#HE GAVE UP FROM THE BEGINNING!!! 🎉🎉

[applestorms]

i don’t think people give ciel nearly enough credit when it comes to his emotional intelligence/how self-aware he is.

like, yeah— ciel is a brat, he’s a stuck up little privileged rich kid, he’s pampered and spoiled and struggles massively when he’s forced to live without the luxuries he’s always grown up with. but he also recognizes that, in a way that is actually quite mature for someone of his age and class. he’s cynical, he’s pessimistic, he has incredible little (if any) respect or hope for humanity left— but this is something he applies to himself and the others at his same social standing just as much as anyone else, if not more. he clearly connects and empathizes with finny (and honestly all of his servants) because he sees himself within him, trusting him like a (his) brother during the emerald witch arc. he understands where joker is coming from with regards to his desperation to take care of his family and doesn’t pass judgement on him, to the point of even planning to take care of the very family he thought he’d left behind after joker dies. he even seems to have some degree of genuine respect for lizzie, assuaging her insecurities by trying to see her for who she is and not who she wants to be or feels like she must be.

honestly, i think that in most of the cases where ciel is being a full on Brat™ it all goes back to one thing— ciel trying to asset his Power, and take back control over the situation.

ciel is a character who is very very very easily underestimated at first glance by most people who have just met him, and even a few people who know him longer than that. he’s literally a sickly victorian child with asthma and CPTSD-motivated panic attacks, the kid is frail as fuck, not to mention— a kid. the fact that ciel might have something of an inferiority complex is obvious enough even if you don’t bring the whole lesser-twin thing into it, his minute stature is something literally every fucking character brings up upon first meeting him.

sometimes, ciel can use this to his advantage, so he does. he puts on the cute little boy face and flutters his eyelashes and uses other peoples’ empathy against them to achieve his own goals (see: arthur, and also like the entire public school arc, etc.).

most of the time though, ciel doesn’t really want to do this, not only because it’s somewhat demeaning but also because he Does have a reputation to uphold. ciel needs to constantly be both on guard and on the attack for his job as the queen’s watchdog, he is basically obligated to constantly stand as the biggest threat in the underworld. much of ciel’s Brat behavior to other people comes down to this— him asserting his status, not really out of any pride for the title, but because he is a Threat and other people need to fucking know it. sometimes, this means shoving his (and sebastian’s) power in their face until they get the fucking picture and/or die trying to understand it, particularly in the case of more asshole-ish characters like all the random evil businessmen with criminal agendas that ciel puts through the evil haunted demon house schtick. other times, this manifests more in the form of a kind of genuine empathy— you Should get the fuck away if you actually care about the things you claim to care about cuz i will not hold back, etc.

speaking of— in the case of sebastian specifically, the fact that this is ciel’s desire to take back agency becomes even more clear.

sebastian and ciel’s dynamic is one of, if not the most compelling aspects of this series to me, in large part because of how goddamn codependent they are while simultaneously being inherently at odds with one another. this series Will end with sebastian eating ciel’s goddamned soul— i honestly think that even if the rest of the cast eventually becomes more aware of the specifics of sebastian’s demonic nature or their contract, ciel himself will stop them from trying to save him or break the deal somehow, and sebastian himself certainly doesn’t have nearly enough of an attachment to humanity as a whole to bother actually stopping himself from chowing down, even if he may regret it somewhat more than he expected afterwards. yet at the same time, right up until we reach that exact point, they have every reason to need and want to collaborate with each other— something that they do, even if it is with full knowledge of the exact sword hanging over their heads the entire time that they’re playing nice.

i really love the analysis from this post, which points out the fact that all of the three core rules ciel establishes for their contract are perfectly designed to turn sebastian into someone that ciel can trust. highly recommend reading that essay, but to elaborate a bit more in my own words— ciel knows that sebastian is going to eat him one day. he is incredibly physically fragile and aware of this, perhaps even aware of the ways in which he has been made mentally weak due to his traumas, and especially of the fact that he is vulnerable specifically in comparison to sebastian. every single time that sebastian saves ciel, it is another reminder that This is who ciel is going to die to. he is chained to this starving, rabid monster just as much as the monster is chained to him, and one day, those roles are going to flip. he’s not going to be in power forever, and he knows it.

therefore: when ciel is a Brat™ at sebastian specifically, i read this less as ciel actually being unaware/childish/stupid/etc., and more as ciel tugging on the proverbial chain to make sure he is still the one pulling the strings. ciel has a habit of emphasizing the fact that he is Ordering sebastian when he is in a stressful situation or panicking for any given reason, focusing on the language that he Knows sebastian will respond to. and it’s a trauma response. IT’S A TRAUMA RESPONSE!!

what i think ciel Hates, above all else, maybe even more than he cares to consciously admit, is not having power. he can’t stand to not be the one in full control of a situation. he can’t stand having his agency taken from him, not after Everything that he’s been through.

if there’s one thing that watching his entire family be killed while also being viciously abused by a cult taught (not) ciel, it is the feeling of having No power. he was helpless to stop his parents’ murders, he was helpless to stop the cult from violating and abusing him, he was helpless to stop his own brother’s death. ciel connects more easily and often more deeply on an emotional level with the lower class characters in the story because he knows what it feels like to be completely powerless in the face of the absolute worst of humanity. thus, when ciel acts like a Brat, when he asserts his title as an Earl, someone Respectable, or as The Queen’s Watchdog, someone Threatening, when he demands that everyone bend over backwards to serve his will— it is ciel taking back all the power that he can and gripping it as tightly as he possibly fucking can, because he knows what can and will happen if/when he lets it all go.

and there is no character for which this is more true than sebastian. one of the most powerful entities in the series, easily the one closest to ciel, who he depends on so incredibly— but who is also Destined and Required to bring his end once all this is over. ciel kicks sebastian around, treats him like shit and shows him rare moments of kindness and care, all for the affirmation that He is still in control. absolutely nobody can ever meaningfully hurt ciel again, so long as sebastian is there— and sebastian won’t hurt him either. not yet. but, instinctively, he needs to keep testing that bond. just in case. just to be sure.

honestly, i think that’s where the real tragedy of the series comes from— ciel never really grows, never really changes, because he Can’t. he guaranteed that for himself. at his absolute lowest point, ciel lost all faith in humanity and god and Himself. he lost his childhood naïveté, and the ability to believe in goodness in any form. ciel knows that one day, he’s going to be hurt again, that someone is going to snatch him up and chew him alive— all he wants now is the control to dictate for himself when that inevitable end will happen.

[doromoni]

Not Over the Papaya | OP81

⊹ ｡•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

Ships : Oscar Piastri x Popstar! Reader , Ex!Lando Norris x Popstar! Reader

Genre : Fluff Smau

A/N : Let the silly season begin againn~

Face claim : Jennie Kim

Summary : Y/N and Oscar cope with their own breakups by making the Heartbreak Club.

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

< Previous | Part 15 | Next >

mclaren

liked by landonorris, zakbrown, Ln4 and others

tagged @/landonorris and @/zakbrown

mclaren What a night with the Mclaren Family! To a successful first half of the season 🎉

landonorris Now that’s how a team celebrates!

mclaren y’know it DJ!

user1 Mclaren is showing the grid the best driver pair 💪

user2 Oscar is monstrous even just on his 2nd year 😮‍💨

user3 where is Oscar??!! he's not in any of these pics

user4 you are so right! why are they celebrating without Oscar??

user5 Oscar’s in Aus with the other drivers and Y/N

user6 Dude Oscar should really try to fit in with the team better

user7 Ik… dude is not making himself look good by skipping team gatherings

user8 jumping into conclusions there bud

user7 Am I tho? What? like mclaren threw a party without telling Oscar?? their own driver??

user8 I wouldn’t move past it them … Ehem what ever happened with Danny Ric? yeah exactly

user9 Bro Piastri really chose to be with other drivers than show support to the team who gave him a seat and a job 🤡

user10 Dude just won a race and decided he’s above everyone else

user11 Oscar is starting to piss me off. He should be supporting Lando and the team inside and outside the track. He’s just plain selfish

user12 why is everyone suddenly going ham on Oscar’s absence??? So what if he missed a team party? do y’all expect him to fly across half the world to kiss ass. Y’all need better things to do.

user13 Nah dude, I love Osc but they do have a point. He should show some appreciation the team who gave him a car.

*Incoming call from Mavy (Mclaren PR)

Pick up or Decline

Decline

*Incoming call from Mavy (Mclaren PR)

Pick up or Decline

Decline

*Incoming call from Mavy ( Mclaren PR)

Pick up or Decline

Decline

*Turn on Do not Disturb?

* Do not Disturb is enabled

f1news

f1news Is the entire grid in Australia??? Look at all of them in suits 😮‍💨 As it turns out Oscar’s “party” tweet was not a joke at all!

User1 Wow just what did Oscar do to make them all come??

User2 Is that lewis?? wait is that SEB VETTEL?!!

user3 IK im freaking out too!!

user4 Ohoho I smell dramaaaa

user5 Hmm no Lando?? or Zak?? or any papaya??

user6 Well John, Osc’s engineer is there

user5 ok fine one papaya

user6 What tf is going on??? Luv to see it tho

user7 Not oscar turning the tables at McLaren.

user8 He’s so unhinged! Honestly only he can pull something so crazy as this.

user9 i heard other people are attending not just drivers.

user10 yeah i heard that too! apparently its turning into smth quite big and other singers and celebs are attending

user11 lmao thank Y/N’s influence

Y/N. 5m

story replies

oscarpiastri Can’t wait to see you on stage

Y/N. Well you do like bragging that I’m yours

oscarpiastri guilty as charged, baby. They can look but at the end of the day you are mine

Y/N. mhm all yours Luv.

oscarpiastri Thank you for doing this my dear… i know it was sudden for me to ask you to perform

Y/N. are you kidding?? I’m so down to help you Baby. Show them youre no push over!

oscarpiastri Y’know i could get fired for this right

Y/N. Well~ i could earn for the both us luv. 😉

oscarpiastri harharhar . ily you gremlin

Y/N. Ily more! I’ll stay by you through everything. thats a promise.

oscarpiastri

liked by Y/N., charles_leclerc, lewishamilton, sebastianvettel, and others

oscarpiastri No. This is how you celebrate.

comments are disabled

*incoming call from Zak Brown

Pick up or Decline

Series Taglist : @champagneproblems17 @itsjustfranzi @cheriwritesig @forza-charles @awritingtree @sltwins @gr1mes-cc @hwalllllllelujah @btsfluffsworld @tillyt04 @landotd @booksandflowrs @czennieszn @thatsouthernblondewiththeass @tellybearryyyy @wobblymug @alittlechaotics-blog @bingussthirdtoe @mirrorball-6 @demandealalune @heartsforleclerc @yoongi-holland @maneskin-slave @alenix @forensicheart @bloodyymaryyy @stereading @hahahjej @youre-on-your-ownkid : closed

Maintaglist : @myescapefromthislife @peterholland04 @charlottef1 @fangirl125reader @mel164 @gnarlycore @chloelovesln4 @vickykazuya @merchelsea @ln4author @qzmef @nxk1309 @styl1shl1v @lottalove4evelyn @gr3yhues : closed for now

[unknownati]

xi. christmas!

a/n: guys part of this was supposed to be the PROLOGUE to a 12 part sfw and nsfw winter/christmas themed drabbles (mini fics?) but i got too busy 💀 literally had 4 days left to write but then the 12th went by and i was like... damn

its ok tho i might upload the finished days just as separate fics

while we're here why does nle choppa have a christmas song

warnings/tags: none rlly, just fluff, SO corny, SO sappy, no use of y/n, no description of reader's features, gn!reader, decorating w/ ekko 🎉, reader is a THIEF, pre-arcane plotline (choosing happiness)

_______________________________________________

christmas in zaun was nothing close to ideal. it was never if people celebrated, but more if they could afford it, which most of the time was a no. unless people had kids, they weren't going out of their way to make it a whole thing. not only that, but people didn't really care for it, anyway. they had other things to do. sure, maybe you'd see some extra lights around, or maybe a few lopsided wreaths hanging on a weathered door, but it was always the bare minimum.

but ever since you snuck into piltover as a kid right at the tail end of december, your world was absolutely rocked by the blinding lights and stars and bows and garlands and wreaths and the huge tree sitting smack dab in the middle of the city, illuminating the night sky.

after that, you were obsessed with the idea of christmas. you never had the funds, nor the time, nor the energy, nor enough friends or family to make anything happen all by yourself. but the dream stuck to you.

and then came ekko, and with him, a chance. a huge tree? with an abundance of people living there? it gave you the best idea.

*✲ﾟ*｡⋆

cool november air was giving way to the first hints of winter, the sharp bite of cold nipping at the cheeks of zaunites. warm colored leaves were shriveling into themselves and trembling down onto the concrete, scattering through the town. settled in uneven piles, nestled in corners, where the wind could push them no further. christmas has long began to be advertised in piltover, and your excitement was uncontrollable.

quiet as a mouse, you slipped into ekko's work room. he's sat on his stool, elbows rested on the table with his figure shadowing over his work. your fingers glide across his biceps, chin resting against his right shoulder.

"hey handsome," you chirped, working your digits over the curves of his muscles. your lips curled into a grin you were incapable of withholding. "y'got a minute?"

"for you, always." he turned, hands hoisting the weight of his upper body on his knees. his eyes softened upon looking at you. "what's up?"

you slid on his lap, feet swinging back and forth, pendulum like. "soooo," you begin, leaning back on his shoulder. "i'm sure you know what christmas is."

"yeah, why? want me to get you something?" his fingers twisted at the hem of your sweater. you shake your head—not the goal right now.

"no. well, yes, but not what i'm asking you for right now," ekko's head tilts in response. your voice dropped into a playful yet unsure murmur. "iiiiii wanted to know if you'd maaaybe be willing to decorate the base and celebrate it this year?"

his thoughts stutter, and then he laughed. "baby, you know i'd love to, but i can't. don't have the time or the money."

a pout formed on your face, lips jutting out. "we don't have to spend money, we can use what we have lying around! and i have some extra money on the side. we're not flat broke."

"doesn't solve the whole time thing."

"oookay, make time. we'll have the kids help, too! you won't even have to do much, like—seriously, think about it. we don't even need to get a tree because the firelight tree, duh. we can use big cardboard boxes to look like fake presents, we can steal lights 'n' other stuff from the pilties—"

you rambled on, every idea you've ever had since childhood resurfacing and bubbling out of you in an unstoppable torrent. each thought, each plan, all of it spilled out, an overflowing pot.

"hey, hey—" he interrupted, thumb stroking your thigh. "listen, those ideas are great. but we can't. and you have got to stop stealing from topside."

your smile faltered. "but why!? think about the kids, think about me!" ekko hesitates to speak, eyes darting around the room as your face transitions into a pleading pout. "please? pretty please? i'll do the dishes for a month?"

"fuck," your eyes filled with stars. ekko groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "fine! fine, jeez."

the squeal that exited you entered directly into his ears, lips pressing kisses into his face in rapid succession.

"thankyouthankyouthankyou!!! oh my god, it'll be great, we can have the kids make little snowflakes, we could have a little fucking wish box to get gifts for some of the kids—" you gasped loudly upon a realization, planting your hands onto his shoulders. "—you can be santa!!!"

he scoffs, brushing a loc of white hair out of his face. "don't push your luck."

you sigh in mock defeat. "fine, hiemerdinger's got that. i'll take what i can get."

"isn't he kinda short for santa?"

you shake your head. "don't height shame."

*✲ﾟ*｡⋆

ekko rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, a small groan rumbling in his throat as he reached over on the bed to find you.

empty.

his head flipped. you've left a now cool dent in the bed in your wake, blanket left in a wild mess.

he frowned, sitting up and looking around. you're nowhere to be found.

maybe you got up to use the bathroom, he thinks, standing up to search the place for you.

the second his feet hit the floor, his brows furrow.

'...glitter?'

his gaze lifts, and his eyes widen as they follow the specks of glitter scattered across the floor, which caught the faint morning light that bled through the curtains.

he followed the trail, small drops of glitter turning into discarded cardboard scraps, which turned into unfinished rolls of ribbon, which lead him to his workroom, where the door was slightly ajar.

he slowly pushed the door open, finding you hunched over a box that you were decorating to look like presents. you tilt your head up to look at him, a smile spreading ear to ear.

"w'ssup?"

he glanced at the small clock on his desk. "it's...five in the morning, why are you up so early?"

you gestured towards the pile of finished boxes in the corner. "working!" the sound of tape ripping off of the roll fills the air as you took a strip, taping the box shut. "i already collected a bunch of paper for the kids to make snowflakes, borrowed some lights 'nd garlands from topside, aaand i'm almost done making all these boxes."

a lot done considering you had had that conversation just the night before.

ekko crouched down to your level, eyes meeting yours. "but...you're gonna clean all this up, right?"

silence.

"right?" he repeated.

your eyes narrowed. "yes?"

"why is that a question?"

you scoff, pressing an empty roll of wrapping paper into his chest. "why are you asking me so many of 'em? get to work. and i need you to use your hover board to fly around and get those lights up," you nod towards a pile of lights on his desk without looking away from your box. he opened his mouth to reply, but you cut him off. "thank you!"

he rolled his eyes and stood, tossing the wrapping paper roll into the recycling bin.

at a more appropriate time in the day, you stood at the top of the firelight tree after capturing everyone's attention. public speaking wasn't exactly your thing, but ekko insisted you do it since everything was your idea.

you cleared your throat as the crowd settled into silence, all eyes on you. you shifted your weight onto your other leg.

"um—wow, okay, hi guys. so, i'm sure you've all...heard of christmas. and i know it's usually kinda lame, but truuust me, this year i'm gonna make sure it's—" you gather your fingers, kissing the tips of them and flaring your hand out. "—chef's kiss."

eyes leave you to glance at other's reactions, the silence lifted by an excited murmur.

"yeah, but i'm gonna need help. i have a bunch of paper that i need to be made into snowflakes, so that by the end of the day this place can look better than it already does."

you shifted their focus to scar, who carried a large bin of scissors, string, and paper of various colors. (earlier, scar questioned how you got all these supplies. you just smiled at him.)

after a quick tutorial, children started racing to gather around him, picking their colors and scissors. within a few minutes, the kids were gathered in groups on the floor, cutting out their best attempts at snowflakes.

pride swelled in your chest and you looked up into the bulk of the tree's leaves, ekko's form flying around in circles with lights being strung along behind him. with fists on your hips, you beam. "i'm amazing," you praise, making your way back inside.

everything came together surprisingly quick. ekko had never seen you that focused—hanging up lights, making paper bows to place at the points where lights held, and placing those big fake presents around the tree. of course, other people helped too, which made the work lighter.

you mostly left the mural alone, only placing a few extra candles and waving to the colorful portraits.

by the time night fell, the project was close to finished. it wasn't perfect, but to you, it was. the entire base was illuminated in warm, white lights, paper snowflakes dangling from the branches and twisting in the wind. the beat in your chest stuttered. it all felt...magical.

*✲ﾟ*｡⋆

over the next few weeks, you kept adding and adding to the scene. and it was all finished just in time for today, christmas eve.

by now, you'd forced ekko into so many christmas activities, some more enjoyable than the others. he thoroughly enjoyed making matching pajamas with you and drinking cocoa that was overflowing with marshmallows—being constantly tricked into mistletoe kisses, not so much. at least, he acted like he hated it. he secretly adored accidentally walking right into your trap of a hidden mistletoe and being attacked by an onslaught of messy kisses.

ekko finds you at the balcony again, glancing out into the scene below. "hm. not bad." he leans against the railing, hips bumping into yours.

"yeah, cuz it's awesome. i did that, thank you."

warm lips meet your cold cheek. "mhm. you did." he paused, tongue running over his molars. "i-um...got you something."

you perked up at his words, head whipping around to face him. "ooh, you just reminded me that i have to finish making your gift, i—"

as you're speaking, he pulls a little box from his coat pocket, black with a messy red bow.

"it's not perfect, but...y'know," his voice trails off. he pops the box open and offers it to you.

inside rested a delicate necklace, light reflecting off of the silver metal and glimmering into your eyes. the chain was thin, the links very neatly melded together, and a little circular locket hanging off the center.

you take the box and reach in, mouth agape in awe, gently pushing the locket open. inside was a tiny picture of the two of you, laying in bed, with you sound asleep on his shoulder. ekko's eyes were shut as he was in the middle of pressing a kiss to your forehead.

you smile down at the picture, warmth flooding your chest. for a long moment, you're just staring at it, ekko awaiting your reaction. your lips press together, your vision starts to blur, and a tear rolls down your face and into the velvet lining of the box. then they just kept streaming down.

ekko's face drops, immediately reaching to wipe your tears. "hey, it's okay, if you don't like it i can get you something else."

you hiccup, shaking your head. "shut up, i love it so much, this is just everything i've ever wanted for my whole life, and it's so stupid but you've literally made this the best christmas i've ever had a-and this necklace is really cute and this was so worth doing the dishes—"

you could've kept going but your joyful sobs cut you off. it was all too much, all the decorations and all the traditions you once wished for finally coming into fruition. ekko's arms wrap around you and you return the gesture, fingers twisting into his coat.

"i'd do it again in a heartbeat." he whispers, moving to peck your wet cheek. once, twice, three times.

"boo," a voice calls below you. "get a room."

*✲ﾟ*｡⋆

[astrophileous]

Happy birth month to you, Zara!! 🎉

I'd like to request a Derek Morgan x BAU!reader fic (angst, maybe leading to smut) where they are on a bombing case and as usual Derek, being our ever loving and stubborn explosives expert, stays with a target who activated the bomb trigger. Maybe reader is as stubborn as Derek and stays with him and it becomes a thing and all that pent up adrenaline and tension just 🤌🏼🫴🏼 😅

maybe some fluff after too 🥹

Thank you so much love!! Thanks for requesting as well ❤️ I hope you like how this turned out 💕

Warning(s): fem!reader, explosives, profanities, verbal altercation, 18+ nsfw content minors dni, handjob, angry sex (starts out that way at least), unprotected sex (p in v), creampie, lmk if I missed anything

This blurb was written as a part of the "Zara's Birthday Bash and Road to 1K" celebration.

Zara's Birthday Bash and Road to 1K Masterlist / Criminal Minds Masterlist

Derek was beginning to think that the universe was out to get him. It was the only logical explanation he could come up with for the situation he found himself stuck in: standing next to a minivan with an activated bomb underneath its driver's seat. The owner of the car, a woman by the name Pansy, was gripping his hand like a vice, cutting off circulation to it completely, but he couldn't care less about that. Getting blood into his hand was the least of Derek's worries right now.

"How's my baby?" Pansy suddenly asked amidst her tears.

Derek glanced at you, who had been trying to unbuckle the infant from his car seat for the past couple of minutes. One wrong move and the car would explode in the blink of an eye, obliterating everything in its immediate vicinity. This knowledge loomed at the back of your head as you languidly lifted the baby into your arms.

"Got him," you breathed out. You dashed away to take Pansy's son to safety, and despite her not being out of harm's way yet, Derek could feel the tightness of her grip around his hand loosening even if just for the tiniest bit.

Not three minutes later, you came back with a box of tools in your hand. Derek didn't like the grim expression on your face as your gaze flitted his way.

"The bomb squad isn't coming," you muttered.

"What?" Pansy exlclaimed. Even quiet as you were, there was no way you could say anything to Derek without Pansy hearing about it. The woman panicked as her eyes scampered repeatedly between you and Derek. "What are you talking about?"

"Pansy." Derek's voice came with a reassuring squeeze, a silent request for her to calm down. He turned to you again immediately, "What do you mean, they're not coming?"

"Land access is out since the bridge collapsed during the last bombing. They're sending in aerial support, but with everything that's been going on, it'll take at least 30 minutes, which is a time we don't have," you lamented, extending your hand to present the toolbox to Derek's face. "Hotch gave you the go-ahead."

With a curse under his breath, Derek accepted the box with his free hand. You slid in next to him so you could peek into the car.

"Pansy?" Frightened blue eyes scuttered towards your face. Despite the current predicament, you managed to offer her a somewhat genuine smile. "Hey, how are we holding up there? My name's Agent (Y/L/N), I work with Agent Morgan in the FBI. I wanted to let you know that your son is safe. He's with the rest of our team right now."

Pansy hiccuped around a sob. "He's safe?"

"One hundred percent." You nodded. "Listen, Agent Morgan here used to work with the bomb squad. He's gonna defuse the bomb so all of us can get out of here safely. But in order to do that, you need to let go of his hand, okay? Here, you can hold mine instead."

Your last statement caused Derek to turn his head around so fast, you were sure he would have gotten a whiplash. The incredulity was thick in his voice as he asked, "Sweet girl, what are you doing?"

You didn't look at him once. In fact, your eyes were still glued to Pansy's face when you said, "I'm not leaving you."

But Derek knew better.

You weren't saying that sentence to Pansy.

You were saying it to him.

In any other situation, Derek would have admonished you for your stupid decision. But right in that moment, in front of Pansy who was this close to spiraling, and with time completely against his side, Derek couldn't do anything else but relent. Reluctantly, he let go of Pansy's hand and allowed you to take his place. With another deep breath, Derek kneeled next to the car and began to work.

11 minutes and 16 seconds; that was how long it took for Derek to carefully disarm the explosive. Pansy sank into your embrace as soon as Derek removed the device from her seat, bringing it as far away from the crowd as possible as you took the young mother to see her infant son.

After neutralizing the threat, you received word from the rest of your team about the identity of the UnSub. Following a strenuous chase, you eventually closed the day with an arrest, ending the nightmare of the case once and for all. You marked it as a win in your book.

Back at the hotel, everyone scurried to their respective rooms in no time, eager to wash away the residual horror of the case with a cold shower and slept the exhaustion off before the team had to catch an early flight back to Virginia the next morning. You, too, had been dreaming about the plush mattress waiting for your arrival back at your room. But before you could reach the familiar door to your hotel room, your steps halted when warm fingers suddenly encircled your wrist.

"We need to talk," Derek said sharply. He didn't give you a chance to say anything before leading you towards his hotel room.

"What's this about, Derek?" you questioned once the door shut behind Derek's back.

"I can't believe you'd do something reckless like that, (Y/N)."

You frowned at him in confusion. "What? What do you mean?"

"You know what I'm talking about. You stayed back knowing there was a bomb! You knew what could've happened. You didn't have to be there, but you stayed anyway. What the fuck, (Y/N)?!"

"That's what this is about?" You scoffed incredulously. "You're mad at me because I did my job?"

"That wasn't part of the job and you know it, sweetheart. You could've been killed."

"I know that! God, you don't think I know that?!"

"You knew? Oh, good! So you knew about the chances of you getting killed in that situation, but you still went ahead and did it anyway. What the fuck were you thinking?!"

"I don't need to fucking explain myself to you, Derek." You stepped further into the room, trying to draw as much distance from the man whom you considered your best friend for the past two years of you working with the BAU. His hostility was foreign. You mourned the absence of his usual warmth as you wrapped your arms defensively around your torso. "What about you, anyway?"

"Me?"

"You act as if I was the only one putting themselves in danger, but you were there, too. You could've been killed as well. A little bit hypocritical, isn't it?!"

"That's different."

You rolled your eyes. "Of course it is. Why? Because your hero complex wouldn't allow you to share the stage with anyone else?"

"(Y/N)—"

"Or is it your trust issues that force you to do anything on your own?"

"Stop it—"

"Oh, I get it! Maybe you're no different than those other alpha males out there! Is that it? You want me to leave all the dangerous and scary jobs to the big, strong men—"

"I said, stop it."

A gasp stumbled past your lips when you suddenly found your back connecting with the wall, trapped between the concrete surface and Derek's muscular chest. There was no way to run. Derek's stare was sweltering as it pierced right through your soul.

"Have you always been this insufferable?" Derek growled.

"I don't know. Have you always been this chauvinistic?"

"You never know when to shut the hell up, do you?"

"Well—" you puffed your chest out, leveling your own stare with his unyielding one, "—why don't you make me?"

The atmosphere thickened inside the room.

Before you could process what was happening, Derek had suddenly lunged forward, claiming your lips in a kiss so heated unlike any other you had ever known.

Derek domineered every single one of your senses. Your body only knew his touch as his palms roamed your curves and edges. The kiss was a battle of desperation, a mess of tongue and heaving breaths that span your world off its axis.

When Derek's mouth strayed to your neck, nipping around the spot right below your ear, you swore your bones melted into liquid inside of your body.

"So goddamn aggravating," Derek griped against your ear. "You drive me fucking crazy, you know that?"

"You're just gonna keep talking? Or are you finally gonna put that mouth to a good use?"

The smirk on your lips was wiped away instantly when Derek kissed you again. He maneuvered the two of you towards the bed, where Derek laid you down with a gentleness that contradicted the spite he had shown so far. Clothes were being shed at an inhumane speed, and before long, you found yourself sprawled naked underneath Derek's impressive frame.

Your hand wandered southward as Derek peppered kisses across your chest. The moment your fingers wrapped around his length, Derek's whole body shivered in response.

"Fuck. What are you doing to me?" he muttered.

You continued to pump his shaft, enjoying the melodic sounds Derek was making as your pace grew faster with each second. Mere moments later, however, your movement was halted when Derek's fingers tugged at your wrist.

"Slow down, pretty girl. I wanna be inside of you when I cum."

His declaration was sealed with a kiss.

Using an unbelievable display of strength, Derek then manhandled you to your front, forcing you to rest on all fours as he settled on his knees right behind the sensual curves of your ass.

"Shit. Look at this pussy," Derek remarked crudely. You moaned into the bedsheets when his fingers rubbed up and down your slit, collecting the wetness without ever grazing the number one spot where you needed him the most. "Beautiful, sweetheart. You're so fucking gorgeous."

"You can tell me about how gorgeous you think I am later, Derek. Just shut up and fuck me already."

"Impatient girl." Derek chuckled.

You yelped when his palm landed a harsh slap to each one of your ass cheeks. The sting was chased away instantly by the feeling of Derek's cock prodding around your entrance. The two of you moaned in unison once his length went in, filling every inch of your channel until he was sheathed to the hilt.

As Derek started to move, the lump of arousal in the pit of your stomach increased in size. The drag of his cock felt delicious against your throbbing walls. Derek moved inside of you at a sedulous pace. The grip he had on either side of your hips felt like a promise of fresh bruises that you couldn't wait to wake up to once morning arrived.

With a particularly harsh thrust into your soaking pussy, Derek sent your brain gyrating into the stars.

"Derek, please—ohhh. Feels so good."

"I know, pretty girl. Fuck. Gripping my cock so well, sweetheart. You hear that? Hear how wet you sound?"

You nodded wordlessly, your ears assaulted by the squelching sound of your combined arousal as you pressed your face against the mattress. Derek drove into you even faster, hitting the same spot every single time that had you blabbering incoherently into the sheets.

"D-Derek? I'm—mmpphhh, I'm so close. S-So close... oh fuck."

"Yeah? You're close, sweet girl?"

Derek's arm went around your torso, then, holding you up beneath your breast without ever relenting his movement. His breath tickled your ear in this new position, and you held onto the muscular arm holding you up in fear of collapsing from the continuous strike of pleasure.

"Do you wanna cum, sweetheart? Wanna cum for me?"

"Y-Yes! Please, please, please, Derek. Please, wanna cum so bad."

"Okay." Derek's other hand slid down your abdomen, all the way past your navel, until the rough pad of his fingers found your swolen clit. He began to rub it aggressively, earning a loud cry as you writhed in rapture. "Go on, then, pretty girl. Cum for me. Just let it go, sweetheart."

Your whole body convulsed as you slammed head first into your climax. Derek held you close through it all, stroking your damp skin and whispering sweet nothings as you came down from your high. Not long afterward, his own release caught up to him, pushing Derek to empty everything he had into the warmth of your tender hole.

Once minutes had passed, Derek carefully pulled out from you before gently laying you down on the bed. You were lost too deeply in the post-orgasmic bliss to notice that Derek had disappeared into the bathroom. The fog in your brain only started lifting when Derek returned and spread your thighs apart, using a damp wash cloth to clean up the mess that the two of you made on your upper thighs.

"How are you feeling?" Derek asked after he tossed away the cloth, squeezing your thigh affectionately.

"Tired. But good," you answered with a smile. "So... we should probably talk about what just happened, huh?"

Your question caused Derek's shoulders to tense, but he relaxed them again when your fingers reached out for his hand.

"Sorry I yelled at you," he offered sincerely. "You don't know this, pretty girl, but I made a vow to myself a long time ago to protect you. You're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, I know that. But as long as there's air in my lungs, I will spend every day of my life trying to keep you safe. Do you understand?"

You nodded meekly as your heart constricted in its cage. Derek left a kiss to your knuckles before settling down to lie beside you.

"You're not the only one who made such a vow, Derek," you revealed quietly. "I also made one to myself that I would never drop your hand in the face of danger. I would never abandon you like that. I'd rather give my life than live in a world where you no longer exist."

"Don't say that. You don't mean it."

"But I do. I mean it with all my heart." You stroked Derek's cheek with the tip of your fingers, admiring his handsome face as his eyes stared at you intensely. "Wherever you go, I go, Derek."

"Wherever you go, I go as well," Derek promised, tightening the sanctity of the words with a kiss. "What you did was still stupid, though, so you better never do that again in the future."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Can we please pause this conversation 'till morning? I'm literally about to pass out right now."

Derek grinned upon hearing your statement. "I fucked you real good, didn't I?"

You punched him on the shoulder. "Asshole."

Derek laughed wholeheartedly before pecking your pouting lips. "Only for you, pretty girl."

[am-i-interrupting]

How about Vox's crush is listening to him rant about the radio demon as usual 😆 so shuts him up with a kiss

Also, congrats on the new job! 👏 🎉

Talk Show

You could listen to Vox talk all day. His voice was just so lovely to listen to. It tickled your brain when it went a bit glitchy. It soothed your heart when he spoke softly. It gave you humor when he got upset over small things.

You could listen to this man talk.

You could not listen to this man seethe. You hated it. You wanted to calm him down. You wanted to soothe his worries. You wanted to punch his fucking screen because dear fucking god! Could he not find a topic aside from the Radio Demon? It was the fourth time this week and it was only Tuesday.

You wanted to get out your phone, give him the treatment he would give Valentino specifically because Valentino threw tantrums often enough that it was old news and this? This was old news now. It’d run it’s time. The show needed to close.

You were going to lose it if the credits didn’t roll soon. He just kept going on and on. Talking animatedly with his hands (which you adored) while he paced. His voice fluctuated in a way which would be enjoyable if he was talking about literally anything or anyone else.

He was so obsessive. This rivalry which had been going on longer than you’d known him was back full force and you were beginning to realize just how much you took those seven years without a single word of the Radio Demon for granted.

“I mean, who does he think he is? He just shows up after all this time and thinks he can steal the show? I mean, steal the show? From me? He went in a nearly decade long radio silence and then just pops back in without any question— I mean—“

You got up calmly, walked over to him, and grabbed his scare face between your hands.

“What?”

You stared at him for a moment before you placed a kiss between his eyes.

“I love you,” you said calming. “Shut the fuck up about the Radio Demon or you will have to regenerate and I don’t want to do that to you. Do you want me to do that to you?”

It was his turn to stare. He said nothing but you could hear a barely audible sound of fans beginning to spin.

“This should be a simple question,” you said.

“I, um,” he swallowed, “it’s really not.”

You shook your head. “I love you, stop talking about a man who will never fuck you.” You placed a kiss on his lips and sat back down.

[marthawrites]

Congrats Martha!! 🎉🎉

Could I request Rhaenyra x reader with the prompt “Spread your legs for me, I want to see all of you” pretty please?

Thank you 😍

Absolutely, Fae my darling! I hope I brought your prompt to life and gave it justice! 💖

Honeyed Promises

Rhaenyra Targaryen x fem reader

Word count: 2.8k+

About: While visiting your great uncle, Lyman Beesbury, at King's Landing, you weren't expecting secondhand stress to affect your lord husband so. Princess Rhaenyra takes notice and is happy to steal moments away with you.

Includes: Unhappy political marriage, mentions of verbal fighting, and smut. Featuring reader's first sexual experience with a woman, oral sex, vaginal fingering, and scissoring

Note: Hello lovely reader ❤️ This is my very first time writing a wlw fic - ahh! It's a complete honor to do it as a request for Fae! Story takes place during Rhaenyra's marriage to Laenor. It is implied she hasn't had children yet. Reader is nondescript. As always, I hope you enjoy this story!

Cross posted on ao3 too!

-

Little had changed since your last visit to King’s Landing when you were a young girl. The Red Keep, in all its sprawling glory, loomed just as large as you remembered. A rarity, you were beginning to understand – for things you thought grand as a child were all but normal to you, now. The Keep was a being of its own, however. Almost a living, breathing, sentient thing. For an outsider its walls seemed to morph into the dark; changing, shifting… holding onto its secrets like the dragons its Kings bonded with.

You weren’t a stranger to politics. But, you were a stranger to the volume of aristocrats which surrounded the Targaryen dynasty. Lyman Beesbury, your great uncle, served as master of coin on King Viserys’ small council, and before him, King Jaehaerys, and was as deep into politics as a man of a smaller House could be.

A great honor.

-

Uncle Beesbury extended an invasion to his nephew, your lord husband, to attend a royal affair at the capital. He gladly accepted. Using it for not only an excuse to get out of Honeyholt for a while, but also to catch up with family, the long journey felt worth it.

Your marriage had yet to bear fruit. Little love bloomed between you and your husband. It was a marriage of duty rather than love, and it showed it more ways than you two cared to admit. If only you could swell with his child to put an end to all the talk of furthering the bloodline.

Each passing day at King’s Landing showed you a different side to your husband. Whatever he and his uncle conversed about in private soured his mood, and his harsh tongue somehow grew harsher towards you. No matter how you tried to soften him with gentle touches, tender words, and initiating marital affections, he was unsatisfied and dour.

“Your lord husband seems quite the ray of sunshine, my lady,” princess Rhaenyra whispered to you one night during dinner. Her voice lilted with sarcasm and her violet eyes dazzled with amusement when she met your gaze. She held it with confidence. With a softness. Knowing.

“Is it that obvious, princess?” You asked with some of her same amusement. “He was so excited to come here. I thought he’d be happier than…,” you waved your hand in a sweeping gesture, adding, “this.”

She smiled softly. “Have you had the chance to explore? There are many wonderful things here to distract you from tetchy husbands,” she said and tipped her goblet towards you, sipping to hide her smirk.

“Perhaps on the morrow I will,” you said, heat and butterflies filling your blood at her tone and implication. Could the princess be… flirting? Your heart quickened a tick. Surely you’re mistaken. Your bedtime stories of suave knights must be getting to you.

“I’ll gladly show you around. I too could use a distraction from the small council.”

She didn’t touch you, but the way her gaze lingered from your neck, up to your lips, and down to the exposed swath of your chest, made gooseflesh pebble your skin as if she had.

-

Nearly a week went by and unfortunately Rhaenyra had yet to keep true to her word. You couldn’t blame her, but you’d be lying if you said it didn’t hurt. Each day passed with a sting. The only thing that made it better was the conversations you were able to steal at dinner. The lingering looks, the briefest of touches, Rhaenyra reaching to brush away dust from your gowns… you thought your heart might truly leap from your throat when she wetted the corner of her napkin with her mouth to clean a drop of sauce from your chest. 

And, all the while, she sat by her husband, Laenor Velaryon, and you sat by your lord husband; the men either uncaring or none the wiser to the simmering attraction and tension between you and the princess.

The following day, after a particularly curt argument in hissed voices, you stomped away from your lord husband and left him in one of the numerous corridors. You didn’t stop your angry pace until you were standing in the gardens. Unchaperoned, unguarded, and completely alone. Just how you wanted to be. Heavy gray clouds began to gather over the castle. It didn’t deter you from wanting to make the most out of the remaining blue sky.

Your mood lightened by the minute. Flowers, shrubs, and trees bloomed everywhere. Heady scents filled your nose and it made you yearn for home. King’s Landing was lovely. But, to you, there truly was no place like home. 

Akin to your married name, you quietly followed a trail of honeybees until you found their hive. Deep and hidden in the gardens, you wanted nothing more than to simply stay there for the remainder of the day. Perhaps even the rest of your stay. Honeybees were busy and gentle creatures. As long as you didn’t disturb them or their hive, the working girls were unbothered by your presence.

Finally, with one final whisper of goodbye to the bees, you left the secret spot and began to make your way back to the Keep. Raindrops started to fall and you knew a full on downpour wasn’t far behind.

Then, right there in your path, stood Rhaenyra. Her head was tipped back, her eyes were closed, and her palms were open up towards the sky as if in prayer. You felt like you were interrupting something sacred. Excitement jumped to your throat and before you could stop yourself, you asked, “princess…?” 

She turned to look at you with partially lidded eyes. “What ever are you doing out here right now?” She asked with genuine confusion.

“I needed a breath of air. My husband, he…” 

Before you could finish she held a hand up and offered a small shake of her head. “Needn’t worry to explain, then,” she said, appearing to come back to herself. “If the storm didn’t brew out of nowhere, and if I knew I’d run into you, I’d insist on taking you astride Syrax with me,” she said as she stepped into your space, eyes bright and dark alike. She freely reached for your hands and grabbed both of them. “There’s nothing quite as thrilling as dragon flying.”

This is more thrill than I’ve felt in a long time, you wanted to say. You wondered if the words flashed across your face. Briefly flustered, you smiled. “I, uhm… thank you, truly, princess. But I much prefer the ground.”

“That’s because you’ve never tried being in the sky,” she said, voice soft, so soft, as she leaned into you. “You cannot deny something so quickly if you haven’t tried it…”

Desire, excitement, and wonder filled her pretty eyes. Violet, and silver, and always donned in the loveliest gowns, you understood how the rumors of Targaryens being closer to Gods than men traveled all over the Seven Kingdoms. She was close enough that you felt her breath tickle your face. Smelled the oils of her skin. Something electric pulsed between your almost pressing bodies. “This is the closest I’ve been to a dragon and I am positively thrilled,” you whispered in reply, gently squeezing her hands.

“Sweet girl…,” she cooed as she tilted her head and pressed a delicate kiss to your waiting lips. Whatever pulsed between you before thrummed to life like a wardrum, now. You returned her kiss and that’s all she needed. Both her hands cupped your face as she deepened the affection, savoring the smoothness of your lips. Your tongue.

Just then the sky opened and emptied warm rain on the city. Within moments you were both soaked. Shock led to laughter as you both ran to find cover. Rain water dripped from your nose as you looked at Rhaenyra with renewed delight. “It came out of nowhere!” You said once in the dry safety of the Red Keep’s walls.

“Which part?” Asked the princess, mischievousness alighting all her features. She pulled you along, now, looking over her shoulder and daring you to keep pace with her. 

Challenge accepted.

Arm in arm, you kept pace with Rhaenyra and paid little mind to any onlookers who might be giving you curious glances. She was light and quick on her feet and you were beginning to have a hard time keeping up with her. Still, the light air of playfulness danced around both of you.

An ornate door was guarded by a single man and the princess was quick to say, “you may be relieved from your post for now, ser.” He offered a bow before turning to leave. She opened the door and latched it once you were both inside. Locking it, she turned to face you with a smirk that had you giddy.

“What of your husband, princess? And mine?” Despite it only being the two of you in her private bedchamber, you whispered.

“Laenor and I have… we have found common ground with a pact, you see. He would be happy that I found joy and thrill in chasing you. No one will know of our kiss. That, I promise,” she said, mirroring your tone, as she traced the backs of her fingers along your jaw. Your neck. Whispering them over your collarbone. “As for your husband? Well… I haven’t even seen him kiss your cheek since you’ve been here. Such a shame.”

Your heart was doing flips in your belly. Your lord husband never made you feel like this. Not even on your wedding night. “Th-this–,” you started, uncharacteristically stammering, “–I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve only ever been with my husband.” Heat warmed your cheeks and you hoped she didn’t see it.

“That’s okay,” she purred. “Let me show you, my lady.” Her eyes searched yours. As soon as consent passed between you, she began to help you out of your wet gown. You helped her out of hers, too, and before too long you stood in front of each other in only your chemises; thin material doing little to hide your bodies.

Now on her bed, your curious fingers trembled over her skin as you explored her body. Your lips shuddered atop her flesh as you grazed tentative kisses along her. Your breath caught in your throat when she did all the same, and more, to you. She was so soft, and so warm, and so unlike anything you’d experienced before. Her hands on any and every part of your body had you melting further into her mattress. “Can you.. Can I…,” you said dreamily. “Can I feel your skin on mine?”

Grinning like a cat, Rhaenyra pulled your chemise over your head. She tugged hers off too. Leaning down, she balanced her weight atop you as she crashed her mouth to yours in the neediest hungriest kiss you’d ever experienced. Your breasts squished together, and your bellies, too, and it was the single most exciting thing you’d ever felt. “Can I finish taking all your clothes off?” She asked, half breathless, one hand snaking down to the ribbons of your smallclothes.

“Yes,” you panted. “Please,” you begged.

Having neither the will nor the want to keep you waiting, she obliged. She tugged the ribbons open before sliding the final garment down your legs. Kneeling on the edge of the bed she looked from the center of your body to your face, violet eyes dark with desire. “Spread your legs for me. I want to see all of you.”

A wave of shyness washed over you. Now, you were praying doubly that she didn’t see the blush of your face. Your legs parted with hesitation; butterflies roared from your scalp to your toes. It shouldn’t be embarrassing. It shouldn’t make you timid. But the intimacy, the lewdness, made your teeth sink into your bottom lip.

Rhaenyra watched all the while. Despite the clawing arousal in the pit of her own belly she let you go at your own pace and made no move to hasten or startle you. “Men often don’t appreciate the true beauty of a woman,” she said, low and gentle. “But I am no man and you are beautiful. Be a good girl and open them further. It will be worth it, I promise.”

Her words struck a chord in you. Before you fully realized what you were doing, your legs spilled open to expose the fullness of your eager cunt. It glistened with your arousal. The pink at your very center begged to be touched. To be spread. To welcome whatever Rhaenyra might bless you with. “Will you also take yours off?”

“Soon,” she answered all too quickly, already leaning forward between your parted thighs. “But first I want to kiss this pretty cunny.” And she did. She kissed the tender flesh at the inside of your thighs, your mound, your budded pearl. Her smooth mouth kissed again and again until you were squirming beneath her, and it was then, and only then, that she traced her warm tongue up your slit.

Your breathy gasps turned into a choking mewl at the sensation of her tongue. “Gods…!” You looked down at her and burned even hotter at the sight. “Please don’t stop, princess. Please don’t stop.”

Rhaenyra licked and lapped again and again, making no move to stop even as you shuddered beneath her. You were too warm, too lovely, and too responsive for her to even consider stopping. When she eventually ceased her licking, she instead sucked on your clit until she felt your entire cunt convulse and throb. Your sounds of pleasure were everything she imagined and more. As soon as you relaxed from your first peak she slid two fingers into your empty cunny. Working her tongue and digits in tandem, she gave you another climax. The natural tang of your body gave way to the sweetness of orgasm, and with that taste on her tongue she finally crashed her mouth to yours once again.

You whimpered into the affection, smiling and purring like a spoiled cat. “You’ve got a magical mouth, princess,” you said dreamily.

“How do you like your taste?” She asked, kissing you again, slower, deeper.

“Like I want more,” you said. “Let me taste you. You can guide me along. Show me how to make you feel good like you just did me.”

She giggled into your neck. “I know a way to make both of us feel good at the same time. Do you trust me?”

You nodded, the darkness of your eyes glittering with desire.

Rhaenyra discarded her smallclothes and positioned herself between your legs. “Relax and let me show you how to hold your legs, yes?” She spread yours a little wider while moving one of her own beneath your leg. She spread her other one wider and hooked it over your waist. 

It was an odd position, one you’d never been in before, but one that immediately sent your blood soaring. She rolled her hips once. Once. And that’s all it took for you to feel the slickness of her cunt slide against your own. If you thought her mouth was magical it was only because you hadn’t yet felt her cunny against yours. You gasped sharply. “More,” you croaked, eyes black with lust.

“Move your pelvis with me,” she said thickly, lust darkening her features just as much as yours. 

You happily obeyed. Your pleasure was her pleasure, and hers, yours, as you both rolled and ground your hips and pelvis in a delightfully obscene rhythm. Moans and whimpers were accented by the slick echoes of your centers. Your breasts started to bounce with the effort; both of your hands pressing and digging into any soft flesh it could find. You felt drunk. High. Buzzed on the saccharine scents of her skin and your combined arousal. 

The shared pace grew firmer, quicker, sloppier. Sweat sheened your bodies. You both chased your high on the other’s cunt. You tumbled into orgasm first, white hot fire exploding out from your belly to every nerve of your body. Rhaenyra quickly followed.

You both rode it out slowly. Intensely. Savoring every second that passed between you.

When your limbs finally managed to untangle, she collapsed beside you and smiled. After a few moments of breath catching, she asked, “which was your favorite, my lady?” Her words breathless, her tone playful.

You hummed in thought. “I don’t quite know… I think I’ll need a reminder again, just to be sure.”

“I think we can arrange that,” she said with a laugh.

“Can we do this again?”

“As many times as we can sneak away together, I am happy to explore with you.”

You laid together for as long as you could, until the golden hour summoned you to the day’s final meal where you both said next to your husbands; relaxed and sated.

-

Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed, please consider a follow, and/or reblog, and/or letting me know as it all makes me vvvery happy! ♥

To be added or removed from the taglist, hit me up!

Masterlist

Main taglist: @watercolorskyy @melsunshine @girlwith-thepearlearring @arcielee @barbiedragon @dreamsofoldvalyria @bel-bottoms @fan-goddess

[spaghettificationandpretzels]

IM ON HERE TO CELEBRATE YOUR 1000 FOLLOWERS 🎉🎉🎉 WOOOOT!

Can I pretty please request Jax Teller for prompt #14!?

Thank you!!!!!

Masterlist

Insomnia

Contains: Very mild angst, fluff.

1.2K words

“My eyelids are heavy, but my thoughts are heavier.” - Unknown

You couldn't begin to express how grateful the late nights were less late now that the club was out of guns and drugs. The only downside was that Jax and the rest of the Sons were now just mechanics, they had cars to fix and taxes to file, not meeting deadlines meant parts didn't get bought and paychecks weren't written.

Anxiety still lingered when Jax was away at night, a hold off from the worry that the next phone call would deliver the worst news one could get. Tonight was one of those nights, even though you knew Jax was safe, your brain wouldn't quiet.

The sound of a door opening drew you from your thoughts, "What are you still doing up? It's almost one."

You shrugged, "The usual. I can't sleep when your side of the bed is cold. Your dinner is in the microwave."

Jax gave you a soft smile, "Lucky me because I'm starving. Sit with me while I eat?"

You nodded, "That's my plan." Jax hurried to the kitchen and warmed his dinner before sitting next to you at the dining table, "Did you get all your work done?" 

"You bet, and I've got the whole weekend off so we can sleep in." You could smell the faint hint of oil on his clothes. 

"That's great news, you know how much I love our lazy mornings." If you were lucky, Abel would be there too, between you and Jax. 

"You and me both darlin. How was work?" He must have been hungry, half the food was already gone. 

"The usual." You yawned and Jax reached across the table to hold your hand, "I'm sorry, I guess I was just waiting for you to get home." 

Jax shook his head, "I'm almost done here. I'll hop into the shower then I'll be all yours." 

You sighed, "That sounds perfect." 

"How did Abel go at daycare today?" Jax loved all the pictures Abel drew for him, his locker, his office and his workstation were full of them. 

You smiled, "He had lots of fun today, they got a new water table and he went wild. I had to throw his tiny little shoes in the wash, that's how much fun he had." 

Jax chuckled, "I'll pick him up on Monday, I can't have you having all the fun darlin." 

"Sure, he loves it when you go and get him." You went to take Jax's empty plate from him, but he yanked it away. 

"I'll do that darlin." He rushed it to the sink before drying it and putting it away. Once that was done and he had wiped over the kitchen one last time, he walked back over to you and stretched out his hand, "Shall we?" 

You nodded and took his hand, "We shall." 

The trip to the bedroom was quick, and then Jax was stripping off and hopping into the shower, "You wanna get ready for bed darlin?"

You sighed, "I guess I better try and keep a routine, brushing my teeth and washing my face again won't hurt." 

Steam filled the room as Jax washed the day away and smirked when he caught you staring at him through the shower glass, "See something you like darlin?" 

You nodded, "You know I do Teller." 

The shower flicked off and he stepped out, wrapping the towel around his waist before stopping by the kiss you on the cheek on his way to the bedroom to get dressed. 

With his comfortable grey sweatpants on, he headed to the bed and flicked the heated blanket on your side before fluffing your pillow and peeling back the covers, "Hop in darlin." 

You took your robe off and placed it on the chair, leaving you in just one of Jax's T-Shirts and a pair of panties, then climbed into bed with a sigh, "It's so much better with you here. Maybe we should get a cat so when you're not here, I'm not alone in bed." 

Jax smiled, "I like that idea, we've got the room and it will be good for Abel to have a pet." 

You reached over to the bedside table and picked up the bottle of the lavender lotion but before you could do anything, Jax took it from you, "Let me?" 

You nodded, "I'd like that." 

He started with your arms, rubbing the smooth cream in with broad, firm strokes, "What do we need for a cat? Food, water fountains, a few litter trays and toys. Hell, with Happy's help, we can have one by Monday." 

He pinched your shirt and you pulled it over your head so he could do your shoulders next, "We need a bit more time than that. The kitty should have a catio, that will keep you busy over a few weekends and once that's build and the cat can enjoy the outdoors without killing anything we can get the kitty." 

The corner of Jax's mouth ticked up as he moved to your chest and a thought came over him, "We can tell Abel can't we? He'll want to help." 

Your eye grew heavy as you spun and his hands moved over your back, "Sure we can tell Abel. He'll want to name the kitten and he should come when we pick. Not that it means anything, the cat will pick us." 

You returned to facing him and Jax moved to your legs, rubbing the ache out of your claves, "You've already said you'll let the cat on the bed so I only have one rule, he or she has to stay away from my kutte." 

You chuckled, "You and I both know that's not going to happen, cats do what cats want." 

Jax sighed and placed the bottle back in its spot before picking your book up, "I guess so. How are you feeling now darlin?" 

You smiled, "Great, I'm ready to call it a night." You slid all the way into bed and placed your head on the pillow, "Will you read to me, I love the sound of your voice." 

Jax looked over you fondly, "Of course, darlin, that was my plan when I picked up your book." You had been reading it to him for days, a sweet tale of a little robot in search of life on Mars who made friends with an alien. 

"Rusty lifted his little arm and ticked as he handed the apple slice to his friend, 'Apples are one of human's favourite fruits, you should try some.' The alien took the slice from him with a squeak and ate it in one bite, then gave another squeak of approval at the sweet taste." 

You snuggled closer to Jax and he wrapped his arm around your body, "The Alien squeaked again, then waved its arms before pointing to itself and then to Rusty. The series of squeaks that followed sounded like the robot's name and then another which must have been its own." 

Your eyes felt so heavy as Jax continued, "It made sense when Rusty heard it for a second time, 'Your name is Eldredth? Tell me Eldredth, have you ever had chocolate? It is the best of the human's treats." 

Jax smiled as he felt your chest rise and fall softly under his arm. He put the book and laid down next to you, pressing a kiss to your forehead and pulling the blanket up to your neck, "Good night Darlin, I love you." 

Fin

[somanyratsinthewalls]

omg I am a SUCKER for the one bed trope 😭 with sanji, please? 🙏🏼

congrats on 300 followers!! 🎉 you deserve it all and more! 💕

S A M E ! I'm such a loser it's my FAVORITE TROPE!

Pairing: Sanji x afab!reader

WC: 15000

Prompt: "We aren't sharing a bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

Pairing: Sanji x Afab!Reader

Prompt: “We aren’t sharing a bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.” 

— — 

*wheeze*

“No, no please! Tell me again, HOW exactly you beat that sea king?” You laugh out while you clutch your beer to your chest on your barstool. 

“See this? It’s a very special exploding star! And you just-“ Usopp grabs a small bundle out of his satchel and moves to show you while you wipe tears from your eyes. 

“Wait I thought I slammed the thing and we ate it for dinner last night?” Your sweet, naive captain chimes in as he over hears your conversation with sniper at the end of the bar. 

“No, you’re remembering it wrong!” Usopp crosses his arms over his chest and huffs. You take another sip of your drink and snort. Another voice booms from the other end of the bar. 

“You had the rest of the beast for lunch, and yes, Luffy punched it in the face.” Sanji slurped the rest of his red wine and placed his glass on the bar top. 

“Well, if your stomach isn’t growling, we have our answer then?” You held back your giggles over the top of your beer glass as you looked at Usopp. 

The rest of your crew surrounding you at the bar laughed. 

— — 

“You’re a fucking idiot you want to put Maldon salt in an apple pie?! Get off your fucking high horse!” You slurred your words as your pointed your beer bottle in Sanji’s chest.

“Mon cherie, I am not arguing with you tonight about the integrity of a pie crust.” Sanji smiles as he takes your hand on your beer in his and lowers it back down to the bar at your side. The rest of your crew had retreated to their rooms at the inn you had all chosen to stay at for the night… minus you, Sanji and Zoro. 

“Holy shit… you guys are like… so boring?… woah…” Zoro claimed from his horizontal position on several barstools next to yours. You and Sanji were drawn out of your conversation and looked down at the blacked out swordsman. 

“We should leave him here, right?” You smirked up at the blonde man in front of you. 

“Obviously.” Sanji smiled as he reached out to grab your hand and helped you down from your tall bar stool. He leads you towards the innkeeper’s desk with your hand still in his. 

“We’re part of the Straw Hats. We’d like our room keys, please.” Sanji politely says to the innkeeper. 

The innkeeper shuffles through a large, leather bound book of reservations and stops on a certain page. “I-..I’m sorry sir bit it seems we only have one room left available.” The nervous innkeeper sputters out, afraid to offend a group of such powerful pirates. 

“What? You’re telling me that you can’t-“ Sanji begins to become upset. 

“That’s fine.” You interject. “No need to make a fuss.” You assumed it would be a typical room with twin beds and a couch. You and Sanji could sleep easily and if Zoro got his shit together he could end up on the sofa. You didn’t feel like fighting an elderly innkeeper in order just to have a private room to yourself. You were a pirate, there were much bigger issues in the grand scheme of things. 

The innkeeper gave you a thankful smile and gave you the key to your room. You and Sanji head up the wooden stairs and arrive at the door of your room. Number 17. You turn the key in the lock and enter the candle lit hotel room. To your dismay there was one queen sized bed and no other large furniture in the room other than a bear skin rug. 

You and Sanji stood in the doorway of your newly minted hotel room. 

“Shit.” The both of you said together. 

“We aren’t sharing a bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.” Sanji immediately retorts as he enters the room and begins stripping himself of his suit jacket. He takes it off and drapes it over the chair in the entryway of the room.

“Oh…. Uh… Ok…. I’ll get ready for bed then…” You head into the ensuite bathroom and prepare yourself for bed. You strip yourself to your panties, and take off your bra underneath your shirt after washing your face and brushing your teeth. After getting ready for bed, you exit the bathroom and quickly slide your body under the covers of the bed. Sanji awkwardly and wordlessly slides past you into the bathroom and you hear the shower start to run. 

In the darkness of of the bedroom you lay back on the bed. You were just a bit drunk, you felt your head buzz as it hit the softness of your pillow. You listened to the sounds of the shower and couldn’t help but think about how close Sanji was to you, completely naked. Your mind wandered… You thought about how his blonde hair might plaster his forehead under the shower stream… you thought about how the soap would foam and drip down his toned abs… You felt yourself start to become wet… you slipped off your panties and discarded them somewhere underneath the covers. 

Your right hand slid under the sheets and crept towards your cunt. Your delicate fingers began to circle your clit just the way you know you like and you breathed out in pleasure. You find yourself becoming lost in the pleasure when you hear the bathroom door swing open. 

“Y/n?” Sanji emerged from the bathroom clad in just a towel wrapped around his waist. 

“Oh! Sanji! Sorry I was… distracted….” You curl the covers up under your chin. 

Sanji stands at the foot of the bed, seemingly assessing the situation in front of him. 

“Y/n… were you… touching yourself?” Sanji cocks his head and asks you while standing over you. 

“I… I was…” You sheepishly looked down at the top of the comforter, too embarrassed to make eye contact even in your drunken state. “Can we just forget about this?” You lifted your head. 

“Y/n… I could… help… if you want? I mean… you probably didn’t finish… right?” Sanji met your gaze.

Your stare met his and your mind went through a laundry list of better ideas before you settled on the act you chose to take next. You lifted your shirt over your head and leaned up towards Sanji and placed a chase kiss on his lips. Fully naked you pulled back from him. 

“Fuck me, Sanji.” You whispered with his head in your hands. 

At the speed of light, Sanji shed the towel and landed on top of you again. He smashes his lips into yours with a hunger you had never experienced. He pressed his tongue fervently into your mouth, like you’d never give him this opportunity again. You felt the velvet tip of his cock brush against your hot sex. 

“Let me just put it in… please, y/n?” Sanji moves his lips to mewl into your neck as he nips and sucks at your nape. He begs you so cutely and desperately while he grinds his hard cock into your wet center, there’s no way you could say no. 

“Please Sanji, want to feel you…” You move your right hand down to position his cock at your hole. You grope sensually at his cock and try to push it inside of you. “Sanji, want you inside of me, please…” You whimper out in his ear as he pushed his face further into your neck. 

Sanji obliges and pushes himself balls-deep inside your waiting hole. He lets out a high pitched whine as he bottoms out. 

“Y/n…” Sanji lifts his hands and starts pinching at your sensitive nipples below him. Sanji leans backwards and looks at your wrecked body beneath him, tight hole enveloping his throbbing cock. “Pretty girl needs to cum… let me help…” Sanji plants one hand on your hip and the other on your throat. 

Sanji uses the thumb of his hand on your hip to stroke your clit and the applies pressure with the hand on your neck so that your airway is perfectly restricted. 

“San-….. ji!….” You choke out against your lovers grip as you cum on his hand that was deeply stroking your sex. Sanji’s soft, deft fingers swirl around your clit and spasming, stuffed hole. The feeling of Sanji’s thick cock buried deep inside you and the stimulation from his hands on your bud was too much as you felt your eyes roll back into your skull… 

“You’re so pretty mon Cherie, I want to cum in you baby…” Your head shoots up and Sanji slams his hips deeply into yours. “You’re mine now, sweetheart…” 

Sanji plows his slender hips into yours as he cums deep inside your raw walls. 

“Ah!-“ You squeeze and cream all over your lover, eliciting a pathetic whine from the spent lovecook who was still inside of you. You try to catch your breath and flop your head back on the pillow. Sanji gently pulls out of you and lays himself down next to you. You toss and turn on your stomach for a moment before settling in and Sanji moves to sit up.

“Let me clean you up, beautiful angel…”

 “Can we just sleep tonight, this bed is really comfy…”   You whisper as you stroke Sanji’s cheek, keeping him in bed with you.

“Im certainly glad I’m not on the floor, ma belle.” Sanji wrapped his arm around your torso and promptly began snoring. 

xx Mo

[inhuman-obey-me]

Congrats on the 4000🎊🎉🎊

Could I request 🧳 with Asmodeus 😘

Thank you, and thank you for your patience!!

"If you really want to go, I'll come with you." - Asmodeus

cw: blood, implication that a drink was laced

*Note: Afray is one of several demons that serves both Asmodeus and Astaroth, and their name means "dust".

“Afray,” the lesser demon’s name leaves Asmodeus’ lips in a near-whine as he holds out an empty glass, “I feel like you haven’t been paying me enough attention lately. Do you like being with Astaroth more?”

“Of course not, Lord Asmodeus.” Afray smiles as they dutifully pour more Demonus into the offered cup. “I’ve just been quite busy, that’s all. But just between me and you,” they lean in closer, “I much prefer being by your side than Lord Astaroth’s.” 

“Of course you do!” Asmodeus giggles before taking a slow sip, his gaze still focused on the other. “Who doesn’t want to be by my side and have the privilege of being so close to all this beauty?” 

“Indeed,” their smile doesn’t budge, “I’m forever grateful that you’ve deemed me worthy enough to serve you.”

“Well, I don’t let just anyone get so close to me like this, after all.” Finely manicured claws go to gently hold the other demon’s chin, thumb stroking their lips. “While no one can compare to my beauty, you’re just so pleasing to look at.” 

Something flickers in Afray’s eyes, and Asmodeus notices. 

“It’s really a shame, though.” His grip tightens, claws beginning to pierce flesh. “You’d be so much more pleasing to look at if you were a better liar.” 

Finally, the smile drops as disbelief takes over Afray’s features. “Th-that hurts – and whatever do you mean? I haven’t lied.”

“Mmm, and there you go again. It really does make you look much more…” he scrunches up his nose, “...ugly.” Asmodeus holds up his glass with his other hand, turning it slightly in the light. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?” 

There it is again, that look in their eyes. 

“N-notice what?” Afray gulps, a hand going up to grip Asmodeus’ wrist in an effort to be released. “It’s just a particular vintage. I’m sorry if it wasn’t to your taste, I can grab ano–AHH!” They let out a yell as they’re lifted into the air,  bleeding from where claws have fully dug into their face.

“Oh, if only it was a matter of taste.” Asmodeus slowly licks his lips, as if savoring every drop. “It’s you tampering with the drink that I’m not a fan of – and let me guess, you gave those bottles you wanted me to take home to my brothers your special little treatment too, right?” 

“P-please, l-let me go!” Afray hisses, struggles in the greater demon’s grip, tail and feet flailing in the air. “I-I’m sorry, I–ack–I’ll do what..ever you want, just…let me go!”

“Whatever I want? Well, what I want right now my dear, sweet Afray, is to make it so that your name is quite literal.” He smirks as he sees the panic spread. “Turn you into dust, and oh, I’m sure you’d make for a wonderful highlighter. Could really make my cheekbones pop!” 

“Just let me go!” Afray scratches and claws at Asmodeus’ arm, desperately trying to escape. “Please!” 

“Tch, really, you’re just going to ruin my skin like that?!” Tired of how much they were struggling, Asmodeus tosses Afray to the floor. They scramble to get up, but find themselves pinned down by a heel as the greater demon hovers over them. 

“I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I don’t know what I was thinking, I-I was put up to it! They offered me so much I couldn’t refuse!” They grovel, hands now clawing at the ground. “I-if you let me go, I promise, I’ll do whatever it takes! I’ll tell you everything! I’ll go a-and make things right!” 

“Alright.” Asmodeus takes his foot off the other’s back. “If you really want to go,” he leans down, his voice full of devilish glee. “I’ll come with you!”

“Wh-what?” 

“Well, I need to make sure you actually ‘make things right’. Astaroth won’t be too pleased to hear about this either, you know? You’re going to want me there to make sure you don’t mess up again.” He grabs them by the scruff of their neck, hoisting them up so that they’re now on their knees.  “And you know how much I enjoy beauty. After all, you just look so much prettier when you beg.”

[lovelykil]

IK I KEEP REQUESTING BUT ON THE 8TH COULD U DO A ONE SHOT WHERE KYLE (and the other 3 or other characters if u want idc) CELEBRATE THE READERS BIRTHDAY BC THAT'S MY 16TH BIRTHDAYYYYYYY🩷🖤💜

AND I'M SOOOOO EXCITEDDDDDD🎂🎉🎁

surprise─

kyle x reader

note; happy BIRTHDAY 🎀🎀🎂 @batty4-draculaura also pretend Kyle has a TV in his room 💥💥

"kyle you alright? Your leg is bouncing like crazy."

"I'm fine."

"you su—"

"fuck off"

the ginger stared down his bestfriend with a glare that made stan shrug and return to messing with his guitar strings. Kyle's leg bounced with every thought.. it was strings of different ones, but the occurring one was your birthday.

It was tomorrow and he still had no idea what the hell he wanted to do for you, did you want a big surprise? Or just a small one?

did you want to go somewhere or stay home?

lots of people or just you and him??

CAKE OR NOT?

"auugghhhhh!" Kyle groans out loud, slamming his face down onto Stan's pillows. Stan looks over and snickers, "soo nothing is wrong?"

"fuck OFFFF"

. . .

"you think that's gonna work?" Kyle asks as he makes his way out of the front door. Stan shrugs going to lean against the door frame as he watches Kyle exit his home.

"It's something isn't?" Stan raises his brow, his hands folded to his chest. Kyle stands to process the advice he was given then shrugs just like his friend and hums.

"I guess, it's simple but also romantic. Huh, who knew you could come up with something like that." Kyle teases which gets a reaction from the ravenette, he flips him off shortly after that insult.

kyle smiles and waves him goodbye then sets off to make his friend's advice a reality.

. . .

The next day

it was a normal day at school, the bus came, you hopped in, Kyle joined you and gave you a treat for breakfast well that wasn't particularly normal but you gratefully accepted it anyway.

your friends at school wished you a happy birthday, some giving you a big hug that took you by surprise. Kyle watched beside you with a gentle smile but his mind wandered off again.. he wasn't so sure if you would love his gift.

when school ended you groaned and got on the bus, "Dude look what Tolkien got me, airpods!! Can you believe that?" You took the case from out of the bag to show the ginger. Kyle's eyes widen at such a gift, but then again this was Tolkien so.

"You don't sound so happy about receiving it though?" He passes the gift back to you. You hum, putting it back inside the bag with other gifts. "I am happy it's just such an expensive gift, I'm not that special." Kyle watches you lightly laugh then he looks away.

"oh, but you are.." the teen whispers into the distance as his mind begins to wander once more throughout the bus ride.

"I also got this panda bear from Wendy, it's so cute isn't?"

"oh it is haha."

"mhm." The two of you start your walk to your house, it was normal for him to walk you home but you can't help but feel.. off.

you click your tongue and stop in your tracks. Kyle notices and does the same with a confused expression painted on his face pale face.

"Kyle you've been so weird this whole day, is there something wrong?" He takes a second to process your words, he didn't know it was obvious something was bothering him but it seemed he had no choice but to share his difficulties.

"It's better if I just show you."

"huh?" As soon as you know it he's taking you by the hand, you guys have turned around now heading to his house. Your brows scrunch up trying to figure out what the hell was happening. Once you see that familiar home you guys enter it and head upstairs where then, Kyle lets go of your hand.

he looks at his closed door, seemingly looking very hesitant to open it. You find humor in this and chuckle

"are you gonna turn the knob or.."

"y/n I know it's your birthday and I'm your boyfriend I was supposed to come up with something awesome but.." He pauses then looks over at you. Your laugh ends short and you grow serious, "what are you talking about?"

he sighs, swallows his guilt, and opens the door. The room when open, revealed such an interesting display. He turned his whole room into a mini party one with your favorite snacks on a blanket, a cake of your favorite flavor beside all the snacks, your favorite plushie sitting on his bed with a card leaning against it, and even some birthday balloons were floating around.

it looked like the activity here was to watch your favorite movies judging by the remote sitting nicely on the blanket with all those snacks.

you were in such shock by his cute gesture, that not even a peep was heard when you saw his room you just dropped your bag and covered your mouth.

"oh my gosh kyle.." You manage to finally let out, turning to face him. He was leaning against the now-closed door with his arms crossed, looking conflicted.

"It's so lame I know, I'm sorry.." He mutters, he rubs his face in embarrassment at such a terrible surprise. You walk over to him and guide his hand away from his face, you intertwine your hands with his and look at him straight in the eyes.

"this is the most cutest thing I have ever experienced, you did such a great job please don't beat up yourself. Because I really like it ky." his green eyes seem to light up at your gentle and sincere words.

"you mean it?" He seemed to still be in denial by your words that you leaned in to kiss the worried boy. He fell instantly into the surprise kiss, his lips moved ever so gently with yours as his hand escaped yours to hold your face closer to his. You both smile into the tender and sweet kiss when you pulled away he was a bit sad but still held your face.

"does that answer your question?" You raise a brow with a grin. His pale face was now painted a light red as he nodded at your question. You smile, going in to kiss him once more then pull away.

"well, happy birthday sweetheart."

"awhh thank you, now let's watch some rated r movies"

"with the lights on or—"

"OFF !!"

"loud and clear"

[ninadove]

Nina reads Dracula 🦇

September 29th

Long one today, but Quincey’s here, so everything is right in the world. ❤️

First of, the boys are going grave-robbing as a gang! 🎉

"The more we talked, the more puzzled we got, till now I can say for myself that I'm about up a tree as to any meaning about anything."

"Me too," said Quincey Morris laconically.

"Oh," said the Professor, "then you are nearer the beginning, both of you, than friend John here, who has to go a long way back before he can even get so far as to begin."

GDHSKSKSKS THE BURN. Completely gratuitous too, John hasn’t even spoken yet.

Therefore may I ask that you promise me in the dark, so that afterwards, though you may be angry with me for a time—I must not disguise from myself the possibility that such may be—you shall not blame yourselves for anything."

🥺

"That's frank anyhow," broke in Quincey. "I'll answer for the Professor. I don't quite see his drift, but I swear he's honest; and that's good enough for me."

[Sigh] ❤️

"Would it not be well to hear what I have to say?" said Van Helsing. "And then you will at least know the limit of my purpose. Shall I go on?"

"That's fair enough," broke in Morris.

Spoken like a man who immediately thought VAMPIRES after eavesdropping for two minutes and a half ❤️

"There are mysteries which men can only guess at, which age by age they may solve only in part. Believe me, we are now on the verge of one. But I have not done. May I cut off the head of dead Miss Lucy?"

I love the way he asks like a kitten eyeing your food. I can has head of dead (<- important precision) Miss Lucy? 🥺

His voice broke a little, and he went on with a voice full of pity:—

"But, I beseech you, do not go forth in anger with me. In a long life of acts which were often not pleasant to do, and which sometimes did wring my heart, I have never had so heavy a task as now."

Day I-don’t-know-how-many of asking for Van Helsing’s backstory

"For her—I am ashamed to say so much, but I say it in kindness—I gave what you gave; the blood of my veins; I gave it, I, who was not, like you, her lover, but only her physician and her friend. I gave to her my nights and days—before death, after death; and if my death can do her good even now, when she is the dead Un-Dead, she shall have it freely."

Ok, let’s pause here for a second. I understand why so many authors directors artists etc. have developed an erotic fascination for vampirism. I see the themes, you see the themes, we nod in understanding.

But I have to wonder why the blood transfusions were not co-opted in the same way?

Like!!! We keep going back to them!!! Van Helsing in particular is so uncomfortable about the implications of sharing his blood with this young girl who was another man’s fiancée! Arthur compares it to an actual wedding ceremony!! John and Quincey let their own blood be drawn because they also loved her!!! WHY ARE BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS NOT ROMANTICISED IN THE WAY VAMPIRISM IS.

Can you imagine the creative possibilities? The poetry of giving such a fundamental part of yourself without expecting anything in return? And pushed to its extreme — the devotion that has you wasting yourself away when there is no hope of saving your lover? COME ON don’t tell me it’s not fascinating!!!

"Come to me, Arthur. Leave these others and come to me. My arms are hungry for you. Come, and we can rest together. Come, my husband, come!"

Oh oh.

"But of the most blessed of all, when this now Un-Dead be made to rest as true dead, then the soul of the poor lady whom we love shall again be free. Instead of working wickedness by night and growing more debased in the assimilating of it by day, she shall take her place with the other Angels. So that, my friend, it will be a blessed hand for her that shall strike the blow that sets her free. To this I am willing; but is there none amongst us who has a better right? Will it be no joy to think of hereafter in the silence of the night when sleep is not: 'It was my hand that sent her to the stars; it was the hand of him that loved her best; the hand that of all she would herself have chosen, had it been to her to choose?' Tell me if there be such a one amongst us?"

Oooooooof

There, in the coffin lay no longer the foul Thing that we had so dreaded and grown to hate that the work of her destruction was yielded as a privilege to the one best entitled to it, but Lucy as we had seen her in her life, with her face of unequalled sweetness and purity. True that there were there, as we had seen them in life, the traces of care and pain and waste; but these were all dear to us, for they marked her truth to what we knew. […]

"And now, my child, you may kiss her. Kiss her dead lips if you will, as she would have you to, if for her to choose. For she is not a grinning devil now—not any more a foul Thing for all eternity. No longer she is the devil's Un-Dead. She is God's true dead, whose soul is with Him!"

🥺🥺🥺

Then we cut off the head and filled the mouth with garlic.

Whiplash

And now onto Mina being cute:

"I was only entering my diary."

"Your diary?" I asked him in surprise.

"Yes," he answered. "I keep it in this." As he spoke he laid his hand on the phonograph. I felt quite excited over it, and blurted out:—

"Why, this beats even shorthand! May I hear it say something?"

Baby girl… Baby… ❤️

"You helped to attend dear Lucy at the end. Let me hear how she died; for all that I know of her, I shall be very grateful. She was very, very dear to me."

MINAAA 😭😭😭😭

"But do you know that, although I have kept the diary for months past, it never once struck me how I was going to find any particular part of it in case I wanted to look it up?" By this time my mind was made up that the diary of a doctor who attended Lucy might have something to add to the sum of our knowledge of that terrible Being, and I said boldly:—

"Then, Dr. Seward, you had better let me copy it out for you on my typewriter."

I love her your honour ❤️

"You do not know me," I said. "When you have read those papers—my own diary and my husband's also, which I have typed—you will know me better. I have not faltered in giving every thought of my own heart in this cause; but, of course, you do not know me—yet; and I must not expect you to trust me so far."

OH SHE SPEAKS LIKE VAN HELSING ERGO LIKE DRACULA

"I know that Lucy told you of me; she told me of you too."

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

And back to Seward:

I was so absorbed in that wonderful diary of Jonathan Harker and that other of his wife that I let the time run on without thinking.

“Wonderful” certainly is one way to describe it, yes.

"That is a wonderful machine, but it is cruelly true. It told me, in its very tones, the anguish of your heart. It was like a soul crying out to Almighty God. No one must hear them spoken ever again! See, I have tried to be useful. I have copied out the words on my typewriter, and none other need now hear your heart beat, as I did."

Mina continues to be the real MVP

And back to Mina:

Fortunately I am not of a fainting disposition.

Oh trust me, I know.

The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.

THANK YOU YES THAT IS IN FACT THE POINT

[Still traumatised by the 1992 movie]

I remember how much "The Dailygraph" and "The Whitby Gazette," of which I had made cuttings, helped us to understand the terrible events at Whitby when Count Dracula landed, so I shall look through the evening papers since then, and perhaps I shall get some new light.

WHAT A WOMAN.

< Prev 🦇 Next >

[foreverrandomwritings]

🎉 congrats again!

How about Rooster, platonic with the possibility of turning the romantic? Do you know him? yeah, that’s what i thought...(defending a lover), [ RESCUE ]  for one muse to intervene upon seeing a third party making the other one uncomfortable (jealousy), and new beginnings (spring).

Branching Out

Summary: Your brother had been begging you to branch out more. When you finally decide you're ready, will everything go wrong? Who will come and save you in your time of need?

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x afab! Machado!Reader

Warnings: angst, assault, alcohol, bars, bruises and blood.

Word count: 1544

Masterlist M's Hundred Celly Masterlist

You were still pretty new to town, having moved to be with your brother since he recently got a permanent station out in Fightertown, California. Things in your relationship with your ex hadn’t been going great for a while. So when your brother mentioned possibly moving across the country to live with him you jumped at the opportunity. 

It had been about a month since you had taken up residence in his apartment. Within the first week you had found a job that had taken up all your time. So getting out there and experiencing the sunny state was put on hold as you continued to get settled. Your brother had been very insistent however that you branch off from his group of friends that you would spend time with when they had get togethers at their respective households. 

That’s how you wound up in a hole in the wall bar waiting for a girl from work to get there. She had been asking you to hang out since you had started working with her. You had been reluctant but had finally agreed to get your brother to leave you alone. She was almost fifteen minutes late at this point however. 

You glanced at your watch checking the time for the fifth time sighing as you saw the time. You debated leaving as another five minutes passed. As you drank the last sip of your drink you made to scoot out of the booth. But a hand came up to rest on the leather covered back of the seat. You stopped as they blocked your exit. Looking towards the person you saw a short lanky dirty blonde standing there. He gave you a smile that made your skin feel sticky and gross.

“Where are you running off to baby?” as he spoke you could smell cigarettes and cheap beer on his breath. 

“I’m heading home.” you told him simply.

“Why don’t you stay and have a drink with me?” he asked you as his eyes flicked towards your chest. You pulled your tank top up farther and gave him a disgusted look. 

“I can’t stay, I need to get out to my car. My husband is waiting for me.” You hoped the excuse would get him to leave you alone. But the reply didn’t seem to steer him away at all. 

“I’ve been watching you for a while and didn’t see anyone come in with you. You also don’t have a ring on that pretty little finger of yours either.” he reached out for your hand as he finished the sentence. You pulled it away quickly however, not wanting this man's hands on you. The thought of him having watched you gave you a sick feeling. 

“He just got here to pick me up. He’ll be expecting me out there soon. If I'm not out there then he’s going to come in looking for me.” You told him fear bubbling inside you. The look he was giving you made you think for a moment you weren’t going to make it out of this bar. 

“Well then let me walk you to your car. Wouldn’t want anything bad happening to someone so delicate as yourself.” he punctuated his sentence by gripping your upper arm and pulling you out of the booth harshly. Bile rose up your throat as you truly started to panic. 

“Let go of me.” you said as you tried to pry his fingers off your arm. But he only squeezed harder, giving you a toothy grin of his rooting teeth. Before he could say anything else a tall presence of mint and worn leather came up next to you. You turned and looked at the person standing beside you and relief flooded your body as you saw one of your brother's friends.  

“Do you know him?” he asked you as he glared at the guy's hand on your arm. You went to reply but the guy interrupted you.

“Why don’t you get lost.” he told the hawaiian shirt clad aviator.

“I wasn’t fucking asking you.” he said rudely as he made eye contact with you.

“No I don’t.” you told him quietly, he nodded his head once before he was focused back on the man. 

“Yeah, that’s what I thought...” Then his fist was connecting with the guy's nose. A loud crack reverberated throughout the bar as blood gushed down his face. His grip on your arm went away as he brought his hand up to cover his nose. 

“Let’s go.” Bradley said as he looked at you again. You didn’t hesitate as you rushed towards the door. Bradley followed you closely and led you towards his Bronco when you finally exited into the humid night air. 

“My car is the other way.” you told him as you realized where you were going. 

“We’ll get it in the morning.” he told you, shaking his head. He opened your door as you approached the vehicle. You stood there for a moment hesitating to get in the SUV. 

“Are you alright?” he asked you, noticing your hesitation. You looked at him and were about to lie when your throat started to close up, tears welling up in your eyes. 

“You don’t need to say anything. Do you want a hug?” he opened his arms for you as he finished the question. You quickly collided with his chest. A quiet sob exiting your body as his arms wrapped around you. He rubbed your back as you shook. You weren’t sure how long you stood in his arms but you eventually stopped crying. You pulled back slowly, his arms dropping back towards his sides. He looked as though he wanted to pull back towards him, you doubted you would have protested the action. 

“Do you need anything? What can I do?” he asked you, looking over your body for anything wrong. His eyes caught sight of the bruise forming around your arm. A large red handprint clearly visible under the lampposts in the parking lot. His fists clenched and he almost turned back to go and laid a few more swings at the guy. But the sound of your sniffling had him pausing.

“Can you take me home to Javy.” you asked him barely above a whisper. He nodded quickly and you were climbing into your seat. He buckled your seat belt for you before closing your door and rounding the front of the car. 

“Your hand is hurt.” you said as your eyes noticed the bruising on his knuckles. 

“It’s alright.” he said, flexing his fingers. He thought about how lucky it was that he decided to go to a different bar tonight.

“Are you sure?” you asked him, worried about him being hurt because of you.

“I’m sure, would you like to listen to some music?” he asked you, changing the subject.

“Can you play How High The Moon by Ella Fitzgerald please?” it was a song that your mother would often sing to you while you were younger. The thought of the song brought you comfort as you thought about the way your arm hurt. You blinked and saw the way the man looked at you behind your eyelids. You took a breath and could still smell the cheap beer and cigarettes he reeked of. 

“Here you can pull it up.” he said, handing you his phone. You found the song quickly and the soothing voice of Ella Fitzgerald flowed out of the speakers. You sat quietly the rest of the way home, letting her voice sooth your thoughts. You desperately wanted a shower, needing to scrub the touch of him off you. 

“I’ll walk you to the door.” he said as you pulled into the parking lot of the apartment building. You didn’t protest as he put the car in park and then came to open your door for you. You walked towards yours and your brother's apartment slowly. You wanted to soak up as much alone time with Bradley as you could. The only time you had spent together was in a group setting. You had both flirted with each other lightly but had never done anything to pursue the other. The whole brothers friend thing had always been a no go growing up and you didn’t know if you were allowed to cross that line as an adult. 

“Do you want me to go inside with you?” he asked as your door came into view. He didn’t want to leave your side. He knew pursuing his friend's younger sister was against the bro code. But he couldn’t stop thinking about you since the first time you met each other. 

“That’s alright, Javy should be home.” You told him as you brought out your keys. Turning them in the keyhole you heard the click of the door unlocking. Right before you pulled them out you turned to Bradley. He looked at you questioningly as you stared at him. You popped up onto your tiptoes and quickly kissed his cheek. 

“Thank you for helping me tonight Bradley.” you told him before you slipped through the door into the apartment. He brought a hand up to his cheek touching the spot your lips just met. You couldn’t wait to see each other again.

A/N: Holy fuck did I love writing this. Bradley saving the day is quickly becoming my new favorite thing. Thank you thank you thank you for this request.

Tags(open): @sylviebell @eternallyvenus

[deviiancetv]

TikTok Has FINALLY Closed Up Shop 🎉🙌🏽

Well, it’s official. TikTok has been banned here in the United States, the land of the “free” and home of future tyrants. I’ve never been the fondest of TikTok in terms of how it’s treated black content creators, the entertainment industry being completely altered by its presence, and the microwavable content we’ve seen over these past 6 years.

I mean, with my last few blog posts being TikTok related, you know this app was NEVER my cup of tea… it barely gave matcha.

TikTok is not my nooch

Is TikTok getting banned?

Mine and Everyone’s Problem with TikTok

The Problem with Social Media (Podcast Video)

I’ll admit, I did TRY redownloading the app last year to commence my *✴︎𝒜𝑉𝒜𝒩𝒯𝐼𝒵𝐸𝒩✴︎* agenda, but that did not work… I gave up after not getting the high volumes of traffic, and to be honest, I got bored of making short-form content that I could care less about to begin with. I’m ready for a YouTube competitor to hop into the ring. Let’s bring long-form content back to its roots with an innovative platform, less strict copyright/DMCA laws, and reachable audience access via an algorithm replicating TikToks reach.

However, there’s a part of my brain that is conspiracizing that once Trump gets into office, he’s going to get an executive order to keep TikTok, but only sell it to an American owner (most likely someone in his family, Elon, Zuckerberg or a wealthy billionaire). TikTok has too much of a monopoly on content creation at this current time *sadly* and America only cares so much about making the data safety concerns an issue because they’re not making money off of profits from the app. They don’t care about Gen-Z Zoomer conspiracy theories and celebrity gossip, they just want a piece of the profit and TikTok doesn’t make any money over here, yet.

While it’ll be a huge shift for TikTok to no longer exist in our country, I think it’s all for the better to get REAL creativity back into the mainstream media, as well as regain people’s attention spans. 2025 numerologically is a year 9, this year is all about transformation, big shifts, rebirth and change to prepare for the restart to come next year. TikTok getting banned was all a part of the change too…

I’ve heard there are other apps people are looking to join, but let’s be real, y’all never give any of these new apps a chance for no longer than a week to a month. RedNote will be a flop soon, Lemon8 is likely next to be banned, that Neptune beta app probably will be forgotten as soon as it hits the app store, and whatever else people are talking about joining won’t matter. You can’t make fetch happen sadly, that’s always the case whenever a new app goes viral but loses momentum shortly after its release.

[milesdickpic]

His Little Girl | Bradley Bradshaw x Reader P.85

Click here to see the master list

My loves! We are back for another chapter! I am so excited for you to all experience our favorite girl's 7th birthday! This story has been a long time coming and thank you all so much for still being here with me! PART 1 OF THE TRIPLE POST WEEK! I love you all so much! 💕 Happy reading and enjoy! ❤️

A/n: It's Leia Rey's 7th birthday! It's time to freaking party! 🎉

Word Count: 4.5k

Warnings: crying, shock, rough-housing-ish, name-calling, making fun of each other, but so much love 💕

Please don't take my work, I will find you. 

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Pinterest

Leia’s 7th Birthday 

You and Bradley stood there excited as you could see Leia approaching with everyone else. Jake was hauling a wagon with games in it, while Nat and Austin each held one of the boys. Leia was skipping over to the area. She hadn’t noticed it was for her yet. 

Right when she reached the top of a sand dune she smiled and pointed over to the party area, saying something back to the three adults with her. She was smiling as she pointed and you could see Jake nudge her to go take a look at this “Luau Area.” She started to run over and when she saw you and Bradley standing there at the beginning of the entrance she stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. She covered her mouth and started to cry. 

Jake, Nat, Austin, and the boys caught up with her and she stood there frozen with tears running down her cheeks. You started to tear up and you could hear Bradley sniffling. You could see Austin crouch down next to her then placed a kiss on her cheek and nudged her to come over to her party. She gave Austin, Nat, and Jake a hug before she ran over to you and Bradley. 

She ran and slammed into you and him. Everyone yelled “Happy Birthday, Leia!” As you and Bradley got down on your knees and hugged your daughter. 

Bradley kissed Leia’s head over and over again as you hugged her. “Happy Birthday, my girl. Daddy loves you so much.” He held the both of you in a bear hug.

When you all pulled apart, you placed your hand on Leia’s cheek, wiped her tears, and fixed her hair. “Happy Birthday, My love. I love you, always.” You smiled at her and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Now go and have some fun, baby.” You placed one more kiss on her head as she nodded.  

She looked over at her party and got shy when she saw all her guests. Everyone yelled in surprise when they saw her making her way over to the party. You and Bradley made your way over to Jake, Nat, and Austin. You and Bradley grabbed the boys from Nat and Austin. You gave them all a hug and thanked them for watching the boys and keeping Leia occupied while you and Bradley set up for Leia’s Luau. You all made your way down the beach as Leia greeted all her guests. Bradley handed Luke back to Nat so that he could help Jake set up all the games that were in the wagon. 

You smiled and kissed little Brad on his cheek, “It’s your big sissy’s birthday!” You grabbed one of his little hands and bounced him around. A little grin appeared on his face. 

Nat was holding a sleeping Luke to her chest as you both watched on the party. Austin joined Bradley and Jake to help set up games. You smiled as Leia jumped around with some of her friends from school and said hi to more of her guests. You looked at Nat and smiled.

“I have a huge surprise for Leia. I hope she’s going to love it.” You looked back at your daughter as she ran around her party with her friends. 

Nat came closer to you and patted little Brad’s back. “What did you get for her?” She smiled with curiosity. 

You chuckled. “Not what, Nat. Who?” You widened your eyes at her as she looked at you confused. “Well actually, It’ll be a little gift for everyone.” You smiled back at her as she raised her brows at you. 

“Is that who, here already? Is there gonna be like a clown or something? Or is Bagman just going to be the clown to perform?” Nat started to laugh as you both looked over at the boys trying to figure out how to set up the games. She shook her head, “God, there are three of them and they can’t figure out how to set those things up.” 

You both laughed as you watched all three of them snatch the instruction sheet out of each others hands trying to explain to one another how to put the games together. You shook your head and looked back at Nat. “Close. But he wont be the clown of entertainment.” 

She looked at you with furrowed brows. “Then who?” 

You smiled and waved over to Bradley and the guys, “You’ll see soon, Nat.”

Bradley and the guys came running over to you. Jake looked frustrated as he still held onto the instructions, Bradley was smiling like a big goof at you, and Austin looked at Jake awkwardly. 

“Honey, Jake is so mad because he can’t figure out how to put the game together.” Bradley looked at Jake and laughed. 

Jake rolled his eyes and crumpled up the instructions, “Well I am paired with the dumbest pilot and the guy that gives grown men sponge baths.” 

Bradley laughed, “I don’t think you’re the dumbest pilot, Seresin. But definitely on the list.” 

Jake looked at him with wide eyes and shoved him as they both laughed. “Jerk.” Jake shook his head and threw the crumpled paper at Bradley’s head. 

“I don’t give grown men baths for a living… What do you think I do?” Austin looked up at Jake with confused yet scared eyes. 

Bradley and Jake looked at each other and laughed as they pulled Austin in for a hug. “Bradshaw is a grown man and you gave him a bath. So, I wasn’t completely wrong about your job, Aus.” Jake patted him on the chest.

Austin just shook his head and shrugged. 

Bradley brought his attention back to you and Nat who were standing there with shocked expressions on your faces. 

“What circus act did I just witness?” Nat looked at all three of them with wide eyes and a blank stare. 

Jake came over and wrapped his arm over Nat’s shoulders. “Your favorite one, that you are stuck with for the rest of your life.” Jake smiled big as Nat palmed her forehead. 

Austin took little Brad from you as Bradley came over and hugged you and gave you a kiss on your cheek. “What’s up, sweetheart?”

You smiled and nodded over towards the party. “I have a surprise for Leia and it’s ready!’ You bit your lips and jumped slightly of excitement. 

Bradley looked at you with furrowed brows, “Surprise? There is more?”

You nodded, “YES!”

You pulled Bradley over to the party, “Wait… babe, what else did we get her!?” 

Nat, Jake, Austin, and the boys followed behind you and Bradley into the party.

You and Bradley stood in the middle of the party guests. Bradley leaned down and whispered in your ear, “Babe, what did we get Leia??” Brady sounded so concern and worried. 

You giggled and patted his chest, “Don’t worry about it, babe.”

He looked up confused and then smiled at the guests and waved as you caught everyone’s attention. 

“Hi everyone! Bradley and I just wanted to thank everyone for coming out and being able to make it for our little girl’s 7th birthday. We are all excited to be able to celebrate the coming of not only our little girl, but the day our family was formed.” You looked up at Bradley and smiled. He kissed your forehead. 

Bradley looked up at the guests. “This is my first official time I get to spend with my little girl on her special day.” He got down on his knee and opened his arms to Leia. “And I can’t wait to spend the rest of them with you, baby girl.” Leia smiled and ran over to Bradley. He caught her in his arms and picked her up and kissed her over and over again. “I love you, my Leia Rey. happy birthday, Sweetheart.” 

Leia smiled at her dad as everyone started to coo over their little moment. “Thank you, daddy. I love you.” Leia kissed Bradley’s cheek.

You went over and placed a kiss on Leia’s hand and smiled. “Daddy and I… Well I have a gift for daddy and you, Leia Rey.” 

Bradley and Leia both looked at you confused with the same exact facial expression. You reached your hand out for Nat. She came over smiling while Jake and Austin followed behind. “I actually have a gift for all of you.” 

Everyone smiled at you with curious eyes. “Without further stalling.” You looked over to the entrance where their gifts were all setting up. “I know how much you miss home, baby.” You held out your hand to their gifts and everyone turned slowly. “Happy Birthday, Leia Rey. I love you.”

Bradley, Leia, Nat, Austin, and Jake all looked to where you where holding your hand out. There stood Mav, Penny, and Amelia dressed in all matching Hawaiian printed shirts and dresses. 

Bradley dropped Leia down to her feet as they both yelled. “Papa Mav!” “MAV!” Bradley and Leia both bee-lined for Mav, Penny, and Amelia. Bradley playfully pushed Leia over into the sand so he could get to them first.

“DADDY!!!” Leia started to stand up laughing. 

Bradley ran ahead and bear hugged Mav, Penny, and Amelia. “Oh my god! I missed you all so freaking much!” 

Mav patted Bradley’s back. “It’s good to see you up and running, kiddo.” 

Penny kissed Bradley’s cheek, “Oh, Rooster! You look so good! Mav had told me what happened and you are looking so good, honey!”

Amelia hugged Bradley tightly, “I’m glad you’re okay!”

Leia joined the group and squished herself into the group hug. “YOU’RE ALL HERE!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. Bradley took a step back and let Leia get her turn with them.

Mav picked up Leia and covered her in kisses. “Oh my little Jedi! You are so big!! Look at you! Happy birthday, sweetheart!” 

Penny joined in on the hug and kissed Leia’s head over and over again, “My Princess Leia! I missed you so much! Happy birthday, pretty girl!” Penny pushed Leia’s hair from her face as Leia began to cry happy tears.

Mav let Leia down and she hugged Amelia tight. “I’m so happy you are all here!” 

“Happy birthday, Leia!” Amelia gave Leia a present. Leia grabbed Amelia’s hand and ran her over to her friends. “Thank you! I wanna introduce you to my friends!!” 

———-

Bradley’s POV

I made my way back over to you and grabbed little sleeping Luke from Phoenix as you grabbed little Brad from Austin so they could all go and say hello to Mav and Penny. 

I watched as Hangman ran like a giddy little kid in the candy store to Mav. He had his hands flailing around and he was yelling, “MAV! PENNY!” he jumped into them and Phoenix followed behind with her hands in the air. She wrapped her arms around all three of them smiling. Austin joined in after Hangman and Phoenix got their fill with hugs. 

Mav came over to us and was stopped by Phantom and Evelyn. Mav’s eyes went wide and he pulled Phantom in for a hug. “It’s good to see you again, handsome!” 

Mav laughed and patted his back. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world! You remember Penny?”

Phantom gasped and threw his arms out for Penny, “Penny Benjamin! You still look as you did back when we were all getting in trouble! You remember my wife, Evelyn?”

Penny screamed when she saw Evelyn and they hugged and caught up while Mav and Phantom made their way over to you and I. 

I walked away for a second to grab bottles for little Brad and Luke.  Mav made his way over and gasped as he saw you holding little Brad. I watched from a far as his eyes flew out of his head. 

———-

Your POV

Mav came up to you with wide eyes and covered his mouth. In a high-pitched voice, he cooed over little Brad. “Ohhh my gosh! Is this himmm!?” He grabbed his little hands and gave Brad’s little knuckles kisses. “Hey, little Luke!”

Your eyes widened and you started to chuckle. “Mav…”

“Penny! Come here! They have a surprise to show you!” Mav called and waved over Penny. She came over excitedly. 

“What’s the surprise?” Her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide when she looked at you holding little Brad. “Whose baby is that, y/n?” She looked at you with squinted eyes. you started to giggle. “Y/n? Whose baby is that??” Her eyes widened when she looked at you. 

You smiled and Mav rubbed his index finger on his cheek causing little Brad to grin. “Can I hold him, y/n?” He started to tear up and you smiled. 

“Of, course you can, Mav. This is one of your grand-babies.” You handed little Brad over to Mav. Mav started to shake with him in his arms. 

“Grand-babies??” Penny was shocked and she started to tear up. “When the heck were you pregnant, y/n!?” She came over and gave you a hug, she held you tight as she patted your hair. 

“I was pregnant during my wedding, and even before that.” you hugged her back and giggled. 

She pulled back and covered her mouth, “WHAT!! I knew it! Those were not wedding nerves!” She pulled you back in tight and held you close. “God, you hid it so well, honey! Congratulations, he’s so beautiful!” She kissed your cheek and joined Mav admire and coo over little Bradley. 

“What’s his name?” Penny looked up at you and smiled. As you were about to say his name 

Mav interjected.  “Luke.” 

Penny looked up at you and smiled.  “That’s a beautiful name! Luke and Leia!” 

Mav nodded, “The little Jedis! His full name, Luke Nicolas Bradshaw.” He smiled down at little Bradley in his arms. 

You looked around and bit your lip. “uhhh.” 

Mav and Penny looked up at you and smiled. “What’s wrong, y/n?” Mav chuckled. 

Bradley finally made his way back over with the bottles for the boys. “Here you go babe, one for you and one for me.” He smiled down at you as he cradled little Luke in his arms. You both looked over at Penny and Mav. They looked down at little Bradley and then back at Bradley holding Luke slowly. 

Mav’s brows were furrowed as he looked back and forth between the baby in his arms and the one in Bradley’s arms. Penny was blinking at you and Bradley as she pointed to the baby in his arms. “Whose baby is that?” 

You and Bradley started to laugh. Mav stood there frozen. “Uhhh, Rooster? Y/n? Whose baby is that?” Penny was still waiting for an answer. 

Bradley shrugged and popped the bottle into Luke’s mouth. “Surprise!” He smiled at the both of them with wide eyes. Mav and Penny looked at each other with wide eyes. 

“We had twins.” You started to laugh as they looked at each other in shock. They looked back at you and raised their brows. 

“TWINS?!”

You nodded as Bradley handed Luke to Penny. 

“Congratulations, you two. More grandkids to watch!” Bradley laughed as they both looked down at the boys still shocked. 

“Holy. Shit.” Mav said as he looked between little Brad and Luke. Penny continued to feed Luke and you handed little Brad’s bottle to Mav so he could feed him. “Wait. So who do I have?”

Penny looked up and raised her brows. “Who is who and what are their names?” She was still shocked. 

Bradley went behind them and wrapped his arms around their shoulders. “Penny, you are holding our little Luke. Luke Nicolas Bradshaw. And Mav. you are holding our little Bradley.”

They both looked up at Bradley. Penny and Mav both started to tear up. “Bradley? You named him Bradley too?” Mav started to tear up even more. 

Bradley smiled. “Yup. Bradley Bradford Bradshaw.” 

Mav started to laugh and cry hard. “God, you are just like your old man.”

Bradley nodded his head and started to laugh. “They are beautiful, Rooster.” Penny cooed over the boys as she cried. 

Penny and Mav didn’t want to give anyone the chance to have the boys. They wanted to spend the whole party with them. You looked over periodically and watched as Mav held little Bradley in his hands and looked at him in awe. You watched as Penny took in every single detail of Luke’s face. 

You nudged Bradley and pointed over to Mav and Penny. “Look at them, Brad. They can’t take their eyes off of them.” You chuckled and smiled. You looked up at Bradley and watched him smile goofy.

“They’re in love.” He started to laugh. “They are the most handsomest boys ever. How could you not look at them like that?” Bradley looked down at you and placed a kiss on your head. “They get their glowing looks from their mama.” He smiled and rubbed his thumb on your cheek.

You shook your head and smiled while placing your hand on his, “They look exactly like their dad. They’re handsome because of you.” 

Leia came over and tugged on Bradley’s shirt. Bradley looked down at her and smiled before he picked her up. He placed a kiss on her cheek, “What’s up, my girl?” 

She pointed over to her papa Mav, “Papa Mav is summoning you, daddy.” 

Bradley laughed and let Leia down. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Bradley gave you a kiss before he left to go and sit with Mav and Penny. “Be back in a bit, babe. Go and enjoy yourself. Grandpa is calling for me.”

———-

Bradley’s POV

I made my way over to Mav, dodging a couple of kids that were running around spraying each other with water guns. I chuckled and smiled as Mav looked up at me. 

“You rang?” I plopped myself down on a chair next to Mav and Penny. 

“Bradley.” Mav couldn’t take his eyes off of little Brad. “This is incredible. They boys are perfect. They look like a perfect mixture of you and y/n.” He looked up at me and smiled. 

I shook my head and laughed. “Y/n said they look exactly like Leia Rey when she was a baby, so she thinks they look exactly like me.” Then little Brad started to fuss. I watched as Mav frowned and gave baby Brad a pouty lip. “I got him.” I smiled and put my hands out to grab him.

Mav handed him to me, “Let’s see, Daddy Bradley at work!” He chuckled as he watched me console little Brad. 

I gave little Brad a kiss on his lips and laid him against my chest, “You’re alright, baby. Daddy is here.” I started to rub his back and rock him slowly back and forth. I laid my head gently against his head as he started to calm down in my arms.

Mav leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. He chuckled. “Man, you are just like your old man.” He smiled over at me and patted my back. 

I smiled back and continued to rock little Brad in my arms. “Thanks, Mav. They would have loved them. All three kids are perfect.” 

Mav smiled and nodded as he placed a hand on little Brad’s back. “Most definitely. Goose and Carole would have been all over all three of them.” 

————-

As the party continued, Mav continued to help me watch the boys as you and Penny caught up and made sure Leia was having a great time at her birthday party. 

(Summer Nights by Iration playing in the background) 

I stood by the snacks table picking off a couple of cookies here and there as I held little Brad and rocked him to the beat of the music. Mav joined me and did the same with Luke. We made some small talk and he complimented Leia’s Luau set up. 

“Papa Mav!” Leia came running over with a couple of sea shells in her hand. He smiled at her and squatted down. 

“What’s up, my little Jedi?” He placed his hand on her cheek as he continued to hold Luke close to him. 

“I brought you some sea shells to put on your work bench when you get home!” She held her hands out and was showing them all to Mav. “Here, Papa!” She was trying to put them into his hand. 

I laughed and patted Leia’s head. “Sweetheart, how about you go and ask momma for a bag so you can put them in there for safe keeping?” 

She smiled up at me and nodded, “Good idea, daddy! His hands are already full with Luke!” She kissed Luke’s head before she ran her way over to you. I laughed and shook my head.

Leia came back with the bag full of shells, “Daddy, do you think we can play a game together? Or even make a sand castle!?” She smiled up at me excitedly.

“Of course we can, sweetheart. Let me ask Aunt Nix if she can hold your baby brother first, okay?” She nodded up at me and pointed to a pile of sand. 

“I’ll meet you by the sand hill! Papa Mav, ask momma if she can hold Luke so you can help us!”  She ran for the sand hill and waited patiently with her friends and Amelia.

Mav and I made our way over to you, Penny, and Phoenix. I kissed your cheek and smiled. “I apologize for the interruption, but would you ladies care to care for these handsome boys while papa Mav and I help the birthday girl with a sand castle?” I smiled at the three of you as you started to take little Brad from my arms. 

“Of course, we wouldn’t mind!” Phoenix grabbed Luke from Mav and kissed his cheek over and over again. “I was needing some time with my favorite little men.” Phoenix started to coo at Luke. 

I pointed over at Hangman and Austin as they played a mean game of corn hole. “Oh but your favorite little men are over there?” 

She looked over at them annoyed and looked back at me, “Fuck off, Bradshaw.” 

I covered Luke’s ears, “Geez Trace, babies…” I widened my eyes at her and laughed. She rolled her eyes and I laughed, “Thank you, ladies!”

Mav and I made our way over to Leia. “Daddy, can we burry Papa Mav instead? I want to make him into a mermaid!” Leia looked up at us excitedly. 

I looked over at Mav and he looked terrified. I laughed and patted his chest, “What do you say papa Mav?” I raised my brow at him and he nodded. 

“Anything for my little Leia.” He gulped and laid down on the floor. Leia gave him a towel to lay on as all the kids started to pile sand onto him. 

———-

Your POV

You looked around for Leia for a while because it was time for her cake. You remember that Bradley said they were going to make a saddle castle with her. You walked down the the water and saw there was a group of kids, Jake, Austin, Leia, and Bradley standing around and laughing. You made your way over and patted Bradley’s back. 

“Hey, babe…. Oh my god.” You stood there trying to hold in your laughter. You looked down and saw Mav covered in sand and shaped like a mermaid. “What did you guys do to Mav?” You covered your mouth and Mav pushed his lips together. 

“Sweetheart it’s okay to laugh. They’ve been laughing at me for the last 20 minutes.” Mav looked at you with ‘help me’ eyes.

You started to laugh and then you felt bad and got your self together. “I came over here because we are ready to do Leia Rey’s cake.” You were still trying to hold in your laughter. 

Leia jumped up and screamed. “AH! Finally! Let’s go Papa Mav! It’s cake time!” Leia grabbed your hand and started to drag you and little Bradley to the tent area with all of her guests waiting for her patiently. Her friends all ran behind and followed you three.

Bradley stayed back with Jake and Austin to help Mav out of the sand. They all dusted him off and they all wrapped their arms around each other shoulders as they laughed and made fun of Mav up to the tent. 

Phoenix handed Luke to Bradley as she and Austin went to grab the cake. You were standing at the table with little Brad in your arms and Leia bouncing excitedly in front of you. Bradley came over to the three of you while he cradled Luke in his embrace. Leia gestured for you both to come down to her level. She kissed each of her brother’s on their head. “I love you, babies.” She smiled and patted their heads gently. You and Bradley looked at each other and smiled. He had tears in his eyes. He was so in love with his kids. 

Phoenix and Austin finally brought the cake over and lit the candles. 

“Okay everyone! On three! Ready? One, Two, Three!” Phoenix guided everyone into inning happy birthday. You all sang happy birthday to Leia. She was smiling big at everyone. She was full of joy and love. Her eyes were huge as she was staring at her cake. 

Bradley got on his knee and kissed Leia’s cheek after you all finished singing happy birthday. “Make a wish my girl.” 

She closed her eyes and blew out her candles. “Can I say what i wished for?” She smiled at you and Bradley. 

“But what if it doesn’t come true, babe?” Bradley raised his brow at Leia.

Leia smiled and shrugged, “I think it is already happening, daddy. I wished for us to always be together. Me, you, Momma, Luke, Bradley, and Gunner. Forever.” She smiled slightly as everyone gasped at her wish. 

You and Bradley got down on a knee and kissed Leia over and over again. “We will always be together, sweetheart. Forever and ever.” Bradley caressed her cheek and kissed her head. 

“I love you, Leia Rey. Happy birthday, my big girl.” You kissed her cheek over and over making sure each kiss was louder and harder each time. 

Everyone took their pictures of you and your family. Eventually everyone got to take their turns with taking pictures with Leia and her cake. You and Bradley stepped aside, you had tears in your eyes. Bradley pulled you in and kissed the top of your head and the boys heads. 

“It’s us forever, honey. Seven years of our family. Even though I have only been present for one.” You both started to giggle. “I love you, babe, forever. Thank you for blessing me with a baby girl as great and perfect as Leia.” Bradley held you with his free arm and laid his head on top of yours. 

“Our little girl is finally 7.” You can hear him sniffle. You looked up as you watched him watch Leia take pictures with everyone. He was so happy and over joyed with tears in his eyes. 

“Happy Birthday, my girl.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't believe it has been a whole year (Universe Time) of this family.😭 Leia Turning 7 is freaking NUTSS! And BESTIESSS, Papa Mav coming to Hawaii for Leia Girl's birthday 🤩 AND MEETING BOYS BOYS!!!! I can't wait for you all to read the rest of this story 🥹 I'll see you all in the next chapter! 🫶🏼

Leia's Luau guests are in the comments 🥳🌺

[the-kr8tor]

THREE. TWO. ONE... Happy Birthday to me >:) Daily Hobie HC! MORE WEBPUNK BECAUSE THEY'RE SO CUTE.

Syn stirred in bed, the coldness of the winter biting at any exposed skin under the covers. It felt more empty than usual, their human heater clearly not being in bed with them. Hobie was nowhere to be felt, which raised a few questions in their sleep-addled brain. Hobie never usually woke up early, or left the bed before Syn woke up. Normally they’d wake up to relentless kisses and cuddles, having to roughhouse Hobie away and starting their morning with laughter. Syn yawned, slowly dragging themselves up out of bed, beginning to wonder more clearly of where Hobie had gone. As they brushed themselves off, fixing up their messy wolf cut and the accidental folded ends of their sweatpants, Hobie was awaiting Syn’s arrival, wanting to catch the sleepy spider person off-guard for their birthday.He had woken up earlier than usual, setting up a good breakfast and his gifts for them. He could hear them walking around the bedroom, which further amped up his excitement and mischievousness. 

Syn finally turned the doorknob, walking out towards the lounge, their eyes flicking around the houseboat in search of him. The moment Hobie saw just a sliver of Syn, he yelped, successfully scaring them awake. Syn jumped back, their shoulders tensing and dropping just as quick upon hearing Hobie’s breathless laughter. Hobie couldn’t help but laugh even more as Syn flipped him off, a glimmer of affection hidden behind feigned annoyance. 

“ ‘Appy birthday, love.” Hobie hummed, watching his partner’s dark eyes take in the display. Syn turned towards Hobie with an uncontrollable smile, their heart swelling with love for him.  They couldn’t help but begin to laugh as a consequence of being completely and joyously overwhelmed by their own affection for Hobie. “Thank you so much, ‘Bie.” Syn pulled Hobie in by the end of his shirt, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Syn pulled back with a smirk, meeting his gaze and nudging him, feigning hurt for not getting their morning cuddles. Hobie rolled his eyes fondly towards Syn’s antics, grabbing the red thread on their wrist and quickly tugging them to the kitchen, wanting to show off his incredible cooking abilities WITHOUT burning down the entire place. Syn’s shock increased upon seeing the food he had made for them, all for their birthday. Was this man real, or was Syn dreaming? They pinched the tip of their finger- definitely real. “Hobie, you’re insane!” Syn exclaimed with a wide grin, not even sure how to handle all the affection. Hobie’s hands intertwined with their own, squeezing three times before responding smoothly, as if he wasn’t wanting to smile as wide as they were right now. “You love me though, don’t try to deny it,” He hummed, pulling them against his chest and resting his chin on top of their messy hair, “Synnia.” Hobie stifled a laugh at the loud huff Syn gave. He knew they absolutely hated their full name, but it was adorable to see their overdramatic frown whenever he used it. Hobie internally praises Pavitr for leaking such valuable information. “I do love you, Hobart Larry Brown. Now let me go brush my teeth.” Syn quickly quipped back, unravelling his hands from their body and slipping away towards the bathroom, sparing a teasing wink towards him over their shoulder. It was now Hobie’s turn to huff with an overdramatic frown, crossing his arms. At the sight of the wink, it was hard to not let his frown melt into a fond smile. -🐦‍⬛

OH MY GOODNESS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR 🐦‍⬛ ANON!! 🎉🎂❤️ I hope you have a very good one! Here's Hobie bringing gifts for you! (Edited by yours truly ❤️)

Also it's almost the anniversary of your daily hobie hcs!!! (It's either may or April I'm not so sure it might be earlier than that)

Daily Hobie HC ❤️❤️❤️ Syn Edition!

Ngl I was afraid something happened to Hobie for a sec 🤣 bc when a not so early riser actually wakes up early you gotta be worried for their well being 🤣

Lmaooo poor syn getting spooked on their bday!

Kwdniwjdw made a birthday breakfast for syn!! (Bonus that he didn't burn anything down) Pls tell me there are waffles in there 😋

BAHAHHAHAHHAHA Hobie tried with their full name but syn hit him with the 'hobart larry brown' and he immediately surrendered 🤭

The happiest of birthdays to you my beloved ❤️❤️❤️

[fullscoreshenanigans]

I had a dream where a extra chapter was released where Ray, Emma, and Norman had a pretend wedding when they were 9. The whole thing was a joke but when they got to Rays vows they were genuinely so moving and heartfelt yet out of the blue and I wanted to cry. For their fake wedding they used a white Lilly of the valley. They placed the Lilly in a vase. Then the chapter turned to a zooming out panel. The setting changed to post Norman's shipment in the dining hall, that in the same exact vase was a wilted, bright red flower next to where Ray was sitting. The chapter ended with;

"Till death do us part."

And then I woke up and cried for 3 hours

Dramatic-ass baby (he would though; Norman too jdfkkdh </3)

Always thinking about @poolboyatthevampiiremansion's one-shot w.a.m.s. where they have a play wedding that they end up treating as legit and highly encourage any REN enthusiasts to give it a read (coincidentally it just had its first anniversary yesterday 🎉)

Like Isabella gets them rings to use that they end up keeping even post-escape?? Mine fucking ass???

Also Emma uses the music box Isabella gave her as the musical accompaniment to their ceremony I

More gushing below the cut:

Bruh 🥺🤧😭 Olympic medal mental gymnast in order to maintain her sanity. Heart ripped in two in the first section alone.

Emma is still so young here and she’s not hitting the 300 marks like Norman yet, but there’s such a vitality to her that’s firmly nestled itself into Isabella’s heart, bittersweetness and all with how she reminds her of her young, warm, outgoing self we see in the flashbacks with Leslie in the second light novel. Love how this is brought out here with little touches like this. Combined with how Emma is one of the first children she’s raised completely by herself as a mom, Isabella allows herself to feel more attachment and hope with her and probably commits moments like this to memory even after her near five years at the house.

The softness she regards them with, almost proto-shoujo bubbles. 🖤🫧🧡🫧🤍

Norman, adorably, hesitating because he’s still grappling with latent feelings he can’t even begin to articulate about his friends, but at the forefront of them is how he unquestionably gravitates to them and is attune to all their little nuances.

Ray, heartbreakingly, hesitating because he’s grappling with the reality he’s beginning to comprehend and the crushing acceptance that he can’t save all his siblings as things stand now, and after already narrowing it down to just Emma and Norman, being faced with the question of if he could honestly live with himself if he chose one to save over the other. The conclusion he comes to further bolsters his resolve to confront Isabella in just a few short weeks, and foreshadows the devastation of Norman’s shipment after a lifetime of realization and meticulous planning.

Really like the quiet magnitude of this both for Emma and Norman’s blissful unawareness of the farm system’s horrors conceived for them and ofc from the future romantic perspective as being the core foundational tenant of REN. 🖤🧡🤍

LITTLE BABY BOY BEING SO BABY EMBARRASSED AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH >///< 🤍🤍 AND SHE MADE THEM FLOWER RINGS?? HEART SWELL HEART SWELL SHE LOVES HER BOYS SM 🖤🧡🤍

And to his credit this is a very speedy recovery for him lol

Love the balance between Norman’s blatant feelings for Emma everyone but her is fully aware of with his burgeoning subconscious ones he holds for Ray (he was playing with or calmly stroking his hair I’m?? qwq the counterpoint to this is obs that boys should be allowed to be innocently intimate like this in a world where so many men are touch-starved due to societal conventions, but with the awareness of endgame REN, love those little gestures of comfort that cement each other as their home that transcend the physical boundary of two worlds.)

and oml if Isabella ever let him touch her hair at any point I wonder if he subconsciously makes the link between them, god I love pain

BIG SIS OLIVIA MOMENTS!!! BIG SIS OLIVIA MOMENTS TOWARD EMMA THE LITTLE EXCITABLE POOFBALL!!! healing |33 love thinking about all the habits the trio might have picked up from their older siblings.

I abuse the phrase “adorable imagery” so much in my review of this fic, but they are so fucking cute, and it makes the ending of the sentence with Isabella hit even harder fucking sobbing, clawing at the furniture, eating the drywall; such an excellent choice 🤧

Baby going through an existential crisis but still trying to be present for his bffs/soon-to-be spouses and genuinely finding some solace in these moments with them that’ll solidify his resolve to confront Isabella in just a few days.

And being rewarded with a trademark Norman Smile™. I need a moment—

The masochist in me wonders if Ray ever looked down at his ring during his confrontation with Isabella at the gate, and if she picked up then that Emma and Norman were the reasons he was doing all of this. Not as like blackmail or anything since none of them were ever in danger of being shipped out with their scores even before Ray pulled his up and helped Emma with hers so he’d call any bluff she made on that front, but you know, just something she’d muse about as another layer of her tumultuous relationship with her son and wondering if she had a similar ceremony with Leslie when they were children, if that would have made her feel worse or if it might have provided him with more comfort in his final moments.

Anyways, when you’re the absolute biggest softie who loves your bffs more than anything but you’re trying not to look like the absolute biggest softie qwq (I’m sure Isabella noted that, too, how he asked for three chains instead of just two when he could have explained it away to Emma and Norman that he could only find two for them and he’d just make do without one.)

FUCK FUCK FUCK this is such an agonizing choice because as far as he knows, the ring is just going to be tossed out, and he didn’t know what Ray was doing with the photographs, so he could have reasoned it was something to remember him by and left it behind, coming to the conclusion he was being selfish by keeping it.

But we love a little selfish genius boy (since he’s not really being selfish but is just one for the dramatics) and I love how he made that conscious decision to hold on to it as a commitment to that love. Also makes him leaving the cups with Isabella hurt a bit less. </3

Good god though all the times he probably held onto it or at least rested his hand on it like when he approached the truck at the gate before Isabella escorted him into the side room, or possibly one of the times they made him remove it if they put him under when giving him the Lambda brand. _(:△」∠)_ I am completely fine.

Minerva, the man, the myth, the legend, can have two loves, as a treat. Builds up the mystique flkjlskddf 🧡🤍🖤

WE LOVE A POLY POSITIVE LAMBDA CREW 👏👏👏

“this little guy came in and razed Lambda to the ground along with a handful of other farms in the span of a few short months, is going to wipe out all the demons that have preyed upon humans for centuries, and loves two people with all his heart because he just has so much love to give. he is a god there is nothing he can’t do. :)”

I REPEAT HE IS SUCH A DRAMATIC MF I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

“flimsy” aaaaaah that he was so protective over not only the ring itself, but also the chain when he undoubtedly could have found a replacement one at some point since escaping Lambda. The commitment to keeping it all intact for when he saw them again and his exposing it and laying all of that bare for Emma to eventually pick up on acting as a reflection of the first time he could feel this open and vulnerable again since being shipped (not entirely ofc, but still)

I wondered if canon was going to be retooled for this scene to have Ray in the room with Emma for the initial reveal instead of having him come in with the rest of the group, but I think Norman being so overwhelmed by Ray being alive when he knew Ray had committed himself to dying for them works to make it canon compliant, given the resolute look we see him give Ray in that short montage cut from S1e11. Even if he wasn’t aware of how much self-loathing Ray held for himself like Emma discovered, it’s still an emotional experience, knowing he spent years valuing his life only so much as it could be used to facilitate their escape without seeing how he enriched his and Emma's lives.

It makes the choice to use the translation of “I’m glad I’m alive!” as opposed to “I’m glad you're alive!” for Ray’s response even more poignant. 🖤

i cannot believe he is keeping this up like bro, they know you love them, bro, you are so transparent, bro, that said never change, bro

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 when the REN so real it transcends the mortal plane 🖤🧡🤍🙏

oh I love how in character this feels with that silent yet unconditional love grounded in physical touch (along with gifts and acts of service being his preferred love languages). With how many times he questioned his memories before confronting Isabella and now after almost two years of believing Norman was dead, there’s even more comfort to be found there in just being able to hold on to them.

me at Norman being comfortable enough to tear up in front of them after almost two years of resolutely refusing to show his tears to anyone else, either out of pride, spite, or attempting to project a façade of strength and power, and Ray after a lifetime at Grace Field where every emotional response had to be regulated and measured qwq

All incredibly tender; I remain deceased even a year after its publication