#anyway thanks a bundle for this trade

[mysteriousdragon2]

Art trade for @fellow-traveller

Requested me to draw Hol Horse and Polnareff! The background was entirely my choice to decide on, since I wasn't told a specific background but- the background chosen for this scenario fits splendidly! Just a flustered Hol Horse, I'm sure anybody who'd kiss him would cause him to be in a blushing fit LOL. But yeah! A blossom-like background is perfect for this, kinda had a bit of a theme going on with the background and the grass/trees being pink! Even added a cloud heart over them, love is in the air eh? Anyway thank you so much for letting me do another trade with you, here's to doing more in the future- looking forward to your part by the way ;p

[tbaluver]

Hello 👋 love your work so much ❤️. Anyway can I request a scenario where the MC and l&ds boy were adult film actors or porn-stars if you prefer, like what each boy is like on and off camera.

P☆RN STA-A-A-A-AR- The Love And DeepSpace Men

pairings in order: Xavier x fem!Reader, Zayne x x fem!Reader, Rafayel x fem!Reader, Sylus x fem!Reader, Caleb x fem!Reader context: what it's like filming with your lover and behind the cameras genre: MDNI, smut smut, flitthyy but with aftercare a/n: hihi anonnie! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ thank you for supporting my works! srry i took a while writing this req i was going and forth with this during school as well so i hope i did this justice! if not ignore this for now ദ്ദി ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ ) i also added what they're like when they're filming by themselves i hope thats okay! and i hope you enjoy reading! (∩˃o˂∩)♡

any likes and reblogs are always appreciated! enjoy!

⋆｡‧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚‧｡⋆

Xavier:

tags: male masturbation, backshots, p in v

Solo Video:

Xavier is a well known porn star who prefers to keep his face and identity hidden to keep a low profile in public. With one hand subtly lifting the camera to focus on the bare lower half of his body, just enough to see the full view of his thighs twitch and tremble while the other hand strokes his length slowly, occasionally moving further down to cup his balls.

His viewers tuning in to his new video often see him lying comfortably on his bed, his sculpted body glowing under the light of his camera. His pretty pink tip glistened, making his viewers wonder how long he was going for when he made the video. Envy sparks among them as they wish they could be his bunny plushies resting beside him, wishing they could trade places. He knew what he was doing placing them there.

Soft whimpers escape his mouth as he pumps faster and faster, his chest rising and falling. You can tell he was so close from how his breathing stutters through the camera. Oh how badly the viewers wished they would get a glimpse of his flushed face. They would pay so much more if he’d let them.

Breathless, quiet pants of your name slip from his lips as he struggles to keep his voice down. He could feel his climax coming near, his orgasms building deep inside him and finally releasing his warm cum in thick spurts all over his defined abs.

The video cuts off there making viewers want more. The rest of his channel is filled with teasing mirror pics showcasing his defined physique while wearing his signature grey sweats. His fat cock makes an outline through the thin material while his large hands wrapped around his phone to carefully cover his face.

And his most popular videos? They’re the ones featuring you, his personal favorites.

On Camera With You:

The top of your dress was unbuttoned and tugged down to expose your breast. Your breast pressed against the window, exposed to, well, the backyard of your shared home with Xavier. He would never risk letting anyone catch even a glimpse of your bare body, hence why a lot of the videos that include you are covered or blurred out. The bottom of your dress was slightly pushed up, just enough to have Xavier sink his fat cock inside but also to slightly cover the curve of your ass.

He buries his head into your neck, your moans fogging up the window. “Mine..” He whispers in your ear, the sound of his hips slamming in and out of you relentlessly against you drowned it out. He drills into you harder, deeper, his mind focused on how wet your cunt feels around his dick.

His cock was hitting you so deeply that you felt like he was splitting you in two. “X-Xavier..!” You moan out, his hands travelling between your thighs to rub the bundle of nerves between your legs to give you that sudden stimulation. His hands caress the soft skin of your ass while he peppers sweet kisses down your neck as you both chase your high.

His hands make their way to pinch your perked nipples roughly as you press harder against the window which would leave a foggy mark later. You're almost there, from the way you’re clenching around him and the way he feels your thighs shake around his hand. All the pure sensation he was giving you was turning your brain into mush, your moans turning into incoherent babbles.

He angles his hips so you can feel his veiny fat cock hit right against the spongy sweet spot inside of you while continuing his animalistic pace. You felt that familiar knot in your stomach tighten again, waves of pleasure rushing through your body as you cum on his cock. With one final hard thrust, his cum seeps into you, filling you up to the brim. He rides out his orgasm, his hips stuttering.

He keeps his head nestled against your neck as you both catch your breath, his hands still resting on your hips. “You think you could do that again for me honey?” His warm breath brushes over your skin. You realized it a little too late but you’ve forgotten saying his name on camera would reveal his identity to the public.

“Mhm..” You hum weakly, your chest rising and falling as you tilt your head just enough to catch a glimpse of Xavier. Honestly, he could’ve easily edited that part out, but he’d rather film with you over and over again. For now this little video will be for you and him to keep.

Behind The Scenes With You:

“Did you feel good? Do you want more?” He asks, making sure you were one hundred percent satisfied and content. He isn’t asking for the video but rather if you still want to go on just for your pleasure. He doesn’t mind at all, he’s more than happy to keep going for as long as you want him too.

And once you were completely satisfied with your needs, he’d carry you to the bathroom, peppering you with so many sweet kisses. He sits you down on the bathroom counter as you both wait for the bathtub to fill and get to the perfect temperature. He dampens a rug to help clean you up, while admiring every inch of your body while pressing soft reassuring kisses to any surface he can reach. 

“Does this feel sore?” He asks softly, massaging your thigh after witnessing you tremble from today’s filming. And if it did, he’s quick to massage any sore spots while making sure there were any markings on your skin that needs tending too.

When the bathtub is finally filled to the perfect temperature, he carefully lifts you, stepping into the warm water together. He gently helps you wash and dry off. Afterwards, he slips you into one of his shirts that were way too oversized on you but perfectly comfortable.

He helps you settle onto the bed, adjusting your pillows just right before sinking into the bed right beside you. Thankfully, today’s video didn’t require the bed or you’d both be stuck on the couch waiting for fresh new sheets. He seriously thinks you should get more from how often you two make videos, but you both often forget.

With a soft chuckle at the thought, he grabs the blanket, tucking it around you both. His arms slip around you, pulling you closer as you two drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Zayne:

tags: male masturbation, p in v, reader riding zayne

Solo Video:

Most of Zayne’s solo videos feature him sitting in his office chair alone in his dimly lit room. His camera is usually propped up and behind it would be his computer playing a video you filmed touching yourself a while ago. When he’s by himself, he doesn’t remove every piece of clothing but when it's with you, it’s different. He often leaves his button up shirt unbuttoned, just enough to to reveal his defined muscles. His sleeves rolled up to show the scars on his arms, making viewers wonder if they were from you.

Even as a porn star, Zayne remains reserved, often cropping his face out just slightly in his videos, giving viewers a glimpse of his jawline to imagine his lips parting and his eyes shut from the absolute pleasure he was giving himself.

But to him, it would’ve been better if you were here.

Soft quiet groans slip past Zayne’s lips through the camera as his hand drags along his shaft faster now. He squeezes his fist even tighter, pumping faster into his sensitive hot pink tip as his cum spills out with uneven pants. His chest rising and falling, sweat coating his skin that made him glisten. The video ends like that with no outro, leaving viewers to look at the blank screen as they try to finish imagining sinking into his throbbing cock.

They can imagine all they want but the only way to know for sure is by clicking on the next few videos of you two together.

On Camera With You:

“You can do it, I know you can. I’m here.” He murmurs, his lips barely brushing by your ear. Both of his large hands rest on your waist, gently making soothing circles on your soft skin as you slowly sink into him inch by inch.

He was always so gentle and patient with his touches just as he is behind the cameras. Unlike the men you would see in stereotypical videos who rush into things quickly and end up finishing first.

A strangled whine travels up your throat once you finally let yourself down fully onto his cock. There's no doubt that he’s big. He’s so big that it makes you whimper every time he’s in you, splitting you open each time, making viewers completely jealous.

You both agreed it’s best to keep your faces hidden, unless of course you choose otherwise. Oftentimes, after filming you both make sure to blur your faces or crop them out the video. It’s truly a shame they’ll never have the view you have. His cheeks and ears are completely flushed, his lips swollen from all the kisses and biting, and that small pussy drunk smile he still has on whenever he watches you ride him.

“Are you okay?” He whispers, his large hands smoothing over your back. You nod against his shoulder, resting your forehead there for a moment. “Take your time,” He murmurs quietly, pressing a soft kiss at the top of your head. You always manage, every single time. However if you did want to stop, he would with no hesitation. Your hips shift in little experimental ruts, grinding slowly.

Once you angle your hips just right, you pull your face away from his shoulder, sitting up slightly. You whimper loudly, bouncing up and down on him faster. He knows you want to moan out his name but for the sake of the video and his identity you can’t. But he doesn��t mind starting all over again if it means he’ll see you like this again.

He never gets tired of the sight he had in front of him. If this was an addiction then don’t bother him finding a cure. Your body was glistening with sweat as you moved up and down on his length. And the way your face contorts from the pleasure you were getting was beautiful to him.

His hips stutter up involuntarily, instinctively, begging you to give him more. An intense amount of pleasure begins to flood you from the slick drag of his cock inside you, opening you completely and letting him get deeper inside of you. Your panting and whining drown out from the sound of wet skin slapping against wet skin in the room.

Your movements started to get sloppy as you desperately chased your high and with one final drop you completely buried yourself in him, your orgasm washing through you. Zayne’s hands tighten on your hips as he follows suit, cumming with a low groan. You could feel his cock pulse, stuffing your cunt full.

You melt on top of him, your chest rising and falling in sync with his as he rubs soothing circles on your back. You tilt your head slightly as he pulls you closer, his lips reaching for yours. “Thank you,” He murmurs against your lips. His body relaxes against yours as he rests his chin gently on top of your head.

Behind The Scenes With You:

The steady rhythm of Zayne’s slow breathing pulls you back to reality but his gentle caress trailing up and down your back almost lulls you to sleep on top of him. “I’m going to grab a few things to clean us up, love. I promise I’ll be quick okay?” He whispers softly. You nod slowly against his chest, too relaxed to say anything more. Gently, he lays you down beside him, propping the pillows behind you to make you more comfortable.

You watch his broad figure walk towards the door, a small smile tugging at your lips as you catch a glimpse of the marks you made from your film today. You let your eyes flutter closed for a couple minutes. However, it doesn’t last long when you hear the soft padding of his feet return and feel the subtle shift in the bed.

He comes back with a glass of cold water and a damp rag. “Come closer, you should drink,” He murmurs, slipping an arm under your back, lifting you slightly to help you sit up. You lean into him, sipping the cold water as he carefully brings the glass to your mouth. “Done?” He asks as he watches you pull away from the glass, your body sinking back into the softness of the bed. “Spread your legs a little, my love. I need to clean you up.” He sets the glass down beside the bed, brushing the damp rag over your inner thigh.

“Not too sore anywhere? How about here?” He asks, carefully massaging any tender spots, making sure he didn’t overdo it during filming. He watches your reactions closely, relief washing over him when you shake your head, offering a small smile.

“‘m okay Zayne, I promise.” His eyes soften, a tender smile curving on his lips too as he rubs your inner thigh in slow reassuring circles.

“Let’s take a quick bath, and then we can rest, okay?” He says softly. You nod, wrapping your arms around his neck as he effortlessly lifts you, cradling you against him as he carries you to the bathroom.

The water was already running. He’s prepared everything so quickly, just like he promised. As he helps you settle in the bathtub with him, you catch a glimpse of a neatly folded set of clothes on the counter after your bath.

Once you both finish washing off, he gently helps you dry off before turning his attention to himself. He grabs your favorite oversized shirts on the counter, the ones that always smell like him, pulling it over you.

After you’re both settled in comfortable clothes, he lifts you effortlessly, earning a small giggle from you. The walk back to the bedroom was short, just a few steps really, but he can’t help but love taking care of you.

He carefully sets you down on your side of the bed before climbing in beside you. He tucks the blankets around both of you, his arms pulling you closer. You rest your head against his chest, pressing a soft kiss at the top of your head before nuzzling closer to you.

Rafayel:

tags: male masturbation, backshots, p in v

Solo Video:

Rafayel is absolutely shameless whether he films with you or by himself.

He smirks when he sees more viewers coming in to join his stream. Sweat drips down his chest as his biceps flex as he bumps faster. “hah-i bet you like this don'tcha? filthy girl.”  Viewers flooded into his stream with compliments while some typed how they wished it was them instead of his hands. “Yeah? Am I making you feel good? You wish you were on this cock huh?” They typed promises in the chat how they would make him feel so good but Rafayel doubts that. He doesn’t need to even think about if they’d make him feel good because with you, he already has everything he needs.

He knows you’re watching so he must perform a good show for you while you’re away.

His head falls back slightly while his eyes remain half-lidded to watch the numbers go up. He lowers his gaze, watching his hand stroke up and down his cock, concentrating on his sensitive tip. His sweet moans echo through the livestream when he cums hard again. A few whines slip out of his slips as he watches his hot cum overflowing to his balls and onto his hand.

He pants, a smirk playing at his lips as he glances back at the stream. He reads the chat, viewers begging for one more round while he cleans himself up.

“Thanks for the tips everyone. Catch me and my cutie new video next week.”

And just like that, the livestream ends.

On Camera With You:

“fuuuuck you feel s-so ah! good cutie,” Rafayel lets out a loud pornagraphic moan, his grip on the camera unsteady as he struggles to focus his view but also to get the perfect shot of your ass bouncing off his dick. 

Ah, this position is one of his many favorites. He has your ass up in the air while one of his hands grip your hips tightly that will probably leave a bruising mark on it the morning after. Your back curves with your face against the plush of the pillows, it was a breathtaking sight and no one can ever take it from him. The viewers can look and touch themselves all they want but they can never have you.

Rafayel looks down to where you’re both connected, stretching you wider than ever before. The sight is mesmerizing and he can’t stop his moans from slipping out. 

His hips slap against yours while his hands roam around the soft surface of your back and your ass, occasionally giving it a tight squeeze. “mmmngh Raf-!” Your moans muffle through the pillow as pulsating pleasures send signals down to your core.

“Did you hah- like that pretty girl? Do mm- you want more? I’ll give you more,” The loud smack of his pelvis hitting your ass fills the room and each stroke he was pulling you down deeper onto his cock. He can’t take off his eyes on your pretty pussy and how it just swallows him up so perfectly. 

“feels ‘s good ‘s good-!” you slur your words which means he knows he’s doing it right. your muffled whines and moans and the wet sounds of your cunt were spurring him on. His heavy balls stains with your arousal as they slap against your puffy clit. Hearing you feel this good because of him, the way your pussy feels wrapped around his dick, it was too perfect.

One of his free hands trails down to rub your sensitive clit while he pounds into you harder. He lets out a small whimper when he feels your cunt start to tighten around him and the way you’re quivering means you’re close. “Look so pretty takin it, take it all for me yeah?”

The orgasm rips through you, soaking his cock. His hips stutter momentarily, thick white ropes of his cum paint your walls. He nearly sinks on top of you but instead he rolls onto his back, pulling you right beside him to see your pretty face.

He smiles warmly at you, brushing the hair away from your face as he turns off the camera, not caring whether he captured anything good at all. All he knows right now is that you’re perfect. Everything you do is perfect.

Behind The Scenes With You:

You two lie side by side, his nebula eyes staring right at yours, a soft smile never leaving his lips. His hands moved gently over your back as your limbs were tangled together. “How do you feel?” He whispers, his gaze never leaving yours.

“Good,” you reply, smiling back at him.

“Likeee realllyy good or just good?” He teases, both of you laughing. He grins, brushing his hand over your cheek. “Let’s get you cleaned up, yeah?” You nod as you watch him rise, his touch still lingering on your skin before he leaves.

You watch him leave, a small smirk curling on your lips as you watch his bare ass walk on full display before he disappears completely.

When he returns, he extends his hand to you, helping you drape yourself around him as he lifts you effortlessly into his arms. The bathroom smells like your favorite soap while bubbles are gently rising to the surface of the water. He carefully guides your tired body into the tub,  letting you sink into relaxation. “I’ll be right backkk cutie, just stay right there!” He boops your nose with the soapy bubbles, flashing you a wink before quickling walking away.

It takes him a few moments to return and when he does, he joins in right behind you. You relax, leaning your back against his chest. His hands help gently wash your sticky body with soap and water before washing his own. “Is this good?” He whispers, his warm breath fanning over your ear, earning a hum of approval from you.

After helping you finish drying off and getting dressed, he lifts you gently, carrying you back to the room where the sheets and blankets have been replaced by him, so you can rest in a freshly made bed.

He sinks into the bed with you, not letting you have a single moment to pass without wrapping his arms around you, earning a soft giggle from you from his clinginess. He tucks the covers around you both, his forehead gently resting against yours as you both begin to drift into a sleep. The perfect footage for the channel slips from his mind, he’ll worry about that tomorrow.

Sylus:

tags: male masturbation, size difference, p in v

Solo Video:

Sylus is often mischaracterized even in the industry. He doesn’t talk much in his own videos, leaving a lot of people to fantasize what he’s like in bed. Is he rough? Does he mind vanilla? What would he say to you? 

Well that’s only for you to know and hear.

His solo videos are often him sitting up in his dimly lit room, his legs spread enough to give the viewers a glimpse of his bulging veins on his inner thigh. He keeps eye contact on the camera while his large hand drags along his length. He found this, well, boring, without you. All he could think about was the money he’d make from this and the pretty outfits you’d been eyeing at the mall that he’d surprise you with. It’s a shame really, knowing that it would be easily ripped apart by him.

He imagines pleasing you, his tongue tasting your folds while you whine and babble about the clothes he got you, completely shredded. Those pretty little sounds were cute to him.

He imagines rolling his hips against you while your nails claw at his back as you hold on tightly to him. Sylus curses under his breath as he increases his pace on his hand. His eyes fluttering shut, his jaw clenching. His fist pumps into his sensitive tip, helping him closer to his orgasm. A deep groan falls from his lips, his hot cum overflowing in his hands.

The video ends there, offering viewers recommendations of his popular videos. The ones featuring you and him everywhere. And he wouldn’t want it any other way, showing off his beloved and how good you make him feel.

On Camera With You:

“S-Sylus..” you whimper, nails digging into his skin when he pulls out and slides back in slowly. Your head spins at how full you already feel, unconsciously tightening around him. He’s just so much bigger, bigger than what the viewers see on the screen. A groan rumbles in his broad muscular chest as his grip on your hips tightens. 

Inch by inch, he stretches you wider, stuffing you full of his cock. “Are you alright?” He whispers softly, not an ounce of teasing dripping in his tone as he checks to make sure if you’re okay. It was quiet enough that the camera can’t pick it up, intended only for you to hear.

You hum in approval, “K-keep going, please Sy more” your hips wiggling to signal him to keep going. He begins thrusting in and out of you, each stroke deep, brushing against your walls that felt so so good. Your viewers loved this. They loved watching his monster sized cock disappear into your pretty cunt. His size difference compared to your small frame turned people on while maintaining to be gentle and careful, quite different from the usual videos you would see in the industry.

“You’re doing so well, sound so pretty” he praises while he shallowly thrusts in you, the sounds in the room were so lewd from the squelching of your wetness. Each drag of his cock makes you feel every ridge and vein as he pulls in and out, earning soft mewls from you. “I’m gonna go faster now okay baby?” he murmurs waiting for your response.

With a breathless yes please sy, is all he needed to hear before he slams his entire length back in with a single thrust making you cry and babble incoherent words as he pistons in and out of you. Not even the tight grip you held onto him made you feel secure. He’s hitting depths that were only possible for him to find, each thrust sending shockwaves through your entire body making you chant his name brokenly. 

“Just like that,” he coos, pressing wet sloppy kisses down your neck. It’s too much. It’s too good. Your loud choked sobs captured by the camera as his tip mercilessly drills into that sweet spongy spot over and over again. “That’s it..C’mon sweetie give it to me”

Your walls clench around his length, waves of pleasure continue to wash over you as Sylus fucks you through your high. With a few final thrusts, he sinks his cock as deep as he can, his hips stutter momentarily, trying to milk every bit of his seed into you.

His body melting against you, both of you sticky and exhausted. Both of you breath heavily, the room filled with the sound of your uneven breaths. Once the high clears from his mind, he lifts his head, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips before softly pulling out. He doesn’t ignore your whine from the emptiness, gently soothing you with sweet praises and showering your face with tender kisses.

With one last kiss, he whispers, ‘I’ll be right back’ before turning off the camera to save you both some time to edit. Whether or not that final, intimate moment stays on film is your choice but the care he shows you behind the scenes remains unseen, something just for the two of you.

Behind The Scenes With You:

“I’ll be right back okay sweetie? Do you need anything?” He sits beside you on the bed, his large hand gently squeezing your thigh. You shake your head, offering a small and weak smile before he stands up and disappears from your sight.

A few minutes pass and he returns a few things in hand. He helps you sit up slowly as you take a few needed gulps while he gently cleans you up with the damp rag, massaging any area with some oils that he thinks is sore from the past scenes you’ve recorded for today.

You lay back down, letting out a deep exhale as exhaustion floods your body. Your eyes were growing heavy, nearly fluttering shut but Sylus stops you. “No yet sweetie,” he says softly. “I’ve got a bath running, and then you can rest okay?” He hovers above you, showering you with kisses just enough to keep you awake. With a weak ‘okay’, you give in. He carefully slides his arms around you, lifting you up and carrying you effortlessly to the bathroom. He checks the water temperature, adjusting it to your preference and once he’s satisfied, he carefully lowers you both into the warm, soothing water.

After the bath, he lifts you gently, carrying you to the counter by the sink to keep you from standing. He carefully dries your hair before grabbing one of his oversized shirts, the one you love so much, slipping it over your head. Once you're settled, he takes a quick moment to dry off, grabbing his robe before turning his attention back to you. He carries you to one of his many rooms, as the one you two filmed today needs to be cleaned.

“Would you like anything else?” He asks softly, helping you lay down on the bed, making sure you’re comfortable. You shake your head, pulling at the fabric of his robe to come join you. A low chuckle escapes him as he joins you, sitting up beside you and letting you snuggle closer to him. You rest your hands against his chest, feeling the rise and fall as he tucks you in. Editing the video can wait, right now it’s just the two of you.

Caleb:

a/n: his is shorter bc im still trying to figure out his personality but i wanted to include him ! tags: reader jorking caleb off

On Camera With You:

The camera was propped up by your kitchen table, near the windows so the natural lighting can capture his defined abs. You stood behind his seat, your fingers teasing his abs, tracing the lines as you go lower and lower. This was how many retakes by now? You stopped counting after the fifth one, losing track of how much he came too fast. The clips were too short but they were handy if you wanted to keep them to yourself, which you will.

“p-please, i need you,” Caleb whines once your finger lines over his waistband. His cock happily awaiting your touch beneath his boxers, again. “make me feel good, only you can. i’ll do good this time, p-promise.”” he’s already a whimpering mess and you haven’t even started yet. 

He helps you tug down his sweats along with his boxers, his heavy cock springing upwards to slap his torso from its release. His cock was so hard he thinks he might explode and you can tell his frustration from the tip of his cock, all hot pink and swollen just for you.He was already leaking again and you hardly touched him there.

You carefully wrap your hand around his shaft, stroking his cock up and down. His head falls back, his eyes fluttering shut as his hips rock slightly up into your hand, meeting your strokes. He’s trying so hard not to finish early again but how can he not when just your hand already feels so good. 

You pump him faster, leaning over with your other hand to squeeze his balls, your nails softly grazing onto the sensitive flesh. He lets out a loud whine when you twist your wrist around his glistening tip. “‘m gonna cum, fuck ii’m so ah! s-sorry!”  He whimpers loudly, spilling all over your hand with a pathetic whine. “I’m sorry..one more time..” He looks up at you with pleading eyes and who are you to say no? At least this time it was at least ten seconds longer than the last one

Behind The Scenes With You:

No matter who was more exhausted after filming, he always insisted on cooking you a delicious meal, despite any protests you might have. Sure he could easily order take out and have it delivered but he personally found it better to have a home cooked meal for a girl he absolutely loves who treats him so well.

But first, he’d make sure you were both freshened up, helping you slip into his favorite shirt, one that was oversized on you. Dressed in nothing but his grey sweats, he’d start up the stove, chopping vegetables to make the flavor pop. If you didn’t listen and rest in bed as he asked, he’d scoop you up effortlessly, ignoring your complaints as he carried you back to your shared room.

When the meal was ready, he’d bring over a tray with your favorite dishes, setting it right in your lap before settling right beside you.

[mysteriousdragon2]

And thank you very much for the Hol Horse! He looks pretty good in your style ;p And no problem for the Jonathan! Jonathan was fun to draw, especially in an outfit I never drew before!

Love how you did the pose, it’s exactly what I envisioned!

Art trade for @mysteriousdragon2 !! This was so fun to do, thank you so much for the jonathan ✨

[heartstringsbloom]

It’s midnight. The V8 Cafe is closed to everyone except Radiator Springs’ own. Flo sits in a booth near the back, out of her work apron and chatting with Ramone over tea. Lightning leans against her, head on her shoulder, wearing Doc’s old Fabulous Hudson Hornet jacket. It’s definitely a couple sizes too big, but he’s warm and Flo is running gentle fingers through his hair and he’s trying very hard not to fall asleep because it’s movie night and he’s sleeping over at Flo and Ramone’s.

They decide on Beauty and The Beast and Ramone has to run by Doc’s for Lightning’s inhaler but Doc says it’s at the Cozy Cone. By the time he gets back to the cafe Sally’s already dropped it off, bundled in her fluffy blue slippers and McQueen’s dinosaur robe that she refuses to give back. He tells her good luck prying her sleeping mask from his sticky little fingers. She gets on one knee and plants a kiss on said fingers, McQueen swoons, calls her a gorgeous sap, and Flo and Ramone share a knowing look but even they can’t tell if the two are best friends or more

They invite her to movie night but she declines because she has a case to look over, but thanks them anyway, smiling at Flo and Ramone and sticking her tongue out at McQueen who blows a kiss

Later that night Lightning is rambling about how Harv has him booked for, like, three interviews back to back and all with different people, and Flo shakes her head sympathetically as she combs his hair, wondering when he last combed it out because he’s got knots like she’s never seen before. She has to pull one apart with her nails and he winces, she apologizes, but he keeps talking and she can’t help but smile in amusement

They leave together the next morning for work, Ramone’s already at his shop, and they settle into their routine at the cafe. They work together as if they have their whole lives, cracking jokes across the diner and trading off plates for this table or that. There’s an order for pancakes and they notice at the same time that they’re out of eggs, so McQueen is like “oh I’ll get Harv to send some stuff over” and Flo just raises an eyebrow and says they’re going grocery shopping

The next day she lets McQueen wander around while she fills the cart and he comes back with arms full of candy, soda bottles, cookies, and any other sweet he can get his hands on

She’s trying not to laugh and lets him get *one* thing, wonders when she started being the one to give him permission for anything, and he pouts but tosses the cookies in the cart and puts everything else back as if he doesn’t have his own bank account

The kid has one heck of a sweet tooth, always with a lollipop in his mouth or a sweet beverage at the cafe. He also doesn’t eat enough veggies because Doc has to sneak them into his food, Flo learns

Sally managed to get him to drink kale smoothies, convinced him kale was a fruit, and McQueen slurps them up even if they are a little bitter

Strangely he’ll tear up a salad, as long as it’s drenched in salad dressing and cheese, so Flo makes sure to add them to his meals at the V8

The three work together as the Make Sure McQueen Eats His Veggies Club

[maskedbutsilly]

I have an entire multiverse hell hound bs au going on and in one of the current timelines it’s with slime as president after murdering quackity blah blah blah BUT slime kied Wilbur aswell and one of my favorite parts ABOUTZ THE AU ITSELF ( even though nobody asked or more or less prolly wants to read or hear ) is that ghost(bur) and alexia ( <- ghost Quackity but nonbinary femme basically to set the difference between his alive self and dead self ) leave little bouquets of what their main biomes they reside of have for eachother. so for example because ghost can’t stay in the tundra for long and that’s what alexia is banished to they’ll leave coded bouquets, a bundle of lilac, lavender, periwinkle, daisy, and some allium wrapped in brown paper and tied with a white satin ribbon stained with blue dye ( as is the paper but in hand prints ) and place it right where his flower field biome meets the tundra, always attaching messy little " enjoy these my sweet blackberry!! remember to dress warm!! " type messages, only for alexia to leave small bouquets filled with winter berry branches, winter blueberry branches, pine branches and cool spruce sticks they found wrapped in a cleaned and dried arctic fox Hyde, tied with a burlap ribbon they cut into shape herself and sending a " I love the flowers, blueberry, please enjoy the berries I found!! tell the animals there hello for me!! " against that same tree. they having nothing but a platonic relationship but more close friendship since alexia lost most of her memory from the relation to her death, whereas that remembers everything. and ghost not having the heart to tell alexia that he remembers meanwhile alexia can’t bring herself to tell him she remembers less than she lets on, the few times they’ve met alexia melts in any warm temperatures, meanwhile ghost freezes after only a short time in the tundra. her ‘ living ‘ through some of the worst blizzards known to man meanwhile ghost deals with the burning of constant summer thunderstorms, always so close yet so far away. alexias icy hands melting against ghost and burning them, meanwhile ghosts warmth caused her to melt, essentially a candle and a flame in opposite temperatures. sighing. the blogs based off of them don’t do them justice… also im so sorry for writing so much…

this went from so cute to tragic at the end…. i love when people make universes so diverged from the canon itself, i love seeing it and i wish i was that creative ;��; anyway ghost and alexia trading bouquets is so damn adorable i had to draw them <3

ALSO ALSO i LOVE WHEN PPL SEND ME LITERAL PARAGRAPHS IN MY INBOX,,,,FLOOD IT I MEAN JT I WILL READ THEM ALLKKKLLL

THANK U FOR SHARING UR LOVELY AU !!!!!!

[arabaka]

ᰔ ̗̀➛ CHAPTER O3. BLOSSOMING.

₊˚ʚ ☁️ ₊˚ ♡ ﾟ. content warnings ⤸ sfw. reigen arataka x afab!reader. no cw but while this chapter is sfw, the story is generally not. 1.1k word count.

₊˚ʚ ☁️ ₊˚ ♡ ﾟ. author's note ⤸ chapter 3! sorry for taking so long, muse was dead but thanks to my beloveds, meg and @bulle-blackhole, i was able to break the curse and finish this! b also gave me the AMAZING idea that you'll see when you see reigen again and that honestly got me through the rest of the chapter lol.

CHAPTER ONE. | CHAPTER TWO. | TABLE OF CONTENTS.

“We should probably set some ground rules, right?” You murmur to his chest after a short while of being in his embrace. 

Admittedly, Reigen hadn’t thought about that. “Yeah… Probably.” Reigen croaks, his cheeks heating up to an obvious red as he hears himself. “Sorry, I’ve just…” 

The man looks away, ashamed, brown eyes looking anywhere but yours as his sheepishness shows in red hues blooming over his cheeks. Though he knows, there is no running from this, not from the very truth of the fact that…

”I’ve never been in a relationship.” His voice drops decibel by decibel with every word but the shame that drips off every word has no one to blame but himself. 

The “going home” club really was a foolish decision. 

You watch Reigen's throat tense with a barbed swallow, your heart beating with sympathy (but not pity) at the sight of it. He’s pensively pushing his fingers and his gaze is to the floor. The only noise bouncing off the walls is the nervous tap, tap, tap of his feet. If his words didn’t say it, his body language certainly does: the man is anxious. Reigen thought for so long that being self-made was enough for him, but as he’s confronted with his first relationship ever, he can’t help but think he’s falling short of what you need. What you deserve.

That’s when your hand comes over his, fingers curling in for a reassuring squeeze. The corners of your lips subtly curl, a tender smile appearing as you tell him, “That’s okay. Every relationship is different anyways… And I think we can both agree our situation is very different.”

We. Our.

Those two little words seem to snap him out of his stupor; after all, Reigen wouldn’t want to miss that smile of yours. 

His hand shifts, his fingers moving to lace with yours. Immediately, he gulps, “S-Sorry, my hands are kinda sweaty.” 

“That's okay. Some sweat never hurt anybody.” You assure him with a light laugh. “How about this…” You whisper as your other hand folds over his knuckles. “Let's revisit this tonight, in the meantime we can think about all of this and… Shower because I know I need one.”

The proposition is a relieving one, Reigen letting out a breath he didn't even know he was holding when you were done speaking. “I think that's a great idea.” He murmurs with a chuckle, eyes cast on your linked hands as he continues, “I really… Don't want to screw this up.” The man admits, unable to shake off the fear that everything will fall apart and it will be all his fault. He can fake it ‘til he makes it with everything else, everyone else in his life, but he would never do that with you.

He doesn't have to.

And when he hears you tell him that he won’t screw it up, that you won’t let him, with the sweetest smile, he believes you.

—

A few hours and many, many, Mobgle searches later, Reigen stands outside of your apartment door. He’s traded his suit for a more casual look, even tried parting his hair a different way… Until he saw his reflection in the nearby window and quickly rectified that mistake.

Just in time too because there you are, opening the door with a bigger smile on your face than the one you had this morning. “Reigen!” You chirp, extra excited to show him the bouquet of flowers you had bought for him earlier that day… Only to see the exact bouquet in his hands as well.

Pink roses line both arrangements but the real stars are the gerberas, their stark white petals standing out among the rosy leaves and bundles of baby’s breath. Both sets of flowers are the same, down to the pink cellophane wrap and white ribbon around the stems. 

Both of you blink in surprise at first, stunned to silence until an escaped snort from Reigen gets you both to start laughing. “What are the odds?” You ask after a giggle, wiping your eye of the single tear that came from the belly laugh. “Let me guess…”

You don’t have to, Reigen jumps on it seamlessly, “‘You can’t go wrong with roses and gerberas!’” 

“And let me guess…” You start again with a toothy grin, “He didn’t charge you for the baby’s breath either?”

“... What?”

–

You sit on the couch– yes, the same couch you two were shamelessly making out on like you were teenagers at the height of puberty less than 24-hours prior. Though this time, there isn’t any tension to cut through. No gulped swallows and nervous stirrings of the gut.

“We should say our first rule out loud at the same time.” You’re overeager, every cell in your body just itching to hammer out these details so you can kiss that stupid face of his again… 

Okay, you really just want to seal the deal so you can officially call Reigen Arataka your boyfriend.

Reigen exclaims with a sweat already running from his brow, “What if yours is way more serious than mine?!” 

“Aw, c’mooooon.” He’s still hesitating so you bring out the big guns… A pout and a stare that would put a kitten to shame.

Reigen’s face could not get redder. He can practically feel his heart ramming against his ribs just looking at you! “... Fine.” He clears his throat, trying to recover from the strike to the heart that was your expression. “You’re not gonna do that every time you need me to agree with you, right?” He asks after a beat, letting out a chuckle that makes the red glow on his cheeks even brighter somehow.

“I make no such promise.” You answer with a nod and a smug smile, your chin wrinkling from the silly expression. “Now, c’mon! One… Two… Three!”

“No PDA at work!” 

“We shouldn’t do anything at work!”

You both let out a sigh of relief. 

“Oh, good.” Reigen leans back on the couch, eyes closed briefly in contentment. “I’m glad we see eye-to-eye on this. But it’s not because I don’t want the others to know!” He’s now sat upright, needing you to see the honesty in his eyes because he would never want you to get the impression he wants to hide you for any reason.

Your hand on his knee soothes his worries, a touch he can already see himself craving. “Hey, hey, hey. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I knew what you meant but Reigen…” You smile at him tenderly, squeezing his leg as you assure him, “You don’t need to watch yourself around me, afraid you’ll make a mistake just because we’re going to be dating now.” Oh, how your cheekbones already tingle from how much the word “date” makes you giddy. 

“Right, right.” Reigen returns your affectionate smile, his hand coming to hold yours. The gesture is still foreign to his bones but god, it feels perfect. “Well, I’m sure we can handle ourselves at work.”

“Totally.”

“Totally.”

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias/Trent Alexander Arnold x Reader - Dark Rivarly Part 5/15

Part 6 och 7 are already out on my Patreon for FREE!

Reader is Trent Alexander Arnold's twin sister. The two have been inseparable since childbirth, more so now when Reader is fresh out of university looking for a job, crashing at her brother's place whilst doing so. One day Reader gets a job offer that she cannot refuse, however it would mean working for her brother's biggest rival in football, Ruben Dias.

Enjoy!

It was your birthday. Twenty-fifth to be exact. And yes, you were celebrating it in Liverpool, but not against your will.

"Happy birthday dear Y/N and Trent, happy birthday to youuuuu!"

It was a day you shared with another person. Your other half. For this reason you were quite excited to return home.

"Open them, open up your gifts!"

The celebration was held at Trent's apartment, surrounded by family and friends. Mostly, Trent's friends, since you didn't have nearly as many.

"A golden fly?" Trent frowned, as he pulled out the item that your parents had handed to him in a neatly wrapped package.

"For when Liverpool wins the league, son." Your dad winked. "Grandma is yet to finish your golden suit."

"Thank you, I guess." Trent muttered.

Everyone cheered and threw their heads back with laughter. Everyone but you.

"I swear to God if they got me the same gift..."

As twins it was almost a tradition that the two of you received identical gifts. You and Trent were always walking around with matching pajamas during the holiday season, and that was just last year.

Trent leaned closer to you and whispered. "Where is Whiskey when you need him?"

"Poor Whiskey." You sighed. "May he rest in peace in cat heaven."

Whenever there was a gift or toy that neither you or Trent liked, you would simply hand it over to your one eyed cat. Whiskey played with anything, destroying everything. Usually people would say that their dog ate their toy, however you and Trent had a cat that got the job done for you.

"How old was he when he died, like twenty?" Trent chuckled.

"I know, right? Cat's aren't supposed to live that long, are they?"

"Especially if they've only got one eye and ate Grandma's black beans for a living."

It was nice, laughing with Trent. Whilst the party was going on around you the two of you sat back on the couch, recalling childhood memories. At one point you forgot about your reasons for letting him off easy. You had forgotten to tell him about the great news. Luckily Trent reminded you himself.

"I heard you got a new job."

"Right, my job!" You exclaimed, as it all came to you, your reason for coming.

"Grandma said you were doing terrible at her shop anyway. I guess she is glad to get rid of you."

"I actually got a great job offer." You were grinning from the inside out, eager to tell Trent the news, simply because of the mind games it would cause. "You won't guess who I'm working..."

"Do tell." Trent stretched his arm behind the couch, pulling out a medium sized box with cut out holes in it. "But first open up my gift." He said, placing the box in your lap. Something was definitely moving inside of it.

"You got me something?" You frowned.

"Of course." He nodded. "Now open it, see what's inside."

He wasn't supposed to get you something. A pact made way back. As children you swore never to buy each other gifts because it was smarter to let other people do it for you, then trade the items later.

"Come on, Y/N. Open it." He said, beaming at you like a fool. However it was you who was the fool. Trent made you look like one for not buying him a gift.

You gasped as the box tipped over in your lap with a set of soft paws pressing down on your thighs.

"Oh my God, Trent?"

There was a collective sigh from the people at the party, seeing as a bundle of orange cuteness had swept into your arms.

"You got me a kitten?" You lifted the baby cat in the air, examining him.

"He looks just like Whiskey, doesn't he?" Trent smiled. "He's from the same shelter so who knows, could be his cousin?"

You were suddenly overwhelmed with tremendous joy, and gratitude. Whiskey's death was the first heartache you had experienced as a child, followed by your grandfather's passing. And now it had been restored, a piece of your heart.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." You threw yourself at Trent, with Whiskey Jr meowing in your hand.

"Alright alright, don't break him." He laughed.

You wiped your tears. "Trent, this is the best gift anyone could have ever gotten me. Now I feel bad for sticking to our pact."

"Don't be." He said, stretching out to pet Whiskey Jr. "I feel like I owe you."

"Owe me?"

He shrugged in response. "I told mom and dad about your situation, having them freak out on you. I didn't think they would force you to move to Manchester of all places. And I didn't think that you would...."

"That I would what?"

He had stopped talking, his hand still scratching the back of Whiskey Jr's ear. His expression was hard to read,  but it became clear when he said, "I didn't think you would stop talking to me."

It made you draw a breath, hearing the sincerity in his voice.

"Trent, I...."

"I mean what's it been, like two months?"

"Three." You corrected. "It was the longest you had gone without speaking to each other, ever. You thought about it and realized the emptiness it had caused. A black hole that just kept growing inside of you.

"Trent, I should tell you...."

You had made a mistake. A big mistake accepting Ruben's job offer. You only took it to fuck with Trent, to get your revenge. However that desire was long gone now.

"Should I take him while you get that?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"Your phone?" He said, followed by the two of you glancing down towards the table before you, your phone rattling it as someone was calling you.

"I'll be right back." You said, excusing yourself, handing Whiskey Jr over to Trent. You recognized the number that was calling you and made sure to slip to somewhere closed off, where no one could hear you.

"Um, hello?"

"Y/N, I need you to come into work today. Can you make it?" It was Ruben on the other end of the line, his voice urgent.

You groaned inwardly. You had specifically scheduled your day off to celebrate your birthday, and the last thing you wanted to do was spend it at work. "I'm sorry Ruben, I actually can't come in today. It's my birthday, remember?"

You had mentioned it last week, when Ruben had asked you to once again come in on short notice. It was clear that as his personal stylist you were expected to be on demand during all hours of the day, every day of the week.

"I really need you to come today Y/N. I'm sorry if I'm bothering you on such an important day, however you did make a commitment to work for me, no?"

You sighed and rubbed your temple. Having only worked for Ruben for three weeks you knew that he was a demanding boss, but this was taking it too far.

"I'm not coming in, Ruben," you said firmly. "If you fire me, then so be it. But I'm not going to ruin my birthday for you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and you braced yourself for the worst. The worst came following the sigh Ruben let out. "Fine, Y/N, as you wish. You're fired."

"Wait what?"

The tone went flat in your ear.

[my-favourite-zhent]

New Tricks - Chapter 7

Status: Work In Progress

Version: 1.01

Pairing: Rugan x AFAB!OC

Rating: NC-17 (This chapter R)

Genre: Adventure/Romance Summary: Misadventures of Rugan and the original Zhentarim Gate's crew before and during the year of three sailing ships.

Table of Contents

Read Here on AO3 or below the cut.

New Tricks - Chapter Seven

“Everyone’s got their daggers right?” Rugan asked while double-checking his own in the side of his boot.

Both his companions nodded. They didn't usually carry their proper weapons when out of armor but it was best practice to always have something small and concealable at hand. Just in case.

“Good.”

Deciding it was too risky to take the main thoroughfares, the trio made their way down the side alleys in the general direction of the tavern.

It was slow going through the tight twists and turns. Checking every shadow lest they be ambushed.

“Maybe the fighting will be over by the time we get there.” Olly whispered hopefully.

“And if they've set the tavern on fire by then?” Rugan asked. “That's all our stuff you can kiss goodbye.”

“Wouldn't mind a good fight anyways.” Added Bellar. “Gets the blood pumping.”

Rugan noted that the adrenaline had already sobered Bellar up quite a bit.

After what felt like an eternity they wrapped around to the rear of the tavern. They were close enough to the main street now that they could hear the ring of steel on steel, the shouts and screams of combat. The smell of smoke was thick here and the air hazy with soot. The tavern itself was still intact but Rugan could see flames licking the roofs of the structures across the street.

Cautiously, Rugan tested the back doors and found them stuck fast.

“Locked. Probably whatever patrons that are still inside barred the doors to keep the fighting out.”

“Fat lot of good that'll do them if the place goes up.”

“Maybe we could gain entry from the second level?” Olly suggested.

Suddenly a large bundle wrapped in cloth fell at their feet. Rugan looked up to see Izzy peering down at him from the balcony.

“Did you know, you can see the smoke from this place clear to the apothecary in the Trades Ward?”

“Izzy!”

“Your things are in there.” She gestured to the bundle at his feet and Rugan hastily moved to open it. Sure enough his jerkin, crossbow and shortsword were there.

“I wasn't sure if that was everything.” She called out hesitantly.

“No, this is perfect, Iz. My thanks.” He beamed up at her and she returned a heartfelt smile.

She turned to address the others as Rugan scrambled to put on his kit. “If you two can tell me where to find your rooms I can grab your things too.”

“Let a stranger rifle through my things? Guess again love.”

“Fair enough.” Isolde slid herself over the rail before sliding down one of the beams that supported the balcony.

Reaching down she twisted a ring off her left hand and held it out to Bellar. The ring was copper in colour and shaped to imitate a braided rope.

“You can climb up there yourself pretty easily with this-” She pulled it back as Bellar reached forward. “but I expect it back as soon as you're done.”

“Give it here.” He replied impatiently and Isolde placed the ring in his palm. Bellar examined it, rolling it between his finger tips. “This is a ring of climbing.”

“So that's how you scaled the tower.” Rugan chuckled as he continued buckling the straps of his armor.

“Useful tool in my line of work.”

Bellar proffered the ring to Olly but he waved his hand. 

“I’m fine, it's not so high.” And with that he began scrambling up the wooden planks of the tavern's outer wall. He easily mounted onto the ledge of a second story window and from there leapt, grabbing the lip of the balcony before hoisting himself up and over.

“He's a rather good climber isn't he?” Izzy stood in awe.

“Even with the ring I don't know that I want to attempt that particular manoeuvre.” Bellar agreed.

Luckily Olly was already securing a rope to the balcony rail. He tossed the other end over the side.

“Oy. Where the hells were you keeping this?” Bellar asked as he grabbed the rope.

“In my pocket?” Olly wrinkled his brow in confusion. “It's not a very long bit.”

Bellar scaled the wall and climbed over the rail onto the balcony before turning back to Rugan. “We hopping into it once we've all got our kits?”

Rugan sighed. “Seems you've already set your mind to it.”

Bellar grinned. “Well we've got to look after the family.”

“You called the locals sullen.” Rugan's voice rising with annoyance.

“Well maybe they'll be less sullen after we help.” 

“Family first.” Agreed Olly, stepping out of the doorway back onto the balcony. He was already in his leathers, bow strung and at the ready.

“When did you?” Bellar was momentarily stunned before hurrying inside, muttering something about not being the last one out.

“I'm gonna check the windows on the north side, see if I can get a vantage.” With that Olly slipped back inside.

Rugan turned to Izzy. “You should get out of here, lass.”

She made to argue and Rugan held up his hands to stop her. “Look, I know you're not a fighter. I appreciate your help really but you shouldn't have even come down here.”

“I was in the area.” She lied.

“You just said you were at the apothecary's.”

She opened her mouth to lie again but no words came to her. Rugan smiled and shook his head before pointing back the way they’d come.

“The way through the alleys should be clear straight through. If this place isn’t safe by supper then we’ll meet at the Mermaid.”

Izzy pouted but did as she was told. “Don't let Bellar lose my ring.” She warned, then softer so that he almost didn’t hear. “Be safe.” Before slipping away quietly towards the eastern alley.

“Right, ready.” Called Bellar as climbed back over the rail and down the rope, armor on and morning star strapped to his belt. He brandished the mace as he landed and Rugan unsheathed his short sword in turn.

The pair stalked down the laneway between the tavern and its neighbouring building. As they rounded the corner of the building they could see fighting in the street. 

It took a minute to realize who was on which side, dressed as they all were in dark armor. Rugan noticed that two combatants with their backs turned to them wore cloaks emblazoned with an eye that looked something akin to a sun in splendour. Certainly not a zhent design, and conceivably something that represented a beholder like Xanathar.

The left most enemy seemed to be brandishing a blade in defense of her partner. The one on their right began gesturing and intoning the beginnings of a spell. Rugan and Bellar shared a look before raising their weapons.

Bellar's morning star crashed down on the caster’s head with a sickening crack. They toppled to the ground in a heap, brain matter oozing from the split in their scalp.

Rugan for his part thrust his sword from a low angle that would've easily pierced ordinary chainmail or leather. Instead it glanced off the plate mail under the cloak with a heavy clang.

“Bugger.”

The half-orc paladin spun on him, her eyes flashing as she raised her long sword. Heavily armoured as she was, the first sweep she took at him was too sluggish to connect, Rugan dancing back just out of the blade's reach. This forced him back into the alley however, with less room to manoeuvre out from her next strike. The slash whistled pass, just grazing the bridge of his nose and leaving a hot red line in its wake. Bellar was behind her then, his morning star crashing against her ribs, the reverberations of that blow flowing up his arms.

It stunned her for a moment and Rugan took the opportunity to come forward with another thrust to her face. She was faster this time, batting away his strike easily before coming forward again. Bellar moved to repeat his earlier hit but she whirled on him, it had been a feint and now her blade swept his weapon aside with ease. Bellar stumbled back over the corpse of the caster and had to roll to the side to keep from tripping. 

The half-orc raised her blade to strike at Bellar again but a spear point burst through her eye. With a grunt the spear's wielder thrust again, pushing the tip clear through the paladin’s skull.

The blonde elf danced back, abandoning their spear as the half-orc tipped over.

“Who the hells are you?” The elf turned to size up the duo.

“Family from out of Baldur's Gate.” Rugan supplied.

“Ah, Zarys' crew. She said you were halfway competent.”

“Probably the closest thing to a compliment we’ll draw out of her.” Muttered Rugan.

He noticed the sounds of fighting had died down and instead there were cheers from a little way down the street.

“That was a fine jab.” Remarked Bellar to the elf.

“I know.” Came their smug reply.

As the cheering grew louder Rugan saw some of the local crew carrying Olly while hooting and hollering.

“Do you have a name, elf?” Bellar asked.

“I do.”

Rugan approached the crowd. “What have you gotten yourself into now, lad?” He shouted up to Olly.

“Shot some mages!” Came Olly's reply.

“Kid got two with one arrow!” Came a cry from one of the zhents and Olly beamed.

“Good on ya’ lad.” Rugan smiled back.

“Alright folks, let's get the hells out of here before the city guard shows up!” The elf shouted over the cheers.

“The fighting’s already over, what's the point of them showing up now?” Rugan scoffed.

“Didn't expect them to involve themselves when it was actually dangerous did you?” They rejoined.

Already the zhents were putting Olly on his feet, scavenging from the fallen and scattering to the various alleyways.

“Come along then, lad.” Rugan called over to Olly. ��Zarys will likely be at the warehouse, we can debrief her before trying to salvage our afternoon. Are you coming, Bellar?”

“The locals can debrief her.”

“They can but she’d rather hear it from us, and preferably before the days out. I don’t want to get another earful about slacking off.”

“You handle it, that’s what you’ve got seniority for isn’t it?”

Rugan sighed and waved him off. “Olly, would you rather stay with bell end over here?”

“Nah, I saw some stuff you two missed, better to come along.”

“Fair enough, lad.”

+++++

Rugan had been correct in assuming Zarys would want a report, she actually seemed pleased for once.

“You’ve done good work, but don't get involved in any more skirmishes if you can avoid it. They may be family but we've got to look out for our numbers too. We'll be back on the road again in two days after all.”

“Aye, Zarys. We'll keep our noses clean.”

Zarys snorted. “Might be a little late for that, Rugan.”

Olly laughed softly and Rugan touched his nose remembering the cut there. “Oh very clever.”

“Olly, you can take your leave now. I need to speak to Rugan.”

The boy obeyed without question. Rugan could hear some of the locals give Olly a few cheers when they saw him emerge from the office.

“He showed good initiative today.”

“He always does. I know a good recruit when I see one.” Rugan wasn't just bragging about Olly's recruitment but Zarys' too.

“He's smart, a terrific shot, keeps a cool head and follows the rules. I want to keep Olly on as part of my crew for a long time to come, Rugan.” The fact that Zarys hadn't yet made a complaint was a bad sign.

“I know where you're going with this Zarys.” Rugan sighed.

“You do? Well fantastic why don't you tell me then.”

“He’s capable in all the ways a zhent should be excepting one.”

“Which is?” Zarys prodded.

“He's soft, and not in the way men usually are. He's not squeamish or cowardly, those would be… more acceptable.”

“Go on, how is he soft then?”

“You know already and I know it's my job to sort it out.” Rugan could hear the frustration in his voice.

“I want to hear you say it.”

“He's kind. He's kind and one day it's going to get him killed.”

“What I'm worried about, Rugan, is not simply that he'll get himself killed. What I'm worried about is that one day he's going to make the kind choice, not the smart choice. The likelihood being that the rest of us would be worse off for it.”

“By worse off you mean poorer for it.” He scoffed.

“I mean what I said. Don't presume to correct me. You and I know better than most what the kind choice can cost you.”

Rugan winced at this, it was a memory he preferred not to dwell on.

“Aye. I'll see to it.”

“Good. Go on then, we're done here.”

With a resigned sigh Rugan turned to go. He descended into the warehouse and found that Bellar had made his way down as well.

“And I'm just saying who names a city ‘WaterDeep’. Like yeah water deep, I sure hope it is, mate!”

“It's named after the harbour.” Olly argued. “Where it was deep enough to dock the boats.”

“That's just proving my point Olly.”

“Having a rousing discussion I take it?” Rugan joined them at their usual cluster of crates.

“Bellar is being a poor guest.”

“Me? I'm perfectly amicable.”

“Take it you followed the elf here.” Rugan eyed Bellar knowingly.

“He's right smitten.” Olly was grinning from ear to ear.

“He's a right hypocrite is what he is.”

“Hey, it's different if it's one of our own.”

“Sure, different in that they're more likely to cut off your balls if they catch you messing around.” Rugan slipped back into his easy humour and lilting cadence.

“No problem for you then, Zarys already has your balls.”

“Just for safekeeping. Now if we're done here gentleman…” But Rugan realized that Bellar was already distractedly looking somewhere over Rugan's shoulder.

Rugan and Olly shared a knowing look, Olly snickering though Bellar failed to notice. Rugan simply clapped him on the shoulder and shook his head. “We'll see you later lad.”

[jeanie-g]

if it's not too late (hope it's not lol) for the spotify wrapped #77 and jamie/trevor

never too late! <3 xmas gifts are put away, leftovers are foiled, and i'm back into the swing of things ;)

[#77] Hot Mess (dodie)

One more reunion, then goodbye again / Oh God, I'd be lyin' if I didn't want ten

There's maybe one silver lining in Trevor being injured again: Jamie doesn't have to play him. It's sort of weird, this odd dance they have going on. And it's not like it's intentional. When Jamie's out, Trevor's healthy. When Jamie comes back, Trevor's injured. The Flyers have had a handful of games against the Ducks since the trade, and Jamie and Trevor have never been in the same one at the same time.

Jamie can't say he's upset about it, though. Trevor's a bitch of player, having more skill in his pinky toe than a lot of guys in the league. He played against Trevor a couple times in Juniors; that was before he really knew him, and it still sucked. One of the things he dreaded the most when get got traded was that he'd have to do it again, this time as his best friend, his boyfriend.

But it hasn't happened—yet, at least. Trevor jokes that it's some sort of curse ("the nice kind"), because it's not like either of them are out that long anyways—just enough to coincidentally miss each other. And Jamie's not one for the supernatural, but he has to agree it's a bit spooky.

But again, he can't complain, not when Philly shuts out Anaheim 4-0 and he doesn't have to block Trevor's shots to do it.

Jamie's just settled back into his hotel room when he hears a knock at the door, and when he opens it, Trevor's smiling face greets him. He launches himself into Jamie, throwing his arms around his shoulders and tucking his face into his neck.

"Jamie, baby, I missed you," he mumbles, and the vibrations from it make Jamie's whole body tingle. If he's upset about the loss, he definitely doesn't show it.

Jamie pulls Trevor fully into the room and shuts the door.

"What, the hotel staff don't get a show?" Trevor asks, laughing.

Jamie just shakes his head and pushes him gently against the wall, bringing his hands to Trevor's cheeks and kissing him deeply. Trevor hums and sinks into it, and there aren't any words for some time after that.

They have to be gentle with Trevor's knee, but they find a way to make up for lost time, Jamie gently laying Trevor out on the bed and taking him apart the way he likes best.

Later, when they're both spent and snuggling under the sheets, Trevor turns to him. His tousled, dirty blonde hair fans the pillow like some kind of Greek god, and his tan skin contrasts the crisp, white sheets. Jamie wants to bundle him up and keep him here forever.

"Jamie," he starts, immediately punctuating it with a yawn.

Jamie smiles, leaning forward to kiss his nose. Trevor scrunches it adorably, which just prompts Jamie do it again.

"I'm trying to say something," Trevor complains.

Jamie rolls his eyes. "Then say it."

He smiles. "Good game."

Jamie laughs, sitting up to lean his head on his elbow.

"What?" Trevor asks. "I meant to say it when I got here but, well, we got a bit distracted."

"Thank you, sweetheart," Jamie says, and he watches Trevor's ears go red. He doesn't use that pet name often—dispenses it sparingly because it makes Trevor blush like he does now.

Trevor tries to appear unaffected. "Don't mention it. It's my duty to comment on my boyfriend's game even when it's to the detriment of my team."

Hearing Trevor say my team still stings, but it's gotten leagues better over the last year. Jamie loves his guys, and he loves the city of Philadelphia. There are certainly worse places to get traded to.

"But you're lucky," Trevor continues. "If I was out there, let's just say it wouldn't have been 4-0."

Jamie sticks out his tongue. "You're right. It would've been 5-0."

Trevor feigns offense and smacks Jamie's arm. "You bitch."

Jamie dissolves into laughter, rolling until he's half on top of Trevor, scooping him into his arms.

"Ow," Trevor says, though Jamie's barely even touching the bad knee.

"Shut up. It does not hurt."

"You're just trying to keep me out longer so we can't smoke you."

Jamie lays his head on Trevor's shoulder and sighs into Trevor's hair. "No, but I would to keep you here with me."

It's awfully vulnerable, and it changes the air between them instantly. A few moments pass in silence, then:

"Jamie, look at me."

Jamie sits up, and Trevor's wearing a sober expression.

"I love you," he says, his eyes darting between Jamie's. "We've done this for almost a whole season. We can get through these next few months, I promise. Then we'll go to Jack and Quinny's for the summer and it'll be the two of us for twelve whole weeks."

Jamie feels that sting in the bridge of his nose that means he's about to cry. "It's so difficult."

"I know, baby." With his free hand, Trevor tucks a piece of hair behind Jamie's ear. "But you're worth it."

Jamie can't stop the onslaught of tears. He drops his head back onto Trevor's shoulder and lets it out. Because they have these times in hotel rooms, and on the phone, and on FaceTime, but it's not enough. It's never enough.

Jamie took for granted what he had in Anaheim—living with Trevor, playing with him, getting to soak up his presence every single day. He was too naive to think it'd stay like that forever.

He wishes he could go back in time and tell himself to cherish every single minute he had with Trevor, even when he was pissing Jamie off or getting into stupid fights. Jamie would kill for just ten minutes in their cozy high-rise, for ten seconds sitting on their rooftop with their pinkies laced and nothing but sunshine on the horizon.

It's only a few minutes before Jamie calms down and his sobs quiet. Trevor's petting his hair; Jamie hadn't even realized he'd been doing it. He pulls back and readjusts himself so he's not crushing him, turning and resting his head in the crook of Trevor's armpit. Trevor's arm wraps around his side.

"Better?" Trevor asks.

Jamie chuckles hollowly. "Yeah."

"Nothing like a good cry, huh? I think I went through three whole tissue boxes the night you got traded. Mason had to keep feeding me water so I wouldn't get dehydrated."

"You did?"

Trevor's finger's make circles on Jamie's torso. "I was a mess, Jimbo. You know that."

"But you never told me that."

He feels Trevor shrug. "I didn't wanna make you feel worse than you already did."

Something drops in Jamie's stomach. Of course Trevor didn't wanna let him see the damage. Why would he?

After the trade, Jamie had an excuse to act like an emotional wreck; Trevor was the one who had to save face and act like he was fine. Jamie, feeling so low at one point, had wanted to break up just to spare them both some pain. It was Trevor who convinced him to hold fast, who fought for them tooth and nail and brought them to where they are today.

He always spares people's feelings and bears the burden when needed. He's always the one to get Jamie to open up, yet he keeps his own feelings close to his chest. He cares so openly and loves so deeply that he forgets he has to turn some of that attention towards himself. And Jamie has spent the better part of three years angling that mirror, showing Trevor just how amazing he is.

Jamie turns his head and captures's Trevor's lips in a kiss, slow and careful this time. He's trying to emit every feeling he has for this man, every ounce of love and gratitude, into the movement of his lips.

When he finally pulls back, Trevor's eyes are dazed.

"You're right, Z. We've got this. We're together now, and that's what matters."

Trevor nods. "We just gotta stay in this moment—right here, baby."

He will. They'll get through this. Day by day by day. But for now, all he has to do is close his eyes and bask in the warmth of Trevor's body against his.

He'll never take it for granted again.

[fentrashcat]

TW- mention of pet loss

I wrapped my coat around the tiny, weak cat to shield it from the storm as I carried it home. It purred against my chest, making my wonder if it had been a pet, or if it just knew I wanted to help.

The wind whipped my hair around my face as thunder crashed across the sky. The startled cat dug its claws into my stomach, and I hissed from the pain. I adjusted my hold and muttered an apology under my breath as I picked up my pace. The cat yowled as my hurried footsteps jostled it, but I couldn't slow until the door of my apartment slammed shut behind me. I was panting, knowing that I was too weak to be running like that right now. When I was so close to the end. I sank to the floor with my back against the door as I took the cat out of my jacket to examine it. The poor girl was little more than a kitten, covered in fleas and mites, her bones clearly showing through her skin.

Wanting to act fast to avoid an infestation, as soon as I caught my breath, I headed to the kitchen. The kitten laid on my chest, cuddling to my neck as I started to run some warm water in the sink. One dish soap bath, and many cuts to my hands later, I wrapped the kitten in a dish towel and gently dried her face.

"I know darling, I know," I cooed over and over like a mantra to the distressed creature. Now that she was clean, I could see that she was a tawny brown tabby with white on her paws and tip of her tail. "Aren't you a beautiful girl? What should I call you?" I asked, cradling her to my chest as I pulled out my phone. I frowned as my thumb hovered over a number I hadn't called in a while. I shook my head and put my phone away when the kitten yowled in my ear again. "You're right Fawn, I can handle this." I hummed and rocked almost unconsciously as I switched over to a delivery app.

A knock at my door sounded about thirty minutes later, and I opened it to grab the pet store bags. "Thanks for coming out in this storm, here's a little extra for your trouble," I said, trading the bags for some extra cash. That would eat into my grocery budget for the week, but does that really matter? It's likely I only have a few days left anyway. Still clutching the bundled kitten to my chest, I started one handedly putting together a bottle of formula. The kitten ate greedily, purring just as loud as she could, and I finally managed a smile. Now with a full tummy, Fawn started to fall asleep. I put together a box of blankets and set it on a heating pad, settling her in for the night. As I cleaned and bandaged my hand, I could hear Fawn purring away. I set an alarm for her next feeding, and fell into a peaceful sleep as a warm feeling washed over me.

As the days passed, I slowly found myself gaining strength. I was surprised. After Cal left, I knew no one loved me, and thus my days should have been numbered, yet here I was several weeks after I expected my death. Fawn was my constant companion in this time, also regaining her strength and becoming a normal playful kitten.

Many many years passed, and Fawn had been the first of many more rescues to come. Although love could not sustain pets the way it did humans, which broke my heart, their unconditional love was enough to save me. The walls of my apartment were now lined with pictures of my beloved rescues, and pictures of them with the forever homes some went to. As my eyes settled on a longe yellowed picture of Fawn, I smiled sadly. She had passed 106 years ago to the day, and I missed her just as much now as I did the first day after her passing. Before my mind wandered too far, a litter of puppies sprinted past my feet with playful yaps, making my laugh at their antics.

Truly, this is where I was meant to be, the love I had for these creatures, and the love they had for me, my own form of immortality.

Love determines how long you live, some people are in their hundreds, but some don’t even live to be 20.

[unknownjpegs]

letters

Item select —> Letter

[A bundle of inexpensive parchment, tidily pressed, tied off with brown twine. Smells faintly of the sea. Fingerprint marks indicate where it’s been read and reread.]

Benji! [This is written larger than the rest of the neat, careful script]

I have found a quiet place inside the crypt, which means that I have found a moment to write to you. We’ve made camp alongside a sarcophagus that we’ve not been able to open—cannot help but judge the poor rogue (Lyana) doing her thief kitting, because Lark could probably get this done with his eyes closed.

Oh, right, you’re probably reading this and wondering where I’ve landed myself now. I’ve taken a contract to eliminate some undead (paladin duties, as you know, the code, oath, all that) with a new group of adventurers. And speaking of judging—Benji. Actually, I will get to the cleric in a moment.

Let me thank you instead for the recipe you sent for that tincture! You know how fucking rotten I am at potions and the like. You made it rather easy, though. Reading the instructions sort of felt like you were over my shoulder, telling me what to do. Admittedly, miss that a bit!

[an ink blot has stained part of the letter here, a smudged fingerprint]

Anyway, I need you to not be angry at what I’ll be writing next. Stop being preemptively angry just by that as well. I can picture you right now, with so much ease. Get that knot in your brow and tilt to your mouth. Might show off a cute fang with a curled lip. Well, the thing is, the crypt is dank and molded and I’ve definitely gotten a cold. Which, actually, you might be laughing at this part. Reading me talk about a cold (likely cramped up inside a tree, aren’t you? Half folded in on yourself, in weird ways. Never could sit right), probably a bit funny.

I guess you’ll be more annoyed that I haven’t spoken up about it. Or tried to ask our Cleric for some assistance. And I could heal myself probably (paladin!) but I don’t want him to see me doing it. Right, I can also imagine you rolling your eyes at me—like you aren’t just as stubborn. I just don’t like him, Benji. And I can’t let him win. He can’t know I’m suffering a common cold from dusty, moist crypts. One Healing Word on myself and he’ll see the blue flash and go ‘Aha! We should not have hired this paladin!’

Which, maybe is true…

Lyana, the rogue who cannot get the sarcophagus open (really easy work, Benji, promise, doesn’t look like alchemy, know what I mean?) is lovely really. Very sweet. I think she disikes me. Like, a lot, Benji. Tried to explain that I should hold the map of the place and she laughed at me. ‘Knights don’t hold maps’. Well. Told her, ‘I’m not a knight. I’m a paladin. And I should hold the map’.

I got a look at it, at least before we went in. So, you know me, memorized it pretty easy. Except, when I told her—and the fucking cleric—where to turn, they went the opposite way. We’re all stuck in this little crypt until someone starts listening to me. Or I lose it and kick the coffin over, wake up whatever’s inside and then maybe they will have use of me. Other than holding torches.

I think they hired me because I’m tall, Benji.

Made me miss [the sentence ends abruptly and the writer seems to pick up on a new page, as if the thought was interrupted or abandoned]

Hope you’re doing well, of course! Bet you hate when I get a long winded one out like this, huh? I traded some rings for parchment from a trader and he laughed at me over it, but I have to say. The rings probably were worth more, but getting to write to you is still probably the only thing keeping me sane on some of these journeys. I’m a bit tired of them. Of it, all, really.

I miss the fishing village. Missing a lot lately [another ink blot and furious smudges]

I’ll be waking up the undead in a minute. By the time this letter reaches you, I’ll have hopefully found a different party to travel with. Might try and find Lark again…

Anyway!

Your friend for as long as you’ll have me and my letters,

Xavier

[There is a crude, poorly drawn dog at the bottom of the last page. The words ‘bark bark’ are written next to it, perhaps to indicate that it is a dog, as the writer is not gifted with artistic talent.]

Item select —> Letter

[This single letter has a decisive, near violent but misaligned fold through the middle of it; as though the recipient read it once and tucked it away with haste.]

Benji, [the script is scratchy and messy and terribly lazy looking]

How are you, my fiendish friend? I’m writing you partially because I found out that you have been corresponding with a paladin we’re both acquaintances with; and yet I have never once received a letter from you. My heart is broken beyond repair. Hopefully you know how your cruelty has affected me. I wait, on a chaise lounge, tuning my violin and waiting for your reply.

[There’s a large, dramatic space.]

Actually, I am writing to you for a reason, not just to be a proper fucking annoyance. Though, you and I know, fond of that. Especially to you—but I’d like for you to be sitting for the next part of this letter.

When Xavier told me he’d been in regular correspondence with you, I felt I should be the one to write to let you know—once again, please be seated—that he was injured recently. Don’t get hasty, as he’s currently healing in a sick bed. Nice and well taken care of by a busty dwarf cleric that seems absolutely fond of the red head. Never seen someone lean over a man so frequently to check a fever.

Well, thought you should know! I’ll disclose the location in the way I always do when sending a secret through courier. I’m sure the man would like to see you. Groaned your name once or twice when they were straightening out those ribs to fix them.

You owe me, by the way.

Charmed as always,

Ben the Bard

[x-amount-verbs]

A Helping Hand: Prologue

An Even Trade

Masterpost || Prologue || Part 1

[reader x silco (eventual)] [1.5k words] [no y/n] [during time skip] [henchperson reader] [SFW] [minor body horror]

AO3 Link

Sevika’s unabashed focus is unnerving. She stares at you across the narrow hall you both sit in, waiting to be seen to. Your fingers twitch nervously in your lap— not as many as there should be.

“…This isn’t some fun club, kid.”

You hate when she calls you that. She’s, what, six years older? Seven? You’re not a child. Your eyes raise just enough to catch hers, before glaring down at your lap again. At the bundle of fabric swaddled around your right hand. …What’s left of it, anyway. You haven’t been brave enough to check. Honestly, part of you is distantly impressed that you’re still conscious, given that you can’t feel most of your right arm, but you chalk that up to the dubious variant of shimmer that was jammed into it as soon as the damage was noticed. While you were still in shock. Are you still in shock?

“Don’t think you’re replacing me, either. You did your duty, that doesn’t mean you get a promotion-”

“I don’t want a promotion.” That may be just a bit of a lie. You wouldn’t mind a change of scenery, after sacrificing life and literal limb for the guy. Hell, it’d be nice to have a few weeks off, at the very least. And— “I just want a hand.”

Her lip curls in a sarcastic smirk at your wording. As if she’s about to sneer with what?

You roll your eyes. “Ha. Ha.” Your tone is flat, dry and unamused.

“Oh you’ll get one.” Theoretically words of assurance, but there’s no comfort in her tone. If anything, there’s an edge of warning. Some sort of be careful what you wish for.

Well fuck that: you’re wishing for a hand.

—

It wasn’t entirely intentional, saving Silco’s life, but you’re happy to let people think it was. If you’d known your hand would get blown to bits, not just pinching a finger or two, you might’ve taken more time to make the decision.

…Eh, fuck it, you still would’ve done what you did. Not for morals - you’d deny those claims in the hopes you were smarter than that - but because you were too damn impulsive for your own good. Amazing you’d survived, pulling a stunt like that. Maybe more amazing that the assassin had the balls to attempt to shoot Silco in his own club. You’d grabbed for the barrel of the weapon, not realizing the man’s target, and not realizing exactly how far along in the firing process he was. Definitely not thinking he might be shooting with live explosive rounds.

Your jaw is tight, breath straining to remain even as your good hand clenches over and over again where it’s strapped to your seat. Sweat beads on your forehead, a miserable headache pounding behind your eyes, but you make yourself look.

It’s like you’re suddenly on one of those little dinghies you’ve seen in the river Pilt, one of the ones bobbing desperately against the wake of much larger ships, tossed about in the rolling waves. Thank the goddess you’re seated, because the bizarre sense of you and not-you upon seeing the hand throws you completely off-balance. Your fingers twitch-

“Stop that. I’m not done.”

“Sorry,” you mumble, dumbly. Now that you’ve looked, you can’t stop looking. The strange contraption is so much cleaner than you’d expected.

When Sevika said you’d get a hand, you assumed (rather optimistically) that it would be like hers, or Ran’s. Plain metal, built for function but not beauty. Running on either chemtech or shimmer. But this is something… between the two? Beyond the two? Custom built, finely crafted. Way too fucking expensive for you to ever afford on your own— but good thing the man you saved is filthy fucking rich. And good thing his pet doctor has a passion project for creating extra limbs.

As the Doctor raises a scalpel to your forearm, you quickly turn away. Seeing it, when you can’t feel it, will only lead to unnecessary movements. …Why didn’t he just sedate you? The anesthetic has been good, yes, but being awake for the final installation feels… cruel, somehow. Awake for the measurements, the fittings, the one-on-one tests over the last few weeks, wherein you’d had a plethora of organic and inorganic compounds flushed through your system— those seemed fair. Not always pleasant, but fair. He’d had questions to ask, nerve damage to evaluate, and you had to answer them. Staring at the mangled flesh left after the accident was… not great. But necessary.

You can’t feel the pinch of skin as the Doctor tightens the straps on your off arm, but just knowing he’s doing it in your peripheral vision puts you on edge. Whatever he’s doing, it’s going to make you—

“Fuck-” Your body spasms at the sudden shock to your nerves, hissing and gritting your teeth, eyes watering as sensation bores into your bones.

“Stay still.”

That guy has no fucking right to demand that, not with what he’s doing. He sure as hell wouldn’t be able to sit still through this.

You can feel the pain traversing your arm, zipping through muscles and tendons - bones? veins? - as receptors bind together, webs of nerves reconnected through the brute force of… it can’t be just chemistry. Is this chemistry? Alchemy, maybe. Fuck: dark fucking magic, feels like.

Ow ow ow fucking ow—

Short sharp gasps break your breath into pieces, tears overflowing even as you try to blink them away. You’re not sad, it’s not even just the pain, you’re just— you feel so much, so suddenly. Sensation is overwhelming in a place you haven’t properly felt in weeks. You feel things from the inside out, starting in the marrow of your arm and radiating out to feel every vibration jarring you, every minuscule ridge of texture. There’s no possible way to stay still, so maybe it’s a good thing you’re strapped down, if he’s still got that scalpel out. Legs thrash at their bindings as well, jaw locking up.

“This may take some time…”

Your response is chattering teeth and a distressed moan, skin fading to a buzzing numbness as the muscles beneath claw fiber-to-fiber, hooking and weaving themselves together. You shouldn’t be able to feel this, you must be hallucinating, feeling the individual cells of blood flowing through veins and tubing and wires, all cobbled together. An impossible feat. You’ve never tried modifications like this before, never had invasive chemtech, and this feels as invasive as it gets. Grafted straight into your nervous system.

Your sense of time dilates, compresses, vision blurred and then gone white as you lose the ability to process, for however long, everything happening without. Within, you are so focused on your body attempting to assimilate the modification, willing it not to reject the thing that has been essentially bonded into you.

—

Mind blank, you surface however many hours later, mouth parched and throat raw, eyes dry and burning. Your whole right side is aching. It was only supposed to be your hand, but everything from your ribs to your neck - that whole half of your torso - is one heavy throbbing pain.

The Doctor is snapping his fingers before you, trying to pull you from your reverie, and you blink a few times. Just the act of blinking stings.

“Flex.”

You do as you’re told, but frown. You feel the muscles in your arm, and painfully so, but— You glance down at the hand, once again experiencing the strangest you-but-not feeling upon seeing it. Hand open. Closed. It moves the way you’re trying to make it go, but the sensations that had been so overwhelming earlier have retreated. You feel the muscles under your skin, but not the… the presence of it. Patting your hand down against the armrest is strange. The pressure on the outside is nonexistent, but deep within you can feel the jolt when you can’t move any further. Tapping your fingers radiates a vibration into the deep tissue, but you can’t feel the texture of the armrest.

“I don’t have… skin.” Your voice comes out hoarse, and you struggle to swallow. It’s not like the skin thing is a surprise to you; it’s a prosthesis - a prosthetic limb - it’s just the bizarre polymer and metal and ceramic; there’s no reason you should feel sensation, but you thought you had earlier.

“Hold.” The Doctor presents you with, what, a ball? Looks simple enough.

He must’ve undone the bindings on that arm while you were lost in sensory processing. You have enough range of movement to reach forward and take the object— and promptly drop it. It’s impossible to gauge the strength of your grip. When he presents it again, you grab it tight enough that you can feel the vibrations as the planes of your fingers’ joints roll against the sphere.

The Doctor makes another note.

“Before, I—” You lose your words to a bout of coughing. Wheezing a plea for water, you instinctively cover your mouth with the free hand, and wince at the heavy weight slapping against your mouth, lip splitting as it hits teeth.

“You’ll have to work on control.”

Apparently.

—

[next part]

[Guess who’s got a multichap on their hands?? That’s right: it’s this gal! I know this prologue has a grand total of zero Silco, but part one? 👀 ooh boy. This story is all about touch starvation, y’all.

If you want to be kept up to speed, I’ll probably end up making a tag list in a response post to whoever asks me about it first 😅 I don’t exactly plan ahead. A better way to guarantee you get notifications is to subscribe to the fic on ao3. While you’re there, I wouldn’t mind a comment if you’re so inclined 👉👈 And always feel free to boost this post! I love notes, they fill me with writer juice! ❤️ - verbs]

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

omg omg im like vibrating i didn't see that you opened up a tea shop!!! congratulations on your new milestone wifi!!!

would i be able to get a packaged loose leaf oolong tea with maple syurup and sugar cubes with the enameled pottery set and no sweet treat on the side please? :3c -🍡

Requests for this event are CLOSED!!

No sweet treats? Well, I'm sure your tea alone will be sweet enough to satisfy!

Let's see what this wish entails...

~ * ~

Childhood Friends AU Headcanons, inspired by the words "Brushing" and "Napping", set in Liyue

Fluff

Childhood Friends AU- An AU where you were best friends with Childe when he was still Ajax

Warnings for allusions to fear and crying

~ * ~

-You and Ajax have been friends for a very, VERY long time -When you were young the two of you had been near-inseparable, constantly coming over to each other’s houses and staying for meals and exploring Snezhnaya together <33 -One could even call you best friends! And you titled each other that in earnest -Of course you’ve grown more apart over the years (you pinpointed it a few days after Ajax’s 14th birthday) but even as he was recruited into the Fatui, you had both still written letters to each other back and forth -This continued into adulthood, despite both of you taking wildly different paths in life, him as a brutal warrior and you as a peaceful researcher. Yet still you traded letters a few times every month, signing the parchment with your own special flairs -So when a few months went by with letters from Ajax being unusually sparse (aka completely absent), you began to worry -It was you who put your foot down and decided to take a small trip to Liyue, both as a means to further your research and check up on Ajax -Or Tartaglia, you suppose, as was his Harbinger name. But he never liked you calling him that anyways. Said it hurt to see you acting so formal around him -Liyue is bustling when you arrive, much more so than Snezhnaya, and you find yourself acquainted with a Funeral Parlor consultant who invited you for tea named Zhongli, who was charming if a little mysteriously knowledgeable -Much more knowledgeable than you, apparently, as he looked surprised when you had mentioned your name, asking if you were from Snezhnaya to which you confirm -Looking quickly left and right, he asks you to follow him, under the reassurance that there was nothing nefarious planned, and when you shrug and agree he makes quick work of the distance to his house with you in tow -Once inside and with the doors securely locked, Zhongli makes a beeline for a room in the back and knocks gently, asking if he can come in, because he brought whoever was inside someone to see them -You assume the “someone” is you, curiosity and nervousness bubbling into a tense bundle of nerves in your stomach -He tugs you inside, and presents you to a large, fluffy, ginger-haired… thing. Surprisingly, you’re only confused for a split second as Zhongli begins to talk a mile a minute, attempting to explain something -Ajax. You’re absolutely certain of it. You can’t pinpoint exactly why you’re so sure- perhaps the ginger hair with a streak of white or the oceanic color of the creature’s eye, laced with worry and fear, tipped you off- but you know without a shadow of a doubt that this is Ajax -Some version of Ajax, at least. Zhongli calls him “Childe”, which you assume is a codename of sorts, and he’s asking you almost desperately to not be frightened of him -You hold a hand up to speak -“I can never be afraid of Ajax, no matter what form he’s in” is all you say as you hug the Abyssal beast tightly, and you feel him sag in relief and let out a low croon in response, wrapping his arms tightly around you -Zhongli exhales, letting out a breath he’d been holding as his heart rate slows, thanking Celestia that you’re not senselessly screaming at the sight of Childe. With a nod he smartly steps out of the room, leaving you to be reunited with your Ajax -You rake your hands through Ajax’s new fluff, a gentle shade of lavender around his shoulders, murmuring to him gently before moving to his hair -He eats up your attention, craning his head so your fingers hit the best spots and purring with delight, a gentle vibration running through your body -But when you ask him what happened, he stops purring and begins to shake, letting out heartbreaking whimpers and cries, and you quickly hush and reassure him -“Hey, hey it’s alright. You don’t have to tell me. I’m fine with not knowing” -You’re not fine with not knowing. But that’s not important -Instead you turn, eyes searching the room before landing on a brush, and you stretch to grab it. Ajax hooks a claw onto your shirt when he feels you move, and when you retract your hand with the brush he

buries his face into your shoulder with a quiet whine -You bring the brush up to his hair and sink it into his ginger locks, pulling it gently back with a flick of your wrist and weaving it in between his horns. He momentarily stiffens, then lets out a soft sigh as his body relaxes at the sensation -You continue brushing his hair, a smile twitching on your face when Ajax’s purrs resume, rumbling up from his chest and going from near-silent to twice as strong as before. With every stroke of the brush he nuzzles himself further into your shoulder, arms wrapped loosely around your waist -When his hair is smooth and soft as silk, you move to the fluff near his neck, and his purrs hitch in surprise before rumbling again with surprising volume, now interspersed with coos and trills of bliss -It’s only when he starts blinking in exhaustion that his small chirps falter, leaning his weight onto you and murmuring sleepily. He seems to melt against you, body going limp with sleep, and you shake him slightly to prevent yourself from getting trapped under him -Ajax lets out a dazed chitter, slowly pushing himself off you so you can sit up. He sways even though he’s also sitting, and you can see his pearlescent eye slipping shut and snapping open again, over and over -His response when you ask him if he’s tired is a drowsy coo, and he circles behind you and bumps your back with his head, urging you forward to a bundle of blankets and pillows in the corner -You fall to your knees, cushioned by the soft cushions, and Ajax steps delicately over and into the nest-like structure, before settling and curling himself around you -Your own eyes beginning to droop, you lay beside him and press yourself against his armored chest, feeling a heavy arm drop around your shoulders -With a quiet sigh you snuggle closer, hooking your own hands in the fabric of Ajax’s scarf, a habit you picked up years ago as a way of not losing him in a crowd -Ajax lets out a sleepy croon at the sight of your hand tangled in his scarf, curiously joyful upon seeing a remnant of his childhood. Despite growing older, your heart doesn’t seem to have changed much -He watches you, eye barely open, as you drift off into slumber, and reaches up slowly to stroke your hair. His claws gently threading through the tangles makes you hum and smush yourself against him, and he trills in quiet delight -Ajax looks at you, his best friend, longingly before nuzzling his head into your hair. Perhaps, now that you’re here, he can finally give you the letter, blessed with the phrase “I love you”, that he intended to send so long ago

[valiantxunion]

Karol frowned to himself at the dead man walking comment but he chose not to bring attention to it at the moment. No, he was much more occupied with wrapping his arms around himself in an attempt to bring himself the warmth that his body was now lacking due to the rain. He quietly placed his bag and the now soaked prey by the door before pulling his white and green vest off of his body and placing it on the floor by the door. After removing his boots as well, it left him in only his pants and his skin tight black shirt he wore beneath.

He thankfully takes the blanket from Raven and wraps it around himself with a shiver. “Thanks…” He mumbled before quickly taking another look around the house. There had to be other blankets in the house for Raven to use as well. After a moment, he spots a small closet in the corner and makes a beeline for it. “Wanna check under the bed for more blankets while I check in here?” 

If he didn’t find anything, he briefly hoped that Raven didn’t have an issue with sharing the blanket. He really didn’t want Raven to get sick just because he didn’t have anything to bundle up with. Especially since this was sort of Karol’s fault that they were lost anyway. It was becoming increasingly clear that Raven wasn’t exactly pushing to take care of himself and that definitely made Karol anxious. Was he doing it because Karol was a kid or because Raven still felt bad about what he did…?

Karol managed to find a sheet within the closet but it was rather thin and definitely didn’t smell the greatest when Karol pulled it out. Granted, neither did the blanket he currently had hanging off of his shoulders. “I found this but I’m not sure it’ll be enough to keep you totally warm…” 

As he moved over to the bed, he pulled another thin sheet off of the mattress and examined them both thoroughly. Maybe by combining them, it would be enough for Raven? As he worked on folding the blankets on top of each other, he glanced over at the older man, eyebrows furrowed. 

“Were you able to find anything? This will probably work but it’s still pretty thin, so I’m not sure. I know you don’t do well with the cold so if you want to trade blankets, we can.” 

Why, indeed? Raven still didn't have a good answer other than the nagging thought of needing to punish himself. Thankfully, the thought went back where it belonged before too long as Karol set to the task of picking the lock. It didn't surprise him in the slightest that Karol had the skills he did. The kid had been a part of many guilds before making Brave Vesperia. Still, he imagined the boy's hands probably weren't having the easiest time even while gloved. All the rain coming down didn't make things easy. Before Raven could offer to try and shield some of the rain away with his coat, even though it hadn't done him any good, Karol managed to accomplish their goal.

Raven joined Karol in looking inside. Whoever used to live there sure hadn't been there in a long time. Thankfully, as Karol was quick to point out, there were no skeletons. As Raven stepped inside, wringing out his hair as best he could before setting to work on wringing out his coat, he found himself nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, no kiddin'. Though I guess technically I fill that whole 'dead body' quota," he joked. Mostly just a jab at himself. No sense in not doing that much when the secret of his being a dead man walking was already out in the open air.

What were they meant to do now? They needed a fire if they wanted any hope of getting warm, but the same thought occurred to him in relation to the firewood. Hard to make use of it with them both being soaked as they were. Maybe there were blankets or something they could make use of. Not a perfect solution, but it would have been better than nothing.

A shiver rolled through him, giving him enough incentive to close the door at last so no rain got in. Of all the times for Rita not to be present. Instinctively, he brought his arms around himself as best he could. Cold. He imagined Karol was just as cold as he was, though. Had to take care of him first.

Blue eyes darted around the little house, looking for possible options all the while. Well... no one lived here now, so surely they wouldn't mind if they used their stuff. Blanket on the bed included.

"Well, might as well make use'a what we got," Raven said. He moved forward, taking a moment to lay his coat out to dry on a nearby chair before going toward the bed, and retrieved the blanket that was laid out on it. Then, he held it out to Karol. "Ain't much, but I imagine this'll help ya stay a little warmer. Or at least help ya get a little more dry. Maybe we can see if there's anything else around."

[mikauzoran]

Adrienette Accidental Baby Acquisition: Chapter Thirteen

Read it on AO3: Adrienette Accidental Baby Acquisition: Chapter Thirteen

Summary:

“Who is he?” Adrien inquired, stepping closer to Marinette to peer curiously at the cute bundle in her arms.

Alix tactfully dropped the first bombshell: “His name is Louis. He’s Future Chat Noir’s son.”

Adrien nearly fell over in shock as his legs threatened to give out on him.

“If he’s Chat Noir’s son,” Marinette reasoned crankily, bitter about having her moment interrupted yet again. “why don’t you bring him to this timeline’s Chat Noir for him to take care of?”

With a sadistic smirk, Alix dropped bombshell number two: “Because you’re Louis’s mother.”

Marinette made a strangled noise as she looked frantically between the baby in her arms and the superhero seemingly wrecking Marinette’s five-year plan.

Marinette’s love confession is interrupted when Alix brings Marinette and Chat Noir’s son from the future for Adrien and Marinette to babysit for a week.

Pairing: Adrien Agreste/Marinette Dupain-Cheng

Rating: T

“Please stop crying,” Marinette entreated as she simultaneously bounced Louis and fumbled on her phone for the sewing machine ASMR video on YouTube.

“Here’s the bottle,” Adrien announced, rushing over from the kitchen with it.

“Thanks.” Marinette traded him the phone for the bottle, and Adrien finished the desperate search for the video while Marinette took Louis to the couch and tried to feed him.

Louis did not want to be fed.

He made his will known by screaming his head off, and when his mother attempted to slip the bottle into his mouth anyway, he blew a raspberry and sent formula spraying all over Marinette’s face and shirt.

Adrien set down Marinette’s phone on the coffee table and held out his hands for their child. “Here. I’ll take him. Go wash up.”

There was a moment where she considered sticking it out, but the impulse immediately passed, and she handed Louis over. “Thank you.”

“No worries,” Adrien assured as he took their wailing, flailing child. “Hey, Little Prince. Shhh. You’re okay,” he tried to soothe.

Louis was having none of it.

Read the Rest on AO3.

[honey-milk-depresso]

a chongyun mc with the demon bros (obey me) maybe? :0

btw, love the content you post, keep up the good work ! <3

An honourable individual with a positive mindset, you take your duties seriously, like exorcism, and performs them with a stoic and composed personality, although not always.

Your excessive positive energy, however, terrifies all spirits in range and have a disdain towards your positive energy, considering it to be a cheap trick, and trains despite this boon in the event that a spirit resists his excessive energy.

And unfortunately, when you can't suppress the feelings of warmness, you become illogical, unusually friendly and too excited.

**I'm sorry I only did the first 4 brothers ;-;;;;;;

Obey Me The calm but easily flustered exorcist, s/o (Chongyun)

Lucifer

He's impressed by your hard work and dedication you put into your tasks, with poise and logic. Just the way he likes it.

Lucifer appreciates the fact that you're usually calm; because everyone else is, well, not, and it annoys him to no end when a problem comes knocking at the door of the House of Lamentation.

But, that's only usually.

For some reason, whenever you get flustered, unsure, timid, anxious, or whatever, you turn a full 180.

But Lucifer finds it quite cute when you go into that manic state of yours. It's amusing to see you in a personality no one would usually see.

He only flusters you behind closed doors since he can't have you fainting all of a sudden in the public.

As you blush profusely at his sudden proposal in his office, he smirks. "What? Can handle the heat, darling?~" <3

Mammon

He thought you were the opposite of him at first. You were calm and poised, unwavering and diligent in your work. Even he admits that you're a real hard worker.

And he still remembered the times where the ghosts tried haunting them, and you worked hard to exorcise them, though they immediately went back to where they came from because of your positive energy, causing you to grumble.

Meanwhile, Mammon and Levi were screaming Hallelujah as they were finally gone, and thanked you although you told them you did absolutely nothing.

But when Mammon sees the flustered, timid side of you, he snorts. You look ridiculous!! But he gets flustered back when you approach him so affectionately like an airhead. "W-What?! W-why are clinging me?! Um!!"

He fainted along with you on his bed. <3

Leviathan

You're an exorcist?! THAT'S SO COOL!!

He's quite envious of how cool you are, but you remind him so much of this anime and the main character was like- okay, he'll stop rambling-

But he finds it cool whenever you practice exorcism, and you look so cool doing it! You're really calm and collected, no ghost can stand in your way!! :DD

You legit scared them off with your presence alone, there's gotta be exorcism energy resonating in you! You told him you didn't even get to perform an exorcism fully and that it was just your positive energy scaring them off, and that you seriously did nothing.

Well, it's fine, s/o. You still scared them off, so it should be fine-

But Levi would later figure out your flustered side. The side where you become a bundle of raw, haywire emotions that just burst, making you become illogical in your judgements, abnormally overjoyed and a complete airhead.

And he thought he would be the only one like that. He remembers when you stepped in on him swimming without his shirt on- and-

"OH MY GOD, S/O! DID YOU JUST FAINT?! HOLD ON, I'M HERE TO SAVE YOUUUU-" <3

Satan

Oh shit, I love you book boy for cats-

Satan is impressed by your diligence in practising exorcism, and how you conduct them.

He'd like to observe how you do it! Maybe he can do it, too. ^^ For what? Oh, it's not to use against Lucifer as a way to say he's not cleansed and he needs that hahaha, what makes you think that?

Anyways, Satan appreciates that you're a calm person, he needs someone calm and NOT annoying and they're logical around him. Satan really enjoys your company, and he wouldn't trade it for the world. Besides, he wouldn't ever miss out on your flustered side.

That's right, he loves your flustered, completely wavered, illogical self.

It's so adorable, he just wants to just drink in the sight and tease you about it.

In fact, he'll tease you to get you flustered. And like Lucifer, only behind closed doors because he can't have you dying on the floor in public.

As you succumb to your flustered feeling and tried to cover your embarrassed face, Satan hold them and uncovered them, before he smirked back. "What? Cat got your tongue?~" <3

Reblogs help! ^^