#also that mom is teaching her daughter helplessness

[the-music-keeper]

I was just in a public bathroom and what sounded like a girl in her late teens to early twenties in the stall next to me literally just asked her mom how to spell "snooty."

Like ... listen, I try so hard not to be judgemental, but honey, sometimes you really just need to Google your question.

[gildedoak]

Imagine being a young adult and your foster mother (who is part phoenix and has already lived several lives) is reborn in a burst of flame. The woman who raised you is now a helpless infant, and has no memories from her previous life. This tiny chick with fuzzy feather down and a tiny lick of flame on her head is both similar and so very different from the woman you once knew.

As a phoenix and a wizard, your mother had her share of rivals and enemies, and she tasked you with protecting and teaching her new incarnation. There is a box of letters you are to give to the child when she is older.

You too have celestial blood, but you wonder if your developing powers are going to be enough to protect her until she is old enough to fend for herself. You live on a pirate city that floats upon the Celestine Sea; is it going to be safe enough?

What a tremendous weight that would be.

IN A NUTSHELL, I HAD DEEP THINKY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PROTECTIVE WARDS THAT GARTHY HAS ON THE GOLD GARDENS.

Brennan described that while on the property of the Gold Gardens, Garthy is practically untouchable. The buildings are placed to form a giant celestial rune. Technically the ground is considered hallowed? The amount of magic it took to activate said rune must have been enormous. Garthy probably had it built piece by piece, adding new sections of the campus as they also added more and more golden geometric tattoos on their skin.

Having a reincarnating phoenix daughter/mom/best friend would warrant that level of magical security.

MEDIUM: Copic markers, Sakura microns, and metallic watercolors

[snoozify]

ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ II. Ode To Aphrodite

Warnings: none

A/N: this is 8k words and I have been working on it since November of last year so hopefully its good and makes sense 😭 also the brown highlighted parts are the actual poem of Ode to Aphrodite.

Deathless Aphrodite, throned in flowers,

Oh, Aphrodite as beautiful as can be sanctifying only the ones she knows will carry her legacy oh so great. The goddess who tied down the fate you sadly can’t change. Roses of all colors, swans, and doves gifting you the prettiest of blessings. The day you were born the sky was as beautiful as can be, the flowers bloomed, and luck was in the air. People gathered around to see the blessing that you were the island cheered and danced all thru the night. Your parents couldn’t stop crying over the fact that Aphordite blessed them of all people.

Your mother prayed to Mother Hera everyday begging and wishing for a child but her prayers would go unanswered. She felt helpless, was she infertile? Was the gods cursing her? She wanted to give up and cried days and nights wanting the opportunity to have the gift of being a mother.

“My dear goddess Hera here my cries” she would breathe out asking just for a chance but she felt like that would never come. She prayed to Artemis, and Eileithyia the goddesses of childbirth and her prayers would go unanswered. She took this as a sign that she wasn't meant to be a mother and instead decided to teach young girls instead. That's where she met Cassandra Kiramman, an Aristocrat and a mother to a cute baby named Caitlyn.

Daughter of Zeus, O terrible enchantress,

“Some place you have” Vi lets out as you nod in agreement, Caitlyn turns to the two of you with a small smile before shifting things around in her room “I wonder what it feels like to live a life of luxury” Vi adds on moving around before she stops at a little jewelry box on a table in a corner.

She picks up the box simply looking at it “must be nice” Vi continues on, Caitlyn skims over at Vi in the corner before speaking “I guess you could say that” Vi places the box down before walking over to the empty bed.

You're still in the same spot you were in since you entered the place just looking at all the art Caitlyn has in her room in awe at how beautiful it is “did you paint all these yourself?” you ask as the blue haired girl nods her head with a soft smile “art is my escape from reality” she says sitting down on the bed she cleaned off you stroll over to lay flat on Caitlyn’s soft comfy bed joining the two.

Stretching out and feeling the expensive linen on your soft body, you wish to sleep here with how comfortable it is you wouldn't wake up a sleeping beauty you would be. “Oh how comfortable this is” you whisper, closing your eyes, Caitlyn and Vi snicker just staring at you, taking in everything from your soft snores to your semi-clothed body.

“You sleep in this big bed alone?” you ask opening your eyes and looking up at Caitlyn she nods her head tracing shapes into your skin with her fingers “does it ever get lonely? I bet it does” you look over at Vi laying her head on your stomach “it does sometimes” she answers. You wonder why a girl living in luxury gets so lonely, she has everything wrapped around her little finger and it seems like it's not enough.

You leaned closer to the blue-haired girl, catching the faint scent of lavender and something uniquely hers. It was comforting, grounding you in a way that nothing else could. Being here with her and Vi made you feel safe, happy like nothing in the world could touch you. You wished this moment could last forever, but deep down, you knew it couldn’t. War didn’t wait for anyone.

Caitlyn suddenly sat up, breaking the quiet. “I want you to meet my mom,” she said with a small, determined smile. Before you could even process her words, she was tugging both you and Vi off the bed, her grip firm and unrelenting.

Caitlyn led the two of you down a long, elegantly decorated corridor, the faint sound of your footsteps echoing against the polished floor. The air felt heavier the farther you walked, as if the weight of what was about to happen was pressing down on you. Finally, she stopped in front of a large wooden door, its intricate carvings hinting at the importance of whatever was on the other side.

She turned to you with a small, reassuring smile, her hand resting on the doorknob. "Wait out here," she said softly, her voice steady but laced with a hint of nervousness. Without waiting for a response, she opened the door and slipped inside, leaving you and Vi alone in the hallway.

As the door clicked shut behind her, silence settled between you and Vi. You glanced at her, trying to gauge what she was feeling, but Vi's expression was unreadable. She crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall, her usual confidence masking any unease she might have felt.

You shifted on your feet, the stillness of the corridor suddenly feeling stifling as you both waited for whatever came next.

With a mixture of curiosity and unease, you pressed your head against the grand oak door, its cool surface rough beneath your skin. The faint murmurs of voices from within stirred the silence of the corridor, drawing you closer. Though the words were muffled, the tones were unmistakable: Caitlyn's voice, sharp and unwavering, clashing with that of an older woman, measured and commanding.

You strained to make out the words, but the thickness of the wood betrayed you, distorting their exchange into a blur of sounds. Still, you could sense the weight of the conversation, the tension carried in Caitlyn's rapid responses and the occasional pause, heavy with unspoken meaning.

This must be her mother, the woman of power and influence that Caitlyn had mentioned before.

Behind you, Vi stirred, her arms still crossed but her attention now fixed on the door as well. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of concern crossing her face.

"What do you think they're saying?" she muttered, her voice low, almost reverent, as though the corridor itself demanded silence.

You didn’t respond immediately, too focused on the strained tones filtering through the thick barrier.

Whatever was being said, it was clear this was no ordinary exchange, it was a clash of ideals, of expectations, and Caitlyn was standing her ground. You could only hope that whatever awaited beyond the door would not prove too great a trial.

“It sounds like an argument,” you whisper, glancing up at the red-haired woman beside you. Your voice barely carries in the stillness of the corridor, but Vi hears you clearly. Her sharp blue eyes meet yours, and she nods slightly, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, she just stares at you, as if weighing her thoughts, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest. Her presence feels steady, almost grounding, but there’s a flicker of unease behind her confident stance.

You shrug lightly, breaking the silence. “Whatever it could possibly be about…it’s foreign to me,” you admit, your voice softer now, almost hesitant.

You glance back at the door, as if it might somehow reveal its secrets, but it remains steadfastly closed, the voices inside too muffled to decipher.

Vi doesn’t respond right away. Instead, her gaze lingers on you, her brows furrowing slightly. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough,” she says finally, her voice calm but carrying an edge of tension.

She leans back against the wall, but her eyes never stray far from the door, her jaw tightening as you both return to your uneasy vigil.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, and Caitlyn stepped into the corridor, her expression tight and troubled. The dim light from within the room framed her figure, casting faint shadows that seemed to mirror the weight on her shoulders. Her blue eyes, through clouded with lingering frustration, softened the moment they met yours.

She managed a small, almost apologetic smile, her lips curving faintly as she reached for your hand. Her fingers were warm, trembling just slightly as she gently squeezed yours, as though seeking comfort in your presence.

"My mother would love to see you," she said, her voice steady but laced with a subtle vulnerability that hadn’t been there before. It was an invitation, but also a request, one that carried the weight of trust and the unspoken hope that you’d stand beside her, no matter what awaited inside that room.

Caitlyn and Vi followed closely behind as you stepped into the room, their presence steady and reassuring at your back.

Your gaze immediately fell on an older woman seated elegantly by a small table, a teacup poised delicately in her hand. She looked strikingly like Caitlyn, her features refined, her posture commanding, yet there was a warmth in her eyes that softened her sharp demeanor.

"Y/N, dear, come sit," she said, her voice smooth and inviting, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. You nodded silently, obeying without hesitation as you crossed the room and took the seat she gestured toward. She watched you closely, her smile growing as she set her teacup down on its saucer with a gentle clink.

"My, I haven’t seen you in ages," she said, her tone tinged with nostalgia. "You were just a wee child the last time I laid eyes on you. And now look at you—practically grown." Her gaze lingered, as if she were trying to reconcile the memory of a child with the person sitting before her.

The weight of her attention was palpable, yet there was a strange comfort in it, like being under the watchful eye of someone who had always expected great things from you.

Caitlyn and Vi settled into the chairs beside you, their silent presence a show of solidarity for whatever Mrs. Kiramman was about to say. The room felt heavier now, tension creeping in like an unseen force. Caitlyn’s mother shifted her gaze, her attention landing squarely on Vi.

Her expression changed almost instantly, a flash of disdain crossing her refined features, sharp and unmistakable. It wasn’t loud or overt, but it was enough to cut through the air like a knife. Vi noticed it immediately.

With this sorrow, with this anguish, break my spirit Lady, not longer!

Her confident demeanor faltered, and she glanced down, avoiding Mrs. Kiramman’s piercing stare.

Caitlyn stiffened beside you, her hand clenching into a fist on the armrest of her chair. You could feel the shift in the room as unspoken tension thickened, a silent battle beginning to brew between mother and daughter.

"As we are all aware, the Romans are at war again," Mrs. Kiramman states, her tone calm but firm as she lifts her teacup to her lips. She takes a delicate sip before continuing, "And my dear daughter is to help."

You glance toward Caitlyn, her blue eyes flickering with sadness as she avoids your gaze. Her hands fidget in her lap, betraying the unease she’s trying to hide. The air in the room feels heavier with each passing moment, the weight of her mother’s expectations pressing down on all of you.

Caitlyn’s jaw tightens, as though she’s holding back words she can’t quite bring herself to say. A pang of sympathy grips your chest, the unspoken tension between the three of you crackling like the distant rumble of a storm on the horizon.

"I don’t want her distracted by lust or love," Mrs. Kiramman adds sharply, her words cutting through the room like a blade. Her focus remains fixed on you, leaving a heavy tension in the air that’s impossible to ignore.

Mrs. Kiramman’s voice was sharp and unwavering as she delivered her verdict. "So, whatever relationship you three have..it ends."

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, each syllable cutting like a blade. Caitlyn’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and defiance. "Mother," she said, her voice trembling slightly, though there was a growing steel beneath it.

Vi stiffened beside you, her posture rigid as her fists clenched tightly in her lap. She didn’t say anything, but her jaw tightened, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. You could feel the tension radiating from her, as if she were a coiled spring ready to snap.

"Enough," Mrs. Kiramman continued, her tone icy. "This war demands focus and discipline, not distractions. Love…lust, whatever this is- will only weaken her resolve. I won’t allow it."

Your stomach churned at her words, but you couldn’t find your voice. Caitlyn’s mother’s gaze shifted to you, piercing and unyielding, as if daring you to argue.

But Caitlyn didn’t back down. She rose from her seat, her hands trembling at her sides, but her eyes burned with determination. "You don’t get to decide that for me," she said, her voice firmer now, though you could hear the hurt beneath it. "This isn’t just about war, Mother. It’s about the people I care about. And I won’t abandon them because it’s convenient for you."

The room remained heavy, the air suffused with the weight of unspoken conflict. Mrs. Kiramman’s gaze bore into Caitlyn, her sharp tone slicing through the silence. “Care?” she repeated, her voice cold and incredulous. “How can you care for them when you don’t even know them?”

Caitlyn’s shoulders straightened, her expression hardening into a mask of defiance. “I know enough, Mother. I know their hearts. I know their loyalty. I know they’ve stood by me when no one else would.” Her voice was steady, but the raw emotion behind her words was unmistakable.

Mrs. Kiramman scoffed softly, her teacup clinking against its saucer as she set it down. “Loyalty? Is that what this is? Infatuation wrapped in pretty ideals? You think they’ll stay by your side when things become difficult? When the weight of duty and sacrifice bears down on you? Love is a weakness, Caitlyn. It will blind you, distract you. And in war, that distraction will cost lives.”

Your heart pounded in your chest as you watched the tension rise. Caitlyn, standing at the center of it all, took a deep breath, her voice soft but unshakable. “Mother, you don’t have to approve of them. But you do have to accept that they’re part of my life. I won’t abandon the people I love because it doesn’t fit into your plans.”

Mrs. Kiramman’s voice rose sharply, cutting through the tension like a blade. “Are you stupid, child? You don’t know what love is! You can’t possibly be in love with people you’ve just met!”

Her words hung in the air, laced with disbelief and scorn. Caitlyn flinched slightly, but her expression quickly hardened, defiance simmering beneath her calm exterior.

“You think I don’t know what love is?” Caitlyn shot back, her voice steady but filled with quiet fury. “Love isn’t about how long you’ve known someone, Mother. It’s about trust, loyalty, and connection. And I have that with them.”

Mrs. Kiramman’s eyes narrowed, her tone biting. “They’re strangers, Caitlyn.” Mrs. Kirraman repeated, her tone sharp and unwavering. "You’re placing your faith in people you barely know. Do you really think they’ll stand by you when things get difficult? When the weight of war and responsibility becomes too much? You’re being foolish."

Caitlyn’s eyes narrowed, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "They’re not strangers to me," she replied firmly, her voice steady despite the rising tension in the room. You don’t understand what we’ve been through together, what we’ve already faced."

Mrs. Kiramman scoffed, her expression filled with disdain. "What have you been through? You just met them Caitlyn, this is war, not some childish adventure. You can’t afford to let your heart guide you it will only lead to ruin. Love blinds people, and in your position, you can’t afford that weakness."

Vi’s jaw tightened as her voice calmed but laced with anger. "Weakness? You think caring about someone is a weakness? Caitlyn’s stronger because she has people who care about her, who have her back no matter what."

Mrs. Kiramman’s gaze flicked to Vi, her eyes cold and piercing. "You’re bold to speak about strength, considering you don’t know the first thing about what it means to lead or sacrifice for something greater than yourself."

Vi smirked, though her hands were clenched tightly at her sides. "You think you’ve got me figured out, huh? Guess again. I’ve fought my whole life for survival, for my family, for the people I care about. I know sacrifice better than you think. And I know Caitlyn doesn’t need you trying to control her life."

Mrs. Kiramman’s lips pressed into a thin line, her composure faltering for just a moment before she turned her gaze back to Caitlyn. "Is this what you want, Caitlyn? To tie yourself to people who will only drag you down? To risk everything for fleeting emotions?"

Caitlyn straightened her shoulders, her blue eyes blazing with defiance. "Yes," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "If fighting for the people I love means risking everything, then so be it. You can’t control my choices, Mother. Not anymore."

Your heart raced as the tension in the room grew heavier, every word sharpening the divide between them. Caitlyn took a step forward, her hands trembling slightly, but her resolve unwavering.

"Mother," she began, her voice carrying a quiet strength, "you’ve spent my entire life trying to mold me into your vision of who I should be. You think you know what’s best for me, but you don’t. I’m not a child anymore, and I won’t let you dictate who I care about or who I stand with."

She paused, her gaze never leaving her mother’s. "That choice is mine. It always has been."

The room fell into a thick silence, Mrs. Kiramman’s sharp glare meeting Caitlyn’s unwavering gaze. Her mother’s lips pressed into a thin line, the air between them electric with unspoken conflict.

"You think you can make those choices," Mrs. Kiramman said coldly, her voice cutting like a blade. "But you don’t understand the consequences. This isn’t a game, Caitlyn. Lives are at stake, including yours."

Caitlyn’s jaw tightened, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "I know exactly what’s at stake," she replied, her tone firm but not raised. "But what’s the point of fighting if I can’t fight for the people who matter to me?"

Vi shifted beside you, her posture rigid as she crossed her arms. "She’s not alone in this," Vi said, her voice calm but laced with defiance. "Whatever happens, I’m with her."

Mrs. Kiramman’s eyes flicked to Vi, her disdain evident. "You? What could you possibly offer her? Trouble? Chaos? I’ve seen your kind before people who talk of loyalty but leave when it matters most."

Vi’s expression darkened, but she held her ground. "You don’t know me," she said quietly, her voice carrying an edge that made the room feel even smaller. "But I know what it means to fight for someone. To stay when it’s hard. And I’m not going anywhere."

Caitlyn placed a hand on Vi’s arm, her touch gentle but grounding. "Mother, this is my life. My fight. And if you can’t support me, then at least step aside."

Mrs. Kirraman’s expression faltered for just a moment, a flicker of something…fear? Resignation? crossing her face before her composure returned. "You’ll regret this, Caitlyn," she said, her tone icy and final. "When the dust settles and you’re left with nothing, you’ll realize I was right."

Caitlyn didn’t flinch. Instead, she reached for your hand and Vi’s, her grip steady and reassuring. "We’ll see," she said quietly, turning away from her mother.

Vi turned to you as you looked empty, her gaze softening as she noticed the emptiness in your eyes. Caitlyn walks over to you and bends down grabbing ahold of your face.

You hadn’t realized it, but her mother’s words were still ringing in your ears, louder now than ever before. "Love is a weakness, Caitlyn. It will blind you, distract you. And in war, that distraction will cost lives."

Each syllable felt like a dagger, and it was hard to shake off the weight of them, the cold certainty in Mrs. Kiramman’s voice that made you question everything you ever felt.

“Y/N, you’re scared. I can sense it,” Mrs. Kiramman’s voice sliced through the air like a blade. The words were cold, almost accusing, but there was something more in them, something calculating. She was watching you closely, her sharp gaze trying to read your every movement, every shift of your expression.

You felt your heart quicken, a strange tightness growing in your chest. It wasn’t just her words it was the way she said them, as though she had already seen through you, as though she knew exactly what you were thinking before you did. There was a chill in her voice that made you feel small, vulnerable, and exposed.

You tried to steady your breath, looking over at the older woman standing in front of you. Her cold, unyielding expression never wavered. It was like she could see every fear, every doubt you had. The weight of her stare pressed down on you, making it hard to think, let alone speak.

Your eyes then drifted to Caitlyn, who was leaning in front of you, her presence the only warmth in the room. She caught your gaze, her blue eyes softening immediately, as if sensing the storm of emotions that was brewing inside you.

Her expression was filled with an unspoken understanding, a quiet comfort that was at odds with the tension in the room.

Caitlyn gently reached out, placing a hand on your arm, grounding you with her touch. "Hey," she whispered, her voice low, but filled with reassurance. "Don’t let her get to you." Her words were like a balm, soothing the fear that had begun to rise in your chest.

You swallowed hard, trying to push down the unease that was creeping up on you. Mrs. Kiramman’s words echoed in your mind, twisting everything around. Scared? Was that what this was? Was fear really all you were feeling?

Looking back at Caitlyn, her calm demeanor steadied you, even as the older woman’s harsh words rattled your thoughts. Caitlyn wasn’t afraid. Vi wasn’t afraid. Why should you be?

"I’m not scared," you said, your voice coming out a little shakier than you intended, but there was a spark of determination in it now. Caitlyn’s eyes brightened, a small, proud smile tugging at her lips.

“Good,” she murmured, leaning closer. "You don’t need to be. Not now. Not with us here."

Hear anew the voice! O hear and listen!

“You can deny it all you want,” Mrs. Kiramman said, her voice sharp as ever. "But you are afraid, Y/N. Don’t try to pretend otherwise." She paused, her gaze turning cold again. "Fear is natural. It’s how you deal with it that determines if you’ll survive in the end."

Mrs. Kiramman’s words lingered in your mind, sharp and unrelenting, like a dark cloud that refused to dissipate. The heaviness of what was said still gripped you hours later, each echo twisting its way deeper into your thoughts. You tried to push them away, but they clung to you with an intensity that made it impossible to escape.

Caitlyn, sensing the turmoil, moved behind you. She wrapped her arms around your waist, pulling you close against her, her body warm and steady against yours. She kissed the bare places on your skin where your peplos left you exposed your shoulder, the curve of your neck, the small of your back.

Her lips were soft, gentle, and filled with an unspoken promise of reassurance. Each kiss was a quiet, loving reminder that you didn’t have to face this alone. The feeling of her closeness, the warmth of her embrace, was a soothing balm, but even in the comfort of her arms, you could feel the weight of Mrs. Kiramman’s words still pressing in on you.

Vi, who had been pacing in the background, her restlessness matching the tension in the room, finally stopped. She walked toward you and sat down at your feet. Without saying a word, she gently laid her head on your legs, the coolness of her hair brushing against your thighs.

It was her way of grounding herself and you. You felt the softness of her hair beneath your fingers and instinctively reached out, your hands finding their place in the silk of her hair. The simple act of touching her, feeling her warmth, was comforting. It anchored you in the present, reminding you that you weren’t alone in this moment.

Vi’s steady presence and Caitlyn’s soft whispers in your ear formed a quiet sanctuary from the chaos swirling in your mind.

As your fingers threaded through Vi’s hair, she sighed, her breath soft and steady. The action seemed to calm you as much as it calmed her, both of you finding solace in the simple touch. Caitlyn pressed her cheek against your shoulder, her voice a soft murmur. “Don’t let her words take away your peace. You don’t need to carry that weight.”

Vi lifted her head slightly, her eyes meeting yours with a look of fierce loyalty. “She doesn’t get to make you doubt yourself, it's ok to be afraid” Vi said, her voice strong and unwavering, a stark contrast to the chaos in your mind. “She doesn’t know you, not like we do. You’re more than what she sees.”

Her words resonated within you, a quiet strength building in the place where Mrs. Kiramman’s judgment had tried to take root. Caitlyn’s hands moved gently up your arms, pulling you into her further as she kissed the side of your neck. You closed your eyes for a moment, letting their love wash over you, drowning out the harshness of the outside world.

The tension in your chest loosened slightly as you felt Caitlyn’s warmth against your back and Vi’s grounding presence at your feet.

Slowly, the sharpness of Mrs. Kiramman’s words dulled, replaced by the unwavering certainty of those who truly cared for you.

“You don’t need her approval,” Caitlyn whispered. “You have ours. That should be enough.”

Come, as in that island dawn thou camest,

Caitlyn continued to place soft kisses along your skin, her lips tender and soothing. Gently, she turned your head to face her, her eyes locking with yours, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her gaze was warm, and her lips seemed to beckon you closer.

She reached out and caressed your cheek, her touch as gentle as a breeze rolling over the hills. It was a comforting gesture, one that made your heart ache with both longing and uncertainty. Slowly, she leaned closer, her movements deliberate, her intentions clear. When her forehead finally came to rest against yours, the world around you seemed to still, leaving only the two of you in its quiet embrace.

Her eyes searched yours, soft and patient, but as you held her gaze, the fear bubbling inside you began to surge. It was an instinctive, unshakable wall you couldn’t tear down. Before you could stop yourself, you pulled away, the distance between you growing as the unspoken emotions lingered in the air.

Caitlyn didn’t move for a moment, her head tilted slightly as though trying to read the thoughts you couldn’t put into words. Her expression softened, her lips parting with a quiet sigh, a sound filled with understanding but also the slightest twinge of disappointment. The space between you seemed heavier now, her breath lingering as a faint reminder of what almost was.

“Do you think we are gonna die?” you whisper, the weight of your words hanging in the air between you and the two women. The question feels heavy, a thought you can no longer keep inside, but the silence that follows is almost unbearable.

Neither Caitlyn or Vi respond. They both sit still, as if the question has momentarily taken them by surprise, leaving them to search for the right words. Their eyes meet, unspoken understanding passing between them as they consider what to say.

Finally, Caitlyn exhales softly, her voice steady but full of emotion. "I don’t know," she admits, her eyes filled with an honesty that pulls at your heart. "But whatever happens, we're together. That’s what matters."

“But what if they separate us?” you ask, the fear creeping into your voice despite your best efforts to stay calm. The thought of being torn away from them, from the only two people who made you feel safe, feels unbearable.

Caitlyn gives you a small, comforting smile, her thumb brushing across your cheek. “We’ll be alright,” she says quietly, but with a certainty that you feel in your bones. “As long as we stick together, we’ll always find a way back to each other.”

Billowing in thy yoked car to Sappho

The next day, you find yourself in the flower garden with your mother, the warm Mediterranean sun casting its golden light across the vibrant blossoms. The garden is full of colored roses, lilies, and violets in every shade imaginable, each blooming is a testament to the care and love your mother has poured into the garden over the years. The scent of the flowers fills the air, a delicate perfume that seems to calm the restless thoughts swirling in your mind.

You carefully pluck a cluster of wildflowers, your hands moving mechanically as you continue your conversation with your mother. “She’s very...” you begin, searching for the right words. Your mother looks up from where she’s tending to a bed of lavender, her eyes soft and knowing. She waits patiently, as if she already understands there’s more to what you’re about to say.

“Judgmental,” you finally say, your voice betraying the frustration you’ve been carrying since your encounter with Mrs. Kiramman. “She speaks as though her opinion is the only one that matters, and it makes me feel so... small.”

Your mother pauses for a moment, a slight frown pulling at her lips. She reaches out to gently brush a stray flower petal off your shoulder, her touch comforting and grounding. “What did she say?” she asks softly, sensing the weight in your sigh.

You glance at her before looking away, your mind drifting back to the conversation in the room with Mrs. Kiramman. The memory stirs something inside you, and you find yourself repeating the words that still echo in your mind. “She says I'm afraid”

Your mother’s expression softens as she listens, her brow furrowing slightly in concern. She doesn’t speak right away, giving you a moment to process. “But what if she’s right?” you whisper, your voice barely audible, as though you’re afraid of the answer. “How do I know if I’m afraid?”

Your mother’s gaze softens, and she steps closer, her presence warm and steady beside you. She takes a deep breath, as if carefully choosing her words. “Fear is not always obvious, my child,” she begins, her voice gentle but firm.

“Sometimes, it’s hidden in the doubts that creep into your mind, in the way you question yourself or shrink away from something you care about. Fear often disguises itself as uncertainty or hesitation.”

She pauses, her hand still resting on your arm, grounding you in the moment. “But fear doesn’t define you. It’s how you face it that matters. Acknowledge it, yes, but don’t let it rule you. The more you try to avoid what scares you, the more it will control you. But when you stand in front of it, when you confront it with courage even if that courage is small, that's when you begin to truly see how strong you are.”

You glance at her, the weight of her words settling in your chest. She offers you a small, reassuring smile. “Fear is natural, my dear. But it’s not something you need to fear. It’s just another part of the journey. And you—” she places a hand over your heart, “you have everything you need to move through it.”

Forth from thy father's

“You must stay with your mother,” your father says, his voice firm as he tightens the straps on a leather satchel. His movements are swift and precise, the practiced efficiency of a warrior preparing for the road ahead. The clinking of bronze armor and the dull thud of packed supplies fill the space between his words.

“But Father—” you begin, stepping closer, your heart heavy with the weight of everything you wish to say.

He stops for a moment, straightening to his full height, and looks at you. His eyes, weathered and stern, soften as they meet yours. “I know what you want to say,” he says, his tone gentler now, though no less resolute. “But this is not your battle. Your place is here, with your mother, keeping this home safe. This is how you serve our family, our people.”

Your mother, standing quietly nearby, glances at you with an unreadable expression. There is strength in her gaze, but also an unspoken sorrow. She understands your father’s decision, even if it weighs heavily on her as well.

“Father, I want to help,” you say, your voice steady but tinged with desperation. He shakes his head, his expression unwavering. “You have the heart of a warrior, my child, but this is not your time. The gods will call upon you when you are ready, but until then, your role here is just as important. Protecting your mother, tending to the land this is no small task.”

Golden house in pity! ... I remember:

You clench your fists, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “And what about Caitlyn and Vi? They’re going. Why not me?”

At the mention of their names, your father pauses, his brows furrowing slightly. “Caitlyn is a trained soldier,” he says, his voice measured. “And Vi... she fights because she has nothing left to lose. But you, my daughter, have everything to protect. Do not envy their paths, for they are not as free as they might seem.”

His words cut through you, leaving you silent. He steps forward and places a firm, calloused hand on your shoulder. “You are strong,” he says, his voice low but filled with conviction. “Stronger than you know. And that strength will be needed here. Trust me, child. This is the right path.”

You lower your gaze, the weight of his words settling over you. You don’t want to accept it, but deep down, you know he’s speaking the truth. There’s a purpose in staying behind, even if it’s not the one you long for.

“I will return,” your father continues, his voice softer now, a promise carried in the wind. “And when I do, we will celebrate. But for now, I need to know that you will stay safe.”

You nod reluctantly, your throat tight with unspoken emotion. “I promise,” you whisper.

He smiles faintly, then pulls you into a brief, strong embrace. “Be brave,” he murmurs, before stepping back and turning toward the soldiers waiting at the edge of the garden.

Your mother steps closer, her hand resting lightly on your arm as the two of you watch him walk away. The sound of sandals on stone grows fainter with each step, until the only thing left is the stillness of the garden and the weight of his absence.

Your mother squeezes your shoulder gently, her eyes fixed on your father as he disappears down the path. “The gods watch over him,” she says softly, though her voice carries a hint of doubt.

Fleet and fair thy sparrows drew thee, beating Fast their wings above the dusky harvests,

The breeze fades, leaving the garden shrouded in an unsettling stillness. In the distance, the faint sound of marching feet drifts away, growing softer until it dissolves into the horizon. The sun continues to shine, but its warmth feels dimmed, as if a shadow has begun to creep over everything you cherish.

The silence in the garden lingers, heavy and oppressive, long after your father and his soldiers disappear down the winding path. You remain frozen, staring at the empty space they’ve left behind, a hollow ache settling in your chest. Beside you, your mother moves slowly, her fingers brushing over the blossoms, her touch tender yet distracted, as though trying to dispel the tension that clings to the air like an unwelcome guest.

You should come inside,” she says softly, her voice steady but tinged with weariness. “There is much to prepare.”

You nod absently, though your feet feel heavy as you take a step toward the house. Your mind drifts, replaying the image of your father walking away, his back straight and his shoulders carrying the weight of both duty and family. A part of you wonders if you’ll ever see him again, but you push the thought aside. Such fears are not yours to voice not yet.

As you step into the cool interior of your home, the sound of hurried footsteps echoes through the halls. You glance over your shoulder to see Caitlyn and Vi approaching side by side, their expressions serious but softened when they catch sight of you.

Caitlyn’s armor gleams faintly in the dim light, her spear resting at her side, while Vi carries her gauntlets slung casually over her shoulder, her usual confidence tempered by the gravity of the moment.

Down the pale heavens, Lightning anon! And thou, O blest and brightest, Smiling with immortal eyelids, asked me:

They stop a few paces away, Caitlyn nodding respectfully toward your mother before her gaze shifts to you. “We thought we’d find you here,” Caitlyn says, her voice low and warm. Vi remains silent but steps closer, her eyes flicking between you and Caitlyn.

Your mother, who has been watching the exchange, presses her lips into a thin line. She glances between the three of you before sighing softly. “Don’t keep them too long,” she says, addressing you this time. “The gods know we have little time to waste before the world turns upside down.”

With that, she turns and disappears into the house, leaving you alone with Caitlyn and Vi in the entryway. Caitlyn steps forward first, her gaze meeting yours with an intensity that makes your chest tighten.

“We’re leaving at dawn,” Caitlyn says simply, her voice steady but tinged with something deeper. “We wanted to see you before we go.”

You swallow hard, your throat suddenly dries as the knot in your stomach tightens. “I know,” you reply softly, looking down at your hands. “My father has made it clear I’m to stay behind.”

Vi lets out a frustrated huff, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. “It’s not right,” she mutters, her tone sharp. “You should be coming with us, not stuck here like some helpless child.”

Caitlyn shoots her a warning glance, but there’s no denying the agreement in her expression. She steps closer to you, her hand brushing gently against your arm. “We will protect you,” Caitlyn says softly, her voice steady yet filled with a sense of promise.

"Maiden, what betideth thee? Or wherefore Callest upon me?

Vi nods firmly, her gaze unwavering. “No matter what happens, we’ve got your back. You’re not alone in this.” You look down at your hands, clenching them into fists as the uncertainty swirls inside you.

“But I’m not made for this,” you whisper. “I’m not strong, like you two. I don’t have what it takes. I'm supposed to be a maiden... someone untouched by the world’s harshness.”

Vi steps forward, her expression fierce and unwavering. “You don’t need to be a warrior to fight. You just need to be brave enough to stand with us, to fight for the things you love. And I know you’re capable of that.” You let her words settle in, the weight of her belief in you beginning to lift the heavy burden of doubt that you’ve carried for so long.

Maybe, just maybe, you're more capable than you’ve allowed yourself to believe.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” you admit softly, your voice shaking slightly, “but… I’ll try. For you, for my family, for us.”

Caitlyn gives you a gentle smile, her eyes full of pride. “That’s all we ask.”

"What is here the longing more than other, Here in this mad heart?

Your mother’s voice cuts through the moment, laced with both practicality and a touch of humor. “Y/N, don’t keep the poor girls waiting, come inside.” Her gaze softens when it meets yours, a gentle nudge for you to move forward, yet there’s an undeniable sense of urgency in her words.

You turn to face your mother, offering her a smile, then look back at Caitlyn and Vi, the weight of the moment settling into your chest. The bond between you and these two women is something you can’t quite put into words, yet you know they would fight for you without hesitation.

You take a deep breath, your voice quiet but full of conviction. “Fight for me,” you say, your words both a plea and a promise. “Come back. I’ll be waiting.”Your heart swells with a mixture of hope and fear, but as you look at the two of them, you know they’ll do everything in their power to come back, even if fate itself has other plans.

Your mother stands just behind you, her presence steady and grounding. She places a hand on your shoulder and squeezes gently, offering silent support.

“Don’t worry about us,” Caitlyn says as she steps back, her voice softening. “Focus on yourself, and what you need to do while we’re gone.”

And who the lovely One beloved that wouldst lure to loving?

You nod, the knot in your stomach loosening just a little, knowing that they’re not just leaving for the fight they’re leaving for you, for the future, for the promise of what could be.

With one final look at each other, Caitlyn and Vi turn to head out, the quiet determination in their steps. Your mother gives you a reassuring smile before pulling you gently inside.

Tears streamed down your face as you watched Caitlyn and Vi walk away, the weight of the unspoken words between you heavy in the air.

The abruptness of their departure left a bitter taste in your mouth; you longed for a farewell that truly captured the depth of your feelings.

Wait!" you cried out, your voice trembling with emotion.

You dashed after them, your heart pounding, but your mother’s hand caught your arm, pulling you back gently. "Y/N, don't keep them waiting," she said softly, her concern evident.

But you couldn't stop. You had to make sure they knew.

"Please," you whispered, more to yourself than to her, as you broke free from her grasp and continued toward Caitlyn and Vi.

Sappho, who wrongs thee?

You run after them, your heart pounding in your chest, and as they hear your footsteps, they turn around. Without hesitation, you leap into their arms, tears streaming down your face.

"I know I just met you yesterday," you sob, your voice thick with emotion. "But it feels like I've known you for centuries!"

Between cries, you look up at Caitlyn and Vi, your heroes strong, unwavering, and now holding you tightly, their presence offering a comfort that goes beyond words.

I just wanted to say," you began, your voice thick with emotion, "that I love you both. Please come back to me. I know I said this but I mean it."

Caitlyn and Vi held you close, their presence a comforting anchor. After a moment, Caitlyn pulled back slightly, her hands resting on your shoulders.

"We will," she said softly. "We'll come back. For you."

Vi nodded, her usual fierceness softened by the sincerity in her eyes. "We promise," she added.

"See, if now she flies, she soon must follow;

“I love you," you say once more, the words trembling on your lips as they hang in the air between you. Caitlyn’s eyes flicker down to your lips, and for a brief moment, time seems to slow. It's as though the world around you pauses, the sounds of the wind and distant chatter fading into the background, leaving only the intense connection between you two.

Caitlyn’s gaze softens, her breath catching as she looks back into your eyes, her emotions visible in the way her chest rises and falls. She reaches out slowly, her fingers grazing your cheek, a silent question lingering in the space between you. Without saying a word, she leans in, her lips brushing against yours for the first time soft, tentative, and full of the unspoken promise that has been building since the moment you met.

The kiss deepens, not just with the passion of the moment, but with everything that has come before it, the fears, the uncertainties, and the bond that has formed between you. When you finally pull away, your breaths are shallow, hearts pounding in sync.

Caitlyn smiles softly, her hand still cupping your face as she whispers, "I love you, too."

Vi stands behind Caitlyn, watching the exchange with a smile of her own, a silent understanding passing between the three of you. The weight of the world may still be ahead, but in this fleeting moment, you know that no matter what comes next, you will always have this—this love, this connection, and this promise that you’re never truly alone.

Yes, if spurning gifts, she soon must offer;

Vi walks over, her steps slow and purposeful, and without a word, she gently presses a kiss to your forehead. It’s warm, tender, filled with a care that only someone who truly understands you can give. You close your eyes, savoring the softness of her touch, feeling the bond between you deepen in that quiet moment.

But it isn’t enough. The desire to show her just how much she means to you rises in your chest, and before you can think, you lean up, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. It’s hesitant, but filled with the raw emotion you’ve been holding inside. Her lips are warm, her surprise palpable for only a heartbeat before she kisses you back, gentle and knowing.

When you pull away, both of you breathless, Vi’s eyes meet yours surprised, but softened by understanding. For a moment, words aren’t needed. The kiss speaks everything you couldn’t say.

“Take care of yourself,” she whispers, her hand gently brushing your cheek, the tenderness in her touch making your heart swell.

You nod, feeling the weight of her gaze linger on you, a silent promise that even if you part now, the connection between you will never fade.

Yes, if loving not, she soon must love thee, Howso unwilling..."

You step back slightly, feeling a mix of emotions swirling within you gratefulness, fear, love, and longing. The moment feels suspended in time, as though everything around you has quieted just for this brief exchange. But reality tugs at your heart, reminding you of the dangers that await.

Caitlyn, standing just a few steps away, watches you both with a soft, almost understanding smile. Her eyes flicker between you and Vi, as if sensing the shift in the air. Her hand rests on Vi's shoulder, grounding both of you in the weight of what’s to come.

“We should go,” Caitlyn says gently, though her voice carries the strength of someone who knows what lies ahead. "Dawn is getting near."

Vi nods, her gaze still locked with yours, a quiet resolve in her eyes. You watch as she steps away from you, but not before giving you one last lingering look, a promise, a silent vow to return.

With a final glance at both of them, you watch as Caitlyn and Vi begin to walk away, their silhouettes growing smaller in the growing light of the morning. The cold wind bites at your skin, but the warmth of their presence stays with you, as if their touch lingers in your heart.

You remain standing for a long moment, watching them disappear into the distance. Each step they take feels like a piece of your heart walking away with them, but deep down, you know they’ll carry your love, your strength, and your wish for their safety with them. You only hope that one day, they will return.

But for now, all you can do is stand and wait, praying that this war, this conflict, won’t steal the people you care about from your life.

And as the wind swirls around you, carrying the scent of the earth and the promise of the gods, you whisper softly, barely audible over the wind, "Come back to me."

Come again to me! O now! Release me!

You stand there for a while longer, feeling the weight of the silence settle around you, the landscape stretching out in front of you. The sun begins to rise, casting long shadows across the ground, but all you can focus on is the image of Caitlyn and Vi, disappearing into the horizon. The ache in your chest feels both unbearable and bittersweet.

Your mother steps up beside you, her presence comforting but quiet. She doesn’t speak at first, perhaps knowing that words won’t help in this moment, but she places a hand on your shoulder, offering what little solace she can.

“I know how you feel, child,” she says softly, her voice low as she watches the same distant spot you do. “But they’re strong, like you. They’ll fight for you, and you for them.”

You don’t respond right away, unsure of how to voice what’s going on inside of you. A part of you wants to run after them, to be with them, to stand by their side, but you know you can’t. Not yet. Not while your father’s wishes hold you bound to this place.

Instead, you squeeze your mother’s hand, the words stuck in your throat. There’s a deep, heavy feeling in the air, a strange stillness that makes it feel as though time itself has paused. You wish you could say something, anything, that would make everything seem less overwhelming.

End the great pang! And all my heart desireth

"Do you think they'll be okay?" you finally ask, the question tumbling from your lips before you can stop it. It's a question that hangs in the air, unanswered, but you feel the weight of it regardless.

Your mother sighs, pulling you into a gentle embrace. “None of us know what the future holds, child. All we can do is hold on to hope. They’ll do the same for you.”

You nod, a small, shaky breath escaping your lips as you try to believe in her words. But deep down, the fear lingers, gnawing at you, feeding the uncertainty that you’ve tried so hard to push aside. You can't help but worry about what the battle will bring, the loss it will surely leave in its wake.

As the sun climbs higher, its golden rays beginning to warm the earth, you turn back to the house, feeling the weight of the world pressing on your shoulders. Your mother’s steady presence beside you is a reminder of everything you’ve left behind, of everything you stand to lose.

But you know, in that moment, that you must hold onto the hope that one day, Caitlyn and Vi will return alive, whole, and ready to live again. Until then, you will wait.

Now of fulfillment, fulfill! O Aphrodite, Fight by my shoulder!

You whisper softly, your voice carried away by the faint breeze, as memories of the promises you made with Caitlyn and Vi flood your mind. “I’ll fight by your side,” you vow, the words filled with quiet determination.

The garden seems to hold its breath, the flowers swaying gently as if bearing witness to your resolve. Above, the sky glows with the soft hues of twilight, a reminder that dawn and the unknown it carries is not far off.

Your heart pounds, heavy with fear but also with purpose. Whatever lies ahead, whatever fate the gods have written, you know one thing with certainty: you will not let your promises fade into the wind.

Finished finally done let me know if you wanna be tagged in the rest of the parts have a nice day Ⓒ︎ seulszn.

[manawari]

An AU in which Cha Hae-in finding a young, tiny elf in the middle of the woods inside of a Red Gate. Helpless and vulnerable, so Hae-in can't help but feel bad for the young elf and decides to help her by sharing some food and a bit of aid from a reluctant healer. Turns out, the little elf has been abandoned due to being "weak" and it makes the hunter furious, which is why she doesn't hesitate to kill the leader of the tribe the moment she sees him.

Then, part of her doesn't wish to leave the little elf alone in the dungeon— what should I do? It's not like I will bring her with me to the outside world. The answer appears when the elf still follows her like a lost puppy and walks close next to her. Hae-in has no choice but to go with her first option.

With the help of the other hunters, Hae-in manages to hide the elf from the public eye and makes her way to her apartment where the youngling would stay. She also discovers that the elf's name is Sirka, thus hearing her speak for the first time, and Hae-in takes it as a good sign that she has earned the elf's trust.

Little does she know, it is more than a trust.

Sirka always keeps her promises and makes sure to behave when Hae-in is off to work. She wears shirts that turned out to be too big for her, but enough to make her comfortable, most likely because she smells her savior's scent on it.

Jong-in is the first person whom Hae-in told about the elf she had taken in. He's surprised, but he knows that his vice master knows what she's doing; he even teases her how she became an adoptive mother out of the blue. Hae-in flushes and immediately denies it. Meanwhile, Sirka has already looked up to her like a mom.

Hae-in buying new clothes for Sirka, as well as plushies to play with, and books for reading. She teaches the elf how to speak in Korean and write in hangul and English alphabet. Sirka is a fast learner as much as she loves it; Hae-in even teaches her swordfighting as she knows that Sirka is still an elf and it's in her blood to know how to wield a weapon.

some bonus featuring Jin-woo &others.

When meeting Jin-woo, Sirka grows protective and doesn't trust the hunter. Jin-woo is confused, but he still tries to get along with her. And as expected from an ice elf, Sirka gives him the attitude.

Jin-chul visits/calls Hae-in to check on her and Hae-in expresses how thankful she is for him to not call the association since she has no idea what the authorities will do to Sirka.

Despite being opposites, Sirka adores Jong-in! She always comments how warm he feels and adores the little fire creatures he makes with his powers. He even gives her some clothes to help Hae-in.

Yoon-ho being quite fond of Sirka and looks after her when Hae-in is busy. He also trains her kid-friendly hand-to-hand combat from time to time.

Hae-in wishing she could take Sirka out for a walk in places such as the park, so Jin-woo grants it by pulling a spell on a necklace where it turns Sirka into the guise of a human every time she wears it. I imagine her human version looking very similar to Hae-in.

Tae-gyu sees it one time and jokes how Hae-in and Sirka are mother and daughter. The S-Rank flushes while Sirka looks proud and says Hae-in is her 'mama'.

Sirka giggles every time Eun-seok shows his powers, fascinated by the electricity clawing in the air rather than just through wires. She even receives a cute scarf from him as a gift.

Bonus bonus: Byung-gyu walking in the streets with little Beru in his jacket and crossing paths Hae-in with human!Sirka.

[leasstories]

Lea’s advent calendar day 13 – Scary

@writerthreads writing prompt for Christmas (2022), prompt 12:

[meeting Santa at the mall but it goes awfully wrong]

Dad!Eddie x mom!reader

 No trigger warning.

WC: ≈0.9K

December 22nd, 1991

Eddie Munson and you have been dating since high school. You’re both still living in Hawkins. Eddie works as a bartender at the Hideout at night, so he can be the one taking care of your daughter during the day, while you are at work. As for you, you work as a secretary for Hawkins’ police station. You don’t like your job, but you need the money.

Almost three years ago, you unexpectedly got pregnant. You and Eddie were only 22 years old back then, but you still decided to keep the baby. Now you have a beautiful daughter named Galadriel. Eddie and you both share a passion for The Lord of The Rings, so you had to name your daughter after one of the characters. Now, your little Galadriel is two years old. As she is now two years old and more aware of her surroundings, Eddie and you decided to make a trip to the mall to see Santa.

When you told your daughter, she was so excited, she's been talking about it for days. It warms both yours and Eddie’s heart to see your daughter like this. You pack a diaper bag with diapers (in case of accident) as well as changing clothes, her pacifier, her Teddy, a water bottle, and a milk bottle. You also pack teething biscuits in case your daughter is hungry. While you’re packing Eddie gets the impossible mission to make her get ready.

Eddie takes cartoonish voice and makes her left shoe dance. “Please Galadriel, let me be put on. I promise to keep you warm and protect your cute little feet from being hurt outside.

Galadriel is pouting. “Don’t want.” She speaks.

Eddie is helpless, he doesn’t know how to make his (sometimes) petulant daughter to put her shoes on.

He raises the left shoe and make it dance, still using his cartoonish voice. “Please little Galadriel, let me be on your feet. If you don’t put me on, we can’t go meet Santa you know?”

Galadriel crosses her arms and stomp her foot. “NO” she says raising her voice.

At that point, you arrive into your hallway and asks. “What’s going on here.”

Eddie keeps his cartoonish voice, moving the shoe around to show that it is the shoe speaking. “Little Galadriel doesn’t want me to be at her feet.”

You crouch down in front of your daughter and take the shoe from Eddie’s hand, looking at him sympathetically.

“Hey Bunny, if you want to go meet Santa you have to put your shoes and coat on. We can’t go outside without them. You know, it’s freezing outside.” You explain patiently.

Eddie looks at you fondly. He really loves seeing him interacting with your daughter, he loves how you handle her tantrums.

Galadriel drops her hands and shrugs. “Don’t like shoes.” She speaks.

“I have an idea!” Eddie dramatically says.

Galadriel turns towards Eddie, her curious big brown eyes looking at him.

“What about you put them on, we go see Santa and then we buy new boots for you? How does that sound?” Eddie asks.

She nods her head and let you put her shoes and coat on. You go to the mall, you put some Christmas songs (even though Eddie protested) during the car ride and you giggle at your daughter trying to sing along.

After a 10 minutes’ drive, you arrive at the mall. You’re in the line to see Santa and your daughter looks so excited. She’s holding both you and Eddie’s hand.

“Ready to meet Santa?” Eddie asks when there is only one person in front of you.

“Yes! Yes! Tell him I want guitar. Like Daddy!” she says enthusiastically.

Eddie smiles at that. “And if Santa brings you a guitar, I promise to teach you.”

“Eddie she’s too young to learn how to play guitar.” You tell him.

“Don’t listen to mommy.” Eddie says while covering Galadriel’s ears.

As soon as it is Galadriel’s turn you and Eddie lead Galadriel to Santa’s chair, but as soon as she is close to him, Galadriel hides between her father’s legs and starts crying. Eddie picks her up and whispers sweet nothing into her ears.

“Hey, shh…" he says, "everything’s fine, daddy's here” Eddie keeps going, hugging her close to his chest and soothingly rubbing his daughter’s back. He brings Galadriel and a quieter place of the mall while you profusely apologize to Santa.

“What happened back there?” Eddie asks calmly, while his daughter tries to stop sobbing.

“Scary” she manages to say in between to sobs.

You decide to let Eddie handle it, you know that when your daughter’s overwhelmed, she is a daddy’s girl and only Eddie can make her calm down.

“You got scared sweetie?” he asks and your daughter nods.

Galadriel nods.

“You know, there is nothing to be afraid of besides mommy and I were here.” Eddie gently tells her.

“Daddy? Hug please.” Galadriel says.

Eddie hugs his daughter to his chest and asks her. “What about grabbing a hot chocolate, how does that sound to you Sweetie?” he asks.

She enthusiastically nod.

Your little family sits at a coffee, ordering three hot chocolates. Your daughter hands up with chocolate everywhere and Eddie and you hold hands all along while your daughter tries to tell you all she wants for Christmas. You and Eddie love those family moments, more than anything.

[jamietarttdoooodooooo]

Back Together Again l The nobody (prologue)

Pairing : Jamie Tartt x f!reader

Word count: 693

Warnings: Under age drinking, little bit of language 

Summary: You are Ted Lassos' daughter. You have known Jamie seen ten years olds. One day you come to see your dad but inside you could because you miss Jamie. You join the AFC Richmond team and realize that you have fallen in love with your best friend.

A/N: This is my first time ever writing. I hope you enjoy and hope to continue this story.

You were Ted Lasso’s daughter now one knew you were his daughter. Well besides Rebecca Welton and your best friend.

 Your mom had you at a young age of course your mom was Michelle. Your mom had you by actented. This happened by of course meeting Ted, she was drunk and under age. My dad was just helpless and you probably know what happened from there.

You loved to play football, you started when you were five. Your parents didn’t care about you one single bit. They would never stay at your matches, they would just drop you off and come back two hours after the match was already done.

You meant nothing to your parents, you were just kind of there.

When you were ten your teachers told your parents you needed to go to Manchester for school because you were “too smart.” 

So your parents sent you off to Manchester. You meant a boy named Jamie Tartt. He taught you everything you needed to know. Cussing was one of the biggest things he taught you.

Especially kissing, out of all the things you learned you always told people that. You never kissed him, EW! He made you kiss a pillow, seat, and mirror just to learn. One day he did make you kiss your crush. Really you just wanted to kiss your crush and just blamed him for making you do it.

Then you were about to start middle school and your parents wanted you back.

Really the only reason they wanted you back is because they wanted you to see your baby brother Henry.

Henry followed you everywhere and even still he follows me. We still share rooms, he always has to buy me or else he will start crying.

Through everything Jamie and you were best freakin friends. You would go to football camp every year with Jamie for the summer. You would call him sometimes.

You got to college finally. Your brother still didn’t leave your side. You played football all through college and your dad still didn’t know one thing about it.

Ted and you became closer when you came back from Manchester. Hang out, play darts, and maybe even try to teach him to play football.

You went to England for one of your matches. After the game you were met with Rebecca Welton in front of you.

“Hi, my name is Rebecca. My husband is the owner of AFC Richmond. Tell me to come and ask you if you want to play for the team after college.” You just smiled at her. “But I am a girl,” you said. She nodded her head “That doesn't matter, so yes or no.” “I will love too” I said without even asking anyone.

I never did go to Richmond though my mom kept me home.

Soon after I found out my dad was going to couch there. I wanted to go so bad but never did.

I found out Jamie was going to play there for a little bit. My mom and Henry went to go visit my dad. I didn’t want to go.

I haven’t seen Jamie sense college. Which was only one year, you still called him every week. I was just scared to go also because I ever showed up to play there. Yet you still had Rebecca’s number and talked to her once in a while.

Jamie did leave to go to a reality tv show. He did come back.

That was your chance, the moment you saw him in his first match back. You had to come see him, come see your dad, and finally play football for AFC Richmond and didn’t care what your mom said. 

[urbanventures]

Story of Transformation - Areli

At our 30th Anniversary Celebration, Urban Ventures Participant Areli shared about her family's work to break negative cycles and create a brighter future for her family. Watch above or read below to hear how Urban Ventures comes alongside families as they work to be who God created them to be.

Good evening! It’s been said that the best gift a person can receive from others is their time, also thank you for being here to celebrate.

I am originally from a beautiful town in Mexico, but my parents, like so many others, had little work opportunities there, and so they made the difficult decision to move their family here to the United States.  That is how, as a teenager, I became an immigrant. My parents dedicated themselves to working very hard. I will always be grateful to them for teaching me from an early age what it means to have a strong work ethic. 

But I also remember wishing they would be home more. I felt alone in trying to figure out life. I started a relationship, and was blessed with my first daughter. I knew early on as a mother that I wanted to give her a different childhood than the one I had. My parents did the best they could with what they had, but my home growing up was filled with abuse, negativity, and a lack of affection.

Today, I am a mom of three beautiful children. But I was not a beautiful mom at first.

I started raising my children the same way I was raised, continuing the patterns I was trying to break. 

I remember being harsh with one of my children because that was how I was taught to discipline. But at the same time, I was apologizing to them, because I knew how much it hurt me as a child to be treated so harshly. 

I was afraid my children would feel alone, or feel like I didn’t love them enough.

I felt guilty and helpless because I knew that history was repeating itself and I didn't know how to make a change. And that's why I want to apologize to my children – they are here tonight. I love you, and I am sorry.

This cycle continued for many years. I had mostly given up hope. But one day, I heard a wonderful woman from Urban Ventures talking about how to be a better parent. She did it with so much love and passion. It was how I wanted to be as a parent. It was what I had been searching for.

This woman, Myrna Garcia, invited me to her class on Wednesday nights. The timing felt impossible for me and my partner, Luis. We both worked at night. But when we talked about our greatest priorities, we decided to make the sacrifice. We came to class from 6 to 8pm and then went to work until 3am. Believe me, this was a sacrifice. But it was worth it!

Little by little, I learned that parents can be physically present but emotionally absent. This is what I had become. The class helped me see a path where I didn’t see one before. I believed I could become the parent I wanted to be.

But it wasn’t just the class, this great place had something for everyone in our family. When Urban Ventures says that they have programs for every age, I can confirm that it is true.

My youngest youngest son is a student here. He is in the Cornwell Early Learning Center. My middle child has mentors here. And my oldest daughter… she works for Urban Ventures! She is also the first in the family to go to college! 

I asked my partner, Luis, what has been a positive thing about being part of Urban Ventures. He answered quickly. GETTING MARRIED. We had been living together for 17 years, raising children together. But, attending the classes helped us decide to get legally married and demonstrate what a healthy, committed, relationship looks like to our children.

Thanks to Urban Ventures I have been able to break negative cycles in my family. We have created a better story for my children.

I know I still have a lot to learn, but I also know that I am not alone in the process. I have Urban Ventures by my side. And so does my family.

There are many people out there trying to find an opportunity to transform their lives and the generations to come. Like me, they are searching for how to be the people they know they can be. With your help, they can have that opportunity with this beautiful organization. 

Thank you/Gracias 

[julietasgf]

Yeah well, my rant about Clemensia and the movie is Snow propaganda will have to wait because my head is empty, there's only Plinth family stuff

I'll start by saying that I also firmly believe that Suzanne probably has in her house a notebook filled with the background info of ALL the secondary characters of TBOSAS AND THG, she KNOWS it, she just decided not to share it, which I admire greatly, I couldn't keep my ocs info that way *shaking*

But until her says to us otherwise, I guess we are on our own, so because you ask me, lets began with the parallels between Ma Plinth and Katniss' mother.

So as far as we know Katniss' mother belonged to the merchant class, she was of a high social stratum in her district, but she descended socially to marry a miner from the Seam. She abandons her entire home, her past life to be with the man she fell in love with, a gentle man we are told, that likes to sing and who taught his eldest daughter to hunt and other skills necessary for her survival. This men sadly passes away, leaving Katniss mom alone with her daughters whom she cannot care for. And I think you'll agree that if you think about it the other way around, that's the same story as Ma Plinth.

It is possible that Vesta came from one of the slums of District 2, but she meets a man, with whom she falls in love, with ambitious, cold characteristics, not a friendly image but still devoted to him. The man ascends socially, and gets Vesta to leave her life behind, with all the sacrifices that implies to be by his side. Vesta betrays her district in favor of Strabo, and yet she ends up alone caring for her son, one whom her husband leaves almost completely helpless.

I have to concede to Strabo that he ultimately tried to teach Sejanus the way he knew how to survive in the Capitol (which as we see it is to be intimidating so you don't get screwed, prove you are lethal and have money to fix everything) but neither he nor Ma had the tools to deal with Baby Sejanus' trauma of being ripped from his own home, from everything he knew to be forcibly inserted into a society with incomprehensible rules. Especially Ma, the only one who could communicate with her son, did not know how to cope with her own trauma and depression (HER OWN 8-YEAR-OLD SON HAD TO CONSOLE HER).

Because another problem Sejanus faced is that he never received any truly useful guidance from any adult on how to exist in the Capitol. I think the closest thing he ever had to a guide was Coriolanus the snake (a guy too similar to his father, oh yeah let's bring daddy issues into the conversation), who he actually listens to most of the time on how to handle situations or certain feelings.

About what the other anon said: Why Ma didn't divorce Strabo if she only saw how he was hurting her son whom she clearly loved?, I think this is the material and logistical aspect of the situation that you explained well (With what money? Where would they go? ?, Who would receive them?, etc), there it is also the irrational and painful thing about she having loved Strabo and being dependent but here I establishing the most explicit parallel with Katniss's mother: Ma has a small corner decorated with things from D2, Ma says with her heartbroken that only one of her sisters speaks to her after the rebellion, Ma when she can't find Sejanus spends an entire afternoon looking for him on her own, Ma offers to rescue her own son from his own suicide mission.

It is a risky decision. Dangerous. And just as suicidal.

Vesta was depressed and had unresolved trauma. She has the financial stability that Katniss' mother didn't have, so she can be more functional and take care of Sejanus as much as she can but she can't do more. She can't change anything.

But enough of sad things.

Well. Once before I end to write, bc you know HOW MUCH IT EXCITES ME THAT THE IDEA OF DURING THE FIRST QUARTER QUELL D2 CHOICE A PLINTH RELATED ALSO STAY IN YOUR HEAD??!?!? BECAUSE I CONSIDERED THAT IDEA FOR A FIC ONCE A LONG AGO AND I THINK SO MUCH ABOUT IT EVERY DAY AND MY GOD YOUR TAKES ON THAT. They gave me chills!!!

18 YEARS THE TRIBUTE. They were so close to being free and comes to pursue them the sins of a man they even didnt knew. Painfully perfect <3

If you make a Sejarcus playlist by Mitski, I need for my life that you give it to me and by the way. Can I contribute to the Plinth Family soundtrack with songs by Marina with the incredible song of her called: Rootless?

About the latam AU GOD YES! TIGRIS AND CORYO INTEPRETING THE DIVINAS IN FRONT OF THEIR GRANDMOTHER IS MY NEW FAVORITE THING, I love the uruguayans too, <3, they are great and very kind (at least the ones I have met) SO that Tigris is uruguaya now is canon, AND LUCY GRAY AS COLOMBIAN WAS ANOTHER ONE OF MY CHOICES, LET'S GIVE HER THE PAISAAA ACCENT (although being Venezuelan also fits her so well, and yes please her with Boricua Sejanus cursing usa, is what I need, and that both of them together make Coriolanus Arg change for the better by making fun of him and his vast knowledge in children and adult telenovelas. PD: SOMEONE DONT SHOW HIM TERESA). ITS SO TRUE, the Latin American need to made ur fav of your country (I need Sejanus putting up an altar of the Muertos for Marcus, ah, who said that?) But I had homework to do, sadly, so this one is a short answer about our headcanons and so. Before I leave: 1. ANTES DE QUE NOS OLVIDEN IT IS SO D11 CODED MY DEAR LORD. 2. I wouldn't say that I see this song in a particular character, but since we are talking about mothers and complicated relationships between their children, I leave one of my favorite songs related to the subject in Spanish because I have decided to enter into a crusade against songs in English /j Azul- Natalia Lafourcade

save me plinth family.... plinth family save me... (not, but fr, I would love to hear your thoughts regarding this because it's so sad what the movie did to clemensia, the scenes with the snakes are clearly to make snow seem a much better person, when in the book she was just a kid grieving her classmate who just died :(

HELPPP ngl she's so real for that, I couldn't spend two seconds without talking EVERYTHING i planned for an OC that appears for a single minute kskskslskl but at least it gives us space to a lot of hcs and theories (she's also so real for not telling us anything about or theories or thoughts, she lets the fandom overthink and go insane alone).

mate, let me tell you: your brain!!!! YOUR BRAIN!!!! because I haven't to stop about it before, but OH MY GOD. they're almost like a reverse mirror of each other when you stop to think about it, even with the way they chose to cope with the pain, one being devoted to their kid and the other almost abandoning them completely (and both ending with a dead child.... I'm sick to my stomach)

mrs. everdeen has such a tragic story; ofc she was wrong for leaving katniss to basically raise prim by herself, but it's such a depressing and traumatic situation, I'm not sure what I would do myself in that position because it seems horrifying. now, regarding ma plinth, I think people really underestimate how fucking TRAUMATIC her situation is. she just left her home being despised and then gets into another place being equally despised, if not even more. moving countries (I know the districts are in the same country as panem, but I'm assuming the culture is so different that it has the same impact) is traumatic by itself; it's getting inserted into another culture, another reality, dealing with the change, with the new food and routine and even the water's taste is different, and dealing with violent and constant xenophobia. when you move, you're usually conscious of this, and that's why it's important to have a support network because this is going to be hard. now, ma didn't even want to move in first place, as it seems. she seemed to move to the capitol pretty much against her will. when you go by your free will, it's already hard... imagine being almost forced to do it??? and to this, add to the equation a child, who's going through the same traumatic experience as her, who she's responsible for.

(the scene where she says that baby sejanus tried to comfort her, tried to say that it would be okay, BREAKS MY HEART :((( because ma seems so devoted to him, how disturbed she was to the point HE had to comfort her???? a child had to act like a grown up and tell his own ma that everything was going to be okay???)

((plus, a bit non-related, but when "mama's boy" by dominik fike was a hit on tiktok, I remember a post that really marked me. the person said that there's a big difference between a mommy's boy and a mama's boy, and the difference is that a mama's boy went through very traumatic experiences with their mama and that's why they're so close, it's a bond forged in pain, and that sums pretty much my thoughts regarding sejanus' bond with his ma))

sejanus had two adults in his life: one was his father, the same one that took him away from home, the same one his relationship with is pretty strained. the other one is ma. the same ma that loves him so much, but is as hurt as him, and doesn't seem to be able to fit in the capitol either. no wonder he got close to coriolanus (daddy issues go brrrrrr sejanus, go to therapy, please, you can't replace the guiding role you wish of your father with a guy that's exactly like him, if not even MORE dangerous than him)

YOU!!! ARE!!!! SO!!!! ON!!! POINT!!! and I'm going to be honest, I didn't even had made that connect, I'm flabbergasted because OH MY GOD (not only the bad tast in men being generational, but the depression as well, pls). there's a line strabo says when talking with coriolanus after sejanus' death where he says that now, ma plinth needs something to live for. ma was willing to DIE for her son. because without him, what would she live for? she doesn't have anything else. not friends, not purpose, not even family anymore. it's just her and her boy, her boy and her, the only last living piece from her home. but it works much like a sedative; it makes the pain go away for a awhile, but the problem is still there. it doesn't really solve anything.

(now excuse me, I'm going to cry on a corner, I love ma plinth so much it hurts)

BROOOOOOO IF ONE DAY YOU WANT TO, I WOULD LOVE TO READ A FIC FROM YOU WITH THIS CONCEPT, BECAUSE IT'S. JUST. SO. GOOD!!!!! D2 being a district with a culture known to be proud, and resentful, and they never forgetting this surname because the enemy came from within. then the first quarter quell comes, and they get the chance to get revenge, for their sisters, brothers, daughters, sons who were killed by guns bearing the surname plinth. even if it's not fair, even if it's just symbolic. THE PAIN UGHHHH

ONE DAY I'LL MAKE THAT PLAYLIST, I SWEAR, it's just that mitski has so many songs that are just SO them- i will??? francis forever?? TWO SLOW DANCERS??? and SPECIALLY star. it makes me want to scream cry throw up. literally them.

(also, your best american girl is pretty much snowjanus; your mother wouldn't approve how my mother raised me!!!)

the plinths are already so marina coded, but THEY ARE LITERALLY THIS SONG????? not belonging to anywhere anymore, too district to be capitol, too capitol to be district, not able to get accepted in neither, foreigners to both. NO HOME SWEET AND NO SWEET HOME.

KSKSKSKS tigris even making coryo dress up just to perform in front of their ma (ofc she took a pic of it, and ofc she showed sejanus and lgb when she met them bc tigris keeps this pic on her phone bc of how funny it is 😭) LUCY GRAY HAVING A PAISA ACCENT OMGGGGGG girl would sound even MORE charming than she already does, now I'm thorn but it's just. colombian lucy gray. COLOMBIAN LUCY GRAY!! sejanus and lucy gray would be such a fun duo, both of them #1 enemies of that place (him even more, sejanus growing up and getting even more mad that he can travel to all the states bc his passport has the stupid eagle, but he can't even VOTE, and lucy gray hearing him vent and being "that's so right mate, get their ass" while drinking on her coffee) THEY WOULD MAKE SO MUCH FUN OF HIM probably either bc tigris showed them the pic or bc they caught coriolanus gossiping online with old aunts on facebook under a fake account about this day's chapter. PLSSSS IF HE SAW TERESA IT WOULD GIVE HIM IDEAS, IT'S BETTER LEAVE HIM AWAY FROM IT (non-related, but coriolanus would be such a girly pop regarding the villains in general, he would see a pretty woman getting rid of their niece and be like "so what? at least she looks good doing it! good for her!")

(non-related again, but also, ma during parties putting baby sejanus to sleep on two plastic chairs <33)

bro. BRO. WHYYYYY I'M SO HEARTBROKEN NOW 😭 (even after sejanus is dead, ma keeps putting up an altar to marcus because she knew how important it was for sejanus, and she puts it next to the one she puts to sejanus so they can be close)

good luck with your homework!!! :D

D11 is such an interesting district, these guys are always so important and in the frontline of things, the lyrics fits them so perfectly during both the games (and I wish he could know more about their role on their rebellion, because I'M SO SURE they were so important)!!! PLSSS and I'm with you on that, enough of english-speaking songs ☝️ I LOVE NATALIA LAFOURCADE SM AND I LOVE THAT SONG, I know you said you didn't think about a specific character but all I could think about while listening to it was ma plinth, I'm hearbroken rn omg 😭

[chloeafrazier]

A Blog Post About Toph From Avatar The Last Air bender.

Hey Everyone How are You all doing Today ? so today i will be talking about another Avatar Character this time i will be talking about Toph

and i wanted to talk about her because we First Toph in Book 2 Episode 6 Entitled The Blind Bandit and we learn that her Mother

and Father are way too over protective and they do not allow her to have very much freedom because of this but also they hardly know

anything about there own Daughter because they do not take the time to get to know her like at all and so in order for her to Even have

any kind of freedom what so ever she has no choice but to run away in that same Episode and then in Book 3 we Finally see Toph Break

down over her Mom and dad and about the fact that she ran away she tells Katara about how she feels she says i try not to think about

it but when Left i Probably really hurt them. and she starts to cry it allows us to see Toph be Vulnerable and not always have to be so

strong and brave and all and i think that was a Good thing for us to see because deep down if we think about it through out most of the

show Toph is Just a 12 year old Girl at Heart and i do wish that we could have seen her break a little more and all but what we did get to

see of it was awesome one of the things Toph said that i have always felt sorry for about Toph is in Book 2 Episode 6 is when she is talking

to her Mom and dad before she runs away to help teach Aang and she says Mom dad i know its Hard for you to see me this way but the

Helpless Obedient Little Blind Girl that you think i am Just Is not me I Love Fighting I Love Being an Earth Bender and i am really really

Good at it so i know i have kept my Life secret from you but you were keeping me secret from the whole world you were doing it to protect

me But i am 12 Years Old and I have had a real Friend. and i Just think that that is so sad that she had to run away not just to help teach

Aang but also to have friends because she said that she was 12 years old and she has Never had a real Friend and i think that had to have

been a very Lonely Life to Live for Her i really do and i think that she really felt as if she had not other choice but to run away and i think

that had to have been a very hard thing to do for sure well Thanks for reading have a Great day know that God Loves You always and Forever.

[darsynia]

Just gotta say - I can tell that you are an amazing mom, with how you talk about your kids and how you understand them so well (most parents struggle with this at times), protecting them fiercely. It also seems very clear that Saffron is a beautiful soul who is very much taking after her mother in that regard.

Your children and husband are very lucky to have you.💐

Thank you, that means a great deal. I'd be my effusive bubbly self in thanks but I'm deflated and defeated. I've been sick about it all day, if I'm honest. I finally sent her a message:

I've been bothered by this all day, so I'm going to say this and ask you not to contact me again. Saffron told me about [Son's] mistaken invitation without asking you ahead of time. She then passed on that you said her behavior was too loud and boisterous, and you thought she didn't have the manners to visit or spend time with your family. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt about whether you intended that message to explicitly make it to her or whether [Son] overheard you ranting and passed it along but I would like to be clear: there is no planet on which it's appropriate to say such things in so harsh a manner about a person leading up to their birthday. Whether you chose to resent her happy enthusiasm or asked her to moderate her behavior, please remember that ten is very young. I'm much happier with her behavior than yours.

It's worth noting that a situation that was wildly blown out of proportion earlier this year (which required the school's intervention--I understand that there are zero tolerance policies, but imagine someone said 'I'll always support you' and then the person they said it to said they'd do something violent, and those two statements were combined to imply complicity. It's a situation similar to this but this is a construct for illustration purposes) also stemmed from this family.

I'm just... I can't take this back for her. I can't change it. She feels very deeply, and an ADULT has treated her like this. It'll cloud her birthday, and I'm utterly helpless except to lash out in this small way against that person's mother. I've been in contact with 3 sets of parents over the past 6 months. This lady, the one who used to be my friend who's teaching her daughter to preachscream at her Jewish friends, and one of those Jewish friend's mothers, who if she knew I am bisexual would disallow her to spend time with my daughter, and has grounded her child for having trans friends.

I LIVE IN A PROGRESSIVE AREA BTW.

I'm just so tired. I have my problems as a mother but holy fuck.

edit: by the way Saffron has NO idea I'm this upset. I'm hiding it from her besides telling her I think that was a terrible way for someone's parent to act, and to please not take it personally. If she knew I was this upset she'd internalize it and I'm mature enough to realize that unlike some parents I guess!

[felilly]

the mark(s).

pairing: leeknow x reader | best friend to lovers au, childhoodfriend!leeknow, neighbor!leeknow, nerd!leeknow

word count: 2.488 words

tw: nsfw content — humiliation, marking, thigh riding, pet names, breast playing, vaginal sex, unprotected sex (pls play safe dont do it), a lot of praising.

note: english is not my first language, this story might have some grammar errors.

"Argh I can't do it anymore!" you slam your head to the table and throw away the pen you held before. It's been 2 hours since you asked Minho to jump to your room from his window bedroom because you just remembered you have a quiz tomorrow. You're suck at math, hopeless even. So you decided to wake your childhood friend who is also your neighbor Minho to come teach you math.

Ruffling his hair, Minho threw his head to the sofa "I should be the one saying that! It's been 2 hours and you can't even solve 5 questions with the same formula. What the heck y/n!" Minho takes off his glasses, massages his knitted brows while you lay your head on the table with your hair covering your face.

"But it's so boring and you can't expect me to remember the whole formulas when I have no fun trying to learn it" You finally lift your head and now place it on the sofa. Minho is sitting on the sofa while you're on the floor, so your head is now positioned beside his thigh. You turn your head towards his direction and stare at his exposed thigh. It still surprises you whenever you see his thigh, because how can your nerd childhood friend have this thick and toned sexy thigh when all he does is study in his bedroom every night?

"So you're blaming me because my teaching method is boring?" Minho asked, surprising you from your thoughts and making you lift your head to meet his eyes.

"Yes"

"And you're saying you can learn easily if you have fun?"

"Correct"

"Then let's have some fun."

He straightens his back and pulls you into his lap from the back, resting his hands on your hips. "Minho what the fuck? P-put me down!" You squirm trying to get back to your spot before, but Minho's grip on your waist is too strong. He pulls you closer, making your back fall on his chest, then puts his lips close to your ear and whispers "I'm gonna give you a point for each correct answer and you can exchange every 10 marks for a special prize." Then proceed to nip your ear gently. You whine and suddenly feel weak as you questioned "a-and if I got it wrong.. W-what will you do?" You whimper as his one hand slowly travels from your hip to your inner thigh.

"If you got it wrong.." Minho gives it a gentle squeeze then suddenly, he slaps your ass with another hand harshly. You let out a surprised moan, almost screaming, but immediately put your hands together on your mouth to muffle your voice. "I will give you punishment for each wrong answer" You swear you could feel him smirking from his tone when he's answering you, and ofcourse you have to curse him inside your head for that.

"Now, now, kitten. How could you answer those questions without holding your pen?" Minho gently removes both your hands from your mouth and gives you the pen you threw earlier. "Oh and I hope you can lower your voice. Don't forget your parents are sleeping downstairs" He tells you while pushing your upper body towards the coffee table gently where your books and notes are scattered.

Here you are now, sitting on Minho's lap with your upper body on the coffee table not so far while doing some math problems, trying to get the correct answer. Not so comfortable.

You couldn't get the first three questions correct, so Minho makes you arch your back a little to make your ass lift up a bit and smack it three times. You feel aroused by the pain on your ass and the way he made you arch your back, making your clit rub against his bare thigh, but you try your best to concentrate and finish this humiliating study session asap.

After eight more slaps on your ass and another 55 minutes, you finally solved 10 math problems correctly. Your panties are drenched, your forehead is sweating, now you lay down your head and upper body helpless on the table. The sight Minho sees of you sitting on his laps with noticeable wet panties, messy hair, and sweat making his dick hardening. He smirks and then slowly lifts your upper body back on his chest.

"Good girl, you did very amazing y/n. I hope you remember everything I taught and do well tomorrow" Minho says gently while patting your head and parting the sticking hair on your forehead, tucking it behind your ear. "Now for your reward.." He slips down your spaghetti strap tank top, moves your hair into one side and you can feel his lips touching your skin.

"10 points for 10 correct answers."

Suddenly, Minho slammed his lips on your right neck and sucked it hard. You screamed because of the sudden contact and quickly put your hands on your mouth again to stop your own voice. Your scream slowly becomes a whimper, then a moan as Minho's hands travel your body everywhere and pull your top down to your stomach, exposing your bare chest.

Suddenly you hear a knock on your door.

"Y/n is everything okay?" Both you and Minho freeze when you hear your mother's voice calling you from the other side of the door. "I heard you scream. Did something happen?" You are slightly panicking because you don't want your mother to open the door only to see her daughter sitting on her childhood friend's lap with naked top.

Minho takes a look at your face and smirks "Go on, answer your mother before she comes in." He whispers in your ears

"Because I won't stop." He attacks your shoulder with another bite and sucks it. You hold another muffled moan and try to collect your voice "Y-yeah I'm okay. Just.. a-ah a little bit frustrated from studying!" You lied, trying your best to sound as normal as possible while Minho's hand kneading your left breast.

"Okay don't stay up too late." You heard your mom reply and walked away from your room.

Just when you're about to let out a sigh of relief, Minho abruptly pinches your nipple and gives you the third mark under your jaw. You gasp and unconsciously rock your hips against his thigh, making him clenches his thigh and help you rocking your hips. "Fuck.. Kitten you're drenching all over my thigh.." Minho growls, as a wet spot of your slick makes his thigh soaked. You moan as you feel your clit is satisfied by the contact with his thick thigh.

"Mi-Minho.. Ah- shit… Minho-" You whimper when he places the 4th mark on the back of your neck, paints it purple while kneading your breast and moving your hips with the other hand. "Shush.. Be a good girl and wait patiently for your prize. I haven't finished putting the remaining mark on you" Minho whispers as he slips his hands off your breast to your other hip. Your mind is clouded. All you could do now is only nod and moan louder as he picks up pace a bit more.

Your muffled moan and soaked pussy turn him on even more. He pulls your body even closer to his and leaves two more marks on your back. You could feel his boner on your ass and you automatically grind on that. "F-fuck" Minho hiss at the sensation. He flipped your body so now you are sitting on his lap facing him. He lost it when he see your erotic expression breathing hard, covering in sweat, with hickeys all over your neck. Without warning, he uses one hand to grab your ass harshly, pulling you closer and connecting his lips to yours. His kiss is like heaven, you feel like your head is light when he sucks on your lower lips and inserts his tongue to explore your mouth. His tongue teases yours before swirling it together and pushes inside your mouth even deeper.

You pull apart when you're out of breath, creating a saliva string between you two. But Minho didn't give you time to process and immediately put his lips on your collarbone to leave the 7th mark. He trailed a kiss from your collarbone to your nipple and sucked it like a baby. You throw your head back because of the sensation and run your fingers on his soft locks. Minho sucks the skin on each of your side boobs and leaves 2 other marks then back to swirl his tongue on your other nipple. With his mouth sucking your niple, one hand groping your ass and the other kneading your breast, you feel overwhelmed and grip his hair even tighter.

"M-Minho.. Please..!" You whine with teary eyes and grind your clit on his hard on. He growls when your pussy grinds his boner and your pretty voice begging for him. He puts his last mark on your throat, sucking it harshly. His mouth and hands slip off you and push you away to take a better look at your body.

You have purple marks all over your body. He places it on your neck, throat, shoulders, back, under your jaw, collarbone, and breast. It's everywhere. He admires you like you're one of his canvas filled with his artwork. He pulls you back closer to his body, his erection brushed against your clothed pussy as he kissed you again. His hands squeezed your ass, earning a whimper from you. He barely gave you a chance to breathe.

He carries you to your bed with lips still connecting to yours then puts you gently on the bed, his body hovering over you. "My pretty kitten has been a really good girl.. I think it's time to reward her now, right?" Minho whispers sensually next to your ear, his one hand dangerously close to your throbbing pussy. You nod and moan louder when he slides a finger to draw a line on your wet slick. "Yes… F-ahh.. fuckㅡ Yes Minho p-please.." You moan, lingering your hands around his neck to pull him closer.

"Tell me what you want princess and that will be your prize for being such a good girl today." Minho praises you while traveling a kiss from your ear to your neck.

"Y-you.. I want you Minho" you whine softly, pressing his head on your neck to feel him harder.

Minho chuckled darkly "But dont you already have me here? Tell me what you want me to do." He rolled his tongue on your nipple making you arch your back.

"I.. Ahㅡ I want you to f-fuck me! P-please.. Bury your dick deep inside me and make me feel good..!" You moan and look at him with teary eyes full of lust. At that moment, something inside him snapped.

His hands pulled your pajama shorts and panties in one move, he threw the fabric carelessly, revealing your wet glistening pussy. Minho groans at the sight, he then runs a hand on your thigh while sucking on your thigh skin. He peels off his t-shirt and shorts, throws it somewhere in your room, revealing his toned body and his hard on dick leaked with precum and angry red tip. Your face turns red when you see what he's been hiding all this time behind his nerdy look. He can't help but chuckle at your cute expression. He positioned himself back to you. His chest pressed against yours as he pushed you down on the mattress.

Minho gave you a peck on your lips before positioning his dick on your entrance. "You ready?" he asked. You put your arms back around his neck again and nod, whimpering a small yes. He slowly enters your throbbing pussy as you clench at his size, earning a growl from him. "Y/n.. S-stop clenching- fuck.." Minho tries to push even deeper, searching for your deepest part. "S-shit sorry.. I ahㅡ I can't, y-you're too.. big…" You can't help but dig your nails on his back, leaving some crescent moon that will not fade till tomorrow. You can feel his dick fill you perfectly. He lets you adjust him for a moment before pulling his dick out slightly before pushing in again. You moan his name like a prayer, pulling his body closer till there is not even a tiny space left between you two. His thrust becomes even harder, Minho's hand sneaks to your hips, holding them in a bruising grip as he pin you down and pound you hard on his dick, his hips move faster to ram your tiny hole with incredible speed.

"M-Minho!" you gasped "F-feels good.. ah fuck-!"

You moan when his thumb comes in contact with your clit, gently rubbing the sensitive button. Pleasure built in you like you're in euphoria. He fucked you like you're the most precious, beautiful, ethereal person in this world. With his last thrust, you cried out his name, burying your face in his neck as your orgasm hit you like a brick wall, making your whole body shaking in pleasure. Your pussy clamped down around Minho's dick, you let your juice flow out around him with every pulse of pleasure that slammed into you.

"Fuck.. So good baby, you feel so good for me" Minho grunted, thrusting up into you a few more times before he found his own release, moaning your name as his cum shot up into you and filled you inside.

He plopped down his body on you, dick still connecting with you slowly softening. He lifts his body a bit and brushes some hair sticking on your face. Minho patted your head a few times until he saw you breathing more calmly, then pulled his dick out slowly making you flinch because of the overstimulation.

"Never thought I could finally fuck my childhood crush." Minho said, making you look at him. "Wait, you had a crush on me?" You asked him, can't believe what you just heard. "Still do. I would refuse you for ruining my beauty sleep if I didn't"

You give him an unbelievable look, then smile and close the distance between you two and kiss him on the lips. "Idiot. You should have tell me sooner so we could fuck sooner too." You giggle.

Minho looks at you and blink his eyes a few times, confused. He then chuckled and patted your head "Oh well, we're a couple now. We can fuck anytime you want." He said hugging you tight.

"You did great today, I hope you still remember the things I taught you after I fucked your brain out" Minho smirks while playing with your hair.

You punch him playfully "Thanks for today, asshole" You mumble, hiding your happy smile.

"Thanks for the lesson? Or thanks for the good fuck?" He teases you, making you push his body off you and fall from the bed.

"You're so annoying!"

[angelicallylori]

just finished watching "the virgin suicides" the movie made me think about a lot of things. i related to almost everything, literally its like i was watching my life but from another perspective. Saw my mom in the girls mom, twins literally, an overprotective mom who thinks she's doing the best for her daughters, but she's actually killing them, i dont think she hated them, i actually think she loved them but she failed on protecting them, she was abusive and toxic, maybe she cared about religion a little too much as well, she thought she was giving them the love and the attention they needed, but you cant really teach someone how to be happy, or force them to enjoy the life you chose for them, not even a life a prison. i find it quite upsetting that most strict parents think they know what their kids want better then the kids themselves.I think it was also mainly cuz theyre girls, obviously and clearly.

The father on the other hand, couldnt stop his wife from killing her kids, he just watched, maybe he was clueless and helpless just as much as the girls. and everybody else who tried to help them.

The mom was selfish for keeping her daughters only to herself. also the fact that cecillia killed herself, and the mother still hasnt aknowledge her fault is even more upsetting.

finally i loved the movie, it made me think about things and i just wanted to talk about it.

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Howlin’ For You – Drabble

I’ve had this idea stuck in my head for months now and decided to just finally give in a write it. 

Some protective Biker!Dad!Bucky and a wee bit of Amelia

Bucky and Amelia were driving back from school.

By some miracle, Bucky knew enough not to pick her up on his motorcycle. He learned the hard way that that his daughter was starting to find it embarrassing. There once was a time – when she was still a kid and not a teenager – that Amelia thought it was cool that her dad drove a motorcycle.

Now she was embarrassed by it. The comments about how hot her dad was didn’t go unnoticed by Amelia and made her want to throw up. She also just hated unwarranted attention of any kind.

Bucky had been asking Amelia about her day when his cell started ringing.

“It’s mom,” Amelia said, seeing the screen before him.

He picked it up right away. “Hey, doll.”

“Are you guys too close to home? I realized I forgot a couple of things for dinner. Would you mind stopping by the store for me real quick?”

“Yep. Just text me what you need. Me and Amelia will grab it.”

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” Y/N answered before hanging up.

“Mom forget to buy ingredients again?” Amelia smirked.

“Yep,” Bucky chuckled. “Mind running in and grabbing it if I give you my card?”

She nodded. 

A few minutes later, they were pulling into the parking lot of Whole Foods.

Amelia jumped out.

“Hey,” Bucky grabbed her attention before she could run in. She paused. “Buy some flowers for your ma, too.”

She rolled her eyes. “What kind?”

“The prettiest ones,” Bucky told her with a chuckle.

Amelia scoffed, “That’s helpful…”

She pretended to be grossed out and annoyed by her parent’s loving marriage and partnership. But she also saw how different it was from her friends’ parents, who all seemed to hate each other.

Bucky watched his daughter walk towards the entrance.

But his attention quickly averted to the group of young men that were loitering just outside the entrance. All of their gazes were fixed on Amelia, ogling her body up and down.  

If his window hadn’t been down, Bucky might’ve missed the disgusting catcalling that was aimed at his daughter.

His grip immediately tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles going white.

If Amelia had heard it, she pretended not to and continued on walking.

Bucky wondered when she learned the womanly skill of ignoring the disgusting behavior of men. 

He hated that she had to. He also hated that she was only 15 and men were already targeting her as if she was a grown woman. They had to be in their early 20s, which only infuriated Bucky even further.

‘Breathe, Bucky. Just breathe.’ That’s what Y/N would tell him if she were here right now. She’d try to calm him down and prevent him from doing anything rash.

But she wasn’t here and Bucky’s anger was getting the best of him.

Before he could change his mind, Bucky shoved his car door open and slammed it shut behind him.

His walk alone was murderous. And it caught the attention of one of the guys. He hit his friends’ chests and nodded toward Bucky, grabbing everyone else’s attention.

“Hey! What did you just say to her?” Bucky asked.

He’d give them a chance to look guilty for their actions, to immediately realize that what they’d just done was wrong.

But they weren’t that smart.

However, they did seem to know what he was talking about and started laughing amongst themselves.

“Why don’t you fuck off, old man?” One of them muttered without looking Bucky in the eye and turned his back on him, bringing his attention back to his friends who were laughing again.

It only made Bucky’s anger worse.

Alright. He’d tried it Y/N’s way. And that didn’t work.

Now it was his way.

Bucky grabbed the one who had talked back to him and slammed him against the car they were all standing near.

“Hey! Hey! Whoa, man! Chill the fuck out!” One of the friends panicked.

They weren’t so tough now, realizing that even though they were outnumbered, this stranger was taller and stronger than they were. It probably didn’t ease their panic that they saw a knife attached to the back of his waist on his jeans. 

“How old do you think that girl was?” Bucky hissed, his grip on the shirt tightening.  

His voice and tone were disturbingly relaxed. Through his military training and being around too many alpha males, Bucky learned that the man with the most control and composure always came out on top.

“I-I-I don’t know, man! 21?” The guy stuttered, eyes wide with fear.

Bucky slammed against the car again. “She’s 15 years old.”

“How was I supposed–”

“It doesn’t matter how old she is,” Bucky snapped. “No girl or woman wants to be catcalled. Do you understand me?”

The guy just stared up at Bucky, hoping that he wasn’t going to get hurt.

“I said, do you understand me?” Bucky repeated, annoyance evident in his voice.

The guy nodded his head quickly, realizing that showing his understanding was the only way he was going to survive this interaction unscathed.

Bucky released him roughly and then turned to acknowledge the boy’s friends.

“You idiots ever heard of the Howling Commandos?”

They all looked at each other and gave one another a reluctant nod. 

Everyone in the area had heard of the biker gang in some way or another. Some people knew they existed and others were convinced they were just an urban legend.

“If I or any one of them ever see you talk to another woman that way again, I think you can imagine what’ll be in store for you.” Bucky tilted his head and raises his eyebrows, offering them the chance to make the mistake of asking him to elaborate. 

With that, he slowly walked back to his car.

As soon as his back was turned to the guys, they all scrambled to get into their car and make a run for it.

A few minutes later, Amelia was practically skipping back to the car.

“I got mom a bouquet of Dahlias. I feel like their weird and creepy, so she’ll like them.”

Bucky chuckled. “Good choice.” He was trying his best to act like nothing happened. 

He knew how much Amelia got freaked out when Bucky turned all biker on the world. 

If Amelia noticed her dad acting more tense, she didn’t comment on it.

But Y/N, however, wasn’t one to let things go unacknowledged.

When Y/N and Bucky were finally alone in their bed at the end of the night, she asked him what was going on.

Bucky reluctantly told her about his little altercation.

“Should I talk to Amelia?” He asked her.

Y/N sighed. “It’s not about talking to Amelia or teaching her anything. It’s about making the world a safer place for her. And you know how you do that?” She asked him gently with an encouraging smile.

“Huh?”

“By raising boys to know better. And I think we did a pretty good job with the twins, don’t you think?”

Bucky shrugged. “If I ever heard the boys say those things to a woman…” he got angry just thinking about it.

“They would never, Bucky. You know that.” Y/N defended.

He knew Y/N was right. But he was grumpy and pissed off, quite frankly. Owen and Grayson were just two young men out of millions. It didn’t really feel like much of an impact to Bucky. It was other people’s sons that he was worried about – not his own.

A moment of silence passed between them.

“You feel helpless, right? Like you can’t control what other people do?” Y/N asked.

Bucky nodded, realizing that’s exactly how he felt.

“What you are experiencing is minuscule to what every woman feels like every day of her life.”

Bucky blinked as he processed what she meant. “I’m sorry, doll.”

She chuckled and laid her head on her husband’s chest. “You don’t have to be sorry, Buck. Plus, ‘sorry’ isn’t going to stop other men from being misogynistic assholes.”

He brushed her hair out of her face and off her neck. His hand then moving to rub her back. 

In minutes, she was fast asleep.

But Bucky couldn’t find rest so easily. All the women in his life taught him different things about the way the world saw and treated women. He just never expected his daughter to be the one to teach him another lesson.

---------

I missed writing for Howlin’ For You, so there ya go. 

[spencers-dria]

Lost at Sea

Single Dad Spencer x fem reader

Summary: This is kind of a little Christmas-adjacent fluff peice where Spencer is a single dad, completely clueless while Christmas shopping for his daughter. Reader sees him struggling and decides to help, completely unaware of where it will lead them. I imagined him sometime after the show ended, kinda with his somewhat longer curly hair and glasses. This story is completely fluff and I make no apologies.

Well, that was about the third loud huff from the man standing down the isle from me. This one was so loud it blew his hair around a bit, making it even messier. I try to focus on the task at hand, finding the perfect gift for my best friend’s little girl.

Diana was the closest thing I had to a daughter of my own. Despite Anne’s protesting, I took every opportunity to spoil her daughter rotten. The adorable and precocious little girl had me absolutely wrapped around her finger. I have to fight the urge to buy everything I thought would put a smile on her face, my favorite sight in the world.

But now, I was repeatedly distracted by the clearly frustrated man standing next to me, eyeing the girls toy section like it was an enigma. I decide to approach him, but he’s still to lost in his thoughts to notice.

I clear my throat while giving him a light tap on the shoulder.

“Can I help you with anything?”

“Oh I didn’t realized you worked here.”

“I don’t.” I smile sweetly at him. “You just look like you’re trying to solve the worlds most challenging puzzle over here.”

He meets my eyes with a sheepish smile, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. I try my best to ignore just how attractive this man is. He’s definitely not available.

“I guess in a way I am. I’m trying to buy a Christmas gift for my daughter. It’s safe to say that I know absolutely nothing about girls. I want it to be absolutely perfect, and I just know whatever I get won’t be half of what she deserves.”

“Well I can help with that. How old is she and what does she like?”

He pushes his glasses up his nose, giving me a moment to ogle just how attractive his hands are.

“Her name is Alice, she’s 5. I know she loves Disney princesses. Ariel is her favorite I think... but even once I narrow it down to that, there is still just so much. Who knew shopping for little girls could be so overwhelming.”

I can’t help but giggle a bit at his helplessness. He starts to laugh along with me.

“I’m Spencer by the way.” I see him hesitate a moment before slowly extending a hand. I look at his extended hand with a slight feeling of guilt, knowing he’ll most likely judge me based on my response.

“Oh I’m sorry I hope you don’t think I’m rude but... I don’t really shake hands. It’s not personal it’s just all the germs. I don’t deal so well with them.”

He lets out a soft chuckle, but I can’t imagine why. Is he actually laughing at me? Seems a bit rude.

“You know I used to be the exact same way. I suppose having a kid has changed me more than I realize sometimes.”

I nod, quietly, knowing I can’t really relate.

“I’m sorry you’re probably really busy. Are you shopping for your daughter too?”

Unsure as to the reason why, I’m suddenly embarrassed to admit that I’m not actually a parent. Just a single loner in their mid-thirties, living vicariously through their best friend and their.

“Oh no, just a friend. I’m more than happy to help you out with Alice. If you want my best ideas though, I’ve got to be honest, a lot of it is online. I can show you the links real quick, I’d you’d like?”

“I feel like this would be easier if we just... Would you like to grab coffee? I know a great place just around the corner. You can show me all your ideas and hopefully we can pick out something for her together.”

Up until this point I didn’t want to make assumptions, but it’s becoming more clear that Spencer is most likely a single dad. I don’t want pry, but I can’t help but wonder what happened to her mom.

I try to hide my excitement at his offer.

“You had me at coffee. And I almost forgot, I’m Y/N!”

————————————————

Three hours and several cups of coffee later, I knew a small part of the life story belonging to Spencer Reid. He was an FBI agent, part of a team who hunts down serial killers. A profiler. Or former profiler? He used to work in the field, until he had to raise his daughter alone. He had been fallen hard and fast for someone who left him as soon as another opportunity, or person rather, had presented themselves. They left him a single dad, all alone with his 2 year old daughter, Alice.

Being a single parent, he knew he couldn’t continue a job that put him in harms way on a regular basis. He never had a problem putting his life on the line for others, but Alice had become his number one priority, without question. Switching to a desk job had allowed him to continue as a consult for the team while also teaching at the University.

As I looked over his attire, I couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t quite give off professor vibes at first glance. His cozy maroon sweater and glasses, perhaps. But his curly mop of disheveled hair and goofy grin made him look more like a cuddly muppet character. The more I listen to him talk the more I notice his intelligence. I should have known, given his professions. It didn’t take long to realize he was well out of my league, but he was kind enough to give me the time of day for whatever reason.

I keep drowining in his eyes or getting pulled in by the movement of his hands as he speaks. Listening to his voice is like gently floating down like a river. I don’t even notice when he’s stopped talking.

“What about you?”

“Hmm?” I pull myself out of my daze, trying not to look as enchanted by him as I feel.

“Oh uhh, nothing to tell really.” I shrug, picking up my coffe, hoping he’ll change the subject while I sip on my caramel latte.

“I find that hard to believe. What do you do?”

“I just run a small cafe in town.”

I feel as though hearing about my life is about as interesting as watching water boil, but Spencer could have fooled me. He looks genuinely invested as I tell him about how I earned my bachelors and masters in business management, eventually opening up The Cottage. I didn’t have any experience in the food industry, but my friend Nicole had immediately been on board with the idea of coming on as my cook.

“It sounds wonderful. I’ll definitely have to stop by sometime.” He smiles at me before sipping on the last of his second cup of coffee.

“You’re welcome to bring Alice, only if you want to. And Nicole makes a killer risotto!”

“Of course! ...Oh! I knew we were forgetting something. Alice!”

“The entire reason you asked me here, just a minor detail.” I can’t help but snicker at our absent mindedness, how easy it was to be completely swept away in the tide that was Spencer Reid.

His face fades a bit, though I’m not sure why. He simply nods, folding his hands in his lap.

“Sorry if this is weird but umm... can I see a picture of her? It’s just, well, it might help me to get a better idea. You don’t have to, if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“Oh yeah!”He pulls out his wallet, unfolding a long strand of small photos, most of just his daughter, a few featuring him as well.

She was beautiful, brown eyed girl with soft, brown locks. She clearly had her fathers curly hair and soft, doe eyes. If it wasn’t obvious from the way he spoke about her, the pictures made it incredibly apparent that this girl was his whole world. Pure joy radiated from the photo of the two of them. I look up to to see the exact same look on his face, with a smile so big that his eyes crinkle.

That is the moment I knew he had me. I would follow this man anywhere, this adorable dad I had met on the toy isle only hours ago. The photos made it evident that she was just as crazy about him. It was almost too adorable for my heart to handle.

I take a deep breath before meeting his gaze, which is much closer now as we lean in over the table to look at the pictures.

“She’s beautiful.”

He looks down at the photos again with glassy eyes. “I know.”

He clears his throat and scoots back into his seat.

“So what did you have in mind?”

“Well, I have seen this online story that makes really pretty hand-made dresses that mimic the ones of each Disney Princess. Maybe a couple of her favorites? They also make knit blankets that look like mermaid tales. Or maybe a stuffed animal of one of her favorite characters? What little kid doesn’t like stuffed animals, right?”

Spencer nods along, absorbing all the suggestions I throw his way. After awhile, I help him settle on ordering a few we both like.

“I can’t wait to give these to her! She always loves Christmas morning. We open presents together and eat the cookies we made the night before while binging as many Christmas movies as possible.”

There was that smile again, the one he got when he talked about her. I wonder if she knows how lucky she is to have a dad that cares so much.

I can’t help but smile as well at the thought, which he quickly interrupted with “So what are your Christmas plans?”

I feel myself turning slightly red at the embarrassment of having to admit that I have none. Nothing much that is.

I shrug, hoping he won’t ask any more about it.

“Do you get to see your family?”

And there it was. The question I was desperately hoping to avoid. I know my inability to meet his gaze and consistent pulling at my fingers would be a dead give away of my uncertainty about speaking on the subject. I search for the best way to answer without seeming like I’m overcome with self pity. To be fair, I wasn’t. I didn’t mind spending the holidays alone. Not anymore. I had grown comfortable with the silence and comfort that comes from living alone.

The soft crackling of the fire, a fuzzy blanket, and a warm cup of hot chocolate had become my closest companions of each winter season. I spent many evenings curled up by the window, watching the snow dust the city as soft music flowed through my drafty, top floor apartment. Sometimes I’d dance and twirl around in my pajamas and socks, slipping and sliding on the wood floors. So yes, it was safe to say I truly enjoyed the time I spent getting to know myself.

“I uh, they’re not really around anymore. I was adopted by my parents when I was still a baby. They didn’t have any family but each other and then, well, me. I lost them to a car crash a few years back.”

I can tell he’s listening, but the one thing I always expect to see isn’t there. Pity. Instead I see kindness and understanding, and my heart welcomes it fully.

“Nicole is on vacation with her family for the holidays so it’s just me. I’m pretty used to it though, I make my own fun.” I give him smile to reinforce my point.

His eyes glaze over and I can tell I’ve lost him to a deep thought, as I see the gears turning in his head. He opens his mouth to speak before closing it again, and finally spouting out: “Come have dinner with us. On Christmas Eve.”

I had half expected a pity invite. A “why don’t you”. A “would you like to”. But Spencer hadn’t asked me. He had told me, in a way that left no room for arguing. I could tell he wasn’t going to budge on the matter. Whether it was the insistent but kind tone or the seriousness in his eyes, I don’t know. But I knew there was no use in fighting it. Not just the invitation, but the feelings quickly flooding my heart. Spencer Reid was like a fast approaching storm, but I didn’t want to outrun the rain. I wanted to dance in it, drenched in the downpour.

And that’s exactly what I did. As soon as I saw the look on his face when I said yes, it crashed over me like a wave, leaving me breathless and lost in the sea of my emotions.

[tayaminaka]

Can I ask for the sacrificed s/o for daughter scenario for Ranpo, Yosano?, Tanizaki, Akutagawa, Edgar and Fyodor. You can get rid of Fyodor if the list is too long

"S/O and her Daughter were Kidnapped and S/O sacrifices herself." with Ranpo Edogawa,Yosano Akiko,Junichiro Tanizaki,Akutagawa Ryūnosuke,Edgard Allan Poe and Fyodor Dostoyevsky [Part Two]

Ranpo Edogawa

When he saw your cold body on the floor, his hands formed into fists

He was too late and that angered him

His mind is empty and full at the same time

The first days he won’t go anywhere. Simply sitting in his room, not talking to anybody until after around five day’s Fukuzawa confronts him with it

That day he had an actually mental breakdown. Yelling at Fukuzawa until tears of anger and sadness are streaming down his face

After that day he actually got better and could take care of your daughter again (Yosano helps him with it even if he says he could do it himself)

Now the Armed Detective Agency would have two little sweet tooth’s

She would sit beside him, mostly eating some candy or simply try to help everybody in the office

As a goodnight story he would mostly tell her about some cases he solved or something about you

They usually don’t speak about you or what happened. It isn’t a forbidden topic but still not really welcomed

Because it usually reminds him that he had failed

They would also go togheter to work and some sweet shops .Though she mostly brings him to them

After all she has still something from you

„Papa this is the wrong direction. We need to go left and not right.” said she as she pulled on his sleeve

He would raise her to the next great detective

When she gets old enough she would go with him to some murder scenes and they would mostly have a competition who’s gonna catch the murder first

The Armed Detective Agency would be like a second family to her

Because everybody takes care of her. Even if she gets older they would still take care of her

When she’s old enough they both would go to the cemetery

She would simply sit in front of your grave and talk to you what happened and that she misses you

Yosano Akiko

Hot tears streamed down her face as she grabbed the one who killed you by his colar with a crazy smile and turned on her chainsaw

She’s gonna use her ability over and over again on your kidnappers

First she would let them scream in agony and then simply heal them only to start over again with her torture

Until someone from the Armed Detective Agency finally stops her

After your dead she will be full with sorrow and anger

But who wouldn’t ?

Everything was perfect and beautiful until those people came

But after some time sorrow will wanish and acceptance will come

Of course she won’t forget you and the sorrow and hate will still be in her heart

But she will try to go on. For you and your daughter

She would make your daughter a cute but at the same time elegant nurse costume

Make a little bag for her and put a little first-aid-kit in it for any case

She will bring her to work and make her, her little assistant

Your daughter would mostly go around the whole office and ask everyone if they are hurt or need help

Ooh you should see her face when she saw Dazai with his bandages

She imidiatly ran to her mama because she thought that he might die

She mostly will treat little injuries like paper cuts or bruises

„Aah Tanizaki-kun, you should be more careful so that you don’t cut yourself again.” said your little daughter as she put a cute band aid on his hurted finger

Even if she gets older she would still be her little assistant and work in the infirmary with her (still with a little nurse outfit only more mature)

Sometime both would sit in the kitchen togheter behind a cup of tea, looking at some old photos of you two

Of course it’s painful for her but your daughter needs to know about those memories

God forbid that somebody hurts her daughter

Because the person will experience her extra "good" treatment

Junichiro Tanizaki

God may have mercy with those who kidnapped and killed you because he won’t

After he discovers your dead he’s in pure rage

Did you see what happened with Higuchi when she hurted Naomi?

He’s gonna make the exact same thing with your killers but much worse...without any mercy

The whole Armed Detective Agency will see him in a whole new light

After that you won’t see a smile on his face a long time

But after some time for himself and a talk with Naomi he would get a little better

Naomi would always help him raising your daughter

And of course putting her in lots of cute dresses

„Uhm...What are you doing?” asked Atsushi your ten year old daughter who was sitting under his table

„Playing hide and seek with auntie Naomi. Now put that chair back or she will find me.” whispered she and pulled the chair back to it’s place

It wouldn’t be a secret for your daughter that Naomi isn’t her real mother

But she would still love her, even if she isn’t her mom

Even if she gets older he would be still a little overprotective and he won’t hesitate to protect her with his life

Mostly after long walks togheter he would give her a piggyback ride to the dorm, like he once did it with you

If she feels sad because she misses you to much he’s gonna try to comfort her.

He would hug her, pet her head and simply give her a chance to let it all out

But he knows that all this is only a small consolation for her

Akutagawa Ryūnosuke

When he found your daughter crying over your corpse he snapped

In less than five minutes everything and everyone was dead and destroyed

Only the quite sobs from you daughter were heard in the distance as he slowly went away with her

Now that everything is over he would mostly become colder and sometimes even aggressive towards everything

Even if Gin try’s to talk to him he would simply brush her off, saying harshly that everything is fine

But don’t trust it

On the inside he’s really disappointed and sad about everything that happened. Sometimes even hating himself for his weakness

If he needs to do more work Gin will mostly help him out in her free time by babysitting your daughter

She would also teach her some self-defence, maybe even some tricks with a knife so that she’s not completely helpless

But when she’s busy too, he will go to Higuchi

She would mostly take her without any doubts and with the most happy expression ever (because her senpai is trusting her)

If your daughter is old enough and ask her nicely, she would secretly even teach her how to handle a gun

His expression would always be serious and cold but your daughter sees trought it and smiles everything he praises her or give her something

On some free days they both would go to the cemetery

Not for a long time, but long enough so that you daughter can speak a little with you and lay fresh flowers on your grave

He isn’t good with words so mostly when your daughter is crying he would get on his knee and simply let her hug him

He would mostly hug her back a little and sometimes,rarely but sometimes pet her head

That usually helps her to calm down and organize herself a little

„Don’t cry...” he said as he pulled your daughter a little more to him so that she could bury her face in his coat.

Edgar Allan Poe

Oooh how much anger and sadness shot trough his body

He couldn’t believe you were dead

Everything was like a awful nightmare and he just wanted to wake up

But you can’t wake up from reality

The first weeks he was depressed, laying in your once shared bed, hoping that maybe you would come back

He will lose his fully inspiration in writing books until one day he saw your daughters drawing where he was writing

After that he would pull himself together and soon everything would be a little normal again

After that accident Karl would be your daughters faithful companion

Everytime she would go somewhere on her own ,he would simply sit on her shoulders

When she can’t sleep or has nightmares Karl would lay right beside her so that she could cuddle with him

It usually helps her to fall asleep in such nights

But when even that doesn’t help she would take Karl and go to Poe to sleep in his bed

„Good Night, Papa...” she whispered as she nuzzle up to him a little more, holding Karl in her arms.

„Good Night...” he answered, wrapping a arm around her after he pulled th blanket a little up so that she doesn’t freeze.

He would also write books for her with the best memories you two ever had

So that your daughter can experience the most beautiful memories by herself

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Well when he found out about your dead the fate of the kidnapping was sealed

With the most serious and cold expression he ordered Nikolai to get rid of them and bring his little daughter to him

He would be a little like Akutagawa. On the outside there would be simply nothing but on the inside something in him would ache for days

When the right time has come he would introduce her properly to the members

Ivan would always call her little master. He would take care of her, protect her and make her her favourite delicious tea

Sigma would mostly babysit her and be her little friend. Even if she gets older he would be still her friend and sometimes even a brother figure

Well Nikolai would always call her either little Dos-kun or little mouse. He would aways raise her mood with his magic tricks though he sometimes overdo it...

„Papa, Papa uncle Nikolai’s head fell off.” she yelled running towards him with tears in her eyes. In the distance you could see Nikolai’s head laying on the floor with an innocent look like nothing happened

Sometimes when she has trouble with sleeping he would put her on his lap so that she can sleep in his arms while he's "working"

Nobody would know about her existence again. In every date about her would stand "Missing" or "Deceased"

When she has an ability he will use her in his plans as a little trump card because not even a soul knows that she’s still alive and with him

He will teach her all the stuff from simply unlock locks to manipulating people

He would mostly forbid her to go out and visiting your grave

After all, nobody should ever know his little mouse but thanks to his teaching she would simply sneak out when nobody is watching

She would bring fresh flowers to your grave in the summer and brush off the snow in the winter

Always having you in her memories

[thespectralvision]

Flufftober 2021 - 8. Cooking Lessons

Part of the @flufftober2021 challenge, featuring Wanda, Vision, and the Minimoffs. You can also read this on Ao3 HERE

Rating: G/All Audiences

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x The Vision

Characters: The (White) Vision, Wanda Maximoff, Viv Vision-Maximoff, Billy Maximoff, Tommy Maximoff

Warnings: N/A

Other: This and the other one-shots I’m doing for this collection are set in my wider Paprika series and most of them take place after my WIP Working Theory where the White Vision has reunited with Wanda and they have gotten their children back and have ended up adopting a young synthezoid, Viv. This story is set at an unspecified time.

Summary: Wanda returns home from helping Dr. Strange with a job to find her kitchen in dissarray and and opportunity to share a family tradition.

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Teaching one synthezoid to cook had been adventure enough, Wanda thinks as she steps into the war zone that had once been her kitchen. Wanda herself couldn’t say much – she was serviceable in the kitchen at best. Her parents' untimely death and the subsequent years on the streets and in a HYDRA facility hadn’t given her much opportunity for learning to cook. Still, she’d managed at least to pick up a few things over the years, more than enough to care for herself and ensure her family are fed. Vision on the other hand, has never quite gotten the hang of meal preparation. She appreciates his efforts, knowing that he wants to take care of her and make things easier by helping with the day to day household tasks. When he wants to cook he does it the way Vision does everything – precise, methodical, and following the instructions to the mark. He’s improved with time, Wanda will admit, but she wouldn’t put him in charge of a dinner party.

Vivian on the other hand is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. One look at the state of the kitchen and Wanda knew her synthezoid daughter was the ringleader. Wanda is not entirely sure what sparked the interest in cooking – she suspects it’s come from exposure to cooking videos and Pinterest recipes that have gone viral amongst the teen’s friends. Viv often approaches the world in the same systematic way as her father and Wanda has tried to nurture her still child-like curiosity, and as long as no one gets hurt she has never seen the harm in letting Vivian and the twins try new things.

What Wanda had not thought of was how letting kids be kids might affect her husband, having never been a child himself. With the three younger members of the Maximoff-Vision household quickly reaching their teenage years it isn’t the first time she’s come home to find Vision in a situation that he is simply unequipped to handle on his own.

“Oh, Darling, thank goodness...I mean, welcome home, Wanda.”

Wanda can’t help but laugh at the pleading, helpless look her husband shoots across the mess, detecting guilt that he’s let things get so out of hand in her absence for the past two days. Somewhere in the room there is the scent of something burning, and Wanda watches Billy anxiously trying to stop a pot on the stove from boiling over to no avail. He gives Wanda his own sheepish “Hi Mom...uh, we’ll clean this up.”

Before she has a chance to respond a silvery-blue streak crashes into her and Wanda finds her other son’s arms wrapped around her waist. Wanda tries to ignore whatever pasty, sticky substance they are coated in as Tommy greets her with “Oh thank goodness you can save us. Viv has gone mad with power.”

Vision simply offers an exhausted shrug in response to Wanda’s raised eyebrow and silently mouthed “What is going on in here?” He steps away from the counter where he’s been handling what appears to be the meat preparation, washing his hands quickly before taking the spoon from Billy and removing the pot from the burner. “Tommy, can you please take over for your brother for a moment so I can greet your mother?”

“But-”

“No buts, I haven’t kissed your handsome father for two days.” Wanda gently unwraps Tommy’s hands and makes a face as she realizes the paste now smearing her shirt is some form of dough and gently pushes back the boy towards the stove. Vision takes his place, pulling her against him and offering a sweet, mostly chaste kiss as a greeting. When he pulls away Wanda can’t help but laugh at the transfer of flour, lightening the dark wool of his jumper to match the white of his face. She reaches up, brushing some of the stray power from his cheek and Vision frowns with a tired, but amused shake of his head.

“This certainly is a look. Dare I ask what I’ve walked into?”

“Mom!” The final missing child walks back in the door with a tablet in her hands and grins, running in with Billy to finally hug Wanda as well. Vision steps aside, giving them space and returns to supervising the stove, the boiling pot seemingly under control once more.

“We’re making Pirozhki! I wanted to surprise you with them but you came home early.” Vivian beams proudly, clearly excited. Wanda’s heart melts with the sweet gesture – she really is her father’s daughter, no doubt about it. She’s not sure where Viv even learned about the Eastern European food but it brings back fond memories of her own childhood.

“I haven’t had Pirozhki in ages. You know your uncle Pietro used to love them when mama would make them for us as kids.”

“I know. Father told us. I wanted to find a Sokovian recipe but Uncle Bucky already gave me one he liked. He said it was his grandmother’s recipe, it was in Russian. He made them for us last time we visited.” Vivian explains, turning back to the kitchen. “Tommy, did you finish the dough?”

“Yes. Like, an hour ago.” Wanda can hear him rolling his eyes as he says it. It’s countered by his twin eagerly approaching the young synthezoid and asking “And I think I am done with the cabbage Viv. What else can I do?”

Wanda watches as Vivian scans the tablet in her hands, brow furrowed in concentration in a near perfect replication of Vision as she translates the Cyrillic script in the photo. As much as Wanda appreciates her family’s attempt to make her feel loved (and it does melt her heart, really), this seems to be the perfect opportunity for her to step in and salvage her kitchen.

“Billy, Tommy, why don’t you two start cleaning up. I’ll help your father and sister with the rest of the cooking for the filling. Vivian, did Uncle Bucky show you the best way to roll out the dough?”

Viv shakes her head, green-tinted hair flying loose from where she’s tied it back. “No, he had already made them so we didn't get to help.”

“Well that means I get to teach you, just like my mama did when I was a girl. Why don’t you help your brothers with getting all the dishes we’re done with cleaned up while we wait for the dough to rise. Once that’s done I’ll show all three of you what to do next.”

Half and hour later and the kitchen is starting to look like a room again as Wanda steps back to watch the three children happily rolling the dough out and adding spoonfuls of filling, just like she showed them. She doubts she’ll ever get tired of watching them, or appreciating their own unique takes on everything. Tommy is making it a competition and racing to finish his allotment first, while Billy is being careful and steady, and Vivian measures each out with the precision Wanda has learned to expect from her and Vision.

She smiles as Vision comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his tall, strong form and notes that he’s changed into a less messy sweater. “I’m sorry things got a little out of hand; I was not expecting you home so early. I had hoped to have this mess ‘swept under the rug’ before you ever found out.” He murmurs, pressing a kiss to her neck which Wanda can’t help making a pleased “Mmmm” in response.

“I’m glad I got to join in. We might not have a house left if you were left in charge much longer.” She teases, still watching her family at work.

“I...I don’t think – that was an exaggeration, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, Vizh, You did fine. They are a handful, but a messy kitchen is a small price to pay for the moments like this. I never thought I’d ever have this – a family, or a chance to pass down what my parents taught me. Mama used to have me help her bake all sorts of things when I was a girl. Pietro too, though he’d complain until he got to eat them. It makes me want to find more things to teach them.”

“I know that we are not a conventional family, and I don’t have any traditions of my own to share with them – all of the things I do come from you. But I believe sharing one’s family history is a very important, and very human desire.” Vision agrees. “We got lucky, Wanda.”

“Yes, yes we did.”