#also yes! They have matching necklaces! They are husbands! it's just how it is!

[skzhocomments]

The Rising Empress (Bang Chan) - Chapter 11 - Setting the Plan in Motion

General Masterlist

Story masterlist - please consult it for the summary of the story, trigger warnings etc.

Wattpad | AO3

Chapter 10 | Chapter 12

Taglist: @vxllxnsworld

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Chapter 11 - Setting the Plan in Motion

Chapter word count: 3.4k words

“It was a smart move to give each court lady a bracelet.” Seungmin comments out of nowhere during one of their studying sessions, taking Aristia by surprise. However, she shows no change in expression, her lips in a straight line and her eyes focusing on the book Seungmin recommended she read in order to get more acquainted with the customs of the Empire.

“Thank you.” Is all she says.

“But a birdie told me that you’ve also commissioned some other interesting items.”

This finally takes her eyes out of the book, her attention shifting completely.

“What?” She shows a smile that could be perceived as naïve, although it’s anything but.

“You tell me.”

“Must I?” She puts her pen down, leaning back into her chair.

“You can’t trust the goldsmith, Your Highness. He told His Majesty about the keys the moment you sent that order.”

Aristia continues to smile, much to Seungmin’s surprise.

“Your silence tells me something that I’m not inclined to believe… Did you know he’d do that?”

“Of course I knew, Seungmin.” She chuckles brightly. “Do you think I’m so naïve as to put my trust in someone who’s worked for the Imperial Family for his entire life?”

“What do they unlock?”

“Nothing.” Aristia shrugs. “They are just some small tokens for my friends. Mere necklaces to match my own.”

This was far from the truth, but Seungmin once again had no business knowing the Empress’ secrets, much more so when they could be considered high treason.

The ladies that picked up those keys had no way of knowing about it either, foolish girls. They got blinded by Aristia’s promises and didn’t realise what their end on the deal would entail. The price they’d pay if her husband would ever find out about her plan would be way too grave, so she hopes it wouldn’t come to that before she’s had enough time to put it in motion.

Aristia figured out how little she trusts Chris as she cooked up this plan: a way of stopping the war from breaking out before it even begins, or, if it’s too late, a way of winning for sure. She only hopes she’s right and that things would go smoothly, but only time would tell.

Noticing Seungmin’s burning gaze in her forehead, she realises that Seungmin might understand her a bit more than she thought he could. He is, however, one of Chan’s right-hand men, and trusting him might be too dangerous.

She bites her tongue back and turns her eyes once more at the large book in front of her, signalling that the conversation is over.

“Your Majesty, I deeply apologise for interrupting your studying session.” Changbin bows apologetically after abruptly entering her study.

“Is anything wrong?” Aristia smiles softly.

“His Highness has requested your presence for dinner.”

“Has he?” Aristia raises a curious brow.

Chris has been busy this past week, and they haven’t spent any time together since the greenhouse lunch with the ladies when he surprised her with a visit.

“Yes. Alice is waiting for you to prepare you for dinner.” Changbin bows again.

“Then, this is it for today, I’m afraid.” She looks at Seungmin who nods briefly.

“Make sure to finish reading that by tomorrow evening.” He points to the book, but before Aristia has the chance to reply, Changbin intervenes.

“Seungmin, watch your manners. You’re in the presence of The Moon of the Empire, our Empress.” He scolds immediately, and Seungmin throws him a look that could only express Are you serious?!

Still, he obliges and bows down respectfully.

“My apologies, Your Highness. It seems I have been out of line.”

Aristia nods and asks Changbin to pick up the book, and then goes to her room to get changed.

~

Alice insists once more to pamper Aristia up with everything she’s got, and the Empress finds it quite amusing how a mere 14-year-old girl is ordering around Mari and Juliana. She dislikes wearing intricate clothing or heavy jewellery, but “It’s the custom!” and “You’re the Empress!”, so she eventually gives in and lets Alice have her way with her clothes and hair.

An hour and a half later, she’s ready to go have dinner with her husband.

The moment she steps through the door, she notices that all the plates have already been brought, and Chris makes everyone get out to give them privacy.

“Good evening, husband.” She smiles brightly, watching his grave eyes that quickly soften up at the sight of her.

He stands up and grabs her hand, kissing her knuckles softly.

“My dearest wife.” He helps her sit down, then joins her at the table once more.

Aristia certainly didn’t expect this warm welcome, and her heart skips a beat.

She was expecting Chris to ask her about why she hadn't worn the necklace, or to inquire about the small keys she had crafted, just as Seungmin did, but the Emperor did none of that.

Instead, he asked her about her studies, listened closely to her words and smiled ever so often while gently touching her hand on the table.

The dinner went by pleasantly.

“You are a breath of fresh air; did you know that?” Chris says all of a sudden, while Aristia takes a bite of one of the cupcakes on the table.

“How so?” She asks, and her heart skips a beat again, then does rounds in her chest that suddenly feels too tight to contain the growing feelings inside.

“You just are. By the way, have I told you that you were right about the contaminated water? Hyunjin and his team checked it out, and they’ve found one of the sources. Apparently, some of the countrymen were throwing out animal waste into a river, polluting the water in the process.”

“Really?” Aristia gasps. “Wow, I’m glad they’ve identified it!”

"I'm afraid it's simply one of the many other polluted waters throughout the Empire..."

"They'll identify the others in no time, don't worry." She smiles assuringly.

“Aristia, I missed you.” Chris says all of a sudden, happy to notice the excitement in his wife’s gaze.

“You work too much.” She pouts, not wanting to confess how much she’s missed him too.

She doesn’t trust him, but her feelings for him grow each time they spend time apart, and then grow some more when they meet.

“I have to.” He shrugs, grabbing his wine glass and giving it a swirl, then bringing it to his lips and taking a big gulp. “With the upcoming war, it’s quite a stressful time, you know?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t have killed-” Aristia starts in a quiet voice, so quiet, it almost sounds like a whisper.

“He had it coming.” Chris cuts her off hastily. “How dare he harm you in your own home? I get angry just thinking about it.”

“He’s done it my whole life. It wasn’t that surprising, honestly.” She replies dejected, and he gets the same sinking feeling in his stomach as when he’s seen her wounds while Mari took her out of the bloodied bath water.

He feels sick for not paying more attention, for not even bothering to spend any time with her whatsoever before her dear father paid them a visit. If only he wouldn’t have shut her out, if only… If only he would’ve done better, nothing would’ve happened to her.

Does she consider this palace home, he wonders? Or is she still feeling suffocated by the castle’s walls?

And what about him? Sure, they’ve spent a night together, but are her feelings genuine?

As he watches her eyes intensely, he fails to see his own reflection. Instead, he sees that beautiful spark that made him fall in love with her, for he’s now certain he’s fallen, deep and hard.

“What is it?” She asks with a soft smile on her lips.

“Your eyes are very beautiful.” He smiles back sincerely and wishes he could tell her more, but it feels too early for the frightening I love you, although judging by the way his heart beats in his chest, even I love you would fall short.

“Is that so?” She chuckles. “Do you like their colour?”

“You could say that.” He nods, although his words are partly insincere. It’s not the colour of her eyes that drive him crazy.

It’s not the colour of her eyes that make him lean over the table and grab her chin, then capture her lips in a fevered kiss, taking her by surprise and making her gasp. It’s that powerful burning in them that almost knocks him out of his chair every time she’s determined to do something, and for quite some time, that sparkle hasn’t gone away from her gaze.

He wonders what she’s plotting, but he doesn’t want to come across as distrusting, so he doesn’t ask anything. Instead, he sits back in his chair as if nothing happened, as if he hasn’t just kissed her, making two deep lines form in-between Aristia’s brows.

“What was-”

“Aristia.” Chris calls her name to stop her from asking him about it. He doesn’t know what he would answer. He might end up confessing otherwise.

“Yes?”

“May I do that again?”

“… Yes.”

This time, Chris stands up properly and helps her out of her chair by handing her his right hand, just as the customs say he should.

She accepts his help, which brings a smile to his lips. It’s the first time she’s accepted his help, quite the contrast to when her back was cut open and she needed to be bandaged.

They look into each other’s eyes for a few short moments, before Chris leans in and presses his lips on hers, softly this time. His hands move to her waist, keeping a steady hold, and Aristia reciprocates, placing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

Her back arches under his palms and she roses on her tiptoes as their kiss deepens. She missed his touch badly, and Chris missed hers even more.

Feelings start blooming in Aristia’s chest each time the Emperor’s tongue is touching hers, and a new emotion grows in her heart. She wants him all for herself, she needs him more than anything in this very moment, and no matter how close he is to her, he isn’t close enough.

“Please take this off.” She speaks between hurried breaths, pointing to his top, and he’s never undressed quicker before.

She also makes haste and takes off her dress, and their bodies get tangled on top of his large mattress, Chris’ body on top of hers, in between her legs.

Aristia pants for air when he breaks their kiss to position his member against her entrance, and as he pushes in, this time with no patience or hesitation, she lets out a loud moan, quickly muffled by his mouth back on hers.

They make love passionately, and it feels so intense, Aristia is quick to let go and roll her head back as Chris bottoms out into her numerous times in quick succession.

He releases himself inside of her soon after and plops down next to her on the messy bed, hugging her tightly and whispering sweet words in her ear that make her blush.

She wishes she could just focus on these happy moments and simply forget the first year he hasn’t paid her any mind, but she can’t.

As he falls asleep next to her, completely defenceless, she simply can’t let go of the pain in her heart. She can’t trust him. She can’t.

She wishes she could, but her growing feelings for him don’t overcome the anxiety that something might go wrong, that he could change his mind any moment and go back to treating her coldly.

She is afraid that if she were to trust him at all, to tell him about what she’s been thinking about – how to stop the war –, he would simply dismiss her, and she will once again feel small, powerless, a fake.

Thus, it’s impossible to fall asleep, so her mind stays sharp, and she thinks over the plan she’s made in her head about a million times. She pieced together all the puzzle pieces, so now, all that’s left to do is execute it.

~

“Changbin, will you please go to Felix and let him know that I’d like us to have tea together this afternoon?” Aristia smiles sweetly as Changbin and her are strolling through the gardens.

“Oh, I thought you didn’t want to meet him today.” The guard replies, completely charmed by her.

He’s grown to admire his Empress ever since he started serving her and being such a close attendant, which is a common effect between all the other people Aristia’s worked with so far. Seungmin feels the same way, noticing how sharp her mind is, and Chris is in even deeper.

They all admire her; if only she’d see it as well.

“Well, I’ve changed my mind.” She shrugs and chuckles.

“But, still… I wouldn’t like to leave you alone. What if something were to happen?” He frowns, shaking his head.

“What could possibly happen? We are inside the castle’s walls.” Aristia dismisses him entirely. “I’d like to enjoy the warm air a bit more, so I’d really appreciate it if you could send word to Prince Felix and let me bask in the sun.”

“Well… do you promise you’ll stay put, though? I truly don’t want you to be in any danger…” He is still hesitant, but Aristia immediately calms him down and convinces him to leave her.

“Of course, Changbin. I’ll stay here, don’t worry.”

She is glad that Changbin is her personal guard, but he can sometimes be too overprotective, which could end up messing with her plans. However, once he gives in and leaves her alone, she immediately stands up and heads towards the knights’ practice session.

She consulted their schedule carefully over the past few days, to make sure everything goes according to plan.

Precisely as she intended, she arrives just in time for the practice to be over, and she sees Victoria’s brother – Victor – heading his merry way away from the other knights. She starts walking towards him with resolve, and as he bows in her direction, she trips and falls, wincing in pain and putting on the perfect show in front of this young boy, convincing enough to make him run towards her and help her up.

“Your Highness, are you alright? Can you stand?” He hurries over and aids her in standing up, however, she is quick to lean into him and complain about the pain in her right foot.

“I think I might’ve sprained my ankle…” She furrows her brows and puts on a pained expression.

“Oh, no! What should we do?” The young boy ponders. “I will go summon a doctor immediately and-”

“No, that’s not necessary. I’d rather you carried me back to my room, and I’ll ask my maids to summon the doctor instead.” She talks him into it, and he doesn’t give it any further thought.

He immediately bends down to allow her to jump on his back, and hurries towards her chambers.

“Thank you so much. What is your name?” She asks once they are inside of her room, with Mari examining her foot and Alice frantically running out the door to summon Hyunjin.

“It’s Victor Silverstone, Your Highness.” He bows politely.

“Your Highness, what happened?!” Changbin runs through the door and kneels down on one knee in front of her bed.

“I happened to trip and fall, but thankfully,  Victor was there to help me.” She explains.

“I shouldn’t have gone to Prince Felix…” Changbin shakes his head, disappointed in himself. “If I were there, I could’ve-”

“No, Changbin. Please don’t overthink this too much.” She cuts him off. “It must be difficult for you to be my only guard, as you always have to be available to me, no matter the time of day, and if I also make you run errands, it becomes almost impossible for you to manage.”

“Not at all, Your Highness.” He immediately denies, and Aristia smiles softly.

“No, I’m sure it’s hard. What if we’d appoint one more guard for me? I think Victor has great potential. He rushed over to help me, kept his calm and obeyed my commands perfectly.”

Changbin looks the boy up and down, not entirely convinced.

“I’m not sure, Your Highness… He is still young and inexperienced.”

“Still, he’s helped me when I needed it, and he deserves a reward for it. What higher honour than to be one of my personal guards? That way, you’d also be able to focus on the upcoming war preparations, and train more, to become even stronger for me.” Aristia insists, and with each word leaving her mouth, Changbin begins agreeing with her more and more.

She certainly has a way with words, to make everyone else around her agree with her ideas.

“This could be a good thing, I guess… It would certainly be good to have more people guarding you, and Silverstone is a great individual from a great family…” Changbin ponders.

“What do you think, Victor?” Aristia turns to the boy, who immediately kneels on one knee and takes out his sword, presenting it to her.

“It would be the greatest honour to guard Her Highness the Moon of the Empire. I pledge my sword and my unwavering loyalty and dedicate myself to your service.” Victor declares, committing himself entirely to Aristia.

She accepts his sword and grabs it by the handle, turning it around and tapping it on his shoulders.

“It’s decided, then.” She smiles. “Thank you for your service, and for pledging your loyalty to me.”

“I thank you for providing me with the opportunity to serve you.”

“Changbin, you can take the rest of the day off, and please go inform my husband about taking Victor Silverstone out of any other obligations.” She instructs further. “Victor, you may go wait outside.”

“Understood, Your Highness.” The boy bows and exits without a word more, and Changbin follows soon after, when Hyunjin walks through the door.

“Your ankle doesn’t seem to be sprained.” He remarks, examining her foot thoroughly.

“It hurt so bad, though. I must’ve stepped on my foot wrong in my heels.” Aristia explains, to which Hyunjin agrees with a nod of his head.

“You were lucky this time, but please make sure to be more careful from now on.”

And now, with everyone gone from her room, she finally relaxes and smiles to herself.

Her end of the deal towards Victoria has been kept; it is unlikely that Victor would have to join any wars at the borders from this point forward.

Now, it’s her turn to return the favour.

~

“An information guild?” Victoria eyes the Empress carefully.

“Mhm. I need to send a very important letter in utmost secrecy, and the only way to do so would be through an information guild that can’t get tracked back to me.” Aristia replies holding the small envelope tightly with her hands.

“If I may…who exactly… is the letter addressed to…?” Victoria asks, her voice quiet.

“My half-sister.”

When Aristia responds, it feels like all the air in the room disappears. Victoria looks shocked and doesn’t know what to do, or how to reply.

“Your… your half-sister?” She asks in a whisper, her chest tightening.

When Aristia simply nods, handing her the sealed letter, Victoria shuts her eyes and breaths in deeply.

“But, Your Highness… your half-sister is… the enemy…”

“Yes. I am aware of that. That’s why it needs to be done this way.” Aristia clarifies.

“I know you’ve taken my brother in your care, and I am deeply grateful that he doesn’t have to go on the battlefield anymore, but… this is too much. You’re essentially asking me to betray the crown. I could lose my head…” Victoria hesitates, but still, she leans over and grabs the envelope with shaky hands. “You could lose yours.”

“Indeed. If my husband were to find out…” She averts her gaze. “This must stay between us, Victoria, and I will continue to uphold my end of the deal.”

“May I at least know of the letter’s contents?” She asks, holding the envelope tighter.

“It’s… a proposal. A way to stop the war from happening. Now, I’m not sure what the outcome of this will be, so it’s better to just keep it to ourselves for the time being…”

“Your Majesty, I hope you haven’t signed this letter. In case someone discovers before it reaches its destination-”

“Yes, Victoria, don’t worry. It doesn’t have my signature or my seal. If, by any chance, this letter would be discovered before reaching my sister’s hands, we will insist it’s been forged.”

“Then, how will your sister know it’s you who’s written it?” Victoria inquires.

“I told you this before, but please leave these details to me. That’s for me to worry about.”

“Your Highness, this task you’ve entrusted me with is extremely difficult… However, I will do my best to make sure this letter gets to your sister safely.”

“I also need you to deliver this other letter to the information guild you choose, as well as whichever remuneration they’re asking for. This is crucial for the future of our Empire, Victoria. I hope you trust me and my intentions. Everything I am doing is for the Empire, even if it seems otherwise.” Aristia insists, giving the woman a second letter.

Victoria simply nods and exits the room with haste.

~

Chapter 10 | Chapter 12

[mbirnsings-71]

so I blame @cannimochi and @kiththecat for these- They're lovely menaces who are making me get attached to these menaces- so yes I dedicate these to the biggest Clownzy & Clownpierce fans I know

[kibo-ichiro]

Have a fluffy headcanon because we all need it

Judith, like her father, has gift giving as her love language. So one day, she makes some matching bracelets for her and her parents. Each necklace has two red beads to represent Callisto and Judy’s eyes, and a turquoise bead for Penelope. They also have little charms on them: a golden dragon, a rose, the sun, moon, and a little star.

Callisto is overjoyed at the gift, immediately having preservation spells put on the bracelets. Everyone he meets later that day has to deal with Callisto showing off the bracelet and gushing about Judith more than usual:

“But just look at what Judith made for me and Penelope, isn’t it beautiful?“

“Yes, Your Majesty. You’ve shown us three times already today.”

“Well, now you get to see it again, my daughter’s creativity deserves to be shown off—“

Penelope is also very happy for the gift, all the servants noting how often she’ll get distracted from paperwork or a book just to look at the bracelet. A soft smile lighting up her face as she gently rubs at a charm between her fingers. (She also finds Callisto’s enthusiasm hilarious, but does have to reign him in at times. Even though when she sees her husband smiling so genuinely, she can’t help but give him a quick kiss that quickly gets out of hand because Callisto can’t help himself.)

Every time Judith gets another sibling, she adds a bead to match their eye color and another star charm. She makes them bracelets as well when they get a bit older.

[ihavemanyhusbands]

a different one? okay!

So reader and hannibal are in a pre established relationship (reader knows everything and is happy to help cook) but they feel somethings missing, introducing will who gets aggressivly courted by both of them and thinks he has to choose who he wants but he doesn't, will is somewhat overstimmed/overwhelmed at being the focus of both of them but he loves it

-cat

GOD YES YES YES YES THANK YOU THIS IS JUST SOOOO PERFECT MWAAAA 😘🥹❤️ pls enjoy this was such a delight to write!!!

(thinking this might also go on my AO3 and potentially have a pt 2 🙏🏽😵‍💫)

Minors DNI. Lmk if there’s any warnings I should add!

“Beautiful choice, my love,” Hannibal said as you clipped on the pearl earrings that he’d bought you on a trip to Vienna.

You smiled, holding your hair up and presenting your throat so he could clip a matching pearl necklace around it for you.

“Pairs well with the dress, doesn’t it?” You asked, knowing well he loved you in silk, especially when so much of your back was exposed.

He let his amber eyes rove over you appraisingly, smiling in approval. It was the kind of look that never failed to spark heat inside of you. His fingers ghosted down your spine, and you suppressed a shiver.

“You look ravishing. How could anyone resist a temptation such as you?”

“Hmm, same goes for you, mon cher,” you said, kissing his cheek before turning back to the mirror to make sure everything was in place.

You glanced over at your husband’s reflection as he tried to tie his favorite crimson tie as neatly as possible. You sensed he might be a little nervous, which was pretty rare. Still, you understood why, given you were a little jittery yourself.

That night, you and Hannibal would be hosting a special dinner for a very special guest.

You’d heard plenty about Will Graham – stories of his unique brilliance, his quick wit, and all of his achievements in criminal psychology. More importantly, the flickers of darkness that sometimes broke through his cool demeanor. He had a lot of promise, your husband assured you. It would just require some thorough unraveling.

Seldom was Hannibal truly intrigued by someone, so that only made you more curious about him. The two of you had been happily married for some time now, but neither had ever been opposed to broadening your horizons. Tricky thing was, no one had really been worthy of your interest… until now.

“Here, let me take care of that,” you offered, your hands replacing his. “Is there anything I should expect from tonight?”

“Yet to be seen,” he said, watching your deft fingers at work. “You know you have free rein, right?”

You tilted your head to one side, smoothing his perfectly knotted tie. “Has it ever been any other way? For either of us?”

He chuckled. “Touché.”

A mere half hour later, the doorbell rang. You went to get the wine from the kitchen as Hannibal went to open the door. You could hear the deep timbre of Will’s voice as they approached the dining room, tone low and even.

You emerged from the kitchen moments later. The table was already set, a delectable assortment of food awaiting you. But you felt a different sort of hunger stir at the sight of Will Graham.

He was utterly gorgeous, with all knowing blue eyes, a chiseled jaw and a charming mess of dark brown curls you immediately wanted to run your fingers through. He reminded you of a marble statue, carved with the patient, loving hand of the finest artist.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, taking you in as well. Hannibal clocked this too, of course, the ghost of a smirk on his handsome face.

“Will, I’d like you to meet my lovely wife,” Hannibal said as you handed him the wine bottle.

You extended a hand towards him, which he took.

“Pleasure, Mrs. Lecter. I’ve heard much about you,” Will said, pleasantly surprising you with a small smile. He seemed too serious for his own good otherwise, and it gave you a little hope of changing that.

You and Hannibal shared a look, and you smiled as well. “Pleasure’s all mine, Mr. Graham. I, too, have heard wonderful things.”

“Oh? Hannibal speaks highly of me?” Will arched a brow, eyes flicking over to your husband.

“Don’t seem so surprised, Will,” Hannibal said as he opened the wine bottle. “Have I not praised you in person as well?”

Will pulled out your chair for you, his eyes now snagging on all the exposed skin of your back. He seemed not to know how to respond to Hannibal’s words, much less his compliments.

“Tell us, Mr. Graham,” you prompted as you sat down, tilting your head back to look up at him. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving,” he said, taking his seat across from you. “And you can call me Will.”

“Marvelous. Then you can call me by name, too.”

Hannibal served the two of you before serving himself. The three of you clinked glasses in a toast before digging into the food.

You and Hannibal had made Osso Bucco with saffron-scented risotto, one of your favorite dishes. Both of you covertly watched Will for his reaction.

Usually, he was pretty stoic, the changes in his expression very subtle. On his first bite, he exhaled deeply, his eyes closing.

“This is delicious,” he said. “The meat is so tender.”

“You can thank my wife for such an excellent cut. I’ve yet to meet a finer butcher,” Hannibal beamed proudly at you. “I taught her everything myself.”

Will looked mildly impressed, taking a sip of red wine. “And you enjoy it? It can be a rather violent trade.”

You lowered your eyes demurely, a coquettish smile pulling at your lips. “Of course I do. I am no stranger to violence, Will. I spent my summers at my grandparents’ pig farm growing up.”

“Perhaps you’d like a demonstration sometime?” Hannibal chimed in with a mischievous smirk you had the urge to kiss.

“It would be an honor, Mrs. Lecter,” Will said, his gaze never leaving you. “You and your husband have kept me well fed.”

“It’s the least we can do. You are Hannibal’s closest friend, after all,” you said. “Though perhaps you’d like a cooking lesson or two?”

“How could I ever decline such a generous offer?”

“Good,” Hannibal said. “My kitchen is always open to friends, as you know.”

Will shifted in his seat, unused to such attention, especially from two people at once. That didn’t mean he wasn’t enjoying it, though. He looked at you both in turn, a shadow crossing his features momentarily. You understood how you must have seemed in that moment – two hungry wolves cornering a shuddering lamb. Or perhaps you were recognizing another wolf in sheep’s clothing.

After dinner, the three of you moved to the living room for a nice chat in front of the fireplace. You sat on the chaise, crossing your legs. Through the slit in your dress, Will caught a glimpse of the dagger you kept strapped to your thigh.

You trailed his gaze, unsheathing it and offering it to him hilt first. His nostrils flared at your boldness, lips thinning a little.

“His wedding gift to me,” you said, smiling adoringly at your husband. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Will nodded, seeing his reflection on the fine blade. “Fitting of his bride.”

“You may use it whenever you like.” There was a not-so-subtle implication in your tone and in the dark gleam in your eye that made his cheeks color just barely.

Oh, you must have really gotten to him then. Hannibal’s smirk at the realization was positively feline, especially when Will looked to him as if for confirmation – or perhaps permission?

“Beauty is meant to be shared, isn’t it?” Hannibal said. “You know that better than most, Will.”

The beautiful man before you swallowed hard once more, squirming deliciously in his seat. His want was a living thing, crackling like fire beneath his skin. The best part was not that it was reciprocated, but that he wouldn’t have to choose between the two of you.

He recognized this as a gift.

“Yes, so you’ve shown me.” He handed the dagger back to you, his palm covering yours in what seemed like a promise. “I might just have to find the occasion for it. Perhaps Hannibal could give me some pointers.”

His restraint was admirable, truly. You couldn’t wait to unveil what was hiding under all that control. Your hunger yawned further open, reflected in your eyes. Hannibal squeezed your shoulder, and you rested your head against his arm.

“My, well something tells me we will all get along just splendidly.”

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

Can we get a headcanon of all the babies getting the cross necklace like mom and Andrei have?

omg how cute is this!! 🥹 kinda long, so under the read more!

so none of the kids’ crosses actually come from greece like yours since trekking across the ocean to find v specific cross is a non starter

but andrei floats the idea of getting crosses made up by a russian jeweler that he’s used before

he talks about it with geno and his mom and as a surprise, geno gets the cross made as his gift when he baptizes evie

geno cries when you ask him to be her godfather and you cry when he shows you and andrei the cross

each kid’s cross is just slightly different but they all have the same general shape

geno adds diamonds to evie’s cross since that’s the april birthstone

pyotr is alina’s godfather and he works with geno to have her cross made up - he chooses to have her cross studded with little topaz stones to match her eyes

kira and dimitri are baptized by your cousins, but still uncle geno and uncle pyotr are invested now and work together to design their crosses

at this point you and andrei have been completely shut out of the process, much to your annoyance even though it’s sweet of your brother in law and your husband’s best friend

truthfully it’s kind of fun to see the crosses when they’re done - the surprise is always exciting and the explanation for why the cross was designed the way it was always makes you cry at the thoughtfulness the two men put into the job

it’s also definitely the raging baby hormones that are still taking over your body when each kid is baptized

kira’s cross has alternating tiny alexandrite stones and seed pearls for her dual june birthstones

dimitri’s cross is an exact copy of andrei’s, size and all and you’re worried that he’ll clock himself in the face with the cross, but the men tell you that he’ll grow into it

it’s very cute to see your tiny baby wearing the giant cross and you make plenty of rapper jokes

and for surprise baby #5 (details forthcoming), it’s a happy coincidence that geno is vacationing in greece right after baby is born - so he searches jewelry stores on the islands and comes home with a matching cross, in yellow gold, not white gold, but still the same style as yours and andrei’s

you cry and geno teases that he’s clearly the best godfather of all time

for the last kid (and yes andrei this is the last kid i swear to god i am not having a sixth kid are you out of your mind??) geno and pyotr share godfather duties

[ronaldofandom]

A Love Eternal / Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

Chapter 7 is up guys, after a month of hiatus :)

Summary: Finally, the lovemaking sequence is here - this is Bheem in all his glory. Followed by some fluffy/teasing talks between SitaJenny, SitaBheem, and RamBheem.

Warnings: Suggestive language ahead, but not smut.

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Suggested music - Parineeta (Recommend listening to this before/while reading the chapter - the feels match)

Moodboard - created by the brilliant @meastradeur, who graciously allowed me to use it.

Chapter 7

(Links to Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 10 , Ch 11

Bheem loved like he laughed. Like he fought. With all his might. With every fibre of his being. There was no hesitation tonight. No shyness. No second thoughts. He was a man on a mission. And from his actions, Jenny half-believed that the mission was to give her a stroke or set her body on fire.

‘Sari Sita ne pehnaayi?’ (Did Sita help you put on the Sari?)

He whispered into her ear.

She was on her back, and he was on his side, leaning over her. His fingers ran circles around her belly button as he rubbed their cheeks together. 

Words failed her. But she managed to nod a yes. 

‘Hmmm.’ He muttered against her cheek as his index finger finally dipped into her belly button, playing with it. Her hand reflexively clutched his bicep.

Bheem felt weirdly jealous that the first time she had adorned Indian ethnic wear, he hadn’t been the one to dress her up. At least he would get to take it off.

He started with her bangles, sliding them off carefully, kissing her wrists. Next were her jhumkis (earrings) as he nibbled on her earlobes, making her whimper. He slid the accessories well under the cot so she doesn’t step on them in the morning. His fingers unpinned her pallu from her shoulder, and he slowly pulled it down, holding her gaze all the while. Bheem tugged at the pleats of her sari, pulling them out all at once as he peeled the garment off her, throwing it somewhere behind. The shell necklace he let stay on, admiring how it suited her long, slender neck.

The assuredness of his touch was driving Jenny insane. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Growing up in conservative British high society, Jenny had been told practically nothing of intimacy, which was referred to as ‘marital relations.’ She was supposed to be given the talk once she was betrothed to someone, before her wedding night. Even her married friends spoke very little of intimacy - it was improper to speak that way to maidens. Her mother, aunt, and friends had always spoken of marital duties with their husbands and finding bliss with the children. The concept of physical bliss and pleasure seemed alien to them. Therefore, she was all the more confused about the fuzzy sensations emanating in her body, at strange places, from his touch. She had only read of those in some ‘not so proper’ novels but was living them now. And she knew he was just getting started.

In contrast, Bheem was firmly in control of his actions and emotions. He had thought long & hard about the two of them while he had been away and had taken care of all formalities before wanting her this way. As the protector of the tribe, he was the de-facto leader of the tribal council, yet he had still sought and received the council’s blessings for their relationship. He had made their courtship official, as per the customs of his people. The Gond customs were quite progressive. It was not uncommon for couples to live together before marriage to test their compatibility. It was also not uncommon to have pre-marital relations. Marrying for love was actually the norm. In their simple ways, they were far more evolved than the complex modern societies.

It was also customary to offer gifts to the woman during the courtship period, hence the shell necklace, which she had gladly worn, thereby accepting his affections. Bheem had meant to discuss this with her tonight, but all rational thought went out of the window when he saw her. 

As he enveloped her in his arms and kissed her senseless, Jenny forgot everything else in the world other than his name, which she moaned like a chant. His strong, musky scent - of fresh rains on the forest floor - dominated her senses. As did the feel of his gruff beard and calloused hands on her soft skin.

He insisted on holding her gaze throughout, coaxing her back to him in the moments she couldn’t handle the intensity on his face & looked away. Jenny found this to be more intimate than anything else he was doing with her. The mix of wonder, adoration, and nerves in her eyes spurred him on even more; he couldn’t hold back any longer.

She sensed the shift in his mood and gulped as he swiftly pulled open the thread and hooks of her blouse on her back, bringing it down her shoulders, throwing it behind, along with her petticoat, leaving her just in her underthings.

Bheem was mesmerized by the ravishing sight in front of him. He wanted to drink her in. The faint moonlight bouncing off her spotless skin wasn’t doing enough justice to her beauty. He stood up, reached for the lamp, and placed it right next to the cot. Her cheeks, already crimson, turned cherry red, but she let him have what he wanted.

He straddled her, caging her between his thighs, slowly unbuttoned his kurta, and threw it behind. His eyes held her in place and took in her curves hungrily. Jenny had read that desire fuelled by love was the most burning kind; his desire sure was burning her from the inside. Her breaths became short and shallow as her arms went around his shoulders. Balancing himself on top of her, he kissed her repeatedly - slowly at first, then with more force, coaxing her to part her succulent lips and letting him plunge into her sweet mouth. Her bra was next to go. He cupped her and swallowed her moans. When she gasped for breath, he let her lips go and nibbled at her neck & collarbone, leaving his fair share of marks. 

As his lips started trailing lower, she grabbed his face with both hands. Their eyes met, and she could see the depth of want flashing in his.

‘Bheem…dheere (gently)…please.’

Jenny was extra sensitive there and thought it better to let him know, especially given the nipping mood he was in. Bheem acknowledged that with a slow, sensual kiss on her lips. And then he proceeded to make her eat her words. He went atrociously slow, gently yet thoroughly ravishing every inch of her upper body. 

The soft flesh of her hardened peaks caught his fancy in particular - he tended to them exclusively and relentlessly till she pleaded for respite.

Her nails dug into his shoulders. Her moans became more wanton. Which made his blood rush south - fast and hard.

His hands instantly went down to her inner thighs, caressing her lovingly. She gasped and arched her back when his fingers edged closer to her core, involuntarily trying to cross her legs. He tried one more time, pecking the soft flesh of her inner thighs, and she nearly bounced off the cot at the sensation.

This made him pause. Her eyes were shut tightly, and her hands were fisted in the mattress below. She was still a bundle of nerves, too tense for his liking. He had tried to take it slow, to get her to relax. Ram’s advice was still fresh in his mind - he knew taking her like this could be uncomfortable and even painful for her. That was a no-go, despite his own body screaming otherwise.

When he rolled off her, she looked at him in confusion, worrying if she had done something wrong to put him off. He saw the worry lines on her face and pulled her in for a deep, loving kiss, assuring her with his touch, only letting go when he felt the tension releasing in her posture.

They lay on their sides, facing each other. Bheem caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers.

‘Koi jaldi nahi hain, Jenny. Jab tumhe sahi lage. Agar tumhe sahi lage.’

(There is no rush, Jenny. We can go ahead later, when you want to. If you want to.)

She wanted to cry for a different reason now. God must have taken his sweet time when he was making this man. And he must have broken the mold afterward.

Jenny started to trace his face with her index finger, admiring his beautiful features. Luminated in the golden glow of the lamp, he looked extra divine, extra serene tonight. His eyes, which were swimming with desire till a few moments back, were radiating love and warmth now. She leaned in to kiss the top of his eyes and heard him sigh, making her heart flutter. She traced the outline of his thick beard from his cheek down to his neck. He stayed still, following her moves. When her finger moved to his plump pink lips, he couldn’t resist a quick peck. And was rewarded with his favorite sound in the world - her giggles. She moved her finger to his lips again, and he licked it this time. She played with the ends of his mustache like he himself did many times. He pulled her closer and kissed the tip of her nose, making her giggle harder.

Her hand tentatively moved to his chest. She had touched him there before, multiple times, while tending to his scars. But this was the first intimate touch. She didn’t need to guard her reactions this time. Her hand traced the taut skin of his neck, his toned pecks, the broad expanse of his chest, down to his ripped abs. A shiver ran down her back, and his keen eyes noticed the change in her breathing. The raw, tsunami-like strength of his rugged build had always enticed Jenny, even when she knew him as Akhtar, but especially since she had known him as Bheem. She had witnessed it at that fateful party and multiple times since coming here - in his hand-to-hand combat training, in the way he swung the children around while playing with them, and how he had carried her in his arms like she weighed nothing. She wanted more. She wanted to taste those deliciously hard, erotic muscles.

Bheem had to grip the rough edges of the cot, hard, to restrain himself when her lips touched his skin. His knuckles turned white, but he was determined to let her set the pace. A chaste kiss on his lips was followed by an agonizing exploration of his torso. Her lips followed the same trail of her fingers, but they lingered more. He didn’t dare to move or do anything which could make her stop. She kissed his scars, wishing for them to disappear. The tattoos on his biceps got special attention as she nibbled there. She wanted to give the same treatment to the ones on his thighs, but the thought itself of fondling his thighs made her nearly combust on the spot.

Jenny was shocked at her actions beyond measure. She had never imagined herself to be capable of such forwardness. This was contrary to everything she had been conditioned for since her childhood. They weren’t married, he wasn’t British or of high society, and she was acting as un-ladylike as her imagination could allow. 

This wasn’t a union her people would understand or approve of, but who were they to fathom what she felt for this beautiful man, who had swept her off her feet, literally and figuratively. Theirs was a union of love. A mating of two souls. A bond forged in empathy, kindness, and courage. 

Bheem was safety. Bheem was freedom. Bheem was comfort. Bheem was her whole heart. Bheem was everything pure and worth loving in this world. That was more than enough for her - she didn’t need a societal stamp or nomenclature.

‘Bheem?’ She was gazing into his eyes now. He gazed right back, squeezing her hand.

‘I take you to be my love, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as you shall have me, which I hope is forever.’

Bheem didn’t understand the significance of her words, but he held her close as she shuddered through it. 

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, trying to pull him on top of her. He broke their kiss and looked into her adoring eyes for confirmation.

‘It’s fine, my love. I am ready now. Please, take me.’

He had been on edge for far too long, almost from the moment he first carried her back to the hut, and he needed no further invitation. Getting back on top, he let her feel some of his weight, and she loved the sensation. They made out passionately while he removed both their underpants and rubbed himself against her thigh, sending her mind reeling.

As he spread her legs and positioned himself between them, he whispered into her ear.

‘Thoda sa dard hoga jaan, par main dhyaan rakhunga.’

(It might hurt a little, sweetheart, but I will take care.)

Jaan. Jenny knew that word; she had heard Sita refer to Ram as that. It was the first time Bheem had used a term of endearment for her. She was so lost in that feeling that she didn’t realize it when he entered her. It did hurt, a fair bit, but he kissed her through the initial discomfort and paused after each thrust to let her get used to the intrusion.

Once buried to the hilt inside her, he started to gain his rhythm, and she lost any remaining semblance of sanity. Their bodies moved in unison, almost of their own accord, as he wrapped her legs around his waist for a deeper angle. Her soft constant moans intertwined with his deep intermittent grunts as he took her closer and closer to her peak. 

Her senses registered the blurry pattern of the ceiling, the near-violent creaking of the cot, and the pitter-patter of feet outside as people started retiring to their huts post the festivities.

Jenny was reduced to a quivering, incoherent mess underneath him - only uttering two words on loop - ‘Bheem’ and ‘please.’ 

She learned and experienced a great many things tonight. About male anatomy - an image that was now imprinted in her mind forever. And about female biology - how women could peak multiple times in a single intercourse. She bit her cheek to keep herself from screaming as she came over and over, shattering around him, driving him near the edge.

Bheem was unrelenting, and he kept his pace. The need to have her was so deep, he could feel it in his bones. She tried to hold on, but when she couldn’t take it anymore, she yelped and pushed against his chest.

‘Shhhhh, bas thoda sa aur, jaan.’

(Shhhh, just a little bit more, sweetheart.)

Aiming to put her out of her misery soon, he pinned her hands down, buried his face in her bosom, and went faster, giving her a taste of his real strength that she was secretly craving. That’s when she realized how much he had held himself back tonight. And she was grateful because this was too overwhelming. His movements turned sloppy, and he peaked soon after, collapsing on top of her, still buried inside her.

They stayed like that for a while, still dazed. Bheem recovered first after a few moments and rolled off her. When he got up to put on his underpants, he was amused at the state of their surroundings. It looked like something had exploded there. He picked up their discarded garments from all over the floor, along with her accessories, and placed them in a neat pile on the side. 

When he tried to help clean her with a wet cloth, she placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away, not allowing him anywhere near her erogenous zones. When he tried to place the cloth in her hand, she refused that also, too exhausted to move a muscle. She was yet to open her eyes and was still lying lifeless on the cot. Bheem smiled and kissed her sweaty brows. He covered her up to her chest with a spare sheet, both for her sake and his. His desire wasn’t sated yet, far from it. He wanted to go on for a few hours, but she had made it amply clear that she was quite done for the night, so he wanted to avoid further temptation.

He pulled her closer, ignoring her little whimpers, and cradled her head on his shoulder. She turned and snuggled into his chest, sighing happily, playing with his chest hair lazily. Bheem’s astute eyes hadn’t missed the visible evidence of their lovemaking on her body - her swollen lips and the marks on her neck, cleavage, inner thighs, hips & wrists. These were just the visible things. 

‘Jenny?’ He kissed the top of her head.

‘Hmm.’ She sighed, already half-asleep.

‘Tum…theek toh ho na? Maine kuch zyada toh..’

(Are you…alright? Did I overdo….)

Jenny cut him off by covering his lips with her palm. She kissed his chest and finally opened her eyes, looking up at him with all the love she could muster.

‘Bheem, I have never been better.’

She smiled, found a comfortable spot on his chest again, and was out like a light in a few minutes. Bheem spent a good part of the next hour reliving the events of the night, chuckling to himself and worshipping this goddess of a woman in his arms. His thoughts went to the same image from earlier tonight, of Jenny cooing to their fussing toddler, and he stroked her belly possessively. When he finally dozed off, it was the most warm, cozy, and blissful sleep he had had in ages. 

Jenny woke up the next morning feeling hot, which was strange given the climate there. Bheem was spooning her from behind, his front plastered to her back. The memories of last night hit her then, as did the ache in her joints and between her legs. Suddenly very aware of their naked state, in broad daylight, she fixed the thin sheet around herself.

It was late morning, way past Bheem’s wake-up time. She turned in his arms, and boy, she would never tire of waking up to that face. 

‘Bheem?’ Jenny tapped on his chest. No response. She tried again, tapping on his cheek. He whined and nuzzled into her neck. She laughed and shook his upper arm lightly. He opened one eye, figured that there was no burning emergency, then closed it again, pulling her closer. She gave up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

‘Aaj walk par nahi gaye?’

(You didn’t go for your morning walk today?)

‘Mann nahi tha.’ 

(Didn’t feel like it.)

‘Hmm….Aur training? Tum late ho.’

(Hmmm….and training? You are late for that also.)

Bheem knew he was late. He also knew there was some important business to be dealt with today. But he still didn’t have the heart to let her out of his arms. And he wanted to ensure she was doing fine after last night, both physically and emotionally.

He didn’t need to pop the question though; she read the tentativeness in his eyes and cupped his face.

‘I am fine. Really, I am more than fine. Don’t worry, my love. You can go.’

Very reluctantly, he let her go, and she went into the adjoining chamber to dress herself. By the time she was out, he was ready for the day. They both walked toward each other slowly, and Bheem held her hands. He hadn’t missed the tiny change in her gait and couldn’t help feeling guilty. They hugged silently, stroking each other, drawing comfort from each other’s presence. Jenny broke the hug eventually and had to practically walk him out of the hut.

He came back to check on her every half hour in the pretense of having forgotten something or the other. At first, she found it endearing, but then she started to get annoyed and had to practically shoo him out the last time he sneaked in.

When she heard the latest knock on the door, she was ready to throw something at him.

‘Bheem, for the love of god, I am not a child. I said I was fine. You need to get it through your thick head that…’

Her rant was cut off when she actually opened the door and saw a very amused Sita on the other side. 

‘Ummm…what was that about?’ 

They were both inside now, and Sita was looking at Jenny curiously. 

‘Nothing. Just some misunderstanding.’

Jenny tried to look calm, but she knew it was only a matter of time before Sita would see through everything. 

‘Hmm.’

Sita didn’t buy it but put it on the back burner for the time being. She had other things on her mind, and her face lit up as she playfully elbowed her friend.

‘So, did Bheem like the surprise? I am guessing yes - since you two never showed up after he….well, after he swooped you up in his arms and carried you back bridal style.’

Sita giggled loudly, and she had expected Jenny to giggle with her. Jenny didn’t - she looked down, played with her hands, and didn’t utter a word. It was as guilty a look as humanly possible. Sita noticed the blush on her friend’s face and then her attire - Jenny was wearing a full-sleeved top with a scarf around her neck. Which was crazy in this weather. Unless…

The wheels started to churn in Sita’s head. She sat close to her friend and held her hand, making Jenny look up at herself. She tried her best to look patient, but her eyes were wide with curiosity and anticipation, making Jenny smile.

‘Well, he did like the surprise. A little too much, actually.’

Jenny looked down again, and Sita squealed happily, shaking Jenny by her shoulders.

‘TELL ME EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE ANYTHING OUT.’

It was tough for Jenny to get the words out, but she tried. Every time she stuttered, Sita filled in and kept Jenny talking. Sita gasped, jumped, squealed, blushed, and half-danced through the full details. And then asked a thousand questions just to ensure she didn’t miss anything. 

Jenny was scandalised with some of her questions, gaping at her. Sita dismissed her bewilderment and prudishness, making her lay out everything. And Jenny did - it felt good to talk about this life-changing experience. Sita couldn’t contain her happiness for her friend. She was also a tad bit jealous, which was only human, after all.

‘I knew he would like the Sari. I didn’t know he would love it this much.’

They both giggled loudly.

‘By the way, pls keep that Sari now since he liked it on you. Also, I don’t want it back. Even if I boil it in hot water, I would never be able to touch it.’

‘Umm…we didn’t…I mean, the garments weren’t on me when…stuff happened…it’s not ripped or anything…it’s unscathed that way.’

‘Irrespective. It will constantly remind me of THAT. Pls keep it, I insist. Wear it for him again.’

Jenny blushed widely, and Sita laughed at her friend, finding her so cute at that moment. Jenny also wanted to talk to her about something important, something that had been playing on her mind since morning.

‘There is something I wanted to ask you. It‘s slightly…intimate in nature. May I?’

‘Of course. You can ask me anything.’

Jenny worked up the courage to form her next words.

‘How does one, unmmmm, get with child? From what we….what happened last night, do you think I can, you know, get with child?’

Sita looked at her in wonder. She had understood by now that Jenny’s upbringing had been very sheltered, but she had no idea it was like this. It also hit Sita how young Jenny was - she was many years younger than Bheem, who in turn was younger than Ram & Sita. 

She must have been so confused about some aspects last night. Sita hoped Bheem had talked/helped Jenny through those. From how Jenny had described, it did seem that he had taken good care of her, and Sita was glad.

‘Yes. What happened last night is exactly how a woman can get with a child.’

‘Hmm.’

Jenny played with her hands. She was worried that this was going to be the answer.

‘So, is there a way to…take something afterward…so that it doesn’t happen?’

This was too soon for them to be thinking of a child. They were still just getting to know each other. This was a whole new world for Jenny, and she was still taking baby steps into it.

Sita looked at her with compassion and understanding.

‘Yes, there is. I can give it to you. It needs to be taken within 12 hours, so you should hurry. And for what it’s worth, I think it’s the right decision. But tell me, have you spoken to Bheem about this?’

Jenny shook her head slowly. She didn’t know how to bring this up with him or how he would react. She didn’t want him to misinterpret it as a sign of her hesitation in this new life.

‘My dear, you need to talk to him. About what you feel and what you want to do about this. He should know too. He would understand, don’t worry about that.’

Jenny nodded. She knew Sita was right. She had to figure out the right time and the right way to talk to Bheem.

‘And you may also want to talk to him about ways, about forms of intimacy in which…one doesn’t get with child.’

Jenny looked up at her with such innocence and confusion that it made Sita smile. But she wasn’t going to educate her on this - it was something she needed to explore with Bheem. 

Sita brought the necessary herbs, which Jenny had with hot tea. She left the younger woman with her own thoughts and made her way out.

Bheem was outside, circling near the entrance of the hut. He jumped when he heard the door open and was glad that it was Sita, not Jenny.

Sita smiled when she saw what was in his hands, which he quickly hid behind himself.

‘Bheem - why are you tip-toeing around your own house, like a thief?

Bheem looked at Sita and understood there was no point in lying to her or hiding anything from her. He wasn’t going to breathe a word of last night to anyone else. But Jenny would have either told Sita already, or Sita would have pried it out of Jenny. 

‘Let me guess - you have checked on her too many times already, to the point of annoying her, and now you are scared to go in?’

Bheem nodded like a little child - resignation written deep in his big doe eyes. Something about the sweetness of it tugged at Sita’s heart.

‘Is she…is she doing fine? She won’t tell me if she is not ok, but she would have told you.’ Bheem said in a small voice.

‘Yes, Bheem. She is absolutely fine. There is nothing to worry about.’

Bheem took one hand out from behind himself and opened it to her. Sita knew those herbs served as painkillers.

‘I gave these to her already. She said she doesn’t need it but I have still left them inside.’

Bheem nodded again, relieved by her words.

‘Has she eaten? She didn’t have anything in the morning.’

Sita smiled and clasped his open palm.

‘Yes, we had lunch together, just now.’

He smiled. Finally. And Sita clasped his hand tighter with affection.

‘You know, she is not as fragile as you think. She is quite strong-willed.’

Bheem was taken aback a bit by her statement and implication.

‘Oh - I don’t think she is fragile. She is very brave and spirited and strong-willed. I know that, I admire that. But she is delicate, Sita. She is not used to living like us. All this is very new for her. She hasn’t seen any harsh realities of life. Well, till before she met me, at least.’

His voice fell at the last sentence.

‘If you ask her, she would say her life really began when she met you.’

He was still looking down, not convinced. It happened with him a fair bit. When he was with her, drowning in her affection, the doubts never surfaced. But the moments away from her were like this sometimes.

‘She has left everything behind - her home, her people, her friends, the luxuries of her prior life, her way of life. Anything and everything she was familiar with, she has left it all behind. All for me. Sometimes, that’s a heavy burden to carry. And most times, I don’t feel like I am worth it.’

His voice became small and distant again. Sita clasped his hand tighter and made him look at herself.

‘Bheem - let her be the judge of that, please. When she tells you there is nothing in this world she wants other than you, she means it. Trust her on this. When I can see it written loud and clear in her eyes, so can you. And I know you do so see it, but for some reason, you are not letting yourself accept it.’

Sita could see she was getting through to him, so she continued.

‘I understand why you feel responsible for her. It’s sweet that you are so protective. But you both need to communicate better and listen to each other. Don’t just act based on your own assumptions. And that goes for her also. She is very mature in a few things, wise beyond her years, but is quite naive in some other aspects. Just like you. You both are two silly people - silly in love, made for each other.’

There it was, his pearly laugh, mixed with the twinkle in his eyes. 

‘Thank you. For being there for her. For being her friend. It has meant a lot to her; I can see that. There are things that she may not discuss with me yet, but I am glad she has you for those.’

Sita was overwhelmed by this sudden burst of emotion from him.

‘I am grateful for meeting her, too; I treasure every second of being with her. I can see why you love her so much. And Bheem - thank you for making my friend the happiest girl in the world. That’s what she feels when she is with you.’

In the limited time Bheem and Sita had spent together, they had felt a special bond - of kindness, compassion, and empathy. Sita had been able to say the right thing at the right time in the right way to him, just as he needed to hear it.

‘So, are you planning to give her the flowers or what?’

Bheem took out his other hand from behind himself. He had brought her a collection of roses this time, which took some effort. 

‘I will just leave them at the door, don’t want to disturb her while she is resting.’

‘You liar - you are too scared to knock on that door and risk annoying her.’

Bheem looked sheepish, but he neither confirmed nor denied that.

‘Wait till you see her reproachful face and admonishing eyes. Then we will talk.’

Sita burst out laughing, almost making him conscious. This man - who hadn’t hesitated for a second to storm the British barracks alone - was scared of angering a petite woman. It was as comical as it was endearing. Sita laughed all the way back to her hut. And Bheem somehow made it to the training again.

Ram had noticed that Bheem had arrived late, which had never happened before, but he didn’t say anything. He also didn’t miss how Bheem kept disappearing in the middle. He hadn’t even shown up for their morning walk today, which was a first, too. He kept his thoughts to himself for a bit and focused on the task at hand.

When they were wrapping up late afternoon, and others had left already, Ram made his way to his friend, who had stoically avoided looking at him all day.

‘Where are you lost today?’

‘Lost? Not at all. I am right here. I have been right here.’ Bheem blurted out instantly, making Ram even more suspicious. Something was different about him today.

‘Look at me.’

‘What?’

‘Turn around and look at me.’

Bheem cursed inwardly and slowly turned around, trying to appear calm, but his eyes betrayed him, as always.

As Ram started to put two and two together, Bheem could see a devilish grin building on his face. But before he could get a word out, they heard Malli coming towards the clearing.

‘Annna - where are you?’

‘We are here.’ Bheem waved to her, and the child came running towards him.

‘Anna - is Jenny akka still hurt from last night?’

Bheem felt like someone had just sucker-punched him. His face was a mixture of confusion and horror. And utter disbelief at what he had just heard. Had they been that loud? Did Malli hear something? Ram, who was standing behind Malli, was equally stunned.

‘WHA….what do you mean?’ He choked out somehow.

‘She hurt her foot last night; that’s why you carried her back, right? Is she still hurt?’

The color that had drained from Bheem’s face had returned somewhat. Ram also let out an audible sigh.

‘Yes, she did hurt her ankle, but she is fine now.’

‘Then why did she not come for our class today?’

Ram picked that moment to compound Bheem’s misery. 

‘Is that so? She didn’t take the class today? I wonder why - care to enlighten us, Bheem?’ 

Ram was standing behind Malli, the devilish grin back on his face. Bheem tried his best to not look at him.

‘She is……a little tired after the….festivities last night, nothing else. The class will be back on from tomorrow; you can see her then.’

Malli whined loudly, making her best pouting face. Ram felt she had learned that from Bheem.

‘Tomorrow? You mean she won’t play with us this evening also?’

‘No. Not today.’

‘But you just said she is fine. Why can’t I go to her right now? Why can’t I play with her?’

‘Because your Anna has played with her enough last night.’ 

Ram muttered from behind, low enough so Malli couldn’t hear, but Bheem caught it instantly and gave him a death glare. Ram was legit taken aback and shut up after that. While Malli just looked at the two men in confusion.

‘Malli - I just told you, not today. Don’t ask so many questions. And what are you doing here anyway? I have told you a zillion times to stay close to the village.’

Bheem responded curtly, annoyance seeping into his voice, which was mostly from Ram’s antics. Malli used the full power of her whining and stomped her feet.

‘It’s not fair, Anna. Back in the haveli, Jenny akka used to spend so much time with me. Even after coming here initially, she played with me all the time. But in the last week, I have barely seen her. She is always away, always with YOU. Why? She was my friend first.’

Ram looked ready to burst into a laugh, barely managing to contain himself. But he didn’t make a sound, not wanting to invite Bheem’s wrath again. 

Bheem was befuddled. It was true that he had claimed most of Jenny’s time lately, especially since they had both confessed their feelings to each other. But he had never considered that Malli would feel this way. While Bheem was thinking of a response, Malli doubled down.

‘Amma doesn’t even allow me to go to your hut, at any time of the day. When I ask her why, she just says that children shouldn’t ask so many questions. What kind of an answer is that? How is any of this fair?’

Bheem bent to his knees in front of her, bringing his hands to her shoulders.

‘Malli, I am sorry. I didn’t realise you felt this way. Your Jenny akka is your friend first - it is true and I will tell her how you feel. I promise she will spend more time with you from now on.’

Malli smiled widely and jumped into his arms. Bheem picked her up and started walking back to the village, leaving Ram to bring back all the training equipment; that should serve him well.

‘Anna - can I come to your hut from now on? Jenny akka tells the most amazing bedtime stories - of faraway lands and princesses. She used to tell them to me in the haveli, to get me to sleep. I miss those stories.’

Bheem had no intention of compromising their privacy during the nights, so he thought of a round about way.

‘How about she comes to your hut on some nights and tells you a couple of stories? And comes back afterwards?’

‘That should be alright.’

Bheem was glad at having pacified her. But she wasn’t done, not yet. Malli raised her head from where it was resting on his shoulder and looked at Bheem intently.

‘Anna - you like her, don’t you?’

Bheem didn’t want to lie to her. Not on this.

‘Yes, I do.’

‘And she likes you too, right?’

‘Yes, she does.’

‘Is that why you both spend so much time together? Because you like each other?’

‘Yes. But who told you about this?’

‘No one told me. No one tells me anything. But I figured it out myself. Both of you have been happier since last week. You smile more. And you both keep looking at each other all the time; it’s so funny.’

Malli kissed his cheek, and he kissed the top of her head.

‘So, you are okay with that then? With sharing your Jenny akka’s time with me?

‘I am okay. I love you both, and I am happy that you are happy. But remember - I said sharing, not taking up all her time.’

Bheem burst into a big laugh.

‘Yes, I heard you on that. Loud and clear.’

They chatted about many other things, mostly random, on their way back. Bheem was glad to hear her laughter, something she had only started doing recently. She had started drawing again too. Listening to her excited gibberish, Bheem was hopeful that someday, she would be able to get past the trauma of her capture and be their little nightingale again.

..................................................

A/N: Massive thanks to @carminavulcana for sharing the Gond customs. A loose interpretation of that has been used in this chapter.

As always, would love to hear your thoughts on the chapter :)

@irisesforyoureyes @rambheem-is-real @thewinchestergirl1208 @eremin0109 @eenadu-varthalu @rorapostsbl @anyavaramyr @yehsahihai @budugu @rasnak2 @fadedscarlets @maraudersbitchesassemble @juhiiiiii @justmeand-myinsight @rambheemisgoated @rosayounan @jrntrtitties @obsessedtoafault @rambheemlove @jjwolfesworld @alikokinav @iam-siriuslysher-lokid @bromance-minus-the-b @dumdaradumdaradum @lovingperfectionwonderland @annieginny @chaanv @ssabriel @sally-for-sally @milla984 @doodlesofthelastpage @boochhaan @mesimpleone @filesbeorganized @ladydarkey @teddybat24 @fangirlshrewt97 @stanleykubricks @stuckyandlarrystuff @burningsheepcrown @veteran-fanperson @voidsteffy @ronika-writes-stuff @beingmes-blog @yonderghostshistories @nisreenart @chaidrivenwhore @bheemaxrama

[eva-knits12]

Domestic Bliss

Trigger warning: chronic illness, soft ransom, wedded bliss, pregnancy, babies, fluff

Summary: You and Ransom enjoy wedded bliss.

This is a part 3 to The Daily Battle

It had been three months since you became Mrs. Hugh Ransom Drysdale. Ransom is sitting in bed next to you, reading his New Yorker magazine, and sipping his coffee while he waits for you to open you're eyes. You had been feeling extra tired and nauseous lately, and it took your doctor to confirm that yes, you were indeed pregnant.

"Ransom, I'm going to throw up. Can you carry me to the bathroom, please?" You said, tiredness still in your voice. Ransom picks you up and carries you bridal style and places you in front of the toilet, and you spill your guts into it.

You and Ransom had discovered that you were pregnant weeks ago. You two were planning on starting a family a year from now, when you were feeling even better, but fate threw you both a curveball. You conceived on your honeymoon, during a night of passion.

Ransom is slowly rubbing soothing circles on your back, and when you're done throwing up, he immediately gets your toothbrush ready. You also wash your face, and then tell Ransom to leave the bathroom, you had to pee really bad. You relieved yourself, and wash your hands, and then throw up again for the second time.

Ransom is in the kitchen, making you some dry toast, and some peppermint tea to help cure your nausea. Ransom had a wide smile on his face, knowing that he hit the jackpot with you, especially with his crazy family and all.

Your aunt wondered why his parents weren't there, and it was after the stunt they pulled at the monthly Sunday dinner at Harlan's two years ago that Ransom had officially disowned them. He felt a sense of peace by going no contact with them, and you slowly started to get better. Two years ago, your MS had progressed which was causing your pain and your fatigue to get worse than it was, but with the new medication, physical therapy, and regular doctor visits you were able to walk down the aisle without the aid of one of your mobility devices. You were determined to walk down the aisle, no matter how long it took. You finally reached your goal this year, and you were also able to dance with your husband.

You wore a simple, white wedding gown with flats underneath because high heels just weren't a part of your life anymore, no matter how much you loved shoes. Ransom wore a simple gray suit with a simple button down shirt that was accessorized by a simple purple tie, with a matching pocket square and gold cufflinks.

Your hair was done in a simple bun that sat low on your head, and framed the back of your head. Your makeup was simple, and you wore a simple strand of pearls with gold beads on it, along with a pair of simple pearl studs and a small pair of diamond studs in your second piercing. Ransom's wedding ring was a simple gold band, while yours had diamonds on it. It was your mother's wedding ring, and Ransom had it resized. You were willed it, because your mother died from breast cancer before the wedding. Ransom thought that getting it resized, and having you wear it, would be a great keepsake for you. If he couldn't get it resized, he was going to put the set on a gold chain, and you could wear her rings as a necklace.

Ransom twirled you on the dancefloor with your dress twirling along with it.

Your wedding day was amazing and beautiful, and the months that followed had brought you both nothing but bliss.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Are you feeling better?" asked a concerned Ransom.

"I'll feel better after I have some toast and some tea," you said. Ransom guided you down to the chair where your breakfast sat.

"Just a few more weeks, and this morning sickness will be behind you," said Ransom.

"I'm sick all day, whoever named it morning sickness must have been a man." you said, getting a laugh out of Ransom.

You and Ransom talk and eat your breakfast. You and Ransom discuss names, and the theme of the nursery. Ransom was going to turn the guest room into a gym so that you could do your yoga and do your physical therapy exercises, but that plan went out the window now that a baby was on the way.

You both decided that theme of the nursery would be a peaceful nature theme, so Ransom and you look at Pinterest and Google and various sites to get ideas for the nursery's nature theme.

You decide on a name. Harlan Albert if it's a boy, Katherine Eve if it's a girl.

Your aunts want to plan you a baby shower, and your not even done with your first trimester yet.

Ransom sits there quiet for minute, a smile on his face.

"Honey, you are my wife. I love you so much. You have given me gifts that are priceless. You are now with child, and that's the most precious of gifts. I never thought I would find love and happiness, and here I am. When you first told me about your illness, that made me fall in love with you even more. You have strength and courage that I admire, and I will never have. We've been through thick and thin, because we had to. I wouldn't have this any other way."

Ransom remembered the very words that were thrown at Harlan's monthly Sunday dinner. Ransom still feels the same way as he looks at you in awe and with love. What he said has not changed at all. Not having to deal with his messed up family anymore was more peaceful, and Ransom never knew peace existed until he cut ties with his toxic parents, and the toxic family members that came with them.

You cry at Ransom's wonderful and loving words. Ransom gets up and clears the table, placing a loving kiss to your forehead.

You had an ob/gym appointment later that morning, where you would be discussing what your plan was for the next six months. Your neurologist would be in via video call, and so would your pain specialist. You couldn't take your medications right now because of the baby.

Ransom drives you to your ob/gyn appointment, and he finds a seat in the waiting room, with his crossword and his mechanical pencil underneath his arm. Ransom settles you in, and pulls out your book, giving you a loving kiss to your cheek.

The nurse calls and Ransom joins you in the exam room. The ultrasound tech looks around, detects something that immediately concerns both her the doctor. The doctor takes one look and detects two heartbeats. The doctor reveals that you're having twins, just like your mother predicted years ago.

"Honey, how are we going to handle two babies? I'm just getting used to this," you said to Ransom. He immediately detects the anxiety in your voice.

"Sweetheart, we'll get through this. We've been through hell and back. This is just small fries compared to the bigger picture. In fact, I always pictured two kids, and we're getting them in one go." Ransom couldn't hide the excitement.

Ransom kisses you on the nose, and that gets a giggle out of you. Ransom immediately springs into action when you two get back home, looking up the safest cribs and car seats while you sleep next to him. If you thought MS wore you out, pregnancy was a rude awakening with it. It seemed that you were more tired now than you were when your MS progressed.

Your ob/gyn had managed to video call your neurologist and your pain specialist. They agreed to discontinue the medication because of the babies, so they suggested to keep the physical therapy regimen, and to help manage your pain and fatigue, it was important to get as much rest as possible, until you able to start the medication regimen again. You made an appointment with your neurologist, with Ransom taking notes in his multiple sclerosis journal in order to help you navigate having a chronic illness while you were pregnant.

The next several months seemed to fly right by. Ransom and you had bought the cribs, hired an interior decorator to design and put the nursery together. You bought the car seats, the changing tables, the diapers, the wipes, and all the other baby basics.

Your aunts threw you a baby shower, and you even placed a photo of your mother and your grandmothers at the shower. You got onesies, bibs, clothes, bottles, pacifiers, etc. You even knitted your babies two blankets and two sweaters, one sweater and blanket was blue, the other blanket and sweater was pink.

You and Ransom were having a boy and a girl. It was just like Ransom had pictured. He just wanted you to be healthy and the babies to be healthy. Ransom wouldn't let you get on your feet, or go anywhere, even to the bathroom without his assistance. If you got really bad, you had to use your mobility devices.

On the day you went into labor, Ransom rushed you to the hospital, his nervousness was showing. He was more anxious than you were, and you were the one who had to push the babies out. You give birth to a healthy, beautiful baby boy that you named Harlan Albert (after his great grandfathers) and a healthy, beautiful baby girl, Katherine Eve (named after her great grandmothers).

Ransom looked at you and the twins, and he couldn't be more prouder. He was a proud father who would do anything for his twins. He was a proud husband and a proud father would do anything to protect his family. Ransom fell in love with you even more that day, and he never thought that falling in love with someone even more was possible.

[greatfay]

Wednesday: my thoughts

Ok, I watched Wednesday. And I liked it enough to pick it apart like string cheese.

The Good

Overall, a Scooby Doo-style supernatural teen murder mystery revolving around the iconic Wednesday Addams is a genius idea in theory, and turns out, not too shabby in execution. Watching this genuinely made me think “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina could’ve been this if it was made by someone who isn’t Roberto Aguirre Sacasa” because, turns out, this can work! It is aesthetically pleasing, the pacing is solid until it sags in the middle, and the casting choice are almost 10/10.

Jenna Ortega carries this show. She said “I am Wednesday” and we said yes ma’am, essays have been written about how great this performance is and I can contribute nothing new to it. I will add that Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams is such a brilliant casting choice that I can’t believe I never thought of it, she nailed the role and managed to still make it her own by adding layers of glamorous poise and dreaminess to her character. Luis Guzman as Gomez was also perfect, especially paired with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jenna Ortega. He has a genuine warmth to his screen presence that sells the whole point of Gomez as a character: a loving father and husband who is as supportive and generous as he is suave and debonaire. Gwendoline Christie is, as usual, having the time of her life as whatever character she plays, and Joy Sunday I think nailed her character to fit that archetype while still matching the tone of the show (something not everyone could do).

In general, I felt like the show runners knew that Wednesday herself was written so well that all they had to do was put her front and center and let that do most of the work, taking its time to establish her before introducing the Mystery, and I have to hand it to Tim Burton given the flops he’s delivered the past 15 years.

The explicit, canon Mexican-American heritage of Gomez and his children felt so natural and obvious. Like it’s one thing to have a Spanish or Latino actor play Gomez, it’s another for that ancestry, specifically Mexican ancestry and the displacement and trauma of experiencing colonization, to play a role in worldbuilding and characterization. It didn’t feel like it was just there for flavor.

The Bad

Convoluted Plot: The plot was doing fine until we got a double fakeout on the monster reveal that everyone could see coming a mile away, on top of overcomplicating the politics of Colonial Jericho and its relationship with “normies vs. outcasts.” I don’t know why Joseph Crackstone was leading the charge against outcasts (and Native Americans) to steal their land on the principle that they’re “abominations in the eyes of God” but at the same time, this guy is a fucking dark sorcerer. He’s doing Saurumon moves and there’s NO explanation, like what difference is there between him telekinetically tossing people around and girls like Wednesday having visions? Make it make sense. And like, the revenge plot: “I waited all this time to find a rare monster I can control to collect body parts and also the blood of the descendent of the witch who sealed my ancestor with blood magic so I could resurrect him with dark magic and then finally get our family’s revenge on the outcasts” girl please, please! MESS. We we were doing fine until then! And Wednesday’s revival via her necklace/talisman was such a cop out. Anyway...

Love Triangle: They really dug up the most boring, basic white boys to be love interests for Wednesday. Lbr she didn’t need love interests, and especially not two basic white boys! But if they had to... if it was in their contract or something that Netflix required a damn hetty het love triangle, there’s a way this could’ve been written to make me not eyeroll. Xavier was introduced in the pilot as the It Boy, that Dick-Slinger, the Resident Hottie™, and then spends the rest of the show swinging back and forth between “devilmaycare James Dean stand-in” and “whiny lil bitch.” Mind you he had every right to be pissed that Wednesday only asked him to the dance as a cover-up, sure, but I wouldn’t have written that. Wouldn’t have written the damn love triangle to begin with, but if they said “Write this love triangle between the two white boys or we kick your dog” what I would have done is write Xavier as a clever, mischievous little James Dean, slashed the daddy issues because that’s the other basic white boy love interest’s primary character trait, and made him way more savvy to Wednesday’s antics. She’s a force of nature; you can’t pair her up with a little rain cloud, the least a basic white boy could do is have some gale force wind charisma!! The moment she did that whole fake asking-out thing, he could’ve been like “So you’ve been desperately, madly in love with me this whole time? And here I thought you were sneaking around my private studio, looking for clues *winks* I’ll pick you up at 8, Velma. Dress like you’re in mourning.” Because that characterization would’ve made Xavier a better foil to Wednesday, and a bigger threat when she still suspected him of being the monster since he’s too clever to be manipulated. And Tyler! Boy has daddy issues and mommy issues?? Honeyyyyy. His character could still be the unassuming normie, but again, the best love interests are foils in some way. If he’d been written and portrayed as unfailingly cheery but introverted, and just unabashedly charmed by Wednesday’s morbid interests, I would’ve liked him more. Like, give me a country boy who’s got “good ole fashioned American values” which means of course he’s giving you a ride home, it’s late and dangerous, of course he remembered you mentioning your favorite book, Mama said you should give a lady your full attention when she speaks. And that leads me to my next gripe:

The Hyde reveal: when the Hyde was introduced in the plot, it was describe as a poorly understood, and under-researched member of the Outcast community. The big question was whether it was in a Hyde’s nature to be violent and cruel, if they are conscious of their actions, or if they are victims to a transformation they can’t control (which is a bit weird in a world where werewolves also exist, but they control their transformations and are relatively harmless). The moment we got that “How does it feel... to lose?” line, I was like noooo. NO. In my version of this show, Tyler is truly a cheery, all-smiles sweetheart who doesn’t blink when Wednesday brings up her pet scorpion, and instead asks “What was their name?” And it makes it more gut-wrenching and has way more narrative weight if Tyler isn’t in control of his transformations and has no idea he’s under someone’s spell, because then all the vindication Wednesday gets from solving the mystery gets slashed when it comes at the cost of a friend’s freedom and wellbeing.

The Antagonists: Obviously Christina Ricci was playing the Big Important Character. I knew it was her, I knew it I knew it. That’s fine. I liked her portrayal throughout the show, I do think her character lost narrative power in the last two episodes. I’m not a fan of when the Big Bad Guy gets replaced by a Bigger Bad Guy when the first Big Bad Guy had way more screen time dedicated to their buildup and character motives. Then there’s the sheriff, who frustrated me from Day One. Literally a jerkass from start-to-finish. The reveal that he knew his wife was a Hyde and suspected his son to be one too this whole time made his whole “I will get justice” shtick so fucking annoying, like you hypocritical bigot, you know who’s clawing mfers up left and right and he just ate the last of the fucking Cheerios in your fridge. Bianca as the first Arc Villain was great because I just can’t help but like a competent mean girl, especially when she’s not actually that mean, and the Principal was a good antagonist and obstacle for Wednesday. Do wish she was written to be a bit more savvy.

In my version of this show, the moment Wednesday was like “It’s Thornhill!” we would’ve had a quick transition to a close-up of Thornhill tapping her nails on the rail as she glides down the stairs in her greenhouse to the tune of “Back to Black” (to parallel Wednesday playing “Paint It Black”) as she’s legit jamming, like she’s shimmying and dancing her way down the stairs and having a good ass time, tossing off her polka dot jacket to reveal a black floral flowy top (the flowers will obviously be night shade), she pulls off her wig to reveal Amy Lee-style dark locks, and she is just living in her villainy. Her motivations will no longer be “the outcasts are why my family is dead, even though we’ve been harboring hatred for them since the 1600s” instead it’s “my family’s vendetta cost me a life of luxury and fortune and wealth” (because in this version, they would’ve lost the house due to her father’s alcoholism and gambling) “and I don’t actually give a damn about outcasts or normies, I just want to run the property values into the ground and set the world on fire. Whatever survives in the ashes, it belongs to me.” WE NEEDED A BAD BITCH. We needed someone who, in the end, is a strong parallel to Wednesday on the surface: a fascination with the macabre, a penchant for violence, deeply cunning and curious. But then the difference between them is that Thornhill is actually good at reading others’ emotions despite seeing everyone as disposable, while Wednesday is highly aware of emotional dissonance with her peers and family and the thought that she’s missing out on something causes her distress. This in turn could’ve been a deeper metaphor for the ease in which those who live in privilege and luxury can dehumanize others (Thornhill) vs those who are just straight up autistic and are thus othered and demonized for not conforming to or understanding social norms (Wednesday). Oh btw Wednesday is autistic, I don’t make the rules.

Anyway, in my version, when Wednesday confronts Thornhill, she gets away by smashing a vial of some smoky acid or something on the ground and gets away, but Wednesday chases after her while Principal Lady is coughing because it’s poison. Wednesday gets caught, blah blah blah, and instead of her coming back to life by absorbing her ancestor’s ghost, the Principal shows up and pours some of her blood into Wednesday’s wounds because shapeshifter-blood=healing, before succumbing to her own injuries and dying. That ^ could be planted earlier in the story with a quick flashback in episode 4(?) after Wednesday has tried to figure out why the Principal would cover up Rowan’s death and where this new “Rowan” actually went, and the Principal is being cagey, we could get a line like “I would do anything for my students. You’ve no idea.” And then a quick shot of her kneeling over Rowan’s lifeless body, weeping as she pours blood from her hand into his mouth and muttering “Come on, come on Rowan, wake up” then quick shot back to the office where the Principal is just cool and composed, refusing to give answers. Anyway, her saving Wednesday will have more to do with her genuine care plus her guilt for her part in having her father charged for murder, which won’t be because of a jealousy romance thing (which is so dry and tired) and will instead be due to her ambition and wanting to remove Morticia from the running of something important (like an internship at the New England Society of Necromancer’s Salem Branch or something).

The Ugly

Racism: Everyone’s tired of hearing about it, well I’m tired of talking about it. Tim Burton does not have a good history with race in his works. I, personally, don’t care if he never has black people in his works. If representation is handled with “colorblindness” or spite, I don’t want it. This situation had more of the former. If you don’t understand the context of how race relations work in the real world with your audience, it’s going to come out clumsy and jarring. Seeing a black boy dressed in a pilgrim costume, walking into a diner to bully a random girl he doesn’t know because she’s “different” for dressing in an identical aesthetic as he is, it makes no sense to me. Why would a black man have any personal investment in building a theme park surrounding European colonialism??? An oppression metaphor in a story just doesn’t sit well when the oppressing characters are cast as people who suffer under systemic oppression in real life. It’s so weird that Iman Marcus can start filming and play a character who is, technically in-universe, “privileged” financially and socially and politically, then he can walk off set and drive over to the nearest Starbucks and still get racially profiled by some corrupt ass LA cop regardless of his Netflix-paycheck.

It’s not so much that I find this morally repugnant, it’s that the moment I see it on screen, I’m reminded “ah this is fiction and I am watching a TV show.” Emotional and social inauthenticity (and cringe ass dialogue) makes it harder to suspend my disbelief than watching a sentient, severed hand receive defibrillation from a man with electric powers (legit made me emotional). Thought has to go into casting for this reason. I wasn’t as worried about Joy Sunday as Bianca, as being pretty and ambitious and a little mean isn’t exactly damning, though I still wonder if when she beats Wednesday in that fencing match, if we’re supposed to cheer her on and be happy that Wednesday was put in her place (I did, I was like “lil girl you’ve been here 2 seconds” and it was nice to know our protagonist wasn’t Perfect). Casting black actors as antagonists isn’t necessarily racist every single time; it becomes a problem when the antagonists are your only black characters, in a story revolving around “otherness” and discrimination. I did like that Bianca and Lucas and even Mayor Walker got more development (sad that the Mayor was murdered before he could redeem himself).

Also shoutout to the Netflix ASOUE for setting a more recent, modern precedent for that macabre, Gothic aesthetic that has dark-skinned people in it, there’s a good example of actors of color cast in various roles where their race doesn’t clash with their character. Black Mr. and Mrs. Poe are flawed, negligent adults and they could’ve been of any race. Aasif Mandvi as Uncle Monty was perfect, because embodying the warm intellectuals of the character wasn’t tied to his race; anyone could’ve played him. Alfre Woodard as Aunt Josephine was wonderful because all she needed to give the role was an eccentric portrayal of deep-set trauma and grief, the actress’s real-life race and social status aren’t at odds with how her character exists in-universe.

Queerbaiting: I only became aware of this after the show’s premier because I didn’t follow its promotional materials leading up to it. I’ve seen the posts on the official Netflix account. Yes it is queerbaiting, regardless of whether the person handling the account is an unpaid queer intern or a Netflix executive’s overly paid nephew. However, the actual writing of the show does not give queer baiting. Wednesday’s character “flaw” is her inability to prioritize the emotional and sometimes-physical wellbeing of others over her own agenda. This culminating in her falling out with Enid, and realizing Enid is her friend and cares for her, is not queerbaiting. We’re too late into this era to clamor for queer subtext crumbs to eat that up. Wednesday starts off a proud lone wolf with no friends to finding people who know exactly what they’re getting into when they become her friend and choose to do so anyway; she learns to take others’ wellbeing into account and gets friends, without compromising her own values and her personal boundaries (i.e. she hugged Enid when she was ready, when she was comfortable, not out of social obligation, and Enid gave her the space for that). Writing that arc meant that the writers paid attention to Wednesday character and maybe paid attention in Storybuilding 101 in college. It does not mean they intended a sapphic romance and then pulled the rug out from under us. And if you lot start grilling the actors on social media about their characters’ sexualities and then project those interpretations onto the actors and demand that they come out, I will find and kill you.

[twistsparkle]

Pearls

Christine was always so damn bossy. She micromanaged her team, exhibited poor manners, and was a bit manipulative when it came to playing her subordinates against each other. She treated every single partner as if they were her client, demanding respect and seeing others as beneath her. In just under a year, three business partners asked to be moved to another team, because she was that impossible to work with.

Something just had to be done, and management just wasn’t doing a thing about it.

Yet again, another partner was assigned to her group, but this time, it would be different.

Chad was good looking, a real charmer. When he was brought in, he was warned, but he remained cool, with a confidence that was borderline arrogant.

“Working with difficult partners is my specialty. I love a good challenge,” he said when he accepted the opportunity.

The first time he met Christine, he smiled as she sent him a deluge of templates, process, standards that must, she repeated, must be honored.

He smiled right at her on the conference call.

“Oh, I understand how standards must be…held.”

She looked directly at him, continued barking her demands, but her speech slowed.

“Is everything alright, Christine?”

“Yes, I mean, what was I saying? I think we can just catch up tomorrow.”

She felt a quiver down below.

Christine had no idea why her mind started to freeze like that, or why his voice, those words, his tone made her drip. She has always been so intentional, so confident, but didn’t understand what it was about Chad that made her so…demure while also so full of want.

The plan was in motion. The Company knew there was no other alternative to get Christine to leave. Although no one wanted to work with her, she was a top performer, but her manipulations, her toxic and petulant attitude was a major problem, there was simply nothing they could do.

They had to resort to this, it was for the good of the Company. All Chad needed was a week, not even. A week and she’d be in line. A week, and she might even leave the company. A week, and freedom from micromanagement. Their strategy had to be a little more creative than putting her on a performance plan.

The next day, the team was onsite for a meeting. Christine wore a beaded necklace with matching earrings. Her face looked blank, she was calm. The team looked on. It’s happening.

Chad walked over to her, and smiled.

“Why, Chad, it’s such a pleasure to meet you in person! I am so grateful to have such a darling partner. How do you take your coffee?”

“You know exactly how I like it.”

Her place would soon be in a three bedroom colonial, playing hostess, tending to her husband, and not having any recollection of her corporate life.

She has finally earned her pearls, permanently holding her in place.

Another post from my DA account. For more go to: https://www.deviantart.com/cinnabon26

[floatyflowers]

The Adopted Princess| Dark! Targaryen and Velaryon Boys x Reader (Aegon II, Aemond, Jacaerys, Lucerys) Part III

(Don't own the gif)

Part II

You look one last time at your chamber, which was filled with many memories in here, memories that gave you nostalgia.

The memories of your adoptive mother braiding your hair or giving you your first dragon egg which still hasn't hitched up till today.

And you are sure that it would never hitch because you are not a Targaryen, but you are keeping the egg around for the little hope that it might hitch.

"Her highness, your mother, is waiting for you so you all could leave together, my princess" 

One of the servants enters your chamber to inform you, pulling you out of your thoughts.

"I will be on my way, you could leave now, thank you" the servant bows in respect before taking his leave.

You walk out of your chamber, but the sight of Aemond walking towards you, holding something, stops you in your tracks.

"What is the matter, Aemond?" you inquire, surprised to see him.

"I came to say my farewells, and give you this to remember me by it"

The young Targaryen prince shows you the necklace with the red crystal in the middle.

"Aemond...it is beautiful" you take the necklace from him, looking down at it with admiration.

The said boy blushes at your acceptance of his gift, liking the way you smile.

"Can I also request something of you?" you look at him with your red eyes, nodding your head as a sign for him to go on.

"Can we exchange letters through ravens?" 

"Of course, I would keep that in my mind," you say cheerfully.

Yes, you find it strange that Aemond just gave you such a precious gift, and also requested to write letters to each other. 

But, he is way better than his older brother, who didn't even bother to apologize for his inappropriate behavior.

"Thank you for the gift, I will wear it every day, Aemond," you say, before leaning close and kissing him on the cheek.

With that, you walk away, leaving behind a flustered Aemond whose whole body feels warm from embarrassment.

You kissed him on the cheek.

That means you love him the same way he loves you, right?

꧁𑁍꧂

You stare down at your dragon egg eagerly, after noticing the big cracks all over the egg. 

After you arrived in Dragonstone with your family, strange things been happening with your dragon egg, like how it would shake roughly.

To be honest, you thought it was impossible because you believed the myth that implies that the egg only hitches if you are a true Targaryen.

However, it seems like it was just a myth after all.

When the egg finally hatched, you let out a happy gasp after your baby dragon breaks through the shell.

It was a light blue colored dragon, matching the color of his shell.

His wings are long, just for a baby dragon.

"Mother, Father!"

You shout out loud, as you rush out of your new chamber while being careful not to startle the small creature, that is laying comfortably on your hand. 

"What is the matter?"  

Rhaenyra inquires as she stands with her husband, Laenor, discussing some matters.

Their eyes grow big in shock upon seeing what you are holding.

"It finally hitched" Laenor chuckles, happy for you.

Rhaenyra walks over to you, and looks down at your dragon, examining it, only to discover that it is a male, before looking up at you with a proud smile.

"What are you going to name him?" 

"Quicksilver, just like King Aenys' dragon name" 

Many belittle Aenys Targaryen, but you admire the man for his kindness and justice unlike his brother, Maegor the cruel.

Suddenly, the guards announce the arrival of one of the messengers from Driftmark.

Announcing the death of Laena Valeryion.

She committed suicide after failing to give birth.

You watch as your adoptive father breaks down while your mother comforts him.

Hearing those news made you realize that you might meet the same fate.

You have always feared childbirth.

Nevertheless, you don't know that four future admirers would do anything to make you have their children.

Especially Aegon II who loves to fetishize about it while standing on the edge of the widow.

Part IV

Taglist:

@cleverzonkwombatsludge

@sandronebabyy

@cullenswife

[tooweirdforyou]

How The OP Boys Say “I Love You” To Their S/O

How You Know He Loves You- idk man

A/N : enjoy.

includes » Ace, Sabo, Luffy, law, Sanji, Zoro, Marco, Rosinante, Kid, Shanks, Mihawk, Katakuri, Izo, Koby, Cavendish,

Summary : the boys’ own way of saying “I love you”, with their own words and ways. Or, how you know he loves you.

? Wait did I do this before? I don’t even know. also these aren’t GREAT, but they aren’t HORRIBLE. Yk? Honestly tho, some of these seem like they’re all over the place, which yes, they might be. UGH IT WAS SO HARD THO.

-

Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy loves you like an adventure. Everything is new and always fun to try with him, and no matter what happens, you don’t ever regret it, because you’re doing it with him.

He’s persistent in staying with you everywhere, he wants to do everything with you. He tends to invite you ( by pulling your hand ) to do crazy things with him and away from the others so you’re alone.

He’s always showing off his skills and stupidity in order to make you laugh, because your smile is the best thing he’s ever seen and giggles are the beautiful sound he treasures.

His actions are genuine when he holds your hand and pulls you to his side all the time, with the warmest, loving grin.

Luffy always makes sure to remind you to never give up hope.

“Let’s go on an adventure together, [Name].”

-

Roronoa Zoro

Zoro loves you like you’re his one and only. No one has priority over you, ( except maybe Luffy ), and you will always be his, if you’ll let him.

Zoro is not a man of many words when it comes to his own emotions and feelings, so he shows it through his actions.

He always has an eye on you, so wherever you are is where he ‘sleeps’ so he can keep you close, his swords at his side to protect you from danger, ( but he knows you can handle yourself. )

Zoro is the perfect person to lend a comforting shoulder and ear. He will listen to every single one of your problems intently and if he can, will offer the best advice you’ll hear, even if it’s a bit harshly. However, whatever got you so down, Zoro will bring you back up.

Zoro is always reminding you that you are strong, no matter how tough things get.

“Oi, come take a nap with me. I could use a body pillow.”

-

Portgas D. Ace

Ace loves you like a gentleman, respecting boundaries, bowing to the elderly you pass by together and always ready to pick you up for your date at seven, bouquet of flowers in hand.

If Ace is good at anything, it’s knowing how to distract you with a good time. He knows the best way to bring a beautiful smile to your lips and can easily make sure to avoid the thoughts that brought you down in the first place.

He’ll share stories that will make you die of laughter or feel so wholesome that you literally melt at how sweet it is.

The few times he expresses and shares his insecurities to you, something he hides within him because he trusts you enough to do so. He loves your understanding and comfort for him.

Ace always reminds you that you’ll be okay, even at the worst times.

“You are the light of my life.”

-

Chief of Staff Sabo

Sabo loves you like a prince. He holds the door for you, takes your hand so you don’t fall, has the most charismatic smile on his face and is just so charming.

Sabo will remember the littlest things, the smallest details that you yourself don’t even know until he reminds you, and because of this, you are often gifted the most memorable and cherishing gifts, like the scarf you two bought for your perfect snowman, to the necklace you were staring a little too longingly at on display.

He’s always busy, but he doesn’t hesitate to drop whatever he has just for you. He will run through fire if it means you’ll stop crying or if you’ll be happy to see him. You are his lifeline, his soul, his love.

He may not know how to properly cheer you up like his brothers can, but he knows that he wants the best for you. If you need space, you got it. You need some tender loving cuddles and buckets of ice cream while watching Disney movies? Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Sabo reminds you that you deserve happiness and peace.

“Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.”

-

Trafalgar D. Water Law

Law loves you like you’re his savior, someone who’s always there during his time of need and insecurities, by his side when he needs you most.

He’s a little blunt and straightforward occasionally, but he’s honest somewhat. He won’t ever tell you his feelings until he deems it the right time, but you can tell he has feelings by the change in treatment.

He’ll keep you closer to him, making excuses by saying that he needs you to help him with the supply run, or that he needs your assistance with a particular menial task.

He’s awkward and shy about it at first but he cares and that’s all you need to know. Especially once you catch him during one of his weaker times, the anniversary of a particular someone rolling around, where he’s locked in his room. He needs you beside him, so please don’t leave him when he needs you.

Law reminds you that you are human, that it’s okay to be vulnerable.

“Just stay here with me.”

-

Vinsmoke Sanji

Sanji loves you like a god/goddess. He will treat you with the utmost respect and care and offers you everything you could possibly want or need, just say the word.

His genuine, endless daily compliments are given to you with pure love and passion, his daily refreshments and snacks to keep you energized and hydrated keeps an eye out for your health.

He makes sure you know the true meaning of flattery, chivalry and love, because that is all he can show you.

However, under that chivalrous exterior, is his calmer, understanding loving self, where he shows his true self and when he finally shares this side with you, where he holds his insecurities, it’s the true honor and love you can receive. And it’s even better, when you become the one who loves for him in return during this time.

Sanji reminds you that you deserve to be and are loved.

“You are my world, my everything.”

-

Marco The Phoenix

Marco loves you like a married couple who grew old together, still playing jokes and having fun to life’s fullest, no matter your age.

He’s constantly lecturing you for the smallest things repeatedly, since you always seem to forget. His lectures lack any annoyance or malice though, he’s just kind of done with you sometimes.

Nonetheless, he’s taking care of you more than you think, always the first one there whenever you need help. He’s always prepared for whatever you need so you don’t have to look for it and get worried.

He’s stern at times but he loves you more than you could ever know, often questioning himself whenever he’s beside you. He half-lidded eyes watching you with warmth and admiration because you always look so determined.

Marco always reminds you that you are free. To live life to its fullest and however you wish.

“Let me fly you to the moon.”

-

Donquixote Rosinante

Rosinante loves you like a husband, he treats you like his wife, either you or him welcoming each other home after being gone for so long and greeting each other with a loving kiss each time.

He knows just how tough things can be and as much as he tries to make things right, he knows how bad situations really are and no matter how much he wants to cry or get angry, he always holds a smile, in front of you. To assure you that things will be okay.

He gives the warmest hugs, and knows that, so whenever you’re angry or sad, or just randomly at times, Rosi envelops you into a large hug, waddling you back and forth a few times, you feel instant relief and content, which makes him smile.

His priority will always be you, even if he’s hundreds of thousands miles away, he will find his way back home to you. He surprises you with the littlest gifts; being flowers, jewelry, candles, or more.

Rosi will always remind you to smile, even during the hardest times.

“I will protect you.”

-

Eustass Kid

Kid loves you like a game, it’s unexpected, unpredictable of what will happen and it’s exciting and thrilling. For you both, one wrong move, and the other is gone for good, but perhaps, second chances/rematches are available.

He can be brash and a bit much, but Kid has high respect for anyone who actually makes it onto his crew and can actually tolerate him, you included.

He’s loud and wild but that only makes it part of the fun. With such a short fuse, as long as you play your cards right and pick your moments to bite back, it’s kind of fun knowing how dangerous it can be with a guy like Kid, and he also loves it equally, because your feistiness is attractive.

Being a bad bitch that doesn’t play by the rules is so incredibly attractive and Kid knows how to reward and punish so tread carefully. ;) however, he has his down moments and as annoying he can be, he does appreciate the effort you give if you try to comfort him. He’ll be harsh about it but eventually, he just wants you to be with him in the end.

Kid reminds you to rebel, take risks and enjoy the thrill of getting in dangerous situation every once in a while, breaking a few rules doesn’t hurt anybody. Most of the time.

“Don’t fucking ever leave me.. okay?”

-

Dracule Mihawk

Mihawk loves you like you’re an empress, only the finest and highest quality for you, nothing else can compare.

Mihawk will buy you the most expensive dress that suits you, with an equally expensive matching jewelry to go with. Not to mention the heels, and, tch, how could he forget the roses you require? Despicable.

As much as he loves to show you off, he despises the stares of awe and admiration you receive whenever you go out, so his possessiveness takes over and he has an arm around your waist at all times, successfully showing you’re taken and to back off if they don’t wish to be cut into oblivion.

He trains you to handle yourself, obviously, you should know at least some basic skills. He’s not too hard on you but does push you to keep going until you truly wish to stop. It’s only because he’s worried that one day, he won’t be there and won’t be able to protect you.

Mihawk reminds you that you are a queen/king, a strong person who shall hold your ground and never back down from fear and show your bravery.

“Come here, mi amor.”

-

Red Haired Shanks

Shanks loves you like you’re his future. It’s an unknown journey, but he’s there for the ride and whatever may happen, he’s there staying and won’t be going anywhere, unless it’s with you.

The red head is a goofball, he drinks, parties and messes around but he is an incredible captain and genuine to a fault. So when he expresses kindness, it is purely from his heart and not out of manners.

He is extremely playful and yet when down to business, he is calm, collected, and cool. He knows just what to say in tough situations and great comforting advice, so he’s the one to go to when you’re feeling down. And as laid back as he is, disrespect to those he loves is the one shit he won’t take.

He’ll hold you close and with his signature grin, compliment you and tell you how much he appreciates you and as soon as someone lays a finger on you, his hand is on the hilt of the sword and he waits three seconds for an explanation before he cuts them down. No one messes with his beloved.

Shanks reminds you of loyalty. To always protect and care for those close to you, and keep that built up trust and bond you created with them.

“Trust me. I won’t let go of you.”

-

Charlotte Katakuri

Katakuri loves you like you’re glass, he’s careful, protective, cautious and treats you like you’re fragile, because he’s afraid of hurting you.

He’s larger than most, he’s aware of that, so he always takes the precautions to be aware of his surroundings, especially when you are around. He wants you safe and he will be devastated if he is the cause of your pain.

His large stature is a blessing to you though, because cuddling is so comfortable and comforting, it’s amazing. You can curl up and relax and just be at ease with him, because he’s so protective of you, even from his family members. He often keeps you away from Cracker and Perospero, in the slightest chance that they try to take you away from him.

He’ll be extremely heartbroken if Big Mom doesn’t approve of you, but his love for you is stronger, so he’ll keep it a secret if he has to but eventually, he’ll pray and wish for her blessing, asking the help of his siblings to convince her.

Katakuri reminds you of family, that even friends or crewmates are family and love you all the same.

“I will be here for you.”

-

Captain Koby

Koby loves you like a typical high school crush. He’s all shy and blushy, and evidently embarrassed when the pretty one at school is talking to him, ( that’s you. ).

He’s like the wallflower type, who tries to blend in but somehow, he sticks out in a way that lures you to him, like he’s hit the jackpot.

He is incredibly sweet, and his shyness is so adorable. You can’t help but coo whenever you see his red cheeks and soft smile of care he offers.

Always helps you with everything, will take the blame whenever you get in trouble, takes the suffering and pain when guys try to mess with you, and no matter how tough things get, he’s holding a brave face for you.

Koby reminds you of kindness, treat everyone with care and kindness, and it goes a long way.

“If you fall, I’ll be there to catch you.”

-

16th Division Commander Izo

Izo loves you like you’re a painting, he thinks you are true beauty, inside and out, you are a work of art, a true Mother Nature masterpiece born. One to be admired.

The type to be there. He’ll hold your hair while you vomit, rubbing soothing circles on your back while you cry, painting your nails while you complain about Ace, assure your perfection when you’re feeling insecure.

Best advice giver, holds no judgements at all. He’ll help with anything, because you need him. Romantic advice, friendship, sexual advice ;), he will help you any way he can.

He truly admires you, not because of your beauty, but your strength to be able to cry. Crying doesn’t mean weakness but rather, strength to be able to move forward even in the worst of times.

Izo reminds you that you are beautiful, no matter what anyone thinks or says.

“You are true beauty, my love.”

-

Cavendish Of The White Horse

Cavendish loves you like you’re a princess, and he is your handsome Prince Charming.

Every thing he does it like from a fairytale, if it involved a rather.. bit of a narcissistic Prince Charming. But he means well, because he still treats you like a real princess.

He gives you daily horseback rides, teaching you with his strong arms wrapped around yours and his black fancy hat on top of your head, as you two ride around and share laughs and memories.

And even through his big ego, he still makes sure to compliment you, tell you how proud he is of you and how much he truly admires you for your strong will and determination, because he really does love you. More than you know.

Cavendish reminds you that dreams can come true, sometimes it just takes a leap of faith and effort.

“I will treat you like the princess you are and deserve to be.”

-

A/N : 15 fucking people and having to think of different things while I’m distracted is so HARD. 😭 please tell me you enjoyed though ;-;

but did I do this already? God I can’t remember a thing, especially since I still haven’t updated my masterlists- and I’m terribly sorry if this really is all over the place ;-; also apologies if this is repetitive for some of them! It really is difficult yk ;-;

[hintsofhoney]

Don’t Be a Tease

Paring(s): Dean Winchester x F!Reader

Summary: A little teasing never hurt nobody... even if it is at dinner with Dean’s parents.

Square(s) Filled: ice play for @spnkinkbingo

Tags: 18+, roughish sex, public teasing, oral (female receiving), ice play, praise kink, crack, smut, fluff, dirty talk, like the lightest dom/sub dynamics ever

Word Count: 3.6k

A/N: Been a minute since I’ve done a proper one shot! Inspired by my lovely @winchest09​ and beta’d by her and my darling twin @deangirl93​🤍 I would be lost without the two of you. GIF is mine. Hope you guys enjoy!

You can also read me on Ao3!

DEAN WINCHESTER MASTERLIST | SUPERNATURAL MASTERLIST | MAIN MASTERLIST

“Babe! You almost ready?” Dean’s voice echoed through the house, muffled by the time it had reached your ears. You were in the midst of a balancing act, holding on to the door frame of your closet with one hand while you slipped on your remaining heel with the other. 

“Yeah, give me like two minutes!” 

You walked over to the full-length mirror in your bedroom, smoothing out your outfit and giving yourself a once-over. You were wearing a maroon wrap-around dress that tied at your side and stopped right above your knees, the edges of it accentuated with baggy ruffles, the fabric not too tight but not too loose around your skin. The nude shoes you were wearing were some of the comfiest you owned, and easy to walk in, thanks to their thick heel. You completed your look with golden hoop earrings and a simple matching necklace that Dean had gotten you a few years back for your anniversary. Taking one last look at your reflection, you nodded in approval before heading out the door to find your husband.

“That was more than two minutes,” he stated as you found him waiting for you in the entryway, leaning against the half wall to the left of the front door with his arms folded over his chest and his legs crossed at the ankle. His attempts at keeping a serious face were laughable; the minute he laid his eyes on you, you knew he couldn’t give a rat’s ass about how long you had actually taken to get ready. “You look… fuck. Do we have to go?” he whined, his shoulders dropping a little as he tilted his head slightly and pushed his lips out into a pout. 

You chuckled softly, walking up to him and placing your hand on his bicep as you leaned in to give him a quick peck. “Yes. We’ve had this planned for months,” you replied, taking a step back to take him in. “And you don’t look so bad yourself.” He was wearing a get-up that you rarely ever saw him in: dark gray slacks and a simple white-button down shirt, a blazer matching his pants slung over his folded forearms. 

The two of you had made dinner plans with Dean’s parents months ago to celebrate their anniversary. With Dean’s brother, Sam, being in law school all the way in California, the responsibility to keep the parents happy with just the right amount of, in his mother’s words, “visits from my babies”, fell on Dean and you. Usually, you were happy to oblige the occasional Sunday dinner or family game night – but right now, with the way Dean looked, you were hoping that the universe would give you an acceptable reason to cancel. “Sorry, we can’t come to your anniversary dinner anymore because I want to tear your son’s clothes off” was unfortunately, not a justifiable excuse. 

Dean sighed in defeat, standing up straight before leaning down to kiss you once more, pulling away to whisper in your ear, “Soon as we get back, I’m fucking you in this dress.”

The shiver his words sent down your spine went straight to your core, and you knew you were going to be in for a long night.

Dinner was going well, the heat building up in between your legs aside. You were sipping on your wine as Dean absentmindedly rubbed his thumb on the outside of your thigh while he spoke to his dad about something car-related that you wouldn’t have been able to explain if you had a gun to your head. You almost didn’t notice Dean’s mom returning to the table, your mind too focused on the feeling of his palm on your skin. 

“This is the nicest place I’ve ever been, and the bathrooms prove it,” she stated with a soft giggle as she sat down, tucking her dress underneath her.

You smiled back at Mary as her voice brought you back to reality, setting your wine glass down as you tried your best to make it look like you weren’t just thinking about having sex with her son. Thankfully, she jumped into the conversation that Dean and John were having so you didn’t have to try too hard. You answered questions that were directed at you, and offered your opinion on things when Dean pushed you to do so, but other than that, you remained quiet, sipping on your drink and willing his hand to slide up your thigh just a little further.

By the time you finished your plate, you were getting paranoid that your arousal was seeping through your panties, your dress, and onto the booth. You had never been so distracted in your life, and you only hoped that John and Mary were too engrossed in catching up with the two of you to notice. If anything, you could pass it off as lack of sleep due to grad school, but so far no one had seemed to detect anything off about you. Shifting uncomfortably in your seat once more, you bit back a smile as an idea came to you. If Dean wasn’t already itching to get out of here, he was about to be.

You took the napkin off your lap and placed it on the table, startling Dean out of his conversation with his mom as he felt your leg move underneath his hand. He looked up at you in question, and you mouthed “bathroom” before giving an awkward smile to the rest of the table and scooting your way out of the booth. 

Mary hadn’t been lying about them – they were the nicest public restrooms you’d ever been in. Hell, they were nicer than any private restroom you’d ever been in. Marble countertops decorated with vases of flowers, hot towels to wipe your hands with, and even a small sitting area which looked like it had never been touched. You quickly made your way into a stall, thankful that there wasn’t a foot-wide gap in between the door and the floor because there really was no way to go about taking your panties off discreetly. Bunching your dress up, you hooked your thumbs underneath the waistline of your underwear – a black lace pair that you knew Dean loved – and pulled them down, once again performing a balancing act as you lifted your legs out of them, not wanting the fabric to touch the ground. No way in hell were you going to trust that the floor was as clean as it looked. 

You could feel strings of arousal sticking to your inner thighs, smirking to yourself as you pictured what Dean’s face would look like once you executed your plan. Bunching the lace up in your palm, careful not to get any of your slick on your own hand, you smoothed out your dress and made your way out of the stall.

You smiled at John and Mary as you sat back down next to Dean, keeping your hands underneath the table so they wouldn’t ask what you were holding. Thankfully, they were engrossed in Dean’s phone as he explained to you that they were looking at pictures from the ski trip that you and him had just taken. You nodded in understanding as his hand came back down to rest on your thigh, and you took the opportunity to lean into him, placing your closed hand in his jacket pocket and removing it once you had left the black lace inside. He glanced at you, confused, before reaching inside to see what you had given him. Widening his eyes once he felt it, he looked down as he pulled out the fabric about half an inch, instantly confirming what he thought it was. Fixing his surprised face before his parents could look up from his phone, he shot you a look that was somewhere between, “have you lost your damn mind?” and “you just fucking wait ‘til we get home”. You simply shrugged in response before your attention was stolen by Mary commenting on how cute the two of you looked in all your ski gear. 

Dean cleared his throat before responding. “Yeah, it’s a bitch to put on though.” 

John handed Dean his phone back and the conversation about your vacation continued in a much slower manner than you would have liked. The bill had been paid but no one was moving to leave, Dean’s hand remained resting on your thigh, and it was taking everything you had to not squirm in your seat. Finally, you heard the magic words come out of your husband’s mouth. “Well, we should probably get going, early morning tomorrow for the both of us,” he lied. 

“Oh, us too, I suppose,” Mary replied. “Late night,” she added with a wink in your direction. You let out a soft laugh, Dean’s face twisting into one of disgust. 

“Gross, Mom!” 

She shrugged, looking over to John who was chuckling at her joke with his hand resting on her upper back. 

“She’s not wrong,” he replied with a wink. 

“Okay, that’s it. Y/N, come on,” Dean said, shaking his head in embarrassment as you laughed at his parent’s antics. The four of you slid out from the booth, made your way out of the restaurant, and hugged your goodbyes before taking off in opposite directions.

Your adrenaline was coursing through your body as Dean held Baby’s door open for you, his jaw clenched and his glare piercing as you slid into the passenger’s side. You watched him walk around the front of the car, shaking his head, a soft chuckle escaping him as he took his seat behind the wheel and started the ignition. 

“What?” you asked.

“I should take you in the backseat right now for that.”

You shrugged. “No one’s stoppin’ ya.”

He huffed a laugh, placing his hand on the seatback behind you as he reversed out of the parking space, dropping it to your thigh once he pulled out of the lot. “I think I’m gonna make you wait a little longer,” he smirked, glancing over at you, the glow of the street lights illuminating the smug look on his face as a pout came to your lips. “Nuh-uh,” he scolded. “Don’t puppy-dog eye me. You know what you did,” he added, pulling out your panties from his blazer pocket and holding them up in between the two of you. “And they’re my favorite ones, too.” He tossed them into the backseat, putting his hand back on your bare thigh, purposefully sliding it all the way up to the bend in your hip, chuckling at your sharp inhale. “Don’t get too excited, sweetheart. We still have a twenty minute drive and my hand’s not movin’.” 

“You’re an ass.”

“And you’re a tease,” he squeezed your thigh, “and I can’t just let you get away with that, now can I?”

The drive was long and miserable, and you were seriously impressed with Dean’s restraint as he pulled into the driveway. He finally took his hand off your leg to put Baby in park and turn off the ignition, before glancing over at you. 

“Go inside. Wait for me on the bed. I just have to do a few things first.”

You looked at him, confused, but started to open the door anyway. 

“And, Y/N?” he added, once you had one foot out of the car.

You stopped and turned your head in question.

“Leave the dress on.”

You smirked at his directions. “Yes, sir,” you replied teasingly, shooting him a wink before you made your way out of the Impala.

You took a seat on your side of the bed, debating on whether or not you should take off your shoes, before deciding that everything’s sexier when heels are involved. You took off your earrings and necklace instead, knowing from experience that those almost always got in the way somehow during sex, and set them down on your nightstand. You could hear rustling going on outside in the kitchen, and you wondered what Dean had in mind for the night. He’d taken the reins in the bedroom a few times, but it’s never been anything like this, and the nervous pit in your stomach grew along with the arousal between your legs as you waited for him. 

After what seemed like an hour (although it was probably only five minutes), the door finally opened, and Dean came into the bedroom with a glass of ice in one hand and a scarf in the other.

“Can I use this?” he asked, holding up the red scarf. It was one of your nicer summer ones that you kept in the coat closet by the front door.

“That depends on what you’re going to do with it,” you replied, curiously.

“I’m gonna blindfold you,” he said plainly, setting the glass of ice down on the nightstand next to your jewelry. “If that’s okay,” he added quickly.

Your thighs squeezed together at the proposition. The thought of being unable to see anything going on, of not knowing what Dean’s next move would be – it almost made you audibly whimper. 

“Yeah,” you smiled. “Yeah, that’s okay. What’s um – what’s the ice for?”

He smirked, coming to stand in between your legs as he folded the scarf long-ways a few times, creating a thin strip. “That’s for me to know, and for you to find out.” 

You watched as the fabric came to cover your eyes, and then everything went dark.

“Lay back for me,” he commanded softly, gently pushing on your shoulder. You scooted towards the middle of the bed before slowly lying flat on your back, your heart racing with anticipation of what was to come. 

Dean gently lifted one of your legs, slowly taking off your heel before doing the same with the other foot. He placed them back down, positioning them so they were bent at the knee and spread. The cold air of your bedroom hit your core as Dean pushed up your dress, sending a shiver up your spine. You heard him chuckle softly, before he began to run his fingertips up and down your inner thigh. You squirmed underneath his touch; this was torture. 

“Nah-ah-ah,” he scolded, stilling you with his hand on your hip. “You’ve been teasing me for hours,” he began, pressing a kiss to the side of your knee. “Wearin’ this dress, and then what you did at dinner? No, Y/N, I’m gonna take my time with you,” he continued, placing another kiss as he trailed down your thigh. “And you’re gonna stay nice and still for me, alright?”

You let out a shaky breath, nodding to let him know you understood. 

“Good girl.” 

You heard the clinking of glass moments later, and then an icy coldness coupled with hot breaths on your inner thigh nearly had you breaking Dean’s “no movement” rule a second after he had made it. 

“Oh my God,” you gasped, your eyes shooting open, unable to see anything but more darkness. He moved to the other thigh, leaving a wet freezing trail in his wake that made all the hairs on your body stand up. He chuckled again, low and deep, and then pulled away, crunching noises filling the silence moments later. 

“How’s that feel?” 

“Cold,” you replied, giggling softly.

“Good. Means our ice is working,” he joked, and you could hear in his voice that he was proud of himself for that one.

“You’re an idiot,” you smiled, rolling your eyes – not that he could see.

“Oh, am I? Would an idiot do this?” 

You gasped as an ice cube was set right above your clit on your pelvic bone, quickly melting and trickling down through your folds. “Fuck!” you squeaked. “Dean, please!”

“What? Too cold? Want me to warm it up for you?” 

“You’re evil.”

“No, taking off your panties in the middle of a restaurant while we’re at dinner with my parents is evil. This is simply justice,” he argued, taking another ice cube and running it along the outside of your lower lips.

“You’re –”

“If you keep calling me names, sweetheart, the ice is just gonna keep coming,” he warned, trailing the cube up your thigh again. 

“Dean, please,” you begged, unsure of what for. You just needed the heat that was rising inside of you to match the outer parts of you, too.

“Please, what? Tell me what you want.” The ice had melted but his fingers were still cold, and you flinched as he brought his thumb to your clit. “Is that what you want?”

You shook your head. “Y-your mouth, please.”

“My fingers not good enough?”

“They’re cold,” you whined, getting frustrated with his teasing, but you supposed this is exactly how he had felt at dinner. 

He chuckled once more before you felt him shift on the bed, presumably laying flat on his stomach. “Alright, alright,” he said, before you finally felt a warm wetness on your pussy instead of an unpleasantly cold one. He licked a stripe up your folds, his tongue instantly providing the warmth that you needed, and you lifted your hips up off the bed in pleasure. He pulled away immediately, a whimper leaving your lips. “The no-moving rule still stands, princess.” 

You nodded eagerly, wanting nothing more than to feel his mouth back on you. He took the nod to mean that you understood and that it wouldn’t happen again, and then he was back to devouring you like a man starved. His muscle moved through your folds, flicking over your clit as he held your legs apart with his arms wrapped around your thighs. Whines and moans escaped you, the noises you were eliciting making up for the lack of movement. Finally, he dipped his tongue into your entrance, his thumb moving to rub at your clit, and you gripped the sheets beside you in an attempt to stay still. He worked that angle for what felt like hours, enough to keep you on the edge but not quite get you all the way there, and he knew that. You reached for him as he finally pulled away, and he huffed a low laugh at how needy you had become. 

“What do you want now, sweetheart?”

“Fuck me, Dean. Now,” you demanded, tired of the games. You needed him inside you before you exploded with desire. 

“Well, since you asked so nicely,” he quipped, and you rolled your eyes so hard that your head rolled with them. He seemed to get the message, however, because moments later you were hearing the clinking of his belt buckle followed by the rustling of some clothing, and before you knew it you could feel his presence hovering over you as his cock pressed into your thigh. “Mm, I do like this dress,” he observed, pulling at the tie on your hip and loosening it just enough so he could unwrap it in the front. “And this bra,” he added,” before pulling the left cup down and allowing your breast to spill out of it. He leaned down, taking your hardened nipple in between his lips, teasing you just one last time. 

“Dean, I swear to God –”

He chuckled. “You are so impatient.”

“And you’re gonna be so dead if you don’t – fuck!”

He entered you with ease thanks to the arousal dripping from your core, his cock fully sheathed in your walls as you felt him look down at you. 

“You were saying?” he asked rhetorically, a smirk in his voice. You wrapped your legs around his waist, moaning as you pushed him deeper inside you with your heels. He grabbed each of your wrists, pinning them above your head as he pulled his hips back, snapping them into you with a force you didn’t know he had in him. You yelped, the pleasure inside you building each time he hit the right spot. “Is… that… what… you… wanted?” he questioned, accentuating each word with a thrust.

You nodded vigorously, the noises falling from your lips making you happier than ever about the fact that you didn’t share your bedroom wall with strangers anymore. He continued fucking you fast and rough, the dam inside you threatening to break at any moment. Part of you wished you could see him above you, panting, forehead glistening with sweat, but the other part of you was getting off just as easily on imagining it.

You could tell he was close by the way his thrusts quickened, and when he let go of one of your wrists and reached down to rub circles on your already sensitive nub, you were done for. A wave of pleasure washed over you, your walls clenching around his cock as you came, only halfway hearing the string of “good girl, that’s my good girl”’s falling from Dean’s lips as he fucked you through your high while he chased his own. You used your free hand to rip off the makeshift blindfold, wanting nothing more than to watch his face as he came. A few more thrusts and you could feel him coat your insides, his face contorting into one of pure ecstasy, head thrown back and mouth falling open into a perfect ‘o’ shape. 

“Fuuuck,” he rasped, as he gave you every last drop that he had, before letting his head fall to your shoulder. He kissed your collarbone lazily, a soft chuckle escaping him as he rolled off to the side. You groaned as he slid out of you, before repositioning yourself so you could lay your head on his chest. Your maroon dress was still somehow partly on you, fitting you like a robe now, and you giggled as you caught a glimpse of the fabric. 

“So I should wear this dress more often, then?”

Dean huffed a laugh. “Definitely.”

[erodasfishtacos]

The Brits Dilemma

” Prompt: Harry & Y/N go to the Brits. It’s the first time they’ve been away from their baby. Y/N is struggling but doesn’t want to ruin the night for her husband.

Word Count: 1.8 k +

Warnings: Depictions of breastfeeding

+++++++

The award show was going well. It was the first time Y/N had been out in nearly three months besides a few brunch dates and grocery shopping.

Usually, she was pretty confident in what she wore to accompany her husband to all of these flashy events - but not tonight.

Her bump had deflated but she was still attempting to get rid of the stubborn pouch that stayed after the baby had been born. It wasn’t anything out of the norm - just still trying to lose it.

She was breastfeeding and her breasts were much larger than before. They felt heavy and too big for her body. Not to mention, they were constantly swollen and achey. Pads were a must so she doesn��t leak through the tight satin black dress.

The dress was a beautiful custom design by Gucci that complimented Harry’s sharp suit but nothing felt right. It was digging into her sides and made it hard for her to sit on her chair.

The Brits were held in the O2 Arena which wasn’t very far from their London home but she felt like she was lightyears away from her baby. Even though she knew Sasha was in good hands with Anne.

Y/N was so proud of Harry for being up for five - yes, five different awards. It was a record for him and she didn’t want to let him down by complaining. It was his night. He’s been such a devote father - he deserved a break too.

So she swallowed down the anxiety she was feeling about being away from their little newborn for the night along with her worries about her changing body.

There was milling about between the tables before the show got started. Harry had people coming up him constantly - congratulating him on the album, the nominations, the baby.

Married life and fatherhood suited him well. A dazzling wedding band on his left ring finger, a necklace with an S for his daughter, along with her name freshly inked on right above his butterfly tattoo.

The open jacket he wore with is his barely buttoned dress shirt displayed it proudly. It was beautiful, done delicately in a timeless cursive. The font match his wife name that was tattooed on his hand.

He couldn’t lie and say he wasn’t excited to have a night out with his wife. He had Jeff booked a hotel for the night to have some alone time with you while his mum got to enjoy a night with her only grandchild.

Y/N was counting down the hours up until tomorrow when she could go home to see her baby. She should really tell Harry that she wants to go home and not out to a club and the hotel.

But the it just slowly starts to deteriorate further when a bald, plump business exec comes to greet the two of you. He gives his warm wishes about the birth of your child before smiling at Y/N and stating, “The baby weight will come off soon enough.”

Her throat closes up a bit and she self-consciously tries to push her chair closer to the table. It was the last thing that she needed to hear. Confirming all of her worst insecurities.

Harry glares at the man before turning to his wife, “Hey, you look s’perfect, my love. I’m so bloody lucky you’re mine.”

He’s truly trying his hardest to bring a smile to her face but he notices it’s never quite meeting her eyes. 

It get even worse when Harry gets his first award, male solo artist of the year. 

As she’s standing and clapping for him - she realizes she’s beginning to leak through her nipple inserts.

Y/N excuses herself in the middle of his acceptance speech to rush through the string of tables - out into the corridor. The last thing she wanted to do was for it to show up on a very expensive dress.

The echo of his voice can still be heard, “Love to thank my beautiful wife who makes writing sappy love songs easy and was the main inspiration for my recent album. She also just gave birth to our beautiful baby.....”

She feels awful when she tunes him out, finding the bathroom and hurriedly rushing in. There’s a gorgeous woman standing at the sink, washing their hands. 

Fucking Taylor Swift.

Any other time it’d be awkward and uncomfortable - running into an ex who wrote multiple songs about her husband.

But she couldn’t careless right now, “Hi, erm, this is really weird but could you unzip my dress? I’m leaking and - shit that was way too much information.”

But Taylor smiles kindly, “No! It’s okay, totally. No worries. Congratulations on your baby - you look so hot tonight.”

Y/N laughs and thanks her for unzipping the dress before going into a stall and locking the door. She slides her bra straps off her shoulders and disposes of the soaked pad in the sanitary bin.

Luckily, she has a clean burp rag that she gently swipes at her breast - wincing as it brushes against her swollen nipples. Even the soft fabric felt too rough on them.

It’s a minute or two before the bathroom door swings open, “Y/N? Lovie? Are you in ‘ere?”

She feels guilt at the panic in his voice. Managing to croak out, “I’m in here,” before leaning forward to unlock the door.

Harry waste no time in sliding into the stall before latching the lock again. Taking in the sight of his wife in front of him.

“I-I started leaking, M’sorry,” Y/N whispers, she has no reason to feel embarrassed but she is. “I missed your speech.”

“None of that, baby. I’ll give more speeches for you to hear - I only care that you’re okay. I’m sorry y’leakin, lemme help you, pet.”

In true Harry fashion, he takes the rag and turns on the sink - running it under warm water before carefully cleaning his wife up.

“Are they botherin’ you? They look irritated and super swollen, darling,” Harry frowns, a very gentle thumb coming to brush against her nipple. Then cupping her swollen breast in his hand, thumb rubbing at the pink skin.

“Just a little bit,” She lies, they’re absolutely on fire with chafing and skin irritation from the bra she’s wearing. She never thought she’d miss her nursing bras and sports bras this much.

He nods and helps place new inserts in her bra. Who’d think this is what Harry would be doing between accepting awards. Everyone unassuming in the arena.

**

Harry has been four for four thus far into the ceremony. They’d only had him go up and give two acceptance speeches. His hand firmly planted on his wife’s thigh throughout. 

When he went up for his second award, the camera zooms in and the crowd coos are he plants a kiss on his wife’s lips before pulling her into a hug - whispering something into her ear the audience can’t hear.

He was much more focused on his wife. He could read her fairly well - he’d like to think. Enough to know she’s having much fun. But he didn’t want to bring it up and make her feel bad.

Harry sees the way she keeps adjusting her bra, fidgets with his rings when his hands in his lap, and not even really looking up while one of her favorite artist - Dua Lipa -performs.

Y/N loved a good party before the baby. So Harry was hoping going to the Brits afterparty would make her feel better and then going back to their hotel room for a some alone time.

**

Y/N has been increasingly quiet when they’re exiting the arena after the final award artist of the year - which Harry had also won.

He was on cloud nine and admittedly a little distracted as he joked and laughed with a small group of friends on the way out. 

“Alright, should we all just pile into a cab for the ride to the party?” Nick Grimshaw asks everyone.

Everyone is in agreement - including Harry -as he calls to order one - standing in the blocked off area away from fans and paparazzi.

Y/N wants to tell him she wants to go home to Sasha but when she hears him say, “Can’t wait to get to Exhibit - haven’t been there in forever. One of my favorite clubs.”

She bites her tongue. Harry is enjoying his night out - why can’t she?

In the taxi, she’s sat on Harry’s lap as they make their way to the club. His one hand is on her inner thigh and the other is on her waist holding her steady.

In the morning, she’ll blame her post-partum hormones and anxiety. But she doesn’t even realizing her eyes are filling with tears and when she blinks they spill down her face.

She wouldn’t feel as embarrassed if she wasn’t in the car full of literal celebrities who are filled with adrenaline and excitement. Chattering and drinking from little liquor bottles they’d snuck in their jackets and clutches.

“Y/N, are you alright?” Rita Ora asks from her seat - noticing the streaks ruining your makeup.

She nods pathetically, wiping at her eyes but Harry is turning her to face him. His bright green eyes filled with concern as he studies her face.

The previously very obnoxiously loud cab becomes silent as they try to give the couple a semblance of non-existent privacy.

“What’s happening, dove? Are you hurting?” Harry panics, coming to wipe the smeared makeup away.

“I don’t want to go to the club,” Y/N sniffles, squeezing her eyes shut at how embarrassed she is of her behavior. She would usually never act this way - especially in public. And Harry knows that so it makes him even more concerned.

“That’s okay, pet. We can go have a night in, when the cab stops - we can uber back to the hotel,” Harry soothes, surprised when that brings on fresh tears.

“N-no, I want to go home. I miss the baby, I want to- need to see our baby. I-I can’t do this. My anxiety is through the roof, Harry. What if she can’t sleep? Or isn’t taking the bottle?”

“Baby, breathe, breathe. We can go home. I miss the bub terribly too. Have been worried about her all night.”

Harry tugs his wife into his chest further - tucking her head into his neck as he shoots his friends grateful looks. They all nod, sympathetic and understanding - despite them not having kids of their own.

**

“I ruined your night,” Y/N says softly in the back of the uber home. “I leaked during the show; cried in front of all your friends.”

Harry takes her chin gentle but firm until she meets his gaze, “You didn’t ruin anything f’me. All I care about is you and the baby - not some stupid award ceremony or party.”

He continues on, “You just gave us Sasha three months ago - y’bloody amazing. Best mum, best wife. Sexiest too - know you don’t think that right now but your body literally grew my baby. I get a hard-on everytime I see you.”

They both laugh, Y/N leaning forward to capture her husbands lips in a meaningful kiss of gratitude and thanks.

**

Anne smiles kindly when the two of them arrive home. A very fussy, red-faced swaddled baby coddled in her arms. 

“She hasn’t settled for quite a while now - she missed her parents very much,” Harry’s mum tells them, transferring her into her father’s arms. He’s automatically rocking and running his thumb over her cheek.

“Ooh, we missed you. Was Nana nice to you?” Harry coos. Sasha has already quieted and is blinking tearfully up at her smiling father.

“Such a good girl, best girl,” Y/N sighs, leaning in to kiss her downy hair. Harry’s hand coming to wrap around his wife’s waist as they peer down at their perfect little daughter.

Anne smiles at his son and daughter-in-law fawning over their little creation with so much love and adoration.

After a minute of chatting -Harry’s mum makes her way up to the guest room after a long night with a miserable baby. They make their way to their room where Y/N strips out of her tight dress and awful bra. 

She sits against the headboard in just a pair of soft cotton panties. Harry is gently shushing her and humming a melody as his wife gets situated. He knew she was anxious to feed the baby.

“That’s it my sweet thing. Y’missed us, hm? We missed you too, bub. Nana said y’wouldn’t take the bottle. Only want your mumma, hmm?” Harry coos, kissing her chubby cheeks.

He’s then giving Y/N the baby, who ferociously latching within seconds and begins eating like she’d been starved for the last week. Making weak little rumbles as she does so.

They both giggle fondly, Y/Ns fingers come to touch her fluttering cheek - memorizing her over and over again.

Harry gets onto the bed and settles next to the both of them. Watching his baby feed in amazement at what his wife was capable of. He smears a few kisses against her bare shoulder - hand on his baby’s back.

How strong she was - as he knew it had to be at least a little bit painful with how irritated her nipples had been. He can tell when she winces every once in a while.

He plants a few more kisses to her warm skin - noticing her eyes getting a bit droopy as Sasha feeds at a slow, suckling pace.

“If I’m being honest, being with you - watching you feed our baby...I’d rather be here than at any club.” 

Y/N snorts, rolling her eyes, “Sure.”

Her husband frowns, “M’serious, this is all I need, baby.”

“I love you, congratulation on all your Brits,” Y/N murmurs, pecking at his lips.

“I love you too. I meant it, during my speeches. I wouldn’t have been able to write those songs if you hadn’t inspired me. You’ll and the bab will always be the best muse.”

[therealvinelle]

Who is richer Cullen Family or Volturi Family ? How much money do you think Volturi has?

Carlisle Cullen, age 370, has accumulated a fortune of $34.1 billion — much of it from long-term investments made with the aid of his adopted daughter Alice, who picks stocks based on her ability to see into the future.

Isle Esme is a tropical island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. It is owned by Esme Cullen, and was given to her by her husband, Carlisle Cullen, as a gift.

Though mystified as to whether or not Bella is changed, Aro in return sends Bella the necklace as a wedding gift. It is described as being ostentatious with a very large jewel, and is said to have been part of the English crown jewels.

The Volturi still own almost all of the property in the vicinity. They have small private landing strip and more…

I think the Volturi have a lot of money from real estate, that's as solid as an investment can get. They can afford Heidi flying around in a jet or her yacht, so they're docking in Monaco wealthy at least.

Still, I don't think they're Scrooge McDuck wealthy. Certainly nowhere near the Cullens.

The stock market is something you could make a lot of money on if you just know the future. If for instance I travelled back in time just a couple of years, I could potentially make millions from buying, selling, and shorting at the right times. Buy PPE manufacturers in 2019, Pfizer in 2020, sell in August 2021, buy Gamestop before it took off, short Facebook in 2021 and Netflix and Tesla in 2022, and borrow insane money to do it all because I'd know for a fact that I'm getting it back. If I'm feeling unethical I'll buy oil and electricity well ahead of 2021 as well. I'll bet too, I now know every election winner.

Point is, if you know the future then the stock market will make you so rich. Holy god you're gonna so rich.

The Volturi could bet around, sure! They could have invested a little in every vaccine manufacturer when the pandemic broke out, thrown themselves on the Gamestop craze when it began (but when to sell? Alice knew when it was gonna burst, they did not), they can figure out Facebook and Netflix are about to take a hit and predict Musk's idiocy to make investors pull out, and electricity and oil are probably resources they're already invested in. However, they can't know for sure the way Alice can, and so they'll have to be moderate with their every investment. And if they're trying to make short term investments like these, then they will end up making bad investments that blow up in their faces.

Aro is running a thousand-year-old organization he wants to be stable, and that means he can't suddenly call a meeting to tell everyone that he, ah, might have lost €200M because heh, tiny chance he decided to put it in Vine. Hm, yes, sorry about that.

Aro's going to have to do long term investment, and that means real estate, all the real estate. Maayybe if he wants to have a bit of fun he invests in other things as well, but that'll be Aro investing in a company that produces animal-shaped jewelry because those were the cutest tiny ceramic guinea pigs he ever saw, not looking to make the big bucks.

The Volturi can't match Alice.

With that in mind, I think the Cullen fortune has been overestimated. Money gets to a point where it's more of a hassle to have, and a sum like $34B or even $64B as Forbes estimated (I'll put it this way, I'd love to see how Forbes arrived at that number) is a full time job to manage. Yes, the Cullens have luxuries they don't need, and given Alice's... Aliceness, I’m sure they’re ugly rich, but they are also living fake lives. They get their legal documents from a shady guy in Seattle. I'll almost guarantee you that they only do the bare minimum in terms of managing their fortune. I honestly think their genius solution to stay under the IRS' radar is to just... keep it lying around the house in cash form. If the money was accounted for, Bella would have been grabbing a credit card, it's telling that she grabbed a wad of cash instead. For larger purchases (can't buy an island with cash) I imagine they have offshore accounts an alternate identities.

But, again- these guys have a guy in Seattle that they run to for fake papers.

They act like drug lords, not billionaires, is what I'm saying. To the point where I would wager Alice has sold a few very expensive art pieces, wink.

I think their fortune is vastly oversized but the indications we're given of how they manage it would point to it not being in the tens of billions. I also just... genuinely don't think they're capable enough to hide that kind of money.

Still, given Alice's gift- should she want to become the richest woman on Earth she could do it, but I don't think she has.

(Note on real estate: yes, I know 2008 made it look unstable. However, this was due to greedy banks overdrawing mortgages, the extant houses being uninhabited, and a whole lot of nonsense. There are many ways to invest in real estate, and doing so wisely is going to be a very safe long term bet.)

[queenshelby]

Saving the Devil (Part Five)

SPOILER WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR SEASON SIX!

Pairing: Thomas Shelby x Reader

Words: 3,004

Warning: Mention of War, Illness, Seziures, Impending Death, Racism

Summary: This plays after Episode 4 of Season 6 and before the start of WWII. Tommy got away with the assassination attempt on Mosley and now spies on him and his connections with the Germans on behalf of the Crown.

The following day, you did your best to avoid Tommy at all costs. What happened between you was too difficult for you to address and you were unsure about where you were standing with him.

The kiss was short but, at least to you, it meant something and yet, you wanted to forget all about it. Like he had said, he wasn’t the man for you but yet, something intrigued you about him and that wasn’t just the fact that he promised to return your daughter to you and go after the people who you hated the most, fascists.

You were torn about the way you felt for him and there was clearly some sort of physical and mental attraction between you. Whether it meant anything, you didn’t know but you liked to think that it did since you weren’t usually the kind of person who was just after sex.

But, regardless of your feelings for this man and the fact that you tried to avoid him that day, you were scheduled to attend not only a pollical event with him but also a dinner at Arrow House thereafter.

To your detriment, when you attended to Tommy’s seizures last night, you got a glimpse at a memorandum issued by the Crown to Tommy in respect of this event after. It had been hand delivered to him after he introduced you to the mission and from the papers it became clear to you that you were encouraged to offer yourself to the men you were about to meet if this is what took in order for you and Tommy to gain valuable information.

Yet, Tommy didn’t say anything about this and acted as though you had nothing to worry about. Worry was, however, what consumed you as you didn’t want to be used this way again by the men who were in power. Not now and not ever.

***

‘Did you find yourself something nice to wear Love?’ Tommy asked from outside your bedroom door when the clock struck noon and, when you opened the door nervously, his chin dropped.

‘Yes, I have. What do you think?’ you asked with some concern as you featured a dark red but yet simple dress. The dress had long sleeves, covering your tattoo and you matched it with some of the diamond earrings and the necklace that were left in your room.

You had curled your hair and applied some make-up and Tommy was clearly struck by how beautiful you looked in this attire.

‘You look mesmerising Y/N. No doubt, you will be stealing the show in this dress’ Tommy said before holding out his hand for you and walking you down the stairs of his large mansion like a gentleman would.

‘You don’t look so shabby yourself Mr Shelby’ you winked, earning you quick chuckle as you followed Tommy to his Bentley.

***

‘You should really not be driving’ you told Tommy, thinking about his most recent seizure but he simply cocked an eyebrow at you and ignored your comment.

Without trying to argue, you sat down next to him. You knew that he didn’t like to be told what to do and after what you had learned about his past from talking to Frances, you weren’t really surprised.

You wondered how he gained all of his fortune and Frances was honest with you. According to her, he hasn’t always been a good man and his reputation quickly became known to you. Yet, it didn’t bother you as Frances assured you that he was trying to change. He wanted to redeem himself before he dies and this soon became obvious to you as well.

‘I will be introducing you as a friend of mine. If anyone asks, we met in the US during my last trade deal and, since we have similar political interests, we got to talk. I learned about your late husband, Hugo Schmidt, and you told me why you fled Germany after his death’ Tommy began to explain and, whilst you hated to pretend to be someone else, you went along with the plot just as you had promised.

‘And why did I leave Germany if I am fascist?’ you wondered, knowing that Hannah Schmidt had no real reason to leave her country.

‘In fear of the resistance against Hitler. You worked with your husband. You would have had enemies’ Tommy explained and you nodded reluctantly.

‘What is if someone recognises that I am not the woman who I say I am’ you asked concerned.

‘No one here will know and I will keep you away from the Germans. Just like you, Hannah Schmidt was rather shy and didn’t like to be photographed. She was Schmidt’s mistress before she became his wife and this was a great embarrassment to her family’ Tommy explained before telling you that, of course, he would keep you away from the Germans who may have met the real Hannah Schmidt and you nodded again with a rather deep sigh.

Portraying an evil woman like this made you ill. Hannah Schmidt was a science student herself which is how she got to meet her husband and she helped him carry out his evil experiments over the course of nine months.

Whether she did so willingly, no one knew. But it is what she did and that was bad enough for you.

***

Then, after a little while, Tommy pulled up in front of a large hall where he was about to speak in front of hundreds of people, announcing his campaign as an independent member of parliament for the following election.

The speech was also visited by several other members of parliament, including Sir Oswald Mosley and his wife Diana Mitford and, rather surprisingly, Winston Churchill himself who, at least officially, was Thomas’s biggest critique.

Thomas was moving towards fascism which, officially, was much to the dislike of Mr Churchill. But unofficially, you knew that Tommy and Mr Churchill were plotting against the British Union of Fascists together and that this was all part of a greater plan.

‘Y/N, if one of my acquaintances is trying to make a move on you, tell them that you are with me, alright?’ Tommy then said, placing his hand on top of yours while he turned off the Bentley.

‘This wasn’t your initial plan, Tommy. I read some of the memorandum issued to you by the Crown. I was meant to give myself to these men if this is what they want’ you gasped, looking at him somewhat confused.

‘You need to stay away from my fucking office, eh’ Tommy spat almost instantly before having a little chuckle and rolling his eyes at you.  ‘But, for the sake of full disclosure, selling you off to these fascist pigs was never part of my plan Love’ Tommy then said a little more calmly and you sighed with relief.

‘Yet, isn’t that exactly what the Crown has ordered you to do?’ you questioned him nonetheless.

‘Perhaps, but I don’t take anyone’s fucking order, eh. Not even the Crowns’ Tommy smirked and you couldn’t help but smile at him as he squeezed your hand.

‘Yes Tommy’ you said, biting your lip and thinking about how insanely sexy this man was when he assumed authority like this.

‘Good, so don’t worry, Love. I will be introducing you as my friend and, if anyone asks, we are very close friends. Friends who, occasionally, share the same bed’ Tommy then explained as he let go of your hand.

‘Hmm…perhaps, one day, our friendship will evolve to exactly that level’ you smirked, causing Tommy to cock an eyebrow at you and jump out of his car.

As expected, he ignored your somewhat teasing and inappropriate comment and, instead, walked around the car to open the passenger door for you.

Then, without any further words having been spoken, he led you to the great hall where he was inundated by the press and people who were trying to get inside to hear him speak.

Unsurprisingly, he had a lot of followers, both male and female but the female patrons in particular began to amuse you. They didn’t care for politics. They cared for him and you were about to find out why.

***

‘May I introduce my friend, Mrs Hannah Schmidt’ Tommy said as he introduced you to a dark-haired man and a blonde woman before his speech was about to commence.  

You introduced yourself politely and quickly learned that the man in front of you was no other than the leader of the British Union of Fascists, Sir Oswald Mosley. He was accompanied by his wife Diana Mitford and Tommy had warned you about both of them.

‘You are German’ Diana immediately observed while shaking your hand.

‘I am indeed’ you confirmed and she gave Tommy a wide a smile of approval before he disappeared to prepare for his speech while you were left with these two strangers.

Just like her husband, Diana was a fascist and talked very badly about Jews, not knowing that you were one of the people she considered dirty and inferior. You were disgusted by her and outraged by her attitude. Yet, you managed to remind yourself of Tommy’s words. Sometimes you needed to make a pact with the devil order to prevent the evil and, luckily for you, you were all distracted by Tommy’s speech soon.

The way he spoke to the people was mesmerising and intense. He was speaking like a true leader and, despite his somewhat obscure comments relating to fascism, people believed in him and you weren’t really surprised by that.

He was convincing, determined and promised his followers what they needed and wanted to hear. In addition to that, he was also incredibly handsome and charming and, when you heard him speak with such passion, you couldn’t help but want him even more.

‘Usually, Thomas enjoys the company of one or two of his female followers after a political stunt like this. It calms him down, I think. But, with you here, he probably has better things to do rather than indulge in the company of some of these common women’ Diana chuckled and you really had to bite your tongue and simply nodded in response to what she had to say.

‘I assume you are close to Thomas?’ she then asked when you didn’t respond to her comment.

‘I am. We share a bed on occasion. But, I would appreciate if you could keep this information to yourself. My husband has not long been dead and I do not want people to get the wrong idea’ you told her and Diana looked at you with some disappointed.

‘Of course, my dear. But may I say that, I would be lying to you if I said that I wasn’t just a little disappointed to learn that you have been snatched up by Thomas Shelby. My husband and I would have loved to enjoy your company ourselves but I know that Thomas wouldn’t approve of that. I believe that he can be rather conservative’ Diana then told you and, at least internally, you felt ill and wanted to vomit.

Luckily for you, Tommy soon joined you again and you found a minute to tell him what Diana had proposed. He was amused by what you had to say and apologised to you for Diana having been acting so inappropriately.  

‘I swear Tommy, those people make me fucking sick’ you whispered to him.

‘I know. I feel the same way Love and then I remind myself of why I am doing this. You are doing well leading them on’ he told you and, after you gave him a quick nod, Diana snatched you up again in order to tell you more of her disturbing and racist stories, all of which you memorised for Tommy and Mr Churchill.

***

Later that day, at Arrow House, you were introduced to more people who you were uncomfortable with, including Jack Nelson and his niece Gina Gray.

Gina Gray disliked Thomas and you wondered whether she was aware of what he was doing. Either way, she played her part well and you respected her for that.

Who you struggled to respect however, was her uncle Jack who let you away from the crowd in order to make a move on you. He told you that he was taken by your beauty and willpower and you internally laughed, thinking that he knew less than the half of it. He was oblivious and Tommy managed to play him well. Very well.

‘How close of a friend is the German to you, Mr Shelby?’ Oswald Mosley asked Tommy in your absence, and Tommy responded with a sly smirk.

‘She’s off limits if this is what you are asking’ Tommy responded firmly to his enquiry.

‘That’s a shame because, our friend Mr Nelson, appears to be rather interested in her. Perhaps you would care to share her with him?’ Oswald Mosley teased, trying to get underneath Tommy’s skin but Tommy remained calm.

‘With respect Mr Mosley, you should already be aware that I do not share my women with anyone and that includes Mr Nelson. So let me make this clear for you, Hannah Schmidt is off limits’ Tommy said again more firmly this time.

‘Alright then, I will pass on the message to our friend’ Oswald Mosley laughed and his with Diana was rather amused by the conversation.

***

Not long after, you returned to the dining room with Jack Nelson, who you had stood down quiet easily, telling him that you were in a relationship with Thomas.

‘So, Hannah and I had a quite interesting conversation about her late husband’s fascinating research on some of the Jews over in Germany and I began to wonder whether my own country could benefit from such techniques’ Jack Nelson then said when your returned to the group for a drink and some dinner, which had now been served.

‘This is not what I suggested. Forcing people…’ you began to argue but Diana quickly cut you off.

‘Oh Sweetheart, you should be proud of who you are. You are part of a superior race and do you think that those Jews would volunteer? Clearly not and it’s better to experiment on them rather than on our own’ she told you and the way she spoke made you fume with anger.

‘With respect…’ you began just before Tommy reached for your hand and calmed you down.

‘She’s proud of who she is, but she’s also rather humble, shy and still grieving the death of her husband at the hand of two criminals’ Tommy interrupted you while holding onto your hand firmly, indicating to you that you needed to be more careful and thoughtful about what you were saying.

‘That is understandable’ Diana said with a kind voice before telling you yet another one of her horrible stories which, again, included the derogation of the Jewish race, displaying them as dishonest and criminal in nature.

‘See Love, you are with like minded people here. There is no need to be humble or shy. We are the new generation and we are the change our countries need’ Oswald Mosley then began to say before shouting out Hitler’s salute and expecting you to do the same.

‘Mr Mosley’ Tommy began to argue, seeing that you were uncomfortable with this but, before he could say anything else, you complied with his request and pretended to do so proudly.

‘Heil Hitler’ you said in German rather than English, showing your solidarity to the cause before excusing yourself.

‘And now, I need to freshen up. Please excuse me’ you announced with a forced smile, taking some much-needed time to yourself.  

‘She is shy indeed, but certainly quite exquisite Mr Shelby. I must say that, I am rather impressed, seeing you with a pure German woman. What better way to endorse our cause?’ Oswald Mosley then said after you excused yourself.

‘I have heard that German women can be quite naughty in the bedroom department. Is that true?’ his wife Diana then queried, trying to brighten up the mood but Tommy didn’t consider the comment to be amusing.

‘With respect Mrs Mitford, I am not going to discuss my personal affairs with my business acquaintances’ Tommy spat and Diana’s husband began to laugh.

‘So boring, isn’t he?’ Oswald Mosley announced just before you returned and took your seat next to Tommy.

***

The evening continued with more serious talk about business and the cleansing of races which, for some reason, Diana Mitford and Jack Nelson were in approval of.

You barely touched your food that evening as you were sickened by the words that were spoken and you couldn’t quite understand how Tommy didn’t just poison them all, getting it over and done with.

But of course, he had his reasons and you didn’t question them. Clearly, he had a plan as, otherwise, you wouldn’t be there.

Eventually, the unwelcomed visitors left at around 10 o’clock that evening and, after dismissing the maids for the night, you retreated to your bedroom.

You still felt giddy after having listened to all of the horrible hate speeches from the fascists but tried to contain your emotions when you heard a knock on the door.

‘Come in’ you said. You were still dressed in your red dress as you struggled to open your zipper.

‘You did well today, thank you’ Tommy said with a warm smile and, whilst he didn’t say it, it was obvious to you that he simply wanted to check on you.

‘These people are pure evil Thomas’, you told him as he rested his hand on your shoulder.

‘I know and that’s why they need to be stopped’ he told you before saying goodnight.

‘Thomas?’ you asked quickly just before he was able to leave.

‘What is it?’ he asked and you gave him a somewhat shy look before holding up your hair.

‘Can you open this zipper for me. I can’t reach it Frances has gone to bed already so I don’t want to wake her’ you said nervously, knowing how inappropriate your request was but you lacked choices and, since he was already there, you thought why not.

Please comment and interact 😍. It is what keeps me going and writing. I love to know what you think and speculate!

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[starryjeekies]

Can I request OT8 E’Last love languages (giving/receiving)? Ty 💕

A/N: OH MY GOD YES! this is going to take me a long while so I’m sorry if it is posted later than I intend to but I want it to be good! (post writing: thank you for waiting for this!! my work week has been so chaotic recently and I finally had some time to write)

Rano:

Giving: Acts of Service

I think Rano is a huge sweetheart. Like when he’s in love, he’s not afraid to tell the world how amazing you are. He seems like the boyfriend who when picking you up from work or school, he would definitely tell you about what he plans to do when you get back. “I already started prepping dinner for tonight and set up everything you need to take a relaxing bath afterwards and will put your favorite blanket in the dryer and-” and follows through on EVERYTHING. 

Receiving: Words of Affirmation

Rano is a HUGE SOFTIE he will blush or giggle or smile at almost everything. He’s a fun loving guy and gets super shy when you compliment him. I think when you praise him, he will just MELT. He cannot fall in love with you harder. Whether you tell him he’s great at dancing, he’s handsome, or even “I’m glad you’re in my life” he will start to bush hardcore and push his face into your neck to hide the embarrassment. Please compliment him a lot so we can see him smile more often its so pretty :(

Choi In:

Giving: Acts of Service

House Husband Choi In at your service! I don’t doubt he would dote on you so much when you have the weekend together. Unfortunately, as many adults know, the weekend isn’t for fun. The weekend is for us to catch up on the adult things we put off. So I don’t doubt he would come over before you woke up, coming in with the key you gave him, and make you breakfast while starting your laundry. He would kiss you awake and present to you lovely heart shaped pancakes before running off to wash your dishes.

Receiving: Quality Time

I think to recharge at the end of the day, Innie likes to spend time with you. He would like to sit on the couch with you, probably with his head in your lap as you tell each other about your day. Then he would most definitely want to cook with you if he wasn’t cooking alone with you watching on. Being around you makes him feel at home, hence why he is always late to work; he’s always begging for “5 more minutes” before he gets out of bed.

Seungyeop:

Giving: Words of Affirmation

I think Seungyeop gets a bad rep of being the most serious member. I think he’s more thoughtful with his words and has rbf so he comes off more serious and scary. When he does praise you, you know it’s genuine and true. Not to say he won’t praise you forever and whenever, but it always feels special. I think his favorite things to say to you would be “I’m so proud to call you mine” and “you never fail to make me feel needed” because HELLO BOTH ARE ADORABLE! Gives off the “that’s my wife and I love her” vibes.

Receiving: Acts of Service

If Innie is the house husband, then Seungyeop is traditional 1950s ‘goes to work and comes home to dote on wife and play with the kids’ type of guy. We know how hard they work, especially him during Tears of Chaos era. If he came back to you seeing that you prepped his lunch for the next few days, cleaned up the place, and are ready to provide him with attention, he would feel so grateful for you. He knows you want to make his life a lot easier and would greatly appreciate it.

Baekgyeul:

Giving: Gifts

I can believe that Baekgyeul’s favorite time to get you something if not an anniversary or birthday would be when he’s out doing shows. I feel like every time he’s out of the country, he would like to pick you up a little piece of jewelry (whichever you prefer) he think would look lovely on you. Whether its a simple ring, a necklace with your birthstone in it, or earrings that would match your favorite outfit, he wouldn’t care the price. Not only do you appreciate him getting it for you, he would also smile when he catches you wearing it.

Receiving: Quality Time

Baekgyeul, for sure, prefers to just hang out at home instead of going out. I think his favorite past time with you would be doing your own little thing but together. For example, he would be building a new star wars lego set while you would be reading a book. I also think he’s a super good listener and is very attentive to you so would give you the stage to talk all day. He doesn’t mind what you do because as long as he’s with you, he is content.

Romin:

Giving: Quality Time

I think Romin would love to take you out on dates, anywhere and everywhere. He likes to go to dinner with you, take you museums, go shopping, stargaze, he wants to show you off and how good you two look together. He wants to show you the things you never dreamed of doing. You are usually astounded with his dates, especially when they’re surprise dates. You are always on your toes with him.

Receiving: Gifts

I don’t think Romin is self centered and ever expects gifts from you, but is highly appreciative of the things you do gift him. That ring you got him after your first anniversary? If it’s not on his hand it is on his nightstand. The framed picture of you two on your first date? It’s above his bed. He will treasure and take care of everything that you give him and will remember exactly when and where you gave it to him at.

Wonhyuk:

Giving: Words of Affirmation

The best boyfriend ever. He would always make sure you are loved. He always wants you around so he can dote on you and tell you how much he adores you. I think the best thing he does is if you’re not paying attention to him, he will say “come here so I can appreciate you!” and proceed to bearhug you while telling you how attractive you are and how he is so lucky to call you his. Will definitely hype you up with all of your accomplishments! Will always tell you how hardworking you are and how proud he is of your achievements.

Receiving: Physical Touch

Its not hard to see that he loves attention. He’s a big baby and wants to be cuddled 24/7 if he could. He feels the most content when you’re lying on the couch with him in your arms and you’re playing with his hair. There’s nothing he doesn’t appreciate. When you’re out with him, he will always hold your hand or link arms. When he’s tired but has to be out at a schedule and you’re there, he will rest his head on your shoulder. At home, you best believe that he is a koala and won’t let you go until you ask.

Wonjun:

Giving: Physical Touch

I believe Wonjun gives the best hugs. I have no doubt he notices that you are more relaxed when his arms are around you so he tries to have him arm around you whenever, especially when you’re stressed. Tiny (not anymore but) but mighty. He started working out for his health but also so he can make you feel safe and secure. When you’re hanging out with the guys, his arms are always around your waist, holding you close.

Receiving: Acts of Service

Wonjun is ready to marry you on the spot whenever you do something for him. No matter how small it is such as you getting him bubble tea during practice or how big like when you surprised him after Boni Hani with flowers, dinner, and a comfy pillow fort, he would get down on one knee if he had a ring. He knows you love him and would do anything to make him relax, and would definitely prefer to do anything with you.

Yejun:

Giving: Quality Time

I don’t think Yejun is one for over the top romantic gestures, but would definitely find little romantic spots for the two of you. He would be the type to leave dance practice early to make sure he can take you to your special spot near the Han river for a little picnic. Or would definitely take you to a casual food shop so you two can talk about your day over shared tteokbokki and samgyeopsal (he only shares his food with you).

Receiving: Words of Affirmation

He has the biggest and brightest smile and it always comes out when you compliment him. He has the voice of an angel and would smile and shy away when you would praise him about it. When you first start complimenting him, I think it’ll take a while for him to accept what you say. Eventually, he will start to accept them, especially when you praise him for the hard work he’s put into being an idol.