#And yes I took some liberty with the speech thing but you know what I tried

[blackbirdffxiv]

"You may elude us this day, but not forever."

(OOC: aka Azem!Ellie knows shit is about to happen)

[aethien11-blog]

NOTE: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. (Also, I’m a sappy, silly, dork at times. Sorry not sorry.) I took some liberties when it came to JJK as I’ve only seen the two seasons on crunchy roll and kinda ran with it. Sorry if that’s upsetting.

The boys reactions to learning their s/o has been kidnapped

Fem Reader x : Sakuna, Megumi, Nanami, Itadori

WARNINGS: use of ‘naughty words’, mentions of blood, rape, mutilation, death, violence, and possible spoilers.

RYOMEN SUKUNA

The King of Curses was phased by nothing. Your presence (or lack of) wasn’t that important. He could go a day without you, without thinking of you.

Ryomen snarled. And yet here he was again for the fifth time this hour wondering how much longer you planned to take. Just how long did humans need to visit family for anyway? What was so damned special about it? 

“Great One!” Uraume immediately knelt beside him. 

“Uraume?” His four eyes blinked once before, “Where is y/n? Waiting my room?” It was a pleasant thought but his battle instinct said otherwise. 

“Forgive me, Great One. Lady y/n,” Uraume stiffened.

“Don’t keep me in suspense,” he snarled.

“Forgive my error. Lady y/n was taken, my Lord.”

“Taken?”

Maybe it was fear, maybe a blush that lit Uraume’s face. “Yes. Lady- lady y/n sent me away briefly so she could speak with her family. Apparently, I make them uncomfortable.” It was only a moment but it felt like an eternity passed before she spoke again. “I should have sensed it. I apologize for my error, Great One.” “What are you yapping about? And where is she?” Ryomen roared. 

It was impossible to still the tremble that shot through her body. “I don’t know where she is, Lord Sukuna. Only that she sent me away. I stepped to the door, heard something, turned and she was gone. Every member of her family were slaughtered in that moment.” Uraume trembled again. “I don’t know, my Lord.”

“Her body was not among the dead?” It didn’t hurt. He wouldn’t say that. His chest just moved weird when he asked. It wasn’t like his heart could actually hurt over this.

“She was not, my Lord.”

“Hm. I should have figured. You would have brought me a corpse at least, if that were the case.” 

“Your trust is flattering, my Lord.”

“Hmph. Find out who took her and what they want. You have one day.”

“My lord.” Uraume disappeared from his sight quickly then.

Yes. It didn’t matter if you were gone a whole day. He wouldn’t allow it to affect him but hell was coming for the creature that disrupted his plans for the evening. 

*******************************************

“Wow. I’ve seen stupid before, but you’re something else.”

“Ssshhh ut up, human.” The creature’s hissing speech was irritating enough but if this thing thought it stood a chance. “Or I’ll shh, cut out that ssstupid tongue.”

You giggle. “As if. Lord Sukuna will turn you into kibble.” Briefly you scrunch your brows before wondering out loud, “I wonder if Uraume has fed his pets yet today.”

A blade appeared, pressed to your lips. “Sssssh ut it!”

You can’t help but smile and lick the flat of it. “You don’t stand a chance.”

MEGUMI FUSHIGURO

“Why are we being called in?” Megumi asked in his usual uninterested tone.

“The higher ups have a stick up their ass and they want us to pull it out…probably,” Gojo sniped before finishing with a grin. 

Megumi rolled his eyes. One day, his teacher was going to step too far and those same higher ups were likely to come down on him but today wasn’t the day…probably.

The doors came open as Megumi, Yuji, Nobara, and Saturo stepped close. “There is no time for greetings. Seat yourselves and let’s begin.”

“Well, nice to see you too,” Saturo Gojo sniped with a smile. “Whaddya got for us?”

Heavy sighs echo through the small room before a woman’s voice said, “Watch.” On a screen on the side of the room, a newscast was being played.

As soon as the reporter switched to the scene behind them, three sets of eyes turned to Megumi. He didn’t notice. His eyes were glued to yours looking up him through the screen. 

To say Megumi was used to loss was fairly accurate. He accepted loss was a part of every mission and pretty much expected it… but that was no excuse for you to go and get yourself captured by curse user. 

The demands were that one person alone was to deliver their required ransom for you (another cursed object that should never leave the school) or they would turn you into their newest curse. Worse, they made the demand publicly, ensuring the higher ups couldn’t just sweep their request (and you) under the rug. 

What none of them expected was that Megumi would volunteer to be the one to deliver their ransom. Or that he would have a plan to get you back without having to give up the cursed item.

********************************************************

These fuckers were in for a hell of a surprise. You weren’t worth anything and you knew it. Just some orphan left in the care of the state to manage a life that had thus far amounted to little. For fuck sake, you only graduated high school last year and who in their right mind tries to take a cafe barista as a hostage. These guys were nuts. 

But hearing what they demanded and their threats just riled you. No, you weren’t worth some great value but you’d be damned if they were doing a single thing to you without a fight. 

KENTO NANAMI

The steady clack of keys on keyboards was near deafening as the entire office echoed it. Blank faces stared at bright screens as the sun sank behind the horizon. Another day of boring repetitive garbage. 

Nanami stood from his desk, collecting his things in his usual slow and perfectly controlled manner. At least y/n should be ready by the time he got there. He had worked a little late, but then, you usually took an extra minute to close up shop. 

Nanami smiled to himself as he lifted his briefcase and slid his laptop in. You always made him a special set of bread as the last one of the day so it would be fresh and warm even after you both got back to his apartment. Maybe he should ask, no no. He shook his head and set his usual expressionless face back in place. No need to think of that right now.

Kento set his briefcase in the back seat before sliding into his car and starting it. Safer that way. You had a tendency to ‘chuck it’ into the back seat if it were in your way. The edges of his mouth curled into a smile. Anyone else and he would have been ticked about tossing an expensive laptop about like that but when you did it, it was cute. And even if it weren’t, the grin you give him after certainly was.

He barely managed to get the grin back under control by the time he was pulling up to your shop only to freeze as he parked. The glass door was shattered, the shop inside showing obvious signs of a struggle. 

Nanami felt like his blood was pumping through his body at several miles a minute then. On the outside, Kento was entirely calm as he slowly unbuckled and stepped out of his car. Only those that knew him would notice the difference. The way his fists tightened, the set of his jaw, or the measured gait he adopted as he stepped through the broken entrance. 

His eyes scanned the scene and picked up the single scrawled note with ease. 

“Want her, come get her.”

The paper crumpled in his fist before he shifted his attention to tracing the energy. They would pay for making him work overtime.

****************************************************

Much as you would love to (continue to) tell these guys off, one of them had already stuffed a sock in your mouth and duct taped it there. That didn’t really stop you though as you continued to hurl insults through your gag.

“Geez. If this guy doesn’t hurry up, I’m gonna kill the broad just to shut her up,” one of your captors grumbled. 

“Mmm mmnnnm mmm mm.” Your attempted snarl did little through your gag, and it wasn’t like you could fight back now. These jerks may be asses but they knew how to tie knots. Between the chafing on your upper arms and wrists, you had tested every way you could think of to get loose and were only too glad you had worn pants today instead of a skirt. 

YUJI ITADORI

Having adopted his mentor's distaste for meetings, Yuji trudged into the room with a heavy sigh. “Do we have to?” he whined.

You could just give up control and I could kill them all, Sukuna suggests amiably but Yuji ignores him.

Nobara slaps the back of his head. “You already know the answer to that. Sit down.”

Megumi barely managed not to smile before taking his seat. He blinked owlishly for a moment before the friendly wave confirmed his suspicion. “You’re here too?”

Yuta smiled. “Yeah. I’ll let them explain everything.”

“Must be pretty big if they called both of you here,” Yuji said with a grin as he looked between Yuta and Gojo. 

“You know it. Three first years are missing after being sent in and we’re going to go save them,” Gojo stated.

Sighs echo around the room. “Let’s begin the actual mission brief.” All eyes shifted to the screen. Typed out quickly was the message from Tengen. “Earlier this morning, three first year Jujutsu students, Eimo Makito, Rugi Kamisari, and y/n, were accompanied by two third years, Panda and Toge Inumaki, to subdue or suppress whatever was causing the disappearances over Lake Tazawa’s area. The reported incidents originally listed this as a Class 3 curse at best, but with our newest information, we believe there may be more than one special grade at work, making it appear lower to continue to deceive us. We can no longer rule it out.”

Yuji had stopped reading at your name and his eyes were glued to it until Megumi elbowed him lightly to draw his attention back to the meeting. 

You’re okay, right? This doesn’t mean you're dead. Just that….you’re missing.

“We currently do not know if any of the students are alive or not. The veil we placed has been encompassed by a stronger one and we have no way to get information in or out.”

“So we’re going in blind. My specialty,” Gojo stated with a grin.

Yuta chuckled beside him. “We can handle this-”

“I’m coming too,” Yuji shouted and everyone stilled before Gojo’s chuckle released some of the tension in the room. 

“Plan to be a knight and go save your princess?”

“It’s not just about y/n,” Yuji stated, though his blushing ears decried otherwise. “Panda and Toge are there too. We have to save them if we can.”

“You know they might already be dead.” Gojo just wanted to make sure it was clear, that Yuji wasn’t holding out hope on this one.

“I won’t believe it until I see it.”

“Gre-at,” Megumi sighed and face palmed. “It's the detention center all over again.”

“Sorry, Itadori,” Yuta began. “But you can’t-”

“I’m coming too,” Yuji repeated. 

“Nuh-uh, kid,” Gojo said standing up. “I’ll let you come with us, but you are staying out side the barrier, you understand. You want to make sure everyone is safe, that’s fine. But you will keep yourself and Sukuna out of that barrier, clear?”

Despite the blindfold being on, Yuji could feel the blue eyes of his teacher boring into him. 

Finally he sighed in defeat. “Fine. I’ll wait outside the barrier. But,”

“No buts, or you're not going and I’ll leave you chained up here.”

Yuji’s silence to follow was taken for acquiescence. 

*****************************************************

You blink your eyes open to an unfamiliar sight. The barrier above you seems almost black and the shimmering in it makes you want to vomit after looking at it for a moment. Like staring at trees outside a moving car window. You roll and tuck your left arm up. You're able to move it but the bone in your forearm is definitely broken. 

Your eyes land on Panda as you sit up. “How’s he doing?” you whisper through the pain. 

Panda smiles sadly at you. “He’ll be fine. Just needs a bit to get his throat to stop bleeding.”

“I’m sorry, Toge.”

Toge shook his head and smiled sadly at you. “Bonito flakes.” It even sounded choked and you felt your eyes water. He must be in incredible pain. 

You three were lucky. Eimo and Rugi weren’t as fortunate. You had to come up with some kind of plan to get out of here, but if these two didn’t have anything how could you?

“Fuck!” you curse under your breath.

“Salmon.” 

That at least got you to smile and you can tell that was his intention. You would get out of this. Together.

Again a quick and sincere thank you to Miss Vry (@vrystalius) for helping me with tags :D

[loonela]

I started this on July 8 and finished it on August 14 but never got around to posting until sometime around midnight for me. An extended AN is below.

Rating: Genfic

TW: implied/referenced child abuse

Ships: All background/pre-ship

I have done so much research for this series it isn't even funny. So, below, I will include the various references, creative liberties, and trivia that is too detailed for the actual fic. There's also headcanons and general AU continuity notes. If you haven't finished this oneshot, you will get spoiled for it.

I use a lot of Japanese words and dialectal phrases. I also use some romaji terms over the official translated terms for JJK things - ex. hijutsushi for non-sorcerers.

Maki and Mai were born in Kyoto, so I imagine them using Kyoto-ben, a subdialect of Kansai-ben. Maki doesn't use a lot of keigo (honorific speech), and Mai uses marginally more solely because Iori is wonderful and respected.

In this AU, Toge was taught sign language by his Deaf aunt and grew up in a good amount of Deaf Japanese culture. I'm basing what bits of Deaf culture I know off of Americans, because finding that alone is hard, let alone Japanese Deaf culture.

Jujutsu society has some messed up views about daemons; in hijutsushi society separation is considered extremely wrong, but sorcerers are expected to separate by the end of their first year. Yes the Zen'ins are that terrible. The other clans aren't much better.

Japanese schools run from the first week of April to the end of March, split into 2 or 3 terms with breaks throughout in July-August, over New Years, and before the new year. This fic takes place in the third term, so February and March 2018.

Both Getou and Haibara are alive. I don't want to give too many spoilers for the rest of what the Mirror Souls series will cover, but Getou doesn't defect. Daemons change a lot. Haibara being a counselor is inspired from Come Hell or High Water by louandhaz.

Daemons here act in self-preservation of both human and daemon, provided the connection is intact. I've added subtle notes for each daemon in terms of what they do and how they act with their human.

Non-consensual daemon touching is somewhat of an allegory for sexual assault in His Dark Materials. I'm not interpreting it quite to this level, as I don't think I can portray the aftermath with the nuance and sensitivity it deserves. It's traumatizing in a different way.

I headcanon that Tokyo and Kyoto schools do a decent amount of missions together, and most of the students are friendly, if not outright friends even across both schools.

Blame Six Eyes.

The separation ritual site is a rift in the space time continuum essentially, and the permanent change to a daemon bond in the form of separation allows for the multiverse to be viewed and fate to be "shown". If you want a visual, I took inspiration from the Path Space used in Honkai: Star Rail.

When Gojo warps, he likes to flare his cursed energy a little bit before fully arriving to give his students warning. He realized pretty early on as a teacher that he got a lot of kids that did not take startling well. His energy is really oppressive feeling sometimes.

Ieiri's use of RCT is almost an innate technique of itself. Not even Gojo is as good as her with it and he actively weaponizes it with Red and Hollow Purple.

I'll let you guess what the background ships are.

It's really hard to heal daemon wounds. RCT is used on another by physical contact, and it's taboo to touch daemons. Ieiri figured out at some point that she could channel both her daemon and her own positive energy into a daemon if her daemon forms a "bridge".

In the domain vision of Shibuya that Toge sees, more characters die there than canon.

Toge can't turn Cursed Speech off. The separation ritual silences all techniques, including ones like Cursed Speech and Six Eyes.

The daemon names were either picked because I liked the sound and meaning, it complimented the character, or it paralleled the kanji of the human's name. The forms were based off of firstginger's quiz (spreadsheet form linked).

[jdscanvas]

CYBERPUNK 2077 FIRST IMPRESSIONS---WHY DID I NOT PLAY THIS SOONER?!? Almost one year after I purchased the PS5 Ultimate Edition of Cyberpunk 2077, I have finally decided to dive in. And honest to god I am quickly falling in love with the game.

First of all, yes it's unfortunate that the previous-gen console ports were so disastrous, but that wasn't the developers' faults. That sort of thing never is. Secondly, I imagine a lot of this bad rep has slowly but surely waned away not only with the superior console ports, but also the release of Edgerunners and the Phantom Liberty DLC. I don't necessarily believe this game will end up with a Fallout New Vegas level of retrospective acclaim, seeing as how the PC version on launch was already well regarded, but this is most certainly a well crafted intricate game. I hope CD Projekt Red's staff feel the 8+ years this project took (Witcher 3 and its DLCs released in that time) were worth it.

So at the moment, here are some of my thoughts on the game so far. Night City is gorgeous, as is this entire art style. It's definitely cyberpunk, but it's far from generic. They really lean into the street life/night life aesthetic while also injecting a bit of 1980s retrofuturism and some genuine Asian elements that go beyond generic vaporwave backdrops of sakura trees. Lots of personality, in both characters, environments, and weapons. Soundtrack has a lot of techno bangers too, a lot of glitch effects.

Superior gun selection, and I've only scratched the surface. Plenty of different ones to pick from, and not only are there a series of interchangeable mods, there are also one of a kind variants. In this game they're called "Iconic" weapons. It would seem the weapon mechanics found in games like Outer Worlds and Far Cry 6 are becoming standard in these types of open world games, and I am all for it. Plenty of options, customization, and the joy of the hunt that is one-of-a-kind variants. Even in a game like New Vegas that only had set mods for most of the guns that weren't interchangeable, this was something I really appreciated in that game especially compared to Fallout 3. Happy to see this is commonplace in these sorts of games.

I have similar thoughts on the clothing options. Lots to pick from. Some have their own stats, and some are one of a kind. Again pretty much what should be the standard for apparel in these games even if the player never gets to create their own custom outfits. Healthy mix of goofy and high end fashion.

Typical perk tree, most of the ones I've acquired are stat based but they try. They have conditional temp stat increases and I know there are abilities that can be acquired later in the perk trees. There are Five attributes that control character skills. (I think there's a hidden Sixth attribute but i'm not terribly far in yet). Cool is one of the more intriguing ones, controls perks related to finesse and charisma (imagine Speech in Fallout) some maneuverability perks are here, others are in the Reflexes skill tree. I recognized some of the perk images as references to other sci-fi fiction. I haven't gotten any of the super cool perks yet, but that's to be expected seeing as how I'm only maybe 10-15 hours in.

This is a pretty good story so far for what it is. I'm honest to god already resonating with the story's themes of legacy, corporate oppression, (maybe a bit of trans-humanism), and "Make it Big" dreams being challenged by harsh reality. V is much like Commander Shepherd; the happy medium between a player avatar who you shape and a character with their own history and personality. And it even pulled the "first few hours are a prologue" card. And I was fine with it. I know when most people think of a prologue in an RPG, they think of Kingdom Hearts 2 (the Final Mix being my #1 favorite video game). But here it's better paced. Introduces you to V (and the backstory you chose for him/her) and lets you get to know some characters just enough that you feel bad when things go wrong. And in that entire time, you're enjoying some high octane action as early as the first hour. Crazy stuff happens as you learn more about Night City and its place in this world. Plus you still have the option to do some side missions if you feel like it. In other words, Keneau Johnny Silverhand doesn't show up until after these first few hours. Basically by this point, you've been introduced to every major mechanic as well as the world. You know the stakes, you know where you are, you know how to get from Point A to Point B. It does what any well designed and well paced game should.

Hacking is intuitive, quick, and of course upgradable. Distract enemies, hack computers, hack ENEMIES, etc. You have a set number of points that you spend to perform these actions, which recharge over time. Not a bad way to balance the mechanic. And you can upgrade how many max charges you have.

Naturally, with this being cyberpunk, you can unlock cybernetic upgrades. Some are stat buffs, and some are even weapons that come out of your body. I appreciate that extra mile the devs went. It is awesome in these kinds of games to get cybernetic implants, but it's interesting when they aren't relegated to just being another flavor of upgrade/perk.

You can go through video files and scan them for clues. Rewind them, pause them, etc. Very nice mechanic, it's always fun to play detective. Arkham City definitely faired well with sequences that were similar to this (even Arkham Knight, underwhelming by comparison, had some great detective sequences).

Like most Western RPGs, V has access to unique dialogue choices. They go the extra mile by having unique dialogue depending on both your attributes AND your character background. And sometimes you can just buy off certain folks. That's always nice. One time to progress a quest I even killed a Braindance dealer. Glad to have options.

User Interface has a clean aesthetic, clean enough to be readable but injected with some personality too. I love the blue and red and the font choices. They remind me of earlier cyberpunk games like System Shock 1 (which i wouldn't recommend, 2 is awesome though). It does feel like the interface is what V "sees". Somewhat diegetic, but not exactly the Dead Space UI. The menus are fine, but the inventory does this sub-menu thing that some earlier CRPGs did in the 90s and late 2000s (and hell even Outer Worlds and No Man's Sky today do this, technically) where you have a series of pictures that you "mouse over" and then you get a list of the details of each item. On one hand i appreciate how compact this is, on the other i prefer having these things set off to the side in a dedicated part of the menu. You have the standard compare and contrast feature where you compare what you have equipped to what is moused over. That's cool, but again I feel having these parameters in a dedicated area of the screen that changes values depending upon what you have selected works better personally. It works fine, I can adapt but it is not my preference. With this approach, I feel I have to commit more to active memory when scrolling and it's too busy to keep track of in the heat of the moment.

Honestly will all these intricate mechanics and how dense Night City is, it's no wonder this game went through development hell and cost so much to make. I will never condone holding every game or even most games to this ludicrous standard of 50 hour brew ha-has with a billion mechanics and super complex VFX/simulations that cost as much as a hollywood film, HOWEVER if a development studio can make it work? Can create a stunning product? I'll have nothing but respect for the folks that poured dozens of hours of their lives into it. Regardless of whether it was "worth it" for individuals involved, in regards to whatever they needed to sacrifice, I will ALWAYS treat their work with the utmost respect. I feel that way about the intriguing world of Anthem despite agreeing it was a failure of a video game. I tear up inside when I remember reading about how the developers of Cyberpunk where so happy that Edgerunners succeeded and got more people into the game that poured so much into. At the end of the day, if a team big or small comes together and creates a fantastic product, I'll either love it or respect it. I will never say they shouldn't have bothered. Luckily in this case I am absolutely loving what I am playing.

Can't wait to continue this game. In the next few months I have my eyes set on Avowed and Judas. I pray those are both great. I wish for 2025 to be a more productive/well rounded year than 2024 was for me.

[badwasabi]

From a fanfic version of Avengers Endgame, that started before the actual movie;

Disclaimer: All these non-Youtube links are to relevant rants I've written.

Clint walked into his living room, cleaning tractor grease off his hands. "Laura? Honey? Where are you?" He called out. "Daddy?" Clint heard the voice of his daughter Lila. "Something's wrong with Mom, Cooper, and Nate!" Clint then dropped the towel and rushed into the kitchen, seeing his wife and sons turn into dust by her dissolving. "Clint? What's happen…" Laura started before being cut off. "Dad, I…" Cooper also stopped when he fully turned to ash. Nathaniel simply cried before also turning to dust. Clint then wrapped his arms around Lila, and the two simply sobbed until Clint felt Lila turn to dust in his arms as well. Hawkeye then slumped to the floor and put his head in his hands. ------ Steve sat next the ashes that were all that remained of Bucky. Thor then knelt down next to Steve. Natasha, Rocket, Bruce, Okoye, Rhodes, and M'Baku watched both the Sentinel of Liberty and the God of Thunder as they looked at the ashes of Barnes, seeing both not only beaten, but truly broken for the first time in either of their lives.

This is just terrible.

It's not telling an actual story, just relating events. There's no subtext, except stuff that's so obvious it might as well be a billboard on I-95.

During Rush Hour.

In LA.

Plus, those line breaks are in the original fic. The writer didn't notice or care enough to fix the formatting, so there's three lines (and a hidden " " between every paragraph. You can see it if you highlight.

I don't think it's a good idea to use Steve and Thor's "publicity" totles titles in a serious scene.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I... I should have... I should have gone for the arm." Thor said, tears beginning to form as he put his head in his hands.

Ah, yes, the classic "I understood that reference" fanfic moment.

Dude, do you really want to bring up memes? At this point? In this mood? Localized entirely within your kitchen?

The writer also has a habit of putting dialogue tags after the speech, every single time. Which is a bad idea, especially in a group scene.

"No. Even Thanos said I should have gone for the head. I… just wanted to kill him. He took my best friend. My brother. Half of my people. 300 dwarves. Billions of people across the galaxy. I just wanted to…" Thor said, tears falling freely. "Avenge them." Natasha said, joining the two over what remained of Bucky, placing an arm around Steve's shoulders. "Now we have some more people to avenge. Come on. We need to get to the city and regroup." Bruce piped up from the Hulkbuster.

"They awkwardly said the purpose of the team! Twice! Don't you like that, reader? The reference?"

IIRC, the only time in the actual movie that Tony references avenging as a verb is during his angry, mocking rant at Cap. Once in the 2012 movie, and even then Tony knows it's awkward. Once in AOU, while Ultron is making a dramatic speech. Not at all in IW. (Incidentally, Thanos seems to be trying to "avenge" his home planet, in a twisted way.)

A few paragraphs later, we learn that the Snapped folks are in the Soul Realm, and Dr. Strange's voice has "a mildly mystical tone".

Which he doesn't in the movies. At all.

In the next scene, it 'uses single quotes and italics to indicate thoughts' thing. I'm not sure the former the former was ever commonly used in "published" writing, but it could be useful if you only have access to plaintext and you don't know how to write 'inline' thoughts.

If you can use italics, you don't need the single quotes. I think a lot of people use both because they saw some other fic do it.

If the story is starting this badly, I'm not going to read 50,000+ words.

[purplepixel]

HEHEHE I'm glad you like it! I really put my heart and soul into this. So many choices I made to try to capture the words you put on paper. I can write a whole essay on how I used color on this comic. Which is funny bc again. This was supposed to be a quick thing. I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO GO FULL COLOR. But typical pixel brain is taking a project and elevating it and before I knew it COLOR is very much a storytelling element in this as much as what you see the characters doing. Every color choice was made with intent.

For the ninpo, I had to rewatch parts of the rise movie for this since I didn't realize mikey's is...lava lamp esque??? Which honestly makes so much sense since he's circle. I really thought he was also fire. Raph and leo's ninpo already looks pretty similar, but raph's is more electric inspired.

YES CASEY CAMEO. Casey squared moment. I'm imagining them playing good cop bad cop. One minor thing on my list of things to do is design a post season2 casey outfit. She has one screenshot in the movie that has her old foot clan outfit and I think that was just so we could easily tell its her. Hamato clan outfit casey? But sleeveless bc she's just like that.

Draxum 100% texts like an old person who doesn't understand text speak. Of course he's gonna add a period not knowing the tonal implication of his message. I also think he's just direct and to the point. I wanted to add in splinter's message, but I couldn't come up with something and realized mikey and raph would prob break the news that they're missing instead of asking where they are since splinter's kind of a homebody.

Shoutout to @cottoncandywoof who I sent these panels to before uploading. Everyone needs a second pair of eyes. One of his comments was "make him angrier" and he definitely helped with some speech bubble stuff and the last panel on page 7. Which I was struggling with.

I'm not a comic artist, my background is animation so this was a good challenge. "animator tries translating written words into comic panels". I had to break my mindset on some things that make sense in animation, but not so much in comic pages. But I also always knew that this particular moment from swsa NEEDED to be told in comic format which is why I chose that instead of say, an animatic. I also really wanted to test out comic making and this was the excuse. Comics are a completely different medium from animation despite the similarities from an initial glance.

The last panel is my favorite ngl. That whole last page. Which technically I took creative liberties on. Raph is there when mikey comes to that conclusion after they have the family meeting in chapter 6, but I didn't want to break the flow of the comic AND I didn't want it to be too long. I wanted it to be focused on mikey and his thoughts and feelings towards this. I really thought I could do that in 4 pages sdlkfjsdlk.

Wow long message. I'm just extremely passionate about the creation of this since I put so much forethought and care into it. I tried my best to translate the feel of what you wrote into a visual format. It was a great challenge :]

Happy SWSAnniversary!

This one's for you @psychologicalwarclaire! Finally can give a proper thank you for writing my favorite rise fic of all time. Here's to a Spider's Web with Strings Attached's one year anniversary! What better way to commemorate this with a little comic featuring the very beginning?

For those who are just stumbling on this comic, please go read the fic its based on! I cannot praise and recommend it enough!!

[funnywiccanwritingcorner]

Le Joyau le plus precieux - Candyfloss

WARNINGS!!!

Contains NSFW scenes and LGBTQ+ couples. Don’t like, don’t read. All the characters are over 18 years old.

Chapter VII

The season was now turning to more erratic temperatures and shorter and shorter days. It rained at least once a day, in the afternoon, and the Seine had risen about ten centimetres. With his umbrella slung over his arm, Jesse was strolling around the city serenely. For four days in a row he had been busy with the show, and had not been able to see Billy after the morning after the opening night, keeping in touch with messages and phone calls. Finally the performance period had ended, and that morning going to the candy shop had been his first thought.

He opened the door, ringing the bell; Billy from behind the counter immediately ran up to him to hug him: -Jesse!- -Hello, Billy... But!?- -What?- The actor was horrified: on the younger man's right cheekbone stood out a purplish bruise, quite recent. -They beat you up?!?- -Oh, this! A madwoman attacked me; I'll explain while I wrap these.- He was preparing packages of mixed jellies on the counter, and as he filled the boxes and closed them he said: -You know these women who are overprotective of their children?- -Yes. - -That's it, I was selling candy in the park as usual, and just because I took the liberty of giving a licorice wheel to a kid, this lady started yelling at me. When I tried to reason with her, she punched me. There was a policeman standing nearby, who dragged all three of us into the police station, and luckily Joe was on duty and took care of it.- -Thankfully.- -This is the second time I've had unfounded accusations. I begin to suspect that I have a bad face that doesn't inspire confidence!- -Oh, no, I can assure you that your face has nothing to do with it. Some people are unfortunately paranoid.- -According to paranoia, Joe seems to have gotten over it; he's not mad at me anymore.- -That's a win.- -I think he realised that I'm not a "monster".- He closed the last packet: -Hey, I have something for you.- -For me?- Billy grabbed him by the scarf and pulled him to himself, forcing the actor to rest his hands on the counter to keep his balance, and popped a peck on his mouth and then smiled cheerfully: -A little bit of sugar to start the day!- Jesse smiled tenderly: -I will treasure it.- -I've missed you these four days... Ah, now that I think about it: how did it go at the theatre? I know you guys had a blast!- -Yes, it was--

A sound of breaking glass interrupted the speech. The boy jerked, blanching, and Jesse turned sharply: the shop window was shattered, with a large hole in the middle of a web of cracks; on the ground was a fist-sized rock. -Who dared??- The dark-haired man rushed out the door, but despite the sparse presence of passers-by he saw no one suspicious. -Damn it!!!- Billy came out in turn, shocked: -Look at this!!! It's a good thing I hadn't exposed anything yet, or the glass would have gone into my candy bowls!!!- -This act of vandalism cannot go unpunished, I'm calling Joe!-

-Are you sure you didn't touch that stone?- detective Dalton asked. -Absolutely; I watch crime stories from time to time, and I know there may be prints on it...- mumbled Billy, arms folded. One gloved officer located the stone, while another took photos and notes. -Do you want to make a complaint?- -Oh, indeed! That's at least three hundred euros of damage; I really can't afford it now!- -Well. We'll do our checks; you in the meantime... pick up the pieces. I'll call you when we have something.- -Certainly.- Jesse put his hands on the boy's shoulders in a gesture of comfort, then turned to Joe: -I heard about the aggression. Could it be the same... lunatic who hit him?- -I don't know. These nutters are a thorn in my side, especially during demonstrations, you know, traditional family and all that... but vandalising a shop is something new. I wouldn't exclude it, though.- -I'll go get a broom...- Billy sighed a bit dejectedly, heading into the backroom. -Hey, Jesse.- In a low voice, Dalton motioned the other to come closer: -You stay with the boy. He seems pretty down to me.- -Obviously. This shop is his whole life. To see it reduced like this is a very hard blow.- -Yeah. It's sad to think there are still people capable of that nowadays. We'll go, and see what comes out of it.- The actor nodded and watched the officers leave, then went in search of Billy, intent on rummaging in a closet cursing at an unobtainable box for collecting glass.

-Do you need help?- -I was sure it was here!- Jesse moved the door: -It's back here.- -Ah...- The blond grabbed the object and went straight to sweeping the shards off the floor and the display shelf. -Billy... If you want, I can pay for your new glass window.- -Huh?- -You said yourself that you can't afford such an expense right now. I can call a glazier and get an estimate.- -You don't have to.- -But I want to.- He approached him, being careful where he stepped: -You've worked so hard to get this business up. I'm sorry they did such a bad thing to you; no one can dare to make you sad!- He realised he had said the last part of the sentence with a little too much emphasis, and blushed, tightening his lips. Billy looked at him with wide, slightly glazed eyes. The dark-haired man strutted, trying to appear confident: -Please. I would like to help put your shop into shape.- -Uh... All right, daddy, whatever you say...- He handed him the broom: -You can start by helping me clean up this mess.-

The glazier would not arrive until the following day, so Billy closed everything and taped a note on the shutter, "Closed for renovation". Jesse thought it would be a good idea to take him for a ride in an attempt to distract him at least a little, so he asked the boy what he wanted to do. -Remember we were supposed to go to the cinema?- -Yes, but it's too early.- -Then tonight. Um...- He pondered for a minute before exclaiming: -Hey!- But immediately lost his enthusiasm: -Oh, no, wait...- -What is it?- -I was planning to go to my favourite arcade, but it's closed today. And apart from the cinema, I can't think of anywhere else to hang out.- -What about your place?- -In the middle of another mess?- -We can clean up your flat together, too, if you'd like.- -You enjoy tidying up!- -Why not? You have to admit that it needs it, but you work so hard that you don't have time for houseworks.- -To be honest, it's laziness that makes things pile up, but other than that... yes, I lack time too.- -So take advantage of my help today.- -Don't you have theatre rehearsals or something?- -No. I'm all yours!- These last words also came out awkwardly in Jesse's ear, but Billy merely smiled: -Then it's all right!-

The actor's mobile phone rang a couple of times. When he checked, he saw that it was a call from call from his theatrical agent, Karl. -Ah, I have to take this...- -Go ahead, I'll finish blocking everything in the meantime!- Jesse took a few steps away and accepted the call: -Hello?- -JJ, my beloved client, how are you? It's been a long time!- -Yes, it's been months now.- He swallowed the mispronunciation of his name with a slight sigh. -Ready to get back from your holiday? I have a couple of killer contracts just for you!- -Actually, I'm a little busy.- -Doing what? Independent theatre comedies? I read the reviews, and you got some nice results, don't get me wrong, but you need to get back to the big leagues, you know? Six months is a long time!- -I intend to come back, but at the right time.- -Ah, one more thing. Your brother was evasive on the subject, but I did some digging and found out that you're in a new relationship.- -Did you call Frank?- He automatically turned to Billy. -Yeah. Look, I don't know if you're going through an early midlife crisis or what, but you better nip this in the bud. Jesse's blood froze in his veins. -What?- -I'm telling you this as a responsible agent; it's about maintaining your image. Come on, he looks like a kid with that face! Do you want the public to think you're a pervert? Your fans adore you, in spite of your "ambiguity", but you'll lose them if the story starts circulating that you're sleeping with someone so young!- -Karl, he's 20 years old...- -He doesn't look it, from what I see.- Trying not to lose his cool, Jesse in a hiss asked again: -How do you know what he looks like?- -One of your colleagues posted some pictures of your "little party after the premiere" on Instagram, and I noticed him there, in the background. I put two and two together. Take it from me, ditch the brat and get back to the big theatre; I've got some stuff in my hand that will take you on a national tour this time!- -Karl?- -Tell me.- -You're fired.- He suddenly ended the call and rejoined Billy, who was checking the last lock: -What a face! Everything okay?- -Yes. It was a work call.- -Bad news?- -Just someone who can't mind their own business, and claims to dictate after months of silence.- -... Jesse, be honest. You seem very angry.- -My agent. He talks nonsense and pokes his nose into my personal life. But I made things very clear.- -Private life?- He held his breath. -Oh, no, did I do something to get you into trouble?- -No. I'll tell you all about it later.- He offered him his arm like a knight: -Shall we go?-

-Where do I put these shirts?- -Have you checked them yet?- -They are clean and folded.- -Then they go in the back of the wardrobe.- It hadn't taken long, considering the size of the flat, to tidy up and throw the rubbish, but the clean T-shirts were indistinguishable from those that were dirty or put on for just one day, so much so that they were in such a jumble. A good half hour went by just for the sorting. -Now will you tell me what happened with your agent?- asked Billy at one point, placing himself cross-legged on the bed still to be made up, looking at Jesse kneeling near the wardrobe. -Ex-agent. I fired him.- -Why?- -You see, I've known him for four years, but other than getting me good contracts he's never been very respectful towards me; he has only ever thought about profits and has repeatedly offended my sexual orientation calling it “ambiguous”.- -Yeah, I don't think that's a very nice term to use.- -It doesn't take a degree to realise that the correct term is bisexual.- -You're bi-what?!? I thought that apart from a couple of women, you only like boys!- The actor looked at him puzzled: -Who told you that?- -Uh... Luke. But only because I needed some advice from an adult.- -Ah. Anyway, Karl, my ex-agent, went too far trying to meddle in my life before, trying to control me. This time he was more insensitive, disrespectful and unpleasant than usual.- -And... did I have something to do with it?- There was no point in lying, so Jesse inhaled deeply through his nose and wiped that toad off: -He claimed that dating someone who looked like a minor would ruin my image. But I told him to go to hell.- -Your... image?- -If I were a film or television actor I might also worry, but I am a modest shadow of the theatre who, however well known, cannot cause much scandal or attract gossip.- -But...- -No "buts". That miserly heart wanted me to leave you to go on a national tour. Even if he'd offered me some prestigious assignment, I wouldn't have said yes.- -Seriously?- -Not even if the Queen of England herself had invited me to perform.-

Big tears began to run down the boy's cheeks, and he tried to wipe them away with the the back of his arm: -Here, see what you're making me do!? I'm whining like a baby! And my bruise hurts...- -Do you need a handkerchief?- The blond stretched out his arms i his direction: -I need a hug!!- He puffed out his cheeks into that funny hamster expression, which Jesse could not resist; he drew close to him and let himself squeeze. Billy's face pressed against his abdomen, and he began to gently caress his head. With his voice muffled by the fabric, the boy mumbled: -I found another thing I like about you.- -What?- Looking from down at him, his cheeks flushed, the blond replied: -You make me feel important.- -Huh?- -I always had the impression that nobody gave a damn about me, since my parents died. But to hear you talk... Well... I didn't think anyone would consider me the way you do.- Standing wide-eyed in astonishment for a moment, processing what the other had just told him, Jesse changed his expression into a sweet smile; he leaned down to the height of the other's face and continued: -Of course you're important to me, Billy.- -... It's nice to hear you say that...- Jesse took his hands in a gentle gesture, not responding but giving him a small kiss on the back of one of them, making Billy chuckle.

Again the ringtone of Jesse's mobile phone managed to interrupt them. The actor became suddenly serious and checked: on the screen was the name of his agent. -Karl.- -What more does he want?- -An avalanche of insults and epithets, evidently.- He did not accept the call and put aside the device on the bed: -Let Frank deal with that vile snake. We are busy here.- Karl, meanwhile, seeing himself thus rejected, called Frank himself, and without giving him even the time to answer, he said: -Your crazy brother fired me!- -What did you expect? I warned you not to try to-- -But after four years I expected a little consideration!- -Keep your voice down and listen to me: leave him alone.- -But...- -He is not like your other clients whom you can easily manipulate. I repeat: leave him alone, or I swear I'll come down to your office and shove every single pencil in your pencil box down your throat. Clear?- Frank's icy calm disconcerted Karl: -Yes, of course.- He threw down the phone call, and the other exhaled: -What a pain in the ass...-

-What do you mean, "we sold out of tickets"??- exclaimed Billy to the girl at the cinema counter. -That's right. The printer is broken, and today's tickets are already sold out. I'm sorry- she concluded. -That's not possible!- The blond man stamped his foot on the floor, really annoyed: -Why is it that every time we want to go to the cinema there's something going on?- -Adversity is to be considered coincidence until it happens too often.- Quietly, Jesse led him out: -We'll try again.- -What now?- -May I propose to buy an ice cream?- Immediately the other's face lit up: -Yes!- Heading down the street that bordered the cinema, Billy took the actor by the hand with a somewhat hesitant movement, turning red. Jesse noticed this, and intertwined his fingers with those of the other, continuing to observe his surroundings with a smirk. Pleased, the boy looked at him smiling: -Hey, what were you saying about coincidences?- -That if something happens all too often, it should not be considered a coincidence.- -As in, "the universe is trying to tell me something"?- -Let's say yes.- -So the universe is telling us not to go to the cinema... -Shall we try an ice rink?- -They won't open for another month.- -I know, but it's an idea.- Reaching a nearby ice-cream place, the dark-haired man bought a coffee cup, while Billy chose the most curious flavour in the assortment, pomegranate, served in a large cone. -It's like eating grenadine!- -What is it?- -You don't know? I marvel at you! It is a pomegranate syrup that is used to make cocktails and grenadines; I'm crazy about it!- To underline the statement, he jumped on the ice cream, then stopped: -Oh, sorry, would you like a taste?- -No, thank you. Wait, though.- With the paper towel he had procured, he wiped the corner of his mouth, and the boy laughed: -I won't run away this time, I swear!- Jesse chuckled as well. The girl at the counter sighed: -Oh, how cute you are! An adorable couple!- The actor turned red, and (more) so did the blond. -How many times have I told you not to comment on the customers!- yelled a man who looks like the master, but she was ready to reply: -It's not my fault I'm a romantic, Francis!- The two continued to argue even after Billy and Jesse had walked away, embarrassed.

Then the boy murmured: -Are we a couple?- -Hm?- -I mean... I thought to be a couple we had to swear eternal love or whatever. . But that girl said we're a couple.- -Of course we are.- -Huh?!?- The calm tone of that statement was what surprised the young man most. -Going out together and sharing personal and even... intimate moments is the basis of any relationship. Of course, romance should not be overlooked.- He breathed in, as if caught by a sudden inspiration, and began to declaim: -Do you love me? I know well that thou wilt say "yes", and I will accept thy word; but if thou swear'st, thou mayst perjure thyself: to lovers' perjury, Jupiter sayeth laugh. Romeo and Juliet, act two, scene two.- -Wow... It's been a while since you said a quote...- -Making promises of love is only part of being a couple. Shared experiences and mutual support, in my opinion, are a more substantial percentage of it.- -Like when you offered to help me with the shop?- -Yes.- With a happy expression, Billy took him by the arm, almost knocking over the bowl of ice cream, and exclaimed: -Aw, so sweet, daddy!- Blushing, Jesse said nothing, too busy keeping his balance after the sudden tug.

Billy invited the actor to stay the night. Jesse was pleased, but he noticed something strange in the other's expression, like a kind of nervousness, or as if he wanted to tell him something but couldn't find the way. While the boy was looking for something for him to put on, he began to undress with his back to him, and he heard him grumble: -I can't find the shirt I gave you last time.- -I put it in the laundry today.- -Ah, that's it.- He turned around the instant Jesse was taking off his jumper, and stood paralysed to looking at him for a moment before blushing violently and exclaiming: -Man!!!- -What?- -Warn me before you undress!- -Oh. Maybe I don't care anymore; I have played many roles at least shirtless, in front of everyone's eyes. I didn't want to embarass you.- -... is it possible to act nude in the theatre?- -Sometimes, if it's in the script.- -Wow. One always learns something.- He couldn't take his eyes off the other's body, who noticed and sneered: -What's the matter?- -No, it's just that...- Billy swallowed and began to nag at the hem of his shirt: -I need to ask you something. It's more of a request than anything else.- -Yes?- -It's not that... Would you teach me... How to do it?- -What?- -The... Touching, that is. Like that, like you did that night.-

Jesse was astonished.

-You see, it's just... I didn't do anything last time, clumsy as I am. And you seemed a bit... I don't know; what I'm trying to say is that I'd like to be able to participate a bit more!- He was so purple that the freckles seemed to disappear from his face. -Haven't you ever tried?- -Well, puberty comes for everyone, but no; let's just say that unlike others I didn't consider it a priority... -sturbing myself...- The last word had been muttered, but Jesse understood perfectly well. -But I don't want to learn for me!- the young man quickly recovered, -I mean, not just for me. I want learn to... how do you say... satisfy you too!- -Me?- Nodding vigorously, he clasped tightly the now utterly wrinkled shirt in his hands: -When you were talking about intimate and personal moments, wasn't that what you were referring to?- -Yes, but...- Jumping on the bed, Billy didn't let him continue: -So, if we're a couple, don't I have to figure out what to do with you and for you?- He got down on his knees on the mattress and leaned towards Jesse propping his hands on his legs: -Am I wrong, daddy?-

The thing that was getting Jesse's heart rate up most of all was the total absence of malice in all that talk. Shyness, sure, but not malice. He had the impression that the boy had just asked him to teach him how to drive, or anything other than what actually had been said by a Billy who was staring at him wide-eyed, expectantly. -All right. But we have to proceed step by step; will you listen to me?- With a big grin, the blond exulted: -All right, daddy!- -Well, I'd say... that we can start by getting under the covers. Never mind wearing pajamas, in this case, but keep your underwear on.- -Ok!- Sitting down on the other side of the bed, Billy began to undress in turn. Jesse's mobile phone rang for an incoming message, and when he checked it was from Frank. It said, "I grilled Karl. You can look for a new agent now. Say hi to Billy, I know you're with him." It followed the emoticon of a wink. The dark-haired man smiled: he knew he could count on his brother for certain annoyances.

-Hey, Jesse!- Billy called to him from under the covers: -Put out the big light please! I turned on the one on the bedside table. Uh, floor actually.- -You didn't have to hide like that!- joked the actor, who complied with the request and then joining him by sitting on the mattress, legs slightly up. -What are you doing?- -Come and sit on my lap, so we can start.- Swallowing nervously, the blond shyly complied: -Is that alright?- -Perfect.- He took his face in his hands: -The easy part starts now, with a kiss...- The low tone in which he uttered this sentence sent a warm thrill through Billy, who stood when Jesse kissed him, a tender contact that went on for a while until he felt the tip of the other's tongue brushing his lips to enter. Indulging him, the blond in turn took his companion's face in his hands and let the kiss deepen, although he was quite uncertain what to do. He then let his hands slide onto Jesse's shoulders, leaving them resting there. The other interrupted the kiss, slowly, to continue the conversation: -Do you remember the kisses I gave you on your neck?- -Yes...- -Try giving them to me.- He tilted his head slightly to the right: -It's not difficult. It's as if you kiss me normally, only in a different spot.- -I have to... How?- -As you wish. I'll tell you a secret: the left side of the body is more sensitive, because it's the side of the heart, so it has more nerve endings. Don't be afraid to make a mistake.-

Following the suggestion and trying to remember what Jesse had done, Billy began giving him shy kisses in the area between his neck and shoulder. He could taste the other's skin, which encouraged him to also use his tongue a little. Despite such uncertainty, he felt the dark-haired man trembling and ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it: -Nice, you're doing well...- This prompted the boy to dare, and he gave a little bite on his companion's shoulder. Unfortunately it took too much strength, and Jesse let out an "ouch" with a little jerk, which was enough to alarm the boy: -I'm sorry, I didn't do it on purpose!- -It's nothing.- He took his chin between his thumb and forefinger: -It means I'll have a mark from you for a while. I appreciate the enthusiasm.- That velvet voice sent poor Billy, that shivering and turning as red as a tomato did not reply. -Let's continue. Where did I kiss you after the neck?- -You went further down.- -Come on, then.- Inhaling to try to recover at least a little, the blond objected: -But... what if I bite you one more time?- -Relax, there's an alternative. He placed his hands on either side of his torso. With the fingertips of his thumbs he began to tease the other's nipples with circular movements, who let out a little cry. Trembling at that stimulation, Billy tried to repeat the manoeuvre on the actor, always with some uncertainty; when he became familiar with these gestures, however, he managed to extract a sigh from Jesse, who arched his back slightly: -That's it, don't hesitate...- They exchanged another kiss, much more passionate than before, they both continued to caress each other like that; Billy moved his own pelvis closer to Jesse's almost automatically, feeling an increasingly cumbersome obstacle. His hands slipped a little everywhere because of the damp skin where they rested.

Propping his knees up on the mattress, the blond lifted himself up a little to overpower the actor, causing him to look upwards without breaking the kiss. Jesse grabbed him by the hips to keep him as close as possible, while the boy began to run his hands over his head and to the sides of his face, increasingly sure of what he was doing, his hair sticking up on his neck. To himself the dark-haired man was quite happy with that initiative. Billy interrupted the kiss to catch some air, but he did not move farther away from the face of the other: -J-Jesse...- -Yes?- -I think... I think I'm ready to continue...- -Very well.- He made him sit back on his own legs, leaving them slightly open so that the other man's would be too: -Then, again... Do as I do.- He slipped a hand into his boxers, beginning to caress what he found underneath them slowly. Stifling an exclamation, Billy replicated the other's gesture more slowly, then grimaced: -It's strange... To the touch...- Feeling himself being touched like that, Jesse also sighed deeply: -I know... But don't think about it... You'll see that it will be better later...- He resumed his caresses, and after a few seconds the other one too, who was panting conspicuously, and mumbled: -But I don't want it in... my mouth...- Giggling softly, Jesse replied: -It's not necessary...Don't worry...-

They both quickly found the same rhythm. They resumed the kiss where they had left off, but the shortness of breath due to panting made it difficult for them to stay in contact for long. -Is it normal... for it to be so slippery?- asked Billy at one point. -Yes... It means you're doing well...- He accelerated, cowardly, tearing an excited cry from the young man, who nevertheless succeeded in doing the same with his own hand, and the actor let out a low-sounding moan. The latter then, licking his lips, increased the rhythm; so did the blond. In a rough voice, Jesse said one last time: -Together, now, if you can...- He moved his pelvis as much as possible to comply with his companion, who responded in the same way without further hesitation. -Jesse...!- The first to yield was Billy, followed after a second by the other in a climax almost in unison. Leaning his head on the black-haired man's shoulder, Billy recovered his breath, slipping his hand out of the other's boxers. He felt his fingers sticky and wet, and he had the same feeling in his own underwear. He was fine, not only because he did not feel faint, but because there, in the other man's arms, he felt a strange and new mixture of emotions, so much so that he exhaled without thinking: -I love you...- Those two words reached Jesse's ear as sweet as honey but as strong as a cannonball, and for a moment his still over-excited heart missed a beat.

Not receiving an answer, Billy pulled himself together: -Hey, are you there?- The actor was looking at him with his dark eyes wide open, in an expression between surprise and almost uncontrollable emotion. -... Jesse?- The latter clasped the blond man to himself and kissed him tenderly, and then whispered again with that low tone: -Ah, my dear Billy... This love is mutual, you can believe me...- -D-Do you??- -Yes. And woe to anyone who dares come between us. The danger is more in your eyes than in twenty of their swords: if you look on me gently, I shall be strong against their hatred.- Billy exclaimed: -Romeo and Juliet! Act two, scene two!- Jesse was taken aback. -I did my homeworks while you were gone, see?- the boy chuckled with a huge grin, snuggling into the arms of the other, who began to caress his head and cheeks until they fell asleep.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Joe Dalton returned home looking like he had spent a hard day. He was greeted by the smile of Luke, who emerged from the kitchen, in his dressing gown and holding a blue mug in one hand: -Hey.- -Hey. I thought you were already in bed.- -Not with the thought of a crazy woman wandering around Paris. Did you find her?- -Yes. The arrest wasn't so easy: she broke the nose of one of my officers before we managed to neutralise her. So, in addition to assault and vandalism, she will be charged with resisting arrest and assault on a public official. She is now in a cell, awaiting her lawyer.- -Big mistake on her part not to wear gloves when she threw that rock.- -Yeah, the forensics guys did a great job. I'll call Billy and Jesse in the morning to tell them the good news.- -In the meantime...- Luke set the cup down on the first shelf he could find and walked over to his companion, then took him from under his arms and lifted him up from the ground: -... Let me reward you for your hard work, my dear.- He gave him the sweetest kiss, which was immediately returned. Joe then chuckled: -You know, I'm not so tired after all...- -I knew you were going to say that!- He take him up in his arms and head for the bedroom, forgetting all about the still half-full mug of green tea.

[adultish-momma]

Bonus Scene: Pay the Price

Yuu is not going to fall into the trap of doing the work without the title and the benefits thank you very much.

Warnings: The whole thing is just dialogue. I didn't write a single thing that wasn't being spoken out loud. It's mainly two separate conversations between two characters, but there are like, five 'speech bubbles' at the very end that is four distinct speakers, so feel free to ask me for clarification on who is speaking if you get confused!

A/n: While not fully on the "slander-Crowley" bandwagon (thank you weird complicated relationship with management/direct authority figures), no one is safe from Yuu's wrath. So let's cook some carrion.

P.S. If you want to place this in a timeline, the first conversation happens right after the beginning of Book 2, and the last conversation would be occurring soon into the interim of Book 2 and Book 3

"Crowley, I'm going to say this in the most polite and respectful way I can, but what the hell?"

"Language! Such aggression against your poor Headmage! Whatever have I done to deserve this treatment from my own student?"

"Did you or did you not just get out of another housewarden meeting?"

"Why yes, the meeting was actually quite productive for once. We were able to clear up some final details on an upcoming inter-dorm tournament. All because of my gracious guidance of course."

"An inter-dorm... Crowley, how many times do I need to tell you to invite me to Dormleader meetings? There is a student registered under my care, I have to know things! Like an inter-dorm tournament!"

"Yes yes yes, I'll remember next time, for I am oh so caring about my poor students' desires and needs. But would you look at that, I must be getting back to work, busy busy, running a school full of such unruly - I mean! Such energetic young men. Run along now Prefect, shoo, shoo"

--------

"Ah Headmaster, welcome back!"

"What- Wh- Prefect just what is the meaning of this?!"

"Oh, don't mind me. I'm just updating my schedule with all of the Dormleader meetings you have planned for the rest of the semester. Oh! I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty to make a copy of last meeting's notes as well, since I was already here and all."

"Prefect, this is completely out of bounds. I let you get away with a lot, for I am ever so gracious, but breaking into my office to steal confidential information is beyond crossing the line. The Prefect of Ramshackle you may be, but you are not a housewarden. You do not have the same level of access, nor the same privileges that they receive. You would do well to remember this."

"Mmm. Is that so? Well, alright, message heard loud and clear. I'll be going now, good luck with all that paperwork."

"Paper- Prefect what is this stack of papers you're leaving behind!? This is nearly as tall as my beak is long!"

"Oh, all that? That's all the paperwork every dorm has to have completed for the school. Stuff like budgets and activity proposals and student reports. There's some extra in this stack since Ramshackle is being re-established, so some of this is things like drafts of the dorm code of conduct and mock-ups of uniforms for the Ramshackle students. At least 20 pages are just the building inspection "this absolutely needs to be fixed" checklist."

"And why have you decided to leave your paperwork behind on my desk?"

"Because that's all paperwork for the dorm leader to fill out. And I'm not a dorm leader. So when a dorm has no house warden or vice house warden, that dorm's assigned staff member takes on the duties of house warden until a student replacement can be assigned as the new dorm leader. And seeing as you're Night Raven's esteemed HeadMage, I'm sure you're well aware of the fact that you are the assigned staff member for Ramshackle dorm."

"O-of course I knew that. And as the esteemed HeadMage of this institution, I am much too busy to be doing so much paperwork for only one dorm. I would love to help my poor magicless student, for my heart is filled with such sorrow thinking about your tragic situation. But I am afraid that if I take on the house warden paperwork for Ramshackle, on top of all the ever-so-important duties I have as HeadMage of Night Raven College, I will never be able to search for a way to send you home Prefect."

"Are you trying to blackmail me into doing the work of a dorm leader, but receiving none of the benefits that come with that title?"

"Why I would never do such an outrageous thing! Me, blackmail a student? Why, I was just lamenting over how terrible your situation already is, and how much potential it has to get even worse."

"Speaking of my situation, I bet it would make such an interesting story to the news outlets and reporters throughout Twisted Wonderland. The magicless student from another dimension, brought here against their will, started as a janitor and is now the top student in their grade at the revered Night Raven College for the Arcane Arts. What an underdog story. Personally, I think Professor Ambrose at RSA will enjoy hearing about just how generous you've been to poor pitiful me."

"Yuu, are you blackmailing me?"

"Dire, do you want me to do the Ramshackle paperwork?"

...

...

"What exactly is it that you want?"

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

"Oh! Prefect, I didn't expect to see you here. Crowley hasn't arrived yet if you were looking for him. But you'll have to make it quick, for we should be trying to start our House Warden meeting fairly soon after he gets here."

"Oh thank you Riddle, but I'm here for the meeting."

"Oi, Herbivore, your ears are working, right? House Warden meeting. As in, not for cubs like you. So move along, before that crazy crow comes. Can't get a moment of peace if he sees his 'precious Prefect'"

"Ah well you see, the thing is-"

"Amazing! I see everyone is here and ready for the meeting to start. First order of business. I'd like you all to meet Yuu, the new Ramshackle House Warden."

[albakore]

Away From Home

Characters: Zhongli, Diluc, Kaeya, Childe, Thoma/Tohma (fem!reader) (fic)

Synopsis: (office!au) Even your boss Zhongli has moments where self control goes out the window to make way for carnal desires.

Warnings: not sfw (18+) reverse harem, (an orgie?), semi public sex again, creampie, oral (giving), petnames (angel, princess, gem), squirting, umm? did i miss anything?, not proofread because im lazy if you catch any errors feel free to shoot me an ask,

A/N: This is a part two to Office Adventures but t's not necessary that you read it before this. I don't know if people were expecting a direct continuation of the last one but I took some creative liberty because I felt like that would be boring and instead created a whole new scenario, I hope you all enjoy it just the same!

⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘•⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅ ⊰ ⋅•⋅

The sexual tension in the office since that (ahem) eventful meeting had been nothing short of palpable, as Lisa had been ever so kind to point out. Even Jean and Eula were starting to grow frustrated with the way Childe and Kaeya made it painstakingly obvious their lust for you, and as you explained to Jean apologetically, they just wouldn't seem to take your request to tone it down seriously. Though you couldn't deny that even you often found your mind wandering as you sat alone in your office, frequently coming to remember the way you wobbled out of the meeting room that day, cunt quivering and leaking cum.

Luck seemed to be on Jean's side however, because this week you found yourself away from the office on an important regional business conference accompanied by none other than the men themselves, leaving her alone in charge of the office for a few days. The adventure of being in a new place was always exciting; there was light in your eyes as your plane touched down just outside the city, the skyline stood shimmering off in the distance. Though, as Diluc so gracefully reminded you, this was not a vacation but a business trip and most of your time would be consumed by meetings and other work-related affairs.

"(Name)!" You heard someone call from behind you. You were walking back to the hotel after another boring day of drifting in and out of meetings with people you hardly knew and topics you hardly cared about.

"Hm?" Your head turned to see three familiar figures waving at you as they approached.

"Care to join us for dinner? It'll be our treat." Childe asked once they had caught up to you, falling into step beside you.

"Where are you guys going?" You asked. You silently took in the appearance of the boys beside you. You hadn't gotten a chance to see them all day since you greeted them at the complimentary hotel breakfast bar this morning, and you had to admit they cleaned up nicely. You admired the three's formal dress, remembering the way Zhongli had specifically lectured them on the importance of appearance at an event like this. You notes Thoma's expensive looking watch and Kaeya's tailored button-up shirt that was, of course, unbuttoned halfway now that the workday was over. Childe had his suit jacket thrown over his shoulder, one hand holding the jacket the other shoved in his pocket.

"Mr. Zhongli found this fancy looking French restaurant a few blocks away, he wanted us to get there before we missed our reservation time." Thoma answered.

"Where is he?" You asked, taking note of his and Diluc's absence from the group.

"He and Diluc got caught up in some last minute business they had to attend to. It's times like these I don't envy the higher up positions of our company's cofounders." Kaeya answered you this time. "No matter how attractive the pay increase may seem, I can only handle so much overtime."

"You can say that again." Childe chuckled in agreeance, "I can't tell you how many times I've left the office only to come back in the morning and find Zhongli still hunched over some paperwork."

"Hey, guys, I think this is the place." Thoma motioned to the building you were approaching, and you immediately realized that 'fancy looking' was an understatement. "Will you be joining us, Lady (Name)?" Thoma questioned, extending his hand as an invitation to you.

"I don't see why not." You flashed him a smile before placing your hand in his, allowing him to tug you along. Kaeya opened the door for you, gesturing to allow you to step inside first. You were awestruck by the inside -- if you thought ‘fancy looking’ was an understatement for the outside, then the inside could be described as nothing short of grandiose. There were round tables covered in white cloth and fancy silverware, a fountain sat in the middle of the room behind the hostess desk and elegant trimmings lining the staircase off on the far side of the room. You quickly quelled your shocked expression as the hostess approached you.

"We have a reservation for six under the name Zhongli." Childe told her. "We'll have two more joining us later."

She checked her ledger and quickly crossed off the name. "Right this way, sir." She said to Childe with a polite smile. She led your group away from the main room, opening the door to a nicely decorated single-table room with a pleasant and romantic vibe, most likely accredited to the soft lighting.

“Thank you.” Childe told her as you four took your seats. One side of the table had booth-style seating and the other side had individual chairs. She closed the door with a click, and before you knew it you were sat in between Kaeya and Childe on the booth side, with Thoma directly across from you. You picked up a menu and began flipping through it to get a feel for what items might interest you. Before long, Childe’s hand had found its way onto your thigh. You looked down at it before looking back at him, a silent prompt for an explanation. “What?” He inquired mischievously, thumb rubbing your skin gently.

You opened your mouth to respond, but before you could your server opened the door with a brief knock. Childe’s hand stayed firmly in place as the server introduced themselves before asking if they could get you guys anything to drink. Thoma and Childe ordered regular fountain drinks, and requested two extra waters be brought out preemptively for Diluc and Zhongli whenever they should arrive.

“Ah yes may I have a glass of your finest red wine.” Kaeya asked with a smile once it came his time to order, earning a look from you. “What? It’s coming out of Diluc’s pocket not mine, might as well make good use of it.”

"And I'll have a..." You started, feeling Childe's hand inch upwards as the servers gaze remained fixed on you. "Just a r-regular glass of water please." You managed to force out while trying to ignore the growing feeling of need that Childe's attention was causing you. You smiled at the server as they stated that they'd be right back with your drinks.

Moments after the server left, Thoma's phone started buzzing. He answered it and paused for a few moments before he stepped away saying something about needing to meet Diluc and Zhongli in the lobby. That left you alone trapped in a booth with two mischievous gazes focused on you. "I must say, (Name)," Childe started, "you look absolutely stunning tonight. You really took Zhongli's 'Dress to Impress' speech to heart it seems." His flirty demeanor was predictable, earning a chuckle and an eye roll from you. His fingers were tracing patterns into the flesh of your inner thigh, head resting in his other hand as he studied you. You felt Kaeya's arm snake around your torso, hand coming to rest on your hip.

"He's right, you should wear this outfit more often." Kaeya whispered into your ear.

“You know, typically you’re supposed to wine and dine me before you-“ A knock resonated from the door, cutting you off and causing Kaeya to pull away from you but neither him nor Childe made any effort to remove their hands from where they were situated. The server entered with the table’s drinks on a tray, dishing them out to their respective spots on the table before asking if anybody was ready to order. Kaeya told them politely that we would wait for the rest of the group to join us first, and with that they turned and exited the room again.

You watched as Kaeya reached for his no doubt expensive wine, taking a sip and letting out a satisfied hum. "This wine is absolutely divine, it's not often I get the chance to indulge in such luxury. Would you like to try some, angel?" Kaeya asked you while his fingertips traced your hips.

"Sure." You hummed back, reaching out to grab the glass but Kaeya stopped your hand. You looked at him quizzically, watching as he dipped two fingers into the glass and let the crimson liquid pool at his fingertips. He brought his fingers to your lips, waiting for you to part them. You did, but only ever so slightly, letting your tongue drag along his slender fingers with a hum of delight as you maintained eye contact with him. Once upon a time you may have been flustered by his actions, but ever since the incident in the meeting room you have become no stranger to these types of occurrences. You pulled away before pressing a kiss to the pads at the tip of his finger.

"Divine indeed, captain." You added teasingly, the nickname a reference to a costume he wore to a halloween party last year that had caught on and stuck around even months after. You watched his unreadable expression closely as you awaited his response. He grabbed your face, tugging you toward him so he could plant a firm kiss on your lips while he caressed your cheek gently. You felt Childe's hand inch upward yet again further and further before finally reaching your clothed sex. Your breath hitched as Kaeya deepened the kiss, Childe rubbing you through thin material at a teasingly slow pace. You shifted your hips, trying to gain more friction from his fingers.

Kaeya pulled back from the kiss to let you catch your breath. "You know, there is one thing that would make this wine taste better." He kissed along your jaw and down your neck, breath fanning your skin as he continued. "If I could pour it over your chest and lick it off of you, slowly, inch by inch while you squirmed under my touch. That would make this experience undeniably perfect." You felt a shiver run down your spine, hand intertwining with his hair. As if working in tandem with Kaeya, Childe took this opportunity to slip his fingers past the barrier of fabric, your slick making his fingers run smoothly over your folds. Your free hand extended over to Childe's lap so you could palm him through his pants, thumb caressing the imprint of his erection. He let a breathy moan right next to your ear, fingers slipping into your heat.

"This is our reserved room, correct?" Zhongli’s voice resonated from just outside the door before the door swung open. He stepped in, followed by Diluc and Thoma. Your eyes met with Zhongli's as you tried futilely to push the lustful duo off of you. You filled with embarrassment when you thought about how sleazy you must look with Kaeya's lips attached to your neck and Childe's fingers squelching in and out of you. "Thoma, switch with (name), please. Evidently these two are incapable of practicing self control."

"W-what?" You protested, stomach sinking at the thought of disappointing your boss.

"Seriously, you two wouldn't know good timing if it hit you in the face. Your hotel rooms are literally a few yards away from each other." Diluc scoffed, tossing his suit coat over the back of his chair before pulling it out and sitting in it.

Childe pulled away from you, frowning at Diluc's words. "If I'm not mistaken, it was you who was moaning her name last night while you were alone in the shower, no?"

"And if I'm not mistaken, I'm still your boss. Watch how you talk to me." Diluc shot back immediately, crossing his arms over his chest. You scooted out of the booth, over Childe's lap, effectively pulling away from the two.

"Sorry.." You fiddled nervously with the hem of your skirt, still trying to recover from the embarrassment.

"You misunderstand me, gem, I'm not upset at you in the slightest." Zhongli smoothed over some of your hair comfortingly. "I specifically had a talk with these two about keeping things professional on this trip. This has nothing to do with you or your actions." You stared at him for a second before nodding. You took your place in between Zhongli and Diluc, directly across from where you had been previously sitting.

"How did your meetings go?" Zhongli asked you, tone much softer than the one he had just taken with Childe and Kaeya.

"They were boring for the most part, I managed to make a few connections though so that's good. What about you?" You responded, tuning out Diluc and Childe's bickering in the background.

"Stressful, I had many presentations to give, and only few bode over well."

"That's just how it goes." Thoma chimed in. "Tomorrow is a new day filled with new opportunity, I'm sure you'll do better."

"Stressful, eh? Fortunately for you, I know of the perfect way to relieve stress." Kaeya, ever the troublemaker, fixed his gaze on you pointedly for a few seconds to allow his point to get across. He just couldn't help himself when the ball was set up fo perfectly for him to spike it. You studied Zhongli's expression, his face remaining stoic as he processed Kaeya's innuendo.

"Unfortunately, the rules I set for you two apply to me as well. It would be wholly unfair to not hold myself to the same standard I hold my staff." Zhongli answered effortlessly. Seems like all these years of press conferences seemed to have really sharped his ability to form charismatic responses. Wait, 'unfortunately'?

"C'mon, Zhongli, (name)'s had eyes for us just as much as we've had eyes for them. You should see the look they get on their face when they're alone in their office." Childe laughed after ending his bickering session with Diluc. Your eyes went wide at that, having whole-heartedly believed you were being careful about when to indulge in your fantasies. "Besides, doesn't fucking them senseless sound like the perfect pick-me-up after a long day of meetings."

Zhongli seemed like he was still struggling to process his comment, resolve chipping with every second. He couldn't deny the nights he spent replaying the image of you bent over that table while he pleasured himself, and tonight was shaping up to be no different -- well, that would have been the case had he not attended this dinner. His eyes shifted over to you, inner turmoil apparent in them. Evidently, your response would be the deciding factor that pushed Zhongli to either side of the fence.

"He's not wrong." You shrugged, offering Zhongli a small smile. It was a simple sentence, only three words and yet… You watched his expression darken in that moment, his half hard erection already apparent in his pants.

"Thoma," you immediately noted the way his voice seemed to have dropped an octave. His gaze never once left yours.

"Yes boss?" Thoma responded almost instantly.

"Lock the door." Zhongli growled. Your heart skipped a beat, you felt heat rush straight to your core. The way Zhongli was looking at you made you feel bare even though not a single article of clothing had been removed from your form, at least not yet.

"The waitress is going to come back to place our order though." Diluc seemed to be the only voice of reason in this scenario. Thoma returned, scooting back into his spot in the booth, forcing Childe to be the one trapped in the middle this time. "That's gonna look awfully suspicious."

"Frankly, I can't seem to bring myself to care about that right now." Zhongli stood from his seat. He turned toward you, motioning for you to stand as well. "We'll tell them I had an important announcement that I didn't want getting interrupted or something." He lifted you at the hips and set you down on the table, placing himself in between your legs and pulling your core to meet his crotch. His lips caught yours, deep and breathtaking, as his hands roamed over your body. He tugged your shirt to untuck it until his fingers came into contact with the hem. He pulled it up, breaking the kiss to allow him to discard your shirt.

You found yourself rocking against him as his lips worked down your neck and chest. A new pair of hands hooked themselves under your bra clasp. You looked back to see Childe's arm extended. He pushed the straps off your arms, allowing the bra to fall away and expose your breasts. The cool air made your nipple perk instantly. You felt Childe's hands tug you down gently, allowing your back to lay against the cool cloth. You looked over to see Diluc's hands full of your table's drinks as he set them off to the side to avoid any accidents. Thoma eagerly took one of your nipples into his mouth while Kaeya's cold hand cupped the other.

Childe scooted the table away from him to provide him with the room to stand up. Your cheeks burned as you found yourself face to face with his still clothed erection. He chuckled at your expression, fingers caressing your cheek. He let his pointer finger trail delicately down your jaw to your chin, and then from your chin down your exposed neck. You shivered slightly at the way it tickled.

You felt someone tug down your skirt and your underwear, cool air rushing over your core. Zhongli had managed to free his member from his pants and was pumping himself outside of your field of vision. His other hand was pressed to your hip. He admired the way your chest heaved. Thoma and Kaeya littered your skin with bite marks and kisses. You watched intently as Childe followed in Zhongli's lead, freeing himself from his pants. Your lips parted slightly in anticipation, breath fanning the tip of Childe's dick with every exhale. Zhongli lined himself up with your entrance, you clenched your fists when you felt his tip push in. He sunk the rest of the way into you, a sigh of relief falling from his lips. He silently thanked Kaeya and Childe for prepping you so well before he had even arrived. Childe repeated this same process with your lips, slowly sinking into your mouth and relishing the feeling of your warm tongue wrapping around him.

The men both started thrusting at the same time but at very different paces. Childe was eager and less restrained, holding you steady while he fucked your face. He was also louder, not seeming to care if the staff or other patrons heard how good you were making him feel. Zhongli on the other hand was slower, drawing all the way out of you before slamming back into you. Though, after a few moments he seemed to compromise with himself and picked up the pace slightly, only drawing partially out of you, but still enough to let you feel his tip hit deep inside of you with each powerful thrust. You felt Diluc's familiar fingers come into contact with your clit, rubbing you in just the right way to make you clench around Zhongli and moan around Childe. Diluc left kisses all over your lower half, his long hair spilling over his shoulder and tickling your stomach.

The lewd sounds of slapping and kissing and sucking were all that could be heard in the room, along with Childe’s occasional unrestrained noises of pleasure. He moaned your name, head thrown back and mouth agape. His cheeks were flushed bright pink, and they only seemed to glow brighter the closer he got to cumming. Childe's pace became sloppy and erratic as he drew near to his own orgasm, thrusts becoming shallow as he chased euphoria. He pulled out right as he hit his high point so he could paint your chest with his cum. He moaned your name particularly loudly as he did, using his own hand to slowly lower himself down from his peak.

Kaeya pulled back and marveled at the marks he left on your skin, the imprints of his teeth visible in several spots. "My turn already?" He hummed, fingers tracing over the splotches and bruises on your skin. "A shame, I wasn't finished with my work of art yet." He stood up nonetheless as Childe fell back on the seat behind him, still trying to catch his breath. Kaeya quickly took his place, much to Thoma's disappointment. Kaeya's signature smirk hadn't left his face once while he admired the way your breasts glistened with a mixture of sweat and cum. He slowly undid the button to his pants, pushing them partially down his legs before moving to his underwear. You swear his cock bounced when it sprang free, tip flushed and absolutely beautiful. It seems this man truly didn't have an ugly bone in his body.

You felt Zhongli slowly coming undone inside you too, his cock twitching more and more every time he pushed himself into your smooth walls, even more so whenever Diluc's added stimulation made you clench around him. You felt yourself rock against his fingers, your own climax on the horizon. Zhongli gave one final thrust into you before you felt him spill his hot seed into you, his fingers digging into your hips in an attempt to ground himself. You moaned at the feeling of your walls being coated white. Kaeya took this as an opportunity to muffle you with his cock. He stuffed your mouth full of him, watching in a sort of satisfied sadistic fashion as you choked slightly on his length.

Zhongli pulled out of you after he finished cumming, panting heavily. You whined around Kaeya's cock at the loss of contact, hole clenching desperately around nothing. You squirmed your hips and mewled, hoping someone would get your wordless plea for some form of stimulation. Diluc, ever so observant, was the first one to pick up on your discomfort. "Aw, does my little princess want to be filled up again?" He asked tauntingly. "Do you want my cock inside of you?" His fingers continued to push you toward your orgasm. He chuckled at the way you jerked your hips into his touch, whines becoming louder still even with your mouth full of Kaeya's erection. As he felt your body start to tense, he withdrew his hand from your clit before you could cum. You pressed your thighs together while a groan left your lips, feeling frustrated tears well up in your eyes.

Diluc switched spots with Zhongli and unzipped his pants loud enough to get the anticipation in your stomach building rapidly. You heard fabric bunching and shuffling, and in turn took advantage of the adrenaline rush you were getting to eagerly please Kaeya. You hollowed your cheeks and allowed your tongue to work over him, lewd sucking noises escaping your lips. Kaeya groaned in response, his grip on your head tightening still as he bucked his hips into you frantically. You felt Zhongli's rough hands run over the skin of your breasts, centering on the nipples. You felt him wipe some of Childe's cum off you, and moments later the feeling of his fingers got replaced with his tongue as he sucked slightly on the soft flesh.

You sucked in a sharp breath when you felt Diluc's tip at your entrance, face contorting as you prepared for him to stretch you out just like Zhongli had. You paused as he pushed in -- not all the way, just an inch or so -- to truly revel in the feeling the he was providing you. He sunk in a little bit more to let you get used to the feeling of him in your tight sex, he was a little more girthy than Zhongli. Finally, he pushed into you until he bottomed out, filling your cunt to the brim with his member. A quiet groan escaping his lips; you would give anything to see the blissful look on his face right now.

You squirmed as he started to move. He went slowly at first, letting himself become coated in your slick to make his job easier. He took a few moments to find a good rhythm, one that was much different from Zhongli's. He was steady and consistent, pulling out an inch or two only to push back into you. He lifted one of your legs to give him a better angle, you let out a muffled moan as his tip kissed your sweet spot. Kaeya groaned again at the vibration of your voice. You felt Kaeya’s thumb press slightly against the center of your throat where he could feel himself thrusting in and out of you. You swallowed around him as he gave his last few thrusts before he was sent over the edge, cumming in spurts over your tongue. He let out a long moan that you wanted to keep on repeat forever.

You caught sight of Thoma eagerly awaiting his chance to feel your mouth around him. Kaeya pulled out slowly, stepping to the side (albeit a little bit grudgingly) to let Thoma have his turn. Thoma has already freed himself, precum leaking from the tip. He seemed a little nervous as he found himself finally aligned with your awaiting mouth. “Are you sure this is alright?” He asked, closely watching your face for signs of discomfort. His gentleness was refreshing after the way Kaeya and Childe so unceremoniously face-fucked you.

You giggled, kissing his tip causing his ears to flush red. “Mhm, of course. You’re so good for me~” His eyes went wide at your praise. You let your mouth hang open as an invitation for him to enter you, a high pitched whine escaping him almost immediately after sinking into you. He cupped your head gently, pulling out of you slowly before pushing back into you, truly appreciating the stimulation you were giving him.

Kaeya truly could never sit still with an opportunity so grand in front of him. His fingers found their way to toy with your clit, his cold fingers making you squirm under his touch. Childe, who was still on the couch, had gotten hard again and was pumping himself as he watch you slowly get your holes stuff full of cum. You moaned as Diluc’s dick hit your sweet spot again and again, Kaeya’s cold fingers causing your head to spin. You could feel your orgasm coming fast, and it felt like it was going to be an intense one. You arched your back off the table, whines becoming increasingly more frequent the more pressure built up. Diluc also seemed to be nearing his release, you could always tell by the way he moaned your name. A few more thrusts into you was all it took for you to come undone. You cried out, thighs quivering as you squirted all over Kaeya’s fingers and Diluc’s cock alike. Diluc followed a few seconds after, burying himself inside of you as he came hard, eyes intently watching the sight of you during and after your orgasm.

Thoma’s cock twitched as he watched you make a mess over Diluc’s cock, his breathy moans of your name getting louder and louder. He knew it wouldn’t take long for him to finish, not with the way your tongue traced his veins and your hand assisting him with whatever he couldn’t fit in your mouth. You felt the knot come undone and Thoma’s sweet cum flooded your mouth. He pulled out, gently wiping the spit from your face.

The room was filled with nothing but the sound of heavy breathing as everyone came down from their highs. Zhongli was even nice enough to grab your water from where Diluc had set them off to the side and offer you some as he dabbed away some of your sweat with a napkin. Diluc finally pulled his now softened member out of you, admiring the way your cum-filled hole leaked. He had to fight the urge to fuck every last drop back into you.

A knock resonated from the door, causing everyone in the room to freeze. “Um, sorry to interrupt,” the servers voice sounded meekly from outside the door, “you guys reservation time is up…” You cringed at the idea of having to walk back to your hotel room in this state, legs still wobbly and cum all over you.

“I supposed to ‘important announcement’ excuse won’t work now..” If you didn’t know any better, you’d say Zhongli sounded amused. “No need to fret, I’ll just pay them a generous tip to overlook this little.. endeavor.”

“You mean I’ll pay the tip.” Diluc cut in flatly. You all were lucky the company had the money to be avoiding scandals like this or else you’d all be done for. Maybe he could convince you to, uh, thank him for it later…

[juletheghoul]

Burning Hour (Part 3)

This series has completely taken over my life and I am so happy you are all enjoying it so much - thank you for all of the lovely messages and comments - I treasure them deeply.

So - you shouldn't be surprised that this particular moment on the red carpet absolutely inspired a scene in this story and I regret nothing. Hope you all enjoy this fantasy that's keeping me going lol.

Din Djarin x F!Reader (Virgin reader)

Pairing: Din x F!Reader

Word Count: 4.9k

Warnings: (18+ NO MINORS) Angst, pining, slow-burn, implied arranged marriage, language, age-gap (about 10-11 years, legal, reader is of age) Yearning, jealousy, fingering/touching / slight dirty talk (slightly possessive)

Let me know if I missed anything!

reblogs are appreciated

Masterlist Series Masterlist Part 4

—

You floated through the morning.

Your dreams were full of kisses, of declarations of love and beskar glinting under the sun and it was hard to concentrate on anything.

You smiled to yourself as you broke your fast with warm bread and butter, feeling his eyes on you from his place behind your father.

“Your highness-” Your father’s advisor came through the door holding the usual paperwork, things for him to look over, letters to read. “-A letter has come for the Princess.” He turned to you then with a smile. He was an old man, grandfatherly and sweet. He handed it to you and you noticed from the corner of your eye Din’s helmet turn towards you.

It was a small letter and you noticed how beautiful the script was as you opened it.

Dearest Princess,

I would be honoured if you were to join me here at my home for dinner. My messenger awaits your response and if you agree, I will send my personal household guard to accompany you. I also imagine your knight will be in attendance, I welcome him and whoever else you choose to bring at my table. Ruby as well of course.

Hoping you’ll say yes.

Ever yours,

Poe. D.

“It’s from Poe, he asks that I join him this evening for dinner.” You were frowning at the letter, conflicted because you wanted to stay home, wanted to meet Din in the garden again. A tiny part of you however, the tiniest part wanted to say yes - wanted to see how Poe would behave. Part of you wanted him to do something unforgivable to wipe the smiles off your parents faces.

“Oh but you must go!” Your father’s voice boomed through the room and you imagined that you could almost hear Din’s jaw clenching.

“Yes my darling, you must go. What does the letter say?” Your mother held her hand out and you handed it to her. She smiled as she read it. “Din, you must accompany her.” She was smiling big, excited at the prospect of a match having been made. No one bothered to ask if you wanted to go.

“Yes of course, let his messenger know that the Princess will be in attendance. She will go, Din- I leave her safety in your hands. Take you who must.” It had been decided for you, and you had to accept it. You felt Mila’s hand grasp yours under the table in understanding.

-

“Which gown would you like to wear your highness?” She asked sadly as you put on your undergarments and you sighed.

Whichever one makes everyone leave me alone.

“Whichever you think would look best sweetling, I have no preference.” You said the words and they were honest. Yes - Poe was charming and sweet, handsome and in another life you would have been faint with excitement at his interest in you but you were in love with Din. He was the one you wanted to share a meal with. He was the one you wanted to kiss in the open - to have holding your hand as you sat together in front of the hearth. He was the one you wanted in your bed.

“How about this one?” She held out a lovely powder blue gown. You would have said no, something more plain but you had to be seen to be making an effort.

“Yes, that will do nicely.” You smiled but it didn’t reach your eyes. She didn’t comment on it.

“I will tie a blue ribbon around Ruby’s neck to match, and I think you have some sapphires as well.” She brought over a tray of jewelry for you to peruse while she laced up your gown.

Your mind drifted to an interesting place. You imagined you were preparing for dinner with Din and imagined your knight picking out jewels for you to wear.

Would he prefer diamonds? Would he like me better in opals or emeralds?

You had a feeling he wouldn’t mind either way, but it was lovely to pretend even for a moment. She placed a dark blue cloak about your shoulders and stood back.

“You look beautiful Princess, the blue looks lovely against your skin.” She held up a silvered looking glass and you saw the reflection of a happy woman, although why she was happy - no one could know.

“Thank you sweetling, let's get this night over with shall we?” You smiled at her as you both made your way outside.

---

Din, along with five of his best knights, waited for her to set out for Damerons home. Damerons own household guard waited as well, having been sent to accompany her and he surveyed them. They seemed competent enough, he gave them their space nonetheless.

It was getting more and more difficult to put the future out of his mind - he knew that the Princess would marry at some point, it was her duty as Queen. She might even marry Poe - he knew that objectively they were a good match but his mind simply couldn’t stay objective. Not when it came to her.

This whole thing was moving faster than he hoped and he didn’t know what he could do about it.

You have to face facts Djarin, you’ll never marry her. You are a knight, she is a Princess, there is no place for you. Maybe you should just let her go.

It was in him to do so, to ignore his feelings for her; to find Gisela and ask her to marry him - have a couple of little ones and pray for things to work out. The harsh words to get her to hate him on the tip of his tongue but they evaporated like dew on a sunny day when he saw her come out to meet him.

She was a gem- a bright, glittering thing that he wanted so desperately to hold onto.

“I am ready Sir, shall we?” She smiled shyly and he nodded.

“Of course Princess, allow me.” He guided her into the wheelhouse, dreading and cherishing every single second.

--

The ride was uneventful, the road was quiet thankfully with nothing to see but long swathes of trees and greenery in the gloaming of the evening.

Ruby was napping softly in your lap but woke quickly when you arrived, her little tail wagging happily at the prospect of exploring.

“Yes my little darling - we are here.” She was in Mila’s arms when you pet her, the two of you waiting for the wheelhouse to come to a stop.

Din opened the door for you, he was helping you climb down when you heard Poe’s voice sounding out.

“Princess, I am so pleased you agreed to come-” He was striding over, his squire on his heels. “-I am happy to see you all. Please - be welcome.” He was smiling big at everyone as his guards retreated, no doubt returning to their posts. He crouched quickly to pet Ruby before approaching you.

“Hello Poe, I thank you for your invitation.” You smiled as you took in your surroundings. His home was a beautiful sprawling estate. He must have been wealthier than you thought. “You must give me a tour of the grounds - I would love to see the gardens.” You smiled at him as he offered you his arm.

“Of course Princess, I will show you whatever you wish after our meal - unless you’d like to go now?” He paused for a moment.

“After dinner would be just fine.” You answered as he guided all of you inside.

--

You weren’t sure what to expect about his home when the letter had come in earlier but it was a pleasant surprise. There were fresh cut flowers everywhere, painstakingly detailed tapestries hung up on the walls as you made your way to the large dining room. Lush carpets and plush chairs, truly a man who enjoyed his comforts.

“You have a lovely home Poe.” You smiled as he led you to your seat.

“I thank you Princess -“ He turned to Din and the other Mandalorians waiting by the table. “-Please, sit with us. I meant what I said, you are all welcome at my table.” He gestured to them to sit.

“I do not wish to intrude, we would be happy to eat with the rest of your household guard.” Din replied, his voice was clipped however.

“Nonsense. I insist, I dare say the Princess would be more comfortable if you were to join us.” He said it with an easy smile and Din hesitated slightly before agreeing. They all sat, lining their helmets up before them.

Din barely spoke.

He had never been one for long speeches - you were unsure whether it was because of the helmet, or just his nature. The other Mandalorians were friendlier and Poe took it all in stride. You could see that he took nothing personal and treated them just as he treated you.

Aside from Din’s cool demeanor and Poe’s etiquette, the dinner went well. The food was wonderful and you didn’t fail to notice some of your favourites on the menu.

“I took the liberty of finding out what you like to eat.” He said it quietly, not wanting to draw attention and you favoured him with a smile. It was hard not to like him, he was very thoughtful.

Once the meal was done, he fulfilled his promise and escorted you outside. It was much more open than the gardens back home - everything illuminated by torches and lanterns. There were flowers and neatly pruned shrubbery surrounding the large building. You noticed a stable on one side, as well a modest greenhouse on the other.

“It’s nothing compared to what you’re used to but I enjoy it. The kennels are just behind the stables and there are flowers and different fruit trees just to the right there - that’s where they get the most sun. I’m afraid the night doesn’t do it justice, it’s much lovelier during the day.” He was walking you through the grounds, your arm tucked under his as your party followed.

“It’s lovely, truly.” You were sincere and you couldn’t help but look up, the sky awash in stars. “I would imagine you must spend a lot of time out here.” You let him guide the way.

“Not as often as I'd like to, but I try. Perhaps when we marry I’ll make more of an effort.” He said it with a wink and you scoffed loudly but without malice.

“Oh is that so? Well then I suppose I’ll have to change some things around since in your mind I’ll live here hm?” Your tone was playful but sarcastic and you were acutely aware of Din following the two of you.

“Oh yes Princess, I am quite sure. My home is yours and you may do with it what you will. I live only to make you happy.” He was just as playful and as annoyed as you were that he was so confident in your union, it was also aggravatingly refreshing to be able to speak to someone so honestly - better yet for them to respond in kind.

You ignored it, Poe was charming, that’s all.

Much to your annoyance, the night was enjoyable. Poe was an excellent host and it was later than you had originally planned when you set off for home. The woods were pitch black in some spots, it made you anxious to ride in the wheelhouse while the world outside seemed like it didn’t exist. The soft light of the moon doing nothing to pierce through the darkness of the road at times.

Reaching the palace had been a relief and you said as much when you stepped out.

“You should have told me Princess, I would have ridden in it with you - if it would have helped.” He spoke as he guided you inside. You had wanted to, but the temptation of having him so close would have been too much - and as much as Mila knew about your feelings towards him - you didn’t want her to see you kissing him.

You patted his arm in silent thanks and he said nothing else.

When you reached your room you hesitated at the door, wanting him to pull you away somewhere but he didn’t - instead he waited until Mila got in. He took his helmet off and you smiled at the state of his hair. Your fingers itched to ruffle through it.

“Princess, if it’s not too late, I would ask you to join me for a midnight ride.” He waited for your answer and your smile widened.

“Of course! Would you permit me to change quickly?” You didn’t want to ride in such a stuffy gown - as beautiful as it was.

“I will wait however long it takes.” He motioned for you to go and you did - urging Mila to help you once you reached your bedchamber.

“The soft linen dress I think - with the long shift and the heavy cloak. I want to be comfortable and warm.” You changed as fast as humanly possible - all but ripping the jewelry off and within a few minutes you were rushing out the door. The two of you making your way towards the stables as silently as possible.

You watched him work deftly, his skilled hands saddling his horse with ease. One horse, not two.

“Are we to ride together?” You looked at him confused.

“Is this a problem for you Princess? I thought it might be quicker to get us to safety should something happen if we were on the same horse. I could saddle you your own if you prefer - we just wouldn’t travel too far.” He hesitated momentarily and your heart leapt at the thought that he would be holding you so closely.

“I trust your judgment Sir, one horse it is.” You kept your voice neutral and he nodded, finishing his work quickly. Once he was done - he helped you up and pulled himself up behind you. The cool beskar pressed up against your back as his arms reached around you to grab the reins.

Your dress pooled up around your thighs slightly, but your legs were covered by your big cloak but it was exciting nonetheless. You felt exposed, with his proximity it excited you way more than it should have. It felt forbidden, taboo and thrilling to have it feel like he was holding you. You couldn’t stop yourself from leaning back into his body slightly but he didn’t complain.

The ride through the forest was quiet except for the sound of the night birds, the crickets and the creatures that prowled at this time. The sound of the horses' steps, the sound of its breathing mixing with yours as well as Din’s. He rode through trees, through the little paths only he seemed to know and after a while you were beside a lake. The soft sound of the water kissing the shore added to the nightsong and you were happy that he had brought you here. He had been silent the whole ride, but you felt him take his helmet off behind you and secure it somehow to the saddle.

“You should know that you looked exceptionally lovely today Princess, blue is your colour.” His breath tickled your neck and you shivered. You turned slightly to look back but you couldn’t fully face him, the angle awkward but he kissed you just under your ear to let you know it was okay.

“I thank you Sir, I hoped you would like it.” You leaned back into his arms to tuck your head under his chin.

“You wore that for me? I thought you wore it for Dameron.” His hands came up to hold onto your arms as he pressed little kisses to your neck.

“I always dress for you.” You left it at that, hoping he would understand that despite everything- he was the one you wanted.

“Can I confess something?” His hand came up to slowly undo the cloak tied at your throat.

“Yes, anything.” You answered almost breathlessly, watching his hands open up the cloak to expose your shoulders, the skin of your thighs poking out where the dress had bunched up even more.

“You might think me wicked but, I thought about what it would be like to kiss you.” His hand trailed down as he spoke, rubbing at your thighs over your dress and you watched them in the low light of the moon, mesmerized.

“You’ve kissed me before Sir, you could kiss me now.” You turned a little more but he stopped you.

“I wasn’t thinking about kissing your mouth lovely girl, I was thinking about kissing you somewhere else.” His hands slowly gathered the fabric of your dress, bunching it in his fist - lifting it inch by inch to bare your legs to him. “May I show you where I want to kiss you?” He stopped but you clung onto his arms around you.

“Yes - please show me.” You felt is other hand join the fray and soon he had exposed your lower half to the cool night air. Your undergarments were damp you knew it - the arousal pooling low in your belly at the thought that he might touch you where you most wanted him to. He didn’t disappoint.

His hand trailed up your inner thigh lightly, slowly, up until he skillfully slid it into your undergarments. He groaned deep in his chest when he touched your bare sex.

“Right here. I long to kiss you, taste you here.” His touch was feather light on the lips of your womanhood, slipping along the seam of you. You whimpered, no one had ever touched you here and you felt the slick dripping out of you as you let him explore. “Would you let me Princess? Would you let me bury my tongue right here?” He dipped his fingers low, parting you slightly to dip his fingers just at the entrance - collecting your arousal onto his fingers before slipping them out and bringing them to his mouth behind you. You moaned at the sound of him sucking you off of them and you nodded frantically.

“Yes Din, I would let you - I’m yours.” You moaned the words and his other hand held you in place.

“And I am yours.” He responded before bringing his hand back to where you craved it, this time he spread the lips of your cunt open wide, honing his middle finger on the pearl of your sex. He rubbed tight, slow circles around it and you moaned - trying desperately to open your legs wider. He chuckled darkly behind you.

“Does that feel good Princess?” He turned your face with his other hand, twisting his upper body enough to capture your mouth in a messy kiss, not quite aligned but it sent a shiver of arousal through you and you felt yourself climbing higher and higher- his finger relentless as he sped up a little.

“Yes - Gods yes - it feels so good Din, I thought about you too.” You moaned the words into his mouth. “I think about you touching me like this, when I do it to myself.” He groaned at your confession, his tongue thick in your mouth when he kissed you again.

His finger dipped low to collect more wetness and the glide of it was just right, just slippery enough to send you over the edge and you almost screamed. Your body seizing up with pleasure as your sex clenched around nothing. He cooed into your ear as you rode it out.

“You are intoxicating my lovely one.” He kissed your neck, as he lowered your skirts.

You watched him, blissed out and boneless as he licked his fingers before grabbing the reins again and slowly making his way back to the palace.

-

Mila was snoring softly when you slipped into the room and you were careful not to wake her and as tired as you were from travel it took you a long time to fall asleep. Your heart full of love for Din and a hunger you couldn’t satiate filled your belly. It was a craving for his body, for his kisses, for physical love a woman shared with her husband. You fell asleep hoping - though secretly knowing- that he craved you the same way.

—-

As happy as you were when you awoke the next morning, it was quickly dampened - your father informed you that Poe was to arrive at the Palace as his honoured guest. That he was to stay for a time as a gesture of good will.

You saw right through it.

Your parents had decided that Poe was the suitor they wanted for you and they weren’t being at all subtle.

They informed you with big smiles on their faces, no doubt in hopes of pushing you towards him. It was exhausting - this constant reminder that you would never be truly free to live the life you wanted with Din.

When Poe arrived, he was happy - taking this as a sign that he was winning you over.

“Greetings Princess, I cannot tell you how happy I am to be able to spend more time with you.” He was all smiles and you had no choice but to smile back.

“It will be interesting for sure.” With the way you felt about Din, the intense desire to be around him was at the forefront of your mind. As well as the way Din behaved around Poe, it would definitely be interesting to say the least.

—

Your father invited Poe to dine at your private table, and he engaged him in conversation almost the whole night. They spoke of the future, of how Poe would help rule if he were indeed to marry you. Your mother smiled silently, happy to let the conversation center around the two of you.

Din stood still behind your fathers chair and you wanted nothing more than to pull him to sit with you. To talk to him, kiss him and feed him from your own plate.

“I would want to help people to be quite honest, extend a hand to those that aren’t as fortunate as us. There are people out there starving and that doesn’t sit right with me.” He was honest, to a fault like he said but you admired that.

“That’s very noble of you my boy.” The king nodded.

“It’s very honourable isn’t it my darling?” Your mother smiled at you and you smiled back, nodding around a bite of your food.

“I’m sure the Princess and I could do much and more to help the people who need it the most, if she would let me that is.” He had a shy, genuine smile for you, tentatively reaching over and taking your hand in his. You couldn’t very well snatch it back but you felt Din’s eyes burning into the interaction.

This could get messy.

“Princess, I would humbly ask that you accompany me for a walk through the grounds - chaperoned by your knight of course.” He asked as the remnants of the meal were taken away.

“Oh I’m sure she’d love to join you wouldn’t you sweetling?” Your mother cooed, and you smiled and nodded.

“Yes of course.” You let him guide you, Din following closely behind.

—

“I hope I’m not intruding - I know that the King and Queen are very keen for this to work between us.” He held your hand as you walked arm in arm and you couldn’t help but sigh softly.

“Yes they are aren’t they.” Your tone came out a little more exasperated than you’d hoped but he was well aware that you were not to be swayed by him so easily, you knew he should expect some hesitancy from you.

“I understand that you aren’t impressed and that I am most likely not your first choice. For all I know you might already have your eye on someone else.” He laughed and you couldn’t help but look over your shoulder at Din. “Regardless of that Princess, I know this must be difficult for you but I beg of you to give me a chance to show you that there is potential here. I believe that in time you might come to love me.” He pulled your hand up to his mouth and kissed your fingers.

“You are selling yourself quite hard Poe, I appreciate that you understand that my feelings for you aren’t where you want them to be.” You looked up at him apologetically, expecting him to have a sad look on his face but he surprised you; he was smiling - content to listen to you speak.

“I know, it’s not in you right now but I believe you will see me in a different light. I have faith.” He left the conversation there.

——

It was hard to find time to meet with Din, Poe seemed to be everywhere and his determination seemingly had no bounds.

Your mother found you as you dressed for the day - she had a note from Poe. He was asking you to accompany him into town to hand out some supplies. You couldn’t refuse him, not when your mother had delivered it herself.

“Will Din accompany us?” You asked it offhand, your voice neutral - your face a mask of nonchalance.

“No your father is going on a hunt and Din will be protecting him, there will be other guards with you.” She said it with a shake of her hand as she searched your wardrobe for an appropriate dress. “This will do nicely.” She picked out an off the shoulder, deep berry coloured dress that was not at all practical for a day out in the city.

It would have to do.

-

He had taken you to an orphanage in the heart of the city. There were kids running around of all ages and the older ones ran towards Poe when you entered - recognizing him. He had a big smile on his face as they hugged him around the middle, all decorum forgotten.

“Poe did you bring us anything?” A boy of about twelve years was eager, looking around you to the entourage of guards waiting behind you.

“Of course, brought all of you some good stuff like I always do.” He ruffled the boys hair before he held his hand out to you, you smiled and stepped forward. “I have someone very special here with me today, this is the Princess. Come on over and say hello.” He called them over to you and you saw some of the little girls eyes light up. They flocked to you, asking you if you were indeed the Princess. Asked you if you had a crown, and most importantly why you were there. They were precious.

“She’s here to help just like I am.” Poe answered for you.

A little girl of about six pulled on your dress and you lowered yourself slightly to be at her level.

“Princess, I like your dress, you’re so pretty.” She was smiling at you, her hair was a tangle but her eyes were bright.

“Thank you sweetling, you are much prettier I must say.” You moved the hair out of her eyes and she smiled wide, her little hand clutching at a makeshift cloth doll.

You helped Poe hand out toys and new clothes and there was food for them to eat. You spent the day playing with them and learning about their lives. The women who ran the orphanage knew him and you saw that all of the talk of helping the less fortunate was real, he had already been doing much more than you had ever even imagined.

It was hard to deny the little spark of something that he held within you.

He was handsome, he was kind and smart- funny and generous and with the way his eyes found yours throughout the day; he felt something for you. His eyes were piercing, dark and mysterious and for the first time, he gave you butterflies.

One of the little ones was showing you his space within the building, his bed and his tiny toy horse. He was waxing poetic about how one day he would be a knight. You were smiling at him when Poe stood next to you, his gaze heavy and it sent a flush crawling up your neck to light up your ears.

The fabric at his neck was crumpled and you couldn’t help but reach up to fix it, your arm extended over to him and his gaze focused on it, reached up to hold it to his neck. He placed a delicate kiss to your bicep and pulled you closer. The act was small, but so intimate it did something to you. Melted a tiny piece of you that up until now was frozen to him and he saw it on your face. Felt it in the way you let him hold you close, your arm still around his neck, his hand moving down to hold onto your waist.

The little boy was in front of you now, asking Poe if he would ever give him a real horse and he laughed, not unkindly.

“One day my boy, one day I will give you a horse - only if you promise to behave and be on your best behaviour. Can you do that?” The little boy nodded sagely promising he would. You didn’t pull your arm away, and you couldn’t pinpoint why.

—-

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[nyxerebus]

okay but imagine if Erwin had a child and never told anyone in the survey corps about it

They're 16 and just joined the regiment

Armin and some of the others start to catch feelings and then they find out about their relationship with Erwin-

(I hope that made sense)

-🦋

This is soo cute! i treid my best, but i am very tired so it might be shit, hehe.

“Commander!” The four year old saluted at their father. “Very Good (Y/N)! rember what we say?”

“Offer up our heawrts” (Y/N) had a stern look on their face, but with their little baby eyes and baby fists, they didn't look that serious. “You look like a born soldier! You might outrank me one day” A deep belly chuckle came from Erwin. He picked them up. “Make me fly Dada!”

Giggles filled the room as Erwin held them above his head and moved her around.

“Commander!” This time, it wasn't his cute four year old that saluted him, it was his beautiful 16 year old. He tried to hide his smile, but he couldn't start showing favorites. “Listen up Cadets-” He continued with his speech about honor and the glory of humanity. “Now Cadets, follow Squad Leader Hange and she will show you your new sleeping quarters!”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

KNOCK KNOCK

“Name and Business” Erwin was nose deep in paperwork, but a smile made its ways to his lips when he heard it was his child. “Come inn”

“hey dad” They closed the door before they addressed him. “What can i do for you sweetheart?” He was leaning back in his chair, giving them his full attention. “Just wanted to check up on you! Didn't see you at lunch”

“Im fine, just a lot of paperwork” He was preparing for the next expedition outside the walls. “You know, we need some people back here to make things run when we are gone. And I took the liberty to sign you up” Erwin didn't meet their gaze, knowing they were pissed off. “What!?”

“It's for your own good (Y/N)! It's dangerous out there!” (Y/N) rubbed their temples and paced around the room. “I know that dad! But you can't keep me here forever, he had this fight when i decided to join, i won't have it again. You can't baby me around here and keep me back. I joined to save humanity, just like you, just like everyone else! And i won't let you give me special treatment” Erwin took a deep sigh, knowing he was wrong. “Fine, I’ll take you off”

“Thanks dad, i gotta go. Connie wants to introduce me to his friends” This made Erwins 'protective dad senses’ tingle. “Connie Spring? That boy is nothing but a troublemaker, i don't want you hanging around them” (Y/N) just chuckled, “Of course you don't, but luckily for me, thats not up to you!” Before he could protest. they shouted out a ‘See ya tomorrow!’ and left the room.

“Hey guys! This is (Y/N) Smith! This is Sasha, Jean, Armin and Reiner! And of course you already know about Eren”

“Yes, but its good to meet you all” They smiled at them. They began chatting with the group learning about them, and joking with them

“(Y/N) Smith? As inn Erwin Smith?” Jean asked when they started to walk back to the sleeping area, night time getting closer and closer. “Hehe, yes. thats my dad”

“Your dad is the commander!” Sasha freaked out, but most of the boys started to sweat. Especially Armin, who had taken a bit of a fancy of her. Now he had to get the commander's blessing! Wanting to make a good impression on them ,Armin asked if he could walk them back to their room. “Of course! Thank you” They both started to walk and chatted. They shared a love for books and could discuss them all night. “well this is me, it was really good getting to know you!”

Armin rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, “No problem! Want to eat breakfast together tomorrow?” (Y/N) nodded and opened the bedroom door, but before they walked inn, they leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “See you later Armin” And with that the door closed behind them, leaving a blushing Armin.

“So, Cadet Arlert” A deep voice scared Armin and made him jump around. He met the commander's icy blue eyes. “Your fooling around with my daughter, are you?”

“N-no Sir!”

“Dont lie to me Alert! I saw you eye ogling her” Erwin leaned down so he was at eye level with the poor boy. “If i ever see you close to her, i will feed you to the nearest titan myself” And with that, Erwin walked off.

The next day Armin was avoiding (Y/N) the whole day. He didn't show up for breakfast, and when they were training their ODM gear, he wouldn't even look at them. “What is up with you!” (Y/N) finally confronted Armin after dinner. “Nothing”

“Than why are you avoiding me!” Armin didn't meet her eyes, to ashamed. “Your dad told me to back of, so that is what I’m doing” This shocked (Y/N). “I should go”

“No! Wait! Please let me talk to my father. He will back off if i tell him to, i don't want to loose you” Tears were building up in their eyes. Because of their fathers position, everybody had avoided them growing up. Too scared of their dad. Armin was the closest they had gotten to a friend, to a crush. They didn't want to lose that. Armin just nodded, but when he saw the commander approaching he ‘eeked’ and tried to run off. “Hold it right there Arlet, don't you remember what i said?”

“W-w-well-” Armin started to stutter out some excuse, but (Y/N) took the word. “No dad! You don't get to dictate who I am seeing or talking too! I like Armin, a lot and I won't let you scare him off like you scared every friend i had off!” Erwin was taken back by his child's outbreak, but that didn't stop guilt from taking its hold on him.

“I am sorry (Y/N), i haven't been thinking about your feelings. Its just hard watching my little child grow up”

“I get that dad, but please, i need you to back off”

“I will” (Y/N) hugged Erwin. “Okay, i will let you two alone” He smiled down at them, but turned to Armin with a stern look. “But if you hurt them, i will kill you”

“Y-yes sir!” And with that Erwin walked off. “Want to hang out!” (Y/N) tried to lighten the mood, poor Armin was terrified. “S-sure!” And with that they walked off to the library, (Y/N) was finally getting their first friend, and maybe, first boyfriend.

[drarrily-we-row-along]

Day 6: Proposal

Draco's body sunk pleasantly into the mattress, the soft, cool sheets kissing his overheated skin. His mind was delightfully calm and blank, just floating along in the peace that he could never find outside of this bed and this particular set of arms.

Harry's body was draped heavily over his, rib cage expanding as he tried to catch his breath, the slight quiver in his thighs and his abdomen signalling that he had been just as affected by the proceedings as Draco was.

He blinked his eyes open to watch his own long, pale fingers trail lightly along the other man's bronze skin, the contrast as striking as always. Draco brushed his fingers along Harry's shoulder, then up his neck, before tangling them in his soft curls.

For long moments Draco stroked the other man's hair, being careful not to snag his fingers in knots, before allowing his fingers to delve deeper and gently massage at Harry's scalp.

Harry let out a soft groan and his body relaxed even further onto Draco's, the heaviness of his body a more than welcome weight. After a few blissful moments of Draco's hands smoothing over Harry's skin and through his hair, memorizing all of the strong, hard planes and the soft, smooth curves of his body for the thousandth time, Harry mumbled, "I'll move in just a minute."

"No rush," Draco replied, voice equally soft, equally content. Don't ever move.

But Harry did eventually draw back, not moving too far, just far enough that they could look into one another's eyes. As always seemed to happen when he looked at the startlingly clear, vibrant green of Harry's eyes (when they weren't hidden behind his glasses), Draco's breath hitched in his chest. You are so beautiful.

Harry's fingers caressed his cheek before his lips brushed over Draco's, and Draco's heart pounded against his ribs, trying to escape his chest and find it's way to Harry.

"I love you," Harry whispered before he leaned in and trailed light, barely-there kisses across Draco's cheekbones, "So much, Draco."

And in that moment Draco knew that he wanted this for the rest of his life, knew that he would never feel complete without it, knew that one lifetime would simply never be enough so he needed to make this one count.

He began planning the perfect proposal.

(More under the cut)

It had taken six months. Six months to get everything perfect for his proposal.

He checked himself over once more in the mirror before heading out the door, locking it behind him with his muggle key even though it was warded. His neighbors always gave him funny looks if he just walked away without locking the door.

Draco arrived first, arriving early even though he knew that Harry would be late. It meant he'd have time to run through his speech one more time in his mind. Anxiously he patted his pocket, feeling the comforting weight and shape of the ring box in his pocket.

Soon enough, Harry was rushing into the restaurant, tripping over himself and his apologies. He was always late. Always. Honestly by this point Draco usually brought a book everywhere with him. "Darling," he interrupted, cutting off the flow of the other man's explanation. "It's alright."

Harry's smile was as brilliant as the sun when he plopped into the seat across from Draco, "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you."

"I mean," Harry started before taking a large drink from the glass of water in front of him, "You always look gorgeous, of course."

"Of course," Draco teased.

Harry rolled his eyes as he finished off his glass of water, then he said, "But especially today. I love that shirt on you."

"Thank you," Draco said.

"Don't they usually give us menus here?" he asked, looking around with a bit of confusion.

He nodded, "I took the liberty of ordering for us, though. Do you want some wine? I got a bottle of that Chianti that you enjoyed so much the last time we were here."

Harry just stared at him for a long moment, "Yes," he said finally. "Yes, I do want some wine."

"Alright," Draco replied, a bit disconcerted.

"Sorry, it's just," Harry trailed off, "You amaze me, you know?"

He shook his head and poured him a glass of wine, "It's the trauma," he teased.

Harry laughed, "No. I mean it," he protested. "You remember everything about me. And you're always going out of your way to do nice things for me." He frowned and reached across the table to cover Draco's hand with his, "You're way better at being a good boyfriend than I am."

He laughed, "No, I just know your love language."

"What's your's?" Harry asked as he toyed with Draco's fingers.

"Physical touch," he said with a little smile.

Harry looked up from where he'd been watching Draco's fingers slip through his. "Oh."

"Yes, oh," Draco chuckled. "And you're nearly always touching me so you keep a steady stream of serotonin flooding my brain."

"You know what?" Harry asked.

"What?" Draco replied, humoring him.

"You're perfect for me."

He raised an eyebrow at him, "Only just realizing this Potter?"

Shaking his head, Harry shot him a little grin, "No. I've realized it loads of times, it's just that it's only now occurred to me that I ought to do something about it."

"What?" Draco asked.

"Draco Malfoy," Harry said, with a smile so wide that it crinkled the corner of his eyes. He took Draco's hand in his, "You make me so, so happy. I want this for the rest of my life-"

And suddenly Draco realized exactly where the end of that sentence was headed, "Potter, don't you dare," he threatened.

"Will you marry me?" the other man asked, with that stupidly huge smile on his stupidly handsome face.

"No!" he pounded his fist on the table, "I can't believe you."

Hurt flashed across Harry's face, "Oh," he said. "Godric, Draco. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were that opposed to-"

"I'm not," he said quickly. "I'm really not," realizing the conclusion that Harry must have come to.

"Well, obviously you are," Harry said. "And it's alright," he added, "We don't have to-"

"No," Draco said again and he pulled the ring box out of his pocket, "I wanted to propose to you," he said. "I've been planning this for six months."

"What?" Harry asked, his hand coming up to cover his mouth, eyes comically wide.

Draco gestured to the restaurant around them, "We're at your favorite restaurant, with your favorite jazz duo-"

"I don't have a favorite jazz duo."

"You do," Draco replied. "Every time you hear them on the wireless, you hum along, even when you don't know the song."

"Godric," Harry murmured.

"I sent over flower arrangements, there are over a hundred lilies in this restaurant."

The other man looked around, looking a bit overwhelmed.

"That door over there?" he added pointing to the private room where the restaurant hosted parties. "All of our friends are standing behind that door waiting for us to join them for champagne and dessert."

"What?" he asked, craning his neck to look at the room.

He rubbed a finger over his eyebrow, trying to keep himself from laughing aloud. At this point, he was probably either going to laugh or cry. "I made sure that it would be a night that your favorite waiter would be on and I got here early so I could wait to be seated in his section."

"I have a favorite waiter?" Harry asked.

"You do," he replied. "And I bought your favorite lube, and put on fresh sheets, and left rose petals on the bed, and candles around the room."

"Really?"

"Yes," Draco replied. "I planned out a whole speech."

"You did?" he asked, eyes welling up with tears.

Draco reached across the table and grasped Harry's hands. "I did. I'm so in love with you, Harry James Potter. I've never felt more free, more loved, more me than I do when I am with you. You make me want to be better without making me feel like I'm not enough. I didn't know what happiness was until you and I never want to be without you."

"Me either," Harry whispered.

"I could go on about all of the things I love about you, about what a good man you are," Draco continued, "But we both know that you hate that."

"I do hate that," Harry murmured with a wet little laugh.

Draco cup his cheek and swiped the tear that was escaping Harry's eye with his thumb. "I never wanted to be really known until I met you," he said. "You have taught me so many things about being me and I know it sounds a bit selfish but, I've really liked getting to be me. I want to be the me that you see and I can only do that when you're by my side."

"I love you," Harry said. "Yes. Godric, yes, Draco." He lunged across the table to kiss him just as their waiter appeared with their food.

"Sorry, should I come back?" the man asked.

"We're engaged!" Harry said, pulling back to look at the waiter. "Can you believe it? This gorgeous, brilliant man has just asked me to marry him. Me," he laughed and shook his head and Draco loved him. He ached with how much he loved him.

"I think I'm actually getting the better part, don't you?" Draco asked the waiter.

"It seems you both are," he replied with a big smile. "Congratulations." He set down the food in front of them, "Enjoy. I'll give you a little time before I come back," he added with a little wink.

"Can I see the ring now?" Harry asked.

Draco opened the box and showed him, "It's half of it," he said softly, holding out the curving golden band and sliding it over Harry's fourth finger. "The other band will interlock with it at our wedding."

"It's beautiful," Harry breathed before looking down at the case, "Oh, there's the other half-"

"That's my engagement ring," Draco corrected with an exaggerated huff. "At the wedding you'll get a silver half like the one in the box and I'll get a gold half like the one on your finger."

"I love it," Harry said, leaning over to kiss Draco. "I love it so much."

"Good," he replied, "Now put that ring on my finger," he said, nodding toward the box.

Harry beamed at him as he took the silver ring from the case and slid it onto Draco's finger. "I can't believe we're engaged."

"Me either," he whispered softly, clasping Harry's hand in his own and rubbing his thumb along Harry's palm. After a moment of simply staring at one another Draco said, "We should go back and let our friends know you said yes."

Harry hummed, "Later?" he asked. "Can it just be us for a little bit?"

"Yes," he said softly, heart melting in a way that he hadn't imagined possible. "Just us," he agreed, "As long as you'll have me."

"Always sounds good to me, too."

Day 5: Possessiveness | Day 7: Wedding

[calaofnoldor]

Drug of Choice

Characters: Dean x Reader (gender neutral)

Words: 3,790

Summary: A night of drunken rambling leads to an unexpected change in your relationship status.

Warnings: angst, language, alcohol, feelings of inadequacy, very slight allusions of alcoholism/talk of drug addiction, reader likes the sound of their voice a bit too much when drunk, fluff, implied smut

A/N: written for @deanwanddamons 1st blogiversary and 2k follower celebration challenge! my prompt was “I wish I knew how to quit you“ which is bolded in the fic. congrats on the incredible milestone, sorry this is late! also for @spnfluffbingo and it fills the mood board square for @girl-next-door-writes‘ Make Me Feel Bingo challenge!

Square Filled: Kissed to Keep Quiet

MASTERLIST

It was four in the morning when Dean finally came home, and the bottle of Jack Daniels that sat before you atop the library table was over a quarter of the way through.

The heavy thud of his boots against the bunker floor drew your dark-adjusted eyes toward his shadowy figure, while the alcohol in your bloodstream loosened your lips, "How was she?"

"Jesus- Fuck!" There was a slight commotion before the lights flickered on, forcing your eyes to shut against the onslaught of sudden brightness. "Y/N??” Dean’s gruff, alarmed voice shattered the previously eerie silence, “What the hell are you doing sitting in the dark by yourself?"

Your eyelids lifted an experimental sliver but you kept your gaze directed down at the glass of whiskey in your hands. "It wasn't dark when I started."

Dean narrowed his eyes when he noticed the slur behind your words. "Started what? Are you drunk?"

His second question prompted a dismissive snort from you, "Hunters can't get drunk; you should know that by now, Dean."

"Yeah alright, we need to get you to bed." The man of your dreams began to make his way over to you until your gravelly words ceased his steps.

"I can't sleep... you haven't answered my question yet."

"What question?"

"How was she?"

"Who?"

You looked at him like he was crazy, "You know, the girl from the bar, the one with the curly hair… the one that was climbing onto your lap when I left?"

"I don't- there was no girl," Dean stumbled. His lips were parted and his eyebrows pulled together in an ever-gorgeous expression of bewilderment, but you were too busy examining the way the newfound light danced along the lustrous amber liquid between your fingers to notice.

"Oh," you grumbled in response, sounding a bit disappointed, which only served to deepen those adorable lines of confusion between Dean’s brows. "She sure was pretty though.” There was a pause as you pondered his declaration before blurting out in disbelief, “You really didn't fuck her in the back of Baby?"

"What- No! Y/N, there was never a girl and nothing happened, OK?" He sounded genuinely serious, so you conceded.

"I'm sorry."

"Why- why are you sorry?"

"I know you needed to blow off some steam after today, after I pissed you off by fucking up the hunt." You ventured a glance up at him through your lashes and the unadulterated pain in your eyes almost had Dean reeling back in surprise.

"What are you talking about? You didn't 'fuck up' the hunt," he argued, shaking his head as if to accentuate his point.

"Course I did. I got you hurt and I nearly let that dickbag get away."

A weighted sigh escaped Dean, "Y/N, you have to know that wasn’t your fault, and it’s not like you haven’t done the same thing for me. Besides, I wasn’t pissed off, I was... I was scared, OK?”

You were about to take another sip of your drug of the night when you lowered your glass to let the irrepressible giggle leave your system, “Scared? Since when does the big bad Dean Winchester get scared? And if he did, he definitely wouldn’t be talking about it out loud. Are you sure you’re not the one who’s been drinking?”

“I mean, I have been drinking but that’s beside the point. Look, Y/N, why don’t we talk about this tomorrow, alright? You’ve just gotta sleep this off.”

"Pft. This isn't something I can just sleep off. Trust me, I've tried." There was a tickle in your throat that alerted you of the oncoming word vomit, but your friend Mr. Daniels seemed to be gaining complete control of your tongue; it was all he was ever good for really, “I’ve also tried drinking it away, but clearly that doesn’t work either. There’s just- so much- of it, of you… and now, now you’re in me-“ Dean’s eyes went wide but you were no longer at liberty to stop, “and I can’t get you out. Sometimes I don’t even think I want to. But I don’t think I can keep going like this any longer either… all this waiting, and wondering, and watching.” Some fragment of sobriety within you recognized how ridiculous and melodramatic you sounded and it gave you enough sense to avoid eye contact with the subject of you’re alcohol-induced speech, as if that could help you elude further embarrassment.

“OK, you’ve gotta slow down, Y/N/N. What the hell are you talking about?” At this point, Dean had moved to take the seat across from you, subtly sliding the bottle of Jack out of your reach as he sat down.

A mirthless laugh was your reply, "Of course you don’t know. Why would you?“

“What does that mean? Why wouldn’t I? Y/N, what’s going on?”

But you ignored his questions and answered with one of your own, “Why am I never enough? You know what, don't answer that; that was a rhetor- rhetor…”

“Rhetorical?”

“Yes!” you exclaimed, flailing your index finger in his direction, “Yes, that’s the word. See, even your brain is too good for me.”

“What- why would you say that? Y/N, you know that’s not true. And why do you think you’re never enough? You’re plenty enough.” Concern now painted Dean’s features. He hated seeing you this way, broken and depressed, trying to drown your feelings in whiskey; he’d figured that was his trademark amongst the bunker residents. And he couldn’t understand how someone as incredible as you would think themselves unworthy of anything. Whichever son of a bitch made you feel this way would pay, Dean swore it.

“Then how come you never pick me?” you countered simply, deciding it was finally time to call out his hypocrisy.

The accusation floored Dean. He scooted back in his seat as he stared at you with a slack jaw, utter perplexity swirling within his emerald eyes. Over the years, Dean had garnered an inkling that you felt some kinda way about him, but he never really let himself believe, and not once did he think he could be hurting you. On the contrary, he always figured it was his own hopeful heart playing tricks on him. Even now, he wasn’t entirely sure he was hearing you correctly, or that your drunken state could be trusted, though he remembered you once told him that you were always the most honest version of yourself when you drank, whiskey in particular.

“I watch you go out with waitress after bartender after waitress, but I’ve been here the whole time, and you never consider me. It’s like I don’t even exist, like I’m not even an option, like I could never even help you scratch that itch, at least not as good as any barfly across the Midwest could.” You were aware that this was getting out of hand, but you couldn’t seem to find the brakes. “But that’s not even the real problem – I mean, sure, a roll around the hay with you would probably be mind-blowing as fuck – but it would never solve the root of it, never be enough for me.”

Dean had been studying you meticulously as you spoke, your words starting a fire to the embers of his soul, breathing life into a long-forgotten hope that brought him both joy and fear. “What would? Be enough for you, I mean?” His tone took on a raw sultriness that matched the intense, borderline predatory glaze of his eyes. Needless to say, Dean hadn’t expected your sardonic laughter to fill the air, and your sudden frenzied, carefree state certainly took him off guard.

“Nothing!” you laughed, “I don’t think anything will ever be enough for me! C-cause you’re like this drug that I’m hooked on and it’s just so fucking hard to get off… I mean, it’s also hard to get off without you now, or thoughts of you anyway...” Your tangent was quickly overcome when you remembered the topic of your initial spiel, “But it’s like everything about you draws me in! From the way you reference classic literature even though I’ve never seen you pick up a book that’s not about lore, to the way you rebuild Baby from scratch like it’s no big deal, to the way you’re so good with kids even though you never got to be one yourself, to the dumb way you bottle up all your feelings and never let them see the light of day yet still manage to do so much good in the world, t-to the way you get excited over classic rock and crappy horror movies and pie, and don’t even get me started on the way you love Sam! I mean, it’s just all of it! It’s your strength and perseverance through literal hell, it’s your huge fucking heart despite the mask of swagger and charm, it’s that stupid grin you get when you make a dumb joke and Sam rolls his eyes at you, it’s just those god damn lips in general! And then you walk around looking like that!?” you gestured wildly at all of him, “I mean, who gave you the right?!”

Dean looked like he was about to respond, but you cut him off. There really was no stopping your tirade now, “I’m like an addict who can never get enough, and when you leave, I get feelings of withdrawal, and I don’t know how to fucking deal with those either… You’re so deeply ingrained in me; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to flush you out of my system. And I just-“ you took a rare pause to heave a large breath before admitting quietly, “I wish I knew how to quit you. I really do, because as much as I love you, and trust me, it’s a whole fucking lot – God, does it feel good to finally say that out loud – but for every ounce of love that I have for you, for every bit of you that I’ve inhaled, it hurts just as much. Because you don’t feel the same, and you never will, and I don’t blame you, because you’re Dean fucking Winchester and you could have whoever you want with just a wink and half a smile, and you deserve to have whoever you want-”

“Are you done?” Dean was quick to latch onto the brief respite in your monologue, “Fuck, Y/N, you really have no idea what you do to me, do you? What you are to me?” His head shook in disbelief while his troubled green eyes searched yours.

“What I am to you? I’m your hunting buddy, Dean. The one you call when you need an extra hand with a vamp nest or an extra set of eyes to scour the books, the one who stays up with you when you have nightmares about the souls you tortured in hell, the one you sing rock songs out of tune in the car with, just never the one you go to for a booty call,” you finished with a bitter laugh.

Dean’s head had never ceased it’s shaking, even as he got up and walked around the table towards you. “Only because you’re worth so much more than that. Y/N, you deserve so much more than me.”

It was your turn to shake your head. How typical, you thought as you rolled your eyes and stood up to meet his eye line, “Don’t give me that bullshit, Dean. I know you’re trying to let me down easy and that’s nice of you and all, but you can’t fool me. I know you too well, Dean Winchester, and I know there’s no way in hell that- Mmf!“ The rest of your words were intercepted by Dean’s lips on yours.

The feeling was unexpected but not at all unwelcome. There was an urgent force behind the kiss as he pushed his mouth against yours with gentle yet firm ferocity, bracing your head with large hands cupping both sides. It felt as if he was desperately trying to convey a message to you, to disprove your woeful words of self-pity, or perhaps he just wanted you to shut up. You, of course, responded with tremendous enthusiasm regardless of his intent, grasping blindly at his forearms while slotting your tongue and lips around his in an increasingly frantic manner. You didn’t care if the kiss wasn’t good for him; this might be your only chance to take what you need from Dean Winchester, if only a tiny fraction of it.

When he finally pulled back, you were both panting for air. Dean still held your head in both hands as he leaned forward to rest his forehead upon yours. “Dammit, I shouldn’t have done that; you’re drunk... Do you at least believe me now?”

A slight grimace contorted Dean’s features as his mind was suddenly bombarded by a multitude of conflicted thoughts and feelings, feelings of desire and regret and bliss and unease, but when he caught the dazed look in your eyes, Dean made up his mind, “Ah, what the hell, you’re probably not gonna remember much of this anyway. Look, Y/N, you’re wrong. I do feel the same way about you; I have pretty much ever since I saw that magnificent ass of yours.” Pausing to chuckle at his own words, Dean licked his lips, still able to taste the whiskey from yours.

“The only reason I fucked around with those other people was because I couldn’t stand not being able to have you,” he continued through closed eyes and gritted teeth before filling his chest with a deep breath, “Like today, when I saw that fucking werewolf come at you, I nearly lost it. The thought of anything happening to you scares me shitless, and I didn’t know how to process that feeling, so I let that girl at the bar get close. I was trying to fill the hole you created but it was pointless cause in the end, just like every other time, I couldn’t go through with it. Every time I try to forget about you, your face shows up in my head,” he growled in that low, throaty tone that always seemed to reverberate down to your nether regions.

“But I- I wasn’t lying when I said you deserve more than me. Y/N, you know me. I’m a broken, twisted, shell of a man. I’m-“

“Poison, I know,” you finally lifted your head away from his so that you could look directly into his dazzling eyes. Dean’s hands slid down along your neck and landed on your shoulders while yours remained on his forearms, not willing to lose all contact. “I know what you’re gonna say. You think you’re poison, that being with you puts a target on my back, that loving you is a death sentence… Did I get that right?”

Dean gave you a miniscule nod and a look of resignation as he reluctantly released you from his hold, forcing you to let go as well when he took a large step back. You suddenly felt extremely sober, the effects of the alcohol and that kiss all wearing off instantaneously, “And you hate yourself. No one hates you more than you, Dean.” Your voice was hardly a whisper now, “But that’s OK, cause I hate myself too, for never being able to make you realize that you are so much more than you give yourself credit for, that you deserve all the things you think you can’t have, that you can have them all and still be Dean Winchester.”

You watched as Dean’s eyes began to water and when a single tear rolled down his cheek, you couldn’t hold yourself back anymore. Approaching him as slowly as you would a nervous animal out of its natural habitat, you stopped directly before him before cautiously raising your arm to wipe the offending tear away with your thumb. Your eyes seemed to be locked in a silent exchange of colossal magnitude, expressing everything mere words could not, from harrowing regret to agonizing self-inflicted torment to desperate desire. It was the yearning in his shimmering eyes that gave you the courage to speak your next words, a runaway tear of your own joining the whispered plea, “Please, let me show you.”

When your eyes fluttered open the next day, they were greeted with the most beautiful sight you'd ever awoken to. Dean’s face was barely a foot away from yours, and the man himself was already awake, staring directly at you. He was lying on his back with his head turned towards you, while your body was twisted to face his. A bedside lamp was on, allowing you to marvel at the breathtaking perfection in front of you, and despite the booze having long since evacuated from your veins, your mouth still imparted the first thing that came to your mind, “You know, I've always wanted to count your freckles,” you murmured honestly, “Maybe map them out like tiny constellations so I can memorize them better, so that one day I could trace them even with my eyes closed.” Your fingertips moved of their own accord as you spoke, gliding softly over his cheeks and across the ridge of his perfect nose.

Dean caught your hand in his and kissed it repeatedly as his magical olive eyes continued to bore into yours, never once leaving your face. His pouty lips curved into the slightest smile as if he were afraid to rear hope yet couldn't fight the peaceful thrill you were bringing him by simply lying next to him. “You’re not still drunk, are you?”

“Not unless it counts to be drunk on you… Sorry, that sounded a lot less cheesy in my head.” You cringed but Dean’s smile broadened.

“And no hangover?”

“No, I told you, hunters can’t-“

“Get drunk. Yeah, I heard. So does that mean you remember everything?”

“I don’t think I could forget that kiss if I wanted to; my brain wouldn’t let me.” You glanced down at his gorgeous mouth before meeting his gaze again, “I meant it all, you know? Everything I said was the truth. Every word.” You moved your thumb to graze his lower lip and he puckered his lips to kiss it.

“So did I, every word… Especially the part about that sweet ass of yours.” The hand that wasn’t holding yours roamed down to grab at your butt cheek with a hefty yet tender squeeze, causing you to squeal in delight. When you settled down, he moved your hand to place it above his heart, “You know I’m no good at chick flick moments, but you can trust me when I say I’m addicted to you too.”

The sincerity in his voice sent butterflies through your stomach and your smile felt invincible. “I hope you know that when I called you a ‘drug’ I didn’t mean it in a derogatory way. Some drugs are good for you. Some drugs can save your life,” you whispered as you fisted lightly at the soft cotton of his t-shirt.

“I wouldn’t go that far, sweetheart.”

“Isn’t that what you did yesterday?” Dean was about to retort but you sent him a raised brow and a look that said ‘don’t test me, I’ve got loads more evidence where that came from’ so he simply looked down with a small grin. “Does it still hurt?” You motioned to the white bandage on his shoulder where the werewolf had scratched him up yesterday when he jumped in front of you.

Dean shook his head, “Right now I can hardly feel it. Actually, it hasn’t hurt at all since I kissed you.”

The corners of your mouth lifted some more at his words. “See, that’s what I mean. To me, you’re like coffee on an early morning, morphine when I’m hurting, tranquilizers when I’m freaking out, Zoloft when the world’s got me down, mixed with a shot of ecstasy, and quite possibly the most potent form of Viagra known to mankind.” You might have lingered a moment to chuckle at your own joke, thinking ‘it’s funny cause it’s true’. Dean belted a guffaw himself and you were quite pleased as you continued, “You’re everything I’ve ever needed, all wrapped up in one beautiful, self-loathing man.” You stroked his stubbled jaw and caressed his cheek, letting your words waft softly across the distance between you, hoping he could sense the veracity within them, “And I just want you to let me love you, let me get high on you, so I can show you how good you are. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

A wave a sadness flowed through Dean and he lowered his gaze from yours. “This could end bloody.”

“I know,” you nodded, “But it’s so much better than the alternative... It was getting a bit too hard to bear, even if you were only eye fucking all those other suitors. Besides, if it means I get to kiss you whenever I want, it’ll be worth it. And if it means I get a chance to prove to you how worthy you are, then it’ll be more than worth it.”

“I was only staying away because I wanted to protect you from me, but I didn’t realize it was hurting you. I never wanted to cause you pain; Y/N, I need you to know that.” Dean’s warm, calloused palm ran up your arm, it’s gentleness in stark contrast to his fierce tone, while yours continued to cup his cheek.

Astounded by the passion behind his words and the utter beauty of his face, you whispered in awe, “How are you so perfect?” Seeing the cogs begin to turn in his brain, you quickly moved your index finger to press against his plush lips, “Shh, just let me say it. Baby steps, Dean.”

He took your finger and guided your arm to wrap around his wide shoulders, careful of his injury, then reached out to pull you snugly towards him until your bodies were completely flush, your chest heaving against his. “Well do we have to take baby steps with everything? Cause now that I’ve finally got you in my bed, I was kinda hoping you’d let me take you for a spin in it. Maybe find out if it’s really – how did you put it again? – ‘mind blowing as fuck’ I believe were your words?” That signature smirk of his that always brought you to your knees came out to play.

Your laughter fanned across his face, and the smile on your face was effervescent, “You really are one hell of a drug, Dean Winchester.”

thank you for reading! as always, feedback is marvelously appreciated!

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Bitter Pill to Swallow

Chapter 5 (Ch.4, Ch.3, Ch.2, Ch.1)

Thank you as always to @tvserie-s-world for the lovely screencaps 💕

It had been five days since they'd set sail for England, and safe to say tensions were starting to fray. Valerie was lucky to be bunking with Harry, but even they'd had a few disagreements.

"If you don't quit your snoring I'm gonna strap you to the bow to scare off the sharks," he'd sworn one early morning, tying his shirt buttons roughly.

"My snoring?" Valerie replied incredulously, "I'm surprised you can hear me snoring over the droning of your own."

She was playing a game of fish with George when the fight of the day broke out. She'd been laughing at his master plan to snag an English dame when they'd overheard Bill Guarnere talking shit. Valerie looked up in alarm when she noticed Lieb jumping down from his bunk and getting up in Bill's face. She sighed and jumped down herself, intending to step in between them and prevent any fists from flying.

"Hey, hey," she shouted, pulling Lieb back behind her "break it up you two, and watch your damm mouth Gonnorhea. Quit talking shit about Jews, you know where we're going and who we're fighting so why don't you show some goddamn respect. " She put a hand on Lieb's shoulder to steer him back towards his bunk. "Don't listen to him Lieb, he's just being an idiot."

As they moved away they heard Bill grumbling something about 'goddamn woman must be on the rag," and Valerie saw red. She dropped her hand from Lieb's shoulder and marched back towards Bill.

"You wanna say that again to my face Guarnere?" snapped Valerie, "who do you think you are saying things like that about a ranking officer?"

Don was desperately trying to pull Bill away, warning him to cut it out before he gets himself in more trouble. A hush settled in the immediate area surrounding them, everyone afraid to intervene but too nosy to look away.

"I said what I said," Bill snarled, pulling his arm out of Don's and clenching his jaw. Valerie narrowed her eyes at him and glared coldly.

"I'm gonna give you one more chance to take that back Guarnere," Valerie warned, crossing her arms. She felt Lieb step up beside her protectively, and even though she didn't need it she was eternally grateful for him in that moment. He had her back, and he wanted her to know it.

"I ain't taking nothing back, I said what I said," he insisted, ignoring Don's contined pleas for him to back down.

Valerie narrowed her eyes at Bill, her fingers clenching against her crossed arms and her face reddening. Beside her, Lieb was clenching his fists so hard she was sure they'd split open at the knuckles.

"You really don't know when to shut your damn mouth do you?" Snapped Lieb, stepping forward and raising his fist for another go at Bill. But Valerie threw her arm across his chest and stopped him, shaking her head and silently trying to tell him that she could deal with this herself. He huffed but stepped back beside her, continuing to glare harshly at Bill.

"Well you know what gonorrhea," Valerie hissed coldly, stepping up to him "next time why don't you say that to my fists huh? Because you are sorely mistaken if you don't think I could punch you so hard you'd be seeing Lady Liberty dancing the jive."

Bill was about to respond when they were interrupted by a stern voice.

"What's going on here?" Asked Lieutenant Winters, who'd appeared behind Valerie without her noticing. She took a few deep breaths before turning on her toes to face him.

"Nothin' for you to worry about Lieutenant Winters," she replied. He glanced between her and Bill sceptically, his eyebrows furrowing as he assessed the situation.

"Well," he said evenly, "whatever fight was going on here that you don't want me to know about, break it up. We've got a lot of training and work to do once we get to England so use these next five days wisely and take all the rest you can get."

The men who'd gathered on the floor dispersed hastily with a few 'yes sir's'. With one final lingering glare, Bill and Valerie turned away from each other and went their separate ways. She was about to follow Lieb up to his bunk when a tap on her shoulder stopped her.

"Could I talk to you up on deck Lieutenant?" He asked tightly. Val stared him down for a moment before nodding her agreement and following him up the steps and onto the breezy deck.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" She asked after a few beats of awkward silence. His shoulders tensed and he looked out over the ocean for a few seconds before speaking.

"Lieutenant Landry, I don't want you to think I'm criticising you but..."

Look," she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest, "whatever it is you gotta say to me jus' get on with it."

He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face roughly. "I really don't want to fight fight you so please, don't get all offended about this," he paused in his speech and took a deep breath before continuing, "you're a ranking officer Landry, you cant just go around threatening your NCO's, or any of the men for that matter. It's completely out of line."

"Out of line?," she hissed, narrowing her eyes, her temper immediately flaring at his accusing tone, "Guarnere was out of line makin' comments about Jews and then disrespectin' me. So I think I had every right to say what I said, an' I'd say it again too. You weren't even there, you have no idea what happened before you turned up."

"Then tell me," he sighed, "tell me what happened and I'll go down there and deal with Bill right this minute."

"I just told you, he was making comments about Jews and then he disrespected me," she explained tersely, "And I don't need you to go down there and deal with it. I was dealin' with it jus' fine until you showed up." She couldn't believe he was standing there reprimanding her, nor that he wanted to play the white knight and go deal with the situation for her. She had been handling the situation and herself just fine before he showed up.

"I understand that Guarnere is difficult, and I have no doubt he was running his mouth and deserved a reprimand," Winters groaned, "but you still shouldn't have spoken to him like that, especially in front of the rest of the men. You should have officially reprimanded him in a calm way like a ranking officer should."

He was questioning her capabilities as an officer. He honestly believed that she couldn't behave like an officer should. They'd never been friends, hell, they couldn't even have a conversation, but she'd always grudgingly respected that he was a good officer. She'd never once doubted his capabilities as a leader.

In a deep buried part of her, though she'd never admit it, his words stung. His doubts of her capabilites hurt. She had a level of respect for him that obviously he didn't have for her. She'd thought that despite all the tension between them, she could at least count on the fact that he'd respect her position as a Lieutenant. Clearly she'd been wrong.

"Oh, so you doubt my capabilities as an officer is that it?" She snapped defensively, "and for your information, you missed the part where I very calmly told him to take back what he said. You're making a whole lot of assumptions based on the tiny part of the conversation you saw, but I can't say I'm surprised. You've obviously never respected my place in Easy and now the truth of your thoughts has finally come out."

Dick shook his head and ran his tongue over his teeth, his jaw tensing slightly. "That's not what I meant and you know it, stop putting words in my mouth. You're quite possibly the most impossible person I've ever met." He placed his hands on his hips and looked out over the sea once more. "I never said I didn't respect your position as a Lieutenant, I just meant you should have reprimanded Guarnere more calmly."

His patronising was just making her more mad. He really had the nerve to stand there and act like he was better than her when he couldn't possibly understand the situation. "You implied I didn't behave like a proper officer, so please do tell me what you actually meant when you said that because I'd just love to know."

"I didn't mean it like that, so I'm sorry if that's how it came across to you," he huffed, trying to keep his emotions in check, "Just don't talk to your subordinates like that anymore, alright? We've got more than enough to worry about without fights between the officers and the enlisted." He turned to leave without waiting for her to respond any further.

She watched him walk away from her, her simmering temper roiling. Why that sanctimonious prat. She'd just love to see what he would have done if he were in her shoes.

"You know what Winters," she shouted at his retreating back, unable to stop herself from getting in the last word, "I'd like to see you spend a day in my shoes and keep your goddamn cool." Now that she'd started she couldn't stop, all of her frustrated feelings pouring out of her now she'd opened the floodgates a crack.

"I'd like to see you stand there while Guarnere mocks you and says you're just an angry woman on the rag and not get mad. So don't you stand there and patronise me about propriety. Because you know what, if you could actually manage to keep your cool in that situation I'd reckon you were a goddamn saint."

She stormed past his frozen form and marched out the door without a backwards glance, slamming it harshly behind her. Now then, let him stew on that for awhile. She pointedly ignored the twinge of hurt she felt at his words, furiously tampering it down and smothering it with her anger as she marched back to her cabin.

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[dracosaurusrex]

My Cup of Tea (Draco x Reader)

Summary: There’s intimacy found in understanding. 

Wordcount: 1.2k

A/N: Hi everyone! Here’s my submission for @iliveiloveiwrite‘s 3.5k songfic challenge :) The song I chose was Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney. It took a while figuring out how I was going to write this (I initially planned to write it in second person). However, after reading and listening to the lyrics multiple times, I figured that the best way was to write from Draco’s perspective. I tried my best to get the characterization right, so I hope it does some justice at the very least. Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

Draco’s POV

There was no one who could have prepared me well enough to face the life waiting on the other side of the war. 

There was no one to warn me about the pains of regret that accompanied the idea of redemption. My life, which was once lived with blatant arrogance and pride, was filled with false beliefs. That much I realize as I trace the fading details of the dark mark that stains my skin. 

The wounds remain vivid within the corners of my mind. I often recall the venom spewed from my lips and into the hearts of those I made my prey. Unlike before, where I’d been the one to cast such foul words, the weeks, months, even years following the war had me find myself on the receiving end of the hurt, longing for a saving grace I surely don’t deserve. The desire to rewind time was constant as remorse pools in from day to day. 

Within little moments, where everything seemingly came crashing down, I simply sat in the stillness of the dark. Cold air from the balcony would linger against my skin, while the only source of illumination originated from the stars late at night. As I sat, I pondered. I pondered  upon what this pathetic life of mine had to offer. I pondered on the what-ifs and the-could’ve-beens had I opened my eyes to the world around me much earlier.

“Pathetic”. The word, which bore much weight upon my shoulders, had subsided into a  distant memory now.

Eight years have passed since then. I was 17--broken, tattered, lost--yet here I am now at 25, awoken by the sweet aromas of tarte orange, velvety chocolate, and rich vanilla bean on a simple autumn day. The sound of a knife striking against a cutting board is next to fill my senses, followed by the sizzling noises of oil frying in a pan. Meanwhile, light from the morning sun scatters across my room, the space beside me is unoccupied, but I’m not alone anymore.

 The sensations were oddly comforting knowing that the owner behind them is the very person who managed to fill in the cracks of my heart. Her name is Y/N. She’s an early riser, unlike me, opting to say ‘hello’ to the world at the break of dawn. She situates herself in the middle of our bustling kitchen, her hands moving with grace, elegance, and poise. There was an air of artistry in everything she did, attending to even the smallest things in life with a stroke of wisdom and beauty--slowly, steadily. 

She’s patient. 

And with such patience, she has mended me. At least that’s what I believe anyway. Slowly, steadily she picked up my fragments and fixed me with a new sense of hope. She constantly refuses to believe that, however, reminding me that it was I who mended myself. I agree only because it makes her happy, but deep within I know that she’s my saving grace.

I seat myself at our dining table, taking the liberty to gaze at her from afar. A gold morning glow embodies her figure as she tends to the breakfast cooking on the stove. With a brief glance thrown my way, she casts a soft smile only for a moment before her attention is redirected to the ingredients laying before her. 

“Good morning, my love.” The words roll off her tongue like honey. “Would you like some tea?”

“That’d be lovely, thank you.” She prepares me a cup the way only she knows I like it: black tea brewed with a slice of orange, topped with a pinch of cinnamon. The familiarity in her motions elicits warmth within, and soon the mere act of crafting a drink becomes something much more intimate when she makes mine. She comes over. The smile plastered on her lips lets me know I’m loved. As she places the cup before me, she presses a kiss to my cheek before wrapping her arms around my shoulders, pressing another one to the back of my neck. The warmth from within spreads over, and I take her hand in mine to plant my lips on her knuckles in response.

“I love you.” The phrase comes out as a whisper, but they’re of the heart, for within her arms I am Draco. Not Draco Malfoy. Not the heir to a long line of purebloods. Within her arms, I am understood with an intimacy surpassing that of lust and desire. 

Unlike her patient self, I am a prideful, stubborn man. Regret of the past had weaved its way within me, but the values I once upheld were not ones so easily discarded. It’s miraculous, really, how a woman like Y/N makes me come undone. It merely took the slightest caresses to my cheek or even something simpler like her fingers entangled in my hair. My favorite amongst her many talents is her way of speech. With each thought profound and carefully planned, she strings her words in a manner so eloquent that I find myself in a state of awe listening to everything she says. Any other person would become frustrated trying to untangle the entanglement that is myself. However, when I look into her eyes, I’m immediately stricken by the passion she emanates in order to right my wrongs. I’m found with no words to defend myself. Nevertheless, I submit myself to her, allowing her to worm into my mind and my heart while simply watching as the beliefs I once knew crumble into her hands. 

“How’s the tea, Draco?” I’m pulled out of thought with the sound of her voice.

“No one can ever make it like you do.” The allied hints of citrus and cinnamon accompany the robust flavor of the tea itself. Much like her to me.

“Anyone can if they took the time to try.” She responds. 

“Sure, but you’ll never see me satisfied.”

There’s truth to her statement: Anybody was capable of making the drink if they tried. However, no one ever has. No one has gone to her lengths to prepare me a cup of tea just the way I like it. The way that calms the turbulent thoughts that run through my mind. The way it straightens out my worries. Every morning, when I wake up and seat myself before her, slices of oranges and a shaker filled with cinnamon powder are already set out on the counter. She lets the pieces of fruit dry for a moment, explaining to me that its flavors become more vibrant once it’s placed in a fresh brew. Call me soft, sappy, or smitten--there’s no denying the admiration I have for her observant mind. 

“Why do you care about those little details?” I would ask sometimes. She’d reply, “You deserve to wake up to a nice cup of tea.”

I must’ve been a guardian or a saint of some sort in my past life, because Merlin knows I am not a favorite to the hearts of others. I will never consider myself worthy of her love till this very day. Regardless, I would live my life over and over if it meant waking up to her making me a cup of tea forever. 

“Y/N?”

“Yes, love? Breakfast is almost ready.” She doesn’t dare look up from the pan. I release a chuckle before raising myself to approach her, scents of eggs and sausages now fill my senses. With much tenderness, I wrap my arms around her from behind and plant a kiss on her jaw. I was never good at words, but I was certain of letting her know about these deep feelings.

“I love you.” She turns to me with that familiar warm smile.

“And I love you, Draco.”

A/N: Thank you so much for reading if you made it this far! Feedback is very much appreciated! Besides that, I hope you have a great day! Also, kudos to those if you read one of my past fics and got the gaurdian reference LOL

Tagging: 

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[robininthelabyrinth]

Spilled Pearls

- Chapter 14 - ao3 -

If Lan Qiren hadn’t had any idea on what to do with Cangse Sanren to begin with, he had even less of an idea of what to do when he received a letter from his sworn brother which, after some deciphering of the small talk and insincerely meant pleasantries that could just as easily be read as implicit threats, seemed to boil down to so I hear you have a lover now? and also come to the Nightless City at once.

I do not have a lover, Lan Qiren wrote back crossly. You should send whatever spies you have packing because they are clearly completely useless to you. Also, I have classes that I have no intention of missing. If you want company, recall that you have a wife.

That won him a few weeks of blissful silence, possibly due to Wen Ruohan’s shock but more likely due to Lan Qiren having spitefully chosen to send his reply by usual post rather than by special post, which was more expensive and also generally reserved for important sect matters and not for obvious fishing attempts for gossip about the personal lives of juniors.

Which Wen Ruohan should be above, anyway. What did it matter to him?

The response, not long after that, went something along the lines of so what you’re saying is that you haven’t won the immortal mountain’s disciple yet? if you come to Qishan, I can advise you and that irritated Lan Qiren most of all, because right up until that point he hadn’t known that Cangse Sanren was a disciple of the famous Baoshan Sanren, the best-known immortal still in contact with the mortal world.

Mostly because Cangse Sanren hadn’t ever bothered to introduce herself.

It bothered him, a little. More than a little. She knew how much he valued people acting according to the rules; even if she didn’t care for them, shouldn’t she respect his inclination?

(It turned out that she didn’t introduce herself because she didn’t have a proper name, just the title that everyone used for her. Baoshan Sanren let everyone keep the name they came to the mountain with, but Cangse Sanren had come too young for any name at all, and so she’d never gotten one in all the suspiciously unspecified years she had spent on the timeless mountain. It was a pretty good reason not to introduce yourself, as such things went, and it also belatedly explained why she took offense to people calling anyone old.)

I am not trying to win anyone, he wrote back to Wen Ruohan. And even if I was, which I am not, I would still have classes and am not currently at liberty to travel. Has there been some sort of terrible tragedy such that your Wen sect is so desperate for additional people in the Nightless City?

You are not just any person but my sworn brother, Wen Ruohan responded. Am I not entitled to see you? Maybe I want to see this beard you’re reputedly growing.

Lan Qiren rolled his eyes and threw the letter into the box he was keeping all the others. He was trying to grow a beard, as it happened, though being a newly-turned eighteen it was a slow and frustrating process. He wasn’t entirely sure he liked the itchy feeling of it growing, either, but stroking his chin as if in thought was nearly as cathartic as waving his hands, only more socially acceptable; he liked that part very much.

He’d always had a tendency towards strange motions – moving his hands or arms, tapping on things, or rocking back and forth when he was especially distressed – but his brother had always hated it especially, always quoting Do not move arbitrarily at him even though he knew that that wasn’t the fundamental meaning of that rule. That wouldn’t have been so much of an issue, except most other people seemed to agree with him, citing the importance of acting in a dignified and restrained manner, limiting unnecessary movement and remaining still and calm as a placid pool of water no matter what the circumstance.

The beard was an acceptable compromise. Given how common beards were in the sect, it would be hard to criticize Lan Qiren without accidentally insulting an elder – and it felt so good to be able to move freely, the action serving as an aid for emotional regulation that he desperately needed.

Of course, Cangse Sanren thought it was ugly.

Lan Qiren didn’t agree, but he also didn’t think it was any of her business what he did with his face. Even if it was ugly, so what? He wasn’t particularly egotistical.

Accordingly, he thanked her stiffly for her opinion and then proceeded to ignore it.

Apparently, that didn’t sit well with her, a fact Lan Qiren only discovered when he woke up one day, groggy and unclear as to what had happened the night before, to find himself shaven clean and Cangse Sanren beaming at him from within his own room, to which he had never invited her.

He did not react well.

Stories of your shouting have reached even Qishan, Wen Ruohan’s next letter said. Was what your little lover did really so bad? I hadn’t known you were so sensitive. It’s not as if it won’t grow back.

This is your fault, Lan Qiren wrote back, irrational and upset, his calligraphy rough from the way his hand shook – though whether in rage or something else he couldn’t quite tell. I don’t want to hear from you.

Truly his reaction had been out of proportion with Cangse Sanren’s offense. Shaving a beard, especially a half-grown thing like that, was little more than a childish prank, even if it had taken him several months to get as far as he had; in the end, it was really only a blow to his vanity, and perhaps the loss of a convenient emotional crutch.

And yet, when he’d woken up and seen her there where she wasn’t welcome – when he’d realized that he couldn’t remember the evening before, just the way he couldn’t remember what had happened in the Nightless City that day, waking up to Wen Ruohan smiling at him and an oath he didn’t know nor want – when he’d tasted the sour taste of day-old liquor on his tongue –

He’d panicked.

She’d realized it, he thought in retrospect; the ever-present smile had slowly dripped off her mouth as he stared at her blankly for the first few moments, frozen, and had morphed into an expression of shock when he had broken through his paralysis to start screaming at her to go, get out, leave – he’d even picked up some of his own things to throw at her, just to make her leave faster.

He continued smashing his things after she’d gone, unthinking in his frenzy and unsure why he was so upset, and in the end when clarity had returned and he realized what he’d done he’d been so ashamed that he’d grabbed his guqin and slunk away, retreating to the rooms where the Lan sect entered into seclusion. He couldn’t go into real seclusion with so little preparation, of course, but he was practiced enough at inedia that he could skip meals for a few days and not need to see the world for at least a week.

Part of the feeling of shame was that he didn’t know why he had reacted so badly. Wasn’t it normal for peers his age to play that sort of trick on each other? It hadn’t been meant as a real insult.

He had no right to feel so betrayed.

And yet, he did.

Cangse Sanren had visited later that day, her hand tapping lightly on the door bound by wards and her normally brash voice murmuring explanations and not-quite apologies – saying that she hadn’t realized what it had meant to him, that she wouldn’t have done it if she’d known, asking if he wouldn’t come out to talk to her about it and let her apologize properly.

He ignored her.

He ignored her the next day and the day after, too. His hands were unsteady when he tried to play calming songs for himself, his music tangled and knotted up like the feelings in his chest.

On the fourth day, she came and sat by his door in the evening, late and near to curfew.

“I didn’t know, you know,” she finally said after sitting there for nearly a shichen. “About what happened to you in the Nightless City.”

His hands froze over the guqin.

“Drinking liquor comes as easily to me as breathing,” she continued. “No one’s ever been able to play a trick on me because I got drunk – it’s everyone else who falls over in the end, not me. Maybe what why, when someone told me how badly your family handles its liquor, I thought only of how funny it would be…and not how it would feel, waking up and realizing that you didn’t know what happened. What someone could have done to you.” She was silent for a moment. “What I did do.”

Lan Qiren shut his eyes tightly.

Yes, he thought to himself. She was right. That was why he was so upset.

It wasn’t about the beard at all.

“An oath made when you didn’t know it doesn’t count, you know.”

He laughed harshly, the sound catching in his throat like thick mud. “It does,” he said, and his voice was hoarse from the lack of speech. “Of course it counts. It’s my honor, in the end…anyway, there’s no reason for me to lose my head over it. Sect Leader Wen’s powerful and influential; there are those who would cut off their right hands for a connection with him, much less an oath of brotherhood.”

He wasn’t even all that angry at Wen Ruohan for doing it, either, not really. There wasn’t much point – his few experiences with the other man so far showed that that was just what he was like, always taking instead of asking, and scheming was as innate to inter-sect politics as fighting. Might as well be angry at his grandfather for the ancestral weakness to liquor in the Lan lineage.

It had only been the shock of Cangse Sanren’s unexpected actions that had made it feel like a knife stabbed into his back, a scabbed-over wound suddenly ripped open again.

“You didn’t trust him,” Cangse Sanren pointed out. “You trusted me. And I scared you.”

Perhaps that was true.

“You’re still you, you know. Even while drunk.” She chuckled. “You talk more, care less what people think of you; you’re a little more willing to stand up for yourself, a little more bitter, a little less consciously kind. You told me all about music, something that went over my head, then went to sleep in just the right and proper way, albeit right on the floor. I had to wait until you were asleep to shave you.”

That was a relief to hear. Lan Qiren hated the idea of being so vulnerable.

Although – perhaps he wasn’t. According to Lao Nie, he’d apparently kneed Wen Ruohan in the balls that night for bothering him with nonsense or possibly for trying to leave before he finished explaining something, sometime either before or after their oath.

(After, he assumed. If it had been before, it seemed more likely that he would’ve ended up dead.)

“Anyway, I wouldn’t have done anything serious,” she added. “You wouldn’t have woken up married or anything.”

“It’s not you,” he assured her hastily, alarmed by the thought. “I didn’t mean to imply anything about your character, which I know is good; I know you wouldn’t have done anything like that. It’s only – you don’t always know what people think is enough, coming from the immortal mountain as you do. If someone really wanted to push the issue, or if you didn’t have the background you did, just you being in my room unattended might’ve served as an excuse. And then where would we be?”

She was silent for a while.

“You really don’t want to be married to me,” she finally said. “You’re not playing games or anything; you really don’t.”

Lan Qiren felt something lurch in his chest.

“No,” he said, painfully honest. “Did – did you?”

“Maybe a little,” she said, and Lan Qiren winced. The possibility hadn’t even occurred to him, not even when others had suggested it.

“I didn’t mean…”

“I know,” she said, and her voice was warm. “Don’t worry about me, Qiren; I’ll get over it soon enough. There’s no pain I won’t forget a day later, never learning anything, it’s just the way I am.”

He gnawed on his lower lip. “…can I ask why?”

“Why you, you mean?” He could hear her shrugging through the door, the fabric of her clothing rustling against the wall she was leaning against. “You care about things, deeply and truly. Rules, honor, the right path…I like the way you think, the way you care. You have a good heart and a good brain. Why not you?”

“I’m sorry,” he said, and felt rather a wretch over the whole thing. “I didn’t mean to…to…”

She laughed. “You didn’t lead me on, Qiren! You only ever treated me as a friend, and I was, I think. Maybe still am?”

“You are,” he said, and looked down as his guqin, then sighed, picking it up and going to the door. There was no point in pretending to be in seclusion now that the knot in his heart had loosened, and he was starting to get hungry. “Come on, let’s go. I feel a need to graze on the kitchen’s leftover vegetables, as if I were a wild rabbit.”

She beamed up at him, round face shining like the moon.

The next day, after he finished doing penance for missing classes without advance notice – two dozen strikes, but no more – Lan Qiren went down the mountain and purchased some tea said to have especially strong stimulant properties, and gave it to Cangse Sanren.

She blinked at it, then looked at him.

“If you brew this in the morning, you won’t be so tired all the time,” he told her, and shrugged. “Since we’re friends and all.”

He didn’t have that many friends – so few as to not even have recognized her as being one. He was determined to cherish them.

She smiled.

The next day after that, there was surprising news in the Cloud Recesses, the gossip reaching the classroom faster than the messenger sent there specifically for that purpose.

Wen Ruohan had come to pay a visit.