#I hope your horizons continue to grow and you enjoy the journey!

[quinloki]

I just want you to know you've been my gateway back into kink/bdsm. (I'm an adult don't worry) You've opened my eyes to kinks I never thought I'd be into. Even ones I've never understood the appeal for. Also I wanted to mention that your blogs have really been helping me dull the shame around sex that I had for most of life. My newfound perspective feels almost life changing. Do with that what you will.

Hot damn! that's what I like to hear \o/

Don't get me wrong, I love writing smut and indulging in everything that goes along with that, but being able to help people - not just entertain them - is an incredible feeling.

And I love talking about kink too. Not just the sexy and sexual parts, but the emotional pieces. The intimacy, the incidental therapy, the intentional therapy XD, the trust, the philosophy of it.

Because the more you look into it, the deeper below the surface you go, the more you realize not just how incredible it is, but how much better off we'd be as humans if we stopped pushing into some dark corner.

And I want to add too, there are some kinks that only work for people in fantasy. I'm a fan of "try something one, more if you like it" but also there's a line between fantasy and reality, and not everything that delights us in fantasy, delights us in reality. So you're not broken if, say, you love size kink in fantasy, but you don't actually enjoy penetration to that extent (or at all!) in reality.

It's all valid. ❤️

[espionn]

SkyWing tribe sheet!

my computer always fucks up colors in export for some reason and its really obvious with these guys :( i promise they're more saturated my computer just sucks

anyway i really liked doing these guys, skywings are fun and i think they have a lot of potential. enjoy!

Physical Appearance + Traits:

-SkyWings, as their name suggests, are dragons made for the wind and sky. They are better fliers than any other tribe, with enormous wings and several birdlike features. Some can fly for more than a day without landing, and even when they aren’t flying they make their homes at the peaks of mountains, with the entire world beneath them.

-They are quite large, taller than any other tribe, with long necks, long tails, and regal figures. They don’t have any obviously deadly weapons, but they have no clear weaknesses either; they are generally successful dragons.

-Their coloration consists of almost entirely warm colors, specifically red and orange. Yellows and golds are sometimes seen too, and more uncommonly, purples and browns. Their colors are bold and striking; they are one of the few Pyrrhian tribes that has no need for camouflage. 

-Young dragonets are hatched with a coating of feathers, particularly on their wings, necks and tails. Most dragons simply shed their feathers as they grow; some, though, carry a few into adulthood, usually lining their wings or making a thin ruff around their necks. These feathers are often even brighter than their scales.

-SkyWing horns are a mark of pride, and they continue to grow for as long as they live, meaning some of the oldest SkyWings have horns that resemble enormous and heavy antlers. Sometimes their horns are decorated with wires strung with jewels.

-SkyWing fire is the hottest and most powerful fire any tribe can produce. At its hottest it scorches through bone, and it can be used with accuracy from a long distance. It is their main weapon in combat, and quite a devastating one if their opponents don’t know how to properly fight it. They also use it for a number of other things, though. (More on this in the “society and culture” section.)

-Their wings are stronger than those of most tribes, allowing them to temporarily use them for balance rather than their front legs. This lets them hold and work on things more easily. (This headcanon belongs to @sidyashchiy-na-plakhe!! i saw your post and really liked it, hope you dont mind me adopting it)

-Not dissimilar to SandWings, they have darker streaks near their eyes to help with the glare of the sun when they’re flying, often facing the horizon directly.

Life Cycle:

-SkyWings are hatched in clutches between one and five, although four and five are a bit less common than one through three. SkyWing parents are not involved much with their dragonets. By tradition, they lay eggs in nests high in the mountain peaks, and return occasionally with food once they hatch. The rare unlucky SkyWing newborn may be snatched up by a large bird, but they’re big enough that it isn’t usually an issue. They are also hatched with disproportionately massive wings, big enough to make the fall less likely to be lethal if they fall before they learn to fly.

-Once the dragonets are large enough, though, or once they get hungry enough to search for their own food, they will leave the nest, often simply jumping out and letting the wind carry them, learning to properly fly quite quickly. Once parents notice that the nest is empty, they simply stop bringing food. They will never know who their dragonets are, but SkyWing superstition says all dragonets will eventually make their way to the kingdom, where they will be made a part of the tribe. And, truthfully, they almost always do.

-This practice, which some tribes find strange or even barbaric, is seen by Skywings as an important part of their life and tradition. Each of them took the same journey, and so did the generation before them, so they have faith that it will continue to work out well. It’s in their nature to leave their nest and find the kingdom, and it doesn’t result in enough casualties for them to try to halt the tradition. The only dragons this practice does not apply to is the royal family, for the sake of tracking bloodlines.

-By the time they are entered into the wider kingdom, dragonets usually know how to hunt and avoid danger, so all tribe life offers them is the ability to meet other dragons and find work. There isn’t much of an education system in place, with the exception of mentorships for some careers, such as metalworking, and military training. If they take part in work for the kingdom, they’ll have societal benefits and a secure place in the tribe, and most end up in that position eventually. But there are always a few SkyWings who simply live on the outskirts, uninterested in the larger tribe.

-They don’t form many close relationships, being fairly solitary dragons as soon as they leave their siblings. They do not very often form genuine romantic relationships, but marriage is fairly common simply as a formality or political maneuver. Royals in particular almost always get married, though they don’t usually form natural bonds with their spouses. The only responsibilities parents have is bringing food to their nest until the dragonets abandon it.

Culture and Society:

-SkyWings are proud and solitary; these things combined have given them a reputation of being rude, aloof and uncharismatic. They are powerful fighters and fliers, but their strength is not in diplomacy. Their kingdom norms, though, which allow every dragon to simply utilize for the tribe whatever talents they may have, at their own leisure and for whatever profit might be available to them, suits them well and has made for an uncomplicated but successful society. (This is excluding a few periods such as the reign of Queen Scarlet, who reshaped the tribe into something more dictatorial.)

-They are generally quite matriarchal; every tribe has a queen, but SkyWings tend to have a more overall unbalanced system. Females are a bit larger than males and are usually in higher positions of command.

-Fire is extremely important to SkyWing culture - it produces light, warmth, and without it they would be much less deadly in combat. It has its place in almost every tradition and is used in almost every career path. 

-They are the most superstitious tribe in some ways, their lives dictated heavily by tradition and spirituality. The way dragonets are raised is one example; there are countless others, including funeral rites that involve burning, gladiator fights performed for glory, a general belief of night marking bad luck, and others. 

-Continuing on this note, SkyWings - though most would never admit it aloud - are almost universally afraid of the dark. The caves and caverns in which they live are always warm and well-lit, via torches lit by their own fire, and they are almost exclusively out by day. They worship the sun and daytime, believing it to chase away the shadows in its glory. NightWings, for similar reasons, tend to be unnerving to them.

-And to elaborate on gladiator fights: The arena near the palace was originally constructed for SkyWings to prove their prowess by fighting other SkyWings and completing various challenges. During these fights they would wear a special set of ceremonial armor, which they could then keep if they succeeded. (Scarlet, of course, transformed this arena into a convenient way to execute prisoners, and later Queen Ruby reinvented it completely by erecting a hospital where it had once stood.)

-In general, SkyWings are one of the only tribes to wear armor, and the only tribe that has used it for entire armies during war. A particular emphasis is placed on wing armor that allows for comfortable flight while still protecting the wing membranes, as a flightless SkyWing is considered as good as dead by its tribe.

-Jewelry almost always involves precious stones, particularly rubies, diamonds and citrine. It’s very common to have these jewels embedded in scales; some royals have done this with such excess that they appear to have crystals growing out of them.

Diet: Carnivorous. They eat birds, mountain goats, deer, and occasionally fish, rodents or whatever else they can catch. Sometimes raw, sometimes scorched. They don’t typically make full and elaborate meals like other tribes; the only common seasoning they use is salt. Other than the rare use of herbs for flavoring, they eat no plants at all.

[stars-and-inkpots]

hey! could you write a little something based on our wizards fav line "if I don't get my beauty sleep soon, i might get just a tad malcontent" - tired cranky wizard ftw! 🤣

absolutely i can! (i hear this line a lot given my tendency to do absolutely everything i can before long resting even though i very much do not need to) thank you for this idea! hope you enjoy!

Beauty Sleep | Gale x Reader

You forget that not everyone is used to so much travelling in one day. Gale is more than eager to remind you that some people would very much enjoy some rest, and soon.

Pairing: Gale/Reader

Tags: Cuddling, fluff

Word Count: 583

All things considered, Gale did try to keep his complaints to a minimum. He understood that things had to get done, and that you had to make the most of the day’s limited hours. It was, however, becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the exhaustion that was steadily consuming him. 

“We should rest these weary bones of ours soon,” Gale says to you as you walk. The rest of the group has started to slow, but the sun is still high enough in the sky that it would be too early yet to retire for the night. 

“Soon enough,” you answer. You can hear Gale’s disappointed huff, but he says nothing more. You continue on. The day has mostly been mapping out the forest, gathering supplies and clearing the path for tomorrow when you planned to move camp. It’s given you little trouble, only a few gnolls to be dealt with which was only a minor inconvenience at best. 

“We should rest soon. It’s hard to save the world while you’re stifling yawns,” Gale speaks up again after another hour. This time, the group seems to share his opinion, though none of them voice this. 

“We’ll return to camp soon. I want to explore just a little further; it will make the trip tomorrow easier.” You watch as Gale, clearly disappointed with this answer, sighs but continues to walk beside you. He trusts your judgement, and knows that you have the group's best interest at heart. “I promise we’ll return soon, my love,” you say quietly. The pet name eases the ire that grows with the pain in his knees. 

The sun has well begun its journey towards the horizon by the time Gale speaks up again. His patience, as boundless as it is, is truly beginning to wane. 

“If I don’t get my beauty sleep soon, I might just get a tad malcontent.” His tone is short and clipped, exhaustion leaving him increasingly irate. 

You smile despite yourself; as bad as you feel for the clear discomfort of the wizard, his use of the phrase ‘beauty sleep,’ you must admit, is a little funny. “Yes, I’m sorry. I lost track of time.” You look back at the others. “That’s enough for today, let’s head back.” You turn back to Gale to add, much quieter, “I am sorry, truly. I forget that others aren’t used to travelling this much in a day. Could I make it up to you with a cuddle later? Unless you don’t wish me to interrupt your ‘beauty sleep,’ that is.” He knows you’re teasing him a little, but he’s inclined to let it slide when he notices the genuine care in your words. 

“I suppose I could accept such an apology. My rest could wait just a little longer, perhaps.” 

You’re relieved to see his smile return as you walk back to camp. 

You keep your word. Once everyone has eaten and gone to their respective tents, you meet Gale in his. 

Looking just as comfortable as he always does, Gale is waiting on his bedroll, already underneath the several blankets. When he sees you, he’s quick to pull them back to make room for you to fit yourself in beside him. You wrap your arms around him, and within minutes his breathing has evened out and you can hear the faint snores that let you know he’s found sleep. You press a quick kiss to the top of his head, then let yourself drift into unconsciousness as well.

[chokememaximoff]

No is a full sentence

Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Abstract:In a tale of heartache and healing, Y/N, an Avenger, finds solace in her deepening connection with Wanda, her empathetic friend. As their bond grows stronger, they navigate the trauma of Y/N's toxic relationship with Hannah, ultimately finding the courage to confront the past. Their journey from pain to love unfolds amidst the backdrop of the Avengers' world, offering hope and the promise of a brighter future.

TW:Abusive relationship, manipulation, substance abuse, non-consensual actions, emotional distress.

Y/N Y/L/N, an Avenger living in the bustling compound with her superhero peers, had been in a turbulent relationship with Hannah for three grueling years. In the beginning, their love had been a beacon of hope, but over time, it had morphed into a chaotic, unrecognizable mess.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the compound, Y/N mustered the courage to confront Hannah about her infidelity. They sat on the balcony, the faint hum of the city below serving as an eerie backdrop to their strained conversation.

Y/N sighed, "Hannah, we need to talk. I can't keep pretending that everything's okay when it's not."

Hannah glanced away, her eyes avoiding Y/N's gaze. "What do you mean? Everything's fine."

Y/N's voice trembled with frustration, "No, it's not fine, Hannah. You've been cheating on me, openly, for months. Every time I bring it up, you turn it into a fight, making me feel like I'm the one in the wrong."

Hannah's face twisted into a scowl, "I'm not your property, Y/N. I can have other people around. You're too possessive."

Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes as she responded, "It's not about possession, it's about trust and respect. I thought we had that."

Their argument escalated, with hurtful words exchanged. It wasn't the first time such a conversation had devolved into a shouting match, and it wouldn't be the last.

The next issue was Hannah's self-destructive behavior. She had developed a habit of excessive drinking and substance abuse. Y/N knew it was a coping mechanism, but it tore at the fabric of their relationship.

One night, after a particularly wild party, Hannah stumbled into the compound, reeking of alcohol and barely able to stand. Y/N rushed to her side, struggling to keep her voice steady, "Hannah, you can't keep doing this to yourself. It's killing you, and it's tearing us apart."

Hannah slurred her words, "I promise, Y/N, I won't do it again. I'll change."

But the promise felt hollow, as it had so many times before. Y/N knew she'd be the one cleaning up the mess, both literally and figuratively, as she laid down on the cold floor with headphones, while Hannah snored obliviously in Y/N's bed.

The cycle continued, love and despair intertwined, as Y/N clung to the faint hope that someday things would change, that the person she loved would find her way back from the abyss.

...

As Y/N's relationship with Hannah continued to deteriorate, a new Avenger named Wanda Maximoff entered the compound, immediately catching Y/N's attention. Wanda was undeniably attractive and alluring, but Y/N was committed to Hannah, even if Hannah's commitment was shaky at best. Y/N decided to forge a friendship with Wanda, as she genuinely enjoyed her company.

Over the course of a month, Y/N and Wanda became inseparable. Wanda hadn't been a favorite among all the Avengers in the compound, but she found solace in Y/N's friendship, as well as with Natasha and Clint. Her troubled past had given her a unique bond with Y/N, and she cherished having her in her life, despite others' opinions.

However, there was one aspect of Y/N that weighed heavily on Wanda's mind – her thoughts. Y/N's mental turmoil regarding Hannah was like a constant storm in Wanda's mind. As a mind reader, she couldn't help but pick up on Y/N's inner struggles. Whenever Y/N's thoughts spiraled into despair about Hannah, Wanda's heart ached in sympathy.

As days turned into weeks, Wanda became increasingly aware of just how toxic Y/N's relationship had become. She witnessed the physical toll it took on Y/N, who spent countless nights caring for Hannah, leaving her exhausted and with heavy bags under her eyes, concealed by layers of makeup.

Wanda couldn't ignore it any longer. She sought Natasha's counsel, hoping to find a way to help Y/N. Natasha sighed deeply, remembering her own failed attempt to intervene in the past. "I tried to step in about a year ago," Natasha admitted, "but Y/N got defensive and didn't speak to me for a month. Hannah has hated me ever since. So, I stopped trying."

Wanda felt conflicted. She wanted to help Y/N escape this toxic relationship, but she feared pushing Y/N away like Natasha had experienced. She understood that Y/N needed to make her own choices, even if they were painful ones. But she couldn't help but worry about her friend's well-being and how much longer Y/N could endure this torment.

...

In the dead of night, Y/N was jolted awake by the sound of her bedroom door being pushed open violently. Startled, she sat up in bed, heart racing, and fumbled to switch on the lights. The sudden intrusion was none other than Hannah, stumbling into the room, reeking of alcohol and swaying unsteadily.

Before Y/N could react, Hannah locked the bedroom door and plopped down on the bed, sitting in front of her. Y/N rubbed her eyes, trying to comprehend the situation, and let out a weary sigh as she saw the extent of Hannah's drunkenness.

Hannah began to speak, her words slurring, "I'm... I'm so sorry, Y/N. I ruin everything, don't I? I'm just... I'm just a screw-up."

Y/N's exhaustion was palpable as she replied, "It's okay, babe. Let's just get you to sleep, alright? I'll help you brush your teeth."

Hannah shook her head vigorously, her words filled with a desperate urgency, "No, you don't understand. I'm apologizing right now, and you... you just want me to sleep."

Y/N sighed, realizing that this wasn't going to be a peaceful night. She tried to explain, "Hannah, I have a mission tomorrow. I need rest. If you're in the mood to fight tonight, I'll have to go to Wanda's room for the night."

At the mention of Wanda's name, Hannah's gaze darkened, and she chuckled bitterly, "Oh, so that's how it is, huh?"

Y/N felt her nerves prickle as she hurriedly clarified, "Babe, I was just suggesting, I didn't mean—"

But before she could finish her sentence, Hannah pounced on Y/N, pinning her down to the bed, and all words were lost in the intensity of the moment. Hannah's hand was on Y/N's neck in the speed of light, ripping the air out of Y/N's lungs.

Hannah's grip was relentless on Y/N's neck,nails digging into skin leaving angry red marks. She kissed Y/N who reluctantly kissed back and when Y/N struggled too hard to breathe Hannah let go, making Y/N gasp for air.

Hannah went to pull off Y/Ns shorts and Y/N held Hannah's hand saying, "Hannah no, I don't want to tonight.".But Hannah's grip on Y/Ns hips was harsh and she yanked the shorts off.

"You were going to go to Wanda's room to whore yourself out, so I will treat you like the whore you are now." Y/N's heart dropped as Hannah spat those words at her.

"No Hannah please stop."...

...

The following day, Y/N found herself on a mission, but the exhaustion from the previous night's turmoil weighed heavily on her. She couldn't focus on the task at hand, her mind clouded with worry about Hannah and the strange turn their relationship had taken.

As the mission unfolded, Y/N's distraction became apparent. She moved mechanically, not fully engaged in the fight. It was only a matter of time before an enemy took advantage of her distracted state, raising a weapon to take a shot at her.

In that critical moment, Wanda's panic surged. She reacted instinctively, using her telekinetic powers to yank Y/N out of harm's way. Wide-eyed and filled with concern, Wanda hissed, "What the hell are you doing, Y/N? You almost got killed!"

Y/N, however, seemed oddly nonchalant. She shrugged off Wanda's grip and, with an effortless grace, swiftly eliminated the enemy who had posed a threat to her. It was a stark contrast to her distracted state just moments ago.

Wanda's worry only deepened as she observed Y/N's behavior. Something was clearly wrong. After the mission, Y/N retreated to her room to shower off the day's events. Unbeknownst to her, Wanda had quietly slipped into her room, waiting for her to emerge.

When Y/N finally stepped out of the shower, dressed in only shorts and a tank top, her wet hair slicked back, she was startled to find Wanda sitting on her bed. Y/N's instinctive reaction was to quickly cover the sides of her neck with her hands, but it was too late. Wanda had already seen the telltale scratches and bruising.

Wanda's heart sank as she realized that Y/N couldn't have sustained those injuries during the mission. She had been right behind Y/N the entire time, and there had been no opportunity for her to get hurt without Wanda noticing. There was only one explanation for the marks on Y/N's neck, and it filled Wanda with a deep sense of dread.

Y/N quickly moved her hair to conceal the bruising on her neck, her nerves making her voice tremble as she asked, "Wanda, what are you doing here? Are you okay?"

Wanda gestured for Y/N to sit beside her, and Y/N, nervous and shaken, complied. Y/N sighed and began to apologize for her distraction during the mission, but Wanda shook her head, her eyes filled with concern.

"No, Y/N, it's not about the mission," Wanda said softly, raising her hand to move Y/N's hair away from her neck. However, as her fingers approached, Y/N flinched, and Wanda's heart shattered. She gently pushed the hair aside, revealing the angry red scratches and bruising on Y/N's neck.

Y/N choked on her words, attempting to concoct a lie, but when Wanda touched her hips, she hissed in pain. Wanda's eyes widened as she uncovered matching marks on Y/N's hips. Tears welled up in her eyes as she asked, "Honey, what happened?"

Y/N couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She confessed, "She was drunk, and I mentioned I needed rest. I said she could take my room, and I could go to yours. But then she got mad, and she... she wanted... you know. I didn't want to because I was tired, and she was completely wasted, but she really wanted to, and that's where the bruises came from."

After a deep, shuddering breath, Y/N continued, "After an hour of her being so harsh, trying to get me to do what she wanted, I just... I gave in."

Wanda's tears flowed freely as she pulled Y/N into a tight hug, whispering reassuring words, "It's okay, Y/N. I won't let her do anything to you anymore. You're safe now." Holding Y/N close, she silently vowed to protect her friend from any further harm.

...

The next day, Y/N and Wanda decided to spend their day together, trying to put the recent events behind them. They watched movies, talked, and laughed, enjoying each other's company. Meanwhile, Hannah's calls and messages filled Y/N's phone, but she ignored them, determined to have a peaceful day with Wanda.

As they settled in Y/N's room for another movie, Wanda paused it to use the bathroom. During her absence, the door to Y/N's room swung open, and in stormed an enraged Hannah. Y/N froze in place as Hannah angrily demanded, "Do you not have a fucking phone?"

Y/N stammered, "I do, I just didn't want to talk after what happened."

Hannah scoffed, "What happened? You wanted me to do that. Now you're pretending to be a saint."

Y/N shook her head, tears streaming down her face, as she cried, "No, Hannah, you know I didn't want it. I was tired and you were drunk..."

Just as Hannah was about to approach Y/N aggressively, the bathroom door swung open, and Wanda emerged. Anger immediately overtook Hannah as she saw Wanda there. She sneered at Y/N, accusing her of replacing her with Wanda.

"You just decided to replace me with her now, huh?" Hannah seethed. "And I'm the bad one."

Hannah went to grab Y/N's jaw, but before she could, Wanda reacted with lightning speed. She used her telekinetic powers to pin Hannah to the wall, her eyes shining bright red with anger. She hissed at Hannah, "You're a disgrace of a woman. No one should ever do what you did. Y/N is done with you. If you ever come near her again, I will hurt you in ways you can't even think of. Understood?"

Hannah's eyes widened with fear as she nodded quickly. Wanda pushed her out of the room harshly and followed her until she was sure Hannah was out of the compound. When she returned to the room, Y/N hugged her tightly, whispering, "Thank you."

Wanda held her close and assured her, "No one can hurt you when you're with me." The two friends found solace in each other's presence, hoping for a brighter and safer future.

...

Wanda couldn't help but notice Y/N's stressed expression as she glanced at her phone, clearly agitated about something. As she approached Y/N, she noticed that Y/N quickly put her phone away. Wanda raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you doing?"

Y/N tried to brush it off, replying, "Oh, just texting Natasha."

Wanda hummed, not entirely convinced by Y/N's answer. She decided to involve Natasha in the conversation. When Natasha walked into the room, Wanda called her over and questioned, "So, Natasha, what were you and Y/N texting about just now?"

Natasha looked confused as she responded, "We weren't texting. We haven't texted since two days ago."

Wanda's suspicions deepened, and she gently took Y/N's hand, pulling her aside to a more private space. She asked, "Y/N, are you texting with Hannah?"

Y/N sighed, the weight of her recent interactions with Hannah bearing down on her. She admitted, "She's pissed, and I mean, it's my fault. Maybe I really did want it, and if I didn't want it, I'm stronger than her. I could have just pushed her away or even hit her or something to stop her."

Wanda sighed, realizing that Hannah was manipulating Y/N once again. She gently inquired, "Y/N, did you say no to Hannah that night?"

Y/N's voice trembled as she replied, "I did. I kept saying it over and over again, trying to push her off. But she was just so rough and pushy about it that after a while, I was hurting so much that I just let her."

Wanda nodded in understanding and said, "You know, 'no' is a full sentence, right?"

Y/N sighed and confessed, "You're right. I just... I feel like I didn't do enough."

Wanda cupped Y/N's cheeks, looking into her eyes earnestly, and said, "You did what you had to do to survive, what you felt was right in that moment because you were scared. The only one at fault there is Hannah, and she doesn't deserve for you to even talk to her."

Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes as she said, "You're right, Wanda. I'm sorry."

Wanda shook her head and reassured Y/N, "Don't apologize. I just care about you way more than you could ever realize. But that's not important right now. All that matters is I won't let anyone hurt you or make you feel bad."

Y/N was a bit puzzled by Wanda's words but decided to trust her. She sighed, realizing that blocking Hannah from her life was the right choice. Meanwhile, Wanda was inwardly panicking, hoping she hadn't inadvertently revealed her true feelings for Y/N, which ran deeper than friendship.

...

During one of the Avengers' lively parties, Y/N found herself indulging a bit too much in alcohol. As the night progressed, she grew increasingly drunk, stumbling through the festivities until she spotted Wanda amidst the crowd.

With unsteady steps, Y/N made her way to Wanda, her drunken confidence fueling her actions. She grabbed Wanda's suit collar and pulled her closer, pressing her lips onto Wanda's in a passionate, albeit inebriated, kiss. To Y/N's surprise, Wanda responded with equal fervor, at least for a brief moment.

Wanda gently pulled back, her concern evident in her eyes. She murmured, "Wait, Y/N. You're drunk. I don't want to do this when you're like that."

Y/N pouted and tried to kiss Wanda again, but Wanda stopped her firmly, realizing the importance of consent and sobriety. Instead, she decided it was best to get Y/N back to her room and ensure she was safe.

With some effort, Wanda managed to guide Y/N to her room, where Y/N promptly fell onto the bed. She tugged Wanda down with her, and Wanda landed on top of her. Y/N seized Wanda's lips once more, prompting a brief kiss before Wanda gently pulled back again, repeating, "Y/N, I said no. If you want to do this, we'll do it when you're sober."

Y/N pouted but eventually relented, mumbling, "Okay, I don't wanna be like Hannah, not gonna force you."

Wanda frowned, caressing Y/N's cheek tenderly. "You're nothing like her, babygirl," she reassured Y/N. "Now, let's get you cleaned up and ready for bed."

Wanda helped Y/N brush her teeth, and the process of getting Y/N out of her dress proved challenging but ultimately successful. Y/N, now clad in just her underwear, crawled into bed and tucked herself in.

Wanda, ever the caring friend, chuckled at Y/N's antics and placed a bucket nearby in case Y/N felt sick. She leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on Y/N's forehead. "Goodnight," she whispered.

As Wanda moved to pull away, Y/N grabbed her by the suit, pulling her close. "Stay in bed tonight with me, please," Y/N pleaded. "I hate sleeping alone."

Wanda smiled warmly and agreed, "Okay, angel." She quickly shed her suit, found some pajamas in Y/N's closet, and settled into the bed beside her intoxicated friend, ready to keep her company throughout the night.

In the morning, Y/N woke up with a pounding headache, regretting the excessive drinking from the previous night. With closed eyes, she turned in the bed, hoping to find some comfort. However, when she felt someone's presence next to her, her eyes snapped open in surprise.

Y/N's bleary gaze fell on Wanda, who was already awake and scrolling through her phone. Y/N let out a groggy stretch, trying to shake off the remnants of her hangover. As she moved, she became acutely aware of her state of undress, clad only in her underwear. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she muttered an embarrassed "fuck" under her breath.

Wanda, hearing Y/N's mumbled exclamation, glanced over at her with a teasing smirk and said, "Feeling a bit exposed there, Y/N?"

Y/N buried her face in the pillow, her voice muffled as she replied, "Don't remind me. Last night was a blur."

Wanda chuckled softly and continued scrolling through her phone, giving Y/N a moment to gather her thoughts and recover from the effects of the night before.

With a nervous blush still lingering on her cheeks, Y/N gathered the courage to ask, "Um, Wanda, did we... you know?"

Wanda shook her head gently and replied, "No, we didn't. You wanted to, but I didn't want to do anything until you were sober."

Y/N felt a mixture of relief and embarrassment flood over her. She stammered, "I'm sorry. I, uh, remember I kissed you, and that's all."

Wanda smiled warmly and reassured her, "Yes, you did, and I'm happy because of that. Don't get me wrong; I've been wanting to do that for a while. But I didn't want it to solely happen because you were drunk."

Y/N raised her eyebrows in surprise and asked, "You wanted to kiss me?"

Wanda sighed, her gaze softening as she admitted, "I've liked you since I saw you. But I didn't want to overwhelm you with my feelings, especially with everything going on in your life."

Y/N couldn't help but smile at Wanda's confession. She cupped Wanda's cheeks and leaned in, capturing her lips in a sweet and genuine kiss. Wanda kissed her back, their connection growing stronger with each passing moment.

When they pulled back, Y/N asked with a playful glint in her eye, "Is that okay?"

Wanda hummed contentedly and replied, "Only if you let me take you out on a date."

Y/N laughed, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time, and agreed, "It's a deal." They sealed their newfound understanding with another passionate kiss, looking forward to what the future held for their budding relationship.

[dracofuego]

A Strange Thing Called Love pt 2.

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Fem! Reader

Genre: Slowburn, Angst, a bit of Fluff

Word Count: 1.4k

A/N: Hi this chapter is a bit short I apologize! I still hope you enjoy and I will try and make the third chapter a bit longer! I also post this series on ao3 account belovedcherub if you prefer to read it there. Regardless, I hope you all have a happy reading ^o^ ~

Part: 01

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter 2: Starry Night

The library is one of the places at Hogwarts that you have deemed to cherish. Around every corner, innumerable books were lined up perfectly; the leather bindings of the books ranging from taupe to mahogany to sage. Each row consisted of old hickory wooden chairs, coupled with long, sturdy tables. Choosing a seat near one of the large windows displaying the scenery of the outside, you place your satchel on the table and begin taking out your materials. Being the studious person that you are, you figured a bit of light reading wouldn’t hurt too much, especially if you want to be able to pass your OWL exams. Though the exam is still far away, it would be best to get a head start and keep track of any subjects that you believe need more time working on. 

The History of Magic would be the first textbook you would start to read. It’s a subject that is your least favorite, and you might as well get it out the way instead of having to deal with it later on. Opening up the book, you begin reading and start taking notes on your notebook, noting down anything you thought to be significant. The reading wasn’t too bad and you figured a couple of hours of studying would be doable, that is until a yawn escaped your lips and your eyelids were starting to grow heavy. As you continued staring at the notebook in front of you, the bold letters you had written were getting blurry by the second, and suddenly you felt as if the world around you was slipping away. 

When you raise your head up, you immediately feel groggy and disoriented. A loud yawn escapes your lips again as you stretch your arms above your head. Looking outside the window near you, the warm orange hue of light was slowly fading away below the horizon. This was an indication to you about how much time you have wasted napping in the library. Frustrated, you gather your belongings and head out the library, making your way to your dorm.

Surprisingly, none of your roommates appeared to have arrived yet. You didn’t mind, as you enjoyed the comfort of being alone at times. You take out your wand and use Wingardium Leviosa on random items scattered around the empty dorm room– a habit you tend to do whenever you get bored. 

Looking outside your window, the orange hues were now replaced with midnight blue. Stars scattered across the clear night sky, and as much as you wanted to admire them the view from your window wasn’t the greatest. But that gave you an idea to head up to the Astronomy Tower, since you still had some extra time to kill. Fortunately, you hadn’t hit curfew and as long as you returned to your room on time everything should be fine.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

The Astronomy Tower is the perfect place to admire the lovely starry night. The midnight sky appears stagnant. The beaming bright moon illuminated the swift, magical trees below. Tiny specks of light on the dark canvas accompanied the moon on its adventure, each forming their own images revealing the tales of their journey. With further admiration, you recognize some of their names already; Aquila, Delphinus, Draco. 

Your heart flutters at the image of Draco on the dark canvas. Its perfect illuminated figure smiling right at you, a magnetism drawing you closer,  inviting you on their adventure. Closing your eyes, the alluring constellation remains crystal clear in your mind. You stay like that for a moment, enjoying the sweet warmth of innocence flowing through your veins. Deep in thought, you were unaware of the footsteps approaching up the staircase as you continued to meditate.  It wasn’t until you heard a small mumble next to you that woke you from your trance. 

Your eyes flutter open and you slowly turn your head. The white light reflected off his ice-gray orbs, his alabaster skin and milky white hair complementing the dark canvas and its muses. Your heart roared, the palpitations growing stronger and your breathing sounding louder through your ears. He was only a few feet away from you, his beaming eyes still looking through you. You gulp and start drumming your fingers against your side, breaking eye contact as your attention goes back to the masterpiece above. You felt the heat rising on your cheeks, silently hoping that the moonlight didn’t betray you and exposed your true emotions. 

He takes note of your skittishness, the complete opposite of your behavior just seconds before. When he reached the top of the tower he didn’t expect you out of all people to be here at this time of the night. When he walked closer to you he couldn’t help but feel a source of tranquility with how relaxed you looked. With your eyes closed, he was able to further examine your features. The stars doing you a favor as your skin gleamed before him.  Your breathing slow and quiet as the whispering breeze blew around your hair against your face, making him chuckle.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Draco commented, breaking up the ice. 

You look back to him, his hands gripped on the railing as he looks up at the starry night. He looks down at you, waiting for your response. Your eyes beamed with delight, a wide smile forming on your lips, “Yes. Pretty.”

The silence between the two of you grew, but nonetheless you enjoyed the solace of his company. Looking at the dark canvas, the images from earlier that you encountered were still present, and you wondered what he thought about them.

“What do you think about them?” your finger points to the different patterns of light formed in the deep night sky. He observes them carefully. Each of the images had their own uniqueness, but there was one that stood out to him.

“Hmm.. I would say Scorpius is the one I admire the most. What about you?” 

You hesitated for a moment, unsure if your response would be taken lightly. Regardless, it was the truth and hopefully he would misinterpret it as a way of confessing your feelings to him.

“I can’t really choose. There’s a few that I like. Delphinus is one of them. I know it’s supposed to be a dolphin because of the name, and dolphins are cute. But I like Draco too..” Your eyes didn’t bother to look at him as you responded, in fear of his reaction. He was quiet for a moment, the symphony of his laughter then easing the tension of the atmosphere. 

The butterflies in your stomach did a somersault with each harmony escaping his lips. Your brows furrowed, a giant question mark popping out of your head wondering what he thought was so funny.

“For a second I thought you were talking about me.” his tone hinted of arrogance, his cocky smirk making your heart palpitate faster than ever.

“N-no. I just really like how it looks like a dragon and I think dragons are cool...” He laughs again, confusion still written all over your face.

“I know, I just didn’t think you would be that gullible.” 

Your mouth widens and your cheeks flood in heat from embarrassment. “H-hey I’m not that gullible! I’m more perceptive than you may think.”

This time a genuine smile forms on his face. He doesn’t say anything after that, and for a moment you were internally grateful so you wouldn’t have to embarrass yourself anymore. You look at him with adoration in your eyes, a soft smile appearing on your lips. But when he looks at you again, the familiar coldness in his eyes returns. His demeanor suddenly shifts, and he quickly turns around and heads to the staircase. Your train of thought was running on the express line, giving you whiplash. 

His head turns around and gives you one last look. The gloomy expression on his face was evident as the dark contrast of the night covered half of his face, resembling the third quarter of a moon. His right hand was fidgeting with something in his pocket. You wanted to say something and ask him if everything was okay, but before you could do so he was already heading down the stairs, disappearing from your sight.

Standing alone in the Astronomy Tower, melancholy hit you like a tidal wave. Because in that moment you realized that your feelings for Draco will not go away, even if he did not reciprocate. 

[nhularin]

DRIVERS LICENCE

PAIRING jake x reader GENRE best friends to lovers to exes, angst no comfort, highschool/college AU WARNINGS insecurities,infidelity surpriseeee WC 1.1k series masterlist

March 3rd, 2003

leaning in close, with a melted popsicle in his hand, jakes eyes sparkled with excitement as he spoke of your future adventures. "Imagine this," jake said, a mischievous grin playing at the corners of his lips. "you get your driver's license, and we hit the open road. we drive across the country, all the way to Malibu."

your heart fluttered at the thought, a blend of anticipation and affection swelling within you. you leaned back, your eyes shining with a reflection of the dream jake had introduced. "malibu," you repeated, your voice filled with a sense of wonder and disbelief. "so you want me to waste perfect gas and go to malibu?? out of all places? sure, once we arrive, we'll find the perfect spot on the beach, lay out a blanket, and enjoy strawberry ice cream as we watch the rich rotting away with their money." you exclaimed sarcastically in which he only laughed. eyes formed into little crescents, complimenting the stars you held for him in your own.

"come on, we need to get out of this hell of a town! get a little bit adventurous! i swear, if i see Mrs O'Conners face any longer after we graduate, i'm going to go mental" he sighed dramatically, putting his whole body weight on your chest.

days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. the promise of the open road and the taste of strawberry ice cream lingered in your mind as you tried to navigate the final year of high school. but as graduation approached, a subtle shift began to weave its way into the fabric of your dreams.

the reality of adulthood loomed, casting a shadow on your plans. responsibilities and obligations tugged at your hearts, threatening to unravel the adventures you both had envisioned. doubt crept in, trying to extinguish the flames of growing up

one evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, jake and you found yourselves back on the park bench where your dreams had first taken flight. the weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air, a silent question lingering between you two.

he turned to you, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and longing. "do you still believe in our dreams?" he asked, voice tinged with strange vulnerability.

you paused, your gaze meeting his with a smile plastered on your face and on that night, he thanked the lord for making you his. "of course i do," you replied, your voice filled with enthusiasm. "life may throw challenges our way, but as long as we believe in each other and the dreams we share, nothing can stand in our way. and hey, we're only a state away from each other. i believe in us"

as long as you were together, you understood that the road you had traveled had shaped you, him being accepted into his dream college in DC and you going to yours in virginia. and as you walked hand in hand, ready to face whatever laid ahead, you both knew that your dreams would continue to evolve, intertwining with the flow of life itself.

December 13, 2003

or that's what you thought.

in the quiet corners of the your room, a worn leather bound diary laid nestled among a sea of memories. its pages held a tale of roller coasters ,love and heartache, of a connection that was once unbreakable. you knew that the story of jake and you, two idiotic teenagers with little care of the future had ended not more than a month ago.

your journey began in the innocence of childhood, his scrawny self introducing himself to you in 3rd grade, which turned into an interesting friendship, where laughter echoed through the streets as you played and tormented your neighbors together. as time passed, your bond deepened, evolving into a love that topped friendship. jake became your moon, your sirius that guided you out of your lonely thoughts and into a world filled with hope

within the diary's fragile pages, your heart poured forth in ink, capturing every stolen glance, every touch that sent electric currents through your veins. you wrote of the way jakes presence made you feel alive, how his laughter echoed in your soul, and how his touch ignited a symphony of butterflies that danced within you.

but as with any fairytale, darkness eventually crept into their idyllic world. it showed up in the form of a lab class, where a new face captured your boyfriend's attention. your heart shattered when your friend informed you about his infidelity and something in you had died that night as you watched your lover gravitate towards this stranger, like a moth drawn to a flickering flame.

the diary became your safe space, your refuge in the storm called jake, trying to find shelter in the hot acidic rain of heartbreak. you poured your heartache onto its pages, expressing your confusion, your pain, and the overwhelming sense of betrayal that consumed you. every word etched into the paper was a bandaid slowly repairing the damage that he left behind in your heart

with shaky hands, you flipped to an empty page, thoughts of doubts plaguing your mind. "dear diary", the words came out messier than you have expected, in which you only cursed at yourself

"and dear jake,

i got my driver's license last week"

and as you poured your heart out once again, you felt a stone lifting from your chest. you should get over him at this point, you knew he moved on long ago, but you couldnt. you couldn't understand how a once so loving individual could break you into a million pieces. so, as you closed the notebook, a sense of peace settled within you. the memories would always be a part of you, but you had sworn to yourself that they will no longer held power over your heart. you were ready to embrace the unwritten chapters of your life, you were still young after all, to find love as great as you had with jake sim.

′Cause how could I ever love someone else?

PERM TAGLIST @misokei @avocarua @sngvhs @essmarye @haechansbbg

SERIES' MASTERLIST @flwerfield @hyhees @mrchweeee @j1nniee @mikaluvsyouu @delulu4-life @mora134340 @beomsbeanie @leep0ems @cIphantom-hive @yla-aira @filmofhybe @nishik1 @iea-tsand

[taekookpassion]

The Temptation Game - (Chapter 6)

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Chapter Title: Bold Moves Summary: As the sun sets, Y/N and Jungkook's connection deepens during a spontaneous ice cream date, a bold kiss that ignites their desires. With promises of more to come, they ride home on Jungkook's motorcycle, the thrill of the night amplifying their growing attraction. But as Jungkook grapples with his insatiable hunger for Y/N, both are left wondering just how far they’re willing to go to explore their newfound passion. Warnings: Mature themes: Themes of desire, temptation, and bold romantic advances are present. Language: Mild profanity is used. Word Count: 2094 words Author's Note: Hey, Blossoms! Thank you for joining me on this journey with Y/N and Jungkook! I hope you enjoyed their playful chemistry and the bold moves they made in this chapter. I’m excited for what’s to come in their story, and I can’t wait to see where their adventures lead. Stay tuned for the next chapter💖

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As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Y/N and Jungkook sat beneath the sprawling oak tree, lost in their own world. The moment of intimacy from earlier lingered in the air, both thrilling and electrifying. They had shared something beautiful, a connection that felt more profound than either of them had anticipated.

“Wow, it’s getting late,” Jungkook said, glancing at his watch. He turned to Y/N, a playful smile dancing on his lips. “How about we grab some ice cream? I know a great place nearby.”

Y/N felt her heart skip a beat at the prospect of spending more time with him. “That sounds amazing!” she replied, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

As they stood up, Jungkook brushed his hand against hers, sending a spark of electricity coursing through her body. She could feel her cheeks flush again, a warmth that radiated from the tips of her ears down to her neck. The more time she spent with him, the more aware she became of every little touch and glance.

As they made their way to the ice cream shop, Jungkook turned to her with that mischievous glint in his eyes. “You know, baby girl, I really enjoyed today,” he said, his voice low and teasing.

The term “baby girl” made Y/N’s breath hitch in her throat. She felt a rush of heat wash over her, her cheeks flaring a deep crimson. “Thanks, Jungkook,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. The nickname sent butterflies flapping wildly in her stomach.

“What’s wrong? You’re blushing,” he said, leaning closer, a smirk playing on his lips as he reveled in her flustered reaction.

“Nothing! I just… It’s cute,” she stammered, avoiding his gaze as she tried to collect herself.

Jungkook chuckled softly, enjoying the effect he had on her. “I think you look adorable when you blush. Just wait until I tell you how much I love seeing that beautiful face of yours all flushed,” he teased, his voice dripping with playful confidence.

Y/N shot him a sideways glance, her heart racing at his words. Was he really flirting with her like this? The thrill of his boldness sent shivers down her spine.

When they arrived at the ice cream shop, Jungkook ordered their favorite flavors—mint chocolate chip for himself and strawberry for her—then they settled at a cozy table outside. The warm evening air enveloped them as they savored their sweet treats.

“You know,” Jungkook said, his gaze fixated on her, “I’m really glad we’re doing this. You make me feel… I don’t know, different? In a good way.”

Y/N felt a smile spread across her face. “I feel the same way. I never expected to connect with someone like this.”

As they continued to eat their ice cream, Jungkook shifted closer to her, his leg brushing against hers. Y/N’s heart raced as she felt the heat radiating from him, the warmth of his body making her pulse quicken. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“You really are the sweetest thing, baby girl,” he said, his breath warm against her ear. “I could get used to this.”

Y/N felt her heart race at the endearment, her cheeks heating up once more. “Jungkook…” she began, but her voice faltered as he continued.

“Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as amazing as you,” he said, his hand gently brushing against hers, their fingers intertwining. The simple touch sent a surge of warmth through her.

Feeling bold, Jungkook leaned in even closer, his face inches from hers. “You know, I’ve been thinking about how much I want to kiss you again,” he said, his voice low and sultry.

Y/N’s breath hitched as her heart raced wildly. “Really?” she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.

“Definitely,” he replied, his gaze intense as he held her gaze. “But I want to make sure you’re ready for that.”

“Trust me, I’m more than ready,” Y/N whispered, her pulse quickening as she leaned closer.

Without breaking eye contact, Jungkook leaned in, capturing her lips with his. The kiss was sweet, filled with the warmth and excitement that had been building between them all evening. But as it deepened, Y/N felt Jungkook’s hand move to her waist, pulling her closer against him, their bodies fitting together perfectly.

His touch was bold, igniting a fire within her that left her breathless. She responded instinctively, wrapping her arms around his neck as she melted into the kiss, feeling the world around them fade away.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Jungkook rested his forehead against hers, a satisfied grin plastered on his face. “I think that was even better than the first one,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Y/N couldn’t help but smile back, feeling a sense of giddiness. “Definitely,” she agreed, biting her lip to suppress her smile.

Jungkook’s eyes darkened slightly, a playful glint flickering as he added, “Just wait until I take you on our next date. I have even bolder plans in mind.”

“What do you mean?” Y/N asked, curiosity piquing as she tilted her head slightly.

“Well,” he said, leaning back in his chair, a teasing smile on his lips, “I might just have to pull you in for more than just kisses.”

Y/N’s heart raced at his words. There was something so thrilling about his confidence, his boldness, and the way he made her feel. She couldn’t help but wonder what he had in store for their next adventure.

“Are you ready for that, baby girl?” Jungkook asked, a teasing lilt in his voice as he watched her reaction closely.

Y/N felt her cheeks heat up once again, but this time, she smiled confidently back at him. “I think I could be,” she replied, her voice laced with excitement and a hint of daring.

“Perfect,” he said, leaning in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “I can’t wait to show you just how much fun we can have together.”Y/N and Jungkook finished their ice cream and made their way to the parking lot where his motorcycle gleamed under the streetlights. The warmth from their earlier kiss lingered in the air, making the moment feel charged and alive.

“Thanks for today, Jungkook. I had so much fun,” Y/N said, her voice soft yet full of warmth as she stepped closer to him, their fingers still intertwined.

“Me too,” he replied, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “You always make everything more fun, baby girl.”

Her heart fluttered at the pet name, a mix of shyness and excitement swirling within her. “So, when can we hang out again?” she asked, biting her lip in anticipation.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “How about tomorrow? I have something special planned for us.”

Y/N’s curiosity was piqued, and she nodded eagerly, a smile brightening her face. “I can’t wait!”

He stepped back slightly to mount his motorcycle, but before he turned the key in the ignition, he looked back at her, his expression shifting. The playful glint in his eyes darkened as his thoughts drifted. He couldn’t shake the overwhelming urge that tugged at him, a primal temptation he struggled to contain.

As the engine roared to life, the sound vibrated through the air, mirroring the tension coursing through him. Jungkook felt his pulse quicken, the memory of their kiss replaying vividly in his mind. The way her lips felt against his, the softness of her body pressed against him—it drove him wild.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice low and serious, cutting through the playful atmosphere. “Are you sure you want me to go?”

She looked at him, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone. “What do you mean?”

His gaze was intense, filled with a mix of longing and desire. “Because I don’t know how much longer I can resist the temptation to keep you with me… to have you,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N felt her heart race at his confession. The intensity in his eyes made her feel exposed, and she shivered in anticipation. “Jungkook…”

“God, Y/N,” he said, running a hand through his hair, visibly struggling to maintain his composure. “Every time I’m near you, it’s like this insatiable hunger just builds inside me. And when you blush or smile at me like that… it’s hard to think about anything else.”

She took a step closer, emboldened by his words. “Then don’t resist,” she murmured, her voice soft yet inviting.

Jungkook’s breath hitched at her daring suggestion. The temptation was almost unbearable, a raw, primal urge that roared to life within him. The thought of devouring her—of losing himself in the warmth of her body and the sweetness of her lips—was intoxicating.

“Baby girl, you don’t know what you’re asking for,” he said, his voice low and filled with a mix of urgency and desire.

“I might,” she replied, her gaze locking onto his, challenging him.

He swallowed hard, grappling with the fire raging inside him. “I could take you right now, but I want it to mean something,” he confessed, his voice husky with need. “I want to do this right.”

Y/N stepped even closer, her breath mingling with his. “Then take me home first. But just know, I’m not going to make this easy for you.”

Jungkook smirked, the wicked gleam returning to his eyes. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it, baby girl. Just know that the more you tease me, the harder it’s going to get.”

As he revved the motorcycle, the sound vibrated through the air, igniting the thrill of their playful banter and unspoken desire. Jungkook pulled on his helmet and offered Y/N his spare one, helping her settle it on her head with tender care. The intimacy of the moment sent a thrill down her spine.

“Hold on tight,” he said, his voice low and sultry, his breath brushing against her ear.

Y/N wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the warmth of his body beneath the leather jacket. The closeness was intoxicating, fueling the heat between them as they sped off into the night.

As they rode through the quiet streets, Jungkook’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The thrill of the wind whipping past them was nothing compared to the temptation of having Y/N right there, so close yet so far. The way her body pressed against him ignited a fire that was hard to ignore. He could feel her heartbeat matching the rhythm of the motorcycle, a reminder of how alive she made him feel.

Every curve of the road was a test of his restraint, the desire to pull over and kiss her senseless gnawing at him. He wanted to devour her, to feel her body beneath his in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.

As they approached her house, Jungkook slowed down, his heart racing. “You ready for next date?” he asked, his voice thick with anticipation.

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with excitement and mischief. “Only if you promise to come back soon,” she said, her voice a playful challenge.

“I promise,” he said, but the need to devour her whole was almost overwhelming. “Just remember, baby girl, I’m not the only one tempted here.”

With that, he leaned in closer, brushing his lips against hers once more, a kiss filled with urgency and longing. The taste of her lips ignited every nerve in his body, and he felt himself getting lost in her.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Jungkook took a moment to steady himself. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he murmured, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and desire.

“Then maybe you should stop fighting it,” she whispered, her gaze challenging him once again.

Jungkook grinned, the playful tension swirling between them igniting his resolve. “Oh, I plan to make you mine. Just wait.”

As Y/N stepped off the motorcycle, she turned back, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “I’ll hold you to that.”

With one last lingering glance, she headed inside, leaving Jungkook standing in the driveway, the night air filled with the scent of her lingering presence. The urge to devour her was stronger than ever, a promise of what was yet to come.

As he revved the engine, he knew one thing for sure: the game was on, and he was more than ready to play.

To be continued....

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If you guys eager to read filthy smut stories of Taekook, Check out My Patreon

[uupdirector]

The Eve Cometh Again

"Another day, another Christmas" is what I would be saying if I hadn't been doing all I could to bring my life to a point where I'm not only working hard at bringing the best possible life for myself, but also slowly but surely regaining the love I had for all the hobbies that kept me sound enough to enjoy said life. It's been a long journey to reach this point, and while I'm still fairly nervous about what the future beholds, I'm not going to let that hold me back on reaching the goals I have laid out for me. There's far more excitement than anxiousness, and sometimes I have to tell myself that so I don't end up getting pulled back into the gutter, but it's because of that excitement that I'm fairly happy this Christmastime.

I have something big planned not just for myself, but to everyone that's continued to see my journey and enjoy all the stories and goofs I've had to share. But today, I want to take the time to provide some letter-like notes to a few of my closest friends that have continued to help me smile over the years.

Let's start with my chums from the Joy Charged Gamerz Crew - first of all, sorry again for not being active on the channel this year xD I know the channel is meant to be more laid back and should only be obliged when we feel comfortable enough to do so. It doesn't change the fact that even now, I'm forever thankful to have been granted the opportunity to not only help and see the channel grow, but also create some fantastic memories with great friends. With the new year on the horizon, I hope we get the chance to create some more memories, and since I've been taking some time to play more games again, I hope that this spark will give me the chance to continue charging others with joy. Merry Christmas, lads, and love ya'll 💛

To many of the new friends that I've had the joy of hanging with a TON this year - @soybeanzoffical, @onyxcolonyart, Slime Guy/mrmendezgamer1, Rambles, Namor, @sparxsiris, Nate, @rubyshimmer0x, and many others, thank you all for being a supportive bunch of lads. Even though we've had a lot of bullying escapades in the past year, I can look back and get a little chuckle out of 'em x3 Much love to ya'll, and here's to another year of my dumbass shenanigans! Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays, buds :'3 🩷

To one of my good buds in animation, TheInvertedShadow (@asktheshadows), I know we've not spent as much time together, and we've both been going through our own fair share of down moments, but I just wanna leave another reminder for ya; you are always loved and cared for by thousands - if not millions of people, and as one of them, I'm glad to have seen your talent grow since I first laid eyes on your EoI video 10 years back. And if I knew we were going to be a chaotic duo of friendship back then, I'd probably call myself crazy xD But to be serious - you've always been such a supportive friend since we first spoke together back in 2016, and for that, I can't thank you enough, and I'm happy to call ya one of my best friends. Thank you so much for all the great memories, and here's to many more in the future - we both got a lot ahead of us, for sure ;) Merry Christmas, lad ❤️

And speaking of which, to another one of my best buds; Will Ryan (DAGames). Man - what a year it's been, hasn't it? Since the start, you've been constantly moving yourself up higher and higher, and being along with ya for the ride has been nothing short of a blast. I'm legitimately proud of you for all the accomplishments you've made - from the release of HOAA:R (btw to everyone else, bls stream Castle that Burns, kthxbai xD ), the launch of Solitude: Subject Placement, and all the conventions you attended. On that note, it was fucking amazing to be able to see ya again at MomoCon this year, and not just for a day, at that! The experience itself was already amazing as it was, but to be able to hang out with you, the crew, and some of our other friends was probably one of the best memories from this year. I still get choked up thinking back to the concert when Living Life Without The Cord and Gold: SSD played, and I'm so happy that it turned out so well. I know the year hasn't come without it's downsides either, but the fact you persevered regardless and brought some great times with it is something you can't knock. On that note, I also have my own share of thanks to give. I'm wholeheartedly grateful of all the support you've given me during the production of Scarlet Combine leading up to the launch of Storm Before The Calm. To be in a similar pair of shoes that you've worn, it's given me some semblance to the feelings and experiences you've had when you first released HOAA. It can't entirely be compared - that much I know, but to have made something of this calibur has shown me that the work of an artist of any kind isn't to be taken lightly, and while I too wish there were things I could have done better with my album, it doesn't change the fact that I'm proud to have made it possible regardless, and I have you to thank as one of my pillars of inspiration. And even though we may not have had the same experiences with our projects, one thing I can say is that it's helped me understand enough to have your back even more than I have before. It may be difficult to push out the negative thoughts that came from releasing Resurrection, but once you understand the obstacles in your Pursuit of Hope are meant to guide you to the joy you're seeking, it all comes slightly more naturally. I haven't given up on my own pursuit, so don't give up on yours. Thank you for everything, Will, and I love ya to fuckin bits. Merry Christmas, bud 💚

Now, to all the fans that have kept up with my bullshit for so long (sorry by the way xD ), thank you all for being so supportive and patient with me as I work towards the new year - a lot has been on my mind during this long break, and thankfully I'm pushing ever closer to a brighter end where I can be happy with the things I've enjoyed doing for years. There's a lot to look forward to, and I can't wait to talk about some of it when the Resolution of 2024 rolls in on January 15th. I love you all, and I hope you all enjoy the holiday season leading up to the new year.💙

And finally, I have one last person I'd like to speak to; my love, @aspennightray (Shut up, I know it's gay xDD). Words can't express how happy I am to have you in my life. I know this year has had it's struggles for the both of us, and I know that my dumbassery has caused its fair share of frustration with you in fixing some of those things, but this year has also brought some great memories as well. When we first met face-to-face for MomoCon, it was admittedly weird to continue from there like it was just another Discord call, but if anything, it helped make the transition to our time spent in the following 2 weeks all the more comfortable. I won't beat around the bush, but that was by far the best time of my life in such a long while, and has made me confident enough that you are the one I want to be with. While there's been quite a few potholes making the journey to that point fairly difficult, I still haven't given up yet, and I don't plan to anytime soon. You've done so much for me in the past year we've been together for, and while I know many of them were things I could have done myself or many other friends could have done for me, but I suppose it just has more meaning to me knowing it comes from you, especially with how much it's helped me get off my ass and take care of myself. Despite the tail end of this year feeling a bit off for a multitude of reasons, none of that overshadows the fact that it's been an amazing one, and i can't thank you enough for it. I also can't thank you enough for all you've done to bring my ideas to life - no matter how beautiful they've turned out (and they certainly ARE beautiful <3 ), none of that matters as much as the fact that you made it possible. Sure, they may have been "jobs" at the end of the day, but your fascination, interest, and support for Scarlet Combine has been a core spark in ensuring that I completed it, and that means so much to me. Despite the jokes, bullying, and a few moments of irritation, I know you've always believed in my ability to create this new world of mine, and though it will take a good while before I continue it again, I'm excited for what we'll do with it together. Thank you so much for everything, hon, and I hope this Christmas turns out well for you. Even if it doesn't, know that I'll still be here to help make it just a little bit brighter. I love you so much 💜

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and here's to an even Happier New Year to you all 🎄

[eternal-echoes]

“1. To journey. You are living the experience of pilgrimage, which is a great symbol of human and Christian life. Each one of us can either be a “wanderer” or a “pilgrim”. The time in which we live sees so many people who are “wanderers”, because they lack an ideal life and often are unable to make sense of what is happening in the world. With the sign of pilgrimage, you show the will not to be “wanderers”. Your journey is through history, in a world whose confines are always broadening, barriers are being broken down and our journey is connected ever more closely to the journey of others. You are witnesses of the profound meaning, of the light that faith brings; may you preserve the great riches of values, of wisdom of the past, while living intensely in the present, committing yourselves to today with your gaze on the future, opening the horizons of hope through your work to give society a more human face.

2. And now the second word: to build. To journey in order to build a community, above all with love. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem has an almost thousand-year history: yours is one of the oldest charitable Orders that is still active. Established by the Custody of the Holy Sepulchre, it has enjoyed the special attention of the Bishop of Rome. To build with charity, with compassion, with love. In fact your pilgrimage has a charitable purpose, to benefit our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, especially those most in need, who are living through a time of suffering, tension and fear. With great affection I send them a greeting and an embrace, to all — Christian and non-Christian — assuring them of my daily prayer.

3. However your journey to build is born of confessing in an ever deeper way the faith; it grows from continued commitment to nourish your spiritual life, from permanent formation to an ever more authentic and consistent Christian life. This is an important point for each one of you and and for the Order as a whole, so that each person is helped to deepen his adherence to Christ: the profession of faith and the testimony of charity are closely connected and are the strong key points that qualify your action. An ancient bond ties you to the Holy Sepulchre, the perennial memorial of Christ Crucified who was laid there and of the Risen Christ who conquered death. May Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen truly be the centre of your life and of each of your personal and group projects. To believe in the redemptive power of the Cross and the Resurrection to offer hope and peace. In a special way, the Land of Jesus needs it very much! The faith does not distance us from the responsibilities that we are all called to assume, but, on the contrary, it urges and impels us to concrete undertakings for a better society.”

- Pope Francis, TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE PILGRIMAGE OF THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM, 13 September 2013

[chosonore]

efflorescence

efflorescence [noun. what occurs after a time of reflection, study or development; flowering, blossoming]

pairing: albedo/reader

summary: as a homunculus, albedo didn’t entirely understand the human nature just yet; everything was a learning curve for him. throughout the journey, you were there and grounded him, helping him understand. albedo found himself falling more and more in love with you - riddled by anxieties and self doubt, he’s unsure of how to go about it.

wordcount: 4.3k [UNEDITED]

a/n: okay i want to preface that i wrote this in the middle of the night through nap grogginess so i’m not sure of how this turned out lmao but i figured i’d still post it. it was originally supposed to be a series idea but i wasn’t sure if i could pull it off in a series so i kept it short and sweet - i’m sorry if the pacing is off in some places, i’m aware of it but i didn’t want to drag it out for too long akjehfa i hope you enjoy! ( ˙꒳​˙ )

as an artificial human, albedo didn’t require sleep. there was no need for it, he worked just fine without it, however, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t capable of it. it just happened to be that he preferred to spend his time wisely, whether it be conducting experiments in his lab or late night observations on dragonspine. though lonely at times, it did have its perks - nobody would bother him during nighttime, nobody was looking for help and he was free to muse and ponder about anything and everything that came to mind. 

despite its harsh and frigid nature, there was comfort in the solitude that dragonspine brought. perhaps it was some kind of connection that he felt whenever he was here, to his brothers and their origins. to the mysteries that had yet to be solved, the answers that albedo had been looking for for years and were yet to be uncovered. sometimes the question plagued his mind: what was it like to be human? it was still difficult to have a grasp on it. he liked to think that with years and years passing, he slowly but surely uncovered more and more facettes to human life. and yet, whenever he looked at you, he felt like the horizon opened and suddenly he was free falling. being with you was so unpredictable, the added unknown variable that changed his outlook on life. 

albedo had never considered being in a relationship until he met you. relationships were considered an integral part to humans but for a long time, no one had caught his eyes. was it that? or was it simply him being too caught up with his work, too busy to make room to accommodate another person to spend his life with? he wasn't quite sure. in the long, long time that he existed, albedo has never craved as many things as he did when he met you. you came crashing like a breeze of fresh air, turned everything upside down. and he couldn't even be upset about it - the change in pace was much appreciated.

initially an adventurer, you visited albedo's camp ever so often to deliver fresh herbs and local specialties for his research. you weren't aware of his position within the knights of favonius, didn't tiptoe around him in reverence. it was your pure, unadulterated curiosity that kept you there for longer than necessary, prodding him with questions about the mysterious vials and notes spread across the camp. he found that he liked the attention, slowly developing an ever-growing fondness for you. he liked explaining his research to you, liked when you asked questions in return and even offered to help whenever you could. one meeting turned into two, into three, into more until albedo felt like he couldn't get enough of your presence in his life. he found himself requesting your services more often, finding excuses to have you visit him, making space for you in the small camp. a little corner designated for you to take a rest before you continued your journeys, he told himself. though whenever he looked over to see the pile of blankets and pillows, he wondered what it was like to be close to you. 

the pondering startled him, bringing heat to his cheeks. such intimate thoughts had never crossed his mind, let alone directed towards another person. is this what people considered having a crush? was he falling in love with you? albedo wasn't sure.

in yet another visit, you brought fresh cecilias and windwheel asters. your cheeks and fingertips were all red from the harsh weather on dragonspine but still, you smiled widely upon seeing him. as albedo thanked you and took the flowers from your hands, he frowned at how cold they were. "you should really be wearing gloves up here, y/n. the climate is quite harsh and i wouldn't want you to get sick or injured on your way here," he reminded you, guiding you towards the campfire in the middle of the cave to warm yourself up. "it's selfish of me to make you come up here ever so often to begin with. dragonspine is a dangerous place if you're not accustomed to it."

you shook your head. "i'll be fine, don't worry! i've grown used to it and i don't ever wander off the designated paths," you assured him, taking a seat on the chair that he'd pulled out for you. "and besides, if anything should happen, i'm sure you'd come to save me, right?"

"i would, of course," albedo whispered softly. oh what wouldn't he do for you? subconsciously, he'd grabbed one of the cecilia flowers, tucking them behind your ear. you looked pretty with it, so much so that he wanted to immortalize the moment in his sketchbook. you looked at him with wide eyes, bewildered at the tender gesture. he was so close to you, treating you with the utmost gentleness and appreciation. your heart was bursting at its seams, as it did whenever you spent time with him. but you couldn't - wouldn't - confess to him, deeming it an impossibility that he could ever return your feelings.

"i- i apologize, i didn't mean to startle you. i don't know what came over me, i merely thought that the flower looked beautiful on you. thank you for bringing me these, i appreciate it a lot." albedo withdrew from you quickly to preserve the flowers, hiding in embarrassment. the soft touch was much too fleeting and left him craving for more, lighting a fire that seemed to melt the ice within him, as if you brought sunshine to dragonspine.

with every visit, you carved away at the ice. albedo found himself opening up to you slowly and felt relieved and comforted when you didn't judge him. you simply listened, offered him advice when needed. you never made him feel bad about his way of thinking or how he went about things, you were always patient in explaining your view when he didn't understand. he valued such insight, deeming it important to his development in becoming more… human? 

albedo remembered the night that he confessed to you about what he was. who he was. the storms in dragonspine were harsher this winter, making a descent to mondstadt impossible on some nights. "i think it is safer for you to stay the night," he suggested to you as he peeked outside, frowning at the snow storm. "it doesn't look like the storm is ending anytime soon and i do not wish to see you harmed on your way back. i have more than enough equipment here to accommodate you, so if you don't mind…"

"ah, that's- that's very kind of you," you replied quickly, your heartbeat accelerating almost instantly. "if anything, i wouldn't want to intrude and disturb you while you're doing research."

"you're never intruding here, y/n, you're always welcome here," albedo shook his head, not quite aware of what he'd just said, as he busied himself with setting up your beds for the night. the words rang in your head, making your hopes soar anew. maybe it wasn't so silly after all, hoping that he would reciprocate your feelings. but there was never a right moment to confess, never a right moment to approach the topic. for outsiders, albedo seemed like a rather serious and stoic person, entirely focused and passionate about his research but always ready to be of help. but to you he was warm, so very warm. in a way, visiting always felt like coming home - you'd gotten used to the comfort of his camp in dragonspine, gotten used to him, you didn't know if you could handle a rejection. and so you kept your feelings to yourself.

"i hope you don't mind being so close to me," albedo mumbled, gesturing to the setup near the campfire. he'd placed the mats close to each other, piled blankets and pelts on them. "it's the only way to stay warm, i don't want you to get sick."

you shook your head quickly. "no no, i don't mind, not at all. thank you for letting me stay here and taking care of me, albedo."

though neither of you minded spending the night together, it was incredibly awkward. you were aware of each other and perhaps that was what made it worse. you couldn't quite sleep, you often dozed off in half sleep, only to be startled by the hissing sounds of the wind outside. but whenever you opened your eyes and looked around, albedo had been up, staring at the ceiling. he seemed to be in deep thought, not noticing that you were staring. "albedo?" you whispered quietly, moving closer to him. he jumped slightly, turning on his side so he could look at you. "can't sleep either?"

"i-" albedo wasn't sure whether he should let you know that he wasn't tired at all. or that he didn't need to sleep, only doing so in order to make you feel more comfortable. but that would require him to tell you that he wasn't really human; he didn't want you to look at him any different. it would break his heart, knowing that there was a possibility you'd be terrified of him and avoid him.

"if there is anything on your mind, we can talk about it, yeah? i don't know if i can help you, but i will certainly try," you mumbled, rubbing your eyes sleepily. a yawn escaped your lips as you tried to stay awake, worried about the blonde male. 

albedo's heart ached. "if i tell you this… promise me, you won't- you won't leave me? it won't change anything between us?"

his sudden vulnerability surprised you. in this moment, albedo looked so different from how you knew him, as if he was wavering - as if the flame inside of him was flickering, threatening to extinguish because it'd been neglected and not cared for. you wiggled underneath the heavy blankets, reaching out to grasp his hands. "i promise. whatever it is, we'll work it out. i'll be here, we're friends, yeah?"

the word "friends" left a bitter aftertaste in albedo's mouth. he might have considered you a friend at some point but his feelings had grown beyond that threshold a long time ago. he wanted you, more than just a friend. the feelings that grew inside him were difficult to separate and to decipher, entirely unfamiliar to him and often times uncomfortable - there was an ache in his chest whenever you were gone, whenever he thought of you. he had yet to put a label on his feelings but albedo was sure, he wanted to be more than just friends.

"i- i'm not human. not entirely," he avoided your eyes, not wanting to see your reactions yet. "i'm a homunculus, an artificial human. though i'm far from understanding life and what it means to be human.there's certain things that i don't really need, such as sleeping. things that i haven't experienced or felt yet, so i sometimes… feel like there is something missing. few people know of this, i understand if it makes you feel uncomfortable though, i-"

"albedo." you squeezed his hands gently to bring his attention back to you, looking at him with such determination that his words died in his throat. "i care about you a lot and it doesn't matter to me what you are or are not. you're you and i appreciate you the way you are. you being a homunculus changes nothing, okay? you're still albedo. we're all trying to find our place in this world and not knowing things, learning, is only natural. don't change anything about yourself."

to your surprise, albedo leaped towards you, engulfing you in a hug. he squeezed you to himself, as if he was still scared that you'd leave him. overwhelmed by a myriad of feelings, he couldn't stop the tears that sprung forth - hearing your words seemed to have melted another layer inside him, allowing him for another experience. was it the relief of finally having confided in you? your acceptance and unwavering belief in him? another burden that was finally lifted off his shoulders? albedo wasn't sure. thank you, thank you, thank you, he'd whispered over and over as you held him, comforted him quietly. you felt honoured, knowing that he deemed you trustworthy enough to let you in on his secret and at the same time, your heart broke for him. it must have been a difficult burden to carry, knowing that there was no one who could quite relate to his struggles and there was no one he could confide in because of it. 

it strengthened your resolve to stay by his side, you didn't wish for him to be hurt. you wanted him to flourish, to become even greater of an alchemist than he already was, for him to achieve all his goals and dreams in life. if you were even just a part of it, that was enough. neither of you mentioned the sudden close contact and unbeknownst to you, albedo decided to revel in it as well. who knew when you'd get another opportunity like this? it was a selfish desire, one that soothed the raging yearning in your heart. you felt safe in his arms, the warmth lulled you back to sleep. you were struggling to stay awake, soon drifting off. albedo regarded you with a fond smile, brushing your hair out of your face and tucking it behind your ears. he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. in this moment, all his insecurities were washed away briefly to reveal an answer to one of his many questions: he truly adored you.

for the first time in decades, albedo wished that sleep would come for him more easily, for the dreams to claim him and lead him away to comforting fantasies. of you in his future, of what it was like being your partner, spending his life with you and being intimate with you. the kinds of dreams that he avoided thinking about during his waking hours because it was difficult for him to imagine it, the kinds of dreams that came whenever he was yearning for you.

your dynamics changed after that fateful night. an invisible barrier between you broke, allowing you to become closer to him. your friendship grew into something more as you nurtured it, flourishing so brightly and vividly that even others took note of it. neither of you dared to bring it up though, blinded by the notion that you could possibly ruin the dynamic, that the other person surely wouldn't feel the same way. despite this, you found yourself seeking him out even when he wasn't requiring your help. you'd spend time with him in mondstadt, at the knights of favonius' headquarters and even his home, slowly getting to know each other. 

albedo found your habits and way of living slowly permeating into his life, suddenly gaining a new perspective. initially, he never indulged in many things; aside from drawing, he would often take care of klee, whom he dearly loved and cared for, and sparsely spend time with his colleagues and friends. it wasn't in his nature, to not do research, he told himself. but every now and then, a little break was needed, you taught him. it didn't have to be grandiose, it could be a small thing - it was the simple things in life that made a huge impact, you'd said a while ago as he was about to reject another suggestion of yours to have a small vacation. that same day, albedo left work early, coming home to find you drawing in the garden with klee. klee had immediately took a liking to you, begging albedo to ask you to come over more often. his heart had softened at his sister's request, though he couldn't deny that he used the opportunity to have you over as often as possible.

you greeted him with a smile, patting the empty spot next to you. as albedo sat down, all the stress and exhaustion came crashing. it had been piling for weeks, months even, without proper release. he rolled on his back, laying his head on your lap. "got a lot of work to do?" you questioned, hand wandering to his hair to run your fingers through it gently. albedo hummed at the feeling, nuzzling into you. 

"mhmm, i've been helping diluc with a few things in addition to our research," albedo yawned, finding it difficult to keep his eyes open as you played with his hair and undid the braids so he could rest more easily. "i'm a little exhausted."

"let's take a nap!" klee's booming voice resounded next to him as she dropped her drawing supplies with a clatter and found her way to his side. she wrapped her arms around him, giggling quietly when he did the same. "it's been a while since you came home this early. i like when you come home early. we can play later too, okay?"

albedo's heart softened at her words. it seemed that he'd neglected his relationships far too much in favour of his work. you were right, there were other things far more important than that. maybe this wasn't so bad after all. "is something wrong?" you questioned when you noticed his staring, raising your eyebrows. he shook his head, grasping your hands and intertwining your fingers. your breath hitched in your throat when he pressed a kiss to the back of your hand, mumbling sleepily: "it's nothing, 'm just happy you're here. let's rest for a bit?"

you felt like your hands were sweating profusely when you shook alice's hand, finally meeting her after almost a year of knowing albedo. she'd come home to set off on a summer trip with klee but decided to invite you for dinner upon learning that her adoptive son had shown interest in you. everyone in mondstadt could tell, everyone but you. it was klee that let her mother know, whispering to alice about how you came to visit a lot. albedo was beet red, having been grilled by her just shortly before you came until he admitted that he liked you, that you'd spent the night here on more than just one occasion and that yes, you shared the same bed because you'd grown used to it. alice, despite thoroughly enjoying albedo's embarrassment, was incredibly happy for him. he found someone special that he cherished and she wanted nothing more than for him to hold onto his happiness. to let himself feel and love without being scared.

"it's so nice to finally meet you! klee has told me a lot about you," alice grinned at your sheepishness, letting you in. "i'm glad to hear that albedo has found such a wonderful person, whatever will come, i want you to know that you have my approval!"

"alice!" albedo had grasped your hand and pulled you towards the dining room, wanting to stop alice from saying more incriminating things - not that you'd caught onto whatever she was trying to do just yet. alice's delighted laughter resounded in the house, easing up your initial awkwardness. alice had found her way into your heart as quickly as klee did, you instantly liked them. you liked their openness, how friendly and cheerful they were and how accommodating they were even to strangers. it was truly and admirable trait.

like a hawk, albedo kept an eye on alice throughout the entire evening, not wanting her to accidentally reveal his feelings. though he'd stayed guarded and never said anything about them, he supposed he couldn't have kept it hidden either way. alice was very perceptive, it was hard to keep secrets around her. and because of this, he was glad that she took a liking to you and welcomed you to the family almost immediately. it made him feel more assured in his resolve to confess his feelings to you. over the months, they'd grown to new heights and he felt like he'd burst at the seams if he didn't let them out anytime soon. the ice around his heart had long melted into a puddle of water, instead nurturing the flowers that grew in its place, representative for his love for you.

you remained mostly unaware of it, always being yourself around him. but even you'd noticed the lingering touches, how he sought out your warmth. you weren't sure what to make of it; the lines between your friendship were slowly erased, morphing into something new. it was a scary thought, not knowing what was ahead when it came to your relationship with him. but you loved him, so dearly, that you couldn't imagine a life without him.

"you don't want to regret not telling them about your feelings sooner," alice had told albedo one night, when he'd pondered for too long and didn't reply when she'd asked him about you. "going through heartbreak is inevitable but nothing hurts as much as unspoken feelings that rot away in your heart."

and so albedo found himself in his room, staring at your back. alice had invited you to stay over for the night, making up an elaborate excuse about having breakfast together tomorrow and how klee would love to spend the day with you. he wasn't entirely sure whether you actually bought it or just went along with it. you were sitting on his bed, staring out the window until you heard the quiet clicking of the door. albedo stood at the entrance like a deer caught in headlights, staring at you with wide eyes. "is something wrong?" you asked concerned, eyeing his hands that were hidden behind his back.

albedo shook his head, slowly approaching you. you were perplexed when he just stood there, in front of you but didn't make a move. he was mentally preparing, even though he'd practiced his lines over and over again before entering the room. and still, he was nervous, which was unlike him. as you opened your mouth so ask him again, albedo suddenly thrust flowers in your hands. “cecilias - your favourite,” he explained hastily, taking a seat next to you on the bed. 

“i uh, thank you?” you looked at him confused, blushing at his thoughtfulness, though you couldn’t quite decipher why he was giving you the flowers. was it a special occasion?

“i… don’t know how to say this. i’ve been thinking about this for a very long time and i wasn’t sure about how to approach it but i- i’m in love with you. have been for months and alice told me it wasn’t good to sit on in for so long. but i also didn’t want to put a strain on our friendship, should you not return the feelings and-”

“albedo!” you shook him gently, attempting to get him out of his ramblings. he looked up at you, taken back by your sparkling eyes. haphazardly placing the flower bouquet on the side table, you leaned in to kiss him. startled by your assertiveness and not having expected such a reaction from you, he lost his balance, pulling you along with him as he fell back onto the mattress. you broke away from him, shuffling around in embarrassment. “i’m sorry, i should have asked you-”

“i didn’t mind,” albedo mumbled, settling his hands on your waist. leaning up, he pecked your lips shyly. “if anything i’m glad… i’m very glad you like me too.”

“like?” you giggled, pinching his cheek gently. “i love you, albedo. for months as well, but i was scared you wouldn’t see me the same way.”

albedo let out a sigh in relief, hugging you to his body tightly. he couldn’t believe it - you loved him. all his anxieties washed away in an instant, replaced by a sunny warmth that filled up the entirety of his chest. this is what true happiness must feel like, he mused. “it’s really scary though,” he admitted, hand cupping your cheek. “i’m not familiar with relationships and i want to be the best partner i can be- i’m just scared i’m not what you’d expected and i’ll disappoint you.”

“albedo, that’s something for me to decide,” you assured him. “you can’t know unless you try, yeah? please don’t worry about it too much, we’ll figure it out. when i told you i like you the way you are, all those months back, i meant it. nobody is free of flaws and that’s okay. rather than doubting it the entire time, just dive head in, okay?”

“thank you,” he breathed out, pressing another kiss to your lips. “thank you so much. for being by my side, for accepting me, for helping me understand.”

albedo didn't need sleep but he found himself to be indulging in it because you were with him. it wasn't sleep per se, that rose in importance for him - it was the simple things to enjoy that you'd taught him. he was glad to have you by his side, to be able to love and care for you as you did for him. through his many insecurities and doubts, his pursuit in fulfilling his master's last request, he'd found that maybe… just maybe the meaning of this world and the meaning of life was just the journey. he struggled to fit in, struggled to understand the complexities of human nature. but he was eager to learn and grow, with you. so many years he'd followed the task he'd been giving, without so much thought about what he truly wanted. it was time for him to deviate off that path, even if it meant a whole new one with many obstacles and unknown territory. it was truly terrifying but he felt more at ease, navigating the adventure with you.

there were many things that he wasn't sure of but there was one thing that he was absolutely sure of and was unconditional - his love for you.

[edenmemes]

ghost of tsushima starters

❝ promise you’ll remain the good man i know. ❞   ❝ only fools have no fear of death. ❞   ❝ i am very much alive. but my patience is dying. ❞   ❝ i’ll make sure you are remembered. as a great warrior...a wise leader. ❞   ❝ the strength we need is all around us. ❞   ❝ the past cannot hurt you. ❞   ❝ this whole journey, and i never asked your name. ❞   ❝ fear drives you to be stronger. fight harder. ❞ ❝ sometimes...our only choice is to walk away from everything we know ❞ ❝ we do what we must. that is why you and i are both survivors. ❞ ❝ i can do good! i just...need practice. ❞ ❝ may your next life be more peaceful than this one. ❞ ❝ i knew it was too good to be true. ❞ ❝ i'll see what i can do. but if you’re lying to me... ❞ ❝ you’re too comfortable with that power. ❞ ❝ don’t ever try to kill me again. ❞ ❝ turn your back on a foe...and you will die with a sword stuck in it. ❞ ❝ youre not slipping away that easily. ❞ ❝ just stay closed. keep your sword sheathed. and let me do the talking. ❞ ❝ the things i saw still haunt my nightmares. ❞ ❝ i dont even know if you're real. ❞ ❝ victories don’t have to feel good. ❞   ❝ killing your own family...it’s harder than you could ever imagine. ❞   ❝ it’s safer for everyone if i just disappear. ❞   ❝ next time, leave some glory for the rest of us. ❞   ❝ peace doesn’t always come quietly. ❞   ❝ some people respond to kindness. others require a glimpse of steel. ❞ ❝ i am nothing if not honest. ❞ ❝ stop using people, and start thinking about how you can help them. ❞ ❝ you’ve had your vengeance. don’t stand in the way of mine. ❞ ❝ you don’t have to do it alone. ❞ ❝ not all words need to be spoken. ❞   ❝ there is time yet for revenge. i will savour their cries of pain when that time comes. ❞ ❝ i have learned to love the cool, damp dark. ❞ ❝ the last thing i saw was faces filled with hatred, rage... ❞ ❝ you didn’t think you'd get rid of me that easily, did you? ❞ ❝ we will celebrate when this is all over. ❞ ❝ what’s wrong with you? one moment we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, the next you’re ready to cross blades. ❞ ❝ a warrior learns from their mistakes, or they are buried by them. ❞ ❝ remember your training...and never leave my side. ❞ ❝ well...i guess this is goodbye. ❞ ❝ your visions will grow worse, driving you to madness and death. ❞ ❝ i can only pretend for so much longer. i’m not like these people and never will be. ❞ ❝ i loved you all my life, but i could never work up the courage to tell you. ❞ ❝ the proud do not last, and the mightiest of us perish like dust before the wind. ❞ ❝ you’re a vision of mercy. ❞ ❝ not bad, but only half-good. ❞ ❝ we make a good team, don’t we? ❞ ❝ an archer’s aim relies not on eyes...but on body, mind, and spirit. ❞ ❝ this is my fight. i don’t need your weapon. ❞ ❝ being right doesn’t always make things better. ❞ ❝ there is nothing easier than to prey upon the vanity of ambitious men. ❞ ❝ you weren’t looking so good. i let you rest. ❞ ❝ your intentions this time were...better than usual. ❞ ❝ what are you not telling me? ❞ ❝ trouble sticks to you like shit on rice. ❞ ❝ it’s strange being back after so many years...everywhere i look brings back memories. ❞ ❝ only a child expects perfection of their elders. ❞ ❝ when this is all over, what will you do? ❞ ❝ you are ruled by your emotion. ❞ ❝ is this how you want to be remembered? ❞ ❝ perhaps great men share all the aspects of their lessers, but more. great wisdom, but even greater cruelty. ❞ ❝ i cannot imagine the burden a leader like you must bear. ❞ ❝ our greatest enemies are the greatest teachers. ❞ ❝ death’s shadow embraces me. hand in hand we walk. ❞ ❝ breathe. you can’t fight if you hold your breath. ❞ ❝ i know you well enough by now, my friend. ❞ ❝ i can’t go back...to what i was. before this. ❞ ❝ i hope you one day forgive me for the choice i made. ❞ ❝ the wounds you dealt my spirit will never heal. ❞ ❝ why did you turn away from me? ❞ ❝ if you can keep moving forward, so can i. ❞ ❝ it’s a bad idea to sneak up on me. ❞ ❝ promise me something. don’t become like me. ❞ ❝ let me undo the damage i’ve done. ❞ ❝ ...and you want me to clean up your mess. ❞ ❝ the path ahead may take a lifetime, but i will walk it with you. always. ❞ ❝ whatever you believe i’ve become, i will always be your family. ❞ ❝ i wouldn’t be here without you. ❞ ❝ i’ll hunt you past the horizon if i must. ❞ ❝ can i count on you to do what needs to be done? ❞ ❝ that’s over now. you’re here. with me. ❞ ❝ i thought i’d lost you, i should’ve known you’d never give up. ❞ ❝ you can’t continue down this path. ❞ ❝ be careful. demons are everywhere and they fear nothing. ❞ ❝ corpses can’t answer questions. ❞ ❝ you deserve greater respect than this. ❞ ❝ it’s just like the stories my father told me. ❞ ❝ what you become tomorrow is your choice. ❞ ❝ just ask the last man who questioned my sincerity. you’ll find his head covered in flies out back. ❞ ❝ you shouldn’t have lied. i still would have helped you. ❞ ❝ we came this far. we’re not turning back now. ❞ ❝ how do we survive if we don’t trust each other? ❞ ❝ without my help, the fear and pain will overwhelm you. ❞ ❝ whatever happens, we don’t retreat. ❞ ❝ the stories are true. i’ve never seen anyone fight like you. ❞ ❝ see how the enemy fear you? you are a true warrior. ❞ ❝ you want to share a drink...with me? ❞ ❝ maybe you should’ve just ran away. like you always do. ❞ ❝ good people have nothing to fear from me. ❞ ❝ your promises are just like you. worthless. ❞ ❝ as you wish, since you asked so sweetly. ❞ ❝ i know better than to argue. ❞ ❝ i hope i can find quiet places like this one, untouched by war. ❞ ❝ we grew up together, but you threw it all away. ❞ ❝ it was so chaotic. i felt you grip my wrist and then nothing. ❞ ❝ desperation can bring out the demon in the best of men. ❞ ❝ i don’t want to leave without you, but...i can’t stay. i hope you understand. ❞ ❝ a grown man, and you still can barely sit still. ❞ ❝ and i heard you had no sense of humor! ❞ ❝ knowing and doing are different. ❞ ❝ trouble follows me everywhere. ❞ ❝ indulging violence weakens the warrior...like too much food or drink. ❞ ❝ i can always tell when you want to ask me something. out with it. ❞ ❝ i am proud to fight beside you. ❞ ❝ i didn’t nurse you back to health to watch you throw your life away. ❞ ❝ all i want...all i need is to start a new life. ❞ ❝ look twice and shoot once. ❞ ❝ i think they’re afraid of you. you can be...intimidating.. ❞ ❝ you don’t even try to hear me. it’s like talking to a stone. ❞ ❝ so you try to kill me? have you lost your mind? ❞ ❝ you’ve sacrificed everything. for revenge. ❞ ❝ we can’t let anger consume us. or blind us to our friends. ❞ ❝ there is only one way this ends. ❞ ❝ i gave you everything. and you threw it away. ❞ ❝ do not question my integrity again. ❞ ❝ your father would be proud. ❞ ❝ the worst one can do is take advantage of their own people. ❞ ❝ you follow trouble. you should ask yourself why.  ❞ ❝ some of my favourite memories happened at this place. ❞ ❝ i told you this was a bad idea! ❞ ❝ keep fighting. we need people like you. ❞ ❝ are you the one who finally kills me? ❞ ❝ a warrior’s most important weapon is themself. lose control, and you risk defeat. ❞ ❝ first, get some rest. this is killing you. ❞ ❝ see that? i told you. there’s always hope. ❞ ❝ i hope the skills i gained through hardship can be of use to the people here. ❞ ❝ you have skill...but you nearly died rushing into battle. ❞ ❝ in the midst of battle, true leaders must stay rooted, stand firm. ❞ ❝ every time i get in a mess like this, i’m as scared as the time before. ❞ ❝ don’t be the next to disappoint me. ❞ ❝ save what we can, but know that everything passes away. ❞ ❝ i hope you understand, this is just a job. ❞ ❝ that’s a sad way to look at the world. ❞ ❝ seeing you like that...i’m still shaken up. ❞ ❝ sit with me a moment. ❞ ❝ doubt and indecision have destroyed armies. ❞ ❝ it’s so painful to...see you weighed down by sadness. ❞ ❝ on the slim chance some good comes of this...lead the way. ❞ ❝ you fought well, but we’re finished. ❞ ❝ the warrior’s mind is quiet but alive, like rustling bamboo. ❞ ❝ i’ve trained with a blade since i could walk. ❞ ❝ the visions...they’re still happening. ❞ ❝ in our world, being intimidating isn’t a bad thing. ❞ ❝ you have a talent. it’s time you use it, for the sake of our land. ❞ ❝ i've tried to teach you all i know...but you act more like a poet than a warrior. ❞ ❝ your path leads to madness and death. ❞ ❝ that’s twice you saved my life. ❞ ❝ these people stay because they believe in you. ❞ ❝ i didn’t choose this life. it was my only option. ❞ ❝ you came at me like i was your mortal enemy. almost broke my arm! ❞ ❝ i could use your help...in the fight ahead. ❞ ❝ you can be a little rough, but you have a good heart. ❞ ❝ i don’t want to kill you, stop! ❞ ❝ what’s wrong? afraid i’ll get more famous than you? ❞ ❝ war brings out who we truly are. ❞ ❝ take care where you place your faith. ❞ ❝ you seem lost in thought. ❞ ❝ i was getting tired of waiting for you. ❞ ❝ without my wisdom, you will lose your soul to madness. ❞ ❝ peace is an unattainable dream...but a dream worth fighting for. ❞ ❝ i’ve killed a thousand men. every death was sweet. ❞ ❝ what is the point of prayer when we are doomed? ❞ ❝ you’re like your father in more ways than you know. ❞ ❝ if you want my respect, earn it. ❞ ❝ and how many wars have you fought? ❞ ❝ you’re quite the butcher with that sword. ❞ ❝ people who sow chaos must be punished. ❞ ❝ i can’t help but wonder if you enjoy the violence. ❞ ❝ i kill only to protect our people. i think about that every time i reach for my sword. ❞ ❝ i'm sorry if my lack of skill offends. ❞ ❝ it’s the first time in days i haven’t felt like i was about to die. ❞ ❝ you fought like an animal...or a demon! ❞ ❝ there’s nothing more painful to me than a perfect bow...ineptly used. ❞ ❝ victory is won by warriors, not weapons. ❞ ❝ i couldn’t leave you to die. ❞ ❝ i made my choices. even knowing what they’ve cost me, i’d make them again. ❞ ❝ when’s the last time you slept or ate? ❞ ❝ you don’t get to give up. this land needs you. ❞ ❝ oh you pretend we are different, but we fight for the same thing. ❞ ❝ there are still places of beauty to remind us of what truly matters. ❞ ❝ true mastery begins where individual ego ends. ❞ ❝ a warrior faces danger with courage and resolve. this is how they endure. ❞ ❝ those stories...they're not entirely true. ❞ ❝ even the youngest warrior needs a full belly and a rested sword-arm. ❞ ❝ bad men are good at hiding their true natures. ❞ ❝ there is nothing left for me here. my hope is lost. ❞ ❝ i did what i had to. for you. ❞ ❝ forgive my manners. i spent all my time alone. ❞ ❝ is that any way to greet a visitor? ❞ ❝ if you continue down this path...you’ll be no better than the enemy. ❞ ❝ i am grateful for the times we share...but, i always want more. ❞ ❝ you lived your life in a castle. it made you soft. ❞ ❝ i used to know what i fought for... ❞ ❝ face them as a warrior with honour. not a monster. ❞ ❝ i don’t take lives, but i am not a coward. ❞ ❝ i wonder if i’ve crossed a line. ❞ ❝ you can’t expect everyone to understand what you’re doing, or why. ❞ ❝ your methods were brutal...impulsive...without honour. ❞ ❝ there’s plenty to fear without worrying about folktales. ❞ ❝ i hope you’ll find peace again soon. ❞ ❝ you do what you need to survive. and yet you despise others for doing the same. ❞ ❝ is that your excuse? your reason to kill? ❞ ❝ we have to keep pushing. even if it costs us our lives. ❞ ❝ cowards without honour deserve no mercy. ❞ ❝ i’ll fight beside you until the end. ❞ ❝ whatever happens, your forgiveness won’t change who i am. ❞ ❝ why should we settle for scraps when we deserve to be legends? ❞ ❝ only cowards strike from the shadows. ❞ ❝ the proud do not endure. the greatest of us fall in the end. ❞ ❝ perhaps some good will come of this. ❞   ❝ you will see nothing but death to the end of your days. ❞ ❝ legacy is more than a name. ❞ ❝ im sorry. i know what it means to lose family. ❞ ❝ one day we'll escape the endless wheel of suffering. ❞ ❝ is that a 'thank you'? ❞ ❝ i know what it means to be hunted. ❞ ❝ you personify fury and regret. ❞ ❝ that's all right. i want to hear you dig your own grave. ❞ ❝ either way, we’ve got nothing to lose. ❞ ❝ i’ve done what i can. the rest is up to you. ❞ ❝ forgive me, but you look fatigued. have you endured much hardship? ❞    ❝ i hope you find true honour in your next life. ❞ ❝ you deserve nothing less than death. ❞ ❝ this is foolish. surrender, and you can live. ❞ ❝ i too have pride in family. and i know what it’s like to live in their shadow. ❞ ❝ you were gone so long, i knew you were in trouble. ❞ ❝ so many of us here owe you our lives. ❞ ❝ what's wrong? what did they do to you? ❞   ❝ you’re lucky to be alive. ❞ ❝ i know your language. your traditions. your beliefs. which village to tame and which to burn. ❞   ❝ i cannot lose you again. ❞   ❝ i don’t seek revenge. but i will fight for peace. ❞   ❝ we will meet again soon. until then...travel safely. ❞   ❝ this is war --- not a test. ❞ ❝ we can save our home together. it doesn’t have to be like this. ❞ ❝ fear is a weapon. don’t let them use it against you. ❞

[angelamajiki]

[ peace treaty - kiribaku ]

AN: this is a fantasy au piece, enjoy! :)

CW: yandere, dubcon, arranged marriage, stalking, coercion, dragon/animal anatomy, fantasy au, afab terms, predator/prey dynamics, size difference, facesitting

“A mate, huh?” Katsuki chuckled as he stroked his companion’s horns, looking into the horizon thoughtfully.

“Think about it! We need hatchlings to lead the future generations of the Bakugo clan.” Eijirou pleaded with his mate. “Don't you ever miss the company of a woman? I know I do.”

Adding a woman to their pack would certainly bring its advantages. It would undoubtedly strengthen their positions as clan rulers if they were to have a wife and children to carry on both men’s legacy.

“Fine,” Katsuki conceded. “Let’s go find a mate then.”

The pair returned to their respective forms, wolf and dragon, as they began their hunt through the wild countryside for their new mate. Days of running down the mountainous forests away from their clan, they settled on resting at the edge of the woods, looking at a clearing just over a shimmering river that separated the two territories. Beyond the meadow was a small fortress surrounded by the community that they presumably controlled—a perfect place to start their search after some well-needed sleep.

Katsuki was the first to awaken from his slumber at the sound of a woman’s voice. And a heavenly voice it was, signing an alluring melody. Peaking his head over the bushes, the young prince saw the enchanting woman bathing alone in the stream. The other man had awoken as well, just as equally entranced by the naked dancing woman.

“A vixen...” Katsuki murmured, twisting to look at his mate. It was clear to both men that she was the mate they were looking for. Independent, vexing, sweet. She was perfect.

“Let’s snatch her up now while she’s distracted, ” Eijirou grumbled impatiently, eager to take her back to their den at once.

“Patience, Ei. I want her too, but now is not the moment to strike. Let's watch her a bit more; she needs to be more than a pretty face, you know that.”

Katsuki did not doubt that she wasn’t their perfect match, but he is a predator to her before he’s a man to her at this moment.

The blissfully unaware maiden that you were, you went on with bathing peacefully in the warm, summer day. Your attendants had followed you from the castle, watching from afar as they knew you valued your time alone in the stream. After some time, one of them called for you back to the castle for supper. Dried and dressed, the group of you departed from the meadow by horse as the sunset.

“So, she’s a princess, Katsuki.” Eijirou’s tail trashed with excitement. “If we marry her, we’ll get this territory too! Oh, I wonder if she likes to travel..” The red-haired man went off on a tangent about his many fantasies for you while the blonde thought deeply. This was almost too perfect; he had just the plan to corner and ensnare their lovely little prey.

The men stayed at the edge of their territory, for the time being, glad to notice that you had returned to the riverbank almost daily. Sometimes you took your handmaidens; sometimes, you came alone while they trailed back.

They learned that you liked to flip through many a book while basking in the sunlight. A library would be a perfect wedding present for you-they intended to spoil you thoroughly with the dragon’s hoard.

Five days had proven to be enough time for the men to watch you and returned to their clan to make the necessary preparations for your place as their lovely spoiled mate.

---

A fortnight later, a letter from the young prince arrived at your doorstep, addressed to your father, the king.

“An alliance? With the barbarian tribe, that’s unheard of, father. Are you sure it’s not some trick?” You doubted, finding it difficult to understand his request. The barbarian clan was...mysterious, to say the least. Living up in the mountains beyond the river, they were a solitary bunch who were ruthless and never exhibited mercy towards their foes. Not much was know about them because they simply never made alliances or held diplomacy with other clans or kingdoms.

“Perhaps they wish to make allies with the next closest kingdom, my dear.” Your father spoke quietly, his voice wavering as he avoided your eyes. “You’ll go up the mountains to discuss the terms with young Bakugo. An older gentleman like me is not suited for those kinds of traveling conditions.”

Nodding solemnly, preparations were made for your immediate departure. All of your belongings were brought to your carriage, something that struck you as rather odd. Although father did say something about the uncertainty of the amount of time you would spend with the barbarians for the sake of discussion.

With that in mind, you set off into the forest just as the sunset.

---

The journey had taken nearly five days through the rain and snow, your small carriage trudging up the mountainside to the den of the barbarians. As your carriage came to a stop, two men helped you out and down, both possessing a tenderness that didn’t seem possible for them. The blond was bare-chested, even in the snow! He stood at about six feet and had a body that seemed the gods themselves sculpted it.

“Welcome to my clan, your majesty.”

His smirk was wolf-like, eyes bearing down on you like a predator who has caught his unwitting prey. “Come, let’s get you inside to warmth and comfort. I'm sure you’ve had a long journey. Eijirou here will help with your belongings and join us after you rest.”

The prince held out his arm for you to take as the red-head beside you gave a toothy grin before setting off to work. He...he was something more than a man, he had to be! Standing at well over six and a half feet, he was much more muscular than the blonde; Eijirou airs about him more than human. It was inexplicable.

Katsuki gave a gentle tug to your arm before ushering you to the massive tent that stood in the middle of the community of barbarians who looked onto you with glowing pride. What an odd bunch of people, but you couldn't very well judge them now, could you? They simply had a different culture, another way of life.

The tent seemed larger than life on the inside and was impossibly warm. It had had a large bed adorned with piles of pelts and furs near a roaring fireplace. Many bookshelves lined the walls, as well as prized kills and weaponry were displayed. Katsuki led you to a table near the warmth of the fire. How-

“Magic, princess. I am fortunate enough to possess it, as well as many of my clansmen.” Katsuki boasted, clearly prideful of his abilities. He could only hope it impressed you, which it certainly did. “It keeps us warm up here in the dead of winter, which is soon approaching. It protects us, provides for us, all of which it will do for you too.”

Your smile could hardly be contained as you gazed upon the handsome man with wonder. For you, too? Would this he be so kind as to lend you its strength while you struck a deal with them? The barbarians were indeed nothing like the fairytales you had heard about them.

“I thank you for your hospitality, Sir Bakugo. I am truly humbled to be here with you.”

“Call me Katsuki, little one. We should grow familiar with each other before our wedding.”

His wolfish smirk grew wider as he saw the look on your face. Ah, he so loved that look of feeble innocence and confusion on your expression.

“Oh, did your father not tell you?” he chuckled, taking a sip from his cup. “This is an alliance through our union. Suppose you’ll have us, of course. Otherwise, we might have to resort to other means down the mountain.”

Us? Oh, he means-

“Ei, don’t be shy and stand in the doorway. Come greet your bride properly.”

Thundering footsteps came from behind your seated form as Eijirou towered over your much smaller frame.

“Please, tell me you agree to us, my love. We've waited so long for your arrival, won't you let us have you?” A scarred but gentle hand enveloped yours as the dragon shifter kissed it tenderly. “There’s no need to be frightened; we intend to treat you like our queen and spoil you rotten with all the world’s riches. Grant us your blessing.”

How could you deny them? Your kingdom was in danger, yet these men, they lulled you into such a state of comfort and safety. Perhaps it was the magic at work?

“Please, may I think on it?” Your heart battered against your ribcage with fear and excitement. Two men, both for husbands. What a strange culture indeed.

“Only if you let us have you tonight. Give us a chance to prove our worth as not only husbands but as men to you.”

Blood rushed to your face, heating your cheeks as you felt aflame with shame, and to your horror, arousal. They are seasoned men. Indeed they’ll treat you as gently as they have been the whole time?

“O-Only if you are gentle with me. I am...inexperienced.”

That was all the approval they needed. Eijirou, still behind you, swept you up in his arms and onto the bed. Wanting to show some display of his true strength, he ripped your gown clean off your body. Whimpering, your hand flew to grip his forearm fearfully. “Gentle, please, gentle.”

Eijirou shushed you softly, placing a sweet kiss on your trembling lips, hands beginning to wander to down your sides and to your sex. Stroking your clit in small circles, the men relished in your little whines and moans.

“I think I should give you a taste, huh? I haven't eaten all day.” He purred as he dipped down to press kisses to your lips before diving in with his hot tongue, lapping your clit.

Katsuki’s searing kiss swallowed wanton moans and cries. Eijriou’s hands kept your squirming hips firmly in place, positioning you to sit on his face while the blond continued to lay passionate kisses on your lips, neck, and chest.

Teeth sunk into your neck as the prince wasted no time in marking up his newfound territory. Your cries heightened in pitch as you gripped red hair, calling out Eijirou’s name as you came from his overwhelming sucking and slurping of your juices.

“N-no more! Please, that's enough!” Whining, you began to shake when his tongue barely came to half after your cries. Panting and writhing, you peeled off his tongue and laid on the furs next to Katsuki.

“I think that’s enough for this evening; poor thing is already exhausted.” Katsuki chuckled as he dabbed the sweat off your brow and cleaned in between your legs.

“We’ll build up your stamina and be sure to stretch you gently daily.” Eijirou quipped as he took his place next to your side. Up close, you could see how different he really was. Red iridescent scales trailed on his sideburns and h

shoulders. Absentmindedly, you stroke them and wondered if there were more.

“After all, it’s customary to lose your virginity on the wedding night, so need to rush you in right now. Have you made your decision, given Ei’s stellar performance?”

Letting sleep overtake you, your head nodded gently as he rested on Eijirou’s shoulder. The hunt was over and the men could not be more happy with their choice.

[darling-cas]

Hoax (an original story)

I amaze myself sometimes. 

My therapist says I need to go back to things that bring me joy, says I need to find happiest in life again. During one specific session, I was asked to name a time when I was truly at peace, a time I felt moments of pure joy outside of my partner and friends. The first thing that came to mind was a time years ago, when I would post stories here, on this website, for you all to see.

This surprised me honestly, because if you knew me personally (*cough* hi @ilikebigbooks-and-icannotlie *cough*) you would know the amount of stress and pressure I put myself under when it came to writing We Are Young, Whatever It Takes, etc, etc, etc. But despite all the negative emotions, the moments that always stand out to me is sitting on my laptop after I clicked post, watching all the love and adoration pure in from each and every one of you.

I say this monthly but, I really do want to get back into writing. Thanks to my therapist and business major partner, I’ve been dipping my toes into editing for others as a side job. But I want to make my way back to writing my own stories and sharing them with even the smallest corner of the world. This story, Hoax, I wrote actually one year ago, when I first started therapy and after a hard heartbreak. It helped me feel like myself again and lifted me out of the darkness.

I hope, for even the smallest number of you, it does the same. I hope you can feel the same magic that I felt when I wrote it. Take this as a thank you for, years ago, bringing me such joy and happiness.

Until next time...

Cas.

--------------------

The air was midsummer sweet.

It was an Indian summer of blue sky dreams and late evening tears, with the weather shifting moods in the blink of an eye. Grey clouds would eclipse the setting sun with their mighty fists, soaking up the colour of the earth like ink drenching a cotton ball.

And with the continuous alternating weather came the busty smell of sunblock and wet grass. Summer scents combined with the salty air and pungent fish that cling to Jake’s senses from the moment he started his journey along the coastal towns.

His mountain travels started just mere days ago. The task of hiking the grand peak was something he was finally going to cross off his bucket list. Dipping into his savings and requesting a week or two off work was a small price to pay when it came to the tranquility and beauty laid bare before him.

Born and raised on the outskirts of the city, there hadn't been much nature for him to appreciate and admire growing up. But from the moment Jake entered the first small, close-knit fishing town, all he could seem to do was appreciate and stare in outright awe.

The land laid undisturbed all around; the mountains, the trees, the ocean, they had all planted their roots, dug in their heels, and refused to surrender. Cities had been conquered, the vast expansion of country fields and towering summits were placed in chains, forced to give themselves to man. But here, on the coast of fishing villages, it seems as if Land and Man came to an agreement, a compromise, an understanding, to live in peace as one. 

Roads of all kinds swerved, twisted, curled up and down along the coast, between the trees. Houses of unnaturally charming bright blues, yellows, oranges, and greens sat gracefully against the mountain rocks, climbing up the forest-speckled cliffs. Homes and buildings of sea-weathered colour rested on the broken shoreline. Boats bobbed in the water, their docks reaching out towards the horizon like fingers longing to reach and touch a disappearing lover.

In the coastal towns, driving along the sunset stained ocean, Jake swore he would never see true beauty again.

Even now, when the sky wept tears of sorrow, its beauty never vanished.

The weather came on suddenly, as he passed the welcoming sign for Higdon's Harbour. The roads became slick, a  ghostly fog settled in, and the colours were muted a few shades darker by the clouds above. Rivers trickled down the mountain side, disappearing into shallow ditches. Waves started to leap and jump to catch the increasing wind. All while the sky cried on and on.

Jake drove on through the town. Classic rock thumped softly in the background and raindrops tapped on the roof of the car. He had planned not to stop for the night until the next town over. He had driven through several rain storms since the start of his trip, and this was nothing.

But the cracks in the sky's broken heart continued to grow with exceptional pain. Tears of despair quickly turned to tears of anger. The beating on the car became more aggressive as the wind wailed daunting threats and the ocean frantically waved its arms.

It became too much, too quick. Jake was used to driving through bad weather, but not seaside storms. Not gusting winds and sideways rain. Plus, he decided, he was already making good time. So when the flashing green neon sign reading Beaumont Motel came into view, he didn’t hesitate to pull off the road, into the parking lot, and turn off his car.

A bell jingled above as Jake pushed open the door. He stepped into the warmth of the lobby, drenched through his clothes and soaking the carpet under his feet.

“Turned nasty out there real quick, didn’t it?”

Jake threw off his hood, shaking out his damp, blonde hair as he caught sight of an older woman with long grey hair smiling at him from behind a wooden desk.

She pulled her beige cardigan closer around her, brown eyes crinkling in the corners. “Looking for a room, hun?”

“If you happen to have one available,” Jake replied, walking towards the desk and setting down his backpack. Judging by the lack of cars in the parking lot, he was more than confident there were plenty of empty rooms. Still, he glanced at the woman’s name tag and flashed her a smile. “Vera.”

“Oh, hun,” Vera chuckled. Her fingers tapped away on the computer that looked too new to be in the small, tacky, lobby with flower-patterned wallpaper. A lobby that was decorated with simply a small sitting area off to the side, a dusty fireplace warming the room, a dark wooden desk, rouge carpet, and outdated lighting fixtures. “I think I have one or two available. For how long will we be seeing your handsome face around?”

“Only a night,” Jake said. “I’m just passing through.”

“Storm pushed you off the road, huh?” Vera turned around and grabbed a key off one of the hooks on the wall. “It should only last the night. Nightly storms are common for us during this time of year. Here you go, hun.”

“Thank you!” Jake took the key before picking up his bag once more, throwing it over his shoulder.

“If you’re looking to warm up a bit, Kay & Elle, the pub next door, is open for a few more hours,” Vera informed him, fixing her wool cardigan on her shoulders. “A lot of the locals inhabit the place, but we’re friendly folks here. I’m sure they’ll keep you entertained for a bit.”

“Thank you for the suggestion!” Jake pulled his hood back over his head. “Have a good night, Vera.”

She waved him off with a dazzling smile. “Enjoy your short time at Higdon’s Harbour.”

Rain beat down around Jake as the lobby door closed behind him. The sticky air promised an onslaught of thunder and lightning, but it had yet to develop. With a glance at the metal key in his hand, Jake made out a marked 9 engraved at the top. His toes were cold as he quickly made it to the door and inserted the key before pushing the door open and stepping into the musty smelling room.

It was just as drab as the lobby. The double-bed was dressed in off-white coverings. Cream walls, dark carpet, and tacky seaside pictures. Along with two side tables by the bed, a small TV on top of a mini fridge, and a bathroom door on the far wall.

It wasn’t the nicest looking room he’d ever stayed in, but he would also be lying if he said he hadn’t stayed in worse before. 

With a tired and uncomfortable sigh, Jake tossed his bag onto the bed, peeled off his wet coat, and padded off into the bathroom.

He never really thought of going to the pub Vera had mentioned. His only plans that evening consisted of taking a scalding shower before crawling into bed. Maybe watching some TV or reading the book at the bottom of his bag to spice up the night.

Yet, once the two former items on his agenda were checked off, an uneasiness fell over him. Neither the TV nor his book could hold his attention. The bedsheets itched his legs. His heart thumped in his chest, just fast enough to be noticeable. He couldn’t sit still.

Lightning flashed outside and Jake’s head whipped in the direction of the window. The pub came into view; the two porch lights twinkled in the dark and laughter sounded in time to the pounding storm. It shimmered in the lightning’s afterglow, the rain creating a silver mist of magic around the stone building.

Jake tossed off the sheets and threw on some clothes and his damp jacket. The pull in the pit of his stomach pushed him towards the front door without Jake even really realizing what he was doing. But he chalked it up to boredom and the anxiety of being knocked off his schedule.

He left the warmth of his room behind, almost crashing into a figure as he gently closed his door. An apology was on the tip of his tip tongue when a feeling of nausea washed over him. He felt dizzy, stomach turning. But it was gone between one blink and the next, along with the person. Jake got a glimpse of red hair out of the corner of his eye followed by bells and laughter as the door to room 8 snapped closed. 

The thunderous weather started to overload Jake's senses and the urge to get to the pub was greater. With his head down, the figure fading from his memory, Jake made his way across the parking lot.

A drink or two would kill some time, he thought to himself. At least it would help settle the uneasiness and put him to sleep.

The mist around the pub seemed to glow as Jake drew closer, but he was too busy keeping the rain out of his eyes to pay much mind to it. Warmth shot up his arm as he pushed the door open, a jingle filling the room.

The smell of liquor and smoke tainted with the slight scent of sweat greeted Jake as he stepped over the threshold of Kay & Elle. The low rumble of a banjo filled the space, bouncing off the wooden rafters, mixing with the low mumbles and chuckles of the clusters of people scattered around the room. It wasn’t a full house, but crowded enough given the storm outside.

With his footsteps sounding off the wood floors, Jake made his way to the dark-oak bar. He received a few stares and nods of acknowledgment as he walked by men and women alike, sitting at tables and standing by pool tables. As he walked past, he took in the stone walls, the empty stage in the back, the shimmering yellow lights, and the photos of fishermen, smiling ladies, and vast landscapes littered throughout the walls. 

He took off his jacket, his heart having settled from the moment he entered the pub. Jake wasn’t a man who believed in faith, but in his bones, deep in his marrow, he knew this was where he was meant to be, for whatever reason.

“Well ain’t you a fresh face,” the elder man behind the bar remarked as Jake sat in one of the barstools, just a few seats down from a hunched over figure nursing a glass of whiskey.

Jake placed his wet jaket on the chair beside him as he chuckled. “Hard to be a stranger in this town.”

“Small-town life, my boy. Everyone knows everyone.” The man threw a towel over his shoulder, his dark hair pulled back in a low pony-tail, causing the wrinkles on his slim, tan face to be on full display. His green eyes sparkled in welcome and his smile pulled at the faded scar on his left cheek. “Passing through?”

The dim lights jumped and danced off the many bottles lining the wall behind the bar. A muted glow hugged the bar, the music changing to the beat of a fiddle.

“I am, but the storm took me off the road for the night,” Jake explained.

“You staying at the Beaumont?”

Jake nodded. “The woman, Vera, recommended I stop by for a drink.” 

The words tasted bitter, full of half-truths and false tales. But Jake wasn’t sure why, just as he wasn’t sure how to explain his need to be sitting in the pub at that particular moment.

“That woman,” the elder man chuckled with a shake of his head. “She sends more business this way than any billboard ad ever could. Well, have a drink while you’re here…"

“Jake.”

The music skipped a beat as the fiddle played a harsh note. The air turned bitter and cold. Jake’s limbs urged him to run, screamed that he made a mistake, scolded him for giving his name so willingly. But it was a reflex; the word leaving his lips before he understood what was happening. An impulse came over him, the same one that pulled him to obey the man's demand and order a drink.

No one seemed to notice the odd behaviour, aside from the hunched over figure a few seats down. His depthless brown eyes flashed to Jake, grey hair falling across his pale, sweaty forehead. There was a look of pain and madness in those eyes. Jake opened his mouth to say something when a draft of beer appeared in front of him. And suddenly he couldn’t remember why his limbs felt tense or why there was a cold sweat on the back on his neck.

“Nice to meet ya, Jake,” the bartender smiled with a gleam in his bottle-green eyes. “Name’s Murphy.” 

“Likewise,” Jake raised his drink before bringing the glass to his lips, downing half of it in a few gulps.

The hunched man tipped back the last of his whiskey, slamming the glass hard on the bartop.

“Murphy,” he spoke in a husky voice, like the sound of asphalt and gravel.

A flash of irritation, with just a hint of sadness, came over Murphy's face. He didn’t say a word as he quickly prepared another glass, sliding it gently in front of the stranger.

“Take it easy, Harold. That’s your third now.”

Harold grunted, shooting back half the glass without a word.

Murphy sighed, every other emotion but worry washing from his face for the smallest moment, before he turned back to Jake with a smile on his lips.

“So, where were you headed before the rain knocked you off track?”

After another smaller sip of beer, Jake explained his mountain travel plans and his desire to reach the great peak that waited for him at the end.

“Good on ya. Do it all now while you’re still young and can move about,” Murphy said with a chuckle. “This a solo trip? Or are you with someone special? Perhaps they’re waiting for you back in your room?”

“No,” Jake chuckled, ignoring the grunt of clear annoyance from the man a few seats down from him. “Just me.”

A glimmer appeared in the old man's eye. “So no one speical then? No sweetheart waiting for ya?”

Glass rattled as Harold slammed his empty drink back down on the bar.

Jake cast a sideways glance at the stranger. Restlessness rushed through him as he slowly sat up straighter. Tension gripped his limbs as Harold turned to look at him. Those unnaturally dark eyes shined with intensity. They held so much knowledge, so much pain, so much fury that Jake couldn’t look away. 

“Don’t waste your time with such things, boy,” Harold grumbled, voice rough and firm. His brows were pulled together so tight they were touching, as the bar cast his face in shadows of back and grey. “Love is pointless.”

He said the word love with such hatred, Jake felt as if the stone structure surrounding them would cave in and collapse. 

Murphy, for his part, looked just as on edge. It was a fact that did little to calm Jake's sudden nervousness. 

“Harold,” he sighed. “Let’s take a moment-”

“There is one thing that is certain when it comes to love,” Harold continued, eyes gazing unblinkingly at Jake. “It is nothing but pain. Love is made up of pain and heartbreak and bitter ends. It is a useless and pointless part of the whole damn human existence.”

A hush fell over the bar, as if even the other guests could sense the mood Harold had brought about. The upbeat tone of the fiddle suddenly switched to a soulless wail. . A shiver ran up Jake’s spine and he begged his body to turn away, to dismiss the man and be done with it. But he couldn’t. His unmerciful gaze pulled him in and suddenly Jake was drowning in the scent of liquor and smoke and dead leaves and depthless seas. 

“You fight so hard." Harold gripped his glass, and a crack started to appear. “You fight with all you have and give yourself completely and it's no good. It doesn’t matter. Nothing you do is good enough. Love is about fighting a losing battle and in the end, only one person suffers the consequences. And it's usually the one who fought the hardest.”

“Harold.”

Murphy’s voice was firm, loud, booming over the music as Jake jumped back in his seat. He didn’t realize how intently he’d been listening to Harold. How he was hanging on to every word like it was air. Or how, while talking to the terrifying man, for the first time since entering the town, Higdon’s Harbour glowed with colour.

An angry, remorseless, pulsating red colour.

Harold held Jake's gaze for a moment longer, intense eyes cast in complete shadow, before turning back to the bar.

“Thanks for the advice,” Jake found himself saying, voice shaking more than he'd like to admit. He didn’t mean to speak, the words simply rushed out of him with an aftertaste of smoke. 

Clearing his throat, Jake downed the last of his beer before pushing the glass towards Murphy for a refill.

A hush fell around them for just a few moments, the tension already starting to subside. Jake felt his shoulders drop as he slowly sipped his beer and Murphy slid Harold a glass of water. After some small talk with the old bartender, Jake felt himself able to breathe once more. His body started to relax, the fog lifting from his head. He was breaking the surface and forgetting all about the darkness of the ocean and the murdered limbs of the trees on the forest floor.

While on his third drink, Murphy started to get busy with the other parties of the bar. Tables started to ask for refills, and drenched couples walked through the door, the wind roaring behind them. He drifted more and more between the bar and the tables. And it was about that time that Jake decided he would soon be calling it a night.

“You shouldn’t have stopped, boy.”

Ice crawled up Jake’s spine at the sound of that sandpaper voice. Murphy was off to some seemingly remote corner of the bar. Jake couldn’t help but notice that every new body who walked in stayed far away from the bar, from him, and from Harold.

Jake gripped the tall draft in his hand, foam and condensation running through his numb fingers. 

He turned to face Harold, those black soulless eyes dragging him into the abyss. He was in a freefall, too much rushed through him all at once. A thumping started at his left temple and his heart dropped to his stomach as he fell and fell and fell from the bowels of the sky through the open arms of the corpse-like trees.

“You shouldn’t have stopped,” Harold spat, teeth clenched and head hung low. “You should get out of this cursed town before they get you too. They know you’re here. They knew you’d be here before you knew you’d be here. They got to the rest of this damned town. They got her. Get out before they get you too, boy.”

Fear rooted Jake in place. Fear for what, he couldn’t tell. But in the back of his mind, in the depth of his soul, he knew Harold was right. He shouldn’t be here. He shouldn’t have stopped. Yet, the thought of leaving caused his heart to clench and spots to form behind his eyes. Without his control, he found his lips forming the words - 

“Who are they?”

The lights flickered with the time of the thunder clashing outside. The fiddle faded out and the haunting strings of a violin floated through the room, accompanied by a soulful woman's wail.

He knew he shouldn’t have asked. He shouldn’t provoke this man. He should just pay his tab, get up, and leave. But it was unexplainable, much like the whole night had been. He simply couldn’t help himself.

Harold completely turned to Jake. The harsh lines on his face caught the glow of the dim lights. His eyes burned with unattainable wisdom and passion. Jake's heart started to race, limbs locking into place as he noticed the music slowed. Along with, somehow, every other body and soul in the bar. A haze filled the room, a mist blurring and engulfing everything that was not Jake and was not Harold. Even the storm seemed to hush, with only the woman's cry continuing on.

“Let me tell you a story, son.” Harold’s voice turned mystical, the words floating in the air between the two. “Cause I’ve lost my friends, my family, this whole damn town, and yet no one will believe me. They think I’m a nut-case, a man full of grief. But I ain’t, you hear? And maybe you’ll believe me. Maybe you won’t. But they took my wife-”

“Your wife is missing?”

Jake’s pulse jumped as Harold leaned in close, his blood-shot eyes burning crimson red. “For years now. Cause they took her.”

“They?” Jake repeated, feeling physically ill.

Harold nodded. “The fairies.”

He should have laughed. He should have backed off. His mind should have been yelling at him that the man was senile, crazy, insane. He should have bid him goodbye, called over Murphy, and been done with this place, this man. This man who was staring at him with all the earnestness in the world.

Fairies.

The word danced around in his head, bells and whistles suddenly joining in with the escalating violin. Suddenly, the whole town made all the sense in the world and yet, none at all.

“Fairies?” Jake spoke slow and steady. “They’re just folklore. A myth.”

Even as he said it, the words turned to dust on his tongue. He wanted to wash the taste out with his beer, but found he genuinely couldn’t move. 

“The Harbour Fairies,” Harold whispered. “Nasty creatures. And if you believe they’re just a myth, you’re as foolish as the rest of them. If you believe there isn’t more to this world, that we’re the only beings here, you’re blin. These aren’t just some little buggers who pick your berries and sprinkle dust. They are savage, mischievous demons.”

Jake started to shake his head, mostly to clear the fog that had started to form. “I don’t-”

“We here grew up wearing our clothes inside out and carrying bread in our pockets to stop the little people from leading us astray,” Harold spoke with more urgency than Jake had heard all night, “But little good it did. Everyone was blinded by what was right in front of them. These creatures play tricks. Oh, they love tricks. And not the fun kind. No, the kind that leads you over a cliff or dead at the bottom of the sea. They are unpredictable forces of nature who lead you in the woods, and suddenly you're never heard of again.”

“And they got your wife.”

“They stole her,” Harold spat the words into the air. His gaze flicked towards the red-head who walked past them, beer in hand, before he spoke again. “They took her from me. Everyone here believes she ran away, but I know. I caught them you see, I saw it with my own two eyes. One day she was in the garden, the next…”

… she walked into the woods, never to be seen again. Jake knew because he saw it himself. He watched it play out in Harold’s aged eyes. And suddenly he was inserted into a story that was not his. He didn’t feel right; too tight in his skin, eyes unable to properly focus on the greys, blacks, and whites of the world. But he still watched.

A grass-stained seven year old boy cradled the arm of a pretty girl with messy blonde hair. They sat in a treehouse, feet dangling over the edge, kicking at the clouds. The girl had tear-tracks running down her cheeks and dead flowers stuck in her hair. She was biting her lip, nodding as the boy spoke.

“I told you not to make your papa mad,” he whispered sternly.

“I didn’t mean to,” her lips trembled, gaze moving to anything but the boy before her. “It wasn’t my fault.”

The boy shook his head as he ran his hand over the forming bruise. “You gotta be more careful Cathy. What if something were to happen to ya?”

“Then let's get out of this town, Harry,” a seventeen-year old girl twirled in the headlights of an old pick-up truck. The waves crashed against the shore in the distance, the sun tenderly kissing the horizon goodbye. The girl’s blonde, messy braids whipped around her shoulder, dress bunched at her ankles. She stood before a brown haired boy, grass-stains on his jeans, leaning against the red truck. “Let’s pack up and leave after graduation next week.”

“And go where, Cathy?” The boy shook his head. “I have a job lined up on the boat and you have-”

“Nothing! I have nothing!” She threw her hands in the air. “I ain’t got nothing lined up. Just my next shift at the diner. I want to go to school, you know I do. But papa-”

“Don’t worry about your father,” the boy grabbed at the girls skirts, pulling her so close their hips touched. “I told you, I’ll protect you from your papa.”

The girl bit her lips, forest green eyes glancing over the boy's shoulder. Her face was tender but the look of caution never left. As if she wanted to believe the boy holding her but her heart refused to pay heed. “Promise?”

“I do.”

Applause thundered across the crowd, the waves beating against the rocky cliffs. The man lifted the woman's veil, tucking a piece of messy blonde hair behind her ear before gripping the back of her neck. He leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. Whistles and wails filled the air, a screaming violin starting to play as the newly-weds walked down the aisle.

She held on her husband’s arm like a life-line, biting her lip as her father clapped the bride-groom on the shoulder. Her eyes darted around the crowd, the same look of caution from five years ago still masked her face.

It was a look that never left her face, a look that was forever present in the back on her eyes. It was the only thought Jake found he was able to form; the look of a woman who was scared. The look of a woman who was holding a secret.

And maybe she was, for that look stayed with her for all the years to come, Jake noticed. He watched Harold's and Catherine’s life play out before him, just as Harold described. The twenty plus years together. The moments of tender love, the moments of bitter fights. The squealing laughter and howling sobs. The funerals and the weddings, The slamming bottles and doors leading to nights together and alone. It wasn’t the best marriage, but what marriage is, Harold said.

They never had kids, their life centred around just the two of them, their fading love and the growing tension. Every second leading up to that moment, in a garden of muted yellows, reds, and oranges.

Flowers in her messy hair, a near fifty year old Catherine knelt before a bed of dirt. Sunglasses covered her eyes, dirt stained her knees, finger nails, and cheeks. She was silent as she worked.

A door slammed in the distance. “Catherine!”

The tension became electricity in the air. Catherine’s head snapped up as footsteps made their way to the backyard.

Jake noticed it at the exact moment she did. The wind switched directions, bells jingled off the tree tops, mystical laughter floated out from the forest on the other side of the garden.

Catherine turned slowly. The flower fell out of her hair. She tossed the sunglasses onto the ground and her bruised, deep green eyes glowed against the muted world. She walked towards the tree line, footfalls light. Laughter bubbled past her own lips and, between one step and the next, she was gone.

“... the forest swallowed her up and I knew they got to her.”

Jack was back in the bar. Everything rested as it had, and he himself wasn’t even sure if what he had just witnessed was real. Surely not, but the description and details felt real, tangible. As if, for a moment, he truly stood in Harold's memories.

“The forest was the only way out,” Harold’s eyes were wide, urgent, and the brightest things in the whole bar. “It was either through the house or the forest. And she’d been acting out for years. Always in the garden, out on her own. They got her, it's the only answer. But,” a pause, eyes shifting. “I know where she is.”

Jake swallowed, throat dry as sandpaper. “You do?” 

“An island just a few miles out in sea. A rocky cliff, that's where they stay,” Harold nodded, talking more to himself than Jake. “She's there, with them. I’m taking my boat out tomorrow morning. I’m going to get her and-”

“Harold.”

Murphy’s voice was enough to make Jake jump back. He never noticed how close he had been leaning towards the old man. Just as he never realized how tightly he was holding his warm, untouched third glass of beer. He pulled his hand back, wiping it on his jeans as the pulsing in his left temple grew stronger. 

As he looked around the pub, Jake took in all the faces looking his way. Eyes bounced between him and Harold, whispers and murmurs accompanying the flute and violin pair. It was only when Murphy loudly, purposely, cleared his throat that the inhabitants of the bar started to look as if they weren’t listening. 

“Harold,” Murphy spoke softly, placing a hand on Harold’s tense shoulder. “I think it's time to head home, friend.”

There was a fight in Harold’s eyes, Jake could see it. That bloodshot, haunting, soulless gaze held a fire and life to them, ignited by the hatred for creatures that couldn’t exist. But the moment Murphy spoke, the moment Harold looked around the pub and saw all the eyes on him, the fire vashined. It was as quick as releasing a breath, there one minute and gone the next. 

Harold held Jake’s gaze. There was still so much left unsaid, unanswered, and Jake found he didn’t want him to go. His mind and soul craved to know more about fairies and their secret world.

A laughter echoed off the rafters, and Jake realized for the first time that night how terrified and exposed he truly was.

“Tomorrow morning,” Harold grunted as he stood, the invitation loud and clear. Jake didn’t understand why Harold was inviting him along but it somehow made all the sense in the world.

With no other parting words, with not so much as a glance at any other living soul in the pub, Harold walked out. Back hunched as he disappeared over the threshold, rain and wind howling as they swallowed him whole.

A hush carried on throughout the pub for a few heartbeats. Until the flute faded back into the plucking of a guitar. Someone cheered, laughter followed, and soon the lively atmosphere of the bar was back once more. As if the haunted man with an implausible story wasn’t present a few moments before.

“Is it true?” Jake found himself asking, tongue sliding across his chapped lips. He turned in his chair, facing Murphy, who now stood behind the bar. He hoped his shaking hand wasn't noticeable as he raised his beer to his lips. “About those… about the fairies.”

The word tasted like strawberries and metal on his lips.

Murphy glanced up for the glass he was cleaning, scar strained across his cheek as he pursed his lips. “They’re urban folktales. Myths passed down through all the generations of the Harbour.”

“And his wife?”

Murphy paused. He let out a sign, placed the glass under the bar before turning to Jake. Worry and concern shinned in his eyes.

“She left him,” he explained softly, mindful of the ears around. “Packed up and left, just like that.”

“Just like that?” Jake raised an eyebrow at Murphy’s hesitation.

“There were… rumours about cheating and drunken fights but…” Murphy took a breath, crossing his arms on the bartop as he leaned in close. “Look, Harry's a good guy, difficult but good. Our families know each other well. And Cathy… well she had a hard life with her father. She wasn’t all there before she left and Harold took it hard. He still won't get help and has himself convinced the Harbour Fairies are behind it. Says he’s seen things with his own eyes that explains it.”

Jake swallowed, leg bouncing restlessly. “He’s going out tomorrow morning-” 

“Yeah,” Murphy nodded solemnly. “We’ve tried to stop him, talk sense. But he won’t listen. And he’s at the age and point now where we've given up - what can ya do.”

A lot. Jake glanced around the pub, taking in the numerous people laughing, chatting, drinking. He didn’t know these people, he shouldn’t judge, but they could be doing something to help that man. He may be talking crazy but… was he? 

The more Jake studied the bar, the more it felt like a fog was lifting. The pieces were falling into place. The math was suddenly starting to make sense. And Jake refused to acknowledge the answers that were before him.

“Where is she then?” Jake asked, breathing through his nose to calm his racing heart. “His wife. Catherine.”

“No one knows,” Murphy admitted. “She got out of this town, that's for sure. And no one has heard from her since.”

“No one checks in?” Jake couldn’t hide the disbelief from his voice. “No one’s tried to find out where she is or what happened.”

Murphy watched Jake for an uncomfortable moment. His eyes looked him over, mouth twisting as if to say something. But then his lips shut, he blinked, and he shrugged before pointing to the still full glass in front of Jake. “You want another?”

Jake's breath caught in his throat. Claws bit into his spine. His skin felt too tight as a breeze brushed the back of his neck, red flashing in his vision. The room was too small and too big all at once. He didn’t know why he was feeling such a way or what had brought it on. But his gut knew it was because of this town.

And he knew he wanted to get out.

The door to the pub shut as a couple walked out, but the noise still rattled against Jake’s bones as he shook his head.

“No,” he stood up, hand shaking as he pulled out some bills and tossed them on the bar. “I think I’ll call it a night actually.”

Murphy picked up the money, either not noticing the odd behaviour or choosing to ignore it as he smiled. “Well, Mr. Jake, I hope you enjoy the rest of your short stay. Maybe someday we’ll get to see you passing through the Harbour again.”

“Who knows,” Jake gave a nervous chuckle, “It seems anything is possible.”

He left the pub in shambles. The smell of ashes and fowl fish followed Jake as he made his way to the door. Tables were knocked off centre, chairs were tipped over. The banjo played too loud and slightly off key. Men and women alike stumbled over one another, drinks spilled onto the floor. Even Murphy’s slicked back pony was a mess, falling into his dark, sweat covered face.

The illusion was breaking, the corners being pulled back to show something ugly and monstrous. Something those who inhabited Higdon’s Harbour refused to acknowledge.

Jake stepped over the threshold, blood pounding through his veins. He welcomed the rain beating down on his face, the wind biting through his damp jacket and nipping at his icy skin. The door to Kay & Elle closed with a thunderous bang. The banjo and hysterical laughter was replaced by sorrowful wind and wailing rain.

He stood there for a moment, face turned towards the sky as he tried to will air into his lungs. 

He needed to get out of this town.

Whatever force pulled Jake towards the pub earlier was controlled by a demon. He didn’t know what purpose it served him, to hear about Harold and the fairies… fairies that shouldn’t, didn’t, couldn’t exist…

Someone squealed and giggled across the parking lot. With a jump, heart in his throat, Jake started to make his way back to the safety of his room.

And he was almost there, just a mere few steps away, when his body suddenly felt as if it were stretched too thin. Nausea overcame him and his head spun. The rain pierced his skin like devilish needles and the wind sang a woman's lullaby in his ear. He could hear his blood pounding in his ears, thunder crashing as someone bumped into his shoulder.

It was an innocent tap, the woman clearly too captivated by the lady on her arm to notice him. But it did all the damage in the world.

“Oh!” She gasped, the sound like a thousand bells. She grabbed his arm, full-lips pulled back in an apologetic smile as all the air vanished from Jake's chest. “I’m sorry.”

He couldn't breath, the pulsing in his left temple was suddenly magnified by ten. The warmth of her hand on his arm spread through his whole body. He no longer felt the wind and rain beating against him, he was too allured by her auburn curls, high-cheekbones, and hazel eyes that glistened like moss coated in morning dew. 

She was the most hauntingly beautiful creature he had ever beheld. And every part of his being begged him to run.

“Are you okay, Jake?” Her partner spoke up. They were holding one another so close, arms locked tight, it was as if they were one. Gravity pulled them together; where one moved the other followed. A simple stranger such as himself could not doubt their adoration and love.

Jake ripped his gaze away from the red-headed woman and looked at her partner. He took in her slim face, the dirty dress, and messy blonde hair pinned back with a flower.

It was then that Jake noticed that both women were completely dry.

It was then that Jake realized they knew his name.

It was then that his eyes met the blonde’s green ones, and he saw it all.

“I told you not to make your papa mad,” a seven year old boy with grass stains on his knees told the six year old girl with a bruised arm.

“I didn’t mean to,” she trembled, and Jake realized she wasn’t avoiding the boys gaze. She was looking at someone else. She was looking at the young auburn haired creature standing a few feet away, invisible to the boy and eyes tense with worry. “It wasn't my fault.”

Be more careful, the boy told her at the exact moment the creature met the girl's gaze and said, I know. I’ll protect you.

“I told you,” said a seventeen year old boy as he gripped a sixteenth year old's skirts. “I’ll protect you from your papa.”

You know he can’t, Cathy, The auburn creature said, standing over the boy's shoulder as she held the girl’s green-eyed gaze. I’ll protect you from them both.

The blonde trembled. “Promise?” 

With all the power of the forest and the sea. I promise.

She was there, always there. She did all she could to keep her promise. But it seemed even she was limited in her abilities.

Jake watched Harold and Catherine's life play out once more. As the twenty plus years faded together, the moments of tender love vanished. The fights were more frequent, more aggressive than Harold let on. He stumbled home in the dark more than once, eyes bloodshot and words slurred. There were many years of fights and screams. Fists were thrown and bones were broken. And the red-head was there through it all, helping as best as she could. She cared for Cathy, tried to protect her, but it wasn’t enough.

Run away with me, Cathy. It's the only way.

And run she did.

It wasn’t a laugh that called Catherine to the forest that day in the garden as Harold’s raging voice bellowed off the walls of the house. No, it was not a laugh at all, but her name, spoken in bells and chimes, love and warmth.

Catherine stepped over the threshold of the forest, laughter on her lips, as she jumped into the arms of the beautiful red-headed fairy.

She didn’t leave, wasn’t taken. She willingly left her delusional old life for one of magic and wonder and respect.

Jake stumbled back a step, shaking off the hand of the creature before him. His head was spinning, his stomach turned and his vision blurred as he truly saw the two ladies before him. As he noticed the glow around them, the electricity that danced in their wake. 

This town, these people… how could anyone let a woman suffer as Catherine did and not do anything? How could they not see what was right in front of them?

And these creatures, the fairies, Harold painted them as the demons and yet, this fairy was Catherine’s saving grace, her lover, her protector...

They shared a look, the two lovers, before turning back to him. They didn’t say another word as the fairy smiled at Jake, white teeth flashing, and blew him a kiss. They turned to leave, Catherine giving him a wink over her shoulder, before disappearing into their hotel room. Right next door to his.

Jake stumbled as fast as he could to his room, slamming the door behind him as he tried to catch his breath and will his mind to understand what the hell was going on.

It took him a few moments to realize, for the first time all night, he was completely dry.  

----------

Light had yet to transform the morning sky when Jake sped out of the Beaumont Motel parking lot. The rain had stopped and the winds were whisked away. Grey clouds lingered in the sky, suffocating the rising sun on the horizon. 

What was once a piece of art to Jake was now the ugliest thing he had ever seen. 

The mountain reached its claws to the sky, holding all the trees and buildings in the palm of its hand. The roads swerved in and out of its fingers, weather-worn homes running up the forest-speckled hills, trying to escape. The ocean leaped for joy as it played with the rocky cliffs, trying to capture and destroy anything it could reach. The boats bobbed in the water, begging to be let free, while the docks pointed their fingers to the open sea, luring in any desperate and lonely souls to the corrupt town. 

The ocean was painted an angry blue against the grey light. The white-capped waves pounded against anything in their way. What Jake once thought was a place of harmony, he realized now, was an illusion.

The image had been shattered, broken beyond repair.

The land had won after all, he realized now. It had conquered Higdon’s Harbour and all within it. There was no agreement, no compromise to live in peace. For nothing could truly defeat nature.

The land cackled against the last remains of the raging storm winds. For it knew the game it was playing; it knew who truly ruled the town. And it was not man.

Jake made it out before the first kitchen light flickered on. Before the inhabitants of Higdon’s Harbour woke and started about their delusional lives. His heart pounded in his chest the whole way, hands shaking as they gripped his steering wheel. Even when he passed the city line, his body refused to relax. Not as the sound of chimes echoed on and on and on in his head.

By the time Jake remembered Harold, he was long gone. And he was too far out to turn back. Too far out to hear the news, or see the headline of the Higdon’s Harbour newspaper that morning. And to hear the otherworldly laugh that accompanied it.

Man Crashes Boat Off Rocky Cliffs In Desperate Search Of His Wife.

[yostresswritinggirl]

Lullaby for the Gods

You have two options

"Stories brought on to the wind will bloom into legends in due time; An ancient tale comes whisked into the wind; In time it will grow and sprout once again." The Weaver and Nurturer of Tales, how they came to be and how they have gone.

Pairings -> Venti x God of Time (Ambiguous, Can be Reader)

Word Count -> 1976

Themes -> SCENARIOS, Background, Timeline, It's sad kinda

Series -> #Bonafide specials (100 followers event) Special slot from a special someone : not sure if they want to be tagged

Warnings -> This is my interpretation on the God of Time based on the Sacrificial Weapons Series. And since the prompt only mentions Venti, I won't focus much on their relationship with Decarabian.

Winds of the North are migrating through the crown of the continent once again. The clouds and breezes shift at the peak of day and the grass, the trees, the flowers they all sway. This was the first encounter, as one of the threads of the thousand migrating winds that is Venti, he had always been fascinated by the strong gales that covers a vast land beyond his reach. The city of Mondstadt protected by raging winds far stronger than he.

"Come now, little guy, are you not straying from your stream?" Such beaded eyes of the little sprite detaches from the crown of the North, with its giggles accompanies a sound reminiscent of bells as he nuzzles at the outstretched hand, fair and smooth. A finger consoles his little cheek as the God of Time echoes his snicker. As the sprite settles on their hand, they both spare a minute to watch the God of Storm's dominion. And then they turn to guide Venti back to his current, to his family of winds.

And the little sprite will not witness them until the second cycle of wind passes the cold land of Mondstadt.

So when the time came, several weeks after, Venti once again strays from the winds to venture to his own current. Where are the satin robes that flows with the breeze, that witnesses the rage of another God? The sprite follows tinkling of tin carried by the thousand winds, harmonizing to produce a soft and sleepy melody that lulls those to sleep.

In a distant island he finds himself upon a huge sundial atop a mostly quiet temple. And there stood again the God of Time, with a distant look over the ocean horizon, eyes clouded yet sparkling from the stars that bounced from the surface of the water. Their skin never frails nor wrinkles, hair lustrous and thick, yet their eyes carry a thousand yard stare of shrouded sadness.

"Little wind..." the sprite nuzzles against the cheek of the God, vibrating in worry as he urges them to smile. And they did, even if did not reach their eyes. "You've strayed again, your achon is far from here," cradling the elf to their neck, they turn away from the horizon to the west.

Yet when they urge him to go back, he stubbornly stays.

A stubborn wind playing around the wielder of Time itself. His courage was admirable, and he is lucky that this God is benevolent to his advances.

So they entertain Venti, and the wind begins his stories. Tales of those he'd witnessed when the wind ventures through the continent; and in every word he spills the God of Time is attentive, for when his accounts finally come to their end, Time puts into their memory for keeping. You weave the tales and I treasure them for that is my duty, they spoke with melancholy.

Decarabian is a God that loves his people more than others would know, more than the people would know. And he is also a lonely God. Perhaps it is this distance and disconnection from the world and his people that had made him naive to what he has forced upon his subjects.

The first prayer was heard beyond the wall of storms, only befalling to the ears of the God of Time and the wind spirit who were enjoying a leisurely stroll through the frozen land Andrius had covered in his territory. A man's woe for salvation of the city beyond the gales first reaches the God.

Yet they are unmoving and silent as they watch from afar the Gunnhildr.

But the wind spirit was not that, he was curious and as always he is carried away to his own feat. So without warning he strays from Time and listens to the crying one ever so patiently, and there he receives a glimpse of power that shall manifest one day to greater good.

God of Time offers a smile in the forests where they hid. But only that. For despite being the God of Time, they are solely there to protect its flow. To maintain balance and what should be.

There is nothing they can do to help the people of Mond.

"Little wind." The moniker carried a hard edge of worry unlike the other instances it was used. "The land of Decarabian is... treacherous and suffocating. You are but a tiny wind against his storms." Yet they knew such words will not remove the resolve in the tiny spirit. "Come back to me in one piece, alright? Remember your tales."

Venti softly bumped his hooded head to the God's cheek in reassurance, before he too disappears past the walls of gale front.

And so the God of Time can only do nothing but stand in wait. Like they had always been. Like they had always done. For Decarabian then, for Venti now.

"Bring forth the freedom we all desire."

Many of those that dwell the King of the North's cold wasteland once talked of an ethereal being of satin and silk, of flowing sands, that which overlooked the land of the storms with a somber look. Perhaps it was the waiting and the hoping, but many felt great semblance with the deity. Of the longing look for a distant freedom.

"Little wind," immediately after was a chorus of laughter at the irony brought upon by habits. Venti, now Barbatos with his great wings loom over the God of Time, hands outstretched to feel upon their smooth hands. "I always knew there was more to you."

"My muse," he tastes the new name with his newfound voice, and with his there was a chorus of angelic echoes. "There are festivities upon us, for the city of Mond trapped that was. The people had prepared a grand temple, for just us two Gods it is already ample."

Yet the God of Time smiled only with their lips at the mention of a shrine. You told them about me, they mused as the archon carried them both with the wind where the temple by the east cliff resides.

Give yourself some credit, the new Anemo Archon responds in light banter.

But the God of Time does not.

And so days of reenactments and performances were all that they were driwned upon. For daily, between the peak of the moon and the glimpses of the sun, devoted subjects would appease to the two Gods of Mondstadt through retelling and theatrics of their hard-earned journey to freedom.

Although they cannot glimpse upon the forms of the deities, the light giggles reminiscent of bells that comes from amusement and the flow of draping satin are enough reassurance that their important audience still lingers and listens to their offerings.

This dwelling became their place of rendezvous. And whenever the amphitheater was not crowded by devotees, a lyre plays with a melodic voice, weaving tales of Mondstadt's anew. The God of Time would be there to treasure every story that is weaved, but their subjects remember such moments in a different light: the strum of the strings and the lilt of Barbatos carries with it a hint of serenades.

It seems as tho the faceless God enjoys the Anemo Archon's tales the most.

Whenever it is the Gunnhildr's clan that performs their tale of courage in honor of defending Mondstadt, life and freedom, Barbatos' happiness was the most extraordinaire. The winds breeze by to caress everyone with comfort.

The Imunlaukr receives praise from the God of Time when they are the one on stage. Of courage and bravery, with their desire to not only protect the city of Mond but to appease the Gods, time slows when they follow their script. As if honored by time to stay and linger for the amusement.

And finally, the Lawrence clan holds with them a different reaction, for when their time has come it is quiet. Other clans would comment that perhaps the Gods do not favor their performance but they continued regardless, and they carry with them the essence of wisdom and strength, from the frozen lands to the new city. And only after they perform are they graced by the softest winds and the kisses of youngness that they carry with them even after.

This clan's performance sings with expertly woven symphonies and journeys of hardships through the cold, not harsh but comforting, soft melodies and that of longing. During their performance unbeknownst to their eyes is when the wind embraces the passage of time, where it is in its calmest moments, cradled between his arms and resting against his chest.

The bloodline of the Lawrence always ends the rituals for the morning, for the God of Time had finally found themself free from the shackles of the storms, peacefully resting in the arms of freedom. And it is in these moments that the people appreciate the lessened harshness of time.

Time is harsh and unrelenting, and should always be moving.

The God of Time protects time, nurtures time, and urges time. No force or law shall break the equilibrium of time nor tip its balance. And this unbreakable rule applies to them.

For this reason they ask one day, to the Anemo Archon, why they praise Time. What do they expect from time. And there Barbatos finally sees the burden of a thousand years, of the constraints of that whom is held down by prayers, held down by incapability.

Time only knows harshness. And they cried to the winds without restraints, for not once will they be able to gift the people that so desperately long for their blessings.

And for once, the wind was silent.

For once, the winds... understands the insanity of being one with time. A force made to be unmoved and unrelenting, to be shackled to a single tale when you are burdened with the pleas of many others.

Time is harsh, because they are meant to be.

So when the Anemo Archon finally desired rest and detachment to procure the essence of freedom, they too felt the chance to finally breathe. "Can you set up my awakening five hundred years from now?" Venti laid his head upon the lap of Time, teal eyes and smile somber yet gentle and reassuring. "Preferably at the peak of Ludi Harpastum, if you would allow." An hour glass manifests next to him, allowing his wish.

"When you wake, I will be here," they mumbled as the archon lets his eyelids rest, feeling a soft kiss to his forehead that lulls him to sleep.

"Tell me the tales like a balladeer." And he slumbers away the years.

"When I came to be, the Lawrence ruled over Mondstadt, governing with the most disgusting aristocracy. It was only right that they lost the blessings of thy winds, after all it is only for those who fought to be free," Venti sighed with pure disappointment, "Honestly."

"What happened to your Time friend, then? Did they tell you what happened during your sleep?"

The windborne bard looks at Paimon with a wide yet steeled gaze so daunting it made her squeak and hide behind the traveler. Who silently watches as Venti once again sighed and resigned to strumming his lyre.

"They're gone." No rhyme, no smiles, no cryptics.

Barbatos sought out the help of the winds of Teyvat to tell tale on the dwellings of the God of Time yet came out empty handed. And his only salvation, the oldest of the Seven, can only shake his head as he too does not know of the whereabouts of the God.

The fragments of time lingers in cursed windswept ballads and stories. And as the years go by, all worshipers and records had forgotten about the deity.

They only sing praise to the wind shrine now.

Now who shall nurture the stories brought by the winds?

I seem to have a knack for hurting Venti.

@creation-magician @boxofteenageideas @zelos-simp @ellitx @your-local-venti-simp @indigodreamtime47

[starrconch]

congrats on 300! im sure you'll do great in writing future fics but dont push yourself too hard, you should always come first ^^ anyways, how abt female reader and precious lil bby bennett? letters: N,A,S hope youre healthy, hydrated and safe :D

a big ikea section of support,

K.

(p.s goodluck with classes<3)

FLUFF ALPHABET

★ Includes: Bennett, female reader, letters N, A and S from my event

★ Word Count: 1213

★ Master List

★ 300 Followers Event

★ Notes: Ahh thank you! You've caught me, I shall go and get myself some water now T-T .

BENNETT

✦ N icknames - What do they call their s/o?

★ When in the company of other people, your partner liked to just simply call you by your name, perhaps a shortened version if your name allowed it.

★ But when the two of you were alone, he liked to call you his lucky charm. You’ve brought him the most fortune he’s ever had.

★ He also liked to call you his little Windwheel after the flowers he first got you. Windwheel Asters coincidentally happened to be your favourites, so he knew you were the one.

You and Bennett were walking down from the cathedral to Good Hunter, deciding what you were going to have for breakfast before you headed out on your commission for the day.

“I’m not sure whether to get some chicken-mushroom skewers or an adventurer’s breakfast sandwich.” Your stomach growled at the thought. You contemplated ordering something for your journey, but you had no idea how long your commission was going to take. The both of you could have been back for lunch for all you knew.

“What are you getting, Benny?”

Your partner was only listening to you partly as he was busy trying to build up the confidence for what he was about to do next. Archons, he’d been trying to steel himself all morning. What if you didn’t like it? What if you hated it and got angry or upset with him? Hate was a strong word, he was sure you wouldn’t react too rashly, right?

“Uh, I’m not too sure either, my little Windwheel. I might just order more of whatever you’re having.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he could feel the embarrassment grow in his face.

You stopped in your tracks, a little dazed by what he had just called you. “What was that about?” Laughing, you felt blood rush to your cheeks.

Bennett winced at the question. “Do you not like it? I can just use your name if you’d-”

“Of course I like it.” You walked back up where he was standing. He had a nickname for you, but what were you going to call him? Benny was what you frequently used, but now that just felt silly in comparison.

“Good.” He secured your hand in his own, continuing the trip to Good Hunter. “Because I’d like to call you that from now on.”

✦ A ctivities - What do they like to do with their s/o? How do they spend their free time with them?

★ Bennett liked to take you on his commissions with him so he didn’t get as lonely, with the excuse that he wanted to rebuild his adventure team with you.

★ It didn’t matter if it was a small trip to Springvale to deliver a parcel or if it was a week-long trip to explore a ruin, you would join him. Why wouldn’t you? It was the best fun you’d ever had.

The commission today was to deliver a letter to the Dawn Winery on behalf of the Knights of Favonius, which meant getting to spend a lot of time with your partner on the journey there and back. You were enjoying the cool breeze and the sun that shone at a comfortable temperature until it suddenly began to rain, causing the two of you to stop and look at each other in panic.

“What do we do?” You asked, scanning your surroundings. There was nowhere to take shelter, no tree or overhang on a cliff in sight.

Tucking the letter under his shirt so it wouldn’t get wet, he replied, “we’re going to have to make a run for it. Hopefully that way we won’t get too soaked.” The winery was just on the horizon, coming into view. You were determined that you could make it.

“Alright, we’ve got this!”

As you ran, struggling to see through the torrential rain that tried its hardest to slow you down, you started to make good progress towards your destination. With luck and kindness, the staff working there would let you take shelter in the winery until the rain cleared.

In front of you, your partner tripped over a stone and landed face-first into a puddle of mud, taking you down with him as you had no time to stop, landing in the same puddle.

“Ah! I’m sorry! I couldn’t see where I was going and-” he was cut off by your laughter as you quickly stood up again, your hand extended to help him up.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s not your fault.” You helped hoist him up, your eyes locking on the sight of the now soggy, mud-stained letter. Bennett followed your gaze sighed in annoyance under his breath.

“It’s probably not worth delivering it now, we’ve wasted our time.”

“Nonsense! It could still be legible. Let’s hurry on over so we can take cover over there. The maids might be nice and offer us some towels.” Tugging him along the path, he began to follow you, not letting go of your hand the whole way there.

✦ S upport - Are they helping their s/o achieve their goals? Do they believe in them?

★ You’ve helped him achieve his goal of having the best adventure team in all of Teyvat, so wouldn’t he help you achieve yours too?

★ He would believe in you no matter what your dream was, even if it was physically impossible. Bennett knew you could do anything you set your mind to.

The strange weight of discontent had settled upon your shoulders for the day, making it hard for you to find the motivation to do anything. It snuck thoughts into your mind of how you weren’t good enough, that the dream you had been working towards would always be out of your reach.

A melodic knock on the door to your office sounded, but you didn’t get up from where you were slumped on your desk. From that pattern, you could tell it would be none other than your partner.

When he entered and noticed you with a sorrowful expression he took one of the spare chairs in the corner of the room and placed it next to you, sitting beside you so he could comfort you with much more ease “Hey, Y/N, what’s the matter?”

As you ranted to him about the thoughts swirling around in your head, about your goal that would never come to fruition, your partner could do nothing but frown.

“I’m confused. You’re not making any progress?”

You nodded, burying your face in your arms. How could he even stand to be in the presence of someone so unworthy as you?

“But you’ve come so far. Do you not remember where you started?” He chuckled at the memories he had of it. “You used to struggle so much, but look where you are now!” Reaching out his hand, he rubbed up and down your back soothingly.

“Yeah, look where I am now. I’m still hopelessly struggling.” You couldn’t help but instinctively lean into his touch. He always knew how to calm you down.

“For a completely different reason. You overcame your challenge and several others too, you will solve this. You’re in a place much better off than where you were before.”

As you sat up to meet his emerald eyes, he pulled you in for a hug, kissing the top of your forehead. “You are making progress. Even if it’s in the smallest paces and you don’t believe you are, you are still moving. I will be here for you every step of the way.”

[ssadumba55]

Jungle Girl (Jane Porter X Fem!Best Friend! Reader)

Request: Hi!! Can u make one shot with Jane (from Tarzan) and fem!Reader? Reader is visiting her best friend and Tarzan on the island(?)! She's lil scared (and curious) but she misses Jane.

A/N: I changed around the ending of the movie, just so this could work! I like the idea of her father going back to England first for a while before deciding to stay on the island with her. Also, I wasn't entirely sure how to write Tarzan, hope I did okay! Ah! I haven't seen this movie in a while but this made me want to watch it again. Hope you enjoy!

Once and a while, the Professor would visit the island where Jane now lived. These expeditions were mostly to continue studying the gorillas he was so fascinated about, but sometimes he would bring a gift for Jane.

A new sketchpad, her favourite chocolate, just random little things that reminded her he was still out there thinking about her.

Well, they were little things. You didn’t think you could describe yourself as a little thing, at least not as little as the other things he brought. You had begged him to let you come with him this time.

Growing up, you and Jane had been the closest of friends. Tight knit, never leave each other’s sides type deal. That hadn’t changed as you’d gotten older, if anything getting older only served to bring you closer. Choosing to live on the island had hit you harder than anybody, even her father.

At least he got to see her every once in a while, you justified. You hadn’t seen her since she’d stepped foot on that island and fallen in love. With the island and a man.

You adjusted the skirts of your dress. That was changing though, wasn’t it? You were finally going to see her again. Your best friend.

“We’re almost there, (Y/n). There it is, can you see it?” The Professor pointed out into the distance, where an island was peaking up just over the horizon. You remembered him telling you all about the dense jungle vegetation and even from all the way over here, you could see it. You tried to imagine Jane living here.

The other girl had always been adventurous and slightly wild, but she’d also been prim and proper when need be. Sometimes even more proper than you (and that was saying something because you were very proper a lot of the time).

“I can see it; do they know we’re coming?” You asked, looking over to him. Of course, he shook his head.

“There’s no way we can really warn them, but they always seem excited when we do come,” he walked off, probably to talk to some of the crew who were milling about. They must be used to this journey. You weren’t, you used your hand to shield your eyes from the glaring sun and looked out at the island once more.

Was this really Jane’s home? She gave up England, the professor… You… for this?

When the boat got close enough, you and the Professor climbed into a smaller rowboat to make it the rest of the way to the island. You eyed the island, suspicious, slightly uncomfortable but also curious. If Jane loved this place that much, it had to be pretty good right?

As the boat hit the sand, you hopped out, brushing your skirts down once more. You could not afford to look terrible for the first time you saw you your friend again in-

“Father! You’ve come back! You know, you really might as well stay one of these times, coming back and forth so often is really expensive,” Jane hugged her father, the two sharing a moment. While they chattered about staying on the island, you took in Jane’s appearance for the first time since she’d come to this island.

She wasn’t wearing a proper dress like you were (you should’ve known, living out in the jungle probably didn’t allow for that). All she really wore was enough to cover herself up, you supposed maybe that made sense for moving around here fast. Her hair was down, but you noticed the most that intrigued you, was when she smiled.

It reached her eyes, something it had rarely done back home unless the two of you were together causing mischief as children. Maybe this place really wasn’t so bad.

“I’ve brought you another gift, last one, because my book is almost finished and I will be joining you next time,” he gave her a knowing smile and gestured to where you stood.

“(Y/n)!!” The girl rushed forward, clearly elated. “I didn’t even see you there! Oh, you look wonderful, I haven’t seen you in ages.”

She took a step forward as if to hug you, then hesitated. You held your arms out, inviting her in. The hug was nice. It had been so long.

“You look really well, I’d never have been able to tell you lived in a jungle,” you joked, and she laughed. It was a nice, authentic laugh. It sounded really good coming from her. You let her begin to lead you back toward the tree line, as she told you about the treehouse, they had fixed up to stay in and how her father brought her back a lot of things from England.

Even some of her clothes, although she found when it was just her and Tarzan that wearing less was more comfortable. Also, it was really hot as you were starting to realize.

“You’re going to love Tarzan, he’s great,” she promised, as the two of you reached the bottom of the treehouse.

She was right. The moment you met Tarzan, you loved him (not in a romantic way, obviously, but perhaps more akin to the love a sister has for a brother). He wasn’t great at English, even though Jane did her best to teach him, but the two of you communicated as best you could.

You could see why Jane liked him.

Most of the rest of the day was spent with Jane and Tarzan, learning about how things worked on the island, taking in the scenery, meeting the gorillas.

“You can always come back, you know?” Jane hugged you tightly. Even though she never said it, it was clear to you that she missed England. You wondered if that included you. Had she missed you as much as you missed her?

“I think I might. Maybe next time your father pays a visit,” you left the promise hanging in the air. Part of you didn’t really want to leave, but you did have a life back in England.

Tarzan placed his hand on your shoulder, and you looked up at him. He smiled, like he knew something you didn’t. The two of you shared the briefest moment. It was almost as if he were trying to say he knew you’d meet again.

You were certain you would.

“Take care of yourself, jungle girl,” you joked as you climbed into the boat.

She laughed and rolled her eyes.

“I’ll be fine. You come back soon, please; I’ll be waiting.”

The boat began rowing away and you smiled at her, letting her know you’d heard her and understood the message.

Part of you wished you could stay on the island forever. Now you understood how she must have felt that first time.

“Maybe next time, I’ll stay,” You told the professor as the two of you climbed back onto the bigger ship. He raised his eyebrows mischievously.

“It has this way of swaying you doesn’t it?”