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yas

@sweetalittleselfish-honey

25, she/they black (l)gbt

𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐝

chapter two

pairing: Sammie Moore x OC (Robin Welkins)

word count: 3307

summary — 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘰. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 1933 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 1932.

warnings — period appropriate racism, violence, trauma, use of N-word, angst, depression, ptsd, talks of sex, (idk if I’ll write smut yet but if a chapter includes it there will be a warning) pro has spell or grammar errors

author’s note: Sorry for the wait, guys. I haven’t been feeling the best mentally lately, plus working and getting ready for classes next month. But I felt good enough to finish the chapter and get it out to you guys. Again, I do take constructive criticism because I’m not the best writer, but please be nice (I’m sensitive) hope you enjoy!

‘How could I forget to ask her name?’  All that talking on the bus and he forgot to ask her for her name! He thought about that while at work, even on the way home.

He didn’t think about how she told him she was picking up a shift for her friend until he finally got back to the apartment. So, he can’t even see her on the bus the next day because she was only picking up the shift for her friend for that day only. Maybe this was a good thing. Maybe she was just supposed to be a good encounter for how shit his week had been going thus far. And did he really need to be talking to a girl with the shit he’s gone through? He wakes up on the verge of a panic attack almost every other night.  But the thought of not seeing her again made him a little sad. 

Besides her beauty, from the short time they were talking he could see her personality a bit. She was funny, had humor, confidence, obviously if she looked him in his face then decided to sit next to him and talk. She was a nice gal, complimenting him and somehow making him comfortable. He wondered what she sounded like singing, and was her voice loud? Did she sing in a quieter tone? Or does she switch it up? Sammie thought all this, but he still doesn’t know her name.

Gumbo

Sinners Modern!Au
Preacher Boy/Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader
A/N: guys I this is my last draft🥱 gonna write a new one

On a slow, aching Tuesday, two weeks since she’d last set foot in church, Y/N finally decided she needed some different kind of healing.

She’d been drowning herself in Psalms and Proverbs, underlining verses with a shaking hand, scribbling prayers in the margins of her Bible so fierce the pages wrinkled. Spent hours outside, hoping maybe the sun and God’s green earth would do what scripture alone couldn’t.

But the quiet in her room felt suffocating.

So when her heart tugged her toward Annie’s, she listened.

Only catch?

She’d lent Dawn her car for the day.

So she pulled on her long skirt and simple white tee, grabbed her canvas bag and took the hour-long ride and walk to the bus stop, transfer once, then shuffle up the long dusty road to Annie’s place.

When she stepped through that door, it smelled like onions sizzling, fresh herbs, old memories.

Homey in a way that made her eyes sting.

“Look at you, chile,” Annie fussed, wiping her hands on her apron before pulling Y/N in for a hug. “Skin glowin’. Still got them pretty eyes. Sit down, rest them feet. I’m workin’ on some gumbo.”

So she did.

She sat at the little kitchen table, toes curled on the worn linoleum, stirring the pot when Annie stepped out to talk to a neighbor.

It was perfect.

Until the screen door squeaked open behind her.

She didn’t even have to turn. Her spine went stiff all on its own, her breath locking up in her chest.

Sammie.

She could smell him before he even said a word.

There was a long, awkward silence his eyes on her back, her pretending the gumbo needed all her concentration.

Finally, his voice, low and rough:

“You look good.”

She didn’t bother turning. “Mm. Thanks.”

Dry as the Mississippi dirt in August.

He huffed, scratching at his jaw. “I uh… I brought Annie the rest of her money.”

“Cool.”

Still didn’t turn. Still stirred.

Then, like an angel on cue, Annie bustled back in through the door.

“Oh good, you two are meetin’ again. Sammie, sit your hard head down. You stayin’ for supper. Gumbo’s almost done.”

Sammie shifted, clearly about to make an excuse, but Annie gave him a look that brooked no argument.

So he sighed, dropped the cash on the counter and slid into the chair across from Y/N.

Annie set three bowls down, humming while she ladled steaming gumbo over rice. “Look at this. Two young folk who used to run around my place like puppies, now actin’ like strangers. Go on, eat. This’ll fix whatever’s eatin’ ya.”

So there they sat.

Three of them at that tiny round table.

Y/N kept her eyes on her spoon, blowing at the broth like it was the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen.

Sammie couldn’t stop sneaking glances at her at her bare collarbone, the faint gold chain resting there, the way her lashes fluttered when she blinked too fast.

And Annie?

She just shook her head, smiling softly like she knew exactly how messy it all was, how two hearts could ache for each other across a table, even when neither one wanted to say it out loud.

After a while, Annie leaned back and patted her belly.

“Mmm. Lord, that hit the spot. I’m gon’ go water my herbs. You two clean up, alright?”

And just like that, they were alone again.

Sammie cleared his throat.

“You ain’t been at church.”

She didn’t look up. Just scraped the last bit of rice from her bowl.

“Nope.”

“You… been okay?”

That question sounded like it took a chunk of him to get out.

She finally met his eyes. Hers were shiny, fierce and sad all at once.

“Why do you care, Samuel?”

He opened his mouth. Shut it. Ran a hand down his face.

“I, Look, I know I messed up. I was mad, jealous, said things I shouldn’t—”

“Do you know, Samuel?” she shot back, voice cracking.

“Yeah. I know. But I—”

He leaned forward, elbows on the table, eyes pleading.

“I missed you. I still, I can’t stop thinkin’ about you. About us.”

She shook her head, pushing her chair back with a little squeal of wood.

“Boy, don’t. Please. I can’t do this right now.”

Then she stood up and started gathering bowls, hands trembling.

Sammie watched her like a man starved, like he wanted to reach out and pull her right into his lap, beg her to just let him hold her.

But he didn’t.

He only sighed, dropping his gaze to his hands.

And together, in that tiny kitchen that smelled of thyme and regret, they cleaned up the dishes both of them pretending it was just a normal dinner.

But their hearts?

Their hearts were still stuck two weeks ago, in the dark, with her in his lap, whispering things they both couldn’t forget.

A warm rain turned heavy a fat, urgent Mississippi downpour that drummed on Annie’s tin roof like impatient fingers. By the time Y/N peered outside, the dirt road was already dark with puddles, the bus wouldn’t be coming, and she was stranded.

She tried.

She called Dawn first, but Dawn was at some pop-up market with her phone breaking up.

Then her daddy, Lenny, who sounded stressed at work and couldn’t leave.

Even Chris didn’t pick up.

Y/N cursed under her breath, pacing Annie’s tiny living room with her phone pressed to her ear.

Annie leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, one brow raised.

“Girl, you gon’ catch a cold frettin’ like that. Just let Sammie take you.”

Y/N snapped her head up.

“I’d rather walk in the rain, Miss Annie.”

Annie gave her that look the one that said she’d raised three boys tougher than either of them would ever be.

“You gon’ do no such thing. He sittin’ out there waitin’. I done told him to. Now go on. Don’t be rude.”

With her last thread of pride fraying, Y/N snatched up her bag and stormed out into the rain, where Sammie’s old truck sat idling.

He was leaning against the driver’s side, hood up against the wet, watching her like he expected a fight.

When she didn’t say anything, he just opened her door for her.

“C’mon.”

She climbed in without a word, staring out her window as he got in and pulled off.

The first few minutes were quiet except for the wipers working overtime.

Then Sammie tried.

“You still mad at me, huh?”

She didn’t even turn. “Don’t flatter yourself, Samuel.”

He blew out a frustrated breath, tapping the wheel.

“You always gotta be like this? Can’t even give me a real answer?”

“You didn’t deserve one.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Like the rain.

Then he jerked the wheel to the side, pulling off into an empty gas station lot and cutting the engine.

She blinked at him, heart thudding.

“What are you doing?”

He leaned back in his seat, eyes fixed on her with that intense, stubborn set to his jaw.

“I ain’t drivin’ another mile till you talk to me normal.”

“Oh please.” She folded her arms tight, nose in the air.

“You think you can make me?”

A slow grin cracked across his face, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Girl, you are the most hard-headed thing God ever put on this earth.”

“Funny. You’re the biggest disappointment He put on it.”

That one actually made Sammie laugh, a bitter, broken thing.

“Aight. Suit yourself.”

And he started the engine again, but instead of taking her home, he pulled out and turned the opposite way.

It took her a few blocks to catch on.

“Where are we going?”

He didn’t even glance over.

“Somewhere dry. Since you don’t wanna be civil, you can sit quiet in my apartment instead.”

“Your what?!”

He parked outside his place, hopped out and didn’t look back.

Y/N sat stubbornly in the truck for a good ten minutes, arms still crossed, rain pounding the roof. But when lightning cracked and the thunder rolled so close it rattled her seat, she caved.

With a muttered curse, she grabbed her bag and dashed up the walkway, soaked by the time she reached his door.

Sammie opened it without a word, standing aside so she could slip past him.

She didn’t meet his eyes.

He didn’t try to touch her.

Inside, his little apartment smelled like clean laundry and faint cologne. Her heart twisted painfully.

“Make yourself at home,” he muttered. “I gotta grab you a towel. You’re drippin’ all over my floor.”

And when he walked away, she finally let herself look around, at the scattered guitar picks on the coffee table, the old Bible open on the couch arm, the pictures of him with his cousins.

It hit her all over again how badly she’d missed him.

But pride?

Pride would keep her from saying it.

So she just stood there, cold and wet and stubborn while Sammie, somewhere down the hall, ran a hand over his face and wondered how long it’d take for them to stop hurting each other.

The apartment was quiet except for the hum of the rain against the windows, like the sky was whispering all their secrets. Sammie came back from his bedroom holding a soft folded big shirt.

He didn’t look smug. Didn’t look teasing. Just tired.

“Here. Bathroom’s down the hall. You gon’ catch pneumonia standin’ there like that.”

Y/N snatched the clothes from him without a word, storming off.

She changed quickly, tugging the oversized shirt over her body, drowning in his scent faint woodsmoke, clean linen, that little bite of cinnamon gum he always chewed.

It hurt. More than she’d admit.

When she came out, Sammie was sprawled on his couch in just some grey sweatpants and a wife beater, elbows resting on his knees.

For a minute, they just stared at each other.

Him, taking her in.

Her, stubbornly glaring, hugging her arms around herself like that could keep him out.

Finally he tilted his head.

“C’mere, Y/N.”

She didn’t move.

So he patted his thigh, slow.

“Don’t make me tell you twice.”

Another long, bitter stand-off.

But something about the way his voice dipped low that mix of weariness and pleading, finally got her feet moving.

She shuffled over, refusing to meet his eyes.

The second she was close enough, he reached up, hands firm on her waist and pulled her down into his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Y/N stiffened immediately.

“Tsk. Samuel, don’t.”

“Stop callin’ me that.” His hands slipped around her hips, thumbs rubbing slow circles, voice softer than she expected.

“You know I hate when you do that.”

She tried to twist away, but he just tightened his grip, forcing her to straddle him proper.

“Look at me.”

She shook her head, stubborn jaw set, eyes darting anywhere but his.

“Look. At. Me.”

Finally, painfully, she did.

And oh, he was close. Closer than she could stand. Those dark eyes searching hers, trying to find something he’d lost weeks ago.

“Why you actin’ like you don’t even wanna be in the same room as me?” His voice cracked right at the end, all that bravado from the club gone.

She swallowed hard.

“Because… I don’t.”

His jaw ticked.

“Lie again. Look me in my face and lie again.”

She couldn’t.

So she tried to turn her head, but his hand slid up, palm warm against her cheek, forcing her right back.

“Y/N… don’t do this. Don’t run from me when I’m right here tryin’ to fix it.”

That tore something open inside her, made her eyes sting.

But she bit down on her lip so hard it almost bled, just to keep the words in.

Because if she said how much she missed him, she’d crumble. And he didn’t deserve to watch her break.

So she just sat there, stiff and silent, heart beating too loud.

And Sammie?

He rested his forehead against hers, breathing her in like she was air after drowning.

Neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke.

It was war and truce and heartbreak all tangled up in one hush, both of them too damn stubborn to say what needed to be said.

Sammie held her there, thumbs pressing gentle on her hips, forehead still resting against hers like he was afraid if he let go, she’d vanish.

Then he sighed deep, ragged, like it clawed straight out his chest.

“Y/N… I’m sorry. Alright?”

His voice cracked.

“For not textin’ you. For not showin’ up how I should’ve. For lettin’ you think you was just some girl I wanted to get up under instead of someone I—”

But she shook her head fast, cutting him off before he could finish that thought.

He closed his eyes, tried again, softer this time.

“I’m sorry, baby. For real.”

For a split second, her face twitched something fragile in her eyes. But she smothered it quick.

And without saying a word, she stood up.

He didn’t stop her. Just watched, helpless, as she padded across his living room in her bare legs and his oversized shirt.

Watched the way she paused in the hall like she might turn around, then kept going.

A minute later he heard the soft creak of his bedroom door, then silence.

Sammie sat there on the couch, elbows on his knees, hands steepled over his mouth like he was praying.

Finally, he stood and walked to his bedroom.

He found her there, small in the middle of his big bed, curled up on her side, facing away from the door.

She had tugged the blanket up to her chin, like she was trying to hide from him or maybe from herself.

For a moment he just leaned against the doorway, watching her breathe.

Then, without a word, he turned off the hall light and left her alone, pulling the door almost shut.

He pressed his palm against the wood, closed his eyes.

“Goodnight, Y/N,” he whispered so quiet it was nearly a ghost.

Then he left her to sleep, heart heavy with all the things he wished he could fix with just an apology.

Taglist:

Praying Father

Sinners modern!Au
Preacher boy/Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader

The drive home was quiet, heavy. Dawn didn’t say much, just squeezed your hand from the back seat with a little sigh. When Chris finally pulled up in front of the house, she was already half nodding off.

Inside, it was dark and still, everyone asleep. Dawn didn’t even bother going to her own room she just crawled right back into your bed in her big T-shirt and settled against your pillows.

“Night, girl,” she mumbled, already halfway to dreamland.

“Night,” you whispered back, your throat tight.

But you couldn’t sleep. Not with everything twisting up inside you. The memory of Sammie’s hands on your waist, the way his voice cracked, the look in his eyes that said he was losing you even while he tried to hold on tighter.

You grabbed your phone and hit Chris’s name. He answered groggily, voice scratchy.

“Y/N… you good?”

“Chris, I just, I wanted to say I’m so sorry. About Sammie punching you. That was outta line and you didn’t deserve it.”

“Girl.” He actually laughed. “I’m fine. Ain’t the first time some dude thought he could swing on me over a girl he clearly ain’t secure about. I still look pretty, right?”

You let out a watery laugh. “Shut up. Yeah, still pretty.”

“Good. Now go to sleep. I’m serious. You need it.”

“Alright. Love you, Chris.”

“Love you more. Night, troublemaker.”

When he hung up, you stared at your ceiling for a while. Then your thumb hovered over Sammie’s contact. Before you could overthink it, you pressed call.

It rang three times.

“Yeah?” His voice was low, wary.

You didn’t even give yourself time to breathe. “Samuel Moore, I am done with you. You hear me? Done. You can’t come into my life, kiss me, make me feel all this, this stuff, and then disappear and then try to fight people and then say all that shit you said tonight. I’m done. I’m blocking you. Don’t try to call me or show up at my house. Just leave me alone, okay?”

There was silence. A painful, hanging silence.

Then softly, “Y/N, wait—”

But you’d already ended the call. Hands shaking, you blocked his number, dropped the phone face down on your nightstand and crawled into bed beside Dawn.

She stirred just a little, mumbling, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you whispered, wiping at your eyes. “Go back to sleep.”

And in the darkness, with the faint rise and fall of Dawn’s breathing beside you, you wondered if your heart would ever stop hurting from loving someone who wasn’t ready to love you right. Sammie sat alone in some room at the club’s little back office apartment, his elbows on his knees, phone dangling from his hands like it was mocking him. That “number blocked” beep still echoed in his ears, louder than the bass thumping from the club floor downstairs.

He’d been trying to call again. And again.

Nothing.

He dropped the phone on the coffee table so hard it slid off and clattered on the floor. He didn’t even pick it up. Just sat there, staring at nothing, his jaw tight, his chest pulling in that same damn ache that had been twisting him up since he’d dragged her into that private room.

“Fuck, fuck…” he muttered, scrubbing a hand down his face.

He knew he’d fucked up. Knew he shouldn’t have swung on that dude, shouldn’t have grabbed Y/N like that, shouldn’t have said half the shit he said when he was seeing red.

But seeing her dance up on someone else had flipped something ugly inside him.

Across town, Pastor Jedidiah Moore stood by the window of his modest living room, peering out into the night.

He’d stopped by the club earlier against his better judgment, just to see how it was doing. He hadn’t gone inside, hadn’t spoken to Sammie or Stack or Smoke. Just watched from the parking lot for a while, then drove off.

That place wasn’t his scene.

But seeing Sammie step out the back door to take a call, pacing like a caged thing with his shoulders stiff and head down, something had stuck with him.

Now, hours later, he couldn’t stop replaying it.

His son looked… broken.

Jedidiah didn’t know the details.

Truth be told, he didn’t know much of anything about Sammie’s life anymore.

They’d grown distant, not outright estranged but teetering on the edge. Ever since Ruthie, his wife, died the whole family destiny changed, since she was the glue of their little family.

It was Sammie’s business, he told himself. Grown men make their own choices.

But tonight… tonight something in his gut twisted.

He thought about picking up the phone. Calling Sammie.

Asking him flat out: “Son, you alright?”

But pride and old habits won.

Instead, Pastor Moore pulled the curtains shut, sat heavily in his recliner and reached for his Bible.

Maybe, he thought, God would do what he couldn’t seem to.

Maybe God would reach his boy where he couldn’t.

Back in that dim little room, Sammie finally bent over, picked up his phone and stared at Y/N’s contact one last time before it vanished for good.

He leaned back, ran both hands over his hair, and whispered to the empty room,

“Church girl… don’t do me like this…”

But she already had.

And for the first time in years, Samuel “Preacher Boy” Moore felt like praying.

But the words wouldn’t come.

Sammie ended up on the edge of his bed, elbows braced on his knees, head dropped low. He was fighting his own storm regret clawing up his chest, guilt simmering under his ribs and that dumb pride still snarling in his ear telling him she was yours, she shouldn’t have been on no other dude.

He dropped his phone again, ran a hand through his curls, tugging until it hurt.

The room was quiet except for the faint hum of traffic outside and the ice machine clattering in the mini fridge.

Then—

A sharp knock on the door.

Sammie didn’t even move.

The door creaked open anyway and there was Smoke, peeking in, a brow cocked.

“Man, you gon’ sulk all night or what?”

Sammie didn’t lift his head. “Go on somewhere, Smoke. I ain’t in the mood.”

Smoke let out a low chuckle, stepping fully inside. “Yeah, I can see that. Look like you been run over by a Mack truck.”

Sammie shot him a glare but didn’t argue.

Smoke dropped into the chair across from him, long legs sprawled out, fiddling with his lighter.

“Stack is down there countin’ up, says we cleared good money tonight. Annie still cussin’ at the barback. And here you are… sittin’ up here lookin’ like a sad puppy.”

Sammie scoffed, leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

“Man, don’t start with me. I ain’t got it in me.”

Smoke tilted his head.

“She blocked you, huh?”

Sammie clenched his jaw. Didn’t respond.

Didn’t have to.

“Look…” Smoke sighed, scratching at his jawline. “I know it eat at you. But that girl, she too good to just be playin’. She was lookin’ at you like you hung the damn moon last week. You know that ain’t changed overnight.”

“Felt like it did,” Sammie muttered, voice low. “She was up on that dude like…”

He shook his head hard, ran a hand over his face again.

“And I get it I fucked up. I know I did. Shouldn’t’ve gone at him like that, shouldn’t’ve pulled her like that… shouldn’t’ve let you wind me up neither.”

Smoke smirked. “Yeah, I’m messy as hell. But that’s on you, lil cousin. You let your jealous ass mouth run faster than your brain.”

Silence stretched.

Smoke leaned forward, voice softening.

“You gon’ reach out to her again?”

Sammie huffed a hollow laugh. “She blocked me. Like blocked blocked. Ain’t no ‘hey big head’ texts gon’ fix that.”

Smoke tilted his head back, thinking.

“Well… sometimes the man gotta humble hisself. If you want her, you gon’ have to show her she more than just your little night out thing. That you care for real.”

Sammie stared at the floor.

He knew Smoke was right.

He also knew he was gonna be up all night replaying every second in that private room. Her pushing at him, her eyes all bright and angry, the way she shoved past him and slammed that door.

Outside, thunder rumbled low over Clarksdale.

Smoke stood up, clapped Sammie on the shoulder.

“Aight, I’m gon’ head. You need anything, let me know. And… don’t do no dumb shit. For real.”

Sammie gave a tiny nod.

Watched Smoke leave.

Then just sat there, eyes burning, leg bouncing.

Meanwhile, across town, Pastor Moore was kneeling by his bed.

He didn’t know why exactly.

Didn’t even know what to pray for.

But somewhere deep in his chest, he said the simplest thing he could.

“Lord… watch over my son.“

And in his own apartment, Sammie finally laid back on his mattress, one arm flung over his eyes, whispering into the quiet like maybe it’d reach her.

“Don’t be done with me yet, church girl. Please.”

But there was only the hum of the fridge and the lonely echo of his own heartbeat.

Taglist:

Club opening

Sinners Modern!Au
Preacher boy/Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader

You’re sprawled across your bed in your fluffy pajama shorts and a big T-shirt, hair tied up in a pineapple, phone in hand, vibing to a soft gospel track just trying to soothe your overthinking mind. The weekend’s been heavy on your heart church this morning, then silence from Sammie all day.

You’re about to settle deeper into your pillow when your door bursts open without so much as a knock.

Dawn stands there with hands on her hips, striking as ever in a tiny leopard print corset dress that hugs every curve, paired with knee-high black boots. Behind her is Chris, decked out in a flashy leopard print polo, baggy jeans and fresh Timbs. He looks like he stepped out of a 90s rap video, proudly grinning.

“Oh no. Absolutely not.” You pull your blanket over your head.

“Girl, get up!” Dawn laughs, yanking the blanket right back. “We’re going out. New club opening. Chris got us on the guestlist ‘cause he knows the bouncer.”

Chris does a little spin, popping the collar of his shirt. “Cornbread owes me from that time I hooked him up with my cousin, his wife. We’re VIP tonight, baby!”

“I am not going anywhere,” you groan, grabbing a pillow to hide your face. “I wanna sleep.”

“Y/N.” Dawn sighs dramatically. “We are not doing this. You’ve been moping around since church. Sammie who? Outside is calling your name!”

Chris hops onto the bed, nearly bouncing you off. “Yeah, girl. Come on. You can’t let a man have you holed up like Rapunzel. Besides, look at me. I’m too fine for you to waste it.”

You lift the pillow just enough to peek at his exaggerated pout. “I really don’t feel like it, Chris.”

“That’s why you gotta go,” Dawn insists. “Nothing like a little music, some dancing… maybe a free drink or three. Shake that mood off.”

It turns into a full debate, Dawn pacing like a lawyer, Chris chiming in with “periods” and “she right, bestie,” while you stay stubborn. But somehow, after ten minutes of relentless tag team persuasion and Chris guilt-tripping you about “leaving your brother hanging,” you finally give in.

“Fine. FINE! But I’m not wearing anything crazy.”

Dawn’s eyes light up. “Say less!” She rifles through her bag and flings a leopard print halter top and a tiny black mini skirt onto your lap. “Put this on.”

You gape at it. “Girl, this is a napkin and a belt. I am not wearing this outside.”

Dawn smirks. “Funny, wasn’t too much when you were grinding on Preacher Boy in your lil shorts, was it?”

Chris’s eyes nearly pop out of his head. “EXCUSE ME?! Y/N, YOU WAS OUT HERE DOING WHAT ON SAMMIE?!”

You groan, pressing your hands over your face. “I hate both of you.”

Chris is now dramatically fanning himself. “The church girl was outside? Ouuu, Sammie got you acting bad, huh?”

“Mind your business, Chris,” you mutter.

“Never!” he chirps back, giggling.

By the time you finally pull on the outfit, complete with some delicate kitten heels that Dawn practically forced on your feet you’re already rolling your eyes at yourself in the mirror. Dawn is hyping you up, telling you to turn around so she can make sure your skirt isn’t tucked anywhere it shouldn’t be.

Meanwhile Chris stands behind you, gathering your curls into a half-up half-down style with a tiny scrunchie he found in your bathroom. His fingers are surprisingly gentle.

“Gotta get my girl right for the streets,” he teases, sticking his tongue out in concentration.

“So our innocent girl Y/N,” Dawn jumps in, voice high with excitement, “was moving her hips on a certain preach boy. Girl, you was putting my tutorials to work or what?”

Chris clutches his imaginary pearls. “My sweet, innocent Y/N. Who knew you were a little freak?”

“Okay, y’all are done.” You swat them both away, cheeks hot, but a reluctant grin breaks through.

You glance at yourself one more time in the mirror bold print, legs out, hair cute. Maybe this was exactly what you needed.

Dawn links arms with you, Chris wraps an arm around your shoulders and together y’all march out the door like the damn powerpuff girls, ready to cause a little chaos.

The club was alive lights swirling, music bumping, bodies moving like waves in a storm. You, Dawn and Chris were in the thick of it, laughter spilling over the beats, your worries momentarily washed away in the rhythm. Sammie, Stack and Smoke were tucked away upstairs in the office, eyes glued to the bank of security monitors that flickered with every corner of the club.

Stack, leaning in with a casual grin, was the first to spot it.

“Yo, hold up look at that.” He pointed to the screen, where a swirl of curls and familiar moves caught his eye. “That’s gotta be Y/N.”

Smoke chuckled, zooming in on the screen. “Church girl, huh? Lookin’ like she out here wildin’ in that skirt. Ain’t exactly Sunday service attire.”

Sammie’s jaw tightened. “Don’t call her that. Only I get to call her that.”

Smoke laughed harder. “Man, come on she’s out here with that dude I told you about. The one from dinner, right?”

Stack nodded, eyes still glued to the monitor. “Yeah, that’s him. And ain’t that Dawn with her too? I see Y/N whining on Chris and Dawn ain’t having none of it.”

Sammie’s fist clenched, breath shallow. “Y’all better stop.”

Smoke, grinning devilishly, nudged Sammie with an elbow. “You look like you about to pop a vein, little cousin. Church girl in a hoe skirt, huh? Maybe she ain’t as holy as you think.”

Sammie swung his arm up fast, but Stack stepped between them, holding his cousin back.

“Yo, chill, man. You ain’t gonna solve nothing with your fists. But look, look again.”

The screen caught a close up of Y/N, her head tilted back, laughing, eyes bright and then Dawn teasing Chris, who was trying to keep up with their playful energy.

Sammie’s breath hitched, eyes flicking between the screen and his cousins. “She’s… she’s not—”

Smoke smirked. “She’s living her life, man. You can’t cage her.”

Stack shook his head, half amused, half sympathetic. “You know, if she wants to be with you, she’ll come back. But don’t lose your cool over this. Just… don’t be the jealous fool.”

Sammie’s fists unclenched slowly, but his eyes stayed fixed on the screen, heart torn between pride, protectiveness, and a flicker of doubt.

Smoke leaned back, grinning wider. “Church girl got a whole nightlife, huh? Maybe you gotta keep up if you wanna keep her.”

Sammie let out a low breath. “Man, this ain’t a game.”

Stack clapped a hand on Sammie’s shoulder. “No, it’s not. But sometimes you gotta watch and wait. Let her show you what she’s made of.”

Smoke threw a sly grin Sammie’s way. “Or get ready to lose her to some dude who ain’t scared to dance in the dark.”

The three of them stayed glued to the screens a little longer, the distant thrum of the club below a stark reminder that outside the office, the night was still young and so was the game they all had to play. Down on the dance floor, the world was a blur of lights and sweat and bass. You had your back turned, still giggling with Dawn, swaying your hips in playful challenge while Chris hyped you up. Dawn was the first to spot it, her eyes went wide, her hand shot out and gripped your arm tight.

“Y/N… don’t freak, but Sammie, Stack and Smoke they comin’ this way.”

Chris twisted around, brows shooting up. “Yo, what? Why’s your man lookin’ like he tryna murder somebody?”

You didn’t turn right away, stubbornness biting hard. “I don’t care. He ain’t texted me since the other night. Whatever.”

But then you felt it the shift in the air, the sudden weight of attention. The music might as well have cut off because the look on Sammie’s face stole all the sound. His eyes weren’t playful, weren’t soft. They were dark, blazing with something raw.

Chris lifted a hand, trying to be cool. “Yo, preacher boy, what’s up, bro?”

But before another word could spill out, Sammie’s fist connected with Chris’s jaw. Chris stumbled back, grabbing his face.

“Samuel!” you shrieked, hands flying up, but he didn’t give you a second to react. He grabbed your wrist, pulling you through the crowd.

“Let go of me!” you snapped, digging your heels into the floor, but he was too strong, too focused.

Stack and Smoke trailed close behind, muttering curses. “Man, calm your ass down this ain’t it!” Stack called, but Sammie wasn’t listening.

He finally found an empty side room small, dim, lined with old bottles and a couch nobody wanted to sit on. He slammed the door shut behind you and pinned you against it, his hands gripping your waist like he needed to remind himself you were real.

“Who the fuck is that dude, Y/N?” he rasped, breathing hard, eyes wild.

“You don’t get to ask me that!” you fired back, shoving at his chest. “You ain’t texted me since you had your hands all over me. What was I supposed to think? That you was done with me after you got your little make out in?”

His jaw clenched. “That’s not, nah, don’t twist it. You think I’d just drop you like that? You think I don’t care about you?”

“You’ve got a funny way of showing it!”

He pressed closer, crowding you into the wall, his breath hot on your cheek. “You were dancing on him, Y/N. Laughing with him. Wearing this little ass skirt—” his hands squeezed your waist, hard enough to make your breath catch. “You know how that makes me feel?”

“Not my fault you decided to disappear!” you screamed, shoving him again. “You can’t claim me and then ghost me, Samuel. I’m not some girl you can put on a shelf until you’re ready to play again.”

His hands slipped up, cupping your face, voice cracking. “I’m not playing. I swear to God—”

“Don’t. Don’t bring Him into this when you’re out here acting crazy!”

That shut him up for half a second, just long enough for your own tears to pool. You pushed him again, harder this time, breaking free from the cage of his arms.

“You need to figure out what you want, Samuel. And how to treat someone when you want them.”

You yanked the door open, ignoring the way he called after you, voice low and broken. Your heart hammered in your chest as you stormed back into the pounding bass of the club, searching for Dawn and Chris. Your body was still buzzing with his touch angry, electric, desperate.

And for the first time, you wondered if loving Samuel Moore might hurt worse than it could ever feel good.

Taglist:

It’s Always A Task Talking To Him..

Sammie Moore x Reader : 926 Words : Caramelcleopatraa

Stack and Smoke are helping with the decor, taping, and tacking stuff, getting their hands dirty with the paint, while Annie, Bo, and Grace crowd the kitchen, efficient as a swat team in making as much food as possible. Your friend had came over as soon as she heard the word food come out of your mouth; you didn’t even get to finish the sentence before you heard rustling on the other side of the line as she grabbed her keys and yelled,

“Say no more! Imma be there!”

You had called as many people as possible to let them know that the family was having a get together, and everyone was welcome. Your mother was cleaning, as always. sweeping from the front of the house to the back of the house. Your dad was out getting the drinks, paper plates, to go plates, cups, and silverware. It was sure as hell gonna be live tonight.

You had one more person to call. Your finger hovered over the contact. you weren’t scared…. you just… knew once he started talking, you went weak in the knees. That alluring mississippi drawl that oozed through every single word, making it hard to focus on what he said, as you just wanted to hear him speak all day long. You didn’t have a crush on him, he was just a friend. One you’ve had since middle school. And whenever you would sit down with the family for dinner and they would ask you if you liked sammie, you always said the same thing, “We just friends, nun bigger than that.” But they saw through that, you know that. That’s why you keep asking. But you don’t have a crush on him, which is why your answer will always stay the same. But you’ve never felt like this for any other boy.

“Hey pretty girl.”

You catch yourself smiling, and quickly straightened your lips, so it didn’t sound like you were happy to call him.

“Don’t start with the bullshit sammie, just wanted to know if y’all are free this evening.”

You heard your voice get softer as you spoke deeper into your sentence. You were getting shy. From a phone call. With some guy with a nice voice. But it wasn’t just some guy though…

“Why, wanna see me darling? You miss me?”

It was sammie. The same sammie that helped you when you first started playing piano as he made his shift to guitar. The same sammie that would always be by your side in class, at lunch, on field trips, you name it. If you looked to your left, he would be right there, looking at you.

“Noooo, my family’s hosting a big get together. Y’all wanna come down and catch some of this food ‘fore it’s gone?”

And somewhere in between that time, whenever he talked to you, you felt nervous. It would go away eventually, but it would always show its face when he was around. You started really caring about how your hair looked, how much lipgloss you had on, and how you were sitting when he came your way, not doing anything to actively fix it, but it popped up in your mind as a quick thought from time to time.

“You made your delicious strawberry pound cake?”

You would roll your eyes if he was saying this to you in person, but you loved that he was so obsessed with your crafts and hobbies. Whether you needed a taste tester or a client, he was always supportive in the best way possible.

“I shouldn’t have, but yeah, made it last night. want me to save you a slice?”

“Yes please, sweetheart. You always know how to please me.”

You silently gasp, trying to figure out what response to craft as fast as possible. Fuck. The way he said it damn near had you malfunctioning. ‘Don’t blush, don’t giggle, don’t get soft!’

“Don’t say things like that! You make it sound so dirty!”

Aaaand you managed to do all three. Your tough act had been torn through yet again.

“And you’re innocent, sweet thing?”

“Now you’re in my business.”

“Well,I just want you to know the plan before I get there, so you can’t be actin’ surprised.”

“Oh yeah? Tell me this big plan of yours, preacherboy.”

“Imma be nice an’ hospitable, say hi and speak to all the guests. And the minute i’m done, you mine, and we goin up to your room.”

Butterflies. Fuck. He called you his. His. You loved the way that sounded. And he sounded so sure of himself. You always loved that about him. He spoke with such certainty that he could convince you to believe anything he said.

“Can’t wait to have you all to myself, pretty.”

You can’t wait for him to get here. Waiting by the window, looking for his black nissan to pull up. Of course you said hi to his parents, but when he finally pulled up, he saw you looking out through the window, and smiled immediately, making eye contact with you as he exits the car, black shirt with a gold thin chain and tinted yellow sunglasses, and black sweatpants with crisp white forces. You noticed every minute detail about him, and you could imagine what it could be like to be alone with him. Shit. You do like him.

Seeing Beyoncé tomorrow, so i wanted to write this super quick !

🏷️ tags :) @hunnidmilly @reignsboy19 @2-muchsauce

Anonymous asked:

omg pleaseee , just a little more sammie fics omg , you seriously write so good and I CANT get enough 😣😣

Sin real good

Sinners Modern!Au
Preacher boy/Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader
A/N: YOUR GIRL GRADUATE😝 sorry that I been MIA but I had to get those grade straight!! Enjoy all my drafts🤍

Stack and Sammie stand in the dim glow of pendant lights, sawdust and fresh paint hanging thick in the air. The bass from the speakers hums low a sound check for next week’s grand opening, but otherwise it’s just the soft drag of brooms on the concrete floor, bar stools still stacked upside down and the faint smell of varnish curling through the club like a warning.

Stack leans against the bar, phone in hand, shaking his head. “Man, I swear on everything. Every time I’m about to get some peace, another woman pops up talking ‘bout ‘this your baby.’”

Sammie laughs, low and hoarse, as he wipes down the glossy counter. “Might be ‘cause it is your baby, nigga. You got enough kids out here to start your own youth choir.”

Stack cuts him a glare. “Watch your mouth, boy. I ain’t the only one in this family that knows how to sin real good.”

“That ain’t the flex you think it is,” Sammie mutters, eyes still on the cloth as he circles it over a water stain. “Maybe you should start steppin’ up. Be somebody’s actual daddy instead of just the rumor.”

Stack lets out a long, slow breath, phone dropping to the counter. “Yeah. You right. Just hard sometimes, you know? Shit catch up with you. Fast.”

The door swings open then, cool air and cigarette smoke rolling in with Smoke, who’s still wearing last night’s attitude.

Stack raises an eyebrow. “Damn. Somebody cut one in here? Air thick as hell soon as you walked in.”

Smoke barks a laugh. “Boy, shut up. That’s y’all guilt floatin’ around.”

Sammie just sucks his teeth. “Ain’t no guilt. Just your big mouth stirrin’ shit.”

Stack looks between them. “What I miss?”

Smoke grins, teeth bright. “Your cousin here still salty ‘cause I saw his lil church girl at that diner. Laughin’ it up with some dude. Looked cozy as hell too.”

Sammie shoots him a deadly look. “Why you keep bringin’ that up like you want me to swing on you?”

Stack laughs, clapping his hands together. “Hold up, hold up you serious about this girl?”

Sammie doesn’t answer at first, just leans back against the bar, jaw working. Finally he sighs. “Yeah. I am.”

Stack crosses his arms, grin lazy. “Then you better go after it, lil bro. Shit since when we let somebody else scoop up what we want?”

Smoke wags his brows. “Exactly. Or keep frontin’. Play tough. Next thing you know, she laid up with dreadhead dude eatin’ chocolate strawberries off her stomach.”

Sammie groans, tipping his head back. “Bruh. Shut. Up.”

“Can’t shut up, cousin,” Smoke teases, bumping Sammie’s shoulder with a smirk. “It’s too much fun watchin’ you squirm. You always been the smooth one now look at you, sweatin’ over some pretty girl who probably got your playlist on repeat.”

Stack chuckles, shaking his head. “Nah, for real though. If you like her, don’t just sit here mopin’ ‘bout it. Women know when you serious. And if she’s out with her people, that don’t mean she out there lookin’. Sometimes a friend’s just a friend.”

Sammie sighs, shoulders slumping a little. “Yeah. I know. I trust her.”

Smoke snorts. “Trust is cute. But action’s cuter.”

Stack knocks twice on the counter, then points at Sammie. “Remember what I told you. You let this one slip, that’s on you. Now come on, help me move these damn speakers before I pull something.”

Sammie rolls his eyes, but there’s a ghost of a smile there. “Aight. But y’all two gotta promise to shut the hell up about my girl.”

Smoke gives him a shit eating grin. “Church Girl.

“Man, I swear I’ll toss you out this door head first,” Sammie mutters, grabbing one end of the speaker while Stack grabs the other.

The three of them shuffle across the dusty floor laughing, talking trash, shoulders bumping trying to build a new kingdom in this club, even with old ghosts trailing close behind. And Sammie’s already thinking about you wondering what you’re doing, if you’re smiling somewhere, if maybe he can come see you tonight.

Because he’s not about to let anybody else get there first.

Your morning starts soft. A slow drift out of sleep, sunlight licking your curtains, Gloria humming in the kitchen as the smell of fried plantain creeps under your door. You take your time getting ready white top, jeans, gold earrings, edges brushed to perfection and drive to campus with Dawn in the passenger seat, who wants to be dropped off, both of you singing off key to old afrobeats.

Classes pass in a blur. Same seat. Same creaky desk. Same bored professor droning on about social structures while Chris sits beside you, notebook covered in doodles. Every now and then he leans over, whispering jokes that have you slapping his arm, or sliding you half of his protein bar like it’s a secret deal.

By noon, you’re out of there, waving goodbye to Chris as he disappears into a cluster of classmates. Dawn’s off on her own mission today, promising to call if she found anything interesting.

You head to the library to catch up on readings, while Dawn wanders through town, ducking in and out of little shops with “Help Wanted” signs taped to dusty windows.

That’s when she finds it.

A cozy beauty salon tucked between a tailor and a fruit stand, its sign faded but the inside warm and bustling. The place smells like burning hot combs and mango scented oil, women laughing under dryers. Behind the counter stands an older lady with skin like polished walnut and silver braids twisted into a regal crown. Dawn introduces herself, explaining she’s looking for work, and the woman narrows her eyes studying her edges, her wig install, her hands.

“You do all this yourself, baby?”

“Yes ma’am. And a whole lot more.”

“Mmh. Come back tomorrow. I want to see you work.”

Dawn leaves practically floating. Her phone pressed to her chest, eyes wide with new dreams. She’s halfway down the block when she sees Stack leaning against his SUV, sunglasses on, scrolling his phone.

She takes a breath. Walks over, hip cocked, voice dipped low.

“Well look who it is. Should I start charging you for all these times you keep popping up in my day?”

Stack lowers his shades, smirking. “Maybe I’m just lucky. Or you got a tracking device on me I don’t know ‘bout.”

She laughs, twisting a strand of hair around her finger. “What you doing out here?”

“Handling business. Club opens in a week. Contractors still slow as hell. You know how it is.”

“Always working. You ever have fun?” Dawn teases.

Stack lifts an eyebrow. “Depends. Who I’m having fun with?”

She rolls her eyes but her smile is huge, cheeks flushed. “Smooth. Real smooth.”

They’re flirting, gentle and harmless, her laughter tinkling up into the muggy afternoon when suddenly—

ELIAS!”

A woman’s voice cuts through everything. They both turn. A young woman in jeans and a black tank top stalks over, toddler on her hip, eyes blazing.

“You forgot somethin’.”

She thrusts the child into Stack’s arms. The little boy clings instinctively, wide brown eyes blinking up at Stack. Dawn’s breath catches.

Stack swallows, jaw tensing. “Keisha, we talked about this—”

“I don’t wanna talk. You his daddy. Figure it out.”

She turns on her heel and marches back across the street, not even looking back. Stack calls after her once, twice, but she doesn’t slow down. Finally, sighing so deep his chest caves, he bounces the boy gently, whispering something that makes the kid smile.

Meanwhile Dawn stands there, her heart sinking all the way into her sandals. Those rumors Chris told her? About Stack being the resident heartbreaker with kids all over town? Maybe they weren’t just stories after all.

Stack finally meets her gaze, shrugging helplessly, a tired half-smile on his lips. “I uh… guess we’ll pick this up another time.”

“Yeah…” Dawn forces out, hands fumbling with the strap of her purse. “Yeah, it’s cool. Handle your business.”

As she walks away, her phone buzzes. A text from you, asking if she had found something. And Dawn just sighs, glancing over her shoulder once more at Stack, who’s cradling the little boy on his hip, rubbing his back gently.

The world suddenly feels a lot heavier than it did five minutes ago. And for the first time, Dawn’s wondering if chasing all these complicated men is even worth it.

You’re fresh out the shower, wrapped in your softest towel, bonnet snug over your damp curls. Your skin’s warm and smelling like cocoa butter and you’re in that lazy, floaty mood where you’re ready to slip into bed and scroll until you pass out.

Then your phone lights up.

Sammie.

You hesitate for half a second, butterflies already knocking around in your stomach, before swiping to answer.

“Hey, Church Girl.

His voice slides through the speaker low and warm, with that deep rasp that makes you bite your lip without thinking.

“Hey,” you say, trying not to sound as happy as you feel. “What’s up?”

“What you mean what’s up?” You can hear the grin in his voice. “I wanna see you. Right now.

You blink, pulling the towel tighter around yourself. “Sammie… do you know what time it is to be talking like that?”

“It’s time for me to see my girl,” he shoots back, lazy and shameless. “Why you actin’ brand new?”

You drop onto your bed, giggling into the phone. “I am not your girl.”

He lets out a soft laugh, but there’s something smug under it. “Yeah, aight. I’m still pullin’ up. Wear something chill I’ll be there in ten.”

“Sammie, wait—”

But he’s already hung up.

You stare at your phone, heart doing a little chaotic dance. Then you flop back on the mattress, towel still wrapped around you, squealing into your pillow because what the hell.

Ten minutes.

Ten minutes to decide if you’re going to be sensible… or put on those gray shorts to show some skin and act like you’re not already halfway gone over this man.

Taglist:

Avatar
Cloaked Riri x Reader

Your eyes rolled as you inhaled, willing the smoke to fill your mouth, then your lungs. Riri stood by, watching your fluid movements like she was drawn to them. You puckered your lips and blew your residual smoke right into her face. She didn’t flinch. Just smiled. That stupid, sweet little smirk that sent shivers down your spine.

Warnings: smutty lil fic, so 18+, dom!Riri, sub!reader, pantysniffing!Riri(she just likes your pheromones), striptease!reader, fingering(reader receiving), oral(reader receiving, she just wanna spoil you this time around)overstimulation, no doesn't mean no, slight mention of Riri impregnanting you, Explicit language, N-word usage, angst (mom and daughter relationships are tough), brief mentions of a sick family member, established secret relationship, ends in heartbreak (I'm sorryyyy), probably some that I forgot Word Count: 6.7k+ Tags: @percsane @zestgodtj @k3nn3dyxo @mlmilani @letitias-fav @doms-fav @sweetalittleselfish-honey @g4yforu @widowmakker @becauseimswagman1 @zayswriting @inmyheadimobsessed @laurensmabel1 @malltake12 @msudaku @faeriah-thv @fetchyourlife @mbakuetshurisprincess @sinsikoxo @honey-teaaaaaaaa @rxcently @pinkcorns @takeyaki @yamsthoughts @thethickerside @0hshoot1tsl4ni @shurisbathwater @shurismainbxtch @luvrzhearts @sadfreakx @shuri-my-love @justariellove @heartsforjojo @blackgirlfariy @tuesdaylovesu @chocoflagcutii @taiiunknown @zhanylai @ziayamikaelson @verachii @taiiunknown @beautybyfire @soearthquakequeen @remwritess @pinkwright @jenlouvre @letitiasleftfoot @6-noir @kya-rose @saintwrld @someshuriposts @jessiap @ilikegecos @iiluvl4n @katymae12344 @shurismainbxtch @crookedsaladlover @motheroffae @saintwrld @marsolgy @ogbells16 @verachii @shuriszn @playgurlxoxoo @ashleighshaw @te-23 @dominquesheart @shuridefenselawyer @iminlovewithdomandtish @limbozqueen @cansah2002-blog

Enjoy <3

“You sold your soul-” Riri’s voice echoed across your mother’s front stoop, cutting through the warm evening air. 

The sun had run its course, dragging through the sky until it was sitting low, casting a muted orange hue across the south Chicago street. Street lamps were flickering on for the night, and kids raced to make it over the threshold of their mama’s houses before the moon claimed the sky. 

“Here you go with the dramatics, Ri,” your older sister, Niq, responded with a shake of her head, her shoulder-length locs jerking subtly with the movement. 

She was going to have to cut those locs tonight, and the realization felt like a punch to the gut. You remembered how excited she was to start them finally; she’d been begging you to twist her hair for weeks. 

“C’mon, y/n, you got somethin’ better to do than your big sister’s hair? I practically raised you-” she’d followed you around the house like a lost puppy.

“You ain’ raise shit, Niq. We’re 15 months apart,” you’d dismissed her, cringing as you heard your mom's sharp “Language!” echo across the house.

“My bad, ma!”

“Please, doll?” she rattled off your childhood nickname. It was what she’d called you until she was five, having thought you were a baby doll that your mother had brought home for her. 

“I got a pile of homework, Niq-” It wasn’t an excuse. Niq might’ve graduated last May, but you had a whole year to go until your high school career ended, and you were trying to graduate with ‘valedictorian’ in front of your name. You were already on the right path. Known as a straight A student and a teacher’s pet, captain of the debate team, and ol’ girl who got a perfect score on her SAT. You heard the way they spoke about you in the halls, thinking you weren’t listening. “That’s Niq’s sister? Niq Davis?” the teachers would whisper when you walked past. “You sure they got the same DNA?” the nosy adults wondered aloud. 

The other students who knew of Niq Davis avoided you altogether, and you were much too smart not to notice why. She threatened anyone who so much as breathed at you wrong, leaning way too hard into the ‘older sister’ bit. There wasn’t enough of an age difference between the two of you for it to matter who was older. 

Still, she knew that with enough persistence, you weren’t going to tell her no. Ever the people pleaser, you’d started her locs that same night, pushing aside the assignments you knew needed to be completed. 

Your mind drifted back to a time before any of this. Before the distance. Before the choices. You remembered the days when it was just you, Niq, and the smell of cocoa butter in the air while you twisted her locs, smoothing them with tender fingers, lost in the rhythm of your shared space. The hours felt like minutes, the moments like treasures.

Niq and Riri didn’t acknowledge your presence, seated in one of your grandmother’s rocking chairs on the porch, face illuminated, but hidden behind your large laptop screen, tabs open and forgotten. You didn’t bother to make yourself known, blending into the background without a care. They knew you were there, allowing you to take up space in their bubble. Ri’s eyes flickered over to you every so often, catching your gaze when you happened to be looking up.

Riri had been around since Niq was in the 8th grade, with you in the 7th. She and her mother had just moved to the neighborhood, but really, it was like she surfaced out of nowhere. One day she wasn’t there, the next day, she was. You don’t remember their first meeting, just that Riri’s been around ever since. 

Niq hardly ever came home without Riri in tow. She was present for Sunday dinners and holidays. Hell, you’d lost count of how many times you’d passed her in the hall first thing in the morning as if she’d never gone home the night before. 

Last night she hadn’t, laid up on the couch with a thick blanket and the plate your mama had handed her, balancing on her lap. She was there when you descended the stairs this morning, giving you a passing grin, accompanied by the tick of her brow when her eyes traveled over your figure, taking in the length of your bare legs beneath a shirt three sizes too big. Her sleep-laced voice muttered out a “Hey, doll,” to which you responded with only a nod.

You hated that nickname, wishing that your mom or grandma had pushed your sister to learn your name instead of cooing over her struggling to say ‘doll’ with no front teeth. 

Riri sat across from your sister, tightly rolling a blunt between her nimble fingers, lifting it to lick the wrapper before sealing it in place. Her hand lazed to the side, offering the piece to Niq, who shook her head, rejecting it idly. “I can’t, Riri.”

“Tell me why you doing this shit again,” Ri’s voice was calm, tucking the blunt into the corner of her lip, turning to blow smoke in the opposite direction.

“I don told you bout thirty times-”

“Tell me again,” she interrupted. She wasn’t really asking; she was pushing.

Niq leaned back on her hands, stretching her legs out until they reached the step below her. You took the moment to study your sister, taking mental images of her face as if you could forget it when she was gone. It was the same face that you bore, the two of you often being mistaken for twins, all because your mom’s genes were strong as hell. 

Niq got your dad’s lighter brown eyes that you’d only ever seen through photographs, while you got your mom’s almost black ones. Other than eye color, the similarities were identical. Same wide nose, same plump lips. You and Niq used to joke that you were supposed to be born as twins, but you ‘needed an extra year to finish baking.’  As you got older, the joke started to make less sense. Niq continued to grow past your shorter frame, straightening out all of her curves and sharpening her features. 

“I gotta get outta Chicago, Ri,” your sister responded. “This ain’ my end-all, be-all.”

“Who said it gotta be?” 

Niq’s head fell back like it was too heavy for her slender shoulders, a humorless laugh escaping between her lips. “If I don’t get out now, imma be stuck. We both know that.”

“Nigga, why you talk like you ain’ never gonna come back?” Riri asked, accidentally blowing smoke in Niq’s direction. 

She fanned it away, annoyed. “Man, watch that shit. I gotta report in the morning, I can’t go in smelling like weed.”

“My bad, my bad,” Riri said solemnly, assisting Niq in dispersing the smoke through the air.

“Imma come back, Ri. My baby sister here, and my momma.”

“Baby my ass,” you grumbled lowly. Riri let a small grin spread across her face like she heard you.

“Why the military, though, Niq? You used to be the life of the party, man. Won’t nobody coming out if you wasn’t there, and now you risking your life? For what?” Ri started, though she had no intentions of actually letting Niq answer. “For a country that wouldn’t risk they life for yours?”

“Ri-” Niq started, trying to interrupt.

“You a stud black woman that dress like a nigga. You a minority if I ever seen one, man,” Riri set the blunt on the cement step next to her, freeing her hands to form a fist to accentuate her words. “You gay, a woman, and black! How bout you pick a struggle before you go off to war to fight for mine-”

Niq flexed her leg, kicking Riri swiftly in the shin. “Will you shut the fuck up?” She asked, turning to look through the open front door to see if your mom or grandmother were lingering. 

The eyeroll you gave came from deep in your soul. Yes, you were the genius of the family, but Niq couldn’t be that fucking dense. Both your mother and grandmother knew of her sexuality; they’d spoken to you about it on many occasions, mistaking Niq and Ri for a couple.

“This girl think I don’t know what go on in my own house?” Your moms scoffed. 

You reached for the pack of grapes she was washing, risking a pop to your hand before popping one into your mouth. With a crunch, you’d responded, “They don’t go together, ma.”

“I’m not stupid, y/n-”

“Never said you was, mama,” you’d cut her off, biting back a smile. “They can’t, though.”

“And why is that?” your grandmama chimed in from the other side of the kitchen. “Back in my day, it was frowned upon, but don’t yall got that ‘pride’ shit now?”

“Language, mama,” your moms chimed in without looking up from her task.

“Girl, I gave birth to you. You not gon correct me on my language, I’ll say whatever the fuck I want-”

You were quick to interject; they could go all day if you didn’t. Reaching for another grape, you spoke up, “They’d kill each other tryna decide which one of them is the man in the relationship,” you joked, quickly turning on your heel and exiting the room before they could ask any more questions. God forbid they get you to slip up about the girl Niq used to sneak into her room when she thought everyone was asleep.

“I’m tryna make life better, Ri. My future gotta be better than my past, and there ain’t no way Imma bank bankroll that without giving something up in return.”

“What was wrong with the way we was doing shit before?”

“I’m too pretty for jail is what was wrong, Riri.”

“Nigga, please-” Ri tucked the blunt back into her mouth, holding a lighter to the charred end and inhaling deeply. “So what now?”

“What you mean?”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do while you gone, Niq? How I’m supposed to get this shit off me?” She gestured to the illegal drug rolled solid and burning between her lips. “What-” her voice cracked in a way that was unlike Riri.

A cough brought it back to life, but you’d noticed the disregarded tear in Riri’s right eye. “What am I gon do without you?”

Niq’s shoulders dropped, weighing heavily from the same emotion Riri was trying to hold at bay. She looked back at you, locking eyes for what felt like a solid minute. “You gon take care of doll for me.”

Her words shocked you, leaning your frame forward until you almost fell out of the chair. “She gon what?” You finally spoke up loudly enough to be heard, causing a second pair of eyes to land on you.

This pair burned a bit, clinging to you as if it didn’t want to let go. “Imma what?” She questioned without looking away.

Niq turned back to Riri. “Look out for doll for me, Ri.”

“What the fuck I need taking care of for Niq?” you broke your gaze off of Riri, feeling a tug in your chest as you did. 

“Language!” your mother yelled from inside the house.

“How you hear me and not them?” you yelled back, sweeping your hand towards the girls seated across from you, still on the steps. 

“You starting college next month, doll. You need to stay on the right path; Riri gon make sure you do.”

“I’m starting college next month, Niq. Meaning I am an adult. Meaning I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Yeah, that’s not exactly what I was volunteering for, Niq-” Riri went unheard as the argument between sisters grew louder.

“I’m not gonna be here to look out for you, y/n-”

“I don’t need you looking out for me! You’re going to basic training, nigga, not war!”

“I don’t know when imma be back!” Niq’s voice rang over yours, shutting you up as what seemed like a street full of nosy neighbors went silent. “I got basic training, then AIT, then who knows where the fuck imma end up.”

Riri’s head dropped, not wanting to imagine the possibilities, while you glared at your sister, not backing down from hers. “I graduated, then dipped, y/n. You graduated top of your class. You got into every college you applied to, and I barely got into the community college.”

Her leg rose as she climbed the steps, reaching you in three quick movements. “You got something going for you,” Niq said, grabbing your hands. “Ain’ nothing wrong with joining the military, but this was my last resort, doll,” she stated with a small smile. “Selling dope couldn’t be it for me. I wanna not live with ma and granny one day.” 

Both your lines of vision dropped to your connected hands, and you squeezed tighter. She was leaving you in the morning. Your older sister, your first friend. 

“This the only way imma make a name for myself,” she said before turning back to Riri. “Promise me you gon look out for her.”

Riri lifted her head slowly, dragging her eyes up to meet yours. Gazes locked, she promised, lips barely parting. 

“Good,” Niq replied, throwing an arm around your shoulder. “My doll better be in one piece when I get back.”

Niq didn’t come back. Not on some morbid shit, she was alive and well, just caught up in the U.S. military’s fucked up sense of humor. South Korea, they said, for the next two and a half years. Over six thousand miles away, with a 14-hour time difference. Which meant, for the past six months, texting had been your lifeline, and even that was spotty. By the time the sun rose in Chicago, she was well into her work day, and when she went to lay her head down at night, you were well into yours. You’d heard your sister’s voice less in these couple of months than you ever had in your entire life.

And of course, shit hit the fan once she left. Grandma got sick, real sick. The type of sick that at-home remedies and late-night prayers couldn’t touch. The nursing home three miles up the road had been the only option left, and she wasn’t exactly willing to go. Dragging her there had damn near broken something in your mom. “When it rains, it pours,” she’d murmured that night, wiping at the tears she wouldn’t allow to fall. 

With you and Mama being the only two at home now, things got tense. You were her sole focus, and arguing had become a daily task, and you were sick of it. She was hyperfixated on you, the way you dressed, how you wore your hair, even how often you were coming home.

 “We spent time and money decorating that dorm room, and you don’t even wanna stay in it!” She said it like a punchline every time you walked in the door. No greeting. Just disappointment dressed in a sigh.

As unbearable as she was making it, home was your escape. It was frozen in a time before everything changed and everyone left. Niq’s room still looked the same—messy, loud, alive. Her dirty laundry littered the floor like she’d just stepped out. Her vinyls still clung to the wall, crooked and fading, collecting dust. Grandma’s room hadn’t changed since you were a kid. Same heavy curtains blocking out the sun, same stack of books in the corner, like she’d be back any minute.

And college? A fucking joke. The workload hit you in relentless waves, and you couldn’t stay afloat. Your grades were in free fall, D’s scattered across your progress report like bruises. You were too tired to even pretend to care anymore.

Your roommate didn’t help. A bubbly blonde from ‘Bama who “didn’t get why you needed all those products” for your hair. She partied constantly, stumbled in loud as hell, and crashed wherever she landed. Once, you found her asleep facedown in your hamper.

You were over it. Done. Ready to tap out

That’s what tonight’s argument was about. “I’ll be damned if you dropout, y/n! That’s not an option!”

You leaned over the kitchen counter, gripping the edge so hard your knuckles ached.

“I can’t do it anymore, ma-”

“Yes, you can, and you will! Take a break. Set a damn schedule," she snapped, waving her hands like she was shooing a demon. "Sleep in that dorm room we paid for so you ain’t commuting back and forth every night!"

“You not hearing me-”

"You’re damn right I’m not!  Your sister made it through basic training; You can survive a few essays!"

And there it was. That sharp little blade she loved to twist—Niq.

 “Niq wasn’t walking out my house with her belly out-”

“Niq didn’t spend hundreds of dollars on some braids-”

Niq didn’t curse, cry, or crumble. You were sick of living in her shadow.

“Whatever, ma,” you mumbled, stomping towards the front door.

“Whachu say, girl?”  she shot back, sharp and fast. She heard you. She just wanted to give you the chance to backpedal.

Instead, you doubled down. “WHATEVER, ma!” you shouted harshly, yanking the door and slamming it behind you. “Fuck!”

The air outside hit your face like a slap—cool, grounding. You closed your eyes, and sucked in a long breath until your lungs felt full enough to float.

“Your sister would beat your ass, she heard you talking to your mama like that,” a voice spoke up from the far corner of the porch, casual, but heavy. Familiar.

“My sister ain’ here,” you retorted, eyes still shut. 

The creak of wood under their skeptical footsteps. Then the warm, familiar scent of lavender and amber rolled over you, soft and cloying. Your curls lifted in the breeze before dropping back down like they were tired too.

“Then maybe I should beat your ass for her.” It sounded like a tease, but you knew of the real threat that hung beneath those words.

You sighed, deep and heavy. Like it was too much effort to drag your eyes open and stare at her like she was the last person you wanted to see and the only one you needed. “What you want, Riri?”

She stood across from you now, just an arm’s length away. Her signature cornrows were gathered into two buns at the nape of her neck, where two chains hung, glittering in the sun. The plain black tee she wore was skin tight, a stark contrast to the baggy pants that hung low on her hips. Your eyes dropped—unapologetically. You took your time dragging them back up to hers. Her gaze was already waiting.

“Checkin’ on you like Niq asked me to,” she said with a sniff and a smirk, dropping her head to hide it.

She’d kept to her promise, you had to give her that. Riri had slipped into your routine like she’d always belonged. Calling, dropping by, showing up unannounced just to make sure you were still breathing.

You heard her voice more than Niq’s now.

Saw her more, too.

Her eyes rose when you moved, watching you reach up to gather your hair into a puff atop your head. “You talk to her today?” you asked.

Riri shook her head, causing the chains to twinkle as they brushed over each other. “You?” she questioned back, noticing you staring at the necklaces. 

“Nope,” you responded, popping the ‘p’. 

“What was that just now?” she asked, nodding in the direction of the house where your mother could still be heard fussing behind the thick wooden door. 

“Nothin’ I wanna talk about.”

She didn’t press. That’s what made it easier. “Ight, ight,” she lulled off. “You going back to the dorm tonight, or you crashing here?”

“I ain’ ‘crashing’ nowhere, Ri. This my house.”

Riri sucked her teeth. You smiled before you could stop yourself. “Girl, answer the damn question,”  Her soft laugh made your stomach tighten.

“Imma let ma calm down some, but I’ll be here.”

Riri nodded, already stepping down from the porch. She fished a blunt from her pocket, lit it, and turned. "I’ll see you later, then?"

You hesitated, then: "Ri—"

She turned fast, eyes scanning you like something might be wrong. "Yeah, doll?"

You jogged down the steps, heart thudding—not from the run.

Her eyes dropped. She saw it. Saw the way your chest moved. Saw everything.

The blunt rested between her teeth, balancing on her pretty brown lips, when you plucked it from her. Placing it in your mouth instead, you mumbled, “Light it.”

She shook her head, but obeyed. “Quit giving your mama a hard time.”

Your eyes rolled as you inhaled, willing the smoke to fill your mouth, then your lungs. Riri stood by, watching your fluid movements like she was drawn to them. You puckered your lips and blew your residual smoke right into her face. She didn’t flinch. Just smiled. That stupid, sweet little smirk that sent shivers down your spine.

Her eyes locked on your mouth for a beat too long before she finally turned away.

No goodbyes. Just silence.

You both went in opposite directions—her swaggering off into the twilight, you back toward the porch with the blunt tucked between your lips, just like she always wore it.

You curled up in one of the rocking chairs on the porch, not daring to go back inside until the scent of marijuana on you was washed away by the wind. The daytime hue crept away as night crawled in. One by one, the streetlights flickered on, and the world softened.

It had been a while since you heard your mother stomping about the house; long enough to assume she’d gone to bed. You rose, stretched, crept to the front door, and silently prayed it wasn’t locked.

It clicked open easily. You whispered a quiet "Thank you" and slipped inside, up the stairs, to the one place that still felt like yours.

You had just shut the door, hand on the lock, when you heard it—a faint tapping on your window.

It slid open slowly.

And then, with the grace of a secret, a familiar figure slipped inside.

Riri didn’t say anything as she landed, just brushed off her pants and locked the window behind her like she’d done a hundred times before.

You didn’t speak either.

You just watched her. In your space, moving like she belonged.

She kicked off her shoes with one lazy push, letting them land wherever. Then she sat at the edge of your bed like it was her own, legs spread, elbows resting on her knees, head tilted as she studied you. That same unreadable look on her face, tension running through her body, leaving her rigid.

You leaned against your desk, arms crossed, heart thudding a little louder than you liked. The room was quiet except for the soft creak of your box fan oscillating in the corner and the hum of the streetlight buzzing through the curtains. Riri sat like she had all the time in the world, like your room was her room and you were the one visiting.

"Why you staring at me like that?" you asked, the words heavier than you meant them to be.

She raised one brow but didn’t answer right away. Just leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. “Like what?”

You shrugged, eyes dropping to your feet. “Cut the shit, Ri. What’s the problem?”

"Mm," she hummed, leaning back again, letting silence stretch between you. "Maybe I just don't like seeing you fight with your moms like that."

You scoffed, turning toward your desk to fidget with the loose cord of your lamp. "Then don’t come over."

A pause weighed all too heavily between the two of you.

"You want me to stop?"

You didn’t turn around, but your hands stilled.

She let the question hang there, testing the air like smoke.

When you finally turned to face her, Riri was still watching you, eyes soft now. No teasing. No smirk. Just her, open in a way that made your chest ache.

"No," you said quietly.

"Then quit saying dumb shit."

You walked toward her slowly, like you were approaching something delicate. She didn’t move. Just let you come closer until you were standing between her knees again. Her hands came up, settling on your waist like a habit.

“I’m tired,” you murmured, voice cracking on the edges.

“I know,” she said. “Come here.”

You climbed into her lap without hesitation this time, tucking your face into her neck like it was the only safe place in the world. Her arms wrapped around you, firm and sure, and for a second, you let yourself pretend the rest of it didn’t exist—school, your mama, Niq, the weight of trying to hold it all together.

Just her. Just you.

And when she turned to kiss you, it was deep and desperate, like she needed it to hold shit together just as badly as you did.

A sigh escaped from you, and Riri swallowed it without a second thought. These nights, these moments were the only thing that made the tough days worth it. Her hands crept up beneath your shirt, stopping just shy of your bra line. 

She pulled away, much to your demise. You leaned into her, silently begging for her lips back on yours, groaning when she dodged your attempts with a lazy smile. 

“C’mon, baby, this ain’t new to you.” Her hands left your skin, taking their warmth with them. “Tell me what you want,” she spoke lowly, propping her arms behind her to support her weight. Her command was lustful, sharing the feeling like a disease. Your stomach coiled. 

“I want you to touch me, Ri,” you whined, grabbing at her hands in futile attempts.

“Where?” she asked, nipping your chin when you got close enough. 

Annoyance growing, you yanked the hem of your shirt, lifting it over your head and discarding it somewhere on the floor with Riri’s shoes. Your bra was just as easy to slip out of. The dainty pink piece dangled on the tip of your finger in front of Ri’s face before floating to the ground as well.

Your breasts sat pretty and perky, right under Riri’s nose. She was hypnotized by your dark areolas and the way your nipples were already pointing towards her mouth. The scent of you made her mouth water. She sat up, wanting to get closer, and you took the opportunity to contort her hands like a marionette.

You couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped when you placed one of her palms right on your breasts, just like she couldn’t help the way her hips bucked into you involuntarily. You spilled into her hand, filling it up properly, sinfully.

The other hand brushed against your naked abdomen so tenderly as it trailed towards the button of your jeans. She tapped at it absentmindedly, never taking her gaze away from the goosebumps sprouting across your bosom. “Take these off,” her order was whispered, but direct. 

Now it was her turn to whine when your body left hers. Standing and ready to give her a show, Riri gazed up at you with literal hearts in her eyes, mesmerized, watching you spin until your back was to her and your hips were shimmying the pants down past them.

She watched as they pooled at your feet and you stepped out, leaving you in nothing but a pair of panties. “These, too?” you questioned, fingers already tucked into the hem, ready to be rid of them. Riri nodded pathetically, having lost her voice at the sight of you.

Off came those, as well, and she barely gave you a moment to blink before her hands were on your waist. The way she threw you onto the bed was quick and rough, the frame creaking. She ignored your coos and open arms, bending instead to pick your panties up off the floor. Bringing them up to her face, she inhaled deep, filling her lungs with you. The thin lace disappeared into her pocket with a dark smirk. “My trophy.” Her look at you was drool-worthy, and the coil in your stomach wound tighter.

“Nasty girl,” you hummed to her, watching as she stalked to you. Like an animal. Predator to prey. 

“Baby, I’m not nasty,” her hands wrapped around your ankles, tugging you to the edge of the mattress. You were foldedin half as she bent at the waist, stuffing her face in your cunt. Her nose brushed too lightly against your tender clit, holding on tighter as you twitched beneath her. “I’m grown.”

Her tongue lapped you, from slit to clit, flat and wide. Just once, and then her puckered lips were blowing cool air onto your wetness. Your whines were soft and low, much too quiet for Riri’s liking. “You must want me to stop.” She licked you again, slowly, placing a kiss to your clit when she reached it. “I know you can be louder than that, baby.”

She was lapping at you like one would an ice cream cone. “I know your mama’s home-” she conversed with herself, your brain having turned to mush. “I’ll make sure ma don’t hear us.” Her lips closed around your clit, sucking lightly. Your hips lifted from the bed, trying to push your cunt further into her face, needy and begging. Ri held you down like you weighed nothing, hands pressed to the parts of you where pelvis connected with thigh. “I just wanna hear you a lil bit,” she spoke again, lulling her tongue to rub tight circles over your bud.

Moans caught in your throat, not good enough for Ri. Her fingers dragged across your skin, reaching the wetness on your thighs before teasing your puffy lips. Her nails dragged against you, watching you clench around nothing while her tongue still worked. “I can make you scream, y/n.”

Your eyes widened in horror, one that was quickly washed away by pleasure as her fingers toyed with your entrance. “That what you want, doll? Want the whole neighborhood hearing you scream my name?” She thrust into you, two fingers deep. You moaned, deep and guttural, but still too quiet for the prideful girl digging you out. 

Your pussy fluttered around her, squeezing tight and pulling her in. “Louder for me, baby.” Her fingers scissored inside of you, curving to hit that squishy part and pulling away, before thrusting back into it. “How I’m ‘pose to know I’m doing a good job if I can’t hear you?”

She kept one hand thrown across your pelvis, in a lazy attempt to keep you glued to the bed. As strong as she was, the way she was fucking you lifted your body like you were possessed. Riri curved her fingers even further, digging into you. You could feel the pressure building, the way you felt like a too-tight rubber band about to pop.

She could feel you clenching around her fingers, so tight, she could barely move. “Shit, baby, I wish I could feel you like this on my cock.” Her nasty words hit you straight in the cunt, splashing around her further. “I’d be in this shit every fucking night.” Ri was hovering over you now, her movements not slowing. “Pumping you full,” she described, hips thrusting, pushing her digits into you. “You’d walk out this house with a belly full of me.” 

Your head lifted, watching the place where you and Riri were connected. The sight was a filthy one. Her crotch sported a wet spot that could only be explained away by the way you were leaking onto her. A thin sheen of sweat covered her forehead, and she glowed beneath the artificial yellow light coming from the streetlight through your window. 

You were a beautiful, bumbling mess beneath her. Breasts bouncing, stomach wet with sweat and your own juices. You looked downright pornographic. 

“Fuck, Ri,” you gasped. Bottom lip tucked between your rows of teeth, you bit down so hard you were afraid it would bleed. “Fuck, fuck me,” you choked out.

So vocal, so vulgar, but still, too quiet. 

The pumping into your cunt stopped, but only for a moment. Long enough to send a lustful groan from between your lips. Your gummy walls stretched as Riri added a third finger, resuming her staggering movements. “There you go, baby, that was almost loud enough.”

One hand cupping your breast, the other scratching at Riri’s wrist. “Nuh-” you tried, but the words were sloppy, almost as sloppy as your pretty pussy. “Too much, Ri!” You sounded like a habitual drunk, slurred and slack.

“No, it's not.”

You nodded fast. “Is-it is!” You cried, uncaring of how shrill you were becoming. 

“You can take it.” She thrusted harder, deeper, fingertips drumming against your cervix.

“Ri, please-”

 “You can take it because I said so, baby. Take what I give you.” She growled at you. 

“Ri,” you dragged out the last syllable in her name, singing it as your pussy tightened, contracting. Your orgasm came fast and without warning. Riri’s come covered hand was quick to seal your mouth, muffling what remained. 

She saw the way your eyes darkened, ready to lash out at her. You were silenced by her slick fingers forcing their way between your lips. “I know, I know, too loud. My bad.”

You bit down on her hand, earning a small slap to your cheek. “Clean me up,” she shoved her wet fingers back into your mouth, pulling forth a gag from the back of your throat. “Good girl,” she praised, noticing the way your legs clenched together at her words. “Clean yourself off me.”

And you did, hollowing your cheeks to suck yourself from her fingers, licking inbetween each of them with your eyes locked on hers. “Nasty girl,” she whispered, unable to look away.

“Not nasty,” you released her fingers with a pop, planting a kiss on her palm before pulling away. “Just grown.”

Riri's hand traced slow, absent-minded circles against your lower back, the two of you tangled together in the glow of your nightlight. Her heartbeat was steady beneath your cheek, but yours had started to trip.

You spoke without lifting your head. “You ever gonna tell her?”

Her fingers paused for half a second. Just long enough.

“Niq?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yeah.”

Another pause. Longer this time. You could almost hear her thinking, feel the tension slip into her muscles.

“I don’t know,” she said finally. Soft. Like the words might bruise. This wasn’t the first time you two had tried having this conversation; you’d just hoped the answer had changed this time.

You sat up just enough to see her face. “What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I mean, I don’t know, baby,” She sighed, dragging a hand down her face. “It’s not like I planned for this to happen. I was supposed to watch out for her little sister, not fuck her little sister! Not fall for her-”

You laughed, bitter and low. “You planned to sneak through my window every night?”

“No,” she snapped, sitting up straighter. “I planned to look out for you. That’s it. Be your big sister’s responsible friend. That was the job.”

“But that’s not what this is.”

Her eyes met yours, jaw tight. “No. It’s not.”

"So, what—this whole thing just stays in the dark forever?" You gestured vaguely between you two. “You get to touch me like this, hold me like this, but I gotta pretend we’re just cool every time Niq calls? Every time I say your name around her, I gotta pretend I don’t feel anything? You fuck me at night, go about your business during the day? I don’t get to take pictures of us, we can’t go on dates-”

“Don’t do that,” she warned, her voice suddenly sharp beneath the darkness. “Don’t act like this is just that easy for me.”

“I’m not,” you snapped back. “I’m saying I’m tired of acting like it's not what it is.”

Silence again.

She leaned back on her palms, eyes flicking to the ceiling like it might hand her an answer. “You know she’d lose her shit if she found out. That we been doing this behind her back, lying to her and shit.”

“And what?” you challenged. “You scared she won’t fuck with you anymore?”

Riri didn’t answer. Didn’t need to.

You saw it in her face.

You deflated, more hurt than angry now. “Damn. So that’s what this is.”

“She’s my best friend, y/n. My first friend in a long ass time,” Riri said quietly. “I can’t just throw that away.”

Your mouth opened, then closed. The words caught in your throat like smoke.

Riri sat up, reaching for your hand, but you pulled it away before she could touch you. She flinched, barely, but enough.

“I’m not asking you to throw that away,” you said. “I’m just asking you to stop hiding me. I’m grown, remember? Niq can handle finding out about us.”

The room felt heavier than it should’ve. Your chest ached in that familiar, dull way—like disappointment had taken up permanent residence.

She reached for you again, slower this time. “You know I care about you, right?”

You looked at her, eyes burning. “Then act like it. Love me out loud, Riri,” you challenged.

And for once, she didn’t have a clever answer.

Your gaze bounced around her face, studying it for some type of reaction, as hers did the same to you. Every glance you shared was cloaked in the kind of silence that spoke louder than any confession, a secret only you understood.

The silence had stretched so long, it didn’t even feel like silence anymore. It felt like its own thing—loud, alive, sitting between you like a wall you hadn’t built but somehow helped keep up.

You rolled over, turning your back to her. A coward’s move, sure, but you didn’t want her to see your face break.

Behind you, Riri shifted. The bed creaked, and for a moment, you thought she might leave—slip out the window like she always did, disappearing before either of you had to deal with the mess.

But then she spoke, voice low, wrecked.

“I hate this shit.”

You stilled.

“I hate feeling like I gotta choose between wanting you and keeping my friendship with her.”

You turned just enough to glance over your shoulder. “Who said it has to be a choice?”

“She didn’t,” Riri admitted, laughing bitterly. “But she will. You know Niq. She’s not gonna just roll with this like it’s cool. She’s gonna feel betrayed. We betrayed her, baby.”

You sat up, tugging the blanket around your naked chest. “Then what? We keep sneaking around forever? I’m your dirty little secret until she moves back and this whole thing blows up in our faces?”

Riri stared at the ceiling again, jaw clenched, before reaching your glare and shaking her head. “Nah, baby. You’re so much more than a dirty little secret. You don’t deserve that. Don’t deserve this.”

You blinked. “What?”

“This.” She waved a hand between you. “Being with someone who can’t give you everything you need and more without shit falling apart.”

Your throat burned. “So what—this is it? That’s your answer?”

She didn’t say anything. Just let the weight of it hang between you.

That was the moment it cracked. Not in some dramatic, yelling kind of way—but quiet, and devastating. Heartbreaking

“I’m not gonna beg you to choose me,” you whispered, giving up. Your voice didn’t even sound like yours.

Riri’s eyes finally met yours. And for once, they looked scared.

Not angry. Not stoic.

Just scared.

You slid off the bed, heading to your closet to grab an oversized sleep shirt. Without bothering to look back, you added, “I love you, Ri.”

The words landed like a punch.

You didn’t wait for her to say it back. You didn’t even expect her to. You just needed her to know.

Because if she wasn’t gonna fight for this, then at least one of you had to be brave enough to say what it really was.

You slipped out the door towards your bathroom, leaving her in the darkness with silence, and all the pieces of what you could’ve been.

Sunday Storms

Sammie Moore x Reader

Cw: rough sex, consensual choking, crying during sex, verbal conflict, and religious themes

The sky was still dark when Sammie eased outta bed, careful not to wake her.

She laid curled beneath the sheet, bare shoulder peeking out, lips parted just a little like she was still dreamin’. Her breath rose soft and slow, and he stood there a second longer than he should’ve, just watchin’.

Then he leaned down—pressed a kiss to her temple, warm and slow. Whispered against her skin, “Be back ‘fore long, baby.”

She didn’t stir. Just sighed a little, turned deeper into the pillow.

Sammie straightened up, ran a hand through his hair, and reached for his guitar case like it was armor. Stepped out the door into a world still quiet with sleep.

The Prayer House— 9:12 a.m.

The choir was already singin’ when Sammie walked in. “Power, Lord!” ringin’ from the rafters, the old church swayin’ like it remembered freedom in its bones.

He moved slow up the center aisle, Sunday suit hangin’ just right, guitar slung across his back. Folks turned to watch him pass, but he didn’t look at none of ‘em.

Only one man mattered in that room.

Reverend Moore locked eyes with him from the pulpit. That look he gave Sammie? Wasn’t fatherly. Wasn’t proud.

“You bring that devil’s music in here again, boy,” the reverend said low, but sharp, “you best be ready to answer for it.”

Sammie stopped at the altar, nodded once to the pianist, and took hold of the mic. The church quieted down, like breath caught in a throat.

“I ain’t bring no devil’s music,” Sammie said. “I brought what God put in me. That’s all I got.”

The first strum of his guitar rang out low and full. The kind of sound that came from a deep place—lonely, rooted, tired but still fightin’.

Then he sang.

Not from the hymnal. Not from no book. Just from his chest.

It was the kind of voice that made old women clutch their hearts and made young folks lean in like it held secrets. He sang of wanderin’. Of bein’ misunderstood. Of findin’ God in the cracks—between hard days and blue notes. His voice was velvet rough, full of tears unshed and prayers not quite prayed.

And his daddy?

Reverend Moore sat back tight-lipped, jaw workin’. He couldn’t deny the spirit movin’ in that room. Couldn’t argue with the way Sammie’s voice wrapped around them rafters like incense.

Sammie strummed one last slow, syrupy chord before stepping away from the mic. The congregation didn’t erupt—just sat in a hush, like they ain’t know if they should clap, pray, or cry.

When it was over, no one clapped. No one breathed. The silence itself was holy.

Sammie lowered his head.

“Amen.”

He nodded once. Packed up his guitar. On the way down the aisle, folks reached for him—shaky hands, whispered praise:

“Sammie, baby, the Spirit was in you today.”

“That voice—you touched somethin’ deep.”

“You sure you ain’t ready to come back home for good?”

He smiled polite, nodded soft, but didn’t linger. The sun was creepin’ in through the stained-glass, dust spinnin’ in the light. He was two steps from the door when—

“Samuel.”

His daddy’s voice. Still sharp enough to make the back of Sammie’s neck twitch.

“Sit.”

Sammie looked over and saw Reverend Moore sittin’ in the second pew from the front, one hand on his Bible, the other drumming slow against the wood.

Church had emptied, but the air was still thick. Heavy with spirit, sweat, and all the things unsaid.

Sammie sat down slow, a pew between them. Guitar leaned close by.

For a long moment, neither man spoke. Just the creak of the wood under their weight, and the faint hum of cicadas outside.

“You enjoy that?” Reverend Moore asked, not lookin’ at him.

“I ain’t come for enjoyment,” Sammie said. “Came to tell the truth.”

“That ain’t truth. That was pain. That was rebellion. You turned the Lord’s house into a roadhouse.”

“I turned it into a mirror,” Sammie shot back. “What you mad at? The words I sang? Or the fact that folks listened?”

Reverend Moore’s fingers stilled. “They don’t need more music, son. They need saving.”

“And who said they can’t find it in a chord?” Sammie leaned forward, voice lower now, almost a growl

“Jesus walked with whores and drunkards, but you won’t let me sing cause my gospel got a backbeat?”

“You sound just like him,” Reverend Moore said. “Soft on sin. Loud with pride.”

That name again. His uncle’s ghost stirrin’.

Sammie’s jaw flexed. “He was more God-fearing than you ever been.”

The reverend turned now. Looked straight at him. “You keep walkin’ this path, boy, ain’t gon’ be no comin’ back.”

Sammie held his gaze. Steady. Defiant. “Then don’t expect me to crawl.”

He stood. Reached for his guitar.

“Pride goeth before the fall,” his daddy muttered.

Sammie turned, just before steppin’ into the sunlit aisle. “And truth goeth whether you like it or not.”

Then he walked out—boots echoing against the wood, leavin’ behind the pew, the pulpit, and the man who never saw the light in his voice.

The door creaked open slow, like even the hinges knew he was carryin’ more than just his guitar.

Sammie stepped inside, head low, jaw locked tight. Suit clingin’ damp to his back, face dark with somethin’ he couldn’t shake. He didn’t say nothin’—just shut the door behind him and stood there, stewin’.

You felt it the second he crossed the threshold.

You moved quiet through the kitchen, filled a glass—two fingers of brown, splash of ginger, a little sugar just to take the edge off. You pressed it into his palm. He took it, didn’t look, didn’t thank you. Just threw it back hard enough to make your throat ache in sympathy.

No flinch. No sigh. Just the sound of glass tappin’ back against wood.

“You let him get to you again?”

Your voice barely broke the stillness, but it landed like a stone on water.

He didn’t answer right away. Just rubbed a hand over his face, eyes still stuck to the floor.

“I ain’t never wanted him to hate me,” he muttered. “Ain’t never asked to be no disappointment.”

“You ain’t no damn disappointment, Sammie.” You stepped in closer. “You hear me? That man just mad the church loves you the way he never let ‘em love him.”

“I ain’t ask for none of that,” he snapped. “I just sang.”

“And you sang the truth. That ain’t no sin.”

He shook his head, jaw twitchin’. “You don’t get it.”

“Try me.”

That got his eyes on you, finally. And they were blazin’.

“You don’t know what it’s like to carry his name,” he said, voice rising. “To be his son. Every note I sing, every chord I play, he see it as a stain on his damn legacy.”

You stepped up chest to chest now, voice firm. “So what? You gon’ let him shame you into bein’ quiet? Again?”

“You think this easy for me?!” Sammie barked. “You think I like feelin’ like I’m killin’ my daddy every time I open my mouth?”

“You doin’ what he never had the courage to do!” you shot back, voice rising to match his. “You tellin’ the truth! That ain’t weakness, that’s faith.”

Sammie’s hand slammed down on the kitchen counter, glass rattlin’ with the force. “You don’t get it! Every Sunday I show up, it’s like beggin’ for a father that don’t exist!

You flinched—but only for a second. Stepped right back in.

“And every Sunday I sit here watchin’ you come back torn to pieces, tryna patch you up just for you to shove me away like I ain’t tryin’! Like I ain’t the one stayin’ when he keeps rejectin’ you!”

His chest heaved. Yours too. Two fires facin’ each other, breathin’ the same smoke.

“I ain’t ask you to fix me,” he bit out.

“And I ain’t tryna fix you,” you snapped. “I’m tryna love you. But you so busy fightin’ ghosts, you can’t even see what’s right here.”

Silence dropped like a hammer. Heavy. Breathing ragged between you both.

Sammie looked at you like he wasn’t sure whether to run or fall to his knees.

But he did neither.

Just turned his back, fists clenched at his sides, and said low—

“Then maybe you should stop tryin’.”

That line dropped like a match in gasoline.

You didn’t even think. Just saw red.

“The hell you just say to me?!”

Your voice cut the air in half, and his shoulders tensed—but he didn’t turn.

“Oh, you bold now?” You were already on him. “You think you can talk to me like I’m some damn stranger?”

You shoved him—hard. His body jolted forward from the force, and when he turned, that heat in his eyes wasn’t pain.

It was fury.

“Don’t start with me,” he warned, low.

But you wanted to fight. You wanted to make him feel everything he kept tryna bury.

“I’ll start and I’ll finish, Sammie! Don’t you ever talk to me like I ain’t the one holdin’ you down when your whole damn world falls apart!”

He clenched his jaw. Fists balled. Veins jumpin’. You saw it all.

And you poked it.

“What you gon’ do, huh? Raise that voice like your daddy do? Ball up them fists like you him now?”

You shoved him again, chest to chest. “Go ‘head! You wanna shut me up, right? Make me stop.”

That was it.

He moved.

Fast. Hard. Sure.

Snatched your wrists in his hands like he’d been waitin’ to, spun you and pressed you to the wall

“You bout’ done runnin’ that mouth ?”

His voice was a low growl, breath hittin’ your neck, hands pinning your arms beside your head.

Your breath caught.

But you weren’t scared.

Still tryin’ to push back. “Let go of me.”

“No.”

His grip tightened.

“You want me to make you stop? Here I am.”

You bucked against him and he pressed his hips flush to yours, holding you there, commanding your whole body without even breakin’ a sweat.

“Say another word,” he hissed in your ear.

“See what happens.”

You twisted in his hold, breath comin’ short now.

Not from fear.

From the way he was claimin’ you without askin’.

“You gon’ act right?”

You stayed quiet.

So he dropped his mouth to your neck—bit. Hard. Just enough to make you gasp.

“That’s what I thought.”

He pulled your arms down just enough to flip you around, back hittin’ the wall now, his chest pressin’ into yours. Eyes locked. Fire to fire.

And he kissed you.

Not soft. Not sweet.

It was a punishment. A reward. A command. Tongue deep, mouth hot, takin’ control of everything you had left.

“You done now?” he asked again, voice hoarse, lips hoverin’.

You still wouldn’t say it.

So he grabbed your thighs, lifted you clean off the ground, and pressed you tighter to the wall.

“I said—” his voice dropped dark— “You done now?”

He kissed you like it was the last word.

But you pulled back, chest heaving, eyes locked on his. And you smirked.

“That all you got, Preacher Boy?”

His jaw ticked.

Breath slowed, but his eyes? Blazin’.

“Still talkin’,” he muttered, grip shiftin’ on your thighs, diggin’ in harder like he was remindin’ you who had you pinned.

You leaned in, your voice slick and daring, heat dripping from every word.

“If you gon’ shut me up, Sammie, then do it. But don’t half-step.”

He stared at you for half a breath, jaw clenched, teeth grit like he was holdin’ back a flood.

Then he dropped his head, low and dark at your neck, teeth grazin’, breath scorchin’.

“You want me to take it there?”

Voice raw.

Mean.

Real.

“Take it,” you hissed, bitin’ your lip, back archin’ into him. “Handle me.”

That was all he needed.

His hand slid under your thigh and he lifted you higher, slammed your back harder into that wall—not enough to hurt, but just enough to make you feel him. All of him.

You gasped.

He didn’t slow.

His mouth crashed into yours again—teeth, tongue, spit, heat. Hands roamin’ like he was claimin’ territory, not beggin’ permission.

“Mouth still runnin’?” he growled, voice muffled against your lips.

You bit his bottom lip, pulled it between your teeth.

“Mmhm.”

Then smirked again.

“You gon’ fix that, or you just gon’ look pretty?”

He chuckled—dark and dangerous.

Then he turned, carried you off that wall with one arm under your ass, stridin’ toward the nearest room like you ain’t weigh nothin’.

“You talkin’ a lotta shit for somebody who’s bout to be beggin’.”

—————-

He kicked the bedroom door open with his boot, you still gripped tight in his arms.

Tossed you on the bed like you ain’t nothin’ but breath and bad decisions.

You bounced, laughing—tauntin’.

“That all you got, big man?”

He stood at the foot of the bed, dark eyes draggin’ down your body like he was about to destroy it just for breathin’ too loud.

“You got one more time to test me.”

His voice was low. Threat-level low.

You sat up on your elbows, licked your lips slow, still smirkin’.

“Or what? You finally gon’ stop talkin’ and start doin’?”

That was it.

He jerked his shirt over his head, muscles flexin’ tight with tension, skin gleamin’ with the heat he brought in from outside.

He was already on you—grabbin’ your ankle, yanking you down the mattress with one pull.

You squealed, tried to sit up—he shoved you flat.

“Uh-uh.”

He crawled over you, caging your body with his. “Keep that ass still.”

“Make me.”

He grabbed your jaw, tight. Not cruel. Claimin’.

“You don’t wanna play with me right now, girl.”

“You don’t scare me, Sammie.” You grinned through clenched teeth. “I like this.”

“You gon’ beg me to stop by the time I’m done.”

He pressed his forehead to yours.

“And I ain’t.”

His hand slid down your body, no finesse, all possession. Grippin’. Squeezin’. Daring you to keep that mouth open.

You did.

“Gon’ have to do better than that.”

So he did.

His hand shoved beneath your waistband, no warning, fingers draggin’ through you like he was searchin’ for somethin’ to ruin.

Your body jolted.

“Sammie—”

He laughed dark. “What happened to all that talk?”

You squirmed, grabbed at his arms.

“That all you—mm—”

Your breath hitched when he curled his fingers just right.

“Go on,” he said, teeth at your ear. “Tell me what I ain’t doin’. Run that mouth again.”

You gasped, eyes rollin’ back as he picked up pace, rough and unrelentin’, thumb circlin’ like he had a point to prove.

“Fuck—”

“There she go,” he murmured. “Knew I’d shut you up.”

He bit down on your shoulder.

“This what you wanted, huh?”

Your hips bucked into his palm.

“Say it.”

You turned your head, lips brushin’ his.

“I wanted it rough. Not lazy.”

That line hit him like a slap.

His face twisted—something dark, something hungry.

“Oh, aight.”

Then he slammed his fingers back inside you, deeper than before, faster, thumb rubbin’ circles that had your back archin’ off the bed.

“Say it again,” he growled.

“Say it with your fuckin’ chest.”

Your jaw dropped, breath caught.

“Fuck, Sammie—”

“Nah, don’t start cryin’ now.”

His hand moved like punishment—no rhythm, just need. Sloppy, wet, deliberate.

He leaned over you, watchin’ your face as he worked you.

“Said I was lazy, right? You want effort?”

He grunted.

“Take it then.”

Your legs shook, hips jerkin’, hands clutchin’ the sheets—tryin’ to brace for how good it hit.

“That’s right.”

His other hand grabbed your thigh, shoved it wider.

“You feelin’ that? Huh?”

You couldn’t speak—just noddin’, eyes wild.

He was locked in now—movin’ mean, wrist flexin’, knuckles hittin deep. His breath heavy as yours.

And then—

you snapped.

Back arched, mouth open, eyes shut—you finished hard, loud, legs tremblin’ around his wrist.

You barely came down before he yanked his hand out, wet and glistening, wiped it across his tongue like he was tastin’ victory.

Then—

he shoved you flat back on the bed, hands firm on your thighs, yanked your bottoms off with no patience.

You barely caught your breath before he was there—

face between your legs, mouth on you like revenge

“Thought I was gon’ stop?”

He growled it, breath hot, tongue mean.

He didn’t ease in. He devoured.

Fast. Messy. Relentless.

Suckin’ your clit, tongue flickin’ like it was tryin’ to break you open again.

“Don’t run,” he said, holdin’ your thighs down.

“You wanted this, remember?”

He shook his head into you, tongue draggin’ through slick, nose nudgin’ your most sensitive spot—no mercy.

He paused just long enough to spit on it—then went right back in, two fingers slidin’ back inside without missin’ a beat.

You choked on your breath, legs kickin’.

“Uh-uh,” he said, mouth full of you.

“You gon’ take all this shit.”

No warm-up. No sweet nothin’. Just two rough hands spreading you wide and that mouth diving in like he had somethin’ to prove.

His tongue landed fast and hard, flickin’ over your clit like it pissed him off, suckin’ it sharp, steady, mean. No rhythm to ease you in—just pressure, punishment, purpose.

His fingers followed, slick and quick, two slid in deep with no warning, curlin’ upward and pressin’ like he was tryin’ to wring you out from the inside.

You yelped, back archin’.

“F-fuck, Samm—” you stammered.

Pop. His hand slapped your thigh, fingers never slowin’ inside you.

“I said shut that pretty mouth.”

You gasped, hips twitchin’.

His mouth pulled off just long enough to speak, breath hot.

“Keep talkin’, I’ll stuff it full.”

Then he dove right back in.

His tongue lashed over your clit like it was beggin’ to be tamed. No teasing, just relentless heat, the wet sound of him suckin’ you down loud and obscene between your thighs.

Your hands scrabbled at the sheets, mouth falling open in another gasp.

“I—Sammie—baby, please, I can’t—”

Pop.

Another slap to your thigh, harder this time.

“Did I say you could speak?”

You whimpered

He leaned up just enough, lookin’ down at you with fire in his eyes, mouth and chin glistening.

“Nah. You gon’ take this. You run that mouth so much—now you gonna learn how to lose it.”

His fingers pumped faster, thumb draggin’ tight, rough circles over your clit like he was tryna send you to hell and heaven in the same stroke.

You couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, body burnin’ up with every curl of his knuckles.

Your legs shook, a moan caught deep in your throat. “S-Sammie, I’m—fuck—I’m—”

He watched you, eyes locked, jaw clenched.

“Yeah? You gon’ cum? Go on then. Let it out. Squirt on my fuckin’ face—let me see you fall apart.”

You cried out as your whole body seized up, hips jerkin’, thighs closin’ tight around his face. But he grabbed your hips and held you down—made you take it.

And then—

You broke.

The pressure burst, a hot flood pouring outta you, wet and wild, coating his mouth, his chin, the damn sheets. You squirted hard, loud, and messy—guttural moan spillin’ from your lips as your body shook through the high.

But Sammie? He didn’t stop.

He growled into you, tongue flickin’ faster, suckin’ you through every tremble.

“That’s it,” he rasped, mouth still locked to you. “You’ll never forget who made you cum like that.”

Your voice broke into sobs of pleasure, words lost in the mess he made of you.

And still—he kept goin’.

You were tremblin’ now, damn near sobbin’ through clenched teeth, thighs sticky and twitchin’ with every flick of his tongue. He was still down there—mouth locked, fingers deep, thumb pressin’ circles over that same oversensitive spot like he wanted to make you scream till you had nothin’ left.

“P-please—” you gasped, body buckin’ under him

He growled against your skin, eyes dark, wrist flickin’ sharp inside you.

“That don’t sound like you beggin’. Come on, pretty girl—cry for me.”

You sniffled, chest stuttering with each breath.

“Cry right,” he whispered, mouth dragging up your thigh, “or I’ll take you there again.”

And just like that, you fell apart again—chest archin’ off the bed, a high-pitched sob spillin’ from your throat as another wave hit you. He held you through it, tongue slow now, just enough to keep the sparks dancing on your skin while your body tried and failed to settle.

Your thighs trembled. Your arms weak. Your eyes slick with tears as you stared up at the ceiling, wrecked.

And only then—only when he’d finished you good and raw—did Sammie rise.

He crawled up your body slow, deliberate, mouth still wet, chin glistening, breathing hard through his nose. Your legs were still twitchin’, body heavy, arms limp at your sides.

He reached down, pulled himself free, thick and heavy, already throbbin’ from everything he’d done to you.

Pressed the weight of him right against your mess.

Didn’t slide in just yet.

Just leaned over—forehead to yours, breath mingling—and spoke:

“I ain’t wanna be angry with you, baby.”

His voice was low, honest, but still edged in heat.

“It’s just that mouth”

You whimpered, lips parted, body still flutterin’.

“Don’t you worry. I’ma fix it.”

And then—he pushed in.

Slow. Deep. Thick enough to punch the air out your lungs.

Your mouth opened, but no sound came

He filled you inch by inch, stretchin’ you around him like he was tryna make space where there wasn’t none.

His forehead dropped to yours. His breath ghosted over your lips, hot and rough.

“Look at me.”

You blinked through tears, eyes heavy-lidded.

“Keep lookin’. You feel that?”

He rolled his hips, pulled out halfway, then slid back in with a grunt.

“That’s me. Deep. Right where I belong.”

You tried to speak—tried to say his name—but all that came out was a whimper, broken and raw.

Sammie leaned back, braced his hands on your thighs, and folded you up slow, pushin’ your legs toward your chest, thighs pressin’ down on your stomach.

Still inside. Still thick. Still ownin’ every inch of space in you.

He sat back on his heels, palms steady on your knees, lookin’ down at you like you were a song he’d written just for this.

“Now be good,” he said, hips startin’ to move, “And let me finish teachin’ you.”

Sammie stayed sittin’ back on his heels, deep inside you, thick and stretchin’ you wide as his palms held your legs up against your stomach. He stared down at you—face tight, breath comin’ hard.

And then he started movin’.

Long, slow strokes.

Grindin’ his hips forward ‘til you felt him press deep at the top of your walls, then pullin’ out slow, makin’ your body ache with the loss, only to slam it back in with a grunt.

Your mouth opened, but nothin’ came out yet. You was too stunned, too full.

His voice came like a sermon.

“You know where you fucked up?”

He slammed in deep.

“First—runnin’ that mouth like you ain’t know who you was talkin’ to.”

Stroke.

“Tryna tell me what I was and wasn’t doin’. Lazy? Me?”

Stroke. Harder.

Your back arched.

“Then pushin’ me—again. After I told you, stop.”

Stroke. Deep, punishing.

You whimpered, body squirming beneath him.

“Ain’t no safe word in attitude. You asked for this.”

Another thrust—hard enough to shake the bedframe.

Your voice cracked on a moan.

“Now look at you.”

His hands slid under your thighs, pushin’ ‘em higher. He leaned in, angle changin’—stroking deeper.

“You loud now?” he taunted, smirking as your breath stuttered.

You tried to answer, but all that came out was a broken cry.

That made him grunt—approval, possession, pride. And then he picked up the pace.

Sharp, thick strokes. Slappin’ skin.

Every inch he gave, he took back harder.

You were moanin’ now, voice high, pitch hittin’ something desperate.

“Mmmhm. There she go.”

He leaned in.

“Loud again. Just how I like you.”

Your body jerked, legs tremblin’, hands graspin’ for anything to hold onto—but he was already leanin’ down, pressin’ his chest to yours.

Bear hug. Tight. Locked. Still fuckin’ you.

One arm curled under your shoulder, the other hand slid to the back of your neck, holdin’ you still. His lips came right to your ear.

And he whispered.

“Shhhh. It’s okay now, baby.”

Stroke.

“You done run your mouth.”

Stroke.

“Lemme take care of it now.”

Stroke.

“Don’t cry, baby. I got it.”

His voice was soft. Sweet. Condescending.

Like he was rockin’ a child.

Like this wasn’t him fuckin’ the lesson into your body—this was him takin’ over.

You sobbed out his name again, walls clenchin’, breath short and fast.

He smiled into your neck.

“That’s it. Let me fix you.”

Still inside you, chest to chest, Sammie breathed through his nose—slow, heavy, hot against your cheek. The bear hug stayed tight, one arm coiled around her back, holdin’ you like you was some fragile thing he was done bein’ gentle with.

But the other hand… it moved.

From the back of your neck—soft at first, thumb slidin’ along your jaw. Then firmer. Fingers curlin’ under your throat.

Chokin’ you. Not too tight. Just enough to hold your breath, make you focus. Make you feel the control—every inch of it.

You gasped, eyes flyin’ open as his palm flattened against your throat, fingers snug, thumb restin’ just under your chin.

“You feel that?” he whispered, voice calm like this was just conversation.

He rolled his hips slow, deep, grindin’ up into you like he was moldin’ you around him.

“You know what this is?”

He thrust again—sharp.

Your legs kicked a little.

“This right here’s a correction.”

Your hands clawed at his back, mind foggy, but body on fire.

“I said shut that mouth—now look at you,” he rasped, pressure on your throat increasing just enough to make your breath hiccup.

“Loud. Wet. Shakin’. And still not done.”

His hips picked up—deep grind, then a sharp thrust. Then again. And again.

You couldn’t even speak. Couldn’t beg. Your breath was stuck under his grip, the sound trapped and rising in your chest like a scream with no exit.

And he felt it. All of it.

Your walls flutterin’ around him, thighs tremblin’, tears spillin’ down your cheeks as that wave crept up again.

“Mmm, yeah,” he murmured against your mouth. “Go ahead. Give it up for me, baby. Let that pussy break for me one more time.”

You tried to nod. Tried to answer.

But that hand on your throat? It held everything.

And that’s when it snapped.

Your body arched, legs stretchin’, arms flailin’ as another orgasm ripped through you—harder, deeper, full-body violent. Your moan barely slipped past his grip, just a choked sob as you squirted again, coating both your skin and his, shakin’ like you was comin’ undone from the inside out.

He held you through it—didn’t let up. Didn’t stop strokin’.

Just watched your face twist with pleasure, pain, surrender.

“That’s it, baby,” he whispered, mouth on your cheek, hand still firm around your throat.

“Let me teach you what your mouth forgot.”

You ain’t even had a second to breathe ‘fore Sammie snatched you over, face-first to the mattress, legs spread, ass high. That sweet boy gone—all that was left was heat, muscle, and spite.

He grabbed your hips up and drove in deep, thick and full, makin’ the whole damn bed creak under you.

“Unnnhh—fuck, girl…” he groaned, voice dragged low and gritty, accent thick like swamp air.

“Told yo’ ass, keep talkin’… now look atcha.”

His palm flattened ‘gainst your back, pushin’ you down each time the bed bounced you forward. He held you like that, pinned, used, his hips smackin’ into you over and over, the slick slap of skin echoing off the walls.

“Ain’t goin’ nowhere now. Naw.”

You tried to speak—voice caught, cracked, a sob laced with a moan.

“Sam—Sammie please—too deep—”

Your hand reached back, tryin’ to catch breath, catch mercy.

Pop.

He slapped that hand away, grabbed both your wrists up, pulled ‘em back behind you with one big hand.

“Told ya I don’t give a fuck.”

His voice was strained now, words meltin’ at the edges.

“Said too deep, huh? Mm. Good. That’s where I live.”

He thrust. Hard. Deep.

“You gon’ feel me in that spine, sugar. Gonna limp for days.”

You cried out, sobbin’ straight into the mattress.

“You sound so goddamn sweet when you hurtin’.”

His mouth fell open, breath hot and wild as he ground into you. That drawl slurred more with each stroke.

“Mmmfuck—make all that mouth just to end up cryin’ on this dick.”

You was shakin’ now, belly clenchin’, whole body caught in that rhythm, that storm of him.

And he was gone. Eyes rollin’, muscles flexin’, hips drivin’ like he was tryna bury himself in you.

“Ain’t no runnin’.”

Thrust.

“Ain’t no stoppin’.”

Thrust.

“Your attitude. Your smart mouth. You all mine.”

Each one hit harder, deeper, uglier.

You wailed, and that pushed him over the edge. He leaned in, wrapped that thick arm around your waist, pullin’ you up, his chest on your back, body shakin’ behind you.

His other hand slid up—from stomach to chest, to your throat.

Wrapped tight. Claimin’.

“Shhh now,” he breathed, right by your ear, that Southern lilt drippin’ like wet heat.

“Hush now, baby. S’okay. S’okay… gon’ take it.”

You sobbed his name, and he held it right there, pulsin’ inside, rockin’ his hips in short, deep strokes.

“Tha’s it… go on ‘n finish again for me. One mo’ time, baby. Jus’ one mo’…”

Still inside—deep, thick, all him. Her ass high, her body tremblin’ against his, her face hot and flushed , cryin’ soft now.

He leaned over her, chest on her back, mouth open at her ear, breath hot and hitchin’.

“Still clenchin’ on me, girl…”

His voice was slow, lazy with heat, all Mississippi drip and thunder.

“Like yo’ body don’t know when to quit.”

And then his hand came down between her legs—slick, sure, mean.

Two fingers rubbin’ her clit, not soft.

Fast. Precise. Knowin’.

“C’mon, baby… you finishin’ again witcha man.”

His hips rolled into her slow.

“Ain’t goin’ nowhere till you do.”

She whimpered, tryin’ to shift, to breathe.

And then—

Her hand reached back.

Shaky fingers slid low, findin’ his sack, cuppin’ his balls soft, thumb draggin’ ‘cross the bottom like she was feelin’ how full he still was.

Sammie damn near folded.

“Mmmfuuuck—” he growled, voice breakin’ straight through his throat.

“Tha’s how you gon’ touch me? You nasty lil thing…”

She rubbed him gentle but firm, that grip sendin’ fire straight through his spine.

And he sped up—fingers draggin’ tighter over her clit, hips grindin’ harder, deeper, his balls hittin’ her hand with every thick stroke.

“Lemme—lemme feel you lose it, baby…”

He choked out the words, hips stutterin’.

“One mo’ time f’me, c’mon now—fuck—lemme fill you up while you cry.”

And she did. Her body broke again.

A sob, a moan, a shudder ran through her, her hand squeezin’ on him as she came, loud and wet and ragged.

Her thighs jerked, back archin’, palm still on his balls like she was tryna milk him down with her.

Sammie snapped.

“God—DAMN!” he shouted, slamming into her once, twice, then holdin’ deep, pulsin’, emptyin’ all that heat inside.

His chest collapsed to her back, that hand still trapped between her legs, twitchin’ from the aftershock.

Both of y’all a wreck.

Sticky. Loud. Torn down and rebuilt.

And his voice?

Low. Filthy. Tender.

“Mmm. You earned that, baby… earned every drop.”

The room was quiet now—heavy with sweat and breath and the ghosts of every cry you’d let loose against them sheets.

Sammie still lay pressed to your back, arms around your waist, breath slowin’ against your neck. But the tight hold he had on you loosened, just enough for him to pull out with a low, shaky groan.

You whimpered—sore, spent, legs weak.

He pressed a kiss to your shoulder, gentle this time, before shiftin’ off the bed, barefoot on the hardwood. No words yet—just movement. A hand draggin’ down his face, another reachin’ for a clean towel from the dresser.

He came back quiet, eyes a little glassy now. All that fire faded down to embers.

Kneelin’ beside you, he wiped you clean slow, careful over your thighs, the back of your knees, down where y’all were still stickied together.

“Didn’t mean to say all that,” he mumbled, voice thick, accent warm like Sunday syrup.

You blinked at him, rollin’ onto your side. “Me neither.”

He gave a small, tired smile. “You cut deep when you want to.”

You breathed a laugh, eyes glossed but soft. “So do you, Sammie.”

For a minute, just the hush of cotton on skin, his hand movin’ gentle as water. He tossed the towel toward the hamper, missed, didn’t care.

You reached up, dragged a lazy finger along the line of his jaw. “Your daddy ever hear you scream the Lord’s name like that again…”

“…he might actually combust.”

Sammie huffed—a real laugh this time, low and from his belly.

“Man, he’d start speakin’ in tongues… ‘cept not the holy kind.”

You both cracked up, exhausted and grinnin’, breathless in a whole new way.

He shook his head, leaned in, crawled back into bed, stretchin’ out over you like he was home.

“Mmm,” he hummed, mouth on your temple, “If I’m goin’ to hell, I’m takin’ you with me.”

You let him kiss you slow—real sweet this time, mouth warm, lips draggin’ over yours like he was sayin’ “I’m sorry” with every stroke.

No more fire. Just you, him, and the peace that only comes after losin’ yourselves in each other.

——————

I AINR PROOFREAD YALL HOPEFULLY ITS FINE mommy’s sleepy

- just relax.

miles caton x black reader

Summary -

After a longgg and tiring day at work, you arrive home feeling weighed down by the day's challenges. Fortunately, your thoughtful boyfriend is there to sense what you need, ready to offer comfort and support to help you unwind and feel cherished.

First piece of writing everrr! Let me know if you enjoyed :3

————————————————————————

You unlock the front door with what feels like the last bit of energy you’ve got. The day’s weight hits you all at once—mentally, physically, emotionally. You don’t even make it past the entryway before your Telfar slides off your shoulder and drops to the floor. A second later, you kick off your heels with a dull clatter.

Everything hurts. Your feet are screaming, your back feels like it’s been twisted up for hours, and your head’s been pulsing since lunch.

“Miles?” you call out, voice low, tired.

From the kitchen, you hear him:

“In here, baby. I got you.”

You walk in and pause.

The lights are low. A candle flickers on the counter.

And there he is—barefoot, in soft gray sweats and a black tee that fits a little too well. Your playlist hums low in the background, that chill, vibey mix he swears he didn’t make just for you.

He turns, sees your face, and all the playfulness in his eyes shifts to something softer. Sweeter.

“Rough day?” he asks, already making his way to you.

You just nod, and before you can even say more, his arms are around you—warm, steady, grounding.

His lips press to your forehead, then your cheek.

Then your shoulder.

And then finally, to your lips—a slow, lingering kiss that makes your chest loosen just a little.

“Let me take care of you,” he says quietly.

“Been waiting to touch you all day.”

He leads you to the bathroom, and your breath catches.

The tub is already full—steamy, calm, and smelling faintly of eucalyptus and something sweet. A candle flickers in the corner. The mirror’s fogged a little.

You blink. “Wait—when did you do all this?”

“Like thirty minutes ago,” he says, grinning softly. “You texted me that one-word reply earlier, I knew you were about to come home burnt out.”

His hands rest at your waist, thumbs rubbing slow, easy circles. He doesn’t rush anything. Not your clothes. Not your earrings. Not even your socks. He takes his time—stripping you down with care, like he’s undoing the day piece by piece. Even kisses your ankle after pulling off your sock.

You ease into the tub, sinking into the warmth with a soft sigh. It’s instant relief.

He sits next to the tub, close enough for his knuckles to trail lightly across your shoulder. Just that little touch makes you melt a bit more.

“You work too hard, baby,” he says, voice low.

You smile tiredly.

“Miles… you know I love my job. It just gets overwhelming sometimes. Plus, I don’t always want to depend on you.”

He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t get defensive.

He just leans in, brushes his thumb across your cheek.

“I know you love it. And I love that you care so much about what you do. But listen—needing me sometimes doesn’t make you weak. You’re allowed to lean on me, alright? That’s what I’m here for.”

You hold your breath for a moment, letting the anticipation build as you gaze into his eyes, sparkles of emotion dancing between you. Your heart races, finally beginning to steady.

He leans in, his forehead touching yours, and the world around you fades.

“Let me hold you up when you’re tired. That’s all I’m asking.” The intensity of his words ignites something deep within you.

You nod, a single movement that carries so much weight. It’s all you can muster, and yet it’s everything.

The bath water splashes playfully around you, his hand warm against your skin. The room hums with tranquility, the playlist weaving a dreamy backdrop—each note pulling you further into bliss.

Minutes slip away in peaceful, intoxicating stillness. And then, his voice slices through the serenity, barely above a whisper:

“Wanna eat something after? I made your favorite.”

A smile blooms on your lips, eyes still closed, anticipation tingling at your fingertips.

“Yeah… I’d love that.”

When he finally helps you out of the tub, he wraps you in the softest towel imaginable—one that’s been warmed up just for you in the dryer.

There’s no rush. No pressure—just his comforting presence enveloping you.

As he carries you to bed, your legs elegantly draped over his arm and your head resting on his chest, a thrilling sense of safety washes over you. It’s the kind of security that needs no words, just a steady, undeniable connection.

————————————————————————

Part 2??? Idk if i should keep going w something spicy hehe .. let me know!

A lot of Sinner's content excludes Annie and Pearline or minimizes them. I'm talking about fanart primarily. However, Mary is always front and center, she is always drawn in fanarts over Annie and Pearline, especially Annie. Ask yourself why....

to answer, a lot of you, even unconsciously, feel a lot more comfortable having a proximity to whiteness. i know mary isn't white per se, but she has a very very close proximity to whiteness that a lot of you feel comfortable with. you feel represented in her, in a way you cannot the visibly, dark skinned, black women.

“ you sweeter than honey !

sammie “preacher boy” moore x black! fem! reader
synopsis: showin’ your favorite preacher boy ‘round the farm
cw: fluff. 30s in the south. written in southern tone. mentions of racism. slight cussing

the sun hung low, slow and lazy like molasses drippin’ off a spoon. the air smelled of dry earth and the faint sweetness of wild honeysuckle, thick with dust that floated in long golden rays. you sat easy in the saddle of belle, your old mare with a mane tangled like summer vines and eyes steady as the fading light. horses out here weren’t just animals—they were partners, pullin’ wagons, haulin’ shit tons of wood, carryin’ you through the sticky southern heat when roads turned to mud.

your curls/coils were are wild and free, like summer vines climbing a fence. mama always said, “they perfect just the way god made ‘em.” you wore a soft, faded-colored dress— maybe a sunwashed blue or faded rose— and sturdy boots you’ve stomped in a million fields.

down the dirt lane, the rumble of a worn-out car broke the quiet. dust kicked up behind it like a restless ghost, swirling lazy and red in the fading sun. the car was battered and dusty, no polish or shine to hide the miles it’d traveled, but it carried who you’d been waitin’ on.

you slid down from belle’s back, boots crunchin’ on dry straw, and stepped toward the porch where sammie’s folks stood. his mama’s eyes softened behind tired smiles, and his papa’s face was weathered but kind. you wiped dust off your hands on your faded dress and tipped your head in greeting.

“good afternoon, mr. moore, mrs. moore,” you said gentle, voice carrying just enough warmth to settle in the evening air. “glad y’all made it safe.”

mrs. moore nodded, “thank you, miss.” mr. moore gave a slow, steady nod that felt like a promise.

you stepped back, catchin’ sammie’s brown eyes from across the yard. he was leaning against the porch, that easy grin tugging at his lips already.

“look who’s showin’ up all fancy,” you teased, voice soft and teasing like a breeze through the magnolia leaves. “preacher boy.”

he cocked his head, eyes bright, slow and smooth as molasses syrup. “n/n,” he said, copyin’ you.

you tilted your head, eyes twinklin’, “still got that damn guitar?”

he smirked, steppin’ a little closer, “still got that damn goat piss on your dress.”

you laughed easy, the sound warm and bright, and before you knew it, he was pulling you in close. the hug wrapped around you like a worn quilt — familiar, steady, and safe.

“reckon if you keep ol’ boy out the house too long, he gon’ get dirty,” you said, nodding toward the guitar case resting by the porch.

after a moment, you pulled back, eyes gleaming. “come on, i wanna show you somethin’.”

| ⟡ ˙🐎 ̟

you led sammie into the barn where the smell of hay and horses settled like a warm blanket. belle stood patiently, her big brown eyes watching you both with quiet trust. a horse whinnied nearby, the sound carryin’ soft and sure in the evenin’ air.

“this here’s belle,” you said, voice steady. “she’s stubborn as a mule but she pulls her weight. we use her to haul the wagon, carry wood, and when the roads get slick, she’s the only way to town.”

sammie reached out, fingers brushing’ through belle’s mane, a slow smile playing on his lips. “she’s got fire in her, like you.”

you laughed, “wait till you meet old blue — he’s got a mind all his own. but, i’ll save that interaction for later.”

the horses stood quiet as the sun dipped low, the orange rays bleeding into the large, open windows and cracks through the wood.

you reached for the stiff-bristled brush hangin’ on a hook and handed it to sammie. “here,” you said, voice soft, “this one’s for takin’ the dust off. gotta brush in the same direction as their hair, slow and steady.”

sammie took the brush, fingers unsure but eager, and you guided his hand gently down belle’s neck. the mare shivered, leaning into the touch like she knew she was in good hands.

“see?” you smiled, “she likes that. horses don’t take kindly to rough hands.”

he laughed, a little embarrassed, but careful, brushin’ with slow, gentle strokes. “like with people, huh?”

you nodded, heart flutterin’. “yep. gotta be real patient and kind, or they’ll let ‘cha know real quick.”

as he brushed, you slid close, finger’s brushin’ ‘gainst his face to straighten up his hat.

“you doin’ just fine, preacher boy,” you teased, voice low and warm.

he grinned, eyes meetin’ yours, the world shrinkin’ to the quiet barn, the scent of hay, and the simple rhythm of two hearts gettin’ to know each other.

| ⟡ ˙🌿 ̟

you started walking back, boots crunchin’ over dry straw and dirt. voices drifted from nearby, your daddy and sammie’s papa deep in talk.

“yeah man,” your daddy said, wipin’ sweat from his brow, “them white folks—no mercy. we got the best crops in the south, yet they always turn away.”

“aye man,” sammie’s papa said slow, placin’ a hand on your daddy’s shoulder, “they don’t deserve it. you have an abundance of goods, and when god...”

“here he go,” sammie muttered low beside you, makin’ you chuckle softly.

“heard through the grapevine that you been lazin’ on them bible verses?” you teased him, elbow nudgin’ his ribs.

“cause,” he spread his arms wide, “the blues. it’s callin’ me.”

you turned the conversation light again, talkin’ bout the chow family’s grocery stores.

“yup, we one the reasons they still in business,” you said, boots crunchin’ over dry straw, “but,” you dropped your voice, “they don’t be telling folks where they get the produce from, ‘specially white folks.”

“why don’t they tell us?” he asked, eyes catchin’ how your hands and head moved as you talked.

“news spreads like wildfire. you tell somebody, then they tell somebody else—’round an’ ’round it goes.”

| ⟡ ˙🐓 ̟

later, you both bent low in the henhouse, picking eggs nestled safe in straw. hens clucked and shuffled nearby.

you crouched low by the henhouse, the wooden slats rough against your palms, the smell of straw and feathers thick in the air. soft clucks and gentle fluttering surrounded you as hens shuffled around, scratching at the dirt with their little feet. nestled in the corner, eggs sat safe in nests of golden hay — some smooth and white, others speckled like they’d been kissed by the sun itself.

sammie eased down beside you, eyes wide and curious, like a boy seeing something new for the first time. “you scared a chicken gon’ nip at ya?” you teased, nudgin’ him playfully with your elbow.

“no!” he said quick, voice a little too loud, cheeks flushing like a summer rose.

you laughed, that easy, warm sound you loved to hear. “you sweeter than honey!” you kee-kee’d, brushing a stray feather from his collar. “they ain’t gon’ do nothin’.”

a plump hen clucked nearby, peckin’ at the dirt right by your boot, making sammie jump back and chuckle, eyes crinklin’ with amusement.

“here,” you whispered, holdin’ out an egg you’d just gathered, smooth and warm in your hand. “look how delicate it is, but still holds so much life.”

sammie reached out, fingers just barely brushin’ yours as he took the egg, careful not to crack it. “like you,” he murmured, eyes meeting yours, soft and steady.

your heart stumbled, caught in that quiet moment where the world seemed to slow just for the two of you.

“reckon i like this part,” he said, voice low. “feels... simple, good.”

you smiled, leaning your head against his shoulder. “me too.”

for a moment, all the weight of the world outside that henhouse faded away, and there was just you, sammie, and the soft rhythm of life around you — warm, gentle, and full of promise.

| ⟡ ˙🐄 ̟

then came the milkin’.

you showed sammie how to kneel beside the old cow, its breath warm and heavy, the pail set steady beneath. your fingers worked slow and gentle, squeezin’ just right till the milk splashed white and cool.

his fingers brushed yours, a spark in the fading light, and he laughed at the awkwardness of the first try.

later, the goat. smaller, quicker, and feistier. she nuzzled your hands, sometimes nipping playful.

“reckon she’s testin’ who’s boss,” you said, grinning.

sammie grinned back, more confident now, as the two of you worked together, hands wet and warm in the soft southern dusk.

after the last splash of milk settled in the pail, you wiped your hands on your dress, the cool evening breeze catching stray curls around your face. sammie watched you with that quiet smile that made your heart beat just a little faster, like a soft rhythm beneath the southern sky.

“reckon you did good,” you said, nudging him gently with your elbow.

“not near as good as you,” he said, eyes shinin’.

you laughed, the sound light as the wind through the tall grass.

“come on,” you said, reachin’ down to grab the basket sitting by the barn door— handwoven from sweetgrass and pine needles, the work of you and your mama’s patient hands. the basket was sturdy but delicate, the kind that smelled faintly of earth and sunshine, perfect for holdin’ the treasures of the land.

you led sammie down the path where wild blackberry brambles tangled thick, their deep purple fruit heavy and ripe against the thorny branches.

“these here berries,” you said, kneelin’ low and showin’ him how to pick gentle so the berries didn’t squish, “they’re sweet like honey but need careful hands.”

sammie crouched beside you, fingers fumblin’ but eager as he reached out to pluck a berry, holdin’ it up like a rare jewel.

“like you,” he said (again) softly, eyes catchin’ yours again.

you smiled, heart bloomin’ like the wildflowers nearby.

“bet mama’s got a pie bakin’ when we get back,” you whispered, your tongue flickin’ over your lips.

“hungry ass,” he teased before getting tapped upside the head. sammie laughed it off, the sound warm and easy. together you filled the basket with the summer’s bounty — dark jewels against the green, catching the last light like tiny promises of sweetness and hope.

and all around, the world was heavy with history, with struggle, but also quiet hope—like the soft hum of a blues guitar on a summer night, raw and real, but full of somethin’ that could carry you through.

hey hope ya’ll enjoyed !! second time ever publishing a fic so lemme know what ya’ll think of this one xx

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐩𝐬~ 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞 ˣ 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐏𝐨𝐜!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐰𝐜:𝟏.𝟑𝐤

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝐀𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐳𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐟𝐞́, 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚 (𝐘𝐨𝐮!) 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧— 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐲 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥.

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟!

𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭!: @𝐥𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐥𝐱𝐳𝐳𝐳

𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 😔 𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲!

A LOCK BETWEEN BLUES & RHYMES

𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐱 𝐎𝐂/ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐀, 𝙼𝚊𝚢 𝟷𝟿𝟹𝟸

“ 𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑠 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑡𝑠, 𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑏𝑢𝑧𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒. 𝐴 𝑆𝑢𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠. 𝑇𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑟ℎ𝑦𝑚𝑒𝑠, 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑏𝑦𝑒. 𝐴 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦, 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑎 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝐴 𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒. 𝐴 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡, 𝐴 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡. 𝑇𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒, 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝐼’𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟. 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑟ℎ𝑦𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑑 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠. 𝐴 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑠, 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑠. 𝐴𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎, 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛, 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑏𝑦𝑒, 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤.”

I call this one “A Goodbye”, might work on the name a bit, but that’s what it is. A goodbye. I’ve never left Augusta before, not for none. It’s been my family’s home since I could see, and been the home for my grandparents before they could breathe. It’s weird…real weird to leave, permanently. All I’ve ever known, and now my Daddy want ta pack up and leave like it’s nothing.

I pace around the empty living room, everything gone now. Packed up and ready to go. Like it was never here to begin with. Everything dusted over, just blank and waitin’ to be filled. Filled with the same love and memories we gave it for decades. My pace slows down, as I turn every angle to take every inch and corner in for the last time.

“You got ya head in clouds again Carnation?” My mama ask, walking down to me from the stairs with a cheeky smile in that soft voice of hers.

“Wouldn’t say I’m off in the clouds, but I’m definitely off somewhere.” I respond, sighing out the last few words.

“What you writing over here now?” My momma asks, moving over to stand by me. Peering at my journal.

“Just a lil some, a final poem for home.” I say solemnly.

My momma skims her eyes over the poem while slowly nodding her head. She gently places her hand on my jaw and turns my head to her. Her eyes looking glassy, like she wants to cry but she know better than to start that saddening feeling.

“Baby… I know you ain’t too happy bout us leaving. But no matter where we go, keep ya poems right there with ya. You hear me?”

As she said “right there” she poked at my heart, and I knew what she meant by that.

“Augusta will always be our home but it’s time for a change don’t you think?”

I give her a small nod and light smile before saying, “Yeah mamma, I hear you.”

She kiss me on my cheek before telling me we need to load the car and start heading to the train station.

She walks back up the stairs to go grab my baby brother, Indigo. He only two and he’s already a loud mouth, who loves to bite anything in reach. A handful, for real. As Ma is walking up, Magnolia and Lilac come walking down.

“Who’s ready to hit the road!” Lilac says swinging her arms with too much enthusiasm for a moment like this.

“You really that excited to leave?” I say looking at her with my eyebrow raised, scoffing at her antics.

This girl couldn’t read a room if it meant to save ha life.

“Are you not excited to leave Nation?” Magnolia asked softly, looking slightly confused.

Now I think for second wondering if I should agree bout being excited to leave or state my true feelings about being upset and bring the mood down right before we leave and piss them off… nahhh.

“I wouldn’t say I’m excited but not too heavy hearted either.”

“How can you not be excited, this town been boring girl, I need some new.” Lilac says while sucking her teeth and looking at me like I’m dumb.

“Unfortunately not everyone is excited to pack up and leave their home to go sightseeing in an unknown town Lilac.” I say with a big fake smile in my face in a mocking voice.

“Alright y’all can stop all y’all blabbering,” A deep voice speaks walking in the door. “We got to go, or we bout to be late. Get ya momma.”

Dad comes in telling us to get a move on so we call Mamma down and walk outside to hop in the car. I stand in front of the house for a few minutes, glancing around the land as the others packed. It’s darker than ever outside, navy blue stretching through the sky. Stars barely visible but still shining. Late night animals humming their nightly tunes, and strong whistles of wind blow through me. Chilling my bones and caressing my face. Sacred, heartfelt, memorable. Sometimes I like to think the wind is talking to me, like it’s carrying a story as it twist and turns through farms and cities. It can howl, it can whistle, or it can whisper. And each time it does I listen, waiting to hear what it’ll say at a fleeting moment. This time the wind spoke a farewell to me, but it also spoke a promise, this redirection can be a rediscovering of what I make it. I let out a low sigh, not knowing what to think about that. But I feel it, I feel the assurance, the guarantee that it’s going to be ok.

“Thank you” I whisper to the wind.

I take a deep breath, breathing it all in for a last time. Sometimes a change is an opportunity for something better. And I want better for my family.

Goodbye Augusta.

The drive over to the train station was light, easy, peaceful. The harmonious sounds of life buzzed through the vehicle. I sat in the back with Lilac she snored in a loud ragged uneven breathing tone, but if you ever told her she snored she knocked you upside down your head till you became cross eyed. Maggie sat in the middle with Indigo with Indigo babbling about a whole lot of nothing, him mouthing out whatever words he thought he could say while giggling at Maggie’s entertainment of playing peek a boo and what not. Mamma hummed low jazzy melodies, tapping her fingers lightly on the side of the car while Daddy peered out the road humming deeply along with her. The wheels created a rhythmic rhyme of crunching against the dirt and gravel as the car engine grunted. The wind blew slowly, lightly whipping my flyaways all over. The wind didn’t speak this time, but I didn’t need it to. I wouldn’t say I was thrilled to leave but I wasn’t afraid no more. I looked over my family smiling softly at them, knowing I wouldn’t need to worry about moving as long as they’re here with me.

“soooo…you excited to meet some cute men…?”

Already annoyed with the question, I turn my head to look at Lilac. Clearly now awaken with men right on her mind. I should’ve known no location would change her boy craziness.

“ I know for a fact, we ain’t moving to a whole new state and the main factor on yo mind is if we gonna meet some cute men, Lilac.”

“ I meannn, girl we grown now, kill a girl for wanting to find herself a man now.” She said holding her hands up from the accusation.

“You 19, you barely grown hunny.”

“ 19 is grown, grown enough for me, and grown enough for a sexy man.”

She said that while licking her lips like she was already imagining the variety of men that was gonna be waiting on us in Mississippi.

I rolled my eyes, annoyed yet amused with her.

“ I know ya’ll not back here talkin’ bout grown Mississippian men.” Magnolia said in an amused teasing tone, as she turned in her seat to face us.

“Girl turn around, ain’t nobody worried bout those men.” I said sounding a little to geeked for her to drop the topic.

“Then why ya’ll back here chitchatting about them?”

“Maggie, tell Nation over here she need a sexy man in her life just as much as we need one.”

“ Ok first of all, drop the “we” I ain’t need no sexy man,” Maggie said while Lilac sucked her teeth. “And second of all I don’t know why YOU talking bout some sexy man ‘miss recently turned 19’. And third of all she ain’t wrong, a man could do you good Nation.”

“Why ya’ll keep acting like 19 is a baby?” Lilac said turning her head looking at no one in particular but clearly irritated over us commenting on her age.

“ A man can’t do me no more good than the good I already have and receive now.”

“See now you lying, two weeks ago you was reading that romance book and going off.”

Okkkkk… that was a book, fiction, fake, not real.”

“Can yall shush please? Save all yall talk for the train. It’s too early to hear this” Mamma says sighing while rubbing her temple.

We all give each other a look before Lilac shifted back over to her side and Magnolia turned around. But quickly whispering,

“This conversation ain’t done.”

We all quietly giggled before going back to our respective habits.

This gonna be an eventful trip.

Finally we pull up to the train station. The car bumping up against the uneven stone pavement.

“Well ladies we have arrived” Dad says.

We all hope out of the car grabbing out luggage. Momma picked up Indigo and eased him into a baby wrap.

As we began walking to the train station, I give one last glance to Augusta, a bittersweet smile on my face. I turn right back around, with a soft laugh and with no one noticing I proceeded to be walk onto the platform with my family. We sat on some benches for a bit, took a bathroom break but in the blink of an eye, the train to my future rolled into the station.

“𝐿𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑, 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑑. 𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑. 𝑃𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝐼 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙, 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒. 𝐼 𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙. 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑. 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝐼 𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒-𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒. 𝐴𝑠 𝐼 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙, 𝐼 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒. 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑦𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛. 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒. 𝑂𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑠, 𝑎 𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟. 𝐼 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑒 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒.”

Like the Wind. A new poem I’ve been writing throughout this train ride. We’ve been on this train for a few hours now. Time has been blurring in my head. I took a nap the second I hit my seat. Dozing off thinking everything and anything. I sat by the window, best seat by far. Lilac sat in the middle, and Maggie by the aisle. Mamma and Dad sat across from us, with indigo in Ma’s lap. It was a bit loud, the churning train tracks, the groaning engine, and the lively atmosphere from all the people on board. I peered off in the window, just thinking to myself like I usually do.

I often like to consider myself the wind whisper, funny sounding to say out loud but I feel the wind speaks to my soul. I feel like the wind. I can never stay where I wish to be, but sometimes a new change is what you truly need to be free. To be independent, self-reliant, and liberated. That’s what I try to express in my poem. Sometimes you can want freedom so much that the actual process of becoming free makes you feel more restricted then it does free. This train ride has made me realize something and—

“What you writin’ over here girl!” Lilac says, cutting my train of thought and loudly interrupting me.

Get it “train of thought” I know I’m real funny.

“I’m writin’ my business something you can’t ever seem to stay out of.”

“Ooo Ms. Attitude you sooo big and bag” Lilac says feigning annoyance and mocking me.

“Aint nobody big and bad, just turn back around and talk to Maggie again girl.”

“Over here tryna act like you all poetic and mature.”

“Wow so sorry for having a hobby and acting my age, two things you don’t have nor can do”.

“Don’t piss me off Nation, always got a random attitude. Go back to ridin’ your wimpy rhymes.”

I knew she ain’t mean my poems were truly wimpy. Lilac loves my poem, but she got too much pride to admit it. When she’s feeling down or upset she asks to read my poems. Of course she’ll ask in the most condescending way possible, but she still asks, and I give it to her each time. No teasing or ridicule. But she’s upset so she finna lie and act like she don’t like them to try and hurt my feelings. But I don’t care how upset you are don’t talk about my poems.

“If you stop talking to me then I could go back to writin’ my said ‘wimpy rhymes’.”

“Girl I do not care if we on this train or if we in front of Jim Crow himself, I will slap you silly, miss me with that bullshit.”

Yeah so…she not laying a hand on me.

“Uh uh yall stop all that nonsense bickering. We on a train have some class” Magnolia says firmly speaking up.

“Girl come get your little sister, over here talking to me crazy. I will lay her ass out, train or not.” I said, pissed off with Lilac’s bad ass mouth.

“I wish you would!” Lilac says raising her voice.”

“Lilac shut the hell up, neither of ya’ll putting hands on each other.”

I just suck my teeth, cause I wish this little girl would lay a pinkie on me and see what happens. I knew Maggie should have sat in the middle, don’t know why they put me by Lilac. We ain’t never get along. This girl irk each one of my nerves so bad. And she curse up a storm when in a mood. Now if I smacked her on the mouth silly I’d be in wrong. Better be glad I ain’t smack those bad ass words right out ha mouth.

Lilac turns back around but not before letting out an annoyed “mhm”. I could care less what she “mhm” about. She love to be in everyone’s business but her own. So as I was saying before being so rudely interrupted… this train ride has been real nice. Very boring though. Been doodling and writing small rhymes but nothing is entertaining and looking at the trees can only satisfy me for so long. I’m ready to just get to Mississippi and see Papa and Meemaw. I haven’t seen them in years. They’re my mother’s parents, haven’t seen them since I was a little girl. They left to find better employment. It was a dark time for all of us. Money was tight and they couldn’t afford to stay. They had ask us to come with them but me and Maggie were little girls and Ma was far along pregnant with Lilac. It would be too much to pick up and leave. They never even got to meet Indigo. We still wrote, or tried to, mailing was hard. But we got by, times got easier. And I guess Meemaw and Papa had been sending Mamma and Dad letters about Mississippi over the years because all of a sudden Dad comes homes one day and asks,

“Who’s excited to move and see Meemaw and Papa!”

crickets…

I had the look of horror across my face. Maggie looked worried and Lilac was cheesing like she just won the lottery.

I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I couldn’t believe it. Dad tried to cheer me and Maggie up, she was more easy going then me so her frown quickly changed but as for me…I was still upset. How could you could home, smile stretching from ear to ear about us leaving our home. For the next few days I tried avoiding them. Lilac and Maggie tried to cheer me up but I was slumped. They tried to explain the good of moving and all the things and people we could see but I wasn’t having it. Lilac quickly got fed up with my solemn attitude and stopped trying. Maggie just assumed I needed space so she let me be. Mamma tried cooking my favorite meals and Dada tried to buy me small things I liked. But none of that cheered me up.

One day Dad sat me down in their room for a talk. A prominent frown was etched onto my face. Dad was clearly worried for how I was taking the news but I don’t think anyone would be happy about hearing they were leaving their home town.

Heyyy baby…I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit upset lately, you wanna talk bout it?” Dad said trying to ease me into a conversation.

I gave him the most blank and monotone look.

“Ok so I guess that’s a no…” He said taking in my silence and discontent expression.

“Baby look,” he said as he grabbed my hands and squeezed them. “I know you not happy and I know it’s hard taking this in but this is gonna be good for us, real good.”

“You always told me one day you would like to travel, meet new people, try new things, and explore to create a mindset that allows more creativity in your poems. Ain’t that what you said?”

“Yeah I guess.” I said sniffling, tears beginning to well up in my eyes.

“Well consider this your first opportunity to travel, I know we all seem happy but we all a bit sad to leave too baby.”

“But I think this is what’s best for us, what’s best for you.”

“Life is a journey, you’re to explore, and staying on one path hinders every other path God opens for you. “

“To grow is to change and change don’t take place in one spot now. Change is wild and untamed, and I see your soul Carnation.”

Your soul is begging for change.”

“Then why don’t I feel ready to change?” I ask quietly barely able to hear my own voice, tears slowly streaming down my cheeks.

“Maybe you haven’t found your soul yet, you haven’t found you.”

“How do I find myself Daddy?”

“You gotta explore, seek it all out, and love every negative and positive.”

“How will I know when I’ve found myself?” I ask, with my head now laying on his shoulder. Trying to wipe my tears away.

“Nobody truly knows when they’ve found themselves. But I know my past, my present, and I have hope in my future. Hope can break you in every aspect that you are as much as it can build you and create the perfect vision of yourself. And if you can accept what having that hope comes with then maybe you’re on the right path.”

He rubs my back, comforting me as these heavy thoughts of my future cloud my mind. I have so many questions yet I don’t want them to be answered. Not yet at least, I wanna find my answers. And I wanna find my answers within myself. Maybe then I’ll know if I’ve found myself.

I peer out this train window, pondering between my past, present and future. It’s a vivid sight. Each memory blurring with reality and with dreams. Ever since my Daddy had that conversation with me I promised to seek the change than to fear it. And I promised to find myself. Cause you can have it all and live a life of beauty but if you don’t know who you are, is that a life worth living? A confusion written in every decision you decide, every choice you ignored, an underlying sense of having no identity. It’s a sorrowful way to live, no conscious. And I know as good as any that was the last thing I wanted for myself.

The train begins to slow, its tracks screeching against the rails.

I know we ain’t in Mississippi already…

𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈, 𝟻:𝟹𝟸 𝙿𝙼

People begn standing up and grabbing their bags, chatting as they descended down the stairs of the train. There was loud chatter from the people outside the train, hanging around the station.

“Come on Carnation” My Dad said grabbing my suit case and putting a firm hand on my shoulder.

Mom and the girls had already taken their leave. Lilac popped out of her seat the minute the train had arrived, so I ain’t surprised. I gathered my personal bag, and walked with Dad off the train. I didn’t know what to expect once I got off the train but I knew it would be everything but home.

The station was overly crowded, something I wasn’t used to. People at home rarely hanged around the station, but over here there was folks playing music, kids running up and down, and adults just strolling by. Lord knows I almost started swaying my hips when I heard a guitar start playing. If it’s one thing bout Mississippi they sure got some good music boy.

Dad and I walk over to Mom and the girls, they were a bit farther away watching some men play their music.

“Baby go stand by your mom and sisters, m’ gonna go look for your grandparents so we can go.”

“Alright, see ya daddy.”

I walk over to the commotion, Mamma and Maggie clapping their hands along with the music and Lilac swaying her body a bit.

“Y’all having some fun over here?” I asked, walking over to stand by them with amusement lacing my tone.

“Girl we saw Lilac run off and we just followed her and here we are.” Maggie said sounding annoyed but clearly not.

“How was your nap baby girl? You slept for most of the ride.” Mamma said while kissing my head.

Indigo reaches up almost trying to put one of my locs into his mouth. I swat his chunky little baby hands away and he just giggles like I’m playing a game.

“It was good…just sleeping to pass the time I suppose.” I said, reaching my hand out for Indigo to hold. He also tries to put my fingers in his mouth. This baby is nasty y’all.

She nods her head at me before facing the musicians in the middle. I finally glance to the middle to see a young man on a guitar and an older man tearing up on the harmonica. Everyone around them clapping and cheering them on. Their tunes were captivating, they didn’t sing but the notes alone were pulling me in. The country buzz of the harmonica played along side the strums of the guitar. Each distinct beat enhancing one another. They were passionate clearly showing their dedication for the music. They began to end their song, melodies fading like dusk turning into dawn and their bright smiles shining on their faces after their moving music.

“He kind of cute don’t you think Nation.” Lilac said nudging me with a smirk playing on her face talking bout the boy playing on the guitar.

“Don’t start with me right now Lilac, we just got here.” I said staring at her on my left feigning annoyance.

He is kind of cute…but like… only a little bit

I don’t even know why I’m thinking this I just got here. I ain’t got a clue under the blue sky who he is. I sigh to myself almost disappointed with myself for even entertaining those thoughts and being like Lilac and already getting worked up over these new men.

Daddy comes back over to us, having found our grandparents and now ready to head over to our new home. We all grab our bags and begin walking behind him so we can leave this jumbled up train station. The chimes of that boy’s guitar played in my head again, revisiting the memory already. I turn back around as if looking back will bring the guitar’s cords back to life.

And there he is…staring right back at me. Deep brown skin, looking like sweet dark chocolate and even darker eyes staring right through me. His lips turn into a small smile barely visible, but I could see, and he lifts his hand up lightly to wave at me. I turn my head each way wondering if he’s even looking at me, but when I realize…he is looking at me I give him a small wave back. Before turning around and picking up my pace realizing my family is already a couple paces ahead of me. My face feels hot, and I pray a man I just met didn’t already get me flustered from a two second interaction.

I catch up to the family and it’s quiet as we walk for a bit. Lilac then taps my shoulder and smirks at me.

Yeahhh I saw that.”

𝐀/𝐍: AYYYYY first chapter done! I hope you guys like ittt, been working on it for like a week so very excited to upload. This chapter was mainly to just introduce the character and her family dynamics hopefully it has lived up to your expectations bc I’ve never written fanfiction before soooo… But I hope you guys enjoyeddd can’t wait to start working on chapter two love yall😛

also I didn’t reread it afterwards so if there is any grammar or spelling mistakes I’m sorry😭

Sooo...uh any more of preacher boy/sammie x black church girl 👀🫶🏿 love your fics too 💕

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Talking to herself

Sinners Modern Au!
Preacher Boy/Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader
A/N: Thank you so much love🫶🏾🤍. Here y’all go.

The restaurant’s warm light flickers over the table, casting soft shadows against half eaten fries and plates slick with sauce. A hush of jazz trickles through the air and you’re swirling your straw in your sweet tea, mind halfway between Sammie’s voice in your ear and the way he looked at you like you were his last prayer.

Dawn, meanwhile, is on a mission.

“I swear, every time I looked up, Stack was already lookin’ at me,” she says for the fourth time, pulling her hair behind one ear dramatically. “Like deadass, he had that look.”

You squint at her, unimpressed. “Or maybe he was lookin’ past you. To the chicken. Or the cake. Or Jesus.”

Dawn cuts her eyes. “Okay, hater.”

Chris snorts into his lemonade. “No, no, wait. Hold up. Stack as in Elias Moore?”

You and Dawn both turn to him.

Chris points a fry dramatically. “Girl, he’s the undisputed “fuckboy” of the county. Been like that since I was in middle school. He got kids in four zip codes and ain’t claimed none of ’em officially.”

Dawn glares. “He don’t got no kids—”

“—that he claims,” Chris emphasizes.

You nod toward him. “That part.”

“Y’all just jealous he was lookin’ at me and not y’all,” Dawn mumbles, but even she cracks a grin.

You shrug, half-laughing. “Dawn… he’s in his thirties. You are barely twenty.”

“So?” she tosses her hair. “It’s giving grown. It’s giving stability. It’s giving truck with Bluetooth.”

Chris leans back in his chair, fake-swooning. “God, I love the way you justify red flags.”

You’re all mid laugh when Chris’s face shifts softer now, eyes a little far off. “My ex hit me up last night.”

You blink. “The ex?”

He nods. “The one with the eyebrow slit and the damn nerve? Yeah. Him.”

Dawn groans. “Boy, block him.”

Chris lifts a hand. “I tried. He used his mama’s phone. Said he was checkin’ if I was still breathing.”

You snort. “So romantic.”

Chris flips his braid behind his shoulder. “Right? Like, check your taxes, not me.”

The table quiets for a moment, just chewing and sipping, until Chris looks at you again, mischievous light back in his eyes.

“So… any Aktion with Mr. Preacher Boy?”

Your eyebrows jump. “First of all—”

Dawn cuts you off, eyes wide. “Weren’t you in his car?!

Chris gasps like he’s watching an episode of Scandal. “Y/N!!!”

You laugh, covering your face. “Y’all are loud as hell.”

Chris fans himself with a napkin. “Since day one, I knew that man had a lil’ Jacob with a side of temptation. Tell me everything.”

You peek over your hands, grin still stuck on your face. “It was just… heat of the moment. He said I looked too good in white and then boom we kissed.”

Chris clutches his chest.

Dawn is fully leaned over the table. “What else?! Tongue or no tongue?!”

You sip your drink, playing coy. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

Chris squeals. “You witch! I need details!”

“He asked me to meet him in his car.”

Dawn drops her fork. “Scandalous.”

“He called me ‘Baby.’”

Chris smacks the table. “This man writes poetry in his sleep, I just know it.”

“And,” you add, eyes glinting, “he fed me a bite of my own cake.”

Chris dramatically wipes an imaginary tear. “I have waited for this storyline for years.”

The three of you are caught in your own sitcom bubble when the check arrives.

Chris grabs it immediately.

“Chris no, we can split—” you start.

“Not on my watch,” he says, chin up. “I’m a gentleman with a scholarship refund. Let me shine.”

You laugh, but let him. The three of you are just gathering your things when the door swings open with a low chime.

In walks Smoke and right behind him?

Annie.

You blink, stunned by how time seems to crumple when old faces appear in new places.

Annie’s eyes widen as she spots you.

“Oh my goodness,” she says, a hand flying up to her chest. “Y/N?”

You nod, a little shy under her wide grin.

“I used to babysit this child,” she tells Smoke, pulling you into a hug that smells like cocoa butter and old memories. “You had them little barrettes always clackin’ around. Lord, you’ve grown up.”

You smile, cheeks warm. “It’s been a minute, Miss Annie.”

Chris raises a brow at you like who is this woman hugging you like an auntie at a wedding.

“And you two…” Annie turns to Chris and Dawn. “Y’all friends? God is good. I always hoped she’d grow up surrounded by sweet folks.”

Smoke sidles up, eyes flicking to you. “Didn’t know you was out with the squad, Miss. Y/N.”

You nod. “Small world.”

Annie squeezes your arm. “I’m tellin’ you this one was always bright. Now she makin’ desserts and catchin’ men everywhere she goes like her grandma.”

You laugh nervously and Chris is beaming, eating it all up.

“Well,” Annie says, stepping back, “you come visit sometime, alright? I’m still at the house down the hill.”

You nod again, heart warm and full in the oddest way. “I will.”

And as you step outside into the early night air, Chris whispers dramatically in your ear—

“She said catchin’ men everywhere like it’s a sport. You got fans, girl.”

You grin, walking to your car like you didn’t got expose.

The ride home is quiet, the kind of hush that follows a storm of laughter. The car hums softly beneath you, Dawn leaning her head against the window, scrolling through her phone with a satisfied little smirk on her face. You’re tired in the best way good food, good gossip and Chris’s dramatic storytelling still ringing in your ears.

When you pull into the driveway, the porch light is already on, casting a warm halo over the front steps. Gloria’s silhouette waits just behind the screen door like she knew y’all would try to sneak in without saying nothing.

“Where y’all been?” she asks as soon as the door creaks open.

You smile, kicking off your sandals. “We went to eat. Chris invited us.”

Dawn chimes in from behind you, “And we saw Miss Annie at the restaurant.”

The house shifts with those words. Like the walls heard it too.

From the living room, Pops leans forward in his chair, remote pausing the rerun of Family Feud. Doris, still tying up her headscarf, peeks around the corner from the kitchen.

Annie?” Doris says, eyebrows lifting.

You nod, standing a little straighter. “Yeah. She hugged me soon as she saw me. The one who used to babysit me, remember?”

Doris walks in slow, like she’s walking into a memory. “How she look? She still got that thick hair? Them gold bangles?”

“She look good,” you say honestly. “Different, but good. She remembered me right away.”

Pops grunts, rubbing his jaw. “Ain’t seen her in years. Last time I did, she was over at Mabel’s house with some lady talkin’ about energy readings.”

Dawn raises an eyebrow. “Energy readings?”

Doris sighs. “Baby girl went left. After she lost that child, she ain’t never stepped back in the church again.”

Your mama lowers herself onto the couch, her expression soft but heavy. “She used to be up in the youth choir. Sweet voice. Sweet heart, too. But when Elijah left for the military and she found out she was pregnant…”

She changed,” Doris finishes, voice low. “And when she lost the baby, that was it. She stopped talkin’ to folks. Stopped comin’ ‘round. Word is she started lightin’ candles and talking to spirits. Talking to herself.

“She don’t talk to herself,” Pops mutters. “She talks to that pain that boy left her with.”

“Elijah Moore,” Doris spits his name like it burned her tongue. “Always walkin’ around with that sly smile. People swore he had a calling but all he did was leave ruin.”

Dawn sinks slowly into the chair beside you, face unreadable.

“Annie used to glow,” Doris says, her voice sad now, distant. “Now… folks don’t even know how to talk to her. They scared. She start pullin’ away. Witchcraft or not, that girl’s been in mourning for ten years.”

Pops grunts again, not out of disagreement but like the memory hurts. “She ain’t lost. Just buried.”

“She ain’t buried. The church just left her when she needed them the most.” Lenny explains while going back to his bedroom.

You swallow, Annie’s bright smile from the restaurant still warm in your memory, but now laced with something heavier. That sorrow that clung to her, barely seen but deeply felt. You’d always thought she was just that nice lady from the past. You didn’t know she’d lost a whole life.

“Elijah the type of man who ruin a woman and don’t even notice,” Gloria says. “Elias ain’t much different. He is even worse, because at the end of the day Elijah came back to fix it Elias still got some fixing to do.”

Dawn stiffens slightly beside you and you feel her body shift.

Pops sighs. “That boy could read the Bible, but he couldn’t stay still. Always chasing something bigger.”

“Left a mess behind,” Doris murmurs. “And now coming back to fix it.”

You sit there, the room now quiet in that thick, knowing way families get when truth gets spilled.

And you wonder just how many women got soft hearts and strong voices turned silent by men like that, men who leave with purpose and return without one.

Doris claps her hands twice sharp, commanding like a judge bringing the courtroom to order.

“Alright now! It’s sleeping time! Y’all better get in them bathrooms, brush them teeth, wrap that hair and be still before I come in there with holy oil and my house shoes!”

“Can’t have no demons creeping in while y’all still running your mouths and scrolling socials,” Gloria adds, already pulling out extra pillows and blankets like a general setting camp.

You and Dawn laugh, shuffling toward your rooms like kids again. The house softens into night. The hum of toothpaste caps clicking, feet dragging against the carpet, the low rattle of Doris in the kitchen packing up leftover food with the quiet care of a woman who’s always thinking of tomorrow’s hunger.

But across town?

The night hums different.

Sammie’s Room

The ceiling fan spins in lazy circles, the only sound in Sammie’s room besides the scratch of pencil on a notebook and the faint buzz of an old Otis Redding vinyl turning on his record player.

He’s shirtless, sweats hanging low, pen between his fingers, legs stretched long across his bed. There’s a certain stillness about him, the kind that comes after a long day of watching you leave his car with your hips swinging in that tight white dress that still has his mind in shackles.

He exhales through his nose.

Then the door creaks open.

Smoke walks in, still in his date clothes a white tee snug across his chest, gold watch flashing with every step.

“Well, well,” Sammie drawls, not looking up. “Look who finally came up for air.”

Smoke flops into the armchair across from the bed, a little smirk on his lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Don’t start,” he says. “Wasn’t no love scene. Just… catching up.”

Sammie sets his notebook down, eyes narrowing just slightly. “So? How was Annie?”

Smoke sighs, looking up at the ceiling. “She’s good. Beautiful. Still got that fire in her. But I can feel it. Still blamin’ me. Even if she doesn’t say it.”

Sammie shrugs, quiet for a beat before he says, “Can you blame her?”

That lands hard.

Smoke’s jaw ticks. “Damn, lil’ cousin.”

“I mean,” Sammie leans forward, elbows on his knees, “you did leave. You knew she was pregnant and you still bounced. That ain’t something you just come back from like it’s nothing.”

Smoke scoffs. “Ain’t like I ain’t carry that too.”

“You carryin’ it don’t erase her pain.”

That silence gets thick.

Smoke rubs the back of his neck, eyes dark.

“I ain’t say all that to get lectured.”

Sammie shrugs again, but it’s softer this time. He ain’t trying to fight. He just knows the weight Annie’s been holding. And he’s seen what it looks like to stay.

Smoke sighs, then changes the subject. “Saw your girl tonight.”

That gets Sammie’s attention.

His eyebrows rise. “Where?”

“At that little diner off 84. Her, Dawn and this dude. Tall. Dark skin. Dreads. Clean lookin’, too. Looked like he was runnin’ the table.”

Sammie’s eyes narrow. “Who?”

Smoke shrugs like it ain’t much. “Some dude. Never seen him before. But he was sittin’ close. Laughin’ with her. They looked tight.”

Sammie leans back, jaw clenched.

“Don’t call her my girl if you gon’ say stuff like that.”

Smoke grins. “Fine. Church Girl.

Sammie snaps, voice sharp, “Don’t call her that either.”

Smoke laughs, loud and full. “Damn, you really like her, huh?”

Sammie doesn’t answer right away. Just stares at the ceiling like he’s counting stars only he can see.

“I trust her,” he says quietly.

Smoke raises an eyebrow. “But do you trust that dude?”

Sammie turns his head slow. “You tryna start something?”

“I’m just sayin’,” Smoke shrugs. “Looked a little too cozy for just friends. I mean… you kissed her, right? She still out here on dinner dates?”

Sammie’s lips press tight, but his voice stays calm. “You saw them with Dawn. You know it wasn’t no date.

Smoke chuckles under his breath, watching Sammie wrestle with his own restraint.

“That’s alright, lil’ cousin. You keep tellin’ yourself that. But I’m just sayin’ watch your back. Pretty girls don’t wait long.”

Sammie doesn’t respond. He just grabs his notebook again, pen tapping against the edge like a heartbeat.

But the lyrics on that page?

They’re shifting now.

He doesn’t write love songs.

But for you?

He might just start.

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Anonymous asked:

please more Sammie content. Please, girl! I ain't read anything that interesting in a while! I loveeeee it.

Say it again

Sinners Modern AU!
Preacher boy/Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader
A/N: awwwwww thank you so much🥺🤍 y’all gonna make me cry ‘cause I thought about deleting my whole page😕. Here y’all go🫦🤍. Also the pics are running LOW😐💔

The smell alone could baptise a sinner.

The Church Fellowship Hall smelt like grease, sugar, butter and bragging rights wafted through the air like incense. Folks laughed and filled their plates like it was their last meal before glory. And you? You were shoulder deep in the custom apron tight, curls bouncing, spooning out mac and cheese like it was your ministry.

Doris stood at the head of the table, shaking hands and hugging necks, talking about,

“Oh that ain’t nothin’. Just a lil somethin’ I threw together while talkin’ to the Lord.”

Across the room, Sister Lorraine and her crew were watching y’all like hawks in blue lace. Her daughters had on matching blouses, stiff with starch and silent judgment. Her grandson just looked hungry and confused.

Your mama, cool as ever, manned the fried chicken, pork chops and catfish like she was born in a skillet. Dawn was three scoops deep into her dressin’ and potato salad, whispering sideways.

“He lookin’ again,” she muttered under her breath.

“Stack?” you asked, handing over a plate with an extra scoop of mac.

“Mmmhmm. He tryna act like he not but he is. I can feel it.”

You hummed.

“Maybe he’s just watchin’ your elbow. You heavy handed with the dressing.”

Dawn rolled her eyes but smiled like she was wearin’ a crown invisible to everyone but her. Then came the noise loud, clumsy, too many jokes at once.

Terrence. Josh. Paul.

They walked up like a pack of poorly trained puppies.

Terrence was the first one to speak. “Girl, y’all got pork and chicken? Is that even legal?”

Josh talking right after his friend, “you cooked this? No way you that fine and that talented.”

Paul just nodded while taking his plate full of food.

You kept it cute, kept it cordial. Smiled and said,

“Y’all enjoy. The Lord bless your appetite and humble your tongue.”

Then he came.

Sammie.

Walking in like temptation. Chain glintin’. Holding his plate like he didn’t even want food just you.

You didn’t say nothin’ at first. Just stared at him while scooping Mac and cheese, your curls bouncing a little as you worked.

He smirked, leaned a little on the table, voice low.

“You over here servin’ up deliverance?”

“Only to the worthy.” You side eyed him. “You tryna get fed or flirt?”

He chuckled.

“Why not both?”

You handed him a plate, firm in the grip, eyes locked.

“You still ain’t earn that kiss. Gas money doesn’t count forever.”

“Then maybe I need to work a little harder.” He tilted his head. “How ‘bout I help you pass out plates?”

“You gon’ wash your hands first?”

“I keep hand sanitizer in the glovebox, baby. I’m saved and sanitary.”

You laughed despite yourself and Sammie just grinned, soaking in the sound like it was his favorite hymn.

“You keep lookin’ at me like that,” he said, low and close, “and I’ma forget we in church.”

“And if you keep talkin’ like that,” you shot back, “I’ma let Pops hit you with a paper plate.”

Sammie stepped back with a laugh, hand over his chest like you wounded him.

“Now that’s just disrespectful.”

Behind him, Smoke and Stack were elbowing each other, watching the whole exchange like it was their favorite show. Dawn smirked but stayed quiet.

Sammie gave you one more look like he wanted to say more, do more, but he had enough restraint to keep it Sunday clean.

For now.

“I’ma eat this plate. But save me some red velvet. I want mine from your hands.”

“You gon’ say grace first?”

“I already did, baby. Soon as I saw you.”

Soon as everybody finished the line for desserts starts forming like it was heaven’s gates. The folding table shook slightly under the weight of sugar and tension. Your red velvet cake sat center stage, iced to perfection deep red crumb, thick cream cheese frosting laid like silk. Right beside it, Sister Lorraine’s banana pudding gleamed in its glass dish like it had a spotlight and its own choir.

Doris stood behind the dessert table like a general.

Y’all come get this red velvet before it’s gone. My granddaughter made it from scratch with love and the fear of God.” Gloria was nudging folks in the line with that mom voice, “that banana pudding lookin’ a little store bought to me.” Pops was perched nearby in his folding chair like a retired food critic. “Ain’t no boxed cake beatin’ my baby girl’s velvet. I done raised her on taste.” Your daddy was helping a kid balance a plate but still found time to say, “that pudding? It’s soup. Y’all want a real dessert, come get some cake.

And Dawn? Dawn was passing out forkfuls like samples in Costco.

One bite. That’s all it takes. Go ahead, see Jesus.

You tried to stay cool, smiling polite, handing out slices like you didn’t notice Sister Lorraine scowling from her side, whispering with her daughters like y’all just launched a holy war.

The cake disappeared fast gone slice by slice, folks returning to the line talkin’ ‘bout “Let me just get one more for my cousin who didn’t come today.” One lady clutched her plate like it was gold, eyes rollin’ as she chewed.

Mmmm. This got that back in the day taste. Somebody’s grandma touched this batter.

You smirked, quietly sliding a thick slice under the table and covering it with a napkin. Just in time and you knew Sammie would want his serving untouched by fork or rumor.

Just as you handed off your last slice, your phone buzzed.

Sammie Meet me in the car, Y/N. I saved you a seat.

Your pulse jumped, not from nerves but from that specific brand of giddiness he brought around. You glanced around, made sure Doris was distracted swatting Lorraine’s grandson away from the punch bowl, then wiped your hands, grabbed that hidden slice and slipped out the back exit like a thief in the night.

The sun was dropping low, casting golden streaks through the windows as you slid into the passenger seat. His car smelled like cocoa butter, fresh leather and cologne. Sammie sat with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the headboard of the passenger seat.

He looked over with that crooked smile.

“Was startin’ to think you forgot me.”

“You? How could I when you’re always breathing down my neck,“ you lifted the foil wrapped slice like a prize “and I also got your blessing right here.”

Sammie chuckled and took the plate gently, setting it on the dash.

“What I do to deserve this kind of favor?”

You leaned back, watching him unpeel the foil.

“You kept your hands to yourself at the fellowship.”

He forked a piece into his mouth, closed his eyes, groaned low like it hit his soul.

A bite. A deep groan followed low and guttural.

“Mmmph… Lawd.”

You swatted his arm, laughing.

“Stop makin’ them nasty noises, Sammie. You gon’ get this whole parking lot pregnant.”

He smirked and leaned over, real close now, voice dipping into that dangerous space where reverence and ruin live together.

“If you think that’s nasty, Baby… wait ’til I’m between your legs, mouth full of you instead of cake.”

He smirked, eyes sparkling with mischief, while you hide behind your hands.

He glanced at you, slow and sweet. Than his smirk curved at the corner like a promise he wasn’t planning to break.

“Was lookin’ real popular back there, Church Girl.”

You shrugged, coy.

“People wanted a taste of God’s glory, I guess.”

“Mmm.” He tilted his head. “Terrence? Paul? Josh? They all want a slice of you, not that Mac and Cheese.”

You rolled your eyes and laughed.

“Don’t start, Sammie.”

But he didn’t drop it. He leaned back a little, tongue sliding across his bottom lip before his fork met the cake again.

“I seen the way Josh leaned in when he asked if you cooked all this. Like he could ever stand a chance.”

He pulled back, all proud of himself, licking frosting from his thumb. You shook your head, biting back your smile, heart tap dancing in your chest like it owed him rent.

“You so dramatic.”

“Nah,” he said, eyes still on you, serious creeping back in. “I just like what’s mine. Don’t like sharin’ not even with church boys who can’t hold a tune or their tongues.”

You tilted your head, eyes narrowing.

Ain’t nobody yours, Sammie.

He paused, looked at you, took another forkful slow this time and said around it, “not yet.”

Your stomach flipped and not from hunger.

He caught you watching him eat and raised a brow.

“You had a piece yet?”

You shook your head, shrugging.

“Nope. Gone before I could grab one.“

He stared for a second. Then scooped a bite on the fork, holding it out to you.

“Say ahh for daddy.”

“Boy if you don’t behave.” You smirked while swatting his arm.

“Come here, Y/N.”

You leaned in, elbows on the console, lips parting as he fed you slow. The cream cheese icing melted sweet against your tongue and he watched you like you were the miracle.

“Mm.” You blinked. “I did that.”

“Yes, you did, Baby.”

He ran a finger along the rim of the foil, licking it like you weren’t seconds away from climbing in his lap.

“See? I’m looking out for you.”

You settled back, resting your head against the seat, but your eyes never left his mouth.

You giggled, a heat creepin’ up your cheeks.

“If you keep spoiling me like this, I’m gonna expect dessert every time I see you.”

He leaned back, cocky but soft.

“Baby, with me, dessert’s always on the menu.”

The air between you thickened, charged with something sacred and electric all at once. You caught his eye, heart skipping. He leaned closer this time, hand grazing your thigh, thumb brushing over your dress. Not pushin’, not pullin’, just a reminder that he sees you.

“You gon’ let me earn it, Church Girl?”

You looked him square, lips parted like a prayer.

“You already are.”

And for a minute, everything stilled. Just you, him, the sunset and that half eaten slice of redemption.

He’s lookin’ out the windshield like the sunset is talkin’ directly to him, but every few seconds, he peeks at you. That little sideways glance like he ain’t sure whether to flirt or pray.

“You gon’ keep lookin at me like that, or you gon’ say what’s on your mind?” you ask, voice teasing but soft.

He hums low in his throat.

“I’m thinkin’ how you lookin’ too good for a girl who been servin’ mac and cheese all day.”

You laugh, nudging him with your elbow.

“And you look like sin in a suit and a fitted slacks.”

He grins, full and dangerous.

“Good. I’m tryna tempt you.”

You pause. Let your eyes linger. Let the moment thicken.

And then you smirk, sitting up a little, elbow resting on the console.

“I think you earned the gas money kiss now.”

He stills. Just a breath. Then leans in slow, hand lifting to cradle your jaw like he’s holding something sacred.

“Say it again.”

You blink up at him.

“You heard me.”

“Nah,” he says, thumb brushing your cheek, “I need consent, baby. Out loud.”

You smile. Whisper soft but sure.

Kiss me, Sammie.

And he does.

Slow.

Like Sunday mornings and old hymns.

Like every lyric he ain’t wrote yet.

His lips are warm and sure, tasting like red velvet and secrets. One hand at your jaw, the other sliding over your thigh, not greedy just claiming. Your fingers curl in the nape of his neck and for a second, it’s quiet. No choir. No elders. No cousins or competition. Just breath and mouth and the heat of something new blooming fast in the late afternoon.

BANG BANG BANG

You both JUMP as the backseat door whips open and Smoke slides in like he ain’t just caught a scene. “Y’all done? I’m tryna talk to you about the club.” Stack climbs in behind him, grinning like a devil in Jordans.

“I KNEW IT. Sammie been outside too long to just be eatin’ cake. I said he was tongue deep in somethin’, but Smoke said he was bein’ holy.”

Sammie groans, pulling back, arm still around you.

“Man, shut up. Y’all the reason the Lord gave us patience.”

You wipe your lips with the back of your hand, cheeks on fire.

“Y’all could’ve knocked softer—”

“We did, three times,” Stack says, deadpan. “Y’all just was preoccupied with… praise.”

Sammie glares at them both but pulls you in tighter, tucking you closer.

“Next time, I’m lockin’ my doors.”

“Next time?” you repeat, arching a brow and he looks at you with that same smile he wore before the kiss.

“Yeah. Next time I kiss you… I want more than a church lot and company.”

You blink, heart lurching again but before you can answer, Stack asks from the back.

“Y’all still got cake left or what?”

Sammie has his arm against your headboard while talking to Smoke and Stack about some club related things, so you opened the door of Sammie’s car with a soft creak and the last bit of warmth from his car wraps around your legs before the cool afternoon air takes its place. You slide one foot out.

Sammie doesn’t move.

“Why you rushing off?” he asks low, like he’s trying to coax you into staying, voice lazy and velvet slick. “You already gave me the kiss. Might as well give me the company.”

You glance over your shoulder. Stack is finishing the club playlist, using his headphones to check the songs, while Smoke still talks about all the things they need to do before opening up the club. You don’t feel like holding a full blown heart to heart with Sammie while his cousins play background extras.

“You know why,” you say, turning just enough for him to see the side of your face, the tiny smirk you’re hiding. “Ain’t no privacy with y’all stacked in this car like Sunday leftovers.”

Sammie huffs and leans back in the driver’s seat, frustrated but amused. “Still hate to see you leave, Y/N… but love to watch you go.”

You don’t dignify that with a response. Instead, you step out fully, white dress hugging just right and you know he’s looking. It’s in the way you hear him mutter “Damn” under his breath when you close the door.

You walk to your car, unlock it, and slide in with a sigh. Your phone vibrates right on cue.

Ten seconds later, Dawn climbs in, hair still bounce curled.

She barely shuts the door before she’s talking.

“You saw Stack, right?” she says, twisting in the seat to face you. “Tell me he wasn’t lowkey peepin’. Like, every time I looked up, he was already lookin’. Or am I—”

Delulu?” you finish, teasing but soft. You start the car.

Dawn squints. “Girl, I hate you. Just say yes or no.”

You shrug, smiling to yourself. “I ain’t tryna gas your head up just yet. He might’ve been lookin’. Might’ve just been stuck.”

You don’t even get to finish the next sentence before your phone starts ringing. It’s Chris.

You put the phone on speaker. “Hey, what’s up?”

Chris’s voice is all sunshine. “Yo, I’m in town for the weekend. Thought we could catch up maybe dinner tonight? Just somewhere easy.”

You glance at Dawn, raise your brows.

“Can Dawn come too?” you ask.

“For sure,” he says without missing a beat. “The more the merrier. I’ll send y’all the address.”

You hang up, shoot him a quick “okay” text and finally pull out of the church parking lot.

“Chris still cute?” Dawn asks casually, scrolling through her phone like she didn’t just plan your outfits in her head.

You roll your eyes. “He doesn’t like girls.”

Dawn smirks. “Mhm. Still fine, though.”

You both laugh, the car full of that Sunday tired peace. You drive home with the cake still riding in the back like treasure, change into something a little more laidback but still cute and by early evening, you’re parking outside the restaurant Chris picked.

He’s already waiting by the entrance, hands in his pockets, grinning like he’s been standing there for a minute.

And somewhere in the back of your head, even with the light hum of gospel music and catfish memories still buzzing, you wonder if Sammie’s still sitting in that car… thinking about you in that dress.

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Ruth

Modern Sinners AU! Preacher Boy / Sammie x Black Church Girl!Reader
A/N: Guys this is just a filler chapter so you all can know all characters the next chapters finna be🫦. My German ass needed 4 days for this😕💔 I’m working to be faster. Also I’m always writing in my note app and then paste it here so that’s why the paragraphs are that big💔.

“Y/N, get yo’ ass in here!” Grandma hollered from the living room, already halfway standing, one hand gripped tight around Pops, the other waving like she could summon you through walls.

Dawn, still in her bonnet and fuzzy slippers, shuffled in like a sleepwalking soldier, posted up on the other side of Grandma and took her hand like it was routine.

“Where that girl at? I got a long shift ahead of me,” your Mama called out while wrestling the end of her scrub top, badge already clipped, shoes by the door.

“Don’t be hard on her, now. It’s her first time, baby,” your Daddy mumbled, voice low and easy like Sunday morning, sliding his fingers into hers as they stood side by side.

“I’m here,” you muttered, voice still thick with sleep and thoughts of Sammie lingering in the corners of your mind like smoke. Even though you try to push away any imagination that concludes him.

You stepped into the circle, palms up, heart open. The whole house held its breath as you all bowed heads and began to pray over the week, over your steps, over this brand new chapter that was just starting to bloom.

Amen passed through lips like breath and just like that, the morning was moving again your Mama grabbing her keys, Grandma fussin’ over Dawn’s hair and Pops humming an old hymn under his breath.

“C’mon, girl,” your daddy said, nodding his head toward the front door.

You followed him out, the sun shining above the trees, that early light catching the dust in the air like glitter. The ride was quiet, not awkward quiet just peaceful. His old-school Hip Hop playing low on the radio, windows cracked just enough to let the breeze sneak in.

“Got somethin’ for you,” he said as y’all pulled into the gravel lot behind his job. His truck kicked up little clouds of dirt that shimmered gold in the morning.

You raised an eyebrow, still halfway in a dream. “For me?”

He just smiled and nodded toward the back corner where an old but clean car sat shining like it was fresh out the womb. Paint new, tires black like they’d been dipped in ink, and a little bow taped crooked on the hood.

“Went ahead and fixed her up for you. Thought you might wanna drive yourself to the campus instead of waitin’ on me or your mama.”

You blinked. “Daddy…”

“Don’t cry now, you gon’ mess up your face,” he teased, but his eyes were warm, proud. “She ain’t new, but she solid. Just like you.”

You threw your arms around him, holding him tight like you were seven again, not nineteen and grown. “Thank you,” you whispered.

He patted your back with that daddypat that said I got you, always.

Meanwhile, back home, Dawn was curled up on the couch in Doris’s old bedspread, watching old reruns with Pops. She was still half asleep, letting Grandma braid her hair slowly into cornrows while the house exhaled the rest of the morning quiet.

And just like that, the week began.

The car still smelled like the lemon tree air freshener Lenny stuck in the vent, windows rolled down as you cruised down the two lane road. College campus coming into view like something out a brochure folks laughing, some running late with backpacks halfway falling off, others posted up with iced coffees and opinions.

You found parking easy, took a deep breath and grabbed your tote bag, head held high even though your stomach was doing flips. First day. First class. First real step toward the future you’d been praying on since tenth grade. Social Work 1100: Intro to Human Services. Room B208.

The hallway smelled like pencil shavings and somebody’s too strong cologne, but you found your seat near the window and tucked yourself into the corner.

That’s when he walked in dark skin, dreads shoulder length and a low fade with a clean line up. He wore a big tee, cargo pants, Airforces and carried a beat up notebook like it was sacred.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked, pointing to the desk beside you.

You shook your head. “Go ahead.”

He plopped down, sighed like he’d been holding his breath all morning and then turned to you with a quick, lopsided smile. “I’m Chris, by the way. Social work major God help me.”

You laughed, some of the tightness in your chest letting go. “Y/N. Same major. Same prayer.”

“Okay, I like you already,” he said, sliding his phone face down on the desk. “You look like you you don’t play. You say ‘no’ to people, don’t you?”

You raised an eyebrow, amused. “I’m working on it.”

“Aren’t we all,” he grinned. “I got a cousin who think I’m about to fix his baby mama drama just ’cause I took one psych class. I said, sir, I’m not licensed yet call your mama.”

You snorted, trying not to be too loud, but it was impossible around him. Chris had that magnetic energy.

By the time Professor Jenkins walked in, y’all had already traded numbers, cracked jokes about the textbook price and promised to be each other’s emergency class partner.

Monday rolled in smooth like butter on warm toast. You got through your classes, met Chris and even remembered to email that one professor back before midnight. Tuesday was light work just two classes and enough time in between to actually eat lunch and catch up on readings. You were getting the hang of this college rhythm.

By the time Wednesday came around, your head had switched gears. Afternoon sunlight poured into your room, golden and soft, and your calendar had one thing circled: youth choir practice.

You were fixing your hair in your bedroom mirror when Dawn poked her head in. She was already dressed like she had somewhere to be that wasn’t choir tight jeans, lip gloss poppin’ and a sly little smirk on her face.

“Hey,” she started, all casual, “can I use the car after you drove to practice?”

You turned, confused. “What you mean? I thought you was staying for choir?”

Dawn shrugged like it was nothing. “Yeah… no. But Daddy still got my car jacked up and I just need it for like… an hour. Promise I’ll be back before it’s over.”

You eyed her, suspicious but tired of arguing. “You better be. And don’t scratch it Daddy just gave me this thing.”

“I ain’t stupid,” she said, rolling her eyes and grabbing her bag. “Thank youuu, sissss.”

The two of you slid into the car, the evening breeze dancing through the windows. You pulled up to the church, parked on the side lot and switched seats so she could slide behind the wheel. As you hopped out and shut the door, you didn’t even see the quick check she did in the rearview or the text she sent before pulling off to see whoever she wasn’t telling the Lord about.

You took a deep breath, walked up the church steps and opened the door expecting voices, laughter, maybe a choir member or two already warming up.

Instead, it was quiet.

Too quiet.

You stepped in and the soft hum of piano drifted from the sanctuary. There he was.

Samuel Moore.

Sammie sat at the baby grand, head tilted down and fingers gliding across the keys like the music was coming straight from his bloodstream. He hadn’t seen you yet or maybe he had and was just pretending not to.

You stood there for a second, heart thumping.

He finally looked up, slow and deliberate, mouth curving into that lazy, knowing smirk. “Look who showed up early.”

You swallowed, stepping closer. “I thought practice started at five.”

He chuckled, not missing a beat. “It does. You just couldn’t wait to see me, huh?”

You rolled your eyes, but your face burned anyway. “I came to sing, not flirt.”

“Mmhm,” he said, still playing. “You always wear that lip gloss to sing?”

You folded your arms, but your smile was giving you away. “You always come to practice alone just to be a menace?”

He let a final chord linger in the air, then stood, walking around the piano with a kind of slow, deliberate swagger that made your knees wobble a little.

“I came to get ready,” he said, eyes locked on yours. “But now you here… and suddenly I feel real inspired.”

You looked away, biting your lip just a little too hard.

“Don’t do that,” he said low, voice brushing against your neck like a prayer and a warning. “Do you know what that does to me?“

You laughed, stepping back before the air got too heavy.

“Boy,” you said, “go warm up your vocals or something.”

“I’d rather warm up with you,” he said, voice low and syrupy, like he was trying to melt into you right there between the piano chords and stained glass silence.

You gave him a look that should’ve been stern enough, warning, laced with a little holy fire but all he did was grin wider and take one slow step closer.

“Samuel…” you muttered, planting both hands against his chest, palms flat like a benediction, trying to put something, anything, between the two of you.

But space? Space wasn’t something Sammie knew and especially not when it came to you.

Before you could take another breath, he had you gently backed up against the pew. Not rough, not wild just firm enough to remind you that he was there. That he saw you. That he felt all of this, same as you.

“Don’t call me that,” he said, soft but full of warning, like he hated how your voice wrapped around his full name. Like it did something to him.

He took both of your hands in his, warm and calloused from Keyboard keys and old hymn books and he held them right in front of your chest. His thumbs brushed the back of your knuckles slow.

“You know I like it better when you say Sammie.”

You swallowed hard, throat tight. “You’re not supposed to be this close.”

He smiled again, leaned in just enough for you to feel his breath on your cheek. “Ain’t no rule sayin’ I can’t stand near a beautiful girl.”

“Ain’t no rule sayin’ I can’t swing my purse at you, either.”

That made him laugh quiet and deep, the kind that came from his belly and he leaned back just a little, still holding your hands.

“Fine Y/N,” he said, smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ll behave.”

“For now.”

And he let go, just like that.

But even as he turned away to sit back down at the piano, you still felt the echo of his hands on yours and you still heard the way he said your name like it was part prayer, part problem.

And you weren’t sure which one scared you more.

You were still catching your breath when the old wooden church doors creaked open, the clatter of shoes on tile snapping through the sanctuary like a clapback.

“Hey y’all,” Brittnay called, voice pitched and firm like she’d been born with a mic in hand and a clipboard in the other. Her natural hair was pulled up into a slick bun, edges laid like holy ground. Her eyes flicked over you quick, clipped and cool before landing on Sammie like they always did.

Malik, Terrence, Josh, Paul, Essence, Ruth and a couple other choir regulars spilled in behind her. Laughter and the soft glow of phone screens trailed them like perfume. A few nodded at you. Josh and Terrence? Yeah, they did the most.

“Hey now,” Terrence said, eyes roaming like he was reading scripture on your skin. “Didn’t know the choir was auditionin’ angels.”

You blinked once, slow. “You say that to every girl?”

Terrence let out a sharp laugh, quick and mean. Brittnay gave you the kind of side eye that could curdle communion wine. Sammie, of course, was watching from the piano, one brow lifted like he’d just found his favorite hymn.

Brittnay clapped her hands once. “Alright now, get in place.”

Voices shuffled, shoes scraped and you took your spot near the alto section. Brittnay handed you harmonies like a challenge, but you caught on easy your voice already seasoned by pews and potlucks and a mama who made you sing before you could speak.

Sammie’s hands graced the keys and Amazing Grace rose slow and sweet. His playing was deliberate, like he was coaxing the Spirit out of the strings. You let your voice fall in soft, steady. By the time y’all reached “was blind, but now I see,” even Brittnay had stopped frowning.

Redeemed followed louder, fuller. Ruth belted like she had something to prove. Malik clapped off-beat. Sammie added these bluesy runs between verses, just subtle enough that you noticed. When your voice met his melody, he smiled like he knew you would.

After the last stretch of “His child and forever I am,” Brittnay tapped her phone screen and the music stopped cold.

“I’ll drop the rehearsal vid in the group chat,” she said, already typing. “Y’all know the drill.”

Buzzes filled the room as messages came through. Choir folk grabbed bags and Bibles, hugging, joking, easing toward the door.

Terrence lingered, leaned in close. “You need a ride home or you straight?”

Before you could get your answer out, Sammie slid into the space like he’d been summoned.

“She good,” he said, dangling his keys like temptation. “I offered already.”

Terrence held up both hands. “Say less, preacher boy.”

Brittnay turned to you, smile taut. “Welcome to the choir.”

You gave her a tight nod. “Thanks.” But her voice held no warmth. Felt more like a warning than a welcome.

Some of the group still standing and talking while others went out, voices fading into the humid night air. You turned to Sammie.

“I actually got a ride,” you said, half a lie. “Dawn should be here any minute.”

You stepped out the doors, swinging your hips like you weren’t irritated as hell inside.

But the parking lot was empty. One car left.

Your phone was already in your hand, thumb moving fast.

You tapped the mic and held it close.

“Dawn Elise Whitaker. Where are you? More importantly where is my car? If I don’t hear from you in the next five minutes, I will summon Granny and you know she still got that wooden spoon from 2004. Call me back.”

“You always holler into your phone like that?”

You didn’t even need to turn. That voice? That lil smirk woven into every word? That was Sammie.

You spun around. “Dawn took my car to go God knows where, probably somewhere no Bible touches and now she’s ghostin’ me like a Pharisee in a leggings.”

Sammie laughed, deep and full, like it came from somewhere way down in his ribs.

“Well then,” he said, holding out the passenger door, “Let me be your chariot tonight, church girl.”

You looked up at the sky like maybe God would write no in the stars. But it stayed quiet and dark. And Sammie was already grinning like he knew you’d fold.

You sighed. “Alright.”

He opened the door, still with that look like he was always one second from saying something slick.

“You ready?”

You slid into the seat. “I guess.”

Sammie climbed in behind the wheel. “Let’s get you home before you start second guessin’ this blessing.”

He winked, turned the key, and the engine came alive deep and low, just like your nerves.

And with that, the two of you slipped into the Clarksdale night, your phone still silent in your lap, your heart beating a little too loud for a simple church girl.

The ride started quiet, windows cracked just enough to let in the cicada song and the last breath of sunset. Sammie tapped the wheel with two fingers, watching the road like it had answers he’d been praying on.

You sat with your arms folded, pretending to scroll on your phone but really just waiting for a text that still hadn’t come.

He glanced over, smirk playing soft at his lips.

“You always walk like that after choir practice?”

You looked up, brows furrowed. “Walk like what?”

He leaned back, hand resting at twelve on the wheel, voice a little lower than before. “Like you was floatin’. Swingin’ your hips like you ain’t know half them boys was ’bout to break they neck watchin’.”

Your mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”

He grinned. “I saw Terrence. Lookin’ at you like you was communion and he ain’t ate all week. And that whole ‘you need a ride’ line? Nah. He wasn’t talkin’ ‘bout cars.”

You side-eyed him. “You jealous?”

He didn’t answer right away, just let the engine hum and the night fold around the car like velvet. Then—

“Would it be wrong if I said yeah?”

That shut you up.

You looked at him. Really looked at him. The soft curve of his jaw, the gold chain catching a glint of streetlight, the way his hands gripped the wheel like it was a steering wheel and a prayer all at once.

He caught your stare and smiled. “You be lookin’ at me like that, church girl, I might crash this car on purpose.”

You snorted and turned away, heat rising in your cheeks. “You so full of yourself.”

“I’m full of a lotta things,” he said, voice dipping playful. “But mainly just thinkin’ ’bout you.”

Another silence passed, this one more weighted, like something holy and unspoken was sitting between you both.

He cleared his throat. “What’s your favorite Bible story?”

You blinked. “Wait?! what?”

He shrugged. “I’m serious. You got a favorite? Don’t act like you ain’t grown up around the Word.”

You stared at him, thrown. “I mean… yeah. Ruth, probably.”

That made his smile falter just a little. He looked at you different then softer, like your answer unlocked a door he wasn’t ready to open yet.

“Ruth,” he repeated. “Yeah. That makes sense.”

You raised a brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He smirked, gaze back on the road. “You loyal. You strong. Got that kind of beauty that don’t ask for attention but still gets it anyway.”

You didn’t even have time to respond before his phone lit up on the dash, screen flashing Brittnay and connecting automatically to the car’s Bluetooth.

Sammie groaned. “Damn.”

He hit the answer button and gave you a quick “Shhh,” finger pressed to his lips.

“Hey Brittnay.”

“Hey Sammie,” her voice came through the speakers sharp and sweet like sugar with lemon juice. “I meant to ask before you left can you get that girl’s number? The new one. Y/N?”

Your eyes widened. Sammie glanced at you, trying not to laugh.

“I wanna add her to the choir group chat,” Brittnay continued, tone going flatter now. “Since apparently she’s in now.”

You leaned closer to the speaker, lips twisted. Since apparently?

Sammie coughed into his fist. “Yeah, I’ll get it to you.”

“Mhm,” Brittnay said. “Well. Night.”

The line cut off, the silence loud.

You raised a brow. “She said that like she didn’t ask me to come and like I snuck in through the back door.”

Sammie chuckled. “That’s just Brittnay. She don’t like when new folks catch the spotlight without askin’ her first.”

“Well tell her I didn’t ask for it.”

“I won’t tell her anything,” he said, while the camera to a stop because of the red light. “You tell her next Sunday with that voice of yours.”

He met your gaze and didn’t look away.

“You really jealous?” you asked again, quieter this time.

His lips twitched. “I’m not used to sharin’ what I want.”

You bit your lip, heartbeat steady and loud in your ears. Before you could answer your phone lit up in your hand.

Dawn calling.

You were only ten minutes from home, the street signs startin’ to look familiar and the sky deepenin’ into that Southern blue black.

You picked up with a sharp inhale, ready to fuss.

Before you could get a word out, her voice came fast and panicked, like she’d been rehearsing it on the ride over.

“Wait don’t go inside yet! Please, Y/N, I need you to meet me at the old corner store. You know, the one near Mr. Lee’s barbershop? I’m pulling up now. I can’t go in alone Granny already think I’m halfway goin’ to hell.”

You sighed and looked at Sammie, who raised his brows at your expression.

“Dawn. Girl.”

“I know, I know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, okay? Just help me out. I promise I’ll explain everything tomorrow.”

You held the phone away from your ear for a beat, then brought it back. “You better be there when I pull up.”

“I’m already here.”

She hung up before you could argue.

Sammie smirked. “That your Pharisee again?”

You gave him a look. “Yes that’s her.”

“Mhmm,” he said, flipping the turn signal like he already knew where to go. “She gon’ owe you for this one.”

As the car turned down the familiar road toward the corner store, he tapped the steering wheel. “Since I’m still playin’ chauffeur, you might as well gimme your number.”

You squinted. “Why?”

He grinned, leaning into that tease he wore like a second skin. “Well, one you gon’ need a ride again. And two Brittnay want it. Remember.”

“Right,” you said slowly, typing it into his phone when he handed it over. “Only for the choir.”

He looked at you sideways. “Unless you want me to use it for somethin’ else.”

You snatched your hand back, heat pricklin’ up your neck. “Drive the car, Samuel.”

“Don’t call me that,” he muttered, still smiling.

By the time y’all pulled up, Dawn was leaning against the side of the store, hoodie up, like she wasn’t out here actin’ a whole fool just thirty minutes ago.

She scurried over to your side, knocking on the window. “Unlock it!”

You did, barely rolling your eyes before stepping out.

She grabbed your hand quick. “Okay. We was at the church a little late, right? That’s what happened.”

“You’re lucky I love you,” you muttered.

“I know,” she whispered back. “You the realest.”

Before y’all started walking, you turned back to Sammie, who hadn’t pulled off yet.

“Thanks for the ride,” you said, voice softer now.

He leaned over the wheel, one arm draped lazy but his eyes locked with yours. “Anytime, Ruth.”

Your breath hitched just a little.

Dawn looked between the two of you, confused and amused. “Y’all flirting or quoting scripture?”

You elbowed her.

And Sammie? He just laughed, like he had all the time in the world to keep teasing you until you gave in.

By the time y’all reached the house, the porch light was still on and the living room window glowed warm behind the lace curtains. Inside, the air was still, thick with that kind of silence that don’t mean peace just waiting.

You and Dawn stepped through the front door like two kids fresh from trouble. Not even five seconds in and you froze, Pops was sittin’ in his favorite chair, Bible closed on the side table, glasses perched low on his nose. Doris sat straight on the couch, arms crossed, face carved in stone.

Both of them looking dead at y’all.

“Evenin’,” Pops said, slow.

You swallowed. “Evenin’, Pops.”

Dawn’s voice cracked a little. “Evenin’, Granny…”

Doris didn’t even blink. “Mmhm. Y’all smell like outside.”

You and Dawn exchanged a glance like that would help, but it only made you more suspicious.

“We were at practice,” you offered.

“Late, huh?” Doris cocked her head, still lookin’ at Dawn.

“Yeah,” Dawn said too quick. “Real late. The choir uh, we recorded stuff and, uh, Brittnay wanted to run a second round—”

“Baby,” Doris cut in smooth. “Don’t lie with your whole chest if your socks tell a different story. You done scuffed up your shoes runnin’ through gravel and your neck still got perfume from somebody else’s bathroom.”

Dawn blinked like she forgot how to use her mouth.

You coughed into your hand, stifling a laugh, but Doris turned to you next.

“You went to practice, Y/N?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Doris squinted, then sighed. “Alright. Go on. Get ready for sleep. Your mama gon’ want to hear how choir’s goin’ in the mornin’.”

“Goodnight.”

You booked it down the hall, still hearing Pops mumble, “You too grown to be actin’ so foolish,” as Dawn shuffled into her seat for the interrogation of the year.

By the time you shut your door, you went straight to the shower and got ready for bed.

Your bonnet was tied and your oversized tee hit just above the knees as you curled into bed, the hum of the ceiling fan lulling you into stillness. You had barely flipped your phone over when the screen lit up.

Unknown Number You make it home alright, church girl?

You smiled, thumb already flying before your brain could catch up.

You I made it. Barely. Dawn almost got me grounded at my big age.

Sammie. Coulda been worse. I coulda drove you straight into temptation.

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop the grin stretching wide across your face.

You You already did. Now I gotta pray twice before bed.

Three little dots danced before his reply dropped.

Sammie I like a girl who knows her way to the altar. But I also like a girl who pays her chauffeur. You got some gas money, miss ma’am?

You stared at the message, laughing into your pillow.

You I’ll cashapp you $5. That cover it?

His response came fast.

Sammie Mm. Nah. I don’t take cash.

You Then what you want?

Sammie A kiss. Just one. Payment in full.

Your breath caught a little. Fingers paused mid type. This boy had no business texting like this while you were tucked under your grandmother’s roof.

You You tryna go to hell, Samuel?

Sammie Only if you drivin’.

You threw your phone across the bed and squealed into your pillow, heart knockin’ around your chest like it was trying to break free.

You stared up at the ceiling for a long beat before whispering out loud to no one, “Lord… why he gotta be like this?”

Your phone buzzed again.

Sammie Sleep good, choir girl. Don’t forget to pray. Twice.

Taglist: (Does the @ work?)

A LOCK BETWEEN BLUES & RHYMES

𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐱 𝐎𝐂/ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 (Teaser)

・❥⤑

𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐘

is the middle sister in the May family. With an older sister named Magnolia, a younger sister named Lilac, and a baby brother named Indigo. The family of flowers as the people in town call them. They had only recently moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi from Augusta, Georgia. Not leaving Augusta because of major issues but rather searching for a change, something new. They move into the rural side not too far from town but not close. It’s Mississippi now, and rumors and gossip overrule the town about the new family living on the sides. As Carnation heads into town she meets an array of people and a town she ain’t expect. Some people find her interesting others find as just another someone adding onto the town’s issues. Now Carnation ain’t a quiet girl, but she ain’t a loud one either. She’s a girl who has a diverse imagination and puts her thoughts into rhymes, poems. Speaking her mind and voicing her true emotions onto paper. A way with word, as her mother says. Both figuratively and literally, can be a sass mouth or a poet whenever she want. May get her in trouble or may get her out. But even as unknown as her family may seem, truth comes to light when her father meets the Moore family with Sammie’s Dad. A taste of bad blood from old roots runs through the two separating any future bonds. Sparking tension between the names and creating a bitter taste to start with. But what’s there to be when a young man of the blues from the Moore family admires the underlying witty attitude and deep hearted thoughts in the middle May sister? Something forbidden lies between the two but they just can’t stay away. The high of the risk, the thrill of the chase, the smooth talking with sassy comebacks, and the beat of their hearts after every interaction.But how will they fix the lock between blues and rhymes? Will it fix their family issues or will they be stuck behind their dispute?

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯…

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐: 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯…

𝐀/𝐍 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: Heyyy guys… 🧍‍♀️ so I came up with this fic series idea, yes it’s gonna be a series I got the idea and vibe for it but I still have to create some sort of plot and how it’s gonna play out. I also might have to do some history research to try and make the story have some realistic aspects. There is definitely gonna be more than 2 parts but idk for sure on the parts rn so they’re just place holders for now. You can read this as x reader but I do kind of have a bit of a look for her, slightly chubby, locs , and brown skin. You can read it and jsut imagine her different if that’s what you want to do though! This series also won’t follow the events of sinners so no vampires and death will occur but the juke joint will still be in the story. But I hope you guys enjoyed the teaser, a little summary to get you excited! Hopefully it won’t take me too long to form part 1 but send some ideas/suggestions in for how the story should play out, greatly appreciated! Ty guys for reading, I love youuu

oh i love this already! i love anything star crossed lovers themed 😭😭

AYYY TYY I’ve been working on chapter 1, I’m still like wondering on how to make the conflict play out but ty for the support means so much to me!🩷

i’ll be seated when it’s done !

A LOCK BETWEEN BLUES & RHYMES

𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐱 𝐎𝐂/ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 (Teaser)

・❥⤑

𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐘

is the middle sister in the May family. With an older sister named Magnolia, a younger sister named Lilac, and a baby brother named Indigo. The family of flowers as the people in town call them. They had only recently moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi from Augusta, Georgia. Not leaving Augusta because of major issues but rather searching for a change, something new. They move into the rural side not too far from town but not close. It’s Mississippi now, and rumors and gossip overrule the town about the new family living on the sides. As Carnation heads into town she meets an array of people and a town she ain’t expect. Some people find her interesting others find as just another someone adding onto the town’s issues. Now Carnation ain’t a quiet girl, but she ain’t a loud one either. She’s a girl who has a diverse imagination and puts her thoughts into rhymes, poems. Speaking her mind and voicing her true emotions onto paper. A way with word, as her mother says. Both figuratively and literally, can be a sass mouth or a poet whenever she want. May get her in trouble or may get her out. But even as unknown as her family may seem, truth comes to light when her father meets the Moore family with Sammie’s Dad. A taste of bad blood from old roots runs through the two separating any future bonds. Sparking tension between the names and creating a bitter taste to start with. But what’s there to be when a young man of the blues from the Moore family admires the underlying witty attitude and deep hearted thoughts in the middle May sister? Something forbidden lies between the two but they just can’t stay away. The high of the risk, the thrill of the chase, the smooth talking with sassy comebacks, and the beat of their hearts after every interaction.But how will they fix the lock between blues and rhymes? Will it fix their family issues or will they be stuck behind their dispute?

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯…

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐: 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯…

𝐀/𝐍 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: Heyyy guys… 🧍‍♀️ so I came up with this fic series idea, yes it’s gonna be a series I got the idea and vibe for it but I still have to create some sort of plot and how it’s gonna play out. I also might have to do some history research to try and make the story have some realistic aspects. There is definitely gonna be more than 2 parts but idk for sure on the parts rn so they’re just place holders for now. You can read this as x reader but I do kind of have a bit of a look for her, slightly chubby, locs , and brown skin. You can read it and jsut imagine her different if that’s what you want to do though! This series also won’t follow the events of sinners so no vampires and death will occur but the juke joint will still be in the story. But I hope you guys enjoyed the teaser, a little summary to get you excited! Hopefully it won’t take me too long to form part 1 but send some ideas/suggestions in for how the story should play out, greatly appreciated! Ty guys for reading, I love youuu

oh i love this already! i love anything star crossed lovers themed 😭😭

Annie is a force of nature when she challenges Cornbread. She is the gravitational point for all the other characters. Cornbread tries to move around her, to address Smoke, because it's Elijah who is considered the weaker link, not she. Yet he does not succeed because Annie's concerns are not dismissed. She is the carrier of knowledge, of tradition. All the characters in that room have her in high regard. She is LISTENED to and she is never treated as some paranoid, hysterical woman. I found it refreshing.