#I love ruin with all my heart but this is something that genuinely bothered me…

[zibiscusloon]

So me and Nightmare were talking about how wildly different Cassie’s model is from her actual art.. being how somewhere in production whoever was making Cassie’s model didn’t get her skin color right.

I don’t believe this was intentional on Steelwool’s part, at most I wanna think there was some miscommunication between the art and modeling team on Cassie’s design, but still..

So I decided to do an edit of Cassie’s model to give the girl her melanin back as well as features that her art shows her having (curly hair and a rounder nose and more noticeable freckles)

Steelwool, I say this with all my heart, if you’re going to have a POC protagonist please actually depict that protagonist as POC

[dorabellingham]

Both

warning: none

characters: jude x jobe x fem!reader

summary: when he introduces you to his family, but it seems like the younger brother doesn't have the expected reaction

request: yes

may contain spelling and translation errors!

It was a sunny Saturday in Birmingham, and the weather was perfect for the lunch Jude had been planning for weeks. He was eager, though he wouldn’t admit it, to officially introduce you to his family. Until now, they had only known you through a few stories and videos that he had shared with them with enthusiasm. Today would be different. Today they would meet the woman who had stolen his heart.

You were visibly nervous as you adjusted your simple but elegant dress in the rearview mirror.

—They’re going to like you, babe. —Jude said, squeezing your hand gently. —You’re amazing, Y/n. It can’t be any other way.

—I just… want to make a good impression.

You replied, your eyes betraying a hint of anxiety.

Jude smiled, leaning in to kiss your forehead.

—You’re going to be perfect, as always.

As soon as you arrived at the Bellingham house, you felt the warmth of the welcome. Denise was the first to wrap you in a tight hug.

—We finally met the girl Jude talks about so much!

She said, smiling warmly.

Mark, on the other hand, was more reserved, but kind. He shook your hand firmly, silently nodding his approval. You felt relief course through your veins.

Then Jobe came. At only 16, he seemed less at ease than the rest of the family. Tall and with the same unassuming smile as your boyfriend, he kept a slightly stiff posture as he greeted you.

—Hi, I'm Jobe. I've heard a lot about you!

He said, his voice slightly shaky.

You smiled, warm and spontaneous.

—I hope good things, Jobe!

The younger brother blushed instantly, looking away.

—Oh, yes, of course. Good things, lots of good things.

Jude watched the interaction closely, his smile fading slightly. He knew that look on his brother's face —it was the same one he used to give you in the first few months he'd known you.

During lunch, you quickly won over everyone at the table. You had funny stories and a light-hearted manner that charmed your in-laws. Even Jobe, who was usually more reserved, laughed at your jokes.

—And then Jude tried to cook for me once. —You said, laughing. —He even burned the water!

The table erupted in laughter, and Jude shook his head, feigning indignation.

—Okay, it was just once, and I was trying to impress.

—Well, it seems to have worked.

Denise commented, smiling at you approvingly.

Jobe, on the other hand, remained quieter, but his eyes were constantly on you. Every time you looked at him or asked him something directly, he would visibly blush, stumbling over his words to answer.

—So, Jobe, how are trainings going? Jude talks about you a lot.

You asked with genuine interest.

Jobe choked slightly on his water.

—Oh... they’re good. Well... intense, but it's... it's nice, you know?

Jude narrowed his eyes, watching the interaction carefully. When you leaned over to pick something up and accidentally brushed against your brother-in-law's arm, your younger brother's face turned red and that bothered the older Bellingham.

Later, while you were talking to Denise in the kitchen, Jude pulled Jobe out into the backyard.

—So, what's going on, huh?

Jude asked, crossing his arms.

—What do you mean?

He answered, trying to sound casual.

—You know exactly what I mean. The way you look at Y/n. —Jude stepped forward, his expression serious. —She's my girlfriend, Jobe.

The boy raised his hands in defense, his face still flushed.

—I... it's nothing, right? I just think she's... nice, that's all.

Jude narrowed his eyes, assessing his brother.

—I hope so. Because I love her, and I won’t let anyone, not even you, ruin that.

Jobe sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets.

—I wouldn’t do that, Jude. You know that. Just… relax, okay?

He finally nodded, but still kept a warning look on his face.

—Okay, just remember: Y/n is my girl.

Later, while Jude helped his mother clear the table, you found Jobe alone in the living room. He looked uncomfortable, fiddling with his phone as if he wanted to avoid eye contact.

—Jobe, is everything fine?

You asked, sitting down next to him.

He glanced at you quickly and then looked away.

—Yeah, sure, Y/n. It’s fine.

You smiled softly, touching his arm lightly.

—Look, I know Jude can be a little… protective sometimes. But he only does it because he cares.

He finally looked at you, his eyes revealing a mix of emotions.

—You’re amazing. Jude is lucky to have you.

You blushed slightly, surprised by his sincerity.

—Thank you, Jobe. That means a lot.

When Jude entered the room, he saw you smiling at Jobe and his brother looking at you with an admiration that was hard to ignore. He immediately approached, putting his arm around her waist.

—Everything okay here?

Jude asked, his tone casual, but his eyes fixed on his brother.

—Yeah. —He replied, standing up quickly. —I’m going to help mum in the kitchen.

When he left, you looked at Jude, confused.

—He’s acting weird, huh?

Jude sighed, squeezing your waist.

—He’s just… a little shy. Nothing to worry about, babe.

But deep down, Jude knew he would have to keep an eye on Jobe for a while. After all, his girl was irresistible – even to his younger brother.

[maldaptivedreamer]

Hearts That Beat In Time - Arcane

The saloon sits unchanged, a relic of time frozen. The warm lights cast a golden glow upon your face, highlighting every contour and crinkle as you let out a laugh. The thick straps of your blouse hug your shoulders, framing the smooth expanse of bare skin on your collarbone. Your skirt flows gracefully around you as you perch on a worn stool at the bar.

A woman quickly follows, taking a seat to your right.

Sevika's pale, ashen eyes narrow with suspicion as the woman's hand glides over your arm, a sly smile playing at her lips. You laugh at something the woman says and Sevika's gaze follows the stranger’s every move, her expression growing more wary.

Her sharp eyes never leave you as you turn to Vander in confusion, shrugging and shaking your head at whatever he says.

She tenses as your eyes flicker back to her with a bewildered expression. Your face brightens as you see her standing there. The woman’s hand falls from your arm, as you spin in your chair and wave her over.

content: Sevika x fem reader, errors/mistakes, wild west au, outlaw/cowboy sevika, maybe slight ooc Sevika, prob lots of loose ends, name calling/nicknames, light angst for like a second, more crying, domestic Sevika, awkward Sevika, wlw smut, cunnilingus (r! giving), fingering, strap-on (r! receiving), calls strap her cock, soft sex, praise kink, found family stuff, cheesy shit ahead

wc: ~13.5k

a/n: Howdy sinners! I give you soft and loving sex as well as awkward and domestic Sevika! Mayhaps not my best work but I had a lot of fun writing this part!! Hope y'all like the end and thank you so much for reading this series. I'm genuinely so touched by the love and support!! 💕 Taglist open for arcane fics!! Just lmk or interact with the taglist post!

MINORS DNI NSFW 18+

Masterlist Previous Part

Sevika slowly approaches, smoke escaping from her flared nostrils.

“Why were you lingerin’ like some creep?” You tease with an alluring grin and motion for her to sit in the empty chair to your left.

Sevika simply shrugs, her eyes flickering to the other woman before sitting down in the chair next to you. She can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as you turn your back to the woman to give her your full attention.

"Was just admirin’ a pretty face from across the bar." She replies casually, glancing at the other woman before focusing on you. Or more specifically, the brown strip of worn leather around your neck.

Amused, you nod at Vander before twisting in your chair to lean against the counter. “I’m sorry to ruin your stranger roleplay, cowboy, but I’m not sendin’ you a drink from across the bar to fulfill that fantasy. You'll have to chat me up a little first.”

A soft scoff escapes from Sevika's lips before she stifles a laugh. Her boots shift against the floor, the leather creaking softly. “You tellin’ me I have to work for that free drink you owe me, angel?”

Your head bobs slowly as you nod and you click your tongue, stealing a glance at Vander as he pours a generous amount of bourbon into your glass. “I am, cowboy. I wanna see you work for it.” You mumble with a sly grin.

“Ridin’ for you wasn’t enough, angel?” She chuckles, her eyes following your every move as you nod gratefully to Vander. 

You raise the glass towards her with a smirk in silent response. She watches intently as the smooth amber liquid disappears between your parted lips.

Her silver eyes grow hooded and her voice drops into a sultry tone. “That’s too bad about that fantasy. I was gettin’ all kinds of hot and bothered thinkin�� about talkin’ to you like it’s the first time, angel.”

You send her a flirty wink. “Well, we can put a pin in that idea for later.”

She lifts a brow, raising her eyes to yours. “Later? That sou-“

“Ahem.”

You startle slightly as the woman behind you clears her throat, momentarily forgetting about her presence. Sevika's smirk falters and she rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Feeling slightly guilty for neglecting her, you straighten up in your chair and offer an apologetic smile. “Jules, this is Sevika.” You introduce with an amused glance towards Vander, who silently hovers nearby. “Sevika. Jules.”

Jules extends her hand to Sevika with a tense smile. "Nice to meet you, Sevika."

Sevika eyes Jules's outstretched hand for a moment before shaking it, her grip perhaps a bit firmer than necessary. "Likewise." She says, her tone neutral.

You clear your throat awkwardly and their hands fall to their sides. "Jules is new in town." You explain. "She's started at that boxin’ ring I told you about."

"That so?" Sevika replies, her silver eyes never leaving Jules's face. "Welcome to town."

Jules nods, her smile faltering slightly. "Thank you. It's been quite an adjustment, but everyone's been so welcomin’." Her eyes flick to you briefly. "Especially you."

You feel your eyes widen sightly at Jules's words and the implications behind them. “Of course. It’s my pleasure welcomin’ anyone new to town.”

Jules turns to face you, reaching out to give your hand a brief squeeze. "I should get going. It was great catchin’ up with you.” She says, glancing briefly at Sevika. A tense look flashes across her features before she sends you another charming smile. “Can’t wait to do it again."

You nod. "Take care, Jules."

As Jules walks away, you turn back to Sevika, noticing the tightness in her jaw. "You alright there, cowboy?" You ask, a hint of amusement in your voice as you take another sip from your glass. “I already told you, Sev, there’s no need to be jealous.” You tease lightly.

Sevika scoffs, her eyes barely flickering back to the retreating woman. The corners of her lips curl into a smirk as her eyes return to the necklace around your throat. “I’m not jealous. She’s just a girl and I know that’s not what you want. What you need.”

Leaning in close to your ear, she brushes her nose against your hair and whispers, her voice husky and alluring. “You need a woman who will worship you and put you in your place when you need it.”

“Oh.” You lift your brow, with a smirk. “And you think that’s you?” You sound amused but there's a hint of breathiness in your voice.

Sevika chuckles lowly, her voice dripping with confidence. “I know that’s me, angel.” She corrects. “Of course…” Leaning back in her chair, she drapes her arm casually over the back of yours.

“If there’s someone else you have in mind, then by all means, angel.” She challenges, waving her left hand in invitation.

Shaking your head with a smirk, you glance down as she casually spreads her legs in front of her. Licking your lips, you rest your hand on her thigh with a wicked grin. “You’re right, cowboy. You ain’t got any competition. I was just wonderin’ why you thought you fit the role.” You tease, trailing your fingers up and down her inner thigh.

Sevika’s eyes dilate as she stills your hand with hers. “You’re flyin’ a little too close to the sun, angel.” She murmurs huskily.

Undeterred by her warning, you lower your voice even more and lean in closer. “So, why don't you bring me back down, cowboy?” You challenge.

Sevika's grip on your hand tightens slightly. "Careful what you wish for, darlin'." Her voice is low and gravelly, sending shivers down your spine. "I might just take you up on that offer."

You feel your breath catch in your throat, heat rising to your cheeks. "You’d put out for me this fast? I haven’t even bought you that drink yet, cowboy." You manage to whisper back, your voice slightly shaky.

Vander lets out a deep sigh as he comes to a stop in front of both of you, shaking his head disapprovingly. “You two are gettin’ awfully comfy. And as much as I like seein’ you happy, kid, I don’t wanna see you gettin’ too happy in my bar.”

Clearing your throat, you shrug at Vander with a grin and lower your hand to rest comfortably on Sevika’s knee. “Apologies, Van.”

Vander sighs, giving Sevika a look. “Don’t matter how long it’s been, seein’ her back is still jarrin’.”

You stifle a laugh and roll your eyes at him. “Well, it only took her almost dyin’ and losin’ an arm but she’s back for good.”

Sevika chuckles, though there's a hint of tension in her shoulders. "Better late than never, right?" She says, her tone light but her eyes searching yours.

You squeeze her knee gently, offering a sincere smile. "Of course, cowboy." You agree softly.

Vander grunts again, his eyes moving between the two of you. "Need another drink, kid?" He says, his tone gruff.

Humming, you nod. “Yeah. Two please.”

The sound of ice clinking in glasses fills the air as he pours two drinks, the amber liquid swirling together lazily. Nodding at you with a stern look, Vander leaves you both to enjoy your drinks.

Sevika's hand comes to rest over yours on her knee. "Finally earned my keep, angel?"

Swirling the glasses around in your hands, you offer her one with a charming smile. “No. But I’m sure you will soon.”

She raises her eyebrows in amusement as she accepts the glass. A familiar warmth spreads through her body as she takes a sip, her gaze locked onto yours.

You follow the movement of her throat as she swallows the amber liquid, transfixed. Lightly drumming your fingers on her thigh, you bite your lip. “You said this is at my pace, right? So I need to be the one who makes the first move?” You mumble, almost absentmindedly as your eyes trail over her.

A slow grin spreads across Sevika's face. “That’s right.”

You lean in close, your lips almost brushing Sevika's ear as you whisper. "Good. Because I think I'm ready to make that move."

Sevika's breath hitches audibly, her grip on the glass tightening and body tensing with anticipation. "Is that so, angel?" She murmurs, her voice husky.

You pull back just enough to meet her gaze, a hungry glint in your eye. You let your fingers curve further up the inside of her thigh. "Mhmm." You hum, the sound vibrating through your chest. "I’m free until tomorrow evening. So… what d’you say we go to your room at the Inn?"

Sevika's silver eyes darken with desire, mirroring the intensity in yours. She downs the rest of her drink in one swift motion, never breaking eye contact. "Lead the way." She growls, her voice rough with want.

Leaning in closer, you tilt your head at her and brush the pad of your thumb over her lip slowly, wiping away a bead of alcohol. Sevika sits stiffly, dilated eyes locked on yours as she watches you lick the droplet from your thumb. You graze your nose along hers and ghost a kiss over her lips before slowly drawing back.

Standing up, you toss a handful of coins on the counter and take Sevika's hand in yours, pulling her up with you. With a casual wave to Vander, who nods knowingly, you lead Sevika towards the door and out into the night air.

…

With a click of the lock, she tugs you inside with a sense of urgency.

The skin on her lips is soft and plump as they consume yours. You trace her bottom lip with your tongue, mirroring the path your thumb had taken minutes before. A moan escapes your throat as you finally taste her- a hint of bourbon mixed with something wholly her. Your tongue eagerly explores her mouth, chasing after the taste of her.

Breaking away from the heated kiss, your breaths come out in ragged gasps and you force yourself to slow down. Swallowing hard, you press your forehead against hers and caress her flushed cheeks.

With a gentle stroke, you tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear before leaning in to capture her soft lips again. "Lay down for me, Sev." You whisper huskily, your warm breath fanning over her skin like a tender caress.

She hesitates, her head shaking slightly as she protests. "It’s been too long. I wanna taste you, angel. " She voices, her tone filled with need.

"Of course you do, cowboy.” You smile at her, your fingers slowly unbuttoning her shirt. "And there’s time for that later. But right now, I want to worship you and maybe knock you down a peg or two." Your words are filled with an equal mix of adoration and playfulness.

With careful movements, you slide her shirt off her shoulders and then remove her tank top without any resistance from her. “And you gotta do what I want cause you still feel really, really bad for leavin’ me.” You add, pulling her closer to you.

"How long do you plan on milkin’ that, angel?" She asks with a hint of amusement, watching you undo her pants.

Chuckling, you look up at her. "As long as you'll let me get away with it."

Sevika smirks back at you, her fingers tracing along the curve of your hip. “Then enjoy it while it lasts, angel.” Without warning, her fingers pinch the skin of your hip and a sharp yelp escapes your lips as you jolt towards her.

"Hey!” You protest, giving her a mock glare before stepping back from her touch. “You can finish undressin’ by yourself.”

“I’m sorry, darlin’.” She apologizes as she strips off her clothes, clearly amused by your reaction.

Pursing your lips, you cross your arms over your chest and watch as she undresses. 

Your teeth sink into your bottom lip as you raise your gaze to meet her eyes. They then trail down to the gentle curve of her breasts, where her perky nipples stand at attention. You let out a mumbled remark, barely audible over the sound of your heart thumping in your chest. "You're lucky you're hot."

She lets out a soft snort in response, her own lips curving into a smirk that matches yours.

You lean in, your hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek as your gaze shifts to her arm. The darkened, scarred skin contrasts sharply with the gleaming metal of her prosthetic limb. “If you ever get uncomfortable or you wanna stop, just tell me. Okay?” You say softly, your voice filled with tenderness.

Her piercing silver eyes harden and her body tenses under your touch, sensing your eyes on the scars that adorn her skin. "Does it bother you?" Her voice is guarded, but there is a hint of vulnerability in her question.

Without hesitation, you shake your head, your eyes never leaving her face. "No, Sev. Never." You assure her firmly.

Your fingertips, light and gentle, trace over the faint trails of lightning that are etched into her skin. Nails gently graze down her cheek, trailing along the soft curve of her neck and finally coming to rest on the skin of her shoulder.

"Maybe it's stupid." You begin, vulnerability creeping into your voice. "But I wanna show you, give you, the love that I couldn't when you got hurt." You say, almost pleadingly.

As your words wash over her, Sev's guarded expression softens like melting snow. Her pearly eyes glisten with emotion, reflecting the devotion in your voice. She catches your hand, bringing it to her lips and pressing a gentle kiss to your palm.

"You've always given me more love than I deserve, angel." She murmurs against your hand, her voice filled with raw emotion.

You shake your head, cupping her face with both hands. "That is not true." You whisper fiercely. "You deserve everything, Sev. Everything and more."

She leans into your touch, her eyes fluttering closed. When she opens them again, they are filled with a love that takes your breath away. "Show me." She breathes, her voice barely audible but filled with longing and desire.

You trace your fingers along the contours of her face, memorizing every inch as if it were a delicate work of art.

"Relax for me, Sev. Lay down." You urge again, your voice a soft whisper in the dimly lit room.

This time she complies, her muscles loosening at your command.

She slowly backs up toward the bed, the back of her knees brushing against the edge of the mattress. She sinks into it gracefully, her gaze never wavering from yours. The dim light from the lamp casts soft shadows on her sharp features, making her look like the goddess she is. She waits for your next move with bated breath, her body trembling with excitement.

The sight of her lying on the bed, body splayed open and eyes filled with raw desire and affection, shoots a surge of ecstasy through your veins. Each step you take towards her feels charged as you shed your clothes, leaving you in nothing but the necklace she left you.

Climbing onto the soft mattress, you settle yourself over Sevika's stomach. Your palms find purchase on her shoulders as you lean down, hovering just inches above her parted lips.

"Is this okay?" Your whispered question hangs in the air, mingling with the soft sounds of your breath and hers.

Sevika nods as her hands rest on your hips, pulling you closer. "More than okay, angel." She murmured, her voice laced with admiration.

You kiss her slowly, lovingly.

The warmth of your skin bleeds into hers as your bodies meld together, your weight resting on her in a comforting embrace. Your breasts brush against hers as you consume each other, skin sliding against skin. You hope she can feel, taste, the love dripping from your tongue, like you can hers.

With gentle caresses, your fingers trace a path along her jawline, down her neck, and across her collarbone. Sevika's breathing quickens and she arches towards you, her hands gripping you tighter. The sharp metal in her hand pierces your hip, but you pay no mind to the pain as you part from her lips.

Your heart fills with an overwhelming tenderness as you take her in. "You are absolutely stunning." You breathe out. You fully intend to savor every moment by mapping every inch of her body with reverent touches and soft kisses.

You start with her forehead, tracing the delicate curve of her brow before moving to her eyelids, gently pressing your lips against them. Your lips then trail down to her nose, planting tiny kisses along its bridge before resting on her full, inviting lips.

With a low, soothing hum, you trail your lips further down the hard contours of her body. She quivers beneath your eager tongue as you pepper her throat with wet, fervent kisses and you pause to suck gently at her pulse point. She lets out a soft gasp, her fingers tangling in your hair.

Sevika’s scars tingle with each gentle caress of your lips and she releases a deep groan as you tease her erect nipple with the pad of your thumb.

Your lips trail lower, savoring the taste of her skin as you move down her body. You lavish attention on her neglected breasts, swirling your tongue around each nipple before gently sucking. Sevika’s back rises from the soft bed, a soft moan escaping her lips.

"Angel." She breathes, her voice husky with desire.

You look up at her through your lashes, releasing her nipple with a soft pop. "Yes, cowboy?"

Her silver eyes, filled with a fiery desire, lock onto yours as she whispers in a low, demanding voice. "Stop teasin', angel." Her hips lift off the bed as she tightens her grip on your hair.

You smile against her skin, following her command. Your hands caress her sides as you kiss along her toned stomach, feeling the muscles quiver beneath your touch.

With a soft hum of approval, you settle between her legs, hooking them over your shoulders. Your eyes roll into the back of your head as you inhale the scent of her. You pause, looking up at her with hooded eyes.

“You’re perfect, Sev.” You say softly, your breath ghosting over her heated flesh.

“Ang-”

Whatever response she had is cut short by a loud moan.

Your eyes flutter with relief and you whimper as you dive into her wet, warm pussy. The dark, coarse hair on her core tickles your nose as you circle your tongue around her pretty clit. The musky scent of her desire and pleasure surrounds you.

Sevika's hips buck against your face as you lick a broad stripe up her slit. You hold her thighs firmly, trying to keep her in place as you continue your ministrations.

"Fuck, angel." Sevika gasps, her metal hand gripping the sheets while her other hand tangles tighter in your hair. “You’re fucking perfect and so good for me, angel. To me.”

You moan in response, your tongue exploring every fold and crevice, savoring her taste. You lap at her entrance before focusing your attention back on her swollen clit.

Your tongue circles her clit before sucking it gently between your lips. Sevika's back arches off the bed, a string of curses falling from her lips.

Alternating between quick flicks and slow, firm strokes, you slide two fingers inside her. Your mouth never leaves her clit as you pump your fingers in and out, feeling her walls clench around them.

You maintain a steady rhythm, humming against the sensitive flesh of her core. Each quiet moan and hoarse groan that she releases encourages you.

Sevika's voice is strained as she warns you. "I'm close."

Your heart races as she nears climax, her body trembling beneath your touch. With one final push, you bring her to the peak of ecstasy, your name falling from her lips in a choked groan, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Licking your glistening lips, you gradually slow your fingers before curling them out of her.

Resting your cheek against her thigh, you feel a sense of blissfulness wash over you. Your eyes glisten with salty tears of adoration as you whisper. “I love you.” Nuzzling into her skin, you breathe her in. “I love you so much, Sevika. More than words can express, Sev.”

Sevika's chest heaves as she comes down from her high, her body still trembling with aftershocks. She looks down at you, her silver eyes filled with an intensity that takes your breath away.

"Come here." She whispers, her voice hoarse.

You comply, pressing a quick kiss to her hipbone before crawling up her body until you're face to face. Sevika cups your cheek with her flesh hand, her thumb gently wiping away a stray tear.

"I love you too, angel. I am in love with you." She murmurs, her voice thick with emotion. "More than before. More than I ever thought possible, angel."

She pulls you down for a kiss, slow and deep, her lips molding perfectly to yours as she tastes herself on your lips. Tears escape the corners of your eyes, wetting her cheeks as you lose yourself in her. When you finally part, she rests her forehead against yours. As both of you catch your breath, her eyes close in blissful surrender.

"You’ve got my infernal soul in your hands, angel." She whispers, her voice trembling with emotion as if giving herself completely to you.

Swallowing, she brushes your hair back. “Will you let me show you how much I love you now?” She whispers against your skin, peppering your nose with light kisses. “How much I missed you?”

You struggle to hold back a sob as you shakily nod, your emotions threatening to overflow.

With a gentle touch, she helps you roll onto your back. Her lips linger on yours for a moment before she slips away into the bathroom, the sound of her movements echoing through the room. You wipe at your tear-stained cheeks and watch as she reappears.

A purple member bobs between her legs as she walks toward you. Her hips sway with each step, two sets of straps adorning her body. One set hangs low on her hips, the other crossing over her waist. But it's the delicate curls of her core that truly captivate you, peeking over the top of the centerpiece.

Your mouth goes dry as she approaches the bed with a predatory grace, her eyes dark as they roam over your body. You gasp in excitement and anticipation as she settles between your spread thighs.

She captures your lips in a searing kiss, her body pressing against yours. You moan into her mouth as you feel the toy brush against your core. Sevika breaks the kiss to trail her lips along your jaw and down your neck, nipping and sucking at your sensitive skin.

"I've dreamt of this." She murmurs against your collarbone as she thrusts her fingers into you. You gasp in pleasure, your nails curling into the soft flesh of her shoulders as she continues. "Of comin’ back and showin’ you how much I love you.”

She eagerly explores every inch inside of you, scissoring her fingers apart to stretch you open. “Dreamt of lovin’ you with my cock, angel.” She confessed, harshly biting at the skin of your shoulder. “Stretchin’ you open as I make you mine.”

You moan at her words, each wet thrust of her fingers pushing you closer to the edge. “An’ you’re mine.” You mumble back possessively.

You can feel her desire radiating from her fingertips and it only intensifies yours. The rough pad of her thumb flicks at your throbbing clit and you cry out your release.

Sevika's soft chuckle fills the air as she revels in your response. “Course, I’m yours. All…” She pauses, lifting her glistening fingers to her mouth, her eyes never leaving yours. With a groan of pleasure, she sucks on her digits before slowly releasing them. “Yours.” She finishes with a sultry smirk.

You feel a lump in your throat and inhale sharply, shifting your thighs higher on her hips as you pull her closer. The weight of her member rests on your core and she grinds it into you. Her breath is hot against your neck as she whispers. “You ready for me, angel?”

Your whole body trembles in response and you nod eagerly, your hands sliding down to grip Sevika's hips. "Yes." You breathe. "Please, Sev. I need you inside me."

Sevika positions herself at your entrance, leaning down to capture your lips in a deep kiss. She teases you for a moment, sliding the length of the toy through your folds, coating it in your arousal. You whimper, your hips shallowly thrusting up.

“I see you still haven’t learned patience, angel.” She murmurs against your lips with humor. But you can see the hunger in her eyes, the way her muscles tense with restraint.

Finally, mercifully, she slowly pushes inside you. You gasp against her mouth, your body stretching to accommodate her size. Sevika groans, her forehead pressing against yours as she bottoms out.

"Fuck, angel." The expletive slips from her lips in a breathless groan. Sevika can almost feel how tight and perfect you feel.

With one arm folded beneath your back and the other supporting your head, Sevika's weight presses down on you, almost suffocating. But you welcome it, returning her embrace and intertwining your arms around her back, feeling every curve and inch of her against you.

You pull her in deeper. "Move." You plead. "Please, I need you to move."

Sevika obliges, her hips barely leave yours as she starts with slow, grinding thrusts. “I love you, angel. You look so pretty with my necklace on.” She praises.

The symphony of your shared passion fills the room, each moan and sigh a perfect harmony to the other's. Every caress is met with equal tenderness, as if your bodies were made to fit together. With each shallow thrust of her hips, Sevika's body melds into yours.

Your heart swells with adoration and tears of overwhelming love gather at the corners of your eyes.

Your nails lightly rake over Sevika's back as she moves inside you. The toy slides in and out of you with delicious friction. You press your lips to her shoulder, tasting the salt of her skin as your lips explore the texture of her scars.

"I love you." You whisper against her flesh. "So much, Sevika."

Sevika's thrusts grow deeper, more forceful, as if she's trying to push away the years of separation between you. "I love you, angel."

You moan loudly, your nails curling into her skin as pleasure builds within you.

"Sev." You gasp, your voice breathy and desperate. "Please, don’t stop."

Lifting one of your legs higher on her waist, she changes the angle of her thrusts. The new position allows her to penetrate you even deeper, and you cry out in ecstasy. The room fills with the sounds of her hips slamming into yours.

"Like this?" Sevika growls, her voice husky. "This what you need, darlin’?"

Sevika's lips find your neck, sucking and biting at the skin just above your necklace and your legs spasm closed around her as you cum.

"Yes!" You moan, your head thrown back in pleasure. "Oh fuck, Sevika!"

Pressing wet kisses to your skin, her hips slow and she gradually stills in you. Sevika's lips trail up your neck, placing gentle kisses along your jaw before capturing your lips in a tender kiss. Her hips remain still, the toy buried deep inside you.

"You okay, angel?" She murmurs against your lips, her silver eyes searching yours with concern.

"Check back, in about 5 minutes, cowboy." You whisper back, a smile spreading across your face as you run your fingers through her hair.

Sevika chuckles softly, nuzzling her nose against yours. Her hand moves up to caress your cheek, her thumb tracing the curve of your cheekbone as she studies your face intently, her eyes flickering with a mischievous glint. "You exceeded even my wildest dreams, darlin’."

You nod your head in mock appreciation, tightening your legs around her waist. "I'm flattered. Who knew I could surpass your steamy fantasies, cowboy?" You quip back, the words rolling off your tongue playfully.

Sevika's eyes twinkle with amusement as she gazes down at you. "Oh, angel." She purrs, her voice low and husky. "You have no idea just how wild those fantasies can get."

She punctuates her words with a slow, deliberate roll of her hips, causing the toy still buried inside you to shift. You gasp, your oversensitive body trembling at the sensation as your walls flutter around her.

"Sev." You whimper in complaint. "Gimme a minute, would you?"

She chuckles, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. "Of course, darlin'. We've got all night, so what’s the rush? Ain’t that right, angel?"

With gentle movements, she eases out of you and you groan at the loss. She settles beside you, pulling you close against her chest. You curl into her, your fingers tracing patterns over her skin as you bask in the afterglow.

Your breathing steadies, the rhythmic rise and fall of your chest accompanied by the soft whooshing sound of air passing through your nose. Your hand, heavy with sleep, searches blindly for hers.

The copper appendages curl over yours and you fall asleep, in her arms, hand in hand.

…

“What’re you lookin’ at?” Sevika questions with a smirk, drying her wet hair as stray droplets of water cascade down her neck.

A few stray drops fall between her breasts and vanish beneath the fabric of her buttoned shirt. Lifting your eyes to hers, you meet her gaze. "Your face." You reply with an innocent shrug.

She scoffs, but there's a hint of amusement in her voice as she rolls her eyes. "Sure you were, angel." She mumbles sarcastically, sitting on the edge of the bed and leans over to slip on her boots.

You follow closely behind, wrapping your arms around her waist and sliding your hands under her shirt. Your fingers trace teasing patterns over her stomach, feeling the softness of her skin and the tensing of her abdominal muscles. The trail of hair below her navel tickles your fingertips as you playfully drag your nails along its path, pressing soft kisses to her neck. She wraps her arms around yours with a shiver.

Sevika's eyes glint with unbridled desire as she turns to look at you. A slow smile spreads across her lips, revealing her sharp canines. "Careful now. Don’t start somethin’ you can’t finish, angel." She murmurs, her voice husky.

You let your fingers dance along the curves of her stomach. "Feelin’ hungry, Sev?" With a wicked smile, you rise up on your knees and lean over her shoulder, puckering your lips playfully.

A small scoff escapes her lips as she turns in your arms. “I could eat.” She stares at you in amusement and you hum, smacking your lips together in silent demand. Chuckling, she presses a rough peck to your lips.

Satisfied, you fall back to your heels and chuckle as you quickly scan her figure with a smirk. “I’m sure you could eat.” You clear your throat and cough into your shoulder, an exaggerated motion that only adds to the teasing tone of your words. “Munch.”

Amusement lights up her silver eyes as she raises a thick brow. “What was that, angel?”

“I said, ‘I’m sure you could eat’.” You shake your head, feigning confusion. “Gyah-lee, your old age finally catchin’ up to you, Sev?”

Sevika pinches your side and you laugh, wrapping your arms around her shoulders as you twist into her lap. “I can grab somethin’ to-go from the Inn or Jericho’s and bring it back.”

“I’ll go with you.” She offers, loosely resting her hands on your hips.

“You can. But I like takin’ care of you. It’s my love language. I know you wouldn’t understand, cause yours is bein’ a grabby horn-dog.” You tease, squeezing your arms around her.

Sevika scoffs, letting you slide off her lap. “Right, I’m the one who can’t keep my hands to myself.” She retorts, standing.

“Mhmm.” You hum in agreement, with a smirk. Biting your lip cheekily, you twirl around her and smack her perfectly toned ass with a wink. “C’mon. If you’re gonna join me, make haste. Mama’s hungry.”

As you smoothly glide towards the door, your fingers entwined with hers, you feel weightless.

Approaching the front desk, Felicia's face comes into view. Her deep purple brows are furrowed in worry and her lips are pressed into a thin line as she engages in conversation with the person standing before her. She looks up at you briefly, concern evident in her eyes, before turning back to attend to the patron. 

The corners of your mouth drop as the patron slowly turns around, revealing herself to be Elora. Letting go of Sevika’s hand, you feel a surge of panic grip your chest as you dash towards her. Your heart pounds in your ears as you reach out to grab her arm.

"What are you doin’ here?" You demand, fear and worry evident in your voice. You frantically search for any sign of Bo, but Elora is alone. "Where's Bo? What happened?” Your words spill out in a rush, each one filled with desperate urgency.

She swallows down the tight lump that forms in her throat. Tears of guilt fill her hazel eyes and spill over onto her cheeks. "I'm so sorry." She manages to choke out between sobs. "She...she tried to ride one of the horses by herself. And she fell. She’s at the clinic. I am so-"

"Why the fuck weren't you with her?" You demand, your voice choked with tears and rage. "Y’know what? I'll deal with you later." You grit out through clenched teeth, trying to hold back your emotions as your tears fall freely down your cheeks.

Turning, you stumble into Sevika.

Sevika catches you, her strong arms steadying you. Her silver eyes flash with concern as her gaze flicks to Elora, who is still sobbing. "You okay to walk, angel?" Her voice is low and urgent.

You nod your head, unable to form words through the panic gripping your chest.

"She’ll be okay, angel." She murmurs, wrapping an arm around your waist to support you.

You don’t answer as you rush out of the inn.

…

Bursting through the doors of the clinic, your body is consumed by an uncontrollable tremble of adrenaline. Sevika follows closely behind, her hand a reassuring weight on your back as you frantically approach Lest.

"Where's Bo? Is she okay?" You blurt out, your eyes scanning the empty waiting room with growing panic. The smell of antiseptic and fear lingers in the air, adding to your sense of urgency and unease. Your heart hammers in your chest, matching the pace of your quickened breaths.

“Bo’s going to be okay. She's got a few bruises and scrapes, but nothing too serious. She was lucky.” Lest's calm demeanor slightly eases the panic in your chest. You ball your hands into fists, squeezing tightly at the fabric of your clothes, trying to steady your trembling fingers.

Lest's voice is soft, laced with sympathy as her eyes cast downward. "She should be up if you're ready to see her." She says gently.

You nod, your voice cracking as you reply. "Okay. Just... gimme a second." Seeking comfort, you turn into Sevika and feel her hands rub soothing circles on your back. As you draw in Sevika's familiar scent, a sense of comfort washes over you and the trembling in your body begins to subside. Relief floods through you as Lest's words slowly sink in.

With a deep breath, you pull away from her, rubbing your hands harshly over your face to try and regain control. A forced smile tugs at the corners of your mouth as you tensely ask. “I look okay? I don’t wanna scare her.”

Your forced smile falters as Sevika gently cups your face, her silver eyes filled with concern. "You look fine, angel." She murmurs softly, her thumb brushing away a stray tear. "But Bo just wants you with her. Doesn’t matter what you look like, angel."

You nod, taking a shaky breath. "You're right. Would you- I think it’d be better if you go." You whisper, leaning into her touch.

Sevika’s eyes fill with understanding and she presses a gentle kiss to your lips. "I love you, angel." She whispers, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear with tender fingers. “If you need me, I’ll be close by.”

You nod in response, feeling grateful for her. “I love you. Thank you, Sev.” You say, cupping your hand over her for a brief moment before straightening up and turning to face Lest. "Okay, I'm ready."

Lest leads you down a short hallway to a small examination room. You take a deep breath, steeling yourself as you enter Bo's room. Your heart clenches at the sight of her small, bruised form in the bed. Her eyes light up when she sees you, though there's a hint of guilt in her expression.

"Mo!" She calls out, her voice relieved as she reaches out towards you.

You rush to her side, carefully gathering her into a gentle hug. "Oh, bug. I was so worried. You scared the shit out of me, kid." You murmur, pecking her forehead and pressing your nose to the crown of her head.

Bo sniffles against your shoulder. "I just wanted to show that I could ride." She grumbles.

You pull back slightly, cupping her cheek. "I know, baby." You say with a mix of concern and reprimand. "But you know better than to try ridin’ alone. You were lucky you weren't hurt worse." Your voice softens as you brush away a stray tear from her cheek. "What were you thinkin', bug?"

She pushes you away with a surprising force, causing you to jolt back in shock. Her eyes are blazing with anger and fear, her small body trembling. "You weren't there." She cries out, her voice cracking. "You’re gone every Friday, but you come back. Why didn’t you come back? Where were you? Saturday’s are our days!" She sobs, a desperation in her tone.

Your heart shatters at Bo's words, guilt and pain washing over you. You reach out to her again, but she flinches away. "I am so sorry, bug." You whisper. "I thought you understood when I told you I’d be back late."

Tears well up in your eyes as you slowly take her hand in yours and she hesitantly lets you. Gently brushing her disheveled hair back from her face, you meet Bo's gaze with a heavy heart. “I need to have a serious conversation with you, Bo.” Your lips fall into a deep frown as you try to suppress a sob that threatens to escape.

Bo's lower lip trembles as she looks at you, her anger giving way to hurt. “Am I in trouble? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you, Mo.” She rushes, her voice filled with anguish and regret. “And I won’t ride on my own again. I promise.” She warbles out, her hands clawing into your wrist as if afraid you’ll leave.

You shake your head in reassurance. “No, of course you’re not in trouble, bug.” Your voice is gentle as you continue. “I’ve been... seein’ someone. Goin’ on dates, Bo.”

Bo's emerald green eyes drop to the ground and she curls into herself, her body language suddenly guarded. Her voice comes out in a small, hesitant mumble as she asks. "Like as a couple?"

You sadly smile and wrap your arm around her. “Like as a couple.” Squeezing her hand, you pause. “Can you look at me, Bo?”

Bo hesitates for a moment before slowly lifting her gaze to meet yours. Her green eyes are filled with a mix of emotions - confusion, insecurity, and a hint of fear.

"I love you more than anything in this world, bug. Nothing and no one will ever change that." You say firmly, your voice filled with sincerity.

Bo's lower lip trembles slightly as she listens, her eyes searching your face. "But what if… what if they try to take you away? What if you don't wanna come back?" She whispers, her voice small and vulnerable.

You pull her closer, being careful of her injuries. "Oh, baby." You murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "That's not possible. Nothing will come between you and me. I love you, Bo, and I'll always come back to you, baby. And you are my first priority.”

With trembling fingers, you cup her tear-stained cheeks and gently wipe away the drops that fall from her emerald eyes. “She knows that. And if she ever tries to come between us, then she’s gone. Okay?”

She nods, flinging herself across your lap, her body wracked with sobs. “M’ sorry, Mo. I love you.”

You wrap your arms around her and gently rock her back and forth. "You have nothin’ to be sorry for, sweet girl. It’s my fault for not makin’ makin’ you feel safer, baby. More loved. That's on me, not you." Your voice quivers with emotion as you speak, struggling to keep yourself together and you rest your cheek on her head. "I love you so much, bug."

She slowly calms, her sobs turning into sniffles as she loosens her tight hold on you. She looks up at you with red, puffy eyes and rests her head on your shoulder. "You look pretty." She says softly.

A small smile tugs at the corners of your mouth as you run a hand through her hair. “Thank you, bug.” A fond chuckle escapes your lips as you gaze down at her with affection.

“What’s…” Bo trails off, her words barely audible as her fingers fiddle anxiously in her lap. You wait patiently for her to find the right words, studying the way her fingers twist and turn. “What’s her name?” She finally asks.

"Sevika.” You say softly.

Bo is quiet for a moment, deep in thought as she processes this new information. Her green eyes meet yours, and they are filled with a seriousness beyond her years. "Does she make you happy, Mo?" She asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, she does." You answer honestly. "But you make me happiest, bug."

Bo's expression brightens at your answer. "Is she nice?" She asks, her eyebrows dipping in a small frown of concern.

You chuckle softly at the question. "She can be a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but yes, she's very nice. And she's strong, and brave, and protective." Your eyes soften as you think about Sevika. "I think you'd like her, bug."

Bo seems to consider this, her fingers still fidgeting. “Can I meet her?”

Bo studies Sevika intently, her green eyes scanning the tall woman from head to toe. Sevika shifts awkwardly under the child's scrutiny, clearly unsure of how to interact with the young girl.

Sevika clears her throat, her usual confidence seeming to falter under Bo's unwavering gaze. "It's nice to meet you, Bo." She says, her voice softer than usual. "I've heard a lot about you."

Bo's eyes narrow slightly, her small hand tightening its grip on yours. "Are you gonna take Mo away?" She asks, her voice filled with apprehension.

Sevika's eyes widen slightly, but she quickly composes herself. “No… And if I tried, ‘Mo’ would kick my ass.”

Bo’s chest puffs up. “I would too.” She declares with a pinched glare. You both glance at each other over Bo’s head with amusement.

“Of course.” Sevika responds in a serious tone, barely managing to suppress a small smirk.

Bo's gaze lingers on Sevika's metal arm, her eyes widening slightly. "What happened to your arm?" She asks bluntly, in the way only children can.

You tense slightly and move to interject, but Sevika merely shrugs. "I lost it in an accident." She explains simply, her tone neutral.

Bo nods, seemingly satisfied with this answer. She looks up at you, searching your face. "Is she always this awkward?" She whispers loudly out of the corner of her mouth.

Turning your head away quickly, you cough into your shoulder to hide your grin. Bending to her height, you stage a whisper staring at Sevika with humor twinkling in your eyes. “No. She’s just a little shy, bug.”

Sevika rolls her eyes with a huff, but Bo takes your statement very seriously and tries to make conversation. “Do you like to paint? I like to paint. If you don’t like to paint, then I dunno if we can get along but if Mo likes you, I guess I can try.” With a soft smile, she releases your hand and bounds towards Sevika, grabbing her hand excitedly and leading her towards the towering oak tree.

Sevika's expression shifts into one of slight panic as she glances back at you. “I don’t know. I’ve never painted before.”

Bo's features scrunch up in sympathy as she shakes her head. “Oh. That’s sad.”

You silently trail behind them with a gentle smile. Bo's hand gestures towards rocks around the base of the tree, some painted and some bare. "Pick any empty one." She urges, her eyes scanning the options before her with careful scrutiny. "But make sure it's a good one."

A smirk dances across your lips at the lost look in Sevika's cloudy eyes. You playfully nudge her arm and lean down. "Looks like you've got a tough decision ahead of you, cowboy. Just make sure you don't pick a shitty one." You tease quietly, quickly finding a rock and rolling it in your palm.

Sevika's eyes narrow at your teasing. “You tryna say I have shit taste, angel? I’d advise you to remember that I picked you, angel.” She mumbles, carefully surveying each rock.

Glancing over at Bo, you see that her eyes are trained on the pile of stones in front of her. Giving Sevika a quick peck on the lips, you smirk at her. “False, cowboy. I picked you. You just got lucky.”

With a narrowing of her piercing eyes, she smirks at you, a coy expression playing across her lips. "Damn right I did." She says with a hint of satisfaction in her voice.

Selecting a smooth, oval-shaped stone, Sevika presents it to Bo. “How’s this one?" She asks.

Bo examines the rock critically before nodding. "That's a good one." She says seriously. "Now we need to wash them." She leads the way to a nearby water pump, her small hand curling over Sevika's metal one.

You follow behind, grinning at the sight of the tall, imposing woman being led around by a bossy little girl.

Cleaning the dust from the rocks, Bo shows them to Sevika. “You wash all the dust off so the paint doesn’t get all goopy and gross.” Rushing over to the old, paint-stained blanket spread on the ground, she wipes the rocks dry.

"Now we paint!" Bo declares excitedly, thrusting a paintbrush into Sevika's hand.

Sevika looks at the paintbrush uncertainly, her brow furrowing as she glances between it and the rock in her other hand. You can't help but chuckle at her obvious discomfort.

"C'mon cowboy, it's not that hard." You tease gently, nudging her with your elbow. "Just pick a color and go for it."

Bo nods enthusiastically, already dabbing her brush into a vibrant blue. "Yeah! You can paint anythin’ you want. Like a flower, or a horse, or a big scary monster!"

Sevika's lips quirk into a small smile at Bo's enthusiasm. "A big scary monster, huh? I think I can manage that."

Bo falls silent, her brow furrowed in concentration. Her tongue poking out of her mouth as she covers her rock in colors.

"Can Sevika come over for some of our Saturdays?” She asks hesitantly, still focused on her painting. “Mo said I’m not allowed to practice ridin’ for a while, so we’ve been doin’ tons of crafts and bakin’." She says, addressing Sevika. 

You pause in surprise. “That’s real kind of you, Bo.” You glance at Sevika, unsure how she'll react to the invitation. “But why don’t you ask her, bug?”

“Well, would you?” Bo’s green eyes sparkle with expectancy as she stares at Sevika.

"I’d love to." Sevika says, her voice gentle. "I appreciate you sharin'' your day with me, Bo." She adds.

You smile, feeling a warmth spread through your chest at the interaction between the two most important people in your life.

Bo's face lights up with a tentative smile. "Course! Can’t wait!" She says enthusiastically.

“Bite me asshole.”

As you enter the greenhouse, you adjust your hat with an amused smile. Bo stands with an annoyed glare, while Sevika kneels on the ground returning her glare with an annoyed huff. Both of them are covered in dirt, smudged on their cheeks and caked onto their hands.

Wiping her cheek and spreading the dirt on her face, Sevika glances at you. “Wanna help me out, angel?” She asks exasperatedly.

Lifting your eyes in mock consideration, you suck your teeth and shake your head sarcastically. “Nah. I think you’re on your own, cowboy.” You say crossing your arms.

Sevika rolls her shoulder in irritation and opens her mouth to retort, but Bo beats her to it. Turning to you with pleading eyes, she exclaims. “Mo! She’s a brute! Tell her she’s gotta be more gentle with the strawberries!” With a hand on her hip, Bo shakes a stern finger up at Sevika. “Those are Mo’s favorite, you can’t ruin them!“

Sevika scowls, knee-deep in soil as Bo stands over her, scolding her. Trying to hold back your laughter, you bite down hard on your lip, but it's no use. Your body shakes with mirth and you throw your head back with a loud cackle, covering your mouth.

“I’m glad to see you two bondin'.” You manage to say through bursts of laughter. 

Bo and Sevika watch you calm yourself with soft smiles, their eyes filled with affection.

You clear your throat as you move between them, still grinning. "Alright." You say, amused. "Let's see what the damage is."

You kneel down beside Sevika with a groan. As you examine the strawberry plants, you can feel the heat radiating from Sevika's body, so close to yours. You resist the urge to lean into her.

"Well." You say after a moment. "They don't look too bad. You’re a good teacher, Bo.” You smile grows as her chest puffs up at your praise.

“Just needs a gentler touch, Sev." You demonstrate, gently lifting the leaves and examining a strawberry. "Hand me the shears, bug."

Bo quickly hands you the tool and Sevika watches you intently. “The trick’s not squeezin’ too hard, cowboy, or you’ll bruise ‘em.” You tease lightly. Snapping the blades around the vine, you place the berry in the basket and stand.

Dusting yourself off, you look down at the half full basket. Snatching it from the ground, you wave both of them to follow as you move towards the door. “Well come on, ya’ll need to clean up if you’re gonna help me use these. They look perfect, so we'll use ‘em to make strawberry tarts.” You say, glancing back at them.

Bo scrambles after you, her green eyes bright in excitement. “Well, we picked a whole bunch so how many are we makin’? Some for the whole town? What about everybody at the Inn? Can we? They’re my favorite anyway, so I think it’d be okay if we just make enough for us and them.” She rushes out without taking any breaths.

Chuckling, you pat her back. “Breathe Bo. There’s enough for us and everybody at the Inn.” Glancing down at the basket, you smirk at Sevika. “There may even be enough for some marmalade and strawberry croissants in the mornin’.”

Gasping with wide eyes, she starts running ahead to the house. “I call the shower first! Suck an egg, asshole!”

“Take your boots off on the porch! Don’t rush it!” You call out after her. “And wash your hair!” You add.

Pointlessly, Sevika tries to wipe the dirt from her hands on her jeans next to you. “You plannin’ on pickin’ the rest tomorrow?”

Sending her a grin, you nod emphatically. “Oh, absolutely.” Giving her an amused smile, you nudge her arm. “Is that nickname just gonna stick now?”

Sevika glances at you, frowning with a sigh. “I didn’t break it on purpose.”

“Oh! I know you didn’t, but a friendship bracelet is a friendship bracelet and you broke it, cowboy.” Chuckling loudly, you shake your head in disbelief. “You broke it fucking immediately. How the hell did you manage that? Who knew you were so fucking clumsy, Sev?”

She rolls her eyes at you, not bothering to respond. 

"You're good with her." You tell her, sincerity evident in your voice. "She likes you."

Sevika raises a skeptical brow and you laugh, giving her a gentle push. “I’m serious.” You insist, your voice quiet and earnest. “If she didn’t like you, you’d know.”

A small smile of gratitude spreads across Sevika's face in response to your words. She looks relieved, her tension melting away with your reassurance.

Walking up the steps, you glance at the muddied shoes haphazardly thrown on the porch. Flashing a stern look at Sevika, you nod at her shoes while sliding off your own. “Porch.”

She scoffs and grumbles behind you, but fumbles with her boots.

Setting the basket on the kitchen counter, you grab a cloth from the cabinet and wet it under the sink. Sevika clears her throat behind you.

Squeezing out the water, you tilt your head at Sevika. “Wash your hands and I’ll help you with your face, cowboy.”

Snorting, she follows your directions. Hopping onto a bar stool, you silently wait for her to finish.

Drying her hands, she inserts herself between your legs and her palms fall onto the tops of your thighs.

You gently wipe the dirt from Sevika's face, your touch careful. You can feel the heat of her body between your legs, your breath catching in your throat as you brush a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

"There." You murmur softly, lowering the cloth and pecking her lips. "All clean."

Neither of you move.

"Angel." Sevika breathes, her voice low and husky. She leans in and your eyes flutter closed as you close the distance.

You gasp against her lips and resist the urge to pull her into you. The kiss is slow and Sevika’s hand falls to your cheek. She hums against your mouth, before parting. Pressing her forehead to yours, you both pant. “Love you, angel.”

“Love you too, cowboy.” You respond, pecking her lips again.

Hearing light footsteps race around upstairs, you press one last light peck to her lips before pushing her back and hopping down.

Swallowing, you turn to the doorway and wait for Bo to come drifting into the kitchen.

Sure enough, she almost runs into the island as she skids to a stop. “I’m ready! Let’s get started!”

Putting your hand on your hip, you lift a skeptical brow at her. “Did you wash your hair?”

Sniffing haughtily, Bo stands taller. “How dare you doubt me? I am an hon-”

“If I smell your hair, will it smell like soap?” Smirking, you grab the basket and move towards the sink.

Sighing, she glares at your back before turning. “You are a cruel, cruel person.”

You chuckle under your breath as you clean the strawberries in the sink. Flicking off the beads of water from your hands, you move to Sevika and raise a strawberry to her lips.

Her eyes darken on you and you watch her lips envelop the fruit. Flicking your tongue out to collect a drop of juice, you suck it from her lip before stepping away with an innocent look.

With a groan, Sevika shifts her gaze to the ceiling, her hands tightly clenched by her sides. "The shit-bird's right." She mutters, her voice filled with pain and frustration. "You're a cruel, cruel person."

Giggling softly, you turn back to the sink. 

Humming a tune under your breath, you nudge Sevika away as she tries to wrap her arms around you. "Quit, asshat." You scold, trying to maintain your balance while fending her off. "You're gonna get me all dirty." Despite your words, a smile tugs at the corners of your mouth.

You feel Sevika's warm breath on your neck as she leans in close, her voice low and husky in your ear. "Maybe I want you dirty, angel."

"I’m sure you do, but behave yourself, cowboy." You murmur, though there's no real admonishment in your tone.

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps thundering down the stairs echoes through the house.

"Okay, I'm back!" Bo announces, bursting into the kitchen with damp hair. "And yes, I actually washed it this time." She adds, seeing your raised eyebrow.

You nod approvingly. "Good girl. Thank you, bug.”

"I'm ready now!" She says, bouncing on her toes with excitement. "Can we start?"

You chuckle, turning away from the sink to face her and glancing at Sevika. "As soon as Sevika finishes cleanin’ up, bug. Why don't you grab the flour and sugar from the pantry, for now?"

With a grumbling sigh, Bo begrudgingly shuffles towards the pantry, leaving you alone with Sevika in the kitchen, who presses a soft kiss to your lips. “I’ll be quick, angel.” She promises.

You hum, moving the bowl of strawberries onto the counter and taking a bite of one.

Slap!

You gasp in surprise, your eyes widening as you instinctively cup your ass in pain. You spin around to see Sevika's retreating figure disappear around the corner.

“You’re such an asshole!” You yell after her. The low rumble of her chuckle trails behind her.

Coming out of the pantry, Bo nods knowingly at you. “Told yah so, Mo.”

Bo clutches the bags of flour and sugar tightly to her chest as she climbs up her step stool. She gingerly slides the bags onto the counter, then snatches a handful of strawberries and quickly hops up onto the countertop. Swinging her legs back and forth, she whines through a mouthful of juice. "Can we start without her, pleease?" She pleads. “S’ not like we need her." She complains.

Rolling your eyes, you lean against the counter next to her. "First of all, you shouldn’t be on the counter. Second, don't talk with your mouth full. And third… Sevika helped pick ‘em. We’re waitin’." You say firmly.

Groaning, Bo flops onto your shoulder. "But I picked most of 'em." She pouts.

You wrap your arm around her. "I'm sure, bug, but we need to wait anyway."

Bo reluctantly nods. "Fine." She lets out a defeated sigh.

Clearing your throat to hide a laugh, you nod. "How’s school been? Sky finally get that hole covered?" You ask.

“Yes, she did.” She mumbles disappointedly before perking up.

"Everyone played tag outside today though! Even Ms. Young!” Gasping in excitement, she shakes your arm. “Tag would be more fun here. We could play on the horses!"

Pursing your lips, you narrow your eyes in disappointment. "The animals aren't toys, Bo. Do you not remember what happened the last time you fooled around on a horse when you weren’t ‘sposed to?" You scold gently while tapping Bo's nose.

She scrunches it up in response. “Yeah, I know. Sorry.” Bo huffs, crossing her arms with a guilty frown.

“Once the new batch of strawberries grows, and everyone else gets their part of the harvest first, we can make more treats for your class with whatever’s left. How’s that sound, Bo?” You offer instead.

Bo nods eagerly, her frown forgotten at the promise of treats for her class. "Can we make somethin’ else with the strawberries? Like cupcakes? Or Ice cream? Ice cream and cupcakes." She says excitedly.

You smile warmly at her enthusiasm, cleaning the island counter just as Sevika's heavy footsteps echo down the stairs. "Sure thing, bug. We'll make a whole assortment."

Sevika enters the kitchen, she silently quirks an eyebrow at Bo as she moves to stand beside you.

"Alright." You say, rub your hands together. "Let's get started on these tarts."

The three of you fall into a rhythm as you work. You guide Bo through measuring ingredients and mixing the dough, while Sevika slices the strawberries.

While Bo talks about anything that crosses her mind, you and Sevika send each other amused glances over her head.

You hand Bo and Sevika rolling pins and sprinkle flour on the counter. “Just roll the dough out till it’s about the size of the pan.”

Nodding, Bo’s green eyes fill with determination as she rolls out the dough. Sevika follows suit slowly. A breath of amusement leaves your nose and you keep a close eye on Bo as you wash the used dishes and utensils.

Smiling in satisfaction, Bo looks up at you. “All done.” She announces before turning to Sevika with a smug look. “Bet it’s better than you could ever do, asshole.”

Sevika glances at you with a sigh, arms flexing as she rolls. “You ever gonna get onto her, angel?”

Bo quickly retorts. “Where do you think I learned it from, asshole?” She sticks her tongue out at the expressionless woman.

Lifting the unevenly rolled dough into the pan and cutting the excess, you interrupt with a chuckle. “Enough, Bo. Set the timer for 10 minutes.” Doing the same with Sevika’s dough, you open the oven door and carefully place the pans on the middle oven rack.

The timer clicks as Bo turns the knob and she slams it on the counter with a groan. “10 minutes is forever.”

As Sevika raises an eyebrow and glances at you, she wipes down the counter with a clean cloth. "Looks like she got her dramatics and impatience from you too." She smirks.

You chuckle, shaking your head. "I have no idea what you're talkin’ about, cowboy." You reply, affectionately tousling Bo's hair as you walk by.

Bo playfully dodges your touch, giving you a mock scowl. "Hey! I just washed it!"

"And it looks lovely." You tease, earning an eye roll from the girl.

Sevika finishes wiping the counter and leans against the counter with a soft smile. Her silver eyes follow you as you move around the kitchen, tidying up.

"Sooo." Bo pipes up, swinging her arms as she stares up at Sevika. "When’re you movin’ in?"

You nearly drop the bowl you're holding, caught off guard by her question. Sevika straightens up, her eyes darting between you and Bo.

"Uh." You stammer, feeling heat fill your face. “W-what?”

Frowning, she crosses her arms and shakes her head at you. “Well, Ren told me that couples, like her parents, live together. So when is she movin’ in?” Twisting to glare at Sevika, she points at her. “I’m not giving up my room.”

You blink, momentarily speechless. Sevika clears her throat, clearly trying to hide her amusement.

"Bo, honey." You start, setting the bowl down and approaching her. "I’m sure Sev appreciates your concern about her livin’ situation, but I’m not sure we’re ready for that quite yet… And don't worry, no one's takin’ your room." You say, trying to keep a straight face.

Bo nods, satisfied with your answer. "That’s fine. I was here first anyway."

Sevika scoffs, shaking her head. "Well that’s not true, but I’m not gonna argue with you, kid."

Tapping her chin, her green eyes fill with some sort of realization. “Wait. But she’s here all the time anyway. What’s the difference?” She asks, confused.

With a deep sigh, you lift your eyes to the ceiling in exasperation. Wincing, you shift your gaze between green and silver. “Well-”

The timer screeches, buzzing on the counter. With a sense of relief, you stop it and release a deep breath. “Crust is done.”

Donning a pair of oven mitts, you carefully remove both pans from the oven and set them aside to cool. Turning to Bo, you tilt your head and flash her a smile. “Crust needs to cool so we’ll get started on the filling.”

Narrowing her eyes at you, Bo nods. “Ren also told me that her parents kiss in front of her…” She pauses to hyperbolically gag. “Please, don’t do that in front of me.”

You chuckle softly, shaking your head at Bo's dramatic reaction. "Don't worry, bug. We'll keep the kissin' to a minimum around you."

Bo nods in solemn approval. "Good. 'Cause that'd be gross."

Sevika clears her throat, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Noted, kid."

You catch Sevika's eye and share a small smile. "Alright, let's get started on that filling."

Guiding Bo through the rest of the recipe steps, you sneak warm glances at Sevika, who stands back and watches with keen interest.

Finally, as the tarts are finished and placed into the fridge - one adorned with a neat spiral of sliced strawberries and the other equally lovingly but recklessly arranged - Bo lets out an exhausted huff. Placing her hands on her hips she declares. "Well, I'm tired."

Shaking your head, you start putting away the rest of the ingredients. “Hey, cowboy? Mind doin’ me a favor and washin’ the rest of the dishes for me?” You ask, voice muffled from the pantry.

Collecting the dishes, Sevika responds. “Course not, angel.”

Your “thank you” is drowned out by a loud noise of disgust from Bo.

The girl disappears into the pantry with you and Sevika disregards your muffled voices as she fills the sink. She scrubs at a particularly stubborn stain, but tenses as a cloud of white explodes around her. In her hesitation, another handful of flour hits her back.

Switching off the tap, she turns. Both you and Bo stand there with innocent looks on your faces, hands hidden behind your backs.

With a raised eyebrow, Sevika silently looks between the two of you.

Frowning with amusement dancing in your eyes, you point an accusing finger at Bo, flour dusting your skin. “It was her idea.”

Bo's mouth drops open in shock and she lets out a shocked screech. “You rat!”

Laughing uncontrollably, you dart out of the kitchen. Sevika deftly grabs Bo and hoists her onto her back as she passes by, effortlessly slinging the smaller girl onto her back in one swift motion. Bo lets out a surprised squeal, her arms instinctively wrapping around Sevika's neck.

"Hey! Get back here traitor!" Bo points with laughter in her voice.

You can hear Sevika’s footsteps thundering behind you as you race through the house, your heart pounding with exhilaration. She quickly closes the distance between you with her long strides.

You glance back, your eyes widening as you see Sevika gaining on you with Bo clinging to her back. Your giggles bounce around the house as you dart around furniture, trying to evade their grasp.

"Bo! You’re the traitor! Workin’ with the enemy!" You call out between chuckles.

"Thy enemy of my enemy is... Whatever! You snitched!" She accuses as Sevika corners you.

You back up against the wall, chest heaving as you try to catch your breath, laughter still bubbling up from your throat. Sevika approaches slowly, a predatory glint in her silver eyes. Bo is still perched on her back, grinning triumphantly.

"Nowhere to run now, angel." Sevika says, her voice low and playful.

"Alright! Alright!" You hold up your hands in mock surrender. "I yield!"

Sevika smirks, her silver eyes twinkling with amusement. "What do you think, Bo? Mercy?"

Bo pretends to consider it, tapping her chin thoughtfully from her perch on Sevika's back. "Hmm… I don't know. She did snitch on me."

"That I did." You agree, nodding solemnly. "And I'd do it again."

Bo gasps in mock outrage. "In that case… no mercy!"

Before you can react, Sevika lunges forward. In one smooth motion, she scoops you up, effortlessly carrying both of you and dropping you on the couch.

Your high-pitched scream echoes through the room as Sevika's hands descend upon your sides. You writhe and squirm against her, erupting into a fit of laughter. You try to break free from Sevika's grasp, but she holds tight.

Bo slides off of Sevika’s back and lands with a soft thud on the floor. Giggling, she waves Sevika away with a joyful twinkle in her emerald green eyes. “Alright, I think Mo’s had enough.”

You struggle to catch your breath as you sit up, mock glaring at Sevika. A playful smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth as she looks down at you. “I’ll remember this.” You say, chest heaving.

With a heavy thud, they both plop down on either side of you. The old, worn couch groans at Sevika’s their weight. 

Bo's body molds into your side and she groans. “Mayyybe. I forgive you.” She admits begrudgingly with a deep sigh.

Bo sets her fork down with a loud clink and bounces in her seat, the wooden chair creaking under her weight.

“I’m done.” She announces eagerly, her eyes wide with excitement and anticipation.

You finish your bite and nod, wiping your mouth with a napkin. “Alright, go rinse your plate. We’ll get out dessert as soon as Sev and I are finished.”

Bo's hair bounces as she nods enthusiastically before quickly scurrying off to the kitchen.

As you and Sevika continue to eat, the soft, melodic strum of guitar strings crackle through the speakers, accompanied by the soothing voice of a singer crooning the opening lines of "I’ll Be Here In The Morning".

Sevika's chair scrapes against the worn wooden floor as she stands from her seat. She slowly walks around to your side, a soft smirk on her lips as she extends a hand towards you with an exaggerated bow. “Would you be so kind as to dance with me, angel?”

Your cheeks flush at her words and you try to hide your growing smile, setting aside your fork as you accept her offer. “I would love to dance with you, cowboy.”

With a soft yet confident tug, Sev leads you to the heart of the room where she envelops you in her arms, her metal arm encircling your body and her other hand clasping yours. You gently rest your head on her shoulder as she softly hums the words in your ear.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Bo pause in the doorway, a hesitant crease forming between her brows. With a gentle hand outstretched towards her, you watch as a sweet smile spreads across her face and she skips over to join you.

Bending, you scoop the six year old up.

Bo wraps her arms around your neck, snuggling close as you hold her securely against your hip. Sevika adjusts her stance, keeping one arm around your waist while her other hand comes to rest gently on Bo's back.

The three of you sway together to the gentle melody, Bo's small form nestled between you and Sevika. You can feel the warmth of both their bodies, the steady rise and fall of their breathing in sync with the music.

Bo's eyes are heavy-lidded, her earlier excitement giving way to sleepiness as she rests her head on your shoulder. Her small fingers play idly with the collar of your shirt as she mumbles. "This is nice.”

You hum, smiling against her hair. "It is, isn't it?" You murmur back.

Sevika's eyes meet yours over Bo's head, filled with warmth and tenderness. Her metal fingers gently brush against your lower back, a silent question in the gesture.

You give her a small nod, your own eyes softening as you lean in closer, listening to her steady heartbeat. The three of you continue to sway gently, the music washing over you in soothing waves. Bo's breathing slows, her body growing heavier against yours.

Sevika's hand moves to gently stroke Bo's hair. "Looks like someone's ready for bed." She whispers, her voice low and gentle.

Bo stirs slightly in your arms. "Nuh-uh. We haven’t had dessert yet." She mumbles sleepily against your neck.

You chuckle softly. "Course, bug. How could we forget?"

Sevika reluctantly loosens her hold on you, but keeps one hand resting lightly on the small of your back as you carry Bo to the kitchen.

You settle Bo onto a stool, gently shaking her. “If you’re gonna eat, bug, you gotta show me you’re awake.”

She slowly leans back, letting go of you to rub her eyes. “M’ wake.”

Sevika huffs an amused breath and affectionately squeezes your arm as she goes to clean up your cold food.

As you move to get dessert, Bo rubs her hands over her face in an attempt to wake herself. Sevika crosses behind you, washing your plates, as you set a cake on the counter.

You carefully slice three pieces, placing them on small plates. The rich aroma of chocolate fills the air as you slide a plate in front of Bo. Her eyes light up despite her sleepiness.

"Thank you." Bo mumbles, picking up her fork.

You hand Sevika her plate with a soft smile before settling onto the stool next to Bo with your own slice. The three of you eat in comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional clink of forks against plates and Bo's contented hums.

Her feet sway underneath her stool as she gets a large bite of her dessert. “Can we dance some more?” She muffles through a mouthful of cake.

“You not tired anymore?” Sevika drones.

Bo points her fork at Sevika and narrows her green eyes. "You fed me sugar, now you have to deal with the consequences."

You chuckle at Bo, shaking your head fondly. Sevika raises an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Alright, alright." You say, ruffling her hair. "We can dance a little more, but then it's bedtime. Deal?"

Bo grins triumphantly, shoveling another large bite of cake into her mouth.

Sevika glances at you, a mix of amusement and concern in her eyes. "You sure that's wise, angel?"

You shrug, a mischievous glint in your eye. "Like the kid said, we fed her sugar. Might as well enjoy the consequences."

“Yeah, you’ll get Mo to yourself later.” Bo taunts, shoveling the last bite of cake into her mouth.

She hops down from the stool and grabs both your and Sevika's hands, practically dragging you back to the living room.

The music has shifted to a more upbeat country tune. Bo starts bouncing and twirling immediately, her earlier sleepiness seemingly forgotten. You and Sevika share a knowing look - you both know the sugar high will be closely followed by a crash.

Grinning, you pinch Sevika’s side before darting over to Bo. Scooping her up in your arms, you toss her playfully into the air. Her laughter rings out as you catch her mid-air and spin around with her in a dizzying dance.

Bo's laughter fills the room as you spin her around, her small arms wrapped tightly around your neck. You can feel the vibration of her giggles against your chest, her joy infectious.

Sevika watches from the sidelines, adoration softening her face.

"Again!" Bo squeals as you set her down, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

You chuckle, slightly out of breath. "One more time, bug. Then it's Sevika's turn."

Bo nods eagerly, already reaching up for you. You lift her again, spinning her around as she laughs delightedly.

When you set her down again, she turns to Sevika with bright green eyes. "Your turn!"

Sevika's eyes widen slightly, a hint of panic crossing her features as the girl bounds towards her. "Come on, Vika!" Bo demands, Sevika's expression softens as Bo tugs at her hand. "Dance with me!"

Sevika hesitates for a moment, her eyes darting to you uncertainly. You give her an encouraging nod, your eyes twinkling with amusement. With a small sigh of resignation, Sevika allows Bo to pull her into the center of the room.

"Alright, kid. How do you wanna do this?" She asks, her voice gruff but gentle.

"Spin me!" She demands, holding out her arms.

Sevika glances at you again, and you nod reassuringly. "Go on, cowboy. Show us what you've got. Just don’t barf on my floors."

Bo lets out a noise of disgust. “Or me.” She adds in protest.

With a slight roll of her eyes, Sevika carefully lifts Bo, her strong arms secure around the girl's small frame. At first, her movements are stiff and awkward, but as Bo's laughter fills the air, Sevika begins to relax.

Leaning against the sturdy porch post, you cross your arms and survey the sprawling ranch.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierces through the air and your heart skips a beat as fear grips you. In a split second, you bolt towards the noise. You burst into the stable in panic, only to find yourself exhaling in relief.

Sevika sits on a bench with Bo beside her, intently examining something in her palm. Catching your gaze, Sevika nudges Bo and whispers something to her. Bo's face lights up with excitement as she turns to you with a wide grin.

She rushes towards you with her arms outstretched, drying tears crusting on her cheeks. Your brow furrows in concern as you shoot Sevika a questioning look.

Bo wraps her tiny arms around your waist and giggles, holding up a small tooth in her outstretched palm. "Look mama! I lost my first tooth!" Her eyes sparkle with excitement as she bounces on her toes. “I thought I was dyin', so I hid in Honey’s stable and Vika found me and she told me that it’s normal and that I get stuff if I put it under my pillow but she told me it was only money which eugh-” She groans, rolling her eyes. “Bor-ring, like why couldn’t-”

You struggle to focus on Bo's words as tears well up in your eyes. You try to hide them, but a small sob escapes your lips. Bo's head snaps up and she sees the tears, her own eyes beginning to glisten. Her lip wobbles and she speaks in a small voice. “I’m okay, I promise. I’m sorry for scarin’ you, I just-”

Falling to your knees, you wrap your arms tightly around Bo's small frame. Your fingers run through her wild brown hair as you hold her close. Your tears falling freely now as you press a kiss to the top of her head. "Oh bug, I'm not upset. I'm so happy, baby." Your voice quivers as you pull back to cup Bo's cheek in your hand.

Bo's brow furrows in confusion. "Happy? But you're crying."

You laugh softly. "Sometimes people cry when they're really happy, darlin'. And I'm so, so happy."

Bo's face lights up with understanding, and she smiles at you, displaying the gummy gap between her teeth. "Ohh! Like when you cry during the happy parts in those boring books you read!"

You chuckle, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Exactly like that."

Chewing on your lip, you smooth a hand over her hair. "You called me mama." You say softly, your eyes shining.

Bo's eyes widen in realization, and for a moment she looks unsure, scared. "Is… is that okay?" She asks hesitantly.

You nod vigorously, a watery smile spreading across your face. "It's more than okay, bug… I’m honored, Bo."

Bo's face breaks into a beaming smile, and she throws her arms around your neck, hugging you fiercely. You hold her close, savoring the moment, feeling as though your heart might burst with happiness.

Bo pulls back slightly, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. "So… does this mean I can call you mama all the time now?" She asks, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

You cup her face gently in your hands. "Of course you can, bug. I'd love nothin’ more."

Bo's face lights up with joy, and she falls into your arms. "I love you, mama." She whispers against your neck.

"I love you too, baby girl. So, so much." You murmur back, pressing a kiss to her hair.

As you hold Bo close, you feel a gentle hand on your shoulder. Looking up, you see Sevika standing beside you, her silver eyes soft with affection.

With a firm grasp on her hand, you gently guide her down to join you on the ground. As she settles onto her knees, you and Bo encircle her with your arms.

Sevika stiffens slightly at the unexpected embrace, but quickly relaxes into it. Her metal arm wraps around your waist while her other hand rests gently on Bo's back.

As you hold each other close, a warm sense of contentment washes over you. The three of you stay like that, basking in the comfort and love of your little family.

Sneak Peak/ Teaser:

The cable car hums and vibrates beneath your feet, the rhythmic clanking echoing through the metal box. Frigid air whips through the thin windows, and the skin of your bare arms prickles with goosebumps.

The sharp edges of your restraints bite into your skin of your wrists with every sway of the car. Shifting, you roll your shoulders, trying to rid yourself of the soreness in your muscles. You grimace and clench your numb hands behind your back, the heavy chains rattling against each other.

Sighing loudly, you shake your restrained arms awkwardly and complain. “Can you, maybe, take these things off? A girl can only entertain the handcuff thing for so long. Said my safe word a long time ago. I mean-”

A guard grabs your arm and pulls you toward them, their words a hiss. “Shut up. You’re not in the position to be asking for any accommodations."

Groaning, you wince as your elbow bends uncomfortably under their grip. The pulsing in your arms and wrists worsens as your arms are pushed tighter against your back. “Okay. First of all, oww. Second of all, you could’ve just said no.”

You can feel the heat of the enforcer’s glare on the back of your neck but you sigh, ignoring it. Bending your neck, you squint as you observe the approaching island through the rectangular window. With a snort of amusement, you straighten.

Stillwater. Dark. Ominous. And consumed by spooky fog… Wonderful.

Taglist: @lez-zuha @jinxjinxjinx12 @asvtrials @rikkivelvet @cupids-dreamland @hwasddeongbyeoli @eroticcaa @urlocalgovexperiment @bubbl3-b4t @balbinoraptor @sleepo-beepo @marn13s-vilewhispers @skaireso

[revelboo]

hiii, I love you and have been brainrotting over your works for the past 20 hours 🫶

I just write the silly things that pop into my head, but I’m glad, and surprised, other folks enjoy them.

Skin and Bones Pt 3

Megatron x reader- playful

• Shrill and painful as a something drilling straight into his processor, Megatron winces as the sound finally cuts off. An alarm or..? No, of course not. There’s the human running full tilt from an open doorway, Soundwave’s cassettes in pursuit. As Ravage pounces near, the human screeches again in mock fear despite their grin.

• They’re… playing? How long has it been since he’s heard any Cybertronians cutting up? Having fun. He just stops, not sure what to make of it. Especially as Rumble catches the human around the waist to sling over a shoulder upside down. Prey caught, the cassettes finally notice him and go still. It takes the squirming human longer, but their grin fades when they realize the fun is over and spot him.

• And even thought they’re all grown, they react like sparklings caught doing something wrong- they all bolt, Rumble dropping the human in his haste.

• That jerk. You land mostly on your shoulder and back in an inelegant sprawl, staring upside down as Rumble runs like all of hell is right on his heels. Which might not be too far off, you decide as you roll to your knees and keep your head down. Because the Decepticon leader is staring at you with a frown so severe you want to hide and there’s nowhere to go.

• Venting heavily, he kneels down to offer you a single servo, his big hand hovering close as if he wants to pick you up, but isn’t sure. Cautiously, you grab onto that servo and allow him to gently pull you to your feet before letting go. And he just stares at that servo in silence. Probably wondering what all germs you just got on him, you guess. He certainly doesn’t look happy about it and your shoulders droop slightly.

• “Do you fear me?” He asks, not quite sure why when he knows the inevitable answer. Fear is the currency he’s learned best how to spend over the decades. It keeps his motley ranks mostly in line. He’d accepted a long time ago that it was better to be feared than loved. Safer, too.

• Head tipping back to stare up at the huge mech, it’s a surprise to realize that, no, you don’t exactly fear him. He’s had plenty of chances to hurt you and hasn’t. Oddly enough, Skywarp is much scarier. This one? The big, bad warlord? Honestly, he just seems too exhausted all the time to bother with being a threat. Though, come to think of it, you have seen the other side, too. Little glimpses of an ice cold, barely restrained violence in his tone when speaking with his subordinates. Apparently, you’re not worth the doom voice. “Should I?”

• Probably. He’s not sure if it’s naïveté or bravery when you meet his optics, seeming genuinely curious about his answer. “Why were they chasing you?” He asks instead.

• Nose wrinkling as he ignores your question, you shrug. You’re an adult, but yeah, it’s not like it really matters what the giant aliens think about you. You get bored. “Playing tag,” you admit. And losing badly at tag, because you’re so much slower than they are. His stare is still blank and you throw out your arms. “Someone’s it. They have to tag someone else to not be it. Being it is bad,” you ramble.

• More silence. You’re definitely being judged by an ancient, evil robot. Exasperation winning out over caution, you lunge over to swat his servo. Hard. “You’re it.” Glowing red optics slide from his servo to you and you still have no idea what he’s thinking. What you’re thinking? You really, really wish you hadn’t done that. “No tag backs,” you yelp, realizing his retaliation is likely to smear you on the floor.

• Instead he vents softly, rises and stalks away. For a second, one corner of his mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile. You suppose evil warlords don’t play games. Probably ruins the whole evil appearance he has going. Heart racing, you start back toward Soundwave’s quarters, not at all surprised when Frenzy and the other cassettes are waiting around a corner safely out of range of retaliation to ambush you. And you’re it again.

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[pomefioredove]

Hello! May I have a sugar cookie, #9, with chocolate drizzle? This event is really cute btw I love it!

another scrumptious prompt!

order #9, sugar with chocolate drizzle

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ less than a hundred percent

tropes: exes to lovers characters: jack additional info: romantic, gender neutral reader, reader is not specified to be yuu, hurt/comfort really word count: 700

Well. This is a new low. Even for you.

Standing under a bruising downpour, your arms wrapped around your shivering body, at Savanaclaw's doorstep.

It's pathetic, is what it is.

At least with the rain ruining your hair and soaking your cheeks, Leona can't see the tears.

"Make it quick," he says, leaving you at a certain door and taking the light from his magic pen with him.

You hesitate.

It had been months since you and Jack had broken up. A mutual decision, of course... Jack had suggested it and you had agreed.

Mutual enough, then.

It was something about how you didn't challenge each other, or how he was holding you back, how he felt too comfortable when he was with you, or some other stupid reason that had shattered your heart and given everyone else a piece of it.

You had been through, what...? Four, five boyfriends since then?

They never lasted.

You don't have to knock. The door swings open, and Jack is standing there, in the same pajamas, the same dumbfounded look on his face.

It was as if nothing had changed about him, and everything had changed about you.

"S-sorry," you stammer. "I didn't know who else to-to go to... I just didn't want to be alone."

Jack stares. Whatever thoughts are going through his head, he lets you in anyway.

He gets you one of his clean workout towels to dry off, sweats that don't fit you, and then takes you into the lounge to sit with a warm drink.

He says nothing.

You hadn't expected anything less.

You finish your drink and sit in silence, across from each other, for minutes.

Finally: "What happened?"

Those two words hold such an intense amount of emotion that you're almost speechless. He sounds...

...Well, he sounds like him.

"I just... got in my own head," you mutter. "Got dumped. Again. Earlier today."

His eyes widen, and he says nothing else. He shifts uncomfortably.

"...Sorry," he murmurs. "The guy's an idiot."

Ironic.

"Yeah. I guess he was,"

Another silence. This one is quieter, softer. The sound of the rain is almost soothing, now.

"You weren't, um... it wasn't serious, was it?"

You shake your head. None of them have been serious, since him.

Jack hums. "Good,"

He looks down at his lap, and you don't bother to ask what he means by that.

"I've missed you,"

That hits like a ton of bricks. The wind and words are knocked right out of your chest, and you can't do anything but stare. And wait for him.

"Y'know... I was... kinda hoping you were doing all that to make me jealous. It's dumb," he rubs the back of his neck. It's a nervous habit of his. He doesn't know what to do with his hands.

"...I shoulda fought for you. I gave up. Like a coward."

"Jack..."

"I got too comfortable," he says again. This time, it carries more weight with it. "I was getting attached, and I didn't know if you were... well, into a for-life kinda thing. I thought I'd scare you off."

You go quiet, and you stare, almost bewildered.

"I got scared, I guess," he finishes, his eyes darting up to yours to gauge your feelings. You blink.

"Are... you... crazy?"

"What?"

You stand. "You didn't think to at least ask me? That's so unlike you! You know that you miss a hundred percent of the chances you don't take! You just gave up?! You know it was always us vs. the problem, we're on the same team, Jack! I would have at least heard you out!"

His eyes widen at your sudden outburst of passion, and he looks, for a moment, genuinely taken aback.

Then, a warm, familiar sort of smile tugs at the corners of his lips. He says nothing.

You take a few deep breaths, and look down at him.

"What? What are you staring at?"

"Nothing, I just..." he looks at his lap again, still smiling. "I just remembered why I fell for you in the first place."

Now, you go quiet. You stare back, and he snorts, holding back a laugh at your bewildered expression.

"And you're right. I never give anything less than a hundred percent, and that includes you. I failed you. I'm willing to admit that," he says, slowly holding out a hand.

"...But... I'd like to try again. And I promise to give you my all this time."

[certifiedlovergirlsstuff]

Girl I’m so sorry I was dumb😭😭😭😭🙏 you already did an ask from me so literally feel so free to ignore this I’m so sorry but “you’ve never said my name like that” in the fwb prompt list for dick because, as once stated, I am indeed a slut with priorities. My priorities are him. I need him to be real rn

alec be GRATEFUL that i finished this in like a few hours. literally on the way to a wedding. no but seriously happy to give you some good dick😏 “you never said my name like that” from the friends with benefits prompt

pairing: dick grayson x fem!reader (use of y/n) wc: 888

500 celebration

you weren’t sure when this…thing happened between you and dick. you became friends at the age of fifteen in your ninth grade english class, found out he was the robin fighting alongside batman at age eighteen and now ages twenty three and twenty four the both of you came to an agreement of being friends with benefits. most of the benefits were sex and that was the best benefit, but there was moments where dick would slide into a more boyfriend vibe and it hurt your heart, in a good way. but it caused your heart to hurt cause if he was showing the gentle and attentive side after both of you were sweaty and catching stolen breaths, why couldn’t he just ask to be your boyfriend?

this was the question rolling around in your head as you’re back to the same scenario of laying tangled in dick’s dark blue sheets, hair a bit of a riot and clinging to your sticky skin. the sheets pulled to your chest with one knee in the air near the edge of the bed, droopy eyes watching as the man in question pulled his discarded boxers over his ass and waistband snapping to his skin.

“want something to eat? i got some of your ice cream in the freezer.” his left knee sunk into the mattress as he pressed his palms beside your covered leg. one hand moving to sit on the muscle, his thumb moving back and forth without his knowing.

“uh, yeah. yeah, that sounds good and some water, please.” shuffling against the headboard, flashing a simple smile.

dick’s watchful irises moved over your face before he smiled and leaned forward, his plush lips catching yours in a dizzying kiss. you couldn’t help but hum and chase him when he pulled away. his boyish chuckles warmed your ears.

“easy, baby,” voice thick and low, “gotta rest before another round starts.” he winked and left the room.

your heart was beating just as fast when you were doing…physical activities five minutes ago. these were the moments where your head got confused, not understanding when this invisible line was being crossed.

suddenly your mind was telling you to leave and go back to your sad and lonely apartment, so you listened. throwing the wrinkled sheets away you started to redress as you found pieces of your discarded clothing. underwear, socks, pants, bra…. missing. shirt also vanished into air so you dogged into dick’s closet and pulled out a sweater, the warm cotton wrapping you in a hug.

“hey, where- where are you going?” his words wavered along with the creak of the door moving.

you hopped like a bunny trying to stuff your feet back into your shoes, “i- i uh, think it’s best if i head home. got my benefits from my friend.” you looked up, the ice cream and water sitting on his dresser. dick standing tall and strong, trying to hide nerves pulling his muscles tight. he pushed some hair behind his ear, “y/n, what- what are you saying? that this is all just sex?”

now you scuffed, “well we aren’t in a relationship. but you bundle me in these moments of genuine affection and- and possibly love, but you haven’t bothered to change this dynamic.” facing him with your hands slapping your thighs.

“y/n… i just… i didn’t want to ruin anything.” he took steps closer, hands scrubbing over his face.

“you know,” your voice going quiet, “you’ve never said my name like that before.” such an odd thing to say during a sudden argument, but you couldn’t help yourself.

his brows scrunched in the middle, “what?”

you licked your lips, “the way you said my name. it just sounded… breathless. like taking a giant gasp of air after being underwater for too long.” the words just spilled out your mouth, not knowing if you were making sense.

dick took two more steps, gaining closer to your space. he raised a hand and pushed it back to his side, restricting himself. “well, you're like oxygen to me. i constantly need you to stay level headed. you keep me balanced. that’s why i was thrown off guard when you said this was just about sex. cause to me it’s not.” two more steps and with just an inch of space the two of you were chest to chest.

he finally raised his hands, cupping your warm cheeks against rough skin. “is it for you? is this just sex?” his adam’s apple bobbed with the thick swallow he took, waiting for the answer that will change everything.

with steady hands your fingers circled his wrists, middle and thumb almost touching. you held steady eye contact, no need to be flinching away from this truth you’ve held in for seven years.

“dick grayson, i have wanted you since tenth grade when i felt certain emotions when girls would flirt with you or when i’d watch you workout. this is more than sex for me, but it was the only way i could have you at the time, too afraid to say these simple words. but i’m not afraid anymore.”

you pushed up on your toes to get closer to dick’s waiting lips, parted in anticipation. “i’ve fallen for you dick grayson.”

-

[k-tarotz]

Do 2ne1 members dislike jennie?? Any idea why sandara didnt include jennie on the yg family post for the concert? And if jennie was invited personally by 2ne1 or yg just gave her a free ticket (to their concert)

wowow i had no idea of this being a thing 🤧

do any of the 2NE1 members dislike jennie?

five of cups, 8 of wands, three of pentacles

well, no, no one dislikes her but the energy felt so negative so I had to ask if someone from the group hates her and it’s more than likely a big yes since the knight of wands fell out. when it comes to emotions it’s always something firey, passionate and something that is hard to die out. this hatred seems deeply personal, not anything that is made by impressions or false rumours. it does seem to be in regards of jealousy, but not necessarily in love. maybe in regards of better treatment in their work place. it’s the feeling of “ she barely has to work for it when I sacrificed my youth “, you know? envy of what could have been, of what they feel like they deserve.

disclaimer: I like both 2ne1 and blackpink songs, but I am not a fan of either groups. whatever goes on in their private life doesn’t interest me, this is simply just what I pick up on based on cards and intuition.

let’s try and see who it is so no one ends up sending hate to innocent ppl 🤧

is it bom?

five of pentacles, six of cups, page of cups

well I don’t think she hates her, I think she hates the fact that she gets to be favourited by the company and can do whatever she wants while, in her youth, bom was severely bullied and forced to get plastic surgery by the very same people.

this seems to rather be towards higher ups who are responsible for the treatment and care of both groups? maybe even resentful towards yg, the ceo.

she just seems disheartened by the fact that they get to experience two completely different sides of the industry while being from the same place. she seems saddened, rather than it being from a genuinely vile place. especially because her members were severely mistreated too, so she feels empathetic towards them.

is it dara?

the hermit, the devil

no, she doesn’t care because they lead two completely different life styles and she couldn’t be bothered to compare or envy her. jennie doesn’t have anything she would desire, neither does she think it’s healthy to obsess over other people’s life so much.

I do believe that she thinks Jennie leads a dishonest and morally incorrect lifestyle though. it’s not her business though, so at the same time she doesn’t care you know? she thinks of herself as too grown to have petty drama going on. like, she dislikes her, but not hate, no.

is it cl?

knight of cups, justice, four of pentacles

nope! she seems to rather adore jennie and have a desire to take care of her, sort of like of a younger sister.

she does seem to be a bit jealous that jennie earns more money than her but at the end of the day it isn’t that deep, just wishes she could have had it that easy in life.

‘I like you, I wish I could do so more genuinely, but I don’t’ mentality. sort of like if things would be different, she could love her in a platonic, deep manner.

is it minzy

nine of swords, four of swords, knight of pentacles

I do believe she does, it’s just something that she prefers to hide. there seems to be a deep rooted malicious energy from her heart, that seems to be motivated by pain, to be quite frank with you. she hides it because she doesn’t want to seem childish or immature but at the end of the day it’s there. her energy seems to be like ‘I want to be you, but I can’t, so I will hate you’.. I do not hate minzy, I don’t know her as a person, but she genuinely seems to ruin herself on the inside because of all the negativity she is feeling. her jealousy seems to be rather, I am so sorry for saying this, petty. it’s more than likely due to a love interest of hers being interested in jennie.

I don’t get the vibes that she mistreated him or that they were a serious, committed couple, the dude just thinks jennie is attractive. not the only reason though, she seems to be jealous of how jennie deals with her problems as well. with ease, getting through them easily and it not affecting her friendships or personal lives.

did dara exclude jennie on purpose from her post?

the empress, the tower, the emperor

yep, it’s quite obvious.

she seems to have some personal concerns regarding her which her higher self is not really wanting to tell? regardless, she wanted someone to see that jennie isn’t in the post, or anywhere near her. to prove something. other than that she just prefers to stay loyal to her friends. ‘you hate her, I hater her’ type beat

regardless, I don’t think those were her main reasons. she seems to have a personal vendetta against her because jennie seems to have been quite disrespectful towards her in the past, so she isn’t going out of her way to be kind towards her.

I do believe jennie was quite arrogant in her youth towards them? as in, may have had a lot of attitude rather than respect in private, but when someone else was there she pretended to be sweet and kind. I do think she did mature but since she subconsciously associates 2ne1 with hate she, at times, can still be rude to them even though she knows how to be civil, so in the eyes of the girls she is ‘still the same’. well, at least in dara’s.

was jennie invited by yg to the concert?

the hierophant, two of cups, the emperor

absolutely, it seems like yg wanted them to get along or at least pretend to? there seems to be a voice on having them get together, so the company’s reputation doesn’t get ruined. so not out of genuine care, it’s a matter of control and saving face.

that’s alll!! do not send hate y’all I am on nobody’s side I am just here to read cards

- Candy

[dreamescapeswriting]

Special Delivery ~ PJM

WORD COUNT: 1.2K

GENRE: long distance relationship, established relationship, fluffy, cute jimin being cute

PAIRING: Jimin X Fem!Reader

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - March 2023

⤜MASTERLIST

People were against your relationship with Jimin, not because he was an idol or because he was a huge flirt but because of the distance that there was between you. While it didn’t bother you and Jimin it seemed to bother those around you who thought their opinions could weigh in on your personal love life. When you told people you were in a long-distance relationship they tried to discourage you and make you think twice about it. Claiming it could never work if the two of you were never in the same time zone but you and Jimin made it work.

“You don’t sound tired, you sound energetic,” Your boyfriend spoke to the phone to you, it was nighttime for you which meant it was daytime for him and you were getting ready for bed. Around this time of night, the two of you would have a phone call together, deciding to spend some time talking and catching up with one another.

“I’m not tired, how can I be tired when the love of my life is talking to me?” You teased him playfully knowing full well that your boyfriend was probably on the other end of the phone blushing. The silence that was met by your answer gave you everything you needed to know.

“Are you gushing about how flirty that was?” You questioned, crawling under the comforter on your bed and pulling your sheets around your chest. This was your favourite part of the day. Being on the phone with Jimin even if it wasn’t for very long it was still everything to you.

“I’m actually trying to come back with a flirty come back for you but I’m blanking,” He chuckled nervously and you smiled weakly. You knew it must be super early for him to be speaking to you and with the tour going on you knew he could use all of the sleep he could get.

“If you wanna sleep a little longer I can cut the call short, you’ve been so busy lately-” The last thing you wanted was to keep your boyfriend awake when he was extremely tired from the night before.

“Don’t!” He quickly interjected not wanting this to end and your heart lept into your throat hearing the desperation in his voice.

“I miss you, I don’t care how early it is I want to talk to you,” You smiled to yourself, laying down against the pillow and glancing at the small calendar beside your bed.

“Only 5 more days until I come to Korea and then we’ll both be in the same time zone,” You reminded him, the trip had been planned out for months now. You’d finally saved up enough money for your own ticket and you’d booked time off from work so you could relax and spend some personal time with your boyfriend. The comment however was met with an uncomfortable silence from the other end of the phone causing your stomach to sink.

“Jimin…” You trailed off, half expecting him to have fallen asleep but he started to make an “erm” sound as though there was going to be something to cancel your trip.

“About that…” His voice slowly hung onto the words and you knew it wasn't going to be any good.

“You have to work?” You couldn’t help the sadness in your tone as you questioned it. You shouldn’t get like this, you knew what dating Jimin was going to be like but it was disheartening to learn that your plans were now going to be ruined.

“I’m going to be out of the country, I’m sorry baby.” He sounded genuinely apologetic for it and you didn’t hate him for having to be out of the country you just hated the circumstances.

“It’s fine baby, it’s not your fault.” You shrugged and began to make a list of things to do in order to get your money back for the trip. Maybe you could get the airlines to push the dates on your tickets and save it for a time when Jimin would be free again but lord only knew when that was going to be.

“Did you hear me?” The question from Jimin pulled you from your headspace and you hummed at him,

“What’s wrong? I wasn’t paying attention baby, I’m sorry,” You explained and sat up in the bed, there was no way you were going to be able to sleep now there was so much you needed to get done in order for your plane tickets to be either cancelled or changed.

“I said, since you couldn’t come to me I sent you something. According to the tracker, it should be with you-” The doorbell interrupted him and he chuckled softly.

“Right now,” He finished his sentence and you frowned, glancing back at the clock. It was pretty late for a parcel, you were almost sure amazon stopped delivering after 10 and you didn’t know any other delivery companies that would deliver this late.

“I didn’t know delivery companies delivered so late,” You giggled, heading down the staircase and in the direction of your front door, unlocking the deadbolt before you got to the keys.

“They made a special exception for this,” Jimin spoke in hushed tones but before you could question why you pulled the door open to see him standing there. It was like all of the air had been knocked out of your body as you stared at him,

“Hey-” He grunted as you threw yourself into his arms, wrapping your arms around the back of his neck and trying to pull him as close to yourself as you could get. It had been far too long since you’d gotten a Jimin hug and you completely melted against his skin, your heart hammering against your chest as you felt his doing the same.

“I missed you too baby,” He whispered as he gently ran his hand up and down your back, pushing his head into your neck as he took in a deep breath. God, he’d missed the way you smelled, the way you clung to him and the way your bodies moulded perfectly together,

“What are you doing here though? I thought you couldn’t get away?” You quizzed while dragging your boyfriend inside the house and locking up the door behind him.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you I could come now, would it?” He smirked before you wrapped yourself in his arms again, never wanting to leave them. Jimin felt like home to you, whenever he was around everything just felt at peace.

“How long are you here for?” You both slowly made your way over to the sofa and your hand was locked with his, you were almost scared if you let go he would dematerialise and disappear on you or something.

“As long as you want me, I have lots of time off and I plan on spending every second I can with you.” His eyes lit up as he spoke and your heart practically skyrocketed as you thought of all of the things you could take him to do in your town.

“Let's get to bed first before you start making lists,” He laughed already beginning to notice the wheels turning inside of your head. 

With that, the two of you headed up to bed together while you tried to calm your racing thoughts. There was so much you wanted to take Jimin to do and you couldn’t wait to start.

tagline: @chiisaiblog @rjsmochii @tinyoonsblog @sw33tnight @taestannie @cherrybubblesandvodka @army24--7​ @acciocriativity​ @mitzwinchester​ @heyjiminnie​ @halesandy​ @jin-from-the-block​ @aerastus​ @namjooningelsewhere​ @ratherbefangirling​ @psychosupernatural​ @lyoongx​ @periandernyx​ @laylasbunbunny​ @royallyjjk​ @critssq​ @pearlygraysky​ @lenfilms​ @btsiguess-kpop​ @meowmeowisdaname​ @imafivestarkpopstan​

[moodymisty]

Sorry for this 5am longpost. I just got jolted awake by a really intense nightmare and while waiting for my heartrate to chill, I had a daydream vaguely based on your tag about Sanguinius being down bad for Horus lover. I hope this doesn't get cut off by tumblr due to length.

Mortarion is my favorite right now, and of course the fungus took over. I am a sucker for a cynical bastard falling for someone who secretly has a heart of gold despite appearances.

I was thinking of Horus' lover being a princess for her foreign planet, but she's unknowingly a low level psyker or something. Somehow, someway, she can always without fail tell when a person lies. This sort of thing plagues her life terribly, everyone from the lowest servant to the most noble lord constantly lying straight to her face and she has to try and not show that she knows.

Horus is the one to conquer her planet, and a situation like Fulgrim and his wives happens where she is offered to him for marriage, as is typical on her world. She is silently a bit miserable, she is now a prop to a man's ambition(as having a wife would probably make Horus seem more human, more relatable, making him less 'other' to baseline humans and he would be very aware of that) and watching him lie to so many people's faces at big events, or even political talks, is just soul-crushing to her.

At some big Terran event different primarchs are taking turns meeting Horus' new wife, and telling plenty of fibs about how excited they are to meet her, how lovely she looks, so on. And then she meets Mortarion.

I am new to the books so far, but Mortarion seems so blunt. Like he doesn't waste the effort to lie. And I feel like that may be one of the (many) things that made him difficult to get along with, even for his brothers.

I am autistic, not entirely high functioning, and lying is difficult to me. I can't do it well at all. So I don't bother. And boy do I know that people hate when you're truthful with them. So maybe I am projecting onto him lol.

So Mortarion bluntly says some rude but truthful comment to her, like "This is a waste of time." the room gets quiet, and instead of being angry she SMILES. She thinks it is genuinely impressive he just said exactly what was on his mind despite the expectations placed on him. And in front of such a crowd, too.

At some point, a serving person does an oopsie and drops a drink, some of it getting on her, and Mortarion is just stanking it up in the corner waiting to see her berate the poor soul. Typical entitled nobility.

But she gently reassures them, and even goes so far as to help them wipe up the little mess. He's surprised, but his cynical side wins out and he just files it away as her pretending to be kind.

In the future, at another event she is sitting alone and brooding in the gardens a bit tipsy from wine. Morty has the same idea to escape the banquet and notices her. They have a heart-to-heart about how fake their lives feel, having to put on little shows and shows of force for social gatherings and parades. How the upper classes are all snakes lying to each other, and ruining the lives of regular people in their little games.

After seeing she isn't just a spoiled little girl with her head in the clouds putting on airs, that she laments the suffering of the "lower" classes, maybe he starts catching feelings.

This is as far as I got lol. My brain skipped ahead to Mortarion being uncharacteristically deferential with her at some other big gathering, like getting down on one knee to gently take her hand and greet her and his brothers all being flabbergasted. The drama would be hilarious. It'd be like an extra middle finger to Horus especially. Fulgrim would have a field day.

The extra angst of Morty finding out she is a low level psyker would also be interesting! He'd be struggling to reconcile the monstrous image he has of psykers with the gentle nature of his lover.

ANYWAY I got strangely inspired!! I've never written anything just for fun before, so I know I wouldn't be good at it, but maybe I'll try? It's like I've got this thing in my brain screeching at me to at least attempt it lol.

(By the way, I hope the crazy weather yesterday missed you! That shit was scary.)

This is fantastic, I fucking love this. I've been wanting to write more for Mortarion but I struggle to find a good idea sometimes, this is really really good. I also think that Morty wouldn't have the energy or care to lie, and that seeing someone who doesn't flaunt their stature, and even treats him kindly would make him catch feelings.

I've already gone so off the rails doing random writings that I held myself back from doing this one, but once i get a few more requests done I hope you don't mind if I come back and write this. Unless you wish to keep it only to yourself ;3

the worst of the weather missed me, but it was still pretty intense, the wind was like 60mph. i hope you were safe as well!

[quailxcrossing]

🌖AUÏ PLEASE I BEG YOU!!!!!!

Also

🌑-any oc

🌒-ruse AND Caius

🌠-the goat

☄️-Ran!!

☀️-magic

🌕- Ruse, Magic, Goat, Auï, Ran

🌖 - What is your OC’s favorite scent? Is it nostalgic? 

Auï - pancakes :3 if you unleashed him in a Bath and Body Works he would look for the autumn scents and go for something baking, but preferably pancakes (should note pancakes are also one of his favorite foods) It is a bit nostalgic for him! definitely reminds him of both of his homes

🌒 - Under what circumstances is your OC their most genuine self? 

Ruse - Ruse is honestly quite often her most genuine self, but the thing is no one ever believes she is being genuine! she truly is a very quiet, very stumbly and awkward and stilted conversationist, and because of her odd past, most folks think she's hiding something. at worst, they treat her like she's dangerous or manipulative for being just herself :'3 she's truly only becoming more genuine with time, as she learns more about herself and her interests and has the space to indulge in them!

Caius- corny but true answer- when they're with etcetera, or his sister darcy! when they're around Etcetera, they're a lot more talkative and joke easier, quicker to make snarky comments and speak freely! she is def their little emotional support boyfriend just being around Etcetera for a while did get Cai more comfortable with being himself around his other friends too- but etcetera vanishing sorta undid a lot of that, but caius is truly authentic to being terrified of everything and wanting to curl up and cry constantly

🌠 - What is your OC’s greatest desire and how far are they willing to go to obtain it? 

Goat - his greatest desire has always been to keep his friends safe, and he will go to great extremes he absolutely doesn't need to go to if he can give himself a good reason in his mind as to why they should stay with him :3

☄️ - From your OC’s perspective, write a short paragraph about their average day. 

Ran - ok i will be so honest, i am not sure, i dont have an as detailed iterinary as i do for Machwell, Ran just sorta my little guy with a tragic backstory and a fruity disposition they work a tourist trap, so they're honestly there most of the time, or bothering their brother Noctiluca at his workplace, or enjoying the weather and staring off into space and shutting down every thought that comes too close to ruining their Vibe

☀️ - How well does your OC deal with isolation? 

Magic - Magic does like her space! she moved out of her mom's house pretty quick into adulthood despite the good relationship just because she needed the quiet. she can so gladly go days seeing no one, doing her own projects, and talking to herself. when she's with others, she switches into extrovert mode, although she is an introvert at heart. i think all of this is one of the reasons she gravitated to Ruse- her quiet demeanor and eagerness for parallel play allows them to spend hours together without needing to put any overly social front up! of course, Magic loves her friends so so sooo much, and she craves to spend time with them and yap and chatter, but she does not require it.

🌕 - Describe what your OC would wear to a costume party.  LOVE THIS Ruse- I really really really wanted to draw her dressed up as Wonder Whitney for Halloween....i ran outta time i was so busy.......Wonder Whitney is her favorite musician and i think Wonder is PLENTY famous enough that it would be a recognizable costume to do one of its music video looks

remind me to draw this at some point

Magic - magic gets such bad decision paralysis with outfits, i think she'd settle on a.) doing a couple costume with twilight (its always ponies cosplay) b.) ???? c.) she lowkey would love to do a knight costume but she doesn't want to like...insult?? Ruse?? she's so scared to even mention she thinks it would be so cool.....ruse would not mind i swear. she just wants to see how the armor feels it looks so cool but she's overthinking it so she's going with ??? instead

Ran - Ran is always dressed up in costume, but i think it would be funny if Noctiluca convinced them to dress up in a t-shirt and jeans and no makeup. i genuinely think no one would recognize her

Goat and Auï - Do Not Forget About The Pears

[ahoyimlosingmymind]

genuine thoughts on Sokeefe. Go 🎤

This is gonna piss somebody off. They're probably one of my least favorite ships in fiction to date. Only coming slightly before Jude and Cardan lol It's not a popular opinion, I know, so please don't come @ me. And I haven't read the books in so long... I might have details screwy.

PS: I don't hate Sokeefe shippers, ship away, it doesn't bother me. but I hold deep animosity for the way the ship is written.

Sokeefe feels contrived, and unplanned. Which is the appeal to many, but the turn off for me. Genuinely. I think I just have issues with the writing and execution of it. If you have to completely ruin the other love interest (Fitz) to convince me that the runner up is better... we got issues.

Allow me to explain:

Fitzphie felt intentional and planned. And sue me, I hate love triangles and I like when someone can just unequivocally choose someone and stick with them.

I used to really ship Fitzphie, but after Legacy I was really annoyed with the way Shannon wrote it all playing out. It felt fabricated and convoluted and completely out of character. Sure, I can pathologize why Fitz would care about matchmaking to the moon and back... but canonically, it doesn't even make sense. He was okay with going to Exullium and ruining his reputation that way, he was okay with infiltrating the ogre king's mind, and throwing hands with his brother publicly, being seen with Sophie, and befriending outcasts- but matchmaking is his last straw?? That's what suddenly got him pissed off? Not the fact that Sophie was keeping secrets, emotionally confiding in Keefe and not Fitz, whilst claiming Fitz as her boyfriend, letting his traitorous brother go etc...

^THOSE are all way more valid reasons to break up a ship like Fitzphie. That's a break up I can respect. Bc we know Fitz values honesty, trust and dependability. That tracks. We know he struggles with anger, but only when something actually serious is happening: His dad's mind breaking, Alvar betraying them <- arguably bigger deals than matchmaking by a LANDSLIDE. but anyway- I'm fine with them being broken up. I just wish it hadn't taken a complete character assassination and a stupid reason. I am of the mind that Fitz straight up just deserves better atp and that he's been ooc for the last few books and held to unfair standards compared to Keefe and Sophie's characters. Which just makes me pissed off at the whole ship lmao

(this all led to me beginning to dislike the series as a whole, and Fitz becoming my favorite character.)

OKAY- now for Sokeefe.

They feel contrived and like a fan-service. Don't hate me PLEASE-

You mean to tell me I read 7 books straight of Sophie pining after Fitz, never commenting on having romantic feelings for Keefe (aside from loving him in general as a friend and finding him attractive and him making suggestive comments about her feelings and being overly touchy feely and her deliberately choosing not to examine it) only for Sophie to suddenly act like she hadn't been obsessed with Fitz for 7 books straight the moment she had him?? because of some stupid concept about head and heart emotions?? (It's world building. I get it. Doesn't mean I don't find it hilariously dumb.)

I ALWAYS got the undertone of Keefe pining for Sophie, but she did not have that energy back towards him. In fact, she seemed wildly uncomfortable in some scenes (the one in Nightfall?? I think?? Where he backs her up against a wall??) and she seemed to not understand and be completely oblivious to his suggestive comments, aside from making her blushy and self conscious cuz she's an insecure character.

So anyway, after the Fitzphie break up, reading Stellarlune- I KNEW she was going to end up with Keefe. Not because it made sense, or because it had been foreshadowed in SOPHIE"S POV, but bc the fans wanted it and Keefe is a favorite, and he grew on Shannon. I just- maybe I'm just bitter, but I have never been under the impression that Sophie genuinely wanted a romantic relationship with Keefe. Until this book. Which felt like whiplash to me.

Wasn't our girl just crying over Fitz? like what is going onnnn

I could respect Sokeefe If Sophie had been having a mental war between Fitz and Keefe since at least book five, I'd believe that she had real romantic feelings for Keefe. BUT SHE DIDN"T. at least- not that I remember. So with the lack of build up on her part, but the readers obvious awareness of Keefe's feelings for her... it falls flat. Had Shannon planned on Sokeefe being endgame and had she sprinkled in more deliberate and crushy thoughts that could only be interpreted as romantic on Sophie's part, I would feel less blindsided. I would feel like it was all intentional. Like Keefe wasn't the only one pining for 9 books. Like Sophie wanted it just as bad as him.

like how long does it really take someone to realize they like someone?? I just find the whole thing to be unrealistic. How can Sophie be THAT unself aware? (I know the argument is that she didn't allow herself to like him bc it would put their friendship on the line but girl- it was obvious Keefe liked her and I just don't think she's that purposefully dumb.)

bro I could go on forever.

I didn't even touch on Keefe and Sophie's personalities and why I don't particularly like them as individual characters. That's a rant for another time.

im sorry! please forgive me.

[spenglersweetheart]

Omg hello again I’m totally not on a ghost busters hyper fixation (I am). Sooo if it’s not to much trouble could I maybe have Ray with with a buff reader. Like they work out and are strong, but because they’re AFAB they get weird looks and are called names sometimes? It’s been a hard week 😭

Have a good day!!!

it's alright because sameee i am so hyperfixated. but yes i will do this for you !!

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Your Strong. Embrace That

Ray Stantz x Reader

WARNINGS : none, just talk of insecurity

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YOU ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF YOURSELF. AND THAT meant in mostly the form of working out. You loved doing that. It mostly helped your mental health, and because of it, you grew to be more buff, which you were most definitely proud of. But there were times that even you lost self confidence sometimes. And it was becoming a little more evident than you hoped.

They always got weird looks, got called weird names. Usually, that did not bother them. But there was one particular group of females that called you some really mean name and it just broke your heart into pieces. It definitely crushed some of the self esteem that you had.

You had stayed in your apartment that day due to it, not wanting to go out into the world. Usually, you would've left the apartment by now. So when Ray noticed that you were still in bed, he got a little worried because you looked so sad at the moment.

He walks over to you before sitting on the edge of your bed. "Hey, what's wrong?"

You didn't know if you wanted to talk about it right now. But you manage to look up at Ray's face to see that he was genuinely concerned. You then look away, feeling a bit ashamed.

"I know something's bothering you," Ray tells you, before kissing your cheek.

A sigh escapes your lips. "People look at me funny," you start, "for the past week, i've been called names."

"What? By who?" Ray questioned.

"Just by people. Every time I step outside they give me weird looks. All because my arms look so much different than theirs," you explain to them, "These group of girls ... They made fun of me the whole time I was at the gym yesterday. It really hurt a little bit of my pride."

Ray's eyes soften. He moves a little bit closer so that he can face you. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I like that you're buff," he says.

You look up at Ray. "You're supposed to say that. You're my partner," you told him.

"I'm not saying that only because you're my partner. I'm saying that because I love you. And I actually do like your muscles," Ray told you with a chuckle, "It shows that you take pride in your appearance. You work out because it makes you feel happy, right?"

You look at him, giving him a slight nod. Working out always made you feel much better. But those girls ... You couldn't really stop thinking about it.

"Right," you say quietly.

"So, I don't think they should take that happiness from you," Ray told you, "Besides. It shows that you're strong. Embrace that."

You couldn't help but to smile at those words. "You think I'm strong."

"I don't just think it," he answers, "I know it."

You finally sit up from the bed. You give Ray a kiss to his cheek. It almost makes him blush. "You're too sweet," you say, "and you're right. I shouldn't let a couple girls ruin working out for me."

"See? That's the spirit," Ray says back with a chuckle," So is that a deciding factor? You're gonna go back."

You smile. "Yeah, I'm gonna go back."

[indie-bard-maiden]

~The Haunted Manor~

(the witches/ghost story, apart of my short story collection 'The Ballad of Hollowfaye' also available to read on wattpad)

Three witches (two Vespers and a Depraysier) and a mortal unite over a Ouija board in the Vespers' haunted house and try to commune with the spirits of their brutally murdered and dearly departed family.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Word Count: (to be determined)

(Pt 6)

Wind is an omen in nearly every culture. Considering it's the windiest day of the year, I hope it's a good one. It's off to a bad start considering I was caught between being upset that Fives had invited a stranger to tag along on our Halloween plans—and being stupid quiet because she'd stripped into the costume she hadn't worn to school. They wouldn't allow her to wear it. Not without the tights or the jacket or the long-sleeved shirt under it.

My eyes were glued to her legs. They followed her as she paced around her bedroom.

"What if she canceled? What if she's too scared?" She turned to me abruptly, her almond eyes frantic.

And for a second, we stared at each other. Because my mouth wouldn't open. And if I could find my words, they would've been along the lines of,  'Why couldn't you see that I wanted to be alone with you? Was it you who couldn't take the hint or is it me?'

She sucked in a deep breath, blinking rapidly all the while as if I'd actually asked the stupid question. Her hands straightened the bottom of her skirt, pulling it down slightly.

"Sorry..." And then her eyes widened.

Mine would've too if I weren't used to her already. Sometimes I think she can read my mind--the way she just knows things sometimes--but I know this is all my fault. I have an expressive face, and right now it's saying, 'I can't stop looking at your legs, and I feel really guilty about it.'

"Look, maybe we should talk about last night?" She pulled the fabric down further, as if she's had just about enough of my gaze, as if she's seen my thoughts and is disgusted by them. And I knew exactly where this is going:

'Abbotticus, I love you too. As a friend. Can you like please stop staring at me now?'

I bolted to my feet and finally, my mouth worked and my eyes found hers, and whatever words my lips couldn't form before, I tried to send her telepathically. And she flinched... My heart pounded in my chest. I was ruining this. I couldn't believe I was ruining this.

"I'm sorry, Sadbh," I would sayand I wouldn't use her nickname, something I always do, because I would want her to know that I'm sorry and I'm serious, and ruining this is the last thing I wanted to do, "I can make these stupid feelings go away. I promise."

But instead, I said nothing.

Because a deep, hollow knock came from the front door. Someone was using the actual real knocker, the Pentagram that traps evil within the segments and vertices. I never used it. Nobody ever used it. This stranger was a fearless fool.

The echo rumbled through the entire house, shaking the walls, vibrating the floors, clattering the windows. Fives' eyes widened, full of glee and I froze. She looked genuinely happy for a second, like the girl she was before everything.

"She's here!" She clapped her hands together and sped through the door, "Come on, Abbott! The spirit board is down here!"

My heart thrilled in my chest. A spirit board? She wasn't seriously expecting me to exist in the same room with something like that? It wasn't even like I believed in it, but I didn't want to go out of my way to prove myself wrong. Not in this house--which even Fernezra has said was haunted--not on Halloween night either. If anything out of the ordinary happened, it would be because we were asking for it...

I followed her anyway.

She didn't even bother to check the peephole before she opened the door! She was even more fearless than the fool!

"You came!" She shrieked. I flinched at the high pitch as she pulled Malin inside. And it was the craziest thing--I flinched even harder at her appearance. Her bone-white skin, sunken cheeks, almost-luminescent gray eyes... Who the hell was this girl?

Her eyes found me and jolted a shock down my spine. She didn't smile--didn't react at all-- when she greeted me, "Abotticus Jinx."

She knew my name... My full name...

"May-lin." A smirk found my lips. I wasn't even the smirking type. It brought me great joy though, pretending to have power over her the way she did over me.

"It's Malin." Fives cut in. My eyes snapped to hers and she was frowning at me.

I wanted to ask why she was protecting her. This girl didn't need protecting, her appearance did that well enough for her. I wanted to ask why she'd invited someone she'd barely known a day into her house. Something held me back. Something was always holding me back in that house.

"The dining room is through there--" she pointed through the archway, "--now where is-- FERN!" Malin passed through the door just as Fernezra's laugh answered from the kitchen.

"Coming, coming, I have treats."

I was about to follow them inside, but Fives grabbed my wrist. An electric warmth cascaded in waves all the way down my arm, all over my body, and then I turned and met her eyes, and the waves turned to ice in my stomach.

"I know you're upset--" she murmured. It was like she was scared she'd break me.

"I'm not upset."

"You're hurt." My mouth snapped shut. "And I'm sorry. I promise there will be time for us tonight, but right now, this is important to me... I need you to give her a chance." Her voice cracked and she turned back toward the archway, wiping her eyes, "If that's not enough for you then you can leave."

She was cold and tense. The old vulnerable Fives left, and I wanted the right to miss her, but I understood too well why she had to go. I nodded even though she couldn't see me, and I tried to free the tension all over my body. It was no use.

My instincts were telling me there was something wrong here and they hadn't shut up about it since Malin arrived. Wouldn't that make her the problem? Isn't she who they're trying to warn me about?

I went against them and followed Fives. Malin had already made herself at home, sitting at the head of the table, picking up the ancient wooden planchet, and peeking through the glass hole. The corner of her mouth pulled up.

"You were right. There are many haunts here tonight." Her pupil dilated inside her magnified eye. It was such a metallic silver it was almost purple, and she smiled, "They seem to be intrigued with your mortal."

A cold chill slapped me hard on the neck and it didn't leave. Her smile widened, and I was sure it was the cause of the floor swaying beneath me. My brain was melting, just something else I was sure of. The floor groaned as their chairs slid against it. Fernezra's voice cut through the fog.

"Jinx, you look pale. Try some of these," Her footsteps rattled my melted brain, her sharp nails cut into my palm as she pressed something soggy into it.

"What—"

"It's a cupcake. Perfectly moist too."

It dripped through my fingers, splattering into a thousand puddles on the rotted floor. I slurped what was left off of my fingers, and the shaking in my thighs ceased. I stood tall and strong when I sat down at Malin's left, beside Fives.

Neither noticed me, both watched as she traced a finger along the vines carved along the edges of the board. Fernezra was the only other person not trapped within her spell.

"It's been in our family for generations." Fives explained nervously. Her green eyes watched Malin for a reaction.

She only nodded, and her fingers followed the vines down to the words 'Hello' and 'Farewell'. Then they stopped. Suddenly. Coldly. She was still as a corpse.

"Our grandmother used it every day. She said she needed to commune with her mother before she made any decision."

Fern but in with a, "Yes! I remember that. She used to ask her everything! 'Ma, what should I make for dinner? Ma, does this perfume make me smell like a harlot?'"

Fives nodded, her smile fell somberly, "I always thought she smelled nice. Like a nice old lady."

"Mhm," Malin spoke cooly like mist, "Agatha?" Fern and Fives stared at her. Malin stared back. Then she blinked and her eyes focused on something behind Fern.

"Oh. My apologies." She blinked again and her eyes immediately found Fives. "She says you knew her as meemaw." Fern and I gasped, but Fives just clapped her hands in excitement. "She says the perfume did make her smell like a harlot and you'd do well to dispose of yours too."

Fives gasped and I rolled my eyes, "She does NOT smell like a harlot."

The second her eyes found me, I froze.

"Your family has their concerns about continuing this conversation in front of a mortal. They've asked me to inquire if Salem 1692 means anything to you?"

Fives grasped my arm, and it was like the spell broke. My lungs were working again. Those silver eyes had no effect on me. I was free! Her murder attempt failed! She must've been devastated.

"Abbott Jinx isn't like those mortals. He's my bodyguard. He protects us from any harm this way comes."

Malin raised an eyebrow at me. I smiled back. "This boy is your familiar?"

We turned to each other. It took all of two seconds for us to start howling with laughter. It couldn't be real. This girl couldn't be serious. Only the heat of the flickering candles and the smell of the raw pumpkin spice cupcakes reminded me this was reality.

"You laugh in the face of your responsibilities, Mortal? You think protecting the life of a witch is an easy task? Especially the lives of witches that have been cursed and doomed for ages?"

We stopped laughing.

Her eyes were unforgiving, "If this is all a joke to you, perhaps my agreeing to help was a mistake."

Fives jumped up from her seat, knocking it backward. "NO! No, please! This means the entire world to me, please. We're sorry, very very incredibly sorry." I almost thought she was going to fall to her knees and beg for this stranger's forgiveness.

Malin stared her down.

Fives stared back, unwavering.

"Please."

There was a pause. A lull. That is until the sound of Fern slurping her cupcakes shattered the silence. She was barely paying us any mind. Her eyes closed in ecstasy, her fingers dripping batter.

Malin cleared her throat, "It would help if you'd tell me a little bit more about how they died, and when."

"Really?" Fern snorted, "You can't find that out by asking them with your little ghost board?"

Fives ignored her, "It was last winter... They were driving home after a Yule Ritual in the wildwood. Cops said they must've been drunk when they hit a patch of black ice, lost control, wrecked, and animals pulled them from the wreckage and attempted to hide their bodies."

"Animals?"

Fives nodded sarcastically, annoyed at the entire idea, at the incompetency of the force on her parents' case, "Animals."

Fern was more serious when she spoke now, "Okay, look, I get it doesn't sound that plausible when you say it out loud. But this is even more crazy, Sadbh. You're trying to find the person who allegedly murdered your parents through a goddamn spirit board. That sounds less crazy than, I don't know, a bear killing your parents when they wrecked their car in a literal forest?"

Fives waved her off, "Just admit you've never heard of hibernation, Fern. NO BEARS were out at that time."

Fern rolled her eyes, "Okay how about you admit you've never heard of global warming? Bears ARE out at that time nowadays because of overfishing and they haven't enough food TO hibernate, not to mention it doesn't get cold enough. They probably don't even realize it's WINTER anymore."

I regretted being stuck in the middle of this. I was glad when Fives' hand went back to my arm though. Her hands tightened around me. Almost cutting into my skin.

"If you don't want to be here, you can leave. Go gawk over Quinby Digby at the library before it closes or something." She growled.

Malin went to say something, but Fern snapped, "First of all, I gawk over Zaskia, NOT Quinby. Second of all, I'm staying, so when she pulls some rubbish out of her ass, I can say 'See this why we don't listen to scam artists who believe they can communicate with corpses through a plank of wood.'"

I tried to jump in, to maybe bring some peace to the mix, but they cut me off as soon as I got my mouth to work. Malin and I met each other's eyes and it seemed like we were sharing the same thought: This is going to be a long night.

Sadbh crossed her arms sarcastically, "How nice, well I want you to stay so you can find out who killed YOUR family too."

"Sadbh, come on. This is so obviously not real. Right, Abbott? You agree with me?" She looked between her cousin and me. Fives look at me too. And then Malin. Three pairs of eyes were on me and they were all hungry.

I'm no fearless fool, so I hesitated..., "Look, I don't claim to know how your parents died, and I'll admit it does sound suspicious. Maybe if the police did their jobs we'd have more answers..." I licked my lips; none of them looked satisfied, "But using a spirit board? I mean, they're bad luck. And they hold evil or something? And I understand you want to know what happened so you can get some kind of closure... And we will get that for you! Whether it was a bear or a murderer or whatever, we'll get to the bottom of this, I promise."

I was rambling and it was obvious. What could I have said that would've made it matter for anyone? Malin rescued me with answers, "Actually..." her eyes focused, as if she were coming out of a foggy haze, "Have you ever heard of divine retribution?"

"No?" Fives and I echoed together, and her hand squeezed me tighter.

Fern groaned, "Please don't tell me you're saying my Aunt and Uncle were killed because God had a bone to pick with them."

"No. Of course not. Your Aunt and Uncle were killed because A god had a bone to pick with your original ancestor and cursed his entire bloodline hundreds of years ago."

I laughed, "You're joking..."

Malin sighed, "I'm afraid not. Gods can hold quite the grudge."

"So, you're saying A GOD killed my parents." Fives' hesitated.

Malin was getting tired of the questions, tired of us not understanding, tired of us not taking witchy voodoo seriously, "No, I'm saying A GOD is why your parents met their untimely end, just like your aunt, and your family before them and you two will after them. It'll go on and on and on."

Fern threw her cupcake paper at the spirit board, "SEE! It's bullshit, Sadbh! She's just taking advantage of the knowledge that our family has all died young to come to some bullshit conclusion. Cursed by the gods, are you genuinely serious? Which god then, huh?"

I cleared my throat, "And which ancestor? Can't you talk to him? Ask him what he did? Maybe we can fix it? Reverse his mistake or something?" My heart was pounding in my chest. They couldn't all die young. Not because of one guy nobody remembered. Not when it's been so long.

Sadbh growled, her fingers cutting into me, "None of that matters! I still don't know who or what killed my parents! That's why we're here right now!"

I had to yank myself free. I couldn't bear her knife-like claws anymore, "No offense, Fives, I think preserving your life and getting rid of a curse that could kill you matters at least a little."

"Malin. Please. I need to know. I can't move on if I don't know."

Malin cleared her throat, "You ever notice how things change with the breeze? How new paths form, how you make choices you wouldn't have made otherwise, how a new you is born and the old you is remade?"

The omen. My eyes flash. I don't even realize I'm speaking, "What the fu--"

Fives interrupts, "What does this have to do with anything?"

Fern rolled her eyes, "Yeah, and why do you have to say it so pretentiously? You're literally talking about the wind."

It was all becoming less real by the second. Even the cold slap on my neck had disappeared. Malin's effect on me was nothing more than annoyance.

And it was almost like she'd felt my shock. Her eyes locked with mine, and they held an air of righteousness, "The Goddess of Destiny has everything to do with everything, and I wouldn't disregard the wind so easily. How do you think Mistraldaire was cursed in the first place? Arrogance and hubris--thinking you're better than the gods."

Fern cackled, "Mistraldaire? MISTRALDAIRE? That's not even a real name."

"Your name is literally Fernezra," I whispered.

She rolled her eyes, "Oh, shut up. Whose side are you even on?"

"Well--"

"But thinking the decision to curse an entire bloodline is a little dramatic means we're disrespecting the gods?" Fives murmured, "My parents are dead because this Goddess of Destiny was offended by something a man who lived hundreds of years ago said. Maybe I don't want to respect a goddess who thinks murder is a fair punishment for an entire family."

Malin nodded, "Fair enough, but murder wasn't the punishment."

Fives shook her head, "I don't understand. If it wasn't, then why do we keep dying?"

"It's not so much death so much as the way it's orchestrated. And the first curse wasn't death, it was BECAUSE of death."

"Can you stop speaking in riddles for five seconds and just answer her questions?" Fern groaned.

Malin spoke reminiscently, "I recognize the name. Mistraldaire... A Veteran of the War of the Schools."

"Schools... Like a high school...?" I raised an eyebrow.

She shook her head as if it were obvious, "The Schools of Witchcraft. Every clan belongs to one of the three: Mind, Body, or Soul. Mistraldaire's were masters of the body."

"How do you even know this?"

Fives shushed her cousin, and Malin continued, "He's all over our history books of that period. He wasn't so much a veteran as much as he was a disgrace in the eyes of witches and gods everywhere."

Sadbh gasped, "Why? What did he do?"

Fern shushed her back.

Malin looked between them both and waited for silence. Once they gave in, she cleared her throat, "It's a long story but to summarize, in the early days of the war, thousands were lost every day. Undertakers couldn't keep up with the bodies, the land couldn't keep up with the graves, and ghosts from the dead buried carelessly would return and haunt both sides. Then the School of the Body joined and healers from all over Iyael were summoned to await their divine duty--to help the wounded and the fallen warriors."

Her silver eyes began to glow violet as she spoke passionately, "Mistraldaire was one of those called upon. He was one of the best healers. He could heal those on the brink of death, could bring back those just barely over the cusp. When other healers would attempt it, those brought back were different. They weren't the same that were lost. But Mistraldaire was skilled at his craft, a master. He could bring back the soul as well as the body."

"That's good then, right? So why was he punished? He was a hero." I wondered aloud.

Her eyes met mine again, but their power was no more over me, "It wasn't enough for him to be praised, to see the product of his divinity. He wanted to prove his valor. He wanted to show the schools he wasn't just the most powerful healer, he could be a warrior too. He could take life just as he could give it back. So one day, he decided to do just that. He abandoned his post. Took the sword of a warrior he didn't heal and joined the other warriors on the battleground..."

Fern leaned forward on her elbows and blushed, "Okay... Not that I believe any of this... But... What happened then...?"

Malin leaned back, "It was the bloodiest day the war had seen. More died not by the stolen sword but by the rejection of his duty. By taking his fate into his own hands, by deciding he knew his destiny best, by rejecting the blessing and the glory the goddess had given him, the witches that died on the battlefield weren't healed. Those that were killed weren't brought back. More ghosts haunted than warriors fought. He'd decided death was more important than life. For this decision, he was exiled by his fellow witch, and cursed by the gods who'd blessed him."

"So why not just punish him," Fives yelled exasperated, "Why punish us too? We had nothing to do with that!"

Malin looked as though she couldn't understand the question, "Thousands were lost because of him. Mothers lost sons, sons lost fathers, entire clans gone forever. Maybe they didn't think one man's blood would suffice. Maybe they wanted the entire Vespers' bloodline to fall."

Fern narrowed her eyes, "So you can ask the ghosts what our original ancestor was named, but you can't ask them why they deemed all this necessary."

Malin sighed, "Only your family is here at the moment. I can't ask them what every clan from every school thought when they cursed yours."

"I just think it's fuc--

Sadbh jumped, "Did you just say our family is here?"

Malin nodded.

"My parents???" Her voice reached that high pitch again, but I didn't flinch. I understood her need, her desperation.

Malin tilted her head, "Your father."

Fives' eyes were frantic, her hand reaching for mine again. I interlocked our fingers, though it didn't help much. "My dad is here right now? Can he hear me? Where's my mom? Why aren't they together?"

"He can hear you. and he says your mother was mortal. She wasn't cursed the way he was. She doesn't suffer the same fate as he." She spoke softly as if she was trying to soothe her.

Sadbh shook her head, "Suffer? He's suffering? Where is he? What happened? Why can't I hear him? Tell him I want to speak to him!"

I squeezed her hand gently, "Hey, hey, relax. Take a deep breath."

Malin spoke cooly, "I've already told you. Your clan are masters of the body. Your powers stem from there. Us Depraysiers are masters of the soul, and so I can commune with the dead."

Fives' voice was cracking. She was gone. I was losing her all over again. Just like last year. Just like when this was still new. She was beside herself with pain and sorrow and yearning for answers, "Then I should be able to feel him. He knows I can feel. I can feel things, emotions from other people. Why can't I feel his?"

I froze. She didn't notice. I didn't expect her to.

Malin sighed, "Because he isn't a body. He is a soul, an essence trapped here."

"Hey, can you shut the hell up for a second?" For a second, I thought Fern was talking to me. Me and my racing thoughts and my racing heart, but she was scowling Malin down, "Can't you see she's having a panic attack? You're not helping."

"And what do you mean you can feel people's emotions?" I muttered.

Fern eyed me then, "You too. Just shut up. Sadbh, relax, okay? Get your feelings under control and she'll answer more questions, okay? You're going to make yourself sick."

Five's voice was small, barely above a whisper, her eyes distant, "She said he's suffering, Nez. He's suffering and my mom isn't there with him. He's all alone."

Malin shook her head. She clasped her fingers together with a hum, "He isn't alone. Iris is there. He says she's been helping him since he arrived. She's been trying to help him contact Yuna... Yuna is your mother, yes?"

"Is he in pain? Just tell me that." Her voice cracked.

Malin cleared her throat, as if she was attempting to clear Fives' as well, "He says he's alright. He feels no pain. He suffers only because of his punishment."

Her voice only shook more. "Punishment? What punishment."

Malin goes quiet and pale. It's the first time she's looked remorseful. Probably the first time in her entire life. "He doesn't wish for me to say."

Sadbh shakes from beside me. She's restless now. I grab her hand, trying to still her and her racing heart. She doesn't notice any of us are there. She barely notices Malin anymore. Her eyes dance around the room, searching for her father's spirit. "Tell me! Please. Please I need to know."

Malin shakes her head, "He says it'll bring you no comfort."

She launches to her feet, nearly knocking over her chair if I hadn't grabbed it with my knight-like reflexes, "Well then remind him that he's dead. That my mom is dead. Remind him that I feel no comfort anyway because they were both taken from me and nobody will tell me the truth about what really happened."

Fern begs on her behalf, "Uncle Dillon... She's right. If you're really there and this isn't just some scam. I've seen it. I've seen her suffering. Answers could only help. There's no way she could be more lost than she already is."

I narrowed my eyes at her. Not because it wasn't true. Of course it was true. Sadbh wasn't the same and she would never be. How do you go back to the way you used to be before something like this happened? You couldn't; she couldn't. There was an innocence lost, a naivety, an ignorant bliss. No, I wasn't staring angrily at Fern because she was wrong. I was staring at her with an edge because she was right.

Malin pauses. Hesitates. "He hears her screams the night she died. Over and over again. Screaming for him to help, begging for the pain to leave. He tries to run to her, to reach her, and to help her, but she's too far away. As soon as he reaches the Maple Tree in your backyard, she goes quiet. He falls to his knees because he knows it's not because the pain is gone but because she is. He knows Yuna was killed because of him, because of HIS curse."

Sadbh falls back down in her chair, "Oh..."

Fern sighs theatrically, "So I was wrong, then... Maybe you didn't need to know that. Nice going, Uncle Dillon. You should've said your punishment was that morbid."

Malin picks at her fingernails, somehow uninterested, somehow uncaring, "He didn't say it. Mistraldaire did. He says your parents died a death of valor."

I try to bite my tongue, but I can't anymore. I just can't. "Like he'd know anything about valor, he sounds like a coward."

The walls rattle and collectible dishes fly off shelves. The planchette zooms from one side of the board to the other, and Malin just smiles at it.

"You can throw dishes at me all you want, it's true! You're the reason they died ~a death of valor~ in the first place. You're the reason her father is being punished like that. You're the reason her mother was in pain when she died. You're the reason the gods hate the Vespers." My voice doesn't crack, nor waver.

Fives grabs my arm, but I shake her off, "Abbotticus--"

I frown down at her, "No, it's true! If you die tomorrow or next month, when you DIE, it'll be all because of him. Because he couldn't handle healing people even though that was his entire power. he wanted to kill people instead. The gods were right to punish him, but to punish you? To punish your parents? To let your father suffer in death like that and your mother who had nothing to do with it? That's fucked up, and more than that, it's not fair. Because he went against the Goddess of Destiny now it's your destiny to pay for a crime you didn't commit?"

Malin smirks scoldingly, I didn't even know that was possible, "Easy, mortal. Don't tempt her. On Halloween of all nights."

"He has a point. but the fact is... None of this is real... It can't be... And even if it is, we're getting out of here. You and me... we won't have their fate, I promise..."

Fern doesn't even sound sure, doesn't even sound like she believes herself or her words. Maybe because she's said it so many times before. Maybe it was a lie she was trying to convince herself was true, only it's not working anymore, maybe it never worked.

"Malin, please. Ask them what happened that night. Ask them who did it. I don't care if I die, if the curse reaches me too. I need to get justice for them, I need to know what happened."

Fern reaches for her across the table but they're too far, "Are you sure?"

I grab her hand for her, "Yeah, Fives. This doesn't seem like it's helping."

Sadbh nods, resolutely. It's what she invited Malin here for after all. "I need to know. It won't help but nothing will. I won't rest until I know."

Malin clears her throat, stares off into the distance, and communicates with those lost, "Well..... He says........ There was a woman... A woman in the road and your mother didn't see her through all the snow..."

A cold wintry air overcomes the room. Frost blossoms on the dishware, snowflakes dance slowly from the ceiling, the walls blur around us, the lights dim until there's only a glow resembling a pale moonlight. My lungs burn at having to adjust to the dramatic dip in temperature. Just as my fingers start trembling with frostbite, Sadbh grabs my fingers and interlocks them. If I wasn't so sure this was all a dream that surely couldn't be real, I would've realized that she must've felt my chill. That's why she wrapped my fingers in her warmth. It had to be.

I'm too busy staring in awe at the shifting reality to notice Malin's mouth falling open, slowly, slowly. Fern screams. I flinch and look at her, only to see her horrified at something happening beside me. That's when I see it; her. Malin frozen in pain, mouth wide open stretching wider and wider, jaw creaking and cracking, eyes bulging. A squeak of pain exits her throat, but she struggles to let it out. Like there's a pressure on her lungs we can't see.

And then, all at once, in the time it takes me to blink, there is no more Malin. Not the Malin as I'd come to know her. '

NEXT PART AVAILABLE╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ HERE

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[my-mt-heart]

Prev anon who was ranting about the trailer. It's definitely Isabelle and Laurent that Daryl wants to tag along with to America. Also - are we sure that Melissa will be there for Season 3. Is that confirmed at all?

Sorry for the bother. The trailer really got to me. I loved the tag line "some bonds have no borders" but it felt positioned as something linking all the characters. Not just Daryl and Carol. ffs come on - how long has he known these ppl? And half of them are not even genuine towards him most of the time.

I don't wanna watch this show - but also real curious what they are gonna do with Carol's character. Hope they don't ruin it.

She’s confirmed. It’s really hard for me to say, but it’s not enough for me to watch. I think I’d just keep getting my heart broken if I did.

You aren’t bothering me. I feel the exact same way. While I know Melissa will always fight for Carol, it’s very clear that they are positioning her as less important than Daryl. I don’t care how many times Norman or anyone claims it’s her story. The title, the billing, and the trailer speak for themselves.

The other problem is that Daryl’s and Carol’s stories are so interwoven that ruining one means ruining the other. Ruining Caryl is ruining Daryl. Ruining Caryl is ruining Carol.

[south-of-heaven]

hardy!reader falling for lita while lita is dating her brother?

Fallen || Lita x Reader

Summary: You're the youngest Hardy sibling. When Lita starts dating your older brother you realise you've fallen for her as well.

A/N: Reader is over 18.

Growing up as the youngest Hardy sibling had its perks. You had two incredibly talented brothers, Jeff and Matt, who were not only your family but your idols. They taught you everything you knew about wrestling, life, and the importance of chasing your dreams. However, with their larger-than-life presence in the world of professional wrestling, it was easy to feel overshadowed at times.

One person who had always made you feel special was Lita. Her real name was Amy, but she had adopted the persona of Lita when she entered the world of WWE, and to the world, she was the high-flying, punk-rock Diva. To you, though, she was just Amy, a kind-hearted and genuinely nice person.

Amy had been friends with your brothers for years, and her friendship extended to you as well. She'd often help you with your homework, cheer you on during school events, and even give you wrestling tips in the backyard when your brothers weren't around. She made you feel seen and important, something that wasn't always easy in the shadow of the Hardy Boyz.

But as the years went by, something shifted within you. It was a gradual change, a transformation of feelings that you didn't quite understand at first. You began to look at Amy not just as a friend but as something more. It was confusing and overwhelming, and you struggled to make sense of it.

The turning point came when you saw Amy and your brother Matt together. They had been close friends for a long time, but their relationship had deepened into something romantic. The sight of them together, holding hands and laughing, stirred something in you. It was then that you realized the truth: you had fallen for Amy, and it was more than just a teenage crush.

Your emotions were a jumbled mess. On one hand, you were genuinely happy for Matt, your beloved older brother who had always looked out for you. On the other hand, you couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and longing when you saw him with Amy.

You tried to bury your feelings, to pretend they didn't exist. You were the youngest Hardy, after all, and you had always been taught to prioritize family above all else. But as much as you tried to hide it, your heart had a way of betraying you.

One evening, as you sat alone in the backyard, contemplating your emotions, Amy found you. She had a knack for knowing when something was bothering you, even when you didn't say a word. She settled down beside you, her red hair glinting in the fading sunlight.

"Hey there," she said softly, her eyes filled with concern. "You seem a bit distant lately. Is something on your mind?"

You swallowed hard, your heart racing as you struggled to find the right words. "It's just...Amy, I think I've...I've fallen for you. And I don't know what to do about it."

Amy's expression softened, and she reached out to gently place a hand on your shoulder. "Hey, it's okay," she reassured you. "Feelings are complicated, and they don't always make sense. But I want you to know that I care about you, too, in a very special way. You're like family to me, just like your brothers."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at her, your heart aching with both relief and uncertainty. "I don't want to ruin anything between you and Matt. He's my brother, and I love him."

Amy gave you a warm smile. "You won't ruin anything, I promise. Matt and I are strong, and we both care about you deeply. Sometimes, these things take time to figure out. What's most important is that we're honest with each other."

In that moment, you felt a weight lift off your shoulders. Amy's understanding and kindness were like a soothing balm to your conflicted heart. You didn't have all the answers, but you knew that, with time, you could navigate the complex web of emotions you found yourself entangled in.

As the years passed, your feelings for Amy never truly faded, but they did evolve. You cherished the friendship you shared, knowing that the bonds of family and love were intricate and often surprising. And throughout it all, Amy remained a constant source of support and guidance in your life, just as she always had been.

[awaitinganorphanera]

Who was going to tell me that in order to produce a fic I actually have to write it >:((((( ??? WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE WORDS DONT JUST APPEAR IN THIN AIR IF I STARE AT THE BLINKING CURSOR LONG ENOUGH WITH MY BRAIN FILLED WITH SO MUCH IDEAS RAHHHH !!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to share a small tidbit of a Hanahaki au CobyMeppo fic/draft/idea/prompt/shitty compilation of words that barely make sense that I've been working on since FEBRUARY but never fucking finished and am currently still struggling to even continue as embarrassing as that sounds because idk whether its cohesive or good enough to even share on Ao3 Its just the idea of Helmeppo developing and struggling through Hanahaki disease would be so neat imo due to how most CobyMeppo shippers head cannon Helmeppo's feelings being unrequited at first (or not at all) and how he just adores Koby so fucking much that he becomes so ruined. I cant. Apologies if the structured and the way it's told is messy and incoherent, I've added the lil space in the indent thingy to depict a different part of the fic since im not very good at transitioning. I haven't written anything in so long and I wanted to pump so much bits that I didn't even weave anything properly so, HERE IT IS: (a lot of it IS corny and a bit cheesy so be forewarned akjsjasjsa)

Koby always liked flowers. Surely then, Helmeppo thought, Koby would like him too. Helmeppo, who dwelled within his prickly walls, each barbed with Rose thorns. Helmeppo, with his muddled virtues, swelling and desiccated like stains from Poppy sap. Helmeppo, with a chest riddled with budding blossoms, all watered by his desolate, weeping heart. Could such qualities appeal to the man he grew to love? Perhaps, Helmeppo thought, and perhaps too, he should have known better.  Known when his feelings had begun to develop into something more than simple tolerance, more than respect, more than adoration and even more than intense attachment to the pink-haired boy. At least then, he would have prepared for the worst. Or at least… That's what he assumed when the worst began. It was a blur, how it started. Helmeppo was always self-aware, extremely conscious of his feelings. He knew of jealousy, anger, longing, all traits that contributed and resulted from his desperate and gnawing want to appease his father. His father, of course. His own blood and bones, the same person who probably caused the beginning of all– this. Was it really a surprise? Helmeppo couldn't think of any fucked up thing in his life that hadn't ultimately been caused by Morgan. He grew to learn how to read the room, read the faces, read the tones, he grew to know his father's thoughts without actually knowing anything about his father's feelings. Did he even feel? Feel for his son? No. Of course not. The only thing Morgan could feel for him was apathy.  Sometimes, Helmeppo wished his father hate him instead, wished that he was worth hitting. At least then, he would have experienced treatment that came with passion and effort, treatment that resulted from feeling, treatment that made him feel at the barest, like he meant something.  The lack of care and lack of anything that Morgan bothered to show to his son was barely even the surface of reasons why Helmeppo is even suffering through this. The cause that made Helmeppos brain chemistry rewire and for his damn neuromodulators to rearrange. To see something as small as a single act of genuine care be perceived as a trick, a lie, a dream that he’d so desperately want to fall into and relive despite the possible consequences. He should have recognized how unhealthy and apparently not normal these thoughts were, should have known that his emotions are unstable and too much, should have seen how horrific he grew to be. But even then, Helmeppo thought, would that have done anything to prevent the illness he'd eventually succumb to?

Of all the horrors in Helmeppo’s life, he would have thought that seeds growing inside his lungs would have been the most and hopefully (though doubtedly, considering his luck in life) last traumatic event that would truly, bring him to ruin. But of course, the world, just like how Helmeppo always found himself to be, would never have enough, and just like the breaths he was left to breathe, would leave him dwindling in the years to come. It started as a blur, again, just like any day in the ship he found himself settled in. A gift. He thought, better than what life offered him when he woke up back in shells town. Or at least that's what he’s been telling himself.  Morgan was cruel, sure, but at least he was familiar. He was easier to navigate, easier to chart and read and hide from.  He couldn’t do this here, when things still felt new. He knew of Garp and his capabilities, but he didn’t know the limits of his patience, he had no clue what and how many things would warrant the usage of his fist. He knew of the shady business of the Navy and the World Government, knew of its structure and how it works; the tutors paid by his father made sure of that much, but he never got to live through it.

SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME TIPS ON HOW TO TRANSITION PARTS IN WRITING, I SUCK ASS AND AM OPEN TO CRITIQUES AHJSJAS