#Woodland nymph AU

[dragonflies-draw-flame]

My painting/drawing/Photoshop skills are rusty af so looks like my only contribution to Kylux art is going to be restricted to moodboards for now. But on the bright side, I have just discovered they are a lot of fun to make!

For Summer's Honey Breath on AO3 here for @huxloween prompt "The Woods."

[yanderenightmare]

Gojo Satoru x darling

TW: NSFW, noncon, fantasy au

gn reader

Thinking about hunter Gojo and the pretty little nymph that gets themselves snared in one of his traps.

You can’t get your poor leg loose, having twisted your ankle in your fall to the ground – something’s wrong with your wing too, you can feel it – the thin network’s been folded, almost broken – so even if you did manage getting loose, you wouldn’t be able to fly away.

Branches snap around you along the crunch of old leaves – and your heart’s beating out of your chest in fear of it – knowing something large and dangerous is not far behind, that whoever set the trap is not something that wishes you well.

“You’re not a rabbit.” The man says, having crept in close before you’d even heard him approach – crouching in front of you with a hunter's grace. Hawk-eyes ice-blue and piercing, hair as white as pure snow.

He’s got three daggers sleaved in his belt – a fillet knife, a gutting knife, and a larger one you imagine is meant to slice throats. He doesn’t carry a sword like most men but has a bow and sack of arrows slung on his back. Otherwise, dressed lightly – brown leather boots, brown slacks, and a blue cotton shirt. You could have mistaken him for a woodland elf if it weren’t for the thick stench of man.

“Eating creatures from the holy forest is forbidden.” You snip, despite your wide eyes and the wobble of fear evident on your lip.

He only smiles at the quip, a grin like a predator humored by prey. “You wouldn’t tell a wolf not to hunt.”

He stalks you, leaning in closer, and you try shuffling away – but the movement only makes you wince.

“I’m just another hungry animal…”

Rope gnaws into your fine skin while his breath puffs hot and dewy on your face.

“And tonight… seems lady luck has favored me once again.”

He gags you and ties you further up before redoing his snare for the next unlucky creature – then carries you over his shoulder until he’s dropping you down on a bed of furs.

Your skin flushes with goosebumps at the thought of being skinned the same way – mouthing a little prayer around the cloth he’s split your teeth and lips with. He’s cut trees down as well; you hear their pitiful screams when he lights a fire with their bodies. You mourn them, too.

At his full height, the man must be two heads taller than any male nymph you’ve ever seen and at least three heads taller than you. You hope you’re enough to satisfy him tonight, to spare the forest of further bloodshed.

You shiver and sniffle when he starts prepping you – removing your clothes and groping your tender, fleshy places with a strength you’re not used to – hands large and crass – kneading you like dough – probably to assess the quality of your meat. He has a smile on his face while at it. 

Humans make you sick – to think he’s planning on roasting then eating you despite the soul fueling your spirit and the beating heart in your chest. But you’ve long known that all death but their own matters little to them – they don’t feel the same way nymphs do – they don’t regard life with the same respect they’ve donned themselves. It must be a sad and lonely existence, you think. It even makes you feel a little sorry for him.

You yelp when his gritty fingers brush the area between your legs – shimmying when he lowers his mouth down to the same place. Oh God – does he plan on eating you raw? While your body’s still hot and pumping blood?

But the bite never comes – not yet eating but tasting it would seem – licking and slurping and sucking on you.

He takes his shirt off. Probably to avoid spilling on it, you think.

You don’t really understand what’s going on until he’s got his fat manhood pointed toward your kernel-sized hole. Eyes wide as he splits you apart slowly and unabashedly – as though it isn't as deviant as a dog mating a cat – sinking in inch after meaty inch.

You whimper at the stretch – wincing when the plush mushroom-shaped head grinds against that special place inside you. 

It doesn’t fit more than halfway, but that doesn’t seem to bother him – rolling his head back with a rusty groan, even with just the tip gaining purchase within you – pounding into you like a beast in his rut.

“What's the matter, pretty nymph? Did you think I was gonna eat you?” He laughs, bearing over you – his hands steadying your hips to meet his sharp thrust – each hit deeper than the last. “I’m the only hunter in this forest; I can eat what I want when I want – but eating you?” He scoffed and snickered. “That would just be a waste.”

The blood on his breath makes you wrinkle your nose – squeezing your eyes shut as his tongue sweeps up the tear streaks on your cheek.

“My stomach’s already full. Time to empty my balls.”

[wordstome]

Satyr!König Headcanons

Yesterday I was talking with the lovely @kneelingshadowsalome about her satyr König au, and boy, did we cook. Good morning Finland, it's time to take some hairy goat man cock! (Most of these are adapted from our DMs! Headcanons in bold are by Salome, with minor changes)

It's just König's luck, really, for him to finally get his hands on a pretty little nymph to fuck and fill with his potent seed and she runs off on him! And now he's certain that she's hiding from him, which has him absolutely fuming. If she's going to play this little game, he'll just have to hunt her down...

Meanwhile, she’s freaking out because her monthly blood is very, very late, and she suspects that awful satyr is to blame. All her little nymph friends are sympathetic, but they did warn her!

She may be sulking about her predicament, but part of her becomes wildly jealous when she sees her friends are "torturing" the poor satyr. Never even wanted to see that big hairy pervert again, but also doesn't want others to frolick around him even if he's chained to a tree!

The little nymph does end up feeling sorry for the man, so when it's nighttime and all her friends have scurried away, she creeps up to him quiet like a mouse to free him. Of course, she ends up getting a pounding for all her troubles...what did she expect?

He's not making the same mistake letting her go again! He makes good on his promise to lick her to completion, and then she just curls up and falls asleep...silly, silly thing. Giving him the perfect opportunity to scoop her up and whisk her to his lair. Her fellow nymph sisters wail and cry and demand her return, but König's not telling where he's keeping her squirreled away.

She's stomping mad about her new situation. Not only is she separated from her sisters and unable to live free and wild in the sunshine as she used to, but she and König are always bickering and arguing, ending up more often than not with him folding her into a mating press...

She's offended when he brings her fresh meat to eat, which of course confuses him. He had only meant to show how strong and competent of a provider he is, hunting for his woman, but his difficult little nymph has the nerve to turn her nose up at it and scold him. Doesn't he know nymphs only eat berries and flowers and other gifts that the earth gives to nourish them?

Of course she tries to break out of the dark woodland prison he's keeping her in, but the first time he catches her, he only gives her a terrible smirk and shows her the exit. She's welcome to leave, but he lives in the dark, deep part of the woods that the nymphs don't dare trespass in, where hungry wolves and other awful satyrs live...

Naturally, she would never risk being caught and taken to some other horny satyr's lair. At least here he gives some care to her wellbeing and all the attention a sulky little nature spirit could want...

He is trying, she supposes...he's stopped bringing her all that awful bloody meat to eat, he makes her a soft little bed of grasses and flowers to sleep on, and treats her like a fussy little princess. But she can't start growing fond of him...!

König, meanwhile, is on cloud nine with his pretty little nymph. she stays right where he wants her, always pouting and mewling for his attention, and only fusses a little bit when he warms his cock inside her. what more could a nasty satyr like him even want?

It becomes endearing, how well he provides all she asks for. Not that she's ever going to show her feelings to him of course. Just happens to twirl the hair on his chest around her fingers before she falls asleep on his lap...

Falling for this nasty old faun isn't what she signed up for when she straddled him that day. But she also can’t complain, because he is good with that tongue of his…

So good she can't even find it in herself to be mad when he pervs on her when she's resting and trying to get some sleep:

It’s nighttime when she’s woken up with a start. Probably just König back from a hunt, hopped up on adrenaline and ready to breed her again. But to her horror, it’s some other strange faun man, leering at her with dubious intent. Turns out there are downsides to making your little pet nymph scream with pleasure every night: namely, that the wrong person might hear...

Ordinarily, she would have no trouble fleeing or fighting back, but she’s just not used to the dark wood and hard packed dirt of this part of the forest, and finds herself frozen with terror as the stranger approaches her. He’s nowhere near König’s size, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be giving her a tough time.

Then she hears a very familiar roar, but this time it’s not of frustration or pleasure as she's used to hearing it, but raw anger, and she knows her satyr is back and very much not pleased to find an intruder menacing his little nymph. Nymphs are no lightweights when it comes to offensive magic in their arsenal, of course: König's already learned that the hard way. But they call him the king for a reason...his powers are a different ballpark entirely.

The intruder barely has time to beg for his life when König is summoning forth thick, thorny vines to ensnare him, causing the other satyr to holler in pain. The nymph knows what's about to come, and stuffs moss into her ears just as the sound of pan flutes fills the air. She watches in a mix of horror and intrigue as the intruder writhes and panics, tearing himself to shreds on the thorns...

It's over quickly, and the whole ordeal sends her trembling into her soft little bed of moss and grass. There's a brief period of time where she knows König is disposing of what's left of the intruder, and then she feels his gentle touch on her back.

She sniffles as she meets his adoring, half-crazed gaze. She knows she should be petrified of him, considering she just watched him drive another man to such madness that he ended his own life in the most painful manner possible. He's rubbed off on her in a terrible way, though, because all she can think of doing is spreading her pretty legs for him...

Haha anyway hope you guys enjoyed those headcanons! Maybe König's satyr madness will seize me again sometime and I'll write more :)

PS. The Greek god Pan, who is very notably depicted as a satyr, is known for two things that he lent his name to: pan pipes and the word panic. The origin story of the pan pipes is that he was chasing a nymph, who turned herself into reeds to escape him. He then proceeded to turn those reeds into an instrument he could put his lips all over....nasty!

[gfguren]

fae!shikamaru x (fem) reader | an ENTIRELY self indulgent fic, fantasy!au, shameless smut | cw: mentions of hypothermia, degradation, manipulation?, shikamaru is an ass

-fae!shikamaru takes a liking to you-

part 1 | part 2

The fireflies danced through the trees and it would have been beautiful, had you been a fool. And maybe still, if the chill of the night hadn't crawled up your spine to wrap around your throat, you'd not have fallen victim to the illusions of the forest. You knew better than to follow the little light twirling around your being and past the old wood, so innocent - and so very very deadly.

The sun disappears and the forest nymph looks to the sky, eyes of seafoam and emerald lingering on the moon peeking over the quickly fading sunset. "You've stayed too long." When he turns his gaze on you once more, he wears a worried expression, one of the violets in his hair falling softly to ground. "I need not remind you to avoid the wisps, do I?"

You smile though you feel your heart in your throat. "Follow the violets til the very last tree. Do not stray, and close my eyes if I must. And never, ever, follow the light." You eye the pretty forest guardian with his wily red hair, you've always wondered how not a single strand looked out of place, messy as it is. "Right?"

You repeat his mantra, you've heard it a hundred times. With a light nod, he tucks the fallen flower behind your ear. "Do not forget it. I would surely miss your company."

"Don't worry, Gaara. I have too many stories to tell to disappear now."

"The forest cares not for your stories, be cautious." As stoic as ever, one day you'll get him to laugh - he'll have the prettiest smile, you muse, perhaps the wildflowers will come to life, braving the biting November breeze to catch a glimpse of his beauty. "Now go, before the fae begin to wander."

So you do, feet mapping every last violet until the final beam of light kisses your skin, wishing you a warm goodnight and disappearing behind the horizon. The moon is high overhead before you feel the first trickle of dread.

You should be home by now, tucked beneath that plush yellow quilt, hand sewn by your doting mother. Is she worried about you right now, sitting by the fireplace with your little sister in her arms, waiting for her oldest to return? You wonder when, if you'll even return, what with the forest's end seemingly getting further and further away.

The thought chills you to the bone.

And when the lights come to life, appearing before you like reflections of the stars in the sky, your knees go weak. Gaara's words echo in your mind and you're quick to shut your eyes, wringing your fingers together as if that'll quell your shaking palms. "Just follow the violets." Your breath departs in a silver mist. 

When had it grown so cold?

Your eyes open once more and you're startled at the stark nothingness before you. The violet path you'd trekked a hundred times is - gone.

How could it be gone just like that? You'd followed the blooming petals all the way to the forest nymphs' spring just this morning.

You take a step backwards, jumping at the crunch echoing through the forest. You lift the heel of your boot to find the remnants of a once purple flower, turned brown and crisp. They're wilted - dead.

It's then that you realize the chatter of the forest has ceased; the trees have gone still, the owls no longer cry, every last woodland creatures has stopped skittering to and from, and Gaara's flowers have wilted right under your feet. As if life itself has fled from the forest.

Perhaps that’s why you’re so desperate, when you know better than to follow that twinkling light. But the cold suffocates you in its icy hold, numbing your fingers and forcing you forward despite your hesitation.

How can something so pretty be so dangerous anyway? It has to be better than freezing to death.

Right?

The light flickers past the trees and you try your best to follow, careful not to trip on the overgrowth of roots. It speeds up and you begin to wonder if it's guiding you, or running from the deathly cold forest behind you. You don't know which is worse.

Suddenly it disappears like candlelight, and you can almost swear you hear a breath of laughter on the breeze that extinguishes it. You choke on the panic rising in your throat - now what?

Ahead of you is a thick mass of forest, trees taller than you thought they could grow, and it's then that you feel the chill wrap around you in a threatening embrace, daring you to linger a moment longer. One foot forward, you venture closer, trekking carefully over the massive roots and dead leaves. Second thoughts skirt the edge of your conscious but the cold creeps up your spine and you press further.

"I wouldn't take another step if I were you." A voice muses from behind you and you jump, whipping around to face the mysterious stranger. He's a shadow in the distance, arms crossed and head down as he leans against a tree. "That is, if you're goal wasn't to be eaten by the forest."

You think you hear him chuckle and the tears prick your eyes. "Do you-" your mouth suddenly grows dry. "Do you know the way out?"

He shrugs, and you swear you see the hint of a smirk twisting in the darkness. "Maybe." Your eyes light up until he finishes with a nonchalant, "or maybe not."

You desperately make your way to him, caution and reserve be damned. "Please tell me. I need to get home, I-"

"What's in it for me?" Your eyes meet his and it's only then that you see the strange hue swirling in the abyss he calls irises and the shadow of two wings cast over the trees behind him. Your blood runs cold.

A faerie.

Your gaze falls to the ground, the toe of your boot an inch away from the circle of mushrooms surrounding him. "You- you're-"

"I- I'm-" He mocks, head tilting to the side as he pushes off the tree and draws near, though he doesn't cross the threshold. It's not until you turn on your heel, intent on running as far away as your feet can take you that he speaks once more. "So you've figured the way out all on your own? Are you confident the forest won't swallow you whole?"

"I'm less confident that you won't," you breath, frozen fingers balled at your sides.

His laughs in a bemused sort of way that's both beautiful and frightening and the duality sends your heart skittering away like a frightened rabbit. "Maybe I was wrong. You do have a brain in that pretty head of yours." He rustles behind you and you dare to peek over your shoulder, catching a glimpse of him leaning forward, toeing at the barrier between your bodies. "So why don't you use it and realize you don't have a chance in this forest. Not on your own."

He crosses his arms, continuing. "And who knows? It could be fun. Don't you like a bit of a gamble?"

"Not when it's with my life, thank you very much."

"How boring." He shrugs, plopping down on the grass with his arms crossed. "I'll enjoy the show then. I wonder, will you freeze to death or will the forest eat you up? My bet is on the latter."

You should walk away, take your chances with the forest, and you know it. But you've lost the feeling in your toes, and you're sure your lips are turning blue. "What is it you want from me?"

"Oh, not much." He rises once more, hands clasped behind his back and a wicked smile on his face. "Why don't we start with your name?"

You outright laugh. "I'd rather be eaten by the trees."

"It was worth a shot," he hums. "I didn't think it would be easy, not with that nosy forest nymph telling you all our secrets."

"How did you-"

"Do you not hear the forest whispering?" he muses, laughing at the confusion sweeping your face. "Oh right, of course not. You're only human after all."

His contempt is biting but doesn't seem genuine, strangely enough.

He crosses the threshold like a breath of cold air whipping past your face, and circles your shivering form. You think you feel his fingers dance past your shoulder, before his lips are at your ear. "Why don't you come play with me for a little while? I hear you tell magnificent stories."

You force down the fear crawling up your throat and instead choke out a mocking and embittered, "What's in it for me?"

You feel his smirk against your cheek, clearly entertained by your gall. He takes a step back, once more encircled in mushrooms and when you turn to face him, his hand is extended, tantalizingly. "I know of someplace warm."

Shikamaru - that's the name he gave you, though you didn't think for a second it was truly his; you knew such things held power over the fae, and he certainly didn’t seem foolish enough to simply offer it to a stranger. But he also wasn't as scary as you'd thought - if anything he was hospitable, a good listener, perhaps a bit obstinate at times but amicable nonetheless. And handsome, annoyingly so, with a sharp jawline and a pretty smile to boot.

He was true to his word too - took you to a place warm and soft and entirely fantastical, with oddly plush sheets and overgrown flora that glowed with beautiful and ominous light. He served you the ripest fruit and the finest wine and only asked for your stories in return.

It seemed as if you’d spent an eternity together, though you’re not sure how much time had truly passed; the world is a perpetual state of twilight and sometimes your mind is clouded in a hazy sort of way that makes it hard to discern or remember anything at all really. It could have been days, months, years even.

So you make sure to cling to two things in this strange, hazy world.

Firstly, the memory of your mother who you're sure is waiting, waiting still - and that you miss her fiercely. Secondly, the knowledge that Shikamaru is dangerous. No matter how badly you want to believe that his intentions hold no deceit or ill will, he is a faerie after all, and by nature you can't take all his words for truths, or fall perilously into him - for him. As tempting as it is.

It's especially tempting in this very moment, with the stars twinkling so brightly against the dusty pink sky and the faerie sitting beside you, reciting the story of each constellation with such deep and profound knowledge. You hang onto each word that falls, falls, falls from his lips and you fall, too. Faster than you can catch yourself.

Sharp eyes meet yours, drawing you in like an abyss and beckoning you to abandon all your reservations and just jump. A knowing grin spreads across his face and he leans in until his hot breath is fanning past your lips. "Snap out of it, gullible human, before I take it as an invitation."

The haze lifts and you shrink back in embarrassment. He only chuckles, turning away to lift the intricately carved pipe from his lap and breathe in deep. "Still haven't grown accustomed to this place, I see."

"Did you expect me to?"

"Not really." He breathes out, a puff of smoke following, curling around itself like an ominous cloud. "Just disappointed."

An odd silence follows, one that's neither awkward nor comfortable, and in that silence is the question you've patiently waited to ask since he brought you to this odd, whimsical world, hanging precariously in limbo.

"What is it?" His words cut through the air like the fine edge of a sword and you startle. "Well?"

"It's just-" The faint memory of Gaara's heedings give you pause, careful not to offend him and sow the dangerous repercussions. "It’s nothing."

"I won't eat you alive, or whatever that annoying nymph whispered in your ear."

"Can you read my mind?" You seriously contemplate it for a moment, mortified by the implication.

"You're just predictable."

You pout, oddly insulted. "Oh yeah? Then what was I going to ask?"

He breathes in another puff of smoke, mood shifting into something darker, brooding, sad? "Beats me."

"Liar." You're voice is quiet, so quiet you hesitate to even call it a whisper, still he shoots you a side eyed glare that would have sent you fleeing had this been your first encounter; but you’ve spent several moons - or lack thereof, you suppose - by his side, and after all the stories, and meals, and wine you've shared, and all the nights you’ve spent beneath the same comforter and the same twinkling stars, you think you’ve began to understand him, trust him, even if just a little. "I was just wondering when I can return home, is all."

He sighs, as if he isn't surprised at all. "Are all humans as ungrateful as you?"

"Are all fae as stubborn as you?"

"You sure are bold, I'll give you that." He exhales, puffs of smoke greeting the air. "And rude, I nearly forgot that one."

You laugh, genuinely and he turns to face you, study you like you're the first thing he can't figure out. "You don't like it here? Have I not provided you with the finest amenities? Have I offended you in some way?"

You pull at the grass tickling your thighs. "Its not that."

He places his hand over your busy one. "Then stay."

You shake your head and turn to face him. "Shikamaru I-" His lips find yours and you freeze like startled deer, but it's certainly not because you don't like it - though he doesn't know that, slowly pulling away at your hesitance.

"Then it's me you don't like?"

You're slower to respond this time. You certainly don't dislike Shikamaru - though he gets on your nerves more often than not and nothing gets through that thick, but brilliant skull of his. The problem, you figure, is that you've never once considered liking the fae, even before Gaara's headings, as if the fear and distrust is engraved in your very bones. There's also the fact that he whisked you away from the only place you'd ever known, but you can't hate him for that, not when the alternative was freezing to death.

So you flirt with the idea, ruminate over the premise of Shikamaru being human, of meeting him in better, warmer circumstances, of telling stories and drinking beneath the moon from your boring, mundane world. And you think you might like him, quite a bit, in fact.

"No."

"No?"

You smile at his confusion, and for the first time, you find him cute. Which is a terrible realization because it makes you want to lean in and press your lips to his and - by the gods - why are you actually doing it?

He chuckles softly, setting the pipe aside and pulling you in by the back of your neck when you shyly try to back away. "Humans never finish what they start, huh?"

And his lips are on yours, with the fervor he wanted to kiss you with the first time; and it's magical and deep and lulls you into a haze deeper than the strange world around you - but you're not sure it's magic at all. You're just drunk on Shikamaru, and you want more, more, more until you're addicted and ruined and at the mercy of his whims.

"Wanted to do that," he groans, tongue mingling with yours. "Since the moment I saw you."

"The moment you saw me?"

"Mhm," his hand travels beneath the hem of your dress, wandering the expanse of your thigh and up to your hip, and when you don't pull away from his touch, further even. "Saw you with that forest nymph, in that pretty little dress. Wanted to see your eyes light up from up close when you tell me all your stories." His slender fingers dip beneath the cotton of your panties. "Wanted you to look at me, think of me, be so enamored with me that you didn't want to leave."

You whine, shuddering against him when he presses two fingers against your core, using your slick to rub circles against your clit. "Sh-Shikamaru." You breathe and he tenses before moving to trail kisses across your jaw.

"Mm, just like that. Wanted you to say my name, all breathless and cute."

"This is wrong, right?" You bury your head beneath his chin, hiding your burning cheeks. What would your mother think if she knew the things you were doing with this - this monster, as she called them, let alone your village; they'd send you to a monastery at best, and at worst, sacrifice you to the forest.

Oddly enough, Shikamaru comes to mind and that thought isn't as scary as it would have been once.

"You humans are so uptight." His free hand cups your jaw, forcing your gaze to meet his. "Do you like me?" You swallow hard, trying to turn away but he holds you steady; and he waits, waits until you nod, meek and slow. "Does this feel good?" He dips his fingers into the softness of your core, fingers thrusting against your gooey walls with just enough pressure to have your eyes rolling back; somewhere in your stupor you must have nodded because he continues, "Then what's wrong with it?"

You're at a loss for words and he smiles, fingers driving you mad. "Not a thing." He kisses you almost sweetly. "Right?" You moan against his mouth, falling into the baritone of his voice and the care in his affections. "Hold still, just like that. Good girl."

His fingertips are back against your clit, working you over with a fervor that has your thighs shaking and chest heaving in a desperate attempt to just, breathe. You've never felt anything like it, like your body is on the verge of catching fire, and you're chasing the flame, begging Shikamaru to set you alight.

And when the heat washes over your body, you cling so desperately to him, tears wetting your cheeks. Thighs squeezing around his hand, you swear you hear him laugh when you push weakly at his wrist - but he doesn't stop, not until the shaking ceases and your slick coats your thighs.

You collapse against his chest, exhausted, clinging to the soft and unfamiliar material of his cloak. You feel him shift, shuffle you into his arms and stand - but you can't be bothered to open your eyes, even when he's pulling the boots from your feet and laying you gently upon silk sheets. "Look at me." You whine, trying to roll over to your side but he throws a leg over you, weight holding you down. "Listen to me, pretty."

You finally open your eyes, peeking up at him through dark lashes, a blush rushing up the expanse of your neck at his choice of words. Something hard twitches against your stomach and Shikamaru sighs, "Are you not going to finish what you started?"

You're exhausted, but you've never seen him look so eager, desperate, needy - looking all the more beautiful colored in the warm orange of the fireplace, and in that moment you'd bend over backwards, lay down your life, let him consume your entire being if that would please him. "What should I do?"

"Such a sweet, considerate thing," he muses, fingers creeping up your thighs to hook into the waistband of your panties before he's dragging them down your thighs. "Can you do the rest?"

He helps you sit, reaches around to undo the button holding the back of your dress, and you nod, shaking palms finding the hem before pulling it over your head. His fingers dance over your shoulders, calming your nerves as they gently work to undo your bra. He's quick about it and you eye him with suspicion. You’d heard stories from your friends, about their clumsy, clueless husbands, and you expect the same from Shikamaru, but like everything, he’s so sure about everything he's doing. "You're certainly good at that."

He grins, taking in your exposed being, devouring you with his gaze. "I've lived a long time, pretty. Does that bother you?"

The jealousy creeps up your chest but you wretch your gaze away and grumble out an unconvincing, "No."

Palms smooth down your sides and he leans in close, hot breath against your ear. "Don't be jealous, you're certainly the prettiest." He doesn't miss the way you shudder, grasp at his shirt as you buck against him, like instinct. "Careful now, I might forget to be gentle with you." He holds your wrist, places your palm flush against his clothed erection; you're embarrassed but you don't pull away, even daring to rub your fingers up and down the generous bulge.

He groans and you feel your pride swell, if only for the moment before he strips himself of his top and pushes you down. His pants follow and you prop yourself up on your elbows, unable to look away as he rids himself of the last barrier between your bodies. He catches you staring and stands a little taller, fisting his cock with one hand, as if he's showing off. You want to roll your eyes, call out his arrogance - but you can't even fault him; besides you’re too preoccupied wondering how it’s supposed to fit.

"Can you take it, pretty?" It's rhetorical you're sure, because he doesn't wait for an answer, just fits himself between your thighs, presses your knees to your chest and prods at your entrance with the tip of his cock.

Even that proves too much and he shushes your babbling lips, pressing kisses to the corner of your mouth as he inches in further. "Hurts Shikamaru, can't."

"You can." He pulls back just to push in further this time and you cry out, fingers pulling at his strands of dark hair until the elastic pops and it falls over his shoulders in disarray. "I promise you can. Trust me, yeah?"

You whimper, burying your head in the crook of his neck. "Okay."

"Such a good girl," he coos, rocking his hips into yours. "So pretty and willing." The burn starts to fade and you keen against him. "Just like I thought you'd be."

"Like you thought I'd be?" Something about that sets you off, upsets you a bit.

He smirks, "Such a docile creature, you'd do anything I ask wouldn't you, pretty?" His fingers skim the expanse of your hips, easing himself in further. "Even your attitude is cute, because I know it's just to hide that your scared, like a frightened little rabbit."

He misses the scowl contorting your face, annoyance in your brow. You huff, nails dragging down his biceps as you jut your hips upward, ignoring the stretch, the pain, the burn, too focused on the way Shikamaru loses his balance, falls forward in a clumsy, inelegant sort of way - you feel yourself drip at the moan he breathes against your ear.

"I guess even you can be wrong sometimes," you quip breathlessly, ego growing to dangerous, and stupid proportions. "But it's fine since you're cute, like a dumb little rabbit."

Several moments pass before he finally pushes himself up, eyes set upon you like a predator that's just found it's prey, narrowed and dark and void of any amusement. 

Your smirk disappears.

 "Oh pretty," he sighs, slender fingers wrapping around your throat in a gentle but threatening hold. "I thought I warned you to be careful."

You blink and suddenly you're on top, looking down at a very upset faerie - a terrible place to be but certainly not worse than being beneath him, right? "I'm going to give you a chance to apologize."

You're quick to take it, willing to be anything besides on Shikamaru's bad side, even pathetic. So you squeak out a desperate, "I'm sorry!"

He only laughs, but it's flat and dry and you feel a chill crawl up your spine. "You think that's what I meant? Adorable."

His cock twitches inside you and you shudder. "I'll do anything."

"Yes, you will." His fingers bruise your hips in their merciless grip. "You're going to bounce on my cock, pretty." He pulls you down by the back of your neck, lips slanting over your own. "And you're not going to stop until I spill my seed inside you."

Your body moves before your mind stops reeling, hips rutting against him with reckless abandon, as if you're bewitched. "So eager to please," he groans, hand trailing up your side to caress your breast. His thumb brushes the nipple and it hardens beneath his touch. You whine softly, keening into his touch and he smirks, hips rising to meet yours and you swear you can feel him in your stomach. Your nails nearly pierce his shoulders as you cry out his name but his grin only widens, "That's a much better use of that smart mouth of yours."

Whatever witty retort you were going to spout dies on your tongue the moment his hand slips between your bodies to cup your sex, fingertips at your clit. "You'll give me another, won't you?" Your legs shake, already sensitive from the last. "You'll be even prettier this time, when you cum around my cock."

"Sorry, 'm sorry Shikamaru," you stammer as the heat gathers in your stomach, teetering precariously on the edge of spilling over. Your legs burn and you struggle to force enough air into your lungs, still you bounce atop him, with more and more fervor until his hand tightens against the back of your neck, holding you down against his chest as you shudder and shake, tumbling over the edge helplessly. His hips take over, thrusting into you until you feel his hot seed spill down your thighs.

Shikamaru's firm chest is suddenly the softest thing on earth, his labored breathing against the crackling fire the most tender of lullabies and you feel your conscious fade.

Only his taunting chuckle follows.

The world is warm and plush and smells like home. You sigh contentedly, stretching out your arms until they hit something soft, knocking it from the bed and sending it tumbling across the floor. Your tired eyes reluctantly open, instinctively reaching out to grab whatever it was, fingers freezing mid reach. 

The stuffed bear you've owned since you were six stares back at you.

You jolt up, fingertips smoothing over the yellow quilt covering your body and the tears prick your eyes. You're home.

Your heart swells, soles hitting the wooden floorboards with a familiar creak. There's a burn to your thighs and you wince, stumbling forward and nearly over. A pair of steady hands catch you and the scent of smoke and sandalwood fills your senses. You lift your head to catch Shikamaru's gaze. "Why-" You worry the skin of your bottom lip and he grins.

"Why what? Isn't this what you wanted? Or are you that shocked by my generosity."

You snort. "-why are you here?"

His sigh is a disappointed one as he goads you back towards the bed. "Careful, you'll hurt my feelings." You sit on the edge, watching as he picks up your bear by one scraggly leg. He shoots you a look before tossing it into your lap. "This is the life you whined about returning to?" His hand lands atop the footboard of your bed; it creaks under his weight and he shifts just to drive his point home further. You swear the wood nearly gives out.

"Would you quit that?"

He shrugs, making his way to your side. "Were you hoping I wouldn't be here? That I disappeared like a bad dream?" He leans in, hot breath against your ear. "Though you were singing a different tune last night." You elbow him, glare verging on turning him to burning ash. He chuckles, giving you just enough space to breathe. "Well?"

You play with the stuffed bear, avoiding his waiting gaze. "I mean-" You lift the fluffy arm and press on its stomach. "I'd probably miss you - eventually." You set it aside, busying yourself with your fingers instead. "Just a little."

His hand covers yours and you startle when his fingers intertwine with yours. "Then return with me."

"Shikamaru-"

"Not now, and not forever.” There’s a lopsided grin on his face when he adds a provocative, "well, probably."

You glare but he ignores it and presses a kiss to your shoulder, sliding the strap of your nightgown to the side. "Just visit me, like that forest nymph you're so fond of." There’s a hint of annoyance in his voice, jealousy even and he takes your skin between his teeth and sucks. "No. Stay longer, more, forever if you want to. Don't run away when night falls, stay with me. Stay until you're sick of me, and come back anyway."

You can't see it, but you imagine there's a bruise as purple as Gaara's violets painted across your shoulder. Shikamaru presses against it with rough fingers and it stings just a bit. "And stop telling him your stories, they're mine now. You're mine now."

You consider it but the instigator on your shoulder quips back with an indignant, "And if I don't?"

He grins, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'll eat you."

You can only hope he's joking.

[forever-fixating]

Some Sentences Monday?

Tagged by the ever-awesome @priincebutt

Okay, so I know this is meant for Sundays, but ya boi was destroyed from work and completely overstimulated so I had nothing in the tank. But after hibernating most of today, I am emerging ready to share a new project I have in the works. Getting such amazing response for Love on the Menu has really invigorated my desire to work, and now my mind is running with ideas. I've been toying with the idea of writing a historical AU for a while now, so allow me to introduce:

I don't have an official summary for it yet, but to overhype myself, this story has everything: childhood sweethearts separated by tragedy, rivaling nations full of political intrigue, magick because I've been dying to write a fantasy AU as well so por que no los dos, a tournament where the grand prize of the joust is the hand in marriage of our sweet Henry, a cliffhanger that I am so excited to write but that I know will enrage everyone that reads it...get ready, yall!

Below the cut is a massively long teaser. Forgive the roughness of it. I am just so geeked to share it, but just know I'll be working on it until it's ready. Enjoy! (If you'd like a soundtrack for this, might I suggest Surrender by Natalie Taylor?)

The air was perfumed with the scent of springtime blossoms. Beneath the shade of a great willow tree were two young lovers. One was flaxen-haired, his ivory skin rosy from the sun and littered with constellations of freckles. His body and limbs were slender and knobbly, still in that awkward phase between boy and man. His light blue eyes studied his companion with unguarded adoration. The other young man was shorter in stature, but rigorous exercise had already defined his physique. Atop his head was an untamed mass of sable curls, still wet from swimming. His unblemished skin gleamed a rich russet shade that his fairer companion couldn't stop touching. The pair had completed their lessons for the day and decided to take a refreshing dip in the lake near their school. They were naked, hidden among the willow branches, like two woodland nymphs from a fable and not two princes from separate nations. The dark-haired boy Alex lifted his lover Henry's hand and kissed the signet ring on his pinkie finger. The ring's face held not a family crest but their initials. A promise.

"When we are married-"

"You mustn't say such things!" Henry laughed even as his stomach fluttered at the very prospect. "It isn't proper."

Alex leaned down to press a kiss against rose-petal lips. "A man must state his intentions plainly, and mine are to marry you, cariño."

"You are not yet seventeen, cariad," Henry said as Alex trailed kisses along his jaw and neck. In this sacred space, it was easy to get lost in the rose-tinted fantasy of their future together. He tangled his fingers in Alex's curls, tugging at the roots. "Our parents would say it is unwise to speak of such things at our age."

"Why," Alex hissed as he climbed over Henry's body, "are you mentioning our parents when I am trying to ravish you?"

Henry arched his body into that of his beloved, gasping, "You have ravished me twice already this afternoon. Is that not enough?"

"Never."

As the twin suns began their steady descents into the horizons, the young lovers got dressed and made their way back to the school. Fireflies glowed in hues of pink, orange, and yellow as the pair discussed their plans for the following day. Given their disheveled states of dress, they were wary of running into Headmistress Beaufort or one of their professors as they made their way back to their dormitory. Unfortunately, fate was not on their side, and they rounded a corner and nearly crashed into Professor Wagner. He was a squat toad of a man who taught history and hated Alex for his frequent interruptions during lessons. His face held a perpetual bitter expression, as though he had just sucked on an unripen lemon. He berated them for looking and acting beneath their station and gave them detention for the following fortnight working in the stables with Gerald the groundskeeper. (It wasn't the punishment the man thought it was. They enjoyed Gerald's company, especially when he was joined by Julian, the music professor. Henry was convinced they were in love, but Alex said he was delusional.)

They scrambled upstairs to their shared dorm room to change. Dinner was already in progress when they joined their social set in the dining hall. Alex's older sister June was discussing a novel with Henry's twin sister Beatrice while their best friends Percy and Nora played cards. As Henry took his spot between Bea and Pez, his sister poked at the poorly concealed love mark Alex had gifted him earlier and teased, "My dear brother, it would appear you have been mauled by pixies. Should we alert Gerald of a possible infestation?"

Alex, seated across from him between June and Nora, snorted into his goblet, and Henry kicked his skin beneath the table. Giving his sister a tight smile that told her he knew exactly at what she was playing, he said defensively, "It was only a single, annoying pixie. Hardly cause for alarm."

"Annoying?" Henry's stomach filled with regret the moment the words left his mouth at Alex's fallen expression. He looked away from Henry. "Perhaps the pixie will direct their attention elsewhere if they are such a nuisance."

Alex would not meet his eye for the remainder of the meal. Once Headmistress Beaufort dismissed the students for the evening, Alex was up like a shot. Henry felt the disapproval of their friends and loved ones as he stood and trailed after Alex like a lovesick puppy. When Henry reached the common room of their dormitory, he found Alex chatting with Liam, the son of a nobleman from his home country. While he knew there was no danger of them forming an attachment, jealousy sparked in his chest, hot and ugly. He strode over to them and said, "Alex, I wish to speak with you."

Alex's expression was that of cool indifference. "Yes?"

Ignoring Liam and tugging on Alex's arm, Henry insisted, "In private."

Alex rolled his eyes but stood, shoving past Henry to their dorm room. Henry didn't look at Liam but hurried after Alex. He passed some of their classmates roughhousing in the hallway. Alex's ire was quick to be provoked, but Henry hoped he could dampen it with gentle words of apology and a gift. Their dorm room was on the far end of the hallway to the right. When Henry entered, Alex was sitting on the window seal. Henry closed the door.

"Cariad-"

"You would be wise not to call me that right now," Alex snapped, not looking at him.

Henry bit his bottom lip. Pushing away from the door, he crossed the cross to retrieve a parcel he received earlier that day from his bedside table. Though he protested Alex's pure words down by the lake, Henry's heart ached at the very thought that Alex thought himself alone in this affection. Henry was naturally cautious when it came to matters of the heart. While his parents had a romance for the bards to write neverending songs about and supported his inclinations, his grandmother Queen Mary still held final sway over who her grandchildren would marry. While Alex's country was a rising power, full of untapped resources and potential, Mary looked down her nose at their progressive politics and rising status among the nations. But despite the perceived impossibility of their future together, Henry found himself desperately in love with Alex all the time.

Henry knelt in front of his wounded lover and placed the parcel in his lap. Alex finally looked at him before glancing down and asking, "What is this?"

"An apology and response."

Alex picked it up and tore away the plain brown paper. Revealed was a red velvet bag. Henry's heart raced as Alex opened the bag and pulled out a small golden key on a silver chain. The bow of the key, intertwined in delicate filigree, was their initials, much like the ring that rested on Henry's hand.

As Alex studied it, Henry said, "My words earlier were foolish and hurtful. The truth is that I am afraid of the end of term. Things as they are now seem too perfect and golden. I...I fear once we are parted, reality will make you realize I am not worthy, that you will find someone more suitable for-"

"You believe me to be easily swayed?" Alex snapped. Henry looked up to see frustration and sadness in his eyes. He reached down to yank Henry's hand that held the signet ring to eye level. "Is this not proof enough of my love for you? Is it not enough that I say I love you? If this is an apology, it is a very poor one, Henry."

Henry climbed on the window seal with Alex, desperate to be understood, tears in his eyes. "It is an explanation. I am scared, Alex. I know we are young, but I know in my heart I will never feel for another what I feel for you. But when my grandmother finds out about us, she will stop at nothing to keep us apart. Does that challenge not give you pause?"

"Cariño," Alex whispered, cupping Henry's face, the necklace dangling from his fingers, "I would slay a thousand dragons, cross the Great Salt Desert, and brave the bitterest frozen peaks if that's what it took to make you mine. You may fear your grandmother, but I do not. There is no one else for me but you."

Henry took the chain from Alex's hand and placed it around his neck. Pressing his hand over the key, Henry said, "As you are for me. I want to be brave like you. I want you to know you are not alone. This key is a symbolic gesture, the key to my heart. My promise to be true."

Two young lovers, bathed in moonlight and their love for one another, making a vow as true as the gods had ever heard. Perhaps it was their youth that gave them pause, or the sincerity in which the vows were given. Whatever it was, the gods took note and, in their mercurial way, decided to put that devotion to the test.

The skies were clear that night as Alex and Henry clung to each other, but they could not see the storm brewing on the distant horizon. A challenge.

Tagging @dragonflylady77 @onthewaytosomewhere @theplayfulfairy and anyone else who scribbles and is interested.

[lunarheslwt]

Hi! I wanted to put together all the fics I've read and loved over November for this month's 28th appreciation, so here they are! Click on the links for full tags and summaries. If you read any of these make sure to show the authors some love by leaving kudos and comments!

🔸I know you rider (gonna miss me when I'm gone) by @cyantific

(9.4k | T | single-rider line au)

The one where Louis hates hippies and roller coasters and Harry tries to fix that with lots of fun facts, terrible puns and perhaps one very life-changing moment in a dark tunnel.

"Nostalgia inducing, simply delightful, summer 90's vibes"

🔸Adélfes psychés by pleasinglouis

(19k | E | Greek mythology au)

Harry has been hopelessly in love with a certain woodland nymph for as long as he can remember and no amount of wooing seems to be working

(summary cut so the post isn't too long!)

"poetic, a little ethereal, incredibly sweet."

🔸Everyone's entitled to one good scare by @levelofcharm

(10k | E | Halloween themed CNC vampire au)

“We can play hide and seek. Go on, try to hide bunny,” he coos as he taps the cool knife to Louis’ heated cheek teasingly, his voice switching with ease to something stern and serious, “but hope I don’t find you.”

Louis has suspected his husband isn't what he says and is determined to be right this Halloween

(read tags please!)

"thrilling, dizzyingly hot, perfect Halloween gift"

🔸Where sirens fear to tread by @aliensingucci

(28k | M | siren forbidden love au)

in the royal line, there are only a select few sirens with the ability to transform into humans once a month. harry is one of those sirens. he mostly sticks to the rules. when he's on land, he reads his books. he buys copious amounts of ice cream. he keeps to himself. that is until he meets a lifeguard named louis working at one of the luxury resorts on St Barts. and unfortunately, harry doesn't know the rules about falling in love at all.

"endearing, gripping, characters you root for"

🔸Compete against the stars by @daggerandrose

(30k | M | arranged marriage a/b/o)

“We should probably keep our distance,” Harry says, now backing up until he’s leaning against the wall opposite of Louis. It already feels too far away. “I don’t know if I can handle not being able to touch you in some small way.”

Louis nods and looks down. “The solstice will be here soon,” he murmurs.

“And with it, our mates,” Harry finishes, his voice cracking at the last word.

An ABO au where Louis finds out he's claimed to another Alpha. Angst ensues.

("ridiculously soft, smidge of tension, fuzzy vibes")

🔸When love is enough by @larrysballetslippers

(5k | E | poly relationship)

“Please, daddy,” Harry begged, he wanted Louis so much. Louis shuffled to his side and kissed his lips. Harry felt like he was in heaven, Louis’ kisses were always soul-healing but also so devilish.

Louis pulled back, eliciting a whine from Harry, and stroked his cheeks “I’m going to make you cry today, edge you so hard you don’t know how-”

Louis stopped talking when they heard the bell ring in the distance. Louis’ eyes grew large when it rang for the second time. “Harry, who are you expecting?”

Or, Harry gets an unpleasant surprise visit in the middle of a scene.

"part of a must read series, heart warming, sweet"

🔸You go undercover (you cross your fingers) by @forthetherapyy

(25k | E | kid fic)

When they reach the top of the steps, Harry puts the buggy down gently.

“Thank you,” Louis says. “My hero.”

Harry laughs.

“You don’t need rescuing,” he says.

or

louis didn’t think that motherhood would be easy, but he certainly wasn’t prepared for just how challenging it would be. he also wasn't prepared for a certain alpha called harry appearing each time he needs help until accepting is no longer a difficult thing to do.

"incredibly sweet, warm, and a comfort read"

🔸Every witch way by @falsegoodnight

(36k | E | a witchy au)

The last thing Harry wants to be doing this summer is running his aunt's occult shop while she's away, but that's where he finds himself, bitter and bored. That is, until a boy and his cat stumble into Harry's life and turn it upside down.

"incredibly gripping, stunning world building, flawless"

🔸A Springtime's Wilt, an Autumn's Bloom by snowcaplou

(20k | E | chauffeur au)

Harry is Louis' personal chauffeur, and although he hides his feelings for his boss behind a wall of rigid professionalism, Louis still manages to squeeze through the cracks.

"perfect for a quick read, sweet, wonderful characters"

🔸Dip you in honey by @eeveelou

(28k | E | omega x omega royalty au)

Princess Harry, the pearl of England, is set to be married to the youngest prince of France in just six months. Anxious about his performance on his wedding night, he enlists the help of his loyal handmaiden Louis to help him practice everything he needs to know

"delicate, pure, and delightfully scandalous all at once"

🔸what a wicked thing to do (to make me dream of you) by @maroonmoonlouis

(44k | E | enemies to lovers dark academia heirs au)

Heirs Louis and Harry have been promised as mates to each other their whole lives. It's expected that they will be the perfect pair to bring honor to their families. Louis cannot let that happen.

"captivating, electrifying, and perfect"

🔸Even on my worst days by @homosociallyyours

(21k | E | sick fic, chronic illness)

When they meet at a party, Louis is instantly drawn to Harry like a moth to a flame. They hit it off, and Louis is eager to get to know Harry better-- maybe even take him out on a date --but Harry is hesitant. Cautious.

Since developing chronic fatigue a few years earlier, a lot of things have changed for Harry, his once active lifestyle reduced to the occasional outing like the one he met Louis at, visits to the doctor, and doing his best to take care of himself on hard days. He can't imagine that anyone-- especially not someone like Louis --would ever really want to be with him.

It takes time to convince him otherwise, but Louis can see he's worth it. He just has to get Harry to see it too.

"beautiful, touching, characters you will adore"

🔸Wanna play you like a game, boy (what's the thrill of the same toy?) by @thebreadvansstuff

(10k | E | humiliation kink)

Louis is Harry's boss, and Harry has a humiliation kink. (for full summary click fic link 😩)

"stupidly hot, hot and hot."

🔸You Can Lay Your Hands On Me by @momrryrights

(37k | E | bdsm au)

a non-famous, established relationship BDSM AU where Harry would really like his very sweet and caring boyfriend to dom him. Said boyfriend is more than happy to do so.

"delightfully detailed, super hot, incredible"

🔸wanna wake up with you and say baby let's do it all over again by @alwaysxlarrie

(16k | M | service kink fic)

“Harry, it’s okay. This is a safe space.”

“No, it’s not. You throw cheese puffs at me any time I walk around naked.”

“Okay.” Niall tilted his head in acknowledgement, then corrected himself. “It’s a safe space for things I deem acceptable.”

“Of course.” Harry rolled his eyes. “So, what’s the thing?”

“Your service,” Niall flailed his hands in the air for a few seconds, “thing.”

“My service,” Harry paused to mimic Niall’s hand movements, “thing?”

“Yes.”

"the dream duo dynamic, equally hot and cute, a gem"

Thank you wonderful writers who keep giving us the most amazing works<3

[solar-acheron-zine]

Ô Muse, conte-moi l'aventure de l'Inventif...

What to contribute to Solar Acheron, but are unsure what to write about? Here are a few prompts you can use as-is, or as inspiration to imagine something new! Maybe you could write how/about:

A child wakes up with Midas' curse in medieval Europe

A retelling of the myth of Arachne where Athena falls in love with her

The head of Medusa begins to speak after being placed on Athena's shield

The many lovers of Apollo meet in a room, and begin sharing horror stories of their dates, meeting his family, and/or how they died

The Muses put on a play about the end of the universe

A woodland nymph pines for Selene, and laments that they shall never be with her

Hephaestus, tired of being mistreated, runs away to work in a distant kingdom

What Patroclus says to Hector when the prince descends into the underworld

Historical college AU where Artemis studies or teaches astronomy

What happens to the golden apples after the judgement of Paris

Prometheus’ POV being saved by Heracles

What Helios' death looked like to the Winds, or a minor nature god

Pandora's box, concealed as a time capsule box, is found by a pupil in the back of a dusty classroom

Phaedra's childhood with Minotaur

A forgotten exploit of Ulysses during his return

Melampus writes a short story about a conversation between Tithonus and a cricket

A mortal witnessing the descent of Prometheus with fire

Precisely what happened when the Titans defeated Uranus

A conversation between Orpheus and Clotho

Contemporary Hermes, Persephone and Dionysus sit at a mortal table and celebrate Rosh Hashanah

A typical day in Iris' life

Nemesis becomes a Georgian-era pirate

Gaia watching the birth of new constellations

A historian tries to decipher the genealogical tree of the deities and comes across a strange, completely forgotten half-god

A newly mortal Eos visits the Mooncake festival

Most of these prompts are very Eurocentric, but it must be emphasized that this zine is for all cultures! Mix and match as you wish, invent new characters, reclaim old ones, be as creative as you want!

Send your works over to solaracheron@gmail.com. :D

[meatriarch]

𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐌. / ( anthousai & leimoniads ) nymph information part one.

nymph-types only taken vaguely from greek mythology but, anthousai are nymphs of flowers & plants while leimoniads are nymphs of meadows. maria in her fantasy verse is a combination of both types -- as frankly, wildflowers are common across meadows.

maria in bloom is one of many daughters of a forest deity referred to by nyuuris -- a god who maintains order and balance across fields and meadows, woodlands forests, and a mountain range, which overlaps a neighboring kingdom by the name virrilio.

the nymph daughters of nyuuris have abilities that vary depending on the type they are. for maria, hers centers around flora primarily -- though, she is also able to shapeshift into varying types of fauna, as well. she's able to understand and "speak" to not only fauna, but also flora.

could be referred to as botanopathy along other terms but essentially, maria is able to hear and listen to plant life around her. not exactly in the way we speak between humans -- but, she is able to in a sense "hear" through flora what has occurred where they grow. maria is incredibly sensitive to this particularly in areas were battles and blood has been shed. the "voices" of the flora is a constant humming to her at all times, however, in places where blood has been spilled across fields, the hum turns grows into an ensemble of shrieks and screams. she grows increasingly anxious, fearful, upset as she near these places, and even should the blood drawn there be long, long gone by then, she will prefer to take longer routes to completely avoid that place entirely. maria can also use this to track someone.

( funnily enough, in her texas aus? this ability manifests after nancy passes on her own abilities to maria. whereas nancy tracks someone seeing through their eyes, maria tracks them by what flora they pass by / step across, hearing a chorus of little voices whispering to her what the person is close to ).

nymphs are in tune with nature -- they are capable of not only knowing what happens in their fathers' domain no matter how far they may be, but they will also know if something occurs and whether its in harmony with natural order. for instance, a predator catching their prey will be known to them, and they will not entirely react as negatively despite the life lost as it is simply the natural consequence of life. however, sensing and knowing when something unnatural occurs -- such as the hunters who trespass into nyuuris' domain to kill the creatures who reside within its boundaries, the nymphs will know and they will react negatively to it. some will become enraged, seek out the hunters and lead them to their fate deeper into the domain, to the large predators, to their father. others, like maria, will feel horribly ill and terrified, grief-stricken. because it was a life that should not have been taken, especially not in vain, especially not in gruesome or unnecessarily violent ways.

[virgils-muse]

Ranting about my CCCC Hellenic Mythology Primordial Forces AU (specifically the fic I made and the fics I’m currently making for it)

The prayer in the intro of The Selene Acoustic fic is based off actual Homeric prayer! Homeric-style-pray can typically be divided into four parts: the first step is purifying urself, aka washing ur hands and all that jazz. It’s not shown in the fic bc. I forgot. The second part is calling upon the deity, typically recounting their parents (like how in the fic Selene is called upon as a child of Hyperion and Theia) and specific epithets or titles used to describe the deity (like in the fic how Selene is called gleaming radiant or pearl of the night and what not). The third part is the devotees reminding the deity of their relationship, like of the offerings they’ve made to them in the past. And finally, the plea/request.

I also reference the Muses in my fic, which for those who don’t know are deities that provide divine inspiration, typically for poets. It ties back to how throughout the centuries, the moon has been of poetic inspiration, for like ever.

The chapter two title is a song by Hozier lmao.

It’s tru that Artemis and Selene (and Hekate but she isn’t mentioned) were very closely associated in the ancient world, due to their ties with the moon and what not.

In The Helios Electric fic that is currently still in the works, I included a Chorus (which in this instance is a band of woodland nymphs). The Chorus is used to comment on the events that take place in the play, and push the story along. Like the link between the actor and the audience. This was featured a lot in ancient plays, and I was inspired to do this because I had just recently reread Iphigenia in Aulis lol.

Anyways that’s all byeeee

[jcniper-backup]

i am hungry (i was born hungry) - prologue

Tags/Warnings: bhaal, dark urge, astarion's past trauma, m/f, named dark urge, dark urge resists the urge

Summary: a dark urge/astarion romance with a different meeting au

For some reason ao3 is literally not allowing me to update my work so i'm backing it up on here.

Vaelyn didn’t know how she got here.

The noisy din of merchants from The Wide echoed from some unknown location. The acrid smell of rat-piss and blood was thick in the air. The steady drip, drip, drip of blood was the only thing that gave her a hint of what happened in the past twenty four hours. She held up her hands, studying the thick ichor and bits of gore that covered her hands. There was no corpse around and her stomach growled. 

She licked and suckled at her fingers, knowing there was no way that would get them completely clean. “Scileritas.” She called out. “Scileritas, where are you?” 

Nothing. Useless. Predictable. 

“No matter,” She wiped the remaining blood off on the underside of her doublet, “gather your bearings.” The dark of the sewers had never deterred her. After she had been plucked from a church of Kelemvor, her butler had brought her to the Underdark for a time. The reason was still unclear to her as to why, but now she was here, and the sewers of Baldur’s Gate almost felt like a reminder of a place she had called home for so long. Vaelyn pushed herself as far away from the noises of The Wide as she could before finding a pothole to crawl out of. 

She had successfully made it back to the Lower City, where people didn’t question the amount of blood one was covered in as closely as the snobs in the Upper City. Flitting in and out of the shadows had become something of a passtime she had learned. Vaelyn had no home except in the Temple of Bhaal, one that was suitable when she felt like having the added drama of her murderous half-sister around. On days like these, after she lost time, she had found that she lacked the patience to deal with her. 

So, she stashed clothes and supplies all over the city. Behind loose brick, close to the hole she came from, she pulled a change of clothes and went about her business. ‘Go back to the temple. Murder Scileritas for not coming to you. It would be funny.’ With a deep sigh, Vaelyn turned towards the horizon. The sun was still up in the sky, but it was slowly starting to crest down and out of sight. 

Night time was always such an entertaining time for her. Oh, the crimes she had committed– 

Vaelyn decided to stay out, veering towards the south span of Wyrm’s Crossing. People were beginning to board up shop. Somewhere in the distance, someone screamed, and Vaelyn smiled to listen to the sweet, sweet sound.

Sharess’ Caress was bustling with business when Vaelyn walked over the threshold. She ordered a bottle of wine from the bar and turned to watch the debauchery of the night. The drow had no intention of taking a life tonight, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t delight in the different states of misery around her. Someone was drunkenly slurring a pickup line to another drow she had seen before. The woman had a similar pallor to her, looking closer to a woodland nymph than someone who belonged to the Underdark. The two shared eye contact for a moment and the woman smirked, before turning her attention back to the drunken dwarf and extorting him for three hundred gold pieces for the night. 

“Care to share a drink?” A voice cut through the distant fog she was in. 

Turning, Vaelyn took in the sight in front of her. A pale, slender, elf was standing very close to her. His silver-white hair was almost perfectly quaffed. His doublet was simple, but too fancy for the general clientele of this place. ‘ Prostitute?’  Vaelyn glanced up at his eyes. They were such a pretty shade of crimson. ‘Vampire, oh they murder so beautifully…’ Her brain supplied her. 

“Sure. Want to find a table?” With no plans for what she was doing, she beckoned him to one of the tables with curtains hanging over them. The tiny little alcove was a nice pocket of silence to distract her from everything else. Vaelyn poured him a cup, and then herself. 

He was staring at her, his gaze predatory. “Thank you, darling.” 

“Darling?” 

“You haven’t told me your name yet.” 

“Vaelyn. Yours?” 

“Astarion.” Vaelyn took a swig of wine. The sip Astarion took was comically small. It took everything in her to stop herself from laughing. “Vaelyn is such a pretty name. What does it mean?” 

“Leadership.” She gave him a curt answer. While this was amusing to her, she had never been one for flirting with people. Plus, she was still trying to find out what this vampire wanted from her. It was most likely blood. His thirst for it was something she could relate to. “Is this where I’m supposed to ask the meaning of yours?” 

“It can be if you wish. Just simply trying to make conversation.” 

“Mm. You must forgive me…I don’t…talk to people very often.” People who weren’t involved with her father’s cult, that is. Vaelyn got the urge to drink more. She had always been told she was off-putting to be around. Her life had been spent in a monastery that prided itself on being neutral to everything before she was dragged elsewhere, and she learned her true nature. 

Even those of the Cult who loved her dearly often expressed fear or irritation at some aspect of her personality. Her own half-sister was chief among that crowd, always trying to make her angry and irrational. She would kick and scream at her, like she was some sort of toddler. “How are you the favoured one? Your worship does nothing for the soul, dear sister. There is no art to how you bleed these meat sacks dry.” Sometimes, she would get what she wanted and the sweet slaughters they would commit would sate them for days to come. Most of the time, Vaelyn stayed in control. 

All of that happening before she reached the age of maturity meant she had to account for– personal defects. “It’s alright, sweetheart. Take your time. Or, if you aren’t the talking type–” She could see where he was headed with this. He would get her somewhere secluded under the guise of having sex. Perhaps, he would even give it to her. After that, he would either drain her dry or try to rob her blind. 

It was adorable. 

“Actually, I’d rather just sit here and talk for now. I’ve spent most of my life in monasteries, so just watching the liveliness is fun for me. You are welcome to join me. Unless you have somewhere else to be.” He was still staring at her. He took another comically small sip of wine. Vaelyn resisted the urge to ask him if a richer red would be more to his tastes. “I can even pay you, if that’s what you would like.” 

The dawning realization that she must have some semblance of what he’s doing rose on his face. She had to give it to him, he was good at putting on a mask. His eye barely twitched. “I can…go.” 

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” 

“No, darling. It just seems that I’m making you uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t want to do that.” There was a nervous edge to his voice. He was lying. He was also still sitting there, across from her. Dimly, Vaelyn wondered if he was trying to delay something. Perhaps there was something that he didn’t want to go back to quite yet. 

Alcohol dimmed crueler thoughts from rising to the surface as she took him in. She knew the look of someone who had a master that made them do things, and she knew it well. She had caused it so many times, and she wore that same look as well. So, stupidly, Vaelyn felt a little pity for the man in front of her. “Stay. Perhaps I will indulge you in further company later, I just want to stay here for right now. I have somewhere I don’t want to be.” 

“I…know how that feels.” It was as if language was difficult to him, just for that moment. The consternation on his face as he tried to push the words out looked painful. It was as she expected. 

He had a master too. 

“Would you like dinner? I can pay. My treat.” Vaelyn didn’t offer out of the kindness of her heart. His squirming amused her and confirmed her suspicions. 

“I would rather stick to wine, if it’s all the same to you, darling.” 

“Suit yourself.” She shrugged.

He looked a little like a lost puppy then, big red eyes searching for something in her face. He was trying to read her so he could take back control of the situation. For a second, something stirred in her. Something that was distinctly not the whispers of cruelty she was so used to. Perhaps it was a mote of sentimentality left over from her monastery days – she was just glad that Scileritas wasn’t here right now. 

‘The moaning that little twerp would do–’ 

“You said you spent most of your life in monasteries. This isn’t exactly the place the faithful frequent. Wouldn’t your type normally look down upon the debauchery going on around us?” 

The noise was different here. Every once and a while, as Vaelyn came down from a kill, she had bouts where her father’s presence eluded her and all she could feel was guilt. In those rare moments, even the thought of blood made her puke, to her great shame. She would come here sometimes to think of something else, the pleasure of sex, or at least the screams of other people having a good time rather than dying. “Monks and clerics are not the same.” She chuckled a little. “I spent more time studying a way of life than a god.” 

Reverence and worship had not always been her forte. Vaelyn’s talents lied in destruction, breaking people, and plans that would benefit her father in the long run. “Truth be told, I have never had use for faith.” Astarion said. There was a note of something in his tone that she didn’t understand. 

Was that disdain toward the gods? 

‘You should show him what speaking ill of the gods can do. You should make him respect–’ 

Instead of following her thoughts, she picked her next words carefully. “Faith or no faith, monasteries and churches can hold an impressive wealth of knowledge and power. I myself learned many useful things while I was under the tutelage of another.” 

The wisdom required to manipulate the elements. There were other practices that she had begun to study, eager to learn, eager to find other ways to harm people when she had been taken from the monastery. That was still a point of irritation between her and her father. He had interrupted her studies when she was far too young, and while she had been adept in them in the short time it took her to learn, there was so much knowledge out there that being at the Temple prevented her from consuming. “This is something I doubt you find interesting, though. Tell me about yourself.” 

“There’s not much to tell.” He responded a little too quickly. “I used to work as a magistrate in the city. I don’t any longer.” 

“Ah, a law man.” 

“Hardly,” He snorted. There was something nice about sharing a bottle of wine with someone who was probably going to try and kill you. Vaelyn found it amusing. She watched him carefully, wondering if he was going to try and turn on the charm again to get her into bed. Perhaps he would do it after she was sufficiently drunk enough, when he thought her defenses were down, he would try and do something.  “Have you been in the city for long? I think I would’ve recognized a beauty like you.” 

“Do you consider ten years a long time?” Most of the Bhaalists she spent her time around were human, and she wasn’t interested in going back to the Underdark anytime soon. “Enough about me, though. What of you? What is your life like here?” 

“Like I’ve said before, there’s really nothing interesting going on with me.” He bristled under her gaze. 

“Hm. Well, I am planning my fiftieth birthday soon. Perhaps I should invite you, give you something interesting to do.” 

“Or, if you’re so keen to have my company, we could always retire back to my place?” 

“And where is your place?” She was still humoring him. 

“You know the mansion in the lower city? That’s my…patron’s home, but he wouldn’t mind us staying for a while. I think I might enjoy more of your vaguely off putting company.” 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” The Szarr mansion had always been a spot of interest to the cult. It smelled of blood. Something deep and tragic permeated the stone, emanating a delicious aura like no other. “And why not…we can see where the night takes us.” 

He gestured for her to follow him out of Sharess’ Caress. She did. 

The night was still very young at this point. Cool air settled on her skin and a few people were on the streets. They were the ones that were tipsy or had enough sense to stumble home before the more dangerous underbelly of the city came to life. It was still a few hours before the vagrants inhabited the streets. Vaelyn took in a deep breath, listening to Astarion’s footsteps as he approached her from behind. She turned to him curtly. “Lead the way,” 

“Of course,” The Urge to kill was slowly ebbing its way back into her mind. She ignored it, for now. Right now, she was focused on letting this man think he was leading her to the fate of death. The walk past the south span of Wyrm’s Crossing is quiet except for the Flaming Fist. They all had a habit of avoiding her now. She reveled in watching them avert their gaze as they passed. Her eyes flitted over to Astarion to see if he noticed. He was definitely tense, but his eyes had gone from aware to completely unfocused. 

When they crossed the threshold into the Lower City, he stared at her collarbone. Oh, what an obvious and cute little pup. The more she examined the maybe-vampire-maybe-spawn’s appearance, the less she wanted to kill him. An odd feeling twisted in her stomach, and even worse one was making her sweat. Pain sliced into her sides. 

She distracted herself by talking. That was what people were supposed to do, right? “So this mansion of your…patron’s. You’re sure he’d be fine with having me there.” 

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to have you.” 

“That’s good. You can tell him he’ll barely notice I’m there. Growing up in a monastery means I’ve learned how to walk silently, so I didn’t anger my elders.” Half of this sentence was true, Vaelyn had learned how to walk silently when she was in a monastery. Were the elders in her monastery abusive? Hardly. The higher master she served now… 

She just found it funny how people reacted when they heard something resembling a sob story. It had the intended effect now. Astarion evened out his pace, and was now walking side by side with her instead of charging forward or lagging slightly behind to stare at her collar bone. “What was growing up in a monastery like?” 

“Nothing special. Little fun. There was a distinct lack of food. There was something about a lack of sustenance helping achieve a better meditative state in my studies. But if I’m being honest, I just think the elders hoarded it because it made us kids more compliant.” He was searching her eyes now. They had just made it past Stormshore Tabernacle by this point. 

“That must’ve been awful.” 

“Trust me it was. Baldur’s Gate hasn’t been much better.” It had actually been great – when she had finally learned to obey her father – but that was neither here nor there. “The people here don’t like drow very much, do they?” 

“Most of the people of Baldur’s Gate barely possess enough intellect to get through a picture book, so can you blame them?” 

Vaelyn barked out a laugh. 

She didn’t remember the last time she had done that. 

They start veering to the Elfsong. The sharp turn in direction seemed spur of the moment, because she watched Astarion’s eyes flicker as if he had shocked himself with the change of direction. “Are you sure this is the right way?” She asked him. 

“Actually, I changed my mind. I was thinking that we could grab a few more drinks at a classier joint, if you don’t mind.” 

“Will you actually be drinking the wine this time or will you be pretending again?” Vaelyn blurted out. It was a little sooner than she had been planning, but she let that go. She watched him freeze and turn toward her. 

“I don’t know what you mean, darling. I drank as much wine as you did.” 

“I never refilled your cup once, there was no way you had as much wine as I did.” She stated. The elf was looking well and truly panicked at this point. Perhaps he knew that even if she didn’t know his true identity, that didn’t look good for him. “Now, this leads me to my next question. Are you really committed to the ‘vampire aesthetic’ or are you actually a vampire?” 

Vaelyn took a step forward. 

There was a flash of metal and then a cool blade pressed against her cheek. As steel bit into her skin, the Urge laughed within her, a perverted desire to experience her own blood being drawn sated it temporarily. “Well, you catch on quick.” 

“Is that prick of a blade supposed to scare me or turn me on?” She watched a flash of disgust cross his face and laughed again. This time it was a small giggle as she took another gamble. “If you want to kill me, you could just drink me dry. It would make better use of my blood.” If he made any move to kill her, she’d fight back, she’d let the Urge win out. 

He didn’t though, and despite the Urge screaming in disappointment, Vaelyn was delighted. Astarion’s blade remained pressed to her cheek, threatening to carve into her skin. Her blood sang as she considered what she should say next. She waited for him to speak, wondering just how much he would entertain her. “You know, I almost felt bad about what I was going to do. But you know what I am, and I really can’t afford another slip up.” 

“Oh, scary.” She rolled her eyes. “What – ever – will I do? I am quivering in my boots.” 

He cocked his head to the side again. Vaelyn had seen people stare at her like that before, when she confused them. When she said something a little too intense or painfully neutral and monotone, “Stow the blade, spawn. I can tell you serve a master. Hurting me would be terribly inconvenient to you.” 

Astarion’s hand trembled just a little. Vaelyn could have disarmed him four times over by now, but where was the thrill in that? “And why would that be so?” 

“You need a body, don’t you? I can give you someone. Not me, obviously.” That was enough incentive for him to drop his blade, finally. There was a note of disgust in his eyes, along with curiosity. 

“What are you? A slaver?” 

“Ha! No. Not even close.” She shook her head. 

“Then how are you able to just offer me a body? And…at what cost?” He paused. There was a flicker of fear on his face and once again, some errant foreign feeling began to twist within her. It was different from the Urge, different from anger, and different from the thrill she got when someone threatened her with violence. It was completely new, and the Urge was disgusted by it. 

“I am obviously a criminal,” She shrugged, “You’re not the only person out here that knows how to do illegal shit.” 

Telling him that she was a cult leader would probably be ill-advised.

“And what’s the cost?” He asked again. 

“A blanket favor, for anything I need the next time we meet.”  

“And if we never meet again?” 

“Then you have absolutely nothing to lose.” She shrugged. “I don’t see the problem with that.” 

Silence fell over them once again. The only noises to be heard was the skittering of street rats and litter and the light crackling of torches somewhere in the distance. Vaelyn crossed her arms, waiting for a response. “That is surprisingly fair.” 

“I am fair.” She agreed. “Will you take the deal?” 

For a second, he said nothing at all. She wondered if he was going to refuse and attack her, but he did not. Astarion’s face wavered. There was a question that he wanted to ask, but after a pained wince, Vaelyn deduced that he could not. He tried one more time, mouth falling shut, and then he must have rephrased it into something that would not have alerted his master to some sort of disobedience because the question actually comes out of his mouth. “Why? Why are you doing this?” 

There is more in his eyes, she can see. The unspoken implication of him asking her for help lingered in the sorrowful expression he gave her, and Vaelyn felt… pained. She glanced in the direction of the Lower City Central Wall, and wondered if she could just do something good for once. 

Would it truly displease her father to help an undead? Their kind murdered so sweetly… 

The Urge screamed at her, and she knew at that moment that she could not. It had been a while since she had misstepped like that, and things had devolved into something messier than she desired. At one point, she was sure that she had lost her wits entirely. The only thought in her head was the desire for flesh, the hunger to kill, more, more, more–  

She reveled in it, but not in the way she normally liked to revel. The power to choose whether she was cruel and murderous on one day and nice and kind the next was important to her. 

Vaelyn tried to come up with an answer, but she was finding it increasingly difficult to ground herself. The smell of blood, even her own, was oh so pleasant–

“We both have masters that bind us, sweetling. I cannot help you out of your master’s grip without displeasing mine and…that would be bad for both of us. But–your kind murders so beautifully. I will let you go and you may take one of my followers.”

The smell of her blood in the air was so sweet. Vaelyn could see the bloodlust in his eyes. She could feel it in herself too, and knew exactly what he wanted right now. Astarion would’ve given anything to lap it up from the ground, but the commands of his master kept him from doing so. The world took a blurred edge, as if the orator of reality itself was slurring their words.

She tilted her head, thinking. The haze of bloodlust dissipated from her eyes. She regarded him carefully. “Being cruel is so tiresome, sometimes.” That was the truth. “I cannot exactly be nice to people, but I can do this. So, will you take the deal?” 

He did. 

It took an hour for one of her followers to do her bidding, bringing her a beautiful man that looked like he was just a few gold coins short of being a patriar. “What kind of power do you wield that you have people on hand to commit random abductions for you?” He was unconscious and limp when they got him. Luckily, he was still alive. Some of the followers that did her bidding were a little… overzealous, in their work. 

Vaelyn prodded the man with her foot, lightly. He didn’t wake. “Not the kind of power you could ever hope to wield.” She said airily.

“And why’s that?” Astarion huffed. 

“It’s the familial type.” Was her only reply. She bent down and sniffed at the air. “He’s been dosed with a sleep potion. I’d probably give him an hour before he’s aware. Do you need help moving him?” 

“No, no. I have this part.” Vaelyn watched as he picked his next target up. His brows were knit together. Was he still confused about why Vaelyn had done this? “I…thank you. This was…possibly the worst gift ever, but well…it’s something.” 

“No need to thank me. It was entertaining.” 

They didn’t bid each other farewell. Neither of them were friends and Vaelyn had never had the experience of making a friend before so the thought never came to her mind as they departed from each other. She headed back towards the Temple of Bhaal, wondering how long she would keep the clarity she had now. 

For the moment, she reveled in it. Cherishing her strength to still be able to do something off of the beaten path of her father’s will just this once. How long would it be until he yanked the illusion away? She pushed the thought to the back of her mind instinctively, her brain settling on the vampire spawn at last. 

Dimly, she wondered if he ate well that night. Perhaps she would see him again one day and ask him about it. 

[whatthefishh]

I realize a lot of you probably don’t know about my WIPs but in case you do / don’t, I’d love to know what would be the most interesting for me to start with!!

[dawnscottage]

Dance of the fairies!

Okay, so throwing myself back into my miraculous circus au, imagining that in this dance or performance, they tell the story of a fairy queen who must leave her kingdom in search or retrieval of something and on her way she meets a woodland nymph or something and they fall in love.

(Imagine this to Wind by Akeboshi (from Naruto). It’s what inspired these drawing and the movements.

And so in this shot, Marinette and Adrian are dancing together, telling the story Through dance. :)))))))

I forget how much I love drawing I don’t think I’ve shared any of my recent months drawings!

[stregheria-blood]

La Wicca au delà des rituels, marc neu

DIEUX

Actaeon – Stag-horned God of the Forest

Anteros – God of Passion and Sexual Unions. Anteros represented mutual love and was sometimes is regarded as the avenger of slighted love.

Comus – God of revelry, feasting, drinking, and the “pleaseures of the night”.

Corvus – Messenger of the Gods. Also the Trickster God, known as Raven.

Cern / Kern – Name for the stag-horned god of the Forest. Symbol of the Waxing power of Nature.

Diana – Consort of Dianus. The Triad Goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone. Diana encompasses many other Goddesses, and is the name also used for the Moon Goddess, Earth Goddess and Star Goddess.

Originally she was the Queen of the Open Sky, and was worshipped only outdoors, where her domain stretched overhead. She is the Goddess of outcasts, outlaws, slaves and opressed peoples.

With two other deities, she made up another trinity: Egeria, the water nymph, her servant and assistant midwife, and Virbius, the mysterious woodland god. The three lived together in the famous Wood of Nemi near Aricia.

She is worshipped on August 15, which conveniently now is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. Processions of women would journey to Aricia to offer thanks in Diana’s grove for her help that year and to implore her continuing aid. Diana is the Goddess of all Witches in Italy.

Fauna / Fana – Consort of Fanus. Goddess of the Earth and of Fertility. Fana is also known as Bona Dea, or the “Good Goddess”. She was worshiped only by women and in utter secrecy at rites in early December. Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity, the rites were rather bawdy – usually ending in an orgy. No men were ever allowed to the rites.

Fortuna – Goddess of Fortune, Fate and Luck. She controlled the destiny of every human being. The energy that drove men and women to reproduce themselves. “She Who Brings” – the goddess who permitted the fertilization of humans, animals and plants. She was involved by newly-married women, who dedicated their virgin garments to her.

Jana – Consort of Janus. Coddess of the Moon, and of the Mysteries of the Moon.

Nox – Goddess of the Night. Nox rules the Darkness which falls upon the Earth, and all within it. She is the sister of Umbria, and shares her associations (except fror the Underworld connection). Nox can be a bit on the sinister side if care is not taken.

Pertunda – Goddess of sexual love and sexual pleasure.

Dianus – Consort of Diana. Nature God of Fertility, similar to Fanus, except that He is a Stag God instead of a Goat God. Also known as Kern. Dianus is the most common name for the God.

Fanus – Consort of Fana. Nature God of Fertility – similiar to Pan. Worshiped at the Lupercalia.

Februus – God of Purification and Initiation

Tagni – The most ancient name for the God of Witchcraft

Tanus – Consort of Tana. The Star God. Universal Aspect. The Great God, who is all Gods.

Terminus – God of Boundaries, protector of personal property

Virbius – God of Outcasts and outlaws. Guardian of santuaries.

Astrea – Goddess of Justice and Purity.

Carmen / Carmina – Goddess of casting spells and of Enchantments. Possibly related to Carmenta, who was one of the Camenae. These goddesses dwelt in the frewater springs and rivers. Their name means “foretellers” for they were prophetic forces.

Carmenta is the goddess of Prophecy and Midwifery. She also brought the art of writing to her land. She was worshipped January 11 and 15. She would be consulted to fortell the future of newborns.

Tagni – The most ancient name for the God of Witchcraft

Tanus – Consort of Tana. The Star God. Universal Aspect. The Great God, who is all Gods.

Terminus – God of Boundaries, protector of personal property

Pertunda – Goddess of sexual love and sexual pleasure.

Tana – Consort of Tanus. The Star Goddess (Universal Aspect). Tana’s Day is celebrated on May 1, the day upon which she returned to her Hidden Children after her time in the Underworld.

Interestingly….Tara is the Hindu Star Goddess!

Umbria – Goddess of the Shadows. Umbria is the dark aspect of the Goddess (waning moon), and rules with Dis in the Underworld. Goddess of things which are hidden or secret.

Uni – The most ancient name for the Goddess of Witchcraft. Queen of the sky, she hurled thunderbolts when angered and, when pleased, granted safe passage to infants at birth. Her major sanctuary was at Pyrge, a port city of Caere, where She was endowed with silver and gold by her worshipers. Benefactor of Tuscan citites and of the women who lived there.

LES TREQUENDA

Calenda : 31 octobre

* Saturnalia : 21/22 décembre

* Lupercus : 2 février

* Primeira : 21/22 mars

* Calendmaggio : 1er mai

* Solstizie d’Estate : 21/22 juin

* Cornucopia : 1er août

* Equinozio di Autunno : 21/22 septembre

AUTRE

IMPORTANCE DU FEU , CIMARUTA.

TOURS DE GUET

* Grigori : Gardiens des portails entre les mondes.

* Alpena : Gardien du portail oriental entre les mondes [Est]

* Meana : Gardien du portail occidental entre les mondes [Ouest]

* Settrano : Gardien du portail méridional entre les mondes [Sud]

* Taga : Gardien du portail nordique entre les mondes [Nord]

[rosemarylemont-archived]

Verses

❧ Ultimate Tea Sommelier, Danganronpa Twenty years after Junko Enoshima's terror on the world and the subsequent rebuilding of society, Maeko Yoshinaga is one of many students who were admitted into the 'new' Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Tea Sommelier. Because of her natural gifts with herbalism and tea making, she was pressured into taking over her father's tea shop and turning it into a business that would become one of the most known in Japan, rivaling that of major tea corporations and exporters.~

❧ Trapped, Genshin Impact -- pre Chapter 2 Though she was born and raised in Inazuma, Maeko and her father would move to Sumeru for better education and job opportunities. But, after taking a trip back home to visit her mother, she suddenly found herself locked inside the country under the newly instated Sakoku decree and being hunted simply for having a vision. Fearing what they'd do to her family for harboring a fugitive, she took to After nearly having her vision being seized by the Tenryou Commission, she joined alongside the Resistance in pushing back against the decrees as a field medic.~

❧ That Traveling Tea Merchant -- Post Chapter 2 After a long year of being trapped inside Inazuma's borders under the Sakoku decree; Maeko, a dendro vision user, celebrates Inazuma's reinstated freedom being by leaving the country. After spending so much of her life in either Inazuma or Sumeru, she longed to see what the rest of Teyvat had to offer. Starting off in Liyue, she's set her heart in exploring the six corners of Teyvat, documenting her travels in letters and journals to send back home..~

❧ The Goddess of Dreams, God AU -- It was a known rule that if you were crossing through the Crown of Enulla enchanted forest, it would be more than wise to stick to the path; for those who stray never seem to find their way back. Though. There seems to also be a tale told about the forest, that a single being, aside from the woodland creatures and nymphs, resided deep into the forest. If you somehow managed to stumble across her cabin, you’d be greeted with a world of delights: sweets, drinks, a sense of comfort that is damn near incomprehensible to mortals. The Goddess of Dreams will offer you all she can before sending you away. But, if asked, she could perform a reading for you. Take a single sip of her special tea and be dragged into a plane of existence only she can access. She will attempt to look into your dreams and if she is unable to, no matter how beautiful it may be, it will only remain that of a dream. However, if she to able look into your dream, no matter how horrific or catastrophic it may be, it will no longer be a dream, but a prophecy of what is to come.

[thearmyprof]

Waiting for Sunflowers to Bloom Ch. 3

Rating: M

Pairing: Jin/Jungkook

Word count: ~17k (ch. 3: 3,776)

Chapter: 3/5

Genre: Fluff, Non-idol!AU, Fantasy, Fairy Tale

Warnings: No major warnings, see tags below for more details

Prince Jungkook was foretold to have a prosperous and fulfilling life, as long as he weathered the storms on the horizon first. Luckily, he has his trusted companion and best friend, Seokjin, and a wood full of fae folk to help him. A bedtime story about a kind-hearted prince that defeats evil, heals his people, and finds love along the way.

Read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44570485

Chapter List:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Alternate Universe - Fairy Tale, Minor Violence, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied Sexual Content, Fairy Tale with a Twist, Fairy tale remix, Nymph Kim Namjoon | RM, Dragon Jung Hoseok | J-Hope, Leprechaun Min Yoongi | Suga, Pixie Park Jimin (BTS), Changeling Kim Taehyung | V, Protective Bangtan Boys | BTS, minor character death

CHAPTER THREE.

Time slips away. Jungkook celebrates his seventeenth birthday with his new found woodling friends. They keep their soft spoken promises to not leave him alone. This is made easier as autumn shifts into winter again. Winter is even harsher this year than last. The snow falls heavily and no one wants to spend much time outdoors. Hobi eventually retreats to his room to fall into his annual slumber. This year, though, with Hobi’s consent, Jungkook visits him often to curl up among the dragon’s warm scales to nap and spend time with his sleeping friend.

The woodling fae companions notice, ever since the unfortunate poisoning incident, that Jungkook is wont to have days of melancholy. As the snow piles higher, and excuses to get outside for sunshine and physical activity grow scarce, they often catch Jungkook staring into the fire or sleeping all day with Hobi.

One evening, during one of these melancholy days, Yoongi and Namjoon find Jungkook nestled by the fire. They sit down in the chairs next to him without him noticing their arrival. Only when Namjoon reaches out a hand and gently shakes Jungkook’s shoulder does the younger man blink at them in recognition.

“Little princeling, is everything alright?” Yoongi asks.

Jungkook nods in response, his brows pinched a little in confusion.

Namjoon gives Jungkook’s shoulder a squeeze. He asks, “Is there something that ails you?”

“I’m fine, hyungs,” Jungkook says. 

Both older men look at Jungkook for a moment in silence. Jungkook goes back to staring into the fire.

“What are you thinking about, princeling?” Yoongi asks.

Jungkook hums before saying, “Wondering about home. Well, no, wondering about my friend. He said he would come to me after he settled things at the castle. But I’ve heard nothing from him in a year.”

The wood nymph and the leprechaun exchange a loaded glance. Yoongi says, “Is this the captain of the guard? You’ve not spoken of him much.”

“We grew up together. He was my attendant before the Queen promoted him. Seokjin hyung. I miss him dearly. I hope he is faring well.”

Jungkook pulls his legs up to his chest, tucking his feet into the cushion of the chair. 

“We’ve not had much news from the human kingdom,” Namjoon says, tone cautious. “I could send for information and maybe see if we can find out what is delaying your friend.”

Jungkook brightens at this. He says, “Really? Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you, hyung.”

“It will take a while. Much of the woodland is sleeping now. News will come more readily once spring returns,” Namjoon warns.

Jungkook nods his head vigorously. He looks more awake than he has in days. He says, “That’s okay, hyung. Any news will be welcome when it comes. I just hope all is well.”

“I will do what I can, little princeling,” Namjoon says. He gives Jungkook a warm, dimpled smile.

Jungkook returns the smile as he says, “Thank you, hyung.”

~

No news comes until late spring. And it does not come from Namjoon’s connections at all, but from Jimin and Taehyung recently returned from a trip to a nearby settlement to trade. They had spent time meeting up with fae from other realms while they traded magical potions and goods. These fae brought tidings of the human kingdoms.

“There are rumblings of war, hyung,” Jimin says to Namjoon.

Both Namjoon and Jungkook had been reading quietly by the fire after dinner, when the pair of travelers settled down next to them to bring the tidings. 

“War?” Jungkook asks with a meek voice.

Both Jimin and Taehyung nod grimly.

“There seems to be a lot of unrest in your realm, little princeling,” Taehyung continues. “Ill rumors are spreading because the King has not been sighted by a soul in six months. Meanwhile, the military seems to be recalling troops and stockpiling goods, weapons, and armor.”

“How can the kingdom go to war if there is no King to lead the troops?” Namjoon asks.

Jimin coughs quietly, as if to clear his throat. He says, “I have one theory. I think the Queen might have assumed a shadow rule. She’s been practically acting as regent for years now. If she’s been vying for control of the realm, this is the next logical step.”

“And what of the King?” Jungkook whispers. He’s visibly paled in the last few minutes.

“I’m sorry, princeling,” Jimin murmurs as he runs a comforting hand on Jungkook’s shoulder.

Taehyung nods and says, “If no one has seen him, it’s probably not good news, dear princeling.”

Jungkook nods slowly and swallows the lump in his throat. He doesn’t understand his emotions. He barely knows his father. The King spent more time with courtiers and advisors, rarely deigning to set his eyes on the prince. He feels silly being sad about the news of his possible death.

“We will try to find out more, princeling,” Namjoon says.

~

As the summer grows late, no more news comes from the human kingdom. The same troubling rumors of military expansion and possibly war on the horizon doesn’t abate. Jungkook spends the season outdoors, traveling the forest and spending time with the plants and creatures there.

One of Jungkook’s favorite tasks becomes healing the small injuries of woodland creatures. Turns out the young prince has a talent for potions and salves after reading through the fae’s large library. He collects healing plants from the woods, turning them into concoctions and balms that speed recovery, keep fevers at bay, and aid in sleep.

The woodland creatures learn through the whispers of the forest of Jungkook’s healing prowess. Soon, Jungkook finds that creatures purposefully cross his path during his wandering in order to be treated. He takes to carrying around a sack of healing items in order to help who he can.

One afternoon, while wandering a path looking for a particular herb Jungkook was running low on, the Prince comes across a small doe. Her leg looks like it had been potentially caught in a trap, but somehow pulled free. She is limping, barely able to walk at all.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Jungkook murmurs.

He sets to begin helping the deer immediately, pulling out his salves for aiding the recovery. He bandages the leg, whispering kind words to the doe as he works. He sings a lullaby that Seokjin used to sing to him when he was a boy and the deer waits patiently for his nimble fingers to finish their healing.

“You should be okay now,” Jungkook says. “Be careful for the next few days to not lose the bandaging.”

The doe immediately stands up, clearly relieved to have more ability to move now. She darts off into the woods, leaving Jungkook to clean up his supplies.

Where the doe had lain, there remains a beautiful silver comb. Looking at it, Jungkook is reminded of something else from his childhood—of Seokjin fixing the prince’s unruly hair, his tender ministrations easing Jungkook’s nerves before going before the King and courtiers. Jungkook slips the comb into his bag to bring home with him.

Back at home, Jungkook finds his dragon friend lazily sitting by the creek in his human form. The sunlight beams down, warming Hobi’s body as he lets one hand skim the moving water.

“Hey, hyung, have a good day?” Jungkook asks.

Hobi hums an assent. “What about you, little princeling?”

“I helped an injured doe,” Jungkook says. “She gave me this comb as a gift. Isn’t it pretty?”

Jungkook holds the silver comb up to the sunlight to show the dragon the present. Hobi’s eyes flash wide, when he catches the glimpse of something on the metal in the sun.

“Drop it, princeling,” Hobi barks.

Jungkook drops the comb immediately. Hobi rushes forward and grabs the prince’s hand. He pulls Jungkook to the creek and thrusts his hand under the running water.

“There is poison on the tines of that comb, little princeling,” Hobi murmurs as he makes sure Jungkook’s hand is completely clean. “I will have to look more closely to see what type of poison. You said it was a doe that gave it to you?”

Jungkook nods mutely watching the cold creek water run over his hand.

“Probably someone in disguise. I’ll tell Namjoon when he returns. He’ll hopefully be able to gain some more information. Don’t worry, little princeling.”

~

The news from the human-kind grows more grim as the autumn leaves begin to show their many colors on the deciduous trees heralding in Jungkook’s eighteenth year of life. Armies are amassing along the border, on both sides of the border, of two of the human realms—the birthplace of Jungkook and the birthplace of Jungkook’s stepmother. As the whispering of war grows, Jungkook’s worry and melancholy grow as well.

“It doesn’t make sense though,” Jungkook muses over a meal one day. “Why would the Queen go to war with her parents’ kingdom?”

“We don’t know what trials she faced in her birth realm,” Namjoon says, his jaw tense. “Perhaps it was not a happy place for her.”

Jungkook nods at this. An unhappy childhood in a cold castle without nary a sighting of his own parents, he can understand that.

“I do worry about all the soldiers drawn into this feud,” Jimin sighs. “Come spring, when the fighting begins in earnest, there will be many casualties.”

Jungkook feels the pang in his heart as he thinks of Seokjin. When he last saw his friend, he was the head of the royal guard. Surely, he is involved in the war efforts.

“Where are you, our little princeling?” Taehyung says in Jungkook’s ear.

Jungkook gives Taehyung a wan smile. He says, “Sorry, I am worried. For the people. For my friend. It all leaves my heart uneasy.”

After Taehyung gives the prince a sad smile, Jungkook turns and asks Namjoon, “Still no word about the King?”

Namjoon shakes his head sadly. “I fear when we do finally receive news, it will be ill-tidings.”

“Come,” Hobi speaks up in a bright voice. “I saw frost on the grass this morning. I grow sleepier by the day. Let’s talk of happier things tonight, while I can enjoy being awake with you all.”

The fae all smile at Hobi fondly. Jungkook leans into his dragon friend softly.

“Yes,” Jungkook says. “Let us speak of happier things.”

~

As spring blossoms and the earth warms, the normally joyful atmosphere is dampened with a tension, felt throughout the forest. The normal celebration at the renewal of life feels muted and the occupants of the little cottage find themselves on edge waiting for the ill tidings to come.

All except for Jungkook, who seems to have taken on more energy after the winter slumber. From sun up to sun down he spends outdoors, traveling the length and breadth of the forest. Most days, he convinces someone to go with him—the fae still unsure about leaving their youngest charge alone after the repeated attempts on his life.

Sooner rather than later, the news they were fearing came. On the same day, the birds brought tiding of violence erupting on the borders and the trees brought the strongest rumors yet of the King’s passing. The war has begun. The fae look to their princeling cautiously, seeing only the tick in his jaw as any indication he heard any of the reports at all.

The next morning Jungkook heads out again, only returning in mid afternoon to start working on the earth outside the cottage. He tills and plants in a small patch of land. When one by one the fae come by to ask what he is planting, he just smiles softly and says, “You shall see.”

Spring warms into summer, although the air remains tense and subdued. Every morning brings messages of new battles fought along the borders. Tales of refugees fleeing the towns on the line between the two territories come by woodland creatures and travelers alike.

Each of the fae do what they can to help the innocents caught up in the violence. Yoongi and Namjoon organize supplies and bring them to the camps that have sprung up just outside the forest. Jimin and Taehyung travel further to bring medicine and food to the large makeshift hospital that is erected in the East. Hobi leaves for weeks at a time and no one is quite sure what he is doing.

Jungkook, on the other hand, sticks to his routine. He tends to his garden and travels his route around the cottage, collecting supplies and herbs for the home and helping those that cross his path. Along with the wildlife he’s grown accustomed to healing, he now also helps the occasional refugee that comes his way. He does his best to not make a fuss about such interactions, as he knows his fae companions are sure to not wanting him spending too much time with strangers.

However, he craves the moments he comes across a new person. Each traveler brings news from the frontlines of the battles and those fighting. He just knows Seokjin is out there fighting, but he has yet to receive any word of him. With each passing day, Jungkook refuses to give up hope that he will hear news of his friend.

Jungkook crosses the creek after tending to his garden and follows his now well-worn trail into the forest. Midsummer is coming up soon and the berries are beginning to ripen. Jungkook stops along his walk to gather many into his satchel that he brought along specifically for this purpose. The black juice of the berries stains his fingertips purple as he sneaks a few into his mouth. The berries are still warm from the sun and incredibly sweet.

When he cannot fill his bag any further, Jungkook continues on his way down the trail. Birds are singing quietly, as they have been doing this year, subdued as the rest of the world. A gray rabbit crosses his path and stops to sniff the air towards him. Jungkook kneels down to be closer to eye-level with the bunny.

“Hello, there,” Jungkook says. A smile graces his lips.

The rabbit thumps its hind leg once and then continues on its way back into the underbrush.

Jungkook continues his walk.

Later in the afternoon, Jungkook comes across a young girl, sitting under a large evergreen tree. She’s dirty and her clothes are certainly worse-for-wear. If Jungkook were to guess, he thinks she is about ten years old, maybe a bit older, depending on how malnourished she truly is. Next to her is a bag that looks almost as big as her torso. Propped up on the bag is a large stick that Jungkook imagines she’s been using to help her walk and maybe to defend herself as well.

“Hail, there,” Jungkook says, smiling. “What brings you this far into the forest, young miss?”

The girl’s eyes widen a bit upon seeing Jungkook. She stands on shaky legs and attempts a bow. Jungkook fights the impulse to run forward to catch her from falling. She manages to right herself, instead.

“Hello, good sir,” the girl says in a small voice. “I have been traveling to escape the war that consumed my village with fire. I seem to have gotten lost from my party, however. Are you familiar with these parts?”

“I am, yes,” Jungkook says with a nod. “Tell me which way you would like to go and I will direct you there.”

After chatting with the girl and confirming she is not injured in any way, Jungkook gives her directions towards where she says is her encampment. Despite not wanting to relay yet another story to the fae about interacting with a stranger, Jungkook will need to tell them that it seems like another refugee encampment has sprung up along their borders.

Jungkook triest to prod for news of Seokjin, but this girl seems to not know much beyond news of her own kin. The prince tries not to let the lack of information on his friend hurt and instead focuses on the hope that the next traveler will have information.

“Good sir, please,” the girl says as they stand ready to part ways. She pulls out a shiny red apple from her bag and hands it to the prince. “Please, take this as a token of my appreciation.”

Jungkook waves the gift away immediately with both hands. He says, “I couldn’t possibly take your food from you.”

“No, it’s quite alright. I have more in my bag. I found a lovely tree bearing many fruit on my way here. Please, it would mean a lot to me to know you would receive this,” the girl implores. She has a small pout on her lips that pulls on Jungkook’s heartstrings.

He says, “If you insist, I will take it. I will even be sure to enjoy it before I am home again.”

He takes the apple and carefully places it in the pocket of his cloak. The girl beams at him, making the whole exchange worth it.

“Farewell, good sir,” the girl waves as she makes her way into the forest.

Jungkook continues his walk without any more interruptions until he is back at the creek outside their cottage. The last of the sun is still shining on the grass and Jungkook decides to soak it in before going inside to see who is home this evening.

He lays on the grass, feeling the gentle heat of the sun and listening to the babbling of the creek nearby. He pulls out the apple the girl had given him and takes a large bite. By his second bite, he starts to wonder if maybe the sun is too strong. Of course, that doesn’t make sense, the sun is retreating in the sky now, it shouldn’t be getting warmer. Maybe he’s just tired.

He closes his eyes and relaxes all of his limbs into the grass, letting the rest of the apple roll away from him. He feels heavy, as if a hefty blanket has been draped across his body. Yes, he’s tired, he thinks. He decides it can’t hurt to just nap here for a while.

~

When Jungkook awakens, he is surrounded by darkness. His first thought is that it’s strange no one from the house thought to bring him inside at sunset. Surely, someone would have come looking for him. However, when he tries to sit up, he finds that he cannot move. He feels heavy or as if he is under water. He strains to make anything out in the darkness and cannot see anything but black. He tries to listen and hears nothing.

Then from far away, he hears a familiar voice. Namjoon, he thinks. But the sound is muffled, hard to make out. He focuses all his energy into turning the fuzzy sound into intelligible words, but soon grows tired. When sleepiness overtakes him, he decides to rest and try again later. He falls back into his dreamless slumber.

Namjoon had found Jungkook, sleeping by the creek, shortly after sunset. The woods had whispered to him that the young prince was still napping there and the trees were worried. Hurrying back from his supply run, Namjoon discovered the princeling sound asleep in the grass where he had lain down that afternoon. A light dew had collected on his body.

Namjoon didn’t truly worry until he couldn’t wake the princeling up. He rushed the boy into the house and took him to the fire to warm up and dry off. No one else would be home until tomorrow. Namjoon cursed his luck.

After warming him up by the fire, Namjoon took Jungkook upstairs to the princeling’s bedroom. There, Namjoon tucked his sleeping charge into the comforters before rushing to his library to see if he could determine what was wrong with the boy. He also sent word to the forest to collect as much information as possible on what had transpired.

When the other fae rushed home upon getting frantic messages from Namjoon, they each did what they could to wake their little princeling. However, both mundane and magical attempts were of no use.

Two weeks passed and none of the fae had ventured out of the house, each taking turns sitting with Jungkook while he slept. When they weren’t sitting with the prince, they were working on potions, spells, and research to see what could be done to rouse him.

One day, about two weeks before Jungkook’s nineteenth birthday, Jimin goes out to collect plants from the forest. He has an idea for a poultice that might help the princeling. However, only moments after he leaves the cottage he comes running back inside.

“Hyungs! Taehyung! Come quickly!” he yells into the house.

All the fae come running down the stairs, panicked looks on their faces.

“What is it, Jimin-ah?” Yoongi asks, pulling on his boots. Everyone else is doing the same while looking towards the pixie.

“Just come look outside!” Jimin shouts. He throws the front door open again and waves everyone out.

What the fae see when they look towards where Jimin is pointing has them collectively gasping. Out, where mere weeks ago there had been a garden of growing green plants, now stood a field of bright yellow sunflowers all trained towards the sun just beginning to show over the treeline.

“He planted sunflowers,” Taehyung breathes out in wonder.

“A whole field of sunflowers,” Yoongi murmurs.

Suddenly, they are all pulled away from the sight by a loud sob. They whip around to see Hobi kneeling on the ground, head bowed, shoulders shaking with his cries. The rest of the fae are quick to rush towards him and envelope him in a group hug.

“What if he doesn’t wake up?” Hobi gasps out between sobs.

Yoongi shushes him and says, “We can’t know that will happen. Perhaps he is like you and just needs to rest for a while. Soon he will be awake again and smiling for us.”

Jimin sniffles and says, “He needs to awaken to see his sunflowers.”

“Let’s bring some up to him now,” Namjoon suggests. “We can leave enough to enjoy out here and still fill his room full of sunshine.”

The others agree and get to work brightening the whole cottage with yellow sunflowers.

Hobi casts a spell on the cut flowers in the cottage to give them longevity so they may bloom for a full year. This way, no matter when Jungkook finally wakes, he will see the beauty and light he has brought all of his fae friends in the little cottage in the woods.

< Chapter 2

Chapter 4 >

[blouisparadise]

We decided it was time for another rec list of underrated fics! All of these fics have not received the recognition that they deserve, so be sure to check them out. You can also find part one to this rec list here and part two here. We’ll likely make more of these in the future because there are SO many fics that deserve more love. Don’t forget to always give kudos and leave a comment on the fics you read! These writers are doing it for free and they deserve appreciation.

Happy reading!

1) Fading Fast | Explicit | 2772 words

They are brilliant, and the nights they share- the way they touch without talking and know each other without really understanding themselves- is mind blowing. It’s the kind of love that bites until it breaks, burns until it bursts.

2) Every Night With You Is The Cherry On Top | Explicit | 5569 words

Louis reached forward and picked his wine up. “Cheers to you officially being an actor. My amazing, talented boyfriend.” He smiled brightly, holding his wine glass up.

Harry grinned and gently clinked his own glass with Louis’ before they drank.

It didn’t take long after Nina brought their appetizer out for Louis to get giggly. The wine on an empty stomach did it for him. Louis’ head was on Harry’s shoulder but he sat up to grab his wine glass. He turned to Harry again, smiling brightly up at him. After another sip of wine he put his glass down and reached a hand into Harry’s hair, tucking the wild strands of curls behind Harry’s ear.

3) No Need for Anything Else with My Baby at My Side | Explicit | 5858 words

Harry finds out Louis is into strictly vanilla sex while on their first date.

4) My Eyes Want You More Than A Melody | Explicit | 8316 words

Louis and Harry are on vacation in Italy.

5) Keep You Next To Me | Explicit | 9977 words

Harry has a secret thing for Louis' feet; Louis figures it out.

6) Baby Be With Me (So Happily) | Mature | 10407 words

Pop punk band Owls On The Avenue just signed to their first label, Powered By Soup. Harry is assigned to do their hair. Louis has a few problems with that.

7) I Know The End | Explicit | 12842 words

He and Harry have always known what they’ve meant to each other. They’ve never struggled with putting the other first but the problem about meeting your soulmate so young is that you tend to idolize them and put them on a pedestal.

8) Sweet Scary Creatures | Explicit | 13012 words

They stare into each other's eyes for a while until Louis remembers this is too intimate and looks at Harry’s hands on his thigh. It spans a big portion of his thigh and Louis has always been insecure about how thick he is, so he loves that Harry has huge, dustbin hands that hold him and makes him feel smaller, safer.

9) Sunrise and Pixie Dust | Mature | 14816 wods

Harry's taking a walk at sunrise in the forest he knows like the back of his hand when the wind starts blowing, the sky turns pink, and golden glitter starts to fall from the sky. He’s not sure about what’s happening, but when he comes face to face with a gorgeous winged-creature, he can’t help but be immediately mesmerized.

10) Adelfés Psychés | Explicit | 19650 words

Harry has been hopelessly in love with a certain woodland nymph for as long as he can remember and no amount of wooing seems to be working.

11) Angel of Small Death and the Murder Scene | Explicit | 20634 words

Ever since Louis read about the new up and coming Detective in town, he had immediately disliked the man, despite never having met him. So, naturally, it can only be the worst thing that could have happened to Louis when he gets stuck with Detective Styles trying to solve a murder during his supposed to be relaxing vacation over the seas.

12) Burning Through The Shadows | Explicit | 25990 words

A Shadow and Bone AU where Louis is the Sun Summoner and Harry is the Darkling.

13) Now Is The Winter Of Our Discontent | Explicit | 28823 words

Where Harry is leading an army to overthrow the king of Cheshire and Louis is one of the volunteers who joins them along the way.    

14) Fly On, Maybe One Day I’ll Fly Next To You | Mature | 29545 words

The one where Harry is Peter Pan and Louis is his lost Tinker Bell.

15) Tender Is The Night | Explicit | 41192 words

“Louis... it’s not like you can do anything about it anyway, right?” Harry asks.

And—that. That is enough for Louis to pull the door open with an angry crease between his eyebrows, a frown pulling at the corners of his lips. “Are you threatening me, Casper?”

“We’re both friendly ghosts, I’ll give you that,” Harry grins widely, leaning against the doorframe. “Besides, what are you gonna do?” He lolls his head to the side, a stupid, cheeky grin inching on his lips. “Kill me?”

And, oh, Louis wishes he could.

16) When Our Worlds They Fall Apart | Explicit | 42228 words

Harry put his hand over his heart as if Louis had wounded him. “You’re so harsh, my liege! Perhaps you need to relieve some tension…” He let his voice trail off suggestively.

“The day I ask YOU to relieve tension is the day I lose all my wits and join the Imperials,” Louis said. “It will never happen.” 

17) Slow Dance In The Dark | Explicit | 52533 words

Louis dances around and Harry takes a leap of faith. Eventually, they fall.

18) Of Lost Things | Explicit | 57890 words

Louis comes with a familiarity Harry has never felt with anyone else before. After their fateful meeting, their chemistry became undeniable, and soon after, Harry had felt like he hit the jackpot when it came to finding the person he would spend the rest of his life with.

But all relationships come with their own unique problems, and Harry soon realizes that their relationship is no different. When their problems go from unordinary to nearly bizarre in nature, he takes it upon himself to find an answer to their troubles. What he stumbles upon are terrifying coincidences between his and Louis’ story, and the ill-fated mythological couple, Orpheus and Eury. But it’s all they are; just coincidences, ones that feel as frighteningly familiar as Louis.

Except… what if none of this is a coincidence? What if everything Harry has always seen as fiction is true, and myth—or rather, history, is about to repeat itself?

19) Lost & Found In Oblivion | Explicit | 74779 words

Omega Louis decided to hire an alpha for his heat to ease his touch deprivation, but little did he know everything would grow into so much more.

20) Echoes & Omens | Mature | 100707 words

Echoes of the dead come in many forms. Their imprints forever tied to the ones who'd killed them.

Louis Tomlinson is able to track the dead using their echoes, they call to him. He's used that gift to aid Scotland Yard in their investigations, with the hopes of studying Criminology at Cambridge University. He's lived a life of privilege and good fortune as a Marquess, son of the late Duke Tomlinson, with his life mapped out since day one.

Until two terrible truths are revealed.

One, he's adopted. Two, his biological parents are London's most notorious serial killers.

Against his family's wishes, Louis travels to Chicago to uncover the truth of their incarceration. Much to his dismay, his biological mother's Lawyer, Harry Styles, wants to take his case. Together, they work to uncover what really happened all those years ago, but perhaps more is revealed than they could've ever anticipated. Trapped in a whirlwind of portents and omens, Louis and Harry find themselves pitted against an enemy they'd not foreseen.

Check out our other fic rec lists by category here and our full rec list here.