#And I'm glad that fic can give so many people hope and comfort

[amethystina]

42, 49

42. Have you ever received a comment that particularly stood out to you for whatever reason?

Yes, many. Too many to mention, to be honest. I've been writing fanfics for over ten years now and I'm continuously amazed by how kind and loving my readers are.

Though I would like to highlight a certain type of comment that I've been getting more and more lately, more specifically since I started writing Who Holds the Devil. Because that fic, more than any of my others, seems to evoke a lot of emotions, reflection, and self-discovery in my readers. Never have I gotten so many comments telling me that reading a fic has fundamentally changed something within them.

It's been everything from realising how abusive their relationships have been to when to stand up for themselves to finally having a name for the panic attacks they've been experiencing.

Who Holds the Devil has made it completely impossible for me to ever doubt the impact my writing can have on people. Because, not going to lie, sometimes I do. Sometimes I feel like an introverted little weirdo, just sitting here, writing about people I want to see kiss. But it's so, so much more than that and nothing has made that more clear to me than the comments I get on Who Holds the Devil.

I'm both humbled and grateful every time I'm told that my writing has made someone realise something about themselves, especially when it involves their mental health, trauma, or just overall well-being. I'm not a therapist and I obviously can't offer any concrete help as such, but to help someone realise or admit to themselves that Something Is Wrong? That's still a very, very big thing. And the fact that I can? It will never not blow my mind.

So that's definitely a kind of comment that stands out to me and probably always will. The fact that I'm able to change people's lives with my fics is beyond astounding to me (and also a little bit intimidating, not going to lie, but not necessarily in a bad way?). And I'm truly grateful to every single one of you who has sent me comments like these. Not only is your bravery and willingness to share inspiring, but it gives me so much joy to know I've been able to help or make a difference. Thank you 💜

49. What are you currently working on? Share a few lines if you’re up for it!

Here's an excerpt from chapter 34 of Who Holds the Devil (though I might edit it slightly before it's posted xD):

Ga On looked down at the tumbler cradled between his hands, his thumb sliding along the smooth, curved edge. He could see his reflection, slightly distorted, in the surface of its content.

"Don't ever do that to me again."

A beat passed, tense and loaded, before Ga On looked up at Yo Han. The silence within the study was deafening — unwieldy — and Ga On could see the slight hint of hesitation on Yo Han's face. It was subtle, barely there, mingled with something that could be regret.

Ga On realized why Yo Han didn't answer right away.

"Intentionally," he added. "Don't intentionally do something like that to me again."

It would be just like Yo Han to make a difference between the two which, in all honesty, was beyond tragic. Yo Han didn't trust himself to not accidentally manipulate the people around him, to the point where an agreement had to be formulated with that in mind. He didn't want to give anyone false hope or make promises he couldn't keep.

It was moments like these that made it obvious that, somewhere deep down, Yo Han still saw himself as a monster. Someone who couldn't be trusted to be around people. Someone who might end up hurting those he cared about, without even meaning to.

Someone dangerous, vicious, and hurtful.

And for the first time in a long while, as much as he hated himself for it, Ga On almost agreed.

Yo Han didn't hesitate this time.

"I promise."

Questions for fic writers

[3lisiaowo]

Can you write a comfort/ fluffy fic where Cregan comes back you his and Agere!readers chambers after having put her down for a nap, finding them awake once more?? I need to curl up against that man's body desperately 🙏😔

I absolutely love this thought!! Hope I gave it justice here lmao :D

Kept it simple and sweet because I'm still not too familiar with Agere, hope you don't mind 🫶

Naptime - Cregan Stark x little!reader

Words : 1,300

Warnings : SFW, Agere, no NSFW, messily written and slightly unedited, soft Cregan cus apparently some people don't like that?? Can't see why 🤷🏻‍♀️

The furs were tucked tightly around your small frame as you awoke from your peaceful nap, the sound of the door creaking open rousing you from your slumber.

A soft, tired grumble falls from your lips as you shift beneath the furs, your hair sprawled out against the pillows, giving you a soft, angelic and absolutely adorable look. Sensing no danger, you fall back into your slumber as Cregan quietly crept through the room, the intention of letting you sleep a little longer lingering in his mind.

He had just returned from a council meeting, one that was far too tiring and stressful for his liking. He was glad you weren't there. He knows full well you wouldn't have taken that council meeting well. You were frustrated and upset as is. Having you attend that Council meeting would only end in you feeling much worse and that's the last thing he wants for you.

He had put you down for a nap before he left for the meeting, hoping you'd sleep a little more considering you didn't sleep well last night. The nightmares and late-night thoughts plaguing your sweet mind.

He wishes you would—but you hate waking him up after nightmares or if you get stuck in your thoughts late at night. You didn't like bothering Cregan over stuff like that, no matter how many times he reassured you that it's okay, that he's your papa, and he's there to take care of you, nightmares and all. You still refuse though, not wanting to worry him any more than you do already.

It had taken you a while to get you to settle down, your stubborn nature shining through greatly. You kept telling him that you're fine, that you don't need to take a little nap, that you're a grown woman and so on. Cregan didn't believe you for a single second. Your defiant nature was adorable though. Your arms crossed against your chest, eyebrows furrowed as you looked up at him with such a sweet pout that he almost considered letting you have your way.

It had taken him a lot of sweet pet names, kisses to your forehead and promises of making sure to have your favourite sweet tarts and treats ready for you when you woke up. You had made him a pinky promise, and Cregan never goes back on a promise, especially one he made to you—his sweet little girl.

He steps further into the room, placing the tray of treats on the nearest table. He starts shrugging off his armour before pulling off his boots, leaving them by the table. Cregan's entire body ached from sitting in a chair for the entire afternoon, listening to the Lord and Ladies drawl on about unimportant issues.

Once his armour and boots were off, he picked up the tray of food once more, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He carefully places the tray on the bed beside him as he unclasps his cloak, tucking it around your small frame as you stir from your sleep once more.

You stayed awake this time, your nose twitching like an adorable bunny as you smelled the sweet scent of the pastries he had the cooks bake especially for you. The cooks always adored making you whatever you wanted, knowing you gave the best and sweetest praise than anyone else in Winterfell.

“There's my sweet girl..” Cregan coos, making sure his cloak is tucked perfectly around your frame before he gently pulls you to sit up, your frame leaning against his own, broader one.

You only managed a sleepy mumble as you curled into his side, the scent of him lingering on his cloak as you pressed your nose against the soft fur on the shoulders. You always found his scent comforting, the scent of pine and his musk bringing you the sense of comfort you always seemed to crave.

Knowing you probably wouldn't be up to speaking right away, he gently squeezed you, pressing a kiss to the top of your head as he waited for you to wake fully.

It takes you a few moments, but your half-lidded, sleepy eyes eventually open. Your head feels all fuzzy as you shift in Cregan's arms, your mind feeling like it has to work overtime to think of any big girl thoughts. You gave into the fuzziness quickly, though, letting the comfort of Cregan consume you.

You find your voice after a few more moments of silence, the softness and tiredness still lacing your tone, “Papa?”

Cregan has to fight back the urge to squeeze your cheeks and coo softly, knowing full well you were still a little sleepy and wouldn't like it. Not until you woke up fully anyway.

“Hmm?” He pulls you further into his chest, watching with amusement as you struggle to pull your arm from his cloak, managing to point at the tray of sweet treats that sat on the bed beside him, the action nearly took cute for him to handle.

“I have?” You looked up at him with such pleading and innocent eyes, that he wouldn't even be able to try and refuse you.

Cregan nods, unwrapping his arms from your body as he reaches for the tray, chuckling softly as you climb into his lap.

He tucks your head beneath his chin, setting the tray on your lap. “Only a few, sweet girl. Don't want you getting sick, m’kay?” He hums, letting you pick your favourite from the tray.

You eagerly bite into the sweet lemon tart, humming softly as the taste consumes your tongue. “Yummy,” you mumble between bites, a few crumbs falling from your lips that make Cregan bite back another chuckle.

“Careful, baby,” he teases, bringing a hand up and brushing some crumbs from the corner of your mouth with his thumb. “Don't want to make a big mess, do we?”

He watches as your eyes go a little wide, still filled with childish innocence, as you shake your head. You clearly didn't like that thought.

He lets you have a few more before taking the tray from your lap and placing it on the bedside table.

“You all full now, sweet girl?” He asks softly, knowing he'd either get a nod or shame of your head. You never did talk a whole lot when you were in your little space or half asleep. Not that he minded. In fact, he loves the little gestures you make when you try to communicate with him. However, he also knows how frustrated you get when he has no clue what you want.

When you nod, he lets out a soft hum, shifting your body so you'll lay back. He keeps you tucked against his body, brushing some stray strands of hair out of your face.

“Can Papa lay with you for a little while?” He asks softly, wanting nothing more than to just lay with you after having council meetings and various other meetings with different lords and bannermen. He just wants to hold his sweet girl in his arms for a little while.

The little mumble of agreement that falls from your lips makes him murmur back a soft ‘thank you’ as he tucks his face against your shoulder.

He lets you manoeuvre yourself how you like, letting you wrap your arms and legs around him like a little koala bear.

Your own head is against his chest, your cheek pressed against him and your hand resting against the spot where his heart is, feeling the soft thumps against your palm.

You both fall asleep like that, curled into each other with no intention of getting up soon. Though Cregan knows he has to get up at some point, he's content to lay with you as long as he can.

[smileysuh]

comfort cuisine - TEASER

🌙 starring. Johnny Suh x afab!Reader

🔮 preview. You’ve never felt a feral need like this before, but it’s not necessarily the primal type of drive. Instead, it’s a feeling of wanting to be close to this man- who you’ve been next to for so many years, but unable to touch. Except, he’s touching you now, and you want more.

tw/cw. unprotected sex, breast worship/massaging, big dick Johnny, fingering, pussy stretching prep, 'it's finger licking good,' praise, dirty talk, masturbation, multiple reader orgasms, cumming together, creampie, soft sex, longing, fluff, etc… I pet names: (hers) honey.

👹 rating.18+ explicit I wc. 10.8k

🍭 aus. aged up/widower dad!John, best friends to lovers, Chef!John, etc…

☀️ mlist + an. I'm so happy that people loved Line Chef Mark in my fic Real Talk, I received so many messages about giving Head Chef John his own love story, and this is what I came up with in the past four months :) it's a little different from what I normally do, but I wanted to continue with that 'slice of life' theme and venture into a plot line I've never tried before with widower/single dad John :)

“So two line chefs called in, huh?” you prompt, tucking your legs up and making room for the large man on the sofa.

“I expected it from Haechan, but Mark’s generally pretty reliable. His girlfriend was on shift today, so I know he wasn’t skipping to be with her- I’m guessing they got pretty messed up last night.”

“They’re young,” you point out, accepting a beer from him. “We used to be young.”

“Used to be,” Johnny laughs, taking a swig of his drink. 

Looking at this man- this father, you realize maybe he never really got the chance to be young. At twenty five, he had a six year old, he wasn't running around blacking out and getting hung over, he was working his way up the employment ladder, dreaming about a better future for his daughter.

“You mentioned Mark has a girlfriend, I think I’ve heard about her a few times now, it’s interesting that she was in and he wasn’t.”

“I’m going to be honest, I love Mark, he’s a great kid- but, he can sometimes be peer pressured into things. Haechan has a hold on Mark unlike any I’ve seen, they bring out… interesting sides of each other.”

You laugh at the description, and it’s clear there’s more on Johnny’s mind, so you wait for him to continue. 

“It’s nice that Mark is young and in love, I can understand that- but at the same time, I just hope he doesn’t make the same mistakes I did. Not that Soonbok is a mistake, of course- I just mean that… life is fragile. You think you’re going to be with someone forever, and then you’re reminded of how frail things can be.”

You frown at his words. Even after all of these years, Johnny still holds so much pain about his lost wife. You want to do your best to help Johnny in every aspect of his life, especially emotional, but this is a topic you never know how to approach. He’s right for grieving, his ex was his first love, his true love- how is there anything you could ever say to make him feel better about her passing?

You open your mouth, only to close it, and Johnny watches you intently. Sometimes he looks at you, the way he’s looking at you right now, and you wonder if he feels the same level of connection with you that you feel with him. You wonder if he wants you to kiss him, if a kiss would make him feel better, if it would - if even for a moment - help him forget about the pains he’s faced in his life.

But it’s because of the pains he’s faced that neither of you can close the distance, you’d like to think about it that way at least. Even after all these years, it’s still too early, so you simply reach out and gently squeeze his hand.

Johnny offers you a smile, and you’re glad that in some small way, maybe you’ve helped him.

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🔮 see what’s already available to read on my m.list

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I'll do my best to post a link to the fic here as soon as it's on tumblr

[daenysx]

hello lovely! for your cinnamon girl sleepover, can i request a fic with sirius black (preferably older sirius) where he comforts the reader after she's just come back from a mission and is sort of startled. she doesn't want to admit the fact that she's shaken up, since she doesn't want sirius to worry about her (they are still friends), but eventually she does give in and it's just a lot of awkward mutual pinning and unresolved tension.

feel free to ignore if it doesn't hit your creative spot! hope you have a great day/night ahead! happy fall! 🍂

happy fall, angel, i hope you enjoy <3333

sirius black x fem!reader

sirius thinks he'd really love to wrap his arm on your shoulders the moment you step inside.

you have this way of keeping people around you calm with your face expressions, you don't let them see how you feel no matter how bad the situation is. you need to deal with things by yourself before opening up, maybe even you don't realize you do this.

for sirius though, it's not hard to look into your eyes and see what's going on behind them. you sit by yourself outside after saying your good nights to everyone, your thin sweater barely functions in the september chill. you don't mind. sirius knows you don't wear an extra layer just to feel something.

it doesn't stop him from getting his jacket and walking towards you. you lift your head, a hint of a smile playing on your lips. he smiles back with a wink, always the charmer. you let him sit next to you, he puts the jacket on your shoulders. it's covered by his scent, you take a second to close your eyes and inhale without making it obvious.

"everything okay?" sirius asks, his face turned to yours. you nod. "sure. you heard the mission went well."

oh, yeah, the mission. he cares less about the mission and more about the slight wrinkle between your eyebrows right now. it looks like a kiss would help it loosen up, sadly he's not brave enough to do it just yet.

"yeah, it's- we're all glad it went well." he says, dismissing the topic. "you just seem a bit- unlike yourself."

"it's okay, sirius." you say. "i'll look like myself in the morning after i get some sleep. maybe you should do that too, it's getting late."

sweetest thing he's ever seen, how can he stop himself from leaning his face a bit more to yours? he curls his lips into a soft smile, the one he reserves only for you. he should've made you a cup of tea. he worries more than he wants to show.

"am i that boring?" he teases. "you're trying to send me away so quick, it hurts my feelings."

"come on." you shake your head. "um- you know you don't have to worry about me, right?"

"i'm not sure, darling, do i know that?"

when sirius looks at you like the way he does now, his pretty eyes wide open and his lips almost smirking, you know it's the sight you'll never get out of your head. there are many stars above the sky, and here you are, sitting next to your own star. the breeze is soft against his long hair, he keeps the eye contact going. you can feel your own eyes looking at him with a fondness you can't stop.

thankfully, he's looking at you with the same emotions. you know he won't say anything about it, though. you won't either. "thank you." you say, genuinely. "i think i'm just a bit shocked. i'll be better in the morning."

sirius slides himself closer to you. you accept his half hug, he's doing it so well. his long arm covers your shoulders, securing the jacket on your back. you sit in silence, take in the way his heart beats. you think you could survive any and every mission just to keep hearing it beat.

cinnamon girl sleepover ♡

[lipringlrh]

small rooms and crowded spaces | DR3

summary: you don't do well in crowded rooms or rooms full of people but daniel is always there to make you feel better.

pairing: daniel ricciardo x genderneutral!reader

an: my first daniel fic so please let me know how you find it!!! also pretend i posted this half an hour earlier on his actual birthday

word count: 1.1k

warnings: anxiety, crowded spaces + people.

feedback and reblogs are appreciated!

…

You hated crowded spaces: small rooms with far too many people, hotel lobbies during checkout time, and lifts with more than your own family. But most of all, you hated parties; they were an overcrowded dump, full to the brim with drunk idiots who really didn't care that they had just pushed you into a wall.

You never went on your own accord, and rarely anyone else's, but tonight was different. You were told it would be a small get-together with only a few drivers, past and present, and the odd mechanic or engineer. What you didn't expect was a massive party with people showing up even though they didn't know the host. Daniel had promised you it would be small and you would leave with him the second you wanted to, but it was impossible to find him through the groups of people. And even if you did, you'd feel too guilty to ask him to leave after knowing he was so glad to be out again.

Little did you know, Daniel was looking for you too. The whole night, he hadn't taken he eyes off of you. He either hadn't left your side or knew where you were at precisely any moment. It'd take one little slip up to lose you, which he wasn't planning on doing but when everything got too loud and he was pulled into a conversation where he had to focus his all on trying to hear, he lost you.

He was still meant to be engrossed in conversation with the same man, but he wanted to look for you. It was harder than imagined though as every time he tried to leave or just stop the conversation, the man would carry on, obviously ignoring the worried state of your boyfriend.

Daniel didn't give up though, his head was flicking rapidly back and forth trying to catch any glimpse of you. He was ignoring the man desperately trying to talk to him, only replying with short hums, ignoring every adequate reply.

He spotted you eventually, squashed into a wall. You were pushing yourself into it as far as you could go, searching around frantically for your boyfriend. You hadn't noticed him yet but he just wished you would, hoping it would calm you little until he managed to reach you.

He didn't know which way to go - every possible direction was cut off by groups of people. He decided he didn't care and just pushed passed everyone, occasionally dropping a "thank you" to the people who moved with ease.

You noticed him heading towards you, through the people and he could see you visibly relax. You kept your eyes trained on him, using him as a comfort, as he made his way over.

He could tell you were scared, anyone a mile away could, and he wished nothing more that the evening hadn't gone the way it did and that you had spent every moment within reach.

He reached you in due time, immediately placing his hands on your upper arms, rubbing up and down, whilst checking your face and body to make sure you were physically fine.

"I'm so sorry, baby. Are you okay? What can I do?"

You stared up at him, before flicking your eyes back around the room. You felt too constricted to speak or move at all. Daniel understood; he knew you and your emotions more than anyone else along with your responses to them.

"Okay, lets get you out of here. I'm going to put my arm around you and were going to head out the back exit, that okay?" You just nodded - you felt that was all you could do. Daniel knew what you meant and knew all the words you wished you could've said.

He manoeuvred you in and out of groups, making sure no one elbowed you or pushed you. It wasn't a long way to get out but every step felt like it was further away and so much harder to do. Daniel noticed but there was nothing he could do if he stopped, it'd only make you more overwhelmed, so he focused on getting you out.

He did it well - even whilst incredibly overwhelmed and uncomfortable, he made you feel safe and secure.

Once he got you out, he led you immediately to his car but instead of getting in the front, he sat you both in the back so he could hold you.

"Where'd your drink go? Where'd lily go?" He questioned, moving his hand to your cheek, lifting your face up so he could look at you more.

Your eyes were red and puffy and we're welling up again as you tried to speak. "I don't know. One minute she was there and then I-"

It felt too hard to speak - Daniel understood though. He knew where your sentence was heading so there was no need in finishing it anyway. He dragged you into a tight hug again, letting you head rest on his chest and his head rest on top of yours.

The car was silent for a while except from your light cries and the odd whisper of assurance from Daniel. He felt guilty for leaving your side and not making sure you were alright but he understood that that wasn't important now, what's important was making sure you're alright.

"Can we go home please?"

"Are you sure you're ready? I don't mind staying here for a little." His hand was running through your hair carefully, trying to detangle any little knots but also making sure not to hurt you.

"Yeah, can we cuddle at home though?" you smiled, looking up at him. He broke out into his world-famous smile instantly, making it hard not to stare at his lips.

"Absolutely." he grinned, there was no way he was missing out on that and there was no way you'd let him.

He held your hand almost the whole drive home or at least made sure one part of him was touching you constantly, knowing that it'd keep you calm. You couldn't help but smile at him the whole time: he took pride in looking after you - he did it so well, how could he not - and it made you so endlessly grateful for him.

"I love you," you spoke, not taking your eyes off of him as he pulled into your driveway.

He parked up before he responded so he could look at you. He knew you had been staring at him the whole time and was quite jealous that he had to focus on the road rather than you. He knew it'd be okay in the end though: you'd fall asleep on his chest whilst his fingers were tangled in your hair, and he'd spend time staring at you - his favourite thing. He didn't care if he'd be tired in the morning, he didn't care if he'd done it a million times, because every day he thought he reached the limit on how much a person can love somebody else but the next day he breaks it every time.

"I love you too, sweetheart."

f1 masterlist (coming soon) |

[hollyoongs]

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮

"Nothing will ever come between us 'Cause i'll be standing right next to you"

𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: non idol boyfriend!jay and fem!reader 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: SURPRISE MY POOKIE (a.k.a @glitterjay)! This is a little late, but some of your moots decide to surprise you with this gift...

💌 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 [𝟓] @st4rwon: congrats on hitting 1k c!! you definitely deserve it 🤍 i absolutely love all your works and am so proud to see that they are being appreciated ! keep up the amazing work :) @hollyoongs: this drabble is for… jupi! I'm so glad I can have such a nice and lovely friendship with you and to be present in this big milestone, you deserve it so much and tbh I can't wait to see what the future holds to you, such an amazing, wonderful and incredible human being, congrats my 5'7 jupi! 💟 @kwiwin: Hey C! Congrats on reaching 1k, it's freaking awesome how so many people recognize real talent out there. Even if we've been moots for just a little time I am proud of you and what you have achieved! Keep stunning the world with your (beautifully written) stories ♡ @heeslut4life: hi c! congrats on hitting 1k!! i’m so proud of you<3 you’ve done so goddamn well, you have amazing fics and you are an amazing person:) i know we don’t really interact a lot but i hope you know that i wish nothing but the best for you💗 keep going, you’re such beautiful and wonderful person<33

𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 2: this is also a short drabble and you will definitly find some stuff here ;), HAPPY MILESTONE! 𝘄.𝗰: +1.8k

"And the first place, being voted on by 1128 judges, goes to..." 

And then your name was announced with your university, making you stand up after a few seconds of shock.

As you walked up to the podium, the weight of the moment settled on your shoulders like a comforting embrace. You couldn't believe it—your name, your university, Decelis Academy, being called out as the winner. It felt surreal, like a dream you never dared to have. Tears welled up in your eyes, blurring the faces of the cheering crowd into a colorful mosaic of joy and pride.

Glancing at your friends, their beaming faces illuminated by the glow of their phones capturing this momentous occasion, you felt a surge of gratitude. They had been with you through it all—the late nights, the doubts, and the struggles. And now, here you were, basking in the spotlight of recognition.

"Jay, look at your girl!" one of your friends shouted amidst the cheers, drawing your attention to the sea of faces. You couldn't help but smile and offer a small wave to the camera, feeling a rush of affection for your supportive circle. They had been your pillars of strength, propelling you forward even when you felt like giving up.

Reaching the podium, you accepted the prize with trembling hands, the weight of it sinking in with each passing moment. More than a thousand people had chosen your work and had seen its value and its impact. It was a humbling realization, one that filled you with a sense of purpose and determination to continue pushing the boundaries of your craft and enjoying it while doing it.

After the ceremony, the celebrations began in earnest.

The celebrations continued long into the night, transitioning seamlessly from the pulsating energy of the dance floor to the intimate ambiance of a lavish dinner party. Your friends, ever the consummate hosts, had spared no expense in creating a feast fit for royalty. The dining table, adorned with flickering candles and delicate floral arrangements, beckoned you and your friends to indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors.

As you settled into your seats, the clinking of glasses and the gentle hum of conversation filled the air, setting the stage for an evening of heartfelt camaraderie and celebration.

"So, my dear," one of your friends began with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Tell us, what's next for the illustrious winner of the Decelis Academy? Any plans to conquer the world?"

You laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep within you like a spring of joy. "Oh, you know me," you replied with a playful grin. "I've always been a dreamer. And now, with this recognition, who knows what the future holds? The world might just have to brace itself for what's to come."

The table erupted into laughter, each of your friends offering words of encouragement and excitement for the journey ahead. They had seen you weather the storms, witnessed the unwavering determination in your eyes, and now they reveled in the triumph of your success.

"I have no doubt that you'll conquer whatever comes your way," another one of your friends chimed in, her voice laced with genuine admiration. "You're a force to be reckoned with, my dear, and I couldn't be prouder to call you my friend."

Touched by their words, you raised your glass in a silent toast, the clinking sound echoing through the room like a symphony of celebration. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of friendship and the promise of tomorrow, you felt a profound sense of gratitude wash over you.

"To dreams realized and journeys yet to unfold," you declared, your voice tinged with emotion. "Thank you, all of you, for being a part of this incredible journey. I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you by my side."

The sentiment was met with nods of agreement and murmurs of affection, a tangible reminder of the bond that held you all together. As the evening wore on and the laughter flowed freely, you couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment settle in your heart—a feeling that, no matter what the future held, you would always have these cherished moments and these cherished friends to light the way.

As the night wound down and the last revelers bid their farewells, your friends exchanged knowing glances and shared secretive smiles. "Come on, let's take you home," they said, linking arms with you as they guided you towards your apartment. 

The car trip to your apartment was a whole carpool karaoke, playing your favorite songs and making the night more magical than it already was. There was only one thing missing, and it was your boyfriend.

Jay and you were a couple for three years already, both meeting at university by a mutual friend, who clicked almost immediately. From the moment your eyes met, there was an undeniable spark, a magnetic pull drawing you closer together. His presence illuminated your world, and his smile lit up even the darkest of days. In his arms, you found solace, warmth, and an unwavering sense of belonging. Jay was not just handsome and intelligent; he was the embodiment of kindness, his gestures tender and sincere, and his words a soothing melody that danced through your soul. With him, you felt like you had won the grandest of lotteries, for in his embrace, you found not just love but the truest essence of romance.

But the only problem was his usual business trips with his dad to help the company that owns Mr. Park, which you understood. You were okay with him not being there because he was always present, but it was hard not to feel sad about it.

As you stepped out of the car and approached your apartment building, a wave of exhaustion washed over you, mingling with the residual excitement of the evening's festivities. You bid your friends goodnight with hugs and promises to meet up again soon, feeling grateful for their unwavering support and the unforgettable memories you had shared, but being slightly weirded out by their suspicious smiley faces.

As you entered your apartment, the familiar surroundings enveloped you like a warm embrace, wrapping you in a cocoon of comfort. The gentle glow of lamplight cast soft shadows across the room, imbuing the space with a sense of tranquility that was both soothing and welcoming.

With a contented sigh, you kicked off your shoes and made your way towards your bedroom, eager to sink into the welcoming embrace of your bed and let the events of the day wash over you like a gentle tide. But as you pushed open the door, a gasp escaped your lips, and your heart skipped a beat.

There, standing in the center of the room, was Jay, your boyfriend, looking every bit the epitome of charm and sophistication in his sleek black suit. His eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and adoration as he held out a big bouquet of white tulips, their delicate petals swaying gently in the air. No wonder your friends were smiling like that.

"Jay? What are you doing here?" You exclaimed, your voice a mixture of surprise and delight. You couldn't believe your eyes—just moments ago, you had resigned yourself to the fact that he was miles away, attending to his father's business affairs. And yet, here he was, standing before you like a vision come to life.

With a smile that melted your heart, Jay stepped forward, his eyes alight with warmth and affection. "I couldn't stay away any longer," he confessed, his voice a soft whisper that sent shivers down your spine. "I wanted to be here to celebrate with you, to share in this moment of joy and triumph."

Tears welled up in your eyes, blurring your vision as you struggled to find the words to express the overwhelming rush of emotion coursing through you. "But I thought you were..."

"Surprise," Jay interjected, his smile widening into a grin that tugged at the corners of his lips. "I wanted to make this night even more special for my sunshine, to show you just how much you mean to me."

With trembling hands, he offered you the bouquet of tulips, their sweet fragrance filling the air with a heady perfume that made your head spin. "To the sun I rotate to," he said, his voice filled with tenderness as you laugh. "To celebrate your incredible achievement and to remind you of the beauty and grace that you bring into my life every single day."

Overwhelmed by his gesture, you reached out and took the flowers, holding them close to your heart as if they were the most precious treasure in the world. "Thank you," you whispered, your voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for being here and for being a part of this moment with me."

But Jay wasn't done yet. With a playful twinkle in his eye, he gestured towards the bed, where a small pile of gifts lay waiting, wrapped in elegant paper and adorned with ribbons and bows.

"I couldn't come empty-handed," he said with a grin. "I wanted to shower you with tokens of my love and admiration, to show you just how proud I am of everything you've accomplished."

With trembling fingers, you reached for the nearest gift and began to unwrap it, your heart pounding in anticipation of what lay hidden beneath the layers of paper. And as you peeled back the wrapping, revealing the contents within, your breath caught in your throat, and tears of joy welled up in your eyes once more.

Inside was a beautiful necklace, delicate and intricate in design, its sparkling gems catching the light and casting a mesmerizing rainbow of colors across the room. It was a work of art, a testament to Jay's impeccable taste and his unwavering devotion to you.

"Oh, Jay!" you exclaimed, your voice barely above a whisper. "It's…it's beautiful."

But he wasn't finished yet. With a smile that made your heart skip a beat, he reached for another gift, presenting it to you with a flourish that made you giggle like a schoolgirl.

"And there's more where that came from," he teased, his eyes dancing with mischief. "But you'll have to wait and see."

"I need to kiss you so bad." You didn't wait too much; Jay did that for you. His hand being placed on his waist and the other one moving some strings of hair from your face, lips connecting with yours in a tender kiss, you missed each other so badly that you could feel other hearts from that simple action.

As you separate, he touches your forehead softly with his eyes close as you feel the warmth of his love.

"Remember that I don't care about how far I am or what I'm doing; I'll drop anything for you, darling."

And as you stayed there, surrounded by the warmth and love of the man who meant more to you than words could ever express, you knew that this night would be one you would cherish forever—a night of love that knew no bounds.

[penkura]

if I could request a comfort fic with sanji👉👈

This past month has been very stressful and tiring for me. I've had so many paradigm shifts it's like I've lost my spark and feel so lost and empty all the time. I try but i don't know how to get back to routine again. Could you pls write sanji helping reader through such a time.

Hello, yes, I'm glad to write this for you!! I know it's very late, but I do hope everything has gotten better for you since you sent this in! 💚 Either way, here's some Sanji comfort to help. 💚

Sanji always knows when something is wrong, he doesn’t need to wait for you to come to him in tears or about to rip your out from stress, he can tell just by looking at you. Sometimes it’s just watching you from afar and he knows you need some comfort or help, so he starts to pull things together for you to help you through everything.

After you’ve all come back together two years later, with how everything has changed and you’ve already taken off from Fishman Island, you’re happy to be back with the people you call your family but it’s still stressful to be moving so fast. Sanji tried to get you to sit with him for some sense of normalcy after you’re on your way but you just give him a smile and say you’re going to your room, you’ll be fine after a bit.

No one bothers you for a while, if Nami or Robin come in, they ask if you’re okay and then you give a thumbs up, they trust you enough to leave you be for now. You’ll be fine after some quiet and maybe a nap, they get that. Just some time to get yourself relaxed and used to the fact things have moved and change so quickly.

It's a few hours later when someone knocks on the door, making you sigh before you crawl out of bed, blanket around you shoulders, but you aren’t that surprised to see Sanji there with a tray in his hand. He gives a slight bow with a smile which makes you start to grin in return.

“I know things are different right now, but I figured you could use some snacks and a drink or two to help.”

Sanji starts to tell you he’s made all your favorites and brought some water and tea for you, he doesn’t want you to get dehydrated or anything. You let him in of course, sitting back on your he’d while he sets the tray down and you thank him for this. It’s more than you would’ve asked for if you’d thought about it, but he waves you off.

“It’s my pleasure to serve my favorite person,” you only just now notice he’s not even got a cigarette at the moment, probably to keep from disturbing you too much, but he does come over and stroke your hair a bit, “And if you don’t mind, I could stay with you for a bit?”

Instead of verbally replying, you just hug Sanji around his waist, making him laugh as he wraps his arms around you and hugs you tight.

“I’ll take that as a yes, my dear.”

Sanji stays with you until you start to relax and feel like everything is going to be okay, he promises he’ll never let you struggle through anything alone. He’ll always be at your side to help you through anything.

[spinningwebsandtales]

Vita Nova

Orm Marius X FemReader

Rating: T

Warnings: Spoilers, mentions of death, crying, hurt/comfort, reader has some trauma, suggestive themes, angst, and fluff

Word Count: 4.2k

Fic Swap with @the-marshals-wife

(A/N:) Happy (belated) New Year everyone! And my first fic of 2024 and it turned out to be a whopper! My lovely best friend and I just adore the Aquaman movies and in light of the new movie that dropped around Christmas we decided to do a ficswap together! This bad boy is my contribution and you lucky readers get to read it! I hope I can make the other Orm fangirls happy with this as I honestly had way too much fun writing it as you can see! Over 4,000 words of just Orm goodness! I look forward of sharing more writings in this new year and I'm glad I could open up with this! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

Reader's POV is in italics.

SPOILERS FOR AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM BELOW

DO NOT CONTINUE AHEAD IF YOU HAVE YET TO SEE THE MOVIE!

Orm stood upon the beach, his toes buried in the warm sand as the setting sun painted his features in orange and pink hues. His heart longed for Atlantis once more as homesickness always reared it's ugly head when he was feeling alone. While tension still remained between him and his older brother, deep down he was grateful for Arthur, giving him a new chance at life. With Atlantis finally revealing themselves to the people of the land, he no longer had to be so secretive about himself, except when it came to Atlanteans. He had burned too many bridges that most likely would never have the chance to be rebuilt. He sighed deeply as the warm salty foam washed over his feet.

Orm turned, leaving his regrets and longing to drown in the crashing waves. While he could see why his brother loved the land dwelling humans, Orm normally avoided them as much as he could. Especially when it came to his time on the beach, he rather not be bothered. And despite the world knowing, he still swam in deserted parts of the beaches he visited. His favorite places were around the docks where the shade kept him cool and various sea creatures stuck around. The fish and small crabs made him feel a little less lonely and made everything feel more like home.

Orm's bare feet padded against the planks of the dock as he tugged his shirt over his head. The breeze rippled his blond locks and whispered promises of a good evening swim. His vision staying straight ahead, Orm was preparing to run and dive into the bright blue water when a yelp caused him to stumble and he fell to the dock. He almost slid off when a slender hand caught his wrist and kept him from rolling off and slamming into a boat.

"Are you okay?!"

A feminine voice had him blinking against the pain in his skull before he finally got his eyes to focus. Orm sat up quickly, backing away from the woman looking at him with genuine concern. It was an emotion Orm was unacquainted with.

"I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention," the woman blushed getting to her feet and brushing the front of her shirt and shorts off. A quick flash of annoyance had him glaring before Orm sucked in a deep breath and calmed the raging tide threatening to overtake him. She offered him a hand up and old him would have swatted it away with a snarl, but new him remembered his older brother and took her offered hand. She shuffled her feet before him awkwardly, refusing to look up in embarrassment. Though Orm was worried he was intimidating her, though he wasn't trying at the moment.

"Sorry again," she apologized once more only to break the silent tension between them.

"I wasn't paying attention," it was the most polite thing he could say. "Though I can't help but ask. Why were you laying across the dock?"

Her cheeks flushed bright crimson, a pretty red color, and now she really refused to look up at him, more interested in her bare feet. This in turn made Orm feel more awkward, like he had pushed across some threshold that he should have never even touched.

"You'll laugh," she mumbled. Her gaze quickly darting up towards him before once again looking away. When she noticed that he wasn't going to say anything else her shoulders sagged in defeat.

"I like watching the fish. They feel like they're my friends and they're so peaceful living their lives without a care in the world," she whispered. "I've also always dreamed about Atlantis and going there and now that it is truly real I can't help but long for it even more. Silly huh?"

Orm shook his head and smiled remembering his home fondly, "No it's not. I think it's a wonderful dream."

Though home always brought a smile to his face, in this moment of his life it brought a pang of sadness with it. One mistake had taken his chance of ever seeing that beautiful city ever again. And here he just met a mere human upon an empty dock longing for the same as him. Maybe he had more in common with the humans of this side of the world than he had first realized. She smiled and nodded, happy to have someone not laugh at her for a change. She walked away moments later leaving him to ponder upon the dock as the waves whispered softly against the sand. Then Orm dived in.

Usually Orm moved around a lot. If he liked a place more than others he'd normally stay for a few days. But for reasons he didn't want to know he had stayed in this particular spot for weeks. And it wasn't because the food was anything extraordinary nor was the beach one of the most beautiful he's seen. If he dug down deep inside he knew it was because of that one moment, where he had seen a glimpse of that beautiful humanity that Arthur was always talking about to him. So Orm did what every normal man would do, he kept his distance and watched her from afar. She visited the dock he had found her at nightly, just to talk to the fish and to watch the sun set behind the horizon of the ocean. She would hum tunes, almost stroking the water with her gentle hands. She would hide sometimes as people would come to the beach calling out a name he had never heard. What would shatter his heart more than anything was when she would come some nights crying. His heart would clench as her salty tears dropped into the ocean. He shook his head fighting the urge to go towards her. But she was different, she wanted to know his world, that she had no idea he was from. That he had once been a prince, let alone a king of that world but it didn't matter, not anymore. He was dead to that world and he had to find his place in this one.

It didn't take many times of him watching the lone girl sob on the dock before Orm concocted a plan. Atlantean technology to help humans make the trip undersea had yet to be brought to them. Except for the scuba gear the humans already had invented, but Orm wanted his plan to be perfect. So he would do something that would make his older brother proud and possibly bring an end to his life. To get what he needed he would have to venture back to the Sunken Citadel and hope that the pirates that still lived didn't kill him at first glance.

You didn't know what kept bringing you back to this particular beach, though you had a inkling that it was in false hope of finding that same blond haired man that you had tripped. He was a complete stranger and yet you found yourself hoping to see him once more. So every night you came, no matter how bad things got at home you escaped bringing yourself to this little place of serenity, hoping, waiting, that you would see him again. But every night became a disappointment, though you enjoyed seeing the fish. The sun quickly set seeping the warmth from the Earth but the ocean water still held those waning rays of warmth. The lights of the dock quickly blinked on illuminating the surrounding water so you could still watch the fish swim peacefully by. You hummed a quiet tune as the waves lapped against the barnacle crusted wooden posts. A shadow darted by causing you to suck in a quick breath. Sharks would sometimes come up or a curious dolphin but this creature was too fast to be one of them. Your heartbeat quickened but against your better judgement you stuck your hand back down along with your head, trying to find this mystery that had suddenly come upon you.

Orm had a difficult time in the Sunken Citadel and he had gotten into a few brawls, but he did get what he searched for. It had cost him, but if his well thought out plan worked as well as he hoped, it would all be worth it. He made his way back to the normal spot and he had timed his return just right. As his mystery woman he had begun to adore made her way out onto the normal dock. She was light on her feet and she greeted some of the boatmen, who were leaving, politely before going to her same spot Orm could always find her. She stuck a hand in the water tracing the patterns of the fish below as they swam close to the surface. She had a small content grin on her face as she enjoyed the creatures below the surface. Orm moved his arms slower, trying to keep from interrupting this moment as he was more than happy to watch her for a little while. She hummed a tune while tucking strands of untamable hair behind her ear, only for a breeze to send them back to fluttering. He sucked in a breath letting the peace of her presence wash over him. And then he went under the surface and swam close by and quickly. He heard her gasp and he grinned to himself. He could have a moments fun at her expense, especially with the gift he was bringing her. Despite not knowing what he was she braved the unknown and he had to admire that about her. She was proving his theory of humans being a cowardly race wrong every moment he watched her.

You searched timidly for any sign of the shadow you had seen. Your eyes darting across the eerily still waters. You were about to pull yourself back up onto the dock when an arm breached the water and grabbed onto your wrist. You screamed yanking yourself backwards and the person attached to the hand around you came up with your panicked movements.

Orm laughed loudly at your terrified face while he treaded the water. He had never been one to play tricks as he had been trained as a prince of Atlantis, but he found it quite fun. The woman he had yet to put a name to a face laid on her back panting, trying to regain some form of control.

"Why did you do that," she screeched once she finally found her breath.

"Think of it as payback for making me fall on my face the first time we met," Orm smirked as he lifted himself from the water easily.

She took in the fact quickly that his upper torso was bare and the form fitting pants only seemed tighter by the fact that they were dripping water everywhere. She looked away, pink coming to her cheeks.

"You come out here every night," Orm said after a few moments of awkward silence.

Her head whipped around and her eyes widened in surprise.

"How did you know that? I never see you around!" Those moments of wishing to see him again, hoping he'd be around, and he had been hidden from her the entire time.

"I was," Orm paused. He knew he couldn't just tell her that he had been watching her from afar. But he didn't want to lie. "I was swimming."

"Swimming?" Now she was suspicious of him. As she rightly should, though they had already met once he was still a stranger.

"I'm a decent swimmer." Understatement of the century Orm thought to himself.

"I can see that," she gestured towards him before darting her gaze away once more.

Orm chuckled. He liked that little of color that would pop up in her skin. He found it endearing and despite himself his heart began to pick up speed. He offered out a hand and she glanced at it warily.

"I'm Orm," he offered in greeting. "Orm Marius. I should have introduced myself that first day we met."

She laughed, taking his offered hand. "(Y/N). And I should have thought of it too. But I did almost make you faceplant into the water. Though it seems like it wouldn't have bothered you so bad if you had."

Orm shook her hand, reveling in how smaller it was compared to his. "Do you mean to tell me that you wish you had let me fallen into the water now? Instead of rescuing me?"

"Well after you just basically scared the daylights out of me, yes."

Orm pouted playfully, "And here I brought you a gift."

"A gift?!" Once again those beautiful colored eyes glowed in delight. It sent his heart a flutter and he could have sworn it skipped a beat. Is this what his mother had possibly felt when she looked upon the man that fathered Arthur?

"I think I am rather partial to it now," he teased. "Maybe I will just keep it for myself."

"You can't just say that you brought me a gift and then keep it for yourself. That's mean," she whined.

Orm couldn't keep stringing her along though he was finding it fun just to get a rise out of her. He brought the gift from behind his back and he wasn't expecting her to jump up and down. Her confusion was to be expected and he found himself grinning once more. She was so expressive, he found it endearing.

"Your dream of seeing Atlantis stuck out to me and their technology is above what your people have. I wanted to show you a part of that life even if it is just a small glimpse."

He was revealing himself. His heart was almost leaping out of his chest. He had kept his identity a secret, revealing nothing to the humans he had contact with. She would be the first and he didn't know what to do if she didn't accept. She placed her hands on the oxygen helmet, a question on her lips. But without a word he once more grabbed onto her wrist and lead her to the end of the dock. She wordlessly tugged the pirated good on her head and with no hesitation followed Orm into the water.

Orm dived down, keeping a good grasp on her hand, their fingers interlaced as he didn't want to hurt her by tugging on her joints by the speed he could swim at. The oxygen mask was working like a dream and despite the time of the evening the moon was doing a good job of lighting the sea life below the ocean. She gasped in awe at the sea creatures and plant life below. But mostly she gaped at him.

"You are," she hesitated saying the word.

Orm nodded. "I am."

You absolutely couldn't believe your eyes. A true Atlantean. It was everything that you could have ever dreamed of and as he kept you from floating away this moment was more than you could have ever dreamed of.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before," Orm didn't want anything left unsaid. This was his chance. His chance to be himself and to stop being so alone in this world that he was learning more about every day. His time in Atlantis was done and now he was going to have to start anew. Maybe you were that new chance that he had been needing for a long time.

"It's okay," she answered. Her voice muffled in the helmet. Fish swam by coming near to Orm, pecking at his arm. He shooed them away gently causing her to laugh. "You don't have to explain yourself. We had just met that day and even at this moment we are still basically strangers. But I'm glad I met you Orm and your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you," he choked. Gratitude had been lost on him long ago but as he looked at this young woman, so genuine and beautiful in his eyes, that feeling was no longer a stranger. "Would you like to see more of my world?"

"Absolutely!" No hesitation and no fear. Orm kept her close, keeping her safe as he swam them further out into the sea.

Back on dry land you couldn't believe what your eyes had beheld. The world under was far beyond anything you could have ever imagined as Orm helped steady you. Spending that much time in the water had left your legs a little wobbly and you glared at Orm walking perfectly though he did have to take a moment to cough up water. You held out the helmet towards him but he shook his head pushing it back into your chest.

"Keep it," Orm insisted. "I want to take you out more now that you have it. There's so much more I wish to show and tell you. I hope that you don't mind."

She shook her head, stepping towards him. "I would like that so much."

Without a second thought she embraced him, squeezing Orm tightly before backing away, that familiar blush coming back to her cheeks. Reaching out Orm brushed a stray droplet of sea water off her cheek.

"Until tomorrow," he whispered and she nodded quickly.

Days had followed that moment before it had turned into weeks. Orm met with her daily, the helmet in tow every time as they explored together. She the underwater world he had grew up in and him emotions never before explored. Orm knew he couldn't take her far below the surface as he wished. He was trying his best to get a suit that would keep her from being crushed by the water pressure or freezing from the depths, but it would take some time. The helmet was easy to obtain, well easier than the suit. But she didn't complain nor did she beg him for more. Always content with their outings he began to realize that he looked forward to every second they spent together every day. It didn't take Orm long to figure out the emotions he was feeling and everything seemed to fall into place. She was beginning to swim closer to him as every day passed. Gentle touches and encounters that would leave her in awe and him trying to not overstep his bounds.

She swam closer keeping to his side as the day began to wan and like everything good in life their time together was ending that day. Orm always took his time bringing them both back to shore whenever it was time to head back in. She never seemed to be in a hurry herself and it had Orm wondering on things that he couldn't ask her when they first me. He wondered why she came by herself every day and those moments she had hid on the dock as several people had come searching, yelling her name. He wondered at the days that she had came crying as if she could no longer smile. And now that he had gotten to know her more it was something he could no longer keep himself from asking about.

Back on shore she removed the helmet and rung the sea water from her hair. Orm stayed near as he gathered up the courage to ask her. He was about to ask her about something she had yet to give up willingly and he didn't want to cause her to shut him out. He honestly didn't know if he could take losing her. He breathed in deeply gathering up all his courage, he stepped closer and grasped onto her shoulder to gain her attention and steady himself. She grinned up at him before it fell at the seriousness in his blue eyes.

"What is it," she asked covering his hand with hers that still laid upon her shoulder.

"Why do you come to the docks every day? And why do you hide from the people that call out to you and cry on some days?"

There he asked and he felt faint as she looked down at the waves lapping at their bare feet.

"You saw those moments too?" She whispered.

"I did," Orm confessed. " I've come to care for you these past few weeks and I can't help my curiosity getting the best of me. Knowing that you hurt or have any reason to hide is too much for me to bear."

She paused for a moment, gathering her strength. "I was in a bad relationship. I got out of it but the pain is still there and some days are worse than others. I find peace out here and that's why I always come and then I met you. And despite me telling you why that day, you didn't laugh at me like he and several other people did. I was really glad. You made me happy. Part of me was hoping that I'd get to see you again and yet I was afraid of getting hurt again too."

"That was brave," Orm cooed bringing her into his arms. He was warm despite the lack of shirt and all the time spent in the water. She shook from the cold and from telling things that had been hard on her. "You're the bravest and kindest person I have ever met."

"I'm not really," she answered.

"You really are," Orm breathed. "I'm the coward. I didn't like this part of the world at all. I tried to destroy it because of my older brother. I blamed him for a lot of things and I hated him. I still don't love him as a little brother should but my hatred cost me. I was prince of Atlantis once and I was even it's king for a short spell. But that was taken from me and now I am thought of as dead. I cannot go back there because I have officially been killed in action." Orm sucked in a deep breath as he feared what you would do now that you knew about his darkness, though he kept going. "This is both my punishment and my new life. This is both my brother's way of blessing me and cursing me. But I don't see it as a curse anymore, not that I know you now."

"Orm," she sniffled.

He tugged her in, her trembling body pressed to his as he tried to will any form of comfort into her smaller body. He felt lighter and more at peace than he had ever felt and while she held onto him tightly, Orm lost the battle on his emotional restraints. Holding her out he took in the sight of her, clearly seeing everything about her for the first time. And for the first time in his life, he felt truly loved. Not for being royalty of Atlantis or because they had to. Genuine love that asked for nothing in return. He leaned down towards her his stature always towering over her and it wasn't until his lips met her warmer ones did the fireworks start shooting off in his head. She didn't shove him away and she didn't protest so Orm pulled her closer. Deepening the kiss as he could taste the salty water still on her mouth and the scent of the ocean breeze on her skin. In that moment she was everything to him and he could want for nothing else as long as she stayed. She cupped his cheek, stroking his skin before Orm finally pulled away. His chest heaved and he couldn't bring himself to give her up just yet. He continued to hold her against his chest, not ever wanting this moment to end.

"Is it okay that we start a new life together," her voice quivered in uncertainty. She felt like she was going too fast or overstepping her bounds.

"I think I would like that more than you know," he agreed. This was when his life started. That new beginning he wanted for so long, that he dreamed about in that prison cell. This was the moment he longed for and had no idea. That moment he met her had been fate and had lead him to this moment. Their days together didn't have to end when their feet touched the shore, it was only the start of something on the shore. While he was her guide in the water, here on the land and in the midst of people it was her turn to guide him. She took his hand, taking the responsibility for teaching and leading in stride. They would learn together what this life meant and what it meant to know each other and keep together through thick and thin. Orm had baggage and come to find out she did too. But Orm didn't see that, he saw a woman who could light his way. She saw a man that had found redemption and was looking for a way to claim it. The sun had set behind them on the beach but the dawn was rising before them as they left hand in hand towards the life they would find together. Like two ships destined for each other, a new life was just beginning.

[halfagone]

I wanna share this experience my coworker and I had. We recently just became a little closer after finding out we hate this same person at work. And then, during lunch, I see him reading something on his phone. I don't ask because I make it a thing not to ask people what they're reading because I don't like people asking me that.

But then, he looks at me and asks me, "you interested in knowing?"

I just go, "only if you're comfortable, dude."

So, he shows me his phone, shows me this highlighted line:

“Aw, don’t tell me you’re still mad about that,” Jason cooed with a pout, a wicked grin soon overtaking his face once again.

“Why would I be mad? It gave me you,” Bruce told Jason, causing the laughter to fade.

I ask, "what are you reading?" because by God, that is the most beautiful line I've read

And he goes, "the most beautiful fic I've ever read."

And he sends me a pdf of your fic and I've FINALLY GOTTEN TO THAT CHAPTER AND

YOUR MIND IS SO FUCKING BEAUTIFUL. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT MY COWORKER FRIEND AND I ARE NOW CLOSER AND BROTHERS IN ARMS, AND WE ARE NOW NOISILY HYPERFIXATING IN THE BREAKROOM OVER YOUR FIC

(This is more: "Thank you, your fic gave me a friend")

I have so many thoughts and not enough words. But here's my best attempt:

HELL YEAH CONGRATS ON THE NEW FRIEND

I love that line so, so much and I'm so glad you two love that line too. It's still one of my favorite scenes to come back to, and the wonderful reception absolutely makes it that much more precious as the author. (*/ω＼*)

Thank you for giving the fic a shot and enjoying it? So much??? You came in for one scene and you waited 27 chapters to get there, much respect for that.

I WILL JOIN YOU (metaphorically speaking, of course) IN HYPERFIXATING IN BREAKROOMS AT WORK. ESCAPISM IS REAL AND IT IS ALSO YOUR FRIEND

(Really just thank you so much. I've been meaning to get to so many fics and sometimes the imposter syndrome really comes back to bite me. So to see people can still love that fic, even when I feel like I've grown so much since those early chapters? That means a lot to me.)

(I hope your friend realizes he got someone pretty great too.)

Thank you so much for sharing!! I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the fic too! ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

[bakugosatoru]

Just gotta say that the comfort headcanons you did were SO SWEET OMG!!! I'd love to request a romantic fluff scenario with Eijiro Kirishima if you're up to it! Maybe he and y/n are having a picnic date at a park or, going off the scenario you did for Bakugo, he & y/n are going to adopt a puppy 👀

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you as well for being my first request, I love the idea of Kirishima and y/n adopting a puppy! I really hope you enjoy it! (Also worked to keep the reader gender neutral so everyone can enjoy!)

Warnings: None Genre: Romantic Fluff Fic Type: Short Fanfic (1k Words) Fandom: My Hero Academia

"Crimson?" Kirishima mumbled as you both strolled up to the entrance of the shelter.

"What was that babe?" You ask.

"Oh I was just thinking what we could name the pup." He smiled at you, that gorgeous beaming smile you adored so much, as he opened the door to the shelter for you.

"After you my dear" He bowed dramatically as you giggled, grabbing his hand and dragging him through the door after you.

You were quickly greeted by a lovely older woman who introduced herself as one of the owners of the shelter. She began to lead you both down a row of cages, holding various dogs and cats. Eijiro gripped your hand tightly as he beamed, watching you listen to the lady intently, as she explained all the info about the various dogs. Age, breed, temperament, things like that.

But Eijiro wasn't really listening, all he could do was focus on you, and just how beautiful you looked when you were excited.

You dropped your boyfriends hand momentarily (much to his disappointment) to reach out through the door of one of the enclosures and gently allow one of the dogs to sniff your hand, and petting it gently on the head before moving on to the next one.

As you continued to walk, you reached back to grab Eijiros hand once again but couldn't find it. Turning around you see your boyfriend reading one of the signs next to an enclosure intently.

"That's our oldest resident" The owner of the shelter smiles as she notices which pen Kirishima stopped in front of.

"Been in here for 3 years now" She added as you both walked back to join your boyfriend next to the enclosure. At first you thought the enclosure was empty, until you saw him, sitting, curled up on the tiny dog bed in the corner.

A frail and scared chihuahua.

You started to read the blurb on the side of the enclosure that your boyfriend was so engrossed in. It told the story of this little creature, who had been hit by a car a few years ago and surrendered to the shelter when the owners didn't care to pay the vet bills. You could feel your heart shatter in your chest as you looked at the tiny creature in front of you.

"Can we go say hi to it?" Eijiro asked the shelter employee, his voice softer than usual, as if he didn't want to stress out the poor pup anymore than it already was.

"Of course" She smiled, walking forward to open the door to the enclosure. "Not many folks are interested in our little Scarlet, most people dont come to shelters for older dogs so the poor thing gets overlooked" She spoke sadly as she allowed you both to enter the enclosure. "I'll give you a bit of time to get to know her, just come get me if you need anything" She smiled before walking back down the hall to the office.

Eijiro stepped foward slowly, before crouching down to sit himself on the floor next to the tiny pup.

"Hi Scarlet" Kirishima whispered gently as he reached his hand out, allowing the skittish dog to sniff, before ever so gently beginning to pat the dog on its small head.

"I thought you told me in the car you wanted a 'big, manly dog" You teased as you crouched down next to your boyfriend and the tiny dog, joining them both on the floor.

Kirishima gently scooped Scarlet up and held her tiny body ever so gently in his arms against his muscular frame.

"I don't know, I think surviving a car accident and being all alone for 3 years, and still allowing a stranger to pet you is pretty damn manly if you ask me" He smiled down at the tiny dog, his eyes full of nothing by love and admiration.

God you love this man, no other man could be so strong, so kind and yet so gentle all at the same time, towards every living creature.

"Plus, with a name like Scarlet, I suppose its just meant to be" You smiled, snuggling up next to your boyfriend and reaching out to slowly stroke the small dog in his arms. The dog seemed visibly more calm than when you had first seen him and you felt yourself fall in love with the poor creature every second you spent with it.

"I think this is the one honey" He murmured to you, not taking his eyes off the pup.

"Yea, me too" You smile.

So just like that, you signed the paperwork and walked out of the shelter. You had expected to be leaving with a large Terrier or Retriever or maybe even German Sheppard in tow, but instead you cradled a sleeping Chihuahua in your arms as you headed home, your family having grown by one tiny creature.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonus

You knocked on your boyfriends office door softly.

"Come on in love" You heard his chair wheel away from his desk as he called out to you happily.

"I'm not interrupting am I?" You asked as you walked into the office, stacked high with Crimson Riot memorabilia and workout equipment. In your arms you cradled Scarlet, you knew how much Kiri loved to see her when he was working.

"Interrupting? My favorite person in the world, bringing me my favorite animal in the world could never be interrupting" He smiled as he planted a kiss on Scarlets fluffy forehead, before pulling you into his lap and kissing you softly.

"Now what could I help you with baby?" He asked, resting his chin on your shoulder as he held tightly to your waist.

"Just wanted to show you something" You giggled as you pulled up an article you had just seen on a hero gossip magazine.

"Look at this" You clicked on an article, a large photo of Kirishima out walking Scarlet that must have been taken by paparazzi recently splashed across the screen with the headline:

'Red Riot bring home Tiny New Sidekick'

Authors note: This is my first time ever writing for a request but I had so much fun writing it and I really hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it anon!

[gabessquishytum]

I can't tell you how much I loved the Cow!Hob Cat!Dream fic!

I have further thots about that au.

Hob becoming Dream's emotional support cow. Dream was already a pretty good king. It's clear that he tries to do what's best for his kingdom and wants to protect his people. But he's also pretty clearly not comfortable with social situations. Having Hob is helping with that, though. When things get to be too much his precious milk cow suggests that he looks like he needs something to drink and coaxes him off to the side for a little bit of quiet to allow him to have some fresh milk from his teat while he pets Dream's hair and nuzzles him and it just helps ground his new king and gives him a breather so he can get his spoons back together and get back to things.

Also, Hob is very social and likes to meet people so Dream takes him out fairly frequently and that also gives him a chance to see how his kingdom is doing up close. He'd also be lying if he didn't enjoy showing off his lovely dairy cow. He always makes sure that Hob is decked out in beautiful robes that leave his chest bare, and that he's draped in jewels and finery that highlights all of his assets. Dream's kingdom is known for it's fine quality rubies that are mined from the mountains and the king takes great pleasure in making sure that Hob is dripping in them every time foreign dignitaries come to call.

Hob also just likes to be out in the sun. It's relaxing for him and as such Dream has developed a taste for fucking him senseless in lovely fields of flowers. And Hob has never been so well fed and cared for. He is insanely loyal to the King of Cats and is extremely proud to be his pampered pet. It's also feeding pretty hard into his exhibitionism kink and he doesn't think he's ever been as horny and well fucked either.

Yay, I'm so glad you enjoyed cow!Hob. I'm hoping there will be at least one more chapter!

I love the idea of Hob being like a combination of a fidget toy and a really soothing plushie for Dream to squeeze and cuddle when his duties get tiring. Its amazing how rubbing his cheek on Hob’s soft tummy and getting a few mouthfuls of milk will make him feel better. All the courtiers and even foreign ambassadors are so grateful for Hob’s existence, because he can calm Dream down from the most boiling rage! Hob has recieved many gifts from grateful people who are like "thank you for making sure the king didn't scratch my eyes out". Who knew that a docile, ordinary milk cow could have such skills in diplomatic relations?

And Hob being out in the sunshine and enjoying nature!! <3333 he loves rolling in the soft grass (naked) while Dream watches and swoons over how pretty he is. Dream swears he can taste the sunshine in the milk that Hob makes for him. He wants to lay there surrounded by sunflowers, hand feeding a massive punnet of strawberries to his beloved cow. Alas he has duties to attend to. But Hob will be there at the end, ready to snuggle up to Dream and present a leaking teat for him to suckle. Life is so much better with a pretty pet cow to love and dote on <333 and of course Hob always makes sure that his king has time to fuck him at the end of the day. He wouldn't want Dream to miss out on his soft, wet little hole. And the more he's fucked and fed and loved, the more he'll be able to provide for his King! It's a perfect cycle, and Hob can't wait to spend his whole life fulfilling his purpose: making delicious milk for his beloved Dream.

[1000punks]

bonding. ¹²//tending MASTERLIST.

pairing: spawn!Astarion x named!Tav (non-binary OC)

warnings: 18+. nsft. mdni. this chapter is fluffy angst, little hurt/comfort! no specific cw's!

word count: 3,379

summary: two gays remodel a house domestic fluff and some character background building, set in post-game baldur's gate. two people who are weird and traumatized work on their relationship and reclaim their sexuality through a shared kink. lots of gooey romantic smut while these two slowly figure out their future together.

named!Tav is my non-binary tiefling ranger, Festé. i was seeing far too few fics with tiefling!Tav and i thought it was crucial, nay, critical to include them in the headcanons. i hope you all enjoy! ♡

header credit: i'm no graphic designer, but i made it!!

The smile had melted from his face when Festé launched into their story; and in no time at all, he was hugging them closely, rocking them gently back and forth on the bed. Whenever they paused, or their voice broke, he winced, hugging more tightly. The tiefling trailed off into silence after a time, and he glanced down, noting their blank look and tense posture. Quietly, he asked if they were okay. A small smile crept over their lips and Festé shook their head.

"I murdered him, Star." They looked up, and chuckled. "He can't hurt me anymore." He stroked through their hair, chewing it over for a moment. Astarion tried to picture the scene as they had described it, considering all of the rage that must have built up inside their heart. How the cold, callous treatment of their body and mind had been the catalyst. How anyone in their right mind could have hurt the dearest person that he had ever met. The elf paused, wincing again when he remembered how he had treated them when the two first met; how he had thought they could be so easily taken advantage of. What he could have become, had they not touched his heart.

"Well…" he sighed softly, "Maybe not, but the memories can, darling." He spoke tonelessly. "In your situation, I would likely have done the same." It was only when his imp had laughed wetly into his chest that he sheepishly realized what he had said.

"That's why I stood aside when you…" Festé looked up, giving him a half-smile and falling silent. Astarion huffed a chuckle through his nose and nodded. He relished the memory for a moment, thinking of the weight he had borne for years suddenly being lifted. How relieved and lost he had felt, all at once.

"I… Darling, I'm glad that you trust me enough to share. I realize how hard it is, to…" He stumbled, searching. "It's hard to open up about it." Slowly, he lay his cheek against the top of their head, practiced enough to avoid the jut of their horns; and he whispered, "Thank you for telling me."

Astarion held them closely, rocking slowly back and forth until their breathing evened out and deepened. Then he gingerly leaned back against the headboard and pillows, closing his eyes. Some time later, Festé began to snore softly, and he smiled to himself. He wondered if they knew they snored. He blinked his eyes open and watched them drift off; and he wondered how many people they had kept at arm's reach before now. How many had the privilege to see their deepest parts? A tiny, cynical voice in the back of his mind even wondered: how much of themself were they still hiding? The elf scowled at the thought. He just wanted to know all of them. Astarion began to absentmindedly stroke their back, and thought about what they had said about when they kneeled in front of that half-elf's hearth. Deftly, he reached down, cupping Festé's curled-up hand and examining it in the dim light. Marred, but subtly, with faded scars from burns. Had it only occurred once, or many times?

There had been so much information to take in, he thought, laying their hand gently back against his stomach. And yet, so much left unsaid. Astarion smiled sadly to himself. Knowing what he knew now about their past, he could only imagine what the imp's first impression of him had been. Festé hadn't alluded to it, he suspected, for fear of hurting him. He reclined with a sigh, watching the curtains shiver from the open window. Fitfully, he wrapped his arms more tightly around his imp, as if they would slip away. How was it that they trusted him, back then? He turned his head away from the sunlight peeking in from behind the heavy curtain and closed his eyes once more, drifting away uneasily.

When Astarion lifted his eyelids the next evening, he was surprised to find them crusted with sleep. It didn't happen very often, but it had been happening more now that he and Festé had been in one place for months. Sparsely enough, still, that it made him feel particularly slow and hazy when he got up. The pale elf flexed his hands, blinking and looking down to find the bed empty save for himself; and he lifted his head, listening carefully. Humming, soft splashing, the scratch of cloth on skin, the slide of soap. Astarion was on his feet, faster than he meant to be, and making for the bathroom. He smiled widely when he saw them, facing away and slowly resting back against the edge of the tub with a satisfied sigh. He had already crossed the room in silence, crouching and planting a kiss on his tiefling's forehead. They startled.

"Good evening, darling," he murmured, dodging their horns when their head snapped up, and kneeling at the tub's edge.

"Evening, my love," they turned, chuckling and dripping, to look up at him. "I was lost in my own world." They leaned up, and he bent forward to give them a proper kiss. "I got up early, and planted the garden," they covered a yawn with their hand. Astarion leaned in, nose inches from theirs, and smiled. He rested his elbow against the edge of the tub, and nodded, getting comfortable.

"What did you plant, my dear?" he asked softly.

"Carrots, potatoes, lettuce, and leeks," they mirrored him, resting their opposite elbow on the tub's edge. "And in mid-summer, I'll plant the pumpkins." The tiefling beamed at him, and he raised his eyebrows.

"Pumpkins, darling? Whatever for?" The imp wrinkled their nose at him and chuckled.

"Of course! Haven't you ever carved a face into a pumpkin for Harvestide?" At this, he had to laugh, and shook his head in disbelief. "When I was young, my parents taught me how." They shrugged, and continued, "I'd like to do the same with you, love."

"Well," Astarion lifted his free hand and checked his nails, and caught Festé rolling their eyes. "I suppose I could try it," he teased them with a pompous tone, and the pair laughed together. "Turn around, dear, let me do your hair." He stood, pulling the bathroom stool close before sitting and combing his fingers through Festé's damp hair. They hummed in muted pleasure, and the elf smiled, beginning to braid it. It really was getting long, he noted, even since the last time he had commented on it. If he let them wear it loose, it would be almost to their hips, but he loved braiding it for them. He loved that they let him braid it for them. The elf lost himself in the moment, watching his pale fingers weave through the dark curtain of their hair until suddenly, he was finished.

"It feels so good when you do that," Festé murmured sleepily, looking up at him upside-down. "You have such a gentle touch." He glanced away, embarrassed, before bending forward to kiss their forehead.

"Don't flatter me, darling," he sighed, sitting up. "Not yet, at least. I have a gift for you." The imp raised their eyebrows, turning in the bathtub to face him once more.

"A gift, hmm?" They drawled, grinning widely. The depth of their voice sent a shiver up the elf's back; and he chuckled, more out of nerves than anything else. "I suppose we had better choose a date then, shouldn't we, love?" He watched their tail flick back and forth slowly under the surface of the bathwater, and they turned halfway to pull out the drain. "I'm betting you won't let me see it until the day of, will you?" Festé stood slowly, dripping and reaching for their towel, but his hands found it first.

"I… not a chance, darling," Astarion hissed playfully, wrapping them up. "You'll have to keep your eyes closed." He leaned down to lay a peck on their cheek. "Come with me." They grinned, following without protest.

Astarion glanced back at them, making sure their eyes were closed once they both reached the top of the stairs. As if they sensed his gaze, they whispered, "I won't peek, love. Lead on." He felt a flutter in his stomach, letting out a breath to steady himself before he opened the door to his room. The elf took his imp's hand once more, leading them into the middle of the room and silently giving thanks that they couldn't see the mess of fabric piled high on every flat surface. He paused, looking around before grabbing a dark strip of silk hanging over one of the unused mannequins. Festé scowled a bit and sighed dramatically when they felt him tie the makeshift blindfold on. "Don't you trust me?" they teased, catching his wrist in one hand when he brought it down again. He cursed himself momentarily for all the training he had been putting them through.

"Oh, hush and let me work, imp." He tutted, and Festé let out a full-bodied laugh. "Stay right there." They released his wrist, waving him off, and he turned to one of the other mannequins in the small room, starting to gather the fabric up. "Tell me more about the garden, won't you?" He murmured thoughtfully. If they were going to be travelling this summer, why would they bother? Especially if there was a chance they wouldn't be back, he thought grimly. With ease, he lifted the nearly-finished dress from the mannequin body. "Drop your towel, and hang on to my shoulders, dear."

"I didn't plant much, honestly. Just things that would grow over the course of a few weeks while we're gone." They let the towel fall, hands finding the elf's shoulders when he moved close. "It's going to be a wet summer this year, but I'm worried about the weeding…" Festé hummed.

"Oh, I see." They were so casually optimistic, and it was contagious, as usual. He tried a light tone, wondering in passing if it was convincing. "Well, we'll just have to take care of it when we come back from Candlekeep, won't we? Step," he said, catching their ankle and guiding it into the proper place in the mess of fabric. "Other foot," he breathed, repeating the motion.

"I know what you're thinking, Star," they sighed softly. "But we… we'll make it back." They dragged their fingers lightly up the sides of his neck, and he shivered. "I promise," they breathed; as if sensing the tension in his shoulders; and he straightened up slowly.

"I'll take your word for it, I just…" Astarion paused, gazing down. "Arms down for a moment, like… Yes. Perfect, darling," he smiled, adjusting the sleeves of the garment. "I'm just worried. I can't shake the feeling that we're walking into a firefight. What if something happens to you? What if you get…" he cleared his throat. It was too easy to confess in such a cramped space. The elf busied himself with the buttons, doing each one up deliberately slowly, letting his fingers linger against Festé's chest. What if that heart stopped? "What if you get separated from me? What if one of those spawn bites you? What if, gods forbid, you get turned?" An uncomfortable silence descended on the room as he stepped away to look the tiefling over. Astarion sighed harshly, feeling the itch of shame creep up his back. "Turn for me, my dear. Slowly." Festé obliged, and they lifted their arms halfway from their sides.

"I've been thinking about that possibility, Star," they whispered once they were facing away from him. "Would forever really be so bad? Well, if it were with you, I…" Astarion watched a tremor ripple through them, and he recalled their last discussion on the subject. Silently, he moved close to them once more, ghosting his hands over their hips before he tied the sash up at their waist.

"Have you changed your mind?" He murmured, lips flush against their ear. Their hands found his, and he noticed that they were trembling, if only slightly.

"I don't know, Star. It's complicated, I…" they sighed deeply, their head bowing.

"If I could change you myself, darling, I would. If you wanted it." He bit his lip. Shit. His mind was racing, imagining the fury he would feel if someone else touched them as he had. If someone else bit them, if their blood danced along someone else's tongue. He stiffened, arms locking even more tightly around them. Festé lifted their head.

"Is that what you're worried about?" Their voice was soft. Astarion kept silent, and his imp turned around to hug him properly. Something in him softened, then. "Are you worried that I wouldn't be yours anymore?" The words were a punch to his gut, and he felt something, a sort of liquid heat, flood his chest. Several moments went by as they held each other, and Festé spoke up again. "Star? Talk to me, please…"

"I… I am," his voice sounded hollow, far away. "I'm worried about you becoming someone's mindless spawn," he spat. "But, I'm also worried about being left behind if you die," he finished, harsher than he meant to be.

"It's complicated, right?" Festé whispered into his shoulder, their arms tightening around his waist. "I'm sure the jealousy makes it worse."

"I'm not…" his voice faltered, and they chuckled.

"You don't want anyone to know me like you know me. It's okay, Star. But you have me, and I'm not going anywhere, if I can help it."

They were right on that front, he had to give them that. Even the jealousy he felt when the tiefling had told him about their long foray with that despicable half-elf had been hard to tamp down, and the man was long dead. It felt like a white-hot fire iron in his middle; and he no longer wanted to think about the irony of Festé standing with him in the wedding dress he had made specifically for them, being jealous over an imaginary vampire sinking its fangs into them. He shook his head, exasperated with himself, and moved away from them. "Gods, you should see yourself," he breathed, crossing his arms and taking in the dress.

"How bad is it?" Festé breathed, mock-serious.

"Simply terrible, my love," he chuckled. "Turn again for me?" He focused, eyes darting right to left as they revolved slowly on the spot. It was so very nearly finished. It was just the finer details, like the hem, and a few stitches around the waist, that remained. He congratulated himself silently on getting their measurements almost exact by sight, and hummed. If had had more time, he would have stitched the entire bodice in lace, but the sheer white fabric he had chosen was perfect against Festé's rosy skin. It hugged their chest, moving up into a high neck, but the sleeves fell open and flowing at their shoulders. "Lift your arms again, pet," he murmured, moving closer and kneeling in front of them.

"Like this?" They raised their hands and rested them on top of their head. "The sleeves seem long, I hope that's…"

"That's perfect," he praised, smiling even though the tiefling couldn't see him. He spotted a loose thread in the intricate stitching of their right sleeve, reaching out and pinching it between his fingers. "Hold still," he leaned in, audibly snapping the thread against his fangs.

"You're doomed to put your fangs on me every-" they started, and he shushed them, stifling a laugh. They chuckled above him as he worked, pulling at the skirt's fabric. It was a simple black satin, with dual slits to expose the imp's thighs. He sat back on his heels, humming a bit while he adjusted the waist. Finally, he took the pins out, cinched the fabric slightly tighter before pinning them again. It only took a few moments for him to stitch each side securely, and he set to work removing all of the pins, smiling to himself. Festé seemed to know when he was finished, and pushed their fingers into his hair, enclosing him in the white curtain of their sleeves. Astarion sighed again, pleasured by his accomplishment as well as his lover. He leaned in, pressing a messy kiss to the inside of their thigh in return. When he stood again, he took their hands.

"Aren't you going to pester me with guesses as to what you're wearing?" They grinned, shaking their head silently. He leaned in, drawling softly in their ear. "Really? Not even a peep? Don't you want a hint, darling?" A moment passed, and the imp nodded. "Yours," he said, dropping one of their hands, "Is white and black," he traced his fingers from their shoulder to their waist, over the intricate phoenix he had stitched. "With a black skirt." He reached down, squeezing their hip. "And mine is matching in black and white."

"I knew it!" Festé cried out, laughing wildly. Astarion let out an exasperated scoff, and they found his cheeks with their palms. "No, seriously, my love; I'm much too red for anything else to go nicely with my skin. I knew it had to be-"

"Wrong," he interrupted with a hiss. "You would look stunning in anything. But especially so in this." He pulled them close and pressed a chaste kiss to their lips, making them flinch and chuckle softly. "I can't wait for you to see it."

Festé was silent for a long time, and Astarion studied them closely as they pursed their lips. "Star…" they started, trailing off into silence again. Another long moment passed, and the elf waited. "Star I… I hope you know this, but regardless of what happens…" they came close to him, and he turned his head deftly to dodge their horns when they pressed their cheek to his shoulder. "Regardless of whether I'm mortal or not, I'm yours, If we ever come to be separated, I will find my way back to you." Astarion lifted one hand, smoothing it over their back. "What I worry about, secretly," they continued, swallowing thickly, "With changing, is that I wouldn't be warm to the touch anymore. That I…" Festé sighed harshly, "That I would no longer be alluring to you. This is the first time that I've felt, well… wanted, since my parents died. It's stupid, but I…" Astarion flinched, and his imp fell silent once more. Finally, they whispered, "What if you found someone more appealing than me?" They laughed humorlessly.

"Darling…" he whispered back, "It's not your blood, it's you." Wasn't it? Astarion's mind felt clouded. What if it was only their blood that made the tiefling so alluring to him? Their initial relationship had been characterized by it, after all, he thought. The way it had spilled over his tongue that first time, the unexpected swell in his chest, the absolute elation he had felt over the next few days. No. He pushed away the notion entirely. "Gods below," he shook his head, chuckling a bit. "We're a pair, aren't we?" He squeezed them, and Festé shivered. "We're both being given a good thing, for once; and we're both so worried that it's going to slip through our fingers."

"Star, what do I have to do to convince you that I'm not going anywhere?" The tiefling mumbled into his neck. "I'll do anything," they sighed. Astarion was surprised by the anxiety that seeped into their usually calm and even voice.

"Well, I…" he shifted his weight slowly from one foot to the other. "You're wearing the dress I made for you, aren't you?" Festé nodded, clinging to him. "In the townhouse that we both live in together. You could… Oh, I don't know… marry me?" They chuckled wetly, and sniffled.

"I can do that," they whispered, their arms locking around his waist.

"What can I do, little love, to assure you that I'm not going anywhere?" The pale elf asked, lips brushing their earlobe.

"Tell me you love me?" Festé pulled back, stiffening when Astarion gently gripped their jaw.

"I love you, and I'll tell you as often as you like," he breathed against their lips, before pressing a light peck to the corner of his imp's mouth.

author notes:

well well well, i guess it's all out there in the open now, more or less

these two are idiots but they're my idiots and they're just doing their best

thank you for waiting out this hiatus, and for supporting the fic! you rock! you matter! you get the wedding episode as a reward!

[xoxoemynn]

Em!!

Hello lovely, I know I wrote you a lovely letter recently during your own love fest but I still wanted to pop in and say hi and spread some more love and give some hugs.

So, just to reiterate what I’ve said a million times before:

Thank you so much for sharing your work with us and for being so awesome and supportive. It’s so beautiful to have people like you in our fandom who do so much to help uplift others and stay positive. Honestly, idk how you do it sometimes, this world can be so nasty and whenever things kinda go sideways you’re always there with the just right thing to say to bring that little spark of hope back. For me at least.

Your post about the show yesterday really hit me hard bc I was feeling pretty low and it’s just nice to know that we have such passionate fans who are willing to stick around and keep this fandom running, even if we don’t get our show back.

Thank you again 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 I hope you have a lovely rest of your sunday evening. 💜

Awwww lovely, this is so extremely kind of you to say. And I'm glad you found comfort in that post. Truthfully, I do still circle through all the stages of grief in losing OFMD. Some days are better than others. I know everyone handles it differently — some people go full clown, others prefer to accept that it's over for good. We've all got to do whatever is best for our mental health. For me, that does mean keeping a bit of hope alive. That spark, no matter how faint it may be at times, is what keeps me going. I lose hope, I'm just straight into the abyss.

But hope doesn't just happen. You do have to nurture it. I've gotten much more protective of my fandom space since the cancellation. We live in a reality where it's very likely we will never get more canonical content for this show. Fandom is the only guarantee we have left, and even that will only last so long as we tend to it with love.

Because of that, it's just not fun to me to be a hater, or to spend time dwelling on the parts of the show/fandom that I dislike or wish would be different. It's just not interesting to me and, frankly, I think nearly every round of discourse we get is just a weak rehash of discourse we've been through a dozen times already and that's very boring to me. So I just don't engage. I block and filter liberally. If shit starts getting to me, I log off and come back when I'm ready.

I prefer to spend my time celebrating all the art and fic and meta that comes out of this fandom, or sharing fun head canons, or laughing at shitposts. And I have very selfish reasons for doing that because usually that inspires people to do MORE of it, so I get to enjoy it even MORE, even when I'm busy or emotionally drained and can't offer much myself.

It's a common phrase that you get out of fandom what you put into it, and I do think that's true, but I also think it's only half of the equation. I think you also get out of fandom what you take out of it. And so that's why I spend my time in places and with people that spark joy and creativity and love, because that fuels my own, and that's what keeps my spark of hope burning. That's what encourages me to continue sharing my love for the show and all the fans, because I see it in so many others. And if anybody or anything gets in the way of that? Fuck'em. They serve no purpose to me and are in fact counterproductive to the reason I'm in this fandom at all. Fare thee well.

And so when I see you going around spreading kindness, and dropping these really thoughtful notes in people's inboxes, and reaching out to people who are struggling, and leaving really sweet replies on posts and the BEST comments on fics? That's IT. That's what fandom is. That's the whole heart of it. That's what gives me hope. That's what keeps me going. That's what keeps me out of the abyss.

So thank YOU for all that you do, thank you for showing your love for the show, thank you for showing your love to the fans. That's why we're still here. And that's the only way we'll continue to be here years upon years after the Revenge sets sail for the final time. 💕

[bonesandthebees]

I've been following your blog pretty closely for the last few weeks and it's been super helpful for me in terms of allowing me to process my emotions—I usually main Twitter which isn't very good for that so this has been a breath of fresh air. Thank you for that.

This bit is going to be a brief vent about the Wilbur situation so feel free to ignore this. I just feel like I'm losing everything? I guess it's partially my fault for centering so much of my comfort around some random streamer and his community but that's how it happened and now it's crumbling in front of my eyes. It feels like the community is breaking apart and I can't even turn to most of my sources of comfort anymore. It's been a lot.

I didn't just want to vent though, I also wanted to express my gratitude to you. Your fics have been helping me get through this. It's impossible for me to read most fics involving him anymore but for some reason your fics have been the exception. In a time where I can't turn to most of my usual sources of comfort, it's been really nice to still have something.

I'm sorry if this was super rambly or didn't make any sense. Despite being a writer, I'm terrible at articulating my thoughts. I just wanted to thank you. Thank you so much.

I hope you're doing well yourself. If not, I hope it'll get better soon. We'll all get through this.

Uhh I usually see people signing off with an emoji and I don't really know how this works so I'm just going to pick one and hope I'm doing this right

- 🫐

I'm so glad my blog has been helping you process everything, that was my whole goal with answering these asks. just wanting to help peoples feelings settle.

also, I get being upset about losing the community. I felt so selfish for being so upset about that when there were much more serious things going on, but that was the first thing that I thought of when I heard shelby's stream. I didn't want to lose the community. I even had a crying breakdown a few days later because it hit me that it was over. this community I'd found comfort in for so many years was going up in flames and it hurt. and it's okay to be hurt by that. it's not selfish. you're not selfish for having emotions about this. neither of us are.

I'm so so happy to hear you can still find comfort in my fics. I really hope you continue to find comfort in them, it makes me so glad to know that even after something like this people feel better after reading my works. that's one of the reasons I was never going to delete any of them. I know they give people comfort, and I don't want to take that away.

I'm doing pretty well now :) things are getting better. I hope you're taking care of yourself <3

[domiforpresident]

Shuriri fair/amusement park hcs

A/N: shuriri has been on my mind heavy lately They are just too cute I'm literally crying. I hope y'all enjoy this while I work on a fic for them

They love going to the fair at night, it's more peaceful and so much more vibrant at that time in their opinion.

Shuri is terrified of roller coasters and gets motion sickness bad. But she sucks it up for Riri who is the complete opposite and loves roller coasters (Riri repays Shuri in kisses for going out of her comfort zone for her)

"Ri I think im going to throw up, you better be glad i love you "

"I am"

She pecked shuri on the cheek as she attempted to run off a bit.

"but if your gon throw up, ima move over here I don't want you to get it on my shoes"

Shuri cuts her eyes at Riri in annoyance.

Riri gets a little too serious when it comes to fair games, she swears She's only playing over and over again so she can win shuri a stuffed animal (she liyin). She will not give up unless shuri pulls her away from it, or wins the game for her.

"Ima win this one for you bae just watch"

"Yeah no, you've lost one too many times let's go"

*Shuri yanks Riri away from the game by her hand*

Shuri Loves all the sweet treats at the fair, the first time she had a candy apple she went crazy and ate one too many. Riri had to deal with the after math which was sugar rush.

"Riri I love you. did you know I love you?? ouu look at those lights the color is so pretty"

"Yes I love you too baby, and thoes lights are pretty"

Riri couldn’t help but laugh, seeing her lover sugar high was so cute.

The first time they said they loved each other was on the ferris wheel, Shuri was all neverous, but Riri finished her sentence for her.

"Riri I lov- I love-"

*Riri pulls shuri in for a kiss*

"I love you so much shuri"

"I love you too Riri"

They both chuckled.

Riri has to take a million pictures on her polaroid camera that she bought specifically to take pictures and videos of their dates together.

"Ri did you not already take a picture of us on that ride?"

"It's for memories. And you can never have too many" Riri notioned.

She also thought the faces Shuri made while holding onto her hand for dear life on the rides we're hilarious.

Shuri is ruthless when playing bumper cars, she doesn't hold back at all. She acts like there's a winner and a loser when the object is just to have fun. Riri usually hits shuri on her arm for being so rough while they were in the ring, Shuri apologizes even though she knows she's gonna do it again.

One time it was closer to Halloween and workers were dressed up trying to scare people, one of them ran up on Riri and she hit them in the nose, she felt bad afterwards and Shuri kept laughing at her while she iced Riri's knuckles.

"Riri you do know it's their job to scare people"

"Yes I do, but that nigga got too close way too fast, could've gave me a warning or something"

"That would defeat the whole poi-"

"Stop trynna be smart and ice my knuckles."

Whenever Riri is too exhausted to walk Shuri being the caring girlfriend that she is, picks Riri up and carries her on her back. There's been many times where Riri fell asleep on Shuris back unknowingly.

"Riri what ride do you want to get on next?"

*Riri completely knocked out*

"Of course she fell asleep......again"

Shuri won't admit it but she thinks it's quite cute that Riri falls asleep on her back, that's why she never bothers to wake her up unless she has to.

They got someone to draw them and the person drew Shuris head really big. Riri found it so funny Shuri on the other hand didn't.

"My head is big but it's not that damn big"

"It's just a drawing Shuri, and the whole point of these is to emphasize your features"

She laughed a little too hard while saying the last part for Shuris liking.

"In that case they should've drew you a few inches shorter" shuri smirked.

"Ok jokes over."

Whenever Riri gets something like powder sugar from a funnel cake there sharing, or just anything that's she's eating on her face, Shuri insist on wiping it off so she can sneak in a kiss while she's at it.

They love to walk around the park for hours just holding hands while talking and cracking jokes. They don't get to do that regularly with them being iron heart and the black panther. But when they can They enjoy every second of it, just basking in one another's presence.

[arvandus]

i feel annoying asking but are you still writing touch? i'm sorry i've been reading it since you first started uploading it that it became a separate hyperfixation from mha and dabi

Hello anon!

This is not annoying at all, and is an absolutely valid question since I've been very MIA lately. I am still working on it here and there, but the inspo to write for it has honestly been fleeting.

It's a combination of life being very busy plus having Barbatos brainrot. I still think of Dabi too, and I think of my story for him which is far from finished. Maybe that's part of the issue too, the scope of the overall plot is soooo daunting, and the canon ending to BNHA left me so dissatisfied. I'm basically doing a full canon divergence from start to finish.

But it's not just Touch these days that are sitting on the back burner. Even my other multichapter fic for Barbatos hasn't been updated in months and I have soooo many WIPs piled up it's almost embarrassing. Writing in general has been difficult for me, a combination of lack of time and overall stress.

I would say that Touch is on a semi-hiatus for now. I'm not giving up on it, I'm not abandoning it, but I'm not sure when I'll have the inspo and spoons to return to it.

So I hope that answers you question? I'm sure it's not the answer you were hoping for, but it's the honest one. Thank you for checking in, and I'm so glad that you've found such comfort in something I've put my heart and soul into. I hope for both our sakes I can pick it up again one day with the same ease I had before. In the meantime, I hope you can cherish what there is so far for what it is - two people finding safety and love in each other, despite the hands that life has dealt them.