#I really enjoy reading all of your tags and comments!

[mjbarrosart]

My Dragon Prince Boards season 7, episode 708: My Final Episode

Happy new year!!

Well, the day has arrived! It is time to talk about my last sequence on the last episode of The dragon Prince I worked: season 7, episode 8.

I can not explain you how much work went into the last 3 episodes of season 7. If you check the board artist credits for this episode, several artist worked on each one! Usually a SB unit has 3 artist, but for this last ones every unit was collaborating with each other. There was a lot of work to do.

I boarded the initial sequence of this episode. Or at least the bones of it. 2 things happened that made my input in this episode smaller that in the previous ones:

First, they removed a lot of things from this initial sequence as it was on the script, mostly to make it shorter, because episode 8 is incredible long (almost half an hour!) so they trimmed the beginning to give more space to other sequences that were more relevant. So a lot of the things I did are not there, haha.

Second, By the end of my time in Dragon Prince I got a really cool offer to go to Titmouse (another animation studio) to work on an amazing show (that sadly is still unannounced so I can not talk about it) so, as soon as I finished my boards for episode 8 I left, while most of the team stayed to keep working on revisions of the boards, so while normally I would do the revisions and changes on my own sequences in the past, for this one I was not in Bardel anymore, so some of my talented coworkers did that for me.

As I said the structure of the sequence is close to what I boarded but not the same. All the beats are there, mostly.

Anyway, there are still some shots that I would like to share with you:

Most of the sequence with the corrupted banthers was changed,. because certain things did not happened, so a lot of my shots got changed, but this one survived, and I like it, "Are you betraying us AGAIN, Karim?" hahaha lol

I like this two shots, they look cool.

Also, Karim is such an idiot. As I told before, i worked so much with him during all my seasons in the show, that i kinda like him, but also he is insufferable, lol.

I think that when I was boarding this parts, we were not set on how big Aaravos will be. We had a proxy to work with, but looks like at the end they made him slightly smaller.

And yeah, I had the privileged to Kill Karim, haha.

No regrets, tho. The part when Aaravos clean his hand on his chest was added later, so that was not me.

Its is not up to me to talk about the parts that were cut or changed. This is not my show at the end of the day, and that is something that only the people at Wondersotorm could share with you. I always try to respect how creators choose to tell their stories, and this is the same.

And yeah, a little anti-climatic after all the highs of episodes 702 and 705, but anyway was a privilege to work on this episode and on so many season of this amazing show.

I could write long about how important for me and my career this experience was, but i have the feeling that you already know that, haha.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

And feel free to ask if you have any questions, I always enjoy reading your comments and tags!!

[gingerale13]

I churned this out so fast excuse the quality.. anyways there's a cheesy ass note to my mutuals + followers under the cut bc I love you guys 🧡🧡

This year kinda whizzed by for me! A lot happened in my personal life that I don't want to share online, but throughout all of the highs and lows I was always able to come back to this wonderful fandom. It's been a huge comfort seeing other people theorize and discuss my favorite characters!

I've meet a lot of awesome people through Tumblr & Ao3, cosplaying, and various TF2 groups. As of writing this post I've got a solid 260 followers, which is an insane number to me when this blog simply started as a place to organize my creative works 😭

All of the little tags and comments on my stuff have seriously kept my life whimsical (for lack of a better term) and I would like to shout-out some notable people and works that kept me going through 2024!

First up, and probably the biggest one, is the lovely @aussie-bookworm and their fic, Going Through The Motions. These updates seriously made my day, and I couldn't have been happier you accepted my offer to proofread. It's been super fun discussing the differences between our countries, yapping about the Mercs, and different AUs. I hope to read many more of your works in 2025 B)

Next, another fanfic author, is AhChunta! If you like slow burns, mystery, and Speeding Bullet, I would really recommend Stolen Pieces. It's a super cool crime boss AU that I've been enjoying this year. Plus it deserves more attention!

Another awesome artist is @800db-cloud, who is honestly CARRYING the Freak Fortress fandom. I love how silly your depictions of those freaks are 🧡 and also YOUR ARTSTYLE IS SO COOL AND SATISFYING TO LOOK AT ARGHHH.. You're just super awesome 👍 also shout-out to @riskreward1, my chillest mutual. I think your Getting Milk comic series is hilarious and amazing, but seeing all of those other fandoms you draw is like a gateway drug to me because it's drawn in your KICKASS artstyle‼️plus you like The Mountain Goats and that's based

@thechocolatearmor!! The other Medic Cosplayer I met at my first con!! My friends still mention the in-character convo we had, you were hilarious and I'm so glad I got your Tumblr because I love reading all of your takes on reblogs. I hope I see you again so we can be insane together again 🔥

also @mikimel, I admire how silly you are 😭 I still have that little doodle you drew at the con, and I wish your Tomodochi Miis well <3 AND THE SOLLY FIGURE. He's beautiful. Your fashion sense is fire, and I hope to see more of your cosplay projects! :0 (specifically Soldier Miku. If that's still a thing hehe)

@ivvyzzspark you. You know what you did.

Another HUGE thanks to my very very patient proofreader @emiette for helping me make Crates readable! Em dashes are my new favorite form of punctuation.

And lastly I would like to thank @mvabank because you were the one who made me start rotting over TF2 in the first place 🫶 Magmas were always so fun with you and the image of your little sona with the big ass eyes is forever seared into my brain <3

Maybe it's because 2025 is divisible by 5, but I have a feeling this year is going to be a good one. Stay safe out there, people! Cheers 🥂

[scorpioriesling]

Invisible String - Finale

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

Pairing(s): Eris x reader

Warning(s): Please be advised; this part might not be suitable for all audiences. Proceed with caution. 18+, MDNI

Summary: You'd taken the nanny position for the royal family over a year ago, not expecting what would come of it or how close you'd grow to the child you cared for. Things became tough for Eris when his wife left him and his daughter, and he found it increasingly harder to raise Riley himself. He soon realizes, you've provided a lot more than the typical job description duties for his daughter... and maybe for him, too.

SR’s Note: This is the final part! If you've stuck around this long, thank you -- I hope this series was enjoyable and everything you'd hoped it'd be. I added in the advisory so that younger / uncomfortable readers won't read the series without knowing or expecting potential risks in content to come, however the (canon) NSFW portion of this part can be bypassed & not affect the story in it's entirety! So, if you're not about reading that, I have included warnings in the passage so you know what to skip , but for those who enjoy or look forward to content as such -- get excited! Thank you all for your patience with me as far as this series goes, it has truly been a pleasure to write. (; Much love to all.

Tags: @mellowmusings @talesofadragon @rcarbo1 @mandziaaa @lilah-asteria @a-frog-with-a-laptop @kitsunetori @dannul @velarisdusk @lamarmotta @paintedbyshadows @i-know-i-can @adventure-awaits13 @acourtofbatboydreams (inbox me or comment if you'd like to be added!)

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

"When's daddy coming back?"

You slide the tray of warm cookies from the oven, keeping a careful eye on the curious girl standing a few feet behind you. Setting it down atop the stove, you push the oven door shut and hold a hand in front of her as she inches closer.

"Stand back Riles -- the oven is really hot, okay?"

She sighs, taking a half step away from the oven and frowning.

"Y/N, when is daddy home?" She asks again. You turn to face her, unlacing your apron and setting it on the counter before kneeling to her level.

"Sweetheart, we talked about this, remember? Just a few more days and-"

Your hand stills from brushing a stray hair from her ponytail out of her face as a knock sounds at the front door. Riley sucks in a breath, her attention snapping toward the sound in the foyer.

"Daddy!" She squeals, and your heart sinks. Before you can grab ahold of her, she's darting for the front door -- but you know deep down, it's not him. He never knocks, its his home anyway.

"Riley... Riley please, wait-" You round the corner, seconds late as her arms strain to pull the front door open. Your heart jumps into your throat as nerves and fear sweep in, anxiety for who is at Eris' home while he would be away.

Silence stretches as you make up the last few steps to the door, pulling Riley behind you as the visitor is exposed at once.

The face before you doesn't exactly calm any of those nerves, though.

"Gram?" Riley squeaks, peeking around your leg as she grips your pants fabric. The older woman smiles warmly, offering the little one a small wave.

"Hello, dear," she turns her gaze to you, surely met with a look of confusion. "Hello, Y/N."

You swallow, dipping your head in greeting. She waves a light but dismissive hand.

"Please -- no need for that. I just came by to say hello," she explains. Riley loosens her grip on your pants, peering around your leg once more.

"Oh," you say, not really sure of the situation. You take a step back, pulling Riley to your side as the Lady of Autumn takes a small step forward.

"Do you mind if I come in?"

✧･ﾟ: *

"...and this one is bunny, my very favorite." RIley explains, extending her stuffed rabbit to her grandmother. The Lady of Autumn takes it, inspecting it with faux wonder.

"Oh wow, my dear, yes -- bunny is quite lovely, isn't she?" Riley giggles, taking her well-loved stuffie back and making to stand.

"Bunny says its tea party time." She states, stepping out of the small circle the three of you had been sitting in for the past half hour and making way to her room. "I be back!" She shouts, making the Lady of Autumn chuckle.

"A quite unique one, she is," she states, her attention focusing back on you. You offer a smile, thinking of all the unique qualities Riley bestows.

"Oh yes, she's always so interested in... well, everything," you laugh. "She's so kind, and full of wonder... so curious about the world-"

"Mmm, just like her father was." She nods once, remembering. "He was quite the handful as a small boy; you've done such a great job with her, she is a very respectful young lady."

Your cheeks pinken, the compliment seeming so opposite to how her husband had treated you mere nights before.

"Oh... that's, well..." you fumble. "Eris, is... an amazing dad. Riley is always wondering when he'll be home next." You shrug. The Lady of Autumn chuckles, placing a hand over yours resting in your lap.

"Indeed, he is," she agrees. You meet the warm browns of her irises as she looks to you. "But, he could never have done any of this without you, dear."

You weren't sure where all this was coming from -- the visit, the niceties, the compliments -- it seemed that just last week, her husband had been so against you being in the picture in any way.

"And," she sighs, straightening once more. "As far as being gone so much, all the missions and errands he must attend..." she trails off, searching for the right words. "Well, let's just say he'll be doing less of that, real soon."

Your brow furrows in confusion as Riley's footsteps are heard bounding down the hallway. In seconds, she's setting down her fancy pink trunk full of plastic tea cups, saucers, you name it. It seems she's also taken interest in her tiara again -- the plastic one, of course.

"Gram, you like tea too?" She asks, working hastily to set out all the place settings. The Lady of Autumn helps, adding a fourth one beside her.

"Oh, yes -- it's been so long since I had a tea party," she says. As though it was the most normal thing in the world, Riley adjusts Bunny to sit behind the fourth place her grandma had set up.

"Ok... let me pour the tea."

✧･ﾟ: *

The sun was setting when the Lady of Autumn declared it was time for her to head back, most of the day spent talking and exchanging pleasant conversations. Along with playing tea time, of course.

"Why leaving?" Riley says, munching on one of the forgotten cookies from this morning. The Lady of Autumn pats her head as they walk to the front door together.

"Well, I need to get back because it's almost dinner time," she explains, and Riley nods. Five year old logic.

You open the door, watching as the Lady of Autumn embraces her granddaughter one last time.

"I'll visit again soon, sweetheart." She promises, and Riley nods in agreement. "Do you want to go put on your pajamas before dinner?"

Her face lights up, remembering the cozy pink footie jumper she'd abandoned this morning. She trots to her room, not thinking twice.

The Lady of Autumn chuckles, making for the entryway when she abruptly turns to you.

"I almost forgot dear -- I brought a few things for you." She says, quickly heading toward the awaiting horse she'd rode in on. You watch as she hauls a trunk of her own back inside, and you watch with confusion as she bends to start unlatching it.

"What's this for?" You ask, and she flashes you a wicked smile from below. The trunk finally gives, springing open to reveal quite literally the smoothest fabrics you'd ever seen.

She stands, pulling a wad of fabric with her and unraveling it to reveal a long, velvet green gown. Golden swirls adorn the neckline and sleeves, as small flecks of golden sparkle down the skirt.

You gasp, and she gazes at the piece adoringly.

"I wore this one," she says, swaying it side to side. "The first time I attended the Autumn Court Ball," she smiles at the memory. "It's surely one of my favorites." She drapes it across the back of the couch, reaching down to unveil a similar gown in peach -- less glitter on this one, but just as refined.

"This one, ooh..." she shudders. "I met Beron while wearing this. We were at a royal luncheon, and," she shakes her head in disapproval. "Ugh, the memory completely ruins that one for me -- though it's a gorgeous work, indeed." Along with the green one, she drapes it over the couch, reaching for another packed neatly inside; maroon, this time.

"Lady of Autumn," you interrupt, your hand reaching to lightly touch her forearm as she holds up the next burgundy piece. "I-"

"Please," she insists. "Just call me Autumn."

"Oh, umm... okay, Autumn." She winks at you, then turning to inspect her gown once more. "I'm just... I suppose I'm, confused." You say, your fingers fumbling with one another.

"What about?" She asks, nonchalantly.

You bite your lip. "I... I don't understand. Giving me these... are you wanting me to keep them for Riley-"

"Oh, Heavens no -- gowns like these are meant to be worn." She says simply, draping the maroon one over the couch and finally meeting your eye. "These, dear, are for you."

Your stomach twists, confusion knotting it into a complicated, ball of yarn to untangle.

"But... why?" You ask quietly. She smiles sidelong at you.

"Because -- they're mine to give. And, I choose you to recieve them." She chuckles, brushing a hand over the dress laid on top.

"I... I thought, typically a daughter-in-law would-"

"And I want you to be the one who has them." She states, looking to you in finality. Your cheeks heat, and you watch as she folds her arms across her chest.

After a moment of silence, you try and form a sentence. "What... what if, Eris marries, and then you'll need these to give-"

"Oh, my dear, Eris won't be marrying anyone else." She shrugs, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Other than you, of course." She looks you straight in the eyes.

"He speaks of you often, so much that I hadn't even realized you'd started simply as a nanny," she elaborates. “I’d been delighted to hear he’d found someone so wonderful after that witch of a woman left him and my granddaughter all those years ago.”

Your face deepens in color, and she reaches for you. "He is in love, Y/N. He truly is." Pulling you into a soft embrace, she sighs delightfully. "And if I’m reading this right, it seems you are too."

You swear your heart could burst as joyful tears prick the backs of your eyes.

"I believe he's finally fallen in true love. With you, my dear."

✧･ﾟ: *

You adjusted the ribbon that tied your hair half-back, looking up and down at yourself in the mirror before you. Usually not one for black, you felt you should wear it -- you were, after all, attenting the High Lord's funeral.

When Eris had returned earlier in the week, he came bearing news -- Beron, news, that is. During this last mission, the High Lord did not return from battle so unmarred as his son, being killed while protecting the Autumn court.

Or so Eris tells you.

He had barely shed a tear since returning. Sure, the High Lord (or, previous? High Lord?) was a pain -- a rude, entitled, royal pain. But, was is son truly so unaffected by his own father's death?

"You look lovely."

His voice is rich from behind you, his hands snaking around your waist as he approaches in a simple black suit. The lack of color is so contrasting to the firey red atop his head, making every freckle on his face stand out against his cream-white skin.

"Well, I hoped you wouldn't say that... we are attending your dad's funeral, rather." You sighed, and he pursed his lips. "I wasn't trying to look anything."

He scoffs, his hands sliding from your waist. "Well, that's unfortunate, because I think you'd look ravishing even in a potato sack."

You can't help but giggle, the thought of him making jokes the day of his father's funeral barely phasing you.

"Shoes?" He asks, heading for your closet. You glance down at your bare feet.

"Yes -- the pointed-toe ones, please, they should be in the back." You straighten your skirts once more, as Eris rifles through your wardrobe.

"Darling I'm not finding..."

The rustling stops.

"Where did you get these?" He asks quietly.

You glance over to the closet, realizing what he has stumbled upon. You rush over, attempting to close the doors before him.

"I... I, uh-"

"These," he says, reaching out to feel the maroon fabric with a soft hand. "These, are my mother's." He turns to you, eyes full of intrigue and... shock?

"Eris... she came by, while you were gone." You mumble. You hadn’t told him of his mother’s unannounced visit, let alone the extraordinary gift she’d given to you.

He stares blankly at the gowns hung before him, looking in awe at them hanging in your closet. "She said... well, she said she wanted me to have them."

He turns slowly to face you, the adoration written all over his face.

"My mother, gave you these?"

"Yes." You whisper. He smiles softly, a tiny blush fanning over his cheekbones. You reach out, your fingers brushing over the warmed skin.

"I can give them back if you're uncomfort-"

"No, no." He smiles, his eyes looking down before he pulls you to his chest. "They're exactly where they should be."

Now, it's your turn to blush. He holds you against him, his long arms wrapped around you as you both take in the garments before you. Your eye catches on the peach one, and you grin up at him.

"You know... I think I may change, before we head out."

✧･ﾟ: *

The funeral was nothing short of what you'd expect -- royals, dressed head to toe in the most luxurious fabrics, weeping and mourning the loss of the High Lord. Fae from other courts attended, extending their condolences to all of the Vanserra family; but, Eris didn't need any. He didn't let a single tear fall for the entirety of the ceremony.

Honestly, the Lady of Autumn didn't either. In fact, she looked truly delighted when she spotted you wearing the new peach gown she'd given to you, murmuring to Eris how she understood his liking to you.

You had to admit, watching his mother get him all flustered and bashful in front of you was quite the entertainment.

What was different was the empty house you returned to afterward -- Riley had spent the day with Autumn's first hand maidens, so you were able to attend the funeral with Eris. He didn’t want her exposed to it all quite yet, instead opting to tell her himself one day when she was a bit older and would understand the concept better. You couldn’t agree with him more — however, Autumn’s offer to spend time with the little girl herself extended to the night following.

"Odd to be here, without those little feet running about." Eris noticed it too. You shrugged off your shawl, kicking your heels off in the foyer before heading for the kitchen.

"Yes, quite odd for this place to be so... quiet." You say, unpinning your hair and allowing it to fall freely over your shoulders. You groan at the feeling, running your fingers through it as you rounded the corner of the island.

Eris follows, setting his cufflinks on the marble and trying (failing) not to allow you to catch him staring.

"Are you.." you begin, after a few quiet moments. "Are you... okay, Eris?"

He looks to you, setting the other metal set beside him and shrugging.

"Yeah," he mutters. "Why wouldn't I be?"

You sigh, stepping closer to him. That gets his attention.

"Eris... you buried your father today."

He purses his lips, his movements stilling as he avoids your eye.

"Are you not upset? At all?" You ask, growing frustrated at his lack of answering. "We've establishled you can talk to me, you know? I mean, you haven't even so much as cried once since-"

"I did it."

You pause. Your heartbeat grows louder and louder in your ears, the only sound between you two are your shared breaths.

"You... you what?" You whisper.

Eris looks up at you, eyes watering as he confesses.

"I did it, Y/N. I... I killed my..." his voice cracks, and he takes a shaky breath. "My own father."

You take a step back from him, and watch as his face becomes pained. You feel that all the way to your heart, as though it's been strung too tight with twine.

"Y/N, please, you have to understand-"

You brace your hands on the edge of the island, drawing in a long breath. From everything you'd heard, all that his father put Eris through -- forcing him into marriage, the degradation-

"It's okay."

You turn slowly, looking to the male beside you. Tears silently stream down his face, his wide eyes searching yours for some forgiveness you didn't need to give.

"It's... okay, Eris." You breathe. "I understand."

His chest shakes, his gratitude evident as fresh tears line his eyes. You inch closer to him, your hand finding purchace on his upper arm.

"It's okay." You repeat. He continues to silently cry, and you guide him to you as you wrap your arms around his neck. He breathes heavily against your neck, and you feel the tightening in your heart once more.

"I didn't think you'd love me if you found out what I'd done," he sobs. You run a calming hand through his hair, scratching lightly as he shakes against your embrace.

"Eris, I... I don't think I could ever not love you." You admit, the weight of the words finally lifting from your shoulders. He pulls back slowly, wiping at his eyes with his thumb.

"You really," he sniffles. "You really mean that, Y/N?" He asks. You smile softly, a wave of emotion hitting you as you come to terms with what you'd known for years at this point.

"Eris -- I loved you the day I met you," you admit, a single tear slipping free and trailing down your cheek. His eyes only widen. "I loved you when you were still married, I loved you even more when I met your daughter, I loved you before I'd barely known you," you explain, more tears falling freely and landing on the front of your gown.

"It's always been you, Eris." You say, and he covers his mouth with the back of his hand. You wrap your arms around his torso, crying right onto the front of his jacket when suddenly, a gleaming, golden spark within makes itself known.

You pull back, your hand clutching your chest as your twine-wrapped heart breaks free -- a warm, golden feeling replacing the discomfort instead. You gasp, staring at Eris in disbelief as he smiles broadly at you, tear-stained face and all.

A hand reaches for the counter to steady yourself as you grapple with the feeling -- so familiar, yet so foreign. The light, as though creating a bridge, flows from your end and outward; the feeling returned full of adoration, the purest form of love. True love.

"H-how long have you known?" You ask. Eris steps closer, taking both of your hands in his as he helps you stand upright.

"Well," he admits sheepishly. "Quite some time, but... I believe the night you finally put me in my place, was what did it for me." He chuckles, and you stare up at him in surprise. "And, I'd be happy if you'd keep doing just that for as long as we both live."

Mate. He was your mate.

You look down, the small bead of uncertainty weaving it's way along the golden bridge between the two of you. "Eris, I... you realize, I'm not like you. I'm not High Fae, or-"

"I don't want any one else, Y/N." He admits, squeezing both of your hands and forcing you to look to him once more. "I didn't tell you about the bond, because... well, because you have a choice, too. I wanted you to be able to choose, whether you loved me or not." He sighs. "You have such a good heart -- I didn't want you to be tied to me just because you felt obligated to."

Your lips part as love flows full force down the bond, and you peer over Eris' shoulder. You depart from him for only a moment, reaching for the cookie jar with only a few left in it.

"Y/N, you're sure you don't want to think on it-"

You face him again, grabbing him by the neck and pulling him to you at once. Those lips, Gods you'd wanted to press yours to them for weeks -- now, you finally could.

His mouth slides against yours, his hands pulling you against him by your waist as he deepens the contact. You're almost too caught up in the moment, the raw feelings and emotion flowing between the two of you that you-

"Wait," you pull away, gasping for air as he heaves before you. You hold up the red velvet cookie, his favorite of course -- and he quietly accepts it from you. "Please, Eris, I need'nt not think on this decision..."

He eats it in two bites, gazing into your eyes as he swallows the rest of it. When he opens his mouth again, you can't help but smile.

"I'm truly grateful, because I don't think I could imagine this family without you in it."

✧･ﾟ: *

(cue the nsfw; 18+, mdni)

You laid back against the silky maroon sheets -- so familiar, but the feeling was new.

You'd sleep on these for the rest of your life. Together.

Eris hovers over you, his hand sliding from beneath your back as he helped you lie down gently against the sheets. His eyes scan your face, looking for any signs of discomfort. As you look back, his eyes are only filled with hunger. Desire. The need for you -- pure lust.

"You have to tell me... if anything is uncomfortable," he huffs, tugging his shirt over his head. You'd never tire of the sight of his exposed, toned torso -- the wounds from months back now fully healed.

"Y/N," he prods.

"Hm?" You'd been so distracted that you forgot to answer. "Oh, uh. Mhm. Okay." Your fingers slid along the ribbed muscles beneath his smooth skin, and he lowered himself to his forearms. His mouth was on yours again, this time more hungry and feverish than when you'd tangoed down the hallway to get to his room minutes before.

You catch his lip between your teeth, playfully tugging it and he groans, his fingers digging into your hips in warning.

"You're... a wicked little thing," he sighs, sliding the gown over your shoulders and tugging it lower and lower beneath him. He sucks in a sharp breath as your chest becomes more and more exposed; and practically orgasms when you're in nothing but your underwear beneath him.

"Gods, Y/N..." he swears, tossing your gown aside and sliding a hand over your breasts. "I've been... thinking about this, for so long..." He draws his bottom lip between his teeth, eyeing your nipples as they harden beneath his touch.

"Eris... please..." you beg. He chuckles, leaning down to take one in his mouth. His tongue swirls around the hardened peak, making you squeak beneath him. He releases his mouth from you, only to press kisses along your collarbone and eventually, you lips.

"I need you," you whimper, and he smiles down at you.

"I'll give you what you want," he whispers, biting the sensitive skin just below your ear. You squirm, your hands threading through his amber strands.

He descends, pressing soft kisses down your body until he gets to your inner thighs. Kissing each side, he toys with you, holding out from where you need him most.

"Eris-"

"Shhh, pretty girl." He kisses the outside of your undies, the inner fabric already soaked with need. Smirking, he hooks a finger around the lace, yanking it from your soaked core as he looks up at you in awe.

"Such a wet little cunt for me," he growls, diving right in and licking a thick stripe between your folds. You groan, the feeling of his tongue playing with you almost too much in your lust-filled state. He continues to torture you -- sucking roughly on your clit, adding one finger, then two... you're a quaking mess by the time your orgasm racks through you.

He leans back, pleased with his work, and wipes his glistening chin before crawling atop you once more. You push up onto your elbows weakly, but he only tuts at you.

"Lie back down, princess." He smirks, kicking off his pants as his cock springs free. The sight of it makes your mouth water -- so. Fucking. Big.

"Eris, let me-"

"Ah ah ah." He shakes his head as his fingers pull on his throbbing dick, pumping himself at the sight of you. "You can taste me next time -- allow me to make you feel good tonight, my darling."

You bite your lip as he aligns himself with your entrance, ever so slowly pushing the head in. The stretch is deliciously tight, so good you moan as he pushes in farther.

"Fuck, Y/N." He grits out, ever so slowly deepening himself. "So fucking tight..." His eyes squeeze shut before he bottoms out, and he opens them as he pulls all the way out and shoves right back in.

"Eris!" You cry out, his cock stretching you out. His fingers hold tight to your waist, and you can't help but grip his hair tighter as he sets his pace fucking into you.

"So good... so, so good," he grunts. You feel your second orgasm quickly approaching, the heat building in your lower stomach with every thrust he gives you. He reaches a hand up, cupping your cheek as he continues to bring you pleasure.

"My perfect girl," he admires breathily, his thumb sliding along your lower lip. You take the opportunity to open your mouth, sucking his finger inside. His eyes roll back as he speeds up, your groans of pleasure only spurring him on.

He's fucking you so hard, he settles both hands on your waist once more, his thrusts becoming rougher.

"Eris... oh Gods, I'm gonna..." Your mouth drops open, a small "o" shape as Eris groans above you.

"My perfect mate... ahhhh, yes, my mate-" He pushes in to the hilt as your walls flutter around him, hot ropes of cum pumping deep into your cunt. You breathe heavily, watching the gorgeous male above you catch his breath.

He sighs, a smile forming on his face as he rests his forehead against yours. After a few moments of quiet, he chuckles.

"I almost don't want to pull out of you," he admits, drawing a giggle from your lips. You smack his shoulder playfully, and he indeed unsheaths himself from you to lie down beside you on the mattress.

It isn't long before your eyelids feel heavy, the small peppering of kisses along your hairline from your mate sending you into a deep, peaceful sleep.

✧･ﾟ: *

(all clean from here on!)

Epilogue

The warmth from the early-autumn sun kissed your bare shoulders as you walked along, wicker basket in hand. You heard the sound of their voices before you saw them -- always listening, just in case it got too quiet.

"Nooo, Olive -- do not put that yucky grass in your mouth!"

You chuckled, rounding the corner and spotting your two little ones seated in the shade of a large apple tree. You'd only been a few feet away, but even in your absence, Riley took the role of "big sister" quite seriously.

"Mom, Olive is trying to eat the grass again. Really, she's trying really hard this time!"

You approach the honest eight year old, watching as she motions to the tiny tot still seated in the grass. Sure enough, each fist is full of freshly yanked grass. She peers up at you with a big grin.

"No need to worry, Riles." You unclench the baby's hands, and the grass stems flutter back to the ground where they came.

Scooping the toddler up, you place a kiss atop Riley's head. "Thank you for being mindful of your baby sister, and for telling me." You turn your attention to the tiny child in your arms, shaking your head slowly.

"Noooo, eating grass, Miss Olive."

She giggles, a string of spit running down her chin as she grips the straps of your sundress. You sigh, looking to the basket for the spit-cloth.

When you turn, Riley is already holding it out to you, a pleasant smile on her face.

"Here you go, mom!" She beams. You smile gratefully to her, accepting the cloth and wiping the baby's chin. Riley hums to herself, and you pull her close for a gentle hug.

"You're such a good sister, Riley." You admit, your voice thick with emotion. You remembered when Riley was barely older than this, still small enough to carry in your arms. Now, she'd grown a bit -- nonetheless, she was still your little girl.

"Ahh, there's my girls!"

You turn, watching Riley bound down the garden path toward her father, walking to her with open arms. He picks her up and spins her around, her dress-up princess dress fanning out behind her. He sets her down with a kiss on the cheek, and they continue their way to you.

"My dear," Eris grins, pulling you in for a kiss as his hand wraps around your waist. His attention snags on Olive, and he kisses her tiny nose. She laughs, and he beams down at her.

"Miss Olive -- I see we've been trying to eat the grass again." He chuckles, brushing a few stray pieces from her little skirt. She reaches out, and you're happy to allow her father to hold her a bit.

"No strenuous High Lord duties today?" You question with a playful brow raise. Eris laughs, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

"No, no my darling -- nothing too taxing today." Your heart swells. Eris had done so well taking on his father's title three years ago, and with so much happening at once -- the fall of Beron, accepting your mating bond, the new baby -- he handled it all so well.

"Olive, lookie! Look what I've found!"

Riley trots over to you, holding a bright orange flower in her hand. Eris sets the toddler down, her hand immediately being taken by Riley as she slowly walks the little one along the garden path.

Eris reaches for your hand, pulling you close.

"This, is a Chrysanthemum. A chris-an-the-mum, Olive." She continues to explain the plant to the baby, who happily steps right along side her big sister, listening intently.

"We truly have the best girls," You say, resting your head on your husband's shoulder as you stroll along behind the two sisters.

He grins, giving your hand a little squeeze.

"Yes, I sure do."

✧･ﾟ: *

[yoonia]

— Dia’s tumblr wrapped 2024 

I know it’s super late for me to share this, but just as many would say, it’s better late than never. Thank you so much for the lovely people who tagged me to do this: @beomcoups, @shadowkoo, @kingofbodyrolls ♡

2024 started off smoothly…until it didn’t. The final quarter of the year has always been a hard time for me and it wasn’t that much different this year. As you can probably notice that I’ve been mostly absent ever since the end of October and I deeply apologise for that. I also regret not planning things properly and for not keeping up with my goals this year but that only means that I'll be dragging my WIP list towards the next year.

Thank you so much for everyone who has been there for me this year, and those of you who have stuck by me despite my inconsistencies. I really appreciate your presence on my blog, whether it’s through your likes and kudos, your reblogs, your comments and replies on my contents, and the kind words you sent me through my ask box. You guys have made it worthwhile for me to be here even after all these years, and I don’t think I can thank you enough for that. Here’s to mark the end of our wild journey through 2024 and enter the new year of 2025. 

OVERALL FIC STATS 2024

Number of fics posted: 4 (four) one-shots, 2 (two) ongoing series, 3 (three) ficlets

Number of fics revamped: 2 (two) completed fics, 2 (two) ongoing series

Number of words written: 448,057 words (dang, no wonder I felt so burned out lol)

Number of fics in progress: 32 (oh, boy…) 

FIRST FIC OF 2024

❥ A Christmas Fix 01 & 02 —  posted Jan 31st & Feb 1st | 1,926 & 1,226 notes

My thoughts: This was…quite a journey. It’s been a while since I wrote a rom-com story and I was pleased to have been given the chance to write this idea through a collab. The final outcome wasn’t too disappointing either, since I enjoyed writing it and reading it afterwards. I’m glad everyone loved this story as well.

MOST POPULAR FIC OF 2024

❥ The Stand-In (Revamped version) — posted Aug 13th | 4,267 notes

My thoughts: Okay, yeah…I cheated a little. But to be fair, this fic did get a lot of notes this year before and after the revamping process. I loved this story so much that I felt like it deserved a major makeover and I’m glad I managed to do it this year.

LONGEST FIC OF 2024

❥ The Bedroom Hymns — series, ongoing, last updated Sept 9th | 50k++ words | I’m too lazy to open each chapter to count the notes I’m so sorry lol

My thoughts: I know…I know, I need to update this one again. I had to take a break from this series because this fic literally became my main focus this year that a lot of my WIPs kept getting pushed back just so I could finish more of this. I had to stop at some point to finally set free my WIPs. I have to admit that I also lost my motivation to write this due to the lack of notes and responses that I got with each update no matter how much time I spent working on it (tacky, I know…but it is what it is). I still love and enjoy writing this, so more chapters are coming. I can see this fic becoming my main focus again in 2025 until I’m done with it.

LAST FIC OF 2024

❥ The Forsaken II: Tears of the Sea — posted Oct 24th | 712 notes

My thoughts: Holy hell…this fic. Who would’ve thought that I’d be revisiting siren!Taehyung this year after…3 years?? Thank you, whoever it was that sent this during my birthday event. I never expected to write a full fic for this to continue the original story and to answer a lot of your questions, but I’m glad I did! 

Honorable mention: 

❥ Our Imperfections — posted Oct 30th | 92 notes

My thoughts: This was the last thing I actually released before I dipped into the void but I couldn’t count this as a fic as this was considered a ficlet or, in a more common term, a drabble.

PERSONAL FAVOURITE FIC OF 2024

❥ Blooming Wallflowers — posted Sept 25th | 927 notes

My thoughts: I had one of those rare moments where I found myself enjoying the writing process of a story so much that things simply kept flowing until it became a full story. This one went twice the size planned (and commissioned) but I have no regrets. At all.

Honorable mention: 

❥ Maps (revamped version) — series, completed, posted Sept 6th, 7th, & 11th | 1,4k++ notes (again, I’m too lazy to open each chapter lol)

My thoughts: I initially planned to release something else for DPR Ian’s birthday this year. But then I started revamping the graphics for his old fics instead and decided to revamp the whole series while I had the chance. This one has always been my fave work that I wrote for Christian, so diving back into this to do a makeover and give it a major upgrade felt absolutely fulfilling. 

2024 SPECIAL EVENT

❥ 𝖙𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖋𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖘𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖆𝖉𝖊: yoonia’s 2024 birthday bash

My thoughts: Once again, I can’t thank you guys enough for joining this small event of mine. I promise that I’ll have another event in 2025 so please stay tuned! (see you in March!) 

Fave reads of 2024

I have to admit that I haven’t been doing a lot of fic reading this year. But I’m happy that I got to dive back into reading some fanfics during my birthday event and found some lovely gems that I truly enjoyed

The Taste of Sin by @shadowkoo

Vignette: Duty by @cybrsan

The Athlete by @beomcoups

A Lover's Redemption by @writtenwhalien

Dandelion by @shina913

The Wood by @sailoryooons

Minted by @kithtaehyung

Mr. & Mrs. Yoon by @monamipencil

On The Ropes by @raplinesmoon

Top Ten Tracks of 2024

Loved — B.I

People — Agust D

Make You Mine — Black Violet

Gemini — Cheyenne 

Close To Me — Mamie, Eloy, Trippy Bass

HUH?! — Agust D feat. J-hope

Love — Lana Del Rey 

Reasons — COTIS 

Watch Me Burn — Michelle Morrone 

Die First — Nessa Barrett  

GOALS FOR 2025

Write more. Tackle more WIPs each month. 

Finally finish my old abandoned WIPs (About Time, Blood Moon Rising and the Shifters Series, Chance Encounter) 

Finish writing and officially release my original stories/novel as a web-series

Try to do better with planning and scheduling and keeping up with them

Finish revamping Carousel and release the novel version on Ream

Read more. Both published books and released fics

Focus more on my personal health, mental and physical 

Start job hunting again

I know I’m late for this, so I’m passing this over to the writers who are tagged on the list above (if you haven’t done this yet) and also tagging a few who come across my mind right now (only if you want to!): @ressjeon @lo1k-diamonds @pars-ley @minisugakoobies @inkedtae

And also tagging randomly anyone who feels inspired to create their own tumblr wrapped! 

[wetcatspellcaster]

2024 fic wrapped

I was tagged by @cursedhaglette to do this tag-game, but I found the focus on stats made me a little uncomfortable! (also, no one needs to know how many words I wrote while having multiple breakdowns last year, truly).

But, I didn't want to ignore Mia's tag! so instead, I'm going to take @cinnamontails-ff wrapped tag-game, just bc I sympathise with the logic and I like this set of questions a lot more!

Thank you Cin for coming up with questions that don't focus so much on productivity. And thank you again, Mia, for including me in the original game :) hopefully this is an acceptable substitute!

What's been your biggest learning point this past year?

I guess, what it feels like to be a 'popular' author - and the answer is, 'both good and bad, in fact, extremely mixed'. Obviously, many parts of it are wonderful: more people interacted with my work in the height of the BG3 fandom than I've ever had before, I felt like my writing mattered and I enjoyed every conversation I had about it. I also felt under a lot more scrutiny, very hyperaware of how I acted in 'public' (ie. on this blog), and aware of the people I'd disappoint with the directions I took my stories and what I chose to include. I also had to watch the baffling half-life of modern fandom! BG3's 6 month peak and 1yr trough was wild to me, as someone who joined dragon age 8yrs after the game was released. But I've decided I actually really like the middle-road of interaction, with much less noise and dedicated, recurring readers who I recognise and who make me smile and laugh every single time they comment or tag my work. I'll probably never experience whatever the fuck Pieces was ever again, and I'm honestly... ok with that, currently? Not to sound awful, but I'm not sure I liked it lmao.

In terms of my writing, my biggest learning point was "you're good at this, actually". Chanting this to myself in the mirror while I white-knuckle the sink.

How has your writing developed this past year?

I'm genuinely not certain. Pieces was certainly my most ambitious story yet, but a lot of the outlining of that took place in 2023 so it feels like the development happened then... though I suppose landing the dismount was something I worked very hard to do. I guess the main development this year was that a lot of what I wrote was extremely, extremely angsty. I wrote Pieces, I wrote This Is Not A Love Story. and I gave Rosalie to Orin :))))) this doesn't necessarily surprise me, given the way my writing often reflects things I'm dealing with in my life, and I've been trying to both recover from - and desparately stave off a relapse into - depression. I think that I can see why I keep making characters into the worst versions of themselves (this goes for Astarion, Rosalie - bc Pieces Rosalie is NOT in a good place, Gale and my Durge) and then watching them claw their way back to happiness in the hope of proving to myself that that's possible.

But jfc, it all got a little heavy. I've decided that 2025 is the Year of the Rom Com™.

Good writing habits?

Committing myself exclusively to what I want to read and sticking to my guns - which means I actually finish the thing, rather than getting into my own head about it.

Stretching my comfort zone a little (writing something vaguely smutty, writing something very different in style, switching genres for a bit) without losing my own voice.

Not falling into any jealousy/existential crises about my own writing, which I guess is much easier when you're experiencing a bout of 'success', but I've managed to keep it up even after the success began tailing off :)

I wrote a lot of words last year. I'm not putting the stat down but god. It was a lot.

Bad writing habits?

Overwriting everything. Everything. All the time. Party Favours was so short!!! I used to write novellas!!! Why are my chapters so fucking long now?????

Having multiple fic wips when I promised myself I'd wind down fanfic and start writing original work again :')

I wrote a lot of words last year. I think I did this bc I was extremely unhappy, and productivity is how I define myself. when I feel bad, I write and post bc it makes me feel good. And I felt very bad this year. So anyway, I think my wordcount is both a good thing and also a wee cry for help :'))))

Favorite thing you wrote?

Chapter Twenty-Three of Pieces (Mephistopheles consultation and my Ascended!Astarion meta-reveal)

Chapter Four of Cooler Than Me (putting the blorbos in a formal-wear situation)

I also liked my sex scene in Pieces :') it was tame but it was written for me specifically x

Favorite reads?

for fic!

long summer days can lead to lazy vices by @pouroverpaloma

eyes like fire by demonsbanebard

only once by @bearhugsandshrugs

and of course stitched into your sleeve by the bestie (@violacae)!!! my first ever gift fic!!!

for literature!

The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by HG Parry

Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

Deeplight by Frances Hardinge

Biggest win?

god. I'm endlessly grateful for my gift fic and for my fanart, but... it's got to be bookbindings. I used to daydream, about somebody ever wanting to have my fic bound, but I thought it was impossible and would never happen! I now know of 3 copies of my work that exist in the world :D and the ones I've seen were fucking gorgeous, like oh my fucking god.

I am also very proud I finished Pieces! It was my most ambitious project, and writing the ending presented even more challenges than I expected - as I discovered how much you write yourself into a corner when you resoul Astarion. I still haven't managed to read the completed work in full yet, but I'm proud it exists :)

Goals for the new year?

finish outstanding wips, and then see where my writing takes me next. I want to write original work, but I also don't want to make it a resolution. As long as I continue to enjoy writing, that's what matters most to me!

Your favorite words of the year, aka the words you check each chapter for, making sure you didn't repeat them 788 times?

I think I use '[x character] froze' a lot, but rather than focusing on my repetitions I want to focus on some of my favourite turns of phrase that I managed to pull from the ether! :)

'before her brief courtship with death threatened to become a commitment' - from the risk and the reward

'We can all still be butchered. We cut away the parts of ourselves to make us fit' - from this is a love story.

"He played an androgynous, morally-grey vampire, of indeterminate gender! In a nice coat! Anyone who had two working eyes and a relevant Kinsey Score read the porn, back in the day!” - from cooler than me

What are you excited for in the new year?

act 3 astarion characterisation for honest lie! the first big romance moment in cooler than me! and then just romcoms! 2025 is the year of the romcom! I want to write exclusively happy things!!!!

tagging: @cursedhaglette (as it's a different set of questions lmao), @imscissorbladez, @violacae, @eraserspiral, @scaryanneee, @sitting-in-the-sink, @pricemarshfield, @pouroverpaloma and anyone else who wants to give this a whirl. anyone is welcome, and if you tag me in it I'll share x

[midnight-mourning]

DECEMBER IS OVER!!! New Year, What's Next?

Well chat, with literally three minutes to spare we finished out DCA December IN December, and then of course you got a little bonus thingy as well hehe :)

So! Having said that, wanted to take a moment to talk about some plans, what to expect to see from me next, and so on

BUT FIRST, I would like to take the time to thank everyone who sent in requests for this little event, I appreciated every single one of them, and had SO much fun writing, I hope everyone enjoyed the little stories I wrote, couldn't have done it without everyone sending in such creative & unique ideas, thank all of you so much!

@monsteractiasluna @juukai @deviouscrackers @zenkaiankoku @buzzybee3 @fishm0ther @divinit3a @zoranight16 @cosmic-quakes @soupdweller @lizyxml @pip-plz @theinfamousmaybelle @lizyxml (again <3) @rosescarletful @crystalmagpie447 @buzzybee3 (again <3) @kaprisvn @vypridae @twomanypockets @zenkaiankoku (again <3) @juukai (again <3) @rosescarletful (again <3) @rosescarletful (again <3 <3 thank u tempest you helped feed the people fr) @twomanypockets (again <3) @pip-plz (again <3) @divinit3a (again <3) @baby-bloos @alynwrench @baby-bloos (again <3) @ccccaptain-clownyyy @luckyyyduckyyy

Additionally, thank you to everyone who liked, reblogged, or commented on these fics, it's so very appreciated (I would tag everyone but there are, a startingly large amount of you 😅) I will come clean and admit that I am always a little nervous when I upload my writing, so knowing that people enjoy my work when I share it is, humbling, to say the least <3

Okay! Now to get into it, below the cut just so people dont have to scorll through my rambling plans & such (there is a POLL however that even if you skip my nonsense you should vote in pretty please ^-^)

So, despite some shortcomings with me getting a bit behind (curse you sinus infection & finals week) I'm really happy with how this went!

I'll be taking a break for a bit and def will NOT be posting as much as I did near the end there, BUT I'll still be writing per usual, especially since I have two weeks left to my break. Before I get into what you can expect to see, wanted to do a quick interest check on whether people would like me to do something similar for Valentine's!

Since I'll be back at college again I won't be able to do a full month again, buuuut, I should be able to handle 14 days worth, if the interest is there I would open up requests probably the last week of January so I had time to get started/ahead. So,

Rules would be the same as for DCA December, except with a Valentine's Theme!

Now that that's taken care of, here's what'll be going on with me as we start 2025!

I'm working on Holiday Spirit ch. 2, should be posting either today or tomorrow! Still aiming to get it done before I go back to school so expect quicker updates now that requests are finished :) (you can find out more about this story here)

Confused Spirit ch. 36 is also in the works! I'll be honest in that my sinus infection JUST cleared up a week or so ago, and additionally i've been facing a bit of writer's block with the story just bc of where we're at and I want to make sure it's really good/properly expresses what I'm going for with this fic, but I'm working on getting more out to you all soon, as well as working on getting ahead again while I have time, thank you all for your paitence with this one, it's very appreciated <3 (if you don't know about Confused Spirit, you can find out more here, it's my current main dca project :D)

DCA December will be reviewed for spelling and grammar mistakes and be uploaded to ao3 throughout January, if you'd like to read anything again (or you're wanting to get caught up and have a better reading experience) you can see the masterpost here, which will have the ao3 link once I get started on editing

Getting into non-fic things, I'll also be working on organizing my blog so things are easier to find as I know it's a bit messy currently >_< bear with me as it gets fixed up

I really want to improve on my art! After collecting things up for my 2024 art summary, i realized I've improved a lot but still have more room to grow (and many ideas that I want to see made by a more skilled hand >~<) so, expect to see some art things from me floating around including but not limited to: my trick or treat responses (im sorry these are so late, it's brutal out here), Cast of CS refs, more Holiday Spirit doodles, magma things, CS chapter promos, & new refs for the CS boys! there's some more things i have planned but I am keeping them a secret for now ;)

Okay! Think that's everything, thanks again to everyone for making this a whole lot of fun, and can't wait to share more with you all in 2025! Happy New Year!

[lululawrence]

Last Lines...

from fics I read and loved in 2024 - part 1 Part 2 | Part 3

2024 was (yet another) incredibly difficult year, and as usual fics helped get me through! Thank you to all of the fandom content creators who make the most incredible worlds for us to enjoy. Here are some last lines from fics I enjoyed reading during 2024.

As always, make sure to show your thanks by reblogging, sending kudos, and leaving comments for the fandom creators!

When Louis finally lets her go, it feels like a painful farewell.

“As for what it’s called, I was thinking of calling it ‘Will you go out with me?’"

Louis grumbles. Harry grins. Life is good.

Finally, they’re living their dream come true.

Maybe he was never meant to know. And maybe, that was okay.

They have a train to catch.

“Don’t I know it.” He winked.

“I love you too,” Louis whispered. The room was dark around him, pitch black, but Harry was the light pouring out, filling him up. “My sunshine, my baby.”

We want all the new deets on Louis and Harry, but we will have to wait to see what both their next steps are, and hopefully Harry can bring us along for the ride with his amazing photographs!

The moon shines down on them, glistening into the sea. The only people there for the moment being Harry, Louis and the moon.

Louis chuckles despite himself, hurrying after Harry. They really do.

So now, just a month before the 2023 season begins, Harry and Louis walk into McLaren headquarters as teammates and lovers, excited for another season, and the rest of their lives. 

"Love you, Lou." Trailing his fingertips up and down Louis' back, Harry says, "Can't wait to marry you."

Louis laughs and collapses into the wall behind him, feeling lighter than he can ever recall, counting down the seconds until the gig is over and he has his boy back in his arms.

And Harry wouldn’t refuse that request. He was in for a very happy life indeed.

Authors tagged below the cut!

@beardyboyzx @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed @absoloutenonsense @nobodymoves @jaerie @londonfoginacup @itsmotivatingcara @harruandlou @slowlyseducedbycurls @babyhoneyheslt @babyarcanacasey @antidotetogo @kingsofeverything @xogucciblue @softfonds

[hexcii]

First actual post of 2025!

I just want to take the time to ramble a bit about TNG. The Name Game is very special to me if I’m being honest, it’s the first fic I’ve EVER written (not counting drabbles and the random oneshots rotting in my google docs) and it’s been such a surprise to see so many people enjoying it. It’s such a weird feeling, so many people liking my writing and art feels so surreal

TNG has only been out for six months and it’s already surpassed every expectation I had of it, and I want to thank all of you guys for that :)) I never expected my lil health comfort fic to attract this much attention, it’s a little scary haha!

That’s truly what made me write this fic though, (skip this part if you don’t wanna hear about my health struggles 👍👍👍👍)

I’ve always been disabled but I had no idea I was up until maybe late 2022 to early 2023? But my health really started to decline throughout 2023-24 because 11 years of professional level circus training when I shouldn’t have been working out at all finally caught up with my piece of shit body and my symptoms got worse really really fast. And that was really fucking scary, and it’s definitely taken a toll on my mental health too. So, for comfort, I decided to turn to the dca lmao, I remember being incredibly inspired by the song Happy Hare by Yaelokre and that started this whole thing. So, I just put together the vibes I got from that song, a fnaf-esc plot along with the dca and my own struggles with my disabilities and boom! The name game woo!!!

It’s really special to me, I don’t think I would’ve been able to go through the whole medical process as well as I did without it (that’s not to say it hasn’t been a hellhole cause uh yeah healthcare kinda sucks for the disabled (and afab people) but that’s a whole other rant for another day)

Does this count as a love letter to my own fic? Oh well, I just wanted to ramble on about my feelings about it. I’ll probably write more fics after I finish TNG but I think it’ll always hold a special place in my heart <33

And ofc I wanna thank you guys for reading it and giving me so much support :]] I love reading your guys’ comments and tags (AND GOD THE FANART???? NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS DID I EXPECT THAT)

And also another thanks to @r0tting-rat @pluck-heartstrings @naffeclipse and @bamsara for inadvertently getting me inspired to write hehehe (sorry for the random tag I hope that it’s okay-)

And another another thanks specifically to @miahead for encouraging me to write it in the first place and dealing with my shenanigans in the process of writing each and every chapter, love you!! <3333

[krowtesque]

art summary ’24! drew a lot of people staring very intensely at the viewer this year apparently

[brandwhorestarscream]

Reincarnation AU

Poor Mom of Triplets Rodimus so Exhausted. Luckly the Lost Lighters have heard the phrase "It takes a vilage to raise a child." Suprisingly Whirl is up there in compatition for most beloved uncle with Drift. Seriously who knew the Psychocopter was really good with bitties.

It's probably a good thing since Roddy wasn't the only one to fall to the Reincarnation shenanigans. He was merely the first. When Drift, Ratchet and Megatron all fall pregnant the call back to Cybetrton reveals Optimus, Starscream, and Prowl are all greatly gravid.

[Meanwhile somewhere off stage Tarn is feeling Things™️. He kept his array pure for Lord Megatron The Cause. And somehow he is experiencing the mechpreg.]

He's having such a hard time lmao. Even tho the crew adores the bitties and are always happy to help out their captain, they're still very young and can't really be away from their carrier for too long. Offers to babysit last perhaps a megacycle, tops, before the bitties get squirmy and cranky and their tiny sparks begin reaching for their maternal bond, and Rodimus has to hurry back to them

Funny enough, he actually gets the most rest when he's not by himself: though he trusts Drift and Ratchet completely with the triplets, and go an extent Ultra Magnus as well, Roddy struggles to actually relax when he's alone in his habsuite or office and his kiddos are elsewhere. It's like a reflex he can't control: whenever his sparklings are out of sight it's like a switch just flips in his mind. His thoughts swirl around them, always insistently pulled away from whatever he's supposed to be doing. Wondering if they're alright, if they're hungry, or if Pinky is getting anxious without him like he tends to, or if Maroon was still trying to choke himself by sucking on his own fingers. What if they miss him, what if they're too much for their sitters to handle, what if they think he's abandoned them, what if they trip and fall and hurt themselves and he's not there to make sure they're ok?! What if something terrible happens, like what if they fall down the stairs and break their cranial casing? What if there's another psychotic sociopath hiding aboard somewhere that takes his sparklings hostage when he's not there to protect them?! What if they get attacked by space pirates?! What if they DIE?! Of they die it'll he all his fault and he's the worst mom ever and-

On and on it goes. Whenever the exhausted carrier tries to nap by himself, his thoughts just spiral and throw him headfirst into a fit of anxiety. Rodimus has some of the worst imposter syndrome we've ever seen, and i think that would carry over to how he sees himself as a parent: he has no idea what he's doing and he loves these sparklings more than life itself; the only thing he wants, more than anything, is to do right by them. To give them the life they deserve, to be the mother they deserve. He's scared to death about raising them, honestly, so afraid to make a mistake and ruin their lives. He'd never forgive himself if he let them be hurt or, worse, if he hurt them. Having them out of sight exacerbates his anxieties, because he can't possibly know exactly what they're getting up to.

And because of all that, exhausted mama Rodimus gets his best sleep either on his berth with the three ragamuffins puppy piled on top of him, or in common areas when someone else can keep the kiddos occupied and he can keep an eye on them. Knowing they're safe and right in front of him but also knowing that he's not the only pair of adult hands available, the combination let's his body finally relax and he is out. Either helm down on the table or crashing onto the nearest shoulder, Rodimus drops into such a deep recharge so fast the first few times it happened the crew worried he had actually fainted. And when I say out I mean out, face completely limp in exhaustion, mouth open, and snoring. Everyone in the vicinity is happy to let him recharge, Primus knows he needs it. Drift makes sure to get him a blanket, and it's not long before the triplets are lured in by the warm softness and their mother's form, getting all comfy in the little blankie nest at his side 🤭

Sorry, that Rodimus part went on waaay longer than I expected it to, I just love him sm ok 🥺

BUT HOO BOY THE NEXT ONE

Ratchet and Drift and Megatron all at roughly the same time? Damn. I feel like idw Megatron would be quietly horrified because, in his (probably correct honestly I love him but I shouldnt lie) opinion, he is not fit to be a carrier. Ratchet is crabby with Drift when he finds out, grumbling about outdated contraceptives and overly affectionate conjunx, until he's able to actually do a paternity test at Rodimus's prompting. His babies don't have a sire, so maybe...?

Ratchet is surprised and suspicious when the same turns up for him. Once is a random occurrence, twice is a coincidence, thrice makes a pattern. For the three of them to all turn up carrying at roughly the same time was already very unlikely, but for two out of the four pregnancies onboard to be asexually conceived... the chances of that happening randomly is astronomically small. He pulls Drift in for the same test, and wouldn't you know it? No sire. Same story with Megatron. When they get in contact with Cybertron, he finds they're all thankfully on the same page. Starscream had pegged it as incredibly statistically unlikely, though he hadn't had paternity tests performed to determine the lack of a sire. It's almost surreal, once said tests are done, hearing that every single one of them is expecting what is, essentially, a naturally occurring little clone of themselves.

Final closing thoughts because I've rambled enough: I'm still incredibly amused by the idea Tarn in labor, high as a kite from the epidural, tell Nickel, "Nooo don't touch my seal, that's for Lord Megatron" 😂 poor Tarn man, saved himself for all these years, only to get slapped with virgin mary syndrome and BOOM, magic baby. He gets all the pains of childbirth without even experiencing the act of conceiving the baby in the first place. Press F

[batfossil-fr]

I’ve been really thinking of reopening my art shop soon… I’ve been taking some practice doodles (hence all the posting lately) while I shake off my rust and I’m finding things I enjoy working on again. I miss trying my hand at more dragons/OCs and colors. my shop’s so broken rn lmao but that’s a problem for a later date it’s just nice getting back into art

[actual-changeling]

if you do not follow/haven't seen my recent posts, i really recommend you read this one and this one before continuing, just to make it hit the right way.

also reminder that i have an ao3 right here (and it's not all pain, promise!)

sorry in advance :)

-

the more time passes, the easier it is for joel to talk about sarah. it still hurts, always will, an old bullet buried in his heart surrounded by scar tissue, but except for a few memories, words don't make him bleed anymore. tommy tentatively starts bringing her up once he notices that joel no longer flinches when he mentions her name, and it feels good to breathe life into their shared experiences, his brother the only one who comes close to understanding his pain but also the joy that colored their years.

ellie asks, too, just as hesitantly as tommy at first, but soon her curiosity takes over and not a day passes by without a question in-between sentences about his past. joel answers all of them, stories spilling from his lips and spinning themselves into a sarah-shaped web that he can share with her.

"she played soccer, right? when did she win her first competition?"

there's a few sports teams in jackson, and of course the soccer one caught her eye, making joel dread all the twisted ankles and bruised shins he was going to have to tend to. getting grass stains out of sarah's uniforms had always been a task and a half, and eventually they both stopped caring about it and just watched them pile up, turning white fabric a greenish-brown.

joel opens his mouth, the coffee cup in his hand hovering above the kitchen table, and then he stills, every muscle in his body turning to ice.

ellie's joel? is drowned out by the ringing in his hears, knuckles turning white and gripping the porcelain so tightly he can feel it crack in his palm, and he must have stopped breathing because his vision is growing fuzzy, black dots scurrying in his periphery.

joel lets the cup fall more than he sets it down, stomach turning, bile rising in his throat, because ellie asked him a question about sarah, his sarah, and he doesn't remember the answer.

it can't be, right? just a small gap in his memory, nothing big, it'll come back to him in an hour and he'll tell ellie about it later. but the panic squeezing his chest is real, terror slithering up his neck and curling around his ear whispering what else did you forget?

more than ever before, he tries to think back to all of it, from the first time he held her in his arms to the moment he buried her, and something odd happens to him when he finds that so much of it is. blurry. frayed at the edges, burned holes and white blotches obscuring important and unimportant details alike, memory an old role of film decomposing in the back of his mind.

the color of her baby blanket (blue, it had to be blue, he can't see), the first movie he watched with her, her favorite book in primary school, the way he did her hair on the first day of kindergarten, the friendship bracelets they made together, the posters on her wall, the dress she wore to her first dance (purple right? right?), memories surfacing as his panic cracks him open like an earthquake, and joel tries to cling to them, nails scratching at the parts that should be there but aren't until he tastes blood, desperation growing and growing because he is forgetting her.

"joel you're scaring the fuck out of me right now what's wrong?"

ellie's voice is distant, and he hates worrying her, hates the almost hysteric edge beneath it when she repeats herself, hands squeezing his shoulders, softly, first, then harder when he doesn't respond. all of the years that he didn't even know she existed, memories she has that he never will, all the firsts and buts and what ifs and failures that define a childhood, their innocent light fractured into vivid fantasies by the stained glass window of life. he has had all that and more with sarah, clung to it in the after to remind himself that she is real, that he is still a father even with his daughter buried by a nameless river.

it is all he has left of her, the childhood she never got to outgrow, and it's fading in a mind that has mourned her for longer than she got exist.

not for the first time, joel wishes he hadn't flinched, his brain worthless if it allowed sarah to fade away. without ellie bound to his heart, he would have tempted fate again for that alone.

-

"who hurt you" too many people to count and luckily tumblr lets me make it everyones problem

[marypsue]

I freely admit that this post is more propaganda to try to get people to consider using a book journal than me actually believing that People In General keep book journals, but consider: keeping a book journal.

[stillgeekingout]

#it's very strange #because i often feel like the culmination of those characters arcs #like if the point is they're ace great but like... #the option of lesbianism just *never* occurs #which--and again not to discredit any ace people or ace readings of her work--is such a common lesbian experience! #like myself and a bunch of other lesbians i know had that journey #of going 'hmm i don't like men... guess I'm asexual! (do not ask me about women i will combust)' #like lady bird... whatever #little women... alright i suppose if you wanted to make a comentary on how lma was forced to add the heterosexual romance at the end #and not suggest anything about a real person and also not deviate from the source material #but barbie was insane #the coding was next level #like c'mon birkenstocks??? #and i argue that barbies acceptance of genitalia could be read as an acceptance of sexuality or the very least exploring it #so why isn't she a dyke??? (other than mattel probably giving a hard no on that)

I don’t know, the thing that really bothers me about Greta Gerwig’s films is that there is just this gaping hole where gay women should be. Like, when you’re making these movies about the trap of heterosexual marriage, breaking free of that, and the only concrete answer is to be a single woman over and over and over again, it feels like an intentional absence. You can watch the movie with a queer lens, but it is egregious that you may only consider homosexuality in her movies in this way. It ought to be in them. There is no reason for it not to be there. Women don’t fuck women in Greta Gerwig’s feminist liberations. Often, they don’t have sex at all.

[occudo]

An incomplete list of TMA fics I adore

-beacuse of this ask

(If you liked the fics I previously recommended/made fanart for, I think you'll gonna like these as well, but you know, read the tags, know what you are going into)

Yesterday is Here by CirrusGrey @cirrus-grey

Time Travel Fix-it! Slow burn! So good! So much sass from future!Jon- I doubt I have to introduce anyone this amazing author, but if you somehow missed them till now, this is your time! I highly recommend all of their other fics as well, for example one of a more recent one, The Stranger I Know Best is also a lovely read.

enthralling by Prim_the_Amazing @primtheamazing

Vampire!Martin!! I have no words of how much I love this concept, this story, everything about this. I think I'm going to repeat myself through this list, but I also recommend everything else they've written!

to fill... my heart with music? by godshaper @godshaper so their Martin and Jon design are different from mine, also they made a way better art for this- but still, I wanted to include this really good fic in this list.

Do It All Anew by inkfingers_mcgee or @crit20art

You know the feeling when you read a book that makes you cry, and after that you recommend it to your friend? Well- there is no reason I mentioned this, I'm just so normal about this fic. Or any other fic from inkfingers_mcgee... like Strange Manner of what I made another fanart way back. Also, check out their art!

Anyway, here is Aamal- she is not going to cause emotional damage.

And they were sidekicks (oh my god, they were sidekicks) by arthureameslove @arthureameslove

A lighthearted series where Jon and Martin are sidekicks of supervillains- it's just a really fun fic, also recommend everyting from this author - I previously draw fanart here for an other fic of theirs Like a Lighthouse, Call Me Home

neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well by saintbleeding @saintbleeding

To quote the aurthour: "Post-divorce Jon and Martin in a wedding-based romcom" It's such a comfort read, also has a Tim/Sasha wedding, and lots of cameos! I realised most of these authors I made fanarts for before- like this one for some kind of miraculous bind, this one is oneshot and a bit more serious in tone.

Give Me the Words by rakel @rakel-on-ao3

"Jon and Martin try to make the most of a bad situation in the Scottish Highlands. The situation is worse than they realised." You know that one post about wanting to write PWP, but it keeps turning into character study? Well, this one comes to my mind each time I see that.

i wanna find a home (i wanna share it with you) by heartshapedguy @transgenderboobs

So what would have happened if instead of the cot (tm), Jon offered Martin his own flat to stay? There is no way it's going to change their relationship, right? Such a good read, if you want some fluff, I highly recommend it!

Lucky Stars by magnetarmadda @magnetarmadda

Martin has a lovely family (except his mother) but still, he needs a fake boyfriend, and Jon comes to the rescue. It's one of the first fics I remember reading after I finished the series. It is such a comfort read of mine~

(+enjoy a rare tall Jon from me)

There are so many more fics that also deserve the spotlight, these are just the ones I read multiple times and/or didn't made fanarts for before. If you find something here you like, give them some love! Kudos and comments! They deserve it. (Also, just an extra disclamier some of these are PWP or rated T- just mind the tags)

I tried to link and tag everything, I hope it works.

[wandaslovey]

ᴍʀꜱ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴏꜰꜰ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜱᴇᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴏᴡ

➺ dom!wandanat x sub!fem!reader

word count ~ 7k

authors note: i’m so excited to share this with you guys - this was so much fun to write! i’m planning on writing the first few parts as chapters where one will pick up right after the other and then once i get to a certain point i’ll do random time skips within the same au. oh also! i’m starting a tag list, so comment below if you’d like to be included on the next chapter! enjoy loves! 💕 as usual, this is not proofread.

content warning(s): legal age gap (w=30, n=33, r=23), natasha and wanda being two hot intimidating lawyers (except natasha kinda steals this show in this part, especially in the beginning. don’t worry though, wanda will have her time to shine!), conversation about kinkery and reader knows very little

if you’d like to read the drabble that inspired this series, click here

═════════════

you stand in front of the mirror, adjusting your white button-up blouse for the 10th time. you huff, frustrated that your wardrobe just wouldn’t cooperate with you this morning. as you look yourself over in the mirror—the rest of your outfit consisting of a mid-thigh black pencil skirt, some black nylons and black combat boots—you couldn’t help but wonder if your attire was okay for the interview.

the interview…you can’t believe you landed an interview at thee M.R. law firm. you knew how unqualified you were for the position, so you felt extra pressure to compensate somehow with your appearance.

you turn to the side in the mirror, first left and then right, scrutinizing yourself at every angle. you readjust the pieces of hair framing your face that you pulled out of your bun, before deciding you’d done all you could to look your best.

you glance at the clock on your nightstand in the reflection of the mirror, seeing it was time to go. you grab your knock-off brand purse and slip out of your apartment. when you walk down the stairs and open the door to the outside, the noise from the city fills your ears. the sounds of cars, horns, sirens, music and people all blended together, creating a sort of hum all new-yorkers were familiar with. you step out onto the sidewalk, narrowly avoiding some tourists that were taking a picture in front of the trendy restaurant you lived by. you hail a cab, quickly sliding into the backseat and telling the driver your destination.

now that you were settled in your seat with only the taxi drivers quiet music to distract you, the nerves you’d been attempting to snub out suddenly hit you full force. there was no way you could do this. you were sure you were just wasting your own time and the poor person who had to interview you. you knew your 6 months working as a receptionist at a dentist office nowhere near qualified you to manage things at M.R. law. you mentally curse yourself, thinking you must’ve been half asleep and entirely too desperate when you sent in your application at this place. you needed a job though—urgently. with your roommate moving back home, and no one else taking her place, you were stuck with paying the rent on your own. on top of that, you were still paying back loans for school. you knew you should cut your losses, leave new york and transfer to a much more affordable school, but you really wanted to stay as much as you could help it.

every stoplight you hit along the 20 minute drive only makes you more nervous. the fluttery feeling in your stomach turns into full blown pterodactyls by the time the driver has pulled up to the very tall M.R. building. you pass some folded up cash to the driver, mumbling out a quiet ‘thank you,’ and then step out of the car. you stare up at the intimidating building, the lettering of “maximoff-romanoff law” taunting you—daring you to step inside. you let out a stubborn exhale, squaring your shoulders and walking in with a confidence as fake as grape flavored candy.

you stride over to the front desk, noticing that the only employees in sight are all women.

“hi, i’m here for an 11 o’clock interview,” you tell one of the women behind the desk. she offers you a polite smile, giving you instructions to head into the elevator and up to the 8th floor. you nod your head, thanking her and make your way to your doomsday interview.

as the elevator doors shut behind you, you find yourself all alone in the small space. there was no background music to distract you now. you stare at the floor, noticing a slight glint to the black tiles you were standing on. you listen to the beeps counting up each floor, your eyes dragging up the stainless steel panel when the number reads 8 and the final beep sounds. the doors open and you’re immediately greeted with the sight of more women pacing around the place. some seemed to be in a rush while others were leisurely walking across the floor while chatting with a co-worker. you walk over to the front desk again, repeating what you had told the other kind lady downstairs. she gestures for you to take a seat on the couch in the waiting area, letting you know someone will grab you in a few minutes.

you take a seat on the black leather couch, figuring this piece of furniture probably costed more than the rent for your apartment. you cross your legs, interlocking your fingers together at your knee. you glance around the office, taking in the decor. it was very tasteful, some touches of greenery that went nicely with the black and dark woodsy vibe this floor was going for. you try your best to ignore the bile rising in your throat and the pterodactyls still swarming in your stomach. it was a good thing you didn’t eat breakfast this morning.

as two minutes turns into ten, and then fifteen, you can’t help but feel the urge to just get up and leave. you felt so out of place here; you couldn’t imagine working at this place with all these women who were so obviously out of your league.

just as you were settling on the idea of ditching this interview, you hear clacking footsteps making their way over to you. you didn’t dare look up yet, pretending to be very interested in the tiny hole in your pantyhose just above your knee.

“miss (y/l/n)?” the most heavenly, sultry voice calls out to you. your eyes slowly trail along the tile, up the woman’s legs covered in black slacks, her blouse and matching black suit jacket, and then finally her face. it was her.

thee mrs. romanoff.

mrs. romanoff was the person who was going to interview you? you couldn’t believe your eyes, or the situation. you clear your throat, realizing you had yet to acknowledge her calling out to you.

“yeah, that’s me,” you reply, standing on slightly wobbly legs. you watch as mrs. romanoff’s eyes slowly take in your appearance, her eyes lingering on your frame. you feel a little scrutinized, wondering if you really did mess up with what you were wearing.

“follow me.” she turns and leads the way. you stumble a bit as you follow behind her, not expecting her to have as long of a stride as she does.

“you’ll have to forgive me for the wait—we had a couple meetings run over this morning,” she talks to you over her shoulder, slowing her walk a little when she notices you’re not directly behind her like she thought.

“oh, no worries. i didn’t mind the wait.” that was technically a lie, but it wasn’t the wait that bothered you as much as the fact that you were left alone with your thoughts a little too long.

she rounds a corner at the end of the hall, pausing and gesturing for you to enter in one of the two doors that were side by side on the wall to the right. you walk through the doorframe, stepping into what you assumed was her personal office.

“have a seat, miss (y/l/n),” she says in a low voice, walking from behind you and around her desk to sit in her chair. you sit in one of the two chairs across from her, your heart thudding violently in your chest from being in such close proximity to her.

you adjust your seating position three times before finally settling in place, forcing yourself to sit still. mrs. romanoff humors you, remaining silent and patient through your nervous fidgeting.

“so, i have to say i was a little surprised to see your application come through to my desk,” she starts and you immediately feel your cheeks grow hot, the feeling of being in a place you don’t belong filling your whole body with dread.

she pauses, and you realize she was waiting for you to respond. right. this was supposed to be where you attempt to prove yourself adequate to work in this position.

“yes, um… well, admittedly i myself did think it was a stretch to apply here, but then i figured, i’m a fast learner, i’m very thorough in all i do and i enjoy learning new things. i thought i’d try my hand at something i haven’t done before.” you rattle off an answer that while it was true, it was also something you rehearsed 20 times in the mirror while getting ready before you got here. you were almost positive the slight robotic edge in your voice was noticeable.

mrs. romanoff hums in acknowledgment, nodding slightly at your rehearsed answer. “how well can you handle multi-tasking in a fast paced environment?” her lack of acknowledging your first answer puts a damper on your already fake confidence. you shift in your seat again, finding it harder to maintain eye contact with the sea of green that was her eyes.

“i would say i fare pretty well. i’m usually very good at managing stressful situations.” that was a complete lie—but most people bullshit their way through interviews, don’t they?

“usually?” she echoes, tilting her head to the side. she purses her lips, half attempting to hide a small smirk. she easily picked up on all your nervous antics the moment she saw you. you averting her gaze, walking unsteadily, fidgeting in your seat and the cute rose-y blush currently coloring your cheeks.

you clear your throat, interlocking your hands together in your lap. you notice they’ve already started to feel damp with sweat. “yeah, yeah most of the time i’d say so.”

“well, miss…” she glances down at what appeared to be your application and resume sitting in front of her on the desk. “(y/n)..you don’t sound very sure of yourself.” she sits upright in her chair, crossing her arms and leaning over the desk. your heart beats impossibly faster, the feeling of intimidation settling deep into your bones.

“no, i mean, i am sure—totally 100%.” you try to laugh, but it comes out sounding as nervous as you feel.

“okay, if that’s how you’d like to proceed…” she trails off, looking down at the papers in front of her again. you didn’t know what she meant, but your eyes fall desperately to the same papers she was looking at, as if they could provide some sort of answer to you. “what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?”

you internally breath a sigh of relief. this was another answer you’d rehearsed in the mirror, it just needed to sound less robotic this time. “i’d say my greatest strengths are, i’m very punctual—i’m always on time if not early—um, i do all things thoroughly, as i mentioned before…i’m very reliable—hardly sick or need time off for family things, and i enjoy a good challenge. my greatest weakness is that i like to be very organized and sometimes i can spend a little too much time completing a certain project before moving onto the next.” you exhale after you finish talking, your eyes flicking across her face to try and get a sense of how she’s taking in your answer.

as you speak, you can’t help but notice that she was watching you so meticulously. it seemed that she was taking in not only your words, but your facial expressions, hand gestures and body language.

she looks at you for a moment as if she’s thinking hard on something. without taking her eyes off of you, she presses a button on her desk, the small ding from an intercom sounding. “joan, please track down mrs. maximoff and have her come into my office right away.”

your heartbeat now thrums loudly in your ears, your breath picking up its pace. you were not only going to be in the presence of mrs. romanoff but now mrs. maximoff too? never in your life had you seen such a powerful couple—and that was only in photos and billboards you’d seen around the city!

“is everything okay?” you ask nervously, feeling the permanent blush on your cheeks travel to the tips of your ears.

“everything’s fine, (y/n),” she gives you a smile but it was anything but reassuring. in fact, there was something about the expression that felt more intimidating with how devastatingly beautiful she was.

she grabs a pen and starts writing something on the paper. whatever it was was brief, but you couldn’t see clearly from your seat.

a quiet knock comes from the door and your posture becomes rigid as you hear who you assume to be mrs. maximoff entering the room.

“you called for me?” mrs. maximoff asks as she walks the length from the door to mrs. romanoff’s side. she walks around your chair and stands next to her wife, placing her palm flat against the desktop and leaning some of her weight on it.

“yes, i wanted you to meet our new interviewee,” she smiles with her lips and gestures to you in your seat. you look between the two beautiful, impeccably dressed women, feeling extremely small and insignificant. mrs. maximoff turns to look at you for the first time, a warm smile gracing her features.

“hi,” she offers simply, extending her hand to shake yours. you sit forward, reaching your arm out to shake her hand across the desk. her hand was incredibly soft and a little cold to the touch, but you wouldn’t expect anything less since the office was kept at such a cool temperature.

“mrs. maximoff is going to sit in on the rest of our interview. is that okay with you?” mrs. romanoff asks, her eyes daring you to object.

you quickly shake your head from side to side, shifting once again in your chair. “no, no that’s perfectly fine,” you reply easily, though you were feeling anything but fine. you notice mrs. maximoff giving her wife a curious glance but she doesn’t otherwise question it.

“let’s move over to the couches so we’re a little more comfortable,” mrs. romanoff stands up and heads over to the long olive green velvet sofa. you follow suit, except you take a seat in the smaller sofa, designed for only one person. mrs. maximoff sits closest to you on the long couch, brushing some of her pretty brown hair behind her shoulder. you watch as she glances back at her wife, mrs. romanoff giving her a certain look that you weren’t sure what it meant.

“so, (y/n), tells us what your career goals are,” mrs. romanoff proceeds with the interview as if the interruption never happened. you find yourself even more nervous to respond now that there were two, hot, older women sitting before you.

“umm…for now i really just need something steady that will simultaneously be giving me good work and life experience.. long term though, i’d like to become a therapist once i finish my masters program.” you bite your tongue once you finish your sentence, realizing this is not the sort of job where you tell your interviewers you’d like to pursue something that has nothing to do with their company.

“what appeals to you about becoming a therapist?” mrs. maximoff chimes in, tilting her head to the side curiously, just like mrs. romanoff had done earlier in the interview.

you lean back in your chair, a little surprised at her interest in your reply. “well, it’s a cliche answer, but i’m very passionate about helping people. it’s impossible to go through this life without getting seriously hurt and dealing with trauma. the vast majority of us have no idea how to cope or process through our experiences, so just knowing what i know, i’d like to try and be of some help for those who need it.”

the two lawyers look at you thoughtfully, mrs. maximoff nodding her head as you speak.

“that’s a very admirable passion. are you currently enrolled in a masters program?” she asks, crossing one of her legs over the other as she gets more comfortable in her seat.

“i am,” you reply with a shy smile. you never wanted to come across as bragging about your education, so you always sought to speak about it in the most humble way.

“you like school?” mrs. romanoff chimes in, leaning forward as she speaks.

your smile turns a bit rueful as you reply. “yes..i do. i know so many young people my age loathe school and all the hard work that needs to be put in, but…i love everything about it. i love taking notes, making flashcards, studying, taking tests, everything about it, i just love. i know it sounds a little crazy.” you laugh once, suddenly feeling more relaxed as you speak about something so genuinely. you feel a little more surprise again as you hear mrs. romanoff chuckle with you, nodding her head towards her brunette wife.

“sounds like somebody i know. this one here was a school addict. i had to practically pry textbooks out her hands just so we could do anything other than study,” she chuckles again, mrs. maximoff joining in with her.

“i won’t apologize for being so pointed about my studies. we both got straight A’s, didn’t we?” she jokes light-heartedly and you find yourself smiling warmly at their light banter.

mrs. maximoff turns back to face you, a smile still touching her lips. “what else do you do aside from school?” her question makes your face fall slightly as you now had to admit you were technically unemployed. you knew that didn’t look good for potential employers.

“right now, not a whole lot. just keeping busy with my studies,” you respond vaguely to which they both hum in response.

the pair of them continue asking you questions, except they become progressively more personal until they don’t attain to work or working at this position at all.

“do you like living alone? or do you prefer living with others?” was one of the questions mrs. romanoff asks you after you had explained you were currently without a roommate.

even though it was strange, you find that the more you talk about yourself, the more relaxed you feel. mrs. romanoff and mrs. maximoff both noticed it too. they could see more of your personality showing through as the nerves slowly but surely dissipated.

it had been near 40 minutes by the time mrs. romanoff checked her watch and noticed the time. she looked at her wife, mrs. maximoff seeming to sense her eyes on her as she automatically looked to the side. they shared a look, one of them nodding to the other before turning back to face you.

“well, we’ve kept you here much longer than was intended—i apologize for that.” mrs. romanoff says as she stands, mrs. maximoff following suit. you stand also, smoothing your skirt back over your legs. as you stand so closely to them now, you notice how they were both taller than you by a few inches, making you feel small again like you had earlier.

“it’s no big deal. i’m in no rush,” you smile shyly as you look up at the two of them. you extend your arm out, shaking both of their hands before getting ready to leave. they both give your hand a gentle squeeze and when mrs. romanoff shakes your hand, she grasps on longer than her wife, holding your gaze with a certain intensity.

“we’ll be in touch, miss (y/n),” she says smoothly, calling you out by your first name, and for some reason the combination between her voice and her eye contact made your knees feel weak.

you swallow thickly, nodding your head and thanking them both for the interview before turning away. mrs. maximoff leads you to the door to exit and walks you all the way out to the elevators. you pace the short distance in somewhat comfortable silence. when you turn to face her to say your final goodbye, your surprised to see mrs. romanoff behind her. she was following so quietly that you didn’t notice her presence.

“bye! thank you again,” you smile, stepping into the elevator once the doors open. the two women stand side by side of each other, giving you a near identical smile which portrayed some sort of knowing behind it, almost like they were expecting something.

“it was a pleasure meeting you miss (y/l/n),” mrs. maximoff calls out to you as the elevator doors slide closed.

you exhale a breath you didn’t now you were holding, slumping back against the elevator walls.

『 °*• ❀ •*°』

that evening, you cook up a box of mac n cheese, too lazy to try and find the ingredients to make anything else. not to mention, your mind was still a little bit jumbled after your interview with thee lesbian power couple.

mrs. romanoff’s words kept echoing in your head.

”we’ll be in touch” she’d said. but didn’t your interview totally blow? especially at the end. it wasn’t so much an interview but rather more like a conversation where people try to get to know each other better. maybe they were looking for a personality hire? you really doubted that though.

you eat your mac n cheese while staring blankly at the wall, thinking over the whole exchange with mrs. romanoff and mrs. maximoff. as you mindlessly feed yourself spoonfuls of your dinner, you realize you didn’t even know their first names. you remembered you had once seen them on a billboard somewhere but didn’t remember exactly what they were. mrs. romanoff’s first name was natalie or something similar? you were at a loss with mrs. maximoff. you decide to google them to put your curiosities to rest.

pulling out your phone, you google their names and the law firm. after doing just a little bit of digging, you see their full names: natasha romanoff and wanda maximoff. ah, so you were close with mrs. romanoff’s name. you wonder if they only go by their last names at the office. it definitely seemed like their vibe to have things be so professional.

as you go throughout the rest of your evening, showering and getting ready for bed, you continue thinking about them. the longer your mind lingers on them, the less “professionally” you think about them. you couldn’t help but notice how utterly beautiful they both were. they both carried themselves with a confidence that anyone would find intimidating. there was something so forceful about their presences, but not necessarily in a bad way. it seemed like natasha—mrs.romanoff—was a little more rough around the edges, but you could see she easily held a soft spot for her wife and life partner. mrs. maximoff gave off a much more approachable vibe, but she was still intimidating in her own way.

as your mind continues wandering, you find yourself becoming more tired before you finally drift off to sleep, your brain fatigued from all your analytical thinking.

『 °*• ❀ •*°』

the first thing you notice when you wake up is the light shining through your thin curtains. you blink a few times, slowly adjusting to the light. you blindly reach over to your nightstand, unplugging your phone from the charger. as you unlock your phone, you notice a missed call from an unknown number nearly two hours ago. you shoot up into a sitting position in your bed, suddenly feeling much more awake. it was just passed 10 am. was the unknown number a call back about your interview?

your fingers furiously swipe on your phone, quickly googling the number for M.R. law. you breath a sigh of relief when you cross reference the digits in your phone and the number online, realizing it was just a random unknown caller. you let your body fall back limply on the bed, your leg dangling off the side as you clutch your phone to your chest. that would’ve been humiliating if they called offering you the job and you didn’t pick up the phone.

as you go about your morning leisurely—not having any classes this day—you try to push the two hot lawyers out of your mind. there was no point in dwelling on them if you’d never hear from them again.

you leave your face bare of makeup, not intending on leaving the apartment and you opt for wearing comfy clothes—or “frumpy” clothes as you called them—instead of something nice.

you head into the kitchen, pouring yourself a bowl of frosted flakes cereal. you let it sit there for a few minutes to soak up the milk, as soggy cereal was your favorite. you’d argue with anyone who claimed crunchy cereal was best. as you wait, you power up your laptop, intent on working on some homework.

you’re munching on your cereal, blue-light filtered glasses adorning your nose as you work on your computer screen. you were mid-bite when you hear your phone buzzing on the counter next to you. you glance down at your phone and frown slightly when you notice it looks to be the same unknown number from earlier.

you continue chewing your bite, raising the phone to your ear as you accept the call.

“hello?” you ask, your voice mumbled a bit as you still had some food in your mouth.

“good morning, miss (y/n),” you hear a warm, velvety voice greet you. after almost an hour interview with her yesterday, you’d recognize this distinct voice anywhere.

“mrs. romanoff?” you just about choke on your food as you swallow, your body tensing slightly as you feel much more alert.

“that would be correct.” you hear her chuckle softly into the phone, your tone laced with obvious surprise she must have found endearing.

“i’m so sorry! i think i missed your call earlier? i didn’t recognize the number- i had no idea it was you, i’m sorry!” you apologize quickly, thinking that if she was actually calling to offer you the job, you might have just ruined it.

“don’t worry about it. i would be surprised if you recognized it given that this is my personal number,” her voice was low and warm. it was entirely too enticing.

“oh.. umm, right. well, good morning,” you stumble slightly over your words, unsure what else to say to her.

“are you normally a late riser?” she asks with humor in her voice.

“what? oh no, not normally no. i just don’t have classes today,” you explain, a little embarrassed at her having called you out on your sleeping habits.

“i see. well, we just wanted to call and ask if you’d meet us for a coffee,” her question came out as more of a statement and you were left wondering why on earth she would want to go out for coffee with you and…wait.. did she say we?

“we?” the words echo aloud from your mind.

“yes. my wife and i,” she reiterates calmly. you look around your small excuse for a kitchen as if the reasoning behind her posing this question was written on the walls.

“like today?” you ask stupidly. of course she meant today.

“yes - today. can you meet us in 15? we’re going on lunch break. i’ll text you the address.” your eyes zip to the digital numbers plastered on the microwave. you only had 15 minutes to try and look presentable, get a cab and meet them.

“ummm..yeah. yeah sure,” you nod your head as if she could see you through the phone. you quickly hop off the stool you were sitting on, walking briskly to the bathroom with the phone still held firmly to your ear.

“perfect. we’ll see you soon.” she hangs up and you all but toss your phone on the bathroom counter, staring down at the device as if it’s offended you. you quickly snap out of it, only having 5 or so minutes to un-hobo yourself. you quickly apply some concealer on your dark spots, powder on a little blush and brush on a coat of mascara in record time. in your haste, you stumble from the bathroom to your closet, trying to find something to quickly throw on. you grab a simple white baby tee, putting it on and then aggressively stepping into some loose light wash jeans. grabbing your belongings, you half jog out the door, nearly slipping down the last two stairs of your apartment.

you quickly get a cab, thanking whatever higher power there is in your head that there was very little delay in one driving by. as the taxi driver takes you to the address you gave him, you sit forward in your seat, gathering your hair in a pony tail near the top of your head. you secure it with an elastic you always keep around your wrist and pull some pieces out to frame your face. you glance in the cab rear view mirror, seeing you looked fairly presentable. you exhale shakily, sitting back in your seat as the same nerves you felt yesterday on the way to your interview were coming back now.

what was this about? i mean, you knew it wasn’t normal to meet with potential employees for coffee. it was especially suspicious because it was mrs. romanoff *and* her wife.

your thoughts are interrupted as the taxi slows to a crawl and he pulls up to the coffee shop. you’d never been to this one before, granted there were hundreds of shops all over the city so there were probably many you hadn’t gone to. your heart leaps in your chest as you see both mrs. romanoff and mrs. maximoff waiting outside for you.

you pass the driver the money, thank him and slip out of the car. as you step onto the sidewalk, mrs. maximoff greets you with the same warm smile she’d given you when you first met. mrs. romanoff smiles too, though it’s not as wide as her wife’s.

“hello again, (y/n).” your heart skips a beat as you hear mrs. maximoff use your first name for the first time. mrs. romanoff had been calling you by your first name since you’d stepped foot into her office. you liked the way your name fell from both of their tongues.

“hi, good to see you both again,” you smile despite your nerves, making eye contact with both of them in a polite manner.

“shall we?” mrs. romanoff suggests as she opens the door for you, her wife placing a gentle hand on the small of your back to usher you inside. you inhale shakily, the unexpected contact surprising you in a pleasant way.

as the three of you file in behind the small line of people waiting to order, your eyes skim the menu, even though you already knew exactly what you wanted.

“cute outfit,” mrs. romanoff murmurs from behind you. you could hear what sounded to be amusement in her tone but you weren’t sure.

you turn to the side to face her, her being on your left and mrs. maximoff on your right just a half-step behind you. “thank you. i threw it on—literally. i was wearing something a lot less presentable when you first called.” you glance down at both of their outfits. the duality between yours and their outfits was almost laughable. they looked impeccably fashionable and you were just in street clothes.

wanda chuckles lightly at your comment. “what were you wearing before?” she asks.

“just an oversized tee and some biker shorts,” you shrug, crossing your arms casually over your chest. you always felt more comfortable when you had your arms wrapped around yourself.

as the line moves and you’re next, mrs. romanoff quickly stands in front of you, her body moving between you and the counter. “what’ll you have?” she gives you an expectant look, ready to give your order.

“an iced mocha?” you ask a little shyly, her show of putting herself between you and the cash register did something to you for some reason.

she nods, and turns to the barista, repeating your order along with hers and her wife’s. you’re about to protest, wanting to tell her she doesn’t have to pay for you, but you feel mrs. maximoff’s hand return to the small of your back, swiftly maneuvering you away from the line and over to the small cluster of tables.

you sit down in a chair she pulled out for you and you scoot yourself in as mrs. maximoff settles in her own seat across from you.

“you really don’t have to pay for me, you know,” you pipe gently, glancing over at mrs. romanoff who was standing at the counter waiting for the drinks before you turn back to mrs. maximoff.

“of course not, we want to. plus, neither her nor i would ever allow you to pay for yourself even if you insisted,” she smiles winsomely, her eyes gleaming with something warm and bright.

mrs. romanoff returns with all three coffees, somehow handling all three and setting them down in a graceful manner.

“thank you,” you give mrs. romanoff a gentle smile as your fingers interlock around the cup and you drag it closer to you.

they both take a sip from their coffees—which were both hot—before mrs. romanoff clears her throat, her eyes narrowing in on you as she leans forward on the table.

“so, i imagine you’re wondering why we asked you here.” she throws a glance at her wife who was already looking at her speak.

“it may have been on my mind…” you trail off, sounding as innocent as possible.

mrs. romanoff smiles knowingly, her eyes appraising you in a way that made you squirm slightly in your seat.

“it’s not about the job, as i’m sure you might have figured, but rather about offering a different type of position,” she begins. your brow furrows in confusion. what did she mean?

“a different position? like a cleaning job or something?” you immediately go to thinking about jobs that require little to no experience, figuring that might be all they’d have to offer given your background.

they both laugh at your guess, mrs. romanoff being the one to shake her head no.

“no, not a cleaning job,” she pauses, seeming to measure your expression before continuing. “(y/n), have you ever heard the term bdsm?”

your face goes blank and you look from mrs. romanoff to her wife who appeared to be watching you just as carefully.

“um…i think so? i’ve heard the term a few times before.” your legs feel like they’ve turned to jelly, an unfamiliar pit settling into your lower tummy at the abrupt shift in the topic of conversation.

“what do you know about it?” mrs. maximoff chimes in, tilting her head to the side which causes some of her neatly curled hair to fall forward.

you look between the two of them, unconsciously shrinking further down into your seat. this was such a taboo subject to talk about it public; you found yourself already growing warm from just the thought of this discussion.

“well, it’s..sex stuff…right? like being tied down and whipped?” you speak hesitantly in a small voice, throwing quick glances at the strangers littered across the coffee shop.

“those things can be a part of it, yes—if all parties discuss that’s something they like to participate in” mrs. romanoff explains and then continues. “what else have you heard about it? or is that the gist of what you know?”

you shrug, your shoulders slumped forward and your head bowed slightly to try and obscure your flushed cheeks. you suck your bottom lip into your mouth—your nervous habit.

mrs. maximoff pipes in again after noticing your bashfulness. “a lot of people have that imagery in mind when they hear the term ‘bdsm,’ so it’s understandable that that’s your impression. there is so much more to it though. really, bdsm is about exploring people’s sexual interests in a safe space. you learn about your limits, what you like, what you didn’t expect to like, and so much more.” you listen to her explanation intently, your mind immediately wandering and wondering where this conversation was going to go.

mrs. romanoff picks up off her wife’s words. “some people simply dabble in certain aspects of bdsm while others treat it more as a lifestyle—and for my wife and i, it is a lifestyle.”

you nod hesitantly as they both pause for a second, watching you digest this information. you’re unsure how to respond, feeling progressively more restless in your seat.

they both give each other a look before mrs romanoff nods and mrs. maximoff speaks.

“normally, for people who live this lifestyle, they draw up contracts between themselves and the person they want as their submissive.. now we know this is all very forward, but there’s just no other way to put it. we’d like to have you as our new submissive.”

your face turns bright red for reasons you’re not fully aware of. you weren’t quite sure what being a “submissive” all entailed, but you couldn’t wipe the imagery of being helplessly tied down and whipped from your mind. you’re silent as your brain flits through one imaginary scenario to the next. you were so clueless though, you weren’t sure if the things you were thinking up were things people actually did or if they were just shown in porn.

“me…? i just..well it’s just that..i’m-i don’t know if i would be your ideal candidate,” you stumble out, your eyes glued to the table as you avoid looking at either of them at all costs.

“on the contrary, (y/n), i singled you out almost immediately at our interview. i knew i wanted you. that’s why i had wanda join us.” her face softens as she notices your slight uneasiness. being a bit of a sadist though, she couldn’t help but find your innocence and embarrassment so incredibly gratifying. it only made her want you more.

your teeth worry into your bottom lip again as you look between one set of green eyes and then the other. “do you guys normally.. share, uhm..submissives?”

“not always, but we do like to when it’s possible,” wanda shares, a reassuring smile on her face. you purse your lips, chewing on the inside of your cheek as more questions arise in your head.

“how does that work? sharing i mean.” you knew there were people who participated in polyamorous relationships, and you had no issue with it, you just had trouble visualizing the dynamic.

natasha grins wickedly to herself, realizing now how truly innocent and unknowing you were. she suspected a little yesterday at the interview, but had no idea the true scope of your innocence. wanda also found herself undeniably more attracted to you after this conversation. her hands twitch in her lap, thinking of all the things she could do to you that you probably haven’t ever dreamed of.

“it works (y/n), trust me…” mrs. romanoff says seductively.

“we know this is all very foreign to you, sweetheart. you don’t have to say yes today, just think about it?” mrs. maximoff reaches across the table and affectionately holds onto your wrist. your stomach does a little flip-flop at the term of endearment paired with the affection.

there were so many thoughts and feelings swirling around you, but one thing stuck out above the rest. you wanted to learn more. you didn’t want to say no and close a door on something that you might enjoy.

“i want to.. i mean, um, i will think about it,” you clear your throat for the umpteenth time that day, pulling your hand back from mrs. maximoff’s light grasp. it was suddenly feeling like her hand was searing your skin.

“you want to what?” mrs. romanoff presses, her eyes looking at you with intensity again.

“i just meant that i want to learn more..about this,” you reply quietly, peeking at mrs. romanoff through your lashes. you notice her clench her jaw and flex her fingers that were resting on the table, but you weren’t sure what it meant.

“well, there’s a lot to learn, but luckily i’d say we’re both pretty good teachers,” mrs. maximoff grins more wickedly this time, her expression giving you a new glimpse into something you hadn’t seen in her until this point.

“why don’t we meet up again sometime this weekend? we can answer any questions you have—help you learn more about what we’re asking from you,” she adds, to which you surprisingly feel eager to agree to the idea. you find yourself already wanting to learn more, especially if the people who were going to educate you were two of the hottest women alive.

“yeah…let’s do that,” you nod once, your blush slowly creeping off your cheeks though a slight honey glow was still present.

you all begin to gather your things, mrs. maximoff noticing their lunch break was just about up. the three of you hardly touched your coffees, the conversation too intense to take swigs of the drinks.

the two of them walk you out of the shop, mrs. romanoff hailing down a cab for you. you turn to say goodbye to mrs. maximoff and find that she’s standing closer to you than expected.

“i look forward to seeing you again so soon, dragotsennaya veshch’,” she murmurs, reaching to give your arm an affectionate squeeze. you smile at her, unsure what she said but not caring much to know now.

you step closer to the cab after mrs. romanoff opens the door for you. before you can slip inside the car, mrs. romanoff leans down, murmuring in your ear.

“if you have any questions before the weekend that simply can’t wait, don’t hesitate to text me. you have my number.” her voice was a little rough which makes you shiver.

you nod slowly, sucking on your bottom lip again. you give mrs. maximoff a shy hand wave which she mimics with an amused grin. you sink down into the car seat, mrs. romanoff shutting the door behind you.

as the taxi drives away, you can’t help but look behind you as the two women grow smaller and smaller on the sidewalk. as the car turns a corner, the couple remain standing there until you disappear. you sigh and turn back around in your seat, resting heavily against the cushion behind you.

what just happened?

——————————

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