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[layce2015]

The Boys (Soldier Boy x Female!Supe!Reader)

Chapter 6: Herogasm

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The sun was peeking out through my curtains and hit me in the face, waking me up. I grunted and groaned at this then laid on my back and rubbed my eyes, thinking that was some dream I had last night. I remove my hands off of my face then looked down to see I was naked and my blanket only covered me from the waist down.

I haven’t slept naked in years not since….

I turn to my left and see Ben sleeping next to me, he was naked as well. He was laying on his stomach but he didn’t have anything covering him at all, so I had a full view his strong, toned back and his ass. His arms tucked up under the pillows his head was lying on, soft snores were emitting out of his nose. And I couldn’t help but smile at this.

So, last night wasn’t a dream.

Thank God!

I stare at Ben and smiled at his sleeping form before I lean over and kiss his cheek. I then get up, my legs wobble a bit until I regained control over them and make my way to my dresser and pull out some comfortable clothes, shorts and a t-shirt.

After getting some clothes on, I head down to the living room and look outside to see if Butcher and Hughie had arrived. But nope they hadn’t, not yet anyway. So I decided to go to the kitchen and cook up some breakfast, if I'm to have guests over I need to be a good host and offer food.

Minutes later, I was cooking the bacon and sausage when I hear footsteps and a hum of approval. “Well, this is a sight I thought I’d never see.” Ben’s voice said and I look over my left shoulder to see him leaning against the kitchen doorway, wearing gray sweatpants, white t-shirt and an over shirt of the New York Giants baseball uniform. I don’t know what it was but this look was lighting a fire within me. It was so casual looking but Ben made it look sexy.

”And what would that be?” I asked him and he smirks. “Seeing you in the kitchen, cooking breakfast…” he said then he starts to walk over to me. “Yeah, well, I’ve had forty years of practice.” I laughed and he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.

He hums at this then he kisses my cheek then moves his lips to my neck and started his attack on my neck. “Ben…” I sighed as I’m trying to concentrate on cooking but the way his kissing my neck was intoxicating. Then his right hand started to move lower until he slide inside my shorts and he started to rub me with his finger, I gasp. “Ben, I’ve got breakfast cooking.” I said, restraining from letting out a moan, as he inserts two fingers in me. I lean my head back with another gasp while he kisses up to my jaw, my cheek then he goes to my ear and whispers. “Fuck breakfast.” 

I move the pan with the bacon and sausage off of the heat and turn around to face Ben, which forced him to pulls his finger out of me, and we heavily make-out. We had our hands moving around each other, touching every part we could reach…as if we hadn’t done that already the night before. 

”Excuse me…” a voice said and Ben and I stop our make-out session and look over to see that Butcher and Hughie had arrived. “Is this gent bothering you?” Butcher asked me, in a joking type of manner, as Ben pulls me to his side, placing his arm around my shoulder and I wrap my arms around his waist. “I believe you’re a hundred years too late on that.” I laughed then I pull away from the embrace and attend to the food. Ben then smacks my ass and I give him a disapproving look but I couldn’t hide the smile as he gives me a wink.

”By the way, how the hell did you two get in?” I asked Butcher as I go back to cooking the food. “I have my ways.” Butcher replied and I scoffed. “Well….Any of you fine gentlemen want any breakfast?” I asked them as I started cooking up some eggs and used my telekinesis powers to start toasting some bread.

Minutes later, the four of us were gathered at the dining table eating the breakfast I cooked up when Butcher speaks up. “Listen, let's have a little chat about this team-up, yeah?” He said and Ben looks over at him. “Yeah, what the hell do I need a team for? The last one handed me to the Reds.” Ben grumbles as he eats a strip of bacon. “And we got you out of that little pickle. We wrapped up Crimson Countess and delivered her like a fսcking Christmas turkey, and I even sorted Gunpowder for you.” Butcher said and I look down.

“Why am I supposed to be impressed with that? That's like killing Emmanuel Lewis.” Ben chuckles. “Yeah, well, he grew up a bit since you last saw him. Anyway, you want payback on Payback, don't you? Well, it just so happens that we are experts at exterminating shitbag Supes.” Butcher said as he places a hand on Hughie’s shoulder.

“You see, it's a whole different world out there now, son. We're here to help you find your way.” Butcher said. “Well, I can find them on my own.” Ben tells him. “Uh, are you sure? I mean, do you know what a GPS is? Or-or Bluetooth? Or, I mean...the internet?” Hughie asked him and Ben stares at him, then smirks and points at him. “You made those words up.” He said.

”No, he didn’t, those are real words and he’s right, you need those to find them.” I said to Ben, and he raises an eyebrow at me. “You need us.” Hughie said. “Kid's right.” Butcher chimed in. “Well, I have her. She can show me.” Ben said as he gestures to me. “I’m not even sure about this.” I said, unsure, and he gives me a stern look.

”What the fuck do you mean by that?” He asked me, angrily. “I get it, Ben, I do. I’m pissed at them, too! But…I don’t know, this seems risky.” I said then Butcher speaks up. “I give you my word that everything we will be fine.” He said then he turns to Ben. “All we ask in return is that you add one more name to the list.” Butcher said.

“Who?” Ben asked him. “A right cսոt named Homelander.” Butcher said. “I've seen pictures. Who is he?” Ben asked him. “He's the new you.” Butcher said and I scoff. “No one's the new me, pal. But why him?” Ben asked him. “Let's just say you're not the only one wants payback.” Butcher tells him and Ben hums at this then looks down before he looks over at me, as if asking my permission.

I think over this then sighed before I nodded at him. Ben smiles at me then he turns to Butcher. “All right. You help me find the rest of my team, and I'll help you with this Homelander.” He said and Butcher smiled while Hughie looks as worried as I feel. Putting Ben in danger does worry me but the idea of getting rid of Homelander does sound nice, especially after all the shit Maeve told me about him.

*3rd Person POV*

A few hours later, Butcher had left to get information on where the TNT twins, (y/n) was upstairs looking for her old suit while Ben and Hughie were sitting in the living room watching TV that happened to be playing one is Ben’s movies.

The scene showed a Soviet Army man punching Soldier Boy as he was tied up to a pole in a tent. “These people would rather die than be Soviet slaves.” Soldier Boy said to the soldier. “It's too late. Afghanistan is ours.” The soldier said as he turns his back on Soldier Boy. “Wrong. It's free. And I'll stand by our mujahideen brothers until the end.” Soldier Boy proclaimed. “You know what else I'll do?” He asked the soldier.

“What?” The Soviet soldier asked as he turns back to face Soldier Boy, who then smirks. “I'll distract you.” He said and the soldier quickly turns to see the twins standing behind him. “TNT!” They said as they grab each other’s hand and they hold out their free hand, palm out, towards the soldier. “Detonate!” They shouted and an electric blast shoots out of their hand and hits the soldier, killing him.

Ben glares at the TV and scoffs. “These fսcking twins. You know they couldn't hit their fսcking marks? Fucking unprofessionals is what they are.” Ben growls and Hughie looks at his Geiger counter tick a little then he looks back up at Ben.

”Hey, uh, yeah, Butcher's gonna find them. Why don't you, uh, why don't you get some sleep?” He asked him. “Mm, no. I've slept enough.” Ben said and Hughie sighs just as the movie goes to commercial and an upbeat jingle begins playing. “Dads. We know you love taking your babies everywhere. No matter where you go, Starlight Diapers...” the announcer said as it shows a man walking down the street with a baby carrier on his chest, a baby placed inside of it.

Ben looks at this in confusion. “Do men really walk around like that?” He asked. “Yeah. I mean, dads do.” Hughie said, shrugging. “Okay, well...” Ben chuckles. “Bill Cosby is America's dad, and, tell you one thing, he wouldn't be caught dead in that pussy gear.” Ben said. “Lot to unpack there. Uh...” Hughie started to say but Ben continues.

”The Cos. That's a real man. Holy shit, did he make some strong drinks.” Ben laughs and Hughie looks at him, horrified. “Holy fսcking shit.” Hughie whispers. “But, seriously, what passes as a man today? Christ on a cross.” Ben said as he stands up and goes to grab a bottle of bourbon that (y/n) had on her shelf. He opens the bottle and pours himself a drink.

“I read that we were ass up in Afghanistan. The fսck is up with that? Those were the good guys. I mean, when I left, it was, uh…I mean, damn it. We-we were ten and one, you know? I lead the 116th onto Omaha Beach. I was in the fսcking Eagle's Nest. I fought for this country.” Ben shouts, angrily, as the Geiger counter crackles again. “I fought for this country.” Ben whispers, upset. “And what did I get for it? Forgotten.” Ben grumbles and he takes a sip of his drink.

”Left to rot by my own team.” He mutters, anger but also a bit of hurt. Hughie gives him a sympathetic look as Ben goes to sit back down on the couch. “Well, at least you got Mystic Shade. I mean, she seems to really care about you.” Hughie said to him and Ben smirks a little at this and chuckles.

”Yeah, she’s quite the woman.” Ben muttered and he takes another sip of his drink before he chuckles a little. “You know, I wanted some rugrats of my own, with her. Hell, I was planning on asking her to marry me after we got back from Nicaragua.” Ben said to Hughie, who looked at him, surprised. “Yeah. You know, couple of little boys. Raise them up to be men.” Ben said. “It still could be possible.” Hughie said, giving Ben hope.

Ben sighs and smacks his lips. “Maybe, we’ll see.” Ben mutters. “See what?” (Y/n)’s voice asked as she comes back downstairs into the living room. The boys turns to her and sees that she had found her suit, which she was wearing. “Well, look at you, sweetheart.” Ben said, smiling. “Like what you see?” (Y/n) asked and Ben smirks. “You damn well know I do. Although, I prefer it on the floor.” He flirts then he winks and she felt her cheeks turn red until she noticed Hughie, who looked a bit uncomfortable.

”Okay, Ben, don’t scare the young man.” She said as she walks over to them. “Ah, he’ll be fine.” Ben said, dismissively, as (y/n) goes to sit next to him. “There is something I’m curious about…” Hughie started to say and the couple look over at him. “How did you two get together? I mean, you two seem so…different.” Hughie said and (y/n) sighs.

“Well to put it simply…my ex-husband was an asshole. He deceived me so that compound V would be injected into my body, all for fame and fortune that I didn’t want. Ben here save me from him and we ended up growing close. Despite all our problems, we always seem to end up running back to each other.” She explained and Hughie looked surprised. “You were married?” He asked and (y/n) nods. “Yeah, for a few years before I became a Supe.” She added.

”Wow…” Hughie mutters and (y/n) chuckles a little while Ben places his left arm around her shoulders and his right hand was placed on her thigh.

“Hey, um, can I ask you something? What happened in Midtown?” Hughie asked Ben, who looks down and runs his thumb over (y/n)’s thigh. “I don't know.” Ben replied. “I mean, your team wasn't there, so did someone do anything, or say something...” Hughie asked. “I said I don't know.” Ben said, in a loud firm voice. “Okay. Okay, yeah.” Hughie said as he backs down and (y/n) places a hand over his.

He looks over at her then turns away and sighs. “I blacked out. About ten minutes. When I came to, the damage was done. I didn't mean to hurt those people. I'm not a bad guy.” Ben tells Hughie.

”But that won't happen again...right?” Hughie asked and Ben looks at him. “Only if they got it coming.” He replied then the front door opens and Butcher enters “Oi, oi.” He greets and he shuts the door and the trio look at him. “You're bleeding.” (Y/n) noted. “Not mine.” Butcher brushed off then he looks towards Ben. “Got an address. We're off to Vermont.” Butcher said.

Later, Butcher and Hughie injects Temp V into their veins while Ben suits up. (Y/n) leans against the doorway to the living room and watched Hughie and Butcher inject the V in them. She raises an eyebrow at this as Butcher’s eyes glowed yellow.

As they started getting ready, there was a knock at the door. Butcher looks to the door then back at (y/n). “Are you expecting anyone?” He asked her and she shakes her head then goes to the door. She opens it to see Bethany at the door. “Bethany? W-What are you doing here?” She asked while Bethany looked at her, shocked. “We had a lunch date, remember? Why the hell are you wearing your suit?” She asked and (y/n) closed her eyes, annoyed at herself.

”Ugh, I forgot about that.” She sighs as Bethany gives her a confused look. “So, uh…this is gonna be hard to explain…” (y/n) started to say when Bethany looks over her shoulder and her eyes widen and her jaw drops.

(y/n) looks over to see Ben walking up next to her. “Is that Bethany?” Ben questioned, surprised, and she gasps and places her hands over her mouth. “Hey, hey, Bethany, Bethany…” (y/n) said to her as her friend takes a step back. “What the hell?! You were dead!” Bethany exclaims then she looks over at (y/n). “You said…” 

“Trust me, I believed it too! But I found out yesterday he is alive.” (Y/n) said as she placed her hands on her friend’s shoulder. Then Butcher and Hughie come out on the porch and Bethany looks all around at them. “Okay, what the hell is going on, (y/n)?!” She asked and (y/n) sighs then turns to the boys. “You guys head to the car, I need to talk to her.” She said and Butcher and Hughie nod and start to leave.

”Nice to meet you, love.” Butcher greets as he and Hughie walk past her and they head to Butcher’s car. Ben looks at Bethany and smiles and nods at her. “It’s nice to see you, Beth. You look beautiful.” Ben compliments as he goes to the car.

”What the actual fuck is going on, (y/n)?” Bethany asked. “Cliff-notes, Ben wasn’t actually killed. He was captured by the Russians.” (Y/n) revealed and Bethany’s jaw drops. “Wait, are you saying he’s been alive this whole time?!” She asked, astonished.

“Yeah…” (y/n) said. “But…but…but how…?” Bethany stammers. “Well according to him, our old teammates sold him out.” (Y/n) replied. “Are you serious?” Bethany asked, horrified. “As a heart attack.” (Y/n) said. “Oh my God.” Bethany whispered, covering her mouth once more with her hand in horror of the betrayal that not only Ben went through but (y/n) as well.

“We’re on our way to find the twins.” (Y/n) stated. “What are you gonna do?” Bethany asked, but (y/n) doesn’t give a response and instead lets her silence be enough of an answer. “Oh.” Bethany whispered in realization. 

”So, uh…who are those other gentlemen?” Bethany asked, wanting to change the subject and not dwell on coming fate of what’s left of the Payback team. “They’re gonna help us find our teammates.” (Y/n) said and Bethany nodded. 

“Alright. I know it isn’t my place to tell you whether this is right or wrong so…” Bethany says and places a hand on her shoulder. “Just please be careful, (Y/n).” She pleads and (y/n) just stares at her then the two friends embrace each other.

“Oh, okay. So, this-this is an actual orgy. That's what this is.” Hughie said, disgusted, as he Butcher, Ben and (y/n) stand outside of the mansion and see several Supes in the yard fucking each other, several more were inside. “Fucking Herogasm. Still a thing, eh?” Butcher said after he puts down the binoculars. 

“It's my thing. I founded it in '52.” Ben said as he takes the binoculars and looks through them. “Me and this other Supe, Liberty. Man, was she a firecracker.” He chuckles and (y/n) rolls her eyes. “Frenchie's gonna be heartbroken he missed this.” Butcher proclaims while Hughie looks over at (y/n). “Wait, so you didn’t help with this?” He asked her and she shakes her head.

”Nah, Ol’ Mystic here was a bit of prude. Hell, she’s never even been to one.” Ben said, in a teasing tone, and (y/n) turns her head to him. “Well, excuse me for being a one man woman!” She said and she hits his arm while he chuckles, humorously.

“There are a lot of people in there.” Hughie said, nervously, and Ben lowers the binoculars and turns to him. “Well, as long as they stay out of my way, they'll be fine.” He said. “Okay, all right. Just, uh, give me three minutes. I'll jump in, I'll jump back out. I'll tell you exactly where to find the twins. Nobody else in your way.” Hughie said and Ben, Butcher and (y/n) share a look before Ben looks back at Hughie.

“Three minutes.” He confirms and Hughie takes a few steps of a running start then he disappears, his clothes drop on the ground. The trio watch the building and Ben smirks then chuckles before he looks over at (y/n). “Remember how I tried to talk to you into going to one of these?” He asked her and she scoffs. “Yes, you annoyed the hell out of me about it.” She said and he chuckles.

”But I also recall how you said you wanted to keep me to yourself after we fucked the first time.” (Y/n) said. “Well, yeah, gotta keep the best for me.” Ben said and (y/n) scoffs out a laugh. “Oh, I see how it is.” She said, in a sarcastic tone. The couple share a laugh while Butcher rolls his eyes at this. 

“But all things considered, I’ll be glad to be done with this. Once everyone is dead and we take care of Homelander, we’ll have all the time in the world for each other.” Ben said to (y/n) and she gives a soft smile to him. The trio stand there for a few more moments then Ben sighs.

”Times up and that pussy’s not back.” Ben grumbles then Butcher sighs. “Let’s go, boys.” (Y/n) said and the trio head into the house. 

They head inside and (y/n)’s eyes widen at the scene before her. Hundreds of Supes, and possible normal humans, covered the area as they all got it on like nobody was watching. Some were pushed up against the walls, some were on couches and the sound was nothing but moans, groans, grunts and cursing. Sure, she wasn’t a prude but seeing other people fucking one another made her feel uncomfortable. 

Ben looks over at her, making sure she was okay, and he gestures for her to follow him while Butcher went another way. The couple walk up at the end of a hallway when M.M. saw them and he stops in his tracks when he sees Ben. Ben stares at him as M.M. pulls out a gas canister from his bag, pulls the pin and tosses it down the hall.

Both Ben and (y/n) look down at it before Ben kneels down, picks up the canister and sucks in the gas like it was nothing. M.M. stares at him shocked and Ben slowly blows the gas out of his lips. “Halothane.” Ben said and he tosses the can aside while M.M. starts to walk towards them.

“What'd you think you were gonna do with that?” Ben asked him. “You killed my family.” M.M. growls and Ben raises an eyebrow at this. “Which one?” He asked and M.M. glares at him then he starts to get into a fighting stance. (Y/n) comes up next to Ben, her eyes glowing electric blue, as she gets ready to protect him.

“Oi. Not him.” Butcher said and Ben and (y/n) turn to him, (y/n)’s eyes go back to her normal eye color. “Twins are out there.” Butcher tells Ben, as he points to his right. Ben stares at Butcher then to (y/n) and gesture for her to follow him and they walk towards the direction Butcher points out.

“So you get Homelander, but I can't get Soldier Boy? You're a fսcking hypocrite, Butcher. Now move.” M.M. said to Butcher, angrily. “I can't let you do it, M. It'd be suicide.” But her said but M.M. tries to walk past him but Butcher places a hand on his chest, stopping him. M.M. backs up, panting, then he goes over to a glass case, breaks it open and pulls out a baseball bat.

”Oh, come off it. What you gonna do with it?” Butcher asked him, annoyed, then M.M. swings the bat at him, across the face which did nothing to Butcher.

”You're such a fսcking idiot. Can't even work the TiVo without me.” Thomas tells Tessa as she tries to get the footage come upon the TV. Ben and (y/n) come upon the room and Ben turns to (y/n) and holds out a hand to her, signaling her to stay back a bit. She nods and stands back a bit, but not far back enough just so she can have the Twins see her. Eventually, the footage comes on which showed an inside of the toilet and someone using it. Tessa cackles that she got it to work. “And there it is, you sick fսck.” Tessa sneers at her brother.

“Hiya, kids.” Ben said, in a taunting way, and the Twins jump and see Ben standing there while (y/n) stands behind him with her arms across. “That poop chute's had a workout, huh? Looks like the Lincoln Tunnel.” Ben jokes and Tessa unplugs the camera. “Ben.” Tessa said, shocked, and Thomas noticed (y/n). “Holy shit, (y/n)! We thought you were dead!” He said, stunned, and (y/n) smiles at this.

“You fսckеd me, you selfish piece of shit!” M.M. yells as he keeps hitting Butcher with the bat until it broke. “That's enough.” Butcher tells him, unbothered, as the wood clatters. M.M. glares at Butcher then gets into a fighting stance, making Butcher roll his eyes.

“Nicaragua wasn't our fault.” Tessa stammers. “Yeah, swear to God.” Thomas said. “Then whose fault was it? If you tell me, maybe I'll let you go.” Ben said, angrily, and he takes a few steps forward. “I-it was Noir. It was Noir's idea, top to bottom. He gave you to the Russians. Please.” Thomas said, quickly, and (y/n) furrows her brow at this. “Noir?” Ben said, confused.

“Uh-huh.” Thomas said, nodding. “Yeah.” Tessa sighs, nervously. “Noir wouldn't take a shit without Vought's say-so.” Ben growls. “Please? It's the truth.” Tessa begs and (y/n) tilts her head. “Ben, I think they’re telling the truth.” She said but Ben didn’t respond as he heard music playing.

Not just any music. 

That damn Russian music.

Ben’s face twitches and he closes his eyes as he grunts and doubles over. “Ben?” (Y/n) said, concerned, as she walks up to him. Tessa turns to Thomas. “Give me your hand.” she said. “It's been years.” Thomas said. “Do you want to die?” Tessa asked, panicked, just as (y/n) noticed Ben’s chest starting to glow.

”Oh shit!” She whispers, panicked, then starts to get away from Ben and turn to the people. “Everybody RUN! GET OUT!” She shouts as she runs as fast as she can. Some people stop what they were doing and look at her as if she’s crazy while others continue on.

The twins grab each other’s hand and turn to Ben. “TNT detonate!” they said and try to use their power but nothing happens as Ben lets out a scream and the light in his chest goes out and hits the Twins, obliterating them to nothing.

(y/n) got as far away from Ben as possible and made it to the areas Butcher and M.M. were at. But before she could warn them, the force of the explosion blew the wall back and it hits Butcher, M.M. and (y/n), knocking them out.

Minutes later, Butcher starts to wake up then he slowly gets up to his feet; he hears distant screaming and sees the destruction that Ben had caused he looks over and sees M.M. passed out and he goes to check his pulse. M.M. was alive and he sighs with relief then noticed (y/n) a few feet away from him. She had some dust and debris on her but other than that, she just looked like she was asleep.

Butcher goes to her and checks on her just as he hears footsteps. He looks up and sees Ben stumbling in and he looks around the place confused, until he saw (y/n) on the ground. “(Y/n)!” Ben said, concerned, as he goes over to her and kneels down.

“Sorted?” Butcher asked him as Ben cups (y/n)’s face in his hands. “What happened?” Ben asked, confused, as he looks up at Butcher, who noticed the confused look on Ben’s face. Butcher stares at him then looks down and Ben turns his attention to (y/n). Ben wipes off the dust and debris off of her to make sure she wasn’t hurt when they hear footsteps.

Butcher looks towards the other end of the hallway to see none other than Homelander walking in. Ben looks up then gently sets (y/n) down as he stands up to face the new threat. “William Butcher and Soldier Boy. Of course. You are behind this. This whole thing. It really is all about me.” Homelander said as Ben goes to stand in front of (y/n) then looks at Butcher, who was giving his best death glare towards Homelander.

”William, we made a deal to fight to the death, you and me. This is cheating. Deal's off.” Homelander said then he uses his laser eyes on Butcher, hitting him and made him hit the wall and pass out. 

Ben stares down at Butcher then turns to face Homelander. “You were my hero growing up. I watched all your movies, hundreds of times.” Homelander compliments and Ben gives a small smile at this. “You were the only one that was nearly as strong as me.” Homelander said and Ben rolls his eyes.

“Buddy, you think you look strong? You're wearing a cape. You're just a cheap fսcking knockoff.” Ben taunts and Homelander grits his teeth before he gives a sadistic smile. “Oh, no, no, no. I'm the upgrade.” He said then he flies towards Ben and slams him up against the back wall.

Homelander’s eyes light up with red but Ben uppercuts him then starts to punch Homelander a few times in the face. Homelander goes to punch Ben but he ducks and Homelander’s fist hits the wall. He tries to hit Ben again but he dodges and punches the Star-spangled man and the duo trade blows to each other.

But then a large piece of debris flies across and hits Homelander from his side, knocking him back. Surprised, Ben looks to his left and sees (y/n) standing there, her eyes electric blue and her hand was raised out before she lowered it. “Back off, asshole.” (y/n) growls as her eyes go back to normal.

”Mystic Shade, should’ve figured you weren’t far behind.” Homelander growls as (y/n) comes up next to Ben, smirking. “Must be my lucky day. Me against the two of you.” Homelander said as the couple get into a stance. “Bring it on, bitch.” (Y/n) taunts and Homelander uses his laser eyes on them but (y/n) uses her shield to protect her and Ben then waves her other hand and moved some debris to hit Homelander.

But he turns and uses the lasers on the oncoming debris and that’s when both Ben and (y/n) attack and punch him. The three Supes punch at each other when M.M. starts to wake up and sees Ben and (y/n) wailing on Homelander, who was holding his own.

M.M. reaches behind him and goes to grab his gun when Starlight runs in. “M.M. M.M. M.M., M.M., please, I need you. People are hurt.” She pleads to him but he gets up and starts to go towards the Supes, mainly to get at Ben. “M.M.! M.M. Please. He doesn't control you.” Starlight tells him as she stands in front of him. “We have to help these people. It's up to us.” Starlight said and M.M. stares at her for a moment and decided that she was right and the two of them walk away.

Homelander punched (y/n) back into a wall and then goes to punch Ben but he grabs his fist. Then Homelander punched Ben across the face with his other fist and he goes to punch him again but Ben grabs that fist as well with his free hand. Homelander kicks Ben and makes him fly back into the wall. He grabs Ben and shoved him against the wall then grabs him by the neck.

“You really had me going for a minute there.” Homelander growls at Ben and he squeezes his neck. Ben grunts and gasps for air as Homelander squeezes his neck tighter until Homelander was yanked back by his cape and thrown across the room. Ben falls to his side and gasps for air while Homelander gets up to see (y/n) coming at him but he flies at her and slams her against a different wall.

He holds her by the neck and he’s about to choke her until a voice said. “Oi.” Homelander looks over, as does Ben and (y/n) to see Butcher standing there with a smile before he laser eyes Homelander, knocking him back. “What the fսck?” Homelander muttered, shocked, then he stands up and faces Butcher.

”What have you done?” Homelander asked him. “Scorched earth.” Butcher replied then the two begin to beat each other up while Ben goes over to (y/n). “You okay?” He asked her and she nods as Homelander flies up then he and Butcher use their laser eyes on each other, their lasers meeting in the middle.

Butcher yells while Homelander smiles until Ben comes up, grabs his cape and slams him on the ground then tosses him aside. Homelander hits a wall and Ben punches him a couple of times before Homelander punches him then Butcher comes in and punches him a few times. Ben and Butcher goes to punch Homelander at the same time but he ducks and turns to face them but (y/n) comes in and punches him in the back of the head.

She then grabs his cape again and throws him over her, making him land on his back. She goes to raise her foot but he grabs it and flings her across the room. He gets up as Ben charges at him but Homelander punches him across the face then turns to Butcher. They exchange punches until Homelander grabs Butcher by the neck and goes to strangle him until Hughie teleports in and shoves him away from Butcher.

Homelander looks at this, confused as Hughie is naked, then he goes to laser him but Hughie teleports to a different part of the room. Homelander goes after him but Hughie teleports again and Ben and Butcher both grab Homelander and hold him down. Homelander tries to get up but (y/n) holds his legs down, Butcher holds down his right arm and Hughie teleports to Homelander’s left and holds his left arm down while Ben was pushing down Homelander’s back.

“Do it!” Butcher yells at Ben, who then starts to charge up his beam. Homelander grunts and growls like a savage animal, his eyes turning bright red. “(Y/n), go!” Ben grunts out at her. “I’m not leaving you!” She yells as Butcher looks to Hughie. “Hughie! Get out of here!” He shouts. “No fսcking way.” Hughie said and the group do their best to hold Homelander down but Ben’s beam just wouldn’t charge up.

Homelander lets out an animalistic yell and uses all of his power to knock all four of them off of him and fly up and out of there as fast as he could. Butcher, Ben, Hughie and (y/n) laid on their backs, feeling a little exhausted but also a bit defeated as they were so close to taking Homelander down but failed.

After they gather their bearings snd finding Hughie some clothes, the four walk out but Butcher and Hughie stop at the porch to see M.M. and Starlight outside with the injured people. The two glare at Butcher and Hughie before they walk off and (y/n) stares at the two boys before looking over at M.M. and Starlight, who was giving her a death glare. Almost like she hated (y/n).

(Y/n) scoffs at this then follows the boys as they get into Butcher’s car and leave the destroyed remains of a once nice mansion.

@winchestergirl1720 @deans-spinster-witch @mimaria420 @wirdbeimaufhebengebunden @kitsun369 @jesllianaquilesrolonsworld @deangirl96 @demodemo909 @cassiecasluciluce @mostlymarvelgirl @onlyangel-444

[dianawinchester03]

Aftermath.

Series Masterlist

Summary: After the fire at the L/N house. F/N has taken John and his boys along with his baby girl to his safe-house in Texas after the tragic passing of their wives, after witnessing his wife pinned to the ceiling the way John told him Mary was when she passed, he was devastated to know that his wife was right when she told him that Mary's passing was not just an accident.

Y/N is 6 months old and Sam is 9 months old while Dean is 4 years old.

BASED ON:

The Old Testament Series.

Genesis Primis: A Supernatural Rewrite (Dean Winchester x Reader) by @dianawinchester03

🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧

Third Person POV

Late the previous night, the L/N family suffered a tragic loss. M/N had died in a house fire, the exact way Dean lost his mother.

The two families were now at a house F/N owned in Texas. In the months Mary had passed, the Winchester family was staying at the L/N residence, they graciously took them in having lost a dear friend that night, only for tragedy to strike again, this time claiming the life of yet another mother.

Little Dean had his ear pressed to the bedroom door when he heard the sound of glass shattering against the wall. His father ushered him in with his little brother and y/n, so him and f/n could have a private talk.

"That's not possible!" John's voice boomed through the house after the shattering of the glass.

"Why would I lie to you, John?! Do you think I wish it were true?!" F/N defended, tears welling up in his eyes, the wound of losing his wife still fresh.

"You kept this from me for months- no- YEARS! I know what I saw and I prayed to God it wasn't true and now you're telling me that you, M/N and...Mary were h-hunters?! And m/n was a psychic?!" John shouted back, fumbling from the logic of how any of this could be real.

"You have to believe me. M/N told me that something wasn't right with Mary's death and I should've listened. And now she's gone too, I wouldn't lie to you about you this, I swear on my baby that I'm not making any of this up!" F/N pleads with John.

The sound of another glass being thrown into the wall woke up a sleeping y/n, her wails and cries echoed through the room. Dean shot up from the floor, rushing over to her. "No, no, no y/n/n. It's okay. I've got you" Dean cooed softly, taking her into his tiny arms. He rocked her from side to side but her crying didn't ease.

"I know. I miss her too" Dean croaked, sniffling back his own tears. It's only been one night and he already misses everything about m/n. The way she would bake pie for him, he grew his love for it thanks to her. She would sneak him it on occasion whenever his mom asked her to baby sit before having y/n. Mary learnt about her son's love for pie and graciously indulged in it with him.

His wounds were still fresh from losing his mother and now his aunt. He couldn't fathom in his little mind what is going on and why his uncle is saying something about his aunt and him being this thing called hunters. It made no sense but his priority right now was to take care of Sammy and y/n/n.

Sam started to cry along with y/n, having been woken up by her wails. "Not you too Sammy" Dean sighed, putting y/n down before rushing over to the other side of the bed that Sam was on. He gently picked up his baby brother, cradling his head before walking him over to lay him next to y/n. Dean tried everything to stop their crying but they wouldn't let up.

That was until he started making funny faces. He stuck his tongue out, stretched his lips, sucked his cheeks in, crossed his eyes until y/n was in a fit of giggles. Dean giggled along with her, this being the first time since his moms death he's had a genuine smile on his face from little y/n's laughing. Sam was still crying however but unconsciously, y/n's tiny fist balled up and smacked Sammy right in his shoulder.

Sam's wailing holts, only to receive another smack in his shoulder from y/n. Sam instantly started to giggle along with them. Deans jaw dropped when he heard the giggle escape his little brothers throat, "You made him laugh, good job y/n/n!" Dean clapped happily as his brother and y/n giggled together. Since his moms death, Sam was always quiet. He didn't cry much, but y/n sure did. That girl had a set of lungs on her, the whole state would hear.

-

Downstairs, sat at the dining room table was John and F/N. They both threw their heads back as they downed their third glass of whiskey. The last two, having been broken in a blinding rage by John.

The silence was deafening between the two compadres, John now knowing the truth about what goes bump in the night. "So you and M/N....you guys hunted these things together? And Mary knew about it too?" John croaks out.

F/N nods, "Yes, Mary was like us. She was a hunter too, but we left it all behind to be happy. To have our families, Mary didn't tell you because she wanted to protect you even though I begged her to. To prepare you, but she wanted you to know nothing about it because she wanted you safe" He explains, his tone pained.

"So why are you telling me now?" John grits his teeth at F/N. "Because that THING is not gonna get away with taking my wife from me, and I know damn well you ain't gonna let that happen too" F/N retorts back, his tone filled with vengeance.

John remains silent for a second, the images of his beloved Mary pinned to that wall while F/N's mind was stuck on M/N's gut wrenching screams.

The guilt was riding F/N's chest, his heart aches for his angel. His wife told him what she felt, she told him something wasn't right about Mary's untimely death. She had no idea what presence she felt at that house but it wasn't pleasant, that's for sure.

He should've listened, is what he keeps telling himself. Had his listened, his wife would've probably still been with him here today giving a disheveled John 'the talk'.

John's grip tightened around his glass, his eyes trained on the whiskey settling. He raised it towards f/n enraged grief-stricken eyes, "I'm in" John snarls, his tone filled with rage. F/N's expression mimics John's as they toast.

-

F/N pushed open the door, his face drenched with tears. It slightly brightened up when he saw Dean sat at the bed playing with Sammy and y/n/n. "How's my baby doing?" F/N cooed, sniffling back tears as he picked up his baby girl.

"I made her laugh Uncle F/N. See" Dean pointed excitedly, a bright smile on his face. F/N sniffles, a weak chuckle leaving his throat. "Yeah. Good job, buddy" He gave him a small smile, ruffling Dean's overgrown head of blonde hair.

"Woah, we gotta get you a haircut, champ" F/N snorts through a tearstained face as Dean fixes his hair. John barged into the room, stopping in tracks when he saw Sammy with a huge grin on his face. "Hey, Dean. You wanna learn how to feed them?" John asks his elder son quietly.

Dean nods excitedly before following John into the kitchen to make bottles with his dad for Sammy and y/n/n. Not before laying a kiss on his little brothers forehead and then y/n's, who's toothless smile brightened.

🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧

Authors Note: I've been thinking of doing this for an whileeee and now it's finally happening!!

It might be all about the place, different ages and whatnot. But I'll fix it up in time.

Updates on this one are gonna be wayyyyy slower; just so you know.

Taglist: @hjgdhghoe @rach5ive @tiggytaylor @star-yawnznn @quarterhorse19

@deangirl96 @bitchykittenconnoisseur @globetrotter28 @swimmingmakerathletedreamer @mrsjjkwinchester

@juwu-theliciosa

Hope its what you were expecting and I truly hope you enjoy. Thank you loves!🥰

Xoxo

[waywardaardvark79]

Supernatural Series Rewrite: Season 2 Masterlist

Summary: Y/N Singer joins Sam and Dean on the road. A rewrite starring you. 

Pairing: Dean x Reader, Sam x Reader (platonic)

Status: In progress

Seguir leyendo

[legalmente-loca]

Pairing: Dark!Dean Winchester x Female Reader

Tags/Warnings: +18, smut, masturbation (male receiving), harassment, breaking in your house, panties kink, Pervert!Dean

Dean couldn't stop thinking about you. Before he closed his eyes, he'd see you in his mind's eye, beautiful. When he slept, he'd dream of you, and when he woke up, he'd follow you like a vulture following a dead body. He'd even managed to get into your house through your broken bedroom window.

Dean didn't even think twice. He went straight to your wardrobe and looked at your underwear. But no, it was no good. They didn't smell like you. So he went to the dirty clothes hamper and rummaged through them like a starved man until he finally found a pair of panties that satisfied him. He lifted them up with two fingers and inspected them; there was a white stain in the center, and he buried his nose in it, breathing deeply. He let out a slow exhale, his eyes quivering. It was perfect. He pulled his jeans down enough to let his cock slide out and rubbed your panties against him. He moaned, throwing his head back. He stroked himself slowly up and down, the fabric ripping against his skin feeling exquisite. He moved your panties faster, but something was missing.

It wasn't quite where he wanted it to be.

He looked around and spotted your bed, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. He lay on his stomach, his face against your pillow, smelling your shampoo. He inhaled as he moved his hips against your sheets and the panties around his cock, imagining it was the friction of your insides he was experiencing at the moment.

He moaned against the pillow, a bit of saliva leaking from his mouth. The wet sounds his cock, already lubricated by his precum, was making could be heard throughout the room. And then he heard the front door keys, but to say he didn't mind was an understatement. Quite the opposite... It turned him on even more.

Knowing you were nearby, that you might catch him masturbating in your bed, made his movements quicken. He wished you would find him, that he would be forced to grab you and hold you against the bed to finish what he'd started. With that thought in mind, he let out a loud moan, muffled by the pillow. His hips stuttered, and his cum spurted against the bed and your panties. He took a few moments to himself, slowly rubbing his face against your pillow. He turned over and took a deep breath, a bead of sweat running down his forehead. He inspected the hand still wrapped around his cock and watched as his cum clung to your panties as if they wanted to belong there. Your footsteps grew closer, and he sat up. He considered it, fighting with himself whether to stay still and watch what was happening or get up and leave.

He shook his head and chose the latter. Not yet, it wasn't the time.

Dean climbed out the window he came in through, panties in the back pocket of his jeans and took one last look at the stain on your sheets and smiled, knowing that now you would sleep with a part of him every night.

Dean Winchester One Shots/Headcanons

Dean Winchester Masterlist

Masterlist

Join my Tag List

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[waynes-multiverse]

Time After Time – Chapter 7

Summary: Unable to control your abilities, you’re stuck in the present with Billy Butcher, his team, and America’s first asshole. At this point, you’ve become Soldier Boy’s personal punching bag. But when an accident leaves you stranded in 1942, you run into a familiar face and suddenly rely on your future tormentor’s help as your only hope.

Pairing: Soldier Boy x supe!Reader

Warnings: 18+ for language, reader is a supe with chronokinesis (time manipulation), 1942 says hi, SB being a nice and kind human, freely invented historical gossip, major angst alert & a bit of fluff

Word Count: 10.5k

Posted on Patreon April 11, 2025

A/N: Three angsty converstions in this one, three women, and one very upset Ben! Plus, a deep dive into Mrs. Brooks! If ya can't tell by the word count again, I clearly loved writing this part 😂🫶 ✨ Chapter title comes from The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Main Masterlist || Series Masterlist || Tag List

Chapter 7: Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

It had been an agonizing hour of pacing, second-guessing, and questioning everything that had led you here – to this strange, impossible life you had stumbled into.

A huge fucking pile of steaming hot shit, basically.

You hadn’t been able to sit still since Ben’s parents returned, your thoughts racing in a thousand different directions. Each time your footsteps neared the door of the guest bedroom, they became anxiously quiet and soft, however, not wanting to alert anyone to your presence. Every moment in this mansion felt like a misstep, a mistake you couldn’t undo.

The knot in your stomach twisted tighter.

You should’ve left a long time ago, but you had gotten too comfortable here – too cozy and snuggly with Ben, like he was your goddamn security blanket. But you cared about him and cared about what would happen to him, so the last thing you wanted at this point was to cause any more trouble for him, especially with his father.

So, you decided to leave.

You started throwing a few outfits from your closet onto the bed, only wanting to take the most necessary items before realizing you didn’t even own a bag big enough to stuff it in. But you had your magical remote control back, so your plan was to hit pause on the whole fucking mansion, grab a suitcase from somewhere, sneak out, and maybe rob a bank for some pocket change on your way out of dodge.

Yup, good plan.

But what about Ben? Were you leaving him behind, too?

Realistically, you knew it was the smartest choice. As wonderful, otherworldly, and addicting as that newfound, blooming feeling in your heart was, you knew it wouldn’t lead anywhere but into turmoil. This relationship didn’t have a future.

Period.

Either you’d lie to him for the rest of both your lives – however long that would be – or you’d hurt him. There was no other option.

Could you tell him? Could he handle the truth? Vought didn’t even exist yet. Right now, the Nazis were working on Compound V. To Ben, people gaining superpowers would be an alien concept.

‘Hey, uh, by the way, I have superpowers that let me control time, and I’m also from the future, and we don’t actually like each other there. And oh, yeah, you’re still alive in 2023 because some crazy Nazi geneticist will inject you with this serum that turns you into an invincible asshole.’

Nope, you couldn’t imagine that conversation going over well. He’d be either incredibly mad or not believe you at all. Then what?

Fuck.

With fingers trembling, you moved toward the window, glancing out at the muddy street, knowing the path to your escape lay beyond the mansion’s high gates. You were in a mess of your own making – a mess that had to end before you caused any more disruptions. His father was back, and that in itself was a disaster waiting to happen.

It had all been doomed from the start.

But then, just as you were about to gather your courage to finally get the fuck out of here, a knock at the door startled you from your thoughts and broke the tension in the air. Cautiously, you approached it, hand hovering on the knob as you braced yourself for the inevitable.

However, as you twisted it and opened the door a crack, your eyebrows shot up in surprise as you spied your visitor. It wasn’t Ben, his father, or even his mother.

“Dottie?” Your brow furrowed in confusion before you noticed the silver tray with a plate of food and a cup of tea in her hands.

“I brought you something to eat,” she said as she stood in the doorway, her expression one of tentative curiosity. You quickly wiped your palms against your skirt, standing a little straighter as she entered and set the tray down on your nightstand.

“Did Florence or Frances send you?” you asked warily. You knew you weren’t her favorite person, but she shook her head.

“No, just figured you were hungry since you’re missing dinner. I didn’t think Florence wants you starving up here,” she replied, her lips curling into something between a smirk and a sigh. “You dodged a bullet there, by the way. Family dinner is a bit… tense tonight. Lots of awkward silences and judgmental glares. Not that it’s something new per se…”

You were close to a migraine the way you strained your brow, blinking at the young maid in bemusement and shaking your head. “Thank you, uhm… I honestly didn’t think you cared about me… or even liked me,” you noted with an uncertain smile.

Dottie eyed you with a hint of mischief and approval in her gaze, a secretive smirk playing on her lips. “You’re not like the other girls who have come and gone through here. They fall over themselves trying to impress Ben, you know? But you don’t play that game. It’s… refreshing. You’ve got some fire in you. I respect that.”

“Fire?” You cocked an eyebrow, sitting down on the edge of the bed to nibble on your food. You were almost too nervous to eat with your ever-knotted stomach.

Dottie gifted you a warm smile. “Yeah, I’ve heard how you talk to him. I also overheard what you said that night about me at dinner. You stood up for me. Just wanted to repay the favor.”

Your lips hiked a smile. “You’re welcome. And thank you… again.”

Your head bobbed, your fingers playing with a piece of bread roll. You were unsure if you should be flattered you were considered special or uncomfortable with the apparently long list of girls that had waltzed through this house.

Dottie seemed to notice your unease and plopped down on the mattress next to you. “Anyway, I thought you might need someone to talk to. We all like you, you know? The whole house. Especially George. He thinks you’re the smartest woman he’s ever met. You’re different.” She shrugged and sent you another encouraging smile.

Cheeks blushing, you swallowed thickly and met her gaze. “So, things are tense downstairs?”

“Oh, yeah. The old man is furious because Grace’s father called him in upset, saying his daughter had been crying all night because of what Benjamin did to her,” Dottie told you and rolled her eyes back, scoffing. “All fake, of course. Charlotte, the maid of the Du Pont’s, said she was completely fine and consoling herself with one of the Kennedy boys when they were visiting in Cape Cod.”

“Whoa, hold on…” You vividly shook your spinning head and held up a hand, blinking at Dottie’s waterfall of information. “Du Pont? As in the chemical industry empire?”

“That’s the one,” Dottie sang in bitter nonchalance, a bit of judgment swinging in her voice. She clearly wasn’t a fan of the people she worked for – the elite families that not only excluded people like her and you but also disregarded you as human beings altogether.

“And you guys talk among each other? I mean, the staff?”

Dottie snorted a laugh, heavily nodding. “Yes, we gossip a lot. These people always think they’re better than us, but they got more shit on them than you can find in a pigsty.”

You weren’t as shocked by the revelation as you probably should’ve been. In this house, the gossip was as much a part of the walls as the portraits and velvet curtains.

“And Grace got with a Kennedy?” you asked, not resisting the curiosity bubbling inside of you and seeing Dottie nod. “Which one?”

“I think it was the oldest – Jack,” she replied.

You gaped at her. “John F. Kennedy?!”

Dottie giggled at your reaction. “Yes, I believe so. Do you know him, too?”

Innocently, you pursed your lips and shook your head. “No, no, not all. Just heard of him, you know?”

Jesus fuck, Kennedy might have gotten around as much as Soldier Boy. And if those rumors of The Legend were true, did Soldier Boy kill the future president for personal reasons?

Now you understood why the Kennedy assassination had attracted so many conspiracy theories. Well, you could check, theoretically, and see for yourself…

Nope. Don’t open that Pandora’s box!

“Look,” Dottie said after a pause, chewing softly on her lower lip in thought, “I’m sorry if I’ve been a little cold toward you. It’s not personal. I just don’t like the way Ben’s been acting recently. It’s... complicated.”

Your brows drew together as you watched the young woman next to you. “Complicated?”

She let out a dry laugh. “Honestly, complicated doesn’t even begin to cover it. You don’t know the half of it. You’re not the only one who feels out of place here, you know?”

“What d’you mean?”

Dottie leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a quieter, more intimate tone. “Ben’s a good guy, but he’s got a bit of a soft spot for… the wrong things. Florence talks about him like he’s still that little boy who needs his daddy’s approval. I know how it happened, you know – how he ended up with Grace? It wasn’t his idea. It was his father’s. And you know what? Grace wasn’t exactly an unwilling participant in that either. She begged her father to arrange the engagement.”

Her words hit you harder than you expected. You’d known about Grace, but you’d never heard the full story. “She begged?”

Dottie’s lips twisted into something halfway between a grimace and a smile. “Yeah, she begged,” she confirmed, hazel eyes glinting with a mixture of bitterness and amusement. “She thought she could change his mind, get him to fall for her. They had a fling, sure, but she knew Ben didn’t want her like that. They had a big argument about it a few days before. She stormed off, screaming he’d regret it.”

The weight of Dottie’s words pressed down on you, but before you could respond, she carried on.

“His father then announced the engagement at one of his parties here before even telling Ben about it. I mean, he didn’t even ask,” Dottie shared in exasperation. “Ben couldn’t stand it, so he rebelled in the only way he knew how. He found me, we got drunk and pissed off and then ended up in a closet together,” she said matter-of-factly, her tone flat and almost casual, but you could hear the bitter undertones of a scorned woman. “Ben had always been nice to me, you know? We’d gotten along, so when he came to me that night, I thought it was different. But he started ignoring me after. Couldn’t look at me – like I didn’t even exist... So yeah, I guess you could say I’m a little mad at him.”

You hesitated, studying Dottie’s face, looking for any hint of malice. But there was none – just brutal honesty. And you knew what this was by now. Just like Florence on your first day here, Dottie was warning you before you stepped off the ledge and fell.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Dottie said when you still sat in silence, “I’m not trying to paint him as a bad guy. I’m telling you because I care, alright? I just think you should know what’s going on around here. Ben’s got his demons, and his family is a nightmare. He can’t escape what his father’s set up for him. He’s got a leash on Ben, and the pressure’s never going to let up.”

Her words cut through the haze of your thoughts like a sharp blade. You nodded slowly, unsure how to respond. You’d seen bits of that pressure already.

“No, I get it. I appreciate it, Dottie. Thank you,” you said softly. “But Ben’s not like his father. At least, he doesn’t have to be.”

Dottie shrugged, as if the truth was somewhere in between. “Maybe. But Mr. Brooks got a tight grip on him. The kind of grip that can make anyone do things they don’t want to. Even Ben.”

A pang of sympathy reminded you of Florence’s story once more – and all the other cruel acts you’d witnessed in your dreams. Were you blind or just foolish for believing he could change the path he was on?

“Ben’s not as immune to his father as he pretends to be. He’s not as strong as he thinks. Don’t get it twisted. His father’s got his claws in him,” Dottie emphasized. “You’re not the first distraction Ben’s found. Just-… be careful, alright? You don’t know what you’re getting into, but if you’re going to be a part of it–,” she paused, her eyes flicking back to your scattered clothes all over the bed, “–you better be sure about it.”

“Thank you, Dottie.” You nodded with a heavy lump in your throat.

She gently clasped your hand on the bed in a comforting manner and then sent you a kind smile, pulling out a deck of cards from the pockets of her apron. “How about we distract you for a little while, huh? You know how to play Gin Rummy?”

Your lips rose to a smile. “I haven’t played before, but I’m willing to learn.”

Dottie giggled, shuffling the cards in her hands. “Alright, how about I teach you the rules if you tell me about college?”

“Deal.” You grinned.

The clock read past midnight, the only sound coming from the shuffle of cards and the occasional giggles and whispered stories between you and Dottie. The minutes stretched on as you tried to forget what was happening downstairs, Dottie’s words of warning still running on a loop through your mind.

It couldn’t be a good sign that two people in this house have warned you now, could it? Shouldn’t you listen at some point?

An abrupt knock at the door ripped the two of you from your game and disrupted the fragile peace, Dottie’s eyes widening in panic. You both knew who it was.

“Shit,” Dottie muttered and hurried to gather the cards from the bed, stuffing them back into her apron. She hid in a blind corner of the room as you moved to answer the door, not opening it more than a crack.

“Hey,” you said softly and feigned an innocent smile as you met Ben’s gaze, noticing immediately he wasn’t alright. His usually shining emerald eyes carried a glaze, his smile turning lopsided as he took you in with a leer, but the distinct smell of whiskey that clung to him like a second skin was the dead giveaway.

“You’re still awake. I was hoping you’d be. Came to check up on you, sweetheart.” He smirked with shaky pupils.

Before you could stop him, he stumbled forward into the room on unsteady legs and fell straight into your arms. His large hands found purchase on your hips, dragging you closer against his body. He captured your lips, eager, hungry, and with a sloppiness that told you he had a few glasses too many.

You were close to pushing him away, hands already softly pressing against his chest before noticing Dottie trying to sneak past him, so you deepened the kiss instead, your arms winding around his neck, causing a groan to rumble through him. But on her last step, the door creaked on its hinges, and Dottie froze as Ben’s head snapped up.

Glassy eyes wide, he warily turned to the young maid, brow wrinkling into more creases than a crumpled letter. “Dottie? The fuck are you doing here?”

You placed your hand on his arm, forcing him to look at you and ground him at the same time. “She-, uh, she brought me dinner. Florence sent her. She didn’t want me to starve. You know how she gets about food,” you deflected with a giggle.

“Right.” Ben nodded, eyes flickering back and forth between Dottie and you.

“And you know, I guess I got a little nervous, so she’s been keeping me company. We’ve been playing cards,” you added with a reassuring smile, already anticipating his next question as you watched the cogs in his head turn.

“Oh.” Ben licked his lips for a moment and then looked at Dottie. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Dottie said, sending you a quick look of gratefulness.

“And, uhm, Dottie?” Upon Ben’s call, Dottie halted in the doorway, shoulders tense on her way to freedom. “I’m sorry…” he said, surprising you both as you shared a raised look with the maid. “About what-, uhm… what happened, you know?”

“It’s-, uh, it’s okay,” she replied, eyes flicking toward you, clearly unsure of how to respond. You gave a slight shake of your head, and she subtly cleared her throat. “I mean, it’s not okay… but I-, I forgive you.”

You gave her a quick thumbs up, and as Ben looked over his shoulder at you, brow knitted in suspicion, Dottie quickly fled down the hall and closed the door behind her.

Yeah, you might’ve been coaching her a little in those last few hours on how to deal with assholes like him in the future (which you realized was super ironic). But if you couldn’t save yourself from that man’s charm, at least you could save the rest of your gender.

“Didn’t know you and Dottie were friends,” Ben noted, turning his full attention to you now.

“Oh, uhm, it’s a new thing,” you said quickly, and it wasn’t even a lie. You gave a shrug of your shoulders. “I like her.”

“Yeah? What’s she been whispering into your ear, huh?” His voice was rough, his fingers gentle as they brushed along your cheek.

“She didn’t say anything, okay?”

Ben’s lips curled, clearly not believing you. “You know, I didn’t mean to… hurt her.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt those people.”

“Heard that one before,” you muttered, scoffing under your breath. You averted your eyes to the floor, the motion causing Ben’s hand to drop from your face.

“What?” There was no anger in his voice, only confusion.

You shook your head, forcing yourself to look at him. “‘Cause you’re not a bad guy, right?” you said a little louder, feeling the drops of venom like castor oil on your tongue.

And Ben picked up on it, his brows drawing together, facial muscles twitching as he tried to solve what triggered the change in mood. What happened between now and the moment you’d shared in the drawing room only a few hours ago?

You knew you were being indecisive. You knew you were being unfair. But you couldn’t let go of that feeling. That tiny, tingling thing that kept gnawing at every bit inside of you. The feeling that kept screaming at you that something was amiss. It was there – right there.

And you still couldn’t fucking grasp it.

Ben contemplated, then smacked his lips, taking a step closer to you and ironing out his brow a little. “No, I-… Well, I’m no Boy Scout, but you know me.”

Your mouth opened and closed, lips trembling. You didn’t know how to respond. He was both right and wrong. But it all sounded too fucking familiar. It was that maddening feeling of déjà vu all over again.

One long stride of bow legs, and Ben was only mere inches away from you, warm palms cupping your cheeks like you were a precious gift, rough thumbs stroking along your cheekbones, and hot breath tickling your skin like a whispered breeze in summer heat. You melted in his grasp in a matter of seconds like an ice cube on hot asphalt.

“I didn’t mean to freak you out earlier,” he said, deep voice only a low murmur against the shell of your ear as he tucked a strand of hair behind it, careful like you could break in his hold. “Just hadn’t exactly broken the news yet that you’re staying here, y’know?”

“Ben–” You sighed, trying to clear the fog from your mind with a shake of your head.

“But I did now, okay?” he cut through that first brick in your wall of defense. The tip of his nose dragged against yours, coaxing. “I want you here, alright?” His lips ghosted over yours, a faint brush, barely there but enough to make you feel the heat crawling into your lower belly. “Had kind of a rough night. Thought you could make me feel better.”

He claimed your lips with a bruising force before he’d even breathed out his last word. The scent of expensive whiskey and nicotine enveloped you and clouded your mind. He smelled like he drank a liquor store and smoked a pack, but you couldn’t resist the pull – the desire, the chemistry. Your head was floating, but doubt still kept your feet tethered to the ground.

“Ben, don’t,” you said quietly, trying to keep your voice steady, but it wavered despite your efforts. “Not like this. You’re drunk.”

“Don’t give a damn. Maybe I need to be drunk to feel something real for once. I need this. Need you,” he muttered, words slurred, voice rough.

He leaned in then, plump lips sinfully trailing down the column of your throat. The world seemed to stop spinning on its axis, your heart racing in your chest as he slid his hand to the back of your neck, tugging you closer.

For a moment, you gave in and almost let yourself go, forgetting every drop of worry and fear that plagued your mind. His hands moved to your waist, grip tightening as he pushed you flush against his blazing body. But the blinking red alarm inside of you reminded you of the lines you didn’t want to cross.

“Ben…” Your hands pushed against his chest, gentle but firm.

He stopped then, breathing ragged and confusion gleaming in the lush green of his eyes. His gaze drifted to your face, lingering there, as if searching for something he wasn’t sure he’d find. “I want you. Don’t you want me too, hm?”

The air thickened around you, sharp and overwhelming, threatening to suffocate you as you wrung for words. His thumb traced over your bottom lip, heavy against the soft, pink flesh. His pull was magnetic, his need evident.

“I don’t wanna be just another distraction for you,” you said quietly, voice shaking slightly, heart hammering in your throat. You tried to sound firm, but the way his eyes held you made your breath hitch.

Ben stepped back, hurt flashing across his freckled face like you’d just knocked the wind right out of him. His presence felt too large in the room, his emotions pressing down on you.

“A distraction?” His eyes hardened, his expression twisting with frustration and something darker. “That what you think you are? What Dottie told you? She’s been filling your head with this shit, hasn’t she?”

You flinched at the mention of Dottie’s name, not wanting to drag her into your mess. You hesitated with a thick swallow, tension creeping into your shoulders. “It’s not about her.”

“Damn right, it isn’t,” Ben huffed, shaking his head. And then, his eyes landed on the bed – on your clothes spread out, half-packed. He froze, demeanor shifting immediately, color draining from his face. “What the hell is going on here? Are you fucking leaving me?” The baritone voice was suddenly sharp now, carrying an edge that cut through the haze of his drunkenness.

“I don’t wanna cause more trouble for you,” you confessed quietly, panic rising in your chest.

“So that’s it? Just like that? You’re just gonna fucking walk out on me?” His voice was jagged with emotion, gripping a handful of his hair in disbelief.

“No, but I-… I don’t belong here, okay?” you argued, your tone laced with desperation. What else could you say?

“Dammit, you think I don’t fucking know that?” His jaw tightened, and for a heartbeat, there was an unsettling silence between you two. “Look, I don’t know what the fuck Dottie told you, but this-… this isn’t some game to me. You think I do this with everyone? That I’m using you because I’m bored? That I’m just some spoiled rich kid who gets whatever I want?” He stared at you, disappointment, incredulity, and betrayal swimming in his eyes.

You shook your head, your heart thumping painfully in your ribcage. “I didn’t say that. But Ben... I don’t know what I am to you… what this is.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” He scoffed bitterly, running a hand through the disheveled, dirty blond locks. “I’ve told you things… things I’ve never told anyone before. I’ve let you into parts of my life that I don’t show anyone else.”

“I know. I just–”

But Ben cut you off, his frustration spilling over. “I’ve been nothing but honest with you. And this is how you repay me? By fucking running away? You’re not walking out on me. Not like this.”

Your heart stuttered, the words cutting deep and tightening your chest, aware he was right in a way, knowing he’d put himself on the line for you – more than you’d ever expected him to. But you couldn’t ignore the doubts that rose inside you.

“I’m scared, okay?” you admitted, your voice only a whisper, and it made his eyes soften slightly. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”

Ben shook his head, huffing a humorless laugh, almost amused. “Oh, you think I can’t be trusted? That I haven’t given you enough reason to?” He stepped closer, his look pointed. “Kinda ironic, don’t you think? I don’t even know your real name. I don’t know a fucking thing about you, and yet, here you are, accusing me of being dishonest. You really think I’ve been fucking lying to you?"

You didn't respond. Silence.

"If you want to walk away, then go. But don’t you dare tell me you’re just a distraction. That’s insulting. I’ve been nothing but honest with you. I’ve given you everything I can, and you think I’m just trying to fuck around?”

You stood there, speechless, caught between the weight of his words and the fear that still clawed at your heart. Ben stepped closer again, his features softening just slightly, as if trying to calm the storm inside both of you. The promise of something more, something different with him, tore at the part of you that had been holding back.

“How do you know I’m the right person for you? You don’t even know what you want. And you’re right, you know? You don’t know me. Not in the way it matters. Not in the way you should,” you said, barely above a trembling whisper, the tears pricking your eyes.

“Then tell me,” he demanded, voice softer now, almost pleading. “Tell me who you are. Tell me your real name. Anything, really.”

Your breath caught in your throat, head shaking. “I can’t. I never meant to keep things from you, but I can’t tell you either. I’m sorry.”

Ben rubbed his mouth with his fingers, head bobbing in thought. “Look, maybe I haven’t made my intentions clear enough with you, but I care about you. I don’t know everything, but I know that I want you. I want this. All of it. The whole damn mess, alright?”

The raw emotion in his voice made you falter, but you couldn’t let yourself be swayed. You looked up at him, meeting his gaze, and for a moment, you let yourself believe that maybe, just maybe, he could be telling the truth. That there was something worth fighting for here. The vulnerability in his green eyes made your knees weak, cracking both his armor and your walls.

Ben stared at you for a long moment, the hurt, confusion, and anger warring on his face. Then, without warning, he took a step toward you, closing the space between you two for good, and you swore you could even feel his wildly beating heart in his chest. He searched your face for something, a connection to hold onto, his hands slightly outstretched like he was reaching for you.

“Maybe it’s not meant to be.” The words stung as they left you, the first tear slipping down your cheek.

Ben’s resolve crumbled then and there. He pulled you into his embrace, softly kissing the top of your head as you sobbed into his chest. And then he just held you like this for a moment. You’d never felt fucking safer while your heart was breaking.

“Hey, look at me.” Gently, he lifted your chin, wiping your wet cheeks with his thumbs. “You think this is easy for me? You think I don’t want to change things?” He held your gaze, eyes intense as the weight of his words hung between you. “I can’t just walk away from everything, but I’m trying. I swear, I’m trying to figure this all out, but you have to let me.”

“How?” Your voice cracked, the fear of getting too close, of falling too hard threatening to crush you.

Ben cupped your cheeks, the kiss on your temple an oath. “I’ll make it work, okay? I don’t know what else to say, but I promise I will. I’ll find a way out of all this... for both of us. But I need you here. I need you with me. I can’t do this alone. I don’t wanna go back to that life without you in it. I just need you to trust me, okay? I need you to believe in me.”

You could see it then, clear as day – he was afraid of losing you, the desperation brimming in the green seas of his eyes. You were his lifeline, the last thing that held his head above water and kept him from drowning in his father.

“I swear I’ll take you with me, wherever that it is. I’ll take care of you. I’ll fight for you. I’ll protect you. All I need is a little more time. Can you give that to me? Can you do that?”

The heaviness of a decision almost decimated you, but for the first time since you’d entered his world, the fear of losing him was stronger than the fear of staying.

You nodded, hesitantly at first before it became stronger – certain. “I’m not leaving you. I’ll stay.”

The space between you evaporated then as he closed the gap, pressing his lips to yours with a force that left you breathless. His mouth was desperate, clinging to the assurance that you were still here. Still with him.

The kiss wasn’t just a kiss – it was everything. It was apology and regret. It was yearning. It was fear.

Ben was kissing you like he never wanted to lose you again, as if each second was a prayer that you’d stay. He pulled you even closer, his hands threading through your hair, his body so tightly against yours like he was trying to make sure you were real. To make sure he hadn’t just imagined this moment.

You melted into him, your hands gripping his shirt, your heart beating faster than it had in days, weeks, months, maybe years. The kiss deepened, grew more urgent, as if he was trying to tell you everything in the language of touch, in the frantic meeting of lips and breath – everything he could never say out loud.

You felt the warmth of his skin, the blazing heat of him, and you realized you both were clinging to the fragile thread that held you together, afraid to let go.

When he pulled back, both of you panting, there was a quiet between you that spoke louder than any words ever could. His eyes searched yours, his thumb caressing your cheek, forehead resting against yours.

Ben licked his lips, still holding onto you as he shut his eyes for a beat, his chest still rising and falling with the remnants of the kiss. “Look, uhm, I hate doing this to you right now, but my father wants me to leave with him for two weeks,” he told you, voice heavy with exhaustion before a dark scoff escaped him. “Wants to show me how business is really done.”

You cupped his cheeks softly, looking up at him. “Don’t let him get to you, okay? You’re smarter than him.”

Ben’s lips twitched with a small smile, nodding like he understood. “My mother’s staying here with you, but don’t worry about it. I doubt she’ll bother you. She doesn’t really care about anything. I told them you’re a friend from school, so just go with that.”

“What school did you go to?”

“Choate. It’s in Connecticut,” Ben replied, a hint of amusement in his smile, noticing how carefully you were solidifying your alibi. “But it’s an all-boys school. You would’ve gone to Rosemary Hall.”

You grimaced. “So, total sausage fest, huh?”

Ben snorted a loud laugh, throwing his head back. “Oh, you have no idea, sweetheart.” He chuckled and pulled you against his chest, resting his chin on top of your head. “You know, sometimes I wonder what school taught you all those words.”

You giggled, burying your face into his dress shirt. “Oh, college taught me those. You would know if you’d gone.”

“Ouch.” A deep and amused laugh rumbled through his chest.

“Didn’t John Kennedy attend Choate as well?”

Ben’s head tilted slightly. You could feel the movement atop of yours. “How do you know Jack?” He inched back slightly, peering down at you with a raised look. “Something you wanna tell me, sweetheart?”

You snorted into his chest, shaking your head. “No, nothing like that, I swear. I just heard of him.”

“Oh, so it was just me you were immune to, huh?” Ben retorted, but you recognized the playfulness in his voice. It was your favorite side of him.

“Guess so,” you teased, giggling.

“Well, thank fucking God you didn’t sleep with him,” Ben muttered as he tightened his arms around you. “I hate that guy. Total fucking pussy.”

“Didn’t he graduate Harvard?” you muttered, feeling Ben’s jaw grind on top of your head. Yeah, you weren’t doing JFK any favors now.

“Well, he didn’t make it into the Army. I can tell you that much,” Ben blew right past your point, making you stifle a chuckle. “Heard he got a placement in the Navy, though.”

“Huh. Kinda sexy,” you quipped. Teasing. “He’ll probably learn a lot of sailor talk.”

Ben’s lips pursed in amusement as he looked down at you and was met with your grin. “Yeah, also probably gonna be a real sausage fest on that boat.”

You let out a crippling laugh, burying yourself in his chest as he joined you. Of course he’d only learn the things you didn’t want him to learn.

Ben’s fingers then snuck under your chin, lifting your lips to meet his. The kiss was soft, gentle – a goodbye. “You’re gonna be okay here?”

You nodded reassuringly. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be here when you come back.”

Ben didn’t say anything, but his Adam’s apple bobbed with a thick swallow, eyes gleaming with a mixture of relief and gratitude before he pressed a kiss to your forehead. It was a tender, almost reverent gesture, and it made your heart swell.

Exhaling a long breath, he let go of you and turned to leave, his shoulders slumping more with every step he took toward the life he didn’t want. He paused at the door, his hand on the knob, and for a moment, he seemed smaller, more fragile, like the weight of everything he’d been holding in was finally starting to break him.

“I’ll never stop fighting for you,” he said with conviction as he looked at you one last time, raspy voice laden with words he couldn’t say. A promise. “Never.”

And deep down, you knew then that no matter how hard things would get over the next decades, you’d never let go, either.

The door closed for the last time that night, and then, Ben was gone.

The mansion felt quieter the next morning, Ben having left with his father for DC before the break of dawn. After getting dressed properly for breakfast for once, you descended the grand staircase, your footsteps quiet on the polished wooden floors.

You spied Margaret Brooks, Ben’s mother, sitting in the sunroom, but before entering, you decided to make a quick pit stop in the kitchen, where the faint murmurs of the staff seeped through the door.

As you stepped inside, the three women were busy at their tasks. Florence was bent over a pot on the stove, her movements brisk and efficient. Dottie was humming to herself as she arranged flowers on the counter. Frances, a bit more weathered and stern, was dusting the shelves, her eyes darting disapprovingly at Dottie, who had a tendency to daydream more than work.

“Good morning, ladies,” you said softly, your voice low enough not to carry too far.

“No breakfast in the kitchen, young lady,” Florence reminded you swiftly, which you countered with a knowing smile.

“Don’t worry, Florence. I’ll be outta your hair in a minute,” you said, making Dottie snort a giggle. “Just-… Before I go in there, can you guys give me the down-low on Mrs. Brooks?”

“The down-low?” Frances cocked a brow at you.

“Yes, the details,” you corrected. Half of your vocabulary was practically useless in 1942. “What’s her deal? Why is she so… withdrawn?”

After Dottie’s revelation last night, you thought you might as well make use of the love for gossip in this house.

Florence didn’t look up from the stove, her hands moving quickly with purpose. “She’s always been quiet,” she replied, her voice neutral but not unkind. “But over the years... well, she shut herself off. Hard to blame her. Her husband isn’t a good man, not to her or to Benjamin.”

Dottie, who had been nervously twisting the flower stems in her hands, let out a little sigh. “Yeah, Mr. Brooks is awful. He treats her like she doesn’t matter. And now she’s kind of… well, I think she just gave up. You know, stopped trying.”

Frances, who had been listening intently, fixed Dottie with a sharp look. “Not everything is so simple, Dottie. Mrs. Brooks has always been a lady – always. She’s tried for years, but the man she married–” She sighed, her voice dropping. “It broke her. And now she watches the boy becoming just like him. It’s no wonder she retreats.”

You could feel the undercurrent of sadness in the house, a grief that wasn’t just tied to the past but to the present, too.

“I see,” you said quietly, your mind racing as you thought of what you could do. You glanced at the three women. “Well, I think I’ll go see if I can say hi to Mrs. Brooks this morning. She must be lonely.”

Florence gave you a distracted nod, her attention still on her cooking. Dottie shot you a hopeful look, while Frances simply grunted in acknowledgment, not sure how much help you’d be.

You sauntered into the sunroom, the air cool inside and the glass panes still thick with the chill of winter. Outside, patches of snow clung stubbornly to the ground, a few spots melting into sluggish pools. However, along the edges of the garden, the first hint of spring dared to show – croci pushing up through the soil, small and defiant against the lingering cold as they waited for the thaw.

It only reminded you of how long you’d already been here. It felt like an entirely different life at this point. Had Ben been serious last night? And what did it even all mean?

He said a lot, but you weren’t sure your head woke up any clearer this morning.

The future was an unknown, and you weren’t used to that feeling.

As you entered, Mrs. Brooks sat at the small round table by the window, her face drawn, her green eyes distant as she stared into the steam rising from her cup of tea. She didn’t seem to notice you at first, and when she finally lifted her gaze, it was with a quiet recognition.

“Good morning, Mrs. Brooks,” you said, smiling softly. “I’m not sure if your son has mentioned me. I’m a friend from school. Benjamin’s been kind enough to let me stay here for a while.”

“Oh, I believe he mentioned something like that, yes,” she said in a soft, tired voice, her lips curling just slightly at the corners. “You’ll have to excuse me. I wasn’t listening to everything last night. I was quite exhausted after the long travel, and that boy never knows when to stop.”

“Yes, I know what you mean. Ben does have a way of going on, doesn’t he?” You smiled gently at her words and sat down across from her. “Ben did tell me a little bit about all your wonderful tea parties, though. He said you liked going to tea rooms as well. What are they like? I have to admit I’ve never been to one myself.”

At the mere mention, Mrs. Brooks’ posture seemed to shift ever so slightly. Her eyes sparkled, and you saw something like life stir behind them, as if your words had opened a door she hadn’t realized was there.

“Oh, tea rooms,” she repeated, her voice soft and reflective. “I used to love them. So charming. So civilized, you know? A proper place to spend the afternoon with a good cup of tea. I haven’t been to one in ages, not since...”

She trailed off, her gaze becoming distant again, but then something changed – her eyes brightened just a little, like a light flickering on.

“You’ve never been?” she asked, her tone a mixture of surprise and mild disbelief. You shook your head. “Oh, my dear, it’s almost a must for a young lady to experience. A proper tea room, with all the delicate china and the soft music in the background – it’s simply marvelous.” She sat up straighter in her chair then, the flicker of a genuine smile appearing on her lips. “I should take you, shouldn’t I? There’s one in the city I adored. It’s been years since I’ve gone, but I’m sure it’s just as lovely as it was. Would you like to go? This afternoon, perhaps?”

You couldn’t help but feel a spark of hope inside of you, seeing that flicker of light in her. “I’d love that. Thank you, Mrs. Brooks,” you said with a warm smile.

“How wonderful! Then it’s settled. We’ll go!” She clasped her hands together with joy. “Do you have something to wear? I could call my seamstress, Ms. Vivian, for you.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary. Benjamin already did that,” you replied, hoping for dear life you didn’t have to endure another makeover. You were already sacrificing yourself like a lamb for slaughter by agreeing to this.

“Well, good.” She nodded and sipped on her tea, muttering, “Seems like I’ve done something right with that boy, after all…”

Well, judging by that statement, you were surely in for an interesting afternoon.

The soft tinkling of porcelain cups and quiet chatter filled the air of the elegant, well-lit tea room as Margaret Brooks looked across the table at you, her plump lips curling into a rare smile. She had almost forgotten how much she enjoyed these outings – the delicate atmosphere of the tea room, the soft hum of conversation. She had imagined, for so many years, that one day she would have a daughter to share these moments with.

Unfortunately, that hadn’t come to pass.

Instead, you sat across from her, eager eyes wide as you took in the ambiance. Mrs. Brooks noticed the nervousness in your posture, the way you clutched your teacup a little too tightly and stared at the other girls, feeling utterly out of place.

“Isn’t it charming?” Mrs. Brooks said, her voice light, almost affectionate. “I’ve been coming here for years. There’s something about the smell of the Earl Grey and the clink of silver spoons that makes you forget the world outside. You’ll grow to love it, I’m sure.”

You gave a nervous nod, your lips curving upward in an awkward imitation of a smile. “I’m not really used to places like this.”

You hesitated, glancing around the room at the white-gloved waitstaff and the carefully arranged plates of scones and finger sandwiches, wondering how many distractions Ben had found here and hoping you wouldn’t run into any of them. You could certainly feel the occasional looks and quiet whispers directed at you.

Mrs. Brooks chuckled softly, her gaze warm as she met your eyes. “One gets used to it. It's like breathing. I’ve been doing this for years, and there's nothing wrong with forgetting the world in here, just for a moment.” She leaned in slightly, her tone dropping conspiratorially. “Don’t be nervous, Cindy. It’s only tea and gossip, and we all need a little of both.”

Something in Mrs. Brooks’ tone calmed you slightly. It was as though she was slowly pulling you into her orbit – offering more than just a tea outing, but a sense of belonging, of understanding.

“Look over there,” Mrs. Brooks continued, gesturing subtly with her gloved hand, clearly eager to share more. “Do you see that woman sitting by the window? That’s Mrs. Berwick. She’s very fond of trying to climb the social ladder, always inserting herself into the right circles. Her husband’s a banker, but don’t let that fool you – he’s a dreadful bore."

You snorted a laugh and leaned in, intrigued despite yourself. You couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. Mrs. Brooks had a certain warmth now that softened her more formal edges.

“And there,” she carried on, “that’s Mrs. Hadley. She’s got more money than God, but she’s also got a tongue that can cut glass. No one dares to cross her, but I’ve never cared much for her. She’s the type who never forgets a slight.”

“Seems like they all have their… quirks,” you noted, amused, remembering Dottie’s words.

“Quirks,” Mrs. Brooks repeated with a smile. “Yes, one might call them that.” Her eyes twinkled as she leaned in closer to you, lowering her voice. “But there’s one thing they all have in common: They love to gossip. It’s their favorite pastime. And I’m sure,” she added, giving you a knowing look, “they’ll be more than eager to talk about you.” You stiffened, but Mrs. Brooks, oblivious to your discomfort, sipped her tea and continued. “Don’t mind them. They’re all still talking about Benjamin, I’m sure. The whole lot of them think they have some sort of claim on him. But they don’t, do they?”

At her little wink, your heart almost dropped to the sparkling marble floor. Did she know? But you figured it was easy to suspect if she knew her son even a little.

“Well, if it isn’t Mrs. Brooks! I haven’t seen you here in ages.”

Your breath caught in your throat as you recognized the familiar voice. You’d heard it once before, even if it had been louder and more upset than now.

Grace.

Mrs. Brooks’ expression flickered momentarily before settling into something more controlled. “Grace, dear,” she said with a polite smile, turning her head toward the speaker. Her tone was cool, masking any warmth. “You’re looking well.”

Your stomach dropped when you saw the woman standing at the table: tall, blonde, impeccably dressed in a way that screamed money and status – poised and perfect. By now, you’d heard plenty about Ben’s destined fiancée, but seeing her in person was another matter.

Her blonde hair was sculpted into a flawless wave. She wore an elegant dress with the subtle sheen of luxury and a sharp gaze that seemed to take in every detail of you with calculating precision.

Grace gave a sly smile, icy blue eyes flickering to you. “I couldn’t resist coming by. I simply had to see Benjamin’s current project.” She tilted her head slightly, a deliberate gesture, and leaned down to examine you like you were a specimen under a microscope. “Interesting choice.”

Did that bitch just call you a fucking project?!

You didn’t flinch under her scrutiny, however. You’d been dealing with bitches like that your whole life. The only tragedy about this was that you couldn’t rant about her to your friends – the hot blonde, the gay redhead, and the mute Asian chick.

Fuck. Why the hell couldn’t you remember their names? You swore they were on the tip of your tongue. Was it Andy, Mabel, and Kim? No, that sounded wrong. Dammit!

“I think I’ve seen you before, right? And you are?” Grace asked, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness as she looked at you.

“Cindy,” you replied with a slight edge.

“Ah, Cindy,” Grace repeated, like she was tasting the name. “Such a... simple name. How quaint.” She smiled then, a thin, shark-like smirk, and you were blood in the water. “I must say, I’m surprised to see you out and about. Benjamin has always been so... difficult to predict. But I suppose you already know that, don’t you?”

Unbothered by her baiting, you took a casual sip of tea. “Oh, I know exactly who he is, Grace. Better than you.”

Grace’s smile tightened. “How refreshing,” she said, then looked over at Mrs. Brooks. “I do hope Benjamin’s settled down by now. I hear he’s been a bit of a... free spirit lately. He always had a rebellious streak. He gets bored rather quickly.”

Mrs. Brooks stiffened slightly, but she recovered quickly, placing her teacup down with a slight clink. “My son is a grown man, dear. He’ll make his own decisions, as he always does.”

“Of course,” Grace replied smoothly, though there was a clear, sharp edge to her words.

“‘Sides, aren’t you a bit of a free spirit as well?” you quipped with an innocent smirk. “I heard about you and Jack Kennedy in Cape Cod. How’s that going?”

“Oh, you are seeing Jack?” Margaret chimed in with delight, but you could tell her smile was as taunting as yours was.

Grace’s face fell abruptly. “Yes, it’s… going,” she replied quickly, subtly clearing her throat. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her lips twisting into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes as she leaned in, her tone almost too sweet. “I imagine you must be enjoying the novelty of being with someone like Benjamin. Here you are, in the lap of luxury. It’s a bit of a thrill, isn’t it, darling? But you know, I should warn you – Ben isn’t exactly the most reliable partner. I do hope, for your sake, you’re not just a phase.”

You were about to slap her harder than she’d slapped Ben at that diner. Would it matter to history if you choked her right now?

You forced a tight-lipped smile as you ground your teeth. “Thank you for the warning, but I’m not here to judge him for his past.”

If anything, you were judging him for his future.

“Well, that’s nice,” Grace pressed through her teeth, her polite mask finally crumbling. “But you don’t get it, do you? You’re just the latest distraction, darling. Someone to amuse himself with, and as soon as this little rebellion ends, he’ll come crawling back to someone who knows the rules, and you’ll be just another notch in his belt.”

Jesus fucking Christ, why did he always have to date the biggest bitch in the room? And you’d once thought Crimson Countess was a piece of work.

But you grew up in a trailer park in fucking Jersey. If a girl like Grace thought she could scare you off with a few words, she had another thing coming.

“You think you know everything, don’t you?” You looked at her challengingly, not an ounce of fear in your voice. “Here’s the thing – Ben’s not a puppet for his father. He makes his own choices. You’re not his future, Grace. You’re the past. Trust me on that one.”

Grace’s eyes blazed with a venomous glare. “Well, we’ll see how long this lasts, darling. I do hope you won’t make a fool out of yourself.”

You were about to open your mouth again before Mrs. Brooks cut in, her tone suddenly sharp, a protective edge in her voice. “Enough, Grace. We all know about Benjamin’s history. You’ve made your point, and it’s getting tiresome.”

Grace’s eyes fixed on Ben’s mother, a muscle twitching in her jaw. She clearly hadn’t expected that. “Well, it’s so lovely to see you two getting along. I mustn’t take up too much of your time, Mrs. Brooks. It was nice running into you both. I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”

With that, Grace stormed off, her heels clicking on the sparkling marble. You exhaled a slow breath, slumping back into your chair. But as you glanced at Mrs. Brooks, you saw the faintest glimmer of approval in her eyes.

“You handled her beautifully, dear,” Ben’s mother said, her tone soft but genuine. “Don’t let women like her make you question yourself. They thrive on making others doubt their worth, but you’ve got something she doesn’t – confidence and a damn backbone.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Brooks,” you said, your heart swelling with gratitude. “That woman really knows how to lay it on thick, doesn’t she?”

Mrs. Brooks rolled her eyes in exhaustion. “She’s always been like that. Charming when it suits her and venomous when she feels threatened. I’m almost glad Benjamin’s been so awful to her. God knows I couldn’t have endured another dinner with that girl in my house.”

You snorted under your breath, chuckling.

“You know, I was just like you when I first arrived here – someone who didn’t quite fit in.” Margaret leaned back in her chair with a faint smile, the faraway look in her eyes sharpening, a subtle sadness creeping into her voice. “Before I met Benjamin’s father, I came from humble beginnings, you know? My parents were good, hardworking people. We didn’t have much money – just a small house in the lower part of town. My father was a carpenter, working long hours, and my mother would sew clothes for other people, often staying up well past midnight, just to make sure we had enough to get by. But there was a beauty in that simplicity. I used to take walks through the alleys, admiring the flowers growing between the cracks in the sidewalks. We didn't have wealth, but we had love, you know? And we had each other.”

You listened intently, your heart breaking a bit for her, knowing that wasn’t what she had now with her own family.

“I remember,” she continued, a slight smile tugging at her lips, “how we’d all gather in the kitchen at night. It was small, but it was ours. My mother would hum while she worked, and my father would tell me stories about how he built his first house with his own two hands. He was proud of that. And I was proud of him.”

You couldn’t help but notice the way Mrs. Brooks’ voice softened when she spoke about her parents. There was a sadness there, a longing for something simple and real that had been lost somewhere along the way.

“I can’t imagine you like that. It sounds so different from who you are now,” you said softly.

Mrs. Brooks gave a gentle laugh, her gaze growing even more distant. “I was just a girl back then. I had no idea what awaited me. But when I met Richard, everything changed.” She paused, her voice darkening slightly as she pushed away the memories of her childhood, like the warmth they brought was something she couldn’t bear to hold on to for too long. “He was everything I’d never known. He was wealthy, educated, and had the kind of connections that I could only dream of. He swept me off my feet. He promised me a life of comfort, luxury, and security. And I thought, ‘This is it. This is everything I’ve been working for.’”

Your brow furrowed. “But it wasn’t?”

Mrs. Brooks shook her head slowly, the distant melancholy returning to her features. “At first, it was. But over time, I realized something. The life Richard offered me was a gilded cage. It wasn’t freedom – it was control. I was expected to fit in, to play the part. When I married him, I entered a world where every inch of my life was dictated by money, status, and image. It’s strange how quickly you can forget yourself when you're surrounded by wealth. People like this–,” she gestured with a faint nod around the room, “–don’t care about character. They care about who you know, where you’ve been, and what you wear. And even then, it’s never enough. You always have to be more.” She leaned forward then, her expression softening as she saw you swallowing thickly. “I know it sounds harsh, dear, but it’s the truth. High society is an illusion. People want you to smile, to wear the right clothes, to speak in a certain way, but it’s all just a performance. Your soul gets lost in it.”

“So, you never wanted this life?” you asked quietly, your heart breaking for her.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into. These women here, they’re not your friends,” she replied, her fingers curling around her tea cup. “They’re rivals. Each one of them trying to prove they are the best at being the most perfect version of a woman they can be. It’s exhausting. And no matter how hard I tried, I never truly fit in.”

“You said Benjamin was different when he was young,” you said gently, wanting to know more. “How was he before everything changed?”

Mrs. Brooks’ eyes softened, and for a moment, you could see the mother she had been – a woman who adored her son, who once had hope for his future.

“Benjamin was always sensitive,” Mrs. Brooks said, her voice full of tenderness. “He was a sweet little boy who loved to ask questions about the world. He was curious about everything. He’d sit with me for hours, just asking me how things worked, why things were the way they were. And he had this soft smile that would light up a room. I’ll never forget how he used to look at me, with such trust in his eyes. He would bring me flowers and tell me stories from his little world, and I would see the softness in him, the kind of softness a mother always hopes for in a child. People always said he was a ‘dreamer,’ and I thought he would always stay that way. I loved that about him. But Richard didn’t. Richard thought it was a weakness.”

Mrs. Brooks’ voice cracked slightly, as if the memories were too painful to recount. She looked down at her cup.

“Richard did everything he could to ‘toughen him up.’ He took him hunting, made him go to boarding school at an early age, sending him far away from me,” she continued, her voice drowning in sadness. “He wanted to shape Benjamin into something he could control. He had a vision for his son – one where Benjamin was a carbon copy of him. Strong. Cold. Ruthless. My husband’s world is one of steel, and his love is just as hard. My sweet boy never stood a chance.”

Your heart sank. “And Ben – he didn’t want that?”

“No,” Mrs. Brooks said, a slight bitterness creeping into her tone. “Benjamin didn’t want any of it. But he was young, and he couldn’t fight his father. So slowly, he started to change. He stopped asking questions. He stopped dreaming. And one by one, the things that made him unique faded away. I watched my son slip away from me, and there was nothing I could do about it.”

You wanted to reach out to comfort her, but you felt helpless. How could you fix this? Could you fix him?

“I’m so sorry,” you said softly. “I had no idea.”

Mrs. Brooks gave you a wistful smile. “It’s not your fault, dear. You’re not here to save him. You can’t save him, not from himself. But you might be able to remind him of who he was before the world changed him. I think that’s why I like you so much.”

Your heart tightened as you listened. You could see the sadness in Mrs. Brooks’ eyes, a depth of loss that you hadn’t expected.

Ben’s mother let out a sigh, soft and weary, as though she had been holding it in for too long. “You know, from the moment I met you, there was something about you. Something I never had the chance to share with Benjamin.” She paused, gathering her thoughts as if she hadn’t shared this kind of honesty in years. “I’ve always wanted a daughter for many reasons, you see? I dreamed of having someone who could see this world as I see it. A confidante. You remind me a lot of myself when I was younger. You have a fire in you – a light. And I don’t want my son to put it out.”

Your heart halted its beats abruptly. You were taken aback by her blunt honesty, shaking your buzzing head lightly, trying to make sense of her words. “What d’you mean?”

“You don’t know what your getting into, either. You’re not like them. You’re not meant for this kind of life. That’s why I want to warn you, dear,” she said, her gaze sharp.

Oh no, not another warning… How many was that now? Three? Four, if you counted Grace?

Great.

“Benjamin might love you now, but he’ll be just like his father in the end. Cold. Hard. Empty,” she said harshly, the weight of regret in every line of her expression. “The man you think he is, may not be the man he turns out to be. Benjamin isn’t the boy I once held in my arms anymore. He’s not the man you think he is. I see his father in him more every day. I can see it in the way he looks at the world, in the way he reacts to the people around him. I don’t want you to end up like me. You’ll be the one left behind. Trust me.”

You felt a knot in your throat, your heart pounding with an ominous sound like an ancient war drum. You didn’t know how to respond. Your thoughts spiraled in every direction.

You swallowed hard, tears pricking your eyes like salt in a wound. “I don’t know if I can walk away. I think I love him,” you confessed quietly, barely audible over the chatter of the tea room.

The words shocked you. You’d never said them out loud before, but they didn’t seem to rattle his mother at all.

Her eyes softened, her hand reaching over to clasp yours on the table in a sad understanding. “I know you do. But that’s the problem, dear. When you love someone like him, you’ll always be fighting a battle you can’t win.”

▶️ Chapter 7: Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! – MAY 9

Ooof, looks like not even Ben's mother has much confidence in him... What did you think of all the warnings? And if Ben was already this upset now, then well, imagine what he feels like when it really happens. Choo-choo, all aboard the angst train! Get ready to meet the man of the hour next week 😉

(Fair warning: Chapters never really got any shorter. I don't know what to tell ya, but half of the next one is smut, so there's that 😂🤷‍♀️)

Coming Up:

“I remember you mentioned a girl from school staying here.” The patriarch of the steel empire carved into his roast with casual violence, sipping his wine like it was penance, a pair of almond-shaped, glacier blue eyes zeroing in on his son. “Didn’t think you meant still staying here.”

You managed a polite smile. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mr. Brooks.”

He gave a short nod that might’ve been a grunt, reaching for the wine glass before saying, “Likewise.”

Ben’s mother – composed in a deep jade green dress that complimented the glint in her eye – broke the tension with a dry, almost teasing, “She’s been keeping me company. And sane.”

You glanced at her in grateful surprise, but she didn’t look at you. Her gaze was squarely on her husband, almost daring him to challenge her.

Oh fuck. You had a feeling that dinner would derail soon enough. You still remembered how your own mother always looked when she wanted to pick a fight with your father. You could see that same desire in Mrs. Brooks tonight.

Richard’s eyes flicked to you as cutting as a scalpel. “Rosemary Hall, was it?”

You smiled, knowing your alibi by heart. “Yes, sir. We, uh, crossed paths with Ben’s group at Choate once or twice. We’ve stayed in touch.”

“Mmm.” He sounded unconvinced, like he already had a list of questions and was working through them in his mind. “And what is it you do, exactly?”

You gave an innocent shrug of your shoulders. “A little of everything. Read a lot. Try to keep busy.”

Mr. Brooks leaned back with a hum, wine glass in hand. “You read. Anything useful?”

Ben’s hand tensed slightly on the table. You felt it even without looking.

🚀 Read up to 4 chapters ahead on Patreon now

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[godmadeaterribleerror]

I'll Keep on Waiting - A Babylon the Great Bonus Chapter

Series Masterlist - Main Masterlist

Author's Note: Someone needs to lock them in a room already.

Chapter title from Honeybee by Steam Powered Giraffe

Word Count: 1.9k

Chapter Summary/Warnings: Dean watches you, and Jo shares some thoughts. Takes place after Chapter 19. Usual warnings.

Tags: Dean Winchester/Female Reader, enemies to friends to lovers, canon divergence, slow burn, angst, fluff

Read on A03!

“You’re starin’ again.”

Dean scowled, looking back to the pool table. “No, I-“

“Yeah, ya where.” Jo gave him an amused look, raising her brows. “I’d ask if you’re ever worried ‘bout her noticing, but she might be the most oblivious person on the fuckin’ planet. One time a guy asked for her number and she gave ‘em Bobby’s, cause she thought it was for huntin’.”

Dean grunted, and tried not to think too hard about it. Jo was likely exaggerating.

Although an unearned warmth still spread through his body, formed from the idea of some douchebag asking for Her number, and having to explain themselves when Bobby picked up the other line. 

At least those douchebags never had to do it to his face. That was a torture saved for Dean only, and he didn’t even get the brief high of believing that She’d chosen him. That, out of every guy at the roadhouse whose eyes raked over Her body and openly tried to move into Her orbit—to borrow just a little bit of Her light—She’d chosen him.

And She had chosen Dean. 

He had Her bed. And he got to drive Her around, and listen to Her talk whenever he wanted, and Her head rested on his shoulder when they watched a movie. He had Her back during hunts. He was allowed to hunt with Her, and that was maybe a bigger accomplishment than anything else. She didn’t need anyone to hunt with. She’d spin Her knife in her hands—the knife Dean gave Her, another way he got to have Her was Her, having him—and tear through a case like it was leaves and paper. But She wanted Dean there. 

So he had Her, more than anyone else could ever dream.

The only way he didn’t have Her was like that. What the guy Jo was talking about had wanted. Hell, what Dean wanted. All he had from Her there were two kisses that they still didn’t talk about.

And sometimes, when they were in the Impala in the dead of night, and it was only Her and Dean in the whole world, he wanted a third. To close that last distance, and brush his lips against Her’s without tears or pain, just so She knew. That if She wanted that part of Dean, he’d offer it up on a platter. He’d offer Her anything on a platter. His lungs if She needed extra breath, his heart if Her’s was ever failing her, and his fucking soul if She could find a use for it.

She was its use. Dean couldn’t think of a better plan for his soul than giving it all to Her. He had no damn clue how her soul-vision thingy worked, but if She wanted to see all of Dean’s desire—wanted to connect to him and never let go—he’d let Her. Dean would let Her do almost anything, whether or not it ended in him having Her like that.

Because She might not. Maybe, in another sick joke of Dean’s life, the one time he actually needed his well-trained charms and the face people liked to call pretty, they’d fail him. And he would’ve hit the end of the line, in getting Her more than he deserved.

He’d live with it. And if She ever turned around and changed Her mind, he’d be ready.

There was still a dread that bubbled in his stomach, though. That one day he’d look over, and he’d see Her smiling and fluttering Her lashes at someone else. Then She’d kiss them.

Dean had never actually seen Her kiss anyone else.

It wasn’t a first time he was interested in having. 

She should only kiss Dean. He knew, every time the thought crossed his head, that he had no right to have it. She was her own person, Dean couldn’t control Her if he tried, he was lucky She’d ever even looked at him at all, and then fucking stayed. She’d seen Dean to Hell and back, and he’d ruined it countless times because that was all he was good at, but She’d stayed, and he barely had a right to that.

Dean also knew that two kisses didn’t mean forever. 

But they’d been world-ending kisses. 

And he had an oath with himself.

If Dean ever got to have another kiss, he’d throw every bit of his fucking awe for Her into it. She’d be able to taste how much he wanted it. He’d would still be stinging on Her lips for months after they separated. He’d hold Her close enough that one of his ribs would move into Her body, and She’d always have the feeling of Dean around Her. Keeping Her safe and wanted, even when She walked away and found another man. Someone who wouldn’t know Her like Dean, but would deserve Her far more, and Dean would need to just fucking live with it.

Or She’d stay again.

She’d surprised him before, and She’d always had a talent for tilting Dean’s whole fucking universe off its axis, and re-coloring the world so it was brighter and more vibrant than before. 

So he had a second oath.

If Dean ever got more than just kisses, he’d ruin Her. All the passing bodies in motel rooms and on lonely nights were now just rehearsal, and She would be the show. And all of Her bodies would look like fucking middle school plays, before going to see…

“What’s the fanciest form of performance?” He asked Jo, and she frowned at him.

“Do I look like I’d know?”

“Just give it a shot, Jo.” Dean muttered, grabbing his beer off the table. “Best guess. Go.”

“I’m good.” Her grin was splitting her face. That wasn’t good. “But you know who’s gonna know?”

Shit. 

Jo called Her name, and She looked up from her table with a small frown.

“What?”

“What’s the fanciest form of performance?”

Her brow wrinkled slightly, but it was the thinking brow. With the pouting lips. Everything was fine. “It depends on what you mean, I guess? Like, orchestra would probably be symphonic. Theatre would be Broadway in America, but like- It’s West End in London, and China would be a pecking opera-“

“Why do you know that?” Sam’s voice was slightly bemused, and She shrugged. 

“Art history books are generally unchecked at public libraries, and I get bored.” She looked back to Jo. “Why?”

“Dean wanted to know.” Jo said, and then turned back to her shot like it was nothing. Like Dean wasn’t caught in Her attention like a moth, and he had to go closer, but he was supposed to finish the game of pool. 

But She looked so soft and bright, smiling at him. 

But if he forfeited to go sit at Her side, Jo would win.

He couldn’t let that happen. At least he had his answer.

If Dean ever got to fuck Her, he’d have Her falling apart on his cock and moaning his name and digging Her nails into the skin of his back. He’d make anyone else before him look like nothing, in comparison to his Broadway show. 

“Why do you want to know?” She asked, and Dean coughed.

“Curious.” He grunted, and She blinked at him, opening Her mouth, but then Sam muttered something that took Her attention. 

She and Sammy had been muttering things all day. That was what Dean had been staring at in the first place. And even though She gave Dean a small smile before looking away, She still looked away. 

They were probably doing nerd stuff. Last time Dean had been over there—passing Her a root beer and telling Sammy to use his legs if he wanted something—they’d had a fucking spreadsheet up. 

“What-“

“It’s for the seals,” She’d mumbled, scratching the same Enochian words over and over on a napkin. “There are supposed to be 600. We’re trying to work as many of them out as we can. And Jo and I-“ She’d cut herself off with a small frown, and before Dean could ask what was wrong, Sam had continued.

“I worked out a whole program.” He explained, gesturing to the laptop. “How likely Lilith is to break a seals, how much effort would go into each one, what should be a high priority to monitor. I was thinking we give it to Cas, when it’s done-“

Dean had snorted. “I don’t think the angels need your spreadsheet, Sammy-“

“Cas has said they’re having trouble knowing about the seals.” She’d hummed, rubbing Her palm as she spoke. “Something about forbidden or classified knowledge. And I think he’d like the spreadsheet. He’d find it practical.”

Dean couldn’t argue with that. Or how pretty She’d looked when she said it. So he’d nodded, and agreed, and run away before Sam could bitch about how Dean always sided with Her.

He didn’t. She was just awesome, and always made really good points, and Dean would give Her his life if he thought She’d take it. 

He just didn’t want to do a fucking spreadsheet. Maybe he could go over there and contribute nothing. Let them be nerds, and just stare at Her under the guise of listening to Her. Dean might even put something together they hadn’t thought of, and She’d smile at him, and he’d feel like he could wrestle whatever was higher than God and win-

“I think you should tell her.” Jo whispered behind him, and Dean nearly drove his cue stick into her eyeball.

“Jesus fucking- Son of a bitch, Jo, I could’ve fucking hurt you-“

“But you didn’t.” Jo shrugged. “You should tell her.”

Dean scowled. “Focus on the game.”

“She’d be more open to it then you think-“

“Shut up.”

“And,” Jo continued, grinning at him. “You guys would be so cute. You’re already cute. Now you could buy her a pina colada, and you could say for my girlfriend. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

That would be nice. 

A lot of that would be nice. 

Jo kept teasing, but all Dean could think about was how nice that would be. 

Kissing Her whenever he wanted. Carrying Her to bed when She was tired, and never having to fix his gaze over her head while he helped Her change. He could kick Sammy out of shotgun to talk to Her. Ignore everyone else to stare at Her. Pull Her fully in his lap in Bobby’s library—when Bobby wasn’t home, because he wasn’t looking to get murdered—and distract Her from all her books by kissing over Her neck. Humming low praise until She melted into him, and Dean got to roll Her over. Her body would be pinned between him and floor, and he’d make Her feel so fucking good.

Better than any sort of high-brow, glass pussy ass bitch could. Better than another hunter could. Dean would dedicate his whole fucking life to just making Her feel good. With his attention and care and carefully collected and worshipped knowledge of everything about Her. He’d watch Indiana Jones a million times and read all Her books so they could talk about them together. He’d learn all the words to Her favorite songs, then suck and kiss on Her neck while he made Her listen to his. After that would be lips and hands and fingers, his brow dropped to Her’s as he got a close as fucking possible, and loved Her until she sighed his name with a blissful, relaxed smile on Her gorgeous face.

And he’d hold Her the same in the night. Talk to Her the same in the day.

She’d just be allowed to see it more. Dean would be permitted to make Her feel it.

How much he wanted Her.

She glanced over at him. For no reason, She looked over to Dean, and smiled.

And really, at the end of it, Dean just wanted Her. 

End Note: One (1) conversation would fix so many of their problems fr.

Thank you so so so much for reading!! If you like this story, please reblog, share, or leave a comment! <3

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[godmadeaterribleerror]

Soldier Boy Masterlist

Main Series - No Love Lost

Three years ago you were normal, but then you met Homelander at a stupid party, and woke up the next morning in a cell.

After almost two and a half years of you being Homelander's little project, Soldier Boy was woken up only go rouge and be put back under. Somewhere in there, you escaped. And before Queen Maeve went underground, she told William Butcher about the Anomaly, a powerful supe who recently escaped Vought captivity and may have an agenda against Homelander.

One month later, the Boys found you.

You spend the next five months helping them best you can, though your control over your powers is weak and your fear of Homelander makes you useless in combat. But you get an idea. A stupid, dangerous idea that turns you into Soldier Boy's keeper, giving him a second chance to take down Homelander, you hanging over his shoulder, a threat should he want to go nuclear again. It's exhausting and frustrating, and you might kill him and yourself as soon as this is over, but you said whatever it takes.

And this is what it takes.

One-Shots

If You Only Knew Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Request! Ben is experiencing feelings. Real feelings. For a woman. But his reputation his proceeds him, so trying to win her over is taking a while. Once he gets a chance, he simply fucking refuses to blow it.

I've Never Been Higher - Request! After you get drunk and expose your secret relationship with Ben, you know there will be consequences. Good thing they seem to be the fun kind.

Making Me Crazy - Request! Ben overhears you doubting his generosity in bed, and immediately sets out to prove you wrong.

[godmadeaterribleerror]

Dean Winchester Masterlist

Main Series - Babylon the Great

There's something wrong with you that's not wrong with other people. You're a hunter, and a damn good one, but you might be a monster.

There might be something in you that needs to be put down. Something broken that can't be fixed.

It's why you've had one rule your whole life. The only thing your father has ever made clear is that, no matter what, you need to stay away from John Winchester. He can't even know you exist, or he'll kill you and never blink.

And when your paths cross a hunt, you should've run, but you didn't. You couldn't. Because you looked at Dean Winchester, and something changed inside of you. Something called you to him, and you can't figure out what it was, but you know it's strong. And you know that, whatever Dean's doing to you, you don't really care to fight it. Things are broken in you, just as much is broken in him, and you fit perfectly together in a way you'll never be able to describe.

But it's more complicated than that, though. The world pulls you and Dean apart again and again.

And you find your way back, again and again.

Mini-Series - Willing to Break

With the Mark of Cain getting out of hand, you and Sam convince Dean to try something different. A spell that won't fix the Mark, but will change it. Make Dean crave good things, things he likes, instead of death and blood.

It doesn't exactly go according to plan.

Mini-Series - Death On A Holiday

This day has happened before. So did the one before it. And the one after it. You're sure of it.

Small things change, but it's always the same, and it always resets the same way, and you can't find a way out.

It's perfect torture, and you don't think there's a way out.

One-Shots

To Need Somebody - After a hunt goes poorly, Dean retreats down a well-tread path of self-loathing

I Could Have You - Dean is hit with a lust spell, and it doesn't seem to only be effecting him. No one's really sure why, and Dean refuses to give in to the curse, so you'll just ride this out.

Falling Into Me - You're a virgin, and it's really not a big deal. Everyone was a virgin once. You're just a virgin longer. Maybe forever, because nobody really seems to be willing to solve that problem for you. You've never told Sam and Dean, and you don't have any intention to. Ever. But when a hunt goes wrong, Dean finds out. And he might have been keeping something from you as well.

Hold You Tight In My Mind - You and Dean have an agreement. Best friends who have sex, no strings attached. But when a case goes south, you learn a few things about Dean, specifically his thoughts on the arrangement.

Still You Want Me - Request! Dean's fought the worst evil in the world, but only one thing has really managed to scare him. His pregnant wife.

Every Day That You Want - You have big news for Dean. News you have to tell him, wether he likes it or not. You really hope he likes it, though.

Just Giving In - You're under a very annoying truth curse. The kind of truth curse that will kill you if one very specific, Dean-related truth isn't told. But apparently no one's allowed to just die in peace anymore.

I'll Crawl Home - You don't know who these men are, but they seem to know you. Your body seems to like the Handsome one a lot. But the more you manage to remember, the more lost you feel.

What You Do - This isn't a sex curse. It feel like a sex curse, and looks like a sex curse, but it's not. It has a similar cure to a sex curse, but it's not. And Dean can't fix this. But the asshole is still going to try.

No More - Request! Some scars don't really fade. They just fester and rot, remaining unattended in your body because you can't really remember how to heal them. And Dean can't fix this for you. But he can give you somewhere safe to fix yourself.

Where Do You End Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt.3 - Request! You and Dean have found yourself in a body swap situation, and your bodies keep trying to do what they always do.

I Can Be A Virtue - You're so careful about keeping your emotions in check with Dean. You make rules, and keep score, and hold yourself together. But something always has to give.

Only I Can See - Request! Dean knows you. He knows you better than anyone, better than you know you, better than he knows himself. He'd lay down his life for you in a heartbeat, and knows you'd do the same, even if it's not in the same way. But something's… different.

In Sweetness - Request! Preparation for hunts and battles where the fate of the world hinges on his shoulders are easy. Preparation for a baby might be the most complex thing Dean's ever done.

The Heat Grows - Request! It's unfair that Dean can look this good just sitting in traffic. That he can be doing nothing at all and you'll crave him more than oxygen. It's amazing that you can prove that to him, though.

The Flood Brings Clearer Days - Request! You're not cursed. You don't feel anything wrong. If anything, you feel better, because there's a weight lifted off your tongue that lets you say whatever you want. And most of what you want is Dean.

There Comes A Breaking Point - Request! Sam drinks a truth potion, and you and Dean have to deal with the consequences, and very painful and beautiful revelations.

I Never Want It To Be Enough - Request! You and Dean have a date night, and it ends exactly how you wanted it to.

How Do You Know - Request! There are different levels of Dean being drunk, and you've seen all of them. Or at least, you thought you'd seen all of them.

[waywardaardvark79]

Supernatural Series Rewrite:  Season 1 Masterlist

Summary: Y/N Singer joins Sam and Dean on the road. A rewrite starring you. 

Pairing: eventual Dean x Reader, Sam x Reader (platonic)

Status: Complete

Seguir leyendo

[waywardaardvark79]

Supernatural Rewrite: Season 1, Episode 18: Something Wicked

Summary: Y/N Singer joins Sam and Dean on the road. A rewrite starring you.

Pairing: Dean x Reader, Sam x Reader (platonic)

Warnings: language, show level violence

Word Count: 11,904

A/N: I’ll try to do at least one episode a week. No set schedule. Tags open. 

Seguir leyendo

[waywardaardvark79]

Supernatural Rewrite: Season 1, Episode 18: Something Wicked

Summary: Y/N Singer joins Sam and Dean on the road. A rewrite starring you.

Pairing: Dean x Reader, Sam x Reader (platonic)

Warnings: language, show level violence

Word Count: 11,904

A/N: I’ll try to do at least one episode a week. No set schedule. Tags open. 

Seguir leyendo

[ghostysnsfwcorner]

Kneeling Before Her. - Leon S Kennedy Pt. 2

Ghosty's Notes: Sorry this one is a little rushed and might not be my best work but, I am currently working on the threesome one and the valentines day one, so I hope you do enjoy it, also if you want to be put on my tag list for any of my new and up and coming stories please comment below so I can add you to the list.

Summary: Sometimes even the strongest people need some reassurance and love.

NSFW Tags: Smutty Content, Handjob, Reassurance, Shower Sex, No Protection (Don't be like them.) Sub!Leon, Slight Angst, Riding, Creampie, Sweet Ending.

Used Pet Names: Darling, Sweetheart, My Wife.

!Unedited!

Word Count: 1.3k

| Part One Here. |

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Thank you for all the support, it means alot❤️

-Ghosty :] ❤️🦝

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As Leon left to go into the bathroom, Y/n laid back in their bed, even though she had just came she still felt a little needy and a little guilty, so before she second guested herself Y/n got up from the bed and headed into the bathroom where she could hear to soft pitter patter of the shower water hitting the floor and the walls, and Leon groan and grunts as he 'takes care' of himself.

Y/n closed the door behind her softly and made her way over to the shower. "Need some help." she asked and she heard Leon curse under his breath before he stopped. "darling its ok, just go back to bed, I'll be there in a minute." Leon says as he was breathing heavily.

Shaking her head Y/n stripped off her clothing and stepped into the shower behind Leon, going up on her tippy toes she placed a gentle kiss on scarred shoulder. "Let me help you." Y/n says softly as she looked up at him through her lashes. Her hand trailed down his sides feeling every ridge, curve and scar, she could feel him shivering under his touch.

"Y/n." Leon groaned softly but Y/n just smiled and placed another kiss on his shoulder before she gently took his cock into her hand, before she started to gently stroke it was warm but firm in her hand, she could tell Leon was pent up but also holding back.

"I don't deserve this." Leon grunted out as if he was trying to resist her touch, this left Y/n a little confused as she kept going, peppering soft kisses around his neck and shoulder as she worked him with her hand. "Why don't you deserve this." Y/n asked softy as she placed a soft kiss just under Leon's ear, she was grateful for Leon being taller then her so he shielded her mostly from the water.

"I've been a terrible husband, I have treated you horribly." Leon whimpered out as he leaned against bathroom wall on his arm, his breathing was shaking as his body trembled ever so slightly. His dark hair was sticking to his face and forehead, his face decorated with a light stubble.

"I won't disagree with you have treated me badly, but that doesn't mean you can't make it up to me." Y/n says as she pressed her chest against his back, she could tell he was close as she saw one of his fists balling. "I can't forgive myself for how I treated you." Leon tried to argue but Y/n smiled at him and used her free hand to gently tilt his chin then softly pressed her lips against his.

He instantly melted and relaxed as she spilled into her hand with a couple jolts of his hips, with a soft grunt like whine as he kissed her back. Y/n smiled against his lips before she pulled away ever so slightly and looked at him with a look of warmth and affection. "I love you Leon, yes you made some mistakes and your actions have hurt people, but you have the chance to make things right." Y/n told him as he pressed her forehead against hers.

"I love you so much." Leon spoke causing Y/n heart to flutter at the affection words, it had been so long since she had heard those three special words. "I love you too." Y/n told him and she saw Leon's body relax and the tense muscles in his body relax.

As the warm water cascaded over them Y/n pulled away slightly only for Leon to gently grab her chin and pull her face to his and captured her lips in a soft kiss, she can taste the toothpaste he used to brush his teeth on his tongue, she melted into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Soft noises left her lips as she felt Leon move backwards to sit on the shower bench but he didn't break the kiss once, He lifted her onto his lap with ease, Y/n could feel Leon's cock against her stomach, he was hard again. She pulled back slightly breaking the kiss. "Please Y/n." Leon softly whined, she had never seen him also submissive before.

"Beg." Y/n says with a teasing tone not thinking Leon actually would. "Please Y/n I know I don't deserve it, I've been a terrible husband, let me make it up to you, let me make you feel good." Leon begged and as much as she felt herself clench she couldn't help the aching feeling in her chest.

"Leon." Y/n started by Leon shook his head, as he rested his head on her shoulder. "I want to feel good enough to be your husband again, I want to show you I can make you feel good, that I deserve your love and attention." Leon says his voice cracking slightly, Y/n reached down and cupped his face bringing it to hers.

in that moment she didn't see Leon, the harden DSO agent or government weapon, but her Leon the same Leon she used to have food fights with every time she baked something, or when she used to rest against him as he cleaned his weapons after a mission, the same Leon that reminder her of a tried puppy coming home and curling up by her side soaking up her affection like a sponge, in that moment she knew what he needed.

"You are good enough Leon, yes you messed up but that doesn't make you a bad person, it doesn't make you undeserving of love, I love you and only you will always be my husband." Y/n says looking down at Leon, to which he gave her a small smile, but inside his heart had jumped at her words.

"I need you Y/n." Leon spoke and Y/n nodded her head biting her lip, she raised her hips slightly and Leon angled his cock tip at the entrance after he applied some spit for lube on it, slowly and carefully Y/n began to sink down, his cock stretching her slick walls causing a soft moan to leave her lips as she buried her face in his neck.

She could feel every bump, ridge and vein reminding her truly how long it had been since they where truly this intimate. Once she sank down fully she felt Leon's arms wrap around her waist holding her closely to his body, no space left between them, she could feel him trailing kisses down her neck as if to distract her from the slightly uncomfortable adjusting.

"Don't push yourself to much sweetheart." Leon groaned softly as Y/ started to move her hips in a slow space, soft mew where leaving her lips as a warm and fuzzy feeling ran through her body, she did slowly start to sped up ever so slightly when she finally fully adjusted. "Fuck Leon." she cursed under her breath causing Leon to chuckle but it was choked back by a groan of pleasure.

"That its doll, use my cock however you like, its yours." Leon grunted softly as her silk walls clamped around him, Y/n clenched at his words as she started to pick up the pace, Leon moved with her and she placed her hand on the wall just above Leon's head to stabilize herself, she was close and she knew it.

Y/n melted in the feeling of being so filled by Leon's cock that stretched her open so deliciously, her sharp nails clawing down his back leave little red lines she knows will be there in the morning, when Leon began to meet her thrusts she was a gonna as she came with a cry of his name as her body trembled, Leon soon followed as he was close himself, he knew he should have pulled out but it felt too good.

The water soon went cold and that was their cue to leave, after catching their breaths, Leon cleaned Y/n up and wrapped a towel around her, even stealing a few cheeky kisses before taking her to bed, Y/n rested her head against Leon's bare wet chest as he walked down the hallway holding her bridal style.

"I love you Leon." Y/n said almost sleepy, Leon looked at her and smiled softly. "I love you too, my wife".....

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(Bathroom inspiration for this scene.)

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©Ghosty-writes-23, 2025. all rights reserved. !I DO NOT! consent to translations or replications or reproduction of my work on any other social media platforms and or make AI Bots without my explict consent and permission.

[greengoblinswifey]

Game of Fate—Hwang In-ho/Front Man x Fem!Reader

summary— After discovering that you, a girl he had a one night stand with entered the deadly games, the Front man disguised as a player 001, infiltrates the games under the guise of monitoring Gi-hun but his focus becomes protecting you at all costs. based on this request.

warnings— none! fluff undertones, slight angst, season 2 spoilers, usual squid game chaos, in-ho being protective and possessive(he has a heart) <3

In-ho sat in his private quarters, the screens in front of him displaying the death and desperation of the games. His attention drifted from one player to the next until his eyes fell on you. A bolt of recognition shot through him. It was you, his one night stand from years ago, someone who had left a mark on him in ways he hadn’t expected.

He remembered every detail about you, your wit, your boldness, and the way you made him feel alive, even if just for one night. It infuriated him to see other players whispering in your ear or lingering too long in your space. His possessiveness surprised even him. You had been the best fuck he ever had, and seeing you here now stirred something he couldn’t ignore.

That’s when he made a decision.

By the time you met “Young-il,” the newest player in the games, you couldn’t place why he seemed familiar. His face was shadowed by the chaos of your surroundings, and you had no time to dwell on it.

“You,” he said, approaching you during a moment of uneasy rest.

Your eyes narrowed. “Do I know you?”

“You could say that,” have a sly smile, “Call me Young-il.”

You tilted your head, trying to recall where you might have met him. There was something about him, his confidence, his presence, that struck something. Still, you shrugged it off. “Okay, Young-il. Hope you know what you’re doing here.”

“I’m sure I’ll manage.”

You didn’t realize he was watching your every move.

During one of the more grueling games, you faltered. The sound of gunfire rang out as players dropped like flies, and your heart pounded. You’d made a critical mistake, one that should have cost you your life.

You braced yourself for the inevitable, but nothing happened. The guards moved past you, their guns silent. You stood frozen, confused, but grateful.

In-ho, hidden behind the mask of a player, allowed himself the briefest sigh of relief. His influence was subtle but effective, you were still alive, and he’d made sure of it.

Later, as the remaining players rested, he approached you again.

“You were lucky out there,” he said, sitting down next to you.

“Mhmm. Don’t know how I pulled that off,” you said as you glanced at him, still shaken from the day’s events.

“You’ve got more lives than a cat.”

“Or someone’s watching over me,” you joked.

He smiled faintly, hiding how true your words were.

As the games continued, his protectiveness grew. When another player made a sly comment about your appearance, he was quick to cut in.

“Keep your eyes on the prize,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The player backed off, muttering under his breath, while you arched an eyebrow.

“You don’t need to fight my battles,” you said sassily.

“I wasn’t fighting,” he said as he leaned closer.

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at your lips.

In-ho found himself conflicted. He hadn’t planned to step into the games, let alone risk his identity. But seeing you here, vulnerable yet determined, pulled at something deep within him. And when you finally cornered him one night, your wary gaze demanding answers, he knew he couldn’t stay in the shadows forever.

“You’re not just another player, are you?” you asked, your voice steady but your eyes searching his.

He hesitated, then smiled. “What do you think?”

“I think you’ve got secrets. But shit, me too. Let’s survive this first.”

“Deal,” he said.

He couldn’t stop himself from watching you, protecting you, and falling deeper into the very thing he tried to avoid. The very thing he said he wasn’t there for. Wasn’t he there to target Gi-hun?

Young-il seamlessly integrated himself into the group with Gi-hun and the rest, his calm demeanor and quick thinking making him reliable. Despite his apparent calmness, his sharp gaze constantly flicked to you. He positioned himself strategically, always close enough to step in if anything went wrong.

Gi-hun often exchanged glances with Jung-bae, silently questioning why Young-il seemed more concerned about you than the games themselves. But they never voiced their suspicions, after all, his protectiveness benefited the group.

Young-il wasn’t subtle about his priorities. When Thanos, one of the annoying and aggressive players, approached you with a smirk and a comment about how “a pretty thing like you shouldn’t be here,” Young-il’s jaw tightened.

“Walk away,” he said, his voice cold.

“Relax, man. Just talking—” Thanos chuckled nervously.

“I said, walk away.”

Before Thanos could respond, Young-il took a step forward, fists clenched, his eyes dark. Thanos scrambled back, muttering curses under his breath.

You crossed your arms and shot him a look. “I didn’t need you to step in. I could’ve handled that.”

“I wasn’t going to let him near you.”

When the lights went out, the dormitory turned into chaos. You barely managed to sleep, anxiety gnawing at you. But Young-il stayed awake, his body perched against the wall near your makeshift bed. His eyes, though heavy with exhaustion, remained trained on the room, scanning for any sign of danger.

At one point, you stirred, catching his silhouette in the dim light. “You’re not sleeping?”

“Not tired,” he lied, his voice soft.

“You should rest. I’m fine.”

“I’ll rest when this is over. Someone has to make sure you’re safe,” he said as he shook his head.

His words lingered in the air, and you turned away, confused by his constant concern.

When food rations arrived, Young-il always ensured you had enough, sometimes splitting his share without you noticing. If you hesitated to eat, he nudged the portion toward you.

“Eat,” he insisted once, placing his biscuit in your hand.

“I’m not a damsel in distress,” you said. “I don’t need you to babysit me.”

“I’m not babysitting,” he replied. “I’m keeping you alive.”

In the third game, players had to quickly form groups based on the number the organizers called, and with each failed attempt, the penalty was being shot to death. Fear ran high, and each moment felt like it could be your last.

You were with Young-il, trying to keep calm as the guards shouted the numbers. The merry go round platform spun as everyone scrambled to form groups and find a room, but it quickly turned chaotic. Someone tried to push past you, their eyes wild with desperation, and before you could react, Young-il was already stepping in.

His face was hard, his eyes cold as he grabbed the man by the collar, dragging him to the back of the room. The man’s protests were cut short as Young-il raised his hands and broke his neck, ending his life. The room fell silent for a moment before the countdown ended.

You froze, shock creeping into your body as you realized what had just happened. You hadn’t expected him to kill so easily, even after all the brutality you’d witnessed in the games. His gaze softened when he turned to you, seeing the fear in your eyes. He stepped closer, his hand resting on your shoulder.

“I know this is hard,” he whispered, his voice gentle compared to the violence he had just shown. “But you need to understand, this place doesn’t have mercy.” He looked down at you, his hand reaching up to cup your face, brushing away the few tears that had fallen. “It’s gonna be okay, I’m here.”

You nodded, feeling the weight of his words as he pulled you into his chest. The harsh reality of the games had taken root in you, but with him, you knew, even if just for a minute, you wouldn’t have to do it alone. His feelings for you were clear, he wanted you to survive, to make it out of this, and he was determined to ensure that you would.

During the dark night when the O Team launched their attack, chaos erupted. Players were dragged from their beds, screams echoing through the dormitory. When someone lunged toward you with a fork, Young-il stopped them in an instant, knocking them to the ground with a brutality that left you stunned.

He positioned himself between you and the attackers, his stance firm. “Stay behind me,” he barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“I can fight!” you shouted back, trying to step forward.

“Not tonight,” he said, shoving you back gently but firmly. “You’re staying behind me. That’s final.”

Despite your protests, he shielded you with everything he had, fighting off anyone who dared come near.

When the group decided to attack the guards and confront the ‘Front Man’, Young-il hesitated. His gaze flickered between you and Gi-hun, his usual resolve wavering.

“You’ll be okay,” he said finally, pressing a gun into your hand.

“I don’t even know how to use this,” you said, eyes widened.

“You don’t need to. Just point and shoot if you have to,” he said. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

You stared at him, your chest tightening. “Why are you doing all this?”

“Because you’re mine,” he said quietly, his words slipping out before he could stop them.

Your breath hitched, but before you could respond, he turned to follow Gi-hun. Over his shoulder, he added, “You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”

And with that, he was gone, leaving you with more questions than answers and a determination to survive—not just for yourself, but for the man who had somehow made you his priority in this death game.

[mssorceressupreme]

Let The World Burn

——— Pairing: Hwang In-Ho (or Young-Il) x reader

Summary: In-Ho would let the world burn for you, developing a huge soft spot and love for you, once you die in his arms, he’s determined to make sure everyone pays for it

Warnings: reader!death, angst, mentions of gunshots, daeho has anxiety, violence, swearing, mentions of blood, deaths

a/n: reader doesn’t know he’s the frontman fyi

———

The arena was a hellscape. The air smelled of gunpowder and fear, screams mingling with the deafening sound of gunfire. Shadows darted in and out of your vision as frantic players pushed past you, some tripping over fallen bodies, others using them as shields.

Every step you took felt like a battle against the tide of selfish desperation.

You clutched the heavy bag of bullets to your chest, your heart pounding wildly. Somewhere out there, Young-il was fighting, orchestrating this mess while holding together the fragile remnants of control.

Dae-ho cowered behind the bunk beds, leaning with his legs to his chest on his bunk bed, his hands trembling as he peeked out.

You’d told him to stay put, and thankfully, he listened. You couldn’t blame him for being terrified—it was every man for himself now, and his fear was written all over his face.

“Stay here,” you had told him, squeezing his shoulder as the fear and panic grew in his eyes. “I’ll find Young-il and Gi-hun. You’ll be okay, alright? I'll come back for you, you just stay put here.” You comforted, he trembled with fear, clutching his legs tighter at every gun shot.

He nodded, wide-eyed, and you’d forced yourself to turn away before the weight of the situation could settle over you. Now, pushing through the chaos, your focus narrowed. You had to find Young-il.

“Young-il!” you screamed, your voice raw as you ran through the area, running up the stairs, dodging bullets and panicked players. “Young-il!” It felt like a never-ending maze of death.

He was there, standing in the midst of the chaos like a storm given human form. His sharp features twisted in determination, his dark eyes scanning the crowd as he dodged bullets and ran from the chaos. You called out to him again, louder, but he didn’t hear you over the deafening sounds of death and desperation.

Before you could reach him, a frantic player shoved you from behind. You stumbled, dropping the bag of ammo and as you bent down to pick it up, a sharp burning pain ripped through your side. BANG! The world spun as your knees buckled. The ground was cold and unforgiving when you hit it, the bullets spilling out of the bag and scattering across the floor.

It was a surreal kind of agony, blinding and consuming. You tried to breathe, but it felt like your lungs had been punched.

Blood was warm against your hands as you pressed them to the wound, your vision blurring as tears welled in your eyes.

You tried again, your voice trembling as you whispered, “Young-il…”

Through the haze, you saw him turn, his eyes landing on you. For a moment, time froze. His face- usually so unreadable, so carefully controlled, cracked with raw emotion. Horror. Rage. Despair. He saw you.

And then he ran.

“Young-il...” you tried to say again, but the sound barely left your lips.

When he reached you, he dropped to his knees, his hands immediately pressing over yours to stem the bleeding.

“No,” he whispered, his voice shaking as his eyes darted across your body, assessing the damage.

“No, no, no! NOT HER!” His voice rose as he turned his fury to the guards, his tone sharper than a blade. “She’s not a target for fucks sake!”

His words carried the weight of command, but the guards hesitated only briefly. Young-il didn’t wait for an answer.

His focus snapped back to you, his hands trembling as he cradled you against his chest.

“Stay with me,” he pleaded, his voice cracking. “Please, you have to stay with me. I can fix this. Just hold on, okay? Please.”

You blinked up at him, your breaths coming in shallow gasps. “Young-il…” His name was the only thing you could manage, but it was enough to draw his gaze back to you, his dark eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Don’t talk,” he said quickly, his hands pressing harder against your wound. “Save your strength. You’re going to be fine. I promise.”

There was a desperation in his voice that you’d never heard before, a vulnerability that broke through his steely exterior. It was almost enough to make you believe him. Almost.

A small, weak smile tugged at your lips. “You… always so serious,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper. “I wanted… to help.”

“And you did,” he said fiercely, his voice trembling. “You did more than enough. Just stay. Please stay!"

Your hand, slick with blood, reached up to touch his face. He flinched at the contact, but didn’t pull away. “Thank you,” you whispered. “For caring.”

“No, no, no…” His voice cracked as your hand slipped away, falling limply to your side. “Don’t you dare…” His words dissolved into a choked sob as he pulled you closer. "FUCK!" He cried aloud, rocking you gently in his arms.

The chaos around him seemed to fade into nothingness as he held you, now lifeless, his world crumbling in his arms. His tears fell freely now, staining your already bloodied clothes. He pressed his forehead to yours, his breath ragged and uneven. "My Y/N..." he whispered. "My Y/N..."

And then, the grief turned to something darker.

When he finally looked up, his face was a mask of cold fury. He laid you down gently, brushing a hand over your face to close your eyes. Then he rose, his movements slow, deliberate.

The guard who had shot you barely had time to react before Young-il shot bullet which tore through his chest. One shot. Then another. And another. Now limp, the guard fell to the ground, dead.

“Young-il” Gi-hun’s voice called, but it was drowned out by the sound of gunfire as Young-il turned his wrath on the rest. He didn’t stop, didn’t hesitate. For a mere second, you had given him a glimmer of hope, he had reconsidered his actions for a short moment in time. He even thought about ending the games and running away to take care of you, and only you. But no, now, he remembered who he truly was. The man who had once orchestrated the games with calculated precision was gone, replaced by someone unrecognisable—a man consumed by amplified vengeance and grief. A man with no mercy. A man with no heart. Every last bit of empathy, washed away.

“For her,” he muttered under his breath as he fired another shot. “For her.”

Young-il had lost everything before. But losing you? That was a wound that would never heal. For you, he would destroy it all. Let the world burn. Let them all pay.

[greengoblinswifey]

Little Do You Know—Player 001/Hwang In Ho x Fem!Reader

summary—after making a passing remark on the possibility of the front man being attractive, your crush on young-il who unbeknownst to you is the front man, boils over. based on this request.

warnings— flirting, oral(f&m receiving), praising, fingering, unprotected sex, creampie.

The group sat gathered around with a small meal, the kind of makeshift dinner that felt comforting despite the bleak circumstances. Gi-hun leaned back, his arms crossed, recounting some story about the Front Man. “I’m telling you, he has cameras everywhere. He probably sees and hears everything we’re saying.”

The mood was tense, as it often was when the Front Man became the topic of conversation. But your lips twitched upward, a thought making you suppress a giggle.

Dae-ho, ever the curious one, caught it immediately. “What’s so funny?” he asked, narrowing his eyes in your direction.

You waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, nothing. It’s silly. Forget it.”

Young-il, sitting across from you, tilted his head slightly, his expression soft. “Come on,” he said gently, his voice soothing in a way that made you feel oddly safe. “Anything you have to say, we’ll appreciate. Don’t hold back.”

Encouraged by his tone, you hesitated for just a moment before shrugging. “Alright, but don’t judge me.” You exhaled a breathy laugh, looking down at your lap for a second before glancing back up. “What if the Front Man is, like—really hot?”

The reaction was instant. Dae-ho choked on his milk, sputtering, while Jun-Hee’s eyes widened slightly before she went back to eating as if she hadn’t heard you. Even Jung-Bae, usually laid back, looked at you like you’d just grown a second head.

“Seriously?” Gi-hun said, shaking his head in disbelief. “That’s what you’re concerned about?”

“What?” you asked defensively, your shoulders lifting in mock innocence. “I’m just saying. It’s possible!”

Gi-hun groaned, covering his face with his hands. “We’re talking about a guy who might be orchestrating all this madness, and you’re worried if he’s good-looking?”

Before you could respond, your eyes flicked to Young-il. Everyone else was either laughing awkwardly or shaking their heads, but Young-il wasn’t saying a word. Instead, a subtle smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, almost imperceptible to anyone else. Almost.

Your gaze stayed on him for a moment, your brow quirking as you tilted your head slightly in return, a silent question hanging between the two of you. His smirk deepened just enough for you to catch the meaning, amusement, maybe even intrigue, but he quickly smoothed his expression before anyone else noticed. He was hot too, you thought.

Gi-hun, still shaking his head, muttered, “Out of everything you could be thinking about.”

“Well, excuse me for lightening the mood,” you shot back playfully, rolling your eyes. “It’s not like I said I wanted to marry him or something. Geez.”

As the group moved on, you couldn’t help but replay the moment in your head. Maybe you were overthinking it, but wasn’t Young-il’s smirk a little too knowing? Or maybe it was just your ridiculous crush on him twisting your perception. You’d never admit it out loud, but you found yourself drawn to his quiet confidence, the calm authority he exuded even in casual moments like this.

It was ironic, really, here you were crushing on Young-il while joking about the Front Man. Little did you know, the very man you were teasing about might as well have been sitting right in front of you, wearing the mask in plain sight.

You shook the thought off with a small laugh. Overthinking, as usual. Still, when Young-il glanced your way again, his gaze warm and unreadable, you couldn’t stop your stomach from fluttering.

The night had settled into a familiar stillness, broken only by the occasional shuffle of someone shifting in their sleep. You couldn’t sleep, your earlier exchange with Young-il replaying in your mind. That smirk, so brief, had lodged itself in your thoughts.

You were still awake when he appeared, his footsteps quiet as he approached where you lay, tucked into a dim corner of the quarters. He didn’t say anything at first, just crouched down beside you, his dark eyes searching yours.

“Can’t sleep either?” he asked softly.

“Guess not,” you replied.

He tilted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Still thinking about the Front Man being hot?”

“I didn’t mean to make it weird,” you said laughing and flustered.

“You didn’t,” he assured you. “But if I didn’t know better, I’d say you might have a type.”

Your cheeks warmed under his words, and you rolled your eyes, trying to deflect. “Oh, come on. I was joking.”

“Were you?” he teased, his smile widening just a bit.

You were about to retort, but something in his expression stopped you. His hand, warm and steady, brushed against your cheek, lingering for just a moment before he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“You know,” he said, his tone teasing, “if you wanted to get something off your chest, now’s the time.”

Your breath hitched. “What are you trying to say, Young-il?”

“Just that I’m here,” he replied, “If there’s something you want.”

His words sent a jolt through you, and before you could second guess yourself, you leaned in, pressing your lips to his. The kiss started slow, testing the waters, but quickly deepened as his hand came up to cradle your face.

The thought of the games seemed to fall away as you lost yourself in the way his lips moved against yours. His hands were firm but gentle, holding your face as the kiss turned hungrier, more insistent. His fingers found their way into your hair, tugging slightly, drawing a low moan from him that you quickly stifled.

“Quiet,” he murmured against your lips, a teasing smirk playing on his face as his thumb brushed over your cheek. “We wouldn’t want to wake anyone, would we?”

Your heart raced as his lips moved to your neck, his hands on your waist as he guided you back against the small bed. He trailed kisses down your chest, his kisses slow and savoring every moment.

“You’re so beautiful like this,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

A soft gasp escaped your lips as his kisses grew bolder, trailing lower. He pulled off your bottoms and your lace panties, tongue licking from your hole to your clit. The way he did it so suddenly, so smoothly, made your pussy throb. You instinctively bit down on your lip, your hands fisting the fabric beneath you as you fought to keep your composure.

“Relax,” he whispered. “Let me taste you.”

His hands slid down your thighs, spreading them open as he adjusted your position. He glanced up at you, his dark eyes meeting yours with a glimmer of mischief and tenderness. You pressed your lips together tightly, his skilled tongue flicking your clit then moving to your leaking hole.

“Don’t hold back too much,” he murmured, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “I want to hear those pretty moans, just a little.”

Your cheeks warmed at his words, his tone leaving you breathless. You felt the warmth of his fingertips on your thighs and the tenderness of his kisses on your pussy, and his praises were a quiet balm to the storm of emotions swirling inside you because of the game.

“You taste so fucking good,” he whispered. “You’re perfect.”

Your fingers gripped his shoulders as he continued ravishing your pussy, mouth engulfing you and sucking as though the meal from earlier wasn’t enough. He was attentive to your pleasure, fingers pumping steadily inside your pussy as sucked and flicked your clit with precision. The precision you expected and appreciated in an older man. No one had ever made you feel this good. The pleasure was otherworldly and your legs shook from it all.

The coil in your abdomen and euphoria built with every passing second and you had to clamp a hand over your mouth to keep quiet. His words and actions blurred together, creating a warmth that left you trembling. When his tongue brought you to your peak, you bit down on your lip to stifle a cry, your entire body shuddering as he pressed a soft kiss to your clit.

“You did amazing,” he said softly, his lips brushing against your ear as he leaned closer.

You gently nudged Young-il to lie back, a teasing smile tugging at your lips. “My turn,” you murmured, your fingers grazing the waistband of his bottoms.

He raised an eyebrow, a chuckle escaping him, but there was no mistaking the lust in his gaze. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” you interrupted softly.

Slowly, you slid his bottoms down, taking in the sight of his, long, thick cock with a mixture of nervousness and determination. He was big, but you could take him. His sharp inhale was audible as your lips wrapped around the head, his hand instinctively brushing against your cheek as you went down.

“You’re too good to me,” he whispered, his voice low and tinged with awe.

Your fingers wrapped around his girth, careful and deliberate, and you began to stroke as you sucked with a rhythm that earned a quiet moan from him. The sound sent a shiver down your spine, but you focused, letting his quiet praises guide you.

“Just like that,” he murmured, his fingers threading in your curls. “You’re doing so well.”

You glanced up at him, mouth full, eyes watering and saliva mixed with pre cum dripping down your chin. Your cheeks warmed from his words and the darkness of his gaze. The way he looked at you like you were the most beautiful little thing in the world as you took him down your throat made your heart race. You bobbed your head faster, using as much tongue as you could on his thick shaft, your actions conveying what words couldn’t.

The effect was immediate. His head fell back against the pillow, a low moan escaping him as his free hand gripped the fabric beneath him.

“God, you’re incredible,” he said, his voice rough. “That pretty face of yours, how will I last?”

You couldn’t help but smile with his cock buried in your throat, your movements continued, now slower and purposeful as you went up and down. His breathing grew heavier, and his hand in your hair tightened slightly as he struggled to maintain composure.

“You’re too good,” he managed, his voice breaking slightly. “I—”

Before he could finish, the coil in him snapped, and his praises were replaced with a low, drawn out moan of relief. You swallowed the ropes of hot cum, watching as he tried to catch his breath, his gaze locking with yours almost immediately.

“You’re perfect,” he said, his tone full of affection and disbelief. He reached out to cup your face, pulling you closer until his lips pressed against yours, savoring the taste of himself on your lips.

Your confidence emboldened by the way he looked at you with dazed, lust filled eyes. His hands still rested on your waist, fingers brushing your skin as you leaned into him, your voice soft but teasing.

“Can I ride you?” you asked, pussy aching for him.

His lips curved into a smile, his thumbs drawing slow circles on your hips. “Anything you want, princess,” he murmured.

You bit your lip as you shifted, settling over his hard cock with a nervous laugh that he silenced by cupping your cheek. “Take your time,” he said.

When you finally sank down onto his length, his hands gripped your hips firmly, guiding you with a steady rhythm that sent shivers down your spine. The quiet moan he let out made you even wetter, and you instinctively leaned forward, resting your hands on his chest for balance.

“That’s it,” he murmured, his voice rough but filled with admiration. “You ride me so well, just like that.”

His praises made you bolder, and you bounced on his cock with more confidence, your breathing shallow as he let his hands roam, one sliding up to gently cup your tits. The warmth of his touch made you bite back a moan and his eyes darkened as he noticed.

“You’ve got to be quiet pretty girl,” he whispered, his hands still steadying you. “Think you can do that?”

You nodded quickly, though the feeling building inside you made it harder with every moment. His grip on your hips tightened, and he thrusted up into you, the two of you finding a rhythm that made it impossible to focus on anything but how he stretched your pussy. He was so big, your pussy was sure to remember the shape of his cock after you were done.

“I want to cum with you,” you admitted breathlessly, leaning down so your lips were close to his ear. “Inside me.”

Young-il’s breath hitched, his eyes meeting yours with pure lust. A slow smirk spread across his face. “Beg for it,” he whispered.

Your cheeks burned, but the desire in his gaze made you bold. “Please,” you murmured, leaning closer. “I want you to cum with me. Please.”

He groaned softly, his hands gripping your hips even tighter. “Good girl,” he praised, his voice unsteady. “Just hold on to me.”

The pleasure between you reached its peak as his praises and your whispered pleas filled the air. When the release finally came, it was almost overwhelming, and you buried your face against his neck to stifle the moan that threatened to escape. His hands held you firmly in place as he came with you, cum spurting inside you while you soaked his cock, his breaths ragged but filled with relief.

“You’re amazing,” he murmured after a long pause, brushing stray strands of hair from your face. His gaze softened as he pulled you closer, pressing a kiss to your temple.

You couldn’t help but smile, your heart racing as you settled against him. “So are you,” you whispered back, letting the moment linger in the quiet comfort of his embrace.

[lady-of-nightfall]

"Veiled Intentions" (Hwang In-ho/Player 001/Front man x player!reader)

Summary: No game of cat and mouse ends well.

Author's Note: Thank you so much to everyone who voted for this fic to be done first. I'm happy to provide. He might be a little obsessive, but you should've expected it by now. Don't worry; I got a softer, heartfelt, and angsty fic on the go for tomorrow. Hope you'll enjoy this one until then, darlings!

(Squid Game masterlist here)

Whenever he flashed a smile to the team, no one noticed how the coldness of his eyes was somehow still persistent. The charm of his smile always eclipsed that detail. It was enough to successfully manipulate most players, except for you. The only one who seemed to see the bigger picture was you and he could sense it. No amount of calculated smooth-talking, apparent encouragement, or fake short smiles could trick you too.

The others seemed to accept him easily, either for the calmness that made him seem reliable or for the vital need to have more people with the same vote. Not you, and it was clear to him.

In-ho had a plan going on; he had no intention of wasting time and trying harder to trick you too, letting you do your silent judging. But still, you were slowly becoming more and more present in his mind. You weren't warming up to him, weren't impressed like the others. Why not? More importantly, why did he like it that way? You were smarter and he enjoyed watching you analyzing everyone around, including him. Yes, you were a problem for him, but he was almost proud of having such a fascinating problem to take care of.

In-ho was too good at looking relieved, and joyful whenever the other players from player 456's team made it during the games. You noticed a strange spark in his eyes whenever you also completed the games. Was he really relieved or just glad that with each game he was getting closer to taking care of you personally?

Even now, he was watching you silently when the speakers announced bedtime. You all remembered what was the plan Gi-hun came up with to stay safe and looked around for a lonely bed bunk. Your constant doubt pushed you to come up with a plan to figure him out and now it was the perfect time to strike.

In-ho was ready to make a strategic choice when your voice interrupted his thoughts again.

"Join me?" You asked bluntly, with a warm smile on your face. A fake smile, a reflection of his. He looked at you, raising an eyebrow at your proposal. "For bonding time, getting along." You added, encouragingly, almost playfully, not to stir suspicion in others.

All the other teammates noticed how you kept your distance from him and were glad to see you try to get along.

In-ho almost wanted to chuckle at your reasoning but his expression remained composed. He could tell that you were trying to convince him with your charm and that you only played a role. And he was doing the same.

"Lead the way then." In-ho responded calmly, as always.

In-ho had a small, almost imperceptible smirk on his face the whole time following you, and his eyes were glued to the nape of your neck. How could he ignore you?

You crawled carefully under a bed that was placed closer to a corner no one else chose. A shiver ran down your spine when he joined you effortlessly, making almost no sound at all. The lights dimmed. However, that wasn't the problem. The problem was that the space from under the beds was not enough for two. Both of you were lying down on your backs, staring at the bed from above. His shoulder was pressed against yours, the feeling was impossible to push aside.

You closed your eyes tightly, cursing the tight space and sighing deeply. Why didn't you think this through? In-ho was amused by your frustration and how your body tensed next to his.

"You seemed so sure about this." He teased with a mocking tone he didn't even try to hide.

The way his voice sounded so intimate in the dark and how his warmth surrounded you, were making it hard to stick to the plan. You grew a little hotter under your clothes but you had to go for it. You took a breath in and spoke in a whisper.

"I can see right through your tactics." You said bluntly, still looking at the bed from above to avoid his gaze, knowing how intense it gets sometimes. You were almost proud of the sternness of your tone. "What are your intentions?"

He didn't respond right away, taking time to just look at your expression. In-ho was a meticulous man, he was expecting that question sooner or later from you.

"Wasn't I clear from the start?" In-ho asked calmly, almost innocently, switching his position to lay on his stomach and elbows, never losing sight of you. That position forced you to look up at him, exactly the way he liked it. He was getting too comfortable for someone who was cornered. Seeing how there was no sign of panic or surprise on his face, the previous boost of confidence was starting to slowly diminish in you.

"I think we both know what I mean." You added coldly, letting him know you've had enough of his games. He could feel your patience running thin and he was enjoying it.

Your assumption was true; you were so close to figuring it out but, at the same time, so far away, so clueless about what he really wanted, what he really was capable of. It gave him the freedom of acting anyways he wanted for a little bit.

"Indeed." He said, seeing an opening and moving a hand to the opposite side of your face on the floor, making it look like he was just supporting himself and not caging you. "And that's because you're playing the same games, don't you agree?" He asked smoothly. He watched as you rolled your eyes and looked away to hide your real reaction, taking you longer to respond. In-ho didn't insist, wanting to take his time exposing you bit by bit. When you turned your head back at him to answer, your heart halted, words dying. Your eyes met intimately, his face was even closer than expected.

"It won't work with me." His breath touched your lips. He brushed a strand of hair behind your ear to see your face better. He frowned when he caught himself giving in to his instincts, his fingertips caressing your cheek and stopping on your lower lip without thinking.

"But your tries were..." He added, applying pressure on your sensitive skin and moving his lips even closer to yours slowly. "Entertaining, to say the least."

In-ho watched your expression closely, observing the details of your face in the dark. He couldn't get enough that moment but his face didn't betray any sign of the greed that was coursing through him. So he didn't stop there, using the momentum of your shock.

"Was it fun?" He asked, mercilessly but blissfully tormenting and playing you. "To feel like you had the upper hand?" He whispered while his hand descended to the base of your neck.

In-ho looked at your parted lips again, waiting for your answer and not moving away. There was a storm of conflicted thoughts in your mind and the warmth of his palm on your pulse point was not helping you find a good answer in time.

"Answer me." His grip tightened slightly, his tone smooth yet demanding. "And look at me, darling"

You looked up at him and nodded, admitting silently. Finally, you understood what you got yourself into and felt more than exposed. It was frustrating how easily he switched the roles from being the one interrogated to the one asking whatever he wanted.

You shivered at the sight of his subtle smirk. It was nothing like the bright fake smile he offered to the team. One corner of his lips curled upwards while the rest of his expression remained composed. His eyes glinted with icy, calculated sharpness. Finally, you could see him, whoever he was, and not the simple player 011.

In-ho was studying her, thinking about how you weren't aware of the effect you had on him from how well he was concealing it. Still, none of your questions were answered.

"What are you going to-"

"Hush." He murmured against your lips, cutting your words. "Don't wake the others."

In-ho slowly traced your collarbones through the thin material of the shirt with your player number and placed his whole palm on your chest over your racing heart. He paused, just to feel your heart, taking credit for its hectic beating. The silence that surrounded you was not helping either, you could hear every breath, every move, enhancing the intimate feeling so much you had to remind yourself that you were still in the middle of a sick challenge with daily deadly games.

He looked back into your eyes and spoke softly, seeing your inner conflict, wanting to distract you from it. "I've caught you staring at me so many times."

"I was just spacing out." You whispered, not hesitating this time but still telling him another lie.

Even the always calm, rarely out of character In-ho chuckled at that. It was a pleasant, unfiltered but still strange sound.

"Liar." He said while caressing your hair again but making sure to tug gently at the roots as a warning. "You had so many opportunities to push me away since we got under here." He whispered, almost tenderly, meaning it. His eyes were not locked on yours. Was it because he was letting himself think out loud? "But you don't want to do that..." He added, pausing his touches, giving you time to object. But the truth was that your denial ended with him calling you 'darling'. That waited objection never came and In-ho understood.

With that, he allowed himself to take what he wanted. He thought to himself that it was inevitable. His lips found yours with an unexpected gentleness despite his restrained hunger. The hellhole you were trapped in seemed to fade away with the way his lips explored yours. His fingers tightened possessively against your skin as the kiss deepened. His warmth was embracing you blissfully but his tongue was making you dizzy with each breath he was stealing from you.

After what felt like time, bending to his will, In-ho broke the kiss slowly. Even if you didn't say a word, he still covered your lips with his finger for a moment.

"I'm expecting you to still be smart about this and keep it private." He spoke in your ear, an expectation or a warning. "Do that and you'll be safe no matter what."

What you couldn't understand was that this was a hidden promise. If you kept whatever he gave you a secret for yourself, he would pull all the strings to get you alone with him, away from that game.

[aliceinborderlandsquidgame]

We meet again | In-ho x Fem!Reader | PT2

Summary: It was only one night for fun, you never thought you would see him again. Even less in a place like this one.

PT1

Warnings: S2 Spoilers - Canon violence - Pregnant!Reader - Non canon background for In-ho - Use of (Y/N) - Angst - Protective!In-ho - Jung-Bae votes X because I say so -

Sleep came hard for you, after Gi-hun told the rest that players attacked each other last time, when the lights went off it only made you worried more.

It did not help that after the akward exchange In-ho decided to join the group, even if he used that time to also taunt Gi-hun (at least in your opinion), he gave you space and you mentally thanked him.

Jun-hee pierced him with a look only a woman could give, it was like she doubt him and also, she was sure he was in fact the father of your baby, which only made things worse.

During the night your bed shifted when another body took a seat, you moved quickly going to call for help but a hand covered your mouth.

The stoic look from In-ho met you in the dark, even if he was not putting a lot of pressure on your mouth. You did not like it.

You removed his hand and went to lie again, giving him your back but he was determined to talk to you.

"You dont need to talk to me, I just came to make sure you two were safe" He started, you could not see it but his eyes were full of adoration towards you and your belly. "I dont think others will attack us but I still needed to be besides you, if you let me"

You did not give him a response, letting your mind wonder over the dangers that could come, you felt him starting to move, most likely to go but your hand took his.

"Stay" After a small pause you added "Please"

And he was more than happy to oblige.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~

The morning came faster than what you wanted. The bed was uncomfortable to say the least, and most part of the night you were cold.

A centrain warm had woke you up but a quick "shh" made you go back to sleep.

You now noticed a extra blanket over you.

"(Y/N), how did you sleep?" Jun-hee asked, she looked like she needed more sleep.

"As best as someone can with this beds" You said knocking on the bed making her let out a small smile.

"Looks like someone is watching over you" She said pointing at the extra blanket.

You made a face at it but nodded, if it was better for the baby then you would allow it.

"We can share it tonight if you want" You offered her who smiled and bowed thanking you.

"Attention players, we will now start the next game. Form a line a follow one guard to the next area" The voice of a Guard filled the room making you nervous to see what was going to happen.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~

"This things does not get easier" You whispered to yourself as you claimed the maze of stairs, you had to admit the colors were cute but the energy you needed for them was not something you were looking to use.

What if it was another game with running ? You would need your energy for it. You could not waste it on these dam stairs.

In-ho had positioned himself in front on you and would look back to make sure you were following.

"You can use my shoulder if you need help" He said stopping and almost making Dae-ho hit your back, but he was keeping a distance in case you needed to rest.

"Im fine" You said between hard breaths going to walk again on your own only to feel In-ho's hands around you, making you lean on him so you would use less energy and tired yourself less.

"I dont remember you being such a complicated woman" He whispered to you, making sure no one could listen.

"Well I dont expect you to remember most, we were drunk when we left.."

But In-ho moved his head with a small smile "Trust me, I remember most of it. Our conversation at the bar and the events after we left. I havent been able to stop thinking of these"

A shiver ran down your spine but you ignored it.

"Well I dont believe you, tell me something specific i said that night" You kind of demanded him

"You said how you loved the town, loved seeing the same faces, there was a older woman who lived two blocks from you. She would gift you milk and eggs. You liked seeing the kids play after school and would even take care of some when their parents had to leave for work. You loved that town"

You got quiet, it was true. You had said that, and it was true, you did love the town and its peopel, thats why you had to leave, to protect them.

"Alright, I will admit im impressed" You responded leaving out a small smile "You do have good memory" You noted

"For you ? Yes, yes I do"

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~○

"The next game will be a race of six-legs, players please form teams of five, since we have a odd number one team will have six players in it"

The voice announced

"Could they dont think on doing a different game?" Jung-Bae asked the rest of you "I mean, no hard feelings but would it not be more complicated with one more?"

Gi-hun not so discreetly gave him a hit on his side "Shut up we are six" He said and Jung-Bae blushed in shame. 

"Sorry! I did not mean to say it like that"

"Its fine" In-ho said calming him down "We get it, it may be difficult but we can do it, we have our ex winner with us"

Gi-hun scratched his hair "We did not play this last time, im as lost as all of you" He admitted

"Wow must suck to be you!" The voice of player made all of you look, Player 009 a young male said "Not only are you six but you also have two pregnant woman, talk about bad luck. With the six of you out the price will go up in no time. Well if they count the babys then maybe even more"

Out of instinct your hand went over your belly and the other took the hand of Jun-hee who looked as scared as you.

In-ho took some calculated steps towards the player who seemed to get pale when he finally undertood who he was, the same guy who had break a fight last night with no sweat.

"Hey, why dont you lose yourself like a small rat? And im being unfair to rats to compare them to you" He said tone cold and out of emotion.

The player lost himself in the crowd not wanting to face In-ho.

Butterflies flew in your stomach at his words, even if he was not defending you directly, his protective side made you blush and almost smile.

Almost. You had to supress it since Jun-hee was looking at you like she knew something.

"Well, we should see how we will line ourselfs" Gi-hun said making all of you form a circle, "(Y/N) and Jun-hee will need help so-"

"I can walk fine" Jun-hee interrumped him "I can go in one of the corners, (Y/N) will need more help"

Gi-hun nodded at her "Then, you, Jung-Bae will be next, Dae-ho, (Y/N), In-ho and myself" He ended watching all of you "Does it sound good to everybody"

Before you could protest the voice spooke again

"We will be playing a race of six legs, in order to advance you must complete the following games within five minutes and cross the line. If you dont you will be eliminated"

"Games...what games" You asked to no one as the voice went on

"The games you must complete are ddakji, biseokchigi, gong-gi, jegi, and spinning top, please choose among yourself who will play which game"

"Wait, that means one of us wont have to play" Dae-ho pointed out and all nodded.

"(Y/N) You should stay out of the mini games and focus on following the rest of us" Gi-hun suggested looking at you.

You bited your lower lip, you felt like a burden to them, no only being a extra player but also not being able to play with them.

"No, I can play. If there is a game any of you feel less confident in..."

"I agree with Gi-hun" In-ho interrumped you. "It was difficult for you to claim the stairs, its better if you focus on one thing at time"

"No, that was a bad moment, I can-"

"I also agree" Dae-ho cut you off "I have sisters and saw them pregnant before, its better if you dont move to much or stress"

"Jun-hee its pregnant too and I dont see any of you worried" You said almost screaming

"(Y/N) im less pregnant than you...and I saw it too. You had problems with the stairs, dont worry over me, I can do it"

"Think in your baby" In-ho whispered "Think in our baby" He added in a lowered tone.

"Fine, thanks for your help guys" You said truly grateful.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~○

The first two teams did not make it

You closed your eyes refusing to look at the dead bodies.

The first team that made it had all of you screaming for them, you even hugged In-ho without noticing.

However he did and hugged you with subtle force, using that chance to touch your belly on its side.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○

"Remember, focus on breathing and follow us, you can do it" In-ho said to you as your team and other one were the last two to play

"If you need to rest just support yourself on me or In-ho" Dae-ho added giving you a encouraging smile.

And like that the race started.

Jun-hee won easily the ddakji, Jung-Bae nailed it hitting the rock on first try.

When it came to Dae-ho's turn all of them made sure that both you and Jun-hee moved onto the floor slowly.

Your heart was beating fast as you saw Dae'ho play, even if this game was one girls used to play you were never good with it. In fact no one of your young friends used to be.

So your suprise was big and more was your happiness as you saw him complete it on first try.

The six of you advanced, the guard went to give you the spinning top but In-ho took it instead. You swear you saw the guard flinch under his dark stare.

Everybody was hyping him, even you, after all you all got three games in a row nothing could-

And he failed. All of you moved so he could do it again.

Only to trow it towards yours back.

After getting it back he started to have an episode, no wonder feeling nervous because of how much time he was making all of you lose.

"Hey! IN-HO!! Calm down just breath, try with your other hand, we still have time" You said pulling him towards you.

Something flicker in his eyes but you could not understand what it was.

He did as you told him and finally he passed.

The last game was in the hands (or feets) of Gi-hun who almost loses but In-ho's quick thinking saved all of you making your team pass and cross the line.

The celebration was short lived as gunshots were hear, the other team did not make it.

"Its ok, you two are safe" In-ho whispered to you once more before a guard started to take all of you back.

However the place seemed...different ? And by different you mean almost no stairs, did the guards suddendly get a heart ? You would not question it, like you Jun-hee was grateful and smiled at you once you two made it into the room.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~

"Cant believe these survived" 009 said with a frown not beliving it.

If the price had a chance on going up it was with the dead of either you or Jun-hee.

"Congratulations on winning this game, we will now calculate the price and proceed on voting"

"I hope we win this time" You told Jun-hee who nodded alongside you.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~

"We should use the restroom now that we have a chance" You told Jun-hee who accepted and so both of you left your male companions who themselfs went to their own restroom.

"I cant believe we lost again" You said hitting the door of the stall getting some looks from other circle players but no one said a thing. Maybe they pity you because of your pregnancy but not enough to end the dam games.

"Dont stress too much" Jun-hee tried to comfort you even if herself was scared.

You took some deep breaths to try and calm yourself down, thinking in your baby.

I can do it. I can play again, I must play again.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○

The six of you reunited once again waiting for the terrible food the guards would most likely give.

"Hey Dae-ho, how were you able to win on first try?" Jung-Bae asked trying to ease the tension since all of you had bothed X

"Well, as I said I grow up with four sisters. And they would play it all the time so I ended up learning a few tricks" He commented

The small talk went towards different topics, nothing too personal just something to pass the time.

You were between Jun-hee and In-ho who had sit closer to you but you did not mind and even invited him to move closer.

"I wish the food its not as bad as the one from last night" You said getting a groan from Jung-Bae

"I miss my meat, I would kill for one piece of well coked meat" When all of you just looked at him he muttered "Sorry bad wording"

"I would love some cake, maybe chocolate cake and...popcorn" You said rubbing your belly

"Its that what they call cravings?" Jung-Bae asked, even if his ex wife was once pregnant he did not really remember much of her time with it.

"Yeah, this is not the worse one" You laughted making In-ho softly smile besides you.

"What was the worse one?" Dae-ho asked curious

"One night at 2 a.m. I woke up crying, I asked my roomate to get me squid and ice cream, she went to the store bless her heart but then I asked her if she could mix it all"

The horror from their faces was priceless.

"I havent had any weird craving" Jun-hee said smiling at your story "They better start once we are out of here"

"Your roomate sounds like a good person" In-ho commented, he was glad you had someone to rely on while he was away and did not know about your pregnancy, he would have loved to be the one to get waked up by you to make him go and buy you different types of food.

"She was" You agreed "She saw me having a hard time and offered me a place to stay so we could divide rent. Thanks to her I was able to get better food. Saddly she had to leave Seoul because her sister needed her"

In-ho was now confused. Seoul? What were you doing in Seoul? Were you not a local in that town? Why did you move? Even when you knew you were pregnant?

He had so many questions but would have to wait till a better moment.

"Players, we will now start serving dinner" A guard say, all of the players went to get in line.

As you waited In-ho stood behind you and used that time to talk to you

"Why were you in Seoul?" He asked confused and worried.

You turned a bit towards him, not wanting everybody to hear your talk "My brother left a debt, escaped the country, and since im the only blood relative alive it fell on me" You explained him. "I would have loved to raise my kid in that town, but the load sharks did track me down and said they would made the town suffer if I did not make monthly pays. I could not put them in danger so I left"

In-ho was furious, not only were you forced to face such a hard time alone. Your excuse of a brother left a debt on you, not caring what your situation was.

You must have been so scared, sad, no women deserves to go by a special time like pregnancy like that.

He was also furious with himself. He should have acted faster and track you down, he would have know sooner you were pregnant and would have make things different. He would have payed that debt, making sure you were well assisted and not lifting a finger, only resting like you deserved.

The guilt was eating him alive.

"Im sorry, I should have been there" He said and for once in the two days that had passed his voice was full of sincerity and vulnerability "Im really sorry (Y/N) you should not have to go by that"

You did not say a thing back, trying to stop the tears that wanted to fall.

"I managed, and its not your fault. I was angry at your for sometime but then I just stopped being angry. It was bad luck"

"It was also back luck that you got yourself pregnant?" He asked now a bit worried about what you thought of it.

You stopped and turned completly to face him.

"No. That was not bad luck at all. Yeah I would have loved to have someone besides me...to have you with me" His heart fell at your words, his mind racing with ideas on how to protect you in the next game "But it was never something bad, I love this baby, I want it to be healthy and to live a good life"

"I will be with you from now on, I promise I wont go anywhere" He said taking your hand in his in a silent promise

"Next" The guard called making you let go of his hand and take the food the guard was giving, before you could go the guard stopped you and gave you a small plastic bag with pills.

You took it not sure what it was.

As you walked towards the group you read it "Vitamins for pregnancy" You almost fell in suprise and walked a bit quicker towards the group but more specific towards Jun-hee who seemed go be waiting for you.

"(Y/N) Did they..." she trailed off showing you the same bag of pills

"Yeah. Do you think they had a change in heart?" You asked taking a seat besides her.

"I dont know but I wont question it" She said opening the cartoon milk and swallowing the pills. You did the same starting to feel better.

"(Y/N), Jun-hee you two can have my milk" Jung-Bae said almost forcing you to take it.

"But-"

"You two can also have mine" In-ho said appearing and giving you his own "Like that you two will have enough energy and your babys will be healthy"

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~

It was almost time for the lights to go off once again. Jun-hee and You shared a bed in order to share the blankets, the other four insisted that you two rested and that they would keep watch.

When Gi-hun woke up In-ho to take turn he would take some times to glance at you. His heart softening at the sight of your sleepy face and your belly under the blankets.

How much did he want to have you back in his room, in a most comfortable bed. He would have to leave you during the day but would return to cuddle you in the night. Would talk to your belly saying to it just how proud he was, and how happy its existence made him. He wanted to pull his ear against it, try to listen to it or feel it kick.

Soon, he would make sure you survived the next game and will get you out of the games.

~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~○~○

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