anyone's door or switchboard or a remote, where it doesn't matter what you put and no one is greatly disturbed or offended and it's just aesthetic and fun. I giggle, laugh, and smile a lot doing that. It's like randomly throwing colors, here and there, which don't bother anyone and give me a small project of composition making. I think my approach is, to use the first things (pages of diaries or stickers) quickly and not as 'meaningfully' (like in this case: don't put the stickers on your personal devices like laptops or phones just yet) and you get calmer about the next steps.
This also reminds me, of sticky notes. To keep vandalism minimal, harmless, and little in size, I write funny or motivating one-liners and put them here and there in cafes and washrooms, or park benches. They stay temporarily so I don't think they bother a lot. That's also where my bill origami boats go. It's just fun. And non-pressurizing and just as easy to slip in.
Maybe give the first sheet of your new bundle of wow pages to someone else, and you can choose your favorite and start doing something.
Side note: My " I don't know if I'll be alive tomorrow." mindset kinda helps in this case, allowing me to make the best of today.
What will we do taking the stickers and the tapes to the grave?
Hope that didn't sound gruesome!
Ok, missing readers, bye. :)
Thanks for giving me space to express still! I wanted to use so many emoticons through the sentences but then thought they are after every 5 words so I'll just keep it to words (as much as possible).
Paper: Little journal.
Coffee: Cold coffee (Nescafe gold coffee powder)
#papercoffeeandher#paper#coffee#her#blog#blogpost#new#coffeelove#coffee2023#friend#blackcoffeestory#stationery#stationerylove#youcanbegood#stickers#diaries#good
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Bakery Masterlist
a change of heart and a silver lining (ao3) - bellawritess
luke/calum
T, 18k
Summary: Calum’s not obsessed with routine or anything, but he does become accustomed to certain constants in life. Michael is always about eight minutes late. Ashton always records vocals barefoot. Calum always knows the person behind the register at Bake Station.
Except today. Today it’s a stranger, though admittedly a stranger who looks enough like Jack that Calum can easily connect the dots.
“Hi there,” says the bloke in Jack’s place, giving Calum a bright smile. “What can I get for you today?”
If this is Luke Hemmings, Calum’s fucked.
(OR: wrong number AU and strangers to lovers bakery AU battled and this was the outcome.)
and what if you'd never smiled at me (ao3) - kaleidoscopeminds
luke/calum
T, 14k
Summary: He opens up the loaf from the cut, exposing the pale inside that was previously encased by the dark crust. He wonders if you were to split people open whether they would match their appearance; he worries that his own exterior might be a little too much like the hard crust of his sourdough. Not Luke though. He’s pretty sure people like Luke are as soft and golden on the inside as they are on the outside.
x
Calum's really not happy about the new bakery that's just opened up down the road from his own bakery; it's gaudy and pastel and covered in flowers and is an offence to the name of baking. At least he's got a new regular to make him feel better about it all. One with a smile that can turn a day around just like that, even on a Tuesday.
Can't Deny The Moment When I Taste It (ao3) - galacticsugar
luke/calum
T, 17k
Summary: “Constitutes. Big word! Trying to confuse me, Lucas?” Calum squints and brings one of his flour-covered hands back up to Luke’s face. Luke jerks back at first, but then he steadies himself as Calum’s pointer finger gently swoops around his cheek with purpose. Calum’s face is close, so close, forehead wrinkled in concentration, and Luke tries not to let his eyes linger on Calum’s lips for too long. He’s hyper-conscious of his own breathing, probably too loud and too fast and–
“There!” Calum says proudly, stepping back to admire his handiwork. “Now you’re Star Baker.” He picks up the bowl and holds it in front of Luke’s face. Sure enough, there’s a messy flour star printed on his left cheek.
got lost in the glare (I couldn't see you there) (ao3) - expectopatronuz
michael/ashton, luke/calum
T, 6k
Summary:
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“You and Ashton, and all of the flirting the other day,” Calum says, and Michael looks up, baffled.
“Flirting? We talked for like, a minute at most.”
“And in that minute, I saw Ashton blush more than he ever has, and I saw you more flustered than you’ve ever been."
or, a weird bakery au
I'm Going Blind from this Sweet Craving (ao3) - kaleidoscopeminds
luke/calum
T, 6k
Summary: “Bye, Luke,” Calum says. “Maybe see you tomorrow, and... Hope you have a great day too.” His face breaks out into a wider smile that reminds Luke of the feeling of getting just the right consistency for macaron batter, or a perfectly smooth finish on a cake, or the way good puff pastry flakes into the perfect fragments when you cut through a mille-feuille. Or something.
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A bakery au
I think I like you... even more than your cinnamon rolls! (ao3) - FernandaLC
luke/ashton, michael/calum
G, 1k
Summary: Luke has been working in the bakery for one year. He really likes his job, he really enjoyed it. He dedicate three days on the week to make his cinnamon rolls. Everybody loves them. If that place was famous is for those delicious rolls. The blonde has been hearing comments of other people about his recipe, but one in particular, from a curly and handsome boy, makes him feel really happy.
I Want to Feel Your Love Like the Weather (ao3) - mastasof_ravenkroft
michael/luke, calum/ashton
T, 3k
Summary: ' “Hmmm,” The boy continued to consider, now with a small smile on his face, “I’ll try a caramel tart then, if they’re good enough to steal.”
“Good man,” Calum grinned, ringing up his total and punching something else into the till, “Alright, that’ll be 50 cents.”
The boy frowned a little, “But it says-”
“I know what it says, I wrote the price cards. But you’re cute, and you looked like you were having a bad day, and I know if I’d left Michael to it he probably would’ve given it to you for free.” '
new shapes (ao3) - galacticsugar
luke/calum
E, 23k
Summary: “Anyway,” Calum says, “I’ve been thinking about it, and I wanted to talk to you about it, because I kinda think it would be a really good idea for us to fuck each other.”
Luke chokes on his water.
Calum slaps him on the back a few times, even though Luke has told him over and over that doesn’t do anything to help.
on the list (ao3) - galacticsugar
luke/calum
T, 3k
Summary: He’s not sure how he wound up getting this particular email. He doesn’t know who Luke is, what Cake Topics Bakery is, or why he’s so fascinated by this tiny slice of bakery life. Maybe it’s because his own job is horrifically boring — even the most exciting day at the Jiffy Rentals back office is nothing compared to a purple and blue frosting mix-up.
Please Don't Think I'm Weird (ao3) - malumqt (bunwuji)
luke/ashton
N/R, 896
Summary: Luke is a college student who likes cookies. Ashton is the worker at the bakery that always serves Luke.
Stand Again (ao3) - crash-queen aka stelleshine (stelleshine)
luke/calum, michael/luke, jack/luke, michael/ashton
E, 69k
Summary: The promise of a good pie brings Calum into Luke’s bakery one day, and Luke finds more than just a new customer.
Sunshine (ao3) - orphan_account
luke/ashton, calum/ofc
T, 3k
Summary: Ashton and Luke finally reconnect after not seeing each other for four days.
Feelings and doubts ensue.
(punk!luke and flower child!ashton + photographer!luke and baker!ashton)
Unexpected Places (ao3) - The_Lady
michael/luke
T, 2k
Summary: The last thing Michael expects to find when heading home from his morning shift at the bakery is a slumped over Luke Hemmings sporting a black eye and split lip. Yet, there Michael’s school-hood rival is, clear as day, sitting on the concrete and leaning against the alley wall. Well, there goes pizza and DnD.
we can watch the snow fall forever and ever (ao3) - lifewasradical
luke/calum, michael/ashton
G, 11k
Summary: “Here, you got the last one. Enjoy,” Luke smiles, handing Calum the bag over the register. Calum’s eyes light up, taking the wrapped pastry from Luke. “I thought you said you were all out of everything?” Calum asks, tilting his head to the side.
“I’m full of surprises,” Luke quips, biting at his lip.
Or, Luke and Ashton open a coffee shop, and Calum is Luke's favorite customer
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KWARENTA
Some people say that when a loved one passes away, they have 40 days to roam the earth before they move on to the afterlife. This was running inside John's mind as he sipped his morning coffee. It was still too hot so he put it down. He looked across the table and saw only an empty chair. Usually, Ramon would be sitting in front of him tapping intently at his phone. He would intentionally stare at him to make him conscious and Ramon would look up, meet his eye, and give him a huge grin. Mornings were fun. They'd talk, catch each other up on what's happening in their lives before they get ready for work.
Now... Everything is different. The house is quiet. Even when he plays songs loudly, it doesn't seem to drown the din of loneliness, if that's even possible. Ramon was the light of his life. He was loud, over the top, and larger than life. But he was his and he loved every second of their time together.
"It's not fair." John thought as his eyes welled up behind his glasses. They still had so many plans. Still so many things they wanted to do together. He cupped his hands around his coffee mug. Ramon's favorite mug. A personalized one with their favorite travel photos printed on it.
Today is Ramon's 40th day. John gave a deep sigh and stood up to put his mug on the sink. His phone beeped so he checked the notification and immediately blood drained from his face.
1 NEW MAIL it said. From Ramon. His hair stood on end as he grabbed the nearest chair and sat down. He realized he was still holding his breath so he slowly exhaled and tapped on the notification.
"Dear John,
I'm feeling a little better today so I thought I'd write you a note to tell you that I miss you. I miss us and I can't wait to get out of here so we can be together again.
Whatever happened is done and there's no use talking about it anymore. I really just want to talk about what we'll do next. I hate it when we fight but it does make us who we are and I'd like to think we become stronger every time we go through one of these "patches".
Anyway, I think you know that I will always come back to you. No matter what. Because you are the love of my life and I know that I am yours although I give you a hard time about it. I love you. Always have and always will. Don't you ever doubt that.
I wish I could hold and kiss you right now. I just didn't want today to end without writing this down. Once it's ok to visit, I will tell you all of this in person. We don't say how much we mean to each other enough. I'm going to change that. I will tell you every day that I love you with every fiber of my body. I am yours.
Being sick sucks but being away from you sucks most. I'll be seeing you soon.
Always,
Ramon
PS
I am setting this to be sent 40 days from today. I am writing this email from the hospital and I hope to God you are not reading this."
John felt like he got the wind knocked out of him. His head was spinning. He heard someone sobbing then realized the deep, guttural sound was coming from him. He was the one bawling. His shoulders heaving as he sobbed loudly. He wanted to tell him that it's ok and whatever happened doesn't matter. He just wants him back.
Then he felt something around him... Like a presence. He looked around but didn't see anyone. Was his mind playing tricks on him? He felt something warm brush his arm so he stood and turned.
And there. That's when he saw it. Him.
Ramon was standing near the door, where sunlight was streaming. His familiar features beaming behind a brilliant smile. The same smile that made his heart beat fast and slow at the same time. He looked... calm but his eyes looked sad. Like he'd been crying. John wanted to run to him and hug him and never let him go but he couldn't move. He looked at his legs but it felt like they were cemented to the floor. He looked up and saw Ramon give him a wry smile. He mouthed "I love you" slowly. John mouthed the words back between sobs then it suddenly got brighter and brighter... It got so bright he had to shield his eyes... And just like that. He was gone.
John felt a jerk. His head bobbed and he realized he had fallen asleep at the table. His coffee is now cold. He hasn't been sleeping well and he may have dozed off again. He quickly looked at the doorway but there's nothing there. Just the sunlight streaming brightly. With flecks of dust flying in the cold November air.
#loss #movingon #lostlove #grief #grieving #shortstory
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Details in my writing I love
So I posted an extract from Chapter 2 of Jason King's Guide to the Supernatural here earlier today and at the bottom, i said that there were a bunch of details and hidden thing with absolutely no relation to and there is no proof of in the writing that I think are cool and want to share, so here they are :)
(I'd recommend reading the extract before reading this)
music Jason vaguely recognised as a song from some dating game faintly playing from abandoned headphones, so loud Jason could hear it from the other side of the room - The headphones are Rune's and the song is The Vending Machine of Love by The Stupendium (which is an amazing song, please listen to it). There's going to be a lot of music mentioned in J.K.G.T.T.S., and I've got a system worked out for it - I have a playlist of a lot of songs that I think fit the personalities of my characters and I put it on shuffle while I'm writing and doing anything to do with this WIP (like right now, it's on shuffle and The Fine Print (also by the Stupendium) is playing right now), and if I need a song that someone's listening to, I just use whatever song's playing at that moment.
This is the one that’s gonna be the new Jynx Ellis? Give me a break.” - Jynx was the main character from the original vision I had for this story, and even after I replaced him with Jason, a similar character, I decided to keep him in as some kind of mysterious figure whose name everyone knows but no one really knew.
I make movies my entire personality - Vera is obsessed with movies and movie-making, and, at the time of this interaction, her obsession was the Madagascar franchise, specifically The Penguins of Madagascar, and she could and would talk to you for hours about how much of a cinematic masterpiece it was (because it is. it's amazing).
Vera was dressed more casually than Rune, but still definitely put together - a band t-shirt tucked into old, ripped leggings and a plain hoodie on top, that somehow still managed to make Jason, dressed in practically the same clothes, feel underdressed. - Vera's wearing a Lovejoy shirt and Jason's wearing a Mechanisms shirt. Specifically this shirt.
#my writing#my ocs#wip jkgtts#writblr#writers on tumblr#writing#eli writes sometimes#current wip#work in progress#writers#teen writer#wip - jkgtts
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