#Rose Kell

[jiyura]

[vesper100]

cartoon saloon x the name of the rose because i'm crazy but i'm free

[antaripirate]

another one from the drafts

[verdantmeadows]

Okay if I had to think of a few criticisms of Dungeon Meshi, because I genuinely have no others, it's that I wish there were more black characters and I wish there were more disabled characters (because there absolutely are disabled characters, but it'd be nice to see ones that use something like a mobility aid like a wheelchair). I also wish there was some level of explicit queerness. Because, to be clear, I DO love the way queer characters are written in Dungeon Meshi through showing and metaphor and not saying it directly, but I do wish there was instances of a character mentioning another character (even if they're never seen or it's super unimportant) has a partner of the same gender.

But like, especially for those first two. Ryoko Kui has some of the best character designs I've ever seen and is incredible at diversity both in ethnicity, body type, and more, yet I have barely seen any black characters from her and would love to. Especially since there are many characters that are clearly meant to be/coded to be from certain places (like many characters are intended to be Japanese, Kabru is Indian, etc). And honestly, I think there are a few characters who could be seen as or intended to be black, but they all have very straight hair, which yes, black people can have, and it is of course okay to create all sorts of fantasy races with mixtures of appearances that don't appear in IRL humans commonly if at all. So I would have really liked to see black characters with textured/curly hair and black characters who are coded to have been from a specific country or countries or cultures in Africa or other areas with unique populations of black people.

[adarkrainbow]

I was about to say "I searched everywhere for it and couldn't find it", and then I just return here and saw the release date... Once again my silly brain just flew over the most important info X)

If you want a bit more info, one website specified that it wasn't just a sequel to "Hansel and Gretel" but also a rewrite of Little Snow-White ; and of "Snow-White and Rose-Red". In fact, you can clearly see the presence of these two fairytales in an excerpt that was revealed online and that is, if I am not uncorrect, located around the opening of the book. You can read it here

For even more info and teasing, the author gave a full interview about her upcoming book on Fantasy Hive. You can find the full interview here, but I'll place underneath some of my favorite passages:

Welcome to the Hive, Kell. Congratulations on your debut novel, After the Forest. Can you tell our readers all about it? What can they expect?  Thank you for having me! After the Forest is a historical fantasy for adults set in the seventeenth century Black Forest. It picks up the Hansel & Gretel fairy tale fifteen years after the story ended. Both Hans and Greta are struggling – the brutal Thirty Years’ War has just come to an end, and their childhood experience with the witch in the forest still haunts them. Hans is selfish and reckless, and Greta supports them both by selling her famous – and deliciously addictive – gingerbread, which she bakes with the help of the grimoire she took from the witch’s house years before. However, in a village full of superstition, Greta’s red hair and her intoxicating gingerbread are a source of suspicion and gossip. When dark magic and wild beasts return to the woods, things get even worse. Greta discovers that her own power – magic she is still trying to understand – may be the only thing that can save her.  If it doesn’t kill her first.  Readers can expect history, fairytales, magic and witchery, as well as a love story and a good dash of darkness.    What drew you to writing about Hansel and Gretel from this perspective?  I really love fairy tale retellings set in real places and times. Books like Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier and Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth. Both those authors took fairy tales and fleshed them out, made them whole, in a completely captivating way. I think they were so good because they moved the fairy tale from a land of vague fantasy (somewhere far far away) to one that is more familiar. So when I started thinking about that – about making the fairy tale real – I began to ask myself questions about Hansel and Gretel. What would they be like as adults? Would their childhood experiences have changed them?  Imagine two kids who have recently lost their mother. Then, they’re abandoned in the woods by their father. They roam the forest for three days before a terrifying witch abducts them, locking Hansel up and making it clear that she intends to eat him. To save her brother, Gretel pushes the witch into her own oven, killing her.  This is some seriously dark stuff. And the more I thought about it, the more I wondered how the woodcutter could bring himself to abandon his children. And why the witch chose Hansel, not Gretel, for dinner. And how Gretel would have felt after that push. And whether any of them would have really been capable of living happily ever after.  Speaking of worlds, what kind of world is your story set in? Is it cosy, dark or maybe a blend of both? I think it’s a blend of both. Angela Slatter, one of my favourite writers, described After the Forest as being ‘as sweet as gingerbread and as dark as heart’s blood’. It has a certain domestic cosiness, but also some gory parts as well. Just like a fairy tale!  If you could be transported into any fairy tale, which would it be and why?  Hmmm, maybe ‘The Twelve Dancing Princesses’? There’s something appealing about sneaking out with your sisters at night and flitting through the forest until you come to an enchanted underground castle where you dance for so long you wear your shoes out. That sounds fun. (I imagine the enchanted castle would have some pretty enchanting canapés, too.) Do you have any other fairy tales you’re particularly fond of? Or that you’d write about?  I have a soft spot for Red Riding Hood. The older versions are so scary and dark. And I love The Six Swans. I could never write about that, though, as Juliet Marillier has already done it so perfectly in Daughter of the Forest. 

A very interesting fairytale retelling that focuses on the after story of Hansel and Gretal, now Hans and Greta, Greta begins preparations to bake a special gingerbread that will hopefully sell well. However, many unexpected things begin to happen.

This book is like a rollercoaster. At points, I was enthralled and at others, not so much. But I definitely wound up enjoying this! The creativity and strangeness of this tale won me over.

Out October 3, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

[mightydyke]

I've been really into stories featuring monks as the main character recently. I played Pentiment this year and I'm reading The Name of the Rose. Plus I've loved The Secret of Kells since I was a child. Does anyone have any recommendations of good stories featuring monks, monasteries and/or nuns?

[hearrtrender]

the way growing up reading has shaped my entire personality like I will always pick the blue drink or the blue cupcake for Percy, and I will always pick Daisies for Cordelia or think about Jules when I have pancakes or Matthew Fairchild when I read Oscar Wilde or when I see a violin I will always miss Jem Carstairs and when I smell roses I think of Kell Maresh and!!

[viking84chef]

Kedves Csaba!

Amint arról a visszatérítési igénybejelentő lapomból értesülni tetszett, az általam július 28-án igénybe vett 524-es számú vonattal a menetrend szerinti 1 óra 25 perc helyett 3 óra 50 perc alatt jutottam le Budapestről Mezőkövesd állomásra. További félórát töltöttem el az igénybejelentő lappal való baszakodással a máskülönben igen készséges pénztárosnő, H. Mónika társaságában. A vonatom 50 percet a pusztában állt, és ahelyett, hogy előre ment volna, hátrafelé indult tovább. Nem messze Szihalomtól, ahol tüzesen süt le a nyári nap sugára, az Önök édesanyja járt a fejemben. Emiatt szíves elnézését kérem.

Itt szeretném ugyanakkor tájékoztatni arról, hogy a Rose d’Or nevű luxushajó tankjába 130.000 liter gázolaj fér, ami mai áron 81.640.000 forintba kerül. Az én menetjegyem ára 2820 forint volt. Nem kell ahhoz az átalány-kártérítési szabályok nagy ismerőjének lenni, hogy kiszámoljuk, 28.950 db (azaz huszonnyolcezer-kilenszázötven) teljes árú Budapest-Mezőkövesd menetjegy árát tudnák ebből az összegből visszafizetni a károsultaknak.

705 (azaz hétszázöt) ki nem fizethető forint kártérítés jár ma Magyarországon egy 107 perces késésért.

Nem leszek szíves elnézni, hogy lopják az időmet, a pénzemet.

Azt kívánom Önöknek, hogy üljenek az idők végezetéig egy Füzesabony és Szihalom között veszteglő Inter City másodosztályú kocsijában egy nyugdíjas asszonnyal, aki Kassára igyekszik, hogy végre láthassa Rákóczi sírját. Ott rohadjanak meg abban a kocsiban az üzletszabályzatukkal együtt.

Márton

[purplebass]

if you were making birthday cakes for the ADSOM characters, what type would you make for each of them??

(scusa, una domanda davvero casuale, ma ci stavo pensando stamattina hahaha)

(Istg l'altro ieri pensavo ai compleanni di tutti lol perché pensavo come potrebbe festeggiare Kell il suo birthday anche se mancano mesi XD)

Okay, let's go! If you have more questions like this, please send bc I love thinking about this stuff :)

Kell is a summer boy, so I would make him a cake with a fruit from the season: peach. A sponge cake covered with whipped cream with slices of peach in it and all over it. I don't know why but peach makes me think about him because the skin of the peach is a bit rough but the fruit is really sweet and we put peach in white wine here so you also have the drink to go with it! haha Someone would have to help me because I am allergic to peaches unfortunately though aiuto

Lila's cake is a dark chocolate sponge cake with coffee flavored chantilly cream with dark chocolate icing with tiny coffee flavored chocolates on top. Alternatively, I believe she would love the black forest cake (dark chocolate sponge cake filled with cherries and whipped cream, soaked in cherry brandy). I usually pick the first cake for my birthday because I'm a coffee lover

I would make a vanilla cake for Holland. White sponge cake filled with vanilla and lemon with lemon flavored icing. It would probably have some white roses made of sugar pastry on it and some black sprinkles!

Rhy would get a red velvet cake because he would want to match with the cake, even though it's not a "royal" cake. He would want the red to match the one of the royal house. lol. I would also make a millefoglie cake with chantilly cream and strawberries because these colors remind me of the house of Maresh and they are perfect for autumn even though the strawberries would be hard to find 🤔 (o forse per lui no lol)

Alucard would have another cake with season fruit like Kell: plum crumble cake with almonds or nuts because I love plums and they make an excellent cake with short pastry. Berries also make a great alternative to plum

Now I want to eat cake haha also happy Easter if you celebrate!!! <3

[gauntletqueen]

Considering you love wolfwalkers have u seen The Breadwinner? It's made by the same animation studio & it's about the rise of Misogyny when the Taliban rose to power in Afghanistan, its rlly good.

I've had it downloaded for aaages, but keep forgetting to watch it. I've watched The Secret of Kells and Song of The Sea tons of times, which, together with Wolfwalkers, form the Irish Folklore trilogy, and loved those as well, so I really should watch Breadwinner.

[throne-for-queens]

Kells messed with a number of women that would be exposed or were already known for their racism, racial discrimination and bigotry. I bet it's small percentage compared to the total but still... Noah Cyrus, Paris Hilton, Camila Cabello, Amber Rose self hating ass, the list goes on. Now I really wanna see if somebody muster the audacity to defend them with all the evidence the public has, cause sometimes some anons on this blog (I think it's just one 2l2x), all they seem to want to do is defend the indefensibles.

I would like to think that no one would go out of their way to defend that, but I guess everyone can have peace in knowing that none of those relationships worked out.

[jiyura]

Venturing Graces Chapter preview ! For more go to Webtoon

https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/venturing-graces/cabbage-in-the-woods/viewer?title_no=936515&episode_no=5

[idolbound]

I think people likely do suspect Meredith might be a little 💅 you know?

Obviously some followers of the Chantry take up vows of chastity, though from what I've been reading, while templars aren't required to take said vows, they do require special permission to marry as they may be required to move to other Circles or to do the Chantry's bidding elsewhere. As it were, if a spouse can provide their own support (e.g., owning land, having a role in another organization like the City Guard [I think of Aveline and Wesley, as he was apparently a former templar]), then permission is granted. This process likely deters most templars from formally marrying, or even maintaining long-term relationships.

That said, it's evident that templars in Kirkwall frequent the Blooming Rose often enough that Meredith eventually orders a raid of the place to find out which of her knights have been paying for sex and 'ruining' the reputation of the Order and its Knight-Commander. Obviously this demonstrates that templars seek and pay for sex without commitment nor worry about an actual relationship.

But, I am also certain that templars do have relationships beyond the Order - and perhaps, also, within it, though this is obviously discouraged and likely to earn reprimand for engaging in activities that could be seen as distracting from their duties (and creating a conflict of interest / tension among the ranks).

Now, with that context in mind, let's get back to Meredith.

Of course, already in Act 1 people are terrified of Meredith, and those who serve her do not want to break rules or cross her. She too wouldn't have any interest in being involved with someone serving under her, though I'm sure there are speculations about her interests. After all, we know from World of Thedas vol 2 that, when she stormed the brothel, she came across a very naked, very erect Jethann and politely and quietly excused herself. I'm sure Jethann has talked about this incident and rumours have spread; either the Knight-Commander is indeed, just a paragon of her faith and upholding a strict vow of chastity, or she isn't interested in men. While not a common assertion, someone, somewhere has probably drunkenly theorized about it. Like all the other rumours about Meredith, I think this one would certainly be among them.

Additionally, and this is in the game itself, but if Hawke is male and 'flirtatiously' compliments Meredith, she shuts him down by saying "I do not wear this armour for how it looks" and all but rolls her eyes at him. If Hawke is female, she simply says nothing (again, likely that they forgot to record a line / chose not to), but sometimes actions speak louder than words!

Now, in my own personal headcanon, I believe that as a Knight-Templar, Meredith had to deal with her templar brothers finding her attractive and desiring her in that way, which in response, she had to assert over and over, her utter disinterest in them. Most of these boys and young men thought they were rejected because Meredith was so focused on her studies, but others really found it hard to believe she would reject them. Obviously, this started the rumour mill about Meredith, both among her own cohort and beyond; after all, she was already a contentious initiate, since she already had an 'in' to doing well in the Order ahead of her peers because she was Knight-Captain Kell's unofficial adoptive daughter. Her blatant rejections towards her fellow knights' advances only added to that, with speculations ranging from the fact she already had a secret lover outside of the Gallows, to the fact she simply preferred the company of the fairer sex.

While it was true that Meredith was intensely focused on her duties and becoming the best Templar she could be, she was well aware of her romantic interest and sexual attraction toward other women early on (likely around age 16-17). I think as a ward of the Chantry that Meredith likely developed some close, possibly homoerotic friendships with other girls who grew up alongside one another, but obviously as Meredith became a templar initiate and stayed in the barracks of the Gallows, some connections may have been lost over time.

As an adult and new Knight-Templar, I believe Meredith - young, tall, and handsome - did have numerous illicit affairs with Chantry Sisters over the years, including when she became Knight-Captain, but stopping when she became Knight-Commander. As I've discussed, Meredith is hypersexual and this affects her relationships, but during this time, because of her duties, she is never able to form a long-term romantic relationship, preferring short-lived and secretive sexual relations, hidden by the cover of nightfall and the shadows in the darkest corners of the Chantry. While she has always been hypervigilant about, well, just about everything (due to her PTSD), there have always been wandering eyes and listening ears that notice such things.

In the timeline of Kirkwall, as mentioned above, I don't think such a rumour would become known by Meredith as most people are frightened of her and wouldn't dare mention it, but I do think the templars who have known her since the beginning, and those who have perhaps seen or heard a little too much, might know about where her preferences lie. In Thedas, for the most part, it would seem that having same-sex attraction is not seen as inherently bad or evil, though according to Brother Gentivi, in some places it is considered a quirk of character or sometimes scandal if done indiscreetly , or it can be accepted provided a noble still contribute to procreation and reproducing heirs for bloodlines.

In this case, given Meredith's position as Knight-Commander, and the other actions (or inaction) she takes regarding the templar-mage conflict and ruling the city, people knowing her sexuality is truly just another piece of gossip shared over ale in Lowtown, though one that may invoke further judgement by some.

[heather123fan-blog]

medieval women week day 2: Favorite non-Queen or Queen-adjacent royal woman: Jacquetta of Luxembourg Duchess of Bedford and Mother to Queen Elizabeth Woodville

Jacquetta of Luxembourg was the eldest child of the French Count of St Pol; her family descended from Charlemagne and were cousins to the Holy Roman Emperor. She grew up with war between France and England raging around her.

John, Duke of Bedford was the youngest son of King Henry IV. Having lost his wife to plague in 1432, he arranged to marry the seventeen-year-old Jacquetta, who was his social equal by her birth. Although married for two years they were childless when John died in September 1435. The King instructed Jacquetta to come to England and ordered Sir Richard Woodville, to arrange it.

However, Jacquetta and Richard fell in love, but Richard was a poor knight, far below Jacquetta in social status. Nonetheless, they married secretly thus thwarting any plans King Henry may have had to marry her off to a wealthy English lord. Theirs was a morganatic marriage, where one of the partners, most often the wife, was socially inferior. Henry was enraged and fined the couple £1000. He did however allow their heirs to inherit, which was unusual for morganatic marriages in England.

Being the widow of Henry V’s brother and aunt to the King, royal protocol gave Jacquetta the highest rank at court of any female except Henry’s wife, Margaret of Anjou, to whom Jacquetta was related by marriage. She even ‘outranked’ the King’s mother and was referred to as the ‘Duchess of Bedford,’ retaining the title from her first marriage. Richard and Jacquetta lived in their manor house at Grafton Regis near Northampton producing fourteen children, the eldest, Elizabeth being born in 1437.

In 1448 Richard was created Lord Rivers: his advancement ensured his family supported Henry VI in the dynastic feuding of the Wars of the Roses. The situation changed with the Yorkist victory at the Battle of Towton in 1461 and the seizure of the throne by Edward IV. By the spring of 1464, Jacquetta’s daughter Elizabeth was a widow, her Lancastrian husband having been killed in 1461. Within a few months, Elizabeth was married to the young King Edward IV.

Jacquetta died in 1472 aged 56 and was buried at Grafton, though no record of her tomb survives. Recently, one legacy has come to light. Research by gene specialists indicates that Jacquetta was a carrier of the rare Kell-Antigen-Mcleod syndrome causing impaired fertility and psychotic behavioural changes in the male descendants of the family.

Written by Michael Long. I have over 30 years experience teaching History in schools and examiner History to A level. My specialist area is England in the 15th and 16th centuries. I am now a freelance writer and historian.

[verdantmeadows]

The Peony/Rose and Hop/Leon parallels... the fact that what their relationship was like was just how Leon affected Hop....... the fact that this could have happened to Hop and Leon, or maybe it would, but Hop is too young for us to know yet.... or maybe their relationship is saved from this, because Hop found his calling in Pokemon research.... Fuuuuck man

[jinx-on-mars-19xx]

Pressure Got My Head in Knots

🩸Previous Parts Here🩸

Dom x Colson (Yungblud x Machine Gun Kelly)

Warnings: ABO dynamics (knots, slick, heat), alpha serial killer/hitman Dom, omega mob boss Kells, mentions of killing, allusions to past abuse, cursing, allusions to trafficking, awkward boys, stilted conversation, bad dreams, night terrors, mentions of Dom's pretty uncut monster cock, misunderstandings, embarrassment, insults, stiff sleeping positions, boys cuddling, emerging feels, passage of time (not long), too much metaphor (I won't apologize), secret masterbation, improper use of a t shirt (they're always cum goblins), hurt/comfort, accidental grinding, biting/marking, blood, nervous boys, enemies to lovers 💣 Rating: explicit

All ideas helped by @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker 🖤

The roof was almost becoming a comfort for Dom. It was his spot really. He could look out over the terrible city they lived in and ponder how many Alphas were just waiting for his knife. He hadn't killed anyone since before he met the omega but it steadied him to think about it. He'd been coming here since their afternoon together and occasionally sleeping on the balcony. He never meant to fall asleep but the night after they fucked he went to check on Colson and thought he heard him sound pained. He was whimpering and sounded scared and it made Dominic’s blood run cold. After a moment he realized the man was only having a bad dream but the sight of the strong mob boss curling a pillow against his chest like a teddy bear hurt the heart Dom didn't think he had. Since he couldn't comfort him and didn't even know how he'd desired at least to stay close. Watch over him. Most nights he stayed on the balcony but he would escape before the sun rose and sleep fitfully in his own bed.

He was having trouble making himself take that last step off the edge of the building after what Collette had told him earlier at the club. He hadn't expected to feel so torn up inside knowing his… lover? had been hurt so badly but he was filled with shite he didn't know how to deal with. He was scared if he saw the man again he'd accidentally show somehow that he knew. They matched in so many ways besides just being devils in the playground of LA’s underworld. He never expected that. His gaze rolled up to the blank black sky, devoid of stars and didn't that just match his soul. “Fuck.” He huffed, stomping out his cigarette before he took the leap. For once he didn't smile at the rush of air tickling him and when his feet touched down his stomach dropped.

The first thing he noticed wasn't the light still on in the bedroom and it wasn't the pacing omega shadow ghosting over him- it was the glass door that was normally locked tight. For once it was… open?

Colson was exhausted after his long fucking night. He swore the universe was screwing with him. First the shipment of omegas was stolen out from under him and then his mother had pulled him aside when they got home. She lived on another floor and when they were out together they always shared a car. Collette had waited until they were walking inside and she finally spoke up about that fucking psycho. She'd explained gently how terrible Dom looked, that she didn't think the boy was sleeping any better than him. She'd kept her voice loving when she suggested he just give him a chance, what could it hurt having a friend?

He knew her better than that and he knew she knew him. Col didn't make friends easily and whatever was between them wasn't that. Dom knew what he was. Dom had quite literally been inside him, something no one else had ever been allowed. Since they slept together he couldn't sleep right. Old memories came back with a vengeance. She knew all of that, she knew his history, hell she'd lived it too. She'd slipped in one simple thing that had made him think and he hated it. He hated how damn well it worked on him. Travis would have loved him. The thing that pissed him off most was that she was right. Fuck.

“Ello.” The word was simple but it made Colson jump and he reached for a gun he didn't have. He rolled his eyes and turned to face the other man, his heart racing in his chest.

Collette had been right, Dom looked like hell. His eyes were tired and dark, his wild hair almost limp. He looked like a kicked puppy and Kells knew he was behind the boot. Damnit. “Hey.” Well… that was helpful. They were like awkward teenagers at the prom and not two mostly full grown men who knew each other intimately.

Dom tried to look less intimidating by slipping his hands in his hoodie pocket. LA heat was rough but sometimes he needed something to hide in. He didn't step too far into the room, he wasn't sure he was welcome. He'd already done damage with his cock, he wouldn't make it worse. He couldn't stop his gaze from wandering though- Colson was just in jeans and nothing else. The man was gorgeous and he almost couldn't believe he knew exactly what he felt like from the inside. Oh fuck he had to stop thinking like that. Col arched a brow as if he could feel Dom’s thoughts and moved to sit on the foot of the bed. Something made him curse under his breath and reposition himself. “You still ‘urt?”

Kells scoffed and shook his head. He didn't think whatever had twinged in his belly was from the Alpha's monster dick and even if it was he'd never say so. He couldn't give him the satisfaction. “Just pulled a muscle in the gym I think. You good?”

Dom startled at the question. He wasn't sure how to answer that so he just hip checked the dresser and stared at the other man. “No. But you ain't nei’ver. Jus’ been sleeping off.” He tried to lighten the statement with a tease but it fell flat. The omega had to know he'd been sleeping on the balcony if he left it open. He just wasn't used to trying to be a person, Tom never expected it from him. Maybe he shouldn't try to fake it with Colson either. “So you got fucked tonight?”

Col’s eyes went wide and for a moment he thought to clutch his pearls. Where the fuck did this asshole get the audacity?

“The meeting! At ya club. Seemed like it didn't go right. I didn't mean- bloody ‘ell.” The Alpha went so pink and his voice so rushed. His accent thick enough to walk on. Something happened inside the omega, something he really wasn't used to. The embarrassment from the Alpha made him laugh.

Dom smirked as the other man laughed at him. It was such a nice sound he didn't even mind it was at his expense. He was just happy to help however he could. “Fink I would ‘ave noticed summat else. I jus’- Yeah, yeah. Make fun of the guy wiv the silly accent.”

“Dude, fuuuuck that was good. Thanks for that. Yeah uh… I got screwed over tonight. A shipment of omegas was coming in from the East Coast and someone jacked it.” Kells wiped his eyes and tried to stop his laughing, it kept setting off whatever was aching in his stomach. Fuck, his body was feeling strange since he went off the blockers. He wasn't looking forward to what else was in store. What if his heats were a regular thing now? Maybe it was smart to let the Alpha hang around. It wasn't like he'd trust anyone else to help. He didn't know if that meant he trusted the killer already though or not. It took him a moment to realize Dom had gone quiet and he looked up to see the Alpha look away. “I don't sell them. I save them. I figured mom told you? Why the fuck would you come back if you seriously thought I was selling people?” He was truly shocked. He could see the contempt fade from the other man's face and a look of relief shone in his darkened jade eyes. Dom killed Alphas for less. He came to put Col down because of it… Why would he still show up?

“You needed me.” The Alpha shrugged but something tight and messy in his chest relaxed. He could see the omega working through something mentally but he didn't push. He wanted to be welcome.

Colson ignored the way that statement made him feel, especially how easily Dom said it. Instead he moved to crawl up the bed and settle under the blankets, carefully working off his jeans once he was safely hidden from view. He tossed them at the Alpha who caught them and tried his hardest not to sniff. Kells saw it though, those tired eyes flashed red before he folded the pants and set them aside. “Just so you know, my adoptive dad started this. He bought omegas and gave them new lives. I took over for him.” He explained simply. He was too exhausted to get into too much detail and it felt strange to talk because it didn't feel strange to talk to Dom. He was feeling too much to simply talk, especially after what he just realized. The killer ignored his deepest beliefs because he needed him. How was he supposed to handle that?

The Alpha wondered if he should leave but Colson patted the bed next to him. “Shut the fucking door and come to bed. Aren't you tired?”

After a moment Dom nodded and did as he was told before he walked around the bed. He tried to keep his mind from wandering to the night they met or how pretty the other would look spread out under him. His bite scar twinged as he took a seat on top of the covers and he rested back against the headboard. He kept to himself, his ankles crossed and his hands in his pockets. He didn't trust himself to do anything else. “Fanks.” He sighed, letting his eyes close as he leaned his head back but he could feel the other man staring at him.

“You're a fucking weirdo. I hope you know that.” Colson huffed with a playful edge to his voice. He didn't mean to scoot closer but he did by just a few inches as he tried to find comfort on his side. One thing he liked about being off his blockers hit him as he took a breath and closed his eyes.

The creepy psycho Alpha smelled like home.

🖤🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸🖤

When Colson woke up the next morning he was surprised to realize how well he slept and even more so because at some point he'd inched over the rest of the space between them to cuddle against Dom’s side even though the Alpha never moved a bit. He pried himself away as carefully as possible to let the man sleep and promptly removed himself from the situation pushing the thought out of his mind. He couldn't process everything happening so instead he thought he'd work out. He could keep his days normal and decide what to do with the other man at night.

🌛

Dom appeared again once the sun went down, though of course he'd been watching most of the day. He was excited to jump to the balcony and even found himself smiling when he saw the door open. He wasn't used to being welcomed. Expected. Potentially even… wanted? They still didn't really talk but that night when Kells gave him a look he pulled his hoodie off and slipped free of his shoes. Waiting on the bed was an extra blanket and as he got comfortable he tugged it over himself. He still made sure to keep separate but he let himself lay down that night.

🖤🩸🩸🩸🩸🖤

Yet again Colson found himself glued to the Alpha when the sun rose, his arm over the other man's chest. He huffed softly at himself but lingered a moment, taking a second to explore and memorize his bedmate’s face. Without the stress of their waking lives etched into Dom's features he appeared every bit his young age. The omega was tempted to kiss his plush lips but he forced himself to disengage, he had shit to do and he still didn't want to get attached. They were just… helping each other sleep. That was it.

🌛

As Dom closed and locked the glass door behind him that night he was surprised to see Colson watching him and holding the other side of the blankets up. The extra he'd been granted the night before was gone and the omega was smiling like he'd pulled the perfect prank. “I don't like jeans in bed. Don't be an asshole.” The mob boss grumbled and Dom had to obey. Even though he'd fucked the man it still felt weirdly intimate to undress to his boxer briefs and t shirt in front of him. Col smiled as the Alpha slipped in bed and for the first time they laid under the same sheet and faced each other. They fell asleep talking lightly about what had happened that day even though Dom already knew it all. To the Alpha it was starting to feel like home.

🖤🩸🩸🩸🖤

Kells sighed as he woke up, pressing his face into the Alpha's messy hair. They were tangled together and he wasn't surprised that even though Dom was asleep, part of his monster was very very awake. He let himself smile, his belly full of butterflies at the feeling of the psycho hard against him. Dom wasn't the only one but… he couldn't bring himself to do anything. Sleeping together was one thing but sleeping together when it wasn't a life or death situation? Fuck that. A part of his mind whispered ‘soon’ as he pulled himself free and escaped to the bathroom to take care of himself. He thought he might leave the mess on something for Dom to find but he'd be at the gym before the Alpha woke.

🌛

Dom was flipping Colson off as he joined him that night, he still couldn't believe what the bastard did. “Tha’ were me favorite shirt. Twat.” He huffed, getting undressed down to his boxer briefs. He jokingly hid his tee under the pillow instead of leaving it on. The omega had used the shirt on his body as a cum rag while he was sleeping and he wouldn't give him that chance again. If Kells needed relief he could use his bare skin. He didn't push it more than that though, they just laughed together as they got comfortable in bed, facing each other again. That night Dom liked the sound of his lover's laugh so much he found himself telling embarrassing stories. As they started to dirft they inched closer until their fingers touched.

🖤🩸🩸🖤

Colson slept a little fitfully that night so when he woke he wasn't surprised to find the Alpha spooning him and holding him tight. The strong arm he scarred was wrapped over him, that beautiful death dealing hand rest light on his abs. He let himself linger, a little mentally messy from bad dreams and worse memories. He tried to shift and felt a little worse for wear and slightly sick. He hated how much his trauma could still affect him after so long. He was pissed his memory could make him feel so sick so he stayed a little longer in bed and let the snoozing Alpha comfort him. It wasn't like the psycho would know. He'd still leave before Dom woke and ignore his thoughts for the rest of the day.

🖤🩸🖤

It kept on that way for another week. Another. Each night Dom would wander into Col’s bedroom and strip down to almost nothing. They'd settle close but not too in bed and talk. Or not. What they did didn't matter, just that they could help each other sleep.

🖤🖤

It was almost a month of their new routine when something different happened one night. Everything had gone well- Dom showed up, slipped mostly nude in bed, they shared a few laughs or complaints, and drifted off to sleep. Normally the Alpha stayed awake longer to make sure the other was doing well. He had learned to judge how bad Col’s dreams would be by how much he whimpered or whined but that night he was quiet and Dom misjudged what that meant. Shortly after he drifted himself he was woken up by a blood curdling scream. He was jarred awake and instantly on alert, blinking his tired eyes fast. His sight cleared quickly to find Kells fighting himself, full body trembling as he scratched bloody marks in his inked skin.

The Alpha was scared which was an emotion he wasn't used to but he tried to move to help. He gently reached out to stop the assault but one touch was enough to wake the man. For a moment they stared wide eyed at each other before one tear escaped down Col’s cheek. “Colson-” Dom whispered softly, his voice thick with emotion he couldn't share.

“D-Dom?” The omega's voice was small and that one word broke the dam. The normally collected man felt a sob break free and without a second thought he was throwing himself at his lover's chest and crying against his neck.

Dominic wasn't used to comforting anyone but he wrapped his omega tight in his hold and pet his fingers slowly down his back. It was what Tom did for him when he felt shattered and it was all he had to offer besides a softly whispered- “I'm so sorry.”

“Why did he- why did they- why wasn't I good enough?” The Alpha couldn't make out much but he put a few things together from choked words and context clues. Besides that, he'd asked those questions a lot as a boy. He'd grown out of begging the universe for answers about the time he ripped his father open.

“You was. ‘Ush tha’. You was. No one else was for you. I ain't. No one is.” Dom was surprised at the words on his lips but he meant every one of them. It hurt his black heart to hear the strong man sound so young and broken and yet again he vowed to end the people who caused all that pain.

“Fuck you.” Colson whimpered, biting a kiss into his lover's neck. It surprised a moan out of the Alpha which somehow made Kells do it again. “Fuck you.” Curse. Kiss. Bite. A drop of blood hit his tongue. Dom groaned and their bodies moved until they slot perfectly together- cloth covered cock to cloth covered cock.

“Wha'?” Dom didn't know what to do. He could feel his dick filling hard and fast. His shaking hands wandered the sweat slick planes of Col’s inked back and he kept his head tilted. He wouldn't take any liberties but if the omega needed him he would do anything to help. He had his own needs though and they were rushing to the surface, probably making his eyes shine crimson bright.

“Shut the fuck up. Not good enough? Fuck you. Look at you.” Colson didn't know what he was doing. He just knew the more he touched and tasted the younger man the more his hellish dream was erased. At least for the time being. His tongue traced the Alpha's thundering pulse until he sucked a mark on his jaw. His hips rolled as their hands explored and his darkness ebbed slowly.

“Look- look at- fuck Cols?” Dom whined his name like a beg and the omega nodded as they thrust harder. Before he knew it their lips were meeting in a blood flavored kiss.

The Alpha could barely breathe, everything was too hot and so much. His cock was so hard it was poking out the top of his underwear and grinding against Col’s doing the same. They groped each other and pulled the other tighter, their panted breath mingling between rough kisses. Besides their soft moans and needy whimpers the sound of their precum wet bellies sticking together was near deafening.

Neither knew who hit their peak first, it seemed they were sucked under together. One cried out and the other answered and they both spilled a hot rush against their skin. At some point Dom's thigh had fit between Col’s own and the Alpha felt his leg drenched in slick. He didn't say anything but he savored the scent and feel as they rocked through their pleasure with shaking limbs.

Eventually their breathing calmed and their bodies stilled but they didn't pull apart. They weren't even sure they could if they tried. Kells couldn't bring himself to speak so instead he tucked himself under his lover's chin. He couldn't work out what had just happened and he was scared if he tried he'd break the tentative peace. Dom was just as confused but pleasantly pleased, his veins buzzing with pleasure. He just held the other close and pet his back as they drifted, eventually falling asleep again.

At one point Colson thought he heard the Alpha whisper something that felt both true and terrifying. It settled his soul but raced his heart in his chest. “You're safe. ‘Ome.” He tried to ignore it and sleep but he found himself waiting for the sun to rise so he could escape the safety of Dom's arms before he did something stupid like get used to it. Deep down he knew it was too fucking late. He already was. Home.

Author's Note/Tags: @iamnotanearthlingmotherfucker @hollywoodxwhore @jaxbreaker @fenoy7 @cole-way-iero28 if anyone wants tagged let me know 🖤

It's not exactly a birthday fic but at least Kells got some special attention. I know it's a lot of deep feels and it may get worse before it gets better but you know I'm all about the silly happy dumb boys 😂 I hope you enjoyed it! 🩸🖤