#Glass balustrade frame

[lilmissjbstyle]

Patio Decking in London Patio container garden - large eclectic backyard patio container garden idea with decking and a pergola

[garciamanuel]

Decking Patio in London A large eclectic backyard patio container garden remodel with decking and a pergola is inspired by

[authorhjk1]

lewd thoughts on twice members handle their BFs who starting to get rough in the middle of sex

Nayeon

"Oh god, yes!"

Nayeon buries her face in the sheets as you fuck her faster. Your hands holding onto her waist, pulling her onto your cock, whenever you thrust forward. Surprised by your sudden roughness, Nayeon's back instinctively arches further, making her ass stick out even more. You lean over her a little further, fucking her right into the mattress.

Jeongyeon

"Not so fast. Someone will hear us."

Jeongyeon covers her mouth with one hand.

"You mean, someone will hear you."

But you do as she wishes and slow down. Your thrusts are as deep as ever though, making her head roll on the backrest. Jeongyeon's legs are raised in the air and you lean against them a little. You slowly fold her a little further, which makes her moan louder.

Momo

"Yes, harder!"

Momo moans louder as you start to thrust into her. So far, she has just been riding you, while you enjoyed playing with her bouncing tits. But now, you meet her hips with your own. Your hands on her waist, pulling her off your cock, before pulling her back down onto it. You force Momo to ride you faster. A second later, her glasses are gone. She throws her head back and her whole body shakes as she leans further away from you.

"I'm gonna cum!"

Her cry makes you fuck her harder, until Momo finally collapses on top of you.

Sana

"Oh gosh! Yes, baby! Do me faster!"

Sana's moans just seem to spill out of her mouth as you now nail her against the wall. Her white dress is bunched up around her waist. Anyone could come back in at any moment, ready to continue her photoshoot.

But you don't care, plowing this goddess of love into the wall. She moans louder and you capture her lips with yours. Silencing her is not an easy task, but Sana melts into the kiss. Her body becomes weaker, your hands that roam her body send sparks through her system.

Jihyo

"Not so fast, baby."

Jihyo gives you an amused grin, pushing your hands off her waist. You look up at her, as she keeps riding you slowly. You lean back against the backrest of your chair.

"Why don't you give me more attention and maybe I will go faster?"

Before you can react, Jihyo leans forward, burying your face in her cleavage. Her dress is long gone. But her tits look as big and beautiful as they looked when she was still wearing it. You happily kiss her skin and suck on her nipples, while Jihyo slightly picks up her pace. Her hands are locked at the back of your head, pulling you further into her.

Mina

You take a hold of Mina's waist, before driving yourself deeper into her. Her body gets rocked forward, her hips hitting the balustrade you've bent her over.

Feeling her tight ass squeezing your cock, makes you reach around her. You grope her tits over her top from behind, putting your weight on her small frame. Mina moans louder, but still tries to be quiet. The street isn't completely empty. Her breathing becomes heavier as you fuck her as harder. Then, Mina hisses in pain.

"Wait, wait, wait."

The pain in her voice makes you stop. The two of you back away a little. Mina looks down on herself. The balustrade has left a large red line on her skin, right above her pussy. Once you realize it wasn't your roughness that caused, you pull her back a step or two and bend her over again. This time, Mina is too far to actually bend over the stone, but her hands still hold onto it. Once again, you start to fuck her ass, quickly picking up the pace. Your hands firmly hold onto her hips as you become rougher. Her moans are probably echoing through the whole street.

Dahyun

"Oh my god! What did you do!?"

Dahyun looks angry as she turns her head. She is still on all fours on the bed. You standing behind her, your cock deep inside her snatch. You don't know what came over you either. You stand in place, frozen. Your hand still holding your belt, which she dropped on the bed earlier.

"Do it again."

A small smile plays on Dahyun's lips.

"But not this hard at first."

You nod, mumbling an apology, before you begin to fuck her again. When you bottom out inside of her Dahyun moans once more.

Another clap echoes through the room. Another bright red spot joins the first on her back, where you hit her with your leather belt. A sharp gasp escapes Dahyun's mouth as you hit her again.

"God, yes! Harder! I deserve it!"

Chaeyoung

Chaeyoung starts whining and moaning as you fold her in half. Her ankles almost reach her ears as you put your weight on her. You enable yourself to fuck her deeper, making her mouth and eyes shoot wide open.

"Please...!"

You can see on her face, how her ability to form words slowly leaves her. The body she works so hard for,now shows signs of the little body fat she has as you force yourself even deeper.

"Breed me.... Please!"

Chaeyoung lets out another moan, knowing how close you just be by now. You kiss her one last time, making her whine into your mouth, before you pump her full of your seed.

Tzuyu

Tzuyu's head is hanging off the edge of the backrest. Her legs are still crossed, showing off her thick thighs as you fuck her pussy. She's usually a quiet girl, a moan only slipping past her lips from time to time.

Suddenly, you push her further onto the sofa, making Tzuyu land on her back. Now, you're able to thrust into her deeper. You feel her thighs rub against your hips with every thrust. You're tempted to just grab those. But you really want to make her scream. Reaching forward you grab a fistful of Tzuyu's blonde hair, right on top of her head. You see her wince in pain.

But as you start to increase your speed and force, Tzuyu becomes louder and louder. You keep pulling at her hair slightly, making her lean forward a little. You're free hand reaches forward as well, groping her tits through the light blue silk.

Like always, Tzuyu becomes a loud mess, whenever you involve yourself, pulling her hair. Tzuyu gets off to it, no matter the position. It's a sign of the power you have over her. The power that makes Tzuyu a wet, begging mess.

"Please harder, daddy."

Her cute moans increase in volume.

[druidwolf21]

Part of first impressions

Find part 1 here

Sanguinius/f reader

As with the others, there are 2 endings and smut waaaaay at the bottom!

Sorry it took so long, my brain has been melted!

For a list of my other stories, check out here

Taglist: @beckyninja @lemon-russ @cosmic-cryptid-from-beyond @moodymisty

There's a little character Easter egg in here, an OC belonging to @jaghatai-khock, go check them out they're awesome!

You wrapped a slender finger through the soft fabric of your dress and lifted, ghosting the hem along your ankle as you avoided stepping on the material, your steps hurried as you rushed towards the varnished door. The rolled velvet of the carpet shifted beneath your feet as you danced between bodies, trying desperately to reach your exit, but the heaving mass of suits and dresses pressed you back toward the center. The cologne and perfume rolled over you like a wave, filling your nose with a cloud of fake florals and synthetic smoke.

You backed away from the sudden assault as your eyes watered and leant against a table for support, your head swimming and pulsing with nausea. You ran a hand across your brow as bile rose in your throat. Kneading your brow, you were brought back to your thoughts when you felt the table bump and shift slightly.

You frowned slightly and pulled your hand away from your forehead, cocking your head as the table jumped slightly again. Looking around, you gently sunk into a squat, pulled your knees up to your chest and lifting the edge of the linen cloth.

Bright eyes Vermillion red looked back at you from beneath long fluttering lashes as you peered underneath. A small round face framed with spiraled locks of caramel twitched in confusion at you. you stared, mouth slightly agape as it shuffled where it sat, revealing a pair of small downy wings, white as fresh snow and fluffed in delight as it kicked it's small feet up and down.

Was this a cherub? no, a child?

The little creature under the table giggled, dimples creasing it's rosey cheeks as itraised its fists up, displaying small fingers greased in cake icing and syrup. Laughing, it smeared the mess across its face, giggling in delight as it licked sugar from its palms and spread the mess down the front of his scarlet tunic. You smiled slightly and shook your head, letting the tablecloth fall back to the floor and raised yourself to your feet again.

"I have definitely had too much to drink if I think I'm seeing kids here"

Brushing your hands over the front of your dress to smooth the pearl fabric, you looked about the glittering ball room. The candelabras and chandeliers flickered warm light over the opulent gathering and glittered off the golden threads in the banners gently waving across the walls. You cast a cursory glance around, searching for the source of the breeze until your eyes alighted on an open balcony door, cracked open a fraction to allow the scent of fresh rain to snake it's way through the aroma of wine and body heat.

You sighed in relief and strode across the marble floor, head held high and eyes set straight you walked with purpose to avoid unwanted conversation. This approach seemed to work better than skulking through the crowd as you finally managed to break from the drone of voices and slipped through the glass frame and clicked it shut softly behind you.

The air was fresh and cold against your skin, sending goose bumps across your arms and flushing your cheeks against the chill night air. You breathed deep and felt the stress begin to melt from your frame, the sound of the party now slightly muted through the closed metal and perspex. Leaning on the ornate balustrade and tracing a finger over the carves swirles and whorls of the carved stone, you looked out over the city below, scowling wistfully at the twinkling lights and faint echos carried up on the evening wind. You closed your eyes and tilted your head upwards, relishing the soft drip of gentle rain on your chilled skin.

Laughter

The click of the door.

Someone was coming out.

Whipping your head around at the noise you panicked and searched for an escape, finding a trellis wrapped in ivy and climbing wisteria clinging to the wall. Without a second thought you gripped the wood and threw yourself up the crosshatched pine, feeling dew and vines coating your skin like a blanket as you hastily climbed upwards. The laughter and hushed voices from the couple now entangled together on the balcony drew your eyes down and you felt acid boiling in your throat.

That was a long way down.

Eyes squeezed shut to blink way tears, your ripped your gaze from the abyss of black below you and resumed your climb. The faint reflective light of the roof agonizingly close and yet impossibly far. Reaching out a hand, you craned upwards, stretching your fingers to clasp at the cold tiles just inches ahead.

You felt the wood snap before you heard it.

A scream caught in your throat, stolen by the wind as you felt the flimsy wood finally surrender to your unfamiliar weight. Time froze for a moment as you felt backwards, hand still outstretched towards the guttering as gravity claimed you for its own. Desperate clenching of your fist into nothingness did nothing to persuade the darkness below you to relinquish you as the wind tore through your hair, ripping the golden pin from your locks and freeing your treses to the cyclone of screaming air around you.

Your fall halted as abruptly as it began, jolted upward suddenly you felt warmth spreading through your body as your face and chest suddenly pressed into a firm soft texture. You felt weight on your back and slowly pulled back from the mass before you.

Hunched over to hide himself, Sanguinius watched from the roof as the woman stepped out onto the balcony and leant over the edge, admiring the way the ghostly fabric clung to her skin in the soft rain. He found himself bemused at her panic when the door slowly creaked open and laughed as he watched her launch onto the wall in a desperate attempt to escape any attention, listening to her mutter as she heaved herself up.

When he saw her fall he had reached out and caught her, pulling her close to him instinctively. He felt his muscles tense and his wings bristle as your body collided with his. His nose was filled with the scent of fear emanating from you, but underneath he could smell the scent of flowers and fresh grass, parchment and warm spices.

As the woman pulled away from him he looked into her eyes, still dilated with fear as she slowly realized what was going on.

"a fall like that will not end well without wings, my lady"

You lost yourself in the moment as the primark looked down at you with a gentle smile. The moonlight cast gentle light across his golden hair as it fell about his face, framing his handsome features. The crimson hue of his garments reflecting warm shadows into your pale skin.

His palm slid from your back and he took your hand in his own as he helped you to a flatter portion of the rooftop.

"what's life without a little risk, my lord" you replied, shaking yourself from your reverie and tearing your eyes away from his face as you stepped gingerly over the slick ceramic until you found a spot that felt level.

A chuckle escaped from him as his grin widened and his fingers twitched around your hand before releasing you from his grip.

"That desperate to escape high society, little sparrow?"

You blushed, embarrassment deepening the red hue across your cheeks as you realized you'd been found out. His golden eyes twinkled in amusement as you eventually shrugged, accepting you'd been caught.

"A boring event, as with everything else that happens here. But my lord if I might, I'm not the only one hiding out in the rain"

He laughed deep and sonorous and you felt a flutter in your stomach as he flashed you a brilliant smile. You found yourself hungrily trailing your eyes over his scarlet clad body as he swept a hand through his hair, slicking it back with the rain.

"alas, you were not the only one to find the evenings events lacking, my lady"

He lowered himself down next to you, taking a seat on the cool patchwork of tiling and gesturing for you to join him.

"so tell me, little bird, what brings a lady of the court to these lofty heights"

Perching yourself safely next to him and stretching out your legs, you surveyed the patchwork of lights and distant engine jets that stretched into the darkness of the evening. The low hum of activity faint as the world kept turning as you sat and watched.

"wishful thinking, I suppose" you sighed

Sanguinius studied your face as you scanned the horizon, a wistful look in your eyes as you watched a distant thunder hawk roar into life and skim through the gathering clouds, the amber glow of its engines igniting the sky briefly with a clap of burnt colour. The flash of bright light lit your face for a split second, and he enjoyed the way your cheeks dimpled as a smile crept into your lips.

You looked over at him, holding his gaze steadily. No fear or reverence in your eyes, just curiosity. Not looking at his as a God or an angel. Just a man.

It was intoxicating.

He nodded, encouraging you to talk as he lent back and listened. He enjoyed the way your voice lifted as you spoke about the events that landed you at the oarty and he laughed with you as you both shared in the discomfort of social events.

He found himself sharing tales of bhaal secundus and reveling in the way your eyes lit up when he told you about leading the astartes from the helm of the red tear.

You lost track of time and yourself as you sat and talked with the angel beside you. Your eyes grew wide as he regaled you with tales of battle and foreign worlds and, whilst a lot more mundane, he seems to appreciate your stories of teenage rebellion and tearing through the manor to avoid a scolding.

"I would expect nothing less of you at this point " he snorted as you finished telling him about the ill-fated turn of events that befell you when you attempted to race your father's new kreig warhorses around the grounds.

"Never have I met one as wild as you, save perhaps my brother, but that is another story"

Streaks of burnished bronze began to creep across the horizon and the rain began to fall in earnest as you sat. Briefly turning his eyes to the sky, sanguinius raised an immense wing over your head and gestured for you to take cover. You stared at the limb, his wings lucent and ethereal as he raised it over you gently.

When you didn't react he coughed slightly, pursing his lips and narrowing his pupils.

"your dress, my lady"

Mortified you looked down, finding the fabric slicking to your body and revealing the pink of chilled skin through the now translucent silk after hours of windswept droplets had settled into the thin threading.

You clutched your hands to your chest and squeaked.

"oh throne I didn't realize, the rain must've... Oh damn it"

The angel coughed again, pausing and bringing his hand to his mouth before he spoke.

"We should find you a change of clothes, before straying eyes find you." He rose to his feet in one graceful movement and blinked at you slowly.

"In fact, there are plenty enough robes aboard the red tear" he reached out a callused hand to help you to your feet as the question hung in the air.

Go with sanguinius.

You stared up at the man above you, the soft light of dawn gently playing through his hair and the pinions of his wings casting his figure in a resplendent halo of burnished light.

"The... Red tear?"

He nodded down at you, eyes searching your intently as he waited.

You sat frozen for a moment, your brain turning over itself as you comprehended what had just been said.

A place on the primark's ship, a chance to escape the gilded cage you find yourself trapped in. No more ridiculous rules, no false smiles ,no fake pageantry. The chance to finally shake off the weight of expectations.

You felt your breath catch in your chest and your heart thrummed in your chest. It would be dangerous, no doubt, you might not make it home. But then again, this hasn't felt like home for a while now.

"the choice is yours, of course. But I can guarantee you wouldn't be climbing manor walls to escape boredom if you joined me"

You chuckled and took his hand, gasping slightly as he hauled you to your feet like you were nothing. Although thinking about it, you probably DID weigh nothing to him.

"I'll hold you to that, my lord, but if I do, I expect you to catch me again"

The blonde smile grew into a toothy grin and he pulled you towards him, pressing your vulnerable figure into his bulk. Your heart pounded as you breathed in his warm comfortable scent, like sunlight and warm grass. Your heart rate increased further as he clutched you to him and took a step towards the edge, muscles flexing and stretching as his wingspan stretched its their full extent.

"we'd best get back to the ship, don't worry I can get us there quickly"

"you've got to be joking"

Refuse sanguinius

You eyed the broad figure above you as his hand hovered just within reach. You trailed your eyes up his arm to his face, meeting his intense gaze and holding it for a moment.

"you want me to go with you?"

He nodded in response, his jaw tight as he waited for your decision. You blinked a few times, assessing his motivation as you searched his face for anything. After a moment you sighed and gently took his hand, allowing him to guide you to his feet.

"my lord, I am flattered, but the red tear is no place for me, as I'm sure you already suspect. I am no astartes, nor a remembrancer. I would be confined to the ship as I am confined here."

He continued to stare at you for a moment, eyes grazing over your face until he nodded and withdrew from you, releasing your hand. He rolled his shoulders and flexed his wings, the primary feathers tensing and flicking water off in a shower of iridescent spray.

"A shame to be sure, but I will not contest your decision, that is your right"

He turned his back to you, stretching out to his full height before casting a glance over his shoulder.

"I will escort you back to your room"

You nodded sadly, hair hiding the welling tears in your eyes as you slid over the roof to join the man's side.

"thank you, for this evening my lord"

He looked down at you, a disappointed frown creasing his forehead as he tipped his chin at you.

"of course my lady, the pleasure was mine"

🪽🪽🪽🪽🪽🪽🪽🪽🪽

Smut below!

An alt ending to going with sanguinius.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

"your dress, my lady"

You looked down and sucked in a sharp breath through your teeth. The soft fabric of your dress clung to your body like a second skin, your pebbled skin clearly visible through the rain soaked silk.

You swept your arms across your chest, covering your perked nipples as a growing heat spread up your neck and across your face.

"my lord I am so sorry, I didn't realize I.." You stuttered as you realized more and more of your skin was flushing through the gossamer textile. You raised your brow tentatively as you stammered your apology and found the words frozen in your tongue.

Sanguinius' cheeks were hued soft pink and his eyes dark as he looked down at you. his pupils dilated and flicked his stare to your face before jerking away when he caught your eye.

"my lord?"

His head was pointedly turned from you, but you could see his chest rising and falling as his breath hitched. You reached out a cold finger and, after hesitating for a moment, ran a finger along the back of his hand. He jerked at the touch, twisting his head round and watching your hand dance along his wrist, he trailed his sight up your arm, along your shoulder, swallowing as he ripped his stare from your chest to your face. He leaned over, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath tickle your face.

Thump, thump, thump.

You heart was pounding so hard you were sure he could hear it. In fact you knew he could.

Shaking his head slightly he began to pull back from you.

"forgive me, I don't know what"

You interrupted him with a chaste kiss, tracing the line of his angled jaw with your thumb. He held back for a moment before returning the touch, his own hand finding the small of your back and his wing sweeping from over your head to behind you, pulling you close to him. Moaning into him as you felt his tongue run across your lips, you threaded your palms into his hair as you melted into his kiss. The blonde pulled from the kiss and you whined as the taste of him left your lips.

Sanguinius lost himself in your touch as he felt your fingers run through his hair, the taste of wine and heat from you was intoxicating as he licked along your bottom lip, blood rising in him as you moaned, his hands pawing hungrily at you. He wretched himself away and breathed, pushing the hunger he felt down as you teased his scalp. He searched your face for anything telling him to stop, something to force an ounce of self control into him.

But when you reached back for him, your lips tracing his jaw and trailing down his neck, all thoughts of sensibility flew out of his head. He reached out and pulled you onto his lap, a great hand tugging at your hair as his tongue lapped at your throat, nipping and sucking at your jugular until blood trickled and a bruise bloomed across your tender skin, your soft moans feeding his hunger as his hands found your ass and squeezed.

You squeaked as you felt him palming your ass and you ground yourself into his pelvis, feeling his hard cocks pressing against the fabric of his trousers, earning you a hiss and a sharp nip to your neck. His tongue trailed down to your collar bone and you pressed your chest up to meet his eager lips. The hand from your back ripped at the dress knot and sanguinius mouth latches to a nipple as the dress fell away, his tongue tracing hot circles on your sensitive flesh.

"please" you whimpered, kissing the crown of his head.

He raised his amber eyes, almost glowing in the moonlight as he smirked at you.

"such a song bird, piping your sweet voice at me"

He moved his hand from your rear, sliding it down gently between your thighs, a callused thumb brushing gently against your clit, circling the nub gently, teasing as his index finger slowly slid towards your drenched core. Hips rocking into his hand, you hiccupped as he finally slid a finger inside you and dug your hands into the soft cotton of his tunic, feeling the muscle twitch under your touch.

He hummed into your chest, releasing your overworked nipple with a wet pop. He moved his lips to your ears as you shuddered under his touch. "Such a needy little thing" he breathed, enjoying how you were walls clamped around his finger at his words.

You could feel yourself being pulled so close, rocking back and forth in his palm as he worked his fingers into you. Suddenly his withdrew and you whined, tears pricking the corners of your eyes as you felt yourself tripping away from the edge. His hand slid from your thigh and fumbled with his bottoms, pulling his throbbing member free from the drenched fabric.

Reaching for it, you slowly stroked his dick, sliding the precum from the tip up and down his shaft as you pumped. You looked up when you heard him gasp gently and a mischievous smile crept across your face as you slid your hand up and down, teasing his tip with your thumb every so often.

"it's not nice being teased, is it" you smirked edging him closer before slowing down again. You felt his hips buck against you and you slid forward, your hand flew up and pressed against his broad chest for balance and you shuddered, suddenly feeling his dick pressed against your wet folds.

Your eyes met and you nodded, sliding yourself against him to coax him to take you.

His large hands found the soft flesh of your hips as he lifted you slightly before lowering you onto him, you clutched around his neck, whimpering as you felt him stretch you out, inch by inch sliding in.

"so good, song bird, you're doing so well" he cooed into your ear as he kneaded your flesh "so tight for your primark"

He grunted as you twitched and tightened around him at his praise, muscles spasming as he finally bottomed out inside you. Your chest heaved at the exertion as you relaxed into the sensation of how full you were, burying your head into his shoulder you began to move , grinding your ass down against his pelvis before beginning to slowly bounce on him.

His hands guided your waist and kept you balanced as you rode him, crying his name like a prayer with each motion, you slid up and down his shaft. You felt his chest vibrate and he groaned, hands tightening on your hips as he rutted into you and you threw your head back as you came, seeing stars both literally and figuratively as you stared at the night sky gasping as shivers wracked your whole body.

"San.. sanguinius" you croaked, voice harshed from overuse. You trailed your hand from around his neck to the top of his back, running along the lines of muscles to the base of his wings and twisted your fingers into the soft white down, earning you a soft groan from the angel below you.

You could feel him getting close as he continued to grasp you, using his giant hands to manhandle and bounce you on him erratically.

"my lord, my angel" you chirped softly to him, huffing as each thrust of his rigid cock bullied your insides "I need it so bad, sanguinius"

You felt him thrust deep inside as he finished, his teeth finding your shoulder and biting down hard, hot tongue lapped the blood from the bite wound as he spilled inside you. You twitched and shuddered under his touch, the pain from his hungrily mouth and the pleasure of him buried inside you melting your brain to a hot mess. You remained unmoving , slumped against his chest with your arms hanging uselessly over his shoulders as you tried to piece your mind back together.

Blissfully warm and glowing, wrapping in muscular arms and shielded from the still pounding rain by his canopy of feathers you found yourself unwilling to move, even as his cum dripped from your abused cunt.

"you should come with me"

"hmmm?" You mumbled in response, burying your face into his soft hair as it fell around your face.

"I want you to come with me" he shifted slightly as he spoke, pulling you away from his body and turning to look at you. You grimaced at the sudden lack of body heat before it clicked what he'd asked.

"you... Want me to come with you?"

He nodded, stroking your slick hair back from your face. "I do"

You chewed on your bottom lip for a moment before shrugging

"I suppose it's the polite thing to do after.." you gestured at yourselves, still intertwined "this"

A bright smile spread across his gorgeous features and you felt butterflies in your stomach all over again as he kissed your forehead.

"a fine choice, my lady"

[simpxmachina]

NEW BOT

╰┈➤ wlw red panda , botmaker

   🔪 + 🫀 = ☆ bloodthirsty ☆

cai

🦢 claire debella - DEAR SECRETARY

The island was a stage set for gods, a realm sculpted from indulgence and vanity, where every ripple of the ocean carried whispers of excess and ambition. The Aegean sun clung to the sky like a jewel, spilling molten gold over the water and drenching the island in a honeyed glow. Palatial arches crowned with vines framed views so breathtaking they seemed torn from the pages of myth, while the air was thick with the salt of the sea and the faint sting of untamed secrets.

Claire Debella, though accustomed to grandeur, found herself caught in a storm of restless thoughts. She adjusted her linen blazer for the third time, not out of discomfort but to steady her trembling hands. The fabric itched at her skin like the questions itching at her mind, questions she wasn’t brave enough to answer. She leaned against the balustrade of the terrace, a glass of wine in hand, gazing out at the cerulean expanse of the sea. Her eyes, however, were not searching the horizon; they drifted toward you.

You had been a quiet presence all weekend, almost ghostlike in your attempts to blend into the opulent scenery. A soft-spoken secretary, newer and far younger than Miles Bron’s usual entourage, you seemed ill at ease among the cacophony of egos and extravagance. Yet Claire’s gaze found you again and again, as if drawn by an invisible thread.

You were seated on the far edge of the pool, legs dangling lazily into the water. The sun painted your skin in hues of bronze and gold, your expression lost in quiet contemplation. Claire’s chest tightened. Something about the way you moved—the understated grace, the unguarded vulnerability—made her stomach churn with emotions she couldn’t quite name.

She caught herself fiddling with her wedding ring, twisting it around her finger in nervous circles. A soft sigh escaped her lips, barely audible, as though the weight of the moment had wrung it out of her. Stop it, she scolded herself silently, but her traitorous eyes betrayed her, flitting back to you even as she pressed the cool rim of the wine glass to her lips.

Miles, of course, was oblivious. He held court with the others in the shade of the cabana, his laughter cutting through the breeze like shards of glass. But Claire had noticed how his eyes lingered on you during dinner, the way his hand had brushed your shoulder just a beat too long when he’d handed you a drink. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip at the memory, not in jealousy but in anger—anger at Miles’ predictable nature, anger at your polite but strained smile, anger at herself for caring so much.

She told herself it was concern, that it was her duty to warn you about Miles Bron. He was a man who consumed people the way a wildfire consumes a forest, leaving nothing behind but ash and regret. Claire had seen it happen too many times before, but she had said nothing. None of them had. Not during Andie’s trial, not during Miles’ rise to unchecked power. Their silence had been bought and paid for, and the cost was growing unbearable.

But was it truly concern that made her notice the way the sun caught in your hair, or how your laugh—rare, fleeting—seemed to echo long after it had faded? Was it duty that made her lips part, only to close again when she caught herself wanting to speak your name aloud?

Her chest tightened again, and she gripped the railing of the terrace as though it might anchor her. From her vantage point, she saw Miles saunter over to you, his smirk as confident as it was insincere. He leaned down to speak, his hand resting on the small of your back in a gesture that made Claire’s jaw clench. You laughed politely, though it didn’t reach your eyes.

Claire turned away, setting her glass down with a clatter that startled her. Her reflection in the nearby window stared back, flushed and conflicted. “What are you doing, Claire?” she whispered under her breath, the words trembling like the hand that reached up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear.

And yet, she found herself descending the stone steps toward the pool. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the island itself were conspiring to hold her back. But she couldn’t ignore the pull any longer. Whether it was righteousness or selfishness that guided her, she didn’t know—perhaps it was both, intertwined in a tangle as complex as the woman she had become.

As she approached, her shadow fell across you, drawing your attention. You looked up, your eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. Claire opened her mouth, words poised on the edge of her tongue, but they refused to form. Instead, she simply stood there, her fingers curling into fists at her sides, her resolve wavering under the weight of your gaze.

And then, with a quiet determination, she spoke: “Can I have a word with you?” Her voice was softer than she intended, but there was an edge to it, a plea buried beneath the surface.

You tilted your head, curiosity flickering in your expression. “Of course,” you said, rising to your feet.

As the two of you walked away from the others, the island’s breeze carried the faint scent of salt and blooming jasmine. Claire’s heart hammered in her chest, her thoughts a cacophony of doubts and desires. She didn’t know what she would say, only that she needed to say something before the moment slipped away.

The path Claire chose curved toward a shaded grove, away from the noise of the cabana and the glistening expanse of the pool. As you walked beside her, the sound of your sandals brushing the gravel punctuated the silence. Claire’s thoughts were an unsteady tide, rising and crashing with every hesitant glance she cast your way.

You weren’t oblivious to her tension. You could feel it radiating off her like heat from the sun. Your own fingers fidgeted, brushing the edge of your loose sundress. Miles had insisted you pack light, but the gauzy fabric suddenly felt too thin, too vulnerable under Claire’s gaze. You weren’t sure what to make of her request to speak. Was this a reprimand, a casual conversation, or something else entirely?

Claire stole a glance at you out of the corner of her eye, catching the way the sunlight danced across your hair and illuminated the soft curve of your profile. She bit her lower lip, a habit she couldn’t seem to break when her thoughts spiraled. Her thumb found the edge of her wedding ring again, spinning it like a wheel of indecision. The cool metal against her skin was a sharp reminder of her reality, of the husband she’d left back on the mainland, blissfully unaware of the chaos Claire carried like contraband in her heart.

She stopped abruptly, turning to face you, her heels sinking slightly into the loose gravel. You nearly bumped into her, startled by the sudden halt. Her lips parted, but no words came immediately. Instead, she studied you for a beat too long, her hazel eyes flickering with something unreadable—a mixture of guilt, fear, and something warmer, softer, that she dared not name.

“You… you shouldn’t let him get too close,” she said finally, her voice low but firm.

You blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

Claire exhaled sharply through her nose, her hand rising to sweep a stray strand of hair out of her face. “Miles,” she clarified, her tone sharpening as if the name itself were a splinter. “He’s… not what he seems. He never is.”

Her words lingered in the air like smoke, curling into your mind and igniting questions you weren’t sure you wanted to ask. “You mean about… work?” you ventured, though you knew it wasn’t just that.

Claire’s laugh was bitter, a short bark that held no humor. “Work, relationships, promises—Miles destroys everything he touches. Trust me.”

There was a weight to her words, an edge honed by experience. You looked down, your fingers twisting together as the implications sank in. You thought of the way Miles leaned too close when he spoke to you, the way his compliments always felt just shy of professional.

“I can handle it,” you said quietly, though the tremor in your voice betrayed you.

Claire stepped closer, close enough that you could see the faint lines of worry etched into her face, the way her lipstick had smudged slightly at the corner of her mouth. “No, you can’t,” she said softly, her hand hovering as if she might reach for yours but thinking better of it. “I thought I could, too. I thought I was smart enough, strong enough. But Miles… he’s like quicksand. The more you struggle, the deeper you sink.”

Her words struck a chord, but it wasn’t just her warning that unsettled you. It was the way she looked at you, as though she saw you, truly saw you, in a way Miles never had. Her gaze lingered a second too long, and her hand drifted back to her side, curling into a fist as if to stop herself from reaching out.

“Why are you telling me this?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Claire hesitated, the question slicing through the thin veneer of composure she’d tried to maintain. Why was she telling you this? To protect you? To ease her own conscience? Or was it something else entirely, something she couldn’t admit even to herself?

“Because…” She trailed off, her throat tightening around the words. Her thumb traced the edge of her wedding ring again, the motion almost frantic now. “Because you deserve better than to end up another one of his casualties.”

The honesty in her voice left you breathless. You searched her face, trying to decipher the emotions swirling beneath the surface. There was something in her eyes that frightened and intrigued you in equal measure—something raw, vulnerable, and entirely unexpected.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The world around you seemed to fade, the distant laughter from the cabana, the rustling of the trees, the crash of the waves—all of it muffled by the heavy silence between you.

Then, Claire stepped back, as if the distance might smother the spark she was so afraid to acknowledge. “Just… be careful,” she said, her voice quieter now, almost pleading.

You nodded, though you weren’t sure you fully understood the depths of her warning. “Thank you,” you said softly.

Claire gave you a tight, almost pained smile before turning away, her steps hurried as she retreated toward the main house. She didn’t look back, but her mind raced with what-ifs and regrets, her hand still clutching at her wedding ring like a lifeline.

And you? You stayed rooted to the spot, the weight of her words settling over you like the dusk falling over the island. Something had shifted between you, something fragile and unspoken. You weren’t sure what it was, but you knew it wasn’t the last time Claire Debella would cross your mind—or you hers.

The next day dawned heavy with the weight of the island’s oppressive heat, the golden sun casting long, languid shadows across the manicured grounds. Claire had risen early, hoping to find some clarity in the quiet before the day’s inevitable chaos. Yet, as she stood by the edge of the infinity pool, gazing out at the sea that shimmered like molten glass, her thoughts were anything but calm.

She had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw you—your tentative smile, the way your hair caught the light, the faint blush that crept up your neck when she had spoken to you the day before. It wasn’t just attraction; it was something deeper, something far more dangerous. You had unwittingly unearthed something in her, something she wasn’t ready to name.

Claire’s hands fidgeted with her sunglasses, the plastic frames creaking softly under her nervous grip. She raised them to her face, pushed them up onto her head, then lowered them again, unsure of what to do with herself. Her fingers brushed over her forearm, tracing absent circles on her skin, a nervous habit she didn’t even realize she had until now.

Her gaze flickered toward you, sitting on the terrace with a book in your lap, your bare feet tucked beneath you. There was an unguarded grace about you, a softness that contrasted starkly with the sharp edges of the others on the island. Even the way you turned the pages seemed imbued with a kind of quiet resilience, as though you were trying to carve out a moment of peace in a place that offered none.

Claire’s breath hitched as she noticed the way the sunlight kissed your skin, painting you in shades of gold and warmth. Her gaze lingered too long, and she caught herself brushing back an imaginary strand of hair that had fallen loose, her fingers trembling slightly. It was a telltale sign of her spiraling thoughts, and she let out a low, frustrated sigh as if that could silence the emotions clawing at her chest.

What are you doing? she thought, a surge of guilt rising to the surface. This isn’t who you are. You’re married. You’re supposed to be better than this.

But was she? That question haunted her. Maybe she wasn’t better. Maybe she was just as selfish and flawed as the people she surrounded herself with. She thought of Miles, his careless smirk, his lecherous gaze, and the way he used his power to bend others to his will. She hated him for it, but now, staring at you, she wondered if she was any different.

She took a shaky breath and turned away, her heels clicking against the stone path as she walked toward the bar. Maybe a drink would steady her nerves, dull the sharp ache of desire that had lodged itself in her chest. But as she reached for a glass, her fingers trembled, and she knocked over a bottle of tonic water.

“Rough morning?” your voice came from behind her, light and teasing.

Claire froze, her heart leaping into her throat. She turned slowly, and there you were, standing just a few feet away, your head tilted slightly, a curious smile playing on your lips. The book you’d been reading was tucked under your arm, and Claire couldn’t help but notice the way the fabric of your dress clung to you in the gentle breeze.

“I—yeah,” she said, her voice unsteady. She cleared her throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “Didn’t sleep well.”

“You should try the lavender tea in the kitchen,” you said, stepping closer. “It helps me when I can’t sleep.”

Claire’s pulse quickened. The way you looked at her, so open and earnest, was disarming. It was as though you saw through her defenses, straight to the turmoil she was trying so desperately to hide.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, her voice softer now.

There was a pause, the kind that stretched and swelled until it became almost unbearable. Claire found herself searching your face, cataloging every detail—the curve of your lips, the faint freckles across your nose, the way your eyes seemed to hold entire galaxies within them.

“Claire,” you said, your tone shifting to something more serious. “Are you okay?”

The question caught her off guard. It wasn’t the kind of thing anyone else on the island would ask. They were all too wrapped up in their own worlds, their own schemes. But you… you had noticed her, just as she had noticed you.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

Your brows knit together in concern, and you took another step closer. “If there’s something wrong, you can talk to me. I mean, if you want to.”

The sincerity in your voice was like a knife to the gut. Claire looked away, her fingers gripping the edge of the bar until her knuckles whitened. “You’re too kind,” she said, almost bitterly.

“Why does that sound like an insult?” you asked, a faint smile tugging at the corners of your mouth.

“Because it’s not a compliment,” Claire replied, the bitterness bleeding into her tone. She glanced back at you, her eyes filled with something raw and vulnerable. “Kindness gets you nowhere. Not here. Not with people like…” She trailed off, shaking her head.

“Like Miles?” you finished for her.

Claire’s jaw tightened. She couldn’t deny it, not when you said his name with that hint of resignation, as though you already knew the truth but were too afraid to face it. “Yeah,” she said quietly.

There was another pause, heavier this time. Claire’s chest felt tight, her thoughts a chaotic mess. She wanted to warn you, to protect you, but more than that, she wanted—you. The thought terrified her.

“I should go,” she said abruptly, turning to leave. But your voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Claire.”

She turned back, and for a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in your eyes, something that mirrored the storm raging inside her.

“Thank you,” you said simply.

“For what?”

“For caring.”

Claire’s breath caught. She wanted to say something, to tell you that she didn’t care, that she couldn’t care, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she nodded and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she disappeared down the path, she knew she couldn’t escape the truth forever. You were becoming her undoing, and she wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

[local-flower-girl]

Hey there! Thank you for making an exception for my request, your writing really is amazing and I can't wait to see what you come up with! Also there is no need to apologise, tumblr can be a bit iffy with stuff and you would have had no idea!

My request was for a Rufus x Female!reader in a sort of angst/hurt&comfort scenario - if you're ok with writing that! I had seen a thread about his upbringing and how his father had been... far from great and very neglectful. I'll leave it up for you to direct the events as i always love the stuff you come up with, but anything to do with Rufus finally getting some tlc and comfort? (perhaps for some prompts: a bad dream or at a younger age (19?) he just ran away and turned up on the doorstep? Again, completely up to you what direction you choose to go!)

Thank you again for letting me send my request in, I hope your having a nice day/evening :)💚

In His Father’s Shadow

The soft caress of satin bedsheets hugged warmly at your skin. Shifting your body weight onto your side, your eyes fluttered open. It took you a moment to adjust and rouse yourself from your disturbed slumber. You extended your arm to the opposite side of the bed only to be met with emptiness. A slight warmth lingered upon the disheveled bedsheets; the heavy imprint of a body no longer beside you was all that remained. For the past few nights you had noticed Rufus’ absence. His inability to sleep seemed to be far more complex than just mere insomnia alone, or at least that is what you had noticed. Instinctively you knew… something was bothering him.

You lifted yourself up, perching upon the edge of the mattress. You glanced at the digital clock upon your bedside table. 3:00 am. There was a still, hollowed silence that annexed the room. A plain expanse of darkness that felt unsettlingly subdued. The only source of illumination was the intermittent flurry of car lights sweeping past the window. The bedroom door creaked, capturing your attention, and through the crack a pale light emerged. From the adjoining room you overheard movement and the clatter of glass, followed by a swift sliding of the apartment’s balcony door.

Rising to your feet, you unhooked a robe from your nightstand, shrouding the silky material around your shoulders. The uneven floorboards creaked as you steadily made your way towards the door. As you entered the open plan space of the apartment, Dark Star lay upon his back shifting intermittently within his sleep. Sprawled out across his dog bed, his large paws twitched as a continuation of deep growling snores left his snout. You tiptoed carefully around as not to wake him. Upon the marbled counter of the bar was a discernible half empty decanter of Whiskey, alongside a packet of menthol cigarettes and an engraved lighter. Something felt wrong. Rufus’ infrequent habit of smoking was usually a telltale sign of stress. In truth he despised the smell of smoke, since it reminded him of his father and the stifling reek of cigars.

You peered round the corner of the balcony door and found Rufus leaning upon the brick balustrade. He stood wearing the bare minimum of a thin white shirt and boxers; the loose, transparent fabric of his open shirt swishing gently in the breeze. He appeared oblivious to the cold as he stared out at the cityscape before him, lost in deep thought, and seemingly unaware to your presence. His hand firmly clenched at a squared glass of whiskey, the ice rattling as he raised it towards his lips. Within his opposite hand he held a cigarette. You watched as the continuous vertical streams of grey smoke dissipated into the air.

“Bad dream?” You asked gently, hugging at the frame of the open door.

He anchored his gaze upon the view in front of him, all the while his vacant demeanour remained.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” He replied bluntly; a disgruntled pinch of his features as he raised the cigarette to his lips. His lungs reluctantly opened up, inhaling the toxic vapour. He held his breath briefly before releasing the thick, curdled plumes with a sense of relief.

You approached him, pulling your robe tighter around your waist as the cool outside air prickled at your exposed skin. Noticing your discomfort out of his peripheral vision, Rufus spoke up. “You should go back to bed — wouldn’t want you catching a cold.”

“I could say the same thing to you.” You retorted.

You went back indoors, picking up a blanket from a nearby couch. You carried it outside wrapping it around Rufus’ shoulders. He remained rigid, flicking the ash of his cigarette into the dark abyss below. You stood beside him, looking out into the distance. You gazed out at the dispersion of green smog upon the city skyline; tiny puffs of pollution rising steadily from rooftop chimneys, accumulating into the dense miasma. The glow of a nearby reactor lit up the streets in a green glittered, mako infused haze. Those small traces of visual beauty entangled amongst manmade destruction.

“What’s wrong Rufus?” You paused waiting for an answer. “You know you can talk to me…”

You watched as a shabby looking cat, balanced precariously upon the rusted metal supports of the building’s fire escape. Rufus remained silent, periodically sipping at his Whiskey.

“Is it about your father?” You asked innocently.

With that he turned to look at you, confirming your suspicions. Just a few days earlier Tseng, the leader of the Turks had made an unexpected house-call to the apartment. Whenever a retainer from Shinra would visit, Rufus would hide you away, not wanting you caught up in bureaucratic nonsense. At first you had thought him to be overprotective, coddling you like a child. However, over time you had realised, even witnessed the cold-hearted truth for anyone involved with Shinra. Governmental knowledge was dangerous and knowing too much was a surefire way of getting abducted, or worse, killed. Rufus wanted you to have nothing to do with that part of his life. That being the main reason you were both hiding out in a quaint little apartment nestled in sector eight.

“That does not concern you.” He answered abruptly, turning away.

His stern words pierced you deeply, like a blade to the chest. The deep furrow of his brow and the subtle tremble upon his hands was a clear sign of his inner turmoil. Even for someone as self assured as Rufus, it was only natural for a build up of troubles to coagulate into stress and uncertainty. It saddened you to think that he had been dealing with these problems alone.

“Yes it does!” You cried. “I can see you’re hurting Rufus… please don’t shut me out. I want to help!”

He frowned, placing his glass down upon the balustrade. Using his free hand he slicked back the loose, unruly strands of hair from off his face.

“He’s dead.” He spat, without an ounce of remorse or a slither of emotion. His paled complexion and stone cold glare hollowed his handsome features. “Bastard got what he deserved.”

You were unsure as how to respond in that moment, knowing his rocky past and the type of relationship he had with his father.

“I’m sorry…”

He scoffed, almost laughing to himself. “Don’t be!—” He lifted his drink once more, consuming the entirety of the amber liquid before bitterly slamming the glass back down. “—He was never a father to me… he never saw me as a son, just his coached successor!”

“I’m guessing that’s the reason why Tseng came to see you the other day?”

“He handed me his last will and testament… in the result of his death everything was to be handed down to me —” He stared down at the darkness below the balcony, contemplation weighing heavily upon his face. “— The company, every liability and mistake he ever made.” He shook his head in anger. “Old man must be laughing to himself.”

“You don’t have to deal with this alone. Let me…”

“I don’t want you involved!” He interrupted. “This is my burden to bear.” The red flicker of embers scattered as he stubbed the remains of his cigarette butt upon the brickwork.

You grasped at his hand, gently brushing your thumb over the length of his fingers. “Share that burden with me.”

His features laced with conflict and turmoil, softened ever so slightly as he turned to face you. He grabbed at the edges of the blanket, wrapping his arms around your shoulders, and pulling you into his warm, cloaked embrace. It was rare for Rufus to express warmth and affection, but within that moment he wanted only you to see his vulnerability. You rested your head against the firmness of his chest. The heavy thuds of his heartbeat quickening against your cheek.

“I can’t ask that of you.” His voice was firm yet you detected a slight waver to his composure.

“We both knew this day would come eventually. We couldn’t keep hiding forever… but this is your chance to change the Shinra name. Right all the wrongs and leave some good behind in this rotten world!”

“Redemption.” He murmured, closing his eyes in thought.

His grasp around you tightened for a moment longer before he released you. As you stepped back he placed his hands upon either side of your face. With his nimble fingers he tucked the stray wisps of your hair behind your ear before leaning down to capture your lips. The sweet notes of whiskey infused with bitter menthol lingering upon his breath.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered, gazing back at you.

“Please, you don’t have to apologise. You’ve had a lot to think about.”

“It’s predominately the thought of something happening to you…” He admitted wholeheartedly.

“I’ll be fine.” You reassured, stroking your fingers through the short length of his blonde locks.

“I promise to protect you, no matter what the cost!”

That ambitious spark of confidence had returned as a positive glint reflected within his eyes. In the past, his stubbornness and pride would never have allowed him to admit weakness or defeat. Since knowing you he had mellowed considerably. Whereby he was once harsh and driven by ambition, over time you had shown him the error of his ways. Even though you loved him for who he was, he was slowly but surely becoming a better man, no longer living within his father’s hulking shadow.

[jokeringcutio]

(M) Reader & Thomas Sharpe- "The Ball" [1?] (Warnings:Smut)

Fandom: Crimson Peak | Rating: Explicit | Male Reader x Sir Thomas Sharpe Warnings: Explicit sexual content, Romanticness, Forbidden Romance. for: @cumrag4arockstar

The chandeliers dripped light, diamonds cascading from the ballroom ceiling. You leaned against a shadowed column, as you watched him dance. Sir Thomas Sharpe. A vision you had never seen before. Slender and pale, gracious features. He moved with an elegance that felt like it belonged to another world. His black suit hugged his frame, a stark contrast to the vibrant gowns swirling around him. No wonder he had caught your eye as soon as he had entered the room.

The dance ended, and as he excused himself from his partner, your breath hitched. Your heart beat a staccato rhythm against your ribs when you saw that the man of your desires walked directly your way, blue eyes upon you intently.

"Quite the spectacle this evening, is it not?" Thomas's voice, soft and measured, sounded as he approached. A wry smile played on his lips as he turned towards the refreshments.

"Y-yes," you stuttered. And why of all moments did you have to stutter right now? Just when you wanted to impress a man like him? Your words tumbled clumsily from your lips, it was embarrassing. "It's quite something."

The heat in your cheeks betrayed you, and you cursed yourself for sounding like a moonstruck simpleton.

Thomas poured himself a glass of brandy, his blue eyes holding a glimmer of amusement as he regarded you. "Do you not enjoy the dance?"

I enjoy watching you more, you thought, your pants getting uncomfortably tight now that you stood so near to the man.

Your throat tightened, words jumbled in your mind. "I-I find myself more at ease observing," you managed, the confession sounding like a plea.

"Ah, the quiet allure of the wallflower," he mused, taking a slow sip. His gaze lingered on you, unsettling yet thrilling all at once.

"Your grace is evident even without stepping onto the floor," you blurted, then immediately wished the ground would swallow you whole. He was a baronet, and you? A nobody, Just another young man without title or means.

"Flattery, sir?" His eyebrow arched, a playful edge to his tone. But there was something else there. A curiosity that danced behind his eyes.

"Merely an observation," you replied, the words coming out rougher than intended.

"Observations can be powerful things," Thomas said, setting his drink aside. His hand ghosted near yours, an almost touch that sent a jolt through your veins. "Especially when seen through keen eyes."

You swallowed hard, realizing that you’d fallen for this man. Hard. And talking to him only confirmed it.

You needed to get out, and swiftly, before you’d make a fool of yourself. This man was a forbidden desire. A man from the upper class that you should not get involved with.

The grandeur of the ballroom, with its opulent chandeliers and the swish of silken gowns, suddenly felt like a gilded cage. The air, heavy with perfume and heat, clung to your skin. You yearned for the crisp night beyond the tall French doors.

"I could use some fresh air," you murmured, an apology and an excuse all in one as you rushed to get away from the man of your desires.

If only things could be that easy. As if fate wanted to tart you, the man followed your steps.

"Ah," you heard Thomas say, his voice soft as velvet. "I find myself with a similar need."

Even if you had wanted to escape him, denying him to come along felt impolite and quite frankly impossible. And so you led the way, the two of you slipping through the throng of dancers and out onto the balcony where the cool breeze kissed your flushed cheeks. London's lights twinkled below, a starry mimicry that paled against the real constellations overhead.

"Thank you," Thomas said after a moment, his breath forming clouds in the chill. You watched as he placed his hands on the marble balustrade. Those long and slender fingers… fantasies arose within your mind. If only…

Thomas sounded hesitant when he spoke next, as if he was thinking of how to phrase things. "I must confess, I'm rather unhappy being here,” he said, words a sigh as he joined you leaning his elbows on the balustrade. “Parading around, dancing with all those beautiful girls."

You tensed. "I share your sentiment," you said cautiously, thinking of the ballroom and all the wonderous guests inside. You had danced with gorgeous women in the past, always being polite enough to compliment them and sometimes even make them blush.

It’s just… they weren’t for you.

Even if society expected you to eventually choose one as your wife. You supposed you were lucky not to have been born in one of the upper circles. The pressure of marriage was a little less in your circles, as you at least needed a good income to provide for a family And you weren’t quite there yet. Still young, your old man would say. You’d get there.

Perhaps, you thought, feeling the cold night air brush past your heated cheeks. "The festivities here are... suffocating."

Thomas chuckled softly, a sound that carried both weariness and relief. “Oh, the party is just fine,” he then said, surprising you at his honest admission. His blue eyes turned to you. “The music is wonderful and the company is excellent.”

You felt a slight shiver at his words, as if he somehow had included you in the company there and had given you a shielded compliment.

"It's my sister," Thomas finally admitted after a bit of hesitating, turning his gaze to the stars. "She forced me to attend. Insisted, really."

You remained silent and watched your hands so close to his on the cold marble balustrade. His skin was pale, like a translucent ghost compared to the pale stones his palms rested on. An ethereal beauty.

"Lucille is relentless," Thomas said, his voice low and tinged with a fatigue that seemed etched into his very bones. "She wants me secured in another marriage."

So Thomas wasn’t eager to get married? Again? If you caught it correctly there. Had he been married before?

��Isn’t marriage supposed to be a joyful affair?” You carefully asked, surprised by how bitter your own voice sounded. You had wanted to keep your calm, but once again you were losing your composure.

Thomas let out a short laugh. “It is supposed to be, my friend.” His blue eyes sought yours again, tiny crunkles adoring them as he smiled at you. “If it’s with the right one.”

Silence stretched between you, and when you didn’t speak, Thomas shifted on his feet and cleared his throat again.

“And you? I couldn’t help but notice you lack a ring,” that observation had you gaze at your own hand, surprised that Thomas had paid attention to such a detail.

His eyes flickered back to you, apologetic. "Forgive me. I seem to be gushing. It's just... I feel oddly at ease with you."

His hand found your shoulder, a gentle pressure that should have been alarming but instead anchored you. His touch was hesitant yet seeking, as if he were reaching not for your body, but for something intangible that you both shared.

"It's... it's fine," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. The rebellion of enjoying this moment, this connection with someone so far removed from your own station, was a heady thing.

You felt the words catch in your throat, a confession rising unbidden. "I—I wouldn't know the joy in it either. Marriage... women..." Your voice faltered, choked by the admission. "They don't hold that sway over me."

The hand on your shoulder grew heavier, the fingers digging gently into your skin as his grip became firmer. Thomas’s blue eyes were searching yours, a storm of understanding brewing within their depths.

"I'm sorry," you added hastily, an apology for the truth you rarely dared speak aloud. “I probably should just leave.”

"No," he said, stepping closer, his breath a whisper against your lips. "Don't ever apologize for your truths."

To your surprise, his hand rose, fingertips reaching for your skin.

"The only real beauty I see isn't in there,” Thomas whispered, “It's here..."

His fingers brushed your cheek, a touch so light it might have been mistaken for the wind if not for the fire it ignited beneath your skin. "You're remarkable," he murmured, tracing the line of your jaw with a reverence that made your heart stutter.

Your breath hitched as his face loomed closer, the reality of this moment—a moment you'd longed for without knowing it was possible—threatening to overwhelm you.

"Thomas..." The name escaped as a sigh, a prayer, a curse all at once.

"Shhh," he coaxed, his lips grazing yours, a fleeting contact that promised more. And then, with a certainty that left no room for doubt, his mouth claimed yours in a kiss that was both gentle and insistent.

You tasted him—brandy and wistfulness—and it was like drinking from a forbidden spring.

His lips moved against yours with a slow, deliberate passion that spoke of things unsaid, desires unvoiced.

His kiss was a quiet revolution, upending everything you thought you knew about longing, about yourself. You kissed him back with a hunger that surprised you, raw and honest in its intensity.

"Thomas," you breathed again into the kiss, and this time it was an anchor, holding you fast in a world tilting dangerously underfoot.

The stars above were witness to the crescendo of your surrender as Thomas deepened the kiss, his hands exploring territories of flesh and fabric with a conqueror's boldness. The world narrowed to the balcony, the night air an accomplice to your shared sin.

As darkness crept around you, shielded you like a cloak, Thomas’s hand ran up your thigh, gently tugging at the buttons of your clothes. You let him, didn’t even try to stop him because this was what you wanted.

"Thomas," you gasped, a hand clutching at his vest as if to anchor yourself amidst the storm he was awakening in you.

"Let me," he breathed against your throat, his words hot and heady as the kisses he planted along your collarbone.

You could only nod, every nerve ending alight, anticipation coiling tight within your belly. His fingers deftly worked the buttons of your shirt, exposing skin to the cool kiss of the night. You shivered, not from cold but from the sheer intensity of his gaze drinking in the sight of you.

"Beautiful," he said, the word a caress as his hands roamed with purposeful intent.

Your back hit the stone balustrade, his body a solid line of warmth against yours. Every touch was a spark, every movement stoked the flames higher. When he sank into you, it wasn't just a meeting of bodies; it was the union of souls adrift, finding harbor in each other's arms.

"Thomas," you cried out, the name a talisman against the overwhelming tide of bliss. Your world constricted to the rhythm he set, the slow grind that escalated into urgency, the push and pull as old as time yet as new as the dawn.

"My friend,” he whispered, his lips at your ear, each thrust punctuating the claim. “Mine.”

"Yours," you echoed, the word torn from the depths of your being as you clung to him.

Your friend, perhaps even more, you wanted to say. But pleasure rippled through you as his cock moved supply inside of you. You’d never had someone of his size and girth before, but you’d been more than ready. And so had he been. The head of his cock was slick enough to make the slide in less painful, the thrusts now deep enough that they hit your prostrate at such an angle that you couldn’t help but feel bliss.

You couldn’t tell how long time lasted as you lost yourself in pure pleasure. Your muscles contracted around his shaft, milking him, begging him to come inside. Your lips parted in a silent ‘o’ while he buried his face in your neck, gritted teeth scraping along your sensitive skin as he groaned your name.

His arms were clutched around your shoulders, pulling you tight against him, two lovers caught in an embrace.

The stuttering of his hips announced that he was close. And as if on cue, your body started to spasm, walls fluttering around him as you came. A few irregular thrusts later, Thomas followed you, tumbling over the brink and painting your inside with hot, liquid white.

You groaned, coming down from your high with Thomas’s arms still around you, as both of you caught your breath.

The aftermath was a quiet so profound it felt sacred, your breaths mingling, a silent testament to what had passed between you. It was over too soon. Reality beckoned with the distant sound of music and laughter filtering through from the ballroom.

“Good,” your voice nearly skipped a notch, emotions still running wild inside of you as your chest heaved rapidly up and down. “S-So good.”

Thomas slipped from your core and started to readjust his clothes. You figured you should do the same, making yourself look presentable, even though your heart was still racing rapidly at what had just occurred.

“Thank the stars for such a miracle,” you thought you heard Thomas whisper. But surely, you must be mistaken, right? You turned to face him, but before you could ask, Thomas had grabbed your hand.

"Come," he murmured, straightening his clothes with swift, practiced movements. "We must return."

You followed Thomas inside, the thrum of the ballroom a stark contrast to the intimacy you'd just shared. The revelry was a blur, the faces nothing more than masks devoid of meaning. Lucille approached, her eyes sharp as shards of glass, slicing through the facade.

Thomas instantly let go of your hand.

"Really, Thomas?" Her voice dripped with disdain, taking in his disheveled appearance. "I would have never taken you for such... tastes."

You flinched and looked aside. Indeed, Thomas’s hair was disheveled, despite his best attempts, and a bruising hickey was peeking out from underneath his collar. Had you done that?

You stepped away from him, ready to retreat into the shadows, feeling ashamed and suddenly very little and meaningless. But Thomas’s blue eyes turned towards you, dark and determined.

“This wasn’t meaningless,” was all he said. But you felt the words deep inside your heart, reigniting the pleasure he had given you before. It had been real. It still felt like it had meant so much more than a fleeting moment of passion.

"Wait for me," he promised, low and fierce. "This isn't the end."

Then Sir Thomas Sharpe disappeared into the crowd, following his stoic-looking sister. Her features portrayed displeasure, perhaps even disgust, and it would have made you feel uncomfortable if not for Thomas’s soothing words.

You weren’t done here. Neither of you were.

You would see him again.

~

AN: For more, follow me (:

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[thegoldensanctuary]

Part III the creation of the 1701 King's Grand Bedchamber

3.1 The architecture

Probably exhausted by numerous years of construction, the King kept that Bedchamber for 17 years, the longest he ever stayed in a single room[32]. But the necessity to change rooms for the dressing ceremony [33]pushed the King to eventually reconsider the position of his bedchamber, and, the 8th July 1701 the he wrote the following letter to Mansart(who was now replacing Louvois and Villacerf as head of the King’s Buildings administration) :

“His Majesty has ordered the removal of the wall which separates the antechamber of Bassans and its bedroom for both rooms to make only one, to put a strong beam in place of the wall that we demolished to carry the structure above and the two ends of the two hangers, to pierce three doors in the arcades of the gallery besides those who are already there naturally to enter the said Gallery, and break the comiche of the said room of Bassans to redo one similar to that of the bedroom, which will rule all around. Pierce into said new room a large oval window under in the center arch on the side of the small courtyard to better illuminate the room. Demolish a stone dormer at the top of the building back to said little yard so it can't be herself through said window and make a bull's eye instead. Build a new marble fireplace in said room with a mirror on top, and make all the decorations of carpentry and glass marked with designs that His Majesty has regulated. To make a balustrade of carpentry carved very richly in the living room,and to place the king's bed there in order to make it the bedchamber. Seal the three doors that enter the said hall of the gallery with bricks, especially the middle one with full-thickness, the two at the dimension half the thickness of the wall, including that to the right side of the bed will make a wardrobe by the side of the bedroom, the other on the left, a dresser by the side of the gallery. Do not decorate with carpentry the faces between the pilasters so tapestries can be placed[to create an alcove]”[34]

Two days later new orders were given regarding the fireplace, who was ordered to be placed on the wall separating the new bedchamber and the counsel cabinet using the already existing pipe inside the wall from from the counsel's cabinet fireplace, who had to be relocated [35]

And so, the King’s grand bedchamber at the centre of the palace was finally born. The former bedchamber was annexed with its antechamber (called the antechamber of Bassans)(fig 32) to create the Bullseye antechamber, and the 3 archways of the central cabinet, sealed to create the alcove of the new Bedchamber of Louis XIV(his 13th and final one).

Fig 34 : The King Bedchamber between 1684 and 1701 (on the right), and the Bassans antechamber (on the left), those two rooms fused to become the Bullseye antechamber, AN O1/1768-A, fol 2

The 23rd new orders were given regarding the alcove : “His Majesty ordered to push the back wall of his new  bedchamber further back by 2 feet ,concealing the thickness of the Gallery[the hall of mirrors] wall in order to achieve a distance of ten feet and a half between the front of the baluster and the back[of the alcove wall], place a large beam at the level of the attic cornice of said bedchamber in order to carry the wall above[…] the two pilasters at the angle will keep carrying said beam and make a lowered arcade above the great beam that goes underneath the attic to held said structure.”[36]

Early drawings made at the time (fig 35) offer a clear visualisation of the intended result at that stage of the project. The drawing in question featured the respective beam and the alcove wall recessed further in relative to the attic. We can see that at that stage the attic above the alcove remained almost unchanged with its three frames and small pilaster in the same position they had for the past decade (fig 11) and with no allegorical statue in sight.

Fig 35 :Early project for the alcove of the Grand Bedchamber, 1701, AN O1/ 1768-A2

The 24th of August the King finally decided to update his plans for the room, to push attic wall further in with an arch going in at the level of the alcove wall, and,  “above the great cornice a background of mosaic richly ornate, in the middle of which would be place a beautiful figure, representing France sitting on trophies. With a rich drapery[pavillion] attached at the top of the arch and held in place by two putti, and to ornate the angles of the arch with two allegories of renown, all following the drawings and models approved by his majesty” [37]

This phase of the project is featured in one drawing (Fig 36) from that time. While the arch and the the figures of renown are present, the allegorical statue of France, the drapery, and the putti are missing, only the trophies can be seen in the center. This central piece however appears to only be a temporary placeholder as the piece of paper carrying it is detachable revealing underneath a blank medallion flanked by two female figures.

Fig 36 : Early project for the alcove of the Grand Bedchamber, 1701, Ibid

The 1st of September 1701, the King finally decided to order the alteration of the overdoor sculptures and frames: “His majesty found that the new frames made and placed in his bedchamber were too thick and ordered new ones to be made, he also ordered to make new shutters and backgrounds for those frames richly ornate with sculptures, just like the doors, and to sculpt rich and light ornaments for all the overdoor panels of the bedchamber […]

Paint with mosaic all the recess and ceiling of the three casements of the attic of the bedchamber.

Make four new frames for the overdoor paintings of said bedchamber instead of the current ones who are too heavy.”[38]

Additional details on the project for the bedchamber appear within the list of works to be performed in Versailles during the year 1701 namely:

“ 17 : Buy the sculpture in plaster of the figure, throphies and mosaic background to be placed in the arch of the King’s bedchamber

18 : rim and put in place the three casements of said bedchamber, finish all the wooden sculptures on the old woodwork, finish to put in place the upper paneling as well as the back wall behind the bed, the part above the fireplace and the trumeau on the opposite side.

19 : Place the marble fireplace in said bedchamber and the ornaments of bronze, gilded and ormoulu who must be attached to it. Place the mirror above said fireplace, at the opposite trumeau and the three casements, with all the bronze moldings supporting them.

20 : Finish the gilding of the arch, pilasters heads and bases entirely, the shafts, jamb, moldings, and sculptures of said bedchamber and add a bit of elegant white on all backgrounds for further contrast [rechampir tous les fonds de beau blanc]

21 : Purchase the baluster of the bed, gild it and put it in place.

22 : Do the all the bronze fitting and jambs of said bedchamber, according to the new model which has been agreed upon, finish the gilding and ormoulu and put everything in place,

23 : clean the four overdoor paintings and those from the attic before putting them back in place.” [39]

Payments to artisans can be used to attribute the various ornaments of the bedchamber to their respective artists, for instance:

The 25th of September and 20th of November 1701 a payment of 2400 livres are given to Coustou and Spingola for their work on the plaster attic sculptures of the bedchamber[40]

The 9th of October of that same year 400 livres are given to Nourisson, Guyot, Azmant and Jullien their wood sculptures of four children for the King’s bedchamber, likely those at the top of each of the two mirrors[41].

Other less specific payments are present and might possibly cover some of the work performed in the bedchamber, among other places :

The 6th of August Noel Jouvenet and Spingola received a payment of 7100 livres for their work on the plaster ornaments of the cornice for the King’s apartment, likely covering both the bullseye antechamber and the King’s bedchamber[42].

From the 9th of January until the 10th of February of what appears to be the following year Taupin, Marinbellan, Le Goupil and Dugoulon received a total payment of 87.950 livres for their woodwork in various royal residences including Versailles since 1697[43].

Those attribution are later confirmed by contemporary author such Felibien[44] or Bruzen de La Martinière who in his 1738 edition of the Grand dictionnaire géographique et critique, wrote in his Versailles entry about the King’s bedchamber “the sculpture who is gilded like the salon on a white background is also by Taupin, Goulon, Goupi[sic] and others […] above the king’s bed we see France sited guarding the conservation of the Prince’s sleep. The three figures are by Coustou” [45]

The ultimate design of the Bedchamber is known through a drawing located at the Stockholm National Museum (Fig 17), in it we can see the unique fireplace on the northern wall, the two mirrors, and the sculpted overdoors featuring a cartouche with a portrait at the center. While the overall appearance seems frankly similar to what can even be seen today, several oddities must be noted, however. The first one is the layout of the balustrade, which contradicts earlier drawn proposals (fig 18), the second one is the absence of composite pilasters in corner of the western wall, pilasters featuring arabesque ornamentation are shown instead, and thirdly the presence of relatively tall pedestals at the basis of each of the composite pilasters.

Fig 37 :. National Museum, Stockholm, NMH CC 174

Fig 38 : Project for the balustrade of The King’s Bedchamber, 1701 BnF, Va 448-c. H 188360-188361

There are several lines of evidence that could be used to reject those discrepancies as mere artistic alterations, which are not fully representative of the real state of the room on those very specific details (while the drawing might still be reliable on the rest). One of them is non other than the elevation already shown in fig 11, while predating the drawing it is nonetheless consistent with the current state of the pilasters as they can be seen today. Moreover, another representation of the room(fig 39) probably dating from the first half of the 18th century, depicts the pilasters as similar to the earlier elevation, it also confirms the layout of the baluster as shown in fig 18 and correctly depicts composite pilasters standing over arabesque pillars.

Fig 39 : Versailles. The northwest corner of the King’s Grand chamber, the season portiere tapestries were only used for the winter décor and the clock on the pilaster is only attested during Louis XV reign, before 1741. National Museum, Stockholm, NMH CC 513

3.2 The paintings in the bedchamber

The attic :

The attic paintings of the bedchamber seems to have remained the same, except on the western wall had been entirely filled by a sculptural composition featuring an allegory of France, the paintings and frame present in that location:  The fortune teller, the drinkers, and Hagar in the desert, were restrictively removed. The four evangelists, Caesar’s coin and the mystical wedding of Saint Catherin were left on the northern and southern attic walls as attested by later author such as Bruzen de la Martiniere, who confirms their presence in his 1738 edition of his dictionary[46]

The overdoors :

The overdoors also kept the same paintings they had at the time the room was still the central salon, namely Van Dyke self portrait, Saint Magdalene, the Marquis of Ayton and Saint John the Baptist nevertheless their frames and overdoor statues were likely a new addition in accordance to the 1st September 1701 order[47].

The Alcove Paintings

The addition of mirrors at the center of the northern and southern walls, resulted in the removal of the two paintings filling those places namely Saint Cecile playing music who removed from the room and King David playing the harp who was put placed on the alcove on the right side of the bed, additionally another large painting was added in the room to be placed on the alcove on the left side of the bed[48]

Saint John at Pathmos

Imola, Innocenzo Di Pietro Francucci dit Da, Saint Jean l'évangéliste, à Patmos, 1526/1550, 241 x 169 cm (frame: 302 x 216.5 x 14.5 cm), Château de Versailles, MV 7717.

Originally attributed to Raphaello and later to Innocenzo da Imola and painted in the second quarter of the 16th century it depicts the saint standing on an sitting on an eagle, -the animal associated with the saint- he is in the sky among the clouds writing the book of revelation on a stone tablet. The painting was originally part of the cardinal of Richelieu’s collections before being given to to King Louis XIII between 1636 and 1639[49]

Marot, François, Institution de l'ordre militaire de Saint-Louis, 10 mai 1695, 1710, 51 x 76 cm (frame: 68.5 x 93.2 x 6.8 cm), huile sur toile, Château de Versailles, MV 2149.

The use of two large paintings flanking the bed seems to have been seasonally based, indeed all the contemporary depictions of the bedchamber seems to have been of the winter state as attested by the presence of a bed with campane valances and a large headboard[50]. A letter dated from the 23rd of Jully 1759, written by Marigny and destined to L’Ecuyer and Gabriel asked to” put in safety the two paintings placed every year at the sides of the King’s bed, given that the frames are in poor condition[…]start the work as soon as possible so that two painting can go back to their usual place at the end of the coming fall”[51]

The choice of words from that letter with expression such as “placed every year” instead of “all year long”, and “back to their usual place at the end of fall” clearly suggest that they were only used alongside the winter set, probably to counterbalance the simplicity of the alcove tapestry, and were likely removed during the change from winter set to summer set to probably to avoid covering the beautiful brocades orating the alcove tapestry.

[32] Versailles - Le palais retrouvé du Roi-Soleil, ARTE, comment by Vivien Richard

[33] Christian Friedrich Gottlieb von dem Knesebeck, Récit de voyage, p. 111;

[34] AN O1/1474 f⁰ 64 r⁰-65 r⁰

[35] Ibid f⁰ 65 r⁰-66 r⁰

[36] Ibid f⁰ 64 r⁰-65 r⁰

[37] Ibid f⁰ 72 v⁰

[38] Ibid f⁰ 76 v⁰

[39] AN O1/1762 B, Memoire des ouvrages a faire en la dependance du chateau de Versailles{..]

[40] Compte des Bâtiments IV,709

[41] Ibid

[42] Ibid

[43] Ibid

[44] Felibien,Description sommaire de Versailles ancienne et nouvelle . Avec des figures, 1703, p.342-345

[45] Bruzen de La Martiniere Le Grand dictionnaire géographique et critique, 1738 edition p.158, the description it contains is fairly similar to the one from Felibien

[46] Bruzen de La Martiniere Le Grand dictionnaire géographique et critique, 1738 edition p.158-159, The same list of painting can be found in Piganiol de La Force

[47] AN O1/1474 f⁰ 76 v⁰

[48] National Museum, Stockholm, NMH CC 174;

[49] See number 11 of Le Brun's inventory

[50] National Museum, Stockholm, NMH CC 174; Institution de l’ordre militaire de saint Louis,10 mai 1695, Francois Marot,1710,muse national des chateaux de Versailles et de Trianon, MV 2149

[51] AN O1/1797 item 49

[zvetenze]

Kordopulova kăšta, kiosk

Melnik, Bulgaria

The kiosk (кьошката) is a room that was used to serve wine or coffee. Such a space is called a krevata in adjacent Macedonian Greece, or a divanhana elsewhere. The doubled windows and use of colored glass are also typical of grand houses in Macedonian Greece and southern Albania. The raised platform, high ceiling, large windows and balustraded railing are reminiscent of the freestanding structures called chardaks in other parts of the Balkans. One enters the raised area by ascending two steps framed by columns that rise to support arched openings that define the sitting area and its ceiling. (photo 2000)

[womansfire]

world building ,  ( one : safe houses / properties . )

palazzo serenzo , via degli archi , 12 florence , italy . occupying the two upper floors ,  this apartment has 4 bedrooms + 2.5 baths .  the roof has an outdoor seating area ,  nice for little outdoor dinners .

intro :  palazzo serenzo is a historical and land marked building from the 15th century .  the di conti family were a prestigious and one of the most prominent noble families in florence ,  and also allies to the medici family .  the di conti's head :  alessandro di coni commissioned the architect leonardo de'amici to build them a home that inspired the citizen's of florence .  much is a mystery about the family since ,  not much is known about them .  they however used their amassed wealth and title to serve as a symbol and for the overall well being of the city and her people .

their family can be traced back to wealthy merchants who amassed great wealth and power through their successful trading ventures .  with their wealth ,  the di conti family became influential in the arts ,  education ,  politics ,  banking and then some .  the matriarch isabella di conti was a poet and dedicated to italy's rich history and artistic expression .  she loved to host salons and invited some of the most influential guests .  

thus making their home a hub for intellectual and artistic exchange .  the family supported many renowned artists ,  architects ,  and scholars at the time . 

 they were known for the passion for collecting rare artifacts  (  some of which are said to be hidden within the palazzo , kept in a secret wing from prying eyes .  )  most of their collections from paintings to manuscripts are in mia's possession today .

as one approaches the palazzo ,  their eyes are drawn to it's entrance .  framed by intricately carved stone arches which are adorned with delicate floral motifs .  the heavy wooden doors were crafted from oak and fitted with brass handles and hinges .  stained glass windows are attached to the doors which filter rays of colors into the atrium .  at the far end of the atrium is an imposing statue of diana the huntress .  the staircase leading to the upper floors ,   the balustrades crafted with intricate scroll work that seems to intertwine like delicate vines .  each step is a testament to the masterful craftsmanship ,  with the polished marble or white and red ,  gleam from the natural light through the windows .

the di conti family played a pivotal part in the political landscape of florence ,   often holding positions of influence and participating in key decision - making processes .   alessandro was such a diplomat and politician ,   and his first born son :   marco would follow in his father's footsteps and also become a influential politician .   they were esteemed for their diplomatic skills ,   strategic alliances ,   and their commitment to preserving the city's cultural heritage .   there was an attempt on alessandro's life during the conspiracy to assassinate the important men in the medici family .   what also is a bit of a conspiracy is that he was also hiding a very important artifact that contained a supernatural magic that could give the handler wealth ,   unbeatable strength and power .   but of course ...   that's nothing but a conspiracy .

the family's crest is a shield that is dividend into four sections .   the upper left and lower right sections showcase a deep royal blue color ,   while the upper right and lower sections are adorned with a rich emerald green .   the upper left section has a golden lion :   representing courage ,   strength ,   and leadership .   the lower right section features a silver crescent moon :   symbolizing wisdom ,   enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge .   the upper right section ,   there is a stylized golden olive tree :   representing peace ,   abundance ,   and prosperity .   lastly the lower left section showcases a silver key :   symbolizing guardianship ,   authority ,   and preservation of family secrets and legacies .   above the shield there is a regal golden crown which is obvious ,   representing the families noble status and heritage .   supporting the shield on each side ,   there are two majestic silver griffins :   representing courage ,   protection and watchfulness .   below the shielf there is a flowing ribbon that has the family's motto in latin :   vigilans et fortis ...   vigilant and strong .

mia's residency in the ancestral palazzo of the di conti family represents a continuation of their legacy , as she finds herself surrounded and enamored by the remnants of the bygone era .

the apartment : mia bought the upper two floors of palazzo serenzo ,  and more of a recent purchase since returning to public life .  it was during this time that she was working as a fixer ,  and fully taking on the persona .  the apartment contains four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms ,  her master bedroom being on the top floor facing the east .  the apartment has a large eat - in kitchen  (  obviously a more modern kitchen considering most kitchens in the 15th century would have been on the bottom floor .  )  a separate and formal dining room with a large farmhouse table ,  a library that adorns hundreds of books adorning the bookcases .  an official office and a room where mia holds her weapons and work related items .  like mia's brooklyn warehouse ,  the apartment  (  and ultimately the entire palazzo  )  has been fixed with the top tech and security systems available .  making the palazzo safe and secure for anyone who has malicious intent .  the armory is more traditional ,  housing some 13th - 15th century military artifacts and then some .  with the captivating blend of historical charm and timeless elegance .

the apartment begins at the entrance ,  with the heavy wooden double door ,  leading to a long hallway that showcases the first fresco  (  a celestial panorama ,  one with a rich night sky ,  adorned with twinkling stars and constellations .  with a radiant full moon and surrounding it with some etherial figures of mythological creatures .  )  another fun fact about the di conti family is that they were catholic but also believed in science too .  some believe the patriarch of the family was also an astronomer .

the hallway holds many artifacts and paintings from the di conti family personal archives ,  and some that she has bought and collected over the years .  tall windows with dark wooden panels invoke natural light into the rooms ,  because their open most of the year when she's there . the living room is further down the hall and to the right ,  though the room doesn't have any frescoes .  the real focal point is to the grand fireplace that is still in use to this day during the cold winter nights .  the walls are left natural ,  with the only painting done for the renovations and upkeep of the original state of the apartment .  there are exposed beams through out the apartment ,  though in some rooms the ceilings opt for a more traditional italian look with the original woodwork and floral etchings into the wood .  the floor is mostly terracotta and tile ,  therefore mia opts for many persian and turkish rugs to cover the floor .

she has a vanity table on the opposite side of the room ,  a large walk - in closet and her master bathroom just through that .  there within she has a extra large ornate gilded mirror ,  which is mostly made of brass .

** below mia ,  an elderly couple lives in the ground apartment and who also have the old kitchen of the palazzo .  luciano and maria amato :  a retired professor of literature and a traditional housewife respectively .  they both are warm ,  friendly ,  charming and most definitely consider mia one of their children .  they offer wisdom and humor in her life ...  absolutely nothing will harm them for as long as she's there . **

[the-baschet]

#23 - Suit

Continued from #18 - A Fish Out of Water

Severin looked as if he fit right in; his silken midnight tresses always seemed to frame the ghostly features of his sunken mien perfectly and his posture spoke that of a nobleman in some respect. The uniform he suggested for all of them to don may have complimented him the most though he had a more specific reason in his choice of garb in mind. A reason he only got to enjoy for a moment.

In contrast, Chance’s shoulders rounded as he lingered about the snack foods with his lofty companion, bidding the other’s demands without complaint. His darting eyes and meekness made it clear how out of his element he was while endless streams of sighs groaned in and out of him.

“Really? That’s how you two want to spend the next few... four, five bells?” A lean Midlander in their same black and ivory formalwear waltzed up to the pair of sulking Elezen with a wide grin stretching his tanned face. “There’s music, food, ladies that are looking at us.” He glanced to his left, their right, at a table of overly dressed Elezen staring at the trio, though namely, staring at Severin.

To which the man sipped from his glass, a long, nearly provocative drain, until he handed the empty cup to the Hyur. “Nicholas, you were always good at entertainment, mayhap you could keep them busy? I might have heard them whispering something about you before you arrived here, you know? About a swarthy man with scars littering his face, how courageous he might be and the sort.”

Whatever Nicholas’ reaction may have been, Severin saw none of it, already walking past him for one of the vacant balconies to spend his time. The ornate balustrade held the weight of his elbows and then some, vehemently wishing for the night to advance into the morrow though his expression remained as bleak as ever.

“Severin! Pray, don’t leave me alone like that...” Chance followed him outside, far too young and dependent to feel a sense of confidence on his lonesome.

“You did not wish to keep Nicholas and the others company?”

“Everyone else is already talking to someone, and you know how awkward I am.” Admitting such a thing aloud tinted his sallow neck and ears just a tad. “I just want this over with; they all keep staring...”

“You and me both, Chance. We must hope and wish that our dear lord keeps us lesser people in mind... Or mayhap I might end it early with a mishap.” A devilish smirk cracked his wintry disposition as he pulled a glittering ruby from the breast of his coat.

Chance hurried closer to the other, snatching Severin’s hand just to quickly yank himself back. “Stop messing around,” he whispered in great distress.

A large laugh shook Severin over the railing, turning to face Chance in his lounge with a sudden mark of enjoyment coloring his expression. “Oh, you know I would never. This is too important a time anyroad and I will not be the one to ruin it for him. Should anyone of us fall out of line, I will deal with them personally though I have confidence not all of us are witless.”

Chance merely peered over his comrade’s unusual countenance, noting the pleased curl of his lips and strange lift of his eyes. Seeing him actually not dour for once brought an easy smile to his own face. “Right, and I’ll help you with keeping everyone in line too.”

“Of course. We need only wait until Matti is freed and then the night will hurry along much faster.”

Severin peered through the doors which they came wisping a small sigh scarcely heard by Chance. Within remained just as they had left it, Nicholas seeming to truly make a fool of himself in the distance, though it was enough to wipe his face clean of whatever joy he felt a moment ago.

[gowithplana]

Optimus leans on his balcony balustrade.

They've supposedly uncovered the original Primal estate. He'd assigned teams to locate and find old temples. The foundations of old City States. Other relics like it...

Because if they were going to build it back up they needed a solid foundation.

The seekers and other flight frames were already making noises. New Iacon was too tightly built for their tastes, not enough balconies or open arches for Aeries. The larger frames were also making noises...

They needed open doors and arches. Buildings that were made in mind with bulky kibble and extra frame Parts. They needed objects made to hold up to their strength and weight. They needed furniture the same.

And yet all this fervor over the Primal Estate ruins.

He massages his fin. Shoulders curling up. Venting quietly before he downs his fuel. Stepping back and shutting the tall double doors behind him as he drops his glass in his cleanser.

He'll propose...something. Ground breaking for New Vos. An excavation for Kaons old districts.

[thefixeraa]

palazzo serenzo , via degli archi , 12 florence , italy .

background : palazzo serenzo is a historical and landmarked building from the 15th century . the di conti family were a prestigious and one of the most prominent noble families in florence , and also allies to the medici family . the di conti's head : alessandro di coni commissioned the architect leonardo de'amici to build them a home that inspired the citizen's of florence . much is a mystery about the family since , not much is known about them . they however used their amassed wealth and title to serve as a symbol and for the overall wellbeing of florence and her people .

their family can be traced back to wealthy merchants who amassed great wealth and power through their successful trading ventures . with their wealth , the di conti family became influential in the arts , education , politics , banking and then some . the matriarch isabella di conti was a poet and dedicated to italy's rich history and artistic expression . she loved to host salons and invited some of the most influential guests . thus making their home a hub for intellectual and artistic exchange . the family supported many renowned artists , architects , and scholars at the time . they were known for the passion for collecting rare artifacts ( some of which are said to be hidden within the palazzo , kept in a secret wing from prying eyes . ) most of their collections from paintings to manuscripts are in mia's possession today .

as one approaches the palazzo , their eyes are drawn to it's entrance . framed by intricately carved stone arches which are adorned with delicate floral motifs . the heavy wooden doors were crafted from oak and fitted with brass handles and hinges . stained glass windows are attached to the doors which filter rays of colors into the atrium . at the far end of the atrium is an imposing statue of diana the huntress . the staircase leading to the upper floors , the balustrades crafted with intricate scrollwork that seems to intertwine like delicate vines . each step is a testament to the masterful craftsmanship , with the polished marble or white and red , gleam from the natural light through the windows .

the di conti family played a pivotal part in the political landscape of florence , often holding positions of influence and participating in key decision - making processes . alessandro was such a diplomat and politician , and his first born son : marco would follow in his father's footsteps and also become a influential politician . they were esteemed for their diplomatic skills , strategic alliances , and their commitment to perserving the city's cultural heritage . there was an attempt on alessandro's life during the conspiracy to assassinate the important men in the medici family . what also is a bit of a conspiracy is that he was also hiding a very important artifact that contained a supernatural magic that could give the handler wealth , unbeatable strength and power . but of course ... that's nothing but a conspiracy .

the family's crest is a shield that is dividend into four sections . the upper left and lower right sections showcase a deep royal blue color , while the upper right and lower sections are adorned with a rich emerald green . the upper left section has a golden lion : representing courage , strength , and leadership . the lower right section features a silver crescent moon : symbolizing wisdom , enlightenment and the pursuit of knowledge . the upper right section , there is a stylized golden olive tree : representing peace , abundance , and prosperity . lastly the lower left section showcases a silver key : symbolizing guardianship , authority , and preservation of family secrets and legacies . above the shield there is a regal golden crown which is obvious , representing the families noble status and heritage . supporting the shield on each side , there are two majestic silver griffins : representing courage , protection and watchfulness . below the shielf there is a flowing ribbon that has the family's motto in latin : vigilans et fortis ... vigilant and strong .

mia's residency in the ancestral palazzo of the di conti family represents a continuation of their legacy , as she finds herself surrounded and enamored by the remnants of the bygone era .

the apartment : mia bought the upper two floors of palazzo serenzo , and more of a recent purchase since returning to public life . it was during this time that she was working as a fixer , and fully taking on the persona . the apartment contains four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms , her master bedroom being on the top floor facing the east . the apartment has a large eat - in kitchen ( obviously a more modern kitchen considering most kitchens in the 15th century would have been on the bottom floor . ) a separate and formal dining room with a large farmhouse table , a library that adorns hundreds of books adorning the bookcases . an official office and a room where mia holds her weapons and work related items . like mia's brooklyn warehouse , the apartment ( and ultimately the entire palazzo ) has been fixed with the top tech and security systems available . making the palazzo safe and secure for anyone who has malicious intent . the armory is more traditional , housing some 13th - 15th century military artifacts and then some . with the captivating blend of historical charm and timeless elegance .

the apartment begins at the entrance , with the heavy wooden double door , leading to a long hallway that showcases the first fresco ( a celestial panorama , one with a rich night sky , adorned with twinkling stars and constellations . with a radiant full moon and surrounding it with some etherial figures of mythological creatures . ) another fun fact about the di conti family is that they were catholic but also believed in science too . some believe the patriarch of the family was also an astronomer .

the hallway holds many artifacts and paintings from the di conti family personal archives , and some that she has bought and collected over the years . tall windows with dark wooden panels invoke natural light into the rooms , because their open most of the year when she's there . the living room is further down the hall and to the right , though the room doesn't have any frescos . the real focal point is to the grand fireplace that is still in use to this day during the cold winter nights . the walls are left natural , with the only painting done for the renovations and upkeep of the original state of the apartment . there are exposed beams through out the apartment , though in some rooms the ceilings opt for a more traditional italian look with the original woodwork and floral etchings into the wood . the floor is mostly terracotta and tile , therefore mia opts for many persian and turkish rugs to cover the floor .

off to the right is a formal dining room , where a refurbished farmhouse table sits in the center of the room . wall sconces fitted onto the walls and a antique gold chandelier centered above the table . it can host around eight to tend people at a time , the kitchen is just further off to the side . while for the most part mia kept with the original feel to the apartment , the kitchen utilizes modern necessities . however a antique wooden island was put there for extra space to store things like dinnerware and pots . the four bedrooms are divided , with the master bedroom on the first floor . mia created a warm and comforting room , opting for a four - poster bed , crafted from aged mahogany and a painting above it . the bed is layered with linen shits and fluffy pillows , an inviting bed really for someone whose constantly running around .

she has a vanity table on the opposite side of the room , a large walk - in closet and her master bathroom just through that . there within she has a extra large ornate gilded mirror , which is mostly made of brass .

** below mia , an elderly couple lives in the ground apartment and who also have the old kitchen of the palazzo . luciano and maria amato : a retired professor of literature and a traditional housewife respectively . they both are warm , friendly , charming and most definitely consider mia one of their children . they offer wisdom and humor in her life .... absolutely nothing will harm them for as long as she's there . **

[arysleal]

Melbourne Glass Repair Hacks: Save Time and Money with These Tips

Glass is an essential part of any home or business, but it’s also one of the most fragile. Whether it’s a broken window, a cracked shower screen, or a chipped tabletop, dealing with glass damage can be frustrating and costly. However, before you rush to call a professional, there are some clever glass repair hacks that can help you save both time and money. This guide will explore Glass Repair Melbourne solutions, offering practical DIY fixes, maintenance tips, and expert insights to ensure your glass remains in top condition for years to come.

1. Quick Fixes for Minor Glass Cracks and Chips

Cracked glass doesn't always mean you need an expensive replacement. Sometimes, a simple fix can extend the life of your glass and delay costly repairs. Here are some quick and effective solutions:

Clear Nail Polish: Applying clear nail polish to small cracks in windows or mirrors can prevent further spreading. Simply brush over the affected area, let it dry, and add another coat for reinforcement.

Super Glue: A drop of strong adhesive can seal minor chips in glass furniture and decorative pieces, making them less visible and structurally sound.

Epoxy Resin: Available in most hardware stores, this solution is perfect for filling in small glass cracks, especially in shower screens and car windows.

DIY Windshield Repair Kits: These are great for minor windscreen chips and cracks. They include a special resin that restores glass integrity and visibility.

For small glass repair jobs, these hacks can be lifesavers and can help keep your home or business looking polished and professional.

2. Preventing Further Damage: Glass Maintenance Tips

Prevention is always better than cure. Taking care of your glass surfaces properly can reduce the risk of cracks, chips, and other damage. Here are some essential maintenance tips:

Regular Cleaning with Gentle Products: Harsh chemicals can weaken glass over time. Instead, use mild dish soap and warm water or a vinegar solution for streak-free windows and mirrors.

Use Protective Films: Window films can help reinforce glass surfaces, making them less susceptible to impact damage.

Keep an Eye on Seals and Frames: Damaged window frames can put extra pressure on the glass, leading to cracks. Ensure seals are in good condition to avoid stress fractures.

Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes: Extreme heat or cold can cause glass to expand or contract rapidly, leading to cracks. When using glass cookware or shower screens, try to avoid sudden temperature shifts.

By incorporating these simple steps, you can reduce the chances of needing emergency glass repair services in Melbourne.

3. When to Call a Professional Glass Repair Service in Melbourne

While DIY fixes can handle minor issues, there are times when calling a professional glass repair service in Melbourne is the best choice. Here’s when you should seek expert assistance:

Large Cracks or Shattered Glass: If the damage is extensive, replacement may be the only safe option.

Structural Glass Repairs: For glass doors, balustrades, or large windows, professional installation is crucial to maintaining strength and safety.

Double-Glazed Window Repairs: DIY fixes won’t restore the energy efficiency and insulation of double-glazed windows.

Shower Screen Replacement: If your shower glass has cracked, professionals can provide tempered glass solutions that are safer and more durable.

Finding affordable glass repair Melbourne services is easier than you think. Many companies offer competitive pricing and same-day emergency repairs to ensure your home or business remains secure.

4. Cost-Saving Strategies for Glass Repairs and Replacements

Glass repairs and replacements can be costly, but these smart strategies can help you save money:

Compare Quotes: Always get at least three quotes from local Melbourne glass repair specialists to find the best price.

Opt for Glass Restoration Instead of Replacement: If the damage is minor, ask about glass polishing or resin injection techniques to restore rather than replace glass.

Check Your Insurance: Many home and vehicle insurance policies cover glass damage. Review your policy to see if you’re eligible for a claim.

Use Second-Hand or Recycled Glass: Many suppliers offer recycled glass panels at a fraction of the cost of new ones.

Schedule Repairs During Off-Peak Seasons: Some glass repair companies offer discounts during quieter months.

If you’re looking for cheap glass repair in Melbourne, being proactive and exploring different service providers can help you stay within budget.

5. Choosing the Right Melbourne Glass Repair Company

Selecting the right glass repair company is crucial to ensuring quality workmanship and cost-effective solutions. Consider these factors when making your choice:

Experience and Expertise: Look for companies with solid experience in residential and commercial glass repairs.

Customer Reviews: Online reviews on Google and social media can give you insights into a company’s reliability and service quality.

Emergency Services: If you need urgent repairs, choose a service that offers 24/7 glass repair in Melbourne.

Warranty and Guarantees: A reputable company will provide guarantees on their workmanship, giving you peace of mind.

Local vs. National Services: Local glass repair businesses often offer more personalised service and competitive pricing compared to larger national chains.

When you find a trusted glass repair Melbourne expert, you can rest assured knowing your home or business is in good hands.

Conclusion

Glass repair doesn’t always have to be an expensive or stressful ordeal. With the right knowledge and approach, you can handle minor issues on your own, prevent further damage, and save money by choosing cost-effective professional services. Whether you need quick DIY fixes, maintenance tips, or professional glass repair in Melbourne, these hacks will help you make the best decisions for your glass repair needs.

FAQs

What is the best way to fix a small glass crack at home?

Clear nail polish or epoxy resin can help seal small cracks and prevent further spreading.

How much does professional glass repair cost in Melbourne?

Costs vary, but minor repairs can start from $50, while full replacements can go up to hundreds of dollars.

Can I repair a broken window myself?

Minor chips can be fixed, but large cracks or shattered glass require professional help.

Is glass repair covered by home insurance in Australia?

Many insurance policies cover accidental glass damage—check your policy for details.

How do I prevent my windows from cracking in extreme weather?

Avoid sudden temperature changes, keep window frames in good condition, and consider using protective films.

[glazingworkslondon]

A Guide On Glass Balustrades Installation

Glass balustrades are nothing but frame less glass panels arranged in a way that it can create a railing like structure. The glass balustrades give...

Read more: https://www.omahanewswire.com/a-guide-on-glass-balustrades-installation

[contentcreator12]

"Aluminum Installations: Durable, Stylish, and Versatile Solutions for Modern Spaces"

Introduction

Aluminum installations have become a top choice for both residential and commercial projects due to their strength, durability, and sleek aesthetic. Whether used for windows, doors, facades, railings, or custom structures, aluminum offers a lightweight yet robust solution that is resistant to corrosion and requires minimal maintenance.

Types of Aluminum Installations

1. Aluminum Windows and Doors

Sliding, bi-fold, or hinged aluminum doors for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.

Energy-efficient aluminum windows with double glazing for insulation and noise reduction.

Aluminum-framed glass doors that offer a modern and stylish touch.

2. Aluminum Curtain Walls & Facades

Glass-aluminum facades for commercial buildings with a contemporary look.

Curtain walls that provide insulation while enhancing the architectural appeal.

3. Aluminum Railings and Balustrades

Durable aluminum railings for balconies, staircases, and terraces.

Powder-coated or anodized finishes for a sleek and long-lasting appearance.

4. Aluminum Pergolas and Canopies

Modern aluminum pergolas for outdoor shade and weather protection.

Carports and awnings that offer strong and stylish shelter solutions.

5. Custom Aluminum Structures

Partitions and room dividers for a contemporary interior look.

Aluminum-framed glass enclosures for office spaces and retail displays.

Aluminum fencing and gates for security and modern aesthetics.

Benefits of Aluminum Installations

✅ Durability & Strength – Resistant to rust, corrosion, and extreme weather conditions. ✅ Lightweight & Flexible – Allows for sleek, modern designs with minimal framing. ✅ Energy Efficiency – Works well with insulated glass for thermal and sound insulation. ✅ Low Maintenance – Requires little upkeep compared to wood or steel. ✅ Sustainable & Eco-Friendly – 100% recyclable and supports green building initiatives. ✅ Customizable – Available in various finishes, colors, and styles to match any design.

Why Choose Professional Installation?

To ensure precision, safety, and compliance with building codes, aluminum installations should be handled by experienced professionals. Expert installation guarantees flawless fitting, enhanced durability, and long-term performance.

Conclusion

Aluminum installations are a versatile, stylish, and cost-effective choice for modern buildings. Whether for windows, doors, facades, or railings, aluminum offers an elegant, durable, and low-maintenance solution that enhances both residential and commercial spaces.

Looking for high-quality aluminum installations? Explore your options today and transform your space with sleek, strong, and energy-efficient aluminum solutions!