#I do love seeing them succeed and catching awards

[missnxthingg]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 - 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 - Lando Norris x Actress!Reader (Enemies to Lovers & Fake Dating AU) 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 - Lando Norris really messed up on the first time meeting one of Hollywood’s newest and hottest stars, Y/N L/N. But when his reputation gets too bad, she might be the only one who can save his career from being completely doomed. 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒 - 4.6K | 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 - Swearing, mentions of sex, angst 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 - Very very sorry for the delay! Life was a mess and I needed to get things in order. It's coming to an end 🥺 last one will be the last chapter, but let's enjoy while it lasts. Also, this one is for all of us Lando girlies who love to see him succeed in Interlagos!

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𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 - 𝐈 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐎 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓

The morning after the fight was a rollercoaster of emotions for Y/N. She woke up feeling cold, the covers kicked to the bottom of the bed, and no one lying next to her. By now, waking up next to Lando felt familiar and too comfortable for her liking. She had grown fond of having him pressed against her every morning, his arms draped around her waist and his nose buried in her neck. It felt weird to not have him next to her when she opened her eyes. And then she remembered why he wasn’t there.

She really wished she could go back to sleep and pretend the previous night hadn’t happened.

Y/N wrapped herself around the covers once again and groaned, feeling almost like a truck ran over her body the previous night. She could blame it on the only margarita she had the night before, but she knew she could only blame the fight she had with Lando. The memories of them confessing their feelings for each other was almost too painful. It was killing them; and maybe it was for the best to call off their “relationship”, if they could even call it that.

As most days in November in Brazil, it was bright and sunny outside, but Y/N was convinced it was for the best if she stayed in for the entire day. Maybe she could catch up on her watching list on Netflix, order junk food and cry her heart out while no one was watching. After all, she was only required to go outside tomorrow, when her PR team asked her to accompany Lando to the paddock during media day.

She managed to not cry just fine so far that morning, but the universe was making it really hard to keep it together. If the emotions weren’t enough, Y/N found out that day that she was nominated for an Emmy Award. It was all over social media, with everyone congratulating her and posting clips of her performance on her latest show. Her phone was blowing up with calls and texts, but she didn’t have the energy to celebrate it.

Suddenly, it all felt too lonely. Y/N had just acquired the biggest conquest of her career, one that she has dreamed of her entire life, and she had no one to celebrate it with. The person she wanted to celebrate with the most was nowhere to be seen. So she cried alone in that hotel room, because there was nothing more she could do. She should’ve been out there celebrating that conquest, but she was weeping for the loss of Lando Norris, of all people in the world.

He wasn’t having the best days himself. After she left, Lando couldn’t bring himself to fall asleep even if he wanted to. He could only think about Y/N leaving their room crying after saying she didn’t trust him; after telling it all went wrong because he could only think about himself. All the work he did to try getting to her heart gone to waste, only because he forgot to apologize. 

After a couple of hours after finally getting some sleep, Lando was woken up by knocks on his door. Max had come for him after he didn’t answer his phone for the entire morning. His best friend understood what happened almost immediately when he opened the door, his eyes blood shot from crying too much. Lando sighed before crying more, feeling completely powerless with the situation he was trapped in.

“I fucked up”, Lando admitted, completely defeated. “And fuck, I love her so much. But she’s gone”.

Max tried to cheer him up, attempting to get the pieces back together before he was required to be on track, talking to countless journalists about his job. Lando didn’t want to talk about anything with anyone at that moment, only to Y/N if he could. In the end, with all the suffering he was going through, she was the only person he wanted to talk with to make it better.

“It’s not her fault. It’s my fault. All me. I’m always the problem”, he thought, all day. Everybody knows that Lando can get himself down a self depreciation hole, but now he actually knows it was all entirely his fault. So it was a little harder to get him out of there.

He heard of her Emmy nomination later that day, while they were waiting for breakfast at a bakery. Lando felt a boast of energy in his body, feeling so proud of his girl’s achievement. But when he remembered she didn’t want him there to celebrate it with her, he felt sad once again. He had to retreat back to his hotel room, because it was too painful to pretend nothing had happened while he was outside. People were starting to recognize him, and they could all see the sadness painted all over his face. He couldn’t do it anymore.

The first time Y/N and Lando met again after the fight was on the Thursday morning, as they were waiting for a car to pick them up at the hotel to drive them to the track. He felt uneasy to be around her, not getting to exchange a single world to her. She had grown into his best friend over the past couple of months, him always wanting to share everything with her all the time. So when she avoided his eyes like the plague, it hurt him too much.

Still, he wasn’t one to give up so easily. Lando approached her as she was distracted and said what he was dying to say the entire day. “Congratulations on your Emmy nomination. I’m very proud of you”, he kept his voice low, almost as if he was afraid to say those words. Y/N was looking away from him, but her eyes met his once she heard the words. It was as if she was trying to figure out if it was a figure of her imagination or if he was really saying it to her.

He finally got to see how bad she was as well. Lando knew her like the palm of his hand by then, so he could see that she was suffering too. But he saw a little bit of the light come back to her eyes with his words. But as much as she wanted to throw her arms around him and give him the tightest hug, she knew she had to be tough. So she toughened up and gave him the coldest response. 

“Thank you”, she nodded, looking the other way the second after. If Y/N stared into his eyes for too long, she would give into him. Only a few words from him were enough to ignite the fire on her heart once again.

“I would like to talk to you eventually”, he said, still facing only the side of her face. Lando watched her close her eyes and hold her breath. She was trying to not cry again. “If you want to, of course”.

“Not now, Norris”, she walked away without even looking him in the face.

It was hard to pretend everything was fine as they walked together in Interlagos, especially with the whole media surrounding them and ready to fire questions if they noticed something wrong. Luckily, since there was no racing happening, Y/N got to stay buried inside the McLaren motorhome until it was time to go back to the hotel once again.

Everybody noticed something was wrong, especially with the look on Lando’s face. His mood was so down that even Zak Brown noticed it. And judging by how Y/N hid herself in the McLaren hospitality until the whole thing was over, he put two and two together. He tried talking to Norris, but Lando kept assuring everything was fine. No one in the team, specially those who knew the relationship was fake, knew what was going on. How did the lovey-dovey couple go from posting cute pictures on social media to no talking in a couple of days?

Impressively enough, the whole thing that happened between Lando and Y/N didn’t affect his performance at all. He secured P2 in sprint qualifying and maintained the position on the sprint race. And if that wasn’t enough, he got pole position for the main race on Sunday. Yet, he couldn’t feel happy about it enough. None of that seemed to matter, because he couldn’t feel joy at all without Y/N.

He could’ve finished in any position – he could’ve won, for that matter – and he would still feel nothing. It hurt too much to receive nothing but an empty “congratulations” and a lifeless hug, just for the cameras to capture. Lando wanted to punch a wall, and he wanted to punch himself for what he did.

Later that day, when he was back at his hotel room with Max, Lando couldn’t control his crying anymore. He had been excellent at not bursting into tears through the past few days, but it was getting too hard to bottle in the feelings, especially when Y/N’s hands felt cold on his as they walked with fingers laced in public. His best friend had to hug him in order to hold him up and not crumble to the floor.

“Come on, mate. You need to stop crying and go get some rest for tomorrow”, Max pleaded, now having Lando sit down in his bed. “I know this whole thing is hard, but I can’t stand to see you this sad when you should be celebrating the perfect weekend you’re having”.

“I think I lost the love of my life, Max. So of course I’m crying”, Lando wiped off his tears, but they kept streaming from his eyes. “I can’t feel happy without her. She’s everything to me, and knowing I fucked her up makes me feel so stupid. I’m so fucking stupid to not apologize to her.  I did everything, but forgot the most important part of it all”.

“Have you tried apologizing again?”, Max asked and Lando nodded.

“I said I wanted to talk to her whenever she was up to talking, but she ignored me”, Lando sighed, throwing his back against the bed. “I would do anything to go back in time and fix this”.

“You don’t need to go back in time to fix this”, Max said. “Look, mate, she has admitted having feelings for you, right? So find the right words, put your pride aside and get her back”.

“You don’t know her. She is as hard-headed as I am. No simple apologize will make her forget the dickhead that I am”, Lando said. “And maybe I really don’t deserve her. She needs someone who has never treated her less than the amazing person that she is”.

“Lan…”, Max tried talking again, but his friend needed to vent more than hearing more advices.

“I would do anything to see her happy again, you know? It’s even worse to know she’s suffering too, because I can never get out of my head that it’s my fault. And I could make her so happy if she gave me another chance. I just know it”.

“I’m not the one who’s supposed to be hearing those words. Talk to her, tell her everything bottle inside you. This time, remember what I said: find the right words. And if it doesn’t work out, well… you already have nothing. You have to at least try”.

Lando went to sleep that night with Max’s words in his head. Months ago, he vowed he would do anything to make Y/N trust him, and he’s yet to try everything in his sleeves. There’s still one more chance, and he would take all the chances he had to have Y/N back.

When Sunday morning came around, Y/N felt almost hungover with the exhaustion from that week. She dragged herself out of bed for the fifth time that week and put on a sundress to enjoy the nice and warm weather outside. Then after breakfast, she waited at the meeting place in the hotel to get to the paddock, ready to put on her best acting and pretend everything was alright. Today would be crucial, because all the eyes would be on her and Lando through the main event of the weekend.

Through the night, before he fell asleep, Lando thought of a thousand ways to get Y/N to talk to him. And if she was finally going to listen to him, he knew what to say. But all his plans were lost when he saw her standing at the hotel lobby, waiting for the car to take them to the track. He thought of a lot of ways to approach her, but he simply rushed into her encounter. And as if their eyes were magnets, she turned to look at him just a few seconds before the collision. Before she could protest, Lando had her engulfed by his body.

She was taken by surprise with the action, but she was even more surprised to how her body reacted to it. Y/N immediately melted into his touch and let her arms around his shoulder, feeling her chest burning into flames and feeling easy to have him so close. She buried her face in his neck and let all the tears she was holding in for days finally fall in relief.

“I’m so sorry about everything”, he whispered in her ear, holding her a little tighter. “I have so much to apologize to you and the right words to say everything, but so little time right now. I don’t want to go one more second without talking to you, because it's been too much for me. I miss you, Y/N”.

“Lando”, she leaned back and looked between his eyes. Y/N could see how this entire thing has impacted him as well, and it hurt to see him hurt too. So she softly ran one of her thumbs though his cheek and smiled, tired of fighting.

“Y/N”, he encouraged, still too nervous with her response. But he felt a little better to see the smile on her lips once again.

 “Go in that car and win this race. For me”, she held his face between her hands and squeezed it carefully, assuring him that they were okay, at least for now. Lando was so happy that he pulled her back to the hug.

“For you, anything”, he kissed her forehead, knowing a proper kiss would be too far. “I promise that after the race, I have so much to talk to you about”.

“Don’t worry about it now, okay?”, she searched for his hands and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll talk later”.

Lando couldn’t let go off Y/N after that. They still were very quiet around each other, but it was a relief to have her hands laced with his all the time. Even better to have his arms wrapped around her as they cuddled in his driver’s room during his break. And you can bet he felt amazing when she pressed a kiss to his cheek before helping put on his balaclava.

“Good luck, Lan”, she whispered in his ear as he pulled him for a hug. “I trust you”.

And with the words he has been waiting for months to hear, Lando went into his car with the boost of confidence he needed. So far, he hadn’t won a race in Formula 1, but he had been so close for a lot of weekends. Always P2, never the winner. But now he had the confidence who could make him pass anyone in front of him. He was going to win for Y/N, just because she asked him to. So when he crossed the chequered flag before any other driver, he felt his entire life flash right in front of his eyes. Every sweat and tears dropped for this moment, who had been a long time coming. All these years had finally paid off.

Once he parked the car, everything moved in slow motion for him. The mechanics pulling him in for a hug, and all the other drivers who came to congratulate him as well. It could be a scene taken out of a film, quite easily. And when Lando saw Y/N standing right next to Zak Brown behind the barricade, he could feel his heart at his mouth. She was drowning in proud tears, applauding him with all of her strength. So he didn’t care about anyone else who was calling his name; he simply approached her and gave her the biggest kiss they ever shared. 

It’s been only a couple of days since he had last kissed them, but Lando missed her lips as if it had been a year since he last did it. And with that, he felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders, knowing everything was finally alright. His reputation was saved, he had a race win, and he had his favourite girl right there with him. It couldn’t get better than that.

Lando chased her lips once she tried to break off the kiss, not wanting to let go off her yet. But she managed to separate them between giggles. “My P1. I’m so proud of you, Lan, congratulations!”

“I love you”, he mumbled against her lips. “I love you so fucking much”.

Y/N didn’t say it back right at that moment, because there’s still a lot that needed to be said between them before those three words. But she kissed him again, and it said it all. She didn't have to say she loves him because Lando knew it. Looking into her eyes, tasting her on his lips, he knew she felt the same. So he didn’t care about getting no response, because he knew it all in his heart.

“I’ll be back in the blink of an eye. I promise you”, Lando pressed another quick peck to her lips before proceeding with everything he’s required to after the race.

Lando stood on the tallest step of the podium and raised his trophy as high as he could. He splashed his champagne bottle to make a mess on everyone, spotting Y/N on the ground and spraying the liquid far enough to reach her downstairs. He was glowing, and anyone could see that. It showed through the pictures, the interviews, the small talks with people from his team. McLaren made sure the debrief was short so they could all go celebrating the moment that has been a long time coming.

He was ready to party, but there was one more thing left to do.

“You stink of champagne”, Y/N was giggling between his arms. He was spinning her around as they walked into his hotel room, finally having some time along after the race. Nothing could kill the big smile he had stamped on his face.

“Smell it. It’s Chanel”, he joked, pulling Y/N for another kiss. Lando had her pressed against the door once it was close, and it felt too good to have his breath taken away once again by her kisses. He wanted to touch her everywhere just to know she was really there, but once his hands darted under her dress, she stopped him there.

“Not now, Lan. We still have a lot to talk before all of this”, she broke off the kiss, and he agreed with a nod. Suddenly, he was nervous once again, knowing the talk they needed to have had the potential to fix or fuck everything. “Hey, where’s that big smile you were giving me before? I miss it”.

“It is terrified of losing you”, he admitted, making Y/N’s eyes soften for him. She rubbed her thumbs on his cheeks and pouted, making him open a small grin once again. “But you’re right, we need to talk”.

“We don’t need to do this right now, Lando”, she said as he pulled her to sit in bed. He cut her before she said anything else.

“But I want to”, he said, pulling her hands to entwine with his. “Listen, I don’t think any amount of words can fix what I did to you in the past, but I'm very, very sorry. For every bad thing I said about you and every time I mistreated you. Y/N, you never deserved to hear those words from anyone, and I'm sorry I took too long to realize that”.

Y/N nodded and waited quietly while listening to what he had to say. But she could tell that he was nervous, so she encouraged him by rubbing her thumbs on the back of his hand. Lando looked down and smiled at the gesture. It showed how much she cared about him, even though he keeps fucking her up.

“You jumped into this crazy idea just to help me in the blink of an eye, and I never showed you gratitude. Even when I didn’t deserve, you were kind, and you took care of me. And I kept breaking your heart over and over again”, he admitted. “And I regret all of that. I'm so sorry, and I promise you, I'll change”.

“You already have changed”, she ran her fingers through his curls and looked between his eyes. “I know you have, Lando, or else I wouldn't have opened up to you. I just couldn’t bring myself to believe that it was really happening. So I tried to shield myself as much as I could from falling in love with you”.

Lando nodded, a little sad to know that he hurt this relationship so much that she tried not to feel anything for him. But it was nice knowing she felt the same all along, even though they needed some healing.

“And I know you're not the idiot you used to be with me. I understand that you changed and, for you, I would do anything. I would do it all again if I had too”.

“I'm sorry for being so selfish. I was so busy thinking about myself that I forgot how much I had hurt you in the past. I forgot to apologize, and I thought that giving you flowers and kisses would be enough to mend a broken relationship from the start. I was willing to do anything to make you trust me that I forgot the most important part of it all”.

“You understand my point, right?”, she asked, and he agreed with his head. “You showed me that you’re someone worthy of loving, but I just couldn’t trust you at all, because you never showed regret. But now, looking you in the eye, I know that you truly are sorry”.

“I regret every bad word I ever said about you”, he assured. “I think I made my point very clear, but I want to assure you that this thing we have, with sex and the ‘enemies with benefits’, was never just that for me. I would always have that tingle in my heart whenever I was intimate with you and with all the little nice interactions we had, my ice heart started melting for you”.

“Trust me, I know the feeling”, she assured him between giggles. “I also have to apologize to you. The insults weren’t one-sided. And I know you might think it’s all your fault now, but we both know I was a bitch to you as well. So to start in the right place, I have to say, I’m sorry too”.

“Well… I deserved it”, he shrugged, hanging his head down, but Y/N softly brought it up by taking it between her hands.

“No, you didn’t, Lando. You filled me with compliments, and now it’s your turn to take them”, she said. “You also have the kindest heart in the world. You take care of people, and you’re always the energy in the room. You’ve taken care of me on times I needed, and you brought light into my days. You taught me the purest form of love. You make me laugh, and you make me feel like a princess whenever I feel like I'm a monster. You're a good person, Lando. So if anyone is a bitch to you, they better apologize”.

“I used to be so scare of love, but you make it so easy”, Lando looked at her with adoration in his eyes, feeling so great to have his face between her hands. “I love you so much”.

She smiled at him, knowing for sure that now it was safe to say it back. With her eyes filled with tears, she admitted: “I love you so much too, Norris”. 

Y/N pulled him for a sweet kiss, finally pouring all the feelings she had for him into her actions. And he savoured every single second of finally having his dream girl all to myself. Lando slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her even closer.

“I thought I had lost you”, he whispered against her lips, feeling his eyes welling up with tears of relief. He felt it all too hard in his chest. “I'm so glad you're here with me”.

“Yeah, I thought we were doomed”, she admitted too, lacing their fingers together and giving his hand a squeeze. “But love always finds a way”.

“For you, I'll hang the stars in the sky, only to bring them back down if you want them back”, he confessed, now pulling her face between his hands. “I hope we can finally stop with the PR thing, or the friends with benefits thing, or whatever other stupid label between us, and properly be a couple”.

She giggled with him and nodded in agreement. “I want it all with you, Lan. You and me, to the end of times”.

“Forever, my love”, he pulled her for a hug and pressed countless kisses to the top of her head. “Also, now that you’re finally talking to me, congratulations again on your Emmy nomination. I’ve never been so proud of you”, he poked her sides and she laughed with his actions.

“Thank you, love”, she kissed his nose, making him blush a little.

“I’ll never get enough of praising you for this. I was so happy when I heard the news. I knew you were extraordinary, and it was just a matter of time until they recognized it”, he affirmed. “I almost exploded for not getting to celebrate it with you”.

“To be fair, I celebrated it crying alone in my room”, she confessed between laughs. Lando's heart faltered at the confession and his smile dropped. Y/N deserved a proper celebration to this incredible achievement in her career.

“You're kidding, right? So we have three things to celebrate tonight”, he said, making Y/N frown in confusion.

 “What's the third thing to celebrate?”

“My grand prix win, your nomination and our love, now very much official”, he cracked a smile, making her laugh with his statement. Y/N just had to pull him for another hug and lots of cheek kisses.

“You’re so adorable”.

“Come on, let’s get ready. We have a party to go to”.

As she watched him waltz into the bathroom for a shower, all smiley and happy, Y/N felt her heart lighter again. Everything was exactly where she wished for it to be, and she could finally enjoy it all with him. Love is weird, and sometimes it blossoms in places you would never expect. But it’s good to know you’re loved back, especially by someone as amazing as Lando. In the end, love always makes it right.

⋘ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 // 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 ⋙

⤳ 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

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crossed means i can't tag you! dm me and maybe we can get it fixed

[forlorn-crows]

Crowwwwww babyyyyyyy what if i said quintessence assitsted somno where Swiss wakes up and finds light sleeper Dew huffing his way thru a wet dream uses that itty bitty bit of spooky shadow magick he has to keep Dew under while he plays with his cute little cock and teases his nipssss

this one got a little long but i wrote the entire thing through terrible brain fog so . . . i still hope you like it 🥺

consensual dubious consent somnophilia / transmasc swiss (cock/dick/folds/cunt for his anatomy) / 'kitten' used as a petname

Dew’s stomach tenses under his palm, the muscles contracting and releasing with another breathy moan. His cock does the same, throbbing against the air, the sheets long since kicked to the end of the bed from naked, tousled-limb sleep. 

Swiss loves when he gets like this. Unabashed. Body completely taken by his dreams. He’ll forgive Dew for waking him up if it’s because he’s twitching and groaning so nicely. Swiss wouldn’t dare miss his chance to watch. To fondle. To fuck with. 

The multi ghoul reaches down between his legs, eyes still trained on his face. He grabs hold of Dew’s cock, squeezing at the base. Smirking when it earns him a pretty whimper and a twitch of his upper lip. 

“That’s it, come on,” Swiss goads quietly, stroking from root to tip. Milking a pearl of wetness to the tip. He only succeeds in getting a few more strokes in before Dew’s legs tense and his brows pinch together. 

“Wha . . .” he rasps, face contorting fully into confusion. Swiss just watches him stumble into consciousness, hand still stroking as his brain catches up to the sensations of his body. Dew grumbles and blinks his eyes open, struggling to find the source of disturbance in the dark of the room. 

Swiss gives him a squeeze, and he yips. 

“The fuck—’wiss? Why’re you-ugh.” Swiss squeezes him again, and he throbs. 

“Shh, don’t worry about it, baby,” he coos, falsely sweet. “Lookin’ so good, I just had to touch.”

Dew grumbles again, half-heartedly pushing on Swiss’ arm. “Get off,” he whines.

The multi ghoul easily presses him back down to the bed with a hand on his sternum and clicks his tongue. “Just have some nice dreams for me, sweetheart, ‘kay?” He gathers a little ball of magick under his palm, as light as an exhaled drag of a joint. Smoky like it too, dark and swirling as it hovers over Dew’s chest. 

“Y’re a di—” But he doesn’t get to finish his insult, because Swiss presses that little ball into his skin, imbuing it with an easy slumber. His voice dies off with a sigh, pupils going in opposite directions as his eyes flutter back into his head. The hand on Swiss’ arm goes limp and falls back down to the bed, as does his head as it lolls to the side on the pillow. His dick, of course, still stays hard, and to Swiss’ delight, a snore rumbles softly out of Dew’s chest on his next inhale, mouth nice and lax. 

He flicks at the jewelry running through his nipple. “Out like a light,” he teases. “So much better when you let me do what I want.” He throbs between his legs at the prospect.

He abandons his cock in favor of his chest. Pinching both nipples until they darken and stick out. He’s awarded a hitched sigh as he continues to pull. Twisting and tugging until Dew’s fingers start to twitch against the mattress. Swiss knows he’s playing with them past the point of pleasure, but it’s one of his favorite things to do—play and flick and pinch until they’re red and almost swollen. His chest grows red too, a rosy blush that grazes his jawline and bleeds down to his collarbones just as slow and syrupy as the line of saliva tracking down from the corner of his mouth. 

Swiss tsks. “Always so messy. Your cock drooling, too?” 

He looks down and sees that it is—throbbing against the air, too. The multi ghoul hums and considers what to do with it. Suck him until he blows? Keep him hard and unfulfilled? His cunt throbs, reminding him of what he really wants. To use him. Milk him dry. 

“Time to play, baby.” Swiss straddles his thighs and hisses as he strokes himself at the sight before him. Dew sighs through a quiet moan, eyes tracking behind his eyelids as he dreams. His little cock jumps again, bumping against the back of Swiss’ hand and streaking it with precum.

“Needy,” he chastises. Even in sleep, Dew’s body begs for him. Whether he’s dreaming of Swiss or someone else, he doesn’t mind. So long as he stays placid and moldable by the multi ghoul’s hands. “Just want something tight and warm to stick it in, don’t you?” Another throb. “Yeah, little guy knows what it wants.”

Swiss shuffles up a little further so he can settle Dew’s cock between his folds. He grinds over the length of it. Sighing at the heat of him, the way the tip kisses against the head of his own. 

“Wanna cum in it so bad, don’t ya? So hard, baby,” Swiss coos, grinding a little harder. In his sleep, Dew’s eyes flutter, no doubt crossing behind his eyelids as he sighs with a breathy groan. His cunt clenches. “Lemme see how much you like that.”

Swiss reaches up to his face and pulls back one of his lids, indeed finding the blown-out pupil turned towards his nose. He wiggles his hips and watches as it twitches upwards, only to slowly roll back down again. He smooths back the other eyelid and finds the same; cross-eyed at the dreams in his head and the real feedback from his body. Dew’s thigh twitches beneath him.

Swiss hums. “So cute, kitten. Wish you’d let me see that all the time.” He lets Dew’s eyes close once more, patting him on the cheek before going back to his task. 

It doesn’t take long to slick up proper, not with the endless amount of precum drooling from Dew the harder he grinds. He’d love to stick it in barely wet, really make the skin pull and catch. Could, under normal circumstances. The both of them rather like the little tinge of challenge, of pain. But the fire ghoul’s cock just won’t stop blurting out wetness until the noise is lewd and creamy between them, so he has no choice but to be soaked with it. 

The multi ghoul groans bodily as his little cock plumps up to full hardness, heartbeat practically beating in his stomach. He reaches down and gives it a rub to alleviate some of the built up arousal, groaning even louder. Dew’s dick kicks in response. 

“Fuck, baby,” he sighs. “Could get off just like this. Make your pretty cock just beg to get inside me while I cum on it. Watch you squirt all over yourself when you just can’t keep it in anymore.”

“Hu-uh,” Dew gurgles, tossing his head to the other side of the pillow.

“Yeah, I bet,” Swiss replies, not unlike he’s conversing with a babbling kit. He twirls his finger around himself, indulgent. Dragging up through the hair on his mound and his belly, spreading the slick there as he admires the sleepy form beneath him. “Think I wanna fuck you more, though.”

Swiss rises to his knees and preps to do just that—leaning forward just so, taking a moment to spread the mix of slick and precum throughout his folds, and reaching below to grasp Dew’s cock at the base and raise it proudly. He runs the head of it along his slit, up and down and back again with agonizing slowness that makes even his own blood pound. 

“Shit, baby, you make me so hard,” Swiss grunts. “You feel that? How hot you get me?” He nudges the tip against his entrance, fluttering it purposefully to wring another quiet gasp from Dew’s slack mouth. And again, he brings it up towards his own length, sitting the little head of it on top of Dew’s. Snuggling it into the slit just for it to get coated with a pearly bead of pre when he squeezes his hand around the base. 

“Un-h-holy shit.” Any semblance of eloquence he had in this situation dies on his tongue at the sight. “Fuck, get it inside.”

He shifts Dew’s cock back to his hole and sinks down. Gasping at the first pop of the head as it slides inside. All the way down until their hips meet and Swiss can feel him nudged just in the right spot. He braces his hands on Dew’s chest and gives an experimental wiggle.

“Yeah, right there,” he groans. “Fuck.” The multi ghoul starts a nasty grind, tilting his pelvis so his dick rubs against Dew’s happy trail with each buck of his hips. It’s a cross between a tickle and harsh scratch, but the stray pre dripped into the hair makes for a delicious slide. He’s so hot inside, throbbing with every movement.

“Good toy, kitten,” Swiss rasps. He tosses his head back, spreading his thighs so he really gets in deep and prods at all of his secret spots. “Guhfuck.”

“Fuu—huh—” Dew echoes, tail sweeping towards his calf. It’s all the warning Swiss gets before he’s spilling inside with a shudder, cumming far too quickly for his liking. But still, it’s hot and wet and gets his own dick throbbing even more. 

“Fuckin’ fill me up,” he grunts, bouncing to fuck it in deeper. “But don’t think I’m done with ya, baby.”

[lovelyiida]

bakugou and reader being seen as a power couple by the media!

you're my favorite writer here btw

☔

❥: omg I’m your favorite? GUEHEHUEHE

bakugo x (gn) reader, swearing, mentions of suggestive content, protective partner, mentions of arguing

At first, it was mutual trust between the two of you that propelled you to where you are today. Bakugo knew you were a hard worker; you took your title seriously, and most importantly—you kicked ass.

Both of you were paired at Best Jeanist Agency back in high school and only spoke here and there. However, when you both made it to the big leagues, you saw each other more often. Due to the familiarity of being around each other years ago, you began to form a strong bond.

And some strong unknown sexual tension...

When you fought side by side, you were an invincible duo, your quirks complementing each other seamlessly. With your somewhat "healthy" communication (besides a snide comment here and there) skills, you both maintained a very business-friendly relationship.

But the both of you easily saw through that.

Of course, both of you noticed the drawn-out gazes, protective hand placements, and the subtle brush of hands during patrols. It wasn't until sooner or later that the media would catch both of you in a rather steamy slip-up.

A star duo was born!

The relationship was embraced positively by both the media and the general public, particularly during interviews.

“So, Mr. Dynamite…how did you know (hero name) was the one for you?” the bright and bubbly interviewer asked.

Harsh florescent lighting, tight hero suits, a raging headache, 3 hours of sleep, and a single cup of coffee was all it took for Bakugo to snap. Which was impressive because the interview passed the five minute mark.

“Look at them and tell me you wouldn’t wanna [REDACTED] them? That’s why, nothing else, nothing more,” the blonde stated matter-of-factly.

A beat of silence washed over the room, the interviewer left speechless, gazing back at the camera with pleading eyes for a live cut.

Turning towards the interviewer with a smile, you shrug your shoulders with a quick motion and nod.

“Yep, I’d agree with him.”

Boom, 10 million views, an increased paycheck, a higher position on the hero chart, and a multitude of sponsors to choose from.

The people loved both of you.

You were raw, unscripted, intense, and caring. What more did the people not want to see?

Your profound connection was evident to everyone. From the way you seamlessly covered each other on missions to the tender hand squeezes and kisses on the cheek, such as when Bakugo accepted an award at the hero gala.

Publicly and privately, the two of you were a power couple, a dynamic force that some found almost too good to be true. Certain individuals, often claiming to be fans, went to great lengths, attempting to psychoanalyze every move in an effort to discredit your relationship as a mere PR stunt.

These obsessive "fans" even went as far as paying a multitude of hidden paparazzi to spy on both of you, desperately trying to unearth a flaw, a hiccup, or a mistake to exploit. However, whenever it seemed like they might succeed, both of you swiftly shut down any rumors with quickness.

[BREAKING] PRO-HERO COUPLE found arguing at MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HOME

Yikes, the header photo did appear somewhat convincing.

Bakugo was pictured bellowing at the top of his lungs, and the expression you pulled back wasn’t the sweetest. But, of course, context is key.

Soon, you were sat in front of a camera to do an embarrassing PR apology...

“Just making it clear for all you weirdos out there, Dynamite and I were indeed having an argument... and I apologize that you had to witness a grown man getting worked up over discovering that Iceland is, in fact, not a land covered in ice. It's quite the opposite.”

Later transitioning smoothly into another interview, both of you now share a laugh about it. “I had to explain it to him for almost 20 minutes, and he was genuinely upset. Yelling at me like I'm the crazy one!” You chuckled.

Glancing over, you see Bakugo rest his hand on your thigh and let out a chuckle. “Yeah, and I still think you're [REDACTED] wrong.”

“Language!”

Oh, the power couple you were…

YAY IM FINALLY BACK!

❥: @xo-evangeline , @nar00 , @king-dynamight , @gold24fish , @lovra974 , @bakugospartner , @gaby-11 , @akqsa-xxi , @jolynegf , @goldenglow149 , @aliruuiz , @zukowantshishonourback , @ilovedenk-i , @atsushiki , @smolbeanzzz , @lem-hhn , @stevenknightmarc , @ryumiii , @idontevenknowlolls , @lyn07 , @kennshifts , @ackerman-suck-3-r , @elegantvoids , @thecurlyhairedgoddess , @sunyrose , @thisbicc , @thekookiecorner , @snxwycloud , @skylardarling

[jamietarttsnorthernattitude]

Worbs

Share, ankle, head, or wrist?

Thank you for the worbs by wonderful friend <3

Share from thought i wanted love ('til you showed me what it was):

Four days later, James still hadn’t left.  After that first sleepless night, Jamie came up with a plan—one that allowed him to forgive his father, one Ted would be proud of him for. Jamie offered his house, and as long as James continued to attend AA meetings, he could stay. A change of scenery had helped Jamie; why wouldn’t it help James? His father ensconced himself in Jamie’s spare room, and it was fine.  It would be fine.  He would take it day by day, just like his father said they did in AA.  Jamie spent his second sleepless night debating whether he should tell anyone about his Dad. He definitely couldn’t tell Mummy. Maybe he could tell some of the team, though? Sam wouldn’t judge him, but he wasn’t sure he could handle their pitying faces. But he didn’t have to decide now, did he? He could always tell them later. Maybe his Dad would leave after a few days, and there wouldn’t even be anything to share.

I got 112 words on the sprint <3

Ankle from the home invasion fic:

“We found a safe in the basement. You’re going to unlock it for us.” The two began to drag Jamie towards the wall, only for his ankle to give out on him the first time he transferred weight to it. He would’ve crashed to the floor if he wasn’t being held upright. Jamie could feel where the bruises from their grip on his arms would be.  “There’s nothing in it, please,” Jamie begged. “Please just let me stay here. I’ll give you the code you can see for yourself. It’s just like my birth certificate and shit. A copy of my contract. Nothing worth anything. It’s just fireproof.” “Forgive me if I don’t believe you, mate. Let’s go.” Jamie had one last chance to make a break for it. 

Added 163 words on a sprint!

Head from it makes me mad, it makes me sad, i break in half:

Roy followed closely but went immediately to the tub, turning the knob and testing the water before rummaging for bubbles under Jamie’s sink. Jamie watched with interest as he filled the tub with the bubbles and then added Epsom salts. Roy disappeared, and Jamie slowly peeled his t-shirt off. It hurt to lift it over his head, and Jamie wasn’t sure he’d be able to lift his arm on the side with the bruised ribs. He slipped from his shorts as Roy re-entered the bathroom, holding a cup, a couple of towels and a face cloth.  “What’re you doing, mate?” Jamie asked.  “Going to help you,” Roy said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

And added 193 words via sprint!

Wrist from if i glued myself shut, you would find your way in:

Jamie concentrates on watching Monroe the rest of the match while keeping to his position as best he could. The good news is Monroe isn’t as keen to stay in his position and keeps drifting to Jamie knocking into him at any point or attempting to tackle him. Monroe is angry, but Jamie’s angry and fast, so most of his attempts don’t succeed.  But as the match ticks on, each step jars Jamie’s wrist, and the pain is zapping his energy, Jamie can feel the adrenaline leaving his body as he struggles to keep up with his team and opponent. It’s injury time when Monroe finally catches Jamie flat-footed, and Jamie goes down hard, rolling a few stops. The refs award a free kick, and Jamie struggles to remember to breathe, feeling as if a knife has somehow embedded itself in his wrist and thumb. 

And I added 404 words in a sprint!

[bengiyo]

My School President Ep 11 Stray Thoughts

We're nearing the end and heading back to the beach.

Last week, we finally faced Hot Wave, but not before saddling Tinn with the responsibility of keeping a health scare away from Gun. Gun finally learned how much Tinn has done for him, and the two are finally looking at each other properly. I still tear up watching the video for Let Me Tell You when I think about the last thing Mrs. Gim might have seen was her son singing his heart out on stage.

I know I said last week that it didn't matter if they won at this point, but this shit hurted. I think about how much of a loser Gun feels like all the time, and he put so much hope into this competition.

Win and Gun haven't gotten into any universities.

Chinzhilla is not okay, and you can feel them tearing at the seams.

Oh, Gun, please talk to Tinn.

Wasn't exactly expecting Por to be the one trying to hold the band together, and it's so sad to see him crying alone.

I'm so relieved that Mrs. Gim is okay and seems like herself. She consistently asks the right things to Gun so he's receptive to more uplifting perspectives.

Oof, Fourth is so dehydrated in this hospital scene. Get some chapstick for my boy.

Tinn remains the best boy. He knows things aren't great for Chinzhilla and so arranges a performance before a friendly crowd, and he was trying to bring a gift for his boyfriend's mom.

I like the design of Tinn's family's home theater setup.

Baby Tinn photos!!

You know Tinn's parents have their shit together. They both have actual pajamas.

I get Photjanee. She can be worried about her son without being a villain. She worries that she wasn't a good mother. She worries that she can't help her son and that be won't forgive her. She cares that she was a good partner to her husband.

At least the show is doing some interesting character work with the band's loss. Win's breakdown is affective, and I like Sound just letting him get the feelings out.

Oh good. They're by the pool. Hopefully we get Gun back on his feet.

It's interesting seeing them okay in the past without Sound, because now it feels like he's missing.

I feel so much for Gun, because he's just a a guy, you know? We see him through Tinn's eyes a lot, but so many other things and people tell Gun that his best isn't enough.

Fourth is a good crier.

"I want to eat you." Listen, Mark Pakin, you have no idea how hard these folks ride on crumbs.

The greatest subversion of a trope ever is future winner of the 2023 NAMGOONG BEST BOY AWARD Tiwson not catching Por before he fell down those stairs.

That's right, Por. Get these boys back to the beach.

I just knew they were gonna cut off the question. I like Photjanee going to see Gun away from school. I like that she seems to be trying to understand Gun more now that she's aware of his importance to Tinn.

Look, y'all, I have never doubted Photjanee, and we're seeing it here. Whatever reservations she has, she's not inflicting them on Tinn. She didn't forbid the trip.

Gun's shirt says TOGETHER FOREVER in a heart shape.

Gosh I love Chinzhilla, but they do seem to always face unforseen troubles.

Did Phat just quote Sam from The Lord of the Rings??? I'm gonna McFuckinLoseIt.

I love playing You Got Ma Back as they make the trek together.

Things were getting tense. Oishii must save us. Everyone drink the BL Juice so we can make it up the mountain.

Gosh Chinzhilla is so dumb together sometimes. Tinn's reactions to them are golden.

A band is a little family, and only family can cut you this deep. And just like that, they also come back together. I just really want them to succeed together.

Of course Tinn went with Gun to get water for them while they rested.

I love these boys so much. Gun just didn't want to let his friends down.

I NEVER ONCE DOUBTED PHOTJANEE. This is how parents should work out their worries for their kids. We talked about this during 21 Days Theory, and here we are again. You talk with the other parent or caregiver, and you make sure that whatever your kid might face, you have their back.

Suddenly Tiwson. You just knew he was gonna show up. Ford Arun, you be careful with those eyes too!

"I want veggies." We know, Fourth.

Oh, Yak. You're such a weirdo, but you care. He remembers them as glowing. I love this show when they tried to sing their seniors home. Now they're singing themselves home. I need to lay down.

Oh my God. I said it felt like Sound was missing, and so they just put him in this song.

And now Tinn is here? Help

They let Tinn and Tiwson be part of the Chinzhilla tribute. I am HOLLERING through my TEARS.

Tinn for him a music box that plays the song he wrote for him. I can't take anymore! I surrender!

Noh Shinwoo would love Tinn.

I swear this show better not deny me like Mr. Unlucky or I will revolt.

FINISH YOUR DRINKS!!!

Okay, Tinn, you're getting smoother.

I believe in Photjanee. This cliffhanger and preview cannot stop me.

[sylvia-forest]

[CN] Shaw's 5th Anniversary Event - Prologue

⚡ Warning: This post contains detailed spoiler's for an Event which hasn't released in EN yet!⚡

[This was translated with the help of Google translate and by my friend!]

✧[Prologue]✧

Staff: Goodbye boss~

MC: Goodbye, everyone has worked hard today~

I said goodbye to the staff with a smile, picked up my bag and walked out of the studio. Then my eyes bumped into the familiar figure at the door.

MC: ……

- I gasped when I saw that eye-catching blue-purple hair. I snorted, and stepped to the side, ready to leave through the small door— —

Staff: Isn't this classmate Shaw? Waiting for the boss?

Shaw: Well, what about her?

Staff: I just greeted her when she came out, strange, …

Staff: Oh, there you are! Boss, your classmate Shaw is here to pick you up again!

As soon as the voice fell, I felt a sharp gaze piercing my neck, and I turned around subconsciously.

His eyes were still locked on me, forcing me to come slowly over.

The employee smiled and said goodbye to both of us, only Shaw and I were left standing at the door, my gaze was wandering, only staring at his collarbone, not daring to look up at all.

MC: Cough, I went out with my head down and didn't notice you coming….

Shaw [mockingly]: Is that so?

Shaw: So, now that you see it, can you go now?

MC: Hey I haven't— —

Without waiting for me to finish, Shaw's arm went forward and grabbed my hand and walked towards the door.

He might have just finished a can of Coke, and his palms were still damp from the aluminum cans condensation, as cold as his voice.

I didn't want him to succeed so quickly, I struggled lightly, and he angrily clasped my fingers so tightly that there was almost a pain coming from the knuckles.

At this moment, the wetness of his palm, contrary to his usual touch, and the strength of his grip, as if as a punishment, brewed an indescribable anxiety in me.

- If only I hadn't fought with Shaw at that time.

This was the only phrase that remains in my mind.

In fact, I can't remember the reason why I was angry with him in the first place, except that every time I tried to reconcile, other unpleasant things came up.

Now that it led us to both be unconvinced, none of us would want to be the one to lower their heads.

But he came to pick me up today.... Does that mean he wants to be subdued?

In that case, I, as a working adult, should not be angry with a college student for so long ...... really not very mature!

As we walked, I peeked at Shaw, wondering how to ease the atmosphere between the two parties, when his eyes suddenly dropped and met my gaze towards him.

Shaw [gasp]: ……!

Shaw: Next week….

MC: What did you say?

Shaw [nervously]: I said that recently there is an event called... cough, "World of Love", free up your time and go with me.

MC: Sure, when?

Shaw: Next week. This week I'm going to a study meeting with the department in a neighboring city.

Shaw paused, and added another sentence unprecedentedly.

Shaw: I didn't really want to go, but Mr. Shen said it was inappropriate for the winner of the Cultural Heritage Award not to go, so that's why I'm going ...... Anyway, I will definitely come back before the event starts.

MC: Well, it's okay, we can meet at the entrance of the event, I don't mind.

Shaw: ……

As soon as Shaw's footsteps stopped, his face darkened.

Shaw: Hey, how much longer do you want to make a face with me like this?

Who put on a bad face first? I wanted to settle an old score with him again because of his impulsive tone, but finally I just resisted and grinded my teeth.

MC: Hehe, it won't be long, it will last for another week or so.

Shaw: You! ...... You can do it.

He seemed to have thought of something and raised a finger towards me.

Shaw: Let's make a bet that you'll be smiling the whole time you're at the event, and I'll take credit for every time you smile.

MC: Let’s bet…wait no, this isn’t fair, why are you the only one catching my flaws, why don’t you show some of them instead?”

Shaw: What do you want to see me say?

MC: Then record the number of times you admitted defeat, every time you admit defeat, I'll record it, how about that?

Shaw raised his eyebrows, obviously inspired by my "fighting spirit"

Shaw: Okay, final settlement?

MC: Of course, the settlement will be finalized, so just don't refuse to accept the account when the time comes.

We stared at each other, and Shaw's face finally showed the expression he had been wearing for the past few days, except for his anger, and the corners of his mouth grinned.

Shaw: You.Are.Done.

—

⚡Next part (coming soon)

[queenofbaws]

oooh! May I have a (Control) Trench/Northmoor thing? Been a while and I loved what you did last time. Preferably something soft and light-hearted?

(I'm currently too clammed up and angsty and generally blah to write anything, so *someone* has to do it.) <3

catch me catching up on some not-quite-six sentence sat(or)sunday!

The interdepartmental bulletin had gone over like a lead balloon - at least in the executive suite. Its phrasing had been cheerful, almost irreverent, peppering in all the buzzwords du jour: synergy, community, appreciation, morale, describing the exercise as everything but what it actually was.

A bad idea.

Trench had seen the surveys go out - neat, painstakingly organized things they were - and for a good week after the copy machine had cooled off, each pneumatic THWOOP! of an incoming mail tube made him wince. There was no way in hell this didn't break bad, no. Way. In. Hell.

Yearbook superlatives were still yearbook superlatives by any other name; and maybe he wasn't some high-falutin' expert on the matter, but he was pretty damn sure this sort of juvenile popularity contest counted as archetypal, no matter how wild and/or wacky the categories were.

Whoever's idea this little team building exercise had been, well...he hoped they realized they were playing with fire. If not metaphorically, tempting the Oldest House with a tasty morsel of iconography, then, uh, literally. They might literally find themselves set aflame.

The thought occurred to him again when the day finally came and he found himself standing in front of the corkboard in the Executive wing, his eyes moving with slow, calculated saccades across the pages of dot-matrix printing posted up there. Perhaps, he thought - perhaps - they'd skirted the Oldest House's wrath through careful consideration (the sides of each sheet torn off perfectly at the perforations, the proper usage of an even number of Bureau-issued nondescript thumbtacks, the wise omission of any of those digital smiley faces the younger agents seemed so fond of those days), but he'd seen Broderick's name on the list. He'd seen the title he'd been awarded.

No one was out of the frying pan yet.

Like the cliche alone betrayed him, a familiar warmth filled the room. Without glancing away from the list, Trench swirled the (now steaming) coffee in his mug and took a sip. "Director," he said by way of greeting, not without the faintest upward tick to the corner of his mouth.

"Had one of these in high school, you know," Northmoor answered, all bluster and proud swagger as he joined Trench at the corkboard. "Most likely to succeed. You believe that? Like somehow, in someway, the whole graduating class was prescient. Who woulda thunk, huh? Oh, if only they knew..."

Ah. All right. There he'd been, expecting the water coolers to be bubbling over while the wallpaper glue melted off the damn drywall, and yet there was Broderick, grinning like the cock of the walk. Trench was still fully, fully of the opinion that this whole mess had been a bad idea - an awful one, really - but now he added an asterisk to that thought, a footnote down at the very bottom of his mental write-up of the scene:

The superlatives had been a bad idea.*

*But funny, too.

With his mug, he gestured towards the corkboard, offhandedly asking, "You've seen it already, then?"

"On my way in, yeah," Northmoor answered, folding his arms and squaring his shoulders in a self-assured stance as endearing as it was obnoxious. "Great way to start the day - really puts a spring in your step, doesn't it? Seeing how the rest of them think of us?"

Trench hummed a soft "Mhm" of agreement into his coffee, experience having taught him to savor it now, while he had the chance. Soon enough, he suspected, that wouldn't be the case.

"You hardly sound enthusiastic about it. Here, what'd they give you? Hmm...Zachariah...Zachari - ah, there you are!" His finger traced its way down the list from a safe distance, the paper darkening in a spot or two along the way. "Most likely to benefit from a vacation. Ha! Hey, you have to hand it to them, they're not wrong." Without waiting for a response, he continued, obviously just excited to share his own title. "Try not to look so grim about it, Deputy. I mean, it's not what I was voted, but c'mon...not everyone can be Hottest in the Bureau."

Echoing himself, Trench once more hummed in agreement. "True," he said flatly, hoping against hope there wasn't anything on his face suggesting how close he was to snickering. "You'll have to excuse my candor for saying so, but I don't think anyone here has a leg to stand on if they argue you're not the hottest one in the Bureau. That's just simple fact."

He waited. That probably made him as much a part of the problem as whoever it was who'd put the surveys out in the first place, but he did it. Trench waited until Northmoor turned to look at him, his grin sideways and shining and perfectly fetching; Trench waited for that very moment, and then, perfectly calm, fanned himself with the case file he'd been holding in his other hand.

The grin didn't drop all at once. But it dropped. Doubt flared in Broderick's eyes, then realization, then fury, then actual honest-to-god embers. The room positively wilted in the ensuing heat pouring off of him as he whirled around, shouting at some poor pencil pusher to "GET ME THE NAME OF WHATEVER CLOWN THOUGHT THIS COCKAMAMIE BULLSHIT UP," and Trench? Why, he loosened his tie. Kept fanning himself. He set his coffee mug down as its contents began to boil, and he forced himself to admit maybe there was a bit of truth behind those superlatives after all.

He probably wouldn't get a suntan from watching Broderick burst into flame upon realizing the whole Bureau had joined together to make a horrific pass at wordplay at his expense, but the ambient heat he was putting off was the closest he'd come to a tropical vacation in at least ten years, and if he was honest with himself...yeah, yeah, he was benefiting from it, all right.

[tokumusume]

screaming, crying, throwing up: Love Between Fairy and Devil episodes 6 & 7

Dongfang Qingcang gets a new outfit in episode 6 but it’s not as cool and sexy as the lace turtleneck :(

Xiao Lan Hua’s bully, a bitchy fairy named Danyin (I’ve had bad experiences with people named Dan-something so it tracks), sees Changheng’s future in the back of a Yu-Gi-Oh card a magic hole in a tree and she’s not in it. In fact, he’s getting married to Xiao Lan Hua. She bullies XLH even more. What a cunt.

Xiao Lan Hua takes the fairy SAT (or ENEM for my Brazilian followers) and Qingcang gives her a little help using an invisibility spell.

This actress was in Song of Youth as the daughter-in-law that has an affair while her husband is away in the war and gets pregnant. Therefore she’s referred to as “Cheater” in my house.

The test consists in capturing an albino capybara that reminds me of my cat Yuki in terms of size vs ferocity. Of course a woman sent by Ronghao Masked Man casts a spell on whatever this thing is and it starts attacking our heroine and the other fairies. Of course Xiao Lan Hua saves everyone. Yes, even Danyin, she’s better than me as a person, I would have let that bitch get eaten.

Anyways, to the most important part of the episode imo:

Changheng wants to help Xiao Lan Hua but RONGHAO TOUCHES HIS ARM and holds him back (for a while, they eventually go save her).

MY FRIENDS, I SCREAMED.

Xu Haiqiao looks so good in this scene!!!

I usually hate spoilers but just tell me this: they’re not brothers, are they? I need to know if I should stop shipping them or not ;_;

At the beginning of episode 7 Xiao Lan Hua catches the albino capybara like a Pokémon (Poké Ball and all) and everyone wonders how a weak fairy like her managed to subdue a beast possessed by an evil spirit. They award her the first place in the test.

Ronghao is very interested in Xiao Lan Hua and he looks at Changheng like this:

Qingcang and Xiao Lan Hua talk about doing the right thing, good and evil, blah blah. Sorry, I wasn’t paying much attention to anything but Dylan Wang’s gorgeous eyes.

Ronghao is finally revealed as the man in the mask and he’s darker than I thought. He’s obsessed with the missing/presumed dead Goddess Chidi and puts her face on his servants to “””enjoy””” it (I bet he fucks them too). He then kills the servant because her acting as Chidi wasn’t convincing. Brutal.

Qingcang has another wardrobe change. This one looks like the lace turtleneck but it’s just a lurex turtleneck. #BringBackLaceTurtleneck

Bitchy Danyin thanks Xiao Lan Hua for saving her life but makes it clear that she still hates her. Big mood.

Ronghao asks XLH to revive his dead cactus and she succeeds. It was actually a test to see if she could purify evil qi (she can) so he concludes she’s more powerful than she seems. Ashes of Love's Jinmi was a powerful fairy that was hidden by her mother as a simple plant spirit so I think this is what’s going on here too.

Is Ronghao’s master Chidi? I can’t tell from this angle but it sure looks like her. I thought she was dead but I guess it’s more like a Yehua from Eternal Love situation, as in that her spirit/soul left her body so it’s just a shell. Ronghao is willing to do bad things to save his beloved master and I will love him for it.

Oof, a lot happened in these two episodes. I don’t know for how long can I keep writing these posts but they won’t be detailed recaps as the plot thickens.

[ladyelainehilfur]

I like how almost no one in Pentagon fits the description that comes to mind when you look at them face value 😂

You'd think Wooseok was this giant, cute maknae dude who tucks in on himself to look smaller even though it doesn't work and you'd be completely correct 🤧 he's giant 6'3 cute af dude who's super good at rapping and who has phenomenal stage presence.

Kino looks like an absolute fairy twink of a man, because he's constantly laughing (and crying in a surprisingly pretty way, how's that possible). He's dying his hair pastel pink and blue and he just flits around, singing his silly little bops and dropping the best soundcloud tracks.

But he's also the same person who pushed for Dr.Bebe's sultry concept and danced to Taemin's "Move" with so much sex-appeal intent like the absolute criminal he is!! It should be illegal to be that two sided!!

Yuto looks like this big tough Japanese guy with his deep fricking voice and dark eyes and he's just physically b i g. But he has the tiniest personality-- I cannot pass a gif set of him in close range with the other members where he's not hugging them, or holding their hand or something!! He will cuddle anything with 10 feet of him!! That's adorable.

I had a whole year to guess what Yanan was like since he was on hiatus when I got into the group, so based of pictures and videos, I just guessed he was this...generic friendly dude who got pulled into their hi jinks. Like, an emotional conductor of sorts. And is like that, but he's also goofy and apparently the most innocent member?? According to the members themselves?? And he's multitalented too, he's always jetsetting back to China to film this drama or that drama lol.

Yeo One looks like a puppy personified. Literally the friendliest person you'll ever meet. I like to describe him as the cute guy next door. But he is not!! I mean, his face says that and some aspects of his personality show that. But this dude is just as bad as Kino. Arguably even worse, because I had to click out a tab that moment I saw him on the fricking cover of Men's Health Korea magazine!! How dare he downplay how much of a gym rat he is?? Like, that man never hops onto vlive unless he feels pretty that day!!! The ultimate betrayal 😔

Shinwon was my bias from day one so I feel like I know him the best. He is the clown he was the day I set eyes on him in the Shine music video and he is more. He is extremely caring, creative af, equally adventurous and resourceful. He's a tall person and he knows it haha.

Hongseok has the face of a maknae and the body of....a Men's Health Korea cover model 😭 Really, he does nothing to hide his insane enthusiasm about being healthy and working out and having abs, but aside from Dr. Bebe, he hasn't had that many chances to show them off and I'd sit through another comeback like that so he could wear as many crop tops as possible 😂 okay, but he has a surprisingly squishy personality (and the cutest pout ever geez) and his continued work toward being a better actor is inspiring.

Hui...Hui. He looked every inch the stressed leader he is 💀Not that he looks physically tired but he works nonstop. During, what, Daisy era, he was hopping from studio to studio covering songs and promoting Pentagon. Like, he just looks like a guy who works hard, if that makes sense. He's also sweet but it's somehow harder to discern what concept he likes to embrace the most.

Aaand Jinho. Tiny king. Vocal legend. Looks like a teddy bear, is a teddy bear. End of story :D

(and fine, okay, I could predict he'd simultaneously be the baby and the parent of the group, but that just comes with the territory of being the oldest).

So, there's Pentagon, my initial thoughts and after almost 3 years of stanning, my opinion of them individually. Happy 5th anniversary, Pentagon!

[s4kasaki]

Hey if you don’t mind do you think you could do koga with a music store owner crush if this makes sense that would be so cool and I hope you are having a wonderful day<3

ooo now this is interesting! — heyyo~, I'm back from the longest break I've ever done in my life since I've now gotten the biggest inspiration Sparks yet!!

♡ — a tune on the doorstep.

‣ tws / cws: none! maybe a tiny bit of swears

‣ reader: gender neutral - they/them

‣ author's note: öng I have too many drafts to finish but I will!, PS: his feelings r so crazily unnoticed bc i wrote too much details. WTF!!

Never in all your life did you think you'd be the new owner of a music shop— I mean sure, you were constantly working your best every living second when you were just a simple worker among the rest of the other workers there, but it was still a big surprise for you. You were excited to know just what your favorite customer would think when he heard about it. He came quite often, and you never really knew why.

It had been a surprisingly slow day at the shop, which wasn’t too out of the ordinary, especially when it was just you working... Usually, people would be bombing out the door and the noise was insufferable with just one person working, so it was delightful to catch a break. You ended up getting to lounge back, feet propped up on the counter beside your chair, reading one of the different Guitar World magazines that had begun to pile up in the back room. Most of the workers kept them in there in case somebody came in to loosen up, but you were the only one who was interested in reading the articles. Your eyes seemed to glance over to the clock that sat on the wall.

Almost a quarter to two.

He'll be here any minute, have no doubt...!

Bingo!~ The tiny bell above the door jingled, motioning his typical entrance. You didn’t even have to meet him with a greeting, he came In almost every day you had a shift, how so? You still have no clue, but you both were quite familiar with one another at this point, you got a small glimpse of how his hair was laid back. Hmm, perhaps preforming was a struggle. You always did like their dedication.

You snapped out of your thoughts when you heard the radio play one of your favorite songs, Savage Love Affair by Undead. They had thrived so much since the past year. At first, no one believed that they would succeed, not even the members themselves. Regardless, look at them now. They have to go abroad soon, with seats already sold out, and they've dominated the music industry for the damn Music Awards of other Idols, you felt happy for them, of how far they had come. Their music was always motivational to listen to and always motivated you. You could even say that their music showed up in your life when you needed it the most. 

“Welcome, little wolf.” you chuckled. He pushed up the bangs that dropped over his face before responding, “Ha, you listen to my music? I swore I heard you singing 'Savage Love Affair' just now, eh? You're quite talented, for a little nobody.” he laughed.

And you grinned. Although you were aware that you had quite the talent yourself-- but, you were always very iffy about playing or singing in front of people, especially strangers. You let out a timid laugh and scratched your cheek.

“You heard that? Outside this loud shop? where people never turn off their motorcycles...?” you chuckled for a second, “Didn't think ya' could hear.” your voice gradually getting a little louder as you looked at the magazine in hand. 

You didn’t even need to look up to know what the man was gonna get, he always does and gets the same things every time he comes around the place. He would look around the store for a while, fakely check out the basses to see if any new ones arrived and other things before getting either a new pack of picks or bass strings, and they were always being the same brand each time, only the best for Oogami Koga. A chuckle pass your lips, as you went to the next page of the magazine. His rough voice suddenly broke through the silence. “Hohoh. Well, mind telling me where the bass strings are? ♪”

Hmm, you're in here almost every day, wanko. You surely don't need help finding anything at this point.

You thought to yourself.

instead, deciding to play along with his silly charade and pointing your pointer finger directed at his favorite brand of strings were normally located. “That way, sir.~“ he chuckled, a slight smirk spreading across his face, if you looked close enough maybe you'd even see the blush on this cheeks as he wandered off in the direction you guided him to. There had to be some motive to the way he always visited, right? maybe he was checking you out on the down low, you thought, he did tell you he was the famous Koga Oogami in your face?-- (not like it isn't easy to tell by his voice). No, don't get ahead of yourself!

His items fell on the counter with a loud "bang!", which got you to break out your train of thought, causing you to truly look at the man. Looks like this time he needed both new picks and new strings. Looks like today was going smooth after all~ he's come so often that you've memorized his usual amount without even having to check it in. “That’ll be 19¥.” His eyebrow tilted upwards, as if you'd said some to offend him somehow-- just then you noticed he has eyebrow piercings, eventually grabbing the wallet out his pants pocket seeking and folding it open to gather just what he felt was the right amount of cash. And his eyebrow raises again with sudden suspicion. “Damn, you did that fast! Have you gotten my usual needs memorized so well you automatically know the price?~♪”

That got you to put down the magazine, placing it to face down under the counter, standing up to meet his stare. “You could say that Riot Wolf, your usual isn't hard to remember, every time I'm on my shift since my workers don't do anything— here you are, roaming my store perhaps in looks for love and attention.~ just teasing you.” you smiled, placing his item in a bag. “Usually to get a pack of strings or a new pick. They’re always the exact kind too, are you sure you aren't craving anything else in this little shop of mine? Just an assumption!~” you giggled at his new found expression. You had caught the 'most awesome oogami koga-sama' off guard! It was quite a cute sight coming from the tough man. He was flushed, and you could stare at that face for quite some time if only you could.

He was completed knocked, maybe you never learned the concept of personal space because the mere inches between the faces of your two, was driving him even more mad— which caused you to giggle one more and place a hand on his shoulder to bring him back to reality. If he did come to speak to you every day giving him your phone number was the best way to go. “Well, here's my phone number— just in case you need more 'picks & strings' I'm always available!” You smiled, handing him over the tiny Lil piece of paper that had your phone number and name along with a Lil side note saying: "your fav music store owner :wink&heart: !" Which he surprisingly accepted, still a flushed mess inside. Staring at you like he's never seen something like you before, perhaps due to his mind still being in a trance, he stared at the side note that was written on the small sheet of paper and audibly, gasped. Looking at you, then the paper once again, you giggled. He swore that giggle did things to him, things he'd never get to tell you in person. Proud of your new found confidence to give the man your phone number finally after numerous visits, why didn't you do that sooner? You thought.. “Thats all for the today, sir~”

And with that all over with, the 17 year old stepped out your music shop, holding onto that paper as if it meant very dear to him— as if it be pain if he lost it by even the wind. The sound of his motorcycle faded away from where your ears could hear and that was the end of it, this would have you thinking for quite a time won't it.. then you noticed he forgot one thing. His strings. Well damn it—

“It's fine, he'll be back, he'll have no choice but to get them anyway.”

“he always comes back” you laughed.

Sigh, If only you could tell. he was simply intrested in you as to why so.

[tswaney17]

I Do Bad Things with You - Part 18

Finallyyyy! I’m so excited to be posting this. This chapter and the next have been my favorites to write so far. I am giddy with excitement to see your reactions, so please share them with me! This is a long part, over 8K words. So, grab a drink, a snack, and buckle up buttercup. This one just oozes sexual tension. 😘💙💚💜

With that being said, if you do not wish to be tagged in my work because you no longer ship Elriel or just want to be removed in general, please let me know. No hard feelings. Hateful words will not be tolerated.

Please let me know what you think about this update. I love getting your feedback. Constructive criticism is always welcome. 💕

Catch up here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17

Credit to @featherymalignancy​ for Cassian’s nickname, Cash. 😘

Trigger warnings: violence (brief mentions) , sexual assault (some brief descriptions), language, NSFW (some descriptions)

Word Count: 8,036

Azriel made his way over to one of the tall tables to better watch Elain’s speech. Setting her purse and glass of whiskey down, he clapped loudly at her introduction.

As she walked over to the podium, he couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she was. Her cheeks were tinged a rose color, likely from her nerves. The slit of her dress parted as she strolled. But it was more than that—it was the regal way she held herself as she began speaking. Her eyes scanned the room but landed on him a few times and stayed there. Her voice echoed around them, confident.

“Leadership is defined as ‘the art of motivating a group of people to act toward achieving a common goal.’ True leadership is something you earn by how you interact with your peers. Your subordinates. Anyone can call themselves a leader, but it takes a special individual to develop leadership with their comrades. To make them want to follow your direction towards a common goal.

Now, you may be wondering why I am up here, spitting nonsense about leadership…”

A few chuckles sounded throughout the room.

“It is because leadership is the quality I think of when I think of Doctor Thesan Dawn. He is an educator, showing his residents rather than telling them what to do. He takes pride in watching others succeed around him and he offers a helping hand when things don’t go exactly as planned.”

He stood entrapped by her words, by the assuredness she displayed. Pride swelled in his chest as he watched her command the room. He knew how nervous she was, but nothing in her posture indicated she was anything less than poised—a queen without a throne. Az was so focused on her he hadn’t realized somebody had come to stand next to him until they spoke.

“So,” Elias began, “how do you two know each other?” His eyes were trained on Elain like an award-winning prize.

The rage that had simmered in his blood from the conversation earlier returned full-throttle. Just the sound of his voice made the demons he so desperately tried to leash want to erupt in an explosion of darkness and shadows. He didn’t need to look at Elias to know how he viewed Elain.

It pissed Azriel off that he spoke of her like an object, but he knew how to play this—that Elias was wanting some sort of reaction. He refused to give it to him, to let Elain become a pawn in his games. He ran his tongue over his teeth in an effort to settle himself. “We’re old friends,” he finally answered. It seemed like the safest option.

Elias clasped his hands behind his back, his suit jacket pulling taut. “And you’re not together?”

His body stiffened at the direction of the conversation, but he didn’t answer right away, wanting to watch Elain finish her speech.

“It is with great honor, to present the Chief of Surgery of the Year award to Doctor Thesan Dawn.”

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as the surgeon walked up onto the stage, pulling Elain into a hug as he took the award from her. The way the two of them spoke to each other, he could tell how fond she was of her advisor.

The dark male approached the podium. “Wow,” he began, setting the award down. “I first off want to thank Doctor Archeron for that wonderful introduction. I am truly blessed to have such an incredible surgical resident on my team and I hope to one day have her as my attending physician…” he trailed off, looking at the female standing off to the side of the stage.

Azriel watched as Elain covered her mouth in surprise. Clearly, that wasn’t something she was expecting. Gods he was so proud of her—he just wished he could enjoy it without this arrogant piece of shit standing next to him. “What exactly do you want, Elias?” he demanded, not bothering to even look over at him.

Elias cleared his throat and saw him readjust his tie from the corner of his eye. “So, I can take a crack at her?”

The question caught him so off guard that he ended up snorting, trying to rein in his laugh. He knew the other CEO was lacking in some areas, but he didn’t realize he was flat-out delusional. When he glanced over at him and saw the serious face, he couldn’t help but state, “Shit, are you seriously asking me this?”

The man simply shrugged. “Well, if you’re not hitting it, somebody may as well.”

Az crossed his arms to control his shaking fists and let out a heavy breath. Don’t start a fight. Don’t start a fight. He repeated the mantra in his head until his breathing slowed. “In case she didn’t make it clear earlier,” he started, voice dripped with violence, “she’s not interested.”

Elias raised a brow, turning his head to look at him. “She’s not interested, or you don’t want her to be?” He cocked his head to the side. “It bothers you, doesn’t it? That I want to pursue her. Tell me, is she the type to call out your name when she climaxes?”

That made him turn fully, blood boiling. His fingers twitched, whether that was to curl them into a fist and physically beat him until he was a bloodied mess, or to wrap his hands around the cold handle of his Glock and end him here and now, he didn’t know.

When he didn’t respond, that goddamn smirk graced his foul mouth. “Is this what it feels like? To bring the almighty Azriel Knight to his knees…” Wicked delight danced in his dark eyes.

“Choose your next words wisely, Elias,” Az growled. “They may be your last.”

He sneered. “Should I tell her who exactly you are? What you’ve done—"

“She knows everything about me,” he responded without hesitation.

Elias couldn’t mask his surprise fast enough.

Az took a step closer, letting the deadly monster he hid behind the business mask peek its way through. The other man, to his credit, didn’t back down from the predator that faced him—that could end his life and wouldn’t bat an eye. “Let me give you a piece of advice, Elias. First off, take a hint when a woman is not interested. Pursuing her when it’s clear she doesn’t want it, won’t make you attractive, it makes you pathetic.” He took satisfaction in watching those dark eyes flare at the insult. “My next piece of advice…” Az leaned forward to whisper in the other man’s ear, “don’t try to threaten something far deadlier than you could ever hope to be unless your wish is to end up at the bottom of the Sidra River.” He straightened the lapel of Elias’ suit—a lover’s touch to anyone watching. “Stay away from her.”

He didn’t bother to tell him to leave; his gaze returned towards the stage effectively dismissing the other CEO. His attention snagged on Elain and found her studying him—emotions he couldn’t decipher from his distance danced in her brown eyes.

She tore her gaze from his, watching as Elias walked away. When she glanced back at him, her eyes narrowed as if asking him what that was all about.

Not wanting to ruin her evening, he simply shook his head, refocusing on the speech that was finishing up.

After a final round of applause, Elain made her way down the stage and over to him.

There was no stopping the beaming smile on his face as she approached. “Hey,” he murmured.

Her eyes softened, the golden hues of her irises looking particularly prominent in this lighting. “Hey,” she replied quietly. “How’d I do?” Her nerves were still present even now if the way her hands slid across her abdomen were any indication.

The corner of his mouth quirked up. “You were amazing—had the entire room eating out of the palm of your hands.”

A perfectly groomed brow rose. “Really? Because it seemed like you and Elias were in your own intense conversation… You want to tell me what that was about?”

He gently gripped her chin, holding her gaze. Az had promised no more lies, and although he knew she wouldn’t like what he was about to say, he knew she deserved to know the truth. Clearing his throat, he told her, “Elias has shown a particular interest in you and wants to pursue you.”

Her eyes widened, fearfully.

It made his heart clench for her. “Hey,” he leaned closer to her. “I’ve told him to leave you alone. If he doesn’t listen, I will handle it.”

“Why do I get the feeling that you ‘handling it’ will only make things worse?” she asked, voice hushed. Worry replaced the fear in her eyes—he hated seeing either of those looks on her face. “Please, no violence.”

His mouth parted at her words—the pleading within her doe-eyes. He knew he couldn’t say no to her, not with that face. But it was when she put her hand on his wrist and slid his palm over her cheek, he finally relented, “Fine, no violence.”

She breathed out a sigh of relief and stepped further into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist.

His heart pounded in his chest, trying to punch its way out of his ribcage. He swore she probably could hear it, but at that moment, he didn’t care. With her in his arms, it’s like the world around them vanished and it was only them.

Only her.

He tucked her closer, feeling her relax against him. Gods, he’d give anything to be able to hold her like this anytime he wanted.

Elain pulled back, smiling brightly—it made her radiant. He wished he could capture the image of her right then and there. Something he could bring out and look at in his darkest days to remember what it felt like to step into the light.

Her name was called and they turned to see her advisor waving her over.

“Can you excuse me for just a second?”

His lips turned up. “Go,” he nodded in the direction of said advisor.

She gave his hand a quick squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”

When she let go, Az felt his heart go with her.

~~~~~

Elain walked over to Thesan, her heart beating against the front of her chest. She could hear the blood pumping through her ears and she wanted nothing more than to turn around and return to the comfort of Azriel’s arms.

But she didn’t. So, she walked along with her advisor towards a small group of people.

“I wanted you to meet the new head donor for the surgical department. It’s exactly the funding we needed to expand our residential program,” Thesan explained, his enthusiasm clear in his voice.

“That is so exciting! I know how much you’ve wanted to have more residents within the hospital.” She couldn’t help but smile at the joy on his face. He had always wanted to expand their residency program, but programs cost money and it’s not something that a hospital just has lying around.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “This will also be a great opportunity for you, should you take that attending physician’s position once your residency is complete.”

“You really meant that?” she asked, still believing she had dreamt that entire announcement on stage.

Thesan snorted. “Of course, Elain. You are not just a skilled surgeon, but an excellent doctor. You build rapport with your patients, something that is not always bestowed with other doctors. We would be honored to have you as one of our attending’s.”

She smiled up at her advisor, a male she’s grown to cherish over the last few years. “It would be an honor to work under you, Thesan. I am truly thankful for the opportunity.”

He gave her shoulder a quick squeeze, before releasing her. “Wonderful! Now,” he began as they reached the group, “please let me introduce you to our head donor—”

But Elain froze when they entered the circle of individuals, eyes finding the new donor immediately. “Elias,” she muttered. The blood drained from her face; her skin went cold.

“Doctor Archeron! So lovely to see you again.”

She felt Thesan look between the two of them. “You two know each other?”

Her cottonmouth prevented her from speaking, but Elias answered for her.

“We met earlier this evening.” His dark eyes watched her closely like he was looking for some specific reaction. As if daring her to mouth off as she had earlier in front of her employer. He knew she wouldn’t.

She knew he knew she wouldn’t.

Finally mustering up the ability to speak, she straightened her shoulders and said, “Can you give us a minute?”

Without letting him answer, she led Thesan and the Medical Director away from the group.

“Elain,” her advisor began, “what’s wrong?”

“We can’t let him donate,” she blurted, then winced. That did not sound at all what she meant.

“What are you talking about?” the Medical Director hissed. “He’s willing to give $1.5 million to your surgical department.”

“And what does he want in return?” Elain snapped.

The director blinked. “He will have a seat on the board—”

“To make decisions about the department. Exactly. Listen, I just have a bad feeling about him. He’s got this shady vibe and I don’t trust him.”

That made Thesan’s face glower. “What do you mean by that?”

She sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. She really didn’t want to explain why she knew Elias was bad news, so she said instead, “You told me to trust my instinct, to go with my gut. Well, my gut is telling me this is a bad idea.”

“We can’t just say no to this kind of money, Doctor Archeron. We can set some ground rules if you’re uncomfortable with the man, but—”

“But it won’t prevent anything. I know how these types of men work. They’re persistent in getting what they want.” She could see the hesitancy in their faces. Knew that even with her concerns, they wouldn’t be able to pass up an opportunity like this. Not for the amount that Elias’ was willing to donate. “What if I could get those funds from somewhere else?” she blurted, unsure of where her mouth was taking her.

“Elias Hewn owns half of the largest merger in the city,” the director asserted, her tone of voice put Elain’s skin on edge.

“Yes, and I came with the other half of that merger on my arm,” she argued.

Thesan’s dark brows became lost in his hairline. “Azriel Knight is here?” He looked around the room, searching for the multi-millionaire. “Wait,” his head snapped back to his resident. “Is this the same Azriel that came barging into the hospital all those weeks ago?”

She hesitated. “Uh, yes. He and I are on better terms.” It was mostly true if the ache that was still burning in her loins was anything to go on. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet. “Just let me talk to him before we make any agreements with Elias.”

Elain walked away before either of them could second guess her decision.

Before she could second guess her decision.

Azriel watched her approach, his frown apparent from his drawn lips. “What’s wrong?” he asked as soon as she was in earshot.

Clearly, she wasn’t good at hiding her expressions. She snatched her glass of whiskey still sitting on the table and shot the rest back.

“Jesus! Easy killer,” he muttered, taking her now empty glass from her hand and gave her a hard look. He knew as well as she did that that alcohol was going straight to her bloodstream.

She’d be lucky if she could walk a straight line when they finally got home.

“Elain, you’re as white as a sheet. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Have you ever thought about investing in the medical field?” she blurted. At his raised eyebrows, she internally cursed at herself. Shit, she was bad at this.

“I’ve never really considered it, but I’m not opposed to it, why?”

Gods, was she really about to ask this male for $1.5 million? This was beginning to feel like prostitution—just without the sex, she assured herself. She was surely going to hell for this. Steeling her nerves, she said, “Elias is trying to become the head donor for the surgical department.”

Ire lit his eyes, the golden orbs darkening with deadly precision. “What does it give him should he get it?” he practically growled. His lean body lined with tension; a cobra snake ready to strike.

“It would get him a seat on the board—to make decisions about the surgical department, and about me should I be presented in front of the board for some reason. I believe his intentions aren’t genuine.”

“Oh, I know they’re not genuine. It’s a ploy to get closer to you.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Fuck, I think I set him off with our earlier conversation.”

Elain wrangled her hands in nervousness, her stomach doing somersaults as she waited for him to finally make the connection of why she brought this up. She couldn’t even bear to look at him.

“You want me to take his place,” he finally said after a few moments of silence.

She dipped her head in a nod, unable to look at him.

“How much is he donating, Elain?”

“$1.5 million,” she whispered. When he didn’t respond immediately, she finally grew enough courage to look at his face.

His mouth had popped open, but his eyes searched her face like he was desperately trying to figure something out.

She caved. “I’m sorry. Please—uh, please forget I even brought this up. I’ll just handle whatever he does. I’m sorry.” In her desperate attempt to flee, she nearly tripped over her own two feet, but Azriel caught her by the waist, keeping her steady.

“Hey, stop running,” he murmured, bringing her closer so he could cup her cheek. “I’m not concerned about the money, Elain. I’m concerned that by doing this, I’m getting that board seat which will give me some power over you. I don’t want to blur any lines between us—God knows we’ve already got enough with our history.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I just—” his eyes glanced over his shoulder. “Fuck, he’s walking towards us.” Snatching her purse off the table, he handed it to her and pulled her toward the small open floor area where a few couples were dancing. “Dance with me?”

Elain took his hand and let him tug her into a slow sway, moving them further onto the dance floor away from Elias.

Azriel twirled them a few times, getting them into the rhythm of the song that came on.

It only took them a few words to realize what song they were listening to.

I’m going under and this time I fear there’s no one to save me. 

This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy.

They seemed to look at each other then, their eyes holding as the song played around them.

I need somebody to heal.

Somebody to know.

Somebody to have.

Somebody to hold.

The green in his hazel irises shined brightly—she had forgotten he had green in his eyes. She hadn’t gotten close enough to focus on how they swirled like a kaleidoscope of colors.

Now the day bleeds.

Into nightfall.

And you’re not here. 

To get me through it all.

His brain finally seemed to catch up and he murmured, “I just want you to be sure you want me in that kind of a position before we do this.”

She felt his warm breath against her skin—it sent shivers down her spine. “I trust you, Azriel,” she breathed. “I know you would never agree to anything that you did not fully believe was the right choice.”

I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved. 

The tension from earlier seemed to evaporate from his body, his hand relaxing in hers.

From this angle, Elain could study the sharp lines of his toned shoulders. The elegant curve where they attached to his neck. Her fingers moved up farther, brushing against the skin of his throat.

He swallowed hard; his hand slid from her hip to splay across her lower back.

She knew why he did it, but still, she asked, “Is he still watching?” Her dress floated around them as they spun.

And I tend to close my eyes when it hurts sometimes.

I fall into your arms.

I’ll be safe in your sound ‘til I come back around.

“Yes,” he replied gruffly.

On the next turn, Elain took a chance and glanced over to where Elias stood, his eyes fixed on them. Her stomach churned at the way he watched them—like a bloodhound. She fixed her gaze back on Azriel’s face, mouth moving before her brain caught up to the words. “Kiss me.”

Azriel stumbled—actually stumbled at her words, his jaw popping open in utter shock. “Wha—what?” he stuttered, trying to recover their dancing as the ending lyrics sounded through the air.

I let my guard down.

And then you pulled the rug.

I was getting kinda used to being someone you loved.

Her heart strained at the way he looked at her—at the hope that he tried so hard to hide but couldn’t mask. Hating that she was asking for all the wrong reasons, she explained, “He’s looking at us like we’re a meal he’s about to devour. Get him off my back.”

Azriel continued to move them as the next song came on. “I already told him we were just friends,” he admitted, shamefully.

She ducked her head, trying to catch his eye. “I don’t care. As long as he questions whether or not we’re together may be enough to get him to hesitate on pursuing me.” Elain could see the rejection on the tip of his tongue. “Please, Azriel,” she pleaded, knowing it was all it would take to break his grip on himself.

He slowed them to a stop in the middle of the floor, ignoring how other dancers huffed around them as they swerved out of the way. He released her hand, using it to cup the side of her face, his other tugging her closer at her lower back.

Her skin set on fire at his touch—heart thumping erratically as he leaned in ever so slowly and pressed his lips softly to hers. Electricity jolted through her body at the gentlest brush of his lips and her eyes fluttered closed.

The kiss reminded her of innocence, like a field of wildflowers on a fresh spring morning. It was the gentle cradle of a baby, the feeling of your first love.

And it wasn’t enough—not nearly enough for anyone to be convinced that they were anything but friends.

When he began to pull away, her hand slid from his shoulder to clutch him around the backside of his neck, holding him in place. Her fingers threaded through the hair at his nape.

With their lips barely a breath apart, she whispered, “Kiss me like you mean it.”

Any and all control within him snapped at her words. He took her face in both of his hands and kissed her fiercely. There was nothing gentle in this kiss. Gone were the thoughts of spring and flowers. In replacement was burning desire—hot as the open flame of a wildfire. The kiss was a claiming, his tongue pried open her lips and dominated her own.

Elain melted, letting out a sound that was a cross between a whine and a moan from the back of her throat. Her hand clutched the lapel of his suit jacket and she felt a twinge between her legs. She was thankful when his arm wrapped tighter around her waist holding her up as her knees buckled.

Everything around them faded at the moment like they were the only two people in the world. Her skin flushed from her head down to the tips of her toes. She hadn’t been kissed like this before, not even when they were together in high school.

This was a kiss from the predator in front of her.

And gods dammit did she love every second of it.

Azriel only pulled away to catch his breath, her own chest heaving. He was close enough that she could still feel the heat of his body, could feel every hard muscle that was pressed into her soft curves.

She blinked, breathing heavily, and looked up to find his eyes black, the pupil nearly swallowing every bit of hazel color.

His chest brushed against hers as they stood and stared at each other for who knows how long. Seeming to regain control of himself, he released her and stepped back, thumb coming up to brush at his bottom lip.

Her body went cold without him near and it took her a moment for her mind to catch up with the rest of her. She cleared her throat, but even that couldn’t stop the rasp of her voice. “We should go speak with them about the donation,” she indicated to the group of board members and her advisor, who thank god, didn’t seem to have noticed the show they just put on.

He swept his hand out in a motion for her to lead the way.

As they made their way across the room, she felt Azriel keep close to her and she realized why—Elias was standing on the edge of the dancing, still watching them. Even from the distance, she could read the surprise as clear as day on his face.

The surprise, and the fury.

At least he bought the kiss.

Ignoring how that spot between her legs throbbed incessantly, Elain cleared her throat, getting the attention of the group. “Hello everyone,” her voice was a cracked whisper and she had to clear it again. “This is Azriel Knight of Knight Securities,” she indicated to the male at her side. “Azriel, this is my Advisor, Doctor Thesan Dawn, and the board of directors for the hospital. And this,” she indicated to her other side, “is the hospital Medical Director, Doctor Margret Thatcher.”

Azriel shook hands with a few select people. “It’s nice to meet you all. Elain tells me you’re looking for a lead donor for the surgical department?”

A few of the board members glanced at each other, puzzled looks on their faces.

“I’m sorry, but I thought we had already found a lead donor with Elias Hewn?” the member asked Margret.

“We did until we learned that Doctor Archeron was working to line up a donation from the other half of that business merger. Though we haven’t agreed to terms with either.” She gave a pointed look in Elain’s direction.

Azriel cut in, sensing the tension between her and the director. “Hewn Technologies is still rocky from the passing of their previous CEO. I’ve been working closely through our merger to assist them, but their foundations are weak.”

“Excuse me?” a voice snapped and they turned to see a very pissed-off-looking Elias storming over to them. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he snarled in Azriel’s direction.

Azriel simply slid his hands into his pockets, not in the least intimidated by the man in front of him.

Elain, however, saw that look in his eyes and took a small step towards Azriel’s side.

“He also lacks in manners clearly. Elias, that’s not how you speak to others in company,” he reprimanded.

The ire rolled off the other man in waves, but before he could retort, Azriel turned his attention back to the board of directors and said, “I’ll double the initial donation.”

“Azriel,” she blurted, eyes widening. Double the amount? “That’s 3 million dollars.”

“You son of a—”

“Language,” he snapped. Turning his attention back to the collection of people who watched the little show in disbelief, he asked, “Well, do we have an agreement?”

Margret examined the two males, but when her eyes landed on her, she fidgeted under the scrutiny. She knew what the director was trying to determine—how her and Azriel’s relationship could affect the hospital.

Elias, however, came to his own conclusion. “They’re sleeping together!” he shouted loud enough that others turned to look at them.

Elain’s shoulders curved inward in embarrassment.

But Azriel just laughed. “That’s a wild accusation, Elias. I’ll admit that Doctor Archeron and I have a long history—we’ve known each other since high school—but to prevent any conflicts of interest, I had planned on having my Vice President of Marketing and Operations, Aelin Galathynius take the seat on the board.”

“Galathynius?” one of the board members asked incredulously. “As in Rhoe and Evalin Galathynius’ daughter?”

He nodded. “The one and only. She’s been under my employment since she graduated from college six years ago and was promoted to VP four years later.”

Elain didn’t recognize the name, but it was apparently well-known if the looks of the board were anything to go by. She felt a presence approach her other side and she turned to find her advisor staring down at her, his face seeming to ask are you okay?

She dipped her chin in confirmation, though she knew he didn’t buy it. She was too silent, too passive. Elain would be lying if Elias’s actions tonight hadn’t made her nervous. They followed that possessive line that reminded her so much of Graysen. It was hard not to allow those fears to rise up. Turning her attention back to the conversation, she caught just the tail end.

“We thank you, Mr. Knight, for your donation and we’re excited to move forward.”

“I’ll have Aelin reach out to finalize any paperwork and to submit the donation,” Azriel stated, shaking hands again with everyone.

His brow furrowed when he glanced down at her. “You ready to go?” he asked, his voice quieter.

She nodded, unable to form actual words. Her mind was too far gone. Too many emotions threatened to choke her and she just needed some time to sort through them all. As they walked away, his hand fell to her lower back and she instantly felt a calming sensation wash over her.

With his sturdy presence next to her and his warmth and cedar and mist scent surrounding her, the tightness in her shoulders began to relax.

The moment was short-lived when a hand gripped her forearm, hard enough to bruise. Elain whirled; a small cry escaped the back of her throat as Elias tugged her a step away from Azriel.

Her heart thundered in her chest at the look on his face—the rage that set his eyes on fire. She remembered the last time a man looked at her like that; she ended up bent over a table.

Raw, crippling fear clawed it's way up her spine. “Let go,” she squeaked, her face heating at how pathetic it sounded.

“Did you think I wouldn’t figure out what you did?” he snarled, edging close to animalistic.

A body pressed against her, a scarred hand finding its way onto the bicep of the arm Elias still held, another on her hip. “Did she fucking stutter? Let her go, now.”

Azriel’s midnight voice slithered along her bones, warming her from the inside out. Even though his tone had turned glacial, she found she wasn’t afraid of it. Nothing about him scared her.

Elias loosened his grip on her arm but didn’t completely release her. “You’ll both regret this.”

Elain felt, rather than saw, two others join them on her backside—the Moonbeam twins, likely noticing the escalating tension.

At his limit, Azriel moved with lightning speed, knocking Elias’ hand from her and stepped in between them, hiding half her body from view. “Is that a threat?” he demanded; voice deadly. “Because let me tell you something, Elias. I don’t respond to threats kindly.”

Chancing a glance around the room, Elain noticed others were watching the scene unfold, curious eyes landing on the surgical resident who was up on stage not that long ago. “Azriel,” she stated calmly, placing her hand on his bicep.

Immediately his eyes found hers, assessing.

“People are staring, let’s just go,” she pleaded.

The fire inside him dimmed at her words—she could see it receding. His eyes flicked to the two males behind her, a silent conversation going on between them.  

One of the twins—likely Fenrys—left to go collect the car.

His eyes fell back to hers and he took her hand from his bicep and brushed his lips to her knuckles before he laced their fingers together. “Okay,” he breathed. “Let’s go home.”

Home.

The word clanged in her head. At how right it felt to call it home with him. It was something she had imagined in so many different ways when they were dating. The quaint little house, nestled somewhere just on the edge of the city so they could have their privacy.

Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine it in a penthouse with Velaris’ wealthiest individual.

And she hadn’t dreamed it would be with Azriel in nearly ten years.

But that’s what she was picturing now—that life that she had thought was a distant dream. The realization was a bit disorienting and she crushed that hope in a vice-like grip. There were too many things that had happened tonight, too many emotions she wasn’t ready to face without some proper thought—and not with the liquor in her blood.

Not giving Elias another minute, Azriel pulled her away, keeping their hands clasped together.

Connall moved to take his place on her other side, but at the last second, he stepped away and she heard him snarl, “Stay away from her.”

The violence in his voice surprised her. He had always been the well-tempered side of the two brothers.

When he caught up to them, he winced at her pointed look. Con mouthed an apology before he turned his attention to Azriel. “Fenrys said the paparazzi is still out front.”

“Shit,” Azriel murmured, slowing their strides as he debated their options. “Connall, can you get the security on standby to help us get out?”

Her bodyguard nodded, jogging over to the front door.

Azriel cleared his throat, capturing her attention. “I’m sorry about that.”

Elain’s brow furrowed together. “About what?”

“Elias,” he answered like it was obvious.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Azriel. It’s not your fault Elias is a raging asshole and a sexist pig.”

He huffed a laugh at that. “Still, I lost my cool in there. And for that, I apologize.”

She could see the shame on his face—hear the sincerity in his voice.

He had thought himself the bad guy when he was exactly the opposite. He had been her saving grace in those last few moments. His voice had calmed those awful memories from resurfacing, his touch warmed her icy skin.

No, he had been everything but the bad guy, and he deserved to know that truth.

Elain let her thumb brush over his, turning to face him. “He looked like my ex-fiancé just now,” she whispered, eyes downcast to their feet. “The anger in his eyes at the denial of something he wanted. I was so pissed earlier with what he did, the things he said. But just now, I uh—” she swallowed thickly. “I panicked. I’ve prided myself on not letting men get away with belittling me. Getting away with treating me like I’m a second-class citizen. But when he grabbed my arm in a bruising grip, I was back in that house. Back being held down against that table.”

She shuddered at the memory.

Azriel’s index finger hooked under her chin, tilting her gaze to meet his. “You don’t have to explain anything you’re not ready to.”

“I’m not trying to explain,” she began, her delicate fingers circled his wrist and she pulled his hand away from her chin to slide it over her cheek. “I’m trying to say thank you, Azriel. I needed you tonight—in more ways than one and you stepped up. I can’t explain how much it means to me to know I can count on you.”

“You can always count on me,” he whispered.

She wanted to kiss him again. It would’ve been so easy for her to in these heels, and she could tell he wanted to kiss her too.

But they blurred so many lines tonight already; had crossed into new territory that she had yet had time to figure out. Deeming it the safer option, she twisted her neck and kissed his palm. “Thank you for coming with me tonight.”

Azriel didn’t get a chance to respond before Connall returned.

“Fenrys has the car waiting and security is already pushing the crowd back. Now is our best chance to escape.”

He nodded, releasing her face. “Same way we entered.”

They exited the hotel lobby hand-in-hand, and as told, Elain kept her head down. The cameras flashed even at a distance, but this time, the bright lights didn’t affect her as much. Gone was the nervous anxiety and in replacement was overwhelming exhaustion. Elain just wanted to get home, take a shower to wash off the lingering effects of this evening, and climb into bed to fall into a dreamless slumber.

The shouts from the crowd were nothing but background noise and as they reached the car. Azriel opened the door to help her in, leaning down to tuck the skirts of her dress so they wouldn’t be caught in the door jam.

Once safely inside the car, her tiredness seemed to intensify and she found herself leaning her head on his shoulder and let her eyes close.

~~~~~

Elain’s eyes had drifted shut before the car made it out of the parking lot. He didn’t mind her falling asleep on him, took satisfaction that she felt safe enough to fall asleep around him. He knew it took a great deal of effort for her to trust him again, but she had opened up about her ex-fiancé.

She had yet to speak in detail about what had happened with him. He knew from Cash and Rhys what had happened, but to hear her talk about the fear she felt when Elias had grabbed her was a whole different level.

Az knew he had some anger issues, had been bred into him since he was a child. And while he normally found ways to channel that aggression, either through his job or in his extensive training routine, the moment when she told him how Elias took her back to that painful memory, there was a split second where he thought he would’ve gone back in that ballroom and killed him, consequences be dammed.

But she had frozen him in place when he made her meet his gaze—that far-off look in her eyes had chilled him to the bone. It made him realize that she didn’t need him to go in there and tear Elias apart with his bare hands.

No, she just needed his presence to comfort her until she reclaimed the reality around her. It simmered his desire to rip apart anyone who so much as looked at her wrong and it made him question what, exactly, he would do should he ever come face-to-face with her ex-fiancé.

He supposed they would cross that bridge when they got there.

The car pulled into his private garage and parked in its designated parking spot. The twins looked back, both giving him a private smile at the scene in the backseat.

“We’ll give you two a moment,” Fenrys stated before they climbed out, letting the car doors shut quietly behind them.

Az looked down at her sleeping face—gods she looked so peaceful. He brushed his lips to her forehead. “Hey,” he murmured against her skin. “We’re home.”

Those beautiful doe-eyes fluttered open. “Hmm?” she muttered in her half-sleep, half-alcohol-induced state.

He hadn’t forgotten her shooting back straight whiskey with nothing more and a single appetizer in her stomach. “We’re home,” he repeated and gently leaned her back onto her seat. “I’ll come around and grab you.”

“Kay,” she mumbled.

Climbing out, he walked around to her side, where Connall opened the door so he could lean in and unclasp her seat belt. He handed her bag to the dark-haired twin and then proceeded to lift her out of the car. “Come on, sleepy.”

Elain giggled as he set her on her feet and swayed dangerously.

All three males reacted, each grabbing at her arm, shoulder, or waist to prevent her from eating the concrete.

Az swooped down and lifted her back into his arms, hers circled his neck. “No more whiskey on an empty stomach for you,” he muttered earning chuckles from the Moonbeam twins. “Here, I’ll take her bag. You guys can go home for the evening.”

“You sure? We can help get you guys upstairs,” Connall said, relenting the purse to the hand he had cradled under her knees.

“We’re fine. I’m going to try to get her to eat something so she doesn’t wake up hungover tomorrow. She isn’t due at work until late morning, so you won’t have to pick her up till ten.” He readjusted her in his arms, her forehead falling onto his temple.

“You smell good,” she said in what clearly was an attempted whisper but most definitely wasn’t.

His cheeks darkened as the twins gave him knowing smiles. He rolled his eyes at her antics, trying to brush off the warm feeling that spread through his chest at her words. “Goodnight, and thanks again for tonight.” He meant it too—he wasn’t sure what he would’ve done if the twins hadn’t been there to crowd control or monitor the event.

“Goodnight, Mr. Knight,” they said in unison as they departed for their vehicles.

The ride in the elevator was stifling.

Elain had proceeded to nuzzle her nose into his neck in affection and it was doing some very male things to him. When he had asked her what she was doing, she simply shrugged, muttering, “You smell like home.” He looked at her then—really looked at her. The haziness of her eyes told him she likely wouldn’t remember this conversation in the morning, and he wasn’t sure if it thrilled him to hear those words, or pained him because they came from her drunken state.

Once inside the penthouse, Az set her on the counter, making sure she was stable before he knelt down and unstrapped her heels from her feet.

She groaned, toes curling in pleasure. “Much better,” she slurred.

“Stay here,” he ordered, earning a salute in confirmation. He could only chuckle as he went to his pantry and grabbed a loaf of bread and peanut butter. Quickly, he made them each a peanut butter sandwich and handed one to her. “Eat this.”

Elain devoured her sandwich—thankfully—and grabbed the jar of peanut butter as he went to get her a glass of water.

When he turned back around, he nearly dropped the glass on his kitchen floor.

With his back turned, Elain had stuck two fingers into the open jar and was currently sucking the brown residue from her digits, her cheeks hollowed from the movement.  

“Jesus, fuck,” he mumbled to himself, growing increasingly tight in his dress pants. He was thankful the only lights on were the ones under his upper cabinets, giving off a romantic glow, so she couldn’t see just how hard he had become.  

Her brown eyes found his from across the kitchen. “S’that for me?” she said through the sticky mess.

He had to clear his throat to speak. “Yes,” he croaked still, handing her the glass.

She downed the water as he grabbed her a towel to clean up her mess.

He smiled as he wiped at her hands and her face like she was a toddler, but watched as her eyes slowly begun to clear.

“Do you want any medicine for a hangover?” he asked cautiously.

She shook her head. “No, I think I’m okay.” Her words were far less slurred and he assumed the bread and water were gradually taking over the effects of the alcohol.

He helped her off the counter, but held onto her arm when she started to sway slightly. Grabbing her shoes from the floor, Az assisted her up the stairs and into her bedroom. “Do you want to get ready for bed?” he asked, setting her shoes down by her closet.

“I think I’m going to take a shower first. I feel like I need to wash off Elias’ sleaziness.”

Just the sound of his name made the fire reignite in his blood, but he smothered it, his concern about her wellbeing taking priority. “You sure that’s a good idea. You’re still a bit buzzed.”

Even in the dimmed lighting of her room, he could make out the redness that spread across her cheeks. “I’m fine,” she said, holding herself up to prove her point.

Not wanting to fuss, he yielded. “Okay, well I think I’m going to get in a run before I shower myself. Holler if you need anything.” He had just made it to the threshold of her bedroom door when she called out.

“Wait!”

He turned back to her, finding her blush had dipped down to her chest.

“Um, can you unzip me please?”

Fuck, she really was going to kill him. “Sure.” He moved towards her, his steps unhurried, chest constricting with the memory of her bare skin from earlier. He swept her hair off to the side and undid the clasp at the top of the dress. Slowly, he tugged the zipper down—inch by fucking inch—revealing pale skin for him to touch.

To taste.

He wasn’t sure what possessed him to do it, maybe it was that urge to take her as his or his lack of control over his body, but he curled his fingers and dragged the knuckle of his index down the center of her spine.

Elain gasped, back arching but she did not pull away. No, instead she twisted her neck to look up at him—her pupils had blown wide just from his simple touch.

Gods, the way she looked at him with those “fuck me” eyes. He had seen that look more than once tonight and it took nearly all of his willpower to not do exactly that. Don’t get him wrong, he wanted to—the hardness in his pants would have given him away—he just didn’t want to like this.

Not with her still slightly intoxicated. Not with the exhaustion that still lined his eyes. And especially not with the fear she felt with Elias just an hour before—after what she admitted to him.

The next time he took her, it would be on their terms, clearheaded, and without the weight of their past hovering over them.

So, he leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to the bare skin of her shoulder, relishing in the way she shivered. “Goodnight, Elain,” he murmured, huskily.

Her voice was like velvet brushing his soul. “Goodnight, Azriel.”

Azriel forced himself to leave, closing her bedroom door behind him, and leaned against it. He needed the clear his head from the growing desire that stood on the other side of that door. Forcing himself to move, Az went to change into workout clothes and ran the burning ache until it was a low flicker deep inside him.

Even after a three-mile run and a very cold shower, it still wasn’t enough to dull that desire for his current roommate. He knew it wasn’t a matter of if the tension would break, it was a matter of when.

~~~~~

Just a last minute note...There first kiss was not originally going to be this soon, but some of you convinced me otherwise. 😘

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[nin-deer]

Day 4 - Forbidden

Fandom:

Natsume's Book of Friends (NatsuYuu/Natsume Yuujinchou)

A/N:

finally a chance to write for my fav anime!!! I kinda got carried away tho so it's a bit on the long side today...

i couldn't help it i love writing dialogue ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Natsume knew that something bad was going to happen. Both Taki and Tanuma felt it, but all of them ignored the signs. They needed to catch that youkai. The youkai had somehow stolen Hinoe’s hairpiece, and she threw a fit every night until Natsume had enough. He got so little sleep normally; he didn’t need another factor keeping him awake through the night. 

The three of them had caught the youkai before everything went wrong. It was actually Taki who found them first, surprisingly. It had briefly crossed through one of the many circles she had laid on the floor, and she immediately alerted Natsume. The youkai freaked out when it was seen and stumbled, allowing Natsume to give it a good punch. After getting Hinoe’s hairpiece from the youkai, it turned out that they had stolen from a number of youkai and people already. Would they have to return every single thing?

Just as he thought that, bushes nearby rustled, revealing a very familiar figure. It was Natori Shuuichi. 

Uh oh.

“So,” Natori said, snapping Natsume out of his reminiscing. “What are you kids doing all the way out here?”

“Hello, Natori-san.”

“Yes, hello Natsume. So?”

Tanuma stepped in front of the circle drawn on the floor, subtly trying to mess it up. Natsume had told him about how these circles were forbidden in the world of exorcists. Although Natori was a friend, who knows what he will do to Taki if he found out.

“Uh,” Taki interrupted. “Natsume, who is this?”

“Ah.” That’s right. Only Tanuma has met Natori. “Sorry, Taki. This is Natori Shuuichi, an exorcist I worked with in the past. Natori-san, this is Taki Tooru, a classmate of mine.”

“Did-” Taki gaped. “Did you just say Natori Shuuichi??? The actor???” 

She started to jump up and down, moving over the circle so her movements messed up the lines on the floor. Surprisingly, both of his friends’ efforts had gotten rid of the majority of the circle so that it was just a bunch of random scribbles in the dirt. 

Natori laughed, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, that is me. Glad to meet a fan, unlike someone over there.”

Natsume scowled, turning away from Natori. “Whatever. We were here because a youkai stole something important to a friend of mine. I was just trying to get it back so I can sleep peacefully.”

Both Taki and Tanuma snorted. Natsume sleeping peacefully? That was a pipe dream. Natori only raised an eyebrow. Even he didn’t believe Natsume got enough sleep, seeing as Natsume always had bags under his eyes whenever they met.

He grumbled. “Okay, so I can at least get some sleep. Better?”

Natori smiled, the lizard climbing up his skin. “Better. So did you guys succeed?”

Natsume held up the hair piece. “Yeah, but…”

The four of them glanced to the pile of stolen goods. “It seems this isn’t a one time thing. We were just about to figure out what to do with all this stuff.”

The actor walked towards the pile and crouched down, inspecting the items. “Well, it looks like there are a mix of human and youkai stuff in here.” He stood up, brushing his pants as if there was dirt on them, and gave them his award-winning smile. “I can deal with this. You kids go home, okay?”

They hesitantly nodded, glancing at each other. “Uh-” Natsume nervously glanced at the pile. “If you need some help, you can call me and I’ll send a youkai to help you. I can probably bribe Nyanko-sensei to come.”

“I appreciate the thought, Natsume.” He smiled softly at the boy. “But I think I’ll be okay. You just go home and get your beauty sleep, yeah?”

The boy just scoffed and rolled his eyes, a tiny smile gracing his lips. “Yeah, yeah. I got it. See you later, Natori-san.”

“See you, kids! Don’t get into any trouble like your friend over there!”

The boy’s friends laughed, knowing how much of a trouble magnet their friend was. Natsume just rolled his eyes at his friends’ antics. Well, at least they got Hinoe’s treasure and kept Taki’s circles a secret.

[1drarepairfics]

Below is a selection of completed 1D rare pair fics that have been posted to AO3 in the month of May. We hope you enjoy reading them and encourage you to leave kudos and comments for the authors!

About Dates by bluecolouredlou / @bluecolouredlou

Louis/Niall | General Audiences | 652 words

Louis and Niall take a walk in the park after one of their dates.

Shooting the Shite by candleinthew1nD

Harry & Niall | Teen & Up | 1.2K

Niall meets Harry in a pub after the BRIT awards.

Idle Curiosity by behindmeday / @behindmeday

Harry & Nick Grimshaw | Teen & Up | 1.2K

“I don’t think our management will be too happy with me,” Harry said with a smirk.

“What do you mean?” Nick asked as he handed Harry a cup of black coffee before pouring sugar into his own, “They don’t want you to speak to the nation while still drunk from the night before? I can’t imagine why not.”

Harry laughed, putting his head in his hand, “At least I got some promo in, right?”

Or, Harry asks Nick a question.

Not Niall by CordensAngels131 / @cordensangels131

Harry/Niall | Explicit | 1.4K

Harry’s been busy filming My Policeman and Niall’s feeling neglected.

On-Call by reminiscingintherain / @reminiscingintherain

Louis/Greg James | Mature | 1.5K

Greg's on a night shift, and Louis' at home. What else are the on-call rooms for?

if the subways flood, and the bridges break by gloriasparks

Niall/Zayn | General Audiences | 2.2K

The world might be coming to an end, but Zayn is there to catch Niall.

just the thought of you by disgruntledkittenface / @disgruntledkittenface

Harry/Liam | Mature | 2.7K

Harry's been pining after her neighbor for two years. It only takes a small kitchen fire for her to make a move.

Brighter than the stars by Celine (Loumybeloved)

Louis/Zayn | General Audiences | 3.1K

When prince Zayn of Odrea made his way to the kingdom of Ucra to marry the king’s daughter to keep the peace between the two kingdoms, he didn’t expect to fall in love with his personal servant

Naughty Niall by bradshawspeedy

Niall/Zayn | Mature | 3.1K

Niall and Zayn finally get it on, but what drugs has Niall given Zayn.

Oh, Pretty Baby by abrighteryellow / @a-brighter-yellow

Niall/Shawn Mendes | General Audiences | 4.0K

In that moment, Maeve, who had been yanking on the bill of the baseball cap her dad (dad?) is wearing, finally succeeds in pulling it off of his head, exposing a thick wave of wayward brown hair. She brandishes the hat proudly while he combs it back with his fingers, both of them grinning at her joke.

He has the bluest eyes Shawn has ever seen.

So he tries to concentrate on the kid.

Teaching toddler music classes at Gymboree barely feels like work to Shawn, until he meets a clever little girl with an Irish name and a charming dad.

The Initiation. by daddyharrie / @daddyharrie

Louis-centric | Explicit | 4.4K

Set years before The Promotion takes place, Louis is persuaded into going to a weekend getaway/business party hosted by his friend Henry. Upon arrival, he discovers there are far more men than he originally expected and they all want a piece of him.

a little tenderness by disgruntledkittenface / @disgruntledkittenface

Harry/Niall | Not Rated | 10.5K

“Listen, my alpha and I broke up and it turns out that all of our friends were really his friends and I need someone to help me through–”

“No,” Harry practically shouts, the word bursting out of him unbidden. He cringes when he sees the shock on Niall’s face, his pale skin flushing lightly. “I’m sorry, but my answer has to be no. I don’t help omegas through heats. I’m really sorry, Liam knows that, so I don’t know why he would give you the idea–”

“It’s not heat, Harry,” Niall interrupts. “It’s depri.”

“Oh. Fuck.”

Touch deprivation makes a lot of sense now that Harry thinks about it. Niall seems generally unwell; he appears to be weak, his skin is pallid and his lips look chapped, and his breathing is ragged. He’s wearing a cozy-looking sweatshirt, but even over FaceTime, he kind of seems cold, hunched over with his arms wrapped around his body. Harry’s never been around an omega in depri as bad off as Niall looks; most of the time, there’s an alpha friend or family member who can help out with scenting and physical contact.

Oh.

showstopper by sternenwelt

Harry/Zayn | Mature | 18.6K

in which harry is the almost perfect housewife and tries to win bake off

Warden Niall by XoXoSoulShine / @xoxosoulshine

Harry/Niall | Explicit | 19.7K

Niall’s a warden in a prison filled with corruption. There’s a dangerous drug pipeline that’s left more than one man dead. In an attempt to stop it, Niall agrees to allow an undercover agent infiltrate his facility. Enter Harry’s Styles, the FBI’s best undercover agent. It’s a dangerous mission for both of them and when Harry gets too close to the truth, will Niall be able to save him?

the witch next door by sternenwelt

Harry/Zayn | Teen & Up | 21.6K

in which safaa wants to be a witch when she grows up

or harry's the local witch and zain's got a serious crush

First Impressions by candleinthew1nD

Harry/David Dawson | Mature | 35.0K

Harry meets and gets to know the man who has been cast as his lover in the upcoming film My Policeman.

it's so quiet in the world tonight by pallomharry / @pallomharry

Harry/Niall | Not Rated | 55.5K

Harry nods, considering his words before slowly opening his mouth, looking thoughtful. “For what it’s worth, Niall, I think you’re doing a great job.”

Niall smiles sadly, not really knowing what to really say to that. His eyes fall on Harry’s arm resting on the table and soon enough, he’s reaching out to give his wrist a quick squeeze, hoping he understands. Because really, it means so much to him, that a verbal thank you doesn't feel like it’s enough.

When Harry makes the effort to grab his hand and squeeze it back, it’s safe to say he does.

Niall and his daughter move and they meet Harry, who complicates things for Niall just a little.

dancin’ is a dangerous game by pallomharry / @pallomharry

Harry/Niall | Not Rated | 69.5K

Harry can’t really pinpoint when it exactly happened. But looking back, it really could have been anytime. It could’ve been when they were under the stars, telling stupid jokes about space that only they would laugh at. When they were riding bikes together in the rain. Maybe it was when Harry kissed him for the first time, because when he thinks about it, even then it was as easy as breathing. Falling in love with Niall was the most natural thing that’s ever happened to him.

When Harry’s stepmother dies unexpectedly, he has to drop everything and fly out to Ireland. When he gets there, he’s met with the news that she left everything to a stranger named Niall Horan. He intends to take the house back from Niall, but things get a little tricky along the way.

[coolrobotsupremacist]

A lot of adaptations of Les Mis make Valjean a little evil, a little overly violent, a teeny tiny bit sexually predatory and that's fine if that's what you're going for but it's also, let's face it, the cowards choice.

If I was in charge I would make EVERYONE evil. Or more accurately I'd reverse everyone's morality like that one episode of Star Trek TOS where Spock has a goatee.

Here's how I see it happening(not NSFW but there are references to sex, sexually predatory behaviour, child abuse, murder, child murder and ahistorical clothing):

Myriel during his time in Spain became a Master Thief, amassing a great fortune, he became a priest to avert suspicion from him. Unfortunately he made a lot of enemies who had proof of his crimes and threatened him into retirement. But hey being a bishop is pretty good too: nice salary, big house, good food. It could be worse.

One day Jean Valjean (violent criminal) who got imprisoned for twenty years after beating his nephews to death to use as firewood comes to town. He wears all black. He breaks into Myriels house and almost managed to make off with his secret stash but Myriel catches him and decides that, since he can't go on with his life of crime, Valjean should be his evil apprentice. There's an episode that's just evil My Fair Lady. Valjean was already cunning but Myriel teaches him to blend in with high society.

Meanwhile in Paris Devoted Father Tholomyès is struggling to raise his Daughter in the light of God. This is difficult because her Mother, Fantine who is a slinky red dress wearing brunette, absolutely refuses to marry him or stop sleeping with her string of other lovers. She sells his Fathers watch for gin and mocks him for loving her. She is bisexual but only so she can have on-screen threesomes. One day he wakes up and she's gone, gone with his precious Cosette. Oh, the tragedy.

Thenardier, honest inkeeper and war hero, doesn't listen to his wife when she begs him not to take that bewitching red-lipped woman's child but he'll soon wish he had.

Fantine is having the time of her life. Free of her child she wanders to M-sur-M where she gets a job by seducing her way through the(male unless it's a threesome) population of the town. She soon becomes the most powerful woman in town. Only two men don't bend to her will, the mysterious Mayor and the police inspector Javert.

Javert knows corruption runs deep in this town, he knows but he is powerless. The most he can do is give money to the exploited child workers of the Mayor's factory so they can afford medicine for the limbs that the Mayor breaks when they aren't working fast enough. The Mayor is also a bisexual but we only ever see this telegraphed with sexually predatory behaviour towards Javert.

One day Fantine almost murders a man in the street because he asked if she would donate some money to the Orphan Fund. Javert arrests her but the Mayor(who has only been referenced by other characters so far) appears to see why a legitimate arrest is being made. Gasp! It's Jean Valjean but wearing an even sexier all black outfit. There is immediately blazing sexual tension between Fantine and Valjean. They begin a violent love affair. Eventually things turn ugly: Fantine attempts to turn Valjean in for money, Valjean tries to murder Fantine and Javert tries desperately to arrest them both. It's a fun time for everyone but Javert. Eventually everything sort of turns out like in Canon with Fantine dead and Valjean in prison. Despite constantly beating her whole time she was alive Valjean claims that Fantine was the love of his life and runs off to find her daughter(he knows about Cosette because Fantine would have him read the Thenardiers letters to her so they could laugh at her stupid daughter for getting sick)

The Cosette pickup goes the same but Cosette is eating the Thenardiers out of house and home. Cosette has dead eyes and decapitates flies. Fantine hasn't sent them a single sou for Cosettes care but despite all this they still try to stop the incredibly suspicious Valjean from leaving with Cosette. For a while they succeed but then Valjean beats Thenardier with a rifle and sets their inn on fire.

Marius grew up with his Father. Georges Pontmercy won all his military awards by stealing the accomplishments of a man named Thenardier: Marius is told if he ever meets this man he is to murder him immediately in order to dispose of the final person who could contradict Pontmercy's lies. Marius says things like "With pleasure...Father!!!" Or after his Father died " We were once Barons and I swear on my Fathers grave we will be again!!". He goes to Paris to study/plan the murders of his extended family.

Les Amis de L'ABC are just fully chaotic evil, utter gremlins(Marius argues for the importance of a strong leader and order but Combeferre sneers "Order is an illusion. Chaos is a ladder") they have regular brutal fighting matches to ensure they're all worthy of being in the group. What are there political goals? We don't know but probably something scary. Loosely aligned with each other only due to their thirst for power.(weirdly I guess this makes Grantaire kind of the token "good" teammate in the same way he's kind of the token "evil" one in canon.)

Mabeuf used orphan bones as an experimental fertiliser. He's determined to catch Gavroche: they have a sort of Tom and Jerry thing going on. Mabeuf is financially stable in this but he often let's his household go hungry as he becomes more and more obsessive and greedy in his book collecting.

Marius sees Cosette in the park and falls in love with her instantly because evil has no awkward phase and Cosette became a femme fatale at 13. He vows to make her his Dark Lady Baroness. Meanwhile Cosette thinks she can use him as she uses her Father. Valjean lusts after her and Cosette ENCOURAGES it because a literal child can TOTALLY be responsible for the feelings and actions of an adult man.

Eponine is caught between the honest attentions of Montparnasse, the man her Father approves of, and the dark attraction she feels for the flared nostrils and dark secrets of Marius Pontmercy.

A complex game of murder-sex-betrayal ensues but everyone lives and ends up kind of happy apart from Thenardier who dies to send his children away to a better life in Canada and Javert who gets shoved of a bridge by Valjean. Cosette married Marius. Valjean still lives with them and they run an evil criminal Empire. Les Amis all swindled their way into positions of power.

As Cosette and Marius are out walking one day they come across a worn old Gravestone they laugh at this pauper's grave then kick it over, forever concealing the inscription: Tholomyès, devoted Father.

[murdereraisuha]

Vargas Camp part 1

An attempt at a moderately-detailed summary of the story so far.  Mostly focuses on events rather than conversations cause I don’t have the time or Japanese skills for that.

The sports clubs are all going to have to attend a training camp in the mountains for 3 days where they will have to complete various tasks. Crowley promises to buy club equipment for any club that completes all the tasks, but Vargas says that any club that fails to complete all the tasks will be disbanded.

The morning of the 1st day, the students gather in the mirror chamber. The event guys show up in their new outfits. They discuss the outfits until Vargas activates the mirror and takes them to the dwarf mine, the same place we went in the prologue.

Soon after they arrive, Grim & MC approach the group. Crowley asked them to use the ghost camera to take pictures of the training camp. The ghosts are also here to assist Vargas. The first task for Vargas Camp is to set up their tents. However, for this task and the rest of the trip, the students will not be allowed to use phones or magic. Their phones & pens are confiscated by Crowley, who then returns to the school.

The group moves to the campsite and Vargas gives them a time limit of 60 minutes for everyone to set up tents. The equestrian club sets up theirs together by the river, the track and field club sets up theirs under trees. (this is where Otome Ayui’s translation part 1 ends, the rest is all me. Please take it with a grain of salt)

After 30 minutes, Jack and Deuce decide to work together. Epel and Ruggie also set up tents together and Ruggie praises Epel for his skillfulness. Riddle asks Sebek to help him but he pulls his side of the tent too strongly. 15 minutes left. Floyd complains about having a yellow tent and wants a red one instead even though, as Jamil comments, he’s already set up his tent. Floyd replies by saying Jamil’s choice of beige is too normal and tries to get Ace to agree. Ace doesn’t want to get involved. (Poor Jamil...)

Time’s up. Though there were difficulties, everyone managed to get their tents up in time. Vargas awards them with a Vargas Badge, which he & the ghosts will also award after other tasks are cleared. There will be 7 badges total that will be given out per club (if they clear all tasks).

Vargas proceeds to give them their other 3 tasks for the day.

collecting firewood and starting a fire

catching fish from the lake for use as food

going into the mines and obtaining a magic crystal (crystal? stone? idk lol). They have to get one that′s at least 1 centimeter and 3 grams heavy.

Each club talks about what they’ll do first/how they’ll delegate tasks. (personal note: I love the contrast between how amped up and strategic magift club gets, and then how right after that basketball club has the goofy music playing as Floyd & Ace talk about how they’re hungry and the group quickly decides to go fishing)

Grim & MC first go check out the magift club (minus Leona) getting firewood. They go back to camp and Ruggie shows everyone how to start a fire without matches or a lighter. Suddenly, a tree fairy (a name I’m giving it based on its appearance) appears and the students have to fight it off.

After the fight, Leona explains that during the time when the mine was active, there was a big forest fire. Since then, the fairies of the forest hate fire and that’s why they tried and will continue to try to stamp out any fires the students make. The students have to make sure to guard the fire.

Next, Grim & MC go to the lake and find Deuce & Jack. They’re not having much luck fishing. They spot a giant fish and consider catching it, but it turns out to be Floyd who has switched to eel form since fishing with a rod & having to wait is boring. After Floyd goes back into the lake, a water fairy shows up.

Once the fairy is defeated and there’s no more obstacles, the track & field club succeeds at catching a decent amount of fish. After checking in with a ghost, they go back to camp to enjoy the food.

Finally, Grim & MC go to mines where the equestrian club is. They talk about how to find magic crystals and the conversation’s technical enough that I’m just gonna wait for a translation instead of trying to understand it myself. Sebek finds a magic crystal and is loud about it. A fire fairy appears shortly afterward. They defeat it, Sebek continues to be loud, get the badge from a ghost. blah blah malleus blah blah.

Finally, we get to see basketball club at the lake, where Floyd has effortlessly caught 50 fish while the mobs have only caught like 1. Floyd goes back to human form, saying that he’s bored since the fish in the lake are all dumb/slow. Now that they’ve cleared the task, it’s time for Jamil to cook. However, he needs more ingredients other than fish to make good food, so he gives Ace and Floyd the task of gathering some edible plants. Floyd takes the area near the lake, Ace takes the forest. Ace talks to himself for a bit, there’s a rustling in the bushes, then horror music plays as something lunges at him and the screen goes to black and he screams. Floyd hears it and after some thinking... completely disregards it.

Night falls. Every club has completed their tasks & gotten the 3 badges in time. Vargas tells them to get a good rest, but also they need to have people stay up and guard the fire from the fairies. Vargas then talks to Grim & MC about how he will sleep in the dwarves’ small cottage and how they will sleep in a tent by the side of the cottage.

Jamil questions Floyd about where Ace is. Floyd says he doesn’t know and theorizes that Ace is skipping out. Floyd says he kinda wants to go too, but Jamil orders him to guard the fire and Floyd says that Jamil’s sounding like Azul.

Deuce and Jack go to sleep. Sebek yells at Riddle for napping by the fire but then says he (Sebek) will watch the fire. Riddle wakes Silver up and they go to sleep in their tents. Epel and Ruggie have a wholesome conversation. Leona continues to sleep.

Ruggie and Epel are woken up by the sound of the ghosts clanging frying pans together. Even though the sun’s not even out yet, Vargas declares it morning and hands out their tasks for the day.

Collect lamp fire flowers (灯火の花) for making a magic potion that can speed up the healing of scratches

Catch giant catfish that have been devouring the fish in the lake

Get another magic crystal, but this time it has to be at least 2 centimeters and 7 grams

The students talk about the tasks, then Jamil and Floyd approach Grim & MC with the mystery of the missing Ace. The end.

[tarotchariot]

End of week message for all, from the angels

Pre-message note:

This might be out of nowhere, as I stopped doing frequent readings in the past. Many big life changes have been happening (and most will be aware what absolute chaos can ensue as a result). Now things are beginning to settle down, I am tentatively beginning to put out readings again. To those who stuck around and still viewed my blog in this last year (and a half-ish?), I thank you, and value you.

__________________________________________

Angel Message:

Six of Fire

"Victory! Good news is on its way. Public recognition or awards."

What a lovely card to receive! Usually when I see this, it really means it. I'm hoping for all of us that we receive some kind of good news on the weekend, absolutely.

Now, let's get to the details that I see within the card.

So, one of the things that was first apparent was that there are people who seem to be egging the person on, maybe even a little harshly. I see that as perhaps having one or more around you who seem to be pushing you to aim for something, do something in particular that might make you nervous.

They are not doing this to stress you out, or because they need you to do the particular thing. They are pushing you because they know that you are capable, and that you are very likely to do just fine at the task or succeed. This in some cases might not even be your boss, or friends/family - this might even be your angels seeming to push you in a direction that you might be nervous about taking.

There is a note of the self saboteur that we have inwardly in some capacity. There may be an issue with confidence, motivation or a fear of success that you have been working on (consciously or not).

When there is a likelihood of things going well, or making a big move or being appreciated for something, this part of us can slink out, trying to make us small again. It can try and talk us out of it, or "humble" us. It can interpret people as being harsh, when really they are pushing for your improvement. It can feel defeated, paranoid, or defensive.

When these feelings come up, know you are on to something. Why else would this difficult aspect show up, if it felt comfortable?

I feel we here are at a crux of something important for ourselves. I see this as crossing a finishing line of some kind. Perhaps you are finally crossing over into a better place with better people who support you. Perhaps you are making big improvements in your fitness journey. Perhaps you are being invited to go for a job. Perhaps it's even overcoming the issues of self esteem. There are all sorts of things that may have just happened or you are anticipating the potential of. This is a start of a better time for you, if you let it.

I see for small number, there may have been one or more fake people around you, who behaved selfishly. They appear to have wanted accolade and attention, at the cost of yours, or even may have tried to put you down.

If this has been the case for you, I want you to know that the angels and I here see you. It wasn't right, and you are deserving of attention and praise for your wonderful attributes. You never have to take it away from anyone else, because you are worthy. This person/group may try and follow you or catch up as you leave the situation or area, or become out of their reach professionally. Pay them no mind. They can't keep up with you, if this is their mind state currently.

You have a lot to give, and more skills than you think. I see for some there are skills that you aren't quite aware of the potency of. People would be willing to exchange payment for your skillset.

For some reason, I see koinobori? Those flags you see at a Japanese festival. I searched it and it apparently is connected to "childrens day". It also mentions on may 5th, there is a celebration of health and happiness for boys. Just thought I'd mention. Perhaps there is good news to do with your child or a child you know.

Another thing I see is rose petals in particular. This might mean (for those who are at an appropriate age I would like to stress) some good news, or a feeling of achieving what you have desired in your love/intimate life is due.

Lastly, the angels are encouraging you to focus on goals or projects (personally or in your career) because these will help take you further away from people or situations that are unhelpful to you. Not only will the focus help keep your mind more positive and productive, but it is only natural that as we further improve upon our lives, the more practical steps are available to be in better places or circumstances.

It's basically the angels asking you to make practical steps to improving your life if you don't like areas of it. Don't worry - You don't have to figure it all out today - step by step, the angels will guide and help you to make plans, decide the next move and find the right support or information.

Ask them every day:

What is my next step?

Please guide me to helpful information

Please give me a sign what would benefit me to do now

You may receive signs or guidance that seem unrelated. Spirit is creative in how it leads us to our answers. Have trust in the process, and allow things to naturally show themselves to you.

I wish much success upon you.

______________________________________________________

Thanks for your time and attention,

Have a great weekend!