#AND NOW IT'S EVEN MORE TRUE :'DD

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

how am I supposed to just go about my day when evan buckley kissed a man

[topaz-mutiny]

"Seeing from his violent demeanor that he was English" is still probably one of the best (funniest) lines in Dracula, but I love how this part of the Post Script contrasts with the rest of the letter Sister Agatha sends.

The main body of the letter is to the point and polite on all matters (makes sense as it seems this part of the writing was overseen by our good friend Jonathan himself, though he's too weak to write) in contrast to the Post Script where Agatha adds in details that are emotionaly powerful and some aren't necessarily sordid but would absolutely be of concern.

Jonathan has nothing on him, he is shouting and in a rush, he has a frightening delirium, delirium can last and reemerge a long time into the future, he rambles about terrifying and grotesque subjects when in the throes of his brain fever (which is an old-timey way to describe a lot of mental illnesses and behaviors), and all of this overcomes a frailty and physical weakness from whatever else he's been through that causes him to otherwise be bedridden.

Even half of that could erode trust in someone. But as told in the rest of the Post Script:

He's recovering, he's gaining more lucidity, the Sisters notice his lucid moments are punctuated by gentleness and sweetness (hard to trust at first likely, due to frequent relapses, and the Sisters are eventually convinced a lot of his prior behavior was caused by the fading brain fever and not by his inherent personality), he is a cherished patient of the Hospital of St. Joseph And St. Mary, and it seems the staff are enamored with how often and with such love he talks about Mina, such that this spurred Sister Agatha to make the Post Script in the first place because it's the first thing she mentions.

[vin-taege]

Hi! I loved your awkward chishiya flirting sooo much <3 The way you write is so in character even with him being nervous about showing affection. Can you write him being completely oblivious he’s liked yn the whole time they’ve been through the games; he thought he was just protecting them out of trying to be a better person until Kuina is like you moron you’re clearly in love w them!!

And he’s like oh fuck, what are feelings?? I have them?? His thought process as he tries to deny it and then him having some awkward interactions w yn bc he doesn’t know how to act now he’s aware he likes her and then is desperately trying to flirt with no idea how to at all

Tokens of Appreciation

Summary: Chishiya tells himself that he sees you only as a friend, despite doing his best to give you a gift.

Genre: fluff

Pairing: reader x chishiya

Words: 2.4k

Note: I tweaked this a little to show more of him being in denial and still in the middle of processing it ^^ I didn't want it to be too close to the other awkward flirting fic, but I hope you still like it! Also god, I;m so sorry it took more than a year ; O; Good news is that I'm almost done with my thesis, so I have a bit more time to write :DD

Chishiya set the screwdriver down with a frustrated sigh. The music box sat in front of him, open yet still without song. He saw this on the day of the six of clubs game. The car that was supposed to pick them up got a flat tire and stranded them for a good hour. As much as he hated the militants for their incompetence, he was grateful that he had extra time to scavenge around the nearby shops. It was in one of the metalwork stalls where he found it.

It was fairly light, small enough that you could hold it when you brought both hands together. The outside looked like a small pot, with the lid having scalloped edges. Ornate, gold vines swirled around the sides of the box, leading up to the front. At the center of it was a teardrop-shaped gemstone that refracted prisms under light. Inside was a small rabbit instead of a typical ballerina. It posed with its arms up mid-dance, pointy ears curved back as it looked up.

That was what made Chishiya decide that this was the perfect gift for you. At the beginning of your friendship—before you had worn down his walls with “incessant” conversation—you had off-handedly mentioned a memory of your childhood toy.

“Oh, look at that!” you picked up the small piece of candy. The packaging still boasted its classic colors of red, blue, white, and black. Turning around, you held it out to Chishiya. “I used to eat this all the time when I was a kid.”

He wrinkled his nose in disgust. This was the ninth room around the Beach that you’ve ‘investigated’—a fancy word you liked to use instead of ‘snooped around.’ “You don’t know how long that’s been there. Plus, you’ll get cavities.”

“Candy doesn’t expire,” you stuck your tongue out at him, swiftly unwrapping the sweet and popping it in your mouth. You smoothed out the wrapper, particularly the area around the illustrated rabbit.

“Somehow, I don’t think that’s true—”

“He looks like the bunny plush I had.” Chishiya knit his eyebrows in confusion before glancing at the wrapper. He shrugged, feigning indifference.

“All rabbits look the same.”

“No, idiot. This one has pointy ears instead of rounded ones.”

“What’s that?” Kuina’s voice nearly made him knock over the entire thing. He flinched, throwing a blanket over his project. Clearing his throat, he stood up and narrowed his eyes at the girl.

“What did I tell you about knocking?”

Despite his small frame blocking the table from view, Kuina side-stepped around him, swiftly pulling the cloth right off. He hissed, moving to take the music box, but Kuina was faster, swiping it off the table and bringing it up to her eye level.

“Wow,” she enunciated, dragging the word. “This is for them, isn’t it?”

“No,” he tried not to stutter. He reached for it before Kuina held it above him. Her eyes were glued to the meticulous details. “If you drop that, I will kill you next game and make it look like an accident.”

She chortled, throwing her head back. Her loudness grew on him—is what he always told himself. Being his only friend when the Beach was only starting to form, he learned quickly how to tolerate Kuina’s more bubbly personality.

“What’s it for? Their birthday coming up?”

“No. I’m just making sure all our pieces are in place.” Kuina let him nab the item back. She watched as he wrapped it in the blanket, tucking it safely back into a drawer. 

“You totally like her,” she snorted.

“No, I don’t!” It came out too fast, too loudly. Chishiya’s face was starting to redden. His lips were pressed in a thin line, eyes downcast. It took a moment for him to collect himself. “We need her for the plan.”

“Yeah, right. It’s been half a year. Whatever long game you’re playing is over,” she smirked at him, plopping on his bed. “If anything, you’re the one getting played.”

“I don’t like her that way,” he crossed his arms defensively.

“Keep telling yourself that, lover boy,” Kuina chuckled, throwing a pillow at him. Chishiya swatted it away, face beet-red.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Call you what, lover boy?”

“Kuina!”

Three soft knocks interrupted their banter. Chishiya froze when you opened the door, slipping in with a mischievous grin. Your arms were behind your back, hands hidden from their view. A faint crinkling gave Chishiya a hint as to what you were holding. 

You stepped towards him, making him instinctively block the drawer the music box was in. Your grin spread wider, making your cheeks look unbearably adorable. Wait, did he really think that?

“I have something for you,” you said almost teasingly. You thrust your hand to his chest, pressing a package of biscuits on him. He wasn’t religious, but he prayed that you couldn’t feel his heartbeat thrumming out his rib cage.

Glancing down, he gave the biscuits a curious look-over. The wrapper was pink and white, with small cartoon strawberries spread around it. Attempting to take it from you gently, his fingers grazed over the back of your hand, flustering you both. Quickly, you whipped your head towards Kuina, chucking her the other item.

She caught the lighter with ease, excitedly flicking it on. Kuina was certain the militants threw it out after the pool fire incident. Totally not your trio’s fault. “Woah! Where’d you get these?”

“I was in Tatta’s storage space,” you beamed proudly.

Chishiya’s blood curdled. He squeezed the biscuits, though still careful not to break them. Shifting his weight to one foot, he scrunched his face in distaste. “What were you doing with Tatta?”

“Nothing, we were just hanging out. Ann dragged him into the hallway for a quick conversation so I had time to ‘investigate,’” you motioned with air quotes.

“What are you hanging out with him for?” The blunt words left his mouth before he could process them. 

His heart shrivelled a little when your smile faded. Taken aback, you clasped your hands, suddenly self-conscious. “I thought he was nice and making another friend around here didn’t seem like a bad idea.”

“Well, what if he’s just another sleaze like Niragi? You know how some of the men slobber like dogs here. And you’re in a closed space with just him? Just the two of you in a room? Together? Do you know how stupid that is? What if something happened and Kuina and I were in this room and we couldn’t hear you and—”

“What Chishiya is saying—” Kuina spoke over him, sending him a sharp glare despite her pinched smile. “—is that we just want you to be careful around here. I think Tatta is a fun guy too, but don’t let your guard down that easily okay?”

You nodded wordlessly, avoiding Chishiya’s eyes. Unbeknownst to you, his look softened, fingers releasing their tight grip on the biscuits. He slouched, silently berating himself for sounding so harsh, especially after you’ve just given him a gift. Oh god, you gave him a gift! He looked back at the cookies, strawberry-flavored no doubt. Perhaps it was your attention to detail that chipped at his armor. The way you remembered how he took two teaspoons of sugar with his tea and how you’d sometimes take his hoodie after a rough game and bring it back smelling of fabric softener.

Just normal things good friends would do for each other. Because that’s what you were—good friends.

“Chishiya?”

“What?” He blinked slowly, glancing at Kuina through silver hair framing his face. 

“I said I’m gonna get us drinks from the bar. You sound like you need it.” She stood up, motioning for you to take her place on the bed. You shot her a small smile, though your mood has obviously been dampened. 

Kuina passed near Chishiya, lowering her voice to whisper, “Fix your mess.”

When the door shut with a soft click, it was quiet for a few awkward moments. The room felt like a held breath, with Chishiya still standing, holding the biscuits like an idiot, while you were sitting on his bed, regarding him a huge eye sore in the middle of the spacious hotel room. Being a high-profile diamonds player bought him certain luxuries, despite how unnecessarily flashy he deemed them. 

“I know you’re just looking out for me, but you really could be nicer sometimes.” He almost didn’t catch what you said, your voice soft. “I just wanted to get you something nice.”

He sighed, more so at his own stupidity. He pushed himself off the drawer and sat beside you, your knees touching. Pinching the corner of the wrapper, he ripped the packaging open, angling the biscuits towards you. Your knee tensed beside him, making guilt claw at his stomach more.

“Take one,” he said, almost demandingly. You huffed, gingerly taking a piece. It was a small, pillow-shaped shell. You bit into it, bringing your hand back to look at the strawberry filling inside. Chishiya hummed in approval as soon as the sweet cream hit his tongue.

Wordlessly, you shared the biscuits—his own form of apology. You scooted closer to him, a silent act of forgiveness he quickly picked up on. Always the clever man, yet he could never figure himself out.

“I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Anyone with eyes can see how beautiful you are. If anyone here tried anything on you, I’d have to put rat poison in their alcohol. Do you know how troublesome that is?” he wrinkled his nose, pointedly munching.

A grin crept into your face. Your eyes flitted towards his face, dark brown eyes meeting yours. “You think I’m beautiful?”

Chishiya was stunned for a second. Blood rushed to his cheeks and the furrow in his brows deepened. He stammered, “No. No! That’s not what I meant. I mean that I’m just worried about you!”

You brought your face just a tad bit closer to his. “You worry about me?”

“No, no! I mean, you’re just a good ally and I don’t have any other strong feelings about you. I’m doing this for the sake of our alliance—”

He didn’t notice as you took the last biscuit, gingerly pushing it against his lips. He froze, eyes wide as he took in your appearance. An orange glow from the setting sun wrapped around your silhouette. You looked heavenly, like an angel beckoning him to the next life. Despite all logic screaming at him, he would gladly take your hand and go wherever that may be. 

You pushed the biscuit past his lips, the soft pair almost chasing after your fingertip as you pulled away. Curling your finger, you wiped the corner of his mouth with the edge of your knuckles. His breath stilled in his chest.

Chishiya leaned closer, your pull towards him magnetic. Shakily, he brought a hand up, about to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. He’s seen this move once before, during a promotional commercial for a drama. He was reviewing for his finals at the time, taking only a few seconds to stare coldly at his roommate because of how loud the TV was. Evidently, he never put it into practice before.

“Ow!” you jolted back, hands cupping your face. Somehow, despite his brilliant mind, he accidentally poked you in the eye. You grit your teeth in pain, globs of tears running down your cheek. 

“Shit, I’m sorry!” He tried prying your eyes away from your face, using his free arm to wrap around your back. “I’m so sorry. Shit. Don’t rub it, it’ll get worse. Come here.”

Assisting you through your blurry vision, he managed to walk you to his bathroom. He turned the faucet on, making you bend over the sink. Forcing stillness into his hand, he caught the water, gently splashing it against your reddening eye. You hissed, jolting back at the contact, though a firm hand on your back kept you in place.

“I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to.” The distress was evident in his voice. You’ve never seen him in such shambles before, not even during games where he was at the brink of death.

“I know, ‘Shiya. It’s okay,” you managed to smile at him. He wiped your eyes with a soft towel, bringing it down for a second to gently grip your chin. He nudged your head up, only enough for him to check on your eye. He let out a deep sigh before pressing the towel back. At least the pain has died down a bit now. “How bad is it?”

“It’s not fatal.”

You snorted, hitting him lightly on the shoulder. His lips twitched almost into a grin, though he was still slouched over in embarrassment. “I can’t believe this is the thanks I get for feeding you.”

“I… I-I didn’t mean to. Honestly!” He shoved his other hand into his hoodie pocket. Suddenly, the floor was the most interesting thing in the room. You chuckled lightly at his antics. There was something so boyish about the way he stood, almost as if he wanted his hoodie to swallow him whole.

You brought your hand up, wrapping it around his on the towel. His cheeks heated up, though still defiant in meeting your gaze. You stroked the back of his hand with your thumb, surprised that he hasn’t pulled away yet.

“I’m sorry I poked your eye. I was just trying to…” he trailed off. How was he even going to explain himself out of this one? “There was dirt on your face. You should take a bath from time to time.”

“I do take baths!” you exclaimed, swatting at him again. You jabbed a finger to his chest, tone riddled with tease. “You’re just so obsessed with me.”

He finally allowed himself to smile, the smile that made everything feel normal again. At that moment, you weren’t players in the Borderland fighting for your life every other day. You were just two friends, for now. Chishiya is a tough nut to crack, but between your laughter sounding like tinkling bells and the euphoric buzz he gets from being around you, he’d be able to sort himself out. He just needs to take it one step at a time, starting with making that music box sing for you again. 

Because that's what good friends do. God, he was such a good friend.

Back in the main room, the entrance door swung open, followed by the sound of glass bottles clinking against each other. Kuina proudly declared, “I got us the stuff!”

“Did you bring ice?” Chishiya called out to her.

“Of course!” Even from the bathroom, you could hear her huff.

“Good, because we need a bunch of it here.”

[k-hippie]

k-707 2025 BOLD UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS

Hello everyone :)

The new k-707 is going to be released in the coming days :D but as it is a kind of new experience, we have some kinda instructions in order to get everything working fine.

Step right up, folks, for the grand unveiling of our biggest project yet! The K-707 isn’t just a mod—it’s a green revolution. Taking on almost every flower, patch of grass, bush, and tree makes this even more massive than the K-505. And trust us, our brains are already feeling the strain! :D

But before instructions, let me tell you the k-707 story ;)

We really hope you'll enjoy it. We worked hard on it with 5 rules :

Replace EVERY tree of the game

NO overrides with crazy high polygons amount

Follow as much as possible the Maxis directions ( trees style )

Decrease amount of polygons where it is possible

No trees defying gravity and laws of physics

It took long for few reasons ...

At first, we always knew the first version was a vast experiment. When ea made its direct x11 update, it was time to make a bold update ... but we didn't want simply remove the non-strictly-dds-x2 images and replace them ... we wanted more. We always wanted more, even we are not kinda ea gurus :D ( hey EA ! don't you want hire some true creators with a long term vision of your game ? ) <- poll : would you like k-hippie as maxis creators or not ? :D

Joke apart, it was difficult. Almost 1 year long, we searched and searched solutions to get rid of all problems we met when replacing foliage on a debug tree, or modifying anything on a debug tree ( for info : we are not blender gurus nor sims 4 core users )

All we knew was few lines :

When cloning a tree, you cannot lose the any of the vert color data. I suspect whatever tool(s) you are using to do the cloning is losing this data, since this setup is somewhat unique to trees.

The vertex color layout for trees is as follows. Green and Blue are ignored for channels 1…4 : Color 0 RGB Surface color tint Color 1 R Rustle direction X Color 2 R Rustle direction Y Color 3 R Rustle direction Z Color 4 R Rustle phase ( game generates two wind scales that change over time, this term interpolates between the two )

The pipeline keeps the rustle information in a vertex color format for what the game engine will load, which means it’s in the range 0 and 1. The shader remaps this into a 0.5 to -0.5 range before scaling it and applying the offset to the leaves. Note that these directions are clamped but not normalized ( they’re allowed to be different lengths ) The WindMagnitude material parameter acts as a scaling factor.

So, we started with this information, begging in vain for some help, both inside the Sims community and outside ... but nobody helped us. And frankly, it interested no-one except us and our beloved followers :)

We found multitude of tutorials ( funny how many they are as soon as it is clothes related ) but nothing related to our specific target. We paused our research many times, made direct x11 updates for our other k-mods and so on. Until ... zaceitorius in July 13rd 2024

Who is zaceitorius ? We do not know. A simple member of sims4studio with 6 posts who gave us a simple bright clue which seems obvious after all, but yet very very precious indeed !

And here we are today. 300 trees and numerous plants later ... <- another reason why it took a long time :D

We made a lot of vertex experiments, we lost data colors, remade again and again some other experiments and well, we are still experiment, remake small details which seem important to us and so on ... And for now, it works :D And now you are warned : the k-707 is far from perfect.

And now, the instructions :)

The k-707 covers both trees & plants, both debug and lot trees & plants

What's new ? No more than usual. We tracked all the non-strictly-dds-x2 images, reshaped some trees ( such as the multitude of oaks ), added some flowers ( where we removed them in 2021 ) but kept many foliage we already did. We tried to simplify many details but added some others and replaced some plants.

How many stuff it represents ? We do not know. Many indeed. We stopped the count :D

Because of its size ( and our love for our sanity ), THE RELEASE WILL ROLL OUT IN PARTS ( not slowly but piece by piece ). If we waited until it was all perfect, you’d be seeing it around ( maybe ) September 2025 ... Let’s not tempt fate—or burnout! :D

The K-707 is neatly organized for your convenience :

Each DLC gets 2 folders : one for plants, one for trees.

The base game gets 4 folders ( a bit different since most of the greenery is drawn from there ) divided into lots and debug folders.

Expansions which have very few greenies ( City, Get to Work, University ) get the same folder named : k-hippie-k707-multi-greeny-2025

IMPORTANT :

Leave them in each of their folders ( or create your owns based on a similar methodology )

If you merge files : we can’t help troubleshoot if it doesn’t work anymore, so be smart ;)

You’re free to do as you like, but we strongly recommend keeping this tidy folder setup. If you need to troubleshoot down the line, it’ll save you a major headache.

And for the mavericks out there who love merging files—go for it, but know this : we won’t be able to help if things go haywire.

Now, we could wax poetic about how stunning the K-707 is, how every leaf, petal, and blade of grass is crisper, richer, and beautifully integrated into your worlds—but hey, we'll do it later, inside the release post :D

We could do more, more realistic trees and so on but we do not want integrate crazy high poly models. We do not want an unplayable game isn't it ? ;)

The k-707 is not yet finished. We got some more work to do on it, shape the last details, and some re-checks.

But here is what is new compare to the previous version : we kinda cracked ( a bit only ) the code. Trees swinging in the wind like it’s a dancing contest ? No more. Trees defying gravity and laws of physics by groveling into the ground ? No more. Just remember we do not have the hands upon the worlds construction, so, when trees are not into the ground, well, call your reseller aka EA itself ...

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Aaaaa Yuuna is so cuuutee 💗😆 Her hair is so prettyyy. But with the addition of the new Yuu I’ve come up with a theory that with the pattern the mangas have taken so far, they’ll start switching back and fourth between male and female yuus for the rest of the dorms:

Heartslabyul - Yuuken (Male)

Savanaclaw - Yuuka (Female)

Octavinelle - Yuuta (Male)

Scarabia - Yuuna (Female)

Pomefiore - Male

Ignihyde - Female

Diasomnia - Male

Just something I came up with that i wanted to share with you ^^ Also who is the manga artist for Scarabia 🤔

[Referencing the Episode of Scarabia!]

Lots of Yuuna-related asks recently (and for good reason!) so I decided to lump them all into one post :DD

Yes, Yuuna is very cute~ The alternating genders of the manga!Yuus has actually been a pretty popular theory for a while now, actually! Some believe this is meant to be the Yuus having the opposite genders as the Great Seven member of their respective books/dorms. But yeah, the pattern seems likely at this point.

The mangaka for the Episode of Scarabia is Majiko-sensei! They have previously contributed a chapter to the manga anthology. You can read more about their past works here.

I'm not sure if "[taking] care of [one's] appearance" is the right phrase to use (as it unintentionally implies other Yuus are slobs/don't care about how they present themselves, when that's definitely not the case)? Maybe it would be more accurate to say, "Yuuna has stereotypically feminine aesthetic tastes", though it's more immature and preppy than Vil's is. I think Yuuna has a cuteness that's more characteristic of Cater than Vil--but all three of them definitely have overlap in their interests in makeup, fashion, social media, etc. I feel like Yuuna would get along with them both!! We do technically see her interacting with Cater (they take a selfie before he departs for winter break) and are assumed to have already known each other due to the events of books 1 and 2. Too bad we don't really get to see them interact in those books... and that we won't see Yuuna interact with Vil for the Episode of Pomefiore. We'll have a new Yuu by then (which gets into my disappointment with never being able to fully follow a single manga!Yuu and their character arc through to the end of the main story...)💦

Yeah, it's nice to have variety in the manga!Yuus' personalities, skillsets, and interests! ^^ It makes them a lot of fun to follow, even if we know they'll only be with us for the length of one book/dorm.

I've personally really been loving Yuuta and Yuuna a lot. Yuuken and Yuuka are also nice, but I find that their general characters are kind of similar (athletic and level-headed) and don't differ enough to result in interactions unique from game!Yuu (with perhaps the exception of them being able to physically contribute to battles). This is not true of Yuuta and Yuuna, whose abilities extend to other areas and therefore have a larger impact on the world and its characters. For example, Yuuta's love of food + cooking skill has him shouting at Grim sometimes for not appreciating food, but it also becomes excellent leverage for sleeping over at Savanaclaw later in book 3. You can also see how Yuuna's outgoing personality would draw people to her and allow her to make connections.

The manga!Yuus also speak to the diversity of Yuus we see in the fandom. I know a lot of us were waiting for a girl Yuu (which we got with Yuuka), a Yuu of different body type (which we got with Yuuta), and a very femme presenting Yuu (which we got with Yuuna). Yuuken is also great because he was the first Yuu we got that actually had the ability and the confidence in his fighting capabilities to charge head-on into an OB fight.

As I state in my pinned post, manga raws generally come from Monthy GFantasy, which publishes new chapters of the Twst manga online each month. You must PAY to access those raws.

In the case of the Episode of Scarabia, the full first volume was released in today. It is avaliable on Kindle through the Amazon JP store. This is still something you would need to PAY for if you're interested in seeing the full thing right away.

I cannot provide full chapters to the public, as this is paid content that I receive from my own friends who subscribe to GFantasy and/or who bought the first volume of Scarabia on Kindle. You can make your own decision whether or not you wish to purchase for yourself; however, there is most likely a scanlation team that will put out an English version sooner or later. Again though, this would surely take some time to get done, especially when there's 4 chapters of Scarabia to translate.

[rafesplaymate]

Off to the Races

Chapter iv- Date Night (part 1)

Older!Rafe Cameron x Stepdaughter!reader.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ navigation. ੈ✩‧₊˚ masterlist. ੈ✩‧₊˚ series masterlist.

warnings: infidelity (emotional / physical). pseudo / stepcest. dom / sub dynamics. dd / lg dynamics. man-handling. groping. dark themes / adult content.

a/n: finally updating. date will be broken into two parts to build up tension for storyline. enjoy!

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

By the time Rafe is finished getting dressed, putting the finishing touches on himself —the sun is barely settling. Pouring out a beautiful orange haze over Kildare that makes the environment feel all too dreamy. Making him all the more excited for his night alone with his girl, the knowledge that his wife was out of the house satisfying his desire to be alone with his darling girl. He spritzes a couple sprays of colonge over himself before securing his black ‘rolex’ and the gold chain his wife bought him as a wedding gift. A nice gold cuban link that cost her a pretty penny. The memory of receiving it ingrained in his head; reminding him he married her almost 6 months ago and how in fourth months their marriage has changed so drastically.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

The night she gifted him the chain —they’d be in an ambiance of passion. Newlywed, honeymooning in Bora Bora for 2 weeks. Days of passionate sex and meaningful conversations. Strengthening their bond and pushing it over the line of surfaced attraction and reasonings for union. They’d been eating dinner when she presented him it to him, smiling with red painted lips as she watched him open the red velvet box. His eyes widening with intrigue at the opulent piece of jewelry, while she uttered a, “I know how you like chains.” He looked at her with a side smile and grabbed her by the face. Pressing a long and soft kiss to her lips while they smiled into each other —whispering a sweet thank you.

In the moment he’d felt like he was actually sure this was true love. Taking her on their hotel bed, his body laid on top of hers as he buried his face in her neck all night. It wasn’t crazy or intense, but it was satisfying. And it fulfilled him in the moment. His mind pensive with the thought that his days of passionate love-making was over. But he could handle that, because the long-term end goal was something he was willing to build and sacrifice for. Or so he thought at the time.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Now almost 4 months later everything has changed. A complete 180° over taking Tannyhill the moment y/n came bounding into his life. The day his body, heart and soul burned ablaze —her the flame. She completely and irrevocably changed his life, in so many ways. Leaving an indelible mark on his heart. The love he once felt for his wife dissipating by the day as the love he has for his darling girl builds like an uncontrollable flame every, single day. Leaving him feeling subdued and put out whenever she’s not near him —needing her presence like a fish needs water. His mood soured and snappy whenever she’s not hanging off his arm or napping on his office couch while he works.

His stepdaughter is the the most valuable treasure he’s ever found —even more valuable than the royal merchant everyone’s constantly chased around Kildare. Him included at one point. The high of needing that fortune now replaced with something he cherishes way more. Something he wants to keep locked away in his home and near him for the rest of his life; feeling that her beauty and presence alone was too priceless for the leering looks of everyone on the island.

So now as he finally finishes, adjusting his sleek black blazer. Running a hand over his shaved head as he opens the bedroom door. He shuts it behind him, shuffling softly to stand right in front of his stepdaughter’s bedroom door. Listening intently against it and smiling softly to himself as he heard her melodic voice softly singing along to music. What he assumes is makeup products clacking around as she gets ready. He taps a bent index finger two times on the door, leaving small but loud enough knocks. Listening as the music lowered slightly and her sweet voice letting out an inquisitive, “who is it?" Rafe replies almost immediately with a, “you good, princess?” He waited for a response, nothing coming out for a second and his mouth was already opening to ask again —when the door opened. In that moment, Rafe’s blazing body reignited with an intensity —his stomach and chest burning with a potency that almost felt like it hurt.

There she was. His beautiful, little stepdaughter —the apple of his eye. Wearing nothing but a ‘Victoria’s Secret’ robe, the middle undone and exposing the expanse of her body. Yet, covering the parts he was dying to get a glimpse of. Cursing himself for leering on his darling girl but how could he not? She stood there with her pretty eyes already on him, makeup done flawlessly. Their eyes holding onto each other’s for a second as tension noticeably built —once more. His eyes darkening with indisputable lust as he stares into her decorated ones. Hers echoing his as she took him in as well. He held her eyes for a good second, before they began wandering down. First falling on her glossy, pale-pink lips that look every bit as bite-able as they do in his daydreams. His eyes trailing lightly over the soft skin of her delicate neck that makes him want to sink his teeth in. The chain of the white-gold, diamond encrusted initial necklace he bought her sitting wrapped around it. But it’s when his eyes began following it down, did his jaw tick and a harsh breath left him.

There sat the diamond initial between her perky breast, gleaming against her smooth skin that sparkled with body glitter. His eyes moving to both sides of it slowly as he took in the peaks hidden behind the satin layer of robe. Lingering on them as he took in her nipples just barely covered by the ends of the robe. Fuck. They sat there so enticingly; the rationality in his brain fighting with him that he was leering at his stepdaughter. Overpowered by his lustful need as his chest sucked in with a harsh breath and his eyes continued their journey over the flawless architecture of her body. A temple he fought with the desire to defile.

He shakily breathed out as his eyes then wandered down her beautiful torso that was sexily decorated with silver body glitter, each ridge of it looking so alluring —valleys he wanted to explore with the tips of his fingers. His eyes wandering to the peak between her soft thighs decorated with white, lace that did almost nothing to cover it. Her thighs glistening with some kind of oil and glitter; that made him want to grip them in his hands and dig in until grape-sized bruises the shape of his fingertips were engraved in her skin. His eyes falling lower till they landed on her pretty french-tipped toes; her right ankle decorated with her preferred white-gold anklet. The same toes he wants to kiss presses to every time she walks around barefoot or has them decorated with rings.

His lips pursed in a soft, low whistle as he finally broke the long —suffocating silence that overtook them. Cobalt eyes snapping back to hers with a lustful glare. Watching as she bit her lip and her turned in knee swayed, her pretty eyes returning his same lustful glare as the corner of her plump lips quirked in a devious smile. “Hi daddy,” she finally breathed out, her soft voice full of seductive undertone. Her head tilting to the side as she pushed her chest out; nipples threatening to expose as the fabric moved along with her movements. Heat built in-between her thighs after taking in her stepfather the same way he did her.

Rafe’s pink lips quirked into a satisfied smirk at her acknowledgment and the title she’s so rightfully granted him. Bringing a ringed hand to scratch his chin as his bottom lip curling over his bottom teeth; a small scoff leaving him. He walked closer to her, reaching his arms out quickly and wrapping them around her. Holding eye contact as his left hand wrapped around her lower back. Landing on top of her perky butt, and digging his tips in as he pulled to his chest roughly. A small gasp falling from her sparkly lips as he pressed her tightly against him. Her robe falling open with his movements and pressing against the fabric of his shirt. Moaning as her sensitive nipples brushed against the fabric of his black button up. Internally satisfied with the reaction he’s given her.

While his right hand dug into her hair, gripping at her scalp tightly as he pulled her head back and her hair cascaded over his arm. Another gasp falling from her lips, this time pained as he shuffled them forward into her bedroom. His eyes holding hers as he man-handled her forward. Walking her until she was in front of her vanity, hand now gripping her ass and giving it a harsh squeeze before he roughly turns her around. Her robe flailing open with his movements as he faces her to the large mirror of her vanity that shined with led lights on the edges. His hands sat where her waist pinched in, squeezing roughly and feeling the soft grip of skin under his palm. His fingers digging in roughly.

He then moves his right hand back into her hair, forcing her to look into the mirror at herself. His large frame towering over her smaller body as he lowered his head to her left, to level their eye contact. Running the tip of his nose over her silky hair and taking in the sweet smell of her vanilla shampoo —shutting his eyes in satisfaction. Running it all the way down to her temple and then down her cheek with his eyes closed, tugging her head to the right harshly as she let out another soft, pained gasp. His nose then running over her jawline before finally finding its way down her neck; pressing in deeply and sniffing before letting out a harsh purr that vibrated in his chest. Her expensive perfume enticing him, but it was her natural scent that overtook him so much more.

He stayed there for a cool second as she watched him in the mirror, watching as he nuzzled his face into her. His hand on her waist reaching around and covering her stomach to press her right against him —into his erection. Her face contorted in pleasure as she reached her left hand back to cradle his head against her, scratching his scalp with her nails affectionately —while reaching her right hand back and digging into his thigh. Pressing herself against the rock-solid erection pressed right in between her ass. Eyes fluttering shut as she let out a soft moan. The sound causing him to let out a soft groan of his own as his lips then brushed over the expanse of her neck all the way to her shoulder.

He brought his left hand to grip her bare breast, harshly fondling it as he pressed a kiss to her smooth shoulder. Eyes opening and glaring at her lustfully through his eyebrows, watching as she writhed against him with pleasure. His grip on her hair tightened even more and tugged her head back, whispering a gruff “look at me.” That went ignored, she was too caught up in the feeling of his large hands fondling her. Something that not only delighted Rafe but frustrated him all the same, that she didn’t listen to him the first time. She always does.

“I fuckin’ said-“ his large ringed-hand that was fondling her body came to grip her neck; wrapping round it harshly —the desire to grip her face overcome by the knowledge that she will whine at him for ruining her makeup. “Look. at. me.” Squeezing the sides as she gasped louder and her eyes finally fluttered back open, faux lashes making them look oh-so-enticing. Slight tears building up from his handling and the heat of the moment. That’s when they finally made eye contact in her vanity mirror. And the sight in front of them was something that teetered their relationship further over the line of boundaries they loved to push.

Sure, she’d press her lips to his cheeks —as well as her tits to his chest every time he came home. Hard nipples poking against him as she lips a sloppy kiss on his cheek that leaves a glittery mark. Sure, maybe Rafe would meticulously rub sunscreen and tanning oil over her skin while she sat laid in front of him in the luxurious backyard of their home. His large hands leaving no inch unchecked under the guise of being thorough —long fingers daringly ghosting over her breast and the peak between her inner thighs so lightly it almost wasn’t there. And sure, they’ve definitely been tangled in his arms one too many times while he soothes her to sleep or cradles her while she cries about her mom. It’s nothing new for them to share affectionate caresses … but this.

This was something entirely different, and they both knew it. This wasn’t excessive affection under the guise of fatherly / daughterly love —no. This was primal impulse. The suffocating tension that constantly surrounds them being slightly cut into —just enough. The unspoken desire between them disguised by actions of parental affection. It was almost freudian. Yet, neither of them seemed to care. Not even a bit, not even at all. It was a blazing act of paroxysm that pushed them further to teetering off the cliff of their natural inclination toward each other. It felt like it was meant to be and it burned so deeply in both of them they would be branded for life.

After a long moment of unspoken words being exchanged through fiery glances; harsh breathes coming from both of them. Rafe finally let her throat go, his fist in her hair loosening at the same time. Pushing his body slightly back, pushing his erection away from her. He brought both hands to her waist; groping affectionately as he pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head. Their eyes still on each other, the heat in the room almost unbearable. Rafe then grabbed both sides of her robe, bringing them to overlap one another as he tied it back up for her gently. Pressing a couple more soft kisses to her head before finally turning her around to face him. Her eyes now softening and looking up at him with unadulterated adoration —his gazing into hers with the exact same earnest.

He cupped her face softly in his large hands; careful not to mess with her meticulously done makeup. Pressing the tip of his nose against hers lightly before nudging it slightly; turning their heads to the side as he pressed a soft lingering kiss to her pretty lips. Their eyes falling shut and a harsh breath leaving both of them. After a moment, he pulled back and smoothed his hand over the top of her head to fix her mused hair; giving her a soft smile and pinching her chin. His once lustful gaze now replaced with the same adoration he adorns for her everyday.

“The sun’s setting”, he finally spoke once more. His voice calm and in a low drawl, as if he hadn’t just spoken in her ear with a lustful grit mere moments before. He continued to stroke her chin with his thumb as she gave him her entire regard; hanging onto every movement and drawl from his lips. Her brain going fuzzy and shutting off as she lets her stepfather take reign of her entire being once more. “Should start getting dressed, princess.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips once more, “tonight’s going to be all about you.” He whispered lowly against her lips, brushing them against hers as they let out harsh breathes into each other. Her hands coming to grip the lapels of his blazer as she whined softly and pressed her self into him. Eyes fluttering shut as she sought out for more kisses. Falling completely into the man who consumed her entire being once more.

Rafe quirked an open mouth smile at her reaction to him, satisfaction settling in his chest with the knowledge that she’s just as whipped for him as he is her. Chuckling lowkey before stopping her movements, and pulling his head back. Watching as her beautiful eyes fluttered back open, another whine falling from her lips as her grip on his jacket tightened —confusion plastered along her gorgeous features. He just smirked down at her with a patronizing quirk of his lips, tapping her right cheek with his left hand a couple times lightly before turning her around once more. Smacking her on her ass lightly, but with a prominent clap as her pushed her toward her closet. Urging her to get dressed as he began strutting his way out of the room. Leaving her mind hazy and not completely there.

“Now, hurry up.” he called behind him as he walked out of her bedroom. His voice growing louder as he descended down the stairs. Shouting out one final, “you know dad doesn’t like waiting long. I have plans for us tonight, princess.” The promise of the night being all about them —about her driving her body into action. Quickly bouncing into her large closest with a pep in her step to get dressed, daydreaming briefly about a life where her and her stepfather were more than the title that was granted them for right now. Her music still playing lowly in the background.

“My old man is a bad man

But I can't deny, the way he holds my hand

And he grabs me, he has me by my heart…”

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

a/n: phew! i am so sorry this took so long i lowkey lost motivation, but we’re so back baby. i hope yall aren’t too made i broke this up into two parts. yes the series is based off “off to the races” by lana. i wanted to build up tension. as always any feedback is always deeply appreciated. much love.

taglist: @xcinnamonmalfoyx @iknowdatsrightbih @inthelibrarybtw @pretty-pink-princess @enjoymyloves @stoned-writer @rafesfuckdoll @unrealmirrorball @khaibdl @idksmtms @queenvane64 @xoxohoneymoongirl @vogueprincess @loonysbarn @heartsforrafecam @cl4uus @spideysimpossiblegirl @littlelamy @sunset-euphoria @slut-4-gojo @katekells @theater-bitch @faephoria @slutforlanadelslay @matthewswifeyy @pillowprincess4him @drewsphwife @rafeysangelbaby @wearemadeofstardust0 @inthelibrarybtw @adrianalovesevispresley @theeternaloptimistt

if i’m missing anyone pls lmk >.<

[demonic0angel]

EDA >:DD

Look, I just... I need more of that... Jorgu... Jorguman... Jorguamdnra?? I can't pronounce that shit— CLARK/DAN SHIP :33. Can we have a uhm, continuation <333

Don't break your wrist if you don't have any more ideas on how to continue it

-A.E. 👻

(Ayo, worry more about your thumb!! 😭)

Part 1

Superman continued to hold onto the man as they all traveled down the hallways silently. The woman, named Jazz, told him the story of what happened before he arrived.

Originally, she had ruled over the Infinite Realms, a place that was the opposite of the living realm, as queen regent, but when she gave up her position to their little brother Danny, he had been cursed alongside their little sister. Since previous rulers were forbidden from taking back the throne after being thrown off or abdicating, the crown was given to the other brother, Dan (nicknamed from Danny, which was weird).

“So now they’re children?” Superman asked for clarification, eying the two sleeping children in Jazz’s arms. They stepped over more bodies as they continued moving.

She nodded grimly. “The true crown belongs to Danny, since he is the one who acquired the crown through right of conquest. However, for the last few years, Dan has been the one taking up the role as king in order for there to be a ruler while the throne remains empty. He had been doing really good… he quit smoking, he stopped killing, he was healing…” The sad look in her eyes darkened into rage. “But the GIW ruined everything.”

“The GIW?” Superman asked, as he silently picked up a piece of debris to allow them all passage through the wrecked hallways.

“We call them the Guys in White, but their real name is the Ghost Investigation Ward, and they’re a government agency created and designed to hunt down ghosts. They’re a bunch of fanatic, genocidal hard heads who won’t rest until they nuke all ghosts and kill us all,” Jazz said, her tone venomous. “We can’t fight against them, so we’ve been largely distracting them with other targets. It seems that somehow, they found a way into the Ghost Zone to capture Danny and Ellie.”

The girl in her arms stirred and Jazz shushed her gently. “Shh, Dani, go back to sleep. It’s okay, I’m taking care of it.”

She fell back asleep and they didn’t stop moving. Superman digested the information, holding Dan closer to his chest. Said man was clinging onto him, arms wrapped around him as he remained asleep to the world.

He looked so innocent and lovely, unlike that murderous monster that Superman couldn’t understand just moments before.

But now, Superman was conflicted as he understood his motives.

“Why… Why did he relapse so badly?” Superman asked, a hand involuntarily moving from Dan’s back to stroke his long hair.

Jazz gave him a backwards glance and clarified, “Dan?”

“Yes.”

“… he didn’t come from our timeline. He’s from another world, where everyone in his family— us— died. He was possibly psychologically tortured by our godfather and then he broke down even further, enough that he asked to be split in two so he could feel better. It didn’t work. He nearly killed our godfather and then he absorbed the evil in him. It turned him insane and he destroyed everything. After he completely destroyed his world, he set sight on ours. He nearly killed me and Danny.”

Superman stared wide eyed at her. “And you forgave him?”

She turned back and smiled softly. “He’s my little brother. I’d forgive him for anything. And he’s much better now. He wasn’t well before. But he’s gotten help and he made the effort. He worked hard to be a better person, but the GIW set him back. So after we finish taking care of them, we’ll take care of him.”

Superman clutched at Dan even harder, a mixture of awe and inspiration taking over him. The movement must’ve jostled him, because Dan snuffled, rubbing his fine facial hair against Superman’s neck. Superman withheld a shudder and said determinedly, “I’ll help you.”

“Hmm. Much appreciated. Could you stop snuggling my little brother now?”

Superman blushed bright red. “Oh! I’m so sorry!” He hadn’t thought she would’ve noticed.

Jazz turned her head enough to give him a disdainful look but didn’t say anything. Danny, peeking over her shoulder, opened his eyes and glared at him. Superman flushed and loosened his grip on Dan, whose expression turned disgruntled from losing warmth as he whined.

Oh dear. How embarrassing.

[spookysteddie]

Always Comin’ Home to You

Gator Tillman x fem!reader

18+ MINOR DNI

dec: after a fight with his step-mother Gator comes home late, scaring you. His bruises tell you of the day he had and all he wants is to feel you.

cw: Swearing, abandonment, mental / physical abuse (Roy to Gator), domestic abuse (Roy to Karen), bruises, mention of death, implication of anxiety, murder, toxic religion themes, gator calls his step-mom a cunt, crying, fingering, daddy kink, dd/lg themes if you squint, Gator calls himself her God (what's the name for that?), unprotected penetrative sex, cream pie, promises. (let me know if I missed anything)

wc: 3.7k

a/n: I need Gator Tillman like I need to fucking breathe. This man is WOW. I just want to pet him and tell him he is, in fact, a winner and then suck him off. Anyway, I hope y'all like this heheh

...

Gator Tillman didn’t have a lot of good things in his life. 

Between his mother leaving, his father being as asshole and everything in between, Gator was a little fucked up and very morally gray. Doing his daddy's dirty work in the hopes Roy will finally be proud of him. 

Now, there was one good thing (or person) in his life, one human who brought out the best in him. One person who saw him for the person he was deep inside. The one who saw him as a winner. 

You. 

You were everything Gator could ever dream of, his perfect girl. 

“Gator? Baby have you seen my sunglasses?” You pull some clothes out of the hamper, double (triple) checking that they weren’t in there. “Do you have them? Are they in your cruiser?!” 

You hear Gators heavy footsteps before he leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, “have ya checked on top of ya head?” You can hear the smugness in his voice and instantly you want to punch him. 

You were an angel and subsequently the sweetest girl. Shit, you make Gator catch and release the spiders you find in the house because you ‘want someone to grant you the same kindness in life’. Whatever that means. But of course he does it, because the last thing he wants is to make you cry. 

Well, that’s not true. He loves making you cry while your wrapped around his cock, fucking you so deep and hard that you can’t form a complete thought. Only then does he enjoy the tears streaming down your face. 

But at the same time, you had a wicked attitude. One he liked to fuck outta you at every opportunity. And when you look up at him he knows it’s coming. 

“Do they look like they’re on my fuckin’ head, Gator? Jesus Christ.” But he doesn't fail to notice you subtly check in the mirror to make sure they aren’t actually on your head. They aren’t, for the record. 

Gator is not like his daddy. Does he have his fathers attitude? Absolutely. But he has never raised his hand to you outside of the bedroom, much to his fathers dislike. Claiming he’s watched his father beat on his step-mother and even though he hates her – only because she gave birth to his twin sisters, giving his father two more chances to fuck their futures up – he doesn’t think it’s right. 

He balls his fists, nails digging into the center of his hand. He has too much shit to do today and, frankly, doesn’t have time for this shit. “Watch ya mouth bunny. Lucky my dad aint home to hear you take Christs name in vain.” 

Gator is right. His daddy already doesn't like you, doesn’t think you’re Godly enough. He also seems to think you’re an idiot simply because Gator does everything for you, even down to tying your shoes. It’s something Gator likes doing, taking care of you as it helps ease his mind. 

But at the same time Roy wonders how his son could catch and keep a girl like you. It’s emotional whiplash most of the time. Of course, Gator takes the brunt of his daddy's issues when it comes to you, never letting his daddy so much as look wrong in your direction. 

You sigh, running your hands down your pink skirt, “look, can you please help me find them? You know my eyes don’t do well with the sun bouncing off the snow.” 

His eyes soften, loving when you need his help, “I’m willin’ to bet they’re in the cruiser on the floor boards.” 

Your face heats as you remember exactly why they’d be on the floor of the cruiser, your escapades from your little meeting at the police station last night. There was always that preliminary fuck before going back to Roys (cause God forbid Gator ever come stay at your place. His daddy needs him nice and close.) considering you don’t know how to keep your moans quiet. So, he tires you out, not so much that you can’t drive back to his place, but just enough to where you’re silent during round two and three and four. 

The cold nips at your bare legs, winter just as brutal as every other year in this godforsaken state. You swear it never gets easier, winter, and the older you get the more you think about moving south. You think Gator would like the warmer weather, probably find the warmth soothing. 

“Ah ha! Got ‘em!” Gator hands them to you with a huge smile on his face. He looks almost boy-like. It’s rare he has a genuine smile, especially when his daddy is around. 

“Gator,” his step-mothers voice rings out from the porch, making you both jump. He doesn’t turn around, doesn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing his frustration. “Stop yellin’ cause your sisters are sleepin’!” 

“Karen, they’re at the other end of this fuckin house and your scratchy ass voice is louder than me.” 

You can see her huff, “I should call your father!” 

He sighs, turning on his heel, “I don’t think that’ll be a good idea. Dad’s… a little busy today.” Gator knows exactly what his daddy is busy with, not that he’d ever tell you. Terrified that he would somehow put you in danger. 

You know that there was shit his daddy made him do. Things that forced him to come home with black eyes, bloody lips and bruises on his knuckles and body. It hurt your heart every time he came home like that, telling you it was nothing while he winces as he takes off his clothes. 

Karen seethes from the porch and you see her look from Gator to you and back. Gator, who notices everything, sees it and steps in front of you, pushing you behind him. “Don’t look at her like that, Karen.” 

That seems to annoy her more, “she better not be here tonight. You hear me? Don’t need your sisters hearin the stuff you two get up to at night.” 

“Not any worse than dads hands hittin’ your face while they sit at the kitchen table.” You cringe at his statement, seeing Roy hit Karen more times than you can count. “You don’t run this house. Or tell me what to do.” He spits on the ground and turns away, waiting till he hears the door slam to speak. 

“I fuckin hate her. She’s sucha little bitch.” 

You wrap your arms around his middle, breathing him in. “Can stay at mine tonight if you want. Don’t wanna get you in trouble,” you murmur into his shirt. “O-or we can spend a night apart. I know we haven’t done that inna while but just till this blows over an’ we know she didn’t say nothin’ to your father.” 

You know you're rambling, but all you want is to make Gators life comfortable and safe. You know there is a small chance that Karen will call Roy, tell him what happened, maybe even lie (she’s done that before) and say you upset her. If that happens, Gator will get it good, possibly another broken arm or dislocated jaw. That’s the last thing you want. You can feel you chest ache, eyes burning at the idea of Roy hurtin’ him. 

Gator pulls your face back from his chest, making you look up at him, “don’t you be worryin’ bout me now. Roy ain’t gonna do shit and I don’t sleep when you aren’t curled up next to me,” he kisses your forehead. “I’ll put some feelers out to see if that little bitch called him. Gotta meeting at 3 with him.” 

You nod, your hand coming up to fix his jacket. In reality, you just need something to distract from the burning behind your eyes. 

“Hey? I’m serious. I’ll be fine, okay?” He lets you go to reach into his pocket, pulling out some cash and handing it to you, “why don’t you go get your nails done or something, yeah?” 

You know refusing to take the money wont go well, so you take it, putting it in the pocket of your jacket. “Thank you, daddy,” you whisper out, knowing you aren’t really supposed to say that outside of Gators locked bedroom door. 

He lets it slide, the day has been stressful enough for you. “That’s my good bunny. Now, run along and I’ll meet you here at six okay?” 

You tilt your head, “no station tonight?” 

“Nah… Jerry is working and he’s got a starin’ problem when it comes to ya. Don’t feel like scoopin’ eyeballs out. Too messy.” 

You shudder but kiss him goodbye before getting in your car. You have a very bad feeling his 3pm meeting isn’t going to go how he expects. 

… 

You were right. 

You knew you were right the second you pulled up to his house at six on the dot and he wasn’t home. You reach for your phone, looking to see if maybe you’d missed a text, phone call, shit even an email from your boyfriend. 

Nothing. 

Even when you try to call him, you're met with a voicemail. You can feel the bile rise in the back of your throat, fear making your skin itch. Was this it? Was this the time Roy sends him out there to do his dirty work and he doesn’t make it home? 

He could be anywhere right now. Not only that, if he was dead, no one would do shit for him. No funeral, no service, nothing. His dad would go on and wipe his hands clean of his “loser” son, probably more than happy that the ties of his first wife are gone for good. 

Oh God, what if he was dying, the cold freezing the blood onto his skin, frostbite settling in. He could be so scared, praying to the God he doesn’t believe in that you come find him. His clothes are probably wet too, sticking to him thanks to the sn-

A knock on your window makes you jump, a yelp falling from your lips. You look over, seeing the blue of his jacket in your peripheral and the sight makes you gasp. You’re quick to shut off the car, jumping out and getting a closer look at him. 

He looks… awful. His right eye is nearly swollen shut, dry blood sticking to his split brow. There is a bruise on the other side of his face and under his left eyes, clearly he got hit in the nose. 

“Baby…” this time you can't stop the tears from falling. “Baby what happened?” 

He lets out a long, deep sigh, his hands resting on your cheeks. “Fuckin’ cunt called dad. Said I needed a lesson in respect. S’how I got the bruise on my left eye.” He wipes the tear that falls from your eye, his touch soft and kind, “sent me to do some shit across state lines. Guy beat the fuck outta me. He ain’t alive no more though.” 

You sniffle, “is it just your face?” 

He shakes his head but doesn’t say more. He knows you’ll see the rest once he gets you inside. Well … “we-I can’t let you sleep here tonight, Gator.” 

He shakes his head, “it’s fine. Dad said so himself. Come on.” 

And so he drags you inside, Karen looking like the cat that caught the canary as she watches you help Gator walk. You make a mental note to never forget this, never forget how she treats her step-son.

You push open Gators bedroom door, making sure to shut it silently and lock it before settling Gator on the bed. “Let’s get ya into some comfy clothes, yeah?” 

You crouch down in front of him, making quick work of untying his boots. 

“Baby, I can do this. I’m the one who's supposed to help you.” 

That only makes more tears burn your eyes. You hated that he never let anyone help him, hated that he always had to be strong, couldn’t ever cry, nothing. You hated Roy for making him like this and you hated his mother for leaving and not saving her only son from a life of pain. 

“Stop. Just-just let me help you, Gator please.”  You pull at the laces to loosen them and make it easier to slide off his boot, your vision blurry from the tears in your eyes. 

His boot comes off easy and you make sure you keep your hold on it so it doesn’t make any noise on the floor. Same with the second one. 

You stand, unclipping his thigh holster and setting it on the nightstand where he likes it. Incase of emergencies. Next is his belt, coming off with ease. He stops you when you get to his pants, making you look up at him. He hates the silver shining along your waterline. 

“I love you, little bunny.” He says it so quietly that you almost miss it. 

“I love you too.” Your voice cracks as you say. 

You work on his pants, popping open the buttons with ease. Next you pull his shirt out of his pants and pull it over his head. By the time his shirt hits the floor, you’ve gotten a full look at his bare torso. A bruise is forming along his ribs, it’s really red and slightly turning purple. 

“Jeez baby,” your hands gently touch his skin and he hisses a little. “S-sorry.” 

He says nothing as he helps you pull off his pants, leaving him in just his boxers. 

“Stay here,” you tell him as you collect his dirty clothes and go into his attached bathroom. You sigh as you grab a face cloth, turning the water on so it heats up. It, of course, takes forever for the water to warm. Nothing like shit water heating thanks to the frigid winter. But once it does you wet the cloth and grab the first aid kit and go back to him. 

You’ve done this before, cleaned him up, you’ve even stitched him up. You’d like to thank the internet for telling you how to do that and you’ve gotten good over the last two years. 

“S’is gonna hurt. Luckily it looks like you don’t need stitches. Just don’t move while I work okay?” 

He nods, “yes, baby. Ya don’t have to do this. I know you don’t like blood.” This was true, you didn’t like blood at all, barely even being able to handle papercuts. But for some reason, when it comes to him, you can manage to push it aside. Cuts can get infected and when they’re on his face it means it could go to the brain faster. 

You carefully dab the wet rag around his split eyebrow, gently clearing off the blood and making sure that you don’t resplit the cut open. “I think it split from the swellin’ but I don’t think it needs stitches.” 

He nods slightly, “good. I was hoping it’d close on its own.” 

You put some wound cleaner on it before you bandage it. He might have a scar there unless he leaves it alone. But knowing Gator, it’ll open again. You clean up around his face and causing a hiss to leave his lips once you touch his cheek and eye. You apologize, applying some cream that makes bruises heal faster to his face and ribs. 

“That’s everything.” You force a small smile at him, tossing the wet cloth into the hamper and putting the first aid kit away. You get undressed, needing skin to skin contact. Then, you climb into bed, snuggling up to him, resting your head on the safe side of his chest. 

The silence stretches, Gators arm around your shoulders, his thumb moving softly. 

“I thought you were dead in the snow,” the words tumble out of you before you can stop them. 

He thumb stills for a heartbeat before resuming, “but m’not.” 

“I’m sorry this is the life you were forced into. It is not fair.” 

He kisses your head, breathing you in for a moment, “it’s not your fault, bunny. You didn’t do any of this. Shoulda kept my mouth shut when it came to Karen. Just… smile an’ wave.” 

You shake your head, kissing his chest, “not how it’s supposed to be.”

Gator rolls over you, forcing you on your back. He bites back a pained groan. “My sweet bunny, listen to me. I am here. I am safe. S’gonna take a lot more to kill me.” He leans down, capturing your lips in a sweet kiss. 

You let your hands slide into his hair, deepening the kiss. Honestly, you just need to feel him. He knows it and if he’s being honest, he needs to feel you too. He’ll never say it out loud, but as he laid in the snow, doing his best to get the fucker he was sent to kill off of him, he was scared. 

Scared he would die and you’d spend the rest of you life wondering. He knew no one would fill you in and he knew his daddy wouldn’t have a service for him. You’d be alone, wondering what happened to him, praying to the god you don’t believe in that he’d come home again. So, he fought like hell and now, he really needs you. Needs to be inside you. 

You pull back, breaking the kiss, “Gator, we can’t.” 

“We can. Please baby.” Gator doesn’t beg, he didn’t need to when it came to you. Always more than willing to do what he says and give him what he wants. His begging makes you give in. 

His hands push your underwear aside, feeling how ready you already are for him. Always ready, always wanting and only for him. 

You pull him in for a kiss while his fingers find your clit with ease, swallowing your moans. He always knows exactly how you like it, fingers moving in swift circles and just the right amount of pressure. 

“So fucking pretty when you’re at my mercy,” he pushes two fingers inside you, the stretch making your brain go fuzzy. “Looked so fucking pretty in your little skirt and frilly socks. My little angel.” 

The way Gator is cooing at you, his fingers crooked up to touch the one spot that drives you nuts and you can feel yourself slipping into that headspace you both love. You’re trying so hard to be logical, knowing he’s hurt and can hurt himself further. 

“Thank you, daddy. Bought it because I thought you’d like it.” Your voice is getting small, breathy. 

He grins, kissing down your neck, “I love it. Love everything you wear. Look so pretty in your pastels.” His thumb finds your clit, a soft moan falling from your lips. It’s embarrasing how quickly you are to coming around his fingers. 

“P-please. Gator please.” 

He smirks, “use your words, sweet girl. Tell me what you want.” 

You can feel your body heat up from both the coil inside you winding tighter and the embarrassment of having to say what you want. “I-I need to cum. So bad.” 

The second the words are in the air, Gator pulls his hands away, leaving your orgasm to fade away. “NO! No, no, no, no please!” 

He sucks a mark into your neck, his tongue licking over the spot to sooth it.

“Need ya to cum on my cock, baby.” 

Before your brain can catch up, he’s sliding inside you. The stretch is something you haven't gotten used to in the last two years. It feels like he's splitting you in half, his cock filling you completely. 

“OH! Oh my god.” You're already panting, squeezing him so hard he’s fighting to not bust prematurely. 

Gator drops to his forearms and pumps his hips, getting right in your face. He’s so close you can smell the fruity scent from the vape he was no doubt huffing on before coming to see you. 

“S’right baby, I am your God and I love when ya pray to me.” 

You can’t help the way your cunt clenches, a moan falling from your lips that is just slightly too loud for either of your comforts. At the moment, you don’t care. You know Roy already got his fill of kicking Gatos' ass. He’s not going to worry about it tonight. 

“Daddy, please. I’m so close.” 

His hips are snapping hard, cock hitting your cervix with every thrust. He feels like he’s inside your throat and you can’t tell if his grunts are from pain, pleasure, or both. 

“Not yet. Almost there. D-don’t cum yet.” 

Your nails sink into his biceps, hips starting to stutter. 

“Please! Fuck! Oh god…” 

He smirks, eyes meeting yours, “yeah? I know how bad ya need it. How bad ya need me to fill this pretty, little cunt up. Breed an own ya f’ever? Hm?” His eyes are black and he looks absolutely feral. Primal.  

His hand snakes down the front of your body, finding your clit with ease. You gasp, thighs starting to shake. You knew you weren’t going to last but you needed his permission. You craved his praise and being in his good graces. You’d let him do anything to you, that’s how much you trust him. 

“Yes! Yes! Whatever you want. Anything.” You don’t even know what you’re saying at this point, too cock drunk to think of anything besides him and what he’s doing to you. 

He laughs, seeing your eyes glazed over and tears of pleasure lining your eyes, “cum for me bunny. Do it.” 

It’s all you need to fall into bliss. 

His hand covers your mouth knowing how loud you’re about to be. His face drops into your neck as he cums with you, both of your moans muffled by each other's bodies. His cum fills you, leaking out as he brings you both down. 

His hand slowly leaves your mouth, head lifting to look at you. 

“I love you. I fuckin’ love you so fuckin’ much.” He leaves little kisses all over your face, trying to bring you back to him. “You hear me? M’never leavin’ you.” 

You take a shuddering inhale, trying to form a coherent thought, “P-promise?” 

You hold your pinky up to him, hands shaking while adrenalin continues to run through your veins. He giggles, hooking his pinky with yours, “promise. I’ll always come home to you. I will always fall asleep next to you.” 

He looks down, flipping your hand over and checking out your nails, “I can’t wait for these pretty, red claws to be wrapped around my cock.” 

Your chest lightens as you both laugh together.

[diminuel]

Since I’m still down the Rocks rabbit hole and pondering this AU some more (I'm boring and just calling it Time Travelling Rocks AU for now) I think the path of angst for any time traveling AU would go like this:

Either little Pebble (I'm just going to use this as a name for now because it's cute! Technically, unless I change my mind, Crocodile's name is Keres) gets taken off Hachinosu and Rocks has been chasing for leads, leaving a trail of destruction for days/ weeks that finally leads to God Valley once he hears the broadcast. Or if the kid was on Rocks’ ship it’s also possible they lost sight of her on God Valley because a D. Clan child is not going to just sit around and hide. There has probably already been tension between Pebble’s parents regarding whether it was appropriate to bring a child on high stake raids and if it maybe wasn’t better to drop her off on Sphynx instead where a child can grow up safe and sheltered (but alone and ultimately defenseless if it turns out Sphynx isn’t safe after all).

It's possible that Rocks believes that Pebble has been killed which starts him on an even worse spiral of destruction, with no holds barred. And there’s a real danger that killing a lot of the present World Nobles would rain destruction down on the seas below, enough that Roger and Garp know that they have to stop him even if that means killing him and protecting Celestials in the process. Yes, it’s tragic that Rocks’ child is among the casualties but they can’t let Rocks trigger a "great cleansing". (Rocks would of course think that those are empty words coming from Garp, who knows that innocent children are experiencing unspeakable suffering and die at the hands of World Nobles every day. Who knows and does nothing about it. Who knows of the wanted poster that had been put out for Rocks’ innocent child and does nothing.)

Rocks, who has no devil fruit power but uses magic (or ancient civilization technology that looks like magic), knows that if he gets killed, a last resort/ emergency spell will be triggered. He doesn’t know what exactly it does but he doesn’t care.

But maybe as he lays dying he sees his child run past. Wearing different clothes, hiding her identity, having everyone fooled that she died, even her own parents. Such a smart child. And in true D. clan fashion Rocks can die with a laugh.

And then the magic is triggered and Rocks gasps awake and instantly swallows salt water. Disoriented, with wounds carried over from the battle, it takes him a while to get to land. He learns where he is and, shockingly, when he is. 36 years thrown into the future, on an island called Dawn.

If I go with a 36 years jump then that would put him shortly before Luffy’s departure, so he would be the only Monkey kid still on Dawn. In a serious AU I would go with that for sure. So that Rocks might only return to the world stage in/ around Marineford as well, having spent the time before acclimatizing to this time (and being babysat by Garp to make sure he’s not taking the first opportunity to return to his King of the World/ World Destroying ways.)

Maybe he’d meet Luffy in Impel Down because Rocks also had the brilliant idea to break into the prison to get Ace and Crocodile out, just that he’s a lot more stealthy than Luffy. But once Luffy’s made such a commotion then all bets are off for him too. It’s a fun family trip! :DD (Crocodile doesn’t think it’s fun at all. And he’s not looking forward to seeing his parents' reunion in Marineford of all places where the stakes are just too high for relationship drama...! And from the way Rocks is talking about Whitebeard there is definitely going to be relationship drama and Rocks might just kill the old man and the doing the World Governments job for them.)

I think while the Marine would still claim victory because they think Ace died (he gets better), Whitebeard does survive.

(In a sillier AU where everything is changed anyway the time jump could be earlier.)

[dduane]

Stumbled across while cleaning out the Twitter account

...And now wondering how much more of this kind of stuff I should go prospecting for before the bird-place-that-was goes around the drain for the last time...

(Writer stares at Scrivener screen for a long time, drops down to already-open section, splits it at cursor, wipes the old title from the new title bar and types the previously unexpected words: THE ADVENTURE OF FREELORN OF ARLEN AND THE MEDIOREGNIC SILVER MARKETS.

FREELORN: We can absolutely get away with this.

DD: (weary eyeroll) Lorn...

(Inserting a cut. Warning for financial worldbuilding, mild m/m innuendo, and Things Having To Make Sense.)

F: Who's to say it wouldn't have happened anyway!

DD: That's not the point.

F: You know this happens every time two countries have a war. One of their currencies devalues. Then recovery becomes a nightmare.

DD: It's not always—

F: In an economic ecosystem this small, yes it is.

DD: How do you even know the word 'ecosystem'?

F: In case you haven't noticed, I'm in your head.

DD: (side-eye) Don't remind me.

F: And when the two countries are trading partners, it's a mess.

DD: Not improved by you stealing all that money from the Arlene treasury in book 1!

F: I was young and wild.

HEREWISS: You're still young and wild. I have the teeth marks to prove it.

DD: Please do not tell us where.

F: You might find it educational. When he—

DD: You two are going to keep this in the fiduciary mode or I swear to Herself I'll lock you both in the basement with Sker'ret and he'll show you what real teeth look like.

H: Is he cute?

DD: We'll discuss it later. Now please tell me what madness you're proposing.

F: Why should the four Realms suffer through a decade of pain after all the crap that just happened? Let's pump a pile of silver into the major markets and cushion the blow. Why should all our peoples suffer? None of this was their fault.

DD: A laudable sentiment, but silver doesn't just come out of nowhere.

F: It does if you say it does.

DD: Not going there, Lorn! Unlike what we laughably refer to as real life, this stuff has to make sense.

F: It comes from the mountains. All our silver comes from the mountains.

H: And the Bluepeaks got a bit torn up over the War, didn't they.

DD: True enough. Earthquakes and whatnot. (eyes him) You were involved, I seem to recall.

F: Well, mightn't some silver realistically come out of those terrain changes? New veins opening up due to the mountains coming undone?

DD: Might.

F: A fair amount, actually.

DD: And don't think I don't know about your little 'public works project' down in the mountains in the southwest. That new pass opening up for the Ladha people, a long long ways away from Steldin.

F: The Dragons have been very helpful.

DD: I just bet they have. (side-eye off his 'innocent look') Which we want to keep to ourselves, because if the Steldenes get their paranoia going it'll create more problems than it solves. You don't want them starting to get the idea that you and Darthen cooked up this war between you with some obscure money game in mind.

H: Oh come on, even Dariw Halfken wouldn't be stupid enough to think that. Damn it all, we nearly got ourselves killed saving the world out there!

DD: And there were almost no Steldenes around to see it happen. You guys aren't going to get a free ride on this. You're going to have to make this sudden money believable.

F: 'A wizard did it.'

DD: Wrong universe, smartass. They've got their own problems! Leave them out of this.

F: 'The Dragons did it.'

DD: Dragons are not the answer to everything.

H: That's not what Hasai thinks.

DD: (more eyerolling) Something else I have to deal with. ...Okay, listen, I'll take this under advisement. But you might have let me know about this, oh, I don't know, last year?

F: You were busy.

DD: And if I let you go ahead with this... Do me a favor? Don't get caught.

H: Leave it to me.

DD: Famous last words. But do I have a choice?

BOTH: No.

DD: (eyeroll)

SUNSPARK: There's a gent outside named Doyle. Says he wants to talk to you about titles beginning with "The Adventure Of...".

DD: Heat him up some pizza and tell him to take a seat. I need to talk to him about evil extradimensional rats. (hides face) My brains hurt...

F: And by the way, what exactly are 'Oscars?'

DD: ...Oy.

(below: the original art from the 2019 Twitter thread)

[jokeringcutio]

Stepdad!William Afton x Reader - Christmas Present (WARNINGS:SMUT)

Warnings: Creampie, taboo, stepdad x reader, secret s*x, Daddy kink, Christmas Dinner, Secret touching, Fingering, Behind your mom's back, Praise kink, dd/lg, Dark William Afton/William Afton is not a nice man, Mutual agreeance & consensual intercourse.

AN: I don't know what I did, but this just came out. Not beta read but I am going to sleep now and I wanted to share this with you all. For quick links and more, see notes below.

The soft glow of Christmas lights bathed the room in a warm, inviting atmosphere. You sat at the table with your mom, stepdad William, stepsister Vanessa, and her new boyfriend Mike. The scent of roasted turkey and homemade stuffing filled the air, while laughter and cheerful conversation echoed around you.

Vanessa and Mike animatedly chatted about their budding relationship, beaming as they recounted their favorite dates and shared aspirations. Their love was palpable, and they seemed eager to impress your mom and William with their connection. It seemed to work, your mom seemed smitten with Mike and William hadn’t said a nasty thing to him all evening – which you considered a win.

"Hey," Vanessa said, turning her attention to you, "when are you going to get a boyfriend?" Your heart clenched, and words failed to form in your throat. She didn't know what had been going on behind closed doors.

"Yes, good question," William chimed in. “Your mom has been dying to get a grandkid or two,” he said, feigning concern.

You nearly spat your drink out and tried to look away. Especially as beneath the tablecloth, you felt his hand snake onto your upper leg, fingers brushing against your skin. It sent shivers down your spine, the ghost of his touch haunting you.

“Dad!” Vanessa cried out.

“Well, it’s true,” William said matter-of-factly, and you could tell from the corner of your eyes that your mother blushed. “I just want to see all my girls happy and settled. So, when will you bring home a nice boy for me to meet?” His voice dripped with insincerity. Bringing home a date was the last thing he was waiting for. He didn’t want to see you date, or risk losing you to anyone else.

The fingers on your legs dug possessively into your skin, a silent warning that you were already claimed.

His.

"Uh, I'm not sure," you finally managed to say, avoiding eye contact. "I've just been busy with work, you know?"

"Sure, but there's always time for love," Mike added, oblivious to the undercurrents at play. He didn’t know what was going on – none of them did. He couldn’t see how your stepdad’s fingers traced up your Christmas over-the-knee stockings until they met bare skin.

"Maybe one day," you murmured, forcing a smile. As the conversation moved on, William's hand remained on your leg, a sinister reminder of the secrets you shared.

It became hard to focus on dinner like that. With his palm hotly upon your flesh. Memories of your stepdad’s mouth on your skin, his possessive grip on your hips, and his whispered promises to keep your liaisons secret washed over you.

You swallowed hard, trying to focus on the colorful decorations and warm atmosphere as everyone continued eating, trying to ignore the sick knot forming in your stomach.

God, how could you want a man like him so badly? When you knew it was so wrong?

"Delicious turkey, Mom," you said, attempting to regain some semblance of normalcy. Your mother beamed with pride, but all the while, you felt William's hand inching further up your leg, like a spider crawling toward its prey.

"Thank you, sweetheart," she replied, oblivious to the tension that was slowly strangling the air around you.

"Great job with the table setting too," Vanessa chimed in, squeezing Mike's hand as they exchanged loving glances.

Yes, great. Excellent, you sardonically thought as your stepdad’s fingertip brushed past the crotch of your panties. A wet spot formed where his fingers brushed past your nub, the now damp material seemingly spurring him on, for his fingers became more insistent. Even going as far as to hook underneath the elastics of your panties at one point to dip a fingertip between your soaked folds. You flinched, knee banging against the underside of the table, and whispered a flustered apology while William dipped his finger a little deeper inside your cunt – as far as he could go from where he was seated really.

You met his heated blue gaze as you looked to your side, saw the way he watched you intently from behind his aviator glasses. He pumped inside of you a few times, just to the second knuckle, and then his finger slid out again.

The now wet digit remained on your naked thigh for the remainder of the meal, only leaving when William had to pass food around. You watched with fascination as the criminal digit stroked past one of the bowls, how his fingertip glistened with your juices and accidentally tapped against some of the lettuce inside.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as you picked at your food, each bite feeling heavier than the last. Your core was like a fuzzy ball full of wires that all got tangled. Expecting your stepdad to touch you - and hating the fact that you wished he would.

When dinner finally ended, you excused yourself, claiming exhaustion from work. You escaped to your room, away from your stepsister and her happy relationship, away from your mother and her bright smiles. And most importantly, away from him.

You slipped into bed, pulling the covers up to your chin as if they could protect you from the reality lurking just beyond your bedroom door. Sleep was elusive, your thoughts racing and your heart pounding in your chest.

The creak of the door opening sliced through the darkness like a knife, and your breath caught in your throat as you heard your stepdad’s familiar footsteps approaching. He stood beside your bed, his presence looming over you like a shadowy figure.

"Merry Christmas," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "I came to deliver your present."

He wouldn’t even flick on the light, but you could see him illuminated by the glow of the streetlamps through the window. He was already naked, a bow wrapped around the base of his already erect cock. He held it in his right hand, stroking himself and brushing his thumb past the head, the slit already weeping pre-cum that glistened like white pearls in the dark. "I've been waiting for you all through dinner." He stepped closer until you felt the bed dip with his weight, resting a knee next to you on the mattress. You could feel his breath on your skin, hot and tantalizing.

"Are you ready for your present?" he asked, the gravelly tone of his voice making your stomach flutter.

You swallowed hard, unable to speak, but your body betrayed you, nodding in submission. The tension in the room was palpable, both of you knowing what was about to happen. You wore a nightgown with nothing underneath. As always. Easy access for Dad. Like Daddy’s good girl.

His hands found yours, gently guiding them to the ribbon around his shaft. Your fingers trembled, but followed his lead, slipping beneath the fabric to pull it off. Your fingertips gently stroked past his fevered skin, feeling the ridges and the veins and how his member throbbed at the slightest touch.

"Beautiful," he murmured, eyes raking over your flushed form before he pushed you down on the bed again.

He wasted no time, reaching out to touch you, fingers tracing delicate patterns across your sensitive flesh. You gasped, hips arching involuntarily as pleasure bloomed within you. The suddenness of it all was overwhelming, your mind racing with thoughts of guilt and desire. Your nipples peeked underneath your nightgown, his blue eyes drawn toward them. He lifted your gown to reveal your stomach and breasts, wasting no time in tasting your skin with his lips and his tongue.

You writhed underneath him in pleasure while his erection bobbed against your hip. The wish to just put it in there grew stronger and stronger with each flick of the tongue and each nibble of teeth.

Soft whimpers and moans escaped your lips as he kept your arms pinned down, hovering over you like a predator eating its prey. His lips moved lower, just when it became too much, and then his tongue flicked past your stomach to your core.

A yelp escaped you, and wetness gushed forth between your folds, making your core glisten in the light of the lamps from outdoors.

"Quiet,” he whispered, leaning down to press a heated kiss to your inner thigh. "Your mother might be waiting for me in our room right now. You don’t want her to find us like this, do you?"

It took effort to shake your head and mutter a faint no, because he was driving you wild. Your core pulsed with slick, too empty and aching to be filled. You were drowning in sensation, sinking deeper into the abyss of forbidden lust.

"Please," you whimpered, no longer able to distinguish between want and need.

"Shh, you want to be Daddy’s sweet girl, right?" He cooed, pressing his lips to your trembling ones. "I'm going to make you feel so good."

And so he did. His hands roamed, his mouth tasted, and your body responded with an urgency you had never known. The world outside ceased to exist, replaced by the symphony of your ragged breaths and whispered moans.

"William," you gasped, as he finally positioned his hard cock at your entrance. You placed your hands on his broad shoulders, fingers digging into his sweaty skin. “Daddy, please,” you begged him. “I wanna be your good girl. Fill me up, please, Daddy. I wanna be good for you.”

And with a grin that made his teeth glisten in the dark, he entered you, filling you completely. His thick cock spread your pulsing walls wide, pussy fluttering helplessly around his size as he bottomed out. His balls slapped against your skin as he moved out and then in again, nudging his cockhead deep inside your core and making you see stars.

It was such a delight. How you had missed feeling him inside of you like this. To be filled so completely by this man that your mother called her lover.

If only she knew.

William filled you completely, satisfying a primal need you wished you had never known as it became an addiction. It was a sensation that both terrified and exhilarated you.

"Say my name again," he demanded, eyes locked onto yours. "Let me hear it."

"Daddy," you repeated, more firmly this time, feeling a surge of power as he shuddered above you.

The love you made was sweet and tender, yet laced with a darkness that could not be denied. Whispers of ‘my sweet girl’ and ‘Daddy’s good girl’ were accompanied by a pull of your hair or a thrust so rough it made your teeth chatter. Your bodies moved together in perfect harmony, each thrust bringing you closer to the edge of ecstasy. And when you finally tumbled over, it was as if the world had shattered around you, leaving only fragments of pleasure and pain. Your walls fluttered around his cock, forcing him over the brink with you. A loud groan filled your ear and revibrated through your entire body.

As you lay there, panting and spent, your stepdad slowly moved up on his elbows and reached for something on your nightstand. The light blinked on and you had to close your eyes because of the brightness, bringing an arm up to your head.

His warm body withdrew from yours with a slick squelch. And then you felt his strong large hands as he pushed your legs open wide. You slowly recognized he reached for his phone, capturing the aftermath of your union. The sight of white globs of sperm leaking from between your legs seemed to bring him immense satisfaction, and he held the camera up close to capture it. The way your pussy pulsed in the aftermath, the way his seed was slowly pushed out and then sucked back in again by your body - a wicked smile graced his features as he recorded it all.

Then, once he was satisfied, he put the phone aside.

"Best Christmas present ever," he declared, his voice heavy with pride and possession.

You smiled up at him, cheeks flustered and eyes tired. You slowly pulled your nightgown back down, covering the fresh hickeys, love bites and bruises your stepdad just gave you.

“Thank you, Daddy,” you said, heart swelling with satisfaction when William’s blue eyes twinkled at your words.

“Good girl,” he said again.

You watched as he slowly raised himself from the bed and bent forward to seek for the Christmas ribbon. Once he found it, he pumped his cock in his fist a few times until it started to become erect again.

“Help me with this, will you?” he asked, holding out the ribbon for you to take. You sat up on the bed on your knees to help him, feeling how even more of his sperm seemed to leave your soaking-wet core. You bit your lip as you tied the ribbon around the base of his cock once more, creating a lovely bow, then carefully glanced up at him.

William caught your look and groaned. “Oh, honey, don’t look at me with puppy eyes like that. Makes me just want to ravish you again.”

He bent over to capture your lips in his own, cock still in his hand, pumping himself a few more times. When he broke the kiss and leaned back you could see how his cock was now back on the way to be fully erect again, and you bit your lip in desire.

“Much as I want to fill you up a second time, I got to tend to your mom first. Promised her a Christmas present as well.”

He must have seen the way your face fell – no one wanted to be reminded of their lover having sex with someone else, especially when they were family. But you had known something like this would happen. He was your mom’s husband after all. Not yours.

A gentle brush of his thumb past your lip and your gaze softened.

“What will you tell her about the wetness?” you asked, shyly gesturing at his cock which was still coated in your mixed juices.

William’s smile turned into a devious smirk. “I’ll just tell her I lubed up,” and then his hand ruffled through your hair. “Don’t worry, baby. Your still Daddy’s favorite girl.”

He leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on your forehead. The gesture should have been comforting, but it only served to remind you of the twisted reality you now found yourself in. You watched as your stepdad left the room and then cuddled underneath the blankets again. A smile slid on your lips and you closed your eyes.

Your stepdad knew how to give the best presents for Christmas ever. ~ AN: Merry Whatever you Celebrate.🥳 If you like this kind of filth, I have a lot more of Stepdad!Afton x Reader and more coming up. I also write for other interesting bad men such as slasher characters. If you are feeling generous - as it is the season of giving - you can always leave me a little thank you on my Ko-Fi  (: I'll post some quick links below to other works. My prompt box is still open, but I will be heading into the hospital at the end of December and depending on my treatment, I might have to close it in the near future. But I'll keep you up to date :) Quick links: ~~ Masterlist - Request Box -  Support me on Ko-Fi ~~

[lefarte]

What funger characters would be like in bed

NOTE: IM SORRY FOR NOT GETTING ALONG TO MY REQUESTS I’m a notoriously slow writer but I didn’t forget,,, thank you everyone for the positive reception

Warning for nsfw text (it’s nothing that crazy, mostly just talking about their orientation and measurements)

Abella: Switch with a dominant lean. Prefers giving to receiving. She’s confident in her body, but gets a little shy about dirty talk. She does not shave…. Ever. Her chest is a B cup. She owns a strap on but has never actually used it before. Very serious about cuddling afterwards! She has a slight preference towards feminine women or feminine men. Thinks girls with glasses are cute.

August: Generally leans more towards a gentle type of approach, he can be convinced to try other things if he likes his partner enough but is usually conservative in bed. More of a giver than a receiver, likes to be romantic but he has a playful side. He bites. 9 inches. Uncircumcised. Has a slight preference towards women.

Cahara: Likes both partners to be equal in bed. Playful. He cracks jokes during sex, likes to make his partner smile. Likes to give and receive equally, but usually ends up being the receiver. 6 inches, circumcised. He trims his pubic hair on occasion, but never too short. Likes ‘all kinds of people.’

Daan: Leans submissive. He’s not exactly shy about sex, but he has trouble enjoying it unless he really trusts his partner. He alternates between being hyper-sexual and completely uninterested. Prefers giving to receiving, as it feels less vulnerable. Might have a thing for voyeurism. 5 and a half inches, circumcised. No gender preference.

D’arce: Switch with no preference. She used to think she was 100% submissive, but now she’s not so sure anymore. Sex is very meaningful to her, it must always be with a monogamous partner and as an act of love. She’s shy, but secretly has an intense libido. Prefers being on the receiving end of things usually. She has an A cup bust but she uses padded bras to look bigger. Trims but does not shave. Likes feminine men and all kinds of women.

Enki: Says he’s dominant, not entirely true. Can actually be a little bit shy sometimes. Very rarely gets in the mood, and if he does he usually just likes to watch his partner go at it on their own. Hates being touched. If he is in the mood to be touched, he prefers receiving to giving. 4 inches uncircumcised. No gender preference.

Henryk: SUBMISSIVE. Doesn’t have a dominant bone in his body. Tries too hard to be romantic in bed. Horrible at dirty talk. No practical experience, he just replicates things he sees in movies. He has no preference between giving and receiving as long as his partner is gentle. Likes to cuddle and fall asleep after. 5 inches exactly, circumcised. Says he likes women, really has no preference.

Karin: Switch. Dominant with men but submissive towards women. Not experienced enough to decide whether she likes to be on top or bottom more. She likes receiving, but is shy about penetration. She’s a DD cup. She never shaves or trims, and the curtains do NOT match the drapes. Openly bisexual.

Le’garde: Leans dominant. It’s very, very rare for him to get in the mood. If he is in the mood, he’s a control freak. He’s monogamous, he only wants one partner and he wants it to be romantic. Always picks giving over receiving, he likes to see his partner squirm... 6 inches exactly, circumcised, hair trimmed evenly. No gender preference.

Levi: Doesn’t like power dynamics. Very touch starved, so even a hug can give him an unwanted tent. (This doesn’t always mean he’s thinking about sex, he’s just going through a late puberty.) Likes giving and receiving the same. Goes very quiet and still when aroused. He wants to get married and maybe even have kids someday. 5 and a half inches uncircumcised. No gender preference, but thinks long hair is pretty.

Marcoh: Submissive. Deeply worried about hurting his partner by accident. 100% monogamous, and has internalized shame and fears about sex. He will never be able to have ‘casual’ sex, it will always be very intimate for him. Likes giving and receiving the same. He has particular fantasies about being tied up. Almost 8 and a half inches, circumcised. He has very thick, coarse pubic hair. Has a slight preference towards masculinity. Likes his partner to have some meat on their bones.

Marina: Switch leaning slightly submissive. A pent up virgin with a high libido suffering from catholic guilt and body dysmorphia. She likes to read erotic novels, and has a lot of curiosity. She flirts often but gets dysphoric and shies away. Hopes to one day meet someone open minded and good to her! Has an A cup bust, but she insists it’s a B. Somewhat preferential to receiving. 4 inches, uncircumcised. No gender preference, but wants her partner to be taller than her!

Nosramus: Switch leaning gentle domme. Has a normal, healthy sex drive. Likes to touch and study his partners. Likes giving and receiving equally. Has both male and female anatomy. She has a B cup chest and a 5 inch penis. His pubes are so long that she braids them sometimes. Has a preference for other non-binary or gender nonconforming people.

Olivia: Dominant lean. Views sex as a healing experience for herself, a way to feel confident in her body. She is not a virgin. Has a fairly high libido. Loves to feel feminine both in and outside of the bedroom. She sometimes fantasizes about being a ‘femme fatale’, but is shy when people actually approach her in real life. She has a C cup bust. Shaves. A well educated woman who knows the importance of aftercare. Likes to cuddle. Closeted bisexual.

Osaa: Dominant, but doesn’t particularly care for power dynamics. He’s not a virgin, but he doesn’t care about sex. He only feels desire towards someone he already knows and deeply cares about, and he cares about very precious few people. 8 inches, uncircumcised. He is surprisingly proud of his size. Prefers giving to receiving. He likes monogamous, romantic sex, though he is weirdly ashamed to admit it. He blames the influence of the All-merian church. No gender preference.

Pav: Submissive and you can fight me on this. Likes rough sex. Likes his hair pulled, likes to be choked. Has not been a virgin for a long time. Has a pretty high libido and has a lot of casual sex. Has NEVER had a long term partner. Likes giving and receiving equally. 5 and a half inches, circumcised. He shaves most of himself and waxes his chest (and ass) because he doesn’t like the feeling of hair. Preference towards feminine women and feminine men.

Ragnvaldr: Wants him and his partner to be equals, the thought of domming makes him uncomfortable. Very nervous about hurting his partner with his….. girthiness, especially if they aren’t as experienced as him. Confident in his body. Always chooses to give rather than to receive, he likes to see his partner in pleasure. Almost 10 inches. Uncircumcised. Likes to kiss and hold his partner in his arms while he does it. No gender preference.

Samarie: A total virgin, never even held a hand. Has fantasized about every position under the sun and has masturbated so many times that her Sylvian affinity has reached its level cap long ago. Has a B cup bust. Never shaves or trims, completely hairy (Unless Marina wants her to shave). Likes giving, receiving, upside down, sideways, on the wall, ANYTHING, but it must be monogamous. Likes pretty girls.

Tanaka: He recently discovered he has a small preference for being dominant. Inexperienced but eager to learn. Thinks sex is pretty cool. No preference for giving or receiving. No fetishes. Only thing is that he likes to hold hands. Penis size is exactly 5 inches and pubes are trimmed neatly. Likes everyone equally.

Bonus

Pocketcat: … 9 and a half inches and it smells strongly (I know some of yall will like that). Oh, and for whatever reason I get the vibe that he’s circumcised.

[mommypieck]

𑄽୧ size kink with inumaki 𔓘 ᰍ

kinktober day 26: so mean and rough!!!

✿ inumaki toge x reader

✿ warnings: reader bullies toge, creep toge, knife usage, knife play, non con to dub con to ???, dark content, p in v, creampie, inumaki uses his cursed speech to get consent so noncon!!!

Inunaki had an eye on you for a little whine. Always lurking behind something just to see your figure. He was star-struck by you. The main reason he fell in love instantly was your beautiful body.

You were bigger than him. He never thought it would turn him so much, but here you were. And it wasn't just your high even though you were good 20 cm taller than him. He also loved the plush of your stomach. Every time, you would wear a tighter dress, he could see the fabric stretch around your belly. And he's not even talking about your boobs.

"Did you follow me again, creep?" you spit into his face, putting both of your hands next to his head. He knows he should feel scared, but he's so turned on right now, he wants to smirk. He wants to laugh that he finally got this close to you.

"What? Can't you speak?" you heard the rumors about the mute kid who spoke only to get other people to do what he wanted, but you never paid attention to it. After all, he's just a creep who wouldn't stop following you everywhere. At this point, you can't even cross the street without him going in the opposite direction.

"Oh, fuck you. I don't have time to deal with people like you-" You freeze when a knife blade is pressed against your stomach. Your eyes go wide, and before you can say anything, he mutters, "Shut up."

Your mouth locks shut, and as much as you try to speak, no words leave your mouth. You look around for help, but the whole corridor is empty except for the two of you. There's only one thing you can do, run to the door. You sprint away from him, trying to get away before he uses his knife on you.

"stop."

Your body freezes at the stop, and you turn away to see him walking right up to you.

"Lay down."

"I gonna have my way with you now." he smiles down at you, caressing your cheek with the knife blade. He doesn't waste any time taking your boobs in your hands. They feel even bigger and firmer in his hands. He thought you were at least a DD cup, but you might be even bigger. A blade pierces through your shirt, ripping it to shreds. You want to scream at him, but it's for no use.

"Come on, I know you like it," he says and hot feelings spread around your whole body. As much as you were disgusted by him, suddenly his touch feels good. And when you look up at him, he's not that ugly you thought he was.

He sits on your stomach, looking at your boobs as if it was the prettiest art in the whole world. He doesn't even know if he should touch such art. It's great that you aren't wearing a bra so that he has easy access, but he wants to take off your bra next time so he can watch them fall and so that he knows how to unclip the bra.

His whole body feels so small compared to yours. He feels like a kitten that sits on your stomach. inumaki can't help but lay down on your body, kissing your neck. He reaches for your mouth so he can slide his tongue inside of it. It's messy and overall disgusting, and you're sure, he's never done this before… but you feel good. It's probably before that spell he cast on you, but you're not complaining.

He finally gets to your panties, examining how he should cut them. It would be such a waste to cut something as precious as this. After some thinking, he pulls them down your legs, smiling hard when he notices your juices coating them.

He wants to eat you out so badly, he thinks to himself. But his cock screams for attention. He spends so much time with his cock in his fist to waste any more time.

He pulls out his cock, and you moan from the size of it. He's a bit bigger than the others, it's true, and he loves the reaction he got from you.

His fingers swipe through your juices, collecting your juices in his hands. He covers his cock in your juices before slamming inside of you without any warning. You yelp, your fingers digging into his back. He's mean, and he doesn't give you any time to adjust to his length.

His thrusts show that he's pretty inexperienced, maybe even a virgin. That's probably true because nobody wants to get close to him, let alone fuck him. But god, he feels so fucking good. You can't believe you got so wet just for him, even though it's probably him who did something to your body that made you this wet. he abuses your pussy in the best way imaginable, fucking his cock through your hole so godly.

Louder moans espace your mouth when he finally hits your sweet spot. He chuckles, knowing that he finally found it. He focuses on your g spot, hips stuttering right into it. You want to show him how to use his big cock to make you feel even better, but right now, this is enough for you. Slowly but surely, he's bringing you to your orgasm.

You can feel that he's close too. He can't focus on anything else other than your pussy, his cock getting lost inside of you. His hips are unorganized and messy, but it's more than enough to make you cum. Your whole vision goes white as you cum around his cock, shaking under his body.

The unbelievable tightness of your cunt brings him right over the edge too, and he cums inside of you, much to your scream. Finally, now you realize what you let him do. he watches as his cum spills out of your pussy with a satisfied smirk.

"You're the worst," you tell him, still lying on the ground while he dresses.

"I might be, but you can't help but cum just from seeing me," he says, your whole body tensing again as you cum. You can't believe what just happened, how is he able to do that?

"I'm gonna forgive you for your attitude. after all, you love me."

he doesn't seem so bad after all.

taglist: @mcharris747 @huuuuut30 @krispsprite @bejewelledd @cawwn @veryninjanacho @jamayah @dngerwayz @nwptune @universlypiratecolor @ffakegucci @merachannie @d1lf-luvr @th3girln3xtdoor @nobody289x @iheartpieck @gia999 @kawasgirl @st4rrlighttt @candyeyeroll @7haze @banchangsbbbg @nigthmar3moon @softlilpeachxx @d1gitalbathh @jaenniii @raeeesblog @satorustar @balenciagarette @erp1007

[cripplecharacters]

Hello. I am writing about a main character who has Down syndrome (12 years old). How does a child like her would react to mother death and moving to an old house? I want to be respectful while writing her.

Hi asker,

So there are a couple different things to think about.

For one, death of a loved one is hard for everyone, and the death of a parent is very difficult for pretty much all children. Change is hard, and this is a very permanent change that can be very traumatic because a person a kid expects to be with for way more time is now gone. The closer the child was to her mother, the harder this is going to be for her.

On change being hard, ID can make it harder for her to adapt to change. "Harder" does not mean "impossible." "Harder" means maybe they have to make a plan to help her transition to her new living space, maybe it needs to be explained to her more often, things like that. Maybe she needs support from lots of visuals, maybe she's asking questions a lot of the time, maybe she has trouble with doing things because of the stress. And this is from just the change of moving – all of this will likely be compounded with the stress of not having her mother. For this, people can try to help her by trying to provide as much of a sense of normalcy and trying to make sure she can have some sort of... it doesn't have to be a routine per se, just trying to make sure that some things don't change.

Abstract concepts are sometimes hard for kids, although less so by age 12 than for younger children. Abstract concepts can also be more difficult for people with intellectual disability (as is likely the case for your character with Down Syndrome). So, how is the death explained to her?

Best practice to explain death to children, including and especially kids with I/DD, is to use concrete and simple language. Euphemisms don't help much, especially for children, because euphemisms have context behind them that a child doesn't have. Euphemisms can also be misunderstood and unclear.

So, if she actually understands what's going on because people are explaining things to her in a way she can understand, ultimately this is going to be much better for her than if she doesn't understand that her mother isn't coming back because people keep being vague and saying things like "she's in a better place" and she keeps hoping to join her mom in this "better" place. Or it might take some time for her to understand the situation, and she might experience delayed grief.

Who is she moving with? Who is going to take care of her — she's a kid, she can't do it all by herself. Does she know them already? Is she just meeting them? If she's never met them before, this will probably be even more stressful to her — basically every single thing in her life is changing. That's huge. That's stressful and can be hard for her to understand why everything is different.

Overall, at the end of the day she's just a person, a child specifically, being put in an incredibly difficult situation. She has emotions like anyone else — there is a misconception that people with Down Syndrome are always happy, and that's just not true. They have

She's in a situation where adults with zero disabilities would probably have a super rough time as well. Add on to that being a kid, and add on to that being intellectually disabled, and it's probably going to be a really stressful situation. So, think about how your character reacts when she's stressed out, and factor in her disability.

Here's some links to grief and I/DD and grief and children. I have read through them, though not all of them at length. They do have information that you can use, whether on how she'd react or how others around her could react, but either way use your own judgement.

Helping People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Process Grief by the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities (PDF file)

Responding to Grief Reactions of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities (PDF File)

Bereavement In The Lives Of People With Intellectual Disabilities by the University of Hertfordshire's website on Intellectual Disability and Health

Managing Grief Better: People with Intellectual Disabilities by the University of Hertfordshire's website on Intellectual Disability and Health

Helping People With Intellectual Disabilities Cope With Loss by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (PDF File)

Hope this helps,

mod sparrow

[sunchyld]

Hi I interrupt my normal lurking scroll because I saw something that said people thing Danger Days is MCRs worst album and unfortunately, like a sleeper agent, I have been activated.

I (personally) believe that Danger Days is MCRs greatest album ever.

1) it’s a genuinely good time

Listen I know MCR is the emo/edgy band, and there are definitely emo/edgy songs on DD but it’s mostly a technicolor candy coated rock and roll fever dream. “Die with your mask on if you have to”- protect yourself to the bitter end, do not let them make you “normal” what’s edgier than that?! But also how fucking fun you can make these cool characters and cool adventures and cool world GWay really did a number on us gay bitches with that one.

2) it maintains its uniqueness even as it ages

There is very little that DD *sounds* like. It was unique from their discography when it was written and it’s maintained it’s individual sound as it’s aged, there also isn’t much on the market (then or now) that sounds like DD did

3) it has their most enduring message

MCR has always told a story, be it grief and rage or heartbreak and recovery- Danger Days tells a story of what it takes to actually “Carry On”, the killjoys die, they leave The Girl behind and she has to figure out how to fight the dracs and survive the horrors of battery city, but before they do they teach her (and us) how to survive. They don’t leave us high and dry and they don’t do it needlessly (save yourself I’ll hold them back). How fucking topical to our current hopeful endeavor to preach community and connectivity and how we have to protect each other no matter what.

Danger Days and the True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys is (in my opinion) one of MCRs greatest works, as is its extended universe, but more than that what it did for us as a community is one of the most powerful things a band has done for its fans.

Also NaNaNa objectively fucks, you cannot tell me I’m wrong

[kanene-yaaay]

Let Me Take Care Of You

Or: How To Say I'm In Love Without Words

Kanene's Notes: FEBRUARY, 13TH, YA KNOW WHAT A SPECIAL DAY IT IS? IT'S @squeaky-n-blushy's BIRTHDAY!!!!! <3 <3 <3 I made this special gift for her and I do hope all of you enjoy this just as much, as well ^v^)s2 It was a delight to write this story

Also, all the most and dearest thanks to @a-fluffer-nutter for being such an incredible Beta-Reader!! Thank so so much! :D :DD <3

Warnings: Mentions and suggestive themes here and there, nothing too explicit but still. Lots of antecipation, soft, rough and mouth tickles (raspberries, nibbles etc). Romatic Pairing. Around 16.000 words

[~*~]

It was as soft as it looked. 

That was Meng Yao’s first thought as the simple, wooden comb carded through those lustrous, dark black hair, fingers holding each patch next to his roots firmly to lessen the discomfort as he undid another knot, twisting the unworthy comb here and there and purposely not thinking too much about how Lan Xichen was quiet, letting out sparse and tiny sounds of relaxation, which made each one of his fingertips tremble.

A firm brush and the last knot gave in, leaving Meng Yao to add a little more of perfuming oil to help the dehydrated strands and pretend he had more reasons to keep brushing. 

If he didn’t know better than to lie so bluntly to himself, he would say that all of his lasting touch and everlasting care was nothing but a necessity, since keeping himself on Lan Xichen’s good side was important, no, essential for his future. He could pretend that there was no actual, true contentment in seeing his hair begin little by little to gain back its smoothness and softness it once held. He could say that buying that fancy oil that lasted through several hours was simply a necessary sacrifice. He would never take the risk of using his simple, cheap one and having the other’s hair react badly after years of receiving nothing but the best treatment, after all, not with someone so important as the very heir, now leader, of the Gusu Lan Sect. He could even argue that helping him this moment was nothing more than a part of his carefully sewn together plan, only so that after this war Lan Xichen, or better, the leader of the righteous, just and grand Lan Sect, would pull him so higher than ever on the social hierarchy much quickly than the years he would have to wait otherwise, finally being able to start the plan of climbing much further way, so that his father would have no right or opportunity to throw him down and look away again.

(For a moment he imagined it, being draped in the Jin Sect’s bright and fancy robes, using a gold comb that he would be able to decorate Xichen’s hair with it, letting it shine bright amidst that sea of black, finally giving him something worth of keeping, adorning, marking the First Jade of Gusu Lan.)

The oil had an unpleasant sensation, much better than the ones he used but still too cold and lasting all the same. Meng Yao knew that even washing it off wouldn’t be enough to take the smell and slippery touch away. Even so, the irritation was light, going as quickly as it came as he carded his hands through every strand, being careful to coat each one of them equally.

Unfortunately, Meng Yao knew himself better than this. The very moment he kneeled on his bed and Xichen easily fell on the floor in front of him, showing him his back so easily and closing his eyes at the first movements of his comb, Meng Yao felt his entire soul falter unstably. When he parted his hair in half and got the full view (and not only the small glimpse when they trained together and his mind would unfortunately focus on futile and useless non-combat information) of the back of his neck and his mouth parted instinctively. When he experimentally (“accidentally”) scratched his scalp and got a muffled pleased sound, so tiny and vulnerable that it made his mind hone in, instinctively in attention, his fingers moved on their own, combing, scratching and mapping which places left Xichen melting and leaning more and more on him. He engraved every bit of information in the fiber of his muscles, so they could continue as his mind wandered in senseless daydreams. 

The moment Meng Yao finally looked up to his window, watched the moon set much higher than he thought in the sky, when he realized he had no idea how much time had passed, that was the moment he knew that there was no turning back for him.

He continued his ministrations, burrowing his hand carefully under the hair until his fingers could scrape at his scalp, seeing the shiver that ran down his shoulders, skin prickling with goosebumps. Slowly, he straightened his hair once more, scooting closer to the edge of his mattress and tipping slightly forward so Xichen could lay comfortably on his torso, feeling as the taller one practically let all his weight fall on him. Looking down, he saw the Lan stare back at him with a comfortable and open smile on his face, eyelids closing and opening slowly enough for Meng Yao to be absorbed, smothered, and surrounded by the sheer adoration and trust clear on his gaze. It took everything from the Jin to survive as the other sighed and became completely lax on his chest, head fitting the crook of his neck as if it was always meant to be there. 

Later, Meng Yao decided, he would throw himself in the coldest bath he could arrange and then organize his thoughts. For now, all he could do was to take a (non-shuddering) deep breath and not snuggle closer to the warmth. It’s was an awkward position, but worth the slight uncomfortable bending of his arm, to gather all his hair in one hand (he was planning to make a loose braid for easy caring in the morning but unfortunately his plan had been thrown away due the circumstances, again) and combing the most stubborn strands together. As his touch neared the back of his ear, Lan Xichen twitched slightly on his hold.

The shorter man didn’t even bat an eye to the sudden desire in own chest to kiss the other’s temple in a soothing gesture so he could go back to sleep peacefully. 

(And what a heresy that would be. Living so far away from Gusu Lan, his knowledge about their customs was still sparse, but, even in the eyes of an ignorant it would be clear how their forehead ribbons are important for the Lans, and Lan Xichen held an absolute care for his. Meng Yao could never try to taint the white fabric with his dirty self.)

Therefore, with a lighter touch, in apology, he spared only two fingers and his most careful touch and went back to the spot to straighten the rebelled, short strands. Once more, Xichen twisted the slightest bit away from his touch, snuggling and worming himself closer to his neck. Mumbled words hit his skin and set fire across his every nerve.

“Funny ich.” Xichen mumbled, clearly still lost in his sleep. 

Meng Yao closed his eyes and held his body together to not crumble, scream nor do anything at the new information acquired. He now knew how it felt to hold Lan Xichen so close that he could feel each letter leaving his lips, he knew how his hair felt and how he curled in himself closer to any warmth when sleeping and his mind was still processing all of this. Locking his reaction in a far corner away in his mind, Meng Yao smiled and shook his shoulder lightly.

“Come to bed, ge, I am already finished.”

Xichen let out a confused displeased sound at the prospect of moving, turning around only enough to fall on the mattress then pull the rest of his body from the floor. Meng Yao huffed in amusement and carefully got out of the bed before he could get stuck on it (much to his own irrational and dangerous instinctive displeasure) and adjusted his torn but thick blanket over the other. With a quick turn and fast steps, he moved away to finish his daily chores and reflect about all the findings of this day.

[...]

Concentrating on the meeting was… difficult. Ever since his scum of father died just as he lived and Jin Zixuan assumed the title of Sect Leader together with Jin Yanli, Jin Guangyao found himself drifting away more often than not, senses not as high and body tensed as he turned every corner in Koi Tower. Somehow a part of himself slowly began to try to trust the peaceful life he has been living for years now. 

The Jin Sect, and especially himself, held plenty of enemies, even more after the victory in the Sunshot Campaign due to the short period where the sect turned its back to all the other three Great Sects and formed an alliance with the Wen. The entire revolution against Jin Guangshan and the rise of Jin Zixuan over his father, ending their support to the tyrant sect had been a good move to improve the cultivation world’s opinion against them. Even so, years after the war, the palace was still full of dangerous enemies that were just looking for just the tiniest show of weakness to latch on and destroy everything Jin Guangyao had been so dutifully building all along. 

All of this made him come to the conclusion and admit, even if begrudgingly, that his (extremely awkward and quite dumb) brother was not one of those enemies. His spouse, the oldest daughter from the very own Violet Spider herself, even if weak in cultivation, was still much attentive and plenty aware of his backgrounds, watching and taking care of the inwards work of the palace with almost as much influence of him himself. 

Yet, even with the power she held, the possibility to throw him away if she ever decided he was a danger to her spouse’s throne, her kindness was warm and gentle as she kept greeting him with a sincere smile, continued to call him closer to hold and distract his nephew (small and gurgling and so, so fragile in his arms, learning how to babble shushu when he saw him and unmercifully keeping a tight grip on his heart), called him day after day to share meals with her (their) family and spend uncountable afternoons coaxing (although he pretended to not notice for politeness) Zixuan to expend more leisure time with his brother. 

As time passed, the wish of showing them Lan Xichen grew stronger, to introduce him to them beyond his title in the Lan Sect, beyond his duty as a leader, beyond their political meetings and administrative trades. Jin Guangyao, on the slowest days, found himself planning how he would present their story together, and how he could explain (never completely, of course) the attachment they both shared and that only grew stronger with the years that went by. He hated the weakness, but would not lie to himself and pretend to not wish to show his family (beyond the tablet offerings he held in a beautiful constructed house and shrine on an isolated part of the family’s grounds), for the first time ever, who was his biggest weakness and the one he ever and most cared for. 

Sometimes, Jin Guangyao would pretend that if this ever happened it would go well, that he would have no lasting, almost animal fear at them knowing, that he would not cave to despair in the last second and cancel all the plannings while hiding Lan Xichen away, that the little apprehension held would immediately dissipate when Jin Furen smiled and approached quickly to hold their hands together, true happiness shining clear across her face and Sect Leader Jin (his brother) would freeze in an amusing surprise, would stutter and clear his throat and then say that he was happy for them, then pass through all the phases of grief as he re-contextualized all the “meetings” he had found Jin Guangyao and Lan Xichen together. In the end, he could imagine that they would not only accept, but also be content for him, for what he was able to find, for what they were all able to attain even through the darkest times of their lives.

It’s been years since the end of the war, years since his bruises healed and no one dared to lift a finger on him again in the Koi Tower, where he stood proud and confident on top of the stairs he was once thrown away, years since he proved his worth as a warrior and an advisor and guaranteed a place at the Sect Leader and Jin Furen’s side, since he became essential to the working of his sect. It had not been years (yet), still time passed as he began showing more real smiles and his body learned how to not live on the edge of danger every single day. 

Nowadays, he no longer scrambled so fiercely for information, worried to quickly build a trustful enough chain of spies across every important sect. Now, he already knew personally every attendant in that meeting room, their every relationship with each other, all trade and internal discussion and danger to his sect. His notes were extensive about each leader, each advisor and important disciples in their sects and years of gathering all of this had paid off. There was not a single person in this room who Jin Guangyao didn’t know their every telling and strategy.

And even if he didn’t know any of them… he would be forever personally attuned to the only one who was currently haunting his mind and making it wander in worry like this. Sect Leader Lan: Lan Xichen. Lan Huan.

Something was happening to him.

It was clear with the tight corners of his polite smile, the way his gaze unfocused from time to time, how he kept pulling his posture straighter and straighter as if afraid it would fall otherwise, how his feather hadn't taken a single note for almost an hour. It was the way Lan Wangji looked at him from the tail of his eye, impassive expression setting into a (displeased? worried? annoyed? disapproving? Probably a mix of it all) restless press of lips and he took a more active role in the discussion. Even Da-ge kept frowning from his seat, not even disguising at whom those sharp eyes were directed to, the brute. The only reason Jin Guangyao wasn’t rolling his eyes (besides how he would never be foolish enough to show his feelings in a room full of strangers and possible enemies, different from other leaders as it seems) and calling his attention subtlety for himself was because the others were still ignorant and naive enough to think Mingjue’s expression could only mean irritation at the poor and important Sect Leader Lan. Which reasons and rumors would be spread afterwards to justify their own interpretations of reality was something that Guangyao would be careful to search about later and deal with, if necessary.

At the moment, however, he had a much more important task in mind.

Half a shichen after the end of the banquet was announced, when all the absolute necessary conversations had already been held, Jin Guangyao excused himself to go to his quarters, throwing a meaningful glance (and slight warning, if he was being honest) to his leader and then following swiftly to the room he had gifted the Lan a couple years ago, decorated and designed entirely in Gusu Lan style and Xichen’s own personal preferences. As he approached, he was relieved to notice Mingjue going away in the distance, knowing his calculations had been right and he would have some proper alone time for his task. 

He waited a few moments outside the door, giving the other enough time to prepare more tea (they already knew each other so well) before rasping his knuckles on the threshold. 

“Er-ge,” his words were low and soft on their own, greeting the taller one as soon as he opened the door and let him inside. “Your work in Cloud Recesses is being truly unforgiving, to hurt your sleep schedule like this.”

“A-Yao.” Xichen smiled tiredly, agreeing with him as he passed the tea. Jin Guangyao quickly took the opportunity to get their hands together in a warm, comforting hold, thumbs slowly and carefully grazing their back in a soft touch, receiving a tiny, pleased sigh in answer. Minutes passed in silence before a quiet, defeated voice filled the space. “Wangji is trying to adopt A-Yuan into the Lan Sect.”

Jin Guangyao blinked, momentarily stunned. The information Su She passed to him was right after all. Somehow, it made sense. “It is difficult to adapt an already formed boy to the Lan rules. Your elders must be displeased.”

“More than that. They call it a disrespect and dishonor to our father, to bring anyone who holds the Wen name into Gusu Lan after all the blood spilled, especially into the main family.” His voice got even more tired. “Besides, Sect Leader Jiang has already claimed a similar proposal. If he succeeds in adding A-Yuan to his sect, it’s no doubt that Wangji will follow and spend more visits to the Yunmeng Sect than he does already.”

“Can we expect the Lotus Pier to gain another disciple soon, then?” Jin Guangyao remarked with a playful voice, succeeding in pulling those downward golden gaze to his face. Lan Xichen, probably with the same mental image of Lan Wangji serious face amidst a crowd of unruly disciples causing a ruckus in purple robes, huffed a laugh.

“A-Yao.” He chided weakly, then pressed his lips in a light irritation. “Wei-gongzi hasn’t even replied to any of Wangji’s courting attempts in any way nor form, nevertheless. Besides, my brother is a very important part of Gusu Lan, in the case of any future proposal, his parting to Yunmeng Sect will not be possible, of course.”

“Of course.” He replied swiftly, glad that he would not be present in that wedding discussion, even if Yanli-Furen would for certain be. Even if Wei Wuxian still showed no interest in the courtship, there was no mistake in the way his expression brightened and his touches lingered anytime Hanguang Jun was close. There was no doubt they would be reciprocated in the future.

Similarly, there was no mistaking how both of them were absolutely wrapped around Wen Yuan’s little finger. Even if Xichen, and possibly Sect Leader Jiang, held a soft spot for him as well, to want an adoption into the main family of Great Sect is already a huge move that would undoubtedly result into a nightmare under any circumstance. Ever since the war, the Wen Sect had been falling into a steady decadence, even under the giants efforts of Wen Qing, now Sect Leader, due all the sanctions and repayments the other sects demanded to prevent their full extermination after their victory. It would still take plenty of years for it to be even considered a Great Sect once more, even so, the fact that it held amiably enough relations with the Yunmeng Jiang and Gusu Lan Sect was a good thing. 

A comfortable silence surrounded them as he thought carefully in his answer. Jin Guangyao squeezed Xichen’s hand firmly in his, waiting for them to squeeze back before going back to the soothing rubs. “Er-ge, sure Hanguang Jun is aware how his wishes would be received by your elders and is grateful for the support you’ve been showing him so far, just as he must be aware of your limitations even and especially because of your position as the leader of the sect. He can’t expect you to solve such a sensitive matter by yourself so quickly.”

Lan Xichen turned to the side, lips pressing down even harder. Jin Guangyao could see clearly the words he had just swallowed.

“It’s not fair for no one to expect this from you.” 

Lan Xichen tensed and then exhaled, shoulders dropping, a clear invitation for him to get closer, which he did promptly.

“Even after his fair punishment, they continue to pressure him too much, some had been against his position as a teacher, saying he would teach our young generations wrong doings. I keep expecting to… find him gone.” His body tilted to his right and Jin Guangyao immediately crossed the table to press closer, supporting his weight. After a pause, he continued. “It’s foolish to think so, I know. There are still too many precious things in Gusu Lan for him. Who would remember all the 50 names he gave each bunny?” Jin Guangyao softly pulled his head to rest on his and he went easily. “It’s simply… Foundless fear, I know, and yet I keep finding myself too tired to push those frivolous thoughts away.”

“An excessive load of work, exhaustive conflicts and little sleep can do that, I’ve heard.” Lan Xichen sagged on him even more in protest, which made him curl lower, knowing he was right. Gracefully, Jin Guangyao simply pressed closer, one hand letting go of his hand to play with his hair. 

The true, effective way to help this situation was on the tip of his tongue, and yet Jin Guangyao faltered for a moment. In another moment of his life his words would be different, but it’s been years ever since family was simply a memory of the past and the people he trusted could be counted on two fingers. Nowadays… It was different.

“I am sure he appreciates your effort, and er-ge couldn’t be more right to say he still has too many precious things in Gusu to walk away. He has you, your shufu, his students and an entire life in your sect. There are… extremely rare and few things that could ever be more important than that. Even if the problem that brought this is unfortunately something that only time will bring your solution, your feelings might have an easier route to be assured.” He didn’t even need to see Xichen’s face to visualize the doubt there, in himself, so he pushed. “Perhaps it would be beneficial to confront Wangji about your fears. I am afraid anyone else won’t be truly able to vanish your thoughts except your brother.”

The other got quiet. After a few moments, Lan Xichen turned around and burrowed his face on his hair, taking a deep breath.

“‘don’t want to,” he murmured, a hint of a whine in his words. The change from his usual collected, almost poetic way to talk not so different from an unhappy child made Jin Guangyao almost snort in surprise, a chuckle escaping him anyway.

“I am afraid you will have to.” He smiled adoringly and melancholically playing with his strands, taking the offered chance to lighten the subject. “Or perhaps er-ge would enjoy the privileges of living in this humble one’s room? I’ve known you make a good pillow.”

Lan Xichen smirked and giggled quietly. “So I’ve heard.”

Going back to his upright position, Lan Xichen looked at him with a hopeful, a bit sad still, light in those mesmerizing golden eyes. Jin Guangyao let go of him and straightened himself as well, hands resting on his lap where they could hide his twitching fingers, hungry for more. He answered with attentive and open attention the clear question in Xichen’s body and expression.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to accept your offer today. If A-Yao is willing, however, tomorrow I would be more than happy to spend the afternoon here.”

Finally.

Jin Guangyao smiled, eyes crinkling, dimples showing.

“Er-ge will be of course the most welcome.”

[...]

“I truly apologize, A-Yao.” 

Jin Guangyao was sure that there was no flaw in his posture or expression, not a single hint that he was bothered as he prepared their tea and tried to not brood about how Xichen had brought his paperwork to his room. After so many years passed together, however, the Jin wasn’t really surprised that the Lan noticed nevertheless.

But Xichen sounded truly apologetic and the fact that he was unable to finish his necessary work only confirmed his suspicions of how much exhausted his beloved truly was. It would be no surprise when he confessed to having passed out on his desk later in the night, and yet, it bothered his heart imagining the scene all the same.

His plan must start immediately.

“It’s no matter, er-ge.” As he gave the tea to Xichen, he let his finger graze and almost rest on the other’s hand, pulling it slow enough for the touch to last and bring the attention to him. With a sweeter tune, soft enough to let Xichen imagine how it would sound if they were even closer, he continued, “Are you sure that there is no way that my help would be welcome?”

As expected, Xichen’s hand quickly took his, turning around and intertwining their fingers until Guangyao could feel each calluses born from years of being a musician and a fighter. Jin Guangyao was weak, so, so weak, so he moved closer.

“You’re always welcome, A-Yao.” He saw, however, the signs of refusal before the words began falling from his lips, and so he controlled his disappointment. Xichen’s hand squeezed his tighter and his eyelids twitched as if they wanted to press close. “But those letters need to hold my own handwriting and words, any less would be received as a careless act at best and an insult at worst. There are also permissions and revisions that only the Sect Leader can deal with.” He let out a tiny smile at the empathy coloring the other’s expression. “It will take less than half an incense stick, A-Yao, and then we can enjoy better this slow afternoon given to us. I won’t take long, I promise.”

Jin Guangyao was already expecting the answer, yet his heart still singing in realizing Lan Xichen hadn’t even doubted a second to bring such personal and important matters from his sect to his room, as if it wasn’t one of the biggest show of trust someone as important as him could show. Jin Guangyao lifted their hands and brought those long and skillful fingers to his lips, laying tiny, fleeting kisses in each one of his knuckles. Looking up and seeing the flustered state of the other, Guangyao let a small, mischievous grin grow, before letting it transform into a softer one, dimples showing. 

“Let this lowly one still be of your assistance then.”

“A-Yao-” The protesting words were already low and weak enough that it didn’t take more than a nip at the tip of his finger to stop them. Before he even had the chance to recover from such an attack, Jin Guangyao quickly slipped behind him, hands resting on his shoulders and pressing them softly enough to let his intentions clear. “Ah, please, there is no need…” He took in a quick breath as Guangyao dug in and massaged the muscles soothingly, from his shoulders to his arms then going back to his shoulders and resting at the base of his neck, thumbs pressing firmly as they followed his spine to his nape, before descending and starting the cycle again. When the protest came back, it held a hint of a pleased groan on it. “You must have so much work as well, truly. I am fine.”

This reminded him of their fugitive days in the war, about how Lan Xichen would flinch away from his touch on those first days, waking up in jolts and nightmares, then tense and stay still as proud, hurt statue, protesting his care even after growing much more comfortable and trustful in him. 

It’s been years since then and not only Xichen had grown much better at receiving back the love that he was so free to give, but also Jin Guangyao has also grown much better at coaxing his body and mind to relax, no longer holding back if it meant he would get the other to lighten. It was a pity that he couldn’t set all those papers on fire and command all his obligations to leave him alone, but at least he could make his moment of work much more bearable.

He only needed to convince the Lan to give him a permission that both of them desired so much.

“My heart,” he gathered his hair in one hand and pushed it to the side, just enough that one of his shoulders would be free for him to lay a single caring kiss at the base of his neck, giving him the perfect view of how he froze and swallowed at his actions. It was a blessing the other was wearing fewer layers of robes. “Please, wouldn’t you be so kind as to let me help? Ease the hurt I have in seeing you so stressed and exhausted like this.” Another kiss, he could feel the way  Xichen shivered in reply. “The same way you tended and took care of my bruises during the years we’ve known each other, won’t you let me show my care for you in the same way as well?”

A warm hand found the way to his cheeks and Jin Guangyao batted his eyelashes slowly to the golden eye that watched him so fondly, prying a huff of laughter from Xichen, who already recognized such song and dance so well. The cool hand brushed a lovely path from the corner of his mouth to his eyebrows, tracing them and his eyelids with  care, making him hum and widen even more his pleading gaze. 

“My A-Yao, if I tended you for every moment of our lives until the end of mine, still it wouldn’t be enough to repay all the care you’ve shown me.”

Jin Guangyao softened. “What a sad scenario, er-ge. If that was so, then I would be nothing happy to find immortality, only if to take care of you through every single reincarnation.” The hand in his face faltered and A-Yao kept it in place with his own, turning around to kiss his palm, but not straying too long from his look. “But, please, er-ge, don’t torture me for so long and let me cherish you right now.” 

Lan Xichen let out a shuddering sigh and his posture relaxed. 

Perfect.

“I might now have such skilled hands as the honored Sect Leader Lan, but I would be happy to give you a humble massage.”

Xichen tittered in small puffs of laughter. “Please, A-Yao, you know the quality of my massages first hand.”

Jin Guangyao chuckled too, very much aware of how the widely known Lan arm strength has both its blessings and curses, and unfortunately the Lan couldn’t give a proper massage to save his life. Jin Guangyao patted his hand, voice and action completely full of condescending. “It was simply a matter of tasks. We both agree to have found enough uses for your strong hands posteriorly.”

It was very endearing how, after feeling how Xichen’s hand clamped forcefully on his waist in a “massage”, Jin Guangyao lost every last thread of control (in his defense, those days had been difficult in more ways than one can explain) and yet it was the Lan who kept blushing every time he mentioned that changing moment of their past. Absolutely endearing.

Jin Guangyao tried to not show too much smugness at it. For the way Xichen turned and by his contesting tune, he wasn’t very successful. “We found plenty of your hands’ abilities as well.”

There were some perks in growing up in a brothel, after all. 

“A-Yao is perfectly skilled in plenty of the seven arts. There is no doubt of his ability handling a sword, reciting poems and declaiming beautiful stories to lucky ears,” the leader turned around, exaggerated a sigh leaving his lips and took his brush back, dipping it in ink. “How mean is to use such talent to tease his poor Huan.”

Jin Guangyao kissed his shoulder again in apology, a grin playing on his lips. They fell into a comfortable silence.

He did a quick work of putting Xichen’s hair into a long and loose braid, giving plenty of scratches on his nape that kept pulling tiny and happy muffled sounds all while, celebrating quietly the new gained free space for him to work with. After pushing delicately said braid aside and positioning his palms on each shoulder, thumbs meeting in the middle, he began.

Unlike most of the books he had found lying around the brothel, massages weren’t really a very sexy thing for him. Before, he barely was able to relax every time anyone except his mother got close to him, much less if they tried to touch him in any way. After meeting Lan Xichen, he found that even when giving it, his mind narrowed too much on the thoughts of finding each knot to press them until the muscle went lax again, exploring each little spot that would have the other groaning and then relaxing, then exchanging properly between rubbing, pressing and sliding until the tension was forced to go away and Xichen became become a pliant mess under his palms. Without the proper fragrant oil, Xichen wouldn’t appreciate much squeezing and digging anywhere that wasn’t his shoulders (always so tense) and, lately, his lower back (which was a possible result of spending much more time mending discussions and dealing with paperwork) so he would have to be attentive to give each part of his back a proper attention.

With that in mind, Jin Guangyao slides his thumbs on the sides of his spine, getting to his nape and massaging the lovely sensitive skin there, before sliding his thumbs to his shoulders, following the lines to his arms, going back and forth from the base of his neck to his biceps repeatedly, pressing firmly on the muscles and quickly using his palms as leverage so he could rub circles on the, coaxing the stress away. He mixed firm squeezes and lighter touches all around the muscles, quickly finding any stubborn knot and digging on it with his thumbs then (more lightly) his knuckles. After spending a good time on his shoulders, the Jin went down, palms descending next to his spine until they diverted on his lower back, fingers spreading and circling his waist, focusing there with more massaging circles and momentarily squeezes before letting a softer touch guide his hands, palms flat on the skin, the tip of his fingers brushing softly on the skin, back to his shoulders, repeating the cycle until the Jin could feel less and less tension the more he explored around.

A pleased grunt, a bit louder than Xichen would ever allow himself if his guards weren’t down, floated in the room and pulled Guangyao’s mind from his task. The Sect Leader let out a content, long sigh as he pulled himself back to his full height, not so tightly held like before, as he adjusted the papers in his hands. Thankfully, he was plenty aware of himself and the sheer force and determination that A-Yao is when focused on something to not even dare to try to write a single letter during his massage. It was a good thing he still had plenty of paperwork that only needed a superficial analysis and his signature.

Good. 

Jin Guangyao watches the way Xichen rolls his shoulders and then turns around to smile, grateful at him. He huffs a laugh when Guangyao turns him right back around, since none of their work is done and, for as nice as it is to see the Lan soft and relaxed, it would be even better if he finished all his paperwork already so they could better enjoy their afternoon. 

Putting his hands flat on his back, Guangyao began leaving soothing rubs on the skin, receiving a happy humming in turn. The light touch followed the line to his ribs, carefully tracing the spaces and bones there before going up to caress his shoulders and then run down until they could graze his sides. It was a very thin line in letting his touch firm enough to not tense Xichen by mistake and, at the same time, let it soft enough to not press uncomfortably on the fabric and skin, but not so difficult after so many years of practicing. Lan Xichen was always kind (or sensitive) enough to let him know where and how his touches would be better received. The more he continued his careful touch tracing the skin with the tip of his fingers or spreading his palms across the length of his back, the more tiny sounds were fished, the touch bearable enough that the other decided to pick up his brushes and letters again.

Lan Xichen began to blink slowly, falling back to the almost meditative state of writing (at least trades were repetitive enough that he only needed to consult his notes of previous conferences and letters to offer a middle ground with part of the interests of both sects) when he felt two single fingers beginning to circle his lower back, short nails sending a powerful shiver across his spine, making him freeze for a couple of moments before the touch fell into a safer ground. He frowned thoughtfully and finished his last line, movements slower and more attentive. 

Just as he marked the symbol of Gusu Lan on the scroll, closing the correspondence and setting it aside to gather a new one, two pair fingers began walking on his ribs, lightly tracing and scratching their way up and down and-

“A-Yao!” He tittered, putting the new scroll of correspondence to the table quickly as he tumbled away from those playful fingers.

“Er-ge,” his answer was full of such a limpid innocence that it could be read as nothing but mischievousness. “Is my massage not to your liking? I’ve been practicing a new technique.”

Heat grazed Xichen’s face, and he squirmed, those dancing fingers now drawing soft, tiny spirals across his slides, pulling his lips into a flustered smile.

“Later, please, A-Yao.” His voice tilted into a giggly tune, but Xichen was able to stop it, hands flying to hold those smaller, playful ones in (a bit warning) squeeze. “Let me finish this, then you may…” The color spread even more on his cheeks, and he coughed politely. Jin Guangyao chuckled, then squeezed his hand back, in an agreement. 

“I apologize, er-ge. I shall wait to give you your proper and well deserved reward, without any interruptions or worries.” He kissed his nape, letting the words graze his skin for a moment before moving away. Lan Xichen let out an excited breath he didn’t even realized he was holding. 

The next words were sweeter, in a calm and sincere way. “May I keep touching you? No more teasing.”

Lan Xichen felt such a strong wave of fondness and love that it took his everything, every lesson and rule of discipline and self-control for him to calm down, to not throw those papers away and turn around, catching his A-Yao in his arms and kissing him to his hearts’s content. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and squeezed those lovely hands one more time, briefly basking in how they fit perfectly into his own, before letting it go, face still warm and a small smile laying in his lips. 

“Please.” He answered.

Hands once more trailed across his back, running up until he could scratch at his nape and calmly undo the braid, combing the long, dark strand with his fingers and taking every single opportunity to pull more and more content sounds. Since they would still have to wait around a shichen, then Jin Guangyao was going to be sure he kept his beloved one happy and relaxed during that time.

[...]

Lan Xichen was expecting something from him.

The exact thing wasn’t yet clear for Meng Yao to be absolutely sure, but there were a few options already spinning in his mind, going from the naive possibility that Lan Xichen was simply suffering human necessity of being constantly touching someone (probably a result from the deprivation of his sect? For the few things the First Jade of Gusu Lan shared about his home and the plentiful rumors Meng Yao heard, the Lan Sect wasn’t painted in the most touch-feeling type) to the gruesome option that Meng Yao offended him somehow so now he was searching for the most vulnerable places on his body to rend him immobile or dead.

Both options were the far ends of a scale, which classified them as the less likely reasonings to explain the new found behavior, but created numerous options in between that could be more likely. Those last days had been spent in excluding all the wrong ones, which brought him to today. 

Lan Xichen was someone who values his own routine and prefers to not bother someone else with most of his affairs, making him an extremely educated and therefore pleasant to talk to and live with, but an equally private one about his life without a proper and careful prying. The change had been happening for a couple of weeks now, which meant it was triggered by a recent event. Whether it was an external or internal one was something he needed to look into more.

Lately, he has been trying to conduct his little experiments as discreetly and secretly as possible. At first, Meng Yao had thought it was simply a new mannerism or tradition from his sect that he finally felt comfortable enough to fall back into, or perhaps a personal way to express gratitude, something he had become bolder to express as they grew inevitably closer and closer together. That was when his insistent, fleeting touches began, looking for relaxed and non-conspicuous moments to get more affectionate, appearing just as constantly as the brush of color on his face every time Meng Yao showed anything close to curiosity at his actions, searching eyes changing to bashful ones.

Therefore, there were two main possibilities to explain what was happening here. And today Meng Yao was going to rule one out.

Sitting in front of Lan Xichen, with his neck bare and curious hands going here and there to explore, he felt a tiny, hesitant line being traced on his head, a bit too close from his ear and yet much away to provoke anything more than a small shiver that he was already prepared for. Instead of reacting, he tilted his head to the side, being able to perfectly see when Lan Xichen quickly pulled his wandering touch away and went immediately back to combing his short hair, which had been receiving too much attention those last days.

“Xichen-ge,” he would rather use the most adequate ‘Lan-zongzhu’ at the moment, but Xichen always looked more subdued after it. Meng Yao continued to refer to him as this, of course, Xichen would need to get used to it soon and it was best to start now with a single person he trusted than to a doubting crowd later, but his objective, right now laid somewhere else. “Is there something bothering you? This one will do his best to fix it and make your stay much more enjoyable.”

Lan Xichen sighed, dropping his comb defeatedly on the desk and finishing his usual ponytail with ease. 

“It’s nothing important, A-Yao. I apologize for worrying you.”

“There is truly no need to apologize,” he smiled, open and encouraging. “No matter what the problem or doubt is, I will be more than happy to help Xichen-ge with it.”

“It’s really a trivial matter.” Lan Xichen watched his face for a few seconds, all while Meng Yao kept it clear and comforting, keeping all the curiosity that was gnawing at his mind hidden. 

Eventually, Lan Xichen’s own curiosity won. 

“That night when you were brushing my hair, you did something and it made…” He stopped, not very sure of which words to choose, brown frowning slightly in a confused manner. “It was like an itch, somehow amusing. It sparked a different feeling and simply got me curious. I tried to replicate it but,” he chuckled lightly. “It seems like I failed in doing so.”

Sudden clarity hit Meng Yao and all the last pieces of the mystery fitted each other perfectly, creating a clear image in his mind. Reasoning #5 was right after all, who would say. 

“I see.” His smile naturally morphed to something more genuine and slightly mischievous. “In that moment, I tickled you by mistake, ge.”

Lan Xichen brightened. “So that was tickling!” Seemingly catching up to his outburst of excitement, a light blush painted his nose, but he continued his joyful demeanor either way. Good. “I have seen so many descriptions of it before that it really got me confused for a while. It explains why I couldn’t do it myself and why I eventually tried it on you, a bit.” The blush increased and Meng Yao controlled the expression on his face to not stare fixedly at it. “I hope I haven’t caused too much trouble and made A-Yao uncomfortable with my approach.”

Meng Yao thought about all the soft touches that kept following him across the house, the tiny embarrassed grins and vehement requests to comb his hair every morning, the steady hold when he stumbled across a poorly performed sword form, a hand on his shoulder or forearm to bring his attention to some matter. His answer came a bit faster than he would’ve liked. “No. Of course there was no inconvenience for me. Even if I would’ve helped to answer your question sooner, this one is very happy to clear your confusion.” He made an educated pause, letting a bit of curiosity slip on his words. “Has Xichen-ge never been tickled before?” 

“Ah, not much, not much.” His eyes turned away from him and Meng Yao could see the half-truth for what it was. “But I’ve always been a bit curious about it. There are plenty of books that had a few snippets, and it always seemed so fun to me!”

Lan Xichen smiled and Meng Yao could see it, how being so open and joyful but still too far away from the other cultivators that no one would dare to reach to him during their own sparks of playfulness. Hasn't his family ever got into a bit of a tickle fight? Of course, Meng Yao wasn’t in a position to wonder about it considering his own history, yet even his childhood had been graced by plenty of memories with his mother that he treasured more than gold. Reminding of happy moments in between dark days, his features softened.

“It can be quite overwhelming,” he explained, “like your body itself is jumping between a strong urge of laughing and running away and even the quickest or lightest touch can leave a residual feeling that will put a smile on your face. There are the ones who like the feeling of it and who don't, but even so there are some who only appreciate when it is done in a certain way or in a specific context.”

Lan Xichen smiled even more brightly at that. “My instincts haven’t failed me yet, then. You’re ticklish too, aren’t you, A-Yao?”

He chuckled at that, becoming more and more endeared by every passing moment. Who would say such a mundane and fleeting thing would be the one to make the First Jade of Gusu Lan so interested and earnest to learn? It was quite precious to have something to teach him as well. 

“I am. Not that it is very easy to catch me off guard. There are plenty of techniques that are more effective than others.” Playfully, he lowered his head and looked at the other coyly. “Perhaps one day I will tell Xichen-ge which, when he decides to share with me his ones.”

“How knowledgeable is A-Yao. Wise and smart, he truly must carry plenty of experience that could help this ignorant one to understand, if he is kind enough to teach me.”

The tune and words were clearly teasing, with a bit of truth bathed in playfulness and excitement of having his discovery to happen and grow like that, but suddenly Meng Yao could see it perfectly: Lan Xichen under him, answering to his every touch, smiling uncontrollably, laughing completely unashamed, loud and bright, capturing the entire light of the sky in his smile, making all kind of sounds that he would have to repeat over and over again until Meng Yao could engrave them fully in his mind, squirming, trashing around and pleading amidst his laughter, face red and teary, wrinkling eyes staring him full of joy and mirth, glimpse of hidden, velvety skin appearing here and there, showing more delightful spots to explore.

What would his uncontrollable laughter sound like? Was Xichen more or less ticklish than him? There was some unexpected spot yet undiscovered that would pry a surprise reaction and a delicious surprised gaze at him? Was he a squirmer, someone who likes to playfully fight or be chased around, or maybe pliant, who would melt under his touches and make the desire to tickle him more increase? Until where could he make his blush go? How many kinds of reactions could Meng Yao pry from him?

Meng Yao felt his throat go dry and the tip of his fingers twitching uncontrollably for a second. Suddenly being under the other’s eager stare was too much and his mind, as always, quickly jumped to save him even before he processed his words thoroughly.

“You should try another experience first, one that is not so overwhelming and that can help you to grow accustomed to the feeling and reactions that tickling can bring, something that will give you more understanding and leverage before being tickled.” Lan Xichen’s gaze was intense and only years of learning to replace his every instinctive reaction to a more controlled façade could help him hide how that expression of utter interest and determination affected him, making color arise at his face. 

“You should tickle me first.”

[...]

“Oh,” Lan Xichen thought as he realized that was the last page he was supposed to be reading, all the necessary letters written and documents approved or denied, which meant that after finishing the last corrections on this teaching plan, all his work would be finally finished. 

Hm. 

“I should’ve thought this better.”

He felt a single snicker bubble on his throat, ignoring it just as he ignored those brown eyes staring at each of his movements avidly, following the marks of his brush with rapid attention. Distractedly, Xichen tried to take a deep breath to regain his control, but had to stop another squirm when Jin Guangyao’s hands got too close from his side once more, making him shiver and straight his posture even more. Just like the few last documents, as soon as the barely there teasing touch got any reactions, it disappeared back to his hair, letting him concentrate once more on the matters at hand.

Jin Guangyao hasn’t gone against his word once during the entire time and, as Lan Xichen was too occupied with his sect’s matters, he kept a series of soothing touches, squeezes and rubs that would keep his muscles nice and relaxed. Unfortunately, the closer he got to the end of his work, the more his mind was haunted by the conversation they held in the beginning of the afternoon, making his thoughts swirl with what was about to happen. The closer he got to the end of the page, the more Jin Guangyao touched him and the more he could feel each one of his senses in fire.

It also didn’t help, as well, that Lan Xichen could feel A-Yao getting closer and closer to him, bodies almost touching, trails of warmth blooming everywhere those fingers grazed him, instincts shouting in alarm anytime those wandering hands did more than hint how easily they could divert their path to his most ticklish spots and at each breath Lan Xichen felt himself get more and more sensitive.

The anticipation was running wild across his meridians, pulling his mind out of the paper and creating a fruitless, and yet amusing, loop where he couldn’t finish his paperwork because if he did he would be tickled, which increased his anticipation because he hadn’t been tickled yet, making him more distracted at his paperwork, which would then bring him back to the beginning and only accomplished in leaving his mind and body restless and with a stubborn tilt upwards in the corner of his lips.

His focus was so out of place that he felt the exact moment those hands moved away from his hair, letting the braid go and disappearing away from his vision and touch. Warning signals exploded in his mind like fireworks, growing more agitated as more and more moments passed with not even the lowest movement happening. Where would the next place those teasing fingers would land? On his lower back, where only a few scribbling would leave him squirming and giggling non-stop? The back of his ribs, where, at any moment he could be turned into a crackling mess by a bit of prodding and drumming on them? The base of his neck, pulling uncontrollable snickers until he was unable to talk normally? Lan Xichen held his breath, body naturally tensing in preparation for the ambush.

He jolted when a firm touch rested on the middle of his back, going up and down into a coaxing rub.

“Is something the matter, er-ge? I may serve as a second opinion for your tribulation, if you wish.” His voice got closer and Lan Xichen knew he was looking above his shoulder, fully aware of how his writing had been stagnant for minutes and what was actually happening. “It must be really complicated, to have you so immersed in it as you’ve been.”

Lan Xichen huffed, answering the teases in kind. “Perhaps it would do me well to get another perspective of this problem. Wouldn’t you be so kind as to switch places with me, my A-Yao? Come sit at my side and let me take care of your hair as you did, as well.”

Jin Guangyao chuckled softly, a false contrite tune in his words. “I couldn’t possibly, er-ge. This one would never dare to imply he could do a better job than Lan-zhongzhu in the matters of Gusu Lan.”

“Then accompany me for a cup of tea?” He gestured to the vacant space at his side, voice persistent and polite. “You know how much I value your brilliant insights and smart remarks for my decisions.”

“Certainly, er-ge is the most kind.” He lowered his head lightly in agreement, “I will be more than happy to share some of our favorite blends as soon as you finish your work.” 

It felt prohibited, how polite their words were and how Jin Guangyao’s fingers trailed across Xichen’s arms, leaving goosebumps wherever it passed. Yet, happiness filled his heart each passing moment, watching fondly as his touch continued until it stopped for a moment on his wrists, tracing the uncovered skin there before following to his hand and then his brush, carefully adjusting it before moving away. 

“It would be improper, otherwise, to interrupt your responsibilities. After it all, however, I want nothing more than to honor your wishes, every single one.”

Lan Xichen felt once more the heat taking over his features, memories upon memories flourishing in his mind. It was a good thing Jin Guangyao couldn’t see his face anymore, otherwise he would witness the way it formed a flustered, tiny pout at his clear defeat. The Lan accepted it gracefully, however, willing his senses to calm themselves once more and focus completely on the last part of the document, finishing the last commentaries and writing his signature, going through the same steps of folding and sealing with the Gusu Lan seal fully automatically, before he put it on his completed pile, a sigh leaving his body at this.

The very first moment he let go of the document, his mind caught up and Lan Xichen froze in the same position, adrenaline running fast across his meridians.

Behind him there was complete silence, hands appeared, and he followed them with the corner of his eyes, struggling to not start chuckling simply by how excited he was, knowing that they could decide to attack any moment now. But they passed his back, torso and curled around his wrists, soft and kind, a taunting and momentarily illusion of peace. Lan Xichen let them pull his arms back to his lap, resting them there.

Slowly, he followed the path from his wrists to his forearms, only fingertips touching the skin in swirling patterns and drawn circles. They stopped by his inner elbow and lightly, so lightly that his nails were barely tracing the spot, tickled it. 

“Er-ge did it all perfectly, of course. I didn’t doubt it a single second.” A-Yao’s voice made him jolt out of the almost hypnotic daze he got into, following every twitch of those quick fingers, enjoying the still too weak instincts of trying to trash away. “You’re so very skilled, so reliable and responsible, but for now, please allow me to take care of everything.” His blush only got worse, both because of the sincere praise and the fact that Jin Guangyao nuzzled softly the ticklish (ticklish, what a delightful word) spot behind his ear, pulling a tiny and surprised squeak before a couple of tiny giggles.

He fumbled over his words, not yet fully accustomed in letting someone else take his role. “A-Yao, maybe I should-”

A kiss hit his ear and a huffed squeal almost escaped, being controlled at the last second when Lan Xichen pushed his face on his own shoulders, which trembled a bit. 

Trust me, Jin Guangyao wanted to say, words almost spilling along his desire in front of the who mattered the most, let me show you how much I know your every weakness, every reaction, every sensitive part of yours, let me show how good I can take care of all of them. Let me bring you everything you are looking for, all the joy, all the happiness, all the delight, let me pry each one of them from you and lay it all in your hands. Lay all of yourself in my hands. Let me, let me, let me. 

What he said, instead, was: “There is no need, er-ge, I am sure of I want to do. There would be no great honor.” 

How could it be a burden when all my thoughts are you and you and you. “But what about you? Are you sure, er-ge?”

His hands stopped and he adjusted his head to watch the other better when silence began spreading after his question. 

“Please.” He let the word escape, filling the silence for a second.

Was he wrong, after all? But that couldn’t be, he noticed every positive response to his touches, every rewarding sound, the way after the initial instinct of moving away, Lan Xichen went back to press himself once more in his hands, how swiftly the work flooded, how closed lipped smiles kept blooming in his mouth. Could it be that not being able to see his expression as freely as before clouded his interpretations so much?

Lan Xichen’s words cut his line of thought before he could start to backtrack. 

“Only if my A-Yao gives me the happiness of being called Huan-ge, for at least the end of this day?” His voice was playful and his eyes twinkled when they turned around to look at him. Jin Guangyao was helpless for the fond chuckle that escaped him. It was much better than choking in surprise.

Lan Xichen. Lan Huan. Huan-ge. To be allowed to call him by his birth name… Jin Guangyao truly couldn’t be more blessed.

I could call you that for the end of my life.

He lowered his voice and got closer once more, hands going back to the soft scribbles on his inner elbows, slowly going upwards in fleeting touches. In a purr, the advisor replied.

“Anything my Huan-ge wants.”

Even if the offer was his, wide, surprised eyes still found the other’s gaze, blush growing stronger before Lan Xichen quickly turned around, mind still spinning with Huan-ge, Huan-ge, Huan-ge over and over again, only distracted when his hands migrated to his shoulders, going way too close to his horribly ticklish neck. A tittering puff jumped away from his mouth and his shoulders trembled as he willed them to stay down. The hands continued to approach before closing on the hem of his robes, playing with them in between his fingers.

“May I?” 

Realizing what that meant, Lan Xichen melted a bit and only the adrenaline and anticipation kept his muscles from falling on those kind arms. 

“You may.”

Jin Guangyao hummed pleased and began taking off his outer robe carefully, treating the fabric with much more care than Lan Xichen who, much for his demise, was still very bad at washing the delicate fabric without tearing it apart.

He removed the first one, taking off his stash, folding it and putting both on his table. He repeated the gesture, tapping his fingers on the hem of his second, then third robes, always asking and waiting for his answer before he continued. When he was left with his two last robes, Jin Guangyao scribbled lightly at his side, seemingly satisfied at his louder and surprised giggles as an answer and then positioning his hands on his lower back.

Lan Xichen grabbed them and, quietly, guided both to the hem of his robe. “You may. Please.”

Jin Guangyao barely hesitated before removing it too, just as reverently as before and Lan Xichen smiled, patting the last, thin and comfortable, inner robe with satisfaction. It felt much lighter and adequate, completely different from greeting someone so important as his A-Yao with the condecorations of a sect leader. Now he was simply Lan Xichen, Lan Huan, enjoying the surprise Jin Guangyao so mindfully prepared for him.

The Jin grabbed Xichen’s skilled hands once more and pulled them upwards, crossing them behind his neck, making them both get even closer than before. Xichen took the opportunity to kiss his cheek, his ear, his neck and shoulder in appreciation, more than happy at the bold move. 

For his last preparation, he slowly began undoing the knot tying his forehead ribbon, eyes focused and attentive to any slight show of discomfort, eventually pulling it carefully, folding and laying reverently above all his clothes.

“Let me look after you.”

His hands rested on his waist, first only caressing the skin, testing the pressure they would have to apply to tickle the spot, then changing to a soft spidering that started from his sides to the base of his spine, scrapping and prodding at them with quick, fleeting touches that started to bring more and more giggling, dancing on both spots over and over again, leaving his nerves prickling with every teasing tickle. His touch danced across the skin, tracing the line of the waistband of his pants, slipping a couple of fingers under his robe to pinch lightly at his sides, going up and down a few times until his giggles increased to a higher giggles, once or two squeals escaping here and there, especially as he went back to his spine, prodding and poking the bones as he went upwards.

The more the playful touches continued, the more Lan Xichen felt his control crumbling, his reactions slipping easily, delighted noises filling the room as the soft, light and fast tickling just continues, exploring his back with scratches and scribblings that only made him feel more and more ticklish at each moment, each touch teasing just enough to sent his senses into wildness. Every time those dancing fingers followed each bone of his ribs with fluttering and a light clawing, drummed quickly in between them, attacked the lowest parts of his shoulder blades with spidering and pokes, Lan Xichen tried to curl more and more forward only to remember about his position and laugh more. Louder snickers, painted sometimes by surprised crackles, escaped him in waves, arms trembling to not lower themselves, doing the best to keep his torso unprotected. Even the praising, grateful kisses that Jin Guangyao gave his biceps and forearms in appreciation felt like tiny sparks to ticklishness at this point. 

As more and more moments passed and those maddening fluttering and sparsely rough tickling continued, his previous muffled squeaks turned into louder yelps and tittering giggles transformed in an unending onslaught of squealing snickers. Each sound grew more uncontrollable and unstoppable as Jin Guangyao calmly guided his efforts to his armpits, the fingers that were previously attacking every inch of his shoulder blades then walking in tiny pokes and swirls to the spot. Lan Xichen closed his eyes firmly, a giant, wobbly smile in his face as he squirmed the entire way, yelping and chuckling when they finally arrived at their destiny.

His fingers rested on the skin, drawing circles and scribbling softly on the place where his back connected to his armpit, slowly worming their way to tickle it before Lan Xichen couldn’t take it anymore and firmly clamped his arms on his sides, successfully blocking the way, shoulders bouncing with his laughter painted in a mix of excitement and fear.

The shorter one clicked his tongue, but moved his fingers away, nevertheless. It didn’t take long for his velvet tune to find its way to his sensitive ears once more. 

“Huan-gege’s laughter is truly a blessing.” Lan Xichen shook his head, and he nibbled that spot behind his ear in reply, pulling a squeal, giggling and giggling non-stop. “Even if he keeps running from my care. There is no worry, however, I will keep bringing him back as much as we need to, again and again.” 

Finishing with a peck that resulted in even more snickering, Lan Xichen finally realized the distraction for what it was, immediately arching his back the moment his hands began clawing at the tickle spot right under his shoulder blades, pulling an undignified squawk and a stumble that made him tilt and fall on Guangyao’s chest. Warmth involved him from every side, which did nothing to placate the ticklish tingling sensation spreading to his ribs in an unrelenting attack, uncontrollable laughter spilling freely from his lips until he felt a hand on his face, turning it to the side to find those warm brown eyes staring right at him.

“My, my, what a pleasant surprise to find you here, Huan-ge.” 

His thumb began brushing his cheek softly and Lan Xichen guffawed, almost completely lost in the sensation, face and ears hot at the smug shine in the other’s eyes. After discovering that even his cheeks were ticklish, A-Yao always took an opportunity to tease them with fluttering tickles and playful words.

“Nohohot so much of a surprihihise, I belieheve.” He grinned, the mischievousness of it losing partially its sharpness by the utter adoring expression on his face. “I am ahahalways lookihing fohor you, after-aha-all!”

The fingers traced his cheek once more, then moved to his mouth, pressing across his lower lip for a moment. Lan Xichen nipped it and then looked at Jin Guangyao with big eyes, batting his eyelashes. The other huffed. 

“So smooth, Huan-ge.” Still, he acquiesced with the silent wish, not wanting to refuse his dear one anything on this day. He laid a peck on his mouth and moved away before Xichen could try to convince him to change his current plan to different activities.

At the pout he received for that, Jin Guangyao let his hand scribble and tease softly his other (adorably, lovely, addictingly) ticklish cheek, immediately changing it to a wobbly, tiny closed lipped grin. Jin Guangyao hummed, laying more and more fast kisses on his mouth until it opened again into a happy smile and bubbly giggles fell from it freely. 

His fingertips continued to tickle his cheek for a few more moments before it started heading down to his next target, crawling and poking until it arrived to that truly delightful spot under his jaw, lightly scratching on it over and over again, making Lan Xichen’s giggles rise to an uncontrollable chuckling laughter, painted with squeals and snorts as those tickles danced around the spot, his body trembling with the urge to trash and squirm away from the maddening touches.

Jin Guangyao twirled and explored every inch of ticklish skin, sometimes venturing further down his neck, spidering the middle and scribbling his collarbones before immediately going back to torment the previous, truly delicious, spot.

Delicious…

Hm.

Lan Xichen barely paid attention when A-Yao tilted his head closer, using his entire concentration to stop himself from scrunching up his neck and locking his hands and their horrible tickles on the place that made his snickers go higher and squeaky, pulling one high pitched sound after the other, refusing to let his laughter slow down even for a moment. It was only when his chin was held carefully up and a warm breath hit his bare neck that his mind caught up with his partners’ plan, leaving no time to react before his face was burrowed on his skin and those lips began nibbling under his jaw.

A loud shriek filled the room as he instinctively pried himself away from his embrace, laughing and squirming so much he eventually fell forwards, forehead rested on the tabletop as a snorting kind of laughter continued to escape him, only slowing down to a unstoppable giggling at the ghost tickles. Rubbing his neck, he tried to rub the feeling away and realizing with anticipation how this new position left him with his entire back open. More and more titters fell from his lips.

“Huan-ge, you fell.” Jin Guangyao purred, staying in the same place as he watched him with smart and crinkling eyes until Lan Xichen returned his gaze, face bright and a smile spread from one ear to another. He grinned and controlled the urge to attack him again, to turn Xichen around, hold his arms away and once more find his way to the most delicious spots and torment him, pulling joyous laughter again and again and-

He didn’t, of course. It was not the moment yet. For now, all the Lan needed was a little more of building up and tormenting tickles, until the slightest brush of fingertips would leave him drunk in happiness and snickers. 

His foolish urges would have to wait for their moment and keep following the plan.

“Why don’t you come back up, hm?” 

Xichen’s eyes followed to his open arms, fingers wiggling slightly, not even pretending to hide what would come of his fate would he choose to come back to his embrace. He could feel his face burn even more, heat escaping to his neck and ears. His lover had a look on his face that brought goosebumps to his spine, a kind of shine that said that he would patiently wait until the second Lan Xichen decided to continue their playful moment. 

“A-Yao,” there was a hint of a whine at the end of his words. Jin Guangyao clicked his tongue and cooed in exaggerated empathy, as if his hands were tied and there was nothing he could do to save him from his current predicament. “Nohoho…”

“Won’t you come back to me, Huan-ge?” He pouted, looking down and away. “Tell me, does this one’s touch displease you? For you to try to get away from me so determinately, I can only imagine how my advances are not welcome.”

Lan Xichen huffed and groaned softly, recognizing the clear provocation for what it was. “A-Yao, my love, please…”

“A single moment without the presence of my Huan-ge and the cold is too great to survive.” He continued, tone pitiful and sad. “But, if this one truly wronged his Lan Huan so greatly, it must only be fair to endure it.”

Lan Xichen was a weak, weak man, and so he huffed and whined in protest, but straightened up and went back to his previous position, snuggled once more in the most trustful arms in the world, hiding his face in his own hands, his back shaking the tiniest bit with the chuckling, pleased laughter from the other he received in reward.

Every point of contact set his senses at fire and every breath he took in silence, slightly shuddering, was filled with the anticipation of his new attack, his nerves tingling in preparation and expression already losing itself to an uncontrollable kind of giggles that kept jumping joyfully on his throat. 

A couple of seconds, then a pair of minutes passed and nothing happened.

Lan Xichen slowly lowered his hands, just enough to see those offending, wiggling fingers clawing the air, close, yet too far away to even touch skin. The unexpected scene was enough to make him jump and squirm, almost falling into those tickling touches, but managing to stop himself once more, snickering at his own silliness.

“No, no, wait, A-Yao! Wait!”

Jin Guangyao nuzzled behind his ear in answer and his laughter only worsened, even if there was yet no tickles teasing his spots, reactions fueled by nothing more than the adrenaline that made those tiny, ticklish sparks spread from everywhere Jin Guangyao touched or would (probably) touch any moment now. When he decided to move those offending wiggly fingers, possibly. 

Lan Xichen pouted, turning around just the necessary amount for him to see it, receiving a placating kiss and even more nuzzles on his neck as consolation.

“Oh no,” Jin Guangyao gasped theatrically, which only made Lan Xichen let out another complaining noise, still surrounded by plenty of giggles, and bat one of his hands lightly away. “It seems like my Huan-ge is so far away! Too far from my caring touch. What shall I do now?”

“Just dohoho it, A-Yao, pleaahase. Have mehehercy, have mercy on yohour poor Xichen.”

“I would love to help, Huan-ge, but that simply seems impossible, with you being so far away. If only there was someone who could guide my hands to a kinder destination…”

“There is nohot!”

“There is not? Oh, that is truly a pity.” He nosed the spot once more, prying higher giggles. Angling his mouth better, then, Jin Guangyao made sure to whisper the next words directly into his ear. “I would be so happy to find, tease and tickle any and every spot that my Huan-gege would be kind enough to guide me. Anywhere he wants, any spot that would leave him relaxed, content and laughing his heart out and I would stay there, tickling and tickling again and again for as long as you want. Doesn't this sound like a nice offer?”

Lan Xichen snorted, tittering while turning his face away, burning in a newer shade of blush at such lovely teases. He was plenty aware, after everything they had passed together, that there was no escape from his current indecision. Jin Guangyao would keep his sweet words and provocations for hours at end until he caved and decided the next target to his doom, both to his absolute delight and despair. Still, he turned around with a new protesting, sad noise, making Jin Guangyao’s lip twitch upwards before an expression of pure innocence took over his face and he pecked lightly his mouth.

“Won’t you let me, Huan-ge?” Each word was marked by another kiss, on his lips, his cheek, his eyelid, everywhere. Lan Xichen hummed pleased, melting more in the embrace, realizing one of the many benefits of staying right where he was. “Won’t you show me where you want me to tickle you next?”

It took a bit more of distraction, more lingering kisses and sweet provocations, until two strong, yet so delicate, hands gripped his wrists and guided his own to an open neck. Jin Guangyao smiled and kissed his temple in gratefulness, more than happy at the happy snickering he received.

Slowly, his hands moved to rest on his shoulders, thumbs rubbing teasingly the skin, so close to the base of his neck that Lan Xichen could already feel the uncontrollable smile taking over the expression of his face. Even before the hands started creeping closer, his laughing fit was already back, yelps and squeaks going louder and quicker as his hands began spidering across his neck.

“Ahahahaha-Yahahao! Mehehercy! M-mer-r-cihihiHIHIHI!

Jin Guangyao gave a small nibble on his neck, humming in satisfaction at the screech, taking his time to trace with his lips across every little spot, to huff and puff his breath over the sensitive skin and tease with a light, barely there, scrape of teeth every little mole or scar he found in his way, only to go back to nibbling and huffing, changing the tune of the laughter at every little change, making uncontrollable and loud giggles morphing into wheezing crackles, then bringing back to louder titters and start the cycle again.

“So kind of my Huan-ge to let this one be deserving of his laughter, for returning so wingilly to my hug and following so perfectly my instructions, for trusting me like this.” He nuzzled him, pulling a higher joyous squeal before finally giving Lan Xichen his well deserved prize. 

He took a deep breath and burrowed his face in his neck with a giant raspberry.

“AHAHAHA-YAHAHAO!”

Jin Guangyao hummed in question, being sure the vibrations hit the skin and resulted in more guffaws and crackling as an answer. Positioning his fingers once more, he began alternating between scratching and scribbling across his collarbone and fluttering and tracing behind his ears, making his laughter ring loud and free in the air, screeches and wheezes following it happily. Lan Xichen threw his head back, only opening even more space for his raspberries, an advantage that Jin Guangyao was more than glad to use.

After a few moments, he let his tickling slow down enough to a soft spidering, tiny pecks now trailing to the back of his ears, pulling squeak after squeak, making Lan Xichen melt even more on him, words forming and disappearing on the tip of his tongue with the sudden onslaught of affection. Eventually, his hands stopped.

“Please, allow me, then, to clarify a few important points, while we explore new spots at our convenience.”

Lan Xichen was just recovering from his laughing fit when the hands disappeared for a moment and quickly appeared back again on his ribs, mischievous fingers twitching lightly on the spot. The Sect Leader snorted, holding on the other’s arms and looking up, finding his fond gaze, unmoved by his own wide and shiny eyes filled with surprise. Pleas began spilling from him. 

“My A-Yao! Plehehehease, wait! There is noho nee-eek!”

Jin Guangyao drummed on the spot, hands clawing determinately on each space in between the bones and incessant fingers prodding each one of his ribs, pressing on each one of them and vibrating in short bursts of attacks, spreading ticklish sparkles across his every single sense, making the poor sensitive Lan throw his head back with a crackling laughter, thrashing around in the hold.

“Let us start then.” 

No matter how much Lan Xichen shook or moved his head, he couldn’t stop those whispering words to attack directly his sensitive ears, adding a squeaking tilt to his chortles and a bit more of maddening to his mind.

“My Huan-er-ge is the most hardworking, determined and brilliant person I’ve ever met.” Lan Xichen shrieked and before he could oppose anything Jin Guangyao was saying (by a simple confusion, of course) he felt the other’s hands slip and dig on that absurdly ticklish spot right in the bottom of his ribs, almost in his back, making him lose all his words and arch back with a loud crackle. A truly unfortunate event. 

“Your spirit was strong enough to keep both of our hopes alive during the war and then to keep your resilience unwavering even during the fall out of it. Your resolution in what you believe and your kindness that forgives and love so easily form such an esteemed and important partnership that it amazes me until this very day, and will continue to do so for much longer. The first makes you understand the most subtle and important details of political affairs and crucial battles, while the latter keeps you-” (vulnerable, weak, transparent, he didn’t say) “trustworthy and human enough to lead, help and spare the most that you can.”

“You care so much for the ones who are dear to you and work the most to maintain and protect everything that you believe.” At this point, his words had lost all the teasing mischievousness to adoration, a reverence that he could only demonstrate fully when they were soft and unguarded like this. Jin Guangyao began slowing down his attack, changing to spidering tickles that ran up and down his ribs, slipping away momentarily to his armpits and drumming there from time to time, when Lan Xichen tried to interrupt his vulnerable words and then rewarded him with cute snorts and giggly squeaks. 

His voice got even more gentle. “I wish you would let those you love-” (me, me, me) “take care and carry your burdens along with you as well. We would be so happy to do so, as much as you need, for as long as you need.”

Lan Xichen had trashed so much he had lowered himself even more on his embrace, disarranging his robes open, which created the perfect opportunity for the Jin to grin and worm his hands to skitter and pinch the ticklish skin of his sides, pulling surprised, ticklish laughter. 

“A-Yao!” Looking down, all he could find was Xichen’s determined stare, watching him amidst the misty shine of tears that began collecting on the corner of his eyes. “Yohohohou alreadyihihihi do thahaAHAHAT!” Even as the tickling increased in protest, his words persisted. Amidst the crackling and snorts, they aimed directly to his heart. “Tahahahaking sohoHOHO - NOHOHOT THEHEHERE! - MUCH CAHAHARE OHOHO-ohof me! Yohohou d-d-dohohoho it all so eek! SohoHOHO FREHEHELY!”

And Jin Guangyao was weak. So incredibly and helplessly weak and weak and weak. 

His body moved on his own before his mind could fully catch up with it, thoughts running too fast for him to get a strong hold on each of them. He lowered the taller one on the ground, digging his fingers on the soft flesh of his sides until he was laying on the ground and he could maneuver himself to sit on his thighs. In his new position he could see the exact moment Xichen’s face dissolved into that expression full of surprise, fear and delight as he pushed his robes to the side until his stomach was completely bare and he suddenly burrowed his face on his belly.

“MYIHIHIHI LOHOHOVE!”

His hands drilled on his sides, squeezing and drumming, running up to claw at his ribs, then inwards to knead at the corners of his stomach. Each new touch and tickle made the other shriek, loud, belly and mirthful laughter painted in wheezing screeches and snorts, filling the entire room with the force of it and making the other arch, which only burrowed him closer and closer to the playful attention. Jin Guangyao nibbled each weak spot he could find, blowing raspberries directly on his belly button, pressing kisses and whispered loving, praising words on his lower belly, following his waist with nibbles, nipping the sensitive places of his hips, raspberrying the trembling spot non stop. 

After lavishing every single inch with all the nibbles, kisses and raspberries he could deliver, Jin Guangyao started to ascend. His hands slowed down their tickles, changing to a scribbling and spidering kind of touch that started on his lower belly, tracing the line of his waist, the bones of his hips, before climbing slowly up.

“So precious.”

He kissed a trail on his chest, completely unfazed by how it trembled and shook under him with all the maddened snickers that continued to spill.

“So strong.”

Lan Xichen hugged himself, hiding his face on his shoulder while the light tickles kept his nerves aflame. Tiny squeaks and high pitched sounds continued to escape him, growing quicker and more uncontrollable the more Jin Guangyao got closer to his target. 

“So responsive.”

His hands slipped to land a quick squeeze on his inner thighs, immediately making him squirm from one side to another.

He kissed the spot right below his collarbone. Then waited.

Lan Xichen snickered and giggled and wiggled around, smile growing bigger and wobblier the more moments passed without another whispered, sweet word from the other nor a kiss that made his muscles be torn between melting into the touch or escaping away from all the tickles. His hands were now resting on his waist, keeping it nice and snug in his hold, preventing it from squirming away from their inevitable fate. 

Jin Guangyao watched his every expression, every twitch and giggle avidly, making the heat consuming his face spread to his chest and his eyes to shut even more tightly, plenty aware of the kind of gaze they would find as soon as he reciprocated it.

Except for his increasing titters, nothing else took over the air around them. After minutes passed without anything more, Lan Xichen huffed and opened his eyes, finding that adoring, reverent, hungry gaze watching his every expression, a fond grin turning into an evil smirk that made goosebumps run across his spine and his snickering to increase.

Slowly, without any hurry or worry in the world, Jin Guangyao began lowering his head, eyes fixated on him.

“A-Yao!!” His squirms failed to escape his tight grip, which was not helped for the way all his muscles felt like wet wool. “Please! Plehehease, anythihihing else!”

“So sensitive. So ticklish for me.” Jin Guangyao continued, a low, pleased tune taking over his words when the mirth shining on Xichen’s eyes and the excited squirming only increased at the teases. 

His mouth brushed his neck, next word hitting his skin into a mix of airy tickles and a spark of electricity.

“Perfect.”

Before Lan Xichen could protest anymore, a gigantic raspberry hit his neck, the vibrations leading to another shriek and louder laughter, a high crackling one that left his entire body shaking from the force of it, his head thrown back as squeals, screeches and chortles escaped merrily from his lips. Jin Guangyao followed his every squirm and movement, his hands spidering up and digging on his armpits, drumming on the spots as mercilessly as the raspberries continued to torment his every nerve, intertwined by nibbles and nips that would be prying squeaks and snorts from his lungs. 

Not a trace of his torso was forgotten. Tiny raspberries rested at the crook of his neck, nibbles attacked every spot from under his chin to his jaw, and fingers danced across his armpits, scratched at his ribs, pinched his sides and drummed on his hips, spot that suddenly would be graced with one or two raspberries to tint his reactions in surprise. Not even his thighs, which were graced with so many squeezes and kneading that made him kick and try to roll around fruitlessly, weren’t spared from the onslaught of tickles, each touch teasing his most weak and sensitive spots to latch on and torment without a mercy.

Lan Xichen laughed. He pleaded, snickered and crackled without a single thought nor coherence, mind too much taken over by the overwhelming sensations, by the feeling of joy and happiness that filled his chest like nothing else mattered, by the ticklish tingles and vibrations that teased his every nerve, that danced across his mind and at which he couldn’t ever look away. For a moment, no worries from his position, no exhaustion from his work or fears of the future existed. There was only Jin Guangyao and his perfect, merciless tickles, his unending laughter and warmth all around. 

Before it got too much, Jin Guangyao stopped, being intrinsically aware of Xichen’s every quirk and tell. The Jin laid a last kiss on his neck, chuckled at the tiny wiggle it pulled and then moved closer to his face, his smaller hands cupping it and wiping the few tears away with such a care that it was as if he was handling the most precious treasure of all the cultivation world in his palms.

They spend all the while his remaining snickers filled the air like that. 

“It’s so dark and cold outside.” Lan Xichen said, when his voice was back and he could say more than one syllable without remembering what happened and falling once more in titters. He pulled the other closer. “Wouldn’t my A-Yao be kind enough to let this one stay for the night?”

Jin Guangyao huffed, amused. 

(As if he wouldn’t let him stay for the rest of their lives.)

“Of course. Such an esteemed guest of the Jintali Sect deserves only the utmost hospitality from this lowly advisor.” He laid a kiss on his forehead, right where his forehead ribbon would be and Lan Xichen hummed happily. “After all, what would say the rumors after seeing Sect Leader Lan getting out of my room in such a disheveled state in the middle of the night?”

Lan Xichen replied with a peck on his cheek and a playful light pinch on his side. “Nothing worse than they will speculate tomorrow, surely,  after discovering I spent the night with you.”

“Then I will take care of them accordingly.”

Lan Xichen turned his face around, kissing his palm in a quick distraction moving before he was worming a couple of fingers mischievously once more on Jin Guangyao’s side, making him get out from his place on top of him and move away enough for them to get up.

Amidst the playful remarks and softer words, both of them prepared themselves for the night, eventually slipping on the bed together. As soon as Lan Xichen snuggled on his embrace, happily burrowing his face on his chest and pulling Jin Guangyao even closer, he could already feel the sleepiness start to drag his eyes closed.

A hand deliberately rested in between his shoulder blades and Lan Xichen hummed in question, feeling a pleasant shiver when the fingers began softly tracing the spot. 

“May I?” Jin Guangyao whispered.

Lan Xichen smiled and sighed, content, fulfilled, happy. He nuzzled the chest under him, laying a peck on his shoulder.

“You may.”

His other hand tangled on his hair and began scratching his scalp, a thankful kiss being delivered on top of his head. 

The low, whispered words that filled the air no longer carried a teasing tune, but a quiet vulnerability and adoration that shone in each letter. 

“There is no bigger honor in the world than to be allowed to have you in my arms, er-ge. to be granted the opportunity to take care of you, to pick each one of your reactions and vulnerabilities and then pick you carefully apart so I can give each little piece the attention it deserves and rearrange them all together.”

His hand began drawing tiny circles across each one of his shoulder blades, a single finger teasing momentarily the awfully ticklish spot under them before dancing away to a safer ground. Quick puffs of titters escaped from Lan Xichen, who only melted even further on him, the touch soft enough to slowly lull him to sleep, words forming and disappearing on the tip of his tongue at the affection. 

“When you let me explore and find every single one of your tickle spots, to discover your most favorite teases and let me use them on you over and over and over again.” A finger worms its way to scribble across his collarbone, another hand goes up and traces the outer shell and behind his ear with the softest tickles, making his smile and let out a single giggle. “Every time you give me all your weakness, your trust, your smile, your reactions so willingly, without a second thought, I want to give you in return all my heart, all my reverence and attention until I can make you the most happy, content, relaxed, joyful you can be.”

Lan Xichen titters and hugs the other firmly, the giddiness spilling from his heart to his actions, making him lay soft kisses everywhere they could reach, getting slower and slower as the tiredness begins to take over. 

Now the tickling was nothing more than a soft rubbing, a hint to make him a huff a laughter here and there at most, focusing primarily on making him floaty and relaxed enough for his consciousness to begin to slip away, in the rhythm those fingers tapped the back of his neck and scratched at his scalp.

“Thank you, truly, for letting me share this special moment with you, for trusting me, for this, for everything, for you. There is nothing in this world that could make me any happier than to do this with you for everyday of our lives. I will carry every single of your burdens and burn all the obstacles away if this means having you by my side for as long as I can, for as long as you will have me, Huan-ge.”

“A-Yao,” Lan Xichen whispered, clearly losing more and more his battle against sleep, voice slurred. “My A-Yao, don’t forget,” he mumbled and sighed happily, making Jin Guangyao’s heart dance in reply. “I love you too.”

The Jin closed his lips tightly, in order to control the choked noise that almost escaped him, eyes closed firmly as he pressed his lips reverently on Lan Xichen’s forehead. The other was fast asleep, already, and Jin Guangyao chuckled softly and emotionally in the darkness of the night, where no one could see his expression, glad that this part of his soul could be so easily read by the one who mattered the most.

He didn’t say it out loud, of course. And maybe one day Lan Xichen would say this sober and awake and then Jin Guangyao would find the courage to answer him in kind. But for now he let the other sleep soundly and he followed his example quickly. 

But since he was a weak, truly weak man, Jin Guangyao, Meng Yao, mouthed the words on his forehead anyway.

I love you.

[~*~]

Fun Facts and Extra Things!

Me: Hey time to write Meng Yao :D

*adds guilt, distrust, self issues, paranoia and hunger for (safety, peace, importance) blood and LAN XICHEN/ER-GE being shouted internally in love 99% of the time*

Me: Yeah my work here is done. Nailed it.

Lan Xichen being tickled: Noooo, I am simply a little, poor meow meow, won’t you spare me?

Jin Guangyao, THE poorest, littlest meow meow to ever exist: I’m about to destroy this man's whole career.

I almost added like Meng Yao inheriting a fancy and beautiful comb from his mother that he never used before but decided to use in the moment he was caring for Xichen’s hair but the scene of him daydreaming about the life he would have when he was accepted as Sect Leader’s son and all he could offer Lan Xichen after this was stronger to me.

Created an entire lore about Meng Shi in my mind only to realize it was like I wrote an entire AU of Apothecary diaries story rip. Got me thinking about Meng Yao being Maomao uncovering mysteries in the palace with his brilliant mind and Xichen being the eunuch with a dick that catches on to his plans. Anyway peace and love on planet earth. Rip Meng Shi tho she would be even more fckeeed. 

Thinking forever about the implications of a world where Jin Guangyao is accepted and safe at the Koi Tower, when Jin Zixuan is the Sect Leader and so the Jin Sect doesn’t have only Jin Guangyao to relay in. I think that would allow him to come closer to Lan Xichen one day. Maybe he would realize that an advisor is not fully essential to stop the sect from crumbling and breaking apart, perhaps he would look at Jin Ling, growing stronger and healthy and spoiler but caring by the day and would then look at Lan Xichen and would desire. Maybe they could live in a nice, quiet place of Cloud Recesses, when one of the Lan juniors grew enough to inherit the title of a leader.

Meng Yao, upon living with Lan Xichen during three days: Well, even a complete uneducated and socially blind MORON can see that those forehead ribbons are extremely important to the Lans, even if I can’t exactly point how profound that sentiment is, I am still fully aware of it. (Ends up discovering how sacred the forehead ribbon is, what it means and then proceeds to wait YEARS until getting express permission to touch it)

Wei Wuxian after knowing and interacting with Lan Zhan for more than one year: Hey wonder what that piece of fabric in their head is for. Well, since it’s crooked I think I am just going to pull it out and fix it :)) HEY LAN ZHAN!!

Pls imagine that every tickle fic I write with everyone in mdzs being happy is because Jin Guangyao killed his father first thing first and so nothing bad ever happened.

I honestly have no concrete idea for this AU, here Jin Zixuan planned a revolution against his father, taking over and stopping their support to the Wen Sect, which lowered significantly their income and so they fell fastly first. Zixuan was not very interested in going after the power and cultivation Wei Wuxian and Wen Ruhoan had, so even if the Jin Sect still held the war prisoners, he vouched (after Yanlin’s opinion ofc) in letting Wen Qing and the Daifu Wen branch take over the leadership, with plenty of sanactions, which didn’t force Wei Wuxian to turn his back to the Yunmeng Sect and escape to the Burial Mounds, nor expose himself even more to the demonic cultivation and so doesn’t collapse as quickly as before. He and Lan Zhan talked more, with the later visiting Lotus Pier and both of them visiting Wen Yuan frequently. 

The relationship between Nie Mingjue and Jin Guangyao is still delicate but not mortal. Jin Guangyao still has plans to take over the leadership of the sect one day… he just keeps pushing ‘that day’ more and more forward. I still believe Yanli’s death on the canon was a casualty of his choices and that he didn’t really planned it and I like to imagine that being so well treated by her, so very different of how the previous Madam Jin did, together of him not being the leader would actually help a bit to heal that deep yearning of having power to survive. 

The first time he saw Yanli actually fighting for him and against the rumors would seal this (come on let’s be honest here, she has years training how to push brothers together). Eventually Lan Xichen starts to court him and Jin Guangyao convinces himself that being the spouse of a sect leader will bring him the power he wants much more conveniently than killing everyone to the top himself. The biggest problem is that, if needed, he wouldn’t be able to kill Lan Xichen to protect himself. So I let to your imagination if he accepts or not the proposal :D yipeee

The “difficult” times that led him to lose control and kiss Lan Xichen for the first time was that they fled briefly to reunite more small sects and roge cultivators to rise against the Wen, but they kept stumbling on Wen patrols repeatedly on the worst moments, which resulted in them escaping to a safer ground under the most awkward situations. He saw Lan Xichen naked way too frequently and had to share small, tight hiding spots and beds with him. Da boi was STRUGGLING

I think that actually Jin Guangyao is v neutral here about tickling but upon discovering that Lan Xichen loves it he simply does all the studies and research about it and takes upon himself to be the best at it. His er-ge truly deserves nothing but the best

Lan Xichen living under the precepts and rules of not being Greedy and Showing of How Rich You Are so he is used to using cheaper and simpler products all while Meng Yao is: If I don’t offer that man all the BEST the market has to offer He Will Die