#Give me a task to perform and reward me with your attention and praise

[strawberrystepmom]

a trick, a treat, a few tweaks later and i am proud to present...demon kisaki tetta for @duckykisaki! happy halloween and thank you for participating!

contains: NSFW, MDNI. demon!kisaki x afab!reader. established relationship and pact for kisaki and reader, maybe slightly ooc. guided masturbation (reader), lots of praise and comfort for reader, voice kink, reader is referred to as sweetheart once.

Another long day weighs your bones heavily as you slump into bed, shifting onto your side and pulling your covers up to your shoulder. 

If you can block out the world, it can’t affect you, right? It seems like the most logical way to handle your stormy mood, the noise from outside it all muffled when you shut your eyes and close yourself off from it.

“Hey.”

You hear a voice all too familiar to you but remain hidden in the safety of your cocoon, refusing to respond to Tetta’s call to you. Unable to see him, you can’t be certain where he’s at in relation to where you lie in your bed, but you can feel him as permanently as you always do. He’s on your shoulder like an angel despite the fact he may quite literally be a devil - a demon, even. 

The two of you have never bothered to truly flesh out whatever exists between you but it’s love as far as you’re concerned and despite your petulant mood, you relent and roll over onto your back, glancing around the room to find the handsome man sitting next to you with a reassuring smile on his face.

“Rough day?”

You hum, it’s half hearted and he can tell better than any other one person possibly could that you are stressed. From your posture to the sound of your voice to the way your lips quiver, it upsets him to see you in this state. He has offered multiple times to take care of whatever has been stressing you, a co-worker or a roommate, but you’ve denied him each time and he has had to figure out a better means to assist.

“You know what will make you feel better?”

Hiding your smile, you turn toward Kisaki and wonder what he could mean. You hardly have the energy for what he usually considers the remedy to a bad day, your body is tired in a way you would struggle to describe when asked, but he doesn’t move from his spot in your desk chair so you assume he has another idea in mind.

“What would that be?”

The sound of your voice makes the demon hum, satisfied to have been the one to get the reward of your speech, and he leans forward in the chair, legs spread wide. Despite the darkness of your room you can make out the vague shape of him and it makes your heart race. He’s so handsome with his blonde hair tucked off of his face, the suit he insists upon wearing bunching up over his thighs, it’s almost making you rethink that whole too exhausted for his usual remedy thing but he clears his throat and recaptures your attention.

“Just lay back and listen to me,” he instructs and you raise a brow. He nods, indicating you should do as you’ve been told, and you take your glasses off to set them aside and follow instructions. You lay on your back, flat, arms at your sides and he rolls the chair to the side of your bed.

“Good,” he praises and you squirm already. The effect he has on you has never been a secret, not since the day you accidentally summoned him while locked in the bathroom at work lamenting the mean utterances your boss tosses in your direction even still, but deprived of your vision and relying solely on his guidance makes your mind wander in decidedly risque fashion.

“You trust me completely, right?”

You hum your response to his question, hands still resting at your sides. Trust is something you do not give freely but it’s something you have always given Kisaki without question knowing he’s so powerful that he could hurt you at any time if he wanted to, he simply doesn’t because he cares. The truth of your care for one another is beautiful and terrifying and heat rushes through your body, your legs shifting slightly. 

“Lift your shirt over your head.”

Performing the task you’ve been given, you do so in a fluid motion and he hisses when he catches a good look at you. Your nipples are pert and he fights the urge to smooth his palms over your chest and stomach, familiar with what the pebbled buds feel like beneath his fingers, but this is an exercise in patience for himself as much as it is for you.

No giving in, despite how delicious you look.

“How does that feel?”

You smile, keeping your eyes shut. Searing heat continues its path through your body, your arousal a hot knife through your psyche, but you don’t press your thighs together. He knows you have to be excited and it softens him further to see how eager you are to experience this with him, listening to each breath he takes before moving.

“Feels good, feels freeing.”

He nods and shifts, feet firmly planted on the ground. His hungry gaze eyes you and he is ready to push further, his own stiffening cock a less pressing problem than your relaxation, so he clears his throat and you prepare for his next direction. 

“Take your pants off.” He whispers and you lift your hips from the bed, quickly shirking your lounge pants and tossing them to the side of your bed. He didn’t mention your underwear so you keep them on, the gusset growing wet with every passing second, and he notices that you stopped just short of leaving yourself bare. He’ll remedy that situation quickly. “Panties too.”

Again, your hips and back arch off of the bed and you slip the fabric off, tossing it in his vague direction. He watches the fabric flutter to the ground below him and his fist clenches, the smell of your arousal filling the air around him. It takes all of his strength to keep from climbing in the bed next to you so he continues.

“Bend your knees and spread your legs, yeah, just like that.” 

He encourages you as your body shifts, the blankets that were once covering you rucked aside while the cool air of your room brings relief across your warm and damp folds. 

“Slide your hand down your stomach and onto your pelvis,” he instructs and you do, whimpering softly at the featherlight brush of your own fingers. You can feel the smooth expanse of your own skin, the texture of your own hair beneath your fingers, and it’s an erotic rush to be able to feel but not look at yourself. You know intimately what you look like but it’s different to understand what you feel like and right now, you feel good. Your skin buzzes pleasantly and you smile.

“Now feel how wet you are,” Kisaki further instructs and you shiver hearing how low his voice has dipped. Your fingers travel from your mound to between your spread lips and you gasp coming into contact with your own slick. 

It’s surprising to feel it, to know he hasn’t even touched you and is still managing to drive you wild, and despite his lack of further instruction you continue on. Your fingers brush against your clit and you groan, suddenly realizing how needy you are. He chuckles and the sound makes heat coil within you further, your stomach in knots.

“I didn’t tell you to do that but it’s okay, curiosity gets the best of all of us, right?”

You hum and he leans further forward, admiring the way your finger rests just above your now tacky clit. He wants to prolong this for as long as he possibly can but he knows you’re eager judging by the tension he feels radiating off of your body. You’re relaxed in one way, your mind, but tense in another and he plans on guiding you through releasing that tension the best that he can.

“You can touch yourself,” he finally allows and you exhale, fingers sweeping over your clit. Your back arches off of the bed, legs spreading further, and he grins. You can’t see it but it’s toothy and large, greedy almost. Your fingers rub small circles around the bud and he licks his lips, eyes falling to where your hand works.

“How does that feel?”

A breathy moan is your response, two fingers grazing the bud, and he finally leaves the chair to kneel at your bedside. His eyes drink in every twitch of your digits, the way they fluidly brush from your clenching hole to your clit to spread your wetness, and you feel his breath on your thigh.

“Fuck yourself with your fingers. Pretend they’re mine.”

Your breath hitches at his request, knowing very well your fingers could not begin to relieve you the way his thick and long ones do, but you oblige as you agreed upon when all of this started. Your fingers slide from your clit to your entrance, one slipping in with little resistance. You whimper in response, your body relieved to finally be wrapped around something even if it is a single finger.

“Wish it were you, Tetta,” you croon despite how overwhelmingly good it feels to be knuckle deep inside of yourself and he nods his agreement. You don’t see it but you feel the shift of his neck against your bed, shaking it slightly while you slip a second finger inside of yourself. This is more similar to what you’re used to thanks to him and your body welcomes the sensation, chills running down your spine.

“Show me how badly you wish it were me, sweetheart.”

You do. Your fingers begin to thrust in and out of you wildly, your unoccupied hand beginning to work at your clit, massaging and circling the bundle of nerves just the way you like. His eyes drink in every twitch and movement and he watches your cunt spasm around your fingers, brows pinched in the middle and sweat dotting his hairline.

This is the sweetest torture he has ever faced but it’s more than worth it to make you feel better.

“Make yourself cum for me.”

His request sends you toppling and you do, legs twitching and tensing with the strength of your orgasm. You keep your eyes shut while you ride out the waves of pleasure, hips canting half-heartedly with each one that passes, and he pants as hard as you do by your side despite doing none of the hard work. 

Opening your eyes, the world is blurry, but he waits with your glasses to slip them on over your nose. You smile when greeted with his handsome face, your sticky hands still resting toward the bottom half of your body. He kisses you and any residual stress melts out of your body, boneless and stress free in your bed.

“Better?”

You nod, grinning at your handsome demon.

“Much better.”

[singularity-and-co]

"Really?" The Arceus stood with his arms crossed, looking at the hybrid curiously. Of course he knew of this being's struggles with maintaining a following from overhearing the conversation but he continued with shock in his tone. "This surprises me. I figured for sure you would have an abundance of followers and worshippers."

An opening for the Arceus to weave his way into. The way this being took his praise and the clear need for a following was the perfect way for him to use this being. He just had to continue to give the hybrid small trickles of what he wanted so then he would do exactly what he commanded. Arceus was definitely interested in the strength this one possessed. Was he stronger than his own sons? Epoch certainly had a lot of strength, but this one seemed more powerful. The perfect tool to add to his collection.

"The fickle minds of a following can be difficult to sway to your cause when they've deemed you not worthy. I am sorry you have had to go through with this. It is not fair that some of the strongest of beings are not given the praise and respect they deserve. An injustice."

He had to do this carefully. Arceus feigned being deep in thought before his eyes lit up with an idea. The idea he'd came here for. Putting on a sympathetic face, he smiled.

"My boy, your plight has caught my attention. It saddens me to know someone of great strength has been treated so poorly. I would not wish this upon anyone of our stature. I wish to help get you the following you need. The situation you have gotten into is not fair."

Arceus gently placed a hand on the hybrid's shoulder.

"You know, this gives me an idea. I was looking for someone strong to help me out with a little job. And it seems you would fit the bill just well. I've not seen someone who has impressed me as much as you have and you seem like the type who is able to complete a task to a high standard. Of course, a job well done needs a reward suited for the one who succeeded in it. Perhaps, and this is if you're interested, if you were able to perform this simple task for me, I could give you a portion of your following back to you. It's not something that would be difficult for me to do. I'd say it's an equal exchange. And I'd love to see what else you could do. What do you say, my boy?"

Arceus offered his hand out to the hybrid.

@distorteddiamonds

Previous @singularity-and-co

Dominic felt a rush of pride at the man’s words, looking away to avoid embarrasing himself. To have an elder acknowledge his strength was certainly a blessing. He didn’t want to appear weak.

“I’m sure the answer is obvious, as I’m certain it is rather large, but how great is your following, if you don’t mind me asking?”

The warm feeling in his chest faded as quickly as it had come, a cold as steel grimness replacing it. Dominic sighed, knowing his answer to the man’s question would only be a disappointment.

“…I suppose you missed the conversation earlier. My following has all but left my for my mother.”

“When they discovered my brother and I were neither ‘Almighty Sinnoh’ they deigned to worship the true heir to the title. Whatever prayers they gifted me have trickled to a stop as the rivers of time paced on.” He explained more, avoiding the mans multiple eyes as he focused more on wrapping his wound. The warm cape shreds acted as a gauze as he pulled them taught.

Dominic made a mental note to later go out to get herbs. He wasn’t sure which ones would work precisely, however something would be better than nothing for the ache.

“If I had them back, I might be able to leave this place and do something meaningful.” A hiss escaped his lips as he laid back against the icy wall. “Not like that will ever happen. There are no true miracles in the world. Just skill and survival.”

[uponrightful]

Okay

Y'all know I'm officially a SIMP for my boy Omen and I've read, what? Five sentences about him?

So real talk, what does his partner do for him that makes him soft?

I'M SO EXCITED TO TELL YOU BABY 🤍

To everyone else that would like to send an ask about Phantom Squad as a whole or any of them individually, send one HERE

What Do You Do That Makes Him Soft? - Commander Omen

Making Omen soft isn’t quite as hard as you’d believed it would be.

At first glance, he’s fucking terrifying. Strapped to the neck with blasters, blades, and bombs. Toweringly tall. And most likely dead silent. Many women have tried to be… foreword with him. But none have ever really hit the mark on really getting to the epicenter of his mind and what exactly gets past his hesitancy and stoicism. That is until you take a confident approach and win him over with just how unaffected you are by the outward image he presents to everyone.

Not that you weren’t cautious of the -very real- threat he could present or his clear position as something analogous to an armored assassin. However, you didn’t publicly fawn over him or even try flirting in a conventional way. You just acted normally. And let him decide if you were something of his type or not. It just so happened that Omen couldn’t begin to ignore a woman with real confidence and the appearance that she didn’t give a single fuck that he was in the same room. He was intoxicated the longer he was around you. 

The first time you got a clue as to just how deep Omen’s desire for a dominant woman came very organically. Although a bit unexpected. He’d appeared on your doorstep unannounced, in the middle of the night and visibly exhausted. Despite knowing you’d never given him your address, or anything remotely identifying other than your first name alone. You couldn’t help but feel concerned. Being half asleep- but still worried about him, you murmured;

“Oh you poor baby, come here.”

It was the beginning of not only your lessons in Omen as a subject all in itself; but a personal journey for him in which he began to accept that no matter how deadly he could be on a mission, when you praised him or sweet talked him, he was utterly destroyed. 

The Commander knows his position is one of leadership and constant dominance in the field. His brothers need that and from the very beginning everyone understood and followed through with the belief that Omen was best suited for the task. However, in all of those missions-went-wrong, close calls, fire-fights, and asset protection, The Commander never received a “good job”. From anyone. No one expected anything less than perfection from him, so there wasn’t a reason to give him a commendation for performing as “expected”. 

Until you. It wasn’t until you came along with a smooth smile, that desire to care for him and so. many. fucking.  praises. that he could barely function without wanting to just drop to his knees in front of you and beg for more. Over big and small things, it didn’t seem to matter to you. You just had the overwhelming urge to give him credit for being himself and doing his duty to the best of his ability. Even if he didn’t believe he had done a credible job himself. Omen was at a real loss for words and not just choosing silence. His mind on the other hand was spinning so fast he could barely think straight. It took a very long time before Omen was ready to accept that he couldn’t live without you. You were just the best thing he’d ever had. No one else could have something so good. He couldn’t allow anything otherwise. 

“You’re such a good boy,”

“You did so good out there Commander,”

“I’m proud of you Omen,”

“Come here. Let me give you a reward,”

It’s enough to turn the stony-eyed Commander into a pile of whiney mush. Grappling at your waist and wanting to pull you closer. Just to get anything you’ll give him. Bury his face in your neck. Kiss you. Touch you. Hear more of your praise and feel your gentle touch. Omen is a man of battle prowess. But he adores getting all of your undivided attention and praise with the knowledge that you’re not just doing it for your own benefit. You’re doing it for him. Because you honestly are proud and care for him.  

***

A couple of tags bc I don't know who to really show this kind of thing to. : @queenquazar @justanothersadperson93 @loth-wolffe @lackofhonor@ladykatakuri @rebelmedic99 @altered-delta @saltywintersoldat @imalovernotahater @imabeautifulbutterfly @ulchabhangorm @itsagrimm @lokicat5 @rembra-legacy @taz-107 @the-navistar-carol @itsagrimm @ilikemymendarkandfictional @jabbas-lightsaber

[imjuzzsaying]

We all know men who are so good at so many things outside the house, so quick to learn and adaptable but find little success in completing menial domestic chores. I feel it happens mostly because men have the choice to do only that which gets them reward and appreciation, especially from people outside their family, whereas women are entrenched with the sense of responsibility of carrying out the most deplorable of tasks for little to no reward. Men prefer the 'outside work' as it garners more attention and praise, along with the good name of being so devoted or dedicated.

In a patriarchal arrangement, men performing simple domestic chores are lauded and given unnecessary attention and hype. Yet, they often display significant incapacity to perform them. This is exhibited in various forms. The classic is, "I don't know how to do it" and thus avoid the task completely. Next being "tell me how it's done," thus making it tougher for the person who is trying to delegate the task or reduce their burden by having to explain and giving instructions - the peculiarity here is that, the same men would show an inability to follow the instructions efficiently in an attempt to prove how they are not good at it.

Weaponised incompetence refers to a situation where a person pretends to be bad at doing something in order to escape from having to do it at all. Women end up taking a larger share of domestic and carework in families and relationships, thus draining them and significantly reducing their chance for growth.

Why is domestic incompetence among men so normalised?

Some say that it is the result of poor parenting, where your parents do not impart the necessary skills. But our parents teach us plenty. Doesn't mean we imbibe all of them. Even if that's the case, there's always scope for course correction.

As a social being, it is your responsibility to identify where you falter and engage in course correction that would improve life for you and those around you. Stop taking people, circumstances, age old patriarchal conventions for granted. The change starts with you!

There are tonnes of material available online to educate yourself. You can start on IG. Look up #weaponizedincompetence and @thatdarnchat for starters.

[asktheheirofslytherin]

What kinda compliments do you like to give and receive? We all know your ego is big enough, so don't expect any, but still

Are there truly any compliments one would not like to receive? Ah, but I am especially pleased when others note my magical skill, my intelligence, my body of work on Dark Magic. I have put years - decades - of effort into honing these skills and crafting my work. If you have taken the time to read my research and then converse with me about it, ah, you shall have my attention.

To give - I give what is warranted, I suppose. If one of my Death Eaters shows skill, performs a mission with precision and power, I shall praise them, reward them. If someone has done something I admire - displayed a skill, or mastered a spell or difficult task, then I shall note to them that I admire such things. Contrary to popular belief, I am not a man who never compliments others. I can be quite generous with such words - it is just I hardly see anything worth complimenting.

[noonachronicles]

Please feel free to leave this unanswered if it's too much or pushing, but um... well, can I just straight out ask about Gd's oral game? I've never really seen it described and you have delicious smut.

Obviously I’m really biased when it comes to GD. I’m not gonna sit here and be like, “His head game is shit don’t even bother yourself thinking about it”. (So nobody come for me!) Realistically is he the perfect lover who gets everything right every time? No. Is he potentially a very selfish lover who expects to do very little work and doesn’t care if I ever see another orgasm just like every other man I’ve slept with?! I don’t know!! I’ve never fucked him and I feel like I’m constantly being reminded that I never have and never will!!! Which means I can never know for sure! And I hate not having closure! Ooof sorry, I lost myself there for a second. Anyway… ideally it goes a little like this..

Ji, as we know, is a Leo (which my sign happens to be highly compatible with across the board ✌🏻🤪). As a fire sign he’s likely to be incredibly passionate and also have a top tier sex drive. More specifically as a Leo he may come off as arrogant, cocky. Traits that can seem like red flags in sexual partners because let's be honest, if they think they're the shit they usually aren't shit. So hear me out, think about how he is with his music, his art, anything he's ever put his name or face on. Consider his attention to detail, the energy and time he exerts when it comes to the things that he's putting out into the world. He is highly powered by his ego, he's not likely to half ass anything. Jiyong is performance driven and would be easy to get off with a few nice long hard strokes of his ego.

Oral with Ji could either be opportunistic, or it could be a bit performative. He may want to make it more of an extended experience, a little romantic even. The connection with his partner would be just as important as the act if not more so. Maybe you get a fancy dinner and a nice night out before he takes you home. Maybe he gets an intrusive thought one day when you visit him at the studio, a little voice in the back of his mind that won't stop telling him that he needs to taste you. That chip on his shoulder screaming in his ear that he has something to prove. And he'd do it too, if you were willing, because he is after all a performer and wouldn't shy away even with a chance of getting caught in such public space.

He'd pull you over to a couch or a chair, and drag your pants down before having you sit down in front of him, legs wide open. He'd tease the soft skin of your thighs with kiss and kitten licks and harmless little nibbles with his teeth. You'd already be humming his name like a song before he even reached your center. When he finally gets there his tongue would move slowly, languidly, just to get a taste. Then as he'd get more and more engaged in his task you'd really start to praise him, telling him how good he is and how he makes you feel. His arms would slide under your legs, wrapping around them and pulling you in. His face and tongue burying even deeper. Hearing every little noise you make and every flattering word from your lips would only push him harder and make him want to give you that much more of his own energy in return. He'd only be further encouraged to keep going the more you approved of what he was doing. He'd be getting off on the praise of his own job well done. Until you finally reached your explosive climax, his name ringing in his ears as it escapes your throat. It would be his reigning accomplishment for the day.

So... yeah. I guess you could say I think he'd be pretty decent at it. Just know he'd expect reciprocation. A reward for a job well done. On your knees with some praise for the king. 😏

[breakoutime]

Rewarded

Hades x (Neutral)Reader

Warning, nsfw!

Tags: Cockwarming, size kink, exibitionism? praise kink? (ask to tag pls)

Summary: Reader has been working hard for the house of Hades, and the master of the house has noticed and wants to reward them.

Authors note: Ok, VERYFIRST TIME writing smut, hopefully its good, or at least passable, english isnt my first language soooo yeah keep that in mind... P-please gimme feedback >///<

Your job at the House of the dead was a strange one. You weren't quite sure how to name it, but for now everyone referred to you as “The assistant”, you never really stayed in the same place for long, always being the one everyone called for help when a task was too much to handle. You have been assigned to Dusa to help with the cleaning, you’ve been working hard with the other shades inside the archive, you’ve been even assigned to stand by Achilles' side when the master of the house had visitors and considered some extra security was necessary. Dusa would always tell you how happy everyone was with your presence in the house, how helpful you’ve been, and how amazingly adaptable you were, having skills that allowed you to act and serve in all these different areas. Your face was quite often on the board at the Lounge, and it was obvious Hades himself was quite pleased with your performance. It was often that you would be called into his desk, to either give a report on your current task or to be praised for your hard work, which always left you inspired and happy for your next task.

You had to admit, your hard working attitude came not only for your passion for your work, but also for the passion you felt towards your master. You couldn't be quite sure when it started, it definitely wasn't there when you first arrived at the house. Hade´s was a rough man, cold, strict, serius. You would always hear him berate the others when their performance was not enough, often punishing them if their results were lacking. It was somewhere between Orpheus' punishment for refusing to sing, and when Zagreus started to openly fight back against his father, that you were called, alone, to Hades’ desk. Of course, at that time, you were anxious, wondering if even with your efforts, the master was disappointed in you and called to have you berated and punished, just like Orpheus was not so long ago, but no. Hades had specially called you simply to praise you, to say how, when so many of his workers, when even his own son was unable to handle his duties, you alone were there to support, cover and pull the needed effort and time to have the house working properly. You weren't able to suppress the smile in your face, or the tingling in your stomach as you heard the so often strict and stern master, praise your hard work for the whole house to hear. Slowly but surely you became obsessed with it. With working hard just to hear Hades himself telling you of your good work and how pleased he was with you. Soon you realized that those words did more than just kindle the fire of your hard work, but also left you warm with another kind of fire, one that burned between your legs. Now, everytime Hades praised you, you had to- no, you needed to take a short break to indulge yourself in that heat, to touch yourself and satisfy this burning need that arouse from you each time that booming, rough voice reverberated through your being, just to tell you how good you’ve been to this house, to him.

Today, you were hoping for such a praise, since you’ve been assigned to work at the archives, getting a lot of paperwork ready for Hades’ reviewing. This was your favorite thing to do, since the Lord was always so busy with paperwork at his desk, always reading and writing and filing, he never had anybody else there to help him with that particular part of the process, sure, at the archives many shades worked to get said paperwork ready for him, but no matter how hard you worked or how many shades he had at his disposal, he was always glued to his work, concentrated and dedicated, but also tired and slightly bored of the repetitive tasks he has at hand. There wasn't much you could do other than work hard and please him with your work, which immediately sent another jolt of heat through you. Of course, your stack of documents was done, which meant you now needed to personally deliver them to his desk. Your smile was proud and your face was slightly flushed from the heat you felt, feeling a bit too eager today to hear what your master had to say. Silently you wondered if it was noticeable, if the master knew that your enthusiastic work and demeanor came from these kinds of feelings, or even if the other people in the house knew. For a moment you thought how would Zagreus react, if he knew you had the hots for his father, but you quickly had to shake that thought and compose yourself, as you passed Achilles and walked straight up to Hades’s desk. 

As always, he was seated there, in his throne, reading attentively one of the many documents he had in his desk. One small part of you felt bad, because the stack of documents was considerably going to grow with the one you were holding, but sadly that stack was going to work either way. Patiently you waited, the stack was heavy but his desk was way too tall for you, and you already knew that interrupting him was never a good idea. If only you could float like Hypnos or Thanatos, or if you were taller, but just like the prince, your stature meant that you’d need some help to get up the desk. Soon, you saw Hades pick up his plume, signing one of the documents, a sign that he was done with his current one, and immediately you made your wade to his side, ready to hand the paperwork for when he stretched his arms to receive them. With a pleased hum, he acknowledged you, taking the stack of papers and thanking you in the process.

“Quick and efficient as always. Glad that there is someone here who never disappoints me.” You had to stifle a laugh, the comment was not only a praise to you but also a small insult to Hypnos, who was floating and sleeping soundly in the hallway in front of you two. 

“Now,” he said, tidying the new stack of documents before fully turning to you. “The house has been working quite efficiently lately, so i'm afraid there are few dignified chores left for someone of your skill and dedication...” That wasn't exactly a bad thing, sometimes you were given time off to rest, but there was something different about the way he spoke, the way he was looking at you. Anxiety started to build in you, and as you opened your mouth to say something, he simply raised his hand, stopping you. “Except one thing.” He moved, lowering his hand to your level. “Come here.” You could feel your heart hammering in your chest, your knees trembling, and cold drops of sweat falling from your brow. Was he really telling you to climb his hand? Nervously, you took a seat on it, allowing your master to raise you and place you comfortably in his lap. This was new, very new and confusing, you’ve never seen anyone have the honor of sitting on Hade's lap, but there you were, comfortable laying in one of his powerful thighs, staring up at him. Your master, who everyone respected and feared, who always made your very being burn was giving you this sort of treatment, of affection? His voice is lower this time, huskier, “Today I have a different task for you… A different kind of service that I need” His hand was on your back now, rubbing it gently. “One which will be quite pleasurable for you and for me.” You had been staring at him this whole time, looking at his eyes, his expression, which was something you’ve never seen before, desire was evident in his face. Desire for you. “I have made a concoction, to allow you to handle such a task-” he continued, now his other hand lifting his robes, exposing himself for you. You could not believe it. Your master wanted this from you, just as much as you wanted it from him. His size was massive, proportional to a man of his build and stature, you couldn't help but reach out, running your hand over it, how were you supposed to  please him? Even with your both hands you wouldn't be able to stroke him firmly, much less fit him inside of you- But your thoughts were interrupted by something uncorking. He did say something about a concoction, but how-

A small vial was in his hands, the liquid of which looked like nothing you had ever seen. It shifted in color, going from red to orange to green, it must have been made from Hades’ power. “Do not fear. Spread yourself for me, and I'll take care of the rest...” You didn't have to be told twice.  Breathing heavy, you allowed your master to pour that strange liquid into your entrance, which seemed to burn you in the most pleasurable way, making you let out soft pleased sounds. “It was about time we took some sort of break, so few of us take our work seriously...” gently, he applied pressure with his finger into your entrance, which to your surprise stretched without problem to fit his finger, coating your insides with the strange liquid as it went in. “And you are one of the bests of course.” His words were like honey, fueling the need inside you. “That's why I know only you will be up to this task….” He removed his finger, having your insides well coated and warm for his member. “I want you to keep me company, to keep me warm... While im at my desk today.” Your legs were shaking, but you knew what you had to do, he really didn't have to tell you. Bracing yourself against his chest, slowly you pressed your entrance into his member, even with the concoction, it took some effort, the tip slipping a couple of times before being able to get in. The stretch should have been painful, but all you could feel was pleasure, the burn of the strange liquid must have changed you, allowing you to take such size and not feel an ounce of pain. “Hmmmmm, go on now, get comfortable- Ah~!” Your master moaned when you started moving, the tightness of your hole breaking a small part of his determination to keep this quiet. You yourself weren't being quite quiet either, whimpers, moans and whines coming out of you as you slowly adjusted your tight grip on Lord Hades’ cock as you sank down, coming to a rest against him, now his member fully sheathed inside of you. Your Lord seemed to be taking a moment to compose himself while you simply slumped against him, your thighs twitching as your insides squeezed exquisitely around your master. In the back of your mind, you wondered if this was some sort of dream, one witch you’d never want to wake up from, but as Hades moved a document from the stack to be reviewed, one of his hands went for you, lifting you barely from his cock and pushing you down again, making him growl in satisfaction and you cry out in pleasure. “Absolutely perfect. Even now your performance is impeccable.” You couldn't really answer much to that, being a bit overwhelmed by this whole situation. “I was hoping to work while you kept me pleased, but you’ve demonstrated to be far more… stimulating than I thought.” He shifted you again, making you see stars and your insides to tremble. “But It hardly matters, this just means my paper work can wait....” He looked hungry at you, even more so, now holding you with both hands with the clear intention of focusing on you. “Now I’ll have to work on giving us both a reward for working so hard.”

With that, he started really moving you, pounding at you slowly and gently at first, but quickly picking up pace and intensity. Your screams of pleasure practically echoed in the house, you were unable to repress them, far too gone in the pleasure to care. “That's it, L-let everyone know your price- your pleasure!” He boomed on top of you, now lifting you up to lay on the desk as he stood and pounded away at you. “Let this be an example for everyone- Only the best can get this from me” Hades growls and loudly proclaims on top of you now, his movements so fanatic you can't understand how you havent came ten times by now, but the ecstasy you felt right now was more than worth it. You couldn't help but look around, now laying in said desk you had vision of Hypnos, who clearly had woken up and was openly staring with both of his hands over his mouth, a deep flush evident in his face, and achilles, who clearly was looking away, red and ashamed of being in proximity of such an act, and of course, many shades where looking, some even cheering at the expectable, even with the little features they had, you could see a pang of envy on them, which only fueled your pleasure. With a mighty grunt, he slammed deep inside of you, filling your insides with his seed, which was all you needed to break and finally cum yourself, blacking out for a second, over the overwhelming wave of pleasure he had just given you, that delicious burn his liquid gave you coming back with vengeance, making you ride your orgasm with that pleasure too, leaving you utterly spent and satisfied. Maybe it was that same liquid which made your orgasm wait, so that you could reach it with master Hades. 

Now, with both of you panting, he gently pulls out of you, covering himself again and using a clan rag on one of his drawers to help you clean up. The adoration in your face must have been evident, since the look he gave you was both gentle and smug. “I’ll leave you to rest in my quarters, but once I'm finished with this paperwork, I'll join you one more there, I won't be long.” With that, he picked you up and carried you to his room, just in time for zagreus to rise from the river, shooting you a questioning look as he saw his father carry you away. You were far too tired to care, really, the only thing that mattered now was the fact that Lord Hades himself was laying you on his bed, where he would surely instruct you to pleasure him, now in private. Curling up. you knew you needed some rest if you wanted, like always, to give your very best for the task.

[pumpumdemsugah]

I also don't understand black women who take any chance to rip into White women but don't have the energy for white men. It's so bizarre. I know being heterosexual probably has something to do with it but it confuses me cause they literally date white men and meet their parents. I know white women obviously have privilege but white men also have privilege.

The problem with bullshit on social media is it typically comes from a real place but i think this issue is bigger than that. No one takes misogyny seriously so it doesn't take much for feminist and intra-feminist criticism to be co-opted and rinsed out of any meaning to go viral.

The vast majority of Black women don't date white men and i think social media has sort of skewed this lol. Even in the Uk where its more common, most Black women arent going out their way to date white lol

With social media you get rewarded for certain behaviours and people tend to only respond to Black women when we're being harsh towards others. People don't care about the substance of what Black women say so even if you're saying rubbish or something thoughtful, people only care about seeing carnage. I think alot of people on social media are stuck in this feedback loop that rewards something that looks like public justice so subconsciously or not, give the people what they want. Shit when i ran this blog with other Black women donkeys years ago and people only paid attention to us if we were being harsh so we all got tired and abandoned the blog. They wanted a show, not our points of view. We all just stopped posting on it cause people would send us links and messages to X person on X blog said this racist thing and eventually we were like, we're not your guard dog. Go attack someone yourself you spineless prick. People performing for their online audience is common everywhere and humans are a social species that respond to social feedback and expectations

Quick conclusion: white men deserve to be whipped, cartoonish discussions typically come from a credible point, creating more criticisms of something/ a group that should be criticised more to simply increase discussion WILL create useless views if not properly grounded and social media can create certain feedback loops that isolated or despondent people latch onto. Sexism persist in everything

This got long so you can read the rest below lol

I wish I could remember this essay I read about horizontal hostility years ago but it went on to talk about that because of misogyny, women are in each others world's alot even thought we're also encouraged to be hostile and trust men. Teachers, nurses and lots of customer service jobs are done by women and in the essay it spoke about how when Black women encounter racism, it's more likely to be like this and from a woman. So maybe she is partly motivated by sexism but the most common form of racism she'll experience is more likely to be from women because of how sexism has changed the work force. Mixing this reality with the feedback loop of social media praise, that can reward you for taking people to task, even if you're chatting shit things can spin out of control very quickly.

We live in a sexist society and no one actually takes anything Black women says seriously, and even less so when its about men, especially white men. People don't take us seriously when we talk about Black men and half the time when they do, its more because they want to confirm racist stereotypes vs taking their misogyny directed at Black women seriously. For people who really play the social media game, you simply do not receive the same backup attacking white men. I don't think it has much to do with sexual competition for most but more hopelessness and nihilism. I don't think people who lash out on social media alot really believe in anything that deeply. They know the world is wrong and being angry and cussing people out is the closest you get to people taking you seriously

We can't divorce the racist sexist dynamic constructed between Black and white women by white supremacy where we're positioned as opposites away and to Black womens detriment. Outside of certain parts of social media, there's no praise for taking any white person to task, whether you have a good point or a poor one. The people that talk about them alot live in mostly white areas and social media is probably the one place they feel powerful or heard but the wires gets crossed and people have different intentions so venting and criticisms basically turn into a public spectacle mostly about humiliation. There's some that are weirdos and just straight up misogynist and those then to be very loud and very active

I do have a problem with the why aren't white men criticised more and it's not because I disagree ( they aren't criticised enough 1000%% ) and Paul Harry and his ilk are making jokes about white women like they aren't the ones killing white women. My issue is, after being on Tumblr for so long people will point out a real problem and for a while people course correct but eventually, people start performing what they think correcting that wrong looks like. This is what happened to criticism of white women's racism. It went from talking about something that back then wasn't spoken about, to people thinking because they mentioned white women they're criticising racism but now, half the time its nonsense and saying non-feminist white women are white feminist as a short hand for criticising whatever bs she's done when it has nothing to do with that but something else.

white men should be criticised more but i think when we get too focused on increasing or decreasing discussions of X or Y, people pump out content to correct that instead of thoughtful engagement, reflection or a criticism that understand systematic oppression. Every dumb talking point on twitter, i can remember how the initial thoughtful criticism came about and the context it was made in.

Social media obviously isn't great for good serious discussion and white men deserve every last shit talking about them but when it's being done by unserious people who are just trying to go viral and don't care that deeply about sexism, they can end up undermining the point. Just look at how no one knows what intersectionality even means and misuses it. Then people complaining about this and asking "what does intersectionality even mean?" sarcastically, well, go find out beloved. We have videos of the woman that created it explaining it. But some people are hooked on the righteous anger part and nothing else and don't care about the question they're asking, they just want somebody to look stupid by asking it

People don't care about what alot of things actually describes but simply being seen saying it because it has certain connotations. The reason right wing channels have so much DUNKING ON LIBERALS content, isn't because these people are start, right winger are typically dumb but because you have people repeating stuff without really understanding it and doing it to right wingers that spend all day arguing with people like them. the thing about arguments is you don't have to be correct to win lol. And if all you know about an issue is the formula to going viral when saying certain words, you're easy pickings .

Any serious feminism should always try to reconnect with the use of that discussion outside online spaces and beyond being praised in your online circle OR balancing online ecosystems by pumping out content about criticising X people more, which ultimately ends up with people saying empty buzzwords to look like they're saying something. Yes white men should be criticised a lot more

[flowercrown-bard]

A new us will begin (8/ 12)

word count: 5k

AO3

part 1   / part 2 / part 3  / part 4  / part 5 / part 6  / part 7 / part 9

content warning: blood, injuries, referenced character death, animal death (a monster and kind of implied a horse)

All too soon, the day that had been looming over them like a storm cloud that seemed far away at first until you realised you were already caught in the storm, was there. The day of the troupe’s last performance before they would move on.

This time, Geralt felt more than ever as if Dandy was speaking to him when he was speaking his lines in the dungeon scene. Maybe that was just wishful thinking, but while Dandy was reciting his big monologue, for a moment there, Geralt was so sure that it wasn’t the pirate asking the knight to come with him, but Dandy asking Geralt.

Clearing the stage after the performance felt strange that day. Geralt wasn’t the only one who worked noticeably slower than usually to delay the inevitable departure of the troupe and more than once he heard one of the actors sniffle.

“It’s always like that after the last performance,” Dandy explained quietly from his place perched on the box. “It always feels a bit like saying goodbye.”

“You’re going to perform that play again,” Geralt said, not sure whether that was at all a comforting thing to say. “In another city. Maybe with an even bigger audience.”

Dandy’s lips twisted into a crooked smile, but it felt more like a mask than an expression of joy.

“Maybe. But I really liked the audience here.” His voice was void of the mirth that so often tinged his words.

Geralt had no reply to that. He settled on an unsatisfying hum that could have meant anything and turned back to his task of dismantling the stage.

Dandy was unusually quiet, only drumming a slow rhythm on the box, while Geralt worked until at long last, Geralt was done with his work.

“Are we going to the tavern again?” Geralt asked hesitatingly, not sure if he would still be welcome on this day that made all the actors more emotional. Welcoming as they might be otherwise, Geralt wouldn’t be able to fault them, if they didn’t want him in their midst today.

That didn’t soften the ache in his chest, when Dandy said, “No. We are not.” He fiddled with his cane and shuffled on his feet.

Geralt nodded, more for his own benefit, as if the simple motion could dull the pang of disappointment.

“Right. Of course.”

“That is,” Dandy said, something tentative and endlessly hopeful making his pitch a little higher. “I was thinking the two of us could take a walk? Maybe you could show me your favourite places in town? Unless you’d rather go to the tavern with the others.”

Geralt didn’t answer. The last time, that he knew of, that Dandy had gone for a walk with just one other person, hadn’t ended too well for him. Geralt couldn’t put into words how much it meant to him that Dandy trusted him enough to go somewhere alone.

Gently, he took Dandy’s hand, giving it a little squeeze. Dandy didn’t flinch at the unexpected contact, but his brows shot up in surprise and his whole face lit up.

“Alright, then,” Dandy said, his voice trembling with barely concealed excitement. “Lead the way.”

The other actors barely paid them any mind as they walked past. Geralt only stopped to tell Nadine where they were going and promised her that he would take Dandy back safely.

“You better,” she said and narrowed her eyes at him, but her tone wasn’t even hinting at being intimidating. With a twinkle in her eye, that Geralt chose to ignore, she added, “But don’t rush. We won’t leave until morning, so you have plenty of time to make the best of the night.”

Neither Geralt nor Dandy commented on that last part and when Geralt looked at Dandy out of the corner of his eyes, there was a pretty blush colouring the actor’s cheeks.

Walking with Dandy’s hand in his was a strange experience. After having seen how he moved when he was on stage or surrounded by his friends, it was hard not to notice how differently he acted when it was just the two of them. He was still loud, talking nearly as much as Jaskier had, about the first play he had ever starred in, about the one time he had succeeded in making every other player break character while on stage and how Nadine was already debating which play they were going to rehearse next. Yet, despite the gush of words tumbling from Dandy’s lips, it was clear that part of his attention was constantly focussed on his cane.

It took Geralt more will power than he would have liked to admit not to warn Dandy of every little bump in the road or pull him closer when they turned into another street. Dandy had his own way of knowing where he was going and Geralt still remembered vividly how pissed Dandy had been one time when someone at a tavern had tried to flirt with him by insisting to do every single thing for him as if Dandy wasn’t fully capable of doing things for himself and having his own autonomy.

“So, where exactly are we going?” Dandy asked, before the comfortable conversation could fade into silence. “You never told me what your favourite spot here is.”

Geralt gave an amused hum. “Would you believe me if I said it was the market place?”

Dandy let out a bark of laughter. “Absolutely not. I know I am a delight to be around, but don’t think I didn’t notice how uncomfortable you are with the crowds.”

“Your friends are nice, though.”

Dandy’s grip on his hand tightened a little. “I’d say they are your friends too.”

Geralt’s jaw worked and his free hand twitched. “I’ve never been good at making friends. Or keeping them.”

Dandy let out a snort. “Oh please. You can’t honestly expect me to believe that.” When Geralt gave no reply, Dandy came to a stop. “Wait, really? You’re not joking? I-Geralt. I’ve known since the moment that you came backstage for the first time that I wanted to be your friend. You are…I don’t think you realise how good you are. There aren’t many people who would have helped me like you did without expecting anything in return.”

“Nadine let me watch your plays for free and she gave me a job.”

“None of which you asked for,” Dandy said gently. “I know Kara likes to exaggerate, but she said you were very adamant about paying to see the play on that first day.” Something in his posture shifted and he stepped a little closer to Geralt. “I might not have known you for that long, but you are the most amazing friend I could ask for.” His thumb caressed Geralt’s knuckles. “And if the friend you mentioned were here with us, I’m sure he would say the same thing.”

He would. Jaskier would say exactly the same thing. For once, the though didn’t pierce Geralt’s chest, but soothed the ache in it.

Geralt returned the soft caress and cleared his throat. “There is one friend I’ve had for a long time. I…would like for you to meet her, if you wanted to.”

Dandy’s expression softened. “I would love to.”

--

“I don’t know what I expected, but somehow I feel like I shouldn’t be surprised that your best friend is a horse.”

Dandy’s hand, which Geralt held gently towards Roach, didn’t tremble, but Dandy did suck in a sharp breath that ended in startled laughter when Roach bumped her muzzle against it eagerly.  

Slowly, Geralt let go, while he watched Dandy get more comfortable stroking Roach. Almost immediately, Dandy found Roach’s favourite spot to get scratched between her ears. His voice went up in pitch as he started showering Roach in compliments and rhymes of praise – some of which were words Jaskier had spoken to Roach a hundred times before - which Roach rewarded by bumping her head against Dandy’s chest affectionately and nibbling at his clothes, making Dandy giggle.

It was such a soft moment, that Geralt’s heart swelled with unbearable fondness. This was how it was supposed to be. He could almost imagine how the future could be: Dandy leaning against him while they sat next to a campfire, just the two of them. Dandy bickering with Roach, once he realised that the mare liked to nibble on doublets. Dandy practicing his monologues while walking beside Geralt.

That dream was as beautiful as it was impossible.

Had the Path been dangerous for Jaskier, a bard who had a talent and experience in running away from danger, it would be a death sentence for Dandy. As much as he could orient himself in a city where the streets were at least somewhat even, his cane wouldn’t be much use when tracking through underbrush or climbing over rocks in the wilderness. Not to mention the monsters and bandits that would see Dandy as an easy target.

Even if Geralt would be able to somehow keep Dandy safe and only take roads that Dandy would be able to orient himself on, he knew that he could never convince Dandy to abandon his troupe, just to come with him. He didn’t want to convince him. If there was one thing Geralt had learned these past weeks, it was that the troupe was a family. He could never expect Dandy to leave them for him.

So he stayed quiet, doing his best to hold Roach in place while Dandy petted her neck.

He nearly startled, when Dandy broke the silence again.

“It’s going to be just the two of you then, when you leave?”

A pang shot through Geralt’s chest, but he forced the bitterness out of his voice when he replied, “It’s been like that most of the time. Roach is a good companion. Doesn’t let herself get hurt by monsters or bandits.”

Dandy gave a thoughtful hum. “She’s not easy to spook then? Is she good with other horses?” Almost like an afterthought, he added, “And loud people?”

Geralt scratched the space between Roach’s ears, keeping his eyes trained on her, even though he knew Dandy wouldn’t be able to tell if he was staring at him either way. He just couldn’t look at him when he spoke his next words.

“There was an incident during Belleteyn a couple of decades ago.” A hollow smile thinned his lips. “Got me into a lot of trouble. Not only me. But…she did get used to my bard. And he was as loud as one could get.”

Dandy started fidgeting with his cane, twirling it and then gripping it tightly again. “So…say, if she were to travel with a group of actors, she wouldn’t be bothered by the noise?”

Geralt’s heart jumped to his throat. “What are you saying?”

He couldn’t mean what Geralt so desperately wished he meant.

“I’m asking you to come with me. Us. The troupe.” Dandy’s hand stilled on Roach’s neck and he lifted his head. His sightless eyes were boring into Geralt, the seriousness of the moment making it hard to breathe.

“Dandy,” his voice was tight and the name burned on his tongue. “You don’t know what you’re asking. Witchers are…most people don’t like us.” Not anymore. Not since Jaskier was gone and his songs got lost to time. “If I came with you, I would only bring you trouble.”

“No you wouldn’t,” Dandy said hotly. “If there’s a place that’s bigoted enough to chase away witchers then I can guarantee they wouldn’t welcome travelling actors either. Not that we’d want to perform for such people anyway.”

“This isn’t just something you can ask in the spur of the moment-“

“You’re absolutely right, it’s not. Which is why I spent a lot of time thinking this through. Do you want a list for why we would be happy to have you come with us? Because I have a list. Mika helped me with it.”

Geralt let out a long sigh, but before he could protest further, Dandy had already straightened his spine and taken on the posture he had used when he had played the pirate in his most self-assured moments.

“You don’t have to stay with us forever, of course. Just for the winter. To see if you like it. It’s always dangerous for us to travel in the snow. You could keep us safe from bandits or monsters while we travelled and help out with setting up the stage when we get to towns?” This was his acting voice. By now, Geralt could recognised the intonation of it in his sleep. Dandy hadn’t exaggerated when he had said he’d thought about this. Clearly, he had taken the time to learn the list by heart. “Or take contracts there. Or you could sell tickets with Kara and make sure no one’s causing trouble over the price. Or you-“

“Dandy,” Geralt interjected softly, but Dandy pointedly ignored him.

“-could help us backstage during performances. That fire thingy and that blast magic of yours could be brilliant light or wind effects.”

Geralt let out a snort. “I don’t think having an open flame on stage is a good idea. And Aard isn’t that easy to control. My brother could maybe do it, but I’d probably blast you right off the stage if I tried.”

Dandy’s brows pinched together, then he shrugged. “That one was Mika’s idea. I told them it was ridiculous.”

“As opposed to the idea that anyone would want a witcher to travel with them in the first place.”

“Exactly.” A grin spread across Dandy’s face. “That is completely rational and there’s not a single argument that could convince me that it’s a bad idea.”

Geralt couldn’t stop himself from returning the smile. Good thing Dandy couldn’t see it, or he’d know that he had already won.

Though years of experience of being chased away and spat at, told Geralt that this wouldn’t end well for anyone, he also knew that winters were a rough time for a witcher out on the Path. Contracts were sparse and the few monsters one would come across, were more vicious than ever, made thirsty for blood from the lack of prey.

There were good arguments for why Geralt should come with the troupe. Deep in his heart, he already knew that he didn’t need those arguments. A part of him had been ready to follow Dandy to the end of the world from the moment that he had first seen him.

Still… “What about Nadine? She’s the one who’d have the last say.”

Dandy snorted, lacking any sort of grace. “Do you have a point? Because I don’t see it.”

Geralt spluttered, “Did- did you just-“

“Maybe,” Dandy said with a cheeky grin. “But you see, I already talked to Nadine about this. And she said, and I quote: ‘If he thinks he’d not be welcome here, tell him I think he’s an idiot and that I will personally kick his arse.’” Dandy left a dramatic pause, before he concluded, “And I would help her with that.”

“Dandy,” Geralt began, but Dandy interrupted him.

“Oh no. I will not hear another word of self-doubt from you. If you don’t want to come with us, that’s fine. But don’t you think for even a second that I would let it stand that you think we wouldn’t want you with us.”

“Dandy,” Geralt repeated softly but with more emphasis. He reached for Dandy’s hand, that was still resting on Roach’s neck and tangled their fingers together. “I will stay with you. For the winter.”

For as long as you’ll have me.

--

Travelling with the troupe was different than anything Geralt had ever experienced. For one, he didn’t have to sleep outside or pray to find an inn that would let him stay. Granted, sleeping in one of the spare wagons, a horrid green thing, in-between props, costumes and parts of the set design wasn’t the most comfortable Geralt had ever been, but it was so much better than sleeping on the freezing ground or having to worry about running out of coin.

But the most notable difference was the feeling of being part of a group. Geralt had his family back at Kaer Morhen, but it was different with them. They all had shared experiences and grief that had brought them closer together. Sure, there were memories of laughing together and just being happy were they were, but the reason the wolves were a pack was because of all the bad things that had been done to them and the need to fight against the bad memories.

For the players, it was the exact opposite. They had become a family out of their shared love for the theatre and it showed. Every once in a while, one of them would just start speaking strangely and it never took long for others to join in. Dandy had to explain to Geralt that they were making a game of only speaking in quotes of past plays and see who would remember the most lines. When Geralt asked why Dandy never joined in these games, Dandy laughed.

“Because I would win and leave them all looking stupid, obviously. You don’t want to watch them sulk over that, believe me.”

Geralt didn’t voice his doubts, but he was almost certain that the real reason for Dandy’s silence was that he didn’t want Geralt to feel left out.

The thing was, Geralt had watched the play about the pirate so many times that by now he felt he should know the entirety of it by heart.

The first time Geralt joined in the game by speaking the beginning of Dandy’s big monologue, he earned himself round-eyed looks and proud claps on the shoulder. Most importantly, he got to hear Dandy’s delighted laughter, that warmed Geralt from the inside, chasing away even the coldest winter wind.

--

Word travelled fast, especially when spread by actors, who made a point of mentioning that they were travelling with the elusive White Wolf to lure in bigger crowds whenever they settled down for a couple of weeks.

Soon, there was barely anyone left in the area, that didn’t know that Geralt was with them. Contrary to what he had feared, no one took that as an invitation to attack the actors. In fact, not a single bandit or thief dared to even look at them in a wrong way.

The protection that came with Geralt made the troupe much more relaxed than they had been in the first days of travel and even Geralt found himself less tense and alert than he would have been, had he been travelling on his own, not even wearing his armour most days during travel and keeping his weapons attached to Roach’s saddle.

He should have known better than to be so negligent.

Because while bandits might see Geralt and realise that attacking wouldn’t be a good idea, monsters only saw the colourful wagons, the tired horses and travellers and found themselves with a feasts on a silver platter.

Geralt should have been the first to notice that something was wrong. He should have heard the slow footsteps of a beast stalking its prey. He should have paid attention to the low humming of his medallion. He should have looked out for things that could take Dandy away from him instead of getting lost looking at him.

As it was, the horses were the first to notice. They started stomping their hooves and throwing their heads back nervously.

Then came the howl. It was dangerously close.

“What was that?” Nadine’s voice was tight with worry and she left her place at the front of their little caravan to make sure no one had separated from the group.

“A wolf?” Dandy suggested tentatively from where he was perched on one of the wagons.

Geralt’s face twisted into a scowl and his hand shot up to grip his medallion. Its low vibration made Geralt’s head snap around, searching for the threat.

“That’s no wolf.” His eyes darted over the treeline not far from them and the obvious tracks their wagons had left in the snow, making them far too easy to follow. “That’s something much worse.”

Dandy sucked in a sharp breath and Geralt wished, he’d be able to say something more comforting, but this was no time for lies.

“You have to go.” Geralt grabbed Nadine by the arm and gave her an imploring look. “Take the horses and run.”

Something fierce flickered through her eyes. “I will not leave a single member of this group behind. That includes you, witcher.”

Another howl, this one even closer than before. Geralt opened his mouth to snarl at Nadine that he was here to protect them, when the first horse fell into a panic.

It reared up, tried to dash away. The wagon it was pulling toppled and fell, taking the horse down with it with a panicked neigh.

Geralt whirled back to Nadine, whose eyes were now wide and full of fear.

“Go,” he pressed on. “Make sure the others are safe.”

For a long second, Geralt though she was going to protest, but then she raised her voice.

“You heard what he said. Get the horses free of the wagons and run!”

Immediately, the actors followed her command. Their movements were hectic and clumsy with panic. Geralt ran over to Roach, grabbing his silver sword and facing the treeline from where the howl had come. His muscles were tense as a bow string while he listened to the actors do their best to get on the horses before they fled. They weren’t fast enough.

With measures steps and a growl that Geralt felt in his bones, the beast left the shadows of the trees. From the distance, it almost looked like a wolf, but it was as big as a bear and instead of a pelt, it showed wiry muscles and claws sharper than any normal animal could have. Its neck was protected by a mattered mane that almost resembled a lion’s. It was a skullwarg, a beast evolved from a monster that should have died out ages ago.

Geralt gripped his sword tighter and ran to stand between the beast and the wagons.

“Geralt!”

Geralt jerked back violently at Dandy’s call. His blood ran cold. Dandy couldn’t run. He couldn’t ride. Not on his own.

“Geralt, you have to come with us!”

Geralt didn’t reply. He tried as best he could to shut Dandy’s cries out, but he continued to call for him, to beg him to flee with them, while the skullwarg stalked closer, baring its teeth.

It took all of Geralt’s strength not to turn around, as Dandy’s shouts became louder and more urgent. From the sounds of it, someone tried to pull him off the wagon and Dandy fought them tooth and nail.

Unbidden, images of Jaskier flooded Geralt’s mind. Jaskier lying on the ground, bleeding because Geralt hadn’t been able to get to him before a griffin did. Jaskier looking up at Geralt while blood dripped out of his mouth and his throat swelled from a djinn attack. Jaskier, lying in his arms, cold and unmoving.

Then the images shifted to Geralt clutching Dandy in his arms, trying to stop him from bleeding out, unable to do anything to stop the inevitable.

He blinked against those images, forced them away. He couldn’t let them become reality. Not yet. Not as long as he could stand between Dandy and death.

“Mika!” Geralt shouted without turning away, trusting that the actor was still close enough to hear and listen to him. “Get Dandy on Roach. Ride with him as far away as you can!”

“Geralt, no!” Geralt had to squeeze his eyes shut to drown out Dandy’s pleas. “No, Mika, don’t- We can’t just leave him. Geralt!”

Geralt opened his eyes just in time to see the skullwarg break into a sprint. Geralt widened his stance and faced the beast head-on.

The skullwarg jumped. Its claws grazed Geralt’s shoulder, just as he swung his sword, missing the opportunity to roll beneath it as he had learned. Staying in one place put Geralt at a clear disadvantage, but he couldn’t risk letting the beast get closer to the others.

He swung his sword mercilessly, evaded bites and claws, silently begging the others to hurry.

Fire erupted in his shoulder. Teeth like daggers buried into his flesh, dragging him down. The unexpected force flung his sword out of his grip. One of the beast’s paws pinned his arm to the ground.

The shouts behind him grew louder, more worried.

The beast’s breath above him smelled like decay and death. He needed to use igni, if he wanted to make it out alive.

But the horses were still near enough to become more agitated by the flames. Dandy was on one of those horses. If he fell because of Geralt and got left behind, there was little chance of him surviving.

Blazing agony shot through Geralt’s shoulder, as the skullwarg tore its teeth out of it again. Geralt panted and ground his teeth against the pain. He had to focus. He had to stay alive so he could protect the others!

He brazed himself for another attack. The beast’s maul snapped at him again. In the last second, Geralt threw his free hand up just enough to form Aard. The movement burned in his shoulder and left him gasping for air, but the shock of the blast that flung the beast to the side, bought Geralt a few precious moments. He pushed himself back up and darted to his sword.

Behind him, he could hear the clapping of hooves, as the horses sped away. Hopefully, the actors knew better than to return anytime soon.

If Geralt didn’t make it, he hoped that at least he would be able to buy them enough time to get themselves to safety.

Geralt watched with a tight jaw, how the beast shook its head and stood back up with a low growl. Without warning, the skullwarg charged again.

Geralt ducked behind one of the wagons, but the beast didn’t crush against it, as he had hoped, but rounded it in two quick jumps.

It was too fast.

Geralt wouldn’t be able to fight it with just his silver. Still, he slashed at it again in blind desperation. The blade came away bloody, but Geralt’s shoulder screamed with every swing, the edged of his vision going black with every time the pain flared up. He wouldn’t be able to last long like this.

Another hit. Another. Claws grazing his forehead as he tried to duck under the attack.

Blood dripped into Geralt’s eyes, dying the world red. Red. Red.

Like Jaskier’s blood. Like Dandy’s.

Geralt staggered forwards, sword lifted high above his head. His foot caught on something lying on the ground. It was Dandy’s cane.

His heart splintered like wood beneath an axe. He had lost his cane. He needed it. Geralt had to bring it back to him…

He shook his head, trying to get his mind to stay with him. He couldn’t risk getting distracted.

The skullwarg leaped towards him and rammed its head against Geralt’s chest. All air was pressed out of Geralt’s lungs, leaving him gasping.

He threw his arm up and a burst of flames burst out of his palm. The beast whined as his mane became bright red with flames. The fire flickered in its black eyes. Geralt panted and fell to his knees as he watched the best howl in pain and fury, running in circles to get the flames to stop devouring him. With a crash, the skullwarg collided with the wagon that had toppled before.

A roar, as the wood caught fire. Dandy’s living going up in flames.

“No.” Geralt’s eyes widened. The beast didn’t stop. Mindless in its fear, it bit at its own body, twisting and jumping, uncaring of where it went.

Geralt couldn’t let it set fire to any more of the wagons.

He ran, before he could think about what he was doing and jumped, barrelling into the beast and bringing it down with him, crashing against the wheels of another wagon. A crack went through the wood. Somewhere at the back of his mind, Geralt recognised the green paint as the wagon he used to sleep in.

Sharp agony tore him out of his thoughts. Claws dug into Geralt’s flesh and teeth tore into him, but Geralt couldn’t think, couldn’t stop to fight off the pain or the relentless attacks. He pressed the skullwarg to the ground with his own body, clenching his teeth against the pain of the flames licking at him. He dropped his sword, using his hands to shovel snow onto the flames. He had to quench them. Dandy couldn’t return to find his life burned down to ash.

He couldn’t waste a single moment.

Fire. The other wagon was still burning. The flames could easily devour the other wagons if Geralt didn’t do something. The smoke stung in his eyes, making it impossible to see.

Without thinking, Geralt threw another blast of Aard at the burning wagon, bringing a wave of snow with it and pushing the wagon away from the others.

The force of the blast pushed Geralt unexpectedly against the wagon he had crashed into before.

Another crack came from right behind him.

The skullwarg whined beneath him, thrust its ugly head to the side, desperate to get free. A shadow descended over them.

Geralt turned just in time to see another wheel of the wagon break from the force of the Aard.

He had no time to think, no time to get himself to safety. Still, Geralt threw himself forwards, trying to get away before the wagon came crashing down on him.

The wagon met the ground with an ear-splitting crash. The whining of the beast cut off abruptly.

Geralt was pressed to the ground, all air escaping him. He felt splinters tear his skin open, felt his own blood dripping to the snow below. The pain hit Geralt a second later.

It felt as if his whole body was crushed. He couldn’t breathe.

He tried to move, tried to push the wagon off him, tried to crawl out from beneath it.

He didn’t make it more than a few feet, just enough that his fingers met the cane that lay abandoned in the snow.

His fingers closed around the cool wood, holding it like a lifeline.

Geralt’s breathing was shallow, every intake of breath felt like swallowing shards of glass. He could do nothing but welcome the numb darkness that welcomed him in its arms.

[kurowrites]

The Live-In Boyfriend - Chapter 9: Be A Good Boy Now

AO3

Wei Ying waited until the door of the apartment had closed behind them, and then he turned is face up towards Lan Zhan, silently asking for a kiss.

He still felt the tiniest bit jittery after the meeting with Lan Zhan’s family, but he also had an excellent fake boyfriend who liked kissing him a lot, so he might as well make use of that as much as he could to get rid of the jitters.

Luckily for him, Lan Zhan easily obeyed, leaning down and pressing Wei Ying against the wall of the entrance area almost as if he had only been waiting for Wei Ying’s go sign.

Lan Zhan was just such a good kisser, Wei Ying thought to himself as Lan Zhan thoroughly debauched him. So good he never could resist asking for more. And by now, they could hardly ever pass the entrance area of the apartment without it devolving into a few smooches, at least.

This time, however, Wei Ying had something on his mind, and he couldn’t afford to get too distracted by kisses before he could use the promise of more kisses for leverage.

So when Lan Zhan released Wei Ying to let him catch his breath, Wei Ying let his face curl up into a teasing smile as he gently tugged on a loose strand of Lan Zhan’s hair.

“So, Mister Lan,” he said playfully. “Care to explain what all this talk about you knowing me from before was about?”

Lan Zhan seemed to hesitate for a moment, his gaze still on Wei Ying’s very tempting (he hoped, at least) lips.

Wei Ying moved further into Lan Zhan’s embrace and turned on his best doe eyes, blinking up at Lan Zhan with a little pout.

“Lan Zhan,” he whined. “Tell your Wei Ying what you meant by that.”

A small sigh escaped Lan Zhan’s lips, his arms automatically moving to embrace Wei Ying tightly. (Satisfying, and very promising at that.)

“You were always with Nie Huaisang at university,” he said. “Of course I noticed you. It was easy to recognise you again when you contacted me.”

“Hmmm,” Wei Ying mused. “It’s strange we never met. I would remember meeting someone like you at university.”

“Wei Ying was… sociable,” Lan Zhan said, apparently done with the conversation – and with kisses – as he released Wei Ying and bowed down to remove Wei Ying’s expensive leather shoes from his feet. “We moved in different circles.”

“Aww,” Wei Ying couldn’t help but sigh as he obediently lifted his feet for Lan Zhan to remove his shoes. “I’m sure I would have enjoyed knowing Lan Zhan at university.”

Lan Zhan said nothing, but instead busied himself with removing his own shoes.

“Well,” Wei Ying said lightly once Lan Zhan straightened up and led Wei Ying towards the living room. “I know you know. That’s a good thing too, I’d say. Better than not knowing Lan Zhan at all.”

It felt a little too honest, his admission, but Wei Ying also felt that it was true. He was happy that he had met Lan Zhan. He felt everything in his life had made a turn for the better ever since he had met Lan Zhan, and it wasn’t just the money and the sex that he was referring to. Meeting Lan Zhan had been a good thing even entirely unconnected from the good his ‘job’ had brought him.

Lan Zhan sent him an inscrutable look, but he sat down on the couch and directed Wei Ying to sit down on his lap, or rather straddle him so that they would be able to kiss some more.

Wei Ying eagerly responded to Lan Zhan’s searching lips because he would be a fool to refuse sweet Lan Zhan kisses.

He wasn’t quite sure if he should be proud of it, but apparently Lan Zhan had known who he was before the two had officially met for the first time here in this very living room, and he couldn’t help but feel a little… flattered, maybe. Lan Zhan had seen him as a student, probably misbehaving together with Nie Huaisang, and he still had wanted to hire Wei Ying. That was a good sign, right? And not only that, he had also managed to convince Lan Zhan’s family that he was a good acceptable choice for Lan Zhan. That he was a decent boyfriend. They should celebrate that.

Actually, the fact that they were both still in their suits gave him an idea.

With a slight struggle (Lan Zhan’s lips were really addictive and hard to resist when they were determinedly trying to rid you of all sense and rationality), he separated from Lan Zhan’s mouth and removed himself from Lan Zhan’s lap, turning away to prance towards the kitchen.

“Wait, Lan Zhan,” he sang over his shoulder. “I have an idea. I’m going to make tea.”

He could almost hear Lan Zhan’s confused silence at Wei Ying’s sudden removal and disappearance, but he obediently stayed on the sofa and waited for Wei Ying to prepare some tea, apparently willing to wait out Wei Ying to reveal his plan.

Once Wei Ying had prepared the tea, he straightened up properly, and carried the little tray with the tea back to the living room.

“Director Lan,” he said politely and a little subserviently when he entered. “I’ve brought you your tea. You were wanting to speak with me?”

He kneeled next to the little coffee table in front of the sofa and poured the tea carefully before he handed Lan Zhan the small cup of tea.

(Lan Zhan had, by now, taught him how to properly pour a decent green tea, so he was confident that it would be good.)

“What did you want to talk about, Director Lan?”

Lan Zhan obediently took a sip of the tea, but then looked at Wei Ying with an air of evident confusion.

Wei Ying leaned in and said conspiratorially, “This is the part where you scold me for my bad work performance, Lan Zhan. And then I will offer to perform certain tasks to make up for it.”

He wiggled his eyebrows for emphasis.

There was a short flash of understanding in Lan Zhan’s face, but his expression smoothed out again almost immediately.

Wei Ying’s heart thumped once.

Lan Zhan was so smart! He understood immediately!

“Mr. Wei,” Lan Zhan spoke up after a short break of silence. “Please take a seat.”

Wei Ying obediently settled into the armchair Lan Zhan pointed towards, making sure he looked appropriately nervous.

“Sir?” he asked, letting his eyes go big and round. “Did I… did I do something?”

Lan Zhan considered him silently for one moment, and Wei Ying suddenly wondered if he did that to his employees too. If he did, it would be terrible, because Wei Ying already felt himself getting excited over Lan Zhan’s intense look.

“Your work performance,” Lan Zhan finally said after a silence that made Wei Ying actually fidget, “has been… lacking somewhat recently. What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I’m trying my best, Director Lan!” Wei Ying cried. “I know I should pay better attention, but…”

“No excuses,” Lan Zhan interjected. “You made mistakes, and you are aware of it. Are you going to fix them?”

Wow, Lan Zhan was really good at playing the strict boss! Wei Ying felt the desperate urge to please Lan Zhan for real. Well, he always felt the urge to please Lan Zhan, always hoped for that little half smile that showed Wei Ying that he was pleased with whatever Wei Ying had said or done, but this was something else.

“Director Zhan, I didn’t do it on purpose. I promise I will do better next time!”

“I am not sure if I should give you another chance,” Lan Zhan slowly replied, sipping on his tea as if he didn’t care about Wei Ying’s anxiety at all. “Ever since you started working here, you have been lacking in effort. You have been lacking perseverance. Why should I believe you will change now?”

“Please, Director Lan,” Wei Ying begged. “Please, let me prove it to you! I don’t want to lose this job.”

Lan Zhan looked at Wei Ying for a long time, eyes fixed on him like a predator with his eyes fixed on his prey.

“How are you planning to prove it to me?”

“Anything,” Wei Ying breathed. He was definitely getting excited now. Shit, getting put on the spot by Lan Zhan was arousing. “Anything you want me to do.”

“Stand up,” Lan Zhan commanded, and Wei Ying immediately obeyed.

“Come here. Kneel down. Yes, like this.”

Lan Wangji opened his knees to allow access to Wei Ying and pulled him down when Wei Ying didn’t move quick enough. Once he had settled between Lan Zhan’s legs, Lan Zhan leaned forward to catch Wei Ying’s eye.

“You know what you are supposed to do, no?” he asked.

“Directo-”

“No,” Lan Zhan interrupted him. “You said ‘anything.’ Use your mouth for something other than excuses and complaints and show me that you mean it.”

Lan Zhan’s commanding tone sent a shiver down Wei Ying’s back, and heat gathered in this abdomen.

God, he wanted to put his mouth on Lan Zhan’s dick so badly. But he had started this whole roleplay, so he had to see it through.

With a nervous face and hesitant hands, Wei Ying reached out, slowly starting to open buttons and zippers, divesting Lan Zhan of his layers clothing.

Once he was done, Lan Zhan reached out and gently took hold of Wei Ying’s head.

“Be a good boy now,” he said, “and show me how determined you really are to keep your job.”

And then he made Wei Ying give Lan Zhan the most excruciatingly slow blow job in his entire life.

By the time Lan Zhan finally held him down and found his release, Wei Ying’s knees felt bruised and his mouth felt tired and used, and he could do nothing but sit there as Lan Zhan finally withdrew from his mouth, whisking out a handkerchief and wiping him clean.

“Good boy,” Lan Zhan praised him. “Indeed, you do have some perseverance. But look at you, getting all excited and wet. This was supposed to be a punishment, not a reward.”

Holy shit. Wei Ying had never heard Lan Zhan talk like that, and wow, it definitely did things to him.

Lan Zhan leaned down and fixed Wei Ying with the same intense gaze as before.

“I see,” Lan Zhan murmured. “You are not just bad at your job, you are also a slut.”

“No,” Wei Ying whined, only half acting, because he was really wanted Lan Zhan to put his hands on him in the next thirty seconds. “Director, please. Please. I’ll do everything, just, please.”

“Shameless,” Lan Zhan said, but there was a tiny tick of satisfaction in the corner of his mouth. With seemingly no effort at all, he lifted Wei Ying up from the floor, and directed him towards Lan Zhan’s bedroom.

“Luckily, I think we have some things to remedy that.”

---

Later, once Wei Ying’s state had been remedied very thoroughly indeed, Wei Ying lay in bed, basking in the delicious afterglow of two very excellent orgasms. Lan Zhan had dozed off at some point, still wrapped around him tightly and his nose buried in Wei Ying’s skin. Wei Ying lay there for a while, enjoying his current state of satisfied exhaustion, and congratulated himself once more on his good luck to find a sugar daddy that provided him with literally every single thing that he could ever wish for.

Lan Zhan had even gone along with his ridiculous little roleplay, even though he wasn’t the type to make up things. But he had been a natural at it, especially once they had removed to the bedroom, when he had teased Wei Ying and simultaneously commanded him to ‘work harder’ for his boss.

A very strict boss indeed!

But after, once they had both recovered from the first round of Wei Ying being ‘punished,’ Lan Zhan had reeled Wei Ying in once again, and fucked him into the mattress with a gentle and leisurely pace that had actually brought tears to Wei Ying’s eyes. It hadn’t helped that Lan Zhan had kept whispering his name and showered him in praise about how good he was for Lan Zhan.

Goddamn, when Lan Zhan had finally pushed into him roughly, losing control over his heretofore careful and precise movements, and Wei Ying had come at the same time, it had been so good Wei Ying though he may have blacked out a little while.

Lan Zhan really knew how to expertly play Wei Ying’s body, and Wei Ying wondered for the n-th time if it shouldn’t be him who was supposed to be paying money for what they were doing here. Because really, the level of service he was receiving here was off the charts.

And then Lan Zhan would also wrap Wei Ying into his wonderful arms, and hold him tightly as he nodded off, and it was just good from the start to the very end.

But still, there was one tiny thing that was still bothering him.

Careful not to wake Lan Zhan up, he stretched out and reached for his smartphone.

Turning down the brightness of the screen in order not to accidentally disturb Lan Zhan, he quickly typed out a message.

[Wei Ying, 04:07 pm] You’re such an unreliable friend. 😡😡😡 Why did you never tell me that you know Lan Zhan?

[Nie Huaisang, 04:08 pm] I thought you knew??? Wasn’t that why you moved in with him? Also, you told me it was Lan Zhan only after you’d already moved in!!

[Nie Huaisang, 04:08 pm] Please don’t hurt me, I meant no harm. 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

Wei Ying considered that statement for one moment. It was true that Wei Ying hadn’t given Nie Huaisang Lan Zhan’s name back when he went to meet Lan Zhan for the first time, only the address and the apartment number. And then, once Nie Huaisang had realised that he was rooming with Lan Zhan, he had probably assumed that the two had met at university or something. To Nie Huaisang, it had probably seemed logical that the two would know each other.

[Wei Ying, 04:09 pm] Don’t think you’re forgiven that easily. 😡

[Nie Huaisang, 04:10 pm] Aaaah, Ying-xiong, have mercy on me please! 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

[Wei Ying, 04:10 pm] well

[Wei Ying, 04:10 pm] I think I might be willing to share a secret with you

[Wei Ying, 04:10 pm] actually

[Wei Ying, 04:10 pm] Lan Zhan is my boyfriend 😊❤️

[Nie Huaisang, 04:11 pm] WHAT???

[Nie Huaisang, 04:11 pm] EXCUSE ME???

[Nie Huaisang, 04:11 pm] HOW

[Nie Huaisang, 04:11 pm] Wow, did Lan Zhan actually make a move???

[Nie Huaisang, 04:11 pm] WOW

[Nie Huaisang, 04:12 pm] Good for him. Good for you too? I wish you all the happiness! 🥳🥳🥳

[Nie Huaisang, 04:12 pm] How did he manage to ask you out??

[Wei Ying, 04:12 pm] Wow, Huaisang, do you have any respect for people’s privacy at all? 🙄🙄🙄 Next you’ll be asking what we do in bed.

[Nie Huaisang, 04:13 pm] Wait what??? Elaborate please????

[Wei Ying, 04:12 pm] 🙄🙄🙄

With a satisfied grin, Wei Ying laid his smartphone down onto the nightstand and snuggled back into Lan Zhan’s embrace. Lan Zhan snuffled a little, burrowing his face deeper into Wei Ying’s back. Wei Ying giggled, not just because it tickled, but also because it was Lan Zhan, and Lan Zhan was just so unbearably cute.

God, he thought to himself as he was nodding off as well, he loved Lan Zhan so much.

[ryqoshay]

Tri-Arame: A Train’s Delay

Primary Pairing Trio: YuuAyuSetsu Words: ~1.6k Rating: G Time Frame: During their 2nd year in high school Story Arc: Stand Alone

Author’s Note: Writing the last scene made me want to give Ayu’s perspective on the early development of things among the three.

“I’m telling you, the pose will be really cute.” Yuu insisted as she and Ayumu stepped off the train. “The fans will love it, so we should definitely work it into your choreography for the next Live.”

“I’ll think about it.” Ayumu conceded.

Yuu’s obsession with school idols had led her to performing a ton of research, so there was little doubt as to the extent of her knowledge. However, Ayumu knew she had to temper the advice with the fact that Yuu called pretty much everything about her cute. Though as embarrassing as it often was, Ayumu couldn’t say she disliked it. And she was in no hurry to tell Yuu stop anytime soon. It just meant she had to gauge things carefully and occasionally seek a second opinion. A critique from someone like…

“Setsuna-chan!” Yuu called suddenly.

Yes, Setsuna was another excellent source of school idol information. And in the newly reformed club she was learning how to be more accepting of other views on the genre. Thus… Wait, she was here?

Sure enough, Ayumu looked in the direction Yuu was already running to find their fellow second year. Having just disembarked her train, she now stood facing them, her dark hair in twin braids and her glasses donned.

A flash of excitement crossed Setsuna’s face as she saw her friends before she visibly quashed it and forcibly reigned herself in. “Please, I’m Nana right now.” She said, giving a quick and nervous glance to either side, as if expecting her parents to get off the next train and catch her in a brief moment of not being the studious and somber girl they expected her to be.

Ayumu felt something wrench at her heart. She didn’t like seeing her friend having to repress her passions, especially since it was Setsuna who had ignited passions within herself and Yuu. She enjoyed watching Yuu be open about her obsessions with school idols, not only because she was incredibly cute when excited, but also because it helped keep her inspired to continue working on becoming more open herself. It was for these reasons that she and Yuu had invited Setsuna to the mall with them the other day, to give her a few hours to be truly open and honest with her interests.

“Ne, Nana-chan,” Yuu effortlessly switched gears “wanna walk to school with us?”

“I’d like that.” Nana replied. “Good morning, Ayumu-san.” She greeted the redhead with a polite bow.

“Good morning, Nana-san.”

Though genuine, the smile Nana offered was far more reserved than those she typically displayed as Setsuna.

“You know,” Yuu continued “Ayumu and I have taken this same train every day since we started high school and we’ve never crossed paths with you. Did you take a different one today or something?”

“No, that was my normal train.” Nana shook her head. “They just had a delay at the station before me.” To prove the point, she held up the delay certificate. “Though I suppose if you two usually arrive at this time and do not suffer punctuality issues at school, I don’t really need this.” She slipped it back in her bag anyway instead of discarding it in a nearby recycling bin.

“So I guess today was just an accident.” Yuu surmised.

“It would seem so.”

Yuu shrugged. “But at happy accident at least, ‘cause we get to walk together now.”

Another reserved smile.

“Anyway, I was just telling Ayumu that she should consider using this pose at the end of her new song at the next Live.” Yuu paused to demonstrate.

Nana stopped as well to examine Yuu thoughtfully. “Ayumu-san.” She said suddenly.

“Eh?” Ayumu wasn’t expecting to be addressed.

“Would you mind taking this position? I believe I might better judge it by observing the correct subject.”

“S-sure…” Ayumu battled the rising sense of unease at the concept of making idol poses in the middle of the walkway while dressed in her school uniform, as opposed to on stage in an idol outfit.

“Hrm… Perhaps if you moved your forearm up a bit more…” Nana reached out to make the adjustment. “And your other arm like this… Turn your wrist… Maybe shift your hips… And your torso…”

Ayumu almost bit her tongue as Nana’s hands slid up her waist to the sides of her ribcage before gently guiding her to the new position.

“How about this, Yuu-san?” Nana took a step back to admire her handiwork.

“That’s amazing, Nana-chan!” Yuu marveled. “Ayumu’s pose is even cuter like that!”

Cuter? Ayumu tried, likely unsuccessfully, to swallow down a blush.

“Indeed.” Nana agreed. “Although, I cannot take all the credit. The pose is only accentuating the existing high level of cuteness.”

Oh no… It was one thing when Yuu constantly called her cute, but now Setsu… Nana was joining in as well? Ayumu felt the heat overflowing from her face, up to her ears and down her neck. Geez… if she was going to survive as an idol, she would have to get better at handling these kinds of things.

“And Yuu-san set up the base work well.” Nana continued. “It is obvious you know much about your subject.”

“Subject? Ayumu? Of course I know her and her cuteness well.” Yuu puffed out her chest as though she believed the accomplishment was worthy of great pride. “But Nana-chan, you really know your stuff when it comes to idols. I may know Ayumu's cuteness, but you were able to help me truly refine the pose to ensure it shined at its brightest. And I'm still trying to learn the other girls in the club. I may have to have you teach me your ways so I can better observe you guys during practice and give better advice after.”

Though clearly enjoying the praise, Nana continued to keep herself reserved. Ayumu felt a bittersweet emotion start to fill her, displacing the embarrassment from earlier as the conversation shifted away from her. She wanted to see her friend like she was when the three of them went to the mall together. Back when the anime-obsessed girl was practically vibrating with excitement like a puppy, so much so that Ayumu had wanted to pat her on the head and scratch under her chin. The girl walking with her now was behaving instead like a puppy being cautious in its excitement after being scolded for doing something wrong.

Except Nana hadn’t done anything wrong, at least not as far as Ayumu could tell. She was merely guilty of having hobbies unapproved by her parents. It was for this reason that Ayumu and Yuu had reached a mostly unspoken agreement to provide an outlet for Nana to be Setsuna and freely celebrate her passions. The idol club certainly helped, but idols were by no means Setsuna’s only interests.

It wasn’t the easiest of tasks. On entering high school, Ayumu had tried to mature and move on from many things of her childhood. Yuu had an easier time picking back up former interests, but it had taken the burning passion of someone like Setsuna to remind Ayumu that it was alright to hold on to some things. In that regard, Ayumu felt somewhat indebted to Setsuna, so she was repaying it by helping her indulge in her interests.

Then there was Ayumu’s jealousy. As club activities continued, she was becoming increasingly aware of such emotions as Yuu lavished her attentions on the other idols. And when Yuu and Setsuna lost themselves in something, it was difficult for Ayumu to avoid feeling left out.

However, the rewards for the task were plentiful. When Setsuna truly let loose, her smile was nothing short of contagious. And Ayumu couldn’t help wanting to see it more.

The trio continued to talk idols and make plans for practice later that afternoon as they completed their walk toward school. Nana was adamant about helping perfect Ayumu’s performance and maximize her cuteness. Yuu suggested bringing in Kasumi, their local specialist on the topic of cuteness, to which Nana agreed. All the while, Ayumu’s thoughts continued to focus on how much Nana was holding back.

“Thank you for allowing me to accompany you this morning.” Nana bowed as the three paused in the front entryway of the school.

“It was our pleasure.” Ayumu assured her.

“Yeah, that was fun.” Yuu agreed. “Maybe your train will be delayed again tomorrow?”

There it was. That was the smile Ayumu had wanted to see. Perhaps Nana felt safer within the school walls? Or perhaps it was a result of spending time with trusted friends? Or both. Ayumu quietly hoped it was at least in part due to the latter.

“See you at practice.” Nana flashed one more smile before turning away and heading toward her homeroom.

“I sent you the link so you can view them later.” Yuu said as she and Ayumu stepped off the train. “Their choreography is amazing! I think we can learn a lot from…” Something caught her attention. “Nana-chan!” She called before taking off.

Ayumu glanced ahead along Yuu’s path. Sure enough, leaning against a nearby pillar was their fellow second year.

Nana looked up from whatever study material she was reading. “Good morning Yuu-san, Ayumu-san.” She smiled and bowed politely.

“Good morning, Nana-san” Ayumu replied as she caught up to her childhood friend.

“Don’t tell me I jinxed you with your train?” a concerned expression crossed Yuu’s face.

“Oh no,” Nana assured “my train arrived on time just fine. I just…” she glanced down and hunched her shoulders a bit “I had so much fun yesterday morning I thought perhaps we might walk together again today? If… that’s alright?” She looked back up with a hopeful expression.

Yuu laughed. “Of course, it's alright, Nana-chan!”

“Yes, it’s definitely alright.” Ayumu agreed. “Let’s walk together again.”

Even in its reserved form, Nana’s smile still managed enough of its contagious nature that Ayumu was compelled to reciprocate. And with that, a new morning tradition began.

Author's Note Continued in Followup Post

[mistress-morgan4]

30[F4M] #NC High Holy Hedonist Mother Goddess Seeks Loyal Weekly Servant For Long Term Worship Arrangement

I’ve heard your prayers my dearest. Your heart cried out to me when you caught a glimpse of the full moon. You wished for a world you’ve only dreamed about; you wished to be taken in hand, firm and warm and lovingly, examined and judged and found - whether you are found wanting, pathetic mortal that you are, or found wanted and cherished by the Great Mother Goddess - you ache to be found.

I’m here, darling. I’ve found you and I’m holding my hand open to offer you a safe haven. You don’t always feel like you fit into the world-at-large; it’s all so disposable and cheap and fast. You crave something in which to lose yourself every day, yearn to find a world far more rich and sensual than any glowing blue screen. You want to be loved but after so many failed relationships you’re not really sure what that would look like. When you let yourself wonder what it would be like - to be loved the way you deeply need but have never let yourself express - those fantasies go to dark humid places, crevices and corners you’re quite sure no one wants to look. 

But hark! Beloved, I want to look deep into the hardest places and shine the light of my total acceptance upon you. I want to fill the back of your mind with the sounds and tastes and memories of your time spent in worship. I want you to always be aware and hungry for your next chance to humble yourself before me. 

There are many important rules to abide by in order to serve me (but let’s be honest, you’re into that kind of thing.)

All messages of praise and adoration are welcome but like most divine beings I reserve the right to ignore your adulation.

You must read to the end of this post and respond appropriately to be considered. 

You will be my servant and plaything to use, command and cherish. You will weep with joy at the honor of kneeling and worshipping my Holy Pussy, my Blessed Bush, the Great Mother writhing in orgasm as she gives birth to the world. I will guide you to reaching new heights of pleasure and I will lovingly, carefully, and thoroughly dismantle your heart, prying you open to see what makes you tick. While we are together, I will own you inside and out. Your submission will be emotional, mental, and physical; your orgasm, when I force you to look me in the eyes and command you to come, will be earth-shattering. 

though I will not be constantly available to you. When you have me, you will have all of me, and I will overwhelm you with the force of my presence brought to bear on your pathetic mortal soul. 

You must be comfortable engaging in extensive written and verbal negotiations and descriptions of how and why I will use and dominate you prior to meeting. We will cover your kinks, desires, shames, needs, fantasies and limits in great detail as well as my expectations and demands. This is to ensure we are a cohesive fit. I will not waste my time or yours unless we are able to thoroughly please each other, which requires excellent communication. I will not ghost you if I decide we are not compatible - I will clearly and directly explain my decision.

You will never forget that I am the Sacred, you are the Profane. Part of your submission to me requires your enthusiastic performance of chores including and not limited to house cleaning, photo assignments, errands, and other tasks. The experience I am offering is a time investment and my time and attention are extremely valuable.

Every moment you are mine will be intense and meaningful whether you are naked but for a lacy apron and rubber gloves scrubbing my toilet or meticulously sucking my toes while I sip a crisp pinot gris and tell you everything I love and hate about you or wearing a chastity cage while you take my packages to the post office. Every moment you are mine will be a moment basking in the almost-painful radiance of my scrutiny and judgement; those memories will carry you, glowing from the inside out, through the rest of your pathetic mundane life. Your time with me will be the only time you feel fully alive and you will crave it endlessly. 

The love of a Goddess is a fearsome and and towering presence and I expect you to cower before me in awe. I have no strong preferences for your appearance; chemistry is chemistry and all are beautiful and stained by mortality in my eyes. In addition to your mundane services I will require your participation in the following holy activities.

Worshipping, massaging and grooming the Heavenly Cunt, the Blessed Feet, and the Holy Flesh.

Pegging. I expect to examine and test the sanctity of your hole and watch you writhe and scream and moan and thank me as you come on my merciful and generous cock. If you are new to pegging we will work up to this. 

Orgasm denial. When and If you come it will be at my whim. While I have focused on the warmth of my blessings, as that is my ultimate nature, I can be capricious and cruel to serve the Higher Purpose. (Myself.) 

Cock denial. However cherished you are for the whole of your being you are undeniably profane and The neither the Sacred Pussy nor the Sacred Ass will not be violated by your mortal worm. 

That said, with time and effort you may be rewarded certain privileges such as cumming on my feet or breasts. You are my acolyte in pleasure, but you will learn that pleasure does not come just with cum. 

Total obedience. Your role and my expectations will be discussed in detail in advance and within your time of worship I will expect your total obedience to my wishes. You will have a safeword and will practice using it. 

Offerings and gifts. The gifts and offerings you make to me must come wholly from your heart to honor my Divinity and beg for my mercy when I push you to the edge. Regular cum tributes, especially when we are in the negotiations phase, will be expected. As a long term worshipper you will shower me with priceless tokens of affection and gratitude offerings in the form of handwritten notes, prayers, locks of hair, art through which I will guide and inspire you, et cetera. 

Many, many more kinks I’m thrilled to describe in even more painstaking detail. However: I am not interested in pure masochism. I am a Hedonist and view all physical and mental suffering as paths to the greatest and most Transcendent pleasure. You should be interested in pain as one of many flavors of control I will wield over you but not the primary method; While I will shower you in the light and love of my Brilliant Presence you should also expect that I will humiliate you for the sake of my entertainment. I want to watch your little cock squirm in embarrassment and glee as I finger your pathetic wet slut hole. I will laugh at your dribbling mortal orgasms, when I allow your dribbling mortal orgasms, and pity that you’ll never come as hard as I do. (But I’ll still try to help you come as hard as I do, it’s quite fantastic.)

- This will be a cerebral, spiritual, magical experience for both of us with the goal of genuinely improving our lives. We will not be entangled outside of this arrangement; we will share the freedom to pursue other entangements provided we adhere to strict safety and testing rules. Again, your worthless little cock will not be permitted the Divine Cunt. In all play we will be safe, sane, and consensual foremost.

Are you still reading? I’m so proud of you darling, you’re an excellent candidate already. This is the kind of steadfast devotion and loyalty I demand from you. My every word is a Divine gift and blessing, a honeyed treat placed on your tongue, and you are helpless to stop devouring me. You are so hungry. You are so thirsty. You are willing to try so, so hard, and give so, so much, and at last I have arrived to save you from your aimless, empty life. 

Is your cock hard and straining yet? I hope so darling. I do want to find you - I think we can offer each other so much. 

Please continue.

You must format your application as follows. Incorrectly formatted submissions will not be considered. 

Message Title: As you wish

Your name

Your preferred title(s) - choose all that apply: Slave, servant, worm, pig, little boy, bitch, slut, cunt, hole, darling, sweetness, honeybear, baby, etc

Or other: What shall I call you? 

Describe first time you will serve me. For the sake of your fantasy, I am a red-headed green-eyed BBW. You will receive pictures - lots of them - when I deem you worthy. 

What are your hard limits? 

Have you ever experienced anxiety or fear during a BDSM scene or during other sexual activities? 

What kind of aftercare do you need? (Snuggling, a shower, snacks?)

What is your safeword or do you prefer red/yellow/green?

Why should I choose you, little worm? What can you offer me? 

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

Day Seventeen: Potion

(Author’s Note: Cut for length)

‘Dearest Heart? Come here a moment….’

Jilomena heard the rumble of her husband’s voice, and quickly turned her steps in that direction. He was calling to her from his Potions Lab.

‘Yes, my Darling?’ She greeted him with a warm smile as she entered the room. As much as she wanted to, she knew better than to wrap her arms around him or try to kiss him while he was brewing. There was every chance she might knock something out of his hands, or disrupt a measurement that needed the utmost concentration.

‘This particular potion I have been called upon to make requires the utmost timing. I need your assistance.’ Severus looked up at her briefly, before returning his attention to the cauldron. ‘I need to keep stirring, but the ginger for the next step needs to be freshly cut and peeled before it is added. Every second it is exposed to the air reduces its potency, so I couldn’t very well prepare it ahead of time. I knew that you could be trusted to assist me and perform the task correctly. ‘

‘Of course, Darling.’ She murmured demurely as she gathered together the instruments that she would need. A cutting board, of course, and the smaller of his silver knives. The jar of ginger was placed next to it. She stood at her station, ready for his command to begin.

‘I feel like I’m back in school, taking a Potions class,’ she mused with a wry grin.

‘Is that so?’ He stole another look at her, noting the mischievous glimmer in her eye. ‘A shame that I never got to instruct you.’

That much was true. Her sisters had sent her to Beauxbatons for her education, feeling that it would provide her with the grace and skills necessary to catch a husband. She certainly had, even if it wasn’t the Pureblood match that they had intended for her. Still, he was one of the Dark Lord’s most trusted inner circle, and they’d had to contend themselves with that.

She giggled with amusement at his statement. ‘True. But I supposed that I would have misbehaved most awfully.’

‘Then you would have been put in detention. Start preparation, please. Now.’ He nodded, not looking up at her this time.

‘Of course. Sir.’ She bit her lip on a grin at her cheeky substitution, referring to him as Sir instead of Darling as if he were her Potions Master and not her husband.

One of his eyebrows raised up, but he made no comment at her statement.

She deftly cut and peeled the ginger, ensuring that it was portioned into completely equal slices.

‘Nearly ready?’ He risked stealing another glance.

‘Yes.’ She didn’t cheek him this time, so busy was she concentrating on getting the ingredients as perfect as they could be for him.

‘Good. When I say “now,” lift the board and slide the ingredients into the potion using the knife. Take care not to touch them, the oils from your skin will disturb the whole mixture and I’ll have to begin again. Ready….now!’ He quickly moved back to allow her room.

She hurriedly picked up the board and started to slide the ginger into the cauldron as he had directed. One of her hands slipped on the knife and she only just missed touching the last piece of ginger by millimetres as it slipped down the incline to join its brethren.

‘That was close!’ She looked up at her husband with a sheepish grin.

‘Indeed.’ His tone was dry. The brew no longer needed his constant attention, so he could focus on her. His expression was faintly amused as he loomed over her, folding his arms over his chest.

‘I’m lucky you’re not my Professor and you can’t give me a detention.’ She chuckled.

‘No. But I’m your husband. I can do much worse things.’ A slow smirk spread across his face.

‘Like what?’ The chuckle grew more nervous and uncertain of itself.

‘Like I could give you a spanking.’ The same smirk stayed on his face as he found a chair in the corner of the room and sat down on it.

‘Wait. What?’ The chuckle died out completely.

‘I’m going to spank you. I think that’s clear and self-explanatory enough.’ He patted his thigh.

She walked over to where he was sitting as if in a dream, hardly daring to believe what was happening to her. She’d never gotten a spanking, not even as a small child. Oh, she’d been threatened with one on a few occasions, but neither her sister nor brother in law had ever bothered themselves with following through. Perhaps someone was actually going to hold her to account for her behaviour, from now on.

She took a deep breath before settling herself over his knees, face down. It felt a very strange and vulnerable position to be in. But this man was her husband, and she trusted him completely.

Complete trust or no, she still squeaked with alarm when he started to pull her skirt up and over her hips, and again when he hooked his fingers into her waistband to pull her knickers down to her knees. It never occurred to her that her bottom would be bared for her spanking. Surely he meant to just swat her once or twice and let her go?

She squirmed, feeling even more vulnerable and even a little embarrassed. This may have been her husband, but it made her feel self-conscious to know he was staring down at her naked lower half. She tried to clamp her legs together, but he gently spread them apart slightly, not even allowing her that tiny bit of modesty.

Jilomena hung her head, hair falling like a curtain. At least she could hide her face away. And at least she was getting her spanking in private. Only her husband was there to witness her mortification, and he had seen her naked countless times by now. She began to relax slightly.

Severus rested a heavy hand on one of her buttocks, rubbing and patting the flesh gently, before bringing it down in a sharp smack.

The action of his hand striking her skin caused a slight sting, but it didn’t feel nearly as bad as she had imagined it would. In fact, she reflected as he brought down his hand a second time, and then a third, it actually felt quite…good. Her bottom was being warmed nicely, and the momentum was making her rock forward against his leg. Delicious friction, but not anything like enough to satisfy the urge that was growing in her nether regions.

He spoke after he’d spanked her a dozen times or so. ‘You are doing so well, Dearest Heart.’ He stroked the reddening skin, providing a bit of comfort before sliding his hand between her thighs.

It felt like he was inspecting her, sliding his fingers along every inch of her slit. She squirmed in response, realising that his hand was going to come away wet.

‘What have we here?’ She didn’t have to look to tell that he was amused. ‘It would appear that you are enjoying your spanking. Aren’t you, Dearest Heart?’

When she wasn’t quick enough to answer, he brought his hand down again.

‘Yes!’ She threw her head back.

‘Yes, what?’ He spanked her again. ‘Yes, I’m enjoying my spanking?’ Another spank followed.

‘Yes, I’m enjoying my spanking! Oh, Merlin!’ she cried out, wriggling in his lap.

‘Well. In that case, I’ll have to continue, won’t I?’ Without waiting for a reply, he carried on spanking her. No smack was any harder than the first, but rather continued to rain down steadily while she moaned and writhed wantonly across his lap, no longer caring a whit for her modesty, never wanting the sensations she was experiencing to stop. Never had she imagined that being spanked by her husband could feel this good, that his hand could bring pleasure by inflicting a little bit of pain.

Finally, he stopped. ‘Good girl. Such a good girl for me.’

His praise was warming her, like the sun coming out after a heavy thunderstorm. It made her feel as good as his hand currently was, gently stroking and soothing her tender flesh.

She lay limply over his knees, all but purring with delight as she revelled in the sensations he was providing. The purr manifested itself as a low moan instead when his hand slipped between her legs.

‘I think you deserve a little reward, Dearest Heart.’ She could hear the slight smile in his voice. Then his fingers began to move, stroking along her opening, causing her to get even wetter and more desperate before he finally relieved her need by pushing his digits into her and pumping slowly in and out.

Her moans grew in intensity.

‘Yes, that’s it. Good girl. Come on my hand,’ he encouraged, withdrawing so he could circle her clitoris in the way that never failed to get a reaction. Ever obedient, she came hard at his command, crying out his name over and over as she rode out her orgasm before collapsing.

He stroked along her back, reassuring her with words of love until she was strong enough to sit up. Once she was upright, he held her in his lap. She was covered with his kisses, cuddled in his arms, and told over and over how much she was loved and adored.

A sudden shower of golden sparks from the cauldron caught their attention.

‘Ah. That means its time for the next step,’ Severus mused, reluctantly removing his arms from around her so he could help her to stand.

They shared one more kiss before he returned his attention to brewing. She chose to remain by his side, watching his every move with adoration.

She would definitely help him brew in future. Especially if every potion proved to be as interesting as this one had.

[thedogtraining-blog2]

5 Simple Ways to Get Your Dog to Pay Attention

Do you find yourself trying hopelessly to get your dog’s attention? Does “in one ear and out the other” sound familiar? Or does your dog find it easy to listen to you until he sees the dreaded mail carrier? Whatever the case, it’s important that us owners are able to capture and hold our dog’s attention. Just imagine the consequences if our dog ran onto a busy road and was not able to listen to us calling him back!

In this article I will cover 5 simple tips you can apply immediately to help your dog become more attentive.

1. Brain Training

Brain training is a super 

effective way to increase your dog’s ability to pay attention to you!

Many of the games in my Brain Training for Dogs course are designed to improve your dog’s attentiveness. One of my favorites is “The Airplane Game,” which you can access for free. In this simple game your dog will learn the following important skills:

How to pay attention to you on command.

How to maintain focus on you despite distractions – unlocking the pathway to super obedience.

How to use his hidden intelligence to figure out puzzles.

Enter your e-mail below to instantly receive free access to “The Airplane Game,” which you can start playing with your dog right away!

Watch me and Einstein complete this game: http://bit.ly/3pnbk9C

2. The “Smacking Sound”

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a noise we could make at any time to get our dog to immediately pay attention to us? Well, fortunately for us there is, and it’s called the “smacking sound”! But before we can harness its power, we need to teach our dog that this particular sound = food.

To do this, with your dog in a quiet room, make a smacking sound as though you were kissing the air, then immediately give him a treat. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing when you give him the treat (so long as he’s not doing anything bad like tearing up the sofa), the idea is simply to show him that whenever he hears the sound, he gets treats. After doing this for a while, you should notice that your dog looks at you for his treat whenever you make the sound. With continued practice, you can start using the smacking sound in everyday life when you want to grab your dog’s attention!

Keep in mind, however, that the smacking sound may be less effective at times when your dog is too worked up. For example, if he has seen something outside that he reacts strongly to, your sound may go unnoticed. One remedy for this is the “Look at That” game found in my Brain Training for Dogs course. In “Look at That,” we will work specifically on teaching your dog to pay attention to the smacking sound despite strong distractions.

3. The Importance of Incentives

How would you feel about the idea of working without getting paid? This is exactly how our dogs may feel when we ask them to perform mundane tasks without rewarding them for their efforts! That is why incentives are so important in dog training.

There are many different types of incentive, but food rewards are the most common. These rewards are given to a dog whenever he successfully performs a certain action. So let’s say we just started teaching our dog to “sit” for the first time. When he sits successfully, we would reward his effort by slipping him a doggy biscuit or piece of kibble. Now, the next time we ask him to sit, he will be eager to do so because he knows that he will get something tasty in return!

In the Brain Training for Dogs program I cover techniques which allow you to stop giving your dog a treat every time he successfully performs a certain action, and also introduce other forms of reward.

4. Reward Voluntary Check-ins

I reward my dog for voluntarily checking in on me in the yard.

When you are out in the yard with your dog, how often does he pay attention to you? Most likely, not very much, as he’s far too busy exploring the world with his powerful sniffer. Maybe it’s time for a little change…

Make it a habit when you are out in the yard to bring along some high-value treats (e.g. plain cooked chicken slices). Keep these treats handy in a pocket or treat bag. Now every time your dog happens to walk within arm’s reach of you, praise him and extend your hand to offer him a treat. If you do this often enough, positive reinforcement will work its magic and you’ll soon notice your dog checking in with you more and more. This is great news, because it means he is learning that you are worthy of his attention!

5. Right Place, Right Time

Choosing to begin training sessions at the right place and time can play a big role in whether or not your dog is able to pay attention.

It’s best to avoid training your dog when you first come home from work and he is all eager and excited to greet you, or when he’s all hyped up and bouncing off the walls after mealtime. Instead, wait until your dog is calmer and more capable of focusing, and use these times to your advantage.

You may also want to avoid training a new behavior in an environment where there are lots of distracting sights, sounds, and smells (e.g. the yard), as this makes it harder for your dog to stay focused on you. Instead, try training in a quiet room at first. It’s also a good idea to avoid rooms with windows if your dog is easily distracted by things he sees outside.

[slx99]

Hostage Interlude - Run

A small silly one-shot that I wrote after speaking to @maedre13 aaaages ago. Also thanks for the encouragement from my writer-tribe! Also posted here: AO3

Run

Luke dropped to his knees, panting heavily. “I… need a… break,” he heaved out. His legs and arms felt like lead and Luke was certain that he couldn’t block even one more of Vader’s relentless blows with the training lightsaber.

A pair of large black boots and a heavy dura-weave cape appeared in his line of vision, much too close for comfort. Luke squinted up. Vader towered above him, his thumbs hooked into his belt as he regarded his son, prisoner and apprentice from above.

“Pathetic,” he remarked. “Your physical fitness is truly abysmal.”

“It’s not my fault,” Luke gasped in between gulps of air, his temper flaring up at the casual remark. “I’ve been locked up for months, how do you expect me to stay fit like that if I only get out for an hour or two here or there.”

+++

In retrospect, Luke maybe shouldn’t have said that. A sharp knock on his door, a mere hour after his latest training session with Vader had ended, made him look up from the datapad he was studying. Luke switched off the datapad and hid it behind the pillow of the narrow couch he was lounging on. It would raise unnecessary and hard-to-answer questions if he was caught reading training handbook for junior navy officers.

Luke had refused to study it at first on principle, but boredom had gotten the better of Luke. Of course, he left out all the loyalty and propaganda material. Trimmed of all that dripping praise for the Emperor or the appalling lines about non-human species, the remaining topics on tactics, supply chain management and fleet movements were actually quite interesting.

With a frown, Luke checked the chrono. It was way too early for his dinner and after his earlier training session with Vader, his father was unlikely to come to see him again.

Emsee whistled.

It was no food delivery. The doorway was blocked by a huge crate, pushed in by two technicians in grey jumpsuits. They began unpacking the box and assemble what was inside under the watchful gaze of an officer.

“What is that?” Luke demanded, eying the crate and the parts the soldiers.

He didn’t get an answer, but it didn’t take long either and the men left Luke with a fully assembled and functioning treadmill occupying most of the free space of his living area.

+++

“You have not used it,” Vader remarked.

Considering his father rarely went to see him in his quarters as not to raise suspicions why he was paying his hostage too much attention this must be the reason why he had come this time. Luke wouldn’t put it past his father that the whole training monstrum was rigged to feed back his activity, or rather inactivity, on his father’s daily update report.

Luke crossed his arms defensively, glaring at the treadmill and back at Vader. He wouldn’t back down on this. “Is that a joke? Do you think I am a mooka that I just run on it like on a wheel?”

“It is beneficial for your health and will help with your training.”

“I’m not doing it!”

Vader eyed him, disapproval hanging heavily between them,

“Your stamina is abysmal.”

Luke flustered. “And whose fault is that, I used to play nuna ball twice a week, I hadstamina.”

“But now that you are here you have to adapt to it. All troops and personnel on board are required to exercise to offset the detrimental effects of the limited movement-“

“I’m not personnel. I am a prisoner.”

“Regardless, exercising will help with your overall wellbeing.”

“Like that is motivating.”

“Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate you.”

Luke glowered at him. “It’s just a cheap way of keep me locked up in here even longer.”

Vader straightened up, crossing his arms behind his back. “I understand your discontent with this arrangement,” he said. “I propose an incentive.”

“Like what?” Luke asked suspiciously.

“How about a holo movie of your choice.”

“Try again.”

“I can have the admiral procure you more datapads.”

Luke just huffed.

“What is it then that you desire in return?”

“How about you take me planetside. I haven’t had any fresh air since Carida. You just went planetside last week.”

“And how would you know that?” Vader demanded sharply.

“I saw a shuttle leave while we were in orbit above that blue and purple planet.”

“What makes you think I was on board that shuttle?”

“The admiral came and visited me for a whole two hours. He only has that much time when you are away. So what about it, will you take me on your next trip?”

“Perceptive,” Vader conceded. “But I cannot grant you your request.”

“Oh, come on. It’s not like I can run away when you are watching me.”

Vader just stared at him, impatience and disapproval hanging between them.

“Fine then how about dessert?”

“You already receive the best rations available.”

Luke snorted. What would he give for having back the fine food they used to have at the palace in Aldera. What the imperial navy considered the best possible standard rations, reserved for their high-ranking officers, was already an unappealing pre-made, de- and later rehydrated tasteless substance.

“Like you can’t procure anything better than that, surely-“

Vader waved him off. “Very well. But only if you run ten miles per day.”

“Ten miles?”

“Yes, for a start, over time you will have to increase-“

“That’s way too much!”

“Then you better get to it if you wish to have your reward.”

+++ Luke had halfheartedly run for a while until he had well and truly lost any interest in whatever desert Vader could come up with. Luke had always found it dull to run and it only got worse when he had to do it on a treadmill three sizes too big for his quarters and staring at a bare grey durasteel wall. The machine still only showed just under two miles performance, despite Luke’s effort.

Luke jumped off the thing.

“This is stupid,” he huffed when Emsee beeped questioningly. “I’m not doing this.”

Emsee rolled forward and nudged against the treadmill.

“Really? You want to try it?”

Luke only got a flurry of sounds as response. He shrugged. “If you want. Not sure you can get ti moving though.” He bent down to put the small mouse droid on the belt. Emsee whirred forward on his small wheels and to Luke’s surprise the machine started counting again. Faster and faster the distance measured rose, two and a half miles, two and three quarter, three miles, as Emsee sped at his absolute top speed. It didn’t take long and the treadmill had logged ten miles. Luke laughed and cheered Emsee on for another while until the little droid needed to power down.

The cheesecake he received as his reward later that evening was surprisingly good even though Luke wasn’t sure if he’d actually want to know how Vader had managed to procure it.

+++

It took only a few days until Vader stood again in Luke’s living area, giving off the air of impatience and anger. Luke looked up from where he was lounging comfortably on his couch. Luke thought he was lucky that Emsee was currently recharging in the corner. He tried to look innocently.

“You are unwise to believe you could fool me this easily,” Vader said, without preamble. “You should have kept the parameters at a believable level. 16 miles within one hour?”

Luke crossed his arms defensively. “Fine, then no more rewards.”

“I am afraid it is not that easy, your Highness. You have received three rewards so far Since I upheld my end of the deal, you now owe me a total of thirty miles.”

Luke stared at Vader incredulous. “You can’t be serious.”

“Start. You will complete the first right now.” Vader stalked over to the couch that Luke vacated only with great reluctance, his bulk more crashing onto it than sitting down.

Luke clambered on the treadmill with a glare that could melt durasteel.

“Fine, but don’t think I would run a single mile on this thing after I am done.”

“We will see, son,” Vader replied smugly and if anything, that strengthen Luke’s resolve not to take even one step on the blasted treadmill.

+++

From the safe distance of the overlooking balcony, Admiral Piett watched the conflict unfolding in the multipurpose hall 14-2, usually training ground for the Executor’s Stormtrooper compliment, below him. Vader had enlisted the duty of one of the most feared drill sergeants of the 501st, Vader’s dreaded fist. It should have been a simple task for the experienced man to call a sixteen-year-old boy to order and discipline. But it seemed that General Veers had put his money prematurely on his sergeant. A fact that was dawning on the General, watching the drama standing next to Piett with a shaking head.

Organa’s son had yet to do a single lap on the obstacle course put up in the hall specifically for the boy’s training. And by he looks of it this wouldn’t change anytime soon, no matter how much the drill sergeant was yelling at him. Despite his unassuming stature and polite behavior, Prince Luke seemed to possess a level of obstinate pacifism that eclipsed that of his father by a wide margin. The boy mere stood, is arms crossed and chin raised to glare up at the sergeant, a good head taller than him, citing a bunch of paragraphs straight from the Imperial Charta that would make this encounter between a peaceful civilian like him and a member of his Majesty’s armed forces illegal on at least three different levels.

“Guess I better get him out of there,” General Veers announced and shoved a hundred credits Pietts way. Piett was quite certain the General was meaning to save the sergeant before the poor man would suffer a stroke from sheer consternation.

+++

Vader glared down at the sweating commanding officer of the imperial outpost, guilty of letting a flock of rebels escape by sheer incompetence. But still the man couldn’t help but let his gaze dart away from Vader to watch the young prince of Alderaan wandering around in the distance, followed closely by an escort of Stormtroopers.

But no matter how often Vader had mentally nudged, Luke seemed unable to wipe that unseemly smile off his face.

Vader decided that this was a small price to pay for finally having convinced Luke to train to improve his stamina and strength. And his satisfaction had definitely and absolutely nothing to do with feeling the unrestrained happiness of his son to be on a planet again and feel fresh air and sunlight on his skin.

[yogeshsharmadigital]

5 Simple Ways to Get Your Dog to Pay Attention

Do you find yourself trying hopelessly to get your dog’s attention? Does “in one ear and out the other” sound familiar? Or does your dog find it easy to listen to you until he sees the dreaded mail carrier? Whatever the case, it’s important that us owners are able to capture and hold our dog’s attention. Just imagine the consequences if our dog ran onto a busy road and was not able to listen to us calling him back!

In this article I will cover 5 simple tips you can apply immediately to help your dog become more attentive.

1. Brain Training

Brain training is a super effective way to increase your dog’s ability to pay attention to you!

Many of the games in my Brain Training for Dogs course are designed to improve your dog’s attentiveness. One of my favorites is “The Airplane Game,” which you can access for free. In this simple game your dog will learn the following important skills:

How to pay attention to you on command.

How to maintain focus on you despite distractions – unlocking the pathway to super obedience.

How to use his hidden intelligence to figure out puzzles.

Enter your e-mail below to instantly receive free access to “The Airplane Game,” which you can start playing with your dog right away!

Free Brain Game!“The Airplane Game” will dramatically improve your dog’s ability to pay attention to you. Simply enter your email below to receive 100% free instant access.Watch me and Einstein complete this game:

2. The “Smacking Sound”

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a noise we could make at any time to get our dog to immediately pay attention to us? Well, fortunately for us there is, and it’s called the “smacking sound”! But before we can harness its power, we need to teach our dog that this particular sound = food.

I make my smacking sound, then immediately give my dog a treat!

To do this, with your dog in a quiet room, make a smacking sound as though you were kissing the air, then immediately give him a treat. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing when you give him the treat (so long as he’s not doing anything bad like tearing up the sofa), the idea is simply to show him that whenever he hears the sound, he gets treats. After doing this for a while, you should notice that your dog looks at you for his treat whenever you make the sound. With continued practice, you can start using the smacking sound in everyday life when you want to grab your dog’s attention!

Keep in mind, however, that the smacking sound may be less effective at times when your dog is too worked up. For example, if he has seen something outside that he reacts strongly to, your sound may go unnoticed. One remedy for this is the “Look at That” game found in my Brain Training for Dogs course. In “Look at That,” we will work specifically on teaching your dog to pay attention to the smacking sound despite strong distractions.

Einstein Says: Don’t like using the smacking sound? No problem! You can replace the smacking sound with any other sound you like, such as a whistle or a pop. Just make sure the sound you choose is loud enough to be heard in busier environments, and that it is a sound you can make yourself.3

3. The Importance of Incentives

Slices of plain cooked chicken are high-value treats. They can be used during particularly challenging training sessions.

How would you feel about the idea of working without getting paid? This is exactly how our dogs may feel when we ask them to perform mundane tasks without rewarding them for their efforts! That is why incentives are so important in dog training.

There are many different types of incentive, but food rewards are the most common. These rewards are given to a dog whenever he successfully performs a certain action. So let’s say we just started teaching our dog to “sit” for the first time. When he sits successfully, we would reward his effort by slipping him a doggy biscuit or piece of kibble. Now, the next time we ask him to sit, he will be eager to do so because he knows that he will get something tasty in return!

In the Brain Training for Dogs program I cover techniques which allow you to stop giving your dog a treat every time he successfully performs a certain action, and also introduce other forms of reward.

4. Reward Voluntary Check-ins

I reward my dog for voluntarily checking in on me in the yard.

When you are out in the yard with your dog, how often does he pay attention to you? Most likely, not very much, as he’s far too busy exploring the world with his powerful sniffer. Maybe it’s time for a little change…

Make it a habit when you are out in the yard to bring along some high-value treats (e.g. plain cooked chicken slices). Keep these treats handy in a pocket or treat bag. Now every time your dog happens to walk within arm’s reach of you, praise him and extend your hand to offer him a treat. If you do this often enough, positive reinforcement will work its magic and you’ll soon notice your dog checking in with you more and more. This is great news, because it means he is learning that you are worthy of his attention!

5. Right Place, Right Time

Choosing to begin training sessions at the right place and time can play a big role in whether or not your dog is able to pay attention.

It’s best to avoid training your dog when you first come home from work and he is all eager and excited to greet you, or when he’s all hyped up and bouncing off the walls after mealtime. Instead, wait until your dog is calmer and more capable of focusing, and use these times to your advantage.

You may also want to avoid training a new behavior in an environment where there are lots of distracting sights, sounds, and smells (e.g. the yard), as this makes it harder for your dog to stay focused on you. Instead, try training in a quiet room at first. It’s also a good idea to avoid rooms with windows if your dog is easily distracted by things he sees outside.

LEARN HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DOG HERE: https://bit.ly/2UiT301