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vivalabunbun · 1 year

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The Aftermath of Summer

Summary: Who stays to watch the credits roll at the end of a film?

Word Count: 3.4k

Tags: Alhaitham X Fem!Reader, Modern AU, Vampire AU, Contract Marriage, Fluff, Angst, Grief, TW: Talks about death, themes about death, sfw, slight! reincarnation themes, broke student life.

Authors Note: The aftermath of looking over the garden wall to see the flowers. I hope this piece brings to rest the questions that may or may not remain unanswered. Enjoy!

The garden was empty tonight, the sun had long been chased away by the dark entourage of the night and her stars.

The gates should’ve been sealed, locked by chains and heavy locks to separate the hearts that still beat and those that have decayed.

However, as a creature that’s born forever outside the delicate balance, how can these gates stop him?

Or simply the watcher who wanders about these grounds looks the other way, to give this pitifully foolish vampire a semblance of privacy.

Even the moon covered herself with clouds, trying not to peek as Alhaitham knelt down next to a polished rock.

There were double as many flowers in his arms tonight, the fragrance carried by the late breeze was twice as overbearing.

It doesn’t bother him, after all, his senses have been steeled against this.

A variable walked through the sliding doors at the office tonight, disrupting Alhaitham’s treasured routine with a bitterly sweet bouquet.

–

“Secretary Alhaitham.” A voice called as a hand knocked against the wooden frame of his office.

Said vampire responds with a grunt of acknowledgment, pen only pausing when a familiar fragrance fills the air.

“You have a visitor.” Faruzan steps to the side, nose scrunched up at the unaccustomed scent.

Familiar scarlet locks shuffled into view of teal eyes, hands fiddling with the ends of a silk ribbon that contained the bundle together.

It’s hard to not put a name to that shade of hair, Nilou, it’s been a while.

When was the last time he saw the faces of your dearest friends? Perhaps a few months back, while a coffin was lowered into the cold ground alone.

That day was mockingly clear, the sky showing off her most vibrant hues of orange, violet, and pink, brilliant colors competing with those of the blooms thrown into the lonely pit.

No words were exchanged between him and the guests. The same faces of those who once danced and smiled with you within the decorated walls of a wedding venue are now deep in mourning.

So much so that they collectively overlooked the immortal creature who stood amongst them, or perhaps they were too self-absorbed in their own sorrows to extend any grace to him.

After all, in their eyes, how could a creature like him ever understand the grief experienced by those with finite time?

It was for the best, Alhaitham is never in the mood to engage in meaningless small talk, there’s no need for them to give him their hollow condolences.

Instead, he shall stand guard just off to the side, eyes observing every toss of cold dirt until the lacquered box was no longer visible.

Sealing the gates to an unexplored sanctuary that held answers untold.

Alhaitham places his pen down, turning his full attention to the young lady who brought a physical memory into his office.

“Hello, Mr. Alhaitham… um, I’m sorry if I’m bothering you.”

Giving a curt nod to Faruzan, he dismisses her from his office, giving him and the guest some privacy.

The polite silence encouraged her to finish stating her purpose this late evening, the ashen-haired vampire awaits patiently with his hands folded atop the desk.

“I… I know there isn’t a reason for you to keep in contact with us, but… I felt it’s only right to show gratitude towards you for everything you’ve done.”

The scarlet-haired lady closes her eyes, chest expanding with a deep inhale, mind stringing together her unrehearsed lines.

“Originally, I wanted to bring Dehya and Candace along, but… their jobs kept them busy.”

It’d be quite the sight, two hunters thanking the very creatures they’ve spent their whole careers ripping the hearts out of. Even if it might seem like a thinly veiled excuse, Alhaitham knew Nilou’s words were sincere.

The firm hand on the shoulder Dehya gave him at the end of committal service, once the mourns finished shedding their tears over freshly dug dirt, was enough for him to understand.

As expected of a hunter, the strength in her grip on his shoulder stung, but she didn’t let go and he didn’t make any moves to brush her off.

A moment of silence for two grieving beings to communicate their shared pain, both caused a by void that can never be filled.

After a few breaths, the flame-mane hunter releases her hold, wordlessly parting from him. As his teal gaze moves back up they connect with heterochromatic eyes.

Candace simply steadies her stare, then closes her lids as she nods in silent understanding. He mirrors her actions, and she then joins her mortal companions.

The only gestures he accepted that horrid day, olive branches handed over by two sides.

“She used to always close her eyes when she smiled, but after she married you, she smiled with her eyes open.”

A clever habit you had, concealing the apathetic vacuums of your irises when your lips curled, otherwise it’d distract from the radiant grin.

A brilliant technique utilized by an actress as skilled as you.

“Thank you, thank you so much for making her happy, she really was happy.”

The air remains silent, but his hands were gripping each other just a tab bit tighter.

Alhaitham’s pride would never allow him to confess the truth, it’s embarrassing to admit that a creature who’s lived through multiple lifetimes couldn’t decrypt the actions of a mere mortal.

Your performance was just that captivating, blurring the distinction between a daydream and reality. Bravo.

Nilou carefully places the bouquet upon a vacant spot on his desk, they gave each other a nob in acknowledgment before parting ways yet again.

Perhaps the final applause after the credits have rolled.

–

Brushing away the wilted bouquet before setting down the bright blooms still fresh with the vigor of life. Gathering the debris to ensure the soft glow of the night could reflect off the glossy surface, you always liked watching the stars.

In the empty silence of the garden offered Alhaitham the serenity of a deep reflection.

Away from the rowdy city streets and obnoxious office phones. He reviews the past seven years, emending his past assessment of your character.

You weren’t a capricious breeze nor were you a delicate flower. You were a human, a strange human, but a human nonetheless. The purest embodiment of mortality.

That’s how Alhaitham will remember you, that’s how you wanted to be remembered. It’s his final duty as your husband, he’ll carry it out with the same dedication.

Technically speaking, not all clauses were truly fulfilled.

The ashen-haired creature stands by the grave for a few beats more, before his feet finally broke free from their trance.

Redirecting his body towards the gates, his back facing your headstone. But it’s fine, he has to wipe down the polished stone tomorrow night.

For now, let the stars keep your company.

Readjusting to the tediousness of a solitary life was unexpectedly troublesome. Alhaitham never realized just how quickly dust loves to accumulate upon untouched surfaces.

How can objects still get dirty even when there’s no interference with their existence? A question not even the universe can answer.

For his idle eyes to be bothered by the subtle hints of dust and misaligned book spines, you truly did an outstanding job in your household duties, honoring the agreements printed on the contract.

The dryer sings its tone, Alhaitham places the dust cloth down to attend to the laundry before wrinkles can settle in. It's strange really, how certain scents can never be replicated by teams of scientists.

No detergent could ever truly hold the fragrance of a morning star.

However, it would be far too tiresome for a creature of the night to voluntarily embrace the stinging light just for a familiar whiff of solace.

He’ll just have to get used to the artificial aroma of fresh linen, after all these years, Alhaitham has gotten comfortable with the notion of change, an experienced expert in adapting to the times.

Nothing is immune to change, nothing can remain the same when the hands of a clock tick forward.

Thus, the clothes you once owned no longer hold the scent you once dawned. Yet, if he were to remove them… the closet would be too empty, best to leave them there.

With the laundry now checked off the list, Alhaitham returns back to the living room where he left one responsibility unfinished. Picking up the cloth square once more, he wipes the layer of dust from the neglected remote.

Some of the print among the rubber buttons were faded, signs of wear from indecisive fingers as they debate which show they should settle on for the night.

Something passionate? Comedy? Dramatic? Which genre did you prefer the most?

His firm motions with the cloth absentmindedly pass over a certain button, allowing the large screen a long-awaited chance to flicker back on. Accompanying the bright flash of colors came the crisp audio of a rehearsed conversion between the two characters on screen.

Alhaitham stills as his head turns toward the TV.

It must be a newly released drama, one with fresh faces and a carefully selected cast. It’s such a shame that all their efforts are wasted in vain, for there’s no audience upon a worn coach to appreciate their work.

With that thought, Alhaitham sets the remote down as his ageless body settles into the sofa just adjacent to the centered coach.

The night is still young, dust will accumulate nevertheless, it wouldn’t make a difference in taking another break.

There’s a line of distinction between a mind that’s been cultivated by the pages of a book and a mind that’s been entertained by artistically framed scenes.

When one crosses the other, the gap in understanding reveals itself, manifesting in the confusion of how to appreciate such things.

It’s how you felt when trying to interpret the texts written long before you were born, face scrunched up in focus as your eyes move across the aged paper.

It’s how he feels as he observes the two lead actors as disembodied laughter rang out.

The pacing was slow, dialogue uninteresting to an immortal that’s long-lived past the experience of university. But, it’d be a waste to not finish something he intended to do from the start.

The cushions were soft, supporting his settling frame as the tension leaves his muscles, beckoning his eyelids to lower, luring him into the darkness that lay behind them.

“Haitham~ are you alive?” A voice brushes against his face.

The presence of someone intruding upon his personal space made his body alert again, the wisps of sleep vanish.

Slowly he lifts up his leaden lids, blinking the haze of sleep away, vision gradually clearing to reveal your grinning face.

“Are you finally done with the assignments you’ve procrastinated?”

“I didn’t procrastinate, I knew I could finish them in time for the deadline and I did.” His voice still gruff with sleep.

“Your breath stinks of coffee.”

“What an observation, coffee is a common beverage consumed by all walks of life.”

“Haitham, it’s 10 pm.”

“It isn’t exclusive to one time.”

An exaggerated huff leaves your lips as you folded, plotting your body right on top of his, the aged couch creaking in protest.

Instinctively, his arms opened to catch your frame, embracing you gently against his chest. Feeling the rhythm of your heart beating in time with his.

“Stubborn.” You muttered.

“Summarizing yourself?” Alhaitham bites back a chuckle as a balled-up fist gently knocks against his torso.

It’s been a while since you’ve had a tender moment like this. Deadlines and exams brought on by the warming air of a concluding semester keep you both on a tight schedule. Only able to exchange brief greets during quick breaks of packaged meals.

You sink deeper into his arms as he rests his face against your neck. Enjoying the warmth generated between your two bodies, coaxing the exhaustion away from each other’s limbs.

‘I miss you.’ A silent sentiment wordlessly conveyed by the extended entanglement.

“You didn’t eat dinner yet.”

Alhaitham lets a soft chuckle escape in the form of a quick huff, how perceptive you are when it comes to his well-being.

“Skipping meals isn’t healthy,” You scolded as a finger jabbed against his shoulder.

“I’m aware.”

“Good, the noodles should be ready by now, c’mon.”

Reluctantly, Alhaitham allows you out of his arms, letting his heavy body follow your tugging hands toward the old and stained kitchen table.

Teal eyes notice the freshly placed cups of noodles, steam leaking out from the sides of their paper lids held down by two forks.

“It’s the fourth night we’ve had cup noodles this week.” He states the obvious.

“So?” You quirk a brow at his announcement.

“We’ll get sodium poisoning.”

“It’s fine, Haitham, our bodies are young, we'll live.”

“And these choices will come back to bite us in the future.”

“Shush and eat your food.” You plotted down at your spot at the chipped table, cheek puffed out.

An absolutely endearing sight. So much so that Alhaitham will rein in his sardonic quips for now, joining you in his spot just across the stained surface.

Ripping the flimsy top off the styrofoam cup, the artificial chicken flavoring sedates his ravenous appetite as he takes a bite.

A sacred respite for any student on a tight budget, empty calories that suppress the growling of stomachs.

From across the table, his teal gaze watches as you savor your last bite.

“You can have the rest of mine.”

“No, you’re a growing boy, you need to eat.”

“The male body fully develops by age eighteen-”

“Shush and eat your food.”

Your soft lips formed a frown once again, how could he not cave into your demands? Alhaitham takes another bite of the noodles.

In just a few more semesters he’ll get his hands on a flimsy piece of paper, proving his qualifications to some white-collar job.

He'll earn a paycheck big enough to treat you to a nice steak basted with red wine.

Away from this cluttered box with creaky floors and rumbling pipes.

Then after a few years, the two of you could follow a realtor through a spacious house atop a hill, yard fenced in nicely, and located a reasonable distance away from the bustling city.

Just endure the endless assignments and demanding exams for a little while longer.

Styrofoam cups carelessly thrown into the trash, forks washed and set out in the drying wrack. The minimal effort of house cleaning was achieved.

As a reward, two figures found themselves pulled back to the worn cushions of a couch. Melting into each other's touches, fingertips trying to memorize every curve and edge.

From outside a window left ajar, its hinges rusted with age and neglect, came the first symphony of the crickets. Singing to celebrate the new season which breathes back life into the trees and their leaves.

Your hands tenderly cupped his face pulling him closer, cheeks touching as your noses perfectly rested against each other.

The leaden weight pulling on his eyelids returned, head dozing into your gentle warmth.

“I love you.” Your whisper so soft it was almost lost in the wind.

Fighting against the droopy pull, his sight centered on your content expression, tranquil gaze reflecting the teal of his irises as you await his response.

Alhaitham’s firm arms pulled your frame flushed against his, burying his face back into the crook of your neck. Deep breath intaking the light fragrance which held hints of a sunny day.

“I love you… to the extent it’s unfathomable.” His full truth.

A truth that couldn’t be left untold.

“Pfft! You and your fancy words again,” you giggled.

The tickling sensation of your bell-like giggles vibrating against his frame cause the corners of his lips to curl.

Your fingers found their way to his ashen hair, tracing faint patterns along his scalp as you tussled his messy locks.

Mesmerizing motions making him lose the battle with the sweet call of sleep. The stone-faced man allowing your trailing fingers to beckon him deeper into the temperate waves of dreams.

Alhaitham’s eyes opened again, lids dawdlingly fluttering open and shut again as the rolling credits of tonight’s spontaneous episode played against the glass screen.

His arms rested unfurled by his sides, nothing in the space against his cold hands.

Closing his eyes shut once more, efforts now conflicted between prying open the doors of sleep to plunge back into the cloudy waters of dreams or blinking the lingering traces away.

Lungs not daring to take another breath in case they distract from the task at hand.

1… 2… 3

A low sigh leaves his lips, ashen lashes opening up to observe the teal eyes staring back from the dark credit screen.

It seems the keeper of dreams felt this vile creature has overstayed his welcome for tonight.

Locking up the iron gates as they stood mockingly on the other side dangling the key between their fingers.

It doesn’t matter. The dream has already served its purpose. Allowing Alhaitham to say the lines in a script that he wasn’t able to complete in time.

It made the void ache just a bit less.

It seems that Alhaitham has unraveled the truth behind your daydreaming habits.

The itch in his palm has long faded away, the ailment cured by clarity only attainable after one processes the cold truth. Analytical mind returning to rationality untainted by the desperation of false hope.

To be condemned to forever wheeze at each gasp of air, to be bound to a bed by agony searing your every cell. Who is willing to pay the price of eternity?

Stopping the hands of a clock wouldn’t be much different than a punishment delivered from the deepest depths of hell.

How could mortal medicine ever turn back the hands of a clock? Simple, it can’t.

Nothing can.

To forever freeze a sinking ship between the thundering skies of life and the endless pits of death, doomed to never drown but never be resuced for eternity.

A fate worse than anything on the two polar opposite sides.

It’d be plain cruel. Childishly cruel.

Alhaitham wouldn’t do that to you, he couldn’t do that to you.

Instead, he simply held your hand tight. Taking away any fear, any anxieties, any regrets as your body sank deeper beneath the waves, until the furrow between your brows disappeared.

Watching the peace gracing your features as your head descends into the murky depths.

Letting your fingers slip through the gaps in his as he stays atop his floating raft of immortality.

Letting your gold bands catch on each other one last time. Letting the laws of nature and unnamed gods pull you away from his side, forever concealing you behind a wall he’ll never be able to peer over.

As it was fated to be, he knows.

If you had a healthy body, one that could live up to 80 years… maybe a little more, you wouldn’t have chosen him.

You never would’ve signed a contract.

You never would’ve cast a passing glance at him on the street.

You would’ve embraced another, one who could walk hand and hand with you through the garden gates.

You didn’t ask to be born with that body, and he didn’t ask to be born with his.

Paths predestined at birth to never fully merge, a wall forever dividing them.

Yet, during the brief time they touched, the scenery was breathtaking.

If he had finite time, a body exhausted by late nights of piled-up assignments, with nothing but twenty mora to his name.

He’d choose that over sitting in an empty house with luxurious furniture, excessive assets sitting to rot in bank vaults, and a silk-covered bed too big for a singular body.

He’d choose to be the one who could walk through the gates of the Pardis Dhyai, hand and hand with you.

Only in a mirage could that exist.

Sitting across a small kitchen table, him with his instant coffee, you with your dining hall stolen tea.

Notepad given out by some random campus event being scribbled on. Ballpoint pen jotting down the items carefully calculated: Milk, eggs, and more cup noodles.

Only in a dream could he sit in the bright rays of a star, enjoying its warmth side by side with you.

Alhaitham shuts off the TV, the greeting songs of birds from outside closed curtains now creeping through.

Slowly his frame emerges from its sedentary position, the dust cloth long forgotten to the side.

A sofa is no proper place to rest. Maybe clean sheets can replicate the purpose of cold dirt.

Such futile thoughts, unbefitting of such a noble creature.

But, he's been craving sleep lately, longing for the warmth of a fantastical sun.

Fin~

©️vivalabunbun DON’T PLAGIARIZE, REPOST, OR TRANSLATE ANY OF MY WORKS.

#alhaitham x reader #alhaitham fanfic #alhaitham x y/n #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #al-haitham x you #alhaitham fluff #alhaitham headcanons #genshin impact x you #vivalabunbunfics #alhaitham x you #alhaitham angst #alhaitham #alhaitham x yn #genshin angst #genshin vampire au #genshin modern au #genshin alhaitham

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leahnardo-da-veggie · 9 days

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An Ode to Tofu

Tofu, glorious tofu. Splendorous, scrumptious, saliva-inducing tofu. It is the filler of my stomach, gracer of my tongue, love of my life. To spend a life without it is to not live at all.

It has a silken texture, so smooth on my tongue, like the finest satin on the body of the world's most beautiful woman. And its flavour! A baby deer's first steps, frail and wondrous and with just the slightest hint of eternity behind it.

Oh, to eat tofu. To gulp down its slippery flesh and taste its skin on my teeth. To caress its soy surface like a lover and sink my teeth into it in the throes of passion. To consume is to love, and by every deity I have ever sworn to, I love tofu.

When my lips first graced tau kwa, I thought I was in heaven. Dark as teak in braised sauce, juicy and firm and holy, it brought a tear to my eye. Fried, with its moist innards and salty, crispy exterior, I would have fallen to my knees for it. Even plain, in nothing but soup, it was majestic.

Oh, but its dignity could not compare to tau pok's charm. Soaking up whatever it was offered, taking and taking and taking flavour from everything around it, greedy to the core. And yet, and it enters my gaping maw, it spills its guts in a waterfall of giving, filling me up with its juices.

More seductive still is tau kee. Pliant and gentle, like a virgin on her wedding day. It is silk bedsheets stained dark with lust, a noose of the finest rope. I could spend my entire life in its folds, and still yearn for more.

And yet- There it is: Egg tofu. Love of my life, the one to whom I return to each and every time. The one who will welcome me despite my unfaithfulness. Golden brown on a hotplate, surrounded by lush salad, even with nothing to adorn it, I crave its taste. It will forever treasure me, and I it. We are two matching halves of the same whole.

That is not to say I do not love the classics, of course. Silken tofu, the renowned temptation it is, has carved out its claim to my heart with merciless delight. It is timeless, majestic in its old age, powerful and cruel in equal measure. Cladded in the red spice of mapo tofu, it holds more vitality than a thousand armies. Floating amidst miso soup, it brings out the true power of soy. It is the greatest of the tofus, and I will award it the reverence it deserves.

But then… then there is the new. The strange. The QQ tofu. Fishy and bouncy and vibrant, so different from its pureblood cousins. It's distinction is a peacock's feathers, flauntings its uniqueness in the sheer knowledge that it can out-tofu all others. I am brought to my knees before it, tasting that which neither regular tofu nor regular fishcakes could compare.

And then there is the final mountain for me to climb: Stinky tofu. Shrouded in mystery, enveloped by its hostile scent. It awes me and frightens me in equal measure. The durian of tofus, proud and loud about its smell. The tales I have heard of it make it out to be the greatest of legends, and someday I shall feast upon it.

And when that day comes, my life will be complete. I will die happy, with the taste of tofu on my tongue. I will dream the long dream, full of fresh, plump tofu.

Tofu, glorious tofu.

#I am hungry if you couldn't tell #creative writing #writing #writeblr #writerscommunity #my writing #writing community #spilled ink #short story #Food #foodporn

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hogwarts-legacy-hype · 2 months

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I shall be endlessly scolded for this, but I must break my silence and take a moment to pay tribute to @kiwiplaetzchen.

It is not said enough for my liking, but Kiwi is an absolute treasure. From the very beginning, she has been a constant pillar of encouragement and support to a fledgling – and at times – foundering fandom. Someone who continually and unreservedly gives all of herself even to the most unworthy (read: me) and asks for no thanks or acknowledgement in return. Despite being an amazing creator in her own right, she refuses to take full credit when it is justly deserved in favour of ardently and selflessly uplifting the creators around her. However, I shall sing her praises until my final breath and there is not a damn thing she can do about it.

Kiwi,

Through not only the immeasurable joy and laughter but also the tearful pain and rage of life, I am – now and forever – grateful for your unfaltering patience, comforting words of wisdom, and steadfast support through the darkest times. Thank you for loving my Sebastian as much as I do and breathing life into the greatest companion a wizard has ever known. The day Nosy landed in Sebastian's arms, he was forever changed.

I was and shall remain forever changed.

Thank you for blessing us all with your incredible talent, stalwart resolve, genuine kindness, diabolical humour, and absolutely unparalleled heart. You truly are an inspiration.

Here’s to the juiciest sweetest Kiwi in this mad fruit bowl. It’s an honour and a privilege to know you.

Big love to @kiwiplaetzchen 🥝✨

#hogwarts legacy fandom #kiwiplaetzchen

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ssplague · 4 months

Text

Chapter Four

Mature

Masterlist

Warnings: A/B/O themes, soulmates, mating, sex, manipulation, power and control.

Oh how can one’s feelings

spin a tale so profound?

For only true love shall

Determine whether darkness

Or light shall abound?

You were now queen of an earthland kingdom, you were married to the Dragon King, a mere princess no more

✨ 👑 ✨

“Gods for the millionth time, I’m fine! Why are you two so worried about this all of the sudden?!” Bakugou snapped, slouching further in his high backed chair.

It made him angry that he’d had to leave you like he did just to meet with these two old geezers! That combined with their repeat line of questioning had him growing increasingly furious.

“Now more than ever are your draconian instincts going to need regulating Katsuki, you can’t run the risk of letting them get the better of you, if you get upset and do something irresponsible like shifting accidentally, your wife could be in real danger” Jeanist reminds the soon to be king. It was frustrating for a decorated general like himself having to tip toe around the truth. A surprise shift pales in comparison to what those “in the know” truly feared happening. Both himself and Aizawa had made a promise to Midnight that they would advise Bakugou to the best of their abilities in order to keep tragedy from befalling the Royal family once more. If they fail, then what would remain of the kingdom would forever be condemned to suffer, and surely the young King’s soul would be eternally damned.

“You’re sure she’s your true mate? What does your dragon feel about her? If we’re satisfied with its response then we’ll dismiss you for tonight” Aizawa offers, yawning loudly before focusing on the young monarch. Closing his eyes, it’s easy for Katsuki to call forth his dragon and it needs no prodding to talk about you; “I knew she was mine as soon as I laid eyes on her, her scent puts the most expensive perfumes to shame, I’m growing restless, what importance are these stupid human customs when it comes to claiming my mate? I want to kill anyone that looks at her with lust in their eyes, and crush the skull of anyone harboring perverse thoughts about my goddess, she’s mine and im going to make sure she knows it,

y/n…my greatest treasure”.

“You harbor no ill will towards the lunarian princess? You do not despise the light that radiates from her pure heart?” Jeanist asks, studying the king’s form for any hint the dragon is thinking of uttering a false hood. “Dragon’s protect their mates, our love knows no bounds, our love is eternal, and unconditional…unlike you human’s” snarls the beast. “That’s good enough for now” Aizawa states, signaling for the king’s consciousness to return.

With a fierce display of teeth Bakugou returns, “There, are you geezers happy now?”.

“For now…but I think we should meet once more the morning of the wedding, and weekly after that” Aizawa says, looking at Jeanist for his approval. “I agree, just as a per caution-“ the finely dressed dressed man adds, only to be cut off by a furious snarl.

“I’m getting real fucking sick of you two insinuating I’m some loose cannon that would bring harm to my woman!” The irate blonde shouts, banging his sparking fist on the table “Ever since I returned home and told you guys about her you’ve been acting weird, is there something going on that I don’t know about?!”.

Both of the older men give each other a side eye, which only proceeds to agitate the temper-mental man further.

“For years I’ve respected you both for your knowledge and strength, that’s why you became my trusted advisors in the first place! That aside, I’ll tell you one last thing…” the dragon king gets to his feet, leaning forward on the sturdy oak table “If I find out either one of you has been keeping information from me, are aware of any conspiring, privy to any plot against my marriage or that could possibly bring harm to my wife…I will execute you myself…understand?”.

Crimson irises are alight with fury as they stare down the two men. Neither one of them display any emotion as they reply in unison;“Understood, your majesty”.

“Good, this meeting is fucking adjured…Tell the old hag I’m retiring for the evening” with that, the soon to be king storms out of the room, red cape billowing behind him.

Mate is safe, she’s here where she belongs, that’s all that matters…forget their words, the Thoughts and feelings of humans mean nothing when it comes to the bonding between dragons.

With a heavy sigh, Katsuki can’t help but agree.

The day before the wedding has you bombarded with last minute preparations non stop. You’d stood for nearly two hours as the capital’s best seamstress, accompanied by her assistant, took your measurements and quite literally crafted a dress (made from your ideal choice in fabrics) by magic. Naturally everything happening was seen under Queen Mitsuki’s watchful eye. Which allowed the two of you time to bond, the stories of her time as ruler had you looking at her with stars in your eyes. This woman was not to be trifled with; She was a warrior unlike any other, going as far as to ripping out the heart of an enemy general who had attempted to over throw her rule. You weren’t entirely sure how old she was, since it’s rude to ask (but dragons do live extremely long lives), she looked to be in her late twenties, and her mannerisms were every bit as youthful as her outward appearance.

“My son is lucky that the goddess has granted him such a perfect bride, and myself such a wonderful daughter” the older woman says as she marvels at your appearance in the finished wedding gown.

Examining yourself in every angle from the surrounding mirrors you can’t help but be delighted. You finally felt like you were coming into your own as a future queen, not just the daughter of the moon goddess.

As the day wound to a close you were finally dismissed from wedding preparations! Completely worn out, you couldn’t be happier to finally sit down for dinner. A table had been placed in your room to make things easier for the maids helping you get dressed tomorrow. A small spread of food rests atop it, along with four place settings for yourself and the three individuals you insisted dine with you.

“I don’t understand where Katsuki could have run off to, he’s been gone all day…I didn’t even get to see him off this morning, he left before I woke up” you glumly inform your new friends. Serro and Denki took Kirishima’s place in guarding you, as his majesty had apparently needed the bulky redhead for something. “You most likely won’t see him until the wedding your highness, he had plenty of his own preparations to see to” explains Serro. “You gotta tell us your secret on how you deal with him y/n, he’s been so weirdly calm ever since you came to stay” Denki states, tearing his bread roll in half.

“Well I hope to continue keeping the peace around here in the future, I’ll do my best….unfortunately I have no special secret, or method that I use on him” you reply with your usual polite smile in place.

“Not even your “womanly wiles”? Ow! I was joking Mina geez” the electric blonde cries, rubbing the knot on his head.

“Do you want to get executed? You idiot! You are talking to the new queen, if his majesty hears that kind of talk happening around her you are dead!” The pinkette scolds.

“I swear I won’t tell! We’re all friends here, right? No telling the king anything that won’t hurt him!” You exclaim nervously, “That was a hard hit you delivered Mina, how does a hand maiden know anything about hand to hand combat?”. The two men begin to snicker at your question, hiding behind their hands as the pinkette glares at them. “Actually y/n…I have a confession to make…I’m not a hand maiden, I’m the second in command of his majesty’s royal guard” Mina admits, giving you a bow and a wink.

“Wait…what?! Oh no! How rude of me to have been thinking you were my assistant this whole time! Oh goddess, what must you think of my ignorance” you fret, the other three watch you with amused smiles. “You didn’t treat me badly y/n! We’re friends remeber?” Mina asks, using your earlier words against you. “Yes, we are…we’re all friends! Regardless of station, you’re all my precious new friends” you say with a nod, dazzling smile back in place. The rest of the meal was uneventful, your guards tease you about tomorrow’s festivities until it’s time for you to turn in. The two males take their places outside your door, while Mina stays to brush out your hair. Once you bid her good night and get into bed you already know it’s pointless. Your mind and body are abuzz with excitement and anxiety, sleep won’t be coming so easily. Moonlight peeks in through the cracks in the curtains, you sit up noticing the soft glow growing brighter, the shadows shrink back as if they were being burned, the air in the room began to shimmer.

Without any warning a gorgeous woman materializes at the foot of your bed. Her long silver hair sparkles, her deep blue eyes twinkle, she wastes no time in coming to hold you close to her chest. “My sweet girl, so far from home…about to become Queen of this foreign land…my how you’ve grown up so much in such a short time” her voice is as beautiful as the sound of wind chimes in a summer breeze. “Are you proud of me? I’ve finally found my way” you ask, nuzzling into her embrace.

“I am always proud of you, that will never change” Selene responded, holding her princess tightly.

“I wish you could have met Katsuki before the wedding, I know it all seemed so rushed but words can’t describe how he makes me feel…It’s just right, I know it is” your words are rushed as you try to get everything out in one breath. This makes the moon goddess chuckle, your bottom lip begins to poke out.

“What makes you think I haven’t met him, hm?”

The question hangs in the small space between the two of you.

She motions for you to scoot over and she brings her legs up to rest atop your bed. Her hand begins to caress the top of your head once you’ve gotten comfortable with it laying in her lap. “How? When?” You ask, blinking up at her in adorable confusion. “The first time was about a year ago…the last was around six months ago” Selene says thoughtfully, “Before you get angry at him for not telling you, I used my power and swore him to secrecy, he couldn’t have told you if he wanted to”.

Just as you open your mouth to protest, she cuts you off;

“That story can wait until another day, you need to rest, tomorrow is an exciting day, your mind needs to be focused on the present”.

“You’ll be here tomorrow? From the time I wake up?” You ask as your eyes begin to grow heavy.

“After you get dressed I’ll come to see you, but I want to be seated well before the ceremony begins so I don’t take away any attention from you, we’ll have time to talk afterwards, good night my love” as soon as her words reach your ears you fall asleep.

“Your majesty”

You’re suddenly roused from the most peaceful slumber you’ve had in ages.

“Princess, it’s time to wake up”

“Mm awake…jus need a minute” you murmur groggily, yawning and rubbing your eyes.

“We prepared a light breakfast for you your highness, it’s on the table” says a maid to your left.

“Would you mind if we applied some oils to your hair while you eat? That way once you finish, it will be ready to wash out before you get in the bath” says the maid to your right, who places a robe over your night gown.

“Whatever you guys need to do is fine, let me know however I can help make this easier on you” you replied, shuffling over to the table that had a single plate amongst a number of other items. Unwrapping the silk scarf from your hair both maids lightly brush out your strands and set to work applying the conditioning mixture. It doesn’t take long to finish your toast, handful of grapes and swig down the cup of tea that made up your breakfast.

The same two maids usher you into the bathroom and you’re immediately reminded of that first day with Mina and Momo. Only you aren’t nearly as shy when you allow these women to exfoliate your entire body and scrub all your cracks and crevices. It was during that time each of them gave you their names.

“You have such a lovely complexion, it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen before!” Hakagure croons as she and Tsu finish drying you off. “Is it true you come from the moon, princess?” The green dress the dark haired woman wears reminds you of a frog’s skin. Especially with the off putting way her tongue seems to peek from between her lips on occasion. “Yes, that’s where I was born…” you replied, hesitating to disclose any more private information to these two women. So you skirt around any further personal questions, just replying politely to mundane small talk as they got you ready. Mina stuck her head in to check on you a little while later, and immediately took over the task of styling your hair. Demoting Tsu to polishing your now sharpened nails as she did so. Momo entered shortly after that greeting you and giving congratulations before handing you a silk bag.

“Ooooh let me see!” Mina squeals as you examine the contents. Reaching in you grabbed out what appeared to be a scrap of lace, confusion had you looking further into the bag and upon further inspection your face burns with embarrassment.

“You‘ll change into them after the ceremony!” Ponytail assured you “Those things are for his majesty’s eyes only, so don’t feel embarrassed”. The pinkette snickers, waggling the hair brush at you, “I’ll help you put them on

y/n don’t worry!”. The other two women laughed along with her while Momo berated them for such childish behavior. The memories of having the king pressed up against you the other night immediiiately came to mind.

“Treasure…”

Just remembering the way he sounded growling in your ear as he ground into you against the wall. It had a flush crawling up from the tips of your toes to the roots of your hair. “I need to tell you guys something…so I can ask some questions…and I hate how this will sound so commanding…” purposefully using the repeat pause between words to build up the nerve you needed, your eyes briefly close. When they reopen any flicker of insecurity or hesitation was absent, the e/c irises now sparkling with confidence,

“As your soon to be Queen I demand that any part of this conversation is not repeated outside of this room, is that clear?”.

A cheerful chorus of “Yes, your highness” comes from each of the women helping you get ready.

A relieved sigh allows you to relax against the high backed chair you occupy, “I’ve never had any sort of intimate encounter with anyone, let alone anyone of draconian descent sooooo…What exactly am I supposed to do? How will our um…how will he? Oh goddess you lot know what I mean right?!”. So much for the cool, calm, collected persona you’d channeled seconds ago.

MoMo clears her throat in attempt to hide her embarrassment, “Ahem, well my lady if I may, since you are looking for pointers on how to go about consummation-“

“Bite him!” Mina interrupted.

“Scratch and growl at him!” Hagakure exclaims.

“Stroke his ego” Tsu offers.

“Ladies please!” Momo shouts, the other three are still tittering with laughter as she clears her throat once more “Now as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, when it comes to consummation in our culture”.

Now that her mediative hour had concluded Midnight gets to her feet, stretching her limbs to combat the soreness from being stationary for so long. Extinguishing the incense she’d been burning, the dark haired woman moved across the room to push back the heavy drapes and throw open the large floor to ceiling windows. Inhaling a large breath of fresh air, she savored the taste of spring on her tongue. The oracle was optimistic, her cheery disposition had been favorable as of late. Eyeing the dark purple slip and black robes she planned to wear for the days festivities, she began to get ready.

Only for a sharp rap on her door to interrupt, her cheeks puff out in frustration as she hurried to answer it. The two men on the other side don’t wait to exchange pleasantries as she allows them entry.

“How did your talk with his majesty go?”

The difference between the two men was always similar to that of night and day. Today however, it could be considered comical; With Jeanist in his perfectly pressed dark blue General dress robes adorned with shining silver metals, matching cuff links sparkling brilliantly. Standing tall beside Aizawa in his black Dress robes with a few obvious wrinkles but equally decorated with badges of honor, his tattered scarf ever present around his neck. The latter speaks first; “The king was more on edge than usual, I’d chalk that up to pre wedding jitters, the beast-“.

His companion is quick to take over the explanation, “The dragon gave the same answers as we reported the other night, I detected no treachery or malicious intent, to be honest it seemed preoccupied…possibly a bit bored”.

“So it’s thoughts were elsewhere? Where might that be, my lord?” asks Midnight from behind her changing stands, an airy chuckle reaching their ears. “I hardly think it’s up for discussion if there was no indication of hostility towards the Princess” Jeanist replied in a clipped tone, but professional as always. Stepping out in her new outfit, the oracle grabs a black ribbon off her vanity and moves towards the dark haired man.

“Since you will be amongst the audience you’ll get a chance to see the two of them interact, we can rehash our individual thoughts after the ceremony concludes” Aizawa says with an annoyed huff as Midnight pulls his hair back, tying the ribbon around his messy locks.

“I agree with that, now which of you is escorting me?” Her violet eyes fluttering as she smiles at the men, even though she knows the answer.

Jeanist opens the door, gesturing for the Oracle and Advisor to go ahead of him. “Don’t forget to lock it!” The woman calls as she tosses a key towards the sharp dressed man. Heeding her request, Jeanist shakes his head as Midnight’s patronizing giggles echo down the hallway.

“Are you nervous?”

The question comes from one of the two older women sitting behind you. It was strange to see Selene and Mitsuki enjoying a cup of tea together in this setting.

Both beautiful in their own right, two powerful women, one a queen of this earth land kingdom, and the other a queen residing over the moon that oversees this blue planet from the heavens above. It was the moon goddess herself that had made an offhand suggestion that perhaps Mitsuki would be able to trace her lineage back to the warrior queen of Mars. They both chuckled at this, and watching their exchange you can’t help but wonder if there just might be truth to her claim.

Seeing them get along so well made you feel at ease.

“A little” you admit, examining your reflection in the mirror for the umpteenth time “But listening to your banter has made it easier to relax, you two seem more like old friends rather than two women who just met the morning of their children’s wedding”. Both women looked towards each other before looking back at you with smiles on their faces. Almost like they knew something you weren’t aware of.

“Maybe Goddess Selene will bless us mere mortals with her presence more often now that you’re here” Mitsuki’s voice had a slight teasing tone about it, and you could swear your mother had the slightest flush to her cheeks.

“Careful what you wish for, what if you were to grow tired of my constant intrusions? Then I’d have to give you twelve years of bad luck” Selene replies, as quick witted as ever, yet her tone held no malice.

“Mother!” You squeaked, shocked she would even joke about such a thing. The two older women laughed at your reaction.

“Well I suppose I should go check in on Katsuki, I haven’t seen him yet today” the blonde woman says as she gets to her feet.

“You haven’t seen him at all?” You ask confused.

“That boy is a nightmare to deal with when he’s preparing for an important event, one could hardly blame me for preferring the company of two lovely celestial ladies over the company of my foul mouthed brat” she replies, patting you on the back as she walks past. Only to pause at the door and glance back at Selene, “I’ll meet you in the foyer in fourty-five minutes?” She asks.

Your mother nods and the two of them hold eye contact for a few seconds before the blonde woman leaves the two of you alone.

“How long have you known?”

The question is sudden and quiet.

The goddess sighed before answering your question,

“After you fell asleep last night she came to your room and sought me out, I just found out”. You merely nod in response, now wasn’t the time to confront her about it.

“You look so beautiful, I’m happy that you followed your own path, I raised a perfect young woman” Selene comes to stand behind you, wrapping an arm around you.

The both of your reflections smiled in the mirror, “Oh no! I forgot to ask you-“ your sudden exclamation was hushed by your mother “I have it”. The shimmering piece of selenite appeared in your hand, it was crafted into a perfect crescent shape, a small gold hoop stuck through the top. “Thank you momma” you gushed happily “It’s perfect”. “I have one more thing to give you” she replied, moving towards your dresser. She brought back a small stone box with a large moon on the lid, ancient inscriptions were carved in on all sides proving its age.

“This belonged to my great grandmother, and now it’s yours”

The handsome (albeit grumpy) king readjusted the gold chain and fang necklaces around his neck for the umpteenth time. An annoyed growl rips from his throat as he takes the smaller few off. Looking back In the mirror he nods, now sporting only the largest golden chain and his newest piece made from the fangs of the ancient dragon he’d slayed recently. The Royal jeweler had just delivered it this morning, along with a few other pieces that Bakugou had also requested be made.

“Very impressive your majesty” Kirishima says with a flash of his own fanged smile. The red head and three other members of the king’s personal guard lean against the wall of Bakugou’s bedroom closest to the door. Just the five of them occupied the room, the servants that had tried assisting the temperamental Royal at getting ready had vacated the premises a long time ago.

“Looking a little nervous my king” Kaminari says offhandedly.

“Not getting cold feet are you?” Serro is quick to add, both men smirking at the king’s now obviously ruffled feathers.

Katsuki whirls around on them with clenched teeth and fire alight in his eyes, and just as he opens his mouth to begin a ferocious tirade, the bedroom door opens.

“You clean up well brat” Queen Mitsuki teases her son as she enters the room “Would you four give us a moment, it’s about time for you to take your places”.

A chorus of “Yes your majesty” comes from the four knights as they single file out of the room.

“Here it is, the day of my first and only son’s wedding…The day you will become king in more than just words, this land will be not just your’s to rule but your Queen’s as well” the blonde woman comes to stand before her son, “I know your father is proud of you, and I am just as proud of the man that you have become Katsuki”. The way his mother wraps her arms around him comes as a surprise to the king, he is still quick to return her hug just as tight, mumbling a soft “Love ya mom”. When the two of them separated the older woman dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her dress, “Don’t you dare hold this against me, I’m probably going to be bawling more than once today”.

“Wouldn’t dream of it hag”

“So much for a sentimental moment between mother and son, you brat”.

“My lady, it’s time” the voice of a servant alerted you. Taking one last look at your reflection, the glittering tiara atop your head fills you with new confidence. The magic that flowed through your veins even seemed to be amplifying thanks to the treasured heirloom. You had to walk yourself down the aisle, which would mean that every eye will be focused solely on you. Remembering that you are a representation of the lunarian kingdom, you were sure to stand tall and proud, walking with the utmost grace. Exiting the open door, a beautiful burgundy rug has been laid out over the grass, leading down the sloping palace grounds, between the many rows of occupied seats. Excited whispers began as everyone turned to watch you walking down the aisle.

“Absolutely stunning!”

“Is she really from the moon?”

“How beautiful our new queen is!”

The compliments only made you more reassured in your self-confidence. You look towards where the rug ends, seeing steps leading up a raised platform and your heart skipped a beat. The Dragon King stands waiting for you in all his glory; His usual fur lined cape is draped over his shoulders, tribal ink snaking up his impressive biceps, that unintentionally flex as his arms are crossed in front of his chest. The golden chain around his neck glitters, drawing your attention to the second necklace he wore made up of black beads and large jagged teeth. Somehow you manage to keep yourself from hurrying forward. Each step you take is slow, and meaningful and once you finally reach the bottom step Katsuki reaches a hand out to you. Which you take and return his firm grip with a squeeze, allowing yourself to be led up the remaining few steps. He resembles something like a demigod, with the way his blonde hair shines in the sunlight, surrounding his head similar to the halo of an angel. Both of you smile as you take in the appearance of one another, quick to become lost in each other’s eyes. The priest clears his throat and it puts an end to the stupor you two were seemingly caught up in.

“Today marks a momentous event that will forever change history; A bridge between heaven and earth, the joining of celestial and terran, the blessed union between our Dragon King and the Lunarian princess” the elderly man says, pausing to allow the applause and cheering of the crowd. It was nice to see the few hundred or so people seated in chairs closest to the raised platform, but it was astounding to see all of the hundreds if not thousands of people, along with magical creatures, crowded in to the castle grounds. Those that didn’t fit were seated atop the heads of dragons, enabling them to watch the ceremony despite being behind the protective walls.

Turning your head away from the crowd, the squeeze of the grip on your hands has your eyes flitting upwards. Looking into Katsuki’s eyes was like being swept up in a harsh current. The priests words were immediately garbled nonsense, you were drowning in a sea of red. The veil over your face fluttered in the wind, and the king says something aloud.

The smile he gives you has you feeling weak in the knees.

“Princess Y/n”

The sound of your title has you standing at attention, listening to the priest’s words intently;

“Do you take King Bakugou Katsuki as your husband? To have and hold through good times and bad? To stand beside him and rule this country to the best of your ability as a queen and wife?”.

“I do and I shall” you replied confidently, squeezing the large hands holding your own.

“Then by the power invested in me, witnessed by all that are here, I now pronounce you husband and wife” as soon as the words were said the veil was lifted from your face and Katsuki was kissing you. The kiss was deep and breath stealing, you could feel the desire and happiness in it. Cheers had broken out all around the courtyard, the roars and shouts echoing from all around the kingdom. Just as your lungs began to burn from lack of air did the kiss finally end.

“I now present your new King and Queen!” Announces the priest, holding his arms open as he declares this to the crowd.

The events that followed all happened in such a rapid procession, it felt like you were wrapped up in a sort of whirlwind.

You remember receiving hugs from both Mitsuki and your mother, but after that it was just a bunch of congratulations, well wishes, and handshakes from a variety of strangers. It was only once you were ushered back into your bedroom that you could take a moment to breathe. Sitting down on the soft bed everything had started to sink in; You were now queen of an earthland kingdom, you were married to the Dragon King, a mere princess no more. Speaking of which, you hadn’t gotten a single moment with your husband, the kiss at the altar was the only one you’d gotten thus far. He hadn’t said a word while you two were being bombarded by the gathering well wishers. You hadn’t even been able to give him your present…

Fishing the selenite out from your cleavage, you sighed. Without warning the door of the room burst open and in came Mina and Momo.

The latter holding three champagne flutes, while the former clutched a half empty bottle.

“Congratulations y/n!” The pinkette cheered, hugging you happily.

Kicking the door shut behind her, the dark haired woman strides over gracefully, offering you one of the flutes, “How about a toast before we help you get ready for your special night?”. “Ah yes! That would be lovely” you smile, taking the glass as you get to your feet.

“To our new queen, and beloved friend y/n! May your marriage be happy and the fires stemming from undying love as well as passion never extinguish!” Mina exclaims and the three of you clink glasses.

Laughter proceeds only after you’d each drained your respective glass, along with Momo giving Mina a hard time about her ridiculous toast.

True to her word, Mina had indeed helped you Into the garments from that silk bag.

You couldn’t bare the embarrassment as you peeked at your reflection in the full body mirror. The two women had made sure to bathe you throughly once again. “The king won’t react well to anyone else’s scents on you during your bonding” Momo had explained, as you gave her glove covered hands a strange look.

They rubbed you down with a slightly vanilla scented, shimmering body oil (Apparently it was close to your natural scent, according to Mina). Now you were standing in the middle of your room skin glittering, clad in what was essentially scraps of silk, with dragon scale accents that hid your nipples and pussy (barely). Just as you were downing another glass of champagne, the girls pulled a thin, floor length black cloak over your shoulders. Making sure it was secured before placing a cape over your shoulders. “A gift from the King” you had been told. The outside fabric was thick and white while the inside was a black velvet, and a black fur made up the collar. It was almost just like the one your husband always wore. Your helpers made sure everything was fastened to keep any of your unmentionables from slipping out.

Just as they both stood back to admire you, a loud knock could be heard on the door. “You’re all set! You look lovely your majesty” Momo smiles. “Remember everything I told you! Especially that last bit! Just relax It’s going to be great, no worries!” Mina reminds you cheerfully as the two of them accompany you out of the door.

Kirishima was standing there waiting to escort you with his usual smile in place, he offers you his arm. Taking hold of it, the knight begins to usher you down the hall, both ladies cheering until you rounded the corner. “You look very nice my lady” the red head compliments, keeping his eyes forward but still smiling all the same. “Thank you…” you appreciate the compliment but the nervousness you felt grew with each step forward.

Finally reaching the end of the hallway, its down a short staircase and the knight opens a door for you. Another exit from the castle you weren’t aware of. The breeze is gentle, and stars are beginning to twinkle in the twilight sky. You see your mother and Mitsuki talking to Katsuki, who immediately looks towards you as you walk across the grass. His intense gaze has your face heating up, and if both your mothers weren’t standing there he probably would have pounced on you. Once you come to stand beside the three of them your king takes your hand in his and kisses the back of it “Ready to go?”. The spot his lips touched sends tingles throughout your body, all you can do is nod in reply. “You two have fun” Mitsuki says while pulling you into a hug.

“Mother, I thought you and I-“

Selene interrupts you before giving a hug of her own, “Plenty of time for that when the two of you return, enjoy this special time with your husband”.

You don’t have time to argue due to the sudden appearance of a familiar red dragon waiting just a few feet away. Bakugou bids your mothers goodbye and scoops you up bridal style. He doesn’t set you down once the two of you are seated, you stay in his lap as Kirishima takes flight. Katsuki groans as takes in your scent, nipping and kissing the sensitive flesh “Been waiting for this moment all day, could hardly wait to get my hands on you”. One of his hands slips beneath the cloak to run up your bare legs. Your toes curl as he squeezes one of your thick thighs, he doesn’t miss a beat when engaging you in another passionate lip lock. Your fingers lightly caress his cheeks before running them down to his pecs.

Your tongue tangles with his when you finally feel yourself slicking up.

The wetness between your thighs reminds you that a thin string is the only thing there to catch any drips, and you’d rather not leave a wet spot on your new husband’s pant leg.

Breaking the kiss, you rest your forehead against his as you catch your breath. “My king…I’m sorry if I may not act like a proper lady tonight, I hope that come sunrise you won’t hold any of my actions against me” You say with a sigh, moving your head back to properly look him in the eye. A blonde brow is raised before a sinister smile appears on the king’s handsome face, “oho is that a challenge or a threat? my queen”. Your eyes catch sight of the slivers of sharp canines in his mouth, and your gaze lingers on them as you quietly reply, “It’s neither…I just don’t exactly feel like my usual self right now, not to say I’m someone else but my feelings are unfamiliar and overwhelming”.

Gently you reach for one of his hands and guide it towards your chest, laying it over your heart.

A sudden shyness comes over you, and looking up at him with innocent eyes you enquire, “Do you feel it?”.

Unbeknownst to you, Katsuki had been able to hear the pitter patter of your heart this entire time.

How adorable, it’s just like a bunny that’s been cornered by a hungry wolf

He can’t help but agree, his hold on you becomes impossibly tighter.

Eliminating any space between your bodies, he cradles the back of your head in a large palm. Guiding you to rest it in between his neck and shoulder. “S’normal to be nervous treasure, because after tonight you will be a different person” your king presses a kiss to your forehead “Just relax for now, it won’t be much longer until we arrive”. Something inside of you feels as though Katsuki’s voice has this underlying nefarious tone to it. An abrupt shiver shoots down your spine, in attempts to soak in the natural warmth that radiates off his skin you’re quickly wrapping your arms around your lover.

The wind is always a bit cooler at night, especially at this altitude. That explains where these continuous chills are coming from.

Right?

A/N: Something I didn’t call attention to at the end of last chapter; If you read the prophecy laid out in the prologue, and compare it to the version that Izuku reads during the flight in chapter 3 you’ll notice quite a big difference! Just to explain that in case anybody didn’t catch onto it; Only a few people in the kingdom were made aware of the complete prophecy that Midnight spoke of. There was a heavily censored version that was put out to the kingdom’s general public and it’s regarded in a celebratory way. So much so, the people turned it into a nursery rhyme song for children. This is because they remain ignorant to the other half of it. The version they know only speaks of the king finding love and that the kingdom will in turn be blessed and forever remain prosperous.I felt this was important for me to explain, just so nobody is thinking “This bitch is so dumb she can’t even remember words that she wrote three chapters prior 🙄”.I would hope none of you think that negatively of me 😅 It sure doesn’t seem that way but just Incase! ❤️‍🔥 So any thoughts or theories as to what’s going on or going to happen?

Thank you all for every like, share, comment and follow!

Honorable mentions 💌

@lalachanya @mrsmelaninhood

@whatdidshesayyy @faemagic88

@viridianhero @alishii @rv19

@maggiecc @crazy-eight17 @nnubee @nemisimp @yesitsmewhataboutit

#katsuki bakugou #bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugo x reader #bnha #dragon bakugou #dragon king bakugou #bnha fantasy au #bnha fanfiction #bnha x reader

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the-darkdragonfly · 3 months

Text

NEW CHAPTER! A Trick of the Light

Chapter Twelve: Back Again

I know I know! But we're here now...

♥️♥️♥️♥️

The baby bag, which had begun to feel like another family member to Emma and himself ever since they had received it as a gift from Ruby, always filled to the brim with toddler approved snacks- I think those are meant to be given to Hope, Swan- which Emma had delighted in stealing- I’ve told you, toddler snacks and Emma snacks are the same thing, babe- lay toppled at Killian’s feet, having tumbled down from where he had tossed it haphazardly before they set sail from the small harbour only moments before, and when he knelt to retrieve it, Hope teary faced and reaching for him, something crinkled from the one of the outermost pockets.

At the familiar noise, Emma sat up from her place against the wall, Hope having crawled into her lap the moment she had sunk to the floor, eyes suddenly clear as she whispered exaggeratedly slowly at him- is that a fruit snack?- as if their children wouldn't be interested in what she was saying when the word ‘snack’ was involved if she said it slowly enough.

Hope cried again, her face scrunched in annoyance hands grabbing towards him- come here, little lovie, that was scary, I know, I’m sorry- whispering a broken plea for snacks against his neck, her curls tickling the skin on his throat, her speech less pronounced, softened as it had been when she was so much younger.

Emma shuffled Liam into her vacated lap, plucking the boy gently from where he’d been laying against her thigh, happily chewing on the corner of the rug- oh, baby, no, that’s yucky- and reached into the bag, eyes wide with excitement.

A veil of memory swam before Killian’s eyes, cool and refreshing, soft around the edges as the tension which had carried them away from the curse of Camelot cleared like morning fog from a lake, a memory of Emma several months earlier, pregnant in their Storybrooke kitchen, a scowl on her lovely face.

“Can you put this somewhere?” Emma had huffed in annoyance, handing him the bag of generic brand sour soothers- they’re better than the big famous ones, babe- her third that week if he’d been keeping track properly, which, he knew, he probably hadn’t been.

“Where shall I put them, then, love?”

“Somewhere I can’t get them, I’m obsessed. It has to stop.”

He privately agreed, but two pregnancies had taught him that honesty wasn’t always the best course of action, and he took the package from her outstretched hand- you’re a pirate, you have to be good at hiding treasure- raising an eyebrow.

“I might not have to hide them, Swan…”

“What do you-” she didn’t get to finish the remainder of her question as his smile widened in mischief and he dropped the package at her feet, her belly ensuring the task of retrieving the treats nearly impossible- if you can get them, then you’ve earned them, love.

“Wow.”

♥️♥️♥️♥️

Read the rest here.

Read my other stuff here.

♥️♥️♥️♥️

@elizabeethan @donteattheappleshook @sailtoafarawayland @teamhook @wefoundloveunderthelight @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @veryverynotgood @snowbellewells @hollyethecurious @jrob64 @kmomof4 @artistic-writer @gingerpolyglot @xarandomdreamx @justanother-unluckysoul @zaharadessert @xsjax @karlyfr13s @tiganasummertree @wyntereyez @klynn-stormz @onceratheart18 @rkrbirdgirl @ouatdaily @blowmiakisscolin @courtorderedcake @winterbaby89 @pirateprincessofpizza @superchocovian @deckerstarblanche @jlsadphoenix @alexa-fangirl-forever @stahlop @undercaffinatednightmare @lostintheskyfaraway @anmylica @motherkatereloyshipper @last-tsarina @lfh1226-linda @hookedmom @yikes-00 @midnightsuki @paradiselady19 @jonesfandomfanatic

#a trick of the light #a captain swan tale #the darkdragonfly #captain swan #killian jones #emma swan #cs fanfic #the ripple effect #im back again

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chim-aera · 8 months

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I'm a big fan of heroes hiding behind the belief they're slaying monsters. who are monsters because their differences, or their views, or their appearances, or abilities. monsters because uncertainty breeds fear as mindless congruity breeds bigotry. but it's better that way, isn't it? they're good, they're doing the right thing, that's what everyone tells them. right? It's better to think of it like that, to slay a monster, not a being, not a person, with fears, and hopes, and a life-force. no different then anyone else. no, it was just a monster, innocent blood does not stain their hands, only venom.

I am also quite interested in the other aspect. how many monsters does it take for a hero to slay, before they become a monster too. how I'm fond of narrow, shining benevolence, of heroism, turned rotten and sordid, but not of their own doing. kill one more. a dog on a leash, forced to bite, they say attack they sink their teeth in until it stops shaking. but they know it isn't right, but then again, is anything? how many foes, innocents, friends must they battle, must they hurt, before their sword looks less like a weapon of peace, until their title feels less like defender and more like trained beast. but they'll do it again. over, and over and over.

until they accept it.

monsters aren't born, they never are. everything is grey, nothing is as it seems. but heroes are nothing but pawns. in a way they're as helpless as the ones they're forced to kill. a tool meant to meander to what others call righteous, virtuous wrong doings. necessary evil. a puppet dancing on string, wood stained near black from blood and soot-smoke. it isn't pretty, it isn't right.

heroes don't exist, not forever. but yes, the unspooling of morality is a curious thing.

how many beasts does it take for one hero to slay until they become one, but now they're holding the sword.

monsters are made, yes, and sometimes, they were once the ones fighting for whatever amounts to justice these days. but now they nurse their wounds or their grudges, others did not make it that far. they were driven into the ground, their mouth coppery and bitter, the blade biting into their palm. kneeling before whatever shining, golden goal they once lived for, and they did, but it destroyed them. unraveled them like the thread undone, like Lachesis undoing her work so none shall see, Arachne's secrets never to be told.

no one tells you what happens to the champions when the gods and kings have had their fun with them. when they have had their fill, have gotten their treasures, their trophies, when their prized fighting dog finally limps more they can lunge.

they're never forgotten, no, but they're immortalized. In youth, in fame. in some glorious, gilded version that was never them.

when in reality they were but a scared child holding a sword praying to the gods, desperate to be seen, to be heard, to help.

but they did what was asked of them. we'll never see them grow old, and grey, content, and weathered. sun warmed and smiling. everything they've ever held dear was ripped from their hands as they desperately held tight with grasping, bruised knuckles, or worse, their own hands were forced to ruin what they swore to protect.

but that's just the way things are, isn't it Moirai?

besides.

name one hero who was happy.

#poetry #tagamemnon #basically have been reading a lot of greek myths #this was somewhat inspired by perseus because in some versions he was just a clumsy yet strong boy whom his step uncle wanted gone #he was sent on an impossible task and he managed #both Perseus and Medusa were victims

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calliesmemes · 7 months

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BRIDGERTON SEASON ONE (EPISODES 1-4)

DIALOGUE SENTENCE STARTERS PULLED FROM SEASON ONE OF NETFLIX’S SERIES BRIDGERTON, ADAPTED FROM NOVELS BY JULIA QUINN.

CHANGE gendered words and in-universe phrases as needed.

SPECIFY muse for multimuses.

“ I feel like a princess. Do I look like one? ”

“ I have imagined this day for so very long. And now it is finally here. ”

“ Now it is my day to make the both of you proud. ”

“ I have at my disposal a most powerful weapon that even the Queen lacks. My pen. ”

“ They are watching you. Now more than ever. ”

“ Stay with me today. ”

“ I shall always protect you. ”

“ It is so wonderful to see you. ”

“ Tell me your name. ”

“ Come here, old friend! ”

“ I did not expect to see you here this morning. ”

“ You and I were destined for each other. ”

“ I wish I were allowed to battle at sea. Can you imagine? ”

“ I am looking out for you. I am protecting you. It is my duty. ”

“ All eyes have been on me my entire life! ”

“ You must stop tossing peas at me! ”

“ You cannot tell me what to do! I am older! ”

“ Is that envy I detect in your voice? ”

“ You are aware of my reputation? ”

“ I assure you … I am anything but interested in you. ”

“ I am so glad you decided to join us this evening. ”

“ I believed the two of you to be friends. ”

“ Do not bring my father into this. ”

“ I know you think you are solving a problem, but you are not. ”

“ Do not make this any more difficult than it already is. ”

“ You like to speak of responsibility? Of duty? Pray tell... What should you know of it? ”

“ I cannot see you anymore. ”

“ I must do what is necessary. ”

“ Mama would never allow me to wear a dress like this. ”

“ The resemblance is remarkable. You look just like him. Your father. ”

“ You will never be my husband. I will never marry you. ”

“ Do you think yourself better than me? ”

“ It would be best for you to leave. ”

“ You should be thanking me. ”

“ I am your last hope. ”

“ I do not mock you. I am being sincere. ”

“ We could pretend to form an attachment. ”

“ It is an absurd plan. ”

“ Life as a duchess will have many demands. ”

“ You do want our plan to succeed, do you not? ”

“ You must know you did nothing wrong. ”

“ Having a nice face and pleasant hair is not an accomplishment. ”

“ If I were a man, I could do that, you know. ”

“ Surely you can understand that family must come before all else! ”

“ Do you know how precarious of a situation we are in, boy? ”

“ So, you are not dead, after all. ”

“ I see you’ve not learned any manners. ”

“ I could not very well be frightened. So, instead, I made myself frightening. ”

“ There is only so long one in a position such as ours can hide. ”

“ I must know whether I can count on you. ”

“ You are to be buried if you so much as look in her direction. ”

“ I am quite capable of speaking for myself. You had no right. ”

“ The young lady is as rare a treasure as there is. ”

“ Last night was a mistake, I admit. ”

“ It is illegal, not to mention positively horrific. ”

“ You and Papa…The two of you were so beautiful, Mama. That is what I wanted. That is all I hoped to one day find. ”

“ Suppose I want a different life, that I truly believe I am quite capable of something more. ”

“ I dare say I would be a fool at this point not to be terrified. ”

“ I will not tolerate a bully. ”

“ Is there something funny about my name? ”

“ You have returned to take your rightful place. ”

“ Our plan has worked thus far. ”

“ You cannot hide me away forever. ”

“ What you want became immaterial long ago. ”

“ You are to be fitted for a new wardrobe. ”

“ Surely you cannot be surprised. You know how this works. ”

“ Your gown — it is exquisite. ”

“ You know, you are always welcome here. ”

“ Sometimes I think on the meaning of the words I sing. ”

“ The things I know are certainly not for your ears. ”

“ You must simply know some people are not meant to be together. ”

“ I have always thought that an appreciation of the arts is what lifts us beyond mere animals. ”

“ What are you doing, hiding away in here? ”

“ She knows everything about everyone. ”

“ You could use the practice, I’m sure. ”

“ You wish to follow your heart, and I wish to nurture my mind. ”

“ You never see things from my perspective. ”

“ We both know I taught you better than that. ”

“ You’d actually have to be interesting for me to bother spying on you. ”

“ You’re a man, therefore you have everything. ”

“ I do hope you have finally given it a name. ”

“ We were never friends. ”

“ I do not believe there could be a more ridiculous notion than that of us ever being friends. ”

“ You were a convenience… a diversion, a pretty one at that, but nothing more. ”

“ I’m not here because I’m jealous. ”

“ Your responsibility will always be to that title, above all else. ”

“ You are perfection itself. ”

“ I was afraid you had forgotten. ”

“ How dare you conduct yourself in such a brazen manner? ”

“ I am delighted to see you here today, though surprised. ”

“ Most ladies I have met cannot seem to reconcile their delicate sensibilities with the brutality of fights. ”

“ Let us not exaggerate my role. I am a mere pupil. ”

“ They are the dearest thing in the world to me. ”

“ I believe I owe you an apology ”

“ Perhaps one day the two of us will be able to laugh at all this? ”

“ The young man I have always taken pride in raising, well… I would have expected more. ”

“ You allowed that young lady to slip through your fingers as if it were nothing. ”

“ Love conquers all. ”

“ You did not hesitate to steal my chance for happiness away, did you? ”

“ I never thought you capable of being my enemy. ”

“ You look absolutely exquisite, as always. ”

“ I do not know what I was expecting, but it surely was not this. ”

“ They speak of war abroad as if it will distract from inequities at home. ”

“ How dare you question my choices? ”

“ I do not have to explain myself to you. I do not owe you anything. ”

“ You cannot tell me what to do. ”

“ You have great potential. ”

“ I did what I was told, I did my best. ”

“ What exactly are you hoping to find? ”

“ I want you to know I am not angry with you. I do not blame you. ”

“ Do not treat me like a child. ”

“ I should have protected you better. ”

“ You think that just because I am a woman, I am incapable of making my own choices? Is that it? ”

“ Whatever the insult, apologize, and he will surely be a forgiving man. ”

“ I believe you may have strayed too far from home tonight. ”

“ We cannot be together. I know that now. ”

“ Your apology is worth nothing to me. ”

“ You should not have come. My mind’s not changed. ”

“ It is not merely your own life that hangs in the balance now. ”

“ Someone knows what we have done, someone who will surely talk. ”

“ Do you truly hold me in such low regard? ”

“ I know you do not love me, but I never thought you could despise me so. ”

“ You deserve everything your heart desires. ”

#askbox meme #askbox prompt #rp ask meme #ask box #roleplay sentence meme #sentence starters #roleplay prompts #roleplay sentence starters #* sentence meme #rpc help

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looniecartooni · 6 months

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Okay- for over a decade now, I've thought about publishing a comic book series or graphic novel, but have never found the time, energy, or resources to get one off the ground. I've also been really nervous about exposing my writing despite coming up with multiple storylines in my life. I am planning to start a Kickstarter or something for at least one of them. I know I've pitched creative projects or theories before and haven't gone through with them, but I want to at least see what of things I have developed or began development on interests' people before I start anything.

So... I am going to start a poll. Maybe I'll make one free short comic before I dedicate myself to something that requires funding.

Descriptions below:

These Hands- A first person perspective from former Diamond Cutter infiltrator and later cause of their demise- Mimic the Octopus. See from when he first joined the Diamond Cutters and follow into his fall from grace. Will his plights be sympathetic or shall he be forever scorned by himself and his actions?

A full storyboard draft has already been created for a one-shot story. If chosen, it may take between a couple weeks to over a month to release (depending on my college schedule)

Henchmen for Hire- A cowardly magician with the power of luck on her side (and her Eldrich terrain shifter best friend) are stuck in their jobs as Henches for Hire for random Elites and criminals of their world, escapading on dangerous quests through ancient caves to find mysterious power sources and ancient treasures. While life is fairly comfortable (despite them having to live in a cave themselves because how can you live in a nice place when you're stuck in such a shady business?), the past is catching up to them, and one of them has a knife. Can these two ever live without the fear of being alone and helpless when nothing but danger plagues their lives?

This series is one of the ones I am currently working on and its still very early in development. It may take a couple months, maybe even a year to complete. There are maybe 3 stories and 5 or 6 plot points planned out. But I'm having a lot of fun with it and do hope to make something off it some day.

Experimental Living- A mad geneticist and engineer finally returns home from his stay in prison and is ready to wreak havoc on the world with his new genetic experiments. However, things do not go as planned and in order to keep his cover as a "reformed" villain, he must raise them as if they were his children, which the 10-year-old and 6-year-old are more than happy with. With help from his Henchmen, constant harassment from his mystic and militant father, and suspecting eyes of heroes and citizens, will this evil villain turned single dad ever succeed in his violent plans to save the world?

I storyboarded almost the entire series and a sequel series for this for almost a full year. There are still many parts that need to be tweaked or rewritten as there are gaps and maybe some problematic elements, but this could be something that could get started sometime in the Summer. I want to be able to fund it, but I don't have the elements to do so at the moment and I'm afraid the premise is a bit too close to the idea of a Starline, Surge, and Kit AU. Though it is more loosely inspired by them with a lot more to it than that, I don't know if I might run into some copyright issues if I go through with it, no matter how loosely the characters or premise are to their inspirations.

Journey of Eclipse- The Light had fended off the Darkness for hundreds of years, constantly sealing it in a cave to protect the world from his curse. Now, a child born from the Light and conceived by the Darkness must tread on a perilous journey to save his mother from the curse that now finally firmed its grasp on her. But this story is not so black and white, and the circumstances that lead to the birth of such a child may have a much more deep-rooted tale than what has been told.

I had this idea back in High School and recently revisited it. I would imagine that it would be a rather short series or graphic novel, but may need a few months to fully get a good narrative out of it. There is a clear beginning, middle, and end, but much more needs to be fleshed out and reconfigured to tell a well thought out tale.

Angel Story- A long time ago, super soldiers known as "angels" were created to protect villages from strange dark entities referred to as "demons" or "shadows". With the dark entities seemingly vanished, the angels and their children were now declared to be the protectors against criminals and symbols of order. However, new chaos arises as these angels are seemingly vanishing, or getting corrupted by a similar energy to that of the shadows which should be impossible. Now a new crew of angels must try and stop these new monsters and the energies that are driving them.

Only one plotline of this supposed to be short series has been fully developed, but it's fun to work on and reread the storyboards for. It may take a few months give or take to fully start, but I feel it will be a fun read when worked out to its full potential.

I have quite literally cabinets full of stories that I have created since freshman year of high school and have on and off worked on quite a few. There are some others that I am currently working/reworking on such as a superhero trying to find out what happened to her superhero dad while being raised by her evil uncle. Feel free to ask for more information on any of these projects or any other projects. I've been too scared to bring them up or publish any creative projects because of being overwhelmed with school and fear of possible backlash. But I'd be happy to share anything people might want to ask about- I want to know if I could actually do this or if this is one of those dreams I've got to just put on the back burner.

I'll still create just random fan stuff for BBU and things like that. I did try to start a videogame/visual novel last year, but that never truly got really developed or much attention. I might work on other different kinds of projects in the future when I have the time, money, and energy (or stop making excuses). But for now- let me know what you guys think (very kindly) and if you'd ever wat to see an independent project created by me. If not- that's fine too, just please be nice if you think this isn't a good idea.

If no one chooses anything- that's fine too. I'd probably still do something eventually or try my shot again with other pitches. I welcome any advise for creating, publishing, self-publishing, legally making money or legally getting money to make something, ect. I'll be posting on other social medias as well. Let me know your thoughts (nicely and constructively). Thank you.

#my writing #writing advice #advertising myself #sonic idw #writing pitches #my art

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stressed-sock · 2 months

Note

Apologies, something came up.

Other Anon, how dare thee imply that her Majesty isn't capable of getting these riches and a glorious throne?

It doesn't matter however, for I shall give her more! No mere peasant mortal like you could ever give her treasures unlike any other. For I, [REDACTED], slayer of mythical beasts and explorer of nightmare-ish dungeons, child of the human realm and student of the demon realm (:D), can and WILL be the new master of war and holder of titles. Your swordsmanship is and forever will be nothing compared to me and my axe. I will put you down 6ft underground where you belong, where you will be humbled.

My Queen deserves nothing more than the best of the best. And you? You are not that. I can be much much more.

(Have a great day though, other anon and Lin!)

a challenger approaches!!

(you have an axe? neat!)

also I thought it’d be fun to doodle the two of y’all XD

pardon the lack of eyes and random hair - by nature of anons I don’t know who either of you are lmao

#ask #have a great day as well!#sketch #anon duel

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brain-rot-central · 1 year

Text

I had a thought the other day. Really wish I could draw because I'd love to fucking draw this:

(Ascended Astarion coming to find my Tav [Liriel] a few months/years later because she initially refused his offer to turn her into a spawn.

Now that the rush of newfound power and awe has subsided, he needs to have her back. Basically Liriel lives in an apartment above a shop in Baldur's Gate and leaves her balcony window open one night. Astarion has of course had eyes on her this entire time; his new hoard of spawn and thralls have had specific orders to watch her from the shadows but never touch, giving him periodic updates on how she's doing.)

A small white bat flies through her window and perches atop the back of a chair, across from her bed. Liriel looks up from the book she's reading, tilting her head to the side as she contemplates the white fur of the bat. She doesn't recall ever seeing a bat with white fur, until it clicks. "...Astarion?" she questions.

The bat opens its wings as if to take flight, summoning a puff of white smoke. Astarion comes into view as the haze begins to clear. "It's rather dangerous for a young woman to leave her window open at this time of night," he says as he begins walking toward her bed, helping himself to a seat on its edge.

(Basically they go back and forth until Liriel inevitably agrees to become a vampire, though on a few conditions.)

"You need only ask, my love, and it shall be yours," he coos into her neck.

(She's straddling his lap on the edge of the bed at this point.)

Her hands are in his hair as she speaks into his ear. "I will bear your live-born children. Two, to be exact." Her hands travel down to hold each side of Astarion's face, gently directing it upward so he could meet her gaze. "Then, and only then, Astarion, will I submit to your request. However..." She watches as his eyes travel down to her mouth, and she feels the expanding of his chest as he takes a deep breath.

"Look at me, Astarion," she demands. His eyes travel back to her own as one of her thumbs gently strokes his cheek. "You will make me a vampire. I will be no spawn, no creation of yours. I will be my own being." His eyes narrow into slits as his nostrils flare. "Surely you of all individuals could understand why, hmm?"

"You'd like me to sire your children, though you ask to become my competition? How exactly is that a fair deal for me?" Astarion's hands move from her hips up to her waist, one hand traveling further up the middle of her back.

"They won't only be my children, Astarion. They're ours. Our creations. Our legacy." The pad of her thumb swipes gently across his bottom lip. Liriel gave a soft chuckle. "I would never challenge your rule. You'd govern all of Faerun as their 'Forever Master and Lord Astarion Ancunin,' and I their 'gentle Lady Liriel.' The people will love you, bow willingly to you, and I will stand proudly at your side as they offer their necks, and their lives, to your whim."

Liriel felt a small rumble escape Astarion's chest. She watched his eyes fall closed as he hummed in approval at her words. "That does sound quite delectable, my treasure."

When Astarion opens his eyes, Liriel sees the lustful stare she'd come to know years ago. Hurried couplings in the forests of Faerun, rough and messy. Unpracticed rutting out of pure desperation, not knowing what tomorrow would bring. It had ended in a confession of emotion by Astarion, allowing for more fonder matters of the heart to take root. For a small moment, Liriel sees the love that was ever-present in his soft gaze. Only ever directed at her. She recalls words he'd spoken to her as she was wrapped in his arms, "I'm doing this for you, too, you know. For us."

Astarion's lips find hers, and a hand comes up from her side to cover her own on his cheek. He gently peels Liriel's hand from his cheek, turning his face to place kisses into her palm. "If that is what you're proposing, my love, then I believe I can be persuaded."

(Liriel ends up birthing twins, a boy they name Nathaniel and a girl they name Anastasia. Astarion assigns Liriel a personal guard during her pregnancy named Gideon; Liriel inevitably asks Gideon to become Anastasia's protector after birth. He basically acts as a second father figure when Astarion is away conquering new lands.

I really love the idea of Astarion and Liriel having kids ahhhhhhh I really wish I could draw!! Maybe I'll write some more about them.)

#drabble #ascended astarion #astarion #astarion ancunin #bg3 Astarion #fanfiction #writing #bg3 #baldur's gate 3

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torreshalstead · 8 months

Text

On a crowded street in 1944 - Chapter 5

Summary - The four walls of Upton’s General Store were all Hailey knew although she longed to see what else life had to offer. When a handsome soldier walks through the door, she thinks he might just be the answer to the life she wants to have. But it was 1944 and the country was at war. Would fate smile on her or would her heart be another casualty of the war?

Chapters - 5/15

Notes - we are now fully entering our letter era so happy reading! ❤️ AO3 Link

July 1944

Waiting for Jay’s next letter felt like waiting for rain in the middle of summer, painfully slow and every letter through the mailbox felt like the next cloud that would end the long drought. The first week she had almost grabbed the letters out of the mailman’s hands until her father had scowled at her for opening the door in her nightgown. After the first week the days seemed to drag, anytime she failed to see the newly familiar handwriting adorning an envelope, her stomach would drop a little further and her smile would shift from her face.

She had tried to write a letter to him so when his arrived she would be able to mail it back to him immediately and not put him through the torturous wait that she was enduring. But she found she didn’t have the words. How do you write a response to a letter you are yet to receive? How do you explain to someone that you only got to experience a short amount of time with, that they have forever changed your life?

Dear Jay

That sounded too impersonal.

Dearest Jay

That sounded like she was just repeating his words back to him.

Jay

She had scratched that out as quickly as she had written it, the scrunched up piece of paper ending up being singed by the candle to save herself the embarrassment of her parents finding the remains of the letter.

My Dearest Jay,

Everyday I have waited for your letter to arrive, to read your words again and know that you are okay and what we have isn’t just a dream.

Thank you doesn’t seem enough for the gift of the book, Mr Periot really does know how to solve a murder and Agatha Christie writes like no one I have ever read before. I shall keep it safe for you so when you return, we can read it together back on our bench.

Life in Chicago is just how you left it, the summer is hot and unfortunately you are the only person to ever have offered me a cold soda. I wouldn’t accept one from anyone else now anyway. My father is at least being kept busy with his new business deal which gives me plenty of time to read and reread your notes. I think I know them by heart by now.

I hope this letter brings you joy and makes you smile, just as yours does to me.

I eagerly await your response.

Yours forever,

Hailey

It wasn’t perfect and her handwriting wasn’t as neat as it could be, if her mother ever saw it she would probably be rapped across her knuckles, but it was honest. She had left enough space between the final paragraph and the sign off to include a response to anything he had written in his. The letter was carefully folded and hidden in the book along with the one she treasured from him.

The newspapers were full of stories of the war, of the pride of the nation who was fighting for freedom overseas. But among the positive, there was always a list of names of those who would not be returning home to their loved ones.

Every night when her knees hit the floor and she clutched her hands tightly together she prayed he would come home safe. Come home to her.

——————————————————————————

Hailey had made a decision that checking the mail for his letter was the reason it had yet to arrive, somehow she was the cause of the delay. So she pushed the thought of him and his letter to the back of her mind and continued to work through her everyday life, ignoring the fact the feeling of his lips on hers was still filling her dreams every night when her head hit the pillow and her eyes fluttered closed.

‘Letter for you Hailey,’ her father said in passing, dropping the letter onto the counter as he headed to the back door. He must have picked them up this morning and forgotten to hand them over, it was already past 2 in the afternoon. He had Jay’s letter in his possession for hours before giving it to her.

There were hours when his words were within her grasp and she hadn’t known.

‘Thank you father,’ she choked out as she picked out the letter with trembling fingers. It was his handwriting. It was finally here.

‘I’ll be late tonight, help you mother clear up after dinner,’ he grunted as he closed the door behind him. Hailey didn’t know why he wasted his breath, she always helped her mother. It was he who always seemed to fail to remember that the dishes did not wash themselves in the same way that the food was not magically cooked or his clothes magically cleaned and mended.

She folded the letter and slipped it into her pocket - she couldn’t read it now, the store was still open and a customer could appear and need assistance. But she could feel it burning a hole in her dress, the need to rip open the envelope and read it immediately was almost more than she could bear.

But she also wanted, no she needed, to read it alone.

Getting through the rest of the day was like trying to walk through molasses. Every customer seemed to need more help than the previous one. Hailey spent 20 minutes trying to explain the difference between evaporated milk and milk powder to an elderly gentleman who decided to buy neither. She had to clean up a spill from where two kids had decided to shake up their bottles of pop after purchasing them and causing them to spray all over the front of the counter. Each task was more painful than the next.

‘Hailey dear,’ her mother appeared downstairs just before the shop was due to close. Her mother usually stayed upstairs and away from the store, Hailey was never completely certain why but she seemed to find many a task to occupy her time upstairs.

‘Yes mother,’ Hailey smiled, her fingers brushing the corner of the envelope tucked into her pocket. Warmth spreading through her chest at the contact.

‘I was wondering if you’d like to take a walk with me this evening?’ She asked with a gentle smile.

Hailey was taken aback. She loved her mother but similar to how she didn’t come down to the store often, she frequented the outside of their small bubble even less. The idea of being even more delayed from reading Jay’s letter was not appealing but spending time with her mother, that she valued deeply.

‘I’d love to,’ she said softly, knowing that the words on the page would still be there later.

‘I’ll pop down again in a couple of minutes when you’ve closed up,’ she said before turning heel and walking back upstairs.

Hailey wondered what had brought it on but she wasn’t going to question it, they very rarely got to spend any time together.

——————————————————————————

The pair strolled in a pleasant silence down the street, glancing through shop windows and smiling at passers-by.

‘Shall we pop into Mrs Smith’s? Her mother offered and Hailey’s mouth fell open in shock.

‘Really?’ Her mother knew of her love for reading but also knew of her father’s distaste for it.

‘Your birthday is not far off, if you find something you like, maybe it can be an early present for you,’ she smiled, holding open the door for Hailey who passed through it with a wide smile.

‘Miss Hailey, how lovely to see you,’ Mrs Smith said loudly from her position behind the counter. There were stacks of books towering around her, to the untrained eye it looked like chaos but Hailey knew that Mrs Smith knew where every single book was in her store - give her the title or author and she could point to it immediately.

‘Afternoon Mrs Smith, mother and I are just going to have a look around if that’s okay?’ She asked, aware it must be close to closing time for her as well.

‘Of course dear,’ she winked warmly and settled back down to continue to organise the stacks.

This was one of Hailey’s favourite places, the smell of the books, the walls covered with stories that could take you out of Chicago and to somewhere else entirely, she’d spend every hour here if she could.

‘Anything you like Hailey,’ her mother whispered to her with a gentle squeeze to her arm.

‘Are you sure?’ She confirmed, it was so unlike her family to offer to buy her anything. In the back of her mind she wondered what had brought this on. Yes her birthday was coming up, her 18th birthday, but still she expected some material which her mother would fashion into a new dress for her. That’s what she got every year, and she treasured each one even though she knew they always choose the material with the cheapest price tag. Frivolous spending was not something the Upton patriarch approved of.

‘I’m sure,’ her mother nodded.

Hailey pulled her into a tight hug before letting her go just as quick and almost bounding down the aisle. As she walked through the stacks, her fingers dragging along the untouched books, with their perfect spines and untouched pages, she was struck by a sudden thought.

Jay had promised to buy her a new book. She had never owned a new book before and she desperately wanted her first to be from him. She wanted all her firsts to be with him. To accept a new book from someone else, even from her mother, it felt like a betrayal.

But how could she explain to her mother that she didn’t want to accept her very generous gift because she was waiting for a gift from someone she couldn’t know for sure was ever going to return home. That felt rude.

Rude or betrayal. Neither were qualities that Hailey ever wanted to embody.

But her heart won out.

She headed to the back corner where Mrs Smith kept the second hand books. If she could select one of these then she could persuade her mother it was the one she desperately wanted, and as long as Mrs Smith didn’t admit to having a new copy tucked onto a shelf, her mother needn’t know the difference.

Some of these pre-loved books were in a better condition than the ones she had hidden in her wardrobe. She read through the different titles, pulling a few out to flick through their pages before settling on an almost pristine copy of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. She had been wanting to get her hands on it for a while but the deliveries always arrived in perfect condition so she had been out of luck.

‘Did you find something Hailey?’ Her mother asked as Hailey found her down the home help section looking at the culinary books.

‘I did,’ she said, holding out the chosen book with a smile.

‘This is used,’ her mother noted, ‘it’s your birthday, I can get you a new one.’ She offered with a smile the hid the shame that she wouldn’t normally buy her daughter something unless someone else had owned first.

‘This is the only copy Mrs Smith has,’ she lied and hoped that she wasn’t about to be caught out, ‘but it’s almost new,’ she said with a smile. ‘And I really want to read it,’ she added.

‘If you’re sure,’ her mother asked with a smile. ‘If it’s what you want then it’s what you get.’

With her almost new book tucked under her arm and Jay’s letter still safe in her pocket, they headed back towards the store. Once they were back inside their little apartment, Hailey turned to her mother.

‘Thank you,’ Hailey said, meaning it truly. ‘I’ve had a lovely time with you this evening.’

‘As have I Hailey,’ her mother smiled. ‘I’m sure you are desperate to start to read that book so how about I give you a call when dinner’s ready?’

‘You don’t want me to help?’ Hailey asked, again shocked by her mother’s kind offer.

‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, hanging up her purse on the hook by the kitchen door and swapping it for her apron. ‘I’ll see you in a short while.’

Hailey didn’t question her again and hurried down to her room, closing the door quickly behind her and placing the book on her nightstand. Pulling out Jay's letter, her hands were trembling again.

She had spent weeks imagining what he had written but now the moment was here, a tiny part of her was worried. What if it didn’t contain the beautifully crafted words of love that she had hoped for, what if it was short and blunt and impersonal. All the possibilities swam through Hailey’s mind.

Swallowing deeply, she carefully pried open the envelope, careful not to rip the return address - 3rd Battalion. She would need that to ensure her return got to him safely.

My dearest Hailey,

Firstly please accept all my apologies that this letter is so delayed in getting to you. I won’t bore you with the details but it took us a while to get settled, I shall leave it at that. But please know that every day I wasn’t writing to you, my thoughts were full of you and the short time we spent together.

I hope you liked your present and the book has provided you some hours of enjoyment. I meant what I said, when I return I shall buy you the books you deserve. You deserve everything good Hailey.

All the boys over here have pictures of their sweethearts that they keep in the pockets over their hearts, they say it keeps them safe but I believe it’s so they feel close to them. I don’t want to ask but if you ever wish to gift me a picture of you, please know I will keep it by my heart every moment. You have left a permanent mark there already.

I hope summer is treating you well and you are enjoying yourself and smiling a lot - a smile like yours deserves to be worn with pride.

I do hope you meant it when you said you would write to me, I patiently but eagerly await your response.

You have my heart,

Yours forever,

Jay.

Hailey fell back onto the bed, clutching the letter over her heart.

He had her heart as well and she knew in that moment that he always would.

#upstead #hailey upton #jay halstead #chicago pd #upstead fic #hailey x jay #chicago pd fanfic #one Chicago #upstead fanfic #chicago pd fic #upstead fanfiction #chicago pd fanfiction

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matchatales · 1 month

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A Warm Night

"Now…goodnight," her voice, ever so bold yet soft, echoed in the quiet chamber. His heart, already captivated, sank deeper into the abyss of her gaze. "Thank you, my lady," he murmured, a warm smile gracing his lips, though his eyes betrayed a yearning that words could not contain. With a resolve that belied his racing heart, he ventured further, "But, pray thee, be careful with my heart, for you see, you’re taking it home with you tonight." His voice, though gentle, carried the weight of truth he could not deny.

She paused, her eyes, those windows to a world he wished to dwell in forever, held his for a moment that stretched into eternity. Her smile, radiant as the sun on a cloudless day, illuminated not just the room but the very essence of his being. "Goodnight, your grace," she replied, her voice a melody that would haunt his dreams. "Goodbye, until we meet again."

As she turned and gracefully departed, her presence lingered in the air, a delicate perfume of longing and promise. Though her footsteps faded into the distance, she remained with him, imprinted on his soul. The room, now void of her physical being, still pulsed with the echo of her smile, the warmth of her gaze, and the unspoken vow that their paths would cross once more.

He stood there, rooted in place, his heart still entwined with hers, knowing full well that the night had taken her away, but in truth, she had never left.

He stood there for a moment longer, the silence of the room now wrapping around him like a cloak. The lingering warmth of her presence began to cool, leaving behind a tender ache in his chest. With a sigh, he turned toward the room where a small, gray cat sat perched on a cushion, watching him intently with eyes that gleamed like twin embers, as through it peeked through his soul and saw to the truth.

"Whiskers" he said, moving toward the feline companion, "you felt it too, didn't you?" He lowered himself onto a nearby chair, the weight of the evening pressing down upon him. Whiskers, ever perceptive, leapt from the cushion onto his lap, settling in with a contented purr.

"What a night, old friend," he murmured, stroking the cat's soft fur. "She has gone, yet it feels as though she has left a part of herself behind. My heart, I fear, is not my own anymore."

Whiskers blinked slowly, as if in understanding, his purring a gentle song to his confused soul. "What am I to do, Whiskers?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have given her my heart, and I know not whether it was folly or fate. How can a man endure such sweetness, such bliss, and still remain whole?"

The cat, wise in the ways of silent companionship, simply curled tighter in his lap, offering comfort in the only way he knew how. The man smiled, the touch of her hands still lingering at the corners of his lips. "Perhaps," he continued, "I am but a fool, speaking to a cat as if you could offer counsel. Yet, there is something in your presence that steadies me."

He paused, his thoughts drifting back to the moments just passed. "She smiled, Whiskers. A smile that could light the darkest of nights. And when she spoke those final words 'Goodbye, until we meet again' it was as if she had woven a spell around my very soul. How do I live in the meantime, knowing she walks this earth, but not by my side?"

Whiskers responded with a soft nuzzle against his hand, a reminder that in this moment, at least, he was not alone. "Aye, perhaps you are right," the man said, his tone lighter now. "Perhaps I must be patient. If the Fates are kind, our paths will cross again. Until then, I shall treasure this night, this memory, as the flame that keeps me warm."

He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes for a moment, letting the quiet of the room seep into his bones. "Thank you, Whiskers," he whispered, "for listening, for being here. We shall face the days ahead together, you and I."

And with that, he let the fire burn low, blissful, he moved to sit in the stillness, the warmth of his cat and the memory of her smile sustaining him through the long night.

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splendentmoon · 10 months

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IDo you know that one scene in Rapunzel where Rapunzel promises Gothel to stay with her if she lets Eugen go ? I just had to think about the Jade Prince in this situation (because I live this au 🥹!) and here is the result :

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Macaque and Wukong find themselves surrounded by celestial warriors, dozens of spears pointing at them. The emperor has created a binding seal, trapping the two monkeys in place. Even the great sage is powerless against the might of the man who holds the very fabric of the realm together. Emperor be damned.

MK struggles against the guards, their iron grip preventing him from escaping and helping the monkey demons – his parents.

Jade emperor: Now look what you've done, Yu. Oh don't worry dear. We will find a nice mountain for those two insufferable demons to trap them under. Permanently. And as for you? You are going where no one will ever find you, again.

In a desperate struggle, MK fights even more against the guards hold. His blindfold slips off, unveiling the burned upper half of his face – the unsightly, imperfect side. His shame. The part his grandfather wishes to hide.

Jade emperor: YU, REALLY! ENOUGH ALREADY! STOP. FIGHTING ME!

MK: NO! I won't stop.

Looking directly the emperor in the eyes, his golden eyes shine against the red, burned scars surrounding them.

MK: For every minute of the rest of my life I will fight. I will never stop trying to get away from you….But, if you spear them.. I will go with you.

Macaque: No. No, Xiaotian...

MK: I'll never run, I'll hide my imperfections and never try to escape.

He lifts the blindfold from the ground, showing his choice to hide the scars and everything they stand for. He turns off his gold vision. He will never show his monkey features or abilities ever again. Everything that could link him to his loving and kind parents must be erased and hidden.

He puts the blindfold over his eyes to show his resolve to distance himself from his monkey origin. Giving the emperor what he wants.

MK: Just let them go. And I will stay in the palace. Forever, just like you want. Everything will be the way it was. I promise. Just like you want. Just let them go.

Jade emperor: I know you always keep your promises. Fine, I shall grant you your wish. The monkeys will be taken to earth and all gateways to heaven will remain shut, to forbid them from ever causing havoc in the celestial real ever again.

Wukong: No, Xiaotian! Don’t do that. We will find another way! We can still save you and take you away from this prison ! Don’t throw away your life. Please!

Rapunzel: Everything is going to be fine. I promise, you have to trust me.

MK forced a calming smile on his face and looked at the direction his father was speaking from. He was glad to not being able to see in that moment. Hearing the desperation in Monkey Kings voice was already tearing his heart apart. The look on his face would surely break him and he can’t do that. Not now. Not when his grandfather is willing to let them go. It doesn’t matter what Yu wants. It never has. He need to be perfect for everyone. He can’t show any cracks in front of the emperor as long as the two monkeys are still in danger. So he smiles. Standing perfectly straight. Standing still…like a doll. Perfect little Yu, the Jade prince, the delight of heaven, the emperors most precious treasure. Not MK, or Xiaotian or himself. Endure, don’t crack, don’t crack don’t crack don’t crack.

Wukong: No...I can't let you do this.

MK (wispers): But I can't let you die.

Wukong: But if you do this...

He couldn’t bring himself to finish.

Macaque answered in his place.

"Then you...will die.“

Tears rolling down his cheeks.

Yu's shock slowly faded as the gravity of the words sank in. They still confused him. He wasn’t going to die. His grandfather loves him. He would never kill him, he would just forbid him from leaving the palace. Yes he would be cut off from Mei and the friends he found on earth and…never taste piggy’s food again or hear Mr. Tangs funny stories and wrong legends about the celestials. Bai He, Sandy, Red Son, EVERYONE. They would be separated from him. Forever. Suddenly Yu understood. This choice he was about to make would in fact kill him. But not like a death sentence. Even worse, a life sentence in this prison of the celestial realm. Is this truly living, he wondered, trapped, alone and without the people he loved ? No. No this can’t be living. His father was right. He was choosing death. Yet he didn’t fear it. Knowing that his family and friends are save is enough. He would suffer an eternal life for them.

MK: Hey. It's gonna be all right.

Wukong: Xiaotian, wait...

Macaque: Please, my baby, don’t…

MK: I am the Jade Emperor and you will address me as such. Farewell monkeys. Forever

Would you believe me if I told you that while I was reading this, I was listening to the song "Mother Knows Best" in my head?

That result was, it was amazing!!!

I read it at least 15 times!

Bravo! Bravo! That would be a story I would read!

God, you gave me ideas for future chapters! Thank you!

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theshotsheardacrossworlds · 8 months

Text

This is a Gift

5 times Astarion told Octavia "This is a gift, you know. I won't forget it" and 1 time she said it to him. Mildly NSFW in some spots and cw referencing sexual assault

“I only need a taste, I swear.” Just a taste. One little taste. You’re a sweet…not so little…thing. Please. One small taste.

Octavia hesitated for a moment and then sighed. “Fine. But not a drop more than you need.”

Finally. Finally!!! “Really? I-of course. Not one drop more. Let’s make ourselves comfortable, shall we?” He watched as Octavia lay back down on her bedroll, noticing she was as tense as a board. Relax. It shouldn’t hurt too much. I hope. When his fangs plunged into her neck, she gasped. Seven hells, if she does that simply from this, I wonder how she sounds when she comes. All in good time, sweetness. I think I have you wrapped around my finger. More. Must have more…

“Astarion, please—” she said with urgency.

And dinnertime is over! “Ah! That-that was amazing. My mind is finally clear. I feel strong. I feel…happy!” Astarion offered Octavia a hand and helped her to her feet. She is…quite beautiful in the moonlight. It’ll make what I must do easier, I suppose.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you fight.”

“Shouldn’t take long. So many people need killing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, you’re invigorating, but I need something more filling.” As he turned to leave, he stopped. “This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.” For the first time in a long time, I will trance with a full stomach. Thank you, Octavia dear.

***

“Astarion, look out!” Octavia screamed as a goblin archer took aim at the elven vampire. Luckily for him, he was able to dodge the arrow. Mostly. It tore the leather on my armor! That little shit! But if she hadn’t warned me, I’m fairly sure that would’ve been a critical hit.

After the battle ended, he walked up to the curvaceous tiefling and grinned. Lay on the charm. She adores it. So easy to please… “Thanks for the heads up, my dear. Now, how should I reward you?”

Her eyes widened. “Um, you’re welcome? I don’t need or want anything, Astarion.”

More charm. “Darling, there must be something.” He flashed his best grin and put a hand on one of his hips. They always want something. Just need to figure out what you want.

To his astonishment, she shrugged in quite possibly the most adorably awkward way ever. She’s such a sweetheart. “I just want you to be safe. That’s all.” Their conversation was interrupted by the Scratch familiar barking. “Looks like he’s found something!” She smiled and walked quickly to the dog.

She…doesn’t want anything. Only for me to be safe. Watching Octavia and Gale cheer Karlach on as she dug to get to whatever treasure Scratch found, he felt tears in his ruby eyes. “This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.”

***

“Did you honestly think, boy, that you could evade me forever? Play adventurer with this…thing?” Cazador sneered, telepathically holding Octavia by the throat. I can’t move. Why can’t I move? Her tail thrashed back and forth. Her bright blue eyes were full of terror. “I thought I raised you better than that. No, I won’t use her for the ritual.” He leered at her, undoing the pins in her hair that Astarion had set that morning. “She’ll make a fine meal after I force you to watch me take her.”

No. Gods no. No. No! NO!

Her eyes somehow got wider. Try to break free, my love. You’re so much stronger than you think you are. “Astarion…” she managed to choke out. “Astarion…”

“Astarion? Love?”

It all happened in seconds.

He sat up straight as he woke from the nightmare.

He screamed her name.

He had not realized that while he was thrashing that he hit her.

“Ow! Astarion, calm down! It’s okay! I’m right here, love! It’s okay.” She pinched her nose with one hand and tentatively reached for him with the other.

What…fuck. Fuck. FUCK. I’ve hurt her. Shit. I never want to hurt her, and she’s…fuck. Monster. You’re nothing but a monster. He crawled away from her slowly, holding up his shaking hands. “Forgive me. I-I…”

“Is everything alright in there?”

“Fine, Shadowheart. Just having a bit of a nosebleed, but it’s already slowing down.”

“Just make sure Astarion doesn’t drain you dry.” She snarked as she left. Octavia peered through the tent flaps to make sure she was gone before she turned to Astarion.

“Love—”

Monster. Monster. Monster. Monster. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me, darling. I’m so sorry. I…I’m…” He felt himself uncontrollably trembling and wet, hot tears dripping down his pale cheeks.

Octavia slowly moved towards him, a warm smile on her face. “Hey, it’s okay. The bleeding’s already stopped, so that’s good. Do you want to talk about it?” She sat next to him and put her right hand palm up on her thigh. If I touch her hand, then she has permission to touch me. A nice little idea she had a while back so I could establish boundaries. My darling is so brilliant. One of his pale hands rested in hers, and he gripped it. Hard. She’s here. She’s fine. She’s safe. She’s perfect. She’s safe. She’s safe…

He shook his head. “No. I frankly never wish to think of it again.”

She nodded. “Do you want to sit here for a while? Do you want to feed? What can I do for you?”

“Hold me, my love.” Astarion was not entirely sure the words left his lips because he said them so softly, but she must have heard. Scooching next to him, one long arm went around his shoulders while the other held a hand. They sat in silence for some time before Octavia fell back asleep.

He watched over her, noting the small smile on her face.

“This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.”

***

“Sweetness, do you mind if we take a raincheck for tonight?” Astarion asked hesitantly, watching Octavia read a book in their room at the Elfsong Tavern. The original plan had been a date night and lovemaking, but even though I wish to, I simply…I can’t. Not tonight.

She looked up from her book and smiled. “Of course, love. Do you still want to go out?”

He frowned. “No. I think for tonight I need some time to myself.” It’s not you, dear. Please don’t think it. I know how you are. You will and then you’ll feel awful, and I’ll feel awful.

“Fine with me.” She closed her book and set it aside. “Hmmm, maybe I could persuade Gale to teach me lanceboard—”

“Darling, please don’t torture yourself.” Who in their right mind would have Gale teach them anything, let alone lancecboard? He rolled his eyes. “Darling, love yourself.”

She rose from her chair, her expression a mix of amused and peeved. “Oh, hush you! Be nice to Gale. He’s a wonderful man and a lovely friend.” She shifted uneasily. “I just didn’t want to automatically say Halsin lest it make you feel bad…because I never want you to feel that way ever again.”

She truly is the sweetest. How lucky am I? He took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. “My dear, I’m always tickled pink when you’re with Halsin. And you always come back so delightfully,” smirking, his fingers danced over the base of her tail. A guaranteed moan every time! “fuck drunk.”

She moaned uneasily, her cheeks turning a dark pink. “I’ll, um, keep that in mind for later, love.” Quickly giving him a kiss, she maneuvered around him to grab her bag and checked her hair. “You relax tonight, okay? There’s still a lot ahead of us I fear, and I worry.” You always worry. Far, far too much.

“Then follow your own advice and relax, sweetness. Now, shoo! Go relax or rut or whatever filthy things you two do.” And soon, very soon I think, I want to watch. He kissed her and guided her outside their room, a deliriously happy grin on her face. Gods, her smile. Perfect in every way. She waved and then practically skipped to Halsin’s door. Astarion watched as she explained that her plans changed and then Halsin wrapped his thick arms around her and nearly lifted her off the ground. They both laughed and then shuffled into his room, the door closing with a bang.

As he laid back down and opened his book, he smiled. “Octavia, my everything---this is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.”

***

“A-are you certain, my love?” Astarion asked with uncertainty. “Halsin darling? Is it true?”

Halsin nodded as he poured some tea. “Yes. Our family will be expecting a little one again in the summer, and this time—”

“The cub is yours, Star.” Octavia said dreamily, hands on her belly. “Just like we wanted.”

Five years since Ianfir’s birth. Three since we started trying for another.

Before he knew it, Octavia reached him in three strides and embraced him, her nose in his white curls. “This is a gift, you know. I won’t forget it.” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. How the three of us have wanted another child, but my sweet treat has wanted this so badly. “I think the newest cub is a girl.” She smiled, still holding him. “Wouldn’t that be lovely?

A little girl.

With my eyes and her nose.

Pale ginger curls.

A tail that will wrap around my hand like Ianfir’s did when he was a baby.

She’ll have Octavia’s smile.

He wept into her shoulder. “Yes. Yes, it would. We’ll name her Helestina. It’s such a beautiful name.” Some time ago, Octavia surprised me with records she obtained from Baldur’s Gate---records of my birth, my graduation from law school, my installation as a magistrate, cases I had ruled on, and my obituary.

Helestina…was my mother.

#octavia harrow #astarion #halsin #octavia x halsin x astarion #halsin silverbough #astarion ancunin #astarion bg3 #halsin bg3 #tiefling tav #plus size tav #ianfir silverbough #5 times 1 time #bg3 fanfic #bg3 fan fiction #octavia “fuck drunk” harrow #soft astarion

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