#Esmeralda Took

[tehcherrya]

I have been very inspired, lately, to give the previous generation of hobbits that otherwise doesn't have any physical description/fanart some faces to names. Drawing the hobbit parents with their respective partners (and Ferumbras with his respective self). And it actually proved to be a decent character design exercise if I do say so myself!

Some of the design choices from the mind of the lovely @tehri -- As some of the hobbit stuff on their blog was what aspired me in the first place, as well as some hobbit head canons of my own thrown into the mix.

Hope y'all enjoy!

[boogflake]

Esmeralda and Bobby… I mean Ybbob 🩸🦇

[gg-is-a-loser]

introducing my ocs (finally)

i’ve posted them without context a lot so here is the overview 🔥🔥🔥

important background info: they all live in an underground city (literally) called safehaven. it’s a refuge for criminals and outcasts. there’s no real government, several groups have their own turf that they control

there’s not really any rules for like. species or powers or anything. i kind of just do whatever i want i fear

this is stryder, boss of a group called the serpents. youngest of three adopted kids, he inherited the job when their mother died. in a relationship with kestrel. don’t have any good recent art of it but he can transform, growing horns and extra eyes and claws. it can be on command or when he’s angry.

kestrel, stryder’s partner and part of the serpents’ medical team. she came from money on the surface, fleeing to safehaven after killing her husband. the serpents took her in and she fell in love with stryder. he calls her “songbird”. she can create wind, which goes out of control when she’s in distress. (part of how she got her scar- after the whole killing her husband thing, she panicked and the wind started up, which knocked over a candle and burned the whole house down. sad!)

hester, lead enforcer for the serpents and the middle child of the previous boss. she can see the future and has no control over when she gets visions. they don’t always come true, and sometimes she has a hard time telling the future from the present. hard to see in the headshot, but she doesn’t have arms. her bottom half is the tail/body of a reticulated python. best character to draw when anatomy is a nightmare

eden, a singer who works for the serpents. she tried to start a performing career on the surface but was cut short when she developed a… power? illness? no one is sure that caused flowers to grow out of her body. execs thought it would make her unmarketable and most people found it gross or scary. she came underground thinking the people there wouldn’t be put off by it, and was right. she performs in the bar stryder owns. technically she can control the thorny vines that grow out of her body, but it really hurts to do it.

melora, eden’s best friend and accompanying pianist. she used to be an assassin, but she really just wants to be able to focus on music now. she can manipulate gold (sorta like metalbending except just with gold) and would use her jewelry as weapons. technically she still can, she just tries to avoid it.

this is misha, a young thief. he and a few other street urchins tried to steal something from the serpents. only he and one other kid got caught. instead of punishing them, stryder saw their potential and now they’re both paid to do stealth work. misha has fairy ish wings. also he’s transgender. yay

rascal is the other kid who got caught with misha. except, they could’ve gotten away if they wanted to. they just didn’t want to leave misha behind. the two think of each other as siblings. despite being one of the youngest around, they’re the best when it comes to stealth and thievery. got the ears and tail of a raccoon. got a lot of scars from various scuffles, falls, other minor stuff.

anatole’s been in the group his whole life. his mom was a member and got killed in some fight. he really looks up to stryder. he’s probably the funniest guy around. he’s got a secret relationship with blair, a member of a rival group. he can also play bass (prefers upright but can do electric too) and plays with melora and eden sometimes. he’s basically a satyr but i don’t actually wanna use the word satyr yk

jasper is a mechanic. not technically a member of the serpents, but he works on their turf and does jobs for them. he’s got a few burns from various machines blowing up on him. it doesn’t happen as much anymore now that he’s a lot better at his work. he works on weapons sometimes. he’s got moth wings and antennae. he really likes olive but hasn’t done anything about it. tourmaline never lets him hear the end of it

tourmaline is jasper’s half sister. she’s a botanist and a gardener. she has a greenhouse which provides a lot of the food for the serpents and others in the area. she’s also got a few experiments going on in there. she’s good friends with olive and is completely not helpful to jasper about it

olive works in the serpents’ medical team. shes a bit odd. she says a lot of things that don’t make sense, usually just whatever thoughts float through her brain. think like. a calmer version of maddie hatter from ever after high. she doesn’t not like jasper back, she’s just never actually thought about it. romance just isn’t in her mind very often. she has feathery wings

esmeralda is the head of the serpents’ medical operations. she’s very serious, approaches everything with logic. she was really close with the previous boss. she taught kestrel everything she knows. she never really tells anyone how she got her scars, even hester and stryder have no idea. no one really pushes it. if i had an actual linear story she would probably die… very sad

julian is the bartender at stryder’s bar. he’s actually really powerful- he can shoot lightning out of the horn on his head. it’s hard to control though, it gave him his scar and killed someone close to him, so he tries not to use it. that’s why he’s a bartender and not an enforcer. he’s very pleasant, easy to talk to.

irene is the previous boss of the serpents. she adopted and raised avidor, hester, and stryder. she died peacefully of some illness and left the position to stryder. his snake tattoo is in honor of her, referencing her own face tattoo. she also had a pet ball python

ylva is a member of the blooddrops, a rival group to the serpents. she’s a bodyguard to the leader. she was the first person kestrel met when she came underground, and they’ve maintained a friendship where ylva provides insider intel. unfortunately for her, she’s in love with kestrel, who is not only taken, but uninterested in women anyways. she just has to keep herself useful. at least then she has an excuse to be around her.

bernadette is the leader of the blooddrops. she came from the surface after her wealthy husband left her and took their daughter with him. she’s the oldest of these characters and had the position even before irene rose up. in the same way stryder runs a bar on his turf, she has a brothel. it’s made her rich

raine is one of the girls at bernadette’s brothel. she isn’t very expressive and has a mean streak. she’s good friends with the others though. she keeps their secrets: she knows about ylva’s meetings with kestrel and blair’s relationship with anatole. she’s also a capable fighter and can create clouds which can rain and even produce lightning if she tries hard enough

blair is the most popular of bernadette’s girls. she has elegant wings that are too weak to actually fly. she’s generally very quiet and gloomy. she found anatole snooping around the place and really hit it off with him. they secretly meet whenever they can. i also want her to have a french accent even though france isn’t really a thing here

avidor is the eldest of irene’s adopted children. he’s ambitious and wants to create a real government for the city. that’s exactly why he wasn’t chosen as irene’s successor. she didn’t want him to abuse the position to gain too much power. he fought bitterly with stryder, which gave him his scars and left his right eye blind. now, he’s still trying to achieve his goal, having gained a small following.

carmine has lived in safehaven her whole life and never declared loyalty to any group. several years ago, she met stryder at the lowest point in his life, right after his mother’s death and his fight with avidor. they had an absolute dumpster fire of a relationship. she disappeared when she found out she was pregnant. she didn’t tell him. she knew trying to raise a kid in that situation would make for a horrible childhood. after leaving, she coincidentally ran into avidor, who offered help. her daughter grew up with him as a sort of father figure

beatrix is carmine and stryder’s aforementioned daughter. she sneaks off to fight in underground tournaments and is a reigning champion. her fighter persona is “beast”. stryder had no clue she existed until anatole admitted to attending a fight to make some cash off of the bets and noticed the resemblance. outside of the ring she’s super awkward and dresses like a school bully from a cartoon. like t shirt with a skull on it etc

bovie is a popular fighter and one of the only ones who’s come close to beating beatrix. when they aren’t actively beating each other up they’re actually good friends. she’s actually very sweet outside of the ring and balances out beatrix’s nervous energy. she is also transgender yahoo

pauline is a gun for hire. they work all over the city, traveling by motorcycle doing odd jobs wherever, whenever. they have pyrokinesis. also a really great cook and sometimes thinks about trying to open a restaurant instead

peaches is a freelance “doctor”. while he’s capable of genuinely helping a patient, he’s more likely to be hired by someone wanting him to torture someone. he’s got a weird kind of romance with pauline where he’ll patch them up after a bad job but he’s weird about it. also i named him five years ago . trust him with your vital organs !

[esmerclda]

@vintersang continued from here <3

Winter surprised all the Parisians on that fine afternoon. No one thought that all of a sudden the temperatures would decrease and bring snow. The street pavements were soon covered by a thick white layer, making people find shelter or simply return to a warm and loving home. Esmeralda hated winter: it was the time where she would have less income, a time where she would have to find any other way to eat something warm that would make her body survive another year.

Her feet were burning at the simple contact of the icy floor. She shivered and immediately put her cloak back on while gathering the last few coins in her hand. "Come on, Djali.. Let's go..." Her green hues noticed guards coming, already hearing people pleading for their cause. Esmeralda noticed the Captain, this handsome man who saved her more than once from an imminent death. Would he have acted like any other Captain of the Guards, he would've delivered her to Judge Claude Frodo. The simple thought made her shiver.

Esmeralda knew what the Judge was capable of. She had seen from her own eyes, people like her being taken away and never coming back. Deep inside, Esmeralda was never forgot what her own mother went through.

--

While being born to a hardworking mother and an absent father, Esmeralda lived the first years of her life in a small house, where the fire cracked in the fireplace and a warm soup was set on the table every night. Her mother loved her, loved her so dearly that she fought for her to never miss of anything.

Alas, times were becoming rough and Esmeralda's mother had no other solution than to sell herself to traveling nobles. During those times, the little girl stayed with a loving neighbor, who baked warm bread and read her stories by the fireplace. The young woman could remember the smell of the fresh baked bread and the butter melting on it. A small smile came across her face for a brief moment as she relieved the tender memory. However, it soon faded away when she remembered the next part. A loud knock on the door, a few whispers and a sob coming out of her neighbor's mouth. The next thing she knew, Esmeralda found herself facing the violent reality: her mother was murdered.

Poking her head out, Esmeralda saw the lifeless body of her mother being taken away. She barely had time to react that her neighbor pulled her back inside of the house. "You must leave, my love. They are coming after you! I am so sorry..." And with those words, the eight year old girl found herself in the cold streets of Paris. The voice of Judge Frollo shouting: "There she is! Bring me that child!"

Besides the cold and the snow, the young girl had managed to loose them and ended in the cemetery. That was when she met Clopin, a young boy who took her immediately and brought her to a whole new world: the Catacombs. It was a world filled with people like her, those considered as outcasts.

--

Djali snapped her back to reality as she was still watching the Captain, her heart beating loudly at the sight of his handsome figure. "Yes, let's go." Esmeralda whispered as she hurried up to the Cathedral. At least, she would find peace for a few hours. Perhaps warmth and a lovely conversation to the archbishop.

As she entered the Cathedral, the beauty removed her hood and walked inside. Her green hues watched with amazement the majesty of Notre Dame. It was quite intimidating to be standing there. A part of her felt that she didn't belong here but the archbishop always reminded her that every child of the Lord shall be welcome in the Cathedral. Esmeralda wasn't praying often, however, she knew that if she did, she would probably be heard.

While the brunette lit a candle for her loved ones, a sound caught her curiosity and she noticed an unknown figure in the corner.

It was a very beautiful woman, with an incredible white blond hair. A color that she never saw in Paris, making her wonder if she wasn't from another land. Her pale skin was as pale as the snow covering the pavements of Paris outside. There was pain, perhaps tragedy in her beautiful hues. As Esmeralda approached her, she could tell that she was suffering. Perhaps having a panic attack? She knew this too well and figured it would be nicer to reassure her.

"Here.." She whispered in a warm tone as she extended her hand. "Take my hand. Squeeze if you need." She said, offering her a warm smile as her green hues sparkled with kindness. "It's okay, I won't hurt you..." But her words seemed to be of no use. The woman was already begging her to leave her alone. Her cries attracted a few curious faces, which aggravated the situation. Esmeralda closed her eyes for a few seconds and exhaled a deep sigh. As she opened them, the woman turned around and stood before the other woman, as if she protected her.

"Please, return to your prayers or any of your previous occupations." She spoke with a firm tone. "There is nothing to see here." A man looked at her and asked in a cold tone: "What are you even doing here? You don't belong here." Esmeralda glared at the man as she said in a cold tone: "I belong here like any other lost soul. This is called sanctuary. Now please, don't embarrass yourself even more than you already do." Her hues watched them all with intensity and they immediately backed off and returned back to their own corners. Esmeralda sighed and slowly unhooked her cloak before turning around and looking at this mysterious woman.

Slowly kneeling before her, Esmeralda looked at her and smiled at her. "My name is Esmeralda. Fear nothing, I am only here to help you.." She paused as she looked at her. "Are you hurt? Here.. Have this. It will warm you." She said as she offered her own cloak to the stranger. The sudden sound of the bells ringing gave her an idea. A warm smile enlightened her face as she looked back at the other woman.

"Come with me, I know a place where you can be safer and less overwhelmed." She knew that her friend, Quasimodo, would welcome this woman warmly. "If there is something that truly calms me, is definitely the view of Paris from the rooftop with the sound of the bells ringing, a glass of wine and my dear friend Quasimodo. Do you trust me?" She asked kindly, knowing that there might be a risk for the other beauty not to trust her. "It is worth it, I promise you."

[the-blackened-pearl]

HOLY SHIT I’M NOT ALONEEEEE!!!!!!

The Price of Freedom if they had let me write it

[velvet4510]

Thinking about all the parents of the Fellowship during the events of the War of the Ring.

Thinking about Saradoc & Esmeralda Brandybuck and Paladin & Eglantine Took, none of whom have any idea where their sons are.

Thinking about the Gaffer, seeing a creepy hooded Man asking for the whereabouts of his son’s boss and then hearing that said son’s boss’ house has been raided and his son is nowhere to be found.

Thinking about Bilbo, knowing that his dear nephew is going into danger because of his own actions so long ago and might never return.

Thinking about Glóin, having to come home to his wife in Erebor and tell her their son is facing life-or-death danger for the first time.

Thinking about Elrond, the wise part of him knowing what must be done vs. the paternal part berating himself for sending his beloved foster son into such peril and wondering if he’ll ever be able to look his daughter in the eye again if her fiancé doesn’t come back.

Thinking about Thranduil, finding out that his only child has entered the war with the very same enemy that destroyed his father and 2/3 of his army.

Thinking about Denethor, trying to protect and defend his entire kingdom while constantly wondering why his favorite son still hasn’t come home.

Thinking about all those parents, having to spend month after month with absolutely no idea if they will ever see their sons again.

[fanaticsnail]

Warmth

Masterlist Here.

Word Count: 1,500

Synopsis: Sir Crocodile is out for a walk in Arabasta with his pug, and he is stopped by a curious child who desires to pet them. As you, their guardian, approaches, Sir Crocodile is intrigued by your candor.

Themes: Sir Crocodile x gn!reader, mildly suggestive themes, spice hinted but not explicit, you have a child under your care named 'Yarin', Crocodile is a secret softie, the pug has been fan-named 'Esmeralda'.

Notes: I just wanted to write for Crocodile and see where it took me today.

Wandering the streets of Arabasta, leash in hand and peering down at the small creature attached to the end, Sir Crocodile sauntered throughout the dunes. A small, gem encrusted collar circled the neck of the timid pup, its whole body jiggling and shaking with every soft patter and touch.

As the pug puppy sniffed at a round, leafy shrubbery, a small giggle followed a high-pitched shriek of delight. Bounding happily over to both Sir Crocodile and slowly sinking to their knees, a small child sat at the base of his shiney, leather boots.

“Oh my goodness, mister! Your dog is so beautiful!” the little one spoke, Sir Crocodile taken aback by the immediate approach from the child, “May I pet them? What’s their name?”

Clearing his throat, and slowly tucking his golden hook behind his back to not frighten the child, he gently nodded down in affirmation. Immediately, the young child gestured out the backs of their knuckle for the tiny pug puppy to snortle at, waiting until the beast was ready to receive a greeting touch. At the small flicker of a pink tongue catching the child’s hand, they giggle and immediately go to scratching and enthusiastically massaging the tan and brown puppy.

“Her name is Esmeralda,” Sir Crocodile spoke out slowly, his brow arched up as he marveled at the interaction, “Or ‘Ezzy’ when she is behaving herself.” The child repeated the name back to the dog, cooing and preening at them while truly enjoying the soft bristles and snuffy nose.

“Aww, Ezzy is so cute!” they cheer up at him, “My house won't let me have any dogs there. I have always wanted one, but I haven't been able to get one-.”

“-Yarin, just what do you think you're doing?”

The child stiffened, their eyes widened in shock before a smile splits up their lips.

“I'm petting Ezzy!” Yarin calls over their shoulder while smoothing their jowls and squishing their cheeks affectionately.

Sir Crocodile peers up, his dark eyes peering at the approach of a figure rapidly sauntering towards him. He took you in, noticing your fluster and exasperation on your face. Your worn clothes were disheveled, your feet dusted with the sands of Arabasta, and your eyes were swollen with fatigue as if you had not slept for days.

“Is that what you're doing, sweetheart?” you coo down at the small child, “Yarin, I need you to help me with the shopping, okay my love? Say goodbye to your new friend and little Ezzy, and I'll be right over.”

Yarin let out a soft whine before hanging their shoulders and rising to their feet.

“Thank you for letting me pet your dog, mister,” the child expressed up at Sir Crocodile, “I really like Ezzy. I hope you have a nice day.”

“That's a beautiful thing to say, Yarin. Off you go now,” you encouraged, gesturing for them to go back towards town. Waiting until they were out of sight, you turned to the eight-foot tall, hulking mass of a gentleman clad in embellishment and wealth. Your eyes met with his, your own smile mirroring the child he allowed to pet Esmeralda with an easy elevation.

“I appreciate you humoring Yarin, sir,” you indicate with a polite bow, “There is not much joy found in a child’s life these days, and animals are truly a delight.”

“That they are,” he responded in kind. Esmeralda resumed snorting at the leaves by his feet before sitting on the yellowed sand. “Are you the child’s guardian?”

“That I am,” you again nod to him. His interest was piqued now, watching how you easily expressed your formalities with a learned politeness.

“Your landlord will not allow pets where you're staying?” he asked curiously, stilling his golden hook behind his back to shield it away from you. You narrow your eyes and quirk your head in response, attempting to read his intentions behind his question.

“No, sir. My landlord is quite controlling of his properties, to which I partially agree with.” You respond in kind, “I cannot hang a single picture frame of my family without the approval of the lord of Arabasta.” Your smile remains on your face as you now again to him, “If you'll excuse me, I must return to Yarin and ensure the groceries are handled appropriately. May you and your darling puppy, Esmeralda, have a pleasant day, sir.”

Finally turning to return to the small child, Sir Crocodile calls out softly after you. “May you and your child have the day of warmth you have blessed mine with.”

This stops your haste, turning briefly to gift him with another soft smile in gratitude to the well wishes he expressed. In lieu of the bored grimace he constantly held on his features, he reflected that warmth back onto you with a smile of his own.

This is where the unlikely friendship began between yourself and Sir Crocodile, the lord of Arabasta, landlord of your small cottage, and your current employer. Whatever you or your child needed, Sir Crocodile was the benefactor to your desires. That small kindness from a child that was not fearful of him, who saw Esmeralda before they noticed the scar splitting his face, or the hook embedded in his sleeve, became a treasured memory in his growing infatuation with you.

Lavish gifts of scholarships and school uniforms for Yarin, a new uniform for your employment beneath him, and sporadic gifts that depicted his adoration for you became a regular occurrence. Where you saw a man who cared for his employees and their families, he saw a lengthy courtship where he had an opportunity to express his kinder side. Sir Crocodile loved you, and he was happy for his romance to remain unrequited while you raised your child alone.

You never reciprocated or demonstrated your own infatuation for him, fearing you were reading into his luxurious gifts where only friendship was found. Instead, you were gracious and accepting of the comradery and rapport you found with one another. Organizing his life, ensuring he was cared for in health, and providing him with an ear to vent his frustrations was all you could offer him. This was enough for both of you, Yarin visiting your office after school to complete their homework with Miss All-Sunday, and you sitting at your desk and scheduling Sir Crocodile’s appointments.

Whatever life you fled from was smoke and forgotten memory, the new family found in an unlikely place solidified your loyalty to the lord you served.

This was enough for the both of you.

Until it wasn't.

It didn't take much prompting to land yourself on the knee of Sir Crocodile, lips colliding in a messy oscillation of need and lust. The passionate exchange continued from his office towards his bed chambers, both of you silently thanking the care Miss All-Sunday took to watch over your child while you found yourself entangled in Crocodile’s bedsheets. Flesh to flesh, heart to heart: you were his, and he was yours in each slow movement and passionate touch throughout the evening.

Morning flooded the room at the shift of curtains, the dunes of Alabaster contrasting over the horizon as breakfast was brought to the both of you.

Neither of you discussed the shift in your relationship, although his subtle lean into you and brush of his head against yours spoke volumes more than you could admit. Love, true and rich, was in the movement of his embrace with you. Breaking the silence, you turned to him and peered up at his warm gaze.

“Did you know then that this was where I would be?” Your hands found his chest, gently raking the tufts of hair donning his broad torso. Crocodile drew down his right hand to eclipse yours. Raising your knuckles to his lips, he kept eye contact while he kissed your skin.

“No,” he confessed with a twitch in his smile, “But I did know how I felt for you in that moment.”

“How did you feel for me?” you asked carefully, your smile beginning to tug up your features and elevated the swell of infatuation in your chest.

“That your warmth would ignite my blood with your presence, filling my cold heart with hope and joy as my dog gave to your child,” he whispered, releasing your hand and cupping your cheek, “And that I needed you cared for, in any capacity. Whether we were to be friends, or lovers, I craved that for you.” He drew you up to him, gently placing his lips to your forehead and stilling his breath with your own.

You arched away from his lips to your head, motioning up to press your lips slowly against his. Whatever lust there was prior, love consumed it. Lips moving softly and soothingly against one another, you found your peace in the arms and bed of the crocodile. The only thing that broke you out of your mesmiration with one another was the sound of a puppy’s bark and a high-pitched giggle of Yarin outside the door.

“We should get up,” Crocodile whispered against your lips, traveling his deep kiss down to your neck, “And see to Yarin and Esmeralda.” You nodded in response, hastily turning your head and claiming a more intentional kiss from Sir Crocodile before you allowed yourself permission to withdraw from his side.

As you tugged your attire over your body, he admired the litter of his lust that clothed your flesh. Each kiss marring your skin in a heart-shaped bruise showcased how deeply he loved you. As you spoke with Yarin outside the door, he honed in on your voice and your inflections.

He truly didn't know what to expect back then, walking his dog himself in the square. Whatever he had desired to achieve, he acquired something far sweeter than he hoped for.

He had you.

Tag list: @mfreedomstuff @daydreamer-in-training @since-im-already-here @gingernut1314 @writingmysanity @i-am-vita @indydonuts @feral-artistry @the-light-of-star @empirenowmp3 @racfoam @sunflowersatori @carrotsunshine @skullfacedlady @jintaka-hane @thenotsofantasticlifestory

[wlwsoccerfics]

The Accident (OnaBatlleXLucyBronzeXTeenReader)

A/N:tried this as accurate as possible, its probably more medical Drama then medical Journal 👀

Warning: Car accident, Bad injuries,Angst, Drama

Summary: you get hurt so Ona calls Lucy to come back Home.

You were out with some of your friends, one of them was allowed to drive already. Your friend group was between the age 15-18. You were 16 at the moment. So you all went to Drive around, listening to music, eating Pizza when the Car you were in, was hit by a drunk Truck Driver. You and all three of your Friends were hurt badly.

Your friend Lina and you both were hurt so bad they had to put you in a Coma. You couldn't breathe on your own. Had a really Bad concussion, a broken Leg, arm and some broken ribs. Things were rough.

Your mami had called your mom and she flew home from England as soon as she got the call.

Ona sat by your side, holding your hand. You still in a Coma. Trying to stop crying but this was not so easy. Because you obviously weren't okay and your Mami had a hard time with that.

Lucy went straight to the Hospital from the Airport and sat with you and your Mami. Kissing her head softly before looking at you. Taking everything in.

"what did the doctors say?" Lucy asked, trying to Stop her own tears.

"we have to wait and see. There is no guarantee that she makes it through the night." Your Mami said, sniffling softly. This was not what your Mom wanted to hear. They were living a Nightmare right now. Like the Situation wasn't bad enough the Media already found Out and was spreading News about you and your health. Some even put the rumor of your death out there.

The rumors kept going for days, your moms never leaving your side. One of them was always there. Only going home to take a shower. But you were never by yourself. They didn't want to leave your side. Trying to remain hopeful that you would be okay, but things got more rough. And they did lose hope after around a week.

Around 9 days later the doctors slowly stopped with the meds to get you out of the coma. It took until the next day you slowly started to be awake. Letting out a small whimper.

Your moms both holding their breath the entire time.

"hey sweet angel, so glad to have you back." Your Mami answered. You looked at her tiredly. Not able to say anything.

"thank god you are awake." Your Mom whispered out, it was evident in her voice how relieved she was.

You didn't have enough Energy to say anything or stay awake for Long really, but the doctor wanted to run some Tests so you couldn't sleep just yet.

"what's your Name?" He asked.

"y/n." You breathed out. Your voice was hoarse from not talking and the breathing tube that was gone now thankfully.

"do you know your full Name?" The doctor wanted to know. You nodded your head softly and spoke up.

"y/n Ximena Esmeralda Batlle-Bronze!" You told him, closing your eyes for a moment.

Your moms were quite relieved that you could answer all the questions. The doctor let you sleep and told your parents that tomorrow Physio would start.

With the broken arm you unfortunately couldn't use crutches cause you couldn't actually use the one arm to hold onto the crutches. So you would have to get around in a wheelchair. Thankfully you could leave the hospital a little over two weeks after waking up from the Coma. Your Mom didn't want to leave and go back to England cause she wanted to Support you but you didn't want her to put her Life on pause. Your Mami promised that she would give your Mom daily Updates.

"please angel If you need me and want me to come back Home call me! I will get on the next flight back to you and Mami, okay?" Lucy told you. You nodded your head softly.

"thanks mom! I promise i will!" You replied. She hugged you and you hugged back.

"i promise i will take good care of our pequeño amor!" Your mami told your Mom.

"i know you will. I just hate that i have to leave you behind!" She admitted.

"we got this, Mom! When i am better and allowed to fly i will come and visit you!" You promised your Mom.

"Sounds like a plan!" She told you. Smiling at you.

"Love you, Kid!" Your Mom added.

"Love you too, Mom!" You let her know. Your moms kissed eachother goodbye before your Mom left to the Airport.

You wheeled into your room, managing to get on the bed by yourself. Your Mami walked in with your auntie Alexia.

"how you doing, y/n?" She asked. You smile at her.

"i am fine. glad to be alive!" You admitted.

"we glad too!" Alexia was referring to herself and the Team. All of this was a setback. Because you started to practice with the Senior Team and your debut was planned but that was now far away.

She handed you some flowers, Candy and a stuffed Giraffe cause those were your favorite animals.

"thank you, tia!" You told her and smiled softly.

"what the doctor say?" She asked.

"be patient!" Ona told her.

"Easier said then done!" You admitted.

"you are strong. You got it!" Alexia let you know and you nodded your head softly.

Alexia stayed for two hours before she left again. Your Mami helped you with your physio and then helped you to take a shower.

After that you and your Mami cuddled up in her bed, watching a movie.

Your Mom came to visit you two months later. Your arm was healed for the most part so you were on crutches now cause your Leg was still not fully healed and you needed surgery in a few months to remove the screws.

Your Mom hugged you when she saw you. You hugged her back. Holding onto her so you didn't have to use your crutches.

"my sweet Girl! You look great!" She told you. You smiled at her.

"thank you for saying that! I tried my best to not let things get to me!" You admitted.

"i know it must be really frustrating but Mami told me you are doing so well and your doctors are very pleased." She said softly. You nodded your head.

"Lina going through something similiar does help." You let her know. You two did recovery together for the most part and you did grew closer. Your other two Friends that were in the Car with you also did their best to help the two of you.

Having so much support helped alot and made the situation better. Knowing you weren't alone in this also was something you were thankful for. With all the Support you knew you would get through this.

[deepinthedarkworld]

His comment drew a smile from the brunette. This guy seemed to be a flirt and it was impossible not to smile when he spoke. Something about him drew her in, held her interest. "Does that mean you've kissed people and not just told anyone?" Was that the reason he had wanted to get away that morning? Avoid any awkwardness with the rest of the travel group. Again, scratching at her curiosity with a simple comment. Josh was still but a mystery to her. A mystery Esmeralda intended to look into.

Dark hues travelled over the toned body as Josh removed his shirt. Without thinking, her tongue licked between her lips. Brain barely registering his words as he started moving away from her. Her response came in the form of her undressing herself down to her bikini. Then she put her hand over her chest and started running for the water. "Last one is a rotten egg." Laughter left her as she passed him, hand still covering her chest to make sure her breasts didn't bounce out of her top as she ran.

@utterxdesires

Holding onto her hand just a bit tighter as she struggled a bit with balance once off of the ATV, Joshua couldn't help himself but chuckle at the sight of her trying to take that helmet off. Just as he thought to reach out and help, she was putting it aside and Joshua turned to glance over at the beautiful beach and the sun only starting to warm up the sand. At her question, he turned his attention back to her, his eyes catching the moment she tied up her shirt a bit higher. Making himself snap out of it, he met her gaze and smirk. "I don't kiss and tell."he teased with a wink. "--- But in all honesty, you just gotta be good with the locals and they'll tell you all the best secrets."Josh pointed out. Taking off his shirt to reveal his slim muscular physique, Josh grabbed his backpack and just tucked the shirt in there. "You feel like going for a swim? Because I know I do."he mused as he began walking backwards across the sandy beach, giving her a big smile. @deepinthedarkworld

[blues824]

Second Years with a MC who is like Esmeralda from the Hunchback of Notre Dame(maybe include the pet goat?)

ColorMyTree is open! Feel free to leave a message on my Christmas tree. It’s free, so no money required. I also set it so that you don’t have to log in.

Disclaimers: I am not an expert on Romani culture. This is purely based on Esmeralda’s personality. Gender-neutral reader. Reader lives in Ramshackle, but is not Yuu. Characters include Riddle, Ruggie, Azul, Jade, Floyd, Kalim, Jamil, and Silver. In Silver’s, I put a small reference.

Riddle Rosehearts

You both actually despised each other at the beginning. You were very free-spirited and often enjoyed teasing him about everything just to make him upset. However, you always made sure to check in genuinely to see if you had gone too far with his boundaries. The first time you did that, he was actually surprised at the caring tone you had.

In classes, you were actually able to hold your own amazingly well. Not only were you competent, but you often found yourself neck-and-neck with Riddle when it came to answering questions and studying. However, unlike Riddle, you were also street-smart and not as naive, so you did feel a bit of a disconnect with him there.

Djali, your goat companion… familiar… whatever he was… he found him unsettling. He often headbutted into his leg whenever you both were walking together. However, he would switch up and lay in his lap when you both were in his dorm working on a project together. We just love a bipolar king, really.

Anyway, when you both end up getting romantically involved… everyone was surprised. However, it did actually happen that day you were at his dorm. The tension was clear to the both of you, and academic rivals turned into academic lovers. That was when Djali started really appreciating Riddle… especially since he could see that the Heartslabyul Housewarden looked at you as though you were the only being in existence.

Turns out, a free-spirited partner was really what he needed. After he overblotted, you took relaxation and breaks with him a bit more seriously. More dates, both large and small… more quality time… more words of affirmation… more physical affection like kisses and cuddles as well.

Ruggie Bucchi

You both related to each other on a book-smart and street-smart level. You respected his hustle, and he respected yours. However, you often danced for money, while he took up and assortment of odd jobs. Again, a hustle is a hustle, and game recognizes game.

However, he never realized how smart you were until you were both paired up during a project. Your goat seemed to like him, especially with how he settled into the hyena’s lap, which made you laugh a bit. But, that did lead to you pressing a kiss to Ruggie’s cheek as a ‘thank you’ for his help with a different assignment you were struggling with.

This was the start of your relationship. You often earned quite a bit of money as a performer at the Mostro Lounge, so you liked to spoil Ruggie with donuts whenever he had a particularly rough day in class, at his club, or serving Leona.

Everyone was a bit surprised to hear that the two of you got together. I mean, when you found out that Ruggie was behind Savanaclaw’s cheating, you were very upset and distanced yourself from him. However, he showed up at Ramshackle with a bouquet of flowers and some of your favorite snacks that he busted his ass to be able to afford for you.

From then on, you noticed that he always tried to make you happy, and the effort alone accomplished his goal since you loved him and his efforts. He considered himself a better person, especially with your encouragement to do better. Besides, the ear scritches were enough incentive.

Azul Ashengrotto

You had originally applied to be an entertainer in his lounge, and he asked what you could do. Needless to say, when you pulled out all sorts of magic tricks, your goat, and your dance moves, he was sold and immediately put you on the stage. The pay wasn’t incredible, but you were able to afford a few more luxuries that Crowley didn’t bother with.

Other than that, you both didn’t have much interaction outside of boss and employee, but then you saw your friends get taken advantage of. You were angry and you quit right then and there, which harmed the Lounge. Curse you for being a social butterfly with connections, Azul thought. So, he let your idiots go, and you returned to the Lounge.

Ever since his overblot, you felt bad for pushing him to his furthest limit, so you made him a self-care basket as he recovered. That was the start of a more romantic relationship, where he genuinely apologized to you. He allowed you to quit the Lounge in place of being his partner, who he loved to spoil.

You didn’t know struggle as much anymore, which you were grateful for. Djali was very happy to receive some snacks every single visit, and often rested in Azul’s lap as he completed homework or paperwork for the Lounge, or conducted business deals. That solidified this relationship for you.

Everyone noticed that Azul seemed a lot more chill ever since he got in a relationship with you. He also noticed that he often carried a new handkerchief in his breast pocket. Turns out, it’s yours, and you sprayed your cologne/perfume on it. He just wanted to carry around a small reminder of his beloved partner.

Jade Leech

He met you officially when you started working for the Mostro Lounge. Your dancing was enchanting, to say the least, and Jade found himself intrigued. Often, he would ask about your homeland, Fleur City, and the plant life there. You didn’t have many answers, so you just shrugged and brought some seeds back during one of your breaks where you got to return home.

During the events leading up to his boss’s overblot, you both were on different sides of the battle. You wanted your friends’ freedom, stating that the deal was unfair and unachievable to begin with. Your magic disappearing trick was definitely one that threw Jade for a loop in the ocean scene, and the way you teased them about not being able to catch you.

To say that at the end of everything, you were angry at Jade, would be an understatement. You were absolutely furious. You took back the seeds, which were plants at this point, and even sold off the terrarium he had made for you during your friendship. Fortunately, Yuu convinced you to forgive him (totally not because they were forced to), and you agreed to hear him out.

Jade presented you with a new terrarium, as well as the old one you sold off when you quit the Lounge in order to pay for some necessities. He bought it back from the student and gave it to you, which nearly made you cry and apologize. You paid him back with a kiss, and he was greedier than before and asked for a few more.

That was the restart of your relationship. He was happy when you came back to the Mostro Lounge, and you both would spend your breaks doing homework at one of the booths. It was a lovely way to spend time together, and it was a great way to get assignments done as well. It did take a while for Djali to like him again, though.

Floyd Leech

You were one of the only people who did not mind his clinginess. You were used to it with Djali, so it was like having another animal familiar trailing you around. However, this one was over 6 feet in height, and he was an eel, not a goat. It didn’t matter to you, though, since he offered a great deal of protection in exchange for attention.

However, shit hit the fan when Azul put your friends under contracts that were impossible to carry through, so you went on strike. Not only did this hurt the Lounge in terms of revenue, since you were an entertainer there, but it also made Floyd angry that you were no longer hanging out with him.

After Azul overblotted, Floyd went to Yuu to ask for help in getting you to forgive him. Yuu had never seen a grown eel-mermaid get down on his knees and beg for help, but there is always a first time for everything. He repeated the getting down on his knees and begging when he got to your room, and you offered to cuddle the sadness out of him which made him happy.

Ever since you forgave him, he has definitely been happier. You came back to the Lounge, and he was often completely captivated by your dancing skills. Not only that, but you often spent your breaks together, with him clinging onto you like a koala and telling you about his day. It’s gotten to a point where Azul begs you to move into Octavinelle with Floyd so he wouldn’t be pouty at night.

So you moved in, and Floyd was in a giddy state 24/7. You came to his games, you spent your work breaks with him, you lived with him… it was all he could ever ask for, really. The next step was meeting his parents, and he was especially excited for you to meet his mom.

Kalim Al-Asim

You both were opposite sides where societal and financial class is involved. However, some would think that this is why your relationship worked. He loved spoiling you, even before he became your boyfriend. You always felt bad about it, but he reassured you that it was perfectly fine and that he would just spend more money on you if you tried to argue.

Unfortunately, when it came to Jamil, you were very wary of him. Sure, you both came from poorer backgrounds, but you were able to see the Vice-Housewarden’s plan. If only your boyfriend believed you. However, it was only a matter of time before Jamil overblotted and threw all of you to the ends of the dunes.

To say you were angry not only at Jamil, but Kalim as well for not listening to you, was an understatement. As you all swam back to Scarabia, Kalim looked like a kicked puppy as you avoided each and every one of his touches. Djali was very torn, since he loved both you and Kalim, which made Kalim even sadder.

When the entire ordeal was over, you went back to Ramshackle and just gave Kalim dry responses, which shattered his heart and nearly made him cry. So, he asked Yuu how he could make it up to you. Needless to say, when you got back to your room at Ramshackle, your entire room was flooded with bouquet after bouquet of your favorite flowers.

You forgave him quickly, especially as he hugged your knees and begged until he cried. Unfortunately for your lips, you had to smooch the sadness out of Kalim. From that point on that day, he was very happy, and so was Djali. He didn’t have to be a child of divorce anymore.

Jamil Viper

You both came from familiar backgrounds… and by that I mean you came from familiar classes. Born as lesser-thans, trying to make names for yourselves. However, you were not born into servitude. You served yourself, and Jamil envied you for it. He was born with the job of serving Kalim, which made you pity Jamil.

Anyway, you both officially met when you were paired together for an assignment. Turns out, you both were a lot more alike than you thought. So, you started hanging out more often. You showed him a lot of fun things that you do in-town right below NRC for low prices, and he swears that he has never had more fun than when he was with you.

Unfortunately for the two of you, life is not all peaches and cream, so he overblots. However, since you were his partner, he keeps you with him as a sort of ego-stroke. You were heartbroken at being used by him in such a manner, and when everything was dealt with and Jamil’s overblot was stopped, you cried in your dormitory and didn’t answer his calls.

Your boyfriend felt like absolute shit for treating you as though you were some worshiper rather than his beloved partner, so he came with a bouquet and a meal he prepared to apologize. He walked into your room quietly and set his gifts on the desk before sitting on the floor next to you to beg for your forgiveness… and because you are who you are, you forgave him. Djali had a bit of a rougher time doing that, though.

From that point on, you both had dates where you spent time together, and he reassured you that he genuinely loved you and it was the overblot telling you that he saw you as someone to worship. You attended each of his basketball games, which he appreciated since he loved having his partner there to cheer him on.

Silver

He had met you during one of your dancing gigs at the Mostro Lounge. He was meeting up with a project partner at the Lounge to discuss a few last-minute details when he saw you. To say he was entranced would be a complete understatement… until you tripped and fell off the stage. He rushed to catch you, and he was very glad he did.

From that point on, you often called him your ‘Knight in Shining Armor’, much to his embarrassment and his father’s delight. Often, you both could be spotted on campus with him laying his head in your lap and sleeping… and Djali lays on top of his stomach to nap as well while you finish up some homework. Sebek did not like you very much, not just due to your status as a human, but also because he thinks you joke around too much. Lilia loves you as a child-in-law and often jokes about asking when the wedding shall be. Malleus enjoys your company as a friend and as a sort of sibling-in-law, if that makes sense.

You eventually moved into Diasomnia, opting to cook for everyone so that they didn’t have to suffer through Lilia’s cooking. Silver’s room became yours as well, and you often put in little pops of color everywhere. Not only that, but Silver often carried arround the handkerchief you gave him which added more color to his usual outfit. Besides, every knight carries a favor from his partner.

Silver loved you a lot, to be honest. You always stood up and argued Yuu’s case to Headmaster Crowley, often using your connections inside and outside of school to gather power and support. After all, the bird would rather not get news of his mistreatment of a magicless student to get out to news outlets. Ramshackle has benefited from your willingness to fight against unfair treatment, and so has Silver.

[anae-art]

Day 19 - Monster hunter For this one, I wanted to redraw one of the scenes from our Curse of Strahd adventure, when we were just before the fight with Strahd One of my favorite scenes I must point out Well it will be a long story below (Prop list is from @crowholtz ) (Spoilers for Curse of Strahd below)

Just before the planned attack on the castle, we gathered everyone who wanted to help us to devise a plan. A little late arrived van Richten telling us that Esmeralda would arrive later and that we should start without her.

We spent an hour-long session planning the steps and when we had everything figured out, van Richten asked one of the characters to talk. After a while our friend came back to us, saying that the monster hunter would return later and indeed, after a while he practically ran into the inn with Esmeralda saying:

-Sorry, we couldn't come earlier, we were attacked by vampire spawns on the way. What is the plan?

And our reaction after a moment of consternation looked more or less like this:

-Oh, but you were here a moment ag…. OH NO

Yes, so as you can probably guess this previous van Richten was Strahd. He changed his appearance and insured the outing of my detection of the undead. And when he went outside with our friend charmed him and took the item that was supposed to help us in the fight.

Funnily enough, while we were talking, my character Gabrielle pulled out a sun sword, which dealt damage to him and our GM had to see if he would lose concentration and look like Strahd again. Unfortunately, he didn't lose it (although it could have been fun)

So we ended up with Strahd knowing our plan from us, taking items from us and our morale dropping to zero just before fighting him. A brilliant move. I still think it was one of the better scenes in the entire campaign

Although I must admit that our GM gave us some hints -Before Strahd entered the inn and he asked if he could enter -He stood up and moved away from me when I pulled out a sun sword -On top of that, van Richten talking about how much garlic helps fight vampires was suspicious…. But we were too excited to fight Strahd to notice it, ok...?

[kuroyuki-kokuyoku]

Random TCF Related Thought - Fairy Tales

In canon proper, we know that fairy tales do exist in Nameless 1, or at least, fiction geared towards children.

Well, I was reading some TCF React fics and found a hilarious moment where Heni!KRS was explaining fairy tales to Cale's kids and was shooketh to find out that Cale had butchered some of Earth's classic fairy tales into loosely-based-on stories (to put it gently) cuz apparently the "princess-in-distress" trope would not be relatable if every princess IRL they know could easily save themselves in a simailar or same situation. Therefore, Badass Action Girl!Princesses FTW.

Where am I going with this?

So my shower thought is that Cale one day decided to invoke his inner Brothers Grimm and published his own book series based off of Earth's classic fairy tales.

But here's the twist: He uses the Walt Disney versions but made every Disney Princess BAMFs.

Sorry, Mr. Walt Disney. Your own versions of Earth's classic fairy tales were a product of your time, but your 50s sensibilities won't fly when all of the princesses Cale knows can easily break a full grown man man in tiny little pieces, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Besides, he wants little girls like On and Lily to have strong female role models to aspire to be even if it's in fiction.

Sleeping Beauty? Aurora is based on Roselyn. She finds out that she got cursed by Maleficent, who is a whole Dragon that her father had offended by failing to invite her to his unborn daughter's christening like he promised, so she threw away her status as crown princess to become a mage out of spite and break the curse on her own. In the end, she succeeds and managed to tracked down Maleficent to her lair. Maleficent is so impressed by her moxie that the Dragon took her on as an apprentice. By the time, Prince Phillip shows up hoping to slay the Dragon and take Aurora back to his kingdom so they can be married, the story is already over.

Beauty and the Beast? Belle is the village chief's daughter and the most beautiful girl in the tribe. Belle is a Tiger and Lion mixed-blood Beastman and also pining after the cute human bookworm named Adam in the next village over. Dorph the greater value Gaston can go fuck himself for all she cares. TLDR: Role Reversal AU and Belle is Dark Tiger!Alberu.

Cinderella? Cinderella is a secretly a Shaman. Everything is the same up until the whole dress ruining scene. After that, Cinderella invokes the spirit of Queen Jopis, stopped giving a shit, and turned the rest of the plot into a shitshow. Her evil stepfamily is given the OG!Brothers Grimm treatment.

Pocahontas? Everything is the same except the Powhatans are all Elves. Ratcliffe is the White Bitchless.

Hunchback of Notre Dame? The plot is the same, but Esmeralda is a Dark Elf, and Quasimodo is half-Dark Elf. Frollo is replaced by Adin just so he can fall off the roof a second time.

Aladdin? Jasmine is also a thief. She looted what should've been her dowry from the Sultan, her annoying suitors' wealth, Genie's lamp, Carpet from the Cave of Wonders, Aladdin's heart, and Jafar aka the White Hobo Looking's dignity and respect, not in that order, then whisked Aladdin off of his bare feet and away to her own personal kingdom. Basically, Cale reimagined her as Fem!Hong Gildong.

The Little Mermaid? Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending where Prince Eric is a Whale Prince and Ariel is still a Mermaid, and both their families got scammed into finally burying the hatchet by Ursula.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves? Snow White is a Dwarf too, and the plot is basically an otome where she has seven suitors from different tribes, and the Evil Queen (*couch*Elisneh*cough*) is, of course, the jealous villainess.

Brave: Everything's the same except Sayeru gets abused more than Mor'du in this book.

Frozen: Everything's the same except Prince Hans is swapped out for Sir Bernard cuz Hans the goodest butler doesn't deserve to be associated with scum.

Tangled: Everything's the same except it's Adin who takes a swan dive off of the tower.

Mulan: Everything's the same except the Huns are replaced by Arm.

[revolutionary-thoy]

Croatian Sailor Pluto! I put her on an uninhabited island that's as far from the coastline as possible because I feel like that's very on brand for Pluto. Original Pluto is apparently meant to be half romani, so I took some inspiration from both traditional croatian and romani dresses. Resources on Romani clothing are surprisingly hard to find among all the horrible halloween costumes and esmeralda cosplays.

Also I love putting Pluto in suits, she's a cool business lady. what is her business?? who even knows!

[taintandviolent]

bend without breaking ; Jimmy Darling x reader

summary and word count: 4.4K! requested by @sugarr-and-spicee. you get jealous of Maggie Esmeralda, and decide to give Jimmy a taste of his own medicine. Angst, smut and a little fluff ensues.

w a r n i n g s: contortionist!reader, unprotected sex, cunnilingus, angst, jealousy themes, rough sex, alcohol mention, clunky writing, uhhhhhhhh Jimmy being real handsy and kinda' manhandling reader a bit. maggie esmeralda hate.

a/n: written partially at work, so if it's clunky or disjointed I apologize!! divder by cafekitsune!

full fic & taglist under cut! ↓ / ao3 link here!

It's not like you owned him or anything. It's not even like he really even cared about you outside of the scope of the general, amiable 'member of the troupe' kind of relationship. Now, of age, he flirted with you casually, like he did all the girls, but you, as delusional as it may have been, thought you had something special – because boy, oh boy, did you care about him. You were obsessed with Jimmy Darling, in all ways possible. 

You'd grown up alongside him, from the age of sixteen when you got kicked out for a plethora of reasons, and ran away to the traveling freak show that was opportunely in town. It had taken the owner, Elsa Mars, almost all day to be convinced, but when you bent over backwards, putting your head through your legs and pleaded with her upside down, a sly smile spread across her thin, aging lips.

You thought that Jimmy might’ve fancied you – that was until Maggie came along. The liar. The fraud. The insolent little brat that she was. She’d taken a liking to Jimmy, and seemed to snatch up every second he was alone – something that you used to do. He had fallen for her fortune teller act, but you certainly hadn’t. Your aunt had been a fortune teller and had possessed a true and genuine gift. This broad did nothing but spin silly little tales about misfortune and good luck, generic things that any person could identify with. 

You’d decided to test the waters one hot summer afternoon. It was before the show, and Jimmy was preoccupied setting up the cash box. With your skirt in your hand, swishing it back and forth, you strolled up to him feeling as giddy as ever. It was rare that you didn’t feel bubbly when you were around him – he had that effect on you. Before you spoke, you took in his appearance; a sheen of glistening sweat covered his bare, tanned shoulders, his caramel-coloured locks hung in a cluster on his forehead, and his dark, brown eyes swept over the cash as he counted it, arranging the tickets neatly next to the box. 

“Hey Jimmy,” you cooed. “Need any help?”

Without looking up, he replied: “Nah, doll. I’m just about finished.” 

“Well, maybe I could help you with whatever you’re doing next…” 

“If I need ya’, I’ll find ya, sweetheart.” 

“Or you could find Maggie.” 

“She’s in her trailer.” 

Your heart quivered and sunk, cracking like a delicate porcelain vase. He already knew; he’d already found her. 

“Of course she is, and of course you’d know that.” 

He grinned crookedly, exhaled out of his nose and shut the cash box, turning the key. He looked at you then, with a pointed gaze. “Now, what’s that supposed to mean? Huh?” 

Your brows rose high on your head, feigning innocence. He, of course, with all his charm and wit, saw right through it. You didn’t care. “Oh, nothing , Jimmy. Nothing at all.” 

“Sure, dollface, sure. You wouldn’t be jealous, now would ya?” 

“Of her? I’d be more jealous of a drowned rat in a sewer than I would be of Maggie.”

With that, you stomped off, your steps crunching the tall grasses that covered the field you called home for this month. Your heart was pounding, your cheeks had flushed. Feeling like a fool, you marched right to your trailer, taking great care to slam the door as hard as you could. 

You spun around, facing the door as thought he was behind it. “How dare he think I’m jealous of her ! That horrible woman, and he thinks – oooooh! ” You clenched your fists, shaking them at the door. 

It had taken you two hours to calm down. Two hours of pacing your small bedroom, fussing with your appearance and reading a magazine you’d picked up in town last week. It also took you two hours to come up with what you thought was the revenge plan of the century. 

An hour later, you found yourself at the local diner, schmoozing with a cute young man in his early twenties. You’d batted your fluffy lashes and pouted your lips and with hardly a few words, you had him wrapped around your manicured finger. He’d bought you a milkshake, which you were nursing, taking small sips in between answers.

“You’re sure you won’t run out of this diner screaming?” 

“No - no. I promise I won’t.” 

“I’m a travelling performer… I’m only here for a few more weeks. I work at the Freak Show in the field down the road.”

“What do you do?” He asked, cautiously, looking you over your body with a suddenly very critical eye. To most, you looked normal . Sure, you were a little longer and lithe than some girls your age, but you didn’t fit the bill of a freak. That was until you bent and contorted your body into the most mystifying, inappropriate positions that they had ever seen a woman in. 

“I’m a…” you leaned in, dipping your chin to your chest, keeping your gaze sternly locked on his. “A… contortionist.” 

“A what?” 

Oh, what a dumb bunny . He was cute, you’d give him that; his pretty, sea-blue eyes, pink lips and dirty blonde hair that had been perfectly styled. The clincher was that he had two very nice hands – strong, and veiny. The truth of the matter was that you preferred Jimmy Darling’s hands – but he didn’t need to know that. To him, this would be a threat, and if everything went according to plan, Jimmy would be red with anger, furiously jealous and looking as though he must bust a vein. 

“I’m flexible. Very flexible.” 

His eyes lit up. It was a predictable response, and one you’d seen before. Men were grotesque, they liked the idea of bending a woman into unique positions like a jointed doll, just to see her body in a fresh, new way. They liked the thought of fucking you while you were bent over backwards, folded up neatly. 

The waitress brought your food; you’d only ordered a side of fries, which you dipped into the remainder of your shake. A habit that you’d learned from Amazon Eve – it was easily the most delicious combo you’d ever tasted. As you two ate, the conversation drifted naturally. You laid on the charm heavy. Every other response contained a compliment, telling him how handsome he was, how you’d never seen a boy as cute, so on and so forth. He fell for it hook, line and sinker. And you. 

Afterwards, he paid and held the door open for you. As any gentleman should, he wasn’t earning any points with you. Only one man could… 

“Can I come see your show?” He asked, playing idly with your fingers.

You reached over and yanked one of the flyers from the nearby telephone pole, folded it in fours, and pressed your lips to the paper, leaving a crimson mark. You tucked it in the man’s shirt pocket. 

“See you tonight. Tell ‘em that I sent you. Front row seats.” 

He stammered out an agreement, looking flustered. With a wink, you were sauntering back down the sidewalk. The great big sun, orange and warm, was making its heavy, tired descent back into the horizon, and you quickened your pace. The last thing you needed was Elsa being upset at your disappearance.

As you made your way back to the field, you hummed the song that was playing in the diner and skipped. There was something to be said about the butterflies in your stomach, though you couldn’t discern whether or not they were for the fact that you were going to see that man in the audience. You suspected not. Jimmy Darling would be jealous and that was the thought that sent you. 

Later that night, as the calliope played, your hands glided up over the curves of your thighs, and over your sides, gracefully, like a burlesque performer teasing a reveal. With one movement, you brought your leg up to your head, pulling it tight. A few oooh’s and chortling chuckles from men in the audience dotted the room. With floaty, delicate movements, you slid down into the splits, never losing your bright smile in the process. More pleased reactions and some applause. You crossed the stage in backbends, working the crowd as they cheered for you. 

At the final backbend, you sunk to your stomach, laying on the floor. You were just nearly at the edge of the stage, and directly in front of you was your diner boy. His eyes were locked on you, enchanted, enrapt and obsessed like a dog staring at a fresh cut of sirloin. With a come-hither smile, you reached out and swept your hand along his jawline before tapping his chin with a single finger. You sucked in a deep breath and brought your legs forward, curving your spine around until your feet were planted on either side of your face. 

The crowd gasped in horror, and little girls shielded their eyes, expecting to hear the dull crack of your spine as it snapped in two. But Diner Boy was fascinated, and still staring at you. He was looking at your body, the unnatural curve of it, and the way that you’d brought your cunt somehow closer to his face. As the seconds passed, he looked more and more like a dog to you, hungry and slobbering. 

You smiled, scanning the crowd again. Your eyes drifted to the corner of the stage, where Jimmy stood against one of the support poles, arms crossed. At least, despite Maggie, he’d retained his habit of watching every performance you did – though this one, he didn’t look as delighted with. You could tell by the way the corners of his mouth were pointed down in an angry frown, his eyes narrowing at the little things you did to entice Diner Boy. You grinned at Jimmy, acknowledging him and tapped the toes of your shoes childishly against the stage before unfolding your body again. 

The rest of your show finished without a hitch, and Diner Boy played his part very well. He took in every moment, and at one point, when you reached your hand out to him, he interlaced his fingers with yours. A nice touch. When you looked back to where Jimmy was, he was gone. You smiled inwardly, prideful and gratified by the way your devious little plan had gone.

As soon as you went off-stage, Jimmy grabbed you by your arm, gripping your bicep hard. Almost too hard. You winced. “What was that about?” 

“What? I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about.” Casually, you yanked your arm from his grip and began to polish your nails on the fabric of your shirt. 

“Cut it out! You know what. Who was the guy in the audience? You sure were payin’ him a lot of attention.” 

His words, though loud, were a little slurred, his breath smelled of alcohol; you could tell that he'd taken a few gulps of liquid confidence before approaching you. You didn't mind; your father used to say that the truth came out with booze. You hoped that would remain true with Jimmy and he'd spill his guts to you.

“Just someone I met at the diner, Jimmy. Why are you getting so heated over him? You flirt with girls in the audience all the time.” 

“It’s part of the act, doll! You know I have to act a certain way, I can’t –” 

“Can’t what? Stand to love me?” 

Jimmy stopped abruptly, his mouth hanging slack. His chest rose and fell with hot, angry breaths.

"Just because I can bend without breaking doesn't mean my heart can, Jimmy."

“Dollface, wait.” 

“No.” 

You pushed yourself through the flaps of the tent, storming off towards your trailer. Jimmy followed close behind, calling your name.

“Doll, c’mon, hang on a minute!” 

“No, Jimmy. Maybe Maggie can hang on a minute .” 

“Hey!” He bellowed, catching your arm again. You pressed your back against your trailer’s door, again, yanking it away from him and crossing them tightly across your chest. Your heart thudded against your ribs, deeply delighted at the fact that he was chasing you, pursuing you with an overbearing jealousy. 

“What.” 

“Can we just…” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “...talk about this a second?” 

“Sure.” You snapped. 

Jimmy’s black coffee eyes scanned over you, searching your face for some semblance of softness. He found nothing but a tightly pressed line of lips and a cold gaze.  

“What’s your problem, huh? I can’t flirt with other guys?” you finally asked, your stern voice shattering the awkward silence. 

He shook his head, almost sheepishly. “I don’t like seein’ it. I know they don’t care about you.”

“And you do?” 

Jimmy swallowed again, forcing the lump in his throat down. For the past several years, you’d been a constant in his life, by his side, and taking all his showman flirtations in stride. You’d never once fired back at him, and he thought that it was because you could care less about what he did or who he flirted with. Against the voices in his head, Jimmy pacified the anger in his gut by leaning forward to crush his lips against your red ones, tasting the sweetness of whatever gum you’d been chewing before the show. 

He lingered there a moment before his conjoined digits made their way up your waist, gripping it softly. He waited for you to soften, to ease into his kiss, but you didn’t. You stood your ground, arms still pressed against your breasts. You intentionally filled your mind with thoughts of Maggie Esmeralda and how close he’d gotten with her. You thought of all the times that he flirted with girls in the audience, damn near kissing them with how far he’d lean off stage during his song. 

“Baby, please…” You blinked. His low, smooth voice pulled you out of your hateful thoughts.

With a heavy sigh, you murmured, “I want to hear you say it, Jimmy.” 

“Say what?” 

“You know what.” 

The muscles in his jaw fluttered as he clenched them, grinding his teeth hard. Jimmy spent his whole life being put on the spot, but it never got any easier. Especially not in front of you – the girl he’d fallen hardest for. He inhaled, puffing his chest out and mustering up all the confidence he had. 

“I don’t like seein’ you flirt with other guys… ‘cause… I wish it was me.” 

“Who’s jealous now, huh?”

“I am.” He looked at your lips, then back up to your eyes. A cricket started off somewhere in the field, and your attention flitted off towards it, only to have Jimmy’s large, warm hand bring you back. “Hey.” 

He kissed you again, his strong tongue darting out to taste you again, his plush lips closing around your bottom lip to suck it gently. This time, an undulating warmth erupted deep in your core. You couldn’t help but melt into him and your arms relinquished their position, dropping heavily to your sides. Your fingers reach forward to claw at his shirt, just above the waistline of his jeans and instead latch onto his belt loops, pulling him closer at the hips.

You tilted your head to deepen the kiss, swirling your tongue with his. Mingled with his personal taste, he tasted like warm honey and the liquor you smelled on his breath earlier. Not always admirable, it was something that you knew him to dabble in when his mother wasn’t looking. More often than not, he’d sneak some booze, saying it calmed his nerves before and after shows. You didn’t mind; in fact, you wondered what it would be like to have a drunk Jimmy, sloppy and unable to control himself around you. 

“I’ve waited a long time for this…” you broke the kiss, breathlessly whispering over his lips.

“Me too, honey. Me too.”  

Keeping your eyes on him, you blindly felt behind your back, where the handle of your trailer was digging into your soft flesh. You yanked it open, and took a fistful of Jimmy Darling’s shirt, tugging him inside. 

It was like someone had fired a gun and Jimmy was a racehorse. He charged at you, his big, conjoined fingers wrapping tightly around your hips on either side, kneading the flesh like dough. He kissed you again, hot and in a hurry, like you only had a few minutes to do whatever it was you were going to do. With your hands on his pectoral muscles, you pushed him off gently, just enough to get a look at his face. 

He, being mere centimeters from your breasts, wasn’t looking at your face. His attention was clearly elsewhere. A low, rumbling groan vibrated through his throat as he craned forward to kiss your skin. 

“Jimmy, baby, slow down…” 

Between feverish kisses to your neck and chest, he muttered: “I can’t, I’m sorry.” 

He had you where he wanted you, after so long, and he wasn’t going to let that slip through his fingers this time. Jimmy muscled you backwards, urging you towards the small hallway where your bedroom was. He was all hard-working muscle. Having done set-up for so many years  had lined his body in bulky strength, the kind of strength that you only get from hard labour. So, when he started guiding you backwards, you could do little to protest. 

“Jimmy, my god, what’s the rush?” 

“I want you bad, baby… bad.” As proof, he urged his hips against yours; the hot rigidness of his erection pressing into your hip bone. You let out a surprised mewl, and wrapped your arms around his warm neck, fingers slipping into his short-cut hair. His lips found yours again as the backs of your thighs hit the mattress. He kissed once and playfully, shoved you down. You bounced twice on the bed, looking up at him with a heavy, wanton gaze. 

“I’m all yours, Jimmy Darling. All yours.” 

Jimmy didn’t say anything, just sunk to his knees, his hands finding the stretchy hem of your sequined shorts. He pulled them down in a swift jerk, before moving right back up to your waist. Those striped tights were next. He rolled them down off your thighs and over your knees; which fell apart, exposing the already-damp satin of your underwear. You propped yourself up on your elbows, watching him as he worked.

He was in too much of a hurry to bother taking off your shirt, instead just gathering the fabric and pushing it up over your breasts, letting them bounce free. He may have been raised a gentleman, but he wasn't immune to the tantalizing sight of some tits -- especially when they belonged to a girl he'd been lusting over for months now. 

"God damn, baby. Look at those." 

You couldn't help but blush, feeling your cheeks grow hot at his compliments. You bowed your head, casting your eyes to the floor. You were so stern before -- what had happened? Silly question. You knew; he was undressing you in your trailer, all that confidence had melted away underneath his strong, fused fingers.

“Jimmy, promise you won’t flirt with Maggie anymore…” 

He scoffed. “She’s nothin’ to me, honey. Gals like her are a dime a dozen.” He pressed his lips to your kneecaps before kissing his way up your thighs.  You whimpered, your head lolling heavily back between your shoulders. You thought about revealing that she wasn’t a real fortune teller, but Jimmy’s mouth neared your cunt, and the thought disintegrated. 

“...my god…” you breathed, your lids drifting shut. Jimmy nuzzled his face and lips against your soft mound, the hard bridge of his nose teasing at your soaked slit.

“You like that, baby?” 

You nodded, again, whimpering. He pressed his fingers slowly against your soft mound, over the fabric. Feeling the puddle that had settled into your underwear made Jimmy clench his teeth, hissing loud through them. With one hand, Jimmy maneuvered your underwear down your thighs. Once they were off, he tossed them carelessly behind him – you’d find them a day later in your kitchen sink. Now exposed, you gazed at him sheepishly, for the first time since he'd started kissing you. His eyes fixated on the wetness that glistened in the low-light of the trailer.

"I had no idea..." he said, the pad of his thumb sweeping over your clit with just enough pressure to make you writhe in lustful agony, aching desperately. 

"No idea what?" You breathed.

"To be honest with you, that you liked me that much..." 

You leaned forward, taking his chin into the palm of your hand. You stroked it gently, falling deep into his eyes. "Jimmy... I've wanted you since before I could have you." 

You looked on at his face in admiration as the thoughts played out, the realization of what you meant dawning on him. He grinned his bright, lopsided grin and his large hands slid up your legs, caressing the outside of your thighs thoughtfully.

"Baaaby," he hummed before dipping his head down. You gasped, your lids drifting shut in ecstasy as you felt his breath rush over you -- you knew what was coming; one deep sweep of his tongue along the length of your cunt, between your folds to taste you, to savour your silken wetness. Burying his nose in your pussy, Jimmy alternated between using the strong tip of his tongue to flick at your sensitive spots and lapping at your clit with a flattened, thick tongue. Adventurous and hungry, he'd venture further down to get a mouthful of your sweet, heady wetness and would murmur how good you tasted into your cunt -- the vibrations of his voice made you shiver every time. 

After a few minutes of this, you felt the inner core of your legs begin to shake every time he made contact with your clit, your tummy tightening in a warning clench. You reached forward, gripping his head on either side, yanking him softly off your cunt.

To your relief, he straightened up, chin glistening with your fluids. He swallowed you down, growling in satisfaction; the intimacy of tasting your lover's ejaculate was unparalleled, and when your eyes finally opened, they met Jimmy's lust blown ones. He was ready, and so were you. 

"Fuck me," you said, nodding. 

Jimmy made quick work of undressing, pulling his briefs down over his ass cheeks before he lined his red-tipped cock up with your leaking slit, bumping into the sensitive bundle of nerves a few times before he stuck you. He didn't ease in, just bottomed out and you let out a pleasurable yowl, tossing your head back at the sensation of being so full as his thick cock violated you, slipping against your slick walls. He found a rhythm, thrusting his cock up into you as deep as he could. You clenched hard around him, pulling a groan from deep within his chest. He pulled out, looking down at your sopping wet and now reddened cunt.

"'Hoh' my god, baby... do that again." 

He gripped your hips hard, pulling you roughly onto his cock. You clenched again, swallowing him into you. The tip disappeared inside you, hot and leaking, and he held himself there, completely engrossed in the sensations. You clenched again, pulling him further in and Jimmy's head fell back, his hips bucking hard out of instinct. You both found a hurried rhythm, grinding and rolling against each other with voracious desire. 

As he thrust into you, Jimmy watched you intently, holding onto you tight, his thumbs working your hips, kneading them in small circles. He looked starved for your image, the way that his eyes climbed from your hips to your breasts to your face and back down again. You let out a particularly ecstasy-ridden moan, and Jimmy dug his fingers into your hips. 

Rocked back and forth with the strength of his thrusts, you look down, watching as his thick cock pumped in and out of you. Your breasts bounced with each thrust, and Jimmy's dark eyes followed them as they moved.   

"Huuuh... I'm gonna' lose it, baby... you feel so god damned good..."

"Give it to me," you coax, moaning deeply. His thrusts get faster, more feverish and uneven, and before you can say another word, his expression contorted, brows pulling together in pleasured agony. You felt the warmth of his cum as he filled you up with a few spurts, but kept pumping until it leaked out the sides, groaning deeply. Your orgasm raced towards you quickly after that, pulsing around him in a hungry grip. 

With a heavy sigh, Jimmy pulled his softening cock from your cunt and flopped heavily onto the bed onto his back. Your chest rose and fell with every laboured breath, sweat streaming from every pore. Both of you, collapsed in lust, saying nothing, just enjoying the warm scent of sex that lingered in the air. Soon, your sappy gaze drifted from the ceiling to Jimmy. His fawn coloured hair clung to his forehead in sweaty clumps, his cheeks flushed. You'd done that. Made him jealous until he fucked you silly. You smiled inwardly, and adjusted your head on the small mattress. 

"Turn the fan on, Jimmy, it's hot." 

Jimmy leaned over, flipping the small metal switch. The fan rattled to life, blades spinning and washing your sweaty skin with a soft breeze of cooler air. He leaned back, enjoying the change in temperature. 

"I meant what I said, dollface. Maggie's nothin' to me now that we're uh..." 

You pressed your lips against his softly, smiling into the kiss. "We're what?" 

"Y'know..." 

"Fucking each other like teenagers?" 

"More than that, baby. More than that."

You weren't sure what that meant yet, but you weren't about to question a bit of it. You paused, furrowing your brows. You realized that Diner Boy had probably expected to see you after the show, but you hadn't shown. You hadn't even thought about him, far too busy with Jimmy's lips to even remember he was there.

"What?" Jimmy asked, concerned.

"I wonder if he was waiting for me..."

"I hope he was, and I hope he figured out real quick that you weren't comin'."

You kissed him again, inhaling his scent. Jimmy hummed into your lips, pulling you atop of him, his face bright with adoration.

He stayed in your trailer that night, and you two fucked each other, explored each other's bodies repeatedly. When the morning sun peeked through your lacy curtains and your lids peeled apart, a yawn ripping through your mouth... you wondered if Maggie Esmeralda saw that coming.

[thebarroomortheboy]

The scene in which Quasimodo rings the cathedral bells for Esmeralda was shot the day World War II began in Europe. The director and star were so overwhelmed, the scene took on a new meaning, with Charles Laughton ringing the bells frantically and William Dieterle forgetting to yell "cut." Finally, the actor just stopped ringing when he became too tired to continue. Later, Laughton said, "I couldn't think of Esmeralda in that scene at all. I could only think of the poor people out there, going in to fight that bloody, bloody war! To arouse the world, to stop that terrible butchery! Awake! Awake! That's what I felt when I was ringing the bells!"

CHARLES LAUGHTON (Quasimodo) and MAUREEN O' HARA (Esmerelda) in the HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME (1939) | dir. William Dieterle

[bluem1ngs]

Hey, Jude

The sound of classical music

completely takes over the old church.

A girl comes to stand besides him, and she tells him, “sorry.”

She was so breathtakingly beautiful that it took his breath away. She wore a long yellow satin dress, matching with the other bridesmaids but she stood out in a good way.

Her brown hair was curled and voluminous, falling over her slender shoulders & she held a pretty bouquet of flowers.

A laugh left her lips, as she exchanged glances with another bridesmaids.

She only then remembered about the man besides her, whom she would spend the next few hours with.

“Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself.” she said, her voice soft & delicate.

“I’m Esmeralda.” she tells him, a smile on her lips, as she held her hand out for him to shake.

He exchanges her kind and polite gesture by shaking her hand, “Jude.”

It’s silent for a moment, and the two only gaze off at their surroundings.

Just as she was about to say something, to ease the almost awkward silence, he began to speak.

The two looked at each other in embarrassment, but soon found their alike timing humorous.

She laughs, looking down and recollecting herself, “Sorry, you can go first.”

“Oh, I was just going to say how beautiful of a day it is, in hopes of sparking up a conversation, but I’ve now realized how stupid that sounds.”

She found his words funny, a smile overtaking her lips once again.

The ceremony was beginning, and the doors opened. She interlinked their arms together, and they began walking down the aisle together.

As he let go of her arm, so they could go their separate ways, the two shared a glance and a smile. Throughout the ceremony, he found himself staring at her, hoping her gaze would find his.

“You may kiss the bride.” the priest announced, and claps and cheers took over the old-fashioned church.

He clapped along with the guests, with a smile on his face. His gaze found that of hers, who as the same as him, clapped and that beautiful smile of hers overtook her lips.

“Cheers!” the groomsmen all cheer, and down the champagne.

He twirls the glass in his palm and takes a sip, experiencing a scorching sensation in his throat.

He watches as she glances over at him, and said something to her friends before walking over to him.

“Why aren’t you enjoying yourself?” she asks, with a mixture of mischief and coy.

He tells her, before taking a sip of his drink, “Just had to get away from the crowd for a bit.”

She nods, knowing what he meant.

“Hey, Jude,” the two looked over at the groom and groomsmen, “Why don’t you stop flirting with Esme and join us for another drink!”

They both turn over to each other, with smiles on their lips.

“I’ll leave you to it.” she said to him, and just as she turns to walk away he stops her.

“No, actually, I want to keep talking to you.”

She turns fully around to face him, and nods her head with a slight smile grazing her lips.

With a wave of the hand, he told his mates he would catch up with them later.

He follows behind her, entering the empty mansion.

She gently held his hand through the hallways until they found a room.

The two sat in-front of a fireplace. The parlor had a 1920s feel to it with its white engravings, lace curtains, and floral bed linens, yet it was comforting.

“So, Jude, how do you know the groom?” she asks him, taking a sip from her glass.

“I met George in secondary school. Before, I played football for an academy, I would spend my days playing with those fools.” he laughs, thinking back at those days.

“But enough of me.. how’d you meet the bride?”

“Oh, me and Olivia met at university. Funny thing is.. I met her at a party because that night I had found out my boyfriend of a few months was cheating on me,” she paused for a moment, and only the sound of wood burning was heard, “when she found out she got her drink and poured it all over him, and since then we’ve been inseparable.”

He saw the way the sadness from her face disappeared as she spoke about her true friend.

“What a jerk.. he must’ve been blind.” he tells her.

She almost laughs, “Please. Okay, I guess I’m next. Um, what do you want most in life?”

“I, uh, I want to continue playing football for the rest of my life.”

She watched him with a smile, seeing as how happy the sport made him.

“What about you? What do you want?” he asks her, with such true sincerity.

“Well, I’m already doing what I want to do most. I currently work as a teacher for year r, and I really love it.. I love teaching the children and watching them grow.” the sparkle in her eye grew, as she talked about all the memories she’s made since she began teaching.

He watched her with such delicately, admiring her beauty, and one could safely assume that from the look on his face in that moment, that he was in love with her.

“Do you have a dream?” he suddenly asks her, taking her by surprise for a moment.

She mulls her response for a while, “It’s always been a dream of mine to become a singer.”

He looks at her with a smile, that caused to only smile shyly at him.

“Stop it, you’re making me shy.” she sheepishly smiled at him.

He only continued to smile at her, taking in how beautiful that smile of hers was.

He stands up, approaching the piano that sat behind them.

“Can you sing a song for me?”

She looked up at him, with such timorous and reluctant and then stood up, sitting down in-front of the piano.

For a moment, only the sound of wood burning and fire cackling was heard, just as she played the first notes of the song.

“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad.” she began singing, and this caused a sly laugh to leave his lips, making her smile grow wider.

“Take a sad song and make it better.

Remember.. to let her into your heart, then you can start to make it better.”

He listened intently to her voice, and it sent chills down his spine. It was beautiful.

“Hey Jude, don’t be afraid.

You were made to go out and get her.

The minute you let her under your skin,

Then you begin to make it better.”

He saw the way her fingers crossed the piano smoothly, as she played the notes beautifully.

“And anytime you feel the pain.. hey, Jude, refrain, don’t carry the world upon your shoulder. For well you know that it’s a fool, who plays it cool, by making his world a little colder, na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na..”

She ends the song with those last notes, and as she played the last note, she heard him clapping.

She looked over at him with a smile, smoothing down her dress when she stood up.

“That was beautiful. You have an amazing voice, Esme.” he told her, approaching her slowly.

“Thank you.” she spoke softly.

“I like the song you sang.. it really hit close to home.” he said in a teasingly way as that smile of his formed onto his lips.

“Oh, don’t flatter yourself.” she told him, with a slight push to his chest.

He only stared at her with a smile, and for a moment, time fell still.

He kissed her. It was delicate & slow. The moonlight reflecting onto their faces, as they shared a sweet kiss.

"Hey, Jude," he mumbles, making her chuckle.

He smiles at her and says, "Sorry, it's just stuck in my head."

"Right." she laughs, smiling back at him.

"Na-na-na," he sang, and began to sway with her in his arms.

Her laughter made his heart race uncontrollably.

He set his hands on her waist and they began to dance to the music, hand in hand, slowly, rhythmically.

He only focused on her. She looked past his shoulder, and she looked so beautiful there in his arms.

He took in every nuance of her as he twirled her around.

"Na-na-na-na-na-na, hey, Jude," the two sung together.

In that moment, he knew it would be the beginning of something good, and he was right.