#|| yet more reason she is cherished as the 'baby' of the family

[y2kuromi]

⭑ : 呪術廻戦 ❛ 𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗨𝗠𝗘 : satoru gojo x fem! reader

࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 synopsis: yuuji sees a completely different side of gojo-sensei !

contents: tooth rotting fluff w a dash of angst! established relationship (married), second person & told from yuuji’s pov. extremely whipped satoru! petnames, suggestive dialogue

summer isn’t over yet! collection, can be read as a stand-alone

yuuji was initially ecstatic about the prospect of living with gojo-sensei. he’d imagined lazing around, gorging on sweets and watching cartoons on tv — maybe a few training sessions squeezed in with gojo-sensei — ideally it would’ve been just the two of them.

his fantasies came crashing down when realised gojo-sensei’s “house” was actually a “home”. the walls in the foyer were riddled with picture frames. he felt like he was intruding on gojo-sensei’s personal life, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the pictures on the walls.

there was a woman beside gojo-sensei in most of the pictures. she had (e/c) eyes and (h/c) hair. a friend? or a girlfriend? — nah. according to fushiguro, gojo-sensei got zero play. though she had to mean something to him. it was evident in the way he looked at her.

his cerulean eyes entirely averted the camera lens, instead devoted to committing every inch of her to memory

“that’s my wife” gojo said softly,“she’s gorgeous isn’t she?” he laughed wryly as he stared lovingly at the smiling woman in the photo. yuuji nodded slowly, studying his teacher closely.

“is she okay with me hiding out here?” he asked tentatively, shoving his hands in the pockets of his hoodie.

“ahhh about that” gojo says sheepishly, “i haven’t had the time to mention it to her so you’ll have to wait here while i talk to her” he ran a hand through his hair, snowy white tendrils curling around his fingers.

classic gojo-sensei.

“oh” yuuji chuckled, the situation was amusing to him. he couldn’t wait to tell fushiguro — the sour reminder that he couldn’t had his laughter dying in his throat.

gojo-sensei shrugged off his shoes and patted yuuji’s shoulder, “don’t worry she’ll say yes , i’ve got her wrapped around my finger”

yuuji waited patiently in the foyer, amber eyes flickering over the expensive decor and woodsy frames of gojo-sensei’s family. he could faintly make out traces of your conversation

"oh? you're home early for once" you smiled, leaning into your husband as he placed a kiss on your forehead. "what's the special occasion 'toru?"

"do i need a reason to want to see my beautiful wife?”

“nope” you hummed, “‘m just surprised to see you” not that you were complaining. satoru was a busy man and you cherished the rare moments you spent alone together

“how was your day sweets?” he asked, taking your hand in his, his thumb stroked over knuckles, soft, loving.

“same old” you shrugged, “we’ve got some big case coming up next week, so i was pretty busy today. had a tonne of paperwork and meetings too"

"my busy bee" he smiles, "i missed you s'much, i hate going on these stupid business trips"

"you'd like them more if i came with you" you said teasingly, poking his rib with your free hand "i ran into kento the other day, you sure i shouldn't come back to jujutsu sorcery too?"

"nuh uh" he shook his head firmly, "stay at your law firm pretty, 'm gonna need someone to defend me when i kill all the higher ups"

"what have they done now?" you sigh exasperatedly, turning the knob on the gas cooker and reducing the heat. the faint clicking sound echoes in the kitchen as the orange-blue flames simmered quietly.

"what haven't they done" he grumbled, leaning against the counter. he gently tugged at his blindfold, lithe fingers unveiling the cerulean eyes that you loved so much. his snowy hair fell softly around his face, a curtain that failed to hide the anger he felt coursing through his veins.

"poor baby" you cooed, hands trailing up to his face and cupping his cheeks, your fingers smoothed over the frown etched on his face, pushing his lips together in a duck-lipped pout, "wanna tell me about it?"

"y'know yuuji? the new first year that's sukuna's vessel?"

you nod, allowing your hands to fall from his face and rest on the counter. his greedy hands make their way to your waist, rubbing circles on the soft flesh peeking out beneath your untucked dress shirt.

"well they sent the first years on a mission to rescue people from the detention center, after sending me on that stupid mission overseas mind you, and the kid had to fight a special grade curse"

"is he okay?" you ask, hands ghosting over satoru's bigger, veiny ones. he sighs, a look of mild irritation fleeting over his face at the memory. in retrospect, none of that mattered now. he was home.

"yeah he's fine" he shrugs, "sukuna ripped his heart out and he died, but he revived him eventually"

"your definition of fine is questionable satoru" you snicker, and he feels his heart melting at the sound of your laughter. "why'd they send them on that mission anyways?"

"they just want yuuji dead, he was supposed to be executed remember? and they're really scared of sukuna which is crazy 'cause he's kinda weak"

"someone needs to humble you" you say, amusement dripping from your words like honey, "pride comes before fall 'toru"

"you humble me all the time sweets" he grins, pressing a chaste kiss to your forehead.

"i'm just doing the universe a favour" you tease, "what do you want for dinner? rice? noodles? or we could order food from that thai joint you like if you want”

"i'll eat anything you cook sweets,” he murmurs, “though i have something else i wouldn’t mind eating”

“satoru” you gasped, “you just got home and you’re already trying to get between my legs” you smack his shoulder playfully

“i’ve missed her too” he shrugs, “i’ve missed all of you”

you shook your head, “can’t believe i married such a feen” a languid smile tugs at the corners of your lips. you could try all you wanted to resist his charms, but he’d always win in the end

"so...about yuuji" satoru starts, testing the waters, "the higher ups really want him gone, i can't keep him at jujutsu tech right now"

"i can see why you wouldn't" you hum, leaning on the tips of your toes to reach for the salt. satoru had a habit of placing the things you needed in places you couldn't reach just so he could have the honour of retrieving them for you

“need help with that sweets?” he asks eagerly, pushing himself off the counter and sifting through the wooden shelves. he easily brings the jar of salt down and hands it to you

"you have to stop doing this, it’s such an inconvenience" you sighed, but you were grateful nonetheless.“you’re insufferable i swear”

“‘m still yours” he says suavely. satoru’s smile is unwavering though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

you can tell the thing with yuuji is weighing heavily on his mind. he’s more restless than usual. his lithe fingers run up and down the counter as he stares into space

“‘toru?” you prompt, nudging him with your elbow, “i can hear you thinking”

“i don’t know where to keep him” he exhales, “i would ask shoko, or kento but then i’d risk getting them in trouble with the higher ups”

“what about the secret room we found in our third year?” you asked, “you could keep him there, unless they found out about it”

“i would keep him there.. but i just...don't want him to feel alone," he says softly. you didn’t think it was possible to fall even deeper in love with satoru, but he never failed to surprise you. “he's just a kid, so i— i want to look out for him.”

he knows it’s a big ask. you can hear the gears turning in his head as he figures out how to possibly convince you to let sukuna’s vessel stay in your home.

"can he stay?" he pleads, "can yuuji stay with us please? it’s only until the kyoto goodwill event" he's clasping his hands together, imploring you with his infinitely blue eyes. you raise an eyebrow. knowing satoru, yuuji was probably waiting around in the foyer

"he's already here isn't he?" you ask, shaking your head fondly as a guilty look flickers across his face. classic satoru. although you would've loved for him to give you a heads up, you didn't mind a bit. it would be nice to have some company when satoru went on his missions

 “i didn’t really have time to plan all the details before bringing him with me” he says, sheepishly rubbing a hand behind his neck, his fingers brushed against the soft strands of his undercut, "are you mad? don't be mad baby"

"no" you laugh, "i'm not mad 'toru, he can stay"

it’s the little things like this that make you realise just how much power you have over him. within seconds your husband is whirling you around, hands gripping your waist tightly and pressing chaste kisses on your face as he sets you down

"yuuji she said you can stay" a wide grin blooms across his face as he bounds into the foyer excitedly. the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, reduced to the faint resemblance of a child getting their first sleepover approved

you set the jar of salt down on the marbled counter. trailing after your husband. true to your suspicions, yuuji itadori had been standing awkwardly, twiddling his thumbs together in his hoodie pockets and silently taking in the intricacies of your home.

he couldn’t help but feel out of place.

there were pairs of everything — shoes neatly arranged on the coat rack. umbrellas tucked in a corner in the foyer. coats hung up next to each other on the wall.

the pale blue wallpaper hung row after row of framed photographs. their wooden mahogany panels reflected the warm lights. yuuji’s light brown eyes flickered on the pictures in all their glory and glossy sheen.

the ones that caught his eye captured a young fushiguro’s trademark scowl, the irritated quirk of his brow and the curled spikes of his hair that defied gravity.

he was standing beside a girl who looked just like him, except she was slightly taller with long bone-straight brown hair. yuuji’s eyes lingered on her smile as your beanstalk of a husband shook him excitedly

he wondered what fushiguro would say if he knew he’d seen pictures of him as a little kid. ( he’d probably summon his shikigami on him )

“really?” he beamed, eyes momentarily drawn away from the plethora of frames. you feel your heart melt into a sickly sweet puddle of happiness and warmth, as you watch satoru drape his arm over yuuji’s shoulder

“yes really” you laugh, “it’s nice to finally meet you yuuji, you’re a friend of megumi’s right?”

yuuji nods frantically, his mop of pink curls bouncing enthusiastically . his mannerisms were nervous and eager. he wanted to fit in. he wanted you to like him. you could tell — he reminded you oddly of your husband ( they were practically the same person in different fonts )

“speaking of megumi, he doesn’t know yuuji’s alive so please don’t let it slip when he calls you” satoru murmurs, taking slow steps towards you.

he knows he’s asking for too much now. you practically raised megumi and it would be nearly impossible for you to keep something like this from him. satoru can see the cogs spinning in your head, the subtle anger in your heart and for the first time in years he’s afraid.

“we’ll talk about this later” you say through gritted teeth. he pleads silently with his eyes and you swallow your protests, you exhale loudly before turning towards yuuji again “c’mon yuuji, i’ve just started on dinner”

yuuji kicks off his shoes and nudges them neatly beneath the shoe rack before padding after you. satoru isn’t far behind

“it smells really good mrs. gojo” yuuji says politely, as he takes a seat by the kitchen island, legs dangling as he drums on the smooth marbled counter.

“thank you yuuji” you beamed, “do you prefer rice or noodles?”

“ahh i’m not really picky” he says, “i like all kinds of food really, but i suppose rice? if it isn’t too much of a hassle, i really don’t want to be a bother-”

“slow down yuuji” you said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder, “i’m really glad to have you here, it gets kinda lonely when ‘toru’s away on business trips so make yourself at home okay?”

no wonder gojo-sensei was always happy, his wife was an angel. yuuji thought as he nodded fervently

“i can make the rice baby” satoru offers, his hands make their way around your waist, he doesn’t miss the way you stiffen under his touch. you’re mad at him, and he knows you have every right to be

“thank you” you said, putting as much feeling into the words as you could muster, “come with me yuuji, i’ll show you around”

yuuji was positive he was intruding now, standing in the middle of megumi’s room while you stripped navy blue pinstripe sheets off his bed and replaced them with canary dressings.

“are you sure i can sleep here?” he asks, “ i don’t mind taking the couch..”

you seemed horrified at the idea of yuuji sleeping alone on the couch. he still hadn’t come to terms with the fact that you actually wanted him here. he was so used to being unwanted

growing up with his grandpa was something he wouldn’t trade for the world, yet he’d always craved the warmth of a mother. a mother’s love was the purest, and there was nothing more blameless than the softness in your (e/c) eyes when you looked at him

“i mind yuuji” you frowned” and i want you to stay in gumi’s room, his clothes should fit you since you’re around the same height”

“thank you again for letting me crash here” yuuji didn’t think he could say it enough. he didn’t deserve such kindness, not when the king of curses lived rent free in his head

“don’t mention it yuuji” you said, “i meant what i said downstairs, i could really use the company”

you ruffled his hair softly before resuming your ministrations of making the bed. you tucked crisp sheets beneath the mattress and fluffed up pillows with ease.

“you’re a really good mom, why don’t you and gojo-sensei have any kids of your own?” yuuji only realises the question is slightly insensitive after the words hang in the air and an unreadable look fleets across your face, “i’m so sorry that was really rude of me-”

“you’re good yuuji” you laugh, you sit down on the freshly laid duvet and pat the space beside you. yuuji hesitates but he sits down eventually

“it just never happened y’know? we adopted tsu and gumi a few years back, plus toru’s always seen his students as his kids, he cares about you guys a lot”

“even me?” it doesn’t seem plausible to him. all he’s seemed to do is cause problems for gojo-sensei ever since he ate that gross finger

“especially you yuuji” you smiled, ruffling his hair, “you remind me of him funny enough, even though i used to hate him back in our school days”

“really?” he gawked, he was practically falling over megumi’s bed with anticipation.

“really” you affirmed , “he was a real piece of work back then, i bet he’s the reason yaga has so many grey hairs”

“how’d you fall in love with him then?” yuuji enquires, brown eyes sparkling with immense curiosity “and how’d you meet?”

“are you guys gossiping about me?” satoru gasps, peeking around the doorway, “how mean of you yuuji, i thought we were friends”

“ahhh we weren’t gossiping per-say, mrs. gojo was about to tell me how you met”

“can i tell him?” satoru’s eyes sparkle, “the way i remember it i walked into the common room and cherry blossoms started falling, classical piano was playing softly in the background and-”

“that didn’t happen” you said, “he’s finally going senile” you tried and failed to push satoru out the doorway but he stood his ground.

he stood almost toe to toe with you, a pleased grin blooming on his face as he towered over you. yuuji’s eye’s flickered between you and your husband, cheeks dusted a rosy pink as he stifled giggles

“it did happen!” satoru insisted, “i’m sure shoko has a recording of it somewhere, now as i was saying.. she took one look at me and fell head over heels in love”

“you’re deluded” you muttered, “i didn’t love you until our second year, get your facts right”

“so you did fall head over heels in love with me” he grinned, “so early too? i knew you couldn’t resist my charms — owww!”

satoru feigns as you finally manage to shove him out the door after hitting his shoulder. by now, yuuji is a spluttering mess on the soft tatami mats lining megumi’s floor

“i’ll tell you what really happened one of these days” you said over your shoulder, “you can shower and settle in, take as long as you need, we’ll wait for you to come downstairs before we start eating”

your smile falls the moment the door clicks shut behind you. satoru feels his heart shattering. he’s so sure he’s going to die because his wife is mad at him. the universe might as well combust into nothing but ashes

“baby-” satoru starts, catching your wrist in his palm. he grips the bone loosely, careful not to hurt you “‘m sorry, you know that, but megumi can’t know”

you trudge down the stairs in silence, opting only to speak when you’re seated beside satoru in the living room. your cat natsu watches you wearily from her cat post, slanted eyes shooting satoru a well meaning glare.

“you can’t ask me to keep this from him” you said, shaking your head, eyes looking everywhere but your husband’s piercing blue gaze. “you’re taking things too far now”

“i know” his voice is a mere whisper, the words barely speak themself into existence, “i’m being selfish again, but you’ve gotta understand (y/n)”

“i can’t” you splutter, you feel tears treading your waterline “put yourself in his shoes, c’mon satoru we’ve seen him at his worst, why would we do something that could hurt him?”

“i’m not doing this to hurt megumi, i’m doing this to protect yuuji”

“just think about it please” you frowned, “if instead of executing suguru they kept him alive and let us think he was dead, you’d never forgive them”

he doesn’t miss the way your voice catches over the three syllables. he doesn’t miss the way your fingers tremble against his forearm. he hates this — arguing with you, he could think of infinite things he’d rather do than this.

“that’s different” his voice is wavering now, “suguru made his choice, yuuji didn’t ask for any of this” he winces as the words fall from his lips. to think he’d stooped to speaking ill of the dead. he doesn’t believe that, not really.

“you still wouldn’t forgive them” you prompted, “and i don’t want ‘gumi to go through any more, tsumiki being in a coma is hard enough as it is”

“i know baby, i know” satoru says softly, he cups your trembling face in his hands and places the sweetest of kisses on the tears that threaten to stream down your cheeks, “trust me on this okay? he’ll be fine i promise”

“okay” you nod, letting your husband, your one and only, wipe away the tears spilling over your lashes.

satoru could really kill the higher ups for putting him in this position. one where he nearly sacrificed his wife’s happiness for something as insignificant as jujutsu sorcery. with his lips still pressed to the corners of yours, he makes a silent vow with himself

it would be you before everything. it was you before everything

“you’re so beautiful” he whispers, his thumb grazing your bottom lip “you. are. everything. to. me” he punctuates each word with a kiss. his lips committing every inch of you to memory

they ghost over your cheek, your quivering lip, your shoulder, your wrist, and finally the silver wedding band encasing your ring finger. and they linger on the cool silver for what seems to be eternity before satoru speaks up again

“dance with me?” he prompts, although he’s not really asking. he’s already whisking you onto your feet and starting up the record player. the vinyl spins on its axis, as constant as his infinite love for you.

“what?” you sniffed slightly, “like we did in our first year?”

“like we did in our first year”

satoru’s hands were on your hip, drawing you closer, he felt your chest brush against his for a second as he leaned into you. you swayed gently side to side, keeping in time with the intricate melodies streaming from the gramophone

his six eyes tell him his student is watching, listening. curious doe eyes peeking from the stairwell. he doesn’t mind. satoru had never been one to hide his affection. you were his. and he was infinitely yours.

“can i tell you a secret?” satoru murmurs, as he twirls you back into his arms. he wishes he could stay like this forever. with you. he’d selfishly sacrifice the universe to keep having moments like this. he would kill for you. he’s positive he would. he’d do it without hesitation.

“i thought we didn’t have any of those” you quipped. satoru feels his heart melting. watching the sadness in your eyes fade into utter bliss was like watching the sun come out after a rainy day. maybe even better.

“it’s a good one i promise” he grins, you raise a brow sceptically but you’re listening “i was the one who fell head over heels in love with you. way back in our first year…and i didn’t even know what love was, i was so confused”

“when did you know?” you asked, “you always say you knew the moment you saw me, but you were an asshole then”

“it was the first time we snuck out together” he admits, “when we went to that night market. you were right, i was jealous of suguru but could you blame me? i wanted you all to myself”

“you’ve always been so greedy” you giggled. satoru doesn’t need the six eyes to see that you love him regardless. it’s evident in the tenderness of your tone and the way your (e/c) sparkle when you look at him

“cut me some slack baby” he groans “i’m trying to be romantic”

“you don’t need to try, i heard through the grapevine i can’t resist your charms” you hummed

satoru cracks a smile at the inside joke, a slow symphony of contentment.he kisses you again and it’s sweet and full of blind adoration. loving you is his religion. the only thing he’s wholly committed to. your hands looped around his neck, carefully avoiding the ever-so-sensitive scar that ran beneath his chin

your hands founds repose in the soft strands of his hair, carefully threading through the ivory curls. satoru could feel himself melting into you, he clung to you as if he was scared to let go and his calloused hands clutched at the warmth that radiated from your skin. he was so impossibly close you could feel his eyelashes fluttering against your cheeks.

yuuji peered at the scene with stars in his eyes. he knew he should look away. that this moment was sacred, strictly for the two of you. but he’d never seen gojo like this before — completely vulnerable, completely himself in the confines of your embrace.

here he wasn’t the strongest, the richest, the one-man clan, the one whose mere existence shifted the balance of the world. here, he wasn't satoru gojo, he wasn't gojo-sensei, he was just 'toru.

© Y2KUROMI 2024. please do not plagiarise, repost, or translate any of my works on here or any other websites.

[barbiiecams]

daddy’s girl

dad!drew starkey x mom!reader, kinda trash but obviously i had too cus im in love with the video of drew and his niece oh my gosh <33

it was a peaceful morning. the sun was shining, the weather was warm, and it was a perfect day for a family date.

looking at the clock, you saw it was 8 am. you were a little surprised aaliyah hadn’t woken up yet, but she just started sleeping through the night. and you definitely weren’t complaining at all.

you sat up in bed while drew was still knocked out. he was still on go all night just in case she started crying in the middle of the night, so he was reasonably tired.

letting him sleep for a little bit, you got up to check on your baby. you made sure to keep your steps quiet, just so you didn’t wake drew up or potentially wake aaliyah up either.

opening the door to her nursery, a wide awake baby looked at you as you walked in.

you smiled at the position of her on her back, holding her feet. “is that my liyah girl up?”

she flashed you her infamous gummy smile. she loved to smile at anyone and everyone, and you just always had to thank god for your happy baby.

she kicked her legs around, more than excited to see her mommy in the morning again. picking her up from her crib, you smothered her in kisses. “my pretty girl, we’re gonna have such a fun day!”

you played with her a little more in your arms before you decided it was time to get yourselves ready for the day. walking into the bathroom, you brushed your teeth while you made sure she had one of her teething rings.

the wailing wasn’t happening now, but it would definitely happen later. better safe than sorry.

she was so calm and bubbly as you did your morning routine, it was perfect. she was really the definition of a “trick baby”.

you were almost done when drew walked in, clearly just woke up from bed not even a minute ago.

“good morning sleepyhead.” you grinned at him through the mirror.

he rubbed his eyes “g’morning,”

hugging you from behind, he gave you a kiss on the cheek then your lip. he reached over to aaliyah to rub her head comfortingly.

“this big girl slept throughout the whole night huh? didn’t she?” he started cooing at her, but that eventually turned into all of his attention. if there was someone that could “steal” your man, it’d be no one except his other princess.

he tickled her a little bit which made her start giggling, then gave her her morning kisses. a sight that would never get old to you.

“best sleep of my life,” you said while styling your hair, and it made him laugh.

“and you deserve it,” he said while wrapping an arm around your waist. “carried her for so long, s’the least i can do baby.”

you smiled at his words, “well she’s sleeping finally, so that means we can both start too.”

“and the stuff we used to be able to do almost every night,” he says into your ear, mainly so that liyah won’t hear.

giggling at his words and shaking your head, you finished with your hair. “it’s too early for you. this is the reason why she’s here in the first place.”

while cleaning your space up, he carries aaliyah off the counter. “you know i want another one.”

“me too,” you respond. “when she’s 2!”

he just smiles at this. he definitely doesn’t have a problem with that, but it just made him laugh that you were so adamant about the specific age. “you wanna be pregnant and dealing with terrible twos?

“you wanna deal with a baby and terrible twos?”

he throws his head back and laughs while bouncing aaliyah. “i’ll go get her ready, take your time baby.”

before walking out the bathroom he gives you a final kiss on the cheek. it feels nice being able to just have a morning to yourself after becoming a mom, but you always still cherished the mornings with liyah.

picking out your outfit, you settled on this for the fact that it was comfy enough to take aaliyah around the city as you planned.

when you were completely done getting yourself ready, you went to check on what your husband and baby were up to since it didn’t take you very long to get ready.

walking into her nursery once again, you saw a completely dressed and ready to go aaliyah.

“woww, that was quick. i’m impressed.” you praise drew.

he throws you a wink, “super dad.”

you giggle at his words while he hands her to you so he can get himself ready. the both of you were probably thinking about doing a brunch, so you packed liyah’s bag so you guys could leave as soon as he finished.

as drew walked out, liyah wasn’t having it. she started to get fussy and start whining when he was completely out of eyesight.

because of this, you paused packing some of her things. instead, you bounced her and patted her back, “ohh i know sweat pea, daddy’s just leaving the baby huh?”

although it could be a handful, you loved to see the bond she had with drew. she could be crying all night one second, but completely fine the next if she sees him right next to her.

calming down only a little, you were able to continue packing her bag. after 20 minutes of trying to keep her occupied, drew finally was done.

he takes the bag from you, “where we headed first, mama?”

“well i know she’s gonna get hungry soon and i definitely am, so let’s stop at our spot for brunch.”

before he can make another move, liyah reaches out for him and he takes her, “it’s clear who the favorite is.”

he smirks at you and all you can do was roll your eyes. it was the truth whether you liked it or not. “whatever. let’s go.”

laughing at your sentence, he puts his hand on the small of your back as you guys walk out of the room and out of the house, him also locking the door behind you too.

it’s the way he was able to multitask and do so much, while looking soo sexy, with a baby in his arm. it did really make you wanna give him another one earlier.

you made your way to the car and so did he, putting liyah in her car seat before entering the drivers seat. you guys headed down to the cafe that you and drew considered “your spot”, and you guys both planned to have your kids practically grow up with this cafe. it’s where you and drew both met for the first time, and all the memories you’ve made so far have been beautiful. you definitely weren’t going to stop making those memories anytime soon either.

—

arriving at the cafe, he grabs the baby bag and your purse while you put aaliyah in her carrier that was connected to you. eventually you would start putting her in the high chairs that the restaurants provided, but currently she was still in the phase where she needed to touch either mommy or daddy in public.

fastening the carrier, you and drew both walked in and saw familiar faces behind the counters.

“ah look! it’s my favorite person and her parents!” the owner jokes.

this makes you giggle and drew roll his eyes, “good morning to you too.”

you both find a spot and order your usuals. days like these you always appreciated. being surrounded by the people that make you happy and surrounded by peace.

drew started chatting with the owner while you chatted with his wife who also worked there. their daughter who was around your age had just had a baby herself, so there was already enough to go and chat over.

everything was going well, until of course you guys heard the whining. it was surely feeding time.

they watched you with smiles as you positioned her off your chest, but cradling her as drew handed you a bottle. as soon as you put it to her lips, she was completely calm again.

“that is really your twin, y/n!” the woman says.

“you think so?” you really only said this to hear her say it again, knowing how much she looked like you. you didn’t just cook her up for 9 months and pop her out for her not to look like you.

“most definitely,” she smiles.

“she may look like me, but that’s her true favorite right there.” you pointed at drew.

“really?” the owner asks.

“oh for sure,” drew says as he just admires the both of you. “i always tell her, mommy’s twin but daddy’s girl.”

he makes your eyes roll for what seems like the 50th time this morning, but he just laughs and kisses your cheek.

“when you have a son, he’ll most likely be a mamas boy.” the owner affirms.

“well, i guess we’re just gonna have to test that theory out.” drew says as he wraps an arm around you.

and that was just your main goal in life, to expand your growing family even more with him.

[adore-laur]

the girls asking Harry & their mom how they fell in love ?

——

With bath time for the kids done and dusted, you fall onto the couch like a rag doll with your eldest daughter in your arms wearing a fluffy white robe. She's about to get the princess treatment—her favorite thing is when you comb through her curls with apple-scented detangling spray. Harry holds your youngest and rhythmically walks around the living room to make her sleepy. She's in her zip-up pajamas, and she smells like fresh lavender. Her eyes are not yet closed, but Harry knows what tricks to use. Before long, she'll drift off and be transferred to her crib, all clean and fed.

As you yawn, the little arm tucked in your embrace wiggles free. It'll take significantly longer for her to become sleepy, but you're hoping some snuggles and soothing hair brushing under the dim lights will speed up the process.

She points aimlessly toward the fireplace, yet her eyes track above it. The artificial plant? The pillar candle? The row of picture frames?

"What, baby?" you ask, kissing her damp curls while readying the comb and spray.

"Pretty dress," she says, aiming her finger more precisely. You follow it and smile sweetly. On the mantel shelf, there’s a photograph in an elegant gold frame. It has been proudly displayed there for nearly five years as a keepsake from one of the most euphoric days of your life. It's an eight-by-ten photo of you and Harry after your marriage ceremony, sitting in the sleek black limousine that chauffeured you both to the reception venue. Through the open window, the hired photographer captured the moment Harry tried to unclip your lace bridal veil. Your legs, covered by the lush and heavy silhouette of your gown, were thrown over his lap even when there was plenty of space to spread out.

The reason that particular photo is the chosen one for the living room is because of how you and Harry are looking at each other in it. His fingers, one in particular the forever home of a gold wedding band, were tangled in your intricately styled hair, working to unclasp the many pins lost in the strands. But his eyes were feasting on you—captivated, ecstatic, and soaking you in like you were the only thing that existed. His smile was the brightest part of the photo. He was mid-laugh, with his dimples deep, nose scrunched, and cheeks pushed up so that crinkles formed near his eyes. You can hardly remember what he was laughing at. He was giddier than a kid in a candy store, with unrestrained hands and excitement. He never did end up successfully removing your veil. His mother later helped him out, and it's now packed away in a storage box in the back of your closet.

Your expression in the photo is quite similar to his—irrepressible joy mixed with fierce love for your better half. The high resolution captured the residual tears in your eyes, which were caused by the overwhelming emotions from when you greeted family and friends after the ceremony concluded. It was a gorgeous, sunny day. The afternoon sunshine poured into the limousine and accentuated the details of your exquisite gown and Harry's traditional tuxedo. You parsed through countless photos after the honeymoon, and Harry agreed that this one encapsulated the intimate love you shared with each other the best. It always brought you back to that day and that indescribable feeling. It still makes your heart pound. You would marry him a million times over just to cherish every single second again.

When you and Harry started a family together, the mantle shelf was filled with more precious photographs over the years. Now, with two children, anniversary milestones, and vacation memories under your belt, it's a beautiful display of the life you built and experienced with Harry. It's a reminder of what life is all about.

"That's mommy's wedding dress," you say proudly, beginning to comb through her hair. Harry stops his laps around the rug and stares at the picture too.

"You wore it when you met Daddy?" she replies, a cute sense of curiosity quieting her voice.

You laugh and catch Harry's gaze just as a crooked smile breaks loose on his lips. "No, I wore it when I married him."

"Oh. What did you wear when you met Daddy?"

"Gosh, I don't think I even remember," you say, searching your brain for that night at the dive bar. It was a late-night encounter, and you were tipsy.

Harry, still staring at the wedding photo, says, "An open-back dress. Black, long, and form-fitting." He shakes his head, lost in thought. "Effortlessly gorgeous."

"How in the world do you remember that?" you ask, a blush crawling up your neck.

"The disco lights were dancing across your bare back." He shrugs, like the memory is permanently stamped inside his brain. "I'll never forget that sight."

"It was a funeral dress?" your daughter asks, piecing together the visual her father verbally painted.

"Definitely not," Harry says, sending a secret smirk your way.

"Where did you see mommy in the black dress?" She lets you move her head around as you spritz her hair with the detangling spray.

"We were at the same... restaurant," you say slowly, careful not to mention bars around her. Better to keep her innocence alive as long as possible.

"What did you eat?"

"We didn't eat," you reply. "We had strawberry and lemon drinks." You intentionally leave out the infused with alcohol part.

"What did Daddy say?"

You smile, loving her endless questions. "He asked me questions about myself. Made me feel comfortable and special. Unfortunately, our conversation didn't last very long. Mommy was tired and had to go home."

"And Daddy thought he was never going to see her again," Harry added theatrically. "He was really bummed out about it, but by some magical force, he crossed paths with her a month later."

"Magic?" Your daughter whispers the childlike word, her eyes wide with interest.

"It sure seemed like it," Harry says, gently sitting beside you so as not to wake the baby. He looks at you, and somehow, his eyes transport you right back to the start of it all. "Took us three tries to finally get things right."

You lean forward to kiss him tenderly. "Look at us now."

He reciprocates the kiss—his is a bit more urgent and sentimental. He then admires his daughters, both on the verge of sleep, and rubs his palm over where his heart is. "Thank you for choosing me, baby," he says to you. There seems to be emotion lodging in his throat, but he clears it away and breathes in deeply. "I'm yours every day. And I love you for infinite reasons, but growing our little family has the number one spot in my heart."

You toss the comb aside and hug him, your daughters cocooned by two souls that somehow found each other more than once. By magic, fate, or simply coincidence, you truly lucked out.

——

[fedcrypt]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

intended eddie brock / venom x female!reader

WRITING WARNINGS: okie so this is kinda like an au in a way, it’s a secret pre-established poly relationship, also reader is colton drake’s sister (adoptive, biological, or married-in your choice!) so like colton isn’t super approving of his sister having a relationship with someone.

XOXO, CHESHIRE — this is so utterly disgustingly cutely based off sabrina’s new song with our favorite loser and our precious symbiote baby <3! so eddie and venom aren’t in this fic but they are both mentioned and it’s kind of just the reader existing with the family dynamic and hearing about her boys.

her (e/c) eyes rolled softly as she listened to the rambling of her brother as she peered down at the symbiote in the tube feeling utterly devasted for the poor creature. y/n knew what it was like to be trapped in a tube and feeling hopeless with the liquid nutrition being the only thing keeping you alive, at least she knew from venom, whom had ranted to her one night all about it in order to get her to stay away from her brother. her boyfriend and the symbiote had tried their hardest to take down her brother and his organization, yet they had failed, and colton wasn’t all that pleased with them. in fact, colton drake wished to hunt them down and find them yet he found that simply impossible. unbeknownst to colton, his own sister was the mere reason why he couldn’t find them.

y/n was the only person who had approved of her own choice to fall in love with eddie brock and by extension venom as well, at least that is what she believed as whenever she would drop hints about her secret pair of boyfriends without revealing too much information ; everyone seemed to verbally bash her for falling in love, claiming she was too childish as she fell in love with more than one person. they deemed their relationship as wrong and an act of unfaithful nature but y/n knew better than to listen to all those vipers depressed in empath clothing.

the (h/c) haired woman deeply sighed to herself as she heard her brother changing the conversation about his company to the fact that she wasn’t listening to him. in fact colton had claimed that his sister was too busy thinking about her secretive boyfriend instead of listening to his plan to save all of mankind from the destruction of earth itself. (e/c) eyes lightened up as their owner had smiled softly at the symbiote who had made a gesture inside of the tube, one of which essentially called her brother an annoying loser, causing her to wholeheartedly agree even if she didn’t admit it out loud.

“yet not to mention eddie brock stealing venom from me and you still don’t care about it. it doesn’t affect you and yet this is our livelihood, my dear sister, and yet you don’t cherish or show any interest in it!” there he goes again, back on his stupid bullshit verbal rampage about his mankind project. “you say livelihood as if i don’t have my dream job that i love and have enough money to get by on my own plus get other oddities.” y/n bit back as she stretched her back out, having been uncomfortable in the position she had been slightly hunched over in.

“don’t get cocky now, y/n, just be a good sister and listen. i’ve taken care of you my entire life and you don’t get to cheapen that, okay?” colton explained as he placed a gentle hand upon his sister’s cheek, trying to be sympathetic as he assumed she was only fighting back with her words due to being drained from her dream job that she’s talked about since childhood. “oh fuck off, colton.” the woman replied forcibly taking her brother’s hand away from her face and then waved her goodbyes to the symbiote in the tube before she walked out of the lab, her brother’s voice raising with each step she took.

nearly a half an hour later, luckily having gotten through the lots of traffic faster than anticipated, she had found herself inside of the convenience store where mrs. chen worked during the night. a simple “oh sweetheart, there you are!” had rung out with perfect timing of the bell as she stepped inside, mrs. chen had greeted her inside with a sense of relief. “now why do i sense some relief in that mrs. c?” the (h/c) haired woman questioned as she moved to grab some of her favorite snacks that she would share with venom and eddie once she got home. all she could affectionately think of was, please please please don’t embarrass me motherfucker, as she awaited the words that her dear older friend would say which more than likely had something to do with her boyfriends.

the older dark haired woman chuckled softly as y/n made her way up to the counter with all her snacks. “oh no worries sweetheart, the two idiots were just going on and on about how they love you. i’m guessing there might be a ring in your future from the sounds of it.” mrs. chen explained as she finished ringing up the snacks and placed them in a bag. the (h/c) haired woman shook her head affectionately at the woman’s words knowing that they didn’t need a ring to be married, in fact the three of them already considered themselves married, but she knew the woman would still lovingly pester them about it. “i’ll see you later, māma.” y/n chuckled softly as she saw the woman pause at the loving nickname as she grabbed her bag and placed a twenty upon the counter, ready to leave and head home to her beloveds.

[mayullla]

Platonic yandere cyno please 🐝🌹

Title: A deal that your mother made.

Character(s): Cyno (Genshin Impact) Summary: Your mother made a deal with her familiar, that if she died he would be the one who would take care of you, her child. Yet this was not what she wanted when he took you away in a domain where no one could come in or go out. Warnings/tags: Platonic yandere, gn!reader (child), imprisonment, nothing mentioned about a dad but only a mom who is a witch, 1.2k words

[ - A little present~! Event - Closed - ]

Your mother was a witch hidden in a cottage within the forest. Before she gave birth to you she had made a contract with an equally powerful familiar. A monster from another realm called Cyno.

He was the one who watched over you when you were born when your mother was too busy to care for you or too tired after long days of work. That didn't mean that you were not loved by her. For she loved you dear in her heart that she made a deal with her familiar that even after her death he would continue to look after you.

Cyno too after time had also come to cherish you and thought that this peaceful picture would last a long time. 

However, that was not the case.

It happened all too soon when your mother demanded that he take you still a baby and leave this place. Cyno was able to run away, disappearing, taking you away in his arms. He disappeared into the air appearing a little far away from the small cottage home where the three of you lived as he watched people with torches and pickaxes show up at the front door. He watched as your mom fought them off using spells and potions but she was easily pushed to the ground and taken away.

Cyno wanted to save her, yet he was unable to for your mother told him that no matter what the reason was to never show himself but to keep you safe and to take you somewhere far far away from any danger.

And far away he took you... where no human would be able to go, somewhere where no one could ever touch you, hurt you. He wanted nothing more than to keep you safe, but maybe it was too much. A domain of his own making just for you. Your mother had made a deal after all that if something would ever happen to her, she would give all of her remaining magic at death to her familiar in return that he would watch over you in her place.

But this was not what she wanted.

Your mother was a kind-hearted woman who could not actively hurt others no matter what but was also a very powerful witch. She wanted you to have a normal life, one where as you grow older you would make friends with others, find someone you love and marry and maybe have a family. 

Yet with all her magic channeled towards her familiar it was simple for him to mix with his own magic and make a huge space, a domain where only you and him lived. Away from all the pain and anguish, away from all the injustice.

"Cyno!! I look what I found!" "Hmmm?" Cyno looked up from his cards looking at you who rushed here as soon as you found something interesting to show. "There is a pretty white flower and it looks just like your hair!" You told him excitedly, showing him the white flower you found. 

And pretty it was.

"Here this is yours hehe!"

"Thank you. This flower indeed matches the color of my hair." Cyno took the white flower gazing at the illusion that he created within this space. This was a place fueled with magic after all, some parts real, some parts a mere illusion that you could touch. Taking the cottage that you once lived in with your mother, Cyno created a field around it and right beside tall mountains.

You peered curiously at Cyno hiding half your face from the couch arm with a hopeful look in your eyes. "Uncle Cyno, is it okay if I go out to play?" You asked, giving your uncle puppy dog eyes.

Cyno didn't look at you, still examining the white flower that you had given him something that he would deeply cherish. "You are already playing outside. Are you not?" But you shook your head at his words.

"No! No! Like outside outside!" You raised your hand waving at him, as if no he is wrong that is not what you meant. "I want to go outside this place and see the world that mom used to live in." You told him, "You always told me what mom was like and I want to see what world she lived in and see people!"

You had become curious about the world that your mother lived in, Cyno had told you some stories of her to keep her in your memories one way or another. You were always curious about the world outside but it seems that your interest had become bigger and bigger as time passed. As you grew a little older and could walk alone without falling, you were allowed to roam around the mountain. No one lived there that could be a potential threat nor did Cyno ever create wild animals in the domain that could potentially hurt you.

You were satisfied with exploring the mountain at first on your own. You kept on bringing many things for Cyno that you found interesting.

But... At one point you wandered too far and found a line between the dirt land that you were standing on and nothingness. You were too smart for your own good, too curious than what Cyno hoped you would be. You were curious about the many books that laid around the room, knowing that most belonged to your mother. You told Cyno you wanted to also do magic at one point. Follow in your mother's footsteps...

Cyno didn't mind the idea that you would become similar to your mom but he wanted you to stay here where it is safe.

"When you are older," Cyno told you, finally looking at you as you acted like a deflating balloon. "But that was what you told me a year ago too! I am older now." You complained but Cyno shook his head. "When you are much older."

"I am older than yesterday ~!" Innocent blinking.

"No. You need to be older than me."

You pouted at him at his words but stayed still when Cyno patted your head, a small on his lips. "But then I must wait a long time!!"

"Why don't you go out again and water the crops on the farm and then let's eat dinner okay?" Your pout became even bigger at his words, with him only avoiding the conversation but you could only sigh. "Okay..." You grumbled. Cyno had always been so stubborn when it came to the outside world, he brought everything from the outside world that you ever wanted. Paints, books, and whatever that could become a potential hobby or a pastime.

But he would never let you go out yourself.

And to be fair Cyno would like to keep it that way. Under whatever circumstance he would never let you out of here, and he would do everything he could to keep you here. Even if you ended up hating him for it as you grew older locked in your own room with a chain on your ankle to the bedpost when you attempted to escape.

You will never know what happened to the village after that day, the village with no life dyed in red blood. Cyno would never let those people get away and whoever was able to he had uttered them down and shoved a spear at their hearts. He never cared to make their life as miserable as possible even if he wanted he had someone back in his domain he needed to care of.

Cyno would keep you here, for all he wanted was to protect you.

Note: If there is anything that hints that reader is a fem! or there is a mistake of some sort please kindly tell me! I am not used to writing gn and do sometimes make mistakes I will try to edit as soon as I can!

[itsmaferart]

Wild thoughts on SxF 85 manga

Be careful, there are spoilers here!!

Okay, let's talk a little bit about the chapter, and I can only say that the whole thing was crazy.

I find it very interesting how during the first arc about Nightfall she makes such a small but important connection at this current point. Twilight during the Tennis match e warns his apprentice about getting carried away and how it severely damages her body just by looking at the scratches on her hands.

And in this chapter we see her literally destroy her arm and leg in order to protect her master and her love (which, in a way is appreciated). Still, we see very explicitly how Fiona's love (obsession) can be the trigger for all her power, the strength of her heart is relentless, but still, it can overtake and with it destroy herself Something Twilight clearly doesn't want, no matter if her mentor says spies are disposable, he cares about his disciple's safety and if there is still some conscience left in Twilight at this point, I'm sure it's something that will really affect him.

In contrast, Nightfall speaks to something very important. Spies like Wheleer and Twilight live by logical reasoning and cold, detached from any bond. But, ironically, this also makes them weak. Nightfall talks about how love becomes the greatest power, the strongest reason to protect others, and how mine to cherish someone only makes them cowards by not being able to deal with the possible consequences of a betrayal..

Ironic if we remember that this is perhaps Twilight's greatest weakness. And it is even more ironic coming from Nightfall, since it is Twilight who instills these thoughts, it is he who assures her that spies must stick to the path of solitude in order to keep the peace, while she assures Wheleer that this idea is just a sign of cowardice and weakness.

What it does is to emphasize that the way Nightfall idealizes Twilight prevents her from seeing the true image of this man while bringing her closer. In the last chapter we see her fantasizing about Twilight crying with a baby over her death and taking refuge in the arms (boobs) of his wife, because deep down she and we know that he is someone sensitive (crybaby).

Nightfall claims to love Twilight the spy, while searching for the sweet, sensitive man who is buried beneath the rubble that the war has left…. and yet, at the current point in the manga, she hasn't gotten him.

On the other hand, Westalis' best spy is not becoming weak by being attached to his fake family, what weakens him is his indecisiveness and having to constantly repress his desires and feelings. Twilight wants peace in the world, but deep down, he also wants his own peace, his own family. And that is why he was unable to kill an SSS agent, an enemy, but also a part of Yor's family that makes him also his family.

And lastly we have Twilight, who we've been missing most of his feelings for two chapters now, and hell, that has me looking forward to it. We still don't know what this arc is about, the only thing I know is that all these events seriously affect our spy: Yor and her apparent annoyance with him, a mole, being unable to kill Yuri despite having everything to do it, his apprentice with fractured limbs and having to return home in one piece for dinner

I have no idea what's going on in Endo's head, but it's definitely destroying and thrilling me chapter by chapter.

Most Irrrelevant Thought: New Shipp Unlocked!!! And I don't know about you… I like him.

It is refreshing to see Yuri have more interactions and be beaten by a woman (who is not his sister).

[rubyroboticalt]

Minecrafters grab your pickaxes, and catch up on the QBLR QUATERLY!

What's up guys, update just dropped! It sure is something to try and decipher, huh. We've got pages of new stuff to go over, so let me learn you a thing about all the events and mishaps that happened on the server this week!

Efforts are made to develop the nether, and increasing its safety. It doesn't hurt that it's pretty, too. It seems Splat has built a temple! It has beautiful greco-roman pillars with lovely blue accents, lit by lanterns with snowblossom and magic trees growing in the center. I sure hope nothing ominous happened there.

Grif and Simmons from Red vs Blue visit! Looks like they're still very good friends. Unless… dear g-d… these soldiers gay! They've gotten gay married! Pride wins! So do Naturalist collectors, who have gotten so many butterflies! And a brown panda. Autism wins!

More Nether expeditions come, with residents exploring significant chunks of the nether very quickly. The thang in the nether, currently named the angel or the bird by residents, seems curious about these expeditions.

And now, the Gubby.

A stick fighting ring pops up, where folks can PVP with sticks as the only weapon. This fight, between Neon and Qrth, occurs in the middle of the path. This isn't the only fight that happens, does anyone else smell something burning? We may be fighting the server itself very soon.

What's that? A new egg? It's Saoirse! And Splat's temple receiving some koi ponds.

And now, a reading from r/MaleLivingSpaces. Purple peeling wallpaper. Wooden tile floors. Matching wooden tile ceiling. Five windows on the rounded back wall of the room. Double bed placed directly under the center double window, with foot facing the door, going against two feng shui rules: do not put the foot end of the bed facing the door, and do not put the bed under a window. Cobwebs in the upper right corner. Massive stack of boxes on the left side of the room, taking up most of the space. Papers strewn about the floor. Lamp placed on the floor next to the bed. Papers surrounding the bed. Two mugs on the floor. Pile of ash next to the bed. Red lamp placed on cardboard box next to the door. Single torch on the floor providing the only light in the room. This has been a reading from r/MaleLivingSpaces.

The food diversity mod has been replaced with one that doesn't bug out and duplicate hearts every login, and of course residents are totally normal about it and have not invented Foodmaxxing, where they try to eat as diverse a diet as possible. If only this was possible in real life, as well.

Inc builds a mushroom room at CEL labs, a location that has not yet appeared in the news for NDA and classification reasons.

And, of course, find a new egg while having a creature party. Hi, grunk! And hi, Berry's storage room! And hi, angel's garden! Hey, the egg doesn't belong in the frying pan! Not while it's a sentient being! C'mon.

Ghostly comes back from the dead, it seems. "And in the death of her reputation did she feel truly alive" -Why She Disappeared, Taylor Swift.

I know alcoholism is fairly common due to liver disease being disabled on the server, but the alcowallism might be taking it a little too far. Please set a good example for the creatures. Wait a minute. Is that a brain baby?

Good thing an orphanage is opening! Parentless creatures and creatureless parents can now apply to be assigned family members by the Dark Magician's lackeys. I mean, the admins, who we all love and cherish. Of course. And Mae is living up to Mae's name by building a Maez. Peace.

And with that, this week of the server closes with -- Good gravy what has happened to Levlies?

[11queensupreme11]

Since you already answered the 'who would want kids' question, you interested in giving us the Arsenic Blues edition of 'how many kids would they want' and 'best to worst dad' like tsunami? I feel like those would be a lot more fucked up since

A) They have an eternity to make kids with Percy(let's say she's immortal too) and

B) Incest. Who is to say their kids won't inherit the yandereness of their dad towards their mom? Filicide, anyone?

YOU ARE TOTALLY RIGHT THIS WOULD DEFINITELY BE SO MUCH MORE FUCKED UP HAHAHAHAHAHA 👹

Daddyseidon: this guy went from wanting 0 kids to wanting a whole army. Would prefer to have sons with Percy so he could put them in a position of power by kicking out the kings ruling the other six kingdoms of atlantis and place them on the throne instead. Let's be honest, his sons would probably be yandere for their mom too so rip to percy she is NEVER catching a break

Hades: would also want a bunch of kids. at first, he would settle with like five, but then they grow up and he'll go into his "i miss my babies 🥺" phase and then get the bright idea of just having more babies with percy. Plus, he loves how cute she looks when pregnant and how dependent of him she is

Apollo: wants hundreds of kids and would probs have to expand delos just to fit them all lmao. Unlike the other two idiots ^^ he would take his time with the babymaking because, as the god of healing, he knows how stressful it could be carrying a baby especially since Percy would still be trying to get used to her new divine status.

Beelzebub: will happily settle for like... three at the beginning of their relationship. Mans just so happy to have a beautiful wife and such perfect children. His happy little family 🥺 Genuinely never thought something so good would ever happen to him, so he just wants to take his time and bask in it all. Maybe after a century he would bring up the idea of having more kids

Okay, now... as for best to worst daddy:

Apollo: Have you seen this guy's backstory in the manga yet? He would be SUCH a good father. He would teach his kids to work hard and that they're beautiful they way they are 🥹 Unlike with Hades, he would encourage them to find love and teach them to cherish their lover (he also prays that they don't inherit his bad luck with love, he might actually start a war with Aphrodite if they do)

Hades: The only reason he's below Apollo is because Hades would have no issues in keeping his children, his daughters especially, locked up within the confines of his palace in Helheim. He's an overprotective father and knows how lovesick gods behave when they're faced with a beautiful place (he knows because he was that lovesick god lmao)

Beelzebub: You're probably wondering why he's so low. Well, it's because he's not actually afraid to experiment on his children 💀 Ya you heard me right, while he'll be a very doting and protective father, he also wants his kids to have more of Percy's features than his own. A part of him still feels self-loathing so he hates the thought of his lovely children inheriting his "ugly" features. So he would experiment on his kids while in-utero to make sure they have Percy's features (tanner skin, sea-green eyes, black hair, etc)

Daddyseidon: Bro he fucked his own daughter ofc he'd be down here 😭

[thewriteblrlibrary]

Anime and Manga just... hits different. Doesn't it?

.... want to know how they do it?

(Spoilers for The Promised Neverland.)

_____________

For character creation.

(based on what I've seen, particularly from the promised neverland)

Japanese storytelling is originally inspired by a type of Chinese poetry, and so you can see a poetic way of storytelling throughout all of anime and manga

1) have a concept/problem/weird little phenomena to explore (like the trolly problem) For the promised neverland, this is the idea of morality in dire situations. In a system that doesn't end well for them, who should you save? How many can you save?

In essence: ask a question. This is not a moral. It is not a theme. Anime and manga tend to have more nuanced themes because instead of portraying a moral, they ask a question.

2) each character will have a different answer to this question <-- and this doubles as their worldview.

For the promised neverland, Emma wants to save everyone. Her answer is that they should save everyone, no matter the danger. Ray thinks they should only save the three Main characters, because it isn't practical to save everyone. If they try, they will only be killed. And Norman is in between. He is a strategist and while he knows this will be insanely difficult, he does want to save everyone for Emma

3) why do they think this? Have a base motivation or backstory for why they have this answer. What is their reasoning for why this is right?

For Emma, she is showcased from the beginning to love her family and like praise from her mother.

For Norman, he doesn't want to be alone, and he cherishes his friends because they always kept him company, so he's going to want to try to cater to the both of them For Ray (spoilers).....he knows the secret of the house because he remembers when he was a baby. So he knows how impossible this is, and has had to live with his siblings dying for years. He's tired.

One of the best ways (I think) to do step #3 is to have backstory, and it can be as basic or as expansive as you want.

Posts on writing backstory here and here. <-- also where I talk about desire vs fear for characters, which I think adds more depth and you'll see it a lot in anime/manga. The desire is typically more obvious though, whereas the fear is a bit more subtle and nuanced.

To summarize it - the character will have a desire, and a fear that stops them from getting that desire, both rooted in their worldview.

(Like for Emma and Ray and Norman, they all want for their happy life to be true, and they fear failing to save themselves or their siblings. Each has their own version of this, depending on what their answer/worldview is)

_________________________________

For the story itself

(following kishotenketsu for this. Resources here and here.)

Ki - Showcase a shorthand for the character immediately, so people can get a good sense of their base personality.

Sho - Then you can showcase more development. How does their behavior affect their current situation?

Based on the whole desire vs fear thing, the character will have nuanced behavior and thought patters. The audience will look at this and it will build intrigue for WHY they act like this. (You haven't revealed the backstory yet, this is after the backstory.)

The character will be actively avoiding their fear and chasing their goal... and yet they cannot have their goal without facing their fear. The character will try to use their personality to get their goal without facing their fear... but it's going to be difficult... and they may prioritize avoiding their fear.

Ten - Then you can showcase the backstory. This works as a twist + answer to why the character acts the way they do.

Essence of this video: the flashback should be added when it makes the next emotional moment have more weight(edited)

Now you can put something like a parallel to the backstory and see how the character will react differently. (The backstory has taught them something about how they should act/how the world should work) This time the character's full change will be very apparent.

Thinking back on this... I think this is what Haikyuu does.... for literally every character.

And I imagine this would be how you would introduce your character/story/first arc

From here you would use the kishotenketsu method in similar ways... but it would work like this

Ki - introduction of a problem that will test the character's internal conflict/worldview

Sho - how the character is going about it - their misbehaviors and suches and such (you can also include backstory here if it explains a certain aspect of why the character acts the way they do)

Ten - something happens that forces the character to either get scared and avoid both their fear and their desire, or they are able to narrowly get away with getting their desire

Ketsu - their realization. The character will go about their life/see the world a little differently because the twist caused a change in their perspective. How do they act as a result?

Additional videos -

And there you have it. Yet another writing methodology from the writeblr library.

And as always - the best writing methods are the ones that work for you, take what you need, modify it for your wip, or make something up on your own. There's no need to take advice as the end all be all!

[missfrieden]

Tech as a father Chapter 44

Happy Bad Batch Eve my fellow clone simps.

Also adding, if you guys ever encounter a (?) behind a word, it just means I was not sure about how it is written or if the context was used right. Or I simply forgot to check it again and make sure. Even with my old trusty google translate, it can get messed up. And no, I will not be using an AI to spell and grammar check.

Masterlist

Chapter 44: Testing Hunter’s patience

Tech carefully made his way to the machines, all the while keeping a watchful eye on the progress of the reconstruction. His mind was working in overdrive, trying to find ways to subtly prolong their efforts without arousing suspicion. With Orion snuggled securely in the carrier on his chest, he knew he had to be extra cautious.

As he approached one of the machines, Tech discreetly made a few adjustments, ensuring it would work just a bit slower than its optimal speed. It was a delicate balance between slowing things down enough to extend their time here and not causing any noticeable disruptions. Tech couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for manipulating the situation, again, but he knew the importance of spending more time with Amanda and Orion. He wanted to cherish every moment they had together, even if it meant bending the rules just a bit. With his modifications in place, Tech continued to keep a close eye on the progress, ready to make any necessary adjustments if things started to look too suspicious.

Hunter stepped in to the Havoc Marauder, not entirely surprised to see the parents sitting on the floor, and yet it seems they forget that this should be quiet the secret and should be discreet. “Tech, why exactly is one of the machines suddenly a tad bit slower?” Tech glanced up at Hunter, his hands carefully washing Orion in the baby bathtub. He had hoped his subtle adjustment to the machine's speed would go unnoticed, but it seemed Hunter had picked up on it, of course he would it makes a slightly diffrent sound. "Well," Tech began, choosing his words carefully. "I noticed that the machines were running at maximum efficiency, and I was concerned that it might lead to early wear and tear. Slowing them down just a bit should ensure they last longer and reduce the risk of breakdowns."

Tech was known for his meticulous attention to detail, and this explanation seemed reasonable enough to deflect suspicion. He hoped it would be enough to satisfy Hunter's curiosity and allow him to continue spending precious time with Amanda and Orion. “It makes sense, count yourself lucky, but not again.” Hunter sighs and leaves them to play happy family in secret.

Amanda quickly scooted closer to Tech. “Sure just because of the wear and tear?” She asks amused and with a raised eyebrow. Tech turned his attention back to Amanda, their faces now close. He spoke in a hushed tone, aware of the sensitive nature of their situation. "No, it's not just about wear and tear," he admitted. "I slowed it down to buy us a bit more time, more time for us to be together." His gaze softened as he looked at Amanda, his love for her evident in his eyes. “I actually did it twice as of now.” Tech knew they had to be cautious, especially with the Kaminoans growing suspicious, but he couldn't help but prioritize those stolen moments with Amanda and Orion.

Amanda's laughter was a soft, melodic sound that filled the compact space of the Havoc Marauder. She couldn't help but be amused by Tech's ingenuity. Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his in a quick, tender kiss. "You never cease to amaze me," she whispered against his lips. Tech smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words. "Well, I do try to keep you guessing," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of playfulness. Amanda chuckled softly, her fingers gently tracing the contours of his face. "Your exceptional mind is truly something," she said with a fondness that only deepened her affection for him. "But remember, we have to be careful. The Kaminoans are watching."

Tech nodded, the seriousness returning to his expression. He knew the risks they faced and the need to tread carefully. "I won't forget that," he assured her. "We'll continue to be cautious, for Orion's sake." Amanda leaned in for another kiss, their lips meeting in a soft, lingering embrace. It was a silent promise between them, a commitment to protect their secret and cherish the stolen moments they could steal away from the watchful eyes of Kamino.

As the kiss between Tech and Amanda deepened, they momentarily forgot about their surroundings. However, Orion's growing fussiness quickly brought them back to reality. The infant, seated securely in the baby bathtub held by Tech, began to show his impatience by splashing the water with his tiny hands. Tech broke the kiss and chuckled, looking down at Orion. "Looks like someone wants attention," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. He gently cooed at Orion, trying to soothe him. "Alright, little trooper, we're almost done here." Amanda smiled, understanding that parenting, even in secret, required constant attention. "I'll finish up with his bath while you get him a clean diaper and some clothes," she offered. Tech nodded appreciatively and leaves to gather the belongings.

Amanda continued to bathe Orion, speaking softly to him as she gently washed his delicate skin. Her heart swelled with love for their son, and she cherished these moments they stole away from the complexities of their lives on Kamino. Amanda carefully lifted Orion from the baby bathtub, wrapping a soft towel around the squirming infant. "I'll be quick," Tech said as he headed to the improvised changing table, where everything was neatly organized for Orion's care. As he got distracted just watching them. But Tech couldn't help but pause again and admire the heart-warming scene before him. Amanda, while waiting for him, was showering Orion with kisses all over. The baby responded with joyous cooing, babbling, and gurgling sounds, clearly enjoying the affection lavished upon him by his mother.

Tech's heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of love and contentment as he watched the precious interaction between Amanda and Orion. He quickly activated the camera on his goggles to capture this precious moment, silently vowing to keep it as a cherished memory. Amanda continued to dote on Orion, smiling at her son's delightful responses. She couldn't help but express her love and adoration through kisses, knowing that every stolen moment with him was a precious gift. She whispered lovingly to Orion, her words filled with both tenderness and sadness, "I need to give you enough kisses to last until I can see you again, my sweet boy." She continued to pepper him with affectionate kisses, savouring every precious moment with her son, even as her heart ached at the thought of their inevitable separation.

Tech couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow as he watched Amanda and Orion together. He knew that their time together was limited, and the uncertainty of when they would meet again weighed heavily on both of them. But for now, they cherished these stolen moments, knowing that their love would bridge any distance that separated them.

Tech quietly and efficiently emptied the portable bathtub, knowing that Amanda wanted to make the most of her time with Orion, leaving the diaper and onesie by her side. He carefully stored it away, making sure it was ready for their next use. Tech wanted to give Amanda all the time she needed with their son, knowing that these moments were precious to both of them. As he finished tidying up, Tech couldn't help but steal glances at Amanda and Orion, capturing these moments in his memory. He longed for the day when they could be together as a family without the constant threat of discovery. Until then, they would cherish every stolen moment.

Tech's memory flashed back to that pivotal moment when Orion had come into the world, and he had been there to tend to Amanda and their new born son. He remembered the overwhelming rush of emotions he had felt at the time, the mix of joy, relief, and love. It was a memory etched into his mind. Seeing Amanda now, holding Orion close to her skin, brought back that flood of emotions. He couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for those early days, even though they had been fraught with danger and uncertainty. Seeing how Amanda has moved Orion, now only clad in a diaper in her tunic, does something to him. How she experiences skin to skin again since months.

As he watched them, Tech was reminded of the incredible strength and resilience that Amanda possessed, as both a Jedi and a mother. She had managed to protect their secret and care for Orion under the most challenging circumstances. Tech quietly approached, not wanting to disturb their moment but needing to be close. He placed a gentle hand on Amanda's shoulder, a wordless gesture of support and love. In this stolen moment, they were a family, and nothing else mattered.

After a moment Tech sits down before Amanda, watching her bond so easily with Orion. And the same feeling like before rushes through him again. “Amanda? Will you marry me?” He blurts out before he was even able to logically think about his question, but he knows this is what he wants, no matter the distance.

Amanda blinked in surprise at Tech's sudden question. The tranquil moment they were sharing with Orion nestled in her tunic had been so peaceful quickly dozing off not aware or interested how important this moment is for his parents and tries to latch on Amanda’s breast in a sleepy haze. Tech’s proposal took her off guard. She looked into Tech's eyes, searching for sincerity, and then her lips curled into a soft smile.

"Tech," she began, her voice filled with warmth, "you know I love you, and I love Orion. I've loved you since the moment I met you. But marriage... it's something I never thought I'd consider, especially given the circumstances. But now, here, with our son, and in this fleeting moment of peace, it feels right. Yes, I'll marry you." With those words, they sealed their commitment to each other, a promise made in the quiet of their hearts, a testament to their love against all odds. Orion, still sleepily trying to get something to eat, mostly out of instinct, seemed to sense the significance of the moment as he bites down with a gurgle and a yawn. As Amanda and Tech shared their sweet kiss, little did they know that Wrecker had overheard their heartfelt exchange. His eyes gleamed with joy, and a wide grin spread across his face.

"Ha! I knew it!" Wrecker exclaimed, unable to contain himself any longer. "Tech's getting married! This calls for a celebration!" Wrecker's jubilant outburst, while slightly embarrassing, couldn't dampen the joyous moment shared between Tech and Amanda. It was a promise of a future filled with love and happiness, a future they would build together as a family. Tech sighs and turns to look at his brother. “Could you be excited a bit quieter?”

Tech's reminder brought Wrecker back to reality. He immediately realized the importance of keeping their secret intact, especially given Amanda's status as a Jedi. He nodded enthusiastically but still couldn't help himself from grinning. "Right, right, Tech. Lips sealed!" Wrecker said, though his enthusiasm was now masked by a more subdued expression. Tech and Amanda shared a knowing look, understanding the delicate balance they had to maintain between their personal happiness and the Jedi Order's rules and expectations. Their secret remained safe for now, known only to the members of the Bad Batch.

“You think we can ever be alone? Just you and me? With Orion?” Amanda's question hung in the air, filled with a mixture of longing and uncertainty. Tech glanced at her, his expression equally conflicted. "I hope so," he replied softly, reaching out to gently stroke Orion's soft curls. "We'll find a way, Amanda. No matter what, we'll make it work." Their determination to protect their secret and be together, even in the face of challenges, was evident in their eyes as they leaned in for another kiss, cherishing these stolen moments of happiness.

“You two got to be kidding me?!” Hunter's stern voice cut through the tender moment, and Tech and Amanda reluctantly pulled away from each other. Amanda's expression turned serious, and Tech looked sheepishly trying to look serious, mindful of the situation. "We're aware," Tech replied to Hunter. "We've been cautious. We know the Kaminoans are suspicious."

Crosshair, always the blunt one, added, "If they find out the truth, they won't just take the kid. They'll come after you, too, Amanda." Amanda nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I know, but I can't just abandon them. The Jedi are my responsibility, and Tech and Orion..."

Hunter interrupted, his voice firm, "We're not saying you should abandon them, but we need to be smarter about how we handle this. Tech, you have to be careful, too. Don't let your guard down." Tech nodded, acutely aware that their secret was a delicate balance they had to maintain. "We'll be cautious. It's just... It's not easy." Wrecker chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, well, this is the Bad Batch. Nothing's ever easy." Despite the seriousness of their conversation, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Amanda's lips. "You're right about that," she agreed.

“So what do you say Hunter do we have your blessing?” Tech looks up at Hunter. Who first looks confused down at his brother. “Mandalorian traditions now?” Tech nods and pushes his goggles up. “Exactly, it is official when the leader of a clan gives their blessing, according to the costums of multiple clans.” Hunter pinches his nose and sighs. For someone as intelligent and thrives on logic, Tech acts rather illogical. “And? What do you say Hunter?” Tech asks again. “Yeah, what is it leader?” Echo nudges Hunter. “Okay, I know what ever I say it will happen, with or without my blessing!” “So you tell them no? Like that ever stopped them, and that little ass kicker there is the proof.” Crosshair raises an eyebrow with an amused tiny grin. “Yeah Hunter! Just think, if you say no there is another Orion joining soon maybe?” Wrecker grins widely motioning to Amanda and Tech sitting still on the floor. And Orion still trying to get something to eat from Amanda.

Hunter sighs and shakes his head rubbing over his face. A motion that only can be described as an older brother who has been overruled by all four of his younger ones, unless maybe Echo, in something he should not even have a say in. “Okay, okay! I give my blessing but please, by the maker be more vigilan.! An no more babies for now!” “You getting soft old man?” Crosshair sarcastically asks. “Maybe” Hunter smiles. Just seeing how happy all are, is worth it. Just Orion who gets fussy because he is hungry seems not so happy at the moment.

Chapter 45

Reblogs are very welcome and I am open for feedback, as english is not my first language, so maybe my sentences may be weird sometimes, or I write a word wrong even with google, or I use a wrong word for an item.

Tag: @spectacular-skywalker @aalizazareth @neyswxrld @clonethirstingisreal @sleepycreativewriter @moonwreckd

How will I survive knowing tomorrow is the third last episode? So many questions and no answeres. Instead I have even more questions? I am a grown woman, nearing my 30s. Why am I so obssesed and invested in it? I know why, but... well no but. I am just a fangril, clone simp whatever. Can't believe it is over soon. My doc will have a fun one with me again when I gush about my favorited (presumed) dead clone again.

okay rambling done, sorry.

[vkylociferart]

“Wives”

Both this fan art and fan fic were made for @tdvzine

This tale is set in a universe where Mel (my oc) is already a vampire and lives in the chateau with Marius, Pandora, and Bianca. Though a vampire, Mel is still her old, curious, messy self. But her curiosity might get her in trouble sometimes.

Loosely based on the "Blue Beard" folk-tale.

By VKyloCifer

"It was meant to be a joke," Mel kept repeating in frustration. She tried to see the irony and humour in the whole thing, but it wasn't working. In any other situation, she would be laughing with everyone else.

It all started one night some weeks ago. She was working on one of the chateau's murals. Bianca was reading on a nearby couch, and Pandora played the piano. It seemed like a coincidence, but the real reason they were all there was for him. They wanted to be near him, near the one they all love, their beloved master, Marius, who was painting by Mel's side.

His concentration was unbreakable; he stepped into another world when he painted. Though she knew this was only in appearance, like any good teacher, he was always quite aware of everything that was going on around him. He showed it by coming out of his trance now and then to correct her work. It didn't bother her. On the contrary, she welcomed him whenever he wished to share his expertise.

She cherished these moments, the peace and safety she felt, and revelled in the loving company of her new family. She hadn't known Pandora and Bianca for long, since long since Marius had only recently brought her to the chateau. Not that he hadn't wanted to get her earlier, but she had delayed it. She was far too shy, and meeting new people made her nervous. Yet she took a liking to them almost instantly. Both had been extremely kind and welcoming to her, and she quickly responded to the outpouring of love. Also, it was always easier for her to relate with people with whom she shared common interests; in their case, they all have Marius in common.

In the chateau, everyone referred to them as Marius's two "wives", even though there had not been any official ceremony. And lately, there had been rumors that the court's Prime minister had brought with him a new wife. That would be her, Mel, Marius's third wife. Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she started giggling. Though it hadn't been her intention, her amusement pulled him out of his concentration.

“Gold for your thoughts," he asked.

"It's nothing," she bit her lips, trying to suppress her humour despite her large grin.

"Come now, little nymph, tell me what's going on inside that imaginative little head of yours". It still struck her as strange that he called her pet names like "little nymph" since, in terms of mortal years, she had been older than him when they met. It does not precisely fit the term "little" or nymph (usually characterized as younger women). But then again, she guessed mortal age meant nothing to beings like them. After all, she was considered a fledging, a baby bird, a mere child in their world. And her short height made the pet name stick more.

“Ah ah! I won't go into a stream of consciousness until you tell me what you were giggling about," Marius lightly scolded.

"It's just, I was thinking. You're like Dracula now."

Pandora stopped playing, and Bianca peeked up from her book. Now, she had everyone's attention, which she exclusively disliked.

"And how am I like Dracula, little Minx?" Marius asked with a touch of sarcasm.

If the same scenario had happened with any other group of people, she would've retreated into herself, unable to handle the pressure. But these were her new family, the ones she was supposed to trust and feel safe with. So she swallowed hard, somehow finding the courage, and continued to explain: "Because Dracula was famous for having three brides, and everyone around here says you have three wives now."

There was an uncomfortable silence; maybe she had rushed too quickly to be her whole, weird self. But suddenly, Pandora and Bianca burst into soft, lovely laughter. She smiled brightly at both. Then she turned to face Marius, who was looking intensely at her, face flushed.

She feared she had angered him.

But then his demeanour melted to a gentle, warm expression. He chuckled and placed his hand on her head... "That mind of yours is a bottomless source of the most amusing thoughts; you're. You're going to make eternity so much more interesting for me." He joined the rest in laughing—a contagious, harmless laugh from an irrelevant and harmless joke. Or so she thought.

A couple of days later, an unknown vampire arrived at court. He delivered a letter from his master, an ancient vampire named Lord Conomor. In the letter, he expressed his interest in coming into the court with his three wives, and as a showing of his goodwill, he invited any court member to meet him in his castle.

This was unusual; everyone knew that all immortals were welcome to the court; they were free to just walk in. However, there had been some rare occasions when potential new members had been reluctant to come. After all, the entire place was filled with powerful immortals. So perhaps this Lord Conomor was just exercising cautious caution.

Everyone present decided that a small commission welcome committee should welcome him to the court.

That’s when Bianca reminded Marius about little Mel’s joke. Didn’t Lord Conomor mention that he had three wives in his letter? It may be a good idea for him to go along with Pandora, Mel, and herself. To make the party even in numbers and to build relations between them.

Everyone thought it was a good idea. However, when brought up to Mel, the reaction was the opposite.

“Absolutely not!” she protested. Marius folded his arms and raised a brow in that gentle yet disproving gesture of his "And why not my nymph?".

"You know why! How am I supposed to pass as a court representative? I know nothing of how to behave as royalty or an ancient vampire. I would only be a burden and make you all look bad".

“Tsk, always with the self-doubting!" said Marius disapprovingly. "It's beneath you. No one is expecting you to be anything but who you are: a kind, well-mannered, and very unique young woman—the one I feel fell in love with."

Such a smart choice of words, so typical of him, scolding her while praising her at the same time before finally disarming her with a declaration of love, smooth bastard. She wanted to protest further, but what was the point? Whatever objection she comes up with, he'll find a way to refute it, and what's worse, he knew very well many ways to persuade and convince her to do it.

A week later, she found herself at the doors of a medieval castle in the middle of a wild forest, making her feel like she had been transported into a gothic novel. Though, unlike when Marius had brought her to the chateau, she didn't feel dazzled this time; she felt hazed. The previous flight didn't help either, as she was the only one in the group without the Cloud Gift. So she had to fly in Marius's arms. Even though he was always careful and protective of her during the flights, she still couldn't get used to them. A soft hand pressed gently into her shoulder, and she turned to meet Pandora's beautiful face, smiling sweetly. "Don't worry, I've never got used to either", she spoke inside her head, probably so Marius could not hear her. She nodded and smiled back at Pandora, feeling some anxiousness slightly ebb.

As the castle doors opened, they revealed an inner corridor that heavily contrasted the gloomy outside view with its bright red carpet, polished marble columns, and glossy wooden walls. This place wasn't that bad after all.

Lord Conomor and his three wives were waiting for them in the reception room. He was a tall man, not quite as tall as Marius (few were as tall as Marius), though sturdier built, with hair as black as her own. A broad, generous smile that shined through his bushy beard, but there was no friendliness in those deep crystalline eyes that seemed somehow… cruel? His skin was like marble, lustrous and hard-looking, like Marius and Pandora and all the ancient ones she had met, thought it was of a darker hue. Her own skin was slightly caramel. She wondered if her skin would, one day, look like this-

"Stay focused!" commanded an authoritatively familiar voice inside her head. She looked at Marius, who was speaking amiably with their host, but it still stunned her how he could retain his perfect pose while scolding her mentally.

"I'm not scolding you, little nymph; I'm just helping you stay on the path." Sweet Heavens! Even inside her mind, he managed to gently dominate her. If only she had been made by him, at least she would have had her mind for herself.

"And if you pay more attention to my thought-blocking lessons, you would, little minx.”

"As always, you're the master" " she answered him mentally, forcing back a chuckle. "Thank you"

"For scolding you? As you put it."

"For helping brightened my mood."

This time, he forced back a chuckle; she knew him well enough to notice it.

"You're welcome, my love", he replied, flooding her mind with warmth.

Later, while chatting around the fireplace, she looked deeper at their host's wives; they must've been ancient since they all shared the same ivory skin. Their hairs were all long and wavy, in brownish tones that barely differed from each other. For mortal eyes, they would all look identically brunette. It's been months after her transformation, and still, she was finding new colours she didn't even know existed; it was beautiful, especially when looking at paintings. There were many hanging on the walls, ancient ones, primarily portraits, some of which depicted the Lord of the castle and his wives dressed in beautiful medieval garments. The level of detail in the fabrics and jewellery fascinated her, and she wondered if the painter had been human.

“Beautiful, right?” She awoke from daydreaming to find one of their host's wives by her side, smiling brightly at her. With teeth lustrous as pearls, her sharp fangs stoop grimly out.

“Yes, so detailed," Sheshe said, sounding as relaxed as possible.

“I see one of your wives is interested in paintings," said Lord Conomor to Marius.

"As do I" he replied.

"Ah! Then you must come to see our entire collection!"

Minutes later, they were all walking through a succession of long paintings-covered galleries, Lord Conomor and his wives chatting amicably with Marius, Bianca, and Pandora. The place was filled with intercrossing twists and turns. It was eerily beautiful, though Mel wondered how they never managed to get it.

Every painting she passed by was unique and gorgeous. There were so many that it would take a lifetime to appreciate them all. At this fast pace, it was a shame that she couldn't enjoy them properly as they deserved.

A miniature portrait at the end of a corridor caught her attention; it depicted a pale lady wearing a brocade and velvet dress. The details were stunning, and she wanted to look at it closer, if only for a moment. And that's how she ended up like this: lost. Marius was right; she should've stayed on the path, just a slight deviation, and the next thing she knew, she'd lost track of her group and found herself wandering around in this labyrinthic place.

She went up and down countless stairs that seemed to go nowhere, sinking deeper into the gasping darkness of this place, which now didn't seem friendly or welcoming at all. The places she had been in earlier had looked clean and well cared for, filled with immaculate fabrics, lustrous marble, lavished wood, and shiny metals. Now, everywhere she turned, she saw mould, dampness and rags. There were almost no lights except for some old gas lamps scattered around. If she had still been mortal, she would've been unable to see anything and would've been forced to stumble blindly around in the darkness. She tried to count her blessings. B, but it needed to be helping. This place was ghastly; it didn't matter to her the irony of a vampire scared of a gothic castle; she just wanted out of there!

She could call them, she thought, either mentally or just scream. No matter how big this hell hole was, they could hear her. Marius could listen to her even if she were on the other side of the world. But that would cause a terrible impression, and she spent the dead dream here instead of ruining this for them. "OhOh, hell no," she said to herself, "I don't want to spend the dead dream in here". She kept going, making use of all her preternatural speed; there had to be a way out of here.

Eventually, she saw a light coming from the bottom of a long stair. It was very dimmed, but it was different from the light of the gas lamps from the previous rooms. She felt some warmth coming from there, but the sensation was so faint that she would've missed it if she were still human.

Maybe this was her way back to the better part of the castle, back to her family, and out of this nightmare.

She hastily descended the long stairs until she came face to face with a closed door. The dimmed light she had seen was coming from a small opening bar-covered window in the door. She peeked inside and saw a single torch placed in a dark rock wall opposite the door. She tried to see further inside the room, but she couldn’t as the window was too small.

A strange smell came from that room, something she couldn’t discern. What this could be? The door was tightly shut, but another thing that had been enhanced, besides her senses, by the Dark Blood was her physical strength. So she pushed harder against the door. But it barely moved.

She was about to turn around and give up when she noticed something else—a sound coming from that room besides the odour. It was a familiar sound, yet she could not put her finger on what it was.

What was in there?!

She decided to try again. This time, she didn't just push but leaned her whole body against the door, using all the strength she could muster.

The door gave in just enough for her to go through.

Once inside, she found the room was bare except for the lamp she had seen through the window. Four boxes were divided into two and two, each pair placed in each lateral wall. Whatever the strange smell and sound she had noticed before was coming from those boxes because now they surrounded her, entrapping her as invisible tendrils tangling themselves all around her body. Suddenly, she didn't want to be in there anymore.

This place felt wrong, worse than any other part of this accursed castle. She was about to turn and leave when something in her mind clicked, and she recognized the sounds.

Heartbeats!.

Not one, but many. They were so faint that it was strange they could keep beating. No wonder she had trouble placing it before. Now, she couldn't leave without knowing first what was in those boxes.

She went to the nearest one and tried to open it, but it was tightly shut. She used all her strength, but, unlike the door, it wouldn't give in. Mel thought hard. She could go, find the others, and tell them.

Tell them what, though?.

She didn't know what was in these damned boxes; at least, she wasn't sure. The confusion from her scattering thoughts made her realize she wasn't thinking clearly. That smell and those beatings suddenly didn't seem faint now.

When had they gotten so loud?.

They were piercing through her ears, and their rhythm was hypnotic. Was this drowsiness—the dead dream?

Impossible; it was too early for that.

“Shhh it is not too early; sleep now", a voice spoke inside her head.

“Who are you?”.

"It doesn't matter. Sleep now, little invader".

But it did matter, didn't it? Maybe not… maybe it was better to sleep.

“What are you doing to her?!”

A familiar voice woke her from her stupor. She looked around, still confused and unsure where she was, until she saw the torch, the dreary boxes, and Bianca fighting with one of the vampires' wives they'd met earlier. She hurried to Bianca's help; between them both, they managed to push her outside and locked themselves within the room.

Bianca turned to face her. "Sweetie, sweetie, are you okay? When I entered, she was dragging you across the room!”

"I think so, I lost consciousness. But there's something here, inside those boxes”.

They turned, and one of the boxes was half open now. Mel approached it, drawn by the morbid curiosity of finally knowing what was there.

But she was interrupted by Bianca’s scream. Mel turned. It was Lord Conomor. He was grabbing her by the wrists. Mel stormed against him, but he was too strong. With only one hand (the other kept Bianca in place), he forced her on the ground. His boot stepped on her rib cage and started pressing down. The pain was unbearable. She cried out like a wounded animal.

"You're quite strong for a fledging. Too bad you turned out to be such a nosy woman," Hehe said as he kept pressing against her chest.

Bianca yelled threats at him, swearing if he kept hurting her, he'd know the wrath of Pandora and Marius and her own.

Lord Conomor laughed. "My other wives must've taken care of them already. Pity, I was looking forward to seeing your court, but I can't tolerate meddling women. Now you'll stay here with the rest".

She felt her bones grinding and breaking. The pain became so terrible that she started losing her conscience.

As she fell into oblivion, she noticed there was no pain anymore.

Only darkness, it was peaceful, maybe she should stay there…

"No, you shouldn't."

A voice reached her through the darkness. It was loving and embracing.

"Wake up, my dear".

Something warmed filled her.

It felt wonderful. Like light. Like life.

… Like love.

"Maybe it's because I love you".

She opened her eyes to meet the gentle gaze of her beloved master, Marius. Her head was pillowed against his knees. His hand softly caressed her temple and hair. It felt so comforting. The other was pressed over her face, the torn wrist against her lips as he fed her his Blood. His powerful Blood quickly worked its magic on her, healing her broken body and making her whole again.

The memories of what happened came rushing back into her mind.

She sat and looked around. They were in the same fireplace where they'd been gathered earlier that night. Pandora and Bianca were sitting next to them, both smiling at her, mentally telling her that everything was alright now.

She remembered how Bianca had been attacked earlier.

"I'm alright, dear; you don't have to worry about me", Bianca reassured her before she could ask.

Mel then turned to find Lord Conomor and his three wives, all of them on their knees and tied up with heavy iron chains. Gregory and Thor were standing before them. She needed clarification. They hadn't come with them, had they?

Having read her thoughts, Marius smiled and said, "You didn't think we would be coming here without taking some security measures, right, little nymph?"

"Oh! But why didn’t you tell me?” She asked.

"Because you're still too young in the Blood, and they were old, they might've been able to read your thoughts", He answered.

She felt a pang in her chest. "So little is your trust in me? I don't blame you. You told me to stay focused, to stay on the path, and I deviated and almost got myself and Bianca killed," she said, turning her face aside, not wanting to meet his eyes, fearful of what she might see in them.

"Yes, you did all that, and it was reckless," Hehe said sternly. But then he captured her chin between his thumb and index finger and forced her to meet his gaze. To her surprise, she saw only kindness and love.

"And by doing that," he continued, "you helped us uncover the truth about Lord Conomor and his wives, all seven of them."

Her brows frowned in confusion, and then the image of the four boxes returned to her mind.

Marius smiled. "Oh yes, his other wives were hidden in those boxes. Trapped and starved until they lost consciousness and become nothing more like sleeping corpses."

"He must've done something else to them," Pandora said, "since they are not waking up, not even with our Blood. Whatever it is, I'm sure our resident vampire scientist will find it very interesting."

Marius cradled her face lovingly between his two big hands. "So you see, by disobeying me, you did the right thing for us".

She mustered a sad smile. "But it was only by chance, and you know it".

"Yes, but you're missing the point." He said, not letting her break eye contact with him. "I know you; I know you can't help that beautiful mind of yours from wandering around, and that often makes you wonder." Then, bending down, Marius placed a loving kiss on her lips. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

"So, you're not mad at me?" she asked timidly.

"As much as I should," he said sternly "I'm not".

"Thank you," she said. "Still, I'm sorry for wandering around. I'll be better next time. I'll be the wife you deserve."

"Don't!" he said. "I don't want you to change despite the headaches your ways bring me. Continue to be my little wanderer, my love. Even if it wrecks my nerves for all eternity. I love you as you already areare.”

With these words, he placed another kiss on her lips, vanishing any doubts she had left in her heart. She felt safe, warm, and loved. She let herself be cradled back to his knees as he opened his wrist again and pressed it, once more, against her mouth. His rich warmed Blood flooded her mouth, filling her, nursing her, and making her stronger than before. She closed her eyes and revelled in the beautiful feeling of knowing she was loved by her master.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 73″

Masterlist HERE. 

"They say she get it from her Mama…

I put that on my own mama, on my hood I look fly, I look good You can't touch my bag, wish you could I look fly, I look too good Put that on my own mama, on my hood…"

Victoria Monet – "On My Mama"

T'Challa lifted his newborn son from his fluffy pram blanket and gently burped him near the wall-sized window of the Sun Room. Nakia fed the baby constantly and after only a week of being alive, Toussaint was fatter and his belly became a round ball that his father liked to tickle.

The deep rich melanin had evened out across his son's body and looking down at the tiny face, T'Challa witnessed a mirror, a version of himself that depended on a family to raise him up the right way. He kissed Toussaint's forehead, then rocked him quietly.

"This is the best place to catch the last rays if you don't want to go outside…"

T'Challa turned to the sound of N'Jadaka's voice.

"Just sneaking in some time with him alone before I go to the ball," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka touched Toussaint's hand and the baby squirmed and grabbed a hold of his cousin's index finger.

"He's strong," N'Jadaka said.

"Here."

T'Challa handed over his son and N'Jadaka cradled the boy much better than he did. Of course, he had more experience with Sydette when she was a baby. But T'Challa learned quickly and studied how N'Jadaka moved with the little one, the natural ease giving him the confidence to do better himself. He still became nervous caring for Toussaint, so the little trips away from Nakia's side helped him shore up his daddy skills. When Shuri had been born, T'Challa had been at university and didn't have an opportunity to care for her as a newborn with so many palace attendants looking after the princess and Ramonda. Like his son, his baby sister had been a precious tiny being that made him too self-conscious about screwing up his interactions. The Black Panther had faced terrors that the mind couldn't conceive, and yet a seven-pound bundle kept him feeling fluttery in the brain and hands.

"Lotta hair," N'Jadaka said, touching a curly loc on the top of Toussaint's head.

N'Jadaka scrunched his face at the baby with various silly expressions making T'Challa laugh.

"You are good with babies," T'Challa said.

"I do alright. You'll get the hang of this cuz. Wait until he calls you Baba for the first time… man, you'll float on cloud nine. When Sydette said that to me, I swear, I must've grown fifty feet taller. Kids…they make life different… make you see things differently if you let them."

"I understand that completely now. I worry that I will be an overprotective father, or worse, a father who allows too much because how can I deny this child's wondrous face?"

"You'll find balance."

"I hope so. I would like to have a relationship with my son the way you do with your children. You are an exceptional father, N'Jadaka."

The king looked into T'Challa's eyes and a humbleness rested there.

"I raise my children the way my parents raised me, with respect, kindness, and plenty of unconditional love. They believed I could do anything I set my mind to and supported me with all of my interests. I felt at ease with them… could talk about anything under the sun and I would always know they had my back. When I had to live in juvie for almost a year, I discovered how blessed I was to have my parents. Even if it was for a short period of time. Some children never know love from the adults that bring them into the world. There's so much suffering for no reason. I cherish all of my memories with them and I try to pass on their wisdom to my kids."

T'Challa reached into the leather pouch that hung around his neck and pulled out some Wakandan currency folded into a neat square.

"Riki paid me this to make another male baby. I was told that Yani explained to him that the father determines the sex of the baby, and he asked for this money back from Nakia so he could give it to me. I am giving it back to you because Toussaint is a lot of work and I can't imagine having another baby too soon. It is your turn to bring in more boys," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka grinned and handed Toussaint back to T'Challa, palming the money in return.

"Yani will decide when that happens, but trust, I am practicing,"

T'Challa cackled and N'Jadaka lowered his head, realizing he revealed too much.

N'Jadaka started humming a little, familiar tune, and T'Challa joined in by softly singing the words to "Lullaby Little One", peering at the snuggled bundle in his arms.

"He is the best of everything that I am," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka glanced up at T'Challa.

"My father is proud of you… of us," N'Jadaka said.

T'Challa tilted his head and regarded his cousin's face with curiosity.

"I visit them…my parents…over at Black Creek whenever I need to think about my purpose and my role as king. It calms me. Reminds me of my duty to my family too. Baba loved you with all his heart and he is happy that you and I are together. He said it was the way it was supposed to be. He still watches over you too, Cuz. And your son," N'Jadaka said.

T'Challa lowered his head and let out a shuddery breath.

"Hearing that pleases me, N'Jadaka. I feel peace in my heart now that you and I are one."

He looked out over the window view of the kingdom.

"I have made peace with my own father. It has not been easy walking in his shadow. I have laid that burden to rest as you told me. You and I have children to raise and a nation to protect. Tonight is a very important gathering," T'Challa said.

The king gazed at the river below busy with night merchants and leisure boats passing in and out of Birnin Zana's brightly lit port.

"Tonight we watch nations curry favor with us. Niganda's president and the Prime Minister of Mohannda have been acting salty as fuck with our inquiries about border disputes and encroaching on our territory. Canaan and Azania have remained open on everything since the first UDC meeting. Azania has slowly been jockeying for my attention even more since we hosted the inaugural UDC in their country. They would like to host the next meeting at the end of the year. I suggested rotating gatherings as an option, although Canaan would prefer they all be hosted here."

T'Challa grinned.

"It is a sly way of getting into Wakanda twice a year," T'Challa said.

"I know. But we have to appear egalitarian. North Africa is already feeling slighted because I won't let them in yet."

"Tunisia did not help them with their behavior."

"I'll worry about the north later."

"Niganda and Mohannda will be our main troublemakers. They will be all shiny teeth and glowing eyes for you in front of the other nations," T'Challa said.

"Umama reminded me yesterday that shiny teeth don't mean people are smiling at you."

"This is true. You will learn tonight the masks those two countries have worn for centuries when dealing with us. My father kept them at arm's length for over thirty years."

"Time for me to bring them closer."

N'Jadaka checked his kimoyo.

"I'll meet you on the bridge at eight," N'Jadaka said.

The king left him alone and T'Challa gazed at his son. His kimoyos lit up with a pulsing white glow. An urgent signal from Captain America.

T'Challa used a voice command to bring up Steve's floating avatar. The deep creases on the Avenger's forehead and the tight-lipped stare conveyed a grim mood at the Avenger's compound. For a brief moment, Steve glanced down at Toussaint and a faint smile perked up the American's lips.

"Your new son," Steve said.

"Toussaint."

"That doesn't sound like a Wakandan name."

"It's Haitian. What is going on?"

"We may need your sister's help," Steve said.

"With what exactly?"

"We're in the middle of a delicate situation and if we can't solve it…T'Challa, some invaders arrived and attacked members of our team. Vision… he's in a lot of trouble and we're trying to protect him."

"Zero hour?" T'Challa said.

"I'm praying that it isn't. Can we count on your help if we can't keep him safe here?"

"Our king is prepared to assist," T'Challa said.

"Wanda and Vision were attacked in Scotland. Their assailants were after the mind stone. Please inform King N'Jadaka that we will be in touch again soon."

The fear in Steve's eyes soaked through the avatar. T'Challa ended the call and stared into the eyes of his son.

"You are not even a week old and your Baba and cousin must fight to keep the world whole in order for you to live well."

He pushed back against the cool dread gliding up the base of his neck.

The Avengers were a tight team despite their internal differences. Steve Rogers was frightened and desperate for Wakanda's backing. N'Jadaka needed to get through the night with T'Challa keeping a sharp eye for turncoats. One thing at a time though. Get through the ball and then await any more news from the Avenger's compound.

"Come, my son. Let us return to your mother so Baba can do his job."

The noble women Yani chose as her Ladies-in-Waiting prepared her fresh make-up after her dinner with N'Jadaka. Zola was a member of the Panther tribe. She had a soft athletic build with fetching eyes and was one of the first Wakandan elites to befriend Yani during her first weeks in the country. She knew all the gossip and schooled Yani about who to watch out for in the close-knit upper classes. Ilana was more guarded. Although she had been friendly toward Yani in the beginning, their friendship was a slow bloom once she became better acquainted. Her gorgeous figure and lush head of thick hair made her a stand out on the noble court, and they shared a love of music and dancing. Yani liked that she was a member of the River Tribe for it gave a nuanced look at nobles from a balanced perspective. Ramonda encouraged her to have all her Ladies from the Panther Tribe, but Yani insisted on a mix and asked Marisol and Twyla to be on her team too. It gave her the ability to have eyes and ears in the wider society since Marisol and Twyla moved outside of the palace. Twyla had her professional Eco-Tourism business and Marisol had accepted an invitation to study in the Temple of Bast while also teaching Candomble at the University of Birnin Zana. If the queen had to have a close team, then she wisely chose the best available to her, and Zola and Ilana were her best investment.

Outside of her own family, the two noble women were generous and protective of Yani as they had been trained to do all their lives if they were lucky enough to be chosen by a queen to serve in the palace. The Court of Nobles vied for positions serving the royal family, and the queen's inner circle was the most coveted placement among the women. Not only were they privy to the inner machinations of the royal family, but they were also closer to snatching up partners of high standing. There was a strict vetting process and it took a full six months to get final approval from the council of elders and the king himself. Part of the vetting process had been eye-opening and a little disconcerting to Yani. The Ladies not only served the queen but they were at the beck and call of the king too within his home, and in the past, Wakandan kings often used the women as their concubines and what the elders called "prep women" if the kings were unmarried. The sexual explicitness of what they would do for the king or queen made Yani's face burn, but it was no different than the lifestyle Ayomide and M'Baku lived high up in the mountains.

Yani studied books in their ancient family library that had illustrations and tales from past rulers, and she confessed to Zinzi and Efetobo in their private consultations that she worried that N'Jadaka's enormous sexual appetite could overwhelm her once she became queen, and she was not one to seek out the help of other women. She was too embarrassed to ask Ramonda and Umama how they dealt with their sex lives. Zinzi calmed her fears and reminded her that every generation of rulers decided how they would work out their domestic household, and that the queen had a lot of pull in nixing anything they weren't comfortable with. Shock sat on her face when she was also told that a queen could have male or female lovers if the king were away for a long time. At least they believed in equal favor.

There was no way N'Jadaka would allow another man to dick down his woman while he was gone. In the ancient books, to keep the queen from becoming pregnant from her temporary substitute, male concubines were made to wear prosthetic dicks designed in the shape of the king's phallus so that the queen's vagina would remember her husband. Yani was shown dildos hollowed out from rubbery pieces of wood from antiquity. She could see where her man's dick came down the bloodline. The Udaku's always had girth and heft.

The ancient sexual proclivities fascinated her, and she found herself questioning her moral conservatism. Once, while Dante allowed her to look at one of N'Jadaka's old computer tablets back when he was Erik Killmonger and she was learning about his family in depth, she stumbled across a hidden file of sex vids. Holed up in her suite, she watched Killmonger have intercourse with various women on his travels. Sometimes there were two or three women at a time. The experience of watching him from angles that she never saw had her sweating, and she soaked plenty of panties rewinding images of him cumming and pleasuring other women.

Yani struggled with her confusion as to how she could dread her man finding another woman to cheat with or replace her, and yet get stimulated and wetter than an ocean seeing him have sex with others. Hearing him moan another woman's name and observing his lovers lose it over him forced her fingers between her legs as her clit beat a rhythm that needed satisfying and moaning of her own. She spent hours watching the vids, not only because she missed Killmonger so much, but because her orgasms were explosive imagining him doing all of that in the flesh, right in front of her. Even when he returned and they struggled to reconnect, Yani would sneak peeks at those vids to satisfy her cravings for him.

Preparing to be his wife was an education that allowed her to look within herself and discover that she had more kinks than she realized.

Exhibitionist. Check.

Anal play. Check.

Bratty submissive. Check.

Humiliation kink. Check.

Roleplaying. Check.

Spanking. Check.

Choking. Check.

Cuckquean? Who knew?

As much as she was dead set against sharing N'Jadaka with Disa in any polyamorous royal union, she tried to understand why complete strangers with her man aroused her, and having him be with Disa bothered her so much. Perhaps it was the impersonal nature of the sex he had with those beautiful women around the world. N'Jadaka was simply fucking and being explicit to satisfy his cravings. There was no love or true affection. Truth be told, Yani sometimes enjoyed that fucking energy more than when they made tender love. Something about the way he manhandled women made her pussy jump. Especially when he slapped them for being disobedient.

Yani knew N'Jadaka found Zola and Ilana attractive. They were enamored with him themselves just as everyone was who came into contact with the king. N'Jadaka was bigger than life in person, and he oozed a dangerous charm that held people enthralled. Yani had grown accustomed to his effect on people. It made her feel powerful in his presence because he doted on her openly. Zola and Ilana did the same to Yani, their affectionate and playful manners touched on a strong sisterhood. They loved the idea of a foreign queen ruling. It shook up the elites and made their lives more interesting. Without N'Jadaka saying anything, Zola and Ilana were always the first to go on the defense for Yani if they caught wind of negative gossip toward her. The Queen's Ladies knew the pedigree and secrets of everyone and cut them to the quick if they said one bad thing about her. Marisol, Twyla, and Disa liked them. So did the children. Especially Joba and Riki. This gave Yani the assurance that she had chosen her confidantes well. They wanted N'Jadaka to succeed because they grew up hearing the stories of Prince N'Jobu and were open to being out in the world instead of hiding behind their protective shields ignorant of everything. The new king ushered in the age of far-reaching Wakandan influence and that ignited their passions for the future.

Zola held out a golden jaguar mask that would cover the top half of Yani's face.

"Do not take this off at all tonight," Zola said.

She helped Yani stick it on her face with the sweet-smelling adhesive.

"Those foreign nations need to be captured by your seductive allure and the mystery you represent," Ilana added, touching up Yani's fresh lipstick.

"This is true," Zola said, stepping back to look at the mask, "A powerful king such as ours will have the world by the balls with you standing next to him looking this captivating."

Yani turned to face the large mirror in her dressing room inside of the king's home. She almost gasped herself looking at her reflection. Zola winked at her through the mirror.

"Yes, that is our queen right there."

Ilana lifted the train for the dress with Zola's help as Yani stood to take in all angles of her reflection. She was stunning and she knew it. Tapping a nervous finger on her engagement ring she turned to her Ladies.

"Tonight, after the ball, I will be with the king," Yani said.

Both women lowered their heads at the mention of N'Jadaka from her lips to show respect for her. They slipped on gold cat-claw finger armor on her index and middle fingers. Umama sent her the family heirloom. The long and deadly-looking finger jewelry was an ancient heirloom that belonged to Queen Tiye and Queen Shuriya. Yani was given a week's long lesson on that woman and having items that belonged to queens the entire country admired was a huge deal. The elder Queen mother explained that Yani would set the new standard for how a queen should be, and to never take any interaction for granted.

"I would like for you both to prepare me for him later. He is under a lot of stress and I want him pampered. Understood?"

"Yes, Princess," they answered in unison.

"Leave me," Yani said.

Zola and Ilana departed the room to wait for her in the spacious living room downstairs. She stared at her image again and then sauntered out toward her bed chamber. Heading to her beautifully carved bureau, Yani pulled out N'Jadaka's smoking pipe that she snuck away from his private bar. She lit it up and rested on her bed, allowing the herb to burn a small cloud of smoke before she puffed on it, settling her mind for a long evening representing the entire country. She wasn't the queen yet, but the palace and the press had begun calling her the consort and she had to be on her best for N'Jadaka and the world.

The chemicals in the plant kicked up in her bloodstream and her breathing became deeper, less shallow, and anxious. She closed her eyes and focused on how she would walk, how she would enunciate her Wakandan well, and use the king's good English when necessary. Her mind drifted and she started chanting an old Wakandan proverb she learned that Queen Tiye was credited in writing. Loosely translated it meant "There is power in the walk and the word", but when recited quickly and under duress, it became a verbal narcotic for Yani to decompress whenever she worried about representing so much power. The niggling fears of not being good enough taunted her despite her assertive pushback.

Going out into the ballroom would be another performance, and as a former singer and social media star, Yani knew how to cultivate the image of a woman in control. This would be a performance of a lifetime, her coming out to the world stage. The herb slowed down the whirring in her brain and chipped away at the self-doubt and nervousness. She chanted the first Queen of Wakanda's proverb over and over until she dozed off into a twilight sleep, sinking deeper and deeper…

The scent of burning and black smoke stung Yani first before she even noticed the blazing fire. Acres and acres of lush vegetation went up in a fiery red-orange wave of flames that lit up the landscape and blanketed the blue sky above with encroaching darkness from the belching of acrid smoke. Watching the burning fields, Yani expected to see a powerful dragon sweeping down from the sky and lighting up the world. Instead, she spotted the serene figure of a woman torching the earth with fire as her other hand wielded a sharp blade.

Yani put a hand over her nose as the smoke choked her throat and burned her eyes. She coughed, leaned forward, and spit out fire and smoke from her own mouth. Startled, Yani cried out in fear and the woman turned toward her, iron black hair wild around her head like a crown of ebony flames.

"Come burn this with me, gyal," the woman said.

Yani hesitated. The wind had whipped up the flames to towering heights and the heat increased, ready to lick and scorch her skin.

"Fiyahbun for this, not you," the woman said.

She thrust the torch out toward Yani.

"Come, come…step quick. Yuh know mi…come from mi. I hear yuh sing fuh mi—"

"Queen Mary?" Yani said.

"Mi no stranger to mi own pickney. Come. Burn…."

Yani took hesitant steps, unsure if she was dreaming or high from the herb in N'Jadaka's pipe. It felt real. Smelled real. Looked real.

"Ah dou-dou, step strong. Yuh come from strong people. How yuh 'gon stand with that Big Man on the hill walkin' like that?"

Queen Mary sucked her teeth and Yani changed her pace and ground her bare feet sturdy on the earth.

When she reached Queen Mary, she took the torch from her hand.

"This too," Queen Mary said.

Yani grabbed the long shiny cutlass in her other hand and wasn't surprised to see that Queen Mary still had another torch and cutlass in her grasp.

"Feel that weight, gyal? That's the only weight you should have on you from now on. The Big Man on the Hill needs a queen to be his equal. You are that, hear mi? Burn it all."

Yani touched unburned portions of the field, and despite being in the middle of a raging inferno, the fire never touched or singed their skin. But Yani felt the heat from her greatest grandmother's body and witnessed the flames shining in her dark black eyes. Eyes as black as Sydette's… as black as Joba's.

The smoke swirled into a thick blanket blinding Yani's sight, but she kept walking forward with Queen Mary until they passed through to the other side of a pristine beach with water so clear it that made her weep with longing for her old cove. Queen Mary closed her eyes and took a deep breath before flinging her torch and cutlass into the sea.

"Your turn to carry it, Queen Yani. I will rest and watch yuh for always. Be a big woman now. He 'gon need yuh fierceness when him put new babies in that belly and in your hands…"

Queen Mary reached over and placed a warm and gentle hand across Yani's stomach.

"Time will soon come when him need yuh tuh fight for dem babies, hear mi gyal? Him pickney powerful. Your blood mixed with his is so powerful that even your enemies will fear your children. Go back there now, show the world yuh come from mi. Show them how we cut and burn to the ground anyone opposed to us. You are his fire… his true blade…"

The water shimmered as Queen Mary walked across the top of it, no longer burdened with holding down the line. That was Yani's job and she gripped the torch and cutlass with a new confidence, facing the mighty blaze behind her. Walking back through the fire her body sensed a tugging back into bodily consciousness outside of the spiritual and she bolted up from the bed, her fingers clenched around nothing but air. But the sensation of the blade and torch were still there in her grasp. Glancing at her kimoyo, she knew she was late meeting N'Jadaka. She stepped off the bed and rolled her shoulders.

Show time.

N'Jadaka waited for Yani out at the entrance of the bridge. She was running late, so he parked himself between both palace structures to give her fifteen more minutes before he graced his foreign guests with his presence. From the reports inside the ballroom, the attendees were having a grand old time although they were breathless with anticipation to see the king of Wakanda in all his glory.

The doors to the East Palace bridge entrance swung open and a set of Doras with four Ladies-in-Waiting flanked Yani who made his heart lurch when he saw her fully.

"Fuck," he gasped under his breath.

Marisol and Twyla made up two of the four ladies accompanying Yani and they grinned with knowing at the expression on his face. Even his personal guards made unintelligible sounds with their mouths when the vision of a new-era queen stepped into their midst.

The deep cobalt blue of her gown stole the richest hue of the waters back in St. Thomas. Her lace hood rested across the top of her head but the upper half of her face was covered in a bright gold jaguar lace face mask that enhanced the cat-like appearance she was going for. It was designed exactly the way his Umama's decorative jaguar mask looked, with the sharp cat ears laced with saffron diamonds. The tight corset made the tops of her breasts look like lush fruit while the rest of the gown had a long train that the two extra ladies-in-waiting watched out for as it swept behind Yani a good ten feet long. N'Jadaka's betrothal beads sat snug on her waist and hips.

Stunning burgundy lipstick with gold flecks at the center displayed Yani's plump lips, and her eyes dazzled everyone who gazed at her.

A queen.

N'Jadaka couldn't move. The air had been knocked out of his chest harder than a punch from an enemy. Everyone around them stood in stunned silence and stared at his fiancé with the masked mystique. There was an aura about her that his intuition told him was spiritual in nature. Yani stood in all of her glory, but she also stood on the shoulders of Queen Mary. That energy radiated from her thick and blazing, and it was enough to make Ogum smack N'Jadaka in the back of the head with Bast kicking him in the shin, lowering his right knee for him as he brought himself low to the ground. Holding out a hand towards her, he seized the moment to show the others the love and respect he had for her.

"Queen Yani N'Isiqithi, may I have the honor of escorting you to our first formal gathering together?" he asked.

"You may," she said, holding out her hand.

Most of her long nails sparkled with the colors of the sea with blue crystals at the tips. Fierce-looking finger armor covered the rest. He clasped her hand in his and lifted up from his knee, tucking her warm fingers into the crook of his arm. Chaperones be damned, he was holding his wife's hand.

Wife.

He paused and looked down into her eyes encased in the exquisite golden half-mask. This woman was his wife. The mother of his children. The woman who held him down from the moment she agreed to be his. His sly and mouthy island girl. The one who could bring him to his knees with just a touch from her hand and a twist of her lips. N'Jadaka was ready to show her off to the world. Two diaspora babies came home to the motherland to rule it together.

He grinned. Oh, to go back in time to the cove on his first day in St. Thomas. To see her naked and swimming in liquid heaven. To know that the moment he heard her voice and laid eyes on her that she was the one to stand with him there. His heart overflowed and he patted her wrist.

"Let's go show these people royalty," he said.

Across the bridge waiting for them, royal drummers kicked off a loud rumble that would announce to the guests that the king had arrived.

"Baby, there will be wolves in sheep's clothing among the crowd," he whispered to her as they traipsed the bridge and stepped into the West Palace.

"I am prepared for them," she said.

N'Jadaka looked at Yani. Her voice sounded different. Fierce. It came out sharp like an oyster knife ready to peel away the soft flesh of mollusks. Her pace matched his and there was a synergy coursing between them that was as thick as a Wakandan winter stew. They were evenly yoked as his Nana would say. She carried a warrior spirit in her steps.

Yani glanced up into his eyes and the sparkle of light from the hall lamps leading to the grand ballroom flickered like torch flames. Ogum shifted in his chest and Bast leaned on his head harder recognizing the power of her ancestors within her.

Lifting his left hand, N'Jadaka greeted T'Challa who waited for them in front of the entrance of the ballroom. Heavily guarded, security was tighter than normal. The thumping of music bled through the doors.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Always," Yani responded.

The giant doors were opened and they were ushered to the top of the stairs that led down to the merriment below. One thousand people stopped dancing, speaking, eating, and drinking right where they stood just to stare up at the top of the landing to gaze upon the dazzling image of King N'Jadaka and his Queen-to-be Yani. He held out Yani's hand to offer her a resting balance as they took their time coming down the steep stairs. Their titles were announced as the royal orchestra played the Wakandan National Anthem with their steps.

N'Jadaka escorted Yani around the polished floor in a wide circle so that all the guests could see them. They rounded the final curve and faced an eager audience that salivated at the sight of them before a roar of applause erupted. T'Challa stood to N'Jadaka's left, his lighter blue robes complimenting the king's outfit. The applause washed over them for eight minutes straight. Yani leaned into him and whispered, "They are hungry for your grace, kumkani."

"Let's give them a show," he said back to her.

He lifted Yani's hand higher and waved a hand for her to step forward and take more of the applause for herself. She took a graceful step forward and hundreds of Wakandan nobles began clapping and singing out Yani's name with pride in their voices. No one had ever seen a consort like her before in all of Africa. He made out a chant that they echoed throughout the ballroom. The Golden Jaguar Queen. N'Jadaka swept his gaze around the entire room. The energy was electrifying. He eased away from Yani to give her more attention and the chanting grew stronger, picked up on by the other foreign guests.

Yani had star power. The grace in her walk and the seductive twist in her hips hypnotized the people there. He would use it to his advantage. She knew she was a weapon and preened before the crowd, accepting their adoration. Holding up his hand to calm the audience, the orchestra kicked into the first real Wakandan waltz of the evening with the sounds of bright horns heralding the arrival of the king. As the thumps from a bass drum pulled in the full percussive section, N'Jadaka slipped his arm around Yani's lower back and also clasped her hand.

They had practiced together sporadically when his schedule permitted, but their times together in St. Thomas dancing around the beach, inside their home, or in the privacy of their old bedroom made their coming together seamless and unrushed. Yani gripped his shoulder and relaxed into his lead hand and he spun her out onto the middle of the ballroom. No one outside of the country had ever seen a Wakandan waltz, but to the king, it was an easy transition from learning how to two-step from his grandfather. He already had the natural dancing gifts of his mother, Califia, and the magnetic grace of his father, N'Jobu, but having Yani on his arm elevated the spectatorship. Yani added sways and small dips that brought him back to Juvay, and he contributed his own touches in his hips and feet from Brazil. The diaspora styles melded with the Wakandan steps. As the drum beats dropped away from a section of the music and the triumphant horns peppered the air, N'Jadaka broke away from Yani and circled around her as the dance called for him to do, and she gathered up the hem of her dress to allow herself to wind her hips and dropped her body low in time to the measured tones of the soulful, full-bodied sound. Her Ladies-in-Waiting, Zola, and Ilana joined with Twyla and Marisol chanting out a call and response that other Wakandan nobles bounced back to them around the ballroom, adding another texture to the mid-tempo orchestral music.

Yani rolled her shoulders and spun around toward the center audience and body rolled her curves, raising her arms in the air as if she were conducting the horns. She spun back around toward him and he was right there to clasp her hand and guide her around the floor once more as the train of her dress looked like a waterfall spilling from her hips. They were joined by other partnered nobles who recognized the signal move to join the king and his betrothed. At least one hundred of the nobles present, who were of the upper echelon in status, were allowed to dance with them. They lined themselves around the king and Yani, moving in tandem to ancient ritualized steps that N'Jadaka had already shown the audience. As all the Wakandan men stepped away from their partners, several women added the new flair that Yani introduced, winding their hips and bending their knees low.

When all the women had their hands in the air like his future queen, N'Jadaka knew that Yani had shifted the culture publicly. The heavenly sounds of strings and harps cued the men for their solo dance moves as the women stood to the side with their hands on their hips in an exaggerated fashion. N'Jadaka took that as a sign for him to cut up in front of everyone. The men around him on the floor gave their best to keep the women from upstaging their king, unfortunately, Yani's demeanor, her dynamic appearance, and the internal swag she carried like body armor rose up like a storm and the women followed her lead and stalked past the men to form the opposing line that became a dance battle as the sexes faced off against one another to execute polished steps. It was over for the men once Yani started dusting her shoulders and the women followed that example by bobbing their heads in a challenging fashion as if to say, "'Sup nigga, whatchu got now?"

N'Jadaka raised his arms up and down to pump up the men and they fell into exquisitely choreographed legwork. He had never been in a fraternity ever, but the king stepped as if he went to an HBCU. The men threw down, exciting the foreign guests. Their flying arms, jumping legs, and the practiced, exaggerated turns of their heads as they raised their communal gaze skyward to welcome their ancient forebears aroused pride in N'Jadaka. He was a Wakandan king and the world would never ever see another like him again until one of his children ascended the throne. He caught a glimpse of Umama, Baba Z, Dante, and Ramonda sitting up high in private seating above the orchestra. Their bird's eye view made him feel good…watched over. Umama and Dante held their hands up waving to the music. In another protected section sat Marisol, Twyla, Zola, and Ilana who watched over Yani, ready to spring into action if she needed anything.

The dancers made all the turns around the floor that went with the music and his favorite part came up next that headed them to the home stretch…the stroll. It was a cool-down the heart rate move that allowed the men to prance one final time as they went to retrieve their partners with a dramatic flourish.

"You betta strut Big Nigga!" Twyla shouted from above.

N'Jadaka dipped his shoulders and pumped out his elbows as he slowly stepped to Yani. She had her hands on her hips and kept her head tilted in a haughty manner. All the woman thrust their chests and shoulders in time to the music awaiting their menfolk.

"Get your queen, kumkani!"

Umama's voice egged him on and he grinned, flashing Yani his dimples. Crispy horns picked back up like a clarion call to greatness. N'Jadaka lived in the moment, twisting his hips and bouncing his shoulders with aplomb. The energy from the men backing him up with bravado flowed through him as he inched his way to his woman.

He stopped in mid-step, staring at Yani for a split second before shaking his head. The music swelled all around him and nudged him to keep stepping, but N'Jadaka could've sworn Yani held a torch and machete in her hands. He blinked and her hands were still on her hips, daring him to be bold enough to take her.

N'Jadaka moved closer so that his body rubbed up against hers and he ran his hands down her shoulders, linking their pinky fingers together while he kissed her cheek in front of the entire gathering. Applause broke out and the nobles made space for the king and his queen to leave the dance floor first. The other elites in the room chanted his name and Yani's, forcing the first smile from Yani that wasn't directed at him. Instead of clasping his hand as they had practiced to walk back to the receiving line in time to the final horn blowing, Yani slid her armored index finger up his chest and pranced around him in a circle before lifting up her hand in a dainty fashion waiting for him to come to her first as she walked away a good three feet.

The Wakandan women howled and stomped their heels, ululations flew over their heads, and the cackle of his own grandmother floated down to tease him of the audacity they were all witnessing.

A queen putting her king in his place?

Never one to ever feel belittled by women he loved all his life, N'Jadaka slid his hands over his perfectly braided locs and swaggered over to Yani with such powerful strides that she immediately acquiesced the moment he towered over her and pulled her head back. He bared his teeth and his betrothed caved first by lowering her eyes from the heat blazing in his.

Yani moved her head from side to side and N'Jadaka kept his eyes on hers, moving his head to thwart her attempts to look away. She stepped backward and he kept walking forward, shepherding her into her rightful position on the receiving line. The waltz music tapered off slowly as Yani lifted her head and pressed her lips against his in complete submission, the eroticism of the moment not lost to the audience.

T'Challa met them on the side, his eyes and neck on constant swivel mode. He leaned in toward the king.

"Cousin, you have given the nobles something to talk about for the rest of the years to come," T'Challa said. "Do you need a break before the meet and greet?"

N'Jadaka shook his head and pulled Yani closer to him.

"Nah, let's feel these people out. You good, baby?"

Yani nodded, unable to speak or keep her eyes off of him.

The orchestra played the greeting march, where the foreign heads of state would walk up to meet the king and consort formally. N'Jadaka tapped an earbud where he could listen to his team fill him in on who was who and to also remind him of anything important to keep any blunders from occurring. He looked down at Yani again.

"You were swinging, girl."

"So were you."

"Do I look sweaty?"

"No. You look very handsome."

Yani reached up and wiped his lips from some of the glitter of her lipstick where she kissed him. Leaders were brought forward and introduced through T'Challa. He was most familiar with many guests from his time of rule. N'Jadaka puffed up his chest and minded his words. Yani became a gracious hostess, saying very little and only offering her hand to a select few to shake when she felt it was necessary. Everyone wanted to talk to her…stare at her up close, but T'Challa and the Doras kept the receiving line moving. She stayed friendly and open to the women and distant to the men, establishing a firm barrier of who could approach her. A soft squeeze or a heavy grip on his arm told N'Jadaka who she was comfortable with, and he stayed vigilant in moving along pushy leaders.

"The President and Prime Minister of Mohannda are up next after this group," T'Challa forewarned as the President and Secretary of State of a small African nation N'Jadaka helped destabilize in Special Forces approached him. Ogum tickled his senses and he rubbed his arm against Yani's to let her know he needed her charms even more.

"We are honored to have this opportunity here in Wakanda with you, King N'Jadaka."

The president was a squat, heavy-set man with a shiny balding head and a British-educated accent.

"Thank you for being here President Obiang. I hope your time among us has been pleasant," N'Jadaka said.

Obiang turned to the statuesque woman next to him who looked like she was ready to scratch the man's eyes out.

"King N'Jadaka, may I introduce to you our Secretary of State—"

"Madame Sacha Furaha. I am truly honored to meet you," N'Jadaka said.

It was less than a decade since he had ever laid eyes on her during a covert mission where he helped kill a brutal dictator. Sacha had sought the presidency after the assassination of her husband who staged a progressive coup to lead their country into true democracy. N'Jadaka was part of the Black Ops team that threw Sacha's husband's murderer out of a chopper right before the C.I.A. helped put in another puppet dictator. He spent several years making discreet, off-the-grid donations to her run for the presidency. The smile on his face showed he was pleased that she had at least made inroads into higher power within her country. His openness startled her, and Obiang. Yani interjected with her sweet voice.

"Madame Furaha, I have been so impressed with your work on the U.N. child advocacy program. I would love to speak with you at a later date about co-paneling a talk for the East African Health Summit this winter," Yani said.

Obiang and Sacha regarded Yani with open-faced wonder.

"King N'Jadaka has been keeping me abreast of West African nations that support world health issues for mothers and babies, and my work with the UDC is about to expand next year. I'm so happy that you were able to come to Wakanda so I could meet you in person."

Yani patted N'Jadaka's arm, giving the conversation back to him. He studied Obiang's face to see if the entry point he needed to connect with Sacha publicly was acceptable.

"I am so surprised and pleased that you would like to contact me in the future Princess Yani. I didn't know King N'Jadaka was aware of my work," Sacha said.

Obiang chomped at the bit to be included in the conversation. Lines appeared on his forehead and his jaw became tight. N'Jadaka made eye contact with Sacha.

"Princess Yani is a strong advocate for maternal health. I'll have her set up a time for you both to speak before your departure on Sunday," N'Jadaka said.

He gave Yani a look and she offered her hand to Sacha.

"I look forward to meeting you again soon," Yani said.

Sacha shook Yani's hand gently and seemed touched when the princess placed her other hand on top in a sign of true sincerity. N'Jadaka regarded the president once more.

"President Obiang, it's been a pleasure. Thank you both for being here…"

T'Challa ushered them along and Obiang glanced back trying to get N'Jadaka's attention for more speaking time, but the king of Wakanda looked away.

"Smooth as silk, Yani," N'Jadaka said.

He rubbed her lower back

"I'm sure you'll tell me later what that was all about," she said.

"Yep. For now, just know that you have blessed Sacha with the upper hand. Obiang knows that she has favor with you and will give her more leeway in their country because he sees that I talk to you about world affairs. He wants to get to me but can only do so through her at this moment. That'll keep him from sacking her. They're political rivals and their country is in turmoil again."

"Tell me what you want from her and I will get it."

"I know you will," he said, lowering his mouth near her ear. "If it all goes the way I want with your help, you and I just met the new President who will replace Obiang in their next election. I owe her," N'Jadaka said.

"N'Jadaka…" T'Challa whispered.

President Mubiri of Mohannda took hard footsteps to approach N'Jadaka. He wore an imposing military uniform decorated with plenty of colorful chest candy denoting his high ranking. All of his stars and bars indicated years of being in the Mohanndan service. Mubiri carried the ferocious energy of a warlord hellbent on bending Wakanda to his will. Tall, paunchy in the belly but strong in the chest, the dark brown skin and thick dark beard sprinkled with a few grays that defied the obvious dye job didn't take away from his formidable presence. Mubiri's Prime Minister had the long face and demeanor of an angry ram ready to butt heads with N'Jadaka at a moment's notice. Unlike the other guests, the men had their wives walking behind them. Their shiny eyes peered over their husbands' shoulders dying to get a look at Yani and him.

Yani shifted her feet and pressed her warmth into N'Jadaka's side. Mubiri had her a tad anxious, even more so when T'Challa narrowed the distance between himself and his king.

"President Mubiri, welcome," N'Jadaka said, extending his hand.

Mubiri glanced down at the friendly offer as if the Wakandan king carried shit on his hands, but he clasped sturdy fingers over N'Jadaka's and pumped them up and down pretending that he was pleased to meet him. N'Jadaka dropped his hand and turned his attention to the second sour-faced man.

"Prime Minister Ony…gentlemen, First Lady Mubiri and Lady Ony, this is my betrothed, Princess Yani," N'Jadaka said.

Both men regarded Yani with open, hateful lust, but gave her forced smiles. Their wives kept quiet but held their gaze on Wakandan royalty. The tension was excruciating. Even the Doras glared at the men ready to lift their sonic spears if the king gave a cursory signal to destroy them.

Hate.

The male Mohannda delegation hated Wakandans down to the marrow of their bones. It was little wonder they were in cahoots with Niganda to try and bring down the kingdom that had always bested them for thousands of years. Their hatred extended out from them like sharp claws against N'Jadaka's skin.

"We have observed many amazing sights in your country King N'Jadaka, but I do believe I have never seen anything lovelier than this woman next to you. Princess Yani, I enjoyed watching you during the waltz. I myself am not much of a dancer, but I would so like to share a dance with you later this evening… with the king's permission of course," Mubiri said in a softer tone.

The slick words were intended to get N'Jadaka's hackles up, but he ignored the attempt. Yani simply looked over the president's shoulder toward the next foreign guests waiting to meet the king. The slight made Mubiri's smile slide open wider revealing overly whitened teeth. He wasn't accustomed to being ignored by a woman. Ony cleared his throat and tried to wrangle Yani's attention back to them.

"My love, the other guests are waiting," Yani said, touching an ear on her jaguar mask.

"Enjoy the rest of your evening," N'Jadaka said.

Yani pretended to be bored and glanced at the audience instead of the Mohanndans. Mubiri and Ony moved away in a huff.

"Lady Ony, Madame Mubiri, I love your headwraps. The colors are beautiful," Yani said as the women crossed her path behind their husbands.

Both women stopped and gawked at Yani, pleased that she had spoken to them.

"Thank you so much, Princess Yani. Your dress is gorgeous and your staff has been wonderful. We loved the flowers your office sent to our accommodations," Madame Mubiri said, her words gushing out like a thrilled teenager instead of a middle-aged woman.

President Mubiri spoke harsh words in Mohanndan under his breath and his wife scurried away from Yani with Lady Ony at her side.

"You sent them flowers?" N'Jadaka asked.

"Mmhmm. I had my staff deliver bouquets to all the women dignitaries from the royal garden. The new blooms are in and they will never have an opportunity to see the variety of species we have this fresh."

T'Challa leaned into N'Jadaka.

"President Kojo Tetteh and the First Lady of Ghana are next," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka looked into his cousin's eyes because his voice sounded tight and on the defensive. He glanced at the approaching couple and his stomach dropped.

"Oh shit," N'Jadaka said a little too loud.

Yani turned her head to see what the fuss was about and N'Jadaka braced himself to not give away anything when his former lover—and T'Challa's—sauntered their way with her popular husband.

Princess Vivienne Grimaldo, nee First Lady Vivienne Tettah still had her golden almond skin and the silky black tresses that made her a knockout. There were a few age lines near her mouth and the corner of her eyes, proof of her Monacan French heritage from her father's side of the family, but she carried the glimmers of her Senegalese heritage with her beauty.

President Tettah plastered a generous smile across his thick lips and paused in his steps when his wife halted suddenly and stared at the king.

"Erik Stevens?" Vivienne blurted in shock.

T'Challa fixed his attention on N'Jadaka as a slowly dawning realization crawled across his face.

"You're that Erik?" T'Challa said.

"What's going on?" Yani asked.

N'Jadaka calmed the worry in her voice by squeezing her hand that brushed against his. T'Challa recovered quickly and shifted his body toward his cousin.

"Kumkani, may I present to you…President Tettah and First Lady Vivienne Tettah," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka offered his hand to Tettah while his wife drilled holes into his face with her brash stare.

"Pleased to finally make your acquaintance King N'Jadaka," Tettah said.

Vivienne tossed her head back, laughed out loud, and then clapped her hands together, bouncing her gaze between the two Wakandan cousins.

"I knew it! I knew it!" Vivienne cackled.

She clutched at her husband's wide arm.

"Darling, I met Erik years ago when I dated T'Challa in university. He worked for Tony Stark when he was still a teenager and visited the palace. He went from an intern to a king. What a remarkably small world!"

Vivienne reached out and gave T'Challa air kisses on both cheeks and stood back next to Tettah catching her breath from the fast clip of her words. She couldn't hide the gleam in her excited eyes from watching his every move. Tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear, Vivienne had a difficult time trying to stay cool and collected in front of him with her husband in the mix.

"My God, you look amazing Erik…pardonne-moi… King N'Jadaka."

"May I introduce my fiancé, Princess Yani," N'Jadaka said, maintaining his calm exterior.

Yani stared at Vivienne whose overbearing familiarity broke protocols.

"Welcome to Wakanda," Yani said to Tettah in formal Wakandan.

She held up her hand and tilted her wrist. Tettah snapped up the opportunity to touch Yani, unlike other men who were on the receiving line. Once he cradled her hand, his entire disposition and focus shifted. Vivienne watched her husband turn into a heart-eyed fan gazing into Yani's eyes. A smirk washed over her lips as she admired Yani's attire and half-mask.

"You are so beautiful, Princess Yani. Congratulations on your engagement to the king," Vivienne said.

Yani looked at N'Jadaka and he smiled. She was going to pretend to not understand English to catch him in some mess. Her keen observational skills caught the awkwardness of T'Challa and his own stilted interaction. He spoke to her in Wakandan, playing along with her charade.

"Thank you," Yani said in English, taking in the First Lady's demeanor with proper reserve.

Vivienne studied Yani from head to toe before settling on N'Jadaka again.

"Do you keep in touch with Tony? We ran into him last year in Europe," Vivienne said.

"No."

The curtness in his voice made Vivienne lift an eyebrow in surprise.

"He still talks about you. Did he even know you were royalty back then?"

"Please forgive my wife, King N'Jadaka, we do not want to take up too much time in the line," Tettah said, growing uncomfortable with his wife's informal behavior.

Vivienne glared at her husband, then glanced at T'Challa and N'Jadaka.

"My husband is right. We can catch up later on tonight. Princess Yani, I would love for you to visit Ghana for high tea. My oldest daughter is attending boarding school in the fall and I'm planning a wonderful send-off with other First Ladies in our region," Vivienne said.

N'Jadaka wasted time translating again and Yani nodded in feigned understanding, then offered her hand to Vivienne.

"Wonderful, wonderful! I have so many questions for you and I would love to be considered for any outreach you are planning in West Africa. I also have some pull in Monaco through my family. I am at your disposal. Wakanda is the future of the continent and Ghana is ready to support you on the world stage."

N'Jadaka continued translating.

"Agreed!" Tettah said, still under Yani's spell. "Ghana was the first African nation to free itself from the yoke of colonization. We were a great example for the rest of the colonized. But today, Wakanda will liberate us from the West forever. God willing."

T'Challa placed his hand on Tettah's shoulder and held out the other to show them past the king. Vivienne walked away giddy and N'Jadaka took a deep breath.

"I see chapters of our lives overlapped," T'Challa said with a grin on his face.

"She is a princess?" Yani asked.

N'Jadaka nodded. T'Challa swiped a nervous hand over his forehead.

"A princess and my ex. Thank Bast Nakia wasn't here. Those two hated each other," T'Challa said.

"Did N'Jadaka sleep with her after you broke up?" Yani asked.

N'Jadaka coughed. T'Challa's face went blank.

Yani slid her arm around N'Jadaka's as the last groups of dignitaries queued up to meet them.

"Both of you looked funny when she approached us, and I can always tell when N'Jadaka has messed around with a woman. He can't hide nothin' on his face when it comes to his dick," Yani said.

T'Challa and N'Jadaka both coughed loudly to drown out Yani's words as the President and First Lady of Angola greeted them. N'Jadaka was happy to speak Portuguese and move past any more Vivienne inquiries. Every few seconds T'Challa would look at him and they would both fight back the giggles that rested in their guts. There was nothing worse than an old baddie showing up in front of your woman. N'Jadaka handled himself with dignity and Yani seemed more amused than annoyed by once again having his past thrown in her face. It wasn't his fault that an old jump-off married a president invited to the king's ball.

Glancing over to the west side of the ballroom, he noticed Vivienne looking flustered as she gulped down a large glass of champagne. Scanning the guests, all eyes were on him and Yani. He shook hands with his final guests and guided Yani by her elbow to their front table. The orchestra sprang into action and hundreds flocked to the giant dance floor. Zola and Ilana brought them drinks and snacks as Marisol and Twyla took their new seats beside them to observe the excitement in the room.

Every foreign guest was drunk with the enchantment of Wakanda.

N'Jadaka and Yani nibbled on tasty finger foods and the best wines brought in from Birnin S'Yan. T'Challa stood at attention overseeing their safety. When she was ready, N'Jadaka escorted Yani around to mingle with the nobles and spend more time chatting with guests she liked. Her Ladies-in-Waiting cocooned her in a protective half-circle while she spoke with the high society who adored her and shunned the ones who wished her ill. He watched Zola and Ilana whisper in her ear. It pleased him to see that two of the most beautiful women of the elite were at their service. Their eyes were always coquettish and slightly downcast when he gazed at them directly, but they hid none of their fawning over his princess. They doted on her and cherished every second spent with their new queen. Smitten with her island ways and warmth, Zola and Ilana became Yani's champions. They cultivated a careful friendship with her that moved into a closeness that made N'Jadaka feel at ease in his heart. Yani wanted and needed more friends in Wakanda. Disa had her own life and Twyla was a busy married woman. Marisol spent more time at the Temple of Bast and away from the palace, and this left Yani alone most days. Zola and Ilana helped Yani transition back to the palace from her lake villa and he was grateful for that.

He watched them laugh together, hold hands, and gossip like old hens. It gave him the peace of mind to leave the country and know that she was cared for by women who wanted her to win with pure hearts. Zola and Ilana became his home assistants as he also made the adjustment of preparing for life as a married man with a house full of women who catered to his whims and spoiled his wife. Yani earned that soft life. The Ladies managed every aspect of Yani's day. From coordinating her daily outfits, doing her hair and make-up, preparing her baths, and organizing her social affairs in and outside the palace, their impact maintained Yani's life as a well-oiled machine. They kept in constant contact with N'Jadaka's personal assistants in the West Palace to coordinate any appearances with Yani out in public. They were her messengers and spies. Most days it felt like having a second set of Doras guarding his wife.

"She is really something."

The voice near his ear was full of admiration, but N'Jadaka put up mental defenses.

Mubiri sipped on a glass of plum liquor and his eyes darted about to see how close the Doras and T'Challa stood from their king. N'Jadaka had no fear of anyone in the ballroom. They would be obliterated the moment they attempted anything, probably by his hands rather than anyone else. The joke floating throughout the palace was that the Doras were there to protect people from N'Jadaka rather than the other way around.

Yani had passed by a group of nobles and headed to another area with her entourage to speak to other guests that fluttered around her like butterflies seeking nectar. He couldn't stop staring at her himself. An elegance shrouded her with so many admirers.

"How did a hard brute like you ensnare a beauty such as that one, eh?"

Mubiri swirled the strong liquor in his glass waiting for N'Jadaka to answer.

"She likes a roughneck with plenty of finesse I guess."

"Finesse indeed, because for the life of my dearly departed mother, I cannot imagine how you were able to take the throne of Wakanda."

"I am an Udaku. That's how."

"The most dangerous one they've ever had," Mubiri said, chugging down the last of his drink.

N'Jadaka shrugged and cut his eyes toward Mubiri's Prime Minister. Ony slinked over, blocking the view of Yani. T'Challa lingered within earshot.

"I will not mince words, King N'Jadaka. Our countries are enemies—"

"Tell me how you really feel—"

"Do not stand here and hide your disdain with smug remarks," Mubiri hissed.

T'Challa stepped forward and N'Jadaka jerked his head for him to fall back.

"Listen, Mubiri, you can hate my country all you want, but you'll never have us under your thumb, no matter how much you whine like a bitch to the U.N. and Niganda."

Ony thrust his chest out and barked, "Watch your tongue!"

A few guests turned their way and N'Jadaka pretended to laugh at a joke and slapped a strong hand on Ony's back.

"Your land claims are bullshit, just like Niganda's. And don't think I'm not aware of all the trash-talking you've been doing to the U.S. Vice President. You've seen what my country has. No other nation can defeat us. I suggest you mind your business and be grateful I'm not like y'all, bullying other countries to make myself look tough. I could easily come up with my own land claims and take back an entire shoreline on your coast if I felt like it. My great grandparents from way back were generous in not wiping your people out…expanding Wakanda when your country conducted raids to steal our women to repopulate your nation. Centuries of wars you've started have made you weak, stupid, and desperate," N'Jadaka spat out with an acidic tongue.

A bitter laugh flew from Mubiri's mouth and he sneered at T'Challa.

"It's only a matter of time before the shine of your country wears off. There are forces coming together to put you in your place. All I have to do is sit back and watch," Mubiri growled through clenched teeth.

N'Jadaka rolled his neck and took a bold step so that he was face to face with his enemy neighbor.

"Think I won't whoop your ass in front of all these people?"

"President Mubiri, I do believe you asked for a dance earlier."

Mubiri jumped at the touch of Yani's hand on his arm. He stepped aside giving the princess room to stand with them.

"Princess Yani," Mubiri said, becoming flustered with her presence.

Yani glanced at N'Jadaka, already sensing that he was ready to throw hands. The man talked tough trying to see if a new king could be bullied, and N'Jadaka was not giving him any satisfaction. T'Challa would've maintained a polite control, but the son of Califia was about that life and he didn't care if he made an international incident in his own home.

Yani deescalated the tension and disarmed Mubiri with gentle fingers clasping his calloused hands and pulling him toward the dance floor. Ony followed them to watch and T'Challa nudged N'Jadaka's arm.

"We should keep Yani around all the time. He's like a candle doused with water now," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka kept an eye on Yani. She made a power move to defang Mubiri before her king showed out and spoiled the jovial mood in the ballroom. In a corner, the president of Niganda watched him, ready to pounce if the Mohannda delegation became bold in public.

"I'll let her work her magic," N'Jadaka said.

The king of Wakanda's mouth was in the shape of a weapon, and Yani recognized the signs that he was about to break another man in half. It was the way his shoulders tilted forward and his leg stance grew wide. Visibly he looked like a king cobra snake in attack mode and the rattle drew her attention to him.

A heaviness in Yani's hands reminded her of the words of Queen Mary and she clucked her tongue and her entourage gathered behind her as she moved like a cool wind across the ballroom. Eyes fell upon her trek toward the king and the circle of venomous men who surrounded him doing a poor job of keeping their voices down. Her confident strides had her gliding like an angelic vision in front of a thousand eyes. Having her Ladies-in-Waiting backing her up gave her presence added weight of a queendom on the come-up.

The sharp glint of N'Jadaka's gold teeth warned of bloodshed. Yani slid a soft touch onto Mubiri's silk sleeve. Wakanda's king glanced at her and the eyes watching her held others in his gaze. She arrived in a nick of time.

The tension in Mubiri's arm liquefied under her hand. She curled her fingers around the snarling wolf and pulled him away from N'Jadaka.

"President Mubiri, I do believe you asked for a dance earlier."

With her free hand, Yani dismissed her Ladies as Mubiri conceded her lead and followed her steps toward the dance floor. The orchestra played a wonderfully playful song that didn't require a lot of movement, so they swayed to the sounds keeping the proper bodily distance that prevented them from being pressed together, but close enough to speak privately.

"Have you been enjoying the ball?" Yani asked.

"More so now that we get to share a dance, princess. Wakanda is a wonder of the modern world—"

"You hate us."

Her words lingered in the air and Mubiri chuckled under his breath.

"My ire is not with you, Princess Yani, nor the Wakandan people at large. Your ruling family has never been fair to Mohannda nor Niganda."

"Correct me if I am wrong, President Mubiri, but your country signed treaties with Wakanda a long time ago and then broke them over and over again for centuries. How can you expect our people to trust you when you stab us in the back all the time?"

Mubiri's eyes narrowed and his hand on her back jammed harder into her fancy corset.

"Women shouldn't speak on politics. It is not becoming."

"I'm not just any woman. I am the king's consort. Threats against the royal family mean that your hate is directed at my children. N'Jadaka and I share three beautiful heirs."

Yani ran her left hand away from Mubiri's elbow and inched her index and middle finger up along his arm towards his neck, tracing the sharp points of her finger armor onto his visible skin. She pushed the points of the armor into the soft flesh that protected his carotid artery.

"King N'Jadaka's grandmother gave me these beautiful pieces of finger jewelry. Did you know that in ancient times, Wakandan queens wore poison-tipped claws on every finger? If they were ever captured or kidnapped, they could puncture the skin of their enemy and kill them within ten seconds without anyone knowing what happened. Blink, and yuh dead. This set I have on belonged to Queen Tiye, the first queen of Wakanda. Queen Mother said there's still poison inside these tips. There's a teeny, tiny triggering mechanism that works on how much pressure I apply…see how I have them jabbed in your throat? One slight move and a deadly liquid, like snake venom, could be released into your vein and stop your heart from beating."

Mubiri swallowed, and his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat. His body became stiff and his breath shallow. Yani gave him a wide smile.

"I know men like to act all tough with one another, but hear mi man, I tell yuh this one time. Yuh come for mi king and I will come fuh you. Understand?"

"This is not right. You physically threaten a president in public?" Mubiri sputtered.

His lips turned into a snarl as irritation poured across his facial expression.

"Threaten mi blood and I will burn your whole country down. Don't test we…got it? It's better to get that message from me all quiet and polite rather than losing your life in a nasty way in front of all of these people by his hand."

A gleam spread in Mubiri's eyes. Whatever sourness had been there switched into something like secret laudation.

"Charming…beautiful…deadly," Mubiri uttered with a stronger breath.

He pulled her deadly fingers away from his neck, careful not to get poked by accident.

"If your betrothal doesn't work out Princess Yani, look me up. I could use a second wife like you."

"I don't walk behind my husband."

"I would have you in front of me… a tigress leading me."

"I belong to the Panther Tribe and to that king over there," Yani said, glancing over at N'Jadaka who regarded her with serious interest.

Mubiri cradled her hand and lowered his face to kiss the fragrant skin above her knuckles. His lips lingered a little too long and when he released her hand, his eyes shined with arousal.

"I should like to have had you scratch me with one of those claws, just to experience your wrath. Another time then, hmmm? King N'Jadaka is a lucky man indeed. I look forward to seeing you crowned their queen. You are quite a jewel in their treasure trove."

Yani wiped the back of her hand on her dress and sought out the company of the Council of Elders as she made her rounds again to greet honored guests at their tables. Mubiri stayed away from N'Jadaka and mingled with other presidents.

"W'happen?" Twyla asked once they were away from the dance floor.

Yani took deep breaths to control the anger that rested in her belly. No matter where they were in the world, men would always try to gain access to women for their own use.

"I let that man know that I would kill him if he threatened my family again," Yani said.

"He threatened you?" Marisol said, slamming down her glass of champagne.

Yani pulled Marisol back from throwing hands on her behalf. Zola and Ilana stared at her flabbergasted. Flashing her finger armor at them, gesturing for them to move in closer, all the women circled around to keep prying eyes and ears away.

"The Mohanndans and the Nigandans aren't hiding their hands at all. I told President Mubiri I would burn his country down myself if him harm the royal family."

Twyla covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

Ilana shook her head in a daze.

"The Mohanndans are very sexist and mean. They treat their women like we are still in the stone age. Princess Yani, this will harm your pristine reputation with those people. He could use your threat as grounds for more aggression," Ilana said.

"That wasteman told me he would marry me if N'Jadaka doesn't. I don't think he's worried about ruining my reputation… more like enhancing his. He's an ass."

"What will you tell the king?" Zola asked.

Ilana and Zola had stress lines on their foreheads and chewed on their lips that were twisted up in concern.

"I will say nothing here unless he asks," Yani said.

"What do we do now?" Marisol asked.

"For now, I'll continue to socialize. But all of you keep your guard up. I have a feeling Mubiri and others are checking for new allies here who are against N'Jadaka's rule."

Yani studied the ballroom layout and took note of the groupings of countries based on regions and common interests. She squared her shoulders.

"Come, I think it's time I let Niganda know what I'm about," Yani said.

She snatched a glass of champagne from a passing attendant and swept her way over to the First Lady of Niganda.

"Madame First Lady Rakotomalala," Yani said, offering her hand, "I am sorry that the receiving line cut our time short to speak."

"Please, call me Onde."

Onde's smile was warm, friendly, and much too open for Yani to trust right away as being sincere. However, there were many men she had met at the ball who had wives opposite them in personality and politics.

"I saw you dancing with President Mubiri. Quite a character, isn't he?" Onde said.

"He is."

Yani glanced over toward N'Jadaka. T'Challa had left his side and he stood flanked by Baba Z and an older crowd of men from South Africa.

Onde wasn't shy with her stares. At least sixty years of age, and quite the looker still with her elegant stature and flamboyant sea foam green ballgown, Niganda's first lady exuded power and prestige.

"You are so young. I think you may be one of the youngest queens of any monarchy still left around the world," Onde said.

She held out her glass of bubbly to Yani's glass and they clinked them together. After sipping and sniffing around each other, Onde stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Yani and watched the dancing and other activity in the giant room.

"How are the other wives treating you?" Onde asked.

"They treat me well."

"Good. You are the talk of the entire ball. King N'Jadaka is quite the topic of conversation too, but you my dear… I do not envy the position you are in. Everyone here, even the Wakandans, chatter on about what kind of queen you will be. You seem quite popular with the younger crowd."

"And the older?"

"Still feeling you out because of your youth."

"What do you think of me?"

"Not sure. I have read up on you. Your background is so interesting. I like what I have learned and I am excited to see what King N'Jadaka's reign will be like for my country."

"I like how people here don't pretend with fake conversations. You all say what's on your mind."

"The King of Wakanda has made that possible. He doesn't play with his words, so no one else should either…"

Onde turned to greet Vivienne who snuck up on them from the rear.

"Onde, darling!"

Vivienne gave Onde air kisses and planted herself in the center of their group.

"This has been one of the best events I've been to on the continent since…maybe President Jabavu's coronation three years ago," Vivienne enthused.

Onde laughed and waved her hand at the memory.

"I drank too much and my husband vowed to never allow me out again, all the dancing we did hurt his feet. I had too much fun," Onde said.

"Have you danced since you've been here?" Vivienne said.

"I will later. The music is wonderful, but I want to enjoy all the sights inside this ballroom. It is exquisite. The architecture is so unusual. I loved the tour of the royal paintings, and that palace garden is to die for…"

A server walked past carrying a large tray of finger foods. Onde's eyes followed the tray and Yani giggled. Onde glanced at her, grinning at being caught salivating. Yani waved the server back over to them. Onde picked up a small, savory beef patty that Yani added to the ball menu. All the women did the same. Snacking together made Onde relax and they all chatted for a full twenty minutes before President Rakotomalala sauntered over with piercing eyes to retrieve his wife. Onde stuffed another beef patty in her mouth and licked her fingers. She touched her husband's shoulder and turned to Yani.

"Princess Yani has been a lovely hostess. I've learned so much. I think we should have her as a special guest for the Melon Festival," Onde said, touching Yani's arm.

The idea didn't please Rakotomalala. His burly frame and hard mahogany face didn't hide his distaste. Onde ignored the chilly reception.

"Men, I swear, they act like they can't set aside differences. This is why there should be more women running things in the world," Onde quipped.

"King N'Jadaka says that all the time," Yani said with pride.

"Smart man. We need more like him," Onde said.

"Thank you for your invitation to visit Niganda. I have never been to a Melon Festival before…it sounds like a lot of fun," Yani said.

"Oh, you will love it! We have so many varieties and…malala, what is it?" Onde said, staring at her husband.

"There are some people I want you to meet. Please excuse us," Rakotomalala said, whisking his wife away.

Vivienne snickered.

"Well done, Princess Yani. That is the most I've heard that woman speak in ages," Vivienne said.

"She is actually quite nice. With all of the bad blood between our nations right now, I'm surprised she would be that inviting," Yani said.

"Well, you are quite engaging. I'm glad that we can speak without an interpreter."

Yani grinned.

"I like how you move. You have a knack for making friends quickly. I should hope that could happen for us," Vivienne said.

Vivienne looked out upon the crowd.

"It's not easy coming into a world like this. I was told that you come from a humble background, but you are very skillful in navigating the unknown."

"I have plenty of experience working around all kinds of people. Even dangerous ones," Yani said.

"I see. Believe it or not, Onde is a shark, and you handled her like a pro. The Nigandans pretend to hide in the shadows of Mohannda… just like Cannan and Azania. Women in these parts are always the hidden hand propping up their husbands. It's why they fear your country."

"Yeah?"

"You are the new wild card. An unknown quantity. At least with Queen Ramonda and Queen Niyilolawa, African leaders knew where Wakanda stood. Now that we know what you really are, nothing is the same. I've been dipping around getting all the dirt in here. These people are rattled by you and N'Jadaka."

"You knew him as Erik."

"I did."

Yani's Ladies-in-Waiting stepped away as the princess took over an empty table near an ancient sculpture of Sekmet.

"He's so grown up now," Vivienne said.

She sighed and looked Yani in the face.

"When I first met him in my country, I suspected he was royalty. We hung out for a weekend with Tony Stark and I introduced him to my friends. God, he was so young and green compared to now!"

Vivienne laughed and tapped her fingernails on the table.

"Tony Stark thought highly of him. I always wondered what happened to N'Jadaka. Never knew he was related to T'Challa. Crazy times. I thought at one point that I would marry T'Challa and become the queen of Wakanda, but back then, my parents did not want me to be the queen of goat herders. Fate played a cruel trick when we broke up. How are Nakia and their new baby?"

"Do you know her?" Yani said cautiously.

"We were frenemies…no, that's a lie. She never liked me and I ignored her. T'Challa always thought I hated her, but she was just standoffish. Probably jealous. King T'Chaka respected me, but he never wanted me for his son. Ramonda was indifferent and I promise you, that was worse."

Vivienne gestured for a server to hand her a glass of wine.

"It's hard being an outsider in the motherland," Vivienne said.

She drank deeply and wiped under her lip when a bit of red wine trailed down. Yani noticed throughout the evening that Vivienne drank a lot.

"My mother comes from old royal birth lines in Senegal. She's Wolof. Highly educated and a visionary for her time. She married a foreigner and became thrust into a new monarchy. My family wanted me to marry a European with influence, but I wanted to come back to Africa…reverse the migration and come back to my roots. Unfortunately, I am considered a "toubab", a white person. The Alex Haley thing didn't work for me exactly."

"How did you meet your husband?"

"I returned home from Senegal and took a trip to London. T'Challa and I broke up while he was in school there, and ironically, he introduced me to his classmate at the London School of Economics. We hit it off and a few years later, I have three children and became the First Lady of Ghana. A happily ever after."

"Is it weird being with someone that your ex hooked you up with?"

"No. By the time we broke up, I was finally over the Prince of Wakanda."

Her eyes lit up and Yani turned her head.

N'Jadaka approached the table and sat down next to Yani.

"Did you come to see what secrets I may be spilling about your time with Tony?" Vivienne said.

N'Jadaka waved over a server and picked up a small glass of plum liquor.

"Nah, just needed a break," N'Jadaka said.

Yani touched his face. Already she could tell that the ball was draining him. He could go for several hours around a large crowd, but then he became antsy to leave and be on his own. N'Jadaka kissed her hand and glanced over at Vivienne.

"It's good seeing you again," he said.

"Same."

Vivienne looked around the ballroom.

"Where is T'Challa?" Vivienne asked.

"I sent him home to be with his new baby."

"He and Nakia must be so proud."

"They are. I hear you have three rambunctious ones at home. Your husband showed me pictures," N'Jadaka said.

"They are amazing and I wouldn't change one wild hair on their heads. What about you?"

N'Jadaka tapped his kimoyo and a recent picture of Sweet Pea, Dumplin, and Sunshine popped up.

"Look at that!" Vivienne said with delight.

"You still running through people's pockets with your poker hands?" N'Jadaka asked.

Vivienne chortled and pointed at him.

"You kind sir were the Oakland card shark. Did he ever tell you how he won four million on one poker game with my uncle in Monaco?"

"No," Yani said.

"He beat me out of half a million and used it to bankroll his next hand against three royal heirs. Then he played against a Saudi king and walked away with a cool twenty million. The palace still talks about that night and my uncle dreams of playing you again. How much of that money did you spend?"

"Gave a lot of it away to family and charities," N'Jadaka said. "The bulk of it I put into a trust for my grandfather overseen by my Uncle Bakari."

Vivienne's face turned stern. Yani gazed across their table and caught Madame Ony, First Lady Mubiri, First Lady Rakotomalala, and a few other women from Canaan and Azania moving as one unit toward a table filled with women outsiders.

N'Jadaka peeped the gathering of the herd. Vivienne leaned forward.

"Erik, you must move with stealth around these people. My husband and I support you one hundred percent because we see the vision you promote. But Ghana is just one unwavering ally for you," Vivienne said.

President Tetteh cruised by the table as a jazzy tune filled the air. He scooped up Vivienne to dance. Before she became a speck on the dance floor, she glanced back at Yani.

"Princess Yani, stay true to yourself. You have what it takes to influence the hidden hands."

N'Jadaka scooted his chair closer to her and his Doras blocked access to them.

"What did she mean by that?" he asked.

"She knows I can handle myself around all of these people."

They held hands.

"Are you tired, love?" Yani asked.

He nodded.

"Let's do one more cruise around the room and then I'll call it a night," he said.

Standing together, he held out his arm and she wrapped her hand around it. Their Ladies-in-Waiting followed in step. Zola and Ilana lifted her train as they zigzagged through tables and bid goodnight to nobles and guests. The surge of energy directed at N'Jadaka forced Yani to observe everyone with a keen eye of discernment. There were so many varying emotions on their eager faces.

Envy. Jealousy. Desire. Attraction. Curiosity. Apprehension. Lust. Wonder. Fear. Admiration.

N'Jadaka was a rock star in their midst and the people surrounding them gave her the same questionable looks. She matched the king's pace and concentrated on her queen's march with her steps to mirror his confidence. The world was his stage and Yani finally experienced up close what he was up against whenever he left Wakanda. If Africans throughout the continent were wary of him, that feeling had to be denser among non-African nations facing an unprecedented shift in global power.

President Tetteh and Vivienne met them at the bottom of the staircase that led back up to the bridge connecting the west palace to the east. Vivienne gave Yani a hug first before N'Jadaka leaned in to do the same. It was a visible sign of support. Yani knew Vivienne was smart enough to use the optics to her advantage. Ghana was in full solidarity with Wakanda.

They faced the audience one final time.

Everyone seated stood up out of respect as the royal march was played by the orchestra. N'Jadaka waved to his grandparents and then waved to the Council of Elders and nobles. They were a sight walking back up the stairs with Yani's long train scaling the steps in a theatrical display of high fashion. Reaching the top, they faced their guests one last time and N'Jadaka held her hand tight, showing the crowd that they were united as equals.

Out in the fresh air, Yani breathed in deeply, pleased that she had done her part at the ball well. At the elevators that would whisk them up to their home, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up, kissing her passionately in front of their entourage.

"You showed the fuck out. When I tell you those people had no idea who they were dealing with!" N'Jadaka gushed.

Yani turned and bid goodnight to Marisol and Twyla who were escorted by Doras to be shuttled home on the Royal Scorpion Fighter. Riding upstairs it seemed like the king's energy flowed back into him as he shared bits of conversations.

"What the hell did you say to Mubiri because that nigga didn't bother me the rest of the night!"

Their Doras and Ladies were the only ones on the elevator with them.

"I put him in his place."

N'Jadaka looked deep into her eyes.

"Word got back to me that you scared him."

"I did."

N'Jadaka leaned up against the elevator wall with his mouth parted.

"How?"

Yani held up her armored fingers.

"Here I was thinking you were just trying to calm the situation by taking him away."

He touched the side of her face with the back of his hand.

"Yani, you don't ever have to fight. I got us."

"I just underlined whatever you told him, that's all," she said with a smirk.

"Queen moves."

"Of course. My king is the most important man in the whole world."

Yani danced around the elevator, snapping her fingers and rolling her hips all around him. Zola and Ilana clapped their hands and the Doras pretended not to be impressed. Stepping out into the spacious hall of their floor, Noxolo and Aneka stood guard at the front entrance, relieving the ballroom Doras.

Aneka opened the door for them and Zola removed the finger armor from her hands along with her lace hood covering. Yani sent her Ladies away to prepare her bath and evening ritual.

"Baba! Mama!"

Sydette ran to them in her yellow nightgown and Riki stayed on her heels greeting them.

"You two are supposed to be asleep. It is way past your bedtime!" Yani scolded lightheartedly.

"But you promised we could see you if we stayed awake. We never got to see your pretty dress, Mama!" Sydette whined.

Their night nanny, Kora, stood nearby watching.

"We'll take them up, Kora. Thank you for getting up so late with them. Could you let Dakarai know in the morning that the king and I will be up late tomorrow? I won't need her until after two. She can use the free time to relax," Yani said.

"Goodnight Princess Yani," Kora said.

Yani spun around so Sydette and Riki could see all of the gown. She reached out to N'Jadaka to have him do the same, but she paused. He stood staring down at their children.

"Everything alright?" Yani asked.

N'Jadaka angled his head as Sydette and Riki touched her dress and lifted her train, hiding under it.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"This is the first time you and I have come home together as a couple… to be with our kids. It's like how I imagined, y'know? We go out for a good time and come home to our family."

"Can I see your mask, Mama?" Sydette asked.

Yani pulled it off and handed it to her. Both children took turns putting it on their faces before stopping to look up at their parents.

"Back to bed," N'Jadaka said.

He bent down and lifted both children up. Yani followed him to the in-home elevator that took them to the second floor, avoiding more tiring steps. Giving Sydette plenty of kisses from them both, N'Jadaka put her to bed, and then they walked to Riki's room and lowered his nightlight brightness. More kisses were given and the tired king walked Yani to her wing on the same floor. Zola had warm water and scented oils waiting for her out on her balcony bathtub. The heating lamps and balcony glare cover were on, and Ilana stood near the vanity mirror to collect the rest of Yani's clothing and clean off her makeup.

"Give me a little time and I'll be up to see you," Yani said.

"I'll come down to you. I want to sleep in your bed," he said.

Ilana lowered her head and averted eye contact after hearing the king would be coming down to the queen's bedchamber.

"Okay," Yani said.

"Nice job tonight Ladies. I liked how you took care of my queen," N'Jadaka said.

He left the room and Ilana checked the bed to make sure it had plenty of pillows for the king. Zola zipped in carrying warm body oils and lubricants, placing them on Yani's nightstands in reach of the bed.

"What would you like to wear for the king tonight?" Ilana asked, holding up a comm tab with images of lingerie and body jewelry.

"The king is exhausted…hmm…maybe that one…no…I want him to see a softer color. Yeah, the lavender and the full-body chain. In case he wants me. The one with the leash in the back," Yani said.

Ilana quirked her lips at the choice of a body chain. It was a seductive piece of jewelry that rested around her neck and draped across her breasts, hips, and thighs, very subtle, but the leash hinted at bondage play and choking.

Zola showed Yani a soft color palette in case she wanted some lip gloss and light makeup. Yani picked a light pink shimmer gloss, eyeliner, and blush. Ilana assisted in removing the corset gown, heels, and underwear. Yani slipped on a luxury robe and sat down in front of the prominent vanity mirror across the room where her make-up was slowly taken off and her skin hydrated with pre-bath botanicals.

"Princess Yani, you were sensational tonight," Zola gushed.

Ilana nodded her head in agreement as she rubbed Yani's scalp with hair gel removal.

"King N'Jadaka has made the other leaders aware of how firm he is in his place on the continent. You must be so pleased with everything that happened," Ilana said.

"We made a great impression," Yani said.

"I thought the king would be upset when he found out about what you said to President Mubiri. My heart was beating so fast!" Zola said with giddy abandon.

"I always speak my mind. King N'Jadaka is used to it," Yani said.

Yani stood up and looked at Ilana.

"Prepare the king's favorite nightcap and have his morning bedclothes ready on the chaise. Dust the pillows with lavender and a hint of jasmine," Yani said.

She padded out to the balcony and let moonlight bathe her skin first before Zola pulled off her robe and helped her into the large standing tub.

"Oh, God, this is perfect," Yani purred.

She dunked her head under the water and Zola adjusted the bathing neck pillow so Yani could soak comfortably.

Left alone on the balcony, she closed her eyes and listened to the gentle footsteps of her Ladies preparing the bedroom for the king's arrival. She didn't spend too much time soaking, just washed away the vestiges of the ballroom success down the drain.

Zola held out a fluffy towel for Yani as she carefully climbed out of the tub. She could've easily taken care of her grooming herself, but the perks of having Ladies-in-Waiting were not lost on her. It was pampering and catering at the highest level and she reveled in it.

She walked into a full body dryer that pulled the water off of her and then she headed back to the vanity where she was slathered with body butters, lipgloss, and a light hair oil to control the curls growing longer at the front of her scalp. Stepping into the body chain, she made sure her waist beads still moved easily. Her nudity didn't faze any of the women, their eyes concentrated on making sure she was perfect to please the king. Compliments from him were like gold, and they fed off of it with ravenous expectation. A happy king meant a happy queen. A happy queen meant their status was secure to be in her good graces.

Yani thought about the evening more. Wakanda had become the center of the world and in order for the other African nations to have roses in their future, they had to mind the thorn that was King N'Jadaka.

Ilana smoothed back a few baby hairs on Yani's forehead and the lights in the room flashed a faint lilac color, it warning them that the king was on his way. She slipped on a different ankle-length cover-up and picked out some anklets and toe rings for extra pizzazz.

Zola jumped up and held the tray that contained the king's cocktail, and Ilana stood next to her with hands folded waiting for requests. Yani positioned herself to greet him the moment he walked in.

"Kumkani," Yani said.

N'Jadaka kissed her forehead and Zola offered the drink to him.

"Thank you, Zola," he said.

He sipped and Yani held his free hand, escorting him further into her bedchamber. His scent was the fresh handmade soap he liked from Birnin Bashenga. His bedclothes were loose cotton cream pajama bottoms and a billowy v-neck drop shoulder shirt of the same color. She offered him a seat on a cyan-blue double high-back chair. He took it. Yani nodded for Ilana and Zola to pull up footstools near his feet. They did so and pulled off his slippers, beginning the careful massaging of his feet. N'Jadaka pressed his back further into the chair and closed his eyes. Yani carried away his empty glass and placed it on her dresser. She took a seat next to the king and Zola offered to rub her feet too. Yani declined, wanting all the attention to be on him. She unloosened his hair and combed her fingers through the locs. He leaned over and kissed her. His full lips devoured hers and he ignored the other women, not caring if they saw him slip his tongue in Yani's mouth. He needed her. He rested a hand on her waist and nuzzled his mouth against her neck. She glanced down at Zola and Ilana and they kept rubbing the king's feet, ignoring their affection for one another as they had been taught. She had asked them to do a traditional reception for a Wakandan king, and part of that was doing anything the queen asked.

Her lower parts came to life as he continued kissing her neck and gripping her waist tighter, pulling her in closer. When he let out a low moan at having her to himself, Yani lifted up from the seat and stepped away to face him. He rested palms on either side of the chair and his prominent erection was visible to everyone in his pajama bottoms.

Yani swallowed hard, her nerves racing. The women stood up and uncovered Yani for the king.

"Damn, baby," he muttered under his breath.

His dick jumped. So did her clit. Their gazes lingered on one another. His eyes dropped down to look at her folds and piercings. He became bold in front of her attendants and rubbed on his dick. Yani didn't know how much further she could go. The exhibitionist in her liked being watched by others, but the next steps in traditional old-style service that the women were equipped to do still seemed too much.

N'Jadaka was very aware of what was happening. He had been trained too and knew what came next and he had a playful glimmer of mirth in his eyes wanting to know how far she would go with it. A challenge rested in his gaze.

He stood and his height arched above them all like a rising sun. Ilana and Zola waited quietly with their hands folded in front of them.

"Undress me," N'Jadaka commanded.

Yani thought she would stop them so she could do it herself in private, but a part of her deep down wanted them to see what rested beneath the bedclothes. His dick pointed toward her and both women would have to maneuver his pajama bottoms over the girth. Her heartbeat sped up. Her pussy became wetter.

Zola and Ilana untied the cloth ties on the king's shirt and pulled away the top. He slid his arms out of the sleeves and Ilana folded the shirt and placed it over the armrest of the chair. Holding his arms out to his sides, N'Jadaka kept direct eye contact with Yani while the women unfastened the ties on his pajama bottoms. They pulled the waistband out over his dick and it bobbed in front of them as they lowered the pants. He stepped out of each leg hole, and Zola folded the pants and handed them to Ilana, who piled them on top of the shirt. They lowered their heads for more instructions, but they couldn't unsee the god body in front of them.

"Leave us," Yani said.

Zola and Ilana held up their hands to them and slinked out of the bedroom. N'Jadaka burst out laughing then.

"Baby, the stress on your face," N'Jadaka teased.

He gathered her up in his arms and she hid her face against his chest, embarrassed that he could read her so well.

"Ain't no way you could handle them fluffing up my dick for you," he said.

"Tonight was a big deal, I wanted to give you the full king treatment back home," she sighed into his chest.

They kissed, their tongues dancing a secret code that made them both groan. His hand dragged down to her vulva and when he fingered her folds, he pulled back from her.

"Damn, Yani. This pussy is soaked. That shit got you really excited."

His eyes looked serious as he gently held her face.

"It turned you on, didn't it?" he asked.

His voice lacked teasing, and the subdued tone only gave curiosity.

"Tell me what you liked about it, baby," he said.

He sat down on the double chair again and pulled her next to him. Their thighs touched and he put an arm around her.

"Tell me," he asked again.

She rested her cheek against his chest. There was no way she would tell him that watching sex vids of him with other women aroused her beyond belief. Yani still grappled with that knowledge about herself. The fantasy of it was a safe place, but turmoil rumbled in her midsection while she watched it in person, even if was just them pulling his clothes off and seeing his big dick and witnessing his pre-cum pooling on his tip. Her pussy clenched then. Simply thinking about it ignited her pleasure. Yani stuck to the present.

"I like that they get to see how good your dick looks. While they pulled your pants off, they touched it a little. Got to feel how hot it is…got to see how thick."

Her breath heated his skin with desire. His dick grew harder and he stood it up for her.

"You wanted them to touch it, huh? Stroke it for you?" he said.

"No…yeah…I don't know why I get wet. I don't want you with anyone else in real life…but I wanted them to do the rest of the ritual like the old days."

She reached for his dick and slowly fisted it for him. He kissed her again then stopped as his dick became slick with pre-cum.

"If you want to try and go further, explore your fantasy or comfort levels with something new… we can do that. I'm not saying that because I want to fuck them, but I want you to be happy. You're all I need Yani…"

He smothered her lips again and she twisted her thumb and index finger under the head of his dick, the mushroom cap spilling clear fluid all over her fingers. His fingers played with her pussy and her head fell back.

"You wanted to watch them oil me down…huh?"

He whispered in her ear. Yani whimpered and nodded.

"Did you want them to suck my dick too?'

She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the denial wrestling in her mind.

"What did you imagine, baby?"

His tongue licked her breasts and his fingers plucked at her nipples. She was supposed to be pleasing him, showing him how much she appreciated the pressure he was under by facing nations in opposition to him. Instead, he was trying to give her the safety of exploring her imagination with him.

His touches made her skin burn with need. He rested his lips near her ear and dipped two gentle fingers in and out of her pussy with occasional rubs on her clit.

"I want to see them suck your dick… on their knees. Licking each side," she said.

He hummed in her ear and slowed down his fingers until she began panting.

"Then what?" he crooned, his voice raspy and all sexy.

She squeezed his length and started stroking it faster.

"I wanna watch you look at me while I play with my pussy…and Lola and Ilana suck yuh good and slow at the same time…and you watch me cum…and then…and then… Killmonger…yuh cum all over their faces!"

Her release clenched around his fingers and she bucked her hips wildly.

"You got Daddy's dick spittin', baby! Look at my dick!" N'Jadaka shouted.

Her orgasm continued working his digits, and she looked at his fat erection spurting cum all over the carpet. They shuddered against one another as aftershocks spiked their hot bodies.

"Fuck…you were feeling that Yani," he said.

He lifted her up in his arms like he was cradling a bride and carried her to the bed. Placing her on her back, he fingered the body chain and tugged on the leash, testing its strength. He pushed her thighs back and jerked off above her before crawling between her legs, lining up the head of his dick with her opening.

"Cumming on their faces gets you off good," he said.

He pushed into her pussy stretching her walls and grabbing onto her heavy thighs.

"You know what my fantasy is?" he said.

She shook her head, her lips pursed from the intense fullness he always put inside of her.

"I want Zola and Ilana to watch me fuck you hard. I want them to see how their king fucks his woman and fills up her pretty wet pussy with so much cum…"

He lowered his head so that he could kiss her lovingly.

"They liked seeing my dick and they will work their asses off to see it again if you let them. I bet you that they'll go to their rooms in the lower suite and play with their pussies, thinking about sucking on my balls and getting this dick to stretch them out too. But this is all yours Yani… yours to do whatever you want with it. I'll nut all over their faces if you want… if that pleases you, baby. They can oil my dick, and suck on it for as long as you want them to, but I'll only cum when you want."

Yani groaned thinking about the women sucking him off as he fucked her deep. The vestiges of shame that she carried thinking those forbidden thoughts burned away with every thrust he gave her until she was clutching and clawing his back, screaming out "Killmonger!" over and over as she exploded all over his dick.

"Help Daddy put this cum on their faces for you Yani!" he yelled.

He spilled into her, moaning her name into the shell of her ear. Strong throbs from his dick laid her out, and they panted together, trying to gain control of their ragged breathing.

N'Jadaka gazed into her eyes with so much love.

"I want this all the time, Yani. You and me coming home together every night. Being with our kids. Tucking them in at night together. Tonight, you showed me how we'll rule together. You have qualities that you have honed for years that a queen needs today. You can handle ruthless people… like you did at the compound. You can host and make people feel welcome, just like you did at your old restaurant. Plus, you know how to convey knowledge and information to people just like you did at Eco-Tours. You're intelligent. Graceful. Calm under pressure. We fit, girl. Do you hear me?"

"Yes."

He nibbled on her ear, then sucked on her nipples before rolling over and holding her hand.

"In the future, I always want you to call me Killmonger in bed when we're fucking. That shit made me cum hard."

Yani giggled and he gave her dimples.

He slinked a hand behind her neck and tugged on the gold bondage leash.

"Turn on your side," he said.

"You were so tired earlier," she teased.

"Got my second wind with you."

He reached across her and grabbed a fresh bottle of lube. She helped open it and prepared her anal cavity for his dick. He grunted when he entered her, taking his time to get rooted in her ass before he pulled on the leash. Yani clawed the bed and took his anal fucking like a good girl. His moans and groans made her clit tap out and her guttural shouts of "Killmonger" heightened everything for N'Jadaka until he hunched over her back and hollered out his third orgasm. Freshly lubricated with his warm semen, he kept fucking her in the ass and begged for her to call him the nickname that terrorized the mercenary world.

They became free in the arms of one another inside the safety of their shared palace home, with their children sleeping peacefully in a far-off wing. The world outside was kept at bay with the smacking of hot, wet, flesh, fantasies shared, and a king loving his queen into submission as he twisted a thin gold leash around his fist.

Yani would have it no other way, and that pleased N'Jadaka.

A.N.:

There will be one more final chapter!

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[summersmithlatinxgyatt]

GoTron Was Another Summer Best (another Summer yap session)

Let's start with one thing. I felt generous and tried to watch Rickdependence Spray. I turned it off after 10 seconds. In fact, I paused after I saw that horse breeder thing for longer than I watched the intro Tried watching the Thanksgiving episode which was, just fine. Although nothing Summer caught my eye. I did this to finish up Season 5 but it was not worth it

You know WHAT was worth it, though? And what a few of you guys recommended?

'GoTron Jerrysis Rickvangelion'

I now see why this was recommended to me, and by the way it means a lot that most of you guys want me to write about Summer :3

It's almost Summer's episode, focused on her dynamic with Rick too and how it can clash with Morty

(FYI the wiki doesn't have a gallery for this episode I literally will rely on Google for this shit)

Right from the start we see that Summer is basically Rick's right-hand man. I know many people have pointed out (and it's outright said) that Summer is enabling Rick's obsession, which is explained IN the episode and something I'll return to later. Part of this episode is not only her relationship with Rick but with herself. Morty sees this as some sort of sabotage when Rick goes with her opinion and sees Morty as sort of an enemy for not going with what he wanted

She not only LITERALLY becomes a right-hand to the GoTron itself but oversees these Rick meetings instead of just hanging out with the other Summers. I mentioned the fact that Summer holds family in such a high regard. Whether or not they did this because this was also a Goodfellas parody, any good parody utilizes its characters purposefully, so I think it still works. There's also several lines where Summer talks about keeping the family close, and considering the blog I wrote about Rickmancing the Stone that mentions her being the glue that keeps the family together...yeah. When I say she's consistent and has a clear arc, it's because I managed to break her down and see the same attributes pop up here explicitly

Rick congratulates Summer for being the one reason he's even doing this GoTron shit and calls her a queen (queef first tho). Considering Season 7 where he says Summer reminds him of Diane, every time he cherishes Summer it's very genuine and because of how special and important she is to him

I know that the plot was hinging on Morty pointing out Summer being a negative influence but I still understood what she was going for. If my points sound hollow, it's because from now on I don't want to sound like a broken record whenever I mention the words 'Family' and 'Summer'

Like I said I was not a fan of Naruto and the fact that this show says the phrase 'giant incest space baby' more than once, which no show should ever do. But when Summer talks about how lonely she feels, it felt fitting. Sure, it's a...gross incest baby, but Summer felt basic motherly instincts kick on. She also wanted him to escape from there because she knows about the literal feeling of being cooped up. Like...how often does Summer go out?

With whatever friends she has she usually just stays inside. I am writing this AS I'M COOPED UP INSIDE AS PER USUAL I'D KILL SOMEONE TO GO OUT. The point being that avoiding this is something she actively does. That's why she was surprised her mom didn't originally want to use the GoTron Ferrets and why she kept enabling Rick. It's not an agenda, she just wants to bond more and go out more

However, I want to know - does this contradict 'Big Trouble in Little Sanchez'? I bring this up because it's an episode where they're supposed to be bonding and Summer is rational enough to know Rick is being harmed, yet everyone hates her for it. Why didn't Summer stop enabling Rick if it meant he would've been obsessed further? In that episode, it quite literally was killing Rick. Here, different universe versions of the Smith family come together as if to emphasize the point further. The actual issues were ones that Summer weren't aware of, but I just bring this up because no, this doesn't contradict any earlier episodes. Plus, Summer is obviously changing

Also, Summer's speech was fucking amazing. She mentions how lonely she feels in her OWN FAMILY because she has no one and went with Naruto, which is also temporary. She'll take any chance to bond with anyone

To wrap this up - Summer's place in this episode IS the crux of the plot. The family is brought together in more ways than one, with the robots and alternate universes coming together. This also makes sense with Rick having Morty and Beth having Jerry 'naturally', so to speak. If these people have each other, who does Summer have?

Her family

And even if she doesn't have ONE person to always fall back on (as she tends to be around Rick AND Morty), she'll be the one that chooses to keep everyone together. What I said in 'Rickmancing the Stone' and the trilogy I analyzed was true, Summer is the glue that keeps the family together

oh also im gonna be making a blog on the voiceovarians and a theory on Night Summer so keep an eye out for that guys

Thanks for reading!! <3

[zelenxa]

1307 - The Lottways

Casandra enthusiastically responds to Brynn’s questions about the baby, warmed by her daughter’s curiosity. Her due date is in a little less than a few months. Casandra finds herself excited, if not a bit nervous. She hopes and prays for a son—not at all holding disdain at the thought of conceiving another daughter, yet hopeful that in providing an male heir, another child wouldn’t be in the marks for her.

Casandra loves her daughter and her unborn child, loves them more than anything. But she’s much realized that, in birthing Brynn, she has become so much more frightened of passing away in childbirth. That, and… And Casandra notices Kurtis’s state of mind during the topics of children. She remembers their discussion of children when he had first been courting her, how they both agreed they were necessary in life. Only, perhaps, Casandra had not noticed at the time, that they had different reasonings from one another. She doesn’t probe Kurtis on the subject however, choosing instead to remain silent. Kurtis provides for them, cherishes her through the hard aches of pregnancy. Childbirth was no small feat, her husband had a right to be scared—that of which she assumed he was.

So she prayed, hopeful all would turn out okay.

Kurtis feels nauseous with worry as he taps his foot against the wood plank floor, gloved hands fisted tightly with one another. Mr. Turner says nothing. Kurtis is finding he hates these moments, waiting outside a room with baited breath, tears just waiting to come forward at the sound of bad news. Casandra’s labor has been prolonged much longer than it was with Brynn. They’ve heard and been given little check-ups from the midwife on the topic, and Kurtis, although wanting to, certainly does not go out of his way to demand more, wanting the midwife’s attention fully on his wife’s. The only thing they know is there’s been complications, the birth’s not going as smoothly as it could should be.

What feels like hours of bile awaiting his tongue passes before news is finally given to them that the baby is born. Kurtis hears it immediately as the baby wails reach through the sound walls, but he asks first the most important question in his mind.

“Is Casandra okay?”

Kurtis tentatively brings Casandra into his embrace, feeling the weight of her head against his shoulder. The mix of emotions in his chest makes it difficult to breathe but he manages, if only, for Casandra wellbeing. Their son, the both of them decide this time, is named Edric Lottway. Kurtis’s heir. Although his birth was filled with all kinds of complications, Kurtis had rested assured they both survived. Helping and caring for Casandra during her recovery was one of the one times Kurtis was certain both he and his wife had the very same underlying relief neither had to voice. He had seen it in her eyes one night. They both had feared the worst during Edric’s birth, and they both laid relieved that their son, their heir, could be their very last.

Only when a few months pass and Edric transitions from a newborn to an infant, the complications that plagued his complicated birth began appearing. He was still so small at 7 months old, hardly big enough to fit in even Brynn’s hands. Kurtis is around in moments where Casandra prays for the health of their son. Always, he is silent.

And then, in what feels so fleeting, yet is replayed constantly within Kurtis’s mind, Edric passes away one night.

Listening to the cries of his grieving wife, Kurtis feels the rope around his family’s neck grow ever tighter.

next (chrono) // next (lottway) // previous

[shi-daisy]

Chapter 13 and 14 have me reeling omg ma'am! 😭 The fluff 💗 the twists😱 the smut 🥵 We been blessed! I love how Tamlin is finally getting his healing arc/found family/Lucien romance because the way you write our boy is so cuteeeee!!! The flashbacks were adorable, Lucien is so handsome and adorable and I need both of them to be happy and cherished forever. Goodbye SJM canon this is what's canon for me now!

Few questions tho, given that you've named all the other 'nameless' characters like the Vanserra family, Tamlin's family, and other secondary characters is there are a reason why you haven't named Rhysand's family? Like is it because you're looking for a fitting name or a story reason?

Also, given that the new Dusk Court is seemingly a mix of Greece and Japan do you have headcannons for the other courts? What would Spring, Autumn or Winter be?

Finally I can't wait to see more of the Njght Court rebellion. After the whole Dusk reveal I'm excited to see their reactions and maybe backstory, and them with the Valkyries because Gwyn and Lunara would be such a cute friendship. Also Grim is best boy I love this man he's had one scene and now I need a prequel we stan himbo dad warrior in this house! He's what Cassian should've been!

Speaking of, Nesta needs to come back and read everyone for filth! Book 2 might be all about her but she so fun to read here too, especially as Tam's sister (they'd be cute as a ship too but platonic siblings Nestlin is life)

Anyway so sorry for the long message, I love your fic and I'm cheering you on! 💗

Aaaaaaaaa!!!! Anon c'mere and let me hug you! You're so sweet! Thank you so much!!! 🥰🥰🥰 it's been a joy to write this fic and while I already loved Tamlin and Lucien both as individuals and as a ship before, thanks to the fic they've gone up to otp status in my heart. I'm so excited to keep bringing you my boys and their adventures be it sweet and fluffy or high stakes.

Okay so to answer your questions, the reason I haven't named Rhysand's family (or the other bat boys family) is less interesting that twist a or story and has more to do with spite. I am spiteful AF when it comes to the page hogging bats and I refuse to give them any once of development or thought other than antagosnist. So I have zero intention of naming any of those characters because I know SJM would grant them names before the Acheron parents or the Vanserras or any other more important character. So no, I'm just a petty spiteful slug in that case. Sorry to disappoint.

Glad to hear you cought the Greece/Japan mix invented for Dusk. Given that Night seems to be based on Greece along with Middle East at least from what little world building we were shown I thought it would be cool to have them have Greek influence due to Night's colonization but also retain the Japanese inspired culture and aesthetic that was theirs before their fall. I have some ideas for the other courts but these are just headcanons.

Spring- Scottland, France

Summer- Kingdom of Hawaii, Polynesian, Caribbean

Autumn- Spain, Ireland

Winter- Russia, Norway, Korea

Day- Madagascar, Kenya, Roman Empire

Dawn- India, China, Vietnam

Dusk- Japan, Greece, England (Gothic period)

Night- Greece, Middle East

You shall get more Night Court rebellion content soon, I love this group and trust me you haven't met them all yet, lots of peeps want Rhys gone. Gwyn and Lunara will be good pals don't you worry, priestess stick together and I really want more Gwyn she is a delight. Seriously considering a prequel with them at some point.

Funny you mention Grim, he's the favorite so far out of the Rebellion oc's and while I love this precious edgy himbo he is not of my creation @maplesamurai made him as an NPC for one of our D&D campaigns and I've been obsessed with him since then (that version of him and of D&D Lunara are also a couple, mates in every universe baby!) So thank him for the best boy and best himbo. Cassian's got nothing on the best dilf!

Nesta too will get more page time, I'm just keeping from adding too much before her own book, while her healing is mostly happening offscreen and she will be stable by the time of book 2 girlie will have stuff to deal with later that I need to put off for now, but do expect her to get a good moment along with the rest of the squad. Also yes platonic Nestlin for life! They'd be an awesome ship, but as siblings they're a winning combo. Eris look out Nesta now has an older brother to keep an eye on ya once you're official!

Don't ever worry about long questions anon, I live for comments and asks and any attention so I'm absolutely delighted that you sent me this and so grateful you love my silly fix it fic! Thanks so much and I hope I've answered your question! 💙

[naoa-ao3]

My Darling Child

Mikoto has a baby and he's absolutely perfect. He's more than perfect, he's the hope her clan has for the next generation.

Itachi is healthy and that's a start but it's the brightness in the baby's eye that she can already see that tells them all he'll be clever and strong, this one is going to be a leader. They can all see it and her husband is so proud.

Fugaku is so proud of Itachi and he loves him so much.

Their parents love the baby and even though there's a war going on the child has never known anything but love and warmth.

His parents fight, they do their duty and so far they've always come home but he doesn't yet understand and Mikoto savors these fleeting days. These days don't last long. Not for Ninja. They enter the Academy and it all changes, day by day they lose their childhoods. Right now is all Itachi will get because he isn't born during peace time.

It's been a long time since any of them have known peace time.

She carries the baby, spends all of her time with him at home. He's so precious to her and to the whole clan. Everyone loves him. He's got a million aunts and uncles. Little Itachi doesn't even know how loved he is, how much he means to every person in their family.

Mikoto will be proud when he enters the Academy. It's part of the reason she's had children at all. To rear the next generation, to carry on their family line. Itachi's fleeting childhood is a sad but it's a sacrifice she's willing to make and if she's right- if the look in his eyes is right then the boy will survive. He'll show them all.

She hopes he'll know peace time but she won't hold her breath for it. She's known so little in her own years and their family is one of the important one's. Even in peace time he'll have to learn to fight.

There won't be peace for this child but she'll raise him the best she can for it, she'll try to teach him to be good and loyal and smart. She'll try to teach him to survive the world and maybe he really will.

He's an Uchiha and that means something.

It means a lot to her.

It means he has a chance.

Her darling child. . . her pride and joy. . . she loves being a mother. She loves her child and each day with him, she loves when her husband is there with her and it's just the three of them. They're a proper family then, even despite the wars and the way the world is.

She loves being with them and she loves that Itachi is still young enough to share in these moments. He hasn't had to hold a kunai yet but his time is coming. It comes early for shinobi children.

It did for her and Fugaku.

She'd learned how to throw a knife by the time she was five. She was good at it by six. Everyone in her generation had learned early. Now it looked like the next would learn the same way.

She could only raise her son to endure it. War was a part of life. She couldn't save him from it, not in this world but she could teach him to throw a knife and how to kick and hit.

Not yet though, not now before he could walk.

This was their time, mother and son. Her own baby. Her own darling child, born to die as any of them were.

She would cherish her time with him and do what she could to make him strong. It was all she could do.

Motherhood was not easy for shinobi. They birthed fighters and they knew the risk. They knew what their children would be sent out to do just as she knew. Her boy would know tragedy but he would be strong enough to bare it when the time came. That was the difference. He would be strong by the end.

Mikoto held her baby to her chest and hoped she could bare this. She loved her son but duty and family called for sacrifice. Now however was her time. She would forever cherish these early years with her son.

She wouldn't get them back.