#Ram Vera

[kinnbig]

Ram + autistic traits

[days-of-storm]

Right in the feels!

[bunnakit]

i am so fucking obsessed with Ram pls I just need a show all about him, I don't even care if it's romantic I just need to spin him around in a little terrarium (made by King)

[sunshineram]

more plants >:)

my sweet baby i grew from two leaves <33 love them so so much apparently is a ghost plant?? idk i just grabbed leaves from the mama plant i didnt look at what it was other than pretty! its more purple than ghost plants typically but they do come in purple so?? no clue. pretty mystery fella :)

my little baby boy <333 doing so good and sprouting so many heads i dont exactly remember what its name was it was something with sun in it but it doesnt look like a sunrise?? no idea but i love them bought this one hehe... 6 bucks for the plant and pot(too young to pull leaves off)

another propagated baby!! getting so big and strong!!! i think this ones also a ghost succulent, it has more of the classic look lol... love this little trooper even if its growing incredibly slowly hehe

my bearpaw <333 it scared me for awhile by dying back but its come back stronger than ever!! you can also see the old growth lol... look at those elongated leaves is the bottom left! those are old.. also need to start rotating this thang all its growth is on one side !! buddy you have other sides... maybe the grow light'll help it hehe

[sfznyxio]

-ˋˏ WILDEST FANTASIES ˎˊ

SYNOPSIS. you are irresistible and a source of temptation, especially in his imagination.

CHARACTERS. oikawa tooru, hanamaki takahiro, matsukawa issei, iwaizumi hajime

CONTENT. f!reader. canon-compliant, post-timeskip (2021). smut. 1.8k wc. rewrite of wildest fantasies at my old nsfw blue lock group blog @/bllk-after-dark, moved to haikyuu for an age-appropriate cast. reader is in a relationship with all except makki. seijoh 4 imagine how they would fuck reader. other warnings vary for each section and will be listed there instead because uh, it’s a lot.

VERA. sorry, the power of horny took over. i never read the manga, so i went with the seijoh 4 as the scenarios suit them the most. i struggled with makki and mattsun, so they may seem ooc. i guess I'm celebrating kinktober with this fic lol.

𝄞༉‧₊˚. OIKAWA TOORU

breeding kink, creampie, edging, fingering, jealousy (toward a teammate and kageyama), marking

mine is written on your skin with invisible ink. oikawa fumes at a player from his team talking to you, seemingly enjoying his company when he sees you laughing. he doesn’t experience rage often, but it can get worse when the infamous “king of the court” from the opponent team strikes up a conversation with you.

“what’s with the silent treatment, tooru?” the drive to the hotel is tense, and he treats you like a ghost. he also feels similar, for different reasons. when the two of you arrive at your room, he pins you down on the door with arms above your head and cunt on his knee. lust clouds his eyes as his tongue battles against yours and teeth nips at your throat, leaving a trail of bruises in its wake. 

“craving attention from him, out of all people when i’m here? i’m hurt.” you gasp at the friction of his knee on your cunt. his fingers slip inside, pumping them agonizingly slow as punishment. “think he can fuck you like this? hah, want everyone and that brat to know you’re mine.”

to prolong this type of behavior, you decide to instill delicious images in his head. “oh, how are you gonna show me off then? you’ve already done the hickeys. but what about a ring on my finger? or your cum out of me? or perhaps, a baby in me?”

oikawa pulls his fingers out when you’re nearing an orgasm. the impulse to buy a ring with his salary and propose you live, fuck you in the locker rooms to mark you with his cum, and knock you up so that guy can mind his damn business. he spends the entire night ramming his cock in you to make sure it takes.

“there you are! i had to ask one of your teammates where you were, but he’s so nice that i lost track.” oikawa is back at the court, dazed from his daydreaming. you didn’t notice him blanking out as you’re busy geeking out about his plays. “watching a match live was so exciting! i finally got to see your sets up close. one of the guys from the other team was your underclassman, right? i think he’s good too!”

he shuts you up with a kiss, and the audience reacts in a domino effect. the cameras pan to the two of you; his fans freak out that he is actually taken, and his teammates — as well as him — are in pure disbelief. you wonder why he did that. he looks proud of himself so you say nothing. “there. now the whole world knows.”

𝄞༉‧₊˚. HANAMAKI TAKAHIRO

begging, mutual masturbation, nipple play, phone sex, thoughts of oral sex (f!receiving), toxic relationships (with reader’s ex)

relief washes over him hearing that you broke up with ex over the phone. hanamaki never liked them to begin with, nor does he understand what you see in them. being the good friend he is, he remains civil, painfully. though it’s not as painful as suppressing his sinful thoughts about you squirming under touch, however.

“hey, makki. can you do me a favor?” he loves your voice. you saying his name is his greatest weakness. though it’ll be better to have you moan it in his ears when he rails you into a begging mess. now he feels guilty for harboring these feelings as he promised to only play as the ‘good friend’. but promises break eventually. “can you make me forget about them?”

the lines of friendship blur into indescribable tension. you express your frustration over lack of spice in your sex life, rambling about how badly you want to be fucked on someone’s mouth. the cries of your breasts and clit aching to be touched makes his cock to strain in his pants. sex isn’t a topic you confide in with your friends, but it does not matter now. you called him to forget after all.

“to tell you the truth, you’re driving me crazy,” he sighs with his head on the board while he pumps his length. labored breaths and whimpers are heard on your end. “what if i tell you i’m jerking off to you now, wishing i was inside that pretty pussy of yours? and what about you, wishing my mouth is there too and on your pretty tits to claim what has been mine in the first place?”

“i’m yours, always yours!” your whines turn into squeals, which has him cum on his hand. his body slumps over the edge of his bed, catching his breath alongside you. if you’re here, he would leave more proof that you are forever his with your ex nonexistent in your world. yet it’s all white noise. the entire time he has been spacing out, so you were waiting for an eternity for him to say something.

“hello? earth to makki?” hanamaki realizes the dried stickiness on his hand from his cum. he has been mindlessly jacking off to your voice. “i asked if you could do me a favor but i’d rather stop by your place to cool off. is it okay if i come over?”

“yeah. see you.” you thank him before hanging up. hanamaki tosses his phone away, contemplating what he has done. never, ever will he do this again and vows to not speak on it. all he can do is to maintain his role to comfort you through your breakup. he will do whatever it takes to prove he is indeed the better choice. there will be the day where you’re his for the taking.

𝄞༉‧₊˚. MATSUKAWA ISSEI

body worship, lap dance, lingerie, riding, sex toys (vibrator), strip tease, voyeurism

speechless is his reaction to you clad in lace lingerie. matsukawa develops a strong urge to impale you on his cock that is strained in his pants, just like how his arms are at the sides of his seat. for now he can only ogle at your body, a temptation for him to give into his desires, along with your alluring expressions.

the lingerie surprise tips him over the edge. he follows your fingers trail from your breasts to your clit, agonized by the drag of one of them along the lips back and forth. he grips his seat so hard he could feel the bones of his hands break. oh how he wants you so badly, but being the menace you are, you insist to stay patient until the end of your performance.

“not yet. keep your eyes on me.” you lift his chain to face you, with your mouth ghosting over his. how can he also enjoy the sight when you are torturing him with the sway of your hips, the flex of your thighs, and the bra straps hanging off your shoulders? and when you grind on his bulge with a vibrator in you which is your source of pleasure instead?

he finds himself matching your rhythm with an arm around your waist and the other cradling your head, kissing you as if his life depends on it. as clothes fly left and right, he yanks out your vibrator coated with your slick and finally plunges you onto him, having you seated for his show. how the tables have turned. now you’re the one being tortured, pounded with quick upward thrusts from him.

“now for the grand finale.” despite your protests to slow down, he wants to relish your body which is contorting in pleasure through the mirrors. a multitude of thrusts later, he reaches his climax and feels you clench, making sure you didn’t miss a single drop. it’s a shame that time goes by fast, because he sure wants to see your body arch for him over and over again.

“you know, it’s rude to stare without saying anything.” loud noises flood his ears. matsukawa is at the mall with you to help you buy new clothes to spice up your wardrobe. though when you mean by ‘spice up’, he does not expect to see you in lace lingerie at the fitting rooms. “so, uh… what do you think?”

matsukawa thinks that you may have a hidden agenda to seduce him, or just trying out the lingerie for fun. he marvels at how it suits your body, making you nervous. an idea pops into his head and whispers into the shell of your ear. “hm, not sure. why don’t you buy and put it on tonight for me so i can see it better?”

𝄞༉‧₊˚. IWAIZUMI HAJIME

aftercare, consent, insecurities, loss of virginity, missionary, petnames (baby), praise

sorry is your automatic reply when iwaizumi hints at wanting sex. you’re a virgin, so thoughts of being unable to satisfy someone experienced are rooted into your head. on the contrary, it’s a massive turn on. since it is your first time, he wants to make it extra special. he’s more excited than he should be so he tries to tone it down to not scare you.

you stare at him like a lost puppy as your partner reaches for your face. he smirks at how entranced you are when his fingers glide to your chin and then over your lips. he kisses you hard that you’re out of breath and pushes you to the bed. you begin to breathe normally again as he takes off his shirt, making his heart flutter, knowing that his body is for your eyes only.

“you can keep going,” you tell him when he checks up on you. with the slight encouragement of his hand drawing circles on your skin, you take off your shirt as well so he can explore more of your body. the two of you eventually strip yourselves bare while devouring each other with tongue and spit.

“squeeze if you want to stop.” your hand is intertwined with his, getting ready to signal for the sake of your safety. he penetrates you slowly, cock buried to the hilt inside, blabbering about how you’re taking him so well and swearing he’ll cum sooner than expected. the pitch of your moans is rising higher and higher. you hate how your sounds it seems by crashing your lips on his, but it tells him that he has done his job right.

“shit, baby. you’re absolutely perfect for me. how is this possible— agh,” iwaizumi hisses as he spills inside you. you’re now exhausted, sensitive from the caresses on your curves and kisses on your hands. this is what he would like to happen, however the next time he blinks, you’re lying beside him fully clothed.

“haji? you’re not saying anything.” you avert your gaze from his. you’re ashamed of literally pushing him away, believing that he’ll take offense judging from his silence. “i didn’t mean to do that. it happened so fast that i freaked out. can we start over and… start a little bit slower?”

“sure. let’s take things a little bit slower.” iwaizumi kisses your forehead to reassure you that you haven’t done anything wrong. somehow you’ve become bold, initiating the kiss and sneaking your hands under his shirt unconsciously. you retract from the sudden move, but he gestures to you to keep going. he’s so weak for you; he’ll do anything to make you happy.

[pvrkacciosan]

The Heart of the Lioness: ☽⋆32⋆☾

Song to Remember By

The Heart of the Lioness Masterlist

Previous Part

Cairn arched forwards falling to land with a grunt. His knees cracking against the concrete, Brielle pushed harder willing that dreg of fighting power into every rotting crevice of his soul. The power, an extension of her anger and rage, ripped into every nerve burning them and carving into his layers of skin. 

There was a rattle of chains as Aelin crawled, metal gauntlets scraping the stone as she moved to where the Lioness stood. A female battering-ram of power that fuelled the rising warmth in the cell. The young Queen of Terrasen tucked herself into the back of Brielle's legs when another bone splintering scream tore from the male writhing on the floor in pain before them.

Vera had began yelling over Cairn's noises of pain as she yanked forcefully at her restraints, biting into her lip to ignore the pain as the metal cut into her wrist. If Brielle was giving them this opportunity she wasn't going to waste it. If she could get to them and get Aelin standing Vera knew Enola would be able to help them. The Pride members would never stray too far from their leader. She turned and gripped to the chain wrapping both arms and planting her feet to the wall trying to rip it out the stone.

The Lioness was unrelenting in her form standing vigil, braced as Aelin hid behind her. Allowing the younger female to catch her breath, trying to recover from the touch of darkness that was Brielle's power.

There was blood blisters exploding off Cairn's skin. Hives of them erupting as Brielle pushed further ignoring the rising heat in her core temperature. Snarling to expose her canines at Cairn when he tried to fight and rise up against her. He had not a single defence as she started imploding blood vessels under his skin. The surface of his flesh was darkening in various hues of purple as the blood began seeping internally around his system.

A low whine building in the air drew her attention, even through the blurring of her vision she could still see Fenrys glued to his space by the entrance. Brielle felt her power flicker when she glanced at him. Fenrys wasn't moving instead staring straight at her. She had anticipated seeing the disgust and fear in his eyes as it shone in everyone else when they witnessed the lengths of her power. But not him, never him.

Her whole body warmed from the inside out, an underlay of heat lining her skin. Blood boiling a sheen of sweat over her arms. The power had begun to wilt when she dragged and demanded more, Even in his wolf form Brielle could read his expressions as clearly as day. His eyes spiked with worry as she turned away from him to meet Cairn's blood shot eyes. She was reaching her limit and the bastard knew it, biding his time for the lingering iron shavings in her system to do their job.

If this was to be it, She was going to give it everything. A flood gate of power bursting she fired the remainder of it at the male, his body contorting to try and relieve the pressure and pain.

Beads of sweat were running down her face , warming her jaw. Eyes sting as the droplets flowed freely. It was becoming difficult to keep her knees straight, muscles tightening and cramping under the effort of keeping herself upright.

"Brielle!" Vera's cry was croaked as she continued fighting the chains imprisoning her to the wall, near bone breaking point, simply in order to reach her Commander, her friend. The lines of the room were all blurring to the same shapes. Brielle felt the muscles tighten and legs buckle but she refused to fall, Even through his pain Cairn began smiling watching her shake with effort, awaiting the final blow of power that would never come.

There was a resounding boom as a body collided into the door, she swayed, vision darkening at the edges as light finally flooded into the room from the entrance, Isaiah stood in the doorway, panting from the effort of pounding the door open, a door which was dented in the shape of a shoulder. He gaped taking in the sight of Brielle, a physical faltering shield to the Queen huddles like a child behind her. Brielle was faintly aware of Cairn's rasp breathless laughter before she finally blacked out.

☽⋆❈⋆☾

Everything was aching beyond recognition. Her bones, nerves, fingers, everything. Every inch of her skin had been stretched too thin to cover her bones. A near blinding pain began to bloom behind her eye, even lifting her eyelids was an effort, little dead weights fighting to keep them close, to keep her blind.

Brielle needed to wake up, Needed to fight.

A hand brushed against her arm, soft and gentle. She knew it was Connall beside her. A realisation that hurts more than it should have. He was her friend, the thing her life gripped to, the raft which allowed her to keep her head above the water.

If it was him beside her and not his twin... Her burn out had been for nothing. A fucking monumental waste of power. Even now, she could feel the sting of the iron in her system, like a parasite leeching her power from deep within her bones. A fatigue that lingered still.

"Bri," His voice was hushed, but it rattled her skull, echoed off the walls surrounding them. Blinking she tried to focus on his form before her, Connall knelt, hand fused to her own, His words brought her jolting back into reality. 

Back to feeling everything once more, force you to pay attention. The surface beneath her was solid and cold. Stone. Brielle didn't need her senses with her now to know exactly where she lay.

"Connall..."She squinted at him in confusion, her vision finally focusing enough to see the tears that lace his eyes. "What-"

"I'm sorry. Okay, I need you to remember something for me." His voice was still a whisper as he leaned closer wrapping an arm around her torso. Brielle struggles to sit upright but forces her senses to clear as he slips something cold and small into her hand. Using his hand to clamp her fingers around it.

There were footsteps drawing closer, She heard the shift in his heartbeat, giving way to the obvious scent of panic "Brielle... Don't be moral" He was nodding softly ",Be realistic." He was pulled back from her, catching her stare when he was yanked to stand above her.

Confusion was hammering harder inside her head, pulsing with the pain, a second guard stormed in to roughly grab her above the elbow. Fae and almost ten times her size Brielle couldn't offer up more of a fight beyond the low hiss that left her from the ache in her muscles when he dragged her into the throne room.

Connall had shifted, The Midnight black wolf stalking to sit beside the throne upon which Maeve was already perched, smirking down at Brielle.

"The Lioness..." The queen drawled, pale thin hand coming to stroke down the spine of the owl beside her, Brielle's eyes shifted to meet Enola's gaze, the pale owl blinked at her. I'm okay. Brielle read the statement loud and clear as Maeve stayed oblivious to the Pride member under her own palm.

"After your demonstration earlier. I saw it only fit to give you one of my own." 

The guard dumped Brielle, her hand falling out to catch her body before she smacked the stone. Maeve let a satisfied sigh go, leaning back to watch the double doors behind Brielle swing wide. Her heart was hammering faster as she finally turned, 

The scents that filled the room, mixing with the blood and panic Brielle tried to rise on weak legs when Fenrys stalked into the room, he glanced at her but couldn't stop walking towards the throne.

A second later, Brielle froze, Cairn walks in dragging a hooded figure, it was a struggle to not look away as Aelin was forced to crawl and stumble before Cairn finally stopped.

He glares sidelong at Brielle, his bloodshot eyes and bruised skin made her smirk, the only bit of hope she had. A hope the bastard was still in pain. 

The guard who had dragged Brielle into the area, walked the edges of the room, until he was beside Fenrys, lowering a sword to rest it beside his neck. The blood running through Brielle's veins chilled, panic thundering up into her throat.

"Remove the hood, Cairn" He does so, glowering at Brielle one final time before roughly grasping the top of the hood and ripping it upwards, Aelin swayed from where he held her.

Brielle's lip pulled back, exposing the top row of her teeth and canines. Cairn stilled for a moment before ignoring her once more. 

The Lioness watches, struggling to draw breath past the panic formed lump in her airway. Eyes zeroing in on the circle of glass at the foot of Maeve's dais. A display, A demonstration. A punishment for them all.

Fuck.

 Brielle planted a hand beneath her, the cold from the stone invading the skin of her palm.

"If you will, Cairn" Maeve gave a relaxed gesture to the ring of shards on the floor, Shining like stars as the light poured in and bounced off the surface of the glass. Brielle fought through the burn of her muscles to rise when a blade dropped to rest against her neck. 

It was a hateful instinct to relax in his presence, her own body and mind betraying her to deep rooted trust when Isaiah pushed his dagger into the column of her throat. The year before she was sworn... the world had not been kind to the three of them. Isaiah and- Brielle never mentioned her name these days, or any day since the Golden Death. The trio... had crumbled then and now lay broken. 

Isaiah used his free hand to grasp her chin, positioning her head so she was looking across at her own mate, "You move, He dies remember." He gently removes his grip on her face, allowing her head to drop between her shoulders. It was an effort not to cry, had it all been for nothing?

Brielle's attention was snapped back up to Cairn as he shoved Aelin to kneel atop the pile of glass. An ancient crown now resting on her head. Despite the steady breaths Aelin took to keep herself from screaming Brielle couldn't help but notice how... Right  the crown looked there, Destined to lay upon Aelin's head of golden hair.

The metallic tang of blood bleeds into the air of the throne room, The shards under Aelin seeping red from the blood she bled onto them. Even from across the room, Brielle could hear the young Queen swallow down her screams, breathing steady as Cairn pushed her down by the shoulder, forcing his weight through her knees on the glass. But still Aelin refused to give them the satisfaction of screaming.

Brielle searched deep, bypassing the iron in her system to drag up a small dreg of her power, extending it to Aelin, The young Queen subtly met her stare when Brielle's magic brushed her legs, blocking the nerve receptors. Numbing her limbs slightly. Brielle watched a tear slide as Aelin let loose a small sigh of relief.

"A pity that there is not a bigger audience to witness this," Maeve smugly looked around the room at the gathering of beings bending into submission before her. "Aelin Fire-bringer, wearing her proper Faerie Queen's crown at last. Kneeling at my feet."

Brielle had to forcefully bite into her own lip to keep herself still, watching as Aelin's shoulders shook, swaying and wincing from the pain the movement caused.

There was a resounding click as Maeve snapped her fingers, grabbing all the attention to her, "Fenrys."

Brielle fought the expression from her face, to hide her emotions as she watched her mate walk towards the queen. Stopping to sit at her feet, Fenrys tilted his head at his brother, Maeve smiled at the sight.

"Connall, you may finally tell your twin what you wish to say" Isaiah twists so Brielle has a full view between the twins interaction. Connall glances to Brielle once, a long second before he shifts back to his fae form, standing tall above Fenrys now. 

"Speak freely, Connall." Maeve eases back into her seat on the throne. Brielle caught Enola's stare when the owl ruffled her wings. The look in her spies eyes... She was trying to warn her of something.

"Let your brother know these words are our own and not of my command" Brielle watched with a careful eye, a spies eyes. Tracking every minuscule movement and whisper of the unspoken word. Unease sat itself down in the deepest pit of her stomach, watching as Fenrys was momentarily distracted by looking across to Aelin when Cairn forced her to lean further onto the broken glass.

"You brought this upon yourself," Fenrys shifts his attention back to his twin, the pit in Brielle's stomach plummets. What was Connall saying? Did he know what Maeve was planning before they were dragged in here.

"Your arrogance, Your unchecked recklessness– Was this what you wanted?" Some part of her wishes Connall might just look at her so she could know for herself. That these were not Maeve's own words. Hoping beyond all hope Connall was being forced to say such a thing. Each word is a whipping of its own brutal nature. But without looking across to her, Connall continued.

"You couldn't let me have this– have any part of this for myself. You took the blood oath not to serve our Queen, but so you couldn't be bested by me for once in your life." He stops, Fenrys' heart with it, Connall takes a second for a laugh that was more of a breathless pant of air as he looked skyward to the stone ceiling rising high above them.

"You were even mated to the one female I ever truly  loved. And still you couldn't give me this." The revelation reverberated through her. Through the room that even Maeve sat forward in interest.

Brielle stopped breathing when Connall finally glanced at her, Conviction and undying truth shone there, I'm sorry, He mouthed to her. She was going to throw up. All this time...

Fenrys had tilted his head, had felt the shift in her presence, Following his twin's stare. The white wolf growled low in the back of his throat, it drew Connall's attention away from his mate.

Simply by watching the wolf, Brielle knew he was readying himself for the verbal lashing sure to ensue from his brother, readying to weather it in order to keep his brother's attention on him and off of her.

"You are a disgrace to our family, to this kingdom. You whored yourself to a foreign Queen, and for what? I begged you to control yourself when you were sent to hunt Lorcan. I begged you to be smart. You might as well spat in my face." 

The words rippled and grated Brielle's skin, watching Fenrys' flinch at Connall's words. She was going to speak with Connall once this was over. No one spoke to Fenrys like that, not in a situation like this, not even his own twin brother.

Maeve was watching on in amusement when Fenrys made a low sound, resembling a snarl, the unspoken language between the brothers. Connall snorts, jerking his head back in offence, "Leave? Why would I ever want to leave" For the briefest of seconds, Connall let his gaze slip back to Brielle held in place by Isaiah. 

"And for what? That? " Connall points to where Aelin is still knelt on the glass. "No Fenrys I will not leave. And neither will you." A low whine was the only response Fenrys could muster.

"That will be all, Connall" Despite their friendship and the blood oath still restricting him, Brielle felt sick at the rush of resentment that flooded her when Connall obeyed with ease. Shifting to sit beside his Queen once more. Following the blood oath had never been easy for her, he made it look so simple it was sickening. Maeve repositions herself on the throne.

"You know how quickly this can end, Aelin." Brielle glanced at the young Queen. She was breathing slowly, chest rising and falling on rhythm, with her eyes closed over.

"Tell me where you hid the Wyrdkeys, swear the blood oath..." Brielle wanted to sob at the memory of when she bound herself to Maeve, she was a shell, a mirror to Aelin now. "The order doesn't matter, I suppose" At those words Aelin finally opened her eyes, swaying she lifts her bound hands, throwing the most vulgar gesture she could at Maeve. The Queen's smile tightened barely enough to be noticeable.

"Cairn." At the command he puts even more force into pushing her down on top of the glass. Aelin finally caved. Her scream ripped through the skies and rattled the bones of Brielle's  skull. Trying to rise Brielle was forced back down by Isaiah, Fenrys growls from the side.

"Very well, Cairn" Cairn relieved the pressure on Aelin and Brielle fought the instinct to crawl towards the queen to aid her friend. Aelin was panting trying to even out her breathing as she bowed over her knees planting her head to the floor.

"My eyes told me an interesting tidbit of information this morning " A sour taste bled through Brielle's mouth. Those resources might have come from her people.

"An account that you were currently in Terrasen and readying the little army you gathered for war you and Prince Rowan and my two disgraced warriors along with your usual group" Aelin didn't respond refusal to believe her words. They were coming she knew it but the vacant expression on Aelin's face... she was slowly losing faith.

"Useful, to have a shapeshifter to play your part as queen, Though I wonder how long the ruse can last without your special gifts to incinerate Morath's legions. How long until the allies you collected start asking why the fire-bringer does not burn." Maeve was relaxed, ignoring all else as she conversed with Aelin.

"I do not wish to wipe away this world, as Erawan does, I like Erilea precisely the way it is. I always have." – "I have seen many wars. Sent my warriors to fight in them, end them" 

Brielle ignores Cairn's stare as he glances sidelong to watch her, his skin is still battered black and blue from the reminents of her power, despite his attempt to stifle it. 

"I have seen how destructive they are. The very glass you lay on comes from one of those wars, you know" Brielle stilled, swaying to angle her head down and stare at the glass under Aelin's legs. Soaking in blood, the glass was a pinical point for Brielle to focus until she glanced up. 

Connall was unblinking, in a way so unnerving Brielle paused all thought to return it. His eyes shifted to glare at the glass before flicking to her hand. Subconsciously, she tightened her hand around the object he had placed in her grasp before they were dragged into this room.

"From the glass mountains in the south. They were once sand dunes, but dragons burned them to glass during an ancient and bloody conflict." When Brielle snapped her gaze back to Connall, he had already turned away. 

Brielle hardly notes the small hum of amusement  Maeve emits as her heart hammers harder, unable to keep her gaze from flicking back to the glass, to the fire which had created it. The aerial beasts who had perished, their fire extinguished. Fire-bringers like Aelin. 

It's a struggle to think around the all consuming thoughts. Was Connall thinking the same thing she was now? What else does he know? He avoids her stare all throughout as Maeve lavishes in the refreshments brought out to her on platers.

"I'm growing tired of this," Brielle had to focus now, forcing herself to do so. Maeve leans forwards sharply on the throne. The lioness doesn't miss the movement of Enola as the spy flaps her wings.

"Do you believe, Aelin Galathynius, That I will not make the sacrifices necessary to obtain what I seek?"

The world stills as Aelin lifts her stare, paling as she glances at the smirk displayed full frontal on Maeve's expression. "Allow me to demonstrate," The queen lowers her attention to the dark haired warrior at the side of her throne. "Do it."

Even at the side of the room, Brielle spots her mates eyes widening in panic. As Connall drew one of the knives from off the length of his belt, she began fighting, 

"Don't-" The words were a whisper, barely making it from her lips as Connall stills standing above his brother. Fenrys growls low, full body shaking as he stares up at his twin, ear twitching at the sound of Brielle fighting to stand beside him.

"Don't" she pleads this time, If he ever felt anything towards her as he claims he does. Surely he would fight this oath for her. It was the only rational thought she clung to at the sight of her mate in danger, his life laid thin in the space before them. But Connall still did not look at her, nor acknowledge her plea.

Maeve's smile widened as she strokes down Enola's spine, Watching the chaos unfold before her, the owl fighting the urge to flap her wings.

Brielle ripped a shoulder forwards as a second pair of hands grabbed her, fighting her back down to her knees, "Don't. You fucking Coward!" She spat the words, willing every ounce of anger behind them, A slither of her magic thrummed in the air. Maeve sat forwards a hand flicking to extinguish it from existence. But all eyes were finally on her. Both of the Moonbeam brothers turned to watch her.

Connall flinched at her words. But Brielle couldn't care, only watching Fenrys, willing him to fight, to move to safety. 

"Please" her voice broke as Isaiah and the second guard grunted, a joint effort to collapse her down using body weight to muscle her to the ground. The only way to keep her still.

"I'm sorry..." Connall's voice was low, almost inaudible through the hammering of her own heart as an involuntary hand raised the knife between them. Fear spikes, spurring like dagger into her side, fighting harder to move against her old friends. For all of one second Isaiah loosened his grip, contemplating allowing her the freedom to save her mate. The same courtesy Brielle had once offered him.

As the light glimmers off the knife, Brielle's scream is coupled with Cairn's laugh as the blade is driven down. Brielle refusing to watch, squeezed her eyes shut, awaiting the pain of the bond being ripped from within her. A bond which had tethered her to Fenrys since the day they met in Vallen when she was a shell of nothing drifting in existence.

He had brought her back. Held her together when she threatened to crack and had given her the love that even she did not believe to be deserving of.

Aelin screams as a body collapses to the ground. The weight hits the tiled floor with an all resounding thump.

A warmth, a bond thrums strong, a pulse of life feeding her. Snapping her eyes open her attention darts to Fenrys, he is standing now clawing at the floor towards...

Connall was collapsed on the floor, a seeping pool of blood flowing from where the knife was embedded into his chest. A chest which was stuttering to rise.

There was a squawk from Enola as the owl flaps her wings in horror, watching with everyone else as Connall struggled to draw breath. Fenrys was whining, claws marking the tiles as he fought the oath keeping him in place.

Cairn laughs loudly when Connall glances to Brielle, bloodied hand outstretched, A finger subtly pointed to her. Brielle sobs against the floor, her breath restricted from where the guard still knelt on her back. Connall spluttered blood, choking on it as he pointed at.. not at her but her hand. Where she still clutched tightly to whatever he had given her. When he flicked her a soft smile Brielle stilled. Hand limping against the tiles as Connall looked to the air above him, eyes squeezing shut in pain as he clutched the knife in his chest.

"You tainted something that belonged to me, Aelin Galathynius and now it must be purged." The room is still, growing cold the moment Connall's chest falls, and does not rise again.

Fenrys' howl is hollow and void of its usual warmth. A mournful sound which splits the air in the room, Cascading down Brielle's spine as she sobs into the stone tiles.

There is a clatter as Aelin slumps forward, the crown falling from her head. 

"There is no one here to help you." Maeve shifts her stare to watch Brielle. "This night serves as a punishment for her as much as a reminder for you. No  one  is  coming  for you"

Brielle panted, tears pooling under her face, cooling her cheek. She stares at Aelin still slumped, from this angle Brielle watched as Aelin curls a hand around one of those glass shards.

"Think on it. Think on this night, Aelin" Maeve gives a quick snap of her fingers, "We're done here" At the dismissal, Cairn wraps his hand around the chains, Lifting Aelin as he does. 

It is at that moment the young queen strikes, twirling to stab a shard of glass into the side of Cairn's neck. As he drops her body to the ground, hands shift to clutch his throat. Staggering back, swearing as he does. 

Aelin spun on the glass, grabbing another piece Brielle was let go, the second guard races to detain Aelin, he isn't fast enough to stop her as she hurls a second piece of glass at Maeve.

It arches through the air, it catches Maeve's cheekbone before clattering down the side of the throne. Enola screeches finally lifting off the back of the throne to hover in the air.

Guards grab Aelin, as Maeve throws herself off the dias, "You little bitch"

Brielle can't help the laugh she lets lose into the stone, despite the pain lingering through her chest, As Aelin allows herself to be dragged back, smiling with truipmh, Unyeilding, as they lift her entirely and walk back towards the cells. Cairn glowers at Brielle as he stalks after them, hand holding his neck from where he has already ripped the shard free.

Brielle twisted her head, watching Maeve as she glanced down at her own hand, peering down to the blood marring her fingers. She caught onto Brielle's attention, dropping her hand and walked down the couple steps from the dias.

Waving a pale hand, "Get her up."

Isaiah lifts Brielle with ease, hand gripping her arms, pulling her to stand on feet that throbbed. Swaying at Maeve's eye level when the Queen ventured away from the dias to stop before her.

Brielle could feel herself shaking in Isaiah's hold, Maeve cast her stare up and down over the quiver in her body. Brought on not from fear, but instead anger, a storm deep rooted and waiting for the turn in tides. Maeve settled on staring her in the eyes, smirk marring her lips.

"Tread lightly girl, There are still ways to make you kneel." At her words, the scent of blood began to perfume into the air, Connall's blood. The queen cast her attention over her shoulder shifting just enough to provide Brielle a glimpse of where his body lay, growing cold against the floor.

Maeve turned to brush back a strand of her hair, flicking it over her shoulder. The smirk Brielle had worn for Aelin was long gone. Forced to face reality. A reality which no longer had Connall, a reality where they were all still caged.

"If you had contained yourself, he would still be alive right now." Maeve shifts so Brielle has a full view of the brothers on the ground, her hands shook at her side at the sight of Fenrys... of Connall. Her lip quivered and she looked away to hide the tears that slid down her cheek.

The pointed tips of Maeve's nails dug into her face when the queen grabbed her jaw, Forcing her head to turn back, forced to watch her mate and his dead twin.

"He would still have his twin brother." the world was shattering, the ground feeling soft and uneven under her feet. The only grip to stay standing was Isaiah's hold still unwavering at her back, for a second, Brielle felt him offer a soothing rub of his thumb along the bone of her elbow. 

She must have mistaken it...

The metallic scent of blood was sickening, and Maeve finally let go of her grip. Pain flickered across Brielle's jaw, vaguely aware of the deep scratch the queen left behind with her nails. Isaiah shuffled back as Maeve began to circle the Lioness. He gave Maeve the space to lean into Brielle's side, twirling a strand of her golden hair with a pale finger. 

"I must thank you. For opening the opportunity and allowing me to show the fire-bringer the lengths I might go." Her stomach rolled, feeling the closeness of Maeve's breath. The queen sighed staring out across to Connall. 

This time Brielle couldn't fight her stare away this time. Fenrys was laid flat, sprawled on the floor, exhausted from fighting to get closer to his brother. The pool of blood had begun to spoil the whiteness of his fur, If only she hadn't attacked Cairn...

"He is going to stain the tiles." Maeve rounded and patted Brielle on the cheek, she was so focused on watching her mate she barely acknowledged the touch, only felt the light sting it left behind.

Maeve was leisurely stalking back to the dias, "Clean this mess up would you?"

Fenrys was going to hate her... She couldn't look at him. She got his brother killed. It was as if it was her hand that held that dagger. His blood on her hands.

Maeve had made it back to the dias turning to sit down, waiting to watch as Brielle and her mate cleaned up the mess. Being responsible for moving his body.

The hand that guided her towards Connall trembled when they held her. Isaiah refused to speak, say anything. Brielle repulsed at the touch, at the sight he helped her to. She was so focused on the rhythm of her feet moving closer still, oblivious to the sympathetic expression her ex spy watched her with, her spy who's name was gifted to him for his acts. The Loyal. Here he was now aiding in her maltreatment.

Maeve watched them, eyeing up the ex-spy with excitement, "Go get me more refreshments. Betrayer."

He flinches at the name, and Brielle turns slightly to meet his stare, avoiding the pained expression on his face, he ignores her shaking his head and moves from the room. Brielle met Enola's stare when she turned slowly, nodding subtly as she turned to kneel beside Connall.

Fenrys had already shifted out of the body of the white wolf. Had crawled the final space separating him from his brother, knelt beside him now. Brielle almost wept when he tilted his head back and met her stare, She couldn't give Maeve more satisfaction in seeing her cry, even though all she wanted to do was weep at the sight of her mate's face.

"Fen..." It was obvious he was beyond the point of caring for Maeve as tears brimmed his eyes. He shifted to be at her side, silently taking in the comfort her presence offered.  He glanced down at Connall's face, his own in many ways. Stayed silently staring at his twin for a long while, 

Brielle's heart cinched when he reached, brushing two fingers over Connall's face, offering the respect of closing his eyes over one last time. Brielle watches Fenrys work up the courage to turn his attention to the knife in his brother's chest. Rubbing a hand into Fenrys' leg as he hesitated to reach for the blade. After a few seconds of his struggling, Brielle finally took hold on one of his hands, giving it a tight squeeze she offered the most gentle of smiles she could as she stilled her own nerve and turned to pull the knife from Connall's chest.

When she finally did raise her own hands, she halted, noticing how deathly still the air was. How foreign it looked for his chest to not be rising, A tear slid as she reached over. One hand clasped the hilt, an unknown feeling caged, locking itself into her chest. She didn't want her hand to touch him, didn't want to disturb or cause more damage than she already had.

Pulling on the knife lightly, she paused when it caught resistance in his chest. Wrapping her shaking fingers around it she tried again, it still did not budge, tears began to sting and putting the object in her other hand down beside her leg she hovered the hand over his chest. Flexing her fingers nervously she placed it against him. 

Already gone was his warmth, gone was the beating pulse of his heart. She didn't want to hurt him further, time seemed to still around them and she baited with her own breath, blood turning to ice in her veins, paralysing her entirely. In fear she would hurt him somehow if she moved.

A hand rose to clasp around her own, tilting her head sideways, suddenly realizing she was crying softly. Brielle blinked through the tears to stare at Fenrys. Her mate nodded softly, before he averted his attention back to the knife they both now held.

Leaning on to depend on one another for strength to pull the blade free. It sat between them in silence, Brielle taking the blade to rest it in her lap. 

"This isn't your fault" Fenrys was the first of them to break the silence. His voice- To hear it. Brielle couldn't bring herself to breath past the lump in her throat, hand tightening around the hilt of the dagger, Fenrys smoothes his hand into her free one. They hadn't spoken beyond a few quick exchanges since their argument in the marshes. When he had first found out about her death command.

Since then she had spent many nights being comforted by the bond between them, allowing it to enrapture her in its embrace imagining his arms wrapping around her body, a blanket of safety. A bond which could have been severed today, and it would have been her fault.

Fenrys leaned closer, using his own free hand to wipe away one of her tears and push his forehead to her own, Brielle closed her eyes grasping so tightly to his hands, she was sure bones would be broken.

Fenrys shifted slightly, staring down to their hands, the ability to finally connect with her. His brow furrowed when his attention landed on the object Brielle had placed between them. Brielle followed his line of sight, frowning down at the small thing Connall had slipped to her.

"That's the key to his room." His voice was hushed, eyes casting to stare at the queen who looked bored and rested back in her seat. Fenrys shook his head, glancing at the key Brielle had picked up once more, "I don't understand."

Brielle fought to keep her expression from collapsing, "I do." She knew her mate listened but she directed her attention to Connall, smiling as she cried softly, "I understand" Plucking the courage to reach for his hand and fighting the urge to retract her grip at the coldness she met in his touch.

She had to be realistic. No more morals. For Connall.

Taking half a second to savour the final time she would ever hold his hand, a new spark of anger branching off from her core. Tucking the dagger into the side of her boot, she slipped the key into her pockets as Fenrys shuffled to be at Connall's other side. Sliding his arms under his body in preparation for lifting his twin off the tiles.

"I know you well enough. Tell me you have a plan?" Through the guilt he broke as he grunted lifting Connall in once swift movement upwards. Brielle rose with them. Even after all of this, after everything that occurred tonight, Fenrys relished in the grin his mate sent his way.

"Of course. It's a mad one. But I have nothing else" Brielle could feel him studying her face as he took in her words. 

"I'll promise to be safe." She tried to ignore how limp Connall was in her mates arms. It was a struggle to look away, only turning to distract herself as Isaiah finally returned with Maeve's refreshments.

The queen turned her gaze away from them to receive her drink, 

Brielle leaned close, "I'm going to get us out." she lowered her tone, "Keep Aelin going and.." she paused, Fenrys continued to study her,

Adding softly, "Vera is still alive."

She did note how he chose his words carefully. Unable to say she was okay or unarmed. The thought made Brielle's skin crawl.

It was all she needed as Maeve rose and began demanding they continue, her focus no longer on her drink. Accepting this may be one of the few times Brielle saw Fenrys for a while she savoured the sights and scent of him, holding to it tightly and locking the memories away inside her.

A pang in her chest erupted when he moved to leave the room. A maid, one of the few left in the castle brought some rags and bubbly water into the room, at Maeve's gestures she left it on the ground at Brielle's feet.

Slowly she blinked her stare back to the queen, Maeve raised a single eyebrow before gesturing to the blood soaking the tiles.

Kneeling once more, Brielle took the rag into her hands and got to work.

~

Brielle screamed as she cried, throwing piles of papers from her desk. Using her arm in one swift sweeping motion to launch everything from the surface. Gripping to the underside she yanked upwards, flipping the desk onto its side.

Turning and grabbing fistfuls of the curtains, screaming she violently yanked them free from where they were bolted to the stone wall.

Rage was coursing, jackhammering in her chest, 

Connall was gone. Dead. Never coming back.

Breathing was a challenge, knees buckling under the weight of her own body. Collapsing onto a heap on the floor Brielle screamed the sound of a rasp from the pain blooming in her throat. A single tear slid. Despite the hour she had spent scrubbing her hands raw, even now she could still feel his blood coating them. Just like in Vallen.

There was a clatter by the wind-sill, grabbing a throwing knife from off her thigh, Brielle spun in one movement on the floor and threw it at the sound. 

Enola shifted sideways, catching the blade as it flew past her head.

"Seven Hells!" Brielle gasped, covering her mouth as Enola's wide eyes met hers.

"I never-" she couldn't help but gawk, "You know I'd never."

Enola's gaze softened, sighing as she weighs the knife in her hands, walking in slowly she lowers herself beside her leader. Sitting down on the ground, she stayed silent holding the knife into the space between them.

Brielle carefully took it, holding it in her lap she began to cry softly as the realisation smacked her. She had almost harmed one of her own. Holding a hand to stifle the sound of her sobs, she falls into Enola's lap when the other female pulls her into her embrace.

Wrapping both arms around the Lioness and rocking their bodies together, rubbing soothing circles into her leaders lower back.

They sat together as Brielle cried, sat until her sobbing died down and she relaxed as Enola stroked her fingers through her hair. A comfort Brielle hadn't felt in so long that the touch felt foreign.

"I sent the letters out." Brielle sat up, moving from her spy's hold to look her in the eye.

"It should reach Regan in two nights." Brielle could have sobbed at the relief that flooded her. It was a risk for Enola to send letters. She was the one out of them who could. Cairn monitored everything Brielle did near the courier's and runners who got the letters out. Maeve had already ordered the deaths of those Brielle' trusted to use in her spy court. They had all gotten out of Doranelle before they met their untimely ends.

"How do we know world-walking is the way to go..." Despite her straight to point words, Brielle could see the hesitancy written on Enola's expression.

Brielle gripped her hand around Enola's. "We must have faith in one another. Trust. Regan and the others know what they're doing." Even if the thoughts made her feel sick, Brielle had to trust her spies. Each one of them had their own networks and individual things that made them valuable. She had taught each and every one of them to harness those skills, sharpening them into weapons so deadly she knew they could take care of themselves. Even if they weren't in this world. Regan was no different.

Brielle nodded, rationalising her thoughts, she pulled the key from her pocket. It was something she had been dreading, but knew the importance it held. The last memories of speaking to Connall, he had given her this...

 he slips something cold and small into her hand. Clamping her fingers around it.

There were footsteps drawing closer, She heard the shift in his heartbeat, giving way to the obvious scent of panic "Brielle... Don't be moral" He was nodding softly ",Be realistic." He was pulled back from her, catching her stare when he was yanked to stand above her....

Tightening her hand around the key. Brielle finally stood, Enola watched her studying her Commanders expression warily before rising slowly, 

"What are you going to do?"

Brielle met her stare, "I'm going to be realistic." Or find out whatever he wanted her to know.

Enola nodded in thought, eyeing up the key in her Commanders hand, The breeze blowing in gently from the open window, its curtains heaped on the floor before them, "I best get back before Maeve goes looking for me."

Even at her words, Brielle could see the disdain on her spy's expression, of all these years Brielle had been avoiding the queen. Enola had been on her shoulder bearing witness to all the abuse she ruled out in her court.

"I'm sorry for everything." Brielle tucked the key back to its place in her pocket, reaching to clasp Enola's hands. "I will get us all out." 

Despite the conviction she forced into her words, she couldn't forgo the helplessness she felt at the wary expression Enola wore, as though she solely believed she was destined to be beside the queen for the rest of her immortal lifespan.

"I would care if you just got yourself out." Enola's words were soft, almost inaudible. "Probably do more good that way." she glances down, fidgeting with her fingers.

"You know I can't just-"

"I know." she nodded, finally looking back up, pulling her hands from her own, Enola moved to the window. Turning over her shoulder before climbing over the banister of the balcony. "Just make her pay."

As Enola shifted and flew over the edge, Brielle straightened up and turned for the door. The suffering of Maeve was the only thing she could promise anyone anymore.

Pulling herself into the hallway she grasped the key tightly as she moved down the narrow way towards Connall's shut bedroom door. There was no point waiting right now, no amount of tie would or could bring him back, even if she hoped to find him waiting inside for her. Waiting to make some flirtatious comment towards her. How she hadn't seen it before..

Pushing the key into place, Brielle stayed in the doorway as she swung the door open. It creaked loudly, across the silence of the now empty quarters they all used to share. It was like ringing a church bell across a sleeping city.

Stepping in instantly, she fought to keep herself breathing, eyes darting around his room, to the glasses of water left on his bedside, to the ruffled pillows laid half-haphazardly at where he had slept. His ornamental daggers displayed across the room, a tear slide as she eyes up the collection she had gathered for him over the years. She stills at the pile of neatly placed objects on the chest, positioned at the end of his bed.

She stills at the pile of neatly placed objects on the chest, positioned at the end of his bed.

Taking careful steps further into the room, Brielle stopped before the chest. Leaning to inspect the array of things left behind by Connall.

The piles were organised into sections of loose pages. Books. Scrolls and maps.

Picking up one of the loose pages, she began to scan its contents. The context of the parchment made her stomach roll. Dropping it to pick up a couple extra pieces of text, her eyes began to scan faster and faster darting back and forth across each page. 

Heart hammering. Picking up one of the books, she turned it over slowly. The leather bound book was old, the pages inside barely holding together in the bindings. Running a hand down, Brielle felt the engraving in the pictures. An ancient beast drawn into the leather itself.

The Ancient fire-breathing beast was depicted onto the front, the pages giving locations and information. Brielle moved to sit on the corner of his bed, the scent of him still lingering on the sheets.

The book dropped from her hand, as Brielle slowly began to realise what it was Connall had done. He had been the one to source the Dragon glass Aelin had knelt on. Maeve had given him the task... and in doing so...

Connall had wanted her to be realistic. No more morals. He had left it all here for her— Knew she could figure it out. 

And she had called him a coward of all things, he walked into that room knowing he was going to die and yet had left her this. No cowardly act in sight. Brielle breathed in sharply to fight the rising bile back down.

This changes everything, Brielle quickly begins to gather all the resources, pilling them into her arms, as many as she could carry in one trip. 

Even in his death he may have just given her the upper hand to help Aelin win this war. 

The Lioness glanced around his room, its owner destined to never return, and yet he had ensured she would have everything she needed. 

She stills as she nears the door, the open window at the edge of the room made her pause, melodic sound poured in gathering all her attention. From somewhere deep in the city she could hear singing, A mournful sound which prickled her skin like the first lick of winters frigid touch.

A reminder for those they had lost. A song played as a reminder for those she had lost. Taking a quiet second to herself, this was all the mourning she could afford to give herself so she took one final glance around his room. A tribute to the memory of him.

Turning away quickly Brielle began to rush back to her room, away from the agony in her chest, The Lioness had lots of planning to do and little room to mourn.

. . .

Taglist: @dreamiezpsycho @lunaralaraspace @mis-lil-red @mali22 @the-fae-are-taking-over

Next Part

[unpopularshipbracket]

The bracket is here! I had A Time fitting everything on one page, but it should embiggen so that all the names are legible. Thank you to everyone who submitted! I'll try to have the polls up soon.

Also, feel free to submit propaganda or images for any of the ships. By the nature of the bracket, it might be kinda hard to find stuff lmao.

The masterpost for the first tournament can be found here

Round 1a

Aaron Soto/Thomas Reyes vs. Mr. Mistoffelees/Rum Tum Tugger

Claude von Riegan/Flayn vs. Magic Brian/Brad Bradson

Kodiak Celius/Ambrose Cusk vs. Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill/Marco

Sam Lloyd/Evie O'Neill vs. Sir Hammerlock/Wainwright Jakobs

Shang Qinghua/Noodle Guy vs. Dr. Alto Clef/Dr. Benjamin Kondraki

Jonathan Walsh/Ozzie Graham vs. Bart Curlish/Ken Adams

Blaze the Cat/Rouge the Bat vs. Grimlock/Starscream

Montrose/Ellis vs. John Doggett/Monica Reyes

Gwyneth/Huma Dragonbane/Magius vs. Luz Noceda/Hunter

Lulu/Yuna vs. Zachary Ezra Rawlins/Dorian

Vicki Appleby/Maureen Sampson vs. Todd Anderson/Charlie Dalton

Rosalina/Pauline vs. Tristan Taylor/Duke Devlin

Charlie Airstar/Tesla Magnets vs. Aone/Hinata

Haruto Keats/Theoto Rikka vs. Static Man/Nicholas Waters

Jeremy Fitzgerald/Fritz Smith (Not Michael Afton) vs. Breekon/Hope

Touko Kirigaya/Tsukushi Futaba/Mashiro Kurata vs. Death/Bunnymund

Round 1b

Rashmi Jamil/Amelie Macon vs. Liam Dunbar/Hayden Romero

Taissa Turner/Shauna Shipman vs. Milo/Piers

Kate Shadow/Emilyko vs. Jupiter/Neptune/Venus

Josh Levison/Sally Malik vs. Sasuke Uchiha/Suigetsu Hozuki

Frank Grunn/Harold Ivy vs. Kyo Sohma/Yuki Sohma

Haruhi Fujioka/Renge Houshakuji vs. Aleksander/Regina

Officer Lockstock/Officer Barrel vs. Mihashi/Tajima

Chad Cola/Deuu Dino vs. Dale Cooper/Harry Truman

Dee Eliade/Audrey Myers vs. Arthur Rimbaud/Paul Verlaine

Tsukuyo/Sacchan vs. Dark Mousy/Krad

Benjamin Deeds/Nathaniel Carver vs. C-53/Pleck Decksetter

Skeleteen/Ram Man II vs. Gundam Tanaka/Hajime Hinata

Kyoko/Ayaka vs. Char Aznable/Amuro Ray

Wocky Kitaki/Vera Misham vs. Robin/Demetrius

Norita Yuuji/Shiota Nagisa vs. Andrei Bolkonsky/Pierre Bezukhov

Terry McGinnis | Batman/Shaka Okoro | Stalker vs. Mina Murray Harker/Lucy Westenra

Round 2a

Mr. Mistoffelees/Rum Tum Tugger vs. Magic Brian/Brad Bradson

Ax/Marco vs. Sir Hammerlock/Wainwright Jakobs

Shang Qinghua/Noodle Guy vs. Bart Curlish/Ken Adams

Blaze the Cat/Rouge the Bat vs. Montrose/Ellis

Gwyneth/Huma Dragonbane/Magius vs. Lulu/Yuna

Todd Anderson/Charlie Dalton vs. Rosalina/Pauline

Aone/Hinata vs. Static Man/Nicholas Waters

Breekon/Hope vs. Death/Bunnymund

Round 2b

Rashmi Jamil/Amelie Macon vs. Milo/Piers

Kate Shadow/Emilyko vs. Sasuke Uchiha/Suigetsu Hozuki

Kyo Sohma/Yuki Sohma vs. Haruhi Fujioka/Renge Houshakuji

Mihashi/Tajima vs. Dale Cooper/Harry Truman

Arthur Rimbaud/Paul Verlaine vs. Dark Mousy/Krad

Benjamin Deeds/Nathaniel Carver vs. Gundam Tanaka/Hajime Hinata

Char Aznable/Amuro Ray vs. Wocky Kitaki/Vera Misham

Norita Yuuji/Shiota Nagisa vs. Mina Murray Harker/Lucy Westenra

Round 3

Mr. Mistoffelees/Rum Tum Tugger vs Sir Hammerlock/Wainwright Jakobs

Shang Qinghua/Noodle Guy vs. Blaze the Cat/Rouge the Bat

Lulu/Yuna vs. Rosalina/Pauline

Static Man/Nicholas Waters vs. Death/Bunnymund

Rashmi Jamil/Amelie Macon vs. Kate Shadow/Emilyko

Haruhi Fujioka/Renge Houshakuji vs. Mihashi/Tajima

Dark Mousy/Krad vs. Gundam Tanaka/Hajime Hinata

Char Aznable/Amuro Ray vs. Mina Murray Harker/Lucy Westenra

Round 4

Sir Hammerlock/Wainwright Jakobs vs. Shang Qinghua/Noodle Guy

Rosalina/Pauline vs. Death/Bunnymund

Rashmi Jamil/Amelie Macon vs. Haruhi Fujioka/Renge Houshakuji

Gundam Tanaka/Hajime Hinata vs. Mina Murray Harker/Lucy Westenra

Semifinals

Sir Hammerlock/Wainwright Jakobs vs. Rosalina/Pauline

Haruhi Fujioka/Renge Houshakuji vs. Mina Murray Harker/Lucy Westenra

[bb-bare-bones]

Based on a True Story: The Conjuring and Writing Real Horror

Art and Words by Charlotte Elliott - Instagram: c.elli03

The Conjuring Franchise has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. There has always been something oddly alluring about the cursed doll of Anabelle bearing a bloody red grin; the shape of The Nun forming in the shadows of a dark abbey; a possessed child rasping in tongues while Ed Warren condemns the spirit back to hell. It’s a classic example of modern mainstream Hollywood horror.

When people learn I’m doing my PhD in horror studies, they often keenly ask me for recommendations. In blank panic, unfortunately, I forget every ‘good’ piece of horror media to ever exist. I forget my beloved Gremlins or Midsommar or The Thing. Never once have I admitted that The Conjuring has always been on my comfort list. Honestly, it’s kind of embarrassing.

It’s not the cheap jumpscares, or lacklustre storytelling. Sometimes, it’s nice to indulge in predictability. And sure, there’s the not-so-subtle message of conservatism. I can look past that, albeit grudgingly.

As a writer, the reason I feel weird about liking The Conjuring is its fabrication. Of course, no one expected Ed and Lorraine Warren - played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga - to be as perfectly vanilla as their on-screen counterparts. I’m certain most people roll their eyes as supposed demonologist Ed performs a house-shaking exorcism, whilst Lorraine has a convenient vision that reveals the last piece of the puzzle.

But who could blame Hollywood for ramping it up to make a profit? Isn’t that the crux of what horror and entertainment is all about? Profit, profit, profit. Facts go out the window when there’s an audience to entertain.

When I first became interested in horror based on ‘truth’, I tried my hand at writing my own dramatic short story based upon an alleged ‘real’ haunting. My source of inspiration was the Ancient Ram Inn in Gloucestershire, England. The Ram Inn self-proclaims to be a location of numerous historical true hauntings, presented as indisputable fact. The Inn’s website says there are Norman French records of the 800-year-old property, citing the Gloucester Records Office.

When researching, I couldn’t find any public records on the local archive database. Many websites described the Inn’s ‘true historical crimes’: a woman burned for witchcraft, a man murdered after his head was forced into the fireplace, an innkeeper’s daughter killed upstairs - if you believe hauntedrooms.com. In The Daily Mail, the former owner’s daughter, Carole Humphries, recounted “people running out of the house screaming”, stating “objects move… we used to hear the ghosts of murdered children''. Her father John told the BBC eight guests had to be exorcised.

The website boasts that the Ram Inn is built on ancient Pagan ritual grounds excavated by Bristol University. However, no academic records exist. I even contacted Dr. Stuart Prior, who is responsible for excavations in the Gloucestershire area. He said this claim is “certainly not related to any of the archeology [here]. I’ve never even heard of the Ram Inn''.

Not unlike The Conjuring stories, localised horror legends that claim to be based on truth are milked to generate profit. During my writing, I came to the conclusion that the Ram Inn’s original alleged victims cannot be vouched for. Especially thanks to questionable internet sources. Whatever the truth is in Gloucestershire, the Ram Inn still helped to inspire a (very average) short story. And it isn’t hurting anyone by claiming a spooky history.

The same cannot necessarily be said about The Conjuring. It’s not about the filmmakers ‘tricking’ the audience into thinking these events occurred. It’s not about the desire to profit from a fanciful story. Presenting ‘truth’ in film is dicey at best (where do you draw the line?). But this isn’t a criticism about cinematic accuracy.

My big issue with The Conjuring is not its extreme creative licence. The Nun II seriously goes as far to imply Lorraine Warren is a descendant of Saint Lucy. Sure, whatever. What I find uncomfortable is that The Conjuring presents the Warrens as the perfect Godly couple. In reality, they were crooks taking advantage of vulnerable people.

The latest instalment of the franchise, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), covers the trial of Arne Johnson. In 1981, the Warrens did try and get off a man convicted of manslaughter by using demonic possession as a defence. Although an interesting premise for a movie, The Conjuring unquestionably excuses Johnson’s actions by literally presenting ‘the devil made me do it’ argument. The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2 merely follow ghostly hauntings; the third film takes it one step further by disrespecting a real victim, Johnson’s landlord Alan Bono.

When I researched the Ancient Ram Inn, it seemed that the ghosts were so far back in history that no one knew the whole story anymore. Perhaps now, you can just claim anything. Unlike the Inn, The Conjuring films take place between the 1970s-1980s. It’s recent enough that we can decisively analyse the erasure of the ugly truth.

Ed and Lorraine Warren were terrible people that should not be given grace. They conducted paranormal investigations to scam people by citing false ‘scientific methods’. Ed had an affair with a girl who was only fifteen. Allegedly, Lorraine encouraged the girl to have an abortion (resulting from her relationship with Ed) to protect the Warrens’ reputation. There was also alleged domestic violence in the family.

The Conjuring has contributed a false legacy. For a couple so devoted to Catholicism and denouncing evil, the Warrens had no problem profiting from fake science and baseless clairvoyance. Meanwhile, they were supposedly engaging in domestic abuse and pedophilia. It is clear from any basic Google search that the Warrens were not even close to the wholesome power couple we see on screen.

For anyone writing about horror “based on a true story”, I encourage you to think about The Conjuring as an example of how storytelling can be harmful. Very few people believe in an exaggerated - well, downright invented - ghost story. Especially when you swear it really happened. Deep down, the audience knows the writing is for profit and entertainment. Even my silly little Ram Inn story was mostly fictitious, despite all that research. When depicting real subjects, writers have a responsibility to be considerate when real victims are involved. On top of that, it should go without saying that it’s in poor taste to glorify dreadful people, criminals, and/or con artists. Shamefully - although I like to flick it on for an easy watch - The Conjuring contributes to the problematic legacy of the Warrens as heroes against the horrors.

[fathomlessbabbling]

Smile, a Charak fic. Chapter 6: The Truth

This is a work of RPF. If you are uncomfortable with this, I VERY MUCH encourage you not to read this chapter.

This is also a chapter with an Explicit rating. Again, if you are not comfortable, do not read.

AO3 link here.

This is my first time writing a NSFW scene, so let me know what you think.

***

Tarak wrestled with the strange feeling in his gut since Tomas pointed out their observations of Ram at the beach. This sensation in the pit of his stomach was the perfect mixture of anxiety and hope; it made it difficult to live in and enjoy the moment truly. They spent a couple of hours on the beach before Tomas turned to Tarak and Ram with a face of fatigue.

“I think we have to wrap it up, gentleman. All this sun is hitting me a little hard this afternoon,” Tomas said with a weary voice.

Ram perked up with an expression of minor worry, “Not a problem! I’m sure we can find more to do throughout the day..”

Tarak’s attention picked up from his phone as he had read Tomas’ text multiple times since it came through, suddenly feeling a heat spread from his stomach to his chest as the opportunity to tell Ram was quickly approaching. He hesitated before nodding, “Yeah. We will be fine. We can care for ourselves if you both need to go home and relax.”

Tomas smiled, “Thank you, guys. I’m sorry. Too much sun on the beach, and all the energy gets sucked right out of me.” He gathered most of their stuff into their cooler to bring to the SUV.

As Tomas lifted the cooler to bring it to the vehicle, Ram stepped in to take one of the handles to assist. The two men left Tarak and Mateo to finish gathering the rest of their stuff. Mateo glanced at Tarak once the other two men were out of earshot.

“You feeling alright?” Mateo was blessed with a deeper voice that soothed Tarak’s ears.

“Yeah… I think,” Tarak said, too enveloped in his own thoughts to really be able to articulate.

Mateo put a caring hand on Tarak’s shoulder. “Remember something for me. Whatever happens, there is nothing wrong with how you feel, man.” The larger man gave a comforting squeeze as he stepped away. It was clear Mateo wanted to allow Tarak space to process everything.

Tarak was appreciative of the caring gesture. Even if, at this moment, he was too numb from his anxiety to show it. As Tarak and Mateo approached the SUV with the rest of the beach supplies, Ram stepped back from the trunk and hugged Tomas.

“I told Tomas since the hotel was so closeby that we could just go for a short walk back to our room to figure out what we would do for the night,” Ram said with a smile, then turning to Mateo, “Make sure he hydrates and uses some aloe vera. It will help with any sunburn if it comes up.”

Tarak watched as Ram went into caregiver mode. It was always the sweetest thing when Ram recognized when someone was ailed with something, either physical or emotional. It meant that he cared deeply and wanted to do his part to ensure their health. Tarak smiled lightly as he watched the conversation between Ram and their two friends. The anxiety eased momentarily and allowed Tarak to hope that what Tomas and Mateo said was true. He took a deep breath of the warm air and relaxed his mind and muscles.

Tarak approached and also gave both Mateo and Tomas a hug, “You are both wonderful. Thank you for this beach day. It was nice getting to relax by the ocean for a while.”

Tomas hugged Tarak closely and whispered as Mateo gave Ram a verbal goodbye, “We are a phone call away. Please keep us posted.” His tone was one of true caring, surprising Tarak to a point. Knowing he had people to turn to if the conversation went sour comforted him.

A few moments later, the black SUV pulled away from the parking spot, and with a wave, Tomas and Mateo had left them to their own devices. There was a comfortable silence between Tarak and Ram as they stood to wave. Eventually, Tarak turned and looked at Ram.

“Shall we, Charan?”

Ram met his glance with a warm smile that would melt any glacier, “We shall, Taraka.”

The two men walked through the beautiful Los Angeles streets and carried themselves as always. They talked about how wonderful Tomas and Mateo were to treat them to a nice time, they laughed and joked, and Ram managed to get one good pinch on Tarak’s ribs to the point that Tarak yelped with surprise and recoiled like a child. Things were as normal as they could be with the two men.

However, Tarak felt that energy build up inside him the closer they got to the hotel. How am I going to tell him? Should I wait until later in the evening? No, it has to be once we get back. I don’t know how long I can keep pretending. What will he say? Will he want me to leave and go back home? Thoughts continued to swirl in Tarak’s mind with each step. It was as if the fear inside had its own personality, and he struggled with it every time his heart swelled around Ram.

“Everything okay, Tarak?” Ram asked with a warm smile.

Tarak perked up at the question, “Of course, baby. Why?”

“You just seem very in your own head lately. I just wanted to make sure that you were alright.”

Tarak smirked and spoke truthfully, “I’m just working through some things in my head. Nothing to worry about.”

Ram’s eyes hovered on his for a moment as they continued to walk before he nodded.

A few minutes later, they approached the front doors of their hotel. Tarak’s heart was beating faster than it had in quite a while. Why can’t you be alright with how things are with you and Ram? Why do you have to want more? His mind was starting to betray him; the fear and angst of feeling something deeper for Ram than mere friendship beginning to grip him. As they stepped into the elevator, he could almost feel a weight on his chest slowly grow, threatening to rob him of his ability to breathe. Tarak did his best to take a deep breath as the elevator doors opened to their floor, and they moved to the hotel room door; an uncomfortable silence had settled between them.

Once the hotel room door closed behind them, Ram moved to his luggage to retrieve his phone charger. Tarak stepped towards his bag and felt like his skin was on fire with nerves. He took a long breath and stared out the window into the beautiful city.

Now, or never. Tarak told himself internally.

Just as he turned and was about to speak, Ram spoke up.

“Tarak…? There’s… There’s something I need to tell you,” Ram’s face was serious, but there was a hint of nervousness to his tone, which caused Tarak’s brow to furrow.

“What’s wrong?” Tarak asked. His thoughts immediately went to the beach. Maybe he saw Tarak looking at him. Maybe Tomas said something. As his mind ran wild with possibilities, Ram met his gaze, and he felt his thoughts go blank.

Ram paused and opened his mouth as if to speak, but only a breath came out.

“I…” Ram finally started to talk, Tarak seeing his expression drop as he found the words, “I had a wonderful time today….” His eyes were downcast, and he had the expression of someone who meant to say something else entirely.

Tarak eyed him with a curious and hopeful look but felt a surge of energy in his chest as Ram turned to sift through the clothes in his suitcase. As Ram had turned and broke eye contact, Tarak followed suit, but in the moments that followed, lost control of his body and his words.

“Ram,” Tarak said, husky and heavy, “I… I actually need to tell you something too….”

Ram turned quickly, locking eyes with Tarak. His eyebrows raised expectantly, but he remained silent.

Tarak took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "I... I have to be honest. I haven't been feeling alright, as I said I was before... I've been struggling with something that has weighed heavily on my heart. It scared me deeply, but I've come to terms with it." He paused, searching for the right words, his voice filled with vulnerability. "I've missed you so much, Ram. Working on RRR was undoubtedly one of the best times in my life, and it took me a while to understand why. It wasn't just about the work; it was because I got to be next to you every day. I got to hold your hand, and it was magical." Tarak's voice quivered as tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

Clutching his eyes shut, Tarak continued, fearing the worst. "I can't stop thinking about you. Every night as I try to sleep, thoughts of you consume me. Your touch makes my smile brighten, your smile makes my heart race, and when you speak, my muscles threaten to give out." He struggled to find his next words, his voice filled with raw emotion. "I've realized that my feelings for you run deeper than friendship or brotherhood. I care for you with all my heart, Ram. I believe I've felt this way for years, but it took me so long to realize it. And while I'm overwhelmed with these feelings for you, I'm also deeply terrified."

Tarak's tears flowed freely now as he confessed his deepest fears, his voice breaking through shuddered breaths. "I'm terrified to be standing here, saying these words because my worst fear is that you will turn away or that our friendship will end. I need you like I need air or the sun on my face. I hope beyond hope that our closeness won't end because, with you by my side, I would no longer need to dream. Because how can a dream be more beautiful than seeing your smile each day...?"

There was a tense silence, and Tarak couldn't bear it. His fear gripped him too tightly, and the weight of his vulnerability threatened to break him. "I'm so sorry, Ram," he breathed out, holding his head in his hands. As Tarak's emotions overtook him, he felt Ram's warm, soft hands gently grip his own. Ram's fingers intertwined with his, giving him a glimmer of hope. Tarak slowly lifted his teary eyes to meet Ram's gaze.

Ram stood before him, tear streaks marking his cheeks. His voice was filled with tenderness and emotion as he spoke, his hand cupping Tarak's cheek, gently wiping away the tears. "Tarak... I have been yours since the day we met," he confessed, his voice quivering. "Thoughts of you have never left my mind all these years. You've always had my heart in your hands. You are my Tarak."

Tarak's heart skipped a beat, his eyes widening in disbelief. He searched Ram's face for any sign of uncertainty but found none. Something unspoken passed between them, a shared understanding. Tarak took a small step closer, silently asking for permission, and saw a faint smile tugging at Ram's lips. Tarak’s hand slowly rose to rest against Ram’s cheek as his thumb caressed away the tears that had rolled down his beautiful eyes. He felt their breaths comingle from their proximity, making his body tremble. Ram’s eyes were so beautiful. Tarak looked at Ram’s lips and felt his head lean closer, almost on its own.

In a moment of breathtaking beauty, Tarak closed his eyes and felt his lips brush against Ram's in a tender, hesitant kiss. Time seemed to stand still as their lips lingered, the world around them fading into the background. Every worry, every ounce of anxiety melted away, leaving only the warmth and connection between them.

Tarak felt a surge of electricity coursing through his veins as the kiss deepened, their lips moving in sync. It was almost a dance, a meeting of long-hidden desires finally given freedom. He could feel himself absorb the moment, the feeling of their genuine connection only realized through this kiss. He felt his body press closer to Ram’s, wanting to immerse himself in the other man's warmth. His arms wrapped around his Ram and pulled him into an embrace that conveyed all the desire inside. Ram's hands found their place around Tarak’s shoulders, his fingers caressing along his neck, which sent a shiver down Tarak’s spine. The world around them faded away as they kissed, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats in their ears. The weight that had lifted from both of them was the acceptance of their true feelings for one another.

Every touch, every movement felt electric, as if the universe had conspired to bring them together. Tarak reveled in the softness of Ram's lips, how they molded perfectly against his own as if this kiss was always meant to be. As the kiss gradually subsided, Tarak rested his forehead against Ram's; their breaths fell on their beards, the intensity of their desire thick in the air. They remained locked in their embrace, savoring the moment.

"I never want to let you go," Tarak whispered, his breathy voice filled with sincerity. He hadn’t spoken a truth so deep in his life. Ram's gaze met his, and they exchanged a knowing smile, their eyes conveying a depth of understanding that words could not capture.

"I don’t either," Ram replied softly, his voice laced with tenderness.

Tarak's heart swelled with joy, knowing that his feelings were reciprocated and their friendship had blossomed far deeper.

“I would very much like to kiss you again. If you’ll have me,” Tarak whispered, a slight grin playing across his face.

Ram giggled a little before leaning forward again, capturing Tarak’s lips in a kiss that continued to deepen. Tarak felt his body shift backward until his legs met the side of his bed. He broke the kiss to confirm how close they were to his bed before turning back to Ram. Before he could say anything, he felt Ram’s hand gently push against Tarak’s chest to guide him onto his bed. Tarak smiled and slowly moved until he was laid down while Ram followed him. Tarak let out a small excited giggle as Ram hovered above him and leaned down to capture another deep kiss again.

Their lips continued to move in sync, the passion and tenderness building with each passing moment. Tarak's hands roamed across Ram's back, pulling him closer until there was no space between them. Ram's hands trailed down Tarak's chest, his fingers tracing patterns over the fabric of his shirt. The heat between them was palpable, the air thick with desire.

Tarak moaned as Ram's lips moved down his neck, trailing hot kisses along his skin. He felt his body responding to Ram's touch, every nerve ending on fire. It was as if they had been waiting for this moment for years, the culmination of a love brewing beneath the surface for far too long.

Ram's hands moved to the hem of Tarak's shirt, his fingers dipping underneath to trace circles on his stomach. Tarak arched his back, wanting more contact, more of Ram's touch. He felt Ram's lips curve into a smile at his reaction. Then, feeling playful and explorative, Tarak quickly flipped their positions, Ram snickering at the sudden movements. Tarak dove back in to capture Ram’s kiss with hunger as his hands roamed his muscular chest, finally indulging all of the many thoughts that crossed his mind these last few days. As Tarak’s kisses traveled from Ram’s lips to his neck, he delighted in the small whines that emanated from him.

Tarak’s hands found the edge of Ram’s shirt, and he looked up into Ram’s eyes with a look of hunger and a need for connection.

“I’ve never done this before…” Tarak admitted with a breath as he gazed into Ram’s gorgeous eyes with anticipation.

Ram reached up and caressed Tarak’s face as he showed a comforting smile, “I haven’t either. But we can take it slow. We have all the time in the world,” Ram whispered, his voice filled with love and reassurance.

Tarak felt relief wash over him, knowing they were both in the same boat. He leaned in to capture Ram's lips again, his hands moving to explore the smooth skin of his stomach under the tank top. The heat intensified, the world around them nonexistent as they explored each other's bodies with a hunger bordering on desperation. It was an intoxicating feeling, the thrill of discovery mixed with the deep love and affection they shared. Tarak growled as he felt the bulge growing in his swimsuit rub against Ram's, the friction making his body tremble.

As their passion continued to grow, Tarak lifted Ram's shirt up and over his head, taking in the sight of the smooth tan skin of his chest. Tarak then removed his own shirt and leaned down, needing to feel their bodies together as his lips found Ram's clavicle. The sensation of Ram's bare chest against his own was exhilarating. Tarak's kisses trailed down to the center of Ram's chest, and he felt his lover’s hands move through his dark curls.

Their bodies were entwined in a heated dance, each touch and movement sending sparks of pleasure. Tarak could feel his own desire growing with each passing moment, matched only by the intensity he could feel radiating from Ram. His hands and lips traced their way down Ram's body, exploring every inch of skin, as Tarak moved lower and lower towards the tent in Ram's swim trunks.

“Tarak…” Ram moaned, his body trembling as his lover was now close to eye level with his waist.

“Do you want this?” Tarak asked in a flirty voice, lightly brushing against the tip of the tent in Ram’s swim trunks with his palm. Tarak felt a dark hunger build from the moment of contact and met Ram’s gaze with a look of mischief. Ram’s body flexed from the brief moment of contact, his breath coming in small bursts as the desire overtook his faculties. Ram met Tarak’s hungry gaze and nodded with a breathless smile.

Tarak slipped his fingertips under the waistband of Ram’s swimsuit trunks and lifted as he pulled down, slowly seeing Ram’s member revealed before him. He felt that burning desire only grow as he slipped Ram’s trunks the rest of the way down his legs and tossed them to the side. He stared with hunger at its length and smirked at the throbbing sensation that made it twitch. He locked his eyes with Ram as he reached up and gently wrapped his hand around its length, taking in the new and delightful feeling as he stroked it up and down. Ram’s eyes clutched shut, and another delicious sound escaped him at the sensation, making Tarak’s grin widen. He then took his other hand to gently cup and massage Ram’s testicles, finding himself mesmerized by how smooth they felt in his hand. This exploration was driving Tarak wild, and he constantly looked up to Ram for confirmation to continue.

As he played with Ram’s member, he found himself moving closer and closer to the tip. Tarak knew his breath was teasing the skin as Ram’s trembles beneath him became more uncontrolled. Feeling a surge of curiosity, Tarak held his hand at the base of Ram’s cock so it stood up straight and flicked his tongue over the tip. Ram became breathless as he cast a pleading glance down at Tarak as a sign to do that again. Tarak then dragged his tongue along the shaft before sliding Ram’s length into his mouth, enjoying the taste and the feeling.

Ram’s movements grew wilder as Tarak bobbed his head up and down, loving the feeling of Ram’s length throbbing in his mouth. Finding the hunger take over, Tarak moved with purpose. His once curious movements were replaced by the pure desire to please his lover. As Ram’s breaths became more energized, Tarak pushed himself to take Ram further and further down his throat. It was a challenge, but one he took seriously. The first time he found himself deepthroating Ram, his cock hit the back of his throat. He started to gag but fought back the urge. He wanted to feel the entire length of his lover in his mouth. His determination was rewarded as he slowly slid Ram’s length down his throat, feeling his throat open to accept it. Tarak found deep pleasure in the feeling while Ram’s hands shot down to his head and gripped him tight as he moaned out Tarak’s name.

It was the sign he had waited for. Tarak pulled back and had to work hard to catch his breath. He then looked up to Ram for his cue. Ram’s eyes were clenched shut, his head tilted back. Tarak then wrapped his hand around Ram’s length and began to stroke at a frenetic pace. Ram’s body seized up, and he let out a guttural moan, coating Tarak’s hand in his seed. He stared in awe at Ram’s primal sexiness. Tarak continued pumping his hand up and down until Ram’s cock stopped throbbing in his hand until the last drop had landed on his wrist. Tarak reached for one of the towels they had brought to the beach and cleaned his hand. At some point, he would explore what it was like to taste Ram’s release, but that would be an experience for later.

A few minutes later, Ram came to his senses as he looked down at Tarak.

“You… holy shit Tarak, you were amazing,” he said with a dazed smile. Tarak grinned and blushed, his confidence bolstered.

“You liked it?”

“Of course I did!” Ram replied, taking Tarak’s hand and kissing the back of it, “You’re amazing.”

Tarak blushed and looked away, but he didn’t have time to process that Ram thought so highly of him before Ram took hold of his face and pulled him in for a kiss. Tarak placed his arms around his waist, and the two kissed deeply. It started out slow, but soon it built into something more fiery.

Tarak felt Ram’s hand at his waist as the kiss built up in passion. When Ram broke the kiss, he saw the mischievous spark in his eyes as he deftly flipped their position again. Tarak allowed himself to be laid on the bed as his lover climbed on top of him. With a hunger and intensity that caught Tarak off guard, Ram’s mouth kissed and nipped from his neck to his hairy chest. Tarak closed his eyes and leaned his head back in pleasure as Ram stopped to bury his face in the tuft of hair at the center of his muscular chest before he continued kissing downward. As Ram got closer to his waist, he felt one of his hands grip and massage his own throbbing member under his swim trunks. He found himself almost growling at how he enjoyed the feeling, catching a mischievous glance from Ram as he smiled and continued kissing downward.

He blushed as Ram slowly slipped his trunks down, feeling completely exposed to his Ram. He smiled as Ram’s eyes widened at his size before he saw a hungry smirk reveal itself. Unlike his exploration of Ram, he was teased as Ram leaned down to kiss his inner thigh and then up to the base of his belly. It was as if Ram delighted in avoiding making any contact with his quivering length. Every time Ram moved as if he would finally caress the tip of Tarak’s member with his lips, Ram would shift his movement to tease him again. This delightful little dance made Tarak’s body tremble with desire; his nerve endings felt like they were catching on fire every time Ram moved away.

Tarak sent a hungry glare down at Ram and saw a devilish grin in return. Eventually, Ram positioned his mouth above the prominent member and, without hesitation, slid as much as he could into his mouth, eliciting a moan dripping with pleasure from Tarak.

"Ram! " Tarak groaned his name in the throws of ecstasy,

That was all it took for Ram to begin bobbing up and down, taking the length as far down his throat as much as possible. Ram was completely lost in the pleasure that having Tarak so deep in his mouth gave him. He couldn't help but look up as he serviced Tarak, satisfied at the moans and whimpers coming from above him. He loved the feeling of Tarak’s hands in his hair and that he was the one to make Tarak feel this way.

Tarak could feel his body heating up. He could feel the haze of the pleasure building toward his climax. Ram must have picked up on that as he removed his mouth from Tarak's length and leaned down to lick at his balls, preventing the release for the moment. Tarak had no idea how sensitive that area was to such sensations and felt his whole body tense as he hissed with pleasure. He looked down to match Ram's playful gaze as he felt one of his testicles slip in and out of his talented mouth. Tarak couldn't help but continue to moan in pleasure as he wondered where Ram had learned these techniques. That pressure in his body returned as he felt himself building towards his climax, the moans and trembles in his body becoming much more erratic with each flick of Ram's tongue.

" Ram! I'm going to-" Tarak's breathless words were cut off as Ram quickly shifted to take the member back into his mouth. Tarak looked down with uncontrollable pleasure as he came with a groan.

He couldn't help but look down at his lover like a lovestruck schoolboy as Ram swallowed all of his seed. With each pump out of his cock, he felt Ram's eager tongue lap his seed and swallow it down.

Tarak felt every muscle, every worry, and every thought melt away as the spasms of his orgasm subsided, and he looked with a dizzy smile down at his Ram, who slowly kissed his way back up Tarak's belly. He reached and ran his fingers through Ram's hair as his mouth reached his chest, and eventually felt their lips meet in another passionate kiss, Tarak tasting some of himself in Ram's mouth. Tarak slowly pulled back from the kiss and met Ram's gaze.

"That was... absolutely incredible..." Tarak uttered breathlessly.

Ram smiled with a satisfied expression. "I'm happy you enjoyed it, baby."

The term of endearment meant something different now, shifting away from the playful term to an actual heartfelt label for how they felt about each other. It warmed Tarak's heart as he slowly wrapped his arm around Ram as he lay beside him.

"Where did you learn to do those things...?" Tarak asked, his eyes slowly blinking as he enjoyed the afterglow of their first experiences.

Ram giggled and blushed slightly, "I may have watched an adult film or two."

The two men giggled like children before a comfortable and emotional silence filled the room. Ram leaned to rest his head on Tarak's arm and placed his hand on Tarak's chest, their legs slowly entangling together. They just lay together and stared into each other's eyes, periodically leaning over to lightly kiss the other. Tarak was convinced this was what heaven must feel like as he reached up with his free hand to lightly brush against Ram's temple and hold his cheek.

"I don't believe there are enough words to express how lucky I am." Tarak eventually said in a sound just above a whisper as he looked with affection into Ram's beautiful face.

Ram smiled with a blush as he moved closer to nuzzle into Tarak's shoulder. "I'm the one who is lucky, Taraka."

The two eventually drifted off to sleep in this position, holding each other close and finding the sweetness of their proximity infectious. Tarak's eyes slowly opened as he heard his phone buzz from the nightstand. He made no move to check it as he saw Ram's sleeping form in his arms, not wanting to disturb him. There was no need to do anything other than just lay with his Ram and smile.

After a few moments of this peace, his phone buzzed again. This time, Ram's eyes slowly opened, and Tarak saw the funniest and cutest sleepy face ever. He giggled at the sight of Ram with one eye closed as he glared at the nightstand, to which Ram replied with a quick pinch to Tarak's side. As the two finished their playful moment, Ram eventually spoke.

"You should check your phone... And then throw it off the balcony." Ram suggested with a playful sleepy grin.

Tarak laughed as he grabbed his phone from the nightstand, grunting as the screen's brightness blinded him. It was a text from Tomas, one of many, as it turned out.

T: Is everything alright with you two?

T: Hello?

T: Did you talk to Ram?

T: You’d better be bumping uglies!

T: Seriously tho, is everything good?

Tarak laughed a little at the texts, which caused Ram to raise a brow.

“Who is it?” Ram asked with that tired tone.

“It’s Tomas. He was just checking in on us.”

Ram shook his head and took a breath. “He must have been psychic.”

Tarak laughed, then paused for several moments as a suspicious thought entered his mind. “Wait, what did you say?”

Ram picked his head up from Tarak’s chest with a look, “I said he must have been psychic. I vented to him several times about wanting to tell you what I felt. In fact, I may have asked him discreetly if we could end the beach day so we could have time to talk.”

Tarak’s expression turned shocked, “ I vented to him too! He asked me the other night at the clothing store if we were together! I ended up confiding in him everything I was feeling!” Ram’s eyes widened before he laughed uncontrollably, burying his face into Tarak’s armpit. “That little snake!” Tarak shouted as he also laughed at how funny the situation was. The two men continued to giggle at their circumstances before Tarak felt his heart swell, his arms wrapped tightly around his Ram, and he smiled brightly.

Ram’s head lifted from Tarak’s armpit, and he pecked Tarak on the lips, “We will have to do something special for our matchmaking friends.”

Tarak’s eyes narrowed as he tried to think of some ideas. “Well, now that we know he is not feeling sun sick, we should bring them both to dinner. It's still early enough,” Tarak said, glancing down at the time on his phone.

Ram’s eyebrows raised in excitement at the prospect of food. “I like that plan.”

@vijayasena @kaagazkefool

[shadowbunnydragon]

Here is a special peek into an alternate universe! One where everyone's gender is swapped! It was a lot of fun and kinda a trip to go back and rewrite previous parts of the story. I hope you all like it!

And, I hope you all like the picture WastedTimeEE drew of Marigold (the female version of Marcus) in a family photo with her mom and dad, Zelda (Zach's female alternate version) and Varun (Vanna's male form)! It came out just so gosh dang cute and sweet! You can find it here on my SoFurry page in the link below! You can also find it on Wasted's pages over there and on FurAffinity!

Found (Genderswapped Shenanigans)

By

ShadowBunnyDragon

"What's the matter, Puppy Love?" Don asked, the diminutive ram reaching up to take the large gray she-wolf's paw in his hooves. Vera looked down at her mate with a smile before letting out a sigh, her ears and tail drooping a bit.

"Sweet sawgrass, Honey Ram," she said, rubbing her temple with her free paw. "That last place... did ya see the way that guy was looking at us? Ya'd think we were drooling, snarling monsters the way he acted!"

"I know, Vera," Don said with a note of sadness in his voice, "that is to be expected. B-between us being a pred/prey couple... and my criminal history... adopting for us was never going to be easy." The ram looked down at his hooves, only to be swept up into a (near) bone crushing hug by his much larger mate.

"Honey Ram, ya've more than made up fer that. Yer a hero! Anyone who holds yer past against ya like this, ta this degree, is just bein' more stubborn than Ma can be." Don let out a surprised OOF, but recovered and started to rub his mate's arms with his hooves. "We're two mammals lookin' to give some pups a lovin' and stable home, and gettin' passed over like that... it just ain't right."

"I know, Puppy," Don said as he was set back down. He adjusted his tie and lime green sweater vest. Rather than a full suit and tie, Don had decided to dress more upscale casual, so as to leave a good impression. Vera was wearing a light blue sundress. Normally a bit more tomboyish, she too had decided that their chances would be helped by dressing up a bit. "I suppose we have no choice but to just keep pressing forward. If it's any consolation, this place seemed much more promising than the previous one when I booked our appointment. And that was after they had completed a full background check on us." Looking up at his mate, Don's heart skipped a beat when he saw the smile that grew on Vera's muzzle. He was reminded daily of just how much he loved this she-wolf. It had been five years since their tithe and the subsequent caprid ceremony, but they still acted like newlyweds.

"I really hope that there's a little pup and lamb in there that we can open our home to," Vera said, standing up straighter and smoothing out her dress.

"I'm sure we will!" Holding his hoof in her much larger paw, Vera and Don walked up the well-maintained sidewalk path, Vera spotting the sign on the manicured front lawn.

"Warm Hearts, Warm Hearth's Children's Center," she read aloud. The red brick building, not being too far from Little Rodentia, was itself a bit on the small side. From the children's drawings taped to the windows to how well-kept the property was, it gave off more of a cozy feeling, as opposed to the more austere feeling the last facility gave off. It was a very welcome contrast to the couple as they entered the front doorway.

"Welcome," said a male kangaroo with a kind smile as he entered the reception area, wearing a simple white t-shirt and jeans. Out from a nearby doorway came the excited squeals and happy laughter of children. "How can I help you?"

"W-we're the Hunter-Bellwethers. I believe that we spoke on the phone?" Don said, adjusting his glasses.

"Ah yes," the kangaroo said, heading on over to his desk and motioning for the couple to sit down in the chairs opposite it. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter-Bellwether. I'm Adam Hopper, by the way, director here at Warm Hearts, Warm Hearths. You two are early, by the way."

"We're just that eager ta adopt," Vera said, still holding Don's hoof in her paw. She could feel him give her a reassuring squeeze.

"I like that," Adam said, "and if you two are here, then that means that you have been approved to adopt."

The wolf and ram could hardly believe their ears. They shared a look, both with excited grins on their faces, before looking back to Adam.

"That's wonderful news," Don said. Vera was silent, but her tail thumping her chair spoke volumes to her joy. It was then that Don spotted a small wire picture frame on the desk, containing a picture of the kangaroo before them and a tiger, both wearing white tuxedos, the latter nuzzling the former. Don had to stop himself from cooing at how precious the moment captured was, but Adam seemed to have noticed. There was a certain sparkle in his eye as he continued.

"My mate and I know how hard it can be for pred/prey couples to adopt. But I want to assure you both that you have nothing to worry about moving forward."

"Uhm," Don said, shifting a bit in his seat, "a-are you sure? I mean... y-you must know about my... past."

"Mr. Hunter-Bellwether," Adam said, taking note of how the she-wolf leaned down to hug her smaller mate, "everyone makes mistakes in their past. What is important is that you have not only been able to move past it, but even gone on to become a hero to the entire city, at great risk to yourself no less. I promise you, there is no problem here." Don and Vera both felt assured by that. "Now, moving on, you said on the phone that you would prefer children older than infants or toddlers?"

"Y-yes," Don said, feeling suddenly nervous again.

"We know that most couples tend ta adopt the really little ones more than the older pups," Vera explained, "so we were hopin' ta make a difference fer some pups more in the six ta nine age-range."

"Understandable, and you really will." Adam smiled again, quickly getting back to business. "Now, you also expressed a desire to adopt a wolf and a sheep? May I ask why that is?"

"W-well, we felt that it would probably help us to connect with them and better guide them through certain things and instincts in life. L-like the headbutting phase," Don said with a blush. He received a kiss to his forehead from Vera.

"And o'course, the howling urges," the she-wolf said simply. "But we'll still happily adopt outside our species, so it's not a dealbreaker."

"Absolutely! We just want to be parents!" Don chimed in.

Adam chuckled at that. "That's good to hear," he said, pulling out a file from his desk and opening it. He grabbed a photo and passed it to the couple. "As it just so happens, we have a trio that fits what you're looking for almost perfectly." The ram and she-wolf looked down at the photo to see three young mammals, smiling and hugging in a pose for the camera. One was a black wolf pup, wearing a yellow t-shirt and blue shorts, with bright yellow eyes. Then there was a little black-wooled ewe, in a yellow sundress. And sandwiched in between the two was... a largely furless mammal. He, as Don presumed the child was a boy, was wearing a similar shirt and shorts to the wolf pup. He had a shaggy patch of chestnut brown fur atop his head, but based on the rest of his face and arms and legs, he looked like he was otherwise devoid of any fur.

"This cute little trio think of each other as siblings, and have refused to be separated. The oldest, the little wolf boy, is Alex. He's eight. Tiffany, a sweetheart, is the ewe, and she's seven. And there in the middle is little Leon. He's six."

"Oh my... well, we only discussed having two lambs... but I don't think that three would be a problem, Puppy?" Don looked up at his mate, who was looking between him and the picture. Her tail was still wagging.

"True... three is a bigger commitment than two already was... but I ain't gunna go separatin' siblings from one another, even ones not related by blood. Though, I gotta ask, what species is little Leon? Don't get me wrong, he seems just as adorable as his brother and sister. I just never saw one of... whatever he is before," Vera said.

Adam began to rub the back of his head, looking uncomfortable. "Well, that's the thing. We don't know. We even had a sample of his DNA tested, but all we got back was an Unknown. And he doesn't match any kind of species on any registry we've been able to find. So... he's still an unknown species. And all we have to go on is that he was picked up from the streets at around age three or four."

"Oh," Don said, looking down at the picture again. "The poor little guy. He must've been so scared!"

Vera frowned at the thought of a child that young being all alone without anyone to take care of them, and let out a small whine. "Not knowin' what his species is might make it a bit harder ta relate ta him or some of the things his species goes through as they get older... but whatever he is. He and his brother and sister are more than welcome ta join our little pack... if'n they want. Right, Ramchop?"

Don looked up at his mate and, hopping up in his seat, he reached up to kiss his she-wolf on her nose.

"Of course, Puppy," Don said, handing back the photo to Adam, who kept in a snicker at how cute the couple across from him was together.

"Well, in that case, how about we introduce you two to them, and move on from there?" With an enthusiastic assent from the couple, Adam got up and led them through a short hallway into a room with some couches in it. Vera and Don took a seat on a maroon leather couch across from a navy blue one and waited while the kangaroo exited to go and get the children. Adam returned shortly afterwards, herding three young mammals into the room. Right away, Don and Vera noticed how Alex, who was wearing a red shirt with black shorts, was placing himself in front of the other two protectively, looking over at the two strange mammals with determined yellow eyes. Tiffany, who was wearing a blue dress similar to Vera's with a matching bow on her head floof, and Leon, who was in a green shirt and blue shorts, were both looking over his shoulder, soft hazel and curious deep blue respectively. Leon, despite being the youngest, seemed to be taller than his brother and sister, and was hugging a green stuffed dragon to his chest. Nervously, the three walked to the other couch and took a seat on it, huddling close together. Don and Vera both had to hold back a coo at the cuteness.

"Alex, Tiffany, Leon, this is Mr. and Mrs. Hunter-Bellwether; what do we say when we meet new people?" Adam asked in a gentle voice.

"H-hi," Tiffany spoke first. This was chorused by Leon and Alex.

"Hi there, pups!" Vera said, excited. Her tail was making a thumping sound against the couch where she sat, and that made Leon and Tiffany giggle. Alex turned to look at his siblings, before looking back at the strange couple before them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you three," Don said, beaming at the little lambs. After the initial introductions, the conversation continued, albeit a bit awkwardly at first. Don and Vera learned that Alex loved soccer, Tiffany enjoyed writing, and Leon liked to draw and explore.

"Are you going to adopt us?" Tiffany asked, putting a hoof around Leon and pulling him into a side hug. "'Cause Leon's our baby brother, and where we go, he comes with." The little ewe was polite, but very firm in her statement. Adam looked shocked and a little worriedly at Don and Vera, who both seemed to be holding back chuckles at the brave little lamb.

"Well, if y'all three don't mind the idea of us becommin' yer parents, we really would like ta adopt all three of ya," Vera said. At that, the pups seemed to relax a bit.

"You three do deserve to know that... because we're a predator and prey couple, we sometimes receive harassment for it. And... well, we just wanted to make sure you knew that, before deciding if you would like to come home with us." Don suddenly realized just how nervous he felt at that moment. Vera took his hoof in her paw and gave it another reassuring squeeze. The children huddled together on the couch, whispering to each other. Vera's ears twitched as she heard Leon's voice lightly drift over as he said "I think they're nice." Seeming to have reached a consensus, the three broke apart the huddle and, with Alex acting as the spokemammal for their group, he cleared his throat.

"... So long as me, my brother, and my sister can all stay together... then yes," Alex said, starting off sounding confident and strong, but his voice breaking a little at the end there, his little tail tucking itself as his ears started to droop a bit. Vera felt an urge to go over and give the pup a hug, but restrained herself. Instead, she and Don excitedly grinned and spoke with the children for almost another half an hour. When it was time for them to go, Adam led the children away, returning to see the couple out, and assure them that from that point onward, the adoption process was going to be much quicker. In a few more days, the couple would be able to take their children home with them. Walking back out and towards the minivan they had gotten, the she-wolf stopped and swept her mate up into another hug, which he was of course happy to return.

"This is really happening, Honey Ram," Vera said "it's like a dream!"

"I know, Puppy," Don said, suddenly finding himself sitting on Vera's shoulder. He let out an involuntary laugh-bleat. "We're about to become parents! Oh! There is so much we need to do now!"

"I know, darlin'! We gotta start clearin' out a third room, and triple check that the house is safe fer pups. And then we should probably hit up a toy store or two, and we'll need ta get a third bed for Leon, and then--" Vera was cut off by Don grabbing her head and turning it towards him. His lips met hers, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around him. Breaking apart, she felt a bit calmer, although her tail felt like it might just go ahead and break off from how hard it was wagging.

"Y'know, Honey Ram," Vera said as they continued to their car, now a husky tone to her voice, "when we get home, just because we're adoptin', that doesn't mean we can't try the old fashioned way to have yet another pup runnin' around with the three we're already gettin'." As the two buckled up, with Vera in the driver's seat, she leaned over and began to nuzzle the now-blushing Don, who had to remove his fogged-up glasses.

"I do believe that you make a very valid point, Puppy Love," he said, turning to look up at his mate with love and adoration in his eyes, that were mirrored in the bright green ones looking back at him. The two shared another kiss just as Vera turned the key in the ignition.

* * *

"Thankfully she was brought in when she was. The injury to the leg was beginning to show signs of infection," Doctor Catson said, adjusting her glasses as she looked up at Doreen. The lynx was consulting a chart, a slight frown on her muzzle. "If she had been out there much longer, she'd be potentially looking at a major infection. Which, when considering how malnourished she is, and her living conditions..." she trailed off, not needing to spell it out to the law she-wolf.

"Accordin' to my daughter and her mate, the two did some poking around the areas they believed she was livin'. Apparently she's been living off of foragin' and creek water, and some kinda canned foods. Sleepin' outside, I'm surprised she didn't get pneumonia, considerin' how wet and cold it's been lately."

"It's a miracle she was found when she was... but there's something else." Doctor Catson's small frown was now much more pronounced. This made Doreen pause.

"What is it, Layla?"

"Based... on her behavior, as well as some physical scarring, I believe that she had been subjected to physical abuse," the lynx said, her ears drooping.

Doreen grimaced but nodded, having had a similar thought based on how terrified the girl had been. Not to mention how she jumped from even the slightest noise or whenever someone spoke.

"Ya mentioned scarring?"

Layla nodded, shuffling her documents a bit, holding out a couple of photos to the white she-wolf. Doreen looked them over.

"There's scarring on the backs of her paws, but those pale in comparison to the ones on her back."

Doreen saw for herself in the picture, the small series of faded pink lines going down the backs of the child's paws. It was when she looked at the photo of her back that caused Doreen to wince, and even let out a whine. The child's back was a crisscross network of much larger, more fervent-looking scars that were much more pronounced, and nearly covered the entirety of her back. Doreen handed the photos back, a sick feeling in her gut.

"Know what coulda done something like that?" Doreen asked, a few ideas of her own in the back of her mind.

"Well, a knife or even a claw is not entirely out of the realm of possibility. However, it is in my opinion that the injuries to her back were caused by a whip."

Doreen winced again, the idea of those having been scars from a whip having been a theory that she was hoping had not been the case. After confirming that Child Services had been contacted, Doreen started to head towards the room that the mystery mammal was in, an idea beginning to take root in her mind. She quietly opened the door, entering with a practiced warm smile on her muzzle, taking slow and deliberate steps so as not to spook her.

"Now, Pup," Doreen said as she settled into the chair by the hospital bed. She looked at the older mystery mammal, who sat there in a hospital gown, hugging her knees to her chest. She looked upon the older law she-wolf with blue eyes filled with worry and fear. Doreen tok some solace in the fact that the girl was no longer shivering. "How about we start with somethin' simple, like yer name?"

"M-my name?" the young girl asked, scooting a little bit away on the bed, looking confused.

"Yep. Mine's Doreen." She gave what she hoped was a comforting smile.

"U-uh..." The girl looked away as she started to speak, now trying to make her voice sound deeper. "M-Marcus."

Doreen sighed and shook her head, internally muttering something about Pups not being good at lying. "Sorry, Pup, but yer gunna have ta do better than that."

Flinching a little, the furless mammal looked to be mulling it over. "Uh... I m-meant to say... my name's Eli?" Doreen just looked at her with an unamused, half-lidded stare. "B-Barry," she squeaked out, the falsetto now gone. After a moment of silence, she hanged her head, realizing the jig was up, and looked Doreen in the eyes. "M-my name is a-actually... Marigold."

Doreen's tail started to wag as her frown broke into a happy smile. "See? That wasn't so hard, now was it?"

"... I g-guess not," Marigold said, gulping audibly.

"Now, mind tellin' me why you tried ta claim y'all were a boy?"

"... B-because p-people always said b-bad things happen to girls when they go into the 'system'," Marigold said.

"I promise that nothin's gunna happen ta ya so long as I'm around, Miss Marigold. Ya can count on that," Doreen said with a wag of her tail. "Now, how old are ya?"

"... 18."

Doreen sighed and just silently sat there, staring at the girl. Marigold fidgeted and squirmed before sighing.

"I j-just turned 12," she said, now a look of pleading in her eyes. "P-please don't p-put me in the system! I can take care of myself!"

"Oh, can ya now?" Doreen asked, pointedly looking to the bandage wrapped around the girl's calf. "'Cause according ta the doctor, that little injury there was close ta becomin' infected. And also, from the tests they ran, yer pretty underweight. How long were you out in the woods?"

"Uh... m-maybe a month?"

"And ya were by yerself that whole time?"

Marigold just nodded silently at that, a couple silent tears streaming down her pale cheeks. The sight hurt the she-wolf's heart. Looking at the vulnerable, frightened young girl sitting there, Doreen couldn't help thinking about her own girls. The idea of any one of them, being left alone at such a young age, to fend for themselves in the wilderness, made Doreen want to howl in anger and sorrow.

"Where are yer parents?" Doreen asked. Seeing how the girl began to hyperventilate at that question, once she calmed back down, the she-wolf decided to hold off on questioning further in that area for the time being. Noticing how the girl kept nodding off, Doreen smiled.

"Ya know, yer not the first of yer species I've encountered," Doreen said, taking note of the look of worry in the girl's eyes.

"I-I'm not?"

"Nope. My daughter and her mate actually adopted a group of pups not too long ago, and the youngest, my little grandson Leon, is one of yer species. And he's just the sweetest little guy. But the thing of it is... he doesn't know what yer species is called, and no one we've been askin' seems to have encountered anyone like y'all before either. So I was wonderin' iffin' you could tell me what yer species' name is?"

"... H-human," Marigold said in a faint voice, looking very confused.

"Uman? Mind spellin' that fer me?" Marigold did, after stifling a yawn.

"Okay, you've answered enough questions so far, missy. Right now it looks ta me like you could use some shuteye," Doreen said. While her mate Addy was the more emotional and nurturing of their tithing, she still had mothering skills she had developed after raising seven pups. The older she-wolf gently took the blanket and pulled it up over Marigold. The furless young mammal seemed surprised at first, before letting out a big yawn and laying down.

"Uhm... th-thank you, sheriff," Marigold said in a sleepy voice.

"Yer welcome, Marigold. Now, we'll be nearby if ya need us. I promise, ya ain't gunna be alone anymore," Doreen said softly as she exited the room. Walking out into the waiting area, she had to hold back a snort. She saw Yuki sitting with her arms crossed, looking annoyed, with a large quartz crystal sitting on her head. Right next to her was Undine, who was slowly waving another, smaller crystal, looking like an amethyst, around Yuki's head.

"This will align your chakras and help alleviate some of that stress I am sensing coming off you, Yuke." Doreen held back a chuckle at the sight of her daughters, the two younger black she-wolves oblivious to their mother's amusement. It was while looking around that Doreen spotted just the russet-and gray-colored she-wolf she was looking for, currently talking on her phone.

"Zelda," Doreen said, getting her attention. Zelda saw that her mother was motioning for her to follow, so she made quick work of hanging up and entering an empty room right behind Doreen. With the door closed, the white wolf looked upon her daughter with a smile on her muzzle.

"So what's happenin' with the girl, Ma?" Zelda asked.

"Well, that's what I wanted ta talk to ya about, Hun," Doreen started, a sly smile on her muzzle. "See, as ya can tell, she's had a bit of a rough go o' thangs, and is now all alone. And I personally hate the idea of her just goin' ta some foster home where she will be the only known member of her species. And, what's more, Vera and Don haven't been able to uncover any information about Leon's species, so it wouldn't really be a benefit fer anyone fer the poor gal ta just be shipped off to who knows where and surrounded by strangers. At least here we've been able to build a rapport..."

At that, Zelda's ears perked up and her tail started to wag. "So you and Pa are gunna take her in!"

Doreen chuckled at that. "Well, I'm sure Addy would be more than happy ta. But, we're makin' some... alterations at the ranch."

"So Don and Vera then?"

"I'd be willin' ta bet good money that they'd be willin' ta as well, but with the new pups 'n all, they don't really got that much space..."

"But, then, who else? Yuki and Adamo have barely enough time fer themselves over in Seaotter, and... wait a sec, Ma. Hold the phone!"

"What? You and Varun have that big 'ol house all ta yerselves, plus I know that Addy would just love to have another grandpup nearby ta dote on and spoil."

"Yeah, but," Zelda said, now looking thoughtful.

"Plus she's gunna need some stability with a good, permanent home. And you and Varun said ya were both talkin' 'bout adoptin'."

"... I'll have ta talk with Varun about this first," Zelda said, sounding like her mind was elsewhere, her tail starting to wag. Doreen bit down on a smirk, knowing that her daughter had already been sold on the idea.

"Absolutely! You go on and think what I said over and talk to yer mate." Doreen watched Zelda head out the door to look for the large tiger, and waited until she was out of earshot before pulling out her phone. Tapping on it, she dialed up a number. The other end rang a few times before it was picked up.

"Hey, Xena, I'm so sorry, Sweetheart, I know ya and Melly are enjoyin' some much needed R and R, but Zelda and Varun really need yer help right now. See, they decided ta become foster parents. Yes, that's right, the pup we found in the woods."

Elsewhere in the hospital, Zelda had found her mate sitting with the other Hunter boys (as they like to call themselves), with Tarin having been sitting on his head. Seeing his mate wanting a word alone, he had plucked the black-furred fox tod off his head, and instead deposited the small canid onto the head of a certain hyena.

"Hey! My head ain't no jungle-gym!" Adamo barked out in his Barx accent. Varun chuckled as he walked off so he and Zelda could speak. Of all the things he had been expecting, what came out of his she-wolf's mouth was not one of them.

"You want us to become foster parents to that poor girl?" he asked, scratching his chin.

"I know it's sudden, but we need ta act now! She needs stability and Ma and Pa can't provide it 'cause... well, Ma didn't elaborate as ta why she and Pa can't do it, but the point still stands!"

"Hmm," Varun looked to be deep in thought as Zelda continued.

"Plus, Don and Vera need all the help they can get in understanding all they can about Leon's species. And on top of that we've both agreed that we want to adopt. Granted, we thought about getting a feline or a canid child, but I think we could provide an excellent home for her and--"

"I agree," Varun said, his deep and soft voice cutting off the she-wolf mid-explanation.

"... Huh?" Zelda was stunned.

Varun chuffed happily and smiled at his mate, his tail swishing as he wrapped his powerful arms around her waist, making her blush as he nuzzled the top of her head.

"I'll admit I'm a little nervous about becoming a father, even a foster father. But... I like the idea of opening our home to the poor girl. And with Mama and Papa Hunter being nearby, it's not like we would be truly on our own."

Zelda's tail became a blur of joy, fighting back the urge to howl in pure excitement. She had been warned twice before if she did so in the hospital again that she would be given a fine. "I know we're probably gunna have ta take it slow... but I'm just so excited at the idea! Us, having a daughter!" The two shared a long and passionate kiss.

* * *

Morning sunlight cascaded through the bedroom window, bathing everything it touched in a warm golden glow. This included the cuddled up forms of Vera and Don, the former of which was practically encircling the latter with her body. Slowly, the two began to stir. Don's eyes fluttered open as he buried his face in his mate's neck ruff, while Vera affectionately nuzzled his head floof.

"Mornin', Floofy," Vera said with a smile, her tail thumping the bed.

"Good morning, Puppy," Don replied with a yawn and a smile.

Vera looked her mate over as she stretched a little. "Ya had the dream again, didn't'cha?"

The ram winced and nodded. "Y-yes, but instead of it just being Diana and my m-mother, there were also what I think my subconscious decided were what adult humans looked like for my dream. Only instead of looking more like Marigold or just a taller Leon, they had long gangly arms with many different joints, and could unhinge their jaws. And they kept trying to take Leon away with them." Don shuddered at the memory of the dream, feeling comfort from Vera gently pulling him closer.

"Hey, now, that's never gunna happen, Darlin'," Vera said, looking Don in the eye. "Leon, just like his brother and sister, is our pup, and no one is gunna take any of them from us."

"I know, Puppy Love... but a part of me just can't stop worrying."

"That's just you being a good dad." Vera smiled and kissed her ram on his nose, making him blush and let out a happy bleat. Don snickered and reached up into Vera's ruff, easily finding the spot he was looking for and scratching it. Vera's right leg immediately started to twitch as her tongue lolled out and she rolled over, unable to stop herself. Don stopped when he heard some giggling coming from their bedroom door. Vera's ears twitching at the sound, the two turned to look and saw their children poking their heads through, only to suddenly dart back out having been caught.

"Am I correct to believe that some little lambs decided to peek in on Mommy and Daddy this morning?" Don called out with a smile on his muzzle. There were some giggles outside the door, before the children apparently composed themselves, and opened it properly. In they came, with Alex in the lead carrying a tray with food on it, followed close behind by Tiffany, who was cuddling her new wolf plush named Mrs. Sniffy, and Leon, who was carrying a relaxing Sir Callibrie in his arms, the little lizard looking about and letting out a content chirp. The children were still all in their pj's, Alex in his soccer-themed pajamas, Tiffany in her yellow nightgown, and Leon wearing his much-too-large for him black Samurai Snakes t-shirt over gray pajama bottoms.

"Happy birthday, Daddy!" the little human boy called out in excitement.

"Uh... w-we thought you might like breakfast in bed?" Alex said, looking away and trying to sound casual, but his perked up ears and slowly wagging tail were a dead giveaway for his anticipation. Don let out a coo at the cuteness before him as Vera chuckled and the two disentangled to allow the children to approach.

"Well now, that sounds so thoughtful," the ram said, grabbing his glasses from the bedside table and putting them on. Alex carefully, but quickly walked over to set the tray down in front of Don. "Now, what do we have here? Oh! Why, is that a fruit salad I spy?" Seeing Alex blush beneath his dark fur while looking away was a dead giveaway to Don. "Do I have you to thank for this thoughtful and tasty-looking salad, Alex?"

"Uh... w-well... yeah," Alex smiled as Don took a few bits of the cubed honeydew and mango, popping a strawberry in his mouth as well.

"It's delicious, thank you, Alex," Don said, leaning over and pulling his oldest son into a hug. The young wolf let out a surprised yip, but was quick to return the hug, now blushing more.

"And what's this little treat here?" Vera asked, pointing to two pieces of toast that appeared to have some kind of black frosting spread over them, with a white face drawn on, and plenty of black and white and purple sprinkles.

"I made Pirate Toast!" Leon said proudly, setting a squirming Sir Callibrie down on the bed, who darted over to Dawn and up his arm, coming to rest on his head floof, curling up to relax once again.

"Pirate Toast? Now that sounds adventurous," Don said, picking up a slice. "Did you design them to look like little pirate flags?" He smiled when Leon proudly nodded. "You are such a little artist! They look just like the real thing... only toastier!" That got a giggle from the lambs.

"I used the vanilla cake frosting I found in the cupboard, and didja know that if you mix the red, green, and blue food colorings together in it, it turns black?"

"I certainly didn't," Vera said, scooping Leon and Tiffany into her arms and setting them on her lap, her tail thumping. "What else is in it?"

"Well, I also added some sprinkles I found," Leon said as Don took a big bite of his toast, "and some red glitter!" Don froze at that, immediately feeling the tiny pieces of decorative plastic in his mouth. Vera looked to be holding back a snicker while Don continued to chew his bite, giving it a swallow while Leon looked on with joy in his eyes.

"Ah, so you did. Well... that is truly delicious, buddy, thank you." Don was quick to grab the glass of cloudy dark liquid and take a sip. It had a sweet, citrusy taste to it. "Oh my, this is lovely. What is this juice?"

"I made you Outer Space Juice, Daddy!" Tiffany squeaked.

"Now what's all in Outer Space Juice, sweetie-pie?" Vera asked, looking down at the ewe in her lap. Tiffany gazed back up at her mother with a bright smile.

"It's cranberry juice with the powdered orange drink for Astronauts mixed in! Though I wanted to pour some Deep Space Cocoa Spheres in, Alex said not to." Tiffany was very matter-of-factly about her response, letting out a giggle when Vera gave both her and her little brother a loving squeeze.

"We can make some more juice and fruit salads and pirate toast for everybody," Leon chimed in, prompting Vera to stand up, setting the two of her younger pups on her shoulders.

"Why don't I come down and help y'all with that, honey?"

"'Kay, Mommy!" Leon reached over and wrapped his little arms around her neck. The she-wolf's tail started to wag while she looked at her mate and gave him a wink. Don looked relieved as, with Leon watching, he hesitantly took another bite of the pirate toast. With the younger lambs now out of the room and down the stairs, Don sighed with relief and let out a chuckle. He then looked over to Alex, who was shuffling uncomfortably on his paws.

"Something wrong, Alex?" Don asked.

"Uh... I guess while I was busy keeping the cereal out of the juice, I musta missed Leon getting the glitter... sorry," Alex said, only to find himself being hugged again.

"There's nothing to apologize for, son," Don said with a warm and gentle smile. "That was a lovely breakfast."

Down in the kitchen, Leon was in the middle of making up some more batches of pirate toast, with Vera 'making sure thangs ran smoothly'. When Leon wasn't looking, she grabbed the jar of glitter and dumped it down the sink drain.

"Aw, shucks, honey," Vera said, feigning disappointment. "It looks like we're all out of glitter."

"Awww! But pirate toast needs glitter!" Leon looked contemplative. "I guess I'll just have to borrow some of Tiffany's glitter glue in a little bit."

Vera left Leon at the counter and took the little ewe who had been mixing some more glasses of juice together aside, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "Alright, darlin', I'll give ya five bucks if ya can hide the glitter glue in yer room from Leon."

"Why, Mommy?" Tiffany whispered back.

"Uh... th-there's a glitter shortage and we need ta preserve as much as we can?"

"I'm on it!" Tiffany said, quickly running off.

"Where'd Tiffany go?" Leon asked, looking up at Vera with wide blue eyes.

"Er... she went ta go see if she can get ya that glitter glue ya mentioned. But she thinks it might be lost."

"Oh no!" Leon whined in disappointment. Vera was quick to wrap a loving arm around his shoulders.

"It's okay, sugar-pie! Pirate toast can still be great even iffin' we're outta glitter of any kind." She kissed the top of his headfur, making her little boy giggle.

"Okay, Mommy!" And with that, Leon dove right back into it, using some of the frosting he had separated and not added any food coloring to it to draw the skull and crossbones on the toast.

* * *

The sun had just dipped below the horizon, the twilight slowly giving way to the growing dark. Varun sat leaning up against a tree, looking at the first twinkling stars beginning to show, letting out a contented sigh. The large tiger's ears twitched at the sound of approaching footsteps. His tail swished as he smiled at his mate sidling up next to him. Varun slipped an arm around Zelda's waist as she leaned into his powerful frame.

"Yer just so sweet with Marigold!" Zelda said, her tail a happy blur. "She looked like she was havin' a lot of fun playin' catch!" She thought back to how nervous their foster pup had been when they'd first brought her home, always walking on eggshells around the two of them. It had broken her heart how often the girl would flinch whenever someone spoke to her.

"It did seem to help her come out of her shell a bit," Varun chuckled. "I'm actually thinking about teaching her how to play baseball. We've got a bat in addition to the gloves."

"That's a wonderful idea!" Zelda felt like she could howl. "I just love havin' a little girl ta dote on and do Mother-Daughter thangs with!"

Varun chuckled. He had found Zelda's adoration of Marigold adorable, especially since the girl didn't seem to have had any positive female role models, at least based on how much she went out of her way to try and please Zelda. He had found that the girl had seemed especially nervous around him at first, though Varun had taken the initiative to help break the ice by playing some games with her. She had seemed very confused about how the Z-Box One worked as well as video games as a whole, but starting with a simple game of catch, he had found the young girl had started to open up.

"I never took you for much of a girly-girl," Varun teased, kissing Zelda's nose. She rolled her eyes and waved a dismissive paw.

"Oh hush. I'm just as feminine as the next gal. It's just that li'l Marigold desperately needs some TLC and somethin' we could both bond over."

"Like dress shopping?" Varun chuckled, taking note of the light green sundress his mate was wearing, and how it was a similar shade of green as their uniform shirts. Zelda just rolled her eyes.

"We were out in town today and I saw her lookin' in the display windows. 'Course I took her inside so we could find somethin' she'd like... the fact that she and I got matchin' dresses, the exception bein' hers needed to be tailored a bit so that it didn't have a tail hole in the back, was just a happy coincidence." Zelda blushed a little, though her tail continued to wag. Varun let out a happy chuff, and held her tighter.

"Of course, my love," he said, looking around. "Where is Marigold, anyway?"

"Oh, she said she was feelin' a little worn from the day, what with goin' out with me, and then that cute little pie caper Leon went and solved," Zelda said with a slight giggle. "I still can't believe that Tarin tried to frame that cute li'l lizard of Leon's... or how well he figured it all out."

"Mama Doreen certainly seemed excited by his detective work."

"Don't let Vera hear ya say that," Zelda giggled, "she's so worried that Ma will try and push policin' on him that she's tryin' ta clamp down on anythang of the sort around her pups."

Varun looked off in the distance, stiffening suddenly. "Zelda, you said that Marigold was going to rest, correct?"

"Yeah, why darlin'?" Zelda asked, confused.

"Because I just saw her climbing out of her bedroom window with that little case in her arms, running off into the forest," Varun said simply.

"What?!" Zelda jerked around and, sure enough, she could just make out a figure running away from their house and deeper into the trees. Without a work, she grabbed her mate's paw, and started to drag him through the trees after them. "Somethin's gotta be wrong! And what if she hurts herself again like when we first found her?!"

"My love, please try and calm down, I'm sure that everything's fine," Varun said in an attempt to reassure his mate, but with a pit of worry forming in his own gut regardless. They stopped not too far from their house, near the edge of a small clearing with a stump near the center. Varun and Zelda were hiding behind a tree as Marigold was looking around, a worried expression on her face. She was still wearing the same green sundress from earlier, it taking on an ethereal glow in the fading twilight as the light of the full moon was beginning to shine. All around, fireflies were starting to take flight.

"We gotta be quiet, or else she'll hear us," Zelda said from where she was crouched.

"So whatcha think she's up to?" Tarin asked, poking his head up from a bush to Zelda's left.

"I'm not really sure yet, we just saw her runnin' off and... Tarin? What're ya doin' here?" Zelda asked, looking down at the black-furred fox tod who was smiling casually back up at her.

"I saw you both running off into the woods and decided ta see what was happening. I figured that it might be something fun."

Zelda rolled her eyes while Varun had to choke down a chuckle at the antics of his unofficial brother, as all the 'Hunter Boys' liked to think of themselves.

"Tarin, ya ain't s'posed ta be here, now git!" Zelda hissed.

"Who ain't s'posed ta be here?" Tyra asked. The arctic she-wolf scooped up her mate and set him on her shoulders.

"T-Tyra?!"

"What? I saw my cute little ball of fluff run off inta the woods, naturally I'd follow him," Tyra said as Tarin rested his head on hers.

"Sounds ta me like youse was thinkin' of maybe gettin' up ta somethin' naughty out here in da woods, away from where anybody could see or hear yas," Adamo said, stepping from behind a tree, the male hyena grinning with a toothpick in his mouth.

"Adamo?!" Zelda clapped a paw to her forehead. Removing it, she saw Yuki standing there, trying to look bored.

"We were makin' out when ya two started yappin' about Zelda bein' a girly-girl and then heard ya decide ta chase after Marigold," the black she-wolf growled as Adamo squeezed her side.

"Yeah, and we wanted ta make sure dat youse wasn't gunna go and invade that goil's proivacy," Adamo said, looking pointedly at Zelda, whol was wringing her paws.

"I thought that she might be tryin' ta run away or somethin'... I just wanted ta make sure she was safe! That's my puppy after all!" Zelda blushed, clearly flustered. Adamo pulled her into a hug to comfort her.

"She was probably drawn to this spot thanks to all the positive energies that emanate from it," Undine's voice could be heard up above. Looking up, everyone saw her sitting on a tree branch with Melvin laying in her lap.

"It is a pretty peaceful spot," the male honey badger said, looking up at the stars through the canopy. He was holding a bowl of popcorn in his claws.

"What, did a memo go out or somethin'?!" Zelda asked, exasperated.

"Now now, sweetie," Adrian said, inexplicably standing next to a very surprised Adamo and Yuki, with an embarrassed-looking Doreen standing next to her. "As it just so happens, this here spot is a favorite fer yer Ma and me fer our little picnics."

"Well, they start out as picnics," Doreen said, wrapping her arms around Adrian's waist, making the older gray wolf wag his tail and chuckle.

"Ma! We didn't need ta hear 'bout that!" Vera said from right next to Zelda, making the auburn she-wolf whip around. She saw Don perched on his mate's shoulders.

"Okay, is everyone we know here in the woods tonight?!" Zelda demanded. Right then, as if on cue, Gareth tumbled to the ground nearby, Winnie in his arms, Xena and Melanie tangled up in the gangly giraffe's legs.

"Oi! You two! What's the big idea about scamperin' in between me legs?!"

"It wasn't our fault that you didn't look where you were walking," Xena pointed out, adjusting her glasses. Standing up and brushing herself off, she reached down and scooped Melanie up into her arms, the two kissing. "Are you alright, Butterball?"

"I'm just fine, Fluffytail," Melanie said, putting her arms around her mate's neck, all the while Winnie was helping her own mate to his shakey hooves.

"No need to fret over me, love," Gareth said, leaning his head and neck down to smile at the she-wolf he was lucky to have found.

"Hey, that just seemed like a nasty fall, that's all," Winnie said, her tail swishing.

"Can y'all just keep it down! I'm amazed that Marigold hasn't heard all y'all!" Zelda quietly snapped. Everyone grew silent at that, and looked out into the clearing. Marigold was kneeling next to the stump, where she had set her case down on it and opened it. From inside, she pulled out a photograph.

"Hey, Ryan," they could hear the girl's soft voice float over on the gentle breeze. "I just... I remembered that today is... was... your birthday... and I just wanted to let you know that I'm keeping my promise." Her voice hitched a little, but she composed herself. "I'm still moving forward, b-big brother... I m-miss you so much." She wiped a tear from her cheek, before she stood up and pulled out a well-cared for violin from inside the case. She tested the strings to make sure they were in tune before taking a stance.

"Happy birthday, Ryan," she said, raising the bow to the strings. Then, she began to play. As the tune began to ring out gently in the clearing, sounding like a bouncy and fun folk tune, Marigold began to sway and twirl, spinning on her feet. As the music picked up the pace, but the tone became something more melancholic, Zelda realized that not only was Marigold skilled at playing her fiddle, but she also had some training in ballet. With each new song, the girl would dance and pirouette, leap and spin-turn, and perform other moves that Zelda didn't know the names of. She and the rest of the family watched, entranced and silent, at this little concert that the newest addition to their family was putting on, for her brother who, most of them guessed based on what they had overheard, was no longer alive. The full weight of what this moment must represent to her foster daughter suddenly hit Zelda, just as Marigold seemed to be slowing down in both the dancing and her playing.

"S-sweet sawgrass," Zelda said as Marigold seemed to be finishing on a long, mournful note. "W-we all can't let her know we saw this!"

"Truly a great invasion of her privacy," Xena mused, only to suddenly be pushed by Zelda.

"Enough musin', we gotta move, now," she barked as quietly as she could. Everyone started to head back the way they had all come, when there was a sudden loud CLICK. Turning, they all saw that Marigold had returned everything to her case and snapped the latch shut. She got up and proceeded to walk back to the house... which was in the same direction everyone in the family sans Vera and Don's pups were in at that moment. Scrambling, the Hunters and their mates ran through the trees and underbrush, avoiding the scant trail like the plague. Everyone darted around to the other side of Zelda and Varun's house. Varun stealthily peeked out from around the corner, watching as Marigold was looking all around, before trying to stealthily climb back in through her bedroom window. A few very loud thumps later, and she was back inside, none the wiser. Varun released the breath he had no idea he had been holding, all the while Zelda was making everyone swear that they wouldn't say a thing to Marigold about this.

"B-but," Undine whined, holding up her camera, "it was so in line with the natural energies of the clearing! Folks would be so energized and helped by seeing the video I took of it!

And here it is! The peek into the genderswapped AU of Found! I might do another in the future, but holy crap did this one take a bit of time! I hope everyone is having a great summer!

[bunnakit]

Ok I just finished all of these last night and I am affectionately shaking you upside down by your ankles in the hopes that more Let Me Live in Your Mind chapters fall out because MY GOD

The characterization is so fucking perfect, the writing is beautiful, the metaphors and imagery perfection, I'm obsessed and I will patiently wait and beg for more!!

i have finished my engineer and i am humbly asking for all your ramking fics bc i need more of them desperately, im chewing on my drywall over here

OMG hi hello! yeah uh. idk if you'd been warned about that ending in advance, but if not I'M SORRY 🫣 here are the ways I have tried to fix it:

silence and patience (series):

Venus Flytrap (oneshot, rated E) - my first RamKing fic! set a few days post-canon. King returns from his grandma's. also! the very talented (and lovely) @aikinn made a gorgeous gifset for this fic here🥺

Hold Back (oneshot, rated E) - the angsty prequel to Venus Flytrap. it's Ram's POV of the end of episode 14, including an extended (much smuttier) tent kiss scene. this one and VF can be read in any order - I wrote VF first, but this one is set earlier.

Let Me Live in Your Mind (2/4 chapters, rated E) - this one is my baby. early relationship RamKing featuring lots of fluff, smut, switching, and Ram overthinking. it currently has 2/4 planned chapters - but pls don't let that put you off! each chapter is more like its own oneshot, really, so it's not 'unfinished' in the sense that there's any story that's unresolved - there's no plot here lol - it's just lots of early relationship fluff and smut that I have 2 more chapters worth of ideas for 👀

then outside of this series I have:

Anywhere (oneshot, rated T) - a little ficlet set immediately after King leaves the campsite in episode 14, written for a prompt on Tumblr

this post that is just me rambling about my established relationship headcanons lmao

aaand a whole bunch of WIPs🫣

I hope this helps ease the need to chew drywall just a little lmao 💀

[knavishepitome]

ੈ✩• 𝖘𝖔𝖑𝖔: 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝖆 𝖈𝖆𝖌𝖊𝖉 𝖇𝖎𝖗𝖉 • ੈ✩

The thought of you is like a knife driven between the cracks of my ribs and into the hollows of my chest, which is empty.

The thing about this world was that men would use your insecurities against you and constantly remind you that you were once nothing and could always return to being 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. That was the case with Saoirse Davis, she was once a woman that no one wanted and the only thing that was good about her was her voice but even with the voice that she had, she would still feel like 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. That was because of her environment, her mother spent the majority of her time trying to make her only child feel like she didn’t deserve to be alive and that the gift that God gave to Saoirse was wasted on her. Which only hurt Saoirse in the long run, and she learned at a young age that the world was not kind. If only she knew how accurate that would be for her.

“The red dress is a no, and her hair needs to be curled.” The words were uttered in a stern tone; his head shook as his eyes locked with the brunette. “Um...Scott, that isn’t what Vera wanted. She wants her hair straight and the red dress because she feels as if her fans would love that look.” Dawn responded in a soft tone; almost in a whisper as she saw the rage in his dark eyes. “Where is she?” Those were the only words that he spoke, Dawn took a step back as she cleared her throat and fear swallowed her whole. “In..In..” Scott tilted his head slightly; he took one step closer towards Dawn. “Spit it out or you will regret it.” Dawn’s back pressed against the wall; her head nodded as her eyelids blinked a couple of times. “She’s...in her dressing room.” Scott nodded, he took a step backward as his boot-clad feet hit the ground and he inhaled, shaking his head as he slipped into Saoirse's dressing room and the sound of laughter rang in his ears. “Everyone out.” The laughter seized as all eyes fell on him and in a matter of seconds, the staff disappeared. “What’s wrong, Scott?” Scott’s back pressed against the door, his weight shifting from side to side as his eyes were locked on Saoirse. “You look disgusting.” His words caused her to lean back into her chair, her fingers gripping at the arms of the chair. “You think you can do whatever you want now, huh? That because you have a little fame, you can make your own decisions?” Sarcastic laughter drifted from his lips as he made his way towards her. “Stand up when I’m talking to you.” Saoirse placed her feet against the ground as she slowly rose from her seat, she cleared her throat and her chestnut orbs landed on him, and her heart rate picked up. “I..I..I am sorry.” The words were uttered in a shaky tone as his laughter only increased and the two were only inches apart, Scott’s hand wrapped around her waist as he pulled her frame into his. “We both know that sorry won’t cut it, sweetheart.”

Saoirse’s feline physique spiraled out on the wooden surface, tears glided down her cheeks as they hit the hardened ground, shaking arms resting against the tile. Her head rattled languidly as the pain surged through her like a wave. Shutting her eyelids briefly before they fluttering open to catch a glimpse of the man above her, his fits clenching and unclenching. “The baby, please Scott, the baby.” Saoirse’s words were uttered in a hushed but pleading tone. Scott’s boot-clad feet rammed into her exposed sides which caused her whole frame to collapse on the surface. “You are lucky that you have a show tonight or I would’ve killed you with my bare hands.” He leaned downward, and saliva left his mouth and onto Saoirse's face. “You have a show in thirty minutes, clean yourself up. Saoirse, I own you, remember that.”

Saoirse thought that her mother was the devil but, it was Scott, he made her feel as if she mattered to him but in reality—he never cared, and he would never change. The sooner she realized that the easier all of this would be for her.

The curtain lifted upward, Saoirse took a step forward as the melody drifted from the piano and her mouth dropped as the lyrics drifted outward. “When you pull me closer, it's getting hard to breathe again and when all of this is over are we going to sink or swim. When I'm lost and I'm drowning? Tell me that you'll be there in my darkest hour when I'm fucked up and fading out.”

We are made of all those who have built and broken us, Scott and her mother had broken her countless times and with each crack to her heart—she forgave them because she felt like she was nothing without them. This was the novelettes of a caged bird, not everything that glitters is gold.

[jurygarroth]

my playlists r private :(

but im sending fav songs from them anyways bc i am a nuisance :)

(garroth)

brother // madds buckley

the family jewels // marina

history hates lovers // oublaire

top of my school // katherine lynn-rose

family line // conan gray

time moves slow // badbadnotgood

two birds // regina spektor

my alcoholic friends // the dresdon dolls

la seine // vanessa paradis

-🍃

CHRIST ON A POPSICLE STICK this was hard work but i'll do it for you [pasted + formatted under readmore]

me again!!

(vylad)

god must hate me // catie turner

viva la vida // coldplay

the author // luz

like i remember you // vera blue

wires // the neighbourhood

glory and gore // lorde

dog days are over // florence + the machine

little pistol // mother mother

the hand that feeds // the crane wives

arsonist's lullaby // hozier

the night we met // lord huron

sunlight // hozier

pretty little things // the crane wives

kalmia kid // chloe moriondo

poison // stick and poke

working for the knife // mitski

a burning hill // mitski

where is my mind? // the pixies

hansel // sodikken

hold yourself tight // the scary jokes

bad apple!! // richaadeb

dread in my heart // mother mother

brother // madds buckley

the horror and the wild // the amazing devil

blame // air traffic controller

in our bedroom after the war // stars

liar // the arcadian wild

the moon will sing // the crane wives

time moves slow // badbadnotgood

like real people do // hozier

(aphmau)

sweet hibiscus tea // penelope scott

under my skin // jukebox the ghost

anxiety song // human petting zoo

do it 4 yrself (di4y) // human petting zoo

kingdom dance // tangled

never love an anchor // the crane wives

the moss // cosmo sheldrake

cryptid (mothman) // ratwyfe

i was an island // john-allison weiss

the daughter of the fish and the ram // the scary jokes

vanilla curls // teddy hyde

class of 2013 (live) // mitski

down the river // the crane wives

(dante)

two birds // regina spektor

somewhere only we know // keane

the moon will sing // the crane wives

the tree on the hill / percy jackson musical

a sadness runs through him // the hoosiers

rises the moon // liana flores

second child, restless child // the oh hellos

never love an anchor // the crane wives

overgrown garden // beetlebug

stray italian greyhound // vienna teng

in our bedroom after the war // stars

allies or enemies // the crane wives

come with me // chxrlotte

ready now // dodie

call them brothers // regina spektor, only son

brutus // the buttress

drinking song for the socially anxious // the amazing devil

ramblings of a lunatic // bears in trees

brother // kodaline

war of hearts (acoustic ver) // ruelle

(gene)

ambrosia wine // madds buckley

big bad wolf // roses & revolutions

runs in the family // amanda palmer

bad bad things // ajj

this is love // air traffic controller

teeth // 5 seconds of summer

sheep go to heaven // cake

my heart gies bum bum bum // flatsound

don't blame me // taylor swift

raise hell // brandi carlile

...ready for it? // taylor swift

smoke breaks // daddy and the long legs

somebody told me // the killers

losing face // wilbur soot

tongues and teeth // the crane wives

bird song // florence + the machine

revived // derivakat

i don't take insults lightly // madds buckley

monet issues // chase petra

pomegranate seeds // julian moon

choke // i don't know how but they found me

an unhealthy obsession // the blake robinson synthetic orchestra

villains, pt 1 // emma blackery

mama // my chemical romance

blood - end credits // my chemical romance

ignorance // paramore

all i wanted // paramore

the killing kind // marianas trench

rebels // call me karizma

she's my collar // gorillaz, kali uchis

hayloft ii // mother mother

saint bernard // lincoln

i miss having sex but at least i don't wanna die // waterparks

setting yourself up for sarcasm // get scared

killer // the hoosiers

oblivion // halfy & winks

animal i have become // three days grace

horrible kids // set it off

(travis)

the daughter of the fish and the ram // the scary jokes

imposter syndome (live ver) // sidney gish

burn him down! // kitsch club

friends with you // the scary jokes

catabolic seed // the scary jokes

pink smoke // the scary jokes

agatka (agatha! you're being melodramatic!) // weatherday

anxiety song // human petting zoo

onion boy // isaac dunbar

dr. sunshine is dead // will wood and the tapeworms

should've been me // mitski

pleaser // wallows

you are going to hate this // the frights

hate yourself // tv girl

tell me it's okay - demo // paramore

peach scone // hobo johnson

oh klahoma // jack stauber

achilles come down // gang of youths

nights like these // pigeon pit

i can't make you love me // dave thomas junior

vanilla curls // teddy hyde

self care // penelope scott

ship in a bottle // fin

RLLY LONG ONE BTW

(laurance)

ribs // the crane wives

red moon // will wood and the tapeworms

like real people do // hozier

community gardens // the scary jokes, louie zong

fences // destroy boys

too close // sir chloe

be nice to me // the front bottoms

michelle // sir chloe

mr. loverman // ricky montgomery

505 // arctic monkeys

hopelessly devoted to you // olivia newton-john

still into you // paramore

all i wanted // paramore

hey lover! // wabie

hot rod // dayglow

the bidding // tally hall

baby hotline // jack stauber's micropop

oh klahoma // jack stauber

be calm // fun.

dear fellow traveller // sea wolf

lay all your love on me // abba

eighth wonder // lemon demon

your new boyfriend // wilbur soot

the hand that feeds // the crane wives

your best american girl // mitski

indigo night // tamino

the garden // the crane wives

metaphor // the crane wives

the night we met // lord huron

kiss with a fist // florence + the machine

problems // mother mother

a burning hill // mitski

absentee // jack campbell

i want you // mitski

better than me // the brobecks

cigarette daydreams // cage the elephant

tongue tied // grouplove

since i saw vienna // wilbur soot

never love an anchor // the crane wives

creep // radiohead

a sadness runs through him // hoosiers

oleander // mother mother

the moon will sing // the crane wives

icicles // the scary jokes

dark red // steve lacy

ship in a bottle // fin

under my skin // jukebox the ghost

alrighty aphrodite // peach pit

every other freckle // alt-j

curses // the crane wives

everyone // mitski

down the river // the crane wives

october // the crane wives

time moves slow // badbadnotgood

being so normal // peach pit

grenade // bruno mars

the bug collector // haley heynderickx

[bunnakit]

OH HE HAS A BUNCH OF TATTOOS, HES JUST LIKE ME FR

watching my engineer and oh I am obsessed with Ram's autistic swagger

[jadelion]

Monster Prom as Heathers the Musical

Veronica - Vicky?

Heather C - Vera

Heather D - Milo

Heather M - Miranda

JD - Aaravi

Martha - Zoe

Ram - Damien

Kurt - Dahlia?

Ms Fleming - Coach

Any suggestions welcome. The one I'm least sure on is Dahlia as Kurt. Also there might be a better person for Veronica but I'm not sure. Dead Gay Son probably wouldn't exist and a few other things about Kurt and Ram would probably change.

I haven't played Roadtrip yet so if there are any characters in that who fit better in any of these roles I don't know

[tuttoinunclick]

Oppo A5 Pro debutta in Cina: un medio gamma con batteria da record e ricarica super rapida

Oppo ha appena lanciato in Cina il nuovo A5 Pro, uno smartphone di fascia media che si distingue per l’autonomia eccezionale e la ricarica ultra-rapida. Il cuore pulsante del dispositivo è il processore MediaTek Dimensity 7300, affiancato da 8 GB o 12 GB di RAM LPDDR4X e 256 GB o 512 GB di memoria interna UFS 3.1. Ma la vera star è la batteria da 6.000 mAh, un valore impressionante per un…