Damn.

Damn.

Iso was an attractive guy. Decent and respectful, skilled and humble, gentle and eye-candy. Everything in him screamed 'handsome'. You noticed that when you first met him, and since you two started to date, you were bathing in the warmth of his casual tenderness. He was a master of quality time. And it was by spending a lot of tender moments with him that you discovered one of his many hidden talents : making you flustered.

He did it so naturally, so effortlessly, that he wasn't even conscious of it.

The soft grunts and huffs he let out as your hands skillfully massaged his wide back —was it you or did he really get buffer ?— made you feel like the most wicked being on this universe. You almost drooled when you reminded yourself that you were straddling his hips. The weight of his hoodie on your shoulders and the sent of his cologne teasing your nose slowly made you feel like jelly. Was it how victorian men felt when they had a glimpse of a woman's ankle ?

"Are you good back there ?" he hummed, his voice muffled by the pillows.

Damn.

His voice.

"Shut up," your breath was shaky. "You're not helping."

You kept massaging his back, less and less focused when you suddenly heard him chuckling. You noticed him staring at you with an amused glint in his eyes.

"What ?" you asked.

"Nothing."

In the blink of an eye, you were suddenly pinned down, his fingers teasingly pinching your cheek.

"可爱的," he murmured in awe.

He looked at you with these pretty eyes that you loved so much, powerful but undescribable emotions screaming in his gaze. You felt your heart beating so fast that you were surprised he wasn't teasing you about it.

"Damn," you murmured.

He pressed a soft and reverential kiss on your cheek and resumed on admiring you. You sometimes wondered how on Earth you got lucky enough to date such an amazing person.

Unbeknownst to you, so did Iso.

"Your turn, now," he said with his usual calm tone. "You're tense."

可爱的 — Kě'ài de = adorable.

Reyna knew she could be intense. She knew she could be scary. She was aware of her talent for making people uncomfortable. But for the first time of her life, she almost felt intimidated. Almost.

You were only supposed to collect intel in a Kingdom facility. The infiltration phase started well, taking the intel was easy, but of course, a random scientist had to pass by and activate the alarm.

Taking the upcoming soldiers down was easy. Torturing the one who shot Reyna was satisfying. It was terrifying how creative you could be with a gun. She knew you could be intense sometimes, but she did not know you could be that violent. Violent to the point that she had to ask you to...

"Please calm down."

She couldn't believe that these words came out of her mouth. And apparently neither did you. You stopped your actions, then looked at her, your pupils dilated and your breathing harsh. She noticed how the veins in your neck stood out.

"He hurt my queen," you said with an offended tone.

Reyna found you adorable and would affectionaly pinch your cheeks if you had more time. She just grabbed your hand and drag you through the corridors of the facility. She then looked back at you when she felt your hand lightly squeezing hers.

"You're bleeding," you said.

"Just a scratch."

You shook your head and tore the sleeve of your top to make a makeshift bandage for her injury. She raised an eyebrow but let you do, knowing how you would stubbornly insist that she needed it. Once you were done, she grabbed your hand again and led you outside where the VLR/T was waiting for you.

"Let's go home, mi caballero," Reyna murmured.

Mi caballero = My knight

You hated roses. Their squeamish appearance, their ridiculously smooth petals or people's weird fascination for this flower in particular. You hated roses.

But you loved Vyse.

"Don't you dare scaring me like that ever again," she murmured against your ear.

You loved her fierceness, her personality, her voice, her sole being. You adored the embrace she pulled you in even though you hated the light but unusual quake in her voice. You returned her hug, releasing a small shaky breath as you relished in the warmth of her body instead of the cold of the infirmary.

"I didn't do it on purpose though," you chuckled lightly.

Vyse was clearly not amused. She pulled back slightly and sternly grabbed your shoulders. She let out a long sigh.

"I am glad that you have enough energy for laughing, but I am serious."

You nodded and pulled her in another embrace. You hated roses, but you love Vyse. And you were ready to be her rose while she'll be your bramble bush wrapping you in a comforting protection of thorns.

"I can't promise anything," you murmured. "But please, stay with me."

"I obviously will."

Physical touch and words of affirmation were Gekko's main love languages. Hell, he was very fluent in those languages. That was something you immediately noticed when you first met him, and then later when you two started dating. He was clingy, very cuddly, and loved to cheer you up, no matter what you did. But one thing he absolutely adored, was helping you stretching your body during your workout.

"Don't you think you're taking advantage of the situation, puppy ?" you raised an eyebrow as you exhaled slowly.

He blushed slightly at the endearing pet name but grinned widely against the back of your neck.

"I'm just helping you, cariño," he replied with a mocked innocence.

He was kneeling behind you, his chest flushed against your back as he helped you pushing your torso further as you were sat in a forward fold.

"You're doing so well," he murmured against your skin and you were certain he could feel your goosebumps. "Your flexibility never stops to amaze me."

You gasped sharply when you felt him press a long but soft kiss against your neck.

"Dude !"

He leaned back, snickering mischievously as you straightened your back up. You rolled your eyes but couldn't help but feel flustered. It seemed like Gekko turned into a total flirt especially when you were stretching. You took a deep breath, laid back down on the yoga mat then raised one leg up while the other stayed flat against the floor. Gekko's pupils dilated as he looked down at you. He then helped you by pinning your resting leg against the floor with his knee and pushing the raised one further.

"Don't forget to breathe," he said gently.

Your eyes met his and you felt your pulse quickening when you saw the raw emotions in those hazel eyes that you loved so much. Only his eyes had the ability to make you feel so flustered. Only his eyes had the ability to make you feel so desired.

"You're enjoying this way more than I do," you groaned.

"You have no idea," he smiled.

Your breath hitched when he did the bold action of pressing long kisses along your ankle and your calf, his eyes closed as his face morphed into a sinful expression. He then hugged your leg against his torso and leaned it further towards your chest.

"Mateo," you scolded him sternly.

Of course, he didn't take you seriously. How could he when you were hiding your face behind your hands and turning your face away ? You could barely look into his impish eyes. You didn't even see the wicked blush spreading on his cheeks.

"You're doing so good," he murmured smoothly as he sensually caressed your leg. "Thirty seconds left."

"You bastard," you grumbled, completely flustered.

"I thought I was your puppy," he chuckled.

Hello from Gaza,

My name is Waleed. I am a husband, father, and respected electrical engineer from the war-torn Gaza. I have never imagined that I will ask people for help, but the safety of my family hangs on the edge. 💔

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Vetted by @gazavetters , my number verified on the list is ( #107 )

Waleed & Family,

Best regards.

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Waleed & Family

Waleed Alanqar, a father and husband from the war-torn Gaza. I have been living the horrors of war for almost a year. I am deeply worried ab

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Donate to Save Waleed's Family: Gaza War Crisis, organized by Waleed Alanqar

Hi In the once tranquil city of Gaza, Waleed Al-Anqar, a devoted father, husband… Waleed Alanqar needs your support for Save Waleed's Famil

The very first time Clove faced death, you both were children. They did not understand what was happening. One instant they were falling from the tree they were playing in, the next, they were in that strange and desert place. They felt lost and scared but then, you appeared and comforted them.

"It's your first time here right ?" you had ask. "It's the first time I see someone else here."

You showed them the way out and they woke up in a hospital bed. When they told their parents what had happened, they were faced with wide opened eyes.

"My child, you must have faced an angel."

The second time they faced death, they were a bit older and had been the victim of a hit-and-run. They appeared in that strange place again and you were sat on the edge of a ravine, your legs dangling in the void. They joined you and when you noticed their presence, you smiled widely at them.

"I thought I'd never see you again," you had said. "It gets easily lonely, here."

"Are you an angel ?" they asked.

Your eyes had widened at their words before a bursting laugh escaped your throat. You didn't give them an answer, though. You just offered them to walk through the path of awakening together. Clove had often wondered who you were. But they were glad they met you. Discovering their immortality had been less overwhelming thanks to you.

The third time Clove faced death, you were not there. But they had not felt lonely for long when they discovered a comical version of yourself drawn by you on a wall and several arrows showing them the way out.

Facing death was now a thrilling habit for Clove, and meeting you on the liminal space between life and death had become a normal stroll for them. You literally saw each other growing up. They often wondered what was happening in your life for you to often be there, but never dared to ask.

And then, after they joined Valorant, you stopped taking the path of awakening with them. You entertained them until they woke up, but never woke yourself up. You could, but you did not want to. So one day, they purposefully joined you in the liminal space and were welcomed by your smile.

"Why ?" they just asked.

Your smile immediately dropped as well as your shoulders as you just sat down.

"Let's just say I put my immortality on hold," you shrugged as you carelessly shot in a pebble.

"Why ?" they repeated.

"Breathing is not leaving."

They sat down beside you and grabbed your hand, a new determination burning in their eyes.

"Tell me where I can find you," they said. "So I can give you a reason for your immortality."

Your eyes widened at their words and you looked at them as if a second head grew on their shoulder.

"What ?"

"Join me. Join Valorant," they insisted.

Their determination burned your resolve. You flinched and told them where you were before they encouraged you on the path of awakening.

"I promise I'll come get you," were the last words you heard before waking up.

You quickly forgot those words but never these burning blue eyes. But you quickly remembered when a few days later, you recognized them, waving at you as a aircraft descended from the sky. It was the first time you two met outside of the liminal space. They quickly jumped off the aircraft to jump in your arms as their teammates slowly followed behind. You held them tightly, as if to make sure they were real and they did the same.

"I told you I'd get you," they murmured in your ears. "Come with me, with us."

They cupped your face and looked at you closely.

"Clove," someone called — a girl with striking blue hair —. "Who is it ?"

Their eyes did not leave yours as they answered.

"My angel."

Question : can this be considered angsty ?