#Rebuild the bond between you and the land

[thelindenpapers]

Corporations and the ultra rich have been either hoarding, or ruining (via pollution) land and resources all around the world for centuries now.

This creates a Cage for people, similar to what happened to the Common Lands in Europe -- because if you don't have access to and the ability to organize together with your community for food, water, and shelter, then you don't have access to life.

You are then coerced and forced to obey those who stole that land from you, in order to survive.

To play whatever game they set up, and to be compelled to believe whatever lies the ultra rich feel would justify their exploitative behaviors in the first place.

Hijacking, manipulating, and controlling all the ways that people subsist for the sake of power and profit is the core tenet of Capitalism.

The owning class has seen people start to wake up and gain class consciousness. So, they want to be sure to try to close the Cage as fast as possible, before even their sycophant conservative followers can understand what's going on.

The persecution of people and groups who try to protect land from corporations, trying to create community gardens, or try to feed the homeless, are a part of that process of Earth's enclosure.

The acceleration of genocides and the enclosure of the lands in which those genocides take place, are a part of that.

Dispossession of small farming operators and growers will be part of it.

Which is why understanding permaculture, foraging, and food forestry, and organizing together to protect the land and sow native and zone appropriate seeds can be so helpful in the fight against capitalism.

[emilicious0]

Oooh, I got a request!

Can I get a Lucifer X reader headcanons or fic where reader is like fascinated with his wings? Bc let's be honest, it angels were real, I definitely would be fascinated with their wings and he got three pairs of them!

lucifer x gn! reader

pt.2 !!!

after rebuilding the hotel, charlie's dad, lucifer himself, decided to stay with his daughter. done with living alone for so long, he started to create a bond with all of the residents (except alastor). with you, however, he finally found a true friend.

your friendship began when he visited the hotel before the battle, and charlie introduced you as one of the sinners looking for redemption. you were one of the first ones to ever believe in charlie's idea, and seeing how you supported her made him respect you. after the battle with the extermination army, he saw you protecting his daughter, which led to you two officially becoming friends.

of course, there is more to your friendship than just love for charlotte. you shared many similar interests. you were always interested in art and all of its aspects, which lucifer gladly discussed with you (he was amazed by different kind of art aspects that humans created). also, you happened to be a good listener, so the king of hell used you as his personal problem dump (not that you minded).

you were surprised by how well you two got along but weren't complaining about this newfound relationship whatsoever. lucifer was kind, protective, and someone to trust.

this evening was surprisingly peaceful by hell standards, and you decided to spend your time on the balcony, reading. you don't get many chances to do that peacefully in a place like this, so you were making the most of it.

while sitting there, you heard the flapping of wings, which made you tense up for a second, only to hear a familiar voice:

“well, look who it is!”

you looked up and couldn't hide the fascination forming on your face. lucifer landed on your balcony with three pairs of his beautiful wings behind his back.

when he landed, he did not hide them, noticing your shocked expression. you stared at him, which made the man blush a little. he loved it when you gave all your attention to him.

“y/n?” he asked, and you snapped out of your shocked state.

“can I touch your wings?”

you slammed your hands over your mouth, embarrassed and worried that this question was too rude.

lucifer got more flustered but smiled rather shyly and came closer to you.

with a low whisper, he said: “you can.”

you stood up and carefully put your hand on his shoulder, then on his right top wing. lucifer gasped quietly but stood still.

meanwhile, your hand moved across the wing, then lower to the second one. you carefully touched his feathers, shocked by the softness.

the man was melting at the feeling of your touch, loving how your fingers brushed his wings. he never really wanted that moment to end.

for this one moment, you both looked into each other's eyes, and sparks flew between you.

both of you wanted to say something, but words stuck in your tongue. you felt lucifer's hand on your waist and sensed your cheeks warming up.

your hands moved to his shoulders, and you both came closer to each other, somehow enchanted by one another.

“dad!” charlie's voice came from behind you, and you jumped away from each other. “there you are! I need your help! y/n, come with us too!”

“y-yeah, char, coming!” you said and followed the princess, but stopped to look at lucifer. “you coming?”

he, red in the cheeks, nodded and slowly followed both of you.

today, you two realized your feelings.

[dcxdpdabbles]

Congratulations! It's Triplets. Part 3

@unadulteratedsoulsweets said: In Congratulations! It's triplets! As much the entire thing is so wholesome I wanna see some bit of angst. Imagine dis the entire family is out in public.Includes the Batfam, Jazz and the triplets for a huge family bonding activity. Some random person( a karen) commented on how Jazz is a teen mother, an irresponsible person, a whore... Etc (you know the usual comments of being a mother too young) and the Batfam reaches the conclusion that the Pit Rage transfers onto the kids as two of the triplets have already green glowing eyes with rage filling it by the second and ready to tackle/punch the person who made the comment but the last of the triplets have their other "siblings" by their collar but despite holding the two back they too have their eyes switching from blue to eery toxic green and was one second to join them to murder whomever bad mouthed Jazz

It's not that Jason didn't think that the Pit would only have repercussions in his life. He just always assumed it would only be his life.

He never considered the possibility that it would affect his offspring in any way. (Besides having a father that was completely mad in Pit Rage)

Maybe it was a pipe dream to think that or maybe it was just having hope that his messed up second life had already been hard enough so the universe was going to give him a break on this one.

The three small children currently growling at a reporter, eyes flashing in and out of green, told him that wasn't the case.

It had started off as a fun little day out. Jazz and the kids mainly kept to themselves in Wayne Manor. Bruce had housed them in the west Annex, a place usually only used when guests of high importance would stay in the Manor's history.

It came complete with its own kitchen, bathroom, sitting room, seven bedrooms, and three bathrooms. It even had its own entrance that usually stayed out of sight of the main gate- a compelling feature for Jazz, who didn't want her kids in the limelight until everything legal was settled.

The distance between the two buildings was one acre, giving the family of four the privacy they needed and keeping them close for Jason to get to know.

As far as Jason knew, Jazz had not revealed the father of her children to anyone.

As far as the world knew, Jazz had recently moved to temporary housing until her insurance could help her rebuild her house or, if she was at a total loss, find new housing.

Thankfully, no one thought it strange as they weren't the only ones displaced. Poison Ivy's latest Save the Earth stunt targeted overpopulated neighborhoods guilty of destroying the land to build upon (in her own words).

She returned the favor and broke down the buildings to give back to the Green. Never mind the people inside the buildings or the livelihoods she destroyed in progress.

Ivy had gone through five streets before the Bats stopped her and returned her to Arkham Asylum.

It's been a week since the incident. Jason hasn't seen much of his kids, not for the lack of trying, but it was hard to fit their schedules. The three were in school most of the day, and when they got out, Jason usually had to run to prepare his "nightly" job.

He couldn't just slack off- doing so would mean those scum bags that didn't directly work for Red Hood would think that they could get away with breaking his rules.

He had slowly been dividing his responsibilities among his men- drug dealing, weapon dealing, illegal car races, prostitution, and protecting kids and street workers- so that he could have one night off without worrying.

That didn't mean he didn't see his kids at all. Jason usually had two hours a day with them, where he tried his best to connect to his kids, but the triplets seemed weary of him.

He could tell they didn't feel comfortable with him invading their space, so he tried to stay outside the annex. As someone who worked a lot with street kids, he knew never to break the sense of safety their hiding holes were to them.

Instead, he decided to meet his children in the open space between the Annex and the Manor.

The four-five with Jazz casually reading on the Annex floating balcony. Jason pretended not to notice she was doing so to keep an eye on her kids- would sit down at the garden table to have an after-school snack, enjoying the multiple rose bushes nearly as tall as him that Alfred cared for.

It was always one of Jason's favorite Wayne gardens because it often made him think of magical castles with giant mazes and lovely scattered flowers.

He noticed that his eldest- Dan- might have felt the same, given how the boy would sometimes spread his arms and run through the rose bushes pathways. He even picks up sticks and plays knights against invisible enemies.

(Jason pretended he was a knight in these gardens when Bruce first took him in.)

Danny, his second, seems more interested in lying underneath the rose bushes and reading about the stars. If Gotham had clearer skies, he think his boy would be a cat napping in the sunlight and sitting around at night to glance at the starlights.

His daughter seemed even more adventurous than her brothers. She often would test Jazz's patience because she wandered away from the Annex garden to explore the others. Jason had seen her climb statues and trees to get a better viewpoint, marking whatever she saw on a little map.

He got a look at her map and felt his heart swell at the childish little drawings- Damian's painting corner in the east Garden was now "Artist Alley", the south garden had a dragon fountain so Dani had decided it was "Dragon Keep" and she had found the north floating balcony where Bruce liked to go practice his not so secret love of singing.

Dani had marked her map as "Siren's Side" with a cute little drawing of Bruce singing.

The more he learned about his three kids, the more Jason loved them.

Jazz wasn't kidding when she said she didn't mind him in their lives- she was just worried that he would try to take them, and with his money and connections, she wouldn't be able to stop him. Her worry bled into the three children, and with intelligent eyes that belied their five years of age, they would watch him with guarded caution.

The moment they would finish their snack, the three would make excuses to run off and do their own thing. Jazz would continue reading, but Jason wouldn't be a Bat if he didn't see the way she relaxed whenever the kids left the table.

It was rough....to want to be accepted by them but also understanding why a random man wanting a family connection would be difficult to establish.

That's why Jazz's suggestion that they all visit the zoo had been such a shock. She gave Jason a strained smile, but her eyes were soft. For a moment, Jason felt his heart skip a beat. "It would be nice for the kids to see the zoo with their...dad."

The five had headed to the zoo- with Bruce and the rest following behind in disguises because they are all nosy assholes. He had gotten so used to the clicking of Tim's camera- as his brother was over-excited to capture his nephews' and niece's first zoo outing- that he hadn't realized a second camera was following them.

They had just finished watching the penguins swim when Danny tugged on the leg of his pants. "Mr. Dad, sir. Can I tell you something?"

Jason's heart jumped. Is Danny starting to like him? Sure, he put Mr and Sir, but he called him Dad! Grining widely he kneed down to get to his level.

"What up, bud?"

Danny leaned in to whisper in his ear. "There is a man taking pictures of me in the bushes."

Usually, Jason would have told him something like, "Tim is weird, but he's harmless." However, he knew for a fact Tim was on the roof of the Penguin exhibit and that meant some random man was taking pictures of his kid.

Green bleeds into his vision slowly, and Danny jerks back, surprised by the sight. "Go with your mother-"

"Pervert in the bushes!" Dan's voice cuts Jason off. They both turn to the little five-year-old throwing stones into the surrounding bushes and a man stumbling out of them with a shout. "Pervert in the bushes"

Danny facepalms, which is not the reaction his son should have. How in the world did Dan even know the word pervert?

"Dan! What on earth are you doing!?" Jazz screams alarmed. She raced back, a tray with four ice cream cones in her hands, and Dani, not far behind, also carrying her own cone. The girls had gone to get some frozen treats for everyone not too long ago.

The man turns to her with a very familiar predatory glint in his eye. Shit, Jason knows who he is. He is a paparazzi and one of his kids called him dad in front of the stranger.

The man takes Jazz's picture, momentarily blinding her with the flash, before firing questions and taking more pictures of her reaction to each one, "Miss, are you the baby momma of Bruce Wayne? Or one of his many kids? How did it feel to be a mother so young? Were your intentions to get pregnant to have access to the Wayne Will? How much money did the Wyanes pay you for a night?"

What?

Jazz's eyes go wide, her face drained of blood, and she looks frozen in fear. "I don't-why would- I'm not!"

"Not a whore or not a gold digger?"

"Neither!" Her voice wabbles like she's about to break into tears.

Jason sees green. He is about to beat the disgusting pig to the ground but his children are faster. Dani races forward, little arm pulled back and throws her whole body into a jab at the paparazzi's manhood.

The man drops his camera in a wheeze. Dan smashes it with another stone, hitting the lens five times just to make sure it is broken and starts to advance at the man.

Dani is currently yelling at the top of her lungs, swearing, and punching the man with her belt buckle wrapped around her knuckles. It's satisfying to watch- his kids beating down a full-grown man with no training, just vicious righteousness to protect their mother.

That is, until Danny- the apparently more level-headed triplet pulls them both off by the back collar of their shirts. Jason sees it for the first time.

The kids eyes are glowing green.

Horror creeps into every part of his mind, and he doesn't even realize the creep is screaming about suing them or Tim and Bruce's fantastic entry to get a handle on the situation.

He is distantly aware of Steph and Cass, helping a silently crying Jazz walk away, and that Dick, Damian, Duke, and Harper form a protective circle around the kids, but it's Cullen that realizes Jason is frozen.

"Jason? Are you alright?"

No, he is not alright.

Pit's madness ruined his life. It left blanks in his memory. Left him lashing out and killing quickly. It makes him attack Tim and others. It made the child Jason used to be, feel sick and revolted.

It made it hard to look in the mirror and not be disgusted. It was everything that was wrong with him since the Joker took all his innocence away with his blasted crowbar.

Pit Madness is a curse that he has to live with sometimes where he claws at his own skin in a pathetic attempt to get away from it. But he could never escape its taunting whispers, its controlling green, or its presence sitting somewhere behind his eyes that turned him into a monster.

A curse he gave to his children.

He truly is Wills Tod's son, isn't he?

[stinkysam]

Lucifer Morningstar - Wrong impression.

Warning : none

Genre : fluff

Synopsis : “May I request Hazbin Lucifer x Gojo! Gn reader? Strongest vs the strongest energy” - anon

Reader : you / yours

A/N : probably didn't go the route you wanted… but I'm not that good with character!reader. Hope you still like it !

When meeting you, Lucifer was quite nervous. You were one of the strongest overlord of hell and had made your way up very quickly after your arrival down here. Upon shaking your hand, beads of sweat glided down his forehead.

What kind of business did you have with his daughter ? Why were you here ? He wondered, eyeing Charlie quickly.

His smile was a big toothy one but you could tell he wasn't very comfortable, he even wiped his hand on his coat after shaking yours. Subconsciously.

You weren't necessarily imposing or intimidating -though you were really good looking- so he had no reason to be nervous. You were even warm and welcoming toward him. And quite charming. Yet there was something else about you he couldn't put his finger on.

And you don't become an overlord by just being kind and goofy. You had to be powerful and dangerous. But who said you couldn't be all that ?

He expected it to be a ruse to manipulate his daughter and him. So with squinted eyes he watched your every move to find the moment you would drop the act.

But it never happened. Maybe it was because he had so much on his plate ? Trying to form a bond with his daughter, keeping an eye out for Alastor and another one for you.

But your warm smile seemed genuine and you never once put yourself between him and Charlie like Alastor had done, claiming she could almost call him “dad” in their song.

You seemed to be close with Charlie's friends as well and they didn't seem to be worried about themselves with you being an overlord. You even seemed like a close friend of theirs. And the feeling was apparently reciprocated.

With a frown, Lucifer decided to give you a chance, waiting for you to slip up and show your true intentions, but it never happened. Until the fight against Adam with his exorcists.

Like him you had arrived late and like him again you had shown arrogance and confidence as you fought the angels. You killed them without mercy and easily and it even looked like you were finding it… boring ?

They were too weak for you and you knew it. It was easy to protect the cannibals and Charlie's friends.

You clearly wanted to have a go with Adam but let Lucifer handle it, you knew he could stand against him after all.

And he did.

Charlie had to stop him from landing the finishing blow and you wondered if you would have listened. If Lucifer had listened then maybe you would have too.

But Nifty didn't seem to have the same moral compass as you or Lucifer as she stabbed Adam to his death. Several times. While laughing.

The fight was over, very few exorcists remained and Lute flew away with them and Adam's halo. You helped rebuild the hotel with a nice song to motivate you and your friends and especially Charlie who felt down after all the bloodshed.

But before you could leave to go back to your quarters, Lucifer came to you, rather nervously. You turned to him, and stared.

“Er… You're not so bad, finally.” Lucifer said, fiddling with his bow-tie before extending his hand out.

“You thought I was bad ?” You raise an eyebrow, amused and shake his hand. This time he doesn't wipe it on his coat.

“The whole overlord title doesn't really go in favor of being… good.”

“Neither does the title of King of Hell. And yet, here you are !” You smiled, nudging him lightly with your elbow and he chuckled at your remark.

“Yes. I guess so.” Lucifer smiled and looked up at you. “Thank you for being here for my daughter. I mean it.”

You only grinned proudly, planting your hands in your pockets after patting his shoulder.

“Oh well, she's worth it.”

Lucifer returned your smile, happy to see Charlie had a powerful friend like you beside her. Not like that radio demon who seemed more than sketchy. Maybe he could count on you to watch that demon and stop him from harming his precious daughter.

And maybe even he could see you as a friend.

[soaringthroughthegalaxy]

In the Light of Day

After years of buried feelings, you and Crosshair wake beside each other, the line between friendship and romance blurred. In the light of day, you both confront the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

Pairing: Post-Tantiss Crosshair x f!reader

Word count: 1.6k

Warnings: softness, fluff, implied night together, very very minor spoiler from the leaked official S3 clip, character growth, Cross is trying to embrace feelings, a lil' saucy.

Translations: ner kar’ta - my heart

The palm leaves outside the open window dance with the first light of dawn, casting dappled shadows across the peaceful bedroom. Clothes lay strewn across the floor, remnants of a night intertwined in passion. As the soft, warm breeze wafts through the room, carrying the scent of the ocean and nearby blossoms, Crosshair lets out a soft sigh. Eyes flitting around the space, he takes in the golden glow from the rising sun - such a stark contrast to the months of dark coldness he’d once accepted as his fate.

Shifting a little among the rumpled bed sheets, his gaze lands on you, lost to sleep beside him, your chest rising and falling rhythmically with each breath. Last night had been…unexpected. For years, you’d been the object of his deepest affections, a love he had buried deep within his heart, covering it up with wit and snark, fearing rejection or the potential loss of your friendship. Yet, here you were, nestled beside him in the soft embrace of dawn. Every stolen glance, every suppressed longing, had led to this, where the line between dreams and reality blurred into a blissful haze of possibility.

You’d been with him and his brothers since the start of the war, acting as a liaison between them and Command. You’d driven him insane at first – all smiles and laughter, always up in his space – but as the days had dragged into months and then into years, he’d found himself gravitating towards you. Your laughter had become his favourite sound. He'd worried when you weren’t in his line of sight. Somehow, you’d wormed past his walls and planted yourself there, occupying space he’d once reserved solely for his brothers.

But then everything had fallen apart, and for a year, he’d only caught snippets of you – while tracking you and his siblings across the galaxy, as Kamino burned and sank below the waves, and then when the torture on Tantiss had been overwhelming. His mind had needed something to hold on to. Shaking away the memories, Crosshair draws his right hand towards his chest, his left hand cradling the back of it to stop the irritating tremble that was now his norm. He turns his focus back to you.

You were so beautiful and had been even more radiant last night – the life and soul of the equinox celebration that had taken over Pabu. He’d been content to linger nearby for a while, keep an eye on you as you danced and chatted with the island residents, but the large crowd had quickly made him uncomfortable. He’d fallen back into form, taking refuge on a nearby rooftop.

He’d missed the sound of you clambering to his vantage point and flinched with surprise when you’d sat at his side. You’d reached for him, a soothing hand on his arm, and asked him to walk along the quiet shoreline with you. The pair of you had been halfway down the beach when your hand had slipped into his, and once you’d reached the docks at the far end of the sandy shore, you’d cautiously pushed up on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

The rest was a haze – how he’d tilted his head to capture your lips in a desperate kiss, the building anticipation on the route home, the slam of the bedroom door, clothes discarded, the scent of you and, finally, the soft curves of your body in his hands.

You embraced everything about him. From his prickly attitude during the war to the desolate version of himself he’d been after his rescue, to who he was now – slowly healing, working through things that plagued him, and rebuilding his bond with his siblings. Gratitude flows through him, and he reaches for you, slender fingers dragging along the fullness of your cheek, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips at the sight of you resting amongst the pillows.

A feather-light caress stirs you from your slumber, your eyes fluttering open, meeting the hawkish gaze of the man beside you. Warmth sweeps through you, soft feelings that had slowly taken root in your heart over the years, no longer able to hide in the darkness. A gentle smile spreads across your lips. “Good morning.” You whisper, not wanting to break the tranquility of the moment.

Crosshair returns your smile, his fingers still tracing the curves of your face with tender reverence. “Good morning.” He murmurs in reply, his voice a low slink that sends shivers down your spine.

As you hold each other’s gaze, the galaxy seems to pause, waiting with bated breath.

“Last night... it was...” Crosshair breaks the silence first, trailing off, unable to find the words to articulate the depth of what he’s feeling.

Reaching out, you gently trace your fingertips along his jawline. The flicker of vulnerability in his eyes is a new development he’s learning to accept and embrace. “I know.” You murmur, your voice soft but sure. You’d been worried about making a move, concerned he wasn’t ready for it yet, but the enthusiasm with which he’d reciprocated had eased your worries.

Try as he might to hide it, a mixture of relief and disbelief washes over him. “I never thought...” He starts, his voice trailing off once more. With a heavy exhale, Crosshair lets the weight of his emotions settle, still learning to sit with them. “I’m not good at this.” He admits with a scowl, frustrated that he’s floundering.

“And that’s okay.” You respond, your voice a soothing melody in the quiet room. Your fingers thread with his and come to rest on the pillow between you, a gesture of comfort and understanding. You take him in for a moment – still a little gaunt with dark circles under his eyes. Among the knotted scars on the side of his head is a new one, a thin straight line, the only evidence of his chip being pried out once he’d been rescued. It was unsurprising that the Empire had lied to him about removing it.

Crosshair’s shoulders relax slightly at your reassurance. You’d always been patient with him, even when he hadn’t deserved it. “I’ve never been one for relationships.” He confesses, his gaze fixed on yours. “But with you, it feels...different.”

Your heart swells at his admission, the sincerity in his words washing over you like a gentle tide. “I feel it, too.” You reply softly, drawing your intertwined hands up to kiss the back of his hand, ignoring how it trembles.

“What…do we do now?” He asks, his voice barely above a whisper as his brows furrow once more, uncertainty marring his features.

You pause, considering his question carefully. “I think we have a choice.” You answer honestly. “We can either retreat back into the safety of what we know, or we can see where this takes us.” There’s no doubt in your mind which path you want to follow, but you don’t want to lead him. He needs to decide for himself. Too many decisions have been taken from him throughout his life.

Crosshair nods slowly as if mulling over your words. “And if it doesn’t work out?” He ventures.

“We talk about it.” You assure him, sincerity ringing in your voice. “We work through it together. Just like everything else.”

A comfortable silence settles between you as Crosshair weighs up the options, and you take the opportunity to soak up the feeling of being in bed together, just in case this is the only time you can experience it.

Lost in your thoughts, you almost miss the subtle shift in Crosshair’s expression - a flicker of determination, a silent resolve. “I want to try.” He says suddenly, his voice low but firm. “I want to see where this goes with you.”

His words hang in the air, and, for a moment, you’re speechless. It’s a leap of faith, a step into the unknown, but as you meet his gaze, you know he means it. A smile tugs at your lips. “I want that too.” You admit, your voice barely above a whisper.

Relief passes over Crosshair’s eyes as he leans in, his lips brushing against yours in a tender kiss - as easy as breathing.

You return it without hesitation, letting go of his hand so you can cup his face and anchor yourself in this moment.

Crosshair deepens the kiss, his hand reaching your hip, pulling you closer as if afraid to let go. When you finally break apart, a soft smile lingers on both of your lips.

“C’mon, let’s get some breakfast.” You insist, still adamant about helping him regain a few more pounds. Pressing one more kiss to his lips, you pull back and sit up, the sheets slipping down your body.

Crosshair’s gaze snaps to your naked frame, sharp eyes roaming over every curve as his smile switches into a smirk you’re all too familiar with. “You on the menu again, ner kar’ta?” He teases, voice raspy with desire.

Your pillow connects with his chest before he can stop it, earning a deep chuckle from him. “Behave.” You chide playfully, though the warmth in your eyes betrays the affection behind your words, and you can’t deny how your heart races at the new pet name. As you slip out of bed, you pull on his discarded shirt. “But you might want to save room for dessert...”

Tag list: @clonethirstingisreal @starrylothcat @cw80831 @dreamie411 @issa-me-bry-blog @leftealeaf @isaidonyourknees

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[lev1hei1chou]

Trip To Malaysia

Nanami x reader Genre: Fluff Words: 775 Synopsis: Nanami moves to Malaysia with you PART 1 PART 3 Masterlist

The dust settled in Shibuya, and amidst the chaos, violence and destruction, Nanami Kento stands tall, having survived the disaster in Shibuya. The battle was fierce, the losses immeasurable, but somehow, Nanami emerged as the victor. As the city slowly rebuilds in its own pace, Nanami finds himself needing a break desperately, a opportunity to breathe and heal.

You, his partner, have been a irreplaceable presence in his life. As time passes, Nanami realizes that it's about time for a change – a fresh start far away from the painful memories that that take up a huge portion of his thoughts. After thorough consideration, he proposes a trip to Malaysia, a place neither of you has ever been to before.

The plane lands in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the warm air greets both of you as you step out onto the airport. It's quite the stark contrast to the chilly aftermath of the Shibuya Incident, and Nanami seems to welcome the change with a full heart. The decision to come to Malaysia wasn't about escaping from the past. Instead it was about discovering new beginnings.

You both settle into a cozy hotel room in the the city, surrounded by the lively culture and the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur. The unfamiliar sights acts as a soothing balm for Nanami's hurt soul, and he welcomes and appreciates the chance to explore a place untouched by curses and battles.

Days turn into weeks, and you find comfort and happiness in the simplicity of daily life. Something that was not a guarantee in your world, that was filled with curses and uncertainities. Together, you walked through the bustling markets, tasted local delicacies, and learnt about the traditions of Malaysia. Nanami, known for his reserved persona, surprised you with his curiosity about the places and traditions.

One evening, as you stroll through the colorful streets of Kuala Lumpur, Nanami spoke up. "This place is quite different," he muses, scanning the vibrant lanterns hanging overhead. "It's a change I appreciate."

You smiled at him, squeezing his hand gently. "Sometimes, change is what we need the most."

The weeks turned into months, and the routine of daily life in Malaysia brought about a sense of calmness to Nanami's troubled mind. You both befriend your neighbours, then the locals, learn the language, and even learn to cook some traditional foods of the place. The days are filled with laughter, quite different from the battles you left behind in your homeland.

One afternoon, as you both relax on a beautiful beach, Nanami opens up about the past. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was like music to your ears, as he shares the burdens he carried from Tokyo, in detail. You listen, trying your best to give him as much comfort as you could, grateful for the trust he places in you.

"I never thought I'd find peace like this," Nanami admitted, his gaze fixed sun setting in the horizon. "Malaysia has a way of healing all the wounds I never knew I had. And I'm glad I could experience this with you."

You lean onto him, resting your head on his broad shoulder and nod.

As the months pass, Nanami and you create a new life in Malaysia. The memories of Shibuya fade, replaced by the vibrant tapestry of your experiences in this foreign land. Together, you face the challenges and joys of adapting to a new culture, and the shared adventures strengthen the bond between you.

One day, as you both stand on top of the heights of the Petronas Towers, Nanami turns to you with a soft smile. "Thank you," he says, his eyes filled with a newfound sense of contentment. "For being with me, for giving me a reason to live on and appreciate new experiences."

You cup his face softly in your hands, gazing into his eyes with pure love and adoration. "Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey and for allowing yourself to heal."

The skyline of Kuala Lumpur was breathtaking to look at. As the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, you realize that sometimes, most of stories involving healing begin with a single step into the unknown. All one needs to do is take that step.

In Malaysia, amid the diversity and the warmth of the lovely people, Nanami and you discover a love that goes beyond the numerous hurdles of the past. Together, you build a new chapter, leaving behind the wounds and pain of the past, and welcoming a future filled with hope and endless possibilities.

[its-avalon-08]

hearts intertwined (hamilton x sister! driver!rosberg) p14

chapter 14: double agent

series masterlist

avaspeaks - im so so so so so sorry i havent updated this series in so long. requests are taking up so much time! here you go anyway, pt14!

Y/N and Nico sat in the quiet comfort of her Miami apartment, the city lights twinkling outside the window. The post-race buzz had faded, leaving a comfortable silence in its wake. They'd been reminiscing about their childhood, sharing stories of pranks pulled on unsuspecting neighbors and the countless races they'd staged down their suburban street.

Nico had a smile on his face, a shadow flickering across his features. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the gentle waves lapping against the shore providing a soothing backdrop.

Finally, Y/N broke the silence. "Nico," she began, her voice hesitant, "there's something I need to ask."

Nico met her gaze, a flicker of apprehension crossing his features. "What is it, Y/N?"

"Lewis," she started, then took a deep breath. "Do you… do you ever think about fixing things with him?"

Nico's smile vanished. The question hung heavy in the air, a silent echo of years of unspoken tension. A muscle twitched in his jaw, and Y/N sensed the turmoil simmering beneath his calm exterior.

"Lewis," he finally choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "Every time I see him, Y/N… every time I hear his name, it's like a punch to the gut. We were… we were more than teammates. We were friends. Brothers, almost."

He paused, his gaze averted, lost in the memories that flooded back. "The rivalry… it consumed us, Y/N. It poisoned everything. We pushed each other to our limits, yes, but at what cost? We lost each other in the process."

Tears welled up in his eyes, his voice cracking with raw emotion. Y/N's heart ached for him. The rivalry everyone else saw as thrilling competition, she witnessed firsthand as a slow, agonizing erosion of a once strong bond.

Without a word, she reached out and squeezed his hand, her touch a silent display of understanding and support. "I know, Nico. I know."

He leaned into her touch, his voice a mere whisper. "We were so focused on winning, on proving ourselves, that we forgot what truly mattered. The joy of racing, the camaraderie… and most importantly, our friendship."

Y/N listened patiently, her presence a balm to his emotional wounds. As Nico spoke, the pain of the past seemed to seep out of him, a heavy weight finally lifted.

"Maybe… maybe one day," Nico said, wiping away a stray tear, "we can try to rebuild what was lost. But for now… for now, it still hurts too much."

Y/N offered him a comforting smile. "I understand, Nico. But at least now you've spoken it out loud. That's the first step, right?"

Nico nodded, a flicker of hope returning to his eyes. He squeezed her hand, a silent thank you for her unwavering support.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the beach, a newfound understanding bloomed between them. The path to reconciliation might be long and arduous, but the first seed had been sown. Perhaps, one day, the bitter rivalry that had driven a wedge between Lewis and Nico could be replaced by something stronger, something akin to the friendship they once shared.

switching sides (y/n is such a menace)

Stepping out of her room for a breath of fresh air, Y/N's eyes landed on a solitary figure silhouetted against the moonlit Miami skyline. It was Lewis, perched on the hotel balcony, a bottle of beer dangling precariously in his hand.

Curiosity piqued, Y/N walked over, the oversized Red Bull racing shirt hanging loosely on her frame, barely concealing the shorts underneath.

"Lewis?" she called out softly.

He looked up, startled, then a flicker of a smile crossed his face. "Y/N. Shouldn't you be getting some rest?"

"I could say the same to you," she countered, leaning against the railing. "Care if I join you?"

Lewis gestured to the empty space beside him. "Of course. Want a beer?"

Y/N shook her head. "Not tonight. Just wanted some company."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the rhythmic hum of the city below providing a backdrop for their unspoken thoughts.

Finally, Lewis spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "The race was… intense."

Y/N chuckled. "Understatement of the century, wouldn't you say?"

A smile played on his lips. "You pushed me hard, Y/N. More than anyone else on the grid."

Her cheeks flushed. "Just doing my job," she said, though a playful glint danced in her eyes.

The air crackled with a sudden awareness. Gone was the tension from earlier; in its place, a comfortable familiarity bloomed between them.

They reminisced about past races, shared stories, and laughed at each other's jokes. As the conversation flowed, a new vulnerability seemed to emerge in Lewis's voice.

Lewis smiled, but a shadow lingered in his eyes. "Speaking of friendships," Y/N continued, her voice dropping to a quieter tone, "do you… do you ever think about fixing things with Nico?"

The question hung heavy in the air, the weight of years of rivalry pressing down on them. Lewis's posture stiffened, his jaw clenching tight.

"Nico," he finally said, his voice raspy. "It's… complicated. The competition, the pressure… it drove a wedge between us. I don't even know where to begin."

Y/N listened intently as Lewis stared out at the moonlit cityscape, his voice low and strained. "It started subtly, Y/N. Back in the early days, when we were both hungry rookies, pushing each other made us better. We thrived on the competition."

He took a swig from his beer, the clink echoing in the quiet night. "But as the wins started piling up, the rivalry became… obsessive. Every race was a battle, not just between us and the other drivers, but between us two. We'd analyze each other's moves, scrutinize each other's tactics, it was relentless."

A bitter smile played on his lips. "We both started questioning every interaction, wondering if it was genuine or just another mind game. The trust, the camaraderie, it slowly eroded, replaced by suspicion and a constant need to prove ourselves as the better driver."

Y/N's heart ached for them. "Did you ever try… talking about it?"

Lewis shook his head, his gaze filled with regret. "Ego got in the way. We were both so focused on winning, so determined to dominate the sport, that admitting our insecurities felt… like a weakness."

He let out a humorless chuckle. "The irony, of course, is that the intense rivalry ended up weakening us both. We lost sight of the joy of racing, the thrill of the competition. All that remained was a bitter animosity."

Y/N leaned against the railing, her voice a soft murmur. "It sounds like you both let the competition consume you. Forgot what truly mattered."

Lewis nodded, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "We did. And the worst part? The media loved it. They fueled the fire, turning our rivalry into a spectacle for the fans. It was a constant reminder of the friendship we were destroying, brick by agonizing brick."

He turned to Y/N, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Maybe… maybe if we had just stopped, talked about what was happening… things could have been different. We might have saved our friendship."

Y/N saw the pain flicker across his face, a flicker she recognized all too well from her own conversations with Nico.

"Maybe," she said, stepping closer to him, "maybe just a conversation. A chance to acknowledge what went wrong. It won't erase the past, but it could be a start."

Before Lewis could respond, Y/N surprised him by engulfing him in a tight hug. The unexpected gesture took his breath away, but then he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair.

A single tear escaped his eye, tracing a warm path down her cheek. In that moment, a million unspoken words hung between them - apologies, regrets, and a yearning for something that had been lost.

Y/N held him closer, her heart aching for the pain that had fractured their bond. "It's okay, Lewis," she whispered. "It's never too late to try."

They stood there for a long time, two souls seeking solace in the quiet embrace of the night. The moon cast a soft glow on them, a silent witness to the tentative steps towards a reconciliation that stretched far beyond the confines of a racetrack rivalry.

The future remained uncertain, but for the first time, a flicker of hope had ignited, a spark of redemption for the fractured relationships that had haunted them for far too long.

exclusive feature! here's a talk with y/n---

author - y/n why are you meddling with brocedes?

y/n - cause it gives you a banger chapter 15

author - fair enough, continue <3

y/n - you have no idea what is about to hit you! ly

credits for gif - @lewishamiltongifs

taglist: @laura-naruto-fan1998 , @xoscar03 , @torossosebs , @jajouska , @lindsayjoy444 , @barcelonaloverf1life , @charli123456789, @heyheyheyggg

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[ninthcircleofprythian]

Unbound

Part One - They Don't Know About Us

Series Summary - Not having a mating bond didn't stop the love Azriel and Celeste have for each other or their commitment. When an unknown magic lingering from Celeste's past causes her to lose all memories of the last century, will they be able to rebuild their life without a bond tethering them together?

Word Count - 4.2k

Authors Note - This is part one of a continuing series. This first part is establishing background. Fluffy with a pinch of angst.

Warnings - references to past domestic abuse/injury, some sexual innuendo.

“I hope you’re prepared to be annihilated this year Az,” Rhys drawled as he pulled gloves over his slender hands. “And please — let’s refrain from being petty in your concession speech.” 

Azriel flashed a furtive smile. “I’m not even worried. Cassian’s the sore loser – not me.”

“I am not!” Cassian lashed out a sideways punch at Az’s shoulder, which he effortlessly dodged before kicking out and knocking Cassian leg right from under him.

Cas landed in a hard wallop on his back onto the snow covered ground. “Hey! Watch the wings!” With a nimble move he popped straight to standing again and shook the icy crystals from his webbed appendages. “What’s the count up to now anyway?” He directed at Azriel. “Three hundred and thirty something isn’t it?”

“Three hundred and thirty three this year. When I win.” Az adjusted his own winter leathers in preparation to begin. “Feels like a lucky number,” he added, rubbing his siphon clad hands together and blowing into them, his shadows responding to his breath and scattered before him.

“You know what they say Az, good things come in threes.” Cassian punched out again, hitting both Az and Rhys in the shoulders in jest, his boisterous laugh rang out in echo across the empty clearing they stood along the edge of. 

Rhys let the punch land, rocking back slightly and laughing in return. “Alright, we all know the rules here. Let’s get this show started.”

“Well–what’s the verdict?” Feyre exclaimed, popping her head up from the sofa as the three imposing Illyrians filed into the River House foyer. “Do you have a surprise for me?” She narrowed a questioning look at her mate who stood behind the sofa, hands clasped behind him. Rhys’ normally hidden wings were out on full display which she assumed was a sign of the news. 

“My money is on Cassian,” said Mor cooly from where she was painting her nails a shocking red on the coffee table. 

Rhys gave a sly noncommittal nod. “Hmm. I don’t know.” He shrugged his shoulders without releasing his grasp behind him. 

“C’mon! Let me see!” Feyre kneeled on the sofa seat reaching over the back and playfully grabbing at Rhys’ arms to get a look at his hands. He halfheartedly attempted to evade her before bringing up his hands showing empty palms. 

“Sorry darling, maybe next year.” He bent over and planted a wet kiss in the center of her forehead. 

“I knew it!” shouted Mor. “Pay up Nes.” She held her freshly manicured hand out toward Nesta sitting in the chair nearby. Nes slid an icy glance up from the pages of her novel and then immediately went back to reading.

“Wait–you bet against me?!” Cassian wailed, flying up from his slouch in the other armchair. “Your own mate?! Gods spare me!” He promptly flopped back into the seat, adjusting his wings with a loud thump.

Feyre immediately snapped her gaze back and forth between Cassian and Azriel, who had nipped into the dining room to snag one of Elain’s pastries. 

“Alright, fess up you two. I want my present.” Feyre huffed, a dramatic pout and hands on hips like a toddler.

The ridiculous tradition had begun one year when Rhys got the idea to craft a trophy for the winner of the annual Solstice snowball fight, which just happened to be him that particular year. The tiny pewter cup had been plastered with gold foil and wrapped into a lavish package which Rhys had then presented to his mate as her birthday gift. He had tried to pass it off as his only gift before whipping out a lovely necklace to adorn Feyre’s neck instead. Every year since, the tiny cup had been passed off from that year’s winner to Feyre as her first official birthday gift of the year. Feyre, Mor and Nesta however had started their own tradition of betting money on who they predicted would be the winner. 

Sauntering past the sofa arm and settling into the empty half, Azriel balanced his pastry with one hand and reached into his leather’s chest pocket with the other. 

“Happy Birthday Feyre,” he said quietly with a smile and passed off the cup into her waiting hands. The darkened strands of shadow curled excitedly around the small gift as if they were showing it off before quickly returning to his fingers.

“Oh Az! Congrats! You shouldn’t have,” she said with mock humility. “No but really,” her face turned serious. “You shouldn’t have. I’ll never hear the end of it.” Feyre shot her mate a teasing look as Az threw his head back and laughed, mouth still full of pastry.

“And you thought I was the sore loser.” Cassian grumbled playfully.

“Oh Cas,” Feyre started gently, “if it makes you feel any better my money was on you too.”

Rhys choked in surprise on the whiskey he was sipping as he leaned on the mantle. “What the fuck! Seriously Feyre?” 

Az threw his head back further this time, nearly dropping the plate from his lap and let loose a deep belly laugh. 

From the other side of the room Cas pointed his fist at Rhys as if to bump it from a distance. “Solidarity brother.” Turning his attention to his other brother on the sofa, “And I don’t know what you find so funny over there. In case you didn’t notice – that means no one bet on you.”

Nesta had finally closed her book, nestling it next to her in the chair and joined the conversation. “Az was too obvious a choice,” she stated, her hard face showing no sign of a smile. “Betting on the underdogs gives a higher payout.” 

Cassian made a throaty gurgling noise as he mimed stabbing himself in the heart and flexed his wrist. “Twist a little harder, why don’t you Nes.” 

“Underdog huh?” Rhys quipped from over his whiskey glass, his violet eyes flaring a bit.

“I would have won, you know,” Cassian argued. “If it wasn’t for Az’s unfair advantage I would have totally been victorious.”

“And what exactly was my ‘unfair advantage’ Cas?” Snaking lines of shadow writhed down his legs as Azriel lengthened his posture into a relaxed lounge.

“C’mon brother. Don’t play dumb. It’s time to fess up.” Cassian’s eyes twinkled with hints of a secret knowledge. 

“I assure you, I have no idea what you are talking about,” Az answered lazily.

Mor began fanning her hands in the air in order to dry the second coat of her polish. “Let’s hear it then, Cassian. If there was foul play we should know.” 

“I think Az was right, Cassian.” Rhys chuckled to himself. “You are the sore loser.”

“Oh c'mon Rhysie darling,” Cassian teased. “I know a mating bond chafe when I see one. I remember ours well.”

Everything stopped. Any rustling or whispering or shifting of bodies abruptly halted. Mor’s fanning paused in mid-air, hands hanging comically in front of her face. Even breathing seemed to be on pause. At least it was for Azriel, as all eyes in the room fell upon him. He didn’t even notice the shushing whisper of his shadows curled around his face trying to tell him something because all he could hear was the slamming of his heartbeat in his ears. And he wasn’t convinced that everyone else couldn't hear it either.  

“What exactly do you mean by chafe, Cassian?” Nesta broke in.

“Oh, so you can give it but you can’t take it?” Cassian quipped as he stood to cross the room. “I don’t mean anything by it, my love.” Dipping his frame he extended his arms in an attempt to embrace his mate. She very quickly shot out one palm, planting it in the center of his chest and shoved. 

“And what exactly about me having a mating bond would be unfair?” Azriel rumbled darkly, sitting rigidly upright now.

Cassian’s head whipped in Azriel’s direction. “That’s not what I meant,” he said tensely as he made his way back to his chair next to the sofa. Then softening his voice, “You know that’s not what I meant.” Cas reached out and placed a hand to Az’s knee.

“So what did you mean?” Az responded, his tone menacing.

“All I meant was that with Rhys and I, we all knew about our bonds before the annual fight. We all knew what we were walking into. You could have told us in advance,” Cassian’s hand squeezed Az’s knee gently. “Level the playing field a bit.” Cassian winked with a laugh for the benefit of everyone listening, but leaned in with another squeeze. Lowering his voice to a soft pitch he said, “You could have told us.” He smiled sadly before dropping his hand and Azriel’s gaze.

“A mating bond?” Feyre asked astounded. “Az? Is it true?”

“Who is she? Do we know her?” Mor chimed in quick succession.

“A secret lover? How scandalous. How long have you been hiding her away?” Nesta asked dreamily, thinking what a good plot to a romance novel this would make.

The questions erupted in a flurry. 

“There is no bond.” Azriel said flatly, fortifying his face into an unreadable cover.

Feyre sighed out the breath she had been holding and rubbed her hand on Azriel’s forearm. Mor’s fanning resumed at a slower pace, her eyes still fixed on Azriel gauging his mood. Rhys still stood languidly against the mantle wearing a similarly unreadable mask.

“No bond–,” Nesta said lowly. “But there is someone isn’t there?” Her hard stare penetrated into Azriel as he met it. Ever since he had seen her emerge from that bog long ago as a frightful Goddess of Death, he swore she could see things in him that no one else could. 

It was true he had once yearned for a mating bond so badly that he thought he’d rather retreat into his own tortured mind than live without one. But the time after meeting his love had changed that. From the time she had first started entering his circle as an acquaintance to the time they were inseparable as lovers, Azriel had come to find that she was worth more than every mating bond he was never granted.

He held Nesta’s stare just a moment too long. A shiver spread through his wings and he pulled a sharp inhale through his nose. There was no use lying about it. He had indeed kept her a secret for some time now but they had both already agreed to make it public, they just hadn’t exactly decided when yet. 

The length of time it took Azriel to answer Nesta’s question led all the eyes in the room to shift back to him. 

“Yes.” Azriel said and heard Mor gasp, also noticing how Rhys’ whiskey glass remained touching his lips but he wasn’t swallowing. “There is someone.”

“I knew it.” Mor whispered breathlessly.

“No you didn’t, Mor,” Feyre shot. “You always say that.” Turning to Azriel next to her she flashed him a beautifully authentic smile. “We are happy for you Az. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Rhys had broken his frozen stance and moved lithely over to the small bar cart in the corner. He held a glass out to Cassian and then turned to do the same to Azriel. “We are very happy for you Az,” he offered out the heavy crystal whiskey glass matching the one in his own hand. “Cheers brother.”

Azriel accepted the drink, tipping it gently towards the one in Rhys’ hand until they clinked together. 

“May the Cauldron bless you both,” Cassian added genuinely as the motion of tapping glasses was repeated between them.

“You should invite her to Solstice dinner tonight.” Mor uttered from the floor.

“Yes!” squealed Feyre “Az, invite her! If she is free that is.”

Az brought the whiskey to his mouth and drained the glass in one gulp. “We’ll see,” he said through the burn.

“Yes, if she’s free, please do invite her tonight.” Rhys offered. “And let’s hope she is free, or I might never hear the end of it.” He winked a teasing wink at his mate, who then belted out a ringing belly laugh of her own. 

“No. He won’t” Feyre agreed. Azriel couldn’t help but smile to himself at that, knowing it was entirely true.

Celeste sat hugging her knees on the sofa in her apartment listening intently, wide-eyed at Azriel’s recollection of the conversation that had taken place earlier that morning.

“Oh! This is so, so good Az. No really, it’s delicious,” she crooned, bouncing in her seat on the sofa. “We couldn’t have planned it better ourselves! They are going to be so surprised!” 

He listened with amused distraction as she began plotting and planning the whole thing, exacting how they would make their grand reveal. As she jotted down ideas and paced around the small apartment living room, he could only focus on her and not her words. 

In her flurry of excitement she had swept her dark brown curls up atop her head and out of the way, exposing the soft expanse of her neck and the whole of her face. His eyes lingered along the scar that traversed her features, beginning its snaking path in her right eyebrow cleaving it entirely in two. Barely missing the corner of her eye, it continued over the bridge of her nose, through the flesh of her left nostril and slipped down into the plump pillow of her top lip. Although it had been healed for decades now, it was still fiery bright red in color against her lightly tanned skin. 

The scar itself had never bothered Az. It did nothing to detract from Celete’s beauty and charm. It was the origin of the injury that had his blood boiling. The mark was a relic of her former partner. A vile and cruel male who had enacted punishments upon her for any perceived slight. The scar came about after one of the times Celeste had attempted to escape him. Ever since Azriel had first heard her recount a particularly awful recollection to Nesta after walking in on a girls night in the House of Wind, he had attempted to find the man named Tyrik. As spymaster, Azriel might have abused a few of his court powers in order to do so. Every lead for the last three decades ended in a dead end. One day though, Azriel was convinced that Tyrik would be the one dead.

Azriel mentally tugged his thoughts away from that male before the anger began showing in his body language. His hazel eyes continued to trail Celeste across the room, still pacing animatedly. How anyone could hurt this wonderful female before him, he would never understand. He answered the flurry of questions Celeste asked him in quick succession and offered his opinion on how things should be timed for the surprise. 

“Oh. Oh, Cauldron boil me!” Celeste suddenly exclaimed with a squeak. “I have to pick a different outfit!”

Jumping up from the sofa across from where he sat, she wound her way around the coffee table with ease. Grabbing his face between her two hands with more force than she intended she yelped out, “Az–oh! Sorry. But I need your help.” Planting a quick kiss to his lips, she was already scurrying down the hall before she finished. “Don’t go anywhere. You have to help me pick. Wait there!”

“I’d rather watch,” he shouted back. Her sharp laughter rang back down the hallway. 

Az just chuckled to himself as he heard her rummaging around the tiny closet in her bedroom. Alone in the now quiet living room, he began to think about how much she had changed since he first laid eyes on her. The version of Celeste he had met in a dark tavern was a stark difference to the Celeste that had just bounced off frantically.

She had been working in a shabby tavern on the outskirts of the city. It was where he went when he didn’t want to engage in the ravelry of Rita’s with the rest of his friends. Azriel had quickly picked up on the fact that her feisty attitude with the male customers wasn’t an attempt at playing hard to get or to garner increased tips. As spymaster he recognized it immediately for what it was – a defense mechanism. She piqued his interest like a puzzle he wanted to solve. In typical Azriel fashion however, he kept to the shadows, never approaching her or striking up conversation. Only silently observing. 

It wasn’t until Celeste had met Nesta on one of her nights off years ago, drinking alone at Rita’s, that he had even entertained the possibility of knowing her. Their blossoming friendship had carried her into his circle with increasing frequency until it was nearly every other day that they were in each other's presence for one reason or another.

Azriel’s private struggle over a lack of a mating bond and his terrible habit of choosing unavailable love interests kept him at an emotional distance however. He had joined group nights out and laughed shyly at Celeste’s jokes with others without ever attempting to grab her attention. From the fringe of their friend group he had watched as Celeste transformed from the defensive and harshly playful female he first noticed into a confident, easygoing, empathetic and kind friend.

Once she had begun to discover her healing abilities, Rhys had generously offered to send her to Dawn Court for extensive training. As her time away from Velaris turned from weeks into months, Azriel had begun to realize what was missing from his life. Her. 

Every missed opportunity to approach her on his own and every gap in conversation she had purposely left open to him replayed over and over in his mind. He mentally kicked himself over the fact that he wasted so much time pining over others in the past. 

The week of her return from Dawn, Azriel had commandeered the healer rotation schedule from Madja under “official court business”. The first date that he had seen her name penned on the calendar was when he enacted his plan. One well acted slip during training with Cassian and the priestesses that morning left him with a nasty gash along his forearm and a healer was called to the House of Wind. 

The minute she laid her light supple hands along his deep golden skin he had nearly lost all nerve and backed out entirely. Minutes of silence on his part passed as she cleaned and stitched and bandaged, talking all the while to fill the void. When the last wrap of bandage was taped down and she had started to pack up her supplies, he rushed into action before he could lose his nerve again. 

���Celeste?”

“Hmm?” she purred softly, still packing her things.

“Would you join me for dinner tonight? Just the two of us I mean.” He stammered nervously. “Like – like a date.”

Her hands had stilled atop her bag after clasping it shut before she slowly lifted her gaze to him. Those dark tawny eyes meeting his had sent his pulse into palpitations but the smile that spread across her lovely face had threatened to stop his heart entirely.

She released a laughing sigh that was like the calming breeze after a storm. “I thought you would never ask,” she answered. 

The best part of the entire plan, according to Celeste, was that Azriel’s someone had already been invited to Solstice dinner well before Rhys and Feyre had extended their invitation through Az. Being a part of Nesta’s circle of girlfriends had left Celeste with a standing invitation for the last few years. 

“Are you sure no one has any idea?” Celeste questioned as she stood by the bed toweling her still wet hair.

“I’m sure about everyone,” he answered, calculating mentally. “Except Nesta. You really don’t think she would tell Cassian first if she thought it was you?”

“Absolutely not,” Celeste insisted. “She would have approached me about it before ever mentioning it to him. I’m positive.”

“And what makes you so sure about that?” He peered at her quizzically.

“Have you ever taken a peek at the books she’s always lending me?” Celeste raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes. The scar that spanned the entirety of her face tightened with her animated expression. “She would have come running to me first for all the details. She would have wanted to know all about—” she pulled her hands apart in front of her before throwing her arms out fully “ — your wingspan.” She flashed a wink before ramping herself up into a fit of giggles. 

Az let out a shocked huff of a laugh before pulling his palm down his face, color rising to his cheeks. “Mother above,” he sighed. 

Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, Celeste started shooing him off the bed with her towel. “Az, you have to get going. The shop will be closing soon and they said they are holding the rings for us. Go!”

“Alright, alright. I’m going,” he teased with his hands up in playful defense. He pushed himself up to stand and then gracefully swooped his arms around Celeste’s waist, pulling her body against his. “A kiss goodbye at least?”

“You’re coming right back,” Celeste narrowed her gaze in a comical frown but leaned in with sincerity, brushing her mouth gently over his before nipping at his bottom lip. Her eyes darkened with promise, “Hurry.”

The promise of that word hung in the air as Az grabbed his coat and headed out of the apartment. Unfortunately he knew that he wouldn’t be able to join in on that promise, at least not before dinner. He had to stop home for one last thing after the shop and his return would cut it close to when they had timed their departures. 

Kicking off from the cobblestones on the corner in front of the apartment building Az launched into the air. He made quick work of locating the jewelry shop just a short flight away. It wasn’t the one that Rhys often frequented for his mate’s jewels but it was the only one open this late on Solstice night. It didn’t matter to Azriel though, as long as Celeste was happy.

She had gotten this idea in the final hour of their planning, which had forced them to rethink nearly the entire plan. The joy that had radiated from her at the thought of being able to pull it off was well worth the hassle. Azriel had been sent out in search of an open shop that could fulfill their request last minute which luckily didn’t take as long as he thought it would have. A pile of coin and two hours later he was walking out of the shop, the proud owner of two simple and plain gold bands. 

Azriel had insisted that they didn’t have to rush, he would give her the commitment ceremony of her dreams if that’s what she wanted. Celeste had teased him back that he could still do that for her even if their new plan went smoothly. Committing to each other was something they had spoken about before at great length. Their feelings for each other, mating bond or not, were serious and true. 

After arranging the pickup of the rings, she had told him very seriously that this is what she wanted. She didn’t want a huge party or ice sculptures. The fact that this was a surprise to everyone involved was thrilling enough. The only thing she wanted was to declare themselves committed in front of their family and to slip that ring on his finger. Celeste had even proposed the idea to adopt the usual mortal terms of husband and wife. 

“I like the sound of ‘husband’ so much better than ‘partner’,” she had said. “It feels better rolling off the tongue.” 

Azriel’s chin had dipped in a seductive grin. “There are other things I can think of that feel better rolling off the tongue.”

Slipping the newly purchased ring box into his inner coat pocket, Azriel kicked off once more, heading to his townhouse before circling back to meet Celeste one last time. This flight was longer, as he didn’t live in the downtown district like Celeste did, but instead closer to the quieter outskirts of the city. 

He glided smoothly through the drafts above the clouds. The path between the two dwellings was something he knew by muscle memory having flown it so many times over the last many months. Az allowed his mind to wander as it usually did in times of quiet. Spending so much of his life inside his own head had made the habit a hard one to break. 

Celeste’s face alight with excitement was the first thing that popped up. He felt his heart clench as he sifted through all the expressions and laughs she had produced tonight as she plotted out everything. The fact that the reveal of their relationship hadn’t happened until now was not lost on him. It was his hesitancy that had delayed this moment – her moment. The throb of guilt, knowing that he could have allowed Celeste this joy sooner, sent his heart into a squeeze.

[ovwechoes]

do you write for venture? if so, could you do nsfw and sfw headcanons with them? i love them sm!!

Venture SFW/NSFW Headcanons!

Yes I do! Thank you for the request, and I hope you enjoy them c: Any thoughts or opinions are always welcome, and my asks are open! NSFW headcanons will be under the cut, and please don't read them unless you're 18+/over the age of 18yrs old.

Does Venture have any secret talents or skills they don't talk about much, if at all? I think Venture would have an affinity for painting, especially natural scenery and landscapes. They'd love Bob Ross paintings and would follow tutorials in their downtime, but with their own flair added to them. They also, of course, enjoy collecting crystals and loves collecting rocks to break open and see if they're geodes. They have a secret TikTok to show what they find, and they like to remain anonymous there to keep things private and entirely focused on their discoveries.

What personal goal or ambition drives Venture, which they rarely share with others? How does it influence their behaviour? Venture wants to protect what's left of the environment and the Earth itself; they're paranoid and cautious about deforestation, and the possibility that archaeological discoveries could be destroyed before they're appreciated and found, so it's something that they're passionate about and influences them in their daily life. They don't like to cause too much harm to the Earth when fighting, and they secretly donate money to organisations that put said money into rebuilding the environment. They feel immense guilt when they see the after effects on the ecosystems around them after fights between overwatch and talon, for example. It's something they don't discuss very much, and when they do they keep it simple because they don't like being that open about it incase others' opinions make them feel more guilty.

Who is an unlikely friend or ally for Venture? How did this friendship develop, and what do they value in each other? I can honestly imagine Junker queen being one of the most unlikely allies and friends of Venture. They might both share an affinity for the beauty of geodes and crystals, and Venture would want to share with Junker queen the beauty of archaeological finds that have been found on her land. It's something they'd bond over, and Venture would appreciate Junker queen's acceptance of their eclectic personality, which sometimes rubs off on people the wrong way. They're both weirdos in their own ways, and they both love shiny and historical things.

Does Venture have any unique or peculiar habits? How do these quirks affect their interactions with others? Venture 100% has self soothing stims that aren't necessarily autism related, but help them focus when they're busy or stressed out. They'd do things such as twisting their fingers, playing with small rocks between their fingers, or fiddling with tech just to pass the time. It's something they don't hide anymore, and they like to encourage others to take part even if they're not neurodivergent. They also pick up words and habits from people very easily; they heard Tracer say "okie doke" one too many times and now they can't stop using it even in professional spaces. It's apart of their vocab now and until something new replaces it, it's what everyone at Waypoint has to tolerate.

What is something that really annoys Venture? How do they typically react when faced with this annoyance? Venture is bothered by narcissism; they don't mind when people are confident and admit their own strengths, but it's bothersome to them when people flaunt it as if they're a walking god. They appreciate humble people, and like when someone shows their strengths, rather than plays them up with their words to inflate an ego they shouldn't have (in Venture's opinion). Another big pet peeve they have is when people have ignorant bliss. They believe that being aware and working towards a better future is better than staying blind to what's happening; they very much believe that if you choose to stay unaware of what's going on and how it's impacting society or the planet, you're encouraging the harm it causes and are complicit. It's something they're very passionate about and they can be seen as blunt or too harsh when confronting people like this.

NSFW headcanons are below the cut! Sexual themes are present so keep this in mind when reading.

What is a desire or fantasy that Venture keeps private? How do they reconcile this with their public persona? With Venture being the first openly non-binary overwatch agent, they feel an expectation to be a switch and to have no sexual preferences. Regardless of this, they privately enjoy being submissive and letting their partner take the reigns during sex. They find it hard to be openly sexual, and feel that they shouldn't be because they're trans non-binary, as if it's something seen as dirty in the public eye. However, when they trust someone enough as their partner, their sex drive speaks for itself.

What are some fantasy scenarios or settings that Venture finds particularly appealing? How do these fantasies align with their real-life desires? I can imagine they have a fetish for sensory play, especially the use of wax in sex and foreplay. They enjoy the feeling of it burning their skin, and the submission aspect from their partner doing this for them. In reality, this isn't a make or break thing for them and it's not something they need from his partner desperately to be happy. They would crumble if their partner suggested in with pure lust, but it's not something they're particular about because they understand that not everyone's interested in it. However, they're open with their partner about the idea of being restricted via sight and touch. They like the idea of not being able to touch their partner without permission, and being blindfolded. They're not too into BDSM, and it's not something they're experienced with, but fantasies wise, they'd be open to these things and light bondage if they trusted their partner enough with it.

How does Venture incorporate technology into their intimate life? Are there any gadgets or tech they particularly enjoy? Venture would 100% make a new toy for their partner to use based on one conversation they had about potential fantasies or what they'd want in an idealistic world. They're not too experienced with using toys, but they'd be willing to explore it more with a partner who understood them and accepted them fully, and was willing to do so with them without judgement or pressure. They'd of course make toys based on rocks and based on historical findings just to see how they'd feel in the modern era.

What kinds of physical or emotional stimulation does Venture find most fulfilling? How do they incorporate these into their intimate life? Venture enjoys verbal reassurance and words of affirmation; they enjoy being told dominating words filled with praise during sex, it makes them feel as though they're doing everything right. They love when a partner 'matches their freak' and can get on board with exploring new kinks and new ideas they've considered a couple times. They also love when their partner entertains their behaviours that others would consider weird; it somehow turns them on even more and makes their sexual tension even higher. They love to be touched on their shoulders, their lower back and the back of their neck - that's their main erogenous zones and if their partner touches them, Venture will be left high and dry until they're able to get off fully. It'll stick with them for days as well...

How comfortable is Venture with showing vulnerability during intimate moments? How does this vulnerability impact their relationships? For years, Venture couldn't have sex with someone unless he knew them well. One night stands never worked for them, and they were always left feeling used and unfulfilled. It was uncomfortable, but they take them as learning moments that helped them understand what they like and don't like in sex. They used to only have sex with the lights off, so that they wouldn't have to see what their partner's face looked like after seeing their body naked. As confident and unapologetically authentic as Venture can be, their body was something they felt especially uncomfortable with for years. They still sometimes need the light off to stay in the mood, but it's something they've improved on. On the other hand, Venture encourages their partner to be as vulnerable as they need to be; if they need to cry, laugh, hold them, etc. it's okay with them. It's not a turn off for them to see those from their partner, if anything they view it as a way to build their relationship even more.

I hope you enjoyed these anon and thank you again for the request ^^

[yelenasdiary]

Can I request a Carol Danvers x sister reader please where R lives a normal life on earth but is constantly worried and missing Carol? Carol comes back during the snap era of Earth and finds R, but r is a bit cold as she thinks Carol doesn't care about her. Angst at the start but then they slowly rebuild their sisterly bond?

Shooting Stars

Pairing: Carol Danvers x Sister! Reader

Summary: When the whole world is turned upside down, your sister was the last person you expected to see.

Angst & Comfort

Warnings: Fear of Abandonment, Mentions of family ‘death’ | 2K

AC: I’m not 100% confident on the history of Carol and her family so please forgive me for any mistakes. Thank you for sending this & I hope you enjoy! x

The snap wasn’t easy for anybody, especially those who had lost a friend or family member to Thano’s actions. It had only been a week since you realized that your mother, father and older brother had fallen victims to the snap, leaving you on earth alone to continue life in a new form. You were the youngest of three, Steve was the eldest and then came your older sister, Carol and then came you. 

Growing up you had a close bond with Carol, the two of you did almost everything together. Wherever Carol was, there you were right by her side. You adored your older sister; she was everything to you, you loved her drive to do whatever she wanted, you were there for her when she joined the air force but then she left.

Since then, things between you and Carol were never the same. She spent more and more time in space and communication between you both got quieter as the weeks turned to months and eventually you just accepted the fact that Carol had found a better place to be, a better family. 

Steve was at work when the snap took him, your mother was out having coffee with her closet friend and your father was on his way to work. You reached out to Carol, leaving her a message to let her know that your parents and brother were victims of Thanos, you didn’t expect a reply, it had been months since you last heard from her. 

The afternoon sun kissed the living room of your family home, trying to watch a movie to pass the quietness of your home, you closed the blinds before you heard the sounds of an aircraft landing out the front. You knew who it was, you just didn’t care to greet her. Instead, you returned to the sofa and did your best to bring your focus back to the movie you were halfway through. 

Carol opened the front door, letting herself in like she normally would. Her footsteps could be heard making their way to the living room before you looked over your shoulder and laid eyes on her. One look at you and she knew it would take a bit for you to talk to her, after all, she knew you better than anybody else, so she thought. 

“Girls Trip, that’s a good movie” her voice spoke over the movie. 

“Yeah” you mumbled, not even thinking about pausing the movie to give her any more of your attention. From the corner of your eye, you watched as Carol took a seat in the armchair that your father claimed as his. You looked over to her, “I’d rather you not sit there” you said, “you know he didn’t like us sitting in his chair” you added.

“Well, I guess he isn’t here to tell me off” Carol replied, jokingly in hopes it would break the ice. 

“I’m glad you think the death of our father is funny” you shook your head before turning the tv off, “what do you want Carol?” You turned to her. 

“I came here for you” she admitted. 

“I’m doing just fine” you sighed. 

Carol’s eyes dropped slightly, “you’re mad at me” 

“Of course I’m mad at you!” You snapped, “you haven’t been here! I know what you do is important, and this isn’t your fault, but it’s been a week Carol, a damn week! And now you want to come here for me? You didn’t even reply to my message to me know that you were okay so yeah, excuse me for not exactly being the happiest to see you” 

Carol watched as you wandered off to your bedroom, slamming the door behind you. With your little outburst, it gave Carol a bit of an idea on where your emotions were at. She knew she hadn’t been the best sister to you or Steve in recent years, she knew she had to do better.

----

Carol didn’t leave that night, the next morning, you woke up to the smell of bacon sizzling on the stove. It reminded you of how your mother would make your father breakfast each morning before he would leave for work, you were a student studying from home to become an architect so your mother would always whip you up a quick breakfast for when you awoke. 

“I hope you’re hungry” Carol smiled softly, flipping a slice of bacon when she heard you enter the kitchen. 

“I’m a vegetarian” you replied, opening the fridge to grab the fresh strawberries you had brought yesterday. 

“I knew that” Carol said more so to herself, “I suppose you won’t eat the eggs then?” She asked. 

“Not since you’ve cooked them in the same pan as the bacon and besides, I had eggs yesterday” you replied before wandering outside to the back patio. Carol sighed, the last time she saw you, you mentioned that you had decided to go vegetarian, but it slipped her mind. She finished cooking breakfast and turned the stove off. 

That afternoon, a little after lunch, you had gotten yourself ready to go for a small jog around the neighborhood when Carol asked if she could join you. 

“If you want, but I’m not slowly down if you can’t keep up” you replied, tying your shoelaces. Your cold bluntness towards her was starting to really bother her. “Can we talk first?” She asked, seeing you roll your eyes at her request. 

“What do you want to talk about, Carol?” You asked, sitting back in the sofa, looking up at her. 

Carol wasn’t exactly expecting you to respond the way you did, putting her slightly off guard. She wasn’t sure where to start or what to say that would make up for her absence. She took a seat next to you before breaking the silence, “I’m sorry” she said softly but clearly. 

“You’re sorry? Okay, cool, are we done?” You asked, crossing your arms over your chest.

Carol shook her head, “no, I want to make sure you’re okay” 

“Okay? Carol, you don’t understand. I’m not just mad at you for waiting a week to come home, I’m mad because you abandoned me. You left. You left us, your family and went off into space and found a better place to be. You don’t talk to me anymore; it seems like you don’t even want to know how we are doing or anything. You picked your new family and it fucking hurts. I looked up to you, I would stay up all night worrying about you! Every shooting star I saw, I wondered if you saw it too. 

Steve moved out and is living is own life, but he comes home to visit, and I go to visit him. I can’t just get up and fly into space to see you whenever I miss you or just want to bitch to my sister about life. I lost mom, dad and Steve but I lost you long before I lost them” tears filled your eyes as you struggled to maintain eye contact with your older sister. 

“Sorry doesn’t just fix this Carol. Sorry means nothing to me. I want my sister back; I want my sister who would make me laugh when I had a bad day, I want my sister who would tell me all about aircrafts and what you liked most about them, I miss when you would take me out for ice cream just because we were bored, I miss talk to you, I miss tell you all about my day and asking you for advice. I miss my sister. You’re just Carol to me now” you added, tears now streaming down your face. You hated getting emotional, before Carol had a chance to say a word, you stood up and wiped your tears. 

“Just give me some space” you said softly before going for your jog, leaving Carol to drown in her thoughts and guilt for the way she had made you feel. 

----

Later that night, you were catching up on some study when you took a break to get yourself a drink. The house was quiet, but the lights were left on, Carol was nowhere to be seen. You sighed, assuming that she had taken the easy way and left back to her new home but just as you grabbed a cold bottle of water from the fridge, you heard the front door close. 

“Oh good, you’re out of your room” Carol smiled, placing a paper bag of goods on the counter, “you need to put some air in your tires, they’re getting flat” she added. 

“W-what, I mean, where did you go?” You asked, confused. 

“I went out and got us some movies, old school on DVD of course. Did you know long I had to drive to find a store that rents out movies? I gave up and just brought these” she replied, pulling out a pile of 6 DVD’s and placing them beside the bag. From what you could see it was a mix of comedy and action movies, not surprisingly as the two of you loved watching those as children. 

“Then I stopped at the store and got some ice cream, I know it’s not the same as going out to get it but figured there’s no harm in having a tub each, right?” She added. You gave her little to know reaction, just a soft smile and nod as you watched her unload snacks and the ice cream from the brown paper bag. 

She turned to you, “I know I’ve hurt you; I know words won’t do anything to fix what I’ve broken but I need you to know that I never abandoned you, I thought about you every single day, I don’t have an excuse for what I’ve done but I can’t learn from my mistakes if you don’t let me try” 

Your eyes dropped to the pile of DVDs on the counter, “we are not watching pearl harbour” you replied, “and I’m taking the strawberry ice cream” you smiled softly which caused Carol to also smile. You grabbed a spoon from the drawer, took the ice cream tub and waited in the living room for Carol to join you. It would take some time for things to be rebuilt again between you both but as much as you were upset with Carol, you knew deep down you can’t stay mad at her forever. 

----

Carol stayed with you for months, only ever going back to space twice a week to make sure things were still in order but she made it clear that her top priority was being there for you. Sometimes you even went with her to space, where she showed you around her place. She had childhood photos of you and her hung up in her living room which made you smile softly to yourself, maybe you were a little too harsh on your sister after all, she was always trying to keep the world safe. 

“What are you working on?” You asked Carol who was under her aircraft in her green overalls that your mother had left hanging up in Carol’s childhood wardrobe. 

“Just making sure everything is okay with the oil and tighten bots, can you hand me the wrench?” She asked. You lent down and picked up the silver wrench and handed it to her. “Can I help with anything?” You offered, remembering when you were younger and Carol would teach you things about the engine and let you help her out whenever there was something mechanically wrong. 

“Actually, yeah! If you wanna come under here and hold this piece of metal in place for me, that would be really helpful!” Carol replied. 

“Lemme go get changed first” you said, seeing as you didn’t want to ruin your clothes.

Carol, under the aircraft smiled to herself while she waited for you to return, she also missed having her sister around to do things with. One day at a time, the sisterly bond you and Carol once had returned, only stronger.

If you want to be on the taglist for my work, please click HERE.

[pdriesta]

CHAPTER SIX

“even when it’s bad, i love you”

pairing — trentxblack!girl

genre — angst, angst and more angst

word count — 7k

summary — y/n and trent's once strong relationship is strained by his growing distance and her unexpected pregnancy. as they clash over their future, y/n faces the painful choice of leaving behind the love and they love they worked so hard creating. will they overcome their struggles and rebuild their love, or will their fractured bond break beyond repair?

an — i know i can’t keep saying every chapter is my favorite so i’ll settle on how much i love them and their soon to be family

masterlist

trent never quite knew which version of y/n he’d be getting each day. pregnancy had brought with it an unpredictability that kept him on his toes. one moment, she was soft and affectionate, glowing with happiness as she rubbed her growing belly and gushed about their twins. the next, she was a storm of emotions, fiery and stubborn about the smallest details, her mood swinging wildly like a pendulum.

and trent, bless him, had learned that the best way to survive these swings was to simply ride them out. it was almost amusing, if it wasn’t so baffling. he loved her with everything in him, but man, his beautiful fiancée was truly unpredictable these days.

today was one of those days.

y/n stood in the middle of the twins' nursery, hands on her hips, glaring at the paint swatches pinned on the wall. trent, shirtless and sweaty from moving furniture, glanced over at her warily. she’d been quiet for a good ten minutes, and that silence usually meant she was about to say something that would send them spiraling into an argument.

“i don’t like it,” she said suddenly, her tone sharp.

trent wiped the sweat from his forehead, raising an eyebrow. “the paint?”

“yes, the paint,” she snapped, turning to him with a glare. “it’s too... blue.”

trent blinked, glancing at the wall. the paint was a light shade of baby blue. it was literally called ‘soft sky.’ “it’s supposed to be blue, baby,” he said cautiously, trying not to sound like he was disagreeing with her too much. “we agreed on blue. it’s your favorite color.”

“no, you agreed on blue,” y/n retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. “i wanted something more neutral, like a soft green or a warm beige. blue is too... i don’t know, obvious.”

trent stared at her, his mind scrambling to remember the multiple conversations they’d had about the nursery. he was sure they had landed on blue, but he also knew better than to argue with her when she got like this. her pregnancy hormones were no joke, and the last thing he wanted was to upset her. again.

“okay,” he said carefully, trying to keep his tone even. “we can change it if you want. no big deal.”

y/n frowned at him, her eyes narrowing. “why do you always do that?”

trent blinked, confused. “do what?”

“just... agree with me,” she said, her voice wavering. “it’s like you don’t care enough to argue.”

trent was sure this was a trap. he could feel it. he walked over to her slowly, wiping his hands on his shorts. “it’s not that, baby,” he said softly. “i just don’t want to upset you. if you want a different color, we’ll change it.”

y/n’s eyes welled up with tears, and trent mentally kicked himself. here we go, he thought. “i’m not trying to be difficult,” she said, her voice cracking. “i just... i want everything to be perfect for them. and i’m so tired of feeling like i’m messing everything up.”

trent’s heart squeezed at the sight of her tears. he quickly closed the distance between them, pulling her into his arms. “you’re not messing anything up,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “you’re amazing, baby. you’re growing our babies, and that’s all that matters.”

y/n sniffled against his chest, and trent continued rubbing her back, his heart aching for her. she was carrying so much stress on top of the physical toll of being pregnant with twins, and he wished there was more he could do to make her feel better.

and just like that, the mood shifted. y/n pulled back slightly, wiping her tears away, her eyes now locked on trent’s bare chest. her expression softened, and a small, almost mischievous smile tugged at her lips. “you know... you look good all sweaty like that.”

trent raised an eyebrow, the sudden change in her demeanor catching him off guard. “yeah?”

“yeah,” she purred, stepping closer to him, her hands sliding up his chest. “really good.”

trent chuckled, surprised by the sudden flip to her sadness. “you’re not mad about the paint anymore?”

“what paint?” y/n mumbled, her lips brushing against his collarbone as she kissed his skin lightly.

trent’s body reacted immediately to her touch, heat flooding his veins. but he couldn’t help but laugh at how quickly things had turned around. one minute, she was mad about the nursery, and the next, she was kissing his neck like she couldn’t get enough of him. “you’re something else, you know that?”

“shut up,” she whispered, nipping at his jaw. “just let me admire you.”

trent let out a soft groan as her lips moved down his neck, his hands finding their way to her waist. “if i’d known painting would get this kind of reaction, i would’ve done it sooner.”

y/n pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “you’ve always looked good shirtless,” she said, her voice low and sultry. “but now... all sweaty and working hard in the nursery? it’s doing something to me.”

trent smirked, his hands sliding down to cup her hips. “oh yeah? what’s it doing?”

“it’s making me want you,” y/n admitted, her hands gripping his biceps as she leaned in to kiss him again, this time with more intensity.

trent groaned, the feeling of her lips on his sending a jolt of desire through him. but before things could go too far, he pulled back, much to y/n’s frustration. 

"what are you doing?” she asked, her eyes dark with want.

trent grinned, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her lips. “making sure you don’t kill me for not painting the nursery the right colour.”

y/n rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “you’re so annoying.”

“i know,” he said, giving her a wink. “but you love me.”

y/n let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “yeah, i do. and you better finish this nursery before these twins get here, or i’ll be the one killing you.”

trent laughed, pulling her back into his arms. “deal, baby. now, where were we?”

y/n smirked, her hands sliding back up his chest. “right about here.”

they stood in the half-decorated nursery, a mix of laughter and affection filling the room as they got back to work, both of them knowing that whatever the future held, they’d figure it out together—with a lot of love, a lot of laughter, and maybe just a little more paint.

trent stood in their bedroom, watching her. the afternoon light filtered in, casting a gentle glow on y/n as she stood in front of the mirror. the pale blue dress hugged her body, highlighting the beautiful curve of her belly, and her braids fell in smooth waves down her back. she was breathtaking, yet he could see the way her hand rested on her stomach, fingers fidgeting with the fabric, a clear sign of the doubt running through her mind. today was their gender reveal, a big step in sharing this journey with family and friends, but he knew she was holding a storm of nerves beneath her calm surface.

he took a quiet breath, leaning against the doorframe for a moment, before softly breaking the silence. “what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

she jumped slightly, her eyes meeting his in the mirror. a small, sheepish smile played on her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “just… thinking.”

he stepped forward, his voice gentle, probing, “about?”

her gaze fell, and her voice softened, almost inaudible. “about how i look… how different i feel. i’m all… big. and puffy. and—”

“gorgeous,” he interrupted, crossing the remaining space between them. he wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his hands over hers on her bump, pulling her close and pressing a tender kiss to her shoulder. “you’re glowing, baby. and don’t think for a second i’m just saying that. you’re absolutely stunning.”

she sighed, leaning back into his embrace but still shaking her head, brushing her fingertips over his. “you’re only saying that because you have to.”

he chuckled softly, his breath warm against her ear. “no, love. i don’t have to say anything. i choose to say it because i want you to hear the truth. you’re the most beautiful person i know. and that’s not because you’re carrying our babies—though that’s one of the best parts.” his voice softened, sincerity flooding his tone. “it’s because you’re you. the love of my life. my fiancée. the woman i want to spend forever with. that hasn’t changed one bit.”

a wave of emotion washed over her, her eyes misting as she met his gaze in the mirror. “it just… it all feels so fast. like everything is changing, and i don’t know if i’m keeping up.”

trent gently turned her to face him, his hands moving to cup her face, his thumbs grazing her cheeks in comforting circles. “y/n, i see you. all of you. you’re not just different—you’re more. more incredible, more resilient. you’re carrying our babies, and that makes you even more beautiful to me. you’re still the same woman i fell in love with, only now you’re also going to be their mom.”

her lips quivered as she tried to hold back the tears, his words settling like a warm blanket over her fears. “i’m just… scared,” she confessed, her voice breaking. “scared of all the change, and… what if i’m not ready?”

trent pressed his lips to her forehead, lingering there as if to transfer some of his own calm into her. “there’s nothing to be scared of that we won’t face together. yeah, things are gonna change—but not us. never us. you and me? we’re forever. and these two? they’re only adding to the love we already have.”

her heart melted at his reassurance, her fingers curling around the fabric of his shirt as she leaned into him, letting him anchor her. “how do you always know what to say?”

he chuckled, pulling her closer and brushing a soft kiss over her lips. “because i know you, better than anyone else. and i love you more than i could ever put into words.”

she laughed through her tears, a warm, soft sound as she rested her forehead against his chest. “you’re too good to me, trent.”

“i’m exactly what you deserve,” he murmured, his voice filled with quiet conviction. he stroked her cheek tenderly, his gaze full of adoration. “and i’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you see that. you deserve the world, y/n, and i’m here to remind you every day.”

they stood there, wrapped in each other, until her worries faded, replaced by the warmth of his love. and she knew—she wasn’t facing any of this alone.

the backyard was buzzing with excitement as friends and family gathered under a canopy of twinkling lights and balloons. pink and blue decorations were strewn across the yard, setting the perfect scene for the big moment. y/n stood beside trent, her hand resting on her bump as she tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

trent gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “you okay?”

she smiled up at him, though her nerves were still clear in her eyes. “i think so. just ready to get it over with.”

“soon enough,” trent murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple. “just think about how excited our families are.”

before y/n could reply, her brother malik and trent’s younger brother marcel came barreling through the crowd, mid-argument as usual.

“bro, you seriously thought those trainers were the move for today?” malik said, shaking his head at marcel. “this is supposed to be a gender reveal party, not the club.”

marcel scoffed, looking down at his pristine designer trainers. “what’s wrong with them? they’re clean.”

“too clean, man,” malik shot back. “you look like you’re celebrating your day, not the twins'”

trent groaned, a hand dragging down his face as he turned to y/n. “they’re at it again.”

y/n chuckled, rolling her eyes affectionately. “they can’t help themselves.”

“maybe the twins will be smarter than their uncles,” trent muttered with a smirk.

“hey!” malik called out, catching the tail end of trent’s comment. “i’ll have you know these twins are gonna like my side of the family better. they’re gonna be team malik, all the way.”

marcel rolled his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. “yeah, because nothing says ‘cool uncle’ like showing them their uncle marcel dresses better than uncle malik.”

“better than you, at least,” malik shot back, grinning.

marcel huffed. “just wait. i’ll have those babies wearing matching kicks with me before you can even try.”

“yeah, sure,” malik said, crossing his arms. “but when they’re older, they’re gonna want to hang with the fun uncle, not the one who’s still arguing about shoe choices.”

“they’ll want to hang with the one who doesn’t embarrass them with bad jokes,” marcel retorted. “face it—i’ve got this in the bag.”

trent just shook his head, chuckling under his breath. “our kids are in for a wild ride.”

y/n laughed, leaning into him. “good thing they’ve got us to balance them out.”

“and plenty of love,” trent added, his eyes soft as they locked on hers. “no matter what team they choose.”

the camera rolled, capturing the light-filled room and the excitement buzzing around them. laughter and chatter filled the space, friends and family gathered close, each person caught up in the anticipation of what was to come. as y/n and trent stood side by side, their hands instinctively found each other, and they shared a quiet smile. a friend stepped forward with the camera, grinning as they lifted it, eager to capture their guesses for the big reveal.

“alright, mum and dad,” they teased, focusing the lens. “what do you think these two little ones will be?”

the camera rolled, capturing the light-filled room and the excitement buzzing around them. y/n and trent stood side by side, both smiling as a friend held up the camera, asking them the big question.

"alright, mum and dad, any guesses? what do you think you'll be having?" the friend prompted, grinning behind the lens.

y/n’s smile softened, and she gave a little wave to the camera, her hand resting over her belly. "hey, babies. i’m your mum, and i think you’ll be two beautiful boys." she laughed, then added, "but we’ll love you no matter what."

trent raised an eyebrow, smirking. "two boys, huh? alright, well…" he gave the camera an exaggerated look. "i’m your dad, and i think you’re going to be two little princesses. no doubt about it."

y/n shot him a playful glare, nudging his side. "i swear you were the one saying you wanted boys the other day."

he chuckled, shrugging with a teasing smile. "that was before you changed your mind. i’m just keeping things balanced."

she rolled her eyes, leaning into him with a grin. "well, maybe i did change my mind. besides, i’m allowed to."

trent’s arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer as he looked back at the camera, his gaze softening. "no matter who you are, or who you grow up to be, you’ve already got a mum who’ll give you all the love in the world and a dad who’ll protect you with his whole heart. we’re here, little ones, waiting for you with all our love."

y/n beamed, resting her head on his shoulder. "and we’re already so proud of you both. we love you more than you’ll ever know."

they both looked at each other, their eyes softening, and it was clear that no matter what, they were ready to welcome their little ones with all the love in the world.

as the crowd gathered around for the reveal, malik and marcel grabbed microphones, each with a playful smirk on their faces. they exchanged dramatic looks, clearly reveling in their roles as hosts.

“alright, people!” marcel called out, holding his mic up high. “it’s time to settle this once and for all. team boy or team girl?”

“and let’s be real, it’s a matter of which side of the family the twins will prefer” malik added with a grin. “we all know the twins are gonna like my side of the family better.”

marcel rolled his eyes. “our side has more style and are prettier - not you, auntie. they’ll be obsessed with our side.”

trent chuckled, shaking his head as he whispered to y/n. “they really don’t quit, do they?”

“never,” y/n said, smiling. “but i love it. it’s gonna be chaos, but the good kind.”

trent grinned, pressing a kiss to her temple. “as long as you’re by my side, i’ll take all the chaos.”

“all right, on three!” marcel calls out, glancing over to y/n's brother who nods back, mirroring his own excitement.

“one… two… three!”

and then—boom.

they both twist and release the confetti cannons. in a burst of color, the sky fills with two distinct hues—pink and blue.

the crowd gasps, murmuring in surprise, and trent and y/n exchange a bewildered look. y/n’s eyes widen as she looks up at the colors raining down, then over at her brother, thinking he must’ve misfired. she lets out a confused laugh, “wait—did you mess it up?”

malik just stares back, a bit stunned himself. “no, that’s... what they gave us.”

trent’s brother is equally taken aback, shaking his head as if he’s double-checking in his own mind. “yeah, that’s exactly what they told us to do.”

the realization dawns slowly on them, both trent and y/n glancing back up at the sky, seeing pink and blue drifting down over them. y/n covers her mouth, eyes welling with tears, and trent, half-laughing in shock, wraps his arms around her.

“are you serious?” he laughs out, voice shaking as he tries to process it. “a boy... and a girl?”

malik and marcel nod, grinning as they finally catches on to their surprise. “yep, looks like you’re getting one of each!”

y/n can’t help it—she lets out a small, disbelieving laugh, burying her face into trent’s chest as the reality sinks in. “one of each,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. she glances up at him, her own smile wobbly. “i can’t believe it.”

trent’s expression softens, still filled with a blend of shock and joy as he cups her face, wiping away the tears that have begun to slip down her cheeks. “our family,” he murmurs, eyes brimming with pride. “one of each, y/n. it’s perfect.

they share a quiet, emotional moment, the world around them fading away as they hold onto each other. and then, unable to contain his excitement, trent lifts her off the ground, spinning her in his arms as she laughs. the cheers of their family surround them, but all he can focus on is the way she looks at him, their shared happiness lighting up her eyes.

when he finally sets her down, their foreheads touch, both of them still holding onto each other, feeling like they’ve just stepped into a beautiful dream.

the room was filled with the soft hum of machinery, faint echoes of the clinic sounds weaving into the quiet. y/n lay on the exam table, her shirt pulled up just enough to expose the growing curve of her belly, which had seemingly blossomed overnight. she watched as the doctor adjusted the ultrasound equipment, her fingers instinctively tracing gentle circles over her abdomen, grounding herself.

trent sat beside her, his hand warm and steady as it held hers, giving her a squeeze whenever she seemed to drift away with her thoughts. they both focused on the screen as two small, blurry figures came into view, nestled together, hearts beating in rhythmic unison. their twins. one boy, one girl.

"they're growing beautifully," the doctor smiled, pointing to each baby in turn. "they're both measuring well, a bit ahead of schedule, actually. they’re healthy, strong—just thriving in there."

y/n felt trent’s hand tighten around hers, a smile spreading across his face as he leaned in closer, brushing a soft kiss against her temple. but a new weight settled in her chest, a heaviness she hadn’t anticipated.

the doctor’s voice softened, and she turned to them both. "just something to keep in mind," she began, her tone gentle, reassuring. "because they're twins and growing rapidly, there's a good chance you might go into labor a bit early. it’s common with twins, so it’s nothing to be concerned about, especially as we near the third trimester. they’d still be in term if they came around that time."

y/n blinked, feeling a flicker of panic stir inside her as the doctor continued to explain what to expect, how common early deliveries were with twins, how well-prepared the hospital would be to handle it. trent asked a few questions, his tone calm and collected, completely absorbed in the conversation with the doctor. but y/n felt like she was slipping under, her heart racing as the reality of it all suddenly loomed over her.

"we’ll keep monitoring you closely," the doctor reassured them before leaving, giving y/n a warm smile and a final pat on her shoulder.

the door clicked shut, and the room settled into a tense silence. y/n stared at the empty spot where the doctor had stood, her eyes unfocused, and before she knew it, her breaths began to shallow, a tightness clawing up her throat.

trent turned to her, his eyes immediately softening with concern. "hey," he murmured, reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch achingly gentle. "what’s going on? you’ve been so quiet."

she looked down, biting her lip, feeling the first warm tear slip down her cheek. "it’s all… just happening so fast, trent," she whispered, her voice breaking, her hand instinctively moving to her belly as if to shield herself from the weight of her own words. "i’m not ready. i thought i would be, but…"

he was silent for a moment, his hand moving to cover hers, grounding her. "baby, you’re going to be incredible," he whispered, his voice steady, unwavering. "you’re already doing everything you can."

but her tears fell faster, each one carrying a worry she hadn't spoken aloud. "what if… what if something goes wrong? what if i’m not good enough, or strong enough? i’m already so tired, trent, and they aren’t even here yet."

he shifted closer, cupping her face with both hands, wiping away the tears that slipped past her guard. "y/n," he said softly, his gaze intense, holding hers. "you’re the strongest person i know. and they’re so lucky, they’re so damn lucky to have you as their mom. you’re going to be everything they need and more. and i’m here, too. every step of the way."

she shook her head, her voice trembling. "i just… i feel like i’m not prepared for any of it. the delivery, bringing them home, taking care of two babies at once… it’s like, every day they get bigger, and the closer we get to actually meeting them, the more terrified i am."

trent pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her tightly, holding her like he could shield her from every fear she carried. "listen to me," he murmured against her hair, his voice firm, grounding her with every word. "we’re in this together. i’m not going anywhere, alright? when you’re scared, i’ll be here. when you’re tired, i’ll be here. you’re not doing this alone, y/n."

she let out a shaky breath, burying her face into his chest as she clung to him, his words a balm against her spiraling thoughts. "i don’t want to be scared," she whispered, her voice muffled, filled with vulnerability she rarely showed.

he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, his voice a quiet promise. "it’s okay to be scared. it just means you care. it means you already love them more than anything… just like i love you."

she stayed in his arms, her tears slowing as his words settled into her heart, easing the fear, even if just a little. and in that moment, wrapped up in his embrace, she found a flicker of the strength she needed—a strength she knew she’d carry with her, every step of the way.

they sat side by side on the familiar couch in their therapist’s office, hands intertwined, still buzzing from the excitement of the gender reveal. the weight of the day’s celebration mixed with the gentle calm of the room, an odd but comforting contrast. trent squeezed y/n’s hand, glancing at her with a warm smile before the therapist cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to the session.

“first off, congratulations,” the therapist began, his voice kind and steady. “you’re about to welcome two beautiful lives into this world, and i can see how much love and joy that’s bringing you both.”

y/n smiled, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “thank you. it’s… it’s overwhelming, in a good way. but still overwhelming.”

trent nodded, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “yeah, it’s like… one moment, i’m over the moon, and the next, i’m terrified,” he admitted, glancing down before looking back up at the therapist. “we’re young, and sometimes, i wonder if i’m ready for all of this.”

the therapist leaned forward slightly, his gaze warm and understanding. “trent, it’s perfectly natural to feel both excitement and fear, especially with such a big change. parenthood is daunting at any age, but you’re both aware of what it means to bring new lives into the world. that self-awareness alone speaks volumes.”

y/n bit her lip, her voice quieter. “i’m scared, too. i feel this responsibility… like i need to be perfect, even though i know that’s impossible. i worry that we’ll make mistakes, that we won’t be good enough parents.”

the therapist nodded, his expression softening. “y/n, remember that there’s no such thing as a perfect parent. what matters is being present, loving, and open. you both already show these qualities just by being here, talking openly about your concerns. and your children, they’ll feel that love from day one.”

trent shifted in his seat, glancing down as he mulled over the therapist’s words. “i feel like… i need to carry so much,” he murmured, “like, i need to be strong all the time so y/n doesn’t have to worry.”

y/n turned to him, squeezing his hand tighter. “you don’t have to do it alone, you know? we’re a team in this, trent. i don’t expect you to carry everything by yourself.”

trent’s gaze softened as he looked at her, and the therapist watched their exchange, nodding approvingly. “you both have such a strong bond,” he said gently. “and even though you’re young, you’ve shown a remarkable amount of resilience. when you first came here, you both wanted to understand each other better, to grow together. that foundation is what will carry you through this next chapter.”

y/n blinked back a tear, her voice thick with emotion. “i just… i want our kids to have a home filled with love. i never want them to feel alone or burdened. and i’m so grateful trent and i have each other to lean on.”

trent placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “and i want to be there for all of it,” he said quietly, his voice trembling slightly. “the good and the bad, the late nights, everything. i want them to feel safe, like i feel with you.”

the therapist smiled, a sense of pride in his expression as he looked at the two of them. “that’s what it’s all about,” he said warmly. “parenthood isn’t easy, but you two have built something very special here, something that will help you weather whatever comes. you’ve got this.”

trent grinned, a hint of his usual playfulness breaking through the more serious atmosphere. “oh yeah? you got kids, doc?” he asked, tilting his head with genuine curiosity.

the therapist chuckled, pausing before he answered, “i do, actually. two of them, with my partner.”

y/n and trent exchanged a surprised but warm look, and trent laughed, shaking his head. “figures you’d know what all of this is like, then. those late nights, the whole terrifying, beautiful mess.”

the therapist gave a small smile, clearly touched. “oh, yes, i’ve been there. it’s a wild, wonderful ride. and between you and me,” he leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret, “you two have become some of my favorite clients. don’t tell anyone.”

y/n laughed softly, her fingers tracing absent patterns over trent’s hand. “we won’t. and… thank you, really,” she said, her voice soft with sincerity.

trent gave the therapist a playful nod. “guess you’re stuck with us, then.”

the therapist chuckled, looking at them with a fondness that had grown over their sessions. “stuck with you both? it’d be an honor.”

they sat in silence for a moment, letting his words settle. y/n felt a surge of gratitude, not just for trent but for the journey they’d been on together. she leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes as she breathed in the reassurance of his presence.

“thank you,” she murmured, her voice soft and filled with a newfound hope. “for everything.”

trent nodded, his arm wrapping around her, holding her close. “yeah… thank you. i don’t know what we’d do without these talks.”

the therapist gave a gentle nod, a small smile on his face. “just keep holding on to each other. remember, you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be present. i believe you’re both going to make wonderful parents.”

a few days later, trent picked her up after training, his expression warm but holding a hint of mystery that kept her on edge. he’d told her he’d planned a “little surprise,” something he hoped would lift the heavy weight that had settled over her heart lately. y/n eyed him curiously, a small smile tugging at her lips as she tried to coax details out of him, but he only gave her hand a light squeeze and chuckled.

“trust me,” he murmured softly, his eyes flicking toward her, a mix of affection and excitement.

the drive was a quiet one, her head leaning back against the seat as she tried to guess where they were headed, her thoughts swirling. when he finally pulled into the small, quaint parking lot of a local community center, y/n’s eyebrows shot up. faint laughter and light music drifted from the building, the subtle murmur of voices gathering inside. she could see the faces of other couples and soon-to-be parents mingling around the entrance, holding what looked like small dolls in their arms.

she turned to him, realization sparking in her eyes as she whispered, “you… signed us up for a parenting class?”

trent’s grin was both warm and boyishly proud, his hand slipping around her waist as he led her toward the building. “yeah. figured it might ease some of the nerves you’ve been having, show you just how ready you really are. and, you know, i kinda wanted to see you in action,” he teased, dropping his voice a notch, “mr. and mrs. alexander-arnold, ready for baby boot camp.”

hearing their names together like that, mr. and mrs. alexander-arnold, felt like a soft, grounding balm on her heart. she let herself lean into him, her heart fluttering as they entered, the air warm and cozy inside, infused with soft lavender and eucalyptus scents. her eyes swept the room, taking in the setup: small blankets laid out in pairs, each with a baby doll resting on top, waiting for its future “parents.”

the instructor greeted them, a middle-aged woman with a comforting smile and a calm energy that immediately put y/n at ease. she guided everyone to their spots, explaining the basics they’d be covering—from gentle holds and swaddling techniques to feeding positions. trent, surprisingly, dove in with the kind of focus she’d seen him bring to the pitch. his large hands were somehow delicate and practiced as he cradled the baby doll, a grin quirking up when he glanced over at her struggling with her own doll.

“what?” she muttered, cheeks pink as she tried to position her hands like he had. “i’m just getting a feel for it.”

“want me to help?” he teased, his voice low, lips twitching with the urge to laugh.

she nudged him lightly, shooting him a playful glare. “i think i’ve got this, thank you very much.”

he laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender, though the pride in his eyes was unmistakable. “alright, alright, mrs. alexander-arnold. show me what you’ve got.”

she rolled her eyes but focused, her fingers curling carefully around the doll as she tried to mimic his hold. it was awkward, her movements a bit clumsy, but trent watched with an encouraging smile, adjusting the doll in her arms once, twice, until it felt… right. she looked down at the doll, her heart swelling as she imagined holding their actual babies in a few months. the thought filled her with both awe and an almost overwhelming rush of emotions.

the instructor then guided them through swaddling, showing how to tuck the blanket securely yet gently, making the doll appear snug and cozy. y/n’s first attempt was a bit messy, the blanket slipping and leaving gaps, but trent leaned over, his hands warm as he guided hers, helping her wrap the cloth tightly.

“see?” he murmured, his gaze soft as he looked into her eyes. “you’re already doing better than most first-timers.”

she laughed softly, her shoulders relaxing under his touch. “maybe. it’s still just a doll, though.”

he shifted closer, his arm settling around her as they watched the instructor demonstrate the next technique. “you know you’re going to love them more than anything,” he said quietly, his voice filled with a conviction that settled something deep within her, “and they’re going to be so lucky to have you. you’re going to be a natural.”

her breath caught, the sincerity in his words stirring a wave of emotion. “you really believe that, don’t you?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

he nodded, his gaze steady and unwavering. “more than anything. there’s no one else i’d want to be their role model, to guide them, to be their safe place. i already know you’re going to love them unconditionally. you’ve got this, y/n.”

the instructor came over to check their progress, smiling approvingly at y/n’s improved swaddle. “looks like you’re getting the hang of it,” she said warmly, making y/n’s cheeks flush with a touch of pride and surprise.

trent smirked, leaning closer to whisper in her ear. “told you. look at that, mrs. alexander-arnold… already a pro.”

they both burst into quiet laughter, the air between them lightening with each shared look and touch. she looked down at her doll, her earlier anxieties fading into the background. he’d helped her realize that maybe, just maybe, she was ready for this.

by the time the class wrapped up, the instructor gave a few final tips, encouraging everyone to practice at home and remember that no parent is perfect, but love would carry them through the learning curves.

as they walked back to the car, y/n couldn’t help but feel a swelling sense of gratitude for him. once they were seated inside, she reached over, taking his hand and squeezing it, her voice thick with emotion.

“thank you,” she whispered. “for bringing me here, for believing in me… for all of this. i don’t think i’d even be half this calm if you weren’t here.”

trent turned to her, his expression soft, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “you’re already everything they need,” he replied, his voice warm. “and we’re going to be there for each other, yeah? every step of the way. you just have to believe in yourself the way i do.”

she nodded, blinking back tears as she felt his love wrap around her like a comforting embrace. she’d never felt more certain, more grounded.

“okay,” she whispered, her heart feeling lighter, “we’ve got this.”

and with trent by her side, she finally believed they did.

trent was sitting on the edge of the bed, his phone in hand, but the moment y/n walked into the room, everything else faded. his eyes widened as they landed on her — the silk baby blue nightie clung to her curves, her swollen belly on full display. she was stunning, her pregnancy only amplifying her beauty, and it took everything in him to keep from groaning out loud.

he sat up straighter, his gaze trailing up and down her body, unable to tear his eyes away. “fuck me,” he muttered, the words slipping out before he could even stop himself, his voice rough and low.

y/n’s lips curled into a soft smile as she padded over to him, her hips swaying just enough to have him biting back a curse. “what was that?” she teased, her voice sweet, but there was a mischievous glint in her eye. 

trent swallowed hard, his gaze never leaving her, his heart racing as she stopped right in front of him, her hand gently resting on her belly. “you heard me,” he rasped, his voice thick with desire. “you look... god, you look unreal.”

her smile deepened, and she let her fingers trace over his shoulder as she leaned down, her lips brushing against his. “this?” she whispered, her hand slipping to the thin strap of her nightie, teasing it down her shoulder just enough to make his breath hitch. “it’s just a little something i found.”

trent groaned, his hands instinctively finding her hips, pulling her closer as his lips captured hers in a heated kiss. “you’re killing me,” he murmured against her mouth, his hands slipping under the silk fabric, feeling the soft warmth of her skin.

y/n laughed softly, her breath mingling with his as she pressed herself closer to him, her belly bumping gently against his chest. “maybe,” she whispered, her lips grazing his jaw, “but you seem to like it.”

his hands slid up her sides, his touch firm but tender, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. “you have no idea,” he growled, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes, his gaze filled with raw hunger. “i can’t stop thinking about you… can’t stop wanting you.”

y/n’s eyes softened as she leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, “then don’t stop.”

that was all he needed to hear. in one swift motion, trent pulled her onto his lap, his hands splaying over her thighs, the soft silk of her nightie bunching around her hips. his fingers trailed over her skin, his touch slow and deliberate, savoring the feel of her.

“you drive me insane,” he muttered, his lips trailing down her neck, his hands never leaving her body as they moved over every curve, every inch of her he could reach.

y/n shivered, her fingers tangling in his hair as she arched into him, her belly pressed firmly against his chest. “you’re the one who’s always on tv being sexy,” she teased breathlessly, her voice breaking as his hands found the hem of her nightie, slowly slipping it higher. “you’re the one who… who can’t stop looking so good.”

trent chuckled darkly, his teeth grazing her collarbone as he whispered, “you’re the only one i care about seeing me like that. the rest? doesn't matter.”

his hands slipped under the silk, pulling the fabric higher until it was pooled at her waist. he paused, his gaze dropping to her belly, and his heart clenched at the sight. she was carrying his baby, their baby, and the thought of it, of her, overwhelmed him with so much love and desire that he could barely breathe.

he let his hands rest on her belly, gently rubbing the curve with a tenderness that made her heart flutter. “i’m obsessed with you,” he murmured, his voice soft but filled with intensity. “and with this. with our baby… with everything about you.”

y/n’s breath hitched, her fingers tightening in his hair as she leaned into him, her body trembling with need. “then show me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the challenge was clear in her tone. “show me how obsessed you are.”

trent didn’t need to be told twice. he kissed her deeply, his hands sliding down her body, gripping her thighs as he shifted her closer, their bodies pressed together in a perfect fit.

y/n’s heart raced as she pulled back from the kiss, her gaze fixed on trent. she felt a rush of boldness, a spark of desire that ignited within her. without thinking, she pushed him gently back onto the bed, a teasing grin spreading across her face. “let me show you just how much i appreciate you,” she murmured, her voice sultry and inviting.

with that, she knelt between his legs, the silk of her nightie sliding over her skin like a whisper. she leaned forward, her lips brushing against his chest, her kisses soft and reverent. “i love this,” she whispered, her breath warm against his skin as she pressed her lips to his collarbone, trailing lower to the defined muscles of his chest.

“you’re so good to me, trent,” she murmured against his skin, her lips moving lower to trace the ridges of his abs. “you’ve been everything i could ever want during this pregnancy. so patient, so understanding…” she paused, placing soft kisses along his abdomen, savoring the way his muscles tensed beneath her lips.

“i love how you take care of me,” she breathed, glancing up at him, her eyes dark with desire. “and how you look in that jersey… like a dream.” she pressed a lingering kiss right above his belly button, her fingers teasingly brushing over his taut skin. “you’re so damn sexy, and it drives me crazy.”

trent groaned, his hands tangling in her hair as she continued her ministrations, her kisses igniting a fire within him. “you’re making it hard to think,” he managed, his voice thick with desire.

“good,” y/n replied, her lips now tracing the outline of his abs, her touch both light and electrifying. “i want you to lose yourself in this moment. in me.” she lavished attention on his body, each kiss a promise, each caress a testament to her adoration.

“you’ve been such a good boyfriend. oh wait that’s not right, you’ve been my perfect fiancé, ” she said between kisses, her words muffled against his skin. “i’ve been so needy, and you never complain. it’s like you love making me a monster.” she laughed softly, looking up at him with playful eyes. “you’ve created an insatiable beast.”

trent chuckled, the sound deep and rich, but his gaze was intense, filled with longing. “i’d create a million more if it means you look at me like that,” he said, his voice low and rough. “you’re beautiful like this, y/n. pregnant and glowing… it drives me out of my mind.”

she smiled, feeling a rush of warmth at his words. “well, that’s good, because i’m not stopping anytime soon.” y/n leaned in, pressing her lips to his stomach once more, her hands trailing up his sides as she kissed her way back up his chest, each kiss igniting the passion between them.

“i want you to remember how much i love you,” she whispered, her lips hovering just above his as she caught his gaze, the intensity of the moment swirling around them. “how much i love this. how much i love us.”

trent's breath hitched as her words hung in the air, thick with emotion and desire. he could see the fire in her eyes, the way she was utterly consumed by the moment. “you don’t have to remind me, y/n. i know,” he said, his voice hoarse as he reached up to caress her cheek, his thumb brushing over her lips. “you’re everything to me.”

her heart swelled at his words, and she leaned into his touch, feeling the heat radiating from his body beneath her. the silk of her nightie clung to her curves, and the way trent's eyes roamed over her made her skin tingle with anticipation. “i’m so lucky to have you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned closer, letting her body press against his.

“lucky? baby, it’s me who’s the lucky one,” trent replied, his eyes dark with a hunger that matched her own. he guided her back down to him, his lips capturing hers in a slow, passionate kiss. she melted against him, her body instinctively arching into his, craving more of his touch.

he pulled away just slightly, his forehead resting against hers, breathing heavily as he tried to regain control. “god, y/n, you make me feel things… i’m obsessed with you.” the admission was raw, heartfelt, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

“and i’m obsessed with you,” she confessed, her hands trailing down his chest, fingers splaying over his abs as she reveled in the feel of him. “especially now. especially like this.” her lips curled into a smirk as she leaned in again, peppering kisses along his jaw, savoring the taste of him, the scent of his skin.

“you’ve got me completely under your spell,” trent murmured, tilting his head to give her better access. “how is it possible that you just keep getting more beautiful?” he teased, though there was a seriousness behind his words that made her heart flutter.

“stop it,” she laughed lightly, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks. “you’re going to make me shy.” she couldn’t help but lean in for another kiss, deeper this time, her body instinctively shifting to straddle his lap as she enveloped herself in his warmth.

“shy? with me?” he chuckled, but the playful tone was edged with desperation, his hands gripping her waist as if anchoring her to him. “you’re not allowed to be shy. not now. not ever.”

y/n bit her lip, feeling bold and adventurous. “well, maybe i’ll just have to remind you all the ya i’m not shy,” she teased, her fingers sliding down to the hem of her nightie, teasingly lifting it to expose more of her skin to him.

“fuck,” he groaned, his eyes widening in a mix of awe and desire as he took in the sight of her. “you really are a monster, aren’t you?” he said, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “how did i ever create this?” 

“just you wait,” she said, her voice sultry as she leaned forward, her lips brushing against his ear, her breath hot against his skin. “i’m just getting started.”

next

© PDRIESTA 2024

[munsons-hellfire]

Hi there!! i saw you’re gonna start writing for acotar! can i request a helion x reader where it’s a double date but theyre both like no we’re just third and fourth wheeling nbd but maybe there’s an ulterior motive somewhere to get them to realize their feelings for each other??

We’re Just Friends | Helion

SUMMARY: You and Helion are oblivious to each other's feelings until you arent.

PAIRINGS: Helion x Reader

CONTENT WARNINGS: SFW, fluff, angst.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: You have no idea how excited I was when I got this request. I had come up with two ideas for this and ended up going with the more angstier version because I loved it so much. I also added a little more to it because I wanted to build something between the reader and Helion. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing it. Thank you for requesting for Helion, he is one of my favorites from ACOTAR so I had a lot of fun with this!

WORD COUNT: 1.7K

You’d been a member of the Night Court since you were born. With friends such as Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel you were able to escape Illyria before they had a chance to clip your wings. You’d found your family became of those three males. You were an emissary to the Night Court, often traveling between Courts to form a bond to have an ally in any future war. The Autumn Court and Spring Court were courts you often avoided if you could.

You knew the history between Rhys and Tamlin and couldn’t stand the male. You didn’t get along with Beron in the least. Always trying to defy what he wanted to do. One High Lord in particular had caught your attention. Helion had taken the opportunity to get to know you, he’d befriended you and whenever you visited his Court it was hard for your friends to separate you from him.

Before Amarantha happened they could see the love that was there between you and Helion. Rhys kept quiet, as did the others but they knew something would happen between you and Helion eventually. When they were trapped Under the Mountain and you were locked up in Velaris everything had changed for you. You’d become a shell of your former self and even when Prythian had been free at the hands of a human who risked her life in the process and died, you still hadn’t managed to pull through.

The months leading to the return of Rhys you started seeing Helion again, slowly but surely becoming yourself again. It was even more of a reason that Rhys and all your other friends believed that you and Helion were mates. But there wasn’t time to say anything right now with a fight on its way. The war had been fought and won. Rhys had died in the process only to be brought back.

Everything seemed to be right in Prythian. After the way you’d stayed with Vassa and Jurian to help rebuild whatever was left standing. You’d found a friendship with the two, and eventually Lucien when he joined them. Upon returning back from the work you’d helped with in the Human lands Helion had requested that you become his emissary for the Day Court.

Helion had seen how much you’d managed to accomplish in the months after the war against Hybern was over. He knew you’d be a great addition to his court, he also knew you’d look better in Day Court colors. After a talk with Rhys and Feyre, your High Lord and High Lady you had their approval. You said your goodbyes to your family, promising to come visit whenever you could and you left.

It had been 10 years since the events of the war. Things were steady now. You had everything you ever wanted, accepted you knew there was still something missing from your life. When Feyre and Rhys invited you and Helion to join them in Velaris for an outing, you couldn’t say no to them. Helion had agreed, though there wasn’t much you’d have to say to convince the male to go with you.

He enjoyed being wherever you were, so if you want to go see your family he’d follow along with you. The night had started out wonderful, you and Helion had met up with Rhys and Feyre as a casual get together, but they had other plans in mind. The mated couple was going to get you and Helion together by the end of the night. They still didn’t understand how either of you could’ve gone this long being so oblivious to the fact that you and Helion were in love with each other.

Helion couldn’t bring himself to admit it, he was afraid to lose you as a friend or worse to someone else. Meanwhile you were afraid of his rejection. He was a High Lord after all so he’d have every right to say no to you if you’d so much as mention your affections for him. The four of you sat at a table in a restaurant in Velaris. You’d given Feyre an odd look when she had mentioned that this was a double date.

You had finished your food, your eyes were on Helion as he talked to Rhys and Feyre about something. You weren’t sure what he was talking about. You’d been so focused on his face that his words slipped right through your ears. You blinked, finally taking notice that all eyes were on you. Suddenly you felt as though you’d miss something.

“Oh, you did, sister.” Rhys whispered in your mind. You glared at him, throwing your shields up to block him.

“I’m sorry, what are we talking about?” You asked softly, not looking at Helion, afraid that you’d disappointed him by missing something so important.

“I was just wondering if you’d be coming to see the rest of the family later tonight, maybe bring Helion.” Feyre said, her eyes planted on you. A smirk rested on her lips. You knew that she was having a mind conversation with Rhys.

“Oh, I’m sure Helion wants to head back home soon, so maybe another time.” You didn’t miss the way Helion had smirked at your comment.

“Nonsense, I think we can stay a little bit longer.” Helion remarked, a smile on his lips. You gripped your drink, sipping the wine slowly.

“Great.” Feyre said excitedly.

“Maybe we can even get you two together.” Rhys said, causing you to choke on your wine. You put your glass down, attempting to stop the coughing fit.

Finally you were able to get words out. “We’re just friends, Rhys.” You said, and it was a simple answer. Feyre and Rhys had caught the look of hurt that had crossed Helion’s face when those words had slipped from your lips.

“Yes, we’re just friends.” You winced, it was almost like Helion had been hurt by your choice of words. You felt you couldn’t breathe, you were being suffocated by everything around you. This was not what you’d expected to happen tonight.

“Excuse me, I need some air.” You were quick to get up and leave the restaurant before any of them could protest. The cool air hit your skin when you walked out the door. You walked down to the bridge that overlooked Velaris and the Sidra river.

More than anything you wanted to be with Helion, you knew you’d been in love with him for so long. So why did your words affect him so much, you were so certain that he didn’t feel the same way about you. That you were just an Illyrian female he wanted to bed. Your wings moved in closer to protect you from any passersby as you let the tears fall down your face.

“So that’s what I am to you, a friend?” His voice was cold, distant as the question left his mouth.

You didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. Not when you were still crying over what had happened. You should’ve known that Helion would chase after you.

“I didn’t mean it to come out that way.” You said, pulling your wings back and tucking them in tightly as you turned to look at the male.

“Then how did you mean it?”

“I just, I mean we are friends. There’s nothing between us so why does it matter?” You were really hurting him, you knew that.

“Because.” He whispered softly.

“Because isn’t an answer.” You watched as he walked closer to you, closing the space between you and him. His hand gently touched your cheek. You looked at him with a glimmer of hope, of love in your eyes.

“Because I love you, I have loved you since I first met you. I have loved you since I discovered you were my mate. And I will continue to love you until it is my time to leave this world behind.”

You felt your heart picking up its pace at his words. You could hear the honesty coming from him. And then it happened, you felt it, that gold string tie around your heart. You gasped, your hand flying to your chest as you felt the strength of the bond pick up between you and Helion. Finally he smiled, still looking at you.

“But all this time, you, you were seeing other’s.” You felt yourself cracking waiting for his answer.

“It was just for a fun time. I may bring other lovers into our bed, but they will never be able to replace anything. I fell for you, my sunshine. You are the light in my life that I’ve been waiting so long for.” You released a broken laugh, tears falling down your face. “Please don’t cry my love.” He whispered as he kissed the tears away.

“I’m just so happy.” You whispered, pushing your hands into his wavy hair. “Because I've loved you since the moment I met you too. And I am so thrilled to be your mate.” He smiled at your words and brought his lips to yours kissing you softly. Cheering could be heard in the background. You and Helion pulled apart from each other to look at your family that had been nearby.

“I think it worked, Feyre, darling.” Rhys said, as the mated couple walked towards you and Helion.

A smile rested on your lips and you pushed yourself closer to Helion as he wrapped his hand around your waist. It was the happy ending you’d been looking for, your mate. And now that you’d discovered everything that happened between you and him was the bond’s way of informing you, you couldn’t be more happy.

“I hate you all.” You whispered, resting your head on Helion’s chest.

“I don’t think so. If it hadn’t been for them inviting you to dinner neither of you would’ve known.” Cassian remarked, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Not true, General. I’ve always known about the bond.” At this you looked up at Helion.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” You asked him.

“I didn’t want to risk our friendship in case I was wrong, or the Mother was wrong, or something happened. So many reasons, and I just don’t care because I have you now and that’s all that matters.” He placed a kiss on your head.

“No more lies, promise?” You whispered.

“No more lies, I promise.” The bargain was set, a slight sting of pain ran through your forearm as a bargain tattoo was crafted. The night sky mixed with the sun. A bargain between you and your mate. The happiest of endings, one you were so thankful for.

[oonajaeadira]

State of the WIP Address Poll

Hi. I usually do these on Friday but I'm in my yearnings and I need your help.

It's super busytimes for me, but I do have snatches of downtime in my day and I'd really love to be writing. The problem is that I have a number of wips and want to work on them all and so I get choice paralysis and I feel like I'mma die inside if I don't finish a story sometime soon. Help.

Here are some wips I have the capacity to work on right now.....

Omegaverse Javi G

Currently sitting at ~6K and about 2/3 done

Rating: Mature for a/b/o dynamics and couplings, but mostly angst and sweetness

You and Javi were part of the two ruling Alpha packs on Mallorca. You were an Omega assumed to wed into the Gutierrez family to seal the bond between the two families. The problem: Javi's uncle--not his father--was the ruling Gutierrez, which means Lucas is set to be head Alpha and Javi was the only boy in the Gutierrez family that didn't present as Alpha. And yet you were childhood friends and then sweethearts... Then everything changed.

.

Modern!dom Pero

Currently sitting at ~6K and maybe 2/3 done? It's in pieces

Rating: Mature for a sex scene at the end

Don't be fooled though, he's not a rough or controlling dom. I'm still a softie. You run a marital arts school with Lin and hire two carpenters to build out a second studio. One of them seems pretty grumpy but you find through fits and starts that you have more in common than you think. And not just familiarity with swords....

.

Sex Pollen Oberyn

Currently sitting at ~2.5K and I'd say maybe 1/4 done

Rating: Explicit for descriptions of things I can't stop thinking about

I mean, right now it's a hell of a lot of reader x Ellaria, but that's just the build up to funtimes. You are the representation of your Dornish provence come to Sunspear to negotiate land with other leaders....but that's just a convenient front for a secret mission. Your sister's marriage needs a little oomph and you've heard tell of a potion that might help, but only the maesters would know of it. Not like they'd ever give it over to a womanthough. But the Red Viper might know how to make it and if only you can get an audience with the Prince, you might be able to beg the favor.... And then, you know, misunderstandings and threesomes ensue.

.

Leave Off Your Wandering part 5: Spring Again

Currently sitting at ~750 and I don't know how long it will be

Rating: Mostly fluff with some domestic bedroom relations

Too much trauma happened in Winter for me to just end it there...I want to give them some time to heal and rebuild. So Spring Again is the epilogue and it won't have much for story, just checking in on everyone. Showing how they've settled. Letting them go off into their uneventful happy ending.

.

I've got a few more but I'm either not in a place to concentrate on the bigger stories or I don't have a next step for them just yet. (Din and Pats and Light/Shadow Max and Branded Pero are calling, and maybe I'd love to revisit Thief and Locksmith....I just need more uninterrupted time for them.) These are the one that bubble my thoughts from time to time lately.

Which one are you most wanting to read?

Pedro tax:

Thank you in advance. <3

[acourtofkindness]

Thank you for sending in all the stories, here you can find the collection! Some of these are one-shots, some are longer stories, just click your way through them and also check out their other fics!

A Ballad of Thorns & Roses: How the High Lord of Spring told his Tale (Feylin/Tamcien)

by @positivelyruined When Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court of Prythian, finds the clock counting down to his final battle with Amarantha — two things push him into action: the sudden death and bloody sacrifice of his friend Andras and the fierce vexation of his close friend Lucien. With no more time to waste, he offers shelter to the one person that he should despise the most — the girl who murdered Andras. His heart has been bleeding for a decade. Will their connection be enough to break the bond that holds the Spring Court captive, or will this burning love only spurn Tamlin’s heart? In this tale as old as time, only time will tell.

Spirit Meets the Bones (Eris x OC)

by @lucienarcheron Eris and Iris. Son of a high lord. Daughter of a fiend. An arranged marriage brought them together and beneath all the hate, the two are more alike than they’d like to be.

To Dust Or To Gold (Neris)

by @queercontrarian Eris calls in his bargain with Rhysand: he wants Nesta to join him in the Autumn Court to help him in his scheme to bring down his father.

Flame of Autumn (Eris x OC)

by @climbthemountain2020 "He quashed his hope like a bug beneath his heel. They would meet, marry, and produce a child. How hard could it possibly be to copulate and wash his hands of it? It’s not like he hadn’t regularly found release in the hundreds of years of living. This one would just be attached to him a bit more legally." Eris Vanserra is forced into a marriage with a magic-less daughter of Autumn from a strong bloodline. Despite his best efforts to remain apathetic, the universe has other plans.

A Court of Threads & Daises (Lucien x Tamlin)

by @shi-daisy Tragedy almost struck the Spring Court when Tamlin Evergreen tried to take his own life. Lucien Vanserra manages to save his former Lord, but not his power. Now that the Spring Court has a new High Lord and the horrors of war are behind them, both Tamlin and Lucien agree to help the new heir navigate court life and attempt to rebuild the broken Spring Court, along with healing themselves. They weren't expecting to fall back in love in the process.

A Court of Song and Desolation (Tamlin x Lucien)

by @achaotichuman With his Court in ruins and everyone gone, Tamlin lives amongst the broken pieces of his Court and has no intentions of changing that. Lucien, however, will not stand to leave his oldest friend alone. When Lucien takes Tamlin back to the human lands, they discover a darkness coming for Prythian. If something does not stop it, it will completely rewrite the way Faeries and humans alike live as they know it.

Of Hearts and Swords (Feysand, Nessian, Manorian, Quinlar, etc.)

by @QueenofNightmares (on ao3) 5 years have passed since Bryce Quinlan fought the Asteri—and lost. 5 years since the Horn in her back was then used to permanently open the gates between worlds. Midgard, Erilea, and Prythian are now in open war--the reunited Fae of each world working together to fight the Asteri. But much has changed in the war-ravaged years that have passed. The Crochan Witchclan fights alongside the Valkyries. Hunt Athalar has sought day and night for a way to bring Bryce back from the dead and end this war. And the beloved High Lady of the Night Court--Feyre Archeron-- left Prythian for Erilea, just after their Inner Circle was cleaved apart forever by a newcomer. As war rages on, the Asteri have found an unlikely ally in Prythian--one that might turn the fortunes of battle against the Fae. This is an alternate ending to CC3 (HOFAS) where the Asteri win. Bryce was killed in the conflict that followed and the Horn in her back was then used to permanently open the gates. It will follow each of the main character ships (Feysand, Nessian, Rowaelin, Lysaedion, Manorian, Quinlar, etc.) as well as introduce some new ones for some other beloved characters (Azriel, Fenrys). Lots of relationship angst with a happy ending.

Flame of Autumn (Eris x OC)

by @climbthemountain2020 Eris Vanserra is forced into a marriage with a magic-less daughter of Autumn from a strong bloodline. Despite his best efforts to remain apathetic, the universe has other plans.

Beyond (Helion x LoA)

by @areyoudreaminof The Lady of Autumn has agreed to come live at the Day Court, though she seems hesitant. Can Helion convince her that she belongs at his side?

[reginarubie]

There's been how many attempts to dethrone/kill Jon!?! No wonder Sansa stresses about Arya staying to protect not only Rickon but everything they fought to protect and rebuild so far. Before some lord forgets himself, unable to see the bigger picture and pit a Stark against one another.

Oh the sorrow of seeing the pack separate again after finally establishing themselves together. Jon going back north and Sansa south. At least Arya and Rickon knwo better than when they were younger, still, sometimes having more knowledge just opens doors to new danger. Wonder which lording will be the first to strike my boy LIVING Rickon. (Finally a conformation!!)

Wonder how alliances will be made when Jon has made it clear that Sansa will not be used again and he has no intentions of marrying. (Jon you little closet romantic you~~) He's so agreeable with her one other matters until it regards to her safety and happiness, and then he's all commanding and I'm like yes dadd- Jon. *cough* Yes Jon.

-Mystic

Hello Mystic!

As always thank you, and happy you enjoyed the chapter!

Yes, it was 4 attempts to dethrone him.

Littlefinger was attempting (at the time) to dethrone Jon, by seeding doubts about the true war Jon spiels about with the lords, to install Sansa in his place. Sansa lulls him in a sense of false security, she collects evidence, gathers informations and creates bonds with the Knights of the Vale (namely through Lord Royce) and puts up the farce of the trial to Arya. Then she comes out and self confess her role in letting LF go free despite killing lady Arryn. They kill LF.

Bolton loyalists (admits the servants) attempt on Jon’s life but Sansa and Arya were already aware and Arya saves Jon’ life.

Cersei sends assassins after Sansa and Jon (it’s around this time that Rickon returns).

A wildling clan, installed in the lands near the Dreadfort attacks the keep to raid it, Jon and Sansa travel to it and Jon tries to sooth the dispute, so the chieftain of the clan challenges him, but during the combat they cheat and try to kill him and Sansa discovers that some Bolton’ loyalists (precisely a distant bastard cousin) are trying to rally their forces against the Starks. Which is why Brienne was at the Dreadfort when this begins.

So, this is about the four attempts to dethrone Jon. Which yes, explains why Sansa is so bent on having someone stay in Winterfell with Rickon, who yes, is very much alive.

I know, I know…if it can console you, they’ll be together soon, give or take some chapters in between.

Yes, Jon basically lets Sansa decide on everything, but can get very stubborn and dominant when it’s about her prospects and happiness. Fight him, Jon’d gladly throw fists over it.

Also yes, Rickon is alive and as wild and savage as he should be, thank you and amen.

Nu-uh no spoilers on how the alliance will, if it will, be made. 😉 you’ll have to read it to discover it for yourself!

As always, hope you have a wonderful day! All the love~G.

[theofficersacademy]

As the monastery falls into a comfortable rhythm of a seemingly idyllic, though perhaps a little zany, day-to-day life, the new year brings with it a shake-up coming from the lands of Adrestia. Students and knights with ties to the Empire all receive news, one way or another, of the re-establishment of the Southern Church. In a holy place like Garreg Mach, it quickly becomes the dominant discussion, and day-in and day-out, it feels near impossible to not hear something about this new-old branch.

However, as the weather gets warmer and the first signs of summertime begin to encroach, the Central Church announces that it has received a distress call— and who else might be its sender but the newly rebuilding Southern Church? It's all hands on deck for the Black Eagles to investigate the matter and see what might be amiss, but beware, because you feel eyes and ears on you everywhere...

Black Eagles Mission: Investigate the Southern Church!

BE Mission Task Board

Most of your manpower is dedicated to fending off sudden bandit attacks. None of them are especially trained in combat, but their numbers are relentless, and they don't seem to be all in cahoots with one another either. Instead, the attacks seem to be coming from different gangs and brotherhoods in the area. With a bit of questioning though, all of them claim that word has spread like wildfire about rich yuppies from the Officers Academy roaming around here, and so many opportunistic marauders have set their sights on your group. Cut down one, three more pop up. They warn that punishing them will not stop the attacks, but nobody can give you a clear answer on who's spreading these rumors either. Every day, the number of injured increases, unless there's something you can do to change this... [Grants Axe +1]

It's the fifth case in just one week. Shortly after arriving in Varley territory, those from outside of Fódlan with horses have found that their steeds are much more agitated and acting uncharacteristically cold to even their trusted partners, throwing off their riders and ignoring all commands. It's getting in the way of work but it's also clearly making the locals feel anxious about the competence of your party and whether or not it's really safe to have you around. Get to the bottom of what's causing this, before the bond between horse and rider becomes irreparable. [Grants Riding +1]

Even without a clear understanding of what might be afoot here, your group has been ordered to remain in Varley territory. While searching for any leads, it is clear that the local soup kitchen could use a few extra hands, and although your own party is well-taken care of with regards to food and supplies, the same cannot be said for everybody that lives here. Perhaps if you can raise the comfort of living for the destitute, they might have a thing or two to tell you about what goes on in Varley lands, or perhaps you simply do this out of a desire to not see your fellow man suffer. Beware, however, that if you choose to share your own provisions, that some knights traveling with you are much stricter on guarding what's been brought with and given to your group.

To be on the ground might be the safest bet. Mysteriously, guard towers that your party have been using have had their ladders stolen and staircases in the inns you're staying in have their railings and steps suddenly collapse— pushing your numbers towards taking what could be grievous plummets if you're not careful. Scouting is being relegated only to those with some flying experience, but those with foreign mounts or wearing the Garreg Mach uniform have found themselves the target of archers. Who could be behind these attacks? And will you find yourself taking that great, big fall before you find out that answer? [Grants Flying +1]

It's not normal for a distress call to suddenly flicker into nothingness, right? But the Officers Academy higher-ups insist it's been investigated, and you have nothing to worry about. So what, then, is this strange dream you've woken to in the middle of the night, calling your name and asking for your help? Come to the bluffs tomorrow night, it asks, and we can meet then. But nothing happens. Come to the bluffs, the voice asks again. Is it a trap? Or is someone really in need of help?

Non-Mission Task Board

It's been a while since the monastery has hosted a tournament. Enter Lieutenant Lanton, with another of his marvelous ideas. This time, the name of the game is swapping. The Swap Showdown will feature contestants trading weapons, mounts, and armor before their fight. If a pegasus knight squares up against an archer, they must now turn a bow to their beloved mount. Think you have what it takes to come out on top?

After the War of Shadows, Archanea's fearsome wooden cavalry was doomed to fall out of fashion. Though its ballistae were able to once travel the world with their ballisticians, they relied upon a special type of fruit to create the oil that helped it move. Over time, said fruit disappeared, and all ballisticians were condemned to remain forever still. However, by virtue of a miracle, one Archanean transfer student brought the last collection of seeds with them and has been able to find success in growing it here in Fódlan's soil. Eager to test whether or not their oil works, a ballista in the style of the Archanea's faux-cavalry has been built on the monastery grounds. However, it turns out with so few people used to a man-made structure as big as this moving and an unfortunate malfunction in its construction, it's started barreling through the monastery pathways, destroying anything in its path with its driver utterly helpless to get it to brake. Your goal? Stop that ballista at any cost! [Grants Bow +1]

The tunnels of Abyss are full of secrets by their nature, but there are some which even its own residents are unaware of. One such secret, hidden behind a convincing wall of fake stone, reveals itself when someone tumbles right through and dispels the illusion. Others who come looking for them a short time later find only a huge, gilded archway at the end of the newly exposed tunnel. It pulses with magic, aglow with a swirling curtain of bright blues and dark greens, but there is no sign of another person anywhere. Word of this ‘Outrealm Gate’, as those in-the-know call it, spreads fast… and the outrage over what it could invite spreads even faster. Though nothing has come out of the gate, a mob of men is still set to destroy it first thing in the morning, but in the meantime, its mystery beckons you. Are you worried about the person who disappeared? Or do you simply fancy taking a peek into whatever world is supposedly on the other side, even if there’s no guarantee it’ll be a pleasant one?

The Mittelfrank Opera has taken its recruitment on the road! At the very least, the B-list director by the name of D'Silva has come to Garreg Mach to scout talent for a new production under his name. While his rather unconventional and experimental methods haven't made him too popular among the opera-loving elite, he lives and dies by the unique recording device he's gotten his hands on. As for what this show will be about? Well, that's what he's come here for. "The content will be determined by its actors!" he declares at the end of his rousing, albeit kind of crazy speech in Garreg Mach's town square. He's looking to fill all sorts of positions, from costume designers, to scriptwriters, to set artists, to the leads themselves. Will you take on a role and the potential to bask in the warm glow of fame? Or are you just here to get paid? Speaking of payment, or lack thereof, well… extra credit doesn't hurt, you suppose. [Grants +1 Authority]

From beyond the classroom windows comes a sudden, relentless deluge, and from within, a chorus of cheers. Surely this means your outdoor practice will be cancelled today! Even as your instructor marches you all outside and across a waterlogged field, you all hold tightly to this conviction. A field trip in the rain is better than training in the rain, after all, but all confidence shatters the moment he brings you to a stop at the foot of a hill. “You will go take that summit, and you will not let anyone else have it,” he says, pointing to its flag-topped crest. Immediately, groans erupt among your party, each of you cold and soaked to the bone. Yet while some grouse about the "extreme" rule that disallows weapons and the rain itself, others are taking advantage of your inertia and already elbowing their way up the slope. Your instructor, seemingly unbothered by the rain, makes it clear: join them, or accept your Fail for the class.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the divided task board work?

This season’s mission is assigned to the Black Eagles muses. Therefore, tasks from the ‘Black Eagles Mission Task Board’ must be undertaken by someone that is affiliated with the Black Eagles house. However, they may choose to perform the task with someone who is not from their group as well. In logistical terms, this means that if you play a non-BE muse and want to do a mission task, you must ask someone who plays a Black Eagles muse to thread with you. All thread participants will still receive any skill point rewards. Tasks from the ‘Non-Mission Task Board’ have no house restriction and can be undertaken by anyone.

These aren’t the only threads I can do, right?

Of course not! These are just prompts to help give some ideas of possibilities. You’re always free and encouraged to make up your own threads.

If my muse is not a Black Eagles muse, can I still write an open starter for the mission tasks?

Yes, but only the non-mission tasks. Your character must be affiliated with the Black Eagles to write an open starter for this season’s mission.

How do I claim the skill points?

In order to qualify for the skill point, the thread must clearly allude to the listed task and preferably feature the task being completed. However, you can still claim the skill point if your characters narratively fail. You do not need to message the masterlist to claim your skill point.

Can I only do one task?

Nope, you can do as many as you’d like with as many different partners as you’d like! You can do the same task with more than one person! However, you can only claim any skill points once.

Remember to use (and track!) the #toa open tag for any open threads, and you can also post a link to your open thread on the appropriate Discord channel! If you have any other questions or concerns, shoot us a message through the masterlist or on Discord!