#I love my yappy wife

[sodapopseagull]

To you, I gift a yapper with a transparent background. May he yap wherever you take him.

[silentgravesdontexist]

Putting a pinterest board widget on my gallery has been a wonderful experience—

[gilverrwrites]

Dickies Mom has got it goin’ on

Had to get this convoluted, angsty but fun idea out of my head. One day I might expand it into a better-written, fleshed-out fic, but for now please enjoy my yappy ramblings.

Wally West/BatMom!Reader

CWs: Wally being a not so great friend.

So like, imagine you're roughly late 20s/early 30s and happily married to the love of your life Bruce Wayne, there's an age gap sure, but ultimately that's not important. What matters is that you've made a life with him and his children. You're especially close with Dick, his eldest (late teens/early 20s) as you've known him since he was a teenybopper.

All is well, until one day in true comic book fashion; you die. You sacrifice yourself for a greater cause. It's all very tragic.

A decade later, it turns out fate isn't done with you. You've no idea how or why, but you wake in a coffin one day and have to claw yourself out of it. Cold, alone, and afraid, you make your way back to Wayne Manor. There you're greeted by your husband Bruce, but not really. This Bruce is greying. There are fine lines on his face you've never seen before and a ring on his finger that does not match yours.

You're not mad, it's been 10 years, and he was supposed to move on! But it doesn't feel like 10 years to you, it feels like only yesterday everything was perfect. It's devastating.

Queue Dick finding out. He just so happened to be hanging with his best pal Wally at the time, they both drop everything to rush over in a flash.

Your first night back on earth is messy. It's emotional, and stressful, a hell of a roller coaster. Ultimately, you spend most of it with Dick and Jay who surprise is also back from the dead. Dick is really your emotional soundboard, while Jay offers more practical advice about navigating a world that has gone on without you. He recommends you just take some time off, heal your wounds, catch-up with friends and family. You should learn from his mistakes.

Wally helps too. Primarily in a comedian relief way but also just as a sunny friendly face. His freckles and kind green eyes go a long way in making you feel at ease amongst a sea of familiar strangers.

He's adamant you've met before but you insist you'd never forget eyes that green and it stops his heart. You mean nothing by it, but it means a lot to him.

After you’ve parted ways, Dick makes a point of telling Wally not to flirt with you if he ever meets you again.

“Flirting? I wasn't flirting.”

“I was there.”

“But, come on man she's hot!”

“She’s my mom.”

“But she's our age now.”

“Wally, she's my mom!”

Eventually, after a lot of teasing, Wally surrenders but he deliberately makes no promises. He can't, not when he's been replaying the same 5-second interaction you'd had at Dicks 18th Birthday party many moons ago in his head over and over. He’ll try for his best friend, but it seems to him like this was meant to be.

Bruce may not be in love with you anymore, but he still loves you. So he helps how he can, offers you food and shelter, medical attention, a job, whatever you need to get yourself back on your feet.

You decide to take Jasons advice. Bruce still has a lot of your things; your clothes and your car. You ‘borrow’ gas money from your widowed husband and hit the road to seek out lost friends and family. Sad, but eager to get away from the city that no longer feels like home. You leave your rings with Alfred, a sign to Bruce that you expect nothing from him, that you'll leave him and his new wife be even though it breaks your heart.

The first stop is Dick, obviously, since you have to travel through Blüd. After joining him for a routine patrol, you spend the night on his couch, eating Thai food and talking about his life since you… passed. Nightwing as just finding his footing back then, but now he's a force to rival Batman.

You're two states over when you get a call from a number you don't recognise. Most of the people you know have changed their numbers since you last spoke, so don't hesitate to answer. You're surprised however by whose on the other end.

“Wally West? How did you get this number?”

“From Dick.”

He's not lying, he's just omitting the fact that Dick doesn't know Wally got your number from his phone bill. If he didn't want that info getting out he should probably put his bills somewhere other than a lockbox in a safe and quit being only person in the entire world to still actively use a landline.

His not-a-lie works however, the implication of Dick's approval helps you to let down those mother-appropriate conversation walls.

“Heard you're travelling cross country, any chance you plan on stopping in Keystone?”

“Why? Whats in Keystone?”

“Um, the Patriots?”

“Baseball?”

“And hotdogs! Al who serves em does not skimp on all the toppings, you've gotta try em.”

“You want me to detour in Keystone for baseball and hotdogs?”

“Well, there is something else.”

“And whats that?”

“Guess.”

“Unmmm… You?”

“Ding ding ding. She's smart and beautiful, a woman after my own heart.”

He's cute. So cute. He's no Bruce, but Bruce never made you laugh like this.

“Wally, this is a bad ideas. I was married until like a week ago.”

“And? I'm not askin’ you to walk down the aisle again, just one game and like 20 hotdogs. For me. You don't have to eat that many unless you want too.”

[ivymarquis]

Hi loves 💕💕 I saw requests are open so I figured I'd send one in! I absolutely love your work you're so talented and I binge read all of your fics!!

I would like to request fem reader x soap where Soaps wife adopted a dog she found on the streets and keeps her even though he hates the idea.( he has a cannon fear of dogs which I find a little funny) slowly but surely he warms up to the dog but not fully. While he's out on a mission there's a robbery and the dog protects the reader and scares off the intruder. Soap hears about this and is instantly is best friends with the dog because even though he hates dogs he loves that the pup will protect his wife (I also hc that mabey it's not a street dog but a retired k9 reader adopted to feel safe while he was gone and she just didn't tell him until he comes home and sees a dog. it's up to you what you pick💓)

Hello anon I appreciate your patience!! I did pick and choose a wee bit to make the fic make sense for me, I hope you like it!

The Exception to the Rule

Pairing| Soap x Reader Rating| T Word Count| 1.9K Content/Warnings| Housekeeping first- this fic is SFW so if you find it in the tags I won’t be bothered about minors reading it but I am an MDNI blog and I will block any minors or ageless blogs who follow me. Got it? Cool. The author is an American attempting to write a Scottish accent, likely inaccuracies about how military dogs in general or bomb dogs in specific work. Allusions to prior animal injury, allusion to potential dog choking (in the context of choking off a working dog who won’t release its quarry), allusion to home invasion, dog bites, Johnny is not happy, the author does not condone getting animals you know your partner has issues with (but the plot necessitates it so on we go!)

Soap knows his wife well enough to know when she’s taken a “ask for forgiveness rather than permission” course of action. It’s written all over her face when she accepts his FaceTime call and answers his greeting of “What did ya dae, hen?“ with a “Please don’t be mad.”

Now certain men might have to worry about their brides stepping out on them on deployment. Soap knows her well enough to not even entertain that notion, so the wheels start turning for what exactly she could have done that has her looking this guilty out the gate.

The answer comes very suddenly in the form of a bark on the other end of the screen.

John Soap MacTavish sputters, something he is not often inclined to do, “Is that a fuckin’ dog?” And not just a dog. That wasn’t a little yappy fluffball who can be picked up with two fingers if need be. It sounds like one of the damn bomb dogs always yapping over in the kennels.

“Please don’t be mad!” She pleads again.

“Well a’m not happy, that’s for sure. Where and why did ye git that thing?”

This is completely out of character for her. Soap’s disdain for dogs (and why) is well known. She bloody well knows. So what the hell?

“It’s not permanent! You said this deployment would be a long one, and there’s been break ins in the neighborhood and I got nervous and my friend told me about this rescue group that helps rehome retired military dogs.” Her explanation is all in one breath. “They approved us” (Us??) ”as a foster family. He’s already got applications in for a permanent home. It just feels,” she pauses to catch her breath, and Soap can feel himself softening ever so minisculely to the dog- as long as he’s on the other side of the world, away from it, “safer here, with him here since you’re gone. The break ins have been really scary, they haven’t caught the guy yet.”

Fucking hell how is he supposed to argue with that? Especially if there’s some prick on the loose breaking into houses.

“Cujo better nae be oan th’ bed wi’ ye,” he grouses, acquiescing while still making his displeasure known.

“His name is Kabar and I’ll have the bed freshly stripped when you’re due back I promise.”

Soap is a god damn sucker for those pleading doe eyes, giving a big exasperated sigh to signal he’s letting her off the hook. “Fine. Bit he better be gaen by th’ time I pull intae th’ driveway. Let’s see th’ damn thing then,” Christ he hopes it’s not a Belgian Malinois. He knows they’re popular for military dogs but his darling is not built to handle a maligator, retired or not.

“Okay hang on,” she replies, notably cheerier as she taps the screen.

It’s a German Shepherd, thank fuck (Johnny must be having a stroke to be grateful for the sight of a German Shepherd in his bed)

He knows as well as anyone else they can be intense, but they’re a step down from the Malinois at least.

The coloring is traditional, but Soap’s brain starts nudging him that something is wrong with the dog. It takes a moment to click before he realizes the problem.

The damn dog only has three legs. “Is he a tripod?” The question is out before he can stop himself because no he is not inquiring about the damn dog. It was just a thought that escaped.

“He is a disabled veteran!” His bride corrects cheekily, before much more solemnly adding “He was a bomb dog.”

Oh Christ. He did not need to know that. Doesn’t need to think about the damn animal waking up one day with four legs and clocking in to work with his handler before boom.

“A’m only entertaining this because of the break ins, hen, am ah clear?”

Maybe having that booming bark rattling the windows will keep any would-be intruders at bay. This is the worst part of the job- being stuck on what might as well be the other side of the world when she’s got something to deal with.

“Absolutely crystal clear!” She’s all too agreeable, pleased as hell to have her cake (the dog) and eat it too (Johnny tolerating it).

Somehow this is going to blow up in his face and he’s going to permanently end up with a fucking military dog he doesn’t want, he just knows it.

But there’s no fucking way he can tell her No. Absolutely not. He goes back today, with a potential threat lurking around the neighborhood. He’d never forgive himself.

The rest of the conversation is much more in line with what he usually anticipates with their phone calls being- He doesn’t much like talking about work off the clock although lets her know of any interesting shenanigans around the base, and listening with baited breath as she regails him of tales both extraordinary and, well, extra ordinary.

Usually their phone calls end when she passes out in bed, and they’re perfectly poised to continue that habit tonight also.

“Ye made sure all th’ doors and windows are locked, hen?” He asks as she starts snuggling into the bedding underneath her.

“Yeah Johnny, I,” she cuts herself off with a big yawn “-I double checked them.”

It’s a few minutes later that the phone slips from her hand, camera pointing at the ceiling as she drifts off.

Johnny can almost imagine he’s at home laying on his back, watching the rhythmic movements of the ceiling fan in time with his lovely girl snoring slightly in his ear (despite her verbose protests that no she doesn’t snore- okay. Whatever you say, gorgeous.)

It’s an incredibly comforting moment that lets him feel a bit closer to home that is ruined by the sound of snuffling by the speaker.

The dog’s nose appears on screen, the angle making him look like an aardvark as he sniffs the phone before laying down, presumably relishing in the fact there’s not a damn thing Soap can do about this situation.

“Ye better keep an eye oan my girl, Cujo.” Soap grumbles as he begrudgingly hangs up the phone.

The mission ends quicker than expected- substantially quicker- and as content as Soap is with getting home he also is annoyed.

The mission got cut so short, and it’s so damn late by the time Soap is driving home that he knows the fucking dog is still there. The agreed upon date has not yet passed, which means that fuck is lazing about on his side of the bed.

Not to mention the mere obstacle of convincing a former military dog he’s never met, in the middle of the night, that yes this is his fucking house and he’s the one paying the bills around here and yes that actually is his spot on the bed so kindly fuck off.

At a point during his drive home, a police car flies by him. Then another. Then another.

Must be the fucker that’s been breaking into homes. Hopefully he gets caught and that’s one less thing to worry about when Johnny leaves again.

Except the red and blue lights seem to be fucking honed in from the spot that he’s steadily driving to, and Johnny’s convinving himself that he’s seeing things. There is no way that those lights and sirens are stemming from his house, thank you very much.

Even still, he feels himself driving faster. The sooner to quiet his anxiety that’s brewing.

The anxiety doesn’t dissipate as he makes each turn to his home. If anything it gets worse.

Because all that noise and the flashing lights are stemming from his own fucking home. Johnny can barely get the thing in park before he’s flying out of the vehicle. He can hear screams and specifically her crying and in an instant Johnny’s beyond being keyed up.

One of the officers attempts to intercept Johnny- thinks he’s just some nosy fuck from who knows where- and it takes everything in him not to blow his top entirely as he cuts the man off with a stern “This is mah house ‘n she’s mah wife!”

The sound of his voice booming into the night is enough to catch her attention and bring her running to him. Johnny embraces her as she flings herself at him, crying into his shirt as he strokes her back and soothes her.

He can piece together the general what happened, although he’s completely unaware of the details.

One piece begins to fit into place as he starts to hear what all the screaming is. His initial attention completely fixated on ensuring his wife is whole and hale, now he can check that off the mental list he now has the bandwidth to listen to the bellowing.

“Git it aff me! Och Jesus, someone git it aff o' me!”

“Cannae git th’ damn thing tae release him,” Johnny hears one of the officers comment dryly.

“Can always choke him off if the owners can’t git him tae let go,” the other one supplies.

“Eh, ah guess,” the first one responds in a bored tone that makes it clear he has a this guy fucked around and now he’s finding out, and I don’t see a reason to hurry- the dog looks happy anyway, stance to the situation.

On the side of the house, face down in the grass is the man who presumably broke inside.

He is so incredibly lucky there are witnesses and a sobbing wife to curtail the dark, angry thoughts swirling around in Johnny’s brain. Otherwise all it would take would be one phone call to Laswell and this prick disappears forever.

Attached to the calf of that man is Cujo, happily laying on the ground with his tail wagging slowly like his teeth aren’t sunk inside a man’s flesh. If the dog gets too annoyed with the man’s wiggling he shakes him like a chew toy, starting up a fresh round of someone git this fucking dog aff o’ me! until he lays still.

The mention of choking the dog off the would-be intruder doesn’t slip past his darling in the slightest, looking up at him with wet, pleading eyes.

Damn it all, he’s always a sucker for that look.

“Johnny, do you know how to make him let go? I don’t want him choked!”

He decides she’s probably better off not being told how often that ends up having to happen, and that Cujo will be just fine minus a few brain cells if push comes to shove.

But he has spent enough time (against his will, mind) around the dogs that he’s learned the basic commands over the years through repeated exposure.

“No promises, hen, bit we’ll see.” The dog has never met him a day in his life- there’s no guarantee he’s going to listen to a man that’s a stranger barking orders at him, but Johnny gives the sharp German command anyway.

To his surprise, the dog lets go immediately and turns towards them, giving the skipping lope that a 3 legged dog does before placing himself in a heel at Soap’s side, eyes wide and head tilted.

Johnny doesn’t want to think about what could have happened tonight if it wasn’t for Cujo- Kabar- taking such an involved roll in apprehending the man stupid enough to break into his home.

And he’s most assuredly not magically over his aversion to dogs- especially military dogs- but he might be able to tolerate an exception if it means having some peace of mind that his wife is safe at home.

[woso-dreamzzz]

i can't even word how much i love the second times the charm series it's always such a treat to see alexia so happy and in love and so goofy and loveable (and such a loser <3) the trope of alexia being loudly unhinged but r being quietly but equally as unhinged is definitely one of my favorite bits also the mentions of alexia and r when they were younger; it really drives home that they were childhood sweethearts and grew up falling in love with each other

some more comments from the past 2 parts of second time

quiet introverted alexia turning into yap city, population: 1 when it involves her biggest loves, r and nala is love, love, love

r indulging alexia's yapping every single night (lbr nightly walks with her sleepy baby and her himbo wife yapping her ear off is probably her favorite part of the day)

alexia keeping all of nala's stuff after her passing awww ;;;;;

the contrast of alexia doing something unhinged and trying to explain it at a mile a minute while r is doing something equally unhinged but describes it in 5 words or less lmao

alexia: don't be silly, keira why would i name my dog after fellow woso legend Christine Sinclair when i obviously named him after my kitchen sink

himbo alexia being the bane of mapi's life is the funniest running joke ngl

maya trying to look after r in the beginning awww she's only 2 years old and already taking after alexia lol

alexia distressed over all the minor hiccups her family had to deal with throughout the entire week is so cute she's such a cutie pie

alexia /would/ get sick out of sheer solidarity and empathy for her loved ones lmao

lol at lady also being worried for r i love how everyone in this family loves and cares for each other so much even the dogs

just realized you still haven't named the other puppies yet maybe salt, pepper, paprika? (kitchen-themed but also they're blues clues characters)

i love how whenever something nice happens to alexia she's just so confused? like ??? something good?? happened? to ME??? like yes!! you deserve everything good in life <333333

sorry this got so long but yes, i have much love for this series since day 1 and I'm so glad that it's grown so much in such a short time!

These are my favourite kind of messages to wake up to!!!! ❤️

Yappy Alexia is my favourite kind of Alexia. She's so calm and composed and focused on the pitch and at training but as soon as someone brings up her wife and kid, suddenly she's talking everyone's ear off until someone makes her stop

Alexia and R just balance each other out. They're both as unhinged as each other but only one of them is super obvious about it

Is there where I confess that Sinky is only named Kitchen Sink so I could make that joke about Sinclair? 🤭

Maya is really growing up to be a little Alexia. She adores R so much and will also break out into sympathetic sickness like Alexia does just because her Mama is sick

Second Time's Alexia just deserves the world and her wife is determined to give it to her

[cupidriki]

moot game!

Which enha member would crush on your moots and why?

to all my moots, ilysm <3

@leaderwon , heeseung

she is SO sweet and selfless 🙏🙏 helped me become a better writer and taught me things!! :)) Not only that, she always tries to text my yappy ahh… I feel like as Heeseung is very selfless and helpful, he would like a person who understands him (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

@ms-no1kpopstan, jay

HEAR ME OUT. Mick gives me princess vibes and is SO sweet. I think Jay would like someone who is as sweet as him but someone he can take care of! Like a princess

@sainns, jake

She would match Jake's energy smm, both of them are so golden retriever coded ( ꈍ◡ꈍ) and so so so cute <3 Jake would like someone as energetic and genuine as him <33

@cholexc, sunghoon

MY BAE she’s gorgeous AND soo sweet. She always listened to my rants and tolerates my awkward ahh

(๑-﹏-๑) I love her sm (my wife) ANWAY Sunghoon would like someone understanding and extroverted! Sunghoon would love Chloe because he needs someone who could listen to him and make him comfortable fast yknow? (I suck at explaining)

@okwonyos / @okwonyo, sunoo

SO CUTE. Jiah is so kind too (>᎑<๑) she makes me giggle and kick my feet screaming whenever I get a text from her AND she’s as sweet, bright, and cute as Sunoo! He would crush HARD (can’t blame him)

@urszn, jungwon

She seems so hardworking (my goal) AND AHH i cant believe were moots :00 and i think Jungwon would admire her because he would need someone as hardworking but soft? at the same time!

@cristalitoss, ni-ki

She is so cool omg (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ) AND she 100% has Riki’s vibe to me SOO I definitely think that Riki would want someone who matches his vibes (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

[big1ron]

The one and only who we love and care about is back

The dog

THIS DOG ATE MY WIFE.

I HATE THIS DOG. I hope that rat thing comes down here and throws this little thing around. I hope it eats this dog, though it looks like it would taste like shit. Tha god damn apartment building is coming down and this dog is going with it. Completely unnecessary, useless, stupid ugly little dog. Every panel he uses up could be one of those bugs. Think of that. Bug space. Eaten up by this greedy little mutt.

I'm a hater! The thing doesn't shut up either. You wanna live in a building with this yappy ass dog going off at all hours at everything? Don't lie to yourself! The walls here are hella thin and you know it!

[gregorygerwitz]

💯

good evening, love! I dug into my inbox for this so I can share a little bit of my newest fic... Noah doesn't get to know anything, only that Detective Halstead is gonna let him stay in his spare bedroom

The most logical answer was that it was the name of the dog - Halstead himself looked like he thought of himself as too tough to name a pet something like that, but there was a ring on his finger. Maybe he had a wife, someone who had a yappy little dog that the name would suit, but he wouldn't know unless he was told.

[crystalelemental]

Me: "You know what the worst part is? I've hatched 21 eggs at this point, and not a single Female Eevee."

Wife: "Does female even matter in Masters? They don't have breeding, do they?"

Me: "No, but it's the principle of the thing."

Wife: "You do need your yuri Eevee."

Me: "Yurivee. But...no, okay, listen. You're not ready for this story, because no one is, but there's a reason I'm so adamant about always wanting my Pokemon to be female."

Me: "When I was a young baby child, my grandparents had this little yappy dog. I don't know the breed, but like the short curly white hair, little gremlin energy. It was my uncle's, but he couldn't take care of it so they adopted it and named it fucking Spurlock. They named that fucking thing Spurlock, wife."

Wife: "Okay..."

Me: "Anyway, it was generally fine as a pet, but as a baby child, we only had female pets at home. So when I met this creature, and started running around with it and playing, I was like...why the fuck is that gross floppy bit back there like that? Like it's just on full display at all times and it grossed me the fuck out. I just couldn't do it."

Wife: "I thought this was going to be a nice story about a little dog you really loved as a child."

Me: "No, the exact opposite! Like I got over it eventually but the damage was done! The adults wouldn't just tell you "That's its dick, it's perfectly normal," they'd get cagey and embarrassed about it and only tell you that it's what boy dogs had, while agreeing it was kinda gross. So mentally, I made the connection with my Pokemon games having just introduced male and female on my battle pets and went...man, I don't want my Cyndaquil to have a big floppy wiener flapping around while I'm fighting Bugsy, that's super fucking weird! All my Pokemon have to be female now!"

Me: "So you may think, oh, so you're a big proponent of like puppy clothes, right? Just hide the flop bits? NO! That's worse! Clothes imply the animal should feel shame and sin about its nudity, and that is so much worse than it just looking kinda gross!"

Wife: *wheezing*

Me: "So anyway, that's why I'm like this."

Wife: "I love you so much."

[withahappyrefrain]

Abby I hope you're ok with me popping in, I don't wanna be a pest, I just have alot to share.

I kept thinking about the Rhett x Cottagecore!Reader thoughts last night and had some more this morning on the way down to an appointment (lol).

-Yours and Rhett's shared home is literally like Beorn's home from "The Hobbit", gorgeous little cottage with all sorts of critters that love to come and hang out. The birdfeeder in spring and summer has become the local avian diner (lol).

-Which is funny because you guys have four little kitties that love to watch them in the window. Their kittens have been known to watch the birds early in the morning.

-You and Rhett helped nurse a baby crow who had fallen out of his nest. His parents had been killed by a bobcat and after you guys had him checked over at one of the local wildlife facilities, you were given the go-ahead to keep him in your animal nursery (Rhett being a movie nerd, named him "Jake" after Brooks's pet crow in The Shawshank Redemption). Jake ended up becoming one of your familiars and an excellent messenger thereafter. He even found himself a mate and had seven little babies who he would always bring for a visit.

-You guys built a gigantic pollinator garden on the sunniest side of the house. Royal and Cecelia keep a few beehives for both honeybees and bumbles who are always looking for flowers. You two have no shortage of honey either.

-You two have been known to sneak off to the North Pasture for a little bit of fun. Rhett absolutely fucked you senseless in that wildflower field one gorgeously hot summer day. However, when you went over to his parents for Sunday dinner, you heard it from both of them that not only was Rhett himself conceived in that field, but that it had been the favorite Abbott fuck spot for generations and was known as "The Fertility Field." Rhett was gagging the whole time but his parents were laughing their asses off.

-Chewbacca was one of your first rescue dogs. He was in really rough shape when he first came, but after two surgeries and plenty of food, he managed to get his strength back. He's everybody's favorite and when he howls, he literally sounds like a wookiee (lol). Pinky and Alberto were much of the same, but as yappy as the two little chihuahua dogs are, you're more than happy to have Alberto herding the chickens in at sunset. He can almost always be found near your father-in-law when he's watching a sports game or under the dinner table begging for everyone's leftovers (lol).

-When you and Rhett got married, you had been caring for twin baby chipmunks, both boys that you had named Chip and Dale. The day of your wedding, they both popped out of the breastpocket on Rhett's suit with a little sprig of forget-me-nots in their mouths.

Sorry if this is a little long Abby, I've had way too much on my mind lately.

Omg I love all of this!!!!!!!

This is pretty similar to how I imagine Rhett's life with his Bambi/cottage core wife. Full of animals and flowers ♥️

[ronaldanthony4]

"We made it this far," She has a blush, "I know," Her shyness he does so hush. "My emotions," she trembles, "I cannot explain," "I know," he nods, "Only one thing remain," "I love you," She admits, "More than my mother," "And I," He agrees, "Could never love another." "A promise," she nods, "I hope you'll keep," "I cannot," he soothes, "See you weep."

"Do you, Liliana Oleander," The Paster begin, "Accept Arlon Florian as your own kin?" "I do," She nods, "All my heart, I do," "To love, to honour, be faithful and true." "And do you, Arlon Florian," The Paster continue, "Accept Liliana Oleander, with all within you?" "I'll never lie," He nods, "To my wife," "I will love, honour, cherish, to the end of my life."

"Husband and wife," The paster completes the oath, "At long last, you may kiss one another both." Their heads lean closer and their lips connect, And cheers erupt, more than either expect. Colourful confetti launches into the sky, Liliana, the wife, cannot help but cry. "What's wrong?" Arlon asks, "Is the crowd too yappy?" "It's not that," She smiles, "I'm just so happy."

Once again, I found myself immersed in the digital canvas, bringing to life the vibrant characters that dance in the realms of my imagination. This time around, it was the ever-charming Arlon and Liliana, the embodiments of my idealised romantic tale. These characters, more than mere drawings, had become the mascots of my perception of love, and with each stroke of my stylus, I endeavoured to encapsulate the essence of their enchanting connection. Knowing that through my art, I was able to convey the depth of their emotions and the intricacies of their relationship.

In this particular creation, the spotlight shone on Arlon and Liliana's union, a celebration of love immortalised in the form of a wedding portrait. The setting was a picturesque gazebo nestled within the confines of a dreamy garden—a testament to the idyllic backdrop I envisioned for this momentous occasion. What set this piece apart was the ethereal quality lent to it by Liliana's bridal veil, which draped over the newlywed couple, enveloping them in a cocoon of matrimonial bliss. Their union was a visual spectacle and a narrative journey that unfolded within the intricate details of this digital masterpiece.

As the creator behind this artistic narrative, I found solace in the symbolism embedded in every pixel. Arlon and Liliana stood hand in hand, a visual embodiment of the harmonious bond that existed between them. The bouquet of white roses they held was not just a prop; it was a representation of purity, a thematic element carefully chosen to echo the sincerity of their love. The garden setting itself spoke volumes, a metaphorical landscape where the seeds of their affection had blossomed into the vibrant flowers that surrounded them.

Yet, amid my creative satisfaction, I acknowledged the imperfections that lingered, like shadows in the brilliance of my artistic endeavour. One such detail that lingered in my mind was the rendering of Liliana's wedding veil. Its opacity, a subtle yet crucial element, I still need to improve it. I will make a note to myself to work on improving the opacity of Liliana's wedding veil in my artwork, as it is an important detail that I feel could be better. Despite this imperfection, the garden setting and the vibrant flowers symbolize the depth and beauty of their love, creating a metaphorical landscape that speaks volumes about their affection.

Delving deeper into the narrative, the gazebo itself became a pivotal element in the story I was telling. Its intricate design manifested my desire to create a space that encapsulated the sanctity of Arlon and Liliana's union. Every curve and arch told a tale of devotion, a silent witness to the vows exchanged beneath its sheltering embrace. The play of light and shadow within this virtual structure added layers to the narrative, emphasising the ephemerality of the moment captured in the digital realm. The intricate design became a metaphor for the complexity of their relationship, reflecting both their shared history and the challenges they faced.

The choice of a wedding portrait as the subject matter was deliberate, a conscious decision to freeze a moment in time that echoed the eternal nature of true love. Arlon and Liliana's smiles, the tender gaze they exchanged—all frozen in the digital amber of my creation. The digital canvas, a timeless medium that allowed me to transcend temporal constraints, served as the perfect vessel for this artistic expression. The vibrant colours and intricate details in the portrait further emphasise the depth of their connection, capturing not just their physical appearance but also the essence of their love. It was a testament to the power of art to immortalise emotions and create a lasting legacy for future generations to admire and cherish.

As I navigated the intricate world of digital artistry, I pondered the significance of each stroke and hue. My commitment to my literary endeavours mirrored the meticulous attention I bestowed upon my artistic creations. Much like the delicate balance between formality and casual creativity in my writing, my artwork strived to find equilibrium in every detail, ensuring that the observer could glean not just the visual spectacle but the profound narrative interwoven into the pixels. With every brushstroke and pixel, I aimed to create a captivating experience that would resonate with the viewer on a deeper level.

In the final strokes of my artistic odyssey, I revisited the challenge presented by the wedding veil's opacity. It was not just a technicality; it was a quest for perfection, a testament to my unwavering commitment to my craft. Adjusting the nuances, refining the transparency, and breathing life into the digital threads of Liliana's veil, I realised that the pursuit of artistic excellence was an ongoing journey—one where each creation paved the way for the next. As I stood back and admired the final result, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. It was a reminder that true artistry lies not only in the finished product but also in the growth and evolution that come with each artistic endeavour.

In conclusion, I marvelled at the digital landscape I had conjured—a testament to the fusion of creativity and precision, where the whimsical dance of Arlon and Liliana came to life in the virtual garden of eternal love. With a sense of fulfilment and anticipation for the next artistic chapter, I closed the digital canvas, knowing that the evolution of my craft mirrored the ever-evolving tale of Arlon and Liliana—a narrative bound by the threads of imagination and the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. As I reflected on the intricate details and vibrant colours of their virtual world, I couldn't help but marvel at how technology had become a powerful tool for storytelling.

[tctteredwings]

"Oh, I see, that's how we're playing it?" Laughter followed and Nathan shook his head as he continued to gaze down at Bernie. Maybe it hadn't been his best choice, but they were a pair and he loved him no matter his size. "But no, I couldn't go there, not again. My ex-wife had a load of little yappy things and I was so done with that by the time we divorced." A shrug followed several moments later and he continued to walk, be it slowly at this point. "At this point," he responded, "I'll buy anything." The week had been long and most things were going over his head.

he let out a laugh, a cheeky smile tugging at his lips at the mock offense lacing nathan's tone. ❝ your dog, your shortcomings, ❞ he replied simply, left shoulder lifting in a shrug. ❝ see, this is why i got a beagle. if she's slowing me down, i can just - ❞

teddy bent over to where brimi was sniffing at the grass, plucking her up into his arms. he laughed as she immediately turned her head, licking at his chin in a silent bid to get put back down. he scratched at her stomach for a moment before letting her drop back to her paws and wander back to check on bernie.

❝ and if you buy that, i'll tell you another one, ❞ he replied with a grin. in truth, he came across brimi when he wasn't even looking for a dog. a woman had been adopting out puppies, a box of them settled on the ground in central park. teddy had taken one look at her golden markings and fell in love.

[romanstheory]

A Request with Reigns and his wife with her being on RAW and one night he surprises her when she’s having an in-ring segment with Seth and Becky who are trying to attack her but they end up kicking both their a**es & later celebrate. ;)

Niceeeee

Word Count : 746

18 +

Tonight I have a match against Becky Lynch, one of my long time rivals. We're prepping for a title match at the next big event. We're set for a normal singles match, and I can't wait to get my hands on her. Not only is she mouthy but she's disrespectful, and I don't tolerate disrespect very well. She's always got her loud mouth husband Seth Rollins talking shit backstage for her. He's like a yappy chihuahua that just wont shut up. I'm married to Roman Reigns, who is on smackdown so we sometimes go a little while without seeing each other. Being on different brands is hard, and I hate it but that's what comes with the business.

I'm stretching before my match and getting my last minute jitters out when Seth Rolling approaches me. "What do you want Seth?" I say stretching my arms. "Just wanted to tell you to watch your back tonight" Seth says cackling "Make sure you've got eyes in the back of your head". I roll my eyes and ignore him before walking out to the ring to do my trash talk before my match with Becky. I am handed a mic, the crowd is settling down. "Becky Becky Becky, I know you're shaking in your boots back there just waiting for this ass whooping you're about to get. I've waited so long for this opportunity and tonight is juts going to be a little taste of what you've got coming." I say

"In a few weeks i'm going to beat your ass so bad that you'll be laying in a hospital bed with your noble lap dog Seth Rollins crying by you side" I say confidently as the crowd roars. Becky's music hit and she and Seth come running out. I'm prepared to fight when Seth uses all of his strength to hold me back while Becky attempts to punch me. Just as she's about to punch me, Roman's music begins to play. I'm just as shocked as everyone else including Seth and Becky. Roman come running out full speed, Becky runs out of the ring and Seth releases me. I step to the side as Roman spears Seth full speed, leaving his body seemingly lifeless. I leave the ring, grabbing Becky by the hair as she tries to run backstage. I slam her to the ground punching her with no remorse.

Later that night Roman and I are back in our hotel room. "That was a nice surprise tonight" I say laughing. "I figured you'd appreciate it. I came originally to surprise you but then those two clowns pulled what they did" Roman says laying next to me on the bed. "I'm thinking we should celebrate a little" Roman says looking me up and down. "I love celebrations" I say pulling him in for a kiss. His big hands explore my body as he grabs and squeezes on my ass. We undress, and I get on top of him. Slowly grinding our bodies together, teasing him with my touch. He kisses on my neck, trailing down to my breasts as he massages them. I grab his member, pushing it into my vagina. He glides into me perfectly, and I begin rocking my hips back and fourth.

Already filling with pleasure, I begin bouncing as Roman struggles to keep my soft breast in his mouth. The sensation of his tongue on my breast and his length pounding away in me drove me crazy. "Mmmh I missed you" I say breathy. "Fuck I missed you too" Roman says putting his hands on my hips, looking down to see himself go in and out of my body. I lean back, putting my arms on his thighs and continue bounding and grinding on his long length. "Oh shit! Keep doing that" Roman growls. "You like that?" I say picking up the pace. "Oh my god!" Roman groans, throwing his head back. I slow my pace, pushing myself down on him deep moving my hips back and fourth.

My clit rubbing against his warm body was more than enough for me to reach my peak. "Oh! Oh my god! Fuck" I say as my legs begin to shake. Roman grabs my hips again, slamming me down on him "Oh shit I'm close" He groans "Cum in me" I say eyes dark with lust. Roman groans one more time before filling me with his warm cream. "Damn I missed that" He says out of breath.

[paranetics]

idc i will die defending cobra kai as one of the most well-written shows ever. every single disagreement between daniel and johnny all depends on perspective. well minus the part where daniel did literally kidnap johnny’s son but that’s not the point rn.

like, every angle of this show depends on the characters making assumptions based on the evidence they’re presented with, their past experiences and what they’ve been taught and by who. the plot revolves around both johnny and daniel believing that *they* are the moral epicenter of the world, that what their senseis taught them was *objectively correct* (or at least made them very very tough), and that they’re the one that holds all the right answers. like, daniel was absolutely tormented by cobra kai as a teenager, and johnny was just refusing to take shit from some yappy upstart. there is just something poetic about the first couple seasons in the way the narratives are pieced together, and both johnny and daniel’s inability to let each other go.

daniel has absolutely no reason to interfere with cobra kai. he’s got a car dealership! he has kids to care for! he’s got a loving wife at home and a membership at the country club! but he is the moral epicenter of the world - cobra kai teaches evil. he has to interfere, as is his duty as Karate God. johnny has nearly the same mindset in reverse, cobra kai saved *him* when he was a kid, and he needed to be saved again. and when miguel needed to be saved, johnny brought back the only thing he thought could do the job.

i think, as far as i’ve watched, the only character really attempting to grow is johnny. he’s trying to unsimplify the cobra kai mindset. in real life there are complicated situations where mercy is required. defeat is inevitable. there are times where you’re not the one that hits first or hardest. and as johnny gets older and learns and relearns these lessons, he’s realizing that he cannot impose unto his kids what was taught to him.

daniel - who hasn’t done this - has never had change required of him. in high school he was (pretty objectively, in my opinion) absolutely in the moral right. and everything in his life has reinforced that and never gave him reason to doubt his perspective. it’s why he refuses to talk to johnny, to learn a fucking thing about the man he’s despised for 30 years for the high crime of being a shitty teenager. i mean, besides the fact that they’re both very stubborn.

i think 90% of what makes this show work so well is that neither daniel nor johnny completely grew out of being 16. like, being self centered and self pitying is one of the great hallmarks of teenager-dom and they keep reeling each other back to that. and they’re all constantly surrounded by teenagers! like Everyone Hates Me and Im The Only One Who’s Ever Felt Like This and Im The Only One Who’s Right And Why Cant Anyone Hear What Im Saying and Im The Only Person To Ever Have This Happen To Me!!!!! My Life Is So Much Worse Than Anyone Else’s!!

cobra kai being a continuation of the movies instead of a spin-off or a legacy retelling is SO important because it shows how neither of them actually ever grew up. the teenage view of life is so limited that it’s basically impossible to get a message through to a 16 year old. like i’m not sure daniel or johnny ever got to that point in their lives where they could see that other people were Just Like Me Too, so everyone can say whatever they want to them. you can say, hey i went through something like this so heres some advice - but they Know Everything!! so why would they ever listen to you??

does that make sense does anyone else get it

[charles-and-camilla-fanfictions]

15. A Shift of Perspective - part 1

If you’re reading as a one-off, this part (1/2) is set at Camilla's house in 1987 following a shock accident.

If you’re reading as part of Tea Time - this is chapter 15 - part 1.

It was gone midnight and Camilla had just turned off the lights and was settling down to sleep when the telephone rang. As always, when the phone rang at an unusual time, a cold seeped through her.

“Hello?”

“Milla?”

“Darling?” His voice sounded so strange, almost high pitched. Then all she could hear was sobs. “Darling, please tell me what’s going on.” But he couldn’t. She heard him start to speak and collapse into sobs again and then there was a series of squeaks. “Okay, Darling… Let’s try ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Can you say them for me?”

“Yes.” It was an effort but it was decipherable.

“Okay, Darling, are your children okay?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Well nothing else matters then. We can take our time. I’m going to just talk to you, okay? Just listen to my voice, Darling. Let’s think… I went on a beautiful ride the other week. All the trees are in bud and the cherry blossom is like walking through snow. I love cherry blossom. It’s such a shame it’s so short lived but it’s quite stunning. I took ratbag out as she’s acting up a bit and I figured she needed a bit of attention. She’s such a jealous horse. Darling, please try to breathe. Do you want me to stop talking?”

“No…”

“Okay… So I took her out to Dutton’s Pond. Well, that was a mistake. There were so many people there, kids on bicycles, getting stuck in the mud and crying, dogs flying about the place, you know… Anyway, we just stuck to the path and walked through. I had to keep telling the kids to stop coming up to stroke the horse. Why would you do that whilst someone is riding? Try to breathe, Darling. Slow down your breathing… Anyway, you know how jealous Missy is, she lunges at any unfortunate child who dares to get too close and I had these mothers glaring at me as if I was the one doing something wrong, you know, rather than their children who are just frightening the poor animal. Then some yappy little dog comes and starts attacking her ankles and she reers right up and starts doing that sidewards skippy thing you see at the dressage. Then she’s determined to get me off. So she flies off in a gallop and I see this fence ahead of me. She could easily have cleared it, so I brace myself, but no. Sodding horse decides she doesn’t want to jump, comes to a dead stop. I go flying, I don’t know how I stayed on. Right out of the saddle and land on her neck. Then she’s bucking, trying to get me off and I’m pissed off by this point, manage to get back in the saddle, don’t bother with the stirrups, just hang on with my knees, and it’s a complete battle of wills then. Nightmare horse.” She could hear that Charles had stopped sobbing. All she wanted to do was to take him into her arms but she kept on telling the story, knowing it was soothing him. “Eventually, she stops being the devil possessed and I walk her round. She was so skittish on the way back. Everything spooked her. At one point, I had to get off and walk with her. She’s not let me ride her since. Thank goodness I still have Molly to ride.”

“Are you okay?”

She smiled, his concern for her overriding his upset. “Yes. I was just annoyed. Darling, what’s happened?”

“There was a car accident.”

“Is everyone okay?”

“No.”

She waited but he didn’t continue. “Who had the accident?”

“Mannakee.”

“And?”

“He’s dead.”

“He’s the officer? The one you got rid of last year? Because of Diana?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you so upset? You didn’t like him. I mean, it’s dreadful for him, obviously, and his poor family, his poor poor wife… but...”

“Diana…”

“What about her?”

“She’s come round… Unconsolable… Demanding to know why I’d done it…”

“Done what?”

“Why I’d had him killed.”

“What?”

But he couldn’t continue, his tears returned and he didn’t carry on.

The shock of his statement brought with it a fresh resentment. “Darling, she’s unhinged.”

“Is she?”

“Well you didn’t have him killed, so yes, I’d say that was a fair assumption.”

“But what if I did…”

Camilla waited, horrified at what he was saying, her heart stuck in her chest, refusing to beat.

“What if it is my fault?”

“How is it your fault, Darling?”

“What if he was killed because of me?”

“What are you saying?”

“What if they decided he was too much of a risk to the firm and got rid of him?”

“Who is ‘they’?”

“I don’t know.”

The relief made her heart beat frantically and she let out a breath she didn’t realise she had been holding. Then came anger. A fierce, stabbing anger towards the woman who had put the thoughts into his head. “You need to stop with that line of thought.”

“Do you think I killed him?”

“No! Not for a second. Darling, stop. Stop everything right this second. She does this to you every time. Spins a yarn so convincing you end up doubting yourself, blaming yourself. You are not responsible for this. Not responsible. Not!” She was almost spitting, a rage so tight it constricted her throat. And a sorrow for his pain that merged with the rage. “Please, Darling, don’t do this to yourself. You didn’t do anything, did you?”

“No…”

“There’s no ‘but’ so don’t add it.”

“There is though!”

“It’s not your fault.”

“She thinks it is. Other people think it is…”

“Why would anyone think that? The only dealings with this man you have had is when you tried to get him reinstated because that woman was upset he was being moved back to uniform. Because of what was going on between them. And, knowing that, and knowing you didn’t know, she had the gall to request that you get him reinstated!”

“I’ve done much worse. We’ve done so much worse.”

“Not then, you hadn’t. Darling, we weren’t even speaking to each other then. And now? Diana is under no illusion that you’re together. Or maybe she is, but that’s not your fault.”

“But I sent him away.”

“You didn’t, actually. But you should have. He had overstepped his remit. Considerably. You can’t do your job if you’re romantically involved with the person you’re meant to be protecting. He should have been sent away.”

“She was devastated.”

That angered her further and it was tinged by an old jealousy which she tried very hard to keep under wraps; it hurt that he still cared about how Diana felt. She knew it was right and she knew that was how he was, but it stung in a way she would never admit to. It took a few moments to swallow the green fury inside her and to breathe and to calm and soften her voice. “Darling, did you stop seeing me because I was sent away from you?”

“No.”

“Well then. She wasn’t that emotionally invested in him then. And she soon moved on to someone else.”

“She said that I couldn’t cope with her having a lover so had tracked him down to kill him.”

“Eighteen months down the line?”

“Yes.”

“So you are that obsessed with Diana, who for all intents and purposes you’re separated from, and consumed with jealousy over a man she clearly wasn’t that interested in, that you needed to make sure he was killed, when she has had a string of lovers since and they’re all still alive? Oh, and to top it off, you had the audacity to do this whilst having an affair of your own with a woman you have been romantically linked to for the past sixteen years?!”

“Yes.”

“Can you not hear how ridiculous this sounds?”

“When you put it like that… But it sounded a lot more reasonable when Diana was saying it.”

“I hate how much she gets into your head. Darling, you would know if you’d orchestrated some man’s execution.”

“Would I?”

“Yes! Good grief, Charles. Why are you so unsure? What’s eating away at you?”

“That it was done on the behalf of my family, so that…”

“So that what?”

“So that Diana and I could maintain the complete facade of a marriage.”

“Darling, if that’s true…”

“If it’s true, who’s the next target?”

That was like being injected with a fast moving, icy gel which ran through to every cell in her body. “It’s not true.” She said the words with a conviction she didn’t feel, hoping the sentiment would infect her body. It didn’t. “It’s not your fault.” That she believed.

“I love you so much. I’m so sorry.”

“It is not your fault. She’s got so deep into your head you’re seeing conspiracy theories where there aren’t any.” But she faltered before she spoke and she knew he would notice, feeling the tears mounting at the shock of her own admission.

“See… Even you think that might be true…”

“I don’t, Darling.” She could hear the tears in his voice and she succumbed to her own.

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better and I love you for it, but I’m right aren’t I?”

Any hint of doubt, she strangled in her mind. It wasn’t worth thinking about. She couldn’t have him panicking about her, being this upset about this perceived threat to her. “No, you’re not right. Who is this imaginary ‘them’ anyway. Do you honestly think your mother would bother with Mannakee? She probably didn’t even know about him. If it was your mother killing off unsuitables, I’d have gone a long time ago.”

“Don’t say that.”

“But I’m right, aren’t I? Mannakee wasn’t a threat. I am. Or I could be. I could be whispering into your ear and demanding to become the next Duchess of Windsor. That’s a real threat.”

“Perhaps he’s a warning?”

“No. This is Diana getting into your head. Don’t let her. It’s not a conspiracy.”

“Well perhaps the government then?”

“You think Mrs Thatcher cares about us? Or who Diana’s sleeping with? Give her a bit of credit. This is madness, Darling.”

“People are going to think I got him killed.”

“Which people? Diana? She’s living in a paranoid nightmare of a reality.”

“This is going to come out at some point.”

“Well we’ll deal with that, then.”

“Darling, whatever happens, I will always love you.”

“I love you too, my darling. Highs and lows, it doesn’t matter.”

“I wish you could be here with me.”

“I do too.”

“Darling, I’ve got to go, she’s outside the door. I can hear her.”

The dial tone sounded and she was left alone, the phone still in her hand. She got up and wrapped herself up in a large blanket before shuffling downstairs to shove on her boots. Then she grabbed a torch and made her way outside, down the gardens to the stables. Slipping into the stall, she disturbed the horses and a dark shadow rose to its feet and came to greet her.

“Hello Missy.”

She stroked her nose and listened to the whinny of greeting, before hiding her face in her neck. It was calming to just stroke her neck, to feel the warmth and the company of her silent companion. To let her tears fall freely yet obscured by the dark of the night. To miss him with every fibre of her body and to love him with a new ferocity she had yet to comprehend.

She wasn’t surprised to see him the next morning. She was outside on the front steps with just a cardigan pulled over her night gown and her boots on, chain smoking, and he showed up at her door like an apparition. She pulled him inside without words, without a greeting. He seemed to have lost any will of his own, just followed her up the stairs and watched as she took off his coat, his jumper, his shoes, his trousers. Then he sank into her arms, into the soft welcoming embrace of the duvet and lay still, his eyes closed. She ran her nails across his back, scratching him slightly, kissing him occasionally and it wasn’t long until he fell asleep. She lay there a little longer, watching him sleep before gently extracting herself. She stroked the frown on his forehead with her finger and kissed it, noticing the furrow ease slightly with satisfaction, then left him to sleep.

A few hours later she returned with a tray and woke him with a kiss on his cheek and a hand smoothing his hair. He smiled when he saw her and reached up to kiss her. It shocked her how much emotion she could feel through that one kiss. He rested his head back onto the pillow and looked up at her as her hand stroked his cheek.

“You’ve brought food.” He whispered to her as she fought the torrent of feelings provoked by looking into his eyes.

“I thought you’d probably not eaten breakfast, so this is a late breakfast.” She kissed him again, just as gently, then pulled away and added jokingly, “But I’m not feeding you so you need to sit up.”

“I’d feed you if you were sick.”

“You’re not sick.”

“Emotional sickness.”

“Emotional trauma, yes. Darling, I will feed you if you want me to, or if you need me to.”

“No.” He sat up and pulled her next to him. “I’m okay. I’ve got you.”

They ate in silence. Camilla could see how shaky he was but didn’t comment. He could smell the packets of cigarettes in her hair but didn’t say anything. The last piece of toast he loaded with honey, making a sweet dessert for his breakfast. She eyed it, making him smile and he held it out for her to take a bite, which made her smile.

“So I’ve let you sleep, and fed and watered you. What’s the next thing on your list.”

“You.”

“Or a wash?”

“Am I meant to take the hint? I’ll have a wash if you do. You can wash your hair. I love the smell of your hair when it’s freshly washed.”

“Which is a very polite way of saying I hate the stench of smoke that’s usually in your hair.” He didn’t argue and she laughed. “Okay, Darling. I’m all smelly from putting horses out anyway.”

He pushed his nose in her neck and gave her a good sniff, making her giggle. “Can you blow dry it? Then it’s all soft and fluffy?”

“If you wish.”

“But I want a proper hug before a wash.”

“A proper one? As opposed to a pretend one?”

“Come here.”

He manoeuvred her, making her laugh until he had her straddling him, his arms holding her to him and his face nose to nose with her. He kissed her, making her smile and pulled at her bottom lip with his teeth.

“I can taste honey!” Then he licked her face like a dog, making her squeal before pressing his nose into her neck and relaxing against her. “You’re a messy eater.”

“Am I?”

“You had honey on both corners of your mouth.”

“So you thought you’d groom me?”

“Yes, I did, rather.” He took a great bite of her neck and pretended to maul her, enjoying the sound of her giggles until she retaliated by blowing a raspberry on the side of his neck. “If you do that again, we won’t get to have a wash.”

She stopped playing and relaxed into the hug, running her fingers up his neck, into his hair. “How are you feeling, my darling?”

“Like I don’t know who to believe.”

“How so?”

“Well the police initial report said it was an accident. But Diana is absolutely certain it isn’t.”

It was enough to send her straight back to the rage from the previous night. “And why does her nut-job opinion have equal sway on you to a police report?”

“Are you jealous, Camilla?”

“Oh Camilla now?” Yes, she was. Jealous of a woman she hated. And mad about being called out on this by him.

“That’s really unlike you. And you’re not usually nasty about her either.”

“She’s come in and upset you, made you think that you’ve murdered someone. I think I have a right to not like her.”

“No, you don’t. She’s not well and you shouldn’t make fun of her mental state like that.”

Camilla sighed, hating him for being reasonable. “Okay. I apologise. I won’t make light of that again. But the fact still stands that her views are not always the closest to reality and you treat them like they are.”

“But on this, she could be right!”

“And you choose to persecute yourself rather than accept that she isn’t rational.”

“I think we’ve given her enough to become like that.”

“We absolutely did not. She had an obsession with us being together that was completely inaccurate.”

“It was never inaccurate.”

“So you didn’t cut me out completely. For years?”

“Oh. I did cut you out. But it was never inaccurate because I’ve been in love with you since the first time we met. I got so angry with her for having a tantrum about that bracelet I got you. And about me wearing the cuff links you got me. And about me keeping pictures of you. It was just fuel to the fire. What right did I have to be angry? And I did stupid things like call her by your name and talk about times she could easily figure out were times I spent with you. It was never inaccurate because I’ve spent the entire time I’ve been married to her wishing I was with you. We might not have done anything. But I was in love with you Milla. And mourning the loss of you. I made her the way she is now.”

“No, you didn’t. She was the way she is way before she met you. You can’t take all that guilt.”

“But I should take the parts I’m responsible for.”

“Will that make either of you feel better?”

“Probably not. But it’s right.”

“You’re letting guilt paint the picture for you. I’m sorry I ever encouraged you with her. She seemed perfect. She created an entirely different person to court you and then burnt away the veneer the second you couldn’t back out. Then systematically went about trying to change who you are to suit her. I will never ever forgive her for destroying you. For continuing to manipulate you and making you feel as low as she feels.”

“She just loves me and got hurt because I could never love her in return.”

The idea was so preposterous she wanted to scream at him, but she kept her voice level, with effort, trying to pull away from him slightly but he didn’t allow it. “She has never loved you. The man you are. She loves the position and the opportunities it opens for her to be adored.”

“Stop it, Camilla. I can’t hear this. It doesn’t matter if you’re right, I can’t take it. She’s the mother of my children. I can’t hate her. It’s too hard.”

“But I do. She’s made you so unhappy.” If she wasn’t so angry, she would have cried at this, even now her voice trembled as she said the words.

“Well don’t hate her to me. It’s too hard. I have to see her, spend time with her. Be loving towards her in front of the world, in front of my sons. Don’t make it harder for me.”

“When you accept that you’re not responsible for that man’s death. I can be civil about her. But I won’t take the things she does to you.”

He squeezed her tighter. “Never, ever feel jealous of her.”

“Never let her make you feel inadequate.”

“Shall we move onto Andrew now?”

“That’s not funny.”

“Sorry.” He kissed her neck and pulled away to look at her face. “I think we do need a wash after that discussion.”

“It had a few edges. Wash them away?”

“Good idea. I can cope arguing with you when you’re wrapped in my arms.”

“Discussion.”

“Discussion, yes. You’re only allowed to argue with me like that in future.”

“You storm off when we actually argue.”

“So I can cry without you seeing.”

“You’re such a big softie.”

“Don’t tell everyone.”

“I won’t. You’re my big softie.”

“I can’t live without you.”

“I’m not asking you to. Ever. I’ve got you wrapped in my arms now. You’re stuck.”

“Can you wrap me in your legs too?”

“Gladly. After you’ve showered.”

He watched her return from the bathroom, her hair wet and dripping down her back, her face flushed from the hot water. She turned away from him as she undid the towel and he watched her, wondering if he’d ever not want to watch her.

“Stop staring. Go.”

He returned to the sound of the hairdryer and smiled. She was wearing a long t-shirt which bothered him slightly but her hair was already fluffy. She turned when she heard him and smiled, turning off the machine.

“Come here.” She beckoned him with her fingers and he came, sitting on the stool next to her. “Hold out your hands.” She squirted talcum powder and he stared at it in confusion. Laughing at his expression, she kissed his cheek. “It will dry you. And it smells nice.” He patted it haphazardly on his chest and she rubbed some on his back. Then she gave him a pad and pointed to her clavicle. He dabbed her gently and as she took the pad off him, she pulled his head down into her neck.

“It smells of you.”

“Well, the other way round.”

He didn’t kiss her, although he wanted to, just let his nose trail up her neck, not expecting the lack of contact to have such an effect on his body, seeing the reaction on hers. She ran her forefinger across his chest and over his shoulder, edging closer to him as she did so. Then he reached both hands to her head, pushing his fingers through her hair, tilting her face upwards to look at his. Her eyes were dark and were looking at him in a way she never had before. It was almost impossible not to kiss her but her eyes were too beautiful to look away. “Every single thing about you…”

Her lips pressing against his drowned his words but she didn’t shut her eyes. His fingers ran through her hair until her hand caught one of his and she led it down the side of her face, down her neck to her chest and then her eyes closed when he kissed her this time, grasping onto her, hearing her gasp her breath, feeling her respond to him.

[abraxos-is-toothless]

white lights and tiny blonde angels

This is my @aftgexchange Fall 2021 piece for @lyndiscealin

I’ve been at work all week so I had to wait to post this today and then tumblr wouldn’t let me. This is all from an edit in my drafts, but a moment ago, tumblr let me post half of the fic. This is a new post with that first half and then the second will hopefully go up sometime tomorrow.

I am so sorry for this delay but work is work I’m afraid. I loved your long prompt so I’ve made a note of that one to fingers crossed, try and write as a gift for you. I went with this time Neil getting hurt though you won’t have a proper ending yet. Hope you like it!!!

Neil thought going for his run an hour or so before sunset on Halloween was a brilliant idea.

How wrong he was.

The streets were clear of kids at this time of the day, the sky not yet dark enough to create that added fear factor of walking around in creepy costumes and asking strangers for sweets. Neil frowned as he slowed his pace to side step an old lady walking her yappy dog. She gave him a little smile which he returned politely before picking back up some speed. He and Kevin, his adoptive brother, had not long moved to Palmetto and he was still unsure of the areas surrounding their apartment. Their dad, David Wymack, had moved out here years ago after they had both finished high school and were going to college in Boston. He’d only stayed out near Baltimore to not upend either Kevin or Neil’s lives, but once his boys were no longer at home, he took up a coaching position at PSU. Neil couldn’t blame him for wanting to move away; he suspected living in a place that no longer housed his deceased wife was hard. But he’d done it for them. Because he loved them.

He was happier out here now, loving his job, his new house with quiet neighbours, and he was in a new relationship with his team’s nurse, Abigail Winfield. They’d been together for a few years now, but Neil hadn't been able to meet her in person until they'd moved here. He remembered the video call coming through while he was in his college dorm room one day, his roommate Matt Boyd had not been in the room at the time. His dad had looked nervous, and it was weird for Neil not to see him,as his usual stoic self. When he’d asked Neil if it was okay for him to start seeing another woman, he had been confused. He and Kayleigh had only adopted a year before cancer had quickly taken his adoptive mother away from him. Still, his dad refused to let Abby into their lives unless both he and Kevin were fine with it. Neil had laughed as if someone had told him a joke, because of course it was fine. Since then, the woman would call them every week, fretting and fussing as any mother would. She was very excited to have them living so close now, and Neil smiled at the memory of her excitement a month or so back when he and Kevin said they were moving out to Palmetto. Kevin to work alongside their dad as an assistant coach, and Neil to join PSU as one on one Math tutor.

He was brought out of his reverie to the loud scuffling of shoes over gravel, loud enough to be heard over the music coming through his ear phones. He halted to a stop, pulling them out. Getting lost in his own head had caused him to go off of his usual route around the block. It was down a slightly darker, more rougher looking street, a few shifty looking people making their way into a run down apartment building. He suspected it was one of the small drug outlets for a town like this. The scuffling happened again but louder this time, and more importantly, it was closer. He turned on his heel looking behind him but he couldn’t see anything other than the flicker of street lights kicking in. He pulled out his phone, intent on calling Kevin, seeing as his brother was going to be on his way home from their dad’s place when he felt hot breath at his neck, and words whispered in his ear that he had not heard since he was a child.

“Hello there Junior.”

Neil spun away only to be gripped tightly on his biceps by strong hands and pushed further into a dark alley between two buildings, stumbling over his own feet and falling face first, He barely had time to use his hands to break the fall, pain spiking as the ground tore at the skin of his palms. “Now Nathaniel, is that any way to greet old friends? By trying to run away?” Romero Malcom’s low drawl made him freeze up, twisting to face both of his attackers slowly. The other man’s face was an angry sneer, seeming satisfied with the sight of Neil laying at his feet. Lola, however, was manic and almost feral looking. There was a knife in one of her hands, the fingers of her other running across the blade.

“You helped put Nathan in that hell hole, and a few days ago, someone from the inside did him in. They killed him and now you’re going to pay for a life that shouldn’t have been taken so soon.”

Neil laughed at that information, that Nathan was dead and gone, finally, and he didn’t stop laughing even as the two advanced on him.

He stuttered, when a cold blade met the skin of his cheek, cutting deep but he still laughed.

He laughed still when they dragged him deeper into the alley by his hair.

And he laughed through broken screams when Lola took a lighter to his face and arms, and Romero buried a knife in his abdomen.

He laughed and laughed and laughed as the world went dark.

oOoOo

Neil came around again, lying flat on his back and staring at the stars, stones digging into his sling. His body was on fire, pain radiating everywhere. He lifted a shaking and brutalised hand, pressing it to his lower stomach. Blood seeped through between his fingers, and his shirt was soaked through from more than just sweat. He was pretty sure he’d been lying in a pool of his own blood for a while.

He turned his head, finding his phone smashed to pieces a few feet away. Neil cursed under his breath. He tried opening his mouth to call out for help, but stopped instantly when he pulled at the wounds on his face, feeling blood run down his cheeks. His other hand shifted, fingers twitching against something rough. When Neil managed to look down again, there was a much larger rock next to him. He grabbed at it, ignoring the way the burns on his knuckles screamed in protest. With all the strength he could muster, he banged that rock against a trash can that had fallen over to his left.

He didn’t stop even when his eyes started to close.

He was just so tired.

oOoOo

There was a murmuring of voices, calling out to him. He told his dad that he just wanted five more minutes. He didn’t have school, it was the weekend.

“Come on, open your eyes dude. I’m not your dad, you’ve been hurt. Can you tell me your name?” Neil blinked slowly against a bright light. Oh, he knew this light, that light you saw right at the end. He didn’t want to die yet.

“You’re not going to die. An ambulance is on the way, but you gotta keep those eyes open.” He blinked again and realised he was seeing double. Two tiny blonde people hovering over him. The light gave them halos. How lovely. “Your vision is fine, and we’re not your angels. My brother is currently keeping pressure on that stab wound.”

Right. Lola. Romero.

Oh god Kevin was probably losing his damn mind. His dad and Abby too. He always called at the same time every day, always. “My dad, he…” he tried to move but screamed in agony. Neil relented to the hand pushing him back down. “I want my dad. Phone broke.”

He heard sirens getting closer, and the tiny blonde bear his head disappeared. The one with his hands on Neil’s stomach shifted so Neil could see him. “Whoever did this, they did quite the number in your face.” Neil flinched, because he just knew Abby was going to have a meltdown when she saw him. “Hey. You’re still attractive there, under all this grime. If I’d met you under different circumstances, I might have tried to bring you home with me.” Neil coughed, it wet and made him ache so much worse.

“I’m not, not…”

“Don’t talk anymore. You’ll hurt yourself. You can shut me down later. Name is Andrew. Do you want to tell me yours now, so I can give something to the paramedics who are coming over?”

“Neil. Is Neil.” His head spun and there were the heavy sounds of people running towards him.

And then he was out again.

oOoOo

Everything was white. Oh so very white. Machines were beeping and there was something attached to his hand. It was itchy. Out. He should take it out and the bad itchy itch would go away. Before he could pull on the offending item, a warm strong hand wrapped around his own. “That’s there for a reason, you know.”

He wanted to explain to the stranger about the big bad itch, but his mouth was as dry as a goddamn desert. “Wa…” the words cut off when bandages pulled at sore skin and he hissed.

“You can have ice chips.” Neil tried to force himself to sit up at the other voice, eyes running around the room. “Stop that, you’ll pull your stitches. Do you want to start bleeding out again?”

“Aaron, stop. Go see if his family has turned up yet.” The tiny blonde by the door, Aaron, huffed and disappeared from the room. Neil looked around again, realising he was in a hospital room. He turned his head to the other tiny blonde who had come closer, gently trying to feed him a tiny piece of ice. After one or two pieces, he waved one of his hands about, and the other man retreated. He sat in a chair by Neil’s bed.

“Wha’ ‘appened?” His words were a little slurred, but at least his tongue was no longer stuck to the roof of his mouth.

“My brother and I were on our way to meet our cousin when we could hear banging. Thought it was just some kids messing around for Halloween, but it was a constant sound, a repetitive tone. We followed it and found you lying there nearly dead.”

Ah yes. It was assaulted with an onslaught of images then. Lola and her lighter, Romero breaking his phone so he couldn’t call for help. They’d intended to let him bleed out and die, right there in that alley, alone. Neil’s breath hitched and one of the monitors started beeping rapidly. Kevin and his dad and Abby, they wouldn’t have known. They would have had some cop knock on the door to say he wasn’t coming home. The blonde man beside him, who Neil remembered had said his name was Andrew, went to press a button by his bed when a group of people stormed into the room.

His panic dissipated at the sight of his family standing there, looking haggard but so full of relief. “Jesus Christ. What the hell have they done to you?” It was Kevin who spoke but his dad was the first to the side of his bed. David Wymack was not a man who liked when his kids were put into harm's way.

“You didn’t call. You scared the hell out of us, kiddo.”

Neil smiled as much as he could. “I’m okay.” There was some more shuffling and Neil could see the two blondes who’d helped him trying to slip out of the room as his family crowded around him. “Wait.” The two meant stopped, both a mirror of the other with the way they had their hands in their pockets, and Neil also realised they were in blue scrubs. Probably Neil’s fault from all the blood he’d lost. They turned, Aaron flicking his eyes between everyone in the room but Andrew, the one who thought him attractive for some reason, only had eyes for Neil. “Thanks for saving my life.” Aaron simply nodded and turned to walk out of the door but Andrew didn’t follow immediately. He smiled at Neil, just a little one but a smile nonetheless.

“You can thank me with coffee when you’re all healed up. Number is on the table. You never did get to shut me down.” He winked and gave a two finger salute before disappearing to follow his brother.

“Only you, son, could say you had your first dating experience by almost dying.”

“What?”

Abby came over to run her fingers through his hair checking him over. “Ignore your father. You don’t need to worry about anything right now. We’ll talk about the birds and the bees later.”

Kevin laughed, but not as loud and hearty as he would usually, when Neil frowned. He gripped Neil’s knee under his blankets tightly, the only part of him that didn’t feel like it was on fire. “So oblivious, baby bro. It’ll make sense soon enough.”

Underneath all of their relief and happiness, Neil felt like they were all a bit too smug. As if they knew some secret that he didn’t.

He pushed it all aside to figure it out at a later date.

Right now, he was just glad to be alive and kicking.