#I was lucky they understood immediately like god bless you
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asilcorner · 3 months ago
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Sky is great simply for giving out Dailies that involve needing a friend when none of your actual friends are online.
Like, hi, yes random stranger, we met once and have been sending light for 3 months and never ever talked, but can you give me a hug real quick, then walk away so I can teleport over to you and latch onto your hand and also fly around a bit with you??? Thanks!!!
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baura-bear · 10 months ago
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hey i’m late but
davey, but it’s the davey who doesn’t understand
we meet him when he’s 17, 18. we meet him when he’s awkward, and shy, but brave enough to stand up for himself when it really comes down to it. we meet him using big words and sarcasm and being…well, davey.
who we don’t meet is david at seven. we don’t meet the kid whose first language is hebrew, and doesn’t know enough of english to call it a second. we don’t meet the david who reads the dictionary in the dark when he’s supposed to be asleep because god, some stupid kid made fun of how he didn’t understand a word in class, and his cheeks are still burning. we don’t meet the boy who can’t read tones or cues for the life of him, who can’t tell jokes from insults, who has stuck his foot in his mouth too many goddamn times because he couldn’t take a hint.
and teachers tell him how he’s so smart and such a fast learner, and he doesn’t tell them how many hours he stayed up because he didn’t. get. it. sarah says she wishes she could be like him, and what he doesn’t say is he wishes he could be anything but him. his brain moves a mile a minute, but it’s still too slow, still not enough, still thinking in the wrong language, still two steps behind, still missing the punchline, and david isn’t good enough, either.
but then he’s davey. and davey is funny. davey is smart. davey isn’t two steps behind, but two steps ahead. and he knows that it’s not because he’s special, or good, but only because he was lucky enough to be david first, and davey second, but sometimes, at night, he lies in bed and wishes. he pretends that it WAS because he was enough. that he WAS everything race and crutchie told him he was. just as funny and weird and smart as jack claimed him to be.
and maybe he was a liar.
but at least he understood that.
bless your heart this is exactly what i was looking for 🫶🫶🫶🫶
first of all. did you look into my childhood memories to write this?? second of all. davey reading the dictionary is something that means so much to me. this was one of my first head canons about him so teehee :3
one day Jack is def over for dinner and someone makes a light comment about one of david's childhood quirks and davey gives them the *stop talking immediately* look because he doesn't want Jack knowing how Strange he actually is. Jack is just sitting there like :)) my boyfriend is so cool and silly
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companionjones · 4 years ago
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Sweetheart
Fandom: The Conjuring Movies
Pairing: Family!Warrens x Child!Reader
Warnings: Annabelle, adoption
Summary: You are a young child, and you are adopted by the Warrens. They soon find out that you have the same gift as Lorraine.
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    It’s okay, sweetheart. Really, it is. You’re not as alone as you thought. At least, not anymore.
    Looking back, I should’ve seen this coming. I woke up that morning with an urge that was too sudden. Of course, Ed didn’t need any convincing. I’m so lucky to have him. We were able to get an appointment with an adoption agency within a couple months.
��   Being paired with you was pure fate. I believe that it was the work of God. I can’t imagine anyone else in your place, sweetheart.
    When we took you home, Ed and I were concerned that Judy would act like most kids do when another child comes into the family. It wasn’t like that at all. Instead of getting jealous and worrying that Ed and I would start paying attention to you more than her, Judy immediately accepted you as part of the family. Frankly, I should start getting jealous of how much time she’s spending with you.
    It took three months for me to realize why I had so suddenly wanted to adopt a child. I was on a phone call with a friend, and Ed was supposed to be watching you. He stepped away for a moment to the bathroom. When he returned, you were missing. His searching for you notified me that something was wrong. It took us only two minutes to find you in the artefact room. Ed was the first through the door, and he was quick to grab you. You had been standing right in front of Annabelle’s case.
    “What were you thinking?” Ed asked, as terrified as I was.
    I wondered, “How did you even get in there?”
    “Annabelle had been calling me for a while now,” you began in your small voice. “I didn’t talk back, I promise. I know she’s bad, but she kept getting stronger. She was gonna break out. I had to stop her.”
    Ed and I quickly glanced into the artefact room.
    “Her door was open, I closed it so she couldn’t get out.”
    Alarmed, Ed and I asked, “You touched the case?!”
    “No! No. I...you know...”
    Suddenly, I understood. I understood a lot of things. “It’s okay, Ed. Call Father Henry and ask him to bless Annabelle’s case again. I’m going to talk to Y/n for a minute. Everything’s going to be fine, Ed, I promise,” I added to resolve the remaining unease in his eyes.
    And that brings us here. Sweetheart, I’m sure you’re scared, hearing voices that aren’t supposed to be there, but you’re not alone. I have the same gift as you, sweetheart. I can teach you how to control it all. Then, if you want, you’ll be able to help others just like Ed and I do.
    I love you, sweetheart, we all do. You’re safe here. You’re part of this family, and we are going to protect you no matter what.
*******
Author’s Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. I would also really appreciate a comment if you left one. If you would like to read more, I have more fics on the Conjuring over on my page. You should check it out. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you! <3 <3 <3
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dreamii-yume · 4 years ago
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Hiya~ Can I request a sinfic featuring yan!riddle where he uses an aphrodisiac on his fem!darling? ^v^ thanks in advance if you every try to write this!
Tried to implement some Mommy kink for our Baby Riddle but meh...Yume didn’t quite get there lol I’m sorry~ I’ll do your mommy kink justice someday, Riddle!  {{ (>_<) }}
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It's petty, it goes against the rules, against every moral lesson he was taught, and as the older one, Riddle knew how immature this was of him. But he just loves you so much that it's only fair for you to feel the same thing, right? It's a completely valid reason! 
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Riddle was not one to show emotions to make himself feel and look vulnerable to others.
It doesn't matter if they're a close friend or anyone he's familiar with, he just thinks that it's unnecessary for him to do so. Especially after his overblotting incident, it's just his duty to do what's right and recognize his past mistakes. For the first time in so long, he was corrected, he was wrong in so many ways, and he whole-heartedly accepted that. It was a blessing that his own dorm ended up forgiving his tyranny, being able to celebrate another successful unbirthday party as if Riddle hadn't done anything wrong at all. He was lucky to have such understanding friends, but the fact that they forgave him this easily was the exact reason why he's so conflicted with such a massive amount of guilt.
They were so nice despite after everything, just too loyal and accepting that Riddle's heart aches just remembering that he once took advantage of that loyalty. The guilt still chains him up and it was suffocating, but he knew he must not show such emotions. It doesn't change the fact that he's the Dorm Leader, the current King of Heartslabyul, he shouldn't burden anyone with such trivial things such as guilt. They don't have to know, if this was the price for his past actions, then he shall suffer through it all alone. No one needed to get involved in his personal matters, not again.
"...Are you sad, Riddle-san?"
No one...but you, who personally knocked ever so gently against the walls he built around himself.
Riddle didn't know if you were aware of his dilemma or had just consulted him out of pure instinct but he'd be lying if he said that he wasn't caught off guard that one day. It was the end of another unbirthday party that you and Grimm were invited to. You had dared to place your hand on his head, stroking his hair once and even asked such an outrageous question. Suffice to say, he was surprised, it left his mouth open but words don’t seem to come out. It also occurred to him that you might've done that deed unconsciously as he could practically see the realization coming down upon you, retracting your hands from his head almost immediately.
"Oh, I-I'm sorry...! I touched you without thinking..." You had apologized, bowing repeatedly but eventually looked up with an embarrassed smile. You scratched the back of your head, a tiny blush decorating your cheeks, feeling silly. "...I guess I just felt something really odd about you today, Riddle-san. It's probably just my imagination but still..."
"...Please cheer up. I'm sure no one would want to see you sad." You said, giving him a close-eyed smile and an awkward ‘Cheer-Up’ pose. "If you have something on your mind, feel free to share them with any of us!"
With Grimm screaming for you from the distance, you gave him one last smile and bowed before turning to your monster friend. Riddle didn't even get to say anything as he stood there, watching your figure disappear in the distance. He found himself reaching for his own head, on the same exact spot that your hand was in and looked down. That was unexpected, he really should get his act together if someone like you was able to tell. It was a relief that you didn't pry too much, that would've been a problem.
...Though, Riddle couldn't deny that something in him felt a little giddy for someone to see through him without words. The way you placed your hand on his head, the way your eyes looked at him, even if it was all done unintentionally. It made his face heat up and his heart could only beat so fast.
They all felt so gentle and sincere. He liked it.
But even so, Riddle turned around, clearing his throat and shaking his head awake out of such a ridiculous daydream. What is he talking about? Patting his head is a major offense to him personally! It's gesture that makes him feel inferior and doing so will immediately prompt him to decapitate your head off.
However, Riddle narrowed his eyebrows together and pat his reddening cheeks twice, just to calm himself down. You did recognize your mistake and it wasn't intentional after all so...He'll let you off the hook. He might've just been surprised, that's all, there was no more reason to fret over your touch like this.
Riddle needs to get his everything together, he's your senior, for god's sake.
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...Was what he told himself, correct? He thought he was done with this.
Someway, somehow, Riddle found himself inviting you for a private tea party with him one day. He doesn't like this, it feels like he's favoring you way too much, he doesn't even do this with Trey and the others. But one look at your troubled expression in the library that day was enough for him to come and talk to you. Seriously, had he really become this easy to catch these days? Anyways, your woes laid down on a subject that involves magic, it was probably why you look so troubled about it.
"You'll teach me? Really?"
That spark in your eyes was something Riddle had never seen before, it intrigued him for some reason. He originally thought that you were suspicious, suddenly appearing out of nowhere without a single ounce of magic. You ended up becoming a student, a half-student to precise, and not to mention a girl in a prestigious all-boys school that Night Raven. It already sounded problematic in papers and by ear, your whole existence in this school is a clear violation of rules! However, once he took a closer look at the bigger picture of your situation, only then did it occur to him how harmless you really are.
After all, you were just a normal girl who always seems to get involve in a situation you didn't ask for in the first place.
"I see...So, that's how it is." You said, humming. Even without magic to perform the activities written on the text book, you somehow understood the basic concept of the topic. As expected of Heartslabyul's Dorm Leader, his strict but careful manner of teaching was no joke.
Gracefully placing down his cup on a saucer, Riddle ran his finger smoothly on the huge block of text in the textbook. "You don't need magic to remember these formulas, correct? As long as you memorized all of them with accuracy, you'll have no problems in the upcoming tests." Riddle advised as you nodded, mentally taking notes of each and every one of his words. "Now, try to answer this next question with a different method. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the trick soon enough."
True to what he said, you managed to answer all the questions in your homework and Riddle couldn't help but be amused with your reaction. You look so relieved that you were able to finish them in such a short period of time and with confidence too. This made him want to brag about how he could finish paper works at this amount in an even shorter time frame and with everything guaranteed to be correct just so he could see your amazed reaction. But he decided against it, thinking of how immature of a move it was.
"Riddle-san, you're really amazing...I could never do these things by myself." You whispered with a small laugh as you leaned down on the table, resting your head that had been starting to ache from all the memorization you've been doing. Riddle wanted to criticize your laid-back posture but, in the end, he kept it all on his own. Your exhaustion was to be expected after all, it’s understandable.
Riddle tilted his head to the side. "...Is that so? I do think this is normal for my age." He said, which merely made you laugh nervously and drop a sweat. What he said just proved how much of a genius this child is, having the personality of a workaholic. However, you noticed how he slouched down slightly, with something oddly lonely in his eyes. "...This is what I've been taught all my life after all. I have to be the best of the best."
Ah, of course, he's not a genius without a cost. That much is understandable at least. "That's not true." You said without thinking, making Riddle turn to look at you. Your eyes were closed as if you were in the verge of falling asleep but that dazed, gentle smile remains on your face, telling him that you're still wide awake. "No one can be the 'best' out of the best. A child shouldn't grow up to believe that they can."
"...But unfortunately so, Riddle-san did, didn't he?" You phrased the words like it was supposed to be a response to yourself rather than to him. You opened your eyes, sympathy overflowing from within them that it makes Riddle's heart ache. "I can't imagine how painfully lonely that must've been, enduring and following all those crazy rules."
"But you know? It doesn't have to be like that anymore, you have friends who'll listen and spend time with you now." You said. "You can eat all the tart you want and not have to worry about breaking any rules for even just a second. It doesn't hurt to have fun once in a while."
"That's why, Riddle-san doesn't need to be the best of the best. You don't even have to listen to your mother if you, yourself knew how unreasonable her words are. You are your own person, after all." Riddle looked up at you and you couldn't help but to think of him as a little puppy, learning how to do his first trick for the first time. However, you blinked and covered your mouth when you realized that you just said something extremely rude in regards to his mother. "A-Ah! T-That's not to bad-mouth your mother or anything! I'm sure she was trying in her own way...! I think…?"
A tinge of awkwardness decorated your features as you sat properly on your seat, scratching the back of your head. "...But the point is...I just don't see why Riddle-san needs to be the best at everything. You're already fine the way you are." You said, looking down as you begin to feel really embarrassed of what you're saying. "Honestly, if you were my son, I'd be the proudest mother in the whole world~! No doubt about it!"
Widening his eyes at what you said, Riddle couldn't help but look down as different kinds of emotions swirling inside of him. His mouth twitched but he didn’t know whether to smile or to frown, he's incredibly indecisive right now. But his eyes did soften though, your last words had echoed over and over again inside his head, blocking out every other words that came after. He felt all warmed up on the inside that he clutched his chest tight and didn't seem to hear you say "Just kidding~" in a playful manner. You'll be the proudest mother you said, an actual proud mother who can be proud of someone like him.
"...Honestly, it would've been nice if you were indeed my mother in the first place..." He whispered with a strained, quavering voice, his hand clenching harder on his chest. How laughable, he's older than you and yet, he could actually feel himself at ease, consulting you like this.
"Eh...? Eh!? Riddle-san!?" You were about question him, trying to process if what you heard was correct. However, you quickly shot up from surprise in your seat as you looked at the red-haired's expression, a few drops of glistening tears began to overflow from his eyes. "W-Why are you crying...!? Aah, I'm sorry, I-I was joking...! I'm not gonna do it again, okay-"
"Hey..." Before you could say any more, you flinched as Riddle grabbed your hand, shutting you up completely. You fell into silence as he slowly brought your hand up on top of his head, your heart beating in anticipation. "Could you do it again...? Please?"
You felt your face heating up, not knowing how to process this turn of events. It was supposed to be a joke, an example to strengthen a point that you were trying to make. Still, Riddle seemed to have taken it seriously and you couldn't help but to feel a little sympathetic. It just proves that this child had been hungry, yearning for some needed motherly affection that he never got as a child. So desperate in fact, that he's willing to believe that silly little statement of yours.
Your eyes softened as you went closer to him and began to stroke his hair as gently as you could. You watched him sniffle, his shoulders shaking slightly as he tries to keep his cries at a minimum. "...You're still in pain, aren't you? You poor thing..." You said with a smile, purposely making your voice as soft as possible to give him the sense of comfort. "There, there...It'll be alright. Everything's going to be alright."
With that, Riddle couldn't help himself anymore and wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer. Sitting on his little throne, he buried his face on your stomach, his tears staining your uniform but you didn't mind. All you could really do was to continue stroking his hair and welcomed his head in an embrace. "...Thank you for enduring everything all this time, you've been such a good boy." You comforted, closing your eyes and Riddle could just melt against you. "But we're here now, you don't have to worry anymore. From now on, you'll never feel lonely again."
"You've done an excellent job, Riddle. I'm so proud."
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Continue the Spice~?
Yume had to force herself to buy a new laptop because she knew she wouldn’t be able to survive Online Class without one (c" ತ,_ತ) I’m quite a stranger to electronics really, but I’m learning as I go, but I still miss my old laptop aaaa- (;_;)
BUT NEVERMIND THAT!
Yume had reach 500+ followers! That many Darlings!? Isn’t it crazy!? (´;Д;`) To think this blog could actually reach that much lol Yume just wanted to release some hornii \(//∇//)\ Thank you very much, Sweethearts~! My fellow Hornii people ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
...I’m excited for the next few Sinfics (΄◉◞౪◟◉`)
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s8ncake · 4 years ago
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Originally I wasn’t planning on posting this here, but a friend of mine convinced me. You can also check it out on ao3!
🔞The following fic is nsfw. Minors dni.🔞
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Sacrilege
Summary: Simeon has fallen, but he doesn’t view himself as such. No, given the feelings he has towards you, this could only be an ascension; one beyond anything he had in the Celestial Realm, and anything the Devildom could offer. Now he serves no one, only you. His one and only god.
word count: ~5700
⚠️c/w: gore and blood (but Simeon and the reader are fine), yandere!Simeon, sacrilegious themes, blasphemy
Additional note: the reader is gender neutral, and the reader’s genitalia isn’t specified
In ao3, I tagged this with Dead Dove: Do not eat. That still applies here. Make sure you’ve read over the content warnings before proceeding / interacting.
🔞And once again, minors dni.🔞
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Falling’s a strange thing, a concept that Simeon never quite understood. It happened to angels who were wicked, those who sought to undo his father’s plan. So they were cut off. From the heavenly host. From their powers. Their wings turned black, and their light faded. Until the only thing left was a darkness, one that sought to consume everything that they once were. They either died or transformed, becoming monsters. Beasts. Demons.
Simeon is none of those things. He didn’t fall to oppose his father, nor did he seek to undo any sort of plan. He’s an author after all, and authors create.
And what could his muse be, other than you?
Your soul is brilliant, a beacon of light amongst everything else in this miserable realm. It took him far too long to see that. But thankfully, his eyes have been opened. And never again shall they shut. In the long span of his existence, he’s seen everything that the universe could offer. Stars. Galaxies. The rise and fall of human civilization itself. Existence itself is always in a state of flux, constantly shifting and warping as things are created and then destroyed.
But you… You exist beyond that.
Your soul never tarnishes, nor does it fade when things get rough. Instead, it fights. Nails. Fists. Some would say that it’s barbaric, but Simeon had always found it to be beautiful. It’s a philosophy that he’s tried to emulate. Words are meaningless, unless they are used to praise you. So now he resorts to action. And well, the saying is true. So perhaps it’s only natural that he uses it to replace his books, that the tales he creates are no longer works of fiction. No, fantasy has lost all meaning now.
There’s only you.
You have always inspired him. Even now, Simeon can’t help but write poetry about you as he moves. The world that he’s in is dark. Depressing. Very little of it is worthy of being compared to someone as brilliant as you. But that doesn’t prevent him from trying.
Today, he starts with a crumbling city. It’s silence echoes throughout the land, and you are the slight breeze that rushes past his ear. The moon, although unlike its cratered surface, you have no imperfections. No, the dips and grooves along your skin are beautiful. Like the glinting of a knife, the way the metal slices through the air. You have pierced his heart just as easily. But that’s okay, it’s yours after all.
It’s a shame that he can’t carve out his own and give it to you. That despite everything, he is still limited by this corporeal form. But if he were to be anything else, then you wouldn’t be able to look at him. And that would get in the way of his worship. A god must be able to view their subjects after all.
Besides, this new form is perfect for him. It’s yet another form of his art, a piece that was made specifically for you. His horns. His tail. His cock… He considered it all. Like a good follower should.
No one else would be able to do that. They are limited by their pathetic mortal frame. Rats. Parasites. They’re unfit to even look upon you. But with another flicker of his knife, they are handled. And he will morph them until something better. Something more suited for you.
The process of creation is a never ending one, especially given the thousands of pieces that he’s working on. Some of them are grand, and others are small. But all of them are for you. How else would he pay tribute?
There’s a gust of wind. Your arrival is soon. He can sense it. It comes with everything that is right. The sun peaking over the clouds. Starlight reflecting off of a lake. The rippling of water as it reveals the creatures that lurk within its depths. The sound of laughter, followed by the blessed silence that he’s come to adore. That is who you are. An omen of things to come. The others say you are bad, but Simeon knows better. It is impossible for you to be anything other than good.
For you are greater than the heavens, and the earth itself. His father was nothing, but you—
There’s a scream as Simeon feels blunt nails dig into his arm. It’s followed by a shove, and footsteps frantically scrambling away from him. ...How annoying.
His latest sacrifice had just ruined his internal monologue. And it was going to be such a good one too. What a shame. If only he had a pen and paper nearby…
They don’t travel far. There’s another sound, although this one is a plea. Simeon silences it with a crunch, and tsks when he looks at his hands. That was messier than he had intended, but it looks like no longer needs any ink. An amused chuckle falls from his lips. Would you like that? Poetry written in the blood of your enemies, the very nonbelievers who seek to destroy the world that the two of you are trying to create?
...Perhaps that’s something to try next time. Right now, he has something more important to focus on. He’s still in the process of creation after all, and he’s not finished decorating. Thankfully this… creature (it can’t be a human, for nothing could compare to you) should provide him with the rest of the materials that he needs. So Simeon gets to work.
This too is a form of art, and one he would never have considered before. But he has expanded beyond quills and parchment. Now he builds sculptures out of the very people who would defy you. Those who are unworthy of being graced with your presence. They are broken down, and fashioned into a suitable idol.
Another splash of crimson. The breaking of bones. Wire. Nails. And then it’s done. Your new altar is complete. Simeon takes a step back, appraises his work, and grins. It’s perfect.
Fresh blood drips off of it, reminding him of rain, the way it softly drizzles and brings life to those around it. This is a form of life as well, one that does nothing but speak of your greatness. The various limbs that have been tacked and strung above it make a rainbow, an icon of the color you have given this dull and drab world. Maybe one day you’ll be able to color it all. But the best part about it is when you stand away, when you view his masterpiece from a distance. It takes the shape of a heart, one that resembles his own. And it exists entirely for you.
The wind picks up, howling in his ears, and he knows that you are here. Once you enter the room, Simeon falls to his knees. He doesn’t have to stay there for long; it’s simply a gesture of formality, one that reminds you of how important you truly are.
“You may rise.”
He follows the command without hesitation. Your voice is a melody. A soothing tone that seeps into his bones and leaves him feeling lighter. It truly is an act of kindness that you’ve allowed him to stand as your equal, if only for a brief moment. But he will be on his knees again soon enough.
He can’t wait.
A sigh falls from your lips once you notice the various remains that litter the floor. “Those were supposed to be the new recruits. I guess none of them were willing?”
Simeon nods. “They were all unworthy of you.”
“A shame.” Your eyes then roam over his altar. He awaits your response with trepidation. ...Do you like it?
But as always, there’s no need for him to voice his question. Like the god you are, you already answer it with a grin. Your power, your majesty, truly knows no bounds. “You’ve found a better use for them though. I’m pleased.”
A shiver runs down Simeon’s spine. Your approval means everything. It is the air that fills up his lungs and allows him to breath. He feels incredibly lucky, to be blessed with such a thing.
It only inspires him to work even harder for what comes next. There is no church here, nor is there a temple. But those measly little things are unneeded. Your body outshines it all. And that is what he shall worship.
A strike of a bell, and then Simeon kneels before you once as you sit upon your handmade throne. It begins now. Sacrament. He licks his lips in anticipation.
You are an image, perched atop yet another one of his creations. Although this one is his favorite. There’s no flesh or bone, only gold. Treasure that he had stolen from the Celestial Realm and the Devildom alike. Melting it was difficult, but the result was definitely worth it. For now you have a throne, one that suits your majesty.
It makes him feel small, as it should. Your presence is grand, a shining iridescent star amongst the blank canvas that he’s created. And it’s reflected in his eyes once you beckon him forward.
He delicately peels each and every garment off of you, savoring the sight of your body as it’s slowly revealed to him. He’s seen it before, yet you never fail to take his breath away. Every hair, every scar, all of the dips and grooves that make up who you are; Simeon loves it all. How could he not?
Beauty takes the form of your legs, the way they spread open before him. Magnificent is the sight that greets him, your most intimate parts bare now before his gaze. Adoration is what he feels when you whisper his name and guide his head forward. And divinity, well... that is what you taste like.
He dives in with enthusiasm. You immediately grab onto his horns, and pull him in closer. Simeon groans. They’re handles after all, ones that he made specifically for you. To tug. To control. He is but a follower, and you are a god. One that will never fail to help him find the right path.
And everything about this, the taste of your essence on his tongue, is right.
Every noise that you make spurs him on. This is what you deserve. The pleasure that courses through your veins. The moans that fall from your lips. It’s a shame that he can’t give you more, not yet at least. One day the world will be yours, but until then… an orgasm will have to do.
You cum with a cry, one that could shake the very heavens itself. A part of him hopes that they've heard you, but the other knows that they are unworthy of such a thing. He laps up each and every drop. It would be a sin to allow any of it to spill. Nothing you create should ever go to waste. Especially when it’s this good.
Once your orgasm ends, he pulls away, giving you a moment to collect yourself. It’s a shame that he cannot taste you forever; that like all good things, it must come to an end. But his worship of you is far from over. No, the two of you have only just begun.
Your eyes meet, and Simeon’s tongue lolls out, wiping away the spare traces of your cum. A chuckle, then you gently pat his head. “Such a good boy Simeon. You’ve improved.”
Pleasure shoots down his spine the moment you praise him. This is what he’s after. This is the reason he exists. To serve you. To please you. Your fingers begin to run through his hair, and a moan falls from his lips as he leans into your touch.
“You remember what comes next, don’t you?”
Of course. His worship of you is a form of art, one that he has practiced over and over again. Simeon nods, and then finally removes the last of his clothing.
His cock springs free. It’s hard. Leaking. He wants you, as always. But how could he not? Your visage is the most beautiful thing that he’s ever seen. Your voice rolls through his mind like honey. He loves you.
It’s normal of course, for a follower to love their god. Yet even the word itself feels unsatisfactory. One day he’ll have to create a new one. But until then, love will have to suffice. Besides, he has better ways to show his devotion. Actions speak louder than words after all. So despite the desire that courses through him, he doesn’t even make an attempt to touch himself. His own pleasure is unimportant. The only thing that matters is you.
So instead he stays on his knees. Where he belongs. He starts with your ankle, placing feather light kisses along each one as his mouth slowly works his way up to your calf. You gasp once he reaches your thighs, and then the next part of sacrament begins: creation.
In the past he created galaxies. Stars. Nebulas. Simeon had the luxury of forming several of them before that task was given to someone else. But thanks to you, he can perform it once more. Only this time the materials are different. Instead of creating constellations in the sky, he makes them on your body.
Today he starts with the Big Dipper. He lightly suckles on your thighs, mapping out each and every star, and once that constellation is done, he moves onto another. Caenis Major. Orion. Cygnus. Your body looks even more breathtaking like this, so he adds a few more. These ones are new, ones that he just made up. They have yet to have a name, but for now… Consecratio will have to do. Perhaps he’ll be able to come up with a more official title for them later.
Your name falls from his lips, along with a moan, and something inside of him slips. He falls even further into your depths. Beautiful. You’re so beautiful. His name never sounded so pretty; but everytime you say it, he can feel his cock begin to swell. He is the one you want. The only being that makes you feel like this, and the only one that ever will.
You are his god.
Blood rushes through him, staining his cheeks, hardening his cock even further. In the haze of his own mind, his mouth parts from your skin, and his fingers enter you instead.
You mewl at the intrusion. This isn’t how things are supposed to go. This step comes later on, yet Simeon can’t wait. He wants to see you cum once more. To hear your praise as he pleasures you beyond your own comprehension.
Perfect. Stunning. Simeon adds another finger, his gaze fixed on your expression and nothing else. Finding that spot within you is easy. He had memorized its location long ago as proof of his devotion. Each and every part of your body has been mapped out, a never ending piece of parchment that he keeps in his head. In truth, Simeon has never been much of a navigator. But your body is the only thing that he needs to know.
You moan once again. You’re close, Simeon can feel it. Although he’s neglected to take his own pleasure into account. He’s close as well.
Simeon hasn’t even laid a hand on himself, yet his own noises grow louder. Every gasp. Every groan. Knowing that he’s able to do this to you spurs him on, his cock aching from how much it desires you. Yet your image drowns all of that out.
His peak arrives, but he never gets to fully reach it. Instead, your hand clenches around the base of his cock, preventing him from cumming.
“You’re getting ahead of yourself. Recite your scripture as punishment.”
His labored breathing echoes across the room, and Simeon’s eyes widen once he realizes his mistake. He was being selfish, allowing his own pleasure to get in the way of yours. Lust is a vise that he should have had better control of. He was a fool to let it get in the way of his love, so he accepts your punishment with grace.
Magic soon replaces your hand, creating a cockring that now leaves your fingers free to move up and down along his shaft. His breathing stutters, but he’s thankful for the intervention. More of your magic curls around his body, brushing up against his skin. It’s a sign of what’s to come, yet he shoves that excitement aside, or tries to at least.
Simeon frowns. The cockring was sorely needed. It makes sure that he doesn’t forget about what’s truly important. No matter what, he isn’t allowed to cum before you. The only sin that exists is putting his pleasure before your own.  Yes, he deserves to be punished for this. His devotion towards you never should have wavered.
So he opens his mouth, and speaks; his voice not faltering despite the way your hand moves across his shaft. “The steadfast love of you, my god, never ceases. Your mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning.”
You press one of your fingers against his slit, smearing some of his precum along the head of his cock. A shudder runs down Simeon’s spine. Your touch is a blessing, one that he can never get enough of. But he cannot focus on it. No. The pleasure is unimportant. You must be worshipped.
“There’s no greater love other than this: to lay down my life for you.”
He focuses on the words instead, and on everything that they entail. He would gladly die for you. In both this timeline, and any of the other ones that follow. The universe is full of constants: gravity, matter, humanity itself, and the devotion that he feels towards you. Those are all things that shall exist in every universe.
No matter what, Simeon loves you. And he will die and fall as many times as he needs in order to prove it. Although he’s never met any of his alternate selves, he already knows that it’s true. His love cannot be contained in any vessel. It flows throughout time and space, and every spec of it is dedicated towards you and you alone.
Your hand leaves his cock. Simeon feels it twitch under the absence of your touch. A part of him wants to whine, but he holds that in. He refuses to sin once more, to tarnish his reputation as your most devout follower. So he simply continues reciting the words that he’s come to know by heart.
Indeed, you’re no longer stroking him. But that’s only because your hands have wondered elsewhere. A finger traces the rim of his ass, and it doesn’t take Simeon long to put two and two together. Ah. He had never—
You enter him. Slowly but surely, although there’s no resistance. Another one quickly joins it. Your fingers are slick from his precum and some of your own spit, not to mention your magic… It widens him, making lube unnecessary. Not that he would ask for any. No, he’s being punished right now. This is simply another example of your benevolence.
The feeling is strange, but he continues. “I give thanks to you, for everything about you is good. Our love endures forever.”
Your fingers haven’t stopped moving. They’re searching around for something, although Simeon doesn’t know what you're looking for. There’s nothing left of him to find. You have seen it all.
“And I know that in all things, you do good for those who love you, who have been called according to your purpose.”
And then you brush up against a spot inside of him, one that has him seeing stars. He’s unable to stop the surprised “Oh!” that falls from his mouth, or the way he tries to fuck himself on your hand. Thankfully that was the last verse, so there’s no harm in letting another mewl spill from his throat.
You laugh. It’s a beautiful sound, one that Simeon is blessed to hear. “What a good little follower. If you beg for me, I’ll let you cum.”
He wants to. To immediately get on his knees and beg for you to fuck him, as you take away the last shred of innocence that he has. Ah, but take isn’t the right word. Give. He would give it all to you. That purity is nothing more than a cocoon, one he’s been working on shedding himself of. It only gets in the way of loving you. Besides, how could he perform his tasks if he was worried about heaven’s definition of sin? No, there’s too much work to be done. And what he’s doing is okay. You’ve told him so.
Submitting to the desire that's coursing through him would be easy, but this is a test. One that he refuses to fail. Worshiping you takes precedence. It always does. “No. I wish to pick up where we left off. My only desire is to pleasure you.”
You flash him a smile, one more brilliant than the sun. “Your devotion truly is admirable. We’ll begin our worship again shortly. But first, I’m going to fuck you like this, okay? Remember the feeling of my fingers Simeon. Because next time, you’re going to cum around them and nothing else. Do you understand?”
Next time. He’ll be ready then. And you will finally own all of him. He can’t wait. “Yes, my beloved. I’ll do as you ask.”
You hum in approval, and then your fingers start moving once more. Pleasure courses through him, and he bites his lip as he smothers his gasp. You are everything. This is everything.
“I don’t want you to hold back Simeon. Let me hear you.”
Of course. This is a form of devotion too. How could he have forgotten that? A high pitched moan immediately falls from his lips. Words are hard, but Simeon still manages to speak. You wanted to hear his voice after all.
“G—Good. So good.”
Another finger gets added. Somehow the pleasure increases. His cock aches. It’s hard and weeping, yet he doesn’t care. The pleasure that you have shown him outshines it all. And he never wants this moment to end.
His mind is slowly becoming blank, the fog of lust threatening to consume his every thought. But Simeon shoves it all aside. Vocal. He has to focus on being vocal.
You briefly pull out. A fourth finger teases at his entrance, and your voice coos into his ear, “Can you handle more?”
More. The possibility excites him. He had no idea that it was an option. But he will do it. Of course he will. As your follower, it’s his duty to handle every inch of you. That’s why he created this vessel in the first place. And Simeon leaps at each and every opportunity to put it to the test.
He has to think, to piece the fragile bits of his mind together in order to form a response. But as soon as he comes close to making one, the magical ring around his cock vibrates. It’s slow, a low thrum that’s incredibly unsatisfying, yet it leaves him shivering all the same.
It’s a warning. He still can’t cum after all, and unless he performs well… he may never be able to. A response. You need one now. “Fuck. Y-Yes I can handle more.”
And like the benevolent god you are, you give him exactly that. Yes, you’re so wide inside of him. He didn’t even know that it was possible to feel this full. That his body could accommodate this much. And the fact that one of your limbs is inside of him... Simeon keens.
Truly, he’s unworthy of such a thing. Your fingers, your hand, should be elsewhere. That you would even consider touching him there is already enough to make him cum. Thankfully the cockring is still in place, so the pleasure never has to end.
He focuses on the shape of your hand, the dip and groove of each finger; the way it scrapes against his walls as you slam into him. Your pace is rough. Brutal. Heavenly. His mind goes hazy underneath it all. No. He can’t let this consume him. This is only a preview of what’s to come, and you are gracious enough to give it to him.
It’s another test. But this one… Oh, this one is his favorite.
Another wave of pleasure. He’s a shivering mess, one that can do nothing more than scream for you. Time itself has no meaning. There’s only this; the fullness that you provide, and the love behind each and every gesture that you make. He mewls out your name once more, and then it’s over.
He’s repented for his mistakes.
Your fingers… no it was your fist, pulls out of him. Simeon briefly whines at the loss. He falls to the floor, and then you place that very same hand in front of his lips. He lavishes it with kisses, and groans. More. He needs more.
And he knows that there will be more to come. It’s all a part of his worship after all. The taste of your inevitable union will be even stronger, richer. This is but a treat, a kind dessert that you have gifted him. The real meal comes later on. But Simeon is willing to wait. Once he’s finished lapping at your hands, he moves to your altar and lays himself upon it.
This is his final offering. His body is yours to use as you see fit.
You get up. Although Simeon cannot see it, he hears your bare feet walking across the abandoned chapel’s floor. There is no choir, but the ex-angel wants to sing when you impale yourself upon him.
A purr leaves your throat. “You feel perfect.”
He’s glad. Like his horns, his cock is made for you. Every ridge, every bump, was created to maximize your pleasure. No toy will ever compare. Simeon made sure of that.
You begin to move. He allows you to set the pace as his nails dig into your thigh. Perfect. You fit perfectly around him. He feels an incredible amount of pride as you gasp and moan with the rise and fall of your hips. Out of all of the offerings that he’s made, his mortal form is definitely the best. The flush of your cheeks proves it.
The magic around his cock finally loosens, and you clench around him. Simeon’s climax quickly follows your own. The tangling of tongues. The squirting of cum. He finished inside of you, but you don’t remain on his softening cock for long. No, you pull yourself off of him, and Simeon watches as his cum flows out of you.
He licks his lips. This is it. The moment that he’s been waiting for. His favorite part of worship.
Your voice is a command, one that never fails to send a shiver down his spine. “Clean up.”
He immediately begins lapping at your dripping hole. The taste of your cum has melded into his own. Your union has created this, the most delicious thing that Simeon has ever consumed. The essence of a god flows into his mouth, along with the proof that he was the one who had pleasured you. And now it is inside of him. A bond that cannot be broken. He hungers for more.
Simeon lewdly moans as his tongue reaches deeper and deeper into you, searching for every bit of his cum that he can find. Noises fall from your mouth, but like always, he drowns them out with his own. This is a feast, one that the Celestial Realm could never recreate. Their food pales in comparison. Simeon doesn’t understand how he was able to stomach it before.
Another orgasm ripples through you, and he keens as he consumes each and every drop. Were he in a more poetic mood, he would compare it to ambrosia, but he can write verses about you another time. Instead, he focuses on completing this final act. It doesn’t take long. Once he’s thoroughly licked every trace of cum off your body, he pulls away with a grin. You pat his head, and Simeon hums as he leans into your touch.
“I love you.”
The words sound beautiful coming from your mouth. It’s something that you’ve said before. A sentence that led to this exact moment, and many others like it. Yet he’ll never tire of hearing it, of knowing that he has earned those very words time and time again.
“I love you as well. My god. My beloved. And one day, the world will love you too.”
The two of you embrace. And in your arms, Simeon comes up with ideas for his next altar. It’s sure to take everyone’s breath away. It’ll be bigger than the last one. More limbs. More blood. Wires. Nails— Ah, he’s already getting excited.
It’s amazing; how quickly you inspire him, and all it takes is a hug. You truly are an excellent muse, one that he hopes to be completely worthy of someday. But until then, he is simply an author. An artist. One that exists to worship you.
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Eventually you take your leave. There’s work to be done after all, especially for a god such as yourself. And although Simeon longs for your embrace… that just makes it more precious when it actually occurs. Besides, he wants his creations to be a surprise, and it’s impossible for that to happen if you’re looking over his shoulder. So the two of you part. And like the quiet whisper of the wind, you’re gone.
The silence doesn’t last long. It’s interrupted by the ringing of his phone. A number shows up on his screen, one that he hadn’t seen in an incredibly long time. He had tried to block it ages ago, but eventually gave up. Technology still confuses him. ...Some things never quite change.
He accepts the call, and Lucifer’s voice greets him. “Simeon.”
He hadn’t heard it in awhile. The man’s tone sounds deeper than he remembered, and it’s entirely different from your own. The contrast throws him for a loop, if only briefly. Simeon clears his throat. For some reason he doesn’t hang up.
“Yes?”
“This has to stop. The two of you are upsetting the balance. If this continues, then Lord Diavolo will intervene.”
A threat. Of course that would be why he called. But Simeon doesn’t care. No one can stop either of you, including the most powerful demons in the Devildom. Your love transcends beyond that. ...It’s a shame that Lucifer still is unable to comprehend what the two of you are trying to achieve.
A part of Simeon can’t help but feel disappointed at the reminder. “Perhaps he’ll join us. You’re welcome to as well, of course.”
“No. What your doing is wrong. You know that, don’t you?”
“I’m simply serving my god.”
“They are just a human, Simeon. And can easily be replaced. There are billions—“
Anger rushes through him; the intensity of it causing him to crack his phone’s screen. His grip loosens, but the rage still festers within him. How dare he.
“Watch your tongue, lest I rip it out of you next time we meet.”
A pause. The silence seems awkward, sad almost. Lucifer eventually breaks it. “...I see I am too late. The others are right. You have fallen. And unlike me, you’ve had no family to help put you back together again.”
“I don’t need one. I have my god, and they have been by my side through thick and thin. What have you done for me, Lucifer?”
Silence. No other answer is needed.
After a minute or two Lucifer sighs. “I must report my failure to Lord Diavolo. You have exactly 48 hours before he arrives. Use them wisely.”
There’s a click, and then the number vanishes from his screen. Lucifer must have hung up. Yet his words echo around in Simeon’s head.
You have fallen. It makes him want to laugh. There is nothing wrong about this. The love that he feels towards you cannot be tainted, nor will it ever waver. For you have given him something that he’s never had before: Freedom. From the Celestial Realm, from his boring day to day life. Simeon had not truly lived until he abandoned it all in favor of following you. No, this was an ascension. One that everyone is too foolish to understand. And Diavolo seeks to destroy everything that you’ve built. But that’s okay, Simeon has a plan.
A few magic circles… some stolen holy relics… and even the future Demon King can be captured. So when he comes, Simeon will be ready, and the foolish prince will walk right into a trap.
A manic giggle bursts from his mouth. This is perfect.
Diavolo will be made to see, like so many others before him. It’s impossible not to after all, given how grand you are. Ah, but Simeon will deny him the privilege of serving you. No matter what, you will only ever have one follower. Diavolo can beg and plead as much as he likes, but he will never get to feel your touch. He hasn’t earned the right, and he never will. Once he has served his purpose, he will be disposed of, just like the rest.
Simeon grins. In truth, The world doesn’t even need to have people in it. A god does not require subjects in order to be considered such. So why bother expanding your little cult, when no one else will ever be able to serve you like him?
You are his. His human. His god. His everything. And no one is going to get in the way of that. This realm will be made into something that is worthy of you, even if he has empty it himself. But once every single creature is gone, and he is the only being left... Then the world truly will love you, won’t it?
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hearts-hunger · 4 years ago
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aay’han mar’eyce (bittersweet discovery): chapter five || din djarin x reader
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Read on AO3 || Masterlist
chapter one || chapter two || chapter three || chapter four
Series Summary: In search of the Jedi you’ve been tasked to find, you and Din wrestle with the bittersweet discovery of your little one’s past and destined future. || Part Three of Jate’kara (Lucky Stars)
Chapter Summary: You and Din struggle with your hurt in the wake of his decision.
Pairings: Din Djarin x Wife!Reader
Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff | Word Count: 2.2k
Warnings: Mentions of canon-typical violence, pregnant reader
A/N: Drumroll please..... it’s the long-awaited angst! Which I have never claimed as my forte, but I think it works for our Struggling™ pair of idiots. They just love each other but they’re so mad at each other, god bless.
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You were relieved to see the Crest’s familiar shape emerge through the haze and broken trees. Your feet hurt from walking, your baby was heavy in your arms, and you’d worked yourself into total hopelessness. The sight of your home was welcome and comforting, and you felt yourself breathe easier as you came closer to it.
You lowered the ramp with the remote control on the bracelet Din made you when you first came to live on the Crest, a pretty little thing that he’d modified to control the ship and, later, the baby’s bassinet. You wished you still had that bassinet; it made travelling easier, and there was always a safe place to put Grogu if you and Din had your hands full. You wondered if you’d need two cribs once your new baby came, or if your husband would have already shipped Grogu off by then.
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” you said to yourself, nearly tasting your bitterness. You tucked Grogu into his hammock with intentional gentleness and closed the bunk hatch, wishing you could curl up and sleep too.
You heard the ramp close again over the sound of the refresher tap; the cold water felt good on your skin, and you buried your face in a towel afterwards, hiding from everything for a moment. When you finally looked up, you saw Din in the mirror; you knew him well enough to know he was studying your face in the reflection.
“Cyare,” he said, his tone soft through the modulator.
You whirled around. 
“Don’t cyare me, Din,” you snapped. “I’m not in the mood for it.”
You waited for the flare of frustration and annoyance in his body language; when it didn’t come, you felt a little off-kilter.
“I know you’re angry,” he finally said.
Oh, that did it. Maybe he wasn’t frustrated or annoyed with you, but you were livid with him.
“Angry?” you repeated. You marched over to him, an accusing finger pointed at his chest. “Let’s get one thing straight, Din. Angry doesn’t begin to cover how I feel about this. About you.”
“I know,” he said quickly. “And I’m sorry. But I — ”
“I don’t care,” you said, cutting him off, totally unwilling to listen to his explanation. You were finally, properly angry, and he was going to listen. 
“I’m not sending our son to train with her or with any other Jedi, alright?” you said. “You can make as many deals as you like and come up with a million macho rescue missions to risk your life on. But he’s my son too, and I’m not letting him go with her.”
You realized you were practically yelling at him; while you weren’t concerned about how it would affect him - Din Djarin was made of sterner stuff, and could handle your temper - you didn’t want to risk waking the baby.
“Come up to the cockpit with me,” you said.
His helm gave a questioning tilt. “Why?”
You started up the ladder. “Because I’m not finished yelling at you.”
He followed you up, giving you as much space as he could in the somewhat cramped cockpit. Despite fully intending to keep up your tirade, he was suddenly big, imposing; for the first time in many, many years, you felt intimidated by all that beskar.
“Din,” you said softly.
He reacted immediately to your change in tone, opening his posture towards you. “What is it?”
You shook your head. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d been this angry with him, and you certainly couldn’t remember the last time you’d been even the tiniest bit scared of him. All of a sudden, you realized you wanted your husband, not the unreadable Mandalorian standing in front of you.
You worried the hem of your shirt. “Can you please take off your helmet?”
“Yes,” he said quickly, moving to comply without hesitation. He removed his helmet and set it on the dashboard; his face was lined with worry and hurt. “Sorry, cyare.”
His expression crinkled in a wince as he remembered you’d asked him not to call you that. “I mean — sorry. Just — sorry.”
You felt your anger lessen by degrees — not enough to let it go, by any means, but enough that you were more willing to listen to him. Really, you wanted to know why he’d made such a decision; you wanted him to explain it to you, to show you that it really was in your son’s best interest, to convince you that your husband wasn’t suddenly a completely different person.
“It’s ok,” you said tiredly. “I’m not — I just don’t want you sweet talking me, ok? You need to talk to me. Really talk to me, right now.”
He nodded. “I am. I will. You have my full attention, and I will hear you out completely.”
You bit the inside of your cheek. “But you’re not going to change your decision.”
His expression was pained. “No, cyare. I won’t. But I think you know that I can’t. We can’t.”
“We?” you repeated. “I didn’t make this decision, Din. You did, by yourself, and you completely ignored me while you did. Since when do you make decisions about our family by yourself?”
“I didn’t want to,” he said, and it frustrated you how sincere it was. “You have to know that. And I apologize for ignoring you — that’s not the way I wanted this to go, believe me.”
He ran a hand  over his face, his remorse clear as day in his expression. “I had to. I didn’t know what else to do. She was going to leave, and we were going to lose the only Jedi we’ve managed to find.”
You wanted to say that it would have been a good thing, but despite your intentions of bringing him up here to yell at him, you made yourself hold your tongue.
He looked at you with a surprising gentleness.
“It’s not forever,” he said. “It’s only training. Mandalorian children leave for training, too.”
“He’s not going for Mandalorian training, though,” you said. You understood that he was trying to comfort you, but the length of time Grogu would be gone was only a small concern next to the kinds of people he’d be with.
“Didn’t you hear what she said?” you pressed. “I can’t think of anything more different from the Way than — than thinking loving your family is wrong.”
"She didn't say that," he corrected. "She said attachment makes you vulnerable, which is true."
You tried to reconcile his justification with what you knew him to believe, with what he'd lived out since the day you'd met him.
"Vulnerability isn't bad," you said. "You taught me that. And if our son goes trains with the Jedi, he'll be taught that it is. Doesn't that bother you?"
His expression, always so easily readable, flickered with uncertainty.
“It does bother you,” you said, and with the realization came a surprising wave of relief. To know you were at least agreed on that, even if he wouldn’t admit it, was reassuring to you.
His posture stiffened with agitation, and you knew you’d hit a sore spot. You knew he wanted to pace, but there wasn’t room for it; he drummed his fingers on the top of his helmet instead.
“It doesn’t matter if it bothers me,” he said, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself.
You balked. “How can it not matter, Din? You’re his father. Of course it matters.”
He shook his head. “What matters is that I honor the vow I made to him. That we honor that vow.” 
He looked up at you, his expression starting to show the frustration you felt.
“Has that crossed your mind at all?” he asked. “That you made a vow to him? In front of me, in front of the armorer?”
You crossed your arms over your chest. “Of course it has. It’s why I don’t want him to go with Ahsoka.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” he snapped. “Our vow was to return him to the Jedi.”
“Our vow was to be his parents,” you corrected. “And I think that overrides the promise to return him to the Jedi. What kind of parents would we be if we watched him grow up thinking that attachment and love were dangerous?”
“We’re not going to watch him grow up at all,” he shot back, bitterness and anger pouring from his tone. “Don’t you get it? He’s older than both of us. Once we’re gone, he’ll be completely alone.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “The Tribe — it’s completely gone, cyare. If there’s anyone left, they’re scattered. I don’t even know where the armorer is. Grogu needs to be raised in a clan, or raised by his own kind. We were never going to be able to keep him forever.”
You knew what he said was true. His rate of aging wasn’t a problem now, when you and Din were both relatively young, but Grogu would live to be much older than either of you. Din was right. If you were a part of a bigger clan, Grogu could be raised as a Mandalorian — it might take a few generations, but he would never be on his own.
“Let’s find another covert, then,” you said. “Or try to find Paz, or the armorer, or anybody from the Tribe who might have survived.”
Din shook his head. “No. There’s no telling where they are, and the covert on Nevarro is the only one I ever knew of. Besides, we have a Jedi right here he can go with. We’re not going to have this kind of chance again.”
“I don’t want him to go with the Jedi,” you said, for what felt like the millionth time. “Are you even listening to me? I don’t want him trained like that.”
“It’s not our choice how to train him,” he argued. “We didn’t vow to return him to the Jedi unless we didn’t like what they teach, and then, hey, I guess we can just do whatever we feel like doing.”
You frowned. “Don’t make fun of me.”
“I’m not making fun of you,” he said, exasperated. “I’m just trying to make it clear that our opinions on Jedi training have nothing to do with the decision we need to make.”
“The decision you already made, you mean.”
He scowled. “Yes, and it’s a good thing I did, because you would have let her walk away.”
“Yes, I would have,” you shot back. “And I never would have dreamed you’d do anything different.”
“Then you’re not able to look at this objectively,” he snapped, his frustration rolling off him in waves. “Do you think I like the fact that he'll grow up learning the exact opposite of what I was taught? That I like sending him off to the people I grew up knowing only as the enemy? My father would be rolling in his grave if he knew. But I’m doing this because it’s what’s best for our son. I’m doing it because it’s what I vowed to do.”
Something inside you snapped. 
“Then you care more about the Way than you do about your son’s well-being.”
Din flushed with anger.
“That’s not fair,” he said. “You knew I was bound to the Way when you met me, and you agreed to live by the Way when you married me. I'm not asking you to do anything you didn't already agree to.”
“I didn’t agree to abandon our son.”
“We’re not abandoning him,” he said, and you could tell he was quickly reaching the end of his patience. “You knew when we adopted him we had to return him to the Jedi. It wasn't like the traditional adoption vow. He's supposed to go back to his people, and we're going to honor that vow.”
“What if I won’t?” you said. Your last attempt, your last recourse. “What will you do then?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, stunned, and your challenge hung in the air between you. You’d never refused to go with him on something before, and he’d never had to answer such a question.
“Cyare,” he said, quiet and numb. The furious, sparking anger was all but gone, replaced by a stony determination and a bone-deep weariness.
“Djarins honor their vows,” he said finally. “As long as you bear my name, you’ll bear that vow.”
You sucked in a breath. “Din — ”
He closed the space between you, pressing a gentle kiss to your brow. “I have to go.”
“Din,” you said again. You put your hand on his arm and held tightly. “Don’t leave.” Not like this.
He gently pried your hand from him. “We need all the daylight we can get, cyare.” He was still for a moment, then drew your hand up to his mouth and kissed your knuckles.
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” you said, without hesitation. “Please don’t go. It’s not your fight.”
The shadow of a rueful smile crossed his face. “I made a vow to help her. I won’t back out on it.”
He held your hand for a moment longer before he let you go. He took his helmet from the dash and put it back on again, masking himself in that armor that had never felt so distant, so unreachable.
“Din,” you said as he opened the cockpit doors. He turned and tilted his head, and the beskar was familiar to you again, just for a moment.
“Come back to me,” you said.
He nodded once, solemn. 
“I’ll always come back to you, cyare. You know that.”
And then he was gone, leaving to risk his life in someone else’s fight, and it took everything in you not to run out and beg him to stay.
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wefoundloveunderthelight · 3 years ago
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Emma's Reckless Dating Game by GleefullyCaptainSwan
Chapter 1 of 1
Read on AO3: | Chapter 1
Or on FF
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Emma’s Reckless Dating Game
Emma’s head was pounding the moment she opened her eyes, a loud groan escaping her throat. She heard her roommate in the kitchen, the saccharine sounds of humming that should be illegal this early in the morning.
How much did she drink last night?
She can’t honestly remember after the fourth shot of tequila. They had been celebrating her best friend’s upcoming wedding to Emma’s brother, David.
Back in her freshman year of college, she remembered meeting Mary Margaret and immediately realizing she was the perfect match for her older brother. Of course, she was right, the two fell for each other almost at the first meeting. M’s couldn’t stop talking about how funny her brother was, how cute his eyes were when he laughed, or how much she loved the little curl at the back of his neck.
It was all disgusting and so very perfect.
If she hadn’t been so happy for them, she would have been nauseous. Though perhaps it was more from being jealous of what they had. Emma hadn’t exactly had any luck in the boyfriend department, in fact, if she were being honest, her dating life had pretty much been a disaster. Honestly, she couldn’t even lie to herself to make it seem any better.
If Mr. Right was out there somewhere, Emma was sure that by now he must have gotten lost or hit by a bus, because he sure wasn’t interested in finding her.
“It’s about time you got out of bed.”
Emma groaned, sitting down at the kitchen table. “I know you drank about as much as I did last night, how are you still so cheerful this morning?”
“I didn’t drink half as much as you did, but I have always held my liquor better than you.” She added cheerily.
“I guess I’m just not as lucky as you.” She said with a frown.
“Don’t start that, one day you’re gonna find someone, the perfect…”
“I know, I know, M’s, the perfect person who comes along at just the right moment, yada yada yada. You’ve been telling me this for years.” She drank her coffee as her friend simply rolled her eyes.
“It will happen for you; you just need to be patient.”
“I’m tired of being patient, I’d prefer a mind-blowing orgasm.”
“Emma.” Her friend reprimanded her.
“Don’t tell me it isn’t true, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of being in the next room when my brother comes over to cheeryou up. It still haunts my nightmares.”
“Oh God, you never told me you could hear us.”
“David isn’t exactly quiet. Oh baby, sing for me.” She mimicked in a deep voice as her friend’s cheeks reddened and she buried her face in her hands. “Don’t worry, I’m a big girl.”
“All you have to do is ask David, I’m sure he could set you up with one of his friends.”
Emma laughed loudly. “I think I’ll pass. David has terrible taste in friends.”
“Don’t judge everyone based on your feelings about Killian Jones.”
Killian Jones…
Her brother’s best friend and her constant nemesis. If Emma were in a superhero movie, she was sure that Killian Jones would be the villain trying to take her down and destroy the world, hellbent on revenge for his terrible outlook on life. At least that’s how Emma saw him, the rest of her friends were blinded by his blue eyes, persistent demeanor, and his ridiculous sarcastic quips.
Killian and David had been friends since elementary school, back when Emma was still wearing pig tails and braces. Her first memories of Killian were of him tugging her hair as he called an annoying brat. When he first started coming around, Emma thought he was cute, he had a pair of blue eyes that made her blush when he would stare at her, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his voice always dripping with sarcasm and insult, she quickly tired of him.
“I’m not dancing with him.” She announced angrily.
“Emma, it’s a tradition that the maid of honor and best man share a dance. You’ve danced with worse men than Killian.” She teased.
She groaned. “No one is worse than Killian Jones.”
~*~
10 years ago
“That’s a nice dress, though it would look better on my floor.” Emma rolled her eyes in annoyance at the man seated across from her at the bar. She had been set up with Walsh two nights ago by one of her college friends. He came from money; she could tell from the way he talked down to the waiter and basically anyone they had come into contact with that evening.
“This is only our second date; pretty sure I’m supposed to give you something to look forward to for next time.” She joked.
“I could imagine a lot of things to come back for.” His hand pressed again her thigh as she felt his fingertips slip under the hem of her dress. She slid her hand under the table and stilled his movement.
“Slow down there, Romeo.” She joked nervously as his hand retreated, a flash of anger in his eyes before it was gone, and a smile spread across his face.
“Let’s order some wine.” He lifted his hand, calling over the waiter to order something in French. He was quick to tell her how rare the wine was, one bottle cost more than three payments on her Volkswagen, a fact that was more disgusting to her than impressive. When they arrived at his place hours later, her head swimming in drink and chocolate, she shifted nervously on the couch as his fingers tried to invade her body. She pushed him back, trying to stop the attack of roving hands.
“Don’t fight it Emma, you know this is meant to be.” He growled against her ear. Her heart was pounding, her eyes looking wildly around the room for an escape.
“Bathroom.” She said quickly. “I need to freshen up.” She said as she stood from her spot on the couch, his hands gripping her arm so tightly she was sure it would leave a bruise. “I want to look my best.” She added, forcing a smile onto her face.
Locking the door behind her the moment he let her escape, she quickly dialed her brother’s number.
“You’ve reached David Nolan, I’m not available right now…”
“Dammit.” She growled, punching in her best friend’s number.
“It’s Mary, I’m not available, leave a message and have a blessed day…”
Emma ran down her contact list, each person either unavailable or someone she was no longer speaking to. She settled on the last name on her list, the one person she had no interest in seeking help from. Dialing the number, she held her breath.
“This better be important.” The voice growled into her ear.
“Killian?”
“You’ve got him, who’s this?”
“It’s Emma. Emma Nolan.” She said quietly.
“Emma? What the bloody hell are you calling me for?”
“Trust me, you were my last choice.” She said with a groan. “But I can’t reach David, and I need…I need a ride.”
“Do you know what bloody time it is?”
“Yeah I know, but I’m…”
“Look, I’m kind of in the middle of something right now…”She heard a woman’s voice in the background and rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, look just forget I called.”
There was silence on the other end before she heard another audible sigh. “Where do you need a ride to?”
“I was on a date, but I need to get home.”
“Then bloody ask the bloke to take you home.”
“I would but he’s…”
“Where are you?” He interrupted in annoyance.
“I’m at his house.” She whispered as she heard someone approaching the bathroom door.
“Emma, it’s late, how long does it take for you to get naked? I’m getting tired of waiting and I honestly don’t care what you look like right now.” Walsh’s voice boomed through from the other room.
“Who the hell is that?” Killian inquired on the other end of the line.
“Walsh Ozman.” She said quietly. “I um, I’ll be right out.” She hollered to the door.
“What the fuck are you doing at Walsh Ozman’s house?”Killian said angrily.
“Look, I don’t have time to argue with you right now. Just forget it…”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes, just stay in the bathroom.” His voice was flat, annoyance in his inflection, but she could tell that there was no arguing with him as he hung up the phone.
She paced the floor of the bathroom, ignoring Walsh’s building anger from the other side of the locked door. When she heard the doorbell her heartbeat raced. She held her ear to the door, hearing a murmur on the other side. She unlocked the door and slipped into the hallway, listening as Walsh raised his voice.
“I think you’re mistaken, Jones, I don’t believe anyone needs you here.”
“I disagree.” Killian’s voice sounded angry. “Where’s Emma?”
Emma walked quickly toward the door, grabbing her purse from the couch. “Killian.” Emma said with a smile.
“Emma, what the fuck.” Walsh turned toward her, grabbing her by the arm. “Did you call this asshole?”
Emma flinched, looking down at his hand on her arm. “I forgot; I have a test in the morning. Killian offered to take me home.” The grip on her arm tightened and Emma panicked.
“I think we have some business to finish first. I’ll take you home after.” He said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t think you understood me earlier.” Killian’s voice boomed from behind them. “I’m here to take Emma home.” He stepped toward Walsh. “Now.”
Emma yanked her arm free, stepping quickly to stand behind Killian. His eyes never left Walsh as he spoke. “Why don’t you wait by my bike, Swan.” Emma didn’t flinch at the use of the stupid nickname he had for her, she didn’t wait another second as she rushed out the door, speeding down the sidewalk toward Killian’s motorcycle. She waited for what felt like minutes or hours until Killian stormed angrily out of the house, grabbing his helmet before mounting the bike. He looked back at her impatiently and she quickly climbed on behind him as he pulled away from the curb, speeding off into the night.
The moment he parked in front of her dorm she climbed off the bike. “Does David know you went out with him?” He asked angrily.
“He’s my brother not my dad.” She remarked sarcastically.
Killian shook his head in annoyance. “Stay away from Ozman.”
“You aren’t my keeper, either.” She glared.
“Look I don’t give a fuck who you date, but even you should have some sort of standard, love.”
She blew out an annoying sigh. “You’re gonna talk to me about standards. Which bimbo were you with tonight?”
“At least I didn’t need to call in a favor in order to escape from my date.” He glared, stepping toward her. “It’s all just a big game to you isn’t it? Emma’s reckless dating game.”
“Oh, go to hell, Jones.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Ozman’s bad news, Swan. Stay away from him.”
Emma frowned, she knew tonight was bad, her senses had been tingling the moment Walsh drove them back to his place, but Killian Jones was the last person she wanted giving her advice about dating. “Like you stayed away from Milah?” She spat and he stepped back on his heels.
“You know what, Swan, fuck you.”
“You wish.” She shot back.
He stepped into her space, the blue of his eyes almost a darkened black as he stared into her. “Not if you were the last piece of ass on earth.” He narrowed his eyes. “Besides, I don’t do blondes.”
“Please, you couldn’t handle it.”
“Perhaps you’re the one who couldn’t handle it.” He dared as his eyes danced angrily.
Emma squared her shoulders, meeting his eyes in defiance. “You are the biggest asshole I have ever met.”
“Do me a favor, the next time your date turns out to be a dick, call a cab.” He slammed his helmet on his head, mounting his bike and speeding off into the dark.
~*~
Emma pushed the silver stick into her curls, the round pearl sitting on top of one of her golden tresses tucked against her head. She stood back, admiring herself in the mirror. At least the dress didn’t have ruffles, she thought, examining the light pink fabric swishing around her legs.
She heard fussing behind her and turned to see Mary Margaret tugging at her dress. “Stop that. You’re going to rip it.”
“God I’m so nervous.” Her friend said anxiously.
“It’s just David.” She laughed. “And you really like David.”
The ceremony was beautiful, Emma barely registered the look of disdain from Killian as he stood on the other side of her brother, his eyes staring a hole into her head. She returned his glance more than once, defiance in her eyes as she dared him to look away.
She didn’t have time for whatever had crawled up Killian’s ass and pissed him off. She was just happy for her brother and her best friend.
Sitting at the table, she quickly finished her first glass of wine, an injection of courage or tolerance for her upcoming dance with the man who had more than once caused her grief already this evening. The clanging of glasses pulled her from her thoughts as Killian stood beside her brother, raising his glass for his toast.
“David has always been a brother to me, someone I trusted with my life, which was probably good since we seemed to find ourselves in peril many times in college.” Her brother laughed and his wife elbowed him playfully. “David and I were doing quite well on our own, in college we were Gods.” He said, extending his arms wide. Emma rolled her eyes. “When I first met Mary, I knew those days would soon be over.” He smiled at her new sister-in-law. “I tried to be angry about it, but the damned woman is a marvel.” He smiled at her friend. “Who could be angry when your best friend finds the love of his life?” Killian raised his glass, his eyes momentarily locking with hers, the hair on her neck standing on end for a moment. “To finding the love of your life.” He placed his glass to his lips and sipped, glancing down at his brother and Mary Margaret as they toasted each other.
Emma shook off the odd sensation forming in her gut, looking away from Killian to collect her thoughts before it was her turn to speak.
“See he’s not such a bad guy.” Her friend whispered in her ear. “That was quite lovely.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Anyone can say nice words after a few drinks.” She teased as she stood from her seat. “Well, I’m not sure I can follow such a moving speech.” She said sarcastically, a small smirk on her lips as Killian’s eyes met hers. “I grew up my whole life around boys.” She smiled. “My brother and his friends tortured me endlessly.” David winked at Killian. “When I met Mary Margaret, I thought…finally, finally I have an ally.” She laughed. “Turns out she wasn’t just the person I needed to find, more than a sister I could share my secrets with, she was also destined to find her true love, with the man who would permanently make us sisters. I couldn’t have hoped for a better person for my brother, I hope you are both happy for the rest of your lives, no one deserves it more.”
Emma leaned over and hugged her friend. “I guess I have to share her now.” She laughed as her brother stood and hugged her.
The lights dimmed as the dancing began, she watched her brother and her best friend take to the floor arm in arm, a beautiful first dance as man and wife. When she heard her name announced over the speaker she stood and sighed, looking over at the man on the other end of the table.
“Come, love.” He held out his arm and she brushed past him, ignoring his gesture and storming toward the dance floor, turning once she reached the edge of the floor.
“Let’s get this over with already, Jones.” She complained with her arms crossed against her chest.
“As you wish.” He groaned, pulling her into his arms. “Relax, love. This doesn’t have to be painful.” He rolled his eyes.
“Trust me, it’s already painful.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and Emma felt the warmth as he pulled her against his chest.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, I’m actually an excellent dancer.” He said with a smirk. “Unlike your two left feet.” He looked down between them as she tripped over his shoes.
“Whatever, dancing is stupid.”
“Dancing is simple, there’s only one rule, pick a partner who knows what he’s doing.” He guided her around the dance floor, nodding to her brother as he glided them past the couple dancing in the center. Emma tried to ignore the way it felt being held by Killian Jones, the man who had brought her nothing but anger and annoyance for years.
She watched the way his eyes flitted around the room, never landing on hers, almost as if he were purposely avoiding her gaze, yet the hand at her waist firmly gripped her, fingers hot against the flesh at her back. She wasn’t sure if it was the dance or his touch that was causing her body to overheat. When the song ended she stepped away from him quickly. “I need a drink.”
“Aye.” He responded. “I think I’ll join you in that.”
She expected to hate his company, to find him his usual abhorrent self, but the festivities seemed to have him in a mood that was at least tolerable. The next hour was spent taking turns downing as many shots as they could handle, almost as if they were challenging the other to stop. When Emma took her last shot, she felt the world around the man in front of her blur. Blue eyes swirling in her vision. “I uh need…” She placed her hand at his chest as she tried to stop the world from spinning.
“What do you need, Emma.” He asked, his voice deep and full of innuendo as the corner of his mouth turned upward in a smirk. Emma could feel herself leaning toward him. His tongue darted out to wet his lips and Emma felt the urge to pull his mouth to hers.
“Bathroom, I need a bathroom.” She stuttered, slipping off her stool and stumbling quickly away from the man at the bar who’s eyes she felt still on her as she turned the corner.
She stood in front of the mirror staring at her blurry reflection. “He’s Killian Jones. Asshole extraordinaire.” She warned herself. “Even you don’t need to get laid that badly.” Sure, it had been a few years since she’d had a really good orgasm given to her from anyone besides herself, but whatever Killian Jones could provide her would not be worth the headache it would cause later. Squaring her shoulders, she splashed water on her face and reentered the reception hall.
As she turned the corner she saw her brother standing next to Killian, lost in conversation. As she got closer to them, she could hear their voices.
“Come on man, I’ve seen the way you look at Emma.”
“Piss off, she’s a pain in the arse. I only think of her as an annoying child. She’s never been anything but trouble.”
“So that’s why you’ve always been the one to run to her aid whenever she finds that trouble?”
“Twice. I’ve only done that twice.”
Emma furrowed her brow. Twice, she could only remember one time he had come to her aid, the night with Walsh.
“Yeah well if it wasn’t for you she might still be with that asshole, Cassidy.”
Cassidy? Emma thought. That didn’t make any sense. Killian barely even acknowledge Neal much less assisted her with anything when it came to him. Suddenly her brother noticed her approaching and he patted Killian on the shoulder. “Well, I better get back to my wife.” He said with a bow, leaving Killian at the counter. As he passed he nodded in her direction. “Don’t drink too much, sis.” He teased.
Killian turned toward her as she approached. Emma sat down at the counter, picking up her glass and downing the liquid before turning toward him.
“What do you think happened to Walsh?” She asked suddenly.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Walsh, you know that guy I went out with right out of high school.”
“Why the fuck do you care what happened to him, please tell me you aren’t interested in reacquainting yourself with him?”
“I dunno, I guess I’m just being a bit introspective seeing as we’re at a wedding and I’m still not married.”
“Trust me, you didn’t want to marry a guy like Walsh Ozman.”
“I bet he’s got a shit ton of money now.” She laughed.
“Never known you to give a fuck about money, Swan.”
“I was always curious, but I never asked. What didyou say to him after I left the house that night?”
She recognized the obvious flinch, but he refused to look at her. “What?”
“To Walsh? You stayed in there for a while after I left, what did you say to him, cuz anytime he saw me on campus after that night, he ran the other direction.”
He laughed nervously and took a drink of his beer. “I don’t remember.” He deflected.
“Bullshit.” Emma spat and Killian pulled his drink from his lips.
“Perhaps I told him that it was in his best interest to forget your number.”
“Interesting…”
“Not sure if it was interesting, but he forgot it, didn’t he?” He said with a tap of his bottle against hers.
“So, that’s it huh, you told him to forget my number and he did? I don’t believe you.”
He chuckled his usual sarcastic laugh, the one that got under her skin when he didn’t want to deal with her. “Why not?”
“Because I think you said something to him, to scare him, which doesn’t make any sense to me at all.”
“The guy was a creep, Swan. You weren’t the first college student he had harassed, manhandled, or worse.” He added softly, a look of seriousness suddenly settling over him.
She shrugged. “Like you cared what happened to me anyway.”
“You were David’s baby sister, I couldn’t exactly let anything happen to you, he’d never forgive me.”
“So, you were looking out for Dave?” She hiccupped, the alcohol was really starting to go to her head.
“Look, it’s not my fault you kept calling me in the middle of the bloody night when you found yourself with irreputable men.”
“Kept calling?” She laughed. “I only called you once.” He paused as if he had said something he hadn’t meant to, taking another gulp of his drink, and turning away from her. She narrowed her eyes in his direction. “Killian, I only called you once.” She repeated.
He reached around the bar, grabbing a bottle of rum from under the counter and sliding off his stool. “I’m beat. Enjoy your evening, Swan.” She watched as he walked away from her, the bottle hanging from the hand at his side as he walked slowly toward the elevators.
Emma wandered lazily toward her friend, her feet felt heavy, her arms slightly numb. “There you are.” She said as Emma plopped down in the seat beside her.
“Was it everything you hoped for?” She tried not to slur her words.
“And more. But something tells me you’re having more fun than me.” She giggled and Emma held up her beer in a toast to her friend before taking another drink.
“Are you still drinking?” Emma looked up to see her brother approach.
“Don’t lecture me, dad.” She joked.
“Very funny, but you should probably slow down.” He sat down next to her. “Where did Killian go?”
“Probably drowning himself in his bottle of rum.” She laughed. She turned toward her brother. “Can I ask you something?”
He laughed, “You just did.”
“Whatever happened with Neal?”
He frowned, “Why are we talking about that asshole on my wedding night?”
“I don’t know, alcohol makes me nostalgic.” She shrugged. “I was just curious, you know, what happened to him after that night.”
“Which night?”
“You know that night.” She raised her eyebrow. “After I called you.”
“Emma, the last time I saw that idiot, was when you left on that trip to Tallahassee. I was so happy you came back alone, that I never wanted to ask you what went down.”
“Stop playing around, I called you, I told you where Neal was, and you sent me that cab to take me home and Neal never bothered me again.”
His brow raised and Emma could see he was considering his words. “Emma, I can honestly say I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then who sent the cab?”
~*~
5 years ago
“Neal, what’s in the bag?”
“Stop asking questions, dammit.” He shouted and Emma flinched.
“I just don’t understand what we’re doing.”
He advanced on her before he paused. “Look Ems, I just need you to do what I tell you. Can you do that?”
Emma shook her head anxiously. “Yeah, fine.”
“Good.” He brushed his hand against her hair before he fisted it into her locks, tugging her head backward. “And don’t question me again.” Her heart raced when his mouth attacked her neck, biting at her flesh before he tossed her back against the floor. “Now put the bag under the bed. I’m gonna grab us some food. Don’t fucking touch anything.” She shook her head nervously as she watched him rummage through his drawer, tucking something in the back of his pants before turning back to face her.
“How long are you going to be gone?”
“What did I just say?” He groaned. “Look, I’ll be back when I get back.” He yanked her off the floor by her arm, pain searing at her shoulder.
“That hurts.” She cried out before his hand cracked against her cheek.
“Just do what I told you to do, dammit.” Suddenly his face softened, and he pulled her closer to him. “I’m sorry baby, don’t make me do that again, ok, I don’t like having to hit you.”
“I’m sorry.” She answered quickly, rubbing her palm on her cheek.
“Be a good girl, I’ll be back soon.”
Emma stared at the bag on the bed for what felt like hours, debating whether to open it and look inside. She knew the moment she did, it would be the moment it all became real, she would have to make a choice. She walked closer to the bed, staring back at the door. She took another step before reaching for the bag, tugging at the zipper, and yanking it open.
“Shit.” She cursed to herself, staring down at the bundles of money, red stains on a few of them, gold watches littered between the bills. She reached in and moved the bundles around until she felt the cold butt of a gun. She was in over her head. She wasn’t aware of what Neal had been doing at each of the stops on their trip, but now she had a pretty good idea. She couldn’t live like this, it wasn’t her. She had thought that when Neal told her he wanted to start a new life with her in Tallahassee that he was done with all the petty thief stuff. All these months, she convinced herself he would change for her, that if she loved him, that it would be enough. But as she stood in the room, a pile of cash in a bag, blood smeared in Neal’s fingerprints on the bills, it was never going to be enough.
She picked up the phone and dialed her brother’s number. She needed to tell him before she chickened out. The moment the phone picked up she started talking, desperate to tell him everything.
“David, I need your help. I’ve screwed up. I know I told you that Neal had changed, that he was legit, but I’m in trouble. Neal…he…I need to get away from him now. I’m at a hotel in Florida and I’m scared. I’ll send you the address, but I need your help, please I…I just want to come home, I’m so sorry.” She sobbed.
“Emma…”
“Don’t talk, I don’t want to hear the disappointment in your voice. I’ll send you the info, I’ll change, I promise, it’s over with him, I…I promise. Just get me home and we never have to talk about Neal Cassidy again.”
She hung up the phone and waited until there was a honk outside the hotel. She peered out the window to see a cab waiting. She grabbed her stuff and ran through the door, never looking back.
~*~
Emma stood in front of the large ornate door, Room 515. Her head was still spinning when she pounded on the wooden frame. She stood impatiently until it flung open, Killian Jones stood in front of her, his hair a mess, wearing only a pair of boxers and a white t-shirt. “Couldn’t stop thinking of me, eh Swan?” He jeered; the half drank bottle of rum in his hand.
“Tallahassee.” She said firmly, pushing past him as she entered his room.
“Do come in.” He groaned as she heard the door shut behind her. “What do you want?”
“I know it was you that I talked to you that night, but how?”
He shook his head as if trying to clear the cobwebs or something. “Sorry, lass, I’m not following, what night?”
“I called David from my hotel room that night, but he swears he never talked to me. Yet someone sent me a cab, someone got me home.”
He shrugged. “Haven’t the foggiest idea what you’re on about, love.”
“Bullshit.” She stepped toward him. “Tonight, you said I kept calling you in the middle of the night, but I only called you once, because of Walsh.”
“I must have misspoken.” He shrugged, tossing himself down on his bed as he sat on the end of the mattress.
“I can tell you’re lying.” She glared as he reached up and touched the tip of his ear with his finger. “There. You do that thing with your ear when you’re either lying or nervous.”
“You’ve barge in my room in the middle of the night, interrupt my solitude, and start accusing me of lying about sending a cab to some damn hotel room in the middle of podunk Woodville, Florida, you can’t blame me for being foggy.”
Emma flinched and her eyes sought his from across the room. “I didn’t say where I was staying. I just said Tallahassee. How did you know the hotel was in Woodville?”
He shrugged, “I’m drunk lass, lucky guess.”
“I knew it was you.” She exclaimed.
“Fine, you caught me, I sent you a fucking cab, but to be fair you’re the one who told me not to talk that night.”
“But I called David, I know I did.”
He chuckled. “Aye, you did, but he was passed out drunk that night.”
“You never told him what I said on that call? Why?”
He laughed loudly. “Figured he didn’t need to know what his baby sister had gotten herself into, seeing as you were telling me you were done with it, I didn’t see the point. As long as Neal was out of the picture, it wasn’t necessary to break his heart.”
“So, you sent a cab, and just brought me home, no questions asked.”
“Aye.” He still wasn’t making eye contact with her. He wasn’t telling her the full story, she knew it.
“So, David never talked to Neal then.” She paced the room in front of him. “But Neal knew where I was, and yet he never came after…”
“He damn well better not have, I swore I’d tear him apart with my own hands.” Killian growled and Emma felt the room spin slightly.
“What did you just say?”
“That dumb fuck tried to square up to me like I couldn’t beat his ass, I swear he cried when I burned that fucking cash in front of him.” He swirled the bottle in his hands before tipping it back again to down the liquid.
“You came to Florida?”
He looked up and bit his lip. “I uh…What?”
“You just said you burned his cash, the cash was in Florida, in the hotel.”
“It’s late, I’m drunk, I think…” Emma walked over and grabbed the bottle out of his hand, throwing it across the room as it smashed into the wall, liquid and glass exploding at the contact. “What the bloody hell…”
“Tell me the truth.” She yelled. “Did you go to Florida?”
“Of course, I went to Florida, who else was going to keep that bastard from coming after you?” He stood up, staring at her as he shouted, and Emma felt her cheeks flush.
“But why?”
“Because he touched you. I saw it, the bruise on your cheek, you think I was just going to let him hit you and walk away?”
Emma sucked in her breath. “How, how did you know that?”
“I needed to make sure you got home. I waited outside your apartment, I saw the cab arrive, watched you get out. As soon as I saw your face, I knew he needed to be stopped.” He walked toward her. “So yeah, I went to Florida, to the address you had me send that cab to. Asshole was still there, waiting for you to come back.” Emma couldn’t believe what she was hearing, all these years she thought David had helped her out of the situation and then did as she said, and never spoke about it again.
“You burned his cash?”
“Enough to tell him I was serious. If he ever came back for you, if he so much as tried to contact you…”
She stepped backwards, but he followed her until her back hit the wall, his eyes staring into hers. “Why? Why did you care at all about Neal?”
“I didn’t give a fuck about Neal.” He yelled, as he placed his hands on either side of her head, leaning toward her. “Don’t you get it Emma. It was you. It was always you.”
His mouth was on hers in an instant and Emma could barely catch up to the fact he was kissing her, Killian Jones was kissing her. She should be repulsed but in the moment all she could feel was the heat of his body pressed against hers, his fingers gripping her hair, pulling her against his mouth as her entire body hummed in excitement.
Without a second thought she pushed back, her hands against his chest, fisting in his t-shirt, her head falling back as his mouth explored her neck. She could barely contain the moan as his tongue slid against her jaw. She didn’t registered the moment they both stumbled across the room, his hands at her back, clawing at the zipper low on her hips. When they tripped against the bed, the straps of her gown pulled down her body, he stared at her with eager eyes. Emma couldn’t believe this was happening, things weren’t making sense. All these years, all the anger toward each other, the teasing, the torment, suddenly they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
He was Killian Jones. The man who had tormented her thoughts for years, Killian Jones, the man who had come to her rescue the night with Walsh, who had also apparently saved her from a terrible mistake with Neal. She was confused, overwhelmed, and incredibly horny, she realized.
“Swan…” His voice vibrated against her ear. “I think we should…”
Emma pulled away from him, looking at him as he swayed in front of her. “What?”
“I’m fuck as drunk.” He laughed. “Aaand, I’m pretty sure you’re having a difficult time standing on your own right now.”
“Wait a minute?” She said incredulously. “The Killian Jones, sex God extraordinaire is saying he’s too drunk to fuck?”
“Sex God?” He laughed. “Ok I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but anyway…I’m just saying…maybe we need to hit pause; besides I can’t exactly feel my lower half.” He stepped back, looking down at his boxers. “And I think I need to sit down.” He stumbled backward until his legs hit the bed, falling over until he was lying on his back.
“Seriously?” Emma sighed, watching as the man stilled, soft sounds of snoring filling the room. Maybe it was for the best, it’s not like it was smart for her and Killian to sleep together. She was Emma Nolan and he was Killian Jones, enemies since childhood. One drunken night couldn’t change that. Perhaps he was right, she needed to go back to her room, get some sleep, and wake up with a clear head before she made a mistake she wouldn’t be able take back.
~*~
She woke to a banging on her door that wouldn’t stop. “Good God.” She groaned, sitting up in her bed and stumbling toward the door. She yanked it open and stared angrily at whoever was making the noise.
“You look like shit, Swan.” Killian smiled at her in a way that no man who drank a bottle of rum should be smiling at a person, at whatever time it currently was in the morning.
“What do you want?”
“Brought you breakfast, figured you might need some dry toast.” He held up the white bag in his hands and she dropped her arm, letting him enter her room.
“Why are you so cheerful this morning, you drank half the bar last night.”
“I guess I hold my liquor better than you.”
“Why does everyone say that? Besides, I’m pretty sure I’m the one who left you passed out in your bed last night.”
“Ah, that.” He shrugged. “Perhaps that was for the best.”
She stared at him, watching as he looked everywhere around the room except for at her, avoiding her eyes. “Maybe.” She opened the bag and pulled out the toast, taking a bite and swallowing before speaking again. “Did you threaten Walsh also?” She asked with a shrug.
“Are we back to a Q&A session, Swan? What does it even matter?”
“Because it doesn’t make sense. You hated me, you used to tease me mercilessly. You never even called me by my first name, making up that stupid Swan shit when I turned 13. So why, why would you care at all about my relationships?”
He exhaled loudly. “You want to know why I call you Swan?”
“You already told me that a long time ago, it was because I had a long stupid neck.”
He laughed. “You believed that shit?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You said it to my face.”
“I thought you could tell when I was lying.” He chuckled.
“Then why? Why do you call me that?” She asked in frustration.
“Because right before my eyes, you had grown into the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on. You went from this silly little girl in pigtails and braces to this gorgeous beautiful swan I couldn’t keep my eyes off of.”
Emma’s world stopped. “What? No…that’s...”
“Crazy? Yeah well, I’ve been crazy about you for as long as I can remember, so welcome to my world.”
She laughed loudly. “You had a funny way of showing it, between the redheads, the brunettes, the…”
“But never blonde.” He added seriously.
“That’s not true, there had to be one or two that were…” She stopped and thought about the women that Killian had dated throughout the years, were there really no blondes?
“They wouldn’t have been you.” He answered the question she didn’t dare say out loud.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” She implored.
“You had a type, usually idiotic moron, but it was still a type. Who was I to interfere with your ridiculous choices? Besides, you were my best friend’s little sister.” He paused before taking a step closer to her. “Would it have mattered if I did?”
Emma felt her heart skip as he stared down at her, her legs suddenly feeling unstable. “I don’t know…you’ve always just been David’s annoying friend.”
“Always?” He asked as his brow rose. “So, you never thought about it, you and I? Not even late at night, when you were alone…” His voice reverberated in her mind.
“No, of course not?” She laughed, the sound getting caught in her throat the moment his hand touched her cheek.
“Are you quite certain about that, love?”
“I…I don’t know.” Her mouth was dry as she thought back on her life, she had always found Killian attractive, and he found a way to get under her skin more times than she cared to admit, but there had been times when she was alone, times when she thought about the man in front of her in ways she knew she could never act on. She had always passed the feelings off as just needing to get laid. He was gorgeous after all, no one would deny that. “Maybe if you weren’t always such an ass all…”
Her words died in her throat the moment his mouth was on her neck, his hands at her waist pulling her against him. “You were saying…” She felt the arrogant smirk against her skin.
“You’re an ass.” She groaned, letting her hands slide against his neck as he continued to pepper kisses along her jaw until their lips met in a fiery explosion. She had to admit in the light of day, without the alcohol fogging her brain, that kissing Killian Jones was an entirely different yet exciting experience. It was like her body craved him in ways she had never admitted even in the darkness of her own solitude.
Tiny details suddenly came to life in her brain, the way he looked at her the night he came to get her at Walsh’s. Protective, possessive, almost feral, because of her.
Emma pulled him closer to her, desperately tugging at his hair to bring him closer, as he intoxicated her every sense. Emma had to admit she had wondered what kissing Killian was like, had thought about what his mouth could do, but experiencing it was a whole different thing. She felt his hands at her hips, fingers slipping under her shirt as his palm met skin searing a warm trail that caused her flesh to pebble under his touch.
As if a sudden desperation overtook her, she found herself gripping his shirt, pushing it up his chest as she explored the hair hidden beneath with her fingertips. “Perhaps you’ve imagined it a few times.” He teased, pushing her pajama bottoms over her hips, shoving them toward the ground.
“Shut up and take this off already.” She growled as he pulled his shirt over his head. Emma gulped, staring at his chest. She had obviously not spent enough time admiring this man for all his glory.
“Impatient, love?”
“Just curious if you live up to your reputation.” She teased.
“I can assure you; you won’t be disappointed.”
“That’s a mighty large assurance, considering I’m used to being disappointed.” She tore the button to his pants open, hoping to speed up the situation.
“As I said love, you have terrible taste in men, but I don’t intend to let you down.” He threw her bra behind her, his mouth suddenly pressing against one of her mounds, his tongue darting out to flick against her pert nipple.
“Oh God.” She cried out at the contact. “My taste in men has led me to this, so perhaps you have a point.” She groaned.
“Perhaps this is the first good choice you’ve made in a while.” His slid down her body his tongue tracing a line down her stomach, poking at her navel as he slid her panties down her body.
“We’ll see about that.” She said before moaning when his tongue slid closer to the area she needed him. “Fuck.” She growled looking down at him as he stared up at her.
“Something you want, Swan?”
“How can you be so irritating and yet so…” She clenched her teeth as he stood, pulling her naked toward the bed and sitting her on the mattress.
“So…?” He pressed her to continue as she lay back on the mattress. “Irritating yet devilishly handsome?” He smirked before settling between her legs. “I am quite dashing, aren’t I.” He pressed a kiss to her thigh.
“I’m going to be dashing you right out of this room if you don’t…” The heat of his tongue against her center caused her head to fall back and the words to die in her throat. She ignored the smirk she could feel form on his lips, he had a right to be cocky with the expertise use of his tongue that had set her on fire.
When his fingers slipped inside of her, hitting the spot she so desperately needed, she reached down and gripped his hair, pulling him against her until she felt the feeling build, an explosion unlike any she had experienced before, causing her to scream out, his name escaping from her lips before she could stop it.
He glanced up at her with a look that told her he knew how good he was, he was confident in his ability, she would give him that. “Holy shit.” She said breathlessly.
“Perhaps all you really needed was one really great orgasm to unwind that…”
“Are you going to just talk the whole time or?” He slid up her body, his mouth devouring every inch of skin he passed until she felt like she was ready to pass out again.
Why did he have to be so goddamn talented with that mouth of his? Because why wouldn’t Killian Jones, the man who could work her into such an angry frenzy that it left her shaking in frustration, be the same one who could give her the best damn orgasm she had ever had in her life.
Killian fucking Jones, she thought as she felt his erection against her thigh. He hesitated and she opened her eyes to see his trepidation. “You don’t happen to be carrying a condom with you, do you?”
Emma laughed. “Don’t you carry one everywhere you go? My brother always told me you were the…what did he call it?”
He rolled his eyes. “The Saint of…”
“Sexual preparation…yes that’s it.” She finished smugly. “Always prepared, like a boy scout.”
He groaned in frustration. “If you must know, it’s been a while, love.”
“I have a hard time believing that.” She snorted. “But since I’ve known you for almost my entire life, and since I’m protected already…”
“Look at this face, have I ever lied to you?”
She took in the sincerity in his crystal blue eyes, the genuine smile spread across his lips, and she was taken aback suddenly by the situation she was in. Lying naked in a bed with Killian Jones, a man she had known almost her entire life. Suddenly the entire thing felt safe to her, she had never had that before with a man, trust had been rare in her life.
Killian had been many things to her, an enemy, her brother’s best friend, but one thing he had never been, was a liar. In fact, she now realized that he had protected her all those years. All the times he had made comments about her reckless behavior with a man wasn’t because he found her annoying, or because he didn’t like her, in fact, he said them out of concern for her wellbeing. It was all overwhelming to think back and realize that perhaps his behavior was out of jealousy instead of disregard.
“Are you with me, love?”
Emma looked at the man staring at her with concern in his eyes. Lifting her head, she pressed her lips to his, a soft kiss that meant so much more to her that she could have thought. She was here, with him, in every way that mattered. Suddenly she wanted so much more than just knowing what it was like to have sex with Killian Jones, she wanted to be with Killian Jones.
She pulled back, staring in his eyes. “I’m right here.” She whispered. He dipped his head, their lips touching once more, but this time there was an urgency, a need that he returned with such emotion it overwhelmed her.
In one motion, he slid inside of her, filling her in a way she had never experienced before. She felt connected, not only by their bodies but by the way he was watching her, his eyes soft yet intense, never leaving her own with each thrust. It was as if suddenly his mouth stopped speaking but he was still saying so much.
He would always be there for her, protecting her, caring for her. She knew it somehow, could feel it in the way he moved. How had she not seen it all this time?
“Emma…” He whispered her name like a prayer in the air, so reverent as if it was the most valued word he had ever spoken in his life. She could feel the crescendo building inside of her with each heavy thrust, as his body glided against hers giving her all the friction she needed to reach the level she was seeking.
“Oh God…” She moaned, her body starting to shake as his mouth pressed against her ear.
“Come with me Emma…” His voice, full of sincerity, laced with pure desire was the only sound she needed to guide her to the high she so desperately sought. Her body tensed as she gripped him, her teeth grazing the flesh at his shoulder as he moaned her name over and over until they both had stilled, exhausted, and completely sated.
“Well, that was…” She paused with a sly smile. “Unexpectedly better than I imagined.”
“Why Swan, I thought you never imagined…” he smirked, causing her to shove him backwards on the bed, climbing onto his waist as she looked down at him.
“Are you going to continue being this cocky, or…”
“Have you ever known me to be any other way?” His brow rose playfully.
She rolled her eyes, leaning over to place her lips against his mouth, the heat between her legs already pooling in anticipation of repeating the act they had just completed.
Suddenly the door to her room swung open and Emma’s eyes widened as she flung herself onto the mattress, pulling the covers over their bodies.
“Emma…David and I were just…”
“Mary has a key to your room?” Killian asked with a groan. “Good to know.” His voice trailed off.
“I get locked out a lot…” She could hear her friend’s voice getting closer as she approached them and she threw the covers over Killian’s head the moment her friend entered the room, she sat up suddenly. “Are you still in bed?” Her friend exclaimed. “Check out is in two hours!”
Emma forced a yawn. “Not everyone gets up with the birds, M’s.”
“Not everyone drank as much as you did either…”
“Hey, he’s not in his room either.” Emma groaned as her brother’s voice sounded at the door, entering her room. “You’re still in bed? Check out is in 2 hours, I don’t want to get charged for another day because you sleep past noon.” He paused, looking around her room. “Jesus, did you have a party in here?”
“Hey, you know, this is real fun, but I haven’t even had my breakfast yet so…”
“Oh, right.” Her friend said excitedly. “I was just dropping off your key so you can water the plants while we’re gone. Killian will have a key too so I hope the two of you can watch the place without killing each other or burning our house down.”
“Great. Ok then, have a good trip.” Emma tried to rush the conversation. Her brother was already staring at her when suddenly his face drained of color.
“We should um…yeah…perhaps we should leave, darling.” He took his wife by the hand. “I think Emma would prefer to spend her morning doing other activities.” He winked and Emma died a little inside, but not nearly as much as when she felt Killian’s hand trail up her thigh. She jumped with a loud squeak.
“Other activities, she’s still in bed, David…” Emma squeezed her eyes shut.
“Yes, and from the looks of things, she was quite enjoying that.”
Emma tossed a pillow toward her brother. “Get out.”
“I don’t…” Her friend’s eyes widened. “Oh my God.” She scanned the bed, finally taking notice of the extra bump in the bed. “Good for you Emma, I know it’s been a while…” She said with a happy whisper but not quite low enough that the sentence was not heard by Killian whom she felt pinch the inside of her thigh. She leaned over onto him, driving her elbow into his chest causing him to grunt loudly through the comforter.
David dragged his wife toward the door, despite her desire to stay and discuss this new revelation with Emma. She gestured toward her as she was leaving. “Call me…” She giggled before David stopped in his tracks, staring at something on the floor. His mouth turned up in a grin before he looked back at Emma.
“Hey uh, you haven’t seen Killian have you?” He sang with a devilish smile.
“Have you tried the bar?” Another pinch to the inside of her thigh. “Ouch.” She exclaimed loudly as her brother continued to stare at her.
“Ok well, I’ll leave his key here.” He held the key up in his hand, dropping it on the table by the dresser.
“Sounds great, not sure when I’ll see him, but you know, I can take care of the place on my own anyway.” She smiled.
“Yeah, ok, well when you see him, you might want to let him know that the hotel has been trying to contact him. Apparently someone ran over his bike in the parking lot.”
“Bloody hell.” Killian exclaimed loudly from under the blankets and Emma groaned as her brother’s knowing smile grew on his face. “How bad is it?” Killian emerged from the comforter and Mary Margaret’s mouth opened wide.
“Oh God.” Emma squeezed her eyes shut.
“Anyway…” David continued with a grin, “See you when we get back. You and I need to have a little conversation about your intentions with my sister.” He warned with a wink, dragging Mary Margaret from the room, questions flying from her mouth until the door shut behind them.
“Oh God.” Emma sunk down into the bed, pulling the covers over her head.
“Do you think he was serious about my bike?”
Emma yanked the covers away, staring at Killian. “That’s what you took away from that entire situation?”
“Do you know how much I paid for that bloody thing?” He exclaimed. “He was joking right?”
“You don’t care that David and M’s just walked in on us, that they know that we had sex?”
He shrugged. “No, David thought we had sex years ago.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“He figured that was the reason you were always so hostile toward me.” He grinned and Emma’s mouth opened and closed like a fish trying to breathe.
“I was hostile to you?” She asked incredulously. “I’m pretty sure it was the other way around, you used to pull on my hair.”
He rolled over on top of her. “Because I thought you were adorable when you were mad. Your ears get red and…”
“Are you serious right now? You were trying to make me mad?”
“Let’s be honest love, it wasn’t a difficult task.” Emma’s eyes widened but he cut off her response with a kiss that removed all other thoughts from her mind. His body pressed against hers in all the right places, making her ache to feel him inside her again.
She squealed. “Check out is in…”
“I don’t bloody care when check out is.”
“If my brother finds out you made him pay for an additional day in the room to fuck his sister, he might…” Killian groaned, rolling over and pulling the sheets from her naked body. Emma frowned. “Where are you going?”
“Get up, we’re leaving.”
“What? But I didn’t even eat my breakfast…”
He threw her clothes at her, a pile landing on her head and around her body. “Let’s go love, lots to do. Plants to water, rooms to explore.”
“What are you talking about?”
He leaned over, pressing his lips to her neck. “Are you always going to be this gloriously impossible?”
She melted into his touch, the feeling of his hot breath against her ear. “Have you ever known me to be any other way?” She purred.
“I’ll take you any way I can get you, Swan.” He growled in her ear, and she felt her entire body shiver, pressing her legs together to calm the aching need that was growing.
“How fast can you drive?” She asked, meeting blue eyes filled with as much desire as she was feeling.
“Depends on whether or not my bike is destroyed in the parking lot because that bug of yours won’t make it home before dinner.” She slapped his arm playfully, before he captured her lips with his, causing her heart to speed up.
“We’re not really going to defile my brother’s house are we?” He bit his lip, staring at her with eyes that made her entire body quiver. Hell, she’d let him take her right on the bike outside the hotel if he kept looking at her like that. “Fuck it, I think we still have time before check out.”
He had her on her back before she could finish her sentence.
By the time David got the bill for 3 extra days at the hotel, Emma and Killian had become inseparable. They still fought, and he still got on her nerves at least twice a day, but there was no one that had her back the way he did.
In fact, Emma was sure that she would never find another man who loved her as fiercely as Killian Jones.
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seasonofthewicth · 4 years ago
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A Groovy Kind of Love - Chapter 16
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AN: This chapter was heavily inspired by a scene from Queen of Shadows, but as this is a throne of glass fic I hope you’ll all enjoy! Happy holidays!
masterlist - ao3 - my askbox
-- 
The following week could only be described as bliss. 
Aelin barely registered the time passing, swept up in a haze of Rowan. The haze of his presence, his conversation, his touch.
Everything about him was exciting now in a way that was different than it had been before. Spending time in the bar as a group was a regular occurrence while Rowan had shifts, but now each night they visited she made sure to curl her hair and prime her makeup just so. She wanted to look her best, even though these nights still weren’t their long-awaited first date. 
Rowan had promised her it was coming, if she could be patient enough to wait for the next weekend when they were both free. She had barely been able to agree, desperately excited after the tease that had been the last weekend. 
Their group dinner had only made her crave time alone with Rowan more. And the kiss they had shared… 
His kiss had been powerful, a sharp contrast to the gentleness with which he had cradled her face. He had teased and taunted her with his tongue and his hands, he had used his fingers to trail a burning path down her sides before coming to rest leisurely at her waist. 
Their kiss had made her dizzy, had made her head spin so fast she struggled to comprehend thoughts other than the sensation of his lips against her own and the hard length of his body crowding her against the wall. 
It had been almost impossible to separate, and she knew had he kissed her again after their goodnight she wouldn’t have been able to leave his side. She would have drawn him into her bedroom and kicked off her shoes. She would have peeled the soft jumper that he wore up until it was lashed somewhere in the corner of her bedroom, only pausing for a moment to mourn the delicious contrast it provided with his golden skin. Aelin was sure a shirtless Rowan would have more than made up for the loss. 
She had admitted to herself a long time ago that she wanted him. Bad. 
Now she stood in front of her class, desperately trying to claw her way back to the train of thought she had been on before her mind had been invaded by the thought of Rowan and his broad chest, the planes of toned muscle she knew were beneath his usual flannel shirts. 
Her mouth was dry. 
Gods, she needed to get a grip. She was standing in front of a room full of children. 
“Miss G?” A student asked, and Aelin was dragged brutally back down to earth. 
She cleared her throat and shot a glance to the clock on her classroom wall. “Yes, um, we’ll continue this tomorrow. Take lunch five minutes early, happy Friday.”
This wasn’t like her at all, and her students wore expressions of wary appreciation. She was never going to find her momentum again with the five minutes remaining in the period. “See you all next week.”
With that the class dispersed, not to look a gift horse in the mouth, and within seconds her classroom was empty. She shook her head with a slight laugh and turned around to collapse into the chair waiting behind her desk. Aelin fished around in her small handbag to draw out her phone. 
Her phone screen bore a number of notifications, one a text from Lysandra with a link and a number of heart emojis, Aelin would get to that later. The notification that widened her smile was a text from Rowan. 
Busy? was all his message read, and Aelin didn’t hesitate before tapping the call icon at the top of her screen.
“Hello, you.” Aelin could hear the smile in his voice as the call connected. 
“Hello,” She sang, unashamed in the smile that crossed her own face. There was an intimacy in his greeting that she revelled in. “What’s up?”
“You called me.”
She bit her lip at his tone of voice. Rowan Whitethorn a tease? Who knew. 
“I did. I thought your text implied you wanted to talk… I must have been wrong. I guess I’ll go.” 
Aelin leaned back in her chair and kicked her feet up onto her desk, if her phone had a cord she would have been twirling it through her fingers. 
“Alright, see you later.” Rowan’s voice was calm through the speakers of her phone and Aelin immediately dropped her feet back off the table as she scoffed. 
Rowan’s returning laughter was loud, the sound deep and rich that struck something in her stomach. Aelin couldn’t play offended for long as he spoke again. 
“I wanted to check in with you, it’s just me and Aedion in the loft today.”
Aelin knew his meaning immediately and she bit her lip for an entirely new reason. 
“Oh,” She said carefully. She needed a moment to think. 
The proposed ending of their relative secrecy was something she had delayed contemplating so far. 
Aelin had enjoyed the sneaking around she and Rowan had shared. Only a couple of nights ago she had joined Rowan and her other roommates on the sofa in their living room while they watched a football game. Aelin had slipped herself in between Rowan and Aedion casually, and the sharp look Rowan shot her when she had made sure her crossed legs pressed along one of his own had sent a flicker of heat curling through her. 
Rowan had adjusted himself, leaning further back into the cushions and uncurling his arm along the back of the seat behind her. Aelin hadn’t seen her cousin or either of her other roommates bat an eyelid at the movement, so she had allowed herself to lean backwards into the sofa, resting her head in the crook of Rowan’s elbow. 
Rowan had smiled down at her, another one of those smiles that said ‘we know something they don’t’ with the corners of his lips twisting in an almost unbearably attractive way, and it had left her attempting to hide her own smile behind a curtain of her hair.  
Aelin thought that maybe she understood Lysandra some more now. 
The secrecy was exciting, and the risk she felt when she trailed a finger along the band of skin between the hem of Rowan’s t-shirt and the waistband of his trousers set loose a cloud of butterflies in her stomach. He had been standing in the kitchen, talking with Aedion, and she hadn’t been able to resist teasing him. She had barely grazed her finger along the slim path of exposed skin but Rowan had tensed, delightfully responsive to her touch, and grabbed her hand below the counter, out of Aedion’s line of sight. 
Aelin didn’t think Aedion had noticed the tension in his friend, or the tightness of his voice as they continued their conversation, but Aelin had. She wanted to do it again, and was desperate to find any excuse she could to touch him. 
She was sure Rowan felt the same, even though it had taken him a little while to relax into the flirty exchanges. Just yesterday morning, as she had been about to leave the loft with Fenrys to journey to the school, Rowan had twisted a lock of her hair around his finger and tugged, ever so slightly. Aelin knew the blush she had worn at the gesture was fierce and she had shot a glance at Fenrys immediately afterwards, but he had seemed blissfully unaware of what had transpired between his roommates. 
“Aelin?” Rowan’s voice broke the silence, and she realised she had been silent for more than a moment, lost again in the visions of Rowan and the sensation of his skin against her own. 
“Yes, um, well.” She paused again to collect her thoughts. She’d have to get to Lysandra before Aedion did, but Rowan clearly felt ready to tell his best friend. Aelin squeezed her eyes tightly shut, thanking the gods there was no one around to see her smile. “Enjoy your day with him.”
“Yeah?” Rowan’s voice was soft as he double checked. 
“Yeah.” She drew her eyes open finally and glanced around her classroom as she braced a hand along the desk in front of her. “Make sure when you talk about me it’s all bad things.”
Rowan laughed. “I’m sure Aedion probably has worse on you than me.”
“Maybe.” She shrugged even though he couldn’t see. “For now at least.”
Rowan’s breath hitched and he only said her name. “Aelin.”
She loved the sound of her name on his lips. She wanted to hear it again and again. 
Movement caught her eye in the doorway to her classroom and Nehemia appeared waving a Tupperware container in the air. Aelin held one finger up in the air and then pointed to where she held her phone to her ear. Nehemia flashed her a thumbs up then disappeared back around the corner. 
“I have to go,” She said, already regretting the words, talking to Rowan was the highlight of her day. “But have a good talk with Aedion. I’ll see you later.”
“Of course,” Rowan sounded just as disappointed as she at the end of their conversation. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye.”
Aelin ended the call and quickly gathered her things before joining Nehemia in the corridor. 
“And who was that getting you smiling like that?” Her friend asked with a knowing smirk. 
“Stop,” Aelin laughed as she led the way to the breakroom. 
-- 
Aedion sauntered into the kitchen and strolled over to the fridge before taking out a bottle of juice. He nodded to Rowan where he sat at the breakfast bar and Rowan steeled himself. 
Aelin had given her blessing for him to come clean to Aedion, even through the heavy veiling of their conversation, and it was something he had been waiting to talk to his best friend about. He just wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. 
“I’ve got a bone to pick with you,” wasn’t quite the approach he had intended to take. 
Aedion only turned, a golden eyebrow raised as he continued to swig juice from the bottle. He stood unashamedly shirtless in their kitchen, only a pair of almost threadbare joggers hanging low on his hips protected his modesty. 
After living with him for years, it wasn’t a sight unfamiliar to Rowan. Fenrys was worse, he would often stroll about the loft naked, and Rowan counted himself lucky once Aelin had moved in and Fenrys had been forced to cover up.
“Oh please do tell,” his friend laughed. 
Rowan narrowed his eyes at him, and Aedion’s smirk only grew as he placed the bottle down on the counter between them. 
“You crashed my date at the weekend.”
“Date?” Aedion laughed disbelievingly. “With who?”
“Whom.”
“Fuck you.”
Rowan only cocked his head and waited for the penny to drop. It didn’t take long. 
“Wait.” Aedion dropped himself onto the stool opposite Rowan. “No fucking way.”
Rowan nodded, now playing with a jagged piece of skin around the edge of his nail. 
“To be clear, you do mean Aelin?” Aedion leant forwards to Rowan and braced a hand against the counter.
“Yep,” Rowan said, hardly blinking as he looked towards his friend. 
His friend took another moment, before bursting into a loud explosion of laughter. Rowan waited for it to pass. 
“You and Aelin? On a date?” 
“Yes,” Rowan bristled. This wasn’t the reaction he had anticipated either. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Ro, man. It’s not hard to believe.” Aedion shook his head. “What’s hard to believe is that you seem to be pretending this is new.”
“What?” 
This was new. Everything with Aelin felt so new and exciting. The thought of her made his heart race, made his head spin. 
“What do you mean what? Now I’m confused,” Aedion said, playing with the cap of his bottle. “Is this new?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m telling you about it now.” Rowan had thought that much was clear. 
“Oh, shit, man.” Aedion laughed again, now rolling the bottle cap between his fingers. “Sorry for crashing your date then.”
Rowan shrugged again, it was done now, and he had big plans for their next weekend together. 
Aedion spoke again, seemingly brimming full of questions. “Is this serious? Are you going on another date?”
“Yes to the second question, maybe to the first.”
“Why maybe? Tell me you’re not messing with her, this is exactly what I wanted to avoid.”
A sliver of steel had crept into Aedion’s voice at the thought. 
“No, no of course not.” Rowan spoke quickly, flustered at the idea that he in any way wanted to play with Aelin. Well, unless she wanted to play the way she had been recently. Driving him crazy taking any opportunity to put her hands on him. 
She seemed to like doing while they weren’t alone, and it sent a thrill through him every time. The knowledge that Aelin’s hands were on him just out of sight of his roommates was exhilarating, the feeling of her pressed against him was invigorating. 
“Good,” Aedion said, placing the bottle cap flat on the top of the counter. He took a moment to consider his next words before smiling at Rowan with a predatory grin. “You need help to plan then?”
“Plan what?” Rowan asked, returning the smile gently but still somewhat confused. 
“Your date with Aelin.”
“You’re alright with this then?” He knew whichever way Aedion’s answer went he wouldn’t change his mind, it would just be nice to hear his friend’s support. 
Aedion laughed again. “You know as well as I do that we have no say in whatever Aelin does.”
Rowan nodded along and Aedion continued. 
“If she wants to date you, she will. I’m happy for you, I think you’ll be good for each other, hopefully she can whip you into shape.” 
Rowan flashed him the middle finger, but Aedion still wasn’t done. 
“I’ll just have to pretend I don’t know what will be happening on that side of the loft,” He winced. “Or what’s already happened.”
Rowan shook his head slightly and Aedion smirked. 
“Just treat her right, or I’ll have to kick your ass. I won’t want to, even though you barely work out you could probably beat me, but I’ll be looking out for her.”
“Right.” Rowan wiped his damp palms along his trousers under the counter. 
“And I love you man, but if she hurts you you’re on your own. She could definitely kick my ass.” 
Aedion laughed and Rowan couldn’t help the bark of laughter that escaped him too. 
“Thanks,” Rowan said sarcastically. “And I think I’m alright, I already know what I’m going to do.”
-- 
“This feels like a kidnapping.”
Rowan laughed where he stood holding the car door open for her. He had asked her to meet him in the parking garage under their apartment building where his car was waiting. He seemed to have managed to persuade Aedion to share the one spot allocated to the loft for one day. 
“It’s not a kidnapping,” He told her, his eyes bright in the dim lighting of the garage. 
Aelin pretended to look around, her eyes widened dramatically. 
“I don’t know,” She paused as she rested a hand along the top of the car door. She was going to get in, she just wanted to tease him first. “Dark parking garage, no one else around, taking me to an unknown location…”
“Okay,” Rowan said, his tone filled with amusement. “It’s a kidnapping, and I had really thought you wanted to go on a date with me.”
Aelin knew he was joking from the smirk he wore, but she still rushed to reassure him. She did want to go on a date with him, she had been waiting for this moment for almost two weeks, but each time she was with Rowan it was too much fun to flirt with him to pass up an opportunity. 
“I do, I do! But you have to admit this is kidnap-y.” She said as she almost threw herself into the passenger seat of his car and she heard his laugh as he pushed the door shut and crossed the car to slide in next to her. 
“Ready to go?” He asked her as he buckled his seat belt. 
His expression was so light and so happy that she couldn’t respond for a moment. Even in the short time she had known Rowan she had noticed the change in him. His smiles came more easily, as did his laughter, and Aelin never wanted them to stop. 
“Ready,” She said finally and her voice came out past a catch in her throat. 
Rowan only smiled again as he turned to start the car. 
-- 
They drove for longer than Aelin had expected. She had thought he was taking her for another meal somewhere in the city but they had long since left the busy streets of the city behind. They drove through quieter roads now, lined with towering verges, filled with masses of wildflowers. There were blends of pinks and purples and greens and she watched out the window, entranced, at the sights that flew by.
She made sure to sneak regular glances over at Rowan who drove with one hand on the wheel and the other braced along the open window. The sleeves of the shirt he wore were pushed up to his elbows, allowing her eyes access to trace the paths of ink up his skin. Before him, Aelin had never considered herself particularly keen on tattoos, they were fine, just not for her, but the lines of elegant black ink worked well on Rowan, even more so now that she knew the meaning behind them. 
The breeze swirling in through the open window tickled his silver hair, sending it flopping down across his forehead and swooping back up off his face. He looked completely at ease in the gentle sunlight, his smile wide and easy, with his golden skin glowing in the clean light. 
They were far closer to the coast now and Aelin could smell the brine in the air, she could hear the calls of the gulls that swept in along the cliffs of the beaches. The coast always filled her with a childlike glee, and the smells and sounds transported her back to the trips she made with her parents as a child, the years of visits they paid Aedion and her other cousins in Wendlyn. 
He finally pulled up in a small space allocated for parking at the side of one of the roads overlooking the beach. Aelin could see miles of shining sand and sparkling sea and she could make out small groups of people enjoying the last of the summer sunshine. 
There were couples strolling down the sand, holding hands between themselves, and there were groups of children staring down into the small pools of water that were trapped in the rocks at the base of the cliffs. 
It was stunning, and she knew the smile she wore as she took it all in was blinding. 
“The beach?” She asked through her smile. 
“Is that okay?” Rowan asked with a hint of nervousness in his tone. He broke their eye contact to step out of the car and Aelin followed.
“Rowan, it’s perfect. It’s gorgeous.”
Aelin wasn’t lying. She had been looking forward to their dinner last week, but this trip was incredible. It tugged in her chest that he had thought to bring her here. 
Rowan smiled again, almost bashfully, as he met her at the front of the car. He held a hand out to her and she revelled in the feeling of linking her fingers between each of his. 
“We’ll get to the beach later, there’s one place I want to take you first.” 
Aelin squeezed his fingers between her own as he began to lead her down the street. Every time she formed an expectation of Rowan he smashed right through it. 
It didn’t take them long to reach his next surprise. The journey had only taken a couple of minutes of wandering slowly down the seaside path and each moment had been a delightful release of a breath. The feeling of the sunlight on her skin and the sea breeze through her hair didn’t compare to the feeling of Rowan’s hand in her own or his presence at her side. 
He led her away from the beach and into a small, rustic looking, town with small buildings that each looked over a hundred years old. They had an aged charm to them with white walls and wooden beams decorating their fronts and the cobbles of the street they walked down were enchanting in the way they were worn down after years of people travelling the same path Aelin took now. 
At the end of the street the space opened out into a large square filled with stalls and tents, the streets were busy but not overcrowded and there was an air of chatter filling the space. 
“Rowan, what is this?” She asked. 
“I found this place when I first moved to Adarlan. They have a market here every month where the people in the town come to sell their goods. There’s all kinds; food, drinks, trinkets. There’s usually a man who sells really great pan-fried trout. I get a piece every time I come.”
“Rowan,” She breathed as she came to a stop and turned to face him. “This is amazing.”
Aelin was almost overwhelmed, and flattered, that he had planned to bring her here and share this with her. 
“I know, now come on. You have to try this guy’s fish.”
Aelin winced. The market was incredible, a spectacle of wholesomeness and she couldn’t wait to explore, but she was sceptical of the fish. 
“Trust me,” Rowan said with a smile as he tugged her into the heart of the market. 
Aelin gaped in awe at each of the rows of stalls, Rowan hadn’t been wrong. There was something for everyone to be found within the maze of stalls. They had passed a stall with hand knitted scarves and she knew her mom would love one for Christmas. There was a stall, manned by a young woman, selling bottles of freshly made lemonade that she made with the lemons grown in her garden. 
Aelin had spent a long while speaking with the girl, jealous of the space the young woman described that bore endless varieties of the fruit. Aelin bought herself and Rowan a bottle of the sweet drink and the taste had matched perfectly with their stroll through the seaside town. 
Rowan took her to the stall with the man selling the trout, he was an older man who was openly friendly with everyone, and he had even clapped Rowan on the shoulder when they approached. Aelin had been reluctant to try the fish but she had discovered that it was delicious, and she had finished off her own portion in minutes before stealing bites of Rowan’s own. 
Aelin was full on freshly made food and drink and the time spent with Rowan as they strolled through the grids of stalls. She was relaxed and satiated and looking forward to the romantic walk along the beach Rowan had promised her once they were finished at the market. 
They were heading towards the exit when Aelin spotted a stall she knew she would have been devastated to miss. An older lady sat perched on a rickety wooden stool, smiling at each person who passed. Aelin offered her own smile as they passed, but it was the lady’s wares that had caught her eye. 
There were rows and rows of delicate little chocolates, some covered in dustings of pink, dried raspberries, some covered in the green dustings of pistachios, some white, some dark. Aelin’s mouth almost watered at the sight. 
She tugged Rowan over to the stall and he followed easily, smiling a knowing smile as he took in where she was leading him. 
“Do you have anything chocolate and hazelnut?” She asked the woman hopefully. 
The woman smiled, the lines at the corners of her eyes deepening as she took Aelin and her question in. “Of course, I have some chocolate hazelnut truffles.”
“Perfect, please may I take ten.”
“Of course.”
Aelin felt Rowan watching her as she waited for her treats to be bagged up. 
“Ten?” He asked. 
“Ten is a very reasonable number of chocolates,” She told him. “Especially for two people.”
“Aelin,” He chuckled. “That’s very kind but I’m alright. I don’t want to eat your chocolates.” 
Aelin whirled to him, outraged. 
“Of course you do! Who doesn’t eat chocolates?” 
She caught the stall owner smiling at their exchange. 
“Me, Aelin. They’re far too sweet.”
Aelin shook her head as she turned back to the stall owner who held out the bag of sweet treats. Aelin handed over the money with a smile and a grateful thank you. 
“I put an extra one in there for you, he reminds me of my husband back in the day,” The woman told her. “He would pretend until his last breath that he didn’t want my chocolates, but I could always taste them in his kisses.”
Aelin smiled and glanced back to Rowan, who wore a slight pink tint on his cheeks at the woman’s words. 
“Thank you,” She said again. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
The woman laughed and bid them farewell as they turned to head down onto the beach, chocolate truffles in hand. 
As they walked, barefoot along the sand, Rowan graciously carrying both of their shoes, Aelin popped a couple into her mouth, unable to hold in her moan at the taste. Rowan’s gaze had snapped to her face at the sound, his stare heavy and intense in a way that she craved, but he made no move to kiss her. 
She held out a truffle to him but he shook his head. “Come on, Rowan. I know you want one.”
“I really don’t,” He shook his head. “Save them for yourself.”
Aelin parked her feet deeply in the soft sand and turned to face him. She held the sweet treat up to his lips with her lips pursed in expectation. 
“Aelin,” was all he said, but she just waited. 
Finally he opened his mouth and she placed the sweet treat between his lips. He chewed in silence before smiling down at her again. She had never seen him smile so much, and with the backdrop of the setting sun and the soundtrack of the crashing waves she couldn’t help herself from leaning up to press her lips to his. 
His lips were warm and pliant as she kissed him, and his hands came up quickly to wrap around  her waist. She held tightly to the bag of sweets in her left hand as she brought her right up to cradle his face to her own. 
Their kiss deepened as Rowan’s tongue darted gently into her mouth, leaving her toes curling into the sand as she sank into him. The lady was right, he tasted of chocolate and hazelnut and she smiled through their kiss. 
She pulled back to gaze up at him, losing herself in the deep green of his eyes and the feeling of his arms wrapped tightly around her. 
“Thank you, for today,” She whispered. 
Rowan only pressed his lips back to her own.
-- 
Rowan had never imagined that his and Aelin’s first date could have gone so well. He had hoped that Aelin would enjoy herself, he had known that the market was delightful and that Aelin would have loved the sights of the ancient town and the seaside views, but somehow the reality had exceeded his expectations. 
He hoped, so deeply, that Aelin had enjoyed herself and his heart had lifted at the kiss she shared with him as they stood on the beach. It was a picture perfect moment he wanted to savour, but he couldn’t fight the desire to check in. 
“So, you’ve enjoyed today then?” He asked with his arm around his shoulder as they made their way back to the car. He balanced his trainers with her sandals in his spare hand as the other was linked with Aelin’s where it lay across her shoulders. 
She glanced up at him sharply, concern covering her face. 
“Rowan, are you serious?” She asked. “ I have loved today, it was perfect.”
Her words warmed him like the final rays of sunlight of the day. 
He dropped his arm from her shoulders as they reached the car, but kept their fingers linked as she leaned back against the passenger side door. 
“I just wanted to make sure.” 
He felt satisfied and overjoyed at their day, but he still struggled to believe that Aelin could feel the same. The smile she gave him did well to wash away those thoughts. 
“Rowan,” Her voice was soft as she took him in, seeming to read more on his face than his words gave away. “Rowan, I’m all in.”
“You’re all in.” He repeated softly and Aelin only smiled. A sight so beautiful it caught his breath in his chest.
“All in.” She confirmed and took a step towards him, bringing her free hand up to rest against his chest. She smiled up to him, her mouth set and her gaze unwavering. 
Rowan lifted his hands to rest against her waist, her soft skin and warm curves fitting his hands perfectly, as he smiled widely at her, unable to control the curve his lips adopted. 
“I’m all in too,” He told her as he leaned down to press his lips to hers. 
-- 
tags:
@jesstargaryenqueen​​
@maybekindasortaace​​
@slytheringalathynius​​
@http-itsrebecca​​
@morganofthewildfire​​
@in-love-with-caramel-macchiato​​
@fictional-horan​​
@tottenhamboys20
@dressedindustandshadows​​
@sleeping-and-books​​
@perseusannabeth​​
@ireallyshouldsleeprn​​
@superspiritfestival​​
@aelinfeyreeleven945tbln​​
@spyofthenightcourt​​
@jlinez​​
@queen-of-glass​​
@booknerdproblems​​
@sjmships​​
@elriel4life​​
@bamchickawowow​​
@woollycat22​​
@claralady​​
@illyrianwitchling​​
@SHINYA-HIIRAGI
@fangirlprincess09​​
@darlinminds​​​
@bookittothelibrary1​​ <- this came up as the url please let me know it its not right
@thenerdandfandoms​​​
@danibutterr​
@inthecityair
@autophobiaxx​
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searenbound · 5 years ago
Text
This was one of the first request I got on my old blog from @popsicledrop and it’s still one of my favorite Todoroki works I’ve done and I also just kinda wanna talk about Nagas more because snake
Warnings: swearing, breeding kink, breath play
Pairing: Shouto Todoroki x reader
It was like a spell. One she could not and did not care to brake. She felt herself drawn to the forest as if she needed to be there. The mere thought of the wondrous place was enough to lure her in as it was. It was like the sweet warm voice of an old friend calling too her, beckoning her to come and stay a while. (Yn) desperately wanted to answer that call, to become acquainted with her dear friend.
She’d been told time and time again as she was growing not to answer that call. ‘All that’s waiting for you is surely just a regrettable tragedy’ they were adamant. ‘why can’t you just stay put!’ they would scold her whenever she had wondered too close to the forest edge. She couldn’t ‘just stay put’ though so she took to leaving under the cover of night to explore what she could. Even now when she was settled into her adulthood at the age of twenty, she still felt the need to sneak away.
This night hadn’t been any different at first. She had grabbed her lamp and packed plenty of snacks for her adventure fully excepting to be home before day light, but curiosity took hold of her. Something in her needed to keep going. That kind voice called to her again, directing her to keep going deeper and deeper into the forest. She obeyed it.
She was awestruck at the beauty in front of her. She had come across a small clearing filled with a lovely assortment of wildflowers. The trees surrounding the clearing filtered in the early morning light making shadows dance around it. The crowning jewel though? The little spring just at the very edge of clearing, tucked away behind a few rocks. It was almost like someone was trying to hide it. She smiled giving into her excitement and started stripping unaware of the hungry eyes that were watching her.
Shouto had never seen a human as beautiful as her before. It took everything in him not go over and breed her right there. He had to be patient. Humans tended to be fragile creatures. He was unsure if she was just as fragile as the rest of her kind. She had to be special though, to have made it this far into his territory without him noticing.
He watched with half lidded eyes as she stepped into the spring, her gorgeous from disappearing into the warm water. A groan almost pushed past his lips when a satisfied moan left hers. Fuck, he needed to hear more of her noises. It was like music, a sound sweeter than any song he’s ever heard.
He made his way over to her slowly, carefully as not to scare her. “You know” he began pleased by the way she looked at him, surprised but not frightened. “It’s really rude to take a bath in someone else’s home without even asking”. “It’s just as rude to walk in on naked women isn’t?” She challenged much too his amusement.
She hadn’t made any moves to cover herself. Something she even questioned the motive of. She knew the inherent danger of the situation. She had grown up with stories of Nagas. About how most were kind but not all. Some were malicious and with it being their mating season she should have been more cautious than she was.
“Fair enough” he smiled, and she found herself suddenly enamored by him “Would you mind if I joined you?” He slithered closer until he was at the very edge of the body of water. “It would be rude of me to deny you access to what’s yours wouldn’t it?” She answered surprising him. He had expected her to be more resistant, but she was being more playful than anything. Was this flirting? That’s how humans courted each other right? He tried to not let the prospect excite him too much.
He entered the water keeping a polite distance in between them unsure of just how far she was willing to go. “I should introduce myself, Shouto Todoroki” He stated extending a clawed hand towards her “may ask for your name?”. “(Fn) but you can call me (Yn). Can I call you Shouto?” She takes his hand moving closer to him. He was alluring to her, more so then even the forest itself. She felt like she needed to be closer like she’d die if she wasn’t.
He smirks down at her as she wrapped her arms around his neck “A bit forward, aren’t we?”. He leaned down slightly, placing a kiss on her lips his hands founding their way to her waist pulling her even closer. “Do you really mind?” She questioned once he pulled away. “I suppose not” he said hoisting her up and placing her down on a flat rock.
His lips immediately went work on her neck kissing and sucking at the soft skin. “Mm… that feels really nice” (Yn) murmured tilting her head to allow him better access “But you still haven’t told me if I can call you Shouto”. A pleasured sigh slipped from her lips when his hands started to gently message her breasts “I-I wanna call your name but how can I do that if I don’t know which to use?”. He groaned against her neck giving her a quick yes before turning back to his work.
His lips trailed lower down her chest slowly. He dragged his forked tongue over one of her perked buds before taking it between his lips. He was rewarded with a breathy moan of his name and fingers tangling in his hair. He groaned rolling and pinching her other bud between his fingers. He could get addicted to this. To all of the noises that fell from her lips showing him just how much she liked what he was doing. The way she tugged at his hair like she needed to hold on for her life. Even the way she moved against him was amazing. It was as if she needed to be more than just close, like she needed to be one with him. He shuddered at that thought.
His hands moved down to her hips, his lips pursuing hers in a sloppy kiss. He moaned exploring the newfound territory. He let out a soft groan when her tongue finally began to dance with his. She brought her hands to either side of his face gently stroking his cheeks with her thumbs. “God” she heaved out after breaking for air “You’re so handsome”. Her thumb brushed against his scar as she continued to speak “I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have you like this” she wrapped her legs around him pulling him closer.
He buried his head in the side of her neck taking a shaky breath. He couldn’t take how kind she was being to him. She had just met him and yet she was willing to allow him the privilege of touching her like this. What’s more is how she spoke of it like she was the one being blessed. She was too kind treating him like a beloved mate rather than a perfect stranger. He was smitten with her.
He had never believed in those old stories his mother used to tell him when he was a child. There couldn’t be such a thing as ‘love at first sight’ or 'destined mates’. They were old fairytales Meant to encourage the young to find a partner. He never understood the point of a mate like many of his kind but holding her like this. He was starting to understand it. Even so those stories just couldn’t be true. That was wishful thinking, and yet the more time he spent with her, being thoroughly spoiled by her kindness, he wasn’t so sure of it.
He was sure of one thing though, his need to breed her. He hooked his arms around her thighs, carefully but quickly moving through the water. “Whoa!” she gasped out wrapping her arms around him “Shouto? Baby, where are we going?”. He felt a wave of pride? Yes, definitely pride, wash over him at the new pet name “If we’re going to do this, I should do it properly and take you to my den”. “D-den?” she stammered out, she sounded embarrassed but excited by his statement.
'Cute’ he smiled placing kisses wherever he could. It didn’t take long to reach their destination. She was unsure how she didn’t notice his den before. It had been right there the whole time. (Yn) couldn’t help but wondered if there were other things she hadn’t noticed. She looked around her new surroundings, finding herself pleasantly surprised by how nice and comfy it was inside. She sighed contentedly as she was placed down on something plush and warm.
“I want to breed you so badly, can I?” He asked, pressing his lips against hers, his fingers rubbing her stomach gently. “I’ll make you so round and full with my eggs” he breathed out clearly enamored by the idea. She had to admit though, she had always wanted to be a mother and the idea sound so attractive to her. “Are you sure you want me to carry for you?” she was nervous as she spoke but didn’t shy away from him. “I won’t say no, but if you’re not sure then…” all her playful eagerness was suddenly melting away leaving her a bashful blushing mess. God even this side of her was unbearably endearing to him.
“Do you think I would ask if I was unsure?” He pushed her down gently, his tail wrapping around her leg. He didn’t give her a chance to answer, opting to keep speaking “You’d be a wonderful mother to my children, I’m sure of it”. “You really think so?” she smiled up at him sounding absolutely elated with his declaration.
“I’m positive, so will you have them for me?” he sighed leaning into her touch, she had reached up to caress his face again, a habit she seemed to be forming. Not that he disliked it, on the contrary he enjoyed it quite a lot. “I’d be honored to” she breaths out before pulling him into another messy kiss. He hungrily swallowed every noise she made his hand moving down her body slowly until he reached her delicate sex.
“Shouto wait” she placed her hand on his earning a confused look from him. Was she having second thoughts? “I really want you to touch me but” she traced her fingers over his and sighed “It’s just, just that your claws are so sharp and well humans aren’t exactly sturdy”. He hummed understanding her concerns “Its ok I’ll just have to use my mouth instead”. He tried to move but was stopped by her again. He raised an eyebrow at her letting out a frustrated sigh. “(Yn)-” he started but was cut off with another kiss. “You’ve done nothing but spoil me so far Shouto” she smiled mischievously dragging her hand down his body committing every muscle to memory. She leaned her head on his shoulder satisfied by the gasp that he let out when her hand got to its destination “It’s your turn now”. She slowly traced her hand along the length of his cocks. She was mesmerized by them. they were a lovely, almost red, shade of pink, the twin members had twisted together and was slick in her hand. It was so different from a human’s and that only excited her more.
“Don’t tease” he hissed, bucking into her hand. “Sorry Baby, I was just admiring you” she said carefully detangling his cocks. He groaned feeling her pump her hand, alternating between the two. Fuck this was too good to be reality, he had to be dreaming. If he was though he hoped it wouldn’t end. She sat up slowly, looking up at him with such a lustful gaze that it made him feel weak. “Does it feel good Shouto?” he grunted nodding his head “I’m glad but I bet I can make you feel even better”. He was about to ask how when she opened her mouth nice and wide letting her tongue stick out slightly. It was a clear invitation, and one he wouldn’t take for granted.
He was quick to push one of his throbbing cocks down her throat while she continued to stroke the other one. She was way too good at this, holy fuck she was so good. He tossed his head back moaning and knotting his fingers in her hair. He bucked involuntary when she moaned suddenly, he looked down to find that she had started using her free hand to pleasure herself. She already had three fingers in her and god that was such a lovely sight. He couldn’t hold back anymore, all the self-control he had was thrown out in that moment. “Fuck” he hissed tightening his grip on her hair and beginning to thrust into her mouth eyes closed tightly.
When he open them again, he was blessed with such a wonderful sight. She looked lost in her own pleasure her eyes hazed over with lust. Was she just as close as him? Was she really getting off on this? Fuck, she really was, wasn’t she? He groaned moving a hand to her chin, encouraging her too look up at him. She meets his gaze with a lustful one of her own. Her eyes seemed to be asking, no begging, him for something. He didn’t even need to ask her what she wanted. “A-are you, shit, are you sure you want me to?” he groaned. The way she hummed around him was all the confirmation he needed. He growled fucking her mouth desperately until he was cuming. She drank it all up eagerly with a satisfied hum. She was pleasantly surprised at how sweet it was and how much of it came out.
“See?” (Yn) smiled up at him once she caught her breath “I told you I could make you feel better!”. That cheerful attitude was going to be his undoing. He sighed returning her smile before coiling around her and hugging her tightly “I wasn’t too rough, was I?”. He was genuinely worried. He knew she gave him the go ahead but still. He hadn’t lost control of himself like that before and he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. “I’m fine Shouto I promise! Although” she mumbled the last bit her face feeling flushed. “Although?” He repeated watching her as she shifted a little “I-I wasn’t expecting it to taste so sweet I really liked it” she admitted.
“Is that so?” He practically purrs pushing her to lay on her back. “Maybe I’ll let you have more later, does that sound good?” He asked gently pushing her legs apart and settling himself between them. She was still sopping wet from touching herself, he groaned at the sight. “That dose sound really good” she answers that mischievous smile returning to her lips “But I think that there’s something else I’d like to do more". “Is there?” He murmured trailing kisses up and down her neck and chest. She hummed her fingers making themselves at home in his two-toned hair “I seem to remember a certain Naga asking if he could breed me, but here I am still very much unbred”. “We’ll have to fix that, hmm?” He returned her smile.
“We wil-Ah! Oh fuck!” she shouted in surprise throwing her head back. He had managed to slip both of his cocks in her, starting a nearly ruthless pace. He would have loved to take it slower with her. To really take the time find out every little thing about her body but he was a man on a mission. He needed to breed her and breed her now.
She reached out and caressed his face, she was looking at him longingly, as if she thought taking her eyes off him would make him vanish. “Y-you’re s-oh! Mm…won-wonderful Sh-shouto!”. She spoke between kisses, whining and whimpering every now and then “Mm… oh god” She moaned tilting her head back, giving Shouto access to her neck. She was already so close.
“Are you going to cum already?” He breathed against her ear, satisfied with her response of a desperate whimper. He coiled his tail around her, careful not to squeeze her too tightly “You’re clenching around me so much, does it really feel that good?”. He wasn’t aware of how filthy his words were. He was just curious, but the way she whined and got even tighter clued him in. “Sh-shouto, Baby pl-please I’m s-so close I hah!” she gasped out, her words become nonsense as he managed to pick up speed.
She looked so wonderfully wrecked, her face was flushed, and her eyes rolled back. All that left her lips were broken little gasp and moans that vaguely resembled Shouto name. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. How could he when she was falling apart so beautifully under him. “You’re so gorgeous, (Yn)” he smiled down at her “Can you cum for me?”. She didn’t need any more encouragement than that as she came undone, clinging to him tightly and whimpering.
Shouto allowed himself to indulge in her, thoroughly enjoying the warmth and tightness of her body. God she was amazing. (Yn) returned her hands to either side of his face pulling him into a deep and messy kiss. “Th-that was incredible” she mumbled once they broke apart. She had a cute little dazed smile as she sang his praises but looking into her eyes, he could tell she wasn’t quite done yet.
“Shouto c-can you do something for me?” She ran her hands over his scales, tapping her fingertips gently against them when he hummed in response “I want you to squeeze me tighter”. “Are y-you, you sure? I might hurt you if I-” he started, in concern only to be hushed with a kiss. “I trust you. it’ll be ok you won’t hurt me” she smiled grabbing both his hands and holding them tenderly, bringing one up to her lips and placing a kiss on it. He sighed returning the smile she had given him “Ok but tell me if it’s too much”.
“T-that’s perfect” her breath was labored and heavy and that would have concerned him, if wasn’t for the fact she was tightening around him just as much. There was definitely something to be said about being so tightly flushed against each other. He could feel every little move she made the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed and the way her pussy clenched around him so tightly. He felt like he was losing it again.
“Fuck you’re so amazing” He moaned his pace becoming frantic and desperate. He was teetering so close to the edge. “You take me so good. Do you like it when I fuck you like this?” He hissed out barely even registering the words spilling from his mouth. “God yes!” She whimpered she could feel herself getting close to release all over again. “You’re so tight and wet for me. Fuck I’m going to make you so round. Do you want that? Do you want me to breed you like that?” his eyes were glazed over with lust as he spoke. “Mm… please I want to be bred so badly!” She panted and whined desperately. That was it, that was the last strand of sanity he was barely clinging to. He growled, desperately looking for his release.
He heard her scream in pleasure and felt her tightening around his cocks. Her orgasm pushed him overboard. He pushed as deeply as he could with a groan. He pressed light kisses on her neck and cheeks waiting for her to come down from her high. “You did so good” he praised once she had come to her scenes. She sighed happily letting him spoil her with his words. “I’m almost done ok?” He uncoiled his tail from her body chuckling at her whine of protest. He sighed laying his last egg in her and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
(Yn) a content sigh left her as she turned on her side placing her hand on her stomach. There had to be at least four or five eggs inside her.“I’m going to be a mother” her voice sounded so dreamy and far off. She nuzzled into the plush pelts under her, smiling up at him “Thank you for letting me experience this Shouto”.
Shouto felt his heart skip a beat at her expression, her eyes were filled with an emotion that felt so foreign to him. He sighed smiling gently at her and scooped her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck “Shhouuto” she whined loudly with a cute little pout. It was clear she was tired, but he needed to get her cleaned up. “You can rest in a moment” he murmured kissing her cheek “We should wash up first though”. “Fine” she huffed burying her face in his shoulder.
She sighed contentedly when the warm water hit her skin, soothing her sore legs. She stretched her arms out, sighing when she felt arms wrapping her around her waist. She tilted her head back asking him for a kiss. He sighed rubbing his hands on her stomach and kissing her gently. Once they got out and she got dressed and picked the rest of her stuff up he carried her back to the den despite her protest against it. “I can walk, you don’t have to carry me everywhere” “I know, but I want to”. She whined in embarrassment pressing her hot face into his neck. He smiled at her antics. She really was unbearably cute. He’d be crazy to let her go. Humans typically raised their young with their mates, right? Would she mind staying with him then? He’d ask her after she rested a bit, he didn’t want to overwhelm her.
When she finally awoke from her nap it was already dark out. “something smells good’ she mumbled stretching. “It’s about fucking time!” that voice, it wasn’t Shouto’s but it was familiar none the less. “Katsuki?! What are you doing here?” she asked the blond sitting across from Shouto. It was tense in between the two as she walked over and sat down next to Shouto. He draped his tail across her lap, a protective gesture she realized.
“What am I doing here ?! What the hell are you doing here?! You’ve been gone all goddamned day and you’re just going to act like this shit is normal?!” he screeched at her. She sighed turning to Shouto “I’m sorry about him, he’s just worried about me is all. He hasn’t caused to much trouble has he?”. “No, he just got here actually, is he always that loud?” he sounded agitated but didn’t make any hostile moves towards him, she figured that was a good sign.
“Don’t fucking ignore me (Yn)!” Katsuki yelled gaining both their attention “Hurry up and eat, then we’re going home”. He shoved some food towards her, that must’ve been the good smell. She didn’t move to take it “No”. “No?!” he repeated looking shocked. “Yes, no I want to stay here with Shouto” she said in a calm voice “I apricate you always looking after me but its time I make my own decisions”. “Are you sure about this?” the two men asked in unison looking at each other shocked that they agreed on something.
She laughed at them before giving them a nod “I am” she smiled looking into Shouto’s eyes “I know it’s not all that common for Nagas to take a mate but if you’d have me, I’d love to be yours”. He smiled pressing their foreheads together “I would love that”.
“Hey assholes I’m still here you know, can you cut that lovey-dovey shit for a minute?!” Katsuki snapped at them heaving out an annoyed sigh. “Look half-n-half you better take care of her got it? I don’t wanna leave her in your hands but she a stubborn little brat-” “Hey!” she huffed. He rolled his eyes at her “I trust her judgement though. If she thinks you’re worth it then I’ll leave you be for now”.
He stood up walking away with his hands in his pockets, stopping just before he left the den “If you fuck up, I’m taking her home got it?” he growled out. “You don’t have to worry about that I don’t plan on ever letting that happen” Shouto said matching Katsuki’s glare. “Tsk whatever, I’ll be back tomorrow with the rest of your stuff (Yn)” he turned to leave, for real this time. “I guess we have his blessing” (Yn) smiled, running her fingers over his scales. He smiled back at her feeling the tension melt away, he sighed contentedly and kissed her cheek.
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sleepylixie · 4 years ago
Text
The Prince of Pearls 
Seawalker/Merman! Yang Jeongin
Word Count: 1.6k, Fantasy, Beware of suicide, mentions of depression I’m sorry you guys
A/N: THIS FIC DOES NOT REFLECT THE CHARACTER OR LIKENESS OF THE REAL YANG JEONGIN IN ANY FORM OR MANNER. ONTO THE FIC!! I love this for so particular reason, I really don’t know why, 
 ( @aliceu​ and @rebecca-noona​ welcome to the cult yet again. Today we’re serving Sex on the beach with a side of Fantasy Fries)
Requests are open for SKZ and BTS! || Masterlist
Every heard about a time when the lines between natural and supernatural were so blurred, they lived as one? Ever heard about a mortal loving the sea so much, he became one with it? Come, let me tell you the story of the Prince of Pearls.
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The sea was an entity of dread to mortals, bringing fear in its unpredictability and terror of the unknown that lay within it. 
But for this village off the coast of what would become Busan, South Korea, the sea was nothing more than a god- given blessing for it brought them a bond other inlanders couldn’t even fathom-  
Merpeople. 
Not more than 80 years ago, the first Mermaid queen had reached out to the Busan chief, hoping to find themselves an agreement of mutual benefit. 
Despite strong disagreement, the chief agreed to the Queen’s behest, 
And it was evident, soon enough, that his decision had been for the best.
Her people were curious and benevolent, she claimed, if not slightly impish in nature- They were curious of their land counterparts and wished to observe them from as close of quarters as they’d allow-
They brought with them deep-sea treasures like the pearl and opal for the village to trade in return for their acceptance of her kind.
Busan thrived with their newly acquired trade of rare gems and medicinal weeds from the sea floor, and quickly warmed up to their newest neighbours. 
Soon enough, it was no oddity to see a band of children splashing and laughing at each other in the shallow waves with a trio of mer-children
It was commonplace to see the mothers sitting at the rocks at the edge of the beach, talking marketplace gossip with their underwater counterparts responding with their own equivalents. 
Busan grew well with the merpeople’s companionship, the village blossoming into a robust little trading town. 
\\
Yang Jeongin was the name of the current chief’s son, a young boy with a polite, if not a little shy disposition which was often mistaken for coldness. 
He wasn’t of the chief’s blood, for his wife was too weak to bear a child. He was picked up by his wife at an orphanage, being swept away by the baby with hair like ebony and a smile like nectar.
He wasn’t a child of many words, often choosing silence and smiles as much as he could.
That is, until he saw the ocean. 
The second the waves touched his toes, Jeongin seemed to evolve- no more was he the timid, reserved child his school friends knew him as.
He was a bright, vivacious little thing, unashamed in his loud laughter and witty in his responses, attracting every mer-child’s attention without a smidgen of hesitance. 
It was like he bloomed into his true self when he was in the ocean only to retreat into himself again on land, much to his parents’ exasperation.
“Your life is here, on land, Jeongin,” his mother would reprimand him every time he came back past midnight, tracking sand off his feet and pockets full of coral. “You give too much of yourself to the ocean.”
He would smile his shy smile again, complete with the shiny puppy eyes, and his mother would melt, yet again. 
And so grew Yang Jeongin, from a reserved child with an affinity for the ocean, to a young man with a love for it. 
He was never curious of his true parentage, for his adoptive parents had never made him feel less than their own son by blood- What was the need to look into history, when the present was as beautiful as this?
His hair was black as midnight, cut short so they hung slightly over his coral-brown eyes, brushing at high cheekbones. He stood tall and proud, like a chief’s son should, with swimmer’s shoulders and work-roughed palms. Despite his nature, he was loved by the village, an unconscious charmer who had eyes for nothing but the sea.
Jeongin had begun to spend as much time as he could in the underwater world, loving it all way too much to be able to stay away. 
He could stay underwater for long minutes, swim unnaturally fast with his human limbs, even understand the merpeople’s underwater tongue like it was his own.
There was no doubt, of course, that the merpeople loved the chief’s son. He was forthcoming with his questions, nimble with his trickery and brilliant with his words, all qualities that they treasured very greatly amongst their own people.
“Join the sea,” they’d mock him, laughing their bubbly laughs when Jeongin would frown for he knew he had responsibilities on land that he had no choice but to shoulder. “I wish, my friends.” He’d respond in their tongue, a wistful look in his eyes. 
But at least his underwater friends would always be there for him, no matter what-
but one day, they disappeared. 
One winter morning, Busan woke up to find the merpeople had retreated into the deep sea, far beyond measure.
Busan was lucky that their trading season was over and that they could tide away a few months without the precious cargo the merpeople used to bring for them
But what were they to do if they never returned?
The pressure of the decisions fell onto the chief’s family- who were facing an entirely different kind of dilemma altogether. 
Their son had fallen into a spiral of darkness after the merpeople left, retreating so deeply into himself that he was barely a shadow of his old self. 
It felt like something was missing inside Jeongin, even when he stood at the sea. It was a sickly, poisonous sensation that left him unable to even stand the sight of the ocean- a place he couldn’t stay away from not too long ago.
No amount of talking from his father or pleading from his mother could get him to leave his room- the windows closed, the bed turned away so he would not catch whiff or sight of the sea and it’s breeze.
The healer came up with nothing that could allude to his strange behavior; his body was entirely fine, she said. His mind, on the other hand....
If only they knew. 
If only they knew how he cried at the edge of the beach every night, where nobody would hear him, screaming and begging for the underwater race to come back, bring their ocean magic back with them
The water felt like a trap without their presence, a dark shroud falling over his senses that used to be open and clear even under water. 
Maybe that was why Jeongin gave up, one night. 
He couldn’t take the emptiness inside him anymore, he couldn’t take having to watch the very thing he loved so much tighten a noose around his head every time he so much as smelt it’s air 
So he gave himself to the sea, walking right into the water that felt so poisonous, allowing it to rise from his knees, to waist, chest, shoulders, nose, eyes....
and let go. 
It was a full moon that watched the boy with the midnight hair walk into the very water that gave him life, only to never come out again. 
//
When he felt water rush into his nose, Jeongin’s immediate reaction when he came around to consciousness was to panic and try to push his way to the surface until-
The water wasn’t constricting his lungs at all. The water didn’t feel suffocating, like it did for all those months before.
Right in front of him floated the same people who he’d cried for, all those nights when he felt hopeless and lost in the land. 
“I am sorry you had to live that way, young one.”
The oldest spoke, his merman tongue unfamiliar with his language. 
“Where am I,” he breathed out, finally allowing his eyes to rove over his surroundings- his extremely clear, unblurred vision. 
That was when he looked down at himself- and nearly blacked out in shock when he saw not two legs, but one tail. A strong streamlined tail with shimmering bronze dorsal fins, obsidian scales rippling throughout the length of it. 
“Welcome to Atlantis.”
//
He took to life underwater better than he could have ever imagined. 
Word went out about the newly arrived merman, formerly of human nature but unforgiving in his love for the sea, much like the rest of them. They accepted him graciously, offering him room and tutelage with his true-blooded peers.
He learnt about how merpeople were formed- first by divine intervention, then procreation and rarely, like in his case, when a mortal with a great love for the sea gave his life away to it. 
What Jeongin never understood, however, was why the merpeople that had resided in the waters next to his town decided to leave so suddenly.
When asked, he was told that the merpeople royal court had decided against further interaction with the humans with no explanation at all.
It was sad, he was told.The mer people loved the companionship of their land counterparts, and it pained them to leave the little town that had quenched their curiosities and accepted them without question.
He thought long and hard, over his tutelage, about what the relationship between the merpeople and his human ancestry could bring to the both of them- and then it struck him.
As a human child turned merperson, he could be the perfect conduit between both the worlds- a seawalker who could broker a peace with the landwalkers.
He threw himself into his studies with new vigour, for it felt like he had found a new purpose in life. 
Jeongin rose through the ranks with just the lure of his voice-
For it was easy to accept his words, especially when they were paired with his easy charm, simple smiles and fox-like cunning now veiled behind new sapphire-blue locks.
His new home wondered about him, 
“Is it true that he’s part siren??”
“His land family wasn’t his blood family, what’s to say he truly has our blood in him after all?
Atlantis took to calling him the Prince of Pearls, a fond nickname for the newest addition to their large family who had ideas bigger than them all, a heart filled with compassion and beliefs clad in iron and adamant.
Everybody knows about the seawalker from Atlantis, all midnight hair and trickster allure, the tale of a mortal from the wrong side of the sea now a voice of reason for everything he had learned to believe.
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onyxiana-is-obsessed · 4 years ago
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i loved you King izuku fic!! may i request something? king Izuku was traveling and he sees a lonely woman/man turns out shes/hes a god he talks with her/him and he enjoys their company, after they meet for the first time, he wakes up and he sees his kingdom is a bit more darker than usual, he looks up and sees a glowing tree next to his kingdom, (its basically a legendary tree that give blessings to those who are near it) sorry if this is alot! you have thr right to decline this request!
Hiya lovely 💕 I hope you like this! This was a cute request and just.. yes🥺 EVERYONE IS OVER THE AGE OF 21 Pronouns used: She/her Length: 1.7k (g/n) - Goddess name
Blessing of the Goddess
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Izuku sighed as he finally managed to sneak away from Noel. He managed to hide behind a tree, while the guard captain ran past him looking for… well him.
Giggling a little, the king slipped away and ran out of the kingdom walls and into the large field ahead of the kingdom. He held his arms out as the sun shone down on him, warming him up. The cool breeze ruffled his green hair and lit up his smile.
Being king was difficult. He was so busy all the time, he barely had time to rest or sleep. This was one of the rare days he had off and even then he had his guards trailing behind him. He could never be alone and at peace.
As  he walked around the field, he saw a glow in the distance. He moved closer and saw a girl in a white dress, playing with butterflies around her. She giggled as one landed on her nose, while the others floated around her. A few sat in her hair, creating a crown.
Izuku froze, his eyes widening a little. She was… beautiful. Her (e/c) glimmered in the sun, her hair had a glow around it. She was just so beautiful, he couldn’t understand it. One of the butterflies flew over to him, making her look up at him.
“Oh, hello.” She said, smiling up at him. Almost immediately, his cheeks turned red and he smiled.
“Hello.” She patted the spot next to her and it didn’t take much coaxing before he moved to sit by her. The butterflies slowly fluttered around him as the girl held her hands out.
“What’s your name?” She asked, making him look over at her. Woah… she was even more beautiful up close.
“Izuku… Midoriya. Izuku Midoriya. And you are?”
“(y/f/n).” (f/n)? That was a beautiful name and it sent a rush of excitement through him.
“What are you doing here?” She smiled and looked at him once more.
“I like to come out here, every day. It’s nice. The place is beautiful and I love to sit right here and play with the butterflies.” He looked down at her hands, they seemed to have an unearthly glow to them. He gently reached out, without saying much and ran his fingers along her palm. Much to his surprise, she held her hand out to him, letting him hold onto them. “Do you like to hold hands?”
“Not… not usually.” He answered honestly, looking away with darker cheeks. “I just felt like I had to hold your hand.” (f/n)’s smile widened and she stood up, pulling Izuku up with her.
“You’re rather trusting.” She murmured as she led him down the field, away from the kingdom walls. He knew how dangerous this was, he knew what types of magic existed, yet… he couldn’t help himself. He let the woman lead him away.
“I’m not normally, actually. Quite the opposite.” She looked at him and gave them that angelic smile again.
“Oh. I suppose I must be rather special.” He only nodded, almost falling into a trance.
“Say… Izuku. Will you spend today with me?”
“Of course! Wh-what would you like to do?” Ok, maybe he had answered her a little too quickly, but he was more than excited to do so. He couldn’t wait to spend the rest of the day with her.
***
“Where… are we?” Izuku asked as (f/n) led him through a forest and into a deeper area, with glowing plants, crystals, and bugs.
“This is the Magic Forest. Ever been here before?” Actually no. Noel and his parents never let him leave. In fact, Izuku hated being king. It was confining and all he wanted to do was be free. Days like this, sparse days like this made him feel otherwise. He loved his kingdom and he loved everyone in it. He just hated his position.
“No, actually. Never.” (f/n) smiled as she walked him close to a crystal and reached out to it. She broke off a small piece and crushed it in her hand, whispering something. When she opened her hand again, there was a small ring. She raised Izuku’s right hand- one she’d been holding this entire time- and slipped the ring onto his ring finger.
“Perfect. This shall be your gift for today.”
“Oh, but I don’t have anything for you.”
“But you do. Giving me your time, I appreciate it.” There was something… odd about this woman. Something just weird, but it wasn’t concerning and Izuku didn’t really care to pay attention to it. In fact, every time he felt as if something was off, he just ignored it. Yes, something felt off, but (f/n) also had this oddly comforting aura around her. It was warm, it made him happy, it gave him a sense of freedom.
“Where are you taking me next?” He asked, as (f/n) started walking again.
“There’s a river, with glowing crystals in it. It’s rather beautiful and I think it’s a sight you’d love to see.” Izuku had heard about a lake that glittered under the sun. The crystals glowed at night and retained the warmth of the son. He was more than excited to see it.
The river wasn’t too far, only half an hour’s walk. (f/n) led him through the forest without getting lost or confused at all. She seemed so at home with nature, it made Izuku a little jealous. He’d been stuck inside the castle walls for over 22 years… but (f/n) seemed free to go wherever she pleased.
He knew a lot of people envied his situation. People were jealous of his wealth and position, but he knew none of them understood the life of a royal. People thought royals were lucky. That they were rich and had the ability to do whatever they wanted. Well, Izuku was living proof that wasn’t true at all. Izuku was a king. A king of the most powerful kingdom in the nation.Yet, he had no freedom. He was trapped in his own home, living for everyone else except himself.
When he saw the sun going down, he hated every minute of it. He knew the second it set, he would have to go back home and he didn’t want to leave. (f/n) took him to the most beautiful places and he knew he’d never see again. He had seen more of his kingdom and land with her than he had alone in his life. He was extremely grateful and he was determined to make it up to (f/n).
But the day’s end came without mercy. Before they knew it, it was nighttime and (f/n) was taking Izuku back to the kingdom. She stopped in the field where they met and finally let go of his hand. She’d held it this entire time. The last thing he wanted to do was separate from her, but he didn’t have much of a choice. He’d already missed the warmth she brought him as their hands separated and she smiled.
“Thank you, king Izuku, for spending the day with me. I shall never forget it.” Izuku smiled at her and nodded.
“Me too. I’ll always cherish this memory. I hope to see you sometime soon.” He waved to her before he disappeared through the large doors. Only when he’d reached the castle he’d realized something. He never told her he was the king and she’d mentioned she wasn’t from his kingdom or even the neighboring kingdoms. How… did she know?
(f/n) smiled as the moonlight started to glow around her. She watched as her body started to disintegrate into bright sparkles. Yet, she wasn’t sad nor did she dislike this. As her body faded into nothingness, her voice echoed to no one in particular.
“Izuku Midoriya… I bless your kingdom with safety and everlasting freedom. May you live in peace and happiness.”
***
Izuku was woken with a start. He barely had time to register what was happening, but he noticed it was dark outside. Well… kind of. His eyes widened and he immediately ran to his balcony. He threw the doors open and stepped through with a look of shock on his face.
Beside his kingdom stood a huge tree. It was so big, it’s shadow cascaded and covered the kingdom. Through the leaves, the sun peaked out, it’s rays falling upon the city. The tree was glowing with butterflies flying around them. One fluttered over to him and landed right on his hair making his eyes widen.
“(f/n)?” He was positive this was her doing.
***
Izuku had spent four years since then searching for (f/n). He never found her, not a single trace of her. No one had heard of her, no one had seen her, nothing. It was almost as if she hadn’t existed.
Izuku sat in the field, staring at the tree, the exact same place he’d met (f/n). He’d often come to this exact spot and watch the butterflies flutter around. They’d often come to him and dance around him, reminding him of (f/n) once more.
That’s when a woman walked up to him. Izuku sat up and looked at her. She had long black hair, glowing green eyes, and a purple dress. She smiled at him as she held her finger out for one of the butterflies.
“You’ve received the goddess’s blessing, I see.”
“I… what?” She looked down at Izuku, who’s emerald green eyes held confusion.
“This tree. It’s a blessing from the gods. A specific god, actually. Her name is (g/n) and she’s the goddess of the moon, peace, and freedom. This tree has only appeared once in legend. The great kingdom of the Dragons. There’s one exactly like it there. You might want to make the journey there and see it for yourself, your majesty.”
“Who… are you?” The woman looked down with a smile as the butterfly flew away. She bent down and let her cold, nimble, fingers brush across Izuku’s cheek. There… was no warmth to her.
“You’re far too trusting, your majesty. Not all of us are kind. You should pray to (g/n)... because she’s saved you today.” The smile fell from her lips as her hand moved away. As she stood up, her body burst into black dust and vanished.
Izuku later learned that the woman was named Toxin and she was there to kill him. But thanks to (f/n)’s blessing… she was unable to. (f/n) was a goddess, one that Izuku would begin to pray to every single day, morning and night. He spread the word far and wide, making sure everyone knew of (g/n). The woman who’d saved him in more ways than one.
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anika-ann · 5 years ago
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The Best Mistake of My Life - Pt.2
What a Gentleman
Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader    Word count: 2400
Summary: A soulmate AU. They say having a soulmate is a blessing. Who wouldn’t love the idea of star-crossed lovers, right?
Neither Steve Rogers nor you consider yourself lucky though. It probably has something to do with the lines written on your skin. Because if the words are anything to go by, you’re not sure you want to meet each other.
Now that you have, it’s time to get some answers.
Warnings: swearing, light angst, FLUFF
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Story masterlist
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The diner had quite an atmosphere and on any other occasion, you would have been fascinated, easily being pulled decades back in time. Today however, your attention wasn't on the decor too much. You had very different things on your mind; like a certain man with a built of a Hercules and a spine-melting smile – if a little nervous one.
"Is this place alright?" his soft voice snapped you from the space of your own head.
You gave a tiny nod, letting him lead you farther in. He picked a table in the back, away from the giant windows to the street; you were glad for that despite the nice weather.
You would have stayed outside to begin with, but Steve had asked whether you had been hungry and to your enormous embarrassment, your stomach had replied. To his credit, he hadn't laughed, only frowning a bit while he had clearly been biting back a smile; what a gentleman.
Your waitress appeared quickly, leaving with your order written down just as fast, and you found yourself alone… with your soulmate. Your 95-year-old soulmate. How crazy was that?
You had no idea what you say, finding him silently watching you; either he was unable to form words as well or he was waiting for you to gather your thoughts and wanted to let you speak first. Once again – what a gentleman.
You cleared your throat awkwardly. "So… uhm. You're… you're really 95."
God bless him, he only grimaced a little, not commenting on the stupidity of your statement. As far as communication with him went, you were being excellent.
'Oh no, there must be a mistake,' calling him mister instead of captain (then again, you hadn’t checked if he was one just yet), your stomach answering his questions and now this. Where did your ability to talk go? On vacation?
"Uhm… yeah. I know this is hard to believe, but… yeah,” he conceded, fidgeting. “I can explain! Also, sorry for being stuck with such words."
Well, speaking of being stuck with words…
"Well, Mr.Rogers-"
"Steve, please."
He had told you that before. Except yeah, it somehow stuck you all over again, that this was most likely the man who was remembered for saving many, many lives. You wondered if you should be kissing his boots or the pavement he walked on or something. So, yeah, calling him Steve seemed like a bit of a disrespect. If he was who you thought he was, of course.
"Feels inappropriate. Even the ‘mister’ does," you explained, testing the waters. You believed Ryan was right, but still…
"What would feel appropriate?" he asked, nervously fiddling with his fingers at the edge of the table.
Huh. Alright. Maybe you and Ryan were wrong and he was just a guy? A really, really attractive and nice guy? But why else the whole ‘I'm 95’ thing then? He said he could explain…
"Captain?" you whispered, the tension in his shoulders growing immediately. Yeah, busted. You were sure now. Captain America was in a diner with you. Because he was your soulmate.
Oh shit.
"Guess I don't have to explain then…" he murmured, a worried wrinkle forming between his brows.
Before you could comment and tell him that you definitely needed him to explain, because what the hell, you hadn't exactly done your homework, how was the first American hero alive, just HOW?!, he continued.
"Look, I… I spent a good part of my life believing my… soulmate… you, would consider me a mistake," he sighed, “and-“
"Oh god, I'm so sorry!" you blurted out, instantly feeling even worse for the words you had told him. He had lived with the belief that his destined partner would resent him. Great job, me!
He shook his head, never minding the interruption. "And I'll… I'll understand if you do."
That gave you a stop. Wait. What?
"...what? Why would I?"
Why would you? He was… gorgeous, polite and so far so genuinely nice you thought you just made him in a dreamed-man-machine and as far as you knew, he was a superhero. So… if anyone should be considered a mistake… it was you. Your heart dropped to your stomach when your mind helpfully supplied you with that information. Was that what he thought? That you were unworthy? It would be perfectly understandable after all. How could you even compare to a man like him? You had told Ryan that this man was way out of your league and you hadn’t been kidding.
"Unless that's how you feel… uhm, about me."
His eyes, previously focused on the table, snapped up sharply. "What? Why?"
Wasn't it obvious? You gestured towards your humble self. Wasn't it what he was saying?
"Well, I don't really think I'm considered a superhero girlfriend material," you concluded.
The captain quickly leaned in, his hand gently wrapping around yours. To say you were bewildered at the gesture would be an understatement. You were perfectly lost. And it felt kinda nice, him touching you.
Shut up.
"That's not what I meant at all!" he exclaimed with urgency, his eyes roaming your whole face, his expression seeming guilty.
Nope, you weren't quite following, though a bit of hope flickered in your heart; his hand didn’t release yours. "You… didn't? I'm sorry, I don't… I don't understand."
"What I meant was… you do know who I am, right?"
"Y-yes. My… uhm, my friend figured it out. I- I don't know much…" you admitted, slightly embarrassed. You never were a fan of history classes. Like… memorising dates. Nope.
"Alright… I crushed a plane during the second world war…"
"That I do know. You saved millions of lives."
His cheeks dusted with a bit of pink as if he was bashful about it.
"I thought it was the end. And I woke up seventy years later…" he bit his lip, his fingers twitching on yours. He blinked in surprise when he noticed them touching you and the blush on his cheeks darkened.
When he tried to retreat, you caught his hand in return, noting the change in his tone. This was not an easy topic for him to talk about and you felt the need to comfort him. He looked at you in wonder at your gesture; you were shocked too, but it was simply an instinct. Bold action on your part, sure, but it still appeared right.
"That was only few months ago. I'm… not fully accustomed to this time." His eyes went strangely absent and you squeezed his fingers reassuringly. "Not to mention that what I do is… dangerous to say at least. I would understand if you rather stayed away."
Heavy silence fell on your table on the last note, interrupted by your waitress. You only managed to stare at Steve as he politely, yet absently, thanked her for your food, conflict all over his face as your hands parted in favour to make space for the plates.
Frankly, you didn't care for food in the slightest, too taken aback and having some serious trouble to process his words.
Now that took a turn you never saw coming.
"So… you wouldn't mind… me being me?" you asked a bit unsurely. You were starting to understand his train of thoughts and your brain was absolutely overwhelmed by it.
The captain – Steve – didn't touch his food either, his brilliant blue eyes with just a drop of green watching you sincerely, wondering what was going on in the head of yours. Good luck with that.
"I'm not sure what you mean, so I'll say no. You're… you seem like a kind person, you're a… very beautiful woman and-- I'd be lucky if you wouldn't reject me right away."
You chuckled incredulously at that, your heart picking up pace. Oh wow, did he just call you a very beautiful woman? What was the last time someone had done that? (Your mum didn't count.) Were you dreaming?
"Steve…"
He perked up when you finally addressed him correctly.
"I spent my life hoping that I won’t meet my soulmate until I’m 80 at least, because otherwise it would be really creepy. I was hoping the number meant literally anything else than their age. And if I understand correctly, you believed you'd be a disappointment to me. We’re… maybe I should only speak for myself, but I'd say that this is the best possible turn of events I could wish for," you finished with something that resembled an awkward but delighted laugh, believing every word you said.
What better outcome this could have had? You were both young and healthy people and as far as you understood, neither of you were disgusted by the choice the universe had made when binding you. That was awesome, right?
He observed you silently for what seemed like eternity, his expression unreadable, and you panicked you had read this wrong after all.
"I mean… I think we're soulmates for a reason. It doesn't always work out, I know, but we should at least try, right? Get to know each other? I mean, I know you're Captain America, but you're much more than some persona from the history books and I like to think this deserves a chance-…. Maybe I'm stupid, but-"
During your monologue, his lips curled up into the spine-melting smile again and he reached over the table to catch one of your hands that had been gesturing rather wildly; not that you had noticed until he stopped you.
For the second time that day, his lips brushed you knuckles, nearly sending you into a cardiac arrest and warming up your chest at the innocence and sweetness of such action.
"I think you're amazing," he breathed out, looking into your eyes from under his incredible pretty eyelashes, effectively turning you into a lovesick puddle.
"You d-do?"
The incredible smile of his was back. Oh god. He was so out of your league.
He gently released you and you suddenly felt embarrassed and awkward under his undivided attention.
"I do. And I'd like to know you better too."
"O-okay."
A+ for that response. But could anyone blame you? Steve was actually watching you as if you were the eighth wonder of the world and it was impossible to accept that this was somehow happening.
"Okay," he echoed softly.
He gestured to the food then with one eyebrow questioningly raised and you had to blink, returning back to earth where you had actually come here to eat. You couldn't remember what it felt like being hungry, too overwhelmed with the turn this conversation took and the emotions it swirled.
He had called you a very beautiful woman. He had called you amazing.
Steve waited for you to start eating, only then joining in. What a gentleman. How were you soulmates with this man again? How could you ever deserve him?
You swallowed the bite of food hastily as you felt the sudden urge.
"Steve?"
"Yes, d- yes?"
Any other time, you would wonder what he wanted to say, but you had to get this out of your chest.
"I think you're amazing too," you admitted sheepishly despite the fact it was totally implied he was kind of a god.
You might even feel a bit silly for saying it out loud, but the twinkle in his eyes and the smile that lighted up his face assured you that you didn't misstep. God, he looked as if you just told him the best news he could ever get. It made you nearly choke on your spit.
He was so devastatingly handsome when smiling, radiant… when a spark of a mischief appeared in his irises, a promise of fun on top of the tenderness he had been showing until now, you were done for. That was it; he already owned your heart, just like that. Was it him or was it because of the… soulmate connection? You decided it was both and that it didn't matter.
"I'll try to maintain that cover then."
It took you a moment to realize what he was going at. Right. Soldier. Or a spy, whatever. And apparently a dork. You were such a lucky woman, weren't you?
"Uh-huh, what are like when you're not undercover then?" you played along, already knowing he actually was that awesome and he couldn’t have been pretending this whole time.
He didn't miss a beat. "Me."
Your eyebrows shot up unwittingly. That was all he was gonna give away?
"Huh. I guess I'll just have to find out, aren't I?"
He charmed a lopsided smile that did something to you on a visceral level, which kinda startled you; you really were falling impossibly fast for him, in every possible way. And you realized you didn't mind at all. You trusted him for some reason, trusted him to catch you in your fall until you could hit the ground. God, you were turning into a complete sap.
"Guess you are," he confirmed cheekily and you smirked as a shot of confidence flooded your veins. Did he think he had the upper hand here? He had said that he hadn’t been fully accustomed, right? There were things you were about to help him adjust to…
"Looking forward to it," you hummed and winked at him before you returned to your pancake with gusto. "Not sure you should feel the same about me, Mr. You. My secret identity might surprise you."
Steve watched you, not blinking, apparently not expecting you mirroring his attitude. He squinted at you playfully and you had to admit you felt the weight that had fallen on your chest earlier, when he had talked about mistakes, disappear into a thin air. You could actually see now that maybe, just maybe, you two could be a good fit despite the terrible differences in the social ladder.
"Are you saying you're trouble, madam?" he pried, something as if strict yet teasing creeping into his voice.
You wondered if this was how he talked to his co-workers and inferiors. He was a captain – he was bound to have inferiors, right? Was this his captain voice then? It tickled your fancy, to be honest.
"I guess you'll have to find out, Sir."
Steve chuckled and shook his head, finishing his food. "I can already tell you are."
"Is it… bad?" you asked, suddenly hesitant.
"No, doll. I actually really, really like it."
The casual slip of a pet name only accented his words and you were absolutely certain now. Oh yeah. You were truly looking forward to getting to know your soulmate.
Even if he was 95 years old.
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Part 3
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Tags: @cxptain​ @mermaidxatxheart @smilexcaptainx , @murdermornings​@irepostthingsiwanttoseelater , @polarcrystall​ @eliza5616​, @rayofdawnworld  @victor-criss-bish​ @skychild29​  @elysianecho​ @simmisblog​ @scentedsongrebel​ @orions-nebula​, @sergeantrosabellaswan​ 
Thank you for reading :-* Tags are open ;)
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tiaragqueen · 5 years ago
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Au Revoir
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✂ Pairing: Yandere! Kirishima Eijirou x Reader
✂ Word Count: 1,8k+
✂ Trigger Warnings: Possessiveness, strangulation, implied stalking
[Edited]
***
A sequel to this that nobody asked but I did, anyway. Probably more dramatic than the first one. Quarantine really set off my hidden drama queen side.
If you like my writing, please support me on ko-fi!
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“Let this be a sermon, I mean everything I've said. Baby, I'm determined, and I'd rather see you dead. You better run for your life if you can, little girl.” - Run For Your Life [The Beatles]
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Kirishima didn’t think he could love someone as much as he did to you. Sure, he was fond of his ex. There were times when he gazed through the window and wondered if she missed him the same way he longed for her presence if his death left an empty spot in her heart that just seemed impossible to replace by anyone else. But time had slowly altered the nature of his romantic feelings into something more… subtle. Mild. Bearable.
Ever since you came to the picture, Mina had eventually blended into the background. Someone who he occasionally reminisced, but never thought about much.
Was this what ‘moving on’ felt like? It sounded so… cruel. Like he was trying to forget her, but he didn’t. He wasn’t that heartless, he swore! He cherished every memory with her and sometimes wondered if things could’ve gone differently.
But people come and go, don’t they? Nobody lived forever, and if his ex had found a much better life, why shouldn’t he? There was nothing wrong with being happy with a new person, right? If Mina came here and brought her new boyfriend, Kirishima was certain he’d congratulate her. It’d hurt, sure, even the idea still sent a dull ache that throbbed his inert chest. But, at least, it was better than seeing her grieved face.
She deserved all happiness in this world. Though, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was just making excuses for his feelings. That he wasn’t actually moving on, more like, rebounding.
Still, nobody could blame him. He’d been lonely for so long, constantly praying and regretting the past. It was time for him to find happiness, and the Gods just so happened to bless him with a new friend. A beautiful, kind young woman that he never got tired of watching even in her slumber.
Again, nobody could blame him for wanting to grasp that blessing forever, right? He was sure that your existence was actually a fruit of his sufferings.
However, you seemed to think otherwise.
“I’m gonna house-sit to my friend’s house tomorrow.”
Kirishima paused, his hand hovered over the clean plate that he’d been helping you to put away. It took much of his stamina to maintain a corporeal appearance, so he settled with his normal transparent figure. So if anyone were to see you, they would’ve thought that you were talking to yourself. The sheer insanity didn’t bother you, though. As long as he minded your boundaries, you could care less if you looked like a madwoman.
Unbeknownst to you, he’d long overstepped the lines. Not that you would’ve known.
“… Why?” The voice echoed in the quiet kitchen, hanging heavily the same way he clung to your presence as if it was his lifeline.
You shrugged. “Why not? She pays me, so I don’t see any reason why I should reject the offer.”
“But I thought…” He nearly choked on his saliva once he discerned your definite tone. “[Name]-chan, you’re not serious, are you? You’re just joking, right? Tell me you are, please.”
You raised a brow, silently questioning his growing desperation. Throughout the weeks you’d come to know him, Kirishima was an affable individual who was hell-bent on assisting even when you insisted otherwise. You didn’t know the full story of how he became a ghost in the first place; he looked uncomfortable when you asked about his past life, so you promised to never bring it up again. But you did know that he’d been living in this humble, suburban house for a long time. Alone. Trapped. Isolated.
So, as confusing as his distress might seem, you understood that he was lonely. For all you knew, you might be his first friend in so many years.
“No, of course not.” But your job only paid so much. There were things that you had to fix, and your savings were thinning in each day. Thus, the extra cent became something that you very much needed. You were lucky that you purchased the house at a low price, otherwise, you would’ve been sleeping on the street by now.
You chose to overlook its vague description when you asked the seller about why the place was abandoned, and how she looked mildly restless at the question.
The plate almost fell from your hands when he suddenly clutched the sleeves of your shirt. You couldn’t see his face, but you were certain that he was pleading at you.
“No, please, don’t go. Don’t leave me alone.” he sobbed, gripping the cloth as though you’d disappear from his sight if he didn’t. “I’ll do anything for you. Just please, don’t abandon me.”
“What? No, I won’t abandon you. Don’t be ridiculous.” You bit your tongue once you heard his soft whimper. “I-I mean, you’re my friend and this is my house. So there’s no way I’d move out just like that.”
“How would I know?” he asked. “How would I know that you wouldn’t change your mind and choose to live in there instead? How would I know that you still want to be with me?”
“Because, as I said, you’re my friend.” You crouched in front of him and patted what you thought was his head. You hoped it was his head. “And friends don’t abandon each other.”
Kirishima examined your face; all the freckles, acne, and tiny scars that adorned your mesmerizing features. All the sparks that brightened your eyes the same way the stars lit up the universe. You were being earnest, he realized it that much. The way you correctly stroked his hair, the way you looked into his bloodshot eyes so tenderly (almost like a lover would), the way you lowered your tone to a soothing whisper, and the way you smiled to appease his raging anxieties. There wasn’t any trace of insincerity in there, and that was why it hurt.
It hurt because he no longer wanted to be your friend. He didn’t want to be just a housemate to you. He wanted to be something more. Someone special. Someone who you’d remember fondly on your deathbed. Someone who would walk with you through all the events – big or small, important or not, it didn’t matter – despite the knowledge that you couldn’t marry him.
But you didn’t know it, did you? And if he told you someday, would you listen? Would you accept his offer for eternal friendship? Would you accept his dogged devotion towards you?
Would you care to know?
You patted his head for one last time and retired to your room, but he couldn’t hear it. He merely stood by the dishwasher, looking at nothing in particular. He didn’t want to entertain the thought of you going to some stranger’s house tomorrow. He didn’t want to imagine what would you do in there, while he waited for your return like a faithful dog. But it almost felt as if the idea was as inevitable as time itself, and nothing he did could change that.
Surely, there must be a way, right? You’d get angry for sure, but you’d understand his reason. You had to. He refused to think otherwise.
***
That was odd. Kirishima usually appeared the second you hollered his name, sometimes even when you barely opened your mouth. But today, he didn’t heed your summon. Perhaps, he was still sulking about yesterday? At the very least, he could’ve come to bid you farewell, right?
Whatever. If he didn’t want to see you, then you wouldn’t force him. And whether or not he wanted you to go, you’d still go nonetheless. The money wouldn’t wait for him to relent to your wishes.
Climbing into your car, you pulled the door shut and turned on the engine. Or tried to, because it refused to turn on for some unknown reasons. You tried again and again, but the engine remained immobile. How strange, you could’ve sworn that it was fine yesterday. Why was it any different now? Did someone mess with your car without your knowledge? You hadn’t spotted anyone suspicious, though.
You clicked your tongue and hit the steer wheel in frustration, resting your head against the headrest. The day hadn’t even started, and yet, you already felt like blowing off some steam. Your tired eyes glided towards the glove compartment, where a piece of paper stuck out inconspicuously. Curious, you undid the compartment and snatched the folded paper. You tentatively opened it and peeked inside, mentally chiding yourself for anticipating the worst. It could be a useless brochure that you’d accidentally brought, for all you knew. There was no reason to get suspicious, right?
Mine forever.
Frowning, you reread it and attempted to comprehend the hidden meaning. Aside from the scrawl, you couldn’t discover anything that might lead you to the sender. A secret admirer, perhaps? If they did, they sure were quite… aggressive. But why would anyone send you this? Who would admire you so much to the point where they broke into your car? You couldn’t think of anyone that had a crush on you, or maybe it was just you being oblivious to your surroundings. The constant pressure from work helped to dull your perception of special sentiments.
Well, you had no time to further inspect the awfully cryptic message. Time kept ticking, after all.
Shaking your head, you put the letter back to the compartment and locked it. You glanced at the rearview mirror to check your makeup, and that’s where you saw it. A shadow sat ominously on the back seats, its crimson eyes glaring daggers to your head. But it wasn’t the abrupt presence that shocked you, rather, the identity of the said shadow.
“Mine forever.”
A pair of hands slithered from behind you and clutched your neck. You tensed up almost immediately and gasped for air, trying to claw the transparent hands away but scratched your skin instead. You could still discern half of his face through the mirror, lacking any cheerfulness that you’d come to associate with him. Years of solitude had molded him into a desperate man, hell-bent on clutching the only light left in his dark and empty life.
But you didn’t expect him to actually murder you.
“Kiri… shima…” you heaved, desperate to knock some sense into his head yet incapable of doing that. It felt as if a part of his shadow had clogged your nose, too. How long would it take until it successfully closed your respiration?
“I’m sorry, [Name].” You heard him whisper in your ears. He felt so close, yet so far. Specks of darkness slowly filled your sight as you struggled to breathe for the last time. Was this how you were going to end? How disappointing it was to perish at the hands of a man you used to trust. Maybe this was the punishment for not listening to your guts. Maybe this was the punishment for heeding security more than your life.
Maybe this was the punishment for giving him false hope with your friendship. But how would you know?
“… I'll see you soon.”
You finally went limp.
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the12thnightproject · 3 years ago
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Twelve Lies I Told Shingen Takeda, Chapter Four: Occupational Hazards
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Katsuko delivers dessert to Shingen, she receives bad news in return. Also, archery, and a blindfold. TW: Offscreen death
“Halt!”
With his mouth set in a determined line, Yuki barred my progress toward Shingen’s room. Every time I tried to go around him, he leaped to block me like a goalie defending a football net. “Where are you going with that?”
Since I was carrying a handful of messages and a basket of pastry, I thought it should be obvious. “Don’t ask a question you already know the answer to.”
Yuki looked over his shoulder and scowled in the direction of Shingen’s room. “I see he’s already trying to bypass my orders by sending you out for dessert.”
“Your orders?” When did he join the calorie cops? “Why? Is there something wrong with these?” No one in the shop had seemed to have any issue with them.
“It’s not good for him to eat that many sweets, that’s all.” Yuki reached for the basket, presumably to confiscate the contraband, but I scooted out of the way.
“Really? He looks like he’s in good shape.” Really, really good shape. My job is to stay observant, so observing that Shingen is a decent specimen is an occupational hazard – especially given all of the pec airing that he does.
At that exact moment, the Occupational Hazard stepped out of his room, and there’s no way that he could have avoided hearing my comment, so I looked him right in the eyes, and tacked on, “for his age.”
I know. That was petty of me. But I was still angry at that setting me up to be killed thing. On an intellectual level I knew his “black powder test” had been a perfectly logical strategy, but what if I had gotten that powder on my hands by accident? Would he or Chiyome have killed me anyway?
With his back to Shingen, Yuki considered blithely on. “That’s not the point. He refuses to watch-.” Yuki got a look at my face, then sighed. “He’s behind me again, isn’t he?”
I nodded, as for the second time that day, Shingen thwacked Yuki on the back of his head. He eyed the confections. “Thank you, Katsu. I think I look like I’m in good shape too. For any age. Also, your former master was correct in his assessment that you’re insubordinate.”
That could simply be the adrenaline rush of being not-dead.
On my way back to the castle I had considered his distrust of me. If I acted overly deferential, slinking around with my voice quiet and my eyes downcast, that would be more suspicious than if I were just my own, unfiltered, slightly insubordinate self. Maybe it’s a cliché, but in this case, the best defense would be a solid offense.
“Bring that inside,” Shingen motioned to the basket. “I’m dying for dessert.” At Shingen’s beckon, Yuki and I followed him back to his room, where I deposited my prize onto his writing desk (GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!). Shingen immediately dug in with the attitude of a man starving in the desert. Then, he tipped the basket towards us. “Help yourselves.”
“Nah, I’m good,” Yuki said. He continued to glare at the confections as if they had caused him a great insult.
The smell of the pastry had been torturing me all the way back from the shop – I honestly can’t remember the last time I had dessert… four years ago… maybe? I gratefully took him up on the offer, picked up the closest dumpling, and took a decent bite. My blood sugar level instantly tripled. Apparently Shingen has the palate of a nine year old boy. “Oh my God,” I managed to say.
Help!
“I know, right? Yuki doesn’t know what he is missing.” He fished around the basket for another sweet bun.
Tooth decay and a diabetic coma – that’s what he’s missing.
“Yuki can live with the deprivation,” said the man in question, who was clanking around in the fire pit.
Shingen pointed out the various treats. “If you like that one, then you have to taste this – they make it with red bean paste.”
“I’m still savoring the one I have.” I took as small a bite as I could get away with. I doubted I could realistically fake an mmmm noise. I’m a great liar – but there are limits to my talent.
Yuki discreetly passed me a cup of tea. Bless you, Yuki. Eager to change the subject before Shingen could ask me for a more detailed opinion on his beloved sugar grenades, I handed over his messages and reports.
I still hadn’t worked out how I was going to manage to secretly pass along the new information from Aki. Maybe it wouldn’t be necessary? Shingen had taken the sniper prisoner, so presumably the man was in the castle dungeon. Maybe he had already confessed to the assassination plot. “Have you questioned the man who tried to rob you last night?”
Shingen glanced up from a report he was scanning. “Unfortunately not. His wound turned septic and he hasn’t regained his senses.”
“Oh.” It was a good thing that I was already sitting down – otherwise I might have collapsed. I pictured the sniper as I had last seen him, moaning because an arrow - my arrow – had impaled his hand. I looked down at my own hand, a hand that not too long ago had born the imprint of a tokin. Tentatively I wiggled my fingers, imagining how it must have felt to feel the bite of metal tearing into it. If the sniper’s wound was gangrenous, then he’d probably lose his hand, maybe even-- “Is he likely to survive?”
Shingen looked at me like he was weighing several responses, before saying, “No. I doubt he will.”
So now, in addition to being a liar, I was also a killer.
I took a deep breath and shut my eyes. I hadn’t meant to kill anyone, but that didn’t change the outcome. It suddenly felt like there were no nerves in my fingertips, but at the same time, internally I was feeling everything – shock, regret, guilt – in a swirl of emotion that roared in my ears. The sweet pastry that had fallen like a rock into my stomach threatened to reverse course.
I killed someone. Someone who was alive two days ago will not be alive tomorrow because of me.
When I re-opened my eyes, Shingen was still silently regarding me. I wondered if he had ever – well, that was a ridiculous thought. He was the leader of the Takeda clan – he had to have killed many in battle. “Does it get easier?”
Yukimura shook his head and responded first. “No. Never has.” He cleared his throat a couple of times, and gulped down his tea.
But Shingen had a different answer. “Killing? Yes. You learn to put what must done in one part of your mind, separate from the you that lives through every day, walled away from your heart. You have to, or one day you’ll no longer be able to function. But it’s still within you.” He tapped his chest. “It’s still within you.”
I understood. I was going to have to live with this. I was going to have to learn how to live with it.
Shingen sighed, and raked his hair out of his eyes. “I won’t insult you by telling you this man was a criminal and probably has harmed or killed many others. You know that. You also now know what it’s like to kill and that will weigh upon you.”
It did. I appreciated the fact that he didn’t tell me to get over it, or offer a cliched platitude like, ‘war is hell, kid.’ He was treating me like the young man he thought me to be – and I needed to respond accordingly. “Yes, sir, it does.”
His eyebrows lifted at my return to formality. “I would have respected you less if it didn’t bother you.”
“I didn’t shoot to kill him, but I knew that every time I picked up a weapon, I faced that possibility. But – I never understood what that knowledge meant. I hadn’t expected the possible to ever become a reality.” I wondered if I could have avoided this outcome. “Maybe if I had aimed at the musket and not his hand,” I said, mostly to myself. I mentally placed myself back in that tree, remembered how excited I had felt at being part of something. I’d even somewhat joked with myself about adding ghostly noises. It had almost felt like a game. Target shooting… except the targets breathed and bled.
Again that tingling in the ends of my fingertips. I scraped my hands across the tatami mat, hoping that feel of the straw would ground me. Something nudged my arm: Yuki, offering me more tea. I shook my head.
Shingen allowed me another moment to wallow, then seemed to come to a decision. He tapped his hand on his desk to get my attention. “If that was anything more than a lucky – or unlucky, depending how you look at it – shot,” Shingen said, his words challenging my dark mood, “I will swear off confections for a week.”
Wait…. What? The sudden reversal in his tone nearly gave me whiplash, shocking me out my emotional turmoil.
I couldn’t let that affront to my archery skills stand. Insult my swordplay all you want, but I’m absolutely accurate with a bow. “That arrow went right where I intended it to go. I’ve made harder shots blindfolded.”
“Get your weaponry then and meet me on the grounds as soon as you can.” He got up and headed for the door, his long legs crossing the distance in three strides.
Once he was gone, I looked at Yuki, who had been quiet through this entire conversation. “Did he just challenge me?”
“Not sure, but if you win, I’m holding him to that no-dessert-for-a-week penalty.” Yuki thumped me on the shoulder. “So, you’ve gotta win.”
***
Not a duel. It was much, much worse than that, I discovered a short while later, when I arrived to face what appeared to be at least half the residents of the castle, and a field set up with five targets in varying sizes placed further and further back.
With a dramatic bow, Shingen addressed the spectators. “Greetings my friends and” … another bow to Mai who was cuddled up with Kenshin, “Goddess.” He then gestured to me. “My newest recruit has been bragging about his prowess with a bow. And since it’s such a beautiful day outside, it seems a perfect occasion to test him on this.”
No pressure there. Thanks boss.
Yuki, who had taken the whole “no-dessert” thing to heart, was pacing out the distance to the targets. Not exactly necessary, but since he’d been getting on my nerves, bouncing around my peripheral vision like a boxer’s trainer before the title match, I told him to go for it.
“Katsuhira will demonstrate the skills of accuracy and distance.” Shingen continued, while the vassal who this morning had held the bets was already running a book on this show as well. I noted Sasuke was first in line, and hoped that this time, he was betting on me, not against.
Yuki trotted back to me and said, “forty paces for the small targets, going all the way back to 150 for the big ones in the back.” Not even 100 meters, then. The targets Aki had had me practicing on were closer to 150, so this shouldn’t be a challenge – I mean, it wasn’t like they were asking me to bullseye whomp rats from a T-16. However, I would have liked to have been warned before this whole thing started, because I was getting tired of warlords and spymasters making decisions about my life without consulting me, but…details.
“Thanks Yuki. Better go place your bet and get that no-dessert thing in writing.”
While everyone got in on the betting action, I stood there trying to shut the world out. It was easier to pretend I was back at The Mountain, staring at the targets set out in front of the pear trees and the stables that I would have to repair if I missed a shot. There wasn’t any wind today, which was one thing I wouldn’t have to worry about. There was, however, a caterpillar crawling across my toes, but having killed one life form this week, I wasn’t about to compound that by killing another, so I ignored it.
I progressively narrowed my focus until it was a straight line from me to the first target. Then, without turning my head I said to Shingen. “Ready.”
“Not so fast.”
What? What now?
With my tunnel vision destroyed, I turned to look at him. He smiled and there was a hint of mockery in that look that boded ill for me. He turned to Mai, who handed him a long strip of fabric. “You did say you could have made that shot blindfolded.”
I had said that, yes indeed. Note to self. Stay away from hyperbole when discussing your skills.
I have trained a lot blindfolded, as Aki’s got an entire Jedi Master type philosophy when it comes to archery. But this was an unfamiliar field, and I needed a warm-up. “Practice shots first, without the blindfold,” I bargained.
“Fair enough.”
I turned back to the targets and sent ten arrows in succession zipping toward the targets, trying to set muscle memory. I missed my second and seventh shots, but hit the rest. Ok. I could do this. I would prefer not to have to do this in front of an audience with less than thirty minutes warning, but… I can do this.
“Ready,” I said again, this time not moving an inch from where I was standing, keeping my mental focus trained on where I felt – no, where I knew - the targets were. The tranquil air settled my senses, keeping me detached from everything except my bow and the inner vision of the targets.
Then Shingen stepped behind me, nearly as close as a hug, his body radiating heat, to tie the blindfold around my head. His breath and voice glided into my ear asking if I could see. Then he tightened it for good measure, and… there it was, a jolt that I felt when those warm, calloused fingers accidentally brushed across my face.
Reverb.
Ok, hormones, you and I need to have a long talk about choices... and timing.
Full text of the chapter posted on Tumbr this time; this chapter, previous chapters and prologue available on AO3:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/32812042?view_full_work=true
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borhap-au · 4 years ago
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Joe Mazzello: the fluffy chronicles.
Comforting Joe. 
It’s been troubling two years for Joe, since his dad – his hero, his best friend, his role model, passed away. He still sometimes caught himself wanting to call him in times of trouble, and only when he couldn’t find his dad’s number on his contact list had he realized he will never be able to call him again. On daily basis Joe was caught up in other things, too busy for too much thinking, but around the time of his dad’s birthday or the anniversary of his passing, the thoughts come back again. You never dismissed his troubles, always let him cry on your shoulder, talked with him long hours about it if necessary. He confided in you, not scared of letting you know about any of his little secrets. You were generally someone who was able to lift him up, but those current times were really troubling for him. Not only did he lose his dad, but also in times of the pandemic the entire movie industry shut down, with him not being able to find a job. He didn’t star in any movie for two years, and it was hanging over his head, because he wanted to be able to provide for his family that he wanted to start with you. From all the troubles in his personal life and his career, he has experienced a writing block, not being able to write or edit any of the scrips for his future movies. Once, while checking his Twitter, he came across a thread of people hating on him, and that broke him a little. He didn’t talk much, he was rather quiet and wanted to spend more time alone. You let that go for a few days, hoping he will open up to you when he will be ready for it. Unfortunately that didn’t happen, so you decided to come to him and ask him directly about his troubles. He was hesitant at first, but then decided to let you know what was going on. It started off as usually, with him telling you how much he missed his dad.
“And you know, I should visit my mom more often. I don’t want to miss any moments with her, I’m done playing the adult role in my life, I’m done pretending I don’t need my parents and their guidance from time to time. I wanted everyone to see how independent I was, how I could handle everything on my own, and because of that I missed some of the very important moments with my dad. I should’ve visited him all the time when everything was still good,” he muttered quietly and laid his head on your legs, and you softly pet his head and shoulder. You understood him. You also lost a family member and you knew very well how that regret creeps in from time to time. At the same time you were very proud of Joe, for being able to talk about his loss, for the fact that he didn’t close it all in, and also that he let the entire world know how amazing his father was, in his posts on social media. Not many people were able to talk about their loss with such honesty. Moreover, you supported his charity work, also inspired by his father.
“So we will. We will visit her on the weekend, okay? And any time you need it,” you smiled and he looked at you. He reached his hand to your face and pet your cheek, smiling slightly. He felt your support and that was very important to him, especially in those moments.
“Are you sure about this? Those trips may be boring for you, I know you’re not really in for family meetings…” you shook your head, confirming what you’ve said before.
“Whenever you need me, I’ll go there with you. I like our little road trips,” you took his hand and laced your fingers. He pet your hand with his thumb.
“I’m happy to hear that then. I like when you go there with me. I hate not having you close. I always miss you. A lot,” you smiled, but before you could add anything, he continued. “But I also don’t want this to be a responsibility for you. We should both enjoy it equally.”
“I like going there with you. I like your mom. And I like to spend the nights in your old bedroom,” you smirked, letting him know what exactly you meant by that, also reminding him of a few very nice moments. He smiled as well, especially since you reassured him about certain things. “Even if you went alone, I’d follow you. I hate when you’re not around. Especially at night. I need to have your arm around me to feel safe, even at home,” he knew what you meant, because he also hated when he went to sleep and you weren’t there.
“Sounds like you love me,” he gave you a little smile and you immediately nodded.
“Of course I love you. With all my heart,” after all, you knew each other for a while and you were even planning the future together. Your feelings towards him didn’t change, if anything, you loved him more than before.
“Even though I’m a loser without a job?” after hearing that, you immediately hugged him tightly.
“You’re not a loser. And you have a job, your job is acting. We are just in a middle of a worldwide pandemic. Once it’s all over, you will have the Duck movie, and many more,” you smiled to him and quickly added. “And if they don’t consider you for the next Jurassic movie, I will sue those motherfuckers,” you joked and he immediately chuckled, because it was too funny for him how innocent you sounded while cursing. While he was still laughing, you continued.
“You’re one of my favorite actors, but not because I’m biased. You have a great range. From dramatic roles to comedy, you’ve nailed everything I’ve seen you in. And you’re a director too! Not to mention you write awesome scripts. If you want to, we can later do some brainstorming, maybe we will come up with another wonderful piece such as Undrafted.” He smiled when you mentioned that. He was really happy to hear that you enjoyed his movies, after all, he decided it’s you that he wants to impress for the rest of his life.
“You’re a blessing, you know? You’re amazing and gorgeous,” he smiled, petting your cheek. You chuckled quietly, because in your opinion, it was way too far-fetched to call you all those things. But he believed differently. “You make me feel better, not only about all of this, but also about myself. Seeing you always makes me think: how did I get so lucky to have you all to myself? And then I start thinking that maybe all the flaws I see in myself, maybe they don’t really matter to you. And that’s a very important thing to notice. That something that to me is a big problem, something that I believe is too visible for anyone not to notice, the same thing for you is either too small to be a problem, or not noticeable at all. It always makes me feel better.”
It was really everything you needed to hear. It was your goal to be your boyfriend’s biggest supporter, not only in a way that would be visible to others, but also to him. You wanted him to feel appreciated and loved in the relationship. You wanted to always lift him up, instead of putting him down. Life was already miserable enough in itself, and you wanted to be able to bring happiness into the life of your biggest source of joy, your man, Joey.
“As an actor,” he continued, “I am aware of every little part of my body that may not appear flattering on screen. That’s also why I turned to comedy, because it doesn’t matter how you look like on screen as long as you make others laugh. But around you, I feel like I could be right there on screen alongside all those Pitts and Goslings, and compete with them, and even win. Of course that will never happen, but I just wanted to put into words the things you make me feel,” he smiled, sat up and kissed you softly. You put your hand on his cheek, kissing him back.
“In my heart, you’ll always win with them. I don’t care about any Pitts, Goslings or anyone else, as long as I have my Mazzello. To me, you’re amazing, and handsome, and overall attractive. You’re my supermodel, my Oscar-winning actor and director, in my mind, you deserve everything that’s the best in the world, because you make my life better. And not only mine. You read all of those messages from girls telling you how much they love your movies, your comedy, your YouTube channel. You to them are what Brad Pitt is to others. Not everyone has the same taste, and to some of them, you are the perfect man. I know you are to me. You’re funny and you care about others. I don’t know what can be more attractive than a good heart. Not to mention, you really step out of your comfort zone to make others laugh. You’re such a dork sometimes. God, I love you for it,” you chuckled and you both instinctively hugged each other. There was no place better than right there, in his arms.
“You like my comedy?” he muttered, petting your back. You smiled and kissed his shoulder.
“I love it. Anytime I hear you have an idea for a new YouTube video, I literally want to see it right there and then, even if you haven’t finished it yet. I just love every single one of your projects, no matter how small. And that one video, in which you told us it was okay to make fun of you or even insult you, as long as it will make it easier for us to get through quarantine? That was so selfless and amazing, I had tears in my eyes just watching it. You’re my love, my idol, my hero, my everything, Joey. I hope you feel it every day.”
“Oh, I’m your hero now, huh? Good to know, will annoy you with that for the rest of your life,” he joked, because he didn’t really know how to respond to that. It was beautiful and overwhelming to him, but he felt happy after hearing that. You could see it in his eyes. “And since I’m a hero, then you must be my princess,” you nodded when he said that, because you always loved the pet names he had for you.
“And I can promise you, my knight in shining armor, my prince charming…”
“Your king…”
“Let’s not go that far,” you both laughed. “I promise you that everything will be okay, as long as we have each other. I’m here for you and I always will be. I swear.”
“Thank you for it. I love you, Princess,” he pet your cheek, smiling.
“I love you too…”
“King.”
“No,” once again you chuckled, and you knew that when Joe was able to crack jokes like that all the time, everything will be alright.
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sparrowwritings · 4 years ago
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Final Fantasy Writing Challenge Day Fifteen: “That lucky charm you gave me hasn’t  been so lucky.”
Day Fourteen -- Masterpost -- Day Sixteen
“Ah! One of my <adorable twin saplings!>” Feo Ul cried as Lara froze in the doorway. She’d been expecting Roger in the apartment. Maybe a brooding Ardbert. That she was seeing the pixie that she had bonded with at the start of her journey wasn’t unpleasant just...awkward. 
Luckily she could recover easily enough. With a bright smile, she called out, “Hey, Feo Ul!” Lara looked around. “Is there, uh, anything bad about to happen? King related business that you need help with? I can go get Roger if that’s the case…”
With a boisterous laugh that sent them into a flying loop-de-loop in the air, the red pixie hovered close enough to squish Lara’s cheeks. “Nay, my precious gold-and-fire hair sapling. I’ve already seen my other <adorable twin sapling> and given my latest charm to him. Now I bestow upon you this token of luck!” Feo Ul let go of her long enough to tangle up something in Lara’s hair. Setting themself back far enough to admire their work, the King of Pixies (in their more diminutive piece that mostly interacted with their saplings) declared, “There! A proper charm now for my dearest sapling!”
Lara really hoped that she was allowed to take it out of her hair. “You’re most kind, Feo Ul,” And, since she was seriously trying to get a grasp of the language that the pixies used, she added, “<Adore beauty my branch>.” She winced at the “translation” that her Echo so helpfully provided. It was the most ironic gift ever. She could understand any language and be understood if she needed to be, but actually attempting to learn a language when someone says a word and her head says another…
No wonder Roger declined language learning with Urianger. 
Feo Ul laughed even harder than before. “‘Tis nearly right! A bit more practice and you will be calling for me every moment that you have the need. Be seeing you!” And with that, they turned into a ball of light and flitted out the window. She waited until all of the sparkles in the air had well and truly faded before dislodging whatever it was that the pixie had tied into her hair. 
What she found was a silver bell. There was nothing tying it anywhere, save for the gold strands that were left over from Feo Ul’s work. There also wasn’t anything inside the bell to make it ring. It was odd...but in a cute way. 
“A charm from the pixie, eh?” Ardbert leaned into view, startling Lara. He ignored her reaction to examine the bell closer. “Back in my day it was said that gifts from the Fae could lead to great fortune…” His brown eyes flicked up to meet hers. “Or great despair. All things considered, I say you leave the bell here before you go out again. And whatever it is that they gave to Roger.”
Lara snorted. “Feo Ul wouldn’t give me something that would harm me.” She headed to the platform that contained both hers and Roger’s beds and made a beeline for where her less important things were being stored. “I’m one of her precious twin saplings, like you heard.” With a bit of searching, she turned up a white ribbon that she quickly used to tie the soundless bell to her wrist. “Plus isn’t it also bad luck to refuse a gift of the Fae?” It was a half remembered lesson from when Urianger had spent a couple of days trying to describe all of the intricate rules that the various races of Il Mheg lived by. When it was clear that the two of them couldn’t memorize everything immediately, he’d sighed and gave a few more concise rules of thumb for dealing with the Fae. Concise for his standards, at least.
“Aye, but that don’t mean their gift’s gonna be any good to you either.”
“It’s a luck charm! What’s the worst that could happen?”
-------
Urianger started when he beheld the severely disheveled sight of the Warriors of Darkness. “Oh my. It seemeth thou both hath run into troubles aplenty.”
“You have no idea.” Roger didn’t even bother to clear a spot of books. He marched to a spot on the wall that was the least occupied and slid down it with a prolonged groan.
Lara moved to join him, but hissed in pain. Without another word, Urianger cast a couple of healing spells on the both of them. In moments, the Warriors of Darkness both breathed a sigh of relief. 
“Didst thou fight a horde of monsters?” 
“I wish it had just been monsters.” Lara rolled her shoulders as the soreness faded. “We’ve just had trouble after trouble since yesterday.”
Roger counted the ways on his fingers. “Everything keeps breaking, I’ve been tripping over myself way more than I used to, we pissed off this amaro that used to be real friendly and it dropped us in a lake.”
Urianger froze. “Thou canst mean--”
“Yeah, we almost got dragged back to Dohn Mheg. Thank every single god that we have that water breathing blessing…” She once again moved to sit next to her best friend when her foot collided against a footstool. A crack resounded around the library and Lara’s face contorted with pain again. “Oww…” Her voice came out as a whimper. 
He moved to tend to what sounded like a broken toe (though gods knew how Lara was able to do so when she was still wearing boots). As he used his own aether to heal her again, a card he drew from his star globe brought his attention to the ribbon on her wrist. On it was a silver bell with no clapper. Urianger’s eyes narrowed at it. “When did thou receiveth this bell, young Lara?”
She blinked a couple of times as the magic quickly got to work. “Uh...yesterday, actually. Feo Ul called it a luck charm.”
That was explanation enough. “Didst thou both not listen to mine lecture when I mentioned gifts of the Fae?”
“Er…” Roger scratched at his face and looked away. 
“Uh…” Lara looked upwards before snapping her fingers. “They can cause great fortune!”
“Or quite the opposite.” He indicated the bell. “What were the exact words of thine pixie?”
“Feo Ul...said it was a luck charm,” Lara repeated. 
“Didst they mention good or ill luck whatsoever?”
She stared at him, then her eyes widened with realization as she looked down at the bell. “They didn’t.”
Roger groaned even louder than before. “Why do the Fae do this stuff…”
“‘Tis merely their nature as mischievous creatures, young Roger. Feo Ul, while they hast many duties as King of the Pixies, will still desireth to delight in seeing even their sune yaks contend with the gifts they hast given unto them.” He nodded as the magic faded and Lara was once again healed. “Nevertheless, ‘tis most unfortunate that their gifts hath caused thee such ill luck. ‘Twoud be best to leave thine gifts in thine quarters until such time that Feo Ul forgets they hath given their saplings such charms.”
“And we can’t just...say no to future gifts?” Roger pondered even as he took out the pendant that the pixie had given to him. 
“I’m afraid the consequences of refusing would be far worse than those of accepting their gifts.”
“Well crud.” Lara muttered.
While the two were quietly contemplating their fate, Urianger offered, “Perhaps ‘twould be wise for me to accompany you both back to the Crystarium. Thine healing abilities are quite remarkable, young Lara, however having a second in reserve may be what your ill luck needs to turn back to the good.”
With the voice of someone who hadn’t really heard what was spoken to them, she responded with, “Sounds good.” Then her focus landed on him with startling strength. “Hey can I ask you a question?”
“Whatever it is you wish to know, I will endeavor to answer.” 
“Do you know what cúpla sune yaks means?” Lara’s mouth didn’t move in the correct way to pronounce the words, but Urianger heard the phrase pronounced the way it should be said. He forced the scholar part of his mind to back down from the opportunity to marvel at yet another side effect of one possessing the Echo to go over the phrase she said. 
It couldn’t be...could it?
“Aye,” He answered neutrally. Roger sat up from his spot against the wall, watching the both of them. It didn’t take long for her to start rambling about what she was really asking.
“Okay so…” She tugged at a strand of her hair and twined it around a finger. “Feo Ul always calls us that. And the Echo makes it sound like she’s calling us ‘adorable twin saplings.’ I just want to know if there’s anything significant about it.”
“We’ve been over this, Lara, they just mean that we’re their two saplings!” Roger called out. “The Echo made it sound like that so that we’d understand what they meant better!”
“But we don’t know if that’s true!” She turned her deep blue eyes up to meet his own. “Well?”
Urianger granted her a moment’s pause while he thought of what to say. “...If it beith thine conclusion that the words of Feo Ul meaneth what you say, then that is so. As I do not possesseth the Echo, I can only interpret language by having been taught it. Twin can be used to mean two in many languages.”
“See! I told you!”
Lara continued to stare at him for a moment before looking away again when she failed to find what it was she was looking for. “Okay. Guess I was just thinking too hard.” She sighed and rubbed at a temple. “Let’s get back to the Crystarium and soon.” Roger made another groan as he helped himself stand. 
“We’ll meet you outside when you’re ready.” He said to Urianger as the two left the library.
“I shall be but a moment.”
As soon as the Warriors of Darkness had well and truly exited, he gave a deep frown. 
If Feo Ul had meant to call Roger and Lara their two adorable saplings, they would have called them “a dó sune yaks” in the language of the Pixies. They specifically used the phrase “cúpla sune yaks.” Twin adorable saplings. 
There was only one possible conclusion to be drawn from that. Pixies were the most well known among the Fae folk to use their exact words in order to not lie.
Among other sudden realizations and connections, Urianger couldn’t help but marvel at how this also explained why the pixies in particular all adored the Warriors of Darkness so. The ancient texts described the race as being quite drawn towards twins.
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