#Bridal Look Recreate

[shaadiwish]

Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat got married on 15 March 2024 and left the internet swooning over their looks.

[rafeandonlyrafe]

can i hold it?

words: 2k

warnings: 18+ only, smut, piss kink!!!, getting peed on haha lol :), shower sex, p in v sex, unprotected sex

you whine as rafe tries to pull away from you, making him laugh and press a kiss to your cheek. “just going pee baby.”

“take me with you.” you raise your arms up.

“to the bathroom?” rafe questions, raising his eyebrow.

“yeah.” you nod. “you said we could spend all day together, if you’re leaving this bed then so am i.” “alright, suit yourself.” rafe shrugs, leaning down to pick you up bridal style, walking the short distance to the attached bathroom. he sets you down on the counter as you stretch, having been cuddling and kissing since you arrived at rafes house, not wanting to do anything else.

rafe walks over to the toilet, flipping the lid up. you watch with fascination as he pulls at the tie on his sweatpants, the string unraveling so he can push them and his underwear down before pulling out his cock.

“wait.” you interrupt rafe.

“what baby? i really gotta piss?” rafe asks with a sigh.

“can i hold it for you?” you ask, not able to keep the excitement from your voice. “you know, while you pee.” “sure.” rafe shrugs. “but hurry the fuck up, i’m about to burst.” rafe had stayed in bed as long as he possibly could as to not break your relaxed state, which only led to urgently needing to go.

you quickly hop off the counter. you gently grab rafes soft dick, having only touched him a few times when soft, and always with the intention of getting him hard quickly.

you aim towards the toilet bowl, gasping when rafe begins to pee. you watch in fascination, surprised how much you like the feeling in your hand, even a little saddened when he finishes.

“gotta shake it a little baby.” rafe instructs, making you look at him with confusion in your eyes, wondering if he was just wanting you to give him a handjob.

“to get the last few drops out.” rafe explains.

“oh.” you nod, turning back to look at his dick, shaking it a little as final drops of piss fling off his tip.

“perfect.” rafe smiles, taking his cock and tucking it back into his underwear. “thanks baby.” “you’re welcome.” you smile, knowing you need to recreate the experience again immediately.

rafe heads back towards the bed, expecting you to follow as he flops down. “i… i gotta go get a drink of water.” you say quickly, rushing out of the room and towards the kitchen, getting a glass for yourself and one for rafe, making sure to fill his up fully.

“got one for you too.” you smile as you come back into the room, handing the glass to rafe who takes a hearty sip but then sets it on the nightstand. 

“thanks princess.” he smiles. “now come give me a kiss.” 

you wrap your arms around rafe as you fall into the bed, his lips finding yours as you cuddle up to him, legs twisting together.

“i love days like this.” you admit with a happy sigh, rubbing your thumb over his cheek. “where we can just relax alone.” “i love it too, baby.” rafe says softly. “sorry i’ve been so busy lately. shits just been wild. but we are home together now.” “thank you.” you mumble, running your lips teasingly over rafes until he can’t resist any longer, pushing forward to complete the kiss. rafe has been busy over the past couple of weeks, which resulted in you barely getting any attention, so he cleared the entire day just for the two of you, no plans, no friends, no parties, just the two of you.

“can i pick the movie?” you ask rafe, even though he always lets you chose (except that one time he really wanted to watch john wick)

“of course.” rafe hands you the remote, and you quickly get to work pulling up a film. “ponyo!” “you love ponyo.” rafe says with a roll of his eyes. he discounted the film based on the cutesy style, but always really enjoys every time you choose to watch it.

“shh. be quiet and drink your water.” you mumble, reaching for you own glass as well, hoping if rafe sees you drinking that it would spur him to gulp down more, and thankfully he does take a drink.

you cuddle up to rafe as the movie begins, watching as he occasionally drinks more of his water, almost absentmindedly until the glass is empty.

“i’ll get you a refill!” you tell rafe, about to jump off the bed when he stops you.

“baby, you love this part?” he questions, a hint of suspicion in his voice. “i’ll get the refill.” 

“mmkay.” you nod, leaning back against the pillows as rafe exits the room, glass in hand as your eyes drift back to the tv, ponyo using her magic powers to make the toy boat increase in size. 

you smile at rafe when he returns, also with a small bowl of cashews to snack on. you’re happy he chose a salty snack as he takes even more frequent drinks until you get to the ending of the movie, singing along and doing a little shimmy as the song plays over the credits.

“you’re so cute.” rafe smiles, setting his now empty bowl down onto his nightstand. “gotta pee again, wanna hold it?” “yes!” you squeal, following rafe with excitement as he heads into the bathroom.

“jesus, baby.” he laughs at your giddy face. “didn’t think you’d like holding it while i pee this much.” “i don’t know why.” you admit, rubbing your thighs together subconsciously, but it doesn’t go unnoticed by rafe. “i just really like it. makes me feel close to you.” you lean forward and press a kiss to rafes cheek, having to get up on your tiptoes to reach.

“wait… is that why you got me water? so you could hold it again?” rafe laughs, placing his hands on his hips. 

“maybe…” you mumble, rocking back and forth on the heels of your feet.

“baby, did you choose ponyo because of the water? thought it would make me have to go even faster?” 

“rafey, just pull it out!” you whine, surging forward to tug at the string of his sweatpants, unraveling it.

“you like my piss so much, i should go on you.” rafe scoffs, tugging the front of his pants down and pulling out his dick, but you don’t reach for it, your eyes wide and legs clenched together. rafe notices your reaction, smirking when he realizes just how much his words affect you.

“you want that huh? take your clothes off.”

“wh-what?” your eyebrows raise.

“well, unless you want me to piss all over your clothes, take them off. and get in the shower.” rafe says, tugging his own shirt off.

“o-okay.” you nod, quickly stripping your clothes off, glad that you’re not wearing much. you head into the shower, hands shaking in nerves and anticipation.

“well, kneel down.” rafe says, making you jump as he steps in behind you, also completely naked. you nod and kneel down, eyes wide as you look up at rafe.

“not… not the face, please.” you tell rafe. you’re not sure about it yet, you’re not even sure if you’d like his piss anywhere else on your body, but you desperately want to feel it.

“you control that, baby.” rafe says with a chuckle. “you’re holding it, remember?” “right.” you nod, reaching forward to grasp rafes dick, still mostly soft but you can tell he’s aroused and trying to hold it back. you aim towards your bare chest, letting out a gasp when rafe begins to pee, the stream landing on your tits, nipples instantly perking up as the warm stream spreads over them, then down the front of your belly. 

a moan forces its way out of you when the piss glides down your body, pooling between your legs. since rafe was so hydrated, there’s almost no smell, his stream mostly clear as he finishes. you smile up at rafe, unable to control your expression, clearly letting him know how much you enjoyed it. you even remember to shake the last few drops out.

“such a good girl.” rafe leans down, pressing a kiss against your grin.

he helps you stand up before continuing to kiss, your hand still wrapped around his cock as rafe operates the shower one handed, making sure to turn the shower head away as it warms up, turning on the water to clean you off.

“before we get you all clean-” rafe says, your hand now beginning to stroke him when you feel how hard he’s getting against your palm. “let me get you a bit dirtier.”

rafe shoves your hand away before gripping your thigh and tugging it up around his waist, using his other hand to guide his cock towards your entrance. you moan as he doesn’t tease you at all, immediately sinking his hips forward, burying his cock deep inside of you.

rafe gives you a second to adjust, despite being sopping wet. “my dirty little whore. wanting me to piss all over you.”

“i… i liked it a lot.” you admit shyly, wiggling your hips slightly.

“i can tell, baby.” rafe lets out a laugh, beginning to snap his hips forward. “gonna use you like that a lot more often.” he says, thrusting into you with rapid pace, his hand moving to your clit, knowing either of you will be able to last long.

your hands grip his strong shoulders, feeling the muscles underneath your fingertips, pulling him even closer so your chests rub togethers, stimulating your still wet nipples.

“can’t believe you used ponyo to make me have to pee.” rafe laughs. 

“i did what i had to.” you gasp out as his fingers rub faster, dipping down lower towards your entrance to collect more of your wetness on his fingers before gliding upwards.

“gosh, i’m never gonna get to piss alone ever again, am i?” rafe says, but he doesn’t mind, not when it clearly turns you both on so much.

“never.” you hum, eyes sliding shut as you press the back of your head against the shower wall.

“gonna cum for me princess?” rafe asks. truth is, you’ve been moments away since he first agreed to let you hold it.

“yeah.” you nod quickly. “yeah, gonna cum for you rafey.”

“go ahead, doll.” rafe smirks, snapping his hips forward until you let out a gasp, body shaking against the cold tiles as you cum, cunt pulsing around rafes cock, pushing him over the edge as well as he cums with a grunt, pushing into you as he releases.

“fuck!” you whine out, reaching down to shove rafes fingers away from your clit, needing a reprieve as he gently grinds into you, riding out his high.

“oh my god, baby.” rafe groans, dropping his head into the crook of your next. “that was so good.”

you let out a small giggle as your fingers reach to the back of his head, gently rubbing your fingers against his scalp through the short cropped hair.

“you’re lucky i don’t have to piss again.” rafe says, thrusting ever so slightly in again to show what he means.

“can… can you try in there next time?” you glance down.

rafe smiles as he pulls out, his cock flopping out of you as he slowly lowers your leg from around his hip, knowing you’ll need a moment to regain your balance as he keeps his chest pressed against your body, holding you upright against the wall. “just pissed on you and you already want me to piss inside of you? damn baby, i didn’t realize my sweet girlfriend was such a freak!”

“shut up.” you say with a roll of your eyes, a smile on your lips as rafe turns the shower head back towards the two of you, warm water running over your body as your eyes sink closed, already reminiscing in the memory of kneeling before rafe.

taglist: @drewstarkeyslut @forstarkey @f4ll-for-you @dilvcv @drudyslut @jjmaybankswifes-blog @rafescokenostril @jjsmarijuana @seeingstarks @angelofcigs @cece45450 @babygorewhore @vanessa-rafesgirl @michelleisheres-blog @outerbankspov @drewstarkeyswifehoe @cutielando @kamninaries @buckyswhxre @rafeinterlude @bellbottombaby @deeaardiary @rubixgsworld @wearemadeofstardust0 @leighbronk @starkeysheart @pradabambie @tobesolovelysstuff @alexiskirkland @ladyinbl00d @juniebugg

[it-happened-one-fic]

Twisted Weddings: Photoshoot #4 - Such a Blessing - Kalim

Summary: Your fourth photoshoot was with Kalim and actually involved an outfit traditional to Scalding Sands culture. And, fittingly, you ended up recreating a wedding picture of Kalim’s parents as a light rain started to fall over you both.

Type: Female reader/ 800 Followers Event/ Series/ sfw/ fluff/

Twisted Weddings Series Masterlist

Word count: 904

Crewel tilted his head, frowning slightly as he looked between me and the perfectly giddy Kalim, who already had my hand clasped in his warm one.

“I wasn’t sure about designing a bridal outfit that is more traditional to the Scalding Sands, but…. I think it’s worked out rather nicely,” Crewel finally nodded as he spoke, and I glanced down at the shirt and skirt, or rather, lehenga, that I wore.

Brilliant red with shiny gold embroidery covering both the short-sleeved bodice and the perfectly massive lehenga skirt that had about three layers in total.

“I think it looks great! If you want, I can give you some more jewelry to wear with it to complete the look!” Kalim looked between me and Crewel excitedly.

Both of us shook our heads hurriedly, apparently agreeing that I was already bedecked in enough gold, even as Kalim frowned in obvious confusion before he quickly recovered, “So what are we going to be doing?”

Crewel tilted his head as he eyed us, “Hmm, I was considering something that would show off the full breadth of the skirt, but now that we’re here……”

“I could kiss Y/n on the cheek!” I blinked at Kalim’s words in surprise, turning to look his way as he outright beamed at Crewel, who stared back at him in surprise that was similar to mine.

Kalim continued though, happily explaining himself as he glanced between me and our instructor, “I’ve seen my parent’s wedding pictures, and one of my mom’s favorites has my dad kissing her on the cheek! She always looks so happy when she sees that picture. In fact, her smile is the exact same as the one she has in the picture!”

Crewel nodded, still looking half-surprised as his gaze met mine and I lifted my shoulder in a half-shrug, largely unbothered by Kalim’s suggestions. It wasn’t like it would be the first time he gave me a kiss of some sort to display his occasionally overwhelming affection,  “Well, it sounds like a cute enough picture; it’s your line of wedding clothes, though.”

“No, it suits me if you’re fine with it.” The instructor shook his head at my words as he continued, “I’ll go tell the photographer, so you two can get in position whenever you’re ready.”

I felt myself smile slightly as I glanced back over towards Kalim only to find the young man already smiling brightly at me.

His hand found mine, clasping it tightly as he continued to beam, “Mom’ll be so happy when she sees these pictures! I bet she’ll want to meet you and everything!”

I felt myself chuckle slightly at his joyful nature even as I tilted my head at him, “Did you already tell your parents that you were going to be a model for Crewel’s line of bridal clothes?”

He shook his head, laughing in that perfectly carefree nature of his, “Nah, but my mom likes looking at wedding dresses, so I know she’ll see the images! She says wedding pictures make her happy.”

“We’re going to have to take these pictures quickly since it’s getting overcast. Are you two ready?” I straightened at the photographer's words. But he was right. Dark clouds were already overhead, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it would mess up the lighting for the pictures.

At odds with worries, Kalim was wholly unbothered as he glanced up towards the heavens above us, “Oh, do you think it’ll rain? That would make for a really great picture!”

I glanced at him, half-confused by his words as I frowned slightly, tilting my head at the perpetually bubbly young man, “Because a rainy wedding day is supposed to be good luck?”

He laughed at my words, shaking his head, “No, I just think it would be nice. Rain is always such a blessing after all.”

His red eyes were bright as he grinned at me. Almost brighter than the red of my outfit, and I felt myself smile at his words. Idly wondering how he could be quite so positive about everything, even as I nodded, finding myself squeezing his hand slightly as I spoke, “Let’s hope for the best then.”

He squeezed my hand lightly in return, his expression briefly softening before he looked back over towards where Crewel and the photographer both stood and waved with his free hand, “We’re ready!”

The photographer gave a thumbs up and held up his camera at almost the same time it started to drizzle.

And though I had no idea how he managed to time it quite so perfectly, Kalim tugged me over and kissed me lightly on the cheek, causing me to laugh slightly at his eagerness at the precise moment that the camera flashed. Capturing and immortalizing the moment for eternity as Kalim burst into laughter from beside me.

Wholly unbothered by the rain that was steadily picking up even as Crewel shook his head at us with a distinctly fond smile. But at this point, I felt like most people were fond of Kalim.

Because when it came right down to it, it was hard to be frustrated with Kalim, and the young man always seemed to cause people to smile when he was nearby.

And even without either Crewel or the photographer saying anything as they both peered at the picture on the camera’s screen, I had no doubts that the photograph was perfect.

If you would like to read more:

Previous

Next

[the-roo-too]

candy -> kim minjeong ver

aka the fluff alphabet

admiration (what does she absolutely adore about you)- now hear me out loud and clear, when you’re on the chubbier side… 💳💥💳💥💳💥 my girl loves to squeeze your thighs ok 😔

body (what’s her favourite body part of yours)- i said what i said about thighs, not taking it back

cuddling (how she likes to cuddle)- she is HOLDING YOU. and i’m am telling you you’re laying on her no matter if you’re two times taller or whatever. she wants to feel your full body weight on top like a weighted blanket

dates (what’s her ideal date)- i may have read one too many fics about nerdy minjeong so me thinks a movie night? omg you’re watching jaws together and building the new lego jaws set, recreating some of the scenes with the legos when you’re done

emotions (how does she express her emotions around you)- jeongie is a dork and i stand by that. she’s very expressive, either smiling at you brightly or pouting when she’s sad

family (does she want one)- in this economy?

gifts (what about gift giving)- going with my nerdy winter agenda, she gives you random things connected to whatever you like. you’re into sharks? she bought a cutie real shark tooth necklace for you to wear and gives you a lecture about it. you’re into marvel? she dresses up as spider man and randomy surprises you in the suit

holding hands (does she like to hold hands)- i like to think winter get very clingy. she HAS to be touching you somehow so when you’re walking in public, you better hold her pinky.

injuries (what would she do if you got hurt)- poor babie gets so protective :(( if you twisted your ankle walking down the stairs, she’ll insist on carrying you down bridal style for a year after. cut your finger cutting cucumber? you’re banned from the kitchen

jokes (does she like to joke around)- if the spider man suit joke wasn’t enough, she does love jokes

kisses (how does she like to kiss you)- this is gonna be corny, still pushing my marvel agenda, winter would hang up a bar over your door to maybe try and like spider man kiss you upside down she falls and hurts her head

love (what’s her love language)- randomly talking about your interests! you’re walking around and you kneel down to pick up a pretty rock and she tells you everything she knows about it lol

memory (what’s her favourite memory together)- stick with me here, she actually didn’t like you at first. before dating you, she was kinda cold and closed off. one day when you were coming back from the company with her, it was raining. she didn’t have an umbrella but oops you have one! you shielding her from rain that day, that’s her favourite memory and also the one that made her warm up to you

nighttime (how does sleeping with her look like)- i think you two start out peacefully cuddling, both happy blah blah, then she hogs all of the covers while sleeping and turns into a cocoon, leaving you freezing 💀

oddity (what’s one quirky thing about her)- nerdy minjeong agenda is going strong yawl

pet names (what does she like to call you)- now this depends really on what you like. you want simple ‘baby’, ‘love’ etc? that’s good for her. you want something more personal? ‘optimus prime’ or ‘rizzler’

quality time (how does she like to spend time with you)- i talked about legos and movies, but i have one more thing 😼 puzzle! only you’re making a 1k piece and your playlist is playing in the back—illusion comes on and the almost finished piece lands in the floor because muscle memory kicked in and winter HAD to do the choreo

rush (does she rush into things)- no 🤙 as i said, winter actually didn’t like you at first lol. she warms up to you with time but the begging are hard

secrets (how open is she with you)- winter cannot keep a secret to save her life. you knew armageddon tracks long before they were released lol

time (how long did it take her to confess)- too long. i’m thinking half a year to two? imagine you go from kind of hating someone to kind of loving them? she has to think about it hard okay?!

upset (what’s her reaction when you’re upset)- i think she actually matches your energy. gets upset as easily as you do, which is a problem when you two have to work it out. then you’re just both pouting, sitting side to side and no one is saying anything

visibility (is she afraid of the public opinion)- all of aespa is traumatised by karina’s last relationship no girl is coming out with her s/o now 💔

warrior (how often do you fight)- i’m gonna say 3/4 times a month. she’s sensitive about stuff like her idol job so sometimes that causes you to fight, or you get annoyed at one of her ‘jokes’

x-ray (is she able to read you)- no 😭 she didn’t know you had a crush on her because she thought she disliked you let’s be fr

yes (how would she propose to you)- controversial opinion, she wouldn’t really. let’s say you two are somewhere where gay marriage is legal—she’s afraid the idol life gets too much for you. you two will be girlfriends forever, unless maybe her company thinks it would be good for you to be married when you go public? 😭

zen (what makes her feel calm)- quality time ✨ building legos, puzzles, maybe even teaching your her choreos! important part, you two have to be alone. if you’re with her whole group playing a game or something, she’s too busy possessively keeping an arm wrapped around your waist

part of [the fluff series]

[puff0o0]

Simon Riley with a plus size reader

• He doesn't view you any different. He treats you the same as he would with anyone else he was in a relationship with. You're his type and that's all that really matters to him

• He will carry you if you tell him he can't. He will do it even more just to prove you wrong. If he wants to carry you bridal style, he will. Unless you're really uncomfortable with it then he won't, he still respects your boundaries just as you respect his

• He treats you like glass because that's what you are to him- glass. His partner is so horribly important to him and I don't think he could fathom ever accidentally hurting you no matter how little it was

• He'll look over the spot, mentally scolding himself for being so careless around you (even though he literally almost is never, but he has is moments) and kiss the area, mumbling several apologies and how he'll make it up to you

• You make up his life, his world. Just a gentle kiss from you and he's feeling better and stronger than he's ever felt in 10 years. You make him feel like himself and he strives to recreate the same feeling for you

• Gentle touches as he hugs you, his strong arms wrapping around you and making you feel as safe as you make him feel. Kissing the top of your head while you watch something in the background while silently thinking to himself about how happy he is to have you

• Rubbing his hands over your knuckles to remind himself that he has the perfect partner, that you actually gave him a chance. Your hand moving to hold his leads to him kissing you, not even trying to hold back a smile as he pulls you even closer to him

• If you're feeling insecure, he will always make sure you leave the room feeling as beautiful as you look. He helps you as you help him

• Although he never shows his insecurities as he doesn't really have much, he has his moments like we all do and you help him. He'll be damned if you leave anywhere without knowing you were the prettiest person in the whole world

[theitgirlboutique]

OH NO! la séduction’s editor is addicted to fashion!!!

As the parties simmered down and the sparkle of New Year’s Eve faded, I did what any self-respecting fashion devotee does—dove headfirst into the year’s style predictions. With a piping hot cup of tea and my loyal laptop, I embarked on one of my favourite January rituals: dissecting the fashion forecast. It’s like a stylish time capsule—revealing the year, good or bad, in terms of the outfits worn. A good forecast, means a good year for girls like me.

Why, you ask? Because decoding these trends isn’t just fun; it’s a masterclass in how fashion breathes and evolves. And for us des gens normaux (it means normal people… its prettier in french sorry) who can’t refresh our closets every season, these insights help us curate timeless staples that flirt with the trends while standing strong year after year.

So, of course, the second I started a blog, I couldn’t resist diving into it and sharing everything I know with you, my dearest, darlingest readers. And yes, I know—I tend to slip in a few too many French words. But honestly, I can’t help it! It’s just so romantic, don’t you think?

The making of The ‘fashion forcast’

Before diving into the hits and misses, let’s demystify the magic of trend forecasting. Fashion houses like Prada and Miu Miu often set the tone with early shows, testing the waters with wearable, crowd-pleasing pieces while simultaneously dropping hints of what’s to come. Think of these hints as breadcrumbs leading us to the defining looks of the year—though consumerism, the terror that it is, means we often see multiple microtrends swirling in the mix.

For 2024, the the spotlight is on two major looks: minimalism & ’90s quiet luxury. Designers leaned into “modern beauty,” described not as an ideal, but as a celebration of life’s delightful messiness. In lay terms? Chicly chaotic elegance—oversized trench coats, effortless pencil pants, and Birkin bags casually unorganized à la Jane Birkin herself. (yes, i picked up french this year)

I’ve dubbed this aesthetic “The Art of the Lived-In Look.” Think accsesorised cameras and bags, jewellery layered in every possible combination ever, and outfits that say “I woke up like this” in the most intentional way possible.

This will be a two part series, please don’t let this flop i would be very depressed— or how do you say it… déprimée

Trends! Trends! & Trends!

White dresses

I seriously doubted this one. Could bridal ivory really dominate? But wouldnt you know it, they were everywhere—from Angelina Jolie’s striking appearances to Jessica Alba’s understated elegance. The Grammys, Wimbledon, and the Golden Globes all bore witness to this trend’s dominance.

Rating: 8/10

Timeless, classy, and universally flattering. These dresses brought subtle sophistication without veering into the ‘in-your-face’ territory

Editor’s Pick (2024): Bella Hadid stole my heart with a summery sundress featuring delicate lace details. Paired with strappy white sandals and breezy beachy curls, it was casual perfection.

Overall Favorite: Angelina Jolie’s silk gown at the 2004 Oscars is still the blueprint. Its low neckline, soft sheen, and classic diamonds felt effortlessly iconic. So iconic, even Sydney Sweeney’s recreated it, with a marilyn monroe coded twist of course

Pants: Grey, High-Waisted, and Wide-Legged

The 2024 forecast saw pants reaching for new heights—literally. High-rise styles are back, though I still feel like we’re straddling the low-to-mid rise era with the “office siren” trend: medium-rise pants paired with structured tops.

Grey pants, however, enjoyed a resurgence thanks to the “old money” aesthetic, offering a much needed break from the overdone blue-black combo (I still love it though). And wide-leg jeans? A perfect fusion of baggy comfort and polished elegance.

Rating: 10/10

From tailored grey trousers to relaxed wide-leg jeans, these styles are versatile staples that won’t fade anytime soon.

Editor’s Pick (2024): Bella Hadid strikes again! Her grey pants ensemble with a tank, oversized blazer, and accessories nailed the “more is more” mantra, while others stuck to safe white tops.

Overall Favorite: Sofia Vergara’s pop-of-red streetwear look proves that a single bold color can elevate even the most neutral pieces.

Polo Shirts and Breton Stripes

Polo shirts: the love-it-or-hate-it staple that refuses to die (why?!). Vogue revives this divisive classic every few years, but for me, it still symbolises uninspiring school uniforms… ew! Breton stripes, on the other hand, feel effortlessly French—especially in classic black and white.

Rating: 6/10

While polo shirts remain polarising, Breton stripes bring a hint of Parisian charm. you cannot tell me it isn’t perfect to wear to a tiny little café no one knows about.

Editor’s Pick (2024): Taylor Swift’s polo outfit was surprisingly chic. Paired with red boots and a sleek bag, it exuded sophistication— her stylist needs a raise

Overall Favorite: Audrey Hepburn’s Breton-striped shirt is exactly what I’m talking about. But honestly, maybe it’s the shirt, maybe it’s her. Either way, it just oozes iconic.

Thats it for right now. I promise i'll be back to look at all the other trends and also further into the importance of personal style in part 2 of the ‘2024 Fashion Predictions’ Tips are welcome! farwell,

Ma chérie! i love you!

[m0on-prism]

Mitsuaya headcanons pt 2

Aya meows back to stray cats

Mitsuki comes by Aya's place a lot to help babysit her brothers

Aya snores super loud

It's woken Mitsuki up in the middle of the night

On the rare occasion Mitsuki wakes up before Aya, she makes breakfast in bed for her

Aya ensures Mitsuki looks halfway decent when leaving the house

When they broke up, Aya cut her hair during a mental breakdown, instantly regretted it, and cried even more.

Mitsuki had trouble being able to cut her hair anymore

(Hair holds memory and all that)

Aya kept Mitsukis old hoodies and when they stopped smelling like her, she bought Mitsuki's old cologne to not forget what she smelt like

Mitsuki started painting her nails the same pink Aya would frequently wear

Mitsuki still has Aya sleeping as her lock screen

The breakup was unexpected and only a few months after Mitsuki had proposed to Aya

Aya still wears her engagement ring

Chizuru and Mao invite her out to bars and other outings to help her get out of the house

Aya unconsciously looks for Mitsuki in the crowds and in other people

Mitsuki frequently tries to get with other people who all look similar to Aya but can't go through with any of them

Mitsuki still dedicated all her songs to Aya - together or not

Aya refuses to listen to any songs by Mitsuki

Mitsuki sleeps for days at a time while Aya can't sleep

Mitsuki tries to recreate old hairstyles Aya had put her hair in

Joe reached out to Aya to help console her, Aya appreciated the gesture but it didn't help

Narita tried talking to Mitsuki about how bad she screwed up and it made her feel so much worse finding out how bad Aya was doing

Aya covered most of her mirrors because she hates to see how depressed she looks

Aya adamantly avoids bridal shops as she feels she'll never be able to love anyone else again

Mitsuki wears old jewelry Aya had left behind

At Mitsuki's concerts and shows she always looks for Aya in hopes she'll be able to see her again

The two see each other again at a mutual friend party and Aya can't help the tears that start falling

Mitsuki can't conjure up any words to say

Aya mumbles I hate you's

Mitsuki can't do anything but accept them

Uhmmmmmmmmmmm yeah. I want to write an angst fic but I also can't write angst well at all so lol

[tangyangie]

karma x chaotic s/o headcanons

— oh god.

— you guys are the definition of destruction. nothing is safe from the grasps of you both. you've probably accidentally broken ten desks before. this definitely earned you a scolding from korosensei.

— you guys skip class together. you do whatever you want to in the moment -- from getting coffee and having a chat, to digging a hole in the ground and trying to escape it by running around in circles until you eventually reach the top.

— he teaches you subjects you struggle with. or, more specifically, tries to teach you. it ends up with seeing who can make the most paper cranes before you realize you accidentally used the homework paper.

— you guys stand up on tables. that's just your regular thing. korosensei yells at you both for doing it. the scolding is ineffective.

— you find animals on the street. they end up attacking you both, but that doesn't stop you from the search for pets. after all, dodging them is easy enough.

— karma tries to find ways to catch you off guard. he will place whipped cream on your head if it means you'll be surprised. he probably does that thing where you're about to sit down and he pulls the chair from under you. little shit

— you guys sit upside down on couches. your head is where your knees would be and your feet are sticking up above the couch. it's just too much fun sitting like that and seeing the people on the tv upside down, so it just became a thing.

— he likes to get messy. if you're ever painting, he dips his hands in the paint and gently puts his hand on your face. baking something? you know damn well he's taking the frosting and smearing it on your mouth. (with love ofc)

— you both recreate random movie scenes. with a little fun, of course. but, let's pretend that during your take of the titanic scene, you didn't accidentally fall into the water ten times.

— you've probably exploded microwaves before. not your fault you didn't know the bowl was metal. and that microwaves don't like metal.

— you guys blackmail everyone else. everyone in the class has a special note in your phones with evidence of everything they've done, including teraseka singing in the shower at full volume. but, your rule is no blackmail on each other.

— you guys go to parks a lot. you definitely end up jumping off of the swings and going on top of the monkey bars. some of the parents might give you looks.

— karma picks you up a lot. over his shoulder, bridal style, normally, any way of picking you up, he does. let's not mention the time he held you upside down by your ankles.

notes: i love this idea!! i probably would've added more but i'm working on something rn and i'm stressing about it

anyways i hope you liked it!!

[wambsgansshoelaces]

blurb 7 of blurb night!!!

Steve and Peggy

Tom Wambsgans x Reader

prompt: “dancing with Tom 🥰”

eeeee again I’m sorry I’m so slow with the uploads!!! I promise they’re all coming don’t worry <33 thank you so much for being patient, and thank you anon for requesting!! I love you and I hope you enjoy xxx

Word Count: 688

“Hi, honey.”

Tom’s voice is dripping with affection, with pure love for you. He comes over to where you’re sitting, stooping over to give you a lengthy, sweet kiss hello. Your fingers trail down his arm as he pulls away, turning to put his stuff down.

“How was work?” you ask as you do every day, watching as he shrugs off his blazer.

“Tiring,” he admits. “Maybe it’s time I took a break.”

You hum in agreement. “You should take it easy for the next couple weeks, Tom.” As you speak, he wanders back over to you, kneeling next to your chair. He gazes up at you lovingly, his expression nothing but reverent.

You reach out to touch his face, and he immediately leans into your touch. Your thumb strokes over his eyebrow before your palm moves to cup his cheek. “Are you alright?” he asks quietly.

You lean towards him and plant a kiss onto his forehead. “I’m perfectly fine.” He gently pries your hand from your cheek and presses a sweet kiss to the palm of your hand before lacing his fingers with yours.

“Does anything hurt? Are you stressed? I hope you’re not exhausting yourself.” His expression never wavers, his features still knitted tightly together with affection. His thumb gently strokes over the divot of your palm, back and forth, Your heart warms as you gaze at him, his concern making you feel all warm and fluffy.

“I’m just tired, Tom.” You lean towards him again and catch his lips with yours for a long, tender kiss. “I just want the work week to end.”

He gets to his feet, his hand still holding yours, and pulls you up with him. You give a half-hearted protest, smiling up at him as he tugs you close to him.

“Come on. Let’s dance,” he urges softly.

“Dance?” you ask, laughter seeping into your voice.

He gets his phone out from his pocket, and without looking up from it, he kisses the back of your hand. “I have an entire playlist.” He presses play and drops his phone onto the chair you were just sitting on, his attention now solely on you.

“Isn’t this the song from Endgame?”

You can’t help the giggle that escapes you when his free hand goes to sit on your hip and he begins slowly whirling you around your living room. “It is,” he says simply. “We’re recreating the scene,” he says excitedly, eyes never leaving yours. He’s just so fucking in love with you. If you’d asked him to recreate the movie, he’d blow millions on it. Just to make you happy. Just to see that beautiful fucking smile of yours. The hand of yours not gripping his own is set on his chest.

You slow dance through the room with Tom, unable to wipe the smile from your face. He holds up your intertwined hands, encouraging you into a spin.

“You’re so gorgeous,” he murmurs once you’re back in his arms. His thumb strokes soothingly over the bone of your hip as you both sway. You just stare at each other, and you can feel the adoration rolling off of him in waves. You hope your gaze is as loving and tender as his is. As the music continues on, you fall more and more for him. He’s soft, gentle, kind. He’s everything you need, everything you’ll ever want again. He leans in and manages to kiss you, long and hard. “I love you.”

“I love you t-” You cut yourself off with a giddy yelp, his hands suddenly letting go of you and instead hooking his arm under your knees and hoisting you up bridal style. Your fingers scramble for purchase on his shirt, but you’re still grinning ear to ear.

He’s kissing into your hair as he Carrie’s you back to your shared bedroom. He gently sets you on the bed, making sure not to hurt you, and climbs on after you.

His hand goes to cup the back of your neck, his mouth following and lining kissing all up and down your throat.

You’ve never felt more loved.

[new-tella-us]

I got a fic!

Aight go easy on me, I haven't written a fic in a while so it might be a little short and jumbled. This is really just to establish the "James Neutral Route" idea that has been brewing in my head for a while.

For now the Fic/Fic Series is gunna be called Neutrality. It may change though.

“When did our nights become so recreational?” 

The thought pierced James’s mind as he read what had become his default book in the recent years. He couldn’t help but look up from his book at the world around him to see what it had become. The warm colored wooden flooring and frankly tacky but comfortably familiar wallpaper of the Anderson manor, the smell of cedar wood from the marble fireplace that burned so dimly covering the library in a soft glow and the dark, starry��sky just outside the window that contrast the murky, red sky he was so used to.  

Oddest of all, was her. Mika, the woman that so casually rested her tired head on his right shoulder. She snored so comfortably against his chest. Looking to his side, his vision became covered in her barely tied up curly hair, as dark as the night sky to their left. As normal as such a sight became for James, it still made a side of his mind feel odd. He couldn’t help but find the whole scene almost unreal. Like it was an unrealistic dream, or a play and they were the actors. And that’s when the question would appear in his head. Life had become so slow and full of frivolity, even with running the Anderson Toy company.  

When? 

When did calm, soft nights become normal? Were they ever fully normal to him? Maybe not. He expected them but he wasn’t used to them. 

With a sigh and a shrug, he brushed the thought aside as always. It’s a question that didn’t have a clear answer. Eyes turning back to the book in his hand, the cover more specifically, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Love and Romance. A Study of Intimacy.” His “favorite” book according to his brothers’ teasing. It really wasn’t, there were others he liked more, better written with more solid themes and plots. Even other books from the human world had superior books to this one but, he just kept coming back to it and he barely understood why. 

“Love and Romance...” 

Another topic he felt like he knew casually but never understood. He understood the lust often tacked onto love fairly easily. The rising passion of two or more people when the mood calls for it, the fire that burned in your core until it becomes raging and impossible to ignore. He knew that all too well. He just had to be around the woman currently resting on his chest –whose hair is currently tickling his neck- long enough and he’d feel that rise in passion, often caused by a lack of energy. He perfectly understood that. But love... Love was so complex and fickle. It was a walking contradiction; beautiful yet ugly, powerful with no real power, a peacemaker or a war bringer, and something so very far removed from him. 

He knew better than to try and feel it. If he did, his soul would feel an emptiness. An uncomfortably spacious void where the missing emotion would be. He knew he couldn’t love anyone anymore. Not the romantic love he should feel for her anyway. He could imitate the actions someone with love does and he did care for her, but he couldn’t truly feel it. That book, understanding it more with every read, might be as close as he gets to romantic love he’ll ever get. 

... 

The air always got so cold when he allowed himself to spiral in thought like this.  

Maybe it was time to go to bed. There was no point making the night colder or longer than it had to be. He was about to shake Mika awake when he thought against it. She looked so peaceful on his shoulder; he wanted to preserve that peace before she inevitably ruined it by consuming her -frankly concerning amount of- coffee. Slowly, carefully, he shifted his hands around her waist and under her knees to pick her up in a way humans call “bridal style”. She shifted but when she didn’t seem to wake, he started walking out of the library and down the hallway to the master bedroom.  

The door creaked open, and the royal blue of the room invited him in with its familiarity. He’d become well acquainted with this room over the nights he’s spent serving Mika, especially after his younger brothers, one by one, left the manor and he spent more time keeping the mistress fed and happy, or in this case, rested. A night like this of putting her to bed wasn’t common but not unheard of either. He had gotten used to it enough that he was trusted to undress her and put her in something more comfortable.  

This time, however, he felt that familiar flash of something more carnal at seeing her undressed. He could almost feel the gold whirling through his violet eyes. It wasn’t blinding or overpowering but it did make him stare at her form and curves longer than he should; and it was a good sign that he might be low on energy. He’d discuss that with her tomorrow. For now, he tucked her into bed then headed for the door. 

“Thank you, James,” A soft, tired voice whispered. 

Turning back, he saw Mika staring back at him with a small smile; her emerald eyes barely holding themselves up. He couldn’t help but smile back, her smile always drew him closer, and tonight was no exception. He found himself near skating back to her side, putting a hand on her hair and ruffling it. It was like touching silk or something made of magic and the anxiety of the question that still loomed over him slowly went away. 

“Sleep, you have work tomorrow,” he said as softly as he could make his voice, his hand slowly falling to her cheek. 

Soft skin pressed into his hand as she relaxed. Her eyes closed and when he heard her snoring pick up again, he knew it was safe to leave the room. He closed the door as quietly as you can with a door as creaky as this one before turning to go down the hall towards the stairwell. His walk back to his room on the other side of the mansion gave him time to ponder that question again.  

“When did life become so recreational?”  

He thought on it with a lighter perspective, life became different but like a floating dream. And when? Does it really matter anymore? Life is more recreational, and he’ll live in this recreation until life stops letting him.  

Not everything has to be overthought. 

[shaadiwish]

Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet’s wedding pictures are going viral on social media. We are in absolute awe of Rakul’s pastel lehenga look.

[darkness-and-books]

Purr-fectly Tipsy

Jim Kirk x gn Vulcan!reader

⚠️: drinking, tipsy reader, extra clingy drunk

word count: 500

Sure, neither of you really drank much, but it was a night after a long shift and everyone was gathered in the recreation room eight. So now you were a little buzzed and looking for your boyfriend because, "I miss his pretty face," is what you had said when Bones asked. You had been pointed to one of the pool tables by Chekov. When you looked over your already flushed face lit up and you made a beeline for him. "I missed you!" You let out when you reached him, clinging to his despite the fact that it hindered his ability to play. "Hi sweetie," Jim cooed and booped your nose. You preened at the affection and leaned even further into him. His pool cue now planted firmly on the ground as he turned his attention to you fully. "Love meeee," You demanded as you shifted your weight and were now practically hanging off of the man. "I do love you sweetie. How much have you had to drink?" He didn't mean it as an insult, he was just concerned that maybe it was time to take you back to your quarters. "Not that much," you bubbled, Jim briefly glanced at Bones who was still at the bar and pointed at you with a questioning look. When Bones gave him a silent thumbs up in response Jim turned back to you in acceptance. "Okay," he answered, putting down his pool cue and leading you to a chair. He sat you down in a chair and then moved to his own, only to have you ditch your seat to climb into his lap. He wasn't complaining by any means, but it was unusually clingy of you (at least for there being so many people around). "Hello there," Jim joked as you put your face in the crook of his neck and nudged him with your nose. You sighed and tugged at his sleeves, getting the hint Jim wrapped an arm around you and began to rub your back. If it were even possible, you melted even further into his touch and purred, a soft vibrating that came from deep within your chest and radiated through your whole body. "Woah!" Jim exclaimed, Spock smiled slightly at his reaction. "They do that sometimes, it's a vestigial trait of Vulcans," Spock explained from across the table. "Would've been nice to know before you nearly gave me a heart attack," Jim whispered to you and you giggled. "I've never done it while sober, so I never really thought bout it," you mumbled truthfully. Jim hummed in response and continued to rub your back, beginning to feel comforted by the purring that was emanating from you. "Mmm, maybe it's time to head up to bed," Jim thought out loud to you, "mmph," you grumbled, not opposed to sleep, but opposed to moving. "What?" He asked, "don' wanna get up," you mumbled. "Fine," Jim conceded and swept you up bridal style, "How's that?" He asked you triumphantly.

[zeethesimmer1]

Wedding Lookbook | The Sims 4

Hey, Simmers! 🌟

I’m beyond excited to share my latest creation with you: the Wedding Lookbook for The Sims 4! 💍✨ This lookbook is your go-to collection for stunning bridal and groom outfits, perfect for making your Sims' wedding day absolutely unforgettable. Whether you're planning a grand ceremony or an intimate celebration, this collection has everything you need to create the perfect wedding.

What's Included:

Bride Outfits: Exquisite wedding dresses, veils, and accessories to make your Sim bride shine.

Groom Outfits: Dashing tuxedos, suits, and accessories to ensure your Sim groom looks his best.

Hair and Makeup: Gorgeous hairstyles and makeup options to complete the bridal and groom looks.

Custom Content Links: All the CC used in this lookbook, so you can easily recreate these stunning outfits in your game.

Get ready to immerse your Sims in a world of romance and style with these beautifully crafted looks. Download now and start planning the wedding of your dreams!

Download here: [Link to Download]

Thank you for your incredible support! I can’t wait to see your Sims in these beautiful wedding outfits. Don’t forget to share your screenshots and tag me so I can see how fabulous your Sims look!

Happy Simming! 💍✨

📸✨ Check out some beautiful snapshots of the Wedding Lookbook below. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

[trending-marketing-topics]

Celebrity Wedding Makeup Looks: Get Inspired for Your Big Day

Tips for Your Bridal Makeup

Trial Run: Always do a makeup trial before your wedding day to ensure you’re happy with the look.

Longevity: Use long-lasting, waterproof products to keep your makeup intact through tears and dancing.

Skincare: Focus on your skincare routine leading up to the big day for the best canvas.

Professional Help: Consider hiring a professional makeup artist who can recreate your chosen celebrity look perfectly.

By drawing inspiration from these stunning celebrity wedding makeup looks, you can find a style that makes you feel beautiful and confident on your special day. Remember, the best makeup look is one that reflects your personality and makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

[thevampiremarie]

Treehouse ask:

Two quick things!

1. I love how Morpheus is out of touch with humans yet he knows what all the girlies (non-gendered) want: a nice bathroom with all the fixings. Like I'm sorry but if he every took a look at my Pinterest boards and recreated that. I (who is a commitmentphobe) would propose.

2. I am so excited for their wedding!!! Just because I know you're going to add so much detail and symbolism to it!! If they do have one because you know Morpheus is going to go all out to display his beloved to the Dreaming.

Rip I wrote a whole answer and then tumblr deleted it

Thank you for the question anon, and for enjoying the fic ❤️❤️❤️

Throughout the story I have wanted to demonstrate how strong the connection is between Morpheus and Reader. Not just externally where we see them talking and interacting, but also subconsciously. Morpheus is the collective human unconscious, so as he spends more time around this human and falls in love, he is able to access her unconscious and some of her thoughts and reflect them in himself. His in canon jadedness/cynicism very much parallels similar trends in human attitudes, particularly after world wars and multiple financial crises. But the way Reader sees the world and the little things Reader enjoys have a positive effect on him (just as when things are going bad for humanity, he becomes more negative). Even when she’s angry with him, she still sees wonder and goodness in his actions. If Morpheus is a mirror of people, it makes sense to me that he wants to choose to mirror an outlook that values who he personally is, that is full of hope and strength and the potential for change.

I’M SO EXCITED FOR THE WEDDING. Im already planning it. I have a Pinterest board for Reader’s wedding dress and I’m picking songs that thematically support the wedding.

Just as a fun sneak peek: one of the songs that I put on the official treehouse playlist (you can find it here) will be the main theme of the wedding arc.

Aapki Khushi by Jasdeep Singh Degun and Ashnaa is an original song that was composed by Degun for British opera company Opera North’s production of L’Orfeo, an opera about Orpheus and Eurydice by Claudio Monteverdi.

Opera North’s production of L’Orfeo (you can watch them perform Aapki Khushi here) combined Indian and Western influences in their interpretation of this Italian opera (based off Ancient Greek myth). Eurydice and her family were Indian and Orpheus and his family were Western. Everyone sang in Hindu and Italian. Persephone sung in Tamil. The opera had traditional Indian musicians on stage with Western musicians. Orpheus wore a traditional Western suit and Eurydice wore traditional Indian bridal dress with words embroidered around the edge of her veil.

Aapki Khushi was composed to fit into the Italian opera score while supporting the Indian influences Opera North added to their production. The title translates to “your joy is my joy.”

This is something I am hoping to bring to the wedding between Morpheus and Reader - a combination of Western culture and international culture, taking people/cultures/customs that are often excluded from Western fantasy stories and including them, adding more beauty and color than would have existed without them.

(And of course, anything related to Orpheus gets a mention in treehouse. I think that if Morpheus saw this production of this opera, it would make him mournful yet happy with how it celebrates Orpheus.)

(This is another aspect of what I meant when I said that Orpheus’s presence will be felt throughout the story. By picking this song for the wedding arc, I (as the author) felt like I was getting Orpheus’s blessing for his father’s second marriage.)

[mx-lamour]

[I realized I wasn't actually done with the last premise. 3 is the epilogue to 4.]

3 - Sweet

Strahd von Zarovich waited beside the stairwell where he knew Alek would appear. He never did so within sight, but through a doorway, or some part of the adjoining hall just outside of Strahd's periphery. The damned Mists. If Strahd could study how Alek first appeared, perhaps it would give some clue as to how to replicate the process, or to prevent the Mists from stealing him away again.

It may provide some clue about the Mists themselves. And how to breach them.

Strahd had seen to the area’s cleanliness this time. The dust and cobwebs were gone. Torches lit the way. As long as Alek didn't look into the desecrated chapel first, all should seem right to his eyes, during his first steps into the future. A fairly seamless transition.

He had played on Alek's fear, sometimes, to make him fight against his inevitable ending. But now Strahd thought to reassure his old friend. He had seen Alek terrified and crestfallen all too often. Where was the man’s knowing smile? His genuine laughter? Strahd would find it.

Strahd even looked the part. He wore one of his finest ensembles, still all black, but it suited him. The vest was well fitted, with intricate dark embroideries that added subtle sheens and textures in the right light. Not only a noble guest, Strahd would make a suitable groom in this attire.

He stood next to that stairwell, not as much like a man at the altar as a general on the field, surveying for signs of attack, planning his next move. Strahd was nervous, and his instinct was foreboding.

Strahd intended to catch Alek here, and say he had been looking for him. That he had sent the other guard away. It was not entirely a lie.

Then Alek would ask why, and Strahd would step in close. This in itself was not unusual. The two would often utter quiet words in the other's ear, when there were others around and discretion was important. There would be none other around, but Alek would not have yet realized that. And the words that Strahd would whisper in his ear this time, and the kiss that followed, might well distract him from ever noticing a difference at all in the space between that moment and when they reached Strahd's private quarters.

Strahd would kill Alek himself, discreetly, so the man would not succumb to horror so soon after such moments of ecstasy. This was still the only form of mercy he could offer. He hoped that wouldn't always be the case.

But then the hour of Alek's arrival passed. With dawning dread, Strahd left his post to search the area. He spiraled wide, dipping through doorways and corridors, leaping up and down flights of stairs. He opened empty rooms, and closed them again, slamming the doors with mounting frustration.

“Alek!” Strahd shouted his name through the castle, unwittingly recreating many of Alek's past searches for Strahd himself. “Captain Gwilym!” he roared a few times, like the Lord and commander he once had been, seeking to elicit a reaction from him, as though the man were a mischievous child hiding from his mother. The alternative was much less humorous.

At length, Strahd found that he had succumbed to pacing in circles. He traced his way back to Alek's stairway, and searched even the lower floors, even the crypts.

The crypts were a mistake. Strahd passed by Sergei's resting place. He gripped beneath the heavy stone lid and flipped it open with great force, cracking it against the wall behind.

Strahd had deigned to lay his young brother's body to rest there, at the same time he’d had to deal with the rest of the corpses in his care, after the wedding day massacre. He had still loved his brother, despite everything. And once Tatyana, too, was dead, there seemed little reason between them to torture the poor fool further beyond his ultimate demise.

That generosity had since vanished. Strahd reached into the casket and hauled Sergei's body up by the moldering jacket of his bridal suit. “This is all your fault,” Strahd seethed.

He dragged the corpse, no longer such a handsome young man, through the guano and up the stone steps, bones rattling with every thump on the ascent. Strahd had even avoided using Sergei's body in his little stunts to frighten Alek. Well, no longer. If Strahd had to wander, loveless and restless, around an empty ruin for eternity, so would the idiot boy who had caused him so much grief.

. . .

He received a letter from Lovina Wachter not long after. The missive contained a familiar name: Leo Dilisnya. It had been a long time since Strahd had last considered that the bastard was still out there somewhere. He could have died from aging by now. It was suddenly very fortunate, for Strahd's sense of vengeful ire, that he had not. Dilisnya deserved everything that he was yet to experience.

When the deed was done, and Strahd had returned once more to his shadowy fortress, he wondered why he had not thought to create another like himself sooner. Only a couple years earlier, and the notion might have…

Hindsight. Nothing could be done about it now.

Still, Strahd's search for knowledge continued. If he could not amend past tragedies, he could still attempt to prevent future ones, whatever those might be. Death and its agents of Mist would be given little quarter in this quiet war.

. . .

The burgomaster of Berez finally sent word to Strahd about a collection of tomes in which he might find interest.

And as Strahd leafed carefully through their contents, he could never have expected her.

His sweet girl, returned at last.

Alek’s coming truly had preceded hers.

Strahd's knees gave out. He slumped into a chair. Tears welled in his eyes, but he blinked them away. Now was not the time.

Tatyana did not remember herself, let alone Strahd. She called herself Marina. No matter. In exchange, it seemed that time would impose no limits on her. She was not merely an echo stepping out of some different time. She was reborn.

And it was just as well that she did not remember much, even after Strahd had managed to draw forth old memories, hidden deep inside her mind. She truly was Tatyana, and Strahd could fill the voids.

[You know what happens next, and it's still tragic. We've caught up to canon events. I'm not sure if Alek comes back between Tatyana reincarnations or not. It's possible.]

* * * [Ao3 Collection] [prompt list by @syrips]