#I want the friends to lovers route pls

[cxffee-addxct]

Do you have a girlfriend?

Nope!

I haven’t had a partner since I was 18 lmao

I did go on a date last Wednesday but I don’t think it’ll go anywhere. He was really sweet and we clicked but I’m not really sure I want to be in a relationship right now

[astralnymphh]

𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕☽◯☾

𖤐ྀ࿐-ˊˎepilogue!ellie x afab!reader

WC: 5.8k+

designated song: red flags and long nights - she wants revenge 𖤐ྀ an: first fic i ever published so idk what im doing but im doing it! i kinda just farted out an idea and then it blossomed into a fic over the course of a couple days so hopefully it lives up to its full power cause i fr inhaled this thing 6+ hours a day and totally not with a thesaurus at hand im definitely a natural wordsmith (i like my sht detaileddd) pls lmk what you think cuz i will be writing more stuff cuz i am so done with character DAWT ai fr.

⋆࿔･ cw: NSFW 18+, MDNI! >> friends to lovers, takes place after tlou2 ending, detailed but tried to be as natural as possible, proofread enough, ellie loves to joke around, hella cursing, fingering (receiving + giving), oral (receiving), stimulation of nipples, lots of foreplay, petnames (babe, pretty girl), slight overstimulation. ✧༺♥༻∞ synopsis: you met ellie a week after she sent farewells to jackson and her farmhouse, locking away the love she embodied for dina and set forth a journey towards a fresh horizon. furthermore, you joined her on this trip after running into her in an abandoned hospital, which at first things weren't so friendly and rather condemned you to gun-point but regardless it resolved eventually. the original plans she had her mind latched on were demolished since you mentioned your living situation. you live in a community not bound to FEDRA or any other titled organizations, only an ankle-straining expedition away from wyoming. one of these nights weeks after you met, you're sunken into a makeshift bed in the cruel wilderness underneath the ivory moon, it's lunar lights absorbing into the exposed skin on your arms. moonbathing, essentially. ellie's present too, but if she engages in a chat, where might it lead you? ⊱ ───────────────── {.⋅ 𖤐 ⋅.} ──────────────── ⊰

𖤐ྀ࿐-ˊˎ

Mind oscillating on a path through notions not tended to at daylight, imagination running amok, fueling a creative craving that often returns at moonrise when most dangers, mostly most, are kept at bay and you at harbor and reeling you back into your delusions. Well, scenarios just happen to spark out of the void in your cranium, especially when there's a woody auburn head to your right. Ellie's back lined by the cut of her tank top is giving your eyes a warm greeting, a film of drying sweat cloaking the skin on her shoulders fortunately so the celestial body above reflects its light perfectly off it. Her back flexes slightly as her hands are occupied with the doodles and entries beckoning to go from head to paper. She wrote quite often on your trip, whether it be graffiti, a landmark, personal thoughts or just some notes contingent on the route and journey ahead. The faint noise of non-stop scribbling had your mind tilting towards the fact that it was probably some emotional dumping or intense art session, so you'd rather not bother her. You both had a tight and steadfast bond regardless if the initial meeting was at best a month ago. Why was it taking an age to reach home? If it wasn't for the fury of infected hordes on a fucking crusade through the country and bandits seeking trouble constantly, you'd be there. 

Brushing all these thoughts off, you pushed your back into the cold tree trunk behind you, molding into the space between your shoulder blades nicely and tucking your knees up to your chest. You pulled a fine-tip Sharpie from your supply bag's netted pocket and just tugged the cap off immediately. The tip surged with a night black ink, seeping into the flesh of your knee as you scratched in a little art piece. Imagination caught you at the right time. 

The noise of a book wafting closed perks your eyes over to Ellie spinning on her knee in a circle to face you. You glanced back and forth at your knee and her approaching you. Her hair illuminated a bronze auburn in the inferno of the campfire.

"Still not asleep?" Ellie questions in a low throaty tone, a voice that settles itself in your ears and invites a smile to your lips unintentionally. 

You mused at her until she claimed a spot on the foliaged earth surrounding the brink of the tree you call your natural headboard, blinking your sights forward on your knees again and speaking, "Sleep is barely possible in this world," a remark that slips past the threshold of your lips often, "Dunno if you noticed, but I'm never asleep before sunrise." you add.

Ellie rebounds with a chuckle and raises her brows, "Good point," she tilts her head idly. "What's that on your knee?" She nudges the air with her chin, referring to the ink doodle gracing your knee.

"Oh, boredom." You reply vaguely with a smile, returning your sight onto her and observing her freckled face longingly.

Ellie sucks her lips inwards, running her tongue from one corner to the other while nodding ponderously. Her teeth pinned down her bottom lip, akin to poking a soft cushion and curling into a smirk. "Well," Her lips parted. "Got an extra pen?"

Her asking enticed a smile on your face, cheeks jerked up by a thread, "A-huh" You hum with your mouth ajar, fingers pursuing the bigger pocket of your bag to scrounge up another pen. Eventually, you slide another Sharpie out between your fingers, holding it like a blunt to Ellie.

She grasps it gently, biting the cap off and settles it between her pretty pink lips before blowing it off into the patch of grass.

"Uh, You better not lose that cap!" You reacted swiftly, furrowing your brows in a playful sourness.

She draws the air through her teeth, "Too late." 

You purse and wiggle your own lips but eventually a smirk flexes back and replaces it.

Ellie merely synchronizes a smirk back prior to inching her face near your thigh, poking the pens tip on your plush skin. Her large palm conceals whatever the hell she's sketching.

Suddenly, the pen moves in a certain pattern and a hint illuminates in your head, "I swear if it's-" You are cut off by Ellie's hand moving to reveal just what it is and your assumptions redeem truth. "Boobs.." Your eyelids peel back, staring at a pair of cartoony breasts plastered on your skin.

"Whaaat? Not appreciative of my artwork?" She curved her words, embarking on a playful tone.

"That's kinda gay." You spat back, jabbing your index finger into the firmness of her bicep which made her balance waver sideways.

Ellie played along with an offended visage, "Uhh, I know you're not talking!" She indeed bites back.

"Uhh, well I am talking!" You counter and shimmy your tongue a bit and lodged it between your lips as you taunted her.

Ellie just laughs you off and immediately starts drawing again, learning your lesson you tug your thigh away from her usage. You jeer, "Nuh uh! You're gonna draw a dick or something!"

Her tone recedes and reduces down to a calm one, that familiarly husky one sweetening the space and thrumming into your eardrums, "I won't, I promise." 

A quiet brow teeters on your skin, expressing your doubt but nonetheless you lend your thigh again as her canvas and slyly relax it against her leg.

Ellie smoothly returns pen in hand, her other hand snaking over your thigh and resting her three fingers on the squishy padding of your inner thigh. She honed in on this sketch, laser focused as the pen glides over your skin.

This rockets your fragile coolness into the forest of stars above and dilated blood blooming across your cheeks. Ellie may have appeared a tinge bit flirty this past week, but not this quickly did the aura embracing both of them turn so love infested. The pads of her fingertips were coarse yet melded with your skin warmly. The way your mind delved into thought from this plain touching electrified your heart, igniting something abdominal and a fluttering ache in your hips.

"And.. there." Ellie mumbles from her throat, voice a bit hoarse and stuffy. Her dominant hand retreats without the one clasping your thigh gently, twining it gently with pressure to reveal her sketch. It was a moth, unlike the ones etched into her journal time and time again. Details were revived in it and just looked so lovely on your bare thigh. 

"Wow, another moth?" You tease her with a shoulder bump to which she reels back onto the scaly tree and smiles widely cheek to cheek fashioning those signature dimples to peek. You swore a color akin to red jasper trickled across her midface.

"Shut up.." Ellie sheepishly pushes her lips together in attempts to halt a smirk but her cheeks falter and perk up, a cute sight to you and humiliation to herself.

You patch up her embarrassment with an excuse, "It's nice, though. Like.. tattoo-worthy." 

Ellie chuckles in response and relaxes her eyes onto your visage momentarily, darting a glimpse repetitively at her left hand that laid solemnly against the crevice of your thigh and hip. She stutters, "S-Shit, shit, sorry." a calm tone masked the nervous lump in her throat and she swiped her hand away.

You couldn't help but feel that tension in your neck mutually, clogging your chance of saying 'it's fine' so you simply descend your head and giggle behind closed lips.

Sweat coated her forehead thinly, invoking an attractive amber glow on it brought by the flame crackling in front of you.

Ellie's husky voice sauntered to your ears, "So, does that mean.. you'd get that tattooed?" She resumes the statement you added earlier.

You blow raspberries, "Yeah, not gonna lie. You're fuckin' talented." You firmly assure her.

Her eyes perk up and so do the corners of her lips, irises painted with a color akin to the wings of a lunar moth casting onto yours, noticing luminous rings of orange light wrapping her pupils.

At that moment, you wish you could just admit 'and you're really pretty' but your stomachs sunken in on itself, reeling your heart and throat along with it. The assumption that pouring your heart out might result in Ellie fleeing this trip, rotting your body with the pestilence of rejection and would be too poisonous to bear. 

"Wish I could still play guitar right now," Ellie soothes the silence, craning her neck and hangs her head low huddled to her chest. "Y'know?" Her head oscillates to gaze at you.

"I would've loved to hear that." you reply, a comforting hand advancing to the back of Ellie's neck.

"One day- I wanna at least try singing."

"What's stopping you now?"

Ellie raises her palm upwards in defense, "There's no instrumental backing it though!" her voice raises in a falsetto.

"Guess the sounds of wind and fire sparking isn't ideal." You get her point, "Ey' I'll just.. beat this stick on a rock," a stray branch enlightens you. "Nature's drum."

"Tch-" Ellie spits air from her teeth. "You're silly." 

"You're silly." You emphasize.

"Right, I am, wanna hear a joke?" Her body tosses onto her hip to face you, twisting one leg more open and the other bearing against the tree root lump under her.

"What's with the jokes this week, Ellie?" you reminisce on the flurry of puns Ellie just had the itch to entertain you with this week specifically.

"Okay fine then, I'll part with the jokes!" 

"That's not what I meant, I just bear some curiosity." you plea your context. "You seem more open compared to our first week together. You swore you wouldn't trust a stranger."

Ellie huffed out a hefty lot of wind, "Umm…" She became fiddly and lingered her pause, "I just found.. comfort, in your presence." the aura clouded in her eyes shifts to a darker one, "You're literally the only person I can be with after months of fucking isolation, the one person that I haven't.." Her rambling stumbles into a halt.

Wind rustles the branches above and around you, only a faint noise filling the lack of words.

"You don't have to explain-"

"Hurt." Ellie concludes.

You explore her void expression, eyes duller than the seconds before delving into this conversation. She's been bottling shit within, clearly. "I understand," you nod, the hand you laid upon the warm skin of her back returning and caressing a circle. "Do you wanna talk about it?" you offer.

"Nah, uh- don't wanna spend my time.. remembering, right now." Ellie reverts to sitting on her bottom.

You respectfully let her words settle in open space for a moment before speaking, "Still wanna tell me that joke?"

Ellie lightens up instantly, dimples convex in her cheeks as a smile is puppeteered on her luscious pink lips and baring teeth. She swipes her tongue between them before indulging, "What's the downside to eating a clock?" Her cheeky smile remains. 

"Mmm… what?" you hum curiously.

"It's time consuming." 

You compressed your lips tightly, a rumbling chortle bubbling within your esophagus. 

"Yeah, yeah- I'm hilarious." Ellie humbles herself in tone.

"Uhuh, totally." You forced some air through lips locked tighter than a top-secret chamber causing an intense vibrating buzz to rattle your skull.

"Don't lie, you love it." Ellie tilts her head, the auburn bang like a crest to the side of her face now hanging just where it tickled the apex of her nose.

Your right index finger, bearing a will of its own, swoops in to hook this bang behind the conch of her ear, tucking it away from her eyes with the pad of your fingertip.

Ellie pores her sight over the structure of your face, exposing you like an open book. The way her green rings enveloped you felt different, like she was contemplating a daring decision. Her eyes falter only once but capture contact again, such a gaze soft and charming is born upon her eyelids.

"Ellie?" you utter softly.

The subtle touch of Ellie's fingertips cradling your head were the only thing you registered before a pillowy flesh was aligned upon your lips, suckling at your supple bottom lip and challenging the balance of your neck with the way she smashed into you. Her hand advanced to your cheeks, cupping them tenderly yet palms pushing down with friction, lips smoothing over yours multiple times and reluctant to separate as they felt practically welded and magnetically attracted. 

"Mmph.." Her peachy cheeks graced yours and passed along a radiating heat. Catharsis possessed the ebb and flow of passion bursting at the seams of your swelling heart and that same infernal ache of your pelvis siphoning off your hidden lust.

"Fuck," Ellie utters a curse below her breath, shambling away from your space only to be interrupted by your eager fingers clawing into her collar and jerking her closer.

"That wasn't a mistake." You assure her in a promising tone, a solace hand cusping the concave valley under her jaw and fingertips converging with the groove behind her earlobes.

Ellie's expression lush with turmoil slowly contorts into a smirk, nasal lines and dimples beautifully indenting around her wide smile. A husky mumble, "Should I stop?" thrumms into your ears. Her eyes scan you for an answer.

"No." your breath hitches.

Ellie's hand takes harbor on the small of your back, nudging you towards the tarp tent a few feet before you. 

Your body senses the hint and takes you beneath this dense blue tarp where Ellie attempts to slumber, but now its intended purpose has fizzled away beneath this lust-drunk haze. Your back sinks into the foliaged bedding with a few flannel blankets splayed across it. Ellie scales above your body and casts a shadow of her own that cascades over you. Her fern green irises fixate on yours, embers of excitement caper within the midst of your midriff, plucking and tugging at your heartstrings.

Ellie's raspy voice slithers into your ears, "I thought you wouldn't want this." Her pupils dart around to every edge of your face nervously.

"But, I do." your hand is an assurance on her shoulder, but the calf ascending over her lower back and dangling off her butt implies an abysmal desire.

Her eyes examine the situation with your leg for a split second, "What're you doing?" She mutters amid a crescent smirk pursing her coral lips.

You glance away promptly for a wink, "I said-" 

Ellie's lips hush yours and sever them apart, tongue tipping the threshold and beckoning for yours to surface. 

You indulge in the lovers tango with your tongues, lips smacking together as the air is siphoned from you. She suckles and bites down hungrily as seconds trickle past, feeling her fingernails etch their stamp on the flesh of your mid-back. She is so fucking enamored with you.

"I fuckin' need you.." you breathily grunt into the enclosed space betwixt you both, searing foreheads melding together and nose tips drifting over one another.

Ellie's eyes twitched half-closed, midface boiling red, mouth ajar and spilling out hot air, "Shit.." she moaned, fingering the fly of her jeans and fiddling with the zinc alloy rivet.

"What are you rushing for?" you tease in a coo.

"Shhh-shut up." She hushes onto your cupid's bow, pecking it with a tiny smack prior to elevating her torso upwards.

You ogle her toned slender bod as she slips off the ribbed white tank dabbled in sweat and crimson splotches, chucking it mindlessly against the overhead tarp causing a loud crinkle to thunder.

You panic with a laugh, "Oh m'god- shh!" and clasp her wrists to steady her arms, "That was so loud! Don't attract the clickers!" you nag at Ellie playfully.

"I wasn't!" She pleads.

"If clickers come charging up here cause of your-"

"Guns' in here babe." Ellie replied hoarsely.

"Oh, I'm your babe now?" you fakely bumble, slyly lurking a keen hand to her stoutly toned abdomen, eyes just now comprehending the reality that she was bra-clad to her upper body, damp humidity sticking to her beaten skin so perfectly you sensed yourself melting at the existence of it like there's goo in your skull instead of a brain.

Ellie affirms low and honeyed, "Yeah, a hundred percent m'babe." Her face creases into a slanted brazen smile.

Heeding her affirmation, your fingers advance down to the hem of your shirt, pulling it over your head leisurely and disclosing your skin openly for her. Your shyness had fractured and dissipated completely and was yearning for the mingling of her body with yours.

Ellie's jaw suspended slightly open and lip caving over her bottom teeth as she puffed a breathy chuckle. She was unarguably turned on by the notion of you bound by bareness.

"Fuck me." She utters breathless.

You regard her words before harshly hauling her torso back down, capturing your barren lips in a sloppy entanglement which only glosses over the true pleasure you ache for. 

Ellie's hand detects that desire and traverses the map of your body before flattening on the destination of your inner-thigh just below the crevice of your crotch. She asks, "Can I?" softly against your neck, because consent is sexy.

"Mhm." You nod your head eagerly and straighten at the knees comfortably.

Her left hand pulls your fly back over the button, popping your jeans open with a smidge of panty fabric peeking already. Ellie teases the zippers tab with her fingernail and sluggishly separates the zippers teeth. She inclines back slightly to absorb the sight of both hands tucking into your jeans, rolling them down at a pace that tickles the microscopic hair on your thigh.

You wiggled your legs as she heaved them upwards, tugging your bunched up jeans bulking at your ankles, unintentionally your socks caught on and slipped off your toes.

"Don't toss them recklessly this time." you demand of her jokingly and chafe your thighs wantingly.

"Wasn't planning on it."

You watch her politely cast the fabrics aside, lunging carefully with both arms cradling your head as she swooped in to steal a quick kiss before dragging her lips across your chin, stranding a dozen pecks in her path until she craned over behind your ear and leaving a fresh trail of kisses along your neck. 

Ellie's lips were defiant on departing anytime soon, she was pious to your body and had to worship it with the offering of lust. She only paused to carve a love-bite with her teeth and peppering up a dark mauve bruise.

"Did you just give me a hickey?" 

"Uhuh~" her voice vibrates with a laugh. She perks up from your neck and gives you a once-over, "But that's not the only place I'll be sucking.." 

You give her a baffled visual with brow lines furrowing until her thumb swipes repetitively over your clothed nipple and eliciting a voiceless moan from your strained throat.

"You're a freak, you're freaky." you jest.

"Maybe, but you love it." 

"I do, I do.." you assure softly and smirk up at her, your hands soaring up to pull your bra over your head willingly.

"Well~" Ellie's pupils gawked at your bare breasts. "Excuse me madame!" She impersonates shock in a playful manner, but really, she was witnessing your chest in all present dimensions. Guess you could sum it up to her really liking your boobs.

"I didn't discard my bra for you to just ogle them." you point out.

"You're just needy." Her toothy smile appears while her slender fingers stream your sultry skin up to your chest, cupping the soft skin like a crescent moon and whispering, "But I like that."

"You like me."

"I do… I do." she repeated your phrase from earlier and crooked her pearly smile.

From here, her hair bore a radiance of honey color, the fires illumination outlining that handsome mullet you always deemed so attractive on her. Speckled skin that dotted her face and chest that appealed to you, a heavenly set of juniper eyes that read you like a poem. Every detail pertaining to her existence was the sole reason you felt attached to her like a magnet.

"Guess it's my turn?" Ellie's voice snapped you out of your lustful trance.

Mind fumbling, you furrow your brows and observe her hand movements. She crosses one arm over the other and tucks her fingers in the elastic band securing her bra, snaking it off her head to expose her chest.

"Ohh, and she plays fair?" You stifle a chuckle behind a spirited grin, curving your tone chromatically.

"What? Thought I'd leave you hanging?" She snorts in emphasis, an evidently immature joke about your boobs.

You release that chuckle, chest jittering as you force the air through a gritty laugh.

Ellie gives a satisfying once-over before ambling her face downwards towards your chest, etching a favored kiss into the plender gap of your neck, sewing a seam of nibbles and pecks along your sternum.

A rush of heat plasters your face, reddening your cheeks and undoubtedly lingering upon your spine. Wetness forms itself and drips beyond the crevice of your core and onto your panties.

"Mhh.. Ellie.." you purr barely past your lips.

She continues kissing the base of your sternum before her mouth takes a detour to your nipple, teasing a ring around it with the velvety skin of her lip. Her lips tenderly latch around the perky mound, suckling and lapping with her ticklish tongue.

You sample a whimper that entrances Ellie to intensify the ministrations upon your sensitive bud, and so she does, causing an extension of these whines to stumble from your throat.

"Need my fingers, pretty girl?" Ellie mumbles, hot breath soaking a humid film around the nipple her mouth played with and sloping her head sideways to gaze at you. Her tatted arm bends to place a gentle palm against your aching clothed slit.

Your clit stung of a fiery pleasure at the mere pressure her hand brought, jutting your pelvis against it unintentionally. You shudder, "N-Now.." and choke out, "yes…" wantingly.

Ellie obeys your word and tugs your panties down in a flash, gripping them tightly and pulling them off your legs without hesitation in sight. Her head partakes in burying itself in the crook of your neck, inscribing keen bites that narrowly distracted you from her two fingers rounding the perimeter of your slit, the perfect introduction.

You croak, "I've been thinking about this momen-" 

"Shut up." Ellie hushes you verbally and with her fingers languidly pressing onto your clit, letting the sensitive bud wiggle between her fingertips and sparks a glimmer of pleasure through your pelvis.

"Fuck.." a subtle winded groan expels out of your very being.

Ellie's fingers began a circular motion, swirling the wetness around her fingertips and deliciously flexing her forearm slightly at each flick of her wrist.

You weave your fingers in her feathery auburn locks, poking your nose at the apex of her head that still positions itself at your neck as you gaze down to witness her handicraft, her literal handy-craft.

"I wonder.." Her voice inaudible, felt like a puff of air taunting your blazing skin as she guides her mouth back to your nipple, teething at it sensually to arouse you further beyond stability.

"Uhhnn.. fuckkk." You entangle the soundwaves stirring around you with your gratifying moan, inadvertently tensing your fluttery legs around Ellie's hips, to which she clasps your thigh with her unbound hand and pushes it down against the ticklish cloth.

"Stay open for me, hm- babe?" She asks in a honeyed manner, assuming you'll adhere to her words.

You open your legs further for her, absolutely enchanted by her being in control yet simultaneously so gentle with her words, only furthering the strikes of bliss corroding your senses when she quickens the roll of her digits, like she's fucking the literal sense out of you.

"Attagirl." Ellie's magnetic hum haunts your ears, dawdling in an echo inside your foggy brain. Her hasty touch lingers in tight circles against your clit for a diminutive moment until her willowy fingers cruise through your damp folds and dive into your sulking pussy, stretching you slightly and easily thanks to your wetness.

"Ohh my fuckin…" your elongated moan snags in your throat, choked up by the prompt filling of your core and spluttering of your speech, "god, Ellie.."

Without a hesitative hurdle in sight, Ellie idly pumps her fingers against your clenching walls, the slickness crowning around the base of her knuckles beautifully and enticing her ears to an arousing sound.

"Mhmm.." she vibrates against your neck prior to elevating her head to meet your puffy eyes, "S'wet for me, hmm?" her words slurred.

Your tongue couldn't articulate the words swimming through your sex-rot brain, the mere gauge of your opening was enough to hit right where you wanted and mist your brain up nicely.

The autumn bang dangling from her hairline tickled your forehead as she withers the space between your huddled faces, the tip of her nose wrinkling and bending as it pushes against your cheek as lips meet timely, fondling and smacking together in sloppy affection.

Ellie's fingers curve into you like a hook, searching for that delicate spot that'll render your faculties fried and abdomen throbbing for release. She prods it like a button, propelling numerous surges of ecstasy through your bottom.

A moan interrupts, "Just like tha- dn'stop.. dun.." you battle the knot in your throat and your pelvis, your entire body shuddering along with Ellie's aggressive pumping that rocked you.

"Don't worry babe, I'm not stopping." Her breath catches and quickens, beckoning that knot to snap in your core as her pace practically defies laws of motion.

"It feels… so-"

"I know, I know.." Ellie's voice buzzes in your ear.

Your walls tightened and convulsed around her, feeling every ridge of her fingers slip and slide inside of you.

"I'm c-cumm.." your voice altered into a strained, grit one, locking away your endless string of moans.

"Cum for me, babe, cum…" Ellie bit harshly on her lip in an attempt to contain the heaving of her breaths, bewitched by your state and keeping her forehead glued to yours.

Registering the green light Ellie gave you, your aching hips gave into the delightful knot and released a flurry of pleasure through your essence, igniting your skin and throbbing cunt. Your walls entrapped her digits inside, slowing her pace a bit as she didn't waver and carried on with her ministrations. Her fingers coated in that silky mess of you, dripping down your bottom from how much she had stuffed her fingers in and your pussy has brimmed past its limit.

"Good girl."

Ellie browsed your barren neck with her lenient kisses, the fingers inside you just now sliding out after a few moments of prolonged pleasure.

"Was I good?" Her husky voice crows out, curled smirk tickling the succulent flesh of your shoulder.

"So.. so.." your voice trickled through exhaustion, "fucking good." you chuckled.

Ellie syncs a laugh with you, shimmying away slowly from your body and licking her fingers clean of you, "Let me clean you up."

Your eyes condense on the tarp above you as Ellie slipped out of your linear sight, shuffling towards your pelvis that still ached from release. The stillness in the air is all your mind renders before you feel a shaggy presence between your legs, grasping the fact that her head has found a home between your thighs and the tip of her tongue swipes between your tumid folds.

"Ahh! El-elele..Ellie.." Your tongue sputters at the roof of your mouth, fingers grasping her dull tawny locks out of oversensitivity.

Ellie continues lapping hungrily at your soaked core, apex of her nose prodding at your clit lightly. Her arms wrap around your thighs and let her calloused hands dangle over them, leaving a delicious sight for you to see. Before you displayed the crown of her head nuzzled into your crotch, flushed skin and beads of sweat plummeting on her forehead. She suckled so gently on your clit a few times, strawberry lips smacking and puckering around the pampered bud like a lollipop.

"E-Ellie.." you giggled lightly, followed by a string of short whimpers.

She moved away from your heat, smirking. "There." she put firmly in a murmur, shutting your thighs and towering over your body, "You taste nice." she utters between a chuckle.

"Not sure if I needed to know that." you quip.

"Too bad." she replies and swoops in to present a kiss onto your lips.

Tension arises from this plain kiss and you push yourself onto your jello knees until you both are kneeling before each other.

"What're you doing babe?" Ellie's hoarse mumble traces your chin and entices a mischievous giggle from you.

Your fingers fumble with her halfway-open fly and inch the zipper of her jeans open. It peels open and allows your hand inside, lurking towards her clothed entrance.

"Oh, fuck.." Her eyes flicker in a blur, jaw left ajar, panting a humid veil onto your lips and inquiring, "You gonna do this?" 

Her toughened hand glides across your upper arm, gripping your wrist loosely.

"I wanna do this, for you, babe." your saccharine tone sweetens her ears and excites her lower region in ways she never detected before.

"Well, I did say fuck me.." Ellie recalls her words from earlier, indulging a partly suppressed chuckle and beaming smile.

You both entwine lips whilst kneeling against each other's warm bodies, her hand pinning your chin between her thumb and index to angle your head perfectly for her. Your unoccupied hand slithers to the rim of her jeans and struggles to pull them down.

"Use both hands, dummy." she twits with a smug look.

"I didn't wanna move my other hand.." you reply with an eye roll, moving your hand out of her pants to remove them properly.

She shifts them off her ankles and resumes her focus onto you, sealing your lips once more with hers and slipping some playful tongue.

Your hand finds purchase on her stomach, plunging into her panties and flicking her clit with the tip of your finger to tempt her further.

"Oh God, don't tease me.." Ellie begs with a following whimper, circling her hips into your palm in dire lack of stimulation.

"I wasn't going to.." your words halt at an edge while your actions suture her desires, three fingers usher beyond her delicate folds and stuff her instantly.

"Fuck, babe.. fuhhck." Ellie groans out and feels her body falter, fumbling onto her butt and keeping herself at an angle with her elbows to the blanket.

You tucked your knees in and settled between her spread legs, hand still tucked into her panties which now peeled back slightly from the angle of your wrist. A sly thumb from your vacant hand brushes over her clit and rests there, drawing long circles whilst your idle fingers begin thrusting in and out.

Ellie's cheeks summon a rosy shade, those lovely eyes rotating to the back of her head in pure bliss as you pump your hand graciously.

"Your hand is ten times better than my own." she praises, dangling her head backwards to expose her neck just coaxing you to leave a love bite.

"Mhm?" you hum into her headspace before latching your mouth onto her warm neck, suckling like a vampire out for blood.

"Shit.. god damn.." Ellie heaved a hefty breath, embracing your body with her legs cloaking your hips.

You felt her claws dig into your back, infusing her lust with each grip and grinding her swollen pussy against your hand. Your fingers curl up and explore that spongy area she so desperately whined for.

"Nghh!" she pins her lip between her teeth harshly, face scrunching up in raw paradise and pleasure. 

Your focal point is her g-spot, bouncing off of it practically faster than light itself. Her every expression was like an art piece to you, peppering it with sweet kisses regardless if your hands were sinister.

"Don't fuckin' stop, dont.. fuckin'.." she demands, letting her self loose in your hands.

Both your hands were coated with her stickiness, yielding it tricky to keep your fingers steady on her clit, but you managed, rushing her towards an explosive climax steadily approaching.

Soon enough, Ellie's jaw unhinged and released a mountain of moans, body shuddering vigorously as her orgasm lit an inferno of stimulation in her core. She clutched her chest close to yours as she rode this out and pulled you down with her. Her voice shatters the barrier of your ears, even surprising you a bit.

"How was that?" you ask sweetly, searching for clarity.

"I hope nobody heard that.." she jests, gazing up at you with weary eyes.

"I really heard that." 

"Shh!" she jabs your bicep with a balled fist, embarrassed at your smart-assed-ness and flaring her nostrils.

You smack her arm back immaturely causing her to capture you in a tight bear hug, rolling around in the disheveled blankets as she tackled you with numerous kisses across your face and neck.

"I love you." she declares earnestly, finally wishing to hear you assert your feelings too.

Not a speck of doubt haunts your mind, "I love you too."

Ellie adorns a grin wider than any before, creasing her skin and denting those adorable cheeky dimples that made you fall head over heels for that smile. Her arm extends to cusp your face, admiring every blemish that painted your skin, even the ones you didn't like.

Your eyes brimmed with tears like a cup as you yawned, announcing your acute fatigue loudly.

"Oof, your breath." Ellie mimes a face of disgust, waving her hand in front of her nose.

"So not funny." you roll your eyes sarcastically and tumble out of the cuddle, sitting upright to grab your panties and other garments.

"Wait," Ellie shoots upright as well, bracing her palm around your wrist, "you'll sleep with me, right, babe?" She deciphers your reaction for confirmation.

Your solace hand assures her, "Yes, I just don't want to freeze to death by morning time."

"Well then, don't leave me waiting." She wriggled her roguish brows seductively at you and huddled over your shoulder, gaining a frisky shove from you so you could get dressed for goodness sake.

Ellie eyeballs you sliding your undergarments on, tracing every curve and roll of your captivating body, enthralling her completely in your mere existence and cleansing her very being.

"I know you're staring."

"I know that you know that I'm staring." she plays it off.

You stick your tongue out as you crawl into her barren arms, whooshing a shrouded blanket over your conjoined bodies. "So much better.." you sigh.

"Are my arms not enough for you?" Ellie's voice strolls to your dulling ears, dwindling inside your twilight sealed mind as your eyes flutter tiredly.

"Shut up." 𖤐ྀ࿐-ˊˎ

[mskinkyafro]

I’m sorry but those who wish/want Sean as li in S3 of THTH I REALLY don’t understand. Like trying to frame him as either enemies to friends to lover or friends to lover route is INSANE.

Like that man is ugly. He looks like a frat bro Steve Martin. Second, he is giving major red pill podcaster who hates women.

Also everytime he gets angry and possessive, I’m like this man needs to GO. Nothing about his behavior screams, “wow Mc just needs to dig deeper and peel back his layers” or “Wow he just needs someone to support him.”

That man needs therapy, some Jesus, and to get the fuck on. Not someone to fix him or take on the weight of babying his fragile toxic male ego.

I can’t wait for when we can tell him about himself bc ever since he had the nerve to say that shit to Julian, I was ready to pop off. Like he clearly is meant to be an antagonist. Which is fine, here for it bc there are people like that. But to romance and “fix him”. Y’all STAND UP…there’s better written tropes or better written ways to write him if they wanted you to love him. 😩🥴🤷🏾‍♀️

Now if Sean was like another popular contestant that multiple people wanted and we were his direct rival as fave person THAT would be interesting for enemies to lovers or even whatever traits you select he is the opposite, then we’re cooking. But as is? Pls that ugly man can go somewhere.

[svmjaeyvn]

love maze, s.jy.

chapter two pairing: jake x afab!reader word count: tbd (series)

masterlist

add yourself to the taglist here!

genre: college!au, mutual friends, fake dating, smut.

synopsis: an unfortunate encounter, drunken mistakes, and a sort of (definitely) stalker leads jake sim ‘dating’ his best friend’s childhood crush.

or, your life gets intertwined with a rich boy’s in attempt to not get sued by his crazy personal fangirl and like with all good cliches, sex overcomplicates things.

contents: smut, sort of strangers to fuck buddies to lovers pipeline, childhood best friend!jay, mentions of best friend! yunjin, curly haired & mixed reader, uni!au, rich nepo baby!jake, enha frat boys, lots of kissing, fake dating turning into fwb real quick, totally way too into it for it to be fake early on, big booty reader that’s jake’s obsessed with, partying and alcohol use, slight violence, he fell first and harder trope, stem bf & writer gf, (kinda overly) possessive jake, some angst to spice things up, daddy issues, hyper independent reader who struggles with her feelings, fluff and happy ending!!

a/n: hello~ i’ve never been a tumblr girly but i have went through my w*ttpad era back in 2018 so bare with me y’all. this will be a series but not that long (i hope) so pls look forward to it. warning tags will be placed before each “chapter” to specify what to expect. pls pls reblog and interact, i’d love to have feedback and see what your thoughts are. okay! yay, for now enjoy and thank you sm :D

MDNI, 18+

tap below to continue

CHAPTER TWO: INTOXICATING

previous masterlist next

word count: 1.9k

warnings: alcohol, partying, mentions of yeonjun for funzies, jake thinking with his dick even after what just happened so sort of questionable???

a/n: bare with me i’m trying to build the plot a little bit

YOU DIDN’T KNOW how you ended up back at the frat house. Truly, the party was in full swing and after dealing with the encounter that you did, it would've made the most sense to go home and cry it all out, maybe eat some ice cream for dinner and watch a few romcoms. But that wasn't the case due to Yunjin sending you a text saying how she wouldn't be coming home for the night, the date seemingly going well and you didn't have it in you to ruin her night by telling her of yours.

Thus, uncomfortable with being left alone, you opted to go the other route and surround yourself with as many people as possible. Though, the boys hadn't wandered far, keeping you in sight at all times and Jay particularly staying by your side no matter how many times you told him to still enjoy himself knowing how much of a social butterfly he was a majority of the time. Your work uniform was disregarded in his room, changed into a spare pair of flare jeans and lacy top to fit in with the party, courtesy of the few clubbing nights you went to with him and ended up spending the night, leaving your clothes in his dirty laundry after stealing large hoodies and sweats.

All bad things could be washed away with alcohol, or so they said. Thus, you were on your fourth round of shots in the last 30 minutes with a random group who made their way in the kitchen, never one to have been a lightweight but typically better at timing your drinking. Jay was growing particularly antsy by your actions, knowing you were acting out of the need to forget but he didn't want to let you drink irresponsibly.

"Why don't you slow down a bit, yeah teeny?" Jay asks, leaned close to your ear for you to hear over the loud blaring of music. Attempting to take away the can of Twisted Tea, something you typically hated by the taste but tonight didn't seem to care, while you pull it back with a pointed look.

"I'm fine," You emphasize, words clear and steady, the alcohol not hitting you yet much to your relief. Glancing around, you make eye contact with the umpteenth girl who had been shooting daggers your way for keeping Jay occupied thus far. "If you don't go away I'm gonna end up getting jumped tonight by your fangirls," You add with a small snort.

Jay followed your gaze, turning to the girl who's face morphed from a glare into a sickenly sweet smile as she waved at him with a bite of her lip, attempting to be seductive but he merely snorts at the gesture. "Pretty sure she got chlamydia from a dude in the drama department,"

You scrunched up your nose, finding the information one you didn't need to know. "At least you know better than to fuck anyone that offers," Taking a long sip of your drink once more, the slight burn in your throat becoming easier to bare. "Alright, I'm gonna go dance. You go do anything else,"Jay shakes his head almost immediately causing you to send him a bored look. "I'm fine dude, honest. You need to stop worrying so much. Nothing actually happened,"

"You're not in the right headspace," He protests but you let out a small snort.

"Jesus, dude, you act like an overprotective brother,"

"I am!" Jay defends while you shake your head.

"We're not even related!" You shoot back but his jaw drops in offense.

"We were born a week apart, our moms have been friends since high school. We're basically twins, I know you better than yourself," He lists off, deeply concerned by the way you were disregarding your twins in another life theory that your families always joked of since you were young.

"I'm definitely not your twin, you know why?" You start, standing up from the kitchen island with a small smirk playing at your lips. Your head began to feel fuzzy, the start of your buzz coming and the tension from earlier leaving you slowly but surely. "I'm hotter," You finish, a cocky look playing at your features while Jay rolls his eyes.

"Right, and which one of us gets laid?"

"Hey!" You hiss, waggling a finger in his direction. "I don't hook up by choice. Y'all are nasty,"

"And because you're a hermit who doesn't see the light of day," He snickers causing you to narrow your eyes at him.

Decidedly having enough of the banter, you merely spin on the heels of your feet. "Bye Jay!" You call over your shoulder making your way toward the living room which was lively and loud, body's meshed together and dancing to whatever song that was blaring through the speakers that sounded through the house.

Jay let out a sigh of defeat, pulling out his phone to do a headcount of where everyone was. Thankfully, Heeseung and Jake were in the general area you were, him asking them to keep an eye on you for the time being and getting a thumbs up in response.

Heeseung was on the dance floor, a random girl he never met before tonight swaying herself pressed up against his hips. He looked lively, a few more shots in and just wanting to mess around for the time being. You spotted the tall boy momentarily in the jumble of people who nodded over to you ensuring that you were okay, a nod you returned reassuring him and he took it as enough to go back to his business.

Meanwhile, Jake was on the sidelines, leaned up against the wall as he spotted you the moment you walked over. Far too caught up with the events from earlier, he found it hard to enjoy himself, feeling partially sorry for you but also having an unpleasant pit in his stomach, not necessarily angry but he couldn't exactly pinpoint it.

He continued to sip at the cup of punch Jungwon had conducted up, only drinking it due to how excited the younger boy was of his creation but it was entirely too strong for anyone to stomach more than one cup.

His eyes continued to glance over you, taking in each of your curves that was showed off by the tightness of your jeans. They hugged your ass in the right places, emphasizing the perky shape before beginning to flare out from the knee down. The lacy black top was cropped, showing a good portion of your stomach due to the mid rise of your pants, the deep v-plunge neckline providing more to the imagination in seeing your breast that were pushed up with your bra. The shiny gleam that came off of your naval piercing catching Jake by surprise, having to do a double take to ensure he was seeing things correctly.

You were attractive, that was obvious enough. Although slightly shameful, he couldn't help but rake his eyes over you, thoughts filling his head imagining what it would be like to have you under him, staring up with that daze-y doe eyed look that would make him bend to of any of your desires.

But there was a problem with that. He wasn't the only one with eyes, able to see you and the way you swayed your body to the music, your tiny waist and full thighs that he wanted to die between if so lucky. Jake took note of the few guys who's glances began to wander toward you, even ones who had already claimed their fuck buddies for the night and danced alongside them all while drooling at you who danced by yourself.

He watched as a familiar face make his way toward you. Choi Yeonjun, cool dude to be friends with, horrible guy to date. His reputation preceded him in more ways than one, notorious for stringing girls along week by week and the worst part was they knew of his doings. It was embarrassing how they fought to be his newest toy for the day, a sort of achievement to the girls he's strung along to say they've ticked hooking up with Yeonjun off their list.

Yeah, not happening. Jake didn't know if it was due to him still feeling protective due to you unintentionally calling him for help, or rather the more sinful thoughts that passed through his head moments ago and not wanting to sit and watch you to become a new trophy to a guy like Choi Yeonjun.

Picking himself up from where he was leaned back, Jake took a large swig of his now lukewarm concoction of liquors. Weaving his way through the crowd, he pushes his way to you just as Yeonjun stops in front of your view.

Wrapping an arm around your shoulders, Jake leans close to your ear. "Go along with it," He whispers, catching you by surprise as you were previously engrossed by the music in your own little world, unaware that two of the most lusted over guys at the party were having a silent debate over you at the moment.

Feeling the alcohol now coursing through your bloodstream, you obliged by Jake's words. Continuing on without a word of protest, though you did take the red solo cup from his hand and took a sip from it as you adapted to dancing with him now. Scrunching up your nose upon the drink hitting your tongue, you look at Jake with an incredulous look of disgust in his beverage choices causing him to laugh.

"Jungwon made it," He explains with a small shrug, leaning dangerously close to your face as his breath lightly fanned against your lips. Peering over your shoulder, a small smirk plays at his features seeing as Yeonjun had disappeared from your sight, decidedly giving up on any sort of chance he was attempting to have with you for the night.

"It sucks," You respond back and yet still take another sip, this time longer as you quickly swallow it without time for it to settle on your tongue. Jake's smile turns into one of amusement, watching as you handled the alcohol as if it were nothing before you placed the cup back in his hold. "You either dance with me or go away, your pissing contest with that dude is over now,"

Jake raised a brow. "Pissing contest?"

"You know, marking territory that's not yours," You shoot back, a bored look sent to him as he sheepishly shrugs. "I don't need you being protective like Jay. For one, we barely know each other and two, I'm not that much of an idiot to hook up with Choi Yeonjun no matter how badly I need to get laid. So you either shut up and dance with me or you go away,"

Already rather blunt as it was, the second you got alcohol in your system you tended to be more unfiltered than necessary. Jake finds amusement in your confession but your eyes seem so certain. Though the slight gleam in them as you looked up caused his stomach to do a flip, one that caused him to not think clearly.

Jake didn't respond, instead his arm slips down from your shoulders down to your waist, snaking around and encasing your body against his own. A small smile perks at your lips, sighing blissfully at his lack of commentary and rather allowing you to do as pleased.

"Good choice," You mumble out, breath fanning against his neck as your arms lazily drape from his neck, brining your bodies dangerously close to one another though neither of you minded.

After all, having a little fun with a hot guy never hurt anyone, right?

[mintjellycake]

Pastel Love (Yan! Various x reader)

Summary: Your best friend gave you a game to play as you really like playing ‘cute' games. However, you didn't expect to be stuck in that said game and all you can hope is that it's all a nightmare.

“Hey! Pay attention!"

Your friend, Irene looks at you with an annoyed expression, her emerald green green eyes staring at yours. She crossed her arms and taps her foot on the concrete floor as if silently asking you why you're dozing off lately.

You yawn, stretching out your arms as you're starting to feel sluggish and have trouble keeping your eyes open, dark circles are visible on your eyes. You look at Irene and smile at her apologetically.

 “Sorry, I didn't get any sleep last night."

You pulled out an all-nighter last night, there was tons of homework that the teacher gave and you were too tired to do them early as you were exhausted from all the classes and club activities. 

Irene looks at you with a worried gaze, her annoyed expression becomes soft soft and starts scolding you gently about the importance of having breaks . 

“Remember to take breaks [Name]. I don't want you to burn yourself out."

You nod only, appreciating her worrying about you. You're too tired to talk and your eyes are focused on the road.

Tomorrow is Saturday and that means you'll be free from all the assignments and homeworks as the teacher didn't give any today. 

Irene then continues her chatting on and on about the game that she brought, how she wasn't able to unlock the secret endings no matter the different route and choices she made. 

“Oh and the game is called 'Pastel Love' and it's an otome game!"

Irene is a passionate lover of otome games as she a hopeless romantic and is too shy to talk to boys, while you're drawn to dark and horror games that has unexpected twists and turns. You prefer to explore creepy and suspenseful storylines rather than games that focuses on romancing with multiple people as you don't enjoy toying with other people's feelings, even if they're fictional.

“And the game has horror elements in it. I know how much you like these types of 'cute' games." 

Now this game has your complete attention now once you heard that it has horror elements it it, a glint of excitement flashes in your eyes.

Irene can't help but smirk, clearly knowing how you enjoy games that look cute and innocent on the surface, but has dark and sinister undertones. Irene then quickly rummages through her her bag looking for something brings out the game she was talking about,  handing it over to you.

She was about to say something but heard her phone ringing, realise her parents are calling . Her eyes widens and she darted out the school gate in a hurry,  as it's getting late thanks to the professor that made you two do extra work. Before leaving, she shouts at you in a hurried voice.

 “Oh shoot! I gotta go now! Don't forget to return the game after you finish playing it!"   

------✿------

You're about to go to sleep now, you've already finished eating dinner but as you're about to go to sleep, you remembered that Irene gave you a game.

 You yawned, rubbing your eyes to get rubbing your eyes to get rid of the fatigue.

 “It wouldn't hurt to play this, right? It's Saturday tomorrow and there's no assignments or homework"

You think to yourself as you set up the computer to load the game. You grab some snacks and sodas and settle yourself in, fully prepared for the upcoming few hours.

As you snack on the chocolate bar, you're greeted by it's title screen— a charming mix of pastel strawberries and hearts which looks bright and colourful. However this seemingly adorable atmosphere isn't all cute, it's tainted by eerie, subtle elements. On the corner of the title screen, a ragdoll resembling the protagonist is sitting there. It has strawberry blonde hair and the mc's sherbet pink eyes is replaced with red buttons. You assume what it's wearing is a uniform. It's wearing a white shirt with a red butterfly bow tie, a black red plaid skirt, black leggings and black shoes. Decorating the border of the title screen are red and pink roses with sharp thorns, as you're taking a closer look a closer look at the roses, you see some unsettling red substance oozing from the roses.

 “Not surprising" You think, it's a horror game and you expected this. You finished eating the chocolate and threw the wrapper around somewhere in your room. You stretched your arms and started playing the game.

A few hours has passed since you started playing the game and unfortunately, there are many bad endings in this game and there seem to be very little good endings. Almost 80% of the games are bad endings and the remaining are endings which you can hardly call a happy ending. In the bad ending, the protagonist who's name is Rosaline died from all the bad endings. Either from not having her head attached to her neck anymore or died from poisoning. And in the 'good endings', Rosalie either ended up drugged with love potion or became a living doll for one of the male leads. Her expression looked so lifeless and almost like a porcelain doll and it was an unsettling sight to witness.

You finally decided to go to bed in hopes of getting some much-needed sleep after playing the game for a few hours, hoping that you will fall asleep before the sun rises. And it seems like lady luck wasn't on your side today as you accidentally smacked your head on the table by slipping. 

“Shit, not today!" You curse yourself for throwing chocolate wrapper here in your room and not in the trash. You hold your head in pain as sharp pain shoots through your forehead. You feel your vision blurring, until it eventually went dark.   

   

  ------✿------

You're feeling scared. You woke up in a white room that doesn't have any furniture or any decorations and the room seems endless. You try to move but can't.

You feel like you're being held down and being restrained. Fear starts creeping up on you, and your breath starts to become shallow and heavy. 

And the worst part is, you can't even remember anything except your own name. Having no memory of anything else. Everything is silent, there's nothing in front of your sight. Just the blank white room. You can't hear anything, just the sound of your heartbeat and heavy breathing.

The silence is overbearing and is making you insane. You're scared and confused, not knowing what to do.

“Hello? Is anyone here?" You muttered out. Your breathing is still heavy and your throat dehydrated. Suddenly a mysterious bright flash appears in front of you and you winch your eyes in pain from the bright flash as you jumped slightly, startled. And it appears to be a holographic screen. 

“Excuse me"The screen starts typing out some texts at a fast pace. You stare at the screen, mouth agape in astonishment.

“Greetings, [Name]! I'm System, and I'll assist you to adjust to the new world and help you prevent the protagonist, Rosalie from meeting her demise! Don't worry, you'll eventually go back to your world if you can save Rosaline, pretty exciting isn't it!?"

You blink a few times rapidly at the screen who calls itself 'System', your already wide open mouth mouth getting wider then closing like a fish, even more confused than before not understanding a single thing.

“What is this place?! What are you talking about!? Most importantly, why can't I remember anything!?"

You walk around the cube like white room, in distress and glancing at the screen continuously if it's typing out some texts. You try your best to not start pulling your hair and get a bald spot.

“Oh! I apologize [Name]! I forgot to turn off the filter of characters in this game and we can't have them become self-aware and have existential crisis. But you don't need the filter as you're from the real world"

You're suddenly starting to have a headache, a really bad one and you started groaning in pain and falling onto your knees.

You feel like someone has been hammering on your head. Memories started flooding into your head and everything started making sense now.

Darkness starts to creep up in your vision. Your vision blurred and you eventually collapse and your world goes black. 

[saleeba]

reward ; gabriel martinelli 🌟

summary ♡ after two beautiful goals during a match that you were unable to see in person, you decide to both apologise to and reward gabriel in your own special way.

pairing ♡ gabriel martinelli x fem!reader

content ♡ 18+ (minors dni), smut, established relationship, oral (m receiving), p in v, dirty talk, sub!gabriel, domme!reader, mr martinelli being so adorably obedient, cum eating, unprotected sex (pls practise safe sex friends 🫶🏽), praise (m receiving), marking, riding, tit play, kissing, pet names galore, some (google translated >.<) portuguese

a/n ♡ i’m in my slut eraaaaa 🤭 honestly i wanted to go down the fluff route when it came to my pookie but smth came over me o_O i just know this man makes the prettiest sounds when he’s being sucked off i just know it!!!! anyway this goes out to the lovely anon who asked if i was gonna write for martinelli,, i hope this doesn’t disappoint!! this fic is set right after the arsenal v everton match that happened on march 1st so almost 2 months ago 😭 but i think bc bae scored twice it had to be the one <3 anyway hope u guys enjoyyy !!! as always pls lmk if u have any feedback <3 requests are temporarily closed as of now but they’ll open up right after i’m done with my current wips !! :D

[ meu amor = my love // linda = pretty girl // meu anjo = my angel ]

4-0. a formidable result. and the love of your life shares half the score with two spectacular goals.

you’ve been watching the match from your shared living room — work assignments long forgotten — biting your tongue at every slip and trip but buzzing with pure joy when the whistle eventually sounds, concluding arsenal’s victory over everton. you instinctively jump up from the sofa to grab your phone and send gabriel a congratulations text, a ritual that the two of you have unintentionally become accustomed to whenever you were unable to watch him play in person.

congrats baby i’m so proud of you ❤️

you text his phone, not expecting a reply anytime soon since he’s probably still in the dressing room celebrating the team’s win. you smile at the thought of him cheering and dancing with his teammates, the mere mental image sending flutters to your stomach. i am so fucking lucky. a second barely passes before your phone pings with a notification.

thank you meu amor, can’t wait to get home to you ❤️

gabriel’s response comes some minutes later — surprisingly fast in your opinion. not that you’re complaining because it gives you the chance to text him back without missing a beat.

well don’t be too late i want to celebrate with you 🥰

he replies with a simple but sincere ‘🫡❤️’ which makes you laugh audibly. you’re intentionally vague about what you mean exactly, quietly thankful that your charmingly innocent lover doesn’t poke you about how exactly the pair of you are going to celebrate the win together, and that you have the opportunity to take him by surprise when he arrives home later.

***

you’ve been mindlessly watching some late night trash television for over an hour or two, maybe even longer, you have no idea because the thought of giving gabriel what you’ve been wanting to give him is the only priority in your mind right now. you glance at the clock on the wall to help you out. 11:57 pm, it reads.

you contemplate texting gabriel once again, starting to miss his presence more and more as the seconds pass. the sound of keys and the front door closing pulls you from your thoughts.

not even a moment after he passes through the living door, you practically leap onto him, arms and legs wrapped around his body in a style not too dissimilar to that of a koala. gabriel chuckles, throwing his house keys onto the sofa-side table and steadying you by the waist, hands clasped together on your back.

“i missed you so much, you did so good, my wonderboy, i’m so so proud of you.” you leave what feels like a million kisses across his entire face, not even attempting to calm down your affection for him. gabriel just lovingly laughs at your antics and welcomes it all in, planting a big kiss on your lips when he finally gets the chance to.

“i missed you too, my love. winning would’ve been even better with you there, though.” he sits down on the sofa, your form still clinging onto him, making you slip yourself into his lap. in the days leading up to the game, you’d been extremely busy with work, suddenly up to your neck in deadlines and assignments which caused you to break your long streak of going to see gabriel play live.

“i know, sweetheart, i’m sorry,” the tiniest frown is momentarily painted on your face. you genuinely do feel bad for not being able to see him do what he loves doing the most at every given chance but what were you to do? casting the small sphere of guilt aside, you lean in to mumble against his full lips, voice low and dripping with desire. “let me make it up to you, hm?”

he responds with a bashful nod, eyes turning slightly wider, his gaze even more doe-like than usual. you move your head from his line of view to start plotting kisses down his tender neck, each one more hungrier than the previous, evoking small whiney moans from the footballer. settling on a spot at the base of his throat, you go on to bite at the surface before soothing it over with your tongue and sucking to see a small bruise forming. the vibrations of his heightening moans make you smile against his now splotchy skin.

stopping yourself from getting carried away with the way his adam’s apple bobs up and down from how good you’re making him feel, you climb down from his lap and stand up, extending your hand out towards him. “come on, baby,” you make a small ‘grabby-hand’ gesture. “i want to show you how proud i really am of you.”

gabriel doesn’t hesitate to pull himself to his feet which allows you to take him by the hand and lead the both of you to your shared bedroom, where you ask him to sit on the end of the bed. you say nothing more, letting the actions of your lips do all the silent talking as you leave a burning kiss on your lover’s mouth, one that goes on for a couple of minutes as neither of you want to let the other go, even if it’s for just a second.

“help me take these off you, baby.” you request, shifting your hands to his shorts where you snap the elastic band against his heated skin. he hikes his hips up at your words, letting you slide the material down his legs and off his body before tossing them over your shoulder. the only thing between you and gabriel’s growingly hard cock is the cotton of his black boxers straining against him.

you triallingly palm him through his underwear, cock twitching upon first touch and you take this as a signal to swipe off the acting barrier between what you desire, flinging that in some random corner of the bedroom too.

gabriel is almost writhing under your touch now, your fingers wrapping around his aching cock to give it a drop of relief. your thumb circles the tip where pre-cum pools around the orifice, spreading the thick fluid over his dark pink head.

“oh my god, please.” gabriel pants out, eyes squeezing shut when you kneel down between his parted legs and kiss the tip of his weeping cock a few times, pre-cum now being shared onto your lips.

“sshh, baby boy, let me take care of you,” you part your mouth to allow your tongue to swirl around it now, knowing that this much stimulation would have him whimpering for so much more. gabriel goes to touch your head for both leverage and relief but you lightly scold him with an ah ah ah before placing his hands on his thighs and telling him to keep them there. you knew he would’ve used them to guide your mouth to where he wanted otherwise but tonight, you’re the one in control — and you made sure to let him know. “try that again and we’ll stop whatever it is we’re doing, okay?” it’s a harmless warning really, because you know there’s no way you could ever say an absolute no to the boy when it comes to things like this, but you still smile appreciatively when he gives you a slow, coy nod.

“good boy.”

you swoop yourself down to capture the first few inches of his cock in your mouth, head moving easily along that particular area. he’s girthy for sure, but it’s his length that’s outstanding; lips stretching as you go lower on him, still struggling to take all of him in despite being with him for years and doing this an unfathomable amount of times. you set your tongue to work to make up for it though, laying it flat against his boner as you drag your head up to the top, lips still enveloping him. you don’t let go just yet as you opt to test yourself on how far you can truly go.

in one determined yet unbroken sweep, you push your mouth to the base of gabriel’s cock, gagging around him instantly as the tip is forced into the opening of your throat. the oscillations coming from you have him moaning deeply, his hands now gripping the sheets. you feel proud for being able to deepthroat him finally, for finding the fuel to do so off of how much you want to see him rewarded for doing so good in that match and for being able to make him sound like an absolute porn star.

you continue on relentlessly, without pausing for breath, just to hear the constant stream of his moans and heavy panting. the sounds cause shockwaves to flood your pussy, rapidly becoming so wet that you doubt you’ve ever been this drenched before. certainly not while being untouched. the bobbing of your head on his shaft gets faster too; you’re now needing him to finish and get what he’s so desperately been craving for, what you’ve been so desperately craving for ever since you got your mouth on him.

temporarily pulling off his cock, you go back to jerking it off and his sounds get even more lustful. “that’s it, baby boy, you’re doing so good for me,” you tap his cock against the flat of your tongue, slick and wet with how hard you’ve been working it on him and he throws his head back with a throaty groan. “god, you make the prettiest sounds, gabi.”

you return to stimulating his cock some more with your mouth, pulling off every few seconds or so — only very briefly — to tell him that you need his cum inside your mouth, that he’s allowed to make a mess on your face, and that your pussy is absolutely dripping with how fucking angelic he sounds right now. once you put your lips around him for the final time, almost swallowing his length again, gabriel switches up the pitch of his moans, signalling that he’s so close to what the two of you have been looking towards.

“ah, ah, amor, please,” his face is twisted in pure pleasure, his full lips separated to let every hefty breath out into the air, face burning with complete determination to orgasm. “i’m so close, please, i’m gonna cum.”

you’re listening to every syllable pour out of that kissable mouth of his, your own one acting unstoppable in its quest to make your lover cum for you. the sounds emitting from the both of you would be branded as utterly obscene if anyone heard them, your tongue and mouth creating the most vulgar slurping noises and gabriel virtually screaming at the top of his lungs at the sensation of you on his cock.

your head delivers one bob, two, nearly two and a half, before gabriel floods your mouth with his cum, the viscous fluid all warm and slightly salty along your tastebuds, voice sounding strangled and overwhelmed as he lets the loudest mewl you’ve possibly ever heard him make escape this throat. you pull off his tip with a pop, taking extra care not to spill a single droplet of his cum on the floor. gabriel pants heavily, chest heaving up and down, as you audibly swallow, giving the corner of your mouth a wipe to tuck a stray drop past your lips, not wanting to waste one bit.

you stand up, legs slightly stiff from being bent at the knees for so long, steadying yourself by grasping onto his shoulders, rubbing them along the toned muscles to soothe his breathing. if he were to be completely honest with you, your actions only sped his heartbeat up, the way your fingers dance across his skin causes it to erupt into a million goosebumps.

“you reckon you can give me another one, sweetheart?” another request falls upon his ears. your voice is relatively hoarse from sucking dick for some time but its tone is so saccharine, gabriel wouldn’t ever imagine denying you.

“anything for you, meu amor.”

your heart almost burst at that.

biting your lip to keep yourself from squealing over how fucking cute he is, you motion to the other end of the bed where plenty of plush pillows lay against the headboard, ushering him towards it. once you watch your lover situate himself where you want, you praise him with a good boy, as he sits with his back against the pillow pile, legs stretched out.

still at the foot end of the bed, you take a step back to make sure gabriel has your full body in view, as you come to the decision of giving him a mini show of you undressing yourself. starting with your bottom half, you turn to face away from him, bending over in the slightest angle, skilful fingers taking off your leggings and underwear in one go, and putting your ass on display. gabriel’s breathing accelerates when he catches sight of your pussy, the way it glistens in the room’s dim lighting making him gulp in a mixture of anticipation and excitement. mind so fixated on imagining the feeling of your tightness on his still sensitive cock, he doesn’t notice that you’re now back facing his awaiting form, hands unclasping your bra and discarding it beside you.

you smile across at him, crawling onto the bed before you land on his outstretched legs, plopping yourself down onto his lap yet again, thighs on either side of him. the juices coating your inner thighs smear onto his own skin.

placing your palms on his flushed chest, you start to grind slowly down onto him, relishing the tiny moans that pass through his lips. “will you let me ride you now, gabi?” you ask, your core intentionally slipping right over the head of his dick and causing you both to gasp out at the deliciously cruel teasing. “oh god, need you inside me now, meu anjo.”

the switch to portuguese and the feeling of your soaked pussy finally enveloping his raw cock sends his mind absolutely reeling. a pair of indecent moans are ripped from the two of you as you set yourself on bouncing and grinding on his cock, not wasting any time on making you both savour the feeling of each other.

“oh my god, baby,” you moan out, head thrown back and hands now embracing his shoulders. “you fill me up so well, ah!” you scream quietly when his dick twitches up into you at the sound of your praises. you notice him clumsily gripping onto the sheets, fingertips seeming antsy to hold something else other than the thin fabric. you smirk to yourself before leaning into his face and leaving a small kiss on his lips. “you can touch me now, y’know.” you say lovingly as your hands bring his slightly sweaty ones onto the curve of your hips, essentially responding for him.

his fingers conform to the shape of you, palms slotting perfectly into place like the two of you were made for each other. gabriel’s whines and whimpers spur you on to move faster and harder against him, the friction of your tits on his chest fogging your brain, hardened nipples on soft, damp skin.

“oh fuck, baby, you feel so fucking good,” you pant out into his rifted lips, body rolling and shuddering on top of him. “stuffing me so deep, my good boy, i’m so proud of you,” you’re starting to babble now, words just spilling out of your mouth in sheer adoration and pride for gabriel, not even sure whether you’re talking about how well he’s taking you or how well he did in tonight’s match. either way, your words stand sincere and heartfelt. “so good at everything you do, baby boy, oh my god, so good.”

gabriel isn’t sure if it’s the newly gained feeling of his hands on your pretty body or the way your voice doesn’t stop singing his praises but something sparks his confidence, and he thrusts firmly up into you with a groan of achievement, you reacting with a sudden scream, swearing that you can feel the tip of his cock reaching your stomach. with your back arching on command at the extremely full sensation inside you, gabriel takes the chance to latch his lips onto your left boob, the plumpness of them engulfing the sensitive bud as he sucks gently. the antithesis of your forceful hips on him and his delicate mouth on you has your cunt flooding with even more wetness, your juices only encouraging you to keep moving on his big cock, granted how fucking easy it is to slide up and down him.

he moves onto your right boob, this time involving his tongue, swirling it around and around as if he’s intentionally trying to mimic sending your mind into a similarly spiraled frenzy. you clench around him dangerously, both of you knowing what that action does to gabriel.

“ah, shit!” he whimpers, own head now being thrown back against the headboard as you’re still persistent with your hips, sopping pussy rocking over his length. “i-i think i’m gonna cum, amor.”

“cum for me, baby,” you permit, feeling the high of your own orgasm on the horizon, hips racing to meet gabriel at his climax. “you’ve done so well for me, come on, gabi, i want you to cum inside me, sweetheart, please.” the tight bubble at the pit of your stomach threatens to burst, pussy so tempted to throb around the shaft it’s enveloping.

gabriel’s hold on you gets tighter, imitating the same strength your cunt is exerting on his cock, fingertips pressing into your flesh to give him some relief but the way you clench around him grants him exactly that. his orgasm crashes over him like a ferocious wave, mouth wide open to let strangled moans escape his throat. your own release comes seconds later, just as gabriel is panting out the lasting moments of his, your lips seizing his in an effort to drown your carnal cries of pleasure as his warm cum coats your walls, the feeling of being stuffed and filled with his seed making your face scrunch in ecstasy, whispers of my good boy and that’s it, baby and you did so so well flowing into gabriel’s ears. you both help each other ride out the aftershocks of your orgasms — gabriel’s hands still on your hips as tight as ever, as if to say please don’t leave, knowing that you’ll take your body off him if he removes his grip.

“stay here with me, meu amor, pleeeease!” he whines after you tell him that you need to clean yourselves up, showing off those beautiful doe eyes that make you weak at the knees. huffing at his adorable antics, you respond with a joking roll of your eyes. you both know there is absolutely no way you could ever refuse those big brown eyes.

“alright, alright, but just for 2 minutes, okay?” you poke at his chest as a warning. he smiles, bringing you down with him as he goes to lay on the bed, the two of you still connected down below. “you’re so insatiable, i swear.” you place a meaningful kiss on his tender lips, pulling up to see how his face beams in a post-orgasm glow.

gabriel sweetly yawns, the hustle and bustle of the day now wearing down on him, fingers taken to rubbing your back to soothe himself as his eyelids flutter close. you let him of course, knowing how hard he’s worked on and off the pitch tonight, hand falling amongst the dark strands of his hair as his chest slowly rises up and down. there aren’t enough words to tell him how much you love him, you muse to yourself. you feel so lucky to call him yours.

[winterspiel]

ﾟ｡ What type of comfort does your soulmate get from you? ⋆｡⊹

I was about to call it a day (with my sleep deprived and messed up body clock), but I'm suddenly called upon to make this PAC. This is actually my first time doing a PAC reading, but I have been wanting to try this for the longest!

❅ ੈ ⋆｡⊹ ⋅ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

pls do take note, choose a pile carefully! you may be drawn to more than one pile, so one may be your energy, and the other may be your future partner/lover/soulmate. do pick what mostly draws you in!

these messages and the context of my readings are from intuition and practice. this is a general reading as well, so do take what only resonates. sending love ♡

feel free to give feedback as it’s very much appreciated!

❅ Yule 

do not repost © winterspiel (2022)

༘⋆‧˚ pile 1 ⊹ ⋅* ⟡

"You're my rest after a long day." Those words come to mind as your person looks at you with a release of a long breath of tiredness. You seem to be their sense of relief; your presence alone can ease their worries. Even after a long exhausting day, you can wash away their raging thoughts with your calming, gentle eyes. 

“I can trust my guts and intuition with you.” They feel calm around you. Even if it's not something to be proud of, or be celebrated over drinks, they can tell you those thoughts in their mind with ease. Their words can be sharp and not quite discerning. It happens. They are tired and frustrated. Sense of judgment gets clouded up by exhaustion. But they are with you, so it’s fine. You are understanding. They can easily open up even with their innermost thoughts.

“Even if it's something negative that's letting me down, or something unfair and a disproportional situation that's making me sad, you’re there to lend an open ear.”

They might have been through rough things or unfair stuff in their life, and you seem to have been there to comfort them on that aspect. You seem to be very close or have an intimate bond with this soulmate. They might have been your best friend (they’re the best type if ever you’d also go the romantic route) or you’re the type to go through “the best friends to lovers trope”. I am reading that type of energy on this pile.

“I know you listen and won't bat an eye.” There is no judgment as to why they are an open book to you. If it's time to be serious, they’re the type to be quiet and you both master this energy together. You and your soulmate have a good synergy.

Even if life is full of uncertainty, at least they can forget for a while and focus instead on your time together. Nothing else matters as they enjoy their time spent with you. Whenever you're around, they’re at peace.

“In your presence, I am open. I am whole.”

⟡

cards: The High Priestess, 3 of Cups Rx, The Moon, Justice Rx

༘⊹

key words: taurus or virgo vibes, dinnertime, too tired to have dinner, worn-out socks, that feeling of exhaustion seeping out or letting steam out of your body when you take off your shoes/clothes, couch, movie that you don’t need to bring much attention onto, chill movie, television noise as background, leaning onto shoulder.

⋆‧˚ pile 2 ⊹ ⋅* ⟡

“I feel hopeless, I'm probably not pretty or set to the standards…” Coming off sad here from the beginning, your soulmate may be feeling inadequate. Based on the standards or what’s needed for society. They don’t feel enough or maybe feel lacking. Everything seemed so unfair and society's views and they are tired as hell of this type of self-doubt. Though with you, Pile 2, you are not the type to care about those things. You don't seem to care about the superficial. You’re who's likely to have that “F-ck it!” energy, which they admire a lot from you. You always seem to radiate that energy that you walk at your own pace, and you’re rocking the hell out of it. I think the way of passion seeps through how I write this, holy– it is obvious how very fire energy you are Pile 2 (If I’m wrong then, sorry xD). I also sense Venusian energy leaning for you.

With their way of openness, there is plain honesty as you also provide no sugarcoating towards your partner. There’s no judgment with you towards them at all. You may even have a soft spot for this person. You bring out their courage and straightforwardness. They know everything you say makes sense and has meaning; it brings value to theirs as you are critical in your views. You are the type of person they can rely on especially on these things. You like pretty things and you know that you deserve the best, and only the best. So they better believe you! That they're great, that they are the most amazing-est person in the world! 

You pamper yourself and know self-care the most. It may be also because you have been often treated poorly in the past, or lack that good treatment. As to why you’re bringing that into your life more. It may also appear to the point that it can be seen as “vain” to others. Though you have pure intentions, you don’t leave out focus on the people you value. You are giving that same energy to your partner and you put them your priority. That makes them depend on you in ways as well, as you make them realize a different perspective through your personal input. Or this way, they relate to you so much that, “oh, it's not just me. I was making sense, I'm not being sensitive!”

⟡

cards: The Star Rx, Justice Rx, 5 of Swords, The World

༘⊹

key words: for some reason the feature of cat-eye, something glossy came in mind, puffy dresses, soft peachy filter (the type that has an airy blush-y effect), silk/velvet fabric, scones/pastries, safety pin, sunlit room, fire energy, venusian energy; sagittarius, capricorn, at most… alluring

༘⋆‧˚ pile 3 ⊹ ⋅* ⟡

“Let’s take a breather.” Whenever unreasonable matters occur, you are the first one that comes to mind and who they run to to talk about these things. These can also come as an unwanted situation. As for some things, it can be a hassle and quite petty for them to talk about. It can also result in a lost opportunity. But it seems natural to just be their raw and true self around you. Y'kno?– Of course, you’ll know, as they are the type who show how much they value you, even bringing on efforts in the littlest ways. It is also their way to make up on things, or simply just to show their love for you. They exude a ball of sunshine vibes.

Going back, as to why it can be quite… concerning seeing them solemn and how noticeable their eyes sink with exhaustion. Though they just stay quiet and still put their considerate demeanor towards you. During these moments you may feel them lean towards you a bit, their eyes soft as they look up at you. “Hmmm?” You can feel their weight by your shoulder– they are the type to be clingy, this isn’t anything new about how they’re acting. But there is just something when they’re asking for comfort from you. Like your presence is enough to ease them, but there’s just something else. This can be their way to initiate talking about something that makes them sulk, which can be traced on their face. And when you do talk it out. Your insight may not be what they wanted, but what they didn’t know they needed to hear.

You let them in your perspective or share other possibilities. Your words can introduce them to new emotions. Your stance on the situation will make them open their eyes in ways that they do not accept it at hand– not something they first thought of or view that way. But it makes total sense. You exude kindness with balance on discernment. With you, emotions seem to flow out smoothly like water, as to why maybe they feel oh so comfortable with you. You're the type of person that can make them reevaluate things and put their place into a new perspective. 

⟡

cards: The Justice Rx, Ace of Pentacles Rx, Ace of Cups, 2 of Pentacles

༘⊹

key words: dewy, meadow, fresh air, ducks, cardigan, citrus, a stroll in the park, nature, caramel, bland jokes, laughter, water, arm on waist, flowers; preferably carnations. anything soft yellow, golden retriever, tall, taurus/airy energy

༘⋆‧˚ pile 4 ⊹ ⋅* ⟡

“I want you close to me.” As if your proximity isn’t hairs thin already, this is quite of the more… wilder type of pile. Also unexpected at most as I originally planned 3, but universe and spirit knocked me down and whispered loudly, if I may add: “don’t forget the raw energy!” This is more of a mature pile but I am keeping it appropriate, no worries!

Starting strong here as they let loose with you, they may not be their most composed self as they are extra vulnerable when a situation calls for it. Sensual was the word. And showing it in rough ways that they know can be direct to show their passion. Your person is quite well-put together and often sharp and composed. But tiredness and frustration can also do lots for a person. They are tired out or when they are erratic in thoughts, it’s the time that they need comfort the most. And your presence can calm them down (for the most part). They are the type to be self-aware though, so I can see that they are not at all violent. Aggressive? Indubitably, but in proper ways (If you know what I mean wink). This can also mean in terms of their words, they are quite sharp and precise in what they know. This is also what they are feeling, what they want and need. But mostly this pile involves the body. I’ll leave you to it!

This isn't anything new really, this is a familiar routine. You can be both night owls. Maybe coffee is a staple in your household (if you’re living in together). If not, it’s usually what happens when you're both exhausted and yet need to stay up. So you and your partner accompany each other and oftentimes these lead to deep or late-night talks.

The way of expression on asking for comfort (and neediness, ooft) can be, for the lack of a better word, nasty, where it will be filled with desires; anything stimulating— just to get pleasure out of it. This could be in topics, or with your same interest. Staying out to watch something, or to be there while the other person finishes what they need to work on for the hell of it. 

After the deed is done (as supposed on the overall energy of this pile)... Even if it doesn’t fulfill or satiate the feeling (mostly to their side)... Even if it doesn't contribute to “doneness” on the supposed matter at hand on why your person asked for comfort in the first place… in some ways, it is still relief from stress or anything that's been weighing them down. Again with self-awareness, mostly they’re the let bygones be bygones. But you make them soft in a way that venting out isn’t that bad after all. In other ways, being with you is a relief enough for them.

⟡

cards: King of Swords Rx, The Fool Rx, The Devil, 9 of Cups Rx

༘⊹

key words: breathy voice, detail-oriented, chaste kiss, screen light, sighs, yawns, light finger tapping, cuddles, whispers, computer screen, keyboard typing, cold sheets, polished fingernails, books, dark/dim, coffee, cloudless sky, midnight, possible rain, unfinished snacks, lo-fi music, head pats, scorpio, virgo, water energy

⛧ about me | masterlist | #winterspiel ⚝

[yandere-writer-momo]

Can I get some Yandere Retsu pls 🙏🏽 sfw and nsfw?

Yandere Baki Head Canons

Kaioh Retsu Edition SFW and NSFW 🌶️

Kaioh Retsu

You were the waitress as a restaurant he frequented. You always made sure his tea was exactly the way he preferred it and you were always very polite with him. You were modest, sweet, and soft spoken but you were a very diligent worker

Retsu began looking forward to seeing you everyday he could. Your demure demeanor and modest way of dressing is what drew him in. You were not loud or rude. And you were a very patient listener. He really liked that about you

Retsu is an extremely observant man and he observed you being harassed by one of your coworkers. He was quick to intervene but he made sure to keep his gentlemanly composure when he told your coworker to cease his inappropriate behavior. Retsu wanted to impress you

He didn’t know the coworker would get worse because the coworker now believed you were messing around with an older man. Retsu had to resort to violence then

With your coworker out of the way, you were slightly more talkative with him and you began to smile more. Retsu clung to this newer side of you

Retsu would have you sit and talk with him if you weren’t busy but he wasn’t aware that you only saw him as a friend. Retsu believed you fell for him when he saved you

Retsu asked you out but you gently put him down. You weren’t interested in dating your regulars

He decided to take the friend route so he could manipulate you better. He began sabotaging your potential romances and friendships until he was the only one

Retsu slowly began to romance you until you began to fall for his charms. He’s her you flowers, cards, take you to your favorite spots, and spend lots of quality time with you. It worked

Retsu is a very good lover. He loves to give more than receive. He gets off watching you get off

He’s average in size but he is talented with his hands. He really knows how to use them

He’s pretty vanilla in the bedroom but he really enjoys giving oral. Your pleasure is his pleasure

He’s very gentle and he praises you a lot. Retsu is into Age play. Retsu likes being called daddy in the bedroom and he loves calling you his darling or baby

He loves the age difference between you two and may have a tendency to infantilize you at times. Retsu loves you being dependent on him for basic necessities

[dotster001]

Twst for me pls also congrats on getting 1k!

I first chose Jade. He looked interesting. I kept him around for a bit but it always felt like he watching what he says more than a normal person.

When Leona came, I switched to him. Ever since I've had Leona on my screen. He doesn't use a filter and sees the world for how it is. Life really isn't fair. I could relate to him.

Its probably over between me and Jade. Leona already told me that its best not to trust people like Jade. I'm not going to go begging for a lost friendship or get myself in postion that I dont want to put myself in.

To a everyday person I am quiet, polite, and hard working. I dont mind helping out, it keeps me busy when I'm not taking a nap. I have dark sense of humor and pretty cyincal of the world. But I like to see it as seeing reality. Its simply life will never be fair. I like to plan things and enjoy studying battles from history and breaking them apart.

I'm laid back do whatever one you see fit. All I ask is for a happy ending.

Cat-lover Anon

(I hope you enjoy this, cat lover anon. I decided to take kind of a serious route with it, since you seem to be a more realistic person. Hopefully it's still good 😅 also, as a fellow nerd, I adore that you enjoy breaking battles down. I 100% want to see you and Leona face off in a chess match)

A Tale in Which Leona Looks out for a "Friend", and that Friendship becomes something more

CW:Toxic Jade, Jade slander (I'm sorry, I love Jade, but it's so easy to slander him 😂)

You weren't his. 

Leona hadn't been close to you at first. He didn't trust Jade, and as Jade's lover, he figured you'd probably be the same as he was.

That is, until the day you were napping in one of his napping spots, and you sarcastically suggested you both cuddle. Never one to turn down an extra source of heat/extra pillow during a nap, Leona had plopped down on the ground and slotted himself in your arms, while snarking back at you about how this was a one time thing. 

Three months into being daily nap buddies and you were the best of friends now. While he wanted to be more than a friend to you, he wasn't a home wrecker. You weren't his. And having so many things in his life not be his, he was okay with that. He may not trust Jade, and he was very vocal about it, but you seemed happy, so he wouldn't push the issue past a snarky comment here and there.

Until you were teaming up to infiltrate the fairy gala. Jade had dropped by to give you lunch as Leona was helping you tie some parts of your outfit. The look in Jade's eyes was murderous as he gave you his usual smile. 

"I did not realize you were someone to put your hands on another man's property, hosuewarden. I see I'll have to be more careful about my possessions." 

All he was doing was innocently helping you with an outfit. And now he was being accused of who the hell even knows what! But he was more pissed that Jade had outright referred to you as a possession.

Luckily for him, you seemed just as pissed about it.

"Jade! I am not a possession!"

"I know my dear, but…"

"Do you really know? Sevens, he was helping me with my outfit! Get a grip!"

Jade eyes glinted sharply, and he moved in closer to you.

"My darling, what if I were to tell you he was madly in love with you? I've let this go long enough, but you shouldn't see him anymore. I don't think it's safe for you."

And with that, you exploded. The yelling and rage, maybe for Leona's sake, maybe for your own, or maybe for the sake of just being tired of being fed bullshit, filled the room, to the point where it caught the other's attention, and they had to step in.

                                ….

Leona was a good friend. He helped you work through the break up. Helped you stand on your own two feet. Gave you encouragement and built you back up. All he wanted was for you to be happy. 

A couple months after the break up, you flopped into his nap spot next to him and snuggled in close. He was expecting this to be a regular nap session, and was starting to drift off, when he heard a quiet,

"Hey Leo?"

He grunted back in response.

"I don't think I've ever thanked you for being there for me whenever I need you."

"It's whatever, herbivore."

"No, it's not," you sat back up, and forced him to look into your determined face.

"I know how much energy it takes from you to do anything. And the fact that you are always there for me, always ready to tell things to me straight, means so much to me."

He attempted to roll over so that you wouldn't see how flustered he was getting, but you held him in place.

Although….he had to ask himself if maybe he really did want to have this conversation since he had more than enough strength to fight you off if he truly wanted to.

"Is there a point to this?"

"Yes," you said with a firm nod. "I don't know when it happened, but somehow I fell in love with you, you grumpy kitty cat. And even if you don't return the feelings, I think you should know that at least one person thinks you deserve to have a happy ending."

He laughed dryly. "You know I don't believe in those."

"I don't either. But…." You hesitated, "maybe we can find one together?"

You suddenly pulled away as though your own words shocked you. You pulled your knees to your chest and buried your face in them.

"Anyway, no pressure or anything. Just wanted to share."

Leona stared at you for a moment, then sighed heavily.

"If anyone can help me find a happy ending, I guess it would make sense that it would be some silly herbivore with bad taste in men."

You looked up and shot him a glare, but he simply smirked and cupped your cheek.

"Are you truly certain I'm someone you want?"

You nodded, unable to say anything as his soft eyes searched yours. He pressed a kiss to your forehead, then threaded his fingers through yours.

"Alright then. Let's find a happily ever after."

[tokusaatsus]

HELP IDK I JUST CAME BACK FROM A TRIP did I miss anyways getting caught under the mistletoe with natsume. I’m late so if this exceeds ur 5 requests limit pls delete it!

UNDER THE MISTLETOE

ft. sakasaki natsume

© tokusaatsus 2022

warnings: mentions of alcohol (spiked punch)

Christmas.

That time of year where magic blooms in the air, as snow coats the rooftops a glittering stardust-silver. Families and friends gather together to rejoice with their loved ones, to celebrate the almost-end of one year and the almost-start of the next.

Ensemble Square is no different.

Perhaps these Christmas parties, extravagant as they can be, are Tenshouin-senpai’s way of asking for forgiveness. And perhaps this easy acceptance is everyone else’s way of giving to him, on a night where all grudges are discarded, just for a few hours.

Still, that doesn’t mean certain people don’t take every opportunity to avoid your aforementioned blond senpai, even if it means retreating to the food tables and stirring the nearly half-empty punch bowl, the liquid a bright magenta colour. “I wouldn’t advise getting thIS.” Natsume says when he notices you walking closer. “I think someone spiked IT.”

“Good to know? But I actually came here for you.”

Natsume raises an eyebrow and wiggles his fingers in a ‘go on’ gesture.

“How long do you plan on avoiding Tensho–mmph!?”

“Don’t say his naME.” He hisses, looking around furtively. “What if he hears yOU?”

He’s not a demon, you want to say, a little irritable. But that would involve removing his hand from your mouth and you decide to take the…pettier route.

“EUGH!” Natsume yelps, yanking his hand back as he glares at you. “Did you just lick ME?”

You open your mouth to speak, but before you can, a boisterous voice interrupts you. “Oho ☆ And what’s this? Two little lovers trying to sneak away from the party? How duplicitous! Terrible, terrible thing to do at a party, you know. Oh my… And what’s that above your head?”

“Wataru-niisAN.” Natsume sighs, looking exasperated.

Wataru ignores him, instead gesturing above your heads with a theatrical flourish. His voice rises, drawing the curious gazes of everyone in the immediate vicinity. “Behold! Mistletoe! Our dear Natsume has been caught, it seems. How amazing ☆!”

“Hibiki-senpai, what–?” Wataru gives you a wink, before he’s shoving you closer to Natsume. You stumble, and the redhead doesn’t miss a beat as he wraps an arm around your waist to steady you. You place your hands flat against his chest.

“Come now, Natsume~ Don’t be shy.” Wataru hands you a rose, which you take with skeptically. “It’s a Christmas tradition!”

“Um, Hibiki-senpai, you’re causing a scene. Don’t force him…” You giggle awkwardly. “Besides, it’s not like he even wants to kiss me, haha…”

Natsume’s eyes narrow, catlike, and you feel a shiver go down your spine. When he looks at you like that–like he’s trying to figure you out–you freeze, deer in headlights. Except the headlights are Natsume’s molten honey gaze. “And what if I said I did want to kiss yOU?”

“Then I guess…” You hesitate, searching for an answer in his eyes. They soften, almost imperceptibly, but you notice. Your voice gets stronger. “I guess, you’ll just have to kiss me then.”

notes!

WC: 495 words

reze txt HI KAZE !! no dw u were def not late (i am tho sobs) but it’s not yet jan so. reze W :3 bcuz it’s still 2022 and it’s only been like. 6 days since xmas. ANYWAYS. this was a cute prompt and i hope i did it justice uwawaaaa I HOPE U ENJOYED UR TRIP BTW!! (london right?) kiss kiss mwah <33

[soft-for-xie-lian]

Hi 🤗 how are you? How is it going? Hopefully you have a good day today. So, if you dont mind me coming in here to ask, pls what is purple hyacinth about and what do you like about it/why do you like it so much personally? Im curious 🥰 and thank you!

omg hi!!!!! I have had a good day thank you! And I hope yours has been well, too! ^-^

I'm am DELIGHTED to talk about Purple Hyacinth thank you so much for the ask omg this is going to be long I hope you're okay with that hahaha

Purple Hyacinth is a webcomic on the website/app Webtoon. It is free to read. The authors are Ephemeris and Sophism, and Sophism does the bulk of the artwork :)

Right off, I think the premise of it is really good. The main character Lauren can hear when people lie. Because of a tragedy that took her best friend when they were kids, she becomes a cop to fight the group that caused it, teaming up with an assasin who unwillingly works for that group and hates his job lol. This means we have a traumatized main cast with tragic pasts, slow burn enemies to lovers between the main character Lauren and the assasin, and a delicious mystery to watch them solve as they try to uncover the leader of the Bad Group's identity so they can be taken down.

Start reading for the tropes, stay for the heart. My favorite thing about stories is when they have heart. I love that this webtoon is so character focused. The plot is really good I love watching them follow leads and have had moments where I was like "oh my god no fucking way." but the way the characters live in the plot is my favorite bit. The friendships? Flawlesly written. I'm not sure how to say too much without giving spoilers, but let's just say Lauren's friend Kym can recognize her in a dark room it's so good and yes the authors use that to make you cry. We've got some "family isn't just blood" themes here, too, with Lauren and her childhood friend Will.

(the story is also sprinkled with memes and makes me laugh so much. I refuse to read something if it can't be silly and make me ugly chuckle at least sometimes and PH DOES IT)

There's self loathing, there's characters who make decisions and mistakes because of their trauma, there's characters comforting each other, there's really good fight scenes, there's some ACAB and talk about privilege, there's some queer rep--there is just so much to talk about and appreciate about with this story.

OH MY GOD AND THE SOUNDTRACK (which is on Spotify and I think Apple Music under the artist's name Sophism) this webtoon is a cinematic experience at times

thanks again for the ask! i've been swimming in circles in my head without anyone to talk to about it haha. i absolutely love it, but I will warn you, while there are two and a half seasons out, we're on hiatus haflway through season three because Sophism is dealing with a chronic illness. it is planned to make a return in spring of 2024, but there's no guarantee, as we all want Sophism to put her health first. that being said, I really think it is still worth reading, and I can't believe it isn't more popular. I'd 100% buy physical copies if the authors ever go that route

[lexinesworld23]

Any Titan Academy fans out there? Good.

Hello, everyone! It's your girl Lexine/Lexi and I'm currently writing a character × OC  fanfic for the Titan Academy series! This fanfic will mostly focus my OC, Stella and Maddy. Information and facts about my OC are already introduced in the fanfic. However...

1. Who is exactly Stella?

As bias as this stereotype might sound, Stella is a tomboyish woman who loves gaming, art, anime and music. She is half a Filipino, American and Singaporean or to simply put it, she has multiple nationalities due to her family history. Has a pet dog called "Milo" and has a HUGE (NOT obsessive) serect crush on Maddy ever since they were kids during kindergarten. Though her stereotype might sound bias due to some girl x girl stories having one of the girls as a tomboyish woman, Stella doesn't actually mind wearing girly things like makeup, skirts or dresses and does cosplaying. She just wants to wear whatever makes her feel comfortable. In this story, as I said before, her and Maddy will be childhood friends and this fanfic will have the childhood friends to lovers dynamic.

This is what Stella looks like:

2. Why I decided to write this fanfic?

Well, as I watch the Titan academy series, I really hate that fact that Vincent (I think) uses Maddy alot like for homework and doesn't care about her as he continues to still love Denise. Additionally after that, Maddy becomes close to Jianhao and soon develop a crush on him. Plus, in the types of people you'll meet after the break up, Maddy tries everything in her power to make sure Denise goes back to Vincent so that she can still stay with Jianhao. That really made me disappoint on Maddy's character arc as I for one believe that her character could have been MUCH more better. Therefore, I decided to write a fanfic with Maddy and a new complete character who DEFINITELY cares for her mentally, emotionally and physically, doesn't use her alot, helps her become a better person and loves Maddy unconditionally. Plus, to write Maddy's character arc certainly excellent and make some... mental health related angsty routes...

Since the story is currently under progress, what things do you want in Maddy to be improved? Comment down below and I will happy do that for you :)

If you have a hard time finding the fanfic here is the link:

Name: ☆ ~The Blonde and the Brunette🏳️‍🌈💗 || ☆Titan academy☆ || ☆Maddy x Fem! OC☆

App: Wattpad

Theme: Yuri

WARNING: The story might be a little bit cringey and clingy.

Ship name: Madella⭐💜

[wanderingchocolateeclair]

Hi!! I waited a bit to ask this bc I didn't want to overwhelm you or anything, but I've been wanting to ask about your Greatest Showman au?? Could you talk about that please :O

OMG hello!! I cannot tell you how happy I was to get this ask-

I am. ALWAYS happy to talk about my aus, please feel free to send me ANYTHING at ANY time /gen :D!!!

Greatest Showman AU!!!! Of course!! It has been a long time since I talked about this au, and there's.......different routes for the au if that makes sense.

So to start off, if it isn't clear, most of my aus are made bc of me listening to music or musical songs/film music, and this leads to this sort of thing happening-

I made this au bc I watched the film and said "what if I drew my fav ships as the different songs?"........I still have the sketches for these that I want to finish one day-

It is a mostly Edgejeanist and Ectoloader focused au!!! (with a dash of some others)

(forgive me for my lack of knowledge on terminology and also for completely forgetting everyone's names /lh)

Main AU:

So basically follows the storyline for the most part!

Ectoloader are the married couple bc what kinda au would this be if I didn't make them a married couple /lh

They had the whole Childhood Friends -> Lovers things and do Circus Things together - they own the circus

Ecto did tightrope acts and I haven't figured out pl yet tbh-

Edgeshot is a Trapeze artist.

Jeanist is the guy that gets dragged into the circus by Ecto and they have that lovely Moment(tm)

Mic is the guy who gets the crowd all worked up, Aizawa does trapeze and that ribbon-y stuff- (lord help me i do not know terminology)

Cue romance and Circus Shenanigans between everyone!

Plenty of injury moments and fantastic performing stuff!

Shinya and Tsunagu get to have their 'Rewrite the Stars' Moment!

Ecto goes away to tour with Snipe! (nothing like the musical, just goin on a lil fun trip with a friend)!! Circus goes to shit!

FIRE SCENE!!!

Jeanist runs in to save Shinya, who was already out, who now runs in to save him- Tsunagu is very hurt.

Ecto loses his legs in the accident (suggested by an anon a while back and i really loved it)

Mic gets stuck, Aizawa rescues him!

Angst and Comfort ensue!!!

Not a lot of thought apart from "this is fun to imagine the characters playing as.....the characters..from the musical..."

yeahhh

And for fun, here is the "just here for the music" route:

All pro hero characters are kinda putting on a show, and these songs are being performed by certain characters.

(i have a big hc that Jeanist, Ectoplasm and Nighteye are besties... they're called 'The Distinguished Gays'...)

So the song 'The Other Side' just went perfectly imagining Ecto convincing Jeans to join him while Nighteye tended to the bar......idk its so fun to imagine in time to the music-

Jeanist and Edgeshot perform 'rewrite the stars' bc <3

'Come alive' is Aizawa and his students

'The Greatest show' is All the teachers and their students and some of the ua alumni popping up and making appearances!

And finally 'This is me' is absolutely everyone, and they get to have their cool moments and show off themselves and idk that song makes me feel things.

I often imagine the canon universe characters acting/voice acting in musicals for fun so yeah lol

Well! I hope that makes sense!!!

Thank you SO much for asking, I genuinely got so excited to see this ask bc <3333

[tvrningout-a]

SO THIS IS LOVE PT. 1 | mutuals discover desired romantic dynamics!

below the cut will be the first part of a series where i talk about potential ship dynamics for my muses! this is intended to make shipping easier on my mutuals as well as give me a reason to ramble about my dorks :' ) if you have any questions or find a dynamic you're interested in, pls feel free to message me, or click the above link to like my shipping call!

HISAKAWA CHIYOKO

bc chiyo is so!! adamant about keeping her distance and so good at doing so without others noticing, she can be hard to befriend, much less date. but getting past those big ol' walls is extremely rewarding if your type of gf is one that shows her love in the form of memes and puns and bad drawings of you :' ) in most cases, i would say friendship is the main route one would take to win chiyo's heart; as someone afraid to be vulnerable, she needs to feel safe with someone to even contemplate pursuing a romantic relationship. friends-to-lovers is the main trope you'll wanna go for with her.

that being said, i do love the idea of someone seeing right through her likable facade bc no one ever does that, and it puts her on edge -- possibly to the point of making her become defensive. chiyo is incredibly private with certain parts of herself, so ofc she'll resent anyone's attempts at understanding her without her permission. she wants to be in control of who is close to her bc that lessens her chances of getting hurt. so i would love to see someone get under chiyo's skin, maybe bc they're only curious at first before it develops into something more. either way, get ready for a long haul with this gal!

SATO KAIYA

my sweet angel kaiya, my cinnamon apple, my gosh i could ship her with anyone and get the warm and fuzzies :' )) she's someone who has a lot of love to give, and she gives it freely; i think i can say she develops crushes rather easily and tends to admire those with strong values/convictions, but really!! it just comes down to the situation. i think kaiya is someone well-suited for cultivating self-love in others despite being horrible at showing herself that same care.

i can see kaiya working really well in a " grumpy gills falling for the ray of sunshine dynamic " bc she is so very soft and bright, but she'd also work well in any sort of pining situation. as a demon, she feels it isn't exactly fair for her to pursue romance bc 1. she'll outlive any human she might fall for, and 2. she doesn't feel she deserves that sort of happiness after what she's done.

YUBARI

oh, yubari :' ) the fun ( or sad asdf ) thing with yubari is that every so often, he gets himself killed while protecting his domain and people, so he is reborn time and again. he never has a recollection of his previous lives, so that makes him a great candidate for reincarnated lovers who keep finding each other, or any form of immortal lovers coming together. you could also easily throw him into a protector/bodyguard type ship bc if your muse asks for his help, he'll have a very hard time saying no.

otherwise, something to keep in mind about yubari is that he feels very deeply and is a people pleaser no matter how he tries to hide it. he likes to be useful, and he likes to take care of others -- it makes him feel good. if that's what your muse needs, let's go B) if your muse needs that but is stubborn and won't accept it at first, let's go B))))) and if your muse can return the favor and make yubari understand that someone should take care of him, too, i will actually weep

[hayakawalove]

REMMM HIIII

Absolutely loved your fic about suguru saving us during the accident 🥺🥺 made me so emotional I cried after so long

WHAT IF the roles were reversed and reader instead pushed suguru during the accident so he’s completely away from the car and instead takes all the brunt… and like dies on the spot…

How will he react and be?.. like shock or full on wailing.. also how would the funeral and his life/feelings be overall (in detail pls <3)

Would he move on and find a lover? Would he suicide (🥺) or would he beat himself up all the time and completely lose any positive emotions and just remain in a mourning phase for the rest of his life..

NEED TO KNOW 🥺❤️❤️

HELLO

I’m so glad you liked it! That makes me so happy!

If the roles were reversed…I think he would be in complete shock for awhile. Like, there’s no way you got hurt, right? You’re not allowed to get hurt. Surely it must be a joke right? It’s not though. I feel like he’d go into fixit mode immediately, provided he wasn’t also out of it after the crash. I could see him trying to keep you conscious while he waits for paramedics.

I don’t wanna say he’d be angry at you, cause it’s not your fault. But I think he wouldn’t understand why you did it for a long time. He thinks it’s his job to protect you, not the other way around.

And the funeral I think. Would probably be okay as far it funerals go. I think Suguru is very good at controlling his emotions and masking how he feels. I think he would be very cold for awhile, and would be out of it. He would put on a smile when people give him hugs and such, but if you look close enough you would be able to see he’s not all there. Suguru is very in charge of his emotions in the sense he doesnt let them dictate how he acts spontaneously. If he does something based on how he feels, it’s because he fully thinks that’s what he needs to do. I feel like he would save his tears for when he’s alone. Maybe if Satoru is there.

And I feel like his life would sort of…. lose meaning after. He was created for you, so when you’re gone he just sort of. Wades through life. I don’t think he ever puts his happiness first and probably doesn’t ever date again. I don’t think he would commit suicide because I think subconsciously he would feel that’s taking the easy route. He feels like he should be stuck with living through the pain. I think he would just never get over it. It would be all he thinks about for years. He only ever sees and dreams you. I can see him being afraid and ashamed of seeing you again cause he feels so terribly about it. It should’ve been him and not you. It’s unfair that he gets to experience everything in life but you didn’t.

Satoru would still go after him at the funeral, and I think would catch up to him. He’d probably grab onto him and try to see what’s happening in Suguru’s head. It would be very alarming I think, because Suguru would be so hollow. He’s normally many things, but hollow isn’t usually one of them. Gojos used to him being loving and warm but after you left he just. Is scooped out. He doesnt have any light left. I feel like Suguru would act like he doesnt need help and would say he’s taking care of himself, even though he really isn’t. He just wants people to leave him alone. Gojo would be waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for some sort of outburst which I don’t think Suguru would ever give. I think he’d let it eat him up inside. I think in my fic, it was a bit easy for Gojo to help you because you guys were on an even playing ground. You lost the love of your life and he lost a piece of him. In this scenario in might be a bit harder because while you and Gojo were friends, you weren’t the same as Gojo and Suguru. He would have a hard time getting over you, but I don’t think he’d understand the pain Suguru is going through. Suguru knows that.

It would probably be much harder for Suguru to go on after you died compared to the other way around. I don’t think he’d ever get over it.

[songsofadelaide]

The Moon And Back

cw/tw: King Dimitri x sworn knight (f) reader, Azure Gleam route spoilers, no use of yn, childhood friends to [awkward phase] to lovers, mentions of the deaths of loved ones, accidental injuries, confessions, marriage proposals + a glimpse into the future, OCs. Creative liberties were also taken regarding a certain hero's relic. wc: 7.7k (Pls I am going to cry)

"I love you this much," he said, tracing an immeasurable, invisible line from his heart to yours. It was a surprisingly tender gesture from someone whose own strength even frightens him sometimes. "Or as the poets say, to the moon and back."

Many of the other members of the Blue Lions House thought the Crown Prince to be a rather easy person to read. While that may be true to an extent, those in his inner circle knew well enough the depth of his inner turmoil, and how dangerous it was for him to remain so trusting of people after all that he has been through. The same can be said when he easily welcomed the mercenary of unknown origins to the house he led while you were still studying in the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach.

Dimitri had a trusting nature, a nature so terrifyingly similar to his father, the late King, but he also had the tendency to conduct emotional self-immolation and deny himself comfort. More so, his refusal to open up about himself— made him all the more a perplexing paradox. Yet, he was the Prince. The one you swore fealty to just as the one who came before you. Just as your father did to King Lambert. Absolute obedience. To the death.

"That cub is your duty. The time will come that you will be the one to protect him. 'Til he grows into the fearsome lion that he is. Your life is not your own anymore, daughter."

For knights such as yourself, the monarch was the sun itself. Their light would be the rays of the sun's light that rarely touched this land.

You hail from a storied bloodline of knights loyal to the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, to the Royal Family— such was your lot in life and there was little that could be done to rewrite it. It was a fate you easily accepted the moment the young Prince welcomed you into his home as one of his most cherished friends. Dimitri did not think you less than his friends from the esteemed noble houses of the Kingdom. For the Prince, there was nothing he wanted more than to be surrounded by people he could trust— with his life, even— and you were one of those very people.

"Your Highness, you mustn't—! Dimitri! Oh!" You called out to the Prince in panic, giving chase as he slowed his pace. He greeted you with a warm smile as you finally reached him. "I am not the least bit worried! I know you're there behind me to protect me with your sword always at the ready!"

And while your family did not possess the relic with which you can defend him, he knew well enough that your strength of spirit would make up for what you lacked. House Charon already had its heir, after all. They've no need of an offshoot like yourself with your Minor Crest and all.

You were present for the Queen's memorial after she perished in the wake of the deathly plague that struck Fhirdiad. King Lambert's grief did not blind him to the fact that so much had to be done in Fhirdiad if he wished for it to be a dignified place worthy of its glory as the capital of the Kingdom. You yourself were amazed at how knowledgeable the Saintess was and how she mapped out the best outcome for the Kingdom capital. Driven by your own curiosity, you couldn't help but ask her if magic would be difficult to learn, but Cornelia took one look at you and concluded that you had a gift for the arcane arts yourself, and it should be nurtured— but there was very little you could do when your father pulled you away from her. He reminded you once more that knights defended their liege with their arms at the ready, and that magic was for those who could afford to learn it.

"It seems the blood of a hero courses through you, child. Have you... ever cast spells yourself?" "I... have not. My lord father has trained me by the way of the sword since I have been able to walk. Or at least that is what my mother says."

In Imperial Year 1171, the Saintess welcomed an Imperial lady to her home, and the King was so besotted by her that he married her in the shadows. Lady Patricia was a kind woman who raised the Prince as her own, and yet... There was a certain sadness to her that you couldn't quite put a finger on, no matter how hard you tried to understand her.

That same year, a girl from the Empire arrived in Fhirdiad, too— and there were whispers about her being a princess. You saw the delight that lit the Prince's face whenever he spent time with her, a girl whose air of precocious maturity matched the rumoured title she held. Once again, you were reminded of your most sacred duty as a knight of the kingdom— to protect that very same smile that lit Dimitri's face whenever he danced with the girl who wore Adrestian crimson amid the pale blue cold of Faerghus.

In Imperial Year 1176, your father perished in the Tragedy of Duscur, along with His Majesty the King and many other knights and vassals of the Kingdom. Duke Fraldarius lost his son in the clash, too, and you couldn't shake the thought that you could have been just another casualty had you not been sick during the campaign. Your mother kept you in bed despite your insistence and she may have just saved your life.

The Prince was inconsolable for the first few moons after the horrific incident, and you could not pick up your sword to train without being reminded of your father— What were his final words? His last moments? Surely he did not shirk his duties. A hero's blood runs through our veins, no matter how thin the river flows now.

"I... have yet to apologise for your loss..." "You have nothing to apologise for, Your Highness," you replied to him. "My lord father did his duty and he did what he must."

There was but one irrevocable truth that made your blood run cold the moment you received the news— your magic would have been for naught if you were there. And so you pick up your sword once more, perishing all thoughts of ever learning the sacred art. Things would have been different if you were just the daughter of a lord, but you were a knight, one sworn to protect the sun of this Kingdom as your predecessors came before you.

In Imperial Year 1178, you joined the Prince's retinue on a mission to quell a burgeoning insurrection in western Faerghus. The second son of Duke Fraldarius, Felix, was present in the skirmish as well, and the both of you could hardly believe your eyes when the curve of a sadistic smile graced Dimitri's face as he rolled over the enemy forces. His ruthlessness in that battle earned him the ire of the Fraldarius heir and a nickname to suit his countenance.

"Well, if it isn't the Boar Prince himself. Out with it, then. Whatever it is you have to say to me. I loathe having to breathe the same air as you." "Lord Felix—!" You started, an indignant look on your face as you forgot yourself. "Shut it, you little lapdog. I won't be lectured by the likes of you," the lordling seethed at you. "You and I saw the same thing, yet you still followed this pathetic excuse for a prince." Dimitri wedged himself between the two of you and shook his head at Felix this time. "Do not speak to her that way, Felix. Might I remind you of the difference of your positions?"

If there was one person who understood you perfectly, it was Dedue, the Prince's foreign retainer whose faithfulness was nearly on par with yours. Dedue's circumstances and your parents' death made you both wards of the Crown. As the Prince trusted you with his life, so too did Dedue, and your silent, wordless mutual agreement to protect Dimitri became your common ground. It was safe to assume that you could leave your life in their hands, too.

You oft heard tales of the Regent's misdeeds and philandering ways, but your disdain for him runs deeper than just his mismanagement of the Kingdom at present. Though he was tucked away in his castle on the Itha Plains, Rufus knew well enough that there were still people around his nephew who would slay him with a glance if ever given a chance, and you were one of them. And though attempts were made to shake off that "meddlesome waif of a knight" and the "dog from Duscur" from the Crown Prince's side, the ground on which you and Dedue stood was as solid as ever, just as his faith in you was.

There was a knock on the door of your bedchamber that evening, which was unusual at that time. Though you knew Dedue was just next door, you concealed a blade underneath your night dress and only slightly opened the door. "Were you asleep already? My apologies..." "Not at all, Your Highness! P-Please come in!"

In Imperial Year 1180, the Crown Prince entered the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach with you and Dedue in tow as part of the Blue Lions House. While the peaceful school days gave you a sense of normalcy, those days did not last as long as everyone initially thought. Following the disappearance of the librarian Tomas, trouble and turmoil brewed in all three cornerstones of Fodlan simultaneously, like a masked puppeteer masterfully pulling strings— and everyone else along with it.

The uprising in Fhirdiad meant you had to return home, and while it gave you no pleasure to fight fellow knights of the Kingdom, you knew for a fact that they were misguided and led away by the false promises made by an irresponsible king who never was. You did not look away when Dimitri beheaded his uncle, the Regent, before the residents of the Kingdom capital.

"He's gone, Dedue. It's finally over," you nearly choked as you silently cried to yourself. "That... monster is finally gone." "No, I'm afraid not," he shook his head, a dire expression on his face. "We've only just begun."

For Dimitri, there was no turning back anymore from what had already been done. The Kingdom called for his ascension and he cannot put it off any further, no matter how he tried to avoid it. A mountain of tasks lay at his feet ahead of his coronation and you were there to carve open that path for him, at least that was what you endeavoured to do. When word reached you that Felix would soon become the next Duke Fraldarius, you pondered where your place would be in all of this.

"Ah, there you are. I was hoping to speak with you. I have already spoken to Dedue about things moving forward. I understand the Kingdom has promised you education—" Oh. You didn't like the sound of that one bit. "Let me stop you there, Your Highness. If you wish for me to return to the Officers Academy, I will not. My place is—" "I was about to say—" he cut you off, but not before he let out a small chuckle. "—That your place is here in the Kingdom. And while it pains me that we have to cut short our studies at the academy, I will need you and Dedue with me to... to—" "I am yours to command, Your Highness," you stated. Once you realised the error of your ways and your hasty assumption, you bowed down before him, long and deep and repentant. "My apologies, I... I simply do not wish to be removed from your side, even if the order comes from the Prince himself..." "I would not dream of dismissing you from my presence. Have you forgotten that I worry so little knowing you are close by with your blade in hand? Though I suppose we have little use for that now."

It is now 1182. Two years have passed since Dimitri's ascension as the King of Faerghus. As part of his reforms to the Kingdom, he established his own private army spearheaded by none other than the not-so-mysterious mercenary from your academy days, who proved to be a more reliable and trustworthy person than you initially thought. They grew to be a well-respected commander by both the nobles and the commoners who banded under the banner of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus.

For your efforts in aiding Dimitri in his reforms, you were officially knighted in the King's service and appointed a Kingdom General. The title couldn't come any sooner, with Adrestia's declaration of war against the Central Church. That same church is now knocking at the Kingdom's doorstep and to deny it assistance would be denying Dimitri's ascent to the throne. As a member of the Kingdom vanguard, you understood that the declaration wasn't just a mere threat, but a promise that the Empire would do whatever it could to accomplish what it set out to do.

But the deeper into Imperial territory you step into, the looser the lid on the can of worms becomes— that can pertaining to the cloud of mysteries left in the wake of the Tragedy of Duscur. The string of deceit will unravel by the King's hand, and many of your allies and fellow knights who have lost someone dear to them in that incident will receive the closure they deserve. You don't speak much about it, but your father sometimes visits you in your dreams, sometimes in unpleasant ways that rock you awake. Such was this night, and a crucial one, too, for tomorrow marked the deciding battle against Emperor Edelgard herself at the Arianrhod.

And you found yourself roaming around the encampment in hopes of distracting yourself from your nightmare.

"I see you still have no qualms about following the boar into battle," Came a voice you easily recognised as Felix's.

"And I see you remain as quick-witted as always, Duke Fraldarius. Good evening to you," you replied as the young man in blue stepped into your presence, bowing before him in reverence. "But you do just the same as I, do you not? But of course, you will claim it to be your duty."

"I am the Shield of Faerghus. Protecting the realm is my duty, and so it extends to protecting the King, too, though I know he hardly needs it. Though his might terrifies even his own allies sometimes." Felix stated as he defensively crossed his arms over his chest.

"I agree with you. We share the same sentiment."

"I think not. You don't follow him out of mere duty. You don't follow him simply because you are a knight in his service." he replied with a sharp smirk. "You follow him for something else entirely."

"I suppose," you nodded at him, not at all interested in denying the fact he presented. Even when you were younger, Felix has always been surprisingly perceptive. His knack and skill for sensing people's duplicity and intentions made him a fine leader in his own right, but he settled for being the King's right hand. It was clear from the way he looked at you that he understood your intentions, that you weren't fighting merely because you were ordered to, but because your entire sense of purpose was right there in the thick of battle himself, wielding his weapon of ancient origin. "His will is mine, and so is his path."

He chuckled at your remark. "As expected of a loyal lapdog. He rewards you well enough, I suppose. But then again, you don't care much for that, either."

"No, I do not, Your Grace," you shook your head and laughed at his comment. "This lapdog is simply pleased to do its master's bidding."

Both of you were prompted to look up from your conversation when you heard the sound of approaching footsteps. "Speak of the devil. It's your master, little lapdog."

"Lapdog she may be, she knows how to bite, Felix," said Dimitri, a small smile on his face as he stepped into your space. "That aside, what are you two still doing so late at night?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Your Majesty. It is imperative you get as much rest—"

"Pah. Here she goes again with that dutiful guardian act yet she's here, too, not at all getting a wink of sleep like she beseeched you to," Felix stated with a grunt of annoyance in his voice. "Go to sleep. And I mean both of you. We can't have the leader of this army and his adjutant collapsing on the battlefield because they didn't get enough rest."

"I'll ensure our King goes to sleep tonight, Your Grace," you quipped and gave another bow in Felix's direction as he walked away. "Good night."

But he turned back to you before he could fully leave the area. "Before I forget, boar. Isn't there something she should know?"

"I shall be the one to tell her that, Felix. You need not worry yourself about it."

Your curiosity was piqued by the way the King's smile vanished, replaced by a knotted brow that eased away when your eyes met.

"If it's to assist you, Your Majesty, I—" You started, only to be cut off when Dimitri raised his hand.

"You always did have a habit of jumping to conclusions without hearing the entirety of what has to be said," he said with a sigh, followed by a soft chuckle. "However, this matter isn't something you can decide on without having carefully thought of it. So I would like for you to hear it out."

"Of... Of course, Your Majesty. My apologies..."

His gaze softened further by the sound of your apology, the twinkle in your eyes now hidden underneath the thick of your lashes. The fact that you were a woman who unknowingly drew attention to herself, not because of your beauty, but because your spirit dawned on him at that moment. Though your beauty was a whole other thing to consider...

"I am well aware of the vow you keep to your father, who was my father's knight as you are to me. I feel as though that duty of yours has kept you from having a different life. Perhaps a life you would have wanted for yourself," he stated. "And though I am grateful for all you have done for me and the Kingdom so far, if I am ever holding you back from a life you feel you deserve, know that you only have to ask me and I will grant you release from your duty."

You couldn't fathom the reason for this sentiment. It almost sounds as if he is letting you go from his service.

"You are familiar with Viscount Brennius, correct? He came forward to me with an unusual proposal. Though I suppose you are an unusual knight yourself... He seemed to be quite taken with you, especially having seen your form in battle, and would like to share a meal with you one of these days."

???

"I can see you're rather puzzled by this development."

"Don't tell me you agreed to his proposal, Dimitri."

You called him by his name, a sound he long forgot, only for him to remember again, along with the tenderness of the days of your shared youth. He couldn't help but chuckle at the seriousness of your face.

"No, I did not," he replied with a smile. "I couldn't possibly give you away without fully knowing how you would feel about the entire thing."

"I loathe the idea. No offence to the good viscount, of course," you said, slowly looking away from his earnest gaze. "Have you finished, then, Your Majesty? May I speak freely this time?"

"Of course. You can always speak freely with me."

It was your turn to sigh this time. "I feel as though I haven't made myself entirely clear this whole time, Your Majesty. This... other life you think I might have been deprived of... I want nothing of it. If you think me held back by my father's vow to yours, then you are mistaken, because I chose this path for myself. And I don't think you to be so cruel as to deprive me of that other life if I had wanted it. If I had wanted it..."

Dimitri caught the twinkle in your eyes once more, only for the shine of the moonlight to reveal them as tears.

"I am with you because I want to be, Your Majesty. I follow you not out of duty, but because I believe in your will. And I—" You stated, trying to quell the quiver in your voice. You pursed your lips and bit your tongue before you could even finish the rest of your statement. "Forgive me for raising my voice. I didn't mean to..."

"You don't have to apologise. It is I who should do so. For assuming such things," he responded to you, followed by silence and only the sound of his approaching paces until you were face to face with him. He raised his knuckles to your face and gingerly brushed away the warm tears in the corners of your eyes. He moved with a certain slowness, his touch careful, as though he was doing his best to be precise. He did not wish to hurt you, after all.

"Your Majesty..."

He pulled away from you when he realised his actions, only for you to hold him by his wrist.

"...Just a little longer," you said, though your words were more of a whisper. You lowered your lashes further and sank into his caress. If you were dreaming right now, you didn't want to wake up at all. And yet, the sound of your name from his lips pulls you back to reality, the silver moon the only witness to your moment of weakness.

It was you who pulled away from the King, taking a step back from his position. You gave him a deep bow before heading back to your personal quarters, eager to dream about anything other than the pensive look on Dimitri's face when you parted.

Reclaiming Arianrhod did not go as planned, and the Fortress City was nearly razed to the ground by the monstrous anomaly that seemed to have spirited away the Emperor, too. Among the many wounded were Kingdom soldiers and the King himself, but he nearly lost it when he searched the area where you last had contact and couldn't find you.

"...urts. So... m..."

It was Ashe and Mercedes who found you half-buried underneath the rubble, your consciousness swaying to and fro as you tried to keep your eyes open. The last thing you saw before finally collapsing was the King— Dimitri— hobbling to where you were, your name caught in his throat. The commander was there, too, beseeching you to stay alive.

"...r... Maj...ty..."

The warmth and glow of the light magic Mercedes cast on you lulled you into a deep sleep, into a dream so vivid that you thought you were back in the waking world.

Before you stood the Hero Charon, whose blood runs through your veins. Tales and stories always depicted him as a swordsman of unparalleled strength, but he was a skilled magician, too. In his possession were the famed relic Thunderbrand, and a book of spells unlike any you have seen. You knew that the sword was in possession of the current Count Charon's runaway heir, but the tome in his hands... had the same eerie, crimson glow as the other relic. Only you didn't know what it was or where it was or if it was real.

It felt real when he beseeched you to touch it, only for the vision to end. Perhaps you were awake now?... Yet you knew you weren't. Because you were standing face to face with your father who has long been dead.

"Am I dead?"

The old man chuckled at you, his tired but fulfilled face the same way as you last saw him. "I'm afraid not, my girl. Though you feel like your spirit is wandering around here in this vast plane of blankness, you are, surprisingly, strongly tethered to the waking world. And that is because many of your allies pray for your recovery."

"Then why... are you here?"

"Come now. Is that the way to speak to your father? I am here simply because I can. You do know you should be asking that question yourself," he stated with an uncharacteristically warm smile. "How have you been? How... is Faerghus?"

You quickly agreed when he beckoned you to walk around with him. "I have been well, father. Faerghus is currently embroiled in a battle against the Empire."

"So it seems," he said with a small nod. "And the Prince?"

"He is the King now, and I his sworn knight. Though I suppose I did a rather poor job at it since I find myself here in this... strange realm between the living and the dead and not back where I should be," you said with a laugh. "You know... I've always wondered about something. When the tragedy struck..."

Your old man nodded at you, understanding even your incomplete thought. "My final thoughts were... of my little girl at home, eagerly awaiting my return though she was sick with a fever. And seeing you now made me all the more thankful that your mother kept you there with her."

"Her grief was deep, father. Surely you know how much she loved you."

"But of course. She and I are a love match, after all. One of the rarest things in life, even more so in the Kingdom, since we valued strength and our heroic bloodlines over everything else," he said rather proudly, only for his chest to deflate not long after. "Alas, what I didn't know was how that grief would drive her to her own death."

"Is she... here, too?"

He noticed the gleam of expectation in your eyes but could only ruefully smile back. "Yes, she is... but she is too ashamed to face you, if I am being honest. She wanted to see you but..."

You shook your head at his statement. "Please tell her that I do not hold it against her. Mother, she... She fought against an unseen enemy from the inside. And not even I could have saved her. Let her know, father, that I, too, fought that enemy and prevailed, but only because I couldn't bear the thought of him crying over me, weeping for me, when I should be protecting him—"

From where your father stood in this bleak plane of existence, a single light shone behind him. "Father?"

"It appears this delightful time has passed. It is time for you to return to where you belong, my daughter. But know this— The promises between dead men need not hold you back any longer. I wish for you to follow your heart now, with this second chance at life."

"Father, how little you think of me," you once again laughed at his remark even as he urged you into the glowing light. "I have been following my heart ever since."

The slightest twitch of your fingers, which were curled into Dedue's hand, was enough to rattle him awake. You blinked away your blurry vision and found yourself back in Fhirdiad, your fellow vassal watching over you as you recuperated from the blow you sustained after being thrown off the King's side at Arianrhod.

"...ur... M... jest..."

Dedue, who had been hunched over your bed while awaiting your recovery, calmly rose to his feet and headed to the door, where several guards and priests stood vigil. "She is awake. Please call for Mercedes at once so she can be checked."

There was a slight pain in your chest as you breathed a sigh of relief. The sound of thundering footsteps filled your room, closely followed by your comrades' excited voices expressing their delight at your kindling. Mercedes gently helped you sit up on your bed, and you recognised the room as Dedue's personal bedchamber in the castle.

"H... How long was I...?" You said, but your throat was parched.

"You were out for five days," Dedue answered as he handed you a cup of water to wash down the raspiness of your voice. "You broke your ribs."

"That explains why I feel like my lungs are crushed," you replied with a chuckle, only to wince in pain as a sharpness shot through your chest. "M-Mercedes, please...?"

"Of course. Everyone! I know you're all so happy to see our friend awake now, but do keep in mind that she still needs her rest," the older woman stated with a calm but authoritative voice. "She'll be walking again in no time!"

The rest of your Blue Lions comrades bade you farewell in the meantime, while Mercedes started a basic check-up on you— checking your vision, hearing, and the like. "It looks like everything is in order. Apart from your chest, is there anywhere else that hurts?"

"As long as I can use my sword arm, nothing else matters," you nodded at her, biting back another laugh. "Though I suppose my pride hurts a little... I was supposed to protect His Majesty, and yet I was thrown off by that... grisly thing."

"We were all thrown off by that monstrosity, but I am glad to tell you that His Majesty is well. Or at least he tries to be. He collapsed after giving orders when we arrived back in Fhirdiad—" Dedue stated as he sat down on the chair next to your bed.

"I-Is he well now?!" You inquired, your panicked voice startling Mercedes as she redressed your wounds. "S-Sorry..."

"Dimitri is all right," she told you with a small laugh. "He insisted on returning to work as soon as he woke up, even though everyone else urged him to rest. He also checks up on you a lot."

"He must be busy, then," you remarked with a soft sigh. "Shouldn't you be with him, Dedue?"

"Felix and Rodrigue are with him at present, His Majesty insisted I remain with you while you were still unconscious."

"I'm sorry I pulled you away from your duties."

"Don't be. I am glad to take care of you. I know you would have done the same had I been the one in your position," Dedue raised his hand in dismissal of your apology. "You should know that this is how much His Majesty values you."

"Where is he now? I should like to let him know that I am well."

The sound of your door creaking open once more prompted the three of you to look up, a breathless Dimitri walking up to your bedside before slowly falling to his knees, evidently placated at seeing you up and awake.

"I'm so relieved to see you awake now," he breathed a sigh of relief as he gathered your hands in his own. Dedue and Mercedes exchanged nods and made their silent exit, quietly shutting the door behind them. The young king could only bury his face in your lap, your fingers gently intertwined with his.

"Your Majesty, please... please raise yourself from the floor..." You gently urged him, but he refused to raise his head to look at you.

"Please allow me this... moment of weakness," he murmured, his breath warm against your knuckles. "You were asleep for so long."

"It was just five days, Your Majesty."

"And those five days were agonising, especially for our allies. That's two more than when I passed out after arriving home," Dimitri replied, finally looking up at you. He was out of his armour and just in his pristine white dress shirt and dark pants, an outfit similar to the ones he started wearing when you were in your early adolescence. And his golden hair, which was usually kept in a neat ponytail, was tousled and unkempt, like a lion unable to groom itself.

You slightly moved your hand to caress his cheek, and he easily melted into your touch. "Well, if you are all right with it, I would love to go for a walk in the gardens. And... if you are not so busy, might you accompany me?"

He quickly rose to his feet and carefully helped you up. "Of course. If you can stand—"

Fortunately, you were in a decent tunic, one of your finer ones here at home. You will have to thank Mercedes for that later. "I apologise in advance, Your Majesty. I am more of a girl now and less of a knight... I would greatly appreciate you guiding me as I gather my bearings."

You coiled your arm around his elbow and allowed him to steer your direction, his steps measured to suit your more leisurely pace.

"It has been nearly a week since that devastating incident at Arianrhod. The Imperial Army has withdrawn to Adrestia, just as we have returned home," he started as you walked past the guards and priests stationed by Dedue's bedchamber. "That chaotic attack caused severe casualties to both our armies. I doubt Edelgard will be making moves anytime soon... and the Alliance will surely have caught wind of this already."

"Then we have ample time to recalibrate our strategy, Your Majesty. If the commander is—" You replied to him, only for you to pause when you heard him grunt.

"Ghk... My apologies. I simply wished to catch you up on the situation. I didn't mean for you to start planning for our battles in the unforeseeable future..."

"It is quite all right, Your Majesty," you laughed at his sudden stiffness. "Pick my brain, please. Ask me about possible tactics. Just so you can be sure it's still working."

"Your eagerness to talk about this is more than enough proof that you are already well, and that your brain is still working," he chuckled at your witty response. No words could fully express how pleased he was to see you truly well, standing strong and proud despite your injuries. "But let us set aside that discussion for another day. There is... something else I wish to talk to you about."

You surveyed his expression for any of his stray thoughts, but all he had on was a tender smile. His eyes remained as clear as the ocean.

"Faeghus has always been a proud land. This place was simply not handed over to our ancestors, but they fought long and hard for it. And they fought not for the sake of mere fighting, but for our independence— the very thing that is being threatened at present," he stated, and you both found yourself in the palace gardens as you requested.

The afternoon sun was just as warm as you thought it to be, so you basked in its soft glow as Dimitri stood next to you.

"Even in the midst of our campaign, Rodrigue and the nobles still found the time to... bother me with trivialities," he said, though it sounded more like a grumble of complaint.

"Surely nothing is as trivial as you would expect if Rodrigue himself discussed it with you, Your Majesty."

"But it... is. At least, for me, it is. Because I am leading the Kingdom in this war and they want me to... to select a bride, of all things!"

A bride?

You fell silent next to him as he continued his... rant, as it was already turning into.

"I will not choose someone simply because Rodrigue and the rest of the Kingdom nobles told me to. More importantly, those people would know better than to hoist such a trifling matter onto me."

He didn't want to admit it, but you were right. It wasn't at all a trifling matter like he tried to dismiss it as. A succession crisis is the last thing the Kingdom needs, and many could claim to be the bastard child of the late Regent, given his great preference for sowing his wild oats. Yet he couldn't help but wonder why they had to discuss it now, of all times.

"It is probably because you will turn twenty soon," you said as you counted with your free hand. "Only five more moons 'til your birthday, if I am not mistaken."

Dimitri couldn't help but scoff to himself. His uncle spent his whole life fucking around, so surely he could be afforded that kind of grace, too. Not that he wanted to be a philanderer like his uncle, but that he would undertake his due diligence at the right time. With just one person. His wife.

He couldn't help but remember his conversation with Dedue earlier in the day before you awoke from your long rest. His vassal was as perceptive as always and was quickly able to deduce what it was that bothered him exactly.

"You do know that she will say yes if you ask, Your Majesty." "I... know, Dedue. But I have no wish to see her used for this purpose." "But you would not be using her. If the breathings of your heart are genuine— those words you uttered to her as she slept— you will hear the very same thing from her." "Do you really think so?..." "I think both of you need to be honest with yourselves. Only then can you solve this so-called predicament."

"If you are asking for my advice as to who to court, Your Majesty, I'm afraid I have very little to share with you. But if you consider casting your net far and wide, you'll find that many fighting in your army are eligible young women who—" You couldn't help but blab to yourself. And while you presented him with the possibility of finding a suitable match close by, he did not miss the glint of a tear forming in the corners of your eyes once more.

"I am... not interested in anyone at all. In other women, at least," he stated, breaking the silence that enveloped you as you stood still in the garden. "As a king at war, this matter is far too leisurely for my tastes at the moment, but I understand that Rodrigue and the others come from a place of concern. Like I said, I will not take just anyone. And silly as it may sound, I want a love match."

A love match. One of the rarest things in life, even more so in the Kingdom...

"But for me to obtain that love match, she must know that I... I must know if..."

The young king turned in your direction, holding your teary gaze though you wished to turn away. He raised a hand to your face, gently cupping your warm cheek in his callused palm. Your tears flowed and there was no stopping them, and so too were your words as you spoke them.

"I love you."

You held his gaze this time as you uttered those words. Soft as they left your lips and gentle as they landed in his ears.

"I stand here not because of my duty, but because I have been following my heart from the very beginning," you stated between breaths as you tempered your heartbeat. Your chest started to hurt again, but you didn't mind it one bit. "You are my reason for living, Dimitri. Not because my father foisted this duty onto me, but because you trusted me right from the start... And I trusted you. Even if you weren't the Prince back then, or even if we were just normal friends, I would have loved you all the same."

Dimitri's surprised expression softened to a glowing smile. "And I choose you because you are someone who sees me as I am."

You, who wanted him with no pretences. You, who wanted nothing at all from him but him. And you didn't even let those desires cloud your judgement.

"I love you too," he said, taking one of your hands in his own. "I know it took a while for me to realise..."

And he almost lost you in the process, too.

"I love you this much," he said, tracing an immeasurable, invisible line from his heart to yours. It was a surprisingly tender gesture from someone whose own strength even frightens him sometimes. "Or as the poets say, to the moon and back."

"Your Majesty, I..."

Your words failed you, but from the look in your eyes, he can confirm that those were indeed tears of the purest joy. And he wouldn't have it any other way. He feigned a cough into his fist.

"As you know, Lady Rhea herself is in Camulus Cathedral," he started once more. "If you are up for it, we..."

You laughed, never mind the sharp pain searing through your chest. You were alive and breathing and your heart was beating, so close to bursting with emotion because the King loves you.

Dimitri loves you.

"Sure, why not surprise everyone by finding your own solution to their bothersome problem?" You replied to him with a small shrug.

"Ah, yes, before I forget... I actually have something for you. When we first heard about it from Lady Rhea, she figured it was something you could make use of," he told you. From behind you came Mercedes and Annette, and in the hands of the younger woman was a worn-out satchel. "She says it was one of the few things they managed to save before they fled Garreg Mach."

You pulled out the tome from the satchel and couldn't believe your eyes. It was a book of spells unlike any you have seen, and it had the same eerie, crimson glow as Thunderbrand, its only twin in this world.

"Lady Rhea called it Suttungr's Mystery, I believe, and it is tied to the crest you possess," Dimitri stated, the same kind smile on his face as watched you marvel at the relic now in your hands. "The Crest of Charon."

"Y-Your Majesty, I thank you, truly," you said, wiping your tears with your sleeve. "This is a wonderful present, but I'm not so sure I can utilise its full potential. I am not a skilled magician like my ancestor, after all."

"Fortunately for you, magic can be taught and learned," Annette excitedly chimed in. "And we're at the right place at the right time, aren't we, Mercie? The Royal School of Sorcery is just next door!"

"Ah, you're right! I can easily learn a thing or two even from just you guys," you happily exclaimed as you held the tome close to your chest. You raised your eyes to the young king and beamed at him. "Thank you, Dimitri."

"There is something else I wish to give you, if I may."

From his pant pocket, he pulled out another gift, one you instantly recognised as his birth mother's treasured azure dagger, a present bequeathed only to the Queen Consort of the King of Faerghus.

"Shall we be on our way to Camulus, then?"

"...So it was said that the Warrior King of Faerghus and the astute Leader of the Leicester Alliance ended the senseless war waged by forces who worked in the darkness of the shadows. The young leaders were closely aided by the Church of Seiros in their pursuit of peace." "...But the tale of the young king's blossoming affections for his own sworn knight became one of Faerghus's most beloved tales of all time."

"When you look at things that way, it sounds like your father fell in love with me first rather than the other way around," you remarked as you closed the book you just finished reading. In your lap was a boy no older than six, his sunny blonde hair a stark reminder once more of who you married and bore a child for. And how you did all of that not out of obligation, but out of love.

Grian Ephraim Blaiddyd was born on the fifth of the Harpstring Moon in the new era. His birth heralded the arrival of the Kingdom's long-awaited heir, and your first-born son with Dimitri manifested the much coveted Major Crest of Blaiddyd, much to the delight of the peoples.

"Why does it matter who fell in love first, mama?" The boy quipped, his mouth surprisingly smart for his young age. "The only thing that matters is that you love each other still!"

You threw your husband a shocked look, which he only returned with a low laugh.

"You've puzzled your mother quite enough, Grian," Dimitri chuckled from across his bedchamber. "Mackenna and Lyor will be arriving today. Have you forgotten?"

"Of course not, papa. How could I forget the arrival of my favourite friends?" Grian stated with a smile as he hopped off your lap. He bowed before you much like you always did when you were his age. "I will see you again later in the evening, my good mama."

As Grian was set to be King, the spirited Mackenna Aine Gautier and the intuitive Lyor Glenn Fraldarius will, too, rise to their destinies as the future Magrave Gautier and Duke Fraldarius of the new era. But for now, they will settle as good friends to the Prince.

The boy exited his father's bedchamber, closely followed by his older but ever-reliable guardian, Dedue.

"I wish he'd stop talking like an old man," you said, your voice cracking in laughter. "I swear, Grian spends too much time with the city's old folk. I'm glad Mackenna and Lyor are here this time."

Dimitri approached you and pulled you into his arms. "Our son has a point, you know. Why does it matter who fell in love with who first?"

"I suppose you are right, because even after all this time, I still love you this much," you said, drawing an invisible line that connected your heart to his. "Or as the poets say, to the moon and back."