#I'm already becoming an ice cube here

[timidloner]

omg im so tired when i wrote the last ask i hope i didnt accidentally wrote jorden instead of joren AAAAAA IM SORRY - ram

Don't worry about it, but you totally did, jajajja.

[fishnapple]

How they proclaim their love for you

(lover/partner/future spouse)

This reading is about how the person you have in mind would proclaim their love for you. You can consider these as their mini love affirmations

Disclaimer : cheesy edition

This is a general reading meant for multiple people. Take only what resonates and leave out the rest.

Your feedback is much appreciated. If you find the reading resonated with you, leave a comment, I’d love to know 🎐

About me | Masterpost Book a reading with me - KO-FI (Read this post : personal reading)

CUBE 1

• Let's take all our time in this world. There's no need to rush. Time? It might not even exist for us. We have escaped time.

• You sent an electric shock down to my core and I still find myself standing. Stronger than ever. Like a machine getting its fuel.

• Our language is of moonlight, fluttering wings, laughter of the stream, cloudy scents of flesh.

• Our lips kiss through the air with words.

• Actions speak louder and we are loud in our actions.

• My mind is spinning, soaring then diving, goes a hundred miles around then comes back, struggling to take you all in.

• This dark corner is our playground.

• I'm in hardworking mode when it comes to our connection. I have lofty goals. Let's work hard together.

• We look like kids when we're out into the outside world together. People ask whether we are friends? We are best friends, whether we are lovers? We are best lovers, whether we're having fun? Nothing is more fun and more serious.

• I have fears, but when I open my mouth, I don't let them escape. But you helped them get out. Is this a prison break for them or for me?

• My mind keeps going back and forth from past to future and you're there, in all of them.

CUBE 2

• Here, take my money. What's mine is yours.

• Do you know the plot where one character is thrown into a dire situation, and somehow, the other one character will come to their rescue. That's me, I'm the one rescued, by you.

• After winter is spring, time goes on, seasons change, I have you with me to witness that together.

• I've become greedy. Wanting to possess every minuscule expression of yours. If I would just freeze them in time.

• Do you see those wild beasts outside the window? And here we are, snuggle comfortably in our home, safely. The light of our home attracted those beasts, they're outside, cold and hungry. Our home will welcome them, but they won't be able to come in as their old shells. They will come in as happiness, transformed.

• I fall in love fast and then I keep it slow.

• I love giving you a bath, bubbling up your hair, seeing water running on your skin then later drying your hair for you and smelling the fresh shampoo scent. Aromatherapy at its finest.

• There's this need growing in me, and I can feel it growing in you too, we share some parts of ourselves with each other. This need is big, it's overwhelming, it makes my heart feel a tugging pain, it animates my body, giving me energy. It's the need to be, to stay alive, so that I can be together with you.

• I know all the right words yet feel like a fool with you.

• I imagine myself a parent, coming home to see our kids fighting, then I will act as a mediator, coming in to lecture them. I look forward to this scenario more than the promotions of my career. Biggest achievement.

• Thank you for letting me love you.

CUBE 3

• Loving you feels like second nature for me, something I've done so many times already, everything in me just do it automatically.

• We definitely have met before. Did we share past lives together? You look so familiar, like the ghost in my dreams, the daydreams in my head, the face of a character in those novels I read.

• My soul is a trapped pool, I would use my bare hand to scoop out all the dirt and monsters from it, take a cupful of water, boil it over and over again until it transparently pure, keep it warm or ice it the way you like then present it to you.

• I stand firm on this earth, confident that I have someone to come back to.

• Our hearth is the most sacred place to me. I would put offering before it, just like how people of bygone days worshipped at the god altar.

• I will keep it warm and nourishing for you.

• Never fear.

• Our lifetime together will blink by so fast, I'm already missing it. But have no fear, it won't end.

• We navigate this path so well that we're definitely professional travellers.

• Change of places, change of jobs? Doesn't matter, I can go along with everything, as long as there's no change of hearts.

• We've travelled from faraway lands to each other and we will continue to travel together.

• I wish you could read my mind and feel my heart, and I could do the same for yours, it would save a lot of time and misunderstanding.

• This is just the beginning.

CUBE 4

• I will tell you "I love you" everyday. Make that a checklist.

• If you and I went to the same school, you would be my high-school sweetheart, the one that I would secretly gush about in little notes, the one that I would absentmindedly draw a heart next to your name.

• Even if we were continents apart, I still feel you next to me, every waking moment and every sleepy dream.

• You fill my throat with sweet sweet love dripping down so much I feel like I can't breathe.

• I love you.

• I can't speak! Tongue tied. Unlock me. But then, if the door is open, I'm too shy to step out.

• In sickness and in health.

• I feel a part of myself went missing whenever you're not here.

• Your pain makes me bleed.

• This is new to me, I don't know what to do. Help me, teacher.

• I probably have a malfunction somewhere in the system to be acting like this. What have you done?

• You are love personified.

• Life has been good since you came to me. But it also has been exceptionally difficult for me to stay alone.

• I have imagined countless times how you would hold my younger self in your arms and feel soothed by them. I may not get to feel it in the past, but I will feel it now, for my past self, my present self and my future self.

[doki-doki-imagines]

Hello :3 I have an idea for a request.

Mk1 boys (Bi-Han, Kuai liang,tomas, liu kang, kung lao, Raiden, johnny, kenshi, syzoth and shang tsung) with wife pregnant reader (Any month, depending on what you want) wake up in the middle of the night craving something and scared to wake them up Because they are already tired and streets from their work and she start sobbing silently and the boys will wake up , what their reaction will be what will they do?

And what will they do when the reader says something like 'I'm fat I look big'

I know it's random and stupid But I read it from a manhwa and I really liked the idea

Soooo please 🥺🥺🥺

author note: the please with teary eyes got me. Also pregnancy cravings are "only" in the first three months, so reader is in that stage.

Bi-Han:

-He is a light sleeper so he heard your first sigh clearly.

-Bi-Han already doesn’t sleep much so go straight to the point or he’ll just go back to sleep (probably in another room).

-You do, and now he is in the kitchen in the middle of the night preparing milk and cereals.

-“Here you go.” He sits in front of you, eating his own bowl.

“Mh, Bi-han?”

“Could you put ice cubes in my milk?”

-He looks at you like you just said some crazy stuff, but he knows better and just does as you asked him. A happy smile now on your face pulling the corner of his lips upward.

-But then, while you are both enjoying your bowls in silence Bi-Han hears you sniffing again, fat tears rolling down your face.

“Now you’ll leave me because I’m fat and have terrible taste in food.”

-His spoon hangs in the air, mouth still open, hair resembling a bird nest. Bi-Han faces drip with annoyance.

-Then he pushes your spoon in your mouth, icy milk and cereals hitting your tastebuds.

“If you have to open your mouth do it to eat and not to say dumb shit. Now go back to eat, I’d never thought icy milk could taste this good…” He replies, pinching your cheek after you gulped down.

Kuai Liang:

-When he comes home and hears you cry, Liang runs to you worried for both you and the baby.

-“What happened fireball?”

“You were out working and-“

“And??”

“And I’m here crying like a whale because I want some marinated and grilled squid.” You let out in a single breath, before going back to sighing and crying.

-The breath of relief Liang let out moved continents.

-Liang isn’t a great cook, but he knows his way around the grill, so his chefs are lucky that Liang didn’t have to wake them up in the middle of the night.

-He looks at you eating with joy, his face laying on his fist, raising the apple of his cheek up.

-But then you get teary…what is happening?

-“You’ll leave me, right?” You say after you let out a sob.

“No, why?”

“Look at me eating like a pig! I’ll get fat and we won’t have sex anymore!” Tears roll down your face and Liang really doesn’t know what to say.

-“Even if you get fat I’m sure you’d be pretty cute.”

“Okay, then-“ You stand on your feet, chopsticks thrown at the table while Liang looks at you with the widest eyes ever. “Fuck me now!”

-…Liang? Hello? Are you still there?

-He can’t really understand what is going on, but Liang decides not to rack his brain over it, his warm hands already on your hips.

Tomas Vrbada: -He was already awake when you started crying, so he asks immediately what’s wrong.

-“I don’t want to bother you, you always work so hard but-“

“?”

“I want smoked salmon.”

-Ahhh Tomas' first experience with his partner’s cravings.

-He searches in all the fridges of Shirai Ryu but can’t find anything. Tomas is ready to catch a salmon with his teeth like a bear and smoke it himself to make you happy.

-And that’s exactly what Tomas does.

-The sight of him shirtless, mauling a salmon with the moonlight making the water droplets on his chest and back shine…was a sight that sadly nobody witnessed.

-“Tommy this tastes so good, it is so juicy and…fatty.”

Tomas feels the storm coming.

-“You’ll want me even when I’ll become as fat as a salmon?”

Tomas nods and gulps, knowing full well of the doom incoming.

-“Why are you lying?! Men are all the same!”

-If something, seeing his partner belly round with your offspring can just make Tomas hot under the collar. But it’s not like you’ll listen to him.

-He just waits head in hands for this outburst to calm itself, tiredness knocking you out. Tomas hopes sooner rather than later.

Liu Kang:

-You know what is the best part of defending the hourglass? Looking into it to anticipate his partner’s cravings!

-So you’ll never have to cry because Liu Kang is always ready to give you the craziest food ever.

-“Ohh Liu, you really are the best. Always ready to give me the food I crave…” Bad silence, Liu Kang starts to have goosebumps. “I know the game you are playing, bastard!” You push Liu Kang away from your arms, running away from him.

“What are you talking about, dear one?”

“You want to make me fat so you’ll have me all for yourself! You egoist! You selfish bastard!”

-Yeah, Liu Kang is a bit selfish. Yes, he wants you all for himself kilos more or kilos less. But he has to admit that it wasn’t his plan.

-“You are mistaken, dear.”

“Mh??”

“I always want you all for myself.”

“Ah! Even now!?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then take this-“ You finally run back into his arms, lips smashed against his ones. You try to pull him off, but now there is no way that Liu Kang will let you go.

- It’s time to show you how hot he finds you.

Kung Lao:

-Good luck with him because Lao is a heavy sleeper.

-He’ll notice that there is a problem the next morning when you see your puffy and red eyes.

“I didn’t want to bother you, but I had insane cravings last night.”

“Next time wake me up. I don’t mind.” He says hands on your shoulder before going to work.

-So, when the next night you try to wake him up, the need for cabbage stew is making you insane.

-Keyword: try.

-World could end and Lao would still be snoring.

-Next time is better to have cravings during the day because at night you’re on your own.

-Meanwhile, during the day Lao becomes more or less your butler…at least.

Raiden:

-“Hey sweety, don’t cry. What’s wrong?” Raiden turns around to look at you, index finger stroking your wet cheek.

“You must be so tired.”

“Yeah, a little. But I want to listen to you. What’s wrong?”

“I want to eat dango.”

“At this hour?”

“Please, Raiden.”

-He chuckles but lifts himself from the bed. But now Raiden thinks “Where I can find dango at this hour??”

-Raiden has a guardian angel; Madame Bo, with her insomnia problem for once being useful.

-And the lady will be more than happy helping Raiden's pregnant partner to fulfill one of their cravings.

-Not for free, tho…

-You won’t cry about weight with him. Even if your mind is hazed by hormones it still works well enough to know that he’ll always love you.

Johnny Cage:

-Another heavy sleeper, but if you push him around enough he’ll wake up.

-“Ehi babe, what’s wrong.”

“Johnny-“ He hears you sigh and finally wakes up, worried that you may be hurt.

“I’m in the mood for cream and strawberries, but at first I didn’t want to wake you-“

“Shhh babe-“ He presses his index finger on your lips “I’m here to help you.”

-He comes back soon, a cup filled to the brim that makes your eyes shine with joy.

-“Oh look, you have some cream here.”

His thumb brushes the corner of your lips. Then Johnny wanted to lick it, already smiling at his next action.

-But you move faster, your lips circling his thumb and licking it clean.

-Johnny looks at you, doe eyes looking back, your lips on his thumb, your nice and soft body next to him…

-The cup of strawberries will be soon forgotten.

Kenshi Takahashi:

-He comes back home from a mission and hears you crying. Kenshi is terrorized.

-Kenshi already has anxiety about leaving his partner alone at home, pregnant. Hearing you cry made him crumble.

“Are you fine!?”

“Oh, Kenshi!”

You run to him and hug his middle, he keeps you tight in his arms.

-“Please tell me, what happened!?”

“I’m sorry I don’t want to worry you. It’s nothing serious.”

Kenshi still isn’t calm.

“I just have a crazy craving for takoyaki with honey.”

Okay, his breath is calming down.

-He just returned home, every muscle screaming in pain, but for his partner, he’d do that and much more.

-Thankfully you always liked takoyaki so Kenshi had some ingredients at home, the others got bought in a nearby combini.

“Kenshi you are a real life saver.”

“It’s just my job.” He replies kissing the crown of your head, hands sliding down to massage your tummy.

“But next time just tell me you had a craving, I lost some years of my life.”

-Are those sniffs he is hearing? Oh no…

“I-I’m so sorry Kenshi-“

-He’ll never get used to mood swings.

Syzoth:

-His wife didn’t suffer from cravings, but Syzoth is ready for anything.

-Syzoth more or less always knows when your hormones are gonna hit, so he tries to put limit the incoming “damage”.

-The real problem is that Syzoth doesn’t know anything about human food! You are on your own. Ask your friends, you will have better luck.

-“You search for someone else when I’ll get fat, I know it!”

“You just want to knock me up!”

Syzoth knows your mind isn’t working well, hormones going crazy.

-But he also knows how to calm you down!

“I’d love you even if you became a worm, firefly.”

“The idea of you carrying our baby always fills me with joy.”

-Syzoth will also become more touchy-feely, his hands like to wander…

-Unless you get a crazy mood swing you’ll never doubt his love for you.

Shang Tsung:

-The diva won’t stop being a diva even if now you are pregnant and need his help.

-“Shang Tsung, please can you bring me orange juice.” You sob out, finally giving in into your cravings.

“I also want to conquer the world, but nobody will do it for me.” He replies back, eyes still closed.

-He gives in at the nth sigh. Shang Tsung may not be so unaffected by you.

-He returns soon, a glass filled with orange juice. But he doesn’t sit next to you.

“Anything else before I go back to sleep? You know I don’t like my sleep time being interrupted.”

“No Shang Tung, thank you.”

-He sighs and lies down, you soon follow him.

-“You don’t love me anymore, right?”

A heavy breath leaves his nose.

Damn you.

-“Are you trying to make me laugh? We both know who is the good liar here.”

“That’s why you may not love me. You lied the entire time!”

-Shang Tsung isn’t ready for this conversation.

-His lips end on yours, tongue intruding into your mouth, a moan escapes your throat.

-You may not trust his words, but Shang Tsung hopes he’ll fuck you good enough that his emotions will be understandable through your thick skull.

Bonus:

Tell us about the manwha!

[thenightfolknetwork]

Um, hi. I'm human, and not a regular listener, so apologies if I'm overstepping, but I asked a friend of mine for help with this already. He said it was above his paygrade and to ask you.

So, like I said, I'm human, and so are my parents, grandparents, and pretty much all my family. And for the first ten years of my life, I thought my sister was too. When she was sixteen, she started wearing long pants and hats all the time, and we all thought it was a fashion choice. A weird one, but at least she wasn't trying to dye her hair with Kool-Aid or pierce her ears with a sewing needle and an ice cube. But then the hat came off on accident. And then my parents saw her horns. I still remember the way they yelled at her before they kicked her out. I still remember the way I just sat on the stairs, being scared for my big sister but not wanting to interfere because what if our parents turned on me, as well?

I recently moved to the city for work. It's a nice place, and there's a park near my flat. There's this woman who walks her dog in the evenings through the park, and by "this woman" I mean my sister. Well, I haven't actually spoken to her about it, but my sister has a rather distinctive birthmark on her left cheek, shaped kind of like a crescent moon. The woman does too. Her hair is shorter, her horns are longer, and she's got a tail, but there's no way she isn't my sister.

I want to reach out to her, I really do. But I'm scared of what she'll think of me. I didn't help her back when I was ten, and I can't fully blame myself for that - I was ten. But even now, I haven't cut off my parents for what they did to my sister. I still go to family dinner with them every other Sunday. They were horrible to her and I'll never forgive them for that, but they're my parents and I still love them.

Is there a way I can ever get my big sister back?

I first want to reassure you that you're perfectly welcome here, reader. You aren't the first sapio to write in to us, not by a long shot, and I sincerely hope you won't be the last.

I also want to take a moment to address a rather throw-away comment in your letter. You say you “can't fully blame yourself” for not acting in your sister's interests when you were a child. Reader, I don't see that you can blame yourself at all. I hope you can find a way to work through any lingering feelings of guilt about what happened back then.

As to your question, I think you need to think very carefully about what you want to gain from reaching out to your sister, and how you will feel if your attempts to reconnect don't go as well as you would hope. There are a few questions I'd like you to consider before making any attempts to reach out.

Your sister has built an entire life for herself independent of you and your parents. Are you able to meet her in that life, and take her as she is – whoever she is, now? Or is some part of you hoping she will slot simply and unproblematically back into your life?

You say you want “your big sister back”. I'm sorry but the person who was your sister when you were 10 simply doesn't exist any more, any more than your 10 year old self does. She has grown and changed, and you need to be sure you want to meet the woman she's become, not only the memory of the girl she was.

I also encourage you to reflect on whether you're ready for the reality of being a sibling to someone in the community. You were raised by people so entrenched in anti-creature beliefs that they abandoned their own child when they discovered her liminal nature. It takes time and effort to be able to show up for your friends and family in the creature community without trailing those ideas in with you.

If, after careful reflection, you decide you still want to reach out to her, I recommend giving her as much room as possible. Approaching her while she's walking her dog is one thing, but that is not the time to spring an entire reconciliation on her. You can introduce yourself, and either give her your contact details or write what you want to say in a letter for her to read when she is emotionally prepared.

I understand that you love your parents, and are able to remain in a relationship with them despite their social and political views. That isn't a failing on your part – it's the reality of love. We all have to make our own minds up about what we are willing to tolerate, and how, and when, and from whom. Your sister also has the right to decide who she shares her life with – even if that decision is hurtful to you.

[For more creaturely advice, check out Monstrous Agonies on your podcast platform of choice, or visit monstrousproductions.org for more info]

[writing-with-gremworm]

The Winter Duke

Notes:

Mentions of/implied abuse

Unhealthy relationship dynamic

Obsessive behavior

Yandere!Wriothesley

A little slow to start

The Duke of the North is a terrifying and cold figure. He is said to have slaughtered thousands and abandoned many to the monsters plaguing the snows. So it came as a surprise to you when he seemed like an ordinary guy during your first conversation.

"You must be (Y/N). I'm sorry you had to come here on such short notice, but I can assure you that this arranged marriage will not be permanent." The cold Duke states, motioning for me to sit down, "In the meantime, we have much to discuss. I don't expect your help for free."

"Ah, yes, that is only fair." Your voice quivers slightly. You were surprised he offered you such a deal. Generally speaking, you were seen as useless given what your power was. You had an affinity for minor mimicry. This meant you could make ice cubes after someone made a glacier, or a glass of water after someone made it rain. The power itself was weak, so it was dismissed. Especially since you came from a long line of saints. The (L/N) family were known as some of the greatest healers. Though how that healing was developed was a family secret and one that made you want to throw up when you thought about it. Your skin itches a bit at the thought.

"First, allow me to make a proper introduction. My name is Wriothesley, the Duke of North Fontaine."

"You've already gathered my name ... um, Rizzley."

"Wriothesley."

"Rizzley, what exactly do you expect of me? I know you seek the (L/N) name because of its ties to previous saints, do you seek a healer? If so, I can not help you." You state simply, looking at Wriothesley with a shakey gaze. Your heart was racing, he was said to be the coldest man in the empire, how could you not shiver?

"No, I already know you're the black sheep of your family. What I seek is your ability to move freely. I am confined to this place, as such, I need eyes. One who is as, and forgive me for this, generic as you will go unnoticed." You wince a bit and sigh. You were glad he wasn't going to kiss up to you because of your title, but it still stung to be told so blatantly you were boring.

"No, that's a fair assessment." You smile, Wriothesley's lips flatten more, but you don't notice, "But why can't you just leave? I know the social world has cast you in a ... less than positive light ... but you're not trapped here are you?"

"We'll discuss that when it becomes relevant. For now, just know I can not leave the North."

"... Cryptic. But okay. So, what will you offer me?" You swallow, looking at him with feigned courage. Your heart beat so quickly it felt like a hammer was bashing against the burdensome ribcage acting as a wall.

"If you help me, I will help you. This means you can ask for anything. A villa, money, even fame." Was he serious? You couldn't sense any change in tone, and he didn't put on a fake smile like your father did when he wanted something. Maybe you wanted to believe him. Maybe you should.

"Money ... sounds reasonable." You start, taking a shallow breath before continuing, "But you'll have to compensate me appropriately. Let's write a contract detailing what you want from me and what you think it's worth. I'll adjust it as needed to fit my conditions."

"... Alright. I can do that. Louis, escort Mx. (L/N) to their room." Wriothesley looks to his attendant and gestures toward me.

"Of course, Your Grace." Louis states with a polite smile, "Come with me Mx. (L/N)."

-- After the door closes Wriothesley smiles a bit before quickly covering his mouth.

"They're even better in person ... Ah, I hope you stay for a very long time (Y/N)" Wriothesley mutters to himself.

In truth, Wriothesley has been watching them for a long time. Fleur, his assistant, helped curate rumors to make the (L/N) family give in to his wishes. --

Louis opens the door to your room and you're surprised by its grandeur. It's a stark contrast to the attic you'd lived in before this. In the (L/N) family you aren't permitted to live in the second-floor rooms until you've awaked holy power. As you did not awaken said power, you were forced to remain in the attic. This attic was designed to test the limits of your body to encourage the propagation of holy power. Though, no matter how much you were tested, not a speck of holy light flowed through your fingertips.

Laying on the fluffy bed you close your eyes. If your bed had been like this, would you have been less tired? You don't know, but you can feel the exhaustion setting in. The distance between the Duke's estate and your own was several weeks without a magic portal. Given the prowess of both families, you only had to spend a few days on the road. The trip was still unpleasant. As part of the (L/N) tradition, you had to ride in the most frugal of carriages and fast daily.

"I'm scared." You admit, hugging your pillow tightly as your heartbeat lulls you to sleep. The familiar racing pace creates a frame to justify rest. After all, you already knew the pattern, it was too tiresome to punish someone half asleep, they never seemed to remember properly.

--

"So this is all?" You look at the contract, surprised it is so short.

"Yes, that is all. It is simple and to the point. I'm quite certain you'll be happy with the terms." Wriothesley states simply, leaning onto his hand as he glances over you. His silver eyes seem to pierce through you. You avert your gaze and quickly read the contract.

"So you wish for me to be your face?" This was troublesome. Your face in the social world was not well known, but your name was the current gossip of high society. Would you really be okay if you became his face? Surely Wriothesley, someone of Ducal status, already knew this. So why?

"That's ... one way to phrase it. Yes, as stated there, you'll be taking my place in socials and surveying the territory while I am still bound to my place." Wriothesley's expression shifts slightly, a hint of annoyance clouding his eyes before his gaze returns to a neutral state. You flinch without realizing it, it would be too much to ask him more now. It was safer to accept this.

"This ... is too much Mora. Besides, this contract doesn't detail the marriage aspect. I thought that was part of this." This much was reasonable, it didn't make you seem weak, and you could still get more information.

"The marriage is set to last until I'm no longer stuck in this place. I will write that down if you need."

"... Alright. I didn't realize you were the forgetful type. I thought that was my role." You write down that and alter the amount of Mora you'll receive before handing the document back to Wriothesley. You swear he smiles a little when you pass it over.

"Well, now that the contract is settled, I'll have Louis fill you in on your first task."

"Right, right, you're probably busy since you still have to do all of the paperwork." You nod and look over to Louis who has the same polite smile as yesterday. Besides, this was a great excuse to leave the room.

-- "Fleur, I have a task for you. Can you do some research into the secrets of the (L/N) family? Ah, and look into Transfer Relics." Wriothesley had a feeling his reports were missing something, while he liked this malleable version of (Y/N), they seemed different from what he'd been told.

"Transfer Relics- but aren't those only effective at moving curses?"

"Exactly." Fleur knew what that meant. She thought (Y/N) was fragile, a glass bird riddled with imperfections. Maybe that is why Wriothesley had taken an interest in them.

"... Understood, Your Grace." Fleur was sure now, Wriothesley's interest in (Y/N) would act as their cage, and she had no intention of saving them. At least in a cage, the glass might not break. --

"Eh? Wait, I have to attend the Royal Assembly? I guess that's why this marriage was so rushed." You mutter. You swallow nervously and place a hand to your chin. Your eyes dart to the nearest vase so you look preoccupied with thought.

"That is correct Mx. The Duke's family was required to go this time, however, as you can see, only Wriothesley remains of the main bloodline and until you, he had no spouse."

"Ah ... because of the rumors right?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so." Louis pulls out a handkerchief and wipes his eyes, "Ah, forgive me, I'm a little emotional. It's been so long since Wriothesley had someone to call family, however temporary this is." Something about the way he said it made you feel a little bad.

But, this was temporary, and you all knew that. Though, staying here for a while doesn't seem like a bad thing. At least you get to eat multiple times a day instead of just once. Your bed was soft too, it felt much warmer than the firm attic one at the (L/N) residence.

--

Attending Empress Furina's Assembly is something you never expected to do. Your oldest sister and father attended regularly, but you were never qualified to attend. Even now, you were taking Wriothesley's place, so it felt like you didn't belong. You may have accepted it with open arms, but the doubts you had were so loud. They screamed at you, tearing at your hair and reminding you of what happens when you don't listen.

You make it to the assembly room before your mind traps you in the background. You hear your name announced, but you can't even move your lips.

You try to step out of your head, but something drags you back in. The tendrils of cold and hot wrap around your body and remind you of the torn flesh and the inability to breathe. You try to scream, but nothing comes out. You try to look around, but the only colours surrounding you are black and red. They cover your vision and the red creeps outward. You finally move your hands, only to see them covered in a deep crimson that has started to flake.

"Mx. Are you alright?" A cool voice cuts through the screaming silence.

"A-Ah ..." Your mouth opens, but only weak sounds escape it.

"My liege, I'll escort this guest to a rest chamber, please continue the tea ceremony without us." The man with silver hair tells Empress Furina calmly. The blue streaks reminded you of the water, or maybe of a dragon's horns. Your eyes widen when you realize who is escorting you away from the Royal Assembly.

"Justice Neuvillette ... You need not have left to escort me ... but I ... thank you. I am in no place to berate you for attending to my needs. That would be rude." Your throat hurts, but at least the words seem to sound normal, maybe no one would be able to tell you'd just frozen up. Unfortunately, your legs and hands were shaking noticeably, so it was clear you shouldn't be left alone. The red still faintly overlaid your fingers, it made you want to puke.

You look at your hand and notice Neuvillette holding it. Maybe he thought you wouldn't be able to follow along without guidance. It was sweet in its own right. Neuvillette, too, had a reputation that preceded him so this gentle side was new. Maybe that difference made you feel a sense of calm.

"Think nothing of it. I simply wanted to help my friend's spouse." Neuvillette dismisses it with amusement colouring his words.

"Did you two bond over scary reputations-" You start before covering your mouth with your free hand. Why did your tongue move so freely with this man?

"No, though said rumors are one thing we seem to have in common. If that were a tell, then you'd be my friend too, no?"

"Huh? But I- don't have much of a reputation, do I? As the black sheep maybe, but nothing more."

"Ah, I suppose you're not aware of the other rumors. Then pay me no mind, if such things have not tainted your ears, it is better to leave it here." Neuvillette states, clearing his throat and opening the door for you to step inside the resting area. You furrow your brow.

"But if it is about me, then shouldn't I be aware?"

"Some things are better left unknown. Though, if you wish to know, I will ask you something first. Why weren't your sister and Father with us at the assembly Today?" You look surprised. You hadn't had time to register anyone's faces, just the flood of anxiety that threatened to eat you alive.

"I ..." You start, but you realize quickly your answer wouldn't have made sense. You could have suggested they were both ill or otherwise wished to avoid you, but in public, they always pretended to adore you and they were healers who had excellent natural constitutions, "Someone prevented them from being here today."

"... In a sense, they were prevented from being able to attend," Neuvillette confirms, though his phrasing concerns you a bit.

"I ... see. What does this have to do with the rumors?" You ask pointedly.

"They imply that you're the person who ... barred the attendance of your family." Neuvillette pauses in the middle, clearly thinking about something else before deciding on this phrasing.

"But it doesn't make sense for them to avoid me ..."

"Regardless, you should take a seat and breathe. I'll return to the assembly if you do not wish for me to stay."

"I'll be fine. Thank you." You say certain that you could find your way back when you were sure you were okay.

--

"Fleur, you've done exceptionally this time. The (L/N) family was keeping this sort of thing, hm? Well, I suppose as a family of healers, it's only right they once held something so precious." Wriothesley smiles, his lips forming a tight curve as he holds a glowing sphere.

"Your Grace, this has caused rumors to spread about your spouse. Should I handle those?"

"... No, rather, we should use them to our advantage, no?" Rumors are what brought them here, so rumors would bring them closer.

"Understood."

--

"I apologize for earlier, your highness." You bow before Furina once you get a chance to speak with her.

"Hm, well I suppose you should. It's only right." Furina starts before Neuvillette clears his throat quietly, "Ahem, I graciously accept your apology! But to make up for this transgression, you must attend my next Tea Party!" Furina insists, throwing her hand out to point at me. You blink, a little surprised this is the only reprimand someone of her stature is giving you.

In the (L/N) household you had to isolate and pray for several days for your wrongs, especially with something of this caliber. Your knees start to tense up, and your calves pulse with phantom pain at the thought of it. You notice Furina's gaze and realize you haven't responded.

"Oh- yes, of course, Your Highness." You promptly reply with a polite smile. Neuvillette notices something in your demeanor that concerns him. Perhaps, he thought, Wriothesley's words were correct.

--

Wriothesley was displeased when he heard (Y/N) was invited back to the palace. He was well aware of why, (Y/N) was his spouse, so they should stay nearer to him, but it wasn't time to let them see that side of him. After all, wouldn't they run away? There were moments, little flickers of their gaze, a slight alteration in the way they breathed, a change in stance, or even something they forgot in their routine that told him they were afraid of something, but their smile remained.

He recognized that smile, it was something he had grown tired of using. The mask to deter those who would pray on sorrow. It was the mask someone deeply hurt would use. It was the reason he'd orchestrated the death of the (L/N) family.

"They need me. They need my hand." He mutters. Wriothesley closes his eyes and imagines holding their fragile body in his arms. In this fantasy, one hand was on their fragile neck, the other wrapped around their waist. He imagined how warm they would feel in his arms, how delicate their lips would look as they trembled. His breath hitched as he thought about kissing them, taking their soft lips with his own. The petal-like touch and spring warmth would surely be addicting. He knew, of course, that he was the one who needed them most. Though, he didn't understand how he'd come to adore this fragile being.

Wriothesley opened his eyes and peered at the artifact. He smiled, knowing it was almost time to put it to use.

--

The day you were to attend Furina's Tea Party approached more quickly than you imagined. You sigh as you look out the window. You wondered if it would be like last time- if you would freeze in place and be unable to speak. Your fingers trembled, so you gripped your dress clothes tightly.

The carriage rattles and thrusts you against its door. You take a moment to reorient yourself before you see the window is looking up into the sky, not the treeline. Your carriage had fallen over.

"Assassins." You mutter. You knew some hated you, but you never thought it was to the point they'd want you dead. Though, did you mind? Before this, hadn't you wished for death?

"I need someone as my eyes and ears." But you were needed now. Even so, was it a position only you could fill? Surely not.

"Found you~ Now, why don't you let your Godfather take you home, hm?" A strange and yet familiar voice coos, accompanied by sullied blue hair and a crow-like mask.

"Godfather- then- Father has died?" You ask, looking at the man, confused. You're not sure if he heard you. Your throat feels stuffy, so the volume of your words is minimal.

"Yep! You have no idea how long I've waited. So, (Y/N), will you come with me willingly? You have nothing to lose, do you?" The man, claiming to be your godfather, whispers cruelly. Your hands shook, and his grin seemed to widen. Did your fear excite him? Who was this? It hit you. This was the 'God' that Father prayed to. But he was no God, not really. His essence was too cruel to be the benevolent God Father claimed to love.

"Y-Your name." You stutter.

"Hm? Well, I suppose I can tell you that, under the pretense, I get to know something from you first. Tell me, (Y/N), what do you think I am?" Did he know what you were thinking? Could he read your face? You didn't know, but your mouth refused to move. His presence felt like a thick ooze, sinking and slipping over your skin, entangling your flesh and clothes in its putrid fluidity.

"I asked a question. Do I need to ask again?" His hand touched your chin, his skin freezing to the touch.

"A false God." You manage. Though you hadn't intended to be so honest.

"A false God? Hahaha! Good, then you don't expect me to be gentle. I am Il Dottore." The man smiled widely, his sharp, shark-like teeth catching light on the edges as shadow cascaded over his face and mask. You press your back against the carriage door instinctually, your body shaking. Why did that scare you? Why did that name sound so familiar? It wasn't the name of a God, no, it was the title of something far worse, far more mortal.

"The Wings of Revolution-"

"Oh? You know of us? Well, that makes it easier." Dottore grabs your wrist and pulls you out of the carriage, "Ah, minor mimicry, what a fascinating skill. I'm excited to learn all about it."

Just like that, it felt like your world was being consumed. How would you escape this? You were frozen in place. A stream of water replaces the spot Dottore's head used to be.

"It looks like I got here on time. I'll escort you back to the Wriothesley Estate. I'm afraid it would be too dangerous to finish the journey to the palace." Neuvillette states with a sigh, "Worry not about Furina, I will discuss this with her." You nod without thinking and look down at the headless body in front of you. Instead of viscera, you notice wood.

"It wasn't ... him ... Then what was that ominous feeling?"

"... Yes, it was Puppet Magic. The real culprit remains intact." Neuvillette confirms your suspicions in an instant. Puppet magic is well known as cruel magic. It is a manipulation of the soul and body. That magic is most commonly used like this, as an extension of the creator's will. In this case, it was a doll made to host a piece of the soul and memory of the creator. Of course, this likely means that the creator knows what happened here since those memories return once the exterior unit is destroyed.

"Then he will come back ..." You realize, your gaze blurring as a rush of nausea grasps your neck and stomach.

"I can not deny that. However, I can assure you that Wriothesley, within his Domain, will stand by you." Neuvillette tries to comfort you. He sounds so sure. You want to believe him. But is it safe? Puppet Master's manipulate the soul. His strangely soothing presence could be a result of that. You nod quietly. Did you have anywhere to go? You had no friends, your family wasn't an option, and Wriothesley was the only one with his arms open to you. Did you have a choice?

Yes. You told yourself. Of course, I have a choice. It's just a bad one. Truthfully, you only had one choice to survive. Despite your prior thoughts on the matter you weren't willing to actively choose demise, it had to take you itself.

--

"... I have a way to guarantee your safety, but it means giving up your freedom," Wriothesley tells you. His voice is softer than usual, and his eyes look tired. You falter.

"That is the only way. That is what you mean." You mutter, biting your lip. Did you have freedom? Was that a right you felt was worth the risk? You close your eyes and think. The creeping shadows and cold touch creep through your thoughts, scrapping at your mind and digging into you. You stop breathing for a moment before opening your eyes. The world is slightly blurred and you feel unsteady. You came to a decision. Wriothesley was generous compared to his rumors. You knew that the safest option was to be near him in this house. It still felt suffocating, but you knew it was the right choice.

"I'm sorry that this is the choice I can offer you. A binding to this place." What you didn't know was that Wriothesley's heart was racing. His lips had shifted into a subtle smile covered by a thoughtful cup of tea.

"I ... accept. So tell me what to do." Your voice shakes despite your wishes to sound confident. Wriothesley doesn't comment on this, instead he asks you to close your eyes and hold out your hand. There was no other option, so you did as he said. It was only when the whispers of a curse settled in that you understood what he had done. He had given you the same curse he bears. This curse was cold, like steel cuffs clinging to your wrists.

"Don't cry, I'll protect you." Were you crying? The hot tears fall down your cheeks, falling pleasantly into the hungry carpet beneath you. Wriothesley sounds happier than normal, but maybe you're mistaking his kind consolation as something more. He offered you a hug, a gesture you were not well acquainted with. Maybe that is what drew you to it, why you accept his arms so willingly around your smaller frame. His breath tickles your ear as he whispers gentle consolation. His breath feels strangely cold, but not unpleasant.

"I will make sure no one takes you away carelessly." His words were surely meant to be sweet. You knew he was trying to be kind. You just felt a strange sense of sickness twist in your stomach.

...

...

--

"I don't take kindly to false promises Wriothesley."

"I did not lie, you have done well to aid me. In return, here are the artifacts you wanted. You may do as you please with them according to our deal."

"I'm sure you'll need my help again soon. You know how to contact me."

"Of course, Doctor, I hope you weren't too bored. You even sent a puppet alone."

"Minor Mimicry. You know that 'minor' mimicry doesn't exist don't you?"

"Of course I do."

...

...

[angellayercake]

WIP Whenever

Instead of working on everything else I should be working on I have become obsessed with this idea and I can't think of anything else. So far too long ago @sweatandwoe tagged me in a WIP post so here we go.

Papa Nihil travels the USA with his three sons posing as a preacher to ingratiate themselves with rural Christian communities to sew discord and spread sin. One summer finds them staying with a family, helping them work their struggling farm in exchange for somewhere to stay.

I'm tagging @ghostchems, @ramblingoak, @da-rulah and @meowsaidmissy if you have any wips you would like to share (no pressure of course 💜 Little taster below the read more and the playlist can be found here because I really am in a hole with this fic 🙃

The clink of ice cubes and the gravel crushing under your feet would have given you away long before you had rounded the side of the barn if not for their argument. Well you suspect they are arguing, you can never be certain due to them always speaking Italian to each other. It was hard to tell what kind of conversation they were having most times, what with their loud voices and waving hands no matter what was going on. You pause just out of sight watching the glasses of lemonade your Mother had forced you to bring out to them as they worked in the afternoon heat begin to sweat. The condensation slid down the glass shallow pools collecting at the bases on the precariously balanced tray as you listened.  

‘In ogni caso, perché ti preoccupi dei sentimenti di tutte queste stupide ragazze?’ (Anyway, why do you care about the feelings of all these stupid girls?) The words while foreign sounded dismissive and rude as though this heated discussion was already well underway before your arrival. That was Mr Emeritus you were sure, he often took that tone when he was talking to his sons. 

‘Non chiamarli così!’ (Don't call them that!) Terzo. You push aside any thoughts about why you recognise his voice so easily. He sounds irritated, his voice clipped and angry even in his more melodic mother tongue. Interest now truly piqued, you wish not for the first time that you were more cultured, more intelligent so you could have learned another language and be able to follow the conversation. 

‘Prima la scoperai, prima potremo uscire da questa discarica.’ (The sooner you fuck her, the sooner we can get out of this dump.) The sneer in his voice is so obvious it almost makes you cringe like you are on the one on the receiving end but he is almost cut off by the intended recipient, if the scuffling sound you hear is Terzo lunging at his father as you suspect. 

‘Fermare! Smettetela tutti e due. Corrompere la gioventù cristiana non significa che dobbiamo lasciare dietro di noi una scia di cuori spezzati. Il suo modo funziona, devi fidarti di lui.’ (Stop! Stop it, both of you. Corrupting Christian youth does not mean we must leave a trail of broken hearts in our wake. His way works, you have to trust him.) While spoken loud enough to cut through the fight that was clearly about to break out, the even placating tone must belong to Primo, ever the mediator of the family you had noticed.

‘Non sono più gli anni Sessanta, vecchio mio. Ci vuole qualcosa di più che sussurrare sull'amore libero per aprire loro le gambe.’ (It's not the sixties anymore, old man. It takes more than whispering about free love to open their legs.) And that must be Secondo, his deeper voice was tinged with a droll note which could be directed at any one of his father or brothers, maybe even all three. You liked him the best so far even if his sardonic humour had almost gotten you in trouble already.

‘Ah, parli della troia e lei appare.’ (Ah, you talk about the bitch and she appears.) You round the corner just as your arms start to urgently complain about you standing there with your laden tray and just in time to witness the last of their cross words.

‘Vaffanculo!’ (Fuck you!) He spits at his father, stabbing his pitch fork into the soft dirt as if he is about to storm off but he stops short when he spots you. His expression is pinched, his brow furrowed enough for lines of frustration to form. He pushes his hair back from his face, smoothing it back into place as he schools his expression into a casual smile. He is good, probably the best you have seen squashing all his true feelings behind a mask but you can see the tension still in the corner of his eyes and the tightness of his smile. It isn’t your business though so you plaster a smile on your own face and announce the reason for your interruption.

 ‘Refreshments for the workers!’ You offer the tray to Mr Emeritus first, your Mother’s hosting rules so deeply ingrained now you wouldn’t dare to do otherwise. He takes a glass from you looking at the drink then you with an air of distaste that makes your skin prickle uncomfortably. ‘It’s lemonade sir, that Mama made fresh this morning.’ He takes a cautious sip before gesturing you away. 

‘Thanks to you and to your Mother, Signorina,’ Primo says, accepting his glass. Secondo takes his with a nod and pull of his lips that could be mistaken for a smile which you return in kind. Which leaves only the youngest Emeritus. He is watching you having settled into his casually relaxed demeanour leaning against his still stuck pitch fork. Something makes you pause until he gestures you towards him. 

‘I take it this one is for me, si?’ Your mouth inexplicably goes dry as you make your way towards him. Now your job is almost complete, you have the opportunity to take him in properly. A stubborn lock of his hair, despite his best efforts has fallen loose sticking to the sheen of sweat covering his brow, in fact his youthful face positively glows with perspiration so you hurry the last few steps towards him, needing to provide him with a means to ease his heat inspired discomfort. You avoid his eyes as he takes his glass, relieving you of your burden at last and you tuck the underside of the tray against your chest in a futile attempt to shield yourself from his piercing gaze. 

He barely hesitates bringing the glass to his full lips, tipping his head back, greedily drinking the cool refreshment. He finishes it quickly with a satisfied sigh and he hands the glass back to you, his fingers grazing yours as he makes the exchange. A drop escapes the corner of his mouth slipping off his chin before he can catch it. You can’t help but follow its progress down his neck and into his open shirt collar where it settles where his chest hair begins. For some reason you find yourself transfixed as the vivid image of you closing the distance between you and following its path with your mouth fills your mind. 

‘Thank you Canaria.’ His voice abruptly snaps you out of your trance with a gasp and you can feel your blood rushing into your cheeks as you register the impropriety of your thoughts. You realise all four of them are now watching you and you pray that they hadn’t noticed your momentary distraction. They had all finished their lemonade so you shakily collect their glasses worried that the tray will slip from your grip at any moment. With a final weak smile you make your escape. 

 ‘Ci vorrà una settimana prima che tu possa indossare le sue mutande.’ (It'll be a week before you're in her underwear.) You hear Mr Emeritus mutter as you leave but you don’t wait to hear anymore. You need to get a hold of yourself and to do that you need to be as far away from him as possible.  

[ventiskies]

Warmth | Razor

Pairing: Razor x gn! reader (platonic)

Summary: hanging around at parts of Dragonspine was fun, until one of you almost end up becoming a block of ice.

a/n: found this sitting in the drafts, i'm back! <3

You forgot how you ended up here.

Before coming, you had asked Katheryne about the weather, and she had confirmed (from whatever her sources were) that the weather would be sunny today. Perfect for you and your friends to go out on a casual adventure.

Bennett and Fischl unfortunately couldn’t come, the former nursing an injury from a previous adventure you went to where he got shot by an arrow from a hilichurl. Bennett had reassured you that he was alright, and that it wasn’t his first time, and despite how concerning that sounds, you knew there was no need to worry as this was most likely a normal occurrence for the boy.

As for Fischl, after hearing you and Razor were planning on going to Dragonspine, she had immediately disagreed. Saying something about how she didn’t want to get cold. What she had said was even longer, but after Oz’s translations, that was the sum of it.

Though despite the weather forecast given by Katheryne, the sky was oddly... gray this morning.

Was it even morning? With your breath coming out in pants and vapor covering your vision, it was surely hard to tell.

But what you could tell was that it was cold. Really cold.

“Lupical,”

Ah, and that you came here with Razor, of course.

The boy looks at you with concerned crimson eyes, peering down from where he sat atop a stone where a waypoint was placed. It seemed warm. If only you could move to get there and join him.

“Is lupical hurt?” Razor’s voice rang again, and he hops down from the warmth to come closer, “big fall..”

Oh, that was right. You had fallen. Now the memory hits you.

You had come to Dragonspine together, wanting to relish in the cold air from the outskirts, enjoying a warm bowl of goulash and heading back just before it was dark, but one thing led to another and you had ended up chasing a warming seelie all the way into a cave. Razor had warned you beforehand that it was dangerous, but you had promised him you were going to stop if the seelie went somewhere unfamiliar.

Well, technically you did keep your promise. You had both visited the cave before, thanks to Bennett’s luck - or lack thereof (he had fallen in and the three of you, Fischl included, had to get him out before the Ruin Grader woke up and killed you), so it wasn’t unfamiliar territory per se.

But maybe you should’ve looked where you were going instead of keeping a firm eye on the seelie, because the next thing you knew, you had followed it right off a cliff, and you had realized it too late to deploy your wing glider

“You're… okay?” Razor’s face came into focus as he came closer, wanting to inspect your face of injuries. You were lucky you hadn't face planted into the snow, or it would have ended up with you getting a frostbite right on the nose.

You blink, willing yourself to get up. Your fingertips were cold, and numb and it took a great deal to move them. You couldn't even tell if you were moving them. Noticing this, Razor gathers your hands in his.

His hands were really warm.

“Cold,” Razor mutters, holding your hands so gently it looked as if he gave a little pressure, they would crumble and crack into snow flakes, “Stay here. Someone’s coming,”

“Really?” you managed to get the words past your icy blue lips, quivering. Razor lets go of your hands, and you frown, already missing the warmth, but before you could ask for his hands again, you feel a warm blanket being draped over your still body.

Razor had taken off his cloak and placed it over you, and you can clearly see the worried look he was pointing. You felt and was sure you probably looked like an ice cube, the worrying was understandable.

You try to smile for him, and he takes your cold hands again, “You’re careless.” he points it out, as if it was a fact.

“So I see.”

The wolf boy frowns at your attempt in joking, and you laugh shakily, offering an apology.

In the distance, you hear footsteps coming your way. Squinting your eyes to look further, you see Albedo, Sucrose, and Bennett running over to you. With the latter having his whole left arm wrapped up in a bandage, and a worried look on his face. The same look Razor had given to you.

Yeah, you were in for an earful now.

[theangelsheardyou]

Nothing on my mind except Chuuya with depression who gets some help from an expert in that field (dazai🙄)

It starts simple. Dazai and Chuuya often meet at an underground bar to have a drink together. It's the one time they can talk to each other peacefully, no need for their constant bickering and attacks, here they can actually be civilized.

Chuuya doesn't notice it at first. All he knows is that as of late, he hasn't really been in the mood. Jobs that he would finish in a heartbeat suddenly become such a burden. Things he used to love like music and wine are all but fuzzy memories, he doesn't feel anything for them now. He's always tired, and he's never tired. Chuuya would never admit when he wants to hit the hay. As long as the boss needed him, he was there.

He comes in late for his and Dazai's biweekly meetings. Dazai can already tell the other is in distress. His once so strong appearance that he accomplished with so much effort seemed improvised, shirt undone by three top buttons, jacket hanging by his arm, no vest, hair in disarray, it was barely like Chuuya anymore.

"What's wrong, Slug? You win a hobo costume contest or something?" Dazai tried to tease, to lighten the mood.

"Shut up, fish for brains, m' not in the mood." Chuuya says begrudgingly as he takes a seat one stool away from Dazai, like he always did.

"Oh? Do tell," Dazai slid a glass of shiny brown liquid and three floating ice cubes to his ex partner, who took it without a word.

"None of your goddamn business, Mackerel." Chuuya was grumpy, cranky even, at Dazai's poor attempt at comforting him.

"Aw, c'mon, Chuu! This is Lupin we're in! What's the point of this place still standing if we don't share anything and everything in it?"

Chuuya sighed a short "fine" and opened up.

"I've just been so tired lately." He said.

"Oh? Mori giving you trouble?"

"Nah, the workload's just as much as before, I checked. It just...feels like more than I can carry, y'know?"

"Well, maybe you should take a break," Dazai said in a cheerful tone. "I know a couple of islands you could visit for a vacation. They've got wine and music and probably some tacky hats if you feel like i-"

"That's the thing, I'm not in the mood to take a break. Or do the things I want. They just....don't seem that appealing anymore. And even if I do take some time off, what if the boss needs me? I can't just let go of that responsibility."

By now Chuuya has had one too many drinks than he can handle in this state, and by that I mean he's only had one, the one Dazai gave him. Already he was looking even worse. Dazai figured it was time for him to go home.

Usually when Chuuya was drunk and Dazai was the poor soul who had to take him home to safety, he would be met with countless insults and "I'm not drunk"s or "one last drink"s. But this time, Chuuya didn't resist a bit. He groggily got off the stool, greeted the bartender, took his coat and walked out silently with Dazai. It's a feeling the latter definitely wasn't used to.

They got to Chuuya's apartment, a luxurious suite at the top of a 30+ story condo that had a bigger bedroom than Dazai's entire home, and the brunette laid his friend down on the couch. Once he knew he was comfortable he slid down to sit on the floor with his back leaning on the couch, staying close to watch his friend. It wasn't the first time he'd done this, and it won't be the last.

"Dazai?"

"Yeah?"

"You get feelings like this too, right?"

"All the time, buddy. Why?"

"I was worried about that. Do you...have any tips on...how to deal with it?"

Dazai paused for a second.

"Have you thought about just...not dealing with it?"

"Can't afford to do that."

"Why not?"

"Well, unlike you, some of us are actually competent assets to our jobs. If I go down the entire Port Mafia will go down too."

"That's not your responsibility."

"It was when you left."

Another long pause. Chuuya was a little out of it, but even he could tell it was too quiet in there.

The silence was so long Chuuya's eyes started to get heavier. His long lashes would flutter up and down as he tried to remain awake. He didn't know why, there was no reason for him to stay away that night...right?

Dazai felt the change in Chuuya's atmosphere even while looking away. As he turned around he saw Chuuya's cute little eyelids flutter like butterflies and his bright blue pupils softening towards slumber.

"Are you going to sleep? Because I can leave if you want." Dazai was quick to get back up on his feet and make his way to the door. However he wasn't quick enough for something to not catch him by the tail of his coat.

"Wait," came a voice. Dazai looked behind him. Chuuya had pulled himself out of the couch just to reach him. His hand gripped on lightly to his coat yet it was probably all the strength he could muster.

"Could you...stay here for a little while?" He asked bashfully. They weren't little kids anymore, asking a guy to stay the night means something now.

Dazai's face went from confused to soft and reassuring. "Sure, Shrimp." He said as he made his way back to the couch. "Since Chuuya needs me so much, I guess I can stay."

"All I need you for is to repel any mice or rats that come in here. Your fishy scent will drive them away."

"Oh my! How hurtful! You've really done it now, Chuuya, I'm devastated!"

"Shut up..."

Neither of them know how it happened, but soon enough the two were asleep. Chuuya on the couch, stomach down and face to the side in case he needed to vomit (he didn't) with a hand reaching out. And Dazai leaning against the arm rest of the couch, also slightly on his side, hand almost touching Chuuya's.

[spicymotte]

New Babylon Hellhound - Volume 01 Teaser

(I thought you might like another teaser for NBH :') I'm working almost every day on it!)

***

"You again!" Fenia scowls at the investigator as if he just ruined her whole evening - and he probably did.

"Me again," Anton confirms and glances down the street for a moment: the clubs are slowly filling up, the first good customers are already staggering into the side streets to piss on the walls of the buildings or to empty their stomach into the gutter. The lights in the windows advertise fun and a good time - in so many colors it makes you dizzy. The Silver Linings, on the other hand, has only white lettering illuminated by two spotlights. The club looks much more upscale than the surrounding businesses, but that's more of a pretense than anything else.

"Told you I'd be back," he finally grunts, lighting a cigarette. Fenia chews her bottom lip, unsure if she should let him in.

"Miss LaLune doesn't like snoopers," she finally says.

He tilts his head slightly. "How do you know I'm a snoop?"

"Hellhound," the fairy snorts, crossing her arms over her chest so that the muscles in her upper arms stand out clearly in the colorful light of the street. "Sniffing is all you can do. That and... killing." She spits the last word in his face.

She's not wrong though. Is the blood on his hands really that obvious?

"I just want to ask your boss a few questions," Anton finally says. "Nothing about her business or what's behind it. I just need to know about one of her clients."

"Uh-huh." Fenia wrinkles her nose and it's obvious that her brain is working overtime. He has to hand it to her, she takes her job very seriously. Finally, after a few silent seconds, she steps aside and opens the red cord blocking the entrance. She waves one of the fairies out. "Watch the door for me for a moment. I'll escort our guest," the way she emphasizes the word, it sounds like a threat, "to the madam.”

A dark hallway leads into the club itself: a large room with a well-appointed glass bar to the right and a stage that takes up almost a third of the room. There is a second floor, and the railings of the upper level are vaguely visible in the darkness. Muffled conversations can be heard from above, swallowed by all the dark blue velvet used as stage curtains and wall decorations. The club looks elegant, decorated with cold tones and piercing flashes of silver. Expensive.

The sweet smell of fairies hits him immediately, that tantalizing scent that attracts a crowd of customers every day of the week. Together with the pungent note of cigarette smoke and alcohol, it definitely makes you want to relax and enjoy yourself. Take a load off. Have some fun…

Anton wrinkles his nose. Focus.

"This way. Don't fall asleep, old man." Fenia leads him upstairs, past a lounge to a hallway hidden by a heavy blue curtain. She pushes the fabric aside, revealing a door at the end of the corridor, slightly ajar but casting a glimmer of light into the darkness. "Miss LaLune is in her office. And I'm right here." Her gray eyes narrow slightly, with a dangerous fire in them that speaks more clearly than words ever could. "So behave yourself, eh, old man?"

Anton is starting to like her. "Got it."

The hallway to the office is carpeted, as is every floor in Silver Linings. It muffles his footsteps, as if they weren't already soft and attentive. He slows to a crawl at the ajar door, listening to the silence, broken only by the soft drone of the club's music. Something clicks in the room - a glass being filled with ice cubes. Hmm. Someone making a drink?

"Come in, hellhound."

The faint chant in the voice of Maude LaLune hits Anton's brain like a knockout blow. For a split second, the world spins around him, things blur together and the light from the crack in the door becomes a bright spot in his field of vision. His thoughts are drawn into a swirl of warm promises and the sweet song of the fairy behind the door. So tempting to just let go and give in to her completely... Why not sit down at the bar, order a drink and watch the charming women in short dresses entertaining the people…

Sure, why not…

Then the instinct kicks in to resist the siren song. Anton bites his tongue and the pain immediately tears a hole in the dizzy curtain of his head: the taste of blood strikes like lightning and the infernal chain that still binds him to the hells shatters every trace of fairy magic. Hellfire burns through the sweet and delicate magic of Maude LaLune, leaves nothing behind but simple clarity.

Gone is the fluffy feeling of absorbent cotton in his head, the soothing warmth in his old, tired bones.

"Nice try." Anton enters the office and is greeted by a huge solid wood desk - acacia? - at which the madam herself sits. She smiles. "Is this how you treat your guests?"

"It's good for business when customers feel well cared for and comfortable." She looks him up and down, making sure he gets that look clearly. Power and control surround her like an aura, as well as the never fading beauty of a high caliber fairy. She lives up to her reputation. "Even if you can hardly be called a guest."

Miss LaLune nods at the chair in front of the desk. A pitiful wooden chair, so small in comparison to the massive table that holds nothing but a lamp, a few documents and two half-filled glasses. Oh? So his visit was expected.

"You have good staff." He sits in the chair, which creaks precariously. Miss LaLune smiles. Her golden eyes remember Anton of a hawk, ready to pounce when she sees fit - ready at any moment to draw blood and feast on the victim's bare flesh. "Your bouncer is very loyal."

"Fenia is harmless." Miss LaLune waves it off and pushes one of the glasses toward Anton. Bourbon. Smells not too bad. "Like a kitten you catch at the door with a bowl of milk. Always comes back if you just feed it."

Her dark voice is distant, but there is warmth in the undertone, goodwill for those who are struggling on the streets of New Babylon. Maude LaLune obviously knows what it's like to have nothing and want everything. An open wound that continues to bleed into her daily life.

...

[val-the-bun]

After a bit of playtesting and editing, the Warlord of Silfwyrm's statblock is finally here!

I really wanna thank @shera-dnd, @midnightechoes, and my friends on my local discord server for helping me test this out, and for pointing out some of the issues with mechanics. I'm going to be fixing up statblocks for a future post.

My friend shera-dnd has been a really good friend, and been giving me advice to take this a little slower, and maybe I should have taken more time before just starting all this. So for now I'm gonna take it slower.

As usual, the text statblock and lair actions are gonna be down below for screen readers!

Warlord of Silfwyrm

Large Undead, Neutral Evil

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)

Hit Points 136 (16d12 + 32)

Speed 40 ft.

STR 20 (+5)

DEX 10 (+0)

CON 14 (+2)

INT 12 (+1)

WIS 14 (+2)

CHA 18 (+4)

Saving Throws DEX +4, CON +6, CHA +8

Skills Insight +7, Perception +7

Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Damage Immunities Necrotic, Poison

Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Grappled, Poisoned

Senses Passive Perception 17

Languages Common, Giant

Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

Proficiency Bonus +4

Relentless Undeath. While at 0 hit points, the warlord can continue fighting as normal. The warlord only dies if it takes radiant or cold damage while at 0 hit points.

Incorporeal Movement. The warlord can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object. 

Actions

Multiattack. The warlord makes two saber attacks.

Saber. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (1d8 + 5) slashing damage.

Temple Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage.

The warlord can use a bonus action to ignite the spear with radiant fire. The spear sheds bright light in a 40-foot radius and dim light for an additional 40 feet. While the spear is wrapped in flames, it inflicts 1d6 radiant damage to any target it hits.

Lair and Lair Actions

The Ancient Vessel, Silfwyrm

Awoken from her slumber, the ice of the Warlord's tomb breaks and shatters with her awakening. Her spear - her stolen treasure that angered the gods - shines in spite of the darkness of the storm.

The heart of the storm roars overhead as the once mighty captain stands tall upon her ship once more...

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), one of the undead of the Silfwyrm, takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the undead can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:

 Frost Cloud. A cloud of icy fog sweeps in from the storm raging over the frozen sea, filling a radius of 60 feet centered around the warlord with fog. The fog spreads around corners, and its area is heavily obscured unless a creature has a source of light or heat. It lasts until initiative count 20 on the next round.

Storm Surge. The storm over the frozen sea lets loose a howling wind, sending a surge of frost and snow in a fifteen foot cube originating from the warlord. Each creature in the cube must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 1d10+1 cold damage. The warlord regenerates 1d10+1 hit points.

Wyrm Thrash. The warlord shouts a command, and the ancient Silfwyrm answers. The furnace of the ship ignites, her sails unfurl into the storm, and the great ship thrashes against her icy prison. Each creature on the Silfwyrm's deck, other than undead, must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.

Silver Roar (Recharge 5-6). The warlord exhales a torrent of icy wind in a 15 foot cone. Each creature in that area takes 6 (2d6) cold damage and must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, or be covered in ice and have its movement speed reduced to 0 until the end of the round. If the target critically fails its save, or is already covered in ice, then it is encased in the ice and becomes restrained until it is freed by another creature using an action, or the target is healed.

Divine Strike (Recharge 5-6, Warlord Only). The warlord hurls her spear into the storm overhead, and strikes down on a target within 60 feet that she can see. The warlord makes a Ranged Spell Attack against the target: +8 to hit, inflicting its normal piercing damage. Whether the spear hits its target or not, all creatures within a 20 foot radius of where the spear lands must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 radiant damage on a failed saving throw, or half as much on a successful saving throw. If the spear was ignited, its radiant flames are extinguished until the warlord ignites it again. The spear will fly back to the warlord on initiative count 20 of the next round.

[ao3feed-superbat]

Ranma in Gotham

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/CnKQLbV by HOnney78, Wizibirb Ranma has just defeated Saffron, and he is slowly coming to terms with the fact he has killed someone. He is sick of what his life has become, sick of the escalation, of the strain on his honor. He can't do it anymore, so he decides enough is enough. That is the day that Ranma Satome Man-amongst-men died. It is also the same day that Eiko begins to live, now years later she is in her new home living her new life, blending into the city she now calls home. A city where a super powered martial artist doesn't really stand out. The city of Gotham, however the craziness of her past life is done with her yet, and she finds herself dealing with over zealous Robins and very gay villains. Words: 21405, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 1 of Ranmalicious, Part 20 of Gremlin Squad Fandoms: Ranma 1/2, Batman - All Media Types, ストップ!! ひばりくん! | Stop!! Hibari-kun! (Manga) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M Characters: Saotome Ranma, Oozora Hibari, Harleen Quinzel, Pamela Isley, Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake (DCU), Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth, Edward Nygma Relationships: Oozora Hibari/Saotome Ranma, Pamela Isley/Harleen Quinzel, Oozora Hibari/Saotome Ranma/Pamela Isley/Harleen Qinzel, Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne and his kids, Harleena and Pamela and their friends. Additional Tags: Heeeeey guess who tried to do a nice small one shot, we did a long nice one shot, Trans Female Saotome Ranma, Modelocked ranma, Mentions of past self harm, Panic Attacks, Neko ken is DID, we decided so, Her name is Keiko because she's cat eiko, Polyamory, did, Very Gay TM, Damian is prone to violence, Damian has an ego problem, the Wayne had a tendency to jump to conclusion, poor doc freeze has been forgotten in an ice cube., fluff we promise, Bruce has a boyfriend and a girlfriend, Barbara is done with this shit, We were going to add a whole fucking thing about Ranma adopting Orphan because she's cool, Eiko and her polycule adopting her, but - Freeform, we already wrote so much, so just, imagine it happened until we work on the sequel, france doesnt have normalized clim, i'm dying here, Jason likes to hit on people who can injure him read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/CnKQLbV

[shelly-ya]

FRUSTRATION

This is a ran haitani fic. With a frustrated female reader who needs to relax away from her husband and kid. No ran is not the husband. Do not bash my head in for the husband please. I am so sorry but I really am not sorry.

You were just a normal housewife with the same daily routine. Wake early in the morning, cook, get your kid ready for school and send your husband to work like a dutiful wife. Once both has left the home you clean and make your home a home. Some days you felt so depressed you didn't have the energy to do basic tasks for yourself.

Some days even your husband had no time to fulfill his physical duties towards you. Even when he does he doesn't push you over the edge once he was done it's all done. Once he was pleased he climbed off you and then turned his back at you making you frustrated even more. You didn't think it was worth getting off to your hands anymore it just increased the irritation. You forgot what pleasures sex even brought to a stressed body.

And the signs of just letting yourself go began to form. Not even bothering to brush your hair or eating right or even taking a shower was starting to happen. Until one day your friends hinata and Emma came over and forced you shower and dress up suggesting a girls night out. Draken, Emma's husband, organised with club owners the Haitani brothers to have you girls' on the guest list which eventually turned to V.I.P. with drinks on the house.

Mikey, Emma's brother, said he would pay for the drinks and food with the help of the other members of toman. They just needed you to become relaxed and back to being the cheery person you are. That's how you ended up here in a private booth with the girls' drinking and dancing and enjoying the beat of the music in the club. You began to feel your body relax shot after shot.

"Hey now ladies be careful we may have to call your husband's for you all if you get wasted." Someone tall and slim walked in to check on you three. His hair slicked back and black with purple streaks. Earring to his left love and hands filled with rings. He wore an expensive suit that made him look tantalising.

"Aw come on they told us to get wasted" hinata said raising her glass. You and Emma hummed your approvals.

"Name Chan you don't know the haitani bros do you?" Emma asked swinging from side to side.

"No" you whispered taking an ice cube and started sucking it in your mouth. Allowing the melting liquid to flow slowly down your throat to cool your overheating body.

"This is the older brother ran. They're both weird but good guys" Emma said pointing to him. Looking him over again you had to resist the urge or running your hand through his hair and make the slick look so messy. Shaking your head to get the naughty thoughts out and sticking your hand out he took it and shook it.

"I'm name totally nice to meet you."

"Honestly don't let your husband hear you say that he doesn't exactly like me that much. But according to mikey's rule of no in fighting within toman we had no other choice but swallow our pride."

"Oh so that's why he didn't introduce us. I thought it was because you are a total hottie." You laughed out "Just joking darling don't get So flustered" you confirmed after seeing the blush creep up his neck.

"Oh you two better behave." Emma intervened. With a little more chit chat going with ran for a few more minutes. He had to leave to attend other business leaving the three of you to party on. With the end result being you calling Draken for Emma and hanagaki for hinata. Draken offered you to take you home but you refused because Emma was becoming hands with him. You thought you would be the third wheel. After everyone left you called your own husband.

"Hello" his voice husky from sleep.

"Can you come pick me up? I'm to drunk to drive"

"Can't mama baby/name is already in a deep sleep. I don't wanna wake 'em"

"No worries I'll find a hotel close by and come home in the morning"

"Ok let me know which hotel you are in"

"Yep no worries. I..." He hung up before you finished talking "love you" you whispered looking at the phone in your hand you felt the tears threaten to fall.

"Miss name, your husband on his way to pick you up?" You recognised the voice of the owner of the club. What was his name again... oh right Ran.

"No he has to babysit I was just going to stay in a hotel that's close by" you said throwing your head up trying to let the cold air sober you up and more importantly dry your impending tears.

"I'm let me tell my brother to take over. I'll walk you to a safe place to spend the night. You know what come back inside and wait for me i will talk to my brother then you there."

"Sure thank you so much" you waited for him at the bar, a sealed cold bottle of water placed on the counter.

"On the house" the bartender said giving you a small smile.

"Thank you" taking the bottle and cracking the seal, the cold liquid sliding down your throat is what you needed right now. Sobering up a bit but not quite sober enough. Tan strutting back hands in his pockets as he strolled to you. You wanted those hands on you caressing and squeezing you. Shaking the thoughts out of your head the second time again that night.

"Ready?" He asked calmly giving you his arm to hold l onto. "Just so you don't fall as you are tipsy." Cautiously interfering your arm in his he began walking you to the hotel. There really wasn't conversation just pure silence not the awkward type of silence more like the calm silence. The silence where you find comfort and don't mind being there kind.

Arriving stage hotel didn't take long he seated you on a sofa in the lobby where he could see you at the reception desk. He booked the room, obtained the keys and escorted you up. You pulled your phone out the way to the elevator messaging your husband your location.

"Messaging him?" Ran asked as you waited for the elevator.

"Yeah just my location" *ding* the elevator doors open with both of you stepping in.

"So what is it that is really making you so sad?"

"What's making you ask that?"

"Just, you know, I know a frustrated woman when I see one"

"Frustrated? How?" This elevator ride was taking long.

"Only why were you crunching so much ice then?"

"Just felt like it."

"Ha! Or is it you feel so overheated that you need to cool down"

"Really what's making you say this?" *ding* the elevator opens on the floor. "Finally longest elevator ride of my life"

"I can help with it" unfurling your arm and putting his arm around your waist instead pulling you closer to him as he practically dragged you to the room.

"I am a married woman sir" trying to push him away.

"Let's for one minute pretend you weren't married to him. We would have hooked up already. If he didn't snatch you up first you would of been so satisfied in my bed. Besides I have orders from my boss to make sure you go home happy" he hot breath fanned on your ear as he whispered every word. You felt him nip your ear little causing a heat to pool in your stomach.

"Mikey kun?" Arriving at the door he opened it and stepped aside for you to enter. Stopping yourself from entering you argue your eyebrow at him.

"*sigh* I'm leaving right after I make sure you are safe no cheating, no sex I promise. No matter how much i want to fuck you into that bed right now. What kind of jerk would I be if I took advantage of a drunk married woman." Taking his haphazard confession as a somewhat stupid sign you could trust him you entered the room. With him following noting he didn't shut the door yet.

"Wait here let me check the room for you." He said walking in inspecting every corner and tapping every mirror on the walls. Inspecting the bathroom as well he walked back to you already stripping off your jacket and throwing it on the nearest chair.

"Safe for me almighty bodyguard?" You question when you noticed he was staring at you.

"Yeah all good." Handing you the key for the room. "I'm heading out. Oh take my card contact me when you can especially in the morning to let me know you got home safely. I'll take your car keys and have your car brought home in the morning for you." He whispered pulling out his wallet and rifling through it grabbing some spare cash and stretching his hand out to you. "Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"That thing with raising one eyebrow when you want to ask the question why"

"Never realised I did that"

"This is taxi fare you would be too hung over to drive anyway trust me I'm the one with a club. Pay me back another day." Pocketing his wallet he took the do not disturb sign from the inside handle and put it on the outside handle. "Make sure you lock the door as I leave." Looking back was a mistake he made to regret the way your eyes were wide and innocent and glazed over. "Oh fuck it forgive me" he said pushing himself into you and started kissing you. You brain to far off to understand what happened and to slow to respond. He pulled away a bit pained because you didn't kiss him back. He was about to release you when you whispered.

"Do that again" you weren't sure if he heard you but he placed his lips on yours again having you bout moaning into each others mouth. He nibbled your lower lip almost as Though he was asking permission to access more of your mouth which you granted. It felt like a battle of tongues. You felt his hand strung into your hair and other on your shoulder. He them pushed you away quickly

"We can't I promised I won't. You are married and drunk. I'm not going to take advantage of you." He said putting both of his hands on your shoulders and pushing you further In The room. "Lock the door" was the last thing he said leaving and closing the door. You clicked the locked close and pulled your bra out and dropped into the bed. Closing your eyes too tired to even cry you lull off to sleep. Unaware of the fact ran stood against your room door waiting for you to open it back up or to hear the click of the lock. Once he heard it click of the lock he righted himself adjusting the already softening bulge in his slacks. Pulling out his phone he called Mikey.

"Yeah I just left her in the room. That woman needs proper sex Mikey she is too frustrated. What even is that idiot souya kawata even doing? You told me to leave her to him but he isn't even fucking her right" he continued on the phone in the elevator. "Yeah talk to him maybe I'll show him how to fuck the woman I always loved properly." He gritted into to the receiver of his phone. "In the elevator no signal talk later" he sighed hitting the emergency stop button and dropping to the floor. " I always loved you. But I was so unstable I could have hurt you back then. I'm sorry I left you to that dumb idiot." He sank down trying to collect himself again.

To be continued? Who knows maybe/maybe not up to all of you.

@angelsdevils @stxrmylxve

[drtanner]

TANNER’S PROGRESS REPORT: JULY 20TH 2023 (THU)

The mid-month piece is done and all ready to be posted tomorrow! I am very pleased with it and I hope it does as well as the preview of the exclusive did earlier this month. I'm pretty happy with the design of Beauty's gijinka, so you'll all get to see him (albeit on my art only sideblog and not here, given that this sideblog is supposed to be exclusively SFW, lmao) when he's posted. 👀

The real Beauty, I'm discovering, is weirdly obsessed with It Was A Good Day by Ice Cube for some reason. My Everything Playlist is a full 295 hours long and yet somehow already I am reliably hearing It Was A Good Day by Ice Cube daily. Yesterday he played it twice in a row. Beauty fucking loves It Was A Good Day by Ice Cube. I don't know what this says about him! He's my big, beautiful boy and I'm genuinely delighted that he's becoming Weird already.

Anyway, I need to sleep. Gotta get up at a good hour tomorrow so I can wilfully waste as much time as possible. Happy Thursday the 20th to all who celebrate. 💜

Goodnight, internet.

[bandedbulbussnarfblat]

Shiver

my latest Daniel/Armand fic. read it below or here

Brooklyn, Summer 1978

Daniel thinks he may die, it's so fucking hot. The AC has to break in the middle of July, when the temperature is at it's peak. It's too hot to even sleep, which is what he'd normally be doing this hour of the day. Since he and Armand became a thing he's become a night owl. He's damn near nocturnal.

Daniel has found a box fan and had stuck a bucket of ice in front of it, hoping the trick would work. So far it's made it marginally cooler. He's still lying on the floor in nothing but his boxers. He's been listening to the Foreigner single Hot Blooded that came out last month on repeat. It may or may not be payback for Armand's annoying honky tonk music he woke him up with every night last week.

“This is what death feels like,” he moans.

“I assure you, it's not.” Armand is sitting in the chair by the window, leafing through the television guide to find something to watch. Daniel hopes it's something interesting. He's tired of watching Dallas every week.

Daniel glances over at him. He's fully dressed in a white suit, complete with a waistcoat and tie. Daniel's pretty sure he saw the same thing on the cover of GQ a few months back. Just looking at him makes him hot and bothered, and not in the usual sexy way. “Aren't you hot?”

Armand tosses the television guide to the small table beside him. “The temperature doesn't affect us much.”

“Wish I was a vampire,” Daniel says, then winces. “Not that I'm asking! I just meant, you know, with the heat.”

“Yes, Daniel, I understood.”

Daniel slides his foot along the floor and nudges Armand's. “I'm bored. Entertain me.”

They've been out every night the last month. Daniel had declared on Friday that they were spending the weekend at home so he could catch up on his sleep. Except the AC broke last night. Armand had suggested they go stay at a hotel until the landlord fixed the AC—something that isn't happening until Monday, because get this, the repair guy's wife went into labor right before he came over to fix it. That's Daniel's bad luck. But Daniel hadn't wanted to leave their home.

Their home. His home with Armand. It still feels unreal to say.

Armand tilts his head and looks at him for a moment. Then he starts to undo his tie. “Give me your hands.”

Oh. Heat settles low in Daniel's belly. He hopes this is going where he thinks it's going. Armand moves and turns off the record player. Daniel watches him move around their living room, carefully taking off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves to his forearms. It's insanely hot.

Daniel holds out his hands, wrists pressed together already. Armand kneels in front of him and wraps the tie around them, securing it in a knot. He checks to see if it's tight enough with a methodical precision. He likes it tight, but not too tight. Not enough to cut off circulation or cause any discomfort. Just enough to restrain Daniel a little. Daniel could slip free if he really wanted to, but he never does. He likes it when Armand ties him up. Strangely, it makes him feel safe.

“Would you like to cool off?” Armand asks.

“Um, yes?” Daniel says, confused.

“Lie back and close your eyes.” Armand orders. Daniel does as he says, then hears some movement. He wonders what Armand is doing, but he doesn't want to be bad and peek.

The next moment, he feels Armand's finger tracing over his bottom lip. It's ice cold and wet. The ice bucket, Daniel realizes. He immediately opens his mouth and sucks Armand's finger in, hollowing his cheeks and laving over it with his tongue. Armand fucks it into his mouth for a moment before pulling back.

Then there's the edge of an ice cube running over his mouth. It's colder than Armand's finger was, a shock in the hot air. Daniel gasps and Armand kisses him. It's wet and dirty and his lips tingle from the cold. He gropes blindly and grips unto Armand's waistcoat as best he can with his tied hands, trying to hold him there longer. Armand obliges him and keeps kissing him for a long, dizzying moment. When he pulls back, he sucks on Daniel's bottom lip then bites it. It hurts just a little, enough to enhance the pleasure from the kiss.

Armand pulls away and Daniel opens his eyes. He figures it's alright since Armand doesn't say anything about it. Daniel's arms are guided to above his head. Armand takes the ice cube and trails it down his neck to his chest. It's a shock of cold that makes him shiver, but it feels nice in the oppressive heat. Armand's mouth follows behind, licking and kissing the same trail.

He takes the ice cube and circles it around Daniel's nipple. Daniel jerks and flails. Armand pauses. “Would you like me to stop?”

Daniel shakes his head. “No, no, you just surprised me.”

The ice cube has mostly melted now, so Armand fetches a new one. He circles around Daniel's nipple again and again. Daniel's nipple goes erect and he can't stop shivering. Armand slips the ice cube over the hard nub and Daniel sucks in a breath. Just when he thinks it's too much, Armand dips down and licks over his nipple with his tongue. His tongue traces his nipple and he sucks it into his mouth, suckling it until it's red and hard and Daniel's back is arched off the ground.

“Fuck, baby, your mouth.”

Armand pulls off and smirks at him, before giving his other nipple the same treatment. Armand teases it until it's nearly sore, then bites gently. Daniel wails, legs falling wide apart. His dick goes from half mast to fully hard. And fuck, he needs Armand to touch it.

Armand doesn't.

He grabs another ice cube and trails down Daniel's stomach, mouth following behind. The dual sensations are making Daniel crazy, cold then warm. Armand rubs around his belly button then dips his tongue inside. Daniel moans. Armand slips his hands around Daniel's waistband and tugs his boxers off. Daniel whines in anticipation; he needs Armand to touch his cock, he needs it.

“Is this what you want?” Armand says, and wraps his fingers around Daniel. His hand is cool from holding the ice and it makes Daniel want to jerk away and lean in at the same time. He keens and pushes up into Armand's grip. Armand pumps him a few lazy times, then pulls his hand away. Daniel whimpers at the loss.

Armand grabs another ice cube and runs a line up Daniel's cock. Daniel cries out, but before the cold feeling even leaves his body, Armand's tongue is right behind it, chasing it away. Then the ice cube is back, this time swirling around the head, followed by Armand's mouth. Armand does it again and again, until Daniel is shaking. Daniel's bound hands scramble along the floor for purchase but he can't find any. Jesus fuck, but this feels good. Weird, but good.

Armand spreads his thighs wider and pauses to kiss his inner thigh. Daniel hopes he bites him. Armand must catch the thought because he mouths “Later,” against his skin. The ice is back, sliding down over and around his balls, then back towards his hole. Daniel swallows thickly. Is Armand really going to...

He is. Armand circles around Daniel's rim with the ice cube and rubs it over his hole. He does it until Daniel is quivering. Then he licks a broad stripe along his crack. Daniel jerks and nearly comes. Everything feels so heightened, so much more intense.

Another ice cube comes and traces his hole, over and over, pushing gently at the rim. Daniel presses down into it and Armand slips it inside his hole.

The first thing Daniel realizes is that it's fucking cold. Like, really cold. It also feels nice. Not as nice as Armand's tongue licking over him and entering right after. Armand eats him out with vigor and it's almost too much. He's hot and cold and shaking.

“Please, please, I need, I need-” He can't get the words out. He doesn't realize he's crying until he hears the tears in his voice. He doesn't know what he needs, he just knows he needs something.

Armand knows. His hand, still icy cool, wraps around Daniel's cock and pumps him while he continues to eat his ass. He licks and sucks and bites at his rim, fucks him with his tongue. And his hand keeps jerking him, hard and fast.

Daniel comes embarrassingly fast. He shoots his load so hard that when he arches his back, it pops. He collapses back down, panting and shivering. Armand unties him and gently rubs his wrists. Daniel realizes Armand is still fully dressed, aside from his missing suit jacket. That's hot. He smiles a dopey smile at Armand. “That was...”

“Don't say it.” Armand says, reading the thought.

“cool.” Daniel finishes. It's a terrible joke, but he has to make it. “No, but really that was...wow.”

“Do you feel better?”

He feels fucking amazing. “Yeah, I feel good.”

“Good,” Armand says, and helps him to his feet. He scoops him up into his arms. Daniel automatically wraps his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist. “because I'm not finished with you yet.”

[screechingtriumphtiger]

Rather Be Lonely

My phone buzzed on the bar. I knew who it was without even looking at it. I glanced up at the crooked analog clock hanging over the door. 1:45. Right on time. My gaze shifted down to my phone's screen. What are you doing tonight? the message read.

My laugh was hoarse. Tonight? It's already tomorrow. This had become somewhat of a regular occurrence. It was hilarious to me, in a completely non-hilarious way that Joy had been the one to break things off and yet, here she was, texting me at two in the morning, trying to get back together. Was it for one more night? One more week? I rolled my eyes and flipped the phone over, pushing it as far away from me as possible.

I looked around. This close to closing time, the bar was practically empty. Just like the rocks glass in my hands. Ice cubes clinked against each other in the glass as I raised it to my lips, trying to get the last drops of watered down whiskey. Patsy Cline was falling to pieces on the jukebox.

I snorted. That was Austin's doing.

Austin had been my friend for years. We met in a bar in college and were still meeting in bars all these years later. The only difference now was he owned this one, and I was just a patron. But he had control of the music, and a dumb sense of humor.

"Very funny!" I called. I guessed he couldn't be far away and that proved correct. He was chuckling as he came around the corner. "Sorry man, I couldn't help it." His smile was genuine, and infectious.

I stared back at him, willing myself not to laugh. Instead, I shook my empty glass. "What kind of place are you running here? Can I get a refill or what?"

"What? Where's my bar wench? I don't pour drinks!"

That did it. I cracked a smile. "I'm sure Amanda is already home. I watched you cut her lose thirty minutes ago."

"Aw, shit. That's right." He grabbed the Jack out of the well and poured me a healthy shot. "Is Joy still bothering you?" he nodded toward my phone.

"Well, 'bothering' implies that I care," I shrugged. "And I just don't."

"Why don't you just block her and be done with it?"

I shrugged. I didn't know. I liked her, but I didn't like her games. And I didn't want to play anymore.

Sensing the direction of my thoughts, Austin leaned into the bar. "Do you want her back?"

"No." It just kind of slipped out. I didn't even think about it. I didn't need to think about it.

Austin chuckled. "There he is! Gimme that thing." He reached for my phone and pulled up the messages, then the contacts.

I took a long sip. "I don't even want to know how you know my password."

He shot me look over the screen. "It's your birthday. Very original."

I laughed. He had me there.

"Here," he slid my phone back to me. "Your phone is now Joy-less and hopefully now you can be more joy-ful."

I rolled my eyes. Where did he come up with this stuff?

[iliveinabarbieworld]

I'm done with my laundry, and I need to do some grocery shopping because I don’t have any water left, and I’m out of cleanser. I also need to buy more tea, but I’m too lazy to go out. Maybe I’ll just buy a gallon of water from the nearest convenience store near my house. My favorite convenience store is called Emily. I always buy ice cubes there, and my favorite drinks are chocolate milk, Pocari Sweat, pineapple juice, Mogu Mogu, and Rite n Lite (the pink one with glutathione and collagen), and any yogurt drink. These are my go-to drinks. Whenever I go to 7-11, which is like a happy place for me, I always buy something new, whether it’s a drink or dessert, or my favorite ramen with lots of cheese. My go-to dessert is chocolate pudding.

I love food so much that I can’t even imagine passing by a 7-11 without buying something. It would feel like I’m not being kind to myself if I didn’t buy food that I like when I see it. This is the main reason I’m really afraid to lose my job because I’m so used to getting whatever I want instantly. I love Grab deliveries where I don’t have to go out—they just bring what I want to my doorstep while I’m watching movies or doing whatever I want at home. I love my simple and comfortable life.

I don’t know if it’s really free, or if I’m already tied to this comfort. I’m afraid of meeting the wrong person because I’m afraid of losing all the comfort and freedom I have now. I’m also afraid of making the wrong decisions because I’m scared of losing the comfort I have. Maybe this comfort is preventing me from growing, or maybe it’s just what I need at this moment.

I have no idea.

Am I overthinking everything too much? How can I just live life without worrying if I’m doing the right thing and just enjoy the present without judging or over-analyzing it? I’m resting and blogging here, but I keep questioning if being so at ease is the right thing to do. I can’t stop thinking about it, and it’s making me crazy. A hug from my crush would be so helpful, but sadly, it’s not available. So, I’ll just think of him to distract myself, but thinking too much about him also bothers me because it keeps me from being present and makes me dream about him. How can I fix the way I think? I know something is wrong because it’s already draining me. This is why I love to sleep so much—I can escape from my overactive mind.

Gen offered to keep me company while I do my errands, but I told him I’m scared I might get used to his presence and become dependent on him. I’m also uncomfortable having him around because I don’t want to get used to him or possibly develop feelings for him. Even though I know it’s unlikely, I’m being cautious and don’t want to take any chances. Why do I make everything so difficult, and why does everything seem so hard for me?

I want his presence because it calms me, but I don’t want to rely on him like I always have. I hate this feeling of pushing people away when I really need someone to be there for me. Do I have a mental issue, or is this just normal? I really need help. I’ll sleep to shut down my mind and hope that when I wake up, everything will be clearer.

I want to go to the parlor and get my nails done, but I don’t want to go outside and see people. What is wrong with me? I know something is off, but I just don’t know what it is.

I just need a hug, but I don't want to get one because I might need it more and keep wanting it.

Can anyone understand what I’m going through? Can I just let a psychiatrist read my blog and tell me what to do? I don’t want to do anything to help myself, but I want a magical fix.

I only want my crush to be the one who comes to my house, sleeps in my bed, and does things for me. But sadly, he doesn’t want to be with me or do any of that. I don’t want Gen to do these things for me because I don’t want to give him false hope about us getting back together. He can’t give me the life I want, and he’s not someone I want to be with either. Should I just accept the help that’s being offered? I guess I’ll just relax and watch the universe unfold its mysteries. Besides, Christopher is probably doing whatever pleases him without even thinking of me—or maybe he is, I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong, or maybe I’m right, but I’ll just focus on what’s being offered to me in the present. I am grappling with some complex emotions and trying to navigate a situation that doesn't fully align with what I want. I am torn between accepting the support I am being offered and the desire for a different kind of relationship. It's wise to take a step back and let things unfold naturally, especially since I am still figuring out what's best for me. Trusting the process and focusing on what the present offers could hopefully bring the clarity I need.