🍎🐈‍⬛

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐋&𝐃𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐒

tags : fluff!!! gn reader. est relationship. 1.2k words. a/n : ik v-day is over but i just have to post one just bcs !!! this is sooo late bcs school is a pain in the ass. reblogs are highly encouraged and very much appreciated! <3

𝐗𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐑 ‧₊˚ ✩ ₊˚ ⊹ ♡ 

"Hey, did you know it's Valentine's Day today?"

"What?"

"Wait, don't tell me you don't know what that is." You teased him, not really expecting that he might not know. Yet he looks down, looking a little shy.

Wait, is this for real? He actually doesn't know??

You cleared your throat to mask your giggle. "Well, for your information, it's a special day to spend with loved ones and friends."

You leave out the part where it's focused on lovers, thinking you might sound like you're hinting something. Little did you know he actually knew what today was and found it quite cute how you brought it up.

"Ahh right." He says as if he finally remembered. He tries his best to refrain from grinning so much and showing his intentions.

"Then..." he trailed off, slowly meeting your eyes as you looked at him.

"Shall we go out later?"

The first time you saw him, you already knew that you would inevitably fall for this precious man, and when he speaks so softly and genuinely while holding such warmth and fondness in his eyes while looking at you, you can't help but get weak in the knees and fall for him all over again (as if you don't already do everyday). "S-sure. I'm looking forward to it."

He blessed your eyes with such a gorgeous smile. "Great. Where do you want to go?"

You end up dropping by the plaza where countless stalls are set up, a variety of foods and gifts being sold. You both ate snacks and took pictures, enjoying every second of the time spent together.

As it was getting late, you both decided to call it a day, but not before Xavier got back as he wanted to check out something. You were surprised that he came back with a bouquet in his hands.

"I told the old man I chatted with earlier while I was going around that I would come back and buy some flowers from him. He said I should give it to someone I consider dearest to me."

He slowly hands it to you, a warm smile on his lips. "Thank you for today, I had such a great time. I hope you enjoyed as much as I did, and I hope you'll accompany me to celebrate this day every year."

𝐙𝐀𝐘𝐍𝐄 ‧₊˚ ✩ ₊˚ ⊹ ♡ 

You find yourself in front of Dr. Zayne's office after you intentionally scheduled an appointment with him on February 14. Although he might be busy, you were planning to ask him out today if ever that he was free.

You take in a deep breath. After knocking, you hear him respond with a "Come in."

After everything has been settled and finding that you're as healthy as you can be, you immediately started another conversation. "What are your plans today?"

He looks at you and his face is normal as usual, though you thought you saw a glimpse of surprise on his face for a split second. "Not much, just some paperwork left and I'm done for the day. Why'd you ask?"

Right. Of course he had things to do. "Nothing, just curious."

"What about you? Do you have plans left for today?"

"Nope. I'll just be heading home."

"If you're not in a rush to head home and call it a day, would you care to wait for a few more minutes and go out with me afterwards?"

You were taken aback by how straightforward he is that you embarassingly choke on nothing.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, I'm fine really." You speak after putting back enough air in your lungs. "Sure, I'll be waiting here. Take your time."

He smiles at you before facing the computer and focusing while you sit there scrolling on your phone. (little did you know deep down he's happy that his plan was a success as he actually already made up his mind that he would spend today with you)

It didn't take long before he was finished. It's as if he unlocked 100% of his brain power.

You end up walking in the plaza, buying food and playing games. Of course, Zayne always lets you win whether he plans it or not. He didn't really mind losing to you. How could he when he couldn't help but stare at you that he loses focus?

It was starting to get dark while you were taking a stroll. There was a comforting silence surrounding the both of you before Zayne broke it. "Look, they're your favorite, aren't they?" He points at a stall selling flowers and the ones you love were right at the front. He buys them and hands the bouquet to you.

"What for? You didn't have to." Yet you gave a smile, appreciating the gesture.

"I wanted to buy them for you. They really do suit you. Think of it as my thanks for spending the day with me... and as an invitation celebrate again next year with me."

𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐋 ‧₊˚ ✩ ₊˚ ⊹ ♡ 

You went inside Rafayel's residence, having been called by him.

"Ah! There you are, bodyguard-san." He welcomes you as soon as he sees you let yourself in.

"So, why'd you call me over in the middle of work? Good thing I don't have a mission today."

"Well, besides the fact that I just wanted to see you, I want you to accompany me to the plaza later."

Your ears perked up at his words, but you were unsure as to what was the meaning behind his invitation.

Is this it? Is he asking me out? Or did he just have some business to tend to there?

"What for? There's gonna be a pretty big crowd there later."

He cleared his throat before answering. "I'm just curious as to what's all the ruckus about since Thomas mentioned there'd be some kind of celebration today."

"Ahh it's probably because it's Valentine's Day."

"And what are we celebrating?"

"Well..." you pause, thinking of a simple way to explain. "It's a day of giving love and spending time with loved ones." but it's mostly celebrated by couples. You leave out that part, not knowing why it felt embarrassing to highlight that detail.

"I see. You humans and your celebrations, I'll never understand."

You chuckle at his dramatics, "and why is that?"

"Shouldn't every day should be a day spent with loved ones anyways? Don't you think so?" he said in a as-a-matter-of-fact way before sighing. "I would spend everyday like that, unlike some people."

You roll your eyes but smile anyways at your adorable and clingy boyfriend.

"To commemorate your traditions, why don't we just start now and spend the entire day together?"

And that's exactly what you did. You started out by hanging at his place, attempting to draw a portrait of one another. Of course he nails his art, but yours ended up more of an abstract rather than a portrait. When afternoon came, you two dropped by the plaza and tried almost all of the food.

By the end of the day, walks you home. Standing outside your apartment complex, he pulls out flowers from his coat and hands them to you.

Smiling, you take them from him. "They're lovely, thank you."

"I'm glad you like them." He shows you his killer smile. "Today is dedicated to spending time with people who're important to us, but let's try to spend everyday this way. What d'you say?"

!!! dividers from @cafekitsune and @saradika

© shizukiss — do not steal, plagiarize, translate, and/or repost my posts anywhere

𖦹 fireworks ; anton lee

pairing. best friend!anton x f!reader. genre. fluff. childhood friends to lovers. inspired by tsitp. synopsis. in the midst of a perfect summer night’s breeze, through flashes of fireworks, your summers spent wishing for anton to give you a sign finally come true. warnings. kissing. physical touch. wc. 1,344 words.

( 🐚 ) ONE SUMMER CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING.

you were in love. you knew it the moment you took glances at anton through your embarassingly large and round eyeglasses. right down to the first brace faced smile the two of you shared, there was always an unspoken mutual pining. though it had been years since that first encounter, seeing him each summer was like the first time over and over again. almost as if anton was a dream you conjured up through fevered nights. he seemed like someone you'd make up in your head to pass time and daydream about.

he was the physical manifestation of all your daydreams. knowing that made your heart ache. every summer you spent with him, digging up seashells along the salty shorelines of cousins beach and pushing each other into the freezing cold water still wasn't enough. you needed more than summers from him. you needed his cello callused hands to run through your hair. you needed to wake up in the morning and see his big brown eyes marveling at you.

you didn't need the summer anymore, if it meant you'd bask for eternity in anton's presence. he was everything to you.

though you wished every lovesick thought you had of him could come true, you found yourself going home at the end of each summer wanting for more. wishing you'd left with a kiss instead of a secret handshake the two of you made up in his treehouse the first summer you met. you deserved more, you thought. with nine years of wishing, something's gotta give.

"i am in control of my destiny," you say through closed eyes while sitting criss-crossed in front of lit french toast scented candles and a mirror. "my fate is up to me." the meditation track booming through your noise cancelling headphones drowned out the sounds of anton's audible confusion.

deep in your own zen and thought, you feel a gentle hand reach out and touch your shoulder. the feeling makes you jump, letting out a yelp louder than you can hear over the music.

"holy shit anton! where did you come from?!" laughter ripples through him, and he clutches his stomach while trying to regain some composure. as always, your heart does backflips upon seeing his beaming smile right in front of you. crinkles forming at the corners of his eyes. he looked so, so pretty. you wanted to lean in and-

not now. maybe not today, even. things were perfect between you two. ruining your friendship with a kiss wasn't a chance you wanted to take. not now, not ever.

brushing your feelings aside, you blow the candle flames out and toss your headphones onto the bed. anton had calmed down already, though giggles still shook his body. you rolled your eyes at him. "it wasn't that funny, shut up." anton wiped a tear from his face, shaking his head. "don't be lame, it was hilarious."

"we're about to light the fireworks, obviously i don't want you to miss it so," he stops to brush a strand of long hair out of your face. an action he'd done many times before. it was almost second nature to him, yet it almost made your knees buckle. "finish your weird demonic chanting and come outside with me."

you grab your hoodie, one that actually belonged to anton during his brief stint on the cousins beach rowing team, he'd given it to you two years ago. it was a size too big for you then, and still too big for you now.

"you actually still use that? stop reminding me of my dark past." anton groans.

again, you roll your eyes. “it's comfortable, deal with it. and what 'dark past?' you were on the team for like two weeks. what's the worst that could've happened?"

anton shivers as the two of you step into the surprisingly chilled july air. "i tipped over in the boat and started screaming. people recorded it. they called me the cousins beach klutz." he cringes at the memory, and in turn you laugh. "okay, maybe that does count as a dark past."

the two of you walk down to your special spot, one you both found accidentally after running along the beach back to anton's summer house thinking you'd miss the fireworks. you remember the flashes of red white and blue that lit up the sky, how your hand brushed up against anton's as you both settled on a huge rock. that was the first time you considered your feelings for anton being more than just a normal crush.

it was also the first time you realized how quickly your feelings for him grew.

the two of you both sit down somewhat comfortably on that same rock, closer together than last year. he sets his the stand of his phone down in front of you both, something he does every year to document your reactions to the fireworks. you never questioned it, though something in the back of your mind gives you hope that he's doing it as an excuse to fill his gallery up with pictures and videos of you.

neither of you talk. there's tension in the air for some reason, and anton can feel it too. he peeks down at your hand, covering it with his own.

"your hands look cold," his voice is quiet. he's coming off shy. something is different.

"i'm just... warming them for you." your heart begins to race faster than it was before. you turn to look at him just as the first fireworks begin to colour the sky.

between the illuminated flashes of colourful lights bursting in the night sky, the earth had a population of two.

just anton, and you.

to your surprise anton was staring right back at you, big brown eyes peering into yours. he brushes a lock of hair away from your face and leans in. "i really want to kiss you." he whispers. the intoxicating scent of his vanilla conditioner calms you. anton is as perfect as he's always been, your very own dream come true.

this moment was the culmination of your winters spent praying to whoever was listening for summer to arrive quicker than last year. every drive back to your house at the end of each summer you held tears back was not in vain. everything you wanted was right in front of you.

"kiss me," you utter. "just kiss me."

with the last few bursts of fireworks blooming in the starry night sky, anton's strawberry chapstick flavoured lips meet yours. he kisses you with the fervor of years spent pining and waiting. his hands run through your hair, your noses bump, he lets a thumb smooth over the side of your face. he's everywhere you want him to be.

his hands drag up and down your sitting frame. the two of you pull away for air, lips swollen from the intensity of the kiss.

"we just kissed." anton remarks, somewhat in shock. his hand finds yours again, lacing your fingers together with his.

"i've been waiting so long for you to make a move, y/n." he lets out a nervous laugh. "i was worried you didn't feel the same."

your face reddens. "i didn't want to ruin us. i was scared that i'd do the wrong thing and you'd leave me." you admit. sympathy flashes over anton's face. "god no, i wouldnt—" he picks your hand up and kisses the back of it. "i'm not going anywhere, y/n."

"you're stuck with me forever." he grins.

you place a soft kiss to his lips again, savouring the brief moment.

"i wouldn't have it any other way, anton." he blushes at your response, ears reddening with shyness.

an unspoken 'i love you' lingers in the air, both of you too timid to say it out loud.

maybe next summer, you think.

for now, you curl into his side, choosing to rest your head on his shoulder.

everything in this moment feels perfect.

it's just you and anton existing together. you'd spend the rest of forever this way, if only you could.

❛ you’re avoiding the subject and you know it. what are you hiding from me? ❜ with Felix and Rodrigue?

god razz your requests always hit so fuckin hard bro

also this is from an au that's been in my head for a very long time (like since i got the game a very long time) that i haven't done anything with so ye

word count: 834

Rodrigue was growing more and more concerned.

He was never the closest with Felix. Even before Glenn, Felix had always been closer to his mother; he still sometimes metaphorically clung to her skirts, despite being well into a war and in his twenties. But that didn't mean he couldn't tell when Felix was hiding something, or when something was wrong.

Felix had been almost skittish as of late. He'd leave the room whenever Rodrigue entered it, but it wasn't with the angry air he was familiar with. No, if he'd just been angry, he would've said something about it; he would've made it clear what the problem was.

Something different was happening here. He just didn't know what. He didn't want to corner Felix, but he feared he had little other choice when even Sylvain and Ingrid didn't understand what was going on.

He found Felix in the training hall late one night, going through sword forms Rodrigue remembered watching Glenn teach him when they were much, much younger.

"Felix."

Felix stopped what he was doing, going stiff when he saw Rodrigue. "I was just finishing up."

"No need," Rodrigue said. "I just wanted to talk to you briefly."

"About what?" Felix asked.

"Something's wrong."

Felix huffed a laugh - it was unnatural for so many reasons. It sounded like he was trying to imitate Sylvain, in a way. "Nothings wrong, old man. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Spar with me."

"You're avoiding the subject and you know it." It was firmer than Rodrigue intended, but the point got across all the same. He would apologize later, when he understood what was going on. "What are you hiding from me?"

"I'm not hiding anythi-"

"Felix."

They stared at each other for a beat before Felix hung his head, the tip of his training sword falling to the ground. Rodrigue could see him wrestling with himself, could see him trying to decide something, but Rodrigue didn't push him.

"You're going to die."

Rodrigue felt his heart skip a beat. "What?"

"You're going to die," Felix repeated. He looked up now, more hair falling loose from his ponytail. "Don't ask me how. It won't change anything. If I tell you how, you'll either try to stop it, or you won't. Either way, you'll end up dead again."

"Felix, what are you talking about?"

Felix huffed out a humorless laugh. This one sounded like Felix, at least; he wasn't putting up a flimsy facade, but instead found some kind of irony in the situation. "I can't say too much. It's not entirely my place. Hell, I don't even know if he knows for sure. But I'm not from this time. Haven't been in almost six years.

"You are going to die in the coming battle. You did last time, at least. Ingrid will be next, then Annette. Mercedes. Ashe, Sylvain, Dedue, Dimitri, until it's just me left." Felix's voice broke. "We thought we could fix things."

Rodrigue walked towards Felix, placing a hesitant hand on his shoulder. He didn't understand what he was saying - would write it off as a nightmare of some kind, a delusion like Dimitri's, if he didn't sound so resigned about it. Like he understood the fate that lay ahead of him, and knew there was nothing he could do to change it.

Rodrigue expected Felix to push him off. He didn't expect the training sword to clatter to the floor as his son hugged him for the first time in nearly a decade.

"I'm sorry." Felix was crying now, well and truly. "I'm sorry."

Rodrigue was stunned. It took him an embarassingly long time to get his wits about him enough to hug Felix back, to hold him as he began to sob.

"Why are you sorry?" Rodrigue asked. The entire situation was confusing - he wasn't sure what to think about any of it - but this was the most pressing issue to him.

"I should have at least given you a chance," Felix whispered.

So that's what this was about.

"I was the one who said it," Rodrigue said. "I should be the one apologizing. You- you have nothing to be sorry for."

"I didn't give you a chance to apologize," Felix said. "Goddess damn it, I couldn't. I didn't forgive you until it was too late last time, and this time I was just a coward."

"You are not a coward, Felix," Rodrigue said, rubbing his back.

"I am." His tone didn't leave room for argument, firm as it was, but Rodrigue couldn't find it in him to believe it.

"A coward wouldn't have come back," Rodrigue said, trying to piece together the story while comforting Felix at the same time. "A coward wouldn't stay."

"It hurts," Felix whispered.

"I know," Rodrigue said.

Rodrigue didn't know how long they stayed like that, huddled in the middle of the training grounds. All he knew was that his son needed him, and that he would be there as long as he let him be.

How long do you typically spend on a drawing? Of the ones you've posted, which took the longest? Which was the quickest?

Hi, thank you for the question!

Short answer: anywhere from 30 minutes to like 12 hours

Long answer;

It really depends. I can whip some cute ones in like 20 minutes, others I draw through multiple days.

Depends on the style and the amount of detail. This is an example of a 30 minutes one:

Only one character, no background, simple shading. I would say 10 minutes for figuring out the pose I want and sketching it, 10 minutes for lineart (maybe a bit less) and 10 minutes to color and shade it.

When I draw without lineart, with this more messy, paint-esqe style, it's also pretty quick. 10 minutes to sketch, and the rest is basically color and shades at the same time.

This took me about an hour and a half to make, the shoes and the skateboard being the most difficult parts cause of the shapes, they had to be pretty even even in this style.

When I'm messing around with different styles or techniques, it often takes longer due to trying to figure out what I want certain aspects of the drawing to look like. For those two, the first took me close to 3 hours despite it being pretty simple - I was experimenting with drawing fire and I spend a solid chunk of time on just redrawing it over and over again. The other one was my first time drawing with different brushes and it took me an embarassingly long time to learn how to keep it under control. I would say it took like 6 hours to finish it.

The drawings I spend most time on are those with proper backgrounds. I like to draw the backgrounds separate from the characters, so it means I make the whole background even when it's mostly covered by characters later, like this drawing:

You can kinda see what I'm talking bout here!

I drew that over a few days, so I don't really know how long it took.

Those times are for drawings themselves - I sometimes spend even longer on looking up references and poses. Sometimes I want to draw byt don't know why so I just go on different stock image sites and look up random things in hopes of finding inspiration.

I think the pieces that take the most time I never post here, cause they are for my DND campaign and I don't know if anyone would be interested. For example, this is Hattie Lykaia, a tiefling owner of an alchemy store. Coming up with the design for the character and for the space took a lot of te and I had like fourteen aketches before commiting to this version. I would say total time was about 10 hours, I couldn't figure out the colors to save my life.

The stained glass took forever. I never want to draw stained glass again.

One of the things I enjoy most but never share here is character design! I don't really know what I'm doing most of the time but I love making rough concept sketches, like those:

Despite being messy and all, they take a long time! Looking up things, figuring out the shapes and colors... Me and my brother watched five movies in a row while I was making this ones. So yeah, despite the drawing itself being quick and messy, the whole process takes me a while. But it's really, really fun.

Thank you again for asking! I hope this wasn't too long or too boring but I just really love talking about my drawings and the process behind them. My irl friends have to deal with me showing them every stage and they're probably sick of it lol. Good thing they're really nice and will always pat my head and tel me I did a good job anyway

Study stuff I did today for the neurospicy people (or really anyone who isn't GOOD at the "normal" way of studying or whatever) who might happen across this post

....So.... I have to study for my chemistry exam (It's MANY chapters, SO MANY worksheets. Haven't started shit. Awesome. wow. sooo repressing the urge to read fanfic rn)

SO in the hopes of helping other people who are precariously placed rn I'm going to write the stuff that worked for me. It might only work for today, or only once but that's ok because it WORKED

Start with an embarassingly small study time and an embarassingly large study:break ratio. For me? This is 5 minutes work : 2 minutes break. Use the first few 5-2s to organise your space. Basically to clean, and to get the stuff you need. It took 3 of these for me to actually be able to do that. Since you've gotten kinda used to this workbreak flow thing, study for 5 sessions in the same format. Try to set a timed goal for five minutes, like you'll read and summarise one small section of a chapter, or you'll finish one maths problem - the whole point is to get an adrenaline rush from a timed goal. Your last break (if you're following the same repition pattern as me and doing this hour on hour) should be six minutes long. I'm actually on this one right now, writing this post). If you've gotten this far with me, CONGRATS!!! WE DID FORTY WHOLE ASS MINUTES OF PRODUCTIVE WORK THAT IS VERY VERY POGGERS MY DUDE.

So... I'm going to do my second hour of work but this time with a 10-4 format (With the Last Break of the hour being 8 minutes, so I'll update this post then? With other stuff other than break time work time shit I swear)

ztd update

(spoilers ahead :3)

i have every game over i can get at the moment. i just finished up the stranded pair segment. jesus christ that was actually really good? made me sad in study hall. but yeah i was locked out of that until i figured out that the answer to eric's question after the pod room is 'i don't know'??? like. seriously. that's. sighh it took me an embarassingly long time to cave and plug that in. but yay progression wahoo. door of truth next, hopefully i can finish before i start reload when it comes in tomorrow (i was right btw)

Never Run Off Alone

(originally posted January 4th 2020)

~A/N - Happy Squealing Santa everyone! Sorry this is like, legit last minute upload I’ve been really busy over the past few weeks and just have not had the time to finish this bad boy. 

In saying that, I hope this is alright! It is for brokeback-switchylee (hope you get the notification lmao), so as long as she likes it I’m happy :)

A huge thank you to ticklygiggles for running the entire Squealing Santa for 2019, you’re absolutely incredible!! Hope you had an awesome festive season!

But yeah, little bit of Doctor Who fluff this time. I’ve never written fics around Five and Nyssa, and it’s been a while since I watch old who (or any doctor who tbh, need to catch up on it) so apologies if it gets a little OOC (Out Of Character) and if it’s a bit short.

Also apologies I haven’t uploaded a fic in a while, I’ve got a couple in the works (in addition to rewriting ‘Show Me What You Got!’ cause it got deleted) which has a little A/N at the start that explains stuff wink wonk.

Nonetheless, hope you all have been enjoying the holiday period, and a very happy 2020!

Enoy! ~

Tag List:

Masterpost Link

“I was fine!” Nyssa exclaimed, bursting through the TARDIS door and storming towards the console. 

“You shouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place!” The Doctor replied, letting out an exasperated sigh and shutting the door behind them. 

After a particularly nasty run in with some oddly vicious worm-like creatures, the pair had become separated. More accurately, Nyssa had broken off from the group whilst they were distracted. Obviously, the Doctor was less than impressed with her antics, but (though it may not have been clear to either at the time) his frustration came from a place of worry. Though it was no debate that Nyssa was capable of taking care of herself, he still felt responsible, almost obligated, to look after her.

Following his companion, the Doctor took a breath. “What would I have done if something had happened to you?” He let the TARDIS console take his weight as he lent his hands on it, bowing his head. “You can’t just run off alone.”

“I could have handled it, Doctor.” Nyssa huffed, but her eyes softened. 

It was not often that she lost her temper. She was usually the level-headed voice of reason in the TARDIS. There was just something about the incident today which really got on her nerves.    

The Doctor looked up. “I came to help you, and had I not done so I worry where we would be now.”

“I would have been fine.” She said sternly. “I’m indestructible.”

“Indestructible you say?” The Doctor’s eyes lit up, as his mouth formed a teasing grin. He knew exactly how to both snap her out of this mood, and give her a lesson in running off alone. 

Nyssa, realising she was now dangerously close to the Doctor’s threatening fingers, gave a nervous laugh. “Doctor, don’t do anything you might regret.”

“But why would I regret anything” The Doctor moved closer “If you’re so indestructible?” 

As if a switch flipped in their heads, they began running around the console. Nyssa trying to avoid the man chasing her, the Doctor steadily catching up to his companion. Both with equally wide smiles (though one had a noticeably more nervous laugh).

“Doctor nO!” Nyssa (embarassingly) squealed as she fell to the floor, her laughter increasing in both volume and pitch as 10 fingers wriggled up her shirt.

“No what? Whatever could be the matter?” The Doctor teased, skittering all over the poor woman’s sides and tummy which he was currently sat atop. “No… I shouldn’t have run off Doctor, perhaps? I’m sorry for going off alone Doctor? I’ll never do it again Doctor?” 

Through her helpless giggling Nyssa managed to yell out a “FIHIHINE!”

Grinning, the Doctor continued his relentless assault (much to Nyssa’s despair). “You see, I don’t think you’ve learned your lesson ye-”

“I HAVE I HAVE I HAHAHAHAVE!” His victim laughed, tears beginning to form in her eyes. 

The Doctor stopped abruptly. “I also don’t think your attitude has changed. Interrupting people is very rude!” He jammed his fingers into Nyssa’s armpits and she let out a screech of a laugh (to which the Doctor chuckled at). 

“IM SOHOHORRY!! JUST STAHAHAP!” 

“Just imagine what those creatures could have done to you if they had found out about this.” He continued teasingly. “With their wiggly bodies…” 

As if to emphasise his point, he wormed his fingers into her neck. Scrunching up, she squirmed underneath him, but it seemed to have little effect.

“Squirming just like you’re doing now.” He chuckled.

“Stohohop!!” She giggled, attempting to pull her hands out from her sides (where the doctor’s knees had them pinned).

“But it’s so much fun! And besides, we’re going to have to work on this little weakness of yours if you’re going to be indestructible!”

It was obvious that being 800 years old meant he had plenty of experience tickling people, as Nyssa was currently in hysterics. The combination of the Doctor’s teasy grin, nimble fingers and taunting words just turned her in to a giggling mess on the TARDIS floor. And although most of her wanted it to end immediately, part of her enjoyed seeing this carefree side of the man she had been travelling with. 

But mostly she wanted it to stop.

“I’LL STAY WITH YOUHOUHOU!” Nyssa laughed, kicking her feet out of desperation. “I PROMIHIHIHISE!” 

“Stay with me? Whatever do you mean? Are you trying to say you won’t run off?” 

“YEHEHES!”

“You will run off, well that’s disappointing, here I was thinking we were getting somewhere…” He sighed, squeezing repeatedly into her hips. 

“NOHOHO!” 

“Alright you don’t have to rub it in! I’m aware we aren’t getting anywhere with this… Hmmm.” He used one hand to pulsate into her tummy, whilst the other dramatically stroked his chin. “How about we try… HERE!” 

With a few knee squeezes Nyssa’s laughter went silent, as did her begging. 

“Ohoh, that did the trick!” The Doctor gasped, spidering his fingers over her knees. 

“STAAAHAHAHAHA!” She began before dissolving into laughter. “I CAHAHAHA!”

“What was that?” He brought his ear closer to her face. “I didn’t quite hear you over your giggling.”

“PLEHEHEAHAHAHA!” 

“Alright, I suppose that’s enough.” The doctor chuckled, standing up and offering Nyssa a hand. She flinched, before taking it. 

“That was cruel.” She muttered, but the small smile on her face told otherwise. “But I will try not to go off alone.”

“I was only worried for you.” He admitted, before she gave him a quick hug. 

“I know.” She smiled.

And of course, Nyssa did run off again. Many times, in fact. But the Doctor always reminded her of that important lesson. Never run off alone.

dinners at diluc’s

kaeya & f!reader & diluc (NSFW)

5.5k words • ~40 min. read

summary: after lightheartedly joking about a threesome for the past few weeks, a drunken kaeya decides to shamelessly suggest that diluc should join in on all the fun.

warnings: alcohol, facefucking, double penetration, bondage, overstimulation, big dicked duo !!

notes: reader is in a relationship with kaeya before all this (kind of a sequel to this!) and thank you so much for 100 followers! i hope you enjoy this as a token of my appreciation <3

DINNERS AT DILUC’S MANOR used to be as rare as a sighting of a dragon in Mondstadt. Though, over the past few months, Diluc and Kaeya have been slowly rebuilding their previously severed bonds over weekly meals together in an effort to achieve some sort of reconciliation. It was mostly my idea, but I’m sure after all these years of unforgiving distance, they were secretly grateful I was the one to finally push them towards reunion. With the strong sense of pride and swelled ego they shared, they wouldn’t outwardly show it, of course.

 Despite the good progress they were finally making now, I won’t forget that it started as a painstaking process.

 At first, the meals were tense and rather snappy, the boys sarcastically ganging up on me for forcing them into a room together when they “clearly had nothing to say to each other,” as Diluc remarked during the first dinner. Kaeya had agreed with silence, rolling his eyes and shaking his head, impatiently waiting for the night to be over. All I could do was sigh and pray things would get better from there.

 But now Kaeya had a drink in his hand, one that was made personally by Diluc despite having kitchen staff who could’ve done it for him. The brothers were riding waves of laughter, reminiscing on good memories and inside jokes with grins planted on both of their faces. They bounced stories off of each other as if they were completing each other’s thoughts, their minds so in sync – just like they used to be when they were growing up together.

 My heart fluttered to see a look of genuine happiness on Kaeya’s face. I could tell he’s been wanting a moment like this, a moment to truly reconnect with his only family, for a long time. And one glance at Diluc told me he was thoroughly enjoying the night as well, his smile breaking the usual stoic façade he upheld. So even after the meal was already finished and the staff had cleared the table then went to their quarters for the night, I sat and listened to their stories despite being unable to contribute anything to the conversation. Even though it was getting late, how could I possibly interrupt this rare moment?

 Then Kaeya had swiftly downed his drink. So he asked for another. And another. Then we collectively moved from the dining room to the living room to warm up by the fireplace. Kaeya asked for another drink. Then one more.

 “Kaeya, don’t you think that’s enough to drink for tonight? We still have to walk home,” I gently reminded him, feeling bad for interrupting the conversation so suddenly. But it was getting extremely late. I was getting extremely tired and cranky for sitting around and doing nothing for the past few hours but mindlessly listen to the men talk.

 “I’m having so much fun, sweetheart. Just one more?” he teased me by making puppy eyes at me, “Please~?”

 “Kaeya...”

 “No need to worry about him, [Y/N],” Diluc politely waved off my request, “I could always walk you guys home – it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to drag him along after a night of drinking. Or better yet, you two can stay in the guest bed upstairs then return home tomorrow morning when he’s sobered up.”

 I placed a hand on Kaeya’s arm. “Would that be okay with you? If we spend the night in his guest bed? I’m rather exhausted.”

 “Guest bed? Why don’t we just spend the night in Diluc’s bed!” Kaeya’s words began slurring as he giggled, “Maybe we can have that lil’ threesome we’ve been talking about.”

 My mind snapped awake immediately, eyes widening as I nervously glanced to Diluc who also had his jaw slightly dropped in shock. “K-Kaeya, you really must watch what you’re saying–“

 “Aw, don’t act all shy now, sweetheart!” He took his eyes off of me to face Diluc, who was now clearly perplexed. I sat perplexed as well, unsure of how I was going to come up with an excuse for what he said. Because it was true. We had been lightheartedly talking about having a threesome lately. But mentioning it to Diluc of all people on such a wholesome night like this made my heart quickly sink. He must be appalled.

 “Diluc, I’m so sorry, you know he says too much when he’s drunk-“

 “No, no, but it’s true! ‘Luc, you wouldn’t believe how much we’ve been talking about fuckin’ around with an extra... fuckin’...” Kaeya’s face began to soften at the realization of his actions as his gaze turned to the floor. “Oh... shit.”

 The three of us sat to process what had just happened for a moment, the firewood softly crackling to fill the silence. I didn’t know if I was feeling embarassment, awkwardness, anxiety, or all of it at the same time. All I knew was that for some twisted reason, the sudden mention of our fantasy out loud to Diluc made my thighs slightly twitch in excitement without thinking. How in the world did I just get aroused? I internally shamed myself.

 Diluc was the first to break the silence. “So... how long have you been thinking about this again?”

 “Diluc!” I snapped at him, not wanting him to encourage the thought. But one look at him and I could tell he was dead serious about the matter. Embarassment definitely kicked in now through a blush that quickly crept up to my cheeks. Are we really going to discuss this right now?

 Kaeya took a slow sip of his drink, finally putting some thought into what he was going to say. But just as I hoped he was going to take this opportunity to dismiss the topic entirely, to my dismay, he quickly muttered, “A few weeks now.”

 “Kaeya!” I smacked his arm lightly. My body shrunk into the sofa in disbelief. But my thoughts were racing along with my heartbeat. Diluc seemed to express genuine interest immediately after the initial period of shock. It was almost as if he had been thinking about it lately too. I couldn’t help but imagine the things that these two could do to me, or imagine specifically what Diluc was thinking about doing with us to be interested in the first place. Even though I hated to admit it, jolts of excitement started to tickle my nerves throughout my entire body but I didn’t dare show it. I can’t believe this is conversation is actually happening. I can’t believe we could actually do this.

 Diluc leaned back into his chair with a content hum. “If you’re seriously offering... I can’t say I would be opposed to the idea.”

 “Now that’s my man!” Kaeya excitedly pointed to Diluc, who then slyly chuckled in response. Kaeya exchanged glances between me and Diluc a few times before finally settling on Diluc. “Wait, you’re actually serious?”

 “Are you actually serious?”

 “Tell him, [Y/N], am I being serious?” Kaeya poked my leg, which elicited another twitch at the sudden touch. I looked up at him dumbfoundedly, failing to find words when I was getting embarassingly aroused. “I don’t think I’ve been more serious about something in my life, brother!”

 “I can’t believe the two of you right now,” I scoffed as I stood up, snapping myself out of the fantasies bubbling in my head. There was no way we would actually do it, after all, the brothers were getting along but not that closely. “Diluc, can you show me to the guest room, please? I’ll go to bed while the two of you joke about this convulted fantasy.”

 “Joke? C’mon, sweetheart! You know we’ve been talking about it!” Kaeya stood up to follow me to the main floor of the manor with Diluc trailing along, “Don’t play innocent just because Diluc’s around.”

 The three of us climbed the stairs, the two brothers still trailing behind. “It’ll be the last room down the hall once you turn left,” Diluc directed me. Kaeya hummed in what sounded like satisfaction.

 “Just look at that ass, ‘Luc. You know, you can touch her if you want, I wouldn’t mind,” I immediately turned around once I heard Kaeya mutter those words and glared at him. They both stopped in their tracks at the same time, Kaeya returning a stare more intimidating than mine and Diluc’s eyes trailing to the floor. I felt so small under the lust in his sapphire eyes, which were staring me down with a craving to touch me.

 “Listen, sweetheart, I know you’re being a brat right now but once we get our hands on you...” he stepped close enough to place his gloved hand on my thigh, shooting a chill up my spine and causing my thighs to squeeze together. I didn’t want to let him know that I wasn’t entirely opposed to this idea either but my body couldn’t control itself. My core was secretly craving his touch. He noticed my subtle reaction and let out a low chuckle.

 “Ah, I can tell you’re excited. Just keep walking, baby. You can drop that innocent act now and show Diluc how much of a slut you can be, okay? Can you do that for me?”

 I didn’t have the energy to hide it anymore, let alone answer him with words. I let my lips quiver as I turned back around, taking a few more steps up the stairs then walking down the hall while the brothers exchanged inaudible whispers with each other, presumably about me. My instincts told me they were plotting behind my back but they were so quiet that I couldn’t make out any real words. Before my hand could reach for the doorknob, Kaeya’s arm got ahead of me and gripped the knob himself. “Let me get that for you, sweetheart.”

 He opened the door and walked inside first. The room was surprisingly larger than I expected for a guest room. A large bed sat near the wall and with a glance to the side I could see it faced a large vanity. The rest of the room consisted of a warddrobe, drawers, a seating area, and a bookshelf.

 “This used to be my room, you know,” Kaeya pivoted his heels to face me while placing his drink down on top of one of the nearby drawers. “Diluc picked a good room for us. Hopefully it’s just how I left it.”

 “It should be,” Diluc followed close behind as I stepped forward to get a better look of the space. “I never asked any of the staff to touch this room aside from the occasional dusting and I don’t get many visitors who need to spend the night.”

 “Perfect,” Kaeya smirked. That grin usually indicated he was plotting something. My stomach was a mess of excitement, curiosity, and anxiety at the same time. Was this really happening?

 He knelt down to pull out the bottom drawer in front of him and rummaged through his belongings to pull out a bundle of something, though I couldn’t tell exactly what it was from the dim lighting of the room. “Just as I had hoped.”

 He hid the item behind his back as he stood up and took a step towards me, gently planting a kiss on my forehead. He then began to shower my face with kisses, wrapping his arms around me in a cute embrace and making me giggle. Just as I was about to push him away in jest, he simply said two words that made my heart stop. “Now, Diluc.”

 Before I could react or comprehend what was going on, Diluc had pressed his hips against mine with a grip on my waist while Kaeya squeezed me harder in our seemingly sweet hug, knocking a bit of wind out of me. Kaeya, despite being unbelievably drunk, still had an inescapable strength as he managed to pull both my arms down while keeping me in his embrace. My panicked eyes looked up at Kaeya’s face, which was focused on my arms now being pinned behind my back. Once I felt rope being looped around my forearms, I knew exactly what was about to happen.

 “Be a good girl for Master Diluc, okay sweetheart? I’m going to get another drink,” Kaeya loosened his grip on me and gave me another kiss on the cheek. “You want to do this, right?”

 I hated to admit it, but I shyly nodded yes. Kaeya smiled contently. “You can trust him. Everything he’s going to do is part of our plan. We’re going to have fun tonight, okay?”

 And with that, Diluc finished tying my folded arms together as Kaeya walked out the door. Before I could form a thought, Diluc held my waist to slowly guide me to sit at the edge of the bed, pressing his bulge against me throughout each step and kissing my bare neck. He then turned me around and planted a knee between my thighs into the mattress, slowly laying me down then beginning to unbutton my blouse as he continued licking and nibbling my skin. I breathily moaned at the excitement and nervousness of a man other than Kaeya touching me so calmly, so naturally. Diluc pulled the tucked in fabric up once it was unbuttoned to reveal my bare torso in its entirety, letting out a low growl at the sight. The excitement burned inside my core and I couldn’t help but gently grind against his clothed knee for some stimulation.

 He took notice of this and responded by pressing his knee deeper into my aching core which was so much more forgiving than what Kaeya would have done if I wanted to grind against his leg. Diluc trailed the kisses up towards my jawline, stopping just an inch away from my lips and muttering, “Do you care about this blouse?”

 “Rip it off,” I mindlessly whispered, not wanting to go through the trouble of getting untied for my blouse to come off. I craved touch, it could be from anyone at this point, but I needed to feel hands on my skin. Diluc made quick work of the insignificant piece if clothing, ripping it apart as if it were a piece of paper then tossing it onto the floor. He tossed his gloves along with it, my exposed skin suddenly meeting his warm touch as he caressed my sides and continued to kiss my neck, definitely leaving marks at this point. I sighed at his warmth, a stark contrast to Kaeya’s cold touch. Albeit, Kaeya always loved to use his vision to tease me, and maybe Diluc was doing the same thing here.

 “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Kaeya stepped into the room and walked towards us.

 “She’s gorgeous, Kaeya. Seriously, you found yourself a keeper,” Diluc paused his kisses to respond, never breaking eye contact with me, “You better treat her well, otherwise I might want to steal her away for myself.”

 “Ha! In your dreams. I’ll let you play with her all you want but in the end, she’s mine, dear brother.”

 Diluc scoffed lightheartedly and placed his hands on my back to lift me up, fully releasing my neck from his kisses as Kaeya waved a glass in front of me. “Now drink up, sweetheart.”

 “What is it?” I looked up at him expectedly.

 “It���ll make things easier for you later. Make sure to drink every last drop,” he gave out a short laugh, “That wouldn’t be the first time I’ve told you that in the bedroom, huh?”

 I scoffed at the suggestive joke and wrapped my lips around the edge of the glass. It was some kind of concoction that I couldn’t exactly recognize, but there was definitely hard liquor in it. I connected the dots and figured he probably had something planned where he wanted me to drink something strong to chase away whatever pain he was going to inflict on me tonight. My legs trembled with excitement at the thought, wondering what the two had planned for me behind my back.

 With each sip, Diluc worked on unbuckling my pants to reveal my half naked body, which was now completely surrendered to the two brothers who were also unbuttoning their own shirts without taking their eyes off of me. Kaeya finished first, having his top already halfway unbuttoned anyway, and reached down to strip me of my underwear. Resuming from where Diluc had left off, he leaned down to leave marks on my neck as well, his kisses being more sloppy and aggressive than sensual like his brother’s. Small pants escaped my mouth as his teeth nibbled down at the spots that were already slightly bruised, but he didn’t seem to care and only bit down harder knowing I was sensitive.

 But his passionate kisses on my fragile skin were only fleeting moments, and after one quick peck on the lips and a smirk, he climbed off of me to reveal a half naked Diluc tying his long hair up into a ponytail. Diluc’s messy red locks couldn’t distract me from his hungry stare. He eyed me down with such intensity, never breaking eye contact despite turning his head from side to side to gather all his hair into a bundle. My eyes darted to Kaeya, who had began unbuckling his pants and was also observing my body with pure lust in his eyes. I couldn’t help but trail my gaze down towards their hips, and in the soft moonlight, I could see their bulges creating large tents in their underwear, aching and yearning for me. I could’ve drooled at the sight of their bulky erections if my mouth wasn’t closed shut from nervousness. My core lit up with butterflies, wanting them now more than ever.

 My thoughts were interrupted by Diluc climbing onto the mattress next to me then swiftly grabbing me to turn me all the way around so my head conveniently hung off the edge of the bed. I let out a soft giggle at how he manhandled me, how he had lifted me and gently threw me on the mattress like I was dead weight. He must’ve noticed that I liked what he did because as he positioned his head near my throbbing folds and pinned my thighs up with both his hands, he gave a quiet chuckle to himself not long before wrapping his lips around my clit and gently sucking.

 I gasped at the sudden warmth but shock quickly turned into pleasure as Diluc’s hot tongue lapped at my wetness, making me flinch and arch my back at the sensation. I instinctively tried to pin my thighs back together in an effort to try and keep the tiny amount of pride I had, but Diluc was quick to shoot a dominant glare at me while he pushed my legs back apart. If anything, the subtle act of defiance only made him hungrier for me, his movements getting a little more aggressive and passionate. My sighs and moans of bliss made the redhead happily groan back in response, the simultaneous buzzing of his lips against my saliva coated cunt causing my brain to malfunction. I couldn’t think anymore and it had only been about a minute or so. I was in heaven.

 I looked up to Kaeya for reassurance that I was still in Teyvat as he hovered above me, stroking his cock in front of my face and looking down at me with a devilish smirk. “You should really give me a few pointers, ‘Luc. She’s going crazy over you.”

 Diluc kissed my clit before responding. “Have you ever considered learning how to properly please a woman instead of selfishly chasing your own needs?”

 “And have you ever considered sleeping with girls other than your maids?”

 “Fuck off,” Diluc’s warm breath against my entrance as he sarcastically laughed had me lean into his touch even more. “You know that’s not true.”

 His mouth latched onto my clit again, and as if it couldn’t feel any better, he managed to snake two fingers into my entrance while he sucked on my clit, his long digits teasing my walls by slowly scissoring my insides. If Kaeya weren’t a sucker for orgasm denial and hadn’t trained me to hold back my releases for months, I surely would have broken under Diluc’s touch by now.

 “Alright, don’t get too excited now, sweetheart,” Kaeya reached out to caress my cheek with his thumb, “Let’s show Diluc how pretty you look with a bulge in your throat.”

 “Yes, sir,” I mindlessly muttered and eagerly opened my mouth, earning a grin from Kaeya. He placed his hands on both sides of my jaw, chuckling as he rested the underside of his cock on top of my face, thinking about how it managed to in my throat when it was bigger than my head. My breath stuttered as Diluc’s tongue kept trying to grab my attention but Kaeya’s thickness always seemed to captivate me no matter how many times I saw it.

 “Very good girl,” he then guided his tip to meet my tongue and let out a low growl while he slowly pushed his entire length into my throat inch by inch. “My good little girl...”

 He wasted no time to fuck my throat as if my head were his toy, his fingers digging into my jaw with each groan that escaped his lips. At times Diluc would suddenly curl his fingers inside me causing me to moan in surprise, which then made Kaeya twitch in ecstacy as the vibrations in my throat clenched tighter around his cock.

 The feeling of being touched by two men at once made my insides burn like a wick fighting for its life at the bottom of a candle. My senses were overloaded as I tried to focus on one aspect of what was going on, darting between sensations as if I couldn’t decide what to pay attention to. Maybe Kaeya’s hands gripping my teary eyed face. Diluc’s fingers prodding my walls. Kaeya’s grunts and groans filling up the room. Diluc’s hot breath panting for air against my folds. Everything that led up to this moment was completely blocked out of my mind and I could think about was how restlessly aroused I was. The brothers’ movements became more merciless and the more I tried to hold back my release, the more it fought back. I found my legs gradually tensing up and my moans becoming more and more desperate to the point where I was dangerously on the edge.

 “Diluc, stop,” Kaeya quickly pulled himself out of my mouth and despite his initial hesitation, Diluc gave my clit one more kiss and pulled his head away to sit up straight. I was a coughing mess when I finally took a deep breath from suffocating for the past few minutes, and as a sign of mercy, Kaeya gently lifted my head to allow better airflow into my throat.

 Despite coughing my organs out, my legs shook violently as I still tried to hold back my release. I whined and wanted to scream in frustration at the denial of my climax, the ropes around my arms and Diluc’s hands pinning me down preventing me from getting up to stimulate myself a little more. Kaeya only laughed sadistically.

 “I knew it. You got a little close there, didn’t you, princess?” he teased. I groaned impatiently as my eyes were glued to his cock, which I noticed had strings of saliva still attached to my face. The drool all over his length only made him smirk, and it made Diluc sigh in envy.

 “P-Please,” I could barely think of words as my body trembled in pleasure, “M-More...”

 Kaeya’s laughter subsided as he caressed my cheek lovingly. “Tell us what you want, baby. Use your words.”

 “M-More...” more tears swelled up in my eyes as I struggled to come up with proper words or coherent thoughts, “K-Kaeya...”

 “Yes, princess?” Kaeya gently reached under me to lift my torso up and Diluc leaned over to help guide my shaking body until I was sitting up with my back leaning against Kaeya, my thighs still pried apart to prevent me from pleasuring myself. Kaeya climbed into the spot behind me while Diluc comfortably sat in front of me, staring at my body as if he were in a trance.

 “I...” the strength in my voice was faltering as I tried to form a sentence, “need you both...”

 “Poor thing. The alcohol must be kicking in,” Diluc placed one hand on the side of my thigh, gently massaging the spot and exchanging looks with Kaeya, who hummed in approval behind me. Kaeya’s hands ran up my from my waist to my shoulders where he began massaging my tenseness away.

 “Just relax now, princess. We’ll take good care of you, okay?”

 “Okay...” I whimpered innocently as I leaned into their massages, taking deep breaths while I bathed in their attention under the moonlight.

 Time always seemed to pass differently when I had a drink. In one moment, the brothers were massaging me to calm me down from edging, and in the blink of an eye, Diluc was pulling me down on top of his chest, kissing my neck softly like he did before. In another blink of an eye, my eyes stared into my reflection from the vanity across the bed to see that my thighs were bound together with rope and Kaeya was leaning over my back, whispering into my ear.

 “Can you tell us what you want now, princess?” he rubbed his cock to spread my wetness to my butthole and I could feel Diluc’s cock radiating heat as it was pressed against my stomach.

 As if the words travelled out on their own, I found my lips muttering, “I want to get stuffed full...”

 And as if the brothers were magical beings that could grant wishes on command, they were strategic and patient when they pushed themselves inside me. Diluc’s hands first pushed me down onto his cock. Each thick inch slowly stretched me out and my eyes widened once I felt his tip finally kiss my cervix. With a sigh of relief and a quivering breath, I planted my cheek into his chest at his sheer size alone, and just when I thought I had settled down comfortably, Kaeya had positioned himself behind me and slowly pushed himself into my other hole. Even though I imagined the pain of having two cocks penetrate me at the same time would be excruciating, the feeling was extraordinary, making me pant like a dog in heat. I subconsciously thanked Kaeya for giving me that drink earlier, knowing their large sizes would have painfully split me open otherwise.

 “Look at yourself in the mirror,” Kaeya groaned as he buried himself as deep as possible. My reflection was all I could stare at. I could clearly see every detail of the sticky situation I was in and I loved every inch of the sight. My attention darted around once again. Diluc’s hands gripping my ass, his knuckles going white with his strong hold on me. Kaeya’s soft hair draping down on me and Diluc, his muscles illuminated by the moon. Diluc’s eyebrows furrowed with his eyes completely closed, breathing heavily at the tight fit. Kaeya’s sapphire eyes staring right back at me, studying every part of this scene just like I was.

 “Don’t hold yourself back this time. Cum all over Master Diluc’s cock for me, okay princess?”

 And with that, he leaned back up, stabilized himself by holding my waist, and began fucking me steadily. Diluc followed suit, keeping his grip on me to fuck my soaking cunt as if he were waiting for this moment his entire life.

 It took awhile for me to process what I was feeling at first. My brain was fully expecting pain, but once I realized I was going to cum after only a few thrusts in, I completely lost control.

 “F-Fuck!” I yelped into Diluc’s chest as I watched the brothers pound into me in the damned mirror, “M-Master!”

 “Which one, baby?” Kaeya teased, earning a slight chuckle from Diluc. I moaned uncontrollably in response, my voice shaking with the way my body was being rocked by the two men who started at different rhythms at first but synced up each thrust moments later.

 “K-Kaeya! Diluc!” I sighed mindlessly, earning grunts from the two of them. They always seemed to be teasing me with chuckles, acting so nonchalant as if they weren’t fucking my brains out at the same time.

 An orgasm immediately hit me like a wave without any warning and I failed to hold back the loud moan that escaped my sore throat. If my legs weren’t tied right now, I would’ve definitely been shaking uncontrollably, but even now my abdomen violently curled up as I rode the waves of my climax. But the two didn’t care. They took my moment of weakness to fuck into me even harder, silently agreeing to pick up the pace and torture me in the best way.

 “Good girl,” Diluc whispered into my ear, clearly picking up the pet name from his brother. “Tightening around me like that... you really are such a good girl.”

 “I felt it too,” Kaeya groaned out, “Can you cum for us again, princess? You’re being such a good slut for us, you know that?”

 “I’m... I’m a good slut...”

 “Then cum for us again,” Diluc’s voice was almost demanding, his movements getting more desperate and sloppy as he started to take a little more dominance in speed over Kaeya, craving the sensation that I gave to him once more. “Cum on my cock, [Y/N].”

 Kaeya ganged up onto the intensity by leaning his chest over my back again, propping himself up with one hand and grabbing a fistful of my hair with the other, making me choke on my own air. “Don’t make him tell you twice, sweetheart. Be a good girl.”

 I had managed to reach my climax again shortly after, panting and trembling as I was cutely sandwiched between the two. As the two groaned at the sensation, they asked for another a few minutes after. And another. Then we collectively switched places so Kaeya could feel me cum around his cock. Kaeya asked for another orgasm. Then one more.

 “I c-can’t fucking take it anymore...!” I screamed into his chest, overstimulated and almost writhing in pain. “P-Please s-stop!”

 The brothers that I knew were long gone by now. Now they were simply horny messes chasing after their own pleasure, edging themselves and using my body as their toy, teasing that the night would be over soon then immediately asking me to cum more. They endlessly praised me about how my body felt so good, how tight the fit was, and how sweet my moans were. And despite the aching pain in my core, I secretly didn’t want this sensation to end either. But alas, all good things come to an end, and Diluc was the first to break.

 “F-Fuck,” he grunted weakly, “I can’t hold it anymore, I’m going to...!”

 “Cum in me,” I panted out, “Fill me with cum, please, Master Diluc...!”

 With a loud groan and a cry of pleasure, Diluc’s thick load had slowly surged through my insides, his cock throbbing with each pump of cum he dumped into my abused asshole. My tongue fell out of my mouth at the sensation of Kaeya still sloppily pounding my cunt while Diluc’s movements slowed until he finally came to a complete stop, his cock still firmly buried to hold his cum inside. Kaeya took this opportunity of having me all to himself to reach a hand to the back of my neck and pull me down for a kiss before finally releasing his seed in me as well, coating my slick covered walls with his seemingly endless loads of cum. Even when his movements began to slow to a stop as well, he continued to kiss me sweetly, sneaking in small smiles here and there before pulling away to press his sweat covered forehead against mine.

 “You did so good, sweetheart,” he whispered proudly, “You’re so perfect, filled with our cum like a good slut.”

 I let out a weak laugh, wiggling my hips gently while the two were still stuffed inside of me. “I feel so good... I’m really filled with cum...” I happily grinned, giggling as I softly cuddled against Kaeya’s forehead.

 “You sure are, cutie.”

 The three of us stayed comfortably in this position for a few moments, taking in the afterglow of such a celestial feeling of finally reaching our climaxes. Our tired pants echoed throughout the room, sweat trickling down our faces and my tears slowly subsiding as Kaeya massaged my scalp and showered my face in more kisses. Diluc let out a deep breath before slowly pulling himself out of me and climbing off of the bed. He started to pick up his clothes from the floor, his eyes glancing at the way his cum slowly trickled down from my hole. Even though I wasn’t facing him, I could practically envision his stupid smug grin forming when he finally decided to say something to us.

 “Can I expect you two for ‘dinner’ sometime again soon?”

Miya Twins Crushing on Ojiro Arans’ Best Friend

Fandom: Haikyuu!! — [ Masterlist ]

Summary: Headcanons

• Being the badass best friend of Aran is great, but you’re oblivious to the effect you have on a certain pair of talented Twins. Inspired by Furudates’ drawing/sketch below.

Warnings: Some mature language?

| Part 1 | Part 2 |

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Atsumu and Osamu Crushing on Arans’ Best Friend Headcanons:

• Aran and yourself go way back, automatically clicking the second you met despite you being a year older.

• Even once you graduated Inarizaki you kept in contact, now crashing his practices if he ever needed you. (You never had the time to drop by during school since you had your own coinciding activities.) This is how the Volleyball Team came to know you.

• Aran politely asked for a ride home since you could drive and the combination of tireless practice 5 days in a row + a raging thunderstorm didn't promote walking home. Yes it took all that, Aran wasn't one to inconvenience others if he could help it. We stan.

• You arrived early, strolling into the gym with casual confidence, sporting a badass outfit and playful smirk once noticing your friend. Though, the twins had noticed you too - undying curiosity being their prominent feeling.

• "Yo Aran! You're still incredible huh?" You called over, saluting Shinsuke before embracing the Ace.

"Nice to see you (Y/n)-Senpai, thanks again for this."

"Eh? (Y/n) is fine, don-don't call me Senpai it's so odd hearing it from you!" You pulled away, embarassingly correcting him as he playfully punched your shoulder with a grin.

"It's just funny seeing you flustered~"

"Shut it shorty." A nickname once upon a time when you were taller than him - of course, you couldn't really apply it now but for old times sake, Aran let it remain.

• Whilst you were joking around with the Ace, him smiling more than they'd ever seen, the Twins slink over to an observing Kita.

"Whose that?"

"(L/n) (Y/n), a childhood friend of Arans and Inarizaki grad. A friend of mine too actually." Kita side eyed the duo, who had yet to tear their enamoured gaze from you.

"...How come we've never seen 'em before?"

"Woulda remembered someone so pretty..."

"Let me guess, you're thinking if you impress (Y/n) with your skills you might score attraction points?” —How the heck did he know that?!—“Well quit it, you're not deserving of them yet and need to get back to practicing!"

Wearily snapping to a scarily perceptive Captain, they were quick to oblige. "Gotcha Kita-san!"

• They finished off practice, you watching from the sidelines and couldn't help but be drawn in by the showy antics of the Twins - even if the Captain scolded them afterwards which caused you to chuckle. The heartwarming sound garnered their attention, although they'd been stealing glances ever since you'd arrived.

• Walking out beside Aran now training was over, you were suddenly called to a halt with your friend releasing an exasperated sigh.

"Ojiro-Senpai?" They wanted something...

"Can we hitch a ride too?" That's sus...

Aran turned to you apologetically, though you only shrugged back with a quiet laugh. "Sure, lemme know your address."

Cue fist bump the second you both turned around.

• The twins were uncharacteristically immersed whenever you spoke and actually listened intently during the car ride home, Aran smirking to himself at the sight.

"You two were trying unusually hard at practice today. What was with all that showin' off?"

"Hey! I set that perfectly all the time!"

"It's not showing off, it's just pure skill."

"Uh-huh, sure." The Miyas were ready to rebuke Ojiros sarcastic comment, until instantly subdued by your following mutter.

"Cute~" Sure the pair were like 6ft, but their interactions were comical.

• After, they are the first to greet you whenever you drop by, even before Aran can, much to his mild annoyance. He'd known these two since they were 10/11 - it didn't take him long to figure out they were crushing on you. Hard.

• Ojiro didn't even need to see the dreamy stares lingering on your figure, nor the spark flashing their irises upon hearing your name to realise it. And honestly... the scowls on their faces whenever you two shared physical contact was too amusing to pass up.

—

• It was common knowledge that you hung with Aran a lot, alternating from place to place but the Twins planned to use this to their advantage...

• "So Aran, we're like best buds right? Can ya help us study this weekend?" Osamu schemingly inquired, Ojiro raising a quizzical brow.

"You're passing ain't you?"

"...Can't be too prepared. We can drop by yours?” Atsumu jumped in this time with a plausible excuse and their upperclassmen could only sigh in defeat.

"Fine, only for a bit though."

• They’re more than thrilled when you show up at Ojiros unannounced like they’d anticipated, even if you’re intrigued by the fact the three of them are doing homework.

“Oh, I remember this from my second year!” You claimed once scanning over Atsumus’ shoulder, the blonde blushing scarlet due to your proximity and once turning to him with a nostalgic smile, you immediately pulled back.

“Ah - sorry, I wasn’t judging your answers or anything.” Osamu and Aran knew the real reason for his flustering, and it wasn’t related to anything you’d just apologised for.

“It’s - cool, whatever (Y/n)-Senpai.” Yeah Atsumu, try to play it off like your heartbeat isn’t hammering.

—

• Obviously you accompany Kita and Aran to watch the Twins at Nationals in their third year as since Aran left you don’t visit the school anymore. It was nice to chill as a trio again though.

• "Y'know everyone wants to date the Captain (Y/n)-chan." Atsumu ‘subtely’ boasted, hand on his hip as he smirked at you once meeting Inarizaki in the lobby. Aran and Kita currently catching up with other team members.

"Oh really? Is that true Osamu?” You were as snarky as ever, flicking to the deadpan expression of his twin who was more than willing to drag his brother.

“Nah, I think yer have more class than that (Y/n)-Senpai.”

“What the heck ‘Samu?!” Smiling at the reaction of Atsumu, you supposed the pair hadn’t changed all that much. (Nor had their crush on you...)

• Your trio were already going for dinner after Nationals but Kita wanted to treat his Juniors the Twins since they’d made him proud and to generally catch up. They readily accepted due to: 1) Food, and 2) You were going.

• Honestly it’s such a nice evening (you’d missed the squabble over who gets to sit next you thanks to Aran sorting it), the guys are all Volleyball buffs but damn they could eat! RIP the bill - but you went to get it anyway.

• "I'll pay for (Y/n)-Senpai!"

Both Miya brothers claimed it simultaneously and shot each other incredulous looks like they were about to fight each other. Still they competed for your attention despite graduating soon...

"Y’know (Y/n) has probably already paid for themselves, right?" Aran proposed, the Twins deflating at the thought.

• THEN you come back, Kita and Aran checking the bill on either side of you and cover the Miyas check, because they’re the best role models okay?

So you go to put your payment on the tray, offering to add a little extra too and Kita gently pulls your wrist back, putting his own Yen in its place with a small smile.

“I’ll get this for you (Y/n), you got the last one remember?”

• The Twins are glaring at both Kita and a smug Aran right now, because their former Captain totally stole their thunder thanks to Arans’ displacement whilst you have a disbelieving smile on your face.

“Thanks Shinsuke, you’re too kind.” You give him a kiss on the cheek in gratitude and that’s when it was all over.

Whilst Kita shook away the light tinting of his cheeks, Atsumu and Osamu practically died. They’d straightened up and became oddly defensive with pouts resigning on their lips. Damnit Kita-san!

They wanted that affection... :(

• The two are buzzing when you hug them goodbye though, like they’ve been enthused with a new ray of life and cannot wipe the dopey grins off their faces - then Aran offers to drop you home and they’re back to being moody.

—

• Kita and Aran were glad they’d graduated, saves them from suffering the complaints of the pair in practice and how they vow to pay for you next time if it meant such a warm reward.

• Who would’ve thought they’d have such a similar taste in romantic partner though? Certainly not you, as far as you were concerned the Miya Twins were far too in love with Volleyball to think of such a thing.

Shame, they were kinda cute...

<——————————<<<<

| Part 1 | Part 2 |

[ Masterlist ]

Hello friend ^_^ I’m the chicken anon 🐤 I call myself because I’m too much of chicken to come off of anon 😊 Anyway lol. Can I request Lance, Raihan, Leon, and Cheren with a fem!S/O who’s like... really blunt and doesn’t hesitate to speak exactly what’s on her mind. It’s a blessing and a curse lol

I only do 3 characters at one ask, so imma do, Raihan, Leon, and Cheren, since I know their characters better, I hope that’s okay! ;w;

Raihan

When the two of you were interrupted on your date for the upteenth time, your patience had ran thin. 

Raihan was trying his best to accomadate both you, the camera personelle, and a large group of fans that had surrounded your table at a local pastry shoppe in Hammerlocke. He kept mouthing apologies towards you every few moments with a strained look on his features. 

Raihan was a sweet guy, and tried to go above and beyond for everyone. 

He just didn’t seem to know when to say no. 

Your time to shine. 

You had crossed your arms and with a look that could send Pumpkaboos running you stated sternly. “If you couldn’t see with all the large lense cameras,” you tapped the glass with your right knuckle. “We are trying to spend some time together, you know, a date?”

The cameraman immediately pointed the large, expensive camera towards you.  “Y/N! How is it to be in a relationship with the tamer of dragons, Raihan?”

A growl of fustration escaped you. “It would be absolutely perfect, if you lot would learn how to give someone some space!” You replied while pointing at Raihan. “Raihan has had four matches, plus a meet and greet afterwards. Can you not see that he is tired? The two of us just wanted to have some quality, quiet time together after such a long day.”

You placed your hands on your hips and pointed your index finger towards the group. “The interview, selfies, chatting, etc, is over.” You said with your voice ringing through out the now much quieter restaurant. “Next time, try to be more respectful of the people you love so much, it’ll do you some good!”

As the fans and reporters quickly left, albeit begrudgingly, you noticed Raihan giving a small applause towards you. 

“What would I do without you, Y/N?” he beamed and bent over the table to give you a kiss on the lips. 

Raihan really does see your bluntness as needed when he can’t be the one to say no. 

Leon

You were busying yourself by scrolling through Pokegram until you heard the curtain from the changing room come open. You glanced up towards your boyfriend and nearly let out a strangled noise.

“So?” he asked while doing his signature pose he was known for. “What do you think?”

In front of you, Leon was wearing the most ridiculous of clothing choice. It took forever for you to convince him to get rid of the shorts and long leggings combo with the tacky diamond pattern down the sides, but this, oh Arceus this was so much worse. 

The poor man did not know which kind of patterns went with which. He sported a plaid button up shirt that was red in color, with yellow polka dot patterned pants that came down to his calf. Socks of the most ridiculous neon yellow were encased in sneakers that had red and white zigzags through them. 

He noticed you staring at his shoes and he puffed out his chest and tapped them against the floor and they began to flash. “Pretty sweet am I right?”

“Oh my God, they bloody light up.” You whispered in disbelief and almost wanted to cry. 

He looked at you expectantly with a giddily expression, waiting for your reaction. “What do you think? A win?” He pulled on the shirt and laughed. “The shirt is my favorite, but you can’t not love these shoes! They light up an-”

“You look like a beacon for everything painful.” you said not letting him finish. 

“You mean beau-” 

“Terrible, go change. I’ll pick something that matches the rest of your clothes.” you said as he whined in protest. 

“I’m keeping the shoes!”

Cheren

Cheren was at work, grading papers from the pop quiz that he had given earlier that day. He went to grab another paper from the quickly decreasing stack to his side but his hand landed on a familiar, softer one. 

He blinked and looked up to meet your gaze as you were leaning over his desk with a raised eyebrow. 

“Ah, Y/N. What are you doing here? We’re supposed to meet up later at your house for dinner, no?” he asked glancing back down to the paper he was in the middle of grading, circling a couple questions and calculating the grade with a calculator close by. 

You gave a heavy sigh, your clueless boyfriend as absorbed in his work as ever. “Cheren, it’s actually an hour passed the time that you were supposed to meet me at my house.” you stated bluntly, taking in a bit of amusement as his eyes widened and he spun his head at the clock on the wall that read 19:02.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry!” he replied, fluttering the pen over the paper and writing the grade at the top. “I got so absorbed in grading and tomorrows lesson plans, I seem to have lost track of time...” he scratched his cheek embarassingly. 

Your arms found their way around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. “You really do need to manage your time better, this isn’t the first time this has happened. And I’ve gotta say, if you don’t like my cooking all you’ve got to do is tell me.” you added and chuckled at his reaction of alarm. 

“Y/N, no no no, that’s so not what I meant to convey by being late!” he insisted and it made you laugh with a roll of your eyes. 

“I know, Cheren, don’t worry that smart noggin of yours.” you pulled away from him. “Now, how about we head home?” you said with a warmer smile. 

“Sounds perfect, love.” He replied with a tired, but happy sigh. 

“See, it really doesn't matter to me if you cum or not, you're the one who wants to. So you'll have to work for it very hard,” he inhaled a deep breath underlining the indifference in his voice, “and I don't think you're trying at all right now.”

I edited the previous version a lot because I wasn’t happy with it. Hope you’ll enjoy the new one. Ship: Viktor/Female V Contains: Orgasm Delay/Denial, Praise Kink, Voice Kink Word count: 3.9k Ao3

This contains spoilers for the "Path of Glory/The Sun" ending!! The ending is alternated but the spoiler is still there.

It was late, the sun has long set leaving the city in the neon lights of the signs and billboards, streets crowded with the cities night dwellers. Usually the clinic was supposed to be closed by now but an emergency had Viktor stay in late tonight, not that this was any surprise to the old Ripperdoc. This was Night City after all and if he was honest, the nights without emergencies and late shifts were the ones that worried him more. There was always some gonk who needed some patching up or an implant fixed, not that he really had much room for complaining. Having finished his work a while ago, Viktor has still not yet left the clinic, albeit for an entirely different reason than the merc who had been chewing his ear off about a malfunction in his optic implants earlier. No, Vik was sitting at his desk, tapping away on his screen to finish up a new order of cybernetics, deliberately slow if the impatient whimpering at the other end of the phone call was any indication. V's reactions forced a soft and barely audible chuckle from his throat. Her current state of impatience and desperation did interesting things to his body, the uncomfortable strain in his pants being evidence enough. V had called him after his last patient left, wanting to check in and know if he was coming over once his work was done. Not that he needed any invitation, but it was sweet of her to call just to make sure he wasn't overdoing it with his work. With her now 'running' the Afterlife and him running his clinic, time was a luxury they could not always afford, making the act of calling him a gesture he cherished deeply. How this call led to her currently working herself towards a release under his torturously slow instructions, however, he could not quite muster. Not that it mattered anyway, not with that beautiful whimpering plea of his name that just left her lips. “Vik... please...” Oh she was going to be the death of him. ______________ The noises from the city outside her window were drowned out, if not by her own uneven breathing and soft whines then it was by Viktors firm voice at the end of the line, giving her clear instructions on how and where to run her fingers along her body, when to press them down, to pinch and when to drag her nails across her skin ever so lightly, leaving goosebumps in their wake. It was the sweetest kind of torture as Vik had not yet given her permission to touch where she desperately needed it. Heat building up under her skin at every caress, every drag of her fingers, the tension almost unbearable. This was clearly not what she expected when she decided to call him earlier, between gigs and work at the Afterlife she barely found time for herself and it has been almost a week since she's last seen Vik. To say it was exhausting was an understatement, times like these she understood why the Ripperdoc gave up on being a legend. A private life was almost impossible. She was tired and desperate for a few hours of sleep but when she glimpsed into the mirror and her eyes were drawn to his necklace in her reflection she just had enough of missing his warmth and decided to give him a call. Now she was sprawled on her bed in nothing but her underwear and an old shirt clearly meant for someone bigger than her small frame, his scent faintly clung to it. V's fingers were now drawing tantalizing circles around her slit, still covered by the now soaked fabric of her underwear. Still without the okay to touch where she needed it, to relief some of the ache she was all but left panting his name softly, faintly aware of the plea that left her lips. “Didn't quite catch that kitten, gotta speak up.” His reply was hoarse and V swallowed a moan at the nickname he used, among all the names he had for her, this one was probably her favourite. She wriggled on her bed, pressing her thighs together slightly, trying to get any kind of friction. “Please let me touch myself...” Her voice was merely more than a soft mewl at this point, weak and desperate, much to Vik's delight. “You are touching yourself sweetheart, not sure I understand your request.”, he purred with that absolutely sinful voice, had anyone told her that a voice would one day make her feel the way his voice did, she would've laughed and shrugged it off as nonsense, yet here she was. His voice coursing through her body like liquid fire, pooling at her core, her cunt throbbing now. A pathetic whimper left her lips and she swallowed thickly. “You... know what I mean... ” “Oh do I?” His voice was going to be her demise. “Please...” “Kitten you know I love to hear you beg but you really gotta tell me what you want here, I'm old, can't read your mind y'know.”, it was a challenge, one that left V panting his name in a breathy moan. He knew exactly what she wanted but of course he would not make it easy for her. Ass. Viktor seemed to take some pity on her because the next thing she knew was the change of his tone, now cooing her with a fabricated softness. “What a poor girl you are huh, how about you stop with the slow circles then. I want you to really touch yourself now. I honestly don't care how, just do what works for you, get yourself nice and close to the edge and tell me when you're there.” She did not need to be told twice, her fingers now moving past the drenched fabric of her panties to rub circles into her clit. She was embarassingly close from all his teasing alone so when she moved her hand to push two fingers inside her she could already feel the coil in her stomach tensing. “You're close, aren't you sweetheart?”, Viks sounded more winded than just a couple of minutes before, clearly not unaffected by their game. The thought of her obeying his every command, of V completely at his mercy, if his pants hadn't been uncomfortable before, they certainly were now. V whimpered a quiet yes, the coil tightening closer and closer, ready to snap at any second. She inhaled a sharp breath, about to tumble over the edge, in what promised to be an intense orgasm, “Now stop.” With a frustrated whine V removed her hand from her aching cunt, stifling another groan at the sudden loss of friction and the almost-orgasm that was already fading back into nothing. “Listen to me, darling, this is very important.”, the control in Viktors voice was back, despite him talking down to her like that, V couldn't help the shiver that crawled down her spine and fueled the fire in her core. “What I want you do now is continue your work. Get really into it. But you will not cum. You'll keep yourself right on that edge until I'm with you and tell you otherwise. Think you can do that for me?” His voice was overcoming her in an inferno, lulling her into absolute obedience as she swallowed another moan. They may have had similar games before, he may have denied her orgasms before but never to this extend. No, the other times it was mere teasing, dragging it out for her mostly so they could climax together. Besides, Vik knew that a bit of edging made the orgasm so much more intense for her. This time he seemed content on testing just how far he could push her limits. With the sense of security coming from the safeword they've agreed on very early into their relationship Vik seemed to enjoy pushing V's boundaries just to see how much it would take to get her to yield. The feeling of having Night Cities best damn merc, this powerful woman who's easily crushed men his size before, fully at his mercy, obedient and begging for him was more of a turn on than Vik cared to admit. The quiet “Yes” left V's lips in a shaky breath, struggling to keep her voice even. “Good girl.”, the way he purred this particular nickname was borderline sinful and the only response she got before she heard the rustling of his clothes as he undoubtedly got up from his chair and left his clinic, now making his way to her apartment. She half expected him to hang up the call so his low voice took her by surprise when he growled softly, “Can't hear you. What are you waiting for?” Without further encouragement she continued her ministrations though she worked herself slower now, not wanting to reach that edge too quickly again. That was until she could hear the dissapointment dripping from the sigh that just left Viks lips. “Sweetheart I don't think you're really trying here.”, his voice was firm but low, hushed even, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention from bypassers likely. A pathetic whimper from V as she brushed her fingers over her aching clit. “See, it really doesn't matter to me if you cum or not, you're the one who wants to. So you'll have to work for it very hard,” he inhaled a deep breath underlining the indifference in his voice, “and I don't think you're trying at all right now.” With a frustrated groan V applied more pressure feeling herself getting closer to the edge again, that familiar coil in her stomach tightening while moans of Viks name left her lips like a prayer. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, set ablaze by the sinful coaxing of Viktors voice, guiding her every move. She felt this raw want, need, and she knew that this need was not just for her release but for him. It was music to his ears really, part of him urging him to hurry up and watch her come undone beneath his body while screaming his name but she was not yet where he wanted her to be. Whether or not she was aware how much this was testing his self control, he didn't know. But it took everything to keep his composure, to continue playing his role and not just rush to her place and bury himself deep inside her. A week without her close to him and he felt how every inch of his skin craved her with such ferocity that he feared he might not be able to hold onto his control for much longer. Of course she would not object if he gave in, but this game was as much for her benefit as it was for his. He wanted to drag this out, the rare moments they had together, he wanted to savor them. After everything that went down with the Biochip, that moment of sheer and raw panic when he heard the shot that night she almost flatlined and Johnny dragged her into his clinic and his entire world froze. When the elevator door opened and she was standing in front of him, still alive, gun in hand, ready to march down Arasaka and take her life back... This woman has seen more shit than most of Night City and she was still kicking. There was nothing else he could do other than admire her raw will to live, her determination. She was a force of nature. And she was his. He was the one currently heading towards her place, his name was the one still hanging on her lips like a silent song. The thought filled him with so much desire that he had to focus on slowing down his steps. A bright neon sign catching his attention. “Maybe we should check out this place sometime, looks like they got some nice stuff”, with a low chuckle he halted in front of a store, deciding to ignore V's groan of protest. His alone and he knew exactly how to play her. “Viktor... pleaseee”, whether she intentionally dragged out the words or she was just too far gone, he couldn't tell but he smiled at her reaction regardless. The way his full name rolled from her lips shot straight to his cock. “Please what, sweetheart?” Oh his tone was absolute agony now. Feigned sweetness coaxing his every word. He was straight up driving her mad. “Hurry up please...”, between her rasped moans and whimpers it became increasingly difficult to form coherent sentences, much to the Ripperdocs amusement. “Why the rush doll?”, he didn't bother hiding his amusement as he continued walking down the road towards her apartment building. It wasn't far from his clinic so he took every opportunity to drag things out a bit further. “Want to... cum”, V managed between sharp breaths, she's certainly not been on the edge for this long before, now alternating her ministrations between getting her right onto the edge and slowing down enough to not stumble over it. It was blissful torment. It still became an increasingly difficult and agonizing task and with her next whimper as she slowed down enough to stop herself from reaching her peak, all she heard was Viktors deep laugh for a second. “Aww poor poor girl, is the big man being mean to you and not letting you finish?” V hated him in the best possible way for the patronizing tone he was using on her, if alone for the fact that it just pushed her closer towards tipping over. Before she could reply however his chuckling stopped and he continued, “Oh that's right, I don't fuckin' care. You're here for my amusement.” The merc whined in response, at this point she had to remove her hands from her body fully, she was certain a single breath would be her end now. As much as Viktor enjoyed the torment, his impatience was growing and his pants were unbearably tight at that point, he was lucky enough that the bulge was barely obvious. Or the bypassers were just too busy with their own world to really notice. Either way, he was growing feverish for her skin on his, her cunt wrapped tightly around him. Once he arrived at the Megabuilding and stepped into the elevator his tone shifted ever so slightly. “What a good, obedient girl you're being. Think you deserve to cum?”, his words were still teasing but coaxed with a level of fondness that made her heart melt as much as it set fire to her entire body and she clutched he thighs together at the sensation. “Yes please”, she whispered into her phone. “God you sound so perfect like this, so desperate to cum for me like a good little girl.” “Please.. Viktor please”, the words coming out in a pathetic whine. “Patience darling, just stay right on the edge, you're doing so well.”, Vik knew that she needed the encouragement now, he could tell that she was close to her limit. The elevator came to a stop at her level. Viktor no longer wasted any time and took quick long strides towards her apartment. Once he finally arrived at her apartment he had to bite back a groan at the sight that he was greeted with. V was draped across her bed, shirt rolled up revealing most of her stomach and her panties discarded likely a while ago. Her head was tossed back and she was biting her bottom lip hard, thin sheen of sweat glistening in the neon light from outside her window. Her hands were gripping the sheets next to her thighs which she was currently pressing together hard. Vik was not sure what he was expecting but the image beat everything he could've imagined, sending another sharp pang down his cock and he had to adjust his pants just enough to stop the strain for the moment. “Now that's a sight to behold...”, he started teasingly, every intention of going at a slow pace thrown out the window the moment her eyes opened and met his, pupils blown with unhinged desire, bottom lip still sucked between her teeth, her expression a silent plea for mercy. “Fuck...” Whatever it was he wanted to say, it was now stuck in his throat, low groan all he could muster before quickly discarding his own clothes and leaning down on the bed, arms on either side of her head, to capture her lips in a heated and sloppy kiss. He barely wasted any time before trailing his lips down her neck, biting down onto that sensitive spot at the same time he grabbed her knees to wrap her legs around his waist. V had her arms wrapped around his shoulder tighly and when he ground his hips into her, dragging his length deliciously slow along her soaked folds, she dug ner nails into his skin and deep growl rumbled in Viks chest. Feeling his length pressed against her slit after the delicious torture she endured was pure gasoline thrown into the fire of her craving body. Unwilling to wait any longer Vik mumbled something about how wet and perfect she was for him before positioning his tip at her entrance and slowly pushing himself into the silky wetness between her thighs. The stretch was heavenly and with her being absolutely drenched from their game, she didn't need any time to adjust to his size, instead he started at a slow and steady pace, giving long and hard thrusts. Capturing her lips again, tongue tracing her bottom lip before she granted him access. His movements were slow, calculated, but hard, snapping his hips forward with a force that reminded V of his former boxer career. His left arm coming down under her waist, lifting her up ever so slightly, the new angle making him hit that spot deep inside that sent sparks through her entire body. V eventually broke the kiss to gasp for air, Viks face now buried in her shoulder, deep growls rumbling in his chest. He held her so tightly and she clung to him just as much, the emotions running through her, she could feel his heartbeat and every last bit of tension from her daily life, every fear, every uncertainty faded into nothing. She was not only feeling her own pleasure, she was feeling his, it made her heart hammer in her chest. How did she ever get so lucky? Out of all the people in Night City this man had chosen her, a kid from the street merely trying to survive, she may have reached the top but she knew that she would have never gotten this far without him. A sharp bite on her neck pulled her out of her thoughts and she could feel his lips move when he spoke onto her skin “Stop thinkin' so goddamn much.” Vik had her moaning his name again with a particular hard thrust. “Better.” His movements quickened and before long he was slamming into her with a brutal pace. “Vik I can't hold-”, V cried out unable to finish her sentece, she was so close to her climax, she desperately wanted to cum and just when it seemed like he would let her, he halted his movements entirely. V whined in protest, head thrown back into the pillows and eyes shut, she bucked her hips for any kind of friction but Viktors hands held her hips in place and with a smirk he leaned in to trace his lips along her neck again, he could feel her pulse racing. “You're doing so well kitten, come on, beg for it.” He continued his movements, slowly at first, dragging his full length out before slamming back in, hitting that perfect spot that made her cry out his name. “You can do better, come on, let me hear you”, he continued mumbling into her neck, getting close to his own release while he increased his pace, no longer holding back from slamming into her with a force that almost knocked the air out of her lungs. V no longer having any reservations about her volume, chanted his name with strings of “please” like a prayer, neighbors be damned, let them hear whos doing this to her, hear who she belongs to. Her nails digging into his back hard enough to leave bloody trails, not that he seemed to mind, if anything it just goaded him on as a sharp hiss left his lips. Another bite to her neck, sure to leave a mark, and he grabbed her face. “Look at me.” V struggled to keep her eyes open. “Look. At. Me.” Viktor briefly slowed down his movement enough so V could open her eyes and look at him. Whatever people saw in her in the streets, this view was his and his alone,  pupils blown wide with lust and pure longing, longing not only for release but all of him, he wished he could save this image forever. “Good girl”, he smirked at her before picking up his pace again. “You ready to cum with me?” V just nodded. “Use your words sweetheart”, despite the command, his voice was soft, tender, his thumb tracing along her cheek. “Yes, please”, was all she managed to gasp before he moved his hand to the back of her head, grasping her hair in a tight grip. “Then cum for me.” With a shout of his name the coil finally snapped and her orgasm crashed over her in an inferno, ever nerve of her body on fire as she rode out the most intense climax she's ever had. His name clung to her lips and she felt herself clenching down on Viks cock tightly. That was all it took for him to follow her, with a loud groan of her full name he thrust into her a few more times, spilling his release deep inside her Coming down from their high together they stayed in place like this for a while, catching their breaths  before Vik leaned down to press a soft kiss to V's forehead. “Good girl, you did so well.” A kiss on her lips, slow and thoroughly to come down from their high. Pouring their emotions into each other. V wished she could just stay like this forever. No responsibilities, no clients waiting for her, just this. Content. Peaceful. When Vik broke the kiss he cupped her cheek with his right hand, looking at her like she was the only damn thing that mattered in this world. It made her heart ache. “I love you”, he whispered, breath tickling her lips. Her heart now felt like it was going to leap out of her chest and all she could muster was a smile as she leaned up to capture his lips with her own. Nothing else mattered in that moment, not the noise and crowds of the city outside her apartment, not her clients, not the Afterlife or even her role in it. It all faded into the background. Everything she wanted, needed, was here. This felt like home, he felt like home, and she finally understood.

I cling to your lips like gloss (3)

a Javier Peña x OFC story

also on AO3

author: @youhavereachedtheendofpie  👋

tags&warnings: spoilers for season 3, wonky timelines & odd pacing, drinking, swearing, mentions of sex work, mentions of canon-typical violence, Miss Salome is back!, some mild domesticity, partial nudity, a lil’ bit of sexual & romantic tension, soft&protective!Javi today tomorrow and forever

words: 8906 🙃🤡🙃🤡

summary: “The United States government is buying you a dress because you being at that party is of strategic importance to this investigation.”

Author’s note: Thank you SO SO much everyone who read, reblogged, and commented! It means so much to me and I want you to know that I read those comments and reviews at least every other day 

Also this chapter was originally going to feature more as I was planning to move into the actual plot of the season, but then it just got longer and longer and I wanted to keep it under 10k words so that has all been moved to the beginning of ch4 instead. Anyway, remember it’s okay to take breaks in between, stay hydrated, and enjoy!

—

Tag list: @keeper0fthestars @opheliaelysia @dindjarindiaries @fromthedeskoftheraven @shikin83​ @cinewhore​ @maddoggrahaml​

(message me if you want to be added to the list)

beautiful moodboard made by @huliabitch​ 

Masterlist

Prologue • Chapter 1 - The Informant • Chapter 2 - A Wedding and Four Funerals

Chapter 3 - Swallow Pride and Anger

He made a habit of checking in with Miss Rivas regularly, usually on Wednesday evenings. It was late enough in the week for her to have gathered something to tell him, and for him to need interactions beyond dealing with pissy bureaucrats and the chorus of 'yes boss'es from his agents. That and he made the conscious choice to never bother her on Thursdays, seeing as how often she'd come back from a work day in the double digits, only to rise again with the sun on Friday mornings for her frequent trips back to Medellín. 

On this Wednesday, his self-imposed cigarette embargo inside his office combined with a slow and frustrating day had led him to go back to his apartment at an uncharacteristically early hour. He threw his jacket, wallet and keys down on the table, then loosened his tie and grabbed a beer from his fridge. He took a slow pull from the bottle, allowing himself to slump a bit against the kitchen counter. This apartment, while never what he would call a home, was still a sanctuary of sorts, even if most days he only came here to sleep and change clothes. He finished about half the bottle before clicking the bent cap back on haphazardly and placing it back in the fridge. He checked his watch and decided that a shower would, if not make him feel better, at least wash off the stale dryness of the embassy complex's aircon. 

His hair still damp, he exited the bathroom about half an hour later. He padded across the floor barefoot, shuffling around the few rooms a bit, pulling on a clean t-shirt and preparing a small meal in the kitchen. He didn't have much except for the usual staples, chosen by how easy they were to prepare and by how effectively they would fill his stomach, rather than for any considerations of taste. The only thing he allowed himself to indulge in was the selection of fresh fruit he picked up at the street market down the road. By the time he'd gotten something in his stomach it was nearing seven. Javier reckoned she would be home by now and would have had enough time to settle in. He grabbed his fruit plate and trudged over to his wall-mounted landline phone. After placing the plate on the low side table, he dialled the satphone's number and waited for the line to connect. 

"Agent Peña, good evening!" The sound quality was much better than with those tinny phone cells. It allowed him to hear how pleased she sounded as she greeted him, and how slightly out of breath. 

"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Miss Rivas. I can call back later?" It occurred to him that she might be in the process of making dinner herself. 

"Oh no, it's alright!" He heard the shuffling of steps and the hum of music in the background. "Hang on, let me finish on the landline, then I'm all yours." She must have set the satphone down right next to her stereo system. He could hear music more clearly now, still distant like not all of it survived the transmission, but distinct enough to make out a string section paired with electric guitar and words in an unfamiliar language. 

"Interesting music selection." He mused as she came back on the line.

"Huh? Oh yes, Angelika let me borrow some of her tapes. Newly historical contraband from behind the Iron Curtain." She laughed quietly, and Javier thought of how for some of his former CIA colleagues, that might have been reason enough to drag her in for an interrogation. He sneered at the notion, glad it was no longer relevant. "Not that I understand anything, but that's why music is called the universal language, I suppose."

"Your German friend." Javier hummed thoughtfully. He'd had to look up what that Stasi remark meant, embarassingly enough. Despite the added information included, he'd been made to change it to 'Calí KBG' in his preliminary report on the matter. 

"Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't convince her to help more. It's half the way she was brought up and half fear. I guess the thought of going up against a powerful drug cartel and helping the American government at the same time is just a bit too much. And with her and Julio now trying for a baby she just really doesn't want to risk it, you know?" 

"It's okay." Javier said reflexively, allowing himself to sit on the floor by his phone, his back against the wall. Angelika Florez-something-long-and-German-with-lots-of-umlauts that he wasn't even going to attempt to pronounce worked at the Calí phone company and would have been an invaluable asset, but then again she'd already placed herself in danger by allowing Diana to relay what she knew. Javier wasn't going to force anyone to become an informant. "Anything new on your end?" 

"New corner office." 

"Nice." 

"Oh, very."  He heard more soft rustling over the line, as if she was moving around, and then some light clicking noises that might have been a large window or door being opened. "Miguel Rodríguez did stop by yesterday. Unannounced, of course. Cut into my lunch break." 

Javier straightened, the hand with a piece of orange sinking back down from his lips. "Oh? What did he want?" Unfortunately it was nothing he could be nailed down for. The Rodríguez brothers did own that bank and had every right to be there, every once in a while. 

"Wanted to talk about the tax evasion scheme I devised. I swear, there's nothing rich people hate more than paying their taxes!" Her huff made him laugh softly, despite everything. "Nothing of substance to report, sadly."

"We'll get them." Javier promised. "With your help, they'll go down like a bag of rocks in water."

She hummed, tapping her nails against the phone casing absently. He could hear the light click of it over the line. Javier let himself enjoy the reprieve this unassuming silence offered.

"I've been wondering," she started again after a moment, pensive, "how you met Gabriela. Was it when she was still at the brothel or after?" 

Actually screw reprieve. Javier felt like all his blood was now rushing to his ears and neck. "Umm..." he said, eloquently. "W-why d'you want to know?" And hadn't the other woman told her that detail, since they apparently shared everything? He had made it until now in forcibly not dwelling on what exactly this 'everything' would entail. 

"Sorry no, that came out wrong. I was just wondering if she'd ever been in any way involved in your... work. I'm sorry, this isn't... I just- I worry."  

Javier exhaled slowly, thinking back on the night he'd chanced upon the stunning redhead at a bar. He hadn't planned on it becoming a regular thing, and then before he knew it, the sporadic nights he spent with her were the only thing removed from the stress of his job. "No, never." 

"Dammit." 

That was... not what he'd expected. He frowned a moment before it dawned on him. 

"You're worried that by involving her when Maritza asked you for help you put her in danger."

"...Yes." She sounded glum now, not pleased and at ease enough to attempt to joke with him like before. He hated it. 

"Hey, it's alright. Nothing happened to her." At least to her. At least one person had come out of that nightmare mostly unscathed. It was something to be grateful for. "They're gone now. Escobar and his men are gone. She's safe." 

"Thank you, Agent Peña. I just-" Her voice sounded so small, suddenly. He frowned, plate of fruit long forgotten. "I couldn't bear it if I lost her, too. And while I didn't live in Medellín for all of it I ...you hear things." 

Unbidden, his mind flashed to the brothel on 23rd street in Envigado, all the women executed, La Quica putting bullets through their brains because one of them had been brave enough to call the Search Bloc and DEA on him. He thought of Helena. He thought of the dozens more who had the violence in their lives compounded tenfold because they'd dared to defy the narcos' terror. And often enough, through him. Sometimes the guilt ate Javier alive. 

"Hang on a moment." He said, already heaving himself up and striding over to the kitchen, grabbing his unfinished beer from the fridge, then doubling back over to the bar and grabbing a glass and a bottle of whiskey. Mixing the two was probably not a good idea. As much as drinking in general. He didn't care right now. Javier tried to be a better man than he had been, but there were times when he slipped. 

He poured himself a glass of the liquor as he sat back down and snatched the phone receiver back up from where it swung against the wall. 

"I'm back." He announced simply and took a swig. 

"I shouldn't have brought it up." She sighed long and drawn. "I'm sorry for... I suppose I just wanted to make myself feel better. That if something had happened to Gabi it wouldn't have been my fault, too. I didn't think- I cannot begin to imagine, Agent Peña-" 

"It's alright." Javier said, reflexively. The beer bottle was just one generous sip away from being empty now. His fingers played with the rim of it absently as he stretched his legs out in front of him, the tumbler of whiskey at his side. 

"It's not alright." Miss Rivas insisted, sounding even more distraught. He hated that, too. 

"Maybe. Maybe not. It is what it is." He scrubbed a palm over his face, rubbing at his burning eyes. The alcohol was beginning to swirl through his bloodstream. It helped, he supposed, that there was a sort of artificial distance through the telephone line. Otherwise the next words would likely never have left his lips. 

"Can I tell you something?" Javier Peña wasn't a religious man, but there were times when he saw the sense of a confessional. 

"Of course." Her voice was just the slightest bit shaky. "Should I get myself a drink, too?"

"If you want." He threw back the last bit of beer, following it up immediately with a gulp of whiskey, then pressed the still cold bottle against his flushed neck. He hesitated a moment, listening intently to the shuffling and rustling on the other end of the line. He felt his shoulders tighten and draw up, let his head fall back against the wall with a soft 'thud', his fingertips tracing the rim of the glass until he heard her soft affirmative. 

This was not a time to let shame hinder him. Hell, the fact that he paid women for sex was the first thing she ever knew about him. 

"You should know that I have a kind of... reputation." Javier began slowly. Like she didn't know that already. Like she couldn't guess. Like maybe this illusion where he could make this a confession instead of a confirmation was somehow more dignified. 

He'd gotten the idea a few months into coming down here. Or rather the idea had found him in the shape of a lovely, doe-eyed brunette who'd introduced herself as 'Aurélia'. And Javier had been hungry and lonely, his shame at his ruined wedding fresh and the frustration of running after leads into empty corners even fresher. And he doesn't even remember how he ended up inside her room, and while under no illusion that what was about to transpire was merely a business deal, a service rendered and compensated for, he'd found himself talking. Javier wasn't a talker, but she'd been so sweet in the way she carded her slender fingers through his hair and let him ramble on, probably wasting her time. 

"That's who you're here for?" Javier remembered still, with such distinct clarity, how her fingers had stuttered against his scalp. Javier had lifted his far-too-heavy head from her comfortable bosom and peered up at her, wondering whether disclosing all this had been a mistake. What kind of idiot walks into a brothel in Medellín half drunk and says he's a cop looking to take down Pablo fucking Escobar plus associates? 

"They come here sometimes. Those sicarios I mean." Aurélia had said, resuming her caresses. Sweet girl. Sweet, sad girl who kissed so softly. 

"Oh yeah?" Just his luck. "Not tonight though, hopefully." Suddenly he wasn't quite as drunk or tired anymore. 

"Not tonight, no. At least not that I know of. Anyway, it's not- I shouldn't tell you this." She'd tilted his head up and pressed a lingering kiss to his lips. That girl could kiss like she was in love with you. 

That was that. Four days later he'd come back, with a proposal wrung from his superiors. Any information that could lead to the capture of one of the Cartel's sicarios for a generous chunk of solid American cash. 

"Aurélia?" Miss Rivas asked in a voice as if she was running calculations. "With curls or with a birthmark?"

"Umm, birthmark." A mole on her left cheek, just under the eye, like a rococo lady in every period piece about the French, except real. 

"Oh! Catalina Vasquez!" 

"You know her?" Of course she knew her. Apparently Medellín was actually a damn village and not a city of millions. 

"Yeah, the family lived just down the street growing up. I used to babysit them sometimes, her and her younger sisters." 

Javier hummed, unsure of how to reply. He pinned the receiver between his head and shoulder and shoved the freed hand up under the collar of his shirt to rub at the tension in the back of his neck. 

"Sorry for interrupting, do go on." 

It had taken some convincing. A whole lot of planning, too. But by the end of it he had one of Gacha's sicarios in custody. A large, brutish man who'd nicknamed himself 'Cobra'. Low-level and not especially bright, as it turned out, but not completely worthless. Javier had gone back to the brothel that night to give Aurélia her reward, and then he'd come back again the night after, when the high of success had worn off and he'd craved being kissed again like it meant something. Only, she'd been gone. Left without a trace, her erstwhile colleagues unwilling to divulge the whats and wheres and whys. Frustrated and anxious and in no small part betrayed, he'd drowned himself in a willing bottle blonde who could do extremely interesting things with her mouth. And that was that, the start of a career and a reputation. Not that he ever expected to be 'serviced' when he was there in a professional capacity. But when they offered, he found himself too weak to refuse. And they almost always offered. For whatever reason. 

Professional pride perhaps.  

"What happened to her?" It had been years but he had to ask, just on the off chance. 

"She took your money and cut loose, moved to the coast and got a job at a baker's. Last thing I heard she was married and had another baby on the way." 

"Good. That's ...good." He'd wondered, all these years... "Thank you."

"I didn't do anything." 

"For listening. For letting me ...unload." For lifting a bit of guilt and uncertainty off of me. "Just... you don't have  to do that. So thank you."

A short rustling, the squeak and groan of a chair, then: "I will listen to whatever you want to tell me, Agent Peña." 

Javier released a sigh, deep and weary, and set aside his glass and the bottle that was significantly lighter than it had been. His mind was somewhere in that soupy stage now, floating aimlessly on some sort of thick fog. It dulled the creeping pain in his back that told him he was too old to be sitting on the floor now. He mumbled something indistinct, rubbed his eyes and shook his head in an attempt to clear the haze. 

"Well, in any case, now you know." He'd only need to tell her about Lorraine, Helena, and Carillo, and he'd have shared all of his major sins. Huh.

"What are you asking for?" 

Absolution. "A verdict?" 

"I have no intention of judging you, Agent Peña. Not for this. You acquainted yourself with all the working girls in Bogotá and Medellín, and I married a man I did not love and stayed with him for years." 

"That's hardly the same." 

"Isn't it?" Her voice was soft and rueful, brimming with words not ready to be spoken quite yet. He sensed it, and agreed, and therefore decided that it was time to cut this heart-to-heart off here for both their sakes. 

"Hell, I don't know. Maybe, in a way." He was way too drunk for this. He shouldn't have drunk this much. Where had his threshold gone? It's like he'd spent years tempering his liver for nothing. 

"Well then, I'll let you know whether or not it'll be worth for you to come down to Medellín next weekend. Sleep well. And drink some water before then." 

Javier glanced at the clock mounted on the oppsite wall. When the hell had it gotten this late? No wonder his ass was numb and his back was killing him. There was a moment when the strangest words were just hanging on to the tip of his tongue, ready to plummet off. That it would always be worth it to see her. Even just to take a turn about a park with her and the kid. Javier swallowed thickly. Gathered his professionalism and detachment. 

"Until then, Miss Rivas. Good night." --- --- --- The phone rings insistently in a way that tells him it's been at it a while. Javier sighed while sliding the glass door of his office shut behind him. He hadn't planned on being all but ambushed by one of Stechner's CIA stooges under the guise of 'inter-agency liasing', and that was after getting caught up with a lenghty presentation one of his newly transferred agents had prepared for him. Feistl, he'd said his name was. The presentation was full of good ideas, too, just too involved. Javier had told the guy as much. If you can get your point across with ten words there's no point using fifty. 

Javier picked up the receiver, one hand rubbing at the dull throbbing that was just starting to build in his temple. 

"Peña."

"You're still at your office? It's past eight, you should go home." He smiles despite himself, and the chiding tone. 

"Got delayed." He offered by way of an explanation. She harrumphed softly. 

"Not that I'm not delighted to hear from you, but what's the occasion?" She rarely called him, he usually called her. She certainly didn't call on Thursday nights because when she wasn't preparing to drive up to Medellín she was usually exhausted enough at this point in the week to turn in early. 

"I hope you're sitting down." 

Javier perched himself on the edge of his desk where it wasn't piled high with reports and mind-numbing paperwork awaiting his signature. "I am." 

"They're having a party and I've been invited. Friday next week. They'll all be there; Santacruz is apparently coming down from New York for it. The chief accountant, the money launderer, everyone. And their wives, or other-" 

Javier's foot slipped a bit where he'd foolishly leaned a significant percentage of his weight on it. He caught himself as the desk gave a loud groan, slipping a bit on the linoleum floor. He righted himself quickly, sitting more firmly on the edge of the desk. 

"What do you know?" 

"Apparently there's going to be some sort of important announcement, but no one knows what it is, not even Miguel. Gilberto called it. All I know is that all four of them will be there, as well as everyone important in the organization. And then some. Likely every politician and law enforcement official in their pocket. Other cartels, too, but I don't know who exactly-"

"Miss Rivas, stop." Javier said firmly. Her voice had gotten that rambling, frantic quality that wore thin its natural pleasant rasp. "That's plenty. This is..." he twisted around and fished for his desk calendar, grabbing the nearest pen to circle the day, "This is huge. It could even be just the break we need."

She was silent for a moment, only her long, deliberate breaths crackling over the line. "You think so?"

"I think regardless of what it is, if it's important enough for a gathering this big, then yes."

"I don't suppose you could raid the party and arrest them all just like that?" She mused. 

"Only in my dreams, Miss Rivas." He allowed himself a second to picture it: surroundig what was no doubt a very large and fancy property, riding in like the cavalry, the dumbstruck faces as the Gentlemen of Calí and their associates realized their luck had run out, clapping the handcuffs on them - he'd want to do it himself, hear the gratifying click of metal on metal that would wipe the self-satisfied smirks off their faces. 

The warrants for the Calí godfathers existed, that wasn't the problem. The problems started with finding the location, circumventing their no doubt expert security, getting the lot of them without anyone escaping... Then there was the trouble of getting a search warrant for the property, even if they did know the address, and it was going to be a whole lot more complicated if the guy who signed those warrants was at that party himself. Then there was the fact that for all the valuable intel Miss Rivas had provided already, it wasn't nearly enough to nail the godfathers beyond what their army of slippery attorneys could weasel them right back out of. What they really needed was for someone to talk. Someone who had been there for longer and knew the operations of the cartel more intimately than Miss Rivas ever could (or than he would want her to, if Javier was being honest). The mysterious money launderer perhaps, or the chief accountant. Either would be good, both would be better - then again, the immunity deals that usually came with these kinds of cooperations didn't sit too well with Javier. 

"Hell, I don't even have a plus one. Do I really have to go? I could pretend to be sick." She sighed and scoffed, and muttered something about not having anything to wear. 

"I think you know." And if these people didn't know his face (and would put a bullet through it on sight) he'd gladly offer to be her plus one, if only to keep her safe. He hated knowing she'd be all alone there, among the wolves. It didn't make what he still had to ask of her any easier.  

"Yes, I know. Miguel called me the 'third corner of their finance trifecta'." A bitter laugh, not that Javier needed that cue to know. He could tell from her voice alone how much she despised it. "In any case, now you know, so you can make whatever arrangements you need. I'll see you tomorrow?" Ah yes, about that. 

"I'm afraid I can't make lunch. Urgent meeting called by the ambassador." Urgent and useless, but when the new president and minister of justice wanted a briefing he had to oblige. "Sorry."

"That's alright. Dinner then? My aunt will be in the hospital overnight." 

"I'll see what I can do." There was just one more thing. "Miss Rivas?"

"Yes?"

"Would you be willing to wear a wire? To the party?" 

"Well, I was thinking a cocktail dress would be more appropriate-" 

Javier scoffed. "You know what I mean." He could picture her grin on the other end of the line, pleased at her little joke. 

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I suppose I might as well, seeing as I'm not getting out of this-" 

"Thank you."

"Best bring the necessary ...equipment with you. I need to go dress shopping this weekend." 

He promised that he would. He promised to call as soon as he knew when he'd be in Medellín. And he promised to go home for the day as soon as they said their good-byes.

He intended to do just that; he only needed to file away some things first. 

"Boss?" Another one of the new transfers poked his head in after knocking. Why was he still here at this hour? Javier struggled to recall his name. 

"Yeah, what is it, uh..." He did feel bad about it, too. A little bit at least. 

"Van Ness, sir." 

"What is it, Van Ness?" 

"Duffy just faxed this over." Van Ness leaned further into Javier's office, holding himself steady on the doorframe, and handed him the flimsy sheet of paper. "They've gotten a lead through Cornerstone." 

--- --- ---

Dinner instead turned into an apologetic phonecall during a meeting break and then a red eye flight out to Medellín. Then there's another meeting at the Search Bloc home base with Colombian National Police representatives and the only high point of it is that he briefly sees Hugo Jr who looks well. So by the time Javier finally starts out to Envigado it's lunchtime again. He makes it there just slightly after. 

He walked up to the small house, past the flowerbeds on the windowsills, and knocked on the door. That side of the house was south-facing and it was a hot, cloudless day that has him sweating in his suit in no time. He's just about to knock again, thinking perhaps the first time he'd been too soft to be heard so as not to disturb the aunt who must be resting after her overnight stay at the hospital, but then he hears the quick tap of feet and the door is yanked open by an out-of-breath Diana. "Hey." 

She was wearing a wide smile and cut-off denim shorts with a simple blue cotton blouse and her hair was loose and much longer than when they'd first met. It seemed like no time at all had passed since then when in reality it had been close to a year now. 

"Hi," Javier breathed, "Sorry for the delay." 

She waved it off. "Come on in, I saved you a plate." She turned and walked back the short and narrow hallway. Stop gawking at her legs.

"That's not necessary." He tried to deflect, toeing off his shoes near the door and loosening his tie and shirt collar, just the top button. 

"Nonsense, unless you've eaten?" She looked over her shoulder before turning into the small kitchen. 

"I haven't, no." Javier conceded, following behind. It wasn't exactly spacious, a round table squished to one wall with just enough space for three chairs. Little Salome sat at one, drawing with an array of colorful crayons. She acknowledged him silently before going back to her drawing and Javier sat down. 

"Coffee?" Diana asked over the hum of the microwave, already pulling two mugs from a cupboard. 

"Please." Javier stretched his legs out as far as he could without becoming a tripping hazard. "How's your aunt?" 

"Resting now. She's been better recently, but overall she's been declining so I don't know-" She gave a helpless shrug, then brought over the mugs, shortly followed by the steaming plate which she set in front of him. He'd learned a while ago that even the most minute resistance was futile anyway. Besides, he actually was really rather hungry. Catering wasn't a priority for the CNP. 

He waited until she sat down in the chair opposite to start eating. They talked quietly, not exactly smalltalk, but nothing too heavy either. It was strange sort of almost-domesticity if one looked over the fact that he was being snuck in like a teenage delinquent boyfriend whenever the aunt was out or asleep (which was fine by him as he had no desire to meet the woman whose only daughter he'd gotten killed). 

"So how does that whole wire situation work in real life?" Diana asked after she'd cleared away the dishes (and physically slapping his hand away when he moved to help). 

"Well it's... there's a literal wire, a microphone on one end, and a recording device on the other. And a battery." Javier began haltingly. 

"And it needs to be concealed under the clothes, obviously." 

"Obviously." 

"Hmm, I see. How big?" She sat back down again, brushing a hand through Salome's hair affectionately. "And how do I secure it under the dress? I need to know these things so I can pick out one that'll cover it all, you see." 

Javier nodded. "Did you want to leave soon? Because I was thinking it's probably easiest if I just came along." 

At this, she seemed surprised, but recovered quickly. "You sure?"

He sipped the last of his now tepid coffee and nodded again. "Yeah, let's go buy you a dress."

"There's no need to buy me a dress, Agent Peña." He recognized that tone by now, how testy she got at any allusion of charity. It was an ingrained reflex that he knew better than to be irked by. 

"The United States government is buying you a dress because you being at that party is of strategic importance to this investigation." He stood to put the empty mug in the sink before she could beat him to it, then returned to the table, standing behind the seat he'd previously occupied and gripping the back of it. "Besides, more of American taxpayer money is spent on worse things." Like Stechner's salary, he thought. She gave him a look that said they'd have more words on this, probably when they reached the checkout, then stood, saying she'd go say goodbye to her aunt. 

Javier nodded, watching her leave. A little noise caught his attention. Salome still didn't speak much, but she knew how to make herself known nonetheless. "What is it, Miss Salome?" Javier stooped to get closer to eye level with the kid. She looked up at him with her big brown eyes and held up a scrap of the paper she'd been drawing on. 

"Oh, what's this?" She shook the paper insistently in her tiny fist, an adorable frown creasing between her brows, as if miffed that he was being slow. And it's... he's gotten more relaxed around the little girl by now, but it still always lingers that he's part of the reason she's an orphan, and traumatised into a selective mutism that apparently even the average counselor or child psychiatrist doesn't quite know how to deal with to boot, that leaves him with a lingering apprehension that manifests in the kind of awkward hesitation that now has her scrambling off the chair and patting his leg as she holds the paper up for him to take. 

"Want me to take a look?" He bends and takes it gently. Is answered by a sort of long-suffering sigh. The scrap is barely the size of his palm, covered in colorful blobs of red and orange and yellow and blue, pink and green and purple swirls in between. 

"Very pretty." He decrees and attempts to hand it back just as Miss Rivas is poking her head back the room. 

"Can you please grab the car seat?" 

"Huh?" It's not very eloquent, but then again he's engaged in a game of impromptu reverse tug-of-war with a toddler. "She's coming with?" She's also pushing the paper back at him again, pouting. 

"Yes of course she is. The car seat? It's on the shelf behind you." There is no argument to be had with the women in this family, so he doesn't even attempt it, just straightens and looks for the car seat which is indeed in the described spot. "And that drawing is for you so just take it." 

"For me?" It's still clutched in his hand, and Salome is heaving a huff as if to say 'Duh. Idiot.' His throat feels tight all of a sudden. "Well, thank you very much." He makes a show of tucking it very carefully into the pocket of his suit jacket, then turns to retrieve the car seat. Together they make their way out. It takes a moment to set up the car seat in the back, another to wrestle the stroller into the trunk, but eventually they're on their way downtown.

--- --- ---

They have entered a world of ruffles. And sequins. For a moment Javier thinks he's having flashbacks to Lorraine's endless sessions discussing bridesmaid's dresses all those years ago. He exchanges a look with Miss Rivas, her expression stony and tense. 

"Alright, quick in and out. If at all possible, I want to be out of here again before Salome wakes up." Javier nodded, tightening his grip on the stroller handles. Salome had dozed off in the car on the drive over and was now out cold, not even stirring throughout the transferral from car seat to stroller. Javier eyed the sea of satins and gulped, then turned to the woman at his side. "What's your plan?" 

"I'm going to find a shop assistant." She narrowed her eyes, gaze flitting over the masses of racks. 

"Good plan." Javier mumbled. He had an inkling that they'd be here forever if they attempted to brave this ocean of dresses alone. 

"Right, you can..." she trailed off as her eyes fixed on a woman some feet away, her head just bobbing up from between two racks where she was rearranging some very bright red and very small garments, "...um, wait by the changing rooms?"

"It's fine." Javier replied, starting to push the stroller in that direction. If nothing else he figured he could function as a temporary clothing rack or something. On instinct, he scans the perimeter while Miss Rivas elucidates to the shop assistant what she is looking for and the younger woman, perhaps in her mid- to late twenties, snaps her fingers in triumph before announcing that she has 'just what you're looking for' and starts marching away. They follow her like ducklings from rack to rack, and a good ten minutes later they have an armful of cocktail dresses of varying lengths, cuts, and colors. It's the kind of brutal efficiency that even Search Bloc could only dream of, all in the petite shape of this eager retail employee with a side pony.

"Let me know if you need help." She chirps as she deftly deposits them in the changing room area before returning to her other tasks. 

It's an almost enclosed space, five curtained cabins in an open half-circle arrangement with a long-ish bench in the middle and some tall mirrors on the spaces between. He wheels the stroller beside the bench and sits a moment later, so that the both of them are facing the changing room where the shop assistant had hung up the dress selection. Shrugs off his suit jacket, then drapes it carefully over the sleeping child to block out the light and muffle the noise of shoppers. Miss Rivas looked at him expectantly, one hand on the curtain that was half drawn. 

"What?" 

"You're gonna have to show me how to put on the wire thingy." She jerked her head towards the changing room. Javier gulped, the implication dawning on him. Looked at the stroller helplessly. There was nothing but an effectively timed baby snore and a twitch of one little ladybug-socked foot. 

"Come on, the sooner we get this over with the sooner we can leave." As previously stated, there is no arguing with the women of this family, especially when they're right, so he resigns himself, dives for the case that holds the machinery, and stands. Miss Rivas stepped aside, drawing up the curtain after a furtive glance around. "We're both adults." 

"Yeah." Javier agreed, his throat tight. At least these cabins were decently sized or they'd be squished in there like sardines in a can. 

Javier turned away to give her some privacy, fiddling with the wire instead, pretending it had gotten more tangled than it was. At her soft confirmation that she's ready he turns around, making a conscious effort not to look... anywhere really. At least she'd only chucked her top; the shorts are still on. 

"Agent Peña, I would assume that you have seen women in their underwear before." She sounded amused, and clearly more relaxed about this than he could ever pretend to be. He gives a terse nod, making his eyeline give a wide berth until his gaze lands squarely on her face where a bemused smirk just barely masks something more uncertain. 

"Sorry, there is a real dearth of female agents or this would be much less awkward." Javier stepped closer, holding the wire in his hands like the world's flimsiest shield. She's right of course, the sight of a woman's brassiere hasn't been new to him since he was a teenager sneakily perusing clothing catalogues in his bedroom after dark. Hers isn't even... it's... functional, off-white, unwired and unembellished, and reveals just the edge of a tan line, something he quickly drags his gaze away from. The problem is of course, that the path his eyes take is further down her body, suddenly snagging on a raised line down at the very edge of her ribcage on the left side. 

"What's this?" His thumb drags across the raised skin instinctually. It's a thin, straight line of scar tissue, around half the length of his index finger and sitting right on the lowest rib. Diana gasped softly and he snatched his hand away like he'd touched one of the electric fences back on the ranch. "Sorry." 

"It's fine, it's just a scar." She took a steadying breath and retraced the path his finger had just taken on her skin with her own, pensive. "I got caught in a shootout on my way home when I was home for summer from university once. It's just a graze." Just a graze that would have been more than that if it had hit just a few inches to the side. Javier felt faint at the thought. 

"Do you have any?"

"Huh?" His brain is lagging on something, hence the eloquent reply. 

"You said you get shot at a lot in this job. Ever been hit?" She ducks her head a little, looking up at him through her lashes from where she's leaning back against the wall. "Come on, I showed you mine, you show me yours." It's clearly a joke, and one she obviously regrets as soon as the words are out, judging by the pained expression that comes right after the statement. 

"Just one." Javier said, tapping his leg about a handwidth above the knee. "Went right through. Apparently missed the main artery by less than half an inch." 

"Hmm, " she hummed, "Looks like we're both lucky then." 

"Yeah," Javier agreed, his voice soft and low, "lucky." 

The changing rooms really were not cramped, but with two fully grown adults inside, they were just about spacious enough. They stood barely an arm's length apart, mirror to one side and thick faux-velvet curtain to the other. Javier felt heat prickle from the base of his neck downwards, and he wasn't even the one with half his chest out. He'd only rolled up his shirtsleeves to his elbows, leaving his forearms bare. 

Her hand brushed over one gently, curling around his wrist and startling him out of whatever feverish reverie he'd zoned out into. 

"So," she trailed her fingertips further down, over his knuckles and the wire slung around them, before tapping against the small black cylinder that housed the recording device and battery, "does this thing get hot?" 

Pull yourself together and be fucking professional! "It shouldn't." 

"Right, well let's get it on then." 

He handed her the microphone end first. Explained ideal placement, the closer to the face the better. This was a modified necktie bug, small and discreet, secured against the skin with tape if necessary. She took it, pinned the mic to the strap of her bra, high up on the shoulder. The wire itself was long enough to wind around her torso once with some slack. The slim casing that held the battery and recording device she tucked into her bra for now. Listened intently as he explained how to turn the device on and off. 

"I'll keep this on for the rest of the day, just to get used to the feeling." Her smile was a bit wobbly as she spoke. 

"Yeah, that's ...uh, a good idea." Javier fidgeted a moment, not sure what to do with his hands. "Right, I'll leave you to your-" 

She gripped his hands just as he was about to turn and leave. Alarmed, he stilled. Watched he lip wobble and the rims of her eyes redden under furrowed brows. "Hey, what is it?, What's wrong?"

She heaved a deep and shaky breath that ended in an even shakier laugh. "I'm sorry I'm just... I'm scared."

"You don't have to do this if you don't feel safe." Javier was quick to offer. "You've helped us so much already."

She swallowed hard. "No, I do want to! Do this, help you. I want to bring them down! Besides, I'm going to be there anyway, so it would be a waste not to-" 

She was trembling now, unaware of her own body's reaction until it was brought into sharp relief by his large warm hands on her shoulders. 

"Hey," he said, thumbs rubbing gently at her collarbones, "It's going to be alright. I won't let anything happen to you, okay?" 

She knew, realistically, that there was only so far he could carry a promise like that, but her nerves calmed nonetheless. It was silly, really. This relationship was just a professional alliance, no matter how many deep secrets they'd shared with one another. Officially of course they couldn't ever be associated, at least as long as any of the 'Gentlemen' of Calí still roamed free. And yet, she trusted him.  

"I know. I'm sorry." She babbled, nerves imploring her to externalize her anxiety through words. "I came to you; I wanted this... want this. I'm in. I'll try to be brave."

He squeezed her shoulders gently. "You're one of the bravest people I know." And that was the crux of it, wasn't it? Because deep down he didn't want her to be brave. Helena had been brave too, and what did it get her? 

"I'm just… I'm tired of being afraid." She steadied herself on him, hands gripping his biceps now. 

"Sometimes being afraid is what keeps us alive." He murmured, bringing one hand up to tilt her face to meet his gaze. "Listen to me. I will do whatever it takes to make sure you're safe, okay? Whatever I can, I promise. I can't have you on my conscience as well." The last part was whispered so softly that she barely caught it, but she nodded, pulling herself together and schooling her breathing.  

"Thank you." She squeezed her hands once and let go. Javier searched her face for a moment longer, thumb brushing over her cheekbone absently, before he remembered himself and drew back.

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah," she nodded, "yeah I'll be fine." 

"Okay." Javier breathed, straightening, hand going for the curtain. "I'll wait outside."

Her answering smile was still shaky, but not quite as much so.

When Javier ducked out of the changing room his first glance is towards the stroller, where Salome is still napping peacefully. His second glance is directed towards the shop assistant sorting through the returns rack, directed there by the woman's disapproving huff. It's not the same one who helped them pick out dresses, but a slightly older woman, one who carries the gravitas of authority derived by experience with her. 

"Did your wife need help?" She quips while untangling garments from hangers. Out of all that's happened over the past quarter of an hour or so, this is what really makes Javier's ears burn. 

"Yes, with the um... zipper." He stutters, wishing for the first time that day since leaving the base that he could have a smoke. 

"Hmm," the shop assistant resumed her folding, "You would not believe the kinds of things people get up to in there." Her disapproving stare moved to the stroller where Salome was still blissfully asleep under his blazer. He snatches the garment away guiltily, but Salome doesn't even stir, just slumbers on cutely. At last, the woman's eyes soften. 

"Yes, well... call me or any of my colleagues if you need further... assistance." 

"Thanks." He clears his throat and sits as she sails off with an armful of clothes. Miss Rivas poked her head out not a second later. 

"I'm sorry, your what?" 

At least she was laughing again, even if her eyes were still slightly red-rimmed and watery. 

"Sorry, next time I'll be sure to clarify that you are my confidential informant and we're taking down the world's biggest drug cartel together." He retorts, and she breaks out into a wide grin accompanied by a snorty burst of laughter. 

"Well, if you put it like that it sounds almost romantic." Now it's his turn to snort. "I do actually need help with this zipper, though." 

She stepped half out of the little alcove, clad in a floor-length, wine-red halter gown with intricate beading all over, and a slit so high it makes his brain short-circuit. Which causes him to just stare at her dumbly for a long moment, even after she's already turned to present the high back of it. 

"Agent Peña?" She throws over her shoulder, somewhere between amused and slightly concerned. He jumps and strides over, fingers fidgeting with the zipper tab until he gets a decent grip and starts to pull it up the rest of the way. 

"Uh, no I meant down." Her voice is as strained as he feels. He pulls the tab down, desperately trying not to focus on the skin being revealed as he does. She releases a relieved breath when he's done and turns, stepping back inside the changing room. 

"Thanks."

"This one good?" He asks with a non-committal shrug, nodding towards the dress without really looking at it. 

"No, I think I do need to be able to breathe. And also I'd like to be able to walk without flashing everyone. I do work with these people, after all." She smiled, one hand on the curtain ready to draw it back shut. "I'll be quick with the rest, but you can take Salome for a turn if you want, maybe have a smoke outside? We can meet back here or by the registers." 

They both look at the little girl's sleeping form simultaneously, watch her eyes move rapidly under her lids as she is lost in dreams. 

"Thanks, but it's alright. I can stay in case you need further...help."

It really isn't long after that. She hurries, but they also make light conversation while she tries on another five or six dresses. She doesn't come out with most of them but narrates all their flaws very entertainingly. Javier once again enjoys how forward she is, not censoring herself in the least as she complains about everything from odd sizing to itchy material to unfortunate placement of embellishments. 

"Okay, last one." She announces and then draws back the curtain with a flourish and Javier... just gapes. The dress is midnight blue, so dark it looks almost black until light hits the silky fabric and reflects off of it. The color compliments the deep bronze tan of her skin like it had been chosen specifically for her. It's slim-cut, body-hugging and high-collared with thin spaghetti straps and subtle beading on the bodice. A tasteful slit goes to just above the knee and the hem brushes just over the tops of her feet. 

"I think this will work." 

'Oh it definitely works.' Luckily Javier's mouth is currently too dry for these words to slip out, so he just nods, clearing his throat awkwardly. 

"Great! Let me change back real quick and let's get out of here." 

He's just adjusting his suit jacket to lie over the still blissfully sleeping toddler like a blanket when Diana steps back out, back on her shorts and top. 

"Looks like the American taxpayers are in luck. It's discounted." She said as she read the tag, then draped the blue dress over the top of the stroller. "Twenty percent. Not bad." 

Javier snorted. Took the other dresses and hung them up on the returns rack. Grabbed the stroller handles and gently set the vehicle in motion. Salome stirred a moment, then bunched a chubby hand in the fabric sheltering her from the chilly air-conditioning and settled back down. Diana's gaze is soft upon her niece, and soft still when she raises her eyes to meet Javier's. 

They make their way down to the registers, walking from the top floor of the department store downwards, weaving around racks and shelves and other shoppers. Javier is pushing the stroller, Miss Rivas at his side where possible, her hand loosely hooked into the crook of his elbow again as she likes to do. It's two floors down, as they traverse the men's section, that she suddenly sidetracks, half disentangling herself, half pulling him over to a wall display. Neckties. He raises a questioning eyebrow. 

"Since we're here already." She shrugs, like that explains everything. It doesn't. The eyebrw remains up and quizzical. 

"Explain." 

There's a dangerous glint in her eye as she lets her fingertips glide over the assorted fabrics. 

"Gabi said you only have ugly ties." Has she now.

"She's only seen two!" Javier protests without heat. She eyes him critically, eyes the tie he put on this morning at the asscrack of dawn for his damn meetings. He has half a mind to argue that he didn't feel like dressing up all pretty for some pissy general at half past four in the morning. 

"Was this one of them?" Though truth be told perhaps his tie selection is a bit... outdated. This one is several brownish tones in a very 70s pattern, if he's being honest. 

"No?" But this one was also one of the old ones that had been gifts from Lorraine he'd never gotten rid of. 

"Then you have three ugly ties." There is no arguing with this woman. So, he submits. "You'll have to make announcements on national television sooner or later; you'll need to look decent." 

"I'm not arguing, am I?" He figures what's the point. What's the worst that could happen. And she knows she's won, too. Gleefully starts peering through the selection before them. 

"Is this revenge? For this?" He motioned to the dress still draped over the stroller, his meaning clear between them. Is this for making you go to a party with the world's most powerful drug bosses with a wire up your boobs.

"No." She lied, picking up a solid charcoal tie and holding it up to his collar. "Of course not." 

She picks out four, two solid and two patterned.

By the time he parks the car back on a side street in Envigado Salome is awake and very grumpy. A snack of peach slices and crackers mollifies her somewhat, but just enough to get her in the house and distracted by her toys before throwing a fit. Javier carried in the car seat and then the stroller, after Diana's signal that the coast was clear, and lastly he grabs her shopping bag and stuffs the last item on his itinerary for this visit inside, before he forgets again. 

"Another coffee?" He wants to, he really does, but if he ingests any caffeine now he knows he won't sleep until well after midnight. So he shakes his head, apologetic. He's tired, sure, but he'll power through until he reaches his hotel (and then promptly collapse on the bed there.)

"I have one last... I brought you something, just in case." He hands her the bag, and she looks at him quizzically. Until she looks inside, that is. 

"What's this?" She holds the garment up in question, turns it in her hands a a few times. Javier clears his throat.

"Bulletproof vest." 

She gulps. Pales imperceptibly, eyes flitting between him and the vest. 

"You really think this is neces-"

"Just in case." He insists. It probably wouldn't- it's a newer model, thinner and more discreet than the tac vests they use out in the field, but likely still too bulky to be hidden under her normal work clothes, even though she favors looser cuts. He takes it from her gently, motions for her to put her arms up so he can lower the vest over her head and do it up at the sides. Explains how it needs to be secured tight to the body so it doesn't shift. 

"It won't work under my normal work clothes." Miss Rivas frowns, hands smoothing down over the front of it, calculating. Probably going through her wardrobe mentally. Doing an admirable job of not letting fear grip her again like that earlier hiccup. "It's too bulky."

"No, you're right." Javier conceded, hands still at her sides where his fingers are hooked into the clasps of the vest. "You should still take it. Who knows when it'll come in handy."

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

Author’s note cont’d: this is the song Javi is hearing over the phone in the first scene btw

learn about bugs and wires here (though I do admit that I am playing a bit fast and loose with this here ;)

this is what I based the first dress on:

and here’s the final dress: 

and yes, I hate about 90% of the ties they have him wear in the show and that is how that bit came about. Sorry to throw Lorraine under the bus a bit there but I’m sure they were fashionable at the time :/

Next Chapter

I finished Eight Days Of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones (This will mention spoilers) I read American Gods by Neil Gaimen a few years ago and it took me an embarassingly long time to realise mr Wednesday was Odin. Similarly it took me an embarassingly long time to realize Luke was Loki and mr Wedding was Odin. The thought crossed my mind when two ravens appeared but for some reason I had fixed myself on the idea that Luke was a demon. He appears when you summon him, he owes you a favor, charming, can control fire? Comes up out of the ground and brings a bunch of snakes? Sounds like a demon to me! Though not at all a bad book, so far I would rank it among my least favourite books I’ve read by Diana Wynne Jones. I didn’t really care for the challenge David agrees to or the search. I didn’t feel like there was any struggle or cleverness to it. Things were just being told to him and he did them. But I did like how Astrid gradually became more of a friend. I was also expecting an explanation on how on earth David released Luke from his prison. It really was just an accident? He just happened to make up the exact words that would free him? I was expecting a revelation that David somehow had a dorment power so that he knew the words without realizing and that his magical power freed Luke. All it takes to free Loki is saying the right words? This prison needs some better security! I think that’s part of why I got so fixed on Luke being a demon. I think I thought (perhapse influenced by reading Chrestomanci which is full of witches) David must be some kind of witch only he doesn’t know it yet and he accidentaly summoned Luke out of his prison and that bound Luke to him so only he can summon him by striking the match. The story even feels very similar to Harry Potter at the start (though this one came way before HP was ever written!). This misunderstanding is my fault though. I like Norse Mythology but It’s not that well known to me. I guess I missed a bunch of reffrences to the Norse mythology stories. I do like that Diana Wynne Jones made the characters appear in the book on the days which are named after them. Pretty fun! The last line in the book had me frowning. It asks the question whether it is worth it to be really happy for a short time eventough you will end up sad ever after. It’s an open question which seems unrelated to anything David just went through. It could refer to Brunhilde or to Astrid who is the one who asks the question (though I don’t know why she should think she will be unhappy ever after? didn’t she just make plans to start a a new life?) or it could refer to Luke who might be happy to be out of prison now but will be unhappy when he has to go against Odin in the final battle. David doesn’t know the answer so he turns to Luke who says ”Tell you on Monday. I have to go to sleep now. It’s urgent.’ So eventhough it’s called Eight Days of Luke, I guess it’ll be many more days. The words ‘It’s urgent’ are so strange to me. Isn’t that a strange choice. ‘Urgent’? English is not my first language but I’ve never heard it used like this. Would you say to your friend ‘I’m tired. I have to go to sleep urgently?’ I feel like there is more to this last line but I simply don’t understand it. Was there supposed to be a sequel to this book? It’s a good book. It’s enjoyable and it’s a fast read. The cover illustration is gorgeous! I would get that as a poster! I think my favourite part of the book is when Luke climbs up the creeper into David’s bedroom and he makes small sparks dance in patterns and makes them change colors. David stares at them untill he falls a sleep. It was so strange and mysterious. (here again I was thinking Luke is a demon and he might be putting a spell on David!) I had a good time!

Never Run Off Alone

~A/N - Happy Squealing Santa everyone! Sorry this is like, legit last minute upload I’ve been really busy over the past few weeks and just have not had the time to finish this bad boy. 

In saying that, I hope this is alright! It is for @brokeback-switchylee (hope you get the notification lmao), so as long as she likes it I’m happy :)

A huge thank you to @ticklygiggles for running the entire Squealing Santa for 2019, you’re absolutely incredible!! Hope you had an awesome festive season!

But yeah, little bit of Doctor Who fluff this time. I’ve never written fics around Five and Nyssa, and it’s been a while since I watch old who (or any doctor who tbh, need to catch up on it) so apologies if it gets a little OOC (Out Of Character) and if it’s a bit short.

Also apologies I haven’t uploaded a fic in a while, I’ve got a couple in the works (in addition to rewriting ‘Show Me What You Got!’ cause it got deleted) which has a little A/N at the start that explains stuff wink wonk.

Nonetheless, hope you all have been enjoying the holiday period, and a very happy 2020!

Enoy! ~

Tag List:

* Masterpost Link *

“I was fine!” Nyssa exclaimed, bursting through the TARDIS door and storming towards the console. 

“You shouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place!” The Doctor replied, letting out an exasperated sigh and shutting the door behind them. 

After a particularly nasty run in with some oddly vicious worm-like creatures, the pair had become separated. More accurately, Nyssa had broken off from the group whilst they were distracted. Obviously, the Doctor was less than impressed with her antics, but (though it may not have been clear to either at the time) his frustration came from a place of worry. Though it was no debate that Nyssa was capable of taking care of herself, he still felt responsible, almost obligated, to look after her.

Following his companion, the Doctor took a breath. “What would I have done if something had happened to you?” He let the TARDIS console take his weight as he lent his hands on it, bowing his head. “You can’t just run off alone.”

“I could have handled it, Doctor.” Nyssa huffed, but her eyes softened. 

It was not often that she lost her temper. She was usually the level-headed voice of reason in the TARDIS. There was just something about the incident today which really got on her nerves.    

The Doctor looked up. “I came to help you, and had I not done so I worry where we would be now.”

“I would have been fine.” She said sternly. “I’m indestructible.”

“Indestructible you say?” The Doctor’s eyes lit up, as his mouth formed a teasing grin. He knew exactly how to both snap her out of this mood, and give her a lesson in running off alone. 

Nyssa, realising she was now dangerously close to the Doctor’s threatening fingers, gave a nervous laugh. “Doctor, don’t do anything you might regret.”

“But why would I regret anything” The Doctor moved closer “If you’re so indestructible?” 

As if a switch flipped in their heads, they began running around the console. Nyssa trying to avoid the man chasing her, the Doctor steadily catching up to his companion. Both with equally wide smiles (though one had a noticeably more nervous laugh).

“Doctor nO!” Nyssa (embarassingly) squealed as she fell to the floor, her laughter increasing in both volume and pitch as 10 fingers wriggled up her shirt.

“No what? Whatever could be the matter?” The Doctor teased, skittering all over the poor woman’s sides and tummy which he was currently sat atop. “No... I shouldn’t have run off Doctor, perhaps? I’m sorry for going off alone Doctor? I’ll never do it again Doctor?” 

Through her helpless giggling Nyssa managed to yell out a “FIHIHINE!”

Grinning, the Doctor continued his relentless assault (much to Nyssa’s despair). “You see, I don’t think you’ve learned your lesson ye-”

“I HAVE I HAVE I HAHAHAHAVE!” His victim laughed, tears beginning to form in her eyes. 

The Doctor stopped abruptly. “I also don’t think your attitude has changed. Interrupting people is very rude!” He jammed his fingers into Nyssa’s armpits and she let out a screech of a laugh (to which the Doctor chuckled at). 

“IM SOHOHORRY!! JUST STAHAHAP!” 

“Just imagine what those creatures could have done to you if they had found out about this.” He continued teasingly. “With their wiggly bodies...” 

As if to emphasise his point, he wormed his fingers into her neck. Scrunching up, she squirmed underneath him, but it seemed to have little effect.

“Squirming just like you’re doing now.” He chuckled.

“Stohohop!!” She giggled, attempting to pull her hands out from her sides (where the doctor’s knees had them pinned).

“But it’s so much fun! And besides, we’re going to have to work on this little weakness of yours if you’re going to be indestructible!”

It was obvious that being 800 years old meant he had plenty of experience tickling people, as Nyssa was currently in hysterics. The combination of the Doctor’s teasy grin, nimble fingers and taunting words just turned her in to a giggling mess on the TARDIS floor. And although most of her wanted it to end immediately, part of her enjoyed seeing this carefree side of the man she had been travelling with. 

But mostly she wanted it to stop.

“I’LL STAY WITH YOUHOUHOU!” Nyssa laughed, kicking her feet out of desperation. “I PROMIHIHIHISE!” 

“Stay with me? Whatever do you mean? Are you trying to say you won’t run off?” 

“YEHEHES!”

“You will run off, well that’s disappointing, here I was thinking we were getting somewhere...” He sighed, squeezing repeatedly into her hips. 

“NOHOHO!” 

“Alright you don’t have to rub it in! I’m aware we aren’t getting anywhere with this... Hmmm.” He used one hand to pulsate into her tummy, whilst the other dramatically stroked his chin. “How about we try... HERE!” 

With a few knee squeezes Nyssa’s laughter went silent, as did her begging. 

“Ohoh, that did the trick!” The Doctor gasped, spidering his fingers over her knees. 

“STAAAHAHAHAHA!” She began before dissolving into laughter. “I CAHAHAHA!”

“What was that?” He brought his ear closer to her face. “I didn’t quite hear you over your giggling.”

“PLEHEHEAHAHAHA!” 

“Alright, I suppose that’s enough.” The doctor chuckled, standing up and offering Nyssa a hand. She flinched, before taking it. 

“That was cruel.” She muttered, but the small smile on her face told otherwise. “But I will try not to go off alone.”

“I was only worried for you.” He admitted, before she gave him a quick hug. 

“I know.” She smiled.

And of course, Nyssa did run off again. Many times, in fact. But the Doctor always reminded her of that important lesson. Never run off alone.

@marvellouslymadmim did a very lovely bit of writing at my request, and I said I would draw it, because I enjoy feeling frustrated, I guess? I am really not doing it justice, though, so you should probably read it if you haven’t or read it again if you have.This is it: x

to the surprise of absolutely no-one, this took me an embarassingly long time to get around to doing. However, here is a start, at least. Knowing me, I won’t finish it because I’m trash, for which I am sorry.