#I wasn't sure how I wanted to render it and admittedly I didn't like it for a while

[cold-neon-ocean]

why did love put a gun in my hand?  was it for redemption, was it for revenge? was it for the thrill of pushing my hope to the edge?

[milliesfishes]

Girlll

I need a Coriolanus snow x wife reader when she heard her “ friends” talk about how boring and hard it would be to be married to a man like snow someone so cold, stonic and ruthless ( even though they are all so scared of him) and snow hears his wife talking about it ( more like crying ) to her personal maid and he gets soo soo mad about it and at the next gala or party he shows just how much he loves the reader and how Much of a doting husband he actually is and makes it his mission to make them all jealous of you :)))

౨ৎcoriolanus makes other people jealous of you౨ৎ fem reader x coriolanus snow

He was devoted to you, mind body and soul.

You held his heart in your soft, lovely hands, and there wasn't a single breathing person he'd trust otherwise with it. There was only you. There would only ever be you.

Coriolanus hardly felt he could repay you for all you'd done, for all the good you brought into his life. But he did his absolute best with what he had, which was admittedly a lot.

As his wife, he had you spoiled despite your humble protests. He hadn't grown up with a lot, and so naturally he wanted to have everything now that he could. But not for himself. For you.

Truly his only desire was for your happiness. The rest of the world could hang; you were the only one deserving of any sort of goodness it had to offer.

It would have been foolish to believe himself a saint. He'd done a number of things no decent person should be proud of. The past had scars and brittle bones, which may have been a reason he was so determined to make such a future with you.

At the alter he'd promised himself to you in more ways than one. Looking down at you, radiant in your white dress, he vowed never to let you see misery. No, you would be adored, and only that.

The task had not proven difficult. You were so naturally good and kind that all who met you fell headfirst into devotion. It was impossible not to love you.

Or so he'd thought.

One evening as he was headed to your room, he stopped short at the door, the sounds of sniffling and broken words reaching his ears.

In a curious nature, he leaned closer. The door was slightly cracked open, so he could hear your words somewhat clearly.

"...saying such awful things about him," you said, tears choking your voice. "About how hard it would be to be his wife, about how I've let him coerce me into being his. They talked about how much he spoils me to make me stay." Someone said something muffled, and he knew you must be with your maid. You responded quietly. "At tea yesterday. I left for a moment and when I came back they were...that was what they were saying."

Coriolanus turned away as he grasped the situation. He should have known your kind nature would have made the heartless wives of other political allies jealous. Cold women who didn't understand pure goodness with no strings attached.

And now you were crying. Not even over what they'd said about you. It was about how they'd insulted him. His heart could have melted into a puddle. Your goodness knew no bounds.

They'd said spoiled like it was a bad thing. Like being his was a bad thing. Coriolanus loved spoiling you just as much as he loved that you were his. And the fact that there were people making you feel bad for it...no, that wouldn't do at all.

There was naught but one solution. He was already plotting what he'd do to render this. If there was anything Coriolanus had learned in his life, it was to bite back fast.

He made his way into your room after waiting for your maid to leave, not breathing a word of what he'd overheard. Still, he made sure to hold you extra tight that night, showering you in more kisses than usual.

The next day, he had his arm around you as he led you into the best boutique in the city. It was a spacious, shiny building, and very exclusive from what you'd been told. You were fretting excitedly the whole way there. "Oh, you are good to me darling."

Chuckling at your sweet nature, he guided you inside carefully, noting the groups of women convened there already, eyes on you being led around by him. Perfect. It seemed he'd chosen correctly.

"Oh I'm very good to you," he teased lightly, squeezing his hand on her waist. The two of you were drawing quite a few looks from the other customers, and he reveled in the attention.

In your innocent way, you had no idea what he was doing. All you knew was that he was taking you out so you could get something pretty. And he was going to keep it that way.

"Here is good," Coriolanus said matter-of-factly, tugging you over to a rack of dresses. His hand stayed on your hip as you went through them, studying each one eagerly.

You looked up at him. "What colors do you like me in? I want to get something you'd want to see me wear."

Humming in thought, pleased that you wanted to make him happy, Coriolanus studied the dresses in front of you. "I think you look lovely in red, darling." He touched the fabric of a deep red.

"But red's your color, isn't it?" you asked sweetly.

"My family's color yes," he gave your temple a kiss for remembering. "But you're my wife. My family now. And besides, you look divine in it, like a rose."

He pulled the dress off the rack, and you smiled as he held it up to you in the full-length mirror to the side. "It is rather pretty."

"Just like the blood red we got you before, don't you think?" he was talking slightly louder than usual on purpose, and he could almost hear everyone listening.

You went to try it on, and when you came out, a smile broadened his features. The dress fit you perfectly, showing off your figure so nicely that he nearly couldn't control the desires of his heart.

"Oh, darling," he cooed approvingly, lifting your hand and twirling you once. "You look perfect."

Your smile was bright, and you bounced slightly on your heels. "I love it."

Anyone with eyes could see how magnificent you were. He smugly turned his head, noticing the looks of pure, rotten jealousy making home on the faces of the other women in the boutique. Looking back at you, he smoothed his hands over your hips. "You need the dress, darling. I insist."

"Do I?" you smiled softly and he rubbed his fingers on your sides.

"I won't allow you to leave without it." He turned you to look at yourself in the mirror. "Absolutely stunning."

Once you went to change, Coriolanus was already scheming about what else he could do to show you off. Glancing at the shop clerk, he beckoned her over with a single wave of his hand.

You tried on a multitude of dresses, each more beautiful than the last. Every one of them only accentuated your body and enhanced your beauty. He paraded you in front of the mirror, satisfied by the dirty looks the other women were shooting you. They could glare all they wanted, but at the end of the day they wouldn't have what you did.

And that was him, standing behind you and helping you with zippers and buttons, telling you how lovely you looked. Who's difficult to be married to, again?

When you were finished with the dresses you exited the fitting room and flung your arms around him, your face buried in his neck. "Coryo, you're so good to me, truly."

Merely chuckling, he wrapped his arms around your waist, rocking you back and forth slightly. "Oh, I'm not done yet, sweetheart."

"Now what on earth are you talking about?" you smiled, peering up at him.

"Well," he mused. "You're going to need jewelry to match all of these dresses. Can't pair a brand new dress with old jewelry, can you?"

"Coryo," you said in a fondly exasperated way. "You don't have to do that."

"Nonsense." Coriolanus ushered you over to the jewelry counter. "Pretty new dresses need pretty new jewelry to match. And matching shoes, hm?"

Shaking your head in bewilderment, your smile couldn't be contained as he nodded at the cases of necklaces in front of you. "Find something you like, darling."

Bashfully, you picked out a few things, and he nodded approvingly at your choices. After he'd paid, he caught you looking at a pearl necklace and smiled. "You want that one too?"

"I have enough," you said, beaming up at him.

Humming, his eyes flickered back to the pearls. "You're so sweet to worry about that, but I assure you there's no need." He motioned to the sales clerk, who lifted the necklace out and handed it to him.

Pushing your hair over one shoulder, Coriolanus fastened the necklace so it laid delicately on your collarbone. He loved how happy you looked, how nicely the pearls sat against your skin. "There, look how pretty," he cooed, gathering your hair and smoothing it back. He could tell by your face that you loved it.

You leaned back into him, and he wrapped his arms tightly around you, pressing a kiss into your hair. "You know I'll give you whatever you want?"

"Mhm," you nodded, leaning back and catching his lips in a soft kiss. "I'm very well kept."

He breathed a laugh, sliding his hand over your hip and bringing you to the shoes, where he insisted you pick out several pairs. It was hard not to openly gloat at the looks on the faces of the women nearby.

In all honesty, Coriolanus didn't know who you'd gone to tea with yesterday, but he supposed it didn't matter. Whoever it was had caused the entire group to suffer if he had anything to do with it.

Looking at the mountain of shopping bags, you met his eyes in disbelief. "I don't know how we'll get it all home."

"We'll manage." He kissed your forehead. "One trip to the car, and you won't be holding a thing."

You turned to see that the store assistants had carried everything out already. "Well now they haven't left anything for you to carry."

"Well, I've got something more important to carry." In an instant, Coriolanus scooped you up, hoisting you into his arms much to your delight.

You giggled, your hands clasping behind his neck. "Coryo."

"My wife shouldn't have to walk anywhere," he declared, maneuvering you down the steps and into the car. "Not while I'm here." He set you on the seat and got in next to you, pressing two smooth kisses to your cheek.

It was far from the end. When the next gala came around, he had you proudly on his arm, looking angelic in the red dress he'd picked out for you.

Oh, the envy that surrounded the two of you. He could have drunk it like water. Your eyes were bright, your smile radiant. There was no better woman to have on his arm.

His darling wife. If anybody was foolish enough not to love you, you would be envied.

[strwbmei]

hii! I’m quite new to your blog, but I’ve read some of your fics!

something’s been on my mind for quite some time and like.. furina fucking fem reader against the wall. I feel like she’d be teasing her little gf while making her beg for more.

can you make a fic about it please? thankyou!!

contains: transfem!furina, dom!furina, humiliation, cock worship, creampie, blowjob, reader is a bit feisty at first, dirty talk, cunt slapping, ass slapping, overstimulation, edging, name calling, badly translated french words, furina is a mean dom but the sex itself isn't really rough, not proofread, maybe ooc

pairing(s): pre-established furina x reader

a/n: first of all, i am so sorry anon. this fic ended up going way off-track from what you requested, but i hope you'll like it nonetheless!

Honestly, you're not sure where such a petite woman got the strength to lift you up and fuck you against the wall, but god, did you love and hate it at the same time. This position allowed her cock to hit angles you didn't even know was possible prior and render you into a moaning mess with little to no effort, and yet, it also allowed her to lord that fact over you while you're unable to do anything but endure her incessant teasing.

While the strength of her arms was evident with how she held you up with ease, it was nothing compared to the sheer force of her thrusts. Admittedly, Furina was on the smaller side of the scale, but her technique more than made up for it. Every time she moved her hips, her cockhead just barely grazed against your sweet spot, enough to drive you crazy but not enough to get you near orgasm.

She knew. She knew that you knew. It showed with the teasing smirk she wore on her face as she fucked you dumb. Your mouth was too busy moaning her name to protest just as your hands were too busy clawing at her back to give her a signal of some sort, not that she would ever listen, of course. You were powerless like this, and Furina loved it. The only thing you could do was try to glare at her through half-lidded and tear-stained eyes in hopes that she'd get the message.

And get the message, she did. "Is something the matter, mon chéri?" She asks, her smug expression turning into what looked like concern for you. It was an act that would have fooled anybody else, but you knew Furina much too well to fall for her many facades. She slowed down her thrusts, making you whine. You can see her let a sadistic grin slip at this. "Ah, right. I'm sure a slut like you was only telling me to go faster." Before you could even shake your head in denial, she started going at an even faster pace, effectively edging you even more in the process. The overwhelming pleasure and stimulation burned so good throughout your whole body. You hated how she could make even the most cruel acts make you feel like you were seeing stars.

What she wanted wasn't that challenging look on your face, no. She wanted you to beg; force the filthiest words out of that pretty little mouth of yours. She wanted a sort of obedience that only you could give her. A type of submissiveness she could only achieve once she broke you down. Maybe, just maybe, if you ask nicely enough, she'll consider giving you what you want. Your girlfriend was usually such a sweet person, gazing at you with eyes filled with nothing but love; yet she fucked you like she absolutely despised you.

"Don't look at me like that, sweetheart... I can't tell what you want if you don't use your words." A faux frown formed on her face because of the expression you had on yours. You were biting down on your lower lip, swallowing the urge to curse at her while your unending frustration shone in your eyes. As irritated as you were at the woman in front of you, you know your place. You know that one wrong move, and she could take away all of the pleasure you were feeling on a whim. It'd be best to do as she says if you plan on cumming at all tonight. "I want you, Furina." She grins devilishly. "Oh? But you already have me, do you not?"

She looked at you with expecting eyes and a wide smile. You know what she wants you to do. She set you down, leaving your legs sore and foreign to the feeling of the floor beneath your feet. The wet 'pop' sound made you realize just how empty you felt without her inside of you. Albeit hesitantly, you turned to her and got on your knees; just like how she trained you to. "P-please fuck me with your cock," you took a deep breath, cheeks flushing as you looked up to meet her predatory gaze. "and fill me up with your warm cum." As the words left your mouth, your stomach churned with both anticipation and a good kind of apprehensiveness that only she could make you feel. "Kneel."

The things you said weren't what pleased her, no. Although the idea is very appealing, what really got her wanting to hurry up and rut into that tight pussy of yours is how pathetic you look when you're begging. All teary-eyed and frustrated, it's obvious you don't want to, but you do anyway. She's more than delighted that you know your place. You do as you're told, ready to use both your mouth and hands to pleasure Furina when she suddenly speaks up, "Ah, ah, ah... No hands, remember?"

Fuck. You thought she'd forget, or at least spare you some slack, but you thought wrong. Just how sadistic can this woman get? She doesn't even try to hide how she thrives off of humiliating you; how willing you are to do even the most shameful of things at her bidding. Your hands rest between your thighs as you kiss the head of her cock, coaxing more precum to come out. You use it as lube to coat her shaft, eagerly taking more of her in your mouth as you bob your head up and down.

It seems your act of obedience and submission gratified her, if the cheeky smile on her face was anything to go by. "Enough. Hands on the wall." She said sternly once her cock stood proud and erect, reinvigorated by newfound lust. You followed her orders, making sure to keep a tight grip on the wall as you already know what's about to happen next.

Or so, you thought until she delivered a harsh slap to your cunt. The action made you yelp in a mixture of pleasure and pain. "Hm. You got wet from saying such vulgar words," If you weren't careful to hold onto the wall for dear life, you're sure you would have lost your balance. "Sometimes I worry about you." She sighs, palming your clit in rough circles as if to ease the very pain that she herself had just caused.

"You're the one who-" As you were about to retort, your words are halted as her cock spears its way into your cunt. It felt so much more... girthier than usual. She wasted no time letting you adjust to her size, immediately rutting her hips in a way that made her cock hit both fast and deep inside of you. "Oh, I'm sorry," she brings down her hand, this time to slap your ass. "Were you trying to say something, mon chéri?" She drew out the last part, as if to tease you for being so helpless in her hold. You had planned on staying silent, but much to your annoyance, she stopped her thrusting completely. It was clear that she wasn't going to continue, lest you answer her question. "N-no..." She smirks.

As time went on, her thrusts proceeded to get sloppier and faster. "Merde... Trying to milk me dry, are you?" She groaned, feeling your walls engulf her fully. "Greedy whore." She slapped your ass again, chuckling. You're reduced to a mumbling mess, barely keeping yourself upright while your knees buckle from the sheer strength of her hips. You can feel her cock twitch inside of you and her heavy balls tighten up, and you take a deep breath knowing what's to come.

Furina moaned lowly as her orgasm came crashing over her, almost at the same time as yours did. Panting heavily, she let her cock stay inside of you as the cum that came out of it seemed endless. You feel so warm and full with her seed filling your womb, and you couldn't be happier. "That's right, take it all... You better not waste a single drop." You can barely feel the sting of the hand bringing itself down on your ass, too focused on trying to keep yourself balanced. "Thank you..." You mumble, too delirious and cockdrunk to keep your dignity in tact.

You involuntarily let out a disappointed whimper as she pulls out of you after what felt like eternity, but all of that disappointment is washed away as she speaks, "Get up, sweetheart. I'm breeding all of your holes tonight."

[snvxiii]

Snow-Centric Merch Haul Part 9: Custom Crochet Amigurumis/Dolls (by Crochet4Love.c4l)

11/21/22 | Bought on Mercari | 80 USD (3.72 shipping)

Welcome to part 9 of my Snow-Centric Merch Haul!

It's the holiday season! Mercari–neat little thing it is–oferred a $20 off $50 coupon if you listed 30 items in a specific timeframe. I had $17.78 in credits left to spend too and decided to splurge on myself!

-

I didn't measure him, but he's about 4" tall. He feels wonderful to hold and fits my palms perfectly! I can't squeeze him, much as I'd like to however. He is not meant for aggressive affection. His head would pop off.

-

The process:

I found Crochet4Love.c4l on Mercari searching for custom yarn dolls. I contacted them for a price quote. They hinted we couldn't chat through Mercari well. I found their account on Instagram.

Because I am a tryhard, I drew up two references to match their art style with written text instructions.*

C4l gave me a price quote for $40 ($35 + $5 to cover Mercari's seller fees).**

They sent me a photo of the colors they planned on using.

Over the course of a week, they send me progress photos.

-

*Some miscommunication occured. I believe my wordy instructions and choice of colors caused confusion. The main issue being LR!Snow's jacket and ribbon of his bandana being a light gray color. I wanted both to be black/dark gray.

However, C4l took my colors literally and made the grey parts grey.

When C4l showed me the different colors, I mistook the grey (left, top right) they showed as the grey being used for his inner vest. From their perspective, they considered that shade of grey "dark" compared to their other light grey (right).

I'd consider both to be light grey... nonetheless, due to Mercari's tight deadline + the fact I ordered two dolls, C4l didn't have time to correct LR!Snow's jacket.

He still turned out cute though. I mean, look at those tiny buttons! I adore them.

I might attempt to dye the jacket darker in the future. Though, I'm unsure of how to remove the jacket at the moment or how to protect the red thread from being dyed black.

And I'm rather fond of the light grey. He looks cozy in his fur-lined winter coat.

-

**Since I wanted to use up my coupon and remaining credits, I asked C4l to complete the transaction via Mercari rather than Paypal. I offered to pay for the additional fees.

-

Lessons learned:

I would love to commission C4l again to complete the trio. I didn't commission XIII-2!Snow, because of his more complex hair style. I wasn't sure how to translate his hair in drawing.

That said...

Definitely going to commission them outside of Mercari. The tight deadline left no time for any large adjustments on top of ordering two dolls. I'd like to give them and myself more time next time.

I haven't commissioned anyone in years (double digits). I need to be more proactive in asking questions and confirming the creator's intentions. I'm sure I caused them stress for my lack of communication skills!

I rushed my references admittedly. Next time, I'll include side-by-side comparisons with the renderings and prepare them far in advance. I'll also simplify my wording.

I also forgot that Snow's jacket splits in the back AH! I don't know if it's the same for LR!Snow however.

-

LOOK AT HIM:

I'm such a fan of C4l's style of doing eyes! You can see a faint pink blush under the buttons, with a thin white line to outline the outer edge.

His stubble: adorable. He's a little baby with depression.

His hair: I love how XIII!Snow's hair curls! He looks younger, wilder (in a cute way), and makes me nostalgic.

I'm especially impressed by the small buttons and detail of his vest! Better than what I imagined. Though, I'm disappointed the smaller details of his belt-scarf didn't come through. I should've asked.

Yes, his hat IS removable. XIII!Snow also has a bigger head, hahaha.

If you stare at the center of their faces, you can see a nose. It made me laugh. Such a charming little detail.

The color of XIII!Snow's jacket is perfect. Such a pretty sand color.

-

Final thoughts:

I want a bigger one. I want a little army. Big man squeezed down to tiny baby.

I might sew some additional details on XIII!Snow. I don't know how to sew. I might not dye LR!Snow's jacket (I spent $10 on vinegar and black dye; I don't make wise decisions). I don't know what material the yarn is made from. I don't want to melt the fibers.

I might re-commission them both in the future. There are so many little details I want added. Big brain idea, but what if I pinned one of my Wild Bear charms onto XIII!Snow's back? The charms I own are too big, so maybe I'll order 1" versions in the future...

Maybe I'll add Serah and Estelle to my little collection... make them smooch...

[justmybookthots]

Home Before Dark

I find it extremely funny that my last read before this was a general fiction / kinda rom-com (Hello Stranger by Katherine Center) and now I've switched straight to a horror and thriller book. Duality, am I right? And yet I enjoyed it just as much as the previous book, if not a bit more? It's slightly ironic because Hello Stranger gripped me in its first half and languished later on, while Home Before Dark had a slow beginning before ensnaring me completely the further the story went.

But! I am ecstatic that I met my reading goal of reading at least one thriller in January. I was so sure I wasn't going to make it, but I did. I can't say this was as good as the first book I'd ever read of Riley's—The Only One Left—but I still enjoyed this marvellously. I need to say that horror in books rarely scares me (but I don't read much of it, admittedly), especially when there is an onslaught of gore in written form, but this book was… scary. Creepy. I had to get up and make sure the front door was open—my gate still remained closed, of course—so I didn't feel too claustrophobic reading this in my own home. I don't get this feeling very often with thrillers, so this did a great job.

Of course, I hardly read horror fiction, even though they're thrillers adjacent. This year, after I had branched out to fantasy last year, I decided I wanted to branch out somewhere again in 2024. Little steps, really, considering how closely intertwined horror is to thriller. But it's still a step. I never genuinely wanted to give horror much of a try before because I'm not a fan of supernatural elements outside of the fantasy genre, but I decided to just shoot my shot, not think too much, and go for it. 

I am so glad I did!

Some spoilers ahead:

It turns out there is no supernatural element in the ending. Or rather, whatever supernatural element there is is merely hinted at, but most of the threads are tied up using facts/reality. I won't say I liked or disliked that, because I was already keeping an open mind about any supernatural element of it. 

I have to say, it got me emotional in some parts. Like, I genuinely loved the heroine's relationship with her dad, you know? Turned out he was truly a great dad and he did so many things to protect her because he loved her so much. Even the mom was great at the end, and I just really liked both her parents. I was also kind of sad about how her relationship with Dane turned out, when all of this could have been avoided because he was genuinely a nice guy. 

Some mild gripes: So… we know who Miss Pennyface and Mr Shadow are, but who's the girl who was stuck there? That never got resolved, I think? Also, while I was satisfied with the revelation of Miss Pennyface, Mr Shadow turning out to be a woman was a hard sell for me. 

Overall, I'm not giving it a five stars like I gave The Only One Left because it didn't render some visceral punch like the latter did, but I had a great time reading this and I'm so happy I did. I missed reading thrillers and it's been some time since I read one.

On to the next! (Hopefully.)

- 29 Jan 2024

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

Asli wanted to hear about everything. Having not been by his side throughout the remaining process of renovating the studio had, admittedly, been torturous. It killed her not getting to see him and hear the updates from him, of not getting to see the light in his eyes as he talked about his day and what progress the crew made concerning the building. It was horrifying just how much she missed out on because they've barely spoken, leaving her feeling guilty and wishing she fought more so that they could've at least talk more. Yet, it was good getting to be here with him now. Getting to see the state of the studio and learning that it was so close to being finished. But above all, it was beautiful to see him smiling and how happy he was over the studio still. Aslihan could only hope that the studio had provided a good distraction for the man she loves while he processed the news about their child. The thought caused her throat to close up yet she cleared it. Of course she wishes that he took the news better. Of course she wishes that they could've spent the past month getting things ready instead of being on standby.

Aslihan wished, god did she wish so much, that he was ready to be a father. But she couldn't spring that up on him just yet. Frankly, part of her wanted to talk more about the studio before getting into that. Maybe have a tour and see what all has changed, get an update from him before getting down to what she came here for. Nodding, she smiled warmly up at him. "Please, that would be incredible. I... I'd love to be here to support you on the last day and opening day, if that's alright? I really hope you can get to everything you want to do soon. Have you thought of more things you'd like to do with the studio?" God, that broke her heart. She was suppose to already know if he's thought of anything else he'd like to do. Not this. Not this unawareness between them.

Fortunately, the momentary pain seemed to pass rather quickly. Yet that didn't stop from Asli noticing Eli's reaction. How quick worry spread across his features as he watched her. How his expression changed once he looked down and saw her bump. If this was any other universe where Eli was ready to be a father, she realized that this could be such a beautiful moment for them. Getting to be in a place that Asli had bought for love, a place that Eli has worked on out of love, all the while them expecting their baby together. Her heart was beginning to race fast as she blinked, not allowing herself to shed any tears right now. She refused to make Elijah feel guilty. Yet she winced as he whispered her name. "I-I know," she whispered, glancing up at him shyly. "I... I know, El. I know. I just... I just didn't want to take that memory from you." Atlas lost out on having memories of Asli's pregnancy with Alex, though she was glad that he hadn't seen the worst of it. Raymond had been to basically every single appointment during her pregnancy with Theo, the woman making sure of it. She didn't want to do to Elijah as she had to Atlas. She didn't want to have him lose out on memories and for him to blame himself because he'd been scared. Granted, she doesn't know what he's going to choose in the end. Yet she knows he loves her. She knows that he always will, no matter if they're together or not together. And she knows that because of that love, that it could still possibly render him with guilt. The anthropologist wouldn't allow that to happen. Yet she tensed up at his words and quickly moved closer to him. "No," she said, reaching up to cup his face with her spare hand. "It's not... I-I'm not... We can't, w-we can't go down that road, Eli. I'm sure it's just really bad morning sickness, that's all. Each... Each pregnancy is so different. I'm sure everything's fine." She shook her head. Yet, before she could open her mouth and say anything, something he said caught her attention. "Wasn't?" Past tense. Does... Does that mean he's close to making his choice? Has he decided what he want and what he was going to do? "I, um... I'm feeling tired, mostly. I couldn't sleep last night. It's in two and a half hours from now." Searching his eyes, she asked nervously, "How... How are you feeling...?"

It was easy for Elijah to get carried away in talking about the studio, so much so that it had completely slipped his mind that the last time that Aslihan had stepped foot in the building was well over a month ago. There was a pang in his heart upon the realization that one of their last normal conversations — where they were truly themselves: carefree, together and happy — was talking about this very place, setting up a date later that week for her to stop by that obviously never happened. It had changed so much since then, the last photos that he took and spammed her phone with being buried deeply in his camera roll behind fresh new ones now. He wanted to show it off, to take her hand and drag her around the entire building to point out every little detail that just couldn't be properly captured in pictures, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. Things were still rather . . . unknown between them, to say the least, to no fault of her. Entirely because of himself, he still wasn't sure if it would be appropriate if he slapped another band-aid over their relationship and pretended like the elephant in the room wasn't glaring at them. Especially considering their lack of contact after their quick reunion as well, which he wasn't sure if it added more salt in the wound or not.

Clearly not, because she was standing here, but still. He was taken by surprise as she excitedly squealed and wrapped him up in a quick hug that he had to stop himself from melting into. A genuine smile poked through once they made eye contact again. Despite everything, he was glad that they haven't completely crashed and burned — that there were still some parts of them that would be the same, regardless of the pain they shared together. "Thank you, Asli, I . . . I'll let you know how it goes next week, of course. I hope that they can finish up too so that I can get to all the fun bits."

It wasn't a huge promise, but it was one that he could make right now. A small way of saying that he didn't want to disappear entirely anymore, one that had been teetering on the edge of his mind for a few days now. No, longer than that. Ever since he talked with Rachel and tried to absorb everything that she had told him, and ever since he plopped down on Leti's couch and pretty much heard the same. His eyebrows knit together in confusion as her demeanor changed, though, instinctively leaning back just enough for his eyes to trail over her entire frame. The first thing that he noticed was the way her expression twisted and apprehension shot through him immediately, no amount of distance between them able to take away how much he worried about her. She appeared to have recovered smoothly, like she didn't want him to worry too much, which didn't necessarily stop that from happening but left the second thing to notice all the more prominent. Her hand curving over her sundress, revealing a small bump that definitely hadn't been there the last time they saw one another in person. It made his throat close, mixed emotions washing over him momentarily as he thought about how that was his baby. His baby that had been changing her body, seemingly making her sicker and sicker the more that time went on. That she hadn't gone to a doctor for. "Asli . . ." he breathed out, bringing his eyes to hers again, more concerned with the fact that she hadn't gone yet than anything. "You should've gone to see her." There was no ill-intent with his statement, his words simply coming out of a place of concern; his tone was soft and gentle. "What if —" he stopped himself with a light shake of his head, not wanting to go down that road. "Baby, you can't put stuff off like that because of . . . because of me. Because I wasn't . . ." he sighed, trailing off that train of thought as he brought himself back to what was more important. "What've you been feeling? W-When is it?"

[rrasado]

• When You Sculpt •

I vividly remember someone requesting for hadcanons of how Riddle and Malleus would react to a Yuu who did sculptures, there was also a 3rd boy but I genuinely can't remember who TwT (threw in the fae dad for substitute). This request was sent around last year and the ask itself is gone so to whoever sent that forgotten ask, may you find peace now with the complementary drink .

When you create sculptures

Someone of his background would have at least some sort of take regarding sculptures right? And even then it's limited to what he knows of their use within history's narrative.

For one he's aware that royalty such as the ever revered Queen of Hearts would flaunt their might through embellished luxuries, sculptures of their visage being one of them.

So to hear you, the prefect, having a level of adapetivity with that specific art... you have his attention. Depending on whether you wear gloves on the daily are leave them bare, he'll find out with the smudges of material left on your calluses.

At first he thought not much of it, maybe it was from an activity in class that day? Who knows, however his thoughts were disproved when you came up to him at an unbirthday party's aftermath.

It was rare for students to approach him after the tradition, after all no one wants to stay any longer within the rule's chokehold, before he could interrogate your sudden approach he was kept silent by the clothed object within your two hands.

"You'd like for me to unveil it...? This isn't an attempt to prank me is it?"

You'll have to forgive his suspicious considering the dorm he runs, but the genuine expression on your face convinced him enough to entertain your request, sure enough he wasn't disappointed no far from it.

Gifts were something he wasn't sure of, normally they were given in a beneficial sense by his mother or perhaps a favor if it's from some no name mob, but the hardened clay figure shaped to resemble him met his pale gaze, he was rendered speechless for a few moments.

Coughing to regain his composure he gently allowed his own two hands to take the base of the figure from your grasp, upon closer inspection he began to take in more of the details you paved down the block of material, down to the illusion of his dorm's cape cascading behind the sculpted figure of him.

He never thought someone would actually see him in such admirable light, Riddle appreciates your work and intends to show his gratitude with his actions towards you and the gift itself, if you're lucky enough to be close to him... you may just see it displayed on his study table. And whenever he's in doubt during a draining time all it takes is a lingering stare at that gift, assured that someone at one point revered him not as a tyrant, but as a hardworking figurehead.

Malleus is, royalty we all know that. So it wouldn't be a surprise that he's has had other artisans pave his image on blocks of materials for the sake of show.

And yet even then he couldn't help but to feel warm when he saw your shorter stature running up to him in the dead of night at Ramshackle's foyer, holding a miniature figurine of him with your initials engraved under the base.

All those gold and marble depictions of him at the royal ground in Briar Valley were grand yes, but there was something more personal with your craft, something meaningful with the nights you spent to perfect the curve of his two horns.

He doesn't admit it to your face, but you'll have to forgive the fae for catching you working hard near your bedroom window on nights you didn't see him on the grounds. That's one of the things humans fascinate him with, their general drive to pursue a goal with what little time is on their hands, and with a prefect like you who's bound to an array of duties and obligations? Your time is precious, even he understood that.

He even kept the satin green veil you used to cover your (admittedly not surprise) gift, the imagery of him standing ever sternly with his hand gripping the dorm's staff was one he thought was executed nicely.

"You seem to have a knack for this sort of craft...if I may intrude, would you care to share where you learned your skill?"

Whether you were eager or calm with your narration, he'd take in every word and sentence with great interest. The sculptors he knew were all seasoned in age and even then they were what you'd consider polymaths in their own right, so to see an ordinary human from another world practice the same meticulous art was of great amusement to him.

The Diasomnia dormleader stores your gift somewhere safe, when he got back to the dorm he easily handled the plethora of questions thrown by the ever loud first year retainer he fostered. Waving a dismissive hand and painting your work with quaint praise.

There at the top of his bookshelf far from his other belongings, stood the minuscule depiction of the fae prince himself, the satin cloth used as a surface cover in order for the green hue to reflect off the solid figure whenever the light hits it at the right angle.

In shorter terms, Malleus has once again been given a reminder of what humans can manifest should the circumstances garner them to do so. And on nights before slumber he gazes back to that gift with a personal sense of fulfillment.

The vice dormleader of Diasomnia knows many things about many subjects, more than he'd like to let on unfortunately. His take on sculptures were that of a veteran's.

He knew what they meant and possibly entailed, they can either be made to glorify a hero's victory, or perhaps to foretell the wrongdoings of some villainous figure in the form of flammable wood. Either way he knew the effort that was poured into making sculptures regardless of reason or material.

It was a simple Friday for him, classes have finished and he was about to make his way to the light music club's vicinity when he slowly caught your nearing image within his peripheral vision. With an ever friendly wave he greets you and your... sweating state?

Lilia tilts his hear at your current state, seemingly tired from what he assumed was walking all the way here holding something fairly heavy, at least that's what he guessed on the covered object you held so dearly. The third year didn't wait for your words- immediately raising the magenta cloth out of his own curiosity...and great seven he had no regrets.

There under the piece of cloth was what looked to be himself sitting upon an Ivy grown wall, wanting to see more he snatched the cloth off the piece allowing the sunset's hue to settle on the solid figure that depicted none other than him.

"What's this we have here? It's safe to assume it was none other than you who paved such a piece~? Fufufu I quite like it you definitely caught all my features."

Like Malleus, he most likely have already his fair share of sculptures dedicated to him back home at Briar Valley as a veteran to their history, but minor musings such as the one you tired delivered to him? He finds it pleasant in every right!

You were so busy catching your breathe he never allowed you to speak for yourself, going on his own tangent regarding how well done you carved out the vines that climbed the brick wall his miniature self sat on. Judging by the level of details he can only assume you were adept in your field of craft.

A string of chuckles left the fae, easing you of your burden by taking the figure into his own hands while waiting for you to finally regain your composure. His thumb grazed an embossed part behind the sculpted brick wall of the piece, raising the gift to inspect it closer only to see a hastily embedded signature, yours most likely!

To receive a gift such as this from an isekaid student, Lilia would deem it as rare among all the ones existing in the world, after all only few ever receive homage of respect from a non twisted wonderland native right? Lilia will take pride in that aspect, patting you affectionately on the head and leaving in his fae way leaving you alone in the halls. Before dropping by at the light music club he'd put the gift away in the comforts of Diasomnia's lounge where all may be graced with the glory of your creation. Lilia as eccentric as his way was, deeply appreciated the sentiment.

[storfulsten]

Who do u think fell in love first? Whitty or Bf

too much rambling so under cut

hmm not sure tbh. physically bf definitely kinda fell for whitty right away when they first met in that alleyway bc he's a weirdo who likes 'em stupid tall and right then and there maybe realised he likes 'em not quite human aswell I guess ha *coughmonsterfrickercough*. but finding someone hot af and thirsting for their parts isn't the same as falling in genuine love with someone so it doesn't count lol. honestly I think they kinda fell in love at about the same pace as they got to know eachother and all that, though I do think bf figured out way sooner that he was growing genuine feelings, with him knowing somewhat how such things work and stuff at least a little bit. though admittedly, while he's had at least a few relationships and experiences in the past, this ends up way more than he ever felt for anyone before so kinda overwhelming and confusing in some ways I guess. so maybe the magnitude of the implications of that rendered him slightly stubbornly ignorant past the shallow physical attraction and general regular friendship so maybe he wasn't that much more faster on the uptake after all idk lol. whitty is not fast on the uptake due to his lack of experience and overall just general knowledge and such with such things. all his previous experience is mostly friendship-based (hex and carol) and not very physical (he used to be very cagey and careful in avoiding people bc yea). also he can find people attractive in general sure but not in a way that makes him feel anything in such a way really, I guess being ace and I guess demi has something to do with not really feeling the need to care about such things when you got so much other stuff to worry about. only after he's starting to grow slightly weirdfeeling feelings for bf without realizing it does he start to feel genuine physical attraction towards another human being for the first time in his life and it's the weirdest most confusing thing ever. (also for some reason bf just smells more nice than usual all of a sudden like ??? wat lol) so he grows some heavier feelings but he might not register them as such in such a way and might just see it as wanting to be very very good friends or something at first idk lol so um yeah, physical attraction-wise bf is miles ahead being a thirsty dingus right out the gate, genuine feelings-wise they're both kinda confused but they got the spirit and are about the same timeline-wise maybe. true bf probably knew first but just because whitty didn't know what the weird shit going on meant at the time doesn't mean it wasn't genuine ya know. or something like that I guess, idk lol

[speedstershipping-archivee]

Viability.

Dick Gr.ay.son x Lyell ( s/i )

GIF CREDIT: x

WARNINGS: titans season 3 spoilers, mentions of death and loss, angst.

WORD COUNT: 1192

AUTHOR'S NOTES: wrote this after today's episode because it has me feeling™. this takes place before dick travels into the woods and goes through with his plan to lure in Jason, which he omits mentioning, for obvious reasons. not sure how good this is but I wanted to post it since I am rarely commit to and finish fics this fast.

----

"Where are you going?"

Dick had swiftly grabbed his car keys off the entryway table, and made a b-line for the door, only stopping dead in his tracks upon hearing the other's voice. He looked back quickly, and seeing Lyell stood there with expectant eyes, he relaxed, his gaze turning softer.

"Nowhere you need to worry about." He assured them. Lyell had inquired only with a innocent curiosity, but was met with a hardened expression that made the smile on their face fade a little. Dick may not have been the most expressive person (though admittedly, in their eyes at least, he had been opening up a bit more these days; wearing his heart on his sleeve more, even if only slightly moreso than before). But they knew when their boyfriend's head was somewhere else. They could practically feel the tension he had built around himself , despite not even knowing what had brought him into this mindset in the first place.

"Hey," their words suddenly went gentle as they walked over to him, eyes laced with concern. " You doing okay? "

Dick knew if he looked into them his tough exterior would be rendered useless, and in a last ditch effort to hide his true intentions, he averted his eyes elsewhere, anywhere but at theirs. He had plans he was set on, after what Jason did, not just to Hank, but to Dawn and Conner, to all of them, to his family -- he wanted to take down Red Hood, once and for all. Even if his means weren't exactly safe, or legal. They were impulsive, but he wasn't about to say that to Lyell.

After all, that was their brother. Though they had danced around talking about it with him, he knew they still held some sort of care for the former titan. He could remember the sickness they expressed when they had found out Jason was Red Hood, that Jason was not only alive, but trigger happy at that, having turned on them and killed innocents in what seemed like unwarranted yet elaborate attacks. And the horror in their eyes when Hank advocated for killing Jason (before he could cause anymore harm) was vivid in his mind. No doubt now, after the death of Hank at Jason's hand, was Lyell feeling an internal confliction. One that, despite everything, they did their best to suffer through alone.

Hypocritical, maybe. But, after what Bruce put him though, it was a coping mechanism that Dick could fully sympathize with.

"I'm fine," he settled on as an answer. "But I might be gone a while."

Lyell furrowed their eyebrows. Even now, in a private moment with the person he felt understood him most, he chose to close himself off from them. This wasn't an answer that was uncommon for them to receive from him. But, after what they'd been through together up until this point, and all the times they opened up to him, it felt like this time ... it hurt a little more.

"Is it that bad?" Lyell asked. Their way their voice faltered felt almost as they had given up stopping him already. "At least let me go with you."

"I'm out of options. I dont have any other choice." Dick spoke his words carefully in hopes it would calm their nerves. But knowing Lyell, they'd worry about him regardless if he wasn't right there with them. "You should stay here, keep an eye on Gar and Conner. Make sure they're doing okay after what happened. But I dont want you getting hurt at my expense. I can take care of myself just fine on my own."

It was a dangerous plan that came to him after Barbara had called him earlier that day; at a vulnerable moment, after having to part ways with Dawn, a close friend who had stuck with him, no matter how many times he had given her a reason not to. Though Barbara had also asked him how he was doing, he had dismissed her just the same. What was important now was doing what he hadn't let Hank do -- apprehend Jason before its too late. Or, in this case, it already was too late.

"Just because you can doesn't mean you have to," they wanted to say so badly, but the words felt thick in their chest, unable to come out. Deep down they knew once he had his mind set, there was no persuading him.

Feeling no other choice, Lyell pushed themselves into Dick's chest, wrapping their arms around him in a tight hug. They clinged to him as if he would vanish the moment he walked out of that door.

"Just ... don't do anything stupid while you're gone ... okay?"

There was a moment of surprise that quickly turned into adoration. It was only for a moment; but as Dick returned the gesture and held them close, he felt understood. Trusted. They didn't attempt to stop him, regardless of their worries, despite the many times he had disappeared on them before. Letting himself melt into their hold, even if only for a second, he pressed his lips to their temple in a ghost of a kiss.

"of course not." he whispered.

Their embrace lasted only seconds before the moment fleeted. Dick slowly let go of them. Lyell lingered a moment, hesitant to let go, but eventually did. They kept their gaze low; They didn't want to look at him, because they were afraid to confront that maybe that would be the last time they'd ever get to. After all, they weren't stupid. They knew whatever he was putting himself up against, it had to do with Jason. And they knew what their brother was capable of. It wouldn't be the first time he tore someone close to them away without leaving them even as much as a goodbye. But they trusted Dick; They've invested their whole heart in him with the belief that he would do his best not to break it.

But boy, how they already began to miss the warmth, the safety, and the certainty of holding onto him.

" Lyell ... "

Dick felt like he should say something. But before he could, Lyell turned away, disappearing down the long hallway without giving him a second look. Before their emotions could get the best of them and spill into his view.

There was a moment of reconsideration, but it didn't last. Dick decided against going after them. Instead, he watched them leave with solemnity. In the end, he didn't want to involve them in such a risk. He didn't even know if he was going to bring Jason back alive. Or if this would backfire and he wouldn't return himself. He knew well, if he got the chance, Jason would kill him immediately. And it was better him than Lyell -- he had already suffered so much loss of so many close to him for his age. He couldn't lose them. He couldn't lose Lyell.

But Dick wasn't going to waste any time overthinking it.

He was going to stop Red Hood once and for all.

----

[cigvrettedvet]

rue & carys.

          Her display is flushed and she is awash with an impulsive giddiness as she keeps her eyes on Rue, admittedly she knows when people glance at her in that sort of way, or when a client comes into the shop and openly flirts with her, but now being under Rue’s attention, she felt compelled to stay. Her head slanting ever so slightly as she wonders what sort of drink Rue will recommend they try next. “Well, if it’s one of your favourite’s, then how can I refuse,” she murmured, glancing over the option for brandy. “Our aunt is a big brandy drinker, so she kept it well stock when we went to visit her on her own little island on summer recess.” Vaporous memories of long and warm days spent at her aunt’s house on an island off Tenby, acquiring seashells and other such treasures, and burying her toes in the sand. And then in her older years getting tipsy off of unseen sips of Jules Clairon her aunt had stowed away in the living room cabinet, that made the world more murky. She enjoyed hearing about Rue’s brother, it was always abating to hear stories of others fucked up families to make her feel better or worse than her own. But also because it was nice to hear Rue talk about themselves, they had an ease to them. “Oh I can just tell you are a troublemaker from the ten minutes I’ve talked to you,” Cat did not envelop herself with anyone less. “How often do you see him?” 

Carys was sure by the end of this interaction that her ego would be manifold, the way Rue doled out complements and the older woman rendered helpless to their charm. After a series of failed romantic attempts, she was not sure if it was the best idea to get involved with anyone, and she was sure if she had a therapist they would just infer it was a fear of commitment or any other professional cliché, but she simply was better without any sort of entanglement. “Fighting for my honour are you? And they say chivalry is dead.” Pulling her hair into a ponytail, a few strands falling out, the corner of her lips curved upwards into a half crescent, developing a studiously obtuse notion, “but here we are, one on one, so I suggest you don’t waste it.” 

      rue truly feels like a kid with a high school crush on the most popular girl in school. or maybe it'd be more appropriate to say the hot teacher. regardless, rue's dangerously smitten with carys already and all the initial worries rue had before were completely dashed. the liquor helps. "ooh, that must've been pretty exciting. i always wanted to go on an island. or just... go away in general," rue mused. although most already seemed to know about rue's brother ( or just her family in general ), it was nice to see that someone didn't. that they weren't willing to judge them or their brother based off of whatever bullshit rumors and stories ( only some were true ). "i don't know what you're talking about, i'm a sweet little angel," rue playfully argued, trying their best to look innocent. they fail within ten seconds. "uh, every once in a while. or when he needs help getting bail money. so... i'd say every few months." they had once been close to their brother but them growing apart was for a simple yet dumb reason. daniel was getting older and wanted to do his own thing. rue had once been in his shoes which was why they tried to save them. that only seemed to drive a bigger wedge between them. they finish their words with a laugh, an attempt at lightening up the mood after such a grim statement. rue chuckles, glancing over at carys as she put her hair up in a ponytail. it's ridiculous how smitten rue is with the older woman, staring just a little too long and admiring her features before they force themselves to look away. "oh, trust me, i don't plan on wasting a single second," rue assured with a grin. they aren't sure just how much they can get away with at cat's party. if cat were to find out, she'd be pissed. so that's why she wasn't going to. "i think it's pretty safe to assume then that you're single. which... funny coincidence, so am i. i think that means something." their tone was playful but there's just a hint of seriousness there.

[lovelywingsart]

Pretty Lies

-- Karl Heisenberg X OC (AFAB, She/They) --

This one was... interesting to write. I had an idea and went with it, so I'm not sure how it'll turn out?? Also an irl friend fucking hates me for it since he read it and it tortured him, so ENJOY HAHAHAHAAAA

**Small reminder that I have a small 'Masterlist' for these!**

-----------

*Warning?: Hella angst, mentions of blood/slaughter, mention of/somewhat active kidnapping, arguments

Summary: Emelia had never experienced a village 'purge' before, until now. A surprising discovery, followed by a very, VERY unwelcome guest and a painful lie.

The small village was eerily silent. The Lycan attack had done a number, rendering the buildings destroyed and previously untouched snow stained with blood. Footsteps disrupted the remainder of the snow as Emelia and Heisenberg made their way through the silent carnage, both of their heads on a swivel as their breath came out in plumes of vapor. A thick, hooded fabric rested over Emelias shoulders partially keeping her warm, and an old eyepatch covered the left side of her face. She hadn't worn it in quite some time, but the temperature change was too severe not to. She still shivered lightly, but any irritation from the cold was replaced by sheer surprise and... even the slightest amount of horror.

"Bloody hell..." she muttered, pausing her movements to look at a particularly mangled corpse before shivering again and tugging the fabric to pull the hood more over her head. The man behind her only kept moving, his eyes drifting over the mess nonchalantly as he puffed at the cigar between his lips.

"You get used to it." He said quietly. "Purges aren't often. Its a fear tactic if the villagers get too... 'rowdy' and 'non-believing'. Or, that's what she wants them to think."

"MIRANDA does this??" She asked, a hint of disgust in her voice. He shrugged.

"Nothing we can control. Spread the fear and gather blood for the Cadou, that's what we do."

Emelia kept her eye on him as he walked past her, the massive hammer over his shoulder gathering the white substance as snow flurries fell around them. He clearly wasn't exactly happy... Sure, the man loved his destruction and bloodshed, but only when done by himself and himself alone. Or maybe her if she was lucky or if necessary, or even for simple amusement. But she remained silent, jogging slightly to meet him again. Even with him... Even working on Soldats, she had never seen this much blood. Even fighting the zombified creatures in the factory and Lycans herself didn't prove to be this bad. She didn't know how to feel about it... She was used to blood, of course. But only with a single body or two at once... Not an entire village.

She stuck close to him, almost bumping his shoulder as they continued to walk, eventually averting her gaze to stare at her feet. She couldn't... She couldn't look at them. Even she felt the weight of the dead villagers on her shoulders, and she had nothing to do with it. They only walked a few more steps before a sound made them both pause, their heads turning simultaneously towards a small patch of snow free from flesh and gore. Heisenberg gripped the handle of the hammer and took a step forward, only to stop as Emelia held out her hand.

"Wait..." she nearly whispered, training her eye on a small moving figure. He curled his lip.

"Do you know what she'll do to you if it's not dead?" He growled, nodding to the figure. She shook her head and focused, only for her breath to catch in her throat as she realized what it was.

A child.

"Oh my god..." she said quietly, her hand lowering.

"Emelia-"

She took off before he could say anything else, working to a light jog in the snow before she reached the now cowering child. The boy seemed to have rags for clothing, the fabrics stained and torn from what she could only assume came from the attack. He nearly stumbled back as she approached, holding up her hands as if to show she meant no harm.

"Hey..." she said quietly, pausing as the child whimpered. Near frozen tears stained the boys cheeks as he looked up at her in pure fear. She frowned, crouching onto one knee. "I won't hurt you..." she continued. "Where are you from...?"

The boy didn't answer, only backing away once another shadow appeared next to her. She glanced over to see Heisenberg give a disapproving scowl.

"We have to go." He said simply. Emelia simply shook her head, looking back to the child.

"Was this your home?" She asked, relaxing somewhat as the boy finally nodded.

"Monsters came..." the boy whimpered, his shaky hand reaching up to rub at his face. "Mommy and daddy are gone..."

"Gone?"

He meant 'dead'.

Another nod from the boy. Emelia frowned for a moment. She didn't think there was a survivor from this... Why did the Lycans leave him? Did they even know he was here? A groan from behind her alerted her to the metal man's shift in posture.

"Emelia, we NEED to go." He growled, now sounding somewhat impatient. "Just leave him and-"

"No. I'm not leaving him." She snapped suddenly, glaring back at him before giving a huff. She then looked back at the child. She offered a light smile and held out her hand. "We can help you find them."

"'We'??" Heisenberg said, his lip curling into the slightest bit of a snarl. "What are you-"

"Shut up, you twit!!" She growled again, watching the man roll his eyes and shake his head.

While still clearly afraid, the boy stood and slowly approached her.

"Can you find them...?" He asked, almost letting out a new choked sob. Emelia nodded.

"Yes. And of we can't, we have somewhere warm to get you out of the cold. Does that sound alright with you?"

She gave a warm smile, and the boy nodded before suddenly throwing his arms around her shoulders. She returned the hug carefully, feeling a light fluttering in her chest from her own Cadou from the sudden cold feeling. Maybe if she could help just one...

"Come on..." she said quietly, lifting the boy with ease and holding him on her hip. She covered his shoulders with her own cloak as he kept his arms around her shoulders. "Stay strong, boy. You'll be alright..."

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Heisenberg finally piped up, his irritation evident as she turned to him with the boy in her arms.

"WE are going home." She said matter-of-factly, lifting her chin. "After we... 'look' for his parents- Hold on, sweetie."

Emelia covered the boys head with the cloak and pressed her palm against his ear. The child only snuggled to her with a sniffling nod. Heisenberg rolled his eyes.

"You're JOKING." He said, gesturing around them. "They're probably dead just like everyone else here. Lycan food or taken."

"Or they could have hidden."

"These purges leave no one alive, that kid isn't an exception."

"Well obviously he is!" She huffed, watching as he neared her ever so slowly. He pointed at the boy in her arms.

"We're not taking him back. YOU'RE not taking him back." He growled. "There's enough to worry about in that goddamn factory and I'm not adding a KID to it, much less one that's supposed to be DEAD-"

"And how would you like it if it were you?!" Emelia snapped, baring her teeth at him as he physically recoiled. "If this were you, wouldn't you want a warm place after witnessing this destruction? I never said we would keep him-"

"I-... Stop- stop saying 'we'. This is not a 'we' situation, Emelia." He managed. She shifted on her feet slightly.

"Fine then. I never said I would keep him. But he is coming with."

"No, he's not-"

"Yes he is! You of all people should know how it feels to be a scared child!"

Another recoil. Another growl.

"STOP bring me into this-"

"I will not until you realize how bloody wrong you are." She nodded to the child. "He hasn't done a thing wrong. I wouldn't want to be left in the cold like this and neither would you, and you know it. Hell, I don't even want to be out here in the first place. But if I can help-"

"He's going to cause trouble-"

"He's a CHILD!"

Heisenberg nearly threw his hands up in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose after removing the his glasses. She HAD to be fighting him on this. She just had to come with, and she just had to find the kid, and she just absolutely HAD to add HIM into her thought process.

And he knew why. He knew EXACTLY why. He knew why she threw him into the mix, and he hated to admit that she was at least somewhat right.

He hated this too.

"Emmy, PLEASE-" he started, rubbing his temple.

God damn her... She kept her hard glare at him as he looked off to the side. Why was he ACTUALLY conflicted about this?? It was just a kid... A village kid. He had never cared much about the villagers before. There was no reason to. They were simply a few of many pawns in Miranda's clutches, slaughtered and taken like livestock every however many years, because that's all they were to her. So why was the woman in front of him making him question it-

"God damn it..." he muttered, closing his eyes and leaning his head back slightly. One look at her almost proved she had at least somewhat of a maternal instinct, and it admittedly tore him up just a little. Only in a few seconds did she make a much better mother than-

"He is coming with me, Karl. I don't care what you say." She replied finally, glancing at the boy for a moment with a genuine sadness. "I can't leave a child out here alone... He at least deserves a chance for living through this..."

"You are absolutely right." A sudden voice came from behind them. Emelia froze, absolute fear turning her veins ice cold as she watched Heisenbergs eyes widen behind his glasses.

No.

Oh NO.

She turned slowly, terrified, only to meet the winged figure of Mother Miranda mere feet behind her, the black and gold coloration of her clothing standing out heavily against the snow. The woman's face had been covered in a metallic veil as she reached out a hand towards Emelia and the child.

"... M-... Miranda..." she nearly whispered. The tall woman chuckled, but not out of amusement. Emelia could vaguely see her eyes from behind the metal piece over her face- they were cold and emotionless, just how she remembered them. She felt more fluttering from her Cadou as her heart sped up, fighting back the parasites automatic response to mutate. She almost flinched as she spoke.

"Please, leave the child with me. I can guarantee warmth and safety far better than anyone..." Miranda's eyes flicked between her and the man behind her, who she could nearly physically feel stiffen. "Isn't that right, Heisenberg?"

"... Yes, Mother Miranda." The man replied quietly. Emelia jumped, turning back to see him nearly at her side. Wait, when did he get so close? More importantly, did he just AGREE??

"W-Wait..." Emelia tried, only to be silenced by a warning glance from the him. The boy shifted in her arms, his gaze settling on the robed woman in front of them. A recognition seemed to spark in the childs round eyes as he repeated the name, though Emelia held him tighter.

"I assure you he will be cared fore under my wing." Miranda spoke again, taking another step forward. Emelia attempted to take a step back, only to be stopped by Heisenberg.

"She was gonna help me find my family..." the boy finally spoke up. All three heads swiveled towards him, and Emelia felt a wave of guilt through her chest. She opened her mouth, but Miranda beat her to it.

"That is awfully... kind of her." She spoke, giving a questioning glance to Heisenberg, who froze in place. This woman was going to get them BOTH killed, he thought. Miranda continued. "Thankfully there is no need... I know where they are, young man. They are safe and sound in the mountains and worried dearly about their son... Now please, come with me. I can take you to them."

"You can...?" The child asked, his small voice hopeful. He looked at Emelia once more as if asking permission, who then forced a smile under Miranda's hard gaze. She knew she couldn't deny... She had no choice.

"Y-Yes, um... Yes, she can..." she forced the lie through her teeth, though attempting to sound as pleasant as possible. She felt a gloved hand around the back of her neck as Heisenberg prevented her from moving, while also simultaneously attempting to clam her down as he gave a gentle squeeze. He always did when her own anxieties were high, or if a certain memory or nightmare plagued her mind... And it usually worked.

But it wasn't working right now.

"Please." Miranda insisted, keeping her hand out. The boy looked at her before returning his gaze to the woman holding him.

"They're all safe...? You mean it?" He asked, earning a stiff nod.

A few moments of tense silence passed before Emelia finally put the child down with a shaky breath, crouching to settle on her knees and reaching forward to wipe any remaining tears.

"You'll be alright..." she managed quietly, forcing a calm smile as the boy nodded before looking up at Heisenberg, who had to look away from the boys gaze.

"Promise...?"

Another rush of ice cold and fluttering.

"I promise." She nearly choked out.

She stayed where she was as the boys hand was taken by Miranda, causing them both to jump. The woman leaned down just slightly, meeting her eye with that of near suspicion. Emelia froze, her own eye widening. She had never been this close... Her hair stood on end with an odd fear as Miranda seemed to examine her, that fear only increasing as the dark robed woman stood straight once more and took the child into her own arms.

"Come now, child. Your future is a bright one... You will have a family again." She said, taking a few steps back. It wasn't until she locked eyes with Heisenberg that she spoke again. "Heisenberg, learn to control your... 'workers'. I will not ask again."

"Yes, Mother Miranda..." the man ground out, though forced a 'pleasant' smile before nudging Emelias side with his leg. "Come on."

"But-" her voice was lost to her as she watched Miranda walk away, the child peering over the woman's shoulder. It wasn't until he gave the smallest wave that she felt stinging at her eye, shakily lifting a hand to wave back before the woman and the boy disappeared with a sudden flurry of feathers.

She nearly sat in the snow, her gaze on the ground itself. Why did it hurt... Why did she feel guilty? She could hear noises surrounding them, seeing dark figures in the corner of her vision. Low growls were distant to her ears, alerting her to the Lycans that slowly began to fill the village once more. They wouldn't hurt them, she knew, but it gave her a horrible anxiety she had rarely felt. It wasn't until Heisenberg nudged her again that she finally felt a white hot tear roll down her cheek, making her flinch.

"Come ON, Emelia..." he almost growled, clearly straining. She didn't move.

"... Why..." she managed. He looked at her.

"Don't start, Emmy-"

"Why couldn't you stop her?"

"You know why." He grumbled, taking a step back. She glanced up to see a Lycan nearing her, but the creature stopped once she caught it's eye.

"No. I don't." She growled suddenly, her voice wavering slightly. "You HATE her, Karl. You KNOW what she's going to do with that child, why can't you stop her??"

"If I try, she'll-"

"She'll WHAT?! WHAT WILL SHE DO?!" She yelled, standing and tuning to face him with her teeth bared. Any semblance of growling around them stopped. Heisenberg stared at her, exhaling though his nose.

"She'll kill the both of us." He said simply, frowning. "Look, Emmy, I hate the bitch. I fucking despise her. But even I'm not stupid enough to take her head-on!"

"Have you ever TRIED?!"

"And throw away everything I've worked for?!" He yelled back, though she didn't flinch. "If the kid wasn't killed by the Lycans, he would have been taken by her anyway if the cold didn't get to him first! It happens every time there's a purge, there's no stopping it!"

"And you can't try to save ONE child?!" She took a step closer, feeling her arm twitch. "You can hide ME, but you can't hide a simple bloody child?! What the hell makes me so special?? What makes YOU so special?! Why can't you save just ONE if you know how it feels-"

"BECAUSE WE HAVE CADOU!! WE'RE NOT HUMAN!!!" He roared suddenly, causing her to draw back slightly. The air was dead silent before he sighed. "Emelia, I know your memories. I know your... 'attachment' to your human life. You've shared every little bit with me, it's hard to forget." He started, setting down the hammer and taking a few steps closer. "But you can't get attached to a single human child you found when you know damn well that bitch is around every corner ready to take them like she did-..." he paused, only to shake his head. "The point is, we aren't human." He continued. "A human has no place with us. With you, with me, with anyone. The most you can do is accept it and move on until my army is strong enough, and then you can go on with as much revenge as you want. But right now, we can't do shit."

"... Have you even tried?" She managed, her voice breaking just slightly. His brows furrowed in irritation.

"No, I-"

"Then how do you know?"

More silence. His eyes widened slightly at the look she gave him. She may have been as cold as he was to the outside. She made killing almost a second living next to her mechanic work, and regularly tore the other creatures to shreds when angry without remorse. But the look she gave... It was pain. Pain and anger. It wasn't often he saw that spark, the the last time was when she told him... When she told him...

It was then that it hit him.

She had only told him a week ago.

"Emmy..." he sighed, finally moving to stand in front of her. "Look. We can't stop this right now. As much I would like to... and I REALLY want to," he shrugged, "You can't have the life you wanted. You're not human anymore, no matter how hard you try."

"But he is. He's human. And he's a CHILD." She tried, tightening the cloak around her shoulders. "I couldn't give a damn about the adults, but he... He's innocent... He doesn't deserve to be like us. Like THEM." She gestured to the Lycans, who had more or less focused on the argument.

"Yes, I know, and that makes it... difficult." He managed. He sighed as she averted her gaze, flinching as he reached for her face. "Hey. Look at me."

He managed to take ahold of her jaw, making her look at him. The anger in her eye almost made him feel... bad.

"We will keep working. The army will grow. And we WILL crush her." He assured quietly, looking around them. "That bitch WILL die, and this won't happen again..." He only paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "... Kids won't be taken anymore, and you'll have a chance."

Emelia stared at him. She didn't know if he was serious or trying to make her feel better... But she wanted to believe him either way. When Miranda was gone, none of this would happen... right? Would they all be safe? She kept her eye on him before letting out a shaky sigh, reaching up to wipe her cheek while still keeping her face pressed to his hand.

"... I hate her..." she muttered. She sniffled lightly. "I hate her for this... I..."

"I know." Heisenberg sighed. "Soon, Emmy."

She was silent for a moment.

"... Am I stupid for hoping he's alright...?" She asked, looking down as he removed his hand. He shrugged.

"Unfortunately yes." He admitted, walking back to his hammer. She looked back up at him, watching as he reached for the handle.

"Would you have said yes? To taking him?"

She watched as he froze, his fingers touching the handle. He was silent, lowering his head slightly. Would he have? The Lycans had more or less scattered among the wreckage at this point, though few remained. Emelia glanced at the one close to her as it approached slowly with a low, questioning growl, and a new thought popped in her mind- Would she meet the child again like this? Her eye shot back to Heisenberg as he suddenly grabbed the hammer and slung it over his shoulder, his body stiff with it's movements.

"Would you, Karl?" She asked again, her voice more firm. But he said nothing, starting to walk forward. Was that a yes??

"Let's go." He said simply, not even turning back to look at her. She let out a huff.

"Answer me." She nearly yelled, starting to jog after him. He only stopped as she nearly jumped in front of him. "Would you have said yes?"

He jerked back, only to to give an irritated sigh.

"Emelia, let's just go-"

"Not until you answer me."

"I don't have a reason to."

"Bullocks."

"What reason, then?!" He growled. She suddenly stepped forward, their chests nearly touching as she glared at him.

"Because I need to know you're not entirely the monster you pretend to be around her." She stated. He twitched, and she continued. "Because if you are, that means I am too. And I refuse to acknowledge myself as that much of a creature thanks to her, because that's what we've been reduced to around her."

She pointed to the Lycan that had trailed her. Heisenberg followed with his eyes, watching as the Lycan stood and backed away with a light growl once he looked at it. Hearing her compare them to these beasts almost sent a rush of anger through his chest. No, they WEREN'T beasts like them. Of course they weren't. Beasts of a different sort, maybe. But not like those. He looked back at her, the smallest bit of anger in his face from the suggestion alone. But she kept her stare.

"Would you have said 'yes'." She repeated, her tone still harsh as her lip trembled. Even she couldn't tell it if was from the cold or the threat of crying again, and she hated both options. He seemed to hesitate before shaking his head with a grumble.

"... Maybe." He mumbled, glaring at her from behind his glasses. "ONLY maybe. That's all you're getting."

She couldn't help take a deep breath, lowering her arm slowly. He said... Even though it wasn't quite what she wanted, she didn't actually expect him so say anything close. 'Maybe' wasn't 'yes'... but it also wasn't 'no'. He nodded to the side and stepped forward, and she simply followed. She watched as he walked past, almost too stunned to move.

"For the last time Emelia, let's go." He said sternly, not looking back at her. She was silent, but quickly followed.

The snow continued to fall as they walked in silence, and she shivered. It seemed to get colder by the second no matter how much closer to the factory they were... Heisenberg glanced over at her as she kept her head down.

"You really won't let that dream die, will you...?" He asked quietly, the suddenness of his voice making her jump. But she took a breath and shook her head.

"Not while I'm alive." She replied, though looked up at him with near insult as he chuckled. "What...?"

"You're an odd one..." he said simply. "You're stupid for trying to keep it alive. But I admire that."

"It's what gives me a goal to survive this." She mumbled, shrugging the cloak closer over her shoulders. "If that dream is what keeps me going through a fight with her, then so be it. If she wants to ruin families, I won't die until I have my own."

"Hm."

He gave a light hum, keeping his eyes forward. 'Family'... She wanted so desperately to fight for one. How she held on to that tiny bit of hope was strange to him. It was strong enough to nearly take an orphan child as her own almost immediately... He couldn't help but feel what he could have only assumed was pity.

"You might see him again." He mumbled, his voice the tiniest bit thoughtful. She finally glanced at him with a frown.

"That's a sick joke..." her voice was low. He shrugged, but stayed silent. She shook her head. "The next time I see him would be a Lycan sighting if her ritual doesn't work..." she muttered, hugging her arms. "Which it never has... None of it ever..."

She trailed off, feeling a lump enter her throat. Heisenberg glanced at her before sighing and reaching over, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and bringing her to his side a bit roughly. She let out a surprised grunt, nearly stumbling. She didn't have to say a word as she looked at him, feeling the warmth of him through their now somewhat wet, snow-covered clothes.

"It's cold, you shouldn't be worrying about that right now." He mumbled, the grip on his hammer tightening. "I'll put together a few things for you to destroy back home, yeah?"

She said nothing for a moment, only to pull away and walk slightly faster.

"I think I'll stay in the Foundry..." she replied quietly, not turning around as he paused his footsteps. "Or take a walk."

"... Alright then." Heisenberg muttered, returning his arm to his side.

Silence returned to them as they walked, Emelia keeping her head down while staying a few feet in front of him at all times. All she could see in her head was the boys face... The small bit of hope behind his bright eyes. The small bit of hope she had in hers, ripped away once again. Maybe if she had run with the child immediately... Maybe she could have gotten back to the factory before Miranda had arrived. Could she? Would she have been able to with Heisenberg at her heels? Would he had even let her IN to the factory with the child? Was there even the slightest possibility she could save just one whenever the next purge happened, if it happened? Or maybe... She shook her head. No, no... She couldn't let any of these thoughts plague her much longer... It would fuck with her work. With THEIR work. One wrong move and the plan would go down in flames...

She had to keep trying. To keep hope. To keep up with their plans to destroy the woman. She already knew Heisenberg planned on utilizing her and his army, and she wanted nothing but to accompany him to watch Miranda burn. And once she was dead... Maybe. Just maybe, she could finally have her dream.

She could only hope.

[pointesdulac]

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that i ask your dreemurr siblings thoughts omg... was so so excited when i saw you playing ut it is sooo near and dear to my heart 😭❤ sobbed my way through the entire end of it have no clue how i beat any fights because i was literally full body shaking fhasjasjkdasj OH ALSO do you plan to play DR too gotta know! aaaand ofc happy happy new year i hope 2022 treats you with so so much love and kindness !!!!!!!!!!!

YOU AND ME BOTH i went in with very little context/spoilers except I knew I wanted to spare everyone. So, I ended up being on the edge of tears for like 90% of the game.

Uhh do I spoiler cut this? So many years later? I benefited from discretion so I guess I will. Keep in mind that I haven't played a murder-route and I really don't think I could stomach it... emotionally. I would have to watch someone else play it.

I love the Dreemurr siblings!! I really wasn't expecting what came. Idly in the back of my mind, I was naively like 'I wonder how they make the fact that I'm the royal child make sense c: ' and then I was just... taken out by the reveal.

Chara really fascinates me in such an understated way, and I do feel like I would need to watch someone play the Bad End routes to grasp it fully, but I'm admittedly afraid of that! The quiet implications about Chara, and how other people kept seeing them in Frisk, really becomes a strange mixture of haunting and sentimental. ): The reveal of what happened with the VHS tapes just... chokes me up. This fucking ruins me:

This is. Just. This rattling in my head like a pingpong ball. Poor Asriel, who loved Chara despite, admittedly knowing himself that they 'weren't the greatest person,' and... what is the full implication of that? What did Chara really want? I don't know if I can comment properly because I might embarrass myself without context but... why did Chara hate humanity so much? Enough to do what they did? I care for Asriel so deeply!!

The storytelling in UT is so good. It's such small, simple devices that end up with such a lasting impact. The simple notions that don't get explained and let your mind sit on and just wonder... and I can't overstate how much deliberately choosing 'mercy' over and over again constantly rendered me close to crying.

I'M SORRY this isn't very coherent and mostly just me yammering but I am just still kinda spiralling about it all and I know I don't have the full experience. Thank you so much for asking me and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!! Also of course I hope 2022 is being kind to you so far!!

I did download DR since it was free!! I will start it soon and maybe I'll see if I can do a spoiler-free check to make sure I don't get myself stuck like I did... using all my gold on Muffett / Mettaton then having to do the dog residue grind because I... didn't own any weapons since I didn't think I needed any and Asgore was destroying me. (,:

[randomw07]

30 - “Do it. I dare you.” (of course) Nedport! 😚😁 Thank you

First time writing Portugal, and consequently NedPort, so I’m not 100% sure I got the dynamic between them right. Still, this was fun to write! I hope you enjoy it! :) 

Word count: 835 words

The marketplace bustled with activity. Stallholders called out to the slow-moving tide of people, beckoning them to buy their wares, while customers queued impatiently, pointing at the produce they wished to buy so it could be bagged and paid for. The cacophony of noise was one Rafael felt quite at home in. It was odd not to be at his own stall, weighing trout and mussels kept fresh by bucketloads of ice, but he was taking the next two weeks off, for personal time. Unfortunately, that meant catching up with his distant cousin.  

Antonio was a nice man, and they got along pretty well, all things considered. Still, Rafael should have known better than to play a drinking game with him.

"Do it. I dare you," he had said.

Whether it was the alcohol burning through his veins or the intense rivalry the cousins shared, Rafael hadn't found it in himself to back down. So here he was, making his way through the crowd of shoving and pushing individuals, guilt eating away at his conscience.  

Rafael wasn't a thief. He liked to think of himself as a good person, and stealing one of Lars De Vries' most expensive tulips right under his nose wasn't something good people did. Lars was a decent guy, always finding the time to wander over to his stall and tell him of various happenings as he picked out a fish or two for his dinner. Admittedly, his sharp tongue and tendency of glaring at people he disliked made some people weary of him, but he wasn't a nasty person. At least, he didn't seem that way to Rafael.  

Besides, stealing from the florist wasn't a dare, it was a suicide wish. No one crossed Lars De Vries, everyone knew that. It was whispered that he had ties with the criminal underworld, that he used to deal drugs, a long time ago. Did Rafael really want to mess with such a person?

By the time he reached the florist's stall, the guilt had been replaced by worry. The tall man was bidding farewell to a kind-looking elderly woman, watching her go with a small smile on his face. Almost instantly, he spotted the fishmonger, and raised a hand in greeting. Rafael bit his lip. Could he really steal a tulip and not feel bad about it?

"You look more air-headed than usual. Everything good?"

How long had he been standing there, staring into space? Long enough for Lars to notice. Rafael laughed nervously, tugging at his ponytail absent-mindedly.

"Who? Me? I'm always good. What's, uh, how's business been today?"

"Busy," Lars shrugged, seemingly deciding that whatever it was, it didn't concern him.

Despite his words, Lars continued to talk to him as if he only had a handful of customers. Idle gossip, the odd joke, light-hearted complaints... the usual pleasant conversation Rafael enjoyed partaking in. Usually. Today, guilt was clogging up with throat, rendering him mute. He couldn't do it. He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't betray Lars' friendship for a silly dare. He was better than that.

"You look like you've eaten the last slice of cake without asking if anyone else wanted it. Spill."

Rafael shook his head. The self-assurance that he wouldn't stoop so low filled him with sudden confidence, a weight suddenly lifting from his shoulder. For the first time that day, he smiled.  

"It's nothing! Toni dared me to do something, and I was getting all worked up about it. I'm good now."

"What was the dare?"

Another customer walked up before he could answer. While Lars arranged a bouquet for her, Rafael looked down at his feet. Should he really tell him? Yes, he should. He didn't like keeping secrets from people he cared about. So, when the customer wandered away with her flowers, he forced himself to meet his friend's curious gaze.

"Steal flowers from you."

Lars furrowed his eyebrows immediately, lips narrowing into a thin line. His gaze swept over the stall, as if he were counting each flower to ensure they were all accounted for. Yet his anger didn't appear directed towards Rafael. Not entirely, at least.

"I'll deal with that idiot later," he grumbled. "Glad you decided not to do it."

Embarrassment painted Rafael's cheeks with a soft layer of pink. Forgiveness?

"So am I."

For a while, neither man said anything. Perhaps it was time for Rafael to leave? Before he could, however, Lars reached for a single tulip, the brightest of the bunch, its petals the most vivid shade of red he had ever seen.

"I'd normally charge you double for even thinking of stealing from me, but here, take this. You can pay me back by buying me a drink sometime."

More than forgiveness. Although his head was often in the clouds, Rafael grasped the meaning behind the gift right away. His heart fluttered.  

"Not really free, is it?" Rafael winked. "I can do you better than drinks though. How does dinner sound?"

Lars smirked.

"Dinner sounds perfect."