I just wrote over 2,500 words after not writing for a year. Just feels amazing to know that it doesn't matter if what I wrote was any good. Those are words that finally came out and they don't need to be perfect.
And I want this to be your sign that it's okay if you haven't written in a long time. You can always just come back to it.
synopsis ╾ the consistent debates between matt murdock and his fellow law classmate escalate into something neither of them can come back from. all in the school’s library.
warnings ╾ angst, make out sesh
a/n ╾ hi i’m kinda back cus i have so many ideas in my drafts.. it just takes me awhile to sit down and write lol; p.s. i do not proofread so i apologize in advance for any and all mistakes!!
— — —
“Professor, may I interject?” You raised your hand steadily and straightened your posture. You glanced over at your opponent, Matt Murdock. He was leaning back in his seat, a sly smirk stamped on his face—as if you couldn’t come up with a better rebuttal for the case.
Your teacher sighed, already knowing that this debate would go on forever between you and your peer. “Go ahead,” he nodded. You grinned and strutted over to the front of the lecture hall.
“Although Mr. Murdock brings up a good point, he forgot to consider the facts of the case in correspondence with the landmark case of…” You grazed over minute details that Matt Murdock seemed to have disregarded—which was unusual given his try-hard reputation. His smirk faltered as your classmates applauded your defense.
“Ms. Y/L/N, you’ve just won your case. Well done,” your professor shook your hand before taking his rightful place at the podium. “Okay, students. That concludes our debate for today. Please review our previous lectures and readings in preparation for an exam at the end of the week.”
Classmates congratulated you as you packed up your belongings and notes. The rivalry between you and Matt has culminated since the beginning of the semester. He was a fantastic rival—smart, prepared, and determined. The two of you countered each other like boxers in a ring. Each jab and block was fuel for the next fight. And this time, you weren’t going down easy.
“Ms. Y/L/N.” Speak of the devil. Matt approached you, “Good job today.”
“Aw, thanks, Matt. That means a lot coming from you,” you sneered sarcastically. You weren’t falling for his charms. No matter how endearing they were.
He let out a breathy laugh, “Well, you surprised me today. Won’t happen again.” He shrugged, “Guess it was your lucky day.”
You rolled your eyes, “It’s not my fault you weren’t prepared. Too busy with all your hookups to do some actual work?”
“Please. I know how to balance my time with work and pleasure. It’s a natural talent of mine.”
“Really? Maybe I’ll see you around the library this week instead of my roommate’s bed.” You once caught Matt with your dorm mate, probably to spite you.
“Again, I have my talents. I’ll see you back in your room. You’d like that wouldn’t you?” He teased, “Want me to pay you a visit?”
“Oh, go fuck yourself, Murdock.” You puffed and strutted away from him.
Matt chuckled to himself before guiding his own way out of the classroom. He got a kick out of making you flustered. It was the one thing he was sure of—it caused a reaction within you. The way heat would flood to your cheeks or how your heartbeat would speed up. Foggy was waiting for him outside the lecture hall, “Jeez. What’d you do to, Y/N.”
“She did that to herself.” Matt shrugged, “She can’t resist me.”
“You mean, she can’t stand you? Give the girl a break,” Foggy shook his head. “You’re gonna give her migraines.” Matt grinned.
You stormed far away from your nemesis, catching your breath as you leaned onto the side of the building. You won today in class, but you can’t help but feel that you still lost something. Your dignity? Your sanity? All of the above? You needed to let off some steam, so you decided to head back to the dorms.
You half-expected to see Matt sitting on your bed, pulling his shirt over his head as your roommate scrambled to put her own clothes on. It was something he would’ve done to fuck with your mind. That couldn’t be legal. It was definitely immoral of him. You came back to an empty room.
But, you couldn’t shake off the feeling that you were missing something. You spent the next couple of hours trying to be productive, but your room slowly closed in on you. You needed to get out. You were suffocating yourself, trying to figure out what was wrong. You kept opening up your phone to text messages, or to check your calendar. All of these mindless tasks to fill the void of God-knows-what. You had to get out.
You packed your backpack to do some late night studying. Better now than later or never. You crossed campus to the library. It was a quiet walk, with only the chittering of crickets and the gentle howl of the wind accompanying you.
As you walked up a few flights of stairs to the study area of the library, your breath hitched in your throat. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Across the room was the one and only. Matt Murdock. Usually the library was empty this late at night.
He was tracing a couple of books with his fingers, his mind was racing a million miles per second as he processed the information. You could’ve just ignored him, he probably had no clue you were there. But, it felt wrong to not say anything.
“Murdock, fancy seeing you here.” You spoke up, ambling towards him.
“Wish I could say likewise,” he laughed heartily, his fingers paused on a passage. “Y/N, what brings you to the library at this hour?”
“Studying. And you?”
“Same here. Please, sit. I don’t mind the company.” He gestured to the empty chairs surrounding him.
“Of course you don’t.” You commented under your breath before taking the seat across from him. You pulled out your textbooks and a notebook to begin studying. You glanced over at Matt, who was already preoccupied in his own readings.
The two of you were playing a cautious game of cat and mouse—you were both trying to find the right moment to pounce. You knew that these cordial manners would disappear the moment the other showed any sort of vulnerability, and you weren’t ready to submit to his devilish tricks.
Professionalism was a mutual respect for both of you. They say to keep your friends close but your enemies closer. You studied Matt’s mannerisms, the way his head cocked slightly as he concentrated, his furrowed brows intently absorbing whatever he was scanning. Everything about him felt familiar—as if you’ve known him your entire life. The majority of your college career has been centered around being the best, and Matt Murdock was the one obstacle in your way. He was the competition. But, of course, the two of you always kept things professional. Aside from the snarky remarks in class and the sarcastic comments on each other’s works, you could coexist with him…as long as you weren’t the one losing.
Matt once beat you to a very prestigious internship with your current media law professor. It frustrated you how you were so close to securing your dream experience only to have Matt Murdock charm his way into the professor’s heart. He didn’t even want to be a media lawyer, he was more interesting in criminal defense. You were sure that he just wanted to one-up you. Despite losing that opportunity, you still found success with another media law firm, specializing in entertainment law—which was extremely profound in NYC. You were sure you had a job lined up after graduation anyway, so why do you care?
Because Matt Murdock angered you. He constantly undermined your efforts, despite working just as hard to be accepted into Columbia Law. He claimed to barely recognize you on campus, going as far as to not even politely say “hi” or acknowledge you as he flirted up with your friends. Plus, your friends ate that shit up. The way he seemed to consume everything your friends would tell him—it drove you crazy. Were you not worthy enough of his attention span to be treated so poorly? As if you were lower than him? At this point, everything you did felt like it was out of spite for Matt Murdock—because he’s gotten everything he’s ever wanted.
Matt enjoyed stirring the pot between the two of you. It was like a game to him, it made his college experience much more entertaining. It’s true, he did every infuriating thing to spite you, but he did it out of admiration. It was unjustifiably expressed, but what fun would it be without a little friendly competition? He knew you were calculated and determined, and he knew you were hot-tempered. The amount of times you’ve cussed him out underneath your breath always brought a sly smile to his face. He was your motivator, and you were his ambition.
It was no use denying Matt’s attractiveness. His dark brown hair, his athletic physique, his cocky smile. Your bicker battles always through you into a loop, elevating your heartbeat and internal temperature. He sensed when your sneaky glances in class lasted a little too long. He could feel the way you squirmed in your seat whenever he said anything daring. Matt wanted to see how far he could push your denial before you eventually exhausted yourself and gave in to him. He desired you as much as he detested you and your smarts and your wittiness. You loathed him as much as you wanted to grab him by his stupid tie and kiss him fervently to let out your pent up fantasies.
At this point, you weren’t even bothered with studying. You were bothered that even faced with one-on-one attention, Matt Murdock didn’t seem to care about you at all. You groaned, getting lost in your own thoughts and slammed your textbook shut. You forgot you were with company, but Matt didn’t seem to flinch at your sudden movement.
“Too hard to understand? Do you need help? You know, you could always ask me.” Matt sat back in his chair.
“Did I say I needed help?” You spat out unexpectedly. You were fuming underneath the fluorescent lights of the library. Luckily, it was just the two of you.
He let out a fake gasp, “Looks like the little kitty does have claws.”
“Go to hell, Murdock.” You scoffed and began packing up your belongings. You can’t believe you dragged yourself into this mess. You didn’t have to sit there with him. You could’ve just left the library without a word, he wouldn’t have noticed. Why did you stay? Why did you stay and put yourself into this situation knowing only one of you was going to make it out with your pride?
Matt stayed silent this time. He opened his mouth to say something but promptly closed it. You finished packing up your stuff and turned to face him. He was still sat in the same position, looking as if he were caught red-handed.
“What? Don’t have anything nice to say?” You said. “You know, I work harder than everyone in this entire place. I don’t have time for any of your little games anymore. So, let’s just go back to never speaking to each other ever again. Okay?”
No response.
“Okay?” You reiterated. You paused, seeing that he wasn’t going to respond anyway. You claimed this as a victory of your final battle and started to head for the exit.
“Y/N, don’t leave.” He finally spoke up. You stopped abruptly in your tracks. You didn’t turn to face him but knew he was making his way towards you.
You gripped tightly onto the straps of your backpack. What else could he possibly be want to say that hasn’t already destroyed you? You felt his hand lightly touch your upper arm. You flinched underneath his touch, but you didn’t pull away. Why didn’t you pull away?
Matt motioned for you to turn around and face him. So you did. He dropped his hand and ran it through his once-perfectly combed hair. He took a deep breath before repeating himself, “Don’t leave.”
You gulped, wondering what kind of restitution Matt, your full-time enemy, could be offering. “What’s the matter with you?”
He shook his head, stepping closer to you, “I could ask you the same thing.”
You frowned before straightening your posture, “You. You’re what’s the matter.”
Matt started to say something, you were hoping for some sort of apology, but he stopped and leaned in closer to you. Your faces were inches away from each other. You could feel his hot breath on your lips, his breathing started to deepen as if he were preparing himself for something. Matt spoke in a low voice, “You drive me crazy, Y/N. But I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t pretend anymore.”
“What do you mean—“ you asked breathlessly. Your eyes searched your own reflection in his thick, black glasses. Your heartbeat quickened and sweat began to form on your forehead.
He took a step back and grunted, “Y/N, stop lying to yourself.”
You furrowed your brows, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You knew exactly what he was talking about. This game of cat and mouse that consumed both of your every waking moments. Why else did either of you entertain these hellish debates? You were trying to prove to yourself that you didn’t care about each other when deep down that wasn’t the truth. The truth was that you cared a lot about Matt. You just weren’t ready to face it. You summoned up courage to close the distance between the two of you, “Matt Murdock. I—“
Matt pulled you towards him with a gravitational force so strong you couldn’t help but collide bodies with him. He kissed you, hard, and then you were kissing him back. Your eyes fluttered closed as you brought your hands up to cup his face and his onto your waist. It was passionate, desperate, as if you were his lifeline. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not your internships, not your textbooks, not even the approaching exam. It was just the two of you in the quiet, empty library.
When you pulled away for air, you felt dazed. Matt wiped his mouth, breathing heavily. “Y/N,” he said in a low whisper. “Do you still—“ Hate him. Think about him. Want him.
“Yes.” You gulped. “Yes,” you pulled him back to kiss him again. He backed you up onto the closest bookshelf, the wood crackling underneath the pressure. No matter how badly you wanted to destroy Matt Murdock, you wanted to rip his clothes off simultaneously. He snaked his arms under your blouse, far enough for you to feel his warm hands on your skin. He lightly grazed your torso with his fingers, running them up and down to feel you shiver underneath him.
He pulled away to place his forehead on top of yours. He breathed heavily, “it’s hard to hate you when you’re under me like this, submissive and breathless. Gorgeous, really.” He leaned in towards you once more, pushing up against you as if he couldn’t stand being away from you, which was a complete 180 from all your previous interactions. Your lips collided urgently.
“Murdock,” you whispered in between kisses. He hummed in response, a smirk crept onto his lips as he sensed your heartbeat speeding up once more. “I think I win this time.”
“Just this time,” he chuckled and placed a gentle hand on your cheek before pulling you in to deepen the kiss.
Let’s just say not a lot of studying got done that night as you familiarized yourself in Matt’s dorm room.
hope ur doing okay!! thinking of u with the new dd announcement :)
i—you are so kind, i’m so excited 😭 thanks for checking in!! i’ve got some matt and dex fics in my drafts..i can’t wait to share (hopefully soon?!?!) hehe, i hope you’re doing well ((:
synopsis ╾ agent poindexter and agent y/n are paired up to take down another drug ring plaguing hell’s kitchen—that is if the two of them are able to work together without ripping each other’s heads off.
warnings ╾ slight angst, a kiss!!!
a/n ╾ enjoy (:
———
Whenever Special Agent in Charge Hattley called you into her office, you were either in trouble or about to find yourself in trouble. Today’s meeting was the latter option because when you walked in, a man was already in there: Special Agent Ben Poindexter.
You mentally groaned before acknowledging him, “Agent.” He didn’t even bother to respond.
“Great, now that you’re both here, I have a special assignment for my two star players.” Hattley swiveled in her chair to pull some files out of her desk. She flipped through the numerous manilla folders and pulled out a lengthy folder. “Alio Johnson AKA Eagle. Major crime boss in Hell’s Kitchen. We gained some intel from our source that there’s going to be a massive drug run later this week, and we need the two of you to stop that and put cuffs on this new drug lord.”
“Where is it going down?” Agent Poindexter spoke up. His voice rasping out of his ever-so injured lips. He let his tongue run across his bottom lip, furrowing his brows as he leaned over the desk to get a closer look at your shared case.
Hattley chuckled, “The Shops at Hudson Yards. I guess they wanted to make it as public as possible to avoid any trouble. I knew the two of you would be perfect to send in because you’re both unassuming. You could easily go undercover and find out what’s going on and cut it at the source. There’s been a lot of action in the underground tunnels and the nearby piers.”
Your breath hitched in your throat, and this is the first time Agent Poindexter has looked at you. His piercing gaze sent chills down your spine. You rocked nervously in your spot, but you didn’t let your anticipation show in front of Hattley. “We’ll get right on it, boss.” You spent a fake smile to your partner before walking back to your desk.
If it wasn’t obvious, you didn’t like Agent Ben Poindexter. He was cold and cocky. You didn’t mesh well with him. The way he worked felt so emotionless and remorseless. You were one for the people, he was one for the mission result—which, in turn, unironically make an effective pairing.
“See you around, partner.” Agent Poindexter walked up to your desk. You continued to log onto your computer. “Agent Y/L/N, we’re going to have to pretend to like each other until this mission is over. You sure you’re capable of that?” He smirked, patting your shoulder as if you were one of his pals or “buddies.”
“Are you sure you’re capable of that?” You retorted, pulling up the same files Hattley just showed you onto your desktop.
“Whatever you say,” he backed away from your desk, his hands in the air, “Don’t blame me.” Another smile crept onto his lips. A small cut decorated the bottom right of his lower lip—you could see it was starting to heal already, noticing the prominent contrast between the softness and rough patches.
You glanced away from him and continued the research about your undercover mission. You let out a frustrated sigh as you continued to show up with nothing. Your evidence-gathering skills was not your strong suit. You liked to be active in the field, using practical skills to solve a problem. You wanted to interact with people, help people. Much to your jealousy, Agent Poindexter turned up pages of details to look through. The man was good at looking into people.
You both reconvened in a nearby meeting room. The thought of him invading your personal office space made you resist letting such negativity into that area. Plus, you weren’t used to being alone with him. Yet, you were going on a partnered mission. Alone. But with him.
“Some freighters have been piling up at Pier 81. We should take a look.” He pointed out, letting his index finger drop on the marked-up map he printed.
You reluctantly nodded, “We probably should.” You had to give him the credit.
Before either of you left the building, you agreed to change into your “civilian” clothes. It was more inconspicuous—Spy 101. You had put on a simple hoodie and leggings combo. When you met up with your partner outside, he had changed into an athletic jacket and sweats.
“Ready, partner?” He asked.
“Sure am, Agent Poindexter.” You took your work hair down and let your natural hair free itself.
He gulped, suddenly riveted on the smell of your shampoo. Agent Ben Poindexter was just upset at this partnering as you were. He thought you didn’t take your job seriously. He also thought you were charming. No matter what, he could hear your laugh resonate throughout the office. It was like bells ringing—the way they bounced around the room. It truly was music to his ears. He liked how you wanted to help people first over the job itself. But that’s always why he despised you. He was jealous. The both of you desperately wanted to connect with people, and you were just better at doing that. He just wanted to belong.
“Call me Dex,” he said. “Don’t want to give anything away, do we?” He tilted his head and gave you that one-sided smile. He let out a laugh and started walking down the street.
“How about Ben? The most boring name in the world shouldn’t call for much attention.” You teased and followed him.
It was a decently cold Thursday morning. Hundreds of pedestrians and cars surrounded the two of you in Hell’s Kitchen. Bicyclists zipped past, creating a stronger breeze with each passerby.
“Okay, Y/N.” He rolled his eyes.
The rest of the walk to the pier was rather peaceful. You were surrounded with people, amazed at the amount of presence that commanded the city. Ben felt rather lonely because everyone minded their own business. And, how could one feel alone in such a crowded city?
You are destined to be alone. The sneers in Ben’s head repeated. His hands curled into fists, aching to take this tension out on something—someone.
“Ben, we’re here.” Your voice snapped Ben out of his trance. The way you talked to him just now was different from usual. You could tell something was bothering him. And, just because you didn’t get along with Ben, didn’t mean that you couldn’t be a decent human being to him. Plus, you were stuck with him for the week. You couldn’t have him messing up the mission. Ben noticed the softness in your voice, something he hasn’t had the pleasure to hear because it was always constant jabs between the two of you. “Ready?”
He nodded in response, choosing to keep the cool-and-collected demeanor he has always adopted. “I’m always ready, Y/N.”
The two of you cautiously watched the people coming in and out of the pier. Sometimes it was someone on a jog, or a family pushing a stroller, but something caught your eye. Two men in all black glanced around the area before pulling the metal fence across the pier’s entrance.
“Ben, they’re closing it, we have to get in.” You pulled at his arm, speedily walking towards the soon-to-be gated entrance.
“Y/N, stop, they’re going to see us.” Ben stopped in his tracks, causing you to ricochet in your own tracks. “We have to lay low.”
You exhaled, looking around for any other covers. Ben approached the fence, looking in to see what was going on. The same two men in black started walking back towards the two of you, “Hey! What are you looking at?”
Ben quickly turned to you, “Quick, they’re coming. We have to do something.”
“Like what?” You hissed, “we should just run.”
“No! They’ve already seen our faces. That would make us more suspicious.” Ben rolled his eyes.
The men in black had their hands on their hips, clearly ready to pull out their firearms if you two were proved dangerous to their mission.
You hesitated and caught sight of a couple making out on a bench alongside the river, “Kiss me.”
“Y/N, this is not the time—” Ben scoffed.
“Just shut up,” you took matters into your own hands and grabbed the collar of Ben’s jacket to pull him closer. Without hesitation, you pressed your lips onto his. Ben reacted quickly, responding to your kiss by placing a hand on your face.
“Nevermind, boss. Just a couple of lovebirds. We’ll retrieve the package now.” One of the opponents chuckled before leaving you and Ben alone.
Never in a billion lifetimes did you think you would be kissing Special Agent Ben Poindexter. Sure, he was good-looking, but he was also smug. You hated how cold he was, and you despised the way he always had a sly look on his face whenever you did something wrong. But, this kiss was different from his usual roughness. He was soft. His lips were soft. Your heartbeat quickened, letting your hands fall from his chest but not breaking the kiss. Ben breathed you in, and neither of you stopped. It was like both of you were hungry for this sort of affection. The tension became unbearable as Ben let his hands fall from your face to your waist. He pulled you closer, pressing his sturdy body against yours. You didn’t even realize that the two of you were clear until a police siren buzzed past. You fluttered your eyes open, catching sight of how close Ben’s face was to yours. You abrupt ended the kiss, “I think we’re good.”
Ben’s mouth was agape, clearly not expecting you to pull away. He awkwardly cleared his throat, “Yeah, yeah. We’re clear.”
The two of you stood in awkward silence, unsure of what the next move was. You peered over past the gate and realized that the men had disappeared. “Shit,” you cursed and began walking away.
“Y/N,” Ben called out to you. “What?”
“We fucked up the mission.” You shook your head. “You’re gonna be the one to tell Hattley. You just have to control every little thing, don’t you?”
Ben looked at you in disbelief, “First of all, you were the one who kissed me. You distracted me. And, secondly, what just happened? We know that the shipment isn’t supposed to come for another day. We were just scoping out the area. Y/N, it’s not that serious.”
You let out a cry, “Yes, it is that serious! I cannot afford to lose this job. I need to prove my worth that I belong here.” You found a seat nearby, sulking into the cold metal.
Ben hesitantly sat next to you. He was quiet. Speechless. After what felt like hours, he spoke up, “I..I don’t hate you, you know.”
You wiped your face before looking at him, “what?”
He smirked, “you’re seriously not going to make me repeat that.”
You ignored his remark, “I know, I just..that caught me off guard.”
“I’m a very loving person, in fact.” He smiled.
You laughed, “Sure. You were very loving just a few minutes ago.”
“Okay, remember, you kissed me first.”
“To disguise us!”
“Sure, that’s a good excuse.” Ben looked down at the ground. “I guess, what I’m trying to say..is I think we’ll make a good team. And, I know that you are worthy of being here. So..” His voice drifted off as he fiddled with his fingers to hide his nervousness.
You sniffled, “Thanks, Ben. And, for the record, I don’t hate you either. I admire your commitment.”
“Thanks, Y/N. Maybe we should kiss more often.” He casually smirked, letting it transform into a smile.
“Whoa, easy there, cowboy. At least buy me lunch first. I’m starving.” You laughed. Ben stood up and held out his hand for you to grab. Without hesitation, you gladly accepted it and stood up beside him.
“See?” Ben exhaled and draped one of his arms around your shoulder, “I knew we’d make a good team, partner.”
synopsis ╾ a very special agent and a very special dancer face the reality of their true feelings.
warnings ╾ kissy kissy, murder ment (cus it’s dex), tiny blood ment (still dex)
a/n ╾ wow. this was fun. expect some more dex content cus i have concepts for days ajdhajdjsjd
p.s. i included lyrics from “lost boy” by 5sos HAHAHA
[disclaimer: i rarely proofread so please excuse any and all errors!!!]
———
Dex has been on a week rampage ever since he left you on your stoop that night. First, he went for the politician that violated you. He found him at another party, probably preparing himself to do whatever-the-fuck he did to you. And, Dex wasn’t going to let that happen. He wanted to keep you safe from every single bad thing in the world...even if it would be from a distance. Even if he was one of those bad things. There was joy when he watched the politician’s life fade from his eyes. Dex managed to get him alone in the hostess’s office before hurling a pair of nearby scissors into the center of his forehead.
Then, Dex went for himself. He ruined nearly everything in his apartment. He punched holes in the wall, propelled dishes across the living room, let out guttural screams. He was angry. At you. At himself. At the world. He knew that sending you into his life was punishment for all the bad deeds he has done. For all the lives he took. And the comfort he felt when he destroyed people. It was only a matter of time until he harmed you next. He couldn’t change. Being a bad person was in his blood. He wasn’t worth redemption. He wasn’t worthy enough for you.
Dex continued to wonder what your life was like now that he was out of the equation. Although you never saw him, he always made sure you made it home after work, even if it meant losing sleep. You looked nice tonight; a shade of red decorated your full lips, your hair was freshly curled that with each step they bounced, and you had on a dress. ‘This is new,’ Dex thought to himself. He wondered what the occasion was. It couldn’t have been a roommate’s birthday because—naturally—he knew each of their birthdays. The closest one wasn’t until a few more months.
“Hey!” You chirped as you walked further down the street. “So good to see you.”
Dex’s eyes followed your trail and came upon another man. He could already feel the jealousy boiling inside him, his stomach twisted at the sight of you with someone else. You placed a soft kiss on your date’s cheek, smiling as he interlaced his fingers with yours.
“Ready?” Your date grinned.
You nodded in response. You felt something tug at your heartstrings, causing you to look over at the spot Dex usually waited for you after you finished work. You were only met with emptiness, but you deeply longed to see his chiseled, lop-sided smile widen when you stepped out of the backstage door. You would be lying to yourself if you said this date was purely for fun. You were looking for a distraction. You have never met anyone like Dex before. His aloofness drew you in even more. It was something you recognized in your self before you moved to New York. You knew how much it hurt to not be heard or seen. Maybe it was the reason why you decided to become a dancer at a strip club in the first place. You would often question why you craved such validation. But, with Dex, he didn’t just give you validation, he gave you his wholehearted attention.
And, you missed him. A lot. You couldn’t get that fateful night out of your head. You saw him in your dreams. You told your roommates about him, which—to be fair—was a big step in your relationship. You cried over him. You felt as if you had lost a piece of yourself when Dex left. You couldn’t understand how someone so temporary left a permanent mark on your being.
“Y/N? Is everything alright?” Your date asked. Before you knew it, your date was over and you were standing in the same spot where Dex broke your heart.
You exhaled, “Yeah, yeah. Everything is fine.”
“Are you sure? You seemed kind of...distant tonight.” Your date stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I just hope you enjoyed yourself.”
“Don’t worry, I did.” You placed a fake smile on your face, something you were getting too used to. “Thanks for dropping me home.”
“Can I see you again?” He asked hopefully.
You hesitated, “Oh, sure. Just send me a text or something.”
Your date grinned. He began to lean closer to you, fluttering his eyes closed. You asked yourself how long you wanted this distraction to last. But, you weren’t sure how long Dex would be away for. You had hope… But, a little kiss wouldn’t hurt. You felt something whiz past your face.
“Ow, shit.” Your date pulled away from you, rubbing his temple. “I think I just got hit with a rock.” Small droplets of blood were beginning to trickle down the side of his face.
“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” You gasped. You looked around to catch any potential perpetrators. “Should I call 911?”
Your date let out a laugh, “No, it’s okay. It must’ve fallen from a tree or something. I’ll tend to it when I get home. Goodnight, Y/N.” He awkwardly hugged you before leaving.
You groaned once your date was out of hearing. What a terrible night. Could it get any worse? You entered your apartment, immediately bombarded with questions from your roommates.
“How was it? Did you two kiss? What did you talk about?” They desperately asked.
“Fine, no, and I don’t remember. I was too busy thinking about Dex the entire time.” You groaned even more. “What is wrong with me?”
One of them guided you to the couch, “Nothing’s wrong with you! Dex was hot, so I don’t blame you.” You let out a small laugh, feeling a little bit alleviated.
“Should I text him?” You wondered out loud.
“No,” they chimed in unison.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” You sighed and sank deeper into the seat cushions.
Dex stood silently outside of your apartment’s front door. He followed behind your date, ready to pounce on his next victim, but something held him back—he couldn’t stop thinking about you. He thought about what you would think of him. He wanted you to be proud of him. He wanted to make you proud, so he restrained himself. Now, he was standing outside as if you were expecting him. You weren’t, obviously, but you hoped he would show up. But, tonight was not the night. Dex decided to let you be and went home early.
You were perfection. He has been waiting for somebody like you. But, Dex didn’t want to ruin you. He was sad in silence, living in a world of noise. His head buzzed with self-effacing notions. He was without direction. He was lost. Dex wanted to be found. You wanted to find him.
Maybe that’s why you showed up to the FBI office. Agents bustled in and out the glass front doors. You waited patiently outside, unsure about your next move. Were you going to wait outside? Or go inside the building to look for Dex? You paced back and forth on the sidewalk, “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.” You thought about the way Dex made you feel. Right now, you were angry. But, when you were with him, you had no other care in the world. You felt safe with him. He was always there for you. He listened to you. He empathized with you—something that you found rare at the Northstar Lounge. You quickly found composure and decided to just fuck it all and find Dex.
Dex couldn’t wait any longer either. He needed you. He wanted to run away from the loneliness that haunted his every waking moment. He wanted to find his way back to you. Being with you was his will to live. He would beg you to stay with him. If you ever left him… “Stop it,” he scolded himself. It was so hard, trying to abandon his past. The malignant thoughts buzzed in his head, but you were his Polaris, his Northstar. He couldn’t be without you. You guided him. “Hey, boss. I’m going to get some air.” Dex threw on his jacket before heading for those same glass doors you were standing in front of.
“Dex,” you breathlessly gasped, clearly getting caught off guard.
“Y/N,” his jaw dropped a little bit. “What are you doing here? Stalking me?” He readjusted his tie, trying to restrain a sly smile from creeping onto his lips. You let out a laugh—music that Dex felt were just as bright and joyous as wind chimes.
You shook your head, raking through excuses to avoid the truth. You weren’t going to fold that easily. “I just happened to be in the neighborhood. I didn’t realize you work here.”
Dex let out a laugh this time—it was raspy, but it was a satisfying itch to your ears. There was silence for a few moments. The tension in the air was not hard to miss. Both of you wanted to say something, but you were scared of the other’s response. You wanted to ask what went wrong. Dex wanted to ask how he could make it up to you.
“I..I was just going to go for a walk by the water. Care to join?” Dex spoke up, hoping a neutral place would be more refreshing. You couldn’t contain your smile and nodded. Almost out of instinct, you reached up to grab his upper arm, causing Dex to tense up, not used to your touch anymore—he wanted you to never let go. The two of you reached a bench that overlooked the river. Dex gestured for you to sit down, and he followed suit. He awkwardly cleared his throat, “How have you been?”
You debated on telling the truth or giving him a general answer. On one hand, you could tell him how you really felt. Or, you could let him take the wheel. You weren’t ready to be led on again. You had to be sure that he wanted to be with you, just as much as you wanted to be with him. “I’ve been better. And yourself?”
Dex sighed, conflicted between the two choices too. He had a hard time with his feelings, coming to terms with his raw, scary emotions. He wanted to please you, to make you happy. You watched him attentively. “It’s been hard. It’s been really hard.” He gulped. He looked up at you to see your reaction. You stared back at him with your big, dewy doe eyes that he had been enchanted by ever since he first saw you. Even before you approached him at the club, he had already taken note of you. The way you sturdily walked, the way your hips swayed, the way your eyes gleamed when the stage lights highlighted your face. He admired the way your smile never faltered.
“With work?” You feeblemindedly asked. You weren’t going to jump the gun.
Dex took a deep breath, clenching his arms into fists to relieve some tension, “Without you.” He tightened his jaw, “I’m sorry for what I did, Y/N.”
You paused, uncertain of how to approach him. Dex desperately searched your face for any sign of a response. You pursed your lips, “why did you do it then?” You were genuinely curious. You thought the two of you got along well. You thought your friendship could be something more than just an exchange.
“Love, you’re..you’re a good person. And, I-I just feel like I’m..I’m drowning. No matter how hard I try I can’t get a grip on anything. I’m losing myself, and I can’t get any air…but, when I’m with you, it’s like you’re my lifeline. Like, you’re air that I need to breathe. I was scared.”
“Scared of what?” You went to grab his hand, but he pulled away. You flinched, “Dex. I—”
“I was scared of hurting you. I didn’t want to pull you into this void with me. You’re a really good girl, and I need someone like you. But, maybe you were just too good. I’m not worth it. Love, I-I’m just sorry.” He exhaled harshly, trying to keep his composure. He wanted to be strong for you.
You sat back onto the wooden frame of the bench. He glanced over at you, noting your shift in posture—it was as if you had lost your light. “Dex, can I tell you something?” His silence was a response in itself. “I normally don’t like being called my stage name out in public. It never felt natural to take it outside of my work. You know, when I’m called by that, it’s usually followed by a command or a back-handed compliment or even a dirty comment. Love was never kind to me.” You sucked in a breath, “But with you, it feels different. It feels..good. You brought a whole new meaning to that name. It’s like a nickname. It has a purpose, a story, like I’m art.” Dex blossomed with every word that was coming out of your perfect mouth. “Dex, I guess what I’m trying to say is that you make me feel safe.” You looked over at him to find Dex looking back intently.
He wanted to move closer to you so he could cup your cheeks and bring your lips to his. He wanted to run his hands down your neck until they reached your waist. He knew how right you would feel in his arms, his hands, in between his fingers.
“And, while we’re being honest… It hurt when you left that night. I thought I meant enough to you that I could at least have an explanation.” You sniffled, looking away to keep the tears from falling.
“Love…” Dex was speechless, but he wanted to make things right. He needed you. Most importantly, you needed him. “Love, I..that was never my intention. I never wanted to hurt you. It hurt me just as much that night. I don’t know how I can make it up to you…but, please, if you give me the chance. I’m sorry.”
You took the leap and scooted closer to him. You couldn’t stand the distance between the two of you. You longed for his cold touch, his warm stature, his steady arms. You took the liberty and rested your head on his shoulder, prompting him to make room for you. He lifted his arm and placed it around you, letting his own head fall on top of yours. This felt right—heck, it was perfect. Dex wanted to live in this position for the rest of his life, “I’m so so sorry. Please don’t leave me. You’re everything to me.”
You configured yourself to look at him properly, “Dex, I forgive you. You need to trust me. I’m not going anywhere.” You promised.
Dex glanced down at you, fully taking you in. Sunlight shaded your eyes in such a way that made it impossible to focus on anything else. His heart sped up as his gaze drank the rest of your face. He gently placed a hand on your cheek, using his finger to trace your profile—from the height of your cheekbones to your bottom lip. His thumb lightly brushed against your lips before resting on your chin. Your breath trembled as he pulled your face upward to kiss you.
Dex’s hand floated up to your face, pressing his lips against yours without hesitation. His lips were warm and soft, a complete contrast to his chilling touch. You could taste your shared breath, inducing you to deepen the kiss. At this moment, it was just the two of you. The sounds of New York never ceased—the cars honking, a police siren blaring past, live music playing from a restaurant nearby. Nothing else mattered. Everything else in the world faded away because he was so transfixed on breathing you in. The kiss was dizzying but healing. Butterflies danced in your stomach because everything about this felt right. Being with Dex was right. You didn’t need anything else. Dex didn’t want anything else other than you.
Breathing deeply, Dex nudged his nose against yours and tried to calm his flustered heart. Your hands had traveled to the hand resting on his lap. Without any thought, you guided his free hand to rest on your thigh. You didn’t let go; instead, you held onto him. Dex ran his thumb along the inner stitches of your pants, ruffling the fabric and your own breathing. For once in his life, Dex felt relaxed. He could feel his cheeks flushing red, his heartbeat beating itself out of his chest. Time stopped, but he never ceased the relentless attention he had on you. You invaded all his senses, and he understood that you made him feel just as safe. This was all he’s ever wanted. Dex reluctantly pulled away, the two of you breathing heavily but happily. “I was lost without you.” Dex rested his forehead against yours, “Thank you for finding me.”
KDKSJFSKFN LOST IS SO GOOD?? i love dex and i love that you’re writing for him 😭 please tell me there will be at least one more followup part where they end up happy together 🥺💗
SJDAJSDHAHSJD THANK YOU stop i have so much fun writing w/ him i--- YES ill write a part 3 omg <33 thank you!!!
𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 ╾ bad the farmer tells y/n how to get to the kingdom, meaning she has to venture in a lush forest full of thieves and magical creatures. within the forest, y/n runs into a band of bandits.
𝐚/𝐧 ╾ i am terrible at writing fantasy so this series is a bit out of my comfort zone but i am having so much fun! also, im sorry for not updating omg. i just got bit by a writing bug and im quarantined so i have the time to write lmao,, thank you all for the support so far <3
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
After being so graciously welcomed into Bad’s humble abode, he began cooking some food he gathered earlier.
“I take it you must be awfully hungry. Well, most travelers are when they journey through this barren land.” Bad noted, “I’m lucky to have been blessed with such fertile land. Other families had to move away and closer to the kingdom to provide for themselves. It’s rather unfortunate.”
“You’re all alone out here?” You couldn’t help but feel sorrow for the farmer. You could tell that he was a kind soul—his allowance of your stay was more than enough evidence.
Bad let the fire crackle in response before responding himself, “Nowadays. It’s alright, it’s peaceful. It’s something I could get used to after what happened these past few years. I’ve learned to cherish this time with myself. Not a lot of people have this privilege.”
“Wow,” you commended him for his strength. Something within you couldn’t help my disagree. Loneliness is something you weren’t searching for. You knew that you arrived in this part of this infinite world to find something...somebody. But, you weren’t sure who. You just knew that you had to continue your adventure elsewhere.
But, it would be nice to have company for a night, especially after the terrors of last night. Bad finished preparing the meal for two: a nice roasted piece of lamb with some berries and bread. You were grateful for his kindness.
“So, what brings you to these parts?” Bad struck up a conversation.
You glanced around his home, wondering what it would be like to settle down in a place like this—surrounded by animals, crops, and open land. “I’m- I’m honestly not sure. When I first arrived I, I couldn’t remember anything. I just knew that I had to keep moving and keep myself safe. Survival instincts, I guess. But I know my journey isn’t over yet.”
“Then, it must be just beginning!” He responded gleefully, “the land of Craft is full of opportunities. You are sure to find a purpose in the kingdom. However, it is a little whiles away from here. I would take you, but I’m afraid I have to take care of my property.”
“Please, don’t worry about it. You have extended your charity more than needed. Would you happen to point me in the right direction?” You smiled before taking another bite of your food.
“It’d be my pleasure, muffin!” He eagerly agreed. You beamed at his nickname for you—a sense of belonging surged through your body. After dinner, he pulled out a map of the kingdom and surrounding territories. “We are here. A large, dense forest separates us from the kingdom. Some landmarks that mark you’re going the right way is the towering spider mound, the field of creeper holes, and the large willow tree. Trust me, you can’t miss these. But, make sure you make ground during daylight because that’s when mobs are friendly.” Bad instructed, “you should leave at dawn tomorrow if you plan on reaching the kingdom whilst it’s still light out.”
“I intend to,” you nodded. “Thank you, Bad, I truly appreciate it.”
“Anytime! I’m happy to help a traveller. I hope you find what you’re looking for.” Bad yawned, “I’m going to bed. You can go ahead and set yourself up in the guest bedroom down the hall. And, please, help yourself to any and all things. I’ll be up early in the morning to help you.”
You thanked him again, yawning yourself, and went to go check out your bedroom for the night. You were happy to not be sleeping on a dirt floor this night. A single bed with red bedsheets stood in front of you, paired with a wall of bookshelves and a window that peered into the darkness outside. It was all encapsulating, to think that tomorrow you would be continuing your journey in a whole new world. You were excited but also extremely nervous. It felt like everything you were doing was on a whim. You didn’t have a real plan, and you were someone to go with the flow... But, this was different. It felt as if you had left an entire lifetime behind. You weren’t sure who or what you were looking for—all you knew was that you needed saving.
The next morning, you woke up to the sound of Bad digging up some dirt to cultivate. He was definitely up early. The sun had barely broken out from the horizon yet. You quickly got out of bed and walked into the living room for some snacks you could bring. On the table that hosted your dinner last night was a sack full of supplies. Bad had left a note on it that read “Safe travels.” The bag contained food, canteens of water, extra clothes, and a blanket. He also tucked away a knife and sheath, hoping you would have something to defend yourself just in case.
“Is there anything else you need?” Bad came back into the house, his entire body speckled with dirt.
“This is perfect. Thank you, Bad. I don’t know how to pay you back, I owe you so much.” You gave him a hug, not minding the dirt sticking to your own clothes.
Bad shrugged, “Ah. Don’t worry about it. Your company was enough compensation. I truly wish you luck, Y/N.”
“Thank you.” You repeated and hoisted the backpack onto your shoulders. “I’ll visit once I can.”
“Thank you,” Bad smiled, his heart taken aback as no visitor has promised that before.
After saying your goodbyes, Bad the farmer steered you in the right direction. He told you to follow the sun’s path and keep a look out for thieves that plagued the kingdom pathway. And, with that, you set off on foot.
The first few hours weren’t bad. The spider mound was quiet as all the creatures were tucked away in their holes as if scared of the sun. You caught glimpses of their glowing red eyes, but you tried not to bother them and kept moving forward.
Just as you came across the field of creeper holes, a fleeting whistle whipped past your ear—an arrow. You followed its path, silently thanking (and praying) that it wasn’t aimed at you. The arrow thudded with a hissing noise onto the green mob standing meters away from you—hidden by the dense bushes that surrounded the damaged prairie.
“You okay, miss?” A youthful voice called out to you, coming from behind the same bushes that hid the deadly monster.
You squeaked out a response and turned to find a young boy holding a bow and arrow. Behind him was a crowd of other youth, pulling along livestock and a repurposed carriage. “Who are you?”
“Well, they call me Robin Hood around these parts. But, I prefer Tubbo, m’lady.” The brown-haired boy gave you an exaggerated bow.
“You’re quite the bandit, huh?” You joked, “You have a great crew. Where are you all headed?”
“The kingdom, of course! I have some creeper heads to sell for a fortune.” Tubbo chirped, placing the arrow he just shot back into his carrier.
“The kingdom! Why, may I join you?” You asked.
Tubbo nodded enthusiastically, “I thought you’d never ask.”
a/n ╾ i wrote this instead of doing my homework. anyways. possible part 3? im truly just writing this for myself hahaha
———
The next time you saw Agent Poindexter was at the same booth the two of you met in at the nightclub. For the past couple of nights, he has been coming back to visit you—as if he could not get enough of you. And, to be fair, you were used to these types of characters becoming regulars...but you never expected an FBI agent taking a liking to you. But, you were sure that maybe this was his weird way of getting to know you.
"Agent Dex, what can I do for you today?" You greeted him, leaning over the table, letting your perfumed smell engulf him.
Dex took a deep breath before clearing his throat, "maybe a talk?"
"That'll be $5," you joked and slid into the seat next to him, resting your legs on his lap. Usually, you wouldn't have made yourself comfortable with a client like him, but you couldn't help but tease the agent. Plus, you were still on the clock. "How was work today?" You fiddled with the collar of his button down, making it clear he just came from the office.
He placed a hesitant hand around your ankle, his grip reassuring yet overprotective. His corresponding thumb carelessly glided across your skin, his own skin was cold to the touch, sending shivers up your exposed leg. "Well, we sent some really bad guys to prison."
"You probably saved a whole lot of lives today, huh?" You brushed a strand of your hair behind your ear. "I'm sure it's rewarding."
He let out a sigh, his thumb never ceasing the skin-to-skin contact on your ankle. His mind sped up, completely consumed with malign thoughts about who he was, was he really deserving of this being saved? With someone as kind as you? While he was busy lost in his mind, his breath was rapidly speeding up.
"Dex? Are you okay?" You asked, planting your feet on the ground in case you needed to attend to him. You reached over to place your hand on top of his. Without a second though nor a detectable reflex—his instincts were fast—he grabbed your arm. You flinched, shocked by the power in his grip. "Dex?" You repeated, trying to feign calmness.
He looked over at you with a concerned sorrow in his eyes, "Love, I-I'm sorry. It's just a lot... You are, you are just so considerate." He sucked in a breath, revealing a slight dimple with his smirk. "And, I... I just admire that about you. You make me feel...welcomed, like I'm a person."
You pouted, "Aw, Dex. I mean, you went through a lot. You're entitled to feel that way. I'm glad I could make your day somehow."
"You see, that's, that's exactly what I mean. You, you care." He loosened his grip on your wrist, "I'm sorry, my—" before he could finish his sentence, you both heard another patron say your name.
"Love! I'm here," you turned to the source of the voice and made eye contact with your most prominent regular. And, get this, he was a politician. The two of you met at the club, and you were the one girl he laid eyes on. He was dressed in a dark blue button down with a patterned tie. He held his hands out, "See you in five?"
You let out a flirtatious scoff, "whatever you say, sir." You turned back to Dex, whose face was quickly flaring up. "I'll be back, if you wanna wait."
Dex took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, and nodded. "Sure, I'll be here."
"Let me get you some water first," you reached out to squeeze his hand. You stood up from the booth and passed by the politician, you flashed him a smile, "You know where to go." He let out a lazy grin, scratching his nose fervently—yep, definitely coked out.
He chuckled in response and slipped towards the backrooms where most private dancers were held. You headed over to the bar, dropping a tip for the bartender to pick up a cup of water. You made your way over back to Dex, who didn't seem to have moved at all since you left.
"Thanks, Love." He couldn't meet your eyes. You nodded in response before going to the other side of the club.
You knew you would be lying if you said you weren't attracted to Dex—I mean, he was the iconic mysterious and clearly troubled guy trope. But, he was also so sweet, and it seemed like he just needed a friend. Although, at times when you two are truly left alone at the club, you have gotten so physically close together that you can't forget the feeling of his warm breath hitting your lips. Of course, with your nature of career, that wasn't allowed. Yet, with his reoccurrence, he still hasn't properly asked you out. Him showing up to your work almost every night was not your ideal date.
And, Dex knew that too. In fact, he knew a lot about you. During the day, when he was off from work, he often passed by your apartment. Sometimes, if he was lucky enough, he would catch glimpses of you through the living room window. He often imagined what you did during your free time. He also wondered why you came to New York to live in an artists' loft with four other roommates. Ben Poindexter was absolutely captivated by you, his Love. All he wanted was to be around you, be near you, be with you, Y/N. His research revealed a lot about your personal life. He often scrolled through your social media when he wasn't around you. He knew your hometown, your NYC dream, your most-frequented coffee shop...
But, he claimed his research wasn't in a stalker way. He was just curious. He longed for connection, and it felt like you were the only person who understand and empathized with the FBI agent. It angered him that you were taken away from him tonight. The one time he could be with you in a public space, and you were gone. He hoped that man you were with wasn't harming you. Dex doesn't even want to think of the things he would do if that man was hurting you. His steady fingers tightened around the glass cup in front of him. He imagined numerous ways to send the shards of glass into the backroom, carefully avoiding you. His precision and accuracy was something he was known for, whether it was alarming or impressive.
"That's enough!" You quickly stormed out of the backroom, absolutely fuming because of the politician's unusual behavior. He used to be so sweet and generous, but tonight he was just an utter dick. Dex quickly stood up, ready to rush to your aid, but he couldn't follow you into the dressing room without getting stopped by security.
He flashed his FBI badge, "This is part of an ongoing investigation."
"Sure, whatever, lover boy." The security guard scoffed and looked the other way. More shouting erupted from the backroom you just left, causing all the security guards to rush over to see what was happening. Dex licked his lips, he could have taken care of the situation in a more justified manner, but he could only think about you.
While the security guards were busy, he slipped into the dressing room door. He carefully navigated past the lockers and mirrors, trying to get to you. And, once he found you, he was locked on. You were using makeup wipes to clean your tear-stained face.
"Y/N," Dex breathed out, relieved that you were physically okay.
You let out a gasp, "Dex? What are you doing in here?"
"I- I, uh," he realized how odd this moment seemed but he couldn't bare to lie with you anymore. He tensed up his jaw, "I wanted to make sure you're okay."
You nodded, "Yeah. I'll be fine, I just have to get out of here." You took a deep breath and quickly pulled on your pants and hoodie.
"Let me see you home," Dex offered.
You shook your head, "Let's grab a drink or something." Dex hesitated but agreed. "Wait for me outside?"
"Sure, of course." Dex nodded and made his way back out the dressing room. He steered clear of the security guards and made his way into the cool NYC night. He wasn't one for loud, dark, enclosed spaced—it made him feel alone. But he was doing this for you. He knew that he would be lost without you.
You grabbed the rest of your stuff and took the exit from the dressing room. You looked around and saw Dex standing to the side of the club door. Your heartbeat fastened at the sight of him, he looked calm and composed, his posture straightened with his hands in his pants' pockets.
"Hey," you walked up to him. "Ready? The bar isn't too far from here."
He cleared his throat, "Yeah, let's do it." You smiled and laced your arm around his upper-arm. He tensed at your touch, but you needed to feel safe. It was a short, brisk walk to the bar you enjoyed going to. Most of your girl friends would go there after work.
The two of you enjoyed yourselves. You welcomed a rum-based drink, but Dex stuck to a glass of water. There was awkward silence between the two of you, but you didn't really mind. It was refreshing letting yourself rest and not endlessly talk for extra tips. You could tell Dex was tense about something. He could not stop fiddling with the pen intertwined in his fingers. He was so meticulous. Your breath hitched in your throat—again, Dex was attractive.
And you were feeling pretty brave after a couple of shots. Your attraction to him was making your imagination run out of control. Late at night, after another close call with him, you imagined what would have happened if there weren't any restrictions. You thought about how warm his sculptured body would be on top of you, his strong arms wrapped around your waist, teasing the waistline of your pants. His warm, needy breath hitting the soft spot on your neck.
You stumbled over back to your table, "Dex. What if I told you that you could take me home tonight?"
He chuckled, "I'd say you're crazy." He put the pen down onto the table. "Are you feeling alright, Y/N?"
"What happened to calling me Love," you drawled your stage name out. You paused, "I don't remember ever telling you my real name."
"You don't? Didn't think I was that forgettable..." He joked and took a sip of his water.
"Whatever," you groaned and rested your head on the table. "I think it's time to sleep."
"Love, let me get you home first." Dex pleaded, standing up and placing some cash on the table. "Come on," he lifted you up, carefully placing your arm around his waist for support.
You snuggled into the side of his body. You could feel his strength, his stability, but you could also feel his warmth—which made you sink into his figure even more. "Whatever you say, agent." You tightened your hold on him.
The walk back to your apartment was longer than usual because you kept dragging your feet. You felt so sluggish, and you didn't want this night to end. It felt nice to actually spend time with Dex outside of the Northstar Lounge. You wondered if this could be a normal thing—you and him taking long nightly walks through the neighborhood, maybe even by the water. You wanted more than just a customer relationship. You felt like both of you wanted more—why else would he visit you all the time to not even receive the services provided at the strip club? You could always sense his eyes on you, he wasn't afraid to hide it.
"And, we're here." Dex hoisted you up to see if you could stand on your own. You teetered on the sidewalk, clearly unbalanced. "Easy there, soldier. You gonna be okay?"
"Is there anything you want to tell me?" You blurted out, suddenly feeling sober thoughts again.
"What do you mean?" Dex rocked in his spot, tucking his nervous hands into his pockets.
"I've seen the way you look at me when you think I don't notice," you pointed out, "and it's definitely not for the same reason those other guys do at the lounge."
Dex pursed his lips, "I...I don't have an answer for you."
You let out a laugh in disbelief. You were burning for him, you wanted to get past his walls that he seemed to always have up. He was always guarded, was it because of his profession? Was he just not capable of opening up? To discuss feelings? You wanted to be with him so badly, "Okay, I thought you were just playing hard to get but it's starting to get old, Dex. I don't know about you, but I know what I want. From this. From...you." You pursed your lips, watching his face turn to stone. Without the alcohol in your system, you would have never been this brave. You probably would've just allowed yourself to continue getting played—never good enough for something more than just a typical fling. A toy. "You know what, it's fine. Goodnight, Dex." You turned towards the front door to leave, but you felt a tentative hand grab your elbow.
"Y/N, wait." He spoke up. "Stay with me, please." He sighed, "Please."
Your body screamed to press up against him, just engulf him in your embrace. But your mind said to not let him take advantage of your kindness. Then, your heart argued to listen to what he had to say...and, of course, your heart always won.
"Dex—" you sighed.
"I want to know everything about you." He interrupted. "I, I want you. You're the first person I think about when I wake up, and I can't stop thinking about you. I think I would do anything for you. I'd go...anywhere. No one has ever made me feel like this, like I've been seen. And heard. You make me feel like I belong. You listen to my concerns, and...and I feel like I'm not alone with you. I feel like I can do the right thing with you." Dex blurted out, like he was holding this in for a long time. You remained silent. "And, and, I want to kiss you."
"Then kiss me," you breathlessly demanded. Dex instantly followed your command and cupped your face, bringing it closer to his. Your lips accidentally brushed against his for a moment, his roughness contrasting your soft, glossy ones. The two of you paused—your breaths overlapping one another's—before you pulled him back down to connect again. This time was different, it was desperate and passionate—like it was now-or-never. You threw your arms around his neck to press your body against his. He was so steady and sure, whilst you felt like such a mess. His hands slid down from your face to the small of your back, clutching at the fabric separating his hands from your soft skin.
Dex may have had nothing to drink tonight, but he was absolutely drunk off of the taste of your lip gloss. He was hungry, he truly couldn't get enough. He wanted so much more, but he wasn't going to push it. It already took him off guard that you wanted to kiss him back in the first place. But, he knew it would be dangerous to continue kissing you this way. He couldn't believe this was happening. Dex tilted his head to deepen the kiss, desperately trying to avoid the end of this moment. You let out a moan into his mouth, "Dex."
You whispering his name against his lips made him snap back into his senses. He wanted to continue so badly but then he thought about the future. The pain he could potentially cause. You didn't deserve that. You were better than him. And, he desperately wanted to be good like you. "Y/N," he breathed out before abruptly pulling away. He was afraid of evolving into something more. "I'm sorry."
"What's wrong?" You asked breathlessly, recovering from this intimate moment. "Dex?"
Dex stepped back from you, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry."
"Dex, what's going on?" You were concerned. Did you do something wrong?
"We are not the same and never will be." He mumbled under his breath.
"Excuse me?" You furrowed your brow in confusion.
"You're just too good for me, Y/N. I- I hurt people." Dex confessed.
You shook your head, "What are you talking about?"
"You're not safe here. With me."
"Dex, stop pushing me away. Please." You reached out to grab his hands. "I want this. You! Why are you being like this?"
"You make me feel...special." Dex exhaled, "like I'm worth saving."
"You deserve to be," you said. "Dex, I- I like you."
Dex remained silent for a few moments. His breath quickened, his chest heaving up and down.
"Dex, breathe." You placed a hand on his chest.
"I'm sorry. Goodbye, my Love." He shook his head and turned to leave, abandoning you on your front steps.
synopsis ╾ a long night at the nyc gentlemen’s club results in a brewing attraction between a certain fbi agent and dancer
warnings ╾ flirting?? that’s all really. maybe slight nsfw hahah but nothing serious
a/n ╾ i just finished watching daredevil and i have found my muse.. possible spicy part 2? (;
———
“Come on, girls! Let’s go!” Your boss shouted into the dressing room, music blasting from the club behind him. “Can’t keep the gentlemen waiting!”
You rolled your eyes and continued taking your time with fixing your makeup. The private dance you finished earlier got a little too handsy for your liking, so you had to redo your look. You carefully outlined your eyes with black eyeliner, adding gems to the inner and outer corners of your eyes along the way. You continued to add more highlight before taking out the messy ponytail you had. You quickly brushed it out, letting your natural hair waterfall onto your shoulders, effectively accentuating your collarbones.
Then, you changed your pink outfit into a dark purple one, paired with your usual black stilettos. You quickly sprayed on perfume before following your fellow dancers out the door onto the main-stage. You placed a smile on your face, quickly maneuvering yourself around the dancing pole in the middle of the stage. Men with wads of cash carelessly threw dollar bills by your feet, clearly desperate for your attention. You chuckled to yourself, sliding into the floor to teasingly pick up your earnings.
This routine of dancing, changing, refreshing, back to dancing on stage, dancing on people, and changing again was how you spent your usual nights. Dancing at a strip club in New York City was your survival job—and, hey, who’s to judge? It has been your dream to live in that so-called “city that never sleeps.”
You finished the night with $3000 in your pocket, which was pretty good for an early Friday night. You asked for the weekend off because you have been working nonstop for the past month. You said goodnight to your friends and headed for the closest bus stop.
The “Northstar Lounge” was located closer to Times Square, but you lived in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen with a few roommates—majority of them your age. When you came home that night, all four of them were there as well. They cheered when you walked in, knowing that you had a stay-cation weekend. You smiled in response and quickly dove into your room to change.
When you came out, you had a comfortable outfit on and quickly found yourself melting into the couch. They huddled over to you, offering water or some snacks—being the angels they are. After providing a bag of popcorn and pizza, they made themselves comfortable on the couch with you.
It was the most amazing, relaxing night of your life. You realized you should probably take breaks more often, but that dream quickly faded when your closest coworker called you on Saturday.
“BITCH,” they squealed into the phone, “you have to come to tonight. These fuckin’ FBI weirdos are renting out the place. So weird, but it has gotta pay well. Come on, it’ll be fun!”
You considered it for a moment, remembering that you loved the job for it’s interesting characters and learning about the people who come in. And, this would be the next-best gossip for the next couple of days—you couldn’t miss this. You groaned, “Fine. I’ll see you later.”
You dragged yourself out of the bed to prepare yourself for the next couple of hours. You promised to just sleep in tomorrow morning. You threw on your favorite dance outfit before putting on regular clothes.
You said bye to the other roommate who stayed in tonight before heading to the club. You checked in with security and your boss before heading backstage.
“There she is!” One of your friends screamed at your arrival. You greeted everyone with kisses and then headed to your mirror. You touched up on your makeup, switched out your stud earrings for hoops, took off your outerwear, and pulled your heels on.
Music bounced off the walls of the club with lights flickering here and there to add to the ambiance. It was darker than usual, but you figured because it was a “work” event. You ignored the circumstances and made your way across the room.
You greeted various agents and officers, none of them catching your eye. You scanned the room so more, searching for the right person to sort-of interview. Just as you were about to head in to change, you crossed paths with an agent with perfectly slicked, dark blonde (nearly brunette) hair sitting by himself in the darkest private booth.
He seemed like he wasn’t enjoying self, nor that he wanted to be there in the first place. You strutted over to him, letting yourself get swept away with compliments by some passing agents. When you reached out, he had already seen you coming.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to do anything.” He gave you a slight nod, pursing his lips in awkwardness.
You grinned, “No worries. How about a chat instead”
He hesitated, “Oh, sure. Can’t guarantee I’ll tip as much as the rest of the guys out there.”
You let out a laugh, “What’s your name, agent?” You slid in the seat next to him, catching a glimpse of his fading cologne combined with a hint of sweat—god, you were entranced.
“My friends call me Dex,” he took a sip of his drink. “What’s yours, ma’am?”
“Definitely not ma’am. And, we’re friends now, Dex?” You reached over to dust some lint off his jacket.
“We could be,” he whispered in response, pulling closer to your face before going for another sip.
You were slightly caught off guard by his behavior, but you weren’t complaining. A good work night always consisted off heated flirting, “they call me Love.”
“You sure that’s really your name?” It felt like he could see right through your lies.
“Sorry, I’m working. And we’re not friends.” You teased and stood up to leave him wanting more.
“Love, wait,” Dex cleared his throat. He opened his mouth to finish his thought, but it never came.
You sighed in an exaggerated, exasperated manner, “I’ll stay.”
“Good,” he nervously laughed, “I’m not used to being here.”
“That’s okay, I can do whatever you’re comfortable with.” You shrugged, making yourself comfortable in the seat across from him. This allowed him to get a full look at you—and he was captivated by your essence. He doesn’t remember seeing anyone so perfect, so commanding before.
“Sure,” Dex gulped, his head buzzing with thoughts. He took a deep breath and pushed them away. “You from New York?”
You shook your head, “you?”
“Me neither,” he responded. “Do you like it here?”
You nodded, “you?”
“Yeah, I really enjoy my job.” Dex smirked as if a happy memory came back to him.
You smiled in response, “that’s good to hear. Don’t know if I can say the same things sometimes.” You playfully played off the last part.
“What makes you say that?” He asks, genuinely curious.
“Sometimes men suck,” you shrugged and leaned back into the cushioned pillow behind you.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“It’s okay, it’s not your fault,” you smiled and placed your hand on the table that separated you two. You hesitantly glanced at his hand, just mere inches away from yours.
You and Dex continued to talk throughout the night in profound water-cooler conversations—small talk that allowed you two to get to know each other better. He was really an interesting character: he was in the army, he worked at a suicide prevention hotline, and he played baseball. So, when the party left, you were kind of disappointed to see Dex go.
And, what sucks most, is that you didn’t get any of his information nor did he get any of yours. You sulked back to the dressing room to get ready to go home. You did your usual nightly routine and hopped on the next bus to your apartment.
When you made it to your stop, you quickly got off to rush home. You hated being out in your neighborhood late for every and all safety reasons. You heard rustling in the bushes across the street, which was enough to prompt you to speedily walk to your front door.
———
The next morning you woke up decently late. You decided to spend the day running errands since you had the time to take your time. You were able to do laundry, buy groceries, and drop off mail at the post office. However, you struggled with the amount of laundry and groceries you had to carry.
You wobbled over back to your apartment to complete your list of chores. Then, one of the straps of your reusable grocery bag snapped, causing some snacks to fall out.
Before the wrappers could hit the ground, you heard someone practically dive for them. They grunted as they stood back up. He had that similar lopsided smile with dark blond hair.
“Dex! Are you stalking me or something?” You playfully teased as he put the snacks back into your bag.
“I was just meeting a friend in the neighborhood, so I think you’re stalking me.” He joked, flashing that cocky, charming smile you have grown to like.
You rolled your eyes, “And, I just happen to live in the same area. Very coincidental.”
“You live here? Here, let me help you with that.” He gestured to your massive load of bags. You agreed and took him to your front door.
“I got it from here, thanks Dex.” You hoisted the remainder of your bags onto both your shoulders.
“Are you sure?” He rose a brow.
“Yes, I’m just as strong as you.” You laughed.
“It’s really no problem,” he insisted.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m just worried about the state of my place.” You placed a timid hand on his arm.
“Maybe we can hang out someplace else then?” He suggested.
You tried not to scream in excitement, “I’d love to.” He took out his phone to get your number, which you gladly gave to him.
“I’ll see you around then, my Love,” he chuckled, already sending you a text so you knew who it was.
𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 ╾ in a realm where a dragon threatens the inhabitants of a nearby kingdom, a mermaid makes a deal to trade her voice for a pair of human legs in order to save the people who saved her.
𝐚/𝐧 ╾ i am so excited for this series!! like the new layout? ((:
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
The thunderous roars of the waves startled you. It was all you could hear; everything surrounding you was pitch black. You couldn’t tell where you were, but a voice in the back of your mind told you to calm down. So, you listened. You weren’t sure why you trusted this consciousness, but it was convincing enough to motivate you to take deep breaths. Slowly, the world replaced the darkness in front of you, loading itself into the emptiness to help you find your grounding.
You were on a grassy field that subtly rolled into a beach. Just beyond the sand was the source of sound that awoke you; it seemed less upset than what it sounded like. The ocean receded as multiple waves started tumbling upon itself—the roughness came in every so often, bringing in gifts of kelp to decorate the sand. You felt at peace being near the water. The grass was warm underneath the palm of your hands, which was also paired with the sun shining down on you.
You must find shelter, your inner voice reminded you. You took in one last deep breath of the salty air and stood up, your body silently thanking you as you stretched out your limbs. You turned away from the soothing scenery to find a place to settle down when night crawls in.
You gathered materials from the environment around you, trying your best not to disrupt the landscape of it all. You found enough items to start building your starter house—which wouldn’t be much but it’s okay. You wanted to explore before settling into a forever home. The current location was nice and all, but you wanted to find something even better. Plus, you needed to locate the nearest town to buy supplies for your neverending adventure in life.
Night took over quickly, which meant you either slept in late or that each day was a few minutes long. You were terrified but couldn’t find enough wool to make a comfortable bed, so you just lay on the dirt floor. Groans and hisses encompassed your temporary sanctuary, sending you chills when something thudded against the door.
Sunlight rescued you by peaking through the cracks in the door. You groggily rubbed your eyes, finding it impossible to rest when death knocked at your door multiple times last night. Nevertheless, you got yourself up to venture through another day. Food, you reminded yourself. Your stomach agreed in response, so you set out to find something to snack on.
You walked for so long that when it came to sunset, you still couldn’t find anything edible. There were so many things that heavily irritated your nose, it was difficult judging on if it would kill you or not. So, you decided not to risk it and continue walking until you found shelter for the upcoming nightfall.
The odds seemed to be in favor when you came across a wooden structure. Someone was standing outside, tending to the garden in front of the cozy building. They hadn’t seen you yet, so you called out to them, “pardon me?”
The figure turned around quickly, clearly frightened, “Please, I don’t have anything!”
You took a hesitant step back, “I’m not here to take anything. Would you happen to have any spare room that I can rest in for the night? I promise to leave in the morning.”
“Oh, you’re a traveler. Yes, yes! You may stay in my cottage for the night. My name is Bad,” they introduced themself, bowing and accidentally spilling water out of the container he was holding at the same time.
You curtsied in response and told Bad your name. He complimented it before finishing his gardening to give you a tour of his home. You were extremely grateful for his kindness, you wondered if he was used to having strangers traveling through his land. He seemed very nervous around you, his hands trembled as he prepared a food basket for you for the next morning. You also noticed his limp, “What happened?” You referred to his leg.
He followed your finger and laughed when he saw that you were pointing to his injury, “Do you not remember the war?” You shook your head. “You must be from another land then... Well, there was a war between two rival royals. They both wanted the land because more land constitutes more power. I fought on King George III’s side. I got into a horrific battle and was one of the few lucky ones. It’s a miracle, and one that I can’t forget thanks to my injury. Anyways, the war was brief because when King George III passed away unexpectedly, his enemy disappeared. Both kingdoms suffered drastically, so the remaining royal families agreed to unite their kingdoms to achieve both of their final wishes: to have more land.”
“That...seems so bizarre,” you rose your brows in disbelief. You have never heard of this historic event before, which made you wonder what you did remember. It felt like your mind was blocked—that there was something behind the indestructible wall that separated your consciousness from your past. It worried you, but the little voice in the back of your head reminded you to keep calm. “I’m surprised I don’t remember that.”
“Well, this world is practically endless. You must not be from around here.” Bad explained and handed you the beautifully put together basket—filled to the brim with muffins, fruit, and other necessities. “I assume you aren’t looking to do any farm work.”
“Sadly, no. I must continue moving,” you responded, smiling as you received the gift.
“On a quest?” He perked up.
“You can say that,” you shrugged. It wasn’t a quest, but it was a personal quest. Your inner voice was searching for something, and you felt that if you didn’t find this special item...you would never be satisfied.
Bad chuckled lightly and nodded, “Let me show you to your room.”
A/N: i’m sorry for the slow updates with this series, but s/o to yall who waited oh so patiently <3 the support means a lot!!
---
"Hey, Y/N?" Steve gently nudged you awake.
You groggily sat up, wiping the sleep away from your eyes, "What?"
"Class is over..." He chuckled lightheartedly.
You groaned, "I didn't get much sleep last night after the party."
"It's okay, I took some notes from Professor Douglass's lecture. You can look them over it you'd like." He smiled softly at you. You smiled back, grateful that you had a helpful friend in this class. "Also, he assigned us to write a comparative essay on two art pieces at one of the local museums. Would you like to come with me later this week? You know, so you're not confused..." He was slightly stumbling over his words, clearly flustered with his proposal.
"I'd love to." You nodded, already feeling better.
"Great, awesome! Uh, I'll pick you up around noon on Saturday then?" Steve grinned, flashing his pearly whites that made you want to bask in his warm smile all day.
"Sounds great," you nodded in response and quickly wrote down your phone number on a piece of scratch paper for him.
⁂⁂⁂
It's been three days since the party and Ransom didn't show up to Econ at all, which made you sigh in relief. You couldn't bear to face the embarrassment of seeing him—the intensity of the gossip about you and Ransom shortly died the day after the party..fortunately enough. And, from the stuff you've heard about Ransom's usual flings, you were just another body to him.
You waited patiently outside the lecture hall for Steve to come meet you. You were nervous, but you weren't sure why.
You tugged your sleeves down due to the gust of wind that blew right through you. You shivered and looked up at the cloudy sky.
"Here," someone placed a coat around your shoulders. You turned away skeptically to the jacket donor and realized it was Steve. "Ready for our date?"
You tried not to let your jaw drop, "What?"
"It's a date, right?" He nudged you jokingly before adjusting the front of his coat around your shoulders. You blushed and shrugged, knowing he was an upperclassman. "I'm kidding, are you ready though?"
You nodded hesitantly, but you noticed your peers passing by you, whispering and pointing. You could only ignore them, but you figured it was some rumor about Ransom—something you should expect from kissing a playboy like him.
You held your chin up high and followed Ransom to the parking lot, forgetting that upperclassmen can have cars on campus.
"Wow..." You were caught off guard at his vehicle. "Is this yours?"
Steve let out a hearty chuckle before handing you an extra helmet. "She's beautiful, right?" He gestured to the motorcycle in front of him and tugged his own helmet into place.
He climbed into the seat, shifting his weight to be more comfortable and looked back at you. You quickly stuffed your arms into his jacket and pulled your school bag closer to your body as you boarded the two-wheeled form of transportation.
"Hang on tight," he revved his engine and backed out of the parking lot. You wrapped yours arms around his broad waist to feel secure, quickly shaking your head to make sure the helmet was on correctly.
Cruising through the suburbs near Thrombey University was beautiful. The leaves were turning a dark caramel shade, signaling that autumn was coming to an end. You felt free, independent, and mostly...alive on the back of Steve's motorcycle.
The wind caressed your face and whipped through your hair like a playful spirit. The chill from the breeze made your nose turn red as you continued sniffling to keep yourself warm. Your anxieties flew away with the leaves that were rustled by the two of you blasting through the streets.
"You doing alright back there?" Steve shouted over his shoulder.
"Yes," you managed to breathe out before quickly shutting your mouth to avoid any unwanted substances flying into it.
"We'll be on the freeway for a bit, but don't worry." Steve informed you and picked up the pace as he merged onto the entrance ramp.
You clamped your arms around Steve tighter as nervousness started bubbling in your stomach. As quickly as your nerves had risen, your time on the freeway ended as Steve exited back into the slower-paced world.
He took a couple of more turns before pulling into a lot that seemed to lead into a maze of flowers and hedges. Multiple people and school buses were bustling through the area, meaning this was an educational tourist attraction.
After parking in a more narrow spot, Steve got off his bike first in order to help you. You unbuckled the straps underneath your chin and pulled the slightly too big helmet off your head. "Thanks," you shook out the adrenaline you received from riding behind Steve.
"Of course," he grinned and stashed the helmets away and jokingly brushed off his shoulders. "Shall we?" You nodded in response, wiping your clammy hands on the front of your bottoms.
⁂⁂⁂
It was beautiful inside the museum. Being located in a smaller town outside of the big city, it mostly contained local artists' work—which was still very impressive. You can across many different pieces that told so many stories at a time. You were in heaven.
As for Steve, well, you haven't seen him for the past twenty minutes. The two of you got split up once you both discovered a masterpiece to write your essay on. Your essay topic focused more so on the technical aspects of the artwork—ranging from color theory to analysis of brush strokes and sizes. It didn't compare to Steve's thesis, however.
"I'm writing about the power of nostalgia," you remembered Steve proudly reveal to you earlier. You giggled at his genuine response—he was a man of the past. He loved everything vintage; you recalled him talking about his obsession with thrift shopping in places usually meant for elderly people. He promised to take you one day.
You studied the artwork in front of you, taking note of this artist's style. Your mind started to wander the more you got lost in the abstract shapes of the painting. You couldn't stop thinking about Chris. You were wondering what he thought about you since that night you kissed Ransom. You hoped Chris was just being overly protective, but it didn't make sense to you.
Wouldn't he be comforting you and taking your side instead of choosing no side at all? He was always there for you when you had boy issues—notably boy issues that escalated its expectations because of your crush on Chris. You were causing so much romantic drama for yourself so Chris could take care of you. He was your best friend, and you loved every moment with him.
Why couldn't he have felt the same?
You hoped he would contact you soon. He was as MIA as Ransom. You were all confused, wondering how your life could've gotten to this point. Nothing exciting as this whirlwind you were caught in happened in the area you came from. Now, being in college, your lifestyle has drastically changed.
Your throat ached, your head pounded, and sweat beaded your forehead. You had to sit yourself down on one of the art gallery's benches. You felt your heartbeat racing as thoughts swirled in your mind. You could hardly breathe, it felt like someone was squeezing all the air out of your lungs by contracting your chest.
"Are you okay?" Steve rounded the corner, notebook in hand, and ran towards you when he caught sight of your condition. You shook your head shakily as the rest of your body trembled from the invisible breeze that swept through you. "Come on, my place isn't this far, you should rest."
A/N: wrote this while “good days” by sza was on repeat..major make out vibes yknow <3 ; requests open!! also i have a twitter now (grogunotfound)... QUESTION: would any of y’all read like .. mcyt smut cus ive been debating on writing it cus i haven’t been receiving any sort of feedback on smut i do post </3 so like lemme know if that is something anyone is interested in!! should i make a separate acc that’s nsfw? pls respond lol
---
“N-Nick? Can you pick me up?” You shakily asked your best friend, shivering as a remnant of the earlier rain shower splashed on the top of your head.
“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” He responded. You could hear him rustling out of bed and rushing to put clothes on in order to get out the house.
You sniffled, “I think.”
“Are you hurt? Where are you?” You heard a car door slam and the start of his car’s engine.
You hesitantly told him where you were, “I couldn’t help it.”
Nick let out a deep sigh as if he was expecting this person’s name to come out of your mouth. “I thought you promised you weren’t gonna go there anymore. I thought you would call me instead.”
You choked back more tears, “I’m sorry.” You sat down on the curb, trying to calm yourself down to avoid disrupting the darkness of the night. You were stopped outside someone’s quiet house—a complete change from where you were just ten minutes ago. You could tell Nick was disappointed in you but still loved you regardless. He always saw the good in you, picked you up when you were feeling down...and now driving to bring you home in the dead of night.
You had let your best friend down. If he hadn’t carried you into the passenger seat, you would’ve thought he was angry with you. Yet, he was still silent on the ride back to your place. You shakily held in your tears when he pulled into the driveway and offered his hand to help you get out. You hesitantly placed your hand on top of his, curling your fingers around the warmth you were holding. His hand responded in a squeeze.
He helped you change, brush your teeth, drink water, do your nightly skin routine and make sure you were comfy in bed. You internally laughed at the thought of this side of Nick being visible to those who love his online presence. Sapnap was known to be chaotic, lively, and adorable. He sensed your sprout of happiness and knowingly placed a gentle kiss on your forehead before turning to clean your room.
“Wait,” you croaked. He expectedly looked back at you, silence taking place of his response. “Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?” You titled your head to the empty space on the bed.
“You want me to lie down with you?” His eyes widened in uncertainty. You nodded frantically, needing his warmth and presence and smell and the way he handled you so gently even if you broke a promise. He loved you. He loves you. He’ll probably be in love with you for the rest of his life.
Nick pursed his lips and walked towards the other side of you to lie down. He faced you, making eye contact for the first time tonight. “Thank you,” you whispered, allowing your eyes to flutter shut. He hummed in response, “of course. I love you.”
You smiled, hoping he could see it in the dark. You aren’t sure how you never developed feelings for Nick. He was the type of friend where everyone genuinely believed that the two of you were going to get married in the end. Maybe it was because every single person pushed this expectation on you that you didn’t want a relationship to be forced. So, you focused on creating a deeper bond as friends.
But, he just said, “I love you,” meaning he outright told you his true feelings. You could tell because the two of you have never told one another how much you genuinely love each other. You always had a weird way to express your love, whether it be something sweet like “if you were a booger, I’d pick you” or something...so very specific such as “you are literally the first ray of sunlight at 8:34am after two and a half days of nonstop rain and cloudy skies.”
Regardless of how you communicated your love, neither of you have said those three words to each other. Both of you promised to never say “I love you” unless you truly meant it.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he spoke up, his chest visibly rising up and down as he stumbled over his explanation, “You just really scared me tonight. And, I want to keep you safe and happy because you mean so much to me. It’s hard seeing you in so much pain from the past, and there’s no way I could ever abandon you. I just really want you to understand that.” He took a deep breath, sniffling as if he was holding back tears.
“Nick, you make my bad days into good days.” You rested your forehead on his, looking towards your intertwined legs. “I don’t ever ever make you feel like a second choice because you mean a lot to me too. I-” you stuttered.
He interrupted you, “you don’t have to say it.” He lightly squeezed you for reassurance.
“I know.” You whispered against his chest. “I love you.”
My New Year’s Resolution | A Quackity x Reader Imagine
Word Count: 1.0K
A/N: it was my bday two days ago (so this is highkey for me lmaooo)!! but omfg quackity is only a YEAR OLDER THAN ME....also, happy new year’s (:
---
You were visiting your best friend, Karl Jacobs, in North Carolina. The two of you were close internet friends, having met one fateful night on Omegle. Out of all the creeps and pervs, you managed to get paired up with this absolute buffoon and you clicked with one another almost immediately.
Flash forward a couple years later, Karl invited you over to celebrate the New Years with some of his other friends—this wasn’t your first time visiting or even meeting Karl in person, but you were excited nevertheless. You arrived two days before New Year’s Eve to spend time with Karl and hang out before the celebration of 2021. You two caught up despite talking every single day because, somehow, you and Karl always had something to talk about.
That’s what made you love Karl—the way it feels like the two of you were practically platonic soulmates with or without the distance. And, as much as the two of you have encountered some romantic mistakes, you both still saw each other as best friends. All the blood, sweat, and tears in this friendship have been proven paid off many many times considering how many core memories you and Karl share.
So, you weren’t angry when Karl had to begrudgingly supervise his underage cousin due to a holiday family vacation mix-up. You were having a good time with him before the final moment of this year, and he also mentioned another long distance internet friend that would need company for the segue into the new year. Of course, you laughed because you thought it was another dumb Karl joke, but he was being serious.
The day of New Year’s Eve, you were invited to Karl’s place two hours early to meet the friend that was staying with him that day. And, wow... It was basically love at first sight. His friend, Alex, seemed so shy while meeting you; however, you knew that if he was good friends with Karl, then he would be as crazy as Karl.
And that suspicion was proven true once the party really started. Karl was right. You two got along well and even instantly clicked after Alex warmed up to you an hour into the party. Both of you were outsiders in comparison to Karl’s other friends, so you spent your time tucked away in a corner. It was nice, and you were quite exhausted from the trip—so hanging out with a new friend was the perfect New Year’s Eve adventure.
It was getting close to midnight...15 minutes to be exact. The party was still lively, but you and Alex (or his media handle, Quackity) were starting to dwindle down in the quietest room in the house.
“So, what is your big New Year’s resolution?” You asked him, staring at the muted TV that was broadcasting a live news channel in NYC.
Alex looked off to the side to think. The two of you were sitting on a couch that faced a TV, but you noticed how you both were subconsciously scooting closer together with each profound question being asked.
“I want to start facing my fears.” He decided. You nodded in response, completely agreeing with this goal.
“Like what?” You prompted him to talk more, a covert way of trying to get closer to him physically and mentally.
He laughed, a sound that always caught you off guard in a good way, “It’s my turn to ask a question.” You jokingly rolled your eyes and turned your full attention towards him by rotating your body so you were sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce and facing your “interviewer.” “So,” he began, “what is your New Year’s resolution?”
“Easy.” You explained your personal goal for the upcoming year. Alex smiled, demonstrating how intently he was listening. The sincerity behind his grin made you blush because it felt like he truly believed in you and your motivations. The only other person that you connected to on this level was Karl. You were beginning to see how you and Alex were compatible...friendship-wise.
“Well, I think you’ll be able to do it.” He leaned back into the couch cushion, almost getting engulfed by how plush the pillow was. You giggled when he rapidly escape the couch, exaggerating the deep breaths he was taking.
“Thanks. You too,” you held out your hand as a sort of friendly gesture that you hoped would communicate ‘I-believe-in-you-too-and-I-would-hug-you-right-now-but-we’re-not-that-close’ in a...subtle way. He gladly reciprocated the gesture, but neither of you let go of the other’s hand when the game of 21 Questions continued.
Before you knew it, you could hear Karl calling everyone into the main room as one minute remained on the countdown clock. Alex excitingly took your hand to bring you to where Karl was, sacrificing his last insightful question and leaving you in a shock position.
Karl smirked at the two of you standing beside him, glowing with child-like joy. He wrapped you two into a huge bear hug, teasing you and Alex simultaneously. You managed to break out of his grip when people starting counting down from ten...nine...eight...
“I have one last question!” Alex turned to you, “it’s about my New Year’s resolution.” You nodded, frantically glancing at the TV to watch the ball drop in the next 5 seconds---what was so important that he couldn’t wait to ask until January 1st? “Can I kiss you?”
Without a second thought and with a subconscious breath of relief, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled yourself closer to him---so close you could feel his hot breath hitting your lips. “Yes,” you whispered and leaned your head forward to press your lips to his. His own pair responded just as readily. After a brief minute of the two of you embracing each other’s needy presence, you shakily pulled away to take a breath.
Alex bit his lip and looked off to the side as in disbelief. He placed a tender finger to his lips to find concrete evidence that he confronted his fear of rejection and kissed the most beautiful person he has ever seen. “Wow,” he pursed his lips to hide the stubborn smile.
“Yeah,” you agreed.
“Ew.” You heard someone say off to the side. You and Alex turned towards the source and caught sight of Karl running away from you two, knowing he was in trouble for being, well...himself.
A/N: creds to @write-it-motherfuckers for the dialogue prompt!!
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“Oh, come on, Dream. Aren’t you gonna tell me your secret?” You poked fun at his neon green avatar on your screen.
“That would defeat the purpose of it being a secret.” He responded and started sprinting away from you in the pixelated world you created.
“Yeah, come on, Dream! What are you hiding?” George chirped, his name appearing on the top left corner of your screen to help your viewers understand who was talking—even though George’s accent was hard to not notice.
It was your birthday stream, so Dream and Georgenotfound wanted to put together a fun Minecraft challenge for you. However, Dream was acting a bit more closed off than usual, playing it off as him being competitive.
“Okay, but, how does this challenge work? This literally looks like a normal world.” You stood in place and moved your mouse around to survey your spawn point.
Dream and George stopped in their tracks and looked up at an imaginary camera in the sky before changing their tone of voice.
“In this video, we coded it so that Y/N can’t play Minecraft.”
“What?!?” Your mouth gaped open, despite your viewers not being able to see your reaction due to the lack of a facecam.
“And, Y/N only has one heart.” Dream mentioned, cackling at his own invention.
Your eyes dropped to the bottom of your screen, glaring at the singular red heart. “That’s no fun!” You quickly spotted a ravine a few blocks away, dashing towards your death. “Hello, freedom.”
“Also, Y/N can’t be more than ten blocks away from either of us!” George laughed at your failure to escape this challenge when you were teleported back to them.
You groaned as F’s flooded your chat along with generous donations.
“Let’s see if we can defeat the ender dragon while babysitting Y/N!” Dream announced and led the way towards a nearby village with George following behind you.
•
The three of you streamed for another few hours, ending the challenge within the first hour because your chat kept trolling you into multiple potential deaths. Dream and George grew frustrated but were having fun nevertheless.
You were very close to Dream and George, but you’ve always had a soft spot for Dream. He was quick-witted, intuitive, and silly. As much as George made you laugh till you couldn’t breathe, Dream nearly made you pee your pants—something not many people can do.
It was time for you to end your stream. It was getting late; and you streamed longer than you needed to, but you were having so much fun talking to your audience as well as the two knuckleheads (with occasional text messages from Sapnap and sweet birthday wishes from BadBoyHalo).
You ended your stream with a sweet, long message to your audience before hopping back into the Discord call with Dream and George.
“I think I’m gonna go,” George audibly yawned. “I’ll talk to you guys later.” And with that, he left the call.
Silence engulfed the distance between you and Dream.
You spoke up, “Thank you for such a fun stream.” You blushed.
Dream’s hearty laugh filled your ears like a musical melody, “Sorry it was so dumb.”
You shook your head, “It wasn’t! It was fun.” A few ticks of silence went by again before you spoke up again, “Are you gonna tell me your secret?”
He groaned, “Still on that?”
You hummed an affirmative ‘yes’ in response.
“You stubborn little cutie,” Dream muttered underneath his breath, not expecting you to hear him as he missed pressing the mute button.
You laughed, assuming it was a joke. “At least I’m cuter than you!”
“What? You heard that?” He stuttered, clearly flustered by his Freudian slip.
“Uh, was I not supposed to?”
“I guess it’s not so secret now.” Dream sighed, gathering his thoughts before letting himself verbalize them. “I sorta like you,” he rambled.
“Sorta? That’s too bad because I like you a lot.” You shot back, shifting in your desk chair as the butterflies in your stomach ate away at the anxiety from your confession.
“Okay, okay. Fine. I like you a lot, Y/N.” You could hear Dream’s smile in his words.
“That was the secret?” You leaned back in your chair and crossed your arms. “I thought you were plotting something evil for my birthday gift.”
“Shut up, George was being an idiot and kept teasing me before you joined the call. I couldn’t come up with a quicker cover-up other than ‘it’s a secret.’” Dream retorted, his witty self dominating the conversation as always.
The long distance tension slowly dissipated between the two of you once the humor started up again. There was a calm quiet before Dream spoke up, interrupting your attempt at ending the call so you could gush to your friends what just happened.
“I—uh.. I wanted to ask if you wanted to video chat.” He asked hesitantly, knowing how serious this proposal was because both of you were faceless icons to the world. It would have to be considered a tight-knit bond to reveal your faces to each other; yet, the fact that you fell in love with who he was rather than how he looked meant a lot to Dream, as well as vice versa.
