#and to think i used to look askance at romance

[foxsoulcourt]

Bookmarker’s Notes: Did this work smash into me, taking my breath away while I read it OR did it work on me like glacial ice, cleaving a line straight into my most tender heart?

Both. It did both. Simultaneously

How @aniron48 did this within 839 words is a deep mystery, but she did. I hope the experience is similar for you too.

My goodness, what a wonder. It’s s u b l i m e. 💜

for the age of the earth, and after

This short fic came a bit out of nowhere--I didn't plan it, I didn't anticipate it, and suddenly, here it was. It's a bit of steam with feelings, and I'll let it speak for itself, except to say that apparently this is what happens when you read about the Kantian idea of the sublime at an impressionable age. You can read it on ao3, or here, below the cut.

(Oh, and the lovely picture above is from Smithsonian Open Access: Mountains in Jamaica. It seemed fitting.)

It starts when Bond says, “Tell me how you like it,” and Q says, “Slow.”

They are fully undressed, standing next to Q’s bed, and this is already different from his usual, isn’t it: both of them bared to the other; no clothes left on that might conceal a weapon, no formalwear rucked hastily out of the way that has to be set to rights again, after, masking what they’ve done. Only the two of them, and nothing to hide.

And ‘slow’ isn’t something he’s indulged much, either—not in years, not since her, and not when desire, most days, is a stepping stone, and survival the other side of the river: stay too long in one place, and you might slip before you make it across.

But this is Q, finally and for the first time; Q who is lying down on the bed by the window, and even through the blinds, the light crests his body like dawn on the mountains. 

Bond sits down beside him, running a hand over the dip of his stomach, and the jut of his hip. “I learned mountaineering, as a boy,” he says, almost to himself. “They sent me out alone, with a compass and a map.”

“And what did you learn, out there in the wilderness?” Q asks, chasing his touch. “Perseverance and fortitude? A sense of direction?”

Bond lingers on Q’s chest, spreads his palms wide and runs gentle fingers across the nipples that are as sinfully red as Q’s mouth. “I learned how to pray,” Bond says, and he leans down to take one between his lips.

He can hear Q’s heartbeat, like this, close as they are, and then Q pulls him closer still, one arm around his back, and his legs entwined with Bond’s. He draws Bond up for a kiss, and whispers in his ear. 

“Set me to rights,” he says. “But take your time. Lots of lovely things take time.”

Bond was a navy man, before he was an agent, and he remembers how to take an order. He sets to work mapping Q’s body with his hands and mouth, a cartographer taking the lay of the land, and he thinks, incongruously, of the old family Bible, of the times he sat in church as a lad, hiding a smirk when the priest read aloud from the Old Testament about a patriarch who lay with his wife, and knew her. A clumsy euphemism, he’d thought then, but not now, not when it’s knowledge he craves above all else, to know Q as no one ever has.

”I want to know you by touch, after this,” Bond says. “I want to memorize you by inches.” He moves his fingers just so, showing Q what he means, and for a time, it seems all Q can do in response is breathe. But then—

“Glaciers,” he says, spreading his legs so Bond can move between them. “Glaciers travel by inches. Impossible to see with the naked eye, but they can cleave mountains in two. Create valleys and lakes as they go.”

Bond accepts the invitation, draping Q’s long legs over his shoulders and kissing each of his knees, pressing in, pressing close as Q cries out.

“‘Cleave’ is a contronym,” Bond says, his hands gentle on Q’s body as he waits for his breath to even out, and his grip to loosen. “It means itself, and its opposite. To split apart, or to join together.”

“And which,” Q asks, his voice unsteady in Bond’s ear, “do you mean to do to me?”

“Both, God help me,” Bond says, and he kisses Q like it’s an invocation. “Both.” 

His hips are moving almost involuntarily, now, and it’s a mercy for them both, though they stay as slow as they promised. Before tonight, Bond had always thought of creation as a furious thing, had imagined Earth formed in fire and catastrophe, in ice and violence. There’s some of that here, too, he thinks, a searing need coursing just below the surface like a river of molten rock. But the history of the Earth is so vast that it’s written in geologic time, in eons and eras, epochs and ages; in a call and response of oceans and mountains, faultlines and tectonic plates. In movements imperceptible but ceaseless, toward, and toward, and toward.

They were always headed here, Bond thinks, his muscles aching from the strain of keeping his rhythm steady as the need between them builds. They were always meant to come together like this, both of them perpetual forces building to a convergence that’s no less cataclysmic for all it’s been coming on by degrees. He wants to tell Q all of this—he means to tell him. But what he says instead is as much of a prayer as those he said as a boy, alone and in the Alps, staring down a glory that could destroy him. “Hold tight to me,” he says, and again, “hold tight,” and he does, and Q does, and they will.

[yoo-jeongneon]

undo every button.. (even if one goes missing) | j.ww

× minors/ageless/empty blogs dni. you will be blocked. ×

pairing: jeon wonwoo x gn!reader

genre: romance

warnings: actor!wonwoo, actor!reader, smut, explicit language, acquaintances-to-lovers, director is an impatient bastard, awkward tension, confessions, flirtatious banter

smut warnings: afab anatomy used, fingering (reader), unprotected oral (both), cum swallowing, pet names (reader: babe, gorgeous, beautiful), quite passionate/intense, skipping sex due to not having a condom

word count: very nearly 4.6k

a/n: this is a one-shot from my old blog that i decided to repost here - let me know what you think, feedback is much appreciated!

× you and wonwoo are actors who have been called upon to star in a steamy music video. the three-day filming period is rather awkward, and things finally snap on the third day.. ×

The camera's eye is so hot on the two of you it could practically burn a hole through your skin.

You stand between Wonwoo's legs, hands on his shoulders, wearing nothing but a white button down and some black underwear. In contrast, Wonwoo is shirtless with the flies of his trousers undone; his hands ghost over your hips, still keeping that barrier between you, his palms growing sweatier by the second.

Wonwoo had been instructed to strip you down, roughly, with as much passion needed to convey the appropriate emotions. He needs to rip open the shirt, exposing nothing underneath, and kiss down the centre of your body.

Of course, with clever editing not much is seen, but the implication needs to be there and more importantly, needs to be clear.

So, the director encourages him, pushing him towards that goal of indicating such fiery intent that it would be obvious that he can't hold back.

Your eyes travel down to him, your mind an absolute mess of emotions when Wonwoo is this close to you. You want nothing more than for Wonwoo to just do it, take everything off and sink his teeth in. Dip his tongue below and ravage you. Pin you down to this very bed and fuck you stupid.

But Wonwoo becomes frozen.

His fingers dance across the space above your hips, unable to bring himself to do what the director has asked of him. He looks askance, gazing down at the floor as his stress levels peak.

Eventually he lowers his hands, resting them on his thighs, and calls for a five minute breather.

You can't help a sigh leaving your lips; a mix of uneasiness and confusion. You can't read Wonwoo's mind, how are you supposed to understand what exactly is going on in it?

Vexed as fuck, wishing the work day would just end, the director mumbles, "Cut.." You step back and sit on the stool by the dressing table, one leg crossed over the other. Standing between you, the director doesn't hide his frustration as he says, "When you're ready, do let us know."

The entire crew leaves the room with him, and once his back is turned, you roll your eyes, loathing how impatient he can be.

When you finally look over at Wonwoo, you realise he hasn't moved a single muscle.

"Um.." you swallow, "are you alright?"

He doesn't look up at you, and instead quietly says, "I don't know.."

There are a thousand gears turning in his head and he wants to throw a wrench in every single one. You watch him from across the room, thirty seconds of silence dissolving into an eternity.

Picking at a stray bit of lint on his trousers, Wonwoo closes his eyes and exhales. You get up and pace around the room, stopping by the window to get a view of the city.

You never realised just how beautiful it looks from this high up. Streetlights twinkle like stars on the roads below, and the distant noise of nightlife is only barely muffled by the glass that separates you.

You fold your arms after a time, shoulders tensing to your ears as you become painfully aware of Wonwoo's presence in the room. For the longest time, you figured if you never had to work in such close proximity to him, the feelings would go away and you could move on with your life.

But life dealt you a daunting card, and now you stand just inches away from the man himself, shirtless and completely unaware of exactly what it took for you to even be in the same room, let alone like this.

Behind you, you catch the faint rustling of sheets. You don't dare look back, choosing to keep your gaze fixed on the world in front of you.

Once Wonwoo reaches the end of the bed, he stands. He takes careful steps towards you, the subtle creaks of the floor beneath his feet an agonising reminder that he's spent too long hoping. Too long wishing. Too long imagining.

Not enough action.

Every centimetre of space lost is truly a test in and of itself. Does Wonwoo stop here and turn away? Does he call it quits with the director and run for the hills?

Or does he recognise the beautiful, smart, headstrong, fearless person who's a master of their craft standing right in front of him.. and actually make something known of this attraction?

By the time he's figured it out, he's standing directly behind you.

Damned if he fucking doesn't.

"N.." he murmurs, and it almost makes you jump. His voice drips beneath the base of your spine and down, and you swallow hard as it sinks in just how close he is. "There's something I need to say.."

Right now, you would very much like the ground beneath you to open a giant wormhole.

You bite down on your bottom lip and can only manage a whisper, "Yeah?"

With a sigh, Wonwoo says it point-blank, "I am so fucking crazy about you."

You suck in a breath. Your knees go completely weak and you have to close your eyes for a few seconds.

He did not just say that.

"And before you ask, no, I'm not lying," he forces a chuckle out, and that's what makes you finally turn around and look at him.

You search his face for some tiny crack in the seam, a sign that he's just messing with you, and that he did not just confess attraction for you while you're standing there yearning for him to turn you inside out.

But there's nothing of the sort. Wonwoo's expression remains wholly sincere. "That's why I've been so.. awkward these past couple of days. When I took on this project, I knew exactly what it entailed. I knew I'd be working with you and.. I genuinely thought I could do it without completely losing it but my feelings for you are just too strong."

Every word he says is just another punch to the gut. You truly had no idea he felt this way about you, but you suppose putting the whole thing into perspective, it makes some semblance of sense, even if it is crazy.

It then becomes apparent that if you don't say anything now, you'll probably never speak again.

"I really genuinely can't believe you just said that," you mutter quite neutrally, looking elsewhere so you don't have to make eye contact with him for more than a second. Wonwoo tugs at the inside of his lip; your remark feels rather blasé, but in your mind it's to circumvent wanting to bury your head in the sand and scream.

You sigh dreamily into the open air, "Because, lord, how am I meant to say this now.."

Wonwoo lifts his head. Say what? He can't help but feel he's just made an awkward situation even more uncomfortable.

"Wonwoo.." you exhale. "You have no idea how I feel about you." When your eyes meet, Wonwoo bites down on his tongue hard. You push your shoulders back, lifting your chin and doing so with purpose. "Because I am immensely insane about you." Before you know it, you can't stop. "And that scene just now, with me standing between your legs, I literally couldn't think, I just wanted you to-" You cut yourself off, and notice Wonwoo's eyes have darkened significantly.

He takes a step closer to the point it's stifling, "Wanted me to do what?" He can't help the vaguest smirk, a certain new confidence washing over him.

You pan down to his chest. You lift a hand, keeping it at a distance until Wonwoo takes it and places it just beneath the collarbone. Beneath it all, you can feel his heart thudding at a ridiculous pace, and you can tell it matches your own.

Wonwoo feels that spark the second your hand is on him. He struggles to keep his composure, wanting to give himself over completely, undo you in ways that have you screaming his name while letting you have your way with him.

The moment you look up into his eyes, your strong gaze bringing you both to the point of no return, Wonwoo knows you're both in for something much longer than a five minute breather.

"Everything the director asked for and more."

Wonwoo gulps. "N?"

"Yes?" you lift a brow.

"..Can I kiss you?"

Your lips tilt up. "Yes."

In an instant, Wonwoo crashes his lips against yours, snaking his arms around your body and pulling you impossibly close. A surprised yelp leaves your throat before you kiss back with just as much vigour, throwing your arms around his shoulders and arching your back into his grasp.

You move in unison to the end of bed and Wonwoo collapses down, placing you back in the position you were in minutes earlier. Thinking back to the director's instruction, Wonwoo rips the shirt open and kisses down the length of your body, tongue lapping over every inch of skin like it's a carnal need.

His mouth is so hot on your otherwise cool skin that you gasp for air, fingers tugging every strand of his locks urging him to go lower.

"Fuck, gorgeous," he groans against your navel, "you are stunning." He wraps his lips around one nipple, thumb teasing the other and a loud moan throttles out of your throat.

"Wonwoo-" You throw your head back at the pleasure coursing through your body as Wonwoo switches.

"What do you need, beautiful?" He doesn't relent, his tongue working hard on the buds until they're both stiff.

"You- fuck, touch me-" you beg, and Wonwoo chuckles as he slips a thumb inside your underwear and rubs circles on your clit. You convulse, twisting in the firm hold he has on your waist with just one hand, thighs already shaking at just a simple touch.

"Jesus, N, so wet for me.." he murmurs. He growls a little as he presses his thumb harder, rubbing faster, watching as you lose all balance and throw yourself forward. You clutch his shoulders and screw your eyes shut, moaning and whimpering as you reach your release. "That's it.."

"Oh- oh- fuck, Won-" You dig your nails into his shoulders and cry out as Wonwoo pushes the fabric aside and massages your folds, the tips of his fingers teasing your entrance. You twitch and contort and clench around nothing, holding on for dear life as Wonwoo sings praise after praise into your ear. "Wonwoo-"

"Yes?" he exhales.

"Please, more-"

"Yeah?" He pushes the tips of his fingers in and stars burst in your vision. "Like that?"

"Yes- ah- fuck-"

Wonwoo chuckles mischievously as he pushes one digit in, gently followed by the second with your permission. He curves his fingers inside, trying to find the spot to make you shriek.

"Ah-" you cry, already on the precipice and struggling to form any coherent thought when his slender fingers are buried. No room for thinking about what those fingers could do anymore when they're making mean work of your insides. "Gonna- fuck- gonna-"

"Go on, beautiful, let go, that's it-" The tips of his fingers just brush that spot, making you melt away into a puddle. "Fuck, so good, so, so good-" he husks, his fingers coated in your wetness. The strain of his cock in his briefs is becoming more and more unbearable and he grunts involuntarily, but remains focused on your pleasure all the while. He speeds up his movements and watches as you shudder in his hold, crying his name as you come undone.

Wonwoo pulls his fingers away, and you nearly fall into his lap; you then take his hand and bring the two digits to his mouth, lips curved upwards in a devilish smirk. Wonwoo gets the hint and drags his lips over the two digits, making a low noise at the back of his throat as he savours your taste.

Cupping his jaw, you capture Wonwoo's lips in another kiss, knee pressed firmly into the mattress just to keep yourself steady. Your tongues move back and forth to the point you can taste yourself, and a tight moan punches out of you.

Wonwoo falls back on the bed. His cock is now so painfully hard he has to cup a hand over it just for some relief.

You break the kiss and look down, seeing the noticeable tent that has formed in his trousers. You run your tongue over your lips and ask, "May I?"

Wonwoo knows exactly what you want to do, and his heart can't stop racing. "Please-" You smirk then push your hand down the open fly in his trousers and stroke softly through the fabric of his briefs. Wonwoo bucks his hips up, jaw tipping open as his eyes close.

With one hand resting on the bed, you up the pace. "Does that feel good?" you breathe into his ear, and Wonwoo wonders if he hasn't just died and gone to heaven.

"So good, fuck.. More, N, please-"

With an idea in mind, you take your hand out, causing Wonwoo to groan at the loss of contact. You chuckle at that, "One second.." You tug at the waistband of his trousers and Wonwoo gets the idea, helping to take them off and throw them aside. Next go his briefs, Wonwoo's hard cock curving upwards to his stomach.

"Holy shit-" you blurt.

Wonwoo smirks, unable to get rid of that mischievous glint in his eye as he watches you wrap a hand firmly around the base. He grunts, rolling his hips upward as you get down on your knees.

Pushing himself up, he watches as you gaze up at him, giving him a wink as you press a kiss to his inner thigh.

The second he realises what you want to do, he swallows. "You sure, N?"

Your eyes flicker up, "Mhm. I wanna make you feel good."

Wonwoo takes a deep breath, "If anything changes, or you wanna stop, grip my hand okay?"

Your heart flutters in your chest, "I will." You press another kiss to his thigh, and Wonwoo's eyes close.

In his own flustered state, he can't stand the teasing.

"N, babe, please-" The pet name is unexpected but definitely not unwelcome. You smile to yourself, heart ricocheting off every part of your body, and slowly bring your mouth to the tip of his leaking cock.

The sound that shudders out of Wonwoo is the guttural cry of a man teetering on the edge. He threads his fingers through your hair, wanting nothing more than for you to take him whole and suck him dry.

"N- fuck-" He pushes his hips up, wanting, needing something more, but you take your time, running your tongue down the underside and back up to the head. "Oh, God-"

With your hand still wrapped around the base, you take the head into your mouth and suck gently. It's absolutely mind-blowing how you could do so little and yet have this effect on him.

You moan subtly, causing tiny vibrations to surge through his body, and he almost falls back on the bed, unable to keep himself upright when everything you're doing below is murderous.

Eventually, Wonwoo finds the resolve to glance down, and you meet him half-way, glazed eyes glimmering against the warm hues of the floor lamp in the corner of the room.

Fuck, he's in trouble. Fuck, he's going to lose it. Fuck, he wants to ruin you.

You steadily take his entire cock in, breathing through the nose as you hollow out. He's fairly big, and the tip hits the back of your throat, but you do not mind one bit.

Wonwoo feels as though he's legitimately glitching out. The warmth of your mouth and the soft swipes of your tongue across every inch of his cock is doing him under in ways he wasn't prepared for.

"Jesus, fuck, N.. God, that feels so good-" You moan weakly at the praise, sending yet another jolt through him. He tightens his grip on your hair ever so slightly, and it only pushes you to work harder. "Fuck, your mouth is, ah-" He rolls his hips up, essentially fucking into your mouth, each push causing another sound to push out of your throat. "God, babe, I'm not gonna last-"

You then grip his hand, and Wonwoo immediately shifts, loosening his grip and giving you room to pull off his cock.

But you don't distance yourself too much, only muttering, "Come for me, I'll take it," before sinking back down.

Wonwoo short-circuits. His breath hitches as you lick at the tip, and he shudders and breaks as he comes hard in your mouth.

You take every last bit, stroking the base of Wonwoo's cock until he eventually stops. You pull back with a smug grin, licking over your lips before getting to your feet.

Wonwoo struggles to breathe as he comes down, groaning loudly into the air above him as he falls back onto the bed. You climb onto the bed and straddle him, and he instantly finds the strength to sit up and ardently tear the shirt off you, throwing it aside before you switch positions.

Wonwoo pins you to the bed, devouring your lips as you wrap your arms around his shoulders. "Fuck, I want you so bad-" he moans between kisses.

You whimper and reach for the waistband of your underwear, trying to push them down before Wonwoo takes the reins and pulls them off, discarding them along with the shirt. You spread your legs wide and Wonwoo can only stare at the glisten of arousal.

"Please-" you beg. "Want your mouth.."

Wonwoo smiles knowingly, then lowers himself until he's level with your clit before pressing a kiss just above. You moan and reach down to grip his hair, which only spurs him on.

He tests the waters with a single lick to the bud. You grab the sheets, your hips flexing up into him, and Wonwoo dives in, steadily, wrapping his lips around the sensitive bud and sucking delicately, choosing to also take his time. He holds onto you thighs and buries his face into your folds, running his tongue up and down the length before working his way back up the clit.

Each new ministration is dangerous. You buck into his mouth helplessly, aching for more of him, fingers locked in his hair as you cry out his name.

Wonwoo claws his fingers into your thighs, trapping himself there, then draws one hand up the length of your body. You grab his hand and hold on, unable to think, speak or function properly in the foggy haze of having exactly what you've dreamed of finally happen.

"Ah- ah-" Very few coherent words can be uttered, the sounds a mix of jumbled letters and strained noises. "Ple- Won- ah.."

Wonwoo understands he's been asked after, and draws back just briefly. "What do you need, babe?" His lips reattach to the clit and he sucks a little more fervently.

"To- Tongue- oh.." You clasp his hand harder as Wonwoo brushes the tip of his tongue against your entrance. "Yes- please-"

Pulling away for a mere second, Wonwoo breathes in his lowest voice, "Let me hear you, babe.. I got you."

Wonwoo plunges into your heat and you spring off the bed. "Fuck- Wonwoo!"

Wonwoo can't help a smile forming as he pushes his tongue deeper inside; that's exactly what he was after.

Your moans turn to heavy panting as Wonwoo laps at the warmth, pushing his tongue in and out before licking one long stripe up the centre and back down again. He devours like a man starved, eyes closed and brows knitted together and revels in every sound you make.

Wonwoo thinks for a brief second that you'll let go of his hand, but when you only tighten your grip, hips stuttering into him with a litany of curses spilling from your mouth, he knows you're close. He wraps his lips around the bud again and hums, and that's what finally throws you over the edge.

It's only then that you let go of his hand, resting the back of it on your forehead as tears sting the back of your eyes.

Wonwoo helps you through it, relaxing his muscles and letting the moment sit for a while. Drawing back, he runs his tongue over his lips and swipes the remains off his chin.

He crawls up the bed until he's eye level, and your eyes - dazed and off-kilter from everything that's just happened - flutter open. You're barely able to take in the sight of Wonwoo hovering above you before you're wrapping a hand around his neck and pulling him down. Wonwoo follows eagerly, kissing so tenderly, and you get another quick taste before Wonwoo is dragging his lips down to your neck.

With one hand on your hip bone, the other keeping himself steady on the pillow, Wonwoo buries his head in the crook of your neck and kisses ardently. You gasp, keening into him as you dig your fingers into his lower back.

Wonwoo grunts then says into you ear, "How did that feel?"

You wish you could form enough comprehensible speech to answer.

Gazing up at him, you reach up to cup his jaw and meekly whisper, "So fucking good, you are.." Wonwoo smiles, heartfelt, and presses a kiss to your forehead. You hum; this proximity is kind of surreal, and you want to bask in this moment forever. "How did-" your eyes flicker down, "that feel?"

Wonwoo gets it immediately. "N, you've got no fucking idea," he laughs, but means it sincerely. "What you did? Insane."

Your eyes find each other, and something stirs in both of you. Wonwoo leans down and presses another kiss to your lips that you return, before you grab his face between your palms and deepen it.

Wonwoo mutters between kisses, "Do you wanna do this?"

"God, yes, please fuck me-" you answer. Wonwoo's heart jumps into his throat, and he goes back to indulging you in kisses.

You both want this so fucking bad, but the second Wonwoo climbs into position, reality hits him and he breaks away.

You stare at him, a little bewildered, but Wonwoo leans down and whispers, "Ain't got a condom."

Your eyes go wide, "Oh, shit."

Wonwoo utters a fuck under his breath and turns to lay on his side next to you. He lets out a chuckle, "Ah, Jesus.."

"And I don't have one either.." you mutter. Wonwoo leans into your side, pressing a kiss to your shoulder with a soft grin on his face.

Both of you are no doubt disappointed, but you have a bit of fun with it.

"Do you think the director would mind if we went and got some?" Wonwoo jokes. You erupt in laughter and nudge him. "Uh, yeah, excuse me, N and I desperately wanna fuck, but no condoms, can we go buy some?"

You laugh harder, and Wonwoo's face lights up at that sound.

That's when you catch yourselves staring at one another again.

This entire situation has changed everything.

Neither of you could deny your feelings, and you had just spent a fair bit of time showing each other exactly how you feel, but now it's come to actually talking about it.

"N, I.." Wonwoo mumbles. "I wanna see you again," he says, outright. "I wanna-" He cuts himself off at the sight of your glazed, beautiful eyes. He swallows the lump in his throat and continues, "I wanna be with you."

You bite your bottom lip then sigh, "I want that too."

Wonwoo's shoulders tense. He gathers up whatever's left of his courage and asks, "Would you.. like to come to my place? Say, this Friday?"

A warm smile trickles onto your face, "I would love that."

He mirrors your expression, then leans down to kiss you again. You stay like that until a thought pops into your head. "Do you think the director has caught onto what we've been doing?"

Wonwoo pulls away and hums. "Well if he hasn't yet, then-" As if on cue, a knock at the door. "Ah." Caught off guard, you throw your head back in laughter.

On the other side of the door, a now infuriated director huffs and shouts, "Are you two done with your five minute breather?"

Wonwoo nestles close to you, "It would be rude to ask for five more minutes, wouldn't it?"

You hit his shoulder lightly, "Wonwoo!" He chuckles before meeting your lips again, your smiles turning into another intense kiss as Wonwoo runs his hand down the side of your body and raises your leg up. Your chest tightens at the sensation, a soft whimper leaving the back of your throat.

..It would be rude to ask for five more minutes.

Another loud knock interrupts them, and you finally break away with a sigh. "We probably shouldn't keep them waiting," you admit.

Wonwoo eventually agrees, slightly peeved but nonetheless understanding. "One second!" he yells out to the director.

You sit up first, leaving him to lie on his back and stare at the ceiling just to process this. You titter at the mess around you of bunched up clothes in tiny piles at the foot and the side of the bed, then reach forward to grab the shirt so you can put it back on.

With six buttons done up, you go to do the seventh, when you notice something out of the ordinary. Your brows furrow as your thumb recognises no plastic to hold onto, and when you look down and inspect further, you snort and cover your face.

Wonwoo catches this and lifts a brow, "What's up?"

"Come here," you beckon him over. He sits up and pushes himself down the length of the bed, pecking your shoulder once more before resting his chin on it. "So.. you know they talk about blurring the lines between what is and what isn't acting?" He hums affirmatively. You alert him to what you found and he stares at it. "Does a missing button fall under that?"

It takes him two seconds, but then, "Oh, shit-"

You laugh as Wonwoo launches off the bed in a desperate search for this missing button. He stops to throw his briefs back on, then kneels on the floor to check under the bed. You do the same with your underwear then lean over to where he's searching. "Any luck?"

"No.. and both our phones are in our rooms so we don't have a torch." He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. "Did I really rip the shirt open so hard a button flew off?"

"Ah, I think it's alright." He looks up at you. "If they do notice a torn off button, well that's all part of the act, isn't it?" you wink, leaning close to him.

Wonwoo freezes in place; another knock makes him jump, and he steals a kiss before moving to put his trousers back on. You make yourself comfortable at the end of the bed while Wonwoo heads for the door to open it.

The director storms in and stops between the two of you.

"So-" he starts, "are we now a bit more prepared to film this scene?"

You suppress a smile by biting down on your lip, and Wonwoo can't help a smirk as he looks at you and answers the query.

"Definitely.. though we may have a missing button."

× yoo-jeongneon ×

[horizon-verizon]

Same anon who asked about George talking about Daenerys here. Was referring to how there was originally supposed to be a five-year jump, and before that time was supposed to move faster over each book. George is pretty open about how that part of the story keeps getting away from him. He's also very open about which character he'd most like to spend time with and why, whenever anything close to the question comes up. Even if the question doesn't focus on "romance," he likes to find ways to bring it up. And look I try not to judge too much, but it does add some weirdness to how he likes to write older men falling over themselves for Daenerys and how he writes about the appearance of a (at least on paper) teenage girl.

Anon refers to this post. And I saw a tweet finally as to what i think you were talking abt.

This is extremely fair (what a weird adverb to use for this adjective).

Because the difference b/t how many over 20s males w/under-18s girls George thinks are appropriate versus what most people reading his books (excluding a lot of cis-hetero men, let's bfr) is a pretty large difference. Me, I've already argued for Rhaegar-Lyanna (no I don't consider Rhaegar the issue here), I disagree with the idea of Dany-Drogo being in any way "positive" or arguable for reasons other than the ages, and etc. But I understand your thoughts bc there are bonds that could have been comfortably cute if they hadn't been...suggestive, like Sansa and the Hound. It's a Watsonian/diegetic vs Doylist/exegetic thing for me that is not as static as you may think bc I still get weirded out for some interactions and wonder why exactly we needed say a 14 yr old to get groped by a grey-Frey troglodyte. There are other ways to convey Frey's grossness as well as the power such noble men are licensed in Westeros over younger girls and women.

I'll just say that maybe (and I think I'm being generous bc I remember a certain video whose link I do not have, sorry) that made me look askance at dear George abt Dany. Because even if you wanted her aged up in the beginning and later changed you mind, now that she is canonically nowhere near 18 (which would still be weird at your winter age) why are you now making comments about her attractiveness being a critical reason as to travel with her? Hmm...You really do fight for your life in this fandom.

[romadine]

sneak peak from drafts. Romance dedicated for Valentines (Nachika/IchiNacht)

As always, my schedule was pretty hectic especially now that we've bought two dogs, especially Caspel, my aloof chow chow 😅

Anywaysss, I wanted to dedicate something and luckily I remembered writing some romance/fluff scenes in my drafts from before. I've never experienced love before so it may sound too cliché or corny 😅 Here it goes:

****

Ichika was preoccupied with what happened that she only noticed the daring hand in the back of her waist.

She halted for a while. Nacht hummed and looked at her in askance. Her eyebrow raised as she motioned to get rid of his hold on her. Nacht frowned, no quite understanding what she meant. Weren't they pretending to be a couple? She was very irksome. It wasn't as if he liked doing this. It was only natural of him, acting and all that.

Ichika sighed and brushed her stray bangs aside. She was a little distracted with her undone hair, not being used to it in the slightest. She redirected her gaze at him who seemed to be staring deeply at her as well. It was as if he was watching the little things she does.

"Sir," Ichika said in a low voice not without catching Nacht's dislike for the term she used. "Set aside that hand. You may be liberated but here in our country, we're very much conservative. I won't be able to take responsibility." She lowkey removed his hand to avoid raising suspicion.

"Besides, I'm still a single woman. As annoying as I may be, I don't want my marriage prospects to lessen just because they thought I'm with you," she added with a chuckle.

Ichika didn't know why she had to say that. Maybe it was to dispel the awkwardness? She definitely had no plans getting married. After being teased and bullied to continuing the lineage of her clan... Not to mention, her parents'relationship that was doomed from the beginning. She didn't know what her mother saw in her father but Ichika and Sukehiro knew well enough that it was an arranged marriage. Her positive view of long-term committment much less marriage and children had long worn off.

Needless to say, she didn't achieve the reaction she was expecting. He usually beamed at her only to resort to a witty comeback. Ichika didn't knew how this scene was any different. Nacht's gaze turned cold as he distanced himself away from her. He didn't even utter a reply before leaving.

She was speechless, wondering if she said anything wrong.

******

Nacht didn't understand why his mood was foul or when it turned sour. It wasn't the way she gently told him off earlier this evening, not him thinking that they were pretty getting along this evening so why halt? It most definitely wasn't also the way she was laughing with some random passerby who seemed to have a common interest with her. What was good about swords? Nacht may not be a good swordsman but he was better than this guy. He was sure of it. He started to practice on fencing.

So what if she was laughing? It wasn't a genuine one. He knew the sound of her exuberance, he made her laugh before. At his expense, of course. Still, that was an awkward laugh. Dude doesn't have it in him to catch her full attention.

Another man came to participate in their conversation. The guy's eyes were drawn to that stupid woman. It was obvious that the dude has been eyeing her. Seeing her without someone on her side and her having an amicable expression boosted the idiot's confidence.

~Bzz~

The continuous buzzing sound of flies pricked his ears. Why does Hino has a lot of pests swarming on private territories? Rude.

~Bzz~

His shadow slapped one.

~Bzz~

Two. Three. Four.

~Bzz~

Oh, forget it. His shadowed hands slapped a lot at a ferocious rate. The waiter approaching behind him was perturbed by his deviousness that the water spilled from his jar. Nacht didn't care, rather, he didn't give a damn. He made sure his solitude was to be respected. The waiter shivered before scrambling away.

Finally, some quiet. He tightly smiled, closing his eyes for a while. He didn't want to see some stupid woman entertaining some stupid men while engaged in some stupid conversation. They look ridiculous in their kimonos--outfit, whatsover. They could talk about their barbaric works and swords forever.

But, he knew without seeing.

Random dude number two crossed the line when his fingers brushed over hers. The falling handkerchief was a ploy to distract her! Surely, she wasn't that stupid not to see through that?

He stared at her, waiting for that familiar expression. What he got was a mere smile instead. The fuck she was smiling about?

'Go on, push his hands away.'

Nacht was fucking sure his eyes had a strange glint on them. He couldn't help it. He felt bitter somehow. This wretched woman refused his touch but was fine with the others? Since when did she learn to smile at strangers? She was usually either calm or scowling! These dudes definitely have agendas!

He couldn't put a finger on it. He didn't understand how his body automatically moved towards the source of its anxiety. Next thing he knew, he was putting his hands on her waist, smiling stiffly, and glaring daggers at these---what did she always call them? Ahh---cretins.

Ichika was taken a back by the sudden grip on her waist. Nacht's arm snakily slid over her tiny frame, firmly placing his hands on her side. She was by no means a delicate woman but she suddenly felt being one. Fuck, she was shocked and embarassed.

Nacht gave her a sideway subtle glare. He refused to call her by her name. He was angry, mad even. Not that he'll show it to these pests. "Darling, haven't I told you?"

Ichika felt the heat going to her face. His voice felt low and hot that it tickled her ear. And what was with Darling? It started off as a joke while they were undercover and he himself stated it was too ridiculous of a nickname. "H-huh?" She stammered when his grip tightened ever so slightly.

Nacht smiled at her confusion. When does this bastard not ever smile? "Standing for along time isn't good for our baby."

Ichika lost it when Nacht kissed her forehead in front of these two citizen. Screw the heat, she was definitely blushing right now. She wasn't sure if being embarassed was the right term or maybe she was just grimacing at his oh so chosen beloved endearment. And wait, what baby?

Ah there, the expression he was looking for. She opened her mouth like some goldfish without proper utterance. "I-I'm... wha---aby... Darling?" She facepalmed, her ear turning a brighter shade of red than it did before.

Those random motherfuckers finally got the memo. Number two was about to reach out to her but he stopped under Nacht's warning glare.

They finally left them alone as they should.

"Embarassing. Absolutely embarassing." Ichika hoped she would never see those two again. She didn't have it in her to face them after that horrifying display of false affection. Her reputation with men had gotten worse after that bath accident with Asta and Yosuga claiming she could have her own lovers to shut down those stupid rumors. Not to mention, some of the Black Bulls were thought to be adopted by her and that she was mothering? Kami-sama, where do those stupid rumours come from?

The point was to stay low. She didn't need to fuel the fire, she worked hard to earn her status after all. Yet, this bastard further ruined it. The culprit for this incident only squeezed her waist before leading her into another yet secluded corner.

She gritted her teeth before confronting his delusional behavior. "What the fuck was that, Vice-Captain?"

"Oh, were you that angry, Darling?" Nacht glared in response, finally dropping his facade.

"Didn't you hear what I told you earlier? Were you dumb? And stop that Darlin--nonsense!"

Nacht chuckled darkly before moving closer to her. Their lips were a hair's breadth apart. "You weren't the only one to lose something."

"Huh?"

"I too am a bachelor of my own country. I'm losing marriage prospects as we speak and continue this charade."

"Wha-huh?" Their distance was messing with her brain. She can't breathe properly. She usually can stare him down at fights like this but something about this moment made her avert her gaze elsewhere. His gaze seemed to burn her, and fuck she was rattled as hell. Her hand discreetly reached for the tip of her hair, seeking for comfort.

Nacht wasn't oblivious to this as she hoped he would be. He caught her chin and raised it to meet his stares. "What I'm saying is we both have something to lose. At least, gamble all in while we're at it." At these words, he crashed his lips into hers. Sealing their fate.

End of preview

Caspel 🥺🥺

[theworldwalkersdiaries]

Winter as a Companion

Greetings

Very Low

“…” (a searching look, like he’s assessing you, but is he looking for whether you’re a threat, or for your weaknesses?)

“…” (a tiny, abrupt nod, but he’s frowning; his tail lashes behind him)

Low

“Did…you have something to say?” (looking askance, voice soft and scratchy, like it’s seldom used)

“Get on with it.” (annoyed, tail lashes behind him)

Neutral

“Morning,” / “Afternoon,” / “Evening,” (bit of a sideways look, but expression is his neutral, which means he looks lightly worried)

“Aye?” (tilts head to one side somewhat)

High

“Alright?” (brow furrows somewhat, but in concern)

[evening only] “What a day, eh?” (sighed out, lopsided smile)

Very High

“What can I do?” (steady, ready to act, an open expression)

“Was wondering when you’d turn up.” (fond little smile)

Exceptional

“There you are.” (said oh so fondly, beaming, soft and sweet)

(you are tag-teamed by Ember the wolf and Braith the raven, both wanting your attention. Winter laughs, tail half-wagging, tip bouncing happily.) “Ember, Braith! Give [them] room—” (once they’ve settled down, Ember sitting at your side/on your foot and Braith on Winter’s arm, he smiles at you) “What can I say? They love you. And they’re never wrong.”

Romance

(Shyly pushes a strand of hair behind his ear, looking down and off to the side though he smiles, blushing) “H-hello, love.” (Manages to look up at you, only belatedly letting his hand fall to his side)

(Just stares at you for a moment, smiling, lovesick. He catches himself at it with a bit of a startle) “I— sorry. Got…distracted. D-did you want to talk?” (smiles again, blushing furiously, embarrassed and happy at once)

(Thoughtful, soft,) “I think Tymora must’ve blessed me. How else could I have gotten so lucky?”

[sassykattery]

Love's Web, Finale: "Everybody Wins" Ending

Let's just get right to it.

CW: Altaira is afab, uses she/her pronouns. Smut scene: piv, creampie, threesome.

Characters: Altaira (afab oc!), Diavolo, Lucifer, Mammon, Satan, Barbatos, all brothers implied, Simeon, Solomon, Miguel O'Hara

Themes: Romance. Jealousy. Multiverse. Angst. Heartache. MiguelxAltaira. DiavoloxAltaira. DiavoloxAltairaxMiguel.

Minors and ageless blogs DNI

18+ only

Masterlist

"Altaira..."

"No... No, you're not doing this to me," she replied. She pulled away from Lucifer, favoring her ankle as she tried to walk. Miguel quickly strode over to her, taking her arms in his to steady her.

"Cariño, you know what it means if we did this," Miguel answered. "I can't destroy your world, too."

"You don't know if that will happen!" She huffed, tears dripping down her face then. "I don't want you to go, Miguel... I love you."

"Oh, querida..." he murmured, cupping her face. "You tell me this now?"

[Has multiple translations; Miguel means darling]

"Better now than never, right?" She asked with a slight laugh.

"Ay coño... You're going to make me do something stupid," Miguel rasped, running his thumbs over her full cheeks.

"Love makes us do stupid things," she replied tearfully.

"But do you love him too?" Miguel asked. "You have someone I believe would take good care of you."

Her eyes went askance then. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at Diavolo. Briefly looking back at Miguel, she turned, grabbing Diavolo's arm to steady herself.

"I... I do love you, too, Diavolo," she answered. "I have for a long time."

The prince smiled down at her. He caressed her head gently. For a moment, his own face turned pensive, and he finally looked up at Miguel, then back down to Altaira. After a few seconds of thinking, Diavolo's head turned to speak.

"Barbatos?"

"Yes, I can do it, my lord."

"Altaira," Diavolo turned his attention back down to her. "Could you love us both?"

Her eyes went wide. She hesitated for a moment, and then she looked back to Miguel standing behind her.

"Yes," she answered while looking at the spiderman, then looking back to the prince in front of her.

"What if you could have both?" Diavolo asked.

"I... Would you both be alright with that?" She looked between the two.

Miguel sighed very deeply, pinching his nose. "I suppose... having you in any capacity is better than not at all."

Diavolo chuckled and squeezed her shoulder. "You know I'd do whatever it takes to make you happy." He kissed the top of her head and murmured to her softly. "Would this make you happy, lamb?"

She nodded eagerly and finally smiled, something both men were relieved to see.

"So, how does this work so we don't destroy her canon?" Miguel asked.

"We just rewrite the canon," Barbatos answered. "Or rather, I would."

"You can just do that? ¿Que? ¿Como?" Miguel asked again incredulously.

[What? How?]

Barbatos smiled and tilted his head. "That is simply within my realm of practice. None of you would even noticed it happened."

Miguel frowned. "You're a dangerous one, aren't you?"

Barbatos stepped around Miguel but stopped at his side, murmuring to the human mutant with his head turned. "Indeed. So I will entrust la señora's life with you, but should you mess this up, I'll be forced to rewrite the narrative without you in it."

[The lady's]

Miguel's eyes went wide as the butler kept walking by. He looked to Diavolo, who merely smiled knowingly while he was still holding Altaira, who was oblivious to the exchange.

"So, uh, is this a custody exchange? How are we doing this?" Altaira asked with a laugh. Everyone chuckled, too.

---

Diavolo was pacing the Student Council Room, checking the time every thirty seconds, seeing if he had the right to he nervous they weren't back yet.

"Maybe I should call Bar–"

Just then, a tear opened in the room, revealing Altaira and Miguel walking in hand-in-hand while laughing and wearing flowery shirts and shorts. Diavolo at least felt relieved and immediately took her into his embrace.

"You're late," the prince muttered more so to Miguel.

"Like you haven't kept her past your time," Miguel replied coldly. "Besides, it was our honeymoon. I think we deserved a couple extra minutes."

Diavolo sighed and nodded, stroking her back. "Very well. Thank you for giving her back at all." Altaira finally looked up at the prince, making his heart melt. "Did you have a good time in Australia?"

She smiled wide and nodded. "I did. Thank you for the wedding present, I wasn't expecting a whole island."

Diavolo chuckled. "Anything for you."

Miguel rolled his eyes and sassed the prince, making a face and mouthing, "Anything for you."

When Altaira turned to face Miguel again, he quickly dropped the act and smiled down at her while Diavolo frowned behind her.

"So I'll see you in a month?" She asked, taking his hands in hers.

"Si, querida esposa, as usual. I'll miss you, mi alma," he purred, pulling her close and kissing her lips. "When you come back, we'll have to change your name."

[My darling wife] [my soul]

"Excuse me?" Diavolo suddenly barked.

Altaira laughed and playfully hit Miguel's broad chest. "I told you he wouldn't find that funny! I'm sorry, honey, he's kidding."

Diavolo looked to Miguel with a raised brow, and Miguel merely smirked back.

"Okay, I love you! See you soon. Call me," Altaira chirped, giving Miguel one last hug as the portal opened behind him.

"Te amo, mi vida," Miguel replied, kissing her forehead and walking through.

[I love you, my life]

"Now," Diavolo murmured, caressing her sides. "Why don't we go catch up, my sweet wife?"

---

"Slow down! I know you missed me–" Altaira whined. Diavolo chuckled darkly and pulled her up onto his lap, his hands gripping her ass possessively.

The two had barely made it to the prince's room in the castle. In the car, Diavolo was kissing and gripping her thighs at every opportunity. In the hall, he was already ridding her of various pieces of clothing. Finally in his bed, the Demon Lord sat upright against the headboard with his beloved human straddling his lap.

"Missing you doesn't even begin to describe it," he murmured, kissing her neck. His fingers kneaded the plush fat of her ass, and then he gave it a light smack, making her moan softly. "When you're gone, it's like a part of me is missing."

"Oh Dia..." she cooed at his sweet words, leaning in to nuzzle her face into his. He kissed her lips and brought her hips up to hover her cunt over his leaking cock, hard and ready to make up for missing time together. Sinking her down slowly, they both moaned as his very inhumanly thick length stretched her open. Once he was fully sheathed inside her, he held her close.

"Ahh– Dia, so big," she groaned, falling more into his embrace.

"I know, lamb. I'll make you feel good," he murmured. He tucked her head onto his shoulder and took hold of her hips. The pace was slow to start with, letting both of them get accustomed to one another as the burn of the stretch began to dissipate, melting into warm pleasure. His hands rocked her hips back and forth gently. He kept the pace with one hand and used the other to hold her head, massaging his fingers into her scalp.

"Mm, Diavolo," she mumbled softly. "Feels good." He smiled and kissed her temple.

"Good, baby, I'm glad," he replied in a soft but lustful tone. He pinned her hips down to grind her against him, his cock rubbing back and forth against that sweet spot deep inside her cunt. She rewarded him with more moans and her walls beginning to clamp down on his length, making him grunt in return.

A blue spark in the middle of the room caught Diavolo's attention, and suddenly, a familiar blue tear opened up as Miguel walked through. He quickly closed it and strode over to the couple.

"Really? Now's not a good time. You already had your time with her," Diavolo snapped, possessively holding her against his torso.

"Ah, but I think she won't say no to this," Miguel replied cheekily, climbing onto the bed and kneeling behind her. "It might interest you to know our little esposa fantasizes about having both of us... at the same time."

Diavolo released his grip so she could sit up. "Is that right, my love?" He asked, tucking his finger under her chin to make her look at him. She looked away for a moment and then finally nodded when she met his gaze again. "You know I'd do anything to make you happy. Is that what you want?"

She hesitated again, and he could see it in her eyes that was indeed what she wanted. However, she had a hard time finding the words to say it. So she nodded instead. Diavolo lifted her up to help turn her around. He guided her back onto his dick, her moan soft as she looked at Miguel, who was taking his shirt off.

"Come here, mi esposa," he murmured, leaning down and forward to kiss her. Her hands immediately searched his body, as if she hadn't just hours before, earlier that same day, been in a similar position before it was time to leave their honeymoon. "Miss me already?" He teased her, sensing her needy behavior and feeling her longing touches.

"Mhm," she hummed against his lips. Her hands greedily went up and down, to the side and around, and all over his torso. Diavolo guided her hips into a bounce, causing her to moan into Miguel's mouth.

"Such a naughty girl," Miguel whispered. "But you're my naughty girl, yeah?"

She looked up at him with hazy doe eyes, clearly in a state of bliss as a red hue colored her cheeks and neck. Her reply was in that of a nod, followed by biting her lip. He kissed down her cheek and jaw, and when he reached her neck, he briefly used his venom as he sank his fangs in, just the slightest amount necessary for her to enjoy herself.

"What are you doing?" Diavolo huffed. Miguel smiled against her neck and began lapping up the little rivers of crimson running out across her delicate skin.

"It seems that if I just give her the smallest amount of my venom, it's almost like an aphrodisiac, one that makes her very... pliant," Miguel replied in a purr. "See for yourself."

Diavolo carefully pulled her back, now flush against his body as he gently grasped her neck in his hand while his other began to slink around down below, crawling across the front side of her to find her clit.

"Is that right, lamb? Do you feel good right now?" He murmured in her ear, then licking the shell of it.

"I do," she answered in a sweetened soft tone, her eyes fluttering. "I love you both... feel so good."

Diavolo hummed and used his own hips to thrust into her while rubbing her clit harder. She let out a higher pitched moan as a smile plastered itself on her lips. Both men became hyper aware of the sort of state she was in, so they watched her closely as her moans started to increase in volume and frequency.

"Are you going to cum for us?" Diavolo purred in her ear again. She nodded and turned her head to look up at him.

"Uh huh," she replied, smiling hazily. "Just a lil more."

She turned her head forward again to watch Miguel and reached out to him, and she smiled again. "Are you having fun, hermosa?" He asked, leaning in so she could cup his face.

Another nod, followed by a short wail as an orgasm ripped through her body unexpectedly. She rolled her hips back and forth to ride her high. Diavolo grunted and took his hand away from her throat, and wrapped it around her waist. He pressed his lips against her shoulder, but from the way her walls were squeezing his cock, he couldn't help but moan too and sink his own demonic fangs into her shoulder as he rode his release too.

When her orgasm had released her body from its grips, she sunk back against the demon prince. He caressed her and hushed her, kissing her temple and telling her how good she was for him. After several minutes, when she was calmed down, Diavolo murmured,

"I think someone else would like a turn."

Altaira nodded and crawled off of Diavolo's lap, over to Miguel where he was sitting and waiting for her. He had completely undressed and held out his hands to her to take. She took them, and he helped her onto his lap. They made out at first, touching one another and moaning softly into each other's mouths. When he'd run out of patience, Miguel took hold of her and leaned her back against the mattress. Her thighs naturally wrapped around his hips at the same time he slid his fat cock into her, making her whimper from still being so sensitive.

"Don't worry, cosita linda, I'll go slow," he murmured to her. He leaned down to kiss her, his body completely eclipsing hers from view as he slowly rolled his hips into her, just as he said. One of her hands snaked out to reach high above her head. She wiggled her fingers, and Diavolo took her hand to kiss it, lacing his fingers in with hers.

"Yes, love? What do you need?" The prince called out to her.

"Both of you," she murmured. Miguel huffed and slid his arms beneath her to pull her up right. His hands wandered down to hold her up by digging his hands into where her ass met her thighs, all while thrusting up into her with a softer force. Diavolo knelt behind her, upright on his knees, and kissed the back of her neck and shoulders while sliding his hands around front to squeeze her breasts.

"Better?" Miguel whispered.

"Oh fuck, yes," she moaned, her head rolling back into Diavolo's shoulder. They both admired the fucked-out look on her face.

Hands, so many hands, is what kept repeating in her thoughts.

"What are you thinking about, esposa?" Miguel asked.

"I-I want this always," she rasped. "To f-feel both of you is– ahh!" She got cut off by a rush of heat twisting deep inside her. "C-Close!"

"Yeah? You like both of us like this? You tell him that you had a little dream about this, and how you woke up dripping from how badly you wanted us to fuck you?" Miguel murmured, watching her fall apart right before him.

Diavolo kissed her neck and then nibbled on her ear. "Cum for us, lamb. Make it nice and pretty for us."

Her back arched deeply, and she sent one arm back to wrap around Diavolo's neck. The other reached forward to hold onto Miguel's shoulder. She kept her back pressed against Diavolo's chest while her hips were glued to Miguel's, grinding between both of them as she started to see stars. Miguel increased the pace and force, fucking her harder and deeper, making sure to reach that spot that had her babbling incoherently.

With one pinch of her nipple, a thumb across her clit, two hands on the crease of her ass meeting her thighs, a set of lips on her neck and crimson eyes boring into hers, her eyes widened as it hit her all at once. Her jaw went slack, and her brows pinched together as rapturous heat struck her core, filing out bolts of pleasurable electricity up and down her spine and limbs. She froze, her body so tight and rigid as he clamped down her walls around his cock. Miguel even moaned, nearly whimpering when he felt her pussy essentially milking him for all he was worth. With a final thrust, he buried himself deep inside and leaned forward to kiss her collarbone, groaning as he orgasmed and released his cum inside her. She felt his cock throbbing and a new heat filling her, and it made her whimper and shiver with delight.

When the moment had passed, she had fallen slack backward, with Diavolo holding her upper body up while Miguel kept her lower half in place. They could see how worn out she was, so they carefully laid her back down in the bed to let her rest. She was well on her way to sleep or passing out with the way her breathing slowed and how she became still.

Without another word, Miguel began to dress himself, his suit projected again underneath his clothes.

"You can stay until she wakes up. She'll be upset if you leave," Diavolo murmured as he walked away, finding lounge clothes for himself as well.

"Don't tell me I'm growing on you?" Miguel replied sarcastically.

"Oh, certainly not. But her feelings matter more than mine, and she tends to take it personally when you leave so suddenly," Diavolo replied in a monotone.

Miguel looked down at her lying peacefully asleep.

"You're not wrong."

---

Thanks for reading! <3

Post made by sassykattery. Do not repost. Reblogs and comments appreciated.

Tags: @delphi-dreamin @attic-club-sandwich @itsmeninerz @bite-sized-devil

Want to read the other endings?

1. "But... The Canon."

2. "Only One."

[sammysdewysensitiveeyes]

"Why continue existing at all without the occasional amusements?"

Sebastian gestured at the group of women gathered in the doorway.

“And I think you will find these ladies very amusing, indeed.” 

They were all gorgeous, and elegantly dressed.

“Consider them my gift to you, although they certainly appreciate tips.”

“Uh, Sebastian?”  Pyro heard Madelyne pipe up.  “What exactly are we to do with these….gifts?” 

Pyro was a little relieved that he wasn’t the only one whose thoughts were drifting in that direction.  He knew what the Hellfire Club was all about.  They were probably rather high class escorts, but escorts all the same.  And bloody Shaw couldn’t be bothered to bring at least one beefy dude in tight pants?  The bastard.

“Oh, the possibilities are endless, but they all have their specialties,” Sebastian practically purred.  “You can have your pick, but I believe I have predicted your preferences.  And I get first choice, of course.”

“Sebastian,” Haven began.  “I’m not sure that – “

“Please, no need to be modest, Ms. Dastoor.  You all have performed exceptionally well lately.  This is not generosity on my part, but a reward.  And hopefully a motivation for certain members of the group to not lapse back into incompetence.”

It was true, the Marauders had been on fire lately.  In a good way.  And Sebastian had both promised and delivered a fancy party, with catered hors d’ouvres and expensive alcohol.  But this was a bit much. 

“But I’m being rude, let me make some introductions.”  Sebastian gestured first at a tall Black woman in a shimmering gold dress.  “Vanessa Young here is a National Master ranked Chess player.  Claudine, I thought that might present an entertaining challenge for you.  I have a 19th century Rosewood carved set on the table for you to use.  You will, of course, owe me several thousand dollars if you spill a drink on it.” 

Vanessa looked askance at Sebastian, appearing slightly alarmed at that last note.  Looking around, Pyro could see everyone else appeared as nonplussed as he felt.  Except Sebastian.  And Claudine, who appeared to be calmly considering her options.

“That sounds like an enjoyable evening,” she said, stretching out a hand.  “I’m pleased to meet you, Vanessa.  Would you like to play a few games?”

“Charmed!”  Vanessa took her hand, smiling.

As Pyro watched, the rest of the Marauders were paired off.

For Shinobi, Amber McKinely, a public relations executive who would spend the evening organizing a plan to raise his online profile and help him shoot Tik Tok videos. 

For Madelyne, Tiffany Roberts, a licensed and highly qualified masseuse who promised to pamper her into a state of deep relaxation.

For Haven, Professor of Philosophy Sofia Vasquez, who would engage her in conversation for the evening.

And for Pyro – Sebastian gestured to a slight woman in emerald green.  “This is Ms. Song Chae-Yeong.  Although you probably know her as Nora Hearth.”

Pyro’s jaw dropped in spite of himself.  Nora Hearth, author of Winter’s Longing, Spring Blossom, Summer Heat, and several other romances that Pyro had read with much enjoyment.  He’d never had a chance to meet her at a convention. 

“Don’t gawp, Allerdyce, it’s rude.  If you can summon some manners, perhaps the two of you would like to discuss….literature.  Or what passes for it, in your profession.” 

“Right, sorry,” Pryo abrupted grabbed Nora, or rather Chae-Yeong by the hand, and pulled her towards a nearby table.  “Sorry he’s such a condescending bastard,” he muttered to her.

“He’s not the only man who ever talked down the genre,” she responded.  “I’m used to it, and I imagine you are, too, St. John Allerdyce.  I’ve read a few of your books.  Including the ones you wrote as Evelyn Brighton.” 

“I’ve read yours,” Pyro said, trying very hard to stamp down a sense of childish glee and nervousness.  He is a professional and so is she.  They are colleagues.  But the question is hanging in the air – Did you like them?  “Winter’s Longing was probably my favorite.  Heart-wrenching, but it a good way.  Your prose is beautiful.”

She wrinkled her nose. 

“Mixed reviews on that one.  People always want their happy endings in romance.  You know how it is.  I think Blackwood Manor was my favorite of yours.  You’re good at working in supernatural elements without over-doing it.  Very solid Gothic.  I just wish Lord Blackwood had wound up with Miranda instead of Catherine.”

“Ugh, me too!” Pyro exlaimed.  “The editor insisted.  Miranda was too much of a villain to win, he said, and I wasn’t going to water her down.” 

“Editors,” Chae-Yeong shook her head, grimacing.

“Say, Chae-Yeong – do you prefer Chae-Yeong?”  She nodded, and Pyro continued.  (He did’t have to ask why she chose a very Western-sounding pen-name.  The industry still had it’s prejudices, and some publishing executives were absolute dinosaurs.)  “Why are you doing this, exactly?  I would have to assume Shaw is paying you well for your time, but is it not a bit degrading?”

Chae-Yeong shrugged.  “No more degrading than the usual song and dance with publishers, really.  And yes, Mr. Shaw is paying me very, very handsomely to chat with you about books for a few hours.”

“I don’t really mind,” Vanessa added from the table beside them.  “Chess doesn’t exactly pay the bills.  For a few hours work, I’ll have most of next semester’s tuition for my biochemistry degree.  I mean, wouldn’t you do it, if you could?”

Actually, he would.  Pyro had done dangerous, immoral, and illegal things for money.  He’d spend an evening in conservation if the price was right.  Hell, he’d been invited very fancy party once for the birthday of some multi-millionaire’s young trophy wife because she was a fan of his books, and he’d schmoozed it up with her and the guests like a medieval court jester, and hadn’t even been paid for his time.  He’d just stuffed himself with expensive food and drink. 

“Yeah, probably,” he conceded.  (Definitely).  “Well, as long as you ladies are happy with this.”

He was interrupted by the sound of loud, booming laughter, and glanced over.  Sebastian was on the couch, with the last of the group – a white woman with short, wavy brunette hair, dressed in a brilliant red – standing in front of him.  She paused as she noticed the attention coming their way, and Sebastian wiped the tears from his eyes.

“I can’t imagine you could appreciate this, Allerdyce.  But Ms. Cheryl Anderson here is quite possibly the funniest comedian I have ever heard.  Feel free to listen in if you like, but I expect you to chip in for the cost.  This one is mine.  Please, continue my dear.”  He gestured at Cheryl.

Holding up a notecard, Cheryl began to read:

“The Top 10 Most Ridiculous Examples of Government Over-regulation,” and Sebastian’s laughter rang through the room.       

OOC: This is all based on that one panel in New Mutants when Sebastian is trying to woo Sunspot’s father to the Hellfire Club, and brings in a bunch of sexy-dressed women for “entertainment,” and it’s obviously a sex thing, but I’m thinking, wouldn’t it be funny if these women are actually all highly trained musicians or really good stand-up comedians?  

Someday I will actually read Miss Sinister’s appearances so that I can write Claudine properly.  And I wasn’t sure what to give Maddie.  I considered having a fellow pilot for her to chat with, but I thought that might be a painful reminder that most of her memories are false.  I so I figured I’d just give her pampering spa treatment.  Maddie deserves it. 

[twigstarpikachutroll22]

LOOK, THE LAST MIDNIGHT IS EXCELLENT ABSOLUTELY, I PROBABLY WON’T MIND IT WINNING BUT AT THE VERY LEAST THESE VOTES NEED TO BE CLOSER.

SERIOUSLY. THE AMOUNT OF LIKENING ZORA’S TARGETS TO PREY, CALLING THE FUGITIVE IN THE FIRST VERSE A “SHAKING DEER”. THE FACT THAT SHE COULD EASILY JUST CAPTURE OR KILL HIM AND CLEARLY DOESN’T ACTUALLY FEEL BAD FOR HIM SEEING HOW SCARED HE IS BUT SHE CHALLENGES HIM TO A DUEL FOR HIS LIFE AND FREEDOM JUST FOR FUNSIES AND WINS. LINES LIKE “THEY GO DOWN LIKE THE SUN” AND “CHASE YOU DOWN LIKE THE SOUND OF A SIZZLING SPARK ON A TRAIL OF TNT” AND “AND THE TICK-TOCK OF MY FLINTLOCK’S HANGFIRE LIGHTS YOUR LIFESPAN LIKE A POWDER TRAIL”. RHYMES LIKE RHYMING “CHANCE” WITH “ASKANCE” WITH “ROMANCE” WITH “GO AN’ DANCE,” RHYMING “TO ME” WITH “REPUTEDLY”. THE AMOUNT OF DIFFERENT BIRD-RELATED PHRASES USED FOR THE “JAILBIRD” IN THE THIRD VERSE. “THERE’S A NOTCH ON HER WATCH FOR EACH MAN SHE’S KILLED, I THINK IT’S CUTE SHE STILL HAS ROOM.” THE LITERAL COUNTDOWN HIDDEN IN THE LYRICS, EMPHASIZED WITH EACH NUMBER BEING SPOKEN IN THE BACKGROUND AND SHOWN ON THE SCREEN AS IT’S SUNG. AND SERIOUSLY DAWN M BENNET’S VOICE SHE FREAKING ATE THIS I CAN’T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH GOSH FREAKING DANG. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING VOTE COUNTDOWN.

Villain Song Showdown Bracket H Round 1

Last Midnight (Into the Woods) - Villain: The Witch

Countdown (Epithet Erased) - Villain: Zora Salazar

Mod comment: THE FREAKING LYRICS OF COUNTDOWN OH MY GOSH HOW ARE THEY SO GOOD

[shanastoryteller]

Wen Qing says yes because all she can think of is the consequences if she doesn’t.

She probably should have spent some time considering what, exactly, the consequences of saying yes would be.

~

Wei Wuxian wants to go back to the banquet and shake Jin Zixun until the information they need falls out, but Wen Qing knows that’s a terrible idea, knows that he shouldn’t be helping her at all but he definitely shouldn’t stand in front of the whole cultivation world and threaten the Jin family for her. He asks one of the servants instead, something she wouldn’t have thought to do, but he insists that servants know everything and after a hefty bribe he’s telling them what they need to know and even turns a blind eye when they take a horse that’s been left unattended.

She’s skinny on a good day and she hasn’t seen a good day in a long time. Wei Wuxian didn’t used to be this thin, this breakable, but he is now, and she tells herself it’s a good thing because the one horse is easily able to carry both of them. He sits behind her even though he takes the reigns and she leans back into him because she’s been holding herself up for so long and she’s tired and he’s helping her, something no one has been willing to in – ever, really. She thinks she could almost count his ribs against her back and thinks if she’s alive tomorrow she’ll give him a lecture about eating properly without a golden core to nourish him.

They arrive just as a guard is raising a broken flag pole above his head to skewer A-Ning.

Wei Wuxian stops him, using a talisman to bind the man’s wrist to his own and jerking him away from her brother. Who is alive, and whole, and does not have a pole through his stomach. She’s crying when she holds him and Wei Wuxian stands between them and everyone else and looks at the guards and her people and says, “I have an idea. It’s a bad idea.”

“Your ideas usually are,” she says, but she’s still shaking at having her little brother back in her arms so it doesn’t come out as acerbic as she intended.

~

It is a terrible idea. She doesn’t have to agree to it.

She does.

They go to the nearest temple in Lanling because they need witnesses for this. The monks are confused and frightened but bear witness as she bows three times to Wei Wuxian and is bowed to three times in return.

She is exhausted and scared and is still unconvinced that she’ll live to see the sunrise, but Wei Wuxian had helped her when she hadn’t asked and saved her brother and wouldn’t let the guards stop them from leading her family from the work camp, so she marries him.

~

They go back to Koi Tower. It’s terrifying but Jiang disciples meet them and look askance at all the rest of them but don’t hesitate to obey Wei Wuxian. They surround them as they walk and if they have opinions about being told to guard traitorous Wen, they don’t voice them. Maybe the fact that they’re guarding Wei Wuxian too is enough.

They enter the banquet hall and everything is silent. She doesn’t know how to read the look on everyone’s faces and she doesn’t try. Instead she stands by Wei Wuxian’s side and does what she does best – she doesn’t flinch.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jin Guangshan shouts, appalled. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Sect Leader Jin,” he says, offhand, casual, as if having his hall filled with Wen is a perfectly ordinary occurrence. “You’re so good at throwing parties. I was hoping you would throw one for me.”

Jin Guangshan’s eyes narrow. “Why would we throw a party?”

“Well, it is my wedding day,” he says, and holds out his hand. Wen Qing places her hand in his, lets his other hand settle warm and proprietary at the small of her back. “My wife, Wen Qing. We were just married at the temple in Lanling. Feel free to question the monks if you don’t believe me.”

The silence breaks, everyone shouting now, and A-Yuan’s cry cuts through all of them.

She hadn’t known that Wei Wuxian had any experience with children, but he turns automatically, opening his arms, and Granny barely hesitates before placing A-Yuan into them. After all, if they can’t trust Wei Wuxian, they’re all dead anyway.

A-Yuan, astonishingly, quiets instantly as Wei Wuxian bounces him in his arms, settling his head on his shoulder and sticking his thumb in his mouth.

“You,” Wen Qing turns, sees Jiang Cheng looking between them, and she could probably read the look on his face but she doesn’t want to. “He’s your – you have a – was it when we, after Lotus Pier?”

She and Wei Wuxian glance at each other, and maybe this marriage will work out, because that one glance contains a whole conversation of things they can’t say. The timeline almost works. A-Yuan likely was conceived sometime around the fall of Lotus Pier. If there is a child, Wei Wuxian’s actions become more understandable, seem less like an act of war and something closer to what they really are, an act of love.

She could have, she supposes, laid with Wei Wuxian and gotten pregnant and bore a child in the years since they’ve seen each other. She didn’t, but the only ones who know that are either dead or just as desperate as she is for this to work.

Or. Well.

Jiang Yanli’s face is easier to look at, even as it does something complicated then smooths. She was there and awake while they all recovered with her and Wen Ning. She knows that she and Wei Wuxian didn’t have any sort of epic romance, or even a quick tryst, during that time. Wei Wuxian was so obsessively focused on helping his brother that the idea he’d have paused long enough for sex when he hadn’t for sleep or food is ridiculous. But Jiang Yanli meets her gaze then pointedly lowers her eyes and something like relief trickles down Wen Qing’s spine.

Wei Wuxian looks around the hall and if he hesitates over Lan Wangji, that’s a conversation for them to have later, if there is a later.

“Sect Leader Jiang,” Wei Wuxian says quietly, formally, and Jiang Cheng nearly flinches before catching himself. “Meet my son. Wei Yuan.” He lets that echo through the hall and then says, “I could not leave him, nor the woman who bore him, nor the family that raised him when I remained in ignorance.”

She lowers his gaze as if in shame, for having a child out of marriage, for keeping that child from his father, but mostly she can’t stand to see the look at Jiang Cheng’s face any longer.

~

There is intense debate among the clans. The Lan and surprisingly even the Nie vote against the Jin and agree for the Wen to be released to the custody of the Jiang rather than the Jin. What’s the difference between one great clan and the other, after all, and Jiang Cheng fights for this, fights for them, and Wen Qing knows he’s really fighting for Wei Wuxian. Their marriage makes things too complicated, like they’d hoped. A-Yuan makes things too complicated, and everyone in the hall mostly seems to want to go back to drinking. There is some poorly hidden sentiment that if Wei Wuxian wants a war bride he should be entitled to her, for his contribution to the war, perhaps, and Wen Qing hates these people. They do not call her and her family tribute but they imply it easily enough.

If the price of the lives of her family is her pride, that’s fine. She abandoned that a long time ago.

~

“You have been good for him,” Jiang Yanli tells her a month after they’ve moved into Lotus Pier, a month of being the wife to Wei Wuxian and the mother to the now Wei Yuan. She doesn’t do a particularly good job at either of these roles, she thinks, but Wei Wuxian makes a good husband and a good father and it was his idea but she can’t help but feel guilty, can’t help but think she stole for herself and her family what was meant for someone else.

Her sister in law’s words aren’t wrong, however. She doesn’t let Wei Wuxian drink so much anymore and forces him to eat. She’s there in his bed when he gasps awke from nightmares and when he can do nothing more but clutch his chest and weep. She gets the story of the Burial Mounds from him, eventually, and she doesn’t know how to heal that kind of trauma, but she holds him when he cries and thinks even if she can’t be a proper wife, she can do this, and she heals the damage demonic cultivation does to his meridians, and it seems like such little things, comparatively, but it helps.

She’s offers up the excuse that demonic cultivation makes using his sword difficult and people stop asking him to carry it. A-Ning sticks to Wei Wuxian’s side when she can’t, looking faintly sad whenever Wei Wuxian makes an unhealthy choice, which is even more effective than her scolding, although not as effective as getting A-Yuan to place his chubby hand on Wei Wuxian’s cheek and go, “Baba no.”

Without so many nightmares, with having people around he can talk to freely, with no one pestering him about his sword, Wei Wuxian shoulders all the responsibilities of first disciple and brother of the clan leader, something he apparently hadn’t been able to do before.

She knows what the rumors say. Those that had been against her and her family being set free, relatively speaking, are now patting themselves on the back. Clearly the fearsome Yiling Patriarch has been cowed by marriage. His bastard son, who he loved enough at first sight to legitimize, has softened his sharp edges.

Wen Qing knows that’s all bullshit and Jiang Yanli does too, but.

He is better.

Jiang Cheng can’t seem to decide between being relieved and grateful at having his brother back and resentful that it took Wen Qing to bring it about and – whatever his feelings about her are, and her marriage to his brother are, which she doesn’t know because she refuses to acknowledge them.  

“I’m glad,” she says quietly.

Her sister in law squeezes her hand, and Wen Qing squeezes back, and if this isn’t exactly the life she wanted, well. It’s a life. That’s more than she thought she’d have.

She has a loving husband and an adorable son and living, healthy family. There is nothing for her to complain about.

Just because it all feels stolen, just because it all feels like something she never should have been given, doesn’t make it less good, doesn’t make it less hers.

~

Wen Qing knows that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are in love with each other because she has two functioning eyes. She’s known that since she was a teenager in Cloud Recesses.

She had not wanted to come between them. She hadn’t planned on it. This all hadn’t even been her idea.

She’s guilty enough about it that she ignores her own feelings.

At first, she doesn’t have any, not really. Then it hadn’t been right.

She’s never felt greedy before. She doesn’t like it but she doesn’t know how to stop it.

~

They’ve been married for over a year the first time Wei Wuxian kisses her.

They’ve been married nearly two years the first time Wei Wuxian kisses Lan Wangji.

Something settles in her then, relief burrowing into her bones. Lan Wangji comes to her after, a combination of desirously happy and mortified, and bows to her and looks her in the eye when he tells her that he’s in love with her husband.

“I know,” she says kindly, “he’s easy to love.” She pauses, then says, “I do not mind. If it’s you.”

His lips part, and she holds the place that should be his, married to Wei Wuxian, but.

She can share, if he can. Even if it can’t be official, on paper, she and Wen Ning can bear witness to him and Wei Wuxian bowing to each other and maybe she’ll finally be able to breath when she can give back some of what she stole.

~

There are rumors about the three of them.

They don’t listen to them.

A-Yuan calls Lan Wangji his father and no one corrects him and that’s good enough for her, really.

It’s a good life, and it’s hers, and she’s glad of it.  

[pitch-pearl-void]

Old birthday present for @ectoblood who wanted Phantom and Danny to go to prom together (AU where Danny met Phantom as his own person)

A hand touched Danny’s, but when he turned to look, no one was there. Danny returned his attention to the dance and spread his fingers apart. Invisible fingers slipped into the resulting gap and folded over his hand, squeezing. Danny’s lips twitched into a small smile, relief loosening his tense muscles, excitement quickening his heart.

“I was worried you wouldn’t make it,” he said. The music was loud enough to hide the conversation, and anyway, who would notice?

“I almost didn’t,” Phantom replied. Cool lips pressed a kiss to Danny’s cheek. “Johnny heard it was your prom night, and he insisted on giving me a lecture about human safety measures pertaining to an ‘after party dance’ that I completely blanked on. I think he was just making things up to scare me. It does explain why so many parents volunteered as chaperons this time, though.”

Danny bit his lip and willed his cheeks not to flush. “Speaking of parents, Jazz convinced mine to leave the ghost hunting equipment at home.”

“Oh, good. Perhaps I should stay invisible for now, though.”

Although Danny nodded, he felt something like disappointment sink into his stomach. The hand he held in his own was bare, the touch of Phantom’s skin as always sending little sparks of contact to dance along his nerves. Phantom wasn’t wearing the gloves of his repurposed jumpsuit, which meant he had to be wearing something else. He might have gotten dressed up. He might have borrowed one of Danny’s suits or an outfit more in line with his ghost heritage, but Danny wouldn’t see, couldn’t see, until they left the dance.

Which sort of defeated the purpose.

“Where are Sam and Tucker?”

Danny searched the crowd of dancers until he saw the flash of Sam’s dress pass beneath the shifting-colored lights above the dance floor. He pointed at her as Tucker spun her out, the two of them laughing at the annoyed looks the others were giving them. They were moving too fast for a slow song. They were having fun when they were supposed to stare lovingly into their partner’s eyes.

“Over there,” Danny said. “Sam wanted to ‘liven things up.’ The romance crowd has had a death grip on the DJ all night, and Tucker is helping her protest.”

“Do you think their scheme will work before we have a chance to dance?” Phantom asked, sounding a little worried.

Danny glanced at Phantom, though again he saw nothing. “Do you know how to dance?”

Phantom’s hand squeezed Danny’s, and his voice took on a proud tone. “Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ve been practicing.”

“Human dances or ghost dances?”

Cold air gusted into Danny’s face like a reprimand, but the gym was so hot with so many human bodies gathered inside that Danny closed his eyes and welcomed the breeze. “Human,” Phantom said. But then he added in an undertone, “sort of.”

Danny opened his eyes again and gave Phantom an askance look. “Sort of?”

Phantom glided ahead of Danny and tugged gently on his hand. “I’ll show you.”

Danny resisted the pull and swept his eyes left then right. “Phantom, I’ll look like a total idiot dancing by myself, I can’t—” Cold energy rushed over Danny, and his hand disappeared from sight. He lifted his free hand to be sure it too was invisible. “Oh,” he said. “Right. Duh.”

Phantom chuckled. “Duh.”

He tugged on Danny’s hand again, and this time, Danny allowed Phantom to lead him forward. He located his parents for safety’s sake, but once he saw his mom dancing with his dad, her head resting on his chest, he returned his attention to where Phantom was leading him. Toward the dance floor, obviously, but how were they going to dance while invisible? People would be bumping into them from all directions. Even along the way, Phantom had to pause or weave around the partygoers crossing their path.

They reached the edge of the dance floor, and Danny still didn’t understand how they were going to pull it off, not until his invisible arm rose above his head, his feet lifted off the floor, and his tuxedo jacket floated off his back. Danny widened his eyes. Phantom tugged on his arm, pulling him higher and higher until they floated well above the dancers.

A moment later, Danny felt Phantom kiss his hand. “Ghosts float when they dance. Is it too much?”

The lights were brighter so close to the ceiling. The speakers—located beside the DJ’s table—were quieter and Danny could hear the nervous tension in Phantom’s voice. There was a part deep inside Danny that urged him to say yes. Turning invisible was one thing, allowing a ghost to dance with him in midair should have been another. It wasn’t so long ago he was as frightened of ghosts as the rest of the students, perhaps more so because of his parents’ experiments and lectures.

But things had changed, and the love and excitement stirring Danny’s heart into a wild rhythm were louder than the caution his parents had taught him.

“It’s perfect,” he said, trying to match his voice to his grin so Phantom would understand how happy he had just made him. “How long can you keep this up?”

Between the flight and the invisibility…

“Oh, perhaps two or three songs.” Phantom lifted Danny’s hand upward. Another cool hand pressed against Danny’s lower back and pulled him closer. It was a more traditional dance pose than Danny was used to, and he raised his eyebrows even as his stomach fluttered and swooped. “I should take a break afterward to keep from exhausting myself.”

Danny laughed, mostly due to nervous excitement. “Right! Yeah. Don’t want to fall on the others below.”

“That would be bad,” Phantom agreed. “Are you ready?”

Danny searched blindly for Phantom’s shoulder with his free hand, found his chest—it felt like Phantom wore a jacket, same as Danny—and slid his hand up until it could rest on Phantom’s shoulder. His other hand squeezed Phantom’s. “Ready.”

Phantom moved, rotating them slowly around a fixed point in a waltz. Danny moved his feet out of reflex, but it wasn’t like dancing on the floor at all. Phantom controlled the dance. He spun around Danny and pulled Danny along with him, unrestricted by gravity and the slow steps humans had to take. It felt graceful, effortless, like flying. Danny didn’t have to worry about knowing the steps to a waltz, he just had to enjoy the ride. He grinned out of reflex and relaxed into the dance, allowing Phantom to twirl and spin them around each other. The slow song ended and a faster, more upbeat song began. He laughed, and Phantom echoed him. Sam had won her protest.

Phantom spun Danny out and pulled him back in without Danny needing to do anything more than hold onto his hand, but without being able to see Phantom or Phantom him, Danny crashed into Phantom’s chest with a little grunt of surprise. 

“I suppose,” Phantom said, his own voice light with cheer, “we’re high enough no one will notice us if we’re only transparent?”

Given the frequent ghost attacks, Danny doubted they would go unnoticed for long, the humans were too well-trained by this point, but what was life without risks? He wanted to see Phantom, not just feel him.

So even though he knew it was a mistake (and Phantom probably did too), Danny nodded and said, “Yeah, that should work.”

The cold aura of Phantom’s powers still surrounded Danny, but a moment later, Phantom popped into sight. He was transparent, allowing Danny to see the lights and streamers through his head and chest, but there was enough definition there for him to make out his boyfriend’s pleased smile. Phantom’s white hair was messy—his hair was as resistant to being tamed as Danny’s, maybe worse due to the wind he regularly flew through—but he had dressed up in a tux. It wasn’t one Danny recognized, Phantom hadn’t stolen one from his closet, but then where had he gotten it?

It fit him surprisingly well…

Phantom’s smile widened, revealing sharper-than-normal teeth. “Let’s try this again.”

He swung Danny into motion. It was even easier for Danny to lose himself to the aerial dance than the first time. Danny could see Phantom’s expression, the softness in his eyes, the happy smile matching his own. They spun and twirled around each other, sometimes losing sight of one another, but always held together by their clasped hands. Danny laughed freely, unafraid of being heard over the loud, cheerful song.

So high above the other dancers, Danny saw only Phantom and the streamers hanging from the lights. They could have been dancing alone up there, surrounded by music and bright, shifting lights.

“When we can finally dance on the ground together,” Danny said, beaming as Phantom spun them around without any effort on Danny’s part, “I’m going to lead.”

Phantom laughed. “Only fair,” he agreed.

The song ended soon after. Another slow song took its place, and Danny swore he heard Sam cry out “Oh, come on!” but he didn’t mind. Before Phantom could settle them into position for another waltz—seriously, where had he learned to dance? From Dora?—Danny grabbed ahold of Phantom’s shoulder, let go of his hand, and set his other hand on his opposite shoulder. Phantom looked startled.

“You just place your hands on my waist,” Danny explained. “Then we sway to the music.”

Phantom followed his instructions, though his head tilted in confusion. “That simple?”

Danny smiled, feeling soft and warm inside. “Yeah. Most of us don’t know how to do those, uh, traditional dances. We just want to hold each other and let the music set the mood.”

And this song in particular suited Phantom. It was about finding your hero in someone unexpected; an old song, but Danny’s heart swelled as he and Phantom stared at each other. Phantom floated them in a gentle sway, no longer trying to match the beat. He looked as content as Danny felt, but soon his cheeks flushed green, and he looked down at the crowd.

“This song suits you,” he told Danny. “It’s like you’re singing to me.”

Danny widened his smile. He slipped his arm around Phantom’s neck, pulled him closer, and laid his head on his shoulder, his other hand sliding down to rest over his core. Sometimes he thought he could sense emotions from it, though at the moment he only felt it vibrating beneath his hand. Phantom encircled his arms around Danny’s waist and gently rested his cheek on Danny’s head. He continued to rock gently to the music, but it was even slower than before, as though Phantom wasn’t really thinking about the dance anymore.

Inevitably, it had to end.

“Oh my gosh!” someone shouted over the slow song. “Is that—that’s Phantom! Phantom is dancing with someone up there, look!”

Phantom swore and Danny tensed. Before Danny could lift his head from Phantom’s shoulder, Phantom lifted one hand and cupped the back of Danny’s head, pushing Danny’s face against his neck, hiding him.

“Ghost kid!” Jack shouted, sounding both excited and frustrated. After all, Jazz had convinced him and Maddie to leave all their ghost hunting equipment at home for just this reason.

Others began shouting too, disturbing the song to the point the DJ simply stopped playing it. Danny groaned.

“I doubt they will calm down even if I turn us invisible again,” Phantom whispered in Danny’s ear.

“Probably not,” Danny reluctantly agreed.

“Would you like to go somewhere else?”

“Where?”

“The park? I flew past on my way here. Fireflies were lighting up the walkways, but there weren’t very many people around.”

Danny’s breath caught. Leave the dance? Take a romantic walk through the park, just the two of them? That actually sounded so much better than attending prom, though he wouldn’t say no to dancing with Phantom again. “Yeah,” he said, a little breathless. “Yeah, let’s do that. We can walk toward a restaurant. I can buy you dinner, make this a proper date.”

Phantom laughed and then kissed Danny’s ear. “Sounds wonderful.”

[ugh-againwiththenames]

So Many Fanfics So Little Time

This is just my list, I have seen so many (but if you want to use it it’s all yours too!).  I’m not a writer.  But I am a hell of a reader. Voracious one might argue. I just wanted to track my progress through the weeds of the absolutely never ending supply of Destiel and Cockles fanfic. 

Read on if you want to see what I’ve read, and what I’ve thought. I am but one person with opinions - some of them may be unpopular - some of them you might agree with, but if you find something you haven’t read here, I encourage you to do so. 

Honestly, this is just so I can track what I have read already, and when my friends ask, I can reference something easily. I have found some different fics on all kinds of ‘best of’ lists all over the interwebs. And I love recs - so rec away friends. 

As someone who reads a solid 40 novels a year typically, I don’t come by the “I read a lot” innocently. I do actually read a LOT.  When not reading fanfic (a new obsession, all things being fair), I usually read a lot of Fantasy/high fantasy, romance/erotica, and or YA (yeah, that was a bit of a ride no?).  So from this one might digress that I like fluffy, cute stories, complicated and supernatural/paranormal type stories, and I sure do not shy away from violence or smut (or maybe violence with smut? *smirk*). 

I have read all of these in the last 2-3 months (I will continue to add as I go). I had never read a fanfic until 2-3 months ago.  A lot of these wonderful people are on here, and I mean you no offence by not directly tagging you - I’m still learning how to actually properly use this site. Links to AO3 are included (and I love you all). 

These aren’t necessarily in any real order - I did read T&S first, followed by 91W, and 4LW...after that it’s just a shit show of Long or Short, Destiel or Cockles - smorgasbord. Some of these are the most popular Fics out there, and others I’ve never seen recc’d anywhere (just sort of accidentally happened upon them).  So let’s get to it, shall we? 

Twist and Shout - ok look. I understand the stigma associated with this one, but it was the FIRST one I read. It was the ball that shot me down the hill, and I haven’t stopped since. So. I loved it. I CRIED like a baby. SOBBED. It was not the quality of the writing but the way the story was developed and delivered. I have Never Cried Like This Reading a Story IN MY LIFE. It’s a rite of passage. Read It and have an opinion - it doesn’t need to be mine.  

Author(s): gabriel, standbyme   https://archiveofourown.org/works/537876/chapters/955188

Ninety-One Whiskey - aka 91W, it is mentioned so much, and is SO worth the read.  I continued my dive into the war fics (not typically my bag really and here I was reading 2 in a row).  There are a couple of followup stories as well to this series (and yes, I’ve read them all).  Although I’ll say that the original is my favourite. I often got lost in a bit of the War/Tactical descriptions, but would recommend it to anyone anyway. Ugh...the “stolen moments”...they were at the same time tragic and the most amazing things ever.  You feel me? no? go read it. 

Author:  komodobits   https://archiveofourown.org/works/2362190/chapters/5214500

Four Letter Word for Intercourse - aka 4LW.  OMG just, OMG. I loved this story. I loved it so much. I think I read it in a day.  Devoured it. It’s so HOT. Just read it. If you haven’t you’re missing out.  LEMME AT IT. I loved “knowing the secret”, and had some major anxiety about that realization dawning (I had to take a breath, and be like, no, no, this is gonna be a mess, but it’s gonna be SO GOOD - I was not disappointed).  There’s more than one work here too - read them all. PLEASE. 

Author: bendingsignpost  https://archiveofourown.org/works/16086839/chapters/37568591

Memories Bring Back Memories (Bring Back You) - This was the first Sobs one I read, but it sent me on a spree.  this is the Memory Loss one.  I have one piece of advice here - read everything by Sobsicles. You can thank me later...just go to her page, and fucking sort to supernatural (or not, read it all!) I’d list them but I’d fucking seriously be here all day.  Also, her tags make me laugh so hard.

Author:  sobsicles https://archiveofourown.org/works/24022945/chapters/57796885

Orpheus - I love this one too, Tattooed!Cas, my LOVE. paired with Mechanic!Dean, my HEART, #help.  Read this one in one evening as well. (I was on a roll).  It’s a one night stand that turns into more (much like my last relationship)....hmm...maybe this is why I was pulled in - although to be fair that is the last similarity to my shitty love life! I do not remember how I stumbled onto this one (tattooed Cas may have been the draw...tbh). Read the warnings though, there is some triggering stuff in this one - but if you can handle it, it’s definitely worth the read. 

Author: sysrae       https://archiveofourown.org/works/2364347/chapters/5220227

Have Love, Will Travel - Can you say no to Stripper!Dean? Cause I sure as hell cannot. Typical sort of character development here with Dean having trust issues, and Cas being painfully awkward...(but in like a super cute way?).  Would Recommend. 

Author: squeemonster   https://archiveofourown.org/works/565455/chapters/1011747

The Inexhaustible Silence of Houses - Change of pace here...It’s got a nice twist.  I didn’t actually clue into how it was going to end until very near the end (maybe I was being oblivious), when the realization came over me and I was...man. I was DONE IN.  I hope that doesn’t spoil (I need some kind of way of remembering them). Voiceless!Cas Hunter!Dean

Author: Askance (doomcountry)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/560268/chapters/1000755

Adagio - This is super short, and super cute. Honestly, I would read the whole thing just for the last line. It’ll take you less than an hour if I remember correctly. Go, I’ll wait. I squeeed. did you? 

Author: noangelsinthegarrison   https://archiveofourown.org/works/1397248/chapters/2928145

Any Little Heartache - super easy read (not in a bad way, but in a ‘you’ll fly through it’ way).  It’s mid-length, not graphic, but really fun hospital AU. HeartSurgeon!Dean / Nurse!Cas - enemies to lovers anyone? Fuck you to Fuck me? yeah. YUM. 

Author: followthattardis https://archiveofourown.org/works/5143376/chapters/11838311

Ad Astra - This is another short(ish) one, just one chapter.  And by that I mean that this is written like a very long poem. Cas as a star who has visited Dean many times over the years of his life, that culminates in 4x01 barn scene. It’s ‘awe’ sad. ‘puppy dog eyes’ sad. The writing format took me a bit to understand what was happening - it’s my lack of poetry knowledge, not the writing.  

Author: nhixxie https://archiveofourown.org/works/1013491

Ad Astra Per Aspera - This is a cute story.  ESL writer, no judgement.  I found this while looking for the one above, and thought the premise looked cute - and it was. Misunderstanding leading to Dean realizing he’s actually Bi.  Miscommunication leading to realization.  

Author: Riverchester https://archiveofourown.org/works/12354336/chapters/28101816

Psalm 40:2 - Time travel post-canon Cas and Pre-series Dean.  If you’re wondering how that works, strap in for this ride, it’s well worth it. 

Author: unicornpoe https://archiveofourown.org/works/30786425/chapters/75992444

Addicted to You - Warlock!Dean/Incubus!Cas - accidental ‘mating’ (I actually really don’t like that word, but there’s sort of no avoiding it in this situation). Cute story.  When you drunk dial a succubus and get an incubus instead...Whatever will we do? 

Author: Ltleflrt https://archiveofourown.org/works/4387346/chapters/9959288 

A Glimpse Beyond - End Fix-it. Not yet complete, 10 chapters so far...I want MORE! Reliving memories Dean/Cas & Sam/Eileen.   

Author: NorthernSparrow https://archiveofourown.org/works/27731689/chapters/67875925

Cas-ti-el - Please I want more...It’s like the story just started. Please write more of this story!! 1 chapter, it’s a trope prompt challenge, but I want it to be a full on story of its own. Imprinted names of their soul mates, Dean doesn’t understand his (because it’s in a different language)...I’m frustrated by wanting this story to keep going. 

Author:  Valinde (Valyria)  https://archiveofourown.org/works/1941591

Our Bodies, Posessed by Light - another short one. Not going to lie, this one took a little getting used to, and I can’t say that I enjoyed it too much for the sole purpose that the premise gave me the willies.  Cas has to vessel jump - ends up in Sam...I got through it, it had a good ending, but yeah, sorry. This just wasn’t for me. 

Author:  obstinatrix  https://archiveofourown.org/works/260289

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Wedding Cake - Waiter!Dean / Writer!Cas - This is so effing cute, just misunderstanding after misunderstanding bumbling around like the couple of dorks that they are. It’s only one chapter. 100% would recommend. 

Author:  Sparseparsley https://archiveofourown.org/works/223962

Destiel, Actually - This is another super cute story, 5 chapters. Gabriel playing a singular role in putting Dean and Cas in awkward positions to push them together.  I fucking DIED at “oh, I am the sub” - needs context, but I guarantee you that you’ll laugh out loud...

Author:  Bexism  https://archiveofourown.org/works/399934/chapters/658398

The Smell Before the Rain - This was my first A/B/O - a big apology to all those who are into mpreg and whatnot, this was my lesson that I am not. this was not for me. Also - I’m a firm Cas (Alpha/Dom) believer, and i’m good with switch Cas, but it’s hard for me to take him being the full Omega here, when paired with the rest I just couldn’t do it. I finished it, but, not my thing. I know now. 

Author: jscribbles https://archiveofourown.org/works/22355230/chapters/53406127

Crazy Diamonds - This is another short one, only 3 chapters - it’s a body swap for Dean, 4x02 him and 2018 him swap places (assumption that 2018 him is “with” Cas).  It’s a super cute little story. 

Author:  pantheon_of_discord https://archiveofourown.org/works/16151642/chapters/37738631

The Breath of All Things - Wheelchair!Dean / Volunteer!Cas.  This is a lovely story, typical Dean self-hatred etc. Triggering for those with suicide warnings. It had me in tears at the end. There’s a really spectacular quote near the end that I found so romantic I screen grabbed it. 

Author:  KismetJeska https://archiveofourown.org/works/994750/chapters/1967519

Kind of a Forever Deal - SummerCamp!AU This is just a really cute and fluffy summer camp AU.  Which is so different from 91W (That’s right, check the author)! I was a little disappointed with the ending, but otherwise really enjoyed this all the way through and was loving all the discovery and young characterizations of all the characters. 

Author: komodobits https://archiveofourown.org/works/999291/chapters/1978478

Everytown, USA - Best way I can break this one down? Wanderer!Dean (listless and without a place in the world, he ends up in a small town...), Twin!Cas (that leads to some fun things). There are a number of points where you’re gonna yell at Dean for doing stupid shit (that are very much in character for him to do), you think, well, yes, obviously you’re going to do that you silly fucking boy [affectionate]; but whyyy? (but we know). 

Author: aileenrose https://archiveofourown.org/works/1797559/chapters/3854836

Chalk and Chainmail - HighSchool!AU, Cas is an artist, Dean LARP’s - it’s cute and angsty. 

Author:  lemonsorbae https://archiveofourown.org/works/804704/chapters/1517551

A Little Patience - Ok. you want smut? This is your story. You want Kink? This is your story.  I actually did not finish this. It got a little carried away in my opinion. It was VERY panty kink oriented (which, while essentially canon isn’t really my kink) so, if you want that Panty Kink on full display? Go forth and enjoy! it  is thirty something chapters, I got to the mid-twenties I Think. 

Author: riseofthefallenone https://archiveofourown.org/works/1750058/chapters/3739232

Control - I REALLY ENJOYED THIS. Which is saying a lot for someone who has already admitted that a Subby Cas isn’t really my HC - so to so thoroughly enjoy a Sub!Cas story? (maybe it’s the tattooes...*wink*). It’s an AU where Cas is the head of a company - Dean is a callboy I guess, for lack of a better term. Just read it.

Author: dothraki_shieldmaiden  https://archiveofourown.org/works/31156601/chapters/76993217

More (I copy pasted the next lot from my google doc, I’ll flush them out later - no i wont...)

Teach Me (short) - movie night in the bunker, things get a little carried away   Author:  Chiyume  https://archiveofourown.org/works/5961327

You Light the Spark (in my bonfire heart) (short) - when cas doesn't realize that dean is unaware of his feelings, super short, super cute                      Author: noangelsinthegarrison https://archiveofourown.org/works/1193910 

Communication Breakdown (short/cockles) - dean ends up in Jensen's head while he films the confession scene, no sexual content Author: jujubiest   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29669601/chapters/72951339

Look What You Made Me Do (short/cockles) -      -  Vegas Con 2020 / jensen comes out with a song     - cute short - no sexual content Author:  green_blue_heller https://archiveofourown.org/works/30251592 Full House (short/cockles) - reimagined version of the rented house story - putting it in order (so to speak). funny / cute / fluffy not explicit   Author: n_nami  https://archiveofourown.org/works/30855827

Cyber Sex (short/cockles) - anastiel https://archiveofourown.org/works/31467086      - shameless post GISH Fest zoom call porn      - Short (very short)

It's Complicated (cockles) - gail_morgan https://archiveofourown.org/works/31434938/chapters/77747519       The GISHtake (short/cockles) - MellyCrazyCoconut https://archiveofourown.org/works/31508099     - cute short post GISH zoom     - oops "babe, really?"  

(10.02.2021 updated) Since last update: New reads - Fuck i’m gonna be here all day - there’s not gonna be as much gonna be NO detail in these breakdowns...sorry! This has now just become a “what i’ve read list” as opposed to a Rec list...

Love, All Alike (Pt. 1 Love, All Alike) - Phantoms_and_Foxgloves   https://archiveofourown.org/works/4555599/chapters/10370646                             - Though The Stars Walk Backward (pt 2 Love, All alike) - Phantoms_and_Foxgloves

And this, your living kiss - opal_bullets   https://archiveofourown.org/works/18083927/chapters/42744872

Come On, Let's Strike a Match (Domination and Submission: a love story pt 1) - anyrei & queerwerewolf ***   https://archiveofourown.org/works/25722478/chapters/62458810    - Playing With Fire (D&S: a love story pt 2)    - We Kiss and the Flames Get Higher (D&S: a love story pt 3)     - Sparking That Old Flame (D&S: a love story pt 4) 

Cinderwings - bendingsignpost Cinderella!AU**   https://archiveofourown.org/works/12847041/chapters/29336421

Linden - fleeceframe Swan!AU**   https://archiveofourown.org/works/33126730/chapters/82236118

No Netflix, No Chill (short) - dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/28764966

Can't Drink You Away (short) - dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/28785792 

Jensen Totally (Does Not!) Snore (short RPF) - Dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/30315717

Dean Ships It (short) - dorian_they   https://archiveofourown.org/works/30349434

All about control - wingless   https://archiveofourown.org/works/9151930/chapters/20791243

Aesthetics in Autoerotica (pt 1 Aesthetics in Autoerotica) - relucant   https://archiveofourown.org/works/3885544                                                             - The Ties that Bind (pt 2 Aesthetics in Autoerotica) - relucant

Let's take a drive - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32581027/chapters/80819581 

Enchanted ink - castielslostwings TattooArtist!Dean TattooArtist!Castiel AU ***   https://archiveofourown.org/works/23043622/chapters/55109530

The bones beneath our skin - darknessbound   https://archiveofourown.org/works/24633754/chapters/59515804

The Plot (RPF) - Castiel_Left_His_Mark_On_Me   https://archiveofourown.org/works/2795588/chapters/6274970

The Gentle Force with which you Take Me (RPF) - Phoenix_Ascended   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32110120/chapters/79549183

According to all known laws of Life (Pt. 1 Cursed Metaphors) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29207901                                                          - and he's back (with a mind of his own) (pt. 2 Cursed Metaphors) - sobsicles

Six hundred sundays (and many more) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31158776

Aching in the Absence of you - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31832977/chapters/78811378

gorging myself on you, still can’t get full (insatiable) (Short) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32203291

memories bring back memories (bring back you) - sobsicles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/24022945/chapters/57796885

Dream Come True (short) - bendingsignpost   https://archiveofourown.org/works/28071159

tall grass - aeli_kindara   https://archiveofourown.org/works/13127040/chapters/30030726

asunder (Short) - rageprufrock https://archiveofourown.org/works/62115

Apheresis - bendingsignpost BloodDonor!AU **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32674783/chapters/81056680

we always were but never knew it - frightfullyrude   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32698324/chapters/81119503

In this Louisiana Bar (Short) - fleeceframe   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31764487

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Alternate Universes - n_nami   https://archiveofourown.org/works/32687929/chapters/81092785

my heart a compass - lagaudiere https://archiveofourown.org/works/28629951

Unsound Inverses - sp8ce (not complete)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29836881/chapters/73413300

The Jensen Mistake (RPFish) - fellshish   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31950169

tell me about the dream (Pt. 1 Kids are coming home) - playedwright   https://archiveofourown.org/works/27984813/chapters/68544450

It's handy to know (FIMMF Themed ;)) - RosaMarloes   https://archiveofourown.org/works/31761322

So Says The Sword - komodobits AngelTrueform!AU**   https://archiveofourown.org/works/12597892/chapters/28695592

Communication Breakdown (RPFish)- darkshrimpemotions (jujubiest)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/29669601/chapters/72951339

Carry You Home - Casloveshisfreckles   https://archiveofourown.org/works/26982637/chapters/65862916

In the Shadow of your Wings - Enochian Things (Salr323)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/7531294/chapters/17121655

When Harry Met Sally (RPF) (Pt. 1 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood   https://archiveofourown.org/works/7622347/chapters/17351845    - Eight Dildos (RPF) (Pt. 2 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood    - Attention, Please (RPF) (Pt. 3 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood             - Boat Trip (RPF) (Pt. 4 When Harry Met Sally ‘verse) - mnwood

A Winter's Tale - NorthernSparrow   https://archiveofourown.org/works/2654327/chapters/5930561

A Close Shave - NorthernSparrow https://archiveofourown.org/works/3090167

r/supernatural - renrub (short) https://archiveofourown.org/works/27626783

sam reads destiel fics - rebshome (short - funny!)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/33721624

Angel Cookies - noxsoulmate Chirstmas!AU **  https://archiveofourown.org/works/11729640/chapters/26427765

Under The Midnight Sun - NorthernSparrow Arctic!AU **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/16690645/chapters/39143677

Bron-Yr-Aur - mrbluesky (Short) https://archiveofourown.org/works/28225335

The Dean Winchester Beat Sheet - saltyfeathers   https://archiveofourown.org/works/19258594/chapters/45800209

The Meaning On My Skin - saltnhalo   https://archiveofourown.org/works/18005378/chapters/42538133

Red Right Hand (Pt. 1 Murder Ballads)  - Duckyboos   https://archiveofourown.org/works/4306110/chapters/9760008    - Are you the One that I've been waiting for? (pt. 2 Murder Ballads) - Duckyboos   

Riptides - sharkfish   https://archiveofourown.org/works/13230426/chapters/30263556

Damn Fine Ride - Cimorene105 (pt 1 - rodeo) Cowboy!AU** (I’m a horse girl, sue me...)  https://archiveofourown.org/works/14342340    - My Face Just Does This, Sometimes - Cimorene105 (pt. 2 rodeo)    - The Kinkiest Thing I've Ever Done- Cimorene105 (pt 3 rodeo)    - All Signs Point to Love - Cimorene105 (pt. 4 rodeo)    - Monster Love - Cimorene105 (pt. 5 rodeo)    - My Man, The Siren - Cimorene105 (pt. 6 rodeo)    - A Pain in My Ass - Cimorene105 (pt. 7 rodeo)

Astrolabe (terra incognita pt 1) - reluctantabandon, Winter_of_our_Discontent   https://archiveofourown.org/works/3348812/chapters/7326794    - Drollery (terra incognita pt 2) - reluctantabandon Winter_of_our_Discontent    - Rubrication (terra incognita pt 3) - reluctantabandon Winter_of_our_Discontent

Go Down With This Ship - PorcupineGirl   https://archiveofourown.org/works/8023642/chapters/18370474

Fire and Ice - Castielslostwings (Firefighter/Paramedic AU!) **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/23286295/chapters/55768486

The Structural Similarities of Hunters and Onions - Faster_Than_the_Speed_of_Sound (Short)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/33383101

Castiel Novak's Office, This is Dean - emmbrancsxx0   https://archiveofourown.org/works/22411336/chapters/53545840

Out of the Deep (out of the deep pt. 1) - riseofthefallenone - MERMAID AU! **   https://archiveofourown.org/works/548878/chapters/977676

Dean (and Cas') Top 13 Zepp Traxx - pantheon_of_discord   https://archiveofourown.org/works/10909440/chapters/24256989

I'll Be Good - LittleAngelCassie   https://archiveofourown.org/works/4118334/chapters/9282234

Kenosis - CastielsCarma (Short - part of Destiel ABC collection)   https://archiveofourown.org/works/30411720

[solinarimoon]

Fields of Wildflowers

Chapter 2

A/N: anything in italics is either inner monologue or reminiscing. Please let me know if you’re enjoying the story and might like to be on my taglist. You can read the prequel one-shot and chapter 1 if you wish.

Warnings: None for this chapter (I think)

Word Count: 2253

Pairing: Sihtric x OC

The sun beat down on the company as they traveled along the road.  The plan was to travel to Ceaster where, with luck, Aethelflaed would be waiting.  Uhtred and the Lady of Mercia had discussed contingency plans of retreating there should tensions in Mercia boil over.  

Cwen rode along beside Osferth who drove the cart containing their meager supplies and the children.  She knew Ealfwin was feeling scared and worried for her mother.  The young girl was a gentle and sensitive creature.  She spent her days playing with dolls or with her little birds.  

In many ways, Ealfwin reminded Cwen of her mother as a child.  Aethelflaed had grown into an independent and smart woman.  But at Ealfwin’s age, while she was intelligent, Aethelflaed’s head was full of dreaming.  Mainly dreams full of romance and love.  It made Cwen sad that her friend’s spirit had had those dreams dashed and torn from her with her marriage to Aethelred.  

Aethelflaed was keenly aware of her daughter’s disposition and she fought to protect that innocence as long as she could. It was a hard balance to find. Preparing your child for harsh truths and realities. Giving them the skill and knowledge to deal with those truths head on while still allowing them their innocence. 

But in this moment, Cwen wondered if the young girl was too sheltered, too naive.  

Cwen always strived to be truthful and realistic with Ealfwin.  She had been through too much and known Aethelflaed to have gone through too much to deny the child that kindness. 

Cwen could hear Stiorra chiding Ealfwin from the back of the cart. She also heard Young Uhtred defending her. 

Give her a few minutes and then I will check on her, Cwen thought. See if Stiorra’s words altered Ealfwin’s weepy state.  Cwen did not aim to be dismissive or cruel. But she did want to avoid swooping in to rescue the girl from those harsh words. Harsh words are everywhere and a woman must learn to stand up to them. 

Cwen’s thoughts were interrupted at the sound of a rider approaching. She felt her heart flutter in her chest and she rode back to her beside Ealfwin. Harsh words from a companion were one thing. Unknown dangers and unknown riders were a different story. 

The rider was a woman. Cwen recognized her and had to suppress a shudder. Instead she turned her eyes to find Sihtric. 

He gallops past the group to crest the hill where Eadith had just appeared. That was her name. Eadith. Sister to Eardwulf. 

As Sihtric galloped back to the front of their party, his eyes met Cwen’s. Too fast for her to read anything from them. But they still met and she felt a calm come over her. 

“I will be right back. Stay in the cart with Aethelstan.” Cwen’s words were soothing but firm. Ealfwin nodded her understanding while shifting to have a better view of the front of the cart. 

When Cwen cantered forward she positioned herself next to Sihtric. Her eyes met Uhtred’s. What information does Eadith bring?

“The Lady Aethelflaed has fled Aylesbury. She bid me find you and tell you she wishes you to meet her at the ruins of St. Millburgs Priory.”

“Did your brother send you?” Cwen askes. 

At her interjection, both Uhtred and Eadith glance at her. 

“No. He does not know I am here. My brother imprisoned Lady Aethelflaed but I helped her escape.” Eadith said while shifting her eyes back to Uhtred. 

“Why should I believe you?”

“I do not lie,” Eadith quipped as if those words should serve as a convincing argument. 

“Then how did you know where to find us?” Uhtred asked.

“The Lady told me you had spoken of traveling to Ceaster. I was to find you and bid you meet her at the ruins.”

Young Uhtred spoke up, “St. Milburg’s is on the way to Wenloca and we have passed it.”

“It could be a trick to divert us,” Finan added. 

At this, Eadith expressed her frustration, “I have done what I promised. You can choose to believe it or not,” she finished with a sigh. 

“Where will you go?” Uhtred asks her. 

“I have family in Frankia”

“If you wish to board a ship to Frankia, you must ride inland with us. It is not safe on the road alone. And,” Uhtred spoke aside to his men, “then at least if she lies she will be under our control.”

Cwen was taken aback when Eadith spat back at Uhtred, “I am sick of being controlled.”

Perhaps her brother has not made her life easy either, Cwen thought to herself. She was keenly aware of how Eardwulf exerted control and power.  

Cwen took a shuddering breath and refocused her attention on the conversation. 

She did not notice Sihtric glance at her from across his saddle. 

“Cwen, you know Aethelflaed well.  I am of one mind, but would hear your thoughts,” Uhtred asked.

Cwen looked askance at Eadith before giving her answer.

“The sooner we can get mother and daughter reunited the better.  We both know that Aldhelm would do this for Aethelflaed.  And my instinct tells me Eadith speaks the truth.” 

“Lord,” Finan interjected, “We should not do this.  If she found us, so can they.”

Uhtred thinks on Cwen and Finan’s words for a moment.

Raising his head to meet Eadith’s eyes once more, “Are you good with children?”

“Not really.” She replied.

“Good, neither are we. Well except for Cwen here,” Uhtred inclined his head to indicate Cwen.

“We go back,” he said with finality.

Rather than travel alone, the lady Eadith joined their caravan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few hours later found the companions ambling along a wooded path.  Ealfwin was resting in the cart while Aethelstan and Uhtred’s children shared pieces of stale bread. 

Sihtric dropped back from riding next to Finan to be beside Cwen. 

“Do you need some bread, lady?” He offered. 

“I am no lady, Sihtric. Must I always remind you of that?” Cwen smiled over to Sihtric good naturedly. It had become a game now between them. 

Sihtric chuckled lightly, “take some bread, Cwen.”

“I will, thank you,” Cwen said while reaching for the stale lump he offered. 

“Be careful, Cwen,” Osferth interjected. “That bread will crack a tooth. Best to let it sit in your mouth for a bit before you chew it.”

The three laughed lightly at his jest and then settled into a comfortable silence. 

Cwen enjoyed the forest. She tipped her head up to gaze at the sun breaking through the branches overhead. She allowed herself a large inhale of the musty, earthy aroma then slowly exhaled. 

“You seem at peace in the forest.” Sihtric commented and Cwen turned her face towards him. He sees me, she thought to herself. 

“Your breathing wasn’t so calm on the road.” He spoke the last while turning to face her gaze. 

“You noticed that?” Cwen asked. 

When Sihtric did not answer, “something in our conversation in the road gave me pause. Brought back memories.” Cwen glanced ahead at Eadith. 

Then she added, “and I admit I am anxious about our plan. There are so many unknowns. And I wish Aethelflaed to be alright. And for Ealfwin to be reunited with her mother.”

Sihtric could tell that Cwen was breezing over her demeanor on the road.  Whether it was an effort to avoid talking about it, he did not know.

“I have always found peace in forests.” He offered.

Cwen met Sihtric’s eyes at his admission. She gave him one of those small grins that he loved. 

Sihtric found himself looking for her smiles more and more. 

He had lain awake the previous night after the rest of the camp had fallen asleep thinking about the gentle curves of her lips. He could have drifted to sleep easily imagining her grins directed at him. 

But he couldn’t help replaying their conversation from upstairs at the estate. The knowledge that someone had threatened her, maybe forced themselves on her made his entire body seethe with rage. 

He could stand the horrors of battle and the violence that he faced against enemies in the services of his Lord.  Even if it were women like Skade or Brida.  They chose their paths. Brida was an equal on the battlefield.  Skade played dangerous games and she knew full well that she was playing them. 

But Sihtric could not abide harm to innocents.  Saxon or Dane.  He had witnessed too much in his service to Kjartan.  He did not call the man his father.  He was his mother’s son.  And he knew too well that it was the same violence and violation that Kjartan forced upon his mother that now Sihtric worried had been forced upon Cwen.

He had wiped his hand across his face in frustration and sat up looking for her.  

Across the fire, nestled next to Ealfwin and Aethelstan, Cwen was sleeping.  They were safe for the moment. She was safe. 

Sihtric had risen and relieved Finan of his watch. If he wasn’t able to sleep he may as well let his Irish brother rest. 

A sudden yell and flurry of activity at the rear of the cart brought Sihtric back to the present. 

“Stay near the children,” he ordered Cwen as they both turned their horses to see vagrants trying to steal bread from Stiorra. 

Quick as lightning, Uhtred was by his daughter and the would-be thieves ran towards the front of the cart. 

At almost the same instance, another man appeared hollering that the road was closed. Having gained control of the situation, Finan and Sihtric dismounted to approach the macabre scene blocking the path.

Cwen dismounted her horse to climb onto the cart and check on Ealfwin. 

“It is alright, little bird. They will not let anyone harm you,” she cooed while grasping the young girl's hand. “Nor you, Aethelstan.  These people appear to just be hungry. It is alright.  I am going to see how we will proceed with the road being closed.” 

Cwen waited to see both children nod, then dismounted the cart.

It was then that she heard Finan shout in a panic, “It’s the sickness.  They’re dying of the sickness.”

The next few minutes were a blur of chaos as Finan tried to clean Stiorra’s arm where the brigands had touched her and Uhtred attempted to soothe the warrior.

Cwen stepped up to stand beside Sihtric as he cleaned off his blade.  

“It was a kindness,” he tells her.

Cwen looked down to his bloody knife and then glanced over his shoulder to see the grim display in the road and she understood.

“It was,” she confirms for him.

Then her attention shifted back to hear Uhtred discuss leaving the horses and traveling through the woods.

“The children will not make it on foot,” Sihtric says.  His words were quiet to not alarm anyone.

“Then we find somewhere safe for them,” but Finan’s words are cut off when both Uhtred and Cwen protest.

“We will not leave them behind.”

“They are stronger than you imagine,” Cwen argued. “They are both used to plans changing and to adapting by now.”

“We know that, Cwen,” Uhtred tried to soothe her. “But it will be hard and we do not know what obstacles we may face.  It can be difficult to defend those you hold dear out in the open, no shelter, no place to hide.”

Cwen takes a breath before speaking again. She looks at Finan, Uhtred, and Sihtric in turn.  

Sihtric interrupts her before she can speak again, “I did not mean that the children are not strong and capable.”

“I know Sihtric. But what choice do we actually have now?” She asks, shifting her gaze to rest on Uhtred.

“Cwen is right.  We must continue on foot and through the land to avoid the roads and bad air. It will be alright Finan, we will be safe from the sickness.  And we have no other choice.” Uhtred’s words soothe the big man.  

Both Cwen and Eadith, who had remained quiet during the whole exchange, recognize that the men have faith in their lord.   The two women exchange a glance before Eadith dismounts her horse and they gather their supplies to continue on foot.

“It seems these men have truly found a good lord in Uhtred.  I can see their faith in him,” Eadith comments to Cwen as they are helping the children down off the cart.

Cwen regards her for a moment before replying, “He is a man that other’s trust to follow.  I have known him since I was a child and he has always inspired the trust of others.”

“What a strange thing to find myself in this company,” Eadith then says, more to herself than to Cwen.

“I know you are not used to the company of good men.” Cwen speaks matter of factly without waiting for a response or looking for a reaction. “And these are good men.  All of them.” Cwen finishes the last words while looking across the back of the cart to see Sihtric taking his packs off his horse.  She doesn’t look to Eadith as she walks away to gather Ealfwin and Aethelstan.

And then the companions begin their trek on foot to reach Wenloca.  

Tag list: @morosemagick @maggiescarborough @pokeasleepingsmaug @nxrdist @mystic-shadows42 @emilyhufflepufftlk @magravenwrites @lauwrite1225 @thebohemianpenguin @mrsalwayswrite @notyourwildestdream @obipoelover

[andypantsx3]

in cinders | 9 | explanations

pairing: Todoroki Shouto / Reader

length: 24,362 words / 9 chapters

summary: You’re just trying to fairy godmother your best friend into a happily ever after. If only the prince would stop hanging around and cooperate.

tags: cinderella AU, prince!Shouto, romance, misunderstandings, reader-insert

warnings: aged up characters, eventual smut

“Get your hands off of her!” you yelled before you could think.

You rushed forward, ducking under the heavy arm of a guardsman, and ripped the soldier off of Ochako. You took advantage of his surprise, getting yourself between them and pushing her behind you. You held out your arms to block his access to her.

“What the hell is going on here?”

The guardsman whirled on you. “This little wench stole from a noblewoman.”

He pointed, and you followed the line of his finger towards the pink, puffy dress clutched in Kamiko’s conniving fingers. Kamiko smirked at you, looking more pleased with herself than you had ever seen before.

“I found this hidden under her mattress so I reported her to the authorities. Now get out of the way, cinders, she needs to be punished.”

A feral noise escaped you. “I’ll fucking kill you for this, Kamiko.”

Kamiko scoffed. “You wouldn’t dare.”

A soft voice from behind you sniffled, “It’s not true! I promise I didn’t steal it!”

The guardsman let out a flat laugh. “How would a servant come by a dress like this? It’s obviously stolen.”

You moved to block him again as he reached for Ochako. Thinking quickly, you swept the crowd of servants in front of you, looking for any escape route. Your eyes fixed on Kaminari who stood frozen where he had been trying to control the crowd. His gaze was locked behind you, and his brow was furrowed. His mouth seemed to be shaping some word in question.

You tried to catch his eye but before you could, he whipped back in the other direction and was off like a shot, pushing through the crowd and out of the kitchen.

“Hand her over or I’ll have to hurt you,” the guardsman growled, drawing your attention back to him.

Your heart leapt into your throat. There had to be some way out of this. There had to be some way to protect Ochako, there had to--

You froze, a plan dawning on you. Ochako had never stolen a thing, but you had. And if there was one person Kamiko hated more than Ochako, it was--

“It was me.”

The guardsman halted, staring at you. Around him, the other kingsguard looked dumbfounded and the kitchen staff quieted. Kamiko and the housekeeper looked floored.

“I stole the dress,” you said quickly. “I stashed it under Ochako’s mattress.”

“Y/N, no--!” came from behind you but you paid her no mind.

“It’s not the first time I’ve stolen a noblewoman’s dress,” you said loudly. “I stole the Lady Utsushimi’s gown the night of the ball. Kamiko found that one too, didn’t you?”

Kamiko stood frozen, but a gleeful look was entering her gaze like she couldn’t believe her luck.

“Ask her,” you said to the guardsman. “Ask her what she found beneath my mattress.”

He turned to her in askance and slowly she nodded. “It’s true. I returned the dress to Lady Utsushimi myself.”

You grimaced. “So you see, this isn’t the first gown I’ve stolen and hidden beneath a mattress. Ochako didn’t even know I had done it.”

The guardsman gestured to another of the kingsguard. "You’re to go to Lady Utsushimi to confirm the return of her gown.”

Then he turned back to you. “You’ll be coming with us.”

You hesitated. “Is Ochako free to go?”

He frowned. “If you come with us quietly, no harm will befall the girl.”

You nodded, holding out your hands. Ochako’s fingers clutched at the back of your dress and she muffled a sob into your shoulder.

“Please don’t do this,” she said quietly. “Tell them it’s my dress.”

The guardsman took your outstretched hands, binding them in a thick layer of rope. He knotted it securely, the fibers digging into the skin of your wrists.

“I’ll figure a way out of this,” you said to her under your breath. “I always do.”

The guardsman gave your bindings a tug and you tripped forward. He wrapped a hand in the fabric of your shift, tugging you in front of him. From this angle, you could see the rest of the kitchen staff, staring at you in shock. Rikido fluttered nervously over the shoulders of the kingsguard, looking beside himself. You tossed him a reassuring smile.

The dress in question belonged to no one. If they couldn’t find the owner, perhaps you would be let go with minimal punishment. You only regretted that you wouldn’t get a chance to apologize to Ochako before then, or set things clear with Shouto.

“Ochako,” you said as the guardsman pulled you stumbling along after him. “If Shou - I mean, if he comes looking, tell him I’m sorry I didn’t wait for him.”

Ochako's brow knitted and she opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off the the door to the palace courtyard bursting open.

“WAIT!” A voice gasped out and Izuku Midoriya all but fell inside, followed closely by Kaminari, who was looking especially proud of himself. “Ochako didn’t steal anything, she--you’re not Ochako.”

The door to the courtyard thumped against the opposite wall and rebounded heavily into Kaminari's shoulder, sending him stumbling into Izuku's back.

The guardsman holding you hesitated, looking confused, and you felt your own confusion rise within you. What was Izuku doing here? Had he been who Kaminari had run off to? How did Izuku know Ochako and why would he come running?

Ochako herself answered that question for you.

“Izuku!” she shouted, flinging herself into his arms. Izuku held her to him tightly, pulling her close in a way that that was unmistakably affectionate. His emerald gaze darted worriedly all over her, as though checking her over for injury.

“You’ve got to stop them taking Y/N.” Ochako was pleading into the fabric of his vest. “They think she stole the dress!”

You glanced between the two of them, puzzled. Now was not the time, but you couldn’t help yourself. “Are you two....together?”

Izuku looked at you, a kind expression on his freckled face. “Yes, since...I, um, recognized her at the ball.”

All of a sudden, things snapped into place. That day in the kitchens, the way Izuku’s gaze had been drawn over your shoulder, the blush that rode high on Ochako’s rosy cheeks. Their disappearance at the ball, the night in the corridor where’d you stumbled over Izuku. It all made terrible, horrible sense.

Ochako had never been in love with the prince.

“Mr. Midoriya,” the guardsman said, “Forgive me, but I believe you’re interrupting a criminal investigation.”

“No, sir,” another voice cut in, and you whipped around to find Lady Utsushimi at the other entrance. “I am interrupting a criminal investigation.”

Your mouth dropped open and you felt a little bit like you were losing your mind. Was the entire castle going to come witness your arrest? What was Lady Utsushimi doing here?

A murmur went through the other servants, several of them eyeing Lady Utsushimi with interest. Her gaze swept disdainfully over the chaos of the kitchens, flickering over the guards in their red livery and Ochako clutched in Izuku's hands before landing back on you.

“My afternoon tea was interrupted by a guardsman checking on the return of a dress, claiming that the thief had struck again today,” she said haughtily. “Imagine my surprise when I learned that the accused was none other than my favorite kitchen girl.”

The place staff stared at her, silent.

"I came all the way down to this..." she hesitated, eyes roaming judgmentally back over the messy worktables, "place...to tell you that the dress in question today is also mine. And that Y/N did not steal it, the blessed simpleton. I lent it to her."

Your eyebrows lifted in surprise as another guardsman turned to her in bewilderment. “She herself claims to have stolen it, my lady.”

Lady Utsushimi raised her own scornful eyebrow, and the guardsman seemed to shrink before her. “Are you suggesting that I am a liar, sir?”

That’s exactly what she was. Despite yourself, your heart went out to the poor fop.

“N-no, my lady,” he stuttered. He seemed to cast about desperately for any explanation. “I only meant--”

“I suppose you didn’t even stop to think before marching in here and calling foul, did you?” she demanded, and his panic seemed to increase exponentially.

You had to stifle an absurd laugh. Though not the dress on trial at the moment, you had quite literally stolen this woman’s gown. And here she was, busting into the kitchens to yell at a man for accusing you of the very same.

The eyes of the kitchen staff flicked between them, looking on as though they’d never seen a match more engaging. Their interest was dialed up by a thousand, however, when a head of red and white hair appeared over Izuku’s shoulder.

“Izuku, why’d you run off? Is everything--” Prince Shouto stopped, staring at the scene before him. His full mouth parted in surprise, and instantly his eyes snapped to you.

You flushed, twisting nervously in your bindings.

“Y/N, I thought I had asked you to wait for me,” was the first thing he said. Your blush deepened and a chatter began to build in the crowds of the kitchen staff.

You cleared your throat. “I, um...something came up.”

The prince's eyebrows went up and he huffed a soft laugh. “Yes, I can see that.”

The guardsman who held you shifted nervously behind you. “Your highness, you know this girl?”

Prince Shouto fixed his gaze on the guardsman, stepping forward. “I do. Has she done something?”

A delicate sniff came from over your shoulder. “She's done nothing, as I’ve been telling them.”

Shouto’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Camie? What are you doing here?”

Lady Utsushimi inspected a fingernail idly. “Informing them that she did not, in fact, steal my dress.” She waved her hand at the fluffy monstrosity now hanging loosely in Kamiko’s shocked grip. “This idiot girl," she gestured to Kamiko, "seems to have assumed the worst. Or to have lied.”

Something like fear flashed across Kamiko's angelic features and you had to stifle another laugh.

“Will someone tell me what the devil is going on?” The housekeeper groused from Kamiko's side. “Is there a reason why all these nobles are here for Y/N?”

You had to wonder at that as well.

Lady Utsushimi, however, seemed to have no problem adding fuel to the fire. “I'm here because I lent her my dress, of course," she paused, a sly look crossing her face. A vague sense of sudden foreboding came over you.

"I figured she should get used to wearing them..." Lady Utsushimi said, a smirk overtaking her features,"...seeing as she’s going to be Shouto’s bride.”

Your brain turned off, and you stood frozen in absolute bamboozlement.

What in the hell did she think she was doing?

Shouto coughed uncomfortably. "Camie, I told you that in confidence. I didn't realize you were already acquainted with Y/N."

Lady Utsushimi shrugged, unconcerned. "It's not like you weren't going to ask her."

Your eyes flashed up to Shouto’s and he stared back, lifting a shoulder a little helplessly. “I had planned on asking you a little differently, but I suppose now is as good a time as any.”

He pushed his way past Izuku and strode the length of the room to kneel before you.

You could only stare down at him in shock.

“Y/N,” he said in that soft, low tone that made you feel like your mind feel a little like it was melting. “I love you, and I can't let you go now that I've found you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

All your blood seemed to rush out of your head to pool somewhere near your feet, leaving you mindless.

“Shouto, but I -- but you --”

He laughed, and he took both of your bound hands in a calloused palm. “I understand if you say you won’t, but I hope more than anything to hear you say you will.”

You looked down at him, your eyes darting over his handsome face. “You mean it? You really love me?”

He smiled. A length of silver ribbon appeared in his fingers. “Since the first moment you trod on my toes.”

You laughed, a feeling of euphoria crashing over you like a tidal wave. You felt incredible, like you could shoot apart like a firework, run the length of the continent, lift the entire castle with only your mind.

Shouto loved you. Ochako loved Midoriya, and Shouto loved you.

"Yes!” you shouted, startling even yourself with your own enthusiasm.

Shouto grinned and leaned forward, looping the silver ribbon over one of your wrists. “I had hoped to have a ring prepared before asking,” he said, shooting a sour look in Lady Utsushimi’s direction. “This will have to do for now.”

Lady Utsushimi inspected her nails again, nonplussed.

Abruptly, Shouto stood, scooping you up into his arms as he did. You yelped, throwing your still-bound arms around his neck in terror. He laughed into your hair.

“Shouto!” You gasped, clutching at him, but he was already moving, kicking the door into the servants’ hall open with one booted foot.

“Camie, Izuku, please see that this situation is resolved,” he said, carrying you into the halls. His deep voice bounced off the stone walls. “And send word to my father than I cannot be disturbed for the rest of the evening. I will speak with both of you later.”

Without waiting for their response, he moved down the hallway, turning the corner into the castle proper. He carried you through the palace, up through that winding series of brightly-lit halls. You blushed as people stared at you in passing, hiding your face in his broad shoulder. Then the world around you was all a blur of windows and doorways, until you stood before the grand oak doors to his apartments.

“Please ensure that we are not disturbed for the next twelve hours,” Shouto said to the guardsmen as they opened the doors for him, and you felt the tips of your ears go red. Surely he didn’t mean...?

As the doors closed behind you, Shouto carried you through his sitting room, straight through the double doors that lead to his bedchamber. His bed appeared much neater this time around, the covers clearly having been laundered and remade, but you did not have much time to admire it before you were tossed bodily onto it.

You yelped, but Shouto was already there, his body covering yours and pressing you into the soft, soft give of his bedding.

“I thought I told you to wait for me,” he said, his face dipping near to yours. His eyes were so bright and a roguish grin cut into the corner of his mouth. A rough hand came up to gently press one of your arms down next to your head.

Your breathing shallowed. “I had wanted to talk to Ochako.”

He looked at you in question.

“I had...believed her to be in love with you. I see now that I was quite mistaken,” you said.

Shouto laughed. “So that’s who Izuku has been sneaking around with. No wonder he ran after her at the ball. She was the Lady Uraraka, yes?”

You nodded.

“And that was why you came to the ball,” he murmured, putting the pieces of the puzzle together. “And slipped her jewelry onto my tray. Why didn’t you say something, that day in my chambers when I asked for information?”

You squirmed. “I thought you were...angry with me. You were asking for the Lady Ito, and Captain Bakugou kept brandishing his sword.”

Shouto smirked. “You thought I meant to have revenge for my poor toes?”

You flushed. “I know now that you wouldn’t.”

His smirk turned predatory. “I rather think I would. I believe I will collect my dues this very moment.”

With that, he leaned down and slotted his mouth with yours. Your blood rushed in your ears. His mouth was so soft and he tasted like mint, exactly the way you'd thought he would.

A calloused hand slipped up your waist to press you up into him. You gasped, arching with the motion of his hand to get closer to him, pressing desperately against him.

He groaned softly and slipped his tongue into your mouth, moving to hold the back of your head in a gentle but firm grip.

“Y/N,” he breathed when he drew back from you. “I shouldn’t go any further. It would be improper, before we are married.”

You let out a frustrated noise and threw your arms over his neck to draw him back to you. “I stole Lady Utsushimi’s dress and broke into your birthday. I called Kamiko a spineless fucking flop and all but poisoned your food with a necklace. I spend every evening up to my elbows in ashes and soot because I can’t keep my mouth shut. I don’t care about proper.”

And then you pulled his mouth back to yours. Shouto seemed to resist for a moment before sinking back into you, his weight trapping you heavily against the mattress.

“Unless you’re worried about your virtue,” you teased when you finally broke apart.

A dark look came into his grey and blue gaze and he gestured to your still bound wrists. “I rather think you ought to be more worried about your own predicament, love.”

A shiver raced down your spine. His sharp gaze caught it and he smirked.

“Like that, do you?” he pushed back onto his knees and pulled his shirt over his head. Your mind went blank, and all your focus narrowed to the sight of his sculpted chest and well defined abs, the promise of power in his sinewy arms. This is what he had been hiding beneath all those soft doublets.

Shouto leaned over you again, caging you in and lowering his face to yours. “That day in the library. You shivered when I called you a good girl.”

You flushed in embarrassment.

“I confess to imagining what else would make you tremble like that.” He turned his face into your neck, biting down softly. You gasped, and your hips lifted into him before you could stop yourself.

“It’s time for me to take my revenge for everything you’ve put me through, love,” he breathed, laving over your collarbone. “You've hid enough from me these past weeks. You are going to come apart for me - once for every day you hid from me.”

You moaned, grasping frantically at his arm. The week wasn't long enough to give him that many climaxes, never mind the evening. “Shouto, I can’t.”

His mouth dipped below the line of your dress. “You're going to try, love. As your prince, I command it. I will wring them from you should I have to.”

Shouto’s fingers moved to the hem of your dress and he pushed it up over your head, helping you move your shoulders to roll it out from underneath you.

“Perfect,” he breathed. His mouth latched over a nipple and you arched desperately up into him. His clever fingers trailed down over the skin of your thigh, before slipping beneath your underwear. He pressed gently against your clit and you moaned even louder, writhing somewhat helplessly underneath him.

“S-Shouto,” you panted. “Please let me touch you.”

His mouth released your nipple, only for him to flick his tongue over the hardening bud. “When I’ve properly avenged my toes, princess.”

His fingers pressed into you and you moaned again. He looked up into your face, staring with interest. You moved to hide your face in embarrassment but he caught you by the arm and pinned it back into the mattress above your head. The bindings held your other arm in place with it.

Shouto kissed you again, and his clever fingers twisted inside you. Heat built within you, and as his thumb pressed insistently against your clit, your vision went white with pleasure.

You rode his hand to completion as he swallowed the sounds of your moans. When you returned to yourself, he was stroking your hair gently as your hips jerked in weak little circles against him.

“So beautiful,” he said, smiling and pressing another kiss to your mouth. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive. You’re going to be the most loved princess this kingdom has ever seen.”

You flushed, but smiled against his mouth. “I hope to at least be the most well-read."

His varicolored gaze raked over you, like he was cataloguing every one of your features to save forever, and his hand tightened in your hair.

"I love you, Shouto,” you said, letting your gaze rove over him too. "I'm sorry to have hid from you for so long."

He smiled, looking elated at your pronouncement. “Y/N," he said, "I love you, too.”

Then, a serious look overtook his handsome face one more. “But I believe we have some unfinished business, love. That’s one,” he said, and his hand moved to unlace his breeches. “But you have several more to go."

He rolled over you, stretching out over your body and reaching for your bindings. "I do think I promised you to teach you how to ride.”

You choked and blushed to the roots of your hair.

And teach you he did.

[solarishashernoseinabook]

Just a random RA drabble (which may or may not be over 100 words idk yet)

(No romance, G)

Horace shrugged his pack higher up on his shoulder. One more step and he would officially have left the Ward to go on to his apprenticeship. He took one look back at the large, reddish stone of Castle Redmont. Suddenly saying goodbye to everyone had been harder than he thought.

With all his determination Horace turned back along the path and walked down the small cabin near the forest. The cabin looked like it was perhaps three rooms in total, with an attached barn and a verandah out front. Some wildflowers were in a vase in the window.

Horace stumbled going up the steps and hit his head on the low overhanging roof of the verandah. He rubbed his head and went to knock on the door, but before his hand made contact it opened and he was confronted with the much shorter ranger.

Horace, still nervous in the company of someone who held so much power in the kingdom, could only stare.

‘Well this is going to go well,’ Halt said. ‘With how much noise you made there, I thought for sure a hoard of Skandians was invading.’

Horace ducked his head. ‘Sorry, Ranger,’ he mumbled.

After a moment, Halt sighed. ‘Well, you might as well come inside. There’s a lot of cleaning to do.’

‘Cleaning?’ Horace followed him in. ‘I was rather hoping for lunch...’

Halt looked askance at him. Much as Horace was still nervous around the ranger, the fact that Halt had to look upwards to do it rather ruined the effect. ‘Then I hope you know how to polish pots, boy.’

~

‘We don’t use black magic to keep ourselves hidden,’ Halt explained. It was a month into Horace’s apprenticeship now and he thought he was getting a handle on things - notably, Halt was actually explaining things now instead of having him practice archery day in and day out. Instead, for the past few days, he had been teaching him forestry.

Now Halt explained that the patterns on his own cloak, patches of green, grey, and brown, broke up his outline. It seemed to shimmer before Horace’s eyes, making him wonder if there wasn’t just a bit of magic in it after all.

Finally, Halt demonstrated its power by hiding against the trees, and Horace’s jaw dropped. He had been looking at Halt the entire time, but all of a sudden it was like he had disappeared, and Horace had to strain to make him out. 

'Is that mine, then?' He looked at the bundle Halt had with him, sitting on the verandah and tucked under one of the chairs. 

'Ah,' Halt said, but before he could say anything Horace grabbed the bundle, pulled out the cloak, and swung it around his shoulders. 

'Well? What do you think?' 

'I was right,' Halt said, biting his thumbnail. 

Horace looked down at himself. '...Oh.' 

'You're a bit taller than the average ranger. Broader, too. We'll have to make some adjustments.' 

Horace tried futilely to close the cloak over his chest, but it wasn't working. Most of his torso and legs were completely visible, and the cloak stopped just short of his knees.

'Well, I can at least teach you the principle behind hiding,' Halt said, waving away a problem that would have to be dealt with later. 'Step one: stay still.' 

~ 

It was a few weeks before Horace got a cloak that fit, and he was grateful to have it. At least by that point he had mastered the basics of the technique behind unseen movement. 

~ 

'You ready?' Halt called. 

'Almost!' Horace’s deep voice came to him from his room. It was the third year of his apprenticeship and he had started growing facial hair, which he shaved with exaggerated care every morning. He had worn the patchy tufts of hair on his chin with pride, not caring how silly he looked, until Halt, thoroughly exasperated, had pulled a leaf from his father's book and said shaving it would make it grow in faster. Ever since Horace had insisted on being clean-shaven - if only, Halt reflected, he wasn't so careful about catching every last hair. 

He had just come back from spending a few weeks with Gilan in Merric, only getting back late the night before, and Halt was putting the finishing touches on a large breakfast. 

Finally he heard the door open and turned to see his apprentice come down the hall. 'Took you long eno--Oh.' 

'Whats for breakfast?' Horace asked. 

'Horace,' Halt said, 'are your legs feeling a bit cold?' 

'My legs? What? Why--Oh.' For now Horace had looked down as well. Once again, his cloak, already larger than was standard for rangers, was dangling around his knees and was open around his middle. 

Halt sighed. 'Well, I had planned on going on a short mission to the more rural parts of Redmont, but it looks like that'll have to wait.' 

[smokingbomber]

I am new to the sailor moon fandom, and I've noticed people dislike tuxedo mask a lot in a way that seems disproportionate to the other characters. I never see anyone give much explanation outside of "he's creepy", and that's really vague so I'm confused as to why he's so hated. I like his design and concept and I do like drawing him so I'm a little :/ about this. (Also male characters with healing powers are hard to come by!)

Hi!! :D Man there's a lot of great discussion and examination of this over the years in my friends' blogs, but I'm on mobile, so I'll have to reblog with links later.

Short answer is: there are several general groups of answers depending on a) which version of Mamoru they were introduced to first, b) what their main interest in the show is/was-at-the-time, c) who they listen to/follow in fandom, and (maybe) d) their age/gender/background at the time of introduction.

Now, these can be further divided up, and there are always a jillion individual other reasons any given person may like or dislike a character, but this is a fairly useful exercise. This is also coming from someone (me!!!) whose favorite character in all of sailor moon is literally the support boyfriend/co-royalty, who's been defensive of that (and him) since 2014 (when *I* was new to the fandom), and I can think of shining exception Mamoru-lovers in almost every category, BUT--

Here we go.

Version: People who hate Mamoru usually seem to be people who saw the 90s anime first, wherein through initial misunderstandings, the creative team set him as a college student and portrayed him as older than the 17 (math and the R movie say he is) or 18 (that Japan's school system would have demanded he be) he is in season one. So automatically, something that wasn't reeeeeally looked at askance in kids' cartoons in the 90s went from being a kind of side-eye-but-normal RL age gap in teenagers and made it look Weird. Also he was really socially maladjusted in the 'picks fights with middle schoolers and laughs at his own jokes and criticizes our heroine a lot' way instead of in the 'thinks he's alone so does dumb crap that makes a mess of the senshi's day but otherwise is just mildly awkward with the girl he has a crush on and doesn't have any close friends except books' way. So there's where you get both "creepy" and "jerk". And some people choose to die on that hill, because...

Main Interest: ...they're not only not in it for Mamoru, but they really vastly prefer the 90s anime to the manga (or crystal, which has its own pros and cons), because they are THERE FOR SENSHI FRIENDSHIPS ONLY AND BOYS JUST DISTRACT FROM THAT or whatever, they are definitely not in it for romance (or het, or destiny, or etc etc etc). Or maybe they're there for badass fighters, and Mamoru is the non-toxic masculinity role model who subverts/inverts gender stereotypes by being the supportive boyf healer who stans female friendship, and the 90s kind of missed the point and sailed overhead with it and made it look (a lot of times) like he was just a useless joke. (Disclaimer: @idesofnovember and @floraone are very loudly and wonderfully 90s-anime-mamoru-loving fan creators who make it, through their writing, obvious that Mamoru is also all of those things in the 90s anime, it's just harder to see earlier on.) Some of this is just fine and dandy! I mean, everyone has preferences! But sometimes people who make these arguments get really strident about it, and have a lot of followers on social media, and that takes us to...

Who People Follow: So the concept of a Big Name Fan is basically a fan so popular and established in the fandom that lots of other fans know who they are/follow them/respect their opinion. Many of these fans either don't get the metric or don't care, where when you reach a certain threshold people start biting other people on your behalf and your opinions weigh a lot-- no, your opinions are gravity wells that distort/change fandom around you. and your opinions turn into dogma for some of your fans, and then anyone who disagrees with you gets shouted down *by your fans*-- you're not Just A Fan with a personal hobby blog anymore, you have to think about what you say. you have to be more careful. but, uhh, the POINT IS, there are a few of those that don't like mamoru for various reasons, so sometimes it's tough to be a mamo-fan in fandom space.

lucky for me, i both alienate the standard-bearing shippers and am too harmlessly weird in my mamoru fandom and ships to get targeted anymore ha ha. let's go prince/knights shipping!! mamo/shitennou is *the BEEEEESSSST*

anyway i forget everything, this is months and months old

[darthlorddiamond]

Just a Mistake

Request: Could you do one for Hux were his really into the this girl who's bigger, and she kinda plays hard to get, and something happens that makes her confidence go down, and he tries to help build it up for her? Maybe like a first kiss, or something? No rush, of course. I mean, if your not comfortable writing that, that's fine too. ❤️❤️❤️ for @loveroffandoms16

Words: 2,703

Reading Time: 11 min

Category: Fluff, Angst

Warnings: None

Check my Masterlist for more.

______________________

Just a Mistake

We have known each other for quite some time, although at that time we were just two young students who didn´t know very well what they were doing.

The first time I saw Armitage was at our generation's presentation on day one at the Academy. He was a very quiet and quite serious boy, who found it difficult to have friends. For my part, I was always a person with a very good gift of speech, and many people used to approach me to ask me about the studies or to know my opinion regarding certain topics that we would discuss later in class. It could be said that both, he and I were opposite, however, for some strange reason that I still cannot understand very well, we struck up a rather strange friendship that grew over the years.

Due to my physical complexion, somewhat short in stature, and a little bit curvy, my superiors decided that my work couldn´t develop well on the battlefield, so they dedicated themselves to training me in areas related to the development of military strategies. The truth is that, at first, I was quite in disagreement with the tasks that were being assigned to me, but as the months went by I began to find it quite attractive, while Hux, at being Captain Brendol's son, our teachers had in him very high expectations of leadership and Armitage focused exclusively on demonstrating that he was capable of achieving anything that was put in front him.

During the final year of the Academy, Armitage and I became quite distant, each one focused entirely on getting the positions that each wanted and our friendship was greatly diminished along the way. I must admit, that during our first years at the Academy, Armitage was a kind of platonic love to me, however, I never said anything because I didn't think someone like me would be attractive to someone like him.

After our graduation, we were assigned positions within the First Order in different locations. Armitage began the development of a military base that would outshine the others and I was assigned the Special Strategies Command Center within the Supremacy. The years passed, I never heard from Armitage other than those regarding the advances of the Star Killer Base, so little by little I put aside those nostalgic feelings of the Academy and immersed myself deeply in my work until the day of the conclusion of the Star Killer Base came. All the High Command of the First Order were called to inhabit that cold planet, which would serve as a central military base.

The reception upon our arrival was quite formal, the troops introduced themselves, greeted, we toured the entire base, a small reception was organized inside the Command Bridge, where a few glasses of alcohol and laughter were present, and it was there, in the midst of all the multitude of generals, captains and lieutenants, that I saw him again. He was standing, with his hands behind his back, his impeccable uniform, and his gaze dancing on each of the attendees without saying anything at all.

I felt a hollowness in my stomach, without a doubt the years had been quite good for him. For a moment I stopped paying attention to the talk of the people around me and I fixed my gaze on him, I wanted to speak to him, but I didn't know-how. I could feel a knot in my stomach getting bigger and bigger, so I decided that it would be best to get closer to him to see if he still remembered me in the first place. I was very anxious, the closer I was to him, the more I regretted having made that decision, but my pride would not let me take a step back, I had to.

Once in front of him, I could see how he only lowered his eyes to saw me, and without saying anything, a small smile was painted on my lips, which was replicated in his mouth. After that night, everything in my life changed.

I applied for my permanent transfer from the Supremacy to the Star Killer Base, became a member of the council table, and began to work side by side with Armitage on everything I did: requesting troop training reports, organizing missions and follow up on all matters related to the Resistance. Also, our friendship was recovering, some nights, Armitage would sneak out to my quarters to share a glass of wine and a cigarette, while we remembered, with laughter, our years as cadets.

I must admit that working at the Star Killer Base isn´t an easy thing, the demands of time and responses were much greater than what I was used to, above all, any type of work or communication that was related to Commander Ren was a very tired, especially for Armitage, who after being in some meeting with him ended up exhausted.

As the months went by, our relationship became more and more intimate, we could find comfort in our presence and the truth is that perhaps we only trusted each other. At first, I thought it was my mind playing a joke on me and that the romance I felt for Armitage in our school years was only flourishing again because my imagination, but I could swear that sometimes he had details with me that gradually became closer. I tried to ignore his stares on the Command Bridge, his attempts to hold my hand when we were alone, and even avoided him a couple of times when I felt his face was too close to mine. Part of me wanted to believe that maybe something was happening between us, but another part of my mind swore it was just my mind.

One afternoon, Armitage came into my office with a bunch of papers in hand, which he slowly deposited on my desk. "I have a mission and I would like you to carry it out..." I turned to saw him "A droid, model BB8, is found somewhere on the surface of Takodana..." Armitage began to smoke while I took the papers that he had put on my desk and began to read it "It´s crucial to find and recover it, since it has valuable information on the Resistance” Armitage continued smoking while I continued reviewing the documents “How long do we have to locate it?” I asked him looking askance over the papers "Immediately" at that moment I understood that this mission was linked to the assault of Takodana and Commander Ren, "Perfect, give me a couple of hours to prepare the action plan, as soon as I have it I´ll give it to Captain Phasma so she can prepare the troops" Armitage nodded and got up from his place heading to the door "One more thing..." he turned to look at me "After handing the plan to Captain Phasma..." a beautiful little smile was painted on his lips "Would you like to come to my quarters for dinner?" I let out a small laugh "I don't know, I'm not so sure..." I said with a slightly doubtful tone "Come on, don't be so difficult!" was the last thing he said before leaving my office.

The next morning the mission began in Takodana, the troops had deployed in the way I had organized them. Relatively it had to be a short and simple mission, how difficult could it be to find a droid?

Big mistake, I should never have made so many assumptions.

"It doesn't surprise me in the least that the mission failed..." General Pride got up from his seat in the meeting room and began to walk around the table, I could feel my throat dry and one of my legs began to move without I could control it, Pride's gaze was cold and it was still fixed on me as he continued his tour of the room, I knew what was coming, there was nothing I could do about it.

Slowly Pride came up behind me and held the back of my chair with both hands. "What surprises me, is the fact that we were trusting that someone like you could carry out such a task..." my hands were sweating and I felt a huge hollow in my stomach due to anxiety "What do you mean by someone like me General?" was the only thing I could say, the atmosphere felt tense, I could feel how the gazes of all those present in the room were on me, including Armitage's.

Pride cleared his throat and walked around the room again to position himself in front of me on the other side of the table. "I mean it's obvious that someone like you..." he raised one of his hands to point to my whole body, it was clear what he tried to insinuate "Someone with your physique..." I could feel tears beginning to form in my eyes, but I tried to contain it as best as possible, I wasn´t going to give him the pleasure of humiliating me in that way "Well Captain, someone with your body build has never been in the ground, that's why it's not surprising that the mission failed..." a mocking smile spread across his face as I just clenched my fists under the table "Someone like you only knows what it´s, in theory, a search mission, but you don't know the physical effort involved…” Pride put his hands behind his back.

I felt humiliated, ashamed and somewhat outraged, no one said anything, my stomach ached with rage, with impotence, I felt so much anger that a tear escaped my eyes, Pride was only looking at me from the corner of his eye, savoring every moment "You can retire Captain, it's time for the true men of combat to talk about how to solve your error” I didn´t wait a single second more, I immediately got up from my place and left that room.

I didn't know what to do, I didn't know where to go. To my office? No, I needed to be alone, so, even though my workday was not over yet, I immediately went to my quarters, once the door was closed, I burst into tears - Someone like me... -  I couldn't stop listening to the words of Pride in my head. I felt dirty so I got undressed right away and walked to the bathroom to take a shower.

The water in the shower helped me a little to dull the sound of my sobs. I´m so stupid! How could I think someone like me could perform a task like that!? I failed, not just to the First Order and Commander Ren, but Armitage, who was the first to trust me to do this task. I didn't know what to do, I was completely heartbroken. How is it that someone like me had gotten to where I was; how is it that the troops could trust someone like me; how is it that someone... How is it that Armitage... How could he look at someone like me?

Several weeks have passed since that terrible meeting. The only way I found to feel a little better and alleviate my supposed "incompetence" was to isolate myself from everything and focus exclusively on my work, I spent days and nights locked in my office without paying attention to anyone. My self-esteem was shattered, so I unconsciously started eating less and showing up late at night in the training room, away from the eyes of others, away from their criticism, their comments on my appearance.

As the days went by with my self-destructive routine, my body began to feel the consequences, I felt more tired than normal due to the demands of work and training that I was carrying out, I could see that big dark circles had begun to mark under my eyes and the usual rosy color on my cheeks was gone. On several occasions I had run into Armitage in the corridors of the base, however, I had completely ignored him, I didn´t dare to face him, I felt quite ashamed for having failed him in the mission, but I felt a thousand times worse for having thought that something existed between the two of us.

One of the many nights that I was in my office the door opened. In silence, but with a sure step, Armitage approached my desk and remained standing there for a couple of minutes, it was obvious that he was waiting for me to say something, ask something or do something, but I couldn't, I was completely frozen, I felt too nervous to say anything, I felt embarrassed enough to even see him.

"This is enough..." he said, almost like a whisper "You have been locked in this office for weeks without eating or sleeping well..." my gaze was fixed on the desk, while he advanced around it until he reached where I was sitting, I was feeling very nervous, what could I say to him? "You've been avoiding me for weeks..." I immediately turned to see him, my mind had made up an idea where we would eventually have to talk, but I always thought that when that moment would come he would complain about the failed mission, not about us "Armitage, I'm so sorry..." a couple of tears escaped my eyes "I never thought that Takodana's mission was to..." his body leaned quickly over mine, his hands gripped the armrests of my seat and his lips landed on mine.

The force of his kiss was so explosive that I couldn´t do anything to avoid it, his lips were so soft and his movements showed a kind of domination over me. I completely lost myself in the moment, the only thing I wanted at that instant never end "I don't give a damn about Takodana..." he whispered on my lips before kissing me again. He raised one of his hands to hold my the back of my neck and deepen the kiss, a fact that made me moan a little giving him access to my mouth, which he began to explore with his tongue. After a couple of minutes, we both left to get some air.

His face had drawn a blush almost the color of his hair, his eyes were still fixed on mine, while the hand that held my neck began to gently caress my cheek "Armitage, I never thought..." I stammered a little, I wasn´t sure it had happened that it just occurred "How is it that someone like you could fixate on someone like me..." I lowered my gaze to the ground, Pride's words were still present in my head.

Armitage brought his hand to my chin to lift my face, a couple more tears were present, he slowly approached me "I don't..." he kissed my lips "care anything..." he kissed one of my cheeks "about what..." he kisses my forehead "the others say..." he kissed my lips again, prolonging his touch a little more than normal. Recharging his forehead with mine, a smile played on my lips as I felt the warmth of his breath brushing my face and flooding my chest with a feeling of excitement and happiness like never before.

I jumped up from my seat and pounced on him, our bodies were completely united while his arms surrounded me and mine clung to his neck. I buried my face in his chest and Armitage covered the top of my head with kisses, we stayed like that for a few minutes until he broke that comfortable silence "How about we continue this in a more comfortable place..." I raised my face to look at him "We could go to my quarters, if that's okay with you" I drew a smile on my lips and moved my body a little away from his, without breaking our embrace, raising an eyebrow and with a slightly playful tone I replied, "I don't know, I'm not so sure ..." Armitage gave a small laugh and came closer to kiss me again "You really like to play hard" he whispered on my lips as I could feel a smile on his face.