#| int. Kaiden |

[soulsuckrrs]

open to: m/f/anyone plot: y/m somehow betrayed Kaiden’s trust, after they’d grown very close during y/m’s stay at Kaiden’s resort/vineyard over the summer. Now Kaiden’s learned about whatever y/m did or kept from him & is confronting them. hmu to plot! I have ideas. connection: assassin or criminal, detective or federal agent/secret agent, ex or old flame, idk gimme angst thnx.

“I trusted you… I put not only my heart on the line but my daughter’s,” there would be nothing in this world that meant more to Kaiden than his daughters and for a moment there he had believed that sentiment included the other but since learning of their deceit, that had changed. He used his hands to emphasize his point, gesturing at the other and then back in the direction of his house where his daughters stayed. The shadows cast by the rapidly setting sun seemed to dance across Kaiden’s creased and distraught features, his typically warm and inviting eyes holding no shine of anything but betrayal and hurt. His head shook, the hand he’d been using to help articulate his words moved to shove roughly through his dark hair, pushing it out of his face as he dropped his gaze, casting it around them briefly in a flash of paranoia. “You can’t be here if it puts them at risk,” he stated simply, emotion touching his tone, words final.

[soulsuckrrs]

This was usually how his love life went in recent years. Off on another business trip Kaiden found a stranger at a bar, it started as light, playful flirting and small talk but their interaction turned into something a little more genuine. Kaiden was used to people viewing his finer items, nice clothes and accessories he wore to appear the savvy businessman who successfully owned a vineyard and resort. He was that but the style was far from what he'd prefer to be wearing, jeans and a t-shirt playing with his daughters in the dirt outside was his personal style but that didn't mean he hated looking the part he had to play. Kaiden drew in all sorts of people and more often than not he was more noticed when he showed his wealth. At least, while on business trips. So attracting a lovely stranger at the bar wasn't an unusual thing and had become a sort of practice, one night stands were all he could really afford at this time in his life. Between running a dual business and taking care of two little girls, Kaiden didn't see himself getting into any sort of relationship off the first few dates and he had tried a couple times.

Finding this sort of easy conversation, though, was rarer than his one night escapades. He enjoyed it more. Sitting there listening to the woman that had caught his attention. After many hours spent listening to investors haggle and manipulate to get a better price, it was nice having this moment with Gwyn. He was seconds away from letting his fingers brush against hers to interlace them, a daring chance at testing their chemistry and connection when Gwyn spoke and Kaiden's heart lurched into his throat and he withdrew his hand, shifting to look at the woman, brow furrowed slightly as she admitted the crimes she apparently had been planning on carrying out only... she didn't seem like the type and Kaiden couldn't help feeling there was more to this admission than what she was letting on.

"Alright," he said after a moment or two of silent contemplation only a patient father could exude. Kaiden rubbed his hands on his pants before slipping them into his pockets, shifting back onto his heels then forward again. "-- let's go back to my hotel room," he licked his lips before chewing at the bottom one, a small smirk pressing at them as he continued. "There's a safe, I'll lock the temptation away." He offered because truly, Kaiden didn't feel that Gwyn was the type and he had known the sleazy type to swipe a wallet and max out cards. "It'd just be you, me and a couple bottles of wine..." he added, hoping she'd accept his invitation because he didn't want this interaction to end, nor did he want her going back to whoever put her up to this little stunt because as Kaiden watched Gwyn he decided that had to be the answer. Someone was making her do these things, call it a gut feeling and the fact she told him what her plan had been.

plot: gwyn has a manipulative boyfriend that doesn't work, so on the weekends when she isn't working he has her go out and sleep with rich men, to steal their wallets and valuables and disappear the next morning, to sustain the fact he doesn't work but your muse was too nice and there's something about them, so gwyn for once, cracks and warns your muse. it could go many ways! open to m, 21+, i'd be very down for age gaps too.

"don't invite me back to your hotel room." gwyn spoke the moment she'd stepping out of the bar that she'd spent the whole night sat happily flirting, only.. it stopped being silly flirting after an hour. it ended up where she spoke because she wanted to, talked because this person made her feel listened to for the first time in months. it was nice to feel heard, to feel wanted in some way at all but... for once, she'd rather face her boyfriends rage than steal from someone that actually made her feel valued and not some easy fling, even though that's what it'd end up, always did. they weren't cruel or pushy like most. "don't invite me back. i'd steal your wallet, i'd take your watch, i'd max the cards within an hour or two and not because i want to, because i don't... have a lot of choice anymore so, don't ask me to come with you." she swallowed thickly, hell they could call her every name under the sun and scream at her but she stood there, timid as ever, the cold breeze making her hold her arms around herself. "i'm sorry if.. if you feel like i wasted your time."

[wintfleur]

 ₊˚ෆ ⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 ˖˙ ᰋ  ── MOVE ME, BABY !

gwen’s relationship with juraj  

   ━━━ ❛ I could never define all that you are to me 

au masterlist - everything for the AU is under #📷 ͡ ꒱ GwenCaufield

˖ ་ everything for our couple is under #⋆ ˚｡⋆୨🖤୧˚ Gwen & Juraj

˖ ་ you can find everything smutty under #⋆ ˚｡⋆୨📸୧˚ smutty gwen & juraj

ᡣ𐭩 BASICS !

how did they meet?  they met in 2022 when juraj first moved to Montreal, her brother and a few of their teammates were going to take juraj out for the day and show him around, they invited her as well and she decided to tag along, also wanting to meet him. They all met for lunch and then showed him around the city before going to this really cool bowling alley/bar, where they played for a few hours, also eating there.  (2022)

their first impressions?  

juraj was already nervous to meet her when arber told him that she would be coming along, but his first thought about her before they met was that she had a beautiful name. But when he met her his first thoughts was that she had an even prettier laugh as she giggled when he struggled to pronounce her name at first ‘you can just call me gwen’ he had also found her to be quite intimidating, which was ridiculous because he towered over her, but still, she was just so pretty and calm . . . he didn't know what to do with himself. He found it hard to talk with her because of his nerves, she was just so pretty. 

Gwen’s first impression of juraj was ‘wow he's tell’ as he stood up to greet her and cole and then it changed to ‘wow he's so cute’ as she listened to him struggle to pronounce her name, a lot of inner monologue of her freaking out about his accent and smile. He was very shy and polite towards her and Gwen found that adorable, but she was a little disappointed as the night went on. Juraj seemed to be a lot more comfortable and talkative with the others while he was still nervous and shy around her, she hoped that she didn't make him uncomfortable in any way. 

first date?   Juraj was the one to ask her out on a date, he was out on a jog and stopped to catch his breath in front of an older cinema that he saw was screening the first scream, aka one of Gwen's all time favorite movies. He took that as a sign to finally man up and ask her out on a date and thankfully she said yes. It was his first time going to the cinema in Canada and the first time seeing the movie so they got a whole bunch of different candies/popcorn for him to try. After the movie they went to a pizza plaza for dinner where they talked about the movie and almost everything else. 

who confessed their feelings first?   

juraj realized his feelings were very strong for her during their first date, he was sitting across gwen with a small smile on his lips as he watched and listened (like a lovesick puppy) to her ramble about the movie they just watched, seeing her so passionate and carefree, but despite the fact that juraj realized his feelings first, gwen was the one to confess first. 

gwen quickly realized her feelings for him as she laid in her bed the night of the date, she couldn't sleep and all she could think about was him and he made her feel. Her last relationship ended horribly so the idea of her liking someone else scared her, so she decided to try her best to avoid him . . . which is not so easy because they work together and see each other almost every single day. Juraj who noticed Gwen's avoidance towards him distanced himself as well, thinking that he did something wrong and that she didn't enjoy the date, it really hurt for him to think that. 

a few of there close friends that knew about them were tired of them avoiding each other decide to do a little scheming, while they were all at the rink, everyone was getting ready to leave so kaiden asked juraj to bring a few things to a supply closet while arber asked gwen to get a few things from the said closet, they both of course said yes. When the two schemers noticed them both going into the closet they locked it from the outside, forcing them to finally talk. Juraj asked her why she was avoiding him and she couldn't hold it in anymore as she looked up into his sad eyes, confessing her feelings for him right on the spot. Juraj of course told her he felt the same way. They both agreed to take it slow and go on a second date. 

first kiss?  their first kiss happened during their second date, a few days after they confessed their feelings for each other. They had planned to go to this new cafe but the weather changed drastically. Juraj didn't want to leave her alone at the apartment (cole at a friend's house) during a thunderstorm so they decided to have their date inside instead. They were cuddled up on the couch watching stranger things and sharing a tub of ice cream. Gwen had looked up at him when she felt his stare on her, she went to ask him if he was okay but her words got caught in her throat at the look he was giving her. They both were leaning in and before they knew it their lips were touching, the soft kiss didn't last longer than a few seconds. But the kiss they shared moments after the first lasted way longer, the ice cream and show long forgotten. 

who asked who?  juraj was the one to ask her to be his girlfriend, they were laying in her bed watching an old slovak movie he had mentioned watching a lot as a child. She had surprised him with the movie and some of his favorite snacks for their night in. He laid there with her in his arm and he watched as she read the subtitles of the movie she went out of her way to surprise him with, all he wanted was to be hers and her to be his. His words were moving before his mind was comprehending what he was doing, he sounded nervous and unsure when he first asked. Gwen who was so into reading the subtitles that she didn't hear what he said so she just hummed in confusion asking him to repeat what he said. Juraj let out a heavy breath before asking her again, this time much more confident. His confidence worked because Gwen was smiling and placing soft kisses on his cheek as she said yes. 

first I love you?   gwen was the one who said I love you first, she was nervous and scared that she felt so strongly for him even though they haven't been dating for long. But she had a long conversation with her best friend Luke who helped her realize that she should tell Juraj how she feels. So she went to his place and confessed her love for him as they sat on his bed. Juraj was shocked but he was happy because he felt the same way. 

how did everyone find out? 

family + friends: besides the people who knew from the beginning, their closest friends and cole. Everyone else found out when they posted each other on their private instagrams for valentines day, they also went on a trip by themselves to celebrate valentines day. 

the public: the public found out when a video of them kissing while on a date went viral, someone had filmed them without them knowing and posted it. they were forced to confirm it since it was so public. 

ᡣ𐭩 DETAILS !

their tropes: he fell first x she fell harder, tall bf x short gf, sunshine protector bf x sunshine gf, artist gf x muse bf, hyper bf x sleepy gf 

love languages: 

gwen’s: physical touch, holding hands, making playlists, words of affirmation 

juraj’s: physical touch, head petting, food sharing, words of affirmation 

pet names: 

gwen’s (for juraj’s): baby, handsome, loverboy, darling, pretty boy, 

juraj’s (for gwen): angel/anjel, honey, dollface, sweetheart, tiny, sweet girl, lots in slovak

their favorite sleep position: 

gwen’s: gwen likes laying her head on his chest while he sleeps on his back, practically on top of him. 

juraj’s: him being the big spoon while she is the little. 

songs that describe them: 

movement – hoizer 

there is a light that never goes out – the smiths 

i melt with you – modern english 

lovers rock – tv girl 

glue song – beabadoobee

those eyes – new west 

would that i – hozier 

wildest dreams – taylor swift 

my love mine all mine – mitski 

out of my league – fitz and the tantrums 

contact names: 

gwen’s (for juraj): loverboy 🖤

juraj’s (for gwen): moja hviezda 💫

contact photos:

lockscreens: 

gwen’s: gwen’s lockscreen is a picture of juraj that she took at one of the games, she had captured such a perfect moment of him looking out at the fans with a big smile on his lips as they chanted his name 

juraj’s: juraj’s lockscreen is a picture of gwen that he took on one of their dates, they had gone back to that same bowling alley they went to the first day they met. Juraj thought she looked so beautiful so he had to take a quick picture. 

ᡣ𐭩 THEIR THINGS !

always clinging to each other, always touching in some way 

late night drives 

cuddling in bed as they listen to music 

late night makeout sessions in the car at there spot (a lookout spot) 

juraj having to try/taste every single one of gwen’s new chapsticks/lip glosses 

Sending each other songs throughout the day that remind them of each other 

juraj braiding and playing with her hair

juraj tying her shoes for her 

gwen singing juraj to sleep when he can't fall asleep

weekly movie nights

having a terrible habit of locking the door 

long showers together

using gwen’s cameras/camcorders to take/film risky things 

facetiming each other when they are away 

juraj always being in awe at how flexible she is 

gwen drawing/painting juraj when he naps 

gwen cutting juraj’s rambles about hockey with a kiss 

dates at new restaurants 

staring into each other's eyes

slapping each others asses

hands in each others back pockets

pottery dates

making out in elevators

juraj’s hand always being on her thigh when he drivers or when they sit 

ᡣ𐭩 FUN FACTS !

gwen teaching juraj more english while he teaches her slovak 

gwen gets really cold when she sleeps, so she's lucky to have her hunk of her boyfriend warming her up 

they love to tease cole or arber whenever they third wheel them 

gwen made a scrapbook of a bunch of pictures with them, along with a bunch of poems 

they love cooking together even though it's mostly gwen whos cooking, juraj is an excellent sous chef

they have so many of each others things at each others places, almost always together 

they both love their height difference 

juraj loves to call gwen his start girl because of her love for stars, and because she's as beautiful as one…his words

they can be very playful with each other

they wish they could just cuddle in bed all day 

Juraj is honestly the most clingiest person in the word to her, she loves it of course and his teammates love to tease him about it 

they both get teased by his reamates a lot in general, but they care for the young couple a lot 

gwen knows how to skate but juraj loves to hold onto her and help her around, she finds it cute 

the team likes to call them a married couple 

gwen loves that juraj has formed such a good friendship with her best friend luke hughes 

both of their families love them together, they are very supportive 

their libidos are so high 

when gwen traveled with juraj to the first time to slovakia she was so nervous, but she had a great time meeting his family and friends

juraj love sit when gwen gets all nerdy and passionate about the things she loves, he could listen to he ramble about things for hours

juraj is very protective of gwen he will not let anyone disrespect her in anyway, he's gotten into a fight on the ice because a guy couldn't keep his mouth shut about her 

their special spot is a lookout spot on a hill that looks out over the city. They love driving up to it at night. Either cuddling in the car or outside on the hill on a blanket, looking at the stars and lights. Thankfully it's not well known

they feel the safest and most comfortable talking about theory feelings with each other 

gwen tries teaching juraj how to play the piano or guitar but it always ends up with them making out 

juraj has petty fights in her comment sections with all the guys/girls who ask if he can fight 

juraj is very patient with her, knowing of her past relationship and how badly it ended

furaj definitely uses the height difference between them to his advantage if you are catching my drift 

whenever someone cuts gwen off when shes talking, juraj will send them the most heated, intimidating glare he can muster 

juraj is so soft and sweet with gwen, she's his whole world 

gwen is his little rockstar 

ᡣ𐭩 INTERNETS FAVORITE MOMENTS !

in the background of the habs picture day video you can see juraj laughing as he looked down at gwen, who was showing him a picture she had taken, he gently patted her head before skating off. 

cole was doing an instagram live in his room and in the background you could hear gwen and juraj, who were playfully arguing in the living room as they played video games. 

the video that went viral of them at a music festival, juraj was hugging gwen from behind as they swayed slowly to the music 

the cute cameos of juraj in her tik toks, youtube videos, and lives 

how giggly and smiley juraj gets when gwen is mentioned in his interviews 

just all the moments of them in the behind the scene videos for the habs

when cole was asked on a podcast what he has been up to and he jokingly said he's been chaperoning his sister and gwen around, and then proceeded to talk happily about the couple. 

“Even my mother and girlfriend told me to shoot more…so i should really shoot more” 

ᡣ𐭩 SMALL TIMELINE ! 

augest 2022: juraj and stella met for the first time 

october  2022: they went on their first date 

 a week after their first date they confessed their feelings to each other 

november 2022: they go on their second date and have their first kiss 

december 2022: juraj asked her to be his girlfriend and they officially started dating 

early february 2023: gwen tells juraj she loves him and vice versa 

february 14th, 2023: their close friends and family who didn't know from the beginning, finds out about them 

june 2023: the public found out about them when a video taken of them kissing while on a date goes viral. 

ᡣ𐭩 MOODBOARD !

˖ ་ 💭 roro’s notes ( I love them with all my heart pls I’ll sob 💔 PLS PLS PLS SEND IN SOME THOUGHTS , I WANNA WRITE MORE OF THEM . . . I hope you guys enjoy this and them !! Please let me know what you guys think !! )

moja hviezda = my star

°. — taglist ( @lovings4turn @toasttt11 @cixrosie @prettyboywoll @petite-potato4 @winterbarnesblog )

©️WINTFLEUR

[cy-vory]

This is just the campaign that a friend of mine is running rn and of course I had to do an elaborate and beautifully colored piece as cover art for it.

The characters are Augustus, his sign Being That Bitch (TM), actually a key npc

My Goliath Barbarian with an int stat of 4 whos the perfect combo of dumb of ass, heart of gold

And Kaiden, the homebrew shifter who got so high he jumped against a window 6 times at some point and did.... other things.

The party is doing good, I promise

[cosmotread-blog]

Baby boy swept to his death from mother’s arms by raging Florence floodwaters

New Post has been published on https://www.cosmotread.com/2018/09/17/baby-boy-swept-to-his-death-from-mothers-arms-by-raging-florence-floodwaters/

Baby boy swept to his death from mother’s arms by raging Florence floodwaters

Baby boy swept to his death from mother’s arms by raging Florence floodwaters, This one year-old baby boy was swept to his death from his mother’s arms by raging floodwaters as they attempted to escape tropical storm Florence. Kaiden Lee-Welch was found dead Monday, hours after being sucked int...

[soulsuckrrs]

          ――――――――――― ⌽ ―――――――――――

Once she gave him her permission, something he didn't wait too long for, she was swiftly liften into his arms, secure and gentle, Kaiden moved away from the quickly declining state of the vehicle, it was certainly going to explode and that seemed to be a big middle finger according to the woman in his arms. It was easy enough to move away, a good distance before he paused and turned back, watching the smoking vehicle until he let his gaze fall to Lily with a concerned look. He nodded in agreement, the universe did have a funny way of sticking it to people and he was no stranger to that-- although, he had never suffered the crashing and burning of his car.

"Lily," he said her name s if trying it out on his tongue and his gaze soon shifted from the burning car to the woman in his arms again and he offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile if nothing else. He cleared his throat and shifted her just slightly and nodded towards her car, "-- we should probably call the fire department, don't you think?" He stated more than asked, smile turning up at one corner but his concern for her well being no less than it had been when he'd all but torn the door from her car.

"I'm Kaiden and you are very welcome," he jerked just slightly as the car made horrible noises, flames roaring to life within the engine compartment and he grimaced, shifting back a few steps and clearing his throat. "-- do you have Farmers insurance? I hear they cover the craziest of things." A light hint of humor touched his tone as he shifted her to her feet, one arm laced around her waist to secure her next to him firmly while his other hand fished out his cell phone, checking for reception he grumbled a little.

Lily was still reeling from the accident her mind was a fog eyes spotty looking at him as he was gentle which was all that mattered. "Yes," She squeaked out in response to him asking to life her. She wasn't sure she wasn't feeling any leg pain she felt her toe's the whiplash didn't cause any damage in the present moment. Lily soon adjusted with a groan when she heard a fizzle and a pop along with what sounded like her radiator blowing up. She then shook her head. " I don't think insurance is gonna cover that" She whispered knowing her car was totaled. The moment though he would go to scoop her up she would wrap her arms around his neck with the strength she could barely muster. Though to top it off the moment he had her in his arms the airbag deployed. She chuckled softly as the car then burst into flames. " Now the universe is just giving me the finger" She tried to hide herself behind the mask of humor.

"If any consolation, thank you, and I'm Lily by the way"

[soulsuckrrs]

open to: m/f/anyone plot: Kaiden & y/m have been on a few dates & Kaiden has brought them back to his resort/vineyard for a late night tour & nightcap. pretty open to go anywhere, hmu if you'd like to plot more! connection: someone he's dating. muse: Kaiden Talzin, father of two & vineyard/resort owner.

Dating wasn’t entirely his area of expertise. Kaiden was a man knowledgeable on the ways of the Earth and how to grow things, it was why his vineyard had done so well in the last few years and had increasingly grown in popularity as a resort as well. Fumbling with his keys the tall man let a small laugh brush past his lips before he glanced over at the other with him. “If you don’t like wine…. I also have a few bottles of bourbon that are from a private collection of mine,” they had been gifts from important and prominent guests and investors, they were the reason he was doing so well with what he had.

Finally the door opened and he gestured inside, slipping a hand along the inside wall to flick on a light that illuminated the spiral stairs that led down into the vast wine cellar. This was a pretty big step for Kaiden, he’d been on a few dates, merely to keep his friends off his back about getting back out there but this was his third date with this person and he was actually showing the other around his vineyard and although Kaiden wouldn’t take them back to his house where his daughters were home sleeping with the sitter, the idea of taking them up to a nice vacant suite room had crossed his mind several times already.

[soulsuckrrs]

open to: m/f/anyone plot: y/m somehow betrayed Kaiden's trust, after they'd grown very close during y/m's stay at Kaiden's resort/vineyard over the summer. Now Kaiden's learned about whatever y/m did or kept from him & is confronting them. hmu to plot! I have ideas. connection: assassin or criminal, detective or federal agent/secret agent, ex or old flame, idk gimme angst thnx.

"I trusted you... I put not only my heart on the line but my daughter's," there would be nothing in this world that meant more to Kaiden than his daughters and for a moment there he had believed that sentiment included the other but since learning of their deceit, that had changed. He used his hands to emphasize his point, gesturing at the other and then back in the direction of his house where his daughters stayed. The shadows cast by the rapidly setting sun seemed to dance across Kaiden's creased and distraught features, his typically warm and inviting eyes holding no shine of anything but betrayal and hurt. His head shook, the hand he'd been using to help articulate his words moved to shove roughly through his dark hair, pushing it out of his face as he dropped his gaze, casting it around them briefly in a flash of paranoia. "You can't be here if it puts them at risk," he stated simply, emotion touching his tone, words final.

[soulsuckrrs]

open to: m/f/anyone connection: guest heading to his resort/vineyard, friend, stranger, employee, idk whatever works~ plot: your muse is traveling in the area of Kaiden's vineyard & nearly hit a deer thus crashing their vehicle & Kaiden comes to the rescue, feel free to hmu if you'd like to plot more or anything!

Long limbs took Kaiden over to the crumpled vehicle he'd heard make impact from his front yard up in the trees away from the road, his heart was pounding so much it throbbed in his head threatening to set off a sense of panic with the thought that the vehicle could have belonged to the nanny who was picking up his kids. But as he reached the road and looked both ways, spotting the car up ahead smoke billowing from where it had made contact with the tree that stopped it Kaiden was relieved to see it wasn't what he feared but that didn't stop him from rushing down the road and slamming into the drivers door to wrench it open.

With strength fueled by adrenaline and concern Kaiden knelt next to the open door and reached around to pry off the drivers seat belt. "Hey, hey, can you hear me? It's gonna be okay," he said, tone soft and firm as if that alone would assure that everything would be okay. He wasn't a doctor but knew enough to take care of surface injuries but Kaiden knew that a professional should be consulted, he had just been so worried he had ran without thinking and without his keys, if he'd been rational he would have just driven there. "Does anything hurt?" He asked as he put one hand on their shoulder and the other against the door arch as he supported himself in his crouched position, hazel gaze slipping over to where the smoke flowed from the engine compartment of the vehicle.

[soulsuckrrs]

open to: m/f/anyone connection: someone staying at his vineyard resort, old fling/ex, employee, business associate, idk whatever works~

It wasn’t an uncommon incident for people to get lost on the hiking trails that wandered through the vineyard that also doubled as a resort, after all, the beautiful trails was something that drew many people to Kaiden’s resort to stay. The gorgeous nature that surrounded the equally gorgeous estate was tempting to more than just people. Despite his best efforts in keeping people away from his home that shared the land his resort was built on, there were times when some wandered the trails that led to his home in the woods. Even his fae magic wasn’t enough to keep the most recent individual from finding themselves upon his driveway in front of his house. 

The barking of his dogs had notified him almost at the same time the security system and wards he had in place did. Fortunately for Kaiden his daughters were at school and he was able to make his way outside, with a little effort in keeping his dogs inside, to greet the person he could only assume had gotten lost on a hike. “Hello, have you gotten lost, friend?” He called out to the other, slipping his hands into his pants pockets to keep them from the chilly air that made him instantly regret having not put on his coat. Walking down the paved drive Kaiden offered a small polite and professional smile to the other, glancing around to see if anyone else had gotten past his signs and wards. 

[soulsuckrrs]

There were many nights that Kaiden had laid awake wondering what his life might have been had he not abandoned his post and done what he had believed to be the right thing at that time. He could still remember every detail of the whole event, iron clad in his memory never to be forgotten because it had led to the worst moment of his fucking life. Not only had he been forced to leave his family just to fucking spare their lives, banished to the human realm never to be recognized by the fae ever again but neither was his family. They were shunned and cast out, not just as a military presence, people who had served the fae kingdom for generations through militant servitude but also by farming, working the land and providing food for their people. In the split second it had taken Kaiden to make the choice to abandon his post and ride back to the spoiled little prince that was leading a massacre he had damned everyone in his life, present and future.

All this was his fault and although he might not have announced it, least of all to Ria, he would be certain to hold onto that guilt for eternity. Doing what was right had risked and taken everything from Kaiden. Not only had he lost his life among the fae, lost Valeria and whatever future he might have thought he had there among his people with her but he had lost any other sort of future elsewhere. He realized that now, after his verbalized expectation that they would never leave him alone, no matter what, they would come after him and his daughters. They would never have any peace, no happiness to be had within the Talzin family. Kaiden would be forced to train his children to be stronger than him and work past their connection to the human world and be ready for the bloody brutality and cold cruelty of fae world. What a fucking curse.

But it was more than that wasn't it? An explosion of past and present forever destined to collide in some form or fashion of destruction. Valeria was right to feel that he should have been at least some type of relieved. His children were still alive right now and though she brought so many emotions and feelings that Kaiden had thought he had buried along with the life he might have had in the fae realm, that didn't mean they would continue to be that way. She hadn't hurt them and Kaiden didn't believe she would use his girls like he expected anyone else from their world to do.

"Do you believe that I didn't try? That I didn't fight to get to you, to contact you, to do anything?" His words were formed as questions but truly Kaiden was hurt and astonished that Valeria thought he hadn't tried to get word to her, tried to contact and get a hold of her during all this time. Well before he had found his human bride that had been taken from him anyway. There hadn't been a future, damned or not, that Valeria hadn't been a part of, in Kaiden's mind and heart. That hadn't changed and now that she was here with him, willingly giving up her weapon, not killing him, that destiny, that future was altered to include her.

Kaiden couldn't help but rekindle that tiny place of hope and love he held in his heart just for her, just for Ria. His fingers brushed against her cheek, moving to brush her dark hair out of her face and behind her ear, an old habit that he found more comfort from than Kaiden was willing to admit. "They took my wing Ria, they tortured me, it was all I could do to save my family from death, though there are days I know they wished I had not saved them." His head shook and although his fingers danced gently against her cheek, quite absently, a comforting motion deep seeded into his soul that he had missed dearly. "What other lies do you believe? What type of monster did they make me out to be in your mind?"

she wishes she could read his thoughts, but she wouldn't dare invade his privacy in that way .. in fact she hadn't delved into his mind a single time since seeing him until tonight. it was a connection she'd missed and craved in equal measure, no one she'd ever known had been able to understand her like he did. it made it all the more devastating to lose him in her life, the person who truly felt like her other half .. like part of her was lost in his absence. her mother had always tried to warn her away from those sorts of feelings, insisting that she choose a relationship based on how many benefits it provided to her and not the strength of love.

her attention returns to the present and she tilts her head back slightly but still isn't able to stop the path of the tears that roll down her cheek. there's no opposition from her as he gently pries the blade away from her, the dagger slipping from her grasp as the control of the situation slipped away too. she was supposed to be better than this, better trained than this. she can feel the weight of the disappointment of her family and knows that what faces her if she fails in this endeavor is something she can't bring herself to consider. returning to their home empty handed was not an option.

when he speaks she doesn't respond but lets the words wash over her, a wave of momentary peace - the flickering of trust between them. they're still so close, and she's more than aware of every way in which their bodies were almost touching, a soft breath departing her lips as he speaks again and she finds her gaze fixated on her dagger in his hands. here outside of the constant pressure and influence of the army and her family she'd grown soft, they would see her as weak. their logic made less and less sense and now as she hears kaiden recount his pain, she's overwhelmed with the truth of it. they don't like loose ends, and she should know that. " then why did you leave without me ? "

[soulsuckrrs]

Kaiden never thought he would get to this point with anyone after the death of his wife. She truly had changed his life and it was difficult to imagine that anyone would ever get him to feel anything like what he felt for his wife. It had taken him quite a long time to heal from that loss and the instinct to compare and put too high of a bar of expectations for people to meet--- dating had been a struggle, it wasn't something he was familiar with but that wasn't to say he didn't have a single idea on how to be romantic or express how he felt. Bringing Aiyla here was a huge step, it was one closer to her meeting his children and that was certainly the last one he would take before ever making anything official. Right now they were enjoying each other's companionship and the longer he spent in her presence the more he realized just how relaxed and easy it was to be himself around Aiyla, she brought out a soft side of him that only his children and late wife had seen. To everyone else he was a silent but strict man, orderly and always busy, a workaholic of sorts.

A moment or two of opening and pouring the wine gave Kaiden a bit to think before he presented a glass of the first bottle to Aiyla, a fond and almost sultry grin pressing at his lips before they spread to expose more of his teeth in a genuine and boyish smile, color touching his cheeks just slightly under the stubble. "I'm happy I brought you here too... thank you, I ... I am glad you're enjoying yourself," he paused and took a small sip of his own wine, his fingers brushing against hers when she took her glass from him and he couldn't help but draw just a fraction closer to her, warm eyes looking down on her with affection. "I really, really like you too Aiyla," he couldn't help letting his gaze flicker down to glance at her lips before he met hers again, taking another slow sip of his wine.

It was hard for Aiyla to let go of her worries and insecurities, but somehow with Kaiden, she had overcome them. She didn't worry what her family or even the world might think. All she did was let herself be happy for once without anyone else's opinion. She noted the way her hand fit in his as they descended further into the wine cellar. Chuckling, "I think I'll try both," she returned his smile, "I have to see what all your winery has to offer, after all," she teased him. It was a beautiful setting, a place where someone could entertain their closest family and friends. If Kaiden hadn't come into her life, she was sure she would have found her way here.

"I'm really happy that you brought me here with you," her eyes found his, "it's really beautiful. I can see all the care you put into it." There was full transparency between them as Aiyla knew about his wife and children and understood his need for taking things slow and this felt like a big step between them. Her breath caught in her throat as he closed the space between them, "I really like you," she admitted softly, a vulnerability she didn't like to expose, but this could be so much if she just let herself soften, "even if you're not ready or you don't feel the same way, it's okay, but I just need to tell you that."

[soulsuckrrs]

Kaiden didn't want to force Ria to do anything she didn't want to but he needed her to know that she had to kill him now because there wouldn't be another chance later, he wouldn't let there be. He tried not to let his mind wander to every little emotion and crease of her face, recalling just how intimately he had known each curve and the warm press of her body against his. How close they had been was a sort of closeness he hadn't even gotten with his wife, the mother of his children, nothing had ever come close to Valeria and he was sure nothing ever would, a part of him had believed they had been destined for one another but now... now he wasn't so sure. So much time had past and she was here on their orders after all but perhaps he owed her a chance to explain herself past what he already knew which was little to nothing outside the fact that she had been sent there for him.

To talk to him, sure that's what they wanted with him. Not the fact he had two half fae children or that he had evaded their capture for so long. He had been a strong soldier, a leader in his own way, they were right to be afraid of not knowing his whereabouts at all times because Kaiden could be the face of a revolution and that was what that cruel, vindictive little fae prince had thought when Kaiden had stood up to him. One pebble in the water can cause a ripple and that could cause waves. If anything was as delicate as the decadent fae clothing and culture it was their politics and all that held their lines and rules in place was a very thin thread.

He could feel her weakening in his hold and some instinct sought to draw her closer, support her so she didn't fall and his hold on her wrist did slacken enough to move the blade from his throat. But he denied himself the touch he truly wanted, the way his hands wanted to cup her face and brush those tears away with rough thumbs across smooth cheeks. Instead, he eased the dagger from her hand, disarming her enough for now, at least if they fought it would be on even ground but some of the fire sizzled out at making Ria cry. It could be an act, one used to fool him, training that surpassed his good heart and inability to trick someone so cruelly but Kaiden wasn't inclined to believe that from Valeria. He still didn't want to believe they had gotten their talons in her so viciously while he was gone but he had been gone, unwillingly so but that didn't matter.

"I knew you wouldn't," he assured her in a quiet tone, pausing for a good moment or two before continuing on. "Whatever they told you was a lie, Ria," Kaiden started again, making an effort in calming himself down but that anger and hurt was still there in his tone, softer though it may have been. His eyes dropped down to the dagger in his hand and he held it between them on an open palm, a weapon he had once been so familiar with felt foreign and cold. "I didn't want to leave, they gave me no other choice. Do you think I wanted them to do that to my family? Strip them of all their works and accomplishments to be shunned and ostracized by our kind? Of course not, they forced my hand, I had to run but even that wasn't enough, they just can't leave me alone, can they? They don't like loose ends."

with every fiber in her being she wished that she could where she'd fucked up, how he'd come to understand what her job here was. she'd been so careful, and even more than that there was what she could hardly even admit to herself - that she'd started to lose sight of her so-called mission not all that long after she set eyes on him again. there probably wasn't a day that had gone by in his absence where she hadn't thought of him, some days missing him desperately and other days cursing him for leaving her alone, and some days even experiencing both. to say the feelings she had for him were complicated would be something of an understatement.

the anger in him was understandable but still left her feeling hurt, unable to untangle the web of emotions weaving together in this situation. she bites down slightly on her tongue as his gravely voice draws her eyes back to his and her gaze softens as he shakes his head. " no, i'm - " she starts in telepathy but cuts herself off, her throat closing up momentarily, the words catching there as she frowns almost imperceptibly. " they promised they only want to talk to you, " she confesses some small part against her better judgement, letting the bounty of her feelings for him cloud her mind.

it wasn't wise, she knew, and it was proven nearly instantly as he takes advantage of her distraction and seizes the wrist of the hand that held her weapon. everything that happens in the following beats feels lighting fast, his restraint of her steadfast and purposeful as he brings her blade to his own throat in a movement that surprises her and snaps her attention to him. the way he spoke to her then melted away at her resolve, weakening the backs of her knees. she stares into his eyes as he speaks, enraptured, clenching her jaw as he squeezed her just tightly enough to keep her there and ensure that any movement on her part would lead to the hurt she desperately sought not to cause him.

there's a long moment of tension between them then without words before her crystalline eyes welled with tears and she blinked them back, woefully disappointed in herself for being unable to hold them back entirely and sniffling slightly before she finally speaks. " i can't, " she whispers, closing her eyes tightly. " and .. i won't. "

[soulsuckrrs]

"I uh..." his nerves really had gotten the better of him on that one, Kaiden laughed a little awkwardly, cheeks tinting only slightly with his nerves. This was the first time he'd taken this step with anyone he'd seen, used to casual flings from time to time, nothing too serious to draw him away from the true focus of his life, his daughters. They were really what all this hard work had been for, aside from following through with his late wife's dream, Kaiden had become the man he was today for the sake of his children so that they could have as much ease and joy in life as he could afford for them. Losing a mother was the only tragedy Kaiden ever wanted his girls to experience if he could help it but in doing so he had neglected his own needs, overlooking his own loneliness and grief. "I kinda walked myself into that one didn't I?" He added, blinking a few times and offering a crooked, boyish grin as he rubbed at the back of his neck absently.

"I think a little greed is fine in moderation," he mused in a tone that matched her playfulness, shifting to brush his arm against hers as she glanced down the spiral stairs and he did the same. "-- but what's that saying? Wine before liquor never sicker, beer before wine just fine? Eh, I'm sure it's all just riddles for lightweights." He took the first few steps down and turned to offer his hand to June, arching his own brows in amusement and interest, his other hand resting on the handrail. "I've owned it for seven years, though it has been a vineyard for many generations," should he mention it had belonged to his late wife's family? And that with her being their only child it then would go to her children but in the meantime, Kaiden had the honor of generational wealth and responsibilities. He let the detail stay stowed away for later, perhaps after a few more drinks his tongue would loosen and he'd open up more. "It has been a resort as well for as long as I have owned it, I added that little side hustle." He added with a playful muse, making sure they both made it down the stairs safely, narrow as they were they weren't the most difficult to navigate but it could be a hassle for taller people, aka, Kaiden. "Farming is a little different than running a vineyard but not by much, I've done both." He nodded but smirked at her playfully. "You are welcome to come here anytime you want to get away to the countryside for a reprieve."

The space below opened up into a seating area designed for wine tastings and little gatherings by a hearth that was not lit at the moment, in the cool air below, it could get chilly for some and the warmth of the fire could prove as romantic as well as convenient. By it were cushions set up for more intimate seating and to stay warm when it was lit, though the cellar was always cold it was not uncomfortably so for Kaiden but he had a better tolerance for the cold than most might imagine. "Which would you like first, I guess I should ask," he questioned, glancing back at June as he moved around the small bar used simply to serve drinks but also held a few of his private selection of bourbon. "-- please, have a seat, I can... lend you my jacket if you get too cold." He mused, though he did glance at the pit that wasn't exactly ready to be set up for a fire but he would make it work if that was something she wished.

"which  part  of  our  dates  together  made  you  think  that  i'm  not  a  fan  of  wine?  i'm  starting  to  think  maybe  you  weren't  paying  attention  at  all."  june  playfully  narrows  her  eyes  at  him,  feigning  doubt.  she  may  not  be  inclined  to  get  drunk  on  a  regular  night  with  a  performance  scheduled  the  next  day,  fearing  it  might  impact  her  stage  presence,  but  she's  always  open  to  loosening  up  after  a  long  day.  "wine  or  bourbon?"  she  raises  an  eyebrow,  as  if  contemplating  the  question,  before  a  mischievous  smile  curves  her  red  lips.  "if  i  told  you  i  want  both,  would  you  think  i'm  too  greedy?"  since  it's  only  the  first  day  of  her  two-day  break,  she's  free  to  indulge  in  whatever  she  desires  during  her  leisure  time.  june's  eyes  widen  in  awe  as  the  lights  illuminate  the  spiral  stairs  leading  to  the  wine  cellar,  creating  an  atmosphere  that  feels  almost  dreamlike  for  a  date.  while  she  wouldn't  consider  herself  an  expert  compared  to  others  in  her  social  circles,  she  can't  help  but  acknowledge  the  impressive  setting.  "how  long  have  you  had  this  vineyard?"  she  asks,  genuinely  curious.  "when  i  was  younger,  i  used  to  joke  that  i'd  escape  to  the  countryside  and  start  farming  somewhere  whenever  my  training  got  too  hard."  she  chuckles.  "but  i  doubt  i  could  last  even  a  single  day."  perhaps  she  could  if  she  had  to,  considering  how  stubborn  and  prideful  she  is. 

[soulsuckrrs]

This wasn't normal for him, the little butterflies that were multiplying in his stomach like some little school boy smitten by a crush. Kaiden hadn't felt this way in such a long time he had started to believe he'd never feel it again, it seemed, though, that there still was part of him that could. His smile didn't waver and his warm gaze flitted over Aiyla and Kaiden chuckled a little bashfully, clearing his throat and gesturing to the stairs. "You make a valid point," he shifted, taking a few steps down the spiral staircase before he turned to offer a hand to Aiyla, even though there was a perfectly functional handrail, he couldn't help himself. "-- the question then is... red or white?" He took the stairs easily, hunching only slightly as he reached the bottom as it opened to a wine cellar made for entertaining, it was part of the whole resort idea. The one his wife had dreamed up and he had been left to see through and that he had.

"Thank you, I'm glad I got the chance to share it with you," it had taken a lot of hard work and a lot of education on Kaiden's part, bringing to life his wife's dream, she had been the business savvy and brains of the two, he had been the muscle, worker bee to the queen as they used to joke. When they were clear of the stairs Kaiden moved to grab a couple bottles of wine, disappearing for a moment into the many racks of wine only to return and offerup the two bottles for Aiyla's inspection, one red and one white. His brow arched in the silent question of which one she wanted. "You can pick both, I won't hold it against you." He added in a teasing tone, moving close to her once again, pausing just near the little sitting area meant for wine tastings and private parties.

Aiyla had always let her dating life take a back seat to the professional one she had curated for herself: ceo of a media empire, taking over her for her father and her family's company over her brothers. It took a lot of work, but she prided herself on following a different path than most women would. The press would mention her lack of significant other and it wouldn't bother her, at least not until more recently. Aiyla finally started to feel like she was missing something in her life.

Date number three with Kaiden and she felt more comfortable than she had ever been before. Most men she had dealt with had been put off by her career, needing to feel like 'the man' in the relationship, but so far he hadn't and if he did, he didn't show it. It seemed he had his own career to keep him busy without feeling intimidated by her. "Wine is fine," she smiled, "I mean what would be a tour of a vineyard without wine, right?" Aiyla actually felt at ease in his presence, a rare feeling for her. Her eyes looked around, admiring the aesthetics, "this is beautiful," she mused, looking around.

[soulsuckrrs]

If Kaiden let his heart lead then perhaps they would not have been in this situation. But he had let his anger and over protectiveness win out in the end, paranoia laced in horrible memories that he would never forget put him on the defense, unyielding even to Valeria. Sharp eyes, dark with intent tracked her features and he bristled more, brow creased with his seriousness, gaze hiding no emotion. She had been sent here by the same people who had murdered his wife and took his children's mother from them. It was something he would never forget nor forgive and the part of him that was so infuriated at his kind for condemning him flared violently against his skin as if it were a beast inside of himself.

This was a betrayal he had never imagined happening, not even time could have taken this woman from his heart, not even a million human lifetimes and here she stood ready to stab him in the back. Or so Kaiden saw it. Heat flared in his face, anger rolling over him in something more than just her or them. He had worked so fucking hard to build this life for his daughters and there was a possibility that might be torn away from them. No, no, Kaiden wouldn't let that happen. "Relieved?" Kaiden ground out, tone low and heated with distaste for the very word. "Relieved you came here to what? Take me from my children? Kill me?" He pressed, his head shaking in disbelief that he was even thinking or saying these things about Valeria.

Whether it was an intentional response or just coincided with his threatening stance, Valeria slowly drew her weapon and Kaiden's heart turned to steel along with his gaze that met her's without wavering. He caught the movement before her weapon had been completely drawn but it was her voice inside his mind that made him snap into action, an invasion but bitterly sweet. Kaiden couldn't remember the last time his mind had been touched in such a way but he didn't respond in kind, instead he caught her wrist in a firm grip, drawing her blade up to his throat to press it there next to the scar from a similar blade.

"Right here, Ria," Kaiden said with more emotion than he had intended but it made his voice crack in its deep and hurt tone. "This is where they put the blade as they held me down and forced me to watch as they did horrible things to my wife before killing her." His grip on her wrist tightened just slightly, making it so she couldn't pull away without hurting him. "Go on, finish what they fucking started like a good little soldier." He wanted to trust her and in his hurtful, vengeful way this was his way of giving her a chance to earn it but Kaiden would be lying to himself if he said a part of him didn't want her to do it. Just a small part, one he fought down every once in a while because his desire to live for his children overpowered everything else now.

her tongue catches between her teeth and she bites down on the muscle at the sound of his nickname for her uttered in such a harsh tone. she moves in perfect sync, fluidly stepping backwards as he stepped towards her to retain the distance between them. though it was a confrontation she didn't anticipate having so soon, she was not entirely unprepared for the volley between them. pit of her stomach clenches at the idea that he thought she could bring any harm to the children, in fact the very reason she'd been the one sent off to retrieve him was because she didn't trust anyone else not to take things too far.

even in the dim lighting she sees clearly, her eyes tracing briefly around the room in evaluation before darting back to him. her shoulder are stiff, her breathing slow and measured, her nerves alight with reactivity as she senses the descent of the conversation into what she'd dreaded the most - a fight. she pushes her tongue against the roof of her mouth as his hand runs through his hair and she tries not to picture every time she'd run her own digits through those annoyingly perfect tousled tresses. " you know someone would have come. are you not at least a little relieved it was me ? " what an absurd hope, but she attempts to put him at some relative ease.

valeria swallows thickly at his next words, loosening her arms at her sides and flexing her fingers slightly in preparation. this time when he came towards her she didn't step back, rooting herself and allowing him to close the gap between their bodies. her eyes flicker up to meet his and she holds his gaze in silence, for a few moments only the ambient noise of the room and the world outside invading her ears. his warm breath on her lips once upon a time would have preceded a far different thing, and she can't help the pained wince that flashes across her angelic face at the threat he delivered. " don't do this, " she speaks into his mind, her lips still pressed together as her eyes plead and she nimbly withdraws her dagger. " i would never hurt them, kai, you know that. you have to. "