#LOVED THIS ONE

[shih-na]

GRRR REUNICLUS IN A JESTER HAT ‼️‼️

They're so silly

[coffeanddepression]

Drawing Chara everyday until my birthday!!

Day 4

[teethburied]

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (2023) dir. Raven Jackson

[alwayspining]

Kissing scenes in Perfect Propose (2024) l dir. Tadaaki Hôrai

[herewegobebe]

KEY The 2nd Mini Album 'Good & Great' | Work Week : Thursday [He's doing it for them 🐕‍🦺🐩 😭💞]

[hearted-anon]

Humble beginnings, bold confessions. (AU)

Words: 2016 Note: For @jeongins-diary T/w: Rough?? I don't know they're silly Lee: Channie Ler: Minho

“Bring him to me.” Minho hissed through his thinly pursed lips, gripping the handles of his throne tight in his hand, veins popping through it. His other hand held the delicate masquerade mask in his palm, threatening to break should he put any more strength into its fragile details. The knights rushed out as fast as the command was given, scouring the feeble towns in search of who their majesty desperately needed.

“W-Wait, what’s happening?!” Chris shrieks as knights barraged into his home, eyes widening in complete shock. His heart swelled in fear, he knew all he was was a lonely villager here, what had he done so wrong to be called out by the majesty? His clothes were run down, holding a piece of almost expired bread in his trembling hands as the knights approached him, his lip quivering in panic.

“Nothing bad of sorts, your Majesty just wants to see you.” One of them explained kindly, noticing the absolute terror in Chan’s eyes. For a servant, he looked quite fearful of even stepping out of his house, while most would be filled with excitement and glimmers of hope of being able to catch a glimpse of the king himself. It didn’t seem to calm down the villager in the slightest, but he complied anyway, not wanting to disobey.

“G-Good afternoon, y-your Majesty…” Chan kneels down before Minho, his torn clothes stretching in agony as he falls to his knees onto the fabric of the carpet. He cursed himself internally for stumbling, panic-stricken that he made a horrible impression before anything had begun. Chris’s eyes refused to meet the other, wholeheartedly believing he wasn’t worthy of even being in his line of sight.

“Look up, look at me.” Chan heard footsteps graze the carpet gently, the smell of flowers hitting his nose made his heart pound out of his chest. Hesitantly, he lifts his head to meet the eyes of his ruler, brown eyes that pierced him in an instant. Chan could feel the lump that formed in his throat, pondering why there was a masquerade mask in Minho’s hand. Meanwhile, the cold ruler kneeled down on one knee to his level, still keeping his stoic expression.

Just then, Chris felt the mask around his face, freezing in shock. He recognised the mask, lined with intricate gold patterns that covered him, leaving only his eyes out to stare in his ruler’s gaze. This mask was given for the upcoming ball, one where every kingdom’s king or queen would attend with their partner, bonding with matching masks that signified their royal bond. However, why would Minho choose someone as lowly as him?

“I’m sure you know what this mask is for, am I right?” Minho stated calmly, as if he wasn’t deeming a servant of all people to be his partner. Chan knew well enough there were many other royalties more deserving of this title than him, him who was a worthless villager, him who could barely afford food and the rent, was not as worthy of such a title compared to others. He couldn’t take advantage of this opportunity, it went against his own morals, he would never betray himself for money.

“Y-Yes, but your excellency, shouldn’t you choose someone more worthy?” Chris stammered nervously, his voice muffled by the mask that concealed his anxious grin. He was afraid to deny his majesty’s orders, but this was absolutely ridiculous! There was no way he was allowing himself to be going to a fancy ball with divine treats that he wasn’t worthy of indulging himself in.

“I chose you for a reason.” Minho stated simply, carrying the villager off the floor bridal style as if he weighed nothing but a feather. Chan squealed, completely shocked that he was being treated this way, feeling his cheeks heat up seeing the ruler up so close. But before that, he shook his head in denial, trying to get Minho to come to his senses; Chris was clearly not willing to put Minho’s reputation at risk for anything.

Tossed onto the bed, Chan felt the mask being taken off his face, revealing his pretty tinted cheeks to his king. He tried feebly to hide himself away, but was immediately taken back into Minho’s arms, wrapped around his thin waist from behind. He heard the ruler sigh, he could feel the frown that was on his face. Chris wasn’t quite a wealthy guy, his food supply barely enough to keep him full; leading to starvation at least once a week.

“My humble servant, why is it that you are so thin?” Chan squeaked at the warm breath that brushed his ear, not expecting that his majesty got into such…close proximity with him. The villager frowned unexpectedly, not wanting to admit he was quite poor in his hometown. He felt terribly guilty for being taken under Minho’s wing, but knew better than to deny his needs.After all, his king was known for serving anyone’s head on a silver platter for his next meal that dared to go against his wishes, no matter of age or status, nobody was spared from the blade of his sword, covered in the prettiest of reds for himself to admire.

“I just…don’t have the money and-”

“I request that a full course meal be made right now.” Minho was quick to cut off Chris, snapping his fingers with a strict command that sent the maids running in a hurry. Although he didn’t want to admit it, Chan felt his heart flutter with butterflies at the kind action, his stomach doing flips that he refused to admit were true.

“B-But your Majesty, this isn’t necessary-” Chan babbled on, nervous and afraid that he was indulging himself too much into Minho’s kindness, held back by ropes of insecurity that pulled him down. He wasn’t worthy enough for these sweet treats that were being easily handed to him at the wave of a hand, all while he had done absolutely nothing to be needing it.

“Call me Minho. Oh you little servant, so cute and humble you don’t realise anything. I have chosen you because I love you, I watch you quietly in the shadows as you work, eating bread so lonely without my presence, I couldn’t bear the weight on my shoulders for longer.” Minho smiles warmly at his own explanation, making the tips of Chan’s ears go quite the bright red. Christopher Bang Chan, a servant that was poor and lived on his own, had captured the Majesty’s heart?! There was no way in any kingdom that Chris would believe this, as if he had come right out of a fairytale.

He felt himself being pulled out of his thoughts when hands squeezed his sides suddenly, making him squeal embarrassingly loudly. He shot a gaze at the culprit, who was grinning cheekily behind him. Everything was a blur, but why did it feel so good? He was going right against his morals head to head, but he felt himself slipping away into the feeling of being enamoured by none other than the only person that dared to pay attention to him.

“Cutie pie, would you like to attend this ball with me?” Minho asks at last, his mischievous smile morphing into a softer one, one that wanted to persuade Chan, one that was screaming with his confession and affection that was no other to be described as bold.

“Your Majesty, I can’t possibly accept this- WAHAHAIT!” Chan was quick to reject as he felt himself infatuated with the king, cut off by his own hysterics as fingers slipped under his thin cloak to his bare skin to rapidly squeeze his sides. Cackles ensued from the servant, shaking his head to try and dispel the energy that came with it. He didn’t get it, why was he suddenly being tickled out of nowhere?!

“Again, it’s Minho. And you can, because I want you to be there. Why, you think you’re not worth it? But hear that laughter, so sweet isn’t it?” Minho cooed sweetly into Chris’s ear, a stark contrast to the cruel ruler he was outside of these chambers. He could feel his cheeks heat up at the compliments, but alas, still adamant on pushing down the offer.

“NOHOHOHO! YOHOHOUR MAJESTY PLEHEHEASE!” Chan begged under the tickling fingers going rogue on his sides, squeezing, scribbling and skittering everywhere on the sensitive skin. The poor villager couldn’t take it, squirming like a fish out of water from the electrical shocks that coursed through his body. He heard a loud tut from behind him, before the hands pushed and his pants slightly.

“Last chance to address me properly and accept my love for you, or you’ll be punished severely.” Obviously that was a blatant lie, if anything Minho wanted to protect his feeble servant until the day he died, and would sacrifice everything he had on the line for him. His fingers slowed to gentle tracing on Chan’s sides, a predatory warning to what was going to happen if instructions were to be disobeyed.

“Buhuhut yohohour excellency, I’m suhuhuhre there’s behehetter people out theHERHE! WAHAHAIT NOHOT THERE!” Chan shrieked when the hands travelled right to his hips, kneading the hollows without an ounce of regret. Minho tsked above him, clearly not satisfied with his answer in the slightest. Falling into loud, boisterous laughter, Chris tried his very best to keep himself composed, failing very miserably under Minho’s fingers that tore him right apart from his insecurities.

“Not there? Not where? Your sides? Your hips, or right���” Minho leaned down behind him right onto the nape of his neck, blowing a loud raspberry to match the laughter that bounced off the walls. Chan howled with laughter, squirming fruitlessly in his majesty’s lap as he struggled to get anywhere, stuck right where Minho wanted to be. His cheeks were flushed a bright red down to his neck, eyes crinkled up as smile lines popped up on his face. His dimples made themselves known too, eagerly showing themselves off as his hair sprawled messily over his face from all the thrashing.

“I CAHAHAHN’T! MINHOHOHO! PLEHEHEAHAHAHA!” Chan pleaded breathlessly, finally getting one of the two things Minho desperately wanted from the servant, not letting up in the slightest. His fingers travelled to Chris's hip dips, tracing around the area before massaging it ruthlessly, sending his partner into what was described to be ‘the cutest sound he has ever heard been produced’, in other words shrieky cackles that had squeals in between.

“Too bad, I’m often inclined to be mean, unless you accept the fact you will be my partner?” Minho asked innocently, as if he wasn’t driving the love of his life crazy and practically dying in his lap as his teeth gently nibbled the back of his neck, making Chan squeal and kick out in desperate laughter. He knew his majesty was mean, but not in this way!

“YEHEHEHES! I ACCEPT! I ACCEHEHEPT! STAHAHAP PLEHEHEHASE!” Afterwards, the laughter was replaced by silent shrieks of mercy, Chan nodding so desperately to Minho’s questions, tears of mirth decorating his red cheeks prettily. The ruler let up, wiping away the tears tenderly as he cuddled the servant, dragging him down onto the bed without a second thought. Chan giggled away from the tingly aftermath, no longer were morals fighting against his brain, now replaced with the affection that he was starting to slowly let come to light and enjoy.

“We still have to change these clothes later, and your banquet. But for now, rest your eyes with me, please.” Minho whispered softly, kissing away the leftover tear stains on Chan’s cheeks in a chaste affection that was doubted to remain as platonic as it was for long. Chris simply nodded along, letting his eyes droop close into slumber. His muscles ached and his throat was hoarse, stomach rumbling as he shivered, but now under the warm embrace of Minho…

Maybe it wouldn’t be much longer in suffering, starting to accept being coddled in the love he was so used to giving back instead of receiving.

[hogans-heroes]

Next prompt drabble!

From anon: Bucky being even more attracted to Buck when he sees him being smart and Buck being all bashful in return.

****

Bucky reread the same sentence in his dog-eared book for what must have been the hundredth time, but how was he supposed to pay attention with Gale on the other side of the room, coaching one of the guys in his math class in that low, calm cadence of his, shifting a toothpick in his mouth with a furrow of concentration in his brow? Gale’s fingers steadily gripped the pencil, every moment focused and sure, and it stirred something in Bucky and took his breath away.

Gale glanced up at Bucky, then did a double take, brow furrowing more and lips twitched in that cute way when he got confused at what Bucky was doing. Bucky didn’t try to hide the blatant staring or the adoration he was sure was all over his face, and Gale raised an eyebrow before returning to the paper.

Bucky bit his lip and shifted in his seat. He wanted nothing more than to climb over the table, plant himself in Gale’s lap and kiss him senseless, but of course Gale was oblivious to all else when there was math or physics or interplanetary-whatever in front of him. Was Bucky jealous of a piece of paper? Maybe. 

He pouted for a while, zoning out at his own book without really reading it until the slam of a door indicated the others had finished their study session. The room was empty and Gale was still seated, gathering papers into a stack, and Bucky was across the room in two strides. 

He lifted Gale’s chin and sank into the deepest kiss he could remember giving—gentling, pouring, worshiping—and when he broke away after a small eternity Gale blinked up at him with a stunned glaze in his wide eyes. The light blue and flecks of gray that only Bucky ever got close enough to see sparkled in the lamplight and Bucky felt like drowning again. Gale swallowed, slowly going pliant and relaxed in Bucky’s grip.

“What was that about?” he rasped, hands drifting over Bucky’s sides. The deep languid tone sent shivers down Bucky’s spine and he dove in again—devouring, opening up—until Gale’s arms snaked around him and pulled him into his lap without breaking the kiss. Finally Bucky pulled back first, his racing heart increasing the need for air. 

“You’re brilliant, you know that?” Bucky breathed, and a little puffed laugh escaped Gale’s lips. His cheeks were pink, and when he tried to duck away Bucky caught him again.

[loisfreakinglane]

tagged by @queenofattolia THANK U LOVEY

and i will tag!!!!!! @saint-cecilias @rooftoptag @mermaidsirennikita @tchallaas @bluetiefling +

@herasyndlla @streussal @iamgwenslongroadhome @latrodectal @bemybabymp3 or whoever else wants to do this!!!!!!

[format under the cut]

show yourself as:

[inkstainedhandswithrings]

TBB S3 Ep 5 Thoughts!!

Love Omega’s new outfit

Batcher hanging out with Cross then, I see

Cross is like the dad who continuesly goes “NO PET” and then when you do get a pet they’re suddenly besties

“ITS ECHO” “perfect”

Ah, the duality of man

Love how there’s no end to this dynamic

“What? No hug for me?” “That depends how good your intel is.”

LOVE Echo matching Cross’s causal sass

These two are gonna push against each other a lot huh?

Yanno, given all the promo material, I was kinda expecting Rex to be with Echo when he arrived (hoping phi, the word is hoping.) (she’s delulu.)

“Especially without Tech” 😭😭😭😭

No surprise reactions from Cross through. Means he already knows.

But also, Cross coming in with the solve <3

Is Hunter,,,, JEALOUS??? of the fact that Omega is spending so much time with Cross? Like that SIDEYE when they walked past each other on the platform

Like, God forbid Omega spent time with the member of the squad who everybody is always suspicious of and spends the most time alone

BUT ALSO!!!

“Don’t hold it against him. His only worried about you.” CROSS YOU BIG ‘OL SOFTY!!!

“I’m older than you are, little brother.”

THE CHUCKLE

AND WRECKER GIVING BACK CROSS’S ARMOUR AAAAAAAHHHH

oooohhh the girls are fighting

“Hey, kill each other later.” SIR THE WAY I CACKLED BYE ✋🏻

“He started it.” Sir, are you 5?

MAYDAY’S HELMET

Echo not wanting Omega to see the straight up Bitch fight between Hunter and Cross

TELL HIM CROSSHAIR!!!!!

Jesus Christ, fucking finally

I wrote a post at some point about Cross becoming the mirror held up to Hunter in which he can view his own shortcomings because of his adamant refusal to change AND ITS HAPPENING

“I risked everything to send you that message and you ignored it.” THIS

Hunter’s mistrust in Cross played a big part in Omega getting captured, but also ofc Cross thinks the message was fully ignored, because no one came to save him either

Also Cross just not hiding anymore that he’s always cared for Omega too I LOVE

Love how quick they put that plan together

Batch is Batching :) (almost) (Tech, my love, come back)

“We’ll try to dig through.” “You’ll try?” “Glad you heard me properly.” I AM WHEEZING

Cross patting Batcher

BIG ‘OL SOFTY

Say did Hunter abandon the bandana for a god damn leather strap

wtf

Cross and Hunter walking back to base side by side, when the last time Cross was walking back to this base was with Mayday dying in his arms🥺

Wrecker hugging them both

AAAAAHHH

“See? They always work it out. And I don’t even see any blood this time.”

EXCUSE ME??

i am worried.

Blood??

Was typical??

Jesus Christ

Don’t know how much I appreciate Hunter getting on a high horse and giving Cross advice

Bird flying away from Cross After always being with him on that base, like the shadows of his past leaving his life, now that this period of his life is over (also sun setting, signifying the day is over)

Good symbolism yes

Okokok good episode! Tbh I thought “The Return” would be Echo’s permanent return to the Batch, but narratively that wouldn’t’ve made sense for him anyway. And I am LOVING the fact that it is actually Crosshair’s return to the turning point in his life, followed by his full return to the batch. Like yeah, last ep they re-met, but he hadn’t fully arrived until the end of this episode and GAAAAHHH I love it!

Also the dialogue is just totally A1 chefs kiss mwah this season (or maybe I just appreciate sarcasm)

Loved this one!! Would love to tag Saturn and Steph because I wanna see their thoughts of Echo being back but idk if they’ve seen the ep already and I don’t wanna spoil them so,,, idk guys if you see this hmu lol

[maskofgabriel]

[all-rock-and-roll-is-homosexual]

LSD psa scanned from the November 1996 issue of Select Magazine

if you like my scans and want to repost them off of tumblr or crop/otherwise make edits to any of the photos contained within this article please credit my blog and the original photographer (where applicable), and if you're feeling extra generous and want to help me out you can donate via my ko-fi donating will allow me to obtain more magazines to scan and upgrade my equipment.

[eco-lite]

My unedited thoughts on volume 2!

“The Cat’s Eye of Insight”

* I really have such little patience for the obnoxious stuck-up child trope. Even if the kid is legitimately troubled. Sorry, Hajime.

* “Whenever I was near Richard, I kept finding that all the things I’d locked away deep in my heart just started spilling out” (32). Uh huh. 🥲

* “And why is my brain so much more talented at coming up with awful scenarios than good ones?” (39). Great question, I’d love to ask my brain the same thing.

* Lots of hints that we’ll be seeing more sides of Richard in this volume!

“The Fighting Garnet”

* Why is Richard turning into Sherlock Holmes right now?

* NOT Richard implying that he and Seigi are soul mates! 😭

* Really interesting exploration of how in some peoples’ eyes, the more beauty a person has, the less human they are—the less they must be treated with respect. Similar to how people feel they have more rights to celebrities’ personal lives and bodies because they are in the public eye. It seems like Richard had experienced a lot of violation in his life. In this regard, Seigi is dehumanizing Richard all the time. But I think this story finally has him realizing why his words bother Richard so much.

* “Now, maybe this was just me making assumptions here, but I can’t imagine there were a lot of women in the world, let alone in Japan, who would particularly enjoy being called warriors. I think being called ‘lady’ or ‘princess’ would probably land with more women in general” (95). Seigi, my sweet summer child. You have no idea. What is this, Ouran Highschool Host Club? I think most women today would love to be called a warrior—women fight every fucking day to exist as we are. As Richard said, to live is to fight!

“The Dance of the Emeralds”

* Richard, you are way too lenient when it comes to sweets…

* I’m starting to think that most people aren’t actually that effected by Richard’s beauty—it’s just Seigi. He keeps mentioning how beautiful Richard is even when he’s frowning or doing mundane things. I think that’s just Seigi’s attraction to him as a person.

* “She had the vibe of someone who’d just come running from a construction site” (131). Literally what??

* I really glad that Seigi genuinely appreciates who Tanimoto is as a person, with all her nuances and cute habits.

* Crazy how Seigi says the wildest romantic shit to Richard and is like “huh, what?” But when he says the same kind of thing to Tanimoto he’s gets all flustered and nervous.

* Not Tanimoto thinking Seigi has feelings for literally everyone besides her. 😭

* This story has taken such a turn omg. We’re into drug smuggling and money laundering now?! This really is turning into Sherlock Holmes.

* I don’t even know what to say about Richard eating the caramels out of Seigi’s hand. That’s just normal fodder for them by now.

* Richard fishing for compliments now?? “‘You look perfect like you always do. The most beautiful man in the whole world is standing in front of me.’ The woman behind the counter suddenly started coughing really loud. Maybe she had a cold” (180). And then Richard hurried away into the theater. Like??? You can’t act so shameless and then get embarrassed, Richard!

* Ahh, Richard, you’re too self-sacrificing. Way to end on a sad note.

“The Opal of Reunion”

* “‘The universe has a way of bringing people together when it’s meant to be’” (196). Richard, you sentimental shit. (And NOT Seigi reusing that line on Hase omg.)

* Wow, Richard was right on to suspect Seigi had a crush on his karate classmate. I mean, we were all thinking it. But Seigi! You can actually admit to yourself that you had a crush on your male classmate?! Biggest character growth! Not that he knows how to explain it to Richard, though.

* 🥹🥹🥹 Richard waiting for Seigi because he knew Seigi would be disappointed in Hase after their confrontation. 🥹🥹🥹 Richard playing Finnish death metal so Seigi can cry in peace. 🥹🥹🥹 Richard taking Seigi out for sushi at a fancy hotel. 🥹🥹🥹 Richard telling Seigi to live in the moment instead of ruminating on depressing times in the past. 🥹🥹🥹 Richard letting them split the check so Seigi doesn’t have to be reminded of his relationship with Hase. I’m so happy that both Seigi and us readers get to see this side of Richard—“comfort mode.”

* “…in the end, the only thing I have power over is what I decide to do. Otherwise, I’m just going to cause myself a lot of unnecessary pain” (215). Yeahhh I felt this hard. I struggle with this a lot.

“The Serendipity of Euclase”

* Awww Richard, don’t be ashamed of your pudding fail. Please keep blushing though, that’s fucking adorable.

* His little swaying with joy. 🥹

* SEIGI you cannot in one moment say “we’re just boss and employee,” and in the next moment say “‘we were kinda like a cute married couple, huh?’”! Stop playing with Richard’s emotions!!

[marypickfords]

The Delicious Little Devil (Robert Z. Leonard, 1919)

[fatallyaddictedtofiction]

Silly Game Time: Would you rather spend a year's worth of nights sleeping in a bed that's too short for you to stretch out on … or with zero pillows?

ZERO PILLOWS 100%

I sleep with one flat pillow maximum but I sleep like a starfish I need all the space I will GLADLY sacrifice my one sad little pillow for that

[stellagibs0ns]

If you’re still up for Bedannibal prompts- could you do Bedelia being super comforting/nurturing towards their daughter in a time of need (nightmare? Minor injury? Illness?) and Hannibal looking on with heart eyes at their interaction?

Bonus points if they have a convo about how Bedelia previously felt she would be cruel rather than kind towards weakness. Many thanks!!

omg LOVE this so much <3 and i will always want to write mom bedelia

—

The low light of the room casts tall, dark shadows across the lavender walls. A wheezy cough crackles through the silence, followed by gentle, motherly shushing.

“Drink, baby,” Bedelia says gently, holding the glass of water to the lips of her three year old. “Slowly. That’s it.”

Her daughter is feverish, shivering. Coughing and sniffling. She’s tucked up in bed with the curtains drawn and her night light casting stars across the room.

Bedelia presses a cool hand to her child’s forehead, and purses her lips.

“Mama…” the girl whines, clutching at her mother’s robe. She’s weak, vulnerable, and it breaks Bedelia’s heart to know that she can only do so much. Only so much medicine, only so much water. She cannot take this away from her, despite it being nothing more than a cold.

“I know, darling,” she says, shifting closer onto the bed and cradling her girl to her body. Her blonde hair is sticking to her forehead, and Bedelia smooths it back and presses a soft kiss to the feverish skin. “The medicine will work soon. Be brave for me.”

The child nestles into her mother’s side, another wheezing cough cracking through the air. She has to remind herself that she’s doing what she can. She trusts her husband and his medical knowledge. She understands that it’s a simple cold. And yet there’s nothing she can do to stop the way her heart heaves with worry.

This child is her life. It’s her duty to protect her, to adore her. Above that, it’s instinct. There is nothing she would not do for her daughter. Nothing in the world.

A creak from the door draws her from her thoughts, and she glances up to see Hannibal. He’s watching over the two of them. The way she cradles their young girl. His eyes are fond and shining, but he doesn’t intrude — he understands how she values her independence, her instincts as a mother.

Quiet breaths come from beside Bedelia, their daughter having fallen into a twitchy sleep. She doesn’t imagine she’ll sleep much tonight. Not when she has a child to tend to. However, that’s never been much of a chore to her, and she doubts it ever will be.

Hannibal cocks his head, a silent question.

Bedelia quietly removes herself from the toddler’s bed, careful not to wake her. She presses a gentle kiss to the girl’s forehead once again, and lingers for just a moment as she watches the way her eyelashes flutter against her rosy cheeks. A familiar ache settles in her chest.

She slips from the room, leaving the door ajar.

“How is she?” Hannibal asks, his voice steady and low.

“Still feverish. Fussy, but she’ll sleep for an hour or two,” Bedelia says, clearing her throat.

A pause rests between them for a moment.

“You make an excellent mother, Bedelia.”

Something passes over her face, and she wordlessly rests her cheek against her husband’s shoulder.

“I had imagined you as a mother many times. The idea, however pleasing, was always abstract,” Hannibal explains. “Until, of course, you brought our child into the world. And it was more stunning than I could’ve possibly imagined.”

A silence.

“I was never maternal,” she says finally.

“No, perhaps not. I recall you once told me that cruelty is often less troublesome than caring for another. That it will save a great amount of pain. And yet, I’ve never seen somebody care so deeply for their child. What do you make of that?”

She stiffens in his arms for a moment, before reminding herself he means well. He’s curious, by nature.

“That didn’t necessarily extend to…every situation. I believe, at the time, I had my…aversions. To your relationship with Will Graham.”

She can’t see his face, but she can tell his expression changed.

“You spoke out of envy?”

“Partially, yes,” Bedelia replies. “However, it was partially true. Caring is not always an advantage, and, at the time, I believed it would land me in an…unsavoury position. It wasn’t so much guidance as it was reflection.”

Another beat of silence.

“Do you believe you’ve changed?”

She lets out a short, breathy laugh.

“I carried our child for almost nine months. And God knows she wants for nothing. As though I could deny her. I’d like to believe I’ve changed, and I’d like to believe for the better. That girl is my life. And I would stop at nothing to keep her safe, happy.”

Hannibal draws her back a moment, his hand resting on her cheek.

“Motherhood is treating you very kindly, Bedelia,” he says, his voice thick with adoration. “Very kindly, indeed.”

He presses a kiss to her forehead, as she did to their child.

“Rest for an hour. I’ll keep an eye on her.”