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sunkendreams · 4 months

Note

.........some The Lost Boys Marko smut? 🥺🤲

once bitten, twice shy (II).

( paul x fem!reader x marko )

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: paul x fem!reader x marko.

𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓: one-shot — requested, continuation of once bitten, twice shy.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 8.2K (not sorry!)

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: SMUT! (mdni), threesome, reader has two boyfriends, bloodplay, violence & gore, vampire antics, dirty talk, oral sex (f!receiving), cunnilingus, begging, public sex (on a beach), bruising, blood drinking, biting, hair-pulling, p in v sex, missionary & cowgirl, scratching, voyeurism, making out, breast-play (paul loves your tits), handjob, fingering (f!receiving), ass-grabbing, they smear blood on the reader (not sorry, it was hot), risk of getting caught, there’s probably more ngl

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: technically this is marko smut with a big ol’ side of paul, so ,,,, I am not sorry for this being absolutely filthy, I wish it was filthier tbh :(( anyway, I hope you all have a great holiday and enjoy! there’s so much more content to come!

TAGLIST: @darklylucid ; @freyjasfenrir ; @drascilla ; @beskardaddy ; @kiki-dohedo ; @vincent-sinclair-deserved-better ; @chaotichellscape ; @iamcautiouslyoptimistic ; @milland ; @the-anxious-youth

Dusk had steadily become your favorite time of day — you no longer lived by sunrise, anxiously awaiting nightfall. When the sun disappeared behind the oceanic horizon of Santa Carla, your excitement had always kicked in, accompanied by exhilaration. Instead, you’d become the queen of the night, lost to the shadows and abandoning daylight altogether.

Once the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, giving way to a cloudless, moonlit sky, the boys were up and active. It was like clockwork, something that you’d grown accustomed to as a human. Their circadian rhythm was vastly different, something that took you ages to sink into, even if you weren’t a vampire.

By the time you’d awoken, the cave was eerily silent, swallowed by a certain quiet that only came about when the boys were gone at the boardwalk. Admittedly, you were a little disappointed that you hadn’t seen Paul, but you knew he’d make it up to you later. He always did. You gave yourself a moment to adjust, gently rubbing at the back of your neck.

As your eyes grew accustomed to your candlelit surroundings, there was something sitting at the foot of your bed — a sundress in hues of gold and a vibrant orange, reminding you of a sunset. You rocked forward, gently pushing your sheets aside. The note attached to the bundle of fabric was written in semi-elegant script.

‘Wear this tonight.’ — M.

It was difficult to smother the giddy, excitable smile that stretched across your features as you began chewing at the inside of your cheek. Your fingers brushed across the crumpled piece of paper crudely taped to the dress, gently pulling it aside. You traced your digits over the frilly material, feeling it glide over your hand.

Marko had become your boyfriend, something that Paul was entirely comfortable with. Of course, Paul was your mate — that was a different title and meaning altogether. Even then, Marko had learned to settle; live with the idea that you and Paul were bound together by the hip and by heart. He was thankful that his brother let him in to begin with.

Like Paul, Marko had started down the path of gift-giving, finding items that reminded him of you, from a vast array of trinkets to clothing. You savored every second of it, of the doting attention and protectiveness that came with two vampires. There hadn’t been any intimacy yet aside from the instance of them helping you out while you were on your cycle.

Though, with their combined unpredictability, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

You sprang from your bed, clasping the sundress against your chest as you pictured what you would’ve looked like with it on. Paul adored it whenever you wore dresses — he had a habit for feeling you up through the material or rucking it up around your hips. You wondered what Marko would think, considering that he’d chosen it for you.

After cleaning up in your makeshift spring, you put on the dress, twirling around in it a few times, growing used to the liberating feeling of it. It was loose, with thin-strap sleeves and a ruffled bodice. You felt pretty — like any other gorgeous girl at the boardwalk.

The trek wasn’t excruciatingly long — you’d wandered the dirt path down to the shoreline countless times. Your step was spirited, giddy as you made it past Hudson’s Bluff and to the beach. Bonfires stretched across the white sand as far as the eye could see, often surrounded by surfers or partygoers.

As you stepped onto the boardwalk, your boots thudded against the rickety wood of the pier, your gait noticeably happy. You were smiling, on cloud nine — it was strange that you hadn’t found the boys just yet, but you knew that, once Paul and Marko caught wind of your scent, they wouldn’t be far behind.

The cacophony of people that traversed the boardwalk was seemingly endless — there was always a new face, someone you hadn’t seen before, or someone you’d seen a hundred times before. The distant lull of music filled the air, another concert down at the beach with plenty of cheering and crowds to accompany it.

When dusk hit Santa Carla, the boardwalk transformed from daytime hues to neon — vibrant, casting the pier in shades of an obnoxious pink and crimson. Strangers came out of the woodwork to enjoy the eclectic night life that the boardwalk had to offer, including the rancor and excitement of the nearby amusement park. There were worse things that lurked in Santa Carla.

Sometimes, it wasn’t the vampires. People were the enemy at times, not creatures of the night.

Gangs of Surf-Nazis dominated the beach by nightfall, surrounding bonfires that illuminated the shoreline. You always tried your best to keep away, a stark warning issued by David. The boys had a bitter rivalry with multiple groups, and by your association, that rivalry was extended to you.

You continued your search, weaving throughout the crowds that swarmed the pier, looking for the familiar cluster of motorcycles. It was somewhat unusual for it to take you this long — one of them would’ve found you by now. A pair of guys rushed past you, nearly knocking you over when you heard them mention a ‘beach brawl’ in-passing.

Something compelled you to follow, and you did, swiftly making your way down a set of stairs and onto the sand, finding a gathering of people piled up near one of the bonfires. You jogged over, boots kicking up dust as you waded across the soft shore, nudging through the encroaching crowd.

The boys versus Surf-Nazis — you shouldn’t have expected anything else.

Dwayne was locked in a wrestling match with one of them, clearly winning given his vampiric strength. He was the most indomitable of the group too, effortlessly slamming one of the surfers to the ground. Laddie was perched on the back of his motorcycle, shouting a string of words that sounded unintelligible to you.

Marko had already gotten his fill of fighting — the surfer he squared off against was knocked-out into the sand, nose bloodied. His attention immediately shifted to you, huddling near the fringes of the sea of onlookers.

It was Paul that caught your attention — Paul, who toyed with one of the surfers as if he were simply a plaything, all for entertainment. He dodged and skirted around him in the sand, laughing and mocking him all the way. “You’re too slow, bud!” He called out, giving him a swift kick in the chest.

You entered the fold, a mere human, dashing toward Paul without a second thought. You grabbed at his coattails, yanking the blonde backwards toward the bikes. “Paul! What is going on?” You gasped, catching his attention without a hitch. Once your scent permeated the beach, it was all over.

“Just a disagreement,” Paul mused, watching as the surfers began to retreat. His grin was that of triumph, pulling you into his side. “You’re lookin’ fine, baby. Marko’s got a good eye for that stuff.” The adrenaline rush of fighting Surf-Nazis began to settle, allowing him to give you a very sloppy kiss.

“Easy, tiger.” You mumbled, listening to his laughter as he brazenly squeezed at your ass through the dress. “Where’s Marko?” The curly-headed blonde was easy to pick out amongst a crowd given his vibrantly-colored patchwork jacket.

Another hand settled against the small of your back, soft lips pressing themselves against your jaw. “Right here,” Speak of the devil, and he appears. Marko was delighted to see you, feeling a rush of energy from fighting against the surfers, even more now that he was getting to see you in that dress. “You look perfect.” He sighed.

They were pressed snugly against you on either side — Paul on your left, Marko on your right. You were elated, happily providing them with a hand to hold as the three of you skirted down the shoreline. “You guys need to be more careful. You’re always getting into trouble when I’m asleep.” You chided, listening to Paul’s jester-like laughter.

Paul grinned, showering your sweet flesh in plenty of kisses. “That’s the fun part,” He mused, jerking his head in Marko’s direction. “We wanna have those surfer-dickwads for dinner.” His eyes glistened with an unrestrained hunger, coupled with humor. “Do you wanna come with us, baby? We won’t make you watch.”

“It’ll be an appetizer,” Marko added, flashing those rows of pearlescent teeth, which happened to nibble along the worn leather of his glove. “I haven’t eaten yet.” He mused, playfully nipping at your jawline. You tasted like a thick honey, sinking into his very bones.

“Before we get to the main course,” Paul added, letting out a rather exaggerated, theatrical snarl. His ringed hand snatched yours, spinning you around in a circle as the three of you made it toward the motorcycles. “Think Marko wants to give you a ride this time, babe.” He mused, winking at Marko as if he were playing wingman.

You had a feeling that you would be the main course, which made your stomach ripple with a rush of excitement. Anticipation crackled along your spine, accompanied with that familiar haze of desire. You hadn’t watched the boys kill and maim before — they were afraid it’d be too off-putting for you.

Marko smirked, taking you off of Paul’s hands as he hoisted you up over his shoulder. Despite being the smallest of the pack, his strength was just as impressive as that of Dwayne’s. You let out a squeal of delight, smacking at the blonde’s shoulder. “Marko!” You laughed, enjoying the ride as he escorted you to his bike.

Paul caught wind of the surfers’ trail, able to smell their pungent musk of cheap beer, saltwater, and their clothing. He revved his motorcycle, pulling up next to the both of you with a wolfish grin. “Got their trail, Marko. I say we follow.” He nodded, leaning over to give you a kiss once you were situated on the back of Marko’s bike.

With the roar of the motorcycle’s engine, Marko glanced over his shoulder, nudging your jaw with his nose. “We’re going for a ride,” He mused, flashing a grin in Paul’s direction. The two exchanged a look of understanding, intermingled with that pang of screaming hunger. “Hold on, baby.” Marko teased, mocking Paul’s constant use of the innocuous nickname.

You laughed, arms slipping around Marko’s midsection, idly fiddling with the cropped shirt he wore. His flesh was cold and smooth underneath your fingertips, musculature akin to marble. Once Paul sped off to take the lead, Marko followed suit, saluting Dwayne and David in a mocking fashion as they passed by.

The cool, evening breeze was on your side, accompanied by the saltwater draft wafting from the ocean. Marko drove fast, likely to keep up with Paul, who was swaying all across the shoreline as he tracked the scent of the Surf Nazi group. You felt like you were on top of the world, leaning in to give Marko a few sly kisses along his neck.

Santa Carla’s vibrant carnival began to disappear into the distance, the further you drove along the coast. Paul occasionally wove around, slowing to drive alongside you and Marko. He whistled at you, weaving just a little closer to make things more exciting.

The surfers had moved down toward the old fishing shack, now fashioned into a shoddy party-palace. Old beer bottles and cans were scattered around the rickety wooden half-dock at the shack sat on top of, littered in graffiti. A bonfire glistened in the distance, partially obscured by an outcropping of rock.

Once the thrill of the hunt began to settle in, basic instinct began to override logic — Paul and Marko were no better, submitting to the desire to feed above all else. Paul steered toward the rocks, parking his bike somewhere out of-sight. Marko followed suit, making sure that you were situated before nudging the kickstand out.

“Stay here, yeah?” Paul cautioned, gesturing toward the patch of soft sand. The rock provided something of a barrier — visually and physically. The last thing that either of them wanted was for you to get in the crossfire of a feeding frenzy. “It’s dinnertime, bud!” He howled, pressing his lips against yours in a sloppy kiss.

Marko grinned, like a shark drawn to blood in the water, caressing your cheek before giving you a kiss after Paul had his turn. “We’ll be right back.” The two were wickedly fast, swift with inhuman reflexes, hopping over the rock as they made it down the incline.

There were four of them — three guys, and one girl. The girl, a redhead sporting a one-piece swimsuit, was strewn across an oversized beach-blanket, paying little to no attention to the three men drinking around the bonfire. The other three were well on their way to becoming absolutely smashed, sashaying through the sand.

Curiosity got the better of you, shuffling forward through the white sand, soft around your knees as you peered above the rock. Paul’s posture was that of a seasoned predator, mirroring Marko’s coiled stance, like two lions prepared to strike. You shouldn’t have been watching, but you couldn’t help yourself.

Paul was the first one to move, flying up and into the fray, striking at one of the surfers from the cover of darkness. You could hear the cacophony of screams, the terror and fear that permeated the air, causing goosebumps to coalesce along the length of your spine. You shuddered, unable to tear your eyes away from the brutality of the scene before you.

Marko was ripping into another man, rending flesh from bone, muscle and sinew no match for his talons and teeth. Their laughter was partially drowned out by those shrieks and cries of fright. He bit into his jugular, cruor and crimson ichor spraying violently into the night air.

You shrank down beneath the rock, able to smell that coppery twang of blood, intermingling with the salt from the ocean. The breeze was enough to carry it all away, but you could still hear struggling and scuffling in the sand, followed by the girl’s hapless screams and pleading for help.

They were strangers — you couldn’t involve yourself in their lives. Even if the sounds were garish and macabre, you would be like them soon — a vampire. This would be your eternal existence, hunting down locals by nightfall, gifted with immortality, never to die. Paul once told you that it was easier to make it all fun and games, to disassociate whenever he killed people.

To the boys, people were playthings — no singular being was above becoming a meal or toy to them, all except for you. For that, you considered yourself lucky, fortunate to have two vampires that loved you enough to keep you around and not on the chopping block.

Your heartbeat slammed against your chest, humming erratically beneath your collarbone. You decided to look again, breath catching within your throat as Paul tossed one of the now-drained corpses into the bonfire. He looked terrifying, but part of you found it to be wildly attractive.

The bloodless bodies of the surfers were being discarded, tossed into the bonfire as crackles of orange flame flickered into the starry night sky. Marko licked his lips, now full and satiated, one of the better hunts he’d had in some time — outside of you, of course.

You steeled yourself, moving out from behind the rock and toward the slope of sand, skirting downward until you reached the very bottom. Paul’s hair looked like the untamed mane of a lion, eyes still glinting with gold as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Both of them were steeped in gore, crimson splashed across their faces and bodies — clothes that they hadn’t bothered to change in years, you were sure. As you approached them, Paul grinned, leaping toward you with a sense of giddiness, wrapping you up within his arms.

“There she is,” He purred, groping at your curves through the thin material of the dress. Paul kissed your jaw, chin red with blood, not caring if he got you dirty in the process. His mouth searched for yours, lips tangling together in a feverish embrace. “Baby.” Paul’s words lowered to an alluring lull.

A gasp ripped through your throat, able to taste that sanguine twang that permeated his mouth. His body felt so solid and immovable when pressed against yours, like the unyielding form of a statue. Paul’s tongue swept against the inside of your mouth, hands greedily squeezing at your ass.

Marko stepped in behind you, caging you against his body, keeping you for himself. Warmth radiated from you in waves, but the chill of his form kept you from feeling overheated. His fangs scraped across your neck, teasing you as he soothed it all with kisses, sucking hickeys into your flesh without warning.

Your voice soon dwindled into a simpering moan, trapped between the immovable objects that were two vampires. A yelp tore past your lips when Marko’s teeth grazed across the flesh between your neck and shoulder. “H—Hey,” You protested, sighing when Paul’s hands groped at your haunches. “What if somebody sees?”

“Then we’ll just have ‘em for dinner.” Paul’s tone was animated, wrought with a roguish charm as he kissed you hard, which rocked you back into Marko. “Loosen up, babe. Let us take care of you, yeah?” His lips curled into a gregarious smirk, lips reattaching themselves to yours without an ounce of hesitation.

A cold hand began to slither underneath your dress, gathering the material within one fist. “That’s what you want, isn’t it?” Marko’s voice fluttered from behind you, like fire and ice, making your stomach erupt with butterflies. “You want us to make you feel good.” You hated that he was reading your mind.

Paul cackled, cerulean hues replaced with a blazing fire, pits of gold ringed in a blood-orange, like a halo. “Yeah she does.” He sneered, pressing kisses all along your jaw and neck, licking over the hickeys given to you by Marko. His hand dug into the meat of your thigh, snug enough to leave behind faint imprints. “I can smell her.” He teased.

They were both insufferable at times — able to sense your arousal through scent alone, impish smirks and scanning through your mind. It was easier to let them look, to think freely. There were plenty of things that you wanted them to do to you.

Marko coaxed you close, leading you towards the outcropping of rough stone, bathed in the glow of firelight. In the gloom of the rock, the curly-headed vampire guided you over, back against the outcropping to protect you from the jagged edges. Paul was locked in behind you, hands tangling themselves at the hem of your dress.

“I’d rip it off, but you look beautiful in it,” Marko purred, watching as you preened underneath his praise, hazel hues flickering ravenously across your body. Goosebumps coalesced from the nape of your neck to your spine, excitement panging to the apex of your thighs. “Come here.”

His command was softly-spoken, but you knew better than to defy him. Marko was beautiful — angelic, like some cherub on the ceiling of a Renaissance painting, but beneath the heavenly facade, he was a little demon. You stepped closer, feeling his hands run across your curves, lips crashing into yours.

It was an explosive kiss, wrought with an edge of pent-up aggression and lust. His hand cupped your jaw, pressing into the side of your neck as the other gripped your hip. You moaned into Marko’s mouth, feeling Paul’s ring-adorned digits begin to yank your panties down, erection pressed into the swell of your ass.

Paul made short work of your panties, ripping them somewhere along the way, fabric torn asunder as he nudged a knee in between your thighs. His mouth languidly pressed across your neck and shoulders, licking at your sweet flesh as if it were blood. “Fuck, baby,” He growled, reaching around to push his hand between your legs. “What’s all this?”

It was difficult to ignore his playful, cajoling tone of voice as his fingers grazed over your cunt, swiping at the oozing warmth present. His rings were like the bitter sting of ice along your thighs, digits drawing slow, deliberate circles around your clit. The remains of your panties lay scattered in the sand.

You moaned, caught in Marko’s mouth as he kissed you again and again — all tongue, teeth, and desire. Your palms clamored toward his cropped shirt, dragging your nails across the taut plane of his muscled abdomen. “P—Paul,” You managed to whimper between the intense barrage of kisses. “Don’t stop.”

“Fuck, you’re soakin’ wet, sweet thing,” Paul snickered, biting down on the sensitive skin of your neck as he began to rub two fingers back and forth along your cunt, thumb grinding against your clit. “Bet you taste even better.” He laughed, smacking a palm against the pliant flesh of your ass, chin perched atop your shoulder.

Marko grinned, eyes devious and full of mirth as he hastily shoved his hand between your thighs, having to smack Paul’s hand away in order to touch you. Your whimpers and moans were like music — saccharine, strung-out with bliss. He placed two fingers into his mouth, sucking away your juices.

“You’re right, Paul. She always tastes good,” Marko mused, chin still stained with crimson. The front of his chest was unceremoniously splashed with spatters of cruor, and he swiped at it with his palm, smearing it across your chest. “You mind, beautiful?”

Having the blood of a stranger painted across your flesh might’ve been unnerving if it wasn’t for the context of your situation. You immediately shook your head, feeling Marko’s dexterous digits unhook your brassiere, and his mouth was on your collarbone before you could get another word out.

Marko lapped at the sanguine ichor that stained your skin, tongue tracing all over your chest. Normally, that would’ve been Paul’s preferred spot, but he was busy grinding his cock against your ass, ring-clad fingers beginning to bury themselves into your tight cunt. He started off slow, letting you adjust as he circled your clit.

Your fingers grasped at Marko’s curly tresses, scraping your digits through his golden mane as you tugged and pulled. His lips traveled towards your breasts, mouth trapping a nipple between his teeth as he kissed and sucked at the sensitive mound. Paul’s hand was relentless, pistoning his fingers in and out of your cunt.

The scent of copper, decay, and stale cologne stung your nostrils — you’d grown more accustomed to the smell of vampires, but sometimes, it was a little jarring. Paul attempted to conceal it with too much stale cologne, and Marko simply smelled like blood — no getting around it.

“Marko,” You whined, nails digging into his scalp as you attempted to stay upright. Paul was right there to steady you, massaging at your hip as he continued to caress your clit. Marko’s sharp teeth nipped and bit at your sternum, leaving behind a rather unsightly trail of bruised bite marks — his love bites. “Wanna touch you.”

“Don’t be shy,” Marko crooned, guiding your hands toward his waist, right to the leather-studded belt buckle. He showered you in kisses, some far more intense and overwhelming than the others. “We’re all yours.” He leaned back against the rock, letting you use him as your perch — you’d definitely need it.

Paul snickered, laughter akin to the heckling of a hyena as he sank down onto his knees, hands grabbing at your haunches. He had a picturesque idea of what he wanted, neck and chest still smeared in now-dried blood. With a shrug, Paul shed his overcoat into the sand, following the scent of your arousal like a bloodhound.

“Don’t mind me, babe,” Paul mused, wedging himself between your legs, tongue greedily lapping at your slit. “I’m gonna help myself.” Another snarl escaped him as he bit at your inner thigh. You felt awkward, contorted into a strange position as Paul began to eat you out from behind — not that you were about to complain.

Your body felt as if it were burning, being consumed by a flame called desire as it crackled along your flesh, sparking at every nerve ending. You moaned, letting out a wanton cry as Paul’s hands encircled either side of your hips, rings leaving behind indents as his mouth went to work. His tongue split past, right to your weeping cunt, tugging you wherever he pleased.

It was difficult to focus, your motions feeling jagged and robotic as you pried Marko’s belt off to the best of your ability. “Paul’s got you feeling dumb, doesn’t he?” Marko purred, clutching your wrists between his hands, leaning forward to kiss you again. It stole the very air from your lungs, leaving you breathless.

With a whine, you nodded — fortunately, Marko had a rather ingenious idea. Those blood-orange hues ensnared your eyes, hypnotizing you for just a moment. It had gotten you to concentrate, your thoughts no longer safe, nor were they yours. “M—Marko,” You stammered, listening to his fiendish laughter as he stroked your chin. “What was that?”

“Something to help you focus.” He mused, feeling your silken palm wrap around the length of his cock. A growl rippled throughout his throat as you began to stroke him off, aided by his bout of hypnosis. It wasn’t exactly fair, but it certainly got you to compose yourself. It was threadbare, a weaker hold — you were still a mess.

Paul lapped at your cunt as if he were ravenous, a man starved, happy to suck at your clit. He was grinning, attempting to steady you as your poor, feeble legs quivered around him. It didn’t slow him down in the slightest, tongue flicking along your slit.

Marko’s lips returned to yours, grunts muffled through the heated entanglement of saliva and tongues. You whimpered, pumping your hand along his cock, stroking the pad of your thumb across the swollen head, collecting pearls of precum in the process.

Entranced, Marko kept you ensnared, feeling your body convulse and shiver from the pleasure. You looked tortured in the best way possible, mouth parted, moaning and babbling strings of incoherent words. You wanted to collapse, and neither of them had even fucked you yet.

“Don’t make her head melt, Marko. We aren’t to the best part yet.” Paul reminded his brother from between your legs, licking his lips as if he’d had one of the best meals in his eternal lifetime. His cock throbbed within the tight material of his jeans, desperate to be inside of you. He kissed and nipped at your thighs, returning to your sweet cunt once more.

Hypnosis was always a dangerous slope — do it too much, and you run the risk of making someone a mindless husk. Marko smirked, kissing you again and again, hands sliding all along your body as you continued to stroke his cock. Your sounds were heavenly, trembling and high-pitched as he grabbed at the base of your skull.

Paul was messy, greedily lapping at your slick, tongue occasionally circling around your clit. You were shaking like a leaf, all wrought with ecstasy, pleasure blistering all throughout your body. Another hapless whimper escaped you, consumed by Marko’s kiss, his hand squeezing at the base of your throat.

You withdrew from Marko, still connected by a glistening tendril of saliva, your lips puffy and swollen. You quivered, trying to keep yourself semi-composed as Paul devoured your cunt. “P—Paul!” You squeaked, feeling yourself begin to approach your climax.

“You’re hogging her, Paul,” Marko quipped, brows furrowing together. “I want a taste.” His tone was somewhat agitated, though not at you — never at you. The curly-headed vampire gave you another kiss once Paul finally emerged from between your legs, grinning like a wolf.

“Knock yourself out, bud.” Paul chortled, catching you as you slumped back against him, back snugly pressed into his broad chest. He immediately went about kissing you, licking over the numerous bite marks caused by Marko, hands kneading into your breasts. “You smell so good, baby.” He purred, nibbling along your earlobe.

Marko dropped to his knees, abandoning his patchwork jacket — unusual for him, but a blessing for you. One of your hands immediately grasped at his mop of golden tresses, traveling toward the sinewy muscle of his back and shoulders. With strong hands, he spread you open, tongue splitting past, right to your cunt.

Paul rocked himself against you, erection pressed around the soft curve of your backside. His mouth was voracious, licking and kissing every inch of your perfect flesh, gently sucking hickeys into your shoulder if he could. He playfully pinched and massaged at your tits, chest rumbling with laughter when you moaned.

The ravenous vampire whose face was buried between your thighs let out a sonorous grunt, lips pursing around your clit as he began to suck and toy with the sensitive bud. He was relentless, never letting up, never allowing you to have a true moment of peace. Marko was notoriously greedy; covetous when it came to you.

“Where do you want us to fuck you at, babe?” Paul asked, pressing a string of kisses along your back, hands groping and grabbing at your breasts. He was captivated by your pliant chest, continuing to twist and tug at your nipples — it was a torturous form of pleasure. “Right here, in the sand, or maybe back home?”

You could feel Marko’s grin against your inner thigh, tangible and impish, like a brand etched into your skin. He lapped at your cunt again, savoring your taste upon his tongue. “Right here,” Marko piped up, nipping at your legs with devilish laughter. “We have all night.” Your head was bobbing up and down in agreement.

A shudder rolled down your spine, feeling Paul’s hand guide your chin back, mouth hotly connecting to yours in a sloppy kiss. You could taste blood, yourself, the faintest twang of marijuana on his lips. The kiss made you moan, dizzy and delirious from the pleasure you were experiencing.

“There’s a perfectly good blanket,” Marko licked his lips, noticing the blanket left behind by the redhead they’d killed earlier. “Unless you want the ground.” That was certainly food for thought — fucking you right into the dirt and sand like a wild animal.

Maybe he’d take you out to Hudson’s Bluff one night just for that purpose.

Paul’s mild disdain for putting you on the ground was noticeable. “Nah, she deserves something nice to lay on,” He smirked, eyes unnaturally bright as they glistened with desire. “When we fuck her senseless.” With a brief snort of laughter, he squeezed your chin, kissing you again.

You let out another whine, on the precipice of cumming, but Marko was tormenting you, the little demon. “M—Marko, please.” Your stomach felt like a pool of liquid, churning violently as you rubbed your glistening thighs together. “I wanna cum, please keep going!” Your urging came in the form of tugging his hair, but he simply sat there, lips curling into a grin.

“You wanna cum?” Marko inquired, gazing up at you from between your legs, hues shifting to that familiar blaze of burnished gold, countenance akin to that of the Cheshire Cat. When you nodded several times over, he snickered, pressing teasing kisses along your thighs. “I’ll help you out, dolcezza.”

Paul didn’t stop his brother, releasing you from his grasp as Marko flew towards that blanket, bearing now-dried bloodstains on one of the corners. Fortunately, it was protected from the sand, but that didn’t seem to matter much when Marko was crawling on top of you, hungry and lustful.

The taller vampire simply dragged one of the beach chairs over, mane wild and disheveled, chest smeared in crimson as he plucked a pair of sunglasses off of the ground. Must’ve been on one of the heads of the men they’d slaughtered. Paul put them on, lounging in the rickety, woven chair, legs casually spread apart.

“Don’t get too excited, Marko. She knows who she belongs to.” Paul snickered, watching you romp around with his brother atop the blanket. He wasn’t jealous — just impatient, wanting to have his way with you so very terribly. “Be careful with her, too.” He added, not wanting Marko to get too carried away.

Marko had a horrible habit of killing those he slept with. It wasn’t out of malice — just hunger and adrenaline, the thrill of the hunt.

“Piss off, Paul.” Marko growled, knowing not to defy any rules or expectations. He kissed you hard, cock rutting against your slick inner thighs, feeling your hands haplessly grab at his hair. You felt like silk underneath him, warm and feverish as you rocked your hips forward.

Marko’s bloodied body molded itself to yours as he ran the head of his cock against your slick slit, causing you to moan and whimper. “Marko, please!” You whined, desperate for a release of any kind, nearly thanking him when he finally pushed himself into your tight cunt. Paul could be gentle — Marko wasn’t in the slightest.

His initial thrusts were erratic and experimental, not soft or coddling. Marko wanted to find a rhythm that worked for him, and not you. Roughness and brutality were the only ways he knew how, evident in the way he began to move into you. His cock slammed away at your sensitive cunt, feeling you clench and shake around him.

Your hands clamored toward his back, nails digging into his shoulder blades as he rutted into you, rhythm unyielding and quite rough. You didn’t mind, desperate for the friction, leaving behind indents in his flesh. Marko huffed, biting at your collarbone as he moved his hips forward with the strength of a battering ram.

His cock pounded away at your poor cunt, feeling it clench and throb around his length. Marko murmured something in Italian, teeth raking across your fragile skin, nipping just above your breast as he rocked forward. He was unusually silent, focused on filling you up, fucking you with an animalistic fervor.

Paul was observing — partially for your own safety, the other for his own enjoyment. He cocked his head to one side, watching the way your body trembled with ecstasy, nails raking down Marko’s back as you scratched at his musculature. He adjusted himself within the chair, gripping the arm so hard that it began to splinter.

Marko growled, mouth traveling from your collarbone to the column of your throat, lips gingerly pressing against your jugular. It was a stark juxtaposition to the vicious rutting you were receiving from the hands of the smaller vampire. You were a mess, legs rattling like a leaf as he squeezed at your hip.

“Marko!” You cried out, back arching off of the blanket, nails clinging onto him, hard enough to draw blood. Marko smirked, leaning up enough to grab at your thigh, forcing your legs apart as he fucked you. “M’close!” You huffed, arousal from before carrying over into this.

Your heartbeat was erratic, pounding away just underneath your breastbone, enough to catch the attention of two very riled-up vampires. Marko’s growl reverberated next to your ear, sending shivers down your spine, hips attempting to grind against him. “You feel perfect,” He murmured, kissing your jaw. “My thrall.”

Pleasure rippled throughout your body, sinking into the pit of your stomach, digits threatening to rip Marko to shreds. An impossible feat, but it certainly conveyed your heightened level of desire. “Please, please,” You panted, feeling his cock hit a certain point of depth, rutting back and forth as he lured you into an orgasm. “Marko!”

Being the devil incarnate, Marko fucked you through your orgasm, making your head spin with a euphoric sensation. You moaned, body unable to fully keep up with his brutal pace, shuddering when he rutted into your cunt even still. “Just a little more,” He purred, lapping at the pearls of blood left behind from the bite on your collarbone. “You can handle it.”

Jesus — you were on fire.

Marko was fucking you as if it would be his very last rut, cock slapping away at your cunt. You were quivering from both excitement and from a post-orgasmic haze, stomach churning and rippling with a delightful pleasure. You still held onto him, letting him screw you through your climax, not that you cared. The pleasure made your head go fuzzy, as if you were floating.

Paul frowned, prepared to smack Marko away from you if needed. “You got two minutes, bud. Don’t break my girl,” He uttered. Even if Paul’s demeanor was normally lighthearted and spirited, he could become vicious and downright unhinged. When it came to you, he was rather overzealous at times. “Easy.”

Marko was somewhat ignoring Paul, but still adhered to the side of caution for his sake and for yours. He’d get another opportunity — alone, hopefully. The curly-headed leech continued to fuck you, capturing your mouth in another passionate kiss before he came, pulling out halfway through, painting your stomach with thin ropes of his seed.

You whimpered, feeling messy and sticky, skin heated with a fine layer of perspiration. Marko snickered, biting at the corner of his thumb as he admired you, coated in his cum. It was a mental picture to keep of you as he gave you another kiss. “Good girl.” He sighed, feeling Paul give him a brusque shove.

“My turn,” Paul crooned, deciding that he’d be gentle with you this time around. Marko had clearly fucked your brains out, given the blissed-out expression on your face. “Looks like you did a number on her.” He mused, flinging off the mesh top he wore as he slipped beside you, peppering your face in kisses.

“Paul.” You sighed, soothed by your boyfriend’s sweet, tender kisses. You loved Marko — you loved how feral and unrestrained he was, but you needed something a little more gentle if you were to last another round. They sometimes forgot that you were still human.

Marko grinned, unceremoniously depositing himself into the chair Paul was in moments prior. He liked watching you just as much as he enjoyed participating. Partaking was one thing, but observing helped him study you — what made you tick?

“You got another one in you, babe? I’ll let you get on top. You can give Marko a little show,” He guffawed, settling atop the blanket as you climbed on top of him yourself. Your legs were shaking, sure, but you knew that Paul intended to take it easy on you. “Fuck, you got such a gorgeous body.” Paul groaned, ring-clad hands caressing all over your physique.

Your head began to move, rolling up and down in a lazy nod. “Just one more.” You had the feeling that, by the time this was over, they’d have to carry you back to the cave. Nonetheless, your fingers worked away at Paul’s belt, pushing the snug, white fabric down enough to free his cock. His hardened length oozed with precum, desperate to be inside of you.

Paul kept one hand on your hip to steady you, guiding you up enough until the crown of his cock prodded against your entrance. He let you take your time, feeling you lower yourself, tight cunt swallowing his length, inch by inch, almost painfully sluggish.

One of Paul’s hands skirted upward to massage and caress at your breast, the other guiding you up and down along his cock, keeping a slower pace. “You feel divine,” Paul groaned, your warm palms dancing across the plane of his chest, one hand reaching for his throat. Your digits tensed around his neck, applying a sensible amount of pressure. “You know just what I like.” He purred.

Basking in the crackling glow of the bonfire’s light, Marko admired the myriad of bite marks and hickeys he’d left all along your body. You met his gaze, almost shrinking away until his lips twitched into more of a half-smile instead of a sardonic smirk. A passionate sigh escaped you as Paul lulled you into a more leisurely pace.

The sluggish, deliberate speed of your hips was a much-needed respite from Marko’s near-obliteration of your body moments prior. Paul was more than happy to do most of the work, strong enough to roll you up and down along his cock.

Paul could be unhinged and rough like Marko, but more often than not, he didn’t want to destroy you. He preferred to draw it all out, if he could. Your legs quivered as you let out a soft moan, squeezing at his throat as he let you enjoy the ride. He sat up, enough to get his mouth around your tits again — his favorite.

“Paul,” You moaned, head rolling backwards as Paul’s lips greedily sucked and kissed at your breasts, savoring the silken texture of your chest underneath his tongue. Your hands grabbed at his disheveled tresses in fistfuls, moving your hips with the steady rhythm he provided. “You feel so good.” You sighed.

His cock hit new depths, beginning to lightly push against that spot, opening up a new wave of pleasure. Even then, he kept a gentle speed, not wanting to overwhelm or harm you. With Marko and him combined, you likely wouldn’t be walking around very much. Paul loved your chest, face buried against your breasts instead.

A saltwater breeze fluttered across the shoreline, raking across the perspiration that had dewed up along your back. You shivered, hand gripping into Paul’s broad shoulder as he continued to rut into you, pace still rather tame. “Baby, I’m gettin’ close,” He growled, showering your unattended breast in a flurry of kisses and kitten-licks. “Fuck.” He hissed.

You coaxed him in for a kiss, tasting that amalgamation of blood, marijuana, and a faint wisp of smoke. Paul kissed you with a reverence that transcended a simple relationship — it was the embrace that only a mate could provide. He groaned into your mouth, muscles of his neck flexing underneath your palm.

Marko watched, enthralled by you — his adoration for you had climbed to new heights, your scent buried within his mind, smeared across his body. Of course, it would’ve been better if you smelled like him, marked as something that belonged to him. He chewed at his thumb, dark gaze glued to you, burnished gold dissipating into hazel-greens.

You didn’t care if you came again, simply basking in the attention from your partners. Marko’s stare bored into you, tearing into your thoughts, enough for you to open your eyes and look at him. You bristled underneath his silent appraisal of you, able to detect the overflow of desire and want in his eyes.

Paul bit at your lower lip, effectively tearing your attention away from Marko. His kiss was blissful, blossoming into something passionate and sloppy — it was so very Paul. His lips curled into a grin, palpable and pressed into your mouth, which you happily reciprocated. His hand snaked in between the both of you, thumb circling around your clit as he bucked up into you.

“You’re my sweet little mate,” His voice emerged as a tantalizing purr, teeth grazing along the column of your throat. “Prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.” Paul groaned, making your head spin from the compliments. A string of expletives escaped him — breathy, soft ‘fucks’ muttered from the mouth of your very aroused boyfriend.

A moan tore past your lips as he swallowed it whole, cock beginning to throb as he came inside of your tight cunt. He didn’t bother to pull out this time, stuffing you to the brim with his cum, tongue swiping at the inside of your mouth. Ripples of pleasure fluttered across your body as he attentively played with your clit.

His ecstasy was enough for you as warmth pooled between your legs, but you were most definitely spent. Paul huffed, smirking like the cat who’d just caught the canary. “It’s like your body was made for me or somethin’, just sucking me right in.” He teased, peppering your hot flesh in strings of kisses.

“Paul,” You mumbled, nose wrinkling slightly. Everything felt so heavy, but you were determined to keep yourself afloat until you made it back to the cave. “Love you.” You whispered, giving him a sweet kiss as you pulled yourself off of him. It was a mess of his cum and yours that painted the inside of your thighs.

“I love you more, baby.” Paul cooed, squeezing your chin as he continued to pamper you in a barrage of kisses. It wasn’t difficult to notice the little sting of yearning in Marko’s eyes — but Paul understood it all more than anything else. You could love both of them.

Marko had collected your clothing from along the shoreline, clutching your torn panties in his hand. “Think I’ll keep this as a trophy.” He smirked, noticing the way you became absolutely flustered. It was hard not to laugh at your reaction, and the curly-headed vampire pressed another kiss against your jaw.

Paul went about kicking a half-eaten arm back into the bonfire, retrieving the sunglasses he’d snatched off of a corpse. He retrieved some of his clothes, draping his tuxedo coat over your shoulders once you’d put your dress back on. Your undergarments were in a state of complete and utter obliteration.

“When will you both stop destroying my clothes?” You sighed, reluctantly climbing onto the back of Marko’s bike as the three of you prepared for the short ride back to the cave.

“As soon as you stop dressin’ up all pretty for us, sweet thing.” Paul snickered, revving the engine of his motorcycle as he took off into the night. He was howling — likely the post-sex and post-hunt excitement beginning to kick in.

Marko was right on his heels, leaning back into you when your arms wrapped around him. He seemed somewhat docile again, having released his bloodthirst and desire to fuck all in one go — the preferred method, really. You pressed yourself against him, chin perched atop his shoulder.

“Hey,” You mumbled, voice a softer hum, close to his ear. Marko was listening, wanting to drown himself in the sound of your sweet voice. “You know that I love you too, yeah?” Your hands gently traced around his abdomen, feeling his cold musculature underneath your fingertips.

That familiar smirk of his made your stomach do flips as he pressed a chaste kiss against your jaw. Marko wanted to hear you say it — but it was just as palpable within your thoughts, and that was more than enough for him.

“I love you more.”

#slasher x reader #slasher x you #the lost boys x reader #the lost boys x you #marko tlb x you #marko tlb x reader #paul tlb x you #paul tlb x reader #the lost boys #the lost boys fanfiction #slasher fanfiction #slasher fanfic #slasher x y/n #slasher fandom #the lost boys 1987

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eldritch-spouse · 8 months

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[☆There's a poll in this one☆]

(You wake up slowly. Too slowly. Something's not right. Your skin has erupted in goosebumps, and rasped breathing can be heard from above as your shoulders are grabbed.)

" Ah, don't- Don't try to sit yet, you'll get dizzy. "

(Although you swear you recognize that tone by now, it's still cause for alarm, since you're pretty sure you were well alone when you went to bed.)

(Finally, your eyes peek open, and you recoil slightly.)

" It's me. Surprise. "

(He looks mildly guilty. He's also too close for your tastes. Even at this proximity, his face continues to be a mostly unknowable void. Is it that he's pitch black, or is Hudsyn genuinely a shadow adorned in robes?)

" Before you say anything, I had planned to do this later, a few couple of days later actually, but eheh- It turns out I don't have that privilege. It won't be as organized as I was hoping, but history doesn't wait for you to prepare, does it? "

(Hudd looks at you with significant mania. An uncomfortable -For you- Pause unfurls.)

" Mentee, the time has come! "

(Your confused grimace has Hudsyn frowning in turn, until realization seems to hit the monster.)

" Remember, a couple weeks ago, when you agreed to help me? "

(As your eyes widen in an epiphany, so do his.)

" Yes, that's right, exactly! "

" See, I haven't just been lazing around this whole time- I've been working towards something special! Very special. "

" Something only someone like you can get... That's why this all took so long. I needed to wait for you. I needed to find you. "

(There's a moment where it seems as if Hudd is searching for something in your face. A reply, a reflection.)

(He gives up, taking a few, much appreciated steps back from you. While your vision clears you can finally start to study the space around you.)

(You're in a living room, it can only be that. It's surprisingly well-kept, cozy even... Is this his home? It must be early, enough so that the light coming from the window illuminates a great portion of the room easily. You spot scribbled notes on the wall and the darkness creeping from the far right, swallowing even that rickety lamp.)

" Well well, you're looking at me so oddly. Is it truly that hard to believe that I have living standards? "

(You opt not to answer that.)

(The demonoid helps you stand up. You feel something soft about his touch, but it's chaste in nature. When you're steady, he walks off-sight for a moment, presumably to another division, you hear the clicking of porcelain on claws, before Hudsyn comes back humming softly, white digits holding...)

(A fancy-looking cup filled with a clear-ish substance. It sparkles oddly, reflecting colors it shouldn't, and has a strong, alluring scent.)

" A treat, you could say... "

" I feel it is only fair. You were a kind host to me and I'm not one to forget such details. "

" Do sit. I need you to be wide awake for this, conversation will help. "

(Doing as told, you settle on the armchair opposite to the smallest couch, contemplating what to do, and what to say for that matter. There's a lot more at stake here now than there ever was compared to your previous interactions with this demonoid. He's not so harmless, is he?)

#Hudd oc #pinnie's art #demon oc #yandere demon #yandere monster #yandere teratophilia #minors dni

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estro-gem · 6 months

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Jax x Ragatha: Eyes

The Amazing Digital Circus AU: Oasis

Author's Note:

When he looks at me... and I look at him... and he looks at me... aNd I lOoK aT hIm - I'll stop now I was meaning to write about the other characters, but these 2 were stuck in my head! Blasted!

I craved fluff, so I give fluff. This is a simple, short and sweet scenario. It might take a bit for me to write again, but we'll see how it goes. Let's hope there's no mistakes in the grammar! No warnings; other than the fact that the characters belong to Gooseworx~

Sorry if I disappear for a while, I'll try not to make it too long. Final year degree stuff...

SUMMARY:

Ragatha hand-embroiders something under Jax's merciless stare.

Please enjoy!

EYES

Watching someone repeatedly poking a needle through fabric shouldn’t be so interesting.

Ragatha decided to blame it on the obvious; Jax was stuck in a digital world where every day was a chaotic deadline with the pressure of your whole family coming for a visit this coming evening and your house was still a mess, because you didn’t have the time or energy to clean it this morning, since your cat decided to shred the last toilet paper you had in you house and you had nothing to wipe with, thus it cost you an early trip to the store, but you missed the bus and it was raining, so you ditched the store to just walk to work, only to realize that you haven’t changed out of your pajama’s yet and you had no spare clothes, forcing yourself to attend a meeting with water dripping down your legs and you clothes sticking to your body.

That was oddly specific…

The point is that everyone craved some form of normalcy. Jax was allowing himself to just exist her presence, who was caught in the slow, tedious process of embroidering a purple piece of fabric by hand. He didn’t make an effort to keep a conversation going, but the ragdoll wasn’t bothered by it. Her hands tingled where his big eyes were fixated, watching intently.

They were situated on a two-seater couch that they randomly found back stage. It's been a while since the group first carried it out to place it off to the side, near the main area. It was rarely used, unless it was a scenario such as this one; Jax watching Ragatha embroider quietly.

At first, she thought that he was looking for an error to point out, or even just to mess with her by trying to make her self-conscious with his unblinking staring. To counter whatever she thought he had planned, she would just discard the fabric and thread, while she wasn’t too far into her progress. In doing that, this would be a practice trail to complete her embroidery project away from prying eyes in the future and she would have the satisfaction of seeing Jax’s face when he saw how unbothered she was losing her progress or messing up.

But the snarky comments never came.

That’s alright, Ragatha could work with that! He was just being patient, until she had something to show for her time and effort. Until her work was something of value to lose. It was only a matter of time before the bunny brought up his old schemes again, so in the meantime, she would just have to continue. She was actually making great progress; it was starting to really look like something.

Oh no…

Ragatha didn’t think that she would make it this far. What started as two big dilated, black pupils, evolved into two large golden eyes staring up from the purple fabric. She was currently hyper-focused on the black rim surrounding the brilliant golden sclera of the second eye, almost completing the set. It was coming on so nicely.

The doll wasn’t nearly as brave as she was before. She wanted to curse her patience with herself, with this project, with Jax being Jax...

A mysterious flush of heat and tingles dragged itself up the red-head’s face. She couldn’t understand why – she was annoyed, but she wasn’t angry. She wasn’t even human, so the sensations, though otherworldly, was not the strangest thing to happen to her – she could take and axe to the face without so much as a squeak – but it was still puzzling her. It was making her feel lightheaded, as she suddenly became very aware of her steady calm breathing and abruptly fumbled to consciously control it. It was like she was a flustered mess that suddenly forgot how to breathe. All her well-practiced hand motions briefly paused as there was a moment of deep contemplation.

The tingling heat instantly evaporated from her face, only to flare up onto her now frozen hands, hovering closely over the embroidery.

Ragatha almost twisted her neck with how quickly she whipped her sight to Jax sitting next to her.

She was probably hallucinating, but she almost believed that she saw him lean back slightly, as if reigning himself. The bunny was comfortably sitting back with his one arm hanging over the back of the couch they shared, bending his elbow to rest his cheek on his hand. If the doll shuffles closer, he would practically have his arm draped around her shoulders, and she would be able to rest her head in the crook of his neck.

His eyes were fixed on her hands that was now folded atop one another, covering the golden orbs she spent so long on. He didn’t look bored, per say, but he did sport his usual smug, unbothered expression. If anything, he looked content, but Ragatha knew Jax better than that. She could feel that the intensity of his gaze prickling over her now heated hands meant that he was deeply invested – interested. If she felt his eyes so prominently fixed on her hands…

Was he focused on her face before?

“Ya makin’ somethin’, Dollface?” Jax asked nonchalantly, lazily trailing his gaze up to her face. He was wearing that smug grin - and the poor dolly suffered the severe rush of heat bite into her cheeks again, desperately trying to focus. She missed the fierce flash in Jax’s eyes as she tried to keep her darn breathing steady; not quite able to just let it manifest naturally anymore – too slow, then too fast… then too slow…

“You tell me.” She bit back without thinking, “You’ve been staring this whole time.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!” Ragatha huffed out, “What? Are you waiting for me to mess it up?”

“Only you could mess this one up.” Jax mused through his Cheshire grin, “I didn’t even touch you!”

“You didn’t have to touch me to make me- eh- nevermind!”

“To make ya what?” The sparkle in Jax’s eyes seemed to blaze into a raging fire. His eyes seemed to pin her down for a moment, before his tone suddenly shifted, "You give me too much credit, Doll."

Dangerous.

Jax felt dangerous when he was eyeing her like that. It’s a danger that Ragatha couldn’t help but get lost in, as she let out something between a huffy sigh and an incredulous cackle. Her hands were shaking. The tension was getting harder and harder to endure. When Jax was like this – when she was like this - they always ended up like gasoline on fire.

The doll would always somehow unintentionally, yet willingly tempt him by looking like his personal feast.

Jax would always somehow resist the urge to kiss her breathless.

“What exactly are ya makin, Raggs?” Jax strained his smile as he tore his gaze away from her siren-call she has for a face. Things must move along before the bunny does something he would instantly regret.

Ragatha took a few seconds to cool herself off, then followed the rabbit’s lead to look to the golden eyes she was embroidering.

“I wanted to make a plush.” She mindlessly trailed one finger along the rim of the eye, “I figured that I could embroider the face before cutting the fabric into the shapes I need. It's a bit upside down, since it'll probably by easier to stuff the plush first, but I didn't think this would turn out so well. It was meant to be a practice-run.”

“Those are my eyes.” Jax gave her a cheeky glance, “You miss me in bed or something?”

It was supposed to be a joke, but the doll decided, she had enough.

Screw it.

“I thought this would be a good alternative, yes.” Ragatha said plainly, effective shutting the rabbit up, as her voice seemed to wilt slightly, “I wouldn’t bother you as much. I know you don’t like me touching you.”

“Ragatha, I don’t like anyone touching me.” Jax turned to face her fully, tone shifted uncomfortably serious. He almost sounds upset.

Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything. In attempt to save the situation, she kept het mouth shut. No more words.

Dolls are seen, not heard.

“Why me?” he asked, a simple question.

It only required a simple answer.

“I trust you.”

Ragatha wanted nothing more than to leave. She was embarrassed and uncomfortable; and she was convinced that Jax felt the same. She didn’t consider that she ripped his heart out of his chest by saying that.

She shouldn’t trust a snake...

Just when Ragatha got up to retreat to her room, she jolted upon feeling a desperate hand grab at the hem of her dress. She stood in place, but didn’t look at Jax. She wanted to forget that they had a conversation in the first place.

“Make me one when you are done with yours?” Jax spluttered out unplanned. There was a beat of silence, before the doll gave in to look at the bunny once again. At least he got her attention-

“Make you a plush… of yourself…?” Ragatha asked slowly, confused.

“Make me one of you.”

He had to be joking. There was no way that he would ask something like that and be serious about it, right? He would just wait for the moment she let her guard down to start laughing, right? Right?

The room just wailed in silence.

It weighed down his larger-than-life persona to dangle at his knees. Ragatha was dumbstruck as she searched his face for something wicked, only to find a troubled man stare back at her.

He was being sincere.

“Why me?” She asked, confused; a simple question.

It only required a simple answer.

“I trust you.”

Oasis: TADC AU list

Masterlist

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lettermanjack · 10 months

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Have some random miscellaneous 2am headcannons for II characters :] (These are humanized)

- Trophy is the most touch starved bastard you will ever meet in your entire life, though he will never admit it. Cuddles is his one weakness. Tissues was the first to figure this out by ruffling Trophy's hair once as a joke only to watch him just immediately relax in real time. It's like a damn kill switch.

- Mephone4 has the entirety of the 100 digits of π song memorized and can recite it fully. OJ frequently passes by the kitchen while cleaning up the hotel once he thinks everyone has gone to bed. He has almost had a heart attack at least 3 times now because Mephone will just randomly start reciting it when bored in the kitchen looking for snacks to steal at night. Mephone has gotten so good at sneaking around the hotel OJ almost never notices he's there until he starts reciting the damn song 💀.

- Knife can play the "Knife game" while singing the song and without cutting himself simultaneously. He can even do it with his eyes closed but Mic banned him from doing that.

- After getting his eye fucked up by a lemon that one time Pickle has developed surprisingly good reflexes. A great example of this is when he, Knife, and Mic were talking outside and a stray baseball from some game being played got hurled in Mic's direction. Pickle caught the ball with one hand literal inches before it hit Mic in the face, threw it back, then continued the conversation as if nothing happened.

- Tissues can fall asleep anywhere, and I mean fuckin anywhere. On the floor, on the couch, in a chair, at the kitchen table in the middle of breakfast. He can somehow accidentally fall asleep literally everywhere except his bed when it's actually time to sleep. Paper swears he caught him sleeping while standing up once. Trophy frequently has to carry him back to their hotel room because Cheesy is too weak to do it himself :')

That's all for noooow I go to sleep now *dies*

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messydiabolical · 18 days

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@dandenbo asked me for the art asks: 🎠What is a typical 'workflow' for a piece from idea to finished? It turns out to be a long answer so here's its own post, under the cut to save your dash! How I go from screenshot to painting: (This is not intended to be a 'this is how you do it!' kind of guide. I absolutely don't do an optimal route, this is just how I go about painting and what works for me! I've done a workflow for a screenshot to painting as I do a few different things but this is one I could explain somewhat coherently. My comics tend to be created pretty chaotically lol)

1) I take an ungodly amount of screenshots while playing. Also pester friends for their screenshots or stalk the group discord for interesting shots.

2) Go through all those screenshots cursing why I took so many, looking for those great moments that I want to paint. I’m particularly looking for nice poses/captivating moments, dynamic lighting or interesting expressions, and they don’t need to have all 3 as we can fix some of that in the next step. Here’s the screenshot I chose for my Keahi x Thane piece:

It was a cute, soft moment between them and I liked the highlight at the edge of their profiles. 3) Refine the screenshot. I don’t use anything fancy for this. I game on windows PC, so I open up the screenshot with windows photo editor. I crop the image, play around with saturation, exposure, contrast, just basic editing until it looks tastier. For this piece I wanted it to be hyper colourful and vibrant, leaning towards warmer tones.

4) Decide what I will change, then gather references for those changes. In this case I was fortunate that not a lot needed changing. I knew I wanted to move Thane’s eye position to looking at Keahi rather than the way he is slightly off focus, do a more realistic ear with earrings for Keahi, make Thane a little more smiley and lower his eyelid and give Keahi nicer eyelashes. I keep a whole bunch of art guides and tutorials on my PC so I grabbed the necessary ones and sent them to my ipad ready to have on hand for the sketch stage. I have Thane’s character model in XNApose, so I can check things like his eyelid specifically in that (this is actually for a different project but shows you what I mean)

If I was going to change up the lighting/shading I would also gather references for that. For example sometimes i’ll take screenshots of lighting schemes I love from films/tv shows (think the strong teal and orange scheme in Mad Max or the neons of Blade Runner). Or for precise shadows, I can again use XNApose. I also have a little 3d printed Thane head I can shine a torch at and take photos of to get shadow ideas. For humans there’s lots of reference to be found with online searches, I find pinterest more useful than google for this. For specific expressions or body parts, i’ll just take photos of myself (hand poses, smiling from the right angle etc.) My camera roll is an interesting place. I have drawn drell frills on my neck and on my chest before to see how the lines would fold at certain angles. 5) Setting up a canvas I work in procreate. For a piece like this I try to go pretty big, say 5000 x 4000 pixels, then i’ll crop down later as needed. 300 DPI. As I work, I’ll make duplicates and continue on the copy each fresh session. When i’m finished I make a backup save of the PNG and .procreate files on an SSD. I immediately turn the background colour down to a more muted colour to not burn my retinas. If i’m using a textured background like an oil board i’ll insert it, and any overlays like canvas effects. Set up my layers from the start basically for easy toggling throughout. I try to be good and label things to make life easier, it doesn’t always happen though. I don't wear a digital glove or use paper effect screens but I do have a bottle of screen cleaner and a microfibre cloth handy at all times. 6) Sketch. I’m still very much learning to draw. I tried for a long time to do the classic ‘ball for a head, draw the planes/lines etc. It was a constant struggle and never clicked for me, the ball especially always made things much worse, turning a circle into a 3d image in my head just does not happen. I find it better to just start drawing and work things out as I go (I use procreates reference window to see my screenshot). So I’ll have my sketch in one canvas, and i’ll also have a second canvas with the photo ref on it at the same size, and if I feel like something is really wonky and off i’ll test my lines over the photo to see what’s gone wrong, then go back to the sketch and correct the areas that revealed. Sometimes I’ll use the grid feature if i’m getting stuck. Here's a few of the sketch stages:

Here I tried out the lines on the photo and noticed that Thane’s frills were a little too far to the left, and Keahi’s eyebrow needed to arch down towards the nose.In the next pass I correct these:

Also, and I know i’m gonna get side eye from some people for this but I really could not care less to be honest. On some pieces i’ll just trace the screenshot. Sometime I just want to get to painting, am not in the mood or mindspace for a learning experience, and this is a hobby. It’s my screenshot, no one is getting ripped off. My latest Javik piece was done this way 🤷‍♂️ 6) Painting. I’ll start by blocking in the background and the portrait flats, usually on separate layers. I try to have an idea of the background colour from the start as this can effect the whole piece overall, but sometimes you just gotta change it as you go so having it on a different layer makes this much easier.

The painting itself I’ll lay down wider areas of colours, then start going in and refining bit by bit, I tend to work on one area at a time, and sometimes I’ll get pretty well rendered on a small area before moving on, other times work on a wider area. It really depends on my mood and what i’m vibing with that day. Like you can see here I’ve done some general messy colouring all over Keahi, but done a lot of refinement on the eyeball:

7) Finshing the piece, uploading and testing: When I’m sick of rendering the painting and don’t think I can add anything more to it without gnawing my own wrist off, it is time to finish up! I make sure I toggle all the layers I want on, add a top signature layer (lol I lie I forget this all the damn time). Then i’ll upload the piece to my google drive and open it up on my big 4k monitor on my PC, and on my phone, and see how it looks (my ipad is a 9.7inch air). I find that once off my ipad, it often looks a little less saturated and contrasting as it does in procreate. So I might go back and change the levels if it’s too big a difference until it looks decent across devices (it’ll never look perfect on them all though, just gotta find that happy medium).

8) Posting online I really don’t have any strict steps for this. I know some people go for optimal posting times, and will make multiple copies of their pieces in different sizes to fit better on different sites (damn you instagram and your need for everything to be square). I… do not do any of this lol. I post when I’m done whatever time or day that is. I do tend to reblog/retweet etc before I go to bed, as I live in the UK and that will at least be getting into evening time in US. I reblog my own stuff a fair bit.

#md answers #art asks

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littlemisslipbalm · 2 years

Text

Bottlerock

Josh Kiszka x Fem!reader

At the Bottlerock Festival in Napa, Josh meets a journalism student who is tenacious enough to get an interview with him after Greta Van Fleet's set. He is enamored by her vivacity and spirit and sweeps her into the whirlwind of his life for the weekend. Are his promises enough to keep them together or are they just too different?

Hey so this is really long so reading on desktop will likely be best (plus there's meant to be a part 2 that I haven't even written yet so...yeah!!!!) So exciting to finally be posting this and sharing it with y'all I really hope yall read it and let me know what you think!

Warnings: some angst, nothing too graphic, maybe self doubt, drinking, weed, SMUT (18+ as always) | Word Count: 21K | Photo credit: Instagram via Pinterest

As the Weight of Dreams guitar solo starts its slow descent, a girl pushes herself sideways along the back of the first row at the barricade. She offers a few “Sorry”’s and “Coming through”’s, just trying to get out.

“I’m so sorry, I just need to get to the side right now.” She makes it past a few other fans, they give her slightly odd looks.

She fibs a bit as she continues her work, “I don’t feel well,” she says when she starts to get push back.

“I might pass out,'' she says when some people give her a rough look.

“I’m really sorry,” she pleads and they let her go.

“Thank you,'' she calls and continues her journey out from the center of the pit.

She had foregone her front and center spot on the barricade for the last five minutes of the Weight of Dreams encore because she needed to get to the side of the backstage. It was her mission to get an interview with one of the members of Greta Van Fleet.

She needed to do this to prove to herself and everyone else that her dream of being a music journalist wasn’t in vain and she wasn’t in way over her head.

If she got the interview and freelanced the piece she wrote from it to her school’s paper or even just the school radio’s paper, she would be so fucking happy. The radio station had turned her down for a dj position so she had turned them down when they asked her to just write content.

They weren’t too happy with her about that, but they couldn’t pass up an exclusive interview with Greta Van Fleet if she offered it to them. It was such a good profile, Greta was higher profile than anyone else the radio had interviewed, and from a student on their campus just going up and getting it? They’d be idiots to pass it up.

While she didn’t want to be an asshole, she was willing to admit she was a pretty great writer. An excellent one. One that was possibly better than any of the writers on the school’s website.

So she shimmied through the crowd as she missed one of the most epic guitar solos she’d ever heard live.

She looked down at her phone once she got out, she heard the guitar starting to fall out, the crowd was going wild and she was trying to catch her breath at the place where she was pretty sure the band would walk off stage. Her phone held the notes she had written down the night before and she was editing them, her fingers a flurry over the little digital keys.

Some of her questions:

How are you? How was that? What’s it like performing at a festival vs. your own concert? What’s your opinion of outdoor venues? How do you like Napa? Planning on going sightseeing? Are you going to be seeing any of the other artists? Or are there any you are excited or hopeful of seeing this weekend? What’s something you wish people cared more about? Do you think you convey that through your music? What’s one thing you’d particularly like to tell college students, like some life advice? Favorite song right now? Or the one that you’ve been listening to the most that you enjoy? What’s something you still want to do – beside movies (if it's Josh)?

She highlighted ones she wanted to ask first since she knew it was very likely she’d probably only get to ask one or two.

Then she hears the screams grow louder and she looks up. The band is leaving the stage and they’re coming straight towards her. Well, they really were going to turn the corner and head back to their tent and bus where they could relax now that their set was done. Or they were going to go somewhere secluded to watch Metallica but she wasn’t sure if that was necessarily their vibe right after a performance.

The real work for her began now. Getting someone’s attention.

Sam gets off first and when she yells his name he simply flashes a smile and waves. She smiles back and tries to say more but he’s already gone. Danny goes next and he doesn’t even hear her say his name as he’s calling out to Sam about something.

Josh and Jake are trouncing off stage talking, rather yelling, into each other’s ears as they take off their ear pieces and sip from water bottles stagehands passed to them.

She feels an overwhelming amount of anxiety that they won’t even glance her way since they’re wrapped up in each other. She yells Josh’s name first for some reason. His eyes look at her for a split second and it seems like he’s just going to wave and smile and go back to talking to Jake but she won’t let it happen.

His eyes are on hers as she continues on with her words.

“Can I talk to you for a second? I’m sure people tell you this all the time, but it’s really important for me! It’ll only take a moment and then I’ll let you go on your way. Please.”

She’s not sure if it’s her words or the desperation in her hoarse voice. Maybe he recognized her from the front row or maybe something was just looking out for her in that moment. Her tarot cards had hinted that today was an auspicious day and she had been hoping for this to be that fulfillment.

Whatever it was, Josh gave her a second glance. He quirks his brow and he’s gleaming with sweat from performing his heart out while being outside in the warming May air. He takes a sip of his water and lets Jake walk in the same direction Sam and Danny went before him with a wave of his free hand and a tilt of his head.

He reaches her with another step and he waves off some of the stage crew asking him if he was alright.

“Hello there. What can I do for you?” He asks, his free hand pulls absently at the v-neck of his golden jumpsuit, it had glitter over its entirety and twinkled in the sun as the green stalks of flowers swirled around various parts of it.

“Hi, oh my god, thank you so fucking much, you have no idea,” she rambles her sentence in a breath and Josh’s brows raise and his lips quirk up in a smile as she speaks, this time not as much as a yell since he’s closer and the screams from the crowd have died down a good bit.

“Right, so,” she starts after gulping down some oxygen, “I’m a journalism student at my college and long story short I wanted to ask you a few questions so that I could write up a short piece on the festival and have some quotes from you because Greta Van Fleet is one of the best artists here. And personally, I love you guys and I really want to do music journalism when I graduate so if you helped me you would make my entire three years in college so far worth it and prove to everyone in my life that I’m not an idiot.”

Josh chuckles at her fast pace and her words. She was radiant, how could he not when to help her. She was a go-getter and he had seen her make her way out of the crowd during Weight of Dreams after she had spent the rest of their set singing along to every song and dancing in the most honest and free way he’d seen someone dance in a festival concert pit – she hand’t had her phone out or anything, just smiling, nodding and singing along. He had wondered absently where she had gone, so seeing her now. It felt fated that she had left just so she could try to talk to one of them. He wanted to help her out.

“Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse,” He smiles at her and she pushes away the flutter in her heart.

She needed to focus on her job right now. She had strategically taken her edible earlier in the day so it would be waning right about now. Her body was calm, but her mind was lucid. She couldn’t let herself get distracted by the bouncy slightly wet curls atop his head or his perfectly sculpted jaw or any other part of him except his brain that she was going to pick as much as possible.

“Okay,” She beams back at him and glances down at her phone and then holds it between them, “Do you mind if I record this? It’s just a transcriber so you don’t have to look at the top of my head while I write down everything you say. Usually I have to tell people not to worry about it but I feel like you’re probably used to being recorded right? ”

“Of course, that’s fine. I’d much prefer to look in your eyes while I ramble on,” He chuckles and it's effortlessly charming.

She tamps down her smile and glances down at her phone pressing the record button. Her body shuffles to lean on the railing and Josh is tempted to have security let her through, but knows that would be very out of the ordinary since she wasn’t official press and this was only supposed to take a moment.

She switches to her questions on her phone and then glances up to look in Josh’s face again to give him a reassuring smile, she wanted to impress him as much as she wanted to impress everyone else. She didn’t want him to be bored with her questions.

“First things first, how are you doing after that?”

“I feel fantastic! We had a big old time up there,” He grins as she nods him on, “It was a wonderful show, great to celebrate with everyone here on such a beautiful day. See the smiles on all of their faces – yours included.”

Her eyes widen slightly and she looks at him inquisitively, but decides it’s not important to the story.

“What’s the most overwhelming emotion you have when you’re up on stage?” She continues, not a question she had written down, but for some reason it came to mind as he said how he felt.

“Overwhelming?” Josh repeats, the question actually made him think. She counted this as a success.

“Suppose love is the answer,” He starts and she deflates initially, but he continues, “Love’s a special one because it’s a shared experience of any positive emotion with someone you care about. Love is overwhelming up on the stage because it’s coming at you from everywhere. My brothers and Danny and I are all sharing the love and the audience is joining in on that love. Love for the music. Love for each other. It’s overwhelming…but only in the most welcome sense.”

She grins, “Well said.”

He nods back.

“What’s it like performing at a festival versus one of your own concerts?”

He responds well and she grins again. His answers are professional yet insightful to a lot of her main questions she wanted to ask. He seems to like the ones she asks as follow-ups to his responses that are just off the top of her head. His hands wave around dramatically when he gets into specific anecdotes that fit into his answers.

He tells her who he wants to see this weekend and then asks her who else she wants to see. She has to confess that she only bought a ticket for Friday because the three-day one was too expensive for her. He nods in understanding, but quirks his brow when she says she would have liked to do all three days. Josh was so tempted to just give her some VIP tickets that he was sure he could drum up. The minutes tick by and he doesn’t complain that she’s held him up far longer than she’d initially said.

She asks him what he thinks of Napa and if he’s planning on doing some sightseeing when they’re done at the festival. He looks down at her phone and then back up to her, he had almost forgotten that this was just an interview. He loved answering her questions and if he had been just talking to her, he would have invited her to show him around in a flirtatious manner, but remembered it was being recorded and she was asking as an interviewer. Instead, he gives a noncommittal “Hopefully, but we’ll see how much time we have before we head back to Nashville. We’re prepping for our Europe tour dates soon.”

“Oh yeah,” She nods along, slightly disappointed at his answer, seeing some idea pass through his face and then be removed before settling on his answer. She decides not to mention she’d be in Ireland when they were and she had gotten tickets. Didn’t want to seem like an overzealous fan at this point, everything had been going so well.

She goes through a few more questions and she’s surprised Josh has let her ask as many as he had. It had only been about ten minutes, but she could only imagine how much he probably wants to change and possibly shower (hopefully). She asks about his current listening and he goes in depth on one particular album that has caught his fancy. She makes a note to make sure she listens to it in detail when she gets the chance.

He shares what he wishes more people knew about Greta Van Fleet’s music and how they try to communicate that message at her prompt and he’s in love with that question but refrains from going on too long of a tangent for once, she is unsure of what keeps him from doing it.

“Alright,” She takes a deep breath, glancing around seeing some people looking on, possibly slightly jealous at all the attention she’d received from Josh for the last fifteen minutes. “Final-ish question.”

“What makes it final-ish?” He laughs.

“Well, if you say something interesting I might have a follow up question.”

“So I should be offended if it’s the last question?”

“No, then I think you’ve answered it sufficiently.”

“Oh, so I should be offended if it isn’t the last question?” He teases with a smirk quirking his lips to the side.

She rolls her eyes playfully and almost feels heat rising to her cheeks at the careless flirtation laced in his words. He was extremely proficient at that.

“No, you shouldn’t be offended at all. You should be flattered.”

“Alright, flatter me,” He winks. Again, it’s all playful, but she can barely handle his personality. It was overwhelming. Josh was overwhelming.

“What’s the best life advice you can give to a bunch of college kids right now? Can be something you’ve received or something you’ve come up with over the years.”

He grins, “Don’t try to please everyone. Work on pleasing yourself. Personal pleasure will make life all the sweeter.”

She feels her eyes widen as Josh stares into her soul and she’s not sure if he meant his advice to sound so astoundingly sexual, but she looks away from his intense gaze nonetheless.

“And how would you advise someone who is trying to find their personal pleasure?”

“Well,” He chuckles, and she can tell he’s got something raunchy to say, but it’s only in the most boyish way that she doesn’t hate it how she might on another man. “There’s two paths that one can go down and I don’t know if you want me to venture down one of them. It might not be very appropriate for a school paper.”

“It’s a college paper. Everyone’s an adult,” She laughs lightly trying to get good quotes, but also be casual.

“Alright then, I’ll tell both, just in case you want to keep the second to yourself,” He leans in and speaks lower at the end of that and she gives him a coy smile. She couldn’t believe what a player Josh seemed to be when most times he came off as so sexless, if she was giving her honest opinion.

“Personal pleasure in life,” Josh starts, “I’d advise that you try new things and if you think you want to try something you should stick to it, even if it seems a little hard in the beginning. Don’t get deterred, there is happiness found in the act of trying.” He says it earnestly and she genuinely thinks he’s thought about this before. “And for the raunchier side of personal pleasure, well, I’d advise being more vocal with others and yourself; about what feels good and simply just letting those seemingly animalistic noises that want to come out, come out. Don’t hide how your body really feels when you’re experiencing pleasure.”

“Right,” She clears her throat as Josh ducks his head for a moment and looks up at her through his lashes. “Well, that’s all I’ve got for you, Josh. Thank you so much for taking the time, I know I kept you longer than I said, but you had wonderful answers. It was hard not to keep asking you things.”

He laughs and it’s as melodious as his voice always seems to be. He rests a hand over hers on the railing and her eyes flicker to look at it and then back to his face.

“It’s only because you were such a wonderful interviewer, kept me on my toes,” He says it sincerely. He pats her hand twice and looks as if he wants to say more.

He glances over his shoulder and sees his bandmates all hanging around with some of the crew and the people they had invited to the festival with them. He turns back to her and her eyes are wide and expectant, not sure what to do since his hand is still over hers.

“I’ll let you go,” She starts.

“Would you like to ask my brothers and Danny some questions perchance?”

She gasps and says the first thing she thinks, “Of fucking course I would!” Her hands fly up to cover her mouth, knocking Josh’s hand off of hers and her phone to the grass below them. A muffled “Oh my god” is audible from her covered mouth. Her eyes fall to the ground where her phone went. “So sorry,” She bends down to grab it and when she stands up Josh is still grinning at her.

“You know you don’t need to apologize for swearing in front of me right?” His eyes twinkle with mischief.

“No, I know…it’s just not very professional, y’know. And also it was more about the entire outburst than the nature of it.” She quirks her head at him, hoping he understands.

He shakes his head in amusement and gestures to the security, who had been eyeing them this entire time, to let her through. Her eyes are still as wide as saucers and she’s not sure if she’s breathing normally so she focuses on that and then remembers she should text her friend, who was surely worrying about her now.

She looks down at her phone and sees that it’s still recording so she stops that and thinks about how embarrassing that this last part after the interview was memorialized in her transcription app. She pushes that from her mind and types out a message to her friend saying, “getting taken backstage to interview gvf, wtf.”

Chloe immediately responds, “bruh wtf!!!!”

Her fingers flurry over the keyboard and say “i’ll try to get you in, but if i don’t text you back just watch metallica without me, i’m so fuckig sorry bro, but i couldn’t pass up the chance to interview all of them.”

“no i get it, get us the afterparty invite doe”

She hearts the last message and then turns to Josh, who’s eyes flicker to hers as she slips her phone into her back pocket of the black loose jeans she was wearing.

“Who was that?” He inquires, the interest clear in inflection of his words.

“My best friend who came with me. I was updating her on where I am. There’s not a chance she could possibly come back here as well?”

He looks at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he seems to consider it. She presses on, her penchant for rambling becoming clear.

“It’s just that I don’t want her to think I’ve abandoned her, but I also get it if you don’t want a bunch of people in your space either. Like you’ve already done me way too many favors for being a complete stranger. I probably owe you big time at this point.”

He shakes his head insistently and his curls bounce around him. “No, no, no. You don’t owe me anything, please do not think of this as transactional. I offered for you to interview the others because I think you’re a good journalist and I wanna see you succeed now…” His eyes are wide and earnest, once more.

She really hadn’t expected this to be the way Josh was. From interviews and anything she’d seen from him previously, she thought he was both boisterous and thoughtful, kind as well, but not so intrinsically good and sincere to a stranger – she didn’t think it was possible for someone of his caliber, as much as she liked the band, realistically, she had no idea who Josh really was. She assumed he’d be much more closed off when he wasn’t performing – both on stage and in interviews. Maybe he still was performing for her.

“Tell your friend to come to the side of the stage and I’ll tell a PA to let her in.”

She beams and thanks him with a string of gratitude and he laughs again.

“You talk so quickly, you know that?” Josh asks.

She couldn't help the embarrassment this time, he had met her maybe twenty minutes ago and he already formed an opinion of her. Instead of acting flustered though, she tries to mask it with a little flirtation. The banter seemed to come naturally with Josh.

“So do you,” She states matter-of-factly.

He cackles this time, louder than his other laughs had been so far with her.

“I guess it’s a good trait for a journalist.”

“And a front man,” She adds.

“Depends on who you ask,” He says as they round on the rest of the band sitting around the front of a tour bus after they had taken a brief detour and given the information about her friend to a PA.

“Depends on who you ask what?” His twin and the guitarist of the band, Jake, asks, looking up to Josh from the lawn chair he was resting in, his neck craning in a long fashion. A smile resting on his lips as he hopes to be able to tease his brother who had been missing from him for too long.

Before Josh can answer, Sam, his younger brother and the bassist, pokes his head out of the door of the tour bus and yells at Josh. “There you are! We were beginning to think you’d run off with some groupie already…” His voice trails off when he sees a girl standing beside Josh. “And maybe we were a bit correct.”

Josh scoffs and she wards off any embarrassment by offering a cautious smile, she scuffs the tip of her boot into the soft ground below them.

“This is…” Then Josh stops and he realizes that he hadn’t even gotten her name and he looks to her sheepishly. A hand goes to the back of his neck, the tinge of embarrassment manifesting in his physicality.

“Y/N. I’m a journalism student, not a groupie,” She clarifies, and waves her hand at the other three band members who had given her various onceovers.

Sam hops down the last step of the tour bus and joins the group of them. Danny and Jake remained seated. All together like this they were far more intimidating and she looked back to Josh, who was still beside her, for reassurance.

“Y/N asked me a few questions right after the show for a piece she’s doing on the festival and she was such a fantastic interviewer I told her you all would love to answer some questions as well,” Josh grins pointedly at the rest of the boys, imploring them to go along with it with his eyes. She notices how he made a point to say her name once he knew it.

“Oh yeah,” Jake muses, his voice was so gravelly and unique yet so similar to Josh’s. “You’re the one he went to talk to when we came down from the stage.”

“Yep,” She smiles, trying to not come off as nervous. Maybe she’d shoot Chloe a text advising her not to come. She wasn’t sure how intimidating her friend might find this situation.

They were all cheekbones and sharp lines, strong jawbones and sun-kissed skin, beautiful but wild hair. And they were so at ease, so zen, even after a show, she was in awe.

“Are y’all always this calm thirty minutes after a performance?” She can’t help but ask.

“Is that the first question?” Sam asks.

Josh shoots him a look.

“Um,” She begins.

“We are if we smoke a lot of weed,” Jake answers instead with a slight chuckle, “Which is indeed what we’ve done.”

“Indeed,” Sam echoes.

She looks closer and sees the droopy red eyes on each of them, the tension in all of their muscles almost nonexistent. That made more sense, it also made her way less intimidated. They weren’t being jerks, they were just being highasses.

“I don’t need to interview y’all if you’re high,” She says after a moment of thinking. “I feel like that wouldn’t be ethically right, especially since it was just sprung on you. Like if you chose to show up to an interview high that’s another story, but me interviewing you out of the blue when you’re already high…doesn’t sit right with me.” She splays her hands as she talks and then looks to Josh’s face as she finishes. He smiles reassuringly at her, the quirk in his soft lips quickly becoming something she felt dependent on.

“What if you were high? Then would you interview us while we’re high?” Sam inquires, suddenly intrigued by her, deeming her to not be a groupie that Josh was just fronting as a journalist.

She laughs at this and his mischievous tone. Her mind raced with thoughts. Smoking with Greta Van Fleet? Could she pass that up? She could claim it was immersive journalism if anyone called bullshit. Plenty of music journalists had smoked weed with rockstars before, at this point it should be a right of passage.

“Are you saying you want to smoke me out and then get interviewed by me?”

“If that’s what you want,” Sam smiles.

Josh narrows his eyes at his little brother, but drops his expression when he feels her eyes go to his face. She looks to him for affirmation and it tugs at something inside him. They barely knew each other but she seemed to trust him. It made him feel good about himself.

When Josh smiles positively, she nods, a grin now breaking onto her face, “Fuck yeah, let’s do this.”

Sam disappears back into the tour bus and she pulls out her phone to text Chloe while Josh changes quickly and finds two more lawn chairs. He had told Sam to fuck off and find a chair of his own before he had gone into the bus for the weed supplies. Sam had rolled his eyes at his older brother, but agreed to it anyway.

“Getting smoked out by gvf and then interviewing them i think…”

Chloe’s text pops in immediately: “no fuckin way”

Then another: “brooooo”

Another: “im gonna go get a drink and watch metallica i think bc one of them is literally gonna try to fuck you and i dont want to cock block, but text me updates PLS and be careful!!!”

Y/N smiles down at her phone and shakes her head before typing out a response after hearting Chloe’s last message: “one can only hope, if not tho, free weed and a fucking crazy interview, the paper is going to shit their pants…might need to leave the getting high asf with them out tho ;)”

Chloe: “tell me if one or more of them calls it fucking grass, i’ll die”

Y/N: “Midwesterners …”

Josh returns to her side after placing down the two lawn chairs in front of them in a semi-circle.

“Your friend?”

She hums, “Yeah she actually said she really wants to see Metallica’s set, so she won’t be joining us.”

“Is that alright?” Josh asks seriously, leaning his head down to ask her more quietly.

She quickly pushs away the butterflies that just fluttered inside of her when his breath hit the shell of her ear.

“Yeah, of course. Should it not be?”

“I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Like you don’t have to smoke weed with us if you don’t want to, Sam’s just pushy sometimes and likes to get his way, youngest child syndrome and all… Do you even smoke?” Josh almost whispers the final question in complete seriousness.

She cackles at this, but stifles it almost just as quickly as the laughter came out. “I’m sorry, I just haven’t been asked that in awhile. I was high off an edible for the majority of your set, I timed it so that I would be sober to hopefully interview one of you when I spoke with you.”

Josh pinkens at her words, the memory of her dancing in the crowd once again flashing in his mind. No wonder she’d looked so happy. “Oh, well then. Let’s smoke some grass, huh?”

She laughs and watches him sit down and pat the seat beside him. Jake and Danny also watch on as she smiles sweetly towards Josh and he reciprocates it.

They eye each other and it’s like they know exactly what is going on. Normally, Josh didn’t create such an elaborate ruse to get what he wanted, but it certainly seemed like the route he was taking would get to the same end result: hooking up with a hot girl after the show. What they didn’t know or couldn’t possibly realize was just how special this hot girl was already becoming to Josh.

“So,” Sam sits down on a different type of chair that he must have found inside the bus between Danny and Jake, “What made you want to go to school for journalism?”

She debates on saying she didn’t come here to answer questions, she’s supposed to be the one asking them, but she refrained, seeing the genuine curiosity in most of their eyes. She needed to go with the flow. Something she was trying to be better at.

“I didn’t initially start out as a journalism major. I was English first and found it boring as fuck. I just knew I wanted to be a writer.”

Jake nods along to her answer and Josh watches her intently while she glances around at all of them. Sam produces a few joints and places one between his lips, breathing in and flicking a lighter to the end of it. He puffs at it for a long moment, then slips it between his slender fingers again and pulls it from his lips, the smoke billowing out past his lips.

He passes to his left, Jake, and she notes it, finding the way someone smokes in a group extremely telling. By passing it to Jake, she was going to get the joint faster than if Sam had passed it to Danny, whether that was on purpose, she couldn’t be too sure.

“And you want to do music journalism?” Sam asks as Jake leans back into his seat.

She nods, feeling shaky under his entirely too intense droopy eyes. Jake takes only a little puff of the joint and passes it to her. She’s careful to avoid his finger tips, but it doesn’t seem like he cares much as he lazily holds it out to her.

She felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on hers and she tried to picture her face as she put the joint between her lips. She never felt attractive when she was smoking from a joint just because her lips seemed to disappear and she was concentrating on not coughing up the smoke in its entirety.

Strategically, she crosses her legs as she brings it to her lips, hoping that might draw some attention from her face. Her baggy black jeans probably weren’t that visually appealing to them compared to if she had worn shorts or a skirt. She cursed herself, but maintained that these pants were lucky despite how unsexy they might be. She often wore them when she got impromptu interviews so in her heart she had known she needed to wear them rather than one of her cuter short skirts or sheer tights and shorts that she had originally been thinking of wearing.

Her maroon booted foot swings slightly as she splays her entire hand over the lower half of her face. Her second line of defense, the rings on her hand and her black painted nails would be more interesting than her face.

She pulls away and glances to Josh before blowing the smoke behind her, not wanting to be rude. He’s been watching the entirety of her movements. The way she shifted in her seat and closed her eyes slightly as she took the hit. The glitter over her eyelids and white eyeliner she had under her eyes was all he could focus on now. It hadn’t distracted him when she had stood across from him at the gate, but now it was transfixing as her eyelashes fluttered and she looked at him not closer than before, but without a physical barrier between them.

She leans forward to pass it to Josh, once again mindful of fingers touching, but he grins when they still brush since the joint had dwindled. He takes a couple hits and they go around from there with the first joint once more and then start on a second one.

Sam continues to grill her with questions, but as the time goes on her laugh gets lighter and more intermingled with her responses. Her eyes droop to meet their level, the whites of her eyes don’t turn as red as theirs though. They never did that anymore which she thought was a blessing.

“And why did you want to interview the Greta Van Fleet?” Sam finally asks and at this point she would admit that she was fully stoned from their weed – oftentimes she was dubious of out of state weed, but this worked plenty.

“Because,” She laughs to herself and wants to tell them just how big of a fan she was, but still maintains some self control, “you’re the best band Bottlerock got and…the college girlies love y’all.”

“Is that so?” Sam laughs, throwing his head back and his once more long hair with it.

“Yes,” She insists, her eyes go to the other band members and see Danny is watching Sam, Jake is looking off into the open space, and Josh is still looking at her. She stares in his eyes, no longer inhibited by anxiety, “the spin on the classic rock sound, the meaningful lyrics, the cool outfits, the sex appeal. What more could a girl want out of a band, except maybe some more interesting names, but the band name makes up for it, I think.”

Sam’s laugh is loud, similar to Josh’s yet on a slightly higher register. Jake manages a “Hey” at her dig about their basic names.

“Is that all you want out of a band?” Sam prods.

“Maybe it’s time for Y/N to start asking the questions?” Josh interrupts.

She nods, feeling extremely stoned, she tries to ground herself, she takes a deep breath and it cools her screaming lungs. Josh had given her a water bottle when she’d asked for one, but it didn’t stop the dry paper feel of her mouth or the ache in the back of her throat no matter how much of the liquid she gulped down.

“I agree,” She states and looks down at her phone, the questions in her notes app swirling in loopy waves now before her eyes in just the slightest way. “What’s the most overwhelming emotion you feel up on stage?”

The same question she had asked Josh earlier was still floating around in her mind. She wanted to see if they had different answers.

Jake hums eagerly, clearly interested in the question as he adjusts his seated position and strokes a finger around his lips. “Suppose ‘sublime' would just about sum it up?”

Her eyebrows raise and she suppresses the laugh that threatens at her lips. She was both enamored by the response and grossed out. If any man outside of Greta Van Fleet had said that to her she likely would have rolled her eyes, but coming from his lips she was like ‘damn, that’s fucking insightful,’ especially since she was high.

“Electrified,” Sam tries to say coolly, the word just sounds muddled around his mouth.

She snickers, “I don’t know if that is exactly an emotion, but I’ll take it.

“Happiness,” Danny responds easily and she returns a nice smile, she’s having a hard time thinking of what’s coming next right now. Maybe there was no need to worry about it.

The next question comes out before she means it to. Well, she didn’t mean for it to come out at all. It wasn’t written on her notes app, it just popped into her head. Insidiously.

“Are you ever jealous of one another?”

Everyone is silent for a beat too long, but she doesn’t notice it. Everything was foggy with weed.

“What would we be jealous of with one another?” Jake asks slowly, like he’s not sure if he heard the question correctly.

“I don’t know, you tell me. The answer can just be no, but…it doesn’t seem like it is.”

“Was she asking these hard of questions before?” Sam asks Josh.

Josh laughs lightheartedly, sufficiently high, “Nah, but she keeps you on your toes, huh?” He doesn’t see the harm in the question because he trusts Y/N. It was clear to him that she wouldn’t use this question in her piece and it was more something that had piqued her interest. Hell, she wasn’t even recording this anymore, her transcription app was closed and forgotten about in the back pocket of her jeans.

“I’d say I get a little miffed when some people leave me out of the band just because I’m not a biological brother, but the boys have never made me feel that way. It’s other people,” Danny lets out.

She nods solemnly at him.

Sam pipes up after a hum of contemplation, “I’ll always be the younger brother in people’s eyes. Deference always goes to Jake or Josh which can be…annoying, but like Daniel said, it’s not them, it’s other people.”

She nods. Jake and Josh share a look.

“Oh come on, you two are identical twins, I feel like all I usually hear from them is complaining about their other half.”

Sam laughs, “I could certainly share my thoughts.”

“No, no, no. That’s not how this works. It’s about self reflection,” She splays her hands in front of her in a slow manner as she says ‘self reflection’.

“Okay, okay.” Sam holds up his hands in defense and she smiles back.

She looks to Josh who is now worrying his bottom lip. When she turns to Jake, he’s tugging at his lip with his fingers. She feels a little bad, but it was just so fun making confident men get a little shaken.

“Um, maybe how Josh can grow facial hair, pretty jealous of that. You’d think I could too, but it’s even patchier.” Jake conjures up his response.

Josh laughs out a relieved laugh that gives away more than he possibly wanted it to and then breathes out his response before he loses his nerve, “Jake’s ability to be in a stable long distance relationship.”

Jake arches a brow at Josh and she can tell that even if he was high now, Jake was going to follow up with his brother later to unpack what he had just said. She didn’t feel comfortable doing that since she barely knew them and the response had sent an uncomfortable bolt of anxiety through her, throwing off the high, but she was determined to keep ahold of it.

“What’s one thing you wish people cared more about?”

“How do you work that into your music?”

“Can you describe the sensation of playing your instrument?”

She runs through the different questions and gets better and better answers as she sticks to the less controversial ones. Sam waxes eloquent about playing bass with his feet, while Danny shares how drumming feels all encompassing, Jake tries to explain how he both disappears and is everywhere at once when he plays his solos, Josh talks about feeling connected to every living thing when he sings.

She almost wants to cry as they describe it because she’s never felt those things before and likely never could. She was never one to stick with things that were hard, instruments were hard for her. Her hands are too small and weak to reach the different notes whether on the guitar or piano. Her voice never good enough and her mind not creative enough to set her poetry to song.

They finish up the questions and Jake decides he does want to see Metallica play the second half of their set, Danny says he’ll go too. After a moment of hesitation, Sam stands to leave too, sending a wink her way and a pointed look at Josh. Josh asks her if she wants to go with them.

Her head lulls onto her shoulder as she stares at Josh. Her eyes move lazily over the outline of his entire body, sweeping over details she never would have noticed in a picture or from her position below the stage earlier. His profile is illuminated as the sun starts to set and his skin is cast in gold. She smiles to herself and her eyelashes flutter once more as she savors the dying light and warmth as it recedes from the sky.

She felt so happy with herself, she had gotten more than she had hoped for, the interview and now Josh seemed like he wanted to hang out with her rather than kick her to the curb. And while, ethically, it might be wrong to be doing whatever this was with Josh as a subject, she was still a student, afterall, fuck ups were bound to happen and as long as no one found out it would be fine.

“No,” She mumbles finally, eyes still closed, “I’m content being here.”

He nods even though she can’t see it. When she reopens her eyes, she still can’t take them off of Josh. She wanted to laugh at how unreal this situation felt, but it might just be because of how fuzzy the weed had made her feel.

He looks at her after a moment of feeling her gaze on him.

“Thank you,” She speaks out softly when it seems like he’s going to ask her what she was thinking. The buzz of people around them was filtered out of earshot, making it seem like everyone else was very far away and they were completely alone.

“You did this all by yourself. You’re incredible.”

“I never could have done it if you hadn’t been nice enough to walk over. You could have just ignored me or said you were too busy.”

“Yeah but you didn’t really give me a choice with your speech and all.”

“And all what?”

“All of you.” His hand comes out and waves in a down movement, gesturing at her figure, “Your look, your determination. I saw you slip through the crowd during Weight of Dreams. I had been curious as to where you had gone since you seemed to be enjoying the set so much. Seeing you call me over afterwards piqued my interest. I had to know what was up.”

“Well I told you what was up, you still could have left after I explained myself,” She pushed, their eyes planting on each other’s as she ignored his vague compliment of her figure and personality.

“Yeah but I like you.”

“Yeah?” She grins, leaning forward on her knees, closer to Josh as she knocks them slightly in hops of brushing them against his. He nudges out his knee closest to hers so that they can touch. “I like you too.”

Josh only hums in response. She waits for him to speak, the giddy excitement overtaking her relaxed body.

“I don’t want you to think I do this all the time…” Josh starts, worrying his lower lip, “Sam made it out to sound like I’m always fucking groupies, but that’s not true. And even if it were, I really wouldn’t consider this to be similar. I like your mind.”

She laughs. “You like my mind,” She repeats.

Josh pinkens around his ears and over his cheeks, he looks especially boyish despite his facial hair and strong features.

“I just meant…”

“No, I know. I like your…mind, too. It just sounds so cheesy.” She laughs again and Josh rubs at the back of his neck and sighs like he’s trying to find the right thing to say.

“What if we just forget about the whole ‘we’ve only just met’ thing and ‘you’re in a famous band that I just interviewed’ thing and like every other part of this situation? Just focus on each other.” She continues.

“I think I can do that,” Josh nods, slips a hand to her neck and pulls her face closer to his.

She sighs at his warm touch and leans closer. His nose brushes against hers and it nudges at her cheek. Her eyes fall down to look at his pink lips, so close to touching hers. And she takes her own advice and forgets about literally everything else besides how Josh feels against her.

She lets herself get lost in his kiss, it’s warm and soft and a little bitter from the taste of smple and a beer on his tongue. It shouldn’t taste good, but she hopes to remember it for the rest of her life even though it’s happening as she thinks it.

She often felt that sensation, remembering an event just as it was unfolding in real time. She looked forward to a time where she would be looking back on this and it made her try to store every single part of it to memory.

Josh presses his mouth harder against hers and she sighs at how good it feels, at the fire of desire starting to kindle faster inside of her. Her hand falls down to rest on his knee that is facing hers and it grips him tightly, fearful of him pulling away and losing the sensation of his soft lips. His nimble fingers had snaked up her shoulder to the base of her neck and they splayed along the entirety of it in a dominant but careful way. He was holding her there, but it was clear that she could pull away at any time.

She pushed into him for more, her mouth opening for him as he licked into her and they went back and forth in the kiss, staying connected while their hands moved around and explored each other’s bodies with a passionate care.

Josh pulls back first and she’s grateful for the reprieve, not realizing just how much she needed air. She thinks about how he’s a singer and has a crazy lung capacity, he must have pulled back out of courtesy for her, which was endearing.

He looks at her shyly and she wants to laugh at how vulnerable he seems for just making out with her in public after knowing her for only a couple of hours.

“I really want…” Josh takes a deep breath, but as she noticed, he wasn’t out of breath in the first place.

Her cheeks are flushed as he speaks and the hopeful look in her eyes communicates that she wants him just as much as he wants her.

“I would really like,” Josh corrects, “If you’d show me around Napa tomorrow.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth immediately opens to protest, but sees the softness in every bit of Josh’s features. She wasn’t planning on staying in Napa, she was going to spend the rest of her weekend in her hometown before heading back to school. Her hometown was about an hour and a half away and then her school was four hours from there.

“I wasn’t planning on sticking around since I don’t have tickets for the other days,” She starts.

“I can get you and your friend tickets for Saturday and Sunday, if you want,” Josh supplies.

“I’m not even from Napa, I don’t even know all that much about it,” She continues.

“Then we could explore it together,” Josh tries, his eyes a hopeful warm honey brown. “C’mon, this is me trying to see you again.”

“Josh,” She sighs at his conviction to make it work even in just this tiny thing, but she knew it would only hurt her more to continue hanging out with him if his interest in her was more than just a hookup. “One or two more days won’t make me hurt less when I never see you again… like this.”

Josh sighs, but there’s a smile on his face. He takes one of her hands in his and rubs his thumb over it gently.

“What if you looked at this situation where only the best case scenarios happen? You say yes to hanging out for the next few days. We listen to good music and drink good wine because, y’know, Napa is known for that stuff,” Josh begins a speech and she rolls her eyes playfully at him sharing such a widely known fact. “And then we part ways, but we have endless memories together and since only good things happen, we’re bound to see each other again. And we go on from there.”

She giggles at his smile that bids her to say yes to him. Her head shakes a bit, trying to ward off the silliness she feels, the silliness of reality, but she wants to try this untethered optimism Josh is asking her to buy into.

“Okay,” She relents with another nervous laugh.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, what am I going to do?!”

Chloe sighs with a roll of her eyes. “You’re going to shower, get dressed and then go out with the frontman of Greta Van Fleet. Dazzle him with your brilliance and make out with him again – or maybe more, that part is up to you.”

“No,” Y/N trails out the word, her hands covering her face. “I can’t do this. I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“No, you’re not,” Chloe reassures. “Just stop thinking about it so hard. He asked you out. He convinced you to stay. He’s orchestrating all of this – he clearly wants you, so stop worrying.”

“Okay.”

She found herself saying okay to things that didn’t feel okay at all. Yes, she wanted to hang out with Josh again and do whatever that entailed, but she was scared. He was a famous musician and, like, this force to be reckoned with and she was just a 21-year-old college student who barely knew what she was going to do with her life. Sure, she had this tentative plan, but it moreso was a line she repeated when people asked, she wasn’t exactly sure if it was what she truly wanted. Josh had his life figured out at 26 and he was talented, successful, sure of himself and just all around wonderful. How was she supposed to measure up to his standards?

Yesterday, she had been cool, but looking back on it she was convinced she was still a little high when interviewing him. Plus! This was different, this was like a date or something, whereas yesterday had been her proving a point, had been her going after a goal and achieving it. It wasn’t meant to be intimate – and sure, she had made out with him, but in her defense she was high and he’s hot.

With all that in mind, she and Chloe got dressed for the day. Luckily, both of them were overpackers and had about three days worth of clothing with them. This was both a good and very very bad thing for Y/N. She was able to wear something else but she also was able to overthink her outfit about ten times based on the different combinations she could come up with.

Eventually, she settled on the same slouchy black jeans as yesterday and a black halter vest that she thought was both impossibly cool and flattering. Her boobs looked especially good in it so that reassured her. Instead of her boots, she put on her mary jane Doc Martens and hoped they didn’t give her too much height next to Josh. She felt like the outfit wasn’t very Josh. It almost was more of Jake’s vibe or possibly Sam’s. Did she look too young? Would Josh not like it? Would he like that she hadn’t dressed to please him in the idea that it wasn’t light, bright, floral or anything remotely happy – things she assumed he liked when it came to clothes? She didn’t even really know him, fuck, did he like that on his partners? The irony wasn’t lost on her that by asking these questions she was negating the point that she hadn’t dressed with him in mind.

As she walked to the patch of grass next to a specific wine booth Josh had said to meet at, these questions, worries and thoughts raced through her mind. When the booth was in sight and Josh’s curly hair was conspicuously bobbing beside it as he spoke with one of his brothers, she fought the urge to turn back and run – just to change her outfit. Did Josh want a frilly, lacey, flowy girl? She could do that. She liked that vibe too, but this had been what she settled on and now that she saw him in his white shirt and khakis, she was mad at herself for her choice. They were going to look like complete opposites.

Chloe noticed her slowing down. “Keep it moving, girl,” She insisted.

Y/N reluctantly kept moving towards them. She was more nervous now than she was yesterday. Admittedly, yesterday she had nothing to lose. Today, Josh knew who she was, he had expectations of her and what if she didn’t fulfill them…

Josh calls her name after spotting her and before she can run away and hide. His face is bright and shiny as the sun washes over his tanned skin and beaming grin. It’s almost like his eyes twinkle with the sun sparkling off of his irises. She smiles back, timidly. In her head, she was telling herself to just act normal, but it had short circuited and she had no idea what normal was anymore.

“Josh,” She greets and tries to suppress the wince that follows because she immediately feels lame for just saying his name back.

“How are you today, ms. journalist extraordinaire?” Josh expounds before pulling her into a friendly hug that lingers to the right of friendly in the end.

“Good,” She mumbles back into the collar of his shirt where her head was resting as he held her there, her body felt limp and clammy in his arms and she hoped he didn’t notice it. Once again her eyes slip shut in annoyance at her words. Why not anything more than just ‘good’.

Her hands wrap at Josh’s waist since his arms had gone around her shoulders. Her hands rest at his lower back for a moment as warmth rises off of him while waves of chamomile, clean linen, nag champa and a little bit of weed invade her nose. Of course he smelled amazing and she was wearing a mix of an expensive perfume she had received as a high school graduation gift and a men’s cologne she had stolen from a guy’s apartment one time because she was drunk and thought it was funny and then ended up really liking the scent. Would Josh like a manly scent on her?

Her eyes slip shut at the warm and soft sensations of Josh’s presence, but she’s pulled away from him by reality. She steps back from him upon realizing she needed to introduce her friend to him and Sam, who gave her a small smile and a casual nonchalant wave of his hand.

“This is my friend and roommate, Chloe. Chloe, this is Josh and Sam – as you know,” She feels herself grimace at her words. Why did everything that came out of her mouth sound wrong to her? Of course Chloe knew who the guys were, she was just about as in love with them as Y/N was.

Chloe laughs and says hello. Josh smiles sweetly at her and Sam nods his head and says hello back.

“Nice to meet you, Chloe,” Josh starts, charming as ever. “Did you enjoy Metallica’s set last night?”

Chloe responds affirmatively and casts a glance at Y/N, communicating her knowledge of what she and Josh did instead of going to the Metallica set. Josh doesn’t pick up on it and asks another question instead.

“What’s it like having a journalist as a roommate? Does she ask a lot of questions?”

“Besides when she’s trying to pick an outfit, not really,” Chloe laughs, once again shooting Y/N a look.

Josh catches this one and looks over her outfit once more. “I think the outcome is lovely,” He smiles, reassuringly. “You look fantastic,” He rephrased to Y/N, in case his meaning wasn’t clear.

She smiles in an uncharacteristically shy way, a laugh sounding from her closed lips as her eyes flicker between her friend and Josh. “Thanks,” she mumbles.

There’s an awkward beat of silence – or maybe just a breath that she interprets as awkward, that she longs to fill.

“Who did you want to see today?” She asks Josh, unable to let the silence go any longer.

“I was just about to ask you the same thing,” He smiles.

Chloe chimes in, getting bored of being a third wheel to them, “I’m going to go over to the twenty one pilots stage and hope by the time it’s their set I can be closer to the front.”

“Oh,” Sam’s eyebrows perk up in interest, “I can just get us to the front of their stage if you want. I wanted to see them perform as well.”

She regards Chloe and Sam’s exchange before turning to look at Josh who has a perplexed expression pass over his face for a moment and then lets it pass.

Sure enough, Chloe is happily agreeing to the idea before Y/N can try and protest. She had been hoping to keep some safety of having other people around, so she didn’t have to be alone with Josh. If she wasn’t alone, there was less chances of it being her fault if things didn’t work out.

“I’m not super into twenty one pilots,” She says once Chloe and Sam are out of earshot.

Josh quips, “Neither is Sam, but he must like your friend. But not to worry, I’m sure he’ll be a gentleman.”

She rolls her eyes and gives a quick ‘sure’, but she wasn’t too worried about Chloe going off with Sam – he was her favorite, after all.

Josh circles back to their original discussion, reiterating her original question of who they wanted to see perform today. She notes his change in the question, who do ‘we’ want to see.

She hums, “Well, I glanced over the lineup for today and I think the Black Crowes and Greensky Bluegrass would be cool to see. Also Rainbow Kitten Surprise.”

“I was thinking the same exact thing,” He nods with a smile gracing his face.

“Oh, were you?”

“Well, if you want the truth, I was prepared to say that no matter what you said, but I, too, want to see the Black Crowes and Greensky Bluegrass. I’ve never had the pleasure of listening to…Rainbow Kitten Surprise, but I’m sure it will be an experience.”

She grins at his cadence and the manner in which he regarded her as he spoke. He was mesmerizing. Her anxieties were forgotten as she looked at him and longed to just observe him.

They agreed that leaving the festival would be a hassle and therefore would put it off until tomorrow. Instead, while the set times for the three bands were off in the distance, they were going to get drunk off of free wine and beer. Since Josh was talent, he got all his food and drink covered. And since Josh was Josh, he was charming enough to get her food and drink covered, as well.

After the first wine bar, two glasses of wine - one red and one rosé and 45 minutes of stilted conversation, they walked around the festival on an especially grassy patch of land. They were almost shoulder to shoulder as they walked, Josh only slightly taller than her, but she didn’t mind. His hair made up for it with about three inches of extra volume. Their hands swung by their sides, almost brushing with every step, but she never took the plunge.

Josh was carrying on the conversation almost completely by himself and she was content to listen. She didn’t want to say something to irrevocably change their time together. She felt his eyes on her as they ambled towards a beer tent that had looked fun and interesting and also had seating for them to rest for another 45 minutes. The bluegrass band’s set was at 1 pm and it was just about noon.

“What’s wrong?”

She giggles and looks at Josh who is still regarding her with a perplexed expression. “Nothing.” But her response is too quick.

Josh stops walking. His hand jumps up to her upper arm, to hold her from walking away but also as a form of connection.

“Seriously, did I say something?”

“Oh my god,” She rushes, this time in adamance and necessity to reassure Josh. “No! No, no, it’s not you. I’m just in my head, I guess.”

“Why?” Josh immediately pushes, wanting to fix whatever is plaguing her mind.

“I’m just…” She stops and sighs. Her head turns away from Josh, dropping his gaze and looking around the field they were in, instead. “Honestly?” She starts again and Josh nods.

His eyes are anxious and kind, appraising the situation with the utmost care despite having no clue as to what she is about to say.

“I’m a fucking mess, Josh,” She sighs. “I’m a third year college student and I have no idea what I’m gonna do with my life or how I’m gonna get there. I’m terrified and confused all the time. I live my life in weeks, waiting for the cycle to end so that I can hang out with my closest friends who aren’t actually that close and essentially do nothing because it’s always just the same.”

She takes a deep breath before continuing since Josh has remained silent. “And you’re you,” She gestured exagerratedly at his frame. “You’ve got your shit figured out, you’re a famous fucking musician for fuck’s sake, and I’m over here trying not to implode with all the thoughts racing through my mind, hoping and praying that I don’t fuck this up because I just don’t know why you’re even bothering with me.”

“Bothering with you?” He repeats, his expression is sad in a way she had never seen before. “Oh, sweet girl. You don’t need to have everything figured out. It might not seem like it, but even I don’t have all my shit figured out. You’re not a mess, you’re human and you are living the human experience so you need to be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself and trust me when I tell you that you aren’t going to fuck this up. I told you yesterday that I liked your mind…right before I kissed you, if I’m not mistaken. So let’s get out of that mind for a little and just be here, present with one another. It will feel really good.”

“I don’t get you.” She still feels defensive and unable to believe that Josh was really this open.

“That’s because you don’t know me,” He responds in a slightly gruff voice. “Yet. Like you, I’m a far more complex person than just who I was when you met me yesterday.”

She nods quickly, immediately realizing her mistake. “You’re right, I’m sorry if I implied that your life was perfect.”

“Don’t apologize,” Josh chuckles good-naturedly with a shake of his head. “Just promise me you’ll be present today.”

“I promise.” She speaks softly, desperately wanting to be telling the truth, but a nagging part of her mind can’t comprehend why Josh wants anything to do with her.

“Good. Now let’s go drink some free beer!”

The day passes, filled with laughter and music and alcohol and anecdotes of their lives. She was sure Josh was the funniest person she had ever met with that terrible kind of dad humor that most people hate but she couldn’t get enough of it from him. Josh was certain that Y/N was the most interesting and complex person he had met in his life yet simple in the way she interacted with him – there was so much going on behind her eyes, he was enamored with unpacking it all, bit by bit. Once she stopped the worrying, she would beam at everything he said and gush about the things she loved, namely music and fashion.

“I know it might sound materialistic or silly, and maybe it boils down to seeking beauty and then therefore pleasure,” She arches a brow at Josh, harking back to his comments yesterday when she had interviewed him. “But I think dressing up is the best thing you can do, especially if it’s just for the fun of it. It’s exciting and enthralling and I wish I could just play dress up all day like I did when I was in preschool.”

He ducks his head down and smiles into his beer for a moment before taking a quick sip and shaking his head. His curls bobbed with the movement in an endearing fashion that made her want to pet his hair, but obviously she refrained.

“I don’t think it’s materialistic or silly. Especially when you backed it up with the insight that it’s likely due to your love for beauty and pleasure and your childhood.”

She twists her lips up, trying to hide her smile as she averts her gaze from Josh’s once more. He was just so sweet. “Thanks,” She whispers from across the picnic table they were sitting at after the first band's set.

Josh had offered to get them to the front of the stage but she had said she wanted to hang out at the back on the grass, where they could watch the crowd and the band. No one bothered them as they swayed along to the bluegrass music and sipped at their plastic cups of beer. Josh had taken their cups from their hands when they were done and placed them beside them on the grass before extending his hand to her. She had placed her palm in his with uncertainty painting her features. He nodded back reassuringly, the light never once leaving his perfect golden brown eyes.

He spun them around in the grass and they began to dance unabashedly between the interspersed people. She threw her head back in laughter as he dipped her and brought her back close to him with one large hand securely clutching at her waist. It was firm against the curve of her skin just above her hip. The point of contact was skin to skin as her top was cropped and her pants weren’t super high waisted. It felt like seering heat and ice simultaneously.

He grinned back radiantly at her and she saw it before ducking her head into the crook of his neck. Her breath fanned over the skin at the base of his neck that was exposed as her grip on his shoulder pulled his shirt a little bit away from the divot in his collarbone. She’d kept her head there for the rest of their dancing, resting her chin on his shoulder for a while as well. Josh had hummed along to the songs and moved them around as the leader of their dancing, swaying his hips slightly to bring her out of her reverie.

Back at the bench, she realizes Josh is speaking to her again and she nods with her eyes widening slightly to show she had been listening despite her daydreaming of a moment that had passed just a half hour ago. He was telling her that it was cute that she still enjoyed something that she did as a preschooler and shared that he had begun singing and performing when he was just a toddler as well.

She hummed in agreement. “You’re a good dancer.”

“You’re not so bad yourself,” He winks playfully and she swats at his hand resting on the table between them, moreso to just touch him than to chastise him for being flirty. Since the kiss yesterday, nothing too intimate had passed between them, save for the hug and the dancing.

“I danced until I was a senior in high school,” She admits, contemplatively, almost conspiratorially since the next part felt like a bit of a secret to share with someone as famous as Josh – even if she tried not to think about that part of him for her own sanity. “I loved to perform too.”

“You don’t say,” He lights up and once more she is shocked that he can look any more interested in their conversation. “You know what? I can actually see that.”

She laughs lightly, as if she’s a little embarrassed by his compliment. “Yeah,” She pauses. “I’m sure you know better than I do, but the thrill of being on a stage and having people watching you do what you’ve practiced for so long and you’re a little nervous but you’re mostly excited to kill it and have them applaud you. That thrill of getting to be something more than just yourself – I don’t know if you think of it like that when you’re singing since you’re just yourself up there, but –”

He nods along and bites at his lip while she speaks. “No I think so too, it’s exhilarating. I definitely am more than just myself up there. I feel invigorated and full of life but I also know what you’re talking about from acting, kind of taking on a different character that is more than me, but like it’s still me doing it, becoming it, y’know.”

“Do you ever think you do it off stage?” She asks meekly, maybe scared of his answer.

“Sure, definitely. I don’t know,” He walks through his answer aloud and she smiles softly at his uncertainty. After a moment. “Don’t we all? We’re all performers somedays.”

She hums her agreement, glad he thought similarly to her. The thought had been on her mind since she met Josh and how differently he would act in different moments.

“You’re challenging, you know that?”

“Most people don’t say it like it’s a compliment.”

Josh shakes his head and takes another swig of beer. She follows suit.

“Most people don’t like to be challenged.”

“And you do?”

“Clearly.”

“Clearly,” She smiles back at Josh and they’re silent for a good while after that, just staring at each other with a thick air of tension and longing.

They see Rainbow Kitten Surprise at the back of the crowd once more and she bops around happily while Josh smiles and enjoys it more than he expected. He whispers in her ear when they mess up chords or are off key, how he knew it she wasn’t sure but she believed him and nodded back conspiratorily. A fan stops him once during that set and she watches quietly as they interact. Josh is animated, possibly more than he was with her – if it were possible, as he takes genuine interest in what the person tells him and then takes a picture with them. He bids them farewell and once they’ve gone away he returns closer to her, telling her about his joy in meeting fans. Her brow creases in thought as he explains it, but she’s stuck on how his demeanor changed with them and then deflated to a slightly more controlled self when he was just with her.

She lets him take her to the front of the stage for the Black Crowes set and she lets him hold her with his arms wrapped around her waist as they sway and bounce to the songs. They’re plenty tipsy and possibly fully drunk by then and she leans her head back onto his chest. She rests her hands on his forearms that are snaked close to her body and she can hear him breathe against her ear softly and raggedly when he’s out of breath from dancing them around.

A more sultry song comes on and she purposefully settles into Josh’s chest a little more. His touch is electric as she moves his arms from around her waist to her hips. She can feel him smile into her hair as she presses further back into his firm body and he presses close to her.

When one of Josh’s hands goes missing from her hip she’s close to turning around to see what was wrong, but is placated by his slender fingers playing along the base of her neck as he moves her hair out of the way. They return to her hip but she’s distracted by his plush lips on her neck as they sway, tangled up in one another.

“Is this alright?” Josh asks lowly in her ear, before continuing with another kiss.

“More than,” She breathes, peeking over her shoulder at him. “I’ve wanted you to kiss me again all day.”

His lips quirk up into a pleased smile. “That can be arranged.”

She giggles at his brows lifting in a way that is supposed to be seductive but seems a little hokey coming from Josh and all his lovely mannerisms.

Once more, his lips are on hers and she melts into his touch, twisting around in his hold. His skin is fire against her compared to the cooling May air. Their tongues lick into each other's mouths and their sighs are soft against each other’s mouths, only heard by them due to the music being plenty loud around them.

She tears her lips from Josh’s to kiss his strong jaw, something she had longed to do for a while. The hard spot of his jaw just below his earlobe is where she wants to kiss the most. And as she laves it with her tongue, Josh breathes hard through his nose as his hands hold her close to him, feeling her body soft and sweet against him.

She bites at the hoop earring in his ear when it catches the light for a moment when her eyes slip open.

“Careful,” Josh warns breathlessly when he hears the clank of her teeth against the metal and feels the slight tug.

She lets go and smirks against the skin of his throat as she moves to a new landscape.

She murmurs against his skin. “What? Do you not like that? Or do you like it a little too much?”

Josh hums in nonchalant agreement, attempting to keep his composure while she makes out with him in a relatively public place, even if it is dark and secluded.

She continues kissing his neck, moving with ease as she sucks softly and Josh’s hand pets over her hair, content with letting her work until she nips at him slightly.

“No, baby,” He softly grips the base of her neck and pulls her away from her position, bringing her eyes to meet his.

She tips her eyebrows up in protest and he smiles in spite of himself, his lips splitting to show off the little gap between his teeth. He was too pretty, it wasn’t her fault she wanted to give him a love bite.

“I can’t have visible marks,” He sighs, wishing he didn’t have to say it, wanting nothing more for her to continue and do whatever she wanted to him.

“Aren’t you done touring for awhile?”

“Yeah, I just don’t like visible marks where people might see and speculate.”

“Speculate,” She repeats. “I understand,” She says before moving away, no longer wishing to continue down the path she was traveling, it couldn’t have gone much further in public anyway, especially if she couldn’t leave marks.

Josh brings a finger to tip her chin up so that she’s looking at him once more. Her eyes look anywhere but his own. Across the bridge of his nose, his sunkissed and lightly freckle-smattered cheeks, the curls that fell over his forehead, his well-trimmed mustache, his hairy goatee that had been tickling her while they kissed. She didn’t look at his lips either, avoiding them as well.

“Hey, look at me, please.”

Her eyes meet his, reluctantly. Her face has a pouty expression as he regards her. The lights from the stage didn’t really illuminate her face as she faced away from it, but he could make out her expression nonetheless. Their intertwined bodies were wrapped up behind one of the large speakers, obscuring them from the majority of the crowds around them.

“It’s just a preference, it doesn’t mean I don’t want you, because trust me. I want you,” He chuckles as he tries to express himself clearly.

She nods meekly, flushed at the authoritative tone he had had with her while she was clutched in his hold. She wanted to make him happy.

“Will you kiss me again, sunshine? The little noises you make are so pretty in my ear,” He soothes, petting at the back of her head. His voice is gravelly with desire as he looks into her eyes.

She feels herself brighten at the pet name Josh had chosen for her. He had waxed eloquent earlier about his love for the sun and everything it did for the world. For her to be his sunshine and to want her, she would glow for him.

“I feel like we need to leave,” She responds, still wanting more with Josh and sure that couldn’t happen when they were in public.

Josh quirks his head and then picks up on her meaning. A smirk crawls onto his features, the alcohol in his system making him so very pleased that she was such a go-getter in every aspect of her life. “Is that so?”

She nods and pecks his lips, ready to retreat after the quick kiss, but Josh pulls her back in for a longer kiss that she hums her approval into. Josh’s lips are insistent but she pulls back with a scrape of her teeth against his lower lip, growing impatient with the limited range of actions they could partake in while at the festival.

He pushs down the groan that threatens at the back of his throat from her actions and she feels him attempt to control himself with a squeeze of his hands against her body, the base of her neck and her waist.

He leans down and places his lips against her ear, whispering, “Are you going to take my advice from yesterday about personal pleasure.”

“Certainly, Joshua.” Her fingers trail across his chest in a swirling pattern.

“Fuck,” He breathes, his head falling between them.

“What?”

“Say it again.”

“Certainly?”

“No,” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head at her. “You’re a tease aren’t you, sunshine?” He presses against her and her breath hitches feeling his arousal harder than before.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Joshua,” She grins evilly at him.

He laughs and pulls away from her, encircling his hand around her wrist and pulling them away from the stage. “Do you think your hotel or my hotel is closer?”

“I thought you guys were staying on the tour bus?”

“Oh, right,” Josh looks back at her and shakes his finger at her dramatically, realizing she was correct, as she jogs to trail behind his fast pace. They break out into a fit of giggles and she catches up, wrapping her arms around his right arm in a hug as they walk along quickly. Her body curls into his like she wants to become one with Josh and maybe she wishes she could.

Inside the tour bus, a flurry of things happen. Josh doesn’t even have the chance to assure her that they’ll be alone to partake in the activities she’s been whispering in his ear during their fast-paced walk to the bus.

She kisses him for a moment, with hot lips smearing against his in a hurried fashion. He forgets about what he wanted to mention after he had just slipped his phone out to confirm with his band group chat.

Her hands tug at his shirt and he obliges happily, giggling at her eagerness. Delighted that she would want to have sex with him. He felt like he was 16 again, when his high school crush finally took charge and made it clear that she wanted to have sex with him. Josh loved when a woman made her wants clear — like he had told Y/N, being vocal about pleasure was a good thing.

“What do you want, sunshine?” He asks when her hands are trailing at the waistband of his pants.

Her eyes cast up at him mischievously and she blinks at him with a bit of a pout. Her hands run up his smooth chest, it’s toned but not too muscular and she wants to kiss, bite and lick over every inch if he’d let her.

“I want you, Josh,” She whispers.

“I’m all yours,” He responds just as softly, his head nodding to promise it was true.

She squints her eyes at him, simultaneously endeared and annoyed that he’d say that. She wanted him to start taking charge, he seemed to be going along with everything she was doing but she wanted him to be more active with it. She wanted him to be the dominant one, it made her feel wanted, desired.

“Josh, I want you to fuck me like you mean it.”

“I’ll mean it.” He goes in for a hungry kiss, nodding his head insistently still and leaving her breathless.

Her breath becomes heavier as she begins to anticipate Josh’s moves. Her fingers fumble with the button of his pants again and he pushes them off so that he can tug at her own top. The buttons come undone easily and he pushes it from her shoulders. The black lace bra that is revealed makes Josh’s jaw drop. She grinned and reached behind herself, unhooking the bra and removing it from her body.

Josh’s lips flew to kiss between the valley of her tits. His warm lips suction against the skin, making her arch her back. The trail of his lips moves around her body, making the skin raise with goosebumps when the cool air touches where Josh had been. His large hands were wrapped around the bottom of her shoulder blades, keeping her close as he kissed her.

A particular hard kiss from Josh’s lips on the underside of her left tit brought about the loudest moan she had made. Josh nipped at the skin and then leaned back on his heels to look up at her with a grin on his face.

“Keep making those noises, baby. You sound like a fuckin’ angel.”

“I need more, Josh. Please.” She pets at his hair, brushing back the unruly curls that had been happily tickling her as he kissed her.

He nods. “Okay, sunshine, let’s get you on the bed then. How could I say no when you ask so sweet?”

He walks her back until her knees bend at the feeling of the bed behind her. She’s kissing at his neck until she can’t anymore. Josh stops for a moment as he watches her sitting there, looking up at him. Her arms behind her, keeping her sitting up, her face flushed and adoring as she stared at him. Her breasts perfect and heaving as she took the chance to catch her breath.

He finishes taking off his pants and she does the same with hers, leaving them in only their underwear as Josh crawls on top of her and pulls the curtain closed around them. One of Josh’s hands is cupping her jaw as he kisses her and the other trails down her body making her tremble.

“Josh,” She sighs his name against his lips.

His hand continues down, swirling over the cotton fabric and rubbing over her clothes cunt.

“I bet you’re soaked, huh?” Josh questions, more to himself than anything, continuing to focus on teasing her over her panties.

She nods, nonetheless, causing his thumb to bump against her lips. He glances up at her face with a watchful eye and presses his thumb against her lips firmly. She parts them and sucks it greedily into her mouth, swirling and laving her tongue over it. Josh smirks and continues his fingers’ assault on her continuously growing arousal.

“All over me when we were in public, I felt you pressing you’re ass into me when we were dancing. Trying to get me hard where anyone could see, so fucking naughty. Did you get wet just from dancing, baby?”

Her moan is muffled behind his thumb in her mouth, but he takes it as a yes. This was so hot, Josh finally seeing exactly what she wanted.

“Yeah you did. Cause you’re kinda a slut when it comes down to it. Is that pussy insatiable? Such a needy cunt that you’d let me take you anywhere?”

“Fuck, yes! I need you.”

His nimble fingers finally slip under the fabric and glide through her folds, circling her clit and dipping into her entrance a little before pulling back and licking a bit of her juices off his hand. His groan is loud and shaking which just makes her want him more. The cloudy fog of alcohol had made her hornier and more submissive than usual, but she didn’t feel weird about it with Josh.

“You taste delectable, angel.”

She squeaks at the name which makes Josh’s smirk widen.

“Here, taste yourself,” He removes his thumb and thrusts the other two digits into her mouth now, making her moan. “Fuck, angel. I’m gonna cum in my boxers if you keep making those sounds.”

“Then fuck me, please.”

“You’re sure you’re ready?” He tilts his head, teasing her slightly but also checking in to make sure they’d done enough foreplay.

She nods and pulls him in for a kiss, tongues in each other’s mouths, dancing together and fighting for who’s in charge simultaneously. One of Josh’s hands trails down and yanks at her underwear, pulling them down around her knees and she wiggles them the rest of the way off before pulling up her knees and letting Josh’s body find a home between them.

His boxers are next but not before he grinds his clothed cock over her quivering center, open, leaking and hot for him. He sits back on his knees for a second, one hand running up and down her thigh, soothing her shivering body and the other wrapped around his cock, it’s head twitching as he dragged it through her folds. A squelching noise sounds when he begins to push it faster around her clit and entrance. The heat between her legs is amazing, it already feels as if she’s going to explode, but she wants Josh inside of her.

He relents from his teasing finally and pushes his cock head in and then slowly the rest of him, bottoming out and draping himself over her once more. The full feeling Josh gives her cunt is better than anyone of the few before. His body is wrapped around hers and hers is then wrapped around his cock. She whimpers for him to move and he starts at a steady speed, attempting to control himself when it feels so good inside her warm snug cunt.

He speeds up when she begs him to, the slapping sound along with every sensation was so much but she was greedy and wanted more. Her moans are loud as he pounds into her.

“Fuck,” Josh grunts, arm beside her face as she clutches as his biceps. “You’re pussy is so sweet to me, angel. So snug and warm, so inviting. Like you made it up special, just for me.”

“Did you make it up special for me, baby?”

“Yes,” She moans and writhes “Just for you, Josh.”

“That’s right, angel. Thank you.”

He babbles about her pussy like it’s a cabin home for his cock and in her drunk heightened state it makes complete sense, its also a little endearing if he wasn’t fucking her obscenely at a festival on a tour bus, but that barely crossed her mind. This was Josh and he was making her see stars.

“Josh,” She whines, hands gripping now at his shoulders and back, legs wrapping around his hips to push herself up to him.

“Are you gonna cum? Gonna cum so pretty for me with that sweet cunt of yours. Can feel it choking my cock, wanting it to never leave. Believe me baby I don’t ever wanna leave.”

She nods deliriously, moaning at his words.

“Then go on, angel. Take it. It’s all yours. Yours for the taking, go on. Cum.” His affirmations and encouragement is so sweet and so hot coupled with his thumb rubbing tight circles into her puffy clit, she loses it, convulsing around Josh’s cock as it continues to pump into her.

Her body shakes and her head rolls back, the orgasm coming in multiple waves as he fucks her through it. A hand goes up to her face, soothing her tensed expression as the pleasure washes over her. He continues to talk but she can barely hear it. He pulls out and cums on her stomach just when she flutters her eyes open, meaning she gets to see his own eyes flutter shut and pink lips drop open as he finishes.

He smiles lopsidedly when he opens his eyes and sees her adoring gaze on him.

“That was amazing, sunshine,” He gives her a peck on the lips before getting up to get them cleaned up. She nods and closes her eyes, feeling content and unbelievably tired.

She tells herself not to fall asleep before Josh returns and maybe she doesn’t but the next thing she remembers is soft sheets and a peek of sunlight coming from somewhere.

The next morning, she finds herself in an unfamiliar bed. It wasn’t the hotel bed that she had slept in the two previous nights either.

“Fuck,” She sat up quickly and almost hit her head if an arm didn’t keep her from sitting up completely. Instead she just jostles back and forth with the new weight registering in her mind.

Her eyes trailed from the hand on her shoulder, up the toned arm, over the connected shoulder and finally to the face of the owner of the arm, Josh. Josh...

Josh fucking Kiszka. She’d fucked Josh Kiszka. In his tour bus. Right. Let’s remain calm. She took a deep inhale through her nose and out her mouth, trying to be as quiet as possible as he snoozed quietly beside her. His lips were slightly parted as he breathed evenly, his skin looked as soft as perfect beach sand.

Her body was covered in a t-shirt that wasn’t hers and wasn’t Josh’s either since she was sure he only owned white ones. This was an oversized raggedy faded black Queen shirt that smelled of strong men’s cologne and not at all Josh. She picked at the collar and brought it to her nose, sniffing it and wrinkling her nose.

“What the fuck?” She whispered to herself which caused Josh to stir ever so slightly beside her.

She sunk back to lying flat on the bed from her position on her elbows.

“You awake, sweet pea?” He asks softly, groggily into her ear.

She hums as if waking up and flutters her eyelashes open, in a way that she hopes is attractive. ‘Sweet pea’ had her preening into his touch when his hand slid from all the way across her body to touch her waist, beneath the thin sheet that covered them both.

He was curled up against her and she shifted onto her side in a relatively awkward way due to the cramped sleeping situation they were in. Thankfully, it was spacious enough that she didn’t have any aches or pains from actually sleeping in it last night. Some soreness in her thighs and other places, but that was from the activities prior to the sleeping.

A realization of a few things happens all at once for her.

“Did your bandmates slash brothers hear us last night?! Where’s my phone? Did I remember to tell Chloe where I was and that I wasn’t coming back to the hotel? Fuck, do you know where my phone is?”

Josh smiles, like her freak out is amusing to him and he pats at her uncovered hip, stroking it softly, trying to soothe her.

“It’s on the charger. You texted Chloe and I told my brothers to fuck off for half the night and texted them when they were free to return to the bus. You’re okay.”

She breathes a sigh of relief and then flushes at the memories of last night. Of Josh in all his glory. Of the extra care he took with her, like no man had ever done before. Of the sounds she had made for him. Of the words he had said.

“Was it any good?”

“Jesus Christ Sam!” She shrieks and tucks her knees to her chest, which doesn’t really do anything, but makes her feel more covered up underneath the thin sheet. Josh’s hand slithers around her back to hold at her other hip, trying to comfort her once more. It certainly distracts her, his soft touch and undying warmth.

Josh glares at the curtain around the bed, knowing his brother is likely standing in the hallway behind it.

“Well, we’re all wondering,” Sam calls again. Jake was still in bed, but awake, and Danny was making coffee down the hall, but indeed they all were quite interested in hearing what had transpired the night before. All their ears perking up to Sam’s voice echoing through the cabin instead of the murmured voices they’d heard previously.

Josh looks to Y/N with an apologetic smile and she returns it, before tucking her head into the crook of his shoulder, finding immense comfort in his body. He reluctantly pulls the curtain back to glare at Sam, who is grinning boyishly, like he just won a game. Josh throws a pillow at his own naked chest. Sam catches it easily with a ‘humph’ sound, but the smile never leaves his face.

“C’mon get on with the story!” Jake’s voice comes from above them, followed by a peek of his head out from his bed’s curtain. His eyes are foggy with sleep and his hair was unruly and maybe a little tangled.

“Are they always like this?” She murmurs to Josh, but loud enough for both Sam and Jake to hear. They snort.

Josh chuckles good-naturedly, he loved his brothers despite how prying they could be. “Only my entire life.”

“Nice shirt.” Sam interrupts their moment once more.

She eyes his shirtless form, how confidently and smuggly he was standing there, eyeing the shirt she was wearing. She glanced at it, its worn blackness, the little tear at the shoulder likely from someone tugging at it constantly. “Is it his?” She asks Josh.

“Yeah,” Josh laughs. “You were insistent on wearing it last night and I tried to tell you, but you hushed me and said to be a ‘good old fashioned lover boy’ and let you do what you want.”

“Yeah that sounds like me.” She relents and rolls her eyes at Sam who raised his eyebrows at her teasingly. “If you’re not careful, I just might keep it.”

Sam smiles at that and raises a palm, “By all means, keep your souvenir.”

She laughs genuinely and everyone smiles happily. Afterall, it had been a good night and the guys were happy to see Josh happy. It was just obligatory to give him a little shit for it.

Josh tells her that he’s going to get ready and then take her back to her hotel. Before she can protest, he explains that it’s so she can change and get ready to go out into Napa together. She smiles and he pecks her on the lips before getting out of bed. He hands her jeans and original shirt from yesterday back to her. As he saunters off, she works to put her jeans back on, but keeps the Queen shirt on, the halter was cute albeit slightly uncomfortable and after last night, all she ever wanted was to feel blissfully comfortable. One night with Josh had taught her so much about herself that she had never known. It was euphoric. Even the morning shenanigans of Josh’s brothers couldn’t dampen her mood, her happiness.

She climbs out of the tour bus bed and ambles towards the smell of coffee. Eager and interested in putting some of the dark liquid into her system. A slight headache from all of the alcohol consumed yesterday persisted despite her happiness and she hoped to dull it. The ache in her legs however and the tenderness along her neck and chest, she never wanted those sensations to leave.

Danny and Sam were seated in the area where the coffee was and Sam was quick to jump up and grab her a cup, noticing her longing stare at their cups filled with the warmth. She thanked him and greeted Danny with a soft smile. After Sam hands her a mug filled to the brim with hot coffee, she thanks him once more and takes a seat beside Danny, opposite of Sam’s original seat.

“So…” Sam settled back into his seat and cast his eyes towards her, with a tilt of his head, rather coquettishly.

She rolls her eyes again, but smiles softly behind the lip of the coffee mug. “You’re not going to hear a word from me. If Josh wants to tell you, that’s up to him.”

“Based on the marks I can see on your neck and that I can only imagine going…lower. He’ll have lots to say,” Sam winks.

Danny laughs at his friend and shakes his head at Y/N. “Ignore Sam, he’s just jealous he didn’t find anyone to hook up with at the festival. It’s always a fun place to meet people.”

She nods, trying to ignore the slight sting his words carried. They regarded her as a friend but then spoke of other people as mere conquests. It made her feel a little icky, because wasn’t that what she was to Josh?

There’s a beat of silence after Sam made a sound of disapproval of Danny’s observation. She swallows some more coffee before glancing her eyes back down the corridor, hoping Josh would walk out soon.

“He’s going to be awhile,” Danny interprets her gaze. “All that hair doesn’t fall into place on its own.”

She laughs and nods understandingly.

Danny starts again, feeling as if he had upset her somehow, but not exactly sure how. He asks about her work as a journalism student and she jumps into it, animated and happy to talk about something she was passionate about. Eventually, Josh reemerges from the back of the bus and graces them with his presence, bright and bubbly as always.

“Ready, sunshine?”

A smile spreads across her face, unwittingly. Her body naturally gravitated towards the thing, the man, who had been so kind and good to her the last few days.

After she’s changed and ready for the day, informing Chloe of the plans. The three of them are ambling outside to her car since she told Josh they didn’t need to take the random rental the band had gotten. She liked to drive anyway. The boys meet them downtown, having someone drop them off instead of driving themselves. The town center had a green garden filled with willowy trees and a white gazebo. The sound of chirping birds was almost drowned out by the passing cars, but as they walked to the center the birds became clearer and her smile grew wider. It was nice to be outside of the festival in the fresh air that wasn’t overpowered by food trucks and alcohol.

The boys asked questions about Northern California that Y/N tried to answer to her best ability. Chloe was from Southern California which they had a little more knowledge about, but they were vastly unaware of all the huge state had to offer.

After getting coffees from a little café and ambling down the semi-quiet streets of downtown Napa, they came upon a ceramics store where you could paint premade pots and other ceramics.

“Oh my god! We have to go in,” She beams upon reading the sign. “This is, like, my favorite thing from my childhood. Where I grew up there used to be one, but it closed when I was like nine.”

Josh had paused beside her and had his brows raised as he watched her excitement, loving to see her excited when she had been rather quiet the entire morning. He chalked it up to a mild hangover and being one of those people who needed a few cups of coffee to start their day, according to what she had told him previously.

“Let’s go in, then.”

She looks up to him with a hopeful expression that turns into glee when she sees he’s serious. In her excitement, she takes ahold of Josh’s hand and leads him into the shop trailing behind her. Everyone else smiles and follows behind with mumbles of agreement that it could be fun. Jake asked if there was alcohol involved or if there could be alcohol involved and she shot him a look of mock disdain, but couldn't keep the smile off her face, caught between her childhood self’s wholesomeness and her current self’s appreciation for a good drink.

“After you fire them, can they be shipped?” Josh asks innocently to the worker who was helping them, Alice.

“Sure! We can ship ‘em anywhere in the continental U.S. for a small fee. Outside of that, the fee does get a bit bigger.” Alice replies, handing Jake the last piece the group needed, a frog mug he had asked for.

Josh thanks her and then turns to Y/N who is seated across the table from him. “Do you want to paint one for each other and then we can have them shipped to each other afterwards?”

Her head quirked to the side as she felt his foot press next to hers underneath the table. She wanted to take his hand and hold it, but he had dropped her hold immediately upon entering and seeing the worker approach them so she didn’t think he liked to be touchy in public where people could see. So she refrained. She bumps his foot back and Josh smiles a little wider, mirroring her tilted head.

“Why not?”

“Fantastic.”

She tries to push away the angry butterflies in her stomach that hadn’t stopped fluttering all day since she had left Josh’s bed. She longed to be back in the safety of that bed, where Josh would touch her hip to remind her he was there to comfort her. Now she just dreaded this day ending as much as Josh had encouraged her to live in the present and not view it as a memory like she had told him she often did.

At the large table, the six of them get to work on painting their ceramics of choice. Josh’s, that would be Y/N’s eventually, was a plate with vegetables on it. Y/N’s, that would go to Josh, was a small catch-all dish for jewelry or anything. Jake’s was the frog mug. Sam had snagged an ashtray with raised stars on the outside. Danny had a bowl with etched in waves. Chloe picked out a small cup that she said she’d use as a shot glass, everyone had heartily agreed that she chose the best one.

The music playing in the store was calming, yet upbeat enough for them to consistently work and not get too off track. It also wasn’t too poppy for the music snobs who sat within the confines of the store. As an aspiring music journalist, Y/N couldn’t claim that she wasn’t one of them. Only Chloe listened to anything that could resemble the top 20 of today.

Conversations ebbed and flowed, but with Josh and Y/N on the edge of the table, they slipped off into their own conversations more often than not.

“I’ve been wondering,” Josh says, glancing up from his plate that now had the outer edge painted with what would be a deep forest green. “How did you get out of the pit so quickly so that you were waiting at the side of the stage when we got off? I saw you move through with relative ease, but what could you have said to get through that crowd, it’s usually pretty difficult.”

She smiles down at the catch all plate that was going to be lavender at the center, save for some spots where she was going to place little diamond stars. “I might have lied quite a bit…I said I thought I was going to pass out and that I felt sick. Plus, people are more willing to let you out of the front rather than let you in.” She shrugged and smiled a little when Josh shook his head at her in admiration.

“Your journalistic integrity might get called into question if you always use a ruse to get what you want.”

“Luckily, I told you the truth,” She simpered.

“But you didn’t!” Josh widens his eyes, realizing another thing she had fibbed about, albeit, he wasn’t actually upset about it. “You said it’d be quick and look, I’ve been with you all weekend long.”

“That was your choice,” She shrugged, smiling down at the dish.

She felt the eyes of Jake on her, across the table, appraising the girl Josh had taken quite a liking too. He was perplexed that they were still hanging out with her. He didn’t mind, he liked her well enough, but the whole situation was odd and he really hadn’t had time to ask Josh about it, save for after the first night.

Josh had told him about their kiss and how he’d told her he wanted to see her again. Jake had assumed she hadn’t wanted to hook up right away so Josh was being patient, but after last night he assumed it would have been a ‘see you later’ and not a ‘we’re all spending the day together’ kind of thing. Josh had also told him that he shouldn’t worry about what he had said during their high interview with her, about not being able to hold a serious long distance relationship. He had been pressed for an answer and he knew it was true, but he also didn’t want a serious long distance relationship, so what was the big issue with saying it.

Jake had nodded and sighed and simply hoped for the best for his brother. He was a charmer, but Jake worried that Josh often laid it on too thick, misleading girls to think it was more than it was for Josh. He just hoped Y/N understood that this wasn’t something that could last longer than the weekend.

The wind picks up when they exit the shop. Josh had insisted on paying the shipping costs for both of their pieces since he had been the one to suggest that they exchange them. Sam had teased Josh and asked if he’d pay for everyone’s, but Josh had cackled and heckled his little brother back.

Jake raised a brow again at his twin’s kind gestures and wandered off ahead of the group down the street. They hadn’t decided where they were going next so he wanted to be in silence for a little.

Y/N watched him walk off and if Josh notices her attention stray from him, he doesn’t say anything as he regales her with a story from when he had accidentally almost set his laptop on fire. She laughed and smiled and interjected words of amazement and concern at all the right times – a skill she had had all her life, but perfected as a journalism student for particularly boring interviews where she just needed one quote and had to listen to someone go on forever about something that didn’t matter to her. Not that what Josh was saying wasn’t of interest to her. She was just preoccupied with Jake’s strange behavior. She didn’t know him well, obviously, but she had gathered he was quiet but also kind and particularly boisterous with his brothers. She didn’t think her or Chloe should be the cause of this silent and almost sulking quality he was exuding.

Her interest was piqued and she just wanted to know why. She wanted to understand, perpetually curious – it was a blessing for her future career, but potentially a curse in this situation.

Jake stops his walking to peer into a window display. The winery it was promoting was one that someone had mentioned to him that they should try while they were here. Now that it had popped up again, he thought it could be a good activity – especially with the drinking included.

“Y’all want to go wine tasting?” He asks, turning his head to stare at the group mildly once they had neared his figure.

“That sounds like a fantastic idea, Jacob,” Sam supplies, eyes lighting up at the prospect of going to a winery. “You are such a wonderful patriarch,” Sam snickers and Jake rolls his eyes.

“Hey!” Josh interjects, his ego showing itself.

Danny sounds off in agreement of going to the winery, as does Chloe, who really didn’t care, especially since she wasn’t yet 21, cursed with a summer birthday, much to her chagrin. Most wineries probably wouldn’t care, but every so often there would be a server who would card everyone.

Y/N agrees as well, of course, but notes the flicker of possible annoyance in Jake’s eyes when she voices said agreement with “I’d love to go. Acceptable forms of day drinking are my favorite pastimes.”

The gravel crunches beneath her car as she pulls down the unpaved road that was leading them to the winery. Chloe had said she’d take over driving after the winery so that Y/N could drink to her heart’s content. She had grinned at her best friend and thanked her.

Inside the winery’s tasting room, a host greeted them and immediately began to help them, getting them seated outside to enjoy the warm sunshine. The breeze was welcome outside now, when they were sitting on wicker couches and chairs with dark grey cushions accented with red throw pillows, all warmed by the sun.

Y/N found herself seated directly next to Jake on the couch and Josh on her other side in a separate chair. Josh beams at her and asks her to remind him of her favorite type of wine. She responds with “‘Malbec’ or sometimes ‘Merlot’.” Josh nods before turning to their server, asking if any of the tastings included a Malbec. She smiled and tried to keep the heat from rising to her cheeks as the server’s eyes flickered from Josh to her, noting the clear relationship they seemed to have in the server’s eyes.

Jake readjusted in his seat and flicked some of his hair off of his shoulder. His movement brings her attention to him, but he doesn’t regard her. His eyes shifting and flickering around the scenery, out at the green vineyards and blue sky.

“Is something wrong?” She murmurs to him, while Josh is still occupied with deciding on which tasting the group was going to do, while Sam and Danny amused Chloe with a tour story.

His eyes reluctantly find her face, but avoid maintaining eye contact for longer than a beat.

“Not particularly, why do you ask?”

The stare he finally gives her with his question almost feels like he’s completely turned the tables on her. She suddenly feels very small under his gaze and she immediately longs for when he was refusing to look at her because this is far more intimidating. His pointed nose is narrow and sharp like a beak of an elegant bird as he stares down at her. His eyes barely crinkle at the edges and his eyebrows furrow ever so slightly. Her eyes break from the stare to look down, catching on the glinting silver of his long necklace that lays against his naked tan chest, exposed due to his unbuttoned shirt that wrinkles beneath an unbuttoned vest. His vibe was very slutty pirate if she could name it and she actually loved it if he wasn’t looking at her with such intensity.

“You’ve just seemed,” Her eyes return to his face, attempting to not back down, realizing Jake had just turned something on, a mechanism to further avoid her questioning. She decides to change her course of action. “Nevermind.”

Jake’s face turns satisfied, thinking he had successfully gotten her to leave him alone about what had been bothering him.

The longest wine tasting option Josh could have picked commences with a Malbec coming up fifth. By the sixth wine, she was feeling slightly tipsy. Josh was grinning and telling a story that the boys were all a part of so she assumed it was only for her’s and Chloe’s benefits. His hands flew around him as he described a grand concert hall dinner they had attended previously and how they had met Elton John that night. She smiled and giggled when Josh mimicked Elton John’s British accent.

“Jake, of course, is much better at doing a British accent than me,” Josh laughs. “I’ll concede to that. Will Mr. Reed be joining us at any point this afternoon?” He regards Jake for his question, who smiles back calmly and shakes his head negatively before draining his glass of Zinfindel.

“No, I don’t think he will,” Jake’s regular voice sounds, “But I am going to go for a smoke, if that’s alright?”

Josh nods, but approval wasn’t actually what Jake was looking for. He moves to stand, but before he can maneuver himself around Y/N, she stands as well.

“You don’t mind if I join you?” She asks, innocently. “It’s a bad habit of mine, but if I’m not alone I don’t feel as guilty.”

Josh smiles happily at his brother, seeing no reason for Jake to say no to her and being delighted at the prospect of the two of them getting to know each other a little better.

Jake gestures for her to go ahead of him since it didn’t seem like he could refuse.

They walk off together down a path that leads towards the vineyards. Everyone else rested with their wines, it gave them time to catch up, Danny and Josh were still only on the fourth wine and Sam was on the fifth. Only Y/N and Jake had been keeping the official pace, finishing their sixth before wandering off. The remaining group also decided to order some snacks to go along with the food. Chloe happily sipped at her Coke Zero.

Jake fishes his pipe from the inside pocket of his vest and his box of tobacco, beginning to pack the pipe. She regards him beside her, expertly packing the bowl.

She can’t help her yelp of laughter at the sight. His eyes flicker to her face that she tamps down into a tight lipped smile. “That’s so pretentious, I’m sorry.”

He rolls his eyes and continues his process. “It’s all I’ve got. Don’t you know? Cigarettes kill.”

She laughs genuinely at this while simultaneously slipping her crumpled pack of cigarettes from her coat pocket. “I think it’s all tobacco products, but whatever helps you sleep.”

They pause to help shield each other’s smoking device of choice from the wind so that they can be lit. Surprisingly, Jake speaks first after the cigarette and pipe are burning.

His hand toggles the pipe from his lips and allows the smoke to billow out from his mouth. It goes off in the opposite direction of her, thankfully. He had been careless, just allowing the smoke to seep from his lips, if the wind had blown the opposite direction it would have hit her directly in the face.

“Have you enjoyed your weekend?” He attempts to be casual as they continue down the path between the vines.

She glances at him and how his eyes continue to survey the land, clearly not actually caring to hear what she has to say, but attempting to preoccupy her mouth with words that wouldn’t question his behavior again.

She hums in affirmation and blows the smoke from her lungs.

“Jake,” She calls his name, hoping this will actually bring his eyes to her. It does. “Are you ever compelled to write?”

Jake’s eyes flash wide in confusion, not fully understanding the question and confused as to where it came from. “Pardon?”

She smiles to herself and then looks away from him to try and explain her question better. “I know you’re like the guitar guy and I honestly don’t know how much of the lyrics you write for the band, but beyond that, are you ever moved to write something down? Not like a to-do list or something like that, but to write down a story or a thought that bounces around your head until the only way to stop it is to write it down.”

Jake immediately brightens. “Yes, often,” He breathes out. She had described something he experienced regularly but didn’t discuss with people because the few times he had broached the topic it had been shot down. He assumed most people didn’t feel that way.

“I feel that constantly,” She continues and takes a drag of her cigarette. “Sometimes it’s exhausting right?”

Jake nods when she looks to him for confirmation.

“When I’m with Josh,” She pushes forward. “I don’t feel that compulsion. I feel peaceful. Don’t get me wrong, I still want to write things down, I want to remember every moment, every breath, every laugh with him, but it’s not so frantic. I know I’m younger than you guys and you might think I’m naive for entertaining the notion that Josh and I could continue whatever this is when we’re apart, but I’m okay with it being something when we’re together and then something else when we’re not. What I’m trying to say is, I would hate for you to be upset with me or your brother for something we’ve got under control. I was apprehensive to say ‘yes’ to Josh when I first met him, but now it feels so easy and it’s barely been three days.”

Jake chuckles despite himself and her eyes flash to his face, disturbed that he would laugh when she had said something so serious. Had she completely misread his expressions and behavior today.

“You’re incredibly astute for barely knowing me and my brother.”

“Is that actually a compliment or are you being facetious?”

Jake laughs again with a little shake of his head before tipping his pipe over and blowing out the fulling smoked bowl of ash. “No, I mean it. I worry about him. Some people get misled by his charm and it ends up blowing up in his face at the end of the day because he’s so empathetic. He’ll beat himself up over a girl crying because he made all these big promises and grand gestures, all for it to end. He doesn’t do it maliciously, he’s just too intrinsically optimistic and loving. He’ll give a random girl an interview and then decide to introduce her to the rest of the band and sweep her off her feet, spend the entire weekend with her and make her fall in love. And I’m the one left to pick up the pieces when he feels terrible that he’s upset you, but since you already know what this is, I’m relieved.”

She grimaces but attempts to keep it light. She hoped Jake had said this out of kindness, that he hadn’t intentionally just told her she wasn’t as special as she thought she was. That Josh did this all the time apparently and any promises he had made her were bound to be broken. She hoped that it wasn’t fully true either, that he hadn’t just reduced this weekend to another time he’d have to console his brother when she got upset that it was ending. Because in her eyes, it wasn’t ending, this was just a see you later. That’s what Josh had told her. Best possible outcomes only.

“You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Y/N. I think you’ve got good things coming to you in this life,” Jake bumps the elbow of her arm that wasn’t holding her cigarette butt that she didn’t want to drop in the dirt. “Thanks for talking to me, I feel much better.”

“Yeah,” She replies, lost in her mind once more. “Course. I don’t like to see people upset.”

They turn back and rejoin the group. Jake doesn’t notice her quieter state, now telling her his own story about traveling around California previously. She interjected when necessary, but otherwise her eyes wandered along the vines. The vibrant green was barren of any fruit, it dangled along the lines that had been placed to hold up the crop. The crop that would flower and fruit that would make the wine. Maybe following Jake down this path hadn’t been such a good idea.

Josh beams at their return, not consciously noticing that Jake had been quiet before but certainly noting that he was brighter than before. Perhaps because he spent time with Josh’s new paramour which made him happy. He also didn’t seem to notice the lackluster quality that had overtaken said paramour upon her returning. He was good at seeing the happy things, at times to a fault.

It also didn’t help that Y/N masked her displeasure with a sunny smile that mirrored Josh’s.

After the winery, she does her best to continue the facade that had proved to be convincing for the last hour. However the wine was affecting her brain. She was tired and a bit sad. When she lags behind the group, Josh finally notices and slows to walk with her, letting the rest of the group wander ahead on the walk back to the car. It was a long winding road that they had walked down originally to get to the vineyard’s barn where the tastings took place.

“How’re you feelin’, sunshine?”

“Honestly?” She looks up at him, the sun shining on half of her face from the angle Josh looked at her. It bronzed her features as if she was ancient art and Josh truly regarded her as such.

“A bit drunk,” She starts with a pout on her lips when he nods her on. He ‘aww’s at her and wraps an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into him. She huffs and presses her head against his warm chest, finding it comforting yet also aggravating that he didn’t know why she was upset. But how could he when she hadn’t told him and had been acting like everything was fine? “Are you sure you want to continue things when we’re apart?”

“You know I am,” Josh stops, leaning back to look in her eyes. He sees the sadness clearly now in her watery eyes. “Did you get in your head again?”

“No,” She shakes her head and laughs humorlessly. “I actually wasn’t until Jake and I went on our walk –”

“What did he say?” Josh intervenes, suddenly worried. He shakes his head, already upset at his brother for making Y/N upset.

“It’s fine, Josh,” She puts a hand on his chest. “I don’t want you to be upset with him because of this, he didn’t realize he said something callous. It just made me feel like maybe you didn’t actually care about me all that much.”

“But I do, trust me,” He says her name, pleading for her to believe him as she blinks back a few more tears.

“I want to Josh,” She nods, “It just sounded like this happens a lot and I don’t want you to be upset because I’m upset because Jake said that’s always what happens and just…fuck. I don’t know. I just wish I could believe you, but I’m scared and I want to be chill about it but I’m just not chill.”

The tears come faster and Josh hugs her to his chest because he feels realization wash over him. She was scared. She was scared of what he could do to her because she cared that much. He held her close and tried to soothe her upset state. Thankfully no one had come back to look for them, likely realizing they needed some time alone.

“You don’t need to believe me right now, that’s fine. I’ll prove it to you, though. That this isn’t like the other times, that I’m not leading you on. I’m sorry there’s nothing I can do right now that will show you that, that will grant you peace of mind. But I hope you know, these past few days have imprinted themselves in my mind. I care for you deeply.”

“Thanks,” She sniffles and attempts to will away the tears, no longer wishing for them to come out of her eyes. She didn’t even feel like crying they were just happening to her because of what they were talking about.”

He kisses the top of her head and she gives him a watery smile. When they reach the car, no one asks what took them so long or why it looked like Y/N had been crying. Chloe gives her a backward glance from the driver’s seat and Josh glares at Jake a little, but stops when Y/N places her hand on his thigh.

That night is soft and Josh kisses Y/N a few times, they hold one another but neither of them offer to stay the night. Josh promises to see her again. She nods and kisses just to the right of his lips.

“Thank you for everything, Josh. I hope you’re right.”

Ooops sorry... PLS tell me what you think, inbox is open or feel free to comment

Part 2

#josh kiszka x you #josh kiszka x reader #josh kiszka fluff #josh kiszka gvf #josh kiszka fan fic #josh kiszka fanfiction #gvf fic #greta van fleet fluff #greta van fleet fic #greta van fleet fan fiction #greta van fleet imagine #greta van fic #josh kiszka angst #josh kiszka smut #josh kiszka x y/n #gvf fanfiction #my writing

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star-vessel1237 · 1 year

Text

Gluttonous Scholar (Baalmon Yuu/MC AU)

Gender Neutral MC/Yuu (Pronouns used They/Them)

Warning: Swearing

([A/N]: I got inspired to make this AU after I read @emeraldtart‘s Digimon AU. Recommend checking them out if you're interested in their ideas. Also using some elements from the Baalmons in Ghost game and Xros wars because why not. Also I will be calling them Baal!Yuu for simplicity.)

Link to Wikimon article I’m using for most of my info. [HYPER_LINK]

In Baal!Yuu’s original world they were on a quest to gain more knowledge as they had forgotten most of their past and we're desperate for answers

Baal!Yuu eventually grew obsessed with gaining more knowledge no matter how trivial

They try to control it but because of this obsession they have mostly lived as loner for most of their life, wandering and learning from both the digital and real world

How did they get to Twisted Wonderland? They were wondering around in the real world until the black carriage ran into them and knocked them out

Next thing they know they were cramped in a coffin, breaking out of it after Grim tried to set it on fire

Grim freaks out and Baal!Yuu is just staring at them thinking he's a weird variant of Gatomon

Grim: What the, why do you look so creepy!? Augh, whatever, just hand over your robes!

Baal!Yuu: The hell do you want with my… robes… *Looks down to see that they are in ceremonial robes*

Baal!Yuu: Okay, still not the weirdest thing to happen to me. Wait, where in the world am I?

Grim: Hey, quit ignoring me!

Baal!Yuu knocks Grim away and just runs out to try and find out where they are

When they get to the library Baal!Yuu was about ready to turn Grim back into a digiegg(still thinking Grim is a Digimon) but Crowley interrupts and drags them both to the mirror chamber

Baal!Yuu follows Crowley because they quickly caught on that they are in a completely different world, possibly dimension, and they're probably going to get more answers if they just follow the man

The students are a little weirded out since Baal!Yuu is freakishly tall and the robes hide most of their body but some of them can tell that there is something inhuman about them

The Dark Mirror can sense great power from Baal!Yuu however can not determine the shape of their soul (or digicore in this case)

Grim uses the students' mass confusion to escape, Riddle and Azul are chasing him before Baal!Yuu decides to help with a “peaceful” solution

By “peaceful” solution, Baal!Yuu means shooting warning shots with their gun at Grim in order to get him to stop running and capture him

Of course no one took this lightly, Riddle acts first and yells at them to drop their gun, they quickly go silent though after it is revealed that the gun is LITERALLY attached to Baal!Yuu’s right arm

After the chaos that was the Entrance Ceremony, Crowley and Baal!Yuu were dragged to library to see if they can get them home

Spoiler: They can’t since there is no recollection of their real world or the digital world and they have to stay at Ramshackle as a temporary solution

Baal!Yuu actually takes Grim in without any trouble and seems to have, for the most part, come to peace with the ghost

Definitely not because they threatened the ghost to exercise them with the countless paper amulets they somehow still have

Everything continues as normal, until they venture into the mines and have to fight the blot monster

Baal!Yuu decides to help Deuce in attacking the monster and even gives a few pointers during it, Ace and Grim also cave in and help as well

ADeuce and Grimm also realize what the mirror said when they said Baal!Yuu had great power as they are able to multiple elements with their amulets and-

Wait where did they get the sword from?

Either way they return back to the school safe and sound

Baal!Yuu is starting to suspect that they can’t properly rely on Crowley to return them home if he already has the expelled paperwork ready

They also give a mini lesson on what a digimon is to Crowley, Braincell Duo, and Grimm about what a digimon is and how they were able to summon all that stuff using the amulets they had on hand instead of the ones that were on their coat

Also this scene happens:

Ace: Oh yeah, I don’t think we’ve seen your face this entire time.

Baal!Yuu: Right. I got so caught up in everything I forgot to remove it.

Baal!Yuu *Removes hood to show them having bluish skin, wild yellow hair covering his right eye, a glaring red left eye, half of their face being covered by their mask, and blue bandages wrapping around the top their head with a slit cut open for their third eye*

Crowley: Well… you certainly are a… unique looking character.

Grimm: Eesh, you look more creepy without the hood.

Baal!Yuu: Oh please, I know digimon who look way worse than me.

Deuce: Should, should we be concerned when you say that?

Baal!Yuu: Probably.

Unrelated Note: They get their old clothes back but can’t wear them to school because of uniform restriction

They did get away with wearing their cloak though which they are happy about

I'll write more about this AU later, hope you enjoy.

#baalmon #reapmon #twst au #yuu au #Baal!Yuu #ace trappola #twst deuce #twst ace #twst grim #grim #twst crowley #crowley #digimon #twisted wonderland

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thewritingginger · 2 years

Text

Welcome to my 7 Days of Kinktober, Lovelies!!!

I had to start off with my bb Seraphim obvi.

Heres to a hopefully good start to Kinktober :D!

Fandom: Blood of Zeus Pairing: Human! Seraphim x Fem! Secretary Reader Word count: 2.6k+ words Warnings: 18+, Modern AU, Unequal power dynamic, Boss/Secretary relationship, Dirty talk, Vaginal fingering, Cock warming, Office sex, Quiet sex, Slight exhibitionism, Pet names, Slight degrading, Unprotected sex, Creampie, Teeny tiny bit of aftercare if you squint, Slight Possessiveness

Enjoy ~

You’ve been working for Seraphim for about six months now and the job is really nice. The pay is great, it’s pretty close to your apartment and the benefits are phenomenal.

Especially the sex.

You applied to this job with pure intent -really- but you’d be lying if you didn’t take into consideration the fact that your boss is smoking hot and that you wouldn’t mind looking at him everyday when weighing your options.

The first couple months were innocent and your secretary job was performed just as descripted. However, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that your new boss had an eye for you as well.

Opening doors for you, the purposeful brush of his fingers when handing him papers, him offering to buy you lunch and to sit with him at least once a week if he’s not busy, and most of all, the way his eyes always seemed to find you or lock with yours when peering through the window looking into his office.

The new dynamic between you took a more erotic turn on the night of a particularly rambunctious office party where you ended up drunkenly laid out on top of his desk and later in his bed at his luxurious pent house.

~~~

“Come in.” Says the low voice on the other side of the door. Opening the door leading into Seraphims office, a stack of paper work in hand, you walk in. Placing the stack on the edge of his desk you then go through the motions of preparing for his upcoming phone meeting; closing the window shutters that face the rest of the office, making him a fresh cup of coffee and, on this particular day, removing your panties.

Reclinded in his plush leather desk chair Seraphim watches as you pull your red panties -his favorite color- out from under your suit-skirt then handing them over. With your eyes locked, he presses the lacy fabric to his nose and inhales your scent. A low approving hum vibrates his chest before tucking the garment into his suit pocket like a naughty handkerchief.

“My meeting isn’t for another five minutes, so we’ve got time to play before we have to be quiet.” He says, a devilish smile painted across his face. Running his palms up your thighs he bunches your skirt around your waist, exposing the triangle of your naked sex.

Tapping between your feet with his, he urges you to spread your legs so he can slide his rough fingers between your folds. Gathering your slick, he is pleased to feel how wet you are for him. With one hand resting on your hip, his other continues its task of spreading your wetness between your lower lips pulling a soft whimper from your lips.

“Already so wet for me. You always soak your panties when you walk into your boss's office?” His voice is low and seductive. Your response consists of a soft moan and a nod of your head, your lower lip is trapped between your teeth in an attempt to suppress your voice.

His fingertips tease your entrance, rubbing slow circles along the rim of your weeping hole before fully pushing a thick digit in. A relieved sigh falls from your slacked jaw, your doe eyes glued to his lustful ones.

“Hmm, you’re squeezing me so tightly and I’ve only put in my finger. You need to be filled that badly?”

“Yes.” A airy whimper follows your response when a second finger is added. His digits curl inside you, making it increasingly hard to keep your moans to a minimum. Your eyes unconsciously dart to the shuttered window and locked door before Seraphim’s large hand grips your chin.

“Eyes on me, Beautiful. You know the rules; as long as I’m inside you those pretty eyes don’t leave me.” He says firmly, making you nod obediently.

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t enjoy the thrill of fucking the boss, especially in his office. The thought that anyone could walk in if the door was left unlocked or were to hear you if a particularly loud moan escaped sent a shiver down your spine.

There is something exhilarating about being spread out on your boss’s desk, whether bent over for his cock to bully into your tight pussy or open wide for him to consume every morsel between your legs with his hot tongue -either way Seraphim was a very demanding boss and you just so happen to be an employee that will go the extra mile to satisfy your employer.

“Listen to how your greedly pussy sucks my fingers in.” He says, bringing you back to reality. The debaucherous sound of his long fingers moving inside you mingles in the air with your light panting and quiet whimpers. “Do you like having your Boss’s fingers inside you?”

“Yes, Sir. I need more.” You say, your voice tight with desire. He smiles wickedly.

“Such a demanding little bird.” His tsks in mock disappointment. “But considering the time restraints I’ll allow it this one time.”

Pulling his fingers from your hungry sheath he keeps his eyes locked on yours as he brings his sullied fingers to his lips and sucks them clean. Your knees buckle as you whine in need, licking your lips at his blatant lewd display.

“Fucking delicious.” He says, his gaze like a famished wolf looking at his prey. “Now undo my pants.” He demands, leaning back in his leather chair.

Doing as he says you bend down to make work of his belt but his hand soon wraps around your neck directing your gaze back up. Before you could say a word his lips slam against yours in a fevered kiss, it's hard and wanting. Your teeth clash as your tongues tangle together. Your hands struggle to undo his pants, pulling away Seraphim takes over and quickly rips open his fly and pulls out his throbbing cock from his underwear.

Straddling his lap, your arms wrap around Seraphim’s neck, he lines up his tip to your dripping cunt. Your legs quake with every added inch of his thick cock stuffed inside you. Finally bottomed out and filled to your max you’re about to start rocking against him but, in like some cruel joke, you’re stopped. Large hands grip your hips like a vise stunting any moment you attempt.

Seraphim wasn’t exaggerating when he said ‘five minutes’ and when he says ‘be quiet’ he means quiet.

No speaking. No whimpering. No moving. Nothing.

For nearly the next hour you were forced to sit, fully stuffed, on Seraphim’s lap as he took a business call. During the back and forth between him and the other man on the receiver your boss’s hands roam your body. Squeezing and kneading the flesh of your exposed ass, unbuttoning your dress shirt to have access to your breasts. Between thoughts he lays kisses along your neck and chest.

The constant stimulation of his hands and the stagnant filling of your cunt is becoming unbearable. You give Seraphim a pleading look, your hand cupped over your mouth to muffle any gasps or whimpers. Smiling at you and talking to the speaker, his hand wraps around your throat and pulls your face close to his.

“Yes, I should be able to get those to you by the end of the week.” Leaning into your ear his whispers, “Give my cock a little squeeze, Sweetheart.” You contract your walls around his shaft as instructed and hold your desperate whine behind your palm making the amused smirk stay plastered on your boss’s handsome face. “Good girl.”

Still talking casually, Seraphim pushes you back till your resting on the edge of his desk, your free hand gripping the edge for support, to have a full view of your disheveled appearance -your skirt bunched up around your waist, shirt unbuttoned and falling off your shoulders and your breasts half pulled out of your bra. Sliding his rough palm up and down your exposed body, giving a squeeze to your flesh where he sees fit, his hand lands to rest atop your mound.

“Absolutely. I’ll have my secretary forward those emails to you ASAP.” As the word ‘secretary’ left his lips, his thumb dipped between your soaked lips and began gently rubbing your throbbing clitoris.

Your pussy clenched involuntary to the added stimulation pulling a groan from Seraphim, who covers it up like a cough, his eyes shoot you a warning glare. Whimpering behind your hand you close your eyes to focus and control your body but it’s near impossible to stop the convolutions of your neglected and stretched out cunt.

With your eyes screwed shut and all your attention being on Seraphim’s torturous thumb and twitching cock you didn’t notice his meeting was wrapping up till he pulled you back to reality by cupping the back of your neck and slamming his lips against yours in a frenzed kiss. Your hands tangle in his hair, messing the neatly tied bun at the back of his head.

“You did so good for me, Sweetheart.” His praise melts over you. A surprised yelp leaves your lips when you become weightless and are carried over to the leather couch on the other side of his office.

Sitting back on the couch with you straddling his lap, Seraphim makes work to strip you of your open shirt and bra. Tossing the needless clothing aside, his large hands palm your breasts, squeezing them hard and directing your nipple to his open mouth. His hot tongue laps at your hardening buds, going back and forth between the two. Pinching and pulling the one not occupied by his mouth, never leaving one unattended.

Your fingers dig into his shoulders as your hips unconsciously begin grinding against his. With both hands cupping your breasts Seraphim looks up at you, his eyes dilated with lust.

“That’s right, little bird, fuck yourself on my cock. You were so good during my meeting. Use my cock.” His low and gravelly voice didn’t have to tell you twice before you began forcefully riding him.

Cupping your hand over your mouth you capture your muffled cries of pleasure. Seraphims hands continue to grope your breasts and waist as he encourages your demanding movements, moans breaking up his words.

“By the Gods- Just like that, Sweetness. Ride my fucking cock. You’re such a good girl, taking me so fucking well. Fuck.”

Your body feels hot. The foreplay and the last forty-five minutes of sitting on your boss’s cock and him toying with your body with no give has finally caught up to you. Your head drops back as you get lost in the rhythm of your hips and the rough touch of his hands on your bare skin. Your thighs begin to burn with exhaustion but you refuse to let up your desperate pace.

“I can’t. Seraphim, please- ah.” You whine, trying to keep your voice down by burying your face in his sweat slick neck. You’re so close but your treacherous body wouldn’t let the coil in your belly snap. You can feel it build and build but never get to the apex of your pleasure. A balloon of frustration fills your chest as you helplessly rock your hips against Seraphim’s.

“Yes you can, Sweetheart.” He says, grabbing your neck and pulling you nose to nose. “Cause you aren’t getting off my cock till you cum and if you don’t I will make you fuck yourself till your legs give out. Do you understand me?” His domineering words pull another pitiful whimper from you because you know he would.

His free hand grips your ass cheek and begins assisting your movements, forcing your cunt to take his length faster and harder.

“Like that. Fuck yourself like you mean it.” You nod your head with a cry trapped in your throat. “Good girl. Your tight cunt is squeezing me so hard. You’re gonna cum, aren’t ya’? Cream all over your boss’s cock? Is that what you like?”

“Gods, yes.” You choke out as his grip on your throat tightens, cutting into your air.

“That’s right. Such a slutty little pussy. So needy and hungry for my cock. Look at you. You’re making such a mess on my lap. You should be ashamed of yourself. Falling apart like a bitch in heat.”

The combination of his cock bullying in your contracting walls and his demeaning words assaulting your ears you’ve dissolved into a whimpering mess, your moans being held back by his hand. Your finger nails dig into his muscled shoulder drawing a hiss from the panting man beneath you. Releasing your throat, allowing you full gulps of air, he puts an iron grip on your hip to help you keep your pace.

“Fuck, I’m gonna cum. Come on, Sweetheart. Cum for me. Cover my cock in your slick.” His hand on your ass moves between the two of you and begins scratching at your clit and that was what brought your tower down.

Pulling his hair you slam your lips against his, making him swallow your moans. Your body shakes under the weight of your orgasm. His rough fingers continue to rub your sensitive bud throughout your high.

Moaning into each other's mouths Seraphim shifts under you so he can pump himself up into your squelching cunt. His hips piston into you, pushing him closer to his end and he doesn’t stop as yours begins to deflate.

“Seraphim, wai-ah.” Overstimulation begins to set in as the powerful man beneath you seeks his own pleasure in your body.

“Hold on, Sweetness- gah. So fucking- shit. Just a little- Gods dammit, your cunt is perfect- ah. Broken up praises and moans fall from the man's lips as his hips continue their movements, faltering and skipping beats in the rhythm indicating his pending release.

“Fuck, Seraphim. Please- ah. Your arms are wrapped tightly around his neck as you try to keep your voice down in his neck. “Please, Seraphim. I need you to cum baby. Fuck- cum inside me, Seraphim -ah- please.” That was all he needed. You didn’t even get to finish your pleas when Seraphim’s hot ropes of cum began coating your constricting walls.

His hand tangles in your hair and pulls you into a heated kiss, drinking up all your shared moans of pleasure. Your hips stutter and shake as they milk the remaining semen spilling from Seraphim’s balls.

Strong arms hold your trembling body close, your foreheads resting against each other. The air between you is humid as you both try to catch your breaths and gain back control after your intense arousal. Large hands comb back your hair and opening your tired eyes you meet a gaze mirroring the same feelings you have.

Lust. Tiredness. Satisfaction.

The two of you stay connected for a few more minutes till Seraphim breaks the silence.

“You okay? Ya’ think you can get up?” You chuckle lightly.

“Yeah. Do you think anyone heard us?” You ask, your face heating up after realizing that in the moment you may have not been as quiet as you hoped you were. He just titters back as you both stand up to collect your clothes.

“Honestly, I couldn’t care less if anyone did.” He says shamelessly while tucking himself back in his ruined pants, the evidence of your communion showing in white blotches on his black slacks. Before you could react and get a wet towel to clean him up your neck is grabbed and pulled into another earth shattering kiss.

“You’re mine. Let them hear. They should know who you belong to.” Your mouth is dry as you look up at him and nod your head. He smiles pulling out your panties from his blazer pocket, handing them to you. “Now put these back on and keep my cum inside you. Don’t make me have to fill you again.” His lips catch yours once more before pulling away to go wash up in his connected bathroom.

“Yes, Sir.”

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this interaction & feedback are always appreciated :)

If you want to be tagged for any of my up coming posts plz direct message me

~ Kinktober Masterlist ~ ~ Blog Masterlist ~

💛 ~

#kinktober #kinktober 2022 #netflix blood of zeus #blood of zeus #boz #boz smut #blood of zeus seraphim #blood of zeus seraphim x reader #boz seraphim #boz seraphim x reader #seraphim x reader #x reader #smut #*nsfw

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heroofspiritsisthebestlink · 1 year

Text

VHAD NATION

I wrote another fic! This time, I think it’s short enough to just slap on here. I also want to thank @creativeskull95 for letting me use their OC, Maia! Please, give their stuff a look as well.

Without further ado, let’s begin.

A Dream Is A Wish Your Core Makes

"Lock down the whole building. We can't risk that thing getting in."

The overly sweaty humans on the screen started bickering between themselves, as Thad began to zone out for the 13th time tonight. He really was trying to keep up with the movie, but it bored him so much that he was genuinely starting to wonder if his motivator was malfunctioning. A quick hit on the pause button and a two minute full body-scan later revealed that, no, the flick was just that asinine. It didn't help that it was getting a little late, or that this was his third attempt at trying to watch the whole thing through. Horror was boring him, somehow. Living in an isolationist, paranoid society that was constructed from the fear of death made dramatized fiction like this feel artificial and numbing. At least, that's what he supposed. He rubbed his eyes and slumped back into the sofa, maybe he'll give it a fourth shot tomorrow.

His eyes went wide in surprise as the sound of a ventilation grid hitting the floor behind him brought him back to reality. When the initial shock passed, he looked over his shoulder and sighed in relief as a familiar, tall figure lowered herself into his hallway. Adjusting her hair, she then waved at him.

"Hey." Said V. "Pod got a little cramp and I got bored."

"That makes two of us." Said Thad, throwing a flabby hand up at the running TV. V chuckled, making herself at home by casually throwing herself on the sofa and putting her legs on the armrest.

"So what's on?" She asked, leaning up against his side.

"'The Instance,' or something. School assignment. We're supposed to watch horror movies to study how humans..." He picked up the paper laying on the table, digital eyes squinting to find a specific paragraph. "'...Use suspense and scares to engage their viewers.' This gotta be the worst movie in the world to show that. Thanks Teach." Thad threw the paper into the air and leaned back again, putting his hands behind his head.

"Dunno about all that, but I'm sure as hell entertained. Look at that guy's wig!" She cackled, pointing a stray claw at the screen. Thad rolled his eyes, but couldn't deny he was smirking. A wig that spiky did look a little out of place. He found himself earnestly smiling for the first time while watching this movie. Maybe it'd be easier to stay awake if he had someone to banter with.

As it turns out, it wasn't so bad if you just had company. They poke fun at the flimsy plot and all the oddities of humanity. V is especially snarky today, mockingly questioning every part of the movie from the character's illogical actions to their fashion choices. The former huntress exercised great comedic skill as she efficiently disassembled the poor Worker Drone's mask, leaving him gasping for air as she continued her assault on his Funny Code. They couldn't stop giggling.

As they finally managed to get past the 60-minute mark, the movie picked up considerably. It was at least interesting enough to make the two drones shift around in their seating and graduate from limp blobs to sitting normally. The characters had eventually gotten into a predicament interesting enough to get invested in. The guy with the spiky wig even got taken away. And then the movie's climactic horror scene happened. The movie's monster, some cloaked creature, had seemingly cornered a large group of characters in a foyer. Then, the carnage began. The monster lunged at the defenseless meat-bags and mercilessly culled them. Bodies were ripped apart, limbs were torn off, screams peaked and died out, and blood was splattered on the walls to such a gruesome degree that would almost be comical if it wasn't so disturbingly familiar. But it was with humans, so Thad could stomach it. He side-eyed V to gauge her reaction, she was being oddly quiet. V looked unnerved. The eyes on her visor had dilated into pupil-less circles. It was getting to her. It was too familiar. Same old horrors. It was too much.

The screen froze as two, grey vertical blocks stared back at her. Thad had paused the movie.

"Do you wanna watch something else?" He asked. V blinked, pupils returning.

"...Isn't this an assignment?"

"It can wait. I have the whole week." He didn't, but this felt more important. Stepping out of the sofa, he waved her over to a shelf with a bunch of plastic casings. DVDs, she realized. Thad began digging through them all, taking them out one by one and having increasingly indifferent reactions to the covers. Looking over the collection, V started to browse herself. Noticing an oddly fancy, glittery one, she took it out. 'Cinderella.'

"What's this?" V asked, staring at the cartoon woman on the cover with intensity, as if trying to gauge whether or not the woman may have the fire powers the title implied.

"Oh, that's my sister's. We can put it on though." He offered with an endorsing tone. V plucked the disc from its casing and threw the plastic over her shoulder, inserting it into the DVD player and hitting Play with her tail. Taking a seat next to Thad again, she waited with her hands resting on her lap. After a few seconds of unusually old static, the archaic sound of filtered horns filled the room.

Cinderella~

If you give your heart a chance

Thad smiled. He couldn't remember the last time he had watched this with Maia, but the melody brought back many memories of his sister gleefully singing along to all the songs. V had nothing to say. She just watched unblinking as colorful graphics painted several pictures to a beautiful song. She said nothing as the pleasant narration introduced her to a nostalgic setting. She didn't question how the woman could converse with animals, or how they could help her shower. It was just a story about a servant girl dreaming of more, and that was enough for her to escape in.

No matter how your heart is grieving

If you keep on believing...

———————————————————————

When Maia woke up early in the morning, she was confused to find a metal grate on the floor in their hallway. Tip-toeing around it, she kept quiet as she sneaked into the living room, expecting to find her brother fast asleep on the sofa once again. Her hand flew up to her mouth to choke the gasp she nearly let out, as next to her brother slept a much larger, scarier girl. A Murder Drone, or, a 'Disassembly Drone,' as she had tried to learn, was cuddling up to Thad in a paradoxically sweet embrace. Looking over them, Maia could also see that the girl had wrapped her tail around Thad's leg. The drone had a big yellow SLEEP MODE sign on her visor, with text beneath reading 'DO NOT DISTURB' in threatening, bold letters. But even if she was really scary, Maia also thought she was really pretty. She was like a sleeping princess, but with big scary wings and teeth.

As silently as possible, Maia began tracing her steps backwards to leave, but was startled to hear her foot step into something crunchy. Panicked, she looked down. It was the casing to her Cinderella DVD. Why was that there? Looking back up, she gasped. Wide, terrified eyes met squinting, groggy ones. The murder princess was awake. With a surprisingly gentle smile, the big girl winked at her, quietly shushing her with a finger. More embarrassed than afraid, Maia turned around and quickly ran into her room.

#murder drones #murder drones thad #serial designation v #vhad

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aceofstars16 · 5 months

Text

Extra Fingers

Before I finished rewriting Trapped in the Past, I perused some old Gravity Falls fics that I wrote but never posted.

This is one of those fics! Though it's part of an AU, so I'll give a little backstory for y'all so it makes more sense haha

Half a Home is an AU that I created with @mandaloriandragontrainer back when we both first got into Gravity Falls. The basis is that Mabel and Dipper are separated at birth and Dipper is raised by Ford after his dad and grandparents die (it's a lot of angst, but also cute fluff, as in the case of this fic)

I also made some more notes about the AU/fic on the AO3 post, but you can read the fic below as well.

Ford frowned as he looked at the equation in front of him. Something was wrong with it, but he didn’t quite know what. Tapping his pen against his lip, he hummed to himself, only to laugh a little as he heard the hum mimicked a second later by the three-year-old in his lap.

“What do you think, Dipper?” Ford lowered the paper in front of his great nephew, whose frown looked scarily like his own.

“Too many…” Dipper said quietly, and Ford chuckled lightly and ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Yes, I suppose this may be a little too complex for you at the moment…”

With an arm wrapped around Dipper to keep him from falling off of his lap, Ford turned his attention back to the equation. That is until he felt tiny fingers touching each of his fingers, only to stop for a few seconds, then start again.

Glancing down at Dipper, Ford saw the boy’s eyes furrowed in concentration as he touched each of Ford’s fingers again, only to stop and touch each of his own small fingers in turn.

“Six…five…Uncle Ford…did…did I lose a finger?”

A very unflattering laugh broke out from Ford's mouth before he could stop himself, shaking his head as Dipper continued to look in confusion between his fingers and Ford.

Trying to curb his amusement, Ford shook his head again. “No, Dipper, you didn’t lose a finger. I just…happen to have an extra one.” As he spoke, he wiggled his fingers and Dipper looked on with big eyes.

For a moment, there was silence as Dipper looked at Ford’s hands and then his own.

Then, “I want another finger…”

Biting his lip to keep from laughing again, Ford took Dipper’s small hand in his. “Trust me, Dipper, you have all the fingers you need. And almost anyone else you meet will have five fingers too. Besides-" Ford cut himself off before he could continue. Dipper didn’t need to know that his extra digit had caused its fair share of pain and embarrassment for him. Despite being so young, Dipper had a very keen sense of emotion, especially when it came to any time Ford mentioned his past.

“I still want another one…” Dipper said, looking at his hand as if by staring at it he could make another finger appear, which resulted in Ford chuckling more.

“Well I’m afraid I can’t do much about that…but I think it’s about time we take a break and go outside. What do you say?”

A grin broke out on Dipper’s face and he nodded quickly.

Matching his great nephew’s smile, Ford moved his arm and Dipper shot to the ground, racing to the back door.

“Wait for me!” Ford called, not even trying to hold back a laugh. It was crazy to think that it had almost been a year since Dipper had come into his life. He had to admit, there were still days when he wondered if he was doing the right thing. Academic knowledge wasn’t exactly in the same field as raising a kid. But every time he felt in over his head, Dipper would grin, or laugh, or look at Ford with the biggest eyes and the fear eased. It had been so long since he'd had family that actually cared about him for more than just his brains and accomplishments, not since… Shaking his head, Ford pushed the thought away. He couldn’t think about his brother. Because if he did, he would fall into a hole that was nearly impossible to get out of…but as he watched Dipper rushing towards the tree line, he couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, one person might be able to help him out of that hole.

#half a home au #gravity falls au #gravity falls #dipper pines #ford pines #stanford pines #gravity falls fanfiction #aceo writes things #half a home

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kashuan · 1 year

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Hi I love your art style! Especially how dynamic your poses and how distinct and expressive your faces are.

For somebody currently struggling with their own style, do you mind sharing how you got to where you got? Probably lots of studies, right? 😅

Did you focus on realism and built your more stylized take on that? I'm mostly a digital artist but I have heard that practicing a lot with pencil and paper may help, do you have any experiences with that?

I'd love to hear if you have any advice <3

Hey! First of all, thanks so much! ♥

In terms of stylization, aiming for and sticking to a single style is something I've heard that some people do, but was never something I really thought about too much myself. I started by just copying the artists I liked, so in the beginning I was just mimicking another's style 1:1 for the most part. After doing that with several artists, the styles naturally started to blend together, until I was eventually able to develop a more conscious sensibility of what I did/didn't want to include, which just comes through a lot of the practice. Over the years my style has been really all over the place, from Extremely anime influenced, to western comic book style and cartoonish, to fairly strict realism, to where I am now which I think is something like stylized realism. It's inevitable that you'll go through a few styles as you grow as an artist, even if you're only sticking to one genre, and I believe it's important to allow that to happen, rather than trying to strictly force yourself to stick to one in specific. I don't draw in the styles I used to, but I think little touches of it still remain in my current one, which I think helps give it a little bit of uniqueness. In regard to my current style though, yes, I do studies from life almost every day to help me keep a strong grasp on realistic anatomy as well as to continue to grow my understanding of it. I use references too with almost all my drawings, but then I add stylization on top of it, which is something I wasn't able to do with much success until I had been practicing for years, so don't be discouraged if this is a struggle. I will say though as soon as I began to do studies regularly, my improvement went like 500% faster than it had before; just about the only thing I wish I'd done differently on my journey with art would have been to start doing studies from life sooner. So if stylized realism is a style you're interested in, I can't recommend that enough! And even for more cartoonish styles, the better your understanding of forms and anatomy, the easier time you'll have exaggerating it confidently, tbh. Re: digital versus pen and paper, this isn't so much related to style specifically, but even as a primarily digital artist myself, I highly recommend getting in some practice with real media too. It forces you to be more deliberate and decisive with your mark making, especially if you're using something like pen-- once the line is made, you can't erase it-- and that skill carries over to how you draw your lines digitally. I still try to do pen studies at least once a month and I think it definitely influences the confidence of my digital lines. Lastly, I'd also say keeping some sort of inspiration board is a great tool. I have a side blog for saving pieces that I see which I would like to incorporate elements of into my own style, whether because I liked the way the figure was posed, the expressions, the artist's mark making, the composition, the interaction between the subjects, etc. There's so much like that which all goes into influencing an artist's specific style and it's really interesting to think about when you consider what you want from your own! Whenever I'm feeling a little dry on inspiration I look through my dash over there or in the folder of inspiration I've saved and it almost always helps get some new ideas flowing. Like I said, I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to focus in on just one specific style and constrain yourself that way, but to instead consider how you'd like to use bits and pieces of many styles can be very helpful to growing your own. There's a whole lot more than can be said on this subject, but I hope this much is of some help to you ♥♥

#i've also been rereading one of my favorite books on style recently that i've been intending to post some excerpts from soon #it says a lot of things far more eloquently than I could so maybe also look for that post i make in the near future :D

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myfeetkeepdancing · 2 years

Text

Nathan Drake x Male Reader

(Find the pervious two parts in my masterlist)

From your sitting, you could see the night sky veiling the bustling city of Berlin. A luxurious penthouse with ample room to vacate people. The hours crept by behind your laptop. Steady and slowly, the night sky went dark, and the moon illuminated the long slab of granite from the table. An extravagant piece of furniture that could accommodate a tenfold of people at once. So could the rest of the penthouse.

The table lay covered in maps, layers upon layers of different eras. Folders lay left and right. The tapping of your fingers on the keyboard killed the everlasting silence hanging in the place. "Are you trying to sneak in, or are you waiting for me to offer you a drink?" You call out casually. Pushing the folder beside you to a close.

"How the hell did you know?" The voice coming from the other side of the room. With a slight turn of your head, adjusting your eyes to the darkness, you notice Nathan in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe. "I came in from the roof, dangled myself in through the window." Jabbing a thumb over his shoulder. "Couldn't have tripped an alarm."

"You didn't. I was expecting you. One of your aliases came up on one of the passenger lists earlier today." Leaning back against the chair, folding your arms. "I'm surprised you can still get away with it."

"I'm not as wanted as you are." Fishing out his phone, Nathan shows an article with a blurred image of you. Underneath the picture was a hefty sum printed in fat digits. The reward for the golden tip.

"Flattering."

"So, you've been expecting me?" Eying the room from his position. He was clearly hesitant to take the first step into the room as he put his phone away. "What and where's the welcoming committee? Bombs? Lasers? Tasers? Electrified net…?"

"Oh yeah…" Pointing out one of the two slabs of stone in front of him. "Please step on the one marked 'X.'"

"Funny." He chuckles and leans slightly forward, checking the ceiling anyway. "I can't see the anvil hanging." With the slightest feelings of mistrust, Nathan pushes himself into the room. A sense of relief washes over him as everything stays quiet. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he makes his way through the room, kicking the dirt a little. Wondering and pondering around. "So… you've been following me all this time?"

"Yes and no. Computer does most of the work." Ticking the screen of your laptop and turn in your seat, keeping an eye on Nathan. He wasn't to be trusted. Before you know it, he could probably snatch an entire map under your very eyes.

"You're saying-…" He lingers on his words, slowly walking past the large table. Eyeing the papers you had laid before you. "-...I never had the element of surprise?" With that charming smile of his, he puts a certain weight behind his question. That playful glint. Slowly continuing his stroll in your direction.

"I don't know what you had in mind." You say, and trace his every finger along with your paperwork. Watch him push aside photos. Read little notes. "But no, not since you bought your flying ticket." From the look on his face, you can tell he's trying to piece together your possible target. Scanning back and forth between maps and overlays. Trying to figure it out like a jigsaw puzzle. Piece by piece. "You're… getting sloppy, Nathan."

You can tell he's holding back a remark. Only that little smile showing. Sucking on his lips. Pushing the chair aside beside you, Nathan seating himself onto the table. Planting his ass directly on your work. He lets his legs dangle over the edge. Resting his elbows on his knees, he leans forward, leveling with you on eyesight. "Something got you distracted…?" You go again.

"Who knows…" He grins, as if he did it on purpose, the ring hanging on this small cord slips from under his shirt. Dangling in front of you. Like a hypnotizing charm. "We were off to such a great start." From the corner of your eyes, you watch his hands reach for your laptop. You let him. With a push of his finger, he slowly pushes the laptop to a close. "I forgot where we left…"

"Probably the itch between your buttcheeks…" With your finger, you hook into the cord and pull him ever so slightly closer. Almost to the point of falling off the table. A pervy smile grows on his face as you lean in. Closing the distance and connecting your lips. It's been a while since you tasted his lips again. Felt his embrace. A feeling of longing and wanting flowed through the kiss. It's a tender start. Humming into it. Savoring it. Nathan's one hand reached to hold you, touch you, but has to keep himself from falling. Deepening the kiss in response.

"Expecting company…?" You murmur as you rise to your feet. Only leaving his lips for a second. "I can see the holster under your jacket." Nathan's legs are already spread wide open, welcoming you. You fill that space by stepping in. Drawn into it.

"Security reasons." Kissing you back fiercely. Nathan's arms wrap around you. His legs curl around your back. Locking you into his embrace as you lower yourself onto the table. "I'm also packing heavier equipment." He teases. Feeling his hands caress your sides. Feel you up. And your pockets. You keep eye contact all the while. Both knowing what you're doing.

So does Nathan. He's still a thief, after all. You try to stop him, regardless of the heat of the moment. You push him further onto the table. Pulling one arm free from your pockets. Locking his wrist on the table.

"Playing a dangerous game… Nate." And find his lips again. But work your way along his smooth face. Caress his jawline. Kiss his neck. Sucking the skin. Nathan's moans were a delight echoing in your ear. You can already feel him rub against you. Hard and wanting. "Why are you here, Nathan?" You reach inside his jacket and into one of his holsters. He doesn't stop you, he just smiles a little as he enjoys the moment. Feeling your hand brush over his pec. Those firm muscles teasing you. "Fully loaded… and a round in the chamber?"

"There's more." You notice a teasing play of fingers curling around your wrist. But are captivated by Nathan's charm. Lusting eyes gazing deeply into yours. "Feel free to… strip me of my holster." His jacket lay open, showing the brown leather double holster. The other gun still present.

"Don't try…" And smash his wrist back into the table. His fingers were trying to pry loose the steel sports watch on your wrist. The watch you took from Nathan. A shot of pain winced through his face. You detect a small hint of irritation. But you make yourself clear. "That stays with me now." And let go slowly. Nathan accepting. His arms reach around your neck. Wanting to pull you closer.

"Of all the places…" He asked almost to the point of being breathless in the kiss. "w-why… Berlin?"

"I'd show you why… If you wouldn't be all over it." And throw yourself back into the kiss, pushing aside the valuable papers and maps. Nathan follows you, struggling to discard his jacket. And you sure as not going to help him. You just feel him up. Enjoy him again. Climbing on the table. "You rather be in a warm, humid and stinking swamp hacking your way through vines while sweating like a pig? Sleep in tents… Live off rations…"

"I don't mind getting sweaty." Nathan's hand glides around the nape of your neck. Stroking the little hairs, admiring you. Accepting whatever happened next. Picking on your shirt, urging you to peel it from your body. This smirk growing on his face. "I fucking missed this…"

A sharp ring of the doorbell kills the mood entirely. Both of you shoot glances back and forth between the hall and each other. "What the fuck did you do, Nathan?!" Jumping onto your feet and take a second to assess the situation. Weigh your options.

Both breathing fast and heavily, it's the only thing you hear. Nathan is still on his back. Both on edge. Sharp as can be. Hyperfocused. Watching each other. Mistrusting each move of a muscle. Following each other's line of sight. "You ratted me out?!"

"I didn't do anything!" He hushed in a lowered voice. "I swear!" Trying to find his footing, but you don't let him. You both see the gun beside him. The distance is to your disadvantage. Nathan's position is his. You both pounce on it like a wild animals. Hands and fingers collide. But a foot to your stomach kicks both the air and the respect for Nathan out of you. A kick violent enough to make you lose your footing and crash into the chair behind you. Which sends you to the floor.

"Don't…!" Nathan's words fall short as the doorbell goes again. Voices come from the door that you can't make out exactly. Neither can Nathan as you both stare in the direction. Nathan jumps to his feet as well as you scramble to your feet. A wipe with the back of your hand along your nose affirms there was no blood. The thought spiked through your mind as Nathan's expression turned gravely. Staring at you with big eyes. "I'm sorry." Holding out a hand to you. "It-… It wasn't... I didn't mean to."

"You made a big mistake…" You hiss through your clenched teeth and ignore his helping hand. With the help of the fallen chair, you rush back onto your feet. Dusting yourself down and pushing the folds from your clothing. Nathan takes a step back as he notices your balled fist. Perhaps in time. Who knows. But you fight the urge to hit him. "I'll handle whoever's at the door. You lay low. Or I swear…" Showing him a balled fist. "I'll ask this once. Gimme… a… gun."

"No…" Nathan responds outright. Sheathing it in his holster and straightens his jacket. "I… can't let you take that risk. We don't know-..."

"Whatever happens next… is on you." You mouth furiously at him. "You know who's behind that fucking door…" And storm off towards the door. "...-you let them here in the first place, Nathan." The exchange may have lasted only seconds in total, but you can't keep whoever is out there waiting. The sound and discussion only added to the confusion. "Denying me a gun is a final piece that adds to my suspicion."

Turning the corner into the hallway, you're conflicted in either announcing your arrival or waiting. Indecision strikes you once again. Nailed to the floor. Death loomed everywhere. Nathan could shoot you in the back if he wanted you. Club you in the head. The person on the other side of that door could deliver the same fates. You swallow and mentally push yourself to open the door. "G-Goodevening." Your voice cracks a little as you open the door. "So s-sorry to keep you waiting." Stutters and the like not helping you.

Two German Police Officers stare at you with stale, cold, and hard faces. Both are older of age. A size larger than you. Instinctually you swallow from nervousness and being overwhelmed. They seem taken aback for a moment by your language. Taking a second to adjust.

"Ehm… Gutevening." The one older men spoke with a thick heavy accent. Trying to find the right words and tone. "Whe got a call from conzcering neighbors about movement… on zhe roof. Your roof. Somethzing about a man. Are you aware of dis?"

"I'm… not aware. No." You try to shake it off and cut short the conversation. "But all is fine here." Giving him a thumbs up and a fake smile. A slight unease crept in as they just stood there. Both look past you into the hallway and further on. "Nothing to worry about here."

"Are you… living here alone?" The second man's chest radio clicked and buzzed, relaying a message. It's German and spoken so incredibly quick and in an accent that understanding it was far more complicated than imagined. The policeman replied with a short answer as he checked his watch and returned his attention to you.

What was it about? The thought lingered in your head. Was it about you?

"Yes." You answer short and direct. The man's gaze was stark and penetrating. It's as if he's looking right through your lies. "Yes, I am." It takes both of them a few seconds to get the right words. But it adds to the nerve-wracking sensation and paranoia that was slowly taking over. Your heart is pounding heavier and heavier in your chest. Blood racing. Hands clammy.

"We heard zome noise when we were waiting ghere." The first policeman said, looking at you strangely. That stern gaze locking you on the spot. "Have you been on zhe roof?"

"No. I don't see a reason to. I heard nothing."

"Zhould we… come in and help you check. Just to make sure?" The second policeman offered kindly. "It's a big… place after all."

"No, thank you. That won't be necessary." Flashing him a fake smile, again, you show intentions of closing the door. "Do you mind…?"

"Is everythzing alright, sir?" The second policeman steps in, placing a hand on the door. Holding you from closing it. His eyes narrow, trying to focus on you. But the rather low light conditions don't seem to help. The other policeman takes his torch from his belt, shining it down the hall. You find yourself blinded for a second before you point it beside you. "You look… tense.

"Nervous." The other man adds with a thick accent.

"It's nothing." You chuckle politely. "I-I… wasn't expecting police. I've had a rough day."

"If you hear anythzing, or komes up…" The first policeman fishes into the lining of his vest. Revealing a small card with his name and number. "-... don't hezitate to call uz."

"We patrol zhe area ghere." And nods to you taking his hand off the door. "We're only minutez away." The sentence is meant to give you a sense of security. But it works completely opposite. The thought of the police in striking distance all the time is unsettling, to say the least.

"Thank you." With a slightly shaking hand, you accept the card. Pushing into your pocket. "And a goot night." Wanting to slam the door close. But you know you can't. The two men stare and watch you with this penetrating gaze. As if they're waiting for an on-the-spot confession. Or expect a sound coming from within the house.

"And wizh who… did we… have the pleasure of talking?" The way he voiced the question was slow, but overly intimidating. The accent not helping him.

"Nathan." You said fluently without any hesitation in your voice. And without a second thought. "I'm Nathan Drake."

"Alright, Mister Drake." The first policeman nodded and locked his thumbs in his belt. "Could you spell out your last name?" He watched his other colleague whipping out a booklet and pen.

But both clattered to the floor. Their faces contort with pain. Both men jolted on their spot. Spasms rocked their bodies as you spotted Nathan behind them. Unable to control their muscles. Pressing something to the back of their necks. In reflex, they try to reach for it, but the voltage is way too high, and a second later, their conscious slips and muscles give in. Crashing to their knees and head face-first into the floor. Nathan stood proud behind them, dual-wielding your modified tasers. "That wasn't very clever, (Y/N)..."

"This is…?!" You hiss and run a hand through your hair. Passing back and forth the hallway. Nathan meanwhile checked their pulses. A thousand thoughts and more race through your mind. The one more conflicting than the other.

"They're alive." He smiled while glancing at you. "Lend a hand, will ya?" Pulling on the arm of one of the officers. Dragging the body along the floor into the penthouse.

"What are you doing?" Stopping him. "They'll wake up... in here. I definitely don't want that." Nathan blatantly drops the body he's trying to drag. Propping his arms to his sides. Beginning to get annoyed too.

"You want to throw them out of the building or what?"

"I wanted to let them leave! Which they were about to do!"

"You used my name! They were gonna check it... and then come back here!"

"Still the better outcome." You shoot back. "Their station expects a response within the next few minutes, which they don't get because of your stupidity." Kicking one of the tasers across the hallway. "You guess what happens next!"

"You don't have to lecture me! Cause this isn't ALL… my fault, (Y/N)!"

"If you just used the door, none of this would have happened!" And turn your back on him and walk away. A drink. A strong drink is what you needed right now. You were fuming. Hot with anger and rage.

"Would you just let me-…" Nathan called out, hearing his footsteps follow you. Not finishing his sentence. "...-how about working on a solution?" A hand takes hold of your shoulder. Nathan's firm grasp. Pulling you. "There are pl-..."

A dull thud cracked through the room. A burning sensation and stinging pain pulsed through your hand. Nathan looked at you bewildered. His hand reached for the side of his face. The very spot you just landed a blow against.

It hurt Nathan for sure. A balled fist. Right to the side of his face. It happened in the heat of the moment. Clouded by anger and rage.

The pain in your hand grew. The knuckles turned red, and your fingers began to feel numb. That entire punch had reverberated through your body. You were shaking on your feet. Cradling one hand with the other. You stare at each other. You point out your suitcase, but the words stoke in your throat. "That's… That's what y-y-y-…."

You saw it coming, but also not. A cracking blow connected to the side of your head. The world spun on its axle, as a haze of colors blurred your vision. Your brain short-circuited for a brief second. It sends you stumbling on your footing. Trying to blink away the blur and dizziness, you stumble left and right. Nathan's blow hit fast and hard. You felt it through your entire body. For what it's worth, the anger had subsided. It cleared your head. But the pain was something else. The headache. Your jaw. "W-We're… even n-now." Nathan breathed out. "Fuckin' hell." Rubbing his cheek and gives himself a breather by leaning against the back of a couch. "This… escalated way… quickly."

"You fucking… suck..." And cough a little finding your balance against the table. A few meters opposite Nathan. Allowing for a moment of self-reflection. You both come to your senses. "I don't have time… for this..." Trying to shake the growing headache, you head towards your laptop and stuff.

"Hold up…." Following you after testing his balance the first few steps. "You're bleeding."

With big sweeps of your arm across the table, you collect as many papers as you possibly can into one large pile. To add to your growing frustration, important ones will fold, crease, and might lose crucial details. But you have to live with it for now. Stuffing it quickly into the folder, you continue on the large maps, folding them in on themselves.

Nathan was right. Drops of blood fell onto the paper. Forming large stains, seeping onto the underlying ones.

"Stop…" Nathan's hand smashes into yours, pulling it from the papers and documents. His other hand forces you away from the table, pressing a white napkin to your nose. "Talk to me…" Forcing eye contact up close. Wiping the blood from your nostrils with the touch of a lover's stroke. "What's the plan?"

"There isn't, Nathan. This is all I have." Pointing out the suitcase lying open, contents messy and partially spilled across various chairs. Partly because he had dug around and found the tasers, he used. "I need to gather my stuff as quickly as I can and get out of here."

"Wait…(Y/N)." Cradling the side of your face on the inside of his hand. Thumb stroking your cheek. Trying to control you. "Isn't that… a-… a… bit overreacting?"

"No, Nathan. They know my face. Your name. Europe isn't safe anymore."

"What? No… I don't follow." He looked at you confused. "You think they'll connect us?"

"I rather not find out. I can't travel by plane, train or boat. Not to mention cross a border like any normal person would. I have no time to lose. Thanks to you..."

"What kind of guilt trip are you dragging me-..."

"You changed everything, Nathan!" Tears welled in the corner of your eyes. "Always and everywhere! For years I saw you as my nemesis. A healthy competitor."

"We… still have that rivalry." He stuttered a little, taken aback by your show of emotions.

"Yes… And I'm thankful you saved me on that little gold treasure hunt. Spared me. Even shared with me. Yet you continued to hunt… less treasures… and more me… like an animal."

"C'mon. You and I got something. Like we always did, like the old days, you know, part the game-..."

"THIS ISN'T A GAME!" You yelled at him with all the bottled-up frustration finding its release. "You destroyed everything… I had Nathan! You and I were rivals and petty fugitives to the law. Treasure hunters. Mere annoyances to the system. But you changed my life forever! Because of you… I became a criminal, a tax evader, a smuggler, and a world… wide… criminal! You are the reason I have a bounty on my head!" Nathan took it all in. Watching you. You imagine him picking his next words wisely. But you know Nathan better than anyone by now. "Yet here I am… Here we are…"

"We changed." He whispered, slowly easing his lips from the kiss. "The thrill of the chase… The hunt. It has changed us. Who we are. Who we trust. And how we see the world."

"That's it?!" You try to step away, back out of this idiotic reasoning.

"Wait…" Nathan didn't allow you. A serious and concerned look crept into his expression. "I'm working my way to an apology." Pulling you back in. "I need you… t-to listen to me."

"Nathan… I-...." Your anger was sealed and locked by his lips again.

"Whatever changed, for the good or the better. I'm sorry for what I did. And what I might do in the future. I'm far from perfect. But I'm just as lost as you are. We're always on the run. If it's not from the law, then it's from ourselves or each other. Pushed by our feelings."

"I'm not lost." Trying to blink away the tears. "I… d-don't know what you're trying to get at."

"You keep telling yourself that. It's instinctual. It's a habit by now. Each treasure map I look at, each clue and trail I follow, each puzzle I solve. I keep finding myself… tracing back to you. We always find each other."

"What are you trying to say, Nathan?"

"I live out of a backpack I left out on the roof. Just like you. I have nothing left." Cradling your face with both his hands. Tears welling in the corner of his eyes. "I know what you feel." Slowly letting his forehead rest against yours. "I want your trust. I need it." His voice cracked, trying to contain his emotions. "I need you… to trust me." Reinforcing his words with a kiss. Deep and lingering. Holding you. "Please… I know it's hard after all I've done. And that it feels like starting all over again. That there's no light at the end of the tunnel. But I know a way out. Away from here. From…our… past. Our… way out."

"If I do… If we do… Is that even possible?"

"If you take this step, I promise you… you won't regret it." Pressing his lips to you. "Please… (Y/N)." He begs you, glancing over his shoulder. Time is ticking. And you know it all too well. "I will set right the wrong I did. I promise… whatever comes next. Whatever you choose. I'll be the best version of myself... for you..."

"W-Where would we… g-go if we run?”

"I'll think of something." Nathan smiled thinly, wiping the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. A sparkle of hope filled his eyes. "Far away from here. We get a car… somewhere. And just drive. There are enough mysteries around the world for us… to discover and unearth. I want to do that… with you. Instead of against you."

"Is that… why you're here?"

"I'll take a bullet for you, (Y/N)." He kissed you and pulled you in for a tight hug. It almost felt like a goodbye regardless of what he offered. As if he came to peace with whatever decision you'd make.

"If you don't want to… take this…" A trembling hand passes you one of his guns. Folding your fingers onto the grip. Turning the gun in your hand against his own. The cold steel weighed heavily in your hands as the barrel poked into his stomach.

"Shoot me… Make it look the way you want. You decide what happens next…" A tear rolled down his cheek as he gazed lovingly at you. "Thank you for listening to me." As the tear continued to roll, it caught the crease of his lips—a tender smile growing. "I know I'm insufferable."

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