#two dudes... two more dudes... two gals... one week... one rule...

However, it wasn’t the looming fear of being mauled by a demogorgon or the unbreakable feeling of boredom that was causing such a disturbance between Rockin’ Robin Buckley and her girlfriend. Believe it or not, their troubles were sourced entirely in the existence of Steve Harrington. Entering a relationship with Robin Buckley meant that Steve Harrington was going to become much more present in one's life than expected, but it didn’t seem so bad at first. It wasn’t until after they’d finally started exploring more intimate aspects of their relationship that Steve’s role as their exclusive third wheel truly became an issue. 

Steve had been a reluctant wingman in Robin’s later attempts to woo his sister. To be fair, he hadn’t really taken any notice of his sister’s interests until he began poking his nose around in her business. Once he began noticing little cues from her, then came the disgust and discomfort; it wasn’t the fact that his sister was romantically attracted to women, but rather the fact that she was attracted to Robin of all people–his best friend and his sister for crying out loud. Steve made an effort to point this out to Robin when he finally gave her his blessing.

This goes against every rule of bro-code, Buckley. You’re so damn lucky you’re not a dude. 

When they finally started dating, Steve suddenly realized how much he actually liked them together. They complimented each other better than he had ever expected, plus they were his two best friends in the entire world. He liked tagging along with his two favourite gals, offering to drive them around in exchange for their company, and so far, both girls had actually enjoyed having Steve cart them around, make them snacks while they cuddled on his couch during movie nights, and always played mediator during their minor disagreements. The downside to this, however, came with his constant presence, meaning that Robin was being deprived of her precious alone time with her beloved girlfriend, and it was becoming more and more of an issue. She was beginning to long for more than a few passing kisses, more than wandering hands in the few moments that Steve wasn’t in the room, more than—

Long story short, it’s been weeks since Rockin’ Robin ‘s gotten laid. And that was a problem…a huge one.

Robin wasn’t sure whether the dry spell was affecting her or her girlfriend worse. The younger Harrington had been known for her cheerful personality, always bearing a glittering smile and kindness beyond all measures, especially when it came to her brother. Steve was her best friend, he knew everything about her, everything she’d been through…they were in it together, always. But suddenly, she could see the smallest of changes in her girlfriend–the jaded smile every time he unknowingly interrupted them, or the crease between her brows each time that he insisted on joining their date nights. 

For a while, the worst he would walk in on was a heated makeout session with some wandering hands and occasionally a discarded shirt, which neither of them really minded too much, considering that it was usually in a place that was far too risky to go much further, but then it quickly transitioned into Steve completely inserting himself in every attempt they made to go all the way, and it was sucking all of the sweetness out of her girlfriend, which she wanted to be doing herself. 

The first time that she’d really noticed the simmering anger in her girlfriend, it was a Saturday evening, and Steve had finally landed himself a date. He’d been in a bit of a slump lately, so when they had listened to him excitedly recount how gorgeous the girl was, they were equally as ecstatic for Steve as they were for themselves. The night had gone smoothly, the girls had played house, cooking together, eating together, cleaning together…it was a sweet little insight to their future together, if they ever made it out of Hawkins, that is. 

Dinner was simple, considering that neither of them were too handy in the kitchen just yet, but some Hamburger Helper and a bottle of cheap wine they’d convinced Steve to buy for them still seemed like the most romantic dinner they’d ever had. Intertwined fingers across the table, candlelight flickering across blushing flesh and glossy eyes, uninhibited giggles and nervous flirting exchanged as the cheap alcohol disappeared from the bottle. 

“This is nice,” Robin said, wiping a plate dry with a cotton cloth, buzzing from the simple bliss she felt at the domestic action of cleaning up after dinner–her girlfriend washed while she dried.

“You like doing dishes?” her girlfriend laughed, “that’ll make things easy in the future.”

Robin flushed at the implication of the future, “I like doing dishes with you. No way you’re roping me into being your maid for life.”

“Oh, so it’s for life, now?” she smirked at Robin, wiping her hands on a spare dishtowel as she stepped closer, “I don’t think you know what you’re signing yourself up for. I’m told I’m very clingy.” 

“I’ve only said that once!” Robin scoffed, hands rising in defense, “I think it’s cute. Clingy is good. I’ll let you cling onto me any time you want, baby.”

A wicked grin appeared on the Harrington girl’s features–beautiful and eerily similar to that annoying grin that Steve gives her every time he is about to do something to piss her off, but somehow it still sends a rush of excitement through Robin’s spine as her girlfriend wrapped her arms around her neck, leaning up on her tiptoes to press a teasing kiss against her lips.

“That’s sweet, Robs,” she leaned closer to continue whispering into her ear, “but you haven’t seen clingy yet.”

“Bring it on,” Robin grinned as her arms looped around her girlfriend’s waist, pulling her impossibly closer as she reconnected their lips, forcing her between the counter and her own body, letting out a soft moan as she felt manicured fingernails rake through her hair and against her scalp.

“Been waiting to get you all to myself,” the Harrington girl sighed into the kiss, head tilting back as Robin’s lips slid down her throat, kissing and licking gently at the soft skin. 

“Don’t even go there,” Robin murmured into her flesh, one hand reaching to pop open the button of her jeans, “barely get any time alone anymore.”

“Guess the apocalypse doesn’t care for the sex lives of two social pariahs,” she laughed, thighs parting further and letting out a soft gasp as Robin’s fingers dipped beneath the waistband of her panties. “Shit, Rob, careful. ‘M sensitive.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Robin smirked as her fingers slid between her folds, “have you been this wet the whole time?”

She let out a little giggle, “Maybe. Guess I got excited at the idea of having you all to myself for once.”

“Well then, I think we have some lost time to make up for.”

The atmosphere in the kitchen changed. The same flickering candlelight and Madonna tape playing in the back, but the soft tones of the music were accentuated with the soft moans of the young Harrington girl, head thrown back in delight as Robin pumped her fingers in and out of her leaking core while her other hand found her bare breasts beneath her shirt.        

“You sound so pretty,” Robin said, lips sucking a small purple bruise on the flesh along the neckline of her top.

“Rob–oh!”

“You close?” Robin asked huskily, grinning as her girlfriend clenched around her fingers, her thumb rubbing gentle circles against her clit, “I can feel it. You that pent up, baby?”     

She nodded helplessly, eyes pinched shut as her head tipped back, brows furrowed in concentration and lips parted to release soft gasps as her hips rocked against Robin’s hand. She was so close. So, so, so–                                    

The door slammed open, Steve’s agitating voice echoing through the hall as he called out for them. Robin jumped back, hand sliding out of her girlfriend’s pants quickly as she rushed to rebutton them and adjust her top before her brother came storming in. 

He entered the kitchen in a huff, not even noticing the flush of his sister’s cheeks and the wide, nervous eyes of his best friend as he slumped down on one of the stools opposite them. 

“Love doesn’t exist anymore,” he sighed, “at least, not for straight guys. You two got lucky.”

“I’m trying to, anyway,” Robin mumbled under her breath.

Her girlfriend stifled a laugh as she jabbed her with her elbow, “what happened this time? She wasn’t over her ex? Did she not like your hair enough?”

“She liked it too much. What ever happened to good old fashioned dating?” He sighed dramatically, “why is everyone so obsessed with having sex? I mean, you can have sex any time, but finding the love of your life? That only happens once. Guess I’m stuck still being your guys’ third wheel.” His eyes fell to the VHS of Sixteen Candles on the counter in front of him, “oh hey, I love this movie.”

The girls shared an exasperated look, but both already knew what was about to happen.

“Steve,” the Harrington girl growled, “would you like to join us for movie night?”

“Why not,” he shrugged, “not like any of us have anything better to do, huh? This town is hopeless.”

They shared another look. One girl was suffering from being drawn so close to release before having it cruelly snatched away from her, while the other was dying to at least have a moment to lick her fingers clean–she wanted to taste her girlfriend at the very least, even if it wasn’t in the way she enjoyed doing so most. 

“Yeah,” Robin agreed, as if two of her fingers weren’t still coated in his sister’s slick, “definitely wouldn’t rather be doing literally anything else.”  

***

The next time it happened, Robin had been ambushed. Well, ambush is a strong word, but a sweet gesture by her girlfriend seemed to be a cover for a sexual infiltration of WSQK. She walked in the door with a brown paper bag in hand and an award winning smile on her face, causing Robin’s knees to weaken and her voice to crack as she spoke into her microphone, watching through the glass in confusion as Steve reached for the bag in his sister’s hand and gave her an annoyed look. She couldn’t make out their words, but she knew exactly what sort of tone they were using with one another just by their body language–she had spent far too much time in the presence of the Harrinton siblings.

When her voice faded into the music, she muted her mic and motioned for her girlfriend to come in, settling her headphones around her neck. 

“What brings a girl like you around here?” Robin asked teasingly, watching as her girlfriend closed the door behind her and took in the sight of her bare legs beneath the hem of her denim skirt. 

“I heard this voice on the radio in the car just now, guess I had to find out whether the face was as sexy as the voice.”

Robin blushed, “and what do you think?”

The Harrington girl moved to straddle her in the chair, hands cupping Robin’s face gently, “it’s even better than I imagined.”

Robin’s hands rose to settle on her girlfriend’s thighs instinctively as their lips met sweetly. Robin let out a moan of surprise as her girlfriend slid her fingers through her short brown hair, tugging gently as her lips moved eagerly down her jaw and throat.

“Hey, hey,” Robin gasped, “Steve’s literally in the other–”

“I forgot the soda he asked for lunch,” she grinned at Robin, “he was pissed, so I made him go to the store.”                                  

Robin laughed, “You forgot. How convenient.”

“You’re doing a lot of talking considering that we don’t have a lot of time.”

“Right, right,” Robin chuckled nervously, “kiss away, then.”

A devious smirk appeared on her lips, “I’m planning on doing a whole lot more than kissing.”

The girl dropped to her knees and forced Robin’s thighs apart, unbuttoning her jeans eagerly and shucking them down her hips forcefully. 

“Woah!” Robin gasped, “you just said we don’t have a lot of time until Steve comes back, and we’ve got–”she glanced at the queue of songs she had lined up, “like five minutes till I have to be back on air.”

“I only need two,” the Harrington girl smirked proudly, “now help me get these pants off.”

The next three minutes were a whirlwind, Robin’s jeans and underwear left around one of her ankles as her girlfriend buried her face into the dripping core between her thighs. Robin whined nervously as she approached her peak, eyes watching the clock and the door like a hawk as she finally fell over the edge–with two minutes to spare.

“You’re so good at that,” Robin panted as she rebuttoned her jeans, admiring the glistening slick decorating her girlfriend’s lips and chin.

“I’ve had practice,” she giggled, “and it helps when you’re so sensitive.”

“Well, can you blame me?” Robin sighed, “I haven’t had you all to myself in weeks, thanks to your pesky brother.”

“It’s not my fault you decided to be best friends with my brother,” the Harrington girl sighed, “besides, I’m the one who hasn’t gotten off in weeks now, not you, remember?”

Robin rolled her eyes, “don’t remind me. Let me get you back.”

“Don’t you have to be back on air in…thirty seconds?”

“Shit,” Robin lifted her headphones onto her ears, “let me just make up another queue really fast, then I’m gonna–” the music faded out suddenly, “hey folks, something’s got me in a real royal mood. Nothing better to get my fix of royalty than six whole minutes of Queen. Here’s Bohemian Rhapsody.”

“Wow,” the Harrington girl laughed, “the longest song ever. Smart move, Buckley.”

“Thanks,” Robin chucked her headphones aside carelessly, “now get on the couch.”

Robin was between her thighs before she could even lay back, underwear tugged down her legs and skirt pushed up as Robin tugged her thighs over her shoulders, diving in eagerly. The Harrington girl let out a loud moan as Robin’s tongue explored her folds with familiarity, sucking at her clit and grinning as she received the pathetic moan she was looking for. 

“You gotta hurry, baby,” she whispered as she pushed Robin’s head in further, “he’s gonna be back any–”

“Yo, Buckley,” Robin let out a groan at the sound of Steve’s voice, removing herself from between his sister’s legs and stuffing her panties into her pocket quickly, almost forgetting them on the floor next to the couch, “you did not put on Bohemian Rhapsody just for a longer lunch. You gave me hell for that last time.”

“I’m actually going to kill my brother,” she sighed as Robin settled against her side on the couch, arm curling around the back of the couch behind her, shifting her hips to pull her skirt further down to cover herself now that her underwear were balled in Robin’s front pocket.

“I think he might kill us first,” Robin joked, “death by extreme horniness seems inhumane, don’t you think?”

Her girlfriend’s face did not even shift in the slightest–no smile, no soft giggle, no warm look, no sign of immediate frustration that would eventually melt away and leave her the same sugary sweet girl that Robin couldn’t get enough of. Instead, she was stone faced, brows furrowed and lips pursed angrily as Steve forced his way into the booth. 

“Didn’t even have the one I wanted at the Quick Stop,” he groaned as he settled into the armchair opposite them, “which is exactly why I asked you to stop at the Reddy Mart downtown before you came. I asked for one thing, dipshit. And you,” he nodded at Robin, “can’t ever call me lazy again if you’re gonna start pulling tricks out of my book just to hang out with my sister.”

“At least she pulls them to hang out with her actual girlfriend, you do it just so you can think about what girl you’re going to terrorize next in the same pathetic attempt to get over Nancy.”

Robin raised her brows in surprise, eyes shooting between her girlfriend as she crossed her arms over her chest and Steve, whose face was contorted in an expression of shock, confusion, and hurt. 

“The Hell?” Steve choked out, “I’m not–I don’t–what the hell crawled into your undies, huh? Why are you being such a bitch?”

She leaned forward, a sneer on her face, “Nothing’s crawled into my undies. Literally nothing.” 

Robin sat back in defeat as her girlfriend rose to her feet, storming out of the room in a huff while gripping the sides of her skirt tightly in her fists. 

Steve looked at her exasperatedly, throwing his hands up as the door slammed shut behind his sister, “What the hell was that? Seriously, you two get in a fight or something?”

“No, we didn’t get into a fight,” Robin pinched the bridge of her nose, “she’s just…girl problems, you know?”

Steve’s cheeks flushed lightly, “Oh. Never thought of that. Hey, so that means that…when she’s on hers, are you also? No, don’t answer that. You basically just have to deal with that twice a month, huh?”

“No I’m not, and yeah, that’s how it works when two girls date each other.”

“Man, that must suck. That’s like, what two whole weeks where you can’t have sex. Brutal.”

Robin wanted to strangle him.

***

A few days later, Steve had promised to take Dustin down to visit with Eddie, who was in hiding with Hopper and Eleven. The Harrington girl, who had once been adamant to go with them, had ultimately opted out, still not speaking to her older brother since her outburst at the Squawk a few days earlier. Even Robin couldn’t convince the girl to leave her bedroom and face her brother, even with the leverage of seeing Eddie, who the Harrington girl had grown surprisingly close to while he’s been in hiding. 

Steve couldn’t stop going on about his sister’s behaviour the entire drive, complaining about how she just stomped around and slammed every door in the house, always having this bitchy attitude anytime she actually did speak to him. He threw an apology Robin’s way every time he insulted his sister, but proceeded to explain how, since she was his best friend long before she started banging his sister, she was still obligated to sit and listen to him moan about his annoying younger sister. Dustin, at least, was willing to engage Steve in this conversation, while Robin just rolled her eyes in annoyance.

She felt bad enough that they were both acting this way towards him, subtle jabs and underlying frustration with him for not even recognizing what sort of strain his consistent presence was having on their now-nonexistent sex life–well, Robin had been able to get there that day in the broadcasting booth, but her poor, sweet girlfriend was so pent up it was driving her insane. Meanwhile poor Steve, despite his nonchalance and unbreakable confidence, really was going through a slump and was still struggling to get over Nancy Wheeler. His sister’s words didn’t only ring true, they actually spelled it out for him, and despite how pissed he seemed to be about it, Robin could tell that he was more hurt than anything else. 

“Who pissed in Harrington’s cereal?” Eddie muttered to Robin as he wrapped her in a greeting hug, immediately taking notice of Steve’s mood, “and where’s that girlfriend of yours, Rob? I need my monthly dosage of sweetness.”

“She’s…she decided to stay home,” Robin sighed, “her and Steve aren’t really on the best terms right now.”

“Yeah, cause she’s being a rotten little brat,” Steve called out as he unloaded the boxes of supplies from his trunk, dropping them into Eddie’s arms before heading back to grab another, “decided to act like a child and not speak to me over…I don’t even know what it’s over!”

“She said some mean stuff to him,” Dustin told him, “hurt his ego a little.”

Eddie raised his brow, “What, my little cheerleader? She wouldn’t even hurt a fly, let alone big brother’s precious ego.”

“Why don’t we just talk about literally anything else?” Steve sighed, “seriously. Anything.”

A few hours later, while Dustin went off with Hopper and El, Eddie cracked open the bag of joints Steve had snuck to him, lounging back on the lumpy beanbag in the corner of his designated room, which was just large enough for the twin bed, a milk crate that acted as a side table, and the beanbag chair slumped against the wall. 

“So, now that little ears are out of the room, I gotta ask about little Harrington again,” Eddie smirked at the pair as he took a drag from the joint, “I think I might know exactly what might have gotten her panties in such a twist…” he turned his gaze to Robin knowingly, “Buckley, when’s the last time she’s gotten laid?”

“Woah!” Steve exclaimed, “I’m cool with my best friend dating my sister, but I do not need to know the exact agenda they have.”

“Well, that’s only if there’s anything to put on the agenda, isn’t it Harrington?” He grinned, “she listens to you bitch about your little sister, you listen to her sex life, or lack thereof. So what is it, Birdie?”

She glanced at Steve for a moment before letting out a sigh, “We’re not…not doing stuff. It’s more like I just never have enough time to get her to…you know.”

“This is so violating,” Steve groaned, “I do not want to hear about this. Besides, I’m with you guys all the time, why haven’t you mentioned this before?”

“Ah, and there lies the problem,” Eddie nodded, stroking his chin as he turned back to Robin, “big Harrington’s killing the mood, huh?”

“I am not–” Steve paused, turning his gaze to his best friend nervously, “wait, am I?”

“You said it yourself,” Eddie added, “you’re with them all the time.”

“We do have alone time,” Robin interjects, “and it’s not like we hate hanging out with you or anything, you’ve just had a habit of bursting in just as I’m about to…do her.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Steve shook his head, “so you’re telling me, that every time that I walk in the room, you two were just about to–”

“Not always, just like, eighty percent of the time,” Robin clarifies, “and there were a few times when it wasn’t so much about to as it was in the middle of.”

“Ew!” Steve cried, “you’re screwing my sister literally everywhere?”

“Actually, I’m screwing your sister almost nowhere,” she said.

“Hence why she’s been so pissed at you lately, Harrington,” Eddie grins, “man, when I’m allowed to walk free again, I should be a therapist.”

“Are you serious?” Steve ignored Eddie, “that’s why she’s in such a bad mood lately? Just cause you guys haven’t been having sex?”

“Just?” Robin gasped, “I’m sorry, do you remember what a little bitch you were when you went two weeks without a date? Well, it’s going on two months for us.”

Steve opened his mouth to protest, then paused, sitting back with his arms crossed, “was I this bad?”

“You were worse.”

A look of recognition crossed Steve’s face as he seemed to realize what sort of stint he’d been putting in their sex life lately. 

“Fine,” he sighed, “tomorrow. I’ll do the whole afternoon show myself, and she gets off at noon. The house is all yours.”

She stared at him through narrowed eyes, “Steve, are you giving me the afternoon off to go bang your sister?” 

He cringed, “don’t say it like that. Just…make her happy, yeah? I can’t take this for much longer.”

“Just…” Robin hid her grin of excitement, “don’t promise me this and then end up coming home early. I need you out of the house till like seven.”

“You need seven hours?” Steve exclaimed, “seven hours to bang my sister? Do you plan on killing her?”

“No!” Robin laughed, “but…she might not be able to walk after.”

***

Two days later, Steve sat at the kitchen table of his childhood home, sipping a cup of coffee and reading the Hawkins Post, which was almost entirely bullshit now that the town was cut off from the outside world, perking up when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

Robin appeared in the doorway, seemingly normal as she entered the kitchen in her pyjamas, as she had done so many times since she’d started dating his sister.

“Morning,” she greeted as she headed straight for the coffee pot, pouring two steaming mugs.

“Morning,” he watched her expectantly, “so…is it done?”

She let out a snort, “Oh Steven, I think it’s actually just started.”

Then, his sister appeared in the doorway, and his jaw fell to the linoleum floor. Her hair was a mess, falling over her shoulders in hand tousled curls, while her body seemed loose and totally relaxed. She wore a pair of small sleep shorts and a large sweatshirt, but the crewneck did nothing to hide the string of purple bruises along the column of her throat and–to Steve’s disgust–her inner thighs. She had a dopey grin on her face as she practically skipped into the kitchen, steps wobbling as she moved to curl her arms around Robin’s waist, totally oblivious to her brother at the table as she tucked her face into her girlfriend’s neck. 

“Come back to bed,” she murmured into her skin, “‘M not done yet.”

Robin glanced at Steve as her face flushed, rolling her eyes as he mimicked gagging, but couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his sister and best friend so in love with one another. 

“Babe,” Robin laughed, “Steve and I have to be at the station in an hour. You go back to bed if you want, we’ll be back in a little bit.”

She finally glanced at her brother at the table, seemingly unashamed of her state as she snuggled closer to Robin’s chest, “don’t keep her from me for too long, ‘kay, Stevie?”

He smiled at the childhood nickname, “trust me, I’m not looking to reawaken the beast. If I have to keep scheduling your guys’ sex life for you to keep the peace around here, I will. Just, next time, if you know I’m home, maybe be a little quieter?”

Ever since you’ve became sexually involved with this annoyingly but cute dude you’ve known since he could barely talk, he’s adored you.

Obviously, you guys grew up together. Parents are well acquainted, they even insisted you guys would get married. You hated the idea(you secretly didn’t) and Dino loved it.

It was always just you and your Dino, the scrawny boy who was about 5 inches shorter than you at one point, has now hit a major growth spurt in the past few years. Even though you guys go to different colleges, have different interests, you still hang out more than half of the time.

That’s what best friends do right?

But you guys weren’t just best friends.

Ever since Dino seemingly hit puberty you’ve just seen him…completely different. He was no longer a snotty nose toddler—he was actually a man, a man with thoughts. Dino was, and still is, a pervert. When you started developing a bit of weight on your chest and the area around your thighs, he would call you ‘fatty’ in a jokingly but harmless way.

He didn’t truly mean it, actually he secretly loved the way your body was developing. It made him shy and confused. To him it was completely new…why the hell did he love the way you looked? The way when you guys would hang out you’d slowly bite on a pocky stick, the way you would lay on your stomach on his bed and your ass was exposed.

His best moment of all is when he would catch a glimpse of your cleavage or nipples poking through your shirt, god that was the best.

No, you didn’t know he thought of you this way though. Until one day you guys had a sleepover with some friends, and essentially you got up to go pee in the middle of the night. While rummaging the dark hallways you could hear soft moans emerging from a not-so-closed door.

And yes, you peeked— well, you mean how couldn’t you? This would’ve been great blackmail for future reference. Or maybe that’s what you told yourself, but the fact it was coming from Dino’s room is what really got you going. He tried to hide it, you knew he did because when you looked through that little creak…

He was biting into a pillow, touching himself with his eyes so peaceful but sinfully closed. Not only was he moaning so much, but it was your name. You don’t remember how you felt exactly in that moment, amused, disgusted?

No.

You felt, excited.

Yes, excitement, why were you so excited?

Well, who wouldn’t love to have a new play toy.

It’s not like Dino was a stranger, he knew everything about you. He knew about your sexual encounters because you told him, he also knew how dissatisfied you were with them. Mostly because you hate, and absolutely hate men who try to take control 24/7. It’s annoying, you’re not a submissive type of gal, you assert the rules.

You said these exact things to Dino at one point, who would’ve known he had been listening ever so closely and taking notes ever so slightly. You and Dino were two peas in a confusing pod, and if anyone knew how to fuck you it was him.

To put it simply, after the day—the day you caught him masturbating to his imagination of you: Things changed, for the better or worse, who’s to decide. You enjoyed it though, the way he made you feel. Nothing is better than having someone who knows you in and out the bedroom.

You and him have probably fucked more times than you can count on your dandy fingers. Yes, that many times. Everytime, he didn’t leave room for the term ‘unsatisfied’— and neither did you.

If Dino could write an essay to his professor this very day about every little thing he loves about you and the way you make him feel in the sheets. It would be an 100 right away, not for the way it was written but for how much information he had.

You were his favorite textbook to learn from.

Dino was not all new to sex either, you weren’t his first time (but he wishes you were) so he wasn’t innocent. You ruled over him like he was though, and he loved it. He loved the idea of you corrupting his mind, he could only take so much when it came to you.

When Dino told you he had lost his virginity, you almost for half a millisecond, couldn’t believe it. No way, the Dino that cried when you pushed him off the swing…got laid? The same Dino that snitched when you ate the cookie, your parents told you to not eat.

No, no not the same Dino that would beg to sleep in your room when you guys were 10 at sleepovers. Only because he truly, and wholeheartedly, believed there was someone watching him through the window.

So what is he endlessly begging for like a starving carnivore? You, to taste it, to taste that sweet sweet pussy of yours. Yes he’s been begging for god knows how long, he needs it to survive longer he says. He said the texture and the taste will add 30 years to his lifespan, the dramatic effect is fun follow along.

It’s not like you didn’t want him to, you just like being a villain to tell the truth. You like to see him begging and on his knees like a dog. He would definitely brag about it for the next 3 months—actually, make that three years. Yeah, he would never let it down.

Fuck, just the thought of him makes him tremble at night just imagining your sweet moans created by him, only him. In a enclosed space that’s all he admired was the fact he would be driving his tongue so deep inside you he could touch your heart.

The first time he got to finger you, you ordered him to lick his fingers clean. Ever since then he’s been having this ongoing fantasy that he needs to damn near suffocate in between your smooth thighs.

You had teased him that the next time you came over you’d let him and look where that got you, his whining.

“Y/n, please, i’ll literally do whatever you want for the rest of eternity,” Dino grabbed onto your hands as you sat next to him, shaking them frantically.

“Yes that sounds like a good deal, but you already do that now my Dino.” You rolled your eyes at him just analyzing his desperation.

“I know, but now it’ll be ten times better,”

“How so?”

“I don’t know yet but i’ll make something up.” He slightly giggled at his own joke, as always. That stupid but cute laugh he had just ringing through your ears.

“Funny.”

“Y/n, I promise, I’ll make it worth your while,” he poked out his lips staring at you so …cute. Yes you folded, you absolutely did. More than you’d like to admit you have a super soft spot for Dino.

Even though you make the calls in the bedroom: If Dino wants something done, you’ll get it done. “Fine, stop begging before you basically drench my shirt because you’re drooling so damn much.”

Dino instantly and you mean instantly placed his hands at the hem of your shorts, you kind of flinched at his speed. “Whoa whoa, have you forgotten puppy,” you questioned him, placing your hand over his and he halted.

“Sorry…”

“No, no it’s okay, you can undress me,” you cupped his face as he slightly smirked, appreciating your understanding.

Dino slowly tugged at the cotton fabric and it softly brushed your skin as he took them down.

You were laying into the couch cushion behind you guys, Dino was to the side of you but without your eyes even noticing he made his way to his knees. He positioned himself right in between you, using the couch end to prop him up. He moved your leg up so it bent and your foot was on the couch, just so he could get a better look.

He observed, your shorts weren’t even fully off and he could already feel himself fixing to lose it. His own pants tightening at the crotch area as well.

“Y/n, i’ve dreamed of this literally.”

“Ew stop being so cringey dude,” you ruffled his hair and he put on a little frown at your rejection to his sentimental words.

He always seems to go on long and heartfelt rants, just randomly. Dino finally takes his sweet time to guide the almost discarded fabric down to take them off, immediately positioning you with your legs spread again.

You exhale loudly as he's deep in his own dirty mind, and you clear your own mind. You open your eyes and see Dino. He's staring at your half soaked panties, tongue sliding over his lips before they curl into a cocky grin. He loves how you're already so painfully wet, the large contrast of the dry and wet part of your underwear.

You exhale again, this time saying the words: “Go on, puppy. Touch me.”

And he does. His hands grip your thighs, his lips land on the clothed area of your clit when he dips his head down. You let out a long and dragged out sigh, gripping his hair as his mouth moves over your inner thigh. Even though you put on this nice poker face, you've wanted him to do this for a million years.

 His warm, soft lips and tongue trace circles around your vagina. For almost the first time you felt like he was teasing you, the way the fabric was in the way of you fully feeling him left you bitter. He looks up at you suddenly, you can tell he is nervous.

It's cute.

"I've never done this before...like ate a girl out.." he stammers so stupidly that you actually find it adorable.

You can't help but smirk at his confession. "You were begging and you've never even licked a pussy?"

Dino shyly closes his eyes and says, "Yeah, don't tease me though. I've never wanted to do this with anyone, but you."

You take his chin in your hands and force his head up. Your eyes lock and you say gently but obviously not so gentle, "Then show me how much you've wanted to do it."

"Could it be...you want it as much as I do, y/n." He smiled, but it was an evil smile like he just cracked the code. "Don't get a big head, puppy, I'll start giving you praise when you make me cum."

Dino scoffs mumbling under his breath before leaning down again, "Like I haven't done that before."

His body hovers over you now, and he takes the fabric of your panties in his teeth, pulling them aside so he can fully see your flesh. He loves the you're not completely bald, something about the fact you're comfortable with him.

[Half a year after Majima Goro had began working as the manager of the Cabaret Grand.] [The Grand's revenue had been steadily rising, but was still nowhere near the desired amount-- For the sake of further profits, Majima was aggressively scouting other clubs to refine his own business...]

<door opens, Majima walks in> Majima: ...Sawabe. How'd the new girls do today? (tl note: The name is 沢辺 which is pretty much just Sawabe or Sawanabe)

Grand Employee Sawabe: ...They seem to be doing reasonably well, the customers who like inexperienced girls have been asking for them. Majima: I see. Any gals seem like a standout?

Sawabe: I don't know about a standout, all of them have something special... except for one. Majima: ...Except one? What's goin' on with that?

Sawabe: ...There was one who just didn't seem very motivated. Her name is Arisa. Sawabe: But it's my job to make girls like that useful, so I've been trying to provide lessons. Majima: That's true. I appreciate the help. With how the number of customers keep goin' up, I'll take all the help I can get. Majima: Unfortunately I still gotta be out of the club, so you're my only hope for trainin' the girls here. Sawabe: Please leave it to me. Sawabe: I know that people are the same as water, if left alone they'll settle in low places.

Sawabe: I'll manage the new girls diligently, and make sure they're trained well. Majima: Please see that you do. Majima: ...And just to be sure, ya ain't gonna fall for some of the girls you're teaching and get handsy, right? Sawabe: ...Absolutely not. I could never allow my family to be on the street because I broke one of the club's rules.

[two weeks later...]

<the door opens, Majima enters> Majima: ...I'm back. How'd thing's go, and how were today's sales... huh? (tl note: TWO WEEKS DUDE???)

Sawabe: Ah, welcome back, manager. (tl note: oh okay Majima didn't walk in on hanky panky. my bad. sorry for doubting you Sawabe) New Girl Arisa: ...Well, I'm going back to the floor. Majima: ...Was that Arisa you were just talking to? Sawabe: Yes sir. She just lost her parents. But she still comes to work and does her training because she didn't want to miss any days... Sawabe: So I hear her out when she has difficult feelings that she can't express to the customers. Majima: .........I see. Sawabe: At first I thought she just wasn't motivated at all... I even scolded her a few times before realizing this was the case--she just couldn't get into the right headspace with all that sadness. Majima: ...And ya believe that? Sawabe: Huh? O-Of course. There was nothing to indicate she was lying. Majima: Gotcha. Majima: Seein' as she's havin' such a hard time, I ought to talk with her. <out on the floor> Majima: ...Arisa-chan. Ya got a minute?

Arisa: Yes? Can I help you with something? Majima: If you're makin' a play at Sawabe, it'd be best if ya stopped. Arisa: Huh? What are you talking about? I'm not making a play... Majima: ...Heh, I'm just sayin'. Majima: If ya have any troubles I'm also someone ya can come talk to. Arisa: Umm... Th-Thank you. If you'll excuse me. <she leaves> Majima: ............

[another 2 weeks later]

Sawabe: I'm sorry, Arisa. We can only meet up after everyone has already left. (tl note: I RETRACT MY PREVIOUS APOLOGY. SAWABE YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!)

Arisa: No, don't apologize. I'm the one asking unreasonable things... I know we can't let anyone find out about this. Arisa: Besides, I would be happy being anywhere with you, Sawabe-san. Sawabe: Arisa... Arisa: ...Still... The manager isn't going to be back today, right? Sawabe: Yep, he said he was heading straight home. Arisa: So then... it's really just the two of us. Sawabe: Yeah, just us two. .....But, is it alright if I do a bit of work first? Sawabe: It's the last day of the month, so I need to get our sales money so it can be transferred to the bank tomorrow. (tl note: Sawabe if you flake to go fuck a hostess and Majima gets the shit beaten out of him I'm going to throttle you on his behalf) Arisa: Okay, I can wait 🎵 Sawabe: I'm sorry. I'll get it done quick. <she leaves> Sawabe: Now then just gotta get the money out of the safe... <he opens it> Sawabe: ...Hmm? Oh, Arisa must have needed to use the restroom. Now then... huh!!?? <a bunch of goons rush in> Arisa: Sawabe-san. Thanks so much for opening the safe 🎵  ....Now I'll be taking allll the money in it.

Sawabe: Wh-... What the hell's going on? <a goon punches him> Sawabe: Guh... <he drops> Brawny Thug: That dumbass was a good mark for this... Have a nice nap. Arisa: Soooo cool 🎵 Thug's Pal: Hehe... Now we just stuff all this cash into the bag.

???: ...I went to all the trouble of warning you. Arisa: !? Majima: I already told ya, "If you're makin' a play at Sawabe, it'd be best if ya stopped".

Arisa: Wh-Why's the manager... Majima: I noticed ya gettin' awful cozy with Sawabe a little while ago. Majima: So I started doin' a little diggin' and figured out your plan. Had to be gettin' some thugs to rob the safe with ya--your parents aren't dead, your little brother doesn't exist, all ya've been doin' since ya got here is lying and cheatin' people outta money. Arisa: .......... Majima: And on top of trickin' Sawabe, here ya are tryin' to clean us out, which is a much bigger issue. Thug: Well... Even if all of that is true, how do you expect to get yourself out of this situation now? Thug: I don't see any cops around... Don't tell me you plan on handling this all by yourself? Majima: ...Of course I plan to. Thug: The hell? Are you mocking me! <goons rush in> Thug: That's just fine!! If you can do it, go ahead!!!!

<EVENT HAPPENS>

Brawny Thug: N-... No way...

<he collapses> Arisa: ...! <Majima walks over> Majima: ...We're done here.

<he kneels down> Majima: Hey, can you stand? Sawabe: Ugh... S-Sorry... <they're both back to standing> Majima: Don't worry. I'll let ya off easy this time, since I knew what was happenin'. Think ya'll get tricked again? Sawabe: Th-Thank you so much...! Nothing like this will ever happen again...! Sawabe: But... I really didn't think Arisa would do something like this... Arisa: I'm sorry Sawabe-san, Majima-san... That thug was threatening me... that's why I... Sawabe: Eh...!? Majima: ...Are ya that stupid. Now I know ya ain't the kinda guy for this. On the other hand, you were the one that was trickin' that man, ain't ya? Sawabe: Eh... Wh-What do you mean? Arisa: ...Haa, I messed up. That guy said he was a former pro boxer, but he was way too weak.

Sawabe: A-Arisa... you... Arisa: I guess I can't fool you. Are you going to hand me over to the police? Majima: Heh, that's surprisingly upstandin' of ya. Majima: However, I ain't handin' ya over to the cops. Arisa: ...Huh? Majima: There's no profit to be made in that. Majima: I'd rather have ya work at the Grand again. Arisa: Work at the Grand...? Majima: Exactly. Of course, if ya run off or play hooky then I'll throw ya to the cops without mercy.

Majima: And you'll have to make yourself a diligent hostess and work hard--I'll forget about this whole thing if ya become a girl that earns more than ya were gonna steal from this safe. Arisa: ....... Majima: ...What d'ya say? Arisa: I will... return to working at the Grand. Majima: Heh, that settles it. Arisa: Sawabe-san... I'm sorry for deceiving you. I'll do my best from here on out. Sawabe: H-Hold on a minute, boss! I-Is that really okay? Even after all this... Majima: Mhm. Sawabe: I know I was the one who got scammed, so it might not mean much from me, but still... Arisa-chan has the worst sales out of the whole club.

Sawabe: And then she tried to rob us, so, is it really okay to hire that girl...? Majima: It's true that her sales were bad, but that's cause she was half-assin' it. Majima: You experienced first hand just how good she is at this, didn't you? Sawabe: ........... Majima: To keep up a deception like that, ya need all sorts of skills. Majima: You're much warier than most, but she still got her fingers on your purse strings-- Majima: Seein' that you're a very doubting person, she used a lie about her parents' death to get ya sympathetic-- Majima: Two weeks or so of keepin' up that lie, playin' the part of the girl ya'd want, all with the goal of slowly foolin' ya-- Majima: Even with the risk of "If I lose my job my family will be out on the street" ya still caved. Majima: Gettin' someone ya just met's guard down, gettin' them to open their wallet, lying to find out more about them-- Majima: And of course, keepin' up the lie so the person you're talkin' with doesn't catch on... Majima: To me, those are the ideal skills for a hostess. Majima: If she approached our guests with the same diligence that she went after you, I have no doubt that Arisa would be our number one. Majima: In order to make 100 million yen in sales, even though there's a risk, I'm not going to let a profitable woman like her go. Sawabe: ...You may be right, boss. Majima: Whew... Well, I'll see ya tomorrow, but... try not to get scammed again, okay? Sawabe: ...Y-Yes sir.

[Afterwards, when Arisa resumed working at the Grand, things went exactly as Majima predicted. With her ability to see through her customers and her skillful lies, she had one man after another captivated by her. Seeking to become the Grand's number one hostess, she has risen to the very top.]

<EVENT END>

Bonus stuff:

unrelated to this event they released a White Day Kiryu where he awkwardly gives you a return gift. I’m not even making fun of him that’s literally what the title of his card is

Ichiban got one too where he bashfully gives you a senbei

and then not a White Day card but still a guy giving a gift, we got a new KSR 1995 Nishiki

something I didn’t notice until looking through Nishiki’s cards is that they give a date on Nishiki’s new hairdo

ONE YEAR??? NISHIKI YOU ONLY HELD OUT A YEAR??????? it was Christmas in 1995 too so depending on when in 1996 this is it could be even less time. it does make it a kind of cartoonishly awful year for him to have experienced though, if you condense all of the flashbacks into that span. that’s rough buddy

enjoy him looking so sad and dejected (he failed to beat up Haruka)

And here’s another thing. Maybe, just maybe. Like really, hypothetically speaking, you are falling in love with Jaehyun. Which is the number one rule not to break when you get involved in things like that, but it seems like your brain doesn’t work very well when Jaehyun is fucking you and it just mistakes his caring way of eating you out with something else.

But it’s fine, you’re a big girl, who knows how to deal and conceal your big girl feelings. It’s not like you’re going to do something drastic like confess to him or dye your hair pink at 3AM while listening to Beyonce sing about her cheating husband and feel like you too have been cheated.

It’s fine.

☾

“Your hair looks good like this.” Jaehyun whispers on your ear, sending shivers all over your body. “Pink suits you.”

Weird thing to say when he’s balls deep inside of you, but your heart and pussy seem to enjoy it because it makes you clench around him. “Oh.” You dumbly say, fingers gripping the sheets on his bed as he gives you a nice thrust. “T-Thanks.”

He’s good at this, like really good. And it helps that he has the biggest cock you had ever seen. He moves his hips faster, and the sounds of skin slapping makes your head spin. “Fuck. You feel so good, baby. Taking me so well.” His voice is raspy as he nuzzles at your jaw, pressing open mouthed kisses all over it.

“Yes — Yes. Please” You pant as his hands move down your sides, one just lingering on your chest. “Feel so full.”

He likes when you say shit like that because he knows how big he is. Has asked you to say it many times before. “Yeah?” One hand moves down, pressing at your navel and he gives you an insane look. “Feel me here? On your tummy?”

You nod, feeling so close to your high and it just gets better when he presses his thumb to your clit, circling fast on it. He seems close too, by the way his thrusts are getting erratic.

“Fuck, fuck. I’m gonna cum.” He moans and you raise your hips, chasing your own release. You’re so close, so close. Almost there. “Fuck, Yerim.”

It’s like a bucket of cold water has been dropped on you. You watch as Jaehyun comes inside the condom, his eyes shutting closing and lips parting. You just stand there, frozen and feeling extremely small.

“What the fuck.” You whisper, slowly getting out of the shock of what just happened. “What the FUCK?”

“What?” He asks just as he pulls out of you, pulling his underwear up like he has no clue that he just said someone else’s name while fucking you.

You get up, now angry with the blood in your system just starting to boil. “Are you fucking kidding me?” You search for your underwear on the floor, pulling it up, followed by your pants. “Who the fuck is Yerim?”

“What the fuck are you - Oh.” He finally realizes what he’s done, giving you a pathetic look that makes you livid. “Shit. I’m sorr-“

“Yeah, shit.” You roll your eyes. Is he dumb? Does he really think this is something a simple sorry can fix? You put on your shirt and move to grab your purse and keys. “This — Whatever this is — It’s over now.

He finally takes action, getting up from the bed and trying to touch you but you walk away. “Wait —“

“You’re an asshole, you know that? I don’t care that you are fucking other people.” Yes, you do. “But saying their name while you’re fucking me is a bit too much.”

He looks like a fish out of water, mouth opening and closing as he looks for the right words to say.

“Don’t fucking call me again.” Is the last thing you say before you are slamming the door shut.

Maybe this time you’ll just shave off your head completely.

☾

You don’t actually end up shaving your head. In fact, you get over the whole thing pretty fast. And Jaehyun, being such a nice guy, helps by not calling you even once just as you asked him to. Probably because he was too busy fucking Yerim, or whatever her name was.

Ok, maybe you weren’t that over it yet, but you were getting there.

“Aaaaargh.” You grunt out of nowhere, throwing yourself in the couch both your roommates are lounging around. Anne, a girl you had met on your first year of college and instantly clicked with, looks at you like you are crazy.

“Can you stop doing that? It’s the third time today you just make an weird noise out of nowhere.” She points out and Jisoo, the other roommate and biggest scorpio you had ever met, hums in agreement.

Your whine is childish and you would feel bad for bothering your friends, but right now what you need is for them to feel bad for you. “Please have some respect for my suffering. Your fake sniffles does nothing to them. “I just really need someone to dick me down, okay? Or else I’ll go crazy.”

“Dickpression.” Jisoo says and you almost laugh. She was right. “You need to stop being dramatic, for starters.”

“Why don’t you just call Jaehyun or whatever his name was?” Anne says and you gasp at the same time Jisoo lets out a hiss. Anne wasn't present when you had went on a little spiral about how he was the worst guy in the planet and how you never wanted anything to do with him ever again.

“Oh my god, Anne! Are you dumb?” A great friend, Jisoo was. “He cheated on her, let’s not say his name in our sacred space ever again.”

“He didn’t cheat on me.” It sure felt like it to you but you knew it was far from the reality. You weren’t dating or anything, he just happened to make a mistake that broke your heart. Things like this happened.

“Girl, he said someone else’s name while fucking you.” Jisoo says. “That’s cheating to me.”

You just shrug, not really wanting to have this conversation anymore. Just after the whole thing had happened, you had took some time to do some internal thinking and realized that your feelings for Jaehyun were stupid and you should just move on already. Easier said than done, of course. But so far you hadn’t cried once and you sure didn’t want to because your friends were validating your feelings.

“Well, whatever. That’s the past now.” That earns you a little ‘yes, girl’ from your friends. “We need to focus on my present situation and how I’m going to go crazy if I don’t get some action.”

You really were being dramatic. It had only been what, two weeks or so, and you and your roommates knew well enough that you had gone longer than that without it. You were not horny but you were bored, and that was dangerous enough by itself. But you were also heartbroken and a little thirsty for revenge, so that was just key for making bad decisions.

Anne bites on her nail, forehead a little creased as if she's in deep thought. That probably won't go well. “I think that what you really need is not dick. What you need is to go out with your friends and have some fun. ” She starts and you raise one eyebrow at her. “Get a little crazy, ya know? Put on a slutty dress and maybe flash your ass a bit in a sketchy club with your girlfriends.” 

She says the whole thing in a weird voice, making you laugh. “What’s this, some sort of intervention?” 

Jisoo laughs too, throwing a pillow at Anne. “Please don't start going on about how friends are more important than sex.” 

“First of all, they are. Gals before balls, or whatever.” She laughs at her own jokes. “But, for real. We could really go out. And if you still want some action I can hook you up with someone.”

Now that could go very wrong. Your past experiences with any of Anne’s friends had been awful, for starters. She just had some weird dudes on her friend circle and you weren't trying to get with a weird guy with a foot fetish again. “Like who?” You ask, skeptically. 

Jisoo watches the whole conversation, amusement on her face like she’s watching a soap opera. “I don't know, man.” Anne throws her hands around. “Johnny is a nice guy, mayb-”

“Oh my god, no fucking way.” You exclaim just as Jisoo jumps in excitement and yells her agreement. 

“That would be so good.” She says and you get a pillow to muffle your screams. 

“Why? What am I missing?” Anne asks.

“Johnny is literally Jae -- He’s the cheater’s best friend. That’s such a good idea.” That makes Anne clap excitedly like a child and you sigh loudly. 

“Is it? Is it really a good idea? Like, I’m sure I would be a really bad person if I used that poor guy like that.” You really would. Things were not messy right now but they sure would be if you started involving people that had nothing to do with it into the situation. On the other hand, you really would like to make Jaehyun at least a little bit upset.

You eye Anne as she grabs her phone and starts typing at ii suspiciously. “It wouldn’t, babe. You’ll just go to a party with a nice guy, have some fun and maybe make out with him a bit.” Jisoo says, moving closer to you to rub your arm affectionately. If you hadn't mentioned before, she was a really good friend. “Besides, you don’t have to do anything with him if you don’t absolutely want to. And if you do, then it will be for yourself not because you want to make some guy jealous.” 

She made a point. “And I just texted Johnny and he said he’s down for it, so there’s no going back now.” Anne deadpans and you let out a mini scream. 

“What the fuck, are you crazy? What did you say to him?” Snatching the phone out of her hand, you read the conversation she just had with him.

Anne: 

hey johnny

what’s up?

Johnny (from Chemistry 101):

heyyy 

nothing much wbu?

this text was a lil unexpected lmao

Anne: 

i know lol sorry

i just wanted to talk to you abt something

theres this friend of mine, ___. 

shes really down lately and i just want her to have some fun, u know?

You playfully punch her in the arm. “You asshole, I’m not down. You made me sound sad and desperate.”

“You were literally screaming about dick not ten minutes ago.”

You scoff. “Whatever.”

Anne: 

so i was wondering if you would like to meet her and take her out this weekend

i heard lee taeyong is throwing a party

Johnny (from Chemistry 101): 

okay...

that really came out of nowhere lol

Anne: 

lol ik 

but i promise you shes really cool

heres a picture for reference ;)

*attached picture*

Your friend was really selling you out like that. And that wasn't even a good picture. 

Johnny (from Chemistry 101): 

oooh damn

lmao

ok, give me her number :) 

“That was awful.” You hand her the phone back, throwing yourself back onto the couch with a deep whine. How would you even face this poor dude, you had no clue. Maybe you were a little fucked. 

“Stop being ungrateful, I just got you a hot date.” Anne says getting up and high fiving Jisoo. “Now who wants to order some pizza rolls?” 

What can you do but raise your hand in defeat. 

☾

When friday comes all you want to do is hide yourself inside your room and never come out again. 

Johnny had texted you that same day and, for your complete agony, he was really nice. Like, really nice. The type of people that within a week of texting already made you comfortable enough to share an inside joke with. And that would be great, amazing, fantastic, because you had a date with this man that was funny, nice and looked extremely hot. And was probably packing, but that’s beside the point. That would all be great if you didn’t feel like complete shit for using him. 

And yes, ok, you weren't exactly using him. Maybe just a little. But it still made you feel bad. 

But you were a big girl, you could do this even if you had to listen to your girl power playlist while you put on your ‘slutty dress’ and applied gemstones to the end of your liner, like you were about to star in Euphoria or some shit. And your friends hype you up, giving you that extra confidence you were lacking so that when you walk out the house you feel like you truly are the hot girl Megan Thee Stallion was talking about. 

Well, that lasts for about 20 minutes, which was the duration of the drive to Taeyong’s house. You go literally weak in the knees when you see Johnny standing outside the house where you both agreed to meet up. 

“I can’t do this.” You say because he looks so good, even looking down at his phone to entertain himself while you didn't arrive. And he was so tall, like probably a good head taller than you and if that wasn't the hottest thing you didn't know what it was.  

“Yes, you can.” Anne says, patting your butt and giving you a sweet smile. “Now go get him and make that bitch pay.” 

So you go, legs shaking a bit when Johnny gives you a big smile as he spots you. How long would it take for you to fuck this up, you wonder.

He hugs you like you were long time friends when you come close enough and you almost sigh from how good he smells. “You look good.” He compliments and you almost melt, head going a bit blank when you feel his hand on your waist. 

“Oh, thank you.” The laugh you let out could only be described as awkward but he doesn't seem to notice. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” That was good. Smooth, carefree even. You let him lead you inside the party, hand still in your lower back as he basically towers over you. 

You feel overwhelmed the moment you step inside the house. There’s not many people, but enough to make it feel like the place is almost too crowded and the song playing is so loud that you cringe. You run your eyes through the room and when you spot the kitchen you drag Johnny by the hand, wanting to get there as fast as possible. You don't notice you haven't even thought about Jaehyun for that short amount of time. 

“Let’s get drunk!” You exclaim when you both enter the kitchen and that makes Johnny laugh.

“Alright.” You feel his eyes on the back of your head as you pour the two of you not one, not two, but three shots of tequila each. “Not wasting any time are you?”

“Nope.” You emphasize the ‘p’, dipping your hand in the salt bowl and licking it before you offer the bowl for him and he does the same. His eyes don't leave yours as he licks the white substance and that makes you nervous for some reason. You shake the thoughts by grabbing your shot and raising one eyebrow at him. “Ready?” 

“Let’s do this.” Is his answer and then you are both downing the first shot, grimacing before moving to the next and by the third one you are already laughing, barely being able to bite onto the lemon Johnny holds out for you. 

You look directly at him, mischief in your eyes, when you finally bite the lemon, sucking of it before the sour taste fills your mouth. He laughs when you let go and your face contorts. “Stop laughing at me.” You playfully laugh, poking  your tongue out at him. 

“I’m sorry, I just thought you would handle it better.” He teases. “Suggested doing three shots right away, after all. 

“I just wanted us to let loose, that’s all.” You justify and he hums in agreement. “Want tonight to be really fun.” 

“It will be.” Then he’s holding your hand and pulling you out the kitchen.

It turns out to really be fun. You get drunk pretty fast after the tequila shots and Johnny is so funny that you laugh at almost everything he says. He talks about what he’s studying, about how he detests chemistry and how he almost lost his hair when he tried to bleach it. And he doesn’t mind when you interrupt him when a song you love starts playing and you have to dance to it. 

You let yourself go when you two start dancing, his hands on your waist as you do whatever your drunk body wants to. It’s nice, not thinking about anything but the song that is playing and you enjoy it, swaying your hips and even singing some of the lyrics. It’s really fun, until your eyes focus on something you really didn’t want to see. 

Jung Jaehyun, standing on a wall with some friends that you don’t know around him. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and you can see the silver of his necklace from how low the neckline is. He has a drink on his hand and his friend seems to be excitedly talking about something, but he’s paying him no mind because his eyes are on you. His eyes are on you and your head suddenly starts spinning. 

How long had he been there for? Did he see you basically grinding against Johnny, who happened to be his best friend? Was he jealous? Was he angry? If he did and if he was, that meant your plan worked. You gotten your sweet revenge. But why didn’t you feel happy?

“You okay?” Johnny’s voice snaps you out of your little trance and just then you realize you had stopped dancing. 

You nod your head maybe too fast. “Yeah, sure. I’m peachy.” He gives you a puzzled look, hand brushing a strand of your hair that had fallen into your eyes. You hate how sweet the gesture was. “What about you?”

He smiles at that. It’s easy to make him do that, you realize. “I’m good. Want to drink something?” 

“No, it’s fine.” You reply, speaking your next words without really thinking. “I actually gotta find my friend, Jisoo. To make sure she’s okay and all.” 

Johnny’s probably too understanding for his own good. He lets you go that easily, saying he too will go find his friends and that the two of you can meet later on. It’s so easy it’s pathetic. 

You move from the dancing and drunk bodies until you’re standing in an empty corridor and you let your back hit the wall as you try your hardest not to sink to the floor in frustration. You were dumb, that’s what you really were because you knew exactly what would happen now. 

He finds you easily, probably had been watching you from the moment you walked away. “Fancy seeing you here.” His voice is low as he approaches you, eyes searching for yours and you want to slap his face when they meet.

You snort. “Is it really?”

He just shrugs, offering you his cup and you eye it suspiciously. “Want some?” He asks and you shake your head. 

“What is it?” What you really want to ask is why he’s being so nice and why is he acting like everything is fine between the two of you.

 “Orange juice.” Is the clever reply he gives you and you would laugh in other circumstances, you really would. Because you liked boosting his ego, liked seeing his smile when someone appreciates his jokes.

“You’re not funny.” Is what you decide to say.

He raises his eyebrows, probably not expecting that reaction. “Damn, okay.” He looks uncomfortable, uncertain and that is a high contrast to the bubble of confidence he usually appears to be. The first time he met you, he talked to you like he knew you would fuck him by the end of the night. Not in a cocky way, but in a way that made you actually want to do it more. That’s gone now.

“What do you want, Jaehyun?” It’s a genuine question. He had followed you for a reason, you both knew that.

He looks down, almost in a shy manner and it makes you feel inadequate for some reason. “Just wanted to talk to you, I guess. it's been a while.” He mutters lowly. “Kinda miss you.”

Lies. What does he miss exactly? Talking to you? Unlikely because of all the things you did together, talking was not on top of the list. Your body? Sex? Couldn't be, because apparently he could get it  with plenty other people.

“Well, that's too bad.” You reply bitterly. “Besides, I don’t really feel like talking to you right now.” 

He looks genuinely hurt at that but only for a moment and you almost feel bad for it. Almost. “Come on, don’t be so mean to me. Im sorry, okay?” His voice drops even lower as he comes closer to you. Risky thing to do, in your opinion. “What I did was stupid. But you can be mad at me forever, we weren't even dating.”

“Thank god.” You mutter and he rolls his eyes at that. He’s standing very close to you know, hovering above you as you can see every detail of his face. Can smell the perfume you like so much and it makes your head spin.

“It's not like I cheated on you.” His voice is completely defeated. That’s far from the right thing to say and he knows that too. 

“You really are an asshole. I told you before i don't — didn't — care if you fuck other girls.” You hiss, avoiding his eyes. “But what you did was the awful. You made me — You broke my heart“

“I know and I'm sorry, how many times do i have to say it?” He does sound sorry, you’ll give him that. “Come on, can’t we just be good again, baby?” 

Maybe that’s the moment it all goes down. Maybe it was already over from the moment you saw him staring at you. 

“I don't know, Jaehyun.” But you do know and for a moment you just stare at him like he’s staring at you, wonder if there’s want in your eyes like there is in his. You stare at his lips before he talks again. 

“I like these things on your eyes.” He always hits you with the most random compliments that make you go weak in the knee.

“Please don’t say things like that.” You whine and hit him lightly on the chest. That makes him smile and you wish it didn’t. 

“Why not?” He asks teasingly. 

“You know why.” He knows, he really knows. That’s why he moves his head down just a little so that he can press at kiss at your cheek. 

You should push him away right now. That would be the smart thing to do. The right thing to do. Johnny was probably somewhere looking for you right now, and here you were, letting Jung Jaehyun make you a fool out of yourself again. You should be angry, mad, not putty in his hand. 

“Tell me this, baby.” He whispers against your ear and you feel small. So small he could just grab you in his hand. “Did you come with Johnny to make me mad? Huh? Don't lie to me.”

“I didn’t.” Yes you did and your plan had worked apparently. But not in the way you expected. “The world doesn't revolve around your dick, you know.” 

He laughs lowly. “Really? Because I think you did. Dancing all around him like you knew I would be watching.” He tsks, voice is smug and you wish he would just end your suffering. “You don't have to do that baby. I already want you enough.”

“You’re evil, Jaehyun.” Is all you manage to say, voice slurred. “I can’t think straight when I’m around you.” 

All you can think about is how you want to kiss him right now, and he seems to be thinking the same thing. “You know you don’t have to think at all. I got you.” He murmurs against your skins, lips pressing on your jaw, kissing your face until he stops at your lips and they immediately part for them. 

One of your hands slips to the back of his hair then, closing the distance between you two. It’s a slow, languid kiss and you can taste the alcohol from his lips. Or maybe it’s from yours, but you couldn’t care less right now.  His hand holding your face is what keeps you grounded, because the feels of his tongue sliding against yours in opened mouth kisses could kill you right now. 

When you part from the kiss you’re both breathing heavily and his hands stay in your cheeks. “I want you so bad. Always want you.” He says, voice raspy. And who were you to deny him of that when you wanted him just as much. 

☾

He was onto you the moment you stepped inside his room. Lips attached to your neck as you kept a vice grip on his hair, letting him know how much you were liking it. Usually Jaehyun took his time, building you up until you were begging, but tonight he seems to be the desperate one, with the way he grips your thighs, trying to push you closer to him and onto the bed at the same time.

You fall into the bed with a huff, him right on top of you and he continued his work on your neck. Tilting your head to give him more access, you feel the slide of his teeth on your sensitive skin and it makes you let out a moan. He continues doing that for a while, pressing kisses all over your and removing your dress while at it for better access. You give in easily, of course you do. 

“Do you want me?” He asks suddenly, voice muffled on your neck and you nod desperately.

“Yes. Yes, please.” You sound needy, pathetic. You are sure he loves it. He bites your neck after your reply, hands holding your thighs so he could scoop you up in the bed and your legs curl around his waist. 

You watch as he moves to remove his shirt and unbutton his jeans and you follow his lead by removing your own bra, biting your lips after throwing it somewhere in the room. 

He wastes no time in diving in your chest, licking one of your nipples before he starts sucking on it, making you arch your back underneath him like you’re asking for more. When his teeth close around it you let out a loud whine that makes him smirk against your skin. “Always so fucking loud for me.” He mutters and you can only reply with incoherent words. 

He kisses you again then, this time slower, with your mouths parting as he slides his tongue against your teeth before he’s sucking on your bottom lip. He moves his hips against yours in a slow grind, as if to test the waters, and your mind goes blank at the feeling of him hard against you. Fingers raking on his back, you try to bring him closer to you, as if that was possible. 

“Are you wet? Hmm?” He whispers against your jaw and you can only nod. As if to check, he presses two fingers on your clothed core. The way you have soaked through the cotton of your panties seems to be confirmation enough because he removes them, followed by his own underwear. 

Back on you, he drags his middle finger to your slit to your clit, circling it in a torturing way. He inhales deep when you whine against his lips. “Jaehyun.” His name falls from your lips in complete surrender. 

He presses one last fervent kiss to your lips? “Do you want it? — Fuck — Please, tell me.” His voice is strained as his hardness slides through your lower lips and you try to press him closer with your calves on his hips. “Please.”

“I want it - Jesus, I want it so bad.” Is all he needs to hear. In a blur, you watch him reach for his bedside table and retrieve a condom. You watch as he slides it on and then squeezes his cock in his fist trying to calm himself down.

He guides himself to your entrance, pushing the tip inside and your head spins, making you moan loudly. “That’s it. Take me, Baby — Fucking hell — That’s it.” 

it’s pure bliss when he bottoms out, you sighing from how full you feel and him grunting deeply in his chest. His hands immediately grips at your hips and he gives you the first thrust, hard and deep. 

He only gets rougher, each trust hitting you deeper than the last as his hips moves against yours. It’s when he whines against your mouth and brings a thumb to your clit that you know he won’t last long. “So fucking tight, god.” He hisses. “Taking me so well. You always take me well.” 

You bask in the praise, and with another thrust you’re coming all over him, squeezing him in and legs pushing him even deeper. “Oh, fuck.” You almost yell and he swallows it with his lips.

In a moment he’s coming too, with a low grunt and what you think is your name falling from his lips. You can feel him pulsing inside you when his forehead knocks against yours. This was probably the fastest any of you had ever reached your release with each other and you weren’t sure what that meant. 

Closing your eyes as he pulls out, you try not to think about it.

☾

You wake up with a headache and an ache between your legs. When you open your eyes, the surroundings are familiar and it only makes your head hurts even more. You remember every single thing that happened. 

Just as you sit up in the bed, Jaehyun walks in with a plate of what you think is sliced fruit and a glass of water that he hands you. “Morning.” His voice is raspy and his face is puffy, meaning he hasn't been awake for long. 

“Morning.” You reply, voice barely coming out so you down the glass of water before speaking again. “What time is it?” 

“It’s almost 3pm. We slept a lot” You mutter a little ‘fuck’ as he sits next to you in the bed and it feels weird to be here, unnatural. You had never stayed over before and it shows on how neither of you know how to act. “Here, I cut some apple for you. Might help if you’re feeling sick.”

Now that’s sweet. Too sweet for the occasion. “Thanks.” You take the plate from him, picking one slice and biting into it. It’s silence for a minute, only your chewing and the fan sound filling the room. You try not to think about anything, or else you would have a panic attack right away.

He clears his throat suddenly and you brace yourself. “About what you said in the party. I didn't mean to.” His voice is barely a whisper as he stares at you. “Break your heart I mean.”

You mutter a little oh, slice of apple falling from your grip. There’s nothing you think of saying, so you just stare back at him. He’s really beautiful, and you had noticed before of course, but right now fresh out of bed and unguarded he looks almost angelic. 

“But I can't give you what you want.” He continues and each word feels like a punch in your chest. “I'm not ready to be anyone's boyfriend.”

“Okay. I can understand that.” Your response is flat, dry.

His eyes soften at that. “It’s okay if you hate me.” 

“I don't.” That’s a lie at the same time it’s not and he gives you a look because he knows that too.” Okay, maybe a little bit.” 

He gives you a sweet smile that only makes you heart ache more and you place the plate he gave you on the bedside table before getting up.

“We can still be friends.” He says while you’re getting dressed.

You cringe at his words. How naive of him to think like that. “We are not friends, Jaehyun.” Your voice is small, not wanting to hurt him even though he just did that to you. “ And… I don't think I want us to be.” 

“Ok.” Is the only thing he says.

“Ok.” You mimic, before you’re walking away.

☾

The walk of shame is, thankfully, better than the rest of it all. You walk the whole way from Jaehyun’s dorm to yours in complete silence and without a thought in your head. It’s nice not thinking about anything, because these days it seems like your mind won’t let you catch a break. There’s always something in your head, how you need to raise your GPA and how you might fail a class or two, the uncertain thought of maybe not being able to find a job after you graduate. And finally, the one that makes you stay up at night, the excruciating thought of not being good enough for anything or anyone. That’s the one that makes you stay up at night staring at the ceiling as your insides eat you alive and the one that makes it hurt just a little more that Jung Jaehyun doesn't want you. 

But you don’t think about that at all. Not until you reach your house.

When you open the door you are met with emptiness and silence, and for now you’re thankful for it. You check your phone just in case, as you drop your things in the kitchen counter, and are not surprised to be met with 10 phone calls, 2 of them being from Johnny and a crazy amount of texts. 

You only open the chat with your roomates, quickly going through their messages of worry and sending them one back reassuring you were ok and had just gotten home. After that you shut your phone down, moving silently to the bathroom. 

The cold water of the shower manages to wake you up from your daze. Taking a deep breath as the water streams hit your back, you think back to the conversation. If that could be called a conversation at all. He did most of the talking, like he had it all planned out on his head. And it was so sudden, so quick that you think he probably wanted it to be over fast, like ripping off a bandaid. 

But it was better like this. You wonder if you would have said anything you regretted if you had stayed longer. You shut your eyes tightly. 

You hadn’t cried about it yet. You probably wouldn’t, didn’t really feel like it. This isn't even heartbreak, if you are being honest with yourself, this is just a bruise to your ego, that the target of your infatuation didn't reciprocate your shallow feelings. And it hurts, of course it does but there’s ways to fix it. 

When you get out of the shower and finish drying yourself you realize that you don’t want to be alone at the moment. You think of calling your friends, but they wouldn’t rest until you had spilled every single detail and you weren't ready to do that yet. 

Your thumb hovers the number that had texted you five times yesterday. The first two asking of your whereabouts and the last ones asking if you were okay, and to text him. You don’t hesitate before pressing on the call button. 

It rings three times before he picks up. “___. Hi.” His voice is sweet, even after what you did. 

“Hi, Johnny. I’m sorry for not calling earlier, I just passed out when I got home.” You give a little chuckle, trying to hide your nervousness. 

“Oh, that’s fine. Are you okay, thought? You disappeared last night and then Anne texted me asking if I knew where you were.” It’s an awful feeling knowing you made your friends worried, but you would fix it. You always did.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Sorry about all that.” Your clear your throat before asking the next question. “I was kinda wondering If I could come over… I can bring food, to make it up to you.” 

And he says yes, of course he does. So you get ready, buy the chinese takeout he said he liked and in an hour you’re standing outside his house. 

“Hey, there.” He greets you with the same warmth he did yesterday. Only this time he looks more laid back, with a white t-shirt and sweatpants. It’s a good look. “You’re a savior, I was starving.” 

He takes the food from your hands and you laugh, walking inside his dorm and taking it in. It looks nice and you wish you were here in different circumstances, that you had taken time to actually get to know him instead of rushing everything to fulfill your own ego. “Are you hangover?” You try and make small talk while he gets the utensils he needs before gesturing to the couch in the middle of the room, and you take a seat. 

“Not really. Didn’t drink much after you left.” He places the food on the small table in front of you, opening the lids and you suddenly realize how hungry you were. “Are you?” 

“Nope.” You reply. You only had a headache, but you doubt that was from a hangover. 

“Then one beer won’t kill us.” He jokes, placing the beers he had retrieved from the fridge before finally sitting beside you on the couch. 

You start eating after that, both of you too hungry to talk about anything but Johnny keeps you entertained and you are not surprised to see he’s just as nice as he was yesterday. 

Only when the food is gone and Johnny is cracking open his second beer you decide to say something about what happened. 

“Listen, I’m sorry about last night. I got caught up with a friend and you know, had to help her out.” The lies comes easy and you feel bad, but the truth would be far worst. “I really did have a good time, though. Before I left.” 

He takes a sip before he’s smiling at you. “It’s fine, don’t worry. Shit like this happens.” You stare at his face. It’s impossible that he’s real, with his pretty face and understanding words. “And I had a good time too, was just a bit sad that I didn’t get to even kiss you.” 

That surprises you and you blush at his words. You knew he was at least a bit attracted to you and in the end, wasn't this the reason you had called him asking to come over in the first place? Isn't this what you wanted, a bit company? But you didn't expect him to be the one initiating it. 

You gulp down the lump on your throat. “W-We have time now, though. Don’t we?” 

He just laughs, nodding before he’s kissing you. It’s a slow, tentative kiss and he holds you by the back of your neck. He pressed his lips against yours, before he’s pulling at your bottom lip and you grip at his t-shirt. You’re impatient, trying to lick at his lips to get him to part them but doesn't let you have your fun. 

He just moves your head to his liking, kissing you deeper and your grip on his t-shirt gets tighter as your try to get him closer to you. 

He chuckles from your desperate ministrations, and you wonder when you had become this person, that is greedy and pathetically needy. That wants things to move fast so you don’t have time to think about Jaehyun. “Easy, angel.” Johnny mutters against your lips. “We have time, remember?” 

You just nod, trying to wrap your mind around that fact. You take a deep breath and start again. 

Maybe this time you would get things right.

----

 Charlie was having a great time and Dave was glad for that because he was not. He was being stared at by every person in the street as if they’d never seen a dude with muscles before.

It was the shirt.

He knew it was the shirt.

And possibly his nipples. Smashing the brochures high enough against his chest to cover them wasn’t going well and the highlighter teal underarmor Dani had forced upon him left very little to the imagination here.

There wasn’t anything else to do but let the poor things live their best lives.

“Dad, gimme more,” Charlie said.

She tugged at the brochures covering what was left of his dignity.

Blessed child, who hurt you?

“Where did the others go?” he asked her.

Charlie pointed across the road to a gaggle of ladies leaning out from their stoop, smiling.

Ah.

Yes.

Them.

“Let’s try for someone who looks more like a bro,” he told his offspring.

Charlie blinked up at him.

“Why?” she asked.

Oh, baby.

“Because they’re an easy mark,” he said. “Go up and say ‘my dad can take you’ and send ‘em my way, okay?”

Charlie’s face went from confused to ready to kill instantly.

This was her game face. This was her ‘I’m gonna wreck this goalee’s teeth’ face.

Dave shouldn’t have been proud of her, really; her teachers said that she was becoming argumentative and obstinate in the classroom. But there was just something there in the fact that his kid sure as shit wasn’t no sheep that made his chest feel big, wide, and full of hot air.

“I’m on it,” Charlie said.

He gave her three brochures and let her scramble off to the other side of the sidewalk and then turned to meet the eye of a family with a father with neat hair and the beginnings of triceps peeking out from under his sleeves.

“You lookin’ for a gym, sir?” he asked.

The guy looked his way and eyed him up.

He took a flier on his way past.

 --

 “Excuse me?”

“One second, man,” Dave said, doing the rock-shuffle to keep all the fliers on the table from blowing away.

“Excuse me.”

“Hey, I said just a sec,” Dave snapped.

He turned back and found himself staring into the dark eyes of a bald man with olive skin and deep wrinkles in his forehead.

And Dave knew him.

Holy shit.

Dave knew him.

Fuck.

God.

Jesus, Lord.

“I am so sorry,” he started.

“DAD.”

Ch—Charlie?

He looked down and sure enough, holding Rudolph ‘Diamond’ De Luca’s massive bearpaw was his very own daughter. De Luca made her wiry, suntanned limbs seem like unbaked pretzels.

He was so much bigger than he’d seemed on TV all those years ago.

“This your kid?” De Luca asked.

Jesus.

“She is. I’m so sorry,” Dave said, “Did she—she didn’t bite you or anything, did she?”

“Dad,” Charlie whined. “Don’t tell ‘im that.”

“I’ll pay for whatever damage—” Dave continued.

De Luca blinked at him impossibly slowly with long dark eye lashes. He turned his face slowly back down towards Charlie.

“You sure this is your old man?” he asked.

Wh—

Wait.

What the hell did that mean?

“That’s him,” Charlie moaned. “He’s just bein’ dumb. Dad. Stop bein’ dumb. This dude’s the real deal. He’ll fight you in a heartbeat.”

Dave grabbed his child before she could cause any more damage. She made a fuss, but let go of De Luca’s mitt. Dave shoved her behind him, just in case this situation got any more tense than it needed to be.

De Luca lifted an eyebrow at that and then brought his face back up to Dave’s.

“Who’s gym?” he asked.

What?

Oh.

“Spitfire,” Dave said. “We’re, uh, just about there, on the—”

“I know where you’re about,” De Luca said.

Dave didn’t know what to say. De Luca held his eye.

Oh, god.

This wasn’t going well.

“How old are you, son?” De Luca asked.

FFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffuck.

“38,” Dave said.

“And your baby girl?” De Luca asked, gesturing with his chin down at Charlie.

“I’m 12,” Charlie told him brightly.

“Hm,” De Luca said.

He shifted his weight back and wrapped a few fingers around his chin, surveying Dave’s whole body like he was the statue of David with a knee injury.

Dave became intimately aware of his nipples again.

“Not bad,” De Luca said.

Oh, thank god.

“Thank you, sir,” Dave said. “Is there, uh, somethin’ I could help you with?”

“You got an accent,” De Luca noted.

Uh?

“A good accent,” De Luca said. “Whereabouts did you grow up?”

Oh.

Well.

Dave could actually just point to it from here. The condo was still standing, despite all building codes and actual alien invasions. At this point, the only thing that was gonna take it down were the rampant, rapidly mutating, borderline feral gangs of chickens that roamed its halls.

Not that anyone spoke about them.

No, that was inviting trouble to your doorstep.

“The chicken coop?” De Luca said.

The one and only.

“Bless you, you poor fuck.”

Yeah, that tended to be the usual reaction.

De Luca laughed.

“You’re a funny guy, uh,” he squinted at Dave’s nametag, “Ansel?”

How could a word sound so wrong in someone’s mouth?

Where had Dave’s life gone wrong that his own name sounded so foreign and distant to his ears?

“Actually,” he said, swallowing, “My uh, my friends call me ‘Dave.’”

De Luca’s head snapped right up and slowly, a grin spread across his face.

“Oh, now, that’s a good name for ya,” he said. “You look like a Davy.”

Hng.

Diamond De Luca thought he looked like a ‘Davy.’

Diamond De Luca thought he looked like a ‘Davy.’

Welp.

Time to get that birth certificate changed.

“Listen, Davy,” De Luca said casually, “Your baby girl there was tellin’ me that your boss has you out here like dancin’ monkey; is that true?”

Fffffffffff.

Technically yes?

“It’s even his day off,” Charlie whispered.

Dave wrapped a hand over her face.

“It’s fine,” he said. “It happens. Folks’ve been sick lately. I don’t normally do this kinda thing.”

De Luca’s face said that that was real cute. Real, real cute, honey.

“Well,” he said, “Let’s just say it like this. Where you work don’t gotta be where you train.”

Oh.

Was he offering--?

“If you decide to drop by, tell the guy at the desk Rudy sent you,” De Luca said. “Your kid’s real sweet, Davy. She can come too, lord knows the damn place is a daycare at this point.”

“Thank? You?” Dave stuttered.

“Don’t mention it,” De Luca said.

He left. Dave watched him waltz down the block and wave at the gals collected on the stoop at the end of it and felt a little lightheaded.

“Dad?”

Not right now, champ.

“Dad? Is he famous or somethin’?”

HHHHHHHHHHNG.

 --

 Back when Dave had been 14 and scraping the tips of his fingers into callouses on the old guitar he’d found tossed into a dumpster in the Upper West Side, he’d had to compete with the sound of the couple fighting in the apartment next door and with the radio the old man downstairs always had playing on his fire-escape window.

The old man downstairs was a real hard-ass. Always slammed a broom into the ceiling, scaring the shit out of Mom and Dad and sister and auntie. Dave had never seen him not smoking, nor had he ever seen him without suspenders.

The man was a retired plumber, apparently. And while Jim Beam was his main vice, his passion was boxing.

To the tune of chords picked out of an out-of-tune guitar, Dave had listened to tinny commentators oohing and awing over match after match, until finally, when sleep wouldn’t come one night, Dave had snuck out of the room he’d shared with Flora. He’d settled down on the living room couch, next to his old man splayed out in the recliner.

Dad had lifted his eyes slowly his way and told him that he should have been in bed.

Dave had told him that he couldn’t sleep because the couple next door was makin’ up from their daily afternoon argument and Dad had just sighed.

He’d let Dave stay up with him and the TV in the living room had fuzzed and rattled away, making sounds really familiar to Dave at that point.

Boxing was a sport that he had, up until that night, left to his father. But for the lack of anything else to talk about that wouldn’t make his dad look at him with disappointment in his eyes for all that damn music-playin’ and eyeliner, he’d asked who the guy on the screen was.

And that was how he’d learned about Diamond De Luca.

About Kenny Varga. Bert ‘The Albatross’ Kleinfeld.

But there was one guy who Dad had mentioned was his favorite rookie and, now it felt both kind of silly and surreal that the name had been spoken so casually in Dave’s home growing up.

Dad had been puttin’ money on Battlin’ Jack Murdock back when Dave had been a little kid.

He told Dave, disappointedly, after a few weeks of Dave getting up at 12:30 to come out and watch boxing with him that he’d really thought that Murdock was gonna be the next big thing.

Guy was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Dad had said, shaking his head. But wolves that got too wily got put down and Battlin’ Jack had been found in an alley, bled out in the arms of his reason for fighting.

Dad said it was a fuckin’ shame that Murdock had gone out with a slug in his head.

A fuckin’ shame, he said.

Dave didn’t remember him every saying that Murdock’s reason for fighting was a blind ten-year-old, but the thought was now merged with that memory.

That, in itself, was merged with the memory of Dave’s phone ringing one night was Addie’s name on the Caller ID. Her voice was shaking when she told Dave that the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen had just called her from an unknown number.

He had their baby.

He’d snatched her and Jesse out of the arms of two men looking for girls to be used in businesses Dave didn’t want to think about.

He’d saved them.

The devil had heard their screams when no one else had and he’d come flying out of the dark.

He’d held the girls in the light of a bodega and he’d coached Charlie through typing Addie’s number into his phone and then he’d taken it from there.

Addie was too scared to go meet the devil on her own. Mason hadn’t been around yet and so Dave had thrown on his shoes and had meet her on 46th.

The devil was on 48th, swinging his boots with both girls in his lap.

They were all singing. The devil had pretended like he didn’t know the words to Britney Spears’s ‘Toxic.’

Matt Murdock was under that mask.

Knowing that this whole time, he’d been the one dragging a stick against the fences and bricks of Hell’s Kitchen was almost impossible to digest.

And Dave had worked with him now.

He’d seen that smirk and that notorious jaw unwrapped from its red armor and that didn’t make reconciling the murdered boxer’s son with the man who’d saved his daughter any easier.

Charlie hadn’t remembered him.

She thought that Matt Murdock was a weird fuckin’ dude, and granted, he was a weird fuckin’ dude, but Dave had to say: he was grateful.

Matt Murdock not only brought home his baby, but he’d given Dave purpose in a life that had become consumed by the daily grind.

Matt Murdock had smiled in his direction, never quite into his eyes, and he’d passed along the baton with next to no fight.

Dave wasn’t him.

Dave would never be him.

Matt Murdock wasn’t just some poor murdered boxer’s blind son. He was the product of some serious poverty. Some serious violence. A whole fuckin’ cult induction, if he was to be believed. And Dave wasn’t so sure if he was always to be believed.

But he still appreciated Matt Murdock for what he’d done and what he’d made for this part of the city.

He’d made Daredevil.

And he shared that with Dave.

Dave’s own dad’s approval hadn’t felt like the honor that had come with Matt Murdock’s covered eyes and curled lip slowly relaxing as he’d lifted his face up from Dave’s knees.

He hadn’t been inspecting.

He’d been listening. Dipping his fingers into the blood in Dave’s heart and deciding if he was worth his salt.

Matt Murdock, son of Battlin’ Jack Murdock, was a product of Fogwell’s Gym in the Kitchen.

Diamond De Luca, retired heavyweight, was a product of Fogwell’s Gym.

The stars had aligned. And Dave had stood in their path.

And he wasn’t wasting the chance that they offered him.

--

Charlie was stoked to be allowed to come to the gym with him. She usually went to Jesse’s house, where Rubes would look after both girls for a few hours.

But De Luca had said that it was okay for her to come along, and so he figured, why not?

Fogwell’s was an institution in the Kitchen. All kids deserved to know their own history.

“I’m gonna fight Fogwell himself,” Charlie announced halfway down the block.

“You will not,” Dave told her. “Because I’m not tryin’ to get thrown out before we even get started here, alright?”

Charlie whined.

He ignored it.

 --

 This wasn’t the first time he’d been to the gym. Matt Murdock slipped in and out of it when he was in the city and he’d taken the whole team there once or twice. But it was different to be there in the presence of the daytime crew.

Dave felt very small in their presence.

The whole place was full of people pounding bags and swearing and shouting at kids who were tumbling all over the rows of benches set off to the side of the bags.

It was not what Dave had been expecting.

He told the guy at the front that ‘Rudy’ had recommended that he stop by and got a nod and a wave.

“He’s probably upstairs,” the receptionist said. “Go pick a bag, I’ll give him a buzz.”

 --

 Charlie refused to join the kids on the benches because apparently that was ‘only for babies, Dad.’ She wanted to hold the bag.

She was not, in one thousand years, holding the bag.

Dave wrapped her hands and let her go at it first to ‘soften it up’ for him.

De Luca caught him adjusting the demon-child’s thumbs before they ended up at the hospital again and laughed.

“Davy-boy, you made it,” he said.

Dave snapped up straight to attention.

“I did,” he said.

De Luca laughed again.

“Relax, kid,” he said. “Damn, you’re tight wound. Don’t worry, we won’t tell no one you’re sleepin’ with the enemy.”

Ahahahaha.

Please don’t.

These people were jacked. Dave was but a kickboxing instructor.

“Here, bub, lemme see what your pops has got,” De Luca said, shooing Charlie out of the way.

And this was the moment of truth.

 --

 De Luca seemed surprised when Dave finally laid off the bag. And Dave couldn’t read his expression for a million bucks.

“Uh?” he tried. “Not good?”

De Luca blinked himself back to earth.

“Oh, no,” he said. “It’s just uh, you fight a little like someone I know.”

Please don’t say a mobster.

Please don’t say a mobster.

“Kid used to live around here; name’s Matt Murdock,” De Luca said. “You know him?”

Did—

Did he know him?

QUICK. Answer the question.

You’re takin’ too long.

He’s gonna—

“S’alright if you don’t,” De Luca said. “I was just sayin’. Kid was like one of my own.”

He—

What?

“Yeah, boy fought like the devil like his daddy before ‘im,” De Luca said. “He’s the only one Fogwell lets call him ‘Grandpa.’ He’s about your age, actually. God, I’m old.”

AHAHAHAHAHA.

Please change the subject.

“You’re not that old,” Dave said. “I think I might have heard the name.”

Charlie looked up at him, baffled at the hedging.

He pleaded with her with his eyes not to say a damn word.

“Yeah, he’s somethin’, left here for San Francisco. Didn’t even say good-bye, the little shit,” De Luca sniffed. “Came back last year all ‘I’m gettin’ married’ and I swear to god, he’s picked up some kid. Just between you and me, pal, the old guard here have been talkin’, and we think that someone missed out on the sex ed talk, if you know what I’m sayin’.”

Oh.

Poor Sam.

He wasn’t even there to scream from the mountaintops that Red was a last resort for him at best.

“I’m just sayin’,” De Luca said with a shrug that spoke far more of supreme irritation than nonchalance, “He coulda just told us. I’m just sayin’.”

Any more ‘just sayin’s’ and Diamond De Luca was gonna go find a wall to bury them in.

“Did you, uh, have any feedback?” Dave blurted out as the guy started mumbling.

“Hm?”

“Feedback,” Dave repeated, waving a gloved hand at the bag.

“Oh. Yeah, loads, kid. You got all the muscles and not a damn lick of memory, here, lemme show you.”

Crisis averted.

Thank god.

 --

 D2: hey uh, DD?

SM: DAVE

S2: DAVEEEE

S3: DAVE

SM: what’s up man?

D2: nothing I was just trying to get ahold of DD?

BT: He’s trying to get Kirsten to give up her dreams of an indoor office pond rn. Can I help?

SM: I want an indoor office pond

S3: omg same

D2: uh yeah actually could you just tell him I met a guy named De Luca the other day and he might want to give him a call?

BT: de Luca?

D2: yeah

BT: okay sure thing

D2: thanks

BT: I’ll go see if I can get a word in edgewise.

SM: good fucking luck

S2: I hate fish

S3: leave this place and never return

S2: I HATE FISH

DD: WHAT

SM: oh shit that was quick

D2: oh. I was just saying that I met Diamond De Luca the other day?

SM: ?? Who’s that?

DD: oh no

S2: ??????????????

DP (´｡✪ω✪｡´): who the fuck is that?

DD: are you still with him?

D2: no?

D2: he caught me out fliering and invited me to Fogwell’s

D2: and when I got there he mentioned my stance was like yours and he uh

D2: got a little distracted

DD: what kind of distracted?

D2: He thinks Sam’s your bastard kid

BT: GODDAMNIT

DD: FOR FUCKS SAKE

BT: First Mrs. Jones, now this guy?? TEACH.

DD: These people have zero faith in me I swear to god.

DD: like come ON man. I did sex ed in the same class as Angie he knows I’m too catholic for that shit

DP (´｡✪ω✪｡´): I looked this man up and he looks like an Italian nate with less hair

SM: wh

DP (´｡✪ω✪｡´): okay you’re right he looks nothing like nate

SM: that

SM: that’s not even slightly helpful, wade, thanks not at all. Hey who’s angie?

DD: long story. Rudy’s daughter

S2: RED YOU FUCKED A BOXERS DAUGHTER?? That’s a million dollar baby man

DD: I

DD: what?

DD: no? Why would I fuck angie she’s like my sister?

S2: oh nvm

SM: 😬😬😬

S3: I am confused ❤

D2: you should probably call him, friend

DD: on it. thanks for the notice

DD: hey what’s your fuckin name again?

S2: f

S3: f

SM: f

D2: It’s Ansel

DD: Adams?

D2: not the photographer. Ansel West.

SM: WEST

S2: OMG

S3: guys don’t

SM: I BET YOURE A SUNSET DAVE

S2: YOU EVER FEEL CALLED TO THE PRAIRIE DAVE???

SM: YOU’RE A&W, DAVE!!

S2: ROOT BEER ROOT BEER

D2: ah yes. Middle school. I remember this feeling.

--

Dave laid his phone on his chest and stared back up at the ceiling.

It was never dull, this new life he’d settled into.

He said a prayer for Murdock and rolled onto his side.

It was still his goddamn couch.

16 “No one gives us the right… we take it.”

17 “Mmm, dangerous. NAME likes.”

18 “There was immediate danger. He/she was about to leave this man/woman completely unsatisfied.”

19 “When in doubt, go with the classics. That’s what I always say.”

20 “Guilt is such a useless emotion”

21 “Take a swing and I’ll shove that so far up your ass, you’ll have splinters in your stool.”

22 “What makes us vulnerable is often right under our noses.”

23 “Now tell me, what is it that you truly desire?”

24 “Well, maybe it’s like butt stuff. Easier the second time around.”

25 “It’s always the ones you least suspect, the ones you trust the most, that hurt you. They wait until your guard is down and then wham! In my case, it was tequila.”

Chloe Decker

26 “It’s better to move forward than stay stuck in the past.” 

27 “We can’t control what happens to us only how it affects us and the choices we make.”

28 “You have to stop taking responsibility for things that you can’t control.” 

29 “Sometimes we get along best with the people we’re most different from.”

30 “Pull yourself together. You look like a homeless magician!”

31 “It’s really not a good day for… your… NAMEness”

32 “You don’t save a marriage by sleeping with other people.”

33 “If you go looking for loopholes, you’ll always find them.”

34 “NAME’s not another guy/gal. He’s/She’s a weirdo.”

35 “As any parent knows, the best time to get things done is when everyone else is asleep.”

36 “I wasn't afraid of you.”

37 “I don't want you to see me like this. I know it scares you.” “No, that's... that's what I was trying to tell you. I'm not... I'm not afraid of you anymore.” “You're not?” “You see, this is what I'm talking about. It's so sweet. I'm going to puke.”

38 “I miss him/her. I mean, he/she pisses me off all the time. And there are so many things about him/her that ... that I find hard to accept, but I just have to believe I can find a way. Because ... I'd rather have him/her in my life than not.” “Well, then... I think you know what you need to do.”

39 “You're different than me. You're stronger. You could have run, but you didn't. Why didn't you?”

40 “It's not like you haven't always told me the truth. You know? So ... I think, deep down, I just ... I always knew.”

41 “Let's pretend for one second that you're someone else. Someone nice, someone mature.” “Ooh, I love role-play.”

42 “What, you're just gonna leave me here? In this part of town?” “You said you wanted danger.”

43 “Please tell me I'm hallucinating.” “Well, I am dreamy, but try to contain yourself.”

44 “You step out of line one time …” “You can give me a right-good spanking, I promise.”

45 “This cannot be true. Can it? I mean ... if you knew this, why wouldn't you say something? I mean, I almost married him/her. I mean, I almost married him/her.” “I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen.”

46 “Oh, my God. Did the world just turn upside down? Did you just admit to being wrong?”

47 “You know, it can be scary sometimes, but ... being who you really are is never a bad idea.”

48 “I need you to stay here and watch your dad/mom.” “That's true. Without the two of us, he’s/she's defenseless.” “I don't know if I like what you're whispering about.”

49 “How long have I been out?” “Three years.” “What?!” [NAME starts laughing] “You’re such an ass.”

50 “I couldn't sleep last night, so I stayed up all night working, and, you know, I drank a lot of caffeine. Like, a lot.”

Mazikeen Smith

51 “If you go by someone else’s pace, it shows how much you really care.”

52 “Sometimes you have to accept when someone doesn’t feel the same way about you.” 

53 “Self-worth comes from within, bitches.” 

54 “I would never ask you to change. I like who you are.” 

55 “Hey! No one calls my skank a skank.” 

56 “Good. It's settled. Now, where do I put my knives.”

57 “Okay. One, I like to fight when I'm happy or ... horny. And, two, I really don't want to accidentally kill my best friend.”

58 “Maybe next time, I won't be around to save your ass.” “Mm! Well, that is a shame. 'Cause you and my backside used to get on very well. My front side, as well, actually.”

59 “And your name?” “NAME.” “How do you spell that?” “Surprise me.” [Later gets coffee with "WRONG NAME" on it]

60 “Everything that happened showed me exactly why I need to go back.” “I don't understand.”

Linda Martin

61 “Emotions are hard, but that’s why they make you strong.” 

62 “Goodness isn’t a toy.”

63 “Sometimes we need to lose something to understand its value.”

64 “Sometimes it’s easier to make intimate issues about something bigger than yourself.” 

65 “I find people who are rude usually feel powerless in their own lives. Terrified of not being in control.”

66 “Look... I know I'm not dad/mom, or partner or whatever. But I ...” “No. No, you're not. Come here. You are Uncle/Auntie NAME. And you will always ... be a member of this family.”

67 “Let's talk about what you're dealing with emotionally.” “Yeah, I really don't want to.”

68 “Why is he:she able to refuse my charms? I mean, is this thing on?” [points at him/herself] “Yes, yes. Definitely on.”

69 “How's that saying go? We're all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars.”

70 “Should've seen that one coming.”

Amenadiel

71 “We need the most love when we’re being most unlovable.” 

72 “No matter how bad things get, the true test is how we choose to respond to the pain. We suffer, or inflict.”

73 “Cosmos are yummy.”

74 “If you really want to know if you’re a worthy romantic partner, ask yourself.”

75 “NAME. What are you doing here? Did you hurt NAME?” “Only when he/she asked me nicely.”

Ella Lopez

76 “Whenever I’m procrastinating on something, I make an appointment for myself to do it. That way, can’t back out.”

77 “You see what I'm dealing with?”

78 “Hey. No one insults my family, except for me.”

79 [high on "candy"] “I know I should be freaking out right now, but your hair is so shiny.”

80 I'm usually not into reality shows either. I prefer more, you know, scripted-content, documentaries, but... I've got a little extra time these days, so... sort of kind of watched, uh, 27 seasons in two weeks.

Dan Espinoza 

81 “We all need someone to have our backs every now and then.”

82 “Ooh, lemon bars. My favorite. Mmm. Oh, man, these are amazing. Who made 'em?” “Uh, NAME did. Would you believe that hunk bakes?” [spits out the bars] “On second thought, who needs the empty calories?”

83 “Say you fall in love with a man/woman who has a cat. What are you gonna do? You accept the cat.” 

84 “Are you sleeping with this idiot?” “He/She hasn't had the pleasure, unfortunately, no.”

85 “Dude, I cannot deal with your weirdness right now.”

Trixie Espinoza

86 “We’re wearing the same shirt!” [both] “Sushi shirt!” [from around the corner] “I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I hate it!”

87 “I ate it.” “Mm-hmm.” “But NAME said it was okay.” “Oh, really?” “He/She said, if you really want to do something, you should. And I really wanted to eat some chocolate cake.”

88 “Are you looking at a no-no site?” “No. Why would you think that?” “Because you put it away so fast, and you look really, really guilty.”

89 “NAME, sever their Achilles first. If they can't walk ...” “They can't betray you.”

90 “You need to get a thicker skin. Stand up for yourself, because the truth is, nobody’s gonna do it for you.” — Charlotte Richards