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melobin · 3 months

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જ⁀➴ casting couch 𐙚 wonbin

part of the riize as porn plots series.

summary - as a newbie to the porn industry you go through the same hazing process as everyone else. the casting couch. you were just as nervous as you were excited when you found out famed porn star park wonbin would be conducting your interview.

wc - 4.3k

warnings - experienced porn star!wonbin x amateur female porn star!reader, dom wonbin dom! wonbin, finger sucking, hair pulling, nipple play, oral f and m receiving, face fucking, spitting, manhandling, unprotected sex, rough sex, being recorded.

a/n: sorry for taking so long !!!! i've been sick really sick , don't recommend it. i'm still sick but i've been trying to finish this up for a while!!! i hope you enjoy, not proof read!!

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“all you have to do for the mean time is sit there and look pretty, once the shoot starts we’ll ask you a question or two and then wonbin will come in and talk to you, sound good?” you nodded at the director, trying to not let the bright lights blind you too much as he spoke “try not to worry about the cameras too much, pretend like we’re not even here”

it felt strange to say the least, you’d never been on such a high budget set before, everything you’d done was alone in the space of your own bedroom or filmed on a shitty low quality camera, something to do with amateur porn was that they loved their dark lighting and low resolution cameras. so this was all so new to you, daunting in a way, but nothing was as daunting as working with park wonbin.

wonbin was one of the most famous porn stars within your generation, he was pushing 22 and had only been active in the industry for around a year but that meant nothing, once people got him in their sights they never let go. you understood the obsession, wonbin was one of the most gorgeous men you’d even seen. big pretty eyes, longish hair, toned body and that gold, glistening necklace that always adorned his pretty neck, he beat everyone else by at least a mile. he also knew how to fuck, every video he had been in he had easily reduced the female start to tears with his cock. he was filthy, messy. rough. the dream.

one thing about wonbin was that he was incredibly difficult to hire, he may have been a porn start but he was still cautious about where he put himself and who he stuck himself inside of. people don’t approach wonbin, he approaches them, so it was a shock to you when his manager contacted you saying wonbin wanted to work with you personally. he was searching for an official partner to work with, so he wouldn’t have to rotate between women, it baffled you when you found out he wanted to do a casting cough interview because he thought you’d be perfect for the job. you accepted the offer immediately, you would’ve been insane to not take it. even if you didn’t get the job in the end, you would’ve been walking out of here having been fucked by park wonbin, that’s enough of an achievement for you.

“wonbin’s here, all we’re gonna do is ask you a few questions, try and act a bit ditsy just for the show, you ready?”

“yes” the female makeup artist crouched in front of you, gently dabbing a brush against your lips before standing up.

“you’ll do great” you smiled and thanked her. you weren’t wearing much, just a short dress that hugged the top half of your body, pushing your tits together and flowed out a little bit at the bottom, it barely covered your ass but it didn’t matter, you had nothing on underneath the dress anyway.

the camera man sat in the chair across from the black couch you were perched on, he held the large camera on his shoulders as the director cued for the shoot to begin. it was quiet as you waited for the camera man to talk he spent a few seconds just recording you playing with you hair and smiling to yourself.

“you ever done this before?” you forced a giggle at the camera man’s question.

“i’m not a virgin silly” you twirled your hair around your finger, playing along to any other question he asked before you heard the door handle turn. lord, he was here. you weren’t necessarily nervous about the shoot, but you were nervous about meeting wonbin.

you gulped when he opened the door, shutting it behind him before turning to look at you, a small smile played on his plump lips as he eyed you. he didn’t say anything at first, he let your eyes flick down his body. he wore a lose white shirt with a low neck line, collarbones on show with his necklace sat gently against his skin. he was insanely gorgeous, there was no doubt that he caused a thirst to erupt inside of anyone that looked at him.

“aren’t you just the prettiest little thing” he reached a hand out to hold your jaw, thumb pressing against your bottom lip. he pulled it down causing you to open your mouth before he placed his thumb flat on your tongue, watching as you closed your lips around the digit and sucked on it, tongue slowly lifting to circle around it. the one little action had wonbin hooked already, he had wanted to fuck you from the moment he first laid his eyes on you. he’d stumbled across a video of you fucking yourself with some toy in your bedroom, the way you whined when you first pushed the toy into your sopping cunt had his cock throbbing and the sight of your abused cunt after you’d finished playing with yourself had him spilling all over his hand. wonbin had to give it to you, not many people could make him cum from a video alone but you had him with your very first one. that’s when he knew he needed to have you.

wonbin was a natural, he didn’t seem phased one bit that there were cameras filming him, it felt as if he actively ignored them and done whatever he wanted, what he would’ve done even if they weren’t there. you admired it but it also turned you on, he was so shameless, as of he knew you’d accept anything he wanted to do, even if it was going as far to humiliate you in front of the millions of people who would inevitably be watching this video.

“got the perfect lips for sucking cock, don’t you?” you nodded, humming around his thumb whilst looking up at him, not breaking eye contact as you took his thumb deeper into your mouth. he grabbed your hair with his free hand, pulling your mouth off of his thumb before looking down at you. his hand dropped to the front of your dress, fingers hooking over the neckline before pulling it down, exposing your bare tits to him. he squeezed one in his hand, slowly loosening his grip before pinching your nipple, pulling it away from your body before letting it go.

“why don’t you find out?” wonbin pushed his tongue against his cheek, amused at your question. of course he wanted to find out, he’d be an idiot not to.

“show me, baby”

you stood up from the sofa, falling to your knees and looking up at him as your fingers went to the zipper of his jeans. wonbin parted his lips as he watched you, eyes trained on yours whilst you pulled his cock out of his jeans. he had nothing on underneath the rough fabric, he was ready for whatever you were willing to give him.

you wrapped your hand around the base of his cock, pumping him in your hand, thumb brushing over his slick tip each time you reached his head. you brought your other hand up to push up his shirt, nails lightly digging into the skin of his abs as you lifted yourself to press your tongue against them, saliva wetting his skin whilst you traced his abs with your tongue. you felt wonbin shiver slightly under the touch of your tongue. his eyes stayed on your as your tongue got lower until it left his skin, hand still pumping his cock as you stuck your tongue out and pressed it against the side of it. letting his cock rest against your tongue before you closed your lips around the tip.

wonbin groaned as he felt your tongue press into the slit of his cock, the taste of his precum filled your mouth as you took him a little deeper before taking yourself off of him. you held him in your hand as you collected as much saliva as you could in your mouth, moving your head to spit on the end of his cock before wrapping your lips around him once more.

park wonbin was the only man you wanted to impress, so that’s what you done. slowly inching your mouth lower on his cock with each bob of your hea, your eyes still on his, you took him until there was no more of his cock to take, gagging around him slightly but no letting it stop you. wonbin loved the sight beneath him, your nose pressed against his abdomen with each push of your head forward, eyes watering and spit falling from your lips. the sounds you were making were downright filthy, you sounded like you were enjoying sucking his cock and that just made wonbin harder.

he watched cautiously as you pulled your mouth off of his cock, closing your eyes and letting out a few deep breaths as a string of saliva still connected you to him. wonbin’s hand found your hair, brushing it out of your face before gripping it and pulling it back so you had no choice to look at him, he expected you to be surprised by his actions, maybe moan, what he didn’t expect was for you to smile at him and let out what he could only describe as a sadistic laugh.

“do you want to use my mouth, binnie?” he almost groaned at your words, deciding to hold himself back and laugh back at you instead.

“you know exactly what i want, doll” you kept the smile on your face as you watched him wrap other hand around his cock, keeping the other in your hair. he could see the excitement in your eyes even when he guided his cock into your mouth, you leaned closer to him and held the backs of his thighs as he pushed his cock deeper into your mouth. you let him use you, his thrusts gradually increasing in speed as he fucked your mouth, fingers tightening their grip on your hair the longer it went on. eventually you had tears falling from your eyes, but the look you had in them urged him to keep going, you were more than happy to let him use your throat until he was filling it with cum but wonbin had other ideas.

at some point he had to pull his cock out of the warmth of your mouth, if he didn’t he was going to cum and wonbin didn’t want to do that until he had your sweet cunt wrapped around him instead. he pulled you off of him by your hair, watching as you gasped for breath but still smiled up at him. you still looked so pretty with tears falling from your eyes and your lips wet and swollen. wonbin wanted nothing more than to ravage you and make a mess of you, he wanted to see you wrecked because of him, he wanted everyone to see how pretty you’d look all fucked out because of his cock.

wonbin signalled you to stand up by pulling on your hair slightly, you followed his instructions, finding his lips on yours as soon as you were up. the kiss wasn’t gentle, his tongue pushed into your mouth only seconds after he placed his lips against yours. his felt soft, it was a drastic comparison to how filthy his tongue felt in your mouth.

“you’re almost too good at sucking cock” his fingers move your head away from his by pulling at your hair “might need to keep that pretty little mouth all to myself” wonbin pressed his thumbs against your bottom lip before laughing, fingers tightening in your hair as he turned your head to look at the camera, hand dropping from your mouth to squeeze your tits again “everyones gonna be so jealous of me when this video comes out, doll”. you shivered as you felt his lips by your ear, lips parting so you could whine at how he was treating you.

wonbin’s hand fell from your hair to unzip the back of your dress, watching you as the straps fell down your arms and the dress fell to the floor. his fingers trailed down your bare back before reaching your ass, squeezing it in his hand before pulling it back so he could strike it against you. you moaned at the rough contact of his hand hitting your ass, wonbin just laughed.

“you’re so fun to play with”

“bet i’ll be even more fun to fuck” you turned to look at wonbin with a smile on your face, he groaned as his eyes flicked down your body. your fingers pushed the material of his shirt up, tracing his abs as you pushed it over his head.

“i can’t wait to find out” once you pushed his jeans down properly you took a proper look at wonbin, he was utterly delicious from head to toe. every inch of him was devourable.

you weren’t sure what his next actions would be, you let yourself try to be natural in front of the camera whilst his fingers touched your body. it took you by surprise when he curled them around your waist and pushed you down onto the sofa, your back almost sticking to the material immediately due to the layer of sweat that had accumulated on your skin. you watched wonbin carefully as he dropped to knees in front of you, fingers digging into your inner thighs as he held your legs apart.

“hold them” he gestured for you to hold your legs apart and replace his hands with your own, as soon as you did he was bringing his fingers to your pussy, using both hands to spread apart your lips so he could get a clear look at you. he let the camera see, he let it watch the way you whimpered when he lightly brushed his finger over your swollen nub and he let it watch as he collected as much saliva as he could in his mouth before spitting onto your cunt. you gasped at the filthiness of his action, taken by surprise but incredibly turned on as you felt his spit drip from your cunt.

wonbin pressed his tongue flat against your cunt, licking a direct line from your hole to your clit, sopping up every drop of spit and your slick he could with his tongue before spitting it back onto your clit. wonbin was filthy, you could already tell that he liked it wet and messy, he liked you wet and messy.

something else wonbin really liked was the way you tasted, the taste of your cunt filled his mouth and took over all of his sense, he was obsessed from the first lick. you melted against his tongue, filled his tastebuds with your sweetness whilst digging your fingers into your own skin. the camera stayed next to you both as he continued to lick at your cunt, moving closer to where wonbin’s lips wrapped around your clit and he harshly sucked on the nub before releasing it and flicking his tongue over it, all whilst continuing to hold the lips of your pussy open with his fingers.

the feeling of wonbin’s tongue flicking over your clit was indescribable, it sent shivers through your body as the pleasure over took you. your nails dug deeper into your thighs as you tried to keep them open for him, eyes watching the way he buried himself into your cunt and lapped up every drop of slick that you had. you wanted nothing more than to push your fingers into his hair and pull on the strands but you knew he wanted you completely open for him, it made it easier for him to abuse your clit with his tongue and leave you a wreck because of it.

you weren’t sure if his goal was to make you cum, considering he didn’t let you make him cum you half expected him to do the same to you but he didn’t. once wonbin got a taste of you, he needed to feel your cum fill his mouth, need the taste of it to completely overtake all of his senses. you were the sweetest thing he’d ever had the chance to taste and he wasn’t going to let that go so easily.

so he pressed his face a little closer to you, positioning himself so he could quickly flick his tongue over your clit, he tortured the swollen nub before his lips closed around it once more. he had no plans to let you relax as he sucked on it and pressed his tongue against it, he loved the way he could see your thighs tremble from the corner of his eyes and how your eyes stayed on him despite the fact you were falling apart. he knew part of you was putting on a show for the camera, trying to keep somewhat of a professional front despite the fact he was making you lose your mind.

wonbin lifted his head for a moment, your slick covered his lips as he looked at you “you’re gonna cum on my tongue” his words were short and to the point, it took it by surprise when his hands pushed away yours and replaced them on your thighs, stretching you by pressing them further apart and diving back into your cunt. tongue licking up your slit, circling your hole and pressing in so he could coat himself in you again before he pressed his tongue flat against you and licked up to your clit.

wonbin groaned against you when he felt your fingers grab and pull at his hair, the vibration of his groan made your back arch, hips bucking forward to be closer to his face. he let you grind yourself into him as you whined, babbling about being close.

“i’m close god wonbin i’m so close” the camera was a little further back now, it captured the entire sight of wonbin holding you down and licking up every last drop that left you. you were sure before going into this that you weren’t going to be as into it due to the cameras and the people around you two but wonbin took that thought away from you. somehow he made the experience more intense, wonbin was definitely talented with his tongue and he was eagerly to make you cum with it.

your words caused wonbin’s lips to close around your clit, he was determined to push you over the edge with his mouth, he needed it to happen before he could even think about fucking you. he knew he was pushing you closer with the way he sucked on your cunt, he could feel the way you was harshly pulling at the strands of his hair and how you cried out his name. your voice was higher in pitch, moans coming out in frequent and desperate tones. he felt your clit throb under his tongue as your orgasm hit you, he kept his lips wrapped around it just to be sure he gave you the most intense orgasm possible.

you were shaking by the time wonbin pulled away and let go of your legs but he didn’t give you time to calm down before he was standing up and grabbing you, he manhandled you in the position he wanted you in. he had you knelt on the sofa, your forearms resting over the back of it as he pressed on your lower back and made your arch your ass out. you felt the tip of his cock press against your overstimulated clit, your thighs shook at the sudden contact.

wonbin looked down at his cock, lips parting to let a string of spit fall onto it. he pumped his spit over his cock whilst dragging the head down to your clenching hole, wonbin groaned at the feeling of your wetness seeping onto his cock, he couldn’t wait to fuck you. he watched carefully as he pressed the tip of his cock inside of you, the camera being close to where the two of you were connected in order to get the perfect shot.

the stretch you felt as he pushed inside of you made your head spin, the groan he let out only caused you to tighten more around him, wonbin was sure that if you squeezed around him anymore he wouldn’t be able to move “you’re so fucking tight around me”. wonbin’s own voice sounded shaky as he spoke to you, a deep husk surrounding his tone as he pressed the rest of his cock inside of you “starting to think no one’s fucking you right, sweet girl”.

he gave you a few moments to catch your breath but it wasn’t enough, the moment he pulled out of you and pushed back in he was taking your breath away. whilst his movements weren’t exactly rough to start off with, the force behind his thrusts had your thighs shaking, the intensity of your previous orgasm staying with you as he dragged his cock along your walls.

wonbin had his hands on each cheek of your ass, his nails dug into the skin of them as he pulled them apart to be able to watch himself slide into you, each time his cock left you it came out wetter than before. he was obsessed. he was sure to let the camera see it too, letting it focus on the way his cock stretched your open and wedged itself as deep as it could go inside of you.

his hands moved, he leaned forward to wrap his hand around your neck whilst his other hand held your jaw, his thrusts speeding up and gaining more power behind them. with how he was holding your jaw you couldn’t close your mouth, moans of his name fell from you because of it, curses following behind.

“gonna let them see you, pretty girl?” wonbin’s voice hit your ear as he pressed his lips against your neck, the camera found its way in front of you, recording the way his fingers dug into your skin and how you cried out his name “everyone gonna be so jealous of me” his voice was barely a whisper in your ear, as if he didn’t want the camera to pick up on the words he was whispering to you “need everyone to see how well i fuck your perfect little pussy”.

you could only whine as he spoke to you, his words falling into a groan as you tightened your grip around him and began fucking yourself back against his cock. the camera man walked around the two of you, the camera being focused on the scene of wonbin fucking into you harshly from behind whilst you met his thrusts. you were a wreck as his fingers tightened their grip on your throat, your moans turning broken and your fingers digging a little deeper into the back of the sofa.

“feel so good, binnie” you choked out, wonbin felt as if he was at least four thrusts away from spilling his cum inside of you so he pulled out. his hands left your skin as he stepped backwards before they found you again, fingers digging into your hips as he turned you around, your back was propped up by the arm of the sofa as he knelt against the sofa and spread your legs apart.

wonbin groaned as he pushed his cock back into you, he kept your legs spread as he began fucking you again. he watched the way your cunt took his cock eagerly, he found himself engrossed in the way your cunt spoke to him with each harsh thrust he made forward, how it let out wet cries and squeezed around him. it was just as pornographic as your moans were, wonbin thought you were perfect.

“gonna fill you up so well” he was close and he was sure to let you know, he needed to hear you begging him to fill you up with him cum and have it leak out of you.

“please” was all you could whine out, wonbin repositioned your legs, letting one hook over his shoulder whilst the other fell to the floor, he moved his body to cage in yours as he fucked you, hide hands grabbed yours and pinned them down against the arm of the sofa either side of your head. you tried to focus on his face as his hair fell in front of his eyes but you found yourself watching his necklace that hovered over your face, barely grazing the skin of your lips with each sharp thrust. the star that hung off of the chain glistened under the harsh lights of the room, you found yourself mesmerised by it, knowing you’d be lying in bed later that night picturing the way it swung over your face.

“gonna make me cum so hard, doll” wonbin had a whine in the tone of his voice as you squeezed around him, one of his hands left yours so he could press it against your clit, he used his other hand to run his fingers through his hair as he leaned back on his knees, hair falling back into his eyes as he fucked into you. he was sweaty, his body glistened under your gaze, as did his face. you found it hard to believe you were being fucked by a man who looked that good and wanted to make you cum again “cum around my cock, sweet girl”.

you were more than happy to listen to his words, your cunt clenching harder around his cock as he drove you to the brink of your orgasm. your moans got louder, your legs shook and your fingers reached out for something, anything to grip onto as your orgasm washed over you.

then it was wonbin’s turn to cum, his thrusts grew more frantic as his fingers dug into your thighs once more. he was determined to cum, determined to fuck you full of his cum and have everyone watch him claim you as his. and that’s exactly what he done, the after maths of your orgasm had you clenching tightly around him, squeezing his cock for everything he has as he came inside of you, thrusts slowly until he was barely dragging his cock against your walls. wonbin came with a broken moan of a short fuck, he made sure he didn’t pull out of you until every drop was inside of you.

wonbin’s final show for the camera was by slowly pulling his cock out if you, he was sure to watch the way his cum slowly built up at your entrance and seeped out of you, letting the camera catch every moment of it.

“i think you’ll be perfect for the job”.

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#riize smut #wonbin smut #✧ melody posts #✧ hard hours ✧

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notroosterbradshaw · 2 years

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The Boyfriend Experience - Part 2 /2

7k words of Rooster being your super wonderful, pretend plus one! A few swears, but it’s the Navy, goddammit! The fluffiness should make up for it.

The Boyfriend Experience 1 / 2

“Thank God you didn’t catch the bouquet,” Rooster rolled his eyes as you wandered back, bored. "Could you look any less interested?" he bit back a smile.

“I could, yes," you told him, patting his cheek with a gentle thwack as he chuckled.

”Well, you made sure I didn't have a run there to fake propose in front of all these witnesses. Left my fake engagement ring in my dresser drawer back at base,” he snapped his fingers. "Fuck."

"You'd have really ruined this wedding if you proposed. Even you must know the lack of decorum of proposing at someone else's wedding. You probably wouldn't need to go to those extremes," you laughed quietly.

He nodded and grinned. "I'd guarantee you a life of no more wedding BS though."

"You're probably right. How long you been sitting on that?”

"Just came to me," he admitted. "But you can't tell me it's not an amazing idea to get everyone off your ass."

"Thank you for not going to those lengths," you said as his head fell back and he kept giggling. Yes, Rooster was a giggler after a few drinks. And it was adorable.

Looking back at you, he said, "I guess we're almost done though. Since I have this," Rooster grinned widely, flinging the bride’s baby blue garter at your face. You flicked it right back and he caught it easily. He'd mortified you that he'd made such a spectacle to get his mitts on it earlier in the evening - he literally speared a dude to get to the front and leapt over the Best Man to catch it. "My Little League coach would be so proud today."

"You're the worst," you reached for his whiskey as he looked on proudly.

"You disappointed us as a couple and missed the bouquet to boot but I forgive you because you've graduated to a very sexy drink. That's my girl," he raised his eyebrow, waiting patiently for your sip, which you did gladly.

"You're such a dick," you could only respond, handing the glass back as he chuckled, putting the garter back in his breast pocket, patting it safely.

"Taken you 30 years to figure it out - that's more on you than me though," he teased.

"Last song of the night, friends," the MC of the band announced as Rooster offered you his hand. "Your bride and groom are ready to kick into matrimonial bliss part of the night and we all have to head home at some point!"

"You're not getting out of this. It's our last dance as fake lovers," he said, giving you the creepiest bedroom eyes, or you supposed, that you’d ever seen. How had he managed to bed so many women if that was his game, you'd never know (you assumed it was probably a lot less effort than batting his lashes, to be completely honest), and you shook your head with a smile. He stood to his full height and offered you his calloused palm. You naturally accepted, lacing your fingers through his. You loved the warmth his hands gave yours.

"Can you never say 'lovers' again?" you asked, spirited, as he spun you under his arm, leading you to the dancefloor, laughing loudly.

"Never," he promised as the song began. The band started Elvis' "I'm All Shook Up", most people in the room made their way to the dancefloor and Rooster praised the gods. You liked the song but loved the joy it clearly stirred in Rooster more. You adored how much he loved music, though he admitted he was never taught piano, guitar, or even drums but was pretty good at each of them, or he liked to think so. He played by ear and enjoyed experimenting with sounds. You'd romanticised Rooster playing at home in the quiet, just for himself, tinkering with keys, strumming strings. It made you kind of weak to think of him creatively like that. He was certainly full of surprises and you were yearning to know more.

He was unlike anyone you knew - you'd learned so much tonight and appreciated the human he was more than just the talented pilot most assumed of him, you thought maybe he appreciated people thought he was fairly one-dimensional, he liked his space and privacy. "New one to learn for the bar?" you offered as he pondered the question.

"Shit, maybe," he contemplated with a nod and he pulled you close. While not an incredibly slow song, Rooster actually moved quite well. Yet another thing you had learned about him tonight and he pulled your back to his chest, keeping you pressed to him, his hands spreading across your belly, keeping a respectful amount of space between your bodies. He took your hand and spun you back to him, facing the other again and he smiled slow, a smile you'd certainly never seen before but enjoyed thoroughly as his hands moved to the back of your ribs, dragging you closer to him.

He loosened a hand and put your arms around his neck, the height difference between you bringing your body crushed against him and it felt kind of... perfect.

"Thank you for tonight," you said, just between the two of you. He smiled faintly, his hands caressing your back. Once he'd found access to skin, his hand kept a close touch all night and your back felt cold without it.

"It's really me that should be thanking you," he admitted, lips dangerously close to your ear and you'd deny it, but it shook you to the core. Looking at him, your feet stopped moving and the world may have stopped too. Here he was, right in front of you, just like he always had been... but he was completely new to you now. "I haven't had a night like this in a really long time," he continued earnestly. "Almost felt like a real date."

You had lost the ability to talk, because thinking about it later, you'd realise, this was the first of many nights like this. But it wouldn't pretend anymore. He would be yours, and you would be his right back. And the pretence would be gone; traded for romance that didn't need to be held back, touches on skin that meant something because it was their skin you'd touched so many times before, still able to draw the same spark as it had tonight.

Rooster's lips met your forehead, leaving a lingering kiss against your skin and you held him just a little bit tighter. "I got you, kid," he told you softly but wasn't quite sure why he added, "You're safe with me."

And you may have believed him.

"Do you two want a lift?" Annie asked as the festivities started to come to a close. The bride and groom had left, guests were starting to organise themselves to do the same, the band was packing up and the music was over for the generic 'get the fuck out of our venue now' muzak. After your last duties for the evening to help Sarah's parents collect the gifts and load their car, you went back to the table to collect your belongings, thankful it was all finally over... as well as the evening.

It was a long day, and saying you were exhausted, physically, mentally... emotionally, was an understatement. Things were a bit muddled to you now and you were feeling a little unhinged at the growing flutters in your tummy while so close to Rooster. He was currently holding your bouquet and your clutch like it was absolutely no big thing.

"Rooster, I don't think you should drive. I can get you both back. I'm the designated driver for another three weeks and one day," she looked at her belly, accusingly. "Unless you'd like to come sooner, please?"

"Shit," he muttered. He had probably had one or two drinks too many, he realised. Palming his keys in his pants pocket, he replied he would just walk back to base. Wasn't at all far, he had his credentials. Fresh air would sober him up anyway.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, absolutely. Thank you though. I'm sure your little sister will get me back safely," he joked entirely for Annie's benefit. But your feet, your poor feet were shredded. You gave yourself kudos, you'd done the right thing and kept your heels on the duration of the day, but all you could imagine was peeling them off and preparing for the onslaught of blisters and discomfort as soon as humanly possible.

"Okay," she grinned. "Take care, Rooster," she hugged him and he hugged her back, trying to avoid her baby bump politely. "So good to see you."

"You too, Annie," he replied fondly. "I had a great night."

"Don't be a stranger when you're in town. Let's do this again soon. Come over for dinner, bring her," she nodded to you.

"I might," Rooster gave her a shy smile and Annie hugged him again. "I'm thinking of moving back so you may be seeing a bit more of me anyway," he said and your ears pricked up, this was brand new information and your palms may have clammed up a little.

"You should, everyone would be so happy you're home," she told him.

"Definitely thinking about it," he promised.

"Good, Please get my sister home safely?" she warned him.

"Of course, she's precious cargo," he smiled as Annie kissed you and waddled over to Arron, her extremely drunk hubby.

"I could have gone with that lift," you told him as you watched them leave. Your poor feet.

"Nah, you're okay," he said. "Let's go for a walk."

"Rooster," you protested. "I might cry."

Rooster pouted. "Then I'll piggyback you," he broke into a smile as a few of the single bridesmaids said goodnight to you both. "Come with me. Got an idea," he urged, nodding towards the door, not waiting for you and taking off in his strides in that direction. Moving as quick and gracefully as the heels would allow, you caught him at the door where he took your hand and you followed him to the beach. It was pitch black minus the moon's reflection on the water, nearing midnight when he stopped at the edge of the grass to sand and watched him unbutton his jacket to sit. You did the same. "Feet, please?" he asked quietly.

Confused, you weren't sure why you offered him your left foot, but his fingers made haste unbuckling the silver heel you had been wearing for hours and hours.

"Gentle," he told himself as he pulled the off, and held his palm out for your other foot that you gratefully offered, the relief almost instantaneous. Putting your heels together, he lightly pressed into the arches of your feet, your ankles, your calves, the pain worth it for a few moments, looking at you with a gentle frown to make sure he wasn't hurting you, but it was definitely worth it. "Okay?" you nodded as he slipped off his jacket and left it in a pile with your shoes, purse and bouquet. He unlaced his loafers, took his socks with them and cuffed his slacks up to his lower calf although there was little give to them. "Shit," he muttered, pulling at the wrong piece of his bowtie and knotting it tighter.

"Here, Roost," you said softly, sitting up to kneel, he watched you in keen interest as your fingers worked to loosen the tie. Knowing he'd made it worse before it unravelled under your touch, you smiled as he happily unbuttoned the first few holes on his shirt, showing a little of his strong, golden chest and a light smattering of dark hair.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "Up," he got up slowly, finding the buttons on the cuffs of his shirt and rolling both to his muscular forearms. He smiled, offering his hand. He pulled you up, your sore feet sending you careening into him softly. He nodded towards the water and followed you through the sand.

The night was cool, but in the height of summer, not unbearable by any stretch of the imagination. Stopping right before the waves, you looked back at him.

"I promise you, those feet will feel a million bucks in about 15 seconds," and he hitched you into his arms, taking you out to his knees, lowering you amid squeals of cold and a now damp skirt around your thighs. He didn't give you space, he stood behind you, his hands resting on your belly, chin on your hair. You felt him sigh behind you.

"Dammit, Rooster," you cursed him although grinning in the madness, trying not to shiver as the waves splashed around you. It was a little chillier in the water than you would have liked, but Rooster was close and he was almost radiator hot. "It's f-f-freezing," you chattered.

"It's the ocean at midnight," he said in your ear. "What were you expecting?" he posed a good question. "But your feet don't hurt now, do they?"

"Actually, I can't feel them... because they're numb," you replied, your toes thumbing in the sand beneath you, it grounded you and felt so familiar. You loved it, craved it. The grains felt good and if you squinted, you could almost avoid the slight needling of your feet as they started to relax and unwind.

"You're the water," he murmured to you quietly, his voice lower than the ocean's bustle around you. "I know I'm the clouds. But you're the ocean. You need it. I've always known that about you. I see you some mornings down here, in the waves if I run late. I never see a crease or concern on your features, you're just one with the water. It's pretty sexy, actually."

You wished he'd stop talking because as he adjusted his hold on you, leaving one hand on your hip, the other arm wrapping around your shoulders, you only reaffirmed how good you fit against him. "I love that," you admitted, taking his hand and he sighed again. He was right, though cold, this was your happy place. This is where you desired to be, in the water and the freedom and terror that came with it, how it could make you teeter so easily and push you out of your comfort zone. And he knew all about it.

Above you, Rooster smiled to himself. He was starting to really enjoy holding you close, learning the curves of your body, how you could find the perfect place to find calm in his arms. "Hey?"

"Hmm?"

"I had a really good time tonight. It... didn't feel forced or contrived. Why haven't you and I done this before?"

Because we didn't see each other this way before Natasha threw us together, you wanted to say. We can laugh, we can play and have fun, team against anyone and not think anything of it... but tonight has categorically changed our friendship because I can't go back to just being your friend, Rooster. I think it would be easier to lose you than find out you didn't want to be with me this way again.

You stayed silent, you had just tortured yourself with your inner monologue as it was. "You are absolutely shaking," Rooster said, softly, maybe now regretting his idea and his fat fucking mouth just a little. "I think it's time to get you out of the water."

"I'm okay," you lied as he rubbed your arms where he could see the goose pimples rise. He couldn't stop the shuddering even in his stranglehold.

"Out you get, kid."

You nodded thankfully. The adrenaline coursing through your veins was not enough to keep you warm and only caused you to tremble more. "Sorry," you said as he released you from his clutches and moved before he could say anything else.

And just like that, the moment passed.

Rooster sighed, watching you make your way to the beach. He knew he'd scared you. You knew he was opening his heart to you, and just like Natasha joked about your commitment fear, maybe it wasn't too far off the mark and that made him sad for all that you had missed and what you could miss out on. He began to follow you as you sat back near all the gear you'd removed, closing in on yourself. Rooster ran the last little while up the beach and retrieved his jacket, putting it over your shoulders. "You okay, kid? You're blue."

"Can't stop shaking," you could only reply and he swore he heard your teeth chatter. "But I'm okay."

"Come on, let's get you home," he tossed all the gear except the flowers into his jacket and tucked it under his arm then offered you his hand to help you up. He used a little more force, driving you into him and he wrapped you into his arms - he was very good at bringing you close and he knew, not once had you fought it. "I didn't want to scare you before. I'm sorry I was so forward."

You gave a little shrug. "Don't worry about it, Rooster. I'm just a big girl with big problems," you said simply.

"Do you think you know... why you don't want to get close to me?" he asked, almost not wanting to know the answer.

You looked up at him and he knew the kicker was coming. "You have I have very different daddy issues," you told him. "When my dad left, I thought he'd come back. For years I thought I could try and make him want us again... but my sister and I weren't enough and if he could leave us, who he was supposed to love so fucking easily, it doesn't give you much confidence as an adult. He picked another family over us, I have other siblings I don't even know. The shit sticks."

Holy shit, Rooster thought, his knuckles rubbing against your back. He paused and held you tightly. He didn't know that... hell, he did but certainly not to that deep an extent and maybe your issues were a little more deeply rooted than Natasha had alluded to. He certainly couldn't blame you for that.

"You mean something to me, and ruining anything with you would destroy me," you continued. "I appreciate our friendship and that comfort that brings me."

He nodded. It felt like a kiss-off, that was for sure. "I wasn't asking for the rest of our lives," he said quietly.

"I know," you pulled back, needing to be completely out of his reach. "But I just don't know what to tell you right now."

"And that is the end of our first fake date," Rooster said, hating to admit he was kind of relieved as you got back to your apartment. He followed you to the front door and wanted you to feel as safe as you could in his presence because you hadn't said it... but everything had changed, and he knew it too. He didn't expect the night to go like this, but he knew, like you... things couldn't be the same again now.

You gave him a gentle smile and his heart fluttered, he'd always loved your smile, but shit... it was his now. He left your heels neatly at the stoop. "I hope today wasn't a total bust for you. Now you know how good I am at ruining good things," you poked fun at yourself. "It's a wicked character trait."

He sighed, dropping his eyes. "Why would you think that being honest with me would ruin anything?" he had to ask, putting his hands in his pockets. "Don't you think I appreciate that more?"

"I dunno," you leaned back against the door as he looked back at you, chewing your lip and God, he wanted to be the one chewing that lip. Vulnerability to most people could be seen as a red flag but to him? You were telling him things that you'd never told anyone, and that was almost sacred and it would always mean more. He knew you trusted him, but made him uneasy that it wasn't with your heart. "Do you?"

He rolled his eyes, a faint grin on his face. "Yes. I do appreciate that more. I've learned more about you tonight than I have in the last 30 years, which is kind of awesome... and terrifying."

"Terrifying?" you repeated, a little disappointed as he stepped closer.

"If you think for one second that you scaring me is a bad thing, you are kidding yourself," of this he was certain. He wasn't scared to be out of his comfort zone with you.

You finally smiled and shook your head gently. "I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you, Rooster. I owe you, big time."

"Don't be crazy. I drank top-shelf booze, ate more cake than I have eaten for years, and I got to spend my night with you. We'll call it even."

"Well, thank you. It really meant a lot. And it won't happen again, there are no weddings or other OTT celebrations in the foreseeable future."

"That's a shame," he laughed quietly.

There was a slight beat before your rationality kicked in. "Well, I should go in," you told him, pushing back off the door and reaching for your keys in your clutch. "I'm sure you've got an early morning."

"Class," he acknowledged.

You nodded. There would always be something. "Goodnight, Rooster," you said as you unlocked the door and took a step in before pausing. Rationality be damned. "Unless you wanna come in?" you called softly in the dead quiet of the night. You could see his brain working a million miles a moment.

This wasn't something you and Rooster did, you didn't hang out together this way, it was always in a group, always someone else to play the distraction. "Yeah, I really do," he admitted, standing before you. The air around you had changed and you swore it wasn't just you that noticed it. For the first time tonight, his nervousness was evident and he put his palm on your cool cheek. Licking his lips, he admitted, "I really wanna come in," he said quietly, resting his forehead against yours.

His eyes searched yours as you pushed the door open and your hand found his. He followed willingly, quietly kicking the front door closed as you led him down the small hallway to your living room. Low lit from the lamp you'd left on for your late arrival, Rooster was interested to check out your place. Quaint, but it was quintessentially you. Linen in neutral and blue, a stash of books on the coffee table. A home. "Do you want a drink?" you asked.

Erring on the side of caution, he responded 'water'. He was starting to cut it fine of being in a proper state for the following morning and while he could take his liquor, the last thing he wanted was a hangover in an F-18. You came back to him with a cool glass and he gave you a small smile of thanks. He tossed his suit jacket on the end of the couch, finally happy to be rid of the silly thing.

"Do you mind if I get changed? This dress is clogged with sand, it's wet and damp."

"Course not. Go make yourself comfy," he said with a small smile as he watched you walk away before he preoccupied himself with the endless photos on your wall. A tasteful aesthetic of beautiful white frames with a mix of colour and black and white photos stored in them, he felt the love and consideration you'd put into the curation of images. And holy shit, if it wasn't you on his Mom's hip. You were crying and she was trying to appease you in any way she could. He took the photo from the wall and you wandered back a few minutes later, hair down, oversized Lakers t-shirt and you saw what he stared at.

"Mom said I had just been told I couldn't get an ice cream from the ice cream truck," you filled him in. Rooster actually laughed.

"That's the cutest fucking thing I ever heard."

"And Carole was trying to tell me she could get me ice cream from your place even though my mom was saying no, but I didn't want it anyway because it didn't come from the ice cream man. Naturally."

"That's amazing. This is about the last photo I would have ever expected to have seen, you know?"

"You can have it if you want. I mean, I'm a screaming three-year-old, but your mom looks absolutely beautiful."

"Always," he said softly and put the photo back carefully on the wall. "You keep it, it gives me something to see when I am here."

You shrugged easily and took a seat on the couch. He took a hint and went to join you, taking a cool sip of water to regulate. This was just not how he saw the night going. Sure, he was a man, he had eyes in perfect working order. He wouldn't lie and say he hadn't memorised every curve of your body, your smile and that absolutely devastating self-deprecating wit but there were plenty of other distractions in his wake. But here you were, right before him. And you, at that moment, were perfect but he didn't know what you wanted from him and it ate him alive.

"What time is class tomorrow?"

"Eight," he replied.

You gently reached for his hand, avoiding his eyes and tracing over the callouses and his lifelines. "I'm sorry about before," you said finally. "I am really good at finding ways to make a night nosedive."

He shook his head, laying an arm against the length of the couch in hopes you'd shift just a little closer again. "No, fuck no. Please don't apologise."

"You know more about me tonight than most people know in a lifetime. I'm really not the sharing kind."

"That... I knew," he with a smile. "I kind of figured we were a bit alike that way anyway. But it gives me a little bit of hope. I'll weasel my way in," he said confidently. "You'll regret opening yourself up to me," he teased as you laughed heartily.

"Using my trauma against me," you fist-pumped and he was so relieved you could see the funny side to it as he scooted a little closer since you didn't. "Awesome."

"I promise I never would do that," he said sincerely. "I have enough baggage to take everyone in this damn town out."

"That's true," you agreed. "What a mess we are."

"You're not a mess. You have your reasons, just like I do," he let go of your hand and reached into his shirt, pulling out his dog tags. "These have been driving me mad all night. Think they're imprinted into my chest..."

"Can I see?" you asked as he shrugged and slipped it over his head, gently putting it over yours and letting the tags jangle across your heart. You picked it up and looked at the imprints of his name. "Bradley N. Bradshaw," you spoke. "What do you think your parents were thinking when they gave you more or less the same first and last names?"

He laughed loudly. "Bradley was my mom's dad's name," he explained. "And it was the 80's. I guess they thought it just sounded cool. They didn't think of what it might be like for me at 34."

You grinned, tracing the bumps of his ID. "I forgot what these felt like. Dad's, Grandpa's. Having them in my hands like they were a toy, and what they really stand for."

Rooster didn't speak. He understood what you meant without having to go into it.

"Roost?"

He hummed in reply.

"Have you thought about settling down?"

"I've thought about it," he shrugged simply. "I haven't really found anyone who I want to settle down with. Last thing I want is something that doesn't last. I want to feel like my parents did - I can hardly remember it... but the way Mom spoke about Dad after he died? That's something to strive for, you know? I know she was sick... but she really died of a broken heart in the end," he said quietly.

Holy shit... you thought.

"When I find the one, I'll know," he added, taking your hand back into his and this time, he avoided your gaze as he drew circles around the pads of your palm. "I'm sure of it." He was sure of it.

"And here I was thinking you loved being a bachelor and the notoriety of the Navy," you said, and he appreciated the teasing as he laughed, scratching his neck.

"I mean, yeah. There are some benefits to not settling," lifting his gaze back to you, he pondered again. "I'm not really that guy that falls quickly."

You nodded, you knew what that felt like and you knew he was growing weary of sharing hour, so you decided to make things more interesting. "I've asked Natasha this and was not remotely surprised with her response. But I'll ask you too because I know you wouldn't lie to me... What's the greater thrill: flying... or fucking, Rooster?"

Rooster chuckled quietly. "That is going directly for the jugular," you saw his lips move, but sounds didn't follow through. "I love flying," he looked up. "My fate is sealed, but the right person? Jesus, fucking the right person could make you wanna give it all up, you know?"

"No, I don't," you pressed, your brain trying to decipher his answer. "That's why I asked."

He smiled, a small tint of red creeping up to his cheeks. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"I think I like making you squirm," you said simply as dropped his eyes, coy all of a sudden.

"Oh, I get it now," he thought about it. "If it was life and death, I would, I can't believe I'm saying this... but I'd fly."

"Oh, my God," your jaw may have hit the floor. It just was not the response you were expecting but told you a lot about Rooster's priorities.

"As I said, if it was the right person..." he tried to over-correct himself as you bit back your grin, covering your mouth with your joined hands.

"I'm speechless," you continued to needle him.

"Okay, if this is the little game we want to play - " he announced, smacking the top of your hand.

Oh, fuck.

"My turn, then," he said straightening up and you panicked, and he grinned because he could see you were clearly panicking. "Why haven't you really settled? You could have found the guy that it could have all worked with. You're smart, fucking hilarious, beautiful. Now don't get me wrong... but for most guys, that's all they need. We're not overly complex creatures."

"Honestly?"

His hand that was in yours clamped down and was trapped in his strong grasp. "Honestly."

"I don't think I'm ever going to find what I'm looking for. I haven't found someone that can keep my attention for long enough."

He stayed silent, he wasn't convinced.

You grunted and continued. "I date. A lot. I am just not broadcasting how average these dudes are I'm dating. Why do I want to spend my time with someone with who I don't spark with?"

"Do you really have a problem with commitment?" he asked pointedly.

"No, I have a problem with assholes," you replied smartly. "You haven't settled down, do you have a problem with a commitment?" you threw back.

He rubbed his moustache and he considered his answer. "No, I'm content with not being ready to settle down yet."

"So, yeah. You kind of have a problem with commitment," you laughed as he nudged you.

"I realise I'm in my prime," he shrugged, giving his ego receiving a nice self-stroking. You didn't mind Rooster talking himself up, it was incredibly sexy, truth be told. He was generally pretty modest about all that kind of stuff and kept his business to himself but really, he wasn't completely unlike his friends and co-workers. He knew he good a good-looking dude, his voice could turn you inside out (you figured), he could command a presence fairly easily, and women were putty in his hands. It wasn't a lot of effort on his behalf.

Grinning widely, you snuck closer to him, sitting on your knees and he watched his hands fall to his thighs as you released yourself from his grasp. God, you loved making him writhe and he dared you to ask what you were thinking. "I'm not stupid, Rooster. I know you get a handful of numbers when we go out."

"How many of those girls do you think I call?" he asked, thoughtfully. He knew you were getting off on this, taking the focus off you and pinning it on him. He didn't mind, he knew you were enjoying this little game of cat and mouse, and you weren't really offended by any of his questions, so he couldn't be either.

"You tell me," you whispered.

He adjusted his posture and he took your chin in his palm, his thumb imprinting on your chin. God, you were right there, so close... desperate to be kissed. "I like the chase," his voice low. "But the chase isn't all that much a challenge much anymore," he admitted and his wrist started beeping. 4am. He needed to go. He silenced it. "Saved by the bell," he announced. "That's my alarm."

"And just when we were getting to the juicy bits," you sighed as he kept your gaze, a small smile on his face.

"We can continue this if you like. At a more respectable hour."

"No thank you," you said quickly and he chuckled quietly.

"I'm not surprised by that."

You smiled shyly. "Sorry."

"Fuck, you're so beautiful, do you know that?" he couldn't stop himself from saying. It just had to be said and put out there. Great, now it was done, he reasoned. You didn't break his gaze, you were daring him to make a move. He licked his lips and had to laugh. He'd already made the move. If you wanted him, he decided... the ball was in your court. Come and claim me, he wished.

"Roost?" you said again.

He raised an eyebrow in reply.

"Stay."

"No," he said, sitting forward. Fight for me.

You got to your feet and pushed him back against the couch, a small grunt bristling as you stepped between his wide legs. He reached for your hamstrings, his hands massaging against your bare skin as he raised his eyes to you. It was powerful and intimate and he didn't know if he trusted himself to be touching you like this.

"If you've got something to say... this would be the time to say it," his voice thick with desire, daring you.

"Stay," you repeated, your fingers coiling into his sun-kissed ringlets, giving them a gentle tug as he slowly licked his lips.

"Gonna need more than that," he told you, pulling you flush against him, helping you straddle him, his arms in a vice grip around you.

"Stay for me."

He bristled a laugh as you reached for a button on his shirt, dainty fingers making light work of the straining material over his chest. "Think I'm gonna just fuck you after all this?" he removed your hands, placing them back in your lap where he silently prayed you'd keep them because his strength was waning and if you tried really hard, you'd have him exactly where you wanted him. "You really wanna make this about a quick fuck and I just up and leave?" he shook his head. "I think you know by now I want a little more than that."

"What do you want, Rooster?" you asked, your fingers tracing his scars, finding one on his jaw you were particularly fond of and tracing it, feeling him tremor beneath you. "Tell me," you said reaching for the hem of your shirt and he knew he was going for martyrdom as he held your shirt down, whispering a curse. "You don't want me?" you asked, easing back just a little, shocked and a little more than embarrassed.

"More than anything. Can't you fuckin' see that?" he took your face in his palms and he could see your resolve crumble, breaking him as your eyes shone with tears. "That's why we gotta wait."

Your gaze dropped, you hadn't felt rejected like this in a long time. You didn't feel sexy, you didn't feel desired and you absolutely did not feel like he wanted you regardless of the apparent sincerity of his words.

"Listen to me," his voice raspy from alcohol and exhaustion. "Tonight, before tonight," he confided. "I've thought about taking you in every position my mind could imagine. But every one of them was crude and in my mind, pure fantasy. Why do you think I didn't even think about saying no to any of this tonight? All these years and all we have to show for us is a cheap fuck? I got a little more respect for you than that, baby girl. I wanna turn you inside out," he whispered against your skin. "Why do you think I never made a move before? If you give me the green light, I will absolutely pray to you."

You had forgotten how to breathe and he kept your eyes locked to his.

"I want to worship you," he told you, repeating your name like a mantra. "Don't you get it?"

The blood was pumping so loud in your ears that you were finding it hard to focus. You were drawn out of your stupor as his alarm started buzzing on his wrist again. He was getting later.

"I gotta go," he murmured, his face so close. "Just think about it, okay?" he said quietly, kissing your temple.

"That will be the problem," you confided as he hummed.

"I hope so," he helped detangle yourself from him, letting you stand although your legs were absolutely jelly. He smiled at you finally, thoroughly wretched, and all due to him. "So many things I want to do to you," he breathed. "But now, I gotta go." He'd been short on time before, but nothing as bad as this made him feel.

"I'm not asking you to stay again," you threatened pathetically, and he heard the lies as clearly as you did.

He nodded. But he couldn't and he knew he didn't have to explain his duty... because of anyone who knew him, you understood this most. "See me out?" he asked.

"Okay," you murmured, following him by the hand down the hallway. You unlocked the door, and he pushed it closed again, leaving his palm and weight against it. You raised a surprised eyebrow.

"I just can't - " he closed his eyes, dropping everything he was holding and grasping your face tenderly between his calloused palms. "Please think about this."

"And if I fuck it up?" you asked, scared as reality started to kick in.

"What if I do?" he challenged. "Do we not owe it to ourselves to find out?"

You nodded, almost pained, pressing your hands to his chest because you needed the last few touches before he left you. "Yes, we do," and with that, his lips were on yours. Soft, unobtrusive, it felt like you'd been kissing him your whole life. Familiar and right, you didn't realise how long you'd been waiting for this. He was such a good kisser, and there was no going back now. The words were out there... his kiss had tainted you.

His hands left your face, tangling into your hair, it felt incredible. He smiled against your lips and lightly pulled back. "You only needed to say yes," he told you, holding your face, his warm hazel eyes dancing and he kissed you again, a little rougher this time, his large hands tangling into your hair, tugging at strands as they moved to your back, dangerously close to your ass. "I'm holding back so bad right now, because the second I give in, I will stay."

"Can't you call in?" you asked hopefully, reaching for his lips again, your hands drifting to his hips and his head fell back with a quiet sigh. He pleaded for your hands anywhere further north.

"If I don't front up today... every single person we know will know exactly where I am... and why," he said, voice laced in mirth.

You told him softly, "I will make it worth your while."

He groaned loudly, his body already ready and willing, pressed unyielding against you. "I believe you," he breathed. "The idea of being with you will be all I'll be able to think about today. God damn," he hissed, his alarm going off again. "Can I see you later?"

"I think that's a good idea."

He gave a small smile, pushing some hair from your eyes. "Good morning, fake girlfriend," he kissed you gently again, let go of you to collect his gear at your feet and forced himself into opening the door, stepping over the threshold purposefully. He leaned back and kissed you once more. "I'll call you later," he breathed, trying to gather some resolve.

"Tonight?"

He nodded. "Tonight."

"Okay. Good morning, fake boyfriend." But now... there was nothing fake about it.

"Oh, before I forget," Rooster pointed at you. You raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe, the adrenaline of the evening waning as he started to wander away. "What are you doing the last Saturday of next month?"

You outwardly shrugged. At this point you didn't know how today would even pan out as he wandered back to you, lips painfully close to yours, his arms slipping around your waist again and you didn't want him to let go. "I dunno. Why?"

"I got a wedding invite through the week," he smiled kindly and you bit back a laugh. "Thought maybe you'd like to go with me..."

"Think you can keep this fake dating thing going until then?" you asked, caressing his cheek.

"I'm pretty confident we may not be fake dating then..." he said quietly, kissing you just one more time.

"Ballsy of you to assume."

He nodded. "Yep," his eyebrow quirked.

"Do you have to wear your dress uniform?"

"Yes," he sighed, recalling your first conversation.

"Damn. This suit is really good," you playfully teased him, knowing his dress uniform would likely bring you to your knees. White or blue, you didn't care. It would be utter carnage.

"I don't even think a dry cleaner would bring this back to its original glory," he admitted with a chuckle.

"Shame."

"Jesus Christ, I want to stay. Please tell me to leave," his eyes fluttered closed.

You smiled as he took a wide step back. "You'd better go."

He nodded, thankful for your push. "I'll see you later," he said and forcibly turned away, his feet taking him away from you and when he was out of your view, you felt the weight of his dog tags on your chest.

"Oh, shit."

masterlist.

A/N: Want to learn more about these crazy kids? Here we go!

The Relationship Experience - prologue

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youre-my-worst-nightmare · 4 months

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“Why are you so worried about trans women entering the bathrooms? What’s stopping cis men from coming in?”

The problem is because if a trans woman comes in and does something inappropriate, if we as women talk about it, we’re called transphobic! Also, the more and more accepted it’s becoming, men could easily just cosplay as a woman and be allowed into a bathroom without people running him out, since people are scared of being ‘disrespectful’. The problem is ‘cis men’ are actually looked down on for coming into our bathroom, but trans women are applauded for it.

#Terfblr #terfsafe #radblr #radical feminists do interact #radical feminism #radical feminists do touch

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sakuralovespossums · 2 months

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JJK Teachers x Autistic Student Reader (Platonic)

Satoru Gojo 🩵

It’s obvious that jujutsu society still lives by old fashioned and bigoted ideals (ie. hating women and non-sorcerers) so it wouldn’t surprise me if they were also ableist.

As a result, it can be pretty challenging being a neurodivergent sorcerer student without options for accommodations or counseling, as if being a sorcerer student itself wasn’t hard enough.

Still, you tried your best to mask your autism and keep up with your peers the best you could.

This didn’t go unnoticed by Gojo though (the guy sees through everything, c’mon)

He would quickly take notice of your behavior and habits (stimming, disassociation, difficulty grasping social queues)

He suspects that you may be on the spectrum and looks into your student files to confirm. Once he’s proven right, he decides to do some research on it himself so that he can better understand and help you.

One day after class, Gojo calls you to stay for a minute so you guys can talk.

“Hey y/n! Mind if we chat for a bit? It’ll only be a minute!”

You feel nervous as you walk towards him, hoping you didn’t do anything wrong.

“Listen, I know we’re not exactly in the same boat, but I know what it’s like to mask around others all the time.” He says while pulling his eye mask.

He tells you he gets feeling different from everyone and having to put on a persona to make them like you.

“Just know that you don’t have to wear it around me. I’m your teacher and I wanna get to know the real y/n. Course, it’s up to you though. I’m not pushing.”

He then tells you that he’ll make the accommodations you need to help make your classroom experience less stressful.

And if any of those old geazers complain about it, they’ll have to take it to him.

You don’t even realize you’re crying until he hands you a napkin with your favorite character printed on it.

It’s a gift he got for you from his recent mission.

You happily accept it and wipe your tears away before embracing him in a tight hug. He returns the hug with one arm as he looks down at you with a genuine smile.

He’s glad he could reach out to you and make you feel safe around him.

Since then, Gojo takes more note of your autism and accommodates to it however he can.

You’d think he wouldn’t care with how……insensitive he can be, but he does acknowledge the impact mental health can have on people. He couldn’t be there for Suguru, but he’ll try to be there for you.

He asks you what kind of foods you like/don’t like before he leaves for his missions, so that he knows what kind of snacks to bring back for you.

Makes sure you understand the instructions and materials in class. He’ll check on you privately, just in case you don’t want him asking you in front of the other students.

Will still make you the butt of some of his jokes (but it’s never to make fun of your autism).

He just finds your difficulty with grasping his sarcastic humor too good an opportunity to not poke fun at.

Can still come off as insensitive sometimes (it’s Gojo) but is trying his best. Just let him know when he’s said/done something to upset you and he’ll stop.

Sometimes when it’s just you two, he’ll listen to you explain your current special interests.

Imagine him listening to you talk about your favorite show on the phone while fighting a special grade curse.

“Mmhmm, yeah? Hold on a sec y/n.” He finishes killing off the giant curse in front of him. “Sorry about that, you were saying?”

He knows what it’s like to be easily overstimulated since his six eyes enhance all his senses. He also gets migraines a lot because of it, just like you.

If you have/had a Digimon hyper fixation, you’re his #1 student now. He will test you on your Digimon knowledge. You’ll both get lost in back-and-forth conversations about the lore, show, and games. If he deems you a worthy fan, he’ll even let you play his old Digimon games.

The highest form of honor you could receive from him.

When you and your class are out in town and enter a crowded area, if you feel extremely overwhelmed, Gojo will teleport you out of there to a place with less people.

Either that or he’ll grab you and turn on his infinity, giving you space from the bumping crowd of bodies around you.

If you’re going through a burnout and need to be away from people for a bit, he’ll understand and probably leave a candy outside your door.

He knows you need extra help and accommodations with your disability, but he never treats you differently from his other students and knows you’re tough enough to handle whatever’s thrown at you.

You are a sorcerer, after all.

He wants to guide the next generation of stronger sorcerers where no one gets left behind, including those like you.

“Gojo-sensei, why are you staring at that corner?”

“Just trying to figure out why you’re always staring at it during class. What makes it more interesting than me?”

“Sensei!!”

:))

Nanami Kento 🥖

He also quickly notices your autism and makes sure you feel comfortable unmasking around him.

He does NOT tolerate discrimination/unfair treatment of any kind towards people based on their disabilities.

I imagine one of his coworkers at his old accounting job was on the spectrum and understood how challenging it could be for them. So he would try to help them however he could.

Because of this, he has more personal experience under his belt to better understand how to work with you.

He thinks it’s shit how a lot of society and the education system (both in and out of jujutsu society) are so unaccommodating to people with physical/mental health needs.

If you have a hyper fixation with bread and/or cooking, he’ll gladly listen to you talk about it however long you want while donning his usual stoic expression.

Don’t worry, he’s not bored or annoyed. As a fellow culinary lover himself, he’s genuinely interested in listening to you talk and will engage in the conversation.

The way you enthusiastically talk about your interests reminds him a bit of Haibara.

He admires your attention to detail and strong sense of empathy towards people, animals, and inanimate objects.

His low voice is very calming to you.

If you follow a specific schedule and/or organized, he’ll admire that too since he also hates falling behind schedule.

If you are spacing out during an important briefing about a mission, he’ll say your name to get your attention or gently pat your shoulder.

“L/n-san…”

“Oh, sorry!”

“That’s alright. Do you want me to repeat what I just said?”

If you’re in a dissociative episode, he’ll calmly ask you what’s bothering you and help you work through it however he can.

If you’re going through a burnout and need to be alone for a while, he’ll understand and give you as much space as you need.

He might knock on your door to give you a small packaged pastry. He hopes it helps.

He understands you may have some internalized ableism, so he makes sure to speak positively of your autism to help you build your confidence.

“L/n-san, why do you have a coat with you when it’s March?”

“Oh, well it was pretty cold this morning. And…well…it’s not anymore but…..”

“I see. That’s a rather smart decision on your part.”

“Really?”

“It means you’re always well prepared for anything. That’s an important skill to have as a sorcerer.”

“Thanks, Nanami-sensei.”

“………………….so can I try on your gogg—”

“No”

#jujutsu kaisen #gojo satoru #nanami kento #gojo x reader #nanami x reader #Gojo x student reader platonic #Nanami x student reader platonic

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dreamwritersworld · 5 months

Text

On the Run (? X reader)

Neteyam POV

When I watched Y/n, all I could hear was sounds of gentle pianos…she brought that beautiful side of life out despite all she’s been through. We went through the same amount of harsh training to be perfect leaders of the clan and yet we had to throw out entire lives away.

In the back of my head I knew my only plan with her was to run away…but I never found the strength to say so, not when she fit in perfectly for our clan.

“Y/n! Please help us demonstrate!”

“Of course!”

Y/n respectfully stopped her conversation with the elders as she walked to the teachers who were teaching the younger generation how to hem jewelry

“Y/n is the best at jewelry making kids!”

All the small children laughed and threw their arms out for Y/n to come towards them and assist, Y/n laughed at their eagerness and spent her evening playing and giggling with the children, she was always meant to be a mother and a leader..by the end of the class the children made the jewelry easily as if they had done it their entire life.

At times I think in silence of how much I crave her affection..she gave up on that awhile ago. I realize that it’s my fault, I was never one to accept our promise..

I lied in the worst ways a man could, I never slept with anyone or craved anything for another women. There would just be some nights where I’d lay beside them or discuss with them and just imagine Y/n as them.. I refused to do anything with her, only because I wanted it to feel real and not forced.

My ideal life would be me being the one to choose her as my mate, and have it all on our terms…it didn’t work out that way. In reality I had so much time to choose her, we were both just kids…we still are. Navi’s get mated much later on in life compared to us.

One night a Navi women slipped a letter into our maui, and I was by myself trying to help figure out new war plans so I could tell my father…everyone had been gone.

That was until Y/n walked in, she had went to grab a blanket for Tuk or something i heard her ruffling of searching come to a stop..

She came out of the corner, staring at me holding up the paper..

“Now don’t go imagining things..”

“Like Elfí..”

I had gotten annoyed and overwhelmed, frustrated that she had found of about my sneaking. We were still so young I felt I should’ve been able to go with whomever and that’d be fine.

“…baby?..”

Y/n voice broke saying the name Elfí had called me. I walked away attempting to keep everything under wraps.

“I don’t want to hear another word Y/n please.”

I tried to get away but Y/n didn’t allow it, she followed me into another part of the maui..

“Well is there something your hiding?”

“I don’t got a thing to hide! You’re just being to demanding!..you know I think you should go back to parading the clan.”

It was wrong yes, but in the moment I used what was most important to Y/n..the clan. Looking back at the argument now it was obvious it wasn’t her main priority..

“What?…well I’m not going!”

…our relationship was her main priority. Y/n was always one to remain mature about situations. And she was willing to stay if it meant that much to her..my sweet girl.

“I think you should! Just go!”

I threw the blanket in her direction as she scrambled for all the items Tuk requested for her..she sat on the floor sobbing next to them

Our arguments portrayed the innocence and immaturity of the both of us.

I, was retaliating aggressively and Y/n stayed.

I don’t deserve her, yes i know that. But all i hope for now is another way to fix this relationship; to fix how we are. I don’t enjoy this silence and I never liked it, I just felt like the relationship was too damaged to be fixed. We’re still young but at least now we can make an effort to fall in love again.

It will be so difficult to fix us though..today I’ll make the first step..

-Y/n’s Pov-

I woke up early, moving out of Neteyam’s arm..walking towards the sunset. Nothing was more beautiful than seeing the ocean, they reminded me of Ao’nung..

Theres no denying that you had fallen for him, he was perfect. He had given you the right amount of attention and respect..everything you wanted. There was guilt in this feelings though, you were supposed to be in love with Neteyam..but was this so bad? He snuck around you all the time.

So what if everyone wanted you and Neteyam together? So what if they believed you were the perfect love story? It was a cliche anyway. Neteyam only ever wanted to be a leader, who wants a man with just that as his personality? What about Ao’nung ? He was willing to get in trouble while fulfilling the clans needs..

You found yourself walking to Ao’nung and his family’s Maui in the early morning, knowing he’d be up for his duties..

“Hi!”

“Y/n! I just finished up, wanna go for a walk?”

“Of course!”

The two walked in silence, content and engaged with the sunrise..

“You know with all these weeks we’ve spent together, and I realized the way I treated you before I got to know you was wrong, i’m sorry”

“What? Why are you sorry?”

“Because I made fun of your family, I know it’s been awhile since the whole Lo’ak situation-“

“It’s fine Ao’nung I promise. As long as you treat them good now, everything’s fine.”

The two smiled at each other overlapping hands..and suddenly they gently pulled each other in, they had shared a kiss.

“..Ao’nung..im promised to Neteyam. I’m so sorry..”

There was fear hidden in Y/n’s eyes but beneath all of it she had a desire..desire to be with him, to love all of him and have him show her the greater experiences in life. Ao’nung knew this, he saw all of her..

“..I know Y/n, and if we can escape all of this and run away together? I would. You don’t know what I’d do for you Y/n.”

That’s all Y/n needed to hear before she went in for another kiss..and another, laughing in between.

“I don’t care if we’re on the run, as long as im next to you! Although we should keep this relationship a secret..just until we’re ready.”

“Of course my love, we don’t need to rush anything. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”

The couple laid on the sand, smiling at the sky in their secluded area..they knew if the clan found out they were together and realized that Neteyam and Y/n were promised it’d be considered a crime…but if it was, why did Y/n bring out the best in Ao’nung?

Soon enough the time came for Y/n and Lo’ak to head to Ao’nung and Tsireya families Maui. There was a sense of awkwardness in the air however.

“..so..Ao’nung just invited you and me over?..and not the others?”

“Yea I suppose he did, mentioned something about them two being closest to us so it fit the occasion..”

“…right..and this isn’t because he likes you-“

“Likes me? Lo’ak please-“

“No im serious! Bros pinning on you!”

“Not as much as Tsireya is pinning you!”

The nervousness and flustering emotions cleared out Lo’aks need to ask questions, and he no longer thought more of the situation.

When it came time to enter Lo’ak eagerly walked in, yanking on me to follow.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter. Ronal was quiet and not willing to open up, but when she saw the interest and eagerness from Y/n to learn about her culture, she was spilling all her knowledge. It wasn’t the fact that Y/n was a perfect leader that interested Ronal, it was the way Ao’nung looked at her. The love was so clearly in her sons eye, she didn’t like it until she realized Ao’nung had been exceeding in everything lately and especially since he had been with her..maybe she wasn’t so bad?..though she had deals to situate with Ao’nung, because she wasn’t so sure about Y/n’s intentions

Later in the night when it was just them two cleaning up Ronal brought up the topic..

“..you like that girl-“

“What girl mother? I wouldn’t possibly know who you-“

“My child, if you’re going to lie do it right. That girl holds your heart and you’re willing to let her swallow it whole if it meant she was yours..so be it. She makes you happy? Have her. But just remember that these things always comes with deals..”

Ao’nungs heart struck with frustration witnessing his mother dangle Y/n over him.

“..no mom-“

“No? Wow. I guess Ao’nung knows best, fine if you’re so mature now.”

“I am mother-“

“She came with nothing on her back from a clan she was meant to be a leader to! You think that she doesn’t want that still? Go ahead and give it to her, but don’t let her deceive you!”

“She won’t mother-“

“Of course she won’t, she has nowhere else to go. She must learn our way and perfect them. You must remain focused on your leadership position. This relationship doesn’t go out to the public until you’re ready.”

“Yes mother.”

The conversation ended at that and Ao’nung remained frustrated..

*Neteyams POV*

I hadn’t seen Y/n all day, and suddenly she’s coming home with Lo’ak laughing about the dinner they spent at Ao’nungs home?..

The laughter of the pair died down as they went their separate ways to bed and Y/n couldn’t even bear to look at me

“Y/n-“

“Keep quiet.”

I spoke with a hushed voice and Y/n still shushed me

“Where have you been? All day I’ve gone looking for you, and you were nowhere to be found. Now im hearing that you were at Ao’nung families Mauri.”

“Please Neteyam just keep quiet. I don’t want to argue about this-“

“I’m not arguing, if you feel guilty about it-“

“I don’t. I’ll never will feel guilty about it Neteyam. It’s not like im sneaking around; yes I went to his families Maui. The siblings invited us to their Maui, it was an invitation. This isn’t just a regular family, they are the leaders of this clan-“

“I’m tired of that excuse Y/n, we are-“

“We are what? Mated? We are nothing yet Neteyam, you know that. We don’t even have a clan anymore.”

I watched as tears had slipped from Y/n’s eyes, she was hurt. Having to drop everything she worked for hadn’t been easy for her either..

“I know that Y/n..I just..”

There I was, frozen again. I was at a loss of words and I couldn’t find the ways to express my feelings.

“It’s fine..I just need to rest.”

Y/n laid down facing away from me scooting farther then she had before..it felt like she was miles away. I just need something..someone to hold..

*Y/n POV*

Days passed by and i grew accustomed to waking up earlier than everyone, this had become my regular routine. My first thought was to head over to Ao’nung but it seemed as though he was already coming over, he had grazed my arm and guided me back to our area. I didn’t speak the entire time, afraid he’d end our relationship. He looked so angry, it was like nothing I’d ever seen before.

“What’s wrong..?”

“My mother.”

“..did you tell her? Did she deny us..”

My heart had shattered even at the thought of our relationship ending.

“No! She just, she’s dangling you right over me. These past weeks shes been telling me about how she wants you perfected, worked to the bone as if you’re not doing enough.”

“Oh Ao’nung I’d knew that’d be an obstacle we’d have to overcome..this isn’t my home, your clan would want a perfect leader..someone to fit your environment.”

“I won’t allow their opinions to swarm you Y/n! I just won’t! It’s not right. I’m the one who needs to be perfect for you-“

“You’re perfect for me Ao’nung, what do you mean?”

“I mean that I need you to have someone who’s worthy of you, I will work on myself in the meanwhile.”

“It’s feels as though it’s been so long Ao’nung…we’ll need to tell the clan eventually. This sneaking around isn’t doing the clan good, you know that. I’ve told you before so many times, and you ignore it. I’m frustrated and I haven’t said anything to keep you calm. You act as though they’re going to believe I committed a crime by falling in love with you-“

“You don’t think that’s this isn’t harder on me than it is you? You don’t think that I don’t want to dedicate myself to being the future leader? You don’t think that I want to be honorable enough to be the man that is going to be controlling this clan that might I add WILL protect you? I love you. I’m in love with you.”

“…I love you too Ao’nung..but im just sick of hiding it. I need you Ao’nung. You’re perfect for me, your it.”

“Oh Y/n don’t cry..”

Tears of expressing those deep emotions had fallen, the strength of their love was far to strong for Y/n to express without getting emotional

“I can’t help it..I feel horrible and I don’t know what to do..”

“What do you mean? What’s going on?”

“I-I still go to the same bed every night, lay with Neteyam and he doesn’t know that im seeing you or that I love you..and I want so badly to just tell him it’s over..I can’t hide my love for you and it feels so wrong to be with someone else while im promised to him..”

“Y/n..im sorry. Our time will come, when we’re both ready. I trust you and I know your heart, I knew something like this would bother you and trust me I’ll work as hard as I can to find a way for us to get out of this..ok?”

“Ok Ao’nung!”

The two snuggled before going their separate ways, it was so obviously written on Y/n’s face. She had a glow, something exciting was occurring in her like and it was a sacred secret..

When Y/n was walking to the Maui, she had walked past a familiar voice..Neteyam’s.

“Maybe..I can come over, we can hang out, do whatever you like..”

Those familiar underlying words and tones that she heard his say to other women far to many times no longer hurt her as much..although she can’t deny that she still felt betrayed.

Yes, she was doing that same…but it’s only happening now. After so many years…how long could Y/n wait before she went off to find someone to love? Neteyam had always had someone to fondle with, to commit infedelity with..

She wouldn’t deny that the sneaking around she was doing was wrong, but she had her reason as much as he did. Except Neteyam’s were far too unreasonable to even listen to…and to think Y/n felt guilty? How pathetic.

Y/n walked right past him and her figure caught his eye..

“Y/n? Wait Y/n!”

Her eyes widened at his voice, usually he would ignore her and allow the continue the flirtatious conversation..he had no shame normally.

“..yes?”

Y/n tried remaining with a calm voice. She spoke in short words to keep it under wraps.

“What you saw there…that isn’t me anymore. I just-“

“Neteyam, I do not care what you do anymore. I don’t care who you sleep with, or who you’ll be laying next to. I have stayed loyal to you for far too long, and we both know that-“

“I know..I know Y/n! But you have to understand I just..i don’t know how to express myself to you. I have loved you since the beginning..I have loved you all my life. But when our parents dropped the bomb on us and promising us to mating; I felt like I had no choice. I thought you felt the same so I denied our relationship, I denied your love. I thought I’d be just fine without you but…I can’t Y/n..these past weeks that you been so distant I have come to realize that I need you more than ever..”

The silence was deafening, nothing would prepare Neteyam for Y/n’s response.

“No..no..”

“Yes.”

“…you’re being mean stop it! Stop it!”

Neteyam reached out for Y/n, while she pushed it away. He knew that he had made her wait far too long and her response was killing him.

“..I have been second since the moment we were promised. I was second to all the women, the clan, everything…I can’t do this anymore, I won’t. I have been loyal and I waited for you, but did you seriously expect me to take you back after all of it? After this much time? I-I won’t do it. Not when I spent my entire life loving you.”

There it was…the words Y/n so desperately wanted to release. It was true that she had fallen out of love with Neteyam..he just didn’t see it, and that wasn’t her fault.

“Y/n..? What-what are you saying?”

That’s when a mountain of tears started to drip from his eyes, realizing the love he had for Y/n would never amount of nothing and it’d remain forever a unrequited love.

“Our relationship is over. I break this promise to you Neteyam. I am no longer willing to put up with you , we’re done. My things will be gone in the morning.”

Y/n turned away, allowing her tears to fall as she walked away. She was not willing to look him in the eyes any longer or listen to his pleas. Those tears weren’t because she was leaving Neteyam, it was because she realized she was leaving something she had wasted so much time on hoping for..all those youthful years were gone. There was hope in her eyes though, hope and prosperity for a better future with Ao’nung..

!💕!

so sorry it’s been awhile 🥲 I’ve been busy and I wanted this to be at least decent 🏂

@jackiehollanderr @itsemy01 @norbis-h @ratchetprime211

#angst #jake sully x reader #neteyam x reader #neteyam sully #avatar loak #avatar the way of water #sully family x daughter reader #spotify #soundcloud #aonung x reader

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helloheyhihowdyheya · 8 months

Text

Rose Thorn Blues | p. 3

Peter Parker x fem!reader

Part One Part Two Masterlist

Summary: At the fundraiser, you and Parker go undercover as husband and wife. Which puts you two in some very interesting positions.

Word count: ~6.5k

Warnings: Enemies to lovers!! Fake dating!! Forced proximity!!! (< my excitement for those tags lol). Kissing. Banter. A lil' bit of jealousy. Sneaking around. Mention of throwing up. Swearing. Tension.

A/n: Sorry it's been awhile. You know how it is. Thank you for the love on the past parts :) I like how this one turned out. Let me know what you think, and thank you for reading! <3

As soon as Parker led you through the towering front doors of the mansion, you clung just a little tighter to his arm. Your fingers fidgeted with the simple wedding ring sitting on your ring finger, something he had picked up yesterday — presumably from “the guy he knew.” To save your nerves, you hadn’t asked, instead just accepting the likely fake diamond ring that felt too heavy and gaudy for your tastes. It certainly fit right at home here.

People in gowns and tuxedos you guessed cost more than you could ever afford walked throughout the sprawling main room. The clicking of their shoes against the hardwood floor joined their voices and the small live orchestra sitting near the podium at the other side. The sight of all these people only made your fingers play with the ring faster, your nerves alight.

A soft touch along the back of your hand had you stopping your fidgeting, your muscles stilling as you looked to your right. You slowly blinked your eyes at Parker’s, the chandeliers above bringing out the shades of brown they held.

In the boyish grin he gave you, there was calm reassurance flashing across his face. It sat somewhere between the confidence of his persona for the night, Sam, and the smugness of the Parker you were often met with. In an instant, his expression dropped easily into the facade as he grabbed two flutes of champagne for you both from a passing waiter holding a tray.

“For you, dear,” he said, handing one to you before taking a sip of his own. You watched his gaze flick across the crowd of wealthy guests. Maybe they were in the dark about where their donations went, but you guessed that more than a few knew the truth — and benefited from it.

“Hello,” a soft voice said from behind you, and your body fought the urge to jump at the sound. A smile that didn’t reach all the way up to your eyes spread across your face as you turned.

Parker’s arm wrapped around your back while you were met with an older couple focused on the two of you. The women introduced themselves, but you found trying to play your part convincingly while focusing on their names and the conversation proved harder than you’d expected. Especially as the heat of “your husband’s” body settled along yours.

But Parker’s voice pulled you back into the moment as he answered a question they must have asked, the rumble of his voice vibrating against you. “Rose’s grandmother recently passed. She loved this city and Beaumont’s work. The two of them were good friends, so we’re here to support him in her memory.”

The one on the left reached her hands out, clutching onto your free one. “I’m so sorry. What you’re doing here would make her very proud.”

You quietly thanked the woman before her wife asked, “And what do you two do for work?”

A long beat of silence passed over all of you, to the point where you could hear Parker swallow hard beside you. In all the planning you’d done the last few days, neither of you had come up with jobs.

Shit.

“Teacher.”

You both said the word at the same time, a slight panicked look passing between you.

You turned back to the women, letting out a laugh that felt too tight and forced. “My grandmother left our family money. To donate,” you clarified with a straight smile. You muttered out, “Since there’s not too much money in teaching…”

“Oh, how lovely. Do you work together?”

“Not anymore,” Parker answered. “But we’re happy with our jobs.”

“And what do you teach?”

Internally, you clenched your jaw and cursed these women for being so friendly and asking so many questions you didn’t think about beforehand. But that didn’t seem to stop Parker as he responded with ease.

“Chemistry for high schoolers. And Rose here teaches, um…” His words briefly trailed off, his tongue coming out to wipe over his bottom lip as he hesitated. Okay, maybe not as smooth as you’d hoped.

“English,” you finished for him. Leaning into Parker, you let out a laugh. It almost felt natural to place your hand on his chest as you spoke, lied, to these women. “Sam would lose his head if it wasn’t attached to him.”

That sent them both into loud giggles, a smile spreading across your face as they held onto one another.

“Oh, you two sound like an old couple already,” the left woman said between breaths.

At least you had the bickering side of things down already.

But as their laughter died down, the one on the right opened her mouth once more, probably to ask another question you had no answer to. The tightness holding your body hostage sagged as another couple came up, hugging the two women like longtime friends.

Your rapid heart silently thanked Parker as he took the moment to lead you both to a quiet corner and around the crowd of people waltzing to the soft music, but you still gritted out, “You didn’t think to come up with our careers?”

“Guess my pea-sized brain can’t do all of the work here. What’s your excuse?” he whispered back. His words had you shoving your elbow into your side, but all it did was earn your bare arm a light pinch from him.

Finding a quiet-enough area, your steps slowed, letting your mind calm down for a moment. Somehow, Parker still wore that casual smile as one hand held the glass and the other sat along your side. But you took a step out of his grasp once you saw no one was looking, letting the space between you two give you extra room to breathe. To think.

You took in the sight of the busy mansion. Mentally, you ignored the now cold spot from Parker’s missing heat, instead marking doors and noting who spoke with who. You were able to recognize some of the attendees — most of which were other local politicians.

How far did all of this go?

Before you could think further, Parker leaned over to speak close to your ear, a distinct scent of coffee and something familiar wafting from him. You’d expected him to explain your next steps, so you quickly looked at him in surprise when he asked, “Did you want to be a teacher as a kid?”

Raising an eyebrow, scanning the expression he wore, you replied, “Yeah… I did. You too?”

“Yeah…” He nodded, staring downward as if in thought.

Your attention went back out to the people, chewing on the inside of your cheek as brief moments passed in silence. All too quick, he followed up with, “Though there’s not much espionage or breaking and entering in teaching these days.”

You gave a quiet laugh, suddenly wishing you’d gone into teaching. The thought made you take another sip of your champagne. A small sip — you needed to stay focused on tonight and learn as much as possible about Beaumont.

But Parker once again came close, the back and forth of him almost making your head spin more than the alcohol could. He whispered, “I spotted a sort of VIP section I could make my way into. It’d be easier to do with just one person, so you can mingle yourself into some important conversations. Beaumont’s not out here. And his little speech and the auction aren’t until later anyway. How does that sound?”

His eyes traced over your face. A slight crease forming between his eyebrows was the only indication that he wasn’t actually the suave Sam Bennet.

You gave a few hesitating nods, your gaze looking at anything but his eyes. You could do this — you’d spoken with people to get information from them before. And even if you couldn’t, maybe Rose could.

Before leaving, Parker shot back the rest of his champagne and set the glass on the nearest flat surface. You fought back a disbelieving scoff when he winked at you and strode toward a closed door on the other side of the room.

For a few moments, all you could do was watch after him. The party felt much bigger as you stood there alone. A small part of you wondered whether he also felt like that.

You shook your head, clearing your mind with a deep breath in and out. You straightened your back and lifted your chin. Scanning the crowd, you spotted a member of Ellis Beaumont’s team. The middle-aged man stood along the wall near the orchestra, his attention fixed on his phone. You felt as if you’d found your prey as you set down your drink and made your way toward him, one heavy step in front of the other.

You knew he handled marketing for Stronger Together and Beaumont in general, a target full of information ripe for your picking — information you could ask about without drawing suspicion. But all the false confidence you built up deflated as you approached, watching as another member of Beaumont’s team pulled him aside for a hushed conversation.

Swallowing down a frustrated groan, you instead pivoted to look as if you were enjoying the band. The dancing strings and piano would normally be lovely to listen to, but now it felt like the soundtrack to a headache threatening to form along your temples.

The two team members walked to the door Parker went through. You didn’t have long to look around for another person to question before you felt a presence to your left.

“So, do you prefer the upbeat plucking style of Brahms or the legato tone of Debussy?”

The question came from the young man next to you, and within an instant of seeing his styled hair the color of the night and the sharp line of his jaw, you knew who he was.

“I’m just kidding,” he said, flashing a white smile that crinkled the corner of his dark eyes. “Classical music’s never been my strong suit, and I stopped learning their names years ago. Though…” He paused, admiring you, “I wouldn’t mind learning yours.”

Your mouth opened slightly, your mind forcing out a small laugh that you hoped sounded believable enough. Was this actually happening?

Shaking your head, you stuck out your hand. “That might be the cheesiest line I’ve ever heard. But the name’s Rose,” you told him.

He took your hand, wrapping his long fingers along your skin with a smile that could take anyone’s breath away. “You’re not wrong about that, but it got you to talk to me,” he said, his eyes never leaving yours. “I’m Will.”

You bit back the urge to say I know. You’d done enough research to recognize William Beaumont, the only child of Ellis. In his mid-20s, Will had already quickly risen through the ranks of politics — though not that it seemed to interest him all that much.

But he had to know something and might just share that knowledge with you. Whether he saw the wedding ring around your finger, he didn’t say.

Flirting for information was not something you had much experience in (or any experience in), but how hard could it really be?

At the expectant look he gave you, one that said he’d rather have his attention on you than anything else in the world, it suddenly felt very hard.

Shoving down your worries and trying to fall into your role like Parker could, you smiled sweetly at him. “It’s nice to meet you, Will.” You let your hand drop back to your side as you said, “And for the record, I’d have to go with Debussy.”

His hands sat casually in his pockets, his head giving a light nod. “Since I’m not entirely sure who he really is, I’ll have to agree with you.” He let out a soft laugh, his easy tone lightening the tightness in your chest just a fraction.

A moment passed as you laughed along, the band continuing to play softly. “So, if you were being honest with me, do you ever get tired of these things?”

He sent a sly side eye your way, a smirk crossing his face. “If we’re being honest, then I’d have to say yes. If you’re going to repeat my answer to my father or his associates, then I’d say that I never bore of helping this wonderful city of ours.” The way his voice turned almost mocking at the end made you hide a smile, your face turning slightly away from him.

“What a very professional answer. I can only imagine how many meetings you’ve had to sit in on and say something like that.”

“An excessive amount, yes,” he said, running a hand down his jaw.

“Do these fundraisers all go the same way? Conversing, speech, dinner, auction, then more conversing? I’ve never attended one like this before.”

He gave a short nod. “For the most part. It’s close to the same speech every time, and nearly the same kinds of things auctioned off — most of them coming from donations made primarily by the wealthiest guests here.”

Things you were sure you could only imagine owning. The thought of listening to another speech from Beaumont after all your research only made the small stabbing in your head increase.

Trying to sound casual, unassuming even, you asked, “And what do you exactly do?”

His face shifted toward an unreadable look, making you fight uneasiness rising through your body. You followed up with, “I think it’d be boring if you just sat and listened, so I hope you get to actually play some part in the organization.”

You watched his gaze consider you for a moment, the seconds passing forcing your heart into your throat. Part of you debated faking getting an emergency phone call to get away if this went south.

Tilting his head, a soft smile spread across Will’s face. He held out his hand toward you, palm facing up. “Would you care to dance with me, Rose?”

A twisting feeling reeled through your stomach, your body on edge in an instant. At your hesitation, he said, “Just one dance. And I can answer your question while we’re out on the floor.”

As you raised your hand and laid it in his, you mentally said every expletive you knew at this terrible summer internship, at Parker, and at yourself. But you held an easy smile while the two of you made your way to where others danced along to the orchestra’s playing.

He brought your right hand up in his left, his other hand smoothing across your arm and landing on your back. You tried focusing on your fingers laying atop his shoulder, feeling the soft material of his jacket beneath you.

“If we’re still being honest with one another, I am not the world’s greatest dancer. I apologize for any toes I step on,” you quietly told him, your words accompanied by a nervous laugh you didn’t have to fake.

His hold on you supported your body as he began to move, your feet trying to follow his. He gave a kind laugh, his hand squeezing yours once. “I won’t hold it against you.”

“Thank you,” you whispered, your gaze cast downward to make sure you moved the right way. Slowly, you began to recognize the repeating pattern of steps, your muscles becoming a little less wound tight.

“That’s it,” Will said with an encouraging tone. “Now, can you bear looking up instead of at our feet?”

A laugh slipped from your lips as your eyes trailed higher until they connected with his. You appreciated his kindness, but being here by yourself, there was no way you’d relax enough. Not until–

From the corner of your vision, you spotted Parker walking from that door he’d slipped through. You watched him begin walking this way and scan the crowd, one hand holding another champagne glass and the other running through his hair. It was only once he found you that he stopped, and it brought a relieving sigh from your chest.

As you danced and turned though, you couldn’t see Parker from this angle anymore, but Will said, “There you go. Not so tense anymore.”

You offered him a grin, one that you fought to maintain as too many thoughts ran through your head. You needed to focus.

“So, I’m dancing,” you began with a laugh. “Your turn to hold up the bargain.”

He returned the laughter, those crinkles around his eyes returning. “Fair enough.”

People passed by in a blur as he continued to lead you across the floor, the orchestra’s music thrumming along with your heart. You’d long lost sight of Parker with all the spinning.

“Sometimes, I do just sit in meetings — whether I’m also listening depends on how boring the topic is. And other times, I pitch ideas for projects or try to lead them.”

You nodded. “Which seem to be doing well, correct? I haven’t followed Stronger Together all that closely lately, so I haven’t seen its impact up close yet.”

Please, you silently begged him, to give you something.

His eyebrow twitched upward as he hesitated, the muscle of his jaw feathering. “It’s never as easy or quick as we’d wish, but that doesn’t stop us from working toward the organization’s goals. Especially ones I’m passionate about.”

“Like what?” you asked almost a bit too quickly. You tried giving a look that said you were just excited to hear about him.

“Like ensuring everyone has the right to a proper education. We don’t always have jurisdiction for these projects, but what does jurisdiction matter when people’s lives are at stake?”

A smile — a real, genuine smile — overtook your face. “That’s exactly what I say. How can we let red tape get in the way of helping one another?”

He let out a sigh, one that seemed to course from his whole being. “I sure wish my coworkers thought the way you did,” he said, pulling your body just a little closer to his.

A small feeling, one spreading from your chest, hoped that he was telling the truth. That if you discovered Ellis Beaumont’s crimes and told the world, maybe there’d be a better future in his son.

As that comforting thought passed through you, your eyes caught a moving figure from the corner of your vision. You couldn’t miss the sight of Parker dancing with a woman several yards away. She looked vaguely familiar, perhaps someone involved with the non-profit.

Your gaze drifted to where Parker’s hand laid on her, the deep plunge of her gown’s back letting his hand rest across her skin. The two of them danced easily, their hold on one another looking so natural.

You eventually looked up, your steps nearly stuttering when you saw his eyes were already on you. They traced over your form, just the flash of a hard look crossing his face before his mouth began to move. Hopefully, he was asking a question that would lead you both somewhere. But even as he spoke, he stared over her shoulder at you.

That warmth in your chest spread outward. Up your neck, the heat snaked through your skin until your breaths came a little quicker.

Only once you and Will turned again were you able to break from the moment, to focus back on the man you were dancing with. You squeezed your eyes shut for just a second.

Determined to get something out of this whole thing, you opened your mouth to ask him another question — but he spoke first.

“So, tell me about your husband, Rose.”

Your gaze immediately found his and the expectant darkness waiting in them. “What?”

“Your husband,” he repeated, angling his head toward your wedding ring. “What’s he like?”

A breathy “Oh” passed between your lips…

So this wasn’t flirting? Your mind couldn’t make sense of what William Beaumont wanted, not as you danced in his arms while “married” to another man.

“He’s, um. He’s nice.”

At Will’s laugh, one of your own following, you said, “Most of the time, he’s sarcastic — and I wish there was a way to attach a zipper to his mouth. I think, though, underneath it, there’s kindness that he doesn’t always show. But you know it’s there when you get to know him.”

As you turned again and made eye contact with Parker still far away, you mindlessly muttered, “Sometimes, I wish he wasn’t so smart. It makes me look bad.” A wry smile crossed your face, and you could’ve sworn the ghost of a grin appeared on Parker’s as well. “And while he’s the most chronically late person I know, he’s there when you need him.”

A moment passed before Will pulled back, staring at you as if he could see all the way through you. The orchestra played the final note of the song, your steps slowly coming to a stop. You could only stand there as he leaned closer, his mouth right along your ear. His breaths made goosebumps rise across your shoulder.

“Thank you.”

Heart pounding in your veins, you whispered, “For what?”

“For dancing with me.”

With that, he pulled back, squeezing your hand once more before letting it return to your side. “Enjoy the night, Rose,” he said, nodding his head and turning. You quickly lost him through the sea of people, not that you really tried to search for him long.

Guests around you began to disperse to their tables, a sign to get your feet to move — wherever your own seat was. Lights dimmed above, creating a stir of conversation between people while you looked around, searching for Parker.

You barely finished the thought when he appeared at your side. His arm wrapped around yours as he whispered, “C’mon.”

You followed, the cold shock of Will disappearing under the warmth of Parker against you. But as you both weaved through people still going to their tables, you saw he wasn’t taking you somewhere to sit down and listen to Beaumont’s speech.

Instead, the two of you went through double doors into a hallway leading to the bathrooms. People walked in and out, and if you hadn’t done the research beforehand, you would’ve seriously questioned where he was taking you.

But you’d remembered there was an exit near here, past the bathrooms. There would also be another door — one that took you up and further into the mansion.

With minimal guests around to witness, he walked right to it.

The staircase behind was thin and illuminated by only a few warm lights. Unable to walk side by side up the steps, Parker let go of your arm and led the way. You only heard the muffled sounds of the hallway behind you, making you a little hopeful that this wasn’t an often-used section of the house.

“What did you find?” you asked, your hands pulling up your dress while you climbed the stairs.

After two flights, Parker stopped before a door. He turned the knob, letting it swing open silently into a hallway shooting off into many rooms. As he stepped through, he angled his head toward you and said, “Nothing. Which makes me very worried.”

All you could do was begin chewing on your bottom lip and follow him. The plush carpet luckily hid your footsteps, but every nerve in your body stood on edge. You imagined that they’d be fraying and burnt out by the end of this night.

“I know there’s something here though.” Parker motioned toward a door on your left. “You check that one. I’ll look in this one,” he told you, pointing to the room across from it.

Eyeing him, you grumbled under your breath, “A please would be nice.”

And without looking, you knew he was rolling his eyes. Still, you went to the room — even though some instinctual part of you almost insisted that it was safer to go together. You had no idea what was on the other side of this very nice and expensive hardwood door.

The only thing that got you to turn the handle was the sound of Parker going into his room without hesitation. Though you thought calling it the “sound of his audacity” had a better ring to it.

And following in his footsteps brought you to a… bathroom. Sure, it appeared fancy with its probably imported floor tiles and French-inspired sink or something, but the only suspicious thing in this room was why anyone would choose those ugly decorative towels.

Still, you looked through everything — even the medicine cabinet, which made you feel like some sort of rude house guest. You took a photo or two of the bottles inside, most of which turned out to be painkillers. Strong ones.

Before moving to the next, you listened for any footsteps or voices. With silent steps and slowed breathing, you crept from the bathroom — only to be met with Parker walking freely from his room without any caution. At the incredulous look you gave him, he just gestured for you to hurry up.

You made a point to glare at him as you approached the next door. As it creaked open, your body wincing at the noise, you stepped inside. At first glance, it seemed to be a bedroom, which wasn’t exactly what you were looking for. It had no computer to search through or a convenient map laying out their entire plans.

It appeared to be largely unused, a faint layer of dust coating most of the furniture. But as you walked toward a small desk in the corner, you saw some papers scattered atop it. Some appeared to be emails that held no significance without any context. Others seemed to be invitations to a few of Beaumont’s fundraisers.

The walls or shelves in the room gave no indication as to who these papers belonged to, but you took pictures of them regardless. As you set them back, you looked further down. The desk also had drawers.

One pull on it told you they were locked though, and surprisingly, lock picking wasn’t a skill you listed at the top of your resume. Maybe you could try and get through the back…

The door squeaking open made you jump, your body straightening up and hitting the desk. You stifled a groan as your eyes found Parker at the entrance of the room. Silently, he held up his hands — not in apology but in a way that was supposed to somehow absolve him of any guilt.

You could already feel a bruise forming along your hip, your hand rubbing the bone. Parker approached you, whispering, “Settle down, Nancy Drew. Have you found anything useful?”

“Unless you can open these locked drawers, how about you keep your mouth shut, Parker,” you quietly gritted out.

His grin grew into something taunting. “Guess I’ll keep this mouth wide open then, sunshine.”

You watched with furrowed eyebrows as he knelt down and took two bobby pins from his inside pocket. Before you could even ask, he interrupted. “I come prepared, so keep your smart comments to yourself.”

Widening your eyes with a huff, you stood there, leaning against the wall. Your arms crossed in front of your chest as you observed him.

“So… when did you learn to pick locks?”

Under his breath, you barely heard him mutter, “When’d you learn to flirt for information?”

As you were still processing his words, your mouth opening slightly in shock, Parker popped open the drawer. Any retort died in your throat — but stayed very clearly in your mind — as you looked past him at the papers he pulled out.

They seemed to detail some sort of… super suit? Scribbled notes sat on the margins of blueprints for a suit with metal arms, protective armor, even grenades. Almost like they were a mismatch of parts from Spider-Man’s villains. Doc Ock, The Rhino, The Green Goblin.

A shaky breath punched from your lungs, your stomach sinking so low you had to set a hand on the desk to steady yourself. Was Ellis making himself into a supervillain?

The thought barely seeped into your mind when you both heard a floorboard groan from out in the hallway. Your head whipped to the door, neither of you moving an inch. At another creaking sound, Parker silently made his way to peek out from the room.

He must have heard something you didn’t because his entire body tensed, but your hands were already moving. By the time he turned back to you with wide eyes, you stood next to him, your heart beating rapidly in your ears.

“We’ve gotta go,” he whispered, the words barely audible. You fought back the urge to say no shit. You weren’t sure you’d even be able to utter the words with how your body now shook.

Parker crept out into the hallway, looking both ways. He nodded for you to follow with a quick jerk of his head. But as you closed the bedroom door behind you, the squeaky hinges echoed into the air. Your eyes met Parker’s, his jaw tight as alarm flashed across his face.

In an instant, his fingers grabbed onto your wrist. He pulled you across the hall to the nearest room and clicked the door shut behind you.

Through the whiplash from sudden movement to stillness in complete darkness, you felt a hand cover your mouth. The back of your body leaned against what felt like wooden shelves while your front pressed into Parker.

You felt the beating of his heart against your own.

Despite him covering your mouth making you want to do the opposite, you willed your breaths to slow down until they were nearly silent. Though you couldn’t see, you guessed the two of you were sandwiched inside a closet of some kind.

You brought your hand up to remove Parker’s from your face. You might’ve pinched him if you weren’t hiding from whoever was also here, though that didn’t stop you from flipping him off in the shadowy closet. You felt him push your hand away with a quiet huff.

Only a moment later, through straining ears and clenched muscles, you heard a door open. Then footsteps.

Your eyes squeezed shut, the heat in the tight space beginning to grow unbearable. That, on top of your mind and body turning into a live wire from your nerves, made it feel harder to breathe.

And you knew you had to be quiet, but your back screamed at you to move from the hard shelves digging into your spine. As you tried to silently shift forward to find any kind of relief, you were stopped by palms quickly landing on your hips.

You heard a strangled sigh come from Parker as he held you firm, your body unable to move any further under his grip. Your top half leaned into him more in this position, your hands instinctually holding onto him and finding hard muscles beneath.

In the dark and under the threat of making any noise, you were unable to ask him what he was doing. All you could do was feel him.

But his head came nearer. You swore he whispered, “I…” before trailing off. He was close enough that you could feel the word caress your cheek. Then, as if time froze for a few seconds, neither of you even breathed while the footsteps grew louder and louder until they came so close to the door.

And then they kept going, the footfalls becoming just a bit quieter with each one.

You would’ve sighed had the hands on your hips not still held on so tight. His breathing sounded labored, his body rigid. With worry starting to take over your senses, you barely let his name pass your lips. So quietly, you whispered, “Peter?”

You knew he heard you because every muscle of his tensed. The movement had his arm hitting the shelves, and all of the blood rushed from your head as something fell and hit the floor with a dull thud.

The footsteps stopped.

Parker grabbed your shoulders, his grip twisting the material of your dress wherever he touched. Maybe he knew that your mind was spinning, that your stomach threatened to empty itself, or that most of your extremities had gone numb despite the heat. He held you there, keeping you grounded as the steps became louder once more.

“Do you trust me?” Parker said, the words wrapping around your body with a gentleness you hadn’t expected.

Your mind’s first instinct was to tell him no, you absolutely did not trust him. You wanted to ask him whether he even trusted you. But your throat allowed no response to pass, your tongue unable to shape any of the sounds.

And… if you were to once again follow your heart, follow the pull in your gut, you’d nod.

So you did.

With that, he leaned forward to press his lips to yours. A quiet noise of surprise came from you as his fingers now danced up to hold your jaw. Only once you responded, your fuzzy mind catching up enough to kiss him back, did he lunge further forward.

Quick breaths came from his nose as his mouth overtook yours. His body pressed roughly against you, the feeling doing nothing to slow your dizzying senses. Your fingers gripped the hair at the nape of his neck. And by the time you’d finally responded with the same intensity as him, nearly fell face first into the feeling, light flooded in from behind your eyelids.

Breaking apart from Parker with a start, you blinked until your vision made out the security guard in front of you. Your chest still heaved and your heart still pounded. Even your fingers still itched for him to ground you again — so much so that you grabbed his hand as the worker let out a scoff.

“Christ… Don’t you have anything better to do? Or any place better than this?” he asked, his flashlight flicking between the two of you.

“Sorry, sorry. We’ll go,” Parker muttered, his voice tighter than you remembered. He used one hand to shield his eyes from the light and put the other on your back to guide you from the closet.

He made a good show of not knowing which way to go, making the guard point toward the door you came from with a tired look on his face. It took everything in you to not hide behind your fingers, embarrassment crawling up your neck and heating your cheeks.

Neither of you said a word while walking back to the main room, just pointedly not catching each other’s eyes. It felt harder to swallow, to think even.

Finally, outside the bathrooms, Parker broke the silence. He turned to you, saying, “Your, uh, dress.”

He approached, trying to fix the rumples he created in your gown. But you batted his hand away, unable to deal with his touch on you again right now. Your fingers smoothed it out yourself while you told him, “Flatten your hair back down.”

And before he even finished, you’d begun walking down the hallway to the doors. Anything to create room between you two — because you could still feel the weight of him clutching your jaw and the burn still present on your lips.

And you didn’t want to think about what you just did for this story, or about kissing Peter fucking Parker.

His shoes clicked against the tile as he caught up. Your eyes saw a glimpse of him reaching out, your body bracing itself for his grip around your arm. But he stopped short, instead pleading, “Wait.”

“What?” you asked, a soft bite to the word. Your head sat on a swivel for anyone who could be watching or listening.

He gritted his teeth for a moment, thinking. “Should we go back? To take pictures of the diagram?”

With a tight smile, you told him, “No need.”

Your fingers pulled the papers from where you’d tucked them into the front of your dress. You only paused long enough to feel smug at the surprised look on his face before hiding them once again.

Without seeing whether he’d follow, you strode through the double doors — just always walking barely ahead of him. Luckily, your seats were near the back and away from the spotlights trained on the stage.

Once settled into the chair, your hands firmly in your own lap, you let out a long breath. From beside you, Parker leaned in close, whispering, “Sunshine… Can I ask you something?”

Your eyes darted in his direction, nausea suddenly flooding your system all over again. You only looked at his shoulder as you slowly nodded, wondering if it was a mistake to do so.

“Am I…”

He paused, and you could’ve bolted right then and there. Letting out a sigh, he asked, “Am I like the best kiss you’ve ever had?”

He barely made it to the end of the sentence before his usual shit-eating grin returned to his face.

You relished in the way it twisted in pain when you kicked him under the table, hoping it’d leave a bruise. Partly, you were grateful he broke the tension, but that didn’t mean you weren’t thinking of breaking his foot too.

Turning back to the stage, you finally focused on the man standing atop it. That salt and pepper hair, dark eyes, and “winning smile” looked back in return.

It was hard to pay attention to his speech still going on when all you could think of was Beaumont’s diagram of the super suit. In your head, those eyes turned hateful, that smile cunning. You still felt them even as the speech ended, all of it just propaganda as you expected.

What information you took from the auction was just how much money was going toward Stronger Together — which was a hefty amount. And all you got from the dinner was that they needed to learn how to better season their food.

After it all, Beaumont was immediately surrounded after the auction. People you assumed were shareholders or investors (i.e., rich people) took the conversation back into the VIP area before you could even think of approaching him. Honestly, you weren’t sure you could handle any more sneaking or lying for the rest of the night anyway.

But you had what you needed, for now.

And while making your way toward the mansion’s towering front doors alongside other couples, you could’ve sworn there were two sets of eyes burning a trail past your every move. One of them you refused to meet.

@reidslovely @keepingitlokiii @thedevax @sincericida @dil3mma @hollandweather

#peter parker #peter parker x reader #tasm peter parker #peter parker x fem!reader #tasm spiderman #andrew garfield #tasm!peter #spiderman x reader #spiderman x fem!reader #peter parker fluff #enemies to lovers

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sweetstarcollector · 10 months

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This post is talking about a man who identifies as a man pretending he identifies as a woman in order to access female spaces. I’m pretty sure anyone can look at this and realize that “predatory men should be allowed to prey on women as long as they go through X amount of trouble first” is a terrible take. Now, I could further critique this by talking about the men who have done insane things in order to prey on women, or self-id laws meaning that none of those things are necessary to get access to female spaces, but that’s not what stuck out to me when I first read this post.

What stuck out to me is the list of things this hypothetical man is doing in order to access the female spaces. The point of this list is to make it seem ridiculous that any man would do all of those things, go through all the difficulty, in order to prey on women. She describes it as “improbable” in the notes. She says it’s “a lot of work”- so much work in fact, that any man who does those things earns the right to be a predator.

But what stuck out to me is that with the exception of hormones and maybe going by a new name, all of the things on that list that are apparently *so* extreme and *so* over the top that not even a predatory man would do them even if it meant unquestioned access to those he preys on, are things women are expected to do just to exist.

Having breasts (of the “correct” size and shape), having long hair (or a long haired wig if you have a condition preventing long hair), shaving your body, wearing “women’s” clothing, wearing makeup, even changing your name if we’re discussing marriage- all of that is the bare minimum of what is expected of women to exist in public. Ask any woman who does not fulfill all of these requirements, or even just a couple. They’ve all been harassed, shamed, told they’re not good enough, shown they’re not good enough through media, etc.

So all of these things that women *must* do in order to receive basic acceptance, are *so extraordinary* when a man does them that he gets to be a predator as a prize. Why is it that we can easily see how ridiculous these expectations are, how extreme and degrading they are, how illogical and unnatural the expectations of femininity are, when they’re applied to a hypothetical male sex predator? How is it that when it comes to a woman, these things are “empowering”, they’re “choices women make for themselves”, they’re “no big deal”, but at the same time no man would ever do those things voluntarily, even predatory men for sexual gratification?

It doesn’t make sense. It can’t be both ways.

#men will do anything to prey on women #there are men who went to medical school to prey on women #preists and teachers and police officers who took the jobs to prey on women #what about the man who died sneaking into a bathroom septic tank to spy on women?#predatory men will take advantage of anything we give them #my post #radical feminism #beauty critical #radical feminists do interact #radical feminists please touch #radblr #radfem

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unreliablesnake · 1 year

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The plan (Joel Miller x reader)

Summary: Sarah and Tommy have a plan to get you and Joel together. But your job came along...

Note: If you want to know when I post new stuff, follow @unreliablesnakefics and hit the get notifications button. I don't have a taglist.

“You really don’t understand it,” Sarah noted with a wide grin as she watched her father in the kitchen.

Joel was about to order something for dinner, but his movements came to a halt when he looked over at his daughter. “What is it that I don’t understand?” he asked with knitted eyebrows.

The girl moved over to the counter and leaned her back against it with her arms folded over her chest. “She’s not dating Uncle Tommy,” she informed him.

“How do you know that?”

“Because he wants you to date her, duh,” she said as if it was that obvious.

For him it was everything but obvious. You and Tommy got along so well, with his military background and your position on the SWAT team it wasn't surprising that you two often went to a shooting range together, sometimes letting him and Sarah tag along. And every time he saw the chemistry. Maybe he didn't love you in a romantic way, but you sure loved him.

“She’s too young,” you said, coming up with the first excuse that came to his mind.

Sarah laughed at this, then waved her hand nonchalantly. “Age is just a number.”

“When did you become such an expert in love?”

“I’m just saying, I think he’s right, and you would be good together. And she's only what? Eight years younger than you? That doesn't seem that much.”

Letting out a sigh, Joel rested his elbows on the counter as he watched his daughter suspiciously. This conversation was so out of the blue that he had a feeling he just walked into a trap. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because Uncle Tommy and I may have other plans for tonight.” Joel furrowed his brows as he watched her. “We’re going to watch a movie after grabbing something, while you and her will have time to get a little closer,” she clarified.

He couldn’t help but laugh at this. “You have it all planned out, don’t you?” he asked, secretly proud of his daughter's scheming skills.

“And she doesn’t suspect a thing,” the girl said with a proud smile.

“What makes you so sure that I want this?”

Sarah picked up an apple and took a bite. “We can see the way you look at her. And you always compliment her, I’m sure that means something.”

With a roll of his eyes, Joel gave his daughter a semi-scolding look. “It only means we were raised right and learned that it’s always a good idea to compliment women when they deserve it.”

“If you say so,” Sarah told him with a wide grin.

Now that they were talking about you, Joel couldn’t help but think about his daughter’s suggestion. He did like you, that was true. He also found you attractive. And funny. And he sure as hell admired your dedication when it came to your job. “Are you sure Tommy's not into her?” he asked just to be sure.

Sarah’s lips curled into a smile teasingly. “Oh, you’re interested.”

“No, I'm just asking. I don’t want trouble,” Joel tried.

“No trouble in sight, don’t worry.” Suddenly they heard the front door closed, and within a few seconds Tommy entered the room. Sarah waved at him happily. “Good, you're here! I just told him everything about the plan.”

A sad look crossed Tommy's eyes as he looked at the girl. “She's not coming. She has to work tonight,” he announced.

Joel felt a hint of disappointment inside, after all he had just begun to accept their little plan. But you weren't coming. Maybe you knew something, and you simply chickened out because you didn't know how to tell him nicely that you weren't interested in him.

His brother sat on a chair by the dining table and watched his niece with a disappointed look. “And you weren't supposed to tell him everything. We were supposed to be discreet about this,” he added.

“You and being discreet,” Joel noted with a laugh.

Tommy picked up a salt shaker and threw it at his big brother who easily caught it. “If you want to know, she was excited about meeting us tonight, but there's nothing she can do about work. She wanted to give you something for your birthday.”

“I'm sure she was just excited to meet you. She always is,” Joel told him bitterly without thinking about his words.

“What do you mean? Why me?”

“Because she likes you, it's obvious,” he said.

Sarah looked at Tommy, then the two of them turned to Joel. “It's not true,” they said in unison.

“She doesn't like me that way, we've already discussed it once. But I know someone she likes,” Tommy teased him with a grin, but tje older Miller only let out a groan. “Come on, she wanted to give you a gift. She cares about you.”

Joel rolled his eyes and returned his attention to his phone to finally order something. He didn't know what to think, and since you weren't coming over, it didn't even matter. Whether you liked Tommy or not, he wasn't sure he had a chance with you.

#joel miller x reader #joel miller #tommy miller #sarah miller #the last of us #tlou

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fluffydice · 1 year

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Let’s talk about Kusuo, specifically what we see in episode 19, season 1 and what it shows about his perception of the men in his life.

This is the episode where we’re introduced to Kumi and Kumagoro, as well as our first sighting and name drop of Kusuke. We start off with Kurumi reminding Kuniharu that her parents don’t know about Kusuo’s powers. Later, Kusuo says this is why he doesn’t tell his parents about Kumagoro’s true nature. (This is also where Kusuo acknowledges his own tsundere tendencies, which means he’s at least self-aware of his issues with attachment.)

When listening in on Kumagoro’s thoughts, Kusuo comments on them in the same way he comments on his dad’s: with disdain and irritation. To put it short, he thinks he’s pathetic. It’s to the point where he flat out states that “he kinda didn’t wanna go in there” with his grandfather. Importantly, though, he does go in and spend time with the man in the end. And this is notable because we see him do the same thing with Kuniharu when he goes with him to work. What’s odd is that it only takes maybe an hour for Kusuo to reach out to his grandfather. The visit to work wasn’t one that started entirely willingly, and it’s the only example we see of Kusuo being up to spending time with his dad.

The thing is, Kusuo opens up so quickly to his grandfather because of his thoughts, but Kusuo stays away from Kuniharu for those same reasons. His grandfather wants to spend time with Kusuo, while his dad wants him around as an excuse. Even at home, Kusuo is a commodity, one his dad relies on to make his life easier. He’s only valued when he’s being useful. There’s a reason Kuniharu was nervous about using the Love Meter to measure his affection for Kusuo. We know how rapidly it can change; it’s just as fickle as Kuniharu’s love for his son. But the fact that he still tries, even after all these years, means that Kusuo does crave a reliable father figure in his life (and it’s probably why he likes Matsuzaki so much, but that’s for another discussion)

Despite that crucial difference, it’s easy to see the connection between Kumagoro and Kuniharu. And it’s one Kusuo easily takes note of. So that’s why it’s such a shock to Kusuo when his grandfather leaps to hold onto him on the faris wheel, promising to keep him safe. He’s never had a man in his life act like that. The men in his life use him, and hurt him if he doesn’t go along with it. Kumagoro wasn’t fitting into the pattern Kusuo had noticed, and when he got the care he’s supposed to have, it meant a lot to him. Probably more than he realized it would.

I think it’s important that it was his grandfather too. This place was where Kusuke said that “normal humans wouldn’t accept him.” And I’m sure that by this point, he had heard that many times before. But this was probably the first time he was told someone who was obligated to love him (i.e., his family) would never accept him. Here is where he’s forced to sit there and listen as Kusuke says “If they learn that he is a monster, Grandpa and Grandma will have heart attacks.”

And the thing is, Kusuo’s experiences with the men in his family would never disprove it. He adores his mom and likes Kumi a lot, even to the point where he trusts her to get things done. But that’s the women in his family. Kumagoro? He’s like his dad, which means he would likely react the same as the man. So finding the unconditional love of a male family member in a time of distress? Yeah. It gets him.

Because he’s Kusuo Saiki, the one who takes care of others. Not the other way around. And we know it changes his view of his grandfather, because he says that “he is different from dad.” And that’s important because it means Kuniharu isn’t what he’s supposed to be.

Because he’s Kusuo Saiki, the one who takes care of others. Not the other way around. And we know it changes his view of his grandfather, saying that “he is different from dad.” And that’s important because it means Kuniharu isn’t what he’s supposed to be.

#kuniharu hate club 💪💪💪#saiki kusuke top hater #as a side note #the sound cues in saiki k are so good #like the guitar playing when kusuke makes a cameo? DIRTY #i had to rewatch it so i could listen to it again because godDAMN #shit was fire #fluffy writes an essay

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bellaxgiornata · 11 months

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Falling For the Devil [Part forty-three: "The End of the Trip"]

Pairing: Matt Murdock x Fem!Reader

Summary: You and Matt are back on the road and finishing the last of your Christmas road trip towards Chicago.

You both once again try to stay entertained for over six hours in a car. And Matt asks you something during your game of Twenty Questions that you can't stop thinking about.

[Series of one-shots about Reader meeting, falling for, and dating Matt Murdock.]

Warnings: 18+ for this series; contains humor, fluff, romance, angst, smut (like...a lot of it later in the series), language, some violence

Word Count: 3.2k

a/n: A fluffy final installment to end Matt and Reader's Christmas roadtrip before the holiday fluff. You are all quickly approaching Big Angst, too... You can find all the installments for this series on tumblr here. (Side note, the questions for the game of 20 Questions in this installment came from my AO3 readers!)

One and a Half Hours into the Drive

Beside you, Matt followed you out of the gas station and towards where you’d parked the rental car. Snow had begun to fall again in big, fluffy flakes around you both as your boots and his shoes crunched over the salted pavement.

Thankfully the argument between the two of you had been laid to rest after you'd had sex last night. The pair of you had talked things over and the tension and anger had dissipated from between you both after being able to hear each other out. Which was good considering you'd be spending just over six hours driving today before finally getting to the condo you'd rented through Airbnb.

“You were right,” Matt announced beside you. “Gas station bathrooms are officially the most disgusting places.”

You laughed lightly, unlocking the car as Matt made his way to the passenger side. His hand easily found the door handle and opened it. Before he got in, he took a moment to quickly fold up his cane as you made your way around the front of the car.

“Well, I did warn you,” you told him. “That’s why I always try to find the actual rest stops. Usually those are cleaner.” You opened your door and slid into your seat, quickly shutting the door and the cold back out with it. “There wasn’t a stall door on one of the women’s bathrooms. But it…didn’t seem to deter people from using it,” you said with a cringe.

“I can assure you more than one person pissed in the men’s bathroom sink,” Matt said as he got into his seat.

“Gross,” you replied, pulling a face. “You want some hand sanitizer?”

“Yes, please,” he answered.

You started the car, letting the heat once again warm the pair of you up from the cold. Focusing on the purse you hadn’t taken off yet, you unzipped it and dug around the pouch until you found the little container. You turned and opened the cap, Matt already holding out a palm expectantly.

“It uh, smells like apples so I hope that’s okay?" you asked, hesitating a moment.

“Smells like apples and alcohol,” Matt corrected with a grin, “but still better than whatever else might be on my hands.”

Pulling another face, you squirted some hand sanitizer onto his palm. He immediately spread it around both of his hands. Your eyes caught the sight of him cringing at the scent of the hand sanitizer before you deposited it back into your purse.

“So do you need anything else while we’re here?” you asked him, slipping the purse strap off of you and tossing your purse into the back seat.

Matt’s gaze focused on you, a little smile on his mouth. “I’ll give you one guess,” he said.

Rolling your eyes, you twisted around in your seat until you could reach the bag you had on the floor behind you. You grabbed the container of trail mix out of it and righted yourself back in your seat, holding it out to Matt.

“You might need a trail mix intervention after this trip,” you teased.

He accepted the container from you, eagerly unscrewing the cap. You buckled yourself into the seat, starting your music back up quietly before you focused on backing up. You were hoping the snow wouldn’t pick up or continue the rest of the drive.

“It’s the dried cherries,” Matt replied. “They’re the best dried cherries I’ve ever had. And whatever these dark chocolate pieces you tossed a few of in here are." He threw a handful in his mouth before he shook his head, still chewing. "You know what, no,” he said, “it’s the whole thing. This might be my weakness.”

You laughed as he tossed another handful into his mouth. Focusing on pulling the car back out to the interstate you teased, "Alright big bad Devil. I won’t tell anyone your super secret weakness is trail mix. God forbid the criminals of Hell’s Kitchen learn that secret. The city will never be safe again.��

"I can always count on you to keep my big secrets," he joked back.

You glanced at him beside you, unable to resist the smile that broke out across your face. He was shoveling another handful of trail mix into his mouth, grinning back at you with his mouth full when he realized you were looking at him.

"What?" he asked, brows rising onto his forehead.

Eyes returning to the road, your smile was still spread wide across your face. "You're adorable," you muttered.

Three Hours Into the Drive

"What is your absolute favorite food?" Matt asked curiously.

"That's a difficult one to answer," you said, eyes still focused on the road. "Toss up between Ruby's Diner’s grilled cheeses or that spicy tuna roll from that sushi place I'm always grabbing lunch from." You shot him a quick look over your shoulder. "You? And please don't say that trail mix," you teased.

"Okay well if I can't choose the trail mix," he said, shooting you a cheeky smile, "I guess I'd pick the pad see ew from the Thai restaurant near my place."

"That actually sounds so good right now," you replied, suddenly realizing how close to lunchtime it was getting. "We are going to need to stop for lunch soon."

"You'll get no argument from me," he assured you.

"Okay, well, I'll keep an eye out for something that looks like it would be good to stop at. But…how about a festive question," you mused, enjoying the game of twenty questions you'd started a bit ago. "What's your favorite part of Christmas?"

Matt rubbed a hand across his mouth as he thought. "Probably the Christmas carolers around the city," he said slowly. "They're nice to hear when I'm out. You?"

"Probably just seeing family," you told him. "Ever since I moved to Hell’s Kitchen I usually only see most of my family for the holidays." You shot him a quick smile as you added, "And I'm looking forward to you joining this year."

He returned the smile, his eyes creasing at the corners. "Me too, sweetheart," he replied.

"Okay, your turn for a question," you told him.

"How about…" Matt began, a mischievous glint in his eye when you briefly looked at him. "What's in your suitcase?"

Your eyes went wide at his question, hands tightening on the steering wheel. You definitely should have been expecting him to ask you that, but you really hadn't been. "Just clothes," you answered him quickly. "What's in your suitcase, Matt?" you countered.

He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Should have figured you wouldn't answer entirely truthfully, but it was worth a shot. And also clothes, to answer your question," he said.

"Hmm," you hummed, tapping a finger against the steering wheel as you tried to think of another good question to change the subject. "What was your favorite night out in college with Foggy?" Immediately Matt burst into a laugh in his seat, the sound drawing a smile to your face. "Clearly there's one memory in particular that came to mind."

"Okay, so there was this one night we went out," Matt began, a massive smile on his face as he recalled the night. "And we got wasted before midterms. We were coming back from the bar and both of us were starving, so when we got back to our place we raided our fridge. Couldn't believe we had like half a sausage pizza in there and we just devoured it," he said, cracking up as he continued. "Then we downed an entire bag of Doritos before Foggy realized it wasn't our dorm."

"What?!" you gasped, a laugh falling out of you.

"Yeah," he said, nodding quickly as he laughed harder. "We weren't even in the right building. We had broken into some poor college kids' dorm and ate their pizza and Doritos. I had been too drunk myself to even notice."

You threw a hand over your mouth, laughing hard into it. "That had to have been so disappointing when that person realized their pizza was gone."

"Probably blamed their roommate," Matt said, still laughing lightly. "And never believed them that they didn't eat their food." He turned in his seat, focusing on you. "What about you? What was your best night out in college?"

You bit your lip, still grinning. "Believe it or not, I was friends with a very outgoing group of people. There was like six of us girls and we all lived in the same apartment building," you explained, Matt turning further in his seat towards you as he listened. "We…had a lot of wild nights out."

"Oh?" he asked curiously. "You'll have to share those stories with me sometime."

Flushing, you continued on. "They all turned twenty-one before me. So one night, about two weeks before my twenty-first, they snuck me into a bar with them. We all got pretty drunk and were trying to figure out how we were going to get back home–weirdly enough, there was a limo waiting outside of the bar. Whoever ordered it never showed after like twenty minutes so the driver–who’s name was Felix and he was a very nice older man–offered to drive us all back to our apartment for free.” You grinned, remembering the night. “Obviously we tipped him. And obviously it was pretty stupid for six drunk college girls to get into a limo like that, which was something we didn’t think about until we were sober the next day.”

Matt was laughing beside you. “Yeah, I was going to say, sweetheart,” he agreed. “The man could have been a serial killer luring young, drunk college women with free limo rides to literally anywhere.”

“Which would probably work really well, too,” you mused. A shudder ran down your spine at the thought. “Well, I’m glad that’s not what happened. Nevertheless, still one of my favorite college memories. Probably the only free limo ride I’ll ever have.”

"Yeah, I can pretty much guarantee that," he replied. "Okay, how about…who was your celebrity crush growing up?"

"Brad Pitt," you answered instantly.

Matt's brows rose onto his forehead. "Wow, didn't even need to think about that one," he teased.

"You?" you asked, trying to change the subject.

Matt shrugged a shoulder, glancing out the window. "Probably Winona Ryder," he answered. "Her role in Edward Scissorhands cemented it."

"Huh, I'd really have thought little Matt would have picked like Cindy Crawford or someone like that," you muttered. Out of the corner of your eye you saw him chuckling and shaking his head. "What?" you asked him.

"Out of curiosity," he asked, a grin on his face, "if you could have one night with Brad Pitt over me, would you take it?"

You rolled your eyes at his question because it was ridiculous. "For starters, you already asked a question, Matt," you pointed out.

"Humor me," he said, that playful grin still on his face. "Consider it part of my question."

"No, I wouldn't," you answered easily. "It's not even a question."

You looked over your shoulder towards him, taking in the look of surprise. His brows had drawn up on his forehead, his lips slightly parted. Your focus quickly returned to the road, your hand nervously readjusting itself on the steering wheel.

"So judging by your reaction I take it you'd pick a night with Winona Ryder over me," you said, trying hard to keep the jealous edge out of your voice.

"Not at all," Matt answered instantly, the certainty in his tone causing you to sneak a peek at him. "I only want you, sweetheart."

Shifting in your seat, you quickly changed the subject since you couldn't just lean over and kiss him. "So…" you began, "have you ever had to make an excuse to get out of a bad date?"

Instantly Matt was nodding his head. "Oh absolutely," he told you. "I can remember there was this woman who had been acting strange and anxious the whole beginning of the date. Figured she was just nervous, you know? But then she got a call before we even ordered anything and said it was work," he continued. "But her heartbeat said that was a lie. And while I probably shouldn't have, I listened in when she stepped outside to answer her phone. Turned out she was married." He shrugged. "When she came back in I told her something came up with work and had to leave."

"Super hearing must come in handy," you replied. "That's the worst though?"

"Well…no," he answered awkwardly. "The worst ones are usually the women who talk about themselves too much. Or…were interested in things of a sexual nature that I was definitely not. But they didn’t exactly warrant an interesting exit on my part."

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, not wanting to think about Matt with other women like that. As if sensing that, he glanced back at you.

"What was your worst date story and how'd you get out of it?" he asked curiously.

"Well, I probably have vastly less to tell than you," you answered, fighting to keep the brief flash of insecurity out of your tone, "but there was this one guy." You sighed, running a hand across your forehead as you recalled that horrible date. "We were on a first date, barely into it for more than ten minutes and he asks for a blow job–"

"Really?" Matt asked in disbelief.

You shot him a look. "Women throw themselves at you in a span of two minutes of talking to you and you're surprised men do something similar?"

"No, but I'd expect that at a bar where guys are looking for hookups, not on a first date," he explained. A large grin slipped on his face as he asked, "So what happened? Because I can just picture how uncomfortable you got at that."

"Well yeah," you agreed, eyes focused on the road, "I was definitely uncomfortable. I didn't respond right away, probably looked like a deer in the headlights and his stupid ass began to push harder with the suggestion ," you said. Out of the corner of your eye it seemed like Matt tensed in his seat. "He wanted me to meet him in the men's bathroom. So…I agreed."

"You what ?" Matt asked, head snapping in your direction.

You were laughing, nodding your head as he stared at you in utter shock. "I agreed," you repeated. "Told him to go ahead and I'd meet him in the bathroom in a few minutes. So he got this big fucking smile on his face and headed to the bathroom." You burst into another laugh, a slow smile making its way onto Matt's face. "And I just fucking left. I still to this day–" you said between laughter, "–wonder how long he waited in that bathroom."

A loud laugh burst out of Matt beside you, his hand reaching out and landing on your shoulder. You shot him a glance beside you–he was in near hysterics.

"Sweetheart," he wheezed out, "you're my hero."

You couldn't fight the amused grin on your face. "You literally fight bad guys," you mused, "yet I'm your hero because I left an asshole waiting for a blow job in a bathroom?"

Glancing over your shoulder, Matt was grinning back at you. His gaze was focused along your chin as he nodded.

"Yes, that's exactly right," he agreed, still laughing.

Five Hours into the Drive

Your music playing quietly in the car, Matt had fallen asleep in the seat beside you shortly after you'd stopped for gas. Occasionally you'd glance over at him, taking in the way his head was tilted back against the headrest, eyes closed and mouth curled up in a faint smile. You knew he hadn't slept the best in the hotel last night and that he had been pretty tired all day today. You also hoped the condo would be as relaxing for him as the other one you both had shared over Thanksgiving had been. He had told you that he’d had the best sleep he’d ever had since he’d gained his heightened senses at that condo because it was much quieter than his apartment building in Hell’s Kitchen. The suburb you had been staying in was significantly less populated and had less crime than Hell’s Kitchen, too, which had meant he’d been more easily able to tune out the extra noises.

Eyes returning to the road before you, the big, fluffy flakes of snow continued to fall. You weren’t too far from the condo where you’d be staying for the next few days now; it would be about another hour and a half of a drive as long as traffic cooperated and the snow didn’t get too bad. You were eager to get out of the car for a few days finally, and you knew Matt was, too. Even if you enjoyed each other’s company, staring at a road all day and driving was exhausting and boring. And you were sure Matt, as much as he claimed he loved your company, had to be pretty bored sitting in a car, too.

Though the games you’d been playing over the entire road trip had been fun and enlightening. While Matt had been sleeping, your mind had kept going back to a question he had posed for you earlier–whether you’d thought about marriage and kids in your future. The question had taken you off guard when he’d asked, and you internally panicked on how to answer–especially because he’d detect any lie or bullshit. But you’d also been curious about what his answer to that would be. So you’d told him the truth, that yes you saw marriage in your future, and that you’d never really thought about kids until your sister had brought Hudson into your life. That maybe someday, with the right person, you might want that. You’d sneakily been trying to gauge his reaction out of your peripheral, noting the way he continued to smile and focus straight ahead. And then you’d tried to casually ask for his response to the question.

You hadn’t been able to stop playing it back curiously through your mind since. He’d told you he’d never really thought about marriage until recently, considering he’d been too focused on law school, interning, and the firm with Foggy and Karen. And of course, his late night activities as Daredevil had definitely quieted any potential thoughts on that matter. Though he’d said given the right person and the right timing, he’d envisioned that in his life. He’d told you he’d been a bit more on the fence about having kids, not just because of what he did as Daredevil, but because of the childhood he’d had. He admitted he liked children but he was afraid he wouldn’t make a good father.

Shifting your attention back to him again, you saw his head roll a bit more towards you. You couldn’t fight back the fond smile on your face at the sight of him sleeping so soundly. Despite his own worries, you knew Matthew Murdock would make an amazing husband and just as equally an amazing father.

But you had been left wondering what had brought up that serious question into your little game.

#matt murdock x reader #matt murdock x you #matt murdock x fem reader #matt murdock series #matt murdock fic #matt murdock fanfic #daredevil x female reader

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tate06 · 2 months

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A BIT MORE THAN FRIENDS..? PART ONE

Phillip graves X Reader

Summary- Graves finally realizes you’re more than just a friend.

The moment you open the bar door, the muffled noise heard from outside becomes clear, yet so much conversation and cheers were being rung throughout the bar, you were immediately greeted with a loud cheer of your own by the infamous Shadow company. They shouted your name greeting you, everyone else in the bar welcomed in the same manner, strangers caught up in the drinks and drunk excitement, everyone going with the flow of enjoyment. This wasn’t unusual to see the local bar to be full of warm people.

Before you even finish making it to the shadows’ booth their commander Phillip Graves is already walking towards you, in a swift pull he hugs you, slinging his arm around your shoulder, onto your neck. “We’re finally back, another successful operation” He shouts, the men burst into another grand cheer, “That’s fucking right-“ One shadow called out.

“Took us a bit longer but who cares!” All the men laughed.

The shadows ran this town, everyone always stopping to thank them for their service, they were always the pride of this town. It was no surprise to see many of these shadows paired with a woman for the night; some even had a group of women and men around them asking them about their operations.

“Good to see you, sweetheart” Graves’ winks at you, his arm still around you. He passed you a drink, it was exactly what you liked.

“Eh can’t say the same- but I will definitely be taking this” You accepted the drink you sit down. And begin a conversation with the shadows at the table, you weren’t Graves’ girlfriend but it was clear it was more than friends. So they treated you as if you were his wife, with respect, and cared for you deeply. You had been around them so much for years now, constantly.

After a while you offer to buy a round of shots for them, going up and ordering a shit ton of them, a woman immediately finds your seat and decides to sit down, she wastes no time to press up against Graves’ arm. It was a rumor that Graves, though yes he had a sassy somewhat flirty personality. that it meant he was a manwhore, he gave it up as easily as it came. All they had to do was ask.

You see his cheap attempts to get her off him, he’s too much of a ‘gentleman’ to throw her off, or even try rejecting her straight up. He clearly enjoyed the attention. You deceit to pay no mind to it whatsoever. Not like it was even your problem to care about, you guys weren’t dating, you guys had nothing to where it’d be appropriate for you to act up.

Finally the bartender finishes pouring all the shots, you struggle to carry them back to the table but you manage. Setting them down in the middle of the table, they all thank you and before you can take your own shot the woman takes it as if it was for her. No one notices this, too involved with their own conversation to care. This causes you to scoff, you say nothing but rather just linger around the bar keeping your distance from their table.

Lucky enough you weren’t left behind doing nothing, this bar was known for the sultry songs they’d put on between the night, it was especially popular during the nights the Shadow company celebrated. It was as if it was made for women to somehow make a scene, and it always worked. Men would get on the tables with the women as well and join in the dancing. Everything was up to do, even stripping.. teasingly. Meaning bras stayed on but shirts didn’t have to.

You waited for a particular song to play, anything you were able to dance to. Thankfully your prayers were answered, once hearing the perfect song you instantly got into a table, a few other women followed, having their own tables. Men broke into obnoxious whistles, pointing and shouting at the women in awe, taking in the view of the women dancing. Many women were dancing to a specific man, you honestly weren’t. Wasn’t like Graves’ would pay mind to you when he was busy with that other girl.

You saw a man in the corner of your eye, he was sitting at the table you were on.. he motioned with his eyes, as if asking if he could join you. You shrug, extending your hand out for him to grab and pull himself on up. Immediately you two synced up, he placed behind you, pushing your back onto his chest, his hands placed at your lower waist near your hips. Maneuvering his hands to grip the hemp of your blouse, using his hands to take it off. Everyone howled, at this, you saw many shadows signaling their commander to look up and see you.

He finally listened at their attempt, his smirk wiped off his lips, followed by clear annoyance. You look away from him, and pay your attention to the man you were dancing with. Yet suddenly in a swift movement you were pulled away from the man, now off the table. Finding yourself on Graves’ shoulder, his hands wrapped around your waist. Effortlessly carrying you as if you weighed absolutely nothing.

“Ain’t this classy.” His voice was dripped in sarcasm, he was clearly pissed.

“At least I didn’t allow some random bitch to throw themselves at me” You sung back, referring to earlier.

“Shut up that's not how it went” He carried you all the way out the bar, you two reached his truck. Setting you down in the passenger seat, looked down at you. You grabbed your blouse from his hand.

“Go on and cover up.”

“At least I didn’t take my bra off.”

“Yeah. At least. What a plus.” Again his stupid sarcasm peeked out.

He slams the truck door shut once you're fully in, getting into the driver seat beginning to drive in an instant.

“Where are we going-“ Asking as you shift, fixing yourself up in the seat.

“I’m dropping you home.”

***

#call of duty #philip graves #writing #fanfic #philip graves fanfic #cod x reader #cod mwii #cod mw2 #cod fanfic #cod fandom #modern warefare 2 x reader #call of duty graves #cod modern warfare

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yumedoca · 10 months

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Why ‘Last Date’ is the my favorite Ataru focused chapter - An Analysis 🧐 (Long Post)

Hai there, hope you’re having a great day! Today on ‘Yuca Analyzes Silly Things (For No Reason)’, we’ll be talking about what I believe to be the best Ataru storyline written, which is ‘Chapter 247: Last Date’.

Note: All of the facts and evidence and such are taken from the manga because: a) it’s the canon source, b) the og anime changes a lot in relation to the story and character to the point it isn’t consistent and c) it hasn’t been adapted in the remake (yet…).

Also, We’re going to be analyzing this chapter according to the story progression, so we’re going page by page. I’ll skip the bits which don’t need analysis and focus on the ones that do.

With all of that aside, let’s begin!

The chapter starts of with Nozomi’s (The ghost girl) diary entry of the ‘wonderful gentleman’ she admires from her window…

To those who aren’t aware of how this chapter was pushed into existence, here’s a bit from an interview with Takahashi’s editor at the time, Tomofumi Arito:

First up, I like how Nozomi falls for Ataru. Because of Ataru’s flirtatious and womanizing habits, women can easily understand how he is from meeting him. But in Nozomi’s case, since she could’ve only seen Ataru from her window (and here we’re assuming he hasn’t flirted at all from where she can see), all she sees is a young man who’s very energetic and happy, in contrast to her who is sick and unwell. This small part of his personality (even if it is fueled by his lust to chase women, but she doesn’t know that…) has managed to capture her heart. It’s quite difficult to write an everyday woman to fall for someone like Ataru (Lum is not an everyday woman, is she?), so to make the woman who falls for him someone who couldn’t get close to him and only observe him from afar, and only a little bit because of personal restrictions is basically a small but genius writing move from Takahashi’- sensei’s part. Also, Fun fact: Nozomi’s name means ‘Hope’, which is pretty symbolic as well. Moving on…

Now we’ll skip to the part where Nozomi asks Ataru to wear the sweater she knit him (on a very hot day)…

This is one of those times where Ataru’s kinder side shows through, it’s a pretty obvious scenario to understand however it’s a bit deeper than just that… You see back in the three parter storyline ‘O, Rain! Rain and Rain More!’, Ataru had the choice to go on date a very beautiful girl to free her from a curse of a rain spirit. He accepted to do this very kind deed, but his intentions weren’t the purest…

Compare that with this chapter (which takes place around 150 chapters later), You can see that Ataru’s doing a kind deed again, but unlike last time, he has absolutely nothing to gain from it: He goes on a date with a cute ghost girl but he can’t enjoy it because it’s too hot and after the date is successful, she’ll end up resting in peace, so he can’t be lovers with her. Yet, he still goes on this date because he felt sorry for poor Nozomi and he didn’t want to disappoint her. Now that’s what I call ‘👏 Character Development!! 👏’

Now we take a small break from analyzing the Ataru stuff, because there’s something else I love in this chapter which I want to point out… and that is…

…Lum

Okay, so what I love about Lum in this chapter is how the usual jealous girl acts towards the whole situation. When she hears Sakura request Ataru to go on a date, she was pretty mad. But when she sees that he was supposed to go on a date with a ghost so she would rest in peace, she understood the gravity of the situation and that it was to help someone instead of being jealous like usual. She even tried persuading him to wear the sweater when he initially refused..

It really shows how much Lum has grown from her antagonist days (Oh, and if you were wondering she wasn’t jealous in the rain girl chapter as well, which just means character development struck her quite early). This is also one of those things which is only there in the manga, the original anime adaptation has extra scenes of her being jealous and being mad at Ataru for going on the date and making her seem unsympathetic (even though the persuading scene from above was still left intact? Like, what was even the point?) I’m sorry for rambling, this change just pisses me off so much, like even Sakura points out her behavior in the episode… …Now, back to Ataru!

The next thing we’ll talk about is the end of the date and when Nozomi finally rests in peace…

First, I find it so sweet how Ataru’s expression changes as Nozomi fades away, you can really see that she has made an impression on him, and of course the last three panels… Ataru stating that he’ll wear those a bit longer, despite how hot it must’ve been, because he didn’t have the heart to take it off is so damn sweet and cute… and from that we go into the final page of the chapter…

I Love This Page. No, seriously, if I could pick my favorite page from the manga, this is it.

I love how Ataru visits Nozomi’s grave later on, he didn’t have to, yet he still did it anyways. That was very thoughtful of him. Not everyone would go to the grave of someone who they have never seen before in their life till a single date.

I love how Lum calls him ‘kind’, Ataru rarely receives genuine compliments and he very well deserved this one.

I love how Ataru’s reaction to Lum’s words, he doesn’t usually get genuine compliments but he acts like it no big deal and that it’s something anyone will do (There are some people who wouldn’t), compared to his usually selfish demeanor.

I love the way Lum looks at Ataru, a gaze filled with love 💕.

I love how Lum wishes to be a ghost so she could be treated the same way Nozomi was, that just shows how much she wants Ataru to show his love.

I love how Ataru calls her stupid right after that because her being a ghost would mean that he would lose her and that’s the last thing he would want and finally…

I love the bittersweet feeling this page leaves me with. Usually every time a chapter ends with a sweet moment between Ataru and Lum, I feel soft and happy. This is one makes me feels kinda soft because of Ataru’s kindness, kinda sad because Lum wants Ataru to open up his feelings so much that she wished to be a ghost and kinda happy because Ataru calling her stupid reassures her that in the sense he does care for her. No other page really makes me feel like this. It gives me chills. Even Takahashi- Sensei has stated that this page ‘made a tingle run up her spine’ while drawing it, to quote from the continuation of the interview from above as stated by Arito- San:

In conclusion, ‘Last Date’ is my favorite Ataru focused chapter because of how Ataru’s portrayed in it, It’s a chapter, which shows how much he has grown from how he was before. It shows that Ataru can kind and caring to anyone. I also like how this chapter as a whole doesn’t focus on Ataru and Lum’s relationship but rather Ataru’s character instead. I wholeheartedly believe the reason Ataru has changed as a person was because of Lum’s love for him and his caring nature for her has expanded towards others as time went on. It’s exactly how you write a romantic relationship: their main character trait isn’t the other person, instead they both leave a positive impact on each other so the other grows, as in they are strong as individuals, but it’s only because of the other. They are written with that in mind and that’s why I love them 💕. Thanks for taking time to read this analysis and I hope I was able to show you why I love this chapter so much. I hope I managed to do this chapter justice because it’s amazing. Thanks to everyone who voted for the poll I held before, and those who voted for the other options, don’t worry I’ll eventually get to them as well. I also apologize if I’ve overlooked anything or made any mistakes. If you have any doubts or questions about this analysis feel free to send an ask and if you want me to do an analysis about other characters, feel free to send an ask for that as well. You can check out my other analysis on my analysis tag. And finally, likes are appreciated and reblogs are even more appreciated (seriously, please reblog this so more people can see this post, since I spent a lot of time on this!!). Hope you have a great day ahead!! 💕

#shit I forgot write about how much I want the remake to adapt this chapter #but I know I’ll cry like a baby when it’s adapted in the remake #urusei yatsura #うる星やつら #urusei yatsura 2022 #ataru moroboshi #lum #lum the invader #ataru x lum #atalum #my analysis #character analysis #chapter analysis #long post

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minniepetals · 2 years

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cry me a river | the thorns of a rose

— summary: loyalty means to have full allegiance and faithfulness owned by a duty, a pledge, or a promise. and the reapers’ loyalty lies much deeper than that

— pairing: bts x reader

— genre: angst, mafia!au

— word count: 5.6k

— warnings: mentions of breaking, emotional trauma, implied sexual harassment/abuse, implied forceful age-gap relationship (we're getting to more dark stuff here so please read at your own discretion, PLEASE)

— PART 11 / previous part / masterpost

“They say she’s the actual Grim Reaper herself.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“She’s on a rampage, going around killing anyone who has done her wrong. She’s already taken out Gwon Daejung!”

“Grim reapers go around collecting souls, she’s out here trying to collect the heads of all her enemies!”

“Surely that’s an exaggeration.”

“That monster killed her own father to get the throne.”

“What if we’re next?”

Knock, knock, knock.

A click of the door opens and he stares in horror at the said Reaper who’s out to collect the heads of all her enemies. With a smirk plastered on her face, hands resting behind her, and a flicking shine from the scythe earrings she wears, he can feel the beat of his heart drumming hard against his chest.

“Hello there, Mr. Choi,” you greet with a sinister expression resting well on your face, “it seems death has just knocked on your door. Would you mind giving me the pleasure of taking your life?”

“Why did you call me, Namjoon? You do know that I’m a pretty busy woman, don’t you? I have heads to sever and hearts to stab out.”

“Seems you’ve become quite the bloodthirsty mobster.”

You shrug lightly at his comment, adjusting the black gloves in your hands that are tainted with blood. “Well, life is pretty cruel to women so there’s quite a lot of people whom I have to go after now that I have the power to do so.”

“This is why you killed your father off?” He asks, eyes narrowed at you who only seems to be paying attention to your gloves. “Now that I think about it, you say you’re out to kill all the people who have done you wrong. Was your father your first target in all of this?”

Your hands freeze in place and when you look up at him, those eyes of yours are as cold as a stone, showing no sign of weakness, no amount of emotions for him to try and see through your facade. He can’t read you.

“What are you talking about?” You feign a smile. “If my father never cared for me, would he have accepted me so easily when I returned home after divorcing you? Any sane mobster who’s thirsty for power would have never let that slide. Yet father welcomed me in very well with wide, open arms.”

“Fool,” you hear your father’s disdained voice in the back of your mind.

“You’ve always been useless from the second you were born. For a moment I thought things were going well, finally made useful to me. But here you are, crawling right back and begging for forgiveness at the foot of your father. I told you to make yourself useful.”

No matter how foolish and stupid you were ten years ago, at least you understood what to do in order to keep the image of a happy family alive and well.

Divorcing Namjoon was one of the hardest decisions in your life but you were left with no other choice. Returning that ring, asking him for a divorce, even that moment of weakness where you asked them to give you a second chance, all of that was planned.

After all, divorcing Namjoon meant facing father’s wrath so you had to do it smartly, hence you asked him to sign a contract with you before you left, before the divorce was finalized. It was the only way you could get through to your father. He would be angry either way but at least then he didn’t have to worry about losing power.

Power was all father wanted after all, and you allowed him to keep that.

That contract saved you from potentially dying at your father’s very own hands.

“Open arms…”

You stare at Namjoon with a small, playful smirk, knowing he must be thinking back on his own father. “Envious?”

He sends you a glare and you look away with a shrug, amusement plastered on your face.

“Did all those silent vows of keeping each others’ secrets safe not matter after the divorce?”

“Of course it does!” You say at his suspicion on you. “You don’t really think I’m the type to go around spreading every traumatic story of you and the boys to the world just because we don’t care for each other anymore, do you?”

“I don’t know who you are anymore, Y/N.”

“Right,” you nod. “Let’s keep it that way, yeah? Anyways, what am I doing here again?”

Namjoon lets out a sigh and reaches from the back of his pants to hand you a simple envelope. You stare at it, blinking.

“If it’s a letter of some sort, you could have simply sent it through the mail, old man.”

“I figured you’d rather keep the envelope as is rather than having words painted on them.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s Jungwon’s.” You freeze and he takes a moment to look at the envelope before beckoning for you to take it once more. “One of the letters was meant for you.”

A letter was written for you? What for?

If Mister Butler had anything to say to you, why didn’t he just speak them to you when he had the chance? Perhaps it’s something secretive that he couldn’t say aloud?

No, can’t be. All his letters were basically his diaries but, why would one of them be addressed to you?

You pull the gloves off your hands, not wanting anything to taint the envelope before taking it from Namjoon. “Did you read it?” You ask and he shakes his head.

“Those are your initials, yes?”

They are.

“The content of the letters addressed to you,” you look back at him, wondering, “what were they about?”

“His daily life. A diary, as you said.”

“He never mentioned anything about what he was doing at the Reaper’s manor in the first place?”

Namjoon shakes his head, a sigh leaving his lips. “Nothing of that sort. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help much with my investigation.”

“Surely your father had some answers.”

“Anything that has to do with my father has already been searched and burned away. None of them ever mentioned anything about my brother. It’s almost as if it disappeared along with him, as if my father knew.”

Did his father get word of Mister Butler’s death? He must have, hence all evidence about what he had done were all destroyed for Namjoon to never find out.

“When did my brother disappear?”

“The eighth of January,” you tell him. “I was nine.” You were hurt that night, severely injured. You don’t remember exactly the events that went by, just the fact that the next thing you knew, you were standing in front of the man you loved so much, staring into his unblinking eyes. “He never said goodbye and after that night, I never saw him again.”

“Something must have happened.”

Yeah, your father killed him and blamed it all on poor little you.

“Well, I have to go now,” you say as you turn around and begin to walk off, “as I said, I’m a pretty busy woman.”

“Y/N if you know anything—”

“I got into an accident that night, Namjoon, so I don’t recall much of what happened.”

“Then those workers—”

“Are dead,” you say. “I killed them all.”

You hear him let out a frustrated sigh. “Honestly, you’re too impulsive. If one of them were still alive, they’d know what happened and have better intel than what we have now.”

“Well,” you shrug, “even if one of them were still alive, those workers didn’t really pay much attention to Mister Butler. To them, he was just another one of them, and if someone disappears out of nowhere, they’d only think what they know.”

Any sane worker would think they’d died at the hands of the leaders of the mafia they’re working in.

In Jungwon’s case, it was exactly that. No exception.

“See ya.”

With that, you walk off without looking back again, the letter tightly grasped in your hand.

You stand alone in the garden of the greenhouse, eyes staring blankly at the red roses right before you. With a white suit on, your overcoat drapes on your shoulder as you cross your arms against your chest, the gloves gone as blood still stains your clothing from your previous endeavor.

You don’t care to clean up just yet.

The rose bushes intrigues you as you stare at them, a reminder of someone you used to know.

“The roses remind me of you, Y/N.”

“...Why is that, sir?”

He lets out an exasperated sigh at the title you call him by, but falls understanding that no matter how much he asks of you, you’d never call him by name. “Is this your way of telling me you don’t wish for a close relationship, my dear?” He asks, a small pout glanced your way. “Despite the fact that we were almost engaged?”

You don’t answer his question, giving him anything but a blank stare. It’s all he’ll ever see from you, all you will ever show him. He will never witness your anger, your sadness, your happiness, or any emotions out of you.

Relationships do not matter to you, after all, he’s just another pawn for your father.

“Why do the roses remind you of me, sir?” You speak as if reading off a script; emotionless, robotic.

His brows furrow slightly but he’s used to this. “You’re pretty and you look innocent and sweet and precious, but anytime anyone tries to get any close to you,” he holds his hand out to caress your cheek, stroking it tenderly with his thumb as he flashes you a small smile, “you will put up a guard and have your thorns protect you. They are your walls, aren’t they?”

“I haven’t hurt you in the slightest, sir.”

He chuckles. “But you resent me, don’t you?”

“I do not hold any feelings towards you.”

“...Right.” He looks down at your figure, the way you sit on the bed obediently, and will not move unless instructed otherwise. You dress in a silky nightgown, one of the straps fallen from your shoulder, and he takes his hand from your face to trace over one of the visible scars held against your skin. You say nothing, you do nothing, and despite his gentle touches, you feel nothing.

He watches you as if trying to monitor your reactions, and when you give him nothing to see, he trails down to your hand and gently takes hold of it.

“You may not hold any feelings towards me but…” he traces the purple ring around your wrist, “you resent my father, do you not?” You say nothing so he goes on. “I may not know you as well as I hope to, Y/N, but even I understand that a lady would never want a man she doesn’t desire to touch her whether in a precious hold or not. You come here, walk into a man’s room whether you like to or not, just like an obedient puppet, and do nothing to go against your father’s words. So whether it’s me touching you or my father…you will not speak up against it.”

So he knew of his father’s doings, yet the closer you watch him, you realize that he’d only learned of that fact recently. Your potential fiance, despite the whole ordeal being to his benefit, has never once taken advantage of you. He holds onto his morals, a man of principles, and when he finds the truth of your relationship with your father, he expresses opposition.

But the two of you are one and the same, living a similar life.

He cannot go against his father, just as you cannot go against yours.

You’re both far too weak against the men of the house.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asks, almost a whisper, and you see the way he tries to hold onto his anger for you, the way his hand trembles slightly as he does his best not to hold onto your hand too tight. As if afraid he’d hurt you.

He reminds you of someone, but you don’t wish to remember so you look away, not wanting to see that little spark in his eyes.

“I had no reason to.”

When you say that, he looks back up at you, a flash of hurt and disbelief in his eyes. “No reason?” He scoffs. “You have purple bruises on your wrist and you’re saying you had no reason to tell me these things? My father did this to you, Y/N, and I can only imagine what other horrible things he’s done to you.”

“It doesn’t matter.” You look off to the side, taking your hand from his hold to look out at the window where a bird perches on the tree just outside. “In the end, we can do nothing.”

He hates how right you are, and hates the way you seem to shiver slightly from the cold, goosebumps forming along your skin, yet you say nothing against your pain. You do not care for your well-being, and you guess by now he’s probably realized you’re already broken.

A broken doll for your father to use at his disposal.

You hear him let out a grunt of anger yet when he slips your strap back onto your shoulder and holds the blanket over you, his actions are as gentle towards you as ever.

“When you decide to let your thorns be known to the world, I hope you can come after my father and kill him yourself.” He stands from the bed, going for the door but not before looking back at you for one last thing. “I will wait for you until then.”

How long has it been since you heard those words fall from his lips? It was the last conversation you had with the man, before he went away and did all that he could to drive the relationship between your gang and his to fall apart.

You’re not sure how he did it, but he somehow made it possible for the two of you to never see each other again, and in doing so, saved you from having to see his father ever again.

He was different from Ying, because while Ying always watched you get belittled and hurt and went to console you afterwards, the second he found out the truth, he did all that he could to at least save you from one less burden to carry.

He could do nothing about your father, but he took his father away for your sake.

The roses remind you of him, yet despite the little moments of good memories you have with him, they will always be overshadowed by all the things his father has done to you.

And the longer you stare at the roses, the more you wish to cast the memories away, the more you wish to never remember his face, his voice, and the way he held you.

You feel disgusted.

Perhaps if I touch them…maybe the pain will take over the pain of having to remember him.

You hold your hand out as if in a daze, a chant repeating in your head to try and convince you that marking yourself with physical pain will give you a chance in forgetting the past pains.

Hurt me hurt me hurt me. Let me forget.

You feel your teeth clenching, brows knitted, and just as your hand is about to grab a handful of the rose bush filled with thorns, someone grabs ahold of your hand with a force, stopping you mid-way.

“Please don’t touch the roses, all the plants here are important for the antidotes and poisons we work so hard to create.” It’s Han, one of the young researchers working alongside Yeonjun. He watches over the greenhouse, keeping the plants well-fed and healthy, always holed up in here to help aid the young genius hacker in his researches.

You know just how important each and every plant here are, yet it doesn’t stop you from the hypnotized state you’re in.

You ignore his touch and warning, further hoping to grab a fist full of thorns.

“Boss, please.” Han’s voice fades into the distance as you see nothing but the thorns before you. “Boss-”

“Y/N.”

Someone rips your attention from the flowers, hands held onto both your shoulders, forcing your body to turn their way, and that’s when you seem to come back to your senses.

“..Mingyu.”

“Have tea ready,” your second in command orders to Han, who in turn nods and walks off, knowing Mingyu always knows what to do.

“I’m fine.” You push him off you to turn from the flowers, a bit weak in your legs, and when he sees that, Mingyu reaches out to help you keep steady.

“I guess we have our next target, huh?” One look at you and the flowers and he understands in an instant. “Yuna will be happy.”

“Yuna’s happy with everyone we face.”

“Well,” he shrugs, “can’t really blame her.”

“Forget it,” you begin to walk off without his help, towards the bench just under the wisterias to take your seat. “I don’t want to face them just yet.”

Mingyu watches you with an observing gaze, and when Han returns with the tea, he lets out a sigh when you sip the drink to help you calm your nerves. The more people you go after, the more drained you become, and the more hysterical your state grows. He can’t blame you, after all, these are the people who have done you so wrong in the past, leaving you with scars both physically and mentally.

“Alright,” he says upon your orders when you give him the cup after a good couple of gulps, body laid over to rest your head against the pillow that’s already there for you when you wish to take your afternoon breaks. When your eyes start to droop, he takes a step to the right to block the glaring sun filtering into the greenhouse.

And Mingyu stays there watching after you like a personal knight whose only job is to watch over and protect the princess.

He hates every second of seeing you suffer all alone.

“The longer you keep this up, the harder it’ll be on your body.” When you look up at him from your cup of tea, Namjoon goes on. “Going after the people that’s pissed you off isn’t an easy job. Not only are many of the people that belong to the shadows tough but they do crazy things to one’s mind as well. You’re a victim to the shadows both physically and mentally.”

“Get to the point, Namjoon.”

“You need to slow down, take a break,” he says, “before you break.”

Break.

Hah. What a strange word.

“You needn’t worry about that, I’m already a broken doll.” It’s such a simple sentence that leaves your lips, as if you were speaking about the weather. You show no amount of emotion, eyes as dead as they were the first time he saw you again after ten whole years.

But even then, your ex-lover can see how drained you are by all of these endeavors. You’re stubborn, refusing to admit to the truth, but he knows just how tired you must be both physically and mentally. What if one day you go too far and there’s no one to save you from the drowning?

“I’m serious,” he states against your protest. Namjoon may not understand what happened through the ten years of your disappearance, the extent to which you were hurting, but even he knows just how much it has affected you.

After all, no sweet person can ever turn dark and emotionless without reason.

“I want to get rid of them as soon as possible.” You look up at him from the hood of your lids, taking a sip of the tea that’s been served for you. You were never really one who desired coffee, and ever since Yeonjun joined the gang, all that’s ever helped to calm your nerves were his tea. “You understand how that feels, don’t you?”

Namjoon doesn’t say anything but you can see the answer in his hesitation.

“So whether you want to stop me or not, I’m not going to rest until they’re all dead. I can’t.” Because your body refuses to let you. Each time you rest your eyes, nightmares will plague your thoughts, and unless your Reapers are there to help you through the episodes, you can never calm from the fear.

Everything scares you the more people you face, the world closing in, the walls suffocating you. Every second you face them, it feels as if your lungs are weighed by a heavy boulder, refusing to let you breathe. But you’d rather face these disgusting, vile creatures, than to know that they still live, walking the Earth as if all the things they’ve done to you is something that should not be considered a crime, as if they had simply crushed a bug with their foot.

You hurt from their pains while they hold their heads up, laughing in their own freedom.

You want your own freedom.

You need it, you crave it.

And you can never achieve it unless they’re gone from the torture they do to your head.

“Fine.” Namjoon knows he can’t stop you, so he relents. “Who’s your next target then?”

A man you’ve been avoiding.

You put the teacup down, resting against the chair, and cross a leg over the other. “I’ll need your help again, if you’re up for it.”

“And this is?”

“Ever heard of the Black Rose?”

He thinks over the question, a slight purse of his lips. “Isn’t that the gang that left for London? They were faring well here so no one knows why they left when the streets of London is much harder to gain control of.”

“They left because of me.”

He looks at you, blinking. “What?”

“The son, Hwang Hyunjin and I had somewhat of a relationship,” you explain. “I wouldn’t say we were close nor would I say we were friends but he supported me as a friend would. He cared for me.”

Namjoon’s brows knit in just the slightest way. “If he cared for you, why would he leave Korea?”

“He cared for me, that’s why he left.”

Hyunjin was the only decent human being that did the things he did in a respectable and accurate manner among all the mafiosos you’ve met. Even though you could never escape the abuse and pain, he still did you a favor by getting rid of someone who would have traumatized you even more than the man already had.

“So then, if it isn’t Hyunjin you’re after, who is it?”

“Who else but his father?”

“You’re walking into dangerous territory, Y/N.”

“Isn’t everything we do dangerous?” You flick your hair to lay behind your back, not wanting to back down. “He has more power in London than you but that doesn’t mean you aren’t influential there either. That’s why I need you on this mission. Hyunjin will be on my side, as well as you. I’ll need both of you to take Mr. Hwang down.”

“How are you so sure Hyunjin will be on your side? This is his father we’re talking about.”

“And you understand just how broken that relationship can be in this world.” Because his own father was never one to care for him. “It may be different from yours, Hyunjin and his father trust each other, but at the end of the day, he left Korea all for me.”

He left Korea for you.

Namjoon wonders what sort of relationship the two of you had, and the reason why the Black Rose left for you.

When he stares at you from across the table, he sees the determination in your eyes, as well as the trust you hold for a man he does not personally know. So you do know how to trust people outside your gang after all.

“Fine.” There’s no reason to refuse you. At the end of the day, he still needs intel on his brother.

With a satisfied smile resting on your face, you stand from your seat. “Great. I’ll see you in London next week.”

“You’re planning to what?” Mingyu is quick to look at you with alarm, his expression screaming protest. “Live out the fantasy he so wanted long ago?” He repeats your words with a disbelief scoff. “I’m not letting you do that.”

“You have no right to protest.”

“I’m your underboss, I have every right to protest.”

“Please my lady, can’t you think of something else?” Yuna speaks up, her lips forming into a tight frown when she looks your way.

“This is the only way to take down Hwang Leehyun and you know it,” you say against their dismay, standing firm in on your decision no matter what they say. “That man thrives off control and if I can manipulate him into thinking he can take me, we’ll have our score settled and I’ll have taken another man down. He has no reason to suspect me.”

“And if it breaks you?”

You laugh sarcastically at Mingyu’s words, a dark chuckle leaving your lips. “How do you break again after you’ve already broken? But then again, perhaps you’re right. A broken glass can never mend itself to the way it used to be, the only thing it can do is break even more.”

“Boss—”

“But I don’t care for that,” you cut him off, the only emotions detected in your eyes are filled with rage and anger. “This is the path I’ve chosen for myself, so whether you like it or not, I will never stop until every last one of them are dead. You have chosen to follow me, do so in silence.”

With that, you turn your back on your Reapers and they know that no matter how against they are with your plans, once your mind is made up, you will never go back on your words.

“And if something goes wrong when I’m with him, I expect you to do nothing.”

You leave them with no room to protest and they can do nothing but watch you from where they stand, a heavy silence hung in the air because they know more than anyone that stopping you is something that can never be done. You live to seek revenge and you will stop at nothing.

Even if that means meeting death on its way.

Even if it will break you even more.

“Boss?” You don’t hear his call even when he runs up to stand before you, an alarming concern marking his features. All you do is stand there, as still as a corpse, with your head lowered and your eyes staring blankly at nothing before you.

Mingyu sees the state you’re in; dressed in a white silky dress, spaghetti straps hanging off your shoulders, disheveled hair, with possessive markings splattered around your skin.

He can feel his hands trembling into a fist as he holds himself back, knowing that whatever he does, he can never let his anger get the best of him. So he settles with trying to reach out for you. You don’t see him, you feel numb and dull, like a living corpse, but when his hand holds out to touch you,

You flinch.

And Mingyu freezes.

His hand hovers in the air, frozen in time, and no matter what anyone tells him, he wants to storm out here right now and land his fist on the very man that did this to you, no matter the consequences.

But he has to consider the consequences because if he tries to do anything to go up against the people that have done you wrong, you will face the consequences and he knows more than anyone that that must never happen.

He wants to protect you yet why is this the only way he can save you?

Why can’t he do more?

Mingyu balls his hand in the air and settles it back to his side, turning to the Reapers that have come along as he clenches his jaws, keeping his emotions at bay.

“Yuna, Dasom. Get her a blanket, clean her up, and take care of her. Make sure she eats well.”

He only addresses the girls and they know. They know why.

Because normally you would never flinch in the presence of Mingyu. Never.

“Yes, Mingyu.”

Yuna hurries to grab a soft blanket and drape it over your shoulders, hiding your revealing skin, and the two of them lead you away from the small little group. You follow willingly without protest, as if you can’t even speak, as if your only purpose in this world is to obey and survive.

Right now you cannot make a decision for yourself, right now you’re numb, you’ve locked yourself out from the world, eyes nothing but dull, empty sockets. Right now you are lost.

Lost in your broken, empty mind.

This is your body’s way of protecting yourself.

Yuna turns to Mingyu, her hand held against his shirt to grab his attention, and a tremor falls in her hand as her grip holds tight.

“I want to save her,” she whispers, a voice barely audible but they hear her. It is a wish they all hold dearly in their hearts. “She…she can’t face him again, Mingyu, not in the same way. Or else…or else…”

“She gave us her command, we can’t go against that,” the second in command states, his emotions held back despite it all. “But there are some people who aren’t obligated to go against her.”

“You don’t mean..”

“They’re the only ones we can rely on to bring Y/N back,” he says despite Dasom’s disapproving glare. “At least we can trust in Jung Hoseok, if anyone.”

“I ask that you protect her well.”

Namjoon sits in his chair, a silent stare at the man who bows before him, and when he looks over at Hoseok, the older man just spares him a silent glance, unsure of what was going on as well.

“You don’t think those are the obligations between two allies, do you?”

“I’m serious,” Mingyu says, his words firm and heavy without an ounce of jest in them. “This mission may as well be one of the most difficult ones my boss will have to face, yet I am not allowed to interfere with her plans.”

“And why is that?” Seokjin asks.

“Because she knows that if I were to be there with her, I may as well stop her and in short, ruin the plan of revenge. Whatever you do, do not stop her, however…” he holds his jaw in, fingers held in a tight fist behind him, “save her…if it so gets to that point.”

The man before them is a man who’s been through a lot, who watched over you and cared for you, a man who truly hopes for nothing but the best out of you. He frets over your safety, concern clearly marked on his face, yet as your subordinate, he is obligated to heed your every order.

“If you’re that worried about her, why don’t you try harder to have her revise her plan? Or better yet, persuade her to leave this be?” Namjoon asks, genuinely curious about his strange resolve.

“Because this is the only way I can save her,” Mingyu says, his expression a sharp, piercing seriousness. “She may be impulsive at times, maybe even bloodthirsty and cruel in her ways of only seeking revenge towards the people that have wronged her, but Y/N’s ambition lies in wanting to seek peace. You and I will never understand her heart but she holds her resolves and she holds her morals and I have every intention of giving everything I can to see her ambition come to pass. I believe that is why I follow her. She has saved me so I will do all that I can to save her. And if saving her means stepping back and having you take care of things for the moment…I hold no protest.”

So that’s how it is.

Both Mingyu and the rest of the Reapers refuse to stand in the way of your dreams. They have sworn themselves to you, from whatever point you’ve met and managed to steal their hearts and souls.

You have a way with people. Even back then when you held no ambitions in killing people, the authority you held had never dissipated. There’s something about you that people can never forget, no matter who they are, and you will always leave an impression in the end.

The Reapers now, your Reapers, are different from any other followers they have ever seen before. They heed your every word, holding them as if they were laws of the world, never to go against you, coming to you the instant you call their names. Loyalty means to have full allegiance and faithfulness owned by a duty, a pledge, or a promise. And the Reapers’ loyalty lies much deeper than that. This isn’t just simple loyalty, this is something much deeper than they can ever imagine.

You saved him, Mingyu stated, which meant you saved the rest of them as well, and in turn, they’ve vowed their lives to you.

“So as someone who cares deeply for Y/N and as people who once held her at the center of the world,” he looks at them with a pointed stare, eyes refusing to look away or even blink, “don’t you think you should at least give her what she deserves?”

What a loyal companion you have.

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