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fortisfilia · 7 months ago

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Promised Part 14 - Tom Riddle x reader

Info: This is a rewrite of a story I've posted on my old account years ago. If it sounds familiar, that might be why :)

Summary: In this story, Tom didn't grow up as an orphan, but with his grandfather and uncle. Reader's sister got very sick and the Gaunts offer their help. But not without asking for something in return.

Warnings: Arranged marriage

Word count: 3.6k

Masterpost | Masterlist | Part 13 | Part 15

Part 14 - Gaunt Manor

The weeks after Nagini had shed and you had added her skin into the antidote got more and more exhausting. The potion needed tending up to twelve times a day now and unfortunately, you didn’t own a time turner. Both Tom and you had not gotten a full night’s sleep in a while and it started to show. Every day that went by seemed to last for an eternity while the circles under your eyes carved deeper and deeper by the minute.

The curriculum had gotten more challenging, as the teachers were preparing their students for the N.E.W.T.s. Homework was harder and more time-consuming than in the years before and you had to study for hours afterwards as well. These things alone were enough to wear out most students from year seven. Because of that, thankfully no one got suspicious of how drained you looked. Except for Camille. She had started to ask a lot of uncomfortable questions whenever you had left to take care of the potion. She knew you too well. Sneaking out every two hours to go to the Come and Go Room on top of your studies and school work had drained you to the point where you must have looked like a walking corpse.

One day, when Professor Leveret dismissed you after an exceptionally long Astronomy lesson in the late evening, you had reached your breaking point and were on the brink of tears, pondering about failing every single subject at the end of the term. There was little to no energy left inside of you. So little, you couldn’t even bring yourself to cry, but merely stared into space with reddened eyes and parted lips. Tom brought you to his room that night and went to the Come and Go Room alone. And when you were in bed, you were too tired to fall asleep. You never knew that was even possible. But once you weren’t distracted anymore, your mind started to wander. It was impossible to keep up with everything at once. You would either fail your N.E.W.T.s or spoil the potion. The latter would be worse of course and for no price would you let your sister down, so you mentally prepared yourself to leave Hogwarts without graduating. Oh, there were the tears. Finally. They ran and flowed along with hollow sobs and wouldn’t stop now that they were coming.

What if the Gaunts were so appalled by your failure that they would call the wedding off before you could cure Elsie? They could easily paint you as a disgrace for not completing school and make your sister pay for it. No matter how it would turn out, they would take it out on her. The plan had worked so well until now and yet you were still desperately trapped inside Marvolo’s web.

Half an hour must have passed when Tom came back. The cushion beneath you was damp from the tears that had rolled down your cheeks and you held your breath to prevent another whimper from escaping your mouth. You hastily wiped your face and turned your back on him, trying to breathe slowly and act as if you were asleep. But he noticed, of course. And even his well-chosen words of comfort couldn’t ease your mind. You couldn’t let yourself fall into his touch and allow yourself to drift off to sleep because you knew that in two hours, the circle would start once again.

The next day, when you sat on Tom’s sofa together to study for Transfiguration, and you had just started reading the same paragraph for the third time since you just couldn’t concentrate, it just rolled off your tongue.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

Tom looked up from his book. “What, the twentieth chapter? I just-”

“No, not this,” you sighed and threw your book on the coffee table. “I mean everything. This whole situation. It’s too much.”

“Well,” he said and laid his book aside too. “It certainly is a challenging time. The N.E.W.T.s, the schoolwork and the antidote.”

Challenging was an understatement. “I just need a full night’s sleep, or two. And you do too. We need help, it’s inevitable.”

“Help?” he asked, brows raised. “What do you have in mind? Ask Hilt to look after the potion?” His expression changed once he had seen how you shifted. “No. Don’t tell me that’s what you were thinking.”

“I thought about asking Camille for help. She wouldn’t tell anyone and she’s always been great at Potions,” you explained. “And then I thought, Ben would ask her where she’s going all the time. He wouldn’t leave her alone anyway. So I considered telling them both.”

Tom looked like he had been petrified for a second, not moving a muscle. “But you’d have to tell him about the pact.”

“I know.”

“That’s what he was after since the beginning.”

“Yes. But I think we can trust him.”

“You think?” he asked. “Why, because he’s stopped Freda’s quill? That’s enough to gain your trust?”

“It’s not like we have a lot of options, Tom,” you replied, slowly but surely getting annoyed by his constant suspicions. “Camille wouldn’t be with him if he was a snitch.”

“We will just plan better. It won’t be easy, but we-”

“No. This is too much work for two people. Just look at us. We’re both barely keeping up. It won’t be long until we’re completely worn out. We need help.”

Tom’s brows were furrowed, still not convinced even if he understood. You stretched out your hand towards him and waited for him to hold it. “If we don’t ask for help we’re going to mess up. I’ll either fail my N.E.W.T.s or the antidote won’t be finished. No matter what happens, Elsie will pay for it. Please.”

Camille and Ben looked at Tom and you like you had both lost your minds when you took them to the seventh floor. They had asked so many questions on the way there, but you were far too tired to answer them all. Besides, they would just be able to see for themselves in a bit.

When you arrived, you said to them once more, “I’m going to show you something now. And it is unbelievably important that you understand this needs to stay between us. No one else must know.”

Camille and Ben nodded, both with serious and still confused looks o n their faces.

“And might I add,” Tom said as he looked directly at Ben. “That my memory charm is very powerful. If you can’t keep your mouth shut I’ll obliviate you and I might even make you forget that you have magic running through your veins.”

Ben nodded again. “Alright mate, I got it.”

The door to the Come and Go Room appeared and the two wore the same expression that you must have had when you had first seen it.

“Come in,” you said as you opened the door.

The room was a bit tight with the four of you in there. You stirred the liquid inside the cauldron like you did each time while Ben and Camille looked around curiously.

“A potions room?” Camille asked once the door had been closed. “Now, can you please tell us what’s going on?”

You looked at Tom, who stared back at you, lips pressed together and still unsure if what you were about to do was a good idea. But still, he nodded. He had every right to be suspicious, you had to admit now that you had brought them there. But Camille was to be trusted and frankly, you were far too tired to think of any consequences.

So you began to tell them everything from where it all had started, a day before the school year, at your house. Camille knew half of the story already, but once you told them about the Gaunts and that they were the ones who had cursed Elsie, she stood there wide-eyed, just like Ben.

“And this is why I wanted to ask you both for your help with the potion,” you said once you had told them every detail. “If you don’t mind of course. If you’re willing to help, everyone would just have to come here three times a day. That would make our lives a lot easier.”

They didn’t even need to look at each other and nodded right away.

“Of course,” Camille said. “It all makes sense now. Oh, you must be exhausted. Twelve times a day?”

“I can come more often if you want,” Ben chimed in. “I don’t have as much to do as you, my N.E.W.T.s are still a year away and I wouldn’t have bothered studying much this year anyway.”

“What a surprise,” Tom muttered, even though there was a hint of a smirk on his face.

“One more question,” Ben said. “What about the last ingredient? Banshee tears you said, right? Where are you going to get those?”

“Well. That’ll be the final obstacle.”

“My uncle owns a flask,” Tom explained. “He and my Grandfather will be out next week and we’ll go and try to get them. Our house-elves will be on high alert however, so it’s going to be risky.”

“So,” Ben said. “When are we going?”

“We?” Camille and you asked simultaneously.

“You can’t sneak your way in anyway with the elves around, right?” he said. “Four people are a better distraction than two. I’m in.”

“You weren’t even invited in,” Tom said.

“I don’t care,” Ben shrugged. “I’m still in if you need me.”

Tom sighed as he walked in circles around the cauldron, his hand covering his mouth while he considered Ben’s offer. “As much as I hate to admit it,” he then said. “I think you might be right. A distraction could be of benefit.”

“See?” Ben chuckled. “The muggleborn isn’t that dumb after all.”

“Oh brush off the arrogance, Hilt. We don’t have the flask yet.”

“Boys, please. Let’s discuss that another time and let me show you how to tend to the potion.”

You spent the following week planning for Saturday, when the Gaunts would leave their manor to attend the honouring of the Order of Merlin. You had also gotten some most needed hours of sleep. Not only that but just knowing that Camille and Ben were taking some weight off your shoulders made it much easier to concentrate on school and homework as well.

On Saturday evening, when you met at the school‘s fireplace connected to the Floo-Network, you went over your plan again.

“And don’t forget,” Tom said. “There are two house-elves. They’re loud, but not very bright. Much like some Gryffindors.”

Camille stifled a laugh and looked over to Ben.

“Mate,” Ben replied. “Can you stop bullying me? I’m helping you out here.”

“Sorry,” Tom answered and bit the inside of his cheek. “I was just joking.”

“Oh yes. Riddle’s first joke in eighteen years and of course I take the fall.”

“Guys,” you scolded. “Get it together. Do you remember everything?”

“Yes,” Camille replied. “We are Theresa Carrow and Connor Prewett, your new and very pureblooded friends. We’ll be distracting the house-elves while Tom and you look for the flask. Once you got it, Tom will obliviate them and we'll come right back here.”

“Alright then,” you said as you watched Tom disappearing inside the fireplace. “See you there.”

The green flames consumed you whole once you let the Floo Powder fall and transported you swiftly to Gaunt Manor, where you found yourself in a dark hallway, the reception hall, perhaps.

Tom was there already and offered his hand for you to step out of the fireplace. Camille came next, followed right by Ben. Before you could say anything, you heard two raspy, high-pitched voices coming your way.

“Who is it?” one voice asked. “Master? Is it you?”

“Show yourselves,” the other voice croaked and the elf snapped her fingers, making all the candles around the room light up. It still was dim, but you could see them a bit better now. Both of them were wrinkly and old, their faces scrunched up in suspicion. They didn’t look like the elves at your home but were hunching and worn out, completely different to Tummy. The male elf, Scrook, missed a large piece of his left ear and the female one, Hokey, walked with a severe limp.

“Master Riddle,” Scrook said once he had detected him and bowed tediously. “What do we owe the honour? Master Gaunt didn’t tell us you would visit today.”

“He didn’t?” Tom asked. “He must have forgotten. I told him that I’d come by today. Isn’t he here?”

“No Master,” Hokey answered. “They just left thirty minutes ago. Should we inform them for you?”

“Not necessary. I just wanted to treat my friends to dinner, you see. May I introduce you to Miss Carrow, Mister Prewett, and my fiancée.”

“Oh, networking, yes,” Scrook said and bowed once again. “Welcome to Gaunt Manor.”

“Shall we prepare some food for you, Master?” Hokey asked.

“Certainly. Bring my guests to the sitting room, will you? I’ll join in a bit.”

“Of course, Master. Of course.”

The two elves escorted Camille and Ben to the back, bickering and wrangling like an old couple.

“Quick now,” Tom whispered to you and walked the opposite way, towards the basement. The whole mansion was cold and dark, mahogany bleakly spread across the floors and even on some walls. The marble staircase in the entrance hall might have looked impressive, but only added to the frigid aesthetic of the house.

“Allow me to ask, Mister Prewett,” Scrook said while Ben and Camille took a seat. “What magical family do you belong to? I’ve never heard your last name before.”

“I, uh. I’m related to the Black family,” Ben said.

“The noble and most ancient house of Black,” Hokey crowed. “What an honour.”

The corridor to Morfin’s chamber was long, you had walked there for at least a minute, and it got even colder with every step you took. When you finally reached the door at the far end, Tom halted and you took a deep breath. He turned the doorknob, but the entry remained closed.

“Locked,” he said. “Alohomora.”

The door stayed shut. Tom frowned. That would have been too easy.

“A different spell?” you asked. “Or is there a key somewhere?”

He shook his head. “No. It’s a charm.”

Merlin’s beard. What could it be? What could Morfin have done to lock the door? Something that only he or Marvolo would be able to use.

“What about Parseltongue?” you asked. “Does Morfin know it too?”

“Yes,” Tom answered and proceeded to speak unfamiliar words in the language. The doorknob clicked and sprung open by itself. “There we go.”

Meanwhile, in the sitting room, one of the elves got more and more interested in Ben and Camille’s backstory. “Can Scrook offer you a drink Miss? Sir?” he asked, while Hokey was busy in the kitchen. “Please, if you don’t mind, Mister Prewett. Would you tell me how exactly you’re related to Arcturus Black? Master Morfin is on good terms with him and I wonder why I’ve never heard of you before.”

When you entered Morfin’s chamber you were surprised by its size. It was almost as large as the entire Potions classroom in Hogwarts. Dead bats and shrunken heads were hanging down from the low ceiling here and there, along with strange feathers and strings that must have been some creature’s strands of hair. Despite its size, the room was crammed with bottles, finished potions and ingredients of all sorts. It wasn’t messy, not at all, but very chaotic for anyone unfamiliar.

“Morfin arranges everything by type,” Tom said. “Liquids from living creatures must be in this corner then.”

You both started opening one drawer after another and looked for anything that could possibly be Banshee tears.

Ben and Camille still got cross-examined by Scrook. “Interesting, interesting. Mister Black is your great-uncle, you say. Have you met him lately?“

In the chamber, you had searched for over ten minutes already, and gone through hundreds of little flasks. The number of different liquids in this room must have been in the thousands. Slughorn’s stock was absurdly small compared to this.

“Can’t we just use a summoning charm?” you sighed, going through your fifteenth drawer of vials filled with animal blood.

“No,” Tom said while closing a drawer. “The elves would notice it immediately.”

You shoved yet another drawer shut. “Bloody hell. What if it’s hidden?”

“That’s possible,” he mumbled, still scanning over all the flasks inside the cupboard.

“Wait,” you said. “What if we’re looking in the wrong place?”

“All liquids are here, as I said.”

“Yes, but I just remembered. Slughorn said this years ago. Banshee tears when stored, turn into tiny, pearly white crystals.”

Tom lifted his head to look at you.

“Where are the solids stored?”

He pointed at the opposite corner of the room. “Over there.”

At the same time, Hokey brought appetisers into the sitting room. “Enjoy,” she grumbled, her tone not fitting her kind words.

“Thank you,” Ben said after he and Camille had taken some canapés from the tray.

Both elves froze, deeply offended. “Sir, you have not just thanked Hokey, have you?” Scrook asked.

“Of course not,” Camille answered, holding her head high. “What are you thinking? He thanked me for handing him a canapé.”

“I see,” Scrook said, eyes narrowed. “I’ll go and look for Master Riddle now. He’s taking awfully long, whatever he’s doing.”

“No!” Camille and Ben shouted which led the elf to turn back around.

“No,” Camille repeated, her voice a lot calmer. “I’d like to know more about this house. Can you tell us how long you have worked for the Gaunts?”

In the chamber, you went through the flasks and glass containers on the other side of the room, where the solid ingredients were stored, while Tom still roamed the liquids. And finally, between fairy wings and unicorn liver, lay a tiny flask of Banshee tears.

“Got it,” you called. “There it is.”

Tom walked right over and checked out the flask too. “Very smart thinking.”

“Let’s go.”

Scrook had gotten disturbingly close to Ben. “I’ll gladly tell you all about this house, Miss,” he said, not taking his eyes off the boy. “When Mister Prewett reveals his real name.”

“My real name?” Ben asked. “What do you mean?”

“You’re not a pureblood, are you?” the elf hissed. “I can smell it.”

“Excuse you, elf! I must have misheard you,” Camille bellowed. She was a much better actress than Ben. “You surely didn’t mean to insult Mister Prewett in that way. Now apologise.”

Before they knew it, Scrook had gripped Ben’s hand and pulled it towards himself, sniffing at the inside of Ben’s underarm. “I knew it!” the elf yelled. “Mudblood! Hokey quick, alarm the Masters!”

Hokey came running in from the kitchen at the same time as Tom and you arrived in the sitting room. All three of you stood there in the archway and looked at Camille, Ben and Scrook in disbelief.

“Traitors!” Scrook screamed and accidentally knocked the tray of canapés off the table. “What have you done, Master Riddle? Bringing a mudblood into these halls.”

Ben had finally wrenched his arm away from the elf, holding on to it tightly while standing up straight, his chest heaving.

“The Masters must know,” Scrook whined and turned around. “We have to tell them immediately, Hokey.”

“Enough,” Camille said as she rose from her seat. “Stupefy!”

In an instant, Scrook fell to the floor without another word, completely unconscious. Hokey let out a yelp at the sight, turned around and ran toward the kitchen.

“Quick, before she apparates,” you shouted.

“Stupefy,” Tom called with his wand pointed at Hokey. “We don’t have much time. The charm wears off on elves much quicker than on humans.”

Ben and Tom dragged the two elves to the entrance hall and dropped them next to the fireplace, while Camille cleaned up the mess on the floor, where the canapés had landed.

When you had gathered by the fireplace again, Scrook already opened his eyes, blinking slowly.

“Leave,” Tom urged and pointed his wand at the elves. “Obliviate.”

Camille went first and disappeared into the flames, followed by Ben and you.

Back in Hogwarts, when Tom stepped out of the fireplace, you finally felt like you were able to breathe again.

“We did it,” you said and fell into his arms. “I can’t believe we really did it.”

Tom held you for a moment, his arms wrapped tightly around your waist, then moved his head and looked at Ben when he let go. “What happened?”

Ben still hadn’t calmed down. He rubbed his hands on his trousers and shook his head. “I don’t know. They were shocked when I thanked them for serving us food. Then the elf said he could smell that I’m not a pureblood.”

“You thanked them?” Tom asked. “Elves don’t accept that.”

“How am I supposed to know that? I’ve never seen a house-elf before.”

“Forget about that now,” Camille interrupted. “Did you get them? The Banshee tears.”

“Yes,” you said and pulled them out of your pocket. “We got them.”

Masterpost | Masterlist | Part 15

Tags: @ariachaos @daardyrnitta

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st-asya · 3 months ago

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The stabbing scene, my beloved. I feel like I'll never run out of something to say, gonna be a habit of mine to never stop talking about it. My first post about it was the first thing that came to my mind, then I read the posts in the reblogs (and discovered a whole new world of the fascinating details I didn't even think of before), and they made me think of taking a closer look at this scene, but from a different angle.

Originally the post was supposed to contain nothing but the third paragraph, but I got a little carried away, so... (I swear to God, someday I'll write a book about this scene). This is gonna be endless cause making several posts doesn't feel right for some reason. I've never used so many parentheses in one post till now.

Ed somehow managed to make 'stab me' sound more sexually charged than 'fuck me', talk about having a way with words. I mean I know the whole scene imitates life (hence this scene is art), well, a certain intimate part of life, obviously, but still...

He is not even trying to make it sound at least a little less intense. He sounds almost demanding, but it's with a pretty soft touch to it still (dare I say seductive?) ('stab me') and very calm, collected, encouraging ('run me through') as if not to scare Stede off cause this whole training session is taxing enough as it is already, Ed's hesitation or uncertainty wouldn't make things better for sure, so he needs to maintain an aura of a confident leader. He calls the shots, after all (and he just wants to be yours, Stede).

The way Ed carries himself in this scene is beautiful, charming even, to the point it's a tad sad, to the point you might wanna find a way to protect him for his own good, so there's this bittersweet kinda feeling. He's being borderline painfully sincere, there's no pretence of any kind because that harsh manner of dealing with the situation is the only one he's familiar with so he gives it his all, cuz there's literally nothing else to channel this energy into, I suppose. I find it marvelous cause he's so authentic in his ability to show it completely unashamedly (not only out of necessity, you gotta have balls to do it too). That's just who he is, take it or leave it (well, so far at least). The sad part is to be sincere is to be vulnerable, soft, to let your guard down (and it's scary as fuck) and, understandably, Ed has a certain kinda problem with that.

It's not a fight with an enemy, he doesn't have to be worried about being killed, but he still chooses to teach a lesson by letting Stede hurt him basically, of his own volition (he had it done to him dozens of times, he's a tough guy, we get that, but stabbing is stabbing, he can get used to it alright, but it doesn't change the fact that he still has his guts rearranged somehow and I'm sure it can't really feel good (well certainly not when a bloody sword is involved and not some other thing that can also penetrate the body which is not the case, even if it looks like (is meant to look like) some bizarre interaction of some pretty intimate nature, the situation is far from the possibility of either of them being docked, cause the damn ship is in the middle of nowhere, and the damn sword goes somewhere it does not belong under ordinary (well relatively) circumstances). So if we're not talking about the metaphorical interpretation (which is hard to ignore), it's a pretty tough way to teach someone how to do something.

What I'm saying is they didn't have to go all the way cuz it's a simulation (but piracy is very much real and it's not exactly a bed of roses, you gotta be prepared or you're gonna get killed, brutal and unfair as it is, it's the way life operates), but Ed still went for it. A pretty selfless thing to do, and what's interesting about it is it's not about feeding his ego (maybe it's because it's well-fed already btw, I mean all the legends, rumors and whatnot, I'm not saying Ed is full of himself, the analogy about being hungry and being fed has just crossed my mind for some reason, and I wanted to put it here), he clearly cares and not for some selfish reasons (even though he could, oh God, that's starting to look like a separate post).

I may be overthinking and overanalyzing it (not only this part, but the post as a whole, but oh well), but there's another fascinating thing about this scene, and it's the placement of the wound. It's in the stomach. In some Slavic languages 'stomach' literally means 'life' if we talk about its archaic usage, they even sound similar there, in English it's the word not only for a body part, but also for the ability to put up with something (well, with a certain kind of discomfort that Ed needs to endure for it to be profitable for Stede in the future in this case). So one would say it's a pretty vital part of a body (Ed himself admits there are important bits there, after all), and Ed doesn't protect it from Stede, doesn't conceal it. Even if it's essentially counterproductive. Not only does he say 'stab me', he literally shows where, gets the jacket out of the way, partially gets rid of the leather that's become his second skin which helps him feel safe, protected, an extra layer distancing him from an unpredictable outer world he's defenceless against and has no control over, shows he's vulnerable, naked if you will. Literally, cause there is a sliver of bare skin.

He literally trusts him with his life. With a fraction of it for now. Voluntarily. But he's still in control cause he knows how to navigate Stede's newfound ability to cause damage in such a way that he doesn't get hurt badly (it's 'I cleverly took the sword on the left', not 'you ran the sword through there', but at the same time it's 'you managed to avoid all the important bits' (he freaking WINKS at Stede (well, kinda.

or I'm just going insane cause I've stared at this bit of the vid and rewound it an unhealthy number of times), can you be any less subtle, my dude, you're down BAD), that sounds like an encouragement of sorts, like a 'well done' from a teacher helping his student gain confidence, I would even say it sounds kinda like a thank you for not betraying his trust, for not abusing his vulnerability, I mean Stede hardly comes off as some batshit insane type with no knowledge of boundaries, but you never know, especially when you've just met him). Ed trusts him, but he's still alert. But he's already ready to risk his comfort (which includes a wide range of things) for Stede to stay safe if his life is ever in danger.

The question which one of them fell first might be up for debate, but the fact that Ed fell harder is pretty evident, I think.

#ofmd #our flag means death #stede bonnet #ed teach #blackbonnet #s1 ep6

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bullet-prooflove · 7 months ago

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Send me a made-up fic title and I'll tell you what I would write to go with it

5 Times That Matthew Keller Almost Said "I Love You" and the 1 Time He Finally Did

The first night he killed for you. He has no problem with putting a bullet in anyone or using a knife if it’s protecting his own interests. You were just another partner, someone he needed to help pull off the con, he shouldn’t give a shit about leaving you high and dry even if he is sleeping with you. But he finds himself lingering, waiting for you to exit the building and then you just don’t… So he does back in, he sees that security guard with his hands on you, touching you and honestly he loses his shit. This isn’t a reaction, it’s overkill. He shoots the fucker in the chest until the clip runs out, until the gun stops discharging bullets. It’s later that night when he’s fucking you, that the words almost roll off his lips. He’s looking into your eyes and he can’t stop thinking about the fear he felt in that moment, the rage and he realises that he would do anything for you, anything you god damn asked him.

There’s a night when he comes home from casing a job, you’re standing there in nothing but his shirt, painting on a canvas, it’s something you do for fun, to relax. You’re good at it, some of your work hangs in the indie galleries. It’s how you met, him studying your work during one of the shows he was vetting. He realises that he likes, coming home to you, watching you, being with you. He likes it a lot. When he comes to stand behind you, he wraps his arms around you, his face buried in your throat and he thinks this is home, this is the place he’s meant to be. He almost whispers it against your skin, but he stops himself. He always stops himself.

The morning he leaves. He wakes up beside you, it’s the third night in a row he’s told himself he’s going, the third night in a row he’s stayed. His thumb chases over the apple of your cheek and he finds himself smiling because you just look so beautiful when you sleep, his lips brush over yours and it is just the sweetest sensation. He almost says it then, I love you, I want to stay here with you but he catches himself because doing that means admitting he’s vulnerable and Keller, he just can’t allow himself to do that so he forces himself to leave, to sell the Degas and disappear to Europe.

The night he calls you from a hotel room in Europe. He’s drunk on an expensive bottle of wine and he’s just fucked another woman but he can’t stop thinking about you, how he wishes he was fucking you, sleeping with you. After she leaves he picks up the phone and calls you but he gets your voicemail and he almost says it then, he almost says I love you, I miss you but he doesn’t. Instead he listens to the sound of your voice over and over again until he falls asleep.

When he comes back. He stands on the balcony and he watches you fuck another man. He knows you’re teaching him a lesson, that he deserves it but it but it hurts like a hell. That night when he comes to you, when he submits to you, he almost tells you then. His hands are bound above his head and you’re riding him slowly, your gaze locked on his. There’s such an intimacy in that moment, such sensuality. He can’t explain what it does to him to be back here like this with you. You don’t understand how much I love you, he almost says, how much it scares me.

When he does say it, he’s holding you in his arms and there’s blood on your lips because Woodford, he figured it out, that you didn’t want him, that you didn’t love him so he shot you, he shot you in the chest. He left you to die in the bed where Matt made love to you this morning, where he kissed you goodbye before he moved millions for that man.

“I love you,” Matt whispers as he cradles you against to his chest. “Don’t you dare leave me here alone.”

Love Keller? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

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#matthew keller #matthew keller x reader #white collar

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be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie · 2 years ago

Note

do you have any post adoption of spider headcanons? i live for your content about him and the rest of the sullies lol

Hi! I actually have been working on a longer post about this, but it is a tad bit of a bummer so I'll do a lighter one here!! Sorry if it takes me a couple days, which I have a feeling it will! You all know by now I'm a MASSIVE Spider Sully truther and I'm assuming this is in response to my recent post adoption Spider post, so here are my Spider Sully headcanons in that world (if you wanted a different au, Spider Sully at the Omaticaya growing up or Spider Sully in modern era or something else, please let me know):

-There are certain things about Na'vi life that Spider isn't actually used to, because he would go home to Hells Gate at night and was excluded. He is now forcefully included. Lo'ak, Spider, and Kiri play a game called 'Is this Spider or is this just weird?' where Spider has to guess if the thing he's unfamiliar with is a universal thing (the way they bathe, Spider has a shower in his bathroom at Hells Gate) or is this a weird Metkayina thing (the way Ao'nung chooses to climb up to the rock pools at the edge of the reef, definitely weird and definitely funny). It gets kind of cliquey when anything they do for weeks with the Metkayina kids devolves into the three of them whispering and giggling to each other. It almost ruins their entire relationship with Ao'nung, until Lo'ak caves and tells Tsireya what they're doing.

-Kiri, Lo'ak, and Spider are just weirdly cliquey in general. Tsireya, Ao'nung, and Rotxo hadn't noticed before with just Kiri and Lo'ak because they'd been missing the third musketeer, but now it's almost impossible to be around them. They have so many inside jokes and sometimes they all look at each other and have silent conversations with their eyebrows (Ao'nung never thought he'd be jealous of eyebrows) and facial expressions and then act like a decision has been made. It's just that the three of them didn't have many other close friends at home, not with a trust and a bond like the one they all have, so it's hard to adjust and add people. Tuk was natural because she grew into them, but going swimming with Rotxo it's almost hard to remember to include him. A distinct effort goes into the three of them unlearning their insular ways and letting new friends into the clique lol.

-All the Sully's are very protective of Spider for a long time. No one can even touch him for a couple months after he's back. Tsireya teaching him to breathe underwater still somehow ends in Kiri hissing at her when she goes to touch him. Kiri was always protective of Spider, but Lo'ak always treated him like anyone else. Most of his scars and injuries growing up came from dumb stuff Lo'ak suggested they do or accidentally caused when roughhousing. Now Lo'ak treats him like he's fragile, not letting anyone near him. It takes them a while to get back into their normal rhythm, or at least a new normal. Probably after some sort of dangerous thing Ao'nung convinced Spider to do goes wrong.

-Yeah, definitely the first time Spider is let out of any of the Sully's sight he's frat boy hazed by Ao'nung, who is NOT A FAN for the first month of so of his stay there. Ao'nung learned his lesson from the Three Brothers Rocks incident and was like leaving him right at the edge of the reef is good. Spider just attracts all danger though. Before he can be killed by anything, Jake's Lo'ak spidey sense goes off but Lo'ak is right in front of him so it can only mean one thing: now theres too of them. Neytiri finds Spider minutes after on her ikran.

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moonchildreads · 1 year ago

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small town

Chapter 19 - We Built This City

IN THIS CHAPTER: Finals week, a friendly invitation, and the Hellfire Class of 86' takes a bow [7.6k]

WARNINGS: vague foreshadowing, mentions of fantasy violence? they play dnd, it's not real (again, taking the liberty of making them play 5e because i wasn't about to learn advanced dnd for this when i already play 5e)

A/N: whew! didn't think i'd ever get to finish this one lol. huge HUGE shout out to @gutterratt, who not only is a wonderful friend i was hugging and sharing the same air with just a few days ago, but also my dm (the best dm in the world, don't @ me). this chapter would have been impossible without your guidance, knowledge, and support. thank you for teaching me to dm through eddie. also shout out to brian murphy and NADDPOD for the inspiration for this chapter! check them out on spotify if you like dnd podcasts, they deserve all the love they get. onto the update!

masterlist - prev - next | playlist

We just want to dance here Someone stole the stage They call us irresponsible Write us off the page

Wednesday, May 28th - 1986

Finals week in Hawkins High was going pretty well or terribly wrong depending on who you asked. On Monday, freshman Cindy Jackson had come out of her Geography classroom sobbing, claiming that she had flunked the entire test and her GPA was going to fall drastically below average. Dustin and Mike had simply stepped around her in the hallway and headed to the parking lot to get their bikes without sparing a single thought for her. Eddie couldn’t believe how calm he felt whenever he sat down at his desk and a new test was placed in front of him. By the time Wednesday lunch period was upon them, he had already taken four of his six final exams, Dottie had taken five of her nine, and band practice had been suspended so everyone could study for tomorrow’s new round of tests, or in Eddie’s case, put the finishing touches to their upcoming D&D Friday session.

So far, their plan to stick to each other and not walk around the school alone like sitting ducks for the bullies had been working. Dottie only shared one class with Andy Humphrey, and it seemed that her threat to rat him out to their teacher had worked because no one in the basketball team had bothered them since then. At least, not any more than the usual jeers and disgusted glances they so often directed to her friends in Hellfire. Eddie had been keeping a low profile for the past couple of months, his entire thought process having been claimed by his ever growing crush on a certain short curly-haired girl; his frequent tirades in the cafeteria had been reduced to only one loud proclamation in the hallways every couple of weeks, and to be completely honest, no one cared about him or his unconventional opinions so close to the end of the school year, so him suddenly turning into a wallflower hadn’t really been noteworthy to his peers. Everyone just simply assumed that he was stressed about failing senior year for the third time in a row and left him alone to his devices.

When the group compared schedules on Monday and saw that Dottie was going to be headed to the same lecture as Andy three times that week, it was quickly decided that Donny would be her guardian since his Italian lessons were at the same time she’d be taking AP Spanish in the classroom opposite of his. Dustin and Mike were to be inseparable, and when they had different schedules, Mike was supposed to shadow Nancy as much as he could while Dustin stuck to Jeff on their way to the east wing for their respective classes. Eddie watched over Dottie like a hawk during their shared free periods, going so far as to stand outside the girls’ bathroom while she went about her private business in case any idiot got strange ideas about cornering her in a place where she was supposed to be safe. Ms. Kelly had looked very surprised to see all six boys waiting for Dottie to come out of their latest check-in session; it was strange to see how subdued they had all gotten in recent months and she knew it had everything to do with the sunshine girl that happily linked arms with the freshmen, Dustin excitedly skipping alongside her down the hallway while Mike dragged his feet next to them in protest.

It was, perhaps, that false sense of security that had her approaching the basketball team’s table after students had begun trickling out of the cafeteria, surely headed to their last classes of the day. Donny was supposed to safeguard her on their way to her second AP Spanish class of the week, but he had asked her to please wait for him near the teachers while he excused himself to the bathroom and promptly left her alone. When Dottie realized Andy wasn’t seated at the jock-filled table but one Lucas Sinclair was, she quickly forgot about her friends’ insistent requests to “lay low” until the school year was over and headed towards him without a second thought entering her mind. She stopped right in front of the freshman who eyed her curiously, brows raised in an unspoken question.

“Hi! You’re Lucas, right?” Dottie said, smiling brightly.

“Uh, yeah, I’m Lucas.”

“Nice to meet you! Would you mind giving these to Erica for me, please?” she extended her closed fist towards him and he instinctively held his palm open for her. Two pieces of shiny plastic hit his skin softly; he recognized them as part of his old dice set, the one he assumed had been gathering dust tucked away in his bedroom. “I must have accidentally taken them with me a couple of weeks ago - I would give them to her myself but I won’t see her until Friday and it’d suck if she bought a new set because she thought she lost these.”

“Yeah, that would really suck,” he chuckled uncomfortably, shifting in his seat knowing his new friends were watching the uncommon interaction unfold. “I’ll give them to her for you, don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you so much! Here, for your troubles,” she gave him a pack of Smarties as payment in kind. “See you around!”

“Thanks,” he managed to mutter before she bolted out of the room and into the hallway in search of Donny.

Lucas stared at the candy bag in his hand next to one d20 and one d4 that had belonged to him a couple of months before. They were black with gold numbers that he’d repainted himself with one of Will’s thinnest brushes, trying his hardest to cover the tacky white underneath. He hadn’t opened his D&D box in a while, the hard plastic container hidden away underneath his bed and pushed all the way back until it touched the wall. He’d yell at Erica for touching and stealing his things, but that would have meant admitting that he still cared about the part of him he’d been trying so hard to deny lately and he couldn’t allow himself to fail like that. Lucas was tired of being the bigger man; let his former friends apologize to him for once. Though, as days went on, he was starting to realize that maybe they would never come back at all.

“How do you know that chick?” asked Chance, one of his seniors.

“I don’t,” Lucas replied quickly. “I don’t have classes with her.”

“She’s a senior,” Patrick said. “I’m with her in English. She always sits with that Munson freak.”

“What does she want with you? Who’s Erica?”

“Erica, she’s my little sister. She wanted to return some dice to her, I think they are in a club together, I don’t know,” Lucas said, but he did know. He’d noticed Dottie sitting at lunch with his club members, he’d seen her wearing the same Hellfire shirt he owned, he’d heard Erica talk about her to their Mom. Lucas Sinclair knew exactly who Dorothy Burke was.

“Isn’t your sister like… eight?” Chance laughed.

“Eleven,” the freshman corrected him, but that seemed to peak Jason Carver, the basketball team’s captain’s attention.

“Your little sister is hanging out with those… freaks?” Jason asked, eyebrows bunching together.

“They play board games together, it’s so dumb-”

“She shouldn’t be around them, she’s just a kid. Who knows what they could do to her if… They aren’t good people, they- they could hurt her,” the captain said, tone stern.

“She’ll be fine, they’re just a bunch of nerds-”

“Lucas,” Jason insisted. “You’re a good friend and a good teammate to us. I’m sure you’re a good son to your parents too, but you have to be good to her as well. That’s your duty as her older brother.”

“Yeah, I-” he quickly put away the dice and Smarties in his pocket and nodded. “You’re right, I’ll talk to her about it.”

“You make sure you do that, okay? Take care of her,” the senior said, patting his shoulder in a friendly way and getting up. “Come on, guys, let’s go to class.”

Lucas walked behind his teammates until he reached his classroom and unassumingly disappeared from the group. He took his seat at the back and noticed Mike and Dustin sitting at the front, bickering with one another as usual. Bitterly, he recalled switching seats with the girl who now sat next to Dustin after Spring Break. Jason wasn’t being mean with his warning, he knew that. His captain had siblings too, he knew what being a big brother meant and he extended that same level of protectiveness towards his friends and younger members of the team. Lucas felt grateful that Jason, the current King of Hawkins High, was so willing to look out for not only him, but Erica too, if only because she was related to him. But when Mike snorted loudly at something Dustin had said, he couldn’t help but think that there weren’t people on Earth he would trust more to take care of Erica when he couldn’t watch her than Mike Wheeler and Dustin Henderson. And perhaps Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley too, but they didn’t have to know that, lest their egos got even bigger than they already were.

Friday, May 30th - 1986

The last day of finals week came towards them at neck breaking speed, causing Eddie and Dottie to stick to each other like velcro during the final three hours of the day. During third period, he’d had his Latin exam and she sat with him during every available second prior to it quizzing him on his vocab. After that, they both had had their Calc final, where they sat side by side suffering through it all together. He’d finished before her and quickly returned to his seat, noticing how her nerves seemed to be heightened every time someone got up and was granted permission to head to the cafeteria early. He slipped one of his rings off and slid it across the table until it bumped with her eraser; she smiled, thankful, and put it on her index finger to twirl with her left thumb while she concentrated on the numbers in front of her. After that came lunch and everyone was positively buzzing. Most of the student body had already finished all their exams and there was a sense of freedom in the air, a shared joy that couldn’t enter Dottie’s brain yet as she frantically reviewed her AP Spanish notes for her ninth final exam of the week. One look at her tired, wet eyes after someone had shouted a little bit too loud, and Eddie pulled her out of the room and into the back of his van where she could finally breathe and concentrate on reading her own writing before the bell rang.

After exams were finally over, Eddie headed to the woods to wait for Chrissy who had asked him if she could buy a rather unusual amount of weed considering her casual habits, and Dottie seeked refuge in The Weekly Streak’s newsroom until it was time for Hellfire to begin. She was helping Fred put together a mockup for a story he wanted to present to Nancy the next week when the editor-in-chief herself asked her if she wanted to go to the bathroom. Dottie, being well-versed in girl language, accepted without complaint and followed the blue-eyed girl into the nearest bathroom where she immediately began washing her hands in an attempt to hide the fact that she was so very much nervous about whatever she was about to say.

“Nance? Is everything okay?” Dottie asked, eyeing her carefully.

“Yeah- yes, everything’s okay. I just… I wanted you to know since you were the one that said I should just go for it so… I called Jonathan.”

“Oh,” she said, surprised that she was getting an update on the topic at all.

“We talked and he says he understands that I’m upset. We didn’t break up but we’re going to take a break, officially this time,” Nancy shut off the water tap and stepped to the side to wipe her hands dry with coarse paper towels.

“Well, how do you feel about that?”

“Good, I think. He says he has a job now, and he’ll go full-time for the summer after graduation so he might be able to save up some money to come see me,” she smiled, hope swimming behind her eyes.

“That’s great, Nancy!” Dottie said, giving a big hug to her friend. Nancy went stiff at first but after a second, she breathed out and hugged her back. “I’m so proud of you, I know that was probably a really hard conversation for you both.”

“It was but… I feel better now. I want to trust him again, and we agree that maybe this will help us get there.”

“So you’re still off the market then? Asking for a friend that’s totally not Fred,” Dottie joked, and Nancy let out a girly giggle that surprised the both of them.

“Off the market, and out of his league,” the editor-in-chief said, playfully stern.

“Oh my god, Nance!” she let out a loud snort that sent Nancy into a fit.

It felt good to laugh like this, to shoulder a silly burden together, to foster a new friendship and be vulnerable with one another. Growing up hadn’t been easy for either girl in wildly different ways, but the summer of ‘86 was right ahead of them and promised greener pastures if one could get the courage to take the first step outside. Nancy hadn’t let herself have a friend for so long. It had been easy with Jonathan - shared trauma bonds you like nothing else in the world after all - but it was undeniable that a part of her had died that day when Barb went missing. Even though Dottie wasn’t Barb, Nancy could feel like Nancy again right that moment, in that bathroom, hiding from their nosy journalist-aspiring colleagues and the junior that kept following her around like a lovesick puppy. She felt herself breathe a little bit easier almost a full year after the nightmare that still woke her up in the middle of night, prompting her to double check the guns she had stashed in the topmost part of her closet so her little sister Holly could never find them by accident.

The door to the bathroom opened and a group of cheerleaders came in, fussing over their makeup and hair before practice began. They were chatting excitedly about an upcoming party, and Nancy and Dottie moved aside to let them get access to the mirrors. They were about to leave when another girl pushed the door open in a frenzy; a slightly out of breath Chrissy Cunningham ran inside in haste.

“Where were you?!” shouted Melissa, rounding on her as soon as the door had slammed itself shut.

“I got held up by a teacher, calm down,” Chrissy lied seamlessly, but her glossy eyes were a dead giveaway to anyone that had spent any significant amount of time with the elder Hellfire members. “What are we talking about?”

“Your boyfriend’s party. What are you gonna wear?” Kathleen asked, putting away her lip gloss.

“Are we allowed to go?” Libby asked, eyes hopeful. Standing next to her was another junior tumbler, Valerie, who was downright pouting at their captain.

“Of course you are!” Chrissy said, taking full advantage of the fact that Jason would never complain about her inviting her younger cheerleader friends if she pouted at him a little. “Everyone is invited. Are you two coming too?”

It took a few milliseconds for Dottie to register that Chrissy was talking to Nancy and her, and she only realized because Nancy quickly put on a friendly smile and shook her head, a quick excuse on her lips.

“Oh, no, I’m sorry. I already told my Mom I would babysit my sister. It’s their date night and I’d hate it if they had to cancel,” she said, and Dottie knew she was lying because her eyebrows bunched upwards in the very familiar way they bunched whenever she lied to other people in the school’s newspaper about how great their ideas were.

“Aw, they still go on dates, that’s so cute,” Valerie said, ever the romantic.

“What about you, Dot? Are you coming?” Chrissy asked, ignoring the way her friends looked at her like she was inviting a rabid dog inside for dinner.

“Uh, I- I wasn’t aware there was gonna be a party.”

“It’s tomorrow night at my boyfriend’s house but I’m organizing it so it’s honestly my party,” she giggled, and Dottie swore she’d heard Gareth make that same sound whenever he was high. “We’re saying goodbye to senior year! I just told Eddie you were all invited, you should totally come.”

“You did what?” Melissa asked and Kathleen scoffed.

“It’s our last senior year party. All seniors can come,” Chrissy said in a tone that left no questions to be asked before she turned back to Dottie. “It’s gonna be really fun, we can probably convince Jason to let us play Queen at some point! Please think about it at least? For me?”

“Okay, I’ll- I’ll think about it. For you,” Dottie smiled, and Chrissy grinned.

“We should go now,” Nancy said, interrupting the awkward tension. “Lots of newspaper club things to do.”

“Oh, sure! We’ll see you around!”

Nancy guided Dottie out with a hand on her elbow; Chrissy and Valerie were the only ones that waved them goodbye. Just before the door closed, Melissa snarled “You invited the freaks? What’s wrong with you?” but they never heard what Chrissy replied. They made their way back to the newspaper club’s room in silence, each of them deep in their own thoughts. Nancy realized that she hadn’t been to a party since she’d broken up with Steve, her ex before she’d started dating Jonathan. Had it really been that long? It seemed like it had been ages since the last time Nancy tried to act like she was a normal teenager, like she didn’t need to keep a light on while she slept, scared of the shadows in the corner of her own bedroom. Like she didn’t have sleeping pills issued by a military doctor that she refused to take hidden inside a pair of old sneakers. Nancy would never be the same Nancy she was before November 8th, 1983, but she had to try.

“We should go,” she said, Dottie’s head snapping up from the papers in front of her. “To Chrissy’s party.”

“You wanna go?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“O-okay! I can ask my Dad to take us if you want,” Dottie offered.

“I drive, I can pick you up if you want.”

“Sure, if that’s better for you. Thank you!” the brown eyed girl smiled. “I actually haven’t been to any parties since senior year began.”

“We better make this one count then,” Nancy said, and went back to work with a timid but happy expression on her face.

Dottie tried really hard not to grin, but the thought of not only being invited to her first high school party in Hawkins, but also going with her newest friend and possibly her Hellfire gang made her impossibly giddy. Senior year had certainly sucked royal ass when it began, but it was definitely ending with a bang, not a whimper.

As Eddie ticked final after final on his list, he had allowed himself to think that he would be DMing his last session as the leader of the Hellfire Club that Friday. He had carefully crafted an emotional ending to the adventure they were currently on, and hoped his players would be on board to having a less action packed meeting than usual. They were, after all, not only saying goodbye to him as a leader, but also Jeff, Gareth, Donny, and Dottie. When classes started again in September, Mike and Dustin would be sophomores and the club would be in their hands, new sheep ready to be recruited walking down the hallways of Hawkins High.

The session had started, as usual, with a recap of the previous session's shenanigans. After finding out that their dead mutual friend Orfuel wasn’t, in fact, dead but instead trapped within Shadowfell, the party quickly realized what their next move was: to embark on a journey towards the Forest of Moonstone where Jeff’s character Tharivol had grown up and lived in, all in search for guidance and help of his elders. Orfuel’s partner in crime and girlfriend, Dedlock, had sacrificed him to Mask, the Lord of the Shadows, and was being kept in his divine realm inside Shadowfell - a castle known as the Shadow Keep. Dedlock wanted to rise above the ranks in the church of Mask, and this worthy act of manipulation was going to give her entry into the Circle of the Gray Ribbon, which is where his most loyal priests belonged.

The table was buzzing in excitement as they traveled through Eddie’s carefully crafted world in what would be their last time exploring it. They took their time on their way over to Moonstone, Eddie forcing them into lengthy conversations around a campfire, sharing stories about Orfuel and how they’d become such good friends with him that they were all willing to cross planes of existence to get him back in their lives. They attuned weapons and readied spells, and got a long rest in before the final challenge of the campaign finally arrived. Upon arrival to the Forest of Moonstone, they immediately seeked an audience with the druid that had taught Tharivol everything he knew. The slender elf advised them against their plan; they simply weren’t powerful enough to face the dangers of Shadowfell at this point in time. Instead, he proposed a different alternative.

The next steps were quite easy. They would wait until the new moon, which was, coincidentally, that same night. They’d hold a ritual to open a portal between the planes and bring back Orfuel from the terrible place he had been banished to. The eldest, most powerful cleric from the Circle, a halfling cleric named Portia, would guide them through the ritual, and they’d all have to contribute, each in their own time whenever Eddie prompted them to act. Between conversations and preparations, it was getting late, and so Eddie proposed a little bathroom break before the ritual began, which the boys accepted gratefully, cans of soda littering the table. Dottie inched her chair towards him, voice low like she was about to tell him a secret.

“So,” she began.

“So,” he said, curiosity piqued.

“I talked to Chrissy today and she invited me to a party.”

“Did she now?”

“Nancy and I are going.”

“Oh?” Eddie’s eyebrows rose. “Didn’t know you were interested in that.”

“I’m not but Nancy asked me to and I dunno, it could be fun. Our last senior year party,” Dottie said in a dramatic tone. “You’re going too, right? Chrissy said she invited you and the guys.”

“She did, but I-” he scratched his neck. “I’m gonna be honest with you, darling, I don’t really like those parties very much. I go to them, I sell a few ounces, and then we go to Jeff’s for a movie night.”

“But Chrissy wants us there, she said that all seniors should go. Please, Ed?” she pleaded, eyes rounded with weaponized innocence. “I like hanging out with Nancy but I’d feel so much better about going if I knew you were gonna be there too.”

Eddie sighed. I am so whipped for her and she knows it, he thought before turning to their other friends who were refilling the snack bowls while the freshmen got more sodas.

“Gentlemen!” he called, making Gareth, Jeff, and Donny look at him. “Princess here has a request.”

“What’s up?” Donny asked, sliding into his seat next to hers.

“Nancy and I are going to Chrissy’s party tomorrow night. I want you guys to go with us too,” she said, and the boys instantly laughed.

“Dot, we can’t go to Jason Carver’s house,” Gareth said between chuckles. “He hates us.”

“And also, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but no one invites the freaks to parties,” Jeff added.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. The party is at Carver’s house, yes, but-” Eddie put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a piece of scrap paper with girly writing on it. “-Chrissy Cunningham is planning it. We got an invite this time, fellow weirdos.”

“Chrissy invited you to her party?” Gareth asked in disbelief.

“I believe she invited us all.”

“She did,” Dottie said. “She told me she told Eddie to tell you we were all invited.”

“Those are too many uses of the verb to tell in one sentence,” Donny said, poking fun at her. She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Okay, so, let me get this straight. Chrissy Cunningham, the Uncrowned Queen of Hawkins High, invited all of us to her party? And you’re actually going? With Nancy Wheeler of all people?” Gareth’s eyes were wide open.

“How much of a discount have you been giving her?” Jeff joked, implying something less illegal than simply selling her weed, but also dirtier was going on between them.

“Shut the fuck up,” Eddie threw a ball of paper at his head. “She’s a friend, and she invited Dottie too. In person, not through me.”

“Yeah, Nancy and I ran into her in the bathroom and she told us to come.”

“What is it with girls and bathrooms?” Gareth looked at Donny, the only other one at the table who had sisters. He shrugged in response.

“So? Are we all going? If it sucks we can leave, but I just thought it’d be fun to, y’know, do something different for once,” Dottie said with a hopeful smile.

“Okay, I’m in,” Donny announced.

“Dude!” Jeff and Gareth looked at him like he had betrayed them.

“Oh, come on! It’s now or never, we’re never gonna see these assholes again after graduation. And you know those rich kids always have so much beer at their parties. Are you really gonna say no to free booze?”

“Okay, when you put it like that…,” Gareth conceded. “I’ll go if we all go.”

“Ditto,” said Jeff.

“Guess we’re going to Jason Carver’s house tomorrow night, boys,” Eddie said, reluctantly.

“It’s gonna be awesome, you’ll see,” said Dottie, right as Dustin, Mike, and Erica rejoined the group and settled for the next part of the adventure.

“If everyone’s ready,” Dustin looked around the table at his friends after a lengthy discussion. “-we go to the clearing.”

“You come into the clearing right before midnight and you see everyone sitting on the grass, making a big circle around a huge oak tree. This is where Tharivol’s Circle prays to Silvanus, The Oak Father, the God of Wild Nature. You can feel energy underneath your feet, coming up your legs and into your chest as you approach everyone else. This place is sacred, and the people here are willing to help you rescue your innocent friend. Do not take their kindness for granted,” Eddie narrated, solemn voice ringing through the tension in the room. “Portia is standing next to the base of the tree in beautiful, shiny robes, her long silver hair blowing in the breeze. She beckons you to come closer.”

“We go to her,” Erica said, firmly.

“The old halfling lady instructs you to sit at her feet where the tree’s roots come out of the dirt. She looks at her Circle and begins her speech,” Eddie held his head high as he embodied Portia with a mystic drawl. “Children of Silvanus. We are gathered here tonight to help our very own Tharivol and his allies restore order and balance to where chaos and injustice has spread. Pray with us. Let Silvanus help them return a lost friend home,” in his normal voice, Eddie continued. “Portia turns around and with her staff, she draws a line into the earth where the portal will appear, if, and only if you succeed.”

“Hang on, Portia is opening a portal?” Jeff said, holding in a chuckle.

“Portia the Portal Lady,” Dustin muttered, and Mike next to him snorted loudly.

“You’re killing the fuckin’ mood,” Gareth complained, kicking Jeff who sat opposite him.

“Moving on, please,” Erica rolled her eyes and motioned at Eddie to continue. He bowed his head in acknowledgement and carried on with his narration.

“Portia starts praying loudly in a language you don’t quite understand. At first, you think she might be praying in Elven but you quickly realize she’s praying in Sylvan, the language of the fey,” Eddie said, tense silence falling over the room once again. “Tharivol,” he looked at Jeff. “You recognize a few words and it sounds like she’s requesting access to a kingdom, to a place called Shadowfell. She’s asking the Raven Queen for help in rectifying a wrong that has happened within her realm. I want you all to tell me what you do to help Portia during the ritual.”

“What’s everyone else doing?” asked Jeff.

“They are still sitting in a circle while they pray.”

“I’m gonna pray to Silvanus too then.”

“Go ahead. Let me hear what you say to him.”

“Oh, Silvanus, God of Wild Nature, Old Father Tree,” Jeff began, in character as Tharivol with his head bowed, eyes closed and hands clasped above the table. “Orfuel saved my life once. Let me return the favor. Let me repay the kindness he showed me by righting what is wrong in his name. Let him come home to us. Let him live long and prosper.”

“Damn,” said Gareth under his breath. It was showtime at the Hellfire Club, and everyone was taking it seriously.

“I’m gonna pray to Moradin for assistance,” Erica said as Boldhild. “I’m gonna invoke my Oath, and say: Fight the Greater Evil. No Mercy for the Wicked. By Any Means Necessary. Retribution. I honor these values today, and tomorrow. In your name, Moradin, the All-Father.”

“I’ll pray too,” Dottie joined them as Holly. “I’m going to lay down my quarterstaff, my symbol of Lathander touching the earth, and I’m gonna call out to him for help like they did.”

“You can do better than that, darling,” Eddie crossed his fingers and rested his chin on them. “Show me how you commune with your god.”

“O-okay,” she said, attributing her nerves to the expectation of performing an impromptu prayer in front of everyone and definitely not because of the sultry voice Eddie was talking to her with. She bowed her head and began praying. “Lathander, I come to you as a child of the light to ask you for aid in a time of need. My siblings in arms are asking Silvanus and Moradin to come together and help, but I fear their calls might go unanswered. Morninglord, I beg of you, take pity on us. Take pity on Orfuel, who has been banished to the plane of shadows. Take pity on those who cannot walk in your light like we do every new dawn, and please let us be joyous when the morning comes.”

There was the sense in the room that this wasn’t just a regular end of a campaign. They could feel it in the way Eddie had guided the session so far: minimal combat, heavy on the roleplay, distinctively interested in character growth. He was gearing up to something, and from the looks of it, it was going to be something big. With the understanding of a party that trusts their DM to bring a satisfying story to life, they gave themselves to him freely and wholeheartedly. This wasn’t just the end of an adventure. This was the end of Eddie’s reign as the leader of the Hellfire Club and he deserved a proper farewell.

“I-,” said Mike, gearing up to join his friends in the ritual as Mozikith. “I don’t think I can pray to Asmodeus for help, I mean… Doesn’t really feel right. So I’m gonna give Silvanus an offering instead.”

“What kind of offering do you wish to give him?” asked Eddie.

“Uh, a blood offering? My own blood.”

“No!” cried Jeff. “Offerings to Silvanus can’t be blood sacrifices. You have to destroy something made out of wood or wooden materials and bury it.”

“Okay, well, uh- Do I even own something made out of wood?” Mike wondered aloud as he looked down at his inventory notes.

“You have your staff,” Dustin suggested in a sheepish tone.

“Can… Can I break my staff and still keep my arcane stone?” he looked at his DM.

“I’ll allow it but you can’t cast spells simply holding the stone. You either get a new staff or do something with it, like put it inside a locket,” warned Eddie.

“It’s fine. I won’t need it anymore anyways,” Mike reasoned. “I’m gonna break my staff in two and bury it under where the portal is supposed to be created.”

“Me too,” said Gareth, making Despair join the sacrifice. “I’m gonna add my javelins to his pile.”

“How many?”

“All four of them.”

“Very well,” Eddie smiled. “Anyone else has something they’d like to add?”

“I want to offer something to the Raven Queen in exchange for her to let us through,” said Dustin as Seebo.

“Oh?”

“She collects trinkets, right?”

“That she does, Seebo. What do you have to offer to her?” Eddie leaned forward. “It has to be something interesting, remember, she doesn’t exactly care too much about cheap junk.”

“I want to offer her my father’s ring.”

A few sharp gasps could be heard as Dustin held Eddie’s eyes as if he was challenging him to say no. Everyone at the table knew what that ring meant to Dustin’s character. The heavy brass ring was all he had to remember his parents by after a war had left him and his ten younger siblings as orphans, begging on the streets for a small mercy until Orfuel taught him to run petty scams and pickpocket. At first he’d been reluctant but he had ten mouths to feed and couldn’t afford to pity those who had so much more than he did. Dustin placed a tacky ring he’d gotten at a yard sale in the middle of the table. Trust him to always keep props on his body for D&D related purposes.

“Okay, I’ll take it. Let’s see if she does too,” Eddie accepted his token.

“I’ll offer her a memory,” added Donny as Odorr. “I know she collects those too.”

“Which memory are you offering to the Raven Queen, dearest Odorr?”

“I want to give to her the night I burned down my village. That’s why I was a hermit until Orfuel found me,” he turned to the table to explain. “I was exiled as a kid because I couldn’t control my Wild Magic and set a barn on fire. It spread to the rest of the village so they said I was a danger and casted me out.”

“Shit,” Erica said, impressed that he’d kept his origin secret for so long. “Did you kill someone or what?”

“No, but I hurt a lot of people. It’s in the past now.”

“I’m sorry you went through that,” Dottie told him sincerely. Odorr had been her first friend on the campaign, and she cared for him like he was a real person. Donny squeezed her hand as a thank you.

“Okay, are we ready to proceed? Good. Since everyone has played their part in the ritual, I’ll explain how this is going to work,” Eddie brought them back to the game. “I’m gonna ask Tharivol to make an Arcana check, with advantage. To that you’re gonna add 1d6 of Inspiration for each member of your party, so that’s 6d6.”

“Can I roll Religion instead of Arcana? Since I’m praying to Silvanus,” Jeff bargained.

“Sure. Roll in front of everyone.”

Jeff grabbed 2d20 and breathed deeply, calming his nerves. He shook the dice in his hands, letting them fall to the tabletop, the two green and gold flecked pieces of plastic glinting in the moody lighting Eddie had set for the evening.

“18 and 19,” he announced.

“I’m guessing we’re starting with 19. Mozikith, if you will,” Eddie prompted Mike to start the inspiration dice rolls.

“Wait!” Dottie interrupted. “I want to cast Guidance on Tharivol.”

“Remind me again what that does, princess?”

“You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one ability check of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the ability check. The spell then ends,” she read with a smile. “You told me the other day that I always use the same two cantrips so I’m using a new one today.”

“I need to stop teaching you things if you’re gonna use them against me,” Eddie grumbled, but deep down was proud that she listened to his advice so intently. “Fine, Tharivol, add a d4.”

“Thank you,” Jeff said to Dottie and rolled. “2.”

“We’re at 21. Mozikith, please.”

“Shit,” Mike said. “That’s a 2.”

“We’re at 23. Seebo, your turn.”

“Fuck. Sorry guys, that’s gonna be a one,” Dustin mumbled angrily.

“Tough start. We’re at 24. Boldhild?”

“Four!” Erica cheered.

“We go up to 28! Despair, you go.”

“Please, please, please,” Gareth whispered. “SIX!”

“34! Odorr’s turn now.”

“Fuck yeah! That’s a six!” Donny punched the air excitedly. Everyone started becoming antsy but hopeful.

“We’re at 38. Holly, please.”

“Four?” Dottie said, timidly.

“That brings us to 42. Everyone in the clearing starts humming as Portia continues praying. Seebo, the ring in your hand begins burning until you can’t stand the heat anymore and drop it. It sinks into the earth beneath you as a gash appears where the line in the dirt was drawn,” Eddie began describing, his players waiting with bated breaths for confirmation of their success. “Tharivol, you feel a surge of magic from deep inside you, like a gentle warmth crawling up from your feet all the way up and into your chest. You see the oak tree begins glowing in the moonlight.”

“Holy shit,” Jeff said.

“The ground beneath you begins to shake and suddenly, Odorr, you feel a piercing pain in your head, like a needle pushing right in the middle of your forehead between your tiny horns. You fall to your knees in agony and see that the gash begins opening more, revealing fog on the other side.

“It’s working!” Dustin cried, and Mike shushed him immediately.

“Holly, you see your Lathander holy symbols begin to shine. First, it’s the one attached to your staff. Then, your armlet. It feels warm, like sunshine seeping into your skin on a cool day. The gash keeps opening and opening until it becomes a shadowy circle right in front of you. The pain in Odorr’s head stops,” Eddie said theatrically, making a pause for dramatic effect. “The DC you had to beat… was 40.”

“WE DID IT!” Erica screeched, and everyone began yelling at the same time.

“You almost gave me a heart attack, you piece of shit!” Donny yelled.

“Fuck, that was close,” moaned Dustin, bracing himself against the table, tension finally leaving his body.

“Congratulations, adventurers. You’ve just opened a portal to Shadowfell,” Eddie laughed, throwing his head back.

“Do we go in now? How does this work?” Dottie asked, wanting to continue the story.

“You have to speak the name of a creature and they’ll be sucked in through the portal towards your plane.”

“What was Orfuel’s last name?” Gareth looked at Jeff.

“Evensorrow,” said Mike.

“We call for Orfuel Evensorrow to come back to the material plane,” Jeff said, back in action.

“You see a shadow moving behind the fog, it seems like it’s fighting back the tendrils. Call out to him again, all of you,” Eddie instructed.

“Orfuel! Orfuel!” everyone began chanting. “Orfuel, it’s us! Stop fighting back!”

“The creature becomes prone when it hears your voices and lets itself be dragged into the material plane. A dirty human man lays at your feet, gasping for air after the shadowy vines retreat. Portia loses strength and the portal closes itself, severing the connection to Shadowfell.”

“I catch her before she falls,” Mike said quickly.

“Thank you, dearie,” Eddie said in a pitiful voice that belonged to an old frail lady. He continued in his normal voice. “Portia is okay, she just needs to rest.”

“We go to help Orfuel then,” Gareth looked at his friends, who nodded in agreement.

“Orfuel is a shell of the man you all used to know. His hair is long and matted, his beard is graying at the edges. He has dark circles under his eyes and looks like he hasn’t had a drink of water in days. He tries to speak, but his voice doesn’t come out.”

“I give him my water bottle,” Erica said.

“He drinks half of your waterskin in a rush and now that he feels better he looks at everyone surrounding him with fearful eyes,” Eddie began trembling, like it took a toll on his body to even utter a single syllable. “He’s coming. We have to- we have to hide. He’s coming.”

“Mask’s coming?” Donny asked.

“Mask’s just a pawn,” Eddie scoffed. “Orcus is coming.”

“Who’s Orcus?” Dottie looked around the table.

“The Lord of the Undead,” Dustin said, wary. “He’s the master of the undead that live in The Abyss. He wants to exterminate all life on every plane of existence until only his undead soldiers remain.”

“Wait, what do you mean Orcus is coming?” Erica asked Eddie, but really, it was Boldhild asking Orfuel.

“Mask knows Orcus hates the Raven Queen, so they made a deal. Mask kills the Raven Queen, and he becomes the keeper of Shadowfell for Orcus. Dedlock gave me up as a sacrifice to grow Mask’s power.”

“Shit. What do we do now?” Donny asked everyone else in the room.

“We fight back,” Dustin said, like it was obvious. “First we go for Dedlock and the Circle of the Gray Ribbon. Then we go for Mask.”

“And then…,” Mike mused. “We go into The Abyss.”

“And that’s where we’ll end our session,” Eddie said, and everyone groaned in protest.

“What the fuck, man?!”

“You said this session was the last one!”

“That’s such a non-ending, what is wrong with you?”

Eddie laughed and looked at his friends who kept begging him for more. More stories, more adventures, more guidance. They weren’t asking for entertainment. They were looking for more friendship. He moved to lower down his DM screen and hauled his prop box onto the table. Everyone stared at him curiously, wondering what trick he was gonna pull out of his metaphorical hat next. He simply reached in and grabbed two pins, putting them on the table: one said Chapter Leader, and the other said Dungeon Master. He’d had the first one for three years, and the second one for longer. He looked up at his club members with shiny eyes, and Dottie thought he’d never looked more at peace than in that moment.

“As you all know, my beloved sheep, I’m hoping I finally get to graduate this year. I don’t know if I am just yet, but in any case, this is my last session as Hellfire’s very own DM and leader. There’s more story to tell in this campaign, but I won’t be doing it here, on this throne, in this props room that always smells a little bit like glue,” he smiled when everyone huffed in agreement. “We’re going to take a break from this adventure until Dustin comes back from his nerd camp for geniuses-”

“Hey!” Dustin protested, but he looked proudly at Eddie while he did it.

“If you still want to find out what happens next after all that, I’ll be more than pleased to keep the action going outside of school grounds. But! A king shouldn’t rule over their kingdom forever, and it’s time for me to pass the crown onto the next generation. Wheeler, Henderson, please,” he motioned to the side. The freshmen followed him a few steps away from the table where Eddie dropped to one knee and bowed regally. “Michael Wheeler, you are Hellfire’s new Dungeon Master. I trust that the tales you tell will always be as grand as Mike the Magnificent was under my reign.”

“Woah,” Mike said when Eddie presented the Dungeon Master pin to him. “Eddie, this is- thanks, man.”

“Dustin Henderson,” Eddie continued, looking into the hopeful eyes of the kid he so very much admired. “The crown is too heavy for one man to wear alone, so I am choosing you to be the next Chapter Leader of the Hellfire Club. May you be as brave as Dustin the Daring was when he was under my wing.”

“I-” Dustin managed to get out before he launched himself across the floor and tackled Eddie into a tight hug.

“I won’t disappoint you, Eddie, I swear to god-”

But there was no need for him to promise anything, because Eddie knew that Hellfire was in safe hands with the two boys that had gone from looking at him like he was their Lord and Savior to simply calling him a friend. And as Eddie said goodbye to his time in high school, he was so grateful that even if he hadn’t learned a single thing valuable within those walls, he had come out of it with a group of people that he could always count on when life got too rough to handle on his own.

taglist (comment below or shoot me a dm if you want to be added!): @munsonology @kurdtbean

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countrymusiclover · 4 months ago

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4 - Must Be Fought For

Princess Red Thief

Part 5

Tag list - just ask to be added @mystrey101 @melvia-ito @kmc1989 @tallrock35

It was a cloudy morning in this town when I made my trip out to what Henry called his castle that was actually just an old wooden playground castle. Carrying a backpack over my shoulder striding over to the ten year old boy sitting down on the steps. "Would you care to explain why I needed to bring a very special object? And how did you know that it was even in the pawnshop?"

"Because it belongs to you. Along with the red cloak you carry around sometimes." Henry waved me over pulling out his book from his bag. "Come here I'll show you."

Walking up to him I climbed up and sat down beside him sitting my bag behind the two of us. "What is it you want to show me so badly in that book?"

"These pages and pictures can you look at them and tell me what you see familiar." He pushed the book into my lap. I gently touched the pages gazing down on a picture of a woman that resembles me standing in the forest with a scaly looking man standing close face to face with her.

Flipping to the next page I came across an image of the same pair but one was trapped inside a cage with burning torches around them. "They had blonde hair like me and wore a similar red cloak. But that is all I see." Turning over a third page I saw the same girl but she now held a sword in her hands and was standing next to a guy that looked to be David Nolan that had been woken up from the hospital by Mary Margaret.

"Take out what I asked you to bring." Henry instructed me to take the book into his own lap.

Doing as I was told I dragged my backpack to my lap. Rummaging around I drew out a sword case that I had managed to make fit inside there. Opening the case we both saw a medium sized sword laying inside. "Henry, I am unfortunately not a mind reader here. Can you explain how you knew I'd know what to look for in Gold's shop?"

"Because it belongs to you. You owned it in the Enchanted Forest. Along with two other objects which are your cloak and a piece of jewelry." The child saw the confusion on my face so he instructed me to use the sword. "If you don't believe me, pick up the sword and swing it around a bit. You'll see I'm not crazy."

Shifting my body towards him I shut the lid of the sword case. "Henry, is this what you talk about with Emma?"

"Yes and she's starting to believe. If I can get you on my side then maybe it will push her to be a true believer." He nodded quickly in agreement.

Slumping my shoulders I jumped off the wooden platform and onto the ground with the sword case under my arm. Opening it back up I wrapped both my hands around the handle drawing it from the box. "Henry, I don't mean to call you crazy. But it's a sword, nothing special about it -" I shut my eyes gripping onto the blade when something strange flashes through my mind.

"I have to go help my mother. She may have found a way to bring my father back." I declare to Rumplestilskin throwing on my red cloak that I had removed while we had been practicing magic all morning.

Rumple sat down in his chair at the end of the long table. "Then should go find her."

"You'll let me leave our lessons early, why?" Whipping my head around I didn't know what to make of his words. He never cared to learn much of my life when we were practicing magic.

He leaned back in his chair putting his fingers together before he answered my question. "We made an agreement that you would help me with my deals and such so long as I taught you how to control your powers. I will let you leave our lessons early if you make it where Prince Charming comes to me for help."

"Why don't you just find him with your magic. Surely you can do that." I tilted my head confused.

He pointed his finger in the air. "Yes I can. But there is something I can't bottle without something from him. So your task is to get him here."

"What if I chose to just live out with my family?" I challenged him. "No! That's my grandmother's ring, my mother said she would give it to me the day of my wedding."

Rumple raised his hand using his magic to create a ring in his palm showing it to me. "If you want this back you will do what I ask, Dearie." He made it disappear into thin air where I huffed stomping past him and finding my horse to find my mother. This took about a two day ride and I found her by my father's side.

Standing in the woods with my father's golden statue between us, my mother and I impatiently waited for Charming to hopefully return with the water to save his life. "Where have you been going recently if you don't mind me asking. I need to distract myself." My mother Abigail asked nervously fiddling with the fabric of her gown.

"I am not sure where to start, mom." I rubbed the back of my neck.

She tilted her head. "Is it about a boy? Don't worry your father won't go kill him unless James returns with the water."

"It's much more than just that. But yes, part of it does have to do with a man."

"Tell me more, Eve." She pressed onward.

Running my fingers through my hair I opened my palm, taking in a breath and creating a tire fireball in my hand before her eyes. "I have magic, mom. I have no idea how but it's the truth. The man I have been spending my time with has been helping me learn to control it."

"And what is this man's name?" She asked me.

"His name is Runple-"

We heard a horse riding up where I didn't answer her seeing James hand her the water proudly. Touching my father's golden arm my mother rushed over pouring the water over his body. Slowly before our eyes his armor moved and he collapsed onto the ground between us. My mother yanked his helmet off his head where he began looking around dazed. "Abigail, what happened to me?"

"Dad!" I didn't waste another second throwing my arms around my father where we almost fell backwards onto the ground.

Frederick, my father froze for a moment realizing that it was me. "Eve...Everly. He breathed out wrapping his arms around me tightly and burying his face into my hair just holding me briefly before looking at my mother.

"You were trapped, but now you're free." She held his face in her hands kissing him rather long where I looked away along with the prince watching the family reunion before him.

"This is James. He's the one who freed you." My mother Abigail helped him to stand with us eyeing her former betrothed.

My father extended his hand. "I am forever indebted to you."

"Well, pay me back by walking down the aisle with someone you truly belong with. And, perhaps, giving me a horse and supplies for a journey as well?" Charming declared, shaking his hand.

Frederick nodded. "Done."

"Thank you. So much. Where will you go?" My mother holds his hand asking the prince.

Charming answers her with a smile on his face. "To find Snow White."

"You are going after her." She grins back at him.

Charming sighed knowing he wanted the same feeling he now saw that my mother had with my father. "True love isn't easy, but it must be fought for. Because once you find it, it can never be replaced."

He turned in the direction of his horse to leave until I ran towards him. The sword attached to my hip swayed with my movement until I stopped before him. "James, wait! I'll help you find her."

"How can you do that, Everly?" He asked resting a hand on his sword handle attached to his hip.

Clasping my hands together in front of me I answered him. "I know a man with great magical abilities. If anyone can find her. It's him and him alone. His name is Rumplestilskin."

"Uh Henry. I...I have to go. I have something going on tonight." Shaking my head I quickly put the sword back inside the case. Henry gave me an odd look like he was happy and worried at the same time.

Gold and I had agreed to meet back at Granny's that evening for what you could call a date. Ruby came over to me while I was sitting at the island waiting for him to meet me here. "I haven't ever felt this nervous in my whole life, Ruby. I mean what if the date goes wrong?"

"I doubt any date can go wrong for you. I mean I like spending time with you." She leaned on the countertop.

Putting my face in my hands I throw my head back up still so nervous even though I had spent my life with him for as long as I could remember in this town. "Did I forget to mention that he is also my boss? Meaning if this goes he could fire me and I'll be out of a job."

"Eve, calm down. Look if he fires you then I'm sure Granny would give you some work here. But I don't think that will happen cause he's here now." Ruby calmed me down, nudging her head towards the doorway as the bell rang.

Turning around on my seat I smiled seeing him standing there in a black suit and red tie waiting for me. I met up with him placing my hand in his waiting one being led outside for a nightly stroll. I had chosen to wear a black dress that had orange flowers across it that fell to my knees with some short boot shoes. "We can go to Granny's to eat a little later. I just thought I should show you something I found pretty beautiful the other night."

"Where are we going then?" I asked him when he led me towards the direction of the entrance to the woods and away from the edge of town. That way we could almost barely see any of the town lights from here.

Gold paused in his steps coming around and standing behind me tilting my chin up to the sky. "I wanted to show you the second most beautiful thing about this small town of ours." I gaped seeing almost a thousand stars dancing across the sky so big and bright above our heads.

"And what is the first since you said those are your second favorite thing?" I lowered my head down after staring at the stars for a good while, our bodies were pressed up against each other.

Gold rounds me so we are facing one another and he lifted his hands to the side of my face. "The first beautiful thing in this place has to be you, Eve Royal."

"It doesn't make sense to me. Everyone in this town is afraid of you, even more than the mayor." I clicked my tounge in thought, running my fingers up until my hands were resting on his shoulders.

His brown eyes scanned over my features and my heart skipped a beat as we just stayed like this for a few minutes. I had never felt this feeling before and I guess most people would say that means it is love. But that is a little far fetched considering we hadn't even kissed. "Your opinion is the only one I care about. So how do you feel about me?"

"You don't scare me, Gold." I mumbled up to his brown eyes, closing the gap between us and pressing my lips up onto his. He cradles my face closer into his deepening the kiss.

Unknown to either of them at that moment Regina was watching them through binoculars in her car. She lowered them by dialing a number on her phone. "Hey Jim, it's the mayor. How would you like to not have to leave town by robbing from Mr. Gold?"

Comments really appreciated ❤️

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little-paperboat · 5 months ago

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What We Owe To Each Other (1)

Calling all the Empire! I'm super happy to share that I've finally published third part of the "Forbidden Fire" series (with a heavy delay, but it's here) 💜

6,738 words later (!) I'm finally satisfied with this first chapter 🤓 And the lesson learned is? I really do have to write every day, even if it's just editing a paragraph or 50 words, because otherwise I find it super difficult to get back into it in a way that feels natural and doesn't require an entire re-write and an extra week of work 🥲

For this next part, Tav and her crew arrive in Baldur's Gate with a lot of hopes; unfortunately, reality is much bleaker than anticipated...

They have finally reached Baldur’s Gate, but the trials that wait for them are far from over. Tav and Rolan meet again; under unexpected circumstances, they both yearn for what they cannot have. (or, at the end of the world, there is hope yet.)

I'm REALLY excited for the Sorcerous Sundries arc of the fic because I've been thinking about it for suchhhh a long time ; there are a few scenes in particular that I was dying to put on paper and now it's happening :D Can't wait to see what you think! x

You can follow the tag "series:forbidden fire" here on tumblr to not miss the next updates 🌸 And as usual, abstract under the cut!

Read on AO3 (1/2)

Read Part 1: Wild Winds Are Death To The Candle (2/2)

Read Part 2: Through Shadows To The Edge Of Night (3/3)

They had reached Baldur’s Gate at last.

Upon seeing the city lights beyond the walls, Tav had almost cried, overwhelmed by the sweet relief of survival, yearning for what lay below her, for the life that was just at her fingertips; yet unable to find herself at peace. The triumph of the journey left a bitter taste in her mouth, one of ashes and blood. So much had changed since she had left the Gate, her life torn to shreds and pieced back together hastily. It had little to do with the beautiful tapestry that had been woven for her even before her birth, made of threads of gold and silver softly shimmering under the chandelier. Instead, it was now rough and uneven to the touch, dried blood staining the fabric that displayed burns and torn holes in several places.

Going through the Shadow-Cursed Lands had marred her mind, body and soul beyond recognition; the gnarled trees and horrors from the void forcefully stealing parts of her that she knew she would never get back.

She hadn’t slept once through the night since their encounter with Ketheric Thorm. In the pitch black dark of her tent, she still heard the clattering of bones. Whenever she closed her eyes, a sea of putrid blood and the malevolent aura of the Lord of Bones manifested before her, his giant scythe slashing through her body.

She had almost died then; the cold grip of death tightening around her and choking her, ferocious and famished. She had only survived thanks to her companions’ bravery and tenacity - but the price had been paid. Things could never go back to what they were before; yet she hoped, she prayed, foolishly maybe, that walking in the city would allow her to find her missing parts, to piece herself back together. She longed to see the elegant buildings of the Upper City again, to enjoy the familiar and rich fragrance of the rich ladies’ perfumes, to finally sleep in silk sheets and comfortable beds. Maybe her family would have them all, the estate big enough to accommodate the whole gang plus the two druids, the owlbear cub and Scratch.

If her family was still alive, of course.

And maybe… maybe she’d even see Rolan again.

She would never admit it, especially not to herself, but his memory was what she clung to in the darkest hour of the night, his flaming eyes burning brighter than her fears. To fend off the nightmares she’d evoke the softness of his voice, the smile he had given her at Last Light Inn. Deep down, she felt guilty: his disinterest was painfully obvious, and she was pretty sure it was morally wrong to lust after a guy who wasn’t interested.

But she couldn’t help it.

She couldn’t forget him.

Maybe if she saw him again in the city, it could bring her closure. By now he surely had his apprenticeship, and who knows, maybe he found himself an attractive partner to go with it. She only needed to ask to be sure - to hear the final word that he was not into her; and then it would be over. Then she’d force her mind to move on and find someone else to fixate on.

All she had to do was to reach the Upper City.

Anything after that would be so easy, and soon, it would all be over - with or without the tiefling wizard.

— Read the rest on AO3 :)

#holy rolan empire #rolan nation #series:forbidden fire #fic:wild winds #fic:through shadows #fic:wwoteo #tag:writing #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 rolan #rolan x tav #tav x rolan

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primordialsoundmeditation · 5 months ago

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"Pema Chödrön’s 3 Ways to Transform Your Emotions"

(from Lion's Roar Magazine, May 2014)

At the root of our suffering are the destructive emotions that Buddhism calls the kleshas, or poisons. Pema Chödrön teaches us a three-step practice to transform their energy from a cause of suffering into a path to awakening.

1. Drop into Your Body

“Start with physical sensations because they’re relatively straightforward and provide a good access point to the emotions. Notice how your body is feeling.”

The dharma tells us that all our experiences of discomfort, anxiety, being disturbed, and being bothered are rooted in our kleshas. This Sanskrit term means “destructive emotions” or “pain-causing emotions.”

The three main kleshas are craving, aggression, and ignorance. The first two don’t require much explanation. “Craving” becomes a destructive emotion when it gets to the point of being an addiction or an obsession. I was once given some Asian candy whose brand name was “Baby Want-Want.” That sums up craving quite nicely, I think. We think something will bring us pleasure or comfort, so we become obsessed with having it or keeping it. “Aggression” is the opposite: we want to get rid of something that we perceive as a threat to our well-being.

“Ignorance” as a destructive emotion is a little harder to understand. It’s a dull, indifferent state of mind that actually contains a deep level of pain. It can express itself as being out of touch, being mentally lethargic, not caring what we’re feeling or what others are going through. When this state of mind dominates us, it can turn into depression.

These three kleshas are often called the “three poisons” because, as the Tibetan teacher Anam Thubten says, they kill our happiness. This often happens to us in two ways. First, we suffer while we experience anger, addiction, depression, jealousy, and the rest; then we continue to suffer as a result of the harmful actions they provoke.

You probably have firsthand experience of being unhappy when these poisons arise in your life. But how exactly do they kill your happiness? According to the Buddha’s teachings, it’s not the emotions themselves that make us suffer. In their raw form—before we start to struggle with them and before our thinking process gets involved—they are just sensations or forms of energy. They are not intrinsically bad or good. This is important to remember. The destructive aspect of aggression, for instance, is not the sensation; it’s our rejection of that sensation and what we then do as a response. The culprit isn’t the basic energy but the spin-off, what the Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg calls “the add-ons.”

Trained in the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition, Pema Chödrön is one of the world’s leading Buddhist teachers. A fully-ordained nun, she is committed to helping establish the Buddhist monastic tradition in the West. Photo by Margie Rodgers.

When klesha energy arises, we tend to react in one of a few ways. One is to act out—either physically or with our words. Another is to suppress the emotion, to go numb around it; this may involve diverting our attention elsewhere, say by zoning out with Netflix.

A third common reaction is to get mentally wrapped up in some kind of storyline, one that often involves blame. All these reactions are based on our not being able to bear the discomfort of the energy. We have a propensity to be bothered by this energy, so we try to escape our discomfort by getting rid of what’s causing it. This approach is similar to that of the tyrant who kills the messenger bringing bad news instead of relating to the message. But when we indulge in any of these reactions, we only strengthen our pain-causing habits and perpetuate our misery in the long run. Somehow this is a hard lesson to learn.

Everyone has these habits. There’s no need to blame ourselves or anyone else for this process. Instead of blaming or feeling helpless, we can apply time-tested methods for working with our emotions constructively. Like everything else in the universe, the kleshas and our reactions to them are impermanent and insubstantial. This is what makes it possible for us to change our habits.

In general, lack of awareness is what gives our emotions their power. Bringing awareness to them is the magic key. When we’re aware of what’s happening, they lose their ability to make us miserable.

The first step in every method of working with emotions is simply to recognize what’s happening. One of the characteristics of the kleshas is that they tend to go undetected. We only notice them when they’ve become full-blown. We’re unaware of the emotion while it’s just an ember; by the time we smell the burning or feel the fire’s heat, it’s too late. We’ve struck out in words or actions, or we’re already on a binge.

Here is a fairly common example of the life cycle of a klesha. You catch a glimpse of someone in the hallway, someone you have issues with. You experience a faint tension in your shoulders or a subtle tug in your chest. This is the ember stage.

Next thing you know, you’re having judgmental or resentful thoughts about the person. This stage is like when logs in a wood stove have caught fire. There’s a lot more heat than at the ember stage, but at least it’s still contained. Even this level may go unnoticed. But if you keep unconsciously escalating your storyline, it’s as if you’re pouring kerosene on the fire.

Eventually it will be too much for the stove to contain and it might even burn down your house. At that point, you and everyone else will notice, but it will be too late to prevent a great deal of unavoidable pain. The damaging text message has been written, you’ve already pressed “Send,” and there’s no way to take it back.

Even then, there are ways of making the situation better and ways of making it worse. At every moment, we have these two basic alternatives. We can escalate or deescalate our misery. We can strengthen unhelpful habits or ventilate them. By becoming more conscious of what’s happening, we can put out the fire at the ember stage or the wood-stove stage and save ourselves and others so much grief.

Having a regular meditation practice makes us more aware of what’s happening in our mind, the mental undercurrent that tends to go unnoticed when we’re caught up in our daily activities and interactions. With meditation, we begin to catch some of the ember-like thoughts and subtle emotions that, left undetected, escalate before we notice them.

2. Bring Your Attention to Where You Are Right Now

“The trick is to stay present with the energy without acting out or repressing.”

Once we’ve become conscious of the klesha, the next step is to let ourselves feel it—to feel what we’re feeling. It sounds very simple, but for many people, this is quite challenging. Some people have difficulty because they’ve been traumatized. Others have certain emotions that, for whatever reason, they just don’t want to face. But, like all the other instructions in the dharma, feeling what you’re feeling is a practice. There are ways to train in it, to make gradual progress.

First, start with physical sensations because they’re relatively straightforward and provide a good access point. How do you feel physically? When we’re out of touch with our body, our kleshas have a greater opportunity to run rampant. On the other hand, when we’re present and embodied, it’s easier to be in touch with our mind. So notice how your body is feeling—the aches and pains and itches, the sensations of heat and cold, the places where you feel tight or relaxed.

Then look at your state of mind. Is it discursive or settled? What kind of mood are you in? What emotions do you notice? Here it’s very important to have an attitude of curiosity and openness rather than judgment. Different things can come up when we allow ourselves to feel what we feel. We may have painful memories or intensely unpleasant emotions. That’s to be expected and is no problem. But don’t push too hard and make this into an endurance trial. The training should take place, as much as possible, in an atmosphere of acceptance.

To grow in the ability to know what to do when an emotion grabs you, it’s helpful to remember three words: embodied, present, and kind. Drop into your body, bring your attention to where you are right now, and be kind. When there’s an upsurge of emotion, these three words can help you to deescalate. The main instruction is to stay conscious and, as Tsoknyi Rinpoche has said, “You have to be willing to feel some discomfort.”

3. Be Kind to Yourself

“I’ve discovered that when I’ve allowed myself to feel what I feel, I become more patient with myself and more forgiving.”

I’ve discovered over time that whenever I’ve allowed myself to feel what I feel, I become more patient with myself and more forgiving. Each time, I find myself able to relax with the feeling a little longer. And here’s the thing: while kleshas cause pain, the klesha energy itself is a limitless source of creative power, like an electric current. It’s not something you want to get rid of. The trick is to stay present with that energy without acting out or repressing. Doing this—or rather, learning to do this—you might find out something remarkable. In the basic energy of the kleshas, we find wisdom—ungraspable, egoless wisdom—free of grasping and fixation.

One of the most important ways to work with our emotions is to use them as a path of awakening. The idea is to allow ourselves to experience the energy of the kleshas fully and directly. In doing so, we discover that they contain all the wisdom we need to wake up. An unshakeable confidence comes from this experience.

We all come into this world with co-emergent unawareness, which is a basic misunderstanding about how things are. We believe we have some kind of stable identity, something that makes “me” me—something separate from the rest. Based on this misunderstanding, we find ourselves constantly getting hooked by the myriad pleasures and pains the world has to offer. Our mind gets completely wrapped up in kleshas and all the trouble that goes along with them. The teachings say that this painful process will continue until we wake up from our unawareness completely, until we see ourselves and all phenomena as they really are: fleeting, insubstantial, and wide-open with possibility.

The term “co-emergent ignorance” is interesting because it implies that ignorance doesn’t appear all alone. The Buddha taught that wherever there’s confusion, there’s also wisdom: “co-emergent wisdom.” Whenever we get hooked, whenever our kleshas get triggered, whenever we temporarily lose our bearings and act out in destructive ways, we are in the grip of confusion. But that very confusion is inseparable from our deepest wisdom. In the traditional analogy, confusion and wisdom are like ice and water, which are both made of the same molecules. The only difference is that ice is frozen and water isn’t.

Confusion is based on having a frozen view of ourselves and the world. It’s a product of our discomfort with the groundless nature of how things are. Most of us experience that wide-open space as groundlessness. Anger, craving, jealousy, and all the other kleshas are part of this discomfort. If we don’t have effective means of working with them, they can ruin our state of mind and harm not only us but the people around us. This is why we learn to work with our emotions.

Using our emotions as a path of awakening is based on simply letting the emotion be, just as it is. I say “simply,” but letting anything in our mind simply be is easier said than done. The ego feels at home only when it’s meddling, trying to fix things. It’s always telling us that we can’t leave anything alone. So we need patience and courage if we want to learn how to let our kleshas be.

We first have to give the klesha enough space so we can actually see what’s happening. We need some perspective on our emotion. This doesn’t exactly mean distancing ourselves from the klesha; it’s more like positioning our mind in order to see clearly. Doing so requires us to practice refraining. It requires a mindful gap before we speak or act. It’s hard to have any perspective when we’re activated.

Then They Become a Path to Awakening

“When we allow ourselves to experience the energy of the kleshas fully and directly, we discover that they contain all the wisdom we need to wake up.”

Having a clear perspective, we let ourselves experience the emotion as fully as possible. This is similar to letting ourselves feel what we feel, but it goes further. In this practice, we want to learn what the emotion really is. Instead of putting it into a category such as positive or negative, we try to contact its energy directly and intimately, to get to know its very essence. We want to know it, not merely with our conceptual mind, but deeply, with our heart and our full being.

Anam Thubten makes the distinction between ordinary kleshas and conscious kleshas. Ordinary kleshas are what we’re familiar with. For instance, when we’re in a state of craving, it feels unpleasant, we lack perspective on it, and we usually react in harmful ways. Conscious kleshas are where the wisdom lies. When we go beyond our propensity to be bothered by craving, when we come to experience it as a form of wakeful energy, then the emotion loses its power to disturb us. Instead it becomes something precious, part of the preciousness of life.

By relating to our emotions in this way, we discover their enlightened aspect: the wisdom that is co-emergent with ignorance and confusion. It is always present, in each and every one of our kleshas. To contact it, we allow the klesha just to be what it is. Then the ice will melt and we will experience the open, flowing quality of water.

This isn’t easy. Not only does it take practice to contact the wisdom in the kleshas, but it also takes practice to distinguish between the two, between wisdom and nonrecognition. How can we tell whether we’re experiencing the neurotic aspect of the energy or the wakeful aspect? Often the clearest evidence is found in our body. Generally, our ordinary kleshas correspond to some form of physical contraction. We feel a tightness in our stomach or jaw, or, perhaps more subtly, in our heart or solar plexus. When our emotions are in the ember stage, this contraction may be hard to detect. But if we practice tuning in to our emotions and our body, then physical tightness can serve as an indicator of when we’re caught in ordinary kleshas.

By getting in touch with the physical sensation of our neurosis, we come to know the feeling of wisdom as well. From this point of view, wisdom feels like relaxation, expansion, openness. Instead of fighting with our emotions, we let them be. We don’t act them out or repress them. We simply let them be. We simply connect with what they feel like. Instead of tightening up with our strong opinions and storylines, we relax and allow the co-emergent wisdom in our kleshas to speak for itself. If we practice in this way, our emotions themselves will become our most direct path of awakening.

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latinapoetbts · 3 months ago

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Nostalgic Love 2 | KTH & Reader (Latina)

Third Base: First Touch Summary: Prom Night make out, kissing, finger and oral (male receiving), weed smoking two high school students who were best friends. Unrequited love. Note: Written in all in one go, no editing. Third Base: First Touch

I was nervous to ask him, but it truly was always how I wanted it to play out. It was how I envisioned it and dreamed about it since entering high school. Now it wasn’t exactly the circumstances I wanted it to be, but I certainly would take what I could get. I typed the text over and over again second guessing myself, wondering if asking over text was lame or if I was being too old-fashioned to want to just call him and ask.

It’s not a real date. It’s not a real date. He will probably say no. So I’m already prepared. It’s no big deal.

I take a deep breath and decide to be brave and rational. He is my best friend so he would expect for me to call him and not just send a text. Damn, it was exhausting managing my emotions with him. Trying to be causal and act like a best friend who is not madly in love with their best friend. It was so fucking hard. I’m going to need therapy most definitely in college just for the amount of anxiety I have built up on hiding my feelings. I tried to play everything out in my head. He’ll be mad I didn’t tell him what happened sooner and confused if I’m not reacting as any normal person should react to what happened to me. But I was already just all cried out. There were not that many tears to begin with and the tears I did share were the thoughts I had regarding whether I was worthy of any love at this point.

Here we go. Just do it already. I send the text ask him how his day was, send him a random photo of the day with friends, and ask if he has some time to get on a video call. It was Wednesday and I knew it would be just a few more days before I got to see him for the weekend. I knew that it was date night for him and Jenni but I needed to get it out. I pick up the video call his immediate response.

I see his beautiful beaming smile and feel instantly at peace, “Hey, y/n, what’s up. By the way, that picture is too funny.”, I smile.

“Ya, I thought you would think so. So, I know it's your time with Jenni, but I really just couldn't wait till Friday to ask and we don’t need to get all the details Tae just think about it.”, I bit at my lip, I know I’m giving myself away.

“Hey, y/n it’s ok, you know I’m here for whatever you need. Just ask me.” I smile my heart fluttering any time he’s so sincere with me. I also would be lying if I didn’t feel thrilled that Jenni would probably be pretty irritated I was interrupting their date night. She has not been very warm and fuzzy with me since they started dating shortly after Tae gave me that kissing lesson. I stop the thoughts, I didn’t want to relieve the pain and rejection I felt after experiencing my first kiss with him and then he immediately started dating Jeeni a girl from his school. This was the driving force that led me to where I am this very moment.

“I wanted to know if you free oh say, May 18th from 6 to 10?” I bit my lip now with a playfulness because of my aloofness and lack of directness.

“I’m let me check my calender, I think Im working but you know I’ game right when I get off for anything.” I see the camera go blacking know he’s looking at his calender.

“Wait!? That’s your prom night! What the fuck happen? Are you not going? What did did he do? That asshole, I know he did something….” I let out a sign.

“Let's talk about it later Tae… I’ll..”, I try to to avoid the conversation.

“Y/N, hell no, tell me what he did, I’m not letting this go…”, My whole body warmed at his protectiveness of me.

“Tae, not right now ok, I swear I’ll tell you everything….”

“Fuck, y/n you better! And yes, I’m available no matter what. I’ll be there to do whatever you want ok..Hold on I’ll be right there!”, I heard Jenny voice in the background, I knew I should just say goodbye.

“Hey, Tae it's cool I’ll see you Friday ok! …” I smile at him.

“You sure, you ok, I can talk it out with you right now…. Wait! Fuck,...” I couldn't help but smile more seeing how annoyed he was with her calling out to him.

“I'm fine really, go, go,... I don't want her to hate me more… bye…”

“She doesn’t hate you y/n.. She…” I shush him.

“Shhh, ok. Ok. bye. I’ll see you Friday!” I hang up not letting him get in the last word. I hoped there would not be a fight between the two of them because of me but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I secretly wished they were not together.

The night was perfect. I felt beautiful and Tae looked beautiful. He was also so sweet to me, from the moment he arrived at my house. We took pictures and my brother gave us “the talk.” Since our parents were out of town celebrating their anniversary he felt the need to be my personal cock blocker. After telling Tae Hyung that he would hang him from his balls from our backyard tree if, “you even think of fucking my sister tonight. So imagine what will happen if you do fuck her”. I was not too embarrassed because this was typical behavior from my youngest older brother. The actual prom dance was fun and loved every minute of dancing with Tae Hyung. There were a few rough patches between Chris and I. But Tae Hyung was right by my side so I didn’t have to speak with Chris and neither did I want to. I half expected him to confront me and half not. But I always wasn’t too surprised that he had ignored me nearly the entire night, busy with Jennifer. The girl he cheated with on me. I believed that without Tae Hyung by my side, I would have felt all those feelings of rejection and worthlessness, seeing how easy it was for him to cheat on me. I know my heart wasn’t fully given over to Chris because Tae Hyung had a huge portion of my heart but I was trying to move on, and Christ truly was helping me. I cared for him and could see myself falling for him at some point. Maybe. But I would be a liar if I didn’t admit seeing him making out with Jennifer stung. But Tae Hyungs smile was like healing to my soul. Tae Hyung had decided to leave it was only 30 minutes before they closed the dance down and people were making their plans for the “prom after party”.

“What do you want to do Tae? I’m up for anything…” I tell him adjusting the hairpiece in my hair looking over his shoulder and watching people leave.

“I’m not really up do going to a party if that’s ok with you because I do still have to work tomorrow, but if you want too…”, I smile at him.

“It’s fine Tae. I didn’t really want to either. Lets go…”. He smiles back at me.

“Ok. I’m just going to run in and use the bathroom, I drank way too much water!”, I laughed and nodded at him, grabbing the keys from his hand and turning to walk to his dad’s car. I saw someone approaching from my side thinking it was some of my classmates ready to leave.

“ Why did you big him? Huh? Because you wanted to rub it in my face. You a fucking a slut..”, And that’s when I heard his voice, tone irritated. How dare he call me a slut after everything he did.

“What!? What the fuck are you talking about? Don't call me that, you asshole!” I gritted my teeth at him, my whole body going tense.

“What? You expect me to believe that you were not fucking him the whole time you were with me! Fucking him and not fucking me!”, He neared my face, and I could smell he had been drinking.

“No,! That's not true, I never had sex with Tae! I’m not a slut! Fuck you, Chris! And get the fuck away from me!” I shouted turning to open the car door my body trembling with anger.

“Whatever I don’t want nasty seconds anyway, bit-!”

Chris was not able to even finish his sentence before Tae Hyung’s fit made contact with his face knocking him to the ground in one go! I was shocked. Within seconds Tae Hyung was on Chris landing punch after punch on his face. It took three guys to pull him off of Chris. Thankfully the guys were friends of mine who had seen the whole thing take place. They help get Chris up and out of our way so that we can head home.

“Hey you ok?”, I asked my body still shaking slightly from witnessing the amount of aggression Tae displayed. I had never seen him that angry or ever fight with anyone.

“Ya, I’m fine. I can’t believe that piece of shit called you a slut. I’m so sorry y/n.” I looked at his hands on the steering wheel seeing how bruised and bloody his knuckles were, I had to admit I was slightly turned on.

“It’s ok tae, it was sweet of you to defend me but you could get in trouble for what happened…” I couldn't hide the worried tone in my voice.

“He deserved it and he sure as hell didn’t deserve you…”, I see his hands tighten on the stirring wheel and blood starts to ooze a little.

“Your bleeding Tae”. My voice was soft. The car rolls to a stop in front of my home.

“Come on inside, let me take a look at your hands,” I tell him in a commanding voice my eyes tell him I’m not taking no for an answer.

“Ok, Dr. First Aid…” opening the car door. Immediately after walking inside with him, I tended to his bloodied knuckles in the guest bathroom. His shirt was ruffled the three buttons were missing and his hair was scattered like it had been wind-whipped. He looked even hotter like this, I was losing my shit. His eyes locked on me the entire time I tended to his beautiful hands but I refused to meet his eyes. I could not because I felt like I’d burst into flames with how hot my body felt being this close to him in such a small space.

“Ok all done! How does it feel now”. I beam.

“Fucking hurts, but it was worth it. You got any good pain meds?” He follows me as I walk out of the bathroom. I tell him I will change and look around in my parent's room and our upstairs bathroom. I couldn't find any pain meds not even Tylenol because my family was all anti- modern medication, I could take generational racial trauma for that. Then the thought occurred to me that my brother's weed stash should do the trick. I grab a pre-rolled joint and quickly throw on my cutest pair of silk pajama shorts and a button-down top.

“No pain meds, but this might do the trick…” I hold the joint up in my hands. He grabs it from my hand grinning from ear to ear and grabs my hand leading us to the backyard and inside our tree house. It truly was ours, as we worked for two summers around the neighborhood, saving our money to buy the materials and build the tree house.

“This is perfect.” he turns on our solar lights and we get comfortable on the floor mats. He lays next to me holding the joint in front of our faces.

“You want to go first?”. I nod my head.

“Sure, I’ll get us started…”, he grins, his lips smirking, meaning he was about to say some snarking comment.

“Oh, are you doing to show me how it's done y/n? I didn’t know you ever smoked! I’m hurt. I’m starting to doubt I’m your best friend, now that you have been keeping secrets from me. What else have you been hiding?” He wags his eyebrows at me his hand over his heart like he is hurt. My confidence rising I tease him right back.

“Wouldn’t you like to know…” I tease and light up the joint letting the smoke fill my lungs.

“I do want to know what kind of —-” My deep coughing, and hacking from the smoke stops him mid-sentence.

“Damn y/n…” He starts to laugh.

“Shut the fuck up and smoke already, or let me have it…” I bark out laughing as well.

“Ok. Ok…” he takes a huge deep inhale from the joint, holding it in his mouth. Looks like he had plenty of experience smoking and I wondered with who? He had more experience than me because he barely coughed. We spent the next 10 minutes in silence just passing joint back and forth between us. I loved this moment so much, our bodies lying inches from each other, my anxiety completely gone because of the weed.

“Damn, why is it so cold its basically summer already.” I break the silence feeling the goose bumps on my skin when the draft from the cool night breeze flowing through the open tree house window hits me. I prop myself up scanning the room with my eyes.

“Well, you are practically wearing nothing in those little ass shorts. Come here I’ll help keep you warm” I whip my head at him a giggle spilling from my mouth. He reaches out with his arms his hands making grabby fingers like a toddler.

“That’s a terrible pickup line and you look like a toddler like that”, more laughter spilling from my lips as I turn poking his ribs with my finger.

“And what would you keep me warm with…” He props himself up and leans over towards me his eyes flashing.

“Only good girls get to find out how I can keep them warm”, he laughs wagging his eyebrows up and down at me and I laugh too.

“Wow. Is this how you make girls fall at your feet? I laugh more falling backwards against the floormat. I couldn’t stop laughing.

“Well, sadly it doesn't work on everyone…buuuut I know a few different ways I can keep you warm…” I felt the heat of his body as he shifted even closer to me. When I open my eyes his head is propped up on his arm and his eyes are slowly trailing from my lips to my breast. His fingertips feather across my exposed midriff and trace the skin at the heam of my shorts. I laugh even more and my body warms hearing him join me. We were both giggling fools.

“How are you so lame but so fucking hot at the same time…”, a grunt sounded from my throatand I felt my body heat as I turn my head to face him. God, he was fucking beautiful. The moment our eyes locked, I licked my lips.

“So What do bad girls get?” a smirk filled his lips as he cocked an eyebrow high at me.

“Punishment…” His lips swoop in tasting my neck. I suck in a breath my chest rising and falling. His fingers slip below my shorts. Everything was happening so fast. I felt like I was on fire and I was desperate for more. I hiss feeling the soft pads of his finger tips stroke my pussy lips so gently, causing my body to shudder. He continued to suck and lick at my neck, his teeth grating against my skin. Deep gurtteral moans forced themselves from the pit of my core unleashing into the night without my control. My carnal sounds only urge him on and that was perfect because I wanted more. Finally his fingers pierced through my swollen, tender wet lips but not nearly deep enough.

“Oh fuck, y/n. Your so wet.”, I was damn near rabid with want as I arched and thrusted my hips against his fingers desperate for him to explore the depth of my core.

“You want more? (kissing) But, you’ve been a bad girl, y/n (sucking), teasing me with your tits barely covered (nipping) and with your ass (licking) hanging out of those shorts”. I was panting burning against is lavaishing of my neck. He began working his blessed mouth down my collarbone and over my clevage.

“Please..Tae..”, I was reduced to begging, as I grabbed his hand, forcing his fingers to plunch deep with in me. I gasp escaped me at the delicious and foreign feeling fo fullness from his fingers. I had touched myself to salasoush thoughts and fantasy of him for so long but having his fingers finally inside was everything. I thursted my hips against his fingers chasing the building burning in my core, anything to feel more of him. His warm wet mouth licked and sucked at my nipple over the thin fabric of my tank top cause my moans to fall from my lips.

“Y/N, fucking hell, Im going to cum like this…” he mummbled over my nipple rolling the pebble in his mouth a grunt springing from my mouth. My fingers laced into his hair smashing his mouth harder into my breast.

“No!... Not until I suck your dick….” I panted in a commanding desprate tone as he brought my bodying higher, trembling and matching each thrust of his fingers. I cry out feeling my whole body seize as he fingers me through my orgasm still sucking and lapping at my nipple harshly through my tanktop. I was so horny for him I couldn’t stop myself the weed egeing me on. I push him back making quick work to unzip his pants and jerk down his clothes as I could free him. I had dreamed of tasting him for so long, I could not wait another moment.

“Y/n…oh….fuck….sh—ttt…slow…down…”, I devoured him, bobing my head, sucking and hollowing out as if my life depended on it. I aletnereted between licks, sucks, kisses and taking him down my throat. I had never sucked a dick but something in me or maybe it was the weed clicked within me. I had him a shutterin, moaning, seizing mess. I loved every moment of it. I pause on for a moment to catch my breath kiss his lips and take his figures still coated with my cum in to my mouth before I continue to divour his beautiful dick.

“Y/n, oh,... fuck… your…so hot…your perfect…fucking beautiful like this…” my eyes flicker towards him and I watch the way he takes me in enjoying watching my worship his dick.

“Fuck… I’m going to cum….slow down….”

“Y/N! Where are you! I swear to God, Tae Hee or whatever the fuck better not be here! You better not have fucked my sister! I’ll fucking kill you!” I froze at the sound of my brothers voice yelling in the house.

“Fuck! We have to get dressed!” I jumped up strainted my hair and nearly flew down the tree house. I scrambled to the lawn chairs and acted like I was watching the stars. I knew my brother would defiantly punch Tae a minum if we were caught, and I’d be ground till I moved out of the house for sure if my parents found out.

“Tae! Stay in the tree house… just for a bit…”

“Ok” he whispered back to me”

I go into the house and explain to my brother that tae hand fallan asleep and that I had went to get him a pillow. My brother bough the story and was made that we smoked weed. He brought Tae a blanket and told him he could stay the night since he was high in the living room but better not even think of touching his sister. I couldnt help but laugh. The moment was sweet while it lasted. It was a memory I kept with me and dear to my heart for several years locked away in my Nostalgic Teen years.

In the morning Tae Hyung was gone. A week went by without a text from him nor from I. I was terrified not sure what to do, what to say. His social media was silent other than his girl friend. Looks like they had gotten back together a few days after our tree house play. I was crushed seeing her pictures of them together nearly everyday. Another 7 days went by and still not calls or text messages or visits from him. I was starting to grow angery and bitter.

Finally, on the third week, days before graduation, he texted me that he would meet to talk. I agree, like a pathetic whipped girl in love. He apologized for what happened in the tree house, and he should not have smoked with me. He felt terrible for taking advantage of the situation and begged for forgiveness. I, of course, forgave him to save my pride and told him I only saw him as a friend anyway and it was good for me to get some experience before we left for college and I trusted him and that it was fine and I was fine. I lied. I was far from fine. I was crushed. He then continued to crush my soul and let me know he had decided to attend NYU and would not be staying in Austin to go to college together as we had always planned. It was the beginning of the end for us. The next 4 years between us were never the same, and our friendship was never recovered, never returned to what it was.

#taehyung x reader #taehyung fanfic #taehyung smut #kim taehyung #tae hyung / reader smut #ao3 #taehyung x you #taehyung fanfiction #bts smut #bangtan smut

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craziechwiv · 4 months ago

Text

Aether x Amber HC! (Featuring Paimon)

~Amber~

#1: During the colder seasons or whenever they travel to somewhere cold in general, Amber holds Aether's hands to make sure they don't freeze off.

Aether: I told you, it's no big deal. I'm perfectly fi-ah, achoo! Ignore that...please.

Amber: So, what's that about being perfect fine?

#2: Amber is big spoon when cuddling but she genuinely wishes to be the little spoon, as she likes when Aether wraps his arms around her.

Amber: Mmm, nice and warm~.

Aether: Can't you just make yourself warm?

Amber: It's not the same, okay?!

#3: Amber always strives to work her hardest, maybe abit too hard at times. So, when Lisa can't get her away from the library for research or studying, they call in plan B.

Lisa: Amber, sweetie. I really don't want to have to ban you here if you drool on any books.

Amber: I'm fine Lisa, you know I won't ever do that!

Lisa: I know, but if you don't go rest at home, I'll call him.

Amber: You wouldn't dare...

Lisa: I always loved a little risk~.

#4: Amber can handle her own in a fight very well, but when it comes to creeps asking her out? She may need some assistance in getting away from the situation.

Weirdo: Hey there, bun-bun~.

Amber: Uh...what?

Weirdo: How about you and I get outta here and I see you hop on something nice and ha-A...AHHH!

Amber: Aether?!

Aether: Just a second, I just wanna talk to this poor sap in private.

~Aether~

#1: Aether is the designated cook of for their dates and if he isn't cooking, he trusts Paimon more than Amber in the kitchen.

Aether: I gotta go help Diluc real quick, I'll be back to cook us something later, okay?

Amber: Okay, stay safe!

Aether: For you, always.

Amber: Now that he's gone, I shall prepare something delicious for his return! Time to get cracking~!

One hour later...

Amber: So, here's a life lesson I learned. Don't set your knife on fire, to grill and cut veggies at the same time. They'll catch on fire...and burn the kitchen down...and the rest of the house as well somehow.

Aether: ...

#2: Aether is very, VERY, touch starved.

Amber: Mmm, morning Aether- ACK!

Aether: No. Stay with me, abit more~.

Amber: I'm not getting out of this, am I?

Aether: Nope~.

#3: Aether routinely makes jokes about Amber being an actual bunny (Where have you heard that one before.)

Aether: Hm, it's almost time for Easter.

Ambers: ...Yep.

Aether: Now where are we gonna get a human-size rabbit for the easter egg hunt?

Amber: sigh

Aether: If only we-

Amber: If you don't stop, you're gonna make me mad.

Aether:

Amber: ...Don't you dare say it...

Aether: Don't you mean hopping mad?

Amber: Cmere.

Aether: AAAAAAH!

#4: Aether gets jealous whenever he sees someone hitting on Amber.

In the distance, Amber is talking to someone who is getting abit handsy with her.

Kaeya: *Cautiously looking at the to talking, then back at Aether*

Aether: *Seething*

Kaeya: Now I wouldn't say I'd be wary but...

Aether: KAEYA.

Kaeya: I'd like to keep my other eye. Got it, go with your own plan here.

Aether: That depends.

Kaeya: On what?

Aether: Want to be an accomplice or a witness?

Kaeya: Any other options...?

Aether: Victim?

Kaeya: I'm blind, deaf, and have need to get drunk to forget about this murder plot.

~Paimon~

#1: They have a 'family' photo because of a dare. Whenever Paimon looks at it though, she usually cries.

Paimon: *Sobbing* W-We look like such a happy family...WAAAH!

Amber: ...What do we do?

Aether: Just, let her have this.

#2: She is the designated helper when it comes to cooking.

Aether and Paimon are both singing as Paimon tosses chopped up veggies in a pot, and begins being twirled around by Aether. Amber, watches from afar with a smile on her face.

#3: Whenever Paimon tags along with one of their dates as a third wheel, people assume they had a kid. This doesn't deter people's thoughts when Paimon likes being carried by either...

Random lady: Aww, what a beautiful child you both have! How old is she?

Aether: Uh...she's 6?

Random lady: Oh, so you two...REALLY started early huh?

Amber: O-OH No, no. you got it all wrong ma'am! She's just-

Random lady: Don't worry, I won't blurt out your secret. Just be more careful next time is all~!

#4: Paimon usually sleeps in their bed whenever she gets a chance.

Paimon quietly flies into Aether and Amber's room, slowly falling into a spot in between then and gets comfortable under the covers, only to be grabbed and hugged tightly by Amber.

Paimon: !

Amber: Bad dream?

Paimon: Uh...y-yeah.

Amber: Or did you just feel lonely

Paimon: Uhm.

Aether: Say the truth and you can sleep in her for tonight.

Paimon: ...Fine.

#genshin impact #gi aether #gi amber #gi paimon #amther #aether x amber #amber x aether #aether + amber + paimon #the stars and suns

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warwickroyals · 2 years ago

Text

beginning -previous - next

I WILL NOT CALL WOMEN THE B-WORD. I WILL TREAT WOMEN WITH RESPECT x 100

I don't know if you've heard: but there's gonna be a Red Reckoning on Wednesday ❤️‍🔥

[ARTHUR] [MUMBLING] I can't believe it's still raining.

[???] You should be grateful it’s just rain. I heard Collingwood got a boatload of snow over the weekend.

[ARTHUR] Yeah, there's a reason most of us only go up there in the summer. Sooo . . . Yeah.

[???] You should be grateful twofold. His Majesty has been preoccupied. The beginning of a new Parliamentary session is always a busy period. So, It's likely he doesn't know. Her Majesty The Queen, however . . . Horrified was the word The Warwick Post used. Don't do much, just apologize, admit fault and be a good boy, okay?

[???] Another thing: while you're there I want you to write a few apology letters addressed to some of the residents. Be sure to use palace paper. They've already been typed up, just copy them. It'll be a nice touch, the handwriting.

[ARTHUR] Yeah, whatever.

[???] I know you're upset that your father came down on you, but it's in all of our interests that we keep your image pristine. That means being mindful of your public behaviour and not talking to the press under any circumstances.

[ARTHUR] Why is he so obsessed with fixing his image now, though? I don’t get it.

[???] Things have consequences, but to constantly be characterized by your past mistakes makes moving forward difficult. And it’s not just about him, last year's security hoopla—

[ARTHUR] That wasn't a consequence, we didn’t even do anything—

[???] It was a consequence of your father’s estrangement from the palace.

[???] We’re on thin ice. If you want to maintain the privileges that come with a royal lifestyle, you have to operate with more discretion—You can roll your eyes if you want, I mean it. Your father's official offices have been shut down for good, he’s done, what you want depends on you.

[???] Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you? This is the second time we’ve had this conversation.

[ARTHUR] I understood you the first time, I just chose to ignore you, and I am not having this talk a third time. You’re my father’s comms secretary, Carruthers, you’re not family.

[CARRUTHERS] You are your mother’s child, without a doubt. Now, go see your granny, since family means so much to you.

[IRENE] Was that number one hundred? Drat! Now you see, I've lost count.

[ARTHUR] Grandma, pluh-eze! My hand is going to fall off if you make me go on any longer.

[IRENE] This is how my governess used to punish me and my sisters whenever we misbehaved. Sometimes old tricks work the best. Although this is rather time-consuming.

[ARTHUR] And torturous.

[IRENE] If you want a real lesson in torture, you can go show that video to your grandfather.

[ARTHUR] No, no, no! That’s totally not necessary. I've learned my lesson. I promise.

[IRENE] Very well. Now, what do you say to all the women and girls you've hurt with your misogynistic language?

[ARTHUR] Uh, I'm sorry for saying the B-word, women and girls?

[IRENE] I’m not sure if I believe you. Your aunts are doing an ad campaign for Girl Up! next week. Perhaps you should attend one of the recording sessions. They are looking for volunteers.

[ARTHUR] I’d rather not encroach on their scared girl power meeting with my male-ness.

[IRENE] Feminism is for everyone, I keep trying to tell you boys.

[ARTHUR] Yeah, but Girl Up! isn’t for everyone, key difference. We have conflicting interests.

[IRENE] You know, Duckie, even when I'm supposed to be I can't stay angry at you for long.

[ARTHUR] It's because I'm your favourite and I'm oh so charming and handsome. Plus, I came all this way to give you these flowers, oh, and this . . .

Okay, stop, now you’re being a kiss-ass. Good grandmothers don’t have favourites, by the way.

Yeah, but, between you and me? I’m still your favourite. You can say it’s Alex whenever he asks, because he has bad hair and all those commitment issues, but I think we both know the truth.

Speaking of hair, my true favourite grandson would let me cut his. You’re slowly transforming into one of the Bee Gees. Okay, rude! And not even the main Bee Gee, you look like Robin, Arthur, Robin!

[ARTHUR] I like the Bee Gees, and I think I'm pulling the look off.

[IRENE] Truth be told, you do remind me of one of my favourite people.

[ARTHUR] My dad?

[IRENE] Oh, God, no, you're far more relaxed than your father was at your age. More outgoing, too. You’re close, though.

#warwick.story #chapter three #ts4 story #ts4 storytelling #ts4 legacy #ts4 royal legacy #ts4 edit #ts4 screenshots #ts4 royalty #ts4 monarchy #ch: arthur #ch: irene #✨

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sariastrategos · 1 year ago

Note

For the writing prompt, how about either Kylo or Hux seeing the other in a vulnerable moment for the first time?

@fridayincarnate I see your name come up all the time in my notes, hello!

He was being summoned to his master. He’d really messed up this time. An entire squad of tie fighters lost, ventral cannons destroyed, systems barely operational and all because he’d lost control of a mission.

He was being summoned back to his master for discipline. And Snoke was not happy. That only ever meant one thing for him.

Pain.

Impossible amounts of pain.

Most wouldn’t be able to withstand the torture he’d be put through, but he wasn’t most people. He had a higher tolerance for pain after so many years of it. He’d had to endure so much more every time he was out of line to make the lessons stick. And Snoke was so mad he knew that look he was in so much trouble he was in so much trouble-

He vaguely heard someone calling his name but he just kept staring where the projection of the supreme leader had once been he couldn’t see he couldn’t hear right everything was off he couldn’t think he was so mad he was in so much trouble-

“REN!”

Like he was in a dream he turned his head. Not even knowing why but hearing his name what was going to happen what did he do what-

Hux knew a panic attack when he saw one. He’d talked himself down from enough of them to know Ren was seconds from dropping like a stone.

He should let him. He should just kriffing let him hit the deck and be humiliated. He didn’t have a single reason not to after everything he’d done. After the years of migraines and annoyance, the destroyed tech, he should just walk away and let him collapse to the ground. Be the one to feel helpless for a change. He should just. let him. fall.

He put himself in front of Kylo’s line of vision and held his arms to steady him. “Ren, look at me. Can you hear me?”

Kylo nodded slowly but Hux could see he was barely there.

“Good, that’s good. Ren I need you to focus on me. Can you do that?” He asked calmly. A longer pause and a slower nod. “Good man. Can you name three things you can see for me?”

Three…three things. Three things he could see. “Red. Red hair.” He replied slowly, focusing on the brightest thing in front of him.

“Very good, that’s one, can you name another?” Seeing a vague spark of something in Kylo’s eyes. Recognition maybe. “Name a second thing for me.”

Kylo looked slowly at him again, eyes trailing down. “Coat. Your greatcoat. You never wear the sleeves…”

Hux nodded encouragingly “Excellent, Kylo, you’re doing very well. Can you name one last thing for me?” He could see Kylo starting to come around with every new thing he focused on. If all else failed he had smelling salts on him. “Third thing to name for me, Kylo, you can do it.”

It was like waking up slowly from a deep sleep and he shook himself, forcing himself to focus “Wrists? Your wrists are showing. They’re always covered.” He added dumbly and shook himself again. “Red hair. Greatcoat and your wrists. Your gloves aren’t meeting the sleeves. You’re touching me.” He frowned, looking down to where Hux was holding his elbows.

“Very well done Ren. Are you with me again?” He asked, stepping back slightly.

Kylo blinked and looked around, reorienting himself. “I…yeah I think so. What happened?”

“You we’re shutting down. It happens in a panic attack.”

“A panic attack?” Is that what that was?

“Yes, Kylo, it can happen when you get overwhelmed.” Hux took a step back, confident Kylo was recovering well enough.

“I felt like I was underwater. Like somebody had hit a pause button on everything…”

“Was it your first?” Now they were making awkward small talk.

“I…I don’t know. I don’t think so. I think I’ve had something like it before but not so bad.” He ran a hand through his hair to hide the tremor in his hands. “Why did you help me?”

Hux looked away. “…I never had anyone help talk me through mine.”

An awkward silence fell where they didn’t look at each other. It both answered his question and didn’t but he didn’t have the energy to press him further.

They stood together not knowing what to do now. This was new territory for both of them and the unfamiliar was uncomfortable.

Finally Hux nodded curtly and turned on his heel to leave.

“Hux…” He called after him “Thank you.”

Hux paused “…You’re welcome.”

This got long lol thank you so much for the prompt!

#writing #prompts #asks #writing prompts #my writing #star wars #general hux #armitage hux #kylo ren #tw: panic attack

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animerina · 1 year ago

Text

The Third Leaf Represents Love-Yami Sukehiro

Summary: Part 1 of a collection of Black Clover x Reader stories.

Note: 18+ ONLY, minors DNI. I really did not intend to start off with such a long fic for Yami, but here we are. I hope you enjoy the first chapter of this series, and please feel free to let me know who else you’d like to see featured.

“This was such a great idea, Captain,” she sighed as she sunk deeper into the pool of steaming water. She’d never experienced such a treat, the hot water lapping at her skin and soothing her sore muscles. Asta and Noelle had mentioned something like this the last time they’d been whisked away by Mereoleona, but she’d been out and missed being dragged along. Captain Yami had called it an onsen, an indoor hot spring; something he’d been wanting for the base for a long while.

“Had to pressure Henry into making another change, but worth it,” he groaned, letting his head fall back against the wooden edge.

“So,” she peeked over at him across the barrier that barely hid the other side of the onsen. “Did you intend for the boys’ and girls’ side to be in the same room?”

“Shut up. I’m trying to relax woman!” Another groan left him before he mumbled a response. “Henry didn’t quite understand what I wanted.”

“Sure, Captain. I’m sure it wasn’t because you want an eyeful.”

“Like there’s anything to look at in this damn squad,” he scoffed loud enough for her to hear.

“Yami!” She gasped in mock offense, their playful natures feeding off each other. “How rude!”

He huffed out a small laugh before sinking further under the water. They both knew he was joking, especially since they’d been known to find their way into each others beds in the middle of the night. She had called it stress relief, and he had said the same once or twice, but the truth was he didn’t like admitting how much he craved her. Her teasing never helped. Even today when she’d joined him, she had refused to get in with him, turning her nose and insisting that it was the boys’s side and the water was probably filthy. He had rolled his eyes and told her to do what she wanted, but he still peeked when she threw her towel off.

She turned away from him and began wading to the other side of the designated girls’ pool, smirking at the image of her captain obscured by the billowing steam. “Well if you aren’t going to make any changes to the design, you should invite the rest of the captains over to enjoy your brilliant idea. I, for one, would love an eyeful of that Fuegoleon Vermillion.”

“Alright, that’s it.” She heard from his side. “Now you’re really in for it, woman!”

She giggled and moved further away as Yami heaved himself over the barrier, his body on full display. She had little time to appreciate it before he was on her, crowding up her smaller body against the edge of the basin. The hard wood dug into her back forcing her to arch deeper into his body.

“You wanna repeat that, princess?”

“Yami,” she sighed airily, smirk never leaving her face. Her favorite hobby as of late had been teasing her captain, knowing full well she wouldn’t let another man touch her. She didn’t want anyone else, but she’d never admit that out loud, not when the two had such a great thing going on. She wouldn’t dare ruin that.

Leaning her body on Yami’s chest, she gazed up at him with defiance in her eyes. “If he were here now, oh the things I’d let him do to me.”

His hand shot out around her throat, squeezing until the line between pleasure and pain blurred. She struggled to swallow, but kept her act up. “Why so angry, Captain? Don’t like me fucking other men?”

“I think you need to be taught a lesson,” he growled, hand squeezing just a little tighter. “Or did you forget you belong to me?”

Her façade fell for a moment, eyes widening as she struggled to breathe, and Yami was perceptive enough to relax his hold to where he was only holding her in place. His thumb stroked the side of her neck as he leaned in. “You wanna act like a slut, then I’ll treat ya like one.”

He moved like lightning and before she had blinked, he had her arms pinned to her chest as he held her from behind. She was settled in his lap, legs spread wide as he ground his hips against her. His length, already hardened from her teasing, caught her fluttering hole with every thrust, not enough to slip in, but enough to keep her whining against his chest. One hand slipped down and traced faint circles on her womanhood.

“Yami,” she whimpered. “Captain, please!” The last bit a long-winded plea that Yami could only describe as desperate. “Please, I want it so bad.”

“Awww what’s wrong, brat? Bit off more than your pretty mouth could chew? That’s too bad.”

“You’re so mean!”

“You gonna cry? What a baby!” He taunted, enjoying her torment. “Still want Captain Firepants to come fuck you stupid?”

She was lost to his torment, her mind a fog full of Yami’s impressive mana and the feeling of his equally impressive length slotted against her. She couldn’t think beyond forming pleas much less when he asked her a question. In her confusion, she blurted out, “Who?”

“Good answer,” he chuckled and let her sink down on him thoroughly enjoying the moan that ripped out of her. “Awww, you like that? I bet you do.”

He allowed her to settle herself the rest of the way and swallowed his own groan of pleasure as she tightened around him. Yami released her for a while as she adjusted, letting her lay against his broad chest until she started squirming again, her hands finding leverage on the bench beneath him. Curling his arms around her again, she found herself locked in place.

“But-,” she started but was interrupted by Yami’s booming laugh.

“You’re gonna sit nice and pretty on my lap while your captain relaxes. Got it?”

Another whine escaped her, but she lay her head back conceding to his demand. She tucked her head against his throat, brows furrowed in frustration.

“And don’t you even thing about moving,” he added with a swat to her rear that made her squeeze tighter. Yami groaned once more. “And if I cum inside, well, that’s your problem.”

She sighed into the column of his throat, her stubbornness gone as she gave herself over to the man she trusted most. “Yes, Captain.”

“Mmm,” he stroked her hips gently. “Good girl.”

She’d been quiet for a while as they had sat in the bath. The heat from the steam and from her body had gotten to him and he gently brushed hair from her forehead.

“You didn’t fall asleep on me did ya?”

Murmuring a no, she opened her eyes and tried prying herself from him, but the motion only made her clench tighter. Yami hissed and grabbed onto her hips with bruising force.

“Oi,” he exclaimed over her whine. “Gimme a sec would ya?”

As gently as he could, he maneuvered her so she was sitting on the edge of the bath. Giving her a quick kiss, he ran his hands through her hair.

“You good?”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “But I didn’t cum.”

He snorted. “Yeah? Well me either, princess. What are you gonna do about it?”

“Beg you.”

“Oh?”

“Mhm,” she hummed, her voice turning back to an airy whisper. “Please, Captain. I want you so badly. I need you to fuck me and make me cum. Only you can do it right.”

“So desperate,” he chided with another swat to her backside. “Don’t need anyone else, huh?”

“Just you, sir.”

“Shit,” he hissed.

He sensed no ki coming from the hallway so he took the opportunity to toss her over his shoulder, causing a yelp, and sauntered to his bedroom where she was thrown onto his unmade sheets. Making his way to sit against the headboard, he relished in the sight of her crawling over the mattress onto him. She eyed him hungrily, wanting to feel every inch of him, but before she could settle on his lap once more, he stopped her. Yami was shit at expressing himself and he knew it, so he tried to say what he wanted with actions more than words. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her into a breath taking kiss full of teeth and tongue. She savored it as much as he could before he pulled away leaving a trail of saliva between the two.

“Ah, ah,” he shook his head as he flipped her around so she was facing the foot of the bed. “Show me.”

Knowing what he meant, she flushed as she placed herself face down on the fresh sheets. She honestly felt so boneless she could barely hold herself up, but she didn’t need to. Yami was already behind her, hands holding her hips steady and putting her fluttering hole on display. His thumb stroked her sensitive bud, the muscles clenching around air and he chuckled at the sight. It was red and slightly swollen from their earlier activities, but it was a sight he’d never get tired of.

“So greedy,” he taunted. “I guess I better fill you up.”

Yami wasted no more time. He spit, letting his saliva drip down her cunt before burying himself in one thrust. Still sensitive, she cried out, fingers grasping at his sheets as he started a brutal pace. She thought he’d be gentle this time, but she should have known better. He was always such a beast in bed.

The angle allowed him to plunge deeper than earlier. He relished in every cry she made as he found his rhythm, every thrust hitting something deep inside that made her beg for more. She shook with pleasure as his hands traveled down to massage her sides. It was such a raw sensation as if the pads of his fingers were carving deep marks on her ribs and belly. Imaging how sore she’d be tomorrow, she hoped he’d give her a bit of rest, at least for a few hours before training tomorrow. There was no way she was going to be able to after they were done. And as worn out as she knew she’d be, she somehow found the strength to rock herself back to meet his thrusts as she chased her release.

He was being tougher than usual, he knew, but he couldn’t control himself anymore-not when she made those cute, desperate little sounds. She was gorgeous beneath him as always-a sight he craved far too often. When they had started this whatever-it-was, he had just thought of it as sex, but it quickly turned into much more at least for him. He had remained quiet about his feelings not only because he didn’t want to spoil these moments, but also because he was her superior. If she didn’t feel the same, though he hoped she did, he didn’t want her to feel obligated to keep sleeping with him. So Yami decided he would stay quiet for as long as possible, but she made it difficult when she looked at him with that damn grin and that wild streak in her eyes. And when she’d be whining beneath him, the attitude all but fucked out of her. She’d be the death of him, that Yami swore, but what a sweet way to go.

This time felt different. Neither of them knew why, but it did. She felt Yami speed up, sensing his end and tried to catch up herself. Maybe the long soak in the tub still had her head reeling, but she felt like her body was on fire. She couldn’t think much past the pleasure she was experiencing, but her thoughts floated in and out of focus as she came undone. She vaguely heard herself beg him to keep going, though she wasn’t sure if she said that aloud or just in her head. She lay boneless as Yami turned her over and heaved her onto her back as he continued his pace, his teeth grit as he reached his end.

“Sorry I came in you.” Yami sat above her on his bed watching her shoulders rise and fall as she regained her senses. He really had meant to pull out, but the blissed-out look on her face nearly ruined him and he lost control. They had always been cautious, but he supposed they were both lost to their senses. An unlit cigarette hung from his lips as he admired the image before him. Her body lay slotted against his thigh as she snuggled deeper into his mess of a bed.

“It’s alright,” she sighed into the pillow she had curled around. “There’s a tea I can take for that.”

He stroked her lower back, the pads of his fingers digging in and causing her to shudder, the aftermath of her undoing still fresh. There was a long silence between them, one that was both comfortable and familiar. It made Yami feel more vulnerable than he expected making him express his inner thoughts aloud, surprising both himself and the woman laying in his bed.

“Or maybe you could not take it?” It had been said so quietly, she hardly heard him, but once she registered what he had said, she nearly shot up, turning toward him.

“What?”

“I mean,” he trailed off as he rubbed the back of his neck knowing it was far too late to take back his words. “I don’t know-kinda like the idea of a couple kids running around.”

“Yami, we’re not even really dating and you want to have kids?” She could not believe they were having this discussion right now of all times.

Yami knew he should have just kept quiet, and he knew that this might ruin what they had, but he couldn’t find it in himself to brush it off as a joke. He’d already taken the first step off the cliff, he might as well just fall.

“I mean, it’s not like we’re seeing other people. And maybe I really am-,” he scoffed at his inability to admit his feelings. “What I’m trying to say is that I think I might be-.” He grumbled into his hand before rubbing his face. Finally, he found he had no other words to say but, “I’m so fucking in love with you.”

After the shock of having her captain confess to her wore off, all she could do was smile up at him. How stupid she’d been hiding her feelings and letting her heart break a little at a time. Reaching for his hand, she brought it to her lips, kissing his calloused knuckles.

“Yeah, I’m fucking in love with you too.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhm,” she held her arms out for him to join her. He settled against her, pulling her onto his chest.

“You really want a kid though? You think you’re ready?” She mused.

“I have a squad full of ‘em already. I think I can handle a couple more.”

#yami sukehiro #yami sukehiro x reader #self indulgent #black clover fic #black clover x reader #black clover x you #captain yami

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