Yo🩷

You’d never considered yourself jumpy. Living alone had never bothered you. The quiet cul-de-sac sat on the edge of town where nothing exciting ever happens. The loudest disturbances were usually kids kicking footballs or Mr. Harris mowing his lawn at eight in the morning. Your neighbour, Joel Miller, fit right into that peaceful routine. He wasn’t particularly social, but he wasn’t unfriendly either.

If your garbage cans tipped over in the wind, he’d silently set them upright. If your car battery died, he’d already be halfway across the driveway with jumper cables before you’d even finished sighing. He spoke in that deep Texas drawl that somehow made even complaining about the weather sound comforting.

You wouldn’t call the two of you friends, just friendly neighbours. Until Wednesday night. 

You found yourself standing barefoot on your front porch at eleven at night staring across the short stretch of driveway separating your house from Joel Miller’s.

You almost laughed at yourself. The age of you and you’re frightened by a few strange noises in the garden. Still, your hands trembled as you wrapped your cardigan tighter around yourself. Someone had been in your backyard, you were sure of it.

The knock barely left your knuckles before the porch light brightened. A deadbolt slid back, door opened and Joel stood there in faded grey sweatpants and a navy T-shirt, his salt-and-pepper hair going in all directions. The concern arrived before the words did. “You alright?”

Nothing came out.

His brows pulled together. “What happened?”

“I…” You swallowed. “I think someone’s in my backyard.”

He looked over your shoulder toward your house. “You see ’em?”

You shook your head. “No, but I heard someone.”

“What’d you hear?”

“Footsteps, mumbles.” Your voice shook despite every attempt to steady it. “Ive heard it a few nights now.”

Joel opened the door wider. “Come inside.”His tone wasn’t forceful, it simply left no room to argue.

The warmth of his house wrapped around you almost instantly. He locked the door behind you before guiding you toward the sofa. “You want some tea?” You nodded. He disappeared into the kitchen, the familiar sounds of a kettle filling and cupboards opening somehow grounded you. It was normal. Comfortingly normal.

Joel returned with two steaming mugs before crouching beside the coffee table. “You stay right here.” He was up and leaving before you could stop him. “What are you doing?”

“Gonna have a look.”

Your eyes widened. “No. What if someone’s actually there?” 

“I’ll be alright.” His mouth twitched into a faint smile. “—they’ll wish they picked on somebody else’s backyard.”

You couldn’t help smiling back, but it disappeared almost immediately. “I’m being serious, Joel—I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’ll be fine, darlin—just stay put.” He pulled on a canvas work jacket hanging beside the door. “You lock this behind me.”

“I really don’t like this, Joel.”

“I know.” He rested a reassuring hand briefly on your shoulder. “But I won’t be long.”

Twenty minutes felt like two hours. You sat listening to the old clock in Joel’s living room, jumping every time the house creaked. When the front door finally opened, relief flooded through you. Joel stepped inside, wiping mud from his boots against the mat. His jeans were streaked with damp soil.

“Well?”

He sighed, “Yeah…” Your stomach dropped. “What did you find?”

He shrugged over his jacket, throwing it on the couch. “Your flowers’re all trampled.”

You closed your eyes. “I knew it. Damn it…”

Joel stood above you, adjusting his belt. “But I didn’t see anybody. Maybe it was a real heavy raccoon lookin’ for food.”

“A raccoon?”

“Yeah—big fucker.” Despite yourself, you laughed softly. “I don’t think raccoons flatten flowerbeds, they go for trash cans.”

He scratched at his beard thoughtfully. “Maybe it was somebody’s dog.” You looked into your mug. “I know what I heard, Joel.”

Joel’s expression softened. “Yeah I believe ya, Darlin.” After a long silence, he clapped his hands together. “Right, you can stay here tonight.” You shook your head quickly. “No no I can’t.”

“Of course ya can.”

You shook your head again, like it’s finalised. “No I’ll be fine. I’ll just lock my doors and have a knife ready.”

“Jesus, Girl—yeah but then you’ll spend all night wonderin’ if every noise is somebody outside.”

“…Probably. So?” Truth be told, you didn’t wanna leave, as much as you argued—your feet remained planted. 

“My bed’s clean, I’ll take the couch.”

“I’m not kicking you out of your own bed, Joel.”

“You ain’t kickin’ me nowhere.”

You sighed. “Oh my god, you’re stubborn.”

“So I’ve been told, darlin.”

It happened again three nights later. You were sat at your kitchen table, reading the paper when you saw a flash. It was one of those things where you don’t know if you imagined it or not, but you stood and went to look out the kitchen window. You couldn’t see anything in the sea of darkness, but then you heard shuffling from just underneath your window. You heard it again and banged a balled fist against the glass. “I know you’re out there fucker!” 

More noise then you saw—undeniably—a tall figure standing now a few feet away, hidden in the shadows. 

You scream and ran out the front door and sped to Joel’s, frantically knocking on his door. He takes him a minute to answer, you push your way in and slam the door behind you. 

“Sorry darlin I was in the basement. What the hell happened?” He reached for your shoulders trying to centre you. “Darlin, I need ya to calm down.” 

You were taking gibberish, panicked. “I saw someone. I saw them Joel! Big fucking guy—it had to be a guy. And he was right by my window!” Joel pulls you in against his chest. “Okay come on now, I need ya to calm down.” He strokes your hair a few times. “It’s okay, you’re here now—safe with me.” He shushes you and kisses the top of your head. “I’ll be right back.” 

You barely let him escape the grasp you have on him. “No, Joel please don’t go. Just—stay, let’s just stay here okay?” He gives you a kiss on the cheek. “Okay, darlin.”

The two of you ended up in Joel’s bed watching a movie. You kept looking towards the window and door. Joel noticed everytime. “Darlin, no one’s coming to get you okay? I’m here—not going anywhere.” 

You lowered your head with a defeated sigh. “Well…I can’t keep living like this—being fuckin’ scared all the time. I’m gonna get some of those little security cameras, stick a few around the place.”

Joel nodded. “Now that’s a good idea, darlin’. I know a guy who’ll sort you out with a good deal if you want me to ask.”

Thank God. You hadn’t the first clue about security stuff. “Aw, thanks, Joel. You’re the best. Do I need to meet him, or…?”

“If you want to. He’ll probably just drop ‘em off at my work site, though.” He gave you a reassuring smile. “I’ll help you get ‘em set up, darlin’. Don’t you worry.”

You were so grateful to have Joel in your life. At first, having a friendly neighbour had been enough, but recently he’d become the one person you could always rely on. You rested your head against his chest. “God Joel you’re so warm.” You giggle to yourself wrapping an arm around his torso. “You won’t leave me alone will you?” 

Joel brings you in for a closer hug, “darlin, only for pee breaks.” He crosses his heart, and relaxes against the pillows. You softly hum and drift off to sleep, some little snores rattling against Joel’s chest making him laugh. “Silly girl.” 

 A few minutes later, Joel carefully shifted you off him before slipping out of bed. He padded into the bathroom, flicking on the small light above the mirror. Rubbing a hand down his tired face, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

After a few rings, someone answered.

“Hey, man, it’s me. Listen, I’m gonna need a few of those cameras for someone… Yeah—a woman. Think she’s been seeing someone in her backyard.”

The man on the other end agreed, promising to drop them off in a day or two.

“Good man. I’ll have the money for you then. Take it easy.”

Joel ended the call and switched off the bathroom light before making his way back to the bedroom.

He paused in the doorway for a moment, simply watching you sleep. His T-shirt was bunched up but swallowed your frame. The sight of you wearing his boxers low on your hips, made him go hard in his. 

He quietly crossed the bedroom, careful not to disturb you, and made his way downstairs to the basement.

Stopping in front of the washer and dryer, he rested both palms against the tops of the machines and let out a long, defeated sigh.

“Fuck me…”

He crouched down, grabbing a pair of jeans and boots from the floor. Both were caked in dried mud, flecks of soil still clinging stubbornly to the leather. “That was fuckin close” He turned one boot over in his hand, a guilty smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He rubbed a thumb over the thick layer of mud, knocking loose a few crushed daisy petals caught in the tread. One petal floated to the concrete floor. “Fuckin’ flowers…” he muttered, shaking his head, thinking he could make it through them without sinking and crushing them more.

He chuckled quietly to himself, remembering the way you’d yelled and bolted for his house, and him barely making it back in time before you knocked. “Ya cut it fuckin close, Miller.”  

He scrubbed a hand down his face and sighed, unbuckling his belt and dropping his pants to the floor. He pulls out his phone, searching through it and places it down onto the dryer. the screen showed a picture of you, sitting at your kitchen table playing with your hair, moments before you witnessed Joel’s accidental flash. “No darlin, you weren’t imagining it.” He chuckles to himself. “Stupid fuckin flash.” 

Joel spat into his palm and drew in a slow, steady breath, his jaw tightening as he stroked his cock. “Fuck…” he muttered, his voice rough and low. His eyes slipped shut for a moment, his head tipping back thinking of you and your sweet mouth sucking him off. A crooked smile tugged at his lips despite himself. “So fuckin’ hot—fuckin slut…”

His breathing grew heavier, frustration and longing twisting together in his chest. He scrubbed a hand over his face with a quiet groan, as he grew closer and closer to tipping over the edge. He imagines you kneeling before him, big teary eyes, mouth full of his cock—thanking him for being your saviour.

“Yeah baby just like that.” He grunts low as his stomach tightens and cums—it landing on his phone. “Fuck—me—“ His body sputters while one hand rests on the dryer. “Fuckin hell.” He lets go of his softening cock still dripping cum for the tip. 

Joel wipes his brow, sweat dripping at his temples. He leans down and brings up his pants and tucks himself back in. He picks up his phone— giving it a much needed wipe—trying to focus on the name to call. The phone rings. 

“Yeah?” 

“Hey it’s Joel. Got one for ya if ya interested. Gonna have to give me a week or two to wear her down though.” 

The voice chuckles down the phone. “Joel you’re a cold bastard. She hot?” 

“Yup. Fuckin gorgeous figure, pretty face, pretty smile. And I bet she makes some sweet ass noises.” 

The voice laughs again, “well let me know when you’re ready—send me some pics of her in the meantime. Clothed, unclothed. Bikini. In the shower. Then we’ll talk.” 

“Sounds good. I’ll get ya the pics in a few days. Gotta be careful.” 

“Understood” then the line went dead. 

Joel cleaned himself up, putting his muddy jeans in the washer and he’ll finish the boots tomorrow. He wants to get back to you. And speak of the devil…

“Joel?” Your voice sounded so small, frightened coming from upstairs, he barely heard you. 

“Yeah, I’m here.” He heard the creaking of the floor as he goes towards the stairs, “I’m coming, darlin—don’t worry.” You stood at the top of the stairs, playing nervously with the hem. “Where did you go?” You asked sheepishly. 

“Sorry, darlin—had to sort out some laundry while it was in my head. Come on, back to bed.” He shooed you playfully, giving your thigh a small tap. “You gonna be a good girl, f’me?” 

You give him a shy smile and as you turn to walk back, the floor disappeared. “Whoa. Fuckin hell, Joel—put me down.” 

“Nah, we’ll get there quicker this way, baby.” 

You preen at the name, maybe turning a little pink as you rest your smiling face against his neck, “thanks, Joel—you’re just the best.” Youve put him on a pedestal, and Joel was eating it up. 

This was going to be so easy. 

You’d never considered yourself jumpy. Living alone had never bothered you. The quiet cul-de-sac sat on the edge of town where nothing exciting ever happens. The loudest disturbances were usually kids kicking footballs or Mr. Harris mowing his lawn at eight in the morning. Your neighbour, Joel Miller, fit right into that peaceful routine. He wasn’t particularly social, but he wasn’t unfriendly either.

If your garbage cans tipped over in the wind, he’d silently set them upright. If your car battery died, he’d already be halfway across the driveway with jumper cables before you’d even finished sighing. He spoke in that deep Texas drawl that somehow made even complaining about the weather sound comforting.

You wouldn’t call the two of you friends, just friendly neighbours. Until Wednesday night. 

You found yourself standing barefoot on your front porch at eleven at night staring across the short stretch of driveway separating your house from Joel Miller’s.

You almost laughed at yourself. The age of you and you’re frightened by a few strange noises in the garden. Still, your hands trembled as you wrapped your cardigan tighter around yourself. Someone had been in your backyard, you were sure of it.

The knock barely left your knuckles before the porch light brightened. A deadbolt slid back, door opened and Joel stood there in faded grey sweatpants and a navy T-shirt, his salt-and-pepper hair going in all directions. The concern arrived before the words did. “You alright?”

Nothing came out.

His brows pulled together. “What happened?”

“I…” You swallowed. “I think someone’s in my backyard.”

He looked over your shoulder toward your house. “You see ’em?”

You shook your head. “No, but I heard someone.”

“What’d you hear?”

“Footsteps, mumbles.” Your voice shook despite every attempt to steady it. “Ive heard it a few nights now.”

Joel opened the door wider. “Come inside.”His tone wasn’t forceful, it simply left no room to argue.

The warmth of his house wrapped around you almost instantly. He locked the door behind you before guiding you toward the sofa. “You want some tea?” You nodded. He disappeared into the kitchen, the familiar sounds of a kettle filling and cupboards opening somehow grounded you. It was normal. Comfortingly normal.

Joel returned with two steaming mugs before crouching beside the coffee table. “You stay right here.” He was up and leaving before you could stop him. “What are you doing?”

“Gonna have a look.”

Your eyes widened. “No. What if someone’s actually there?” 

“I’ll be alright.” His mouth twitched into a faint smile. “—they’ll wish they picked on somebody else’s backyard.”

You couldn’t help smiling back, but it disappeared almost immediately. “I’m being serious, Joel—I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’ll be fine, darlin—just stay put.” He pulled on a canvas work jacket hanging beside the door. “You lock this behind me.”

“I really don’t like this, Joel.”

“I know.” He rested a reassuring hand briefly on your shoulder. “But I won’t be long.”

Twenty minutes felt like two hours. You sat listening to the old clock in Joel’s living room, jumping every time the house creaked. When the front door finally opened, relief flooded through you. Joel stepped inside, wiping mud from his boots against the mat. His jeans were streaked with damp soil.

“Well?”

He sighed, “Yeah…” Your stomach dropped. “What did you find?”

He shrugged over his jacket, throwing it on the couch. “Your flowers’re all trampled.”

You closed your eyes. “I knew it. Damn it…”

Joel stood above you, adjusting his belt. “But I didn’t see anybody. Maybe it was a real heavy raccoon lookin’ for food.”

“A raccoon?”

“Yeah—big fucker.” Despite yourself, you laughed softly. “I don’t think raccoons flatten flowerbeds, they go for trash cans.”

He scratched at his beard thoughtfully. “Maybe it was somebody’s dog.” You looked into your mug. “I know what I heard, Joel.”

Joel’s expression softened. “Yeah I believe ya, Darlin.” After a long silence, he clapped his hands together. “Right, you can stay here tonight.” You shook your head quickly. “No no I can’t.”

“Of course ya can.”

You shook your head again, like it’s finalised. “No I’ll be fine. I’ll just lock my doors and have a knife ready.”

“Jesus, Girl—yeah but then you’ll spend all night wonderin’ if every noise is somebody outside.”

“…Probably. So?” Truth be told, you didn’t wanna leave, as much as you argued—your feet remained planted. 

“My bed’s clean, I’ll take the couch.”

“I’m not kicking you out of your own bed, Joel.”

“You ain’t kickin’ me nowhere.”

You sighed. “Oh my god, you’re stubborn.”

“So I’ve been told, darlin.”

It happened again three nights later. You were sat at your kitchen table, reading the paper when you saw a flash. It was one of those things where you don’t know if you imagined it or not, but you stood and went to look out the kitchen window. You couldn’t see anything in the sea of darkness, but then you heard shuffling from just underneath your window. You heard it again and banged a balled fist against the glass. “I know you’re out there fucker!” 

More noise then you saw—undeniably—a tall figure standing now a few feet away, hidden in the shadows. 

You scream and ran out the front door and sped to Joel’s, frantically knocking on his door. He takes him a minute to answer, you push your way in and slam the door behind you. 

“Sorry darlin I was in the basement. What the hell happened?” He reached for your shoulders trying to centre you. “Darlin, I need ya to calm down.” 

You were taking gibberish, panicked. “I saw someone. I saw them Joel! Big fucking guy—it had to be a guy. And he was right by my window!” Joel pulls you in against his chest. “Okay come on now, I need ya to calm down.” He strokes your hair a few times. “It’s okay, you’re here now—safe with me.” He shushes you and kisses the top of your head. “I’ll be right back.” 

You barely let him escape the grasp you have on him. “No, Joel please don’t go. Just—stay, let’s just stay here okay?” He gives you a kiss on the cheek. “Okay, darlin.”

The two of you ended up in Joel’s bed watching a movie. You kept looking towards the window and door. Joel noticed everytime. “Darlin, no one’s coming to get you okay? I’m here—not going anywhere.” 

You lowered your head with a defeated sigh. “Well…I can’t keep living like this—being fuckin’ scared all the time. I’m gonna get some of those little security cameras, stick a few around the place.”

Joel nodded. “Now that’s a good idea, darlin’. I know a guy who’ll sort you out with a good deal if you want me to ask.”

Thank God. You hadn’t the first clue about security stuff. “Aw, thanks, Joel. You’re the best. Do I need to meet him, or…?”

“If you want to. He’ll probably just drop ‘em off at my work site, though.” He gave you a reassuring smile. “I’ll help you get ‘em set up, darlin’. Don’t you worry.”

You were so grateful to have Joel in your life. At first, having a friendly neighbour had been enough, but recently he’d become the one person you could always rely on. You rested your head against his chest. “God Joel you’re so warm.” You giggle to yourself wrapping an arm around his torso. “You won’t leave me alone will you?” 

Joel brings you in for a closer hug, “darlin, only for pee breaks.” He crosses his heart, and relaxes against the pillows. You softly hum and drift off to sleep, some little snores rattling against Joel’s chest making him laugh. “Silly girl.” 

 A few minutes later, Joel carefully shifted you off him before slipping out of bed. He padded into the bathroom, flicking on the small light above the mirror. Rubbing a hand down his tired face, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

After a few rings, someone answered.

“Hey, man, it’s me. Listen, I’m gonna need a few of those cameras for someone… Yeah—a woman. Think she’s been seeing someone in her backyard.”

The man on the other end agreed, promising to drop them off in a day or two.

“Good man. I’ll have the money for you then. Take it easy.”

Joel ended the call and switched off the bathroom light before making his way back to the bedroom.

He paused in the doorway for a moment, simply watching you sleep. His T-shirt was bunched up but swallowed your frame. The sight of you wearing his boxers low on your hips, made him go hard in his. 

He quietly crossed the bedroom, careful not to disturb you, and made his way downstairs to the basement.

Stopping in front of the washer and dryer, he rested both palms against the tops of the machines and let out a long, defeated sigh.

“Fuck me…”

He crouched down, grabbing a pair of jeans and boots from the floor. Both were caked in dried mud, flecks of soil still clinging stubbornly to the leather. “That was fuckin close” He turned one boot over in his hand, a guilty smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He rubbed a thumb over the thick layer of mud, knocking loose a few crushed daisy petals caught in the tread. One petal floated to the concrete floor. “Fuckin’ flowers…” he muttered, shaking his head, thinking he could make it through them without sinking and crushing them more.

He chuckled quietly to himself, remembering the way you’d yelled and bolted for his house, and him barely making it back in time before you knocked. “Ya cut it fuckin close, Miller.”  

He scrubbed a hand down his face and sighed, unbuckling his belt and dropping his pants to the floor. He pulls out his phone, searching through it and places it down onto the dryer. the screen showed a picture of you, sitting at your kitchen table playing with your hair, moments before you witnessed Joel’s accidental flash. “No darlin, you weren’t imagining it.” He chuckles to himself. “Stupid fuckin flash.” 

Joel spat into his palm and drew in a slow, steady breath, his jaw tightening as he stroked his cock. “Fuck…” he muttered, his voice rough and low. His eyes slipped shut for a moment, his head tipping back thinking of you and your sweet mouth sucking him off. A crooked smile tugged at his lips despite himself. “So fuckin’ hot—fuckin slut…”

His breathing grew heavier, frustration and longing twisting together in his chest. He scrubbed a hand over his face with a quiet groan, as he grew closer and closer to tipping over the edge. He imagines you kneeling before him, big teary eyes, mouth full of his cock—thanking him for being your saviour.

“Yeah baby just like that.” He grunts low as his stomach tightens and cums—it landing on his phone. “Fuck—me—“ His body sputters while one hand rests on the dryer. “Fuckin hell.” He lets go of his softening cock still dripping cum for the tip. 

Joel wipes his brow, sweat dripping at his temples. He leans down and brings up his pants and tucks himself back in. He picks up his phone— giving it a much needed wipe—trying to focus on the name to call. The phone rings. 

“Yeah?” 

“Hey it’s Joel. Got one for ya if ya interested. Gonna have to give me a week or two to wear her down though.” 

The voice chuckles down the phone. “Joel you’re a cold bastard. She hot?” 

“Yup. Fuckin gorgeous figure, pretty face, pretty smile. And I bet she makes some sweet ass noises.” 

The voice laughs again, “well let me know when you’re ready—send me some pics of her in the meantime. Clothed, unclothed. Bikini. In the shower. Then we’ll talk.” 

“Sounds good. I’ll get ya the pics in a few days. Gotta be careful.” 

“Understood” then the line went dead. 

Joel cleaned himself up, putting his muddy jeans in the washer and he’ll finish the boots tomorrow. He wants to get back to you. And speak of the devil…

“Joel?” Your voice sounded so small, frightened coming from upstairs, he barely heard you. 

“Yeah, I’m here.” He heard the creaking of the floor as he goes towards the stairs, “I’m coming, darlin—don’t worry.” You stood at the top of the stairs, playing nervously with the hem. “Where did you go?” You asked sheepishly. 

“Sorry, darlin—had to sort out some laundry while it was in my head. Come on, back to bed.” He shooed you playfully, giving your thigh a small tap. “You gonna be a good girl, f’me?” 

You give him a shy smile and as you turn to walk back, the floor disappeared. “Whoa. Fuckin hell, Joel—put me down.” 

“Nah, we’ll get there quicker this way, baby.” 

You preen at the name, maybe turning a little pink as you rest your smiling face against his neck, “thanks, Joel—you’re just the best.” Youve put him on a pedestal, and Joel was eating it up. 

This was going to be so easy. 

“A Summerween party.”

“…No.”

You leaned against the garage doorway with your sweetest smile. “You didn’t even let me explain.”

“I don’t need an explanation. It’s July—it’s a hundred degrees, and last time I checked, Halloween’s in October.”

“I’m aware what month where in, my love.” You say it so sweetly, “however—.”

Joel let out a sigh that could’ve powered the entire state of Texas. “…it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Oh, it isn’t. It’s just Halloween in July. Stop being such a grump—it’s happening. And you’re wearing a mask.” Joel straightened up, wiping the grease from his hands with an old rag. “I ain’t wearin’ no mask. Whole damn thing’s stupid.”

You rolled your eyes. This man was impossible. As if him saying no was ever going to stop you. “Well, everyone’s already been invited, and nobody gets through the door unless they’re wearing a costume…or at least a mask.” Joel let out a long groan before narrowing his eyes at you.

“And what exactly are you gonna be wearin’?” He strolled over, his hands immediately settling on your waist.

“It’s a secret.”

His fingers pinched gently at the soft flesh of your hip. “Hey!”

“What’re you up to, Missy?” Another teasing pinch. Then another at your stomach. “What’re you hidin’ from me?”

You squealed, batting his hands away as you laughed. “Joel, stop it! It’s a surprise.”

His eyes widened slightly, one brow quirking upward. “A surprise, huh?” He tried very hard to look unaffected, though the curiosity was written all over his face.

“Mhm.”

“Okay…” He scratched thoughtfully at his beard. “Not even gonna give me a little clue?”

“Nope.” You turned on your heel and walked away, leaving Joel standing there, wondering just what the hell you had instore for him.

Ѽ

The following afternoon your house was bursting with laughter. Orange fairy lights hung across the porch despite the blazing Texas heat. Plastic skeletons lounged in garden chairs wearing sunglasses. You had carved watermelons instead of pumpkins…it was ridiculous.

Exactly how you’d wanted it.

People had actually committed too. Most wearing masks. Tommy had apparently decided “cowboy” counted as a costume. A cowboy hat and a leather holster added to his usual get up.

“That’s literally just how you dress.” You moan at him, “but I’ll take what I can get.” Maria snorted. She’d gone with an unsettling old Minnie Mouse mask that somehow managed to make childhood terrifying. One of Joel’s buddies wandered in wearing a Richard Nixon mask. You stared for a second before bursting out laughing. “…Technically not Halloween…” You pointed at him. “…but he is a scary fucker, so I’ll let you off.”

The room erupted into laughter. Joel wandered over then, pulling on a Ghostface mask. You immediately gave him an approving nod “Awesome.” He spread his arms. “I look good all in black?”

“Yeah…ridiculously so.” You give him a wink and a slight tap to his butt.

“Well I’ll take that.” He slipped an arm around your waist. Through the mask he attempted to kiss you. Instead, plastic met your forehead.

Thunk.

You laughed so hard you snorted. “Smooth, Mr Ghostface, I don’t wanna be in your sequel.”

Maria wandered over carrying a drink. “Um—where’s your fuckin’ mask? Or whatever you’re wearing.” She stands with a hand in her hip.

“Oh…” you glanced upstairs. “I was actually just gonna get ready.”

Joel looked down at you suspiciously.

“I want you to be the first to see it, Joel. Come upstairs in about fifteen minutes, okay?”

A chorus of exaggerated—“Ooooooooh!” came from Tommy and Maria. Tommy slapped Joel’s shoulder. “Go get some, brother.”

Joel rolled his eyes. “So mature.” He looked back to you. “Okay, baby,” his thumb brushed your hand. “Fifteen minutes.” You squeezed his fingers before slowly letting go and disappearing upstairs.

The party continued without you. Music, laughter, people arguing over which horror film is the best. Joel leaned against the kitchen counter nursing a beer. Tommy shook his head as he looked around the house with all the Halloween get up. “The woman is nuts.” Joel smirked behind the Ghostface mask. “You’re only just figuring that out?”

“Summerween. Does she just make this shit up?” He laughs taking a swig of his beer.

“Ah, it makes her happy.” Joel says, taking a swig of his beer.

“…Still nuts.” Maria laughed. “She kinda balances you out.”

Joel couldn’t argue that.

Fifteen minutes later Tommy checked his watch.“Alright.” He nudged Joel “I’ll keep an eye on the place while you two inevitably get it on.”

Joel sighed dramatically. “…You’re forty-seven. Act ya age.”

“No.”

Ѽ

He climbed the stairs, knocked twice. “Hey, pretty girl…What’s your favourite scary movie—”

Joel opened the door and stopped. You stood in the middle of the room smiling from ear to ear. Shirtless, your chest tastefully covered by your folded arms and across your stomach was a beautifully painted bright orange pumpkin with curling green vines. You gave yourself a little flourish.

“I gotta say…” You grinned, “my favourite horror is definitely Halloween. The original, of course.”

Joel blinked. “…That’s… real pretty.” He scratched his beard. “So…your costume is a pumpkin on your belly.”

“Yep.”

“…What gives?”

You couldn’t help smiling. God, you loved this man the idiot. “Just thought I’d practice for when it’s actually Halloween.” You rested a hand over the painted pumpkin. “My belly’ll be bigger by then…look fuller.”

Joel stared, nothing. Absolutely nothing. Then his eyes flicked to your stomach. Back to your face then back again. His mouth opened, closed. “…Baby…are we having a baby?”

You nodded once. His knees looked like they almost gave out. Your smile turned watery, “yeah.” For a heartbeat neither of you moved. Then Joel crossed the room in three long strides. His hands cupped your face so gently it almost hurt. “You sure?”

You laughed through tears. “I took three tests. I didn’t trust the first two.”

A laugh escaped him—soft, disbelieving. Then he kissed you, slowly, tenderly. When he pulled away his forehead rested against yours. “Fuck… we’re gonna have a baby.”

“We fucking are.”

Joel looked at your stomach again. “So…” He swallowed. “I get to be somebody’s papa.”

“You do.” A tear escaped before you could stop it. He brushed it away with his thumb. “God, I hope they have your patience.” He says all of a sudden.

You snorted. “Totally agree.” You both laughed. Joel rested both hands against your painted pumpkin as though afraid to press too hard.

“I’ve been waiting all week to tell you. I almost cracked yesterday.”

He shook his head, smiling at himself. He kissed you again, longer this time. Gentle. Filled with every promise neither of you had words for yet.

Eventually you both laughed. “We should probably tell everyone,” you whispered. Joel nodded. “…Yeah.”

Before either of you reached the door, he paused. Then, without saying a word, he slowly knelt in front of you. His large hands rested carefully on either side of your painted pumpkin. He looked at it for a long moment, his expression impossibly soft. “Hey there, little one,” he murmured, almost shyly. Then he leaned forward…and pressed the gentlest kiss imaginable to your stomach. When he looked back up at you, his eyes were bright with happy tears. “I love you,” he said quietly.

You smiled through your own. “We love you too.” Joel stood, took your hand, and intertwined your fingers with his. “Well…” He smiled in that small, crooked way that was entirely Joel.

“Guess we’d better go tell the party there’ll be one more guest comin’ this Halloween.”

Ѽ

a/n: tw mention of pregnancy.

Joel Miller

Guard Dogs - Joel Miller x f!reader x Tommy Miller by @sprigsofhazel (series - ongoing)

Summary: your mom falls in love, elopes and suddenly you're uprooted from your shitty apartment and moved into a house with her new husband and his two sons, joel & tommy. your mom thinks you're the brady bunch, but you wholeheartedly disagree, until things between you and your step-brothers slowly start to shift into forbidden territory.

Season of the wolf - a Joel Miller x reader series by @mcthsman (series - ongoing)

Summary: The giant wolf that has been killing people around town shares a very striking feature with the quiet man that keeps breaking into your home— They both have the saddest, warmest brown eyes you've ever seen.

You take Peepaw Joel's virginity - Joel Miller x f!reader by @littledes1re

Summary: What if…we reverse the roles for a second and imagine it's you who takes Peepaw Joel's virginity?

Sight of Love - Joel Miller x f!reader by @sawymredfox

Summary: Joel learns something during a weekend getaway

Sweet Escape - Joel Miller x f!reader by @reedispunk

Summary: One week; that's all you need to survive without succumbing to the suffocating temptation of the wellness retreat's most unlikely client, Joel Miller.

Never Enough - Joel Miller x f!reader by @milla-frenchy

Summary: you don’t want Joel to go on patrol, so you make him an offer he can’t refuse

Bratty - Joel Miller x f!reader by @littledes1re

The best man - Joel Miller x f!reader by @baronessvonglitter

Summary:Decades after your hot summer fling, you run into Joel Miller at his brother's wedding.

You should feel lucky part XI - stalker!Joel Miller x f!reader by @ess-evo

Summary: You may have given up on life, but not on Joel.

Love shack - stepdad!Joel Miller x fem!reader by @aurorawritestoescape

Summary: You confess to your stepdad about having a crush and he gets angry and horny about it.

Honey Baby - Joel Miller x reader by @mcthsman

Summary: Dating your boss had never been in the cards for you until Joel Miller; ever the gentleman, he decides to court and take things slow, not wanting to turn your relationship into even more of an hr nightmare than it already is. You don't want to wait— You want him, right now, no more waiting. Your TikTok feed gives you the perfect idea of how to get his resolve to crumble.

Show me who you are part 2 - Joel Miller x f!reader by @hauntedinkk

Summary: since forming a committed relationship with Joel, you’ve retired scene partner porn and got a steady, more ordinary job in an office. You still post the occasional selfie on only fans or perform certain acts on yourself in livestreams. But this time, you ask Joel to join in on your live to spice things up.

Green ain't your color, Miller - Joel Miller x f!reader by @hauntedbymiller

Summary: Joels jealousy makes him act like a child.

Mine - Joel Miller x f!reader by @reedispunk

Summary: Joel loses all his self control when you accidentally wear his flannel instead of your boyfriend Tommy’s.

Lust (Taste in men part 2) - Se7en collection - Joel Miller x Javier Peña x fem reader by @milla-frenchy

Summary: you’ve spent a perfect night with your best friend Javi and your ex-boyfriend Joel, and the next day holds the promise of what’s to come

The Measure of Man - Joel Miller x OFC by @metaphoricgibberish

Summary: There are people of virtue who believe themselves to be monsters. There are monsters who believe themselves to be human. Most of us, though, exist in the impalpable space between monster and human.

______________

Joel is saved by a woman he believes to be an angel, who believes herself to be a monster.

Frankie Morales

The Small Things of a Whole - a Frankie Morales x Ben Miller mini-series by @sawymredfox

Summary: Intimacy glows in many ways: a knowing glance, a gentle caress, a hug, a playful smile, an inside joke, whispers of understanding and support, vulnerability, and offers of care with no demands of being repaid, among others. It grows if nurtured, blooming, making a whole.

Dave York x f!reader x Frankie Morales blurb by @gutter-noise

Obsessed - Frankie Morales x f!reader , Joel Miller x f!reader by @aurorawritestoescape

Summary: still in love and completely obsessed with his ex girlfriend, Frankie sneaks into your house at night where you live with your new man, Joel Miller.

Frankie - the best friend - Frankie Morales x OFC Daisy part 1 of Guy-Crazy series by @baronessvonglitter

Summary: After a disastrous breakup, Daisy's best friend Frankie offers her the jumpstart she needs to get over her ex.

Din Djarin

D. - Din Djarin x f!reader by @aurorawritestoescape

Summary: Din pays a visit to his beautiful little pet — you.

Haircut - a Wildest Dreams Drabble - Din Djarin x OFC by @604to647

Summary: You wake up next to your riduur.

Javier Peña

Medium Well - Post S3 Javier Peña x fem!reader by @604to647

Summary: You and Javi go grocery shopping in Laredo.

The buttoned dress - Javier Peña x Judy Moncada by @milla-frenchy Summary: after coming back from Judy Moncada’s house, Javi can’t stop thinking about fucking her.

Javi Gutierrez

Javi G- the rebound - Javi Gutierrez x OFC Daisy - part 2 of Guy-Crazy series by @baronessvonglitter

Summary:We go back several years to find Daisy healing her very first broken heart.

Pope Cody

Pope Cody sleep headcanons - by @mcthsman