#and the general excitement and/or joy when you find that you know what comes next

[blueberrypancakesworld]

The fathers of Rome

Marcus/Geta/Caracalla x wife!reader

warning : fluff, comfort, crying, kissing a bit emotional, birth, family issues, written before the movie came out characters may be different

Summary : Two Emperors and the general of the army all had important duties and responsibilities but by the grace of the gods and with devotion of love the three most influential men find themselves with the news of a pregnant wife. Each of them has a slightly different approach to taking care of his pregnant wife and the birth, because a birth could always go wrong and the gods were rarely merciful.

info : I wanted to write something sweet for the three of them and I know that they could be good fathers (if you romanticize a little bit) now have fun reading and have a nice day.

masterlist

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Marcus Acacius

It was thought that the battlefield was his home and the sword was his wife but few knew that in a vast field of olive trees and wheat fields stood a large villa in which a woman lived with a small household and prayed between her altars to the gods that her beloved husband would return home safely.

A story of a leader of the army of Rome and his wife a former oracle who met him, foretold him his future yet his eyes, his voice and his being would not depart from her own prophecies.

An initial love of safety in times of peace, she appreciated his protective nature in a world that belonged almost entirely to Rome, danger still lurked everywhere. He, in turn, was captured by her grace and care, this devotion to those in need or to himself when she waited on him to heal his wounds and the two felt safe and complete together.

A husband who rushed home on horseback so fast he rode to her from the support posts when the emperors called him back the sleep was won she saw the shadow on the horizon from the balcony and even mounted her horse to meet him, ,,My heart" he embraced her each time still seeing the dirt and emaciation on him after being away for months sometimes years.

His hands closed around her, an embrace, a heartfelt kiss, tears in her eyes when she finally saw him again before they rode back to the villa together, she helped him bathe and wash her before he pulled her into the water himself, not wanting to leave her side and unable to do so for too long, he had missed her, not only her lovely eyes, her voice that he loved to listen to, her hair that he ran through and her hands that he clasped every time he wanted to be close to her but couldn't in public.

But with such intimacy comes love and with love comes desire, desire for each other, desire for each other's bodies and this desire was pursued many nights and on some bright days they were also close until he had to leave again, for the next raid not knowing that only two months after he was gone he received a letter with scrawled writing full of excitement.

A letter that moved him to tears when he read it for the first time, ,,I'm going…to be a father" he mumbled to himself in his tent above and above he realized that love for each other would grow into a life, a little baby that would look like both of them and a big smile stayed on his lips as he hurriedly wrote back to her expressing his joy and his heart, how excited he was himself, how proud he was of her and how much he loved her and praying to the gods that the battle would be won quickly.

The letters changed from weekly to daily as her pregnancy progressed and he received drawings of what she looked like, along with dried flowers she was growing that were made into tea and tinctures to help her body.

The couple were happy with words, kisses seemed to spread across the infinity and she was sent a piece of clothing by Marcus and remembered that he would return to her and their child.

Everything went well until he received the letter that she would go into labor in the next few days, the war took longer than expected, but it was the first and only time he gave his sergeant the lead and started the journey back on his own responsibility, which would take several days, but he had to go to her the fear and worry that something could go wrong that he would lose her or that the child was not healthy.

Fear and worry clutched at his heart as he drove his horse faster and faster as fast as he could back home where he burst through the front door and heard the screams of pain that scared him to death calling her name, he hurried up the stairs to the shared bedroom where he found her crouching by the bed, apparently lying down would lead to complications.

,,Love I'm-I'm here everything will be fine" he murmured hastily pressing kisses on her hand which she immediately grasped painfully and screamed again as she tried to get their child out of her, he could still see the love for him in her tear-stained eyes on her sweat-smeared body they were both covered in blood from the death of the battlefield and the birth of new life as she continued to push and the midwife helped her too.

She screamed out his name her pain and Marcus became more and more afraid of losing her with every pain she had as she continued to hold her giving her courage and hope when his own hands trembled as he heard the ,,I can see the head my lady keep pushing" from the midwife who did everything she could to make the birth as easy as possible.

,,You can do it my heart I'm here push again" he whispered to her as she looked at him in pain he saw the fear and yet the deniability that he was with her before she let out one last scream and he heard a bright scream next to blood splattering on the floor, a bright scream that echoed and seemed never to stop.

,,Congratulations, a healthy baby boy!" the older woman announced, dabbing the newborn baby lightly before wrapping him in linen so he could be held better, while Marcus helped his wife back onto the bed, covering her lightly and giving her a long kiss, ,,I am so very proud my darling," he whispered placing a kiss on her head, before taking his son in his arms, those light, dark hairs on the delicate head belonging to him but the pretty eyes were hers.

His eyes filled with tears of pride and reassurance as he stroked his son and gave her the little bundle she clutched, ,,A piece of love from both of us," she uttered, crying with happiness as she looked into her son's curious face and he chuckled at her as the two parents spent the next few hours together on the bed with pure happiness as the little baby went from laughing with gurgling laughter, to crying and finally falling asleep exhausted in the equally exhausted arms of his parents.

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Emperor Geta

The younger but stronger emperor of Rome, the warrior and leader who did not subordinate himself and enjoyed the Coloseum. A young man whose golden lure was not the only thing that seemed to be gold, he bought and made whatever he wanted, be it new armor, a sword, an army or even slaves that he could kill or do anything else with.

But in his life, his only blood besides his older brother Caracalla, there was only one marriage predestined by his father that he should marry her.

Pretty, coming from wealth and power but not a woman he had chosen, it was like fate, his father had decided like a god on the life of his son but it had been like that for some time now and as much as the couple was celebrated in public, the false smiles and hand-holding of the inner circle was seen through, they were both torn.

As much as they tried to understand each other and she appreciated his gift of attention to Rome, as much as he thought she was pretty and appreciated her patience as a true virtue, they never seemed to be in the same mood. There never seemed to have been a thread of fate.

,,Can love ever arise from a loveless duty?" she had once asked him when he wanted to retire in the evenings, avoiding her to occupy himself with his important things that his older brother wasn't interested in and always finding an excuse to avoid her.

She saw the guilt disappear from his eyes in the blink of an eye, saw him straighten the rings on his fingers before he replied with a ,,Love comes from the heart… a duty from the words of others" before he left her room and avoided her for another night, a night that followed one after the other until one day they attended his brother's wedding, Caracalla also married a highborn woman and gave the Roman Empire its first heir, as it should be - it was all just a matter of time.

A fact that Geta also knew, even if with a smile his bright eyes wished nothing but death for his sister-in-law, a plague that she and his brother would have to endure,

,,I want to see you in my chamber after the feast and that is not a question" he murmured to his wife who looked at him with an uneasy look, she had seen the looks, knew what was going on in her husband and yet in a horrible fate she felt the duty in her heart she had to bear him an heir.

The festivities dragged on for a long time, but with wine that overwhelmed her senses she distracted herself from what was going to happen, what he was going to do just because his place in the order of precedence would be changed, she followed his words, made a simple excuse and retired to her husband's room.

She had also heard the wine on his lips as that night began with a kiss, senses dazed by wine and yet there was still a kind of tenderness in his touch despite his hatred, she still held him close to her heart, something she clung to as hope.

A hope and love a lust she would not have expected from him overcame the nights of nights she saw for the first time his jealousy coupled with love,.

,,I know you are trying my love" he told her again and again his hand placed on her tree day after day she seemed to realize if she was pregnant until the day one of the midwives and his healer confirmed she was pregnant and a few tests brought the uncertainty to an end.

She still couldn't believe it was true, she felt his arms around her body and words of praise but double-edged words coming at her as Geta looked at her with a look that told her he had never felt more love for her than now, ,,My Empress pregnant with my heir" he murmured and immediately let the news spread everywhere rubbing it straight into the face of his brother and especially his sister-in-law who was not yet pregnant.

The time after that was filled with happiness and yet paranoia, he was only more attached to her, paying attention to everything and having the room for the child decorated with her taste, choosing the furniture and the colors, ,,The room of the future emperor," he announced to her as she leaned on him and saw the room with pictures of heroic deeds and old legends showing victories.

,,A truly impressive room," she admitted and felt her hands relax on her now round belly as time passed, the moons and suns came quickly and her pregnancy increased, the closer she got to the birth the more excited Geta seemed to become, insisting on being present the whole time…an insistence she kept, only a few moons later her contractions came and the palace was filled with screams and weeping.

Geta shouted at the midwives and healers to kill them all or he would kill them personally while he supported his wife with words and did not flinch when her bloodied hand reached for him, ,,You are doing very well I am with you dear, with our son you will make it" he told her again and again kissing her forehead and giving her hopeful kisses until he shouted more death threats until the news came that it was almost done.

The last screams were full of pain and she clung to him even more, the pain increasing with the thought that had plagued her for months and her heart stopped when she heard the voice of the midwife saying ,,My emperor it's a…girl" and the room slowly fell silent, only the shrill cry of the baby could be heard, a baby without the right sex, a girl no heir.

Her heavy breathing and the tears rolling down her cheeks as he pulled away from her with a jerk, she was supported by her midwives who helped her onto the bed and took care of her as best they could while she watched Geta take her daughter in his arms and turn his back on her, not seeing how he looked with this "disappointing" birth.

,,Everyone out now!" he shouted making the little baby cry again and yet everyone complied, ,,Geta I'm-I'm sorry" she started trying to get to him when she heard a sniffle and paused, at first she thought it was the baby but it giggled and a clearing of the throat was heard before he turned to her.

Her worry vanished when she saw his expression it was pride, it was appreciation it was happiness, ,,The future of the empire an empress from the love of her parents…she will become a goddess" he murmured and came to his wife in bed put the baby in her arms and gave the little girl a kiss on the head while he held his wife's hand and gently stroked it.

He was not disappointed he had gotten something so much better, he had gotten love and a wife who was everything to him a family of his own the only imperial family of ancient Rome.

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

Emperor Caracalla

The elder son, the first emperor to rule with his younger but much more suitable brother, a pair of brothers who ruled together and brought Rome to the top of the world with its army and its strength, but above all a young man with a woman at his side.

A woman, the Empress of Rome, beautiful, handsome and caring, popular with the people and not underestimated in politics because of her own country of origin and family…but a young woman without children.

A woman without children from an age when she would not be empress she would take other jobs nor have a choice but an empress was not a politician, a warrior or even a farmer an empress was and should always be a mother first so it has always been but not with her.

The wedding was moons ago and even if it was a little difficult at first their hearts were close she loved her playful husband who was always loving to her and had a penchant for entertainment of any kind.

As long as Carcalla wasn't bored, he knew that his brother was concerned with everything else, including politics, for which he had little taste when it wasn't a matter of attack or execution, she could only entertain him by acting, playing or playing in the arena, and as much as they both enjoyed it, she became more unhappy.

,,Your smile is fading, don't you like it? I can hire a new actor or buy new slaves right away," the blonde immediately offered and waved the troupe out so he could talk to his wife who had been laughing all evening, her hand detached from her belly and handed him the parchment he had skimmed over in the morning.

A parchment with the emperor's seal, a message from his brother that Geta had taken a wife of his own on a state visit, ,,The betrothal and wedding, what's with that, starlet?" he asked, tossing the paper carelessly aside before rising and going to the table of fruit and helping himself to the grapes.

He didn't understand the seriousness, the worry or even what it meant for the future, not that they hadn't slept together often, the wedding night had been consummated and they had often shared the bed but it had never led to anything, she rose from her chair and went to him, taking his hand and seeking his gaze.

,,Cara. ..you're still the older one, a duty is on me and I don't know if I can ever give you…an heir" she said the lump in her throat almost cutting off her voice hoping he would understand.

She saw the humor fade from his face and he considered before he gave an almost stunned expression and grabbed both her hands hastily, squeezing them and locking them in a hasty kiss over and over until she broke away to catch her breath, ,,Please I-it may well be me…all this he may be the politician but I am the elder, the first and you do your duty every day you are with me.

,,I leave no room for doubt, do you understand?" he demanded and she found his hopefulness, confidence and euphoria truly inspiring that a small smile crept onto her lips before he took her in his arms the imperial couple found themselves together again that night, taking help from potions, tinctures and many other forbidden practices that they hardly left the bedchamber together for the next few days.

It was clear to everyone what was happening behind the closed doors but after trying and trying this hope was to pay off with her first discomfort and the first change, ,,Congratulations my Emperor you are finally pregnant" the healer announced as he listened to the results of the test and her report, her tears wetting the tunic of her husband who hugged her and twirled around and was all the more pleased.

The news also pleased the people and even when she saw the looks on Geta's face and his wife she knew she had done her duty she would give Rome an heir, she had not disappointed Caracalla, ,,You can never let me down everything will go well the gods are with us" he told her reading she put up stowage in the child's room and her own for the next moons so that she was protected and the child inside her.

The protection seemed to help Geta until a point, and everything seemed to go well until the day of the birth, when blood and tears covered the floor, ,,What's wrong with my wife?" Caracalla who was holding her hand on the bed but the dagger at his side seemed to slaughter anyone who did anything wrong.

He kissed her hands and fingers, tried to cool her forehead with cool cloths and tell her again that she was doing well, ,,It seems that the Empress is pregnant with twins," said one of the midwives who had already brought out the size of the belly and the prolonged birth.

It was news she needed to cry out and Caracalla was filled with joy which he only showed when she continued to scream and push with the help of Caracalla who got into a kneeling position and the moments of pain merged until the first child was pushed out, ,,A boy!" the midwife shouted and took care of the little creature while the younger one continued to hold on to her husband.

The blonde gave her a proud kiss on the head, ,,Do you hear that? Our son love you can do it I am here" he murmured over and over until another cry from her side and a second bright cry told them that it was done that night a boy and his sister were born, Caracalla proudly and happily held the little babies and immediately spoke to them while praising them over and over.

The little family was not only complete but was now a little conversation of their own for each other, they had brought themselves together through love and received two sweet little gifts because they believed that their love was stronger than anything else.

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

@morallyinept

@parvanovel -> I konw pregnancy is one thing but it's fluff so have fun :)

@sweetpascal

[zomboivex]

How Each TDB Guy Would Brutally Reject You

You ever wonder what the guys would say when rejecting you? Now you can find out through this post.

Enjoy.

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Today was the day. Your chest racing with excitement as you clutched onto the little flower bouquet you picked out. You were going to confess your feelings! You had mustered up the courage to finally tell him how he’s made your heart flutter and squeeze with excitement and joy. As you approach him, you feel each step quiver and your breathing quicken. Your legs carry you quickly as you spot him. And before you know it, you shove the flowers away from your chest and out to him and blurt, “I really like you ___!”

Frostheim

Jin Kamurai - Jin was currently standing next to Tohma. They were seemingly discussing some important business. With your sudden outburst, the Frostheim king gave you a once over before his face scrunched into obvious disgust. Without address you directly, he speaks to Tohma, “Tell this poor to get away from me. I can feel myself slipping into poverty every second they breathe the same air as me.”

Tohma Ishibashi - “Oh. How….” Well, how did you expect him to really respond? You could tell he was trying to think of what words to conjure up. You hadn’t expected him to finish with, “Utterly basic and tactless. I’m afraid I’m far too busy to try and pretend to entertain your antics right now. Now if you’ll excuse me.” And he simply walks past you as if you were just another stranger on the street.

Kaito Fuji - An awkward laugh escapes him as he averts his gaze. He’s unable to make eye contact as the words leave, “I know I complain that Lucas steals all the girls but…” He would let a hand move to rub the back of his neck, trailing off. At your deflated expression, he quickly adds on, “I’m sure there’s someone out there who’s into you! Just- not me.”

Lucas Errant - The confession took Lucas by surprise, taking hold of the flowers you thrust upon him. Eyes widen at your nervous demeanor and he tries to play off the situation, “Oh- I think I hear someone calling my name.” He turns and leaves. Quickly. He doesn’t want to stick around and continue this conversation with you. You can see him, further in the distance, toss the flowers into the trash and continue on his way.

Vagastrom

Alan Mido - “No.”

Leo Kurosagi - The confession immediately brought a laugh out. Taking the flowers gingerly from your hands, his honeyed eyes meet yours. And then, as you feel as if perhaps this went over better than you anticipated, it began. He’d pluck each petal off. One by one. An insult for each petal removed and flippantly tossed in your general direction. “Your skin looks like a dried and cracked road. You literally look like you wear clothes you fish from the dumpster. I get confused and think I got lost in Frosthell whenever I pass you because of all the dandruff your weed-looking hair produces-“ the insults continue until each flower is bare and he shoves them back at you. And leaves.

Sho Haizano - He was busy working in his food truck when you confessed. His brow raised. “I would rather drink all the frier oil in here than ever hear you say those words again.” And proceed to return to work. If you try to speak to him any further, he simply ignores you. He cannot hear. The kitchen is loud.

Jabberwock

Haru Sagara - Peekaboo was currently being fed as you snuck up and poured your feelings out to the unsuspecting Jabberwock Captain. As you finish up, he awkwardly looks between you and Peekaboo before giving a salute and speaking his incantation. “Bahnti!” And he bolts away. He will avoid you at any cost until you simply get the hint.

Towa Otonashi - The disgust on Towa’s face was clear. He’d yank the flowers from you angrily and toss them to the ground. His foot coming down to stomp on them. Clouds bubbling in the sky and rain suddenly pouring down, drenching you. A cracking noise filling the air. You book it before the interaction can escalate any further.

Ren Shiranami - “No thanks. I’m only into 2D girls.” He doesn’t even bother looking up from his phone to really acknowledge you. He has better things to do and more interesting (2D) people to talk to.

Sinostra

Taiga Hoshibami - “Who the fuck are you?” He grabs his gun and cocks it, pointing it at your face. “Get the fuck away before I paint the walls with you.” You can’t even get another word out as he begins to count. You scurry away.

Romeo Lucci - “I would rather experience poverty than to ever be seen with the likes of you. If I ever considered dating you, it’s because my life has hit the ultimate low and I’m practicing self hatred.” He doesn’t even stop to take a breath. “You’re a BB who doesn’t know their place. Why would I ever consider being with someone who’s more insignificant than the dust next to my nonna’s urn.”

Ritsu Shinjo - The uncanny smile never leaves him. “If I am to be Japan’s greatest lawyer, I would need a partner who matches my enthusiasm and passions.” He shakes his head and places a hand to his chest. Eyes closing briefly before reopening as he’d continue, “I would be doing myself a great disservice to consider letting you become my partner. Respectfully, I decline your offer.”

Hotarubi

Subaru Kagami - A confused expression forms. Subaru wasn’t sure you were actually confessing to him. This surely had to be some sort of… set up….? His eyes searching the area around to see if there are any snickering bystanders that put you up to this. Then his eyes fall back to you. An apologetic smile forming. “I’m not sure I’m hearing you correctly. You’re wanting to date me..?” You give a nod. And the ghoul seems to consider how to respond. “Not every flower attracts bees, I’m afraid.” And then he excuses himself and walks away.

Haku Kusanagi - “What do you expect me to say to that?” He shakes his head, a palm pressing to his forehead. He would let the hand drop back to his side before sighing. “I’m not sure either of us are worth the effort.”

Zenji Kotodama - “Oh! The dramatics, my dear!” He gasps out- believing your confession to be a form of artistry. But you stare at him expectantly and it dawns upon him that you are, in fact, being serious. He speaks again, “Perhaps it is because I’m no longer of this world- but I do not feel any excitement rushing through my chest at your words.” A pause. “You should send your confessions to that lout, Haku! The two of you would be a much better pair than you and I.”

Obscuary

Edward Hart - “I have lived a very long time, my dear, and have been confessed to a thousand and one ways.” A pained sigh leaving the vampiric captain. “Of all the confessions I’ve received, yours is the one that invokes the most disgust from within. I can feel my bones ache just from simply entertaining the potential thought of us together.” He’d look around, “In fact- can you find Rui and ask him to let my misery end? I don’t think I can continue after that brazen display from such a simplistic face.”

Rui Mizuki - At your sudden confession, Rui would blink and stare. It took him a moment to really process your words. Sure- he was confessed to a lot. But yours was just…. well… it was something. He’d take one of his gloves off and then carefully take the flowers, letting them wilt from his touch. Then retract and put the glove back on. “I don’t think a relationship with you would be worthwhile. Why don’t you ask someone with lower standards? Like Ed.”

Lyca Colt - “What?“ He seems more confused than anything else. And his face soon scrunches up in annoyance. “You’re talking like those girls that are obsessed with that blond gigolo.” His disgust was becoming apparent. “Don’t talk like that to me again. It makes me feel gross.”

Mortkranken

Yuri Isami - “Are you seriously disturbing my studies for something so trivial as a confession?” His words exasperated and almost shrill. “Why would I even consider someone with an IQ so low it detracts from my own?” He shakes his head. “Now, either make yourself useful and help move this body. Or get out of my way. I don’t have any more time to waste on your pointless feelings.”

Jiro Kirisaki - Staring down at you, his expression remains neutral. You can’t tell what he’s thinking until the words tumble out with no filter. “This seems like a conversation that you should have never started.” He then returns to the job Yuri had given him, ignoring your presence until you simply leave.

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Shout out to my buddies on Discord VCing with me as I wrote these and tossing a few ideas in here.

One does not have Tumblr but @jadeleechsupportgroup sure as hell does.

Clap for them, everyone.

Clap for me, too.

[2996-sana]

lost in japan

loosely based on lost in japan by shawn mendes :D

being a soloist in the industry is a bit like riding a rollercoaster of emotions. while it brings creative freedom and a chance to shape your own journey, it comes with its share of loneliness. unlike being in a group, where you share every step of the journey, as a soloist, you navigate the entire process – from making albums, promotions, gigs, to tours and interviews – all by yourself. sure, you have your crew and team, your chosen family, but seeing groups together makes you a bit envious. they get to share the highs and lows, the crazy moments, and the struggles. it's a camaraderie you sometimes wanted.

but being a soloist has its perks. you get to pour your soul into your music, writing and producing most of your songs. music isn't just a job; it's a deeply personal expression. every note and lyric carries a piece of your story, every emotion, and experience that left a mark on your heart.

and then there's the subject of love.

in the vast expanse of the industry, finding love can be a challenge. all eyes are on you, not just in korea but globally, and being an idol only adds to the scrutiny. but that hasn't stopped idols from dating, and who can blame them? when love comes knocking, it's hard to resist.

for you, love arrived unexpectedly in the form of a blind date, set up by mutual connections. specifically, yeri from red velvet, who passed down the idea to nayeon from twice. and believe it or not, love turned out to be a member of the renowned girl group twice.

love felt like magic, and at this moment, love happened to be right beside you on the couch in the recording studio.

"baby, i'm gonna miss you like crazy," sana pouted.

"i know, baby, but it's only gonna be a few weeks, right?" you ask, trying to offer comfort.

"three weeks, yeah, but i hate being away from you," she replies, eyes still a bit teary.

turning to your girlfriend, you put down your guitar and scoot closer to sana. "i understand, baby. if i didn't have schedules lined up for the next few weeks, i'd come with you guys," you say, your voice carrying a tinge of sadness.

sana sighed in defeat and planted a playful kiss on your cheek. "you should write a song about me while i'm away," she teased.

you rolled your eyes. "they're all about you, i don't know what you're on about."

sana giggled, fully aware that it was true. despite this knowledge, hearing every new song you wrote about her never got old and it never failed to make her swoon. your love story held a special place in both your hearts, and having it immortalized in your music felt special. especially since the general public remained oblivious to the fact that the songs were about her or your relationship. it was like a secret world that only the two of you shared, untouched, and safe from the prying eyes of the public.

as much as sana wanted to shout about your love from the rooftops, she found solace in the fact that you both hadn't given anybody the power to take what you had away. having your close circle and family know felt like enough for now.

"i adore you so much, baby. i feel incredibly lucky," sana confessed, locking eyes with you.

"i love you, baby. we're both really lucky," you replied. "are you excited to be home and visit family?"

sana's eyes lit up. "yes! mom and dad wanted to see you, though. but yeah, it's been a while, so i'm excited."

the joy on her face brought warmth to your heart. "i'm excited for you, baby. send me lots of pictures, okay? and don't worry, i'll give you a call when you're together with your parents."

that night, you had to take sana and the rest of twice to the airport. well, technically, you were in the same car they were dropped off in, but you couldn't get off due to the swarm of reporters and fansites. now, that would be a headline.

you gave sana one last kiss and waved goodbye to tzuyu, dahyun, mina, and jihyo, who were sharing the same car.

"be safe, you guys," you said.

"we'll miss you, unnie!" tzuyu exclaimed, and the rest of the girls echoed her sentiment.

"i'll miss you the most, though," sana said sadly.

you reached for her hand and gave it a soft kiss. "i'll see you real soon, baby."

"y/n, you better pay me extra to keep sana from talking everyone's ears off about missing you this whole trip," jihyo joked, earning laughs from the group.

"bank transfer?" you suggested playfully.

"yah!" sana feigned annoyance.

"alright, alright, you guys go. the rest of the girls are already outside."

as the car door closed, you sighed. a busy week awaited you with recording sessions, and on top of that, you didn't have a girlfriend to come home to for the next few weeks. *+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

a week drifted by, and there you were, sprawled out on the cushy couch in a hotel in taiwan, peering through the grand glass windows that framed the city's glowing lights. the sun descended gracefully, painting the sky with warm hues. you wished sana was there with you. memories flooded in — of quiet evenings cocooned on the couch, watching anime after demanding days, and lively moments in the kitchen, dancing and singing together.

"it's cool. just two more weeks," you mumbled.

suddenly, a soft buzz broke the silence.

m.by__sana tagged you in a post

you tapped the notification, revealing snapshots from a dinner a week past, capturing the comically overcooked steak you had made.

당신은 여전히 최고입니다, 셰프님! ♡´ (you're still the best, chef! ♡´)

a gentle chuckle escaped you.

당신은 미친 듯이 나를 그리워하고 있을 것입니다, you playfully commented. (you must be missing me like crazy)

almost instantly, you got a reply.

당신은 모르고 있어요 (you have no idea)

you released a resigned sigh, well-acquainted with the sacrifices that came with being idols. both of you knew the drill — the inevitable stretches of separation that, despite understanding, never got easier.

you knew sana was currently holed up in her hotel with the other girls, having just gotten off a facetime call with her. it didn't make the distance any more bearable, and resisting the urge to fly over and be with her required more self-control than you cared to admit.

wait…

with a swift move, you grabbed your phone and opened up the voice memo app. "na na na na, do you got plans tonight, baby? something something, lost in your paradise. the only thing i’m thinking ‘bout is you and i, i can’t get you off my mind," you sang, a mix of determination and confusion in your voice as you attempted to untangle the tune in your head. recording the snippets, you couldn't help but hope that this spontaneous burst could turn into something.

as a musician and songwriter, you know that when inspiration hits - seize it and craft it into art. luckily for you, sana was the kind of girl who could fuel a billion songs, and the thought of writing about her never got old.

fueled by the sudden inspiration, you reached for your guitar.

*+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

"sana, you okay?" mina inquired, concern etching her features as she observed sana lost in thought, brows furrowed.

"she's fine. just being dramatic because y/n hasn't replied," nayeon chuckled, finding the situation amusing.

"you don't get it; she never takes this long to reply, even when we're both busy," sana whined, her frustration evident.

"unnie, isn't she in the middle of preparing for a comeback?" chaeyoung suggested. "maybe she's stuck in a meeting or recording something."

despite chaeyoung's rationality, sana's irritation persisted. she wasn't worried; she was just plain mad that you weren't responding.

the day dragged on with your replies limited to one-word responses, fueling sana's growing annoyance.

"who does she think she is?" sana slammed the door of her and momo's hotel room. "she didn't even pick up when i called her at my parents' house, and she specifically told me to!"

momo racked her brain, knowing sana's penchant for needing attention. she silently cursed you for leaving her with a moody sana.

"sana, it's okay. she'll eventually reply. i'm sure she has her reasons," momo sighed, offering a reassuring smile.

sana, across the room, sprinted to momo, shoving her phone in her friend's face. "what is this, then?"

momo squinted at your instagram story, revealing a tiktok of you and jennie doing a dance. momo silently cursed you again.

"uhh, scheduled post? maybe it's a new challenge," momo suggested, attempting to ease the tension.

sana rolled her eyes and threw her phone on the bed. "i don't care anymore."

"we can go out tonight, satang!" momo encouraged. "you'll get your mind off y/n."

sana shook her head defiantly. "i'm not going out! i'm staying in."

"nope, you can't," momo declared, standing up and joining sana. "you promised, remember?"

sana groaned. "fine, whatever, but i won't like it." *+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

sana and the group entered mina's cousin's newly opened restaurant, exclusively reserved for the night. despite the collective effort to lighten sana's mood, she remained unusually gloomy, a stark contrast to her typically bubbly self.

"sana, you look ugly when you’re frowning," jeongyeon teased, eliciting laughter from the group. sana responded by sticking her tongue out playfully. just as sana was about to retaliate, their food arrived, and the delightful aroma of the ramen momentarily diverted her attention. she was clearly hungry.

the dinner unfolded with vibrant conversations about their promotions, and even sana couldn't resist breaking into a smile and sharing a few laughs. after finishing her ramen, sana reached for a napkin on the table and discovered something tucked underneath — a small note?

do you have plans tonight?

suddenly, the lights dimmed, causing gasps from everyone. a soft strumming of a guitar filled the air.

"all it'd take is one flight,

we'd be in the same time zone."

sana could recognize that voice anywhere. her eyes shifted across the room, finding her girlfriend perched on a high stool with a guitar, singing just for her. sana could barely wrap her head around what was happening. she glanced at the girls, who were all smiling with their phones up.

as you sang, it dawned on sana what the song meant. her eyes widened as she listened.

“do you got plans tonight?

i'm a couple hundred miles from japan, and i

i was thinkin' i could fly to your hotel tonight

'cause i can't get you off my mind.”

you smiled and threw her a wink. sana couldn't help but cover her blushing face with her hands.

“do you got plans tonight, baby?

i was hopin' i could get lost in your paradise (paradise)

the only thing i'm thinkin' 'bout is you and i,

and i can't get you off my mind.”

sana should've probably known you were up to something. you wouldn't have left her hanging like that. but who would've thought you were crazy enough to leave in the middle of your schedules and fly to japan for her?

“let's get lost tonight,

let's get lost tonight,

baby, you and,

i can't seem to get you off my mind.”

the guitar strumming gradually faded, and the girls were howling and clapping. you walked toward sana with a single flower in your hand, wearing a big grin.

"hi," you said, still grinning.

sana got up, playfully shoving you before throwing her arms around you. "you are crazy!"

"crazy in love, apparently," dahyun giggled.

"are you complaining, though?" you laughed, ruffling her hair. then, you whispered in her ear, "if love doesn't make you do crazy things, then are you really doing it right?" *+:｡.｡　　｡.｡:+*

"lost in japan is trending," sana giggled from the couch.

you joined her, tossing a blanket over both of you. "you think they're putting two and two together?" you laughed.

sana laughed, sharing a message from a fan on the bubble app.

"that new song from y/n is definitely about you and i'm taking no arguments."

[crazycurly-77]

Memory Loss - Chapter 4

After a short night you sat on your desk the next morning and analyzed a case for another NCIS team. As always you sipped at your coffee and looked at Gibbs’ desk which was standing opposite from you. 

Unfortunately it was the third day in a row unoccupied and you all hoped that would change soon. 

Yes, he could be a real bastard, but on the other hand he could be someone to talk to about everything and who would stand by your side, no matter what. 

It was odd and very weird that he wasn't there. Tony tried his best to hold the team together. Sure, he enjoyed giving orders, but he tried to lighten the mood, too. 

But….he was not Gibbs. 

And that you all perceived. 

The team worked away and tried to act as if everything was normal, but it was really hard and the tension of not knowing what would happen and whether your boss would recover increased with every hour that you anxiously waited for news from him. 

In the afternoon there was suddenly a lot of commotion and then Ducky was nearly storming into the bullpen. He was very excited calling “he's awake!!! The doctor said we should come to the hospital, so come on, let's go!” 

Shouts of joy like “Yes!”, “Yeah!”, “Wonderful!”, “He made it!” were heard in the whole bureau. All were excited and the mood full of tension changed to one full of joy. 

You all were very happy that he woke up, but in this general happiness there was also a certain fear. Would he be the same as before the accident? You were on your way to find out. 

Arriving at the hospital, doctor Miller was already waiting for you. “Hello and thanks for coming” he greeted the whole bunch. 

“As for the health status of Mr. Gibbs…his injuries are healing well and he woke up an hour ago. In order not to overwhelm him, I suggest we visit him all together so we can check if he knows everything and everyone or if there is some partial or whole memory loss. Afterwards, please only visit him individually for the time being in order to protect him.”

You all nodded your consent and then went to the impatient Patient. 

Coming into Gibbs’ sick room he sat in his bed and looked annoyed. “Doctor, when can I go? I have work to do and I'm fine.” “Mr. Gibbs, I'm happy that you are feeling fine, but we need to run several tests before you can go. So, please answer some questions.”

Gibbs huffed out but he had to go through this. If he liked it or not. Then doctor Miller asked him certain things about himself and his colleagues. 

“What's your name?” 

“Leroy Jethro Gibbs” 

“Where do you come from?” 

“Stillwater” 

“What are you doing for a living?” 

“I'm the team leader of the MCRT of the NCIS.”

“Good” the medic said, nodded and made some notes. 

“What happened?” Gibbs then wanted to know. 

“A bomb went off and you were hit very hard on the head by a heavy weight. You were out for 3 days.” replied doctor Miller. 

Gibbs only nodded contemplating what he was told. Then the doc asked him “do you recognize any of the people in this room besides me?” 

“Sure. Timothy McGee, our probie. Anthony DiNozzo, my second in command. Jenny Shepard, director of the NCIS and my former partner in different missions.” Then he paused, thought briefly and said “Doctor Donald Mallard, my brother. Abby Sciuto, my daughter.”

You all give each other surprised and questioning looks and doctor Miller took some notes. 

You yourself were standing right next to his bed and thought he had forgotten about you. It would hit you hard, but after all, you had only been on his team for almost a year. 

But never underestimate Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He hasn't forgotten you, but the exact opposite. 

From his sitting position he looked up at you and his face lit up. 

He took your hands in his and said softly “my love, I'm sorry for worrying you. You must have been out of your mind because of that. But besides a few bruises I'm okay, be assured. It's wonderful seeing you again, I love you. But you already know that.”

He chuckled and then cupped your cheek with one hand, pulled you to him and kissed you softly. 

You didn't know what possessed him, but it was wonderful feeling his lips on yours. And yes, you answered his kiss as softly as he was kissing you. 

Breaking the kiss for air you heard the others gasp. 

At this moment the doc asked “do you know who she is?” Gibbs stared at him for a moment and then, looking lovingly into your eyes, replied “of course I know. That's Y/N Gibbs, my wife.”

(To be continued...)

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Here you will find the other chapters of this story and the other stories I've written to date.

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Tags: @ilovemark1951, @hobby27

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[aeligsido]

[WM — September 2024] Prompt 6 — Time-Turner.

Rating: G.

TW: none.

Characters: Remus Lupin, Seren Lupin (OC), Mary Macdonald, Sirius Black (in the haunting-the-narrative kind of way).

Additional Tags: actor Sirius Black; celebrity Sirius Black; trans Remus Lupin; past trans male pregnancy; Mary and Peter are great friends I just need to say it; modern au; actress Seren Lupin but she’s just starting; Seren as a wolfstar baby except Sirius doesn’t know she’s his (or Remus’s for that matter).

Summary: Seren Lupin gets the lead role for upcoming coming-of-age movie Time-Turner.

Words count: 975.

A/N: Heya! I dropped this au in @impishtubist askbox some time ago and since it refused to leave my brain I'm now forced to write about it idk. I’ll write Sirius and Remus’ first meeting (in twelve years) for a later microfic I think lmao. Hope you like it! 💕

@wolfstarmicrofic

read on ao3.

-

Remus is worrying himself sick, pacing alone in the kitchen, opening and closing the fridge to make sure the cake is still here, getting the glasses out, putting them back in, starting making tea, forgetting it halfway through the process. He should have joined them after work, but he was too stressed and too scared of somehow destroying Seren’s chances.

It’s her last audition today. Some sort of chemistry test? To see if she gets along with the other actors? It all made sense when she was excitedly telling him about it yesterday again, but it’s like his brain is mush now.

The door opens, cutting him down from his own spiral, and Remus perks up, more stressed out by the whole affair than his daughter ever was.

“Dad! Dad! I got it!”

Seren appears in the kitchen, grinning like the little gremlin she is, teeth out and her brown curls slipping free from the careful braid Mary pushed them into this morning. Her eyes, a circle of dark brown cascading into a warm grey, are shining with delight and joy, and Remus finds himself breathless with love — just like almost twelve years ago, when they put this small, red, squealing baby on his chest with a congratulation.

His daughter jumps into his arms and he laughs in tandem with her. “That’s amazing! I knew you could do it!” He lets her free, just enough to put his hands on her cheeks and look at her in the eyes. “I’m so proud of you.”

She beams with the force of a thousand suns.

“Thanks! It was so cool, and, oh, you’ll never guess who’s gonna play my dad in the film! And Mister Dumbledore said that we could get a TV show too!”

Albus Dumbledore, one of the most acclaimed film directors still alive, with so many successes behind him — yet so eccentric you could never guess what he will go for next. After a blockbuster about a young crowds of vigilantes saving their world from tyranny, a rather depressing story about a young orphan in the middle of WWII becoming the oppressor, and a passionate but tragic gay romance at the end of the 19th century, a coming-of-age children story is right on par for the course. Time-Turner, as it’s called, will follow a young girl — played by Seren, his own daughter! — discovering her time travel power, while dealing with her mother’s recent demise.

Which makes the father of the heroine the other lead of the film, and someone Seren will have to spend a lot of time with. Remus hopes he’s a good person. Someone nice, who wouldn’t be put-out by her unlimited energy and her never-ending supply of questions.

“So?” he asks as Seren stops talking to take a breath. “Who will play your dad?”

She grins, more excited even than before. She has always looked more like him, in general, with more elegance in her traits and grace in her body than he ever possessed. But like that — oh, like that, she looks just like…

“Sirius Black!” she yells, bouncing on her feet, and she can’t help but do a little, victorious dance.

“That’s great,” he says, croaks out more than anything, and smiles as wide as he can, drowning the drumming of his heart and fear as much as he can. “Why don’t you call your grandparents to tell them the news?” He checks the time. “And your uncle Peter? He should be out of work by now.”

Seren nods and babbles some more and disappears toward her room. Mary, who was standing silently near the door the whole time, finally comes around.

Remus starts busying himself with tea. It’s easier than thinking through his rising panic.

“So,” says Mary, because of course she cannot not say anything. For a brief second, Remus wishes Peter had been the one disponible today — he would have judged silently but not said anything, him. “You never told us Sirius Black is Seren’s father.”

He groans. His face hits the table and he considers staying here forever.

“No one knows,” he finally mumbles. “How did you even guess?”

“He was here today.” She ponders her words an instant. “They’re a lot alike.”

“But he doesn’t—” He stops himself, but Mary has known him since they were kids. She can read him too easily.

“I don't think he does.”

Remus sighs. It’s not ideal; it was already not great when Sirius Black was Seren’s idol, but it will be worse now that they’re in contact. Now that he will be in her life.

“Do I ask how it happened, since you didn’t tell me at the time, or are we doing that later when you can get drunk?”

“Second option,” Remus immediately answers. He can still remember, after all those years, how Sirius kissed him like he was important, the warmth of his hands on his body, the softness of his hair— But they had basically been strangers to each other, several hook-ups to escape boring parties resulting in Remus's panic at his sudden pregnancy and a total loss of contact. And now— Now he has so much to lose.

“I’ll call Peter,” Mary nods sagely. Then, after a beat of silence, “it will come out at some point, you know.”

“I doubt it,” he mutters, prays. “It’s not like he’ll remember me, anyway.”

How could an acclaimed actor, known all around the world, remember a random waiter he slept with twelve years ago? Remus didn’t impact his life the way Sirius impacted his. He’ll never regret it, of course — Seren is the most precious thing in his life, and all the moments preceding her existence were pretty great too — but it's not like Sirius would want to have anything to do with them, anyway.

Remus can at least try to speak it into existence.

[mononijikayu]

let's fall in love for the night ━ nanami kento.

It killed him that there was a small hint of silence between them soon after. He awkwardly shifted his body, licking his lips as he slowly drank the beer once again. In a way, Nanami felt a little bit embarrassed by how quickly he had said that to her. Oh now that time passed by, Nanami realizes that it was even somewhat of a love confession. He drank the beer again.

GENRE: Alternate Universe - Canon Convergence;

WARNING/s: Gen, Romance, Friends to Lovers, Husband and Wife, Friendship, Husband! Nanami, Reader! Wife, Fluff, Drama, Comfort, Falling In Love, Flirting, Fix-It, Humor, Domesticity, Family Life, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Idiots In Love, Light-Hearted, Slice of Life, Pining, Nanami Being A Great Husband;

WORDS: 3.6k words.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: i think when i wrote, i was obsessed with this song and just got to to the point where i thought that this suited nanami so well. i still think it suits him.

main masterlist

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saboten record | let's fall in love for the night

next: snow flower

NANAMI KENTO HAD NEVER TRULY FOUND HIMSELF FALL IN LOVE WITH ANYONE BEFORE. Especially falling in love with someone he cannot have, he was stuck in being a one-sided affair that only he truly knows. But he has never minded that. Not one bit.

After all, he was in love with her.

He heard her laugh out loud, the sound of her body shifting all around his couch at the joke that he could not fully understand. Grabbing the two cans of beer out of his refrigerator, he closed it firmly and moved to his pantry cabinet where the chocolate pretzels she liked sat in a round glass container.

Carefully, he gently showered them generously onto a small bowl. He admired the sight of her from a far, gazing at the wonder that exploded with joy from her body. Tonight, they were watching a new shojo anime that she had recently found herself interested in. 

Kento himself could not say that he was a fan of the things she liked to watch but he found himself finding happiness when he comes across it all, he would watch it being reminded of her liking for the way it managed to stir her feelings and bring her joy.

She talks about it in the most adorable way, with the light in her eyes filled with bursts of excitement — almost wishing to paint the world she sees for him specifically. In a way, Kento had thought to himself that anything that she found joy in suddenly became his own as well. That's why he found himself awaiting when the show came out every week, finding it as a means to feel close to her when they are apart, which had been lately quite often.

“I hope you didn't hurt yourself laughing." Nanami exclaims as he walked from the kitchen and towards the living room. She looked to him, grinning as she stood up from the floor, having fallen off after leaning forward too much in her excitement. He let his brow rise. “What are you grinning for?”

“I thought you said this genre wasn't your type to watch, Min–min~” She teases. 

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Nanami placed the beers beside one another on the coffee table and handed her the bowl of pretzels. She mouths a thank you as she ate heartily.

Pretzel in her mouth, moments later swallowing. “You don’t watch this show! You told me when it came out that it wasn't your liking!"

“I do, I watch it casually on the weekends.” He defends himself, as she looks at him suspiciously with an eyebrow out. “What? I can't change my mind about it?"

“You seem suspicious.”

Nanami sighs. “I knew I was gonna not gonna be able to watch it as soon as it aired so I recorded it before going to work.”

She let out a small smile, looking away from him now. “What ever you say, Min–min~.”

Nanami sighed, trying to oblivate the dizzy feeling of her calling him like that. “I thought I told you not to call me that.”

“But I thought you liked Min–min?” She pouts at him, freezing him into place. She giggled. “See? I can see it in your face!”

He looked away. “….shut up."

He looked at her for a moment, her attention grasped by the wonder of the animation on the television. She giggled again, her most favorite character going about their usual antics. His gaze softened at the sight of her, so comfortable beside him. It had been a pleasant surprise to see her today, after her schedule had been so packed with the repetitive editing that had come with her newly finished novel.

But seeing her at such a late hour, sitting patiently with weary eyes at the office lobby - looking at the office elevators to see if he would come soon. He felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of her, his breath disappearing without any warning. She had dressed to her comfort — a baggy shirt covered by a black hoodie and sweat pants. Nanami felt himself gulped, her smile astonished his being with the wonder of seeing the beauty in living. Greeting him, she scanned him from left to right and realized quite quickly that he had slept in the office again. 

On the way to the convenient store to get some things for their sleep over, she had scolded him about not going home again – prioritizing his work and not his health. He kept silent the entire time, in a way missing the worry that came with her voice. 

Around that time she worked, she would only send good morning and good evening through texts and remind him to eat well and do drink more water today than he did with beer – a vice he had not managed to better in these stressful days. That was something she had warned him about, knowing that he had more beer at home, at least two. She had been right of course, though Kento will not tell her she is. She was after all one to gloat a little bit about her  wins against him.

Exhaling a warmer breath, Kento knew that this was all he needed to rejuvenate his soul. Nanami Kento had never been one to admit the genuinity of how he felt for those around him. He was more in his own way a man who acts to prove what he feels. But he had to admit it even in his own head, even if just by looking at her like this for a moment in the silence, Nanami Kento admits that he missed her spectacularly. Even the little things, even the things that genuinely annoyed him.

How she often takes hours to get ready for small outings with him, wearing her matching blouses and pencil skirt and her beautiful hair neatly done in the most outlandish styles. He recalls the time they went out to dinner to celebrate the release of her best seller a few years ago and could not find the brooch to her newly purchase suit skirt ensemble.

They had nearly missed their reservation then, one that he had gotten in advanced. He disliked how quickly he had crumbled all about her apologetic smile then, how he had quickly found himself having so much fun with her, pulling him to a jazz bar soon after finishing their dinner and how drunk she had gotten to come up and challenge the pianist to a duel.

He disliked that she was someone who would always go missing in a crowd with whenever she was with him, often finding something that interested her. Anywhere and everywhere, she would be a ghost that he wished was haunting him. However, it would take him minutes and even hours to find her.

Going to the same jazz festival they met at when they were younger every year, Kento would always find that she would come and disappear and cause him to go in a panic as the crowds gather around dancing and clapping with the music. Last year, they had come to see a performance of Japanese jazz pianists and soon enough vanished into thin air. Kento had found her later on, dancing with random strangers laughing so hard happily in the crowd cheering them on.

Kento despised the fact that she often would skip out of her deadlines, going on small adventures in areas near Tokyo and documenting it to him. It was headache for him to try and find her, with his office phone ringing in those days, answering it and feeling pity for her editor who was crying over the other line because she had gone and played around.

He hated having to come and take her away from her play, seeing her mope and cry out about how she doesn't want to work anymore. He hated the sad pout on her face on the trip back home, he hated how he easily gave in and comforts her with the coffee she always liked to get near their train stop. How she would smile and thank him and ask him to stay the night so she could cook his favorite stew for him.

He hated how his life had become so full of her at times.

He hated how he drowned in her, how he breathed life from her existence.

And yet, he admittedly - all those had become things to love about her too.

Nanami Kento admits it to himself. 

He would hate it more if he did not have her to make his life full everyday.

The way she leaned back,stretching her arms out while wearing one of his newly laundried clothes — it caused all the butterflies in his stomach to react with vigor. The way you leaned your head onto a pillow, with her hair swirling so beautifully like Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

Nanami felt his heart pound as she sniffed it, almost craving the comfort of him remembering that you liked that pillow the most because it smelt like him. It was almost always the little things that intrigue him about her. The little things that become the gold that outweighs the things that were cons. 

Her hands diving through the small bits of pretzels, the ones that he always kept stock off because of it reminds her of home. The way her smile reaches her eyes as she munches away, the dimples that were kisses of angels enchant him in every way.

The way she wrapped herself the thick yellow blanket, one that she had come to attach to her skin whenever she came by saying that every bit of it reminded her of how warm Nanami was to her. The way she would ask to cuddle about him because at times, the blanket did not warm her enough. The way that she would act cute with him, asking for her most favorite hot chocolate drink that he only can make.

At times, she would feel weary of being in front of the television and come to his wide collection of books and close her eyes shut. How she would laugh, hitting her head at times in the shelves and books but continues on despite his worried calls to her.

How she would come and randomly pick any book — even if it was about anatomy or politics, she would give it to him and with her genuinely pure smile, ask him to read aloud to her. How she would be so excited when he agrees, sitting beside him more and leaned against the very etch of his skin with the eagerness to want to hear his voice be the lullaby that brings her to dream land.

How at times she would fall asleep with her body pressed to his and he would stay there too, letting her take all the rest she wants. How adorably she would mumble his name in her dreams too, calling onto him and making his stomach churn with all the uncontrollable confusions that came with loving someone?

Nanami sighed, reaching out for one of the beers and opening it. Drinking some, he looked up the ceiling. How could he not fall for her? How could he not find himself enamored with the wonders that she brings into his life?

How could he not feel his chest beating so hard right now when she was beside him like this, being everything that made him feel like home when she was not his to cherish in that way? The way she had filled the unexpected - the unexpected he would come to look forward to in his stagnant life filled with the constants that never seem to fade away. In a way, the monochrome had become so colorful again. He pierced his lips into a line. 

He wished this could be every day to him.

He wishes that he was the one she came home to everyday.

But he knew his boundaries.

He was only her best friend.

He knows better.

“I should take note of this scene.” He heard her mumble under her breath, more pretzels popping into her mouth. “This is really good material.”

“Didn’t you just finish a novel?” He whispers to her, brow raised.

“I did.” She grinned, putting her thumbs up. “But you never know, I might be inspired to do another one!”

Nanami sighs, smiling at her. “You workaholic.”

The loud laughter that popped out of her mouth seemed like most gorgeous hummingbird’s song to his ears. “The workaholic calling me workaholic! That’s rich!”

He snorted loudly, drinking his beer. “Hmm...says the one who forgot to finish the reservation we had for that restaurant because you forgot your deadlines again."

“Liar! You knew it was already finished! I just....I just fixed some things, you know? And we made it in time for the reservation, it ended up being a good night! The truffle pasta was great, wasn't it? We should come back to that restaurant again—Are you even listening to me, Min–min? I think now all you are doing is making fun of me!"

“Hmmm….whatever you say, buttercup.” He teased her, causing her to pout. Nanami laughed, beautifully.

“I really like your laugh.” She admits to him warmly, causing him to pause for a moment. “It really is a good day when you laugh.”

“I…Thank you.” Nanami did not know how to reply to her about that, those words just uttered out of his mouth like the wind against the leaves. He felt his palms sweat at that compliment, his stomach turning upside down at this new feeling. “I….I like your laughter too.”

She grinned at him happily. “Thank you!”

These moments with her, he cherished it all. Even moments like this where he felt like he would die of embarrassment, of feeling like he had no words to say anymore. Nanami Kento despite all of this was just genuinely happy. Despite the life that had been everything but good, she had come to become the one to bring in the good. Kento had not been sure how this had become his life, but he was glad for it. The nightmares at night, they didn't scare him anymore. Once it had made him feel so much fear, in his dreams - he saw her smile warm the cold shadows away.

He didn't feel so lonely anymore, that he was sure to say. 

The thing is Nanami Kento had never thought he would ever be happy like this. Not when he was younger. Not after Yu had passed. Not since that day did he not feel the pain of what it was like to be empty. Not since that day that he didn't wish he had not perished. And yet, in a way — he felt thankful for the grief.

He felt himself be thankful to for the misery. Because it made him realize on how this happiness had become the most precious thing in life for him. In a way, happiness does begin once again in time. 

In a way, he was thankful for the wait.

Because he would never risk this life for anything.

It seems like a beautiful time to be alive, once again. Even if he felt like it was only for the night. Nanami felt very glad, he had been alive.

His lips pursed at the sight of her singing along happily to the ending song of the show, thrusting the beer can upon his lips once more to swig the bittersweet taste of alcohol through his mouth. Kento knew every line of the song by heart, engraving every memory of her singing it in front of him with such joy.

He consumed the wonder that came from her excitement, with her favorite character doing something adorable. He could not help but smile again at her bubbly bursts of energy waving through in the ocean that had drowned him whole. Nanami drank a sip of his beer, silently watching her once again.

Once it was over, she turned to him with her eyes looking at him.

“What?” He asked her, his tone quiet as he could not bring himself to speak louder. He was breatheless at her beauty like this. To him, it was if Venus was reborn in front of him.

“Thank you for watching that with me.” She says to him softly, fondness in the deep ocean that was her eyes. “I know that I become overbearing and I feel like coming tonight is just me forcing you to deal with me—"

“Nonsense. It's okay. It’s not overbearing.” Nanami says in reply. His brows furrowed, seeing a hint of difference in her eyes. “Is it him again?”

Her face drops, her body slouches upon the couch. He saw the sad smile drapped all over her face and he frowns. Turning to him, she gazes at him. It just confirm to him. He frowned. Kento had hated the guy the moment she had introduced him that night after Christmas.

It was no secret that her boyfriend had not liked him either, even asking her to end her friendship with Kento as he saw him as a threat, a man that she should avoid. The fact that he did not take that kindly their relationship was a headache, it was full of hurt and the one that gets hurt the most was her. But she feels like she could not leave him. In a way, Nanami feels that she's too kind for her own good. To big hearted for those who don't even deserve it. He could see it in her eyes. It hurt him to see the truth.

She loves the fool.

And Nanami burns to see it.

It crushes him to know it.

Nanami could not help but want to just take her into his arms and tell her everything she deserves to know. He had always seemed to think that she was not someone worth treasuring, often treating her more like someone he can command rather than someone to love.

Kento had made it plain to her that the man was not worthy of her. But just as much as he knew he hates that guy, he knew that he was just her friend. He was not her brother and not even a male relative. He had no say in who she gets to love. Even if he feels his heart break at the thought of seeing her feel like this because that man had been telling her that she was not enough.

Nanami wanted to tell her. He wanted to tell her that she was more than that. She was not just someone. She was life itself. That she deserved to have someone worship the ground she walked upon. That she dserved someone who could give her the world.

That maybe he could be the one that could give that to her.

If she would only let him love her.

She smiled, putting her arms up. “It was nothing. I honestly think I’ll forget about it anyway and you know, its not a big deal, Min–min! I know we'll resolve it—”

“What did he do this time?” He could feel his blood boil at the thought of her getting hurt in any manner. “You should have told me—”

She let out a deep breathe. “I didn’t want to tell you.”

“Why? He needs to be told properly that he made you unhappy—”

“Because I didn’t want you to be upset. You have more than enough worries as it is.” She says to him, sighing heavily. Her eyes shook as it lowered. Leaning forward, her hands rest upon the comfort of the couch.

“I just….I just wanted to not worry about him tonight. I am a big girl, you know? I can deal with it. But....I'm not here to think or talk about that. Just tonight, where you and I can bond. I mean, it has been a while! You’ve been so busy with work and I….”

Nanami shook his head as soon as she said that and gave her a fond look. “You know you’re more important to me than work.”

She gave him a small smile. “I know that.”

It killed him that there was a small hint of silence between them soon after. He awkwardly shifted his body, licking his lips as he slowly drank the beer once again. In a way, Nanami felt a little bit embarrassed by how quickly he had said that to her. Oh now that time passed by, Nanami realizes that it was even somewhat of a love confession. He drank the beer again.

It was now empty.

Leaning over, she looked at Nanami and smiled. Standing up, she places the empty bowl on the coffee table. She yawns, stretches with care which causes Nanami to look at her. “You aren’t drinking beer?”

She shakes her head. “No, no…..I’m sitting out the beer drinking tonight.”

“Alright—”

Placing the can of the beer he had been drinking back, Nanami almost falls as she wraps her arms around him and places a small kiss upon his temple. A blush appears warmly against her cheeks. Nanami looks up to her, eyes wide open shock. His heart was pounding so hard against his chest, he feels like he’s going to pass out.

Her lips pursed, she could not speak. Stumbling a little bit, moving away from him. She was so red, like the scarlet sky when the blue hour comes. “I…I am so sorry!”

The way she ran to the guest room, Nanami wanted to stop her but he couldn’t. When the sound of the door clicked into the lock, Nanami felt himself fall off the couch, crutching down onto the rug. He touched his temple slowly, feeling the heat all over his body emitting as though he was a hot sun beaming down on earth on a warm summer day.

Nanami Kento thinks he fell in love with her again.

But he didn't know that maybe that night was the beginning.

Blush upon her cheeks behind the door frame, she hid her scarlet face.

She did fall in love with him, for the night.

[asa-do-your-thing]

✨ Alicent rediscovers her Lust for women when Helaena gets a new lady-in-waiting ✨

Fantastic idea! Reader is just so sweet and compassionate Alicent can’t help but want her.

Thank you so much! Here it is:

"Rest Your Love on Me"

Alicent Hightower x F! Reader - 18+ MINORS DNI

Word Count: 1.6k

Warnings: Sex, cunnilingus, fluff, fingering, just general Smut

Alicent had made peace with her situation long ago. Why ever should she not? She was the Queen Mother, wife of King Viserys II and mother of three wonderful children. Whatever she might have felt for Rhaenyra – she refused to call her Princess, as she presented herself in the usurper’s role as of late – was long gone, buried deep inside her. Shame prevented her from trying to find a new paramour, so she had settled in nicely with Ser Criston Cole playing as a second father to her little ones.

Her life had been calm, if not boring. She spent her day listening in on the Council meetings, embroidering and trying to nurture a positive environment for her children, especially for sweet Helaena, whose thoughts seemed to be far away from everyone. Alicent knew she needed a new Lady-in-Waiting; one that could try to bring her daughter out of her shell whilst enduring her love for insects.

Alicent had heard about you from Ser Criston’s sister, who had mentioned your name to her. She was in need of an experienced Lady-in-Waiting for her daughter Helaena and, knowing that you were recently widowed, she sent an invitation for you to come to King's Landing.

You arrived at the castle with mixed feelings, uncertain of what would await you there. But your worries were quickly put to rest. Queen Alicent welcomed you with open arms and expressed her gratitude for your presence; it was clear that she wanted nothing more than the best for her daughter.

The woman before you looked completely different than the one who had commanded you to her presence yesterday. She had closely scrutinized you, even having placed a spider on your arm to observe your behavior, which you had gently cupped in your hand and released outside the window. A pleasant expression adorned her fair features and a discernible glint shone from her eyes. Evidently she had heard wonderful things about you, and she ached for them all to be accurate. When you queried her what she wanted from you, and if there was anything you could do to aid her, she towered upright and confidently stated "Nothing more than what I already see."

Alicent was taken aback. She was not used to feeling such a strong physical attraction towards someone so young, especially someone who could never marry into court. But here she was, feeling something for you she had only ever felt before for Rhaenyra.

It scared her, and yet she also couldn't help but be drawn to you in a way that both excited and terrified her. She wanted to know more about you and learn more about your thoughts and desires.

So Alicent decided to take a chance on you. She invited you to her chambers every evening after dinner, where the two of you would sit together and simply talk about life – yours, hers, the kingdom's – anything that came up in conversation. As time went on, the Queen Mother found herself opening up more and more to you, divulging secrets she had kept hidden for years before finally giving way to laughter and joy as if nothing else mattered in this world or the next.

In the weeks and months that followed, Alicent started to eagerly anticipate your time together. She was mesmerized by the stories you told of your experiences and outlook on life; they were so different from those around the castle. Your arms almost touched as you sat close together, and she found herself captivated by how you carried yourself with such grace and poise even when faced with difficult tasks. Whenever Helaena was around, all her attention was on her daughter, but there were moments when she'd sneak glances at you too. Despite knowing it was wrong, she felt a strong pull towards you, eager for any stolen moment alone.

Desire stirred in her belly the closer she and you got. Whenever the two of you spoke privately, it felt like there was some kind of magnetic force drawing them together. They shared stories from their pasts and talked about building a future for the Targaryen princes. All the courtiers could do was smirk and whisper behind their backs, but they never questioned either of them about their relationship. The more Alicent got to know you, the stronger her feelings grew until eventually, they became too strong to resist – just as Rhaenyra had done so many years ago. She realized that this wasn't just admiration or friendship, it was an irresistible passion.

Every night, after bidding her husband goodnight with a forced smile, she dragged her feet back to her chambers and collapsed onto her bed, desperately trying to force the image of you out of her mind. The way you cradled Helaena up against your full bosom, making your heart thunder in her ears and how she could feel the contours of your strong buttocks when you bent down...She quivered with uncontrollable desire and spent countless nights writhing in pleasure, yearning for you to enter her chambers.

When Alicent heard that you were planning to spend the afternoon in some hot springs in a cave, not too far from King's Landing, after having chased around Helaena in the muddy gardens, she knew that this could be her chance. She asked you if she might accompany you, which made you blush. It was a rare honour for the Queen to spend time with you alone, no less going to the baths.

So the two of you ventured off to the cave, butterflies in your stomachs. The warm air that greeted you as soon as you stepped inside made your hearts race even faster and it was clear to both of you that something special was about to happen.

Alicent slowly began to undress you, her eyes fixed on yours as she peeled away layer after layer until all that remained were your undergarments. She took her time, caressing your body as she did so and kissing every inch of exposed skin. She admired your curves and ran her fingers through your soft hair before finally leaning in for a passionate kiss. As your lips touched for the first time, both of you felt a warmth like never before — an electric current that ran through your veins and left them wanting more.

The way you looked at Alicent with such lustful desire made her heart skip a beat and left her breathless; your touch felt like fire on ice – something so forbidden yet so right all at the same time – and all she wanted was for you to keep going until there would be nothing left between the two of you but pure bliss.

As Alicent continued exploring your body with trembling hands and hungry lips, it felt like everything around you had melted away into nothingness — just the two of you lost in each other’s embrace, completely oblivious to anything else outside this moment. As you swam around, the water lapping at your breasts, Alicent gracefully swam up to you and slid her hand up your thighs.

"Please", you whined needily against her warm neck as you wrapped your arms around her slippery frame,"Please, Alicent..."

Without hesitation, Alicent gently pressed your body against the limestone wall of the cave, her own trembling with anticipation. She gently kissed your neck and moaned softly as you gently touched her rounded breasts, gently rubbing her nipple and suckling on it.

You grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to your body, the heat of Alicent’s curves burning against yours. She reached up and cupped your face in her hands as you both gasped for breath, the intensity of the moment leaving you both speechless. Alicent slowly moved her hands over your mound, gently stroking your pearl and slipping her gentle fingers into your hot womanhood, pushing herself deeper inside you as you groaned softly with pleasure, gently pressing your nails into her back. The pleasurable sensations that surged through your body were like nothing either of you had ever experienced before – it was like heaven on earth. You quickly came undone on her perfect fingers, smiling widely in disbelief over the pleasure your Queen has granted you.

As Alicent grasped onto your shoulders, you knew exactly what you should do. Gently carying her over to a small ledge, you watched in delight as she opened her legs for you, the cold air hardening her nipples and showing you her beautiful cunny. Gently moistening your lips, you made a sloppy trail of kisses up her thighs and stopped at her wonderful opening, kissing and licking it until it seemed that Alicent would start screaming from pleasure. Gently licking your fingers, you lowered her back down into the hot water and inserted a finger into her trembling heat. "Is... this what you wanted, my Queen?", you murmur into her ear, gently quickening the pace of your finger, making sure that you continued stroking her pearl.

The only response you got was a muffled scream, as Alicent grabbed onto you, contracting around your fingers. Giving you a small kiss on the tip of you nose, she nodded and gave you a blissful smile. The two of you drifted away into a state of pure bliss, Alicent's breaths becoming more collected after a while. "We should return", she remarked matter-of-factly, blushing in a deep shade of crimson. "Mayhaps I should reassign you to be my lady-in-waiting, seeing as you... enjoy working for me", she said with a coy smile, gracefully wringing out her auburn hair.

You blush and help her get dressed again. "It should be the greatest honour, your Highness. I could not imagine working for someone better than you."

[sailoryooons]

In Every Life | Drabble | kth x pjm

☾ Pairing: Taehyung x Jimin

☾ Summary: Taehyung has lived thousands of lives. He has recognized his soulmate in every single one of them, a gift of his bloodline. Finally, he has crossed paths with his soulmate once again. 

☾ Word Count: 1,206

☾ Genre: Reincarnation, Soulmates, Implied Romance, Stranges to Something

☾ Rating: SFW 

☾ Warnings: Brief discussions of life and death and some saddness - mostly just talking about living multiple lives and loving someone in their multiple versions. Obscure hints at magic/unexplained ability to recognize soulmates in every life. 

☾ Published: January 1, 2024

☾ A/N: This is my first drabble for the 100 Drabble Challenge that @gimmethatagustd and I are doing together! I am so excited to be doing this and look forward to using this as a way to get myself writing at LEAST twice a week, and to explore AUs I normally wouldn’t get the time to do. This is also going to be a test of self-restraint and making myself write actual drabble-length things. Please make sure you check out Jai’s drabbles too - we are going to have so much fun!! Today's number generator provided number 70 for reincarnation!

☾ A/N 2: HAPPY NEW YEAR! What better way to ring in the New Year with a brief drabble about soulmates Vmin meeting each other for the first time in a new life! I hope everyone has an amazing 2024 - here is to more writing, more joy and more fun!

☾ Disclaimer: All members of BTS are faces and name claims for this story. This is entirely a work of fiction and by no means is meant to be a projection, judgment or representation of real-life people. Any scenarios or representations of the people and places mentioned in works are not representative of real-life scenarios.

Main Masterlist ☾ 100 Drabble Masterlist ☾ Ask ☾ 

Taehyung would know his soulmate in the dark. He would know them in the blinding light of morning, when the golden sun spills like yolk over the horizon, making it impossible to see. He would know them in the warm summer rain, carrying in on violent winds off the tropical coast, thunder echoing across the sky. He would know his soulmate if he were at the bottom of the ocean, too cold to feel and too dark to see. 

Recognizing his soulmate in every one of his lives is both a blessing and a curse. Taehyung has experienced the joy of knowing his other half every time he has been able to walk across the earth. He has laughed with them, smiled with them, and fallen in love with them, each and every time. 

But sometimes, it has brought inexplicable pain. Every once in a while, Taehyung loses them too early. He tastes the sourness of grief as he waits to reach the end of his current life before he starts the next one anew. Sometimes it’s Taehyung who leaves too early - gone in a snap or withering to illness. He might have some sort of magic in his blood, but he’s not impervious. 

The magic is a strange thing. His grandmother told him that it was gifted to their family by the gods when the first of their lineage saved the god from a hunter’s snare. Now, Taehyung is always able to remember a handful of things in every single one of his lives: that he has the gift to recognize his soulmate each time he begins a new life; that he is - according to grandma - blessed by the gods with this gift; he has had past lives and they are all as familiar to him as a recent dream; and that when he remembers these facts about himself differs each lifetime.

Sometimes Taehyung remembers these things when he is ten, overcome with emotion that he hasn’t quite learned the words for. Sometimes, Taehyung remembers when he’s twenty, stricken by the fact that he has the chance to find his other half in the world again. Sometimes, he doesn’t remember when he remembers, just that he does. 

In this life, Taehyung remembered everything about his special gift four years ago. Sometimes he feels lonely. In other lives, it’s taken a short amount of time to find his soulmate. They always come in different versions and at different times. He’s eager to meet every version, though. Loves every single one of them, every different face, gender, and shape. 

Today, it happens.

Taehyung doesn’t go into every single one of his days hoping it will be the one. He’s learned after many lives that he has to treat each day the same, lest he fall into a constant cycle of disappointment when he doesn’t see the person he is hoping to find. He remembers one lifetime where it took him twenty years to find his other half. 

And he still loved them. 

But today. 

Today Taehyung goes to Seokjin’s coffee shop on Third Street like he does every Saturday morning. Winter rain mists down the street, car tires hissing on black pavement, and water flooding the storm drains. Taehyung ducks his head to keep his face away from the cold bite of the wind and rain, pulling his umbrella a little lower. 

Inside the coffee shop is warm, the smell hitting him immediately. He shivers and shakes off the rain, closing the umbrella and sticking it in the umbrella bin alongside others. He smiles when he sees a plastic yellow one covered in ducks. Cute. 

Seokjin waves at him over the counter. Taehyung lifts a hand before placing it back in the warmth of his pocket, forgoing ordering at the counter to walk to his favorite table in the back. It faces the park and even though it’s raining, he likes to watch the world go by. Seokjin always brings Taehyung his coffee, memorized from years of Taehyung haunting his little corner of the world.

Holiday music plays, and Taehyung is so wrapped up in humming and the routine of his morning that it takes him a second to recognize there’s a buzzing in his ears and a tingle in his spine. He stops for a moment, head snapping up as his eyes flicker from booth to booth, heart picking up speed. 

This is it, he thinks. Taehyung knows this feeling. Knows that it means today is the day. He squeezes his hands inside his coat pockets, slowly turning around to look over his shoulder at the booths he’s already passed. His eyes settle on one, and the world goes cotton-soft at the edges, fading to the background.

Taehyung’s soulmate is beautiful. His heart pounds harder as he stares, drinking in the soft brown hair hanging in the man’s eyes, the pouty lips as he reads a book held by dainty, soft hands, and the hoop earrings that catch the dim light of the cafe. Taehyung can barely breathe, eyes sweeping over a small, but fit frame. Round cheeks with a natural blush, and beautiful eyes that remind Taehyung of a siren - or perhaps some other temptress of old. 

His mouth goes dry. He feels everything all at once: the deep breath before skydiving, the first at the concert of his favorite band, the last second before the New Year. None of it sums up the feeling of rightness that settles into Taehyung’s bones. He swears the world sits just right on its axis now, as if it were off before.

Without thinking, he walks over to the table, chewing his lip. He isn’t sure what he’s going to do until he’s standing at the edge of the booth, staring and shaking and smiling. 

His soulmate looks up. For a moment, the man looks confused. Then, something like curiosity glitters in his warm, brown eyes. His mouth twitches upward in a smile, tentative but pleasant. He grips his book a little tighter, tilting his head as he drinks Taehyung in. 

“Hi,” Taehyung offers. A hundred lifetimes and he still never nails the greeting, too nervous. 

“Hi,” the stranger says back, smiling. “Do I know you? You look… familiar.”

Taehyung shakes his head. “No.” He gestures to the open seat. “Mind if I join you? Today is a good day for company.”

“Please, I enjoy new friends.”

Taehyung can’t help but smile, eyes crinkling at the corners as he sits, peeling his jacket off. His soulmate watches him, interest piqued as he shuts the book he was reading and sets it down on the table. Taehyung recognizes the novel.

“I love The Notebook,” Taehyung admits. “It’s a comfort book. And movie.”

The man’s grin grows. Taehyung warms from his fingertips to his toes, happiness spreading. “It’s my favorite,” the man admits. He sticks a small hand over the table between them, an offer. “I’m Jimin.”

Taehyung takes Jimin’s hands, watching as the spark catches in his eyes. Jimin doesn’t know what he is to Taehyung, but there’s something there. As though his soul recognizes Taehyung, somehow. 

“I’m Taehyung. I look forward to getting to know you, Jimin.” 

And so he does as he always has, in every life. 

[variety-fangirl]

Based off this ask:

Yours / Jimmy Keene x fem!reader:

Summary: inspo above ^ You and Jimmy had met in highschool, been friends for many years and dated not long after. Everything was perfect and he'd proposed after three years together. Was being the key here, because you hadn't expected to be engaged for a year and planning your wedding, only to find out you were 16 weeks pregnant with Jimmy's baby and him being arrested not long after before you had a chance to tell him. And if that wasn't bad enough, he pushes you away whilst in prison.

Warnings: angst which turns into fluff, happy ending. Not much (swearing, mentions of pregnancy, mentions of breast feeding, and general stresses of being a single mother semi-alone.)

Aurthor's Note: I'm back my loves! God has it been long overdue and how I have missed writing! College had been extremely busy and took up so much of my time, writing essays 3-5 times a week with little free time genuinely took all the joy out of wanting to write in my free time (when normally I always look forward to it and can't wait for the weekend to come so I can write). Months of non-stop work and a lack of free time made things so hard and I didn't want to do anything really. But! Now that college is finished, I am hoping to now return :D Yay! How I have missed it and you guys. Thank you to those who have been paitient, I know it sucks. Thank you for requesting, I do apologise that this took so long but I hope you read it and enjoy it all the same! As always, thank you guys for reading! It means the world to me, and I hope you guys enjoy! I have some exciting writing coming up! Liking, reblogging, and commenting really helps me out.

Plus note- I had started this earlier but I become quite unwell :( so it took me longer to get this done than before.

Word count: 2.7k

You had always thought your life was relatively normal. You had a lovely home, friends, a family, a fiance, etc... Nothing out of the ordinary, the same as most had. That was until your whole world got wiped out from under you, twofold. They always told you marriage was the hard part, that that would be where you had to put work in, but they failed to mention what could happen before that. The part no one had seen coming. That day in the courthouse, when Jimmy had reassured you all would be well and he wouldn't be gone long, he hadn't counted for the hard part either.

10 years.

10 fucking years he had been sentenced to. 10 years you would have to be without him and raising your baby alone. Not only would you lose him but your child would too, without ever even knowing him.

Even with him leaving for that long, you wouldn't move on or be with another. Jimmy was and is your everything, your soulmate and the one you were meant to be with. Granted, when you'd talked about and planned your future together over the years, you'd envisioned it side by side in your loving home. Not with him spending the next decade in prison, away from you and your baby.

When you'd heard those words come out of the judge's mouth and witnessed as the blood drained from Jimmy's face, the once smug and confident look wiping off his face instantly, you broke. If you hadn't already been sitting, you'd have collapsed under the shock and destruction that took over you like a boulder. Jimmy screamed your name as he'd been dragged away kicking and yelling, the tears pouring down your face as you desperately attempted to catch your breath. You couldn't, no matter how hard you'd tried, you were having a panic attack in the courthouse.

Jimmy's father had led you into the cool fresh air and held your hair back as you'd heaved and vomited all over the floor. He'd rubbed your back and said soothing, comforting, kind words to try and calm you down. Jimmy had driven you there, so you drove his car back. You all went to Jimmy's father's house to discuss what to do. You devised a plan on how everything would work and how best to support Jimmy through it. You had all cried together, huddled in a pile of supportive comfort to one another. It had helped you all to calm down enough but it didn't lessen or take away the raging knot of sorrow in your chest. The tight pressure that has refused to leave you, even to this day.

You had all agreed to take turns visiting Jimmy and provide him with anything he needed to make the difficult transition easier. But, to your absolute horror, Jimmy refused any of you to see him whilst in prison. You hadn't spoken to him, only heard the words from his father. He only spoke to his father on the phone. He allowed his father to visit him once in the beginning, in which he'd written you a letter for his father to give you.

The letter had been simple, straightforward and had left no room for argument. He had simply stated that he didn't want to keep you waiting so he was letting you go, that putting you through ten years of waiting was cruel and that he would always love you.

He'd left you. After everything, he had left you before you could tell him you were pregnant with his child.

You'd wanted to tell him so badly, but he wouldn't allow you to. You refused to have his father tell the father of your child and fiance that he was having a baby with the woman he was trying to push away. So, you'd tried to write him letters. Five in fact. Telling him about the baby and the fact that you wouldn't let him do this but he wouldn't accept them. He either kept them unopened or threw them away. You'd asked his father but he said he hadn't opened them and wouldn't.

You had told his father and stepmother the news, wanting to share it with someone and they had been so happy for you. They begged to tell him but understood that when you refused, it was something you wanted to share with him. So, you'd kept writing him letters with details about your pregnancy, provided pictures of your sonograms, and chatted about baby names. Hoping that one day he would open them and contact you on the number you provided.

But the call never came.

Your due date approached and arrived, and you gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy. He was a mirror of Jimmy, a spit of his father in every way. He was beautiful. Jimmy's parents had been there to support you every step of the way, and you'd stayed with them for the first three months after you'd given birth. You had struggled desperately on your own and hadn't coped with the loneliness, so they had offered you to stay with them for as long as you needed. And honestly, they had loved it anyway.

Being a single mother over the coming months alone had been an adjustment period and a difficult one at that. You hadn't thought months and months ago when you'd found out you were pregnant, that you would have been doing it by yourself. You had always envisioned that when the time came, you would be doing it together. With Jimmy, your beloved, by your side. And yet here you were with a toddler, raising him by yourself.

You'd been angry in the beginning with Jimmy, wishing he hadn't been so stupid but it quickly had turned into anguish and sadness. Night after night as your baby slept beside you, you'd wonder how he was doing in prison. Wondering how he was managing, hoping he wasn't hurt or being hurt by others. You knew Jimmy was more than capable and could take care of himself, but that didn't mean that you didn't still worry for his safety and wellbeing.

You looked down at your son and wondered how different things would have been had Jimmy been by your side raising your son together. How sad you felt for the small things Jimmy had already missed. Your pregnancy and the bonding, the birth of his son and being by your side to support you inside of his parents, the first night home, the first feed, the first bath, etc... All the little things that bonded you to your baby and the precious memories those hold.

Throughout the months you had shown your baby boy pictures of his father and chatted to him about stories of Jimmy, even though you knew he didn't fully comprehend or understand what you were saying, you still felt it was important. You repeated 'da da' to the photos of Jimmy, trying to help your son associate his father with the photo, so he would know who he was. Eventually, he started babbling 'da da' at the photo on his own as the months went on. It made you smile bittersweetly that he seemed to recognise him in some ways at least.

A few weeks after your son had turned eleven months, you found out from Jimmy's father that he would be released from prison due to a secret deal he'd made with investigators for information about a serial killer's victims, in which the serial killer was in the prison with Jimmy. To say you were shocked was an understatement. Not only did you still not come to the acceptance that Jimmy would be gone for ten years, but you now had to accept and wrap your head around that he would be released a week from now. Just before your son turned 1 year old.

You had instantly burst into tears. Tears of confusion, relief, happiness, and worry. Jimmy had rejected you in more ways than one. He rejected you as his partner and took the option of choice away from you, as a way of trying to protect you but in doing so had hurt you more. He rejected the promise he had made to you, in which you would be together until you both died. He rejected your son, without even knowing him or the fact he was doing it because he refused to even give you the respect of speaking to you. And he rejected you and your feelings. He pushed you and your baby away.

You had asked his father to pick Jimmy up on the day of his release, for both obvious and selfish reasons, and asked that he prepare Jimmy for things to be different when he arrives home. But not to mention your son, you would do that. You had also asked his father to tell Jimmy that you were still at your home and wanted to talk when he arrived. He said he would get Jimmy to text you from his phone when they were close, so to give you enough time to prepare for his arrival.

You prepared some tea for yourself to calm down, fed your son and changed him, cleaned a little and waited anxiously for the text. You had stared furiously at your phone for that text. You'd distracted yourself by telling your adorable son that his father was coming home, hoping your baby would calm you down enough. You wondered if he would recognise him when he came through the door. And, how Jimmy would react when he sees the mini version of him.

Twenty minutes later, Jimmy and his father are outside your home, slowly making their way inside. You had chosen to stand in the hall, facing the door with your son in your arms, waiting patiently but anxiously for them to walk through the door. You had let them know to knock and then walk inside on their own accord.

The door opened slowly, so agonisingly slow and quietly, that you could hear and feel your heartbeat around you. Your breathing laboured in anxiety and stress. But the second you laid eyes on Jimmy, it felt like your world was complete. The man you love was standing in front of you in the open doorway once more with a look of utter shock on his face. He was looking at you and it felt like time stopped for a moment. You both stared wide-eyed at one another, not uttering a word.

That was until your son squealed in annoyance that no one was paying attention to him. He fussed to be put down, putting up a fight against you, so you put him down to do as he pleased. What you didn't expect though, was for your son to crawl over to Jimmy babbling 'dadada' over and over, until he was at Jimmy's feet. He squealed in happiness as he raised his arms and did grabby hands towards Jimmy, indicating he wanted to be picked up.

Jimmy looked at you as if asking for permission. You nodded and watched as Jimmy picked him up. Your son squealed whilst continuing to babble about 'dadada' as he grabbed Jimmy's face. You finally decide to speak, to break the awkward silence from everyone. "Jimmy, meet your son Tyler. Tyler sweetie, meet your daddy." You sweetly cooed the end to your son, introducing the two. Jimmy looked at your son in awe as he gently ran a finger down his cute chubby cheek.

"Baby? How? I have so many questions." Jimmy questions in both shock and awe, smiling when Tyler babbles nonsense at him and happily waves his arms about. You smiled at the scene in front of you and nodded, "I showed him pictures of you and said 'da da' at it. To help him recognise you. Granted I didn't know you would be released so soon and didn't expect him to pick it up so soon. But I'm glad he seems to recognise you. Shall we sit so I can explain?"

You invite them both in, watching with amusement and melting inside as Jimmy carefully watches his every step, looking downward as he moves into the living room with you. James stepped back, "I'll leave you pair to talk, I'll come by later sweetheart." You nodded appreciatively and hugged him before joining Jimmy.

You sit down with Jimmy on the couch, sitting Tyler on your lap as you face Jimmy. It was dinner time, so you pulled out your breast to feed Tyler. "Oh shit! I'll look away..." Jimmy coughed and turned away quickly as you situated Tyler comfortably to eat. You giggled to yourself, "C'mon Jim. It's nothing you haven't seen before. Besides, technically we didn't break up, so..." You cleared your throat uncomfortably, and Jimmy turned to look at you with a confused expression.

You decided to just get on with explaining, to make things more clearer for him. "I was already pregnant before you got arrested but I only found out a week before. I had missed my period and decided to just take a test to be sure and found out. I was going to tell you but then everything turned into chaos and you shut me out. I wrote you letters, so many letters Jim, explaining that we were expecting and for you to please call me or let me visit, but you never replied..." You took a deep breath, looking away for a moment.

"But I never stopped writing them. I put important stuff in there FIY, if you want to be caught up properly." You looked down and stroked your son's cheek as you spoke the next part, it hurt too much to say whilst looking at Jimmy. "I wanted to be there for you, you know? To support you through it and introduce you to our child but you refused to even speak to me. Like, what the fuck Jim? A letter?! I had no choice but to tell you about my pregnancy through letters because you gave me no other choice but you wouldn't even give me the decency of trying to break up with me in person?" You tried to stay calm to not disturb Tyler but you were hurt and raised your voice slightly.

You lifted your head to look at Jimmy when you heard him groan, "Shit, I'm so fucking sorry y/n. I fucked everything so badly with you and our child." Jimmy placed his head in his hands, "Wait, you said 'trying to break up'?" He lifted his head in question with tears in his eyes, pulling at your heartstrings. You nodded, "I did." He looked at you with such lost confusion that you rolled your eyes, "What? You thought I was going to let you break up with me from prison through a letter? Absolutely not."

"So... We are still technically together then?" He questions with a hopeful look, his eyes wide. You smile, "technically yes, but we aren't just going to go back to normal. If you still want this, us, then you'll have to make it up to me for your stupidity." Jimmy nods happily with a smile before looking down at your son. "I'll make it up to you, both of you. I promise."

Jimmy already looked besotted with Tyler, "he's a spit of you, isn't he?" You question with a smile. Jimmy nods, "a proper mini-me." He whispers as he places his finger between Tyler's, and grins proudly when Tyler grips them back. You smile down at the pair, feeling overwhelmed and happy.

Twenty minutes later, Tyler is fed and down for a nap in your arms happily. Jimmy is sitting beside you on the couch reading each of the letters you sent him from the beginng, saying he didn't want to waste any time and be caught up with everything he missed so he could adjust to being home and a father. You nodded and just simply watched, answering any questions he had or commenting on certain parts for further clarity. All while you had your head on his shoulder.

After much inner turmoil and encouragement from you, Jimmy placed his arm around your shoulder and hugged you and your son whilst reading. Eventually, his parents came by to see you all, to which you were all overcome with emotions and cried together whilst laughing at how ridiculous you all looked. Jimmy refused to move from either of your or Tyler's sides the whole time. And for the first time in almost a year, you finally felt content and not alone.

[worriedvision]

Had an angst idea that I needed to share with you. Just imagine x character that out of drunken impulse bought an engagement ring. Next day all sober x character considers returning the ring, but they just hide it telling themself that they'll do it later. Time pass and reader founds the ring getting emotional until they find out x character never had the intention (or not yet) to marry them

Gender neutral reader, gonna do this with Gorou lol. Angst ending because it's an angsty idea and I want an angst ending haha. Kinda short, at first I was gonna go with Alhaitham but Gorou seemed more likely lol.

--

"Hey, do you really love them? How come you never bought the ring?" A comrade asks Gorou, nudging him as he eyes the ring that seemed like a good idea. "It's not like you're just newly together."

"B-but what if they don't like it? I-I just want to be sure everythings right!" Gorou protests, the comrade pointing to the discount. "...I suppose I can keep the ring hidden until I figure the rest out..."

Well, he didn't think very far ahead. When he woke the morning after the drinks, he didn't hide the ring at all. He landed up forgetting about the whole evening, not remembering the conversation nor the thought of purchasing the ring due to impulse. You land up sleeping in, having had a busy day of work the previous morning and wanting the extra sleep.

You wake up to see the ring sitting right there, sitting neatly in an opened box. You gasp, excited at the idea of Gorou finally proposing to you - you never made the move, knowing how easy he was to fluster - before closing your mouth and pretending you hadn't seen the ring. The whole day, you were excited to have Gorou proposing - it didn't even need to be a whole special ocassion, even an evening stroll before he proposes would have been more than enough to satisfy you.

Unfortunately, he doesn't do this. In fact, when he returns to your shared room - you out running errands - his ears perk up in fear as he realises his mistake last night. He wasn't ready for a wedding, or for a marriage in general, there was too much on his plate. Too much at risk, and too much to go wrong.

He rushes to return the ring to the vendor, only realising you were standing close by after making eye contact - his hands now filled with the mora he got in exchange for returning the ring.

"You...I..." You trail off, riding down the high of a possible proposal when seeing Gorou rushing to return the ring. "Oh..."

Gorou doesn't even say anything - he didn't want you to get hit with the reality that he wasn't ready for proposing to you, he could tell you were excited based on how hard this hit you. He wanted to tell you that he loves you, that the ring wasn't a 'mistake' but rather he wanted to buy a ring worthy of you - not some discounted ring.

But all Gorou could do was watch on, opening and closing his mouth as he watches you walk away, the joy depleted with each step before you sprint away.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Malleus's enchantment on Lilia's gag glasses definitely wouldn't work on his own grandmother, would it? XD

Maleficia "There you are, Lilia. I was only just conversing with your human child on your whereabouts. It has been long since I have last seen you, my most trusted— What... are you wearing?"

[Referencing this fic!]

If Malleus could easily wave off Vil’s magic, then Maleficia can do the same for Malleus’s magic 😂

There's a part in this interaction where Maleficia switches from using "I" to "we"--that's the English royal "we" (pluralis majestatis). Historically, it's been used to invoke the divine right of rulers to speak for their state. I wanted to use it for a brief line to emphasize her serious tone.

***Note: foreshadowing for book 7 (so there are spoilers!!)***

Family means Nobody is Left Behind or Forgotten.

"So good to see you, your majesty." Lilia bowed to the woman in regal black robes. His tone was lighthearted, even as he addressed the queen of his country. "You've spoken with Silver? I do hope he was on his best behavior."

"As always." Maleficia allowed herself a smile. To most, it would make their skin crawl with discomfort. To Lilia, it was the grace of a close companion. "It has been long since I have last seen you, my most trusted—"

She slightly startled when he lifted his head. Her mouth twitching, pupils dilating, as the rest of her face remained unchanged. "What... are you wearing?"

"Oh? You're curious about these?" Lilia fiddled with his frames. He was careful to not entirely remove them from his face, lest he cast off his magical disguise. The faux hairs that made up a pair of bushy eyebrows and a mustache tickled his skin, the big rubber nose flopping about.

"Surely it's not a human fashion statement," Maleficia said with the lift of an arched brow, "though you have always been one to experiment with your appearance. Why, I still remember how you wore your hair back in the day. Long, with stripes as red as blood."

"That was quite a while ago." It was the look most iconic to his oldest friends—and his oldest enemies. Memories that tasted of both sugar and salt churned in his mind. "No, this isn't a new fashion trend, just a little something Malleus whipped up for me so that I could attend Family Day with everyone."

"Malleus did? I knew the magic felt familiar," Maleficia chuckled. Tendrils of the enchantment bounced harmlessly off her, illusive wisps flickering between her fingers. "My grandson still has much to learn in the way of spellcasting before he can pull one over my eyes. He chose such a humorous item to enchant as well."

"The choice was mine. We share the blame for the spell's design. Ah, but isn't it odd? Despite these odd circumstances, we still find ourselves making many happy memories."

"How kind of Malleus to grant you a blessing that brings such good fortune. You won't have to sit out on the festivities this year."

"He has a big heart, that boy. He didn't wish for me to be by my lonesome—and I'm eternally grateful for it. Thanks to Malleus, I can be with Silver on this momentous occasion.

"Someday soon, the day will come where I can no longer be by his side." Lilia clasped both hands over his heart. The joy in his voice was undeniably touched with sorrow. "This time we have together now, as father and son... it's something I'll always treasure."

Maleficia frowned. "Lilia, you don't mean to say..."

"You know what I speak of, yes? The time that comes for us all eventually."

She solemnly nodded. "I did not think it would be so soon. Before long, the sun will set on our time, and it will rise again at the dawn of a new era, one led by the next generation. Our legacies, paving the future of Briar Valley.

“Malleus will succeed me. Your child will age, perhaps have children of his own. Baul's grandchildren too."

Lilia laughed--soft and bittersweet. "They grow up so fast, don't they?"

"Extremely."

"Fufu, you must be so excited to see how Malleus has grown then."

"I am, however..." Maleficia's brows suddenly furrowed. "I must confess, I did not visit today only to see my grandson. I also wished to personally inquire about your health while I had the opportunity.”

The question threw Lilia off his tempo. He flinched, then hurried to find his footing again. His cheer, a mask.

"Come now, I know I may be getting up there in age, but I'm not quite senile yet—nor am I chomping at the bit for retirement. I'm as spry as I ever was." He hopped a few steps ahead, back to her. “You see? I’m…”

"Lilia," Maleficia said patiently, her words warning. "You are deliberately avoiding my question. As our vassal, we command you to answer us. How does your magic fare?”

To this, Lilia hesitated, biting his lower lip. "I don’t want to lie to you, but… I also don’t want to tell the whole truth. It is not within a warrior’s spirit to show their weaknesses, not even to friends and family.”

“You needn’t pretend with me.”

“I know. I know, and that is exactly why I can’t bring myself to face you. Not in the state I’m in.” The wind extended a cool hand to caress Lilia’s cheek. He looked into the horizon, at the outline of Night Raven’s main building reaching up high to pierce the clouds. “The last thing I wish for in this world is to be the cause of sadness for my loved ones.”

“Do they know?”

Lilia shook his head. “Not yet. I plan to when we third years meet to discuss internships. The longer I stay, the harder it will be to let go. I must cut the cord then and there. Until then…”

He turned to the side, his profile outlined by the rays of the sun. Hope seeping through the darkness that had eclipsed his face. “I’ll enjoy the life I have left here to its fullest. I ask that you recognize this as my final wish, your ma… no, Maleficia.”

“Lilia…”

“Please.”

"... By the Seven,” the queen sighed, “I shall never become accustomed to those silly spectacles on you. To wear such a dress while making a request to a higher authority… that is something only you would dare to do, Lilia.”

She folded her arms, her long sleeves falling into place with the motion. “You have loyally served your country as both a skilled general and as a wise advisor. You are a dear friend, an irreplaceable individual, yet it is also you who would be so audacious as to deny me the truth I seek.

“… So be it. By the powers vested in me as Queen of Briar Valley, it shall be done.” Maleficia lifted a hand, as if imbibing her decree with power. “You secret will be safe with me.”

He hurriedly glanced away, blinking back tears. Happiness? Sadness? He didn’t know from where they came.

“Thank you.” Lilia choked on his words. He tried again. “Thank you for understanding.”

Her reply came as dry teasing.

“No tears. If they flow, you’ll have to remove those spectacles to mop up, and your disguise will be dispelled.” Maleficia’s eyes crinkled with quiet laughter.

“Today is a celebration of family. Let us put aside our woes for the future and unusual eyewear, and relish in the present with our cherished children. That is a direct order from me to you, Lilia. I won’t have my subject’s smile wavering in my presence.”

He chortled. The small sound evolved, shaping itself into an awkward laugh. Fully formed, but still shaky at its edges.

Lilia faced the queen, dropping to a kneel. His head lowered, he played out the role of a faithful knight reporting to his sovereign.

“Yes, your majesty! As you command.”

[ria-writes-stories]

Self care day

Ship: Nuzi Genre: Fluff/Cotton Description: The sillies going to the mall

@maryalezoo --------------

(No one's pov)

Since murder drones, well one of the last living murder drones, stopped killing worker drones, Uzi had all that she needed to go out and explore. Not that she couldn't kill another murder drone again but killing her friend wouldn't be beneficial. How would he fly her to one of those abandoned malls if she did? "Uh- Uzi, this place looks wasted." "Well duh, it's been abandoned for so long, we just need to find the power generator, turn it on and we should have some electricity running around for the lights…" "I dunno Uz…" N said as he looked around skeptical fiddling with his hands. "Oh come on! There's no hollow spooky crab here! Come on!" Uzi said grabbing N's hand as she began to run through the mall with him. "WOAH-" "COME ON! KEEP UP!" Uzi said giggling, she seemed really excited to explore this abandoned building for some reason, N didn't understand why, but it made him happy that she was happy. So, he soon began to run with her as well.

At some point during the run N took off with his wings. "HEY! NOT FAIR!" Uzi shouted as N simply laughed as he spun around in the air, but when he looked back Uzi was gone, and oh boy that panic hit him harder than a truck. "Uzi-? Uzi? UZI!" N shouted out as he looked around desperate. Was there anyone else in the building besides them? What if there was another murder drone around? What if something got her? What if she got lost? Oh no! Uzi in the meantime was laughing her ass off behind a corner, covering her mouth as to not to make too much sound.

For the next ten minutes N went around like a mad dog on the loose while Uzi constantly hid as quiet as she could, moving from one place to another as he searched for her. N took a moment to breath in when he suddenly heard a small snicker. But soon enough that went quiet as joy and laughter were replaced with shock and horror as Uzi looked up at N with confusion deep burried in her eyes. His eyes were turned into that awful X and his sharp teeth were threatening to bite. Uzi stayed quiet as N pinned her down, what happened? Did he overheat and went into overwrite? Did- He started to laugh… "Bahahahahaha!" "Hey!" "You should have seen your face Uzi- ahahahaha!" Uzi punched him in the shoulder as N continued to laugh. "You started it!" N reminded her as she mumbled and crossed her hands and looked away mumbling, but she then got her idea for revenge.

"Hey! I know where to go, I saw a shop somewhere down this floor." "Aren't we looking for that power generator?" "Eh, screw it, it's old and broken most likely. Come on, this will be much better." "Ok! Just… don't do that again." "Says the one that doesn't listen to those exact words." "When since prom have I got split into half?" N asked as he followed close behind Uzi as the girl simply rolled her eyes.

As N continued to follow her, Uzi suddenly squalled and rushed into one of the shops. N looked up at what was written above it. "Hot…topic? What's hot topic?" "N! LOOK AT THIS!" The sudden tonality change in Uzi's voice startled him and it made him so very sure that she was actually in danger, but instead she was holding…hair pins? "Uh…what?" "Look how many things are here! Oh I've waited forever to be into one of these!" Uzi said as she ran around through the shop digging through the anime merchandise and the emo-goth accessories and clothes. "You…want to try some of these on?" N asked confused as he looked around at the stuff that were there. "YES!" Uzi said excitedly. None of this was his style… He was more…elegant to say so, or at least simple. He was used to a whole different style of clothes but he'd go with whatever made her happy. "Okay!" N said with a small smile as he gave her one of the accessories from the higher shelves. "Don't just stand there idiot! Go get dressed up too!" Uzi urged him as she pushed him out of the store. "W-wait what?!" "You heard me!" "But I don't know what to even-"

"Not with clothes from here! Go somewhere else!" "Why…?" "Don't you want new clothes?" "I'm fine with my coat honestly-" "N. Go find clothes. Come on you'll like it. You can dress with whatever you like and find." "But…" "Come ooooooooon, we'll meet here afterwards!" "Well, alright then-" "Cool! And don't peek in here if you finish earlier than me!" Uzi said before going into one of the changing rooms there as N was left more confused than ever before he roamed around the place looking for a shop similar to the one he found for his costume and V's dress. Maybe it was due to N's weird visions of himself in that butler suit, but he had a thing for fancier and more elegant things, simple but stylish. If you'd ask him what stylish is he'd ask if it's a dog, he only knows the word 'dapper' and he can only 'feel' what he likes. He's a little goofster like that.

Eventually N found a shop filled with suits, and oh boy the headache to find one that looked good on him. Those his size weren't appealing, the color yellow was just out of the question, his eyes were yellow too so it didn't work. Grey, white and silver were also poor choices. He tried black and white but it was too… plain and it gave him a bad feeling, like in his dreams… He ended up walking out of the shop like a watered down dog. He really did want to participate in this thing Uzi was doing but he just didn't know how.

As he was walking back he spotted something on one of the stores. A back pack. A black backpack with tiny wings like the one's of a bat. The first thing that he thought of when he saw that was Uzi, so he did the most natural thing, take it. Maybe he couldn't find things for himself…but maybe he could find something for her!

N's mood changed entirely to joyful as he began to roam around the mall collecting various items, a flashlight, some batteries to make it work, and others that gave what he called 'detective dapper items for great adventures!'

By the time Uzi got out N was already there, waiting patiently outside of the shop with his tail waggling from side to side. ". . .?" Uzi looked confused as N seemed to be holding something behind himself. "Did…you find something to your liking?" Uzi asked puzzled. "Nope! But I found something for you!" N said with a bright joyful smile as he held out the backpack filled with the various items inside. Uzi gasped in surprise as he took the backpack and analyzed it. Soon enough a small blush crept on her face as she looked away flustered. "I… didn't find anything for myself either… Those things were great but not me style… so uhm…" Uzi said as he held out a coat that was probably N's size. It was made out of far better quality and it had very fluffy fur at the scurf, far more cozy than what N have…as well as a camper costume. "I found these tho… So I thought I could-" N practically snatched the clothes out of her hands as she looked at them absolutely mesmerised. Uzi did pay attention to him…she did!

A few days prior

"Uzi, what's a camp consoler?" "Hm? Oh, it's an adult that takes care of a group of campers, basically people going out in the wild to sleep out in nature and do all sorts of activities." "Woah! So- you get to have fun with a bunch of people?" "I mean- yeah but you are also responsible for their safety and-" "That's so cool!" N said happily as Uzi looked at him confused. "What?" "I'd love to be a camp consoler with you Uzi! We could have so much fun!" "I don't want to be one-" "Then I can be the camp consoler for you!" N said happily. "We'd have so much fun! What do you even do in a camp?" "Well… there are various things for it and-" "Wait-! How do I have to dress for it? I can't wear impractical clothes." "N, I don't think you even have clothes for that…" "Oh…" N said as he pouted a little as he looked away. "Stop thinking of that! Come on we got other things to do." Uzi scolded but she felt bad for him. "Oh- right! Ok!"

Present time

"So… I was thinking of getting to this camp but it's too big of a trip so, I talked with my teacher to make a camping trip and stuff…you could come along…with V… I will be searching for some answer regarding all of these things and-" N hugged Uzi tightly to his chest. "Thank you Uzi." He said happily as Uzi blushed heavily and looked away flustered. "You're welcome- h-hey! Let go of me!" "Why?" "Because- EEEEEP!" Uzi yelped as N began to spin around with her, making the poor worker drone dizzy. He got too excited…

By the time Uzi got on her feet she was barely holding balance and ended up falling, thankfully N was there to catch her. "Woah! Easy there!" "You're the one that spun me!" "Oh yeah- I'm sorry, let's sit down." "There's nowhere to sit." Uzi said holding her head but before she knew it N was sitting on the floor with her on his lap. As the realisation slowly sunk into Uzi her cheeks got warmer and warmer, and N noticed this, placing his hand on her forehead. "Are you ok Uzi?" "I'm fine! Stop asking!" Uzi said with a small frown as she slapped his hand away while looking away absolutely embarrassed.

Two clueless idiots, unsupervised and confused with their emotions, not that their parents, well, Uzi's parents- parent- not as if the older drone generation had a clue more of how to handle emotions and how they work but you get the point.

Why is it so hard to hang out with your guy friend? Why was it so hard to make your girl friend happy? Neither of them had answers, but they knew that they felt great in each other's pressence, nothing felt scary anymore, nothing felt bad anymore, and that was all that they needed after going through so much on their own. They finally found their home.

The end

[maochira]

can i request reader with their father figures? i really like it so much ^^ umm the scenario is like reader is burnt out because of high expectations, so reader is feeling empty and doesn't feel the excitement in soccer/football(?) but reader didn't tell the father figures because reader still wants to play?

thank you <3

Father figures coaches my beloveds <3

Requests open! - father figure coaches masterlist

Tags: gn!reader, slight hurt lots of comfort, not proofread I am tired

Noa has been noticing your lack of enthusiasm for soccer lately. To him, it's so odd to see you on the field without a smile on your face. And when you don't even look happy after scoring a goal in your recent match, Noa realizes there has to be something seriously wrong with you. After that match when he drives you home, he finally decides to ask what's going on with you. You're hesitant to answer, but after being confronted with it directly you can't hide it from him anymore. "It's just... soccer isn't fun anymore. It only feels like a task to fulfil everyone else's expectations." Noa pulls the car to the side and stops it as quickly as he can because your answer shocks him a little. "So you don't play soccer for yourself anymore?" - "No..." Noa leans back in his seat as he's trying to figure out how he could help you. "I think you should take a break from soccer. Maybe not completely, but at least from matches? I mean, until it's fun for you again."

Chris hasn't really picked up on the fact that you're burnt out from soccer until now that you've started crying right before entering your team's locker room to get changed for an important match. "Hey hey, what's wrong?" His voice sounds a little panicked because just seconds ago, you hid your true feelings behind a fake smile. "I don't want to play today... I don't want to play anymore in general..." Chris' eyes widen in shock and he immediately pulls you into a hug. "Why's that? Come on, tell me..." It's a bit hard for you to find the proper words, but after a bit you manage to tell Chris how recently, you've been getting more and more afraid of not being good enough at soccer and slowly losing your fun because it only ever feels like something you do for others. Hearing that soccer doesn't bring you joy anymore makes Chris' heart hurt. "So... How about I'll tell your team and your coach that you can't play today and next week, I'll help you find joy in soccer again. Does that sound good?"

Lavinho has noticed that you seem rather unmotivated for soccer recently, but he's shrugged that off as you being tired or upset about your team's current losing streak. He's sure you'd tell him if anything more serious is going on with you. But when he picks you up to drive you to practice today, he can't help but notice you seem emotionally absent. Not even his jokes can cheer you up, so he decides to finally ask what's going on with you. "Soccer just... it isn't fun anymore." - "Is it because your team has only been losing lately? Come on, that'll get better soon." Lavinho tries to cheer you up, but without success. "No, it's not about that. I just feel like I've only been playing soccer for others and not for myself again..." While you're talking, you're holding back tears. Lavinho knows he needs to help you somehow, but he's unsure of what exactly to do. For a bit, he's silent before he starts speaking again. "Where's the fun in soccer when you only do it for others? Come on, I'll play with you and I'll show you how much fun it can be again!"

You're currently practicing soccer with Snuffy, hoping that'll bring your passion for soccer back. But so far, nothing in your head has changed. So far, you haven't told him how burnt out you are, but Snuffy knows it already anyways. He's noticed even the slightest change in your behaviour and sees how all of your passion is gone. He's not talking to you about it yet, just trying to find other ways to help you. Right now, playing is only frustrating you more and more with each kick, so at some point you break down and sit down on the grass in tears. Snuffy knew you weren't doing well, but he didn't expect a breakdown right now. He lets you have a moment to yourself before he sits down next to you to pull you into a hug. "So... How about you take a break from soccer for a bit? You know, until it doesn't feel frustraring anymore."

Taglist (sign-up link): @astruosie @kaineedstherapy12 @zyuuuu @yerinsshi @gojosorrygeto @luvcalico @truegoist @vanitasbrainrot @toruden @mafuyudonutt @weichspuelertrinker @kermitslefteyeball11 @futuristicxie @bluelock4life @https-archangel @ririgards @depressed-bitchy-demon @userwithlotsoftime @yellowelectroslime

[tabitha42]

The Wizard's Apprentice - Chapter 19

Saffron is just a lowly apprentice with barely a successful firebolt to her name. So what chance does she have with the arch mage she's slowly falling in love with?

Gale x Tav, slow burn, eventual smut

Chapter 1 Previous chapter Next chapter

The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and joy. Wine flowed, people danced, music and laughter filled the air. Karlach had convinced Wyll to join the party, at least for a bit, and the six of them were finally catching up on the day as the tieflings settled in. 

“Then suddenly, there were 6 of her!” Astarion recounted, throwing his usual dramatic flair on the story as he told it. “Of course, immediately I knew which was the real one.” “Did you?” Shadowheart challenged. “Funny how you shot all the others first, then.” “Well, I had to shoot them to get rid of them,” he said defensively. 

“I’m sure that’s the reason,” she said knowingly, looking into her cup of wine before taking a sip. 

“I don’t know how you’re drinking that swill,” Astarion murmured, looking at her glass. “Honestly, we rescue these tieflings and this is the thanks we get? Vinegar for wine?”

“Oh, did no one tell you where the good wine was?” she said, sounding… somewhat genuine as she looked over at him. 

“There’s good wine?” he asked, equal parts surprised and eager. 

“There is. Give me the hag’s bone charm and I’ll tell you where it is,” she said, a small smile playing on her lips. 

“Oh, I see. Forget it, it’s mine,” he snapped back, narrowing his eyes at her. Saff, Gale and Wyll had very quickly come to learn that the others were all trying to convince Astarion out of this charm he’d got off the hag. 

“If you insist,” she said calmly with a shrug, taking another deep gulp of wine. Astarion watched her, twitching slightly. 

“I still can’t believe you managed to defeat a hag,” Gale said, deciding to pull the conversation away from Astarion’s desperation for a good glass of wine. He didn’t see the problem, the wine wasn’t anything great but it wasn’t as bad as Astarion was making out. “They’re notoriously powerful.” 

“As are we,” Lae’zel said confidently. “I was disappointed to have missed the goblin fight, but the hag makes for a fine victory.” 

“I can’t say I’m sad to have missed fighting a hag,” Gale said with a small chuckle. “Though I might have been interested to see her magic. I wonder if she’d have been able to remove the tadpole if you’d let her try.” 

“Well she’s still there if you want to find out for yourself,” Astarion said, finally prying his thoughts away from the wine. “You will have to give her an eye, though.” 

“I’m quite content with my eyes the way they are, thank you very much. But that won’t stop me wondering.” 

“What happened to the girl?” Saff asked, leaning forward a bit. “What was her name? Mary something? You didn’t leave her with the hag, did you?”

“Mayrina. No, we didn’t, the hag told her the deal was off. Then the ungrateful little wretch said we’d ruined everything and ran away,” Astarion said, rolling his eyes. “We found her crying over her husband’s corpse. We also found a wand in the hag’s lair with his name on it. Well, she now has a zombie for a husband,” he said with a smirk, clearly feeling like they got back at her for being so ungrateful. 

“Poor girl…” Karlach murmured with a sad sigh, much less happy about the outcome of it all. 

“She made a deal with a hag and lived to tell the tale. You’ve given her more than most people would have got in her situation,” Wyll said. It was the first time he’d spoken in a while - he’d generally been quite quiet and reserved, but Saff couldn’t help but notice that one of the first times he speaks is to cheer up Karlach. It worked - Karlach managed a small smile. 

“Yeah, I guess so. I hope she gets back to Baldur’s Gate ok.” 

“Maybe we’ll be able to find her when we get there ourselves,” Wyll suggested optimistically, meeting her smile with a smile of his own. 

Meanwhile, Astarion had gone back to staring at Shadowheart’s wine glass and finally broke. 

“Oh gods, fine! I’ll give you the damn thing, but you have to give me the wine first,” he snapped, seemingly out of nowhere. Shadowheart was unsurprised though, and just smiled. 

“Very well, this way,” she said, standing up and leading him off. 

“Do you think she actually has a stash of good wine hidden away?” Gale wondered, starting to sound a bit tempted. Saff chuckled and shook her head. 

“I think she’s having him on,” she said, watching as the two disappeared off towards her tent. 

“She is,” Lae’zel said confidently. The others looked at her in surprise. “Mol has the good wine. She told me as much earlier.”

Gale chuckled softly. Of course Mol would say that. 

“Well then, I think we’d better pay Mol a visit,” he decided, standing up. 

Mol did, indeed, have some wine, and she was even willing to part with it for a small offering of coin. Whether or not it was actually any better than the rest of the wine was hard to say.

The group split up to mingle with the rest of the guests. Gale and Saff’s eyes were caught by a dancing spell across the camp, and made their way over to find Rolan performing illusions for his siblings. Sparkling lights shimmered in the air above them, glittering as they fluttered down to earth. It was a fairly basic spell, but beautiful nonetheless.

Gale and Saff joined Cal and Lia in applause, and soon were chatting to Rolan about his plans to further his wizarding powers once he got to Baldur’s Gate.

“Lorroakan?” Gale said in surprise when he heard the name of Rolan’s master-to-be. “I’ve heard of him. Word in Waterdeep is he’s a bit of a cad, but you say he’s an accomplished wizard?”

“Of course he is! The greatest spellcaster along the Sword Coast. As if I’d settle for a lessor mentor,” Rolan said confidently, almost offended by Gale’s comments. 

“Malitas says the same… he’s not a big fan of Lorroakan. Though I was surprised when he said that, I always thought Lorroakan was supposed to be incredibly powerful,” Saff commented.

“He is incredibly powerful. Whoever this Malitas is clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Rolan said dismissively. 

“He’s my master. He’s from Baldur’s Gate as well, and he does know what he’s talking about,” she replied rather defensively. Though given what Gale had said about him in the past, there was the slightest bit of uncertainty in her voice.

“Malitas? Never heard of him,” Rolan said with a shrug, as if that proved he wasn’t worth listening to by virtue of not being famous. 

“He likes to keep a low profile.”

“He does? Strange. Any wizard worth his salt should be proud of his skills.” 

Gale decided to intervene before an argument started. 

“Well, if Lorroakan is as powerful as you say, then I’d very much appreciate it if you could arrange an introduction should we reach the city.”

“Ah yes, a grand idea! I would be happy to. Then you can both see how powerful he is for yourselves.”

Conversation after that, luckily, was a bit more light-hearted. They discussed magic, their favourite spells, and swapped stories of the various disasters they’d each caused during their time spent learning their craft. 

Eventually they left to mingle with the others. As the night wore on the wine continued to flow, and soon Alfira had gained a small group of dancers in front of her as she played. Luckily either she hadn’t drunk as much as the rest of them, or if she had, she was much better at playing while drunk than anyone had any right to be. 

“Come on, let’s dance!” Karlach called to them as she went to the dancefloor herself. Her enthusiasm was infectious it seemed, as she managed to get Halsin and Astarion up there with her too, though the significant amounts of wine they’d both had probably helped. 

Saff’s face lit up and she looked to Gale. 

“Let’s go!” she said excitedly, but he shook his head. 

“You go dance. I am not one for dancing - especially not when I’ve had quite this much to drink,” he said with a laugh. Though there was an ache in his heart as he said that - in his youth, back at the academy, he was quite the dancer. His was a popular hand at the annual Blackstaff’s Ball. But in recent months, it was yet another thing he found he’d lost his love for. A melancholy mood came over him as he thought about it. 

“Aww, come on, please?” she begged, taking his arm and trying to pull him along, but he remained resolute. 

“Perhaps later. For now, I think I need to sit down. Besides, I’ve had you to myself all evening. The others deserve the pleasure of your company too.” She sighed and folded her arms. 

“Alright, later. I’ll hold you to that,” she said playfully, before joining Karlach and the others. 

Gale headed back to his tent and sat down on the blankets just outside the door. His shift in mood hung over him until he looked up to see the others and found a smile come to his lips as he saw Saff dancing, smiling widely as she lost herself in the music. He hadn’t realised how skilled a dancer she was and found himself mesmerised as he watched her, the elegant sway of her hips and flow of her arms, each twirl and movement flowing perfectly into the next. It was rude to stare, of course… but he couldn’t help himself now as he watched her dancing in the moonlight.

The songs flew by, until eventually it was just Saff and Karlach left out of their group. Astarion had retreated back to the wine and Halsin back to a quieter corner. Even Saff was beginning to tire, but Karlach looked like she could dance all night. 

“Ahh, Saff, I’m so happy!” she declared, holding her arms out wide and soaking in the atmosphere. “All these people, happy, because of us! It’s so good to be back here, in a place where good can still happen. Ten years… ten years I’ve been stuck in the Hells… but this… this is everything I dreamed of coming back to!” 

Saff could hear the emotion in her voice, even see tears forming in her eyes as she spoke. 

“Well… almost everything,” she said, lowering her arms and looking at Saff with a playful smile. “Now I just need to find a fire-retardant lover to get lost in all night.” She paused and glanced around with a cheeky grin. “Where’s Wyll?”

Saff couldn’t help but laugh.

“I feel, for his sake, I need to remind you he’s not fire-retardant,” she teased. 

“I know. Believe me, I know. Not a moment goes by where I don’t curse the world for it.”

“Maybe we need to find you guys a potion of fire resistance.” 

“You know, that might help,” she laughed, then went back to looking round. “Hang on - where is Wyll?” she asked, realising she couldn’t actually see him anywhere. Saff looked around too and realised he was nowhere to be seen. “Shit,” Karlach swore, suddenly feeling guilty. “I shouldn’t have left him…” 

Saff felt her heart sink too. Had Wyll really only been staying around cause Karlach had made him? 

“If he really doesn’t want to be here… then maybe it’s better to let that happen,” she said sadly. 

“Maybe… but just because he doesn’t want to be at the party, doesn’t mean he has to be on his own,” Karlach decided. “I’ll go find him.” 

“You sure? He wouldn’t want you to miss the party,” she said, knowing how much Karlach had been enjoying herself. 

“I’ve been partying all night. I’ve loved every moment of it, but right now… I want to be with him,” she said softly. The sincerity in her voice brought a smile to Saff’s lips. “Plus… I need to free you up to get someone else to dance with you,” she added playfully, throwing a glance in Gale’s direction.

“Pfft, I’ve tried. He won’t,” she said, shaking her head with a disappointed sigh. 

“Well you just haven’t tried hard enough! Plus, he’s had more to drink now,” she said with a grin. “Have a dance for me and Wyll. I’ll see you in the morning.”

With that she gave her a wave and headed off to find him. Saff sighed softly and glanced around. Shadowheart and Astarion were sat on a rock, sharing what was presumably the good wine, looking like they were judging everyone in the camp. They probably were. Lae’zel was talking to one of the tieflings, Halsin was talking to Zevlor, and Gale was by himself. Well, she decided, it was time to remedy that. 

He looked up at her and smiled as she approached. 

“Done dancing?” he asked as she sat next to him, lifting the bottle of wine that was sat next to him to offer her some. 

“For now,” she answered, holding out her glass. He poured the wine, giving her a generous portion. “Is this a different wine to before?” she asked, giving it a sniff. 

“Yes. I finished the other bottle,” he admitted. She chuckled softly and took a sip. “Where did Karlach go?” he asked, having clearly watched their conversation just now. 

“To go find Wyll.” 

He paused, frowned, then looked around, surprised to see that Wyll had, in fact, disappeared. 

“Huh… I didn’t even notice him leave.” He sighed softly and looked into his drink. “I hope he’s ok…” 

“I think Karlach’s going to make sure of that,” she said with a confident smile. 

“Heh, I hope you’re right. Hard to believe those two were enemies less than a tenday ago. They’ve become fast friends,” he said, and the way he said it implied he was well aware of the budding relationship between them. 

“They’re not the only ones,” Saff said, looking up at him. It wasn’t something she’d usually have the courage to say, but the copious amounts of alcohol were certainly helping in that regard. He looked at her in surprise at first, until a smile came to his lips. 

“No… I suppose they’re not,” he said softly. They held each other’s gaze for a long moment, before Gale spoke again.

“I never knew you were such a good dancer,” he complimented, lifting his glass to his lips and taking a sip.

“You think?” she asked, a slight blush on her cheeks as she looked at him. “Most definitely. Your dancing is like… poetry of the body. Beautiful, elegant… mesmerising, even…” he said softly. The blush on her cheeks deepened and she found herself almost too flustered to reply. 

“Well… next time, you’ll just have to join me,” she said, looking at him with a playful smile, hoping the blush wasn’t too obvious. 

“Hmm… you’re certainly tempting me to reconsider…” he mused, holding her gaze for a long moment… til he finally leant back a bit and lifted his cup to his mouth. “For now though, you look like you could do with a rest,” he said with a slight chuckle, which she had to agree with. 

The two of them sat quietly for a moment, enjoying the wine, the atmosphere, and each other’s company.

“Beautiful night, don’t you think?” Gale said after a while. “Nothing like a brush with death to make one appreciate the majesty of the celestial canvas.” 

“It’s stunning,” she agreed, following his gaze up to the stars. “I used to love stargazing back home when I was younger, in the orphanage. One of the books had all the constellations. I’d always try to find them, but I never could,” she admitted, chuckling slightly. He glanced down at her a moment, then back up at the sky. 

“Which ones did you look for?” he asked. 

“The Centaur. The Woman Warrior. The Huntsman,” she said, listing the first few that came to mind. 

Gale looked up, his eyes scanning the sky. He then raised his hand and pointed upwards. 

“See that line of stars there?” he asked, carefully tracing the line with his finger. 

“Where?” she asked, trying to follow where he was pointing. He glanced down again, then carefully leant down til his head was next to hers, adjusting where he was pointing to match her viewpoint. He moved his arm behind her slightly to rest his weight on. 

“There,” he whispered, tracing the outline of the constellation once more. “Can you see it?”

There was a pause, then he heard a small gasp. 

“Yes!” she whispered, elation in her voice. He smiled to himself, happy to hear her excitement. 

“That’s the Warrior Woman. And over here,” he started, moving his hand to another part of the sky, “rides the Centaur. Do you see him?” 

Another pause, followed by another squeal of delight. 

“I do!” She could hardly believe it. It had felt impossible to find them on her own, but now they were pointed out, she could see them clear as day. “They’re beautiful.” 

“They are, aren’t they?” he agreed, lowering his hand, but staying close to her. “They say in another thousand years he will complete his voyage across the sky and cross swords with the Woman Warrior again, as they did a hundred years ago. Do you know what happened then?” he asked, glancing to her. She shook her head. He looked back to the stars as he spoke. “It is a story of two lovers who sought the destruction of Waterdeep, and the heroes who defended the city. They say it was the hottest day of the year as a great female warrior and a heroic centaur engaged in an arm-wrestle in one of Waterdeep’s most famous taverns, Selûne's Smile, run by an avatar of the goddess herself. The cosmic alignment magnified the power of their contest, which mixed with latent magic amplified by the heat, to tear open a portal. Through that portal came the lovers Aviss and Fellandar, ancient enemies of the city, to wreak a path of destruction. Khelben Arunsun, the Lord Mage of Waterdeep, urged the warrior and the centaur to continue their contest to keep the portal open while the heroes Kyriani Agrivar and Onyx the Invincible pursued the lovers. Luna herself, Selûne's avatar, joined the fight, and with their strength combined they were able to banish the lovers back from whence they came, and the city was saved. The moral of the story is always check the constellations before starting an arm wrestle.” 

She laughed at what had sounded like such a serious story followed by such a nonsensical moral. 

“Did that really happen?” she asked, looking at him. 

“So they say,” he answered, looking back to meet her eyes again. He still hadn’t moved away from where he’d positioned himself earlier, and as they looked into each other’s eyes now, they were close enough to feel the other’s breath on their skin. 

“Wild things happen in Waterdeep, don’t they?” she said softly, almost a whisper.

“More than you could believe… you’ll have to come and see for yourself,” Gale replied. He knew he shouldn’t let himself give into this, but he found himself getting lost in her eyes…

“I’d like that…” she whispered, getting equally lost in his eyes, slowly starting to lean closer…

Above them, across the camp, Shadowheart and Astarion watched. 

“This has got to be it,” Astarion said, not taking his eyes off them as he sipped his wine. 

“It’s not going to happen,” Shadowheart said confidently, only half watching them as she drank. “10 gold says they’re sharing a tent by the end of the night.” 

“Ohh, you’re on.”

[alyjojo]

August 🎺 2023 PAC - Follow Your Dreams

✨🧡✨💛✨💙✨🩵✨🩷✨💜✨

Pile 1 - Orange 🍊

The Dream: Knight of Cups 🥂

The House: 5th

Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius 🔥 Virgo & the entire generation of Pluto Scorpio (Millennials)

Oracles:

18 Start

You must start from where you are, examine your situation, and take a chance.

45 Collaboration

Creative people can be inspired by sharing and stimulating creativity in others.

Great Adventure

“Take a risk; venture forward.”

What can you do right now to prepare?

Two stories here, one is for those that either want a lover to come back, or want to find their true soulmate. The other is for the musicians or entertainment people that want to make it big.

And the advice is the same. RISK looking like a fool. Be obvious! Put yourself out there! 5 Pentacles shows you’ve faced rejection before, you’ve probably tried to follow this advice before, whether regarding this or something else. Rejection is just redirection, it’s not that you’re bad or wrong, that this isn’t your path or you can’t have what you want, it’s just that particular company / gig / person isn’t the one that it’s going to happen with, or the *what* needs readjustment. Same energy, different target! For those wanting to reunite with an ex, same target, different strategy / behavior. The signs could be a hint of who they are, or who you are. There is very heavy fire 🔥 and that’s what you’re needing to embody, if you don’t already possess it. Fire does not sit around and pine over things. They want it, they go get it 💯 And they make it look easy, because they tend to be more impulsive and *thinking about it* or planning can be an afterthought. Just do it.

Sagittarius being highlighted specifically can be the person, you, or the energy you need. They are a very laid back sign when it comes to details, demands, and expectations, but so much fun and always keeping a sense of humor about things. They’re not emotional, they just want to have a good time, and often impulsively just decide to do something they think would bring them a lot of joy. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay shit happens. We still had fun, and aren’t going to linger in any disappointment. Onto the next thing tomorrow, the path is always open to head down a new lane, there is no “stuck”. Keeping an optimistic and positive attitude, seeing yourself as a winner regardless of circumstance, and eventually you’ll get there.

You need this attitude, because you’re so focused on the negative and what could go wrong, that you stop yourself before you even start! Fear is blocking an entrepreneurial spirit, the fire inside you to motivate and inspire your next big move! Kindly get out of your own way, hype yourself up like the bad bitch (m/f) you know you are, and go get what you want, despite any criticism or rejections from others, trust that you will intuitively know the difference between ✨constructive✨ and useless 🗑️ criticism. Opinions are like assholes 🧡

Charms:

Star of Fame 🌟 on Knight of Cups is something big, and romantic. For the love it could be going above and beyond, making it clear and obvious you’re interested, doing special things that really catch the attention of others. For music, love would be your area of focus, to get the attention you’re seeking. If you love things, be open about those things and you can find others that love them too! Speaking kindness and life into others, love songs, kind actions towards others will always be celebrated by all people. If you want romance, SAY so! Be that, in order to attract it back towards you.

Treble Clef 🎼 on Great Adventure is music, hobbies, concerts, whatever makes you feel excited and alive, do more of that. Take more risks with things you’ve maybe never done before but have thought about or would love to try. You’re the only one stopping you here.

Sagittarius ♐️ on Start is what I said about Sagittarius already, and could be very specific depending on you & your story. Think positive. Sure it might not work, but it could, or it could give you an even better idea that DOES. It’s a whole process, don’t fear failure before you start, just fear giving up or losing motivation, and keep things handy to perk you back up if and when you feel like you’re going to. This is a sign that does whatever tf they want, and unapologetically so, others will either meet you on your level or watch you walk towards what does 💯

Tree of Life 🌳 & Dead Tree 🍂 on Strength literally shows you killing your chances before they even have a chance to bloom or go full circle. The beginning and the end, and you may have already gone through a whole cycle of something you fear repeating, that’s why you hold back. But it only burdens you further because it keeps you in Hermit energy. Wands do not belong in Hermit energy for more than a short period, they have got to be social or they go bananas 🍌 If you’re looking for love, take amazing pictures and create a profile on some site. Tell your friends to set you up - with Collaboration. FLIRT, and be open to having a good time, even if they’re not “it” - Sag energy. Even if it’s getting someone back, if that’s the thing weighing on your heart and you picked this, then you’ve got a real shot, but you’ve got to show up, make moves, and impress. Be romantic, be sexy, be confident, show off. Be YOU, authentically, confidently. I don’t think this would come out, and you wouldn’t have picked it, if you were really doomed to failure. But you have to try, or keep trying! Listen to those around you too, the positive people, collaboration & 3 Cups can show well meaning and helpful friends around you that can help you get to where you want to go. They make you feel good. Only spend time with people that make you feel good!

Pile 2 - Gold 🏆

The Dream: Progress

The House: 3rd

Signs: Heavy Pisces, Gemini, Virgo & Sagittarius, Jupiter/placements in Aquarius

Oracles:

38 Limits

Know that limiting attitudes are often formed as protective reactions to past events.

18 Start

You must start from where you are, examine your situation, and take a chance.

61 Happy Accident

Fortunate accidents can act as guides to edit and be open to where you should go next.

36 Generosity

You can afford to be generous with the gift of your time and attention.

What can you do right now to prepare?

I don’t see a specific dream, you JUST want to know if there will be some progress where you are! For most of you it’s probably career related, and for others it can be friends, coworkers, contacts in your life that just do not help you out as much as you wish they would. Knight of Pentacles shows you as on your grind, every day, without fail. You may have already put quite a lot of time into a job or project, and this reading is saying more time is needed. Not “no” just “not right now”. For some it’s due to the current Jupiter transit in Taurus, which seems to be the star of your reading. The sign pulled was Jupiter Aquarius, you could have this, lucky people in your life could, or this is showing that your “luck” is squared right now in some way, and things are changing in the background that will inevitably work in your favor. But might not seem that way at first.

Once Jupiter moves into Gemini in a year (05/24/2024), it’s feeling like that’s when things can really start moving in the direction you want them to, at least for this pile. You want cooperation, and you want your ideas to be heard, to feel valued and appreciated for all the work and effort you put into something. I see a Tower ahead, if it hasn’t already happened, every card connected to this Tower is happy and fortunate for you. Again, you may not feel that way at first. There are a lot of worries and anxiety you’re carrying needlessly, much of this feels out of your control. It’s possible you will/need to decide to leave some things behind. Uncooperative people, fake “friends”, even ideas of yours that aren’t going to stay exactly as they are. You’re in a cycle of big change, and you feel like things aren’t moving, but they are.

It could be your career is in a cycle of big change, they may be cleaning house and getting rid of people you’ve been manifesting OUT of your life, and way. If you lose a job, I see you finding a better one. If you lose friends, I see you finding better ones, more aligned to your path. 3rd House can refer to siblings, neighbors, people around your neighborhood you see from time to time, casual connections, even people from early childhood or school days. This feels very positive and like the sort of people you should involve yourself in or around more often, they could be beneficial to you, or end up being great friends of yours. A “Happy Accident” will be the beginning of a beautiful new beginning for you, and in the meantime, know that you’re stuck temporarily with the Limits, that your continuous grinding loyalty is still required with Knight of Pentacles, and that it’s out of your control for now, but for your highest good - Wheel of Fortune. Watching Clouds ☁️ in the meantime, wear earbuds, work on your inner self, find people that make you feel good and have some great conversations that really stick with you - 3rd House, and tune out the negative people or those that get on your nerves. Yes, there will be progress.

Charms:

Guitar 🎸 on Watching Clouds is connecting with music or hobbies to pass any free time and make you feel connected to yourself. These can refer to relaxation techniques as well, music can be one, the card has a hammock, books, and a cup of tea. Yes you’re working hard, but you should also be enjoying yourself as much as possible. It’s not like you’re being cursed, it feels more like you’re being gifted with this transition period. Get inspired by feeling good and use that to really think & dream about what you’d like to see happen.

Clover 🍀 on Wheel of Fortune is a repeated message that the things that will be changing are for your highest good. I don’t see lottery wins, but by all means Happy Accident with this are probably all I would need 😆 Buy some tickets. If things make you worry or stress, have faith that everything is going to work out for the best. And relax. You’re on the lucky side of the changes that are coming.

Fractal Leaf 🍃 on Ace of Cups shows many different elements of growth to these changes that will turn out to be a new beginning for you. This can be a lover, a hobby, a new dream (or several), good connections with newer people coming into your life. It’s new and it’s positive, but there are several different shocking or changing factors that get this to happen in the first place. When you do things, put your heart into them, or do things that you feel a deeper connection to, talk to people that love the same things as you do.

Starfish ⭐️ on 9 Swords tells you to calm your fears, worries, sleepless nights, constant anxiety. You need healing and regeneration, this can be watching videos on your similar situation from others who have been through it, going to counseling, seeking advice from people close to you that understand you. It really feels like you’re looking for your tribe, along with some career success you’re hoping to have as well. The message is not to worry, and focus on healing the thoughts and triggers that cause you to worry in the first place.

Peace ☮️ on Happy Accident & Generosity is beautiful energy, taking things as they come and seeing the higher purpose to everything if you can. Being kind, loving, peaceful in your attitude & outlook, and generous to others is what will likely win a lot more people over to your side, especially those ruled by the 3rd House. Your local waitress, trash man, cashier, next door neighbor, siblings and possible in-laws or nieces & nephews. Anyone you communicate with. The more you give, the more you’ll get in the long term.

Pile 3 - Indigo 🌌

The Dream: Page of Wands

The House: 6th House

Signs:

Libra, Aquarius, Cancer, Venus in Cancer

Oracles:

4 Recycle

Learn from the past and apply it to creating your vision of the future.

24 Partnership

Once you have decided to walk your path in partnership, you must put the relationship first.

44 Transformation

Allow the energy of fear to be transformed by love, creativity, and compassion.

31 Communication

The clarity, interactivity, and timing of communications is critical.

What can you do right now to prepare?

You have some heavy family dynamics that you haven’t healed from, nor have they, and your dream according to this - is a message that you receive (not send). Yet I get the feeling that even if you received one, you wouldn’t be receptive to it. The signs here show up as signs that can have a hard time setting firm boundaries with loved ones, you have experienced feeling fully responsible for someone else and being taken advantage of. Or perhaps you’ve done this to someone else.

Some of these wounds could be healed, and some of them are too far gone. Recycle is you needing to determine what is what. If someone has abused you or been cruel to you, then you owe them nothing & same for anyone else. 6th House being the House of Service shows you feel like you have to “serve” those close to you, work for them, dote on them, no. Nor do they. Only if you want to, and if others abuse this kindness, it ends 💯 There is clearly some unfinished business here, that either you wish someone would come forward and discuss, or you want to send a long message with all of your feelings inside…and just don’t, or haven’t. You’re afraid of feeling guilty, or indebted to someone else, afraid of feeling used or manipulated, and your fears work overdrive when it comes to this situation. Especially if you are somehow at fault. Does everyone hate you? Do they think you don’t care? If you talked to them, could it change?

For the last question, I get a clear yes.

Only if you want to. For the relationships that are worth saving, Recycle, Transformation, and Communication all show 4444 together, which is stability, home, security, feeling safe. Positive and stable relationships. Partnership rounds it out, as something you know you should do, and also something you fear…being stuck or trapped to a situation you don’t want to be in due to “loyalty” or family. Some of you will be like “absolutely not” regarding healing and transforming these connections, you know you best. This being the dream though, if you resist it, why do you want it?

The advice on either side is to decisively choose to free yourself and heal your heart. Speaking your mind and feelings to those that need to hear it, whether it’s “I miss you” or a “fk you for hurting me”, whatever you keep locked up tight and refuse to actually express. Whether healing the connection or not, this conversation you want to have will heal YOU. I don’t see you being unkind though, even if you were hurt, and 3 Swords rev shows you were, and have healed. You’ve kept yourself trapped in your head in an emotional prison of wounds you don’t speak about, that have hurt your relationships, whether deserved or not. So speak your truth. Some can heal and change, some aren’t as bad as you fear they are, and some just need to hear it because you’ve never told them. If others are receptive, transformation is inevitable, and if they’re not, now you know, but either way this can be laid to rest.

Charms:

Crown 👑 on Mystic Healer is your gift, it’s likely for most of you that on your own journey of healing you could heal others that surround you, those in your family, your friends, anyone that spends time with you. If you haven’t already spiritually ascended, you’re heading in that direction, where you fully understand the inner workings of everyone in your life and how it flows (or doesn’t) with you, plus how to help others take steps towards doing this for themselves. Especially with 6th House, you really are a helper, and a healer, for other people, it’s something you feel you “owe” to others, society, and yourself too. Some of that energy could be used towards the home and family for this pile.

Rocking Horse 🐴 on 10 Cups indicates children, connected to avoidance, lying, sneaking, cheating and deceiving. Could be your own children, some in your family, friend group, traumas from childhood, childhood friends and companions. It can be so many things, you’ll have to apply this to your story however it fits. Some of you may be avoiding having/wanting kids due to family trauma and wanting to end your bloodline, feeling you’re cursed or something. I really don’t get that being true, but it’s these sorts of thoughts and feelings that need to be brought to light & discussed. Some of you have childhood wounds to heal. Some of you may have walked away from children or had others walk away from you as a child…deep wounds are indicated.

Regrowth 🌳 on The World rev looks dead, just like The World looks done, but neither actually are. The tree is growing leaves, slowly, and The World is reversed, waiting on something to fully close this cycle for good. It comes in the form of a message to someone you either really want to talk to, know you need to, or can’t rest until you finally do.

Hamsa Hand 🪬 (down) on Transformation talks about blessings, gifts, abundance, wonderful things coming your way. The universe wants to give you positive transformations and healing, you have nothing…irrational to fear. Again if you know a person is no good and your gut says NO, listen. Most stories I get here aren’t tragic, and can be healed with some honest communication, accountability, and vulnerability. It all feels very positive. If this person is evil then the closure needs to come from yourself, still maybe sending a message, or talking with others that have gone through this same experience.

Locked Heart 🔒 on 8 Swords rev is you releasing yourself from a self imposed prison that you’ve held yourself in who knows how long. If you can’t forgive and change the relationship with a person, okay. Forgive yourself, speak it out loud to whoever needs to hear it. For some, you may keep painful secrets from a partner or family members. Release those too! Open up to those that love you and nothing bad will come from that, only support and understanding. You have to choose to heal though, you can’t avoid it anymore. Once you do, who you are will completely transform into a more self assured, confident, happy & healed person. For some, a “homecoming” is in store. For everyone, all you want the most is to release this feeling of guilt, avoidance, not speaking your truth and hiding your pain - which will take a conscious effort, and courage.

For a very small portion of you, this is a relationship you just want to end, and leave, but you feel guilty about it, or like you owe them your time, loyalty, all of you. Or there is some aspect that keeps you unhappy and you need to address this. You could have kids together, or one of you does and there is a bond there regardless. Again some can heal, with communication & opening up about how you really feel, and some just want to finally let it go and feel free again. Speak your desires into life, or your pain into awareness, attempting telepathy often leads to wrong assumptions, fear winning, foggy understandings & confusion. Is it intuition or is it just projection of my own fears? Moon energy 😵‍💫 If your behaviors, fears, accusations, etc. match the energy in your 7th House, then it’s possible you’re a part of the problem and that’s what you’ve avoided facing, not speaking your truth to resist hearing the truth of others as well. 7th House is who we attract and what we project (our shadow 😈 side) and everyone has a side. Again, if abuse is involved, fk their side, no one gets to defend having abused you and no one deserves to be abused, you only owe yourself an apology for beating yourself up about it 💜 But that’s not everyone here, it’s a mixed bunch in this pile, some just want to do the right thing, some are wrong, some have never gotten clarity and have built walls for nothing, and some have been wronged.

Pile 4 - Blue 💠

The Dream: 10 Pentacles

The House:

Story 1: 9th

Story 2: 10th

Signs:

Sagittarius, Scorpio, Virgo, Capricorn, North Node & placements in Leo

Oracles:

Story 1:

64 Actualization

You will achieve your full potential by virtue of your creativity and your honest pursuit of truth.

30 Capable

You can deal successfully with whatever challenges and circumstances arise.

Transformation

“A fresh new way of living emerges.”

Story 2:

54 Visualize

When we develop out abilities to visualize, we can manifest maximum influence on our experience of reality.

50 Sacred Space

Use beautiful art, music, and creativity of all kinds to put you into a sacred space.

62 Delay

Confront the natural tendency to delay the finishing of a creative endeavor.

Protected By Angels

“You are cherished by the angels.”

What can you do right now to prepare?

Two clear stories here that are night 🌙 and day ☀️ but both represented by 10 Pentacles, the solid family or business foundation on which we stand, what most of us are working towards, ideally.

Story 1: You are very religious or spiritual, your beliefs run deep. I don’t see a Hierophant to show them being super conservative or not, that may vary between you all. But there has been some element of “sin” in your family, either a specific person or this could be a generational trauma of some kind that is just too eerie to be a coincidence. It probably relates to things of a sexual nature, addictions, known issues & Devil related topics, and either judging these things yourself or being judged for them. I’m getting the message that if you’re a true believer, it’s not your job to judge. Give it to God, or whatever you believe in, and on your side, forgive this person for whatever it is you’re holding against them. It can be as simple as a crop top, a flirty text, or a teen pregnancy scare & the abortion/birth control debate, it could be an extremely religious background, ideals, goals, that you want your family to be a part of, or absolutely do NOT. But there is Judgment being cast where it’s not your place to cast it, it’s your place to forgive, support, and “stay in your lane”. Or break free from it altogether, if you’re the one that is being judged by people that don’t get to do that.

Whatever this is, it’s not about you anymore, it’s about the legacy you’re leaving behind for the rest of your family. Your values, your beliefs, you want to protect them and also want to stand solid & strong in your personal morals. It’s got a righteous ring to it, for some, others are genuinely the more volunteer/helper of the community sort of people. Those dealing with addictions and other problems like that. You want to heal your family lineage and teach them the “right” way to be, whether your kids, spouse, siblings, parents even. There is a fine line there. You are best to lead by example and allow others to follow, be patient & forgiving, not pushy. Your oracle cards show you as a fierce warrior of truth & spiritual values. Always be careful to only judge yourself, and everything else here is beautiful and positive for you. If healing family wounds is your goal, you have more than enough ability to do so, for some of you that’s your true calling in life, and you already know that. Transformation is a beautiful energy, and with N Node Leo, whatever work you’re putting into spirituality, a church perhaps, rehabilitation, social work, you name it, it’s going to receive a lot of positive attention. You can’t get better energy for what you want to do. But you can’t immerse yourself in a community if you’re on a pedestal looking down on them, that’s what this whole message is saying. Some won’t choose your way, and you have no control over that, but you can love them anyway. Jesus didn’t feast with the wealthy & righteous. How is such a conservatively religious sort of message coming out on this blog, like I get it and it’s useful & true, but I’m just lost. Not all of you are religious, or some of you were raised that way and reject it, but still act like this towards others. Or you may be dealing with people like this and need to spread the message. There is no one way, no one direction is the right direction, everyone has different paths, values, talents, interests, beliefs, etc. It’s safer to assume most of them are right if they all have the same basic idea right, just don’t be a shitty person 😁

Story 2: You want to start your own business, re-open an old family one, or reimagine an old idea of the family’s. Possibly keeping one going, but I see this more for the ones with an idea and little else so far. You want to create something lasting and beautiful that you can pass down through the generations. But you’re only at 2 Wands, the early planning stages, and Delay shows you as easily distracted, talking yourself out of things, procrastination, and a lack of faith you needn’t have. You have Protected By Angels, which is funny because story 1 is all about religion, and you have the angels 😇 That’s because they already know they have them. You don’t. But…you do 🩵

All of the energy here shows you having amazing visualization skills but you really have to put time into mediation and creating what you want to have inside of your head first. Your manifestation abilities may be very powerful and you don’t even realize it. You want success, your family to share in your success, enough money to handle the bills and some for vacations and stuff too, it’s your dream. You have all of the tools to create exactly what you want, the only things you need is 1. A plan. 2. Money, for supplies, a workspace, etc. 3. Research 💯 and 4. Execution. Queen of Pentacles shows you’ve got this, because she’s got this, running a business or the financial ties to her world (10 Pentacles) are what she does best. You could be a single parent that wants to work for themselves and spend more time at home with your kids. Once you have everything picked out, decided, saved up for, and ready to go…North Node Leo is destined for success, attention, fame on some level is likely - even a local level, positive recognition from others and a great, well-known reputation for something everyone wants, that you do best. It’s something you will have to work for, but it all starts inside of your own head.

Charms:

Story 1:

Alice 🐇 on 9th House could be showing children specifically as your target audience, maybe instilling spiritual or moral values into them, you could be a teacher or family psychologist of some kind, or that’s the goal. This could also include fairy tales. I gotta throw out there, with Moulin Rouge too and this heavy sense of moral JUSTICE, you could be concerned about things regarding child abuse, and that’s being shown by the author of this particular story. Idk for sure, but we’ve all heard he’s suspicious. Being a protector of children could be a high level priority for you, and bless you for that. Or with Transformation, you may take things like fairy tales and modernize them in some way. Could be 1000 things but that’s what I got from this. If your children do not believe what you believe or do what you want them to do…they have their own path. Same for you with your own parents. Some of you need to get in touch with your own inner child, there’s a lot of learning that needs to happen here, whether it’s regarding control, spirituality, right vs. wrong or old vs. modern, maybe a combination of all of these things. From what I’ve gathered in these readings, everyone is going to experience the path that is for them, regardless of what others think or believe about it. So you decide to help, or hurt, the inevitable.

Moulin Rouge 💋 on Judgement is difficult, because Temperance is having patience and understanding with those that are very different from you. You could be easily triggered by things like sex workers, models, drug addicts, alcoholics, gamblers, etc etc. The religiously righteous of you have to toe the fine line of what’s best for you, giving with a pure heart, and battling the deeply ingrained judgement that you want to pass out, or have to experience. Constantly having to keep yourself in check and also not being too soft that you don’t have boundaries. Some of you are reformed addicts etc., have a past, and want to turn things around, some of you have been “saved” by whichever God etc., and now want to spread the word & help others. Again some of you are advocates for children or protective of them being put in these situations, and bless you for that 💯🙏

Sword 🗡 on Capable is similar to Ace of Swords, which is absolute truth, honesty, fairness, and decisively making the best choices for you, your purpose, your message or whatever you’re needing to do. It’s separating “the point” from the extras of a situation. It’s the same sword of Justice that cuts off what is not necessary or conducive for the purpose or outcome you need/desire. The meaning behind this whole story is wholesome, and yet you’re fierce. 10 Pentacles could show you working with families as a counselor with the goal to keep them whole. Kids are here more than once. For some, it’s your inner child. Or your own children. Some of you may have been victims of painful experience, and only want to make life better for your own children, breaking generational curses and any trauma you had experienced, so you & life can be better for them. Setting the example of what family should be. Some of you may be projecting fear onto children and unknowingly causing unnecessary fear & damage, or even manifesting your own fears into reality, if that’s something you’re constantly focused on. Thoughts become things. Kids rebel. Open honest conversations are needed to bring clarity on all sides.

Story 2:

Spider & Web 🕷 on The Magician is a beautiful message of being able to spin the reality you desire in whatever way you want it to be, the same message of The Magician, but in case you missed it the first time. You can create your reality, and there is nothing stopping you but you, that I can see. If you feel like you can’t, this is saying you’re wrong, with love.

Dragonfly 🪷 on Sacred Space shows a transformation being necessary, and it’s directly connected to delays. If you spend most of your time in crowded spaces, around chaos or constant playing phones, tvs, computers, chatty people, it’s not good for what you’re trying to do here. You’re easily distracted, and part of you uses that as an excuse. This says you need to create (or transform) a space that is entirely for your creative manifestation ideas and thinking. A thinking spot. Like Winnie the Pooh 🍯 but with a vibe that’s soft, tranquil, and mimics what you want for this bigger idea, your space should get you into this mindset of what you want because it also is a part of what you want, but a smaller part. Vision boards could be very useful for you.

Axe 🪓 on Delay mirrors the Dragonfly, you have to recognize the things that distract you, whether it’s phone calls or loud tvs or social media etc., and figure out how to work around those things or get away from them entirely. It’s like you can’t even think, and you don’t make yourself. You need the equivalent of a man cave, except a whatever, “a tranquil sanctuary of Italian music” if a restaurant like that is what you’re going for. Something that inspires you to immediately imagine your idea, and make you ready to get started on a regular basis. An office. A nook. It’s a priority.

Pile 5 - Pink 🎀

The Dream: King of Wands

The House: 11th

Signs:

Aries, Scorpio, Taurus, Libra & Saturn in Taurus

Oracles:

Story 1:

80 Go Deeper

Expressing the deeper meanings in life, while staying attuned for childlike wonder, is at the heart of all great art.

2 Push

Don’t feel inadequate; forget how to quit. Push on, no matter how things look.

Uncovering Treasure

“Beneath the surface lies great bounty.”

Story 2:

19 Growth

Feel open, willing, and proud of your desire to explore new opportunities for self-development.

57 Worry

Worry is attachment to a particular outcome and the fear that it will not come to pass.

Unknown Territory

“You are exactly where you need to be.”

What can you do right now to prepare?

You’ve chosen the pile that wants a sexy, confident, amazing lover that leaves you speechless (or out of breath) and makes all of your dreams come true. They’re your best friend, lover, confidant, they want to marry you and spend the rest of your lives together. Masculine & Feminine energies both dominate, Mars signs and Venus signs are both the focus here, no matter where you fall gender wise you want a lover, THE person of your dreams. In your head, they’re incredibly attractive and possess more Mars/Aries qualities, very forward & direct, confident, flirty, commanding & dominant, they make the first move, they get attention from everyone in the room because they’re a larger than life sort of personality - for half. The other half are dark, mysterious, watch you from across the room with a deep & almost obsessive stare, immediately infatuated with ONLY you. Scorpio. That HEAT 🔥 passion, smoldering, lusty, “love at first sight” kind of feeling. But also, one that lasts 💯 I’m getting more Venus energy from you.

Here is where the story splits - half of you feel like you know this person already, you’re story 1. The other half are waiting to finally meet them and it’s killing you like come ON already, you’re story 2.

Story 1:

You’re madly infatuated with someone in your world, 11th House shows they could be a friend right now, or you’ve only recently started dating, you could have met them through friends, networking, social media/online, or dating apps. The chemistry is on fire, and you want things to go to the next level. They’re acting like they’re at a 3, casual and friendly, not pushing too hard or going too fast, and you’re at a TEN BABY 💍 Put a ring on it, give me babies, I got an appointment to look at a nice area rug for our living room. Chop chop. I feel for most this is all NEW, and you crazy 😆, but for some of you it’s been enough time (years) to where this energy makes more sense. They’re everything you’ve ever wanted, imagined, hoped for. Even more than that. You’ve probably never been so stuck on someone like this. So what’s the problem?

The waiting is killing you, this whole dating game dance, you’re dying for this person to direct, lead, “pleaaaase tell me what you want” sort of energy. What you can do to help this along right now, is be very clear…strategic, but clear, about how much you’re into them. What are your goals, what are theirs? What inspires you, and them? What are they hoping for this relationship, are they just living in the now or do they have hopes for longer term love? Communication is everything, I’m getting the more you let them know how crazy about them you are, the more they’ll reciprocate, if this is the right one for you. Opal on The Emperor can show a dominant sort of person yes, and also they’re kind of shy! Or weird with opening up. They can ask you if you want a drink, or tacos for dinner, but in heart matters, it’s your turn to take the lead. You both have to take turns being the aggressor and the more receptive & vulnerable, it’s a balance, that’s what Mars & Venus are showing here, not gender or even signs really. Maybe. Saturn Taurus, if not a literal placement of someone, is showing a need to be patient and give things/people the time they need to naturally unmask themselves, open up, dig deeper, commit, feel things, etc. You’re being encouraged to act on your feelings, open the door, start asking the right questions and be transparent about how you feel and what you want…no pressure though. Balance. You feel like you’ve found some treasure, you have, and the more you learn the crazier about them you are or will be 🩷 But what do they want? Get answers. Unless you just met them last week.

Story 2:

This smoldery sexy partner is what you’re dreaming of day in and day out, you’re manifesting them like crazy, obsessively, and it’s not showing up for you like you’ve asked for. You’ve waited and waited for someone to approach you, ask you out, where is this dream lover, you’ve done all of the manifestation work and it’s like it hasn’t worked for you. You’re losing patience or starting to believe maybe this isn’t in the cards for you - with the Worry card here. All of your Oracle cards show that this person you dream of isn’t coming, because *that* person isn’t actually compatible with who you are! It’s what you want, but you don’t yet know what you NEED. If this person walked into the bar tonight and was very forward & direct, or silent and stalkerish, be honest, you’d probably get creep vibes or some red flags signaling (helpppp!). In your head, in movies, it’s great, it’s hot. In reality, this doesn’t seem like the right person for you. You’re in the middle of a big shift, realizing who you really are, and what you really want, and that’s the advice here.

You want something long lasting, possibly a “friends first” sort of connection. This could also be hinting that the person you’re looking for is or will be a friend first. With Unknown Territory & Worry, I get your “dreams” or standards actually being kind of a problem, you may have a laundry list of qualities that aren’t feasible or don’t actually work for you. Some of your standards may be unreachable, or even unlikely for the sort of person you’d actually be happy with. Whoever the right one is, I get that they don’t match anything you’re thinking of, and they’re nothing like whatever you’ve experienced before. Clearly that’s a good thing, because what didn’t work - didn’t work for a reason, they’ll be your person. While you’re working on growing and changing, maturing yourself and going after the things you want & enjoy, you’ll find this person eventually, many signs point to friends. You could meet them through a friend, a gathering with your own friends, definitely something social with 11th House & 3 Cups. But that list you’ve got of what they look like (smoldery), how they make you feel (lust), all of that forces you into a role that complements that type, and that’s not who you are. Stalkery fkery. “Bad boys/girls”. They’re bad for a reason, probably in jail right now 😆 In your case it’s like you’re chasing a venus/mars dynamic but really it’s an intelligent & funny sign that loves to chat that’s more your style. Not necessarily, but I’m definitely picking up more of a Mercury ruled sort of person, that would be Gem/Vir in placements or risings. They’re not smoldery, they’re chatty, straightforward, honest, transparent, and super friendly. Like you? If you go for tattoos, maybe they’re more simple & straightedge, if you’re more long hair & grunge, they could be neat & simple, if you’re more bougie & expensive, they could be more shell necklaces, organics and locs. Be more willing to try new experiences & see what happens. Again with Saturn Taurus, same as the first story, things taking some necessary time is what’s going to drive you bonkers, or you/they could have this placement. This position would also nod towards having a narrow lane of vision that needs to expand because it only works against you. If you have a “type” it hasn’t worked before so…maybe it’s time to let that go 💘

Charms:

Courageous ♈️ and Scorpio ♏️ on King of Wands is describing “the dominant male” or the “powerful vixen” in your typical movie style archetypes. Make sure your reality matches your ideals, it’s not just lust, and you’re not just projecting fantasies onto someone that isn’t actually how you may be seeing them. That’s why time & getting to know them is necessary. You definitely want someone that makes the first move, but you also have to be open to who does that. Some of you just need to say that to your person, and others of you can’t pretend to know how that’s going to show up for you. Likely unexpected.

Opal 💗 on The Emperor shows the Aries/Libra opposition, yin & yang, masculine and feminine, chaser & chased. There is no one story here, everyone wants something different. The Venus signs are softer, more receptive, “the chased”, ruled by love, friendship, dating, etc. The Empress. The Mars signs take initiative, are more aggressive, chase what they want (prefer to), typically more dominant & powerful personalities. These two being together can show balance is needed, not wanting one more than the other, and also accepting that these roles will need to flip back and forth sometimes. No one can stay in their masculine action or feminine receptivity every second, it’s necessary that both of you can instinctively shift into the other role too. Or it can become a more toxic energy, like for masculine, you don’t want a total aggressive meathead that can’t show emotions at all right? Or for feminine, one that expects you to initiate, plan, act on everything and they just accept or don’t make any moves ever? No, it’s needing a balance of both. Knowing which energies you tend to be more comfortable in, and what you need in another person to balance out your own personality, plus what they want too. It can come in an unexpected package that don’t have anything to do with these planets. If you are comfortable with one energy, this can be saying do the opposite and see what happens. And if you have a person, what is their own energy, you’ll have to balance with them or speak the need for them to do the same with you 💯

Spider & Web 🕷 on Ace of Swords is manifesting exactly what you want, having the tools to do so by using communication, ideas, the truth, being upfront and honest about who you are and what you want. For Story 1 it’s opening up to this person, for Story 2 it’s clarity about yourself that’s needed.

Starfish ⭐️ and Treble Clef 🎼 on Ace of Cups show music, hobbies, and following your passions in life and doing activities involving those things are what will lead you to healing any past wounds you still carry, and any fears you may have. You could meet your person through doing some of these things, especially where friends are involved, or if you know them already, getting them around your friends would be a good idea. Like parents, friends know who you are and can vibe accurately with your new date a few times, they’ll always tell you the truth you may not see. So long as you agree.

Rose 🌹 on 6 Pentacles is beautiful growth in yourself and your relationships with equal give and take. No one person is doing more, giving more, receiving more, it’s an equal exchange of energies. Today my person is planning everything and working hard for me to enjoy them, tomorrow I’m cleaning & detailing our cars because they don’t like to, etc. They asked me out last time and I didn’t respond, let me ask them this time. Doing life together & making each others lives easier and a happier, being open and honest about what you want and how you feel = happiness. When your person is sick, you step up, romance is a two way street.

Pile 6 - Purple 🔮

The Dream: The Fool

The House: 8th

Signs:

Capricorn, Sagittarius, Libra, Cancer & Scorpio

Oracles:

3 Share

To help you make progress, it’s a good idea to share what you have and what you care about.

39 Direction

Switch gears, reboot, and try a new and different direction.

10 Wish Granted

Believe in your abilities as a Magic Maker manifest your wishes; they will soon be your reality.

13 Innovation

Have fun and experiment, inventing something that surprises and has never existed before.

What can you do right now to prepare?

This pile is pretty vague, but 9/10 people choosing this pile probably hate their job more than anything else - specifically. You’d all love to pick up the phone, call in, tell them to fk off and you’re never coming back GOOD DAY. Biiiitch 😆 You won’t of course, you’re too responsible for all that, and that’s the issue.

The dream itself is taking very fast, impulsive action, just waking up and deciding you’d rather do anything else but go back to this same place yet again to do the same shit yet again, to just be not appreciated and overly burdened. The only part I’m seeing you not being able to do, is the impulsive part, which you already know. But that is the dream. King of Pentacles describes you, you’re the career oriented, business running, every I is dotted and T is crossed kind of financial planner personality, it’s a wonderful thing and your biggest burden. You may be the type to act guilty if you take “you time”, vacations, sick days, overworking yourself to death…for what? There is no reward for that. Money sure, but it won’t matter if you’re dead because you can’t be bothered to take lunch breaks, nourish yourself, needed vacations and time off to just live. Everyone knows it’s the charming yes men that can’t math actually get the promotions 😁 Not the ones willing to die on the same hill they came in on. Which is part of your advice here, with Libra.

That isn’t shade @ Libra, everyone knows they’re charming & persuasive, Share with their charm is showing you needing to embody that energy a little more. Be chatty, friendly, seek to make a friend out of everyone, and always get your own personal bugs (ideas/desires) in everyone’s ear. Libra knows it takes cooperation and networking to move up the ladder, and it often works for them. People help them, because they like them. Your energy comes up more as Capricorn, regardless of actual signs. “I don’t deserve nice things and I’ll slave until I die to earn them.” Balance 🙏 That personality can be taken advantage of a lot, because they know you’ll always show up, and they can slack off. Why would people try harder or move you up, if you’ll willingly run the whole show as just Cashier #5, no no, you’re good where you are. Forever 🫠

The advice can be a couple things. If you have the money, take a vacation. You need a break. It can be that simple, save up some money and just do it. Then when you come back refreshed, make yourself a whole new person while alone, daydream yourself into a reality where you are in a position that’s valued, respected, and well paid. It starts with valuing yourself. Get inspired. Meditate. Then when you come back, start speaking up and charming everyone around you until you get word of a new position. They don’t tell you the “shmoozing” is silent in “promotion”. But that’s who always gets promoted, and you’ve got it, so use it.

Others of you are really entrepreneurs at heart, and your desire could actually be starting your own business, which I see very positive things for. Not impulsively 💯 But by perfecting an idea, putting in the time and work, saving up the money, networking, getting it all going in whichever ways this applies. You want it to be fast, but it won’t be fast. If it was, you’d be fast and broke, and you don’t want really that. Don’t just quit tomorrow, but start prioritizing honing these skills and crafts, whatever is your idea. There’s a whole period of trial and error, and making changes you maybe didn’t even see the first time around. If your own business is the dream, I see it having enormous potential to grow into something long lasting. Or this can be a hobby, a side hustle, an investment, any number of things but financial rewards are possible with it.

Your advice is to spend a lot more time on your own, making the necessary space and prioritizing yourself, so you have the time you need to really get clear on what you want, what it should look like, how you can schedule that in, how will it benefit you and what does it require of you? Getting feedback, with Share, is also a good idea, which doesn’t mean spill your ideas to the world but looking for other people who have done this already - tell their stories. Get inspired, network, make friends & contacts in this world you want to jump into. Then by the time you actually make moves, you’ll have more confidence, knowledge, helpful suggestions and good business sense.

If your family is what is demanding so much of your time and energy, you could need a separate space for “you stuff”. Your own thoughts, your break from chaos, everyone should have a space and you deserve one too, your family can learn that when you are in this space, leave you alone for awhile. Running isn’t the answer here, prioritizing yourself is, and this Fool can relate to you setting necessary boundaries in your life with people who think they are owed all of your time, your attention, your money, no. I don’t see kids, but in the case you have them plz don’t leave them alone to burn the house down - obviously. Within reason, you can set aside time for yourself and others have to honor it just like you would for them. If you work at home, then a workspace dedicated to you & work, and respecting these boundaries is required with you. Many people throw their weight around with their demands, expectations, preferences, yada yada ok sure. You get to have some too. Everyone does 💜 We work around & respect those boundaries and desires when we care about someone, it’s not hard. It’s more you realizing you need it. For work, they are exchanging your life for pay. Give them what they pay for, no more, and make your expectations of reward or higher status clear…in a friendly way.

Charms:

Capricorn ♑️ on The Fool is a total contradiction, jumping headfirst into something unknown with the sign that crosses every T and financially budgets the plan with very little leeway in order to achieve maximum return on their investment, yeah we don’t do foolish or impulsive things here. Probably why you want to be like that, it’s unheard of. This is really saying risks are fine to take, you’re too calculated & practical to jump into shark infested waters, so even more than most you’re actually fine and shouldn’t hold yourself back so much. Do your research sure, get reviews, find the most cost effective option, all great, and then JUMP.

Charming ♎️ on Share seems to be qualities you do possess that you ought to highlight more. You’re friendly, sociable, like getting feedback from other people, and you have a way with others that make them feel special and genuinely cared about. In turn, that makes them want to help you, talk to you, be your friend. It’s like you have this quality but you don’t turn it on, unless you have to. Choose to, consciously, on purpose.

Happy Cloud ⛅️ on Wish Granted is a daydreamy energy, manifesting the thing you want into your life by having the necessary time to really dig deep and figure out what that is. You’re going to have a dream come true, this card shows it as being a definite thing.

Dragonfly 🪷 on The Hermit is metamorphosis, change, evolution, a spiritual awakening for some being The Hermit. The more you know yourself, your talents, and what you need, the more authentic and successful your next move will be. You know you best, never question that or take “Share” so literal that you’re malleable to others’ input you may not actually agree with. Be friendly, and also yourself. You may do your best work alone and also are a social creature, both wolves need feeding.

Comb 👱‍♀️ on Innovation could talk about experimenting with your look, the look of a business, the physical characteristics of things. This could be a nod towards an idea you have, something you need, or generally something that would revitalize your spirit and make you feel inspired to change/transform yourself now from how you’ve been before. 8th House is intense energy, there will be a necessary ending, but it feels more about what you will & wont accept, and what you want & don’t. Make the outside things look like your inside ideal.

[ladylooch]

Take What You Need - [Mack X David]

A/N: Idk if you all are ready. But here we are. I would like to thank Starbucks for their gracious hosting of me while my internet tried to cockblock Mack and David harder than Lucie and Con. And I would like to thank my vanilla oat milk latte for helping me power through. Also, I can’t post this without thanking the bestest of the besties @casualhilarity. I’d be lost in this world without you 😭 This one is for you!

Enjoy 6.7k words of Mackenzie Hischier and David Carlson finally giving in.

Mack’s eye open as the wheels of the Airbus A340-300 slap down on the tarmac at JFK. The roar from the massive plane breaking on the asphalt roars through her audiobook as she blinks away her dreamless sleep. 

“On behalf of our flight crew at Swiss Air, we are excited to be the first ones to welcome you to New York City…”

Mack stretches her neck, looking over at the woman next to her, still engrossed with her book. To the left, Mack can see the skyline outlining the metropolis she calls home for now. Her eyes scan over the buildings as she bites her lip.

Good to be home, she murmurs internally. 

Good to be back in the place she went running from two weeks ago. 

14 days ago to the day, she laid awake at Lucie’s unable to stop thinking about the mustached man tucked away in his apartment. She kept tossing and turning, trying to decide what she wanted to do with David Carlson and his insistent proposition. When no clear decision came to her, Mack did what she does best and dove into work. An opportunity had been in her inbox in the morning and she jumped to take it. It just happened to be in Switzerland. Perplexingly, Mack hasn’t heard from David since that night either. No cheeky texts. No general inquires. Nothing. Not even when she has been missing from Stella’s dance recital. Mack had talked to Lucie a few days ago, but she didn’t bring up David or if he was asking about her either. 

Fine. She didn’t care anyway. I guess that tells her more about her answer than any forced proximity or space would. She isn’t interested. Next time she sees him, her answer will be a firm and resounding no.

“Ms. Hischier, always a joy to have you on board.” One of the pilots, Bruno, nods in greeting when Mack gets to the plane door. “We hope to see you again soon on Swiss Air.” This personal treatment always happens on this airline, dating back to when she was a kid and her dad had a partnership deal with them. She remembers getting a pair of clip on wings every flight to and from Switzerland while hanging from her mom’s hand. 

“I’m sure you will.” She jokes. “Thanks for the smooth flight.” 

Mack turns out of the plane, ready to begin her long journey home. She glides through customs easily with her global entry and dual citizenship, thanks mom and dad, then rushes to grab her bag from the baggage carousel. When she finds the sleek black case, she hoists it off. With the wheels spinning next to her, she hails a cab, then nestles in for her ride home. She tips the driver, then smiles at Ron, her doorman, coming down the stairs to open the door for her.

“Back sooner than usual, Ms. Hischier.” Ron greets her.

“Work trip, so not much family time.” She is more than capable of carrying her bag up the stairs, but every time he insists for her. He grabs the door, twirling the handle of her suitcase back to her.

“You should stop by the desk before you head up. There is a delivery for you.” The delivery in question is visible from the door. A beautiful vase of hydrangeas, roses and lilies in various shades of pink has a card peaking out from the top. She knows who they are from before she even reads the note. 

Sorry we missed you, Mackie! Hope these brighten your other home for you. We love you! 

See you next month. Love, Mom and Dad.

Mack smiles, snapping a picture and sending it off to the two people she didn’t get to see when she was home. Her parents had a pre-scheduled Mediterranean vacation. They tried to come home early when they heard she was in Switzerland. Mack had thrown a fit, insisting they couldn’t possibly change plans because of her. Her parents rarely get time away from Switzerland. The would surly be in New York again soon to visit. She would see them, apparently, in a month.

Tiredly, Mack goes upstairs, unlocking her apartment and falling into bed face down. She curls into her pillow, the sheets she washed before she left. She knows she should get up, not give in to the sleep whispering seductively in her brain, but she can’t help it. Her bed is too welcoming. She falls asleep curled into a comma on top of her comforter. it is dark outside when she wakes up.

“Shit.” She moans to herself, smacking her face with her palm. She is going to be up all night. She grabs her phone, scanning through her texts. There is one from her parents, a picture of them drinking umbrella drinks on a rooftop overlooking the sea. The others are from her older sister, asking if she is still coming over for dinner tonight.

I hate when you do this 🙄 Tacos are at 6. Let me know if you aren’t coming so I don’t worry.

Sorry, I fell asleep. I’m on my way.

It’s 5:38. She should be able to make it on time for dinner.

When Mack walks out of the elevator on Connor and Lucie’s floor, her heart begins to pound excitedly at the person standing outside of their door. Stella Wood is wrapped around David’s leg, begging him not to go. All the pretending that Mack doesn’t want the man in front of her evaporates. As if she hasn’t been gone for two weeks, Mack’s internal turmoil begins to churn where it left off. She longs to touch him even with the knowledge that they can’t be so forward about such things in front of present company. If they were alone, she would run her fingers through his black hair and lean in slightly to kiss him, knowing he would go most of the way to her anyway.

“Stelly, I gotta. I’m meeting a friend.” David pats the young girl’s hair lovingly with his palm.

“You’re so secretive about this friend.” Connor jokes as Mack gets closer. Her stomach tightens then swirls. The recklessness of such a reaction has Mack’s steps faltering. Friend? What friend. David and Connor glance over to Mack as they hear her footsteps swipe along the carpet. David grins at her, making Mack’s chest even tighter.

“Welcome home.” David murmurs as she comes to a stop to his right. He looks so handsome and sexy. He is dressed in a pair of nice, worn in jeans. There is a bulge in his back pocket where his wallet rests. A dark wool coat drapes over his big shoulders while underneath is a waffled, cream sweater. On his feet brown dress boots are tied tightly, looking new and rarely worn.

“Thanks.” 

“You fell asleep?” Connor asks.

“Yeah.”

“You’re fucked.”

“Yeah, I know. I travel internationally more than you, bud.” She pats Connor’s arm as she walks between the boys and into the apartment. Mack withstands the urge to inhale David’s scent as she does.

“That is why she is my least favorite sister in law.” Connor jokes to David.

“Ha-ha.” Mack shoves Connor’s ass with her Ugg boot. 

“So who is this friend?” Connor asks David again, clearly not wanting to let it go. Mack glances at David who is staring beyond his teammate at her.

“Just someone from home.” He says. He licks his lips, then pulls his gaze off Mack as she walks away to say hi to her niece. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye, David! Keep my husband in line on the road!” Lucie yells from the kitchen.

“Luc, I don’t think you know what you ask of me.” David calls back to her.

“Dude.” Connor snaps, slapping David’s stomach. “Tell her the truth.”

“He is lame as hell.” David confirms.

“Yeah, baby, I’m lame as hell.” Connor repeats.

“I’m sure you are.” Lucie nods. David tosses another wave to the group then leaves. Slight disappointment, scratches at Mack’s eyes. “Hi Mackie.” Lucie opens her arms for her sister. Mack curls into her, wanting to lay on her shoulder for a minute. “Oh, she so sleepy. Did you miss mom and dad on your trip? Apparently they are in Greece?” Lucie pets her hair for a moment.

“Yeah, I missed them by a day.”

“Mack.” Lucie rolls her eyes. “You could have stayed another day to say hi.”

“I could have.” Mack nods, reaching into the shredded cheese bowl and grabbing a pinch to eat. “But I know they’ll be here soon anyway. Apparently in a month?”

“You and I are not the same.”

“Nope.” Mack sighs. “Do you need help?”

“Can you bring all the toppings to the table?” Mack nods. “Stell, please go wash your hands. Bring your daddy too!” 

The rest of the night is spent munching on tacos, talking about Mack’s travel, and Connor’s upcoming road trip. Then they each have a homemade cookie, ice cream sandwich, with sprinkles wrapped around the ice cream filling. Lucie made them and wants everyone’s honest feedback. They all agree, even picky Stella, they are a 10! 

“Is David back from his date yet? He should come try one.”

“He says it wasn’t a date.” Connor shrugs.

“Then why is he so weird about who it was with?”

“I don’t know. He is kinda weird about his Iowa life.” Connor mumbles. “Probably because big city women don’t get it.” 

“I apologized.” Mack snips. 

“He really appreciated it.” Connor says sincerely. Mack knows that. She can still feel his lips on hers weeks later. “I’ll text him babe.” Connor says to Lucie. “What do you want to watch?”

“You two pick. I’m going to get Stell ready for bed.”

Mack takes the remote from Connor, who seems more interested in watching reels to pick an actual movie or show to watch. A knock sounds at the door as she is reading the summary of a documentary on the Ocean.

“No, I don’t wanna learn.” Connor instantly nixes what is on the screen as he stands up.

“You’ve never learned a thing in your life.” Mack snorts. Connor opens the door. 

“See.. this… right here, Mack.” He snaps her fingers to get her attention. She looks over her shoulder, then startles a bit at seeing David with a 12 pack of Modelo. “This is a good friend.”

“Cause he brings beer?” Mack laughs. “Your standards are impossibly low, Wood.” 

“And yet I bagged your sister.”

“Yes, because her standards are impossibly low.” 

“Says the girl no one is good enough for.” David murmurs, then drops a bottle of beer over her right shoulder. 

“I need a bottle opener.” David takes the bottle back, cracks the top open with the ring on his right hand, then hands it back to her. “Here, princess.” He is in a mood. Mack furrows her eyebrows, watching as he plops down on the couch next to her. He tips the bottle back, glugging down half of it.

“Dude, what is up?” Connor asks, sensing the angst in his teammate like Mack.

“Dinner didn’t go well.” 

“She wouldn’t come back to your place?” Connor moves into the kitchen with the rest of the beer.

“It wasn’t with a she.” David rolls his eyes. “It was with my shithead brother.”

“Which one?”

“Exactly.” David scoffs, slumping down more on the couch. He widens his thighs farther apart, jiggling his left foot anxiously. Connor continues to put beer away in the fridge. Mack observes David’s down posture, hating the way he looks so frustrated and deflated. 

“What happened?” She asks quietly to David. He turns to look at her. His eyes scour over her face, almost like he is trying to decide if he trusts her. Then he sighs and looks away.

“He asked me for money. And a lawyer. That’s all he ever wants from me.” He mutters, shaking his head again. Mack remembers her conversation with Lucie in the bathroom before the mentor’s trip. How his brothers both have significant issues and use David for what they want.

“I’m sorry.” She says sincerely, a deep frown pulling her mouth down. He looks over at her again, licking his lips. Lucie calls Connor from Stella’s room. Mack and David are quiet as he goes to join his girls down the hall.

“You go to Switzerland to get out of giving me an answer?” David immediately changes the subject when Connor is gone.

“No.” She answers anxiously. Neither of them are convinced.

“Blink if it’s yes.” He grins at her.

“Oh shut up.” She rolls her eyes, pushing his thigh with her foot. He captures it in his hand, holding it hostage. His fingers on her has her heartbeat pounding in her ribs. So much for firmly saying no to this man. God, what is happening to her? 

“Don’t blink, baby.” His voice lowers, getting husky around the edges as he devours her with his eyes. That’s what is happening to her. His pull is too strong for her to overcome. Mack’s lashes flutter from the heat and need she instantly feels building in her core 

“Mackncheeeee.” He sing-songs, holding the vowel at the end of her nickname. He leans over and nips right behind her ear. 

“Oh my god.” She startles, then shoves him back into his spot. They both notice how her fingers stay curled into his cream sweater, like she can’t decide if she wants him to stay there or pull him back over to her. One by one, she releases them, then puts her hand on her own chest.

“I’m going to make an excuse to leave and go back to my place. Meet me down there.” He reaches out, cupping her cheek. Mack turns into his touch. This lingering decision cannot be put off any more. Her eyes hesitantly reach his. He wants her. His green eyes burn with liquified fire for her. Mack chews her bottom lip as David finish his beer, then stands. He tosses his bottle in the recycling bin, then goes down to say goodbye to Connor and Lucie. He goes back to the freezer, grabbing an ice cream sandwich that Mack is sure Lucie insisted he needed to take.

He comes into the living room again, stroking along Mack’s cheek before he teases her lips with his. His thumb traces down the center of her throat as their eyes stare. Then, without any confirmation that she is coming, David leaves. Mack’s whole body stays still. She tentatively breathes, mind running a million miles an hour. She closes her eyes, swallowing hard, then opens them when Lucie and Connor come down the hall together. 

“What are we watching?” Her sister wonders.

“Um, I actually have to go.”

“Oh, are you okay?” Lucie asks. Mack nods her head.

“Do you need some water or-”

“No. I just need to go.” Mack insists, standing up.

“Are you okay to go by yourself? Connor, walk her-“

“No. I’m good.” Mack nods, then gives a faint smile. 

After rushed goodbyes, Mack’s back hits the steel of the elevator. The box descends. She waits for the door to open on David’s floor. She pauses in the doorway, licking her lips, so nervous for what she is about to do. Then she shakes her head, turning to the left, walking down to the one with the 4 numbers of his unit beside it. She stares at the grey door, imagining him tucked behind it, waiting for her. A shiver of pleasure zig-zags from her scalp to her toes. She raises her hand and knocks. His soft footsteps come closer to the door. She looks down at her boots. The lock flips. She raises her gaze and meets his head on. 

David slowly opens the door, then leans his shoulder against it. He cocks an eyebrow at Mack. 

Leap! Her need roars. So she does.

“Yes.” She whispers. His second eyebrow dashes up, his mouth drops a little open. 

“Say it again.” He demands.

“Yes.” Mack says more forcefully, then she stuffs the last remaining shred of doubt down deep into her stomach for another time.

Mack shoves David back into his apartment with two palms on his chest. David barely gets the door shut behind her, their mouths attacking each other. As she pushes him farther back, he wraps his arms around her. Mack places his back against the opposite wall, near his living room. She loosens her grip now that she has the leverage of the wall.  David takes advantage of the opportunity to twirl her, then pin her against the wall with his hips. 

His hands slide down to grab her wrists, bringing them up by her head and pinning them there. She moans into his mouth. He loosens his grip in response, moving his hands around her waist again to eagerly pull her flush against him. She brings her hands to his hair and shoulder. His hands glide from her waist to connect with the backs of her thighs, hoisting her up. Mack clings to him like she did a few weeks ago, unable to get close enough to his heat.

They roll down the hallway to, presumably, his bedroom. Mack has never been here and as much as she wants to look around, she wants him to fuck her more. She reaches down, between their abdomens, rolling her hips back so it will fit. His hands on her ass dig in, wanting to keep her close. He lowers her a bit, letting the apex of her thighs hit the hard erection she was working towards. Mack shudders at how large he feels. She knows, without even seeing it, he will be the biggest she has ever had. David must sense her hesitation.

“I’ll make it good, honey. I know how to use it.” He murmurs. His tone is the sexiest and sweetest elixir of temptation. 

Into his bedroom, David strides. Mack pulls back from him, looking down at his face. He smiles at her. She smiles back, then purses her lips, feeling excited flutters assault the walls of her stomach. His palms let her legs slide down until her feet touch the floor again. She steps to the left, he turns to follow her, his back towards the bed. She forces him down, standing triumphantly between his spread thighs. Teasingly, she pulls her shirt up over her head, leaving her in the lace bralette she put on just in case. David’s green eyes feast on her as she loses that too. It falls to the floor. She pauses, nodding at him to take something off. He sheds his sweater fast, exposing an incredible body, taut from hockey and farming. Fuck, he is so hot. It makes Mack’s brain dizzy and her pussy clench around a frustrating emptiness.

David’s fingers wander to the belt on his jeans, opening it up. He pops the button and zipper down too, almost looking relieved to not have his dick confined so tightly anymore. He lifts his hips, working them to his ankles. Mack leans forward, putting a palm on his abdomen, scraping her nails down the hard ridges until she gets to the Calvin Klein waistband. Her fingers grip the white elastic, then tug. She watches with glittering eyes as his cock springs free. She inhales heavily. David watches her with such intensity, like he can know every thought of hers if he doesn't take his eyes off her face. She bites her lip, swarming butterflies filling her stomach with anticipation of having him buried deep inside of her soaked core. Her pussy flutters again then she backs up as David sits up. He presses his mouth to her abdomen.

“Wanna see you.” He murmurs, grabbing the waistband of her leggings and tugging down. He brings her panties with, practically sneering at the wet trail down Mack’s thighs from how drenched she is. “So wet for me.” He mumbles. “Been wondering how you taste here.” 

His fingers slide through insistently, confidently, like he’s been there hundreds of times. Mack can’t help but wondering if he has in his mind. All the times he touched himself to the thought of her. She spreads her thighs wider, swaying forward when he rolls her clit once. David’s hand goes around to her back and he forces her more forward until she falls. Her palms hit the bed, catching her momentum as he explores her folds with his more dominant hand.

His fingers play with her slickness, gathering more from her entrance and spreading it against her clit. Mack moans urgently. David grabs the back of her thigh, then glides his fingers down to her knee, lifting. He maneuvers out from between her legs, then gets on his knees behind her. Mack’s eyebrows furrow, she is about to ask him where he is going with this when she feels his mouth against her folds. She jolts forward. He brings a hand up to her hip to steady her. Mack arches into his tongue swimming through her folds, on it’s way to her clit.

“Holy.” Mack squeaks. This is far from Mack’s first time, but the way he sucks her clit brings new sensations to her core. She falls a bit more forward, gripping the sheets in front of her. “Oh…” She says again. She starts saying words before she even has time to think of them, completely uninhibited squeals streaming from her lips. 

David devours her pussy like it’s his favorite meal and he’s been starved for days. His tongue does a majority or the stroking and building. Then he goes in for the kill, sucking her sensitive bud into his mouth, rolling and prodding, until Mack’s legs and arms start to shake. She comes hard, wetness dripping down from her entrance and collecting on his chin. In thirty seconds, he has ripped her first orgasm from deep in her core. 

Mack blinks rapidly, trying to catch her breath. She looks down at her hands fisting the comforter, trying to release them but she can’t. That’s when she realizes she is still coming. She jolts against his face again. His nose bumps her clit as he kisses his way out from between her thighs.

Once will not be enough with him. Any hope of that is dashed.

“You taste so good for me.” He murmurs. “Sweet and desperate. You been desperate for me, Mack?” She swallows hard, closing her eyes and nodding. “Never thought I’d see you speechless.”

“I-I- Oh.” She finished with a profound moan as he glides a finger into her entrance. She clenches around it desperately. 

“Need me so bad, huh, honey? Need this cock to split you open?” His filthy words have her collapsing forward, losing the battle of staying upright. David taps her hip. “Lay on your back.” Mack rolls compliantly. He climbs onto the bed beside her, long hard cock bouncing with each of his movements. Mack reaches for it.

“Not yet. Trust me.” He murmurs, leaning down to kiss her. She can taste herself on him, melting into the bed as he swipes along her right nipple. His lips coast along hers, dropping lazy and wet smooches. Mack moans loudly as his fingers glide over her soaked folds, rolling her clit gently, careful not to overstimulate her, then fills her entrance with them. “Those skinny Swiss boys you hook up with make you feel like this? Heard that’s your type.”

“No.” Mack chokes.

“Didn’t think so. You need to be fucked by a real man.” He lays on his side next to her, playing between her legs like he has all day to pleasure her. “Didn’t think I could take care of you?” He stuffs a third finger in. Mack gasps, feeling the stretch. “This is how big I am.” He coos to her. Mack gets wetter, they both feel it. He grins, kissing her neck. “My needy girl. Show me you can take this cock.” He begins thrusting harder into her. Mack’s hips shift up, searching for more. He stretches his fingers, then curls the pad of his middle one up to circle her velvet button.

“C-close, Davi-d…”

“Yeah you fucking are. Let go for me, honey.” Mack’s whole body tenses, legs shaking violently on his sheets.

“Oh fuck.” Mack groans, jolting forward as a second, harder orgasm grips her. She turns on her hip towards David, thrusting down onto his hand. Her thigh hits his hip. He pulls her close. She can feel his dick against her other leg as she shakes. Her whole body seems to grip his fingers, pulling them deeper.

“That’s it, baby. Use me. Take what you need.” Mack groans as she goes limp when her orgasm completely releases. Her limbs have turned to gelatin. She no longer can speak, barely breathing, and he hasn’t even put himself inside of her yet. While Mack recovers, David kisses along her face for a few more moments, taking the limited breath she is capable of breathing right now. Then he rolls away from her. Mack closes her eyes, trying to refocus. 

David reaches to his bedside table. He grabs a foiled condom, tearing it open with his teeth before rolling it down his shaft. Mack watches, lip folded between her teeth. He didn’t even ask. He just did it out of respect for her, not putting her in the awkward position to say yes and then watch how disappointed he is at her answer. At least in her previous experience.

“Ready for one last ride, baby?”

“Wha-?”

Suddenly, David has her on top of him. She looks down anxiously, feeling how unsteady her legs and core already are. Her muscles still shake. There is no way she has the strength for this. 

“David, I can’t…” 

“Shhhhh baby, you think I’m gonna make you work now?” He chuckles lowly at her confusion, plants his feet flat on the mattress and grips her hips in both hands, “I got you baby.”

He glides her carefully down his cock. The stretch is a pinch, even with his fingers preparing her, it stings for a few moments. He rocks her forward and back, getting her comfortable, watching her face. Her moan croaks from her chest when the pinch turns to raw pleasure. Mack jolts forward as David thrusts up into her, hands scrabbling on his chest to hold herself up as he fucks deep up inside her, hitting her spot with every thrust.

“Oh, oh, oh, oh.” Mack hears herself moaning. “Oh fuck. Oh mygOD.” She cries out. “Don’t stop.” She bites down hard on his shoulder. David moans loudly at the pain.

“Feel so fucking good for me, Mackenzie. Such a good fucking girl, aren’t you? You like big cock, huh?”

“Yes! Yes!” Mack yells back. “David, I’m… oh shit…” Mack feels the creamy release of the most intense orgasm of her life slide down his latex wrapped shaft, collecting on his balls and making a mess between her thighs. David enjoys the feeling of her coming undone on his cock. She clenches down tighter. This spurs him on more as his jerky thrusts chase his own white hot release. He falls into it seconds later, turning his face into her hair, moaning her name desperately, holding her to him like she’s his only tie to this planet.

David reaches around Mack’s spent body. He grips the latex at the bottom of his shaft, then gently eases out of her. Mack whimpers at how empty she feels without him, pressing her face deeper into his neck. His head and shoulder lean down as an attempt to hug her head.

“You okay, pretty girl?” Mack nods, then kisses his throat. He hums in appreciation of her gesture. “I’m going to take care of this okay?”

“No. Not yet.” She whispers.

The second his skin moves from hers, reality is going to begin to descend- what they just did, how he made her feel, the things they said to each other. It’s going to be a cold bath of the truth Mack isn’t ready. She wants to stay here for hours until she can memorize every part of what they just experienced. David kisses her forehead, feathering his fingers over her spine.

This continues for several more minutes of quiet contentment. Then, when the reality of a leaking mess is close, he moves her to the side, off his chest. His hand runs the length of her body. After, he struts to the bathroom, holding the latex tight to his softening form.

Mack rolls to her back, trying to put words to what she feels. Before this moment, sex had always been so transactional. You help me, I help you. We feel someone else’s touch besides our own and go our separate ways. Never has it felt like that. She never craved sex before. She liked it, had fun plenty of times, but it was never an all consuming fuckfest focused on her pleasure.

Mack hears the shower turn on in the adjoining bathroom. Apparently he is a shower after sex kinda guy. For some reason, that really bothers Mack. She wants to go home smelling like him and he can’t wait to wash her off? She sits up, glancing around for her clothes. She avoids David’s gaze as he comes out of the bathroom. She is trying to decide how to get off the bed without smearing what is on her thighs across the sheets when David comes over, holding a hand out to her. She takes it and he pulls her up, putting an arm under her knees. He carries her into the bathroom then delicately puts her feet on the bath rug. He lets her test her weight on her legs. They both see how she is basically Ariel coming out of the sea for the first time, so he keeps an arm wrapped around her waist as he test the temperature of the water.

For once, Mack and David are quiet within each other’s presence. David washes her hair and skin, sudsing her up with no hidden agenda, taking care of her worn out body. She holds onto his back or hip or stomach the entire time, needing to be close to him as he attentively loves on her body. When they are both clean, David pulls her into his chest, turning so her back is hitting the steam, but her face remains out. He presses his mouth to the top of her head, swaying them gently. Mack could fall asleep right here with him in this warm and comfortable cocoon. 

“Done?” He murmurs a few moments later. Mack nods. They step out together. David wraps her up in a fluffy towel. “I don’t really… have any um, lotion or anything?” He says, but brings out what he does. She sees CeraVe daily moisturizer and figures that is enough for now. He watches her smooth it out on her cheeks. She holds up some extra on her fingers. 

“You need some?” 

“Mhm.” He murmurs, presenting his face at her. While she works it over his skin, he makes funny faces at her. She chuckles. His eyes are closed, so he uses her hips as a steadying anchor for him. 

“All done.” She tells him, rubbing the rest into her hands. 

“Am I as pretty as you now?” Mack blushes. 

“Close.” David nibbles at his mustache as he looks at her intently. Mack looks away, seeing so many emotions and words that it is too early to talk about. They walk together into his bedroom. Mack glances at her clothes again, then walks over to where her shirt is. 

“Don’t you dare. We sleep naked in this house.” The question hangs in the air. Is she staying? Or is she going? To both of their surprise, Mack drops the towel and gets back into the sheets they ruined earlier in the evening. David slides in next to her and without hesitation, pulls her into his arms. “Are you comfortable?” He asks her.

“I usually sleep on my right side.” She is currently on her left. She didn’t want to turn her back to him immediately, feeling that was rude. He lifts the covers so she can roll. She does, then nuzzles her bare backside into his bare front. She closes her eyes, feeling his cock stir against her still puffy lips. She is going to be sore in the morning.

David holds her tight to his chest. Mack trails her nails over his forearm, feeling the heaviness of her eyes. She thought she would be up all night. 

Luckily, David found the solution to her jet-lag.

- - - 

In her dream, Mack is wrapped up in a cozy blanket at her parents cabin in the Swiss mountains. The fireplace pops in front of her as she wiggles her way deeper into the warmth of the fluff. A bit of sweat is forming at her hairline, but the comfortable feeling outweighs everything else. Someone is under the blanket with her. She can’t tell who in her dream, but his light breathing tickles her hair as she looks out at the falling snow. 

Her eyes suddenly get lighter and pop open. Gone is the Swiss snow and in its place is a room she has never seen before. Was this the dream instead? She inhales, then stiffens in the heavy arms wrapped under and around her. What the-

“Don’t get weird on me, Hischier.” David mumbles sleepily behind her. The rush of memories crash into her. Their lips and the desperation and the steamy connection. Mack gets warm instantly, inhaling heavily, but relaxes into his body. She brings her arm out of the covers, hoping to release some of the furnace under the blankets with them. Damn, he is burning hot behind her.

He runs his finger tips along her arm, easing forward to kiss her shoulder. Mack sighs, pressing her hips back into his. She can feel his solid length pressing into her cheeks, then the awareness of a dull ache between her legs. Despite that, her nipples tighten as David continues to gently stroke her skin. Her hips instinctively press back into him more, giving David all the approvals for a playful morning.

From her arm, his fingers glide across her chest, playing with each nipple until they are aching point, sending pleasureful need to her throbbing clit. His fingers work their way there soon. Mack spreads her legs eagerly for him, pressing down into his touch.

“You like helping.” He mumbles gruffly. His rough voice coated in sleep makes her wetter. She loves the idea of being the first thing he has in the morning.

David’s fingers continue their lazy wander, working her up. He alternates between thumbing her nipples and rolling her clit with two fingers. Then he does both, catching Mack’s head on his shoulder as she moans.

“Needed a real man to touch you, hmm? Never felt like this before have you? Practically coming the second I touch you.” She nods. Then he moves south, the pain of his finger tip circling her sore entrance is too much for her to work though.

“I-I’m too sore for that.” She murmurs regretfully. He backs off immediately.

“S’okay, honey. You’ll get used to me.” He kisses her neck softly. His fingers glide up her slickness to rest against her clit again. “This okay?” He asks. She nods eagerly. He rolls the pads over her, taking his time so he can memorize every curve and place that makes Mack press harder against his firm cock. He settles himself slightly between her cheeks, then rubs her to her morning bliss. She comes with a soft cry of his name, so much gentler than last night. He finishes her off with a kiss on the back of her neck. Her eyes are closed, but she brings her hand around to his hip, holding him while she recovers.

Mack feels more than hears David get out of bed. She turns, surprised.

“As much as I want to do that about three more times, I’ve gotta get going.” He tells her questioning look. He walks into the bathroom, shutting the door. When he comes back, Mack is waiting for an answer, blanket tucked under her arm pits. “I’m heading to practice, then we are heading on the road immediately after.”

“Oh. Yeah.” She remembers. She lays back into her pillow, yawning.

“You even do that cute.” He chuckles. Mack smiles at him, but has to roll her eyes too. Now he’s just sucking up.

Mack watches him get ready, stuffing down the disappointment she feels at him disappearing from New York for a few days. She wants to ask him when he will be back, but she doesn’t want to appear desperate. Well, any more than she already has in the past 12 hours. After putting a suit on, he goes back into the bathroom then emerges with a travel bag. He tosses it into the duffle bag on a chair by the door, then zips it up. Mack can see the LV on the black leather from here. It surprises her. She wouldn’t pick David for a designer kind of guy. 

He comes over to her side of the bed, putting his palms on either side of her to lock her in place. She drinks him in, admiring the complimentary tailoring of his green suit. It makes his eyes look like exploding emeralds, especially in the morning light filtering in. His black tie swings down by her chest. She grips it, tugging him down inch by slow inch with the silky fabric.

“There is breakfast food in the fridge. Help yourself to whatever you want. I do have milk if you want some oatmeal.” He quips. “I’m sorry I can’t stay.” He goes the remaining distance without her help, kissing her. “Or bring you back to your place.”

“Most hook ups don’t do breakfast or drop offs.”

“Or sleep over.” He points out. He’s got Mack there. “You gonna hide from me when I get back?” Although his tone is light, there is a seriousness to his question.

“Maybe.” She smirks as she says it, wanting to keep this interaction light.

“Something tells me you’ll be back for more.” He moves his eyes down her body, drinking her in, all tangled up in his soft sheets. Mack rolls her eyes, ignoring how true that is. He burst apart her world and put it back together last night with him as the center of it.

“Something tells me you’ll still be interested even if I’m not.” She sits up, letting the blanket fall down to her lap, exposing her bare chest. He grins, leaning forward and tickling her nipple with his mustache. Mack breathes in deeply, then lets her head fall back towards the ceiling as he sucks it into his mouth. His nose traces over it too.

“I’ll see ya, honey.” He murmurs after kissing her breast tenderly. Then he stands up, full hard on displayed while he heads to his travel bag by the door. “I’ll leave the spare key on the counter for you.” He calls over his shoulder as he leaves the room.

“What? We are definitely not there yet.” Mack calls. He pops his head back in.

“No, but I’d appreciate it if you could lock my door when you leave.” Mack purses her lips together, dimples turning pink at her embarrassing assumption. She nods after clearing her throat awkwardly. 

“Yeah. I’ll do that.” 

“Thank you.” He murmurs, laughing heartily at her sheepish look.

Mack waits until she hears the apartment door close behind him. Then she collapses back into his bed, laughing loudly and excitedly. She can’t help but kick her feet too, rolling around a few times to get tangled up completely in the blankets like a burrito. The outside world peaks in from an opening in the curtains. She watches a few birds fly by the window. As they soar through the air, sun soaking their feathers, they tweet their greeting to her then continue on. 

Mack reaches out at them, content smile on her face, feeling as free as they are this morning.