#and omar’s curls are as curl and beautiful as ever
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🤎🤍
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anonfromtheflight · 1 year ago
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Omar Rudberg – Om om och om igen
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Thank you dear @darktwistedgenderplural for letting me know of the existence of this performance. Long haired Omar Rudberg has given a new meaning to my life omg
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Curls on my dash 😍
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young-royals-confessions · 11 months ago
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I confess that i love Omar, he‘s the most beautiful man i‘ve ever seen. I love his curls and also his current shorter hair, but i‘m so not a fan of the long hair he used to have. I think i‘m in the minority, everyone else seems to love it 😁
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kruemel8 · 4 months ago
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come on we all have to agree that the most perfect hair he has ever had was at the NYC season 2 interviews. Perfect lenght perfect curls 😍 That one specific interview where they are at the thrones and omar is wearing all black... I'm dead. //
The beauty is that he always looks gorgeous and there’s a look for fans of every length/ style. Love that for us. 💖
.
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missmeganlee · 1 year ago
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OMG, Omar is so beautiful in these recent shirtless photos 😍😍😍 And I'm not even speaking about the half naked body (though I find it gorgeous, his shoulder blades and back are my weakness), but about the face. He's glowing and the curls are curling 🥰
He’s like the most gorgeous man ever
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max-cortez · 1 year ago
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His life had been one complication after another, but for the most part, he'd bobbed and weaved through every single one of them mostly unscathed. The truth was that nothing had ever hurt him in the way that losing a child had. He could have handled another fifty engagement rejections if it meant getting to spare himself and another from that heartbreak, but he couldn't. No amount of wishing or longing would fill the void left in the wake of that loss. Nothing could repair the damage that had burrowed in his chest, but he couldn't give up. He wouldn't give up.
The wedding itself had been rather beautiful from the back row where he sat with crossed arms and a faint smile, but the real happiness had kicked in the moment his fingers had curled around the tattoo gun and his first client had stepped up to pick out their design of choice.
The artist nodded, offering a kind smile down at the woman as she thanked him for the compliment he'd given. Truly, she deserved more than a few generous words, but he'd never been verbose.
"Sure. You can always come down to the shop or give me a call when I can sit down and look at my calendar. This time of year gets a little crazy. It gets cold out and people don't have shit else to do." From what he could recall, he was booked through November, but he'd make an effort to squeeze the woman into a slot if she really wanted him to. A friendly perk of knowing the artist personally. "Omar isn't half bad either," he teased, shooting a look over to the owner of the shop who hadn't yet taken his break.
Tongue rolled over his bottom lip between being tugged between his teeth. He wasn't much of a dancer outside of the late nights in Chey's kitchen, or the living room after having had one too many from her personal tap. "Only if you don't mind leading. I've never been much of a dancer," he countered smoothly.
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@sarayoon
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There it was... the compliment she had been dying to hear from the person she had been dying to see, and now that it had happened, she couldn't help but smiling. Despite knowing or at least assuming that the tall man in front of her only saw her as a friend, just like a teenage herself, Sara kept doing what her heart was telling her to do: dressing up for him, inviting him over, taking each chance she got to spend event if a second of time in his company.
And, just like a teenager, she would end up getting hurt. Unless... unless, by some kind of miracle, he felt the same. However, given her luck in the department, she was probably setting herself up for disappointment.
"Ah... thank you." Sara chuckled softly, looking down at her her own outfit. It hadn't been picked specifically for him, but she had thought about having that reaction from him.
Fucking hell.
"Not tonight." She smiled, even if slightly apologetic. "But I'd love to sit down for another appointment whenever is possible." Sara didn't have anything in mind for another tattoo, but she would love to sit down and chat with Max about the possibility whenever she had the chance. "That's fair. Especially since it's your talent on other people's skins." And yes, she was being honest about that. "What about a dance? Would I be able to steal you for a dance? You still have fifteen minutes, right?" / @max-cortez
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levok · 2 years ago
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The Young Royals defies normal onscreen makeup rules. Here the show's makeup artist Anna Mirow explains why
All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
You’ve probably never heard of Anna Mirow. But we’re willing to bet that you’ve seen her work and the characters she’s made up who have put their best faces forward on screen (literally).
If you’ve ever seen the movie Salmon Fishing in Yemen, It: Chapter Two, or the TV series Before We Die and The Box, then you’ll already have experienced a bit of Mirow magic. But it’s her work on the Young Royals that is gaining this bashful makeup artist recognition for somewhat less conventional reasons.
Anyone who has tuned into the Swedish teen drama streaming on Netflix will have been struck by the distinct lack of airbrushing. From Prince Wilhelm of Sweden to Simon Eriksson, real skin is celebrated with oily patches, breakouts and scars on full, unfiltered view.
“So much effort went into making these characters, which I really think shows in the end result,” says Mirow. “I’ll always be thankful to the fantastic director Rojda [Sekersöz], who had a big vision that the characters should be as authentic as possible. 'If they have a scar, make it bigger,' she would say. We wanted teenagers to be able to relate to them and feel safe and empowered.”
These realistic depictions of skin on screen is something Mirow hopes will also contribute to a wider conversation about acne positivity.
Vogue Scandinavia caught up with Mirow to talk beauty standards and what techniques she used on set of the Young Royals…
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What techniques and products did you use to realistically mirror teenage skin?
“I love skin and think it’s important to see natural skin on screen. We had a vision to let the viewers relate to real teenage skin in the Young Royals.
For most of the characters we used Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation as it has such good coverage. Sometimes we mixed it with Embryolisse Lait-Creme to get the skin to look more natural and a little oily. The latter was a real saviour in the cold Swedish winter.”
Is it harder to do this type of pared back makeup?
“It can be difficult to let things look natural. We’re all affected by beauty norms and we almost always see 'perfect' skin on screen. We have fans thanking us for showing real teenage skin but we also get comments from other fans, who are often older, saying that they don’t believe rich kids would need acne medication. It’s sad that these traditional beauty standards are so hard to break and I really hope we can normalise not having 30-year-old actors with Barbie-perfect features playing teenagers!”
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What products did you use on each of the main characters?
“Makeup can be very simple but at the same time hold a great deal of meaning for the character. We tailored all the actors' makeup bags so they matched the characters, including fake braces, frizzy homemade hairstyles, expensive hairclips, wigs, lenses, nail art, small hidden tattoos, fake facelifts, face lace and glitter. In addition to Armani makeup, we also used products from Lancome, YSL, Pixi, Fenty, Milk, Maria Nila haircare and Sweed Lashes Lash Lift mascara, which I love!   Prince Wilhelm We wanted to match the colour of Wilhelm’s hair and eyebrows with that of his character's parents. As the actor Edvin [Ryding] was in another production at the same time we used Benefit Gimme Brow Nr 3 and washed it out each day using a foam cleanser. For his face we used Embyolisse Lait-Creme mixed with Armani Silk Foundation Nr.5 and small amount of Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation in Golden Glow.
Simon Omar Rudberg, who plays Simon, has the most ridiculously smooth skin so we had to add on scars to make it look less airbrushed and paint bigger eyebows. For his amazing curls we used Maria Nila Curlicue Cream.
Felice For Felice we used a lot of Fenty, Milk and Pixie makeup and, very importantly, the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Moisturising Lipstick she uses on screen. A big story line is that she will go from straightening her hair every day to letting it go natural so of course we included her Versace hair clips in her kit.   Madison We always made sure we had fun earrings to put in her different hairstyles and face lace stickers. Like all the other characters, Madison’s base was Armani foundation and rouge, as well as Natasha Denona eyeshadow and Pixi Natural Brow Duo.
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How do you feel about beauty standards in teen programmes?
“I think that today's standards and the beauty norms that are portrayed in different TV shows and movies are often unrealistic. It sends out a really bad message to young people. We made it a priority to stay realistic in the Young Royals.”
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embracedthevoid · 3 years ago
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Ok hear me out… Wille has his haircut…. but since Omar has his ear pierced…. Simon shows up with earring
oops....
Wilhelm counted. He counted each day the passed over the winter break until he'd be able to see Simon again. One day when he lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, he even counted the hours, then the minutes, then the seconds. But by the end of each day, it felt like another had been added. That his return to school, to Simon, would never come... until it did.
An odd chill mixed with excitement flips in Wilhelm's stomach. Pulling tight at the nervousness knotting together there as Wilhelm steppes foot on the Hillerska grounds for the first time since leaving for the winter break.
As he steps out of the car, Wilhelm lifts his hand to his hair, beginning to run his fingers through the locks before hearing his mother's words ring tight in his ears.
'It looks very smart, Wilhelm, ' which translates to, 'it's almost the same as Erik's was. It's proper, princely.'
Wilhelm's stomach turns, yanking his own hand down and focusing its grip on the button of his jacket instead, fidgeting with it as he climbs the steps leading to the church.
There's an open seat near a mop of red hair. Henry. Wilhelm tries to be as quiet as possible, to not draw attention to himself. Which is pointless since everyone is looking already as he shuffles along the benches and sits beside his friend... friend? Are they friends?
"Hey, nice haircut," Henry smiles, which Wilhelm takes as a good sign, nodding hello and muttering a 'thank you' in return.
Wilhelm's entire body goes stiff when he looks ahead. August. Fucking August. Still here, still somehow the centre of Hillerska's social circles. Still somehow fucking smiling and laughing, like he's completely innocent. Like he's not the reason Wilhelm has spent his entire break bending to his mother's will. Finding each day harder to contradict her, losing himself the longer he spent away from the people who would encourage him to. The people would tell him to be himself, to fight for himself.
Wilhelm never realized how much Simon helped in that, until... well, until that encouragement was gone.
The headmistress finds her place at the front, opening the assembly with a welcome back speech that Wilhelm only half listens to. His ears do perk up when the word choir is mentioned, and the shuffle of shoes sounds from an unseen corner of the building.
Wilhelm's stomach is tumbling now, fingers shaking, at war in his mind between absolutely terrified and completely and utterly at home.
It's been too long. Long enough that when Wilhelm finally spots Simon amongst the other members, his breath is physically lifted out of him. His world spins, and his entire body aches to touch the boy he'd counted days, minutes, seconds to see.
Then, Simon starts singing, and Wilhelm practically melts. Though he keeps his composure, managing to watch Simon the entire time. Watch the way his lips curl around the beauty of the song filling the room with a warmth Wilhelm remembers. As if there was ever a possibility of him forgetting.
He looks the same, which makes sense. Realistically, despite how long it feels, not that much time has passed. But still, Wilhelm carefully inspects every corner of Simon the best he can from where he sits. Inhaling sharply when Simon's eyes connect with Wilhelm just as the song ends.
It's brief, but it's something. Something Wilhelm will hold onto. Because Simon looked at him. That's good, right? Wilhelm knows it's ridiculous. Imagining meaning out of the simplest gesture. But it's the most Wilhelm's had to connect himself with the boy in so long, too long.
When the assembly ends, Wilhelm shuffles out of the building alongside Henry, who's saying something he's really not listening to. Which isn't the politest thing, but Wilhelm can't help himself. Only able to focus on one thing... one person...
"Wille!" Felice's voice catches his ear, turning his attention to where the girl stands, waving him over.
"Sorry, Henry, I just..." He points at Felice and dips away from Henry when he nods, turning his attention to another group without problem.
"Hey," Wilhelm smiles, shoes crunching over the gravel as he pulls her in for a hug.
"Your hair!" She smiles, "I love it. It looks good," it seems genuine, which Wilhelm is thankful for.
"Thanks," he says, "how have you been?"
Felice starts, "Good I was–"
"Felice!" Sara interrupts, bouncing over to her friend with her bother hesitantly trailing behind.
He doesn't mean to say it out loud, "Simon." Wilhelm's voice wavers, breathless.
"Hi." He says, eyes casting anywhere but Wilhelm's until they do meet and Wilhelm spots (or hopes he does) a flicker of kindness behind Simon's eyes. The type of kindness that's special to him. The kind that makes Wilhelm smile, feel seen, heard. "Your hair," is all Simon says, pressing his lips together, tilting his head to the side, like he's inspecting it.
"Uhm," Wilhelm goes to tuck a strand behind his ear before remembering it's not long enough anymore. "Yeah," he says dumbly.
"I like it better long," Simon says, not with sarcasm or any intention of harm, but rather like he's reassuring Wilhelm. Reminding him that despite his appearance, it's okay to be himself.
"Me too," Wilhelm half-smiles, oddly finding comfort in Simon's words.
"So guess what Simon did," Sara's voice giggles through the group, tearing their gaze from each other to Simon's sister.
"What did he do?" Wilhelm asks, curiosity piqued, hating that he has to ask and doesn't already know.
"Sara!" Simon hisses, rolling his eyes at her. He almost looks... embarrassed?
"What is it?" Felice encourages, clearly intrigued by Simon's hesitancy.
"Go on, Simon." Sara grins teasingly.
Simon mutters something under his breath, then turns his head lifting some of his curls to show his ear, which seems odd until...
Oh.
"Oh," Wilhelm says dumbly, eyes going as wide as Felice's as she rushes forward to inspect the small stud poking through Simon's ear.
Simon got his ear pierced. Simon has an ear-piercing. There is a piercing in Simon's ear.
Why is it taking Wilhelm so long to process?
He knows, he knows why. It's because it's... well, it's... incredibly fucking hot.
"–Wille... Hello?" Felice nudges his shoulder.
"What," His voice comes hoarse, blinking his eyes, coming back from the dangerous places his mind was going. "Yes," he clears his throat, "Hello, what uhm– what?" He fumbles, face going flush when Felice snorts as she holds back the rest of her teasing laugh.
Wilhelm goes a deeper shade of red, knowing it's completely obvious what just happened. Wilhelm knows this because, when his eyes land back on Simon, he too has his lips pressed together, snickering at Wilhelm's reaction.
"I take it you like it then?" Simon tilts his head, this time teasing.
It's the first conversation they've had since they've been back. And Wilhelm has already made a fool of himself. There's no way he's going to last through till summer.
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kfromliterarysluts · 2 years ago
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so, i've finally got time to write this.
dear @prince-simon , i've got a bone to pick with you.
i wanted a short, cute wilmon fic after i've finished yrs2 and i landed on your fic. i'm currently chapter 9 i think and here are some facts i'd like to state beforehand:
- i started learning spanish again because of this fic - and it makes me incredibly happy
- i fell in love with simon/omar and i can't decide whether i want to be with him or be him (omar too bcs from what i've guessed simons personality is somewhat based on at least his public appearances)(and being queer is the best thing that has happened to him - have you seen the 2018 pics??)
-i managed to read smut again for the first time in a really long time because it was just so loving...
-everything that has happened is not just headcanon, it is a reality now indeed. as i've told you before, it makes this reality a little easier to live in. a little less disastrous.
when i first started reading i sent L a picture of the wordcount and caption it "death, torture even" and this is the best torture i have ever endured. my soul has left my body a milion times after the first chapter but when i was reading ch1 it made me feel happy. truly, overwhelmingly happy. (is it important to state i'm a burned out law student with mental illnesses?) the characters are witty, funny, nice and real. the things happening are heartbreaking YET here they are, working though it together. that is probably what has been hitting me the most.
not to mention how funny and relatable and shocking the entire thing is - it's like you took my dreams and you wrote them down. if i could, i'd write love letters to you for this.
i can imagine you typing the words, but can you imagine how the words soak into my skin and shape me into a hopeless romantic? can you see my heart shifting a little every time your fingers type out an unlikely, heartwarming scene? how my eyes light up when reading something you smiled at when you wrote? how i break a little inside every time something happens to them? to you? what if i never get to see your words grow old with you? what would my life look like, even more incomplete than it is now?
apart from the fact that i 'm bisexual myself and i relate to a lot of things wille is going thru, this fic has transported me into a world where i can be with the person i have been in love with for some time now - we're not princes indeed, but i always wished that even if the circumstances are against us, we could be together. thank you for giving me hope that it can work out. (consequently, i am now waiting for a breathtakingly beautiful spanish person to swoop me off my feet, learn czech for me and will fight for me and everything i stand for too.)
i now know to take the chances, to keep on hoping. that true love is only for the brave. but it's also incredibly hard to not take anything into the real world with me - because i can't face that life is hard and the likelyhood of my fairytale ever coming true is nonexistent basically. you filled the hole in my heart with rose petals but they are slowly drying out and fading away; and the empty space suddenly seems bigger than it was before.
but now on the more funny note cuz you've been crying enough. here are some of my headcanons:
- for some reason, marisa tomei is my fancast as HRH queen Linda bcs idk don't ask
- simon now obsessively calls his mum about the plants - he would rather die himself than let them die
- gatorade curls up into a ball in simons bed after he's left, because he misses his warmth - they're both stubborn idiots who don't know how to approach each other
-simon practiced ballroom dancing for the sole purpouse to dance with wille at a ball - which he didn't get to do yet
- wille practices his spanish in front of the mirror just like he used to do with his presentations and he hates everything about it, until he says something in spanish and simon totally melts - that's when he finally appreciates his own hard work
- HS and simon shopping for clothes together (consequently gucci ha ha ha ft. his royal gayness -> best collection ever created)
- the necklace simon got for his bday is only to be taken off (optional to a certain extend) and put back on by wille and wille only - fifty years from now, it is their morning ritual to put it back on and if willes hands got a little clumsy with time, simon doesn't mind because it gives him some extra time together before he has to go see to his duties
i got plenty more but i'll keep some for now so that i can sprinkle them on here later :)
so yes i have a bone to pick with you, your highness. you gave my life an entirely unexpected rush of serotonin and now it's really difficult to live. best believe i will continue contacting you in regard of whatever has been written... hope you won't get sick of me
sincerely signed,
k, Crown princess of United States of Desperation
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[against all odds, your hand is in mine] [1/4]
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Seasons change, and with each comes a different story. In a world where the dead roam around, romantic companionship seems unlikely. Yet Ericson stands, and within it are four couples who are proof that it's possible.
Spring: Briolet | flowers, picnics, blueberries, running river
Read on AO3
Notes: Sometimes I get the urge to write four oneshots over the course of two days. This is the first of those oneshots. It’s briolet in spring, but be careful: there is so much hand holding and some smooches. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 
[screenshot used is from the lovely @pi-creates]
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Brody pricks her finger again. It's easy to avoid that, but she doesn't have a thimble, and her hands refuse to stop trembling.
No blood, and really, it didn’t even hurt. It more startled her, a bit of panic sparking in her gut at the idea of staining the martial and ruining her project. She stops her work to rest her hands and the fabric in her lap, closes her eyes, and sucks in a deep breath. It does little to calm her nerves or her impatience.
“Don’t rush,” she mumbles to herself, readjusting her position on the bed. She crosses her legs and notices a long strand of thick, pale blue thread stuck to her pants. Great, she needed that color an hour ago to finish one of the flowers.
Doesn’t matter now, the floral design is complete and all she has left is to sew the pieces together. If she can finish soon, there’ll be more than enough time to clean up, gather the basket she made up the night before, and head down to the greenhouse. Violet should still be there.
Brody smiles, setting down her needle and holding the handmade eyepatch in her hands. She rubs a thumb over one of the little white flowers. She embroidered them just this morning, a final touch to the overall design. That feeling strikes her gut again, exciting her nerves.
The idea came to her one night after Violet found her in the common room. It was late at night, and the two shared a blanket on the couch and drank tea. Violet's ruined eye was covered with bandages despite being healed over. No one was able to find her an actual eye patch. The best they found was a plastic one used for a children’s pirate costume, so she kept it bandaged.
Violet never complains about it. She considers the bandages her patch, even though they're not the most comfortable to wear every day.
Brody decided at that moment that she would make her one. She tore through her closet the next morning, sorting through old shirts until she found one she never wore. Taupe in color, a thicker material, something she could easily work with.
Though she had no idea how eyepatches were made, figuring those things out came easy to Brody. She made several patterns, testing each one out on scraps until one worked. From there, it was all about creating a design should could see Violet wearing. It wasn't difficult- sewing and embroidery work came easy to her.
A family thing that stuck, she assumes.
Her grams used to do embroidery and cross-stitching work. She made a living off sewing intricate designs, all more beautiful than any painting. If Brody closes her eyes, she can still see the doorway into her gram’s cabin. The framed design of a flowery cottage with a stone path, rural trees and a cloudless sky hung up on the wall. Her gram’s final masterpiece. She worked on it for months, pouring every ounce of love she had into each stitch. It was something Brody admired every time she walked through that doorway.
She learned to hunt and skin animals from her dad and uncles, and sewing from her grams. Best of both worlds, she supposes. Two skills that became handier than she would’ve ever thought at the time.
Though her flowers weren’t as flawless as her gram’s once were, she still put her heart into each stitch just as she did. She hopes that when Violet sees it, she’ll feel the unspoken words Brody threaded through the fabric.
Purple, white, and blue flowers of all sizes, each with a yellow french knot in the center, standing bright against the muted taupe. She sewed a thicker piece beneath it, used a tiny bit of stuffing from an old, ripped pillow to give it some comfortable cushion. A piece of a silky shirt lines the inside so Violet’s skin won’t get agitated while wearing it.
After weeks of work, all she has left to sew is the straps she made. She had no way to measure the fit for Violet’s head since she wanted this to be a surprise, so she figured she could make them extra long enough to tie comfortably while wearing. If she needed to adjust anything, she could do that later.
Brody picks her needle back up.
It doesn’t take long to finish, even with her forcing herself to take her time.
With triumph, Brody sticks her needle back into its rightful container and hops off her bed, singing, “Ta-daah~ !”
Her mind is all over the place. Wrap up the patch-- does she have a box or even a bag?-- and hide it at the bottom of the woven basket she found in the basement, stuff the blanket in as much as she can so the two cups don’t clank together, and start boiling water for tea-- where the hell did she put the jar of blueberries?
She flicks a match to light the heater she borrowed from Clementine, letting the water come to a slow boil as she searches around for the mason jar. It’s right under her nose, of course, sitting in plain sight on her shelf.
With the greenhouse running smoothly and the trading they’ve done with the traveling caravan that comes around, they're able to plant seeds for several different fruits and vegetables. This week, they finally got their first bunch of blueberries in. She managed to pick a bunch and seal them away in a jar yesterday without Violet noticing. She thought they’d make for a refreshing picnic snack to pair with tea.
Brody’s been planning this picnic for a while now, all while she was working and spring came to chase the cold away. Her favorite time of year where it’s finally warm, but cool enough to not overheat everything. Grass grows greener, flowers bloom all over the place, the river flows, and the sun shines bright in the sky most days. Other days, like yesterday, it rains. She was worried it would rain today as well, but there isn’t a cloud in the sky today.
She lets the tea steep in a large mug and squeezes what she can from an old container of mostly crystallized honey. When it’s cooled down enough, she pours it slow and steady into an empty water bottle. Sure, they can’t have iced tea given they have no way to actually make ice once winter ends, but lukewarm tea would be just as good.
Basket in hand, Brody looks out her window one last time before leaving the dorms. With every step she takes, she grows closer to the greenhouse and her heart thumps gaily against her ribs.
Outside, everyone is out and about, enjoying the warm weather. AJ and Tenn color together at the table while Mitch works on sharpening his favorite knife. Willy sulks on the couch beside him with Ruby attending to his bleeding knee. She's going on about him needing to be more careful.
Clementine and Louis sit on the steps leading into the admin building. She sits a step lower, leaning back into his chest as the two talk. Brody waves at them as she passes, and Louis gives her a knowing grin when he eyes the basket.
It’s not a long walk to the greenhouse from there. She stops when she notices the wildflowers growing by the fence of the rabbit coop. Bees buzz around the white flowers, landing in their yellow centers. She hates to disturb them, but these flowers were part of her inspiration when designing Violet’s eyepatch. They're too perfect not to pick. She shoos away a fat bumblebee with pollen sticking to its little black legs, and gathers eight of the flowers, leaving plenty for the rest.
A simple bouquet, if she could even call it that, but it works.
Once inside, the fresh scent of wet soil and leafy greens hits her. Not as refreshing as the sweet air outside, but still, it fills her lungs with warmth. Or perhaps that sensation is from seeing Violet standing beside Omar, watering what Brody believes are the potatoes.
Most of her hair pulls back into a hair tie, apart from the bangs that fall over her forehead and bandages. She hasn’t had a haircut in a while, letting it grow long enough past her shoulders. A surprise, actually. Violet hasn’t had long hair since they were kids.
Not that Brody was complaining- she likes it very much.
Violet breaks her attention from the potatoes to meet her gaze. She grins, and yes, that warmth is definitely from her. Omar continues on about some sort of new stew he wants to try making, only stopping when he notices he’s lost Violet’s attention.
“Everything doin’ okay in here?” Brody asks.
Violet gives a shrug. She sticks her hand out to run along the wooden planter to steady herself. She meets Brody halfway, replying with, “Eh, nothing too exciting. Willy biffed it while watering the rabbits this morning, but other than that...”
“He about crushed one of the babies,” Omar adds with a shake of his head. “More upset about that than he was about his skinned knee.”
“Aw, poor little guy,” Brody laughs. “That why he looked so miserable when I passed him?”
“Probably. He tried to catch it to apologize, but it was too quick even for him, and Ruby didn’t want him getting a bunch of muck all over him with an open wound, so…”
Apologizing to a baby bunny that they’re eventually going to eat? Sounds like Willy, Brody thinks. But never mind that, she has more important things than rabbits.
She reaches out to grab Violet’s free hand, her lips involuntarily curling into a bright smile as she asks, “Are you almost finished ?”
“Yeah,” Violet says, raising a questioning brow. “Why?”
“We’re going on a picnic!”
Violet pauses, only now noticing the basket in Brody’s grasp.
“We are?”
“We are!”
“That’s news to me.”
Brody lets go of her hand to present her with the flowers. Violet stares at them for a moment as her skin flushes, starting at her neck and blooming along her cheeks. If Omar weren’t standing over there, Brody would lean over and kiss that lovely blush.
“And where exactly would we have a picnic?”
“By the river. Already got a spot in mind.”
Violet holds the flowers close to her chest and clears her throat. She glances back at Omar, and says, “Uh, I don’t-”
“Go ahead,” he interrupts with a wave of his hand. “I can take care of the rest. Go have your picnic, be careful. And Brody,” he points to her, putting on a stern voice, “have her home by eight, and don’t have too much fun.”
Brody laughs.
“Yes, sir!”
Violet shakes her head, but her smile betrays her amusement.
“Well, okay, I guess we’re going on a picnic. There better be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in there... that's what people eat on picnics, right?”
“Yeah, but no. Close, though.”
Locking their hands together once more, Brody leads Violet out of the greenhouse and through the gates. Soon, they’re outside the walls of Ericson. Heading down the path, she makes sure to keep watch out for any obstacles to warn Violet about.
Brody knows that Violet’s other eye works perfectly well, but given that her depth perception isn’t what it used to be, she can’t help but be extra careful. She used that excuse to hold Violet’s hand before they were together, both still recovering from their respective injuries. Better safe than sorry, use the buddy system, and that system requires hand-holding. Brody didn’t make the rules.
“Never been on a picnic before,” Violet breaks the silence.
“No? Not even before?”
“No.”
“We used to go out on picnics to eat and play games all the time. Me, my grandma, my daddy and uncles, cousins- if it was warm out, we were out.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Most times it was,” Brody says, giving Violet’s hand a squeeze. “ Just because those days are gone doesn’t mean we can’t do that kinda stuff now, y’know?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Though there are more walkers around than there were back then.”
“True, but that shouldn’t be a big issue today,” Brody smiles. “I asked James to check the area and he collected the walkers he found. The river should be clear.”
Even without looking at her, she can sense her surprise. Violet’s quiet for a moment, turning her head to peer around them before saying, “You planned this.”
It’s not a question, but more of a realization.
“I thought this was a spur of the moment thing,” Violet admits. “I, uh…”
When she doesn’t continue, Brody says, “ Not many opportunities to take you out on a date,” the word makes Violet blush and repress a smile, “and when one does arise, you bet your bottom dollar I’m gonna take it .”
Violet says nothing more, but her grip on Brody’s hand tightens.
They make it to the river without spotting a single walker. She kept her knife handy in case, but James was thorough, it seems. Brody makes a note to thank him again for helping her out.
The running water is soothing and the grass colors with golden dandelions. It’s nice to be down here without the intention of working up a sweat while fishing, she thinks. They find a flat piece of grass, kicking rocks, sticks, and pinecones out of the way to lay the blanket down. Together they sit side by side with the basket between them.
Rubbing her hands together, Brody digs in to pull everything out. Except for the eyepatch. It remains, wrapped in a pillowcase she found. Hopefully Louis won’t notice she snuck it from his horde of pillows.
“Alright, we got tea and blueberries,” Brody says, handing one mug to Violet and opening the mason jar of berries. Their sweet scent escapes into the air, making her mouth water.
“How’d you manage to sneak these past Omar?” Violet asks, popping a blueberry into her mouth. Her face twists at the taste, and for a moment Brody worries they might be sour, but Violet shakes her head. “They’re good, just not used to that.”
By now the tea is completely cooled, and while not cold, still delightful to sip on.
“Open wide,” Violet says, holding up a blueberry. It misses Brody’s mouth, bouncing off her chin. Violet laughs. “Pfft, c’mon.”
“Okay, okay, I’m ready, try again.”
Another miss.
“Aww, nope!”
“Well, let's see you try!”
Brody throws up a berry, and Violet misses it completely.
“Damn depth perception,” she grins, grabbing the berry and tossing it up herself. It hits her cheek, lost to the grass. “Damn it!”
Violet’s laugh, while rare, is as bewitching as it is infectious. It’s been so long since Brody heard her laugh like this, and to know that they’re here together, comfortable together…
Emotion builds in her throat, and she has to eat berries to suppress it. She aims the blueberry just right, and Violet catches it this time. As she chews, they both let out victorious giggles.
Once the laughter dies down, Violet brings her knees to her chest as she watches the river.
“Think we’re missing out on a fish haul?” she asks.
“Nah,” Brody pulls the basket closer to look inside, biting her lip as she runs her fingers over the covered patch. “And if we are, I’m sure the traps’ll make up for it.”
Should she do it now? They did just get here, did she want to surprise her early, or…?
Brody grabs a flower instead, bringing it up to her nose to inhale the soft scent. An idea occurs to her as she admires the girl before. Scooping up the flowers, Brody breaks off most of the stems. The flower slips in through Violet’s hair, right where the hair tie is.
Violet jerks her head around to look back, but Brody says, “Don’t move.”
“What are you-?”
She doesn’t need to answer the question, she merely secures a few more flowers within the light strands of hair before leaning back to admire her work. She even tucks one behind her own ear so they match.
Violet remains quiet, but lays her hand on Brody's. A silent, content thank you.
Brody doesn’t know how long they sat there watching the river, sipping tea, and listening to the birds chirp from the trees . A small butterfly flutters by them, and for a moment, Brody forgets the world around them. Forgets the walkers, forgets Ericson, too swept up in the way the warm air blew against her skin, in how Violet’s hand felt in hers, and the strange sense of wonder, a desire to kick off her shoes and run through the river.
It took Violet kissing the back of her hand to break her out of it.
Violet grew sheepish, glancing away as if she needed to come up with an explanation for the kiss, and that was it.
“Vi,” she started, pulling her around to face her. “I have- I made ya somethin’.”
The nervous pounding in her chest thumps in her ears as she reached back into the basket, pulling out the pillowcase.
“Aw, from Lou’s stash,” Violet grins, amused. “You shouldn’t have.”
“No, no, not the pillowcase,” Brody fidgets with it until she finds what she’s looking for. Her thumb brushes over the flowers beneath the thin material. With a deep breath, she goes for it. “Listen, I’ve been thinkin’ a lot about you. Us... just everything, and- Remember that night we stayed up in the common room talkin’? I thought… well, I wanted to do this for you.”
Brody hands her the pillowcase. Not once does she take her eyes off Violet’s face, noting the curiosity and confusion playing in her features as she accepts the gift.
The eyepatch is finally brought out into the sunlight, laying in Violet’s palm.
Neither of them speaks. Violet’s lips part, eye widening.
Brody lets the air out of her lungs slow, and then the words spill from her lips before she can stop them.
“We couldn’t find you anything to wear other than that stupid costume patch, and I know you said you didn’t mind the bandages but then I got to thinkin’ ‘bout how bandages might not always be the comfiest-”
“Brody…” Violet’s voice is quiet, trembling as it breaks.
“-and I want you to be comfortable in somethin’ that you like, so I made this for you- the whole thing, hand sewed it myself. I- but y’know, if it’s maybe too much- I wasn’t sure if it might bring too much attention and you wouldn’t like that-”
She’s cut off when Violet practically throws herself at her, burying her face in the crook of Brody’s neck and holding her tight. Brody doesn’t hesitate. She embraces her back, pressing a hand to cradle her head.
“I… don’t know what to say,” Violet's voice quivers.
“You like it?”
“Yes.”
“Then that’s enough.”
Violet pulls back, and without warning, her hands cup Brody’s face. She presses their lips together in a way that’s anything but gentle. It’s firm, purposeful, and loving. All tension from her body melts away, and Brody truly believes she could kiss her all day and that tingle? The one that coursed through her veins, the butterflies that fluttered in her belly? It would never go away. It wouldn't even lessen.
They break apart, and Violet’s staring down at the eyepatch in her hands.
“Holy shit. It’s… I don’t-” she tries again. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to,” Brody assures her, brushing the bangs that fell over her face.
“No one’s ever made me anything like this before. I mean, not a patch, just … you know.”
“Want to try it on?”
Violet nods, and Brody’s undoing the bandages with ease. Her eye's healed from the damage the raiders inflicted, leaving only angry scars. The patch is a perfect size, covering everything.
“Does it feel okay?”
“Yeah, it’s… nice. Soft.”
“Does this feel tight enough? Like it won’t fall off, but not too tight?”
“Yeah, it feels good.”
“Couldn’t figure out a good way to clasp it together, so it ties. If ya want me to change it or anything, I can make adjustments... There!”
Violet turns back around, avoiding her gaze. Brody studies her face, the way the colors of the embroidered flowers make the green in her other eye vibrant, how the taupe of the fabric flatters her.
“Beautiful.”
Violet scoffs, ducking her head to hide the flustered smile that betrays her lips. This gives Brody the perfect excuse to place a quick kiss on her forehead.
“You’re so mushy,” Violet says, embarrassed but trying to force a playful tone. “Y’know that?”
Well, to be fair, Brody could be mushier, so she replies with an over-the-top, sweet, “Only with you.”
Violet groans and they laugh once more.
They know their little picnic will wrap up soon, so together they sit close and enjoy the comfort of nature for a few minutes longer.
“Thank you, Brody… really.”
Brody responds with another kiss.
Yeah, she thinks. She could kiss Violet all day.
28 notes · View notes
tchallasbabymama · 4 years ago
Text
God is a Woman (Finale)
Wow, this is it y’all. Thank you for staying with me on this journey. Playlist was the first full-length story I started and I can’t believe I was able to pump out 15 chapters. I really just got back to writing in December after years of doubting myself...so this really means a lot to me. Y’all really mean a lot to me. Enjoy 😘
CW: smut
Word Count: 8202 As soon as the sun peeked out over the horizon, Ashanti’s eyes blinked open. She woke up smiling, and it only intensified when she felt her husband’s arms tighten around her as she reached for her dream journal on the nightstand. She flipped through her entries before she landed on a blank page. Using the sliver of sunlight sneaking into the room to see, she put her pen to the paper and thought back on her dream, making sure to record every detail she could.
In her dream, she was at the lake. Their lake. 
It was a beautiful day outside, and she heard children’s laughter behind her. She turned around and saw a salt and pepper T’Challa swinging a young boy around with a man who looked just like T’Challa. Another laugh was heard and she turned to see a grown Siyanda and another man that looked like T’Challa surrounded by three rowdy children. T’Challa, his first mini-me, and the young boy all lit up at the sight of them and the kid ran to greet the new additions to their party.
The man with Siyanda hugged the boy tight before he ran off with the other kids. Ashanti couldn't take her eyes off her daughter. She looked to be about thirty, and she wore her hair cropped short. She got her strong stature and graceful movements from her father, and the heart shaped herb no doubt. One of the kids ran back over to ask her something Ashanti was too distracted to hear, but she clearly heard the kid say “Ok mama!” and a lump formed in her throat. She was pulled out of it by the feeling of T’Challa’s arms going around her waist.
“Are you ok, Kitten? You seem a little out of it today.”
Everything about him felt the same. The timbre of his voice against her ear still set her ablaze, and the smell of his cocoa butter covered skin still made her melt. She turned in his arms to get a better look at him and the gray hairs dispersed throughout his beard and short curls made her smile. His eyes were just as bright as ever, with a more pronounced crinkle in the corners. He stood strong and tall, but his softness for her shone through every time he looked at her.
“I’m ok,” she smiled and pulled him down into a kiss.
“Ewwww, they’re being gross again. Make it stop,” one of the men teased from afar, making them laugh and pull apart. T’Challa grabbed her hand and led her over to the group. Ashanti looked at the twins and marvelled at how they managed to both steal T’Challa’s face. They seemed to be in their early twenties so Ashanti did some quick math in her head and found she still had some time before she’d get to meet them in real life. Just as they sat down to enjoy their family picnic, the children joined them and a little girl crawled into Ashanti’s lap. She smiled up at her with her two front teeth missing and Ashanti kissed her forehead. Right when she laid her head on T’Challa’s shoulder, the sun woke her up.
She scribbled down her dream as quickly as she could before it left her memory, and just as she closed her journal she heard T’Challa’s raspy morning voice.
“Was it a good one?”
“One of the best,” she said through a smile and turned over to face him, planting a good morning kiss on his lips.
“Tell me about it.”
“Mmmm, this one I think I’ll keep to myself. You’ll find out eventually.”
“Oh, another premonition?”
“I hope so.”
In the two years that had passed since Ashanti came into her powers, she had also developed the ability to receive premonitions through her dreams like several of the women in her family. 
She tried to turn back around to get out of bed, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“Uh-uh, where do you think you’re going?”
“You know where, I need to get my run in,” she giggled as his arms tightened around her waist.
“I need help with something before you go,” he whispered into her ear and grinded his morning wood between her naked cheeks and slid into her pussy, pulling her leg back to open her up. “And you need to stretch.”
All Ashanti could do was moan as he filled her from behind, her hips grinding back into him.
“I love how you’re always ready for me, Kitten. Such a good slut for your Kumkani.”
“Y-Yes, thank you Kumkani.”
He closed her legs and flipped her on her stomach, straddling her as he grabbed her ass and plowed into her. Ashanti damn near ripped the sheets from the bed as she held on for dear life. Normally their morning sessions were languid and sensual, but T’Challa woke up this morning ready to break her back in. One of his hands ripped off her scarf and grabbed her twists, craning her head to the side so she could look at him. He planted a wet kiss on her lips as his body weight came down on her thrust after thrust and a tear rolled from her eye. 
“You feel so good wrapped around me,” T’Challa‘s hips wound inside her and she cried out, releasing her juices all over him as she came from his head dragging across her g-spot. “Mhm, just like that, Kitten. Soak my fucking dick.” 
He lifted her hips without slowing his strokes and pushed her upper body down to the bed. He squatted over her and the angle of his thrusts drove her wild. She couldn’t stop cumming and he bit his lip as he tried to hold onto his own release, but the way her walls were squeezing him left him no choice.
“I’m about to cum in my pussy, Kitten. I want you to fucking drain me. You better not push it out, either. You hear me?” His strokes got impossibly deeper and her pussy responded by clenching around him yet again.
“Fuck!” T’Challa couldn’t help himself any longer and he released himself deep inside her. Ashanti grinded her hips and clenched around him some more, making sure she got every last drop as he continued to spill into her. She could feel the small bursts of liquid as they splashed her cervix and painted her walls, and she moaned as she reached under and played with her clit. She came for him one more time and he sat back on his heels and watched some of his cum slowly leak out of her drop by drop.
“Mmm, how am I supposed to go run now?” she whined as she slid back down onto the bed and rolled over.
“I’ll have the bathtub ready for you,” he kissed her and his hand travelled down her body to her clit.
“Challaaa,” she whined some more and moved her hips as his fingers rubbed her in slow circles.
“You either go now or I fuck you into this bed some more, and I’m sure the general wouldn’t accept that as a valid excuse. I’d hate to have to watch her make you run laps.”
“Ugh, fine. Stop touching me,” she fussed as she got up and he chuckled at her frustration.
“You might want to wear your black leggings.”
“Why?”
“I was serious, you’re not pushing it out.”
“You want me to run around with your jizz seeping down my leg?”
He laughed at her choice of words as he sauntered into the bathroom to start his day, without answering her question. Ashanti rolled her eyes and threw on some sneakers, her hot ass black leggings, and a sports bra before heading out to the gardens, peeking in on Yaya still asleep in her bed before she left. When the sunlight hit her face she smiled and started limbering up her muscles before she took off around the palace grounds. About forty five minutes later she returned to the palace and walked into the living area to see T’Challa and Yaya in the kitchen making breakfast as usual.
“Good morning, mama!” she said as she stirred some batter.
“Good morning, baby girl. Are you ready for your big day?” She came over and kissed Siyanda on the cheek before turning to her husband and doing the same.
Siyanda flashed a snaggle-toothed smile and nodded her head vigorously. Today would be her first day of school, and the entire Udaku household was buzzing with excitement. Before she could start getting sentimental Ashanti left the kitchen to go wash off her run. She hopped in the shower first, then settled into the bath T’Challa had run her for her aching muscles. She didn’t stay long, just long enough to relax. When she joined the family downstairs again, she walked in to see a hologram of Kwame and his husband Omar projecting from T’Challa’s beads. Ramonda had taken over in the kitchen while Yaya sat in T’Challa’s lap as her two uncles wished her a happy first day of school.
“So you two almost forget my birthday, but call for her first day of school? Fairweather friends, I tell you.” Ashanti joked as she entered their line of sight and leaned down to place her head on T’Challa’s shoulder.
“You know I still love you, Yaya’s just my favorite,” Kwame quipped back and she feigned offense. “Anyways, loving the twist-out. And Miss Yaya, those braids!”
“Enkosi, baba did them,” she said proudly, looking back at T’Challa.
Ashanti’s mind flashed to the night before. The three of them sat in the living room watching The Princess and the Frog, Siyanda’s favorite movie. Ashanti was trying her hardest not to cry for the millionth time when Ray died, when she looked over at her family and her tears dried up at the sight. Siyanda was seated on a pillow on the floor, eyes glued to the screen while her baba braided her hair with the concentration of a brain surgeon. His eyebrows furrowed as he thought about how he wanted the last couple braids to wind about her head, and she could see the exact moment it came to him and she chuckled. He looked up at her and winked before going back to the very important task at hand. By the time he was finished putting the beads on the ends of her hair, the movie had ended and she was almost falling asleep. They put her to bed and watched her sleep for a little bit before leaving the room. 
Their convo didn’t last long, and pretty soon the king and princess were back on breakfast duty. He let her pour out the eggs into the skillet and he started his famous spiced plantain pancakes on the griddle. The turkey sausage was already done and the cheese grits had just come off the stove, and Ramonda had already found her way to the fruit Ashanti had chopped up the night before. Shuri rounded the corner with her usual morning grumpiness, but changed her tune when she saw Yaya and remembered what day it was.
“Good morning, family,” she yawned before shuffling over to her niece and covering her in kisses. “Someone has a big day today...I wonder who it is? Ashanti?”
“Nope not me.”
“Mama?”
Ramonda shrugged, “I don’t know who it could possibly be.”
“Ubhuti?”
“No special plans over here.”
“Hm, must be Daka then.”
“It’s me,” Siyanda giggled.
“You? What are you doing today?”
“I’m going to school!”
“Whaaaat? I had no idea!”
“No idea about what,” N’Jadaka asked as he entered the room. He had made sure he was in town for his Punkin’s big day. 
“Did you know Yaya is starting school?”
“Nah, she’s not old enough for that.”
“I am, too!”
“How old are you?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“Five!”
“Since when?” 
Ashanti and Yaya had switched places and she was helping T’Challa plate the food when she noticed him stop and sigh looking out at Siyanda arguing back and forth with her aunt and big cousin. 
“She’s growing up so fast. It feels like she’ll be queen by next week,” T’Challa said barely loud enough for Ashanti to hear. She thought to her dream and smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his jaw.
Just then, Chidi and Bisa entered the kitchen. They had gotten back from another trip abroad the night before just to make it to see Yaya start her first day of school.
“Sorry we’re late, jet lag is rough on us old folks,” Bisa said as she went around greeting everybody with a hug. 
“Old? Speak for yourself, woman. Don’t forget you have two years on me,” Chidi quipped as he made his rounds, too. 
Bisa cut her eyes at her husband and everyone sat down at the table to eat. 
“So, mama, baba, how was Indonesia?”
“It was lovely, you two should add it to your list,” Bisa responded before stuffing her mouth full of T’Challa’s delicious food.
“We just might do that.”
“Where are your glasses, intyatyambo?” Chidi asked Yaya while Ashanti and T’Challa both beamed at their little girl. She had finally outgrown them and could look at people without the blinding pain from the brightness of their auras. 
“The colors don't hurt my head anymore, so I don’t need them,” she said proudly.
“Wow, we were only gone a month,” Bisa was surprised at the quick change.
The family ate together and had their fill until about thirty minutes later T’Challa looked at the time on his beads and realized they should wrap things up.
“We need to get moving if you’re going to be on time for your first day,” T’Challa said to Yaya and she hopped up from the table and ran to get her things. The king and queen stood next, both taking a second to compose themselves.
“It gets easier,” Chidi offered as he grabbed his daughter’s hand. “I was a wreck on your first day.”
“Oh my Bast, I remember I had so much trouble getting him to let you go.”
Ashanti looked to T’Challa knowingly and he looked away. She could already tell he would be a problem. 
“On Shuri’s first day of school T’Chaka wanted to stay and monitor the teacher.”
Ashanti shook her head at her husband, already seeing the wheels turning in his head.
“It’s not the worst idea…” he said under his breath.
Just then Yaya reentered the room with a pep in her step. “Ready!”
Her family waved goodbye, not a dry eye in sight, as T’Challa and Ashanti walked with Siyanda out of the palace and through the streets of Birnin Zana, their Dora close behind. Even Okoye fought to remain poised as the little princess that she loved so much walked ahead of her parents, seemingly already knowing the way. When they got to the school, she immediately tried to run off and play with the other kids, but T’Challa held her shoulder as the teacher walked over to introduce himself.
“My king, my queen, princess. It is a pleasure to have you here with us. I am Abayomi, I’ll be Siyanda’s teacher this year,” he saluted them and held out his hand for them to shake. Ashanti took it, as did T’Challa after she nudged his side for staring at it for a beat too long. Abayomi recognized the look on T’Challa’s face and decided to offer him some comfort, “If you’d like you can stick around and make sure she’s settled in ok.”
“Yes, let’s-”
Ashanti cleared her throat, interrupting him and shaking her head. 
“Thank you Abayomi, but it’s probably better that we leave. The longer we stay the worse he’ll get.”
The teacher smiled and nodded in understanding before crouching down to Siyanda’s level.
“Hi Siyanda, I’ll be your teacher this year. Are you ready to have some fun and learn some cool stuff?”
She nodded vigorously and turned around to T’Challa, “Can I go now, baba?”
His heart broke and Ashanti saw it happen. 
Abayomi went and stood by the door to give the family some privacy as they said their goodbyes. Ashanti crouched down and hugged Yaya goodbye before T’Challa knelt down and did the same, refusing to let her go until Ashanti gave him a look. 
“It’s ok, baba, it’s just school.” She noticed the tears welling in his eyes and wiped one away that fell to his cheek.
“I know, sithandwa. You be good, ok?”
“I will, baba.”
He let her go and she ran towards the school doors and met her teacher. They both waved one more time before going inside and T’Challa’s dam broke. Ashanti helped her husband up and wiped his tears.
“How are you not crying right now?” He asked, confused by how she was able to keep it together. Ashanti smiled and thought back to her dream from the night before.
“Because last night I saw her as a queen. She was fully grown up, had kids of her own and everything...our baby isn’t a baby anymore, Challa. She’s growing up.”
“I hate it,” he grumbled as she grabbed his hand and led him back to the palace. 
--------
Ashanti‘s chest heaved as she gulped down her room temperature water.
“How was that?” 
“Pretty good, except for right here,” Shuri pulled up footage of Ashanti fighting in the simulation. “You let him get in too close. He could’ve done some real damage, so watch your back.”
Ashanti nodded and shook out her muscles.
“Again.”
“Ashanti, we’ve been at this all day. You should take a break. Bast, I need a break.”
The queen sighed and wiped her brow, “Come on, just one more?”
“So this is where you’ve been all day,” T’Challa said as he leaned up against the door leading to the private training room’s observation deck, surprising both of them. 
“Brother, please get your wife. She’s going to exhaust herself if she keeps this up.”
“Snitch!”
Shuri leaned over the railing and stuck her tongue out at Ashanti before turning back to her brother and thrusting her holopad into his hands. “I’m going to take a nap, please don’t need me for the next two hours.”
T’Challa shook his head as she left and he reviewed Ashanti’s footage.
“You’re doing well.”
“Not well enough,” she said under her breath and rolled her eyes.
T’Challa looked up from the tablet and his brows furrowed, sensing her attitude. He strolled out of the observation deck and down the ramp to the training room, examining her body language as he went. He knew where this was going, and he didn’t like it one bit but he had to ask.
“What is it, Kitten?” He reached for her hand and she barely held onto it.
“Nothing,” she mumbled while avoiding eye contact. He pulled her in closer and lightly grabbed her chin, making her look into his eyes.
“You’re a horrible liar,” he said and she pouted. He smirked at her poked out lip and leaned in to kiss it. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I just want to get better, that’s all.”
“Why are you pushing yourself so hard?” He braced himself for what he felt was coming. He really didn’t want to have that conversation. She looked away again before her eyes found their way back to his.
“I want to go on a mission.” 
There it was.
“A mission? Why?” he asked nervously, and she could hear the faint waiver in his voice.
“Because I have these powers I never do anything with, T’Challa. I know how to use them now, I’ve been doing combat training for over a year now...Yaya saw us fighting monsters,” she pointed to the both of them for extra emphasis. “So...when can I start?”
T’Challa really didn’t want her in the field fighting. He knew what his missions entailed sometimes and he wanted to keep her as far away from harm as possible. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, and she wiggled herself out his arms. That wasn’t the reaction she wanted. She left him standing on the training room floor and stormed back to their quarters. The king’s shoulders slumped as he watched her march through the door. He looked up at the ceiling and spoke to Bast, “Give me strength.”
He decided it was probably best to give her space the rest of the day, and they didn’t run into each other again until dinnertime. Ashanti mostly ignored T’Challa and focused on Siyanda as she excitedly told them all about her day at school. She had been in school for a couple weeks now and was just as excited about it as she was on her first day. T’Challa tried his best to focus as she told them about her best friend Ade, but he was in his head the entire time thinking of the impending conversation he’d have to have with his wife.
Ramonda and Shuri could tell something was off, so after dinner Shuri offered to take her niece for the night so they could hash out whatever was going on between them. Ashanti was the first to leave the table, and T’Challa followed behind her shortly after, still wanting to give her space. Well, he wasn’t actually sure if he was doing it for her or for him, but it was needed nonetheless.
When he arrived at their quarters he found her stress painting on the balcony. She splattered the paint onto the canvas at record speed and he changed out of his royal threads and into a pair of sweatpants he wouldn't mind getting paint on before joining her outside. She saw him, but made no effort to acknowledge his presence.
“So you’re just going to ignore me, now?” he asked as he leaned against the railing. A couple stray red droplets found their way to his stomach and he almost smiled at the intense concentration on her face.
Ashanti dipped her paintbrush into white paint and lightly flicked it at her masterpiece, sprinkling white dots over the red splotches. She looked up at him for a second before her eyes travelled back to her masterpiece.
“Kitten…”
“What?” she said under her breath, her voice flat. 
“Talk to me.”
“For what? You said all there is to say.”
“I didn’t even say anything.”
“Not with your mouth. Body language, T’Challa.”
“Damn. Full name, eh?”
“T’Challa Jahi Udaku. Is that better?” She rolled her eyes and reached for the black paint.
“No, it’s not,” he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. “Ashanti, look at me.”
Her eyes flickered up to him over the canvas.
“I just don’t think you’re ready yet-”
“Okoye does. She even complimented my combat skills yesterday. You saw how I did with Shuri’s simulation, so what’s the problem?”
“There is a lot more danger out there than my sister can cook up for your training. I just want you to give it more time.”
“I’ve been training for a year! How much time do you need?”
“This isn’t about me.”
“Isn’t it? Give me one good reason why you think I’m not ready to fight.”
“I just need you to be safe, that’s all.”
“Oh like I don’t worry about you every time you put on that suit? Because I do. I pray to Bast and the Ancestors every time that you’ll come back to me unharmed, but I know you have to go because it’s your job. It’s who you are. You have your powers for a reason, so what about mine?”
“Your powers are defensive-”
“That’s why I’ve been in combat training, T’Challa! I know that, but you mean to tell me you never have any use for invisibility? A fucking force field?”
T’Challa sighed. He knew she was right, but he just couldn’t let her go out into the world and face danger like that.
“Siyanda-”
“Also has powers and will have even more some day. Are you going to tell her to stop seeing auras?”
“No, of course not, that wouldn’t even be possible.”
“Then why won’t you let me use mine?,” she shuddered at her own words, “Ugh, the fact that you even have to ‘let me’ do something is disgusting.”
“You can use your powers whenever you wish, that’s not what I’m saying.”
“Yeah, I love when I get to really put them to use for hide and seek and snowball fights,” she said sarcastically. “Do you know what it feels like to not be able to be your full self? I was given these powers for a reason, and I’m doing something with them whether you like it or not.” She got up and wiped her hands on her smock before taking it off over her head and tossing it at T’Challa, covering his torso in wet paint splotches. He rolled his eyes at her maturity and went to wash the paint off. When he emerged from the bathroom he caught her gathering up her pillows in her arms.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m sleeping in one of the guest suites tonight.”
“Kitten, we-”
“Don’t go to bed angry, I know, but this is getting nowhere and I’m tired.”
“Then stay here. If anything, I’ll go.”
“Fine by me.” Ashanti threw her pillows back down and walked past him to the bathroom to get ready for bed. By the time she came out he had already gone and she plopped on the bed, suddenly regretting her decision. She knew she couldn’t back down now and crawled under the cold, empty covers to get some sleep. Except sleep never came to her. She tossed and turned until about two hours later, and when she had finally had enough she decided to get up and drink some chamomile and lavender tea. She shuffled down to the kitchen and was met with the sight of her husband making two cups of the exact tea she wanted. He looked up when he heard her approaching and slid the teacup over to her.
“I can’t sleep,” she said before blowing on the tea to cool it down before taking a sip. 
“Me neither.”
There was silence for a while as the two of them stood on opposite sides of the island sipping their tea. 
“How did you know?” she gestured towards the cup.
“You told me once that you sleep better when I’m there, and I know you like tea when you can’t sleep. I figured you probably couldn’t turn your brain off, so you’d be down soon.”
“Well, thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
Ashanti grew quiet again, but T’Challa eventually broke the silence with a sigh. 
“I know how it feels to want to get out into the field so bad it hurts. That’s how I felt during my training...I didn’t realize you felt the same way.”
“Yeah, well, I do and it hurts that you don’t see me as good enough to fight.”
“I never said you weren’t good enough-”
“You said I wasn’t ready.”
“I did, but I thought about it some more...I don’t want you in the field because if something happens to me I want Siyanda to still have you. If we’re both out there…”
“I know, I’ve thought about that too, but Bast gave me this for a reason. I don’t want to waste it, Challa.”
“I know…”
“Then put me in the field.”
He looked at her for a moment before coming to his decision.
“You’ll need a suit.”
Ashanti’s face lit up and she almost dropped her teacup.
“You mean it?”
“Yes…”
“You don’t sound too sure.”
“Because I don’t like it, but...anything for you,” he closed the distance between them and kissed her forehead then her nose then her lips. “Besides, you have to start some time since we know you’ll be fighting ‘monsters’ at least once. And you’re right, I shouldn’t have to ‘let you’ do anything.”
Ashanti beamed up at him and pulled him in for another kiss. “Thank you, baby.”
“You’re my wife, and my queen, and I never should have tried to stifle you. I am sorry I made you feel that way.”
“I know you only did it because you care about my safety, but trust me, I’ll be fine.” Her hand cupped his face and he leaned into it, pressing a kiss to her wrist. “Come on, let’s go to bed.” 
They finished their tea and made their way back to their quarters in comfortable silence. T’Challa removed his sweatpants before they crawled into bed and Ashanti curled up on his chest, swinging her leg over for him to grab. Just as they settled in good T’Challa looked down and kissed her forehead. 
“I really am sorry”, he whispered.  
“I know.” She craned her neck up and kissed his lips softly once, then twice, then by the third peck she had already started crawling up onto him, straddling his waist as she leaned over him, exploring his mouth. He pulled her silk nightie over her head so he could see her naked body in all its Bast-given glory.
“Ride me, Kitten,” he said softly. They didn’t argue often, but when they did Ashanti loved how soft he was with her after. When they had angry sex it was always fiery and rough, but Ashanti loved their “I’m sorry” sex, especially when T’Challa was the one apologizing. He was still his usual dominant self, but softer. 
She grabbed his already hard dick in her hand and stroked it slowly from base to tip, rubbing her thumb over the precum seeping out of him and bringing it to her lips, sucking it into her mouth and cleaning her thumb off. He loved to watch her taste him, but he needed more.
“Stop playing,” he grumbled, making her giggle and place him at her entrance, slowly sliding down and taking him into her.
He thought she looked like a goddess when she rode him. Of course, he was often dominant in the bedroom, but when she got on top he liked to sit back and enjoy the ride. She knew how to work his body like it was her job, and as soon as she settled on him she started to bounce and he let out a low moan. He was completely at her mercy as Ariana Grande’s words rang through his head.
You, you love it how I move you
You love it how I touch you
My one, when all is said and done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, I feel it after midnight
A feelin' that you can't fight
My one, it lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
I don't wanna waste no time, yeah
You ain't got a one-track mind, yeah
Have it any way you like, yeah
And I can tell that you know I know how I want it
Ain't nobody else can relate
Boy, I like that you ain't afraid
Baby, lay me down and let's pray
I'm tellin' you the way I like it, how I want it
And I can be all the things you told me not to be
(Yeah)
When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing
(Yeah)
And he see the universe when I'm the company
It's all in me
“Just like that.”
He held her hips as she squatted on his dick, dropping her entire body weight down on him and taking him in deep. She came down on him repeatedly before switching up her approach by getting down on her knees and rocking into him. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist as her hips wound on him. He opened his mouth for a sloppy tongue kiss and she obliged, wrapping her arms around his neck as their bodies slowly rocked together in an intimate embrace. She tightened her walls around him and he groaned into the kiss and thrust up into her. 
You, you love it how I move you
You love it how I touch you
My one, when all is said and done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, I feel it after midnight
A feelin' that you can't fight
My one, it lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
I'll tell you all the things you should know
So, baby, take my hand, save your soul
We can make it last, take it slow, hmm
And I can tell that you know I know how I want it, yeah
But you're different from the rest
And boy, if you confess, you might get blessed
See if you deserve what comes next
I'm tellin' you the way I like it, how I want it
And I can be all the things you told me not to be
(Yeah)
When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing
(Yeah)
And he see the universe when I'm the company
It's all in me
She let out a high pitched moan and he grabbed her tighter, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.
“You’re a goddess.”
“I love how you feel inside.”
“You’re so beautiful.”
“I’m so sorry, my love. Do you forgive me?”
T’Challa flipped them over so she laid on her back and he slowly grinded into her as she tried her best to get the words out. He kissed up and down her neck, leaving little love bites as he went, knowing it drove her wild. Ashanti started to involuntarily clench around him and he groaned again, stirring his dick inside her when without warning, she flipped them back over and sat up. 
You, you love it how I move you
You love it how I touch you
My one, when all is said and done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, I feel it after midnight
A feelin' that you can't fight
My one, it lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
(God is a woman, yeah)
My one
(One)
When all is said and done
You'll believe God is a woman
You'll believe God
(God is a woman)
Oh, yeah
(God is a woman, yeah)
(One)
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
“I wasn’t done,” she said, riding him with a vengeance until the tension in her lower half bubbled over and her body shook on top of him. She collapsed onto his chest and he chuckled, loving her brief flashes of dominance. It only ever reared its head when they made up after a fight, but he liked the power struggle. He spread his legs for leverage and thrust up into her, hands gripping her ass so tight he was sure to leave marks. 
“Come for me one more time, Kitten. Can you do that?”
“Mmmm, y-yes Kumkani.”
He drove into her repeatedly, and Ashanti’s eyes rolled back into her head.
“Oh my Bast, right there.”
“Right here?” 
If it wasn't for her basic understanding of human anatomy, she could have sworn his dick reached her lungs. He found that spot over and over and tremors travelled through her body once more right as he began to twitch inside her.
“T’Challa!” she cried out as she came, and he was just a few seconds behind. His body tensed up and released as he emptied himself into her. Their heavy breathing was the only sound that filled the room for a while before T’Challa spoke up, a smile plastered on his face.
“Nice flip.”
“Mm”
Ashanti grinned lazily and laid her head down on his chest, getting comfortable with him still nestled inside her. She loved sleeping with him filling her, it was the closest she could get to him without crawling into his skin and since  he loved the feeling of being inside her, he never complained. He smiled down at her and noticed she was already falling asleep. He left a kiss on her forehead and got comfortable under her before dozing off himself.
--------
“You can’t tell T’Challa, but I made you something.”
“I can’t lie to my husband, Shuri. Even if I wanted to, he’s a walking lie-detector.”
“Ugh fine, but only if he asks.”
“I can do that. So what’s the big secret?”
Shuri was vibrating with excitement. “I made you a suit.”
“You didn't.”
“I did!”
“Oh my Bast, show me!”
“Ok, close your eyes.”
“Shu-”
“Just do it, please. And no peeking!”
Ashanti sighed and closed her eyes, impatiently waiting for the reveal.
“Now open.”
Ashanti’s eyes blinked open and she saw a jewelry box in Shuri’s hand with what looked to be two bracelets and a pair of earrings of her own design. She was in awe as she reached in the box and ran her fingers over the small gold filigree earrings. 
“Try it on,” Shuri pushed and Ashanti was compelled to do just that.
She went for the earrings first, popping them in her ears before sliding on the bracelets.
“Ok, what now?”
Shuri scanned the small vibranium ink tattoo behind her ear with her beads. “In your head, just tell it to go on.”
Ashanti took a breath before willing the suit to extend from her new jewelry. Her skin tingled as the nanites travelled from the bracelets and stretched over her body. She looked down at her all-black suit in complete admiration before she realized she was missing something.
“Does it come with a helm-” 
As soon as she started the question, her earrings buzzed and she felt the tingle of the nanites covering her face.
“This is so fucking cool!” She yelled in excitement and ran to the closest reflective surface to check herself out. She turned around and saw her ass was looking right and smirked.
“Really? That’s what you check?” Shuri and Ashanti bursted into laughter just as they heard the doors swish open. Ashanti called the suit back in, but wasn’t quick enough. T’Challa caught a glimpse of it retreating right as he stepped into the lab.
“You made her a suit already? It took you forever to make mine.”
“That’s because I had to make new tech- wait, you’re not mad?”
“No, why would I be? If she’s going to be going on missions with me she needs a suit.”
“You two worked it out?!”
Ashanti laughed, “Yeah, we worked it out. We decided I’ll go with him on the next one.”
It seemed like Shuri was even more excited than Ashanti, but all three of them were ready to test out Ashanti’s new suit.
“Ok, so what can this bad boy do?” Ashanti asked her sister-in-law.
“It’s equipped with our cloaking technology, so when you turn invisible the suit can camouflage with you-”
Ashanti disappeared from view and laughed as she looked down and saw nothing below her.
“-and you have all the same weaponry as ubhuti, but I figured since you can explode on your own you didn't need the kinetic energy absorption.”
A still invisible Ashanti slowly formed a force field around her hand and pushed it out, growing it until about the size of a volleyball.
“And a couple more things: first, throw it,” Shuri said with a satisfied smirk on her face.
“Throw what?”
“The bubble.”
Ashanti had never successfully done that before, but she gave it a go. She thrust her hand towards the wall and the bubble she had formed in her hand crashed into it.
“How did I do that?”
“Long story or short story?
“Short please.”
“Magnets.”
“Works for me. What else can I do?”
“Press that button on your left wrist and then try again,” she said while moving backwards, which prompted T’Challa to do the same. Ashanti pressed the button and felt another tingling sensation. She formed the forcefield in her hand as usual, but this time it had little volts of electricity running towards it. She chucked it at the wall and laughed as she watched it crash while the electricity fizzled out.  
“I want to try something,” Ashanti smiled mischievously.
Shuri and T’Challa both saw her wheels turning and left the room as quickly as they could, turning back to watch through the glass doors. Ashanti lifted her hands and quickly formed a forcefield around herself, charging it with electricity and pushing all the way out. She smiled as she completely ruined the testing room, too caught up in the new suit to care. .
“You ruined my lab!” Shuri shouted through the door.
“It’s just the test room, relax,” Ashanti hollered back and retracted her suit.
T’Challa couldn’t help but smile at his wife. He was proud of her progress, no matter how much it still scared him to think of her going on missions. She was still the fiery artist he fell madly in love with, but she had become a warrior right before his eyes. He was in a daze the whole time watching her. She amazed him more and more every day, but today he saw her in a whole new light. Her strength, her powers, her hold over him...she really was a goddess. There was no other explanation. A dreamy smile appeared on his face as he thought of how blessed he was to be in her favor.
“What are you smiling at, goofy?” Ashanti poked him in his arm as they rode in the Talon back to the palace.
“You,” he looked down and kissed her lips softly. “You were amazing in there.”
“Aww, thank you baby,” she looked down as her face got hot and her ears tingled. All these years and he could still make her blush. Just as he leaned in to kiss her his beads rang and he looked down to see it was coming from the Avengers Compound.
“Looks like you might be getting out there sooner than we thought.” He answered the call and Nat’s hologram appeared hovering over his communication bead. “What is it this time? Aliens trying to blow up New York or something?”
“Hello to you, too. You’re close actually. Genetically manipulated creatures in New Jersey.”
“Monsters?” Ashanti popped into view.
“Oh, hello Queen Ashanti,” Natasha bowed her head in deference.
“Just Ashanti is fine. So monsters?”
“Yeah, some defamed ex geneticist did some experiments on a bunch of animals and now they’re basically demolishing Newark. I’m talking things that used to be bears and wolves, cougars even. We gotta do something, so T, you in or you out?”
“We’re in.” His voice was unwavering.
“We?”
“Yes, both of us.”
“Wow, ok. So yeah, we will see you two when you get there.”
The call ended and Ashanti beamed up at T’Challa, vibrating with excitement.
“I’m going on my first mission!” She jumped up and down and flew into his arms, kissing all over his face. “And it’s monsters!”
T’Challa laughed as Ashanti started doing a little celebratory twerk. He thought back to Siyanda’s drawing of them from when she first started having premonitions a couple years ago. It was still hanging on their fridge since Siyanda insisted it go right next to her family portrait. 
When they arrived at the palace, Ashanti had started to get nervous. It had just sunk in what she was about to go do. She wasn’t second guessing herself, but she felt the gravity of the situation. She already knew the outcome thanks to her daughter, but still…
“You ok, Kitten?” he asked her over the ding of the elevators as they rode up to their quarters.
“Hm? Yeah, I just have some first time jitters, that’s all.”
“That happened to me too. It still does.”
“Really?” She looked up at him in surprise. She never thought about him getting nervous before, it seemed so out of character for the Black Panther. 
“Yes, every time now. I’m always worried about making it back to you and Yaya, but I use that feeling to push through and make sure I get home. Think about her, and use it to fuel you.”
Ashanti nodded and her mind drifted to her daughter, her intyatyambo, her baby girl. She would do anything for Siyanda. Hell, she developed a whole superpower to protect her.
“I will.”
The two of them quickly packed their things. T’Challa called Ramonda and let her know of the plan, and she excitedly agreed to be Siyanda’s guardian while they were gone. Chidi and Bisa were on a flight to Italy at the moment, so Ashanti left them a voicemail telling them the good news. The king and queen then went to pick up their daughter from school early, like they always did when T’Challa had to leave in the middle of the day, and when they brought her back to the palace they dropped the news on her.
“Yaya, baby, we need to tell you something, ok?”
“Ok mama, what is it?”
“Well...I’m going with your baba this time. We’re gonna go fight monsters,” the smile on her face grew as Yaya’s eyes got bigger and bigger until she ran out of room.
The princess jumped up and down in excitement. “You’re a superhero just like baba!”
T’Challa chuckled at his daughter, “She certainly is.”
It was a clear, sunny November day in Wakanda. The kind of day where people couldn’t help but to be happy because it felt so good outside. Ashanti walked with her head held high as she and her family made their way to the Royal Talon. Shuri and T’Challa both kept sneaking looks at her in her suit, but for very different reasons: Shuri was proud of her handiwork, and T’Challa was thankful for Bast’s. 
“Ok baby girl,” Ashanti said as they both crouched down in front of Siyanda. She cupped her face in her hands and kissed her forehead, then all over her face. Siyanda giggled and T’Challa reached in with a sneak attack and started tickling her, making her laugh ring out even louder. The more she laughed he could see Ashanti’s nerves melting away and being replaced by a look of complete love and adoration. It was the same look he got when he thought of his girls, and the same look that twinkled in her eye when their eyes met. “You be good for your grandma. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
“I know mama, I saw it before. Remember?”
“We remember,” T’Challa grabbed her and planted kisses all over her face like her mother just did before hugging her tight.
The two adults stood to their full heights, looking to each other and nodding.
“It’s time for us to go,” T’Challa said as he hugged and kissed Ramonda and Shuri goodbye before hugging Siyanda tight just one more time. Ashanti did the same and the two of them walked towards the Talon hand in hand.
“Thank you for trusting me enough to do this, Challa,” Ashanti said as they reached the stairs. Before taking the first step she turned around and faced him “I love you so much.”
He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead then her nose then her lips.
“I love you too, Kitten.”
“Now let’s go kick some monster ass!” She ran up the stairs and into the Talon, leaving him behind at the foot of the stairs shaking his head in disbelief at the turns his life has taken. Just ten years ago he couldn't see himself with a wife and child...he didn’t even think he’d be king yet, but here he was. When he walked into Taj’s that day he had no idea he would meet the love of his life, his child’s mother...hopefully children someday soon-ish. He loved her with his whole self, yet somehow always had room for growth. The excitement on her face kept him grounded as he tried to focus on the mission at hand and not getting lost in Ashanti’s assets. 
The door closed behind them and the king and queen waved goodbye to their family through the window and caught the kisses Siyanda blew at them from the ground. As the ship continued it’s ascent and their family became as small as ants, Ashanti turned to T’Challa.
“So what now?”
He flashed a gap-toothed smile and reached for her hand, pulling her in close to him and planting a kiss on her lips.
“Now we go over intel and formulate a plan. You ready?”
“Yes sir,” Ashanti stood up straight and nodded, saluting him. 
He smiled and returned the gesture before stilling himself. Ashanti watched as T’Challa melted away and his facial features took on a more stern look. She wasn’t looking at her husband anymore, she was looking at the Black Panther.
“Then lets go kick some monster ass,” he said with a predatory grin as the ship disappeared through the shield and into the outside world. Ashanti’s nerves melted away as the Talon flew through the air and she knew she was ready. She could do this. They could do this, together.
The End
Check out my masterlist to read my other stories, and let me know if you want to be tagged in anything. 
Again, thank you. 
Taglist:@ljstraightnochaser, @determinednot2fall, @dersha89,  @maddeningmayhem, @theblulife
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newobsessionweekly · 5 years ago
Text
Save me 🌿
@christineeej94 said: Hi, i want to request an image with Aron when he is at a party and he meets a girl who has a abusive boyfriend. Aron will fall in love with that girl, but he can do anything because of her boyfriend. After a few weeks Aron and the girl meet again and start a relationship. I love everything you do so i hope you can like to write about this. I hope you stay safe and i wish you all the best. Kisses
a/n: I’m back in business guys and ready to write all the requests I’ve been receiving! Sorry for talking me so long. I hope I didn’t disappoint you. Stay safe and enjoy! 🌿❤️
Sorry for the eventual grammar errors, I'll edit it in the morning! word count: 2.607
warning: abuse maybe, idk i’m not good at this.
Tumblr media
Arón Piper x reader 🌿
He’s neither the sweetest nor the most careful boyfriend, but he was enough for you. He was there for you when no one else was and he is the only one that cares about you and loves you. But sometimes when he’s drunk or angry, when he sees black in front of his eyes, it seems that his love for you dissapeares. It seems that the boy you had fallen in love with was replaced by this heartless person. This time he got angry when he saw your photoshoot for the new Tommy Hilfinger women swimwear. He didn’t like the idea that other males looking at your naked body and you understood. But that was your job, you tried to convince him, nothing seemed to relent him.
Make up and a pair of jeans covered everything from the night before, everything but the thoughts, the memories and his screams. Since you were little, you were used to avoid your parents screaming, putting on your headphones with maximum volume. But screaming and punches coming right to you, you weren’t really used to that, you didn’t knew how to respond to that.
Your head hurts so much and your stomach seemed like it wants to get out of your body. As you staid there, on the bathroom floor with your head on top of the toilet, you wished for a moment that things were different. You wished for him showing you in a different way his emotions. 
You get your shit together and after you refreshed your makeup, you walked down towards your table. But you’ve been stopped as a boy accidentally bumped into you. The first things you remarked at him were those beautiful brown curls and a pair of the most beautiful and sweet eyes you’ve ever seen. He is tall, with large shoulders, but not that impressive posture. He was wearing black and you couldn’t hide the fact that you are staring at him. You are doing so wrong.
His hands were still protectively around you, “Are you alright?”
You shake your head, “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Are you sick or something? You look so pale.” his eyebrows approached as he frowned. 
“No, no. The alcohol is just not my best friend.” you forced a smile. Who is this boy and why is he asking so many questions? He is somehow familiar.
“So, tell me. You are not a alcohol consumer, I bet you are not a smoker as well.” he began and made sure you were alright before you two started walking away from the toilet area. “Tell me someting about this girl.”
“Well, this girls is named (y/n) and she is not doing much, but she wouldn’t mind if you would want to share at least your name.” you laughed
“I’m Arón. Arón Piper.” he smiled and damn, that was the brightest smile you’ve ever seen. He easily lighted up the whole club.
“Oh, you are the Lacoste boy.” you realised and maybe it wasn’t a good idea to spoke that out loud.
“I’m what?” he was confused, looking at you as you stopped next to a pole so you could look at him.
“The Lacoste boy.” you repeated. “Your best friend described you this way so don’t blame me.” you let a giggle out.
“Oh, that son of a bitch. I hope he made a good description of me.” he is a very plesant guy, with soft features and very sweet voice.
“Pretty much, yeah. He also said you are very good at flirting and all the eyes are on you.” 
“I like that, I might add it on my business card. So how do you know my best friend?”
“Oh, Omar is a friend of my boyfriend’s.”
“Ah, then you are the Hilfiger girl. He mentioned you. So I guess we have something in common.” 
Your belly hurts so much, but you somehow managed to show otherwise. “Your friend is at our table, come on!”
As you approached the table with Arón’s hand resting on your back, your boyfriend’s sight was never leaving you. His eyes were red and you could tell he had been drinking maybe too much. His sight emanates so much anger, you were scared. You distanced yourself from Arón and sat down next to boyfriend as he put his hand over your shoulders and keep you as close as possible. Arón followed you closely and after he greeted everyone from that table, he sat between you and Omar, his colleague and your boyfriend’s friend.
You ordered some coke and scrolled through your phone as the boys were talking about sports or whatever. When he said to you he has a surpirse, you imagined maybe a dinner with him, telling how sorry he was for hurting you and enjoying yourselves with some wine or maybe some KFC on the cough. But the surprise for your two years anniversary was actually allowing you to accompanied him at some party.
“Aye, chica, I’ve missed you so much. Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in months!” Danna screamed as soon as she arrived, before greeting the others. 
Where have you been? That’s a really good question. You haven’t done anything in months and left the house just for your job. No party since your birthday and you didn’t saw your friends since the Elite premiere. But that’s fine, you didn’t mind spending time with your boyfriend. 
 “I’ve been busy with my job, shooting after shooting, it was kinda tiring!” you embraced Danna and Omar agreed with you.
“Sí, sí, you should see some photos. She’s amazing!” your boyfriend’s fists clenched on your arm as Omar let those words slip out of his mouth.
You find yourself watching Arón as he lights up a cigarette, as he dances on the dancefloor with a drink in his hand or when he simply talks with his mates. You stood at the table, beside your boyfriend, all night and watched everyone having so much fun. When the depression started to fill your body, you excused yourself and hurried towards the toilets.
You just stood there, gazing at the wall, watching all the people passing you. You are not a drinker, but being the only one at the table drinking soda, smelling the alcohol coming from everywhere, is hard. Maybe some cider would made everything a little better, but you know he would get mad. You started regreting coming, you thought you should stay at home, binging your favourite tv show.
“I´m starting to think that you enjoy more staying in the toilet than at the table with us.” Arón half-laughed and proped his shoulder on the wall beside you.
“I could tell the exact same thing about you.” you smiled at him. “I didn´t know you are so close to Danna and Ester.”
“Well, I played beside them for three years so they are like a family to me.” he took a sip from his beer.
“You played in Élite?” you were shocked, but it makes sense now. That’s why he looked so familiar.   
“Sí. Ander Muñoz. One of the gays, you know.” he scratched his back of the head.
“I guess we don’t know much about each other, huh?”
“Then let’s change that. Give me your Instagram.” you look suspiciously at him. “You know, from a social media profile you could learn a bunch of things about a person.” 
You laughed and give him your username, “And you learned that from season one of Élite?”
“Maybe.”
”You know, maybe we shouldn´t hang out that much near the toilets.” he laughed and that sound made you smile.
You were talking only for a few minutes and he already managed to put a big smile on your face. He’s a sweet person and has a colorful soul, filled with so much happiness and love. He is surrounded with a warm brightness even when he has on that “bad ass” face. Your laughter made a lot of people turn and look strangely at you, but that laugh ended as soos as your boyfriend approached.
“Am i interrupting something?” his eyes are so red, you don’t know how he still manages to walk properly. Your blood freezed in your veins and stealthily looked at Arón.
“No, amor. We were talking about that TV show, Élite. You know, Omar is one of the main characters.” you smiled softely at him, trying to calm the storm in his eyes.
“Do you mind?” he adressed to Arón and you prayed that Arón would understand that he needs to leave know. He lifted the beer bottle at you as in a unspoken “I understand”. He waited for everyone to mind his own business before he turned to you.
“I don’t want to make a scene out here.” he started, surprisingly his voice was low, indicating he was trying to mentaing his anger at a reduced level. “But you provoke me so much, bitch! Were you flirting with him?” he grabbed your arm and hold you still.
“I wasn’t flirting with him.” your trembling voice barely heard.
“Bravo, bitch, now your lying!” his voice almost heard over the music and turned some heads towards you. Arón was watching you and Omar is holding him back, not to intervene. Omar knows about his angry outings, about the screams, but he didn’t know about the punches you received. “That’s why you are not allowed to hang out with them. Because you are a slut. But I forgive you, because I love you.” He grabbed your face and forced you to look him in the eyes. “I love you, do you understand?” in his desperate delirium, he smashed your head on the pole behind you. Your painful groan cought the attention over you. Arón was trying to come closer and check if you are alright, but Omar was still beside him.
“Don’t do that here. Let’s go home.” your head hurts so bad and you couldn´t understand how you still manage to stand on your feet. There is no reaction on his face, but he responded to your words and made room for you to move from the cage he built with his body. 
Danna looked concerned at you and tried to come closer, but you smiled at her and assigured her you are alright. And you were alright, you were the only who can calm him down. 
“(y/n)...” Arón tried to grab your arm, but you avoided any contact with him. 
“Don’t!” you collected your things and left the place with your boyfriend.
------
Few weeks later, when the things got messier, you finally had the courage and told Omar everything. And since there, you were stayed at his place, helping you get over those years and those bad memories that had been haunting you. You were afraind that he would come to find you, you had nightmares and Omar was there for you every single time.  
Because his birthday just passed, you organised a big party with the purpose of thanking him about everything. Arón helped you and sinced you moved provisionally with Omar you talked more and more, almost becoming inseparable. He’s a great man, with a golden heart and the power of making you smile even in the darkest days. 
In these few weeks you did so many things your boyfriend didn’t allowed you to do in two years. Now, with a cider bottle in your hand, your feet resting on Arón’s lap, you are happier than ever. Laughing and being able to enjoy this group entirely feels like heaven. But that heaven turned immediately into hell and all your fears came to life. 
“Where’s (y/n)?” his voice gave you chills and tried to hide your shaking hands. You didn’t want to show how scared you are of him anymore. 
 “She’s not here and you need to leave!” Omar asserted, but he didn’t care, pusing past Omar and into the house. Your heart is hurting seeing him like this, broken. You almost thought of going there and hug him, telling him that it’s gonna be alright. 
“I have the right to see my girlfriend!” he screamed, searcing the room for you and he approached as he saw you on the couch. 
You stood up and confronted him, “I’m not your girlfriend anymore. Go away!” 
His eyes immediately filled with anger, “What did you just said, bitch?” he raised his hand at you, ready to slam your face, but he was stopped by Arón. 
“You don’t have the right to beat her up! Now, get the fuck out of here!” Arón pushed him, trying to make him move.  
The man threw the first punch, hitting Arón in the nose and Miguel punched the man in return, but he was stronger than MIguel and landed one to his jaw. Omar came between them and tried to separate them, but he got hit in the stomach.
It was your fault, you shouldn’t let that happen, now all your friends are hurting, trying to keep that man away from you. You tried to go closer, to separate them somehow, but Álvaro stopped you and helped them. Four men hardly managed to fight with that anger. The man stopped eventually and looked at all of you.
“I love you so much and I’m sorry, would you please come back home?” he faced you and you saw something in his eyes.
“She’s not going anywhere, but you are. Before I call the police.” Miguel stood up and put his hand on your shoulder.
The man turned his body when Miguel mentioned the police. He doesn’t want to lose his job so he just slammed the door as he left the house as unexpected as he entered. Your tears broke down with fear and anger at the same time.
“I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry!” your voice is trembling seeing the red spots on the boys faces.
“We are men, that’s doesn’t even hurt.” Miguel said and everyone laughed a little.
You nodded as you made your way towards the balcony. You stood there, gazing at the stars, with tears running down your cheeks. Arón came closer with a cup of hot chocolate and a little but warm smile on his face.
“Aye, what are does tears for? It’s over, honey. You had four knights in shining armour saving you.” he joked trying to make you forget a little. You smiled as you took the cup from his hands and put it on the table.
“Yeah, but what if you weren’t there? What will happen when he will come back and i’ll be alone?” you looked him in the eyes and put your heart on the plate. He’s the only one you can trust entirely and the one you know he’s not gonna judge you.
“You won’t be alone, amor! You have me and I can be at your door nonstop if you want to.” he put his arms around you and you rested your head on his chest. He’s so tall, you could barely reach the shoulders to hug him.
You shook you head, “Thank you, but you don’t have to.”
“I know, but I want to. Because I want you to be safe. I want you to be happy and to feel the love you deserve!” he cupped your cheeks and wiped away the tears. Then, without any warnings, he placed his lips over your and embraced with so much warmth that you could melt. He kissed you so softly that you wanted more and more. And after you pulled away, you had to wait for a moment until you came back on earth.
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ericsonclan · 3 years ago
Text
Dramatically Out of Sorts
Summary: Everything seems to be heading towards the makings of a good day when suddenly Louis is struck by a sickness.
Word Count: 1625
Read on AO3:
“So, my music confidant, are you ready to continue to write down the great musical songs so they do not get lost to time?” Louis walked down the hallway towards the music room and quickly spun to face Prisha. Tugging on the sides of his coat, he flashed an excited grin towards his friend.
Prisha returned the smile, just as if not more excited than Louis was. “I can’t wait! It's been ages since we  last marked down the notes to a show tune. All we need to decide on is which musical to pull from,” Prisha soon became lost in thought as she tried to narrow down her options. Knowing Louis, he’d be more than willing to work on multiple songs today even if that meant dodging chores for a while. Usually Prisha would be opposed to that, but when it came to musicals and being able to preserve them she’d let things slide.
“Well, choose away, Prisha. For I worked extra hard to get us plenty of free time in the music room. So, we-” Louis paused as he placed his hands on the door. His face scrunched up and he seemed to be struggling to hold back a sneeze. “So, we can- can- can-” Louis sneezed loudly, the force of it making his head propel forward and whack against the doorframe.
“Louis!” Prisha watched in shock as Louis stumbled backwards and began to fall. She tried her best to help but due to Louis falling on the side with her paralyzed arm it made it very hard to catch him. Regardless of the disadvantage, Prisha was able to catch her friend just before he hit the ground.
Louis gave a casual smile. “Whoops! Guess I gotta wipe down the music room again. That dust really messes with my-” Louis gave another huge sneeze then another and another. His dreadlocks swayed with the power of his sneezes as Prisha tried her best to get him upright again.
“Stay right here, I’ll get Ruby.” Prisha turned sharply on her heel and began to run down the hall.
“But what about our music writing time?” Louis had a small pout on his face as he looked at his friend.
Prisha turned her head to glance back at Louis. “Health takes precedence. We’ll postpone it for now,” Without another word Prisha disappeared in search of Ruby.
Ruby quickly bustled over and began to examine Louis. As it turned out he had a common cold along with a sore throat. Ruby told Louis that as long as he rested for a few days, drank plenty of  fluids and had some cups of tea he should be okay soon.
As soon as it was declared that Louis had a runny nose and sore throat, he began to milk it for all it was worth. Each time he sneezed he acted as though it was too much for his little heart to bear. Soon he was wrapped up with a blanket in his and Clementine’s bed, surrounded by his horde of pillows.
“My beautiful singing voice, will it ever come back?” Louis croaked as he dramatically clutched his neck.
“You’ll be fine,” Clementine rolled her eyes good naturedly and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Mmm, I’m definitely feeling a bit better now,” Louis shuffled under his blankets and gave a soft smile towards Clementine. “So, I’m guessing today-” Louis sneezed three times in a row and fell backwards, draping out his arms to emphasize his struggles. “I need your cuddles, stat!”
Clementine laughed and considered that possibility for a second when suddenly the door opened and AJ and Ruby walked in along with Rosie. The pitbull immediately walked over towards the bed and curled on the floor beside it.
“What you need is to rest. A few naps, liquids and some peppermint and honey tea and you’ll be right as rain!” Ruby declared as she moved forward, placing down the makeshift water heater. “I’m loaning ya our best water heater so you can drink plenty of tea. Clem, if you’d like you can take the rest of the afternoon and spend it with Louis.” Ruby offered with a warm smile. Sickness was always a bit more of a gamble ever since the world ended but with the greenhouse and garden up and running smoothly a common cold was nothing to fret over.
“Yeah! I can go on patrol too to make sure the school is extra safe!” AJ smiled proudly. “That way no one can mess with us while Louis is sick.”
“Thanks, little dude. I can always count on you,” Louis’ words made AJ’s eyes sparkle with joy.
Clementine smiled and knelt in front of AJ. “That sounds great, kiddo.” She playfully ruffled AJ’s afro then looked over at Ruby. “And I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”
“Hooray!” Louis crowed before groaning when his throat stung. “With my darling by my side, I will be able to live through this horrible cold,” Louis emphasised the theatrics before reaching out for Clementine’s hand.
“Alright, then we’ll leave you two be,” Ruby guided AJ out of the room who gave a thumbs up to Louis as a sign that everything would be okay. Louis smiled and quickly returned the gesture then let his hand fall when the door was closed.
“So, cuddles?” Louis gave his softest eyes to Clementine who gently squeezed his hand.
“Maybe in a little bit. First things first. You need to be drinking water and I need to be making some tea,” Clementine reached over for the cup of water that had been placed on the dresser.
“But your cuddles are the true cure to my ailments. With this harsh sore throat and these sniffles I don’t know if I can hold on much longer,” Louis leaned his head onto one of his many pillows and gave a pained expression. “It's almost too much to bear.”
“Then drink this. I want to see you drink all of it,” Clementine instructed as she handed over the cup of water.
Louis studied it for a moment then snuck a glance over at Clementine. Even though this was just a cold, he could see the worry deep within her eyes. Silently he began to drink the contents of the cup, making sure to get every last drop. The cool water stung the inside of his throat but he knew in the long run it would help. With a dramatic gasp he handed back the cup. “Drinking water, check!” He leaned forward and kissed Clementine’s cheek before another sneezing fit overtook him and he instantly got back into his theatrical roots. Clementine didn’t seem to mind Louis being dramatic. As long as he continued to work to get better that was what mattered. She immediately poured another cup of water and handed it over to Louis then turned her attention to making the tea. After a few minutes the first cup was ready and Louis took a long sip.
“Ahhh, peppermint, so my breath is minty fresh when I kiss you,” Louis gave a playful smile over to Clementine who chuckled softly and shook her head.
“Only on the cheek though. Ruby would hate it if she had another sick patient to deal with,” Clementine’s words made a pout form on Louis’ lips and he buried himself deeper into his blanket and mountain of pillows. “But don’t worry, soon you’ll be better and until then I’ll be sure to drop by as much as I can.” Clementine gave Louis’ hand a tender squeeze.
Louis’ eyes brightened at those words and he immediately began to drink his tea again in hopes that the faster he drank it the sooner he’d get better.
The days flew by and Louis made sure to drink his tea whether it be peppermint or honey. Some of the others grew somewhat annoyed at Louis’ dramatic take on his sickness, how he’d monologue about how the illness was sadly besting him or how only a certain honey-eyed individual could heal his cold. But that didn't stop them from helping him to the best of their abilities.
Omar made sure to cook warm, comforting meals that would help with Louis’ sickness and Aasim always made sure to bring it up for Louis as soon as he could. If he couldn’t then Willy would come up, listening to some of Louis’ tales alongside AJ as the three of them ate their meals together. Violet dropped by here and there to check on Louis before going about her daily chores and the occasional card game would occur between the pair during the evenings. As the days passed Louis felt his throat getting better and his nose was nearly all cleared up. Soon enough he would be as good as new.
“Alright, finish this cup of tea and then we can cuddle for a bit. I was able to convince Prisha to take my watchtower shift in exchange for one of her evening ones. Which means we can spend all afternoon cuddling,” Clementine smiled lovingly at Louis who beamed at those words.
Shuffling over in the bed, Louis worked to clear the pillows to create a spot for Clementine. Clementine briskly walked over to the bed and took off her prosthetic before slipping under the covers. Her arms immediately found Louis’ waist and soon Louis’ found hers. Tilting her head up, Clementine gave Louis’ cheek a few kisses then tucked her head into the crook of his neck. Exhaling deeply, she felt Louis melt into her warm embrace. In that moment the world around them faded into the background as they focused on each other’s presence. Everything always felt better, safer and brighter when they were together.
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bunnygirl330 · 5 years ago
Text
𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚔, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚝;
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pairing: ander muñoz x omar shana, background guzman nunier osuna x nadia shana
genre: angst, fluff, future au
word count: 6.3k
warnings: internalized homophobia  
summary:  Ander's grandparents are coming to visit for the first time in 7 years, there's just one problem. They're Catholic and unaware of Ander's relationship with Omar. Ander is hoping that he can get through the week without them finding out and without him losing his temper.
a/n:  The title of this comes from Take me to Church which I know is an old song now but I've always loved it and I felt like it really applied here. This fic is only edited by me so all mistakes are my own, please let me know if you find any so that I can fix them.I have seen a lot of fics about Omar coming out to his family because that's what they focus on in the show but I thought it would be interesting to see Ander's perspective of coming out to someone who wouldn't be as accepting as his mother.It was also really important to me to show someone accepting Ander (which in this case was Mateo) because I think a lot of the time Catholics (or any other badly portrayed religion) get a bad reputation and it's important to remember that not all strictly religious people will be unaccepting. AO3
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Ander had never dreaded anything more in his life than he was dreading this next week. He’d graduated high school, he’d got a degree, he’d even helped Omar come out to his parents but nothing was as bad as this. Ander hadn’t spoken to his grandparents in almost 7 years, except of course for the occasional phone call on is birthday and Christmas, but this was different. They were coming to stay for a week and there was absolutely no way he could avoid them for that long.
Ander’s grandparents know absolutely nothing about his life, they think they do, but none of it’s true. They didn’t go to his wedding, well they had never been invited, they thought he was single, much to his grandmother’s dismay, and Ander couldn’t stand the thought of having to keep up that charade for a whole week.
“Hey,” Ander snapped out of his trance as Omar’s arms snaked around his waist and he relaxed into his touch. “still thinking about next week?” Omar asked cautiously, knowing the impending visit was becoming an increasingly touchy subject for Ander.
“I can’t help it,” Ander whined “every time I think about it it makes me want to be sick!” Omar spun Ander round to face him,
“Listen, I know that this is difficult, but if we got through three years of a relationship without my parents knowing, then we can go through one more week of pretending.” Omar was trying his best to soothe his husband but he knew at this point that it was basically useless.
“But I thought we agreed we wouldn’t pretend again, not after all the shit we went through with your dad.” Omar gave Ander a look of sympathy as he pulled him into a hug, “Ugh,” Ander sighed “why do my grandparents have to be fucking Catholics?” Omar chuckled as Ander continued to grumble into his shoulder.
———
The next week came around far too quickly for Ander’s liking and before he knew it he was lying in bed with Omar dreading the next morning when his grandparents would arrive. Ander was spinning his wedding ring round on his finger so Omar could tell he was nervous.
“I don’t wanna make you feel any worse but you do know you’re gonna have to take that off when your grandparents are here right?”
“Oh my god, I didn’t even think about that!” Ander said as he dropped his head into his hands with a groan.
“It’s not like it’s just you. I can’t wear mine either, do you really think I’d be your roommate if I was married?” Ander looked up at Omar with a dejected look on his face.
“You must realise that that doesn’t make me feel better. All it does is make me feel as if we’re going backwards.” Ander looked as if he was about to cry and Omar felt a pang in his heart as he looked at his face, “To your parents I was your roommate for three years and I don’t know if I can do that again…” Ander trailed off as the tears began to fall from his eyes and his head fell onto Omar’s chest.
“I know…… I know,” Omar whispered as he started stroking his fingers over Ander’s soft curls, “but you heard what Azucena said, her parents are almost eighty and if you told them now they might end up dying from the shock.” Omar’s attempt to lighten the mood earned a small giggle from Ander but it sounded more like a hiccup because of his crying. “Plus you’ll still have me there, I won’t be gone. And you’ll have Guzman and Nadia. We’re here for you Ander. I promise.” Omar leaned down and kissed his hair. Ander looked up and kissed Omar, gently at first but then Omar opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. Everything would be alright, Ander knew that, because he had Omar, and nobody could ever take that away from him.
———
The next morning was a flurry of activity. Nadia and Guzman arrived at 9 to help them set up and Ander’s grandparents were due to arrive with his mother at around noon. All pictures resembling any sort of romantic relationship between Ander and Omar were taken down and hidden in the airing cupboard, all of Ander’s belongings were moved into the spare bedroom and Nadia had cleaned the entire apartment from head to toe by 11:50, Guzman had tried to help her but gave up after half an hour as Nadia saw him as more of a nuisance than a source of aid.
The four of them stood surveying the apartment, Ander had a look of complete helplessness on his face.
“It just looks….. empty.” Ander said. Of course, he didn’t mean empty in a sense of a lack of furniture and objects, they were all still exactly where they had been. What Ander meant was that it seemed empty of happiness and love, as if by taking pictures off the wall they had stripped his and Omar’s house of the very thing that made it their home. For Ander that wasn’t even the worst part though, he kept touching his ring finger expecting the cool metal to be there but each time was instead filled with a sense of dread. Omar and Ander had put their wedding rings back in their boxes earlier that morning and he felt as if a small piece of his soul had been put in the box too. Ander felt like he was about to break down but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Nadia and Guzman went to sit on the couch as Omar spun Ander to face him, gripping his shoulders tightly.
“Hey, listen to me, it’s gonna be okay. It’s not like they’re staying here so you don’t have to pretend all the time, it’s just a few hours. Besides, I’ll be right here the whole time.” Ander quickly pecked Omar on the lips and then tried to muster up the best smile he could as Omar joined the others on the couch.
“Grandma! Grandad! It’s so lovely to finally see you again.” Ander hugged his mother, shook hands with his grandfather and then finally came face to face with his grandmother, the source of all his nightmares over the past two months.
“Ander, honey, it’s been too long!” His grandmother exclaimed pinching his cheeks with excitement. Ander plastered a smile on his face and replied,
“I know it has Grandma, I’m happy you’re finally here.” his grandmother gave his cheeks one last squeeze and then released him.
The four of them made their way over to the living area where Nadia, Guzman and Omar had been awkwardly waiting, not entirely sure what to do amidst the family reunion. The three of them stood up to greet the guests, all giving Azucena a warm hug and shaking the hand of Ander’s grandfather. As his grandma approached Guzman her face lit up,
“Oh, Guzman, it’s so lovely to see you! I can’t believe you and Ander are still friends after all this time!”
“Mrs López, it’s lovely to see you too.” Guzman said politely as she pulled him into a hug.
“Oh don’t be silly, call me Camilla. I’ve known you for too long for you to still be calling me that.” Camilla looked over at Nadia - who was stood closely by Guzman’s side - with a slightly odd look on her face. “And who’s this?” She directed the question towards Guzman rather than Nadia herself much to Nadia’s annoyance, but she kept it hidden well.
“This is Nadia, my beautiful wife.” Guzman stated with a fond look down at her as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Nadia smiled towards Camilla and extended her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ander’s told us so much about you.” This, of course, was a lie as Ander preferred not to speak of his grandparents, but she didn’t need to know that. Ander’s grandmother simply pursed her lips and nodded towards Nadia leaving her to awkwardly drop her hand back down to her side as Camilla’s hands stayed clutched to her small handbag. Ander, of course, had anticipated this as it was difficult enough for Camilla to accept that him and his mother were atheists and even without her hijab Nadia was clearly not of Spanish or Catholic descent. Still, it hurt Ander to see that his grandmother hadn’t learned to put aside her prejudices yet.
Now it was the moment of truth as Camilla approached Omar, Azucena and her father having already greeted him and sat down on the other end of the L-shaped couch. Camilla’s lips became a fine line as she slowly looked Omar up and down,
“And you are…?” she said slowly as Omar shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.
“I’m Omar, Nadia’s brother.” Omar said, refraining from sticking out his hand after her reaction to Nadia and deciding to stare down at his feet instead.
“Why does that qualify you to be here now? This is a family reunion for Ander, not Nadia, not even Guzman.” Camilla’s tone was becoming harsher with every word that came out of her mouth and Omar realised that he’d clearly used the wrong relationship to introduce himself. Ander could feel the tension building in the room and quickly moved to stand beside Omar clasping his shoulder in his hand as he did so.
“Grandma, Omar is also my best friend and my roommate. Remember? I told you about him on the phone when you called to say you were coming.”
“Hmm.” Was Camilla’s only reply as she stalked past the two of them to sit between her daughter and husband. As Ander moved to take a seat next to Omar his grandmother carefully cleared her throat and Ander moved to sit between her and his mother instead.
Camilla made small talk with Ander and Azucena for the next 15 minutes occasionally stopping to ask Guzman a question but blatantly ignoring the other two people in the room. At one point Nadia got up to start making lunch as she had offered to do the day before considering Ander couldn’t cook to save his life, Azucena offered to help but Omar stepped in instead clearly feeling uncomfortable in his current situation.
Lunch was ready 45 minutes later and the seven of them sat down to eat. Nadia had cooked Tortilla Española and patatas bravas in order to keep things traditionally Spanish for Ander’s grandparents.
“Guzman, your wife can cook very nicely.” Camilla said, ignoring the sour look on Nadia’s face that the compliment had been directed towards her husband rather than herself. As if somehow being married to Guzman made her just another part of him, but Nadia said nothing knowing they were here to support Ander.
“Why don’t you have a wife by now Ander?” Camilla turned to look at him with a slightly smug look on her face at her own ability to turn a conversation into something she was interested in. Ander had been dreading this all night, he knew it was bound to come up and yet he prayed that the further they got into the conversation the less likely she was to bring it up, oh how wrong he had been.
“Maybe he’s just waiting for the right person darling.” Ander’s grandfather piped up for basically the first time since they arrived, clearly happy to let his wife do most of the talking.
“Mateo hush, Ander can speak for himself.” Camilla snapped back at her husband.
“I’ve just been focusing on my career right now Grandma.” Ander spouted the pre-prepared lie out of his mouth before the other part of his brain could make him say something stupid. Something like, ‘I am married and I just never told you. Oh and also I’m married to a man.’ because as much as he wanted to say it he knew deep down that it wasn’t the right time, that it was never going to be the right time.
“And I’m sure that’s very good for you darling but my friend happens to have a granddaughter moving down here and it would be lovely if you could meet up with her. She’s very pretty, and I know that you’re not Catholic but it might be nice to see why it’s not such a bad thing to believe in God, despite what your mother may have told you.” She directed the last part of her sentence towards her daughter, the smug smile having returned to her face. Ander gritted his teeth to prevent himself from hurling his plate across the room towards his grandmother, he thought that he and Omar had gotten past all of the arranged marriages with Yusef and Iman but apparently his grandma also thought she had the right to decide who he married. He sighed, he couldn’t let his anger get the best of him, there was no way he’d be able to stop if he started so it was better just not to start.
“It’s very nice of you to offer Grandma but I think it’s better if I find someone on my own.” Ander said with a quick glance towards Omar who had a small smirk on his face, clearly he found this more amusing than Ander.
“But-” Camilla started to retaliate but was quickly cut off by Azucena.
“He said no, okay mum? If Ander wanted your help with his love life then he would ask.” Camilla turned back towards her food with a deep scowl and the four 20-year-olds had to suppress their happiness at Camilla being told to back off, especially Nadia who was beginning to get a sense of deja vu from her own parents before they knew Omar was gay.
Lunch continued in silence and not long after Azucena stated that she would take her parents home considering they’d had a long drive and that they would be back again tomorrow, Azucena and Ander having taken the week off work in order to spend time with Mateo and Camilla. Everyone stood to wave off the three of them and then Ander slammed the door shut after them with a sigh of relief.
“Well that was the longest three hours of my life.” Guzman stated, making the other three burst into laughter considering they all felt exactly the same way. They went to sit back on the couch, Nadia and Guzman intertwined on one side and Ander resting his head on Omar’s chest on the other. With this Ander turned towards Nadia with the intent of apologising for his grandmother’s behaviour but Nadia was too quick and knew Ander too well.
“Ander please don’t start apologising. It’s not your fault that your grandma is a little….. old-fashioned.” She said, trying to find the right word.
“I know but she was just so rude to you. To both of you.” Ander said turning his head back to look at Omar, “I feel like I should’ve said something….” he trailed off staring between the three of them.
“Ander don’t worry about it honestly.” Nadia said gently and then proceeded to move the subject onto something else.
Nadia and Guzman stayed for the rest of the day, the four of them chatting and watching films until they left at around 9.
As Ander gently closed the door behind them Omar came up behind him, spun him round and pushed him into the door Omar’s lips quickly coming into contact with his own as they kissed deeply.
“I’ve been dying to do that all day.” Omar said staring at Ander, his pupils blown with lust.
“Oh yeah?” Ander said with a smirk on his face as he wrapped his hands tightly around the back of Omar’s neck.
“Yeah.” Omar whispered into his ear as he bit down on his earlobe and started kissing down Ander’s neck eliciting small moans from Ander.
“Omar?” Ander moaned out.
“Yeah?”
“Take me to bed.” And so that’s exactly what Omar did.
———
The next few days went by in a whirlwind. Azucena and Ander were taking his grandparents to all the local landmarks, meeting up with several of their upper class friends, including Guzman, much to the delight of Camilla, especially since Nadia wasn’t able to attend that particular meet up. They ate in fancy restaurants while Ander filled his grandparents in on everything that was happening in his life, but of course leaving out the bits that included his marriage to another man. Every night Ander would return to Omar and their small apartment counting down the days until his grandparents went home.
It was three days before Camilla and Mateo were due to return home and Azucena had an emergency to deal with at Las Encinas so it was just Ander and his grandparents. Ander felt less uncomfortable than he thought he would as they sat down in a beautiful restaurant that his grandmother had been very insistent on coming to. He was actually beginning to believe that he might get through this week without everything going to shit and that was something he would count as a miracle.
They ordered their drinks and Camilla whispered something to the waiter before starting up a conversation with her grandson about his job. Camilla knew that Ander was focusing on his career, and she was incredibly proud of him, but at the same time she couldn’t help the sense of dread she felt whenever she thought about his lack of a wife. She wasn’t quite sure where the dread came from but she knew that she needed to make it go away and the easiest way to do that was to get Ander a wife, or at the very least a girlfriend. At that moment Camilla noticed Liliana approaching the table and a huge smile spread across her face.
“Liliana you look beautiful! I’m so glad we got to see you while we were here.” Camilla had stood up and pulled the girl into a warm embrace at the same time that Ander looked up to see who his grandma was talking to. Ander started to feel as if there was an alarm ringing in his ears and a voice in the back of his head telling him to run, but he couldn’t. He just sat there stock still and unable to move, looking intently at the woman in his grandmother’s arms.
“Ander, this is Liliana, the girl I told you about at lunch on Sunday. Liliana, this is Ander, my grandson.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Liliana said looking nervously between Ander and his grandmother. Ander looked over at Mateo who appeared to be as shocked as he was at this woman’s magical appearance at their family lunch.
“Umm, you too.” Ander said reaching out his hand. As angry as he was right now he didn’t want to seem rude, after all it wasn’t this poor girl’s fault that his grandmother appeared to know nothing about boundaries.
“Sit, sit.” Camilla said, ushering Liliana into the empty seat at the table, which happened to be beside Ander, before sitting back in her own.
For the next 90 minutes conversation flowed between Liliana and Camilla, the two of them occasionally looking at Ander but he remained silent, consumed with rage. He didn’t understand what made his grandma think that she had the right to do something like this, how she could possibly believe that it was ok. Not only was she wasting his time but this woman’s time as well. More than anything he just felt anger, towards his grandmother, towards this woman (even if she didn’t necessarily deserve it), towards this whole fucking restaurant.
“Ander darling, you’re being rather rude. You haven’t said more that two words to Liliana since she sat down. She manages this restaurant you know? She’s taken time out of her day to come and have dinner with us.” Rage surged through Ander at Camilla’s words, at the insinuation that out of everyone here, he was the rude one.
“Grandma, I’m sorry but you must be joking right? I told you on Sunday that this wasn’t something I was interested in.” A deep frown took it’s place on Camilla’s face as Liliana sank back slightly in her seat, feeling more than uncomfortable. “I told you but you didn’t listen.” Ander hissed, his voice rising with every word. “I cannot believe you!” He shouted, standing up from his chair, “I’m sorry,” he said towards Liliana, “but I’m not looking for a relationship right now let alone a wife.” and with that Ander stormed out of the restaurant and started walking quickly back towards his apartment, back towards Omar.
———
Ander stormed into the apartment slamming the door angrily behind him as Omar looked up from the pan he was hovered over, clearly planning to make dinner and assuming that Ander wouldn’t be back yet. Ander was cursing under his breath as he began to pace around in the space between the living room and the kitchen.
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” Omar asked as he tried to get Ander’s attention.
“My fucking grandmother tried to get me a wife that’s what’s fucking wrong!” Ander knew that his anger was being misdirected towards Omar but he couldn’t help it, he just wanted to hit something. Omar felt rage boil up inside him. How could she do something like this? Omar hated when people made Ander angry, or sad, or just any sort of negative emotion really. It wasn’t fair that just because his grandparents had certain religious beliefs that they felt entitled to make him get married. Omar could feel old feelings coming back from almost four years ago, before he’d come out to his parents, only now he felt them on Ander’s behalf. But that wasn’t what Omar needed to focus on right now, he could see Ander’s rage slowly turning into tears and he knew that he needed comfort. Omar pulled Ander into his arms and they stood there like that for 20 minutes while Ander cried into Omar’s shoulder and until both of their legs began to ache.
“Hey, come here. Give me one second.” Omar deposited a still sniffling Ander onto the couch and ran quickly into their bedroom and ran out a few seconds later with their wedding rings in his hand. On Sunday, being unsure of when Ander’s grandparents specific daily visits would be, Ander and Omar had decided to leave their wedding rings off until Camilla and Mateo had returned home, which had, for obvious reasons, made Ander even more depressed.
“Here.” Omar took Ander’s left hand in his as he sat down on the couch next to him. Omar placed Ander’s wedding ring back onto his finger and then brought his hand up to his lips and kissed it gently. “You don’t need to worry about your grandma finding you a wife, ‘cause you already have a husband, and I have no intention of letting you go.” Ander now had fresh tears in his eyes as Omar caressed his cheek gently. Ander silently took Omar’s wedding ring out of his hand and slipped it onto his finger, kissing Omar’s hand in the same way Omar had kissed his. Omar then cupped Ander’s cheek and pulled his face towards his own, their lips crashing together in a mixture of love, passion and tears. Ander felt his heart swell, he knew everything would always be okay, as long as he had Omar right there by his side.
———
The next day came far too quickly and before he knew it Ander was being ripped out of his blissful sleep by a loud knocking on the door.
The night before, after the two of them had calmed down, they’d had a quiet night in, eating the meal Omar had cooked and watching movies together until Omar had fallen asleep with his head on Ander’s chest.
Ander shook Omar awake as the knocking persisted and the two of them stared at each other. Confused and still half asleep Ander stumbled around grabbing a pair of jeans and a shirt and then ran towards the door, opening it with a pissed off look on his face. He came face to face with Guzman and Nadia who were looking at him sympathetically, as if he was a turtle who had landed on his back and couldn’t get back up.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Ander continued to stare at them as Guzman just laughed and pushed past him into the apartment.
“Relax man, we heard about your shitty day yesterday and brought you breakfast.” Guzman said, as if that was a good enough explanation for why they had interrupted Ander’s sleep, and on a Saturday of all the days, he didn’t even need to be awake for another 45 minutes.
“How did you even know about that?”
“Omar texted me last night and told me.” Nadia explained as she busied herself making breakfast and slapping Guzman’s hand away every time he tried to grab food. Ander spun around to look at Omar who had now appeared from their bedroom still rubbing his eyes in an attempt to wake himself up. Omar just shrugged and smiled sheepishly as he made his way to the kitchen to take over from Nadia as everyone knew Omar could make better waffles than Nadia ever could.
Once breakfast was ready the four of them stood around the kitchen island eating and listening as Ander once again recounted the horrors of his previous afternoon. Nadia was enraged at the idea of Camilla trying to find Ander a wife but that wasn’t particularly surprising considering she wasn’t Camilla’s biggest fan. Guzman however, found the entire situation absolutely hilarious saying he could just picture Ander’s face, which only made him laugh more. Omar tried very hard to keep a straight face but couldn’t help joining in and eventually Nadia did too, because if you really thought about it, it was quite funny. Ander was obviously and (mostly) openly gay so the idea of him being faced with a woman that wanted to marry him was far too funny for Guzman to comprehend.
On the other hand Ander failed to see the hilarity of the situation and stood there staring at his friends and his husband with a look of disdain on his face. He was about to start yelling at them to shut up when there was a rapid knocking at the door for the second time that morning.
“Who the fuck is here now? It’s only 9 o’clock in the morning can people not leave us in peace?” Ander grumbled as he made his way to the door and swiftly opened it to reveal his stony faced grandmother on the other side, Mateo and Azucena in tow.
Camilla walked past Ander and straight into the apartment stopping to stand in the living room and stare disapprovingly at the three adults clustered around the island in the kitchen. Mateo quickly followed and Azucena stopped to greet her son.
“I’m sorry.” She said “I tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen.”
Omar, Guzman and Nadia had all stopped laughing and were now staring awkwardly anywhere other than Camilla, unable to look her in the eyes without bursting into a second round of hysterics. Eventually Ander made his way over to his grandparents with his mother trailing after him, he gave the other three a look telling them to stay where they were and to stay quiet.
Ander came to a stop in front of Camilla as Azucena joined her father on the couch. Ander’s hands were clasped nervously behind his back and he was staring intently at a particular spot on the floor. However Camilla just stood there staring straight at Ander with her lips pursed and her hands clasping her tiny handbag in front of her.
“Listen, Grandma-” Ander started.
“No you listen.” Clearly the patience had been a front to try and start the conversation. “All I was trying to do was find you a respectable wife without you having to do any of the hard work. I wasn’t even expecting you to marry her but you could have at least gone on a date, or tried to get to know her. But no! Instead you storm out of the restaurant like a little child, I mean, you’re 25 years old Ander, you could have at least had the courtesy to tell us all why exactly you refuse to date anyone.” Ander took a deep breath trying to process the whole of his grandmother’s rant without hitting something.
“Grandma, I know this is hard for you to understand but people don’t get married as young as they used to anymore and I’m trying really hard to build up my career before I take on the responsibility of another person in my life.” He hadn’t come this far to give up now, he was going to stick to his lie and if she didn’t like it then she was going to have to live with it. At least it was possible for her to live with this, which was more than could be said for the truth. Camilla took Ander’s hands in her own and looked up at him. “I know honey, and I know you’ll have a fantastic career but-” The smile and softness that had appeared on her face after Ander had said his explanation suddenly vanished as she gripped Ander’s left hand and looked down at it with an unreadable expression on her face.
The next ten seconds seemed like ten years as Ander pulled his hand from his grandmother’s grasp and swore profusely as he saw his wedding ring still on his finger from the night before. He’d gotten so used to wearing it that he didn’t even notice it anymore. Omar, who realised immediately what had happened, quickly shoved his left hand behind his back having also forgotten to remove his ring. That being said Omar wasn’t sure what use that would do now considering at this point the truth was inevitable. Guzman and Nadia stood staring at each other utterly confused. Azucena also swore as she put her head in her hands and Mateo just sat there with an oddly smug look on his face.
But Camilla…….. she just stood stock still, stunned into silence and unable to speak.
“You’re wearing… you’re wearing a w-wedding ring.” That was all she could manage to say as she stumbled backwards and landed on the couch next to her husband.
Guzman froze and Nadia looked quickly at her brother as it dawned on them both exactly what had just happened.
Ander felt defeated. He’d been lying to his grandparents for almost a week and for what? The truth came out anyway, he might as well have not bothered. But the one thing he knew right now was that he had to sort this out, he had to be honest. So with a new plan in mind he walked slowly and kneeled on the floor in front of his grandparents, looking up at them with eyes a mixture of happiness that he no longer had to lie but also anger at what he was going to have to do and at the inevitable reaction. Ander was about to open his mouth but Camilla beat him to it.
“So……. you’re married.” She stated, a blank expression her face. “Well at least now I have a proper reason as to why you didn’t like Liliana. But what I don’t quite understand is why you felt the need to lie to me. Is she not Catholic? Because that doesn’t bother me. And when can I meet her? Is she away? Will she be back in time for me to see her? Is she-”
Ander cut off his grandmother with a large sigh as he tried to get himself together. “That’s not it Grandma, okay? She’s none of those things, in fact, she’s not a she at all. I’m gay.” Ander said those last two words whilst staring his grandma right in the eye and then looking to his grandad. It felt so good to finally say it and for them to know. Mateo had a look on his face that Ander hadn’t expected. It was pride, happiness, almost. Camilla however looked white like a ghost. She was staring at Ander unable to speak, or move, or even breathe.
Ander quickly stood up, jogging to the kitchen, grabbing Omar’s hand and pulling Omar back towards his grandparents with him.
“Omar is my husband. We’ve been together for almost nine years and we got married two years ago and if you can’t accept that then I don’t want you in my home. In our home.” Ander stood defiantly staring at Camilla and Mateo with a huge smile on his face. He no longer cared what they though or how they reacted as Omar squeezed his hand and looked at him with pure love and admiration.
“Well, in that case I think it’s best if we leave.” Camilla said standing and avoiding Ander’s gaze before making her way to the door. “I’ll be waiting in the car and we’ll be leaving once we’ve collected our things. I can’t believe you knew about this Azucena.” She hissed out her last sentence and with that, she was gone. It wasn’t as if Ander hadn’t expected that exact reaction but it still hurt and he felt a shot of pain in his chest.
“I’m sorry Mama.” Ander said as he turned towards Azucena who pulled him into a tight hug.
“Shhhhh. It’s okay. It’ll all be fine.” She whispered as she stroked her sons hair and squeezed him tightly. “I should probably go and talk to her.” Azucena made her way towards the front door, grabbing her coat, and making her way out of the apartment. It was now silent. Omar wanted to hug and reassure Ander, as did Guzman and Nadia but the three of them were all put off by the presence of Mateo who was yet to leave, however the reason for his remaining presence was unknown and it was something that was making Ander increasingly nervous with every moment that passed.
Mateo stood slowly and made his way over to Ander. He then wrapped his arms around Ander’s form and hugged him. Ander was in shock as his grandfather was never one to hug him, or anyone else for that matter.
“I’m proud of you.” Said Mateo “I know how hard that must have been for you especially considering our religion portrays us as not particularly accepting people but I’ve had time to come to terms with it and to understand it.”
“But……. how?” Was all Ander could manage now that his grandad had released him.
“Well I tried to ignore it at first, all those years ago, but it gets to a point where some things are hard to ignore. The way that you two were looking at each other on Sunday, that was a look of love, not friendship. I expect it was easier for your grandma to ignore it, people tend to ignore the things that they don’t want to see. But don’t worry, she’ll come around eventually, it just might take her a while, that’s all.” Mateo reached his hand out towards Omar and Omar shook his hand gently, still shocked at Mateo’s speech, “It was lovely to meet you Omar, I’m glad that you make my grandson as happy as he is.” and with that he was gone.
“What the actual fuck just happened?” Was the only thing that Ander could come up with at that moment. The other three just shook their heads, not sure what to say about the old, Catholic, white man having just accepted his gay grandson.
Of course, Guzman was the one to break the silence saying, “Well, it could have gone worse.” which, for some reason, made them all burst into laughter.
“Hey,” Omar said having regained his composure and turned towards Ander, “you did it. You came out to them, now it’s up to them. They have to decide what they want to do, and if your grandma can’t accept it then that is not your fault.”
Ander couldn’t find any words so instead he just grabbed the back of Omar’s neck and crashed their lips together. The kiss was getting deeper and deeper and Guzman and Nadia felt extremely awkward.
“Okayyyyy, I think that’s our cue to leave.” Nadia said with a hint of a smile on her face as she grabbed Guzman by the hand and dragged him out of the apartment.
Meanwhile Ander had grabbed Omar’s waist and started walking backwards towards the bedroom, their lips still interlocked. They entered the bedroom and Ander felt the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed just before he fell back on it, Omar quickly climbing on top of him. Omar was about to start kissing him again when Ander put a hand on his chest to stop him.
“I love you.” Was all Ander said as he stared into the beautiful hazel of Omar’s eyes.
“I love you too.” Omar replied before he began to kiss Ander all over again. This, this was all Ander needed. He didn’t need his grandparents, he didn’t need a wife, he didn’t even need a job because the only thing that truly mattered to him was Omar and as long as Omar was here, with him, then everything would be perfect, always.
Thanks for reading! Like, comment and reblog! <3
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klea221 · 3 years ago
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Blood and Gold Part 1
*This is a fic of my own. I have not finished campaign 2 yet but I am being self indulgent and writing because I cannot get enough of Mollymauk. (I refuse to let him be dead!)*
The wind off the river was warm and calming, just like any other day in Marquet.
Merchants bartered and unloaded cargo. Children stopped to gawk at the foreign goods only to be quickly shooed away.
Life here was simple to the untrained eye but for those who knew better, “freedom” came at a cost.
Beginning to climb off the rocks and through the reeds, I realize that my hiding spot is in jeopardy. Stilling, I hope to remain unseen by the guards.
Casting “disguise self”, I make my way to the passenger ship. The price is a steep 300 gold but once I get to the menagerie coast, I can start my new life. Surely, its worth the cost. Hopefully, my sister Yara will keep up the illusion until I’m far enough away…
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I limit my time outside the cabin to twice a day to keep up the disguise. The rest of the time I use to plan my next steps. Of course I had never really “worked” before but, I had extensive tutoring and training at the palace which could come in useful. Armed with my bow, a dagger, and my sword, I could become some sort of adventurer! It could be like the stories father used to tell us growing up about the great heroes of the past!
Shrugging it off, I remind myself not to get too carried away. Surely, it would be more reasonable to work in a tavern of some sort…
Suddenly, I am pushed out of my thoughts by my sister’s message,
“(Y/N)! Its me, Yara! I was unable to keep up the act! Father has sent a search party! Be safe”
~~
Even with closed eyes, I can still smell the blood. As quick as the rebellion came and left, the damage was already done. The streets of Ank’Harel were stained red. Noble houses were torn a part and everyone was on edge.
After a week of negotiation, things began to change. Hopefully things would go back to “normal”.
“We will form an alliance! There will be no more bloodshed in this city. We have a duty to the people, Ozai!” commanded the king.
“Yes, of course. There is however, a price for my… compliance” says General Ozai.
“Name it” answered the king, trying to remain prideful.
“Your daughter will marry Omar, He will become the Prince”.
“It will be done”.
I couldn’t breathe.
Omar was just as cruel as his father-if not worse. He was even rumoured to keep many slaves. Surely this man could not ever love let alone be a good husband. I felt sick. As I looked around the room, it spun and no body seemed to care.
~
“I will not hear anymore of this (y/n). My word is final! You will marry Omar! The wedding will be next month and that is that!” yelled the king.
My father almost never yelled, especially not to me. After the rebellion he seemed to be unhinged and there would be no use in arguing. My fate is settled; marry Omar or go far away-and never return…
“I understand” was all I could muster before storming off to my chambers. I grabbed all that I could and made my way to the docks.
~
My eyes shot open as I rose from the hard cot. The ship’s horn bellowed, vibrating the floor and walls of the cabin. Looking over to my window, I could see a huge lighthouse in the shape of the Wild Mother. This is it! This must be Nicodranas! Excited for what this new place has in store, I toss all of my things into my bag and leave the ship for the last time.
~~
I cannot help but feel captivated by the delicate blue hues around me. The air is a beautiful combination of warmth, sea salt, and the smell of cinnamon. Looking over to a bakery, I see freshly made pastries and decide I should indulge myself! Why not?
Before I am able to take my first bite, the heavy presence of guards makes me uneasy. Trying to be stealthy, I make my way into an alley and case “disguise self” for the first time today.
“Hey! I can do that too!” says a cheerful accented voice.
Looking over my shoulder, I see a blue tiefling magically transform into a blond human girl in peasant’s clothing.
“My name is Jester! I’ll keep your secret if you give me your donut!” she says happily eyeing my purchase.
Though she is quite forward, I feel comforted by the tiefling and decide that maybe I shouldn’t be alone anymore.
“Why don’t I just buy us some more then! Oh- and my name is y/n!” I tell her as we walk back to the bakery.
~
Jester can talk nonstop! Normally this would be a little much for me but, having travelled alone for so long, I welcome it. Jester quickly tells me all about the city, her mother, and all the tricks the so called “Traveler” has taught her. Sticking with my plan, I tell her that I am looking for work while in Nicodranas. She happily takes me to her Inn where her mother helps me secure a job. I work hard cleaning up after guests and fetching them any food or drink that they require in exchange for room and board. It is very hard work but, Jester keeps me company most days.
~~
One night as I’m folding tablecloths, I hear a commotion on the stairs. Its Lord Sharpe and he’s livid!
“IF I EVER SEE YOUR DAUGHTER AGAIN I WILL HAVE HER KILLED!”
Oh no! Jester what has she done now!
Trying to stay out of the argument, I look up to see Marion on the staircase with tears streaming down her normally poised face. This was really bad indeed…
~
Making my way up to Jester’s room, I can already hear Marion and Jester.
“But Mama! It was just a joke! Surely he can’t be serious!” whines Jester. She’s completely unaware of the gravity of her actions.
“Lord Sharpe is an extremely powerful man Jester, I don’t think we should take the risk! I think it would be best if you left the city for awhile. Maybe with time things will blow over” says Marion, pushing the hair out of Jester’s face.
Opening the door, I try to aid Marion in convincing Jester to play it safe.
“Jester, your mother is right-I-I’ve seen what men with power can do…” I say cryptically.
Not sensing that Jester is understanding, I take my chances and tell them both my REAL story. I tell them all bout my engagement and how awful the ramifications would have been had I stayed. Who knows, maybe I would’ve been killed one day to give Omar the throne…
“Jester, we can go together, we can keep each other safe from bad guys. I’m sure the Traveler will help us!” I say, trying to persuade her.
“Thank you for telling us this (y/n). You are a true friend. I know you will keep my little sapphire safe!” she says pulling me into a hug.
“It is settled then, we will leave at once!” Jester says.
“Here, this should help you two along” says Marion, placing a rather large coin purse into Jester’s hands. “Be very careful Jester, and try not to play too many tricks!” warns Marion.
~~
Jester had decided that we would search for her long-lost father (whom she had never even met). Not wanting to crush her hopes, I tag along on the mission.
In Port Damali, our “investigation” runs dead. Despite this, we manage to gain a member into our little group. Having noticed our cleric abilities, a half-orc sailor named Fjord offered to travel with us. He tells us that he wishes to enroll at the magic academy in the Dwendalian Empire.
As we lead the coast and travel towards this new Empire, the air become noticeably cooler. The ocean views become obscured by rocky mountain terrain, and I begin to feel anxious for the road ahead.
~
As we arrived at Trostenwald, there was a commotion by the lake. Curiously walking closer, we see a giant water snake and a tiny screaming girl curled in its grasp.
In a matter of seconds, a female monk leaps onto the scene in a flash of blue robes. She begins to pummel the beast with her staff. Seeing as she may need help with killing the snake, the three of us run to help.
Aiming by bow toward the beast, I surprisingly manage to hit it right behind the head. However, before I can get too excited, I realize the beast is far too large for one arrow alone to take it down. The snake angrily strikes at the monk who narrowly dodges the attack.
Fjord runs up to the beast and draws his sword while I prepare another arrow. This time, I aim for the eyes.
Now blinded and confused, the creature is unaware of Fjord’s presence. He quickly begins to cut through the beast’s tough skin, killing it.
As the snake falls to the ground, the crowd erupts with cheers.
Jester runs over to the little girl and quickly casts “cure wounds”. My heart finally slows down knowing that the girl is safe.
“YOU GUYS THAT WAS AWESOME!” yells Jester, waving her hands around.
“Ugh, yeah! That was pretty rad” says the monk. “My name’s Beau by the way”
“Oh! I’m Jester! And this is y/n and Fjord!” says Jester, happily.
“Nice to meet you” I say shyly.
“Are you guys travelling too?” asks Beau.
“Yes, we are making our way north to the Soltryce Academy” says Fjord.
“Ah- the Soltryce Academy you say… No offense but you guys are gonna need some serious coin for that” says the monk, knowingly.
“You don’t say… You wouldn’t happen to know anyone who is hiring, would you?” says the half-orc.
“Well I mean, I was going to do some work for the Baumbach Brewery before this snake thing happened… You’re welcome to tag along if you’d like” offers the monk.
“Hey! That sounds like it could be fun!” says Jester.
~
After living in a palace most of my life, I try not to complain too much about manual labour but this job was BRUTAL. The four of us have done nothing but haul boxes and crates for hours on end. My body was sore and sweaty despite the cool air of Trostenwald.
By the time we got to the Nestled Nook Inn, my body was on autopilot. Not bothering to eat, I head upstairs and crash onto the bed.
~
With an aching body, I finally pull myself out of bed and open the door. I am greeted with the comforting smell of fresh bread and breakfast meats. Sitting down with the rest of the group, I forget my table manners and devour the food placed in front of me.
Not long into breakfast, the little girl’s father from yesterday enters the Inn. Nervously, he makes his way to our table and thanks us graciously. Before leaving, he dumps a hatful of coin onto our table. The coin pile draws much attention so, I rush to divide the pile evenly.
As Jester begins to converse with the table next to us, quick introductions are made. Before I can dwell on the halfling’s odd appearance, two more strange figures make their way noisily through the Inn.
Quickly turning my head in annoyance to the commotion, my heart stops for a moment. Having lived in Marquet all my life, I was used to Tieflings as they were common to see around the city. This lavender one however, was a sight to behold. And Gods was I in trouble…
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