𝔏𝔦𝔷𝔷𝔦𝔢

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[ms-liz-steele]

Masterlist

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No Love | Lalisa Manoban

Salt & Silver | Asaya Jurin

Anime

Sex Ed 101 | Aruani

Gothic Academia | Mikasa Ackerman

Private Sessions With Rivaille | Levi Ackerman 

Animated Movies

Off The Record | Ken Sato

The Plus One Pact | Cornturtle

Love And Deepspace

Late Night Perks | Caleb

Commissions

Height of Temptation | Jang Wongyoung Oneshot

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[ms-liz-steele]

The Plus One Pact | Cornturle

Zoey x Abby | smut, drama, romance romcom

-> Synopsis: Zoey’s childhood best friend is getting married. Her parents will be there. And her entire fake life is about to collapse—unless her charmingly unhinged best friend Abby can pull off the role of “boyfriend” without turning the wedding into a romcom gone wrong.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Operation: Plus One Pact

☾︎✿︎☽︎

Abby's phone blared loudly in the quiet of the early morning, jarring him out of his sleep like an annoying alarm. He groaned, shifting around carefully to make sure the pillow barricade Zoey made didn’t fall as his hand awkwardly reached across the nightstand to find the source of the noise.

Squinting at the screen, he saw it was Mira calling.

"Hello?" he answered, his voice rough with sleep.

"Finally! You picked up."

Abby rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?" 

"12 PM here in Seoul. So, like 4 AM there," she replied.

"And you thought that was a good idea?"

"Zoey wasn’t answering. She’s usually up before the crack of dawn."

"She's still passed out. Jetlag hit her hard." He sat up, yawning. "She put her phone on aeroplane mode. You know how she gets when people spam her phone while she's asleep."

Mira chuckled. “Anyway, Rumi and I wanted to check in. What happened at dinner with Gigi and Caleb?"

Abby's brow furrowed. "How did you even—"

"Roobin told me."

That fucking gossip, Abby sighed, running a hand down his face.

"How bad was it?"

He sat up straighter. "It was fine until Gigi brought up Zoey dropping out of college and belittled her for it. Completely unprovoked," he started. "But don't worry. Your awesome himbo swooped in and saved the day with my unparalleled charm."

"Should I be concerned?"

"Wow. Your lack of faith in me truly wounds me, Mira."

"Well, you 'swooping in to save the day' usually means you either did something stupid, or you accidentally set something on fire," Mira said.

Abby gasped, feigning offence. "I'll have you know I was the pinnacle of respectability."

"Mhm. I totally believe you," she replied sceptically.

He rolled his eyes.

"How is she, though?"

"She survived. That's all I can say."

"Yeah, but is she okay?"

Abby's gaze drifted to Zoey, who was drooling on her pillow. His expression softened. "I tried talking to her about it. She shut me down and asked me to drop it. So, I did."

"You didn't press?"

"Mira, you know we can't. It'll only make her close off more."

"Yeah, I know, I know...” Mira sighed. "But she is the biggest people-pleaser I know, and it’s worrying. I just hate how that two-faced snake takes advantage of that to get her way and bully Zoey. Just be on the lookout for her. Whatever you saw is just the tip of the iceberg.”

"It gets worse?" Abby let out a low whistle.

"There was this one time when she came over to Seoul. We were at this club having our girls' night," Mira started. "As soon as Zoey went to get our drinks, this bitch started talking all kinds of shit about her like she was trying to recruit us and turn against Zoey."

Abby's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow."

"It truly amazes me why Zoey's still friends with her til this day. But we can't exactly stop her."

"I know. Trust me, I know."

"I gotta go. Roobin's pouting at me."

Abby chuckled. "Tell him if he keeps pouting, his face will stick that way."

"I HEARD THAT, YOU STEROID JUNKIE." Abby heard Roobin shout from the other line.

"And tell your boyfriend not to disrespect Ruby and Rose," Abby added.

“Really, Abs?”

"Hey, my girls can beat Roobin's babies any day. I’m the Abs Saja for a reason."

“At least my babies come with emotional intelligence and aftercare. Yours just flex and call it foreplay,” Roobin grumbled in the background.

"Okay. I am hanging up. I don't need you two arguing over my phone." Mira said.

"Hey, we're not arguing. We're simply asserting our dominance." Abby countered.

"And I don't need any of your testosterone stinking up the air I breathe, thank you very much."

"Oh, c'mon, Mira, you know you love us."

"Yeah, in small doses. But having two men with egos the size of Texas in one room for an extended period is hazardous." Mira retorted

"Rude."

"You'll live. Tell Zoey if I hear any peep of Gigi being an intolerant bitch, I'm booking a flight to come whoop her ass."

"Will do." He replied. "Now go before Roobin explodes."

"Oh, you—"

The line went dead.

Abby chuckled, tossing his phone onto the nightstand. He glanced at Zoey, still sound asleep, her hair mussed and her mouth slightly agape. Even drooling on her pillow, she was utterly adorable.

"God, you're cute," he sighed, the words meant for no one but the stillness of the room.

☾︎✿︎☽︎

"Alright. Operation Plus One Pact is ready to commence." Zoey beamed as she stood next to the TV, which had been transformed into a makeshift bulletin board with papers stuck to the screen.

Abby stared at her, seated on the couch and looking over at the screen. "Operation what?"

Zoey rolled her eyes at his obvious disregard for her name, but she chose to let it go. "Operation Plus One Pact." She gestured to her sticky board. "Aka O.P.P."

"Wouldn't that be O.P.O.P.?" He arched an eyebrow.

Zoey shot him a look. "Let me have this, please?" 

Abby couldn't help but smirk. "Hey, if you're gonna name your plans after a rap song, at least make it accurate."

"That's not—will you focus?" She stomped her foot.

Abby chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm focused. What's the agenda for today, boss lady?"

"Alright. So I'll be going for dress fitting with Gigi and the rest of the bridesmaids. Obviously, Caleb's sister and mum will be there." Zoey pointed at the paper with a badly drawn doodle of her, Gigi and her bridal party.

"Got it," Abby said, nodding, trying to take this seriously. "You're going for dress fitting with the bride squad."

Zoey huffed. "Don't sound so disinterested."

"Whaaaaaaaat? I am very interested," he said, stifling a snort.

Zoey rolled her eyes. "You're doing a really poor job at hiding that laughter."

Abby cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Right... Sorry. Go on."

"Okay. After this, we're going over to Caleb's sister's place for brunch. Meaning people are going to be there. And they're going to ask questions about us."

Abby nodded, trying to maintain a composed expression. "Right. Brunch with Caleb's family. Questions about our relationship."

"Exactly," she pointed a finger gun at him. "So, we need a story to sell them. We need a story that screams, 'We fell in love at first sight.' I'm thinking we can tell them we met on a cruise. At a concert—"

"Or a cornfield in Texas," he smirked.

"ABBY!"

Abby couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "What? I thought we were looking for something that screamed love at first sight. What says that any more than a romantic night under the stars in the cornfields of Texas?"

"You've never been to Texas." Zoey reminded him.

"Well yeah, but I grew up in the countryside in the Jeolla province before moving to Seoul for Uni. I know what I'm talking about," he replied.

"I'm sure you do, cowboy," she quipped. "But the last time I checked, cornfields don't necessarily scream 'romantic.' They scream, like, 'country life' at best."

"I mean... I did accidentally see a couple raw dogging in the cornfields when I was like twelve." Abby shrugged.

Zoey gaped at him. "You’re joking.”

Abby shrugged. “I’m deadass.”

“And you watched that?”

“I mean….”

“Abby, that's gross!"

Abby feigned offence. "Hey, it's not my fault they didn't have the courtesy to do it behind closed doors."

"Okay, but—Ugh! We're getting sidetracked. We need a convincing backstory—"

"Or we can just go with our actual backstory." He suggested.

Zoey furrowed her eyebrows. "Our actual backstory?"

"Yeah. We met when you were a freshman, and I was a sophomore, through mutual friends. We found out we have a lot in common and grew close," he explained. "It's honest, authentic, convincing, and my geobug-i can survive the conversation without wincing, overexplaining and justifying our fake relationship.”

Zoey considered Abby's suggestion for a moment. "That… actually doesn't sound terrible."

Abby smirked. "Of course it doesn't. I'm a genius."

"That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?" Zoey arched an eyebrow.

"Excuse you, I am very much a genius.” Abby crossed his arms and puffed out his chest. “My intelligence is both humbling and impressive."

"Abby, you still believe birds sit on power lines to recharge."

"Those are charging stations for them, Zo." He argued, completely serious. "Why do you think birds sit on those power lines without getting electrocuted? To charge up their batteries."

Zoey dragged her hand down her face. "They are living and breathing mammals made of flesh and bone. Not robots."

Abby rolled his eyes. "That’s what they want you to think. Birds are all tiny drones sent out by the government to spy on us. And that's a fact."

"Oh my gosh. I'm friends with a moron." Zoey rubbed her temples.

"You wound me, Zo," he feigned hurt. "And after all we've been through."

"If by that you mean depleting 85% of my brain cells, then sure."

"Well, someone has to keep things interesting," he replied. "If I didn't, your life would be dreadfully boring."

"Anyways,” she rolled her eyes, full rotation. Now that we have our story in order. How are we going to act like a convincing couple?"

"Oh, that's easy," Abby smirked, standing up and standing next to her. "You just hang onto me like this..." he put an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

Zoey stiffened slightly as he pulled her closer to him. "Okay, and?"

"That's all I got." He replied nonchalantly.

She gave him a sceptical look. "You can't be serious."

Abby shrugged. "I mean, we can also hold hands, give each other cringy pet names,” he smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. “Kiss.

Zoey's face turned red. "K-kiss?"

"Yeah. Couples kiss all the time—well, maybe not all the time, but you get the picture."

"So that means you... and me…" she muttered, pointing her finger at him, then her, flustered.

"You're going to have to do better than blushing and stuttering, geobug-i," He rolled his eyes playfully. "You need to act like we're crazy about each other."

"Okay, but like…. Us kissing? On purpose?"

"Girl, why are you acting like this is a new discovery. You've kissed Myungho when you guys were dating."

"Yeah, because he was my boyfriend. Not my best friend."

"And whose fault is it that we're in this situation, huh?" He pointed out smugly. "Besides, we're already holding hands and being disgustingly cute. I'm not planning on going all out and making out with you. Just a few pecks here and there. No big deal."

"Easy for you to say." Zoey groaned.

"Okay. How about we practice?" Abby suggested.

Zoey looked at him incredulously. "Excuse me? You want to practice...kissing?"

“Yeah, one of the rules of thumb in acting is practising and rehearsing,” he tilted his head slightly.0

“Won’t that get weird real quick?”

“Are you forgetting that I do theatre on the side? I know what I’m talking about.”

 “But—"

"Zo," he cut her off. "It's just a kiss. We're adults here. Stop overthinking and trust me a little.”

Zoey was hesitant at first but eventually relented.

"Alright," Zoey sighed, her cheeks still flushed. "Let's just get this over with."

Abby chuckled, finding her discomfort amusing. "Come on, don't act like you're being sent to the gallows.” He sat her down on the couch. “Close your eyes."

Zoey squeezed her eyes shut and puckered her lips.

Abby burst out laughing. "What are you doing?"

"Bracing for lip impact," Zoey replied, eyes still closed.

"You really think I'm going to crash my lips against yours like a freight train?" Abby chuckled, finding her absurd preparation endearing.

"God forbid a girl mentally and emotionally prepare herself.”

He rolled his eyes again and reached out to poke her nose. "Look at me."

Zoey opened her eyes, meeting his gaze with a mix of nervousness and determination.

He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re overthinking this, Zo. Just relax.”

Zoey sighed, her shoulders relaxing a little and took a deep breath. “Okay. I trust you.”

He gently cupped her cheek, closing the gap between them. Her breath hitched as his thumb brushed against her soft skin, as he leaned in, his lips mere inches away from hers.

Oh God. It’s happening. It’s happening. Zoey’s thoughts raced in a frenzy, and her heart thumped against her chest hard.

Then it happened. His lips touched hers.

Zoey's eyes widened, her face flushed red, and she was screaming internally.

The kiss lasted a minute until Abby pulled away, and Zoey already looked like her soul had just left her body.

He chuckled, pinching her cheek. “You okay there, geobug-i.”

“Mhm. Totally fine,” she answered, still in a daze.

He chuckled again. “Don’t pass out on me now,” he cupped her face. “Let’s try that again.”

“Okay,” she replied, slapping her cheeks to snap her out of her daze and put on her game face.

He leaned again, his warm breath mingling with hers. He could feel the tension in her body, and for a moment, he hesitated, but he then brushed his lips against hers. Light and tentative at first. Slowly, he deepened the kiss, moving his lips in a slow and languorous rhythm, coaxing her to relax.

Zoey slowly relaxed and leaned in a little more into the kiss.

Abby, feeling her respond, became more confident. His hand moved from her cheek up to the back of her neck, tilting her head slightly. Zoey gasped as he moved her to straddle his lap, her hands instinctively gripping his broad shoulders.

"H-hey-" she's cut off by Abby's lips back on hers, his tongue grazing her bottom lip, seeking entry, which she obliged to. Abby deepened the kiss, relishing the sweetness of her mouth. His hands travelled down her sides, finding their way beneath her t-shirt. His fingers explored the soft skin of her stomach, trailing a path up her torso to the curves of her breasts. Zoey moaned as her fingers twined in his hair, which caused a groan to escape from his lips.

Abby’s lips suddenly left hers and found their way to her neck, leaving open-mouthed kisses there. He could feel her pulse quickening beneath his lips as he reached the hollow of her throat. Abby then continued his trail to her collarbone, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses down her skin.

She was panting as she instinctively ground her hips against his, which sent a jolt of heat directly to his crotch. Abby groaned, his grip on her hip tightening as he reciprocated the motion. He continued his trail of kisses down her chest until his hands cupped her tits.

Abby then shifted her back against the couch to lie on top of her, positioning herself between her legs. He looked down at her with darkened eyes, observing how her chest rose and fell with each breath. His hands moved to the hem of her shirt, bunching the fabric up to expose her stomach. His fingers danced across her skin, leaving trails of heat wherever he touched.

Her body shivered. Abby smirked, enjoying the effect he had on her. He continued his exploration, his fingers moving upwards, slowly revealing her tits. He leaned down, pressing his lips to the valley between her breasts. Abby could feel her breath hitching as his hands moved lower, his fingers reaching the waistband of her shorts.

Suddenly, the door slammed open.

[ms-liz-steele]

Sex Ed 101

Annie Leonhart x Armin Arlert | smut, drama, romance, college au

-> Synopsis: In the midst of college life, Annie finds herself entangled in an unexpected proposition - providing sex tutoring sessions for Armin, a shy and inexperienced bookworm.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Never Have I Ever: Encouraging Honest and Open Discussions Part One

❦

Annie sipped her drink, surprised by how little she minded the noise. Reiner’s parties always left her drained, but here she was, watching Armin’s friends bicker like siblings and feeling oddly at ease.

I could fade into the background, not say a word but don’t feel out of place or ignored.

She sat beside Armin as he debated Eren, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. One moment, she was studying his face—the way his eyes lit up when he made a point, the exasperated sighs he aimed at Eren’s antics, the polite chuckles he spared for Connie’s terrible jokes.

The next, her gaze dropped to his forearms. The veins there were distractingly pronounced, his hands expressive as they gestured. She imagined those hands gripping her hips, her throat—

Jesus, Annie. Get a grip. She took a swig from her cup, the cheap beer suddenly too warm.

 “The suspension was uncalled for,” Eren insisted, sloshing his beer. 

Armin rolled his eyes. “Eren, you started a protest over scoring low on your philosophy quiz.” 

Mikasa arched a brow. “Let me guess: you didn’t study.” 

“It was rigged!” Eren jabbed a finger at Armin. “This nerd aced it without trying!” 

“Because I studied. You spent hours playing Call of Duty just the night before!” Armin shot back with disbelief in his tone.

Mikasa fake coughed. “Classic procrastination.” 

Eren gaped. “Traitor.” 

“Truth-teller,” Mikasa corrected, smirking as Sasha high-fived her. 

“Whatever.” Eren crossed his arms. “I still think it was rigged.”

“You’re a moron,” Jean said, shaking his head.

“Now I know your maidenless ass ain’t talking. You were whining about your statistics quiz when you were binge-watching Angela White videos on the Hub instead of studying,” Eren retorted.

“Okay, first—” Jean’s ears turned red. “—that’s irrelevant. Second, I watch her videos for the plot. Third, “I get plenty of women—”

“Those Instagram models don’t count.” Connie chimed in.

“Those are curated photography pages. Plus, I’ve actually interacted with real women—”  

“Those Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and POF girls don’t count either,” Sasha added through a mouthful of pretzels. 

“POF?” Annie furrowed her eyebrows, confused.

“Plenty of Fish. It’s a dating app.” Mikasa explained to her, to which Annie responded with an ‘oh.’

“Who still uses POF anyway?” Tobio asked.

“Someone who’s fishing for middle-aged divorcees, single mothers and aunties like Jean here, apparently.” Eren snorted.

The table roared with laughter loud enough to make Jean visibly shrivel in his seat. Annie caught herself making a weird snorting noise and immediately took another swig, as if cheap vodka could drown out her momentary lapse in aloofness.

"I hate all of you," Jean deadpanned.

"Liar," Connie grinned, punching his arm. "You adore us."

Jean rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "Tolerate. There’s a big difference." He took a swig of his drink. "And you all suck."

"We suck with love," Sasha cooed, batting her eyelashes.

Jean opened his mouth to retort—then froze. His eyebrows shot up as his gaze locked onto something behind Annie. "Shit. Ex incoming," he muttered into his cup.

Annie frowned. Before she could ask—

"There you are!"

A pair of manicured arms slithered around Eren’s neck from behind. The table went silent.

Connie’s grin vanished. Sasha’s pretzel hovered mid-air. Eren was dumbfounded. Mikasa’s expression turned to ice. Tobio shifted uncomfortably. Jean studied his drink like it held the secrets of the universe.

And Armin?

His knuckles whitened around his cup. The easy smile he’d worn all night was gone, replaced by a stiffness that made Annie’s stomach twist.

The girl behind Eren wore her auburn hair in artfully messy waves, the kind that took hours to look effortless. Her black dress clung to her like a second skin, the neckline dipping just low enough to be "accidental." A smirk played on her glossed lips—the expression of someone who always got what she wanted.

Annie studied this girl, her face neutral. The way everyone stiffened told her everything she needed to know: She was an unwanted addition to the group.

"You’ve been ignoring my texts," Esther pouted, twirling a strand of Eren’s man bun around her finger. Her gaze swept the table, bright and performative. "Hey, guys!"

Then her eyes landed on Armin.

A flicker of tension. "Hey, Armin."

"Esther." His reply was polite, but the forced calm in his voice made Annie’s fingers tighten around her cup.

So, this is the ex.

“Can you not?” he pushed her hands off him. “I’ve been busy, okay? And I don’t see why you’d even want to keep in touch with me after you and Armin broke up.”

Annie felt Armin stiffen beside her. Without thinking, her hand found his knee under the table— a quick, grounding squeeze. His head snapped toward her, eyes wide. She raised a brow: You okay?

Armin forced a weary smile. I’m fine. But his fingers tapped an uneven rhythm against his cup. 

 ”Oh, come on,” Esther pouted, all performative hurt.  ”Just because things didn’t work with Armin doesn’t mean we have to—“  

"A little late for that,” Mikasa cut in, her voice colder than Annie’s freezer. 

Esther’s gaze snapped to Mikasa, her playful mask slipping into something sharp and venomous.  "I don’t recall your opinion ever mattering in my friendships, Mikasa.”  Sugar-coated poison. 

Armin’s hands came up like a referee. ”Let’s not fight.”

"No, I’m just saying—“ Esther began. 

"Esther. Please.”  Armin’s voice cracked— equal parts pleading and exhausted. 

For a heartbeat, Esther studied him, her expression softening. Then, with a sigh too dramatic to be genuine, she relented.  ”Fine. Whatever.”

"Gather 'round, degenerates! We're playing ‘Never Have I Ever!’" Reiner announced, slamming a handle of vodka onto the table.

Jean groaned. "Oh god, we're trauma-dumping before midnight?"

Connie rubbed his hands together with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I live for this shit."

"Come on, Horseface," Eren goaded, slinging an arm around Jean's stiff shoulders. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Jean's eye twitched. "Oh, I can think of several things—starting with you choking on your next shitty punchline."

"Dude, relax!" Connie wedged himself between them, grinning. "We're just sharing funny stories over drinks." He paused, then shot Sasha a conspiratorial look. 

"And collecting blackmail," Sasha added, wiggling her eyebrows. "Standard friendship stuff."

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Jean deadpanned, snatching the vodka bottle with the enthusiasm of a man walking to the gallows. "Let's get this over with." He took a swig straight from the bottle before adding, "Remind me why I tolerate you assholes again?"

Esther's laugh sliced through the chatter - all tinkling bells and calculated charm. "Come ooon!" She clamped onto Eren's arm, her French-tipped fingers sinking into his skin like talons. Eren's jaw flexed, his free hand curling into a fist at his side, but he didn't shake her off. Typical, Annie thought, shaking her head at what she was seeing. All bark, no bite.

Her drink had gone flat and tepid in her grip. Across the room, Esther had transformed into Eren's second shadow, her body pressed flush against his side. Every giggle, every hair toss was a performance - and Annie wasn't sure who the audience was supposed to be.

"You joining the circus?" Armin nudged her shoulder, nodding toward the gathering crowd.

Annie arched a brow. "Are you volunteering as the clown?"

He shrugged, that infuriatingly placid smile in place. "Could be fun."

"Yeah," she deadpanned. "And I'm the fucking Queen of England."

Armin's shoulder bumped hers. "Come on, Annie," he murmured, lips quirking. "Live a little. Unless you'd rather be that cliché brooding protagonist lurking in dark corners all night."

“Hmm! Tempting offer. I might take you up on it.”

“Come on. Do it for me,” Armin said, giving her his best puppy eyes.

The worst part? He wasn’t even trying. No exaggerated pout, no theatrical pleading - just genuine blue-eyed warmth that somehow made her stomach flip. Bastard.

Now she had two options:

Suffer through drunk confessions and Esther's theatrics Bail to her empty apartment and debate re-watching The Office for the 14th time. She exhaled sharply. "Fine. But if someone asks about 'weirdest hookups,' I'm blaming you for whatever I make up."

Armin laughed. “Noted.”

[ms-liz-steele]

The Plus One Pact | Cornturtle

Zoey x Abby | smut, drama, romance romcom

-> Synopsis: Zoey’s childhood best friend is getting married. Her parents will be there. And her entire fake life is about to collapse—unless her charmingly unhinged best friend Abby can pull off the role of “boyfriend” without turning the wedding into a romcom gone wrong.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Astrology, Conspiracy Theories and One Bed

☾︎✿︎☽︎

Saja Boys 🦁♌😈

Abby:

[Attaches image]

Made it to Burbank in one piece 😌

Roobin:

Wait?

IS THAT YOU AND ZOEY WITH CALEB DELA CRUZ?! NBA ROYALTY 🤯🤯🤯

Bohyun:

That's photoshopped right? 🤨

Abby:

Nope, that's really me with them 😌👍

Did you guys know Zoey went to the same High School AND is friends with THE Caleb Dela Cruz?

I did.

And I found this out today 🙃

Bohyun:

Well damn 💀💀💀

Myungho:

Who's the lady beside him?

Jinu:

And why does it look like you were at a diplomatic dinner?🤨

Abby:

That's his fiancée and Zoey’s bride friend. 

And to answer your question: that's coz we were.

The fiancée was..... pleasant to put it lightly 🙂

Jinu:

Explain

Abby:

Let’s just say this woman makes Azula from Avatar The Last Airbender and Sumin from Marry My Husband look like saints 🙂

Roobin:

Damn the shade 💀💀💀

Bohyun:

Wait wait wait. Why were YOU having dinner with them 🤨?

Abby:

Coz I'm Zoey’s boyfriend obviously 😚

Jinu:

FAKE boyfriend 🙄

Roobin:

Okay what phase of Mercury is this 🙃

Jinu:

Long story short: I'm assuming the woman in the picture is the childhood best friend is getting married to the guy next to her. Zoey needed a plus one and a fake boyfriend to keep up appearances.

Abby:

And I naturally offered my services 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Bohyun:

Of course you did 😐

Roobin:

Fake dating?  Olala, this is delicious.

Keep talking 👀 ☕️

Jinu:

Also Zoey didn't tell her parents that she dropped out of university and had to fake a graduation picture.

Roobin:

She never told her parents she dropped out AND faked a graduation photo?! 🤯🤯🤯

Bohyun:

That some Mission Impossible type shit 💀

Abby:

THAT'S WHAT I SAID.😆

Bohyun:

Wait, is that what caused her Shutdown?

Myungho:

Well... I guess that explains it. From what she told me about her parents, I can't exactly blame her, especially if she never told them that she dropped out

Abby:

Are they THAT strict?

Myungho:

Her dad seems like the chill but passive parent. Her mom is who I think she's the most afraid of out of the two.

Abby:

Now that I think about it, she’s never really talked about her family or her life in Burbank 🤔🤔🤔

Roobin:

Oh, this is better than every K-drama I've seen, and I'm here for it. Popcorn. Spicy drama. someone call Netflix. 👀

Abby:

If this were a drama, I'd be the charming distraction while she sneaks the truth past like a ninja 🥷😚

Jinu:

You mean FAILS to sneak past.

Abby:

Says the Unc 😒

Jinu:

Wow 😐

Bohyun:

Low blow 💀💀💀

Abby:

Hey, my charm is 98% effective.

The other 2% is just bad timing and one unfortunate incident involving a goat at a wedding back home🐐😳

Jinu:

Sometimes I wonder how you're a functioning adult 😶

Roobin:

Functioning might be a bit of a stretch😬

Abby:

Rude 😒

Bohyun:

Why would Zoey ask YOU to be her fake boyfriend instead of Myungho 🤨

Abby:

Yah! I'll have you know that I do theatre on the side and can make a convincing fake boyfriend. This is method acting.

Roobin:

He's not wrong. He actually convinced this one foreign girl that he's from Texas.

Abby:

And it worked since I'm actually a country boy 😁

Bohyun:

Okay but don't you think it would make way more sense since Myungho and Zoey have enough history to make it convincing 💁🏽‍♂️

Abby:

Dude, I've known Zo since she was a freshman. We have PLENTY of history 🤨

Bohyun:

I'm talking about romantic history. Not platonic history 🙄

Myungho:

Why are we even having this conversation? 💀

Roobin:

Because drama is the lifeblood of our friend group 🙃

Jinu:

Zoey did say that it would be awkward since she and Myungho broke up.

Myungho:

Plus, I'm not big on social gatherings. My social battery depletes way too fast. Inviting Abby makes sense.

Abby:

See? Even the ex agrees I'm the superior choice 😌

Bohyun:

🙄

Roobin:

Honestly, I think fake dating someone who isn't your ex sounds healthier astrologically.

Jinu:

Please don't bring astrology into this 😐

Roobin:

Too late. I've already checked the chart, and it's going to end badly.

Bohyun:

That's an understatement if I ever heard one.

Abby:

Fuck off. I think we'll do great.

Bohyun:

You're fake-dating a girl who has a double life her parents don't even know about 😐.

And don't you think it's weird to be fake-dating Myungho's ex?

Abby:

At least I'll look hot doing it 😚

Bohyun:

…

You brought a cowboy hat just in case you had to “improvise” as Texan Abby again.

Abby:

It’s called being prepared for ✨️contingencies✨️

And fashion.

Main character energy requires wardrobe variety 😎

Jinu:

Just don't make it worse.

Roobin:

Make it worse. I'm bored. And I NEED drama.

"Why is your group chat called Saja Boys?" Zoey asked.

Abby glanced up from her phone and caught Zoey's eye. They were stuck in an Uber, having to bail on dessert early to get to their Airbnb. Caleb offered them a place for the night, saying they could leave in the morning, but Zoey was polite and said they were good. Abby jumped in with, “Yeah, some personalities are better in small doses,” and that got a pretty icy look from Gigi.

"Because it’s fitting since everyone is a Leo," Abby explained.

Zoey raised an eyebrow, amused. "Seriously? All five of you are Leos?”

Abby smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Yep! And the coolest ones, too. Jinu's July 25, Roobin's July 30, I'm August 2, Myungho's August 18, and Bohyun's August 10. That's the whole crew."

Zoey shook her head, trying to hide her amusement. "Only you guys would have a group chat based on astrology."

Abby chuckled, looking back at his phone. "Hey, this was all Roobin’s idea since he’s big on astrology and all that hippie stuff with crystals, auras and shit. He even assigned us roles."

"And what roles are those?" Zoey asked.

"Jinu's the Papa Saja. He's like the tired dad of the group."

Zoey nodded with a nod. "That actually checks out. Plus, he's a 99 liner."

“Right! He always insists that he’s not that old. Like dude, you’ll be 30 in like three years.”

Zoey cackled. “What about Roobin?”

"Roobin calls himself the Romance Saja because he thinks of himself as the Romance guru who ‘gives the best advice when it comes to love and relationships,’" Abby air quoted. “He even developed an ego about it ever since he and Mira started dating.”

“Till this day, I wonder how he did it,” Zoey said, shaking her head. “I’ve seen that girl reject countless guys since Uni, and she’s not the easiest to sway or impress. She even rejected him like forty times.”

“Well, Roobin is patient and doesn’t give up that easily. Once he’s locked in on what he wants, he’s locked in. But,” Abby said, putting heavy emphasis on the word ‘but.’ “If I had to theorise, I’d say witchcraft. He probably bought one of those cheap love potions for like three thousand won on Amazon or eBay.”

Zoey lidded her eyes, unimpressed. “Really, Abby?”

“What? It’s possible!” he insisted.

“There’s no way a potion would work,” she rolled her eyes. “Obviously, he went to a shaman.”

Abby let out a gasp and grinned. “I love the way you think.”

Zoey rubbed her nails on her jacket, arrogantly. “Of course you do. I’m the Queen of conspiracy theories.”

Abby barked a laugh and raised his hands. “Okay. Message received.”

“What about you?”

“I’m the Abs Saja. For obvious reasons.”

"Because of your abs?" She arched an eyebrow.

"And my biceps. I put a lot of time and love into Ruby and Rose." He said, flexing his biceps.

Zoey let out a laugh. "Oh my god. You named your biceps. You're insane."

Abby grinned, pretending to be offended. "Hey, they're my babies. And must I remind you that Ruby effortlessly picked you off the ground? You better put some respect on my girls, geobug-i."

Zoey rolled her eyes. "What about Myungho?"

"Myungho? He's the Mystery Saja. Because he barely speaks and disappears for days. Honestly, I think he’s secretly a spy." Abby whispered conspiratorially.

"I dunno. He seemed more like the mysterious, brooding bad boy when I first met him. But after dating him, he's more of a quiet homebody who just needs a good book, a video game and a good TV show." She shrugged.

Abby chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Yeah, he's pretty low maintenance. Although the whole 'mysterious brooding bad boy' thing is really just his default setting. Underneath that, he's a giant puppy."

Zoey snorted. "True, but he's more of a husky."

"Huskies are loud. And he most certainly ain't loud. I'd say he's more of a wolf."

Zoey gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Oh my gosh! Yes! That fits him perfectly! Shin Myungho, the mysterious lone wolf."

"Exactly. The lone wolf who secretly just wants cuddles and head pats." Abby said, grinning.

Zoey laughed again. "What about Bohyun?"

"He's the Baby Saja," Abby said.

Zoey blinked. "The Baby Saja?"

Abby nodded. "The Baby Saja."

"Why the Baby Saja?"

"Well, for one: he's the youngest, obviously. Two: Roobin gave him that name just to spite him after he said the astrology reasoning for Saja Boys is stupid." Abby explained.

Zoey snorted. "Sounds about right. And Bohyun is probably really annoyed by that."

Abby smirked. "Oh, he is. He gets grumpy every time Roobin calls him the Baby Saja."

Zoey shook her head, amused. "You guys are like a bunch of overgrown man-children."

Abby shrugged, unbothered. "Hey, you and your home girls dated/are dating the one who dated three of us."

"Yeah, but at least two of you are low maintenance and normal. I have to deal with wondering when you're going to have your hand stuck in a jar again."

"Hey! That was one time!" Abby said, mock-offended. "And that jar was tight."

Zoey snorted. "That's what she said."

Abby spluttered at her joke, trying to hold back a laugh and failing.

"God, you're awful." He said with a shake of his head.

"Not my fault, you didn’t see that coming."

Abby groaned, running a hand through his hair. "How are you so good at these jokes?"

Zoey smirked and shrugged. "Being friends with you comes with a cost."

"Totally worth it," Abby said, flashing a grin.

They both laughed, the sound feeling nice and light in the air, then fell into a chill silence that felt like a warm blanket around them.

"Hey..." Abby suddenly got serious. "Are you fine with this? Like really?"

Zoey blinked at the sudden change in tone. "Fine with what?"

"This. Us fake dating."

"Are you having second thoughts?"

"No. Of course not. I offered. I'm totally fine with it," he said. "I just want to know if you're fine with it. Especially since I'm friends with Myungho. I mean... he is your ex."

Zoey's expression softened. She looked out the window, considering her answer.

"I appreciate you asking," she said finally, turning back to him. "But I'll be fine. We broke up amicably, and we've both moved on since then. Plus, we'll only be 'dating' for the next month or so. What could go wrong?"

Abby pondered her words, then smirked.

"You falling in love with your hot gym himbo bestie," he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Abby," Zoey said, giving him a light shove. "Don't make this weird."

Abby laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying—the chemistry is straight out of a Wattpad story. Might as well write the whole rom-com."

"You're the worst," Zoey shoved his shoulder again.

Abby chuckled before falling silent for a brief moment

"So..." he started. "The dinner...."

Zoey tensed. She already knew where this conversation was going.

"What about it?" She averted her eyes from his to the window, folding her arms to her chest.

"It was.... intense," he started casually, but carefully. "Especially your friend. She was... pretty interesting for a person who claims to be ‘honest.’"

Zoey let out a breath that sounded like it had been sitting in her chest all night. “That’s one way to put it.”

"Are you okay, though? Genuinely?"

"Of course, I am. She's always been like that. I'm used to it," she answered, her gaze still stuck on the window, the grip on the sleeve of her jacket tightening.

Abby looked over at her, sensing the shift in her mood.

"Hey," he said softly, reaching out to touch her arm. "I’m not trying to stir shit. I just..." he trailed off. "I'm worried about you. She said some pretty nasty stuff back there, and it's honestly surprising she could even say that in front of her fiancé and even more surprising that you allowed it."

Zoey finally looked at him, her expression stoic. But her eyes betrayed her. Abby noticed the vulnerability in her eyes—the uncertainty that she was attempting to conceal—until she eventually looked down at her feet.

"I know she's not exactly the warmest person, and you're not the first person who's not exactly fond of her personality."

"That's not reassuring," Abby pointed out.

"I know, I know," she let out an exasperated sigh and looked back at him. "But she's not all bad, you know? She just had a difficult childhood with her parents divorcing when she was just five. So, I always give her grace."

"A little too much grace if you ask me," he muttered under his breath.

"Be nice," she pinched his side, making him yelp in pain.

"What? You're a little too kind for your own good sometimes," Abby replied, rubbing his side. "And should she really be lashing out just 'cause her parents split when she was a kid at her big grown age?"

"It's complicated, okay?"

Abby sighed, seeing that she was clearly getting defensive.

"Look, I know you want to think the best in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, and yeah, maybe her parents splitting up really messed with her as a kid. But that doesn't give her the right to talk to you like that and treat you like a doormat—"

"Just drop it, okay?" She cut him off, her tone firm and final.

Zoey was tuning him out, and he knew he wasn’t going to get anything else from her. So, he figured he might as well respect her wishes and drop the matter.

"Wish I didn't leave the disco ball at the airport."

Zoey blinked. "Seriously?"

"Hey! Don't judge my coping mechanisms." He retorted.

"Your coping mechanism was going to take up space."

"And my heart is aching from the lack of disco ball right now," he said, feigning a melodramatic sigh.

Zoey rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You're insane."

"You wouldn't have me any other way." Abby leaned back in his seat, a smug grin on his face.

The Uber pulled up outside the apartment Zoey had booked on Airbnb, tucked along a dimly lit street—clean, modern, and almost aggressively minimalist. It was one of those types that looked better in photos because the host renting out the place couldn’t be bothered to show the inside.

Zoey thanked the driver before making her way to the house, with Abby following not too far behind, carrying their luggage in hand. He eyed the Airbnb with a raised brow and let out a low whistle.

“Either this place is very minimalist, or the host is scamming you, Zo,” he commented, taking in the simple exterior.

Zoey frowned, tilting her head. “It looked bigger online.”

“It always does,” Abby replied. “Or the host forgot to upload half of the listing of this place.”

They stepped into the apartment building and made it to their door. It actually looked way better than what was outside. Sure, the place was a bit snug—more like a motel-sized room—but at least it didn’t feel empty and cold.

"Nice," Abby said with a nod of approval. "A bit small, but nice."

"Well... it was the cheapest one I could get on such short notice," she replied, taking off her shoes.

"Well, for a cheap Airbnb, it's pretty nice," Abby said, dropping the luggage on the floor. He looked around the place. "Where's the bedroom?"

"Probably the door on the left."

"Sweet." Abby nodded, then moved to the left door and went inside.

Zoey took a look around her new place. The tiny kitchenette had just enough space for her coffee maker and a few snacks. The living room was super cosy, with a comfy couch that looked perfect for kicking back after a long day, a little table for pizza or books, and a flatscreen TV on the wall for those binge-watching sessions. She peered out the window at the park across the street and thought, “Yeah, I can totally work with this,” while smiling to herself.

Abby poked his head out from the bedroom. "Hey, Zo."

Zoey turned to him. “Yeah?”

"There’s only one bed." He stated.

There was a beat of silence. "What?"

"There's only one bed," he repeated, pointing into the room.

Zoey's eyebrows furrowed as she moved closer to check out the pretty, decent-sized room. A sliding door leads directly to the backyard, making it ideal for creating a relaxing patio area. The ensuite bathroom would be super handy for those rushed mornings. The wardrobe might be on the smaller side, but it could definitely hold her stuff, and that cute dressing table with the mirror looked just right for her makeup. And as Abby mentioned, there was only one bed.

Not a mistake bed.

Not a maybe, two single beds were pushed together.

A very intentional, double-sized, centre-of-the-room, tucked-in-like-it-knew-what-it-was-doing bed with two nightstands and lamps on either side.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," she muttered, mortified.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Abby teased. "It's not that bad.

Zoey shot him an incredulous look. "Not that bad? Abby, there's only one bed!"

"Zo, we've slept in the same bed watching movies. This is totally fine."

"Yeah, but this is different! We're going to be sharing a bed. On purpose!"

He held back a laugh at her reaction. "You're really making this out to be a bigger deal than it is."

Zoey huffed. "It is a big deal."

'No, it isn't. We're adults, we can act like it." He walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "Come on, stop being overdramatic and come here."

"Uh-uh. I ain't doing that." Zoey put her arms in an 'X.'

Abby rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist. "Just get over here."

Zoey let out a squeak as Abby yanked her over to the bed, making her bounce on the mattress beside him.

Abby chuckled at her indignant ‘oof’ as she landed on the bed, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed. "See? Not that bad."

He leaned back on the bed, propping himself up on his elbows. "You're making a big fuss over nothing."

Zoey scowled at him, although it didn’t do much except make her look like a pouting child from the way her cheeks were flushed. "I'm not overreacting."

He chuckled, lifting an eyebrow at her. "Really? Because you're acting like sharing a bed with me is the worst thing ever."

"Because it's going to be weird!" she argued.

"Why would it be weird?" he replied with a cocky smirk. "It's not like we're going to be doing other things in bed all night."

"Yeah, ‘cause your junk is going to end up in a blender if you even try anything."

Abby couldn't help but wince at the thought.  "Wow, Zo. I knew you were into kinky stuff, but that takes the cake."

Zoey flushed and slapped his arm. "You know that's not what I meant!"

"Hey, your mind went there on its own," he chuckled, enjoying the way his teasing made her flustered. "I’m just here for vibes."

"I fucking hate you sometimes," She said through her gritted teeth.

"Oh, come on. You love me, and you know it," he grinned, reaching out to poke her butt.

"Is it too late to revoke my love and demand a refund?”

Abby feigned a look of betrayal. "You hurt me, geobug-i." He put a hand to his chest and slumped back dramatically against the bed.

"Tough cookies, country boy." She got up and headed to the bathroom. "I'm taking a shower. And we're sleeping with a pillow wall."

Abby sighed dramatically, rolling onto his stomach. "You always take the fun out of everything." 

"It's either that or I'm taking the couch." She entered the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

He scoffed and muttered under his breath, "Pillow wall... so dramatic."

[ms-liz-steele]

Sex Ed 101

Annie Leonhart x Armin Arlert | smut, drama, romance, college au

-> Synopsis: In the midst of college life, Annie finds herself entangled in an unexpected proposition - providing sex tutoring sessions for Armin, a shy and inexperienced bookworm.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Never Have I Ever: Encouraging Honest and Open Discussions Part One

❦

Annie sipped her drink, surprised by how little she minded the noise. Reiner’s parties always left her drained, but here she was, watching Armin’s friends bicker like siblings and feeling oddly at ease.

I could fade into the background, not say a word but don’t feel out of place or ignored.

She sat beside Armin as he debated Eren, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. One moment, she was studying his face—the way his eyes lit up when he made a point, the exasperated sighs he aimed at Eren’s antics, the polite chuckles he spared for Connie’s terrible jokes.

The next, her gaze dropped to his forearms. The veins there were distractingly pronounced, his hands expressive as they gestured. She imagined those hands gripping her hips, her throat—

Jesus, Annie. Get a grip. She took a swig from her cup, the cheap beer suddenly too warm.

 “The suspension was uncalled for,” Eren insisted, sloshing his beer. 

Armin rolled his eyes. “Eren, you started a protest over scoring low on your philosophy quiz.” 

Mikasa arched a brow. “Let me guess: you didn’t study.” 

“It was rigged!” Eren jabbed a finger at Armin. “This nerd aced it without trying!” 

“Because I studied. You spent hours playing Call of Duty just the night before!” Armin shot back with disbelief in his tone.

Mikasa fake coughed. “Classic procrastination.” 

Eren gaped. “Traitor.” 

“Truth-teller,” Mikasa corrected, smirking as Sasha high-fived her. 

“Whatever.” Eren crossed his arms. “I still think it was rigged.”

“You’re a moron,” Jean said, shaking his head.

“Now I know your maidenless ass ain’t talking. You were whining about your statistics quiz when you were binge-watching Angela White videos on the Hub instead of studying,” Eren retorted.

“Okay, first—” Jean’s ears turned red. “—that’s irrelevant. Second, I watch her videos for the plot. Third, “I get plenty of women—”

“Those Instagram models don’t count.” Connie chimed in.

“Those are curated photography pages. Plus, I’ve actually interacted with real women—”  

“Those Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and POF girls don’t count either,” Sasha added through a mouthful of pretzels. 

“POF?” Annie furrowed her eyebrows, confused.

“Plenty of Fish. It’s a dating app.” Mikasa explained to her, to which Annie responded with an ‘oh.’

“Who still uses POF anyway?” Tobio asked.

“Someone who’s fishing for middle-aged divorcees, single mothers and aunties like Jean here, apparently.” Eren snorted.

The table roared with laughter loud enough to make Jean visibly shrivel in his seat. Annie caught herself making a weird snorting noise and immediately took another swig, as if cheap vodka could drown out her momentary lapse in aloofness.

"I hate all of you," Jean deadpanned.

"Liar," Connie grinned, punching his arm. "You adore us."

Jean rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "Tolerate. There’s a big difference." He took a swig of his drink. "And you all suck."

"We suck with love," Sasha cooed, batting her eyelashes.

Jean opened his mouth to retort—then froze. His eyebrows shot up as his gaze locked onto something behind Annie. "Shit. Ex incoming," he muttered into his cup.

Annie frowned. Before she could ask—

"There you are!"

A pair of manicured arms slithered around Eren’s neck from behind. The table went silent.

Connie’s grin vanished. Sasha’s pretzel hovered mid-air. Eren was dumbfounded. Mikasa’s expression turned to ice. Tobio shifted uncomfortably. Jean studied his drink like it held the secrets of the universe.

And Armin?

His knuckles whitened around his cup. The easy smile he’d worn all night was gone, replaced by a stiffness that made Annie’s stomach twist.

The girl behind Eren wore her auburn hair in artfully messy waves, the kind that took hours to look effortless. Her black dress clung to her like a second skin, the neckline dipping just low enough to be "accidental." A smirk played on her glossed lips—the expression of someone who always got what she wanted.

Annie studied this girl, her face neutral. The way everyone stiffened told her everything she needed to know: She was an unwanted addition to the group.

"You’ve been ignoring my texts," Esther pouted, twirling a strand of Eren’s man bun around her finger. Her gaze swept the table, bright and performative. "Hey, guys!"

Then her eyes landed on Armin.

A flicker of tension. "Hey, Armin."

"Esther." His reply was polite, but the forced calm in his voice made Annie’s fingers tighten around her cup.

So, this is the ex.

“Can you not?” he pushed her hands off him. “I’ve been busy, okay? And I don’t see why you’d even want to keep in touch with me after you and Armin broke up.”

Annie felt Armin stiffen beside her. Without thinking, her hand found his knee under the table— a quick, grounding squeeze. His head snapped toward her, eyes wide. She raised a brow: You okay?

Armin forced a weary smile. I’m fine. But his fingers tapped an uneven rhythm against his cup. 

 ”Oh, come on,” Esther pouted, all performative hurt.  ”Just because things didn’t work with Armin doesn’t mean we have to—“  

"A little late for that,” Mikasa cut in, her voice colder than Annie’s freezer. 

Esther’s gaze snapped to Mikasa, her playful mask slipping into something sharp and venomous.  "I don’t recall your opinion ever mattering in my friendships, Mikasa.”  Sugar-coated poison. 

Armin’s hands came up like a referee. ”Let’s not fight.”

"No, I’m just saying—“ Esther began. 

"Esther. Please.”  Armin’s voice cracked— equal parts pleading and exhausted. 

For a heartbeat, Esther studied him, her expression softening. Then, with a sigh too dramatic to be genuine, she relented.  ”Fine. Whatever.”

"Gather 'round, degenerates! We're playing ‘Never Have I Ever!’" Reiner announced, slamming a handle of vodka onto the table.

Jean groaned. "Oh god, we're trauma-dumping before midnight?"

Connie rubbed his hands together with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I live for this shit."

"Come on, Horseface," Eren goaded, slinging an arm around Jean's stiff shoulders. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Jean's eye twitched. "Oh, I can think of several things—starting with you choking on your next shitty punchline."

"Dude, relax!" Connie wedged himself between them, grinning. "We're just sharing funny stories over drinks." He paused, then shot Sasha a conspiratorial look. 

"And collecting blackmail," Sasha added, wiggling her eyebrows. "Standard friendship stuff."

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Jean deadpanned, snatching the vodka bottle with the enthusiasm of a man walking to the gallows. "Let's get this over with." He took a swig straight from the bottle before adding, "Remind me why I tolerate you assholes again?"

Esther's laugh sliced through the chatter - all tinkling bells and calculated charm. "Come ooon!" She clamped onto Eren's arm, her French-tipped fingers sinking into his skin like talons. Eren's jaw flexed, his free hand curling into a fist at his side, but he didn't shake her off. Typical, Annie thought, shaking her head at what she was seeing. All bark, no bite.

Her drink had gone flat and tepid in her grip. Across the room, Esther had transformed into Eren's second shadow, her body pressed flush against his side. Every giggle, every hair toss was a performance - and Annie wasn't sure who the audience was supposed to be.

"You joining the circus?" Armin nudged her shoulder, nodding toward the gathering crowd.

Annie arched a brow. "Are you volunteering as the clown?"

He shrugged, that infuriatingly placid smile in place. "Could be fun."

"Yeah," she deadpanned. "And I'm the fucking Queen of England."

Armin's shoulder bumped hers. "Come on, Annie," he murmured, lips quirking. "Live a little. Unless you'd rather be that cliché brooding protagonist lurking in dark corners all night."

“Hmm! Tempting offer. I might take you up on it.”

“Come on. Do it for me,” Armin said, giving her his best puppy eyes.

The worst part? He wasn’t even trying. No exaggerated pout, no theatrical pleading - just genuine blue-eyed warmth that somehow made her stomach flip. Bastard.

Now she had two options:

Suffer through drunk confessions and Esther's theatrics Bail to her empty apartment and debate re-watching The Office for the 14th time. She exhaled sharply. "Fine. But if someone asks about 'weirdest hookups,' I'm blaming you for whatever I make up."

Armin laughed. “Noted.”

[ms-liz-steele]

Off The Record (Ultraman Rising)

Ken "Kenji" Sato x Ami Wakita | smut, drama, romance,

-> Synopsis: One year after her divorce, Ami Wakita balances single parenthood and a demanding career in sports journalism. When an unexpected connection with baseball star Ken Sato ignites a new romance, Ami must navigate the complexities of new love and the lingering shadows of her past.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Five

༆

My breath hitched at Kenji's words, my heart pounding as if trying to drown out the soft murmur of his voice. I want to kiss you. The simplicity of his confession sent a rush of heat through me, a potent mixture of desire and trepidation pooling in my chest. I wanted it too—God, I wanted it. The way he looked at me, the heat in his eyes, the magnetic pull between us—it was undeniable.

But a dozen thoughts raced through my mind, cutting through the haze of alcohol and adrenaline. Kenji wasn’t just any man. He was Ken Sato, a world-renowned baseball athlete whose every move was scrutinized by the media ever since he moved to Japan. And I wasn’t just any woman. I was a sports journalist—someone whose career could be jeopardized if anyone caught wind of something inappropriate. The line between professional and personal was thin, and tonight it felt like we were walking on the edge of a knife.

Am I letting the wine cloud my judgment? I wondered, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my dress as she fought to steady her breathing. Was this sudden boldness my own, or was it the alcohol permitting me to act on desires I had tried to keep buried since this interaction?

My gaze flickered to Kenji’s lips, then back to his smouldering eyes. The air between them was electric, charged with unspoken longing. I felt my resolve waver, torn between the pull of my attraction and the weight of what it might mean. For him. For me. For the both of us.

"I want to taste those perfect lips of yours." His gaze lingered on my mouth; his intent was clear.

I licked my lips slowly and asked, “Then what's stopping you.”

Kenji's gaze darkened, his restraint hanging by a thread. He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against my skin as the space between us vanished. "Absolutely nothing," he murmured, his voice low and laden with desire. His hand came up, cupping my face gently, as if he were savouring every second. When his lips finally met mine, it was soft, tentative—a kiss that felt like a question and an answer all at once.

I moaned softly, melting into him as his hand on my cheek drew me closer. The kiss deepened with a sudden urgency, his hunger breaking through the tenderness. His lips moved against mine with fervent need, the tension of the night spilling into every touch. I clung to him, matching his passion with my own, craving more with each kiss. Every groan that escaped his lips sent shivers through me, igniting a fire that demanded to burn brighter.

Kenji guided me back against the couch, his body hovering over mine without breaking the kiss. His hand slid from my cheek to tangle in my hair, his grip firm yet gentle as he angled my head to deepen the kiss. His other hand rested on my hip, grounding me as his lips and touch consumed me entirely.

My breath hitched when his hand slipped beneath my dress, the warmth of his palm pressing against the bare skin of my waist. The intimacy of the gesture made my head spin, pulling me deeper into the moment. His kisses grew more fervent, more demanding, as if he couldn’t get enough.

But just as the heat threatened to consume us both, Kenji pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine as his breaths came in heavy, uneven bursts. His eyes met mine, their dark depths swirling with desire and something deeper—something almost unspoken. "God," he rasped, his voice raw. "You're a dangerous woman." A teasing smirk tugged at his lips, softening the intensity of his gaze.

“Hardly,” I replied with a breathless chuckle, my heart still racing as I stared up at him.

Kenji's gaze softened, a small chuckle escaping him. "Oh, trust me. You're more dangerous than you realise," he murmured, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on my hip. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on my neck, his voice just a whisper. "That kiss almost did me in."

I leaned my head back allowing Kenji's lips to trail across my neck, leaving feather-light kisses along my skin. His hand on my hip pulled me even closer, the warmth of his body pressed against mine.

Kenji sat up, his movements deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine as he tugged his shirt over his head. The soft light of the room cast shadows over his lean, toned body, highlighting the sharp lines of his defined chest and the taut muscles of his abdomen. His skin glowed faintly, a golden hue that begged to be touched, and every inch of him exuded strength and effortless allure. He tossed the shirt aside carelessly, his gaze dark and intense, a magnetic pull that made it impossible to look away.

A low groan rumbled from Kenji’s lips as my hands explored the firm planes of his body, his muscles rippling under my touch. The sensation sent a thrill through me, igniting a heady mix of pleasure and exhilaration. His gaze bore into mine, dark and heated, tracking my every move as the desire in his eyes deepened.

Without breaking eye contact, his hands slid to my hips, gripping them firmly as he pulled me closer. A soft gasp escaped me at the sudden proximity. Kenji leaned in, his movements slow and deliberate, gently slipping my glasses off with an almost reverent touch. His fingers lingered for a moment before he carefully placed them on the table beside us. Then, his attention shifted back to me fully, his focus unwavering, the intensity between us crackling like a live wire.

His gaze lingered on my face, now without the barrier of my glasses. "You're so beautiful..." he whispered, the sincerity in his voice palpable. His hands moved to cup my face, his thumbs brushing softly against my cheeks.

I blushed as Kenji's face softened when he noticed the color spreading across my cheeks. "There it is," he teased, a lopsided smile on his lips. His thumbs brushed against my cheeks, feeling the warmth of my flushed skin under his touch. "Your blush."

“Shut up,” I rolled my eyes.

Kenji chuckled once more. "Never," he replied, his smile growing wider. "It's just too fun to tease you." His thumbs gently stroked my cheeks as his eyes locked onto mine. "You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you again."

“Then do it. I’m basically at your mercy.”

Kenji’s eyes darkened, flaring with unrestrained desire at my words. His lips curled into a wicked, predatory smirk that sent shivers racing down my spine. He closed the distance between us without hesitation, his mouth crashing against mine in a fiercely passionate kiss.

It was raw, consuming, and left no room for doubt—he wanted to devour me completely, to make me feel every ounce of the desire coursing through him. His intensity was overwhelming, his lips moving with a demanding urgency that left me breathless, pulling me deeper into the inferno he had ignited.

Kenji's fingertips skimmed the fabric of my dress, sending shivers down my spine. With each touch, he seemed to become more eager, more desperate. He deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entrance, swirling around mine. His hands moved further up, his touch becoming bolder, more greedy.

Kenji broke the kiss, reluctantly pulling back to allow himself a moment to take in the sight of me. His gaze devoured me, his eyes following the path of the unzipped dress, the fabric falling slightly from my body.

"You're absolutely gorgeous," he breathed, his voice filled with desire. His fingers slowly undid the rest of the zipper, his touch gentle and filled with reverence.

A sudden wave of awareness washed over me, and I became acutely conscious of how vulnerable I felt. Kenji caught on instantly, the change in my demeanor not escaping him. Without hesitation, he stilled, leaning back just enough to give me space.

"Hey," he whispered softly, his hand lifting to gently tilt my chin so my eyes met his. His gaze was steady, warm, and full of reassurance. "You're beautiful," he said again, his voice carrying a quiet intensity. "You don’t ever have to feel conscious with me. I’m not here to judge you. Ever." His sincerity wrapped around me like a protective embrace, grounding me in the moment.

“I know... I'm just not used to having another man see me like this,” I whispered.

His expression softened. He gently caressed my face, his touch tender and reassuring. "It's ok," he whispered, his eyes never leaving yours. "It's only me here. Just us."

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my forehead, then my cheek. "And I think you're the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen."

I smiled at him, and Kenji returned the smile. "It's the truth," he whispered. "You're perfect."

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on my lips. His hands lightly ran across my bare shoulder, relishing in the feeling of my skin under his fingertips. We continued kissing and removing the remainder of our garments until we were both bare on the couch.

The room was filled with the sound of soft moans, the tension between us palpable. Kenji's kisses were hungry, his touch exploratory, mapping every inch of my body. He pulled away long enough to discard his jeans, leaving him just as bare as I was. His eyes roamed over my form, filled with awe and desire.

A guttural moan escaped my mouth as he entered inside me. I arched my back as I felt his hard cock stretching me out. Kenji had his head bowed down; his eyes closed. The sensation was overwhelming, stirring something in me. He stilled for a moment, his breath ragged, trying to maintain some control. His hands clutched my hips, his grip almost to the point of bruising.

"God..." he managed to choke out, his voice deep and husky. "God you feel..."

He didn't even finish the sentence. I didn't blame him, because even I couldn't get a word out. I just felt it, the heat and feeling of him inside me. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine, his voice a whisper. "I need you. All of you."

“Then take me. Please.” I desperately whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Kenji's eyes darkened with desire. His arms wrapped around my waist, securing me in place. "I plan to," he muttered, his voice guttural and filled with raw need.

His lips claimed mine in a fierce kiss, one hand holding your face while the other shifted, angling my hips to give himself better access. He began to move, every thrust deep and measured. His hands roamed over my body, his touch urgent and desperate.

His name escaped my lips in a soft gasp, my eyes meeting his, filled with a combination of pleasure and a hint of lust. His grip on me tightened as he felt my body responding to his. "You're so damn beautiful," he murmured against my skin, his breath hot and erratic. He pressed me into the couch, his body covering mine.

The rhythm of his thrusts quickened, his control slipping further. I was losing myself in him, in the sensation of his body against mine. The sounds of my gasps and moans filled the room,

“Kenji...” his name left my lips once more.

"Fuck..." he breathed out, his voice ragged, his movements becoming more frenzied. "Say my name again..."

“Kenji...”

A low growl escaped Kenji's lips, his body shuddering in response. He shifted slightly, his movements becoming more urgent, more primal. His lips found my neck, his teeth scraping against my skin, leaving behind a trail of kisses and marks.

"God yes..." he murmured against my skin, his voice a deep rumble of desire. "Say it louder. I want you to say my name until you can't even speak."

“Kenji...” “I said a little louder pressing my head against the couch and digging my nails into his shoulders

"Yes... just like that..." he groaned. He began to move faster, more erratically. Each thrust was punctuated by a deep, guttural moan, his lips on my neck, my shoulder, anywhere they could reach.

He shifted his position slightly, one hand leaving my hip to clutch one of my wrists, pinning it above my head against the couch. He leaned down, capturing my lips in a fierce kiss. It was a messy and needy kiss, his tongue seeking entry, his body pressing me further into the couch.

Kenji buried his face into the crook of my neck, his breath hot against my skin, his tongue grazing my skin as he trailed a path of kisses along my shoulder and neck. The intimacy of the moment, the way our bodies moved together, intensified every sensation. His movements became needier, more urgent, the desire between us reaching new heights.

I stared at the ceiling with hazy eyes as Kenji continued thrusting into me. As the night wore on, the sounds of our moans and gasps filled the room, mingling with the soft rustle of the creaking of the couch.

[ms-liz-steele]

Sex Ed 101

Annie Leonhart x Armin Arlert | smut, drama, romance, college au

-> Synopsis: In the midst of college life, Annie finds herself entangled in an unexpected proposition - providing sex tutoring sessions for Armin, a shy and inexperienced bookworm.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Party Dynamics 101: Alcohol, Atmosphere, and Social Expectations

❦

Annie stood in front of her bedroom mirror, scrutinizing her reflection for what felt like the hundredth time. She smoothed the edges of her fitted black top, tilting her head as she debated whether it looked effortless or like she was trying too hard.

From her spot on the bed, Hitch barely glanced up from her phone, smirking at Annie’s dilemma. "That's the fifth outfit you've tried on, Annie."

Annie rolled her eyes and shot Hitch a glare. "I'm just trying to find something that doesn't scream 'I'm putting in effort.'" She adjusted the hem of her top again, as if that would magically change everything.

"You looked fine three outfits ago."

Annie huffed at her comment. "Fine" didn’t cut it. She had to look better than fine. But not too good, because then it would look like she was trying, and she wasn’t trying. Obviously. It was just a house party, for god’s sake. She sighed, turning to Hitch with her arms crossed. "Do I look desperate?"

Hitch didn’t even look up from her phone. "You're sounding desperate."

Annie groaned, leaning against the dresser. Hitch had a way of cutting straight through her, and unfortunately, she wasn’t wrong. Her obsession with looking like she didn’t care had officially crossed into definitely caring too much territory, which wasn’t her thing.

"Just... help me," she muttered, half a plea, half an order.

"Fine, fine." Hitch swung her legs over the side of the bed and strolled toward Annie’s closet. "You haven’t cared this much about your outfit since your first date with you-know-who."

Annie stiffened. Hitch just had to spell out Bertholdt.

"You're exaggerating," she shot back, snatching a grey crop top from Hitch’s hands.

"Am I though?" Hitch arched an eyebrow.

Annie ignored her, running her fingers over the fabric. "I just... want to look good."

Hitch smirked, arms folded. "For the blonde bookworm you’re sex tutoring?"

Annie’s cheeks flamed instantly. "Shut up," she muttered, turning away. "It’s not like that."

Hitch grinned. "I mean, he did invite you to the party. Makes sense you’d want to look your best."

"It’s not like that," Annie repeated, though the argument sounded weak even to her. The truth was, she had been thinking about Armin—more than she wanted to admit.

It had caught her off guard when he asked if she wanted to come with him to Reiner’s party. He’d been a little hesitant, almost like he expected her to say no. But there was something about how he’d asked—casual on the surface, but with that familiar nervous energy, he got whenever he stepped outside his comfort zone.

She could’ve brushed it off, and made some excuse not to attend. They weren’t friends nor were they even close. The only reason why they were even talking to each other was because of the whole sex tutoring Eren had sprung on the both of them. So there really wasn’t any reason for their interaction to go beyond their arrangement.

But the truth was, it felt nice to be asked. It wasn’t like he needed her there, but he wanted her there. She had been asked by Bertholdt back when they were together, but somehow with Armin it felt different. That did something funny to her chest, and that was a feeling she wasn’t quite ready to unpack.

"It's just a party," she said, mostly to herself. "I’ll have a few drinks, and hang out. He didn’t want to go alone."

"Awww, how considerate of you, Leonhart." Hitch teased, nudging her side.

"Don’t make it into something it’s not," Annie muttered, avoiding Hitch’s knowing gaze as she took out a pair of her Timberlands.

Hitch leaned in, chin resting on her hand. "Oh? Then what is it, pray tell?"

Annie let out an exasperated breath. "It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement," she said finally, keeping her voice cool. "I help him with... other things."

Hitch’s smirk stretched wider. "Like finding the G-spot?"

"Get the fuck out." Annie pointed to the door.

Hitch collapsed onto the bed, laughing. "Oh come on, it was a joke," she wheezed. "You get so defensive, I swear."

Annie folded her arms, face impassive. "I’m not being defensive. I just don’t find your jokes funny."

Hitch wiped a fake tear from her eye. "Or maybe you’re just secretly worried I’m right?"

Annie’s sharp glare could have cut through steel. "We haven’t even gotten there yet!"

"Key word: yet."

Heat crept up Annie’s neck as she tore her gaze away, annoyed at how easily Hitch got under her skin. "Just shut up and help me pick an outfit."

"Alright, alright," Hitch chuckled, finally digging through the closet in earnest.

Annie let out a breath, watching her best friend rifle through clothes, but her mind wasn’t on the outfit anymore. It was on him. The party. Seeing him. And the undeniable feeling that, after tonight, things between her and Armin might shift in a way she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

❦

The party was already in full swing by the time Annie arrived. The thumping bass of music pulsed through the air, mixing with the distant hum of conversation and drunken laughter spilling out onto the front lawn. She took a steadying breath, adjusting the strap of her jacket before stepping through the door.

She wasn’t nervous—she could handle a party. She could handle Armin. She could handle whatever the night threw at her.

But as soon as she walked inside, the humid press of bodies and the thick scent of alcohol, sweat, and cheap cologne wrapped around her like a vice. The dim lighting cast long, flickering shadows against the walls, and the music was so loud it reverberated in her chest.

Her eyes swept the crowded space, scanning for Armin among the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"Annie!"

Her head snapped toward the sound of her name, and there he was, standing by the makeshift bar with a group of people. He was dressed in a light blue button-up, the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows. His blond hair was slightly tousled, and whether it was intentional or not, it suited him.

He looked good and that did something annoying to Annie’s stomach.

Armin made his way toward her, his easy smile tugging at something in her chest she didn’t want to acknowledge. "Hey," he greeted, his gaze lingering on her a second too long. The way he said it—so casual, yet warm—made it feel far more intimate than it should have.

She exhaled through her nose, forcing herself to keep her expression neutral. "Hey."

His eyes flicked over her outfit, and Annie caught the subtle way he straightened his posture. "You look great," he said, sincerity laced in his voice.

Annie shifted under his gaze, though she kept her cool. She’d gone with a fitted high-waist pair of shorts, fishnet stockings, a NASA loose tank top, and her favourite black leather jacket, paired with a set of well-worn Timberlands. She wasn’t dressed up exactly, but the effort was there. Just enough.

"Thanks," she muttered, feeling uncharacteristically self-conscious. She wasn’t used to compliments. Or at least, not ones that made her stomach twist in ways she wasn’t sure she liked. "You don’t look so bad yourself."

Armin grinned, clearly amused by her half-hearted response. "I clean up alright," he teased, running a hand through his hair.

Annie shifted his weight, rolling from her heels onto the balls of his feet. "So, are we just going to stand here and stare at each other all night?"

Armin flushed slightly, caught off guard. "No—uh, I was actually going to introduce you to my friends." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

Annie arched an eyebrow. "Your other friends? You have those?"

Armin chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, Annie, I do." He motioned toward the group he had been standing with earlier.

She followed his gaze, taking in the small crowd.

"Come on." Before she could protest, Armin grabbed her wrist and gently tugged her forward.

Annie felt a jolt at the contact, but she didn’t pull away. His grip was light, warm. By the time they reached his friend group, he let her go, but she could still feel the lingering imprint of his touch on her skin.

"Yo! Armin!"

Annie’s gaze snapped to the source—Eren. He was lounging lazily, a smug grin plastered on his flushed face. His green eyes flicked between Armin and Annie, his interest obvious.

Armin sighed, exasperation evident. "Please don’t tell me you’re already drunk."

Eren scoffed. "Whaaat? No."

Armin turned to the goth girl standing beside him. "How much did he drink?"

The girl, who had been watching the exchange with cool indifference, took a slow sip from her cup before answering. "Enough to be fun. Not enough to puke on someone’s shoes."

Annie smirked slightly. She liked her already.

Armin sighed. "Just keep an eye on him, Mikasa."

The goth girl—Mikasa—nodded. Armin turned back to Annie. "This is Mikasa," he said, gesturing to her. "And the guy next to her is her boyfriend, Tobio." He gestured the the gut with the buzzcut and spectacles.

"Hey," Tobio greeted, giving a nod.

Mikasa simply acknowledged Annie with a cool glance, but there was something in her sharp gaze that made Annie think she was watching. Taking note of her.

"That’s Connie," Armin continued, pointing at a guy with grey buzzed hair and an easy-going grin.

"Wassup!" Connie greeted, full of energy.

Annie lifted a hand in a small wave, trying not to seem as wary as she felt. Connie’s energy was a lot.

"And that’s Sasha," Armin said, nodding toward the girl currently shoving a handful of potato chips into her mouth.

Annie watched as Sasha stuffed another bite in, completely unfazed by their introduction.

"She seems to love food," Annie commented dryly.

Mikasa smirked. "That’s nothing. She once finished an entire full chicken on her own."

Annie’s eyebrows shot up. "A full chicken?"

Armin chuckled. "Yup. Her stomach is a bottomless pit."

Sasha, finally aware of the attention, looked up in mock indignation. "What? I just really love food."

Connie patted her back. "Yeah, we know."

Armin grinned before nodding toward the last person in the group. "And finally, that’s Jean."

Annie’s eyes flicked to the brunette with slight stubble, and her smirk returned.

"So that’s the guy who interrupted me in the middle of an orgasm," she muttered to Armin.

Armin choked. His entire face turned beet red as he coughed into his fist. "Y-you cannot just say things like that in front of my friends!" he hissed, voice low and frantic.

Annie rolled her eyes. "Relax. It’s not like they heard."

Armin let out a breath, eyes darting to his friends to make sure they were still distracted. He turned back to her, voice still hushed. "Just—try to keep the, um, details to a minimum. At least in public."

Annie smirked, enjoying the way his face was still tinged pink. "Fine, fine. I’ll keep it PG-13 in front of your friends."

Armin shook his head, but he was smiling. "Thanks. I’d like to keep some dignity intact."

Annie tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Some?"

"You know what I mean," He rolled his eyes.

She smirked to herself.

[ms-liz-steele]

It's my 1 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

[ms-liz-steele]

The Plus One Pact | Cornturle

Zoey x Abby | smut, drama, romance romcom

-> Synopsis: Zoey’s childhood best friend is getting married. Her parents will be there. And her entire fake life is about to collapse—unless her charmingly unhinged best friend Abby can pull off the role of “boyfriend” without turning the wedding into a romcom gone wrong.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Dinner with the G.O.A.T and His... Lovely Fiancée

☾︎✿︎☽︎

“Home at last,” Gigi muttered as she put the car in park. “If I had to listen to your boy toy sing Baby Shark one more time, I was going to drive us into incoming traffic.”

She threw a disgusted side eye at the boy toy in question, who just grinned at her like the unapologetic gremlin he was.

“What? Zo said to play some music to fill the silence. She even gave me radio control privileges. I was just following orders.” Abby replied, feigning innocence.

She threw a disgusted side-eye at Abby, who grinned at her like a guilty golden retriever.

“Well, from now on, your radio privileges are revoked,” Zoey muttered, her eye twitching with annoyance.

“Ouch. My feelings,” he pouted, making Zoey roll her eyes.

“You’ll live. Let’s just go,” Zoey said, already reaching for the door handle, desperate for escape.

They jumped out of the car—well, Zoey jumped, Abby tumbled out dramatically. They were immediately greeted by the sight of a dark-skinned man in his mid-twenties standing tall and effortlessly dressed in a casual sweatshirt and joggers at the entrance of the double-story house.

“There he is,” Gigi beamed as she sashayed towards the man, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a kiss. Not a peck. A full-on, slow, performative but territorial kiss that lingered longer than it needed.

The man seemed slightly surprised but reciprocated the kiss, nonetheless. Zoey felt a hot flush of awkwardness and quickly looked down, pretending to be fascinated by the palm tree nearby

When they finally pulled apart, Caleb chuckled, a little breathless. “Uh… wow. What was that for?”

“I just missed you a lot, Caleb,” Gigi purred, running her hands on his chest.

“You saw me this morning,” he pointed out.

“What can I say, I’m clingy when it comes to you,” she replied.

His attention then shifted over her shoulder, his eyes landing on Zoey. A genuine, familiar smile spread across his face as he brushed past Gigi and approached her.

"Hey," he said breathlessly, closing the distance and pulling her into a hug. 

"Hey," Zoey hugged him back. 

The embrace lingered a moment too long, brushing against the boundaries of friendship. It felt almost too familiar—a rush of emotions from four years finally spilling over into the present.

Zoey cleared her throat awkwardly, giving him a gentle, firm pat on his back before pushing him away and creating a sliver of space between them.

He pulled back, but his hands still gently gripped her arms, a faint pink tinge colouring his cheeks. “Sorry. Wow. You’re really here.”

Zoey forced a light laugh, brushing non-existent lint from her jacket. “You’re acting like you haven’t seen me in years.”

“Four years is a long time,” he said, his voice soft before he seemed to remember they weren’t alone. He turned to the final member of their party.

Abby looked like he was trying very hard not to spontaneously combust. His eyes were wide, his lips were pursed into a thin line, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as if physically restraining his fanboy energy.

Before Caleb could even open his mouth, Abby exploded into motion, executing a perfect, almost 180-degree bow. “It is an absolute honour to meet you, sir!”

Caleb blinked, stunned, then let out a warm, surprised chuckle. He looked to Zoey for an explanation.

She sighed, the sound full of fond exasperation. “He’s a fan.”

“Ah,” Caleb said, understanding dawning. He extended a hand. “I’m Caleb. Nice to meet you.”

“Lee Woojin. I also go by Abel Lee, but friends call me Abby, sir,” Abby took Caleb’s hands with both of his and shook it.

“No need for the formalities, dude. We’re all equals here,” Caleb offered him a warm smile. “Come on in. You two must be exhausted and hungry.”

Zoey and Abby followed Caleb into the house, ignoring the tense look Gigi gave Zoey as they moved past her.

“We’re having dinner with the G.O.A.T. I must be dreaming. Pinch me.” Abby squealed.

Zoey nudged him with her elbow. “Don’t be weird.”

“Me? Weird? I am the epitome of cool! I am chill incarnate!” he whispered, his eyes still filled with excitement.

Zoey sighed. This was going to be a long night.

☾︎✿︎☽︎

The backyard was straight out of a magazine. The soft golden lights glowed beneath the balcony. The blue hues of the pool shimmered beautifully in its surroundings, and the warm air was comfortable enough to sit outside without a jacket.

The group was seated at the long dining table near the edge of the pool, with candles flickering in the centre, creating a cosy atmosphere. The soft clinking of utensils against plates filled the air, creating a perfect backdrop for their lively conversation.

“Thanks again for having us,” Zoey said. “The food is amazing.”

Caleb let out a soft laugh. “I tried. Gigi kinda let me know you were coming back on short notice,” he explained. “So, we didn’t have much to prepare a big feast in honour of your return.”

“I was occupied. You know how swamped I was with wedding preparations, babe,” Gigi replied.

“Well, you really outdid yourself even on short notice,” Abby said with praise in his tone. “And what’s this… smooth, fluffy—cake-thing?”

Caleb laughed. “That’s sadza. It’s from my home country, Zimbabwe. It’s cornmeal cooked into a thick, smooth dough.”

Abby blinked. “Oh. Is it good?”

“Why don’t you try it?” Caleb teased, nodding toward Abby’s plate. “Think of it like our version of bap in Korea — but made from corn instead of rice.”

Abby turned to Zoey. “Have you ever tried this before?” he asked.

“Yeah, a few times when I came over to his place back in the day,” she answered. “His sister always cooked it twice a week. It’s really good. Try it.” She nudged him.

Abby stared at the sadza in his plate before scooping it with a spoon. He took a cautious bite before putting the spoon down and letting out a sigh.

Zoey furrowed her eyebrows and leaned in, worried. “Is it bad—?”

“Why did no one tell me this is AMAZING?!” He exclaimed.

Caleb cracked up. “Is he always this dramatic?” he asked Zoey.

“That’s putting it lightly,” Zoey replied with a sigh.

“Come on! This is elite comfort food,” Abby declared. “I’m offended no one exported this to Korea,” he turned to Caleb. “How do I get a lifetime supply of this?”

Caleb laughed. “Come to Zimbabwe, my friend. I have a feeling you’ll love it there.”

“Did you cook this?” Zoey asked, turning to Gigi.

Caleb laughed softly. “Nah, I handled the sadza and most of the food. She’s not really a fan of cooking it.”

“How come?” Abby asked.

“It was aggressive,” Gigi deadpanned.

“She doesn’t like it when it fights back. The thick paste tends to spatter on you when it’s simmering,” he explained, then added with a chuckle. “She got burned once, and that did it for her.”

“Girl, you totally survived getting burned by hot oil. This should be a piece of cake for you,” Zoey teased.

“Please, you cried when we watched Kubo and the Two Strings,” Gigi shot back. “You’re the last person who can tell me what I can or can’t handle.”

Zoey’s cheeks turned bright red. “I was a kid!”

“We were 14,” Gigi reminded her.

“Well, according to the law, anyone under 18 is still a kid,” Zoey argued stubbornly.

“You ain't slick, Geobug-i. You cried during Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, too,” Abby jumped in.

Zoey sputtered, “That was a long time ago!”

“It was your college sophomore year,” Abby grinned cheekily.

“Speaking of college,” Gigi said, giving Zoey a polite, razor-edged smile. “Still doing that music thing? Since… you know… no degree.”

The light-hearted banter evaporated instantly. The clinking of utensils stopped abruptly as tension thickened and the silence filled the air around the table.

Zoey froze mid-chew, the fork hovering over her lips, feeling her blood turn cold, and her throat tighten. Abby's playful expression dropped. He didn’t say anything—didn’t jump in immediately the way he usually would—but his jaw clenched, staring at Gigi’s smug face. Caleb's eyes darted around the table, confused by the sudden shift in atmosphere and let out an awkward laugh despite himself.

“What’s this about?” he asked.

“Didn’t you hear?” Gigi casually dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “Z dropped out of uni to be a Soundcloud rapper or whatever,” She replied.

Zoey swallowed hard. Heat crept up her neck, embarrassment blooming fast and ugly.

“I’m not just a Soundcloud rapper, you know,” she said quietly, her eyes fixed on her plate. “I also write and produce music.”

“Yeah, she’s written and produced music for famous artists,” Abby jumped in.

Gigi scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Artists also write and produce their own music. Their music will still chart, with or without her help.”

“Still doesn’t make her part less relevant. Artists and labels still need music producers and songwriters,” Abby pointed out.

Gigi hummed. “Still don’t see how that’s worth dropping out of university for, especially since that’s the reason her parents even allowed her to move to South Korea in the first place.”

Zoey sat in silence, the weight of Gigi's words pressing heavily on her chest, and the guilt started gnawing at her insides.

Caleb sighed, setting his fork down. “…Gigi.”

She blinked innocently. “What? I’m just saying. I finished college, earned my degree, and secured a stable job, and she quits when things get hard.”

Zoey stayed silent, swallowing the lump in her throat.

That hurt more than arguing ever would.

Caleb exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.

“Okay, but there’s nothing wrong with dropping out,” Caleb pointed gently.  Some of the most successful people did—Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg, Oprah. And it’s not like she even wanted to do the degree anyway.”

“Oh, please, Caleb. You did a degree you never wanted to do, but still managed to graduate.”

 “Yeah, because I was on a scholarship, Gigi. A full one. Tuition, housing, everything. Dropping out wasn’t an option for me. If I quit, I’d lose my funding, my visa, and my place on the team. And it’s not like she needs a degree to write and produce music anyway.”

Gigi’s smile tightened. “Of course, you’d take her side.”

“I’m not taking sides. It’s the truth,” he reasoned. “And you know Zoey’s been writing songs since middle school. Even back when we were in high school, she had stacks of notebooks. I remember we always passed by the stationery store so she could buy a new one on our way home.” His eyes softened with nostalgia.

Zoey’s cheeks flushed. “It wasn’t that bad.”

“Zo, you had mountains of notebooks stacked in your closet,” he laughed.

Abby perked up. “She still does! She almost killed me for misplacing one of them. I thought she was going to turn me into a roast corncob.”

Zoey whipped her head toward him. “That’s because you left it on the bus seat, Abby!”

“You told me to hold it!”

“Yes! Hold it, not abandon it like a Victorian orphan! You’re lucky the bus driver was kind enough to pick it up and return it to me the next day!”

“Disclaimer: no abs or family jewels were harmed in the process,” Abby flashed a cheeky grin.

Zoey sighed.

Caleb laughed, amused.

Gigi rolled her eyes, irritated.

She cut in sharply. “Anyway. Wedding planning. Zoey, I’ll need you at your A-game. No flaking.”

“Already?” Zoey asked, confused. “Girl, you just got engaged. I’d have thought planning your engagement party comes first.”

Caleb blinked. “What? No—the wedding’s in a few weeks.”

Zoey’s eyes almost jumped out of her sockets. Abby’s eyebrows flew up to his hairline.

“A few weeks?!” Zoey exploded.

“Damn. Y’all didn’t waste time,” Abby commented, dumbfounded.

“No, no. Gigi and I have been engaged for a year. We already had our engagement party just a month after I proposed and basically covered most of the wedding planning except the venue, décor and wedding attire for the wedding party,” Caleb explained before turning back to Gigi, confused. “Wait? Is that why you invited her at the last minute?”

Zoey’s heart sank.

A year. Last minute.

Her best friend since childhood had been engaged for a year, and she didn’t even know until now. She didn’t know what hurt more, finding out about it during the dinner they hosted, or that Gigi never thought to include her in a big event in her life.

Gigi rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me that look.”

Zoey blinked. “What look?”

“That wounded puppy look you always wear when you feel like I betrayed you or something.”

“How am I supposed to look after finding out that my best friend has been engaged for a year and didn’t even tell me?”

“Don’t make this about you, Zoey.”

“I’m not. I just—" Zoey retorted defensively, but was immediately silenced by Gigi’s glare, which was sharp enough to cut. Whatever she had intended to say dissolved on her tongue. She swallowed the lump in her throat, blinking away the tears that were threatening to pool in her eyes.

Then Abby cleared his throat loudly.

“Well,” he said, clapping his hands together once, the sound cutting through the tension like a reset button. “This feels like a great moment to commemorate the night before someone flips a table. Who’s up for a group selfie?”

All eyes were on him

“Wait, now?” Zoey asked, taken aback by the sudden shift.

“Yeah, why not?” he replied, already pulling his phone out. “We did survive dinner with the G.O.A.T. and his… lovely fiancée,” he dramatically side-eyed Gigi. “Plus, I get to brag to the gang back home that I met the Caleb Dela Cruz. Come on. Future Mrs Dela Cruz, scoot in and put on your best plastic smile.”

Zoey shot him a look. “Abby—”

“Relax, geobug-i. She’s been hurling jabs all night. I’m sure she can handle a few light insults or two,” he grinned, standing and circling the table, ignoring the glare Gigi drilled behind his head. “And you’re not allowed to hide.”

Everyone moved into the frame. Gigi slid closer to Caleb, who slid his arm over her shoulder. Zoey leaned forward and raised two peace signs with her hands and forced a smile. It was small and tight, but a smile, nonetheless.

“Yes! Keep that ‘we come in peace energy,’ Zo. At least we’ll look civil.” Abby said.

Caleb chuckled.

Gigi rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time.

Zoey sighed but smiled, genuinely this time, despite herself and felt herself relax.

“Say ‘wedding stress!’” Abby chirped.

The flash went off.

[ms-liz-steele]

I was waiting for that aruani sex ed update 🥺 hope everything is well

Hi hi.

Everything is fine. Just work has been busy along with writer's block.

As for updates, Sex Ed 101 gets updated monthly here on Tumblr. But if you want to read ahead you can read on Ao3 at Ms_Liz_Steele or Wattpad at Ms_Lizzie_Steele.

[ms-liz-steele]

Off The Record (Ultraman Rising)

Ken "Kenji" Sato x Ami Wakita | smut, drama, romance,

-> Synopsis: One year after her divorce, Ami Wakita balances single parenthood and a demanding career in sports journalism. When an unexpected connection with baseball star Ken Sato ignites a new romance, Ami must navigate the complexities of new love and the lingering shadows of her past.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Five

༆

My breath hitched at Kenji's words, my heart pounding as if trying to drown out the soft murmur of his voice. I want to kiss you. The simplicity of his confession sent a rush of heat through me, a potent mixture of desire and trepidation pooling in my chest. I wanted it too—God, I wanted it. The way he looked at me, the heat in his eyes, the magnetic pull between us—it was undeniable.

But a dozen thoughts raced through my mind, cutting through the haze of alcohol and adrenaline. Kenji wasn’t just any man. He was Ken Sato, a world-renowned baseball athlete whose every move was scrutinized by the media ever since he moved to Japan. And I wasn’t just any woman. I was a sports journalist—someone whose career could be jeopardized if anyone caught wind of something inappropriate. The line between professional and personal was thin, and tonight it felt like we were walking on the edge of a knife.

Am I letting the wine cloud my judgment? I wondered, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my dress as she fought to steady her breathing. Was this sudden boldness my own, or was it the alcohol permitting me to act on desires I had tried to keep buried since this interaction?

My gaze flickered to Kenji’s lips, then back to his smouldering eyes. The air between them was electric, charged with unspoken longing. I felt my resolve waver, torn between the pull of my attraction and the weight of what it might mean. For him. For me. For the both of us.

"I want to taste those perfect lips of yours." His gaze lingered on my mouth; his intent was clear.

I licked my lips slowly and asked, “Then what's stopping you.”

Kenji's gaze darkened, his restraint hanging by a thread. He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against my skin as the space between us vanished. "Absolutely nothing," he murmured, his voice low and laden with desire. His hand came up, cupping my face gently, as if he were savouring every second. When his lips finally met mine, it was soft, tentative—a kiss that felt like a question and an answer all at once.

I moaned softly, melting into him as his hand on my cheek drew me closer. The kiss deepened with a sudden urgency, his hunger breaking through the tenderness. His lips moved against mine with fervent need, the tension of the night spilling into every touch. I clung to him, matching his passion with my own, craving more with each kiss. Every groan that escaped his lips sent shivers through me, igniting a fire that demanded to burn brighter.

Kenji guided me back against the couch, his body hovering over mine without breaking the kiss. His hand slid from my cheek to tangle in my hair, his grip firm yet gentle as he angled my head to deepen the kiss. His other hand rested on my hip, grounding me as his lips and touch consumed me entirely.

My breath hitched when his hand slipped beneath my dress, the warmth of his palm pressing against the bare skin of my waist. The intimacy of the gesture made my head spin, pulling me deeper into the moment. His kisses grew more fervent, more demanding, as if he couldn’t get enough.

But just as the heat threatened to consume us both, Kenji pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine as his breaths came in heavy, uneven bursts. His eyes met mine, their dark depths swirling with desire and something deeper—something almost unspoken. "God," he rasped, his voice raw. "You're a dangerous woman." A teasing smirk tugged at his lips, softening the intensity of his gaze.

“Hardly,” I replied with a breathless chuckle, my heart still racing as I stared up at him.

Kenji's gaze softened, a small chuckle escaping him. "Oh, trust me. You're more dangerous than you realise," he murmured, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on my hip. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on my neck, his voice just a whisper. "That kiss almost did me in."

I leaned my head back allowing Kenji's lips to trail across my neck, leaving feather-light kisses along my skin. His hand on my hip pulled me even closer, the warmth of his body pressed against mine.

Kenji sat up, his movements deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine as he tugged his shirt over his head. The soft light of the room cast shadows over his lean, toned body, highlighting the sharp lines of his defined chest and the taut muscles of his abdomen. His skin glowed faintly, a golden hue that begged to be touched, and every inch of him exuded strength and effortless allure. He tossed the shirt aside carelessly, his gaze dark and intense, a magnetic pull that made it impossible to look away.

A low groan rumbled from Kenji’s lips as my hands explored the firm planes of his body, his muscles rippling under my touch. The sensation sent a thrill through me, igniting a heady mix of pleasure and exhilaration. His gaze bore into mine, dark and heated, tracking my every move as the desire in his eyes deepened.

Without breaking eye contact, his hands slid to my hips, gripping them firmly as he pulled me closer. A soft gasp escaped me at the sudden proximity. Kenji leaned in, his movements slow and deliberate, gently slipping my glasses off with an almost reverent touch. His fingers lingered for a moment before he carefully placed them on the table beside us. Then, his attention shifted back to me fully, his focus unwavering, the intensity between us crackling like a live wire.

His gaze lingered on my face, now without the barrier of my glasses. "You're so beautiful..." he whispered, the sincerity in his voice palpable. His hands moved to cup my face, his thumbs brushing softly against my cheeks.

I blushed as Kenji's face softened when he noticed the color spreading across my cheeks. "There it is," he teased, a lopsided smile on his lips. His thumbs brushed against my cheeks, feeling the warmth of my flushed skin under his touch. "Your blush."

“Shut up,” I rolled my eyes.

Kenji chuckled once more. "Never," he replied, his smile growing wider. "It's just too fun to tease you." His thumbs gently stroked my cheeks as his eyes locked onto mine. "You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you again."

“Then do it. I’m basically at your mercy.”

Kenji’s eyes darkened, flaring with unrestrained desire at my words. His lips curled into a wicked, predatory smirk that sent shivers racing down my spine. He closed the distance between us without hesitation, his mouth crashing against mine in a fiercely passionate kiss.

It was raw, consuming, and left no room for doubt—he wanted to devour me completely, to make me feel every ounce of the desire coursing through him. His intensity was overwhelming, his lips moving with a demanding urgency that left me breathless, pulling me deeper into the inferno he had ignited.

Kenji's fingertips skimmed the fabric of my dress, sending shivers down my spine. With each touch, he seemed to become more eager, more desperate. He deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entrance, swirling around mine. His hands moved further up, his touch becoming bolder, more greedy.

Kenji broke the kiss, reluctantly pulling back to allow himself a moment to take in the sight of me. His gaze devoured me, his eyes following the path of the unzipped dress, the fabric falling slightly from my body.

"You're absolutely gorgeous," he breathed, his voice filled with desire. His fingers slowly undid the rest of the zipper, his touch gentle and filled with reverence.

A sudden wave of awareness washed over me, and I became acutely conscious of how vulnerable I felt. Kenji caught on instantly, the change in my demeanor not escaping him. Without hesitation, he stilled, leaning back just enough to give me space.

"Hey," he whispered softly, his hand lifting to gently tilt my chin so my eyes met his. His gaze was steady, warm, and full of reassurance. "You're beautiful," he said again, his voice carrying a quiet intensity. "You don’t ever have to feel conscious with me. I’m not here to judge you. Ever." His sincerity wrapped around me like a protective embrace, grounding me in the moment.

“I know... I'm just not used to having another man see me like this,” I whispered.

His expression softened. He gently caressed my face, his touch tender and reassuring. "It's ok," he whispered, his eyes never leaving yours. "It's only me here. Just us."

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my forehead, then my cheek. "And I think you're the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen."

I smiled at him, and Kenji returned the smile. "It's the truth," he whispered. "You're perfect."

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on my lips. His hands lightly ran across my bare shoulder, relishing in the feeling of my skin under his fingertips. We continued kissing and removing the remainder of our garments until we were both bare on the couch.

The room was filled with the sound of soft moans, the tension between us palpable. Kenji's kisses were hungry, his touch exploratory, mapping every inch of my body. He pulled away long enough to discard his jeans, leaving him just as bare as I was. His eyes roamed over my form, filled with awe and desire.

A guttural moan escaped my mouth as he entered inside me. I arched my back as I felt his hard cock stretching me out. Kenji had his head bowed down; his eyes closed. The sensation was overwhelming, stirring something in me. He stilled for a moment, his breath ragged, trying to maintain some control. His hands clutched my hips, his grip almost to the point of bruising.

"God..." he managed to choke out, his voice deep and husky. "God you feel..."

He didn't even finish the sentence. I didn't blame him, because even I couldn't get a word out. I just felt it, the heat and feeling of him inside me. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine, his voice a whisper. "I need you. All of you."

“Then take me. Please.” I desperately whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Kenji's eyes darkened with desire. His arms wrapped around my waist, securing me in place. "I plan to," he muttered, his voice guttural and filled with raw need.

His lips claimed mine in a fierce kiss, one hand holding your face while the other shifted, angling my hips to give himself better access. He began to move, every thrust deep and measured. His hands roamed over my body, his touch urgent and desperate.

His name escaped my lips in a soft gasp, my eyes meeting his, filled with a combination of pleasure and a hint of lust. His grip on me tightened as he felt my body responding to his. "You're so damn beautiful," he murmured against my skin, his breath hot and erratic. He pressed me into the couch, his body covering mine.

The rhythm of his thrusts quickened, his control slipping further. I was losing myself in him, in the sensation of his body against mine. The sounds of my gasps and moans filled the room,

“Kenji...” his name left my lips once more.

"Fuck..." he breathed out, his voice ragged, his movements becoming more frenzied. "Say my name again..."

“Kenji...”

A low growl escaped Kenji's lips, his body shuddering in response. He shifted slightly, his movements becoming more urgent, more primal. His lips found my neck, his teeth scraping against my skin, leaving behind a trail of kisses and marks.

"God yes..." he murmured against my skin, his voice a deep rumble of desire. "Say it louder. I want you to say my name until you can't even speak."

“Kenji...” “I said a little louder pressing my head against the couch and digging my nails into his shoulders

"Yes... just like that..." he groaned. He began to move faster, more erratically. Each thrust was punctuated by a deep, guttural moan, his lips on my neck, my shoulder, anywhere they could reach.

He shifted his position slightly, one hand leaving my hip to clutch one of my wrists, pinning it above my head against the couch. He leaned down, capturing my lips in a fierce kiss. It was a messy and needy kiss, his tongue seeking entry, his body pressing me further into the couch.

Kenji buried his face into the crook of my neck, his breath hot against my skin, his tongue grazing my skin as he trailed a path of kisses along my shoulder and neck. The intimacy of the moment, the way our bodies moved together, intensified every sensation. His movements became needier, more urgent, the desire between us reaching new heights.

I stared at the ceiling with hazy eyes as Kenji continued thrusting into me. As the night wore on, the sounds of our moans and gasps filled the room, mingling with the soft rustle of the creaking of the couch.

[ms-liz-steele]

Sex Ed 101

Annie Leonhart x Armin Arlert | smut, drama, romance, college au

-> Synopsis: In the midst of college life, Annie finds herself entangled in an unexpected proposition - providing sex tutoring sessions for Armin, a shy and inexperienced bookworm.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Integrating Oral Sex into Foreplay: Enhancing Intimacy

❦︎

His blunt question caught her off guard and sent a wave of warmth through her body. She felt the butterflies in her stomach flutter wildly as she licked her lips. “Yes… you can.”

Armin leaned in and closed the gap between their lips. Annie melted into the kiss as her lips matched the gentle movement of his hungrily. The touch of his mouth on hers was electric, igniting a spark of desire within her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against hers.

“Mmm,” she moaned against his lips when she felt his hands moved and knead her covered breast. His touch even through the thin fabric of the towel was intoxicating, making her arch her back involuntarily.

“I have two questions.” He broke away briefly.

“Questions,” she repeated breathlessly, “What are they?”

“Can I take this off?” he tugged at her towel.

Annie’s cheeks were flushed a deep red as she became both at his question. She could feel the excitement and aroused at the idea of being completely exposed to him both.

“Yes… you can take it off.” She whispered.

Annie felt the towel loosen from her body until it fell to the ground. Her body shivered involuntarily, feeling a mixture of vulnerability and desire pooling her stomach. “What’s your next question?” she asked.

“Can I open my eyes?”

Annie’s breath was caught in her throat, feeling the excitement and arousal become stronger. “Yes…”

Armin’s eyes opened his eyes and stared her up and down with wide eyes. “You’re so beautiful.”

Annie suddenly felt self-conscious. “You really think so?”

“I know so.” He smiled at her.

Annie smiled back, feeling her heart swell at his complement. Damn, Annie. This is supposed to be a no strings attached arrangement. And this guy is making it difficult.

“You’re sweet. You know that?” she said.

“You’re sweet too.” He said back.

Annie snorted. “People usually don’t put me and the word ‘sweet’ next to each other. I’m kind of a ‘Lone Ice Queen’ to a lot of people.”

“I mean… I did get those vibes as my first impression of you, but you’re not all that bad. Just a little guarded and reserved.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You kinda remind me of one of my best friend Mikasa. She’s a bit closed off and unapproachable at times, but she’s an overall sweet person around the right people.”

Annie nodded, taking in his words. “I guess I can relate with that. I don’t have a lot of friends, but I do tend to warmer a little warmer around the people I’m close with.” She said. “And judging from by the fact that I’m seated on your lap naked, I guess it’s safe to say you’re one of the few people I can trust.”

Armin smiled; his cheeks tinted pink. “That’s good to know.”

Armin leaned closer and started placing soft pecks across her neck. Annie sighed as she tilted her head back giving him better access to her skin, her body responding involuntarily to his touch. Her breath hitched as his lips wandered down to her bare breasts, clinging on to him and arching her body towards his mouth. “Fuck…” she moaned when he took one of her breasts into his mouth, swirling his tongue around her nipple and areola.

The sound of their moans echoed through the room, creating a symphony of desire and pleasure. Neither of them attempting to stay quiet, their bodies taking over under the heat of the moment. Her hips were moving on their own accord, grinding against him, her body seeking more contact. She was panting now, her head thrown back in ecstasy.

In one swift move, she moved off his lap and kneeled before him. Her hands were steady as she gingerly undid his pants, her fingers grazing the sensitive part of his abdomen. She glanced up, her expression a mixture of determination and anticipation, her eyes dark with desire as she pulled down his jeans along with his boxers.

Annie’s eyes widened as she laid eyes on Armin’s hard on. “Whoa… you’re big…”

Armin blushed. “Is… is that a good thing?”

“Yeah. I’m honestly surprised since I wasn’t expecting much,” she admitted.

He chuckled. “Well… I’m glad that I blew your expectations.”

Annie snorted. “Wow… I didn’t take you as the type to make sexual innuendos.”

“How you mean?” he asked genuinely confused.

Oh, this poor sweet innocent bean.

“You know… since I’m about to give you a blowjob,” she said, putting emphasis on the word “blow” with a smirk.

“Oh… Oh!” Armin’s eyes widened with realization, which was then followed up by his face turning completely red. “I had no idea.”

Annie cackled at his reaction, finding it adorable despite the situation. Oh, how she wanted to just pinch his cheeks at that moment. “No need to be embarrassed, Armin. Definitely not complaining.” She gave him a pointed look.

She reached to cup his cheek and stroke his cheek with her thumb. “Just relax and let me take care of you, okay?”

His expression softened and nodded his head. “Okay.”

“Okay!” she responded, feeling her body thrumming with anticipation. She connected her phone to her Bluetooth speaker and scrolled through her playlist. The sound of ‘Special Attention’ by Teenear filled the room. The volume was low enough, but loud enough to create a background ambience.

"Lie back," she said, giving his shoulder a gentle push.

"Why?" He blinked innocently.

"Unless you want me to see me suck you off, be my guest."

His face was red once again and she couldn't help but giggle at his reaction. "L-let me take this off first," he said, pulling off his t-shirt. "It would be weird if you were the only one naked."

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," she assured him.

Armin laid back and pressed his head against her pillow while Annie settled her body on top of him. "Comfortable?" she asked in a low and sultry voice.

"Yeah," he nodded.

Annie smiled down at him, enjoying the way his body felt under hers. Her hands ran up his chest, feeling the muscles spasm under her touch. "Good," she murmured, her eyes roaming over his face, "cause I plan on taking my time with you."

Annie's fingers traced circles around the head of his erection, her touch feather-light yet electrifying. Her eyes locked onto his as she watched him closely, gauging his comfort and desire. She felt a thrill of satisfaction watching his gasp sharply at her contact.

"You're really sensitive, aren't you?" she asserted.

"Y-yeah, it's my first time," he answered.

She giggled. "I'll be sure to be gentle with you."

With a slow and deliberate motion, she wrapped her hand around him, gently squeezing and stroking him. Her free hand glided up his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles before coming to rest on his shoulder, grounding him as she explored further.

Annie's deft touch sent waves of pleasure crashing over him, her skilled hand moving in perfect rhythm with the pulsating beat of the music. He stuttered a moan, his hips bucking involuntarily beneath her, seeking more friction from her soft palm. The sensation was intense, bordering on overwhelming. She could feel him grow harder in her grip, his breathing became ragged, his body tense and his face flushed with mounting desire as she continued to tease and tantalize him.

"Fuck... so good," he moaned breathlessly as her hand moved in a steady rhythm, each stroke bringing him closer to the edge.

Annie felt the evidence of his arousal, her thumb swiping away proof of his desire. She maintained eye contact, watching his gaze grow hooded and hungry. She leaned forward, her lips brushing against his to kiss electric and possessive. As their tongues danced together, she could taste him on her tongue—a heady mix of sweet and lust that fuelled her own desires.

She eventually pulled back slightly as her eyes were locked on the intensity of Armin's gaze. Her heart was pounding with anticipation. She knew what he wanted, and she was more than ready to give it to him.

"Are you ready for me?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said with a nod. Hesitation was not present in his tone. "I'm ready."

Annie licked her lips as she processed his response, her hand continued its slow and deliberate motion on her grip, tightening just enough to elicit a soft moan from him.

"Good," she whispered in a low and sultry tone. "I'm ready for you too."

With that, she lowered her head, her lips enveloping the head of his cock in a warm embrace. Annie heard a sharp gasp escape his lips and felt his whole body tense. "Oh... fuck," he gasped out, arching his back slightly.

He tasted salty and sweet, his pleasure leaving an imprint on her senses as she slowly began to suckle gently on his member. Armin found himself moaning, his hips bucking involuntarily, seeking deeper contact with her mouth, and she relented, taking him in further.

Annie revelled in the power she held over him. It made her body shiver and tremble and caused her already wet core to throb. Her lips slid up and down his shaft, her tongue swirling around the head, collecting every drop of his essence and moaning against his cock.

The tension between them grew intense as their bodies strained towards release. Annie decided to take things further.

Her hand slid down between her legs and reached for her wetness. Her thumb gently rubbed against the bulge of her clit, eliciting a shiver of pleasure that radiated throughout her body. The sensations intensified as she continued to stroke herself, matching the rhythm of her oral ministrations to Armin's increasingly urgent thrusts. Their moans merged into one another, creating a symphony of lust that filled the room.

Annie's breath quickened as she continued to pleasure herself, her fingers dancing expertly over her sensitive flesh. The sensations building within her, coalescing into a wave of pleasure that consumed her entirely.

"Fuck... I'm about to come... I'm about to come." Annie heard the urgency in his voice. Her fingers danced faster over her clit, the pleasure building to a crescendo. As his moans filled her ears, she imagined his face was contorted in pleasure, his cheeks flushed and his eyes closed in ecstasy. She wanted to see it, to witness the moment he loses control.

And then, just like that, it washes over her. A tidal wave of pleasure crashes through her system as she climaxed. Eventually, Armin also reached his climax. His body stiffened, his muscles tensing. His breath hitched, a moan caught in his throat somewhere between a moan and a groan. He threw his head back as his release rushed forth. Hot jets of cum spurt into Annie's mouth, and she took in every single drop.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his body relaxed, spent and sated. Annie slowly pulled her mouth away from Armin's now flaccid member, her lips glistening with his essence. She wiped the excess cum from her lips, still feeling the taste of him lingering on her tongue.

She stared at him as he laid sprawled on the bed, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he caught his breath.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said between breaths as he pushed his hair back. “That was… wow…”

He covered his face and laughed. “Holy crap! I can’t believe that happened.”

Annie couldn’t help but chuckle as she climbed onto the bed and lay next to him, putting a small distance between us. “Did it live up to the hype?” she asked.

“Yeah…” he replied giving her a smile despite how spent he was. “It certainly blew my expectations.”

Annie’s laughter filled the room as she shoved his shoulder playfully, catching onto his innuendo. It was so contagious that Armin found himself laughing alongside her.

[ms-liz-steele]

Sex Ed 101

Annie Leonhart x Armin Arlert | smut, drama, romance, college au

-> Synopsis: In the midst of college life, Annie finds herself entangled in an unexpected proposition - providing sex tutoring sessions for Armin, a shy and inexperienced bookworm.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Anatomy of Pleasure: Advanced Techniques for Solo Satisfaction

❦︎

The urge to fall into some random ditch had never been so prominent until that moment. Annie’s face was still flushed from the shock and embarrassment. Hitch was still on the ground shaking with laughter, having a field day at what she had just witnessed.

“So,” Hitch snorted, now seated on her knee but hadn’t fully recovered. “That’s quite the souvenir you left your guy, Annie.”

Annie scowled despite the redness on her cheeks. “I must have left it behind by when I was leaving in a hurry when his friend showed up.”

“Sounds to me you were marking your territory,” she sniggered.

“It’s not like that. It’s a simple oversight, That’s it.” Annie retorted.

“Come on. Stop acting like you didn’t leave that as a reminder of how much you enjoyed having him rearrange your guts.”

“Okay, first off: you disgust me. Second: we barely made it past third base and I wasn’t planning on going straight to home base on the first session.”

“Yet your boy sent you that pic as a testament that he’s looking forward to your next session.”

Annie’s blush intensified. “S-stop making it sound like something it’s not. He’s just letting me know that I left something behind like a normal person would.”

“Mhm. He’s probably holding that lingerie like it’s the Holy Grail.”

Annie’s embarrassment heightened as she couldn’t shake off the image Hitch painted in her head. “Bitch, I will rip off your boob and wear it like a bucket hat.” She growled.

Hitch cackled as she lifted her hands towards Annie, signalling her to help her up. “So what creative response are you going to give your mans with what’s left of your dignity?”

“I’ll get to it later,” Annie responded as she pulled Hitch up to her feet and put her phone again.

“Maybe your next session should be ‘How not to lose personal items such as thongs and lingerie after sex.”

“Eat a dick, Hitch.”

“Ooh! That works too, but refrain from biting. Remember, we still need his dick intact for future sessions.”

“You’re a heathen.”

“What? You know I’m right.”

Annie’s eye twitched with annoyance despite how red in the face she was at Hitch’s relentless teasing.

❦︎

Night time came. Annie was seated at her desk, textbooks sprawled across carelessly in front of her laptop. The room was bathed in the soft glow of her desk lamp creating an ambience of focused solitude. Yet for some reason, her thoughts persistently meandered back to Armin’s text.

She unlocked her phone and opened the message that still awaited her response. Her eyes scanned the message and the image attached eliciting a surge of embarrassment through her body. She was still yet to respond to his message, but what was she going to say?

‘Oh hey. I must have forgotten it when I was rushing out of your room when your friend showed up and avoid explaining why you were jerking me off into an orgasm.’

He’s probably holding that lingerie like it’s the Holy Grail. Hitch’s words echoed in her head.

She rolled her eyes despite the blush on her cheeks and mentally cussed Hitch for putting that thought in her head. Her fingers glided across the keyboard, formulating a nonchalant ‘Return it in our next session’ as a response before hitting send. A few minutes later, Armin responded with a simple thumbs-up emoji, acknowledging her message.

Annie locked her phone and tried focusing on the coursework in front of her, but all she was doing was staring at words instead of reading them. Her mind kept replaying images of her steamy moments with Armin like an enticing erotic movie. She could still feel Armin’s lips and breath on her neck, his hands kneading her breasts and pinching her nipples, his fingers rubbing against her clit and folds. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair and felt a painful throb between her legs and butterflies fluttering in her tummy.

Those images were so raw and fresh in her head that she could have believed that it all happened yesterday instead of a week ago.

“Get it together, Annie. You can’t be getting this horny now of all time,” she slapped her cheeks trying to shake off the unholy thoughts that plagued her head. However, the residue still lingered and the more she kept resisting, the more intense the feeling and thoughts became.

Fuck it, she let out a frustrated sigh as she closed her laptop and textbooks, pushing herself off her chair. There was no way she was going to do anything productive in the headspace she was in. She was going to have to deal with her predicament the only way she knew how.

Annie turned on her Bluetooth speaker and connected it to her phone. She scrolled through her playlist and hit play. She placed her phone on her head dresser as ‘Dangerous Woman’ by Ariana Grande started playing in her room. Annie pulled down her shorts along with her underwear but still kept her loose crop top on.

She adjusted her pillows against her headboard before lying down and getting herself comfortable on her bed. She moved her hand under her top and started caressing and messaging her breasts, her fingers playing around her already erect nipples and rolling them between her thumbs and forefingers.

She closed her eyes and allowed the thoughts of Armin to run wild, mentally replacing her hands on her tits with his. Without hesitation, she spread her legs wide open and hiked up her top just above her chest, exposing her breasts to the cool air in her room. She gasped softly as her fingers started tracing down her thighs, gradually drawing closer to her heat. She let out a soft moan, instinctively pushing her hips forward into her hand when her fingers teased the bud of her clit.

She was already soaking wet with her arousal covering every inch of her folds and dripping down her labia. She then slowly started rubbing steady circles around her clit, embarrassed by the whimpers and moans she made and the way her body reacted to the slightest touches. She sighed as she melted into her bed, losing herself in the intensity of the pleasure. The lips and folds of her throbbing cunt were swollen from arousal and stimulation. Her body was getting warmer and warmer.

She cried out and arched her body as soon as she slipped her middle and ring fingers inside of herself, stretching herself out and slowly started pumping her digits inside her cunt. Her chest was heaving and quickening. Her soft whimpers slowly turned into loud moans. Her free hand was kneading and squeezing her breast desperately.

“Armin,” Annie’s lips moved, vocalising his name into a moan. She parted her legs further and curled her fingers to hit her sweet spot as she pumped her fingers deep inside. She couldn’t believe what she was doing. Jerking off to a guy she’d only met over a week ago but she couldn’t stop. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking about her intimate moments with him. She couldn’t stop herself from imagining him with her in her room either fingering her or fucking her senseless in her bed. She couldn’t stop herself from moaning his name.

Annie let out a silent cry as her body arched and her legs shook when she rode out her orgasm. She lay in her bed panting. Her heart was racing and thumping against her chest.

“Fuck,” she covered her face with her arm. “I’m going to hell for this.”

[ms-liz-steele]

The Plus One Pact | Cornturtle

Zoey x Abby | smut, drama, romance romcom

-> Synopsis: Zoey’s childhood best friend is getting married. Her parents will be there. And her entire fake life is about to collapse—unless her charmingly unhinged best friend Abby can pull off the role of “boyfriend” without turning the wedding into a romcom gone wrong.

New Chapters Every

chapters index | ongoing

Chapter Three: Homecoming

☾︎✿︎☽︎

“The number you’ve dialled is not available at the moment. Please try again later.”

Zoey let out an exasperated growl at the automated voicemail.

“Where is she?”

The arrival hall was a symphony of chaos—a chorus of crying toddlers, the percussive clatter of suitcase wheels, and the frustrated, staticky announcements about misplaced baggage. Zoey sat hunched over, her elbow propped on her bouncing knee and her teeth chewing at her thumb.

It had been two hours since they landed in LA.

Her phone screen lit up, casting a blue glow on her tired, anxious face.

No new messages.

“Maybe her chariot turned back into a pumpkin,” Abby mused from the floor. He was cross-legged, phone propped against his carry-on as he watched the fourth TikTok dance video he shot in the last hour.

Zoey scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, right. Next, you’re going to say, ‘she was probably kidnapped by some guy who’s straight out of a BookTok dark romance novel.’”

“I mean….”

Zoey looked up, unimpressed. “Really?”

“Hey! BookTok girlies are insane. I’ve read Twisted Love and Fifty Shades of Grey, and I can confidently say—the standard of men is in the trenches,” he said.

Zoey groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “Abby, focus. My best friend — who swore on our friendship bracelet she’d be here — is currently MIA in a city that’s a thirty-to-forty-minute drive without traffic, and forty-five minutes to an hour with traffic.” She sighed. “I just hope she hasn’t told my parents I’m coming home.”

Abby looked at her and arched an eyebrow. “You haven’t told your parents?”

Zoey winced, rubbing the nape of her neck and avoiding his gaze. “I wanted it to be a surprise?”

That was a lie. And Abby knew it.

“Zoey.”

She froze mid-neck rub, her shoulders tensing at his sharp tone when he called her by her full name.

“What?” she said in a small voice, finally meeting his gaze.

“You’re doing that neck rubbing thing when you’re lying or hiding something,” he replied.

“My neck is sore.”

“Bullshit. You roll your neck or ask for a massage whenever your neck hurts.”

Zoey’s shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of her. She stared at her sneakers—bright white against the scuffed airport floor. “I was going to tell them the week before…” She admitted quietly. “But I kinda chickened out."

Abby softened, scooting closer on his suitcase. “How come?”

“I dunno.” She sighed. “Imagine your daughter — who hasn’t spoken to you properly in two years — suddenly texting that she’s coming home after four. They’re gonna ask questions about where I’ve been and why I’ve lost touch with them. And I’m not ready to answer any of that.”

“Is it because you don’t have the answers, or you’re worried about your parents not liking your answers?” he asked.

There was a pause.

“Maybe both?” she answered.

Abby nodded slowly, tapping his fingers against his knee. "Okay. So worst case scenario—we walk into your childhood home like two undercover agents on a doomed mission." He flashed a lopsided grin. "I'll distract them with my devastating charm while you ninja-roll upstairs to burn all incriminating evidence."

Zoey snorted despite herself. "You are so dramatic."

“What can I say? I bring, I bring all the drama-ma-ma-ma,” he sang, earning a shoulder shove from Zoey.

“You are so corny for quoting songs.”

“You take that back. Drama is a certified banger, and you know it. Red-haired Winter still lives rent-free in my head!”

Zoey rolled her eyes. "Didn't realise you were such a hardcore MY."

Abby gave her the look. It was the type of look he always had when he was about to go on a sassy and passionate tirade. "I’ll have you know that I am a very cultured human being with flawless taste in music. Not that you’d know.”

Zoey let out an audible gasp like he had personally attacked her. “Excuse you! Not only am I a rising underground rapper, I also wrote and produced music for Rumi Kang, who, by the way, is pop royalty,” she playfully jabbed at his chest. “On top of that, I introduced you to half of the groups you stan. So, my taste in music is far superior by default.”

Abby threw his hands in surrender and said nothing, but the smirk never left his lips.

“Yeah, that’s what the hell I thought,” Zoey said, staring him up and down before switching on her phone.

Still no messages. She groaned, exasperated.

“We could call an Uber,” Abby proposed.

Zoey made a face. “Well... I’d rather not have my wallet fight for its life. Taking the bus is also a no-go coz the buses here are a fucking nightmare. So, I’m kinda at an impasse here.”

Before Abby could respond, a familiar, warm voice cut through the terminal din. “Well, look what the 14-hour flight dragged in.”

The duo turned, and before them was a short, pudgy middle-aged man approaching them, dressed in a pair of cargo shorts, a safari hat and a shirt with palm leaves print on it.

Zoey’s eyes widened. “Bobby?”

“In the flesh,” his grin grew wider, opening his arms as she jumped in them to embrace.

“No way,” Abby grinned, springing to his feet and joining in on the hug.  “What are you doing on this side of the planet, man?”

“Vacation mostly,” Bobby said, his eyes crinkling. “I may be Seoul’s greatest manager, but I deserve a much-needed rest and get away from the constant phone call and PR nightmares. Oh, and did you know that your friend Gigi is getting married soon? I’ve been invited to the wedding.”

Zoey’s eyes widened. “Wait, seriously?”

“How do you know her?” Abby asked.

“Well, I know her through Zoey, obviously. She actually came to visit South Korea a while back and she was… pleasant to say the least,” Bobby explained. “But I didn’t get the invite from her. I actually got it from the groom. His cousin’s an old friend. Small world, huh?”

“Yeah… small world indeed,” Zoey nodded, still astonished.

“What about you two? I don’t suppose you’re hear for a family visit, are you?” Bobby asked, giving a Zoey a knowing but wary look.

"Zo’s also here for the wedding. She’s the maid of honour and I'm her dashingly handsome plus one," Abby slung his arm over her shoulder.

Bobby took one look at them and burst out laughing—deep, belly-shaking guffaws that made his safari hat tilt dangerously. "Oh-ho-ho! This I gotta hear!" He wiped a tear from his eye. "Last time I checked, you two were strictly ‘platonic spaghetti’—your words, not mine."

Zoey immediately shoved Abby’s arm off her shoulders with an exasperated huff. "Which we still are. But somebody," she shot Abby a glare, "decided to volunteer as tribute for plus one and fake boyfriend duties."

Abby clutched his chest, feigning hurt. “Wow. God forbid I willingly offer my fake boyfriend services, free of charge by the way, to avoid the ‘why are you still single and at twenty-three' questions—"

“You are just on a roll exposing me, huh?” Zoey’s eyebrow twitched with annoyance.

“But yeah, we’ve been waiting for the bride-to-be to come pick us up and drive us to Burbank,” Abby finished. “For the past two hours.”

“Ooof,” Bobby winced and sucked his teeth. “That’s quite the pickle you’re in. Did you try calling her?”

“I have been, but still nothing from her,” Zoey shrugged her shoulders, defeated.

“Hey! Since you’re here for basically the same reason as us, why don’t we ride with you to Burbank?” Abby proposed.

“I would, but unfortunately, I’m spending most of my time here in LA before heading over to Burbank for the wedding,” Bobby gave them a sad smile.

“Oh,” they both replied in unison.

“But I can give you guys some extra cash for your Uber,” Bobby offered enthusiastically. “How does that sound?”

Zoey’s face lit up, and a relieved smile graced her tired expression. “That’s more than I can ask for,” she pulled him into a hug. “Thanks, Bobby.”

“No problem. I’m always here to help with anything,” He smiled as he pulled out the wad of cash, placing it in her hand and closing it. “And I do mean anything.”

He turned to Abby. “Lee Woojin. A word?”

Abby raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Wow, using my full name suddenly. Am I in trouble?” he chuckled, taken aback.

“Not unless you’re looking for it.” Bobby pulled him towards the vending machine, ensuring they were out of Zoey’s earshot.

Once he was sure they were alone, his tone grew serious. “I’m guessing you’re aware of her situation?”

Abby blinked. “Yeah, I am. Why?”

Bobby nodded once, tightening his jaw. “Then you know she’s not okay.”

At first, Abby was silent, then he laughed it off. “What are you talking about? Of course, she’s okay. This is Zoey we’re talking about. She’s a tough girl.”

“Yes, and that’s the problem,” Bobby stressed, his expression becoming graver. “Zoey hides what she really feels until she crashes and burns, and her Shutdown last year is proof of that.”

Abby swallowed nervously.

“Listen, you’re a good kid, and I will forever be grateful for what you did to get through to her when she shut everyone out,” Bobby said. “She needs someone in her corner.”

Abby huffed, almost getting defensive. “She’s my best friend. She knows I have her back and I will always care about her.”

“I’m not asking if you care for her. I know you do. I’m asking if you can handle her. All of her. Even the parts she tries to hide.”

Abby’s breath hitched. For the first time, he didn’t have a quick comeback.

“Abby! Gigi’s here!” Zoey’s voice broke the tense silence between them.

Bobby finally smiled warmly at him, placing his hand on Abby’s broad shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze.

“Enjoy your time here.”

☾︎✿︎☽︎

"Gigi!" Zoey exclaimed joyfully, jumping to hug the woman who, despite being flustered and clutching her phone like a lifeline, still managed to look effortlessly chic in a simple sundress. The familiar scent of Gigi's perfume—a blend of vanilla and salt air—washed over Zoey like a fond memory, even as Gigi immediately began speaking a mile a minute.

"I'm sorry, can I call you back?" Gigi spoke in a sweet voice before hanging up, then let out an exasperated sigh. "Z, I know you're happy to see me, but I'd very much appreciate it if you didn't crinkle my custom-tailored dress."

"Sorry, sorry," Zoey quickly pulled away. "It's been a while, and I've missed you so much."

"Yes, yes," she quickly waved her off. "Where's that boyfriend of yours? The sooner we leave, the better. The 405 was a nightmare."

"Were you stuck in traffic?" Zoey asked.

"Nope, just saving Taylor Swift from another meltdown after seeing her fiancé watch Kayla Nicole's Halloween video," she replied, the familiar, biting sarcasm making Zoey's smile tighten.

Classic Gigi—sarcasm being her go-to defence, weapon, and default communication style. People often call her mean or stuck up; Gigi always shrugs and says, "It's called honesty. Your hurt feelings are your problem, not mine."

Some things never change.

"You could have told me," Zoey said. "I've been calling ever since I landed, but you weren't picking up."

"I was busy talking to the vendors on my way here. I couldn't get through a single productive conversation with you blowing up my phone every five minutes. So, I blocked you."

Zoey blinked, surprised, feeling her throat tighten and her chest ache. She blocked me?

"Then you could have texted me at least—"

"Oh my gosh! I'm here, aren't I? I came all the way when I could have been focusing on my wedding, and this is the thanks I get?" she snapped.

Her tone cut sharper than Zoey expected, and Zoey flinched before falling quiet.

Gigi sighed, composing herself. "Is your boyfriend with you or not? I don't have all day."

"Uh, yeah... he's around here," Zoey looked around, despite her mind still recovering from Gigi's lashing.

She was able to see him standing with Bobby by the vending machine.

"Abby! Gigi's here!"

She watched Bobby smile warmly at him, placing his hand on Abby's broad shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. He said something to him and left right after.

Zoey waved at him to come over as soon as he turned and met her gaze. Abby waved back and jogged over in their direction.

"What were you two talking about over there?" she asked.

"Oh, you know. The 'You better not hurt my precious baby girl if you know what's good for you' speech," he said, putting on his best dad voice, which made Zoey roll her eyes.

"Who's this?" Gigi's voice interrupted their banter.

With a smooth smile, Abby offered a theatrical little bow.

"I'm Zoey Kim's dashingly handsome plus one, Lee Woojin. Some call me Abel. Friends call me Abby." He winked. "I'll let you decide which one I earn."

Gigi stared at him blankly before her attention snapped back to Zoey like a whip. "I thought you were bringing that off-brand emo dog of yours as your plus one."

"Hey! Myungho is not a dog!" Zoey retaliated defensively.

"He growled at me, saying that I 'gave off bad vibes', when I came over to South Korea—" Gigi took a sharp breath in. "Anyway, what happened? You two were practically inseparable."

Zoey felt the heat rise to her cheeks. "It's... complicated."

"Oh." The single syllable was flat. Gigi's head tilted, feigning curiosity. "So, he dumped you."

The air words lingered in the air, sharp and definitive. Abby’s smile instantly dropped, and he shot a quick ‘wellness check’ look over at Zoey. Zoey’s throat tightened as she grasped the handle of her suitcase, the plastic grip digging into her palm. She should have gotten used to Gigi's bluntness and those little jabs by now. Gigi's been doing this since middle school. But she wasn’t.

“We should go,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “The traffic’s going to be a nightmare.”

"Finally! We've wasted enough time standing around," Gigi said, letting out a relieved groan as she turned on her heel. "Chop-chop. We're having dinner at my place."

As she led the way, her posture impossibly straight, Zoey risked a glance at Abby. His eyes were wide, his lips pressed into a thin line. He mouthed a single, silent word.

Wow.

Yeah. Homecoming.

☾︎✿︎☽︎

The car ride was a capsule of strained silence, broken only by the hum of the engine and the soft pop radio station Gigi had on. The infamous LA traffic had, miraculously, begun to thin, but the atmosphere inside the car remained thick and heavy. Gigi was behind the wheel, staring up ahead with a bored expression. Abby sprawled across the backseat like he owned it.

Zoey stared out the passenger window, watching the familiar palm trees and strip malls blur past. It was a weird feeling coming back after four years. This was home, her entire life was just forty minutes away, but she felt so… disconnected. Like she was in an unfamiliar city in a foreign country.

Abby, uncomfortable with silence for more than ten consecutive seconds, finally cleared his throat dramatically.

“So, Gigi,” he began, leaning forward between the two front seats. “The car handles are great. Smooth ride.”

“It’s a rental,” she replied flatly, her eyes glued to the road.

“Right. Well, it’s a… very clean rental.”

More silence, heavier than before.

Okay. New plan.

“Zoey mentioned you two have been friends forever. That’s really cool.”

Gigi’s eyes flicked to him in the rearview mirror. “Yeah. Which is why I’m a little confused. She never mentioned a ‘Lee Woojin’ or an Abel before. How exactly did you two meet? You’re not her usual type.”

Zoey tensed, her knuckles whitening where they rested on her knee.

Abby feigned an offended gasp. “Excuse me? I’m everyone’s type.”

“Well… compared to her previous boyfriend, you’re… an improvement,” she commented. “So, what’s the story?”

“We met through Mira back in Uni,” Abby answered smoothly, throwing an arm over the back of Zoey’s seat.

“The snarky one?” Gigi asked, arching an eyebrow. “You and Zoey have questionable tastes in friends.”

“Well… you’re not exactly wrong. She’s friends with you after all,” Abby replied, the bite underlying in his casual tone.

Gigi made a full head turn, shooting an icy glare at Abby’s smug look.

“Excuse me?” Her tone was sharp.

“Anyways,” Abby sing-sang. “Zoey was a freshman at the time, while I was a sophomore. We bonded over music, movies and TV. And that’s how we became soulmates. The End.”

“Uh-huh,” Gigi said, her tone implying she found them anything but impressive. “So, what happened with your ex, then? I thought he was the love of her life.”

Zoey spoke before Abby could, her voice tight. “It was mutual. We just… wanted different things.”

Gigi let out a short, dismissive laugh. “Really? ‘Mutual’? Because knowing how much of a mess you can be, Z, I can’t say I blame him for jumping ship. Especially after that dramatic depression phase of yours last year."

The words hung in the air, cruel and deliberate.

Abby’s easygoing smile didn’t slip, but his voice gained a subtle, steely edge. “Myungho’s a good friend of mine. He wouldn’t dump her for something like that.”

Gigi’s eyebrow arched, a smirk playing on her lips as she glanced from Abby to Zoey. “Wow, passing yourself around your friend group? Damn, Z. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

Abby narrowed his eyes slightly. He wanted to say something, but knowing Zoey, he realised she didn’t want to be caught between two people she cared about fighting. So, he decided to drop it. “Okay. Changing the subject,” he said, his tone forcibly light again. “So, you two. History. Give me the origin story. How does a Zoey Kim and a Gigi…?”

“Our dads were friends long before we were born,” Zoey explained, grateful for the diversion. “We basically grew up together.”

“Yeah, we were together through kindergarten to high school, where we met Caleb Dela Cruz,” Gigi added, a note of pride entering her voice for the first time. “The three of us were inseparable back then.”

Abby froze. The name seemed to short-circuit his brain. He leaned so far forward that he was practically in the front seat. “Wait. Caleb Dela Cruz?! As in, the next Michael Jordan in the NBA, just signed a two-hundred-million-dollar contract, Caleb Dela Cruz?!”

Gigi preened, her earlier irritation vanishing. “That’s the one. He’s my fiancé.”

Abby fell back into his seat with a dramatic thud, then immediately launched forward again to point an accusing finger at Zoey. “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME YOU’RE FRIENDS WITH THE GOAT BEFORE HE BECAME THE GOAT?!”

Zoey rolled her eyes, a real, if weary, smile finally touching her lips. “You never asked.”

“Never asked?!” Abby sputtered, running a hand through his raspberry hair. “Zoey, we’re on our way to meet NBA royalty! This is like… like finding out your best friend is childhood pals with Beyoncé and JUST NEVER BOTHERED TO MENTION IT!” He grabbed her by the jacket and shook her.

“Geez,” Zoey laughed, pushing him off. “I didn’t know you were such a fanboy.”

“Duh! He’s one of my favourite players! The man averaged a triple-double in his rookie season, and have you seen the charity work he did for kids in Manila AND the Black Lives Matter Movement? He’s not just an athlete; he’s a saint with a killer crossover!”

“Dude, relax. He’s just a guy. Not the second coming of Jesus.”

Gigi let out a sharp, genuine cackle. “Can you blame him? Caleb always had that charm. He was quite the catch in high school.” She shot a sly, knowing look at Zoey. “And Zoey here? Not innocent. She had the biggest crush on him—painfully obvious.”

Abby’s head whipped toward Zoey, his eyes wide with scandalised delight. “You had a crush on him?!”

Zoey’s face flamed a brilliant crimson. “It was a long time ago! Way before they started dating!”

Abby switched his gaze back to Gigi, his excited fanboy look changing to one of genuine, playful scepticism. “Hol’ up. Why would you knowingly date your best friend’s crush? Ain’t that against Girl Code or something?”

Gigi raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with him in the rearview mirror. “Ain’t it against the Bro Code to date your friend’s ex?”

Abby paused.

Let it sink in.

Then let out a low chuckle.

“Okay, you got me there. But the difference is,” he said, his tone light but with an underlying seriousness, “I didn’t go behind my friend’s back and knowingly date their crush. And definitely not brag about it afterwards.”

Silence. The air in the car suddenly became suffocating. Gigi’s grip on the steering wheel tightened to the point her knuckles turned white as she clenched her jaw. Abby was seated in the back, the smug smirk not leaving his face. And Zoey? She wanted the car seat to swallow her whole, slip through the drainpipes, and disappear from the mortal world entirely.

“Okay!” Zoey cut in, her voice a little too high, her hands held up in a placating gesture. “How about we play some music? Abby, pick a song. Any song. Just… fill the silence.”

“Even baby shark?” he asked, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“Yes! Even that!” Zoey said through clenched teeth.

[ms-liz-steele]

I Have a Discord.

Those who want to discuss, talk or yap and get updates on Sex Ed 101 and The Plus One Pact, I have a discord for both. Links down below 👇🏽

Sex Ed 101 Discord

The Plus One Pact

[ms-liz-steele]

UPDATE S*X ED PLSSSS IVE BEEN READINg DONCE FOEVER AMD NEED ANOTHER PART

The next chapter drops on February 2nd. Mark your calendars besties 😁

[ms-liz-steele]

Sex Ed 101

Annie Leonhart x Armin Arlert | smut, drama, romance, college au

-> Synopsis: In the midst of college life, Annie finds herself entangled in an unexpected proposition - providing sex tutoring sessions for Armin, a shy and inexperienced bookworm.

New Chapters Every Month

chapters index | ongoing

Safe Spaces: The Role of Trust in Communication

❦︎

Annie:

Hey, do you know the answer to question 3 for our assignment? I’m stuck 🫤🫤

Hitch: 

Wait, WE HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT DUE?! 😳😳😳😳

Annie:

TF you mean “we had an assignment?” The deadline’s tomorrow!! 😐😐

Hitch: 

TOMORROW?!😨😨😨

Annie:

No, it’s due on Christmas Eve 🙄🙄

YES, TOMORROW. 

AT 8AM!!

Hitch: 

How was I supposed to know we had an assignment due 😭😭😭😭

Annie:

It was literally in the course outline!! 

We even had the assignment workshop two weeks ago!! 

Professor Smith handed out the assignment sheets and said it was due next class!!

Hitch: 

I thought it was just a discussion! I didn’t know it was the assignment workshop!! 😭😭😭

Annie:

Not my fault your illiterate ass can’t read 😐😐😐

Hitch:

Hey! ☹️☹️☹️

Annie:

Don’t “hey” me, you had weeks to prepare.

What on earth were you doing?!

Hitch: 

…. Watching Netflix 👉🏻👈🏻

Annie:

….

You’re hopeless 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️️

Hitch: 

Hey! In my defence I had other assignments and tests all week. Give me a break 😭😭😭

Annie:

Stop complaining and start doing your assignment, Hitch 😑😑😑

Hitch: 

Fine Mom 🙄

Annie: 

Don’t call me that. I ain’t yo mama.

Hitch: 

You sure are acting like one 😒😒😒

Note to self: never rely on Hitch for anything school related.

Annie let out an exasperated sigh as she turned off her phone and stuffed it back in the pocket of her hoodie. She dropped her face on the textbook that was spread open in front of her laptop. She thought it would be a good idea coming to the library to actually do some productive schoolwork instead of jerking off because she somehow couldn’t stop thinking about a certain blond bookworm she was sex tutoring.

She still couldn’t believe she actually pleasured herself at the thought of Armin and she was definitely going to hell for that.

She mentally cursed Eren for getting her to agree to this crazy idea in the first place.

“Hey…” she felt a hand gently shake her shoulder.

Annie lifted her head, ready to glare at whoever dared to disturb her but nearly fell off her seat the moment she saw that it was Armin smiling softly at her.

Well I’ll be damned.

“Hey…” she asked in the most casual tone she could muster, hiding the surprise in her voice. “you here to study?”

“Yeah. Libraries are kinda my sacred sanctuary if I wanna study or read for my leisure.” He answered with a chuckle.

“I see…”

“What about you?”

Annie let out a weary sigh. “Just trying to stay afloat, I guess.” She gestured at the open textbook and laptop in front of her with a tired expression on her face.

“Ah! Crunch time. Got an assignment due?” Armin sat next to her.

“Yep. And it’s due tomorrow. Tried asking my friend if she could help but she wasn’t any help. So I’m stuck and just ready to accept whatever outcome.”

“Mind if I take a look?” 

Annie passed him the assignment sheet. “Go for it,” she rested her chin in her hand, looking completely drained and done with life.

Annie was caught off guard when Armin leaned closer and felt her cheeks get warm. She mentally cursed the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach and Armin for smelling so damn good and how good he looked with his eye squinted and eyebrows furrowed as he went through the assignment sheet.

Armin noticed the expression on her face and gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry… I didn’t put on my contacts since I left my dorm in a hurry.”

“Got bad vision?” Annie asked

“It’s not that bad. I can still see but not when I’m reading. I usually have my glasses for emergencies but they broke due to my clumsiness.” 

Suddenly an image of Armin popped up in her head, arousing her even more in the process.

Annette Grace Leonhart, behave yourself.

“You take Philosophy?” Armin’s voice breaks her out of her inner babble.

“Yeah…” she cleared her throat, pushing her less than holy thoughts to the side. “It’s one of my compulsory classes this semester.”

“Professor Smith takes that class, right?” he asked.

“Yes…” Annie arched an eyebrow at him.

“Then we take the same class.” He answered with a chuckle.

Annie’s eyes widen, the exhausted look she had was now replaced by a surprise expression. “Wait, really? How come I’ve never seen you?” she asked incredulously.

“I usually take the Monday lectures instead of the Thursday lectures and usually sit at the front.”

“Look at you being a model student. I bet you’re also a teacher’s pet.”

Armin burst out laughing. “Well, sorry for having a depreciating vision that I have to sit close to the lecture and being attentive. Some of us actually want to pass and graduate.”

Annie couldn’t help but crack up a little at his playful retort. “Touché,” she conceded, slowly returning to her tired state.

“So do you want my help or not?” Armin arched an eyebrow and smirked.

“Fine, but only because you’re the only reliable person with a fully functional brain.” Annie relented making Armin chuckle again.

Armin took his time breaking down and explaining the question while Annie listened attentively despite her exhaustion. She took in every word he said with a tinge of gratitude for his help. And of course, finding the way he was explaining things to her incredibly attractive. What could she said? She always had a thing for intelligent guys.

“And that’s basically it,” he concluded. “Hope that helped.” He gave her a bright smile.

Annie let out a sigh of relief, already feeling the tension and stress in her body slow dissipating. “You are a lifesaver. I owe you big time.”

Armin’s cheeks were tinted pink as he continued smiling. “It’s no biggie. It’s only fair to help you out since you’re also helping me with my problem.”

Annie found herself blushing as well, knowing exactly what he meant by ‘helping with his problem.’ “Yeah…” she looked down feeling a little embarrassed.

“Speaking of, when are we going to meet for our next session?" he asked.

“We could meet tonight if you’re free. But this time, we’re meeting at my place. Wouldn’t want your friend interrupting us.”

I still haven’t forgiven that bastard from denying me an orgasm. She thought begrudgingly.

“Yeah… that’s fine by me.” He said. “I was meaning to return your bra. Wouldn’t want to keep holding on to it like some pervert.”

Annie felt her face burn at the reminder that Armin still has her lace bra. She threw her head back and let out a groan. “I swear if I ever leave something of mine like a lace bra, I will strangle you with it. And don’t even think of making jokes about it either.”

Armin cackled at her playful threat and raised his hands. “If it makes you feel better, my friend Jean teased me from hell to back after he found your bra just laying around in my room after you left.”

Annie snorted unable to hide her amusement. “That’s rough buddy.”

“Could be worse.”

“Oh? How worse?”

“You don’t wanna know.”

This now pique her curiosity. “Now you definitely have to tell me ‘cause I’m dying to know.”

Armin chuckled. “Maybe another time. Right now I need head for my next lecture. Got a reputation of being a teacher’s pet to maintain.” He winked, making her heart flutter.

She watched him pack up his belongings into his bag and sling it over his shoulder. But not before he smiled and waved at her on his way towards the exit.

❦︎

The steaming water cascaded over Annie’s body, while the heat and pressure helped soothe and relieve the tension and exhaustion in her muscles. She stood in the shower, lost in thought, mind wandering back to her interaction with Armin in the library earlier.

She couldn’t get the images of his smile and the way he patiently explained things despite her best efforts. She silently cursed herself for letting her mind wander and how the thoughts of him turned her on. She could already feel the familiar heat and arousal pooling between her legs and right at her core.

She couldn’t deny how the thought of Armin stirred a response in her body in such a way she had never experienced—not even with Bertholdt. She couldn’t focus on a basic task like showering without those thoughts persisting. The more she tried to ignore them, the more intense they became.

Annie jumped out of her skin the moment she heard a loud knock at her door. She quickly shut off the shower and grabbed two towels—one to cover her naked body and the other to dry her hair. “I’m coming,” she called out and started rubbing her wet blonde locks with a towel.

After a few minutes, there was another knock. “I’m coming! Gosh!” She rolled her eyes, hanging her towel on the bathroom rack. “Who is it?”

“It’s me.” She heard Armin’s voice from the other side.

Annie relaxed slightly but still felt her heart beating a little harder against her chest. Wrapping the towel more securely around herself, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Hey,” Armin said, greeted her until his eyes wandered down, widening with surprise and a blush spreading across his face. “Did I come at a bad time?”

“I was in the shower,” she answered casually despite the blush that spread across her face.

“I am so sorry,” he quickly apologized. “I should have called.”

Annie chuckled softly. “It’s okay, really. I was pretty much done anyway. Come on in.” She opened the door wider and stepped aside, inviting him inside.

“Nice place,” Armin complimented, while Annie closed the door and held the towel tightly around her.

“Thanks,” she muttered. “Make yourself comfortable.”

Armin sat down on her bed and opened his bag, taking out the lace bra. “I believe this belongs to you.”

Her face flushed an even red colour as she took the lace garment from him. “Uh, yeah. Thanks,” she replied, utterly embarrassed. She put it in her drawer where the rest of her garments stayed.

Armin cleared his throat and took out a couple of magazines from his bag. “I did some reading and research for our session.”

“Dude, relax. It’s not something you really need to study for,” Annie said, clearly amused at how he was taking these sex tutoring sessions seriously. “And are those porn magazines?”

“Not all of them. I borrowed them from Jean and Eren. I wanted to be prepared,” he answered, a little embarrassed.

Annie chuckled and picked up a copy from the pile. “Anything you want to try out from these?”

Armin opened a page from the Colossalpolitan and showed it to her. Annie’s eyes widened involuntarily as she saw images of various positions for oral sex. The heat that had begun to fade away in the shower immediately flared up again.

“Oh… you wanna try that,” she commented.

“Well… I’m more curious than anything,” he answered.

Annie took the magazine from him and had a closer look at the images before turning her gaze back to him. She could see the curiosity in his eyes and a part of her wanted to indulge. “I honestly didn’t expect you to be into this kind of thing.”

“Well as I said before, I’m curious. I hear Eren and my other friends talk about this stuff a lot, so I want to know if it really lives up to the hype and if it’s worth it.”

“I get you. But are you sure?” she asked hesitantly. Not that she was opposed to it, she just wanted to be sure if it was something he wanted.

“Don’t knock it if you don’t try it, right?” he gave her a small smile.

Annie laughed softly amused by his statement. “Yeah, that saying does make sense.” She conceded. She paused for a moment before speaking up again. “But if we’re going to do this we need to set some ground rules.” 

“Of course,” he nodded.

“Okay, first rule – communication. We need to be honest with each other about what we like and don’t like. No pressure or judgement, okay?”

“Got it.”

“Second rule – we’re only doing things we’re both comfortable with. No pushing boundaries.”

“Always.”

“Good.” Annie responded, pleased how he was being cooperative. “Last rule – protection. Not just physical but emotional as well. This… what we’re doing requires trust and I want to make sure we’re both on the same page.”

Armin smiled and nodded. Annie studied his face for a moment, looking for any signs of hesitation and uncertainty. When she didn’t find any she let out a breath. “Alright then… I guess we should get started.” She said steadying her nerves. The towel was still wrapped tightly around her concealing the majority of her body. “Close your eyes.”

Armin was confused at first by the request but nonetheless, he did what he was told.

“Don’t open them until I say so. And remember communication is key. If you’re not comfortable with anything, just say the word and we stop right away, okay?”

“Communication. Got it.” He nodded his head, his eyebrows furrowed with determination as he let out a breath through his lips.

Annie giggled, finding his actions cute. She moved closer to him studying his closed eyes and relaxed expression before speaking up again. “You trust me?”

“I do.” He answered without any hesitation.

Annie felt a flutter of satisfaction and gently took his hand guiding it to her towel-clad hip. “Keep your eyes closed and focus on feeling.”

She let out a soft gasp when she felt his hand grip her hip softly. She shivered a little, feeling heat radiating off him and the air between them becoming thick with tension.

“Tell me what you’re feeling,” she said, her voice a bit shaky and breathless.

“Well, your towel feels fluffy. Is it Egyptian cotton or Turkish cotton?” Armin joked.

Annie burst out laughing, swatting his shoulder playfully. “Don’t be a smartass,” she muttered as he laughed, but there was a hint of fondness in her voice. “Besides the obvious, what else do you feel?”

“I won’t know until I feel what’s underneath, if that’s okay with you.”

Annie’s heart skipped a beat and she licked her lips before she responded, “I’m fine with it. Just take it slow, okay?”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

Annie’s breath was caught in her throat as his hand moved underneath her towel. The feeling of his touch on her skin was like a jolt of electricity, setting her every nerve ablaze.

“Your skin is soft,” Armin commented.

She let out a shaky breath as his hand continued moving over her skin. “I didn’t think you’d be so gentle.” She moaned slightly, already feeling her core throb.

“Well, I can’t be rough with you,” he answered.

“Why? Are you afraid you might break me?”

“Boundaries, remember?”

Annie’s eye widened slightly, impressed by his commitment to their rules. Did Esther bump her head when she broke up with him? ‘Cause guys like him – who actually respect you – were rare to find. What more could she have possibly expected from him?

“You’re allowed to explore a little, you know.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. I trust you.”

Annie gasped when Armin’s hand grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to his lap. Her body followed his leading, straddling him, her legs instinctively placed on either side of his waist. “You’re getting cocky,” she said, unable to suppress a moan.

“You seem to enjoying it.”

“Shut up. You’re enjoying this too.”

“Shamelessly,” he chuckled. “Can I kiss you?”